With power generators knocked offline and outages rolling across Texas on Feb. 15, wholesale electricity markets in Texas presented a puzzle. Power was trading between $1,000 and $2,000 per megawatt-hour, a very high price, but not one that reflected the severe power shortages crippling the state.

That evening, the Public Utility Commission stepped in, ordering the states grid manager, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, to declare a level three emergency and push wholesale prices to the maximum allowed, $9,000 per megawatt-hour, where they stayed for much of the next few days.

That move, however, has proved controversial, particularly among retail power companies that were forced to buy electricity at the astronomical rates  about 300 times the typical $25 to $30 per megawatt-hour  and pushed toward insolvency. Just Energy blamed artificially set prices that contributed to an estimated $250 million in losses, diminished its cash and raised questions of whether it can stay in business.

Griddy, whose customers pay wholesale prices and face power bills in the thousands of dollars, has accused the PUC of market manipulation.

Industry analysts and energy economists, however, say the PUC was justified in pushing prices to the limit as regulators sought every incentive to get generators online and producing power. Experts add that retail power companies finding themselves in trouble share the blame. Its likely that they relied too heavily on spot markets and did not secure enough power for customers through long-term contracts, a risk management strategy known as hedging.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Days ahead of Texas blackouts warning signs were there

It probably appeared cheaper to buy on the spot market to these retailers, which did not anticipate the high demand and soaring prices of last week, said Peter Hartley, a faculty scholar at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy.

They could have signed long-term contracts that would have protected them against those prices, Hartley said. But (generally), with a long-term contract, youll pay a larger average price.

ERCOT and the PUC likely were using any incentive they could to keep power flowing through the grid, said Adam Sinn, president of the electricity trading company Aspire Commodities.

ERCOT was worried because the grid had just suffered blacking out, Sinn said. The grid operators were nervous and did everything they could to prevent that from reoccurring. They were looking out for the best interest of restoring generation capacity to Texas.

Sinn, however, said the emergency order was kept in place too long. It could have been lifted last Thursday around midday, he said, as moderating temperatures lowered demand and more generation returned, instead of waiting until Friday.

Sinn, who owns small power generators, said he earned about $400,000 during that period, which he donated to charity.

In testimony before the Legislature on Thursday, the chair of the Public Utility Commission, DeAnn Walker, said state officials should review whether prices should be kept at $9,000 for extended periods during such emergencies. She conceded that pricing strategy did not work because power supplies remained short and outages lasted for days.

But she defended the PUCs move to lift prices to the state cap as necessary to ensure that all available generation was up, running and selling into the market. In a statement, the PUC said, These peak prices are paid by wholesale buyers that have failed to purchase power in advance to hedge risk exposure for their customers. They are also paid by generators who do not generate power that they have committed to provide. This acts as a penalty for generators who fail to show up when needed.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Blackouts, soaring prices cost retail power company $250 million

ERCOT estimates that retail power companies and other buyers ran up bills totaling about $20 billion over two days, the grid managers CEO, Bill Magness, told lawmakers Thursday. Some companies may not be able to pay those bills and could end up in bankruptcy.

Ed Hirs, an energy fellow in the economics department at the University of Houston, said the costs of the power crisis and who pays them will become controversial.

All the guys that won big will insist on collecting, Hirs said. And those who lost big are going to scream foul.

becca.carballo@chron.com
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A 58-year-old man died after he was hit by a car late Wednesday afternoon at a Middletown intersection, authorities confirmed to PennLive.

Middletown resident Andrew MacKerchar was pronounced dead at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, according to the Dauphin County Coroners Office.

The coroners office confirmed MacKerchar was the man who, according to bystanders, was struck around 5 p.m. Wednesday in the area of East Main and Spruce streets.

John Winsett works at the Turkey Hill facing the intersection and previously told PennLive he heard a really loud bang at the time of the crash.

He said he and some customers watched the man get thrown into the air then hit the ground. When they ran outside, they saw the mans shoes and mask lying nearby. A light-colored sedan with a shattered windshield was parked near the intersection while police laid evidence markers at the scene.

Its an intersection that has problems frequently, Winsett said. The speed limit in the area is 35 mph.

We see tons of close encounters like that, Winsett said. Its just people who come really fast and they dont really watch. Its pretty dangerous I guess.

There is still much that remains unclear about the crash. Middletown Interim Police Chief Dennis Morris said he could not comment on whether criminal charges are being pursued.

Middletown police were not immediately available Friday morning to answer additional questions.

READ MORE: 12-year-old boy dies from injuries after accidental shooting in Swatara Township home

N.J. man charged in Capitol riot boasted about urinating in Nancy Pelosis office: feds
Development Dialogue

Infrastructure development being undertaken in various parts of the country complements well the establishment of special economic zones by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA).

The projects being undertaken will complement the existing infrastructure that is already good enough for use by businesses.

The infrastructure that can help special economic zones flourish include both external and internal systems.

External infrastructure includes air, road and rail transport and communication systems outside the trading zones, while internal infrastructure involves the arrangement of the systems within the trading zones.

Investors in special economic zones may eventually need to export their products, and they cannot efficiently do that without a good air, road and railway network.

That is why work being undertaken on major roads like Beitbridge-Harare and Harare-Chirundu highways, and many other roads, should be complemented as an incentive that will play a major role in the attraction of investors.

The expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport also fits well into the special economic zones matrix, as it will enable efficient movement of both humans and goods.

The magnificently re-done Victoria Falls International Airport will not only make it easy for tourists, but also for investors, especially after the swathe of land around Victoria Falls up to Binga, was declared a special economic zone.

Other projects that support special economic zones include the on-going expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station and the Kariba South Power Station Extension Project which was switched on by President Mnangagwa in 2018.

These and other smaller power generation projects will assure investors of constant supply of electricity, a vital component of industrial production processes.

The special economic zones will also need internal infrastructure within the designated areas, especially where industrial shells are set up.

The provision of water, electricity and efficient waste management should be a priority to the industrial areas, while these areas should be linked with the major road and rail infrastructure.

In some countries that effectively established special economic zones, investors are attracted by presence of such infrastructure, including readily built factory shells.

What the investors do is only to bring in their machinery, set it up and they are good to go.

The development of special economic zones, which ZIDA is pressing ahead with, should be a welcome development in the attraction of investors.

It is important for ZIDA, as it charts the way forward in the establishment of special economic zones, to draw lessons from other countries that have successfully implemented the development concept.

China is one such good example of how special economic zones helped change the country's economic fortunes.

It is common to find whole cities being declared special economic zones in the Asian country, while many other such zones are found within various cities and even rural areas. What is unique about special economic zones is that they are designed with the sole purpose of attracting investors in various fields, depending on how the area is designated.

This is done, especially through the offering of incentives that enable the investor to benefit from the investment, while the country also reaps its rewards.

The special economic zones come in a wide range, they can include free trade zones, export processing zones, industrial parks, economic and technology development zones, high-tech zones, science and innovation parks and enterprises zones.

Through special economic zones, Zimbabwe can move forward in technological advancement as foreign investors will bring with them high-tech equipment and new technologies.

Skills can easily be transferred from the few expatriates that can be hired in these industrial parks, in the end creating a highly skilled local workforce.

The establishment of special economic zones is expected to restore the economy's capacity to produce goods and services competitively.

This will receive a boost in that the management of special economic zones was incorporated as one of the responsibilities of ZIDA, making them an important part of the one-stop investment centre.

Special economic zones form part of the reforms being implemented by the New Dispensation, as authorities push towards economic turnaround.

This is why ZIDA was mandated with coming up with appropriate incentives and terms and conditions for investors, so that as many as possible can subscribe to special economic zones, and many other areas of investment.

All this compels ZIDA to come up with a publicity campaign that can reach out to all potential investors.

Investors can only get an interest after being made aware of the existing opportunities that abound, not only in special economic zones, but in all sectors of the economy.

The publicity campaign should target both local and foreign investors, with specially designed messages for different regions.

If implemented well and according to expected standards, special economic zones can help sat the industrialisation and modernisation process on track.

In fact, special economic zones are a new model of development economics that has been adopted by many developing countries in recent years in a bid to help expedite their development process.

Zimbabwe stands a chance of success with special economic zones considering its strategic advantage in terms of the resources it possesses.

The abundant natural resources and the human resources base are what investors usually look at before they make crucial decisions.

In terms of natural resources, investors with the potential for value addition and beneficiation, particularly for minerals, should be considered and given priority.

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The broader vision for the country as pronounced by President Mnangagwa is to achieve an upper middle income economy by 2030, which is known as Vision 2030.

Special economic zones can play a crucial role in ensuring that this vision is realised through the attraction of both local and foreign investors, who will bring capital to the country.

In its quest to attract investors, ZIDA should adopt a broader view and welcome those interested in investing in the country from across the globe, without discrimination, as long as the investor does not promote terrorism or money laundering.

This requires tapping into the re-engagement and engagement activities that have been undertaken by the New Dispensation since 2017, an exercise that is beginning to bear fruit.

A number of countries are having a revised view of their business relationship with Zimbabwe.

For instance, Zimbabwean businesses participated at the Africa Investment Conference in January, along with companies from 35 other African countries.

The conference was organised by the United Kingdom's Department for International Trade.

The invitation to this investment conference came as a result of the re-engagement efforts, after the country had not been invited for previous editions.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair responds rises during question period in the House of Commons on Dec. 11, 2020. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)

China a Main Source of Fentanyl Fuelling Opioid Crisis Killing Canadians, Public Safety Minister Says

Blair warns about use of Chinese social media apps, says information can be used for 'hostile activities'

China is one of the main manufacturers of fentanyl and plays a key role in the current overdose crisis in Canada, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair told a parliamentary committee on Feb. 25.

Its no secret that China is one of the main source countries of fentanyl, as well as the precursor chemicals used to make this highly potent and deadly synthetic opioids, Blair said.

Illegal fentanyl and fentanyl-like drugs are being mixed in with and contaminating other drugs. This continues to be a major driving factor in the overdose crisis that has tragically cut so many lives short in Canada.

Blair, along with top intelligence and security officials, testified before the Standing Committee on Canada-China relations about the Chinese regimes increasing foreign interference and infiltration in Canada, with one of the issues being the smuggling of fentanyl into the country.

Over the last four years, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has made 335 seizures totalling over 42.2 kilograms of the illicit drugs, the minister said. Of the seizures, 129 had China listed as the source country of those drugs.

According to government figures, over 17,000 Canadians died from opioid overdoses between January 2016 and June 2020. From January to June 2020, 75 percent of the deaths involved fentanyl.

Blair said the RCMP has established an organized crime joint operation centre with the CBSA and Canada Post to track and take action to stop the drugs coming into the country.

Evidence bags containing fentanyl are displayed during a news conference at Surrey RCMP Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Sept. 3, 2020. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

When asked by Liberal MP Jean Yip if there is a need for Canadians to be wary about using social media platforms that are owned by Chinese companies such as WeChat, Weibo, or TikTok, Blair answered in the affirmative.

I would say yes. There is a legitimate concern that sometimes the information thats publicly available on those platforms can be used by the hostile activities of state actors, he said.

The Canadian Armed Forces have resisted joining TikTok over concerns of the platforms Chinese ownership and its unclear censorship rules, according to a January Winnipeg Free Press article.

TikTok has huge security risksand does not have a government seal of approval, a military communications manager wrote in an August 2020 email, reported the Winnipeg Free Press, which obtained the email through a freedom-of-information request.

Blair dodged a question from Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus as to whether the government will ban Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei from Canadas 5G network.

We will never compromise the security of Canadian interests on something as important as 5G. Im obviously not going to talk about a specific company because our work is not relevant to a specific company, but rather to ensuring that we take the steps necessary to protect all Canadian interests, he said.

A worker talks on the phone in a Huawei store in Beijing on July 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

When asked by Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs who advised the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that its OK for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to put up $4.8 million to partner with Huawei to fund research in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing and all areas that help their military at Canadian universities, Blair also didnt answer directly. He said the government is very aware of attempts by foreign state actors, and in particular the Peoples Republic of China to target cutting-edge Canadian research and development efforts.

Our departments are very actively engaging with universities, federal labs, and private companies toward the Safeguarding Science initiative to ensure Canadian intellectual property remains safe from theft, he said.

David Vigneault, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), explained that his agency would advise academics and provide them with information about potential threats they may face. A second method is to conduct intelligence investigations on espionage and foreign interference directly, he said.

Beijing Visa Applications

Blair was also grilled by opposition MPs about a company that manages Canadas visa applications in Beijing, which turns out to be owned by the Beijing police department, according to a Globe and Mail report.

The company, known as Beijing Shuangxiong Foreign Service Company, is a subcontractor of VFS Global, which has been contracted by the government to process visa applications for Canada in 83 countries.

When asked by Bloc MP Stephane Bergeron what guarantee the government can offer to people who apply through the Beijing office that their passports or biometric data will not fall to the hands of the Chinese regime, Blair said there are safeguards in place to ensure their personal data are transmitted securely back to Canada.

Blair then asked Shelly Bruce, chief of Communications Security Establishment (CSE), Canadas national cryptologic agency, to offer her insights. But Bruce said she could not because this is a service that has been procured by the IRCC [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada]. We are available to provide advice and guidance on how to protect systems and that is available upon request.

I find it revealing to learn that the CSE was not asked to provide an opinion on that, Bergeron said.

NDP MP Jack Harris asked Blair if he had any knowledge which government agency pre-approved the arrangement for Beijing Shuangxiong to process the visa applications.

I have some difficulty, frankly, answering your question, Mr. Harris, about the origin of this contract. It was signed in 2008 before we were the government, so its been in place for 12 years now, Blair answered, adding he could only assume the normal procurement processes had been followed.

So your government is totally satisfied with this arrangement and satisfied that it should continue in perpetuity? Harris asked.

Im satisfied that IRCC has not identified any concerns and they have provided strong assurances that Canadian data and Canadian interests are well protected in the system they have in place, Blair replied.

When Yip raised the issue of pro-Hong Kong protesters in British Columbia facing threats and intimidation from Chinese officials, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said those being threatened should come forward.

If people are getting intimidated, as soon as theyre brought to our attention, theres full investigations. If people, if they have broken any of the laws in the Criminal Code, we will pursue charges in those cases, Lucki said, adding that the RCMP has a 1-800 number to report threats to national security that people can call.

Harris said the problem is people feel theyre getting the runaround when they seek help from the local police, CSIS, and RCMP on such issues.

By the sounds of it, it sounds like we need to do better communication so that the people who feel threatened know that number exists, Lucki said.
Jim Bourg/Reuters

A senior Justice Department official opened the door to seeking new legislative authorities to pursue domestic terrorism, a step the Biden administration has yet to entertain since the January 6 insurrection and something civil libertarians have warned against.

The prospect of expanded investigative and prosecutorial tools arose during a Friday briefing with reporters in which multiple Justice Department and FBI officials described an expansive array of authorities already available to them.

While there is no domestic terrorism statute, and U.S. officials can not designate a domestic group for sanction like they can a foreign one, one senior official acknowledged that statutory definitions of domestic terrorism expand a lot of authorities we can use, such nationwide search warrants, expanded law-enforcement access to tax and educational records, and harsher sentencing.

First Capitol Riot Hearing Only Raised More Questions About Jan. 6

But on Friday, a senior Justice Department official suggested the administration would consider seeking a domestic-terrorism statute as well.

Obviously thats going to be a policy question for the folks that are coming in to the administration, said the senior official. Im sure well run a data-driven process to see whether we need additional legislative authorities in this area.

That has been a step the new administration has yet to take. On Tuesday, Sen. Mark Warner, the Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate intelligence committee, told The Daily Beasts New Abnormal podcast that the FBI has not sought additional powers to confront white supremacist or far-right violence. The FBI did not challenge that characterization, telling The Daily Beast: The FBI defers to the legislative branch to work with leadership at the Department of Justice on whether any additional legislation is required.

The prospect of new counterterrorism powers has alarmed civil libertarians and others who fear that such authorities are both unnecessary and rife for abuse to criminalize extreme political views, rather than pursue people who have planned or committed acts of violence. Pointing to the excesses of the FBI during the 20-year War on Terror, they also fear that expanding those law enforcement, intelligence, and prosecutorial powers will permit future presidents to use them against marginalized groups. Former President Donald Trump, for instance, slandered Black Lives Matter activists as terrorists.

Story continues

We should not lose sight of our disgust at the double standards employed against white protesters and Black ones, or against Muslims and non-Muslims, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) told The Daily Beast in the week after the Capitol insurrection. But at the same time, we must resist the very human desire for revengeto simply see the tools that have oppressed Black and Brown people expanded The answer is not more laws expanding the surveillance and security state.

Three Percenter Truck at Capitol on Jan. 6 Belongs to Hitler-Quoting Reps Husband

On the call, Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin pledged that the Justice Department was prioritizing the detection, disruption, and deterrence of domestic terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. Carlin repeatedly referenced continuities in such prioritization with the post-9/11 pursuit of jihadist terror at home, such as taking an intelligence-led approach, as we have since 9/11.

Across the government, and to include Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines forthcoming comprehensive threat assessment of domestic terrorism, Carlin said the administration was looking at expanding information sharing, to prevent radicalization and disrupt extremist networks. As many officials have since 9/11, Carlin promised the protection of civil liberties would remain a priority.

Carlin said the Justice Department would soon issue guidance ensuring its National Security Division has insight into and can track all cases with a nexus to domestic terrorism or violent extremism, in the hope of generating leads in cases across jurisdictions.

This approach recognizes that success is not the prosecution of a violent extremist or terrorist after the fact when families have lost loved ones and are grieving, Carlin said. Success is a disruption before violence occurs and that always has to be the goal of our counterterrorism work.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
About Serial' Season One:

A high-school senior named Hae Min Lee disappeared one day after school in 1999, in Baltimore County, Maryland. A month later, her body was found in a city park. Shed been strangled. Her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was charged with muder, and within a year, he was sentenced to life in prison. The case against him was largely based on the story of one witness, Adnans friend Jay, who testified that he helped Adnan bury Haes body. But Adnan has always maintained he had nothing to do with Haes death. Some people believe hes telling the truth. Many others dont.

Sarah Koenig sorted through thousands of documents, listened to trial testimony and police interrogations, and talked to everyone she could find who remembered what happened between Adnan Syed and Hae Min Lee. She discovered that the trial covered up a far more complicated story than the jury  or the public  ever got to hear. The high-school scene, the shifting statements to the police, the prejudices, the sketchy alibis, the scant forensic evidence  all of it leads back to the most basic questions: How can you know a persons character? How can you tell what theyre capable of? In Season One of Serial, she looks for answers.

When it launched in 2014, Serial became a global sensation that has been credited with launching the modern era of audio journalism. Serial has been downloaded 1 billion times and won the Peabody and the Nobel Prize. The New York Times Company acquired Serial Productions in 2020.

This episode of Serial was produced by Sarah Koenig, Julie Snyder and Dana Chivvis, with editorial advisory by Ira Glass. Production and operations managed by Emily Condon. Research and fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Administrative support from Elise Bergerson. Original scoring by Nick Thorburn, who wrote the theme song, and Mark Henry Phillips, who mixed the show.

Two men walking along Bournda Beach near Tathra on the states South Coast at 12.15pm on Sunday made the grisly discovery of an ASICS running shoe containing the remains of a foot which DNA testing has since confirmed belong to missing Dover Heights woman Melissa Caddick.

Earlier this week a warrant for Ms Caddicks arrest had been issued on behalf of the corporate watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, for numerous breaches of the Corporations Act.

Ms Caddick, 49, disappeared in the early hours of Thursday morning, November 12.

Composite of Melissa Caddick and the shoe and foot (inset) found on a South Coast beach. Credit:SMH, Seven News

The last people outside her family to see her alive were members of the Australian Federal Police who left her Dover Heights home around 7pm on Wednesday, November 11, after executing a search warrant on behalf of ASIC.
DID YOU KNOW ...

Bruce and Lisa Allen, residents of Manistee since 2019, have a family history of Civil Rights Activism and legal representation for the African American Community.

Bruces grandfather was J. Chester Allen who was born in 1900 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His grandmother was Elizabeth Fletcher who was born in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois. She married Chester Allen in 1928.

Mr. Allen received his law degree from Boston University. Mrs. Allen was also an attorney. It is hard to believe that in the early 1920s, a husband and wife team could be practicing attorneys. Their marriage vows were not only to each other, but they also vowed to support and bring dignity to their community. They created the Allen & Allen Law Firm. Elizabeth Allen became the first African American female attorney in St. Joseph County in Indiana.

Chester Allen was the first African American to serve on the city council and the school board of South Bend, Indiana. He was also elected president of the St. Joseph County Bar Association and to the Indiana state legislature.

Elizabeth Fletcher Allen worked with many organizations including the South Bend Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She also worked with the Black Business and Professional Womens Association. She and her husband worked diligently to improve the lives of the African Americans in the community.

Allen & Allen Law Firm was best known for the fight for desegregation against the Engman Natatorium, which was built in 1922. The City of south Bend only allowed white people to swim in the pool. Allen & Allen fought against this policy of segregation. Then the city passed a special tax on the citizens of the community for pool repairs. Allen & Allen represented the NAACP and stated that the citizens would not pay the taxes if they were not allowed access to the pool. After 16 years of this fight, the city agreed to open the pool to blacks. Now get this  Blacks could only go to the pool on Mondays with no whites present. The struggle for desegregation went on for more than two decades. Finally in 1970 the Engman Public Natatorium closed its doors and sat empty for years. Today, that building is now the Civil Rights Heritage Center in South Bend, Indiana, thanks to the diligent work of the Allen & Allen Law Firm.

The City of Manistee is excited to have Bruce and Lisa Allen as residents of our great city and also proud of their familial heritage for civil rights and advocating for human dignity within the African American Community.

 Compiled by Shirley Madden, member of the Manistee Area Racial Justice & Diversity Initiative.
BTS reportedly received racist remarks, such as being compared to COVID-19, from a German radio broadcaster, Bayern 3's Matthias Matuschik. In response, the latter released his official stand over the issue - only to anger more fans.

On Feb. 26, a German radio broadcaster from Bayern 3, named Matthias Matuschik, and his side released their official apology for the racist remarks thrown at the K-pop group BTS.

Bayern 3 bowed its head in an official stance on the controversy over racial discrimination on the 26th.

According to Matthias' side, "This is a personal opinion of the host. It is the nature of this program to express one's opinions openly without embellishment. We are sure he didn't mean it that way."

However, they added, "He made the comments ironically and exaggeratedly, breaking the hearts of ARMYs, BTS fans. The fact that many people have been hurt does not change. We apologize for the incident."

Bayern 3's Matuschik Compared BTS to COVID-19, Made Insensitive Joke He will Send the Group to North Korea for a Vacation

During a broadcast, Bayern 3 host Matthias Matuschik aired anger over BTS for covering of Coldplay's "Fix You," which they performed on "MTV Unplugged" stage in the U.S.

The host, who is currently under fire, said, "For this cover, they deserve a vacation in North Korea for the next 20 years."

What is more shocking is that in a video shared by BTS fans, Matuschik was also heard saying, "BTS is an abbreviation for the coronavirus (COVID-19), and I hope there will be a vaccine against them soon," instantly earning the ire of fans.

Despite foul criticisms, he stressed that he was neither xenophobic nor racist and went on with the radio show.

Angered BTS Fans Swarmed on Twitter

After the broadcast, BTS's fandom, ARMY, protested on various social media platforms, particularly on Twitter. They pointed out their issue with the broadcast through the hashtags #RassismusBeiBayern3 and Bayern3Racist. The DJ was also called for clarification and apology, referring to the terms "Wir sind gegen Rassismus," which means against racism.

Though the radio broadcast already conveyed its official statement, fans netizens are criticizing Matuschik for thinking that having a personal opinion doesn't correspond to being sensitive being respectful.

On the same day, Columbia Records published a photo containing the message, "Columbia Records stands with the Asian Community and condemns all forms of racism and xenophobia. We must all strive together to strive for racial justice."

Meanwhile, BTS met fans all over the world through "MTV Unplugged Presents: BTS," which aired on Feb. 24. The septet delivered five songs in different colors to give viewers across the globe a rich performance - and soon enough, there were named a legendary guest of "MTV Unplugged."

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 17:42:31|Editor: huaxia

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Workers unload containers with COVID-19 vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm at the Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 25, 2021. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)

China and Argentina cooperated in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, including carrying out exchanges among medics of diagnosis and treatment experience, institutions' cooperation in vaccine clinical trials, as well as acquisition and transportation of vaccines.



BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Argentina received the first batch of vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm on Thursday night.

Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers Santiago Cafiero was on hand to receive the shipment at the Ezeiza International Airport on the southern outskirts of the capital Buenos Aires.

Accompanying Cafiero were Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Sola and Health Minister Carla Vizzotti, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Zou Xiaoli.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Argentine counterpart, Alberto Fernandez, have reached an important consensus on cooperation in the development and use of vaccines, said Zou.

"This consensus has become a reality" thanks to the joint efforts of Argentina's foreign affairs and health ministries, ANMAT (Argentina's National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices) and the Sinopharm group, Zou told reporters at the airport.

The Chinese ambassador highlighted China-Argentina cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, including exchanges among medics of diagnosis and treatment experience, institutions' cooperation in vaccine clinical trials, as well as the acquisition and transportation of vaccines. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 06:30:41|Editor: huaxia

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RIGA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- While Latvia is still struggling to cope with persistently high COVID-19 incidence and a slowdown in its vaccine rollout, epidemiologists and officials are warning about a looming third wave of coronavirus infections.

Jurijs Perevoscikovs, a senior epidemiologist at the Latvian Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), informed on Friday that after several weeks of gradual improvement, in the past seven days the number of COVID-19 cases have been on the rise again.

Liene Cipule, head of the Emergency Medical Service, said on Twitter that the third COVID-19 wave is expected to hit Latvia in the next two to four weeks. She also warned that by Easter, bed saturation in Latvia's hospitals can be twice as high as during the Christmas holidays.

At an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Friday, Health Minister Daniels Pavluts told ministers that in order to prevent the health system from being overwhelmed, the government will probably have to decide on imposing new restrictions on services and the movement of people.

He called on the ministers to agree on a clear and coherent action plan in preparation for the third coronavirus wave. The health minister also informed that work is under way to improve the quality and capacity of testing and sequencing so that outbreaks of new COVID-19 variants can be detected as quickly as possible.

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins warned the government that the next four weeks are going to be extremely challenging, especially because delays in vaccine deliveries are impeding the planned immunization of the population.

"The social and psychological pressure is huge, let alone the economic pressure," he said. Enditem
York County authorities are searching for a 43-year-old woman they say hasnt been seen since Thursday morning.

Michele Shearer, of New Freedom, has been missing since 6 a.m. Thursday, according to Southern York Regional police.

Shearer could be driving a 2013 Ford Explorer with black trim and Pennsylvania registration JDS-4398.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Southern York Regional police at 717-235-3944, or York County dispatch at 717-854-5571.

READ MORE: 12-year-old boy dies from injuries after accidental shooting in Swatara Township home

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Pa. woman rescued from abuse after putting Call 911 sign in window: police
A San Francisco man suspected of breaking into the iconic Cliff House and stealing historic memorabilia in January, nearly one month after the restaurant announced its permanent closure, has been arrested and charged with burglary, authorities said.

The man, whom police officials declined to identify because their investigation is ongoing, was arrested Feb. 12 in San Franciscos Outer Richmond neighborhood on a search and arrest warrant for the Jan. 26 burglary.

Several items stolen from the famous restaurant were recovered at the mans residence, found on Ocean Beach by joggers or discovered in second-hand stores in San Francisco, Julian Espinoza, a spokesman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, said.

U.S. Park Police located additional items stolen from the Cliff House on Feb. 19, including Sutro Baths bathing suits and artwork. All of the stolen historic items except for a photograph valued at $50 were recovered. Some smaller items, including some tools, remained missing, Espinoza said. All of the found items were returned to the Hountalas family, which ran the restaurant.

Auction contractors hired by former Cliff House operators Dan and Marianne Hountalas discovered a break-in at the Cliff House on Jan. 26, officials said. U.S. Park Police said at least two people broke into the building near Ocean Beach in the early hours of the day and stole historic memorabilia, tools and art. Police did not say if additional suspects would face charges.

The burglary happened nearly a month before a planned online auction of the 157-year-old landmarks memorabilia, artwork and decorative furnishings. The Cliff House auction dates were pushed back to allow park police to investigate the burglary and recover the stolen items that were up for sale.

Dan and Marianne operated at a loss for several years, especially during COVID, to keep the restaurant going for as many years as it did, said Laura Reid, who is helping to manage the Cliff House auction. These are possessions that they feel can be enjoyed by other people and will continue, hopefully, to be in the community.

The Western Neighborhoods Project, a nonprofit that preserves the history of neighborhoods in western San Francisco, recently launched a fundraising campaign to purchase artifacts from the auction to keep the Cliff House collection intact and accessible for public viewing.

The Cliff House closed in December after the Hountalas, who ran the property since 1977, failed to reach a new lease agreement with the sites owner, the National Park Service.

But the property may not remain vacant for long. The National Park Service said it will immediately make use of the space while it searches for a tenant, and the goal is for the building to house a restaurant under a new name.

Officials said the suspect has been arraigned and is pending future court appearances.

Vanessa Arredondo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vanessa.arredondo@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @v_anana
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security in the region amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security in the region amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion in the Gulf of Oman forced the vessel to head to the nearest port.

The incident recalled the summer of 2019, when the same site saw a series of suspected attacks that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran, which Tehran denied. Meanwhile, as President Joe Biden tries to revive nuclear negotiations with Iran, he ordered overnight airstrikes on facilities in Syria belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group.

Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, identified the stricken vessel as the MV Helios Ray, a Bahamian-flagged roll-on, roll-off vehicle cargo ship. Another private security official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, similarly identified the ship as the Helios Ray.

Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 0600 GMT Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz. It was coming from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker.

Israels Channel 13, in an unsourced report, said the assessment in Israel is that Iran was behind the blast. Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Iranian government did not comment on the blast Friday.

The blast comes as Tehran increasingly breaches its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers to create leverage over Washington. Iran is seeking to pressure Biden to grant the sanctions relief it received under the deal that former President Donald Trump abandoned nearly three years ago.

Iran also has blamed Israel for a recent series of attacks, including a mysterious explosion last summer that destroyed an advanced centrifuge assembly plant at its Natanz nuclear facility and the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a top Iranian scientist who founded the Islamic Republics military nuclear program two decades ago.

Capt. Ranjith Raja of the data firm Refinitiv told the AP that the Israeli-owned vessel had left the Persian Gulf Thursday bound for Singapore. On Friday at 0230 GMT, the vessel stopped for at least nine hours east of a main Omani port before making a 360-degree turn and sailing toward Dubai, likely for damage assessment and repairs, he said.

The vessel came loaded with cargo from Europe. It discharged vehicles at several ports in the region, Raja added, including in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with its last port of call at Dammam.

While details of the explosion remained unclear, two American defence officials told the AP that the ship had sustained two holes on its port side and two holes on its starboard side just above the waterline in the blast. The officials said it remained unclear what caused the holes. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss unreleased information on the incidents.

A United Nations ship database identified the vessels owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday.

Abraham Ungar, 74, who goes by Rami, is the founder of Ray Shipping Ltd., and is known as one of the richest men in Israel. He made his fortune in shipping and construction.

According to the Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy, where Ungar provides support and maritime training, he owns dozens of car-carrying ships and employs thousands of engineers.

The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it was aware and monitoring the situation. The U.S. Maritime Administration, an agency of the Transportation Department, issued a warning to commercial shippers early Saturday acknowledging the explosion and urging ships to exercise caution when transiting the Gulf of Oman.

While the circumstances of the explosion remain unclear, Dryad Global said it was very possible the blast stemmed from asymmetric activity by Iranian military."

As Iran seeks to pressure the United States to lift sanctions, the country may seek to exercise forceful diplomacy through military means, Dryad reported.

In the tense summer of 2019, the U.S. military blamed Iran for explosions on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic shipping lanes. The U.S. also had attributed a series of other suspected attacks to Iran, including the use of limpet mines  designed to be attached magnetically to a ships hull  to cripple four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah.

Since the killing of Fakhrizadeh, the Iranian nuclear scientist, last November, Israeli officials have raised alarms about potential Iranian retaliation, including through its regional proxies like Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Over the years, Iran has been linked to attacks on Israeli and Jewish civilian targets in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Israel has not commented on its alleged role in the scientist's killing.

Friday's incident also follows normalization deals between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain. The agreements, met with scathing criticism from Iran, solidified an emerging regional alliance against the Islamic Republic.

__

Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report.
(Natural News) What do you really know about Bill Gates? Lets see  he co-founded Microsoft and has billions of dollars. According to Wikipedia, Gates is an American business magnate, software developer, investor, and philanthropist.

(Article by Ty Bollinger republished from TheTruthAboutCancer.com)

You might have heard that in early 2020, Gates resigned from the board of Microsoft to focus full time on philanthropy and also global health and vaccines. Sounds like a great guy!

But exactly what qualifications does the founder of a trillion-dollar software behemoth have to be a leader in global health and vaccines?

NONE.

Nevertheless, the mainstream media teleprompter readers (sorry, I meant anchors) are always thrilled to give Gates the prime time to peddle fear and tell everyone how necessary vaccines are going to be if we are going to defeat COVID-19. First it was just one shot, then it was two doses, and now Gates is saying that a third dose of coronavirus vaccine may be needed to prevent serious cases of new variants of the disease.

THE BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

The BMGF is the worlds largest private foundation with more than $50 billion in assets. It is the second largest donor to the WHO next to the U.S. government.

But have you ever wondered how and why the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) came into being?

Were you aware that the BMGF was originally created to help gloss over Bills shredded reputation during Microsofts antitrust trial in the late 1990s?

You see, Microsoft was accused of trying to create a monopoly that led to the collapse of rival Netscape by giving its browser software for free. During the 18 month trial which began in May 1998, Gates gave hours of videotaped testimony in which he was transparently evasive, pompous, and egotistical. You can watch the testimony here, if you have the stomach to watch Gates for a prolonged period of time.

During the deposition, he regularly gave nebulous and ambiguous answers and muttered I dont recall so many times that even the presiding judge had to snicker. He also made a long list of claims that would soon be directly refuted in court by comparison to his own emails. (TRANSLATION: Gates lied  A LOT)

Throughout the trial, Gates and Microsoft took a public relations beating, so they began what was referred to as a charm offensive aimed at improving their image. It was during this time that Gates discovered the wonders of charitable giving. (wink wink) Remember  billionaire-funded philanthropy is usually a PR scam.

The fact of the matter is that between the beginning of the trial and the verdict, Gates contributed $20.3 billion (yes, thats BILLION) to the BMGF. According to Ken Auletta, author of the 2001 book World War 3.0: Microsoft and Its Enemies, the contributions became part of Microsofts PR effort to humanize Gates. In other words, Gates used the donations to help rebrand his name as a philanthropist, when in actuality the donations were nothing more than a fig leaf to rebuild his reputation of being a ruthless, predatory, condescending, ruling-class jerk. And the mainstream media was more than happy to help spit-shine his reputation as a generous benefactor of humanity instead of a petty, bullying scumbag.

Between 2002 and 2012, Gates sold an estimated $22 billion in Microsoft stock but contributed only $3.7 billion of that to the BMGF. Thats less than 20%. Lets just say Bill wasnt too worried about food money or paying the rent with the remaining $18.3 billion.

GATES, GMOs & GEOENGINEERING

In 2006, the BMGF donated $100 million and formed an alliance with the Rockefeller Foundation to help spur a green revolution in Africa, with a major focus being to encourage the use of pesticides and advanced (i.e. GMO) seeds.

In 2010, the BMGF purchased 500,000 shares in Monsanto, the worlds largest producer of GMO food as well as pesticides like glyphosate (Roundup), making it abundantly clear that this so-called benevolent charity is up to something other than eradicating disease and feeding the worlds poor.

Since 2015, the BMGF has donated a total of $15 million to two global campaigns aimed at ending world hunger by encouraging small farmers around the world to use GMOs.

Interestingly, while the BMGF is heavily promoting GMO to farmers, at the same time its investing in the Doomsday Crop Diversity Vault, a seed bank located in Norway. Other investors include the Norwegian government, the Rockefeller Foundation, and major GMO seed and agrichemical companies.

Food for thought  Why is the BMGF pushing GMO seeds (which destroy the plant seed varieties) while at the same time investing tens of millions of dollars to preserve every seed variety known in a bomb-proof doomsday vault near the remote Arctic Circle so that crop diversity can be conserved for the future? Think about it.

Since 2007, Gates has been personally funding and closely involved in the Fund for Innovative Climate and Energy Research (FICER), based at Harvard University, which carries out research into the possibility of blocking the sun in order to mitigate global warming, using chemicals or particles of metals such as aluminum.

In 2012 FICER announced their intention to spray sun-reflecting sulphate particles into the atmosphere to artificially cool the planet, and they also contemplated using aluminum for the same purpose.

Thats right, its no longer a conspiracy theory folks. Those criss cross lines in the sky arent funny shaped clouds and they arent normal exhaust from planes. They are chemical trails (aka chemtrails) being intentionally sprayed into the atmosphere. Heck, there are actually multiple patents on this technology.

THE GATES FAMILY LEGACY

Bills father (William H. Gates, Sr.) was a banker and attorney, who served the same hidden agenda as his son while promoting racial hygiene during the Rockefeller-financed eugenics movement of the 1930s and 1940s.

Gates Sr. has long been involved with the eugenics group Planned Parenthood, a rebranded organization birthed out of the American Eugenics Society. In a 2003 interview with PBS, Bill Gates admitted that his father used to be the head of Planned Parenthood, which was founded on the concept that most human beings are just reckless breeders and human weeds in need of culling.

During the interview, Bill Gates also admitted that his family has been extensively involved with reproductive issues, referencing his own prior adherence to the beliefs of eugenicist Thomas Robert Malthus, who believed that the world population needs to be controlled through reproductive restrictions.

Mary Gates, Bills mother, was a prominent Seattle businesswoman. Her father, Willard Maxwell, was a vice president of Pacific National Bank, which later became First Interstate. Mary helped her son Bill get the contract that led to a lucrative relationship with I.B.M. for his fledgling Microsoft Corporation, according to her New York Times obituary.

It turns out that the Gates family legacy has long been one of trying to dominate and control the worlds systems, including in the areas of technology, medicine, and now agriculture. Through the BMGF, Bill Gates is able to avoid taxes while maintaining control of the assets and using that control to influence private and public policy regarding pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and GMOs. Money talks.

Speaking of vaccines

GATES & VACCINES

Vaccines are the philanthropic endeavor for which Gates and the BMGF are best known.

The benevolent Bill Gates was born in December of 1998  during the Microsoft antitrust trial  when the BMGF announced a $100 million gift to establish the Bill and Melinda Gates Childrens Vaccine Program.

The next year, the BMGF pledged $750 million as the seed money to set up the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). GAVIs partners include certain countries, the Bill and Melinda Gates Childrens Vaccine Program, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Rockefeller Foundation, United Nations Childrens Fund, WHO, and the World Bank. The GAVI board is comprised of representatives from Big Pharma.

Gates has been associated with numerous vaccine initiatives in third-world countries which are not only immoral and unethical, but have had disastrous consequences.

For instance, in a 2013 report to the India Parliament, the BMGF was accused of targeting illiterate adolescents without consent for HPV (human papilloma virus) trials in India. These alleged medical experiments provided for no investigations or reporting of known adverse drug reactions.

The next year, in August of 2014, the Economic Times India published a report which alleged that observational studies (i.e. vaccine experiments) had been carried out on 30,000 tribal school children in Andhra Pradesh and Vadodara, Gujarat, India, using the HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) and within a month of receiving the vaccine, hundreds of the children became sick and seven children died. Shockingly, the report stated that many of the consent forms used to vaccinate the girls were signed illegally  either by the wardens from the hostels where many of the girls resided or using thumbprints from illiterate parents who couldnt even write.

Indian government investigations charged that BMGF funded researchers committed pervasive ethical violations: pressuring vulnerable village girls into the trial, bullying parents, forging consent forms, and refusing medical care to the injured girls.

However, after these adverse reactions became known, a report funded by the BMGF was released explaining that there was no correlation between the adverse events and the HPV vaccine.

Child is fine  gets vaccinated  gets sick  then dies. No correlation? Mmmm yeah. Right!

In 2000, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) was finally dropped from US schedules after four decades when the authorities finally admitted that the vaccine was causing more cases of polio than the wild-type virus itself. However, despite this fact, the BMGF has involved itself in an aggressive campaign to promote the OPV in India.

According to a 2018 report by Prakash and Puliyel, since the beginning of the OPV push, while polio rates have been decreasing, there have been 491,000 new cases of NPAFP (non-polio acute flaccid paralysis) which is clinically indistinguishable from polio paralysis but twice as deadly.

So was polio eradicated? Or did they just create a new definition and call it NPAFP, which is now 12 times higher than expected?

Did Gates not know the OPV had been dropped in the US as he suggested he wanted to bring good health to impoverished third world countries? Has anyone from the BMGF rushed to India to suspend their polio vaccines until important questions can be answered about them causing NPAFP and deaths?

Ill bet you can guess the answers to those 2 rhetorical questions.

In December 2012, in the small village of Gouro, Chad, Africa, 500 children were locked into their school and threatened that if they did not agree to be vaccinated with an unlicensed meningitis vaccine (MenAfriVac), they would receive no further education. The humanitarian workers proceeded to force vaccinate the children without their parents consent or knowledge.

Within hours, over 100 children began to suffer from headaches, vomiting, severe uncontrollable convulsions and paralysis. Dozens of children were transferred to a hospital in Faya and later taken by plane to two hospitals in NDjamena, the capital city of Chad.

not

South African newspapers complained, We are guinea pigs for drug makers. Eventually, many of these vaccine injured children were returned to Gouro without a diagnosis and each family was given an unconfirmed sum of 1000 by the government.. (Hmmmm . if this were true, why would their government give each family hush money?)

What group was in charge of this vaccine disaster which could be described as a crime against humanity in Chad?

(Drumroll)

Thats right! The BMGF funded the distribution of the meningitis vaccine (MenAfriVac) in Chad where dozens of children suffered hallucinations, convulsions, and ultimately paralysis.

Surprise surprise!

Despite the fact the BMGF call vaccines one of the best buys in global health, a government inquiry in Pakistan has found the complete opposite.

ISLAMABAD: A government inquiry has found that polio vaccines for infants funded by the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunisation are causing deaths and disabilities in regional countries including Pakistan. The startling revelation is part of an inquiry report prepared by the Prime Ministers Inspection Commission (PMIC) on the working of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). The PMIC, headed by Malik Amjad Noon, has recommended that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani immediately suspend the administration of all types of vaccines funded by the GAVI.

The main vaccinations in question were the polio vaccine and the 5-in-1 pentavalent vaccine, which were said to be responsible for the deaths and disability of a number of children in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Japan.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The BMGF funded the distribution in Kenya of a tetanus vaccine containing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) that renders a woman infertile and causes miscarriage. It was the Catholic Church that discovered the antigen.

Mistake?

Remember, this is the same Bill Gates who said: The world today has 6.8 billion people. Thats heading up to about nine billion. Now if we do a really great job on new vaccines, health care, reproductive health services, we could lower that by perhaps ten or fifteen percent. (See video below.)

MICROCHIPS & COVID-19

Bill Gates obsession with vaccines appears to be stoked by a megalomaniacal willingness to experiment with the lives of lesser humans.

At the mHealth Summit in Washington, D.C. in 2010, Bill Gates proposed a plan to use wireless technology to register every newborn on the planet in a vaccine database, to ensure that all children are vaccinated on time. The BMGF has funded MITs development of a contraceptive computer chip that can be controlled via remote control. The chip is implanted under a womans skin, releasing a small dose of the hormone levonorgestrel. The BMGF has also funded MIT to develop a microparticle implant that will automatically administer vaccines in babies.

Even more disturbing is the evidence that Bill Gates has been actively driving the coronavirus narrative using his influence. According to the Washington Times, WHO didnt announce the coronavirus as a pandemic until the very day after Gates  who had wished for some time that WHO would declare the coronavirus a pandemic  well, until the very day after Gates made a very large donation to a cause that benefits WHO.

Not surprisingly, Gates is actively involved in driving the solution to the very pandemic with a consortium of corporate partnerships, investments into vaccines, and contact-tracing solutions driven through the technology sector.

Gates really wants everyone to have a digital certificate or proof of vaccination  thats the plan! Why would Gates be pushing for this? Heres why: Microsoft and GAVI are planning on controlling the global vaccination digital ID program, announced in 2019 at the ID2020 Alliance annual summit in New York.

In the latest batch of insanity apparently there is a movement toward a registration system where people will be designated as immune or vaccinated; and only with appropriate and verifiable registry IDs will citizens be permitted to engage in society.

Years ago he spoke about the need for pandemic preparedness. In November 2019, he sponsored a global pandemic planning exercise in association with John Hopkins. And then in his recent writings and technology funding, we see his narrative for a solution using digital IDs and microchips.

Do you remember a few years ago when President Trump was going to appoint our good friend, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, as the head of the Commission on Vaccination Safety and Scientific Integrity? Eventually, Bobby said that the Trump administration never contacted him after the initial meetings. We always wondered why President Trump seemingly dropped the ball on this issue.

Heres one of the reasons why. Gates told Trump, No thats a bad thing, dont do that  do NOT investigate vaccines!  Because if we started to investigate vaccines, we might just uncover the TRUTH!

An outspoken eugenicist and elite supremacist, Gates lives to vaccinate. After conveniently ditching the board of Microsoft right as the COVID-19 pandemic started to come into full swing, Gates has been doing nothing other than advocating for mass vaccination and indefinite lock-downs until everyone on the planet is injected.

Although many question their integrity and ethics, Bill and Melinda Gates are not stupid people. They are smart enough to know the vaccines, drugs, and media industries they promote are generating BILLIONS of dollars while simultaneously causing BILLIONS of human casualties and tragedies.

QUESTION: Based on the FACTS presented in this article, is Gates the type of person you would trust to be the de facto leader in the pushing COVID-19 vaccines? Is he qualified? Does he have the moral integrity?

It is difficult to believe that, despite the mounting evidence outlining the many crimes against humanity that have been committed by the BMGF and GAVI, many still think of Bill Gates as a hero.

However, according to the definition of hero in the Oxford Dictionary, the word hero means: A person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

I checked Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries, but I never found hero defined as someone who vaccinates innocent, vulnerable children with untested and unsafe vaccinations, causing them to suffer agonizing, untimely deaths.

Take a gander at this video, titled Bill Gates  What You Were Not Told if you want to learn, as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story about Bill Gates.

If you want to see a humorous (yet very accurate) depiction of Gates, the BMGF, vaccines, and world domination, check out this video by JP Sears. Just click play and it will begin at the appropriate spot.

Editors Note: This article was initially published in May 2020 and has been updated in February 2021.

Read more at: TheTruthAboutCancer.com and Truth.news

Thousands of Georgians took to the streets of their capital, Tbilisi, to protest against the arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia and a police raid on his party headquarters. Waving Georgian and NATO flags, protesters rallied on February 26 outside the Georgian parliament building calling for snap elections and the release of, what they called, political prisoners.
When the first treaty was negotiated between Chief Peguis and Lord Selkirk more than 200 years ago, they agreed the Selkirk settlers would live on farms stretching two miles off the banks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers.

When the first treaty was negotiated between Chief Peguis and Lord Selkirk more than 200 years ago, they agreed the Selkirk settlers would live on farms stretching two miles off the banks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers.

This came after the settlers nearly froze to death their first year and were saved by Peguis, who later showed them how to hunt, live and grow in southern Manitoba.

As the 1817 treaty is written, the agreement guaranteed "peace, order and mutual co-operation" on the 24 square miles of river lots the newcomers were "to have and hold forever."

In return, Selkirk promised to gift 100 pounds of tobacco to each of the communities of the five chiefs who signed the treaty  a near-impossible feat considering how hard it is to grow tobacco in this climate.

Peguis didnt care so much about the 500 pounds though, for tobacco represents time. What the chiefs were asking for was for Selkirk to participate fully in the relationship he and his relations had entered.

NIIGAAN SINCLAIR / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS In early February, concerned citizens EJ and Eva Fontaine joined with the youth group Anishiative to establish warming tents, tipis, and fires around the Thunderbird House.

Essentially, Selkirk was being told: in order to live here, you must live positively and respectfully with those around you. Working with, for, and in partnership with people you share territory with is, after all, what treaty is all about.

Selkirk, unfortunately, didnt listen, offering tobacco only once. He considered the treaty a "land sale."

Peguis and his relatives tried to teach the settlers in other ways. They continued to use the river, hunting and fishing and reminding them of their promises of tobacco. They called the settlers by familial names, like brother and sister, and protected them, even asking them to not enter territories outside of the treaty for fear of the Lakota and Dakota warriors to the west.

You might even think of these 24 square miles as the first legal, agreed-upon shared space between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The first Manitoba.

This agreement  and the teachings its story provides  is still alive today.

We saw the next chapter this month, as descendants of the Peguis-Selkirk treaty came together to save lives along the Red River.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Volunteers Eva Wilson-Fontaine, left, and Tony DeRose sort donations at the clothing drop-off.

February has been hard in Winnipeg. A woman died when the tent she was living in caught fire. A man died outside when he fell asleep in freezing temperatures. Another woman died after being found in medical distress in a bus shelter.

All were Indigenous people impacted by poverty, violence, and living in circumstances not of their own making. All had homes taken from them and were forgotten by our community.

Their deaths, though, sparked life in a city too long stuck in the status quo.

In early February, concerned citizens EJ and Eva Fontaine joined with the youth group Anishiative to establish warming tents, teepees, and fires around Thunderbird House gathering place on Main Street.

"We started with a simple idea: to save lives," EJ said.

Their action started a revolution in the neighbourhood.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Residents in the tent cities down Higgins Avenue, long cast off in the citys removal of their homes last summer, came back to the area. Here they could get a warm meal, firewood, and donated clothing and boots.

Residents in the tent cities down Higgins Avenue, long cast off in the citys removal of their homes last summer, came back to the area. Here they could get a warm meal, firewood, and donated clothing and boots.

People began to stay at the site full-time. One Indigenous woman told me it was the only place she felt safe in as it was staffed with shkaabewis (helpers) and security.

One residential school survivor said it reminded him of sitting around a campfire with his dad on the trapline.

Another said it was a place they could visit without being harassed by police.

Members of our community long-called "street people" earned their keep by chopping wood, cleaning the grounds, and helping others they access the resources at the site.

While the site was Indigenous-led, a stream of non-Indigenous Winnipeggers came to help, too.

NIIGAAN SINCLAIR / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS By the end of Sunday, all that remained was a huge pile of wood at the site.

On the three nights I went to the camp, I met citizens from Charleswood, North Kildonan, and Elmwood, who brought coffee and donuts, clothing, and food.

It was in the middle of a deep freeze and a pandemic but the site began to fill, looking like The Forks on a Saturday afternoon.

One River Heights man, donating tents and clothing he had collected from his neighbours, told me he hadnt ever been to Thunderbird House before  but would be back.

It was sad when I went to the site Sunday to see volunteers taking down the warming tents. The site was never intended to be permanent, I was told.

"Wed like to be permanent, though," Anishiative co-founder Riley Nepinak said, "we just need the staff, resources, and commitment."

By the end of Sunday, all that remained was a huge pile of wood at the site.

The warmth, however, wont go away, for its spark has always been here.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
Davies has said in interviews that he deliberately left AIDS out of Queer as Folk, because he didnt want those characters to be defined by loss and grief. With Its a Sin, he has now reckoned fully with what the 80s were like for him, and the people he knew and loved. The show is about people, not positions, but its about people who learn the price of taking a position, a stand, as well as people who pay the higher price of not doing so. All this without cant and speechifying. Plus its really funny and truly moving.
Washington: US President Joe Biden has directed military air strikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Department of Defence said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to recent rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq.

The strike near the Iraqi border was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasised its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Middle East threats persist. Bidens decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen US military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend US troops in Iraq.

US President Joe Biden. Credit:AP

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington. Speaking shortly after the air strikes, he added, Were confident that that target was being used by the same Shia [Shiite] militants that conducted the strikes, referring to a February 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to Biden.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has joined other members of Congress in criticizing Israel for the vaccination situation in the Palestinian territories.

The Vermont independent said Wednesday that Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have a responsibility as the occupying power to vaccinate Palestinians.

As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control, said Sanders on Twitter. It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting.

Sanders was referring to reports that Israel will give a small number of surplus vaccine doses to friendly countries, including Hungary and Guatemala. Israel is leading the world in per capita vaccine doses administered. However, the Palestinian territories have had a much slower rollout, hence Sanders tweet. Reps. Jamaal Bowman of New York and Marie Newman of Illinois have also voiced similar criticisms of Israel in recent weeks.

Human rights groups believe Israel has a responsibility to vaccinate all residents of the Palestinian territories. Israel has not stated it is responsible for this. Netanyahus son Yair responded to Sanders tweet, saying that Hamas-run Gaza also has a border with Egypt and is therefore not dependent on Israel. He also repeated Israeli assertions that the Oslo Accord gives the Palestinian Authority control over civil issues in the territories.

The United Nations considers the West Bank and Gaza to be Palestinian territory occupied by Israel, but Israel disputes this.

Vaccinations have begun in both the West Bank and Gaza. Israeli and Palestinian Authority plans to vaccinate more Palestinians are continuing, though many details have yet to be worked out.

Adding to the controversy, Israels public broadcaster Kan reported Wednesday that the Palestinian Authority refused Israels request to open a vaccination center for Palestinians on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The authority did not want to allow Israel access to the contentious holy site, according to the outlet.
Video posted Thursday by Donald Trump of his partial interview with 60 Minutes Leslie Stahl reveals that the president abruptly ended the interview because Stahl asked him about his role in the plot by fascist militias to kidnap and kill two sitting governors, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.

Trumps walkout expresses the thuggish character not only of his personality, but of his entire political strategy. He conducted himself like a gangster, criticizing Stahl for daring to ask critical questions and repeatedly interrupting and insulting her.

Men stand with their guns during a rally at the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., May 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Trump denied any involvement or responsibility in the plot, called Stahl vicious, revealing an extreme sensitivity to the question of the plotters and their possible political connections. Trump has made clear he plans to mobilize fascist supporters to ignore the outcome of the November 3 election and attempt to stay in power. The Democratic Party has stopped referencing the plot even though Trump clearly views it as a massive political liability.

Roughly 30 minutes into the interview, the following exchange took place:

Stahl: What about the governor of Michigan, there was this plot, people were going to murder her? Trump: I dont know anything about the plot. It was my Justice Department that is helping her. But the people are not liking her so much. Shes got everybody locked down. Now we just won a [Michigan] Supreme Court [decision] where its unconstitutional. The only one she doesnt have locked down is her husband. Stahl: But you are a very powerful person, and the people who love you, love you with passion. And if you go after someone like you went after her Trump: I havent gone after her. Stahl: And then there are plots and threats Trump: I havent gone after her Stahl: And the same with Dr. Fauci. Yes you did. Trump: Ive helped her  Oh, I do criticize her. I think the way she locked down Michigan was a disgrace. The way she closed churches in Michigan is a disgrace. Yeah, I think its disgraceful. Stahl: And you want to lock her up? Trump: Of course not  But when they lock down Michigan she is doing a tremendous disservice. Same thing with Pennsylvania, same thing with North Carolina. Stahl: So you dont want to lock up governor Whitmer, but you want to lock up Trump: When did I say lock her up? Why would I want to lock her up? Stahl: You were in front of a rally of people saying it, encouraging it Trump: I never said lock up the governor? Leslie, that is such a vicious thing you are saying. I would never say lock up the governor of Michigan.

Shortly after this exchange, a Trump adviser interrupted Trump and said they were running out of time. Trump then ended the interview.

This exchange raises questions as to what the Trump campaign is hiding as to its ties to the plotters and to those militias Trump plans to call into action in the coming weeks.

His abrupt ending of the interview with Stahl took place as more information emerges about the extent to which fascist groups like those connected to the Michigan plot are preparing for the upcoming election. Trump has ordered these groups to stand back and stand by to come to his defense. Trump has repeatedly stated that the only way he could lose the election is if there was massive voter frauda claim that has no basis in reality.

A major report published yesterday by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project (ACLED) in partnership with MilitiaWatchs Hampton Stall details the nationwide coalescence of far-right groups in the run-up to the 2020 elections.

The report, Standing by: Right-Wing Militia Groups and the US Election, warns that this process poses a serious threat to the safety and security of American voters. Throughout the summer and leading up to the general election, these groups have become more assertive, with activities ranging from intervening in protests to organizing kidnapping plots targeting elected officials.

The report, authored by Stall, Roudabeh Kishi and Clionadh Raleigh, is the product of a meticulous five-month review of data compiled on the activity of over 80 militia groups in the US this year. The report concludes, ACLED and MilitaWatch data indicate that right-wing militias have steadily ramped up their activities, and taken on an increasingly outsized profile within the national political environment.

The report indicates that Donald Trump is primarily responsible. There has been a major realignment of militia movements in the US from anti-federal government writ large to mostly supporting one candidate, thereby generally positioning the militia movement alongside a political party, it explains. This has resulted in the further entrenchment of a connection between these groups identities and politics under the Trump administration.

According to the reports authors, While militia activity has been reported in at least 34 states and Washington D.C. since late May 2020, there are specific locations at heightened risk of militia activity during the upcoming election period and its immediate aftermath. For example, locations that have seen substantial engagement in anti-coronavirus lockdown protests are at heightened risk.

Those states at the highest risk of fascist violence on election day are Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Oregon. Those states at moderate risk are North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, California and New Mexico.

Fascist groups throughout the country benefit from support within law enforcement, the report states, explaining that the threat is greatest in spaces where militia members cultivate personal relationships with police or law enforcement or where there might be a friendly attitude by law enforcement towards militia presence or activity.

This makes the relative silence of the corporate media and Democratic Party all the more dangerous and politically criminal. The more details emerge about the plots national scope, its possible ties to Trump officials, the Republican Party, and dark-money sponsors, the louder the Democrats silence.

In a major speech delivered yesterday on behalf of Biden in Philadelphia, former president Barack Obama made no reference to the plot to kill two sitting governors from his own party. Though the press has universally declared that the speech was scathing, Obama did not make a single reference to Whitmer, Northam, Michigan, Virginia, Proud Boys, militia, the far-right, dictatorship or Trumps statement that fascists should stand by for election day.

The Democratic Party has all but dropped the matter for fear that alerting the public about the threat of dictatorship will radicalize the population and engender social opposition to the entire political establishment.
The 2021 United States Mint Proof Set (product code 21RG) will be available for purchase starting on March 5 at noon EST. This years set includes the following San Francisco-minted coins:



One America the Beautiful Quarters Program Coin honoring the Tuskegee - - Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama

This is the final release in the program. Its reverse (tails) depicts a Tuskegee Airman pilot suiting up to join the fight during World War II with the Moton Field control tower in the background. The pilot looks upward with pride and confidence as two P-51 Mustangs pass overhead. The inscription THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS is arced across the top as a reference to the dual battles the Tuskegee Airmen foughtfascism abroad and racial discrimination at home. Inscriptions are TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, ALABAMA, 2021, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The obverse (heads) features the 1932 portrait of George Washington by sculptor John Flanagan, with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

One General George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter

This coins obverse (heads) design marks a return to the familiar depiction of George Washington by John Flanagan as it appeared on the quarter from 1932 to 1998. The design was modified for the 50 State Quarters and America the Beautiful Quarters Programs. In this new depiction, Washingtons portrait is larger, with higher relief. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2021. The reverse (tails) features General George Washington commanding his troops through the overnight crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, CROSSING THE DELAWARE, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

One Native American $1 Coin

The 2021 coin theme is Native Americans in the U.S. Military. The reverse (tails) design depicts eagle feathers, which were traditionally earned in battle or by performing a brave deed. Eagle feathers are revered, receiving the utmost care and handling, and are to be displayed proudly in homes. Stars representing five branches of the U.S. Military are in the foreground, and a circle provides an additional reference to Native Americans. Inscriptions include NATIVE AMERICANS  DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE SINCE 1775, $1, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

One Kennedy half dollar

One Roosevelt dime

One Jefferson nickel, and

One Lincoln penny.

The coins are sealed in two lenses and packaged in a decorative carton emblazoned with an image of the Washington Monument at sunrise on the front and coin images on the back. The Mints Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each set.

The 2021 United States Mint Proof Set is priced at $32.00. To set up a REMIND ME alert for this product, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/proof-set-2021-21RG.html (product code 21RG)

The United States Mint Proof Set can also be purchased through the Product Enrollment Program. Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/shop/enrollments/ to learn more about this convenient ordering method. For more information about future release dates for our 2021 annual sets, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/product-schedule/2021

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of March 5, 2021, at noon EST.

To reduce the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, the Mints sales centers are closed until further notice. Additionally, due to operational adjustments in response to COVID-19, our customer service representatives are available to assist with any questions you may have, but are unable to accept credit card information or place your order over the phone. Please use our website for all order placements at this time.

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A grand jury convened to investigate the death of Daniel Prude  a Black man who was experiencing a mental health crisis during a fatal encounter with Rochester police last spring  declined to charge any of the officers involved in Prudes arrest, during which a mesh hood was placed over his head.The results of the grand jurys vote set off protests in Rochester and New York City this week, and prompted questions about why officers would not be held legally accountable for Prudes death.

But the grand jurys choice not to indict the officers involved follows a pattern; juries rarely charge or convict police officers for the deadly use of force.That pattern is especially pronounced when considering instances of Black people who are killed by police  officers werent charged with homicide in the death of Breonna Taylor last year, nor was ex-NYPD Officer Daniel Panteleo indicted in the death of Eric Garner in 2014.

To find out more about the process of holding officers accountable for the use of deadly force and what policy changes might alter that process, City & State reached out to experts on criminal justice and policing, including Clark Neily, vice president for criminal justice at the Cato Institute; Nicole Smith Futrell, an associate professor and supervising attorney in the Criminal Defense Clinic at CUNY Law School; Deborah Ramirez, professor at the Northeastern University School of Law; and Nick Turner, president and director of the nonprofit Vera Institute of Justice in New York.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

What factors explain why police officers who kill in the line of duty are so rarely charged or convicted of murder or manslaughter?

Nick Turner: I want to take a moment to reflect that Daniel Prude, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Eric Garner, and so many others should be alive today. Systemic policing reform and developing anti-racist systems to support public safety is long overdue. Attorney General Letitia James actions reflect that she has vigorously pursued justice and transparency in this case and shares my disappointment in the Prude outcome. There are several factors that contribute to police officers who kill in the line of duty rarely being charged or convicted of murder or manslaughter. In this case, the legal protections afforded to officers make it harder to bring charges against them. Though protections vary by jurisdiction, officers generally have a defense to criminal conduct if their actions were reasonable under the circumstance. This reasonableness standard gives officers wide latitude to avoid culpability  especially if they can argue that their actions were consistent with training norms in their department. For example, in Daniel Prudes case, as abhorrent as the officers actions were, the Office of the Attorney Generals investigation (see page 23) found their actions consistent with Rochester police training.

Clark Neily: I think there are two basic reasons why police who kill in the line of duty are rarely charged. First, the standard articulated by the Supreme Court, which is sometimes referred to as the reasonably scared cop rule, allows police to use lethal force when they reasonably fear for their own safety. Given the realities of the job, however, that test is extraordinarily easy to satisfy and can include anything from a furtive gesture to the failure to obey an officer's commands. Jurors applying such a lenient standard will generally credit an officer's testimony that he or she was afraid in the moment, even if it turns out after that there was no reason to be, which means that prosecutors will be correspondingly reluctant to bring charges. The second reason police who kill are rarely charged is even more straightforward: Prosecutors have a massive conflict of interest in making decisions about whether to pursue criminal charges against the very same police officers whom they depend on to bring them cases and testify in those cases in order to help win convictions.

Nicole Smith Futrell: There are many legal, social, and cultural factors that explain why police officers are so rarely charged when they kill in the line of duty. There is a traditional narrative that regards police officers as heroes on the front line who are trusted to protect, serve, and hold the threads of our social order together. The mainstream public is just now beginning to acknowledge what many in marginalized communities have long known: a legacy of racism, violence, and unequal treatment pervades this countrys legal and social order. As the tragic killing of Daniel Prude and the subsequent police cover up demonstrates, police officers often make social challenges worse, and institutional practices allow them to do so with impunity. Police culture does not value transparency. It relies on self-protection, concealment, and evasion. Additionally, the legal standards that govern the use of force generally center on the perspective of the officer and their decision making in the heat of the moment. The law gives police officers the benefit of the doubt, and the juries and judges who use discretion when hearing these cases in the grand jury, or in the rare instance at trial, also tend to defer to police officers.

Deborah Ramirez: It would be better if we established a system of police accountability that did not try to resolve accountability issues only through the lens of deadly force incidents. We need to prevent, detect and deter police misconduct before it escalates into deadly force. To do so, I advocate a system of professional liability insurance.

What is the role of grand juries specifically in this process, and why do they rarely indict in cases of police killings  particularly in the deaths of Black people?

Nicole Smith Futrell: The grand jury is a group of local people who consider the evidence presented by a prosecutor to determine whether a person should be charged with a criminal offense. The grand jury does not decide on guilt or innocence, but rather decides whether an indictment, which is the basis for felony prosecution, will be filed. In cases that dont involve police officers, grand juries almost always return an indictment after a prosecutors presentation. But data shows that when cases involving a police officer as the suspect are presented, grand juries rarely vote to indict. There are many reasons for this. First, the prosecutor holds a very influential role in the grand jury. They select which witnesses and facts to present, tell the jurors what the charge is, what the legal standards are and how to weigh the evidence. Unlike juries at trial, the grand jury process operates with no judge, defense counsel, or spectators. When you combine these factors with the reality that prosecutors depend on police officers to establish all the other cases they prosecute, many rightly question whether prosecutors use their outsized influence with grand juries to protect police officers. Second, its important to think of grand juries as what they are: a microcosm of larger society, reflecting the prevailing conscious and subconscious views people hold about race, who is deemed credible, and whose humanity matters.

Clark Neily: Grand juries decide whether there is sufficient evidence for the government to pursue particular charges against a particular defendant, in which case they will issue an indictment. We have seen repeated examples of grand juries declining to indict police who killed people under circumstances where it seems virtually certain that any non-law enforcement officer would have been prosecuted. There can be many reasons for this, including a general tendency to credit police and a reluctance to second-guess their decisions in the field. Unfortunately, there is also evidence that prosecutors often present police-related cases to grand juries differently than they do with cases in which the defendant is not a police officer. In particular, prosecutors tend to present both inculpatory evidence and exculpatory evidence in cases involving police shootings so that grand jurors can have a fuller appreciation of the complete factual context. That is a luxury that ordinary defendants typically do not enjoy; instead, prosecutors generally present only the most damning evidence in order to ensure an indictment when the defendant is not a member of law enforcement.

Deborah Ramirez: Why no convictions? Jurors do not believe that police officers who have mistakenly perceived a deadly threat and thus mistakenly used deadly force are criminals. They view these cases as situations where a police officer doing a dangerous job made a mistake in the line of duty. They often empathize with an officer who had to make a split second decision. They understand that the decision may have been made in an instant and in a moment of confusion, misinformation or terror. It may be bad policing, poor judgement or a mistake, but jurors hesitate to label it a criminal act.

Nick Turner: While grand juries are meant to provide communities with power to guard against prosecutorial abuse, there are many other factors at play. In this case, I think the below factors played a role in this unjust outcome as James office has made clear that their office presented the most comprehensive case possible. (1) Devaluing of Black lives. Deaths of Black people arent viewed as seriously as deaths of white people, which can impact juror decisions. An example is the disparity in who gets the death penalty. Research shows that killing a white person makes it much more likely that you will receive the death penalty than if you take a Black persons life. (2) Implicit bias. Biases against Black people often appear in the broad reasonableness assessment of an officers actions because jurors are socialized to believe that Black people are more dangerous and therefore greater force by officers may seem acceptable.





What, if any, laws or policies can or should be changed by the state Legislature or other local policymakers to ensure accountability for cops who kill in the line of duty?

Clark Neily: Legislators should raise the standard for the use of lethal force by police from objectively reasonable to necessary, as California did in 2019. They should also create a special unit within the state attorney general's office to handle the investigation and prosecution of killings by police officers in order to address the conflict of interest that local prosecutors necessarily face in handling cases. Finally, legislators should make it easier to sue police officers by eliminating the qualified immunity doctrine, which is a defense that enables rights-violating police to escape liability if it was not clearly established that the particular misconduct they engaged in was unlawful at the time they committed it. Of course, civil liability is neither a panacea nor a substitute for a criminal conviction, but it is far better than nothing and can send a powerful signal to other police officers to exercise more care in their use of lethal force.

Deborah Ramirez: In order to prevent, detect and deter police officers from misconduct, including the unlawful use of deadly force, legislators should require all officers to carry professional liability insurance. Doctors, for example, carry professional liability insurance. When they operate on the wrong leg or commit malpractice, insurance companies price them out of medicine long before they kill someone. Similarly, when police officers engage in misconduct or reckless policing, they should be priced out of policing long before their conduct escalates into a deadly encounter. Insurance companies price bad drivers off the roads. They should begin to price reckless police officers out of policing. An insurance system uses early warning indicators to weed out bad officers before they shoot. They could use these indicators: Prior civil judgements against the officer for police misconduct; domestic violence restraining orders; convictions for drunk driving; convictions for assault; a high number of civilian complaints; a number of prior disciplinary proceedings; and prior excessive use of force. There is a bill pending in New York that would require all officers to carry professional liability insurance.

Nicole Smith Futrell: There are some baseline measures that get raised when a grand jury declines to indict: greater transparency of police data and records, as well as grand jury proceedings; improving officer de-escalation training; amending use of force laws; shifting civil suit payouts from taxpayer funding to police insurance policies; and making sure that officers who are fired for misconduct are not rehired by other police departments. While some of these changes would be more useful than others, I am not entirely hopeful about the ultimate impact of reforms that rely on the criminal legal system as it currently exists for accountability. Having the New York Attorney Generals office, as opposed to local prosecutors in Rochester, handle the grand jury presentation of Daniel Prudes killing happened because of a reform, and yet we are still searching for accountability. Accountability means responding to the fact that a police killing is only the most extreme manifestation of the routine police violence that happens every day. What if, for example, experienced, community based mental health first responders rather than police officers trained to use physical force and spit hoods responded to Daniel Prudes mental health crisis? The proposals that are most interesting to me are the ones that come from organizers who challenge us to reduce the scope and power of policing, invest in community-based social resources and supports, and reconsider what accountability for those who cause harm looks like.

Nick Turner: In this case, James' office did file for release of the grand jury minutes, which is rare, in and of itself. A judge granted that motion, which is incredibly rare in New York, and a great step in the direction of transparency and accountability. This ought to happen automatically in grand jury proceedings involving police killings in the line of duty. In terms of Veras recommendations, New York has the reasonableness standard. In 2019, California tightened the use of force standard from reasonable to necessary, which requires officers to have a greater justification before using deadly force. We recommend legislation in cases involving police killings, requiring immediate disclosure of evidence to an independent body. Officers should be automatically suspended during the investigation period. Suspensions usually happen in practice in New York, but it's not automatic by any means. Finally, Vera champions community-based approaches that can improve outcomes for people experiencing behavioral health challenges. For example, in 2019, Eugene, Oregon's, health-based CAHOOTS teams resolved almost 20% of the citys total 911 calls. You can learn more about alternatives to police-based approaches here.
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The European Union will consider Ukraine's specific ideas on the de-occupation of Crimea, said Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

"The EU welcomes the diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and will consider concrete Ukrainian ideas in this regard, in line with the established non-recognition policy," Borrell said in a statement on the seventh anniversary of the illegal occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, which is marked in Ukraine on February 26.

He stressed that the EU firmly defends the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its borders recognized by the international community.

"The European Union reiterates that it does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law. It remains a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of all States," he stated.

The head of the European diplomacy noted that the European Union remains committed to fully implementing its non-recognition policy, including through restrictive measures and cooperation in international fora.

He stated that the European Union calls again on UN Member States to consider similar non-recognition measures in line with the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 of 27 March 2014.

"The European Union does not and will not recognize the holding of elections by the Russian Federation in the Crimean peninsula. The increasing militarization of the peninsula by the Russian Federation, including multiple military exercises and the construction of warships, continues to have a negative impact on the security situation in the Black Sea region. In violation of international humanitarian law, Russia has imposed citizenship and conscription into its armed forces on Crimean residents," Borrell's statement reads.

He stressed that the Russian Federation should stop changing the demographic structure on the peninsula by the resettlement of its own civilian population to the peninsula.

Borrell said that the European Union condemns the construction of the Kerch Bridge and the opening of a railway section without Ukraine's consent.

"The EU expects Russia to ensure unhindered and free passage of all ships through the Kerch Strait to and from the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law. The illegal restrictions to such passage are ongoing and have negative economic consequences for Ukraine's ports in the Azov Sea, as well as for the region as a whole," he added.

Since the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation, the human rights situation in the Crimean peninsula has significantly deteriorated, he said.

"Having in mind the landmark decision of the European Court of Human Rights of 14 January 2021, the European Union calls for Russia's full compliance with international humanitarian law, international human rights standards, and relevant UN General Assembly Resolutions, including 75/192 of 16 December 2020," the statement says.

The statement says that residents of the peninsula face systematic restrictions of their fundamental freedoms, such as the freedoms of expression, religion or belief and association, and the right to peaceful assembly. Journalists, human rights defenders and defense lawyers face interference and intimidation in their work. The Crimean Tatars continue to be unacceptably persecuted, pressured and have their rights gravely violated.

"Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians and all ethnic and religious communities in the peninsula must be ensured the possibility to maintain and develop their culture, education, identity and cultural heritage traditions, which are currently threatened by the illegal annexation. Destructive actions against the peninsula's cultural heritage, such as archaeological treasures, artworks, museums or historical sites, which continue unabated, must stop," Borrell said.

According to him, in compliance with UN General Assembly Resolution 75/192 of 16 December 2020, it is crucial that regional and international human rights monitoring mechanisms as well as non-governmental human rights organizations have unimpeded access to Crimea and Sevastopol.

He said that all pending cases of human rights violations and abuses, such as enforced disappearances, torture and killings, violence, politically motivated prosecutions, discrimination and harassment must be thoroughly investigated.

"All those detained in the Crimean peninsula and sentenced in breach of international law, including Emir-Usein Kuku and his five co-defendants, Oleh Prykhodko, the recently sentenced Enver Omerov, Riza Omerov and Ayder Dzhapparov, must be immediately released. The ban on the activities of the Mejlis, a self-governing body of the Crimean Tatars, must be reversed. Russia must also take measures to improve the environmental situation, which has considerably worsened since the illegal annexation," Borrell's statement reads.
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The Public Service Systems Review Taskforce which government announced last week Friday has rolled into action and held its first meeting in Lilongwe on Thursday to roll out its work to comprehensively review systems of allowances, procurement and employment contracts which have over the years been conduits of looting public funds.

The meeting - chaired by Vice President Saulos Chilima - marked "the first day of the 90-day assignment" as mandated by President Lazarus Chakwera according to a statement released on Thursday night.

The statement signed by Chilima's spokesperson Pilirani Phiri indicated that after realising the urgency of the task at hand, the Taskforce members have agreed and committed to deliver a comprehensive recommendation report within the stipulated 90 days.

"But (the Taskforce) will be reporting progress and making recommendations on quick-wins e.g. Procurement. Thus, four sub-committees have been formed to tackle specific tasks: (i) Procurement (ii) Allowances (iii) Employment Contracts (iv) Conditions of Service," it said.

In carrying out the work, it is expected that the Taskforce will be engaging different stakeholder groups depending on the specific task at hand as well as regularly engaging and updating both the media and the public.

"To this effect, special email addresses will be created and communicated where the public could deposit their input on the task at hand," it further said.

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Taskforce members have further agreed that they will largely be holding meetings virtually save for situations where physical meetings are inevitable, according to the statement.

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The 14-member Public Service Systems Review Taskforce, led by Vice-President Chilima, who is also Minister responsible for Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms, comprises different professionals such as academicians and lawyers.

Some of the members in the team are former secretary to Treasury Professor Ronald Mangani, professors Nyovani Madise, Ngeyi Kanyongolo, Wiseman Chijere Chirwa, Dr. Henry Chingaipe, private practice lawyer John Suzi Banda and former principal secretary in the Office of the Vice-President responsible for Public Sector Reforms Management Nwazi Mnthambala.

Political and social commentator Humphreys Mvula also said the team brings hopes that it will deliver the demands because so far the Vice-President has been seen to be an "action-oriented person".

President Chakwera mandated Vice President Chilima to form and lead the taskforce on February 14 amidst a public outcry over the embezzlement of the K6.2 Billion meant for Covid 19 but was largely used for allowances for government officials.
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A 17-year-old high school senior was sent home after her female teacher told administrators that her outfit - a knee-length black dress with lace trim over a full-sleeved white turtleneck - made her uncomfortable.

Karis Wilson, from Canada, was abruptly pulled out of class on Tuesday at NorKam Senior Secondary school in Kamloops, British Columbia and escorted to the principals office, according to her father, Christopher Wilson.

Wilson posted a video about the incident on Facebook, where it went viral. As of Friday, the video has been viewed more than 77,000 times. It has generated more than 1,300 reactions and nearly 740 comments.

When reached by DailyMail.com, a spokesperson for the school district declined to identify the teacher or to make her available for interviews, citing Canadian privacy laws.

Karis Wilson, 17, of Kamloops, British Columbia was sent home by her high school on Tuesday after the outfit she wore (above) - a knee-length black dress with lace trim over a full-sleeved white turtleneck - made her female teacher uncomfortable, according to the girl's father

Karis' father, Christopher Wilson, posted a video on Facebook about the incident. He also posted the photo of his daughter in the outfit

Christopher said his daughter came home 'in tears' after she was pulled out of class

The spokesperson said that a teachers professional association within the BC Ministry of Education will conduct an internal review of the matter, though she declined to say when the review will be done.

The spokesperson referred DailyMail.com to a statement from Dr. Terry Sullivan, the superintendent of schools, which read: School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) is aware of the incident regarding a grade 12 student and dress code at NorKam Secondary on Feb. 23, 2021.

We understand the parent is concerned about what happened to his daughter at school yesterday.

We are also concerned about these allegations and are treating them seriously. The incident is currently under review. We will not comment on the incident specifically.

Whenever a parent is concerned about their child at school we want to work with them for the best outcome for the student.

The incident generated widespread outrage on social media after Karis father shared a photo and posted a video on Tuesday.

Christopher Wilson's post about his daughter went viral and sparked outrage online as the hashtag #imwithkaris started trending. Girls and women posted photos of themselves wearing similar outfits

Facebook user Bethanie Frank wrote: So, the female teacher perpetuated rape culture, shamed a young woman? And committed an act of lateral violence against this child.

Another Facebook user, Dannielle Port, wrote: A females education is far more important than how she is dressed! If somebody elses choice of clothing makes you uncomfortable then that is entirely on you!

Today my daughter was sent home for wearing clothing that made her female teacher and her male Student teacher feel uncomfortable, Christopher wrote on his Facebook page.

Centered out in front of her class and told she needs to leave class and brought her to the VPs before she went home in tears.

After asking her how she would like me to handle it she said she wanted to make sure this kind of thing doesnt happen to the students that come after her.

Please stand with Karis and I and make sure that those involved are held accountable and that this never happens again.

Christopher than ended the post with the hashtag #imwithkaris, which also went viral. He then posted a photo of his daughter wearing the outfit that resulted in her being removed from class.

Im frustrated, Im hurt, Im disappointed in the system, Christopher says in the video.

Im pretty upset at this happening in 2021.

Christopher says he is used to seeing similar stories online about incidents like this in places within the United States, but he thought it will never happen to us, it will never hit home.

He says that he confronted the principal and vice principal about the matter. When he showed the vice principal a photo of his daughters outfit, Christopher says that the vice principal quietly conceded that it did not make her uncomfortable.

Christopher says that he then asked to see the official dress code, which prohibits students from wearing anything promoting alcohol or tobacco use; wearing anything that depicts nudity; wearing clothing with offensive language; and wearing clothing that is distracting.

On Wednesday, Karis' classmates at NorKam Senior Secondary school staged a walkout in solidarity

Some of them held signs that read: I am not my dress; My education is more important than what I wear; and Am I distracting you with my midrift?

If youre a teacher and youre distracted by clothing your students are wearing, then you are in the wrong profession, Christopher says.

Maybe you should try something new.

After Christophers post went viral, several other women and girls posted images of themselves on social media wearing similar outfits.

If a teacher is struggling with inappropriate thoughts towards a student, the authority figure ( the teacher) should be asked to leave, not the student! wrote Facebook user Rae-ann Grant.

Another Facebook user, Dannielle Port, wrote: A females education is far more important than how she is dressed! If somebody elses choice of clothing makes you uncomfortable then that is entirely on you!

Facebook user Bethanie Frank wrote: So, the female teacher perpetuated rape culture, shamed a young woman? And committed an act of lateral violence against this child.

Karis classmates at NorKam staged a walkout on Wednesday in solidarity.

Some of them held signs that read: I am not my dress; My education is more important than what I wear; and Am I distracting you with my midrift?.

Kamloops is a small town located about 250 miles northeast of Vancouver.

School District 73 Kamloops/Thompson encompasses 45 schools serving 15,000 students. The schools are manned by 2,000 staffers.
He was warned, authorities say.

The Texas man posted a Facebook photo of himself showing off artifacts after illegally excavating a Native American site north of Amarillo, authorities say.

The homestead site on a bluff overlooking the Canadian River once was home to the Antelope Creek Culture, a people credited with bringing early agriculture to whats now the Texas Panhandle from 1200 to 1500.

The Canadian River is the only region in the U.S. with Alibates Flint, a rock with striking colors used by mammoth hunters and essential to survival and trade on the plains for 13,000 years, officials say.

A Facebook user commented on a photo of the man holding Alibates Flint, saying the area he is digging in is federal land and Rangers enforce (there).

Im not scared of the feds, he replied.

After learning of the illegal excavating in March 2019, federal authorities started investigating.

They analyzed fingerprints in the photo to identify the man as 37-year-old San Marcos resident Jeffrey Alan Vance. Another man in the photos was identified as Dax Wheatley, 32, of Amarillo.

According to authorities, Vance and Wheatley posted photos of themselves digging at archaeological sites in Texas.

Vance also posted photos of human remains he dug up with burial beads, authorities say.

(He) bragged that someday he would put the dead bodies back together and would display them in his secret artifact lair, authorities wrote in court documents. When asked if what he is doing is legal, Vance replied, haha, no.

In November 2019, authorities executed search warrants at the homes of Vance and Wheatley.

Vance admitted to possessing human remains and burial beads at his home but denied excavating or selling them, authorities say.

But a forensic analysis revealed Vance discussed the sale of Native American artifacts and remains and referred to himself as an infamous illegal excavator of Native American artifacts in Texas and a criminal.

During the search of Wheatleys home, authorities reporting seeing a photo of the illegal excavation site near Amarillo taped onto his refrigerator. About 125 cubic feet of dirt was removed from two pits at the site, authorities say.

Story continues

Vance and Wheatley pleaded guilty this week to illegally excavating about 1,500 artifacts from federal land. They could go to prison for up to two years.

The Bureau of Land Management is consulting with tribes to return the remains and artifacts.

Looting from federal lands will always trigger swift enforcement action, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah said in a news release. The Justice Department will not stand for the theft of precious cultural artifacts.

Border Patrol officer sneaks Mexican woman into US to be her nanny in Texas, feds say
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As President Joe Bidens proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus-relief package advances through Congress, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal heard Friday from Connecticut retailers who spoke of the struggles their businesses are still facing nearly a year since the pandemic hit in the state.

Additional federal assistance is needed more than ever, business owners said during the online forum co-hosted by the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association. Nearly 22,700 small businesses around the state have been approved for nearly $2 billion in forgivable loans through the latest round of the federal Paycheck Protection Program, but many merchants are still suffering.

The membership of our association has also been hit dramatically by COVID, said Connecticut Retail Merchants Association President Tim Phelan. Those are the small independent retailers that make up the backbone of Connecticuts economy, and theyve been hurting with COVID and the restrictions in place. In most cases, theyve been resilient and phenomenal in the way theyve had to shift gears almost on the fly.

Retail is one of the industries that has endured the most job losses during the pandemic. Last December, about 164,000 people worked in retail positions in Connecticut, comprising 10 percent of the states total workforce, according to the state Department of Labor. But the number of retail jobs was down 8,300, or 5 percent, from a year earlier.

The industrys employment decline reflects dwindling foot traffic in downtowns across the state.

I really dont think that the PPP is the answer, said Jody Morneault, owner of the Stackpole Moore Tryon clothing store in downtown Hartford. If I bring back an employee for eight to 24 weeks, and then I cant keep them on the payroll because theres not enough foot traffic in downtown Hartford because all these companies are closed, how will I ever be able to keep them on the payroll eight to 24 weeks later when theres not a human on the street?

Blumenthal responded that PPPs loan terms have become more flexible in its second round, but that Morneaults story underscored the need for more help. The Biden-backed relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan, includes additional funding for small businesses.

Your question really speaks to the absolute urgency of moving forward in a big and decisive way, Blumenthal said. You can aid those (small) businesses through PPP, but you cant see small businesses in isolation. They are part of an economy that needs a shot in the arm. Just like were giving vaccines, if you stop with one dose, youre not going to be as effective as two doses.

The second-term Democratic senator also touted the American Rescue Plans stimulus payments, which would send $1,400-per-person checks to households across the country. Those would put money into peoples pockets, and theyre going into retail stores to buy stuff, Blumenthal said.

In a sign that the $600 checks included in the $900 billion COVID-19 relief legislation passed last December have bolstered customer confidence, U.S. consumer spending grew by 2.4 percent in January  the largest increase in seven months.

At the same time, other types of service providers are also struggling.

We were one of the groups that was really hit hard and continues to be hit hard, said David Humphrey, CEO of a Connecticut-based company that owns 32 Planet Fitness gyms, with more than 400 employees in Connecticut. Obviously, people have been reluctant to come back to gyms. Were doing much better now, but January, which is normally a big month for us in the gym industry, was an OK month for us this year. Were still kind of clinging to life support.

Humphrey asked whether Blumenthal would support Senate legislation that would accompany a House of Representatives gym-relief bill. Blumenthal said that the pattern is to incorporate these separate bills (into broader relief packages) and I can guarantee you I will support it.

Abby Jewett, the CRMAs board chairwoman and a regional vice president of external and legislative affairs at AT&T, cited retailers growing data-security concerns as they rely more on e-commerce during the pandemic.

One of the things that were seeing is a state-by-state online data-privacy push, Jewett said. I think what the retailers would very much appreciate is a holistic federal approach to data privacy. Its obviously incredibly important for our customers and building trust between retailers and customers.

Blumenthal, the chairman of a Senate subcommittee on consumer protection, product safety and data security, said he wanted to take action.

What we need is a federal standard that protects privacy, so that we recognize the data that you submit  and its principally on the internet  is your data, Blumenthal said. It belongs to you. This information is yours. When its shared or sold, you have some consent, some rights over it.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
On Wednesday morning Frankfurt Airport personnel commenced a hunger strike to protest against and reverse their dismissals. The workers have resorted to this extreme measure to fight against their sackings following months of wage losses. Shortly before Christmas, the service company WISAG sacked 230 of its approximately 800 airport employees. Thirty-one apron bus drivers have not been paid since October.

Cemaleddin Benli, WISAG worker on hunger strike

The WISAG group is shamelessly exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to increase its profits and crush workers rights. For a year, since the beginning of the pandemic, the workforce has had to accept up to 40 percent wage losses following the implementation of short-time work. Last summer, 350 WISAG workers were laid off at the Berlin-Tegel Airport. At the Frankfurt-Main Airport, 230 ground workers received their notices of termination from WISAG on December 17, shortly before Christmas.

Cemaleddin Benli is one of the affected WISAG workers who decided to go on hunger strike. His important message to all workers: Today us, tomorrow you! We all have to fight together and stick together. WISAG has destroyed our livestomorrow it can be you.

Benli has worked at the airport for 36 years. My dream was always to become a pilot. At the airport I worked with major airlines, Pan American, Delta and others. I helped build the Acciona company, which was like my own company. We handled over 200 aircraft a day. When WISAG took over concessionary work on the apron, or tarmac, from Acciona Airport Services in 2018, the writing was on the wall for many workers.

WISAG Holding, which employs around 50,000 people across the country, is owned by one of Germanys 300 richest families; its assets estimated at just under half a billion euros. Family patriarch and company founder Claus Wisser and his son Michael Wisser have close links to the Frankfurt Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens. The transport minister in the Frankfurt administration is a member of the Green Party. According to Benli, Behind the takeover of WISAG at the airport is a political coterie involving Transport Minister Tarek Al-Wazir.

The German service trade union Verdi, the majority of whose leading personnel are either members or supporters of the SPD, the Left Party and the Greens, also supported the handover of concessions to WISAG in 2018. Verdi personnel sit on the supervisory boards of all German airport companies, e.g., Lufthansa, Fraport and WISAG. At Lufthansa, Verdi, together with the pilot unions Ufo and Cockpit, has offered the management wage cuts of up to 50 percent. Verdi is also on the other side of the barricades in the workers industrial action against WISAG.

As Benli reports, airport ramp workers have made bad experiences with the service workers union. Worst of all is Verdi, says Benli. You can forget about them. They havent lifted a finger for us. They have not even informed their membership about the struggle at WISAG, he said. They are only interested in whether membership dues are paid or not.

He related how 230 workers were served with their redundancies by WISAG. Two workers had to hand out the redundancies just before Christmas. That was tough and clearly showed that the appreciation Claus Wisser officially proclaimed was just window dressing. Inside the corporation there is no such appreciation for the workforce.

He reported, WISAG tells us there is no work because of the pandemic, but thats a lie. Forty to 50 machines are being handled every day. The colleagues currently working on the apron are being massively exploited.

In addition, Benli said, air traffic safety is acutely threatened. We have all undergone thorough training and have to undergo further training every two years. WISAG has hired new temporary workers, who are not trained for the job. What if something happens? You are risking a crash.

Apron workers have no proper protection against COVID-19. There have been many cases so far. Normally, colleagues should be informed and protected. But here everything is covered uplike the Mafia.

About 10 years ago, Benli suffered a serious work accident. He fell from a plane onto the concrete runway from a height of four and a half metres and had to be flown to hospital by helicopter. My whole life passed me by like in a film, he said. Since then, Ive been in pain most of the time, have to take pills and have severe sleep disorders. The dismissal has made everything worse. The father of five, with two sons still in school, does not know what to do next. At the age of 53, no one will hire me anymore. I pay a rent of nearly 1,000 euros per month and have credit obligations.

The dismissed workers are to be fobbed off with a shabby severance package. After 22 years of service, the company offered Benli severance pay of just 4,000a sum totally inadequate to take care of him and his family. With a stroke of a pen, workers are expected to give up all their rights, although most of them have worked at the airport for a much longer period than WISAG, which only started operations two years ago.

In fact, it is precisely these workers who have been doing hard labour at the airport for 20 years or more and have earned somewhat better conditions, e.g., the right to a company pension, that the company now wants to eliminate.

WISAG has destroyed 230 families, and the government looks on, Benli says. Arent children the future? They dont give a s about our children. He sees the hunger strike as a beginning to wake up the public and especially all workers. We have been fighting for months, but neither WISAG nor the politicians have budged.

In August, the company adopted a new corporate course and strategy, according to which it intends to reduce its staff at the airport permanently to about 60 percent of pre-pandemic capacity. To compensate, the company is relying on temporary workers to divide the workforce and enforce the principle of hire and fire, virtually without restriction. Already in March 2020, temporary workers were the first to be dismissed.

Some bus drivers who have gone without pay for months are also taking part in the hunger strike. On October 1, WISAG told its 31 bus drivers they would be outsourced to Sky City Bus GmbH immediately. The company has only existed since March and does not respect workers existing rights. Because the drivers refused to be outsourced, as is their right, they have not been paid for four months.

The workers have turned to the IGL, a federation of individual air transport unions, which has organised several demonstrations and rallies since December. The IGL has helped us, says Benli. However, the IGLs political perspective is no different from that of the German federation of Trade Unions (DGB), i.e., a nationalist, pro-capitalist programme.

In the notification announcing the hunger strike, the IGL wrote: Together with our members, we have tried everything (emphasis in original), i.e., appeals to Claus Wisser and the WISAG executive, to Federal Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) and the Hessian state parliament, all of which have, not surprisingly, remained largely unanswered and fruitless.

WISAG workers cannot pin their hopes on the ministers and capitalists, who are behind the attacks on jobs and wages. They must turn to their natural alliesthe hundreds of thousands of workers in other companies at the airports who also confront mass sackings and attacks on working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Workers have been forced to accept ever worsening conditions while risking their lives and health.

Airport workerswhether at WISAG, Lufthansa, Fraport, in the cargo sector or elsewheremust take up the fight together to defend every job and all existing conditions! As long as the pandemic rages, work must be reduced to the essential, with full wage compensation for all those affected. The Socialist Equality Party proposes the building of independent, internationally networked action committees to prepare a European-wide general strike.
In any ecosystem in the world, many endangered species, including freshwater ecosystems, continues to decrease in population.

Freshwater biomes are water sites that have low amounts of salt. These ecosystem types include streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

In many freshwater biomes around the world, mammals, reptiles, and fish species are in danger of becoming endangered.

The global extinction in freshwater habitats, including fish, rodents, amphibians, and mammals, have been quantified for the first time by researchers, and the findings paint a dire future. The global populations of these freshwater animals have decreased by almost 90 percent over four decades since 1970, twice as much as the decline of vertebrate populations on land or in the oceans.

Here are four freshwater Species that are continuously dwindling in numbers:

Hippopotamus

The name Hippopotamus in Greek means "river horse."

The large creatures are present in rivers and lakes in Africa. The large creatures are present in rivers and lakes in Africa. To keep its body cool, it spends up to 16 hours a day in freshwater. It either walks on the bed of the river or lies in shallow waters.

In the night, hippos travel up to six miles on land in a single file to graze.

Hippos were placed in 2006 on the list of endangered species. The biggest threat to the species is that the ivory in its teeth is killed by poachers.

Hippos are currently restricted mainly in protected areas, and their numbers have decreased 7-20 percent over the past 10 years.

The two hippos, the common hippo and the pygmy hippo are respectively classified as vulnerable and endangered.

Related Article: Next Extinction Target: World's Freshwater Fishes

American Crocodile

A species of reptile found in western Mexico, Ecuador, and southern Florida is the American crocodile. It has a long tail that glides across the water and a muscular body. To encourage it to walk on the ground, it also has webbed feet. Fish, insects, snakes, and birds are nourished by the American crocodile.

To capture its prey, it uses its powerful jaw and rows of sharp teeth. It drags the prey underwater until captured and wrestles until the prey is gone. It has been hunted by humans for its skin in the past and is now under threat due to the destruction of its wetland habitat.

Manatee

In Africa and South America, manatees are mammals that dwell in rivers. In pairs or small groups, a manatee stays. Like all marine mammals, it must breathe on the surface of the water, but otherwise it will still live-in water.

To help it fly at an average of 5 miles an hour, it has a powerful tail. It was born underwater and can swim unassisted within an hour. It consumes weeds, algae, and water and lives in the wild for up to 40 years. Owing to habitat destruction, manatees are vulnerable and are at risk of being struck by motorboat propellers.

Sturgeon Fish

They are native to subtropical, temperate, and sub-Arctic seas, lakes, and coastlines of Eurasia and North America and are among the oldest bony fish families in existence. The bulk of sturgeons are anadromous bottom-feeders in river deltas and estuaries, breeding upstream and feeding. Although some are fully inland, so few go outside coastal areas into the open ocean.

Some species of sturgeon, which is turned into caviar, are harvested for their roe. They are more vulnerable to overfishing because of the late sexual maturity of sturgeon (6-25 years).

The number of sturgeons in large basins is estimated to have fallen over the last century by 70 percent. The overall catch was significantly increased by unprecedented illicit logging during the 1990s. Poaching activity is estimated to be 10-12 times above the legal limits in the Volga-Caspian basin alone.

Water contamination, damming, degradation, and disruption of natural watercourses and ecosystems that threaten migration routes and feeding and breeding grounds are causing more problems.

ALSO READ: Animals That Went Extinct In 2020 (and some that might disappear in 2021)

For the most recent updates from the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
DEL CITY, Okla., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

What: One in five female students in the United States is forced to miss class at some point in their high school careers because they lack the resources to purchase feminine products. In fact, period poverty and stigma affect millions of women in the United States and around the world.

INTEGRIS Community Hospitals and Del City schools have partnered to address this basic need.

INTEGRIS officials will present a donation to Del City High School of 216 makeup bags filled with feminine products for students who cannot afford them. The donation will be delivered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 3. The effort is part of the Del City Sisterhood Project, which began last year.

"INTEGRIS Community Hospitals are partnering with Del City High School to help out our Del City community," says Chris McAuliffe, Market CEO/CNO for INTEGRIS Community Hospitals. "We have been gathering feminine hygiene products to assist in helping to reduce period poverty. We realize everyone has been hit hard, and if we can help by providing these products to ensure our students at Del City have access to them, we are glad to assist."

Who: INTEGRIS Community Hospitals, a partner of Emerus Holdings Inc.,

and Del City schools







When: Wednesday, March 3 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Where: INTEGRIS Community Hospital  Del City,

4801 SE 15th Street | Del City, Oklahoma

Media Contact:

Richard Bonnin | Emerus, Senior Public Relations Consultant

281-840-9820 (cell)

[email protected]

INTEGRIS contact:

Carli Hicks

Regional Business Development Manager

Integris Community Hospital in Council Crossing

580-304-3948

[email protected]

SOURCE INTEGRIS and Emerus
New projections from public health researchers suggest that a COVID-19 variant could become the dominant strain here in the coming weeks, which would drive a spring surge and lead to hundreds of thousands of new cases.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

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Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

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India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
Pharmacist Explains Dramatic Drop in Flu Cases

By Tim Brockwell

PADUCAH - This time of year flu season is usually in full effect, but a local pharmacist says he's not seen the usual uptick in flu cases that normally occur.As of Feb. 13, the Kentucky Department for Public Health reported 156 total cases in the state, with just three new cases reported over the previous week. This is in stark contrast to the same period last year, during which 2,101 cases were reported, and more than 17,000 total cases had been confirmed. There have been no cases reported in McCracken County so far this year, while there were 13 reported at the same time last year.Daniel Jones, who owns and operates Strawberry Hills Pharmacy in Paducah, says behavioral changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic have likely contributed to the quiet flu season."We did more flu shots this year in our four pharmacies than we ever have in the past. So I do think that has something to do with it. More people got vaccinated this year than ever with the flu shot, it's my understanding," He said. "I believe the fact of people wearing masks, people social distancing, not hanging out in groups of more than six, it's just not spread. I think we de-elevated it this year and didn't allow it to happen."Jones says the usual peak of flu activity seen during the holiday season was practically non-existent this year, as schools remained closed and many people skipped the usual family gatherings associated with that time of year."Usually we see our peak in the first full week back to school after Thanksgiving. We didn't have that this year. Number one, kids weren't back in school, and families didn't get together at Thanksgiving." He said.Jones urged anyone who hasn't yet received a flu vaccine to get one, saying it's never too late to get a shot."Most pharmacies still have flu vaccine for this year in their refrigerators," He said. "Going forward, we're set to receive our first shipment of flu vaccine for the 2021-22 season on the first of August. Continue to get the vaccine, that's what's going to help stop the spread."


Windhoek (Namibia) 24 February 2021 (SPS)- The President of Namibia, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, addressed a message to the President of the Saharawi Republic, Mr. Brahim Ghali, received Today, congratulating him for the celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the proclamation of the SADR.

Let me take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Namibia, to extend Your Excellency and the brave people of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, warm congratulations on the 45th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic on 27 February 1976, President Geingob said.

He reaffriemd Namibias governments commitment and support towards finding a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the peoples of Western Sahara in accordance with the United Nations resolutions. (SPS)

090/500/60 (SPS)
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.


Four journalists arrested in 2015 by Houthi forces in the Yemeni capital Sanaa will launch their appeal hearing on 28 February against a death sentence handed down after their conviction on charges of treason and espionage for foreign states. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS), call on the Appeal Court to uphold their appeal and reverse the sentence. UPDATED 2.03.2021 The journalists did not appear in court on 28 February . The security representative told the court that the 4 journalists will be released as part of a deal with the de facto government. The YJS and the IFJ call for the immediate release of the journalists and remind that media professionals should not be used as bargaining chips between warrying parties.

Journalists Abdul Khaleq Amran, Tawfiq Al-Mansouri, Harith Hamid, and Akram Al-Walidi were arrested together with five other journalists on 9 June 2015 at the Hotel Dream Castle in Sanaa. According to media reports, their arrest was motivated by their reporting on human rights violations committed by Houthi forces.

Since then, they have been subjected to a series of crimes, including disappearance, physical and psychological torture, denial of the right to be visited and the right to have access to medical care. These actions break all international conventions and norms on the treatment of prisoners.

On 21 February 2019, the IFJ sent a letter to UN General Secretary, Antonio Guterres, and the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, urging them to bring their full authority and the powerful array of legal tools at their disposal to demand the immediate and non-negotiable release of them.

Two months later, on 30 April 2019, the IFJ and YJS reitetated demands for their immediate and condemned the use of the journalists as bargaining chips in the country's ongoing conflict.

On 16 April 2020, a Houthi court sentenced them to death. The IFJ sent another letter to the UN General Secretary urging him to support moves to protect their lives and demand the release of all journalists jailed in the country.

The YJS said in a statement that the suffering of our fellow journalists is not limited to depriving them of their freedom and torturing them psychologically and physically, but it also extends to their families who are living in a tragic situation, awaiting the return of their relatives.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: These death sentences are an absolute blow to press freedom in a country where working as a journalist is an everyday challenge. Together with YJS we urge the Court of Appeal to fully reject the death sentence and set our colleagues free.

The latest report of media freedom violations by YJS documented 112 cases of violations of media and journalists rights in 2020. The Houthi group was responsible for 29.5% of this total.

According to the IFJ's latest statistics, Yemen ranks seventh in the world for having the most journalists imprisoned. Forty-four media workers have been killed in Yemen in the past 10 years.
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Now, yes, there is a way in which this decision can be seen as a punt, a recusal that allows her office to skate around the sort of controversy that has attended her decisions to intercede in some cases but not others. But it can also be seen as her giving up an opportunity for political grandstanding.
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The UKs four chief medical officers and NHS Englands national medical director have agreed the Covid-19 alert level should move from five  its highest  down to four as the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded.

The decision was made following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in light of the latest figures on the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the officials warned that health services remain under significant pressure with a high number of patients in hospital, adding that numbers are consistently declining due to the public adhering to lockdown restrictions.

According to government data, there are 16,800 people in UK hospitals receiving treatment for coronavirus.

The government also recorded 9,985 more cases on Thursday, down 17 per cent from the week before. A total of 323 deaths were added to the official fatality toll, a weekly fall of almost 30 per cent.

Public Health England figures separately showed that 134 out of 149 local authorities saw a reduction in their outbreaks over the past week, with infection rates in all regions and age groups across the country at their lowest levels since 20 September.

The latest Test and Trace figures meanwhile showed that a total of 84,310 people tested positive for Covid-19 in England at least once in the week to 17 February. This is down 21 per cent on the previous week and is the lowest number since the week to 30 September.

But despite the decision to lower the UKs Covid alert level, the four chief medical officers warned we should be under no illusions over the severity of the current situation, with deaths and infections still dangerously high.

In time, the vaccine will have a major impact and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they receive the offer. However, for the time being it is really important that we all  vaccinated or not  remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines, the health chiefs said in a statement.

We know how difficult the situation has been and remains to be for healthcare workers, we thank them for their immense effort, skill and professionalism throughout the pandemic.

NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said the alert level may have dropped but there was a "long way to go yet".

He said that "no one in NHS [is] anywhere near declaring this phase of battle won".

Weekly case rates across the UK are 115 per 100,000 people compared to the 25 we would need to de-escalate to level 3, he added.

We must not squander the progress of recent weeks by letting down our guard now. Its vital that everyone continues to follow the restrictions.

The alert level was raised to its highest level on 4 January, when the prime minister, Boris Johnson, announced Englands third national lockdown.

Lowering the alert level comes after Mr Johnson revealed his roadmap out of lockdown on Monday, which would see restrictions being lifted gradually over the coming months in England.

The government hopes to lift all legal limits on social contact by June, effectively ending lockdown. However, how closely Britain will be able to stick to the timetable set out in the roadmap is dependent on the infection rate and the success of the vaccine rollout.

The latest figures from NHS England suggest that one in five adults in England under 70 have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, with an estimated 20.3 per cent of people aged between 16 and 69 having received a jab as of 21 February.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters UK news in pictures 19 April 2021 Women enjoy sunny weather in Greenwich, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain, Reuters UK news in pictures 18 April 2021 Stephen Maguire (right) of Scotland interacts with Jamie Jones of Wales during day 2 of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield PA UK news in pictures 17 April 2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburghs coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard arrives by Landrover Defender at St Georges Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Getty Images UK news in pictures 16 April 2021 Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, checks the teeth of "Dentosaurus" during a visit to the Thornliebank Dental Care centre in Glasgow, as she campaigns ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 April 2021 Myanmar's former ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn, outside his residence in north west London. The ambassador has been barred from entering the Myanmar embassy in Mayfair after he was removed from office PA UK news in pictures 14 April 2021 People take part in coronavirus surge testing on Clapham Common, south London. Thousands of residents have queued up to take coronavirus tests at additional facilities set up after new cases of the South African variant were found in two south London boroughs. 44 confirmed cases of the variant have been found in Lambeth and Wandsworth, with a further 30 probable cases identified PA UK news in pictures 13 April 2021 The core of the Milky Way becomes visible in the early hours of Tuesday morning as it moves over Bamburgh Lighthouse at stag Rock in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 12 April 2021 Rebecca Richardson (left) and Genevieve Florence, members of the Aquabatix synchronised swimming team, during a practice session in the swimming pool at Clissold Leisure Centre in north London, which has reopened to the public. Many facilities have reopened in the latest easing of lockdown include pubs and restaurants who can serve outside, non-essential shops, indoor gyms and swimming pools, nail salons and hairdressers, outdoor amusements and zoos PA UK news in pictures 11 April 2021 A pub staff pins up a sign announcing the reopening of the Fox on the Hill pub on Denmark Hill in London EPA UK news in pictures 10 April 2021 The Death Gun Salute is fired by the Honourable Artillery Company to mark the passing of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the The Tower of London AFP via Getty

In total, 18,691,835 people in the UK have now received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, according to government figures.

Additional testing is also set to be rolled out across parts of east and west London to suppress the spread of the South African coronavirus variant.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on Thursday said additional testing and genomic sequencing is being deployed in Ealing after a "small number" of new cases of the variant were found.

Further surge testing is also to be carried out in a "targeted area" of the IG1 postcode area of Redbridge, east London, where the variant has also been found, it added.

The department said: Working in partnership with the London Borough of Ealing, additional testing and genomic sequencing is being deployed within the borough, where a small number of additional cases of the Covid-19 variant first identified in South Africa have been found.

Improvements are continuing to be made nationally with Englands Test and Trace programme.

Some 86.8 per cent of people who were tested for Covid-19 in the week ending 17 February at a regional site, local site or mobile testing unit  a so-called "in-person" test  received their result within 24 hours.

This is up slightly from 85.4 per cent the previous week, and is the highest figure since the week to 8 July.

Mr Johnson had pledged that by the end of June 2020, the results of all in-person tests would be back within 24 hours.

The American business community welcomes the appointment of Oksana Markarova as Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Morgan Williams, President and CEO of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUB), has said.

"The members of USUBC welcome Oksana Markarova to Washington. The new Ambassador has been very supportive of private business development, market reforms, international investment, building a better business environment in Ukraine, expanding trade, investment and financial transactions between the U.S. and Ukraine, Williams said in a statement.

According to him, more than 200 members of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council congratulated Oksana Markarova on her appointment to the post of Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States.

"The members of USUBC again congratulate Oksana Markarova on her appointment and look forward to working with her to expand and strengthen the business and economic ties between the two countries," Williams said.

As reported by Ukrinform, on February 25, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the appointment of Oksana Markarova as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States of America.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had come under heavy attack from Rahul Gandhi and Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday hit back against both the Congress leader and his Uttar Pradesh counterpart.

Ever since Gandhi slammed the Vijayan government on Tuesday at a public rally here, the top brass of the CPI-M and other Left leaders have been attacking him. Joining them, Vijayan said things went bad for the country's farmers starting from the 1990s with the advent of the globalisation policies launched by the Congress of Gandhi.

"Since then, over three lakh farmers in the country have committed suicides because of these policies, which have proved to be against the interest of the farmers. I do not know if Gandhi knows about the Rs 6,000 crore loss suffered by the pepper and coffee farmers at his Wayanad constituency on account of these policies. So before he attacks, he should first apologise to the people on behalf of his party for the wrong policies," he said.

Vijayan added that his party was the least bothered about Gandhi's campaign as the people of Kerala knows everything.

"What all should see is that both Gandhi and Yogi Adityanath have the same opinion about the Left in Kerala.

"Yogi Adityanath was speaking of baseless things about Kerala on Covid, when the truth is just the opposite. Kerala has won applause from the world on the way we handled Covid. Just look into the ratios of Covid, Kerala leads in every indicator and just look at where UP is," he said.

"When it came to communal violence, Kerala has not had a single incident, while all know what is the situation there (in UP). Likewise when it comes to corruption, Kerala is the least corrupt place, while UP is poorly placed and statements by their own leaders have come out on what the level of corruption is there."

Vijayan also slammed the Congress over failing to even put up their candidate in the recent elections held for two Rajya Sabha seats in Gujarat.

"In a democracy, winning or losing is not the issue, but if it fails to even put up a fight... what is that party's leader (Gandhi) saying about it," he questioned.
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Mike Sutter /Staff

Dorcol Distilling and Brewing is taking an Austin-based brewery to court over its "Betty" beer.

The San Antonio company says St. Elmo Co. is infringing on copyrights for its "Betty Kolsch" ale with the Austin brewery's "Betty Blackberry Sour" beer.

Huntsville police are investigating the discovery of several gambling machines inside a business this morning.

Police responding to a potential arson call today at a business on Bronco Circle found 27 gambling devices inside.

Spokesman Lt. Jesse Sumlin said there have been no arrests as the investigation continues. The devices were removed during the day.
Wood Dale, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading aviation services provider to commercial and government customers, MROs and OEMs worldwide, has been named a 2021 Military Friendly Employer by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned company. VIQTORY screened more than 8,800 employers nationwide and selected only 92 companies for the prestigious award. Military Friendly Employers are recognized as role model organizations committed to creating meaningful improvements in their veterans work lives.

We are honored to be recognized as a 2021 Military Friendly Employer, said Nicholas Gross, AAR Senior Vice President of Integrated Solutions. Our veterans are a significant and vital part of our workforce. Veterans have a unique understanding of our government customers needs and bring a mission-oriented focus to our solutions. This group has been an important part of AARs success and we remain committed to working with our veterans to continue to grow our business.

For the full listing of the 2021 Military Friendly Companies, click here.

For more information about AARs veteran career options, visit aarcorp.com/careers/explore/#vets.

# # #

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AARs Aviation Services include Parts Supply; OEM Solutions; Integrated Solutions; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services. AARs Expeditionary Services include Mobility Systems operations.

Additional information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

About the Military Friendly Employer award by VIQTORY

The Military Friendly Employer list by VIQTORY is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 employers nationwide and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly Companies survey from participating companies. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
Undocumented immigrants are powerful examples of resilience built from years of plowing through setbacks and disappointments. Now they are steadily and quietly powering our economy back to life. Their resilience is rebuilding America during the pandemic, and they deserve citizenship from a grateful nation.

I came to the U.S. from China when I was 10. My parents came of age toward the end of the Cultural Revolution there. The government reinstated the college entrance exam. My father became a heart surgeon, my mother a pathologist. Economic policies in the early 1990s opened China to the West, and my father entered a postdoctoral program at the Harvard School of Public Health.

A few years later, my mother and I joined him in Boston. My father and I got green cards and later citizenship. Bad immigration legal advice resulted in my mother losing her legal status and put in deportation proceedings. As an undocumented worker with a deportation order, my mother worked in Chinese restaurants, and the tips she made put me through the University of Chicago.

One day, my ma called me while I was walking to class. She was rear-ended on her way to work. The cops arrived and she was terrified of deportation. Nothing came of the accident, but I nixed my plan to accept a consulting job and tried to figure out how to help her. After the tenth immigration attorney turned us down, telling us, she is safer in the shadows, I decided to join a movement of advocates trying to change the law and protect my mother.

I was fortunate to meet former Congressman Luis Gutierrez, who together with Senator Bob Menendez, stopped my mas deportation. Because of a review of old deportation orders, she got a green card and, five years later, citizenship after living 23 years in this country. That July, ma insisted on attending the Fourth of July parade in Skokie, a suburb of Chicago, decked out in an American flag T-shirt and waving two American flags.

At the age of 63, ma returned to the medical profession where she examined biopsy specimens to diagnose a range of illnesses. My mas example shows that when you legalize people who are working and contributing, you unleash their economic potential.

I share my mas story because I see her and other immigrants, particularly undocumented immigrants, contributing to our country every day. And Americans agree  American support for immigration has soared to historic highs. For the first time since such polls were conducted in 1965, Americans want more, not less, immigration.

This is likely attributed to the fact that for the past 10 months, COVID-19 has forced Americans apart but brought them closer to immigrants and the enormous contributions they make. Seventy percent of immigrants work in a field classified as essential. They work as frontline medical workers and in supermarkets, pick the crops we eat and saute food at restaurants. Immigrants or their children played key roles in developing two highly effective vaccines. They make up the lions share of the work to keep us alive and eventually restore us to some semblance of normalcy.

Immigrants are the frontline of our pandemic recovery. They put one foot in front of another, even when in fear and pain. They will become U.S. citizens one day. America will be stronger, wiser, and more prosperous for it.

Rebecca Shi is executive director of the American Business Immigration Coalition. This essay first appeared in The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute.
Ahmedabad: In the recently concluded Gujarat municipal corporation elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured another seat in Kuber Nagar, Ahmedabad, taking BJPs tally of seats in the area to 160.

BJPs Gitaba Chavda won the Kuber Nagar seat, defeating Congress` Jagdish Mohanani. An error in the counting of votes of the ninth round was reported earlier, which was referred to the State Election Commission (SEC) by the BJP.

The SEC conducted a scrutiny and declared the BJP candidate as the winner in the civic body polls. With Mohanani`s defeat, the Congress panel in Kuber Nagar has collapsed. After the matter was referred to the State Election Commission by the BJP, SEC conducted a scrutiny and declared the BJP candidate as the winner.

The BJP on Tuesday put up a spectacular performance in the Gujarat municipal corporation elections improving its numbers over the 2016 polls and nearly decimating the Congress. The saffron party on February 23 swept elections to six municipal corporations in Gujarat by winning 483 out of 576 seats.

The ruling party retained power in all the six municipal corporations in the state -- Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar. The polls were held on February 21.

The main opposition Congress got a drubbing, as it won only 55 seats and failed even to open an account in Surat. On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) put up an impressive show by winning 27 seats, all in Surat, and emerged as the main opposition in the Surat Municipal Corporation.

The AAP had for the first time fielded 470 candidates across all six corporations. The BJP won 159 out of 192 seats in Ahmedabad, 68 out of 72 seats in Rajkot, 50 out of 64 seats in Jamnagar, 44 out of 52 seats in Bhavnagar, 69 out of 76 seats in Vadodara and 93 out of 120 seats in Surat.

Congress, on the other hand, won seats in single digit in three corporations and drew a blank in Surat. The party won 25 seats in Ahmedabad, four in Rajkot, 11 in Jamnagar, eight in Bhavnagar and seven in Vadodara.

Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, which also contested local body polls in Gujarat for the first time, won seven seats in Ahmedabad's Muslim-dominated Jamalpur and Maktampura wards.

Three candidates of the Bahujan Samaj Party won in Jamnagar, while an independent candidate won only in Ahmedabad. The BJP had won 389 seats and Congress 176 across these six municipal corporations in the 2016 elections.

The saffron party gained 94 seats while Congress lost 121 seats this time.

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By Eric M. Johnson and David Shepardson SEATTLE/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing Co will pay a $6.6 million to U.S. regulators as part of a settlement over quality and safety-oversight lapses going back years, a setback that comes as Boeing wrestles with repairs to flawed 787 Dreamliner jets that could dwarf the cost of the federal penalty. Boeing is beginning painstaking repairs and forensic inspections to fix structural integrity flaws embedded deep inside at least 88 parked 787s built over the last year or so, a third industry source said. The inspections and retrofits could ...
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India-Pakistan Ceasefire Pact Is 'Positive Step Towards Greater Peace & Stability': US

The United States has welcomed the joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the Line of Control and other sectors, and called it a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia. At her daily news conference on February 25, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said that the Biden administration remains closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan.

Psaki said, "The United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of a ceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25th."

"This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress," she added.

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US Bombs Facilities In Syria Used By Iran-back Terrorists

The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed terror groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were in retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, John Kirby, said in announcing the strikes.

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Bharat Bandh: Commercial Markets To Remain Shut; Traders Protest Against Fuel Prices, GST

On Friday, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have called for a day-long nationwide strike against the Goods and Services Tax (GST), fuel price hike, E-Way bill. All commercial markets are to remain shut. The traders across the country are demanding an assessment of the provisions of the GST regime.

In a statement, CAIT said that over 8 crore traders belonging to more than 40,000 trade associations across the country will witness the 'Bharat Vyapar Bandh' to protest against some of the 'distorted amendments' made recently in the GST rules.The CAIT has announced that all commercial markets across the country will remain closed on February 26.

Read full story here

India's Covid Vaccine Proposal Draws Support From 115 MPs Of European Parliament

Hundred and fifteen members of European Parliament have backed Indias proposal to waive provisions of Agreement on Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The proposal, drafted jointly by India and South Africa in October last year, seeks a waiver on the intellectual property rights regime in a bid to facilitate access to medicines by more countries. As a health crisis continues to threaten the world, New Delhi has called for cost-effective universal solutions which could only be made possible with collective research and efforts.

Read full story here

Read: Amit Shah Welcomes Surrender Of Insurgent Groups In Karbi Anglong District In Assam

Read: Maharashtra Budget Session From March 1-10; Fadnavis Claims 'MVA Using COVID-19 As Excuse

Delhi Police Refutes AAP's Claim That Delhi CM Kejriwal's Z-Plus Security Has Been Removed

The Delhi Police on Thursday informed that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Z-plus security will remain unchanged and refuted media reports that claimed the AAP chief's security has been reduced. "The security cover provided to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal remains unchanged. There has been no reduction in the number of security personnel provided to him," ANI quoted Delhi Police PRO Chinmoy Biswal as saying.

Read full story here

Read: WHO Team's Doctor Explains Why COVID Didn't Leak From Wuhan Lab, Cites 'genetic Evidence'

Read: Mamata Banerjee Echoes Rahul Gandhi On 'Narendra Modi Stadium'; Says 'Hum Do Hamare Do'
In 25 years, Chopard grew from being an early sprout of the watchmaking rebirth to a full-grown generalist with every single complication in its catalog. It's been a long winding road. In 1992, watchmaking hasn't yet become a buoyant industry, and mechanical timepieces are still in limbo. A few brands keep grand complicaitons alive, one small batch at a time, and a handful of talented watchmakers, whose names will go on to be famous, are barely beginning. And yet, in this far from auspicious background, Chopard is considering becoming its own movement manufacturer.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele inside Chopard's Fleurier manufacture  David Chokron/WorldTempus

Or more accurately, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is considering such a bold move, convinced that self-sufficiency in that domain is going to prove decisive. His family have been owners of Chopard since 1963 and he succeeds in convincing them.

The project takes full shape in 1996 with a single movement, aptly named 1.96. And it is like nothing else out there at the time. First off, it's an in-house development. The original plans provided by talented watchmaker Michel Parmigiani have been abandonned halfway through the process. Chopard have had to assemble a team of developpers from scratch.

A sketch laying out some design cues of the L.U.C collection  Chopard

Secondly, it's an autmatic movement, but with a twist : it has a micro-rotor. This concept gained traction in the 1960. The idea is to build a smaller rotor and set it within the height of the movement instead of topping it, allowing for a slimmer product whil retaining the benefits of automatic winding. In return, it is much harder to finalize. But the result is slim by design, and the 1.96 has since remained at its original height of 3.3 mm. As a result, the first watch to use it, Chopard's L.U.C 1860, was only 8.5 mm thick. All the while freeing the view on the movement's back through a transparent sapphire glass.

Lastly, this calibre has a date display and offers a 65-hour power reserve thanks to its two barrels, a system Chopard has named Twin. Back then, there was barely a movement in sight that allowed more than 45 hours of autonomy. Some went as far as 8 days, though, but they were all hand-wound, thicker and much more complex. Oh, and the 1.96 was chronometer-certified. All of L.U.C's calibers have been since, except the few who don't have a seconds hand, which is compulsory for the certification process.

Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Chrono  David Chokron/WorldTempus

Yet Chopard goes another extra mile and quickly becomes a major user of the Geneva Hallmark. The components are machined in Fleurier, then finished and assembled at Chopard's headquarters just outside Geneva. The brand goes on to become that largest and most diverse user of official certifications as it is a founding member of the Fondation Qualite Fleurier. This independant, demanding body of certification has a wide spectrum but has been underused for several years.

From the beginning, the approach, its complexity, its refinement and its attachment to the fundamentals of watchmaking such as chronometry have made Chopard a manufacture apart, which it still is. One after another, it has mastered all the complications and functions : 8-day movements, tourbillon and later flying tourbilllon, integrated automatic chronograph, perpetual calendar, high frequency silicon escapement, along with several combinations of the above. Step by step, Chopard's experience has been growing, to the benefit of L.U.C, Chopard's high-end, horological range. It's initials are those of Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the brand's founder. In truth, their paths have been one and the same for several years. It's hard to imagine the minute repeater caliber with solid sapphire chimes of the Fullstrike in any other watch than an L.U.C.

Chopard L.U.C Fullstrike  David Chokron/WorldTempus

L.U.C's classic with a twist design language powered through the 00's, playing on a sense of both symmetry and asymmetry, wide and baroque fonts, off-centered dials and crowns and sophisticated play on colours. Then, somewhere around 2014-15, their style settled down for a cleaner, more classical one. This is both the original nature of Chopard, back in the 1860s, and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's personnal favourite. For he has been profoundly involved in the development of the collection all along. He made it his baby, and the pole-bearer of Chopard's watchmaking.

In the meantime, L.U.C calibers have gone on to become the high end of Chopard Manufacture's finishing skills, while they gradually took their place in less traditional collections such as Mille Miglia, Imperiale or Happy Sport. The reason is that in 2009, Chopard created a new branch of Chopard Manufacture. Named Fleurier Ebauches, it's tasked with manufacturing movements with more industrial methods and a larger output.

The Chronometre Ferdinand Berthoud FB1.1  David Chokron/WorldTempus

The mounting set of skills on the one hand, and the unrelenting horological ambition impulsed by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele on the other, have given birth to an other extension of Chopard Manufacture. It's not labeled that way, but the Ferdinaind Berthoud brand inherited a lot from them. The Chronometre CFB 1.1 and calibre FB-T.FC are absolutely unique, exclusive to the brand and altogether different from what Chopard does. This is also true of its finishings, which are elevated to an even higher degree. But Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud wouldn't have been possible without the manufacturing units, development teams and culture of excellence of Chopard Manufacture.

It would be unwise to interpret this anniversary as complacency. Chopard is not the kind of company to pat itself on the back anyway. Their celabrating the launch of their original calibre is really an occasion to remember that they started caring about autonomous manufacturing and the come-back of high-end watchmaking before almost everyone else. And that, however much it's still considered a jewelry brand, Chopard is definitely a legit, proper and capable watchmaking thing.
Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan donate new roof to Texas womens ministry after winter storm

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Genesis Women's Shelter & Support, a shelter for battered women run by Shelter Ministries of Dallas, announced Sunday that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have committed to replacing the roof at their transitional apartment complex that was damaged during last weeks winter storm.

Today, we learned that the news of the damages we incurred from Winter Storm Uri reached Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex! Through their nonprofit, Archewell Foundation, they are supporting us by replacing the roof at our transitional housing apartment complex and also helping us meet our immediate needs, the shelter announced Sunday. Big and small, local and international, each and every donation reminds us that we are not alone and we will make it through. THANK YOU TO ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION for helping to put a roof over the heads of women and children!

The announcement comes just days after officials at the shelter revealed they were forced to shutter for the first time in their 35-year history as a result of the deadly winter storm that left millions in Texas without power, causing pipes to burst and homes and businesses to flood in bone-chilling temperatures.

For those of you in Texas hunkering down and bracing through this brutal winter storm, know that we are with you. More than three million Texans are currently without power, while others are dealing with burst pipes and icy roads. Hospitals have seen a rise in hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning, as desperation has caused some to seek out dangerous heat alternatives, the shelter declared amid the storm last week.

Like many others, Genesis has been directly impacted by these harsh conditions. For the first time in our history of more than 35 years, our shelter had to be completely shut down due to an extended total power outage. Additionally, the pipes burst in our transitional housing unit Annies House, flooding apartments, offices and the on-site school. Because of this, all residents on our safe campus have been temporarily relocated to alternative safe locations, officials explained before issuing a call for help. We are in desperate need of blankets, warm clothing items, flashlights, batteries and meals. We're also hoping to raise enough funds to purchase two commercial automatic generators to prevent this from happening again in the future.

According to the shelter, the assistance from Harry and Meghan was among the support they received from people in 45 states.

We have been BLOWN AWAY by the support weve received, spanning coast to coast across 45 states! shelter officials said in a statement on Instagram a day after first making their appeal for help.

Genesis Womens Shelter & Support was opened by Shelter Ministries of Dallas in 1985 to provide safety, shelter and support for women who have experienced domestic violence, and to raise awareness regarding its cause, prevalence and impact.

In 1987, with assistance from First Presbyterian Church of Dallas and the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, the ministry was able to expand its services. In 1995, the ministry opened Annies House, a 12-month transitional housing program to give women more time to complete their goals and get back on their feet.

Since the Genesis Womens Shelter opened, the ministry has helped approximately 1,200 women and children find their way out of abuse annually.
Flags were flying at half-mast in Port Moresby to mourn the death of Papua New Guinea's longest-serving leader since the country became independent from Australia in 1975. Michael Somare, a pivotal figure in the country's independence and the South Pacific island nation's first prime minister, was 84. He was prime minister for 17 years during four separate periods.

He died Friday after being diagnosed with a late-stage pancreatic cancer and admitted to a hospital on February 19, his daughter Betha Somare said. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape said that Somare "is unmatched by anyone who has come after him."

Cabinet will meet later Friday to announce details of a state funeral for the leader who was also known as Papua New Guinea's Grand Chief and Father of the Nation. Somare was born on April 9, 1936, in the city of Rabaul in East New Britain, which was occupied by Japan during World War II. His earliest education was in a Japanese-run school in the village of Karau where he learned to read and write in Japanese. He was raised the son of a police officer in the province of East Sepik, which he went on to represent in Parliament.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Somare was the "champion of the sovereignty and independence of the people of Papua New Guinea." "Sir Michael was an extraordinary man of his generation. He was the light of his generation, which has lighted up the path for Papua New Guineans today and into the future," Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

On the 30th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's independence, Somare said he was generally pleased with his country's progress. His last term as prime minister ended controversially in 2011 while he was in a Singapore hospital. Lawmaker Peter O'Neill successfully moved a motion in Parliament that the post of the prime minister was vacant. O'Neill was elected premier and clung to power despite the Supreme Court twice ruling against him until he was legitimately elected in 2012. Somare is survived by his wife Veronica and children Bertha, Sana, Arthur, Michael and Dulciana.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A female employee checks embroidery machines in a textile factory in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam in January 2021. Photo by Shutterstock/Dong Nhat Huy.

Several localities have reported demand for thousands of workers as manufacturers seek to scale up production.

In some industrial parks in the southern provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong, hundreds of companies have put up hiring notices this week.

South Korean textile firm Taekwang Vina in Dong Nai is looking for 3,000 workers as it plans to establish four more production chains this year.

The company offers a minimum monthly salary of minimum VND7 million ($304). Anyone with basic literacy can apply.

Another South Korean textile firm in the province, the Chang Shin Vietnam Company, which has 35,000 workers, is also recruiting an unspecified number of new workers as the number of orders received by the end of this year has already exceeded capacity, prompting it to build two new workshops.

In Binh Duong, official data shows local companies are looking for nearly 40,000 workers in several sectors including textiles, wood processing and household products manufacturing.

Companies are sending recruiters to sit near main roads to increase chances of contacting candidates.

"Businesses are struggling to find workers even though they are offering high salaries of VND7-13 million a month plus benefits," Nguyen Kim Loan, chairwoman of the Binh Duong Labor Federation, told local media.

In the northern province of Bac Ninh, where many multinational manufacturers have set up plants, the demand for workers is estimated at 15,000.

Foxconn, a major supplier for Apple, is hiring 1,000 workers in Bac Ninh and the neighboring province of Bac Giang. It received a license in January to build a $270-million plant produce laptops and tablets in Bac Giang.

Nguyen The Quyet, chairman of the union of workers at industrial parks in Bac Ninh, said that many companies were unable to complete orders last year due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and were seeking to make up now.

Another reason is a surge in new orders this year from many countries, pushing factories to expand production and employ more people, he added.

Recruitment demand was highest among electronics and vehicle parts producers, he said.

Vietnams industrial production index rose over 22 percent year-on-year in January as the economy recovered from Covid-19 impacts, according to the General Statistics Office.

The countrys GDP growth could hit 7.5 percent this year, compared to 2.9 percent last year, according to credit rating company Fitch Ratings.

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EMILY ST. LAWRENCE, Chariho girls lacrosse, senior: St. Lawrence tied a school record for goals in a game with nine in a win over Smithfield. St. Lawrence scored 17 goals for the week and has 32 for the season.

CARLY CONSTANTINE, Stonington softball, sophomore: Constantine singled home Shea OConnor with the winning run to hand Waterford, the states No. 2 ranked team at the time, its first loss of the season. For the week, Constantine was 5 for 15.

GREG GORMAN, Westerly baseball, junior: Gorman, a junior, hit a massive home run in a win against Barrington. The homer went over the fence in center field and landed in a nearby road. Gorman was 3 for 3 with four RBIs in the game. He is hitting .571 with 10 RBIs for the season.

BRADIN ANDERSON, Wheeler baseball, freshman: Anderson, a freshman, pitched a complete-game shutout to beat Grasso Tech. Anderson struck out three to earn the first win of his varsity career.

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With so many lives and businesses turned upside down, PrideStaff North Dallas Strategic-Partner Amy Linn acted quickly to support the local relief effort. The client referral campaign she launched is a great way for anyone in the area to make a direct, immediate impact.

In the wake of the damage and devastation created by a crippling winter storm, PrideStaff, a national, franchised staffing organization, has announced that their North Dallas office is helping feed families in need by making charitable donations to North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) on behalf of individuals who submit a qualifying client referral.*

Giving back is nothing new for PrideStaff. In 2017, the staffing and employment agency orchestrated an award-winning disaster relief campaign in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and the franchise's long-standing "Proud to Refer" program has supported worthy organizations around the world for years. PrideStaff Fresno continued this tradition of giving in 2020, supporting firefighters battling the Fresno area wildfires. Now, PrideStaff is helping to provide food to families impacted by the unprecedented Texas winter storm, by donating funds directly to NTFB. To learn more about this program or refer a potential client, click here.

"This storm blindsided our clients, internal employees and field associates throughout north Texas, leaving countless people without power, heat and sufficient food," said PrideStaff Co-CEO, Tammi Heaton. "With so many lives and businesses turned upside down, PrideStaff North Dallas Strategic-Partner Amy Linn acted quickly to support the local relief effort. The client referral campaign she launched is a great way for anyone in the area to make a direct, immediate impact.

"We're incredibly thankful for the important work NTFB does to feed people in need throughout North Dallas; 95% of every dollar we donate will go directly to their hunger relief programs," continued Heaton. "I'd also like to thank Amy Linn and her team for orchestrating this effort, helping to bring relief to members of their community while dealing with the storm's aftermath themselves."

"After learning that demand for basic necessities had increased by 60% at food banks, we knew we wanted to contribute time and resources to help our community," stated Linn. "We are volunteering at North Texas Food Bank this month, but through this campaign we can do more together! For each qualifying client referral, PrideStaff North Dallas will donate $500 to NTFB; each of those donations will provide up to 1,500 nutritious meals."

*To qualify, an official job order must be filled by PrideStaff North Dallas for the company referred. For official rules and complete program details, click here.

About PrideStaff

PrideStaff was founded in the 1970s as 100% company-owned units and began staffing franchising in 1995. They operate over 80 offices in North America to serve over 5,000 clients and are headquartered in Fresno, CA. With over 40 years in the staffing business, PrideStaff offers the resources and expertise of a national firm with the spirit, dedication and personal service of smaller, entrepreneurial firms. PrideStaff is the only nationwide, commercial staffing firm in the U.S. and Canada with over $100 million in annual revenue to earn ClearlyRateds prestigious Best of Staffing Diamond Award eight years in a row highlighting exceptional client and talent service quality.

For more information on our services or for staffing franchise information, visit our website.


Get excited 'After Life' fans - Ricky Gervais has shared excitng news about the third and final season of the hit comedy show.

Speaking with UK TV host Lorraine, the comedian shared when filming for the show will resume.

Everything going well, we film in April and May and then it takes a few months to edit and then it takes a couple of months to put into a 160 languages,

"So, I'm hoping [it will air] by the end of the year."

Leading campaigners for Julian Assanges freedom, including former Ecuadorian diplomat Fidel Narvaez, Assanges partner Stella Moris and WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, addressed supporters and the assembled media outside the Old Bailey in central London yesterday.

Judge Vanessa Baraitsers decision to block the extradition of Julian Assange on health grounds was greeted with celebration outside the court and by millions more around the world, including in Assanges home country of Australia. His closest associates hailed the courts decision as a victory but warned that the fight to secure Assanges freedom was far from over.

Fidel Narvaez

Fidel Narvaez served as Consul at Ecuadors embassy in London until 2018, where he became a friend to Assange. He thanked those gathered outside the court for supporting freedom of expression, supporting Julian Assange, the man, the journalist, the activist, the freedom fighter:

This is a victory of all the people who never gave up. The British judicial system wanted to save face today. For those who were inside listening to the judge, it was like listening to the prosecutors opening statement. If it was not for the very, very fragile health conditions of Julian Assange, he would already be extradited.

Every journalist should be concerned about what was said today in court. Because the political arguments provided by the United States were upheld by the British judicial system It is only the doctors assessment of the fragile condition of the health of Julian Assange that has saved him from extradition.

The judge had to recognise the appalling, the oppressive conditions of the US prison system under Special Administrative Measures for espionage cases and the risk that Julian might commit suicide if he is extradited. That is the only thing that stopped her. So be aware, that freedom of expression is still under attack.

Narvaez stressed that this was a case not only about freedom of expression. It was also about human rights. It was a case about the right of political asylum I feel ashamed about the decision of the Ecuadorian government in 2019 to hand Julian over the Americans and to the British.

Lets hope that Julian will be walking free, as he should. Too much damage has already been done. Who is going to compensate him for ten years of persecution, of defamation, of calling him a hacker, of calling him a rapist, of treating him as a criminal?

This is the world upside down. The world criminals [get] impunity, the ones who reveal their crimes are still persecuted. But lets celebrate this victory today. This victory belongs to all of you.

Rebecca Vincent

Rebecca Vincent, Director of International Campaigns for Reporters Without Borders (RSF) spoke of the ongoing threat to press freedom posed by Baraitsers judgment.

I will repeat today, that his extradition was a possible matter of life or death. So, in this regard, this was the right decision. But we are concerned by many other elements of what we heard this morning. It is very clear that on substantive grounds, this country would have handed Mr Assange over to the United States to face trial there.

We disagree with the judges assessment that this case was not politically motivated. We disagree with her assessment that it was not about free speech.

We remain convinced that Mr Assange has been targeted for his contributions to journalism. As we all know, the publication of leaked information informed extensive public interest reporting. The public had a right to these stories and the public still has a right to these types of stories.

We are concerned that this decision leaves the door open for further prosecutions. If this happened to someone that did not suffer from the mental health issues that Mr Assange suffers, they could easily be handed over.

Vincent explained that journalists or publishers charged under the Espionage Act are unable to mount a public interest defence. Here too, in this country, the Official Secrets Act lacks a public interest defence. Until these broader issues are addressed, journalists remain at risk in this country, in the United States and internationally.

Concluding her remarks, Vincent outlined the repressive methods employed by UK state authorities to block RSFs trial monitoring activities over the past year. She said, We have documented extensive and evolving barriers to open justice since day one of this case But this morning, at the last hurdle, we were out here before 5am this morning and faced extensive police pressure. For the first time in my 15-year career, I repeatedly faced the threat of arrest this morning in attempting to get into a court to do my job, to monitor a case of concern. This is unacceptable in the United Kingdom in 2021.

Stella Morris

Assanges partner, human rights lawyer Stella Moris, told supporters, Please bear with me because Ive had to rewrite my speech.

Thank you for coming. I had hoped that today would be the day that Julian would come home. Today is not that day, but that day will come soon.

As long as Julian has to endure suffering and isolation as an un-convicted prisoner in Belmarsh Prison and as long as our children continue to be bereft of their fathers love and affection, we cannot celebrate. We will celebrate the day he comes home.

Today is a victory for Julian. Today is the first step towards justice in this case. We are pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness and inhumanity of what he has endured and what he faces. But lets not forget, the indictment in the US has not been dropped.

We are extremely concerned that the US government has decided to appeal this decision. It continues to want to punish Julian and make him disappear into the deepest darkest hole of the US prison system for the rest of his life.

That can never happen. We will never accept that journalism is a crime in this country or any other. Lets not forget that US agents plotted to kill Julian on British soil. His British solicitors were deliberately targeted by name and their documents were stolen. Their illegal operations even targeted our six-month-old baby. It is sickening and it is also a threat to everyone.

On behalf of Julian and myself I want to thank the millions of people around the world and the institutions that are already calling for this persecution to end. I ask you all to shout louder, lobby harder, until he is free.

I call on everyone else to come together to defend Julians rights, not just Julians rights. They are your rights too. Julians freedom is coupled to all our freedoms, and our freedoms are lost in the blink of an eye.

Kristin Hraffnson

Kristinn Hrafnsson, WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief, the final speaker, told the crowd, We have all experienced a horrible year in 2020. It has been annus horribilis for most of us. But lets remember that this was year ten in the situation of Julian Assange. But what a moment, a glimpse of hope, to start the New Year and hopefully a new era. It is a day, a day of a win for Julian Assange, but we have to be cautious, it is not necessarily a win for journalism.

I want to thank the lawyers for their work in bringing this about. It is quite extraordinary, at this level, the Magistrates Court. I am concerned that, instantly, upon giving her decision, the lawyers for the US government indicated they would appeal the decision. They should not. And there should be a call out and pressure on the US side to drop the appeal, to say enough is enough. We have had enough of this. We have plenty to deal with in this New Year, but not this.

Hrafnsson ended by warning, Lets be cautious in our victory celebration, because the fight is not over. As Stella said, it will not be over until Julian can go home and be with her and the boys.
By Greg Lalevee

Listening to Trump allies complain about Twitters so-called assault on the First Amendment after the former president was banned from the platform is more than a little rich. This is especially so for those who routinely moved to dramatically limit and even eliminate union supporters from exercising their First Amendment rights in their workplaces.

For instance, in 2019, the Trump-controlled National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rolled back a series of Obama administration regulations including the right for workers to wear union buttons and other pro-labor insignia. Those close to the Trump administration were silent about this First Amendment assault. Dare I say they applauded the action. Walmart then used the NLRB to limit what workers  who should have been able to freely express their views about their work situation  could wear and say to their colleagues.

When trampling the workers free speech elicited not a peep of opposition from those who now cry about what Twitter has done diminishes their current argument. Contrast their silence about workers with what happened after Twitter made its move on the former president. Rep. Jim Jordans inexplicable claim made  by the way in public debate on the floor of the House of Representatives  that one cannot have a functioning First Amendment when cancel culture only allows one side to talk. Democrats are really out to cancel the president and anyone who disagrees with them, Jordan said, before warning that cancel culture will come for us all.

But the hypocrisy is limited not just to Trump supporters. Owned by Jeff Bezos, The Washington Post has not editorialized against their owners efforts to crush the First Amendment rights of his Amazon workers while railing against Republicans who say Trumps right to free speech has been infringed upon. (In fairness, The Posts news reporters have thoroughly covered Amazons anti-union activity.)

The issue here is recognizing that the right to organize should be protected under the First Amendment. Whether its behemoths like Walmart or Amazon or a local contractor, workers being able to voice their opinions so long as one stays within the guardrail of decency should always be permitted.

Certainly, free speech issues are complicated, and one size most definitely does not fit all. The complexity is well explained by Kate Ruane, an ACLU lawyer:

We understand the desire to permanently suspend him now, but it should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield the unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billions, says Ruane. President Trump can turn to his press team or Fox News to communicate with the public, but others  like the many Black, brown and L.G.B.T.Q. activists who have been censored by social media companies  will not have that luxury.

Id add most hourly and lower-wage workers fall into the latter category of her comment. Their rights to show support for their union cause is a vital part of free speech and should be recognized as such.

So, lets have some consistency in our opinions when it comes to free speech. If social media platforms are expected to meet First Amendment requirements according to those on the right, then those same people protesting Twitter should be just as vocal about workers First Amendment rights. Now thats something we can all hopefully agree on. (But probably not.)

Greg Lalevee is the business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 based in Springfield.

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This month's Marketing Masterminds are Danny Pinch, executive creative director of digital at the King James Group, and Jean Scheltema, head of marketing and communications at Wesgro. They discuss the 'One Day in Cape Town and the Western Cape' campaign.

Facebook
The sexual harassment accusation against Gov. Andrew Cuomo by a former high-ranking staffer presents a moment of truth for the governors fellow Democrats. They need to do more than say this is a serious matter. They need to see that it is investigated.

And, no, an investigation by someone hand-picked by the governor or an investigative entity he controls simply will not do. Whats needed is a timely, thorough, and independent investigation by someone beyond Mr. Cuomos long reach.

One clear possibility is state Attorney General Letitia James, who, though endorsed by the governor in 2018, demonstrated her independence just recently with the release of an uncompromising report that answered questions Mr. Cuomo had long tried to dodge about the deaths of nursing home residents. She has the credibility and the resources to do this.

The accusation against the governor comes from Lindsey Boylan, a former deputy secretary and special adviser to the governor, and, before that, chief of staff at Empire State Development. Ms. Boylan, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year, is currently running for Manhattan borough president.

After briefly tweeting in December that the governor had sexually harassed her, Ms. Boylan posted a detailed account on the web site Medium on Wednesday in which she accused Mr. Cuomo of singling her out for attention in ways that made her uncomfortable, making it a point to touch her lower back, arms and legs, kissing her once on the lips in his office, and suggesting they play strip poker during a flight on a state aircraft. She described a culture of bullying and harassment of women in the Executive Chamber.

The governors office denies the allegations, and four former members of the administration who were on state flights in October 2017, when Ms. Boylan claims the strip poker remark occurred, say it did not happen.

Predictably, and hypocritically, Republicans who shrugged off multiple accusations of rape and other acts of sexual assault against former President Donald Trump have seized on Ms. Boylans account. Rep. Elise Stefanik, one of Mr. Trumps staunchest defenders, who is said to be mulling a bid for governor herself, makes the entirely self-serving suggestion that Mr. Cuomo resign.

But this isnt just a matter of manufactured partisan outrage. Democrats, too, are speaking out about the accusations, among them Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Its an issue that has implications at the highest levels of state government and the governors own party  a party that completely controls state government and that has made feminist policy a centerpiece of its agenda.

Just as Mr. Cuomo, as attorney general, investigated allegations of misuse of State Police by then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer in 2007, Ms. James should look into these accusations against the governor now. That includes taking testimony from Ms. Boylan, Mr. Cuomo, and members of the governors staff  under oath. He swore/she swore is a whole lot more credible and convincing than he said/she said.

It serves no one, including Mr. Cuomo, to drag this out. Ms. James should get started immediately.
During an online event on December 26 celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), founder and ideological leader of the party, Jose Maria Sison announced that the CPP would be resurrecting its old practice of employing armed city partisans, known as Sparrow Units, after three decades of dormancy.

Screenshot of video showing the Communist Party of the Philippines (Credit: YouTube, Rappler)

Sison presented the party policy as responding to demands from middle forcesa much used term drawn from the phrasebook of Stalinism to refer to its allies in the bourgeoisie and the middle class.

The crisis of capitalism, heightened to unprecedented levels by the global pandemic, has created explosive social tensions in every country. The ruling class around the world, frantic to retain its hold on power, has turned to authoritarian forms of rule, coups and insurrections, and the creation of fascist movements.

The Philippines is no exception. The working population of the country confronts skyrocketing unemployment, dismal medical care in the midst of pandemic, and the worst mass hunger since the Japanese occupation. As in the past, the CPPs resurrection of Sparrow Units is bound up with its efforts to seek bourgeois allies even as the ruling class as a whole is seeking the means to suppress unrest and secure a firm hold on power.

The party quietly initiated the creation of new Sparrow Units in December 2015 as a component of its support for the presidential candidacy of Rodrigo Duterte. It was seeking to integrate its hit squads into his war on drugs, a campaign of mass murder targetting the countrys poor.

Having broken with the president, the CPP is now pursuing an alliance with coup-plotting sections of the military. The Sparrow Units are intended to serve as a component of this alliance.

The history of the CPP and its use of urban hit squads confirm this assessment. Sparrow Units have a bloody past and reveal the partys integration into the ugliest aspects of Philippine politics.

The CPP was founded in December 1968 on the Maoist conception of protracted peoples war, armed struggle in the countryside to encircle the cities leading up to the seizure of power. The party was founded on the program of Stalinism, which seeks to subordinate the working class to a section of the capitalist class in the name of a national democratic revolution. The armed struggle was a means to achieving this political end.

In March 1969, the New Peoples Army (NPA) was established, building on remnants from the suppressed Huk rebellion peasant uprising of the early 1950s. While the CPP leadership routinely announces that it is building up its forces in the countryside, it has gotten no closer to its goal over the last forty years. In fact, it has witnessed a slow attrition.

The function of the NPA is not to surround the cities from the countryside, let alone to aid the working class in the seizure of power, but to give political clout to the party leadership in its negotiations with the bourgeoisie. The rhetoric of protracted peoples war has enabled the CPP to retain its hold over the waves of radicalization in the countrys youth and workers. It has then instructed these layers to support and pressure the partys bourgeois allies.

The 1980s were a decade of political upheaval in the Philippines. Long-time dictator Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown in 1986 by a popular uprising that was coupled with a military coup. A rival section of the bourgeoisie, represented by President Corazon Aquino, took power and suppressed mass unrest through the military and the use of paramilitary death squads.

The CPP formed a close alliance with the Aquino administration in 1986. The military, however, by means of coup threats pressured Aquino to break all ties with the party. Within three years, the CPP was working with rival sections of the military who were plotting by means of coup detat to remove Aquino from office.

It was in this context that the party created its Sparrow Units. These units, which conducted urban assassinations of those deemed enemies of the people, were tools in the partys growing alliance with various sections of the bourgeoisie, in the same fashion as its armed struggle in the countryside.

The urban hit squads first emerged in the southern city of Davao, where they played their most prominent role. Units of three assassins, who would often include young boys, would rapidly approach a target from behind, shoot him in the back of the head, and flee. The targets were often traffic cops who were killed for their pistols.

Over the course of the 1980s, the Sparrow Units fought for turf with fascist vigilante death squads. These deaths squads were eventually organized into Alsa Masa, whose core members had emerged out of the NPA in the wake of a series of murderous internal purges in the party. The turf war turned Davao into the murder capital of the Philippines, with an average of two people killed every day in the mid-1980s.

Rodrigo Duterte, an ally of Aquino, rose to prominence out of this chaos. He secured the loyalty of both Alsa Masa and the Sparrow Units, and effectively transformed them into paramilitary soldiers in his campaign of terror in Davao, as part of what he termed a war on drugs and criminality.

Sparrow units were formed in the capital region of Metro Manila and by the end of the 1980s, they were being used in the partys tactical alliance with right-wing coup plotters in the military, organized in the Young Officers Union (YOU). The YOU supplied the CPP assassins with explosives which they used throughout the city as a part of a joint destabilization campaign. The partys Manila hit squad took the name Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB).

In the early 1990s, the CPP fragmented. Sison reestablished control over the fragment that retained the partys name. Filemon Popoy Lagman, head of the ABB, was among those who broke with Sison. Sison put an end to the Sparrow Unit policy, which he had previously supported, accusing it of political excesses.

It was in late 2015 that the party resurrected this long dormant tactic as a component of the partys support for the candidacy of Duterte. Duterte made clear throughout his campaign that he would be pursuing a policy of mass murder, under the guise of a war on drugs. He infamously compared himself to Hitler, and stated that if elected a hundred thousand dead bodies would be floating in Manila Bay.

The majority of the murders in the war on drugs have been carried out by vigilante groups. As it did in the mid-1980s in Davao, the party attempted to cement its alliance with Duterte by integrating itself in this fascistic campaign.

As Duterte took office, the nationwide war on drugs rapidly ramped up, and hundreds of corpses began to appear in the streets of Metro Manila with cardboard signs attached declaring that the victims were drug users.

The CPP announced in multiple publications that it supported Dutertes war on drugs. Duterte gave speeches in which he called on the NPA to join in the war on drugs. Sison responded in an interview on CNN welcoming the opportunity.

The Philippine military fiercely opposed Dutertes intimate ties with the party. As it had done in the 1980s with Aquino, the military compelled Duterte to sever ties with the CPP, using the threat of a coup and the imposition of martial law on the southern island of Mindanao. By 2018, the falling out between the Duterte administration and the CPP was complete.

Sison and the CPP are now publicly calling on rival sections of the military leadership, who are disgruntled by Dutertes close ties with Beijing, to withdraw support from the president and to assist in the installation of Vice President Leni Robredo, who is the head of the bourgeois opposition to Duterte.

It is the elements around Leni Robredo and the Liberal Party that Sison refers to when he speaks of calls from the middle forces for the return of the Sparrow Units.

There is nothing progressive in the strategy and tactics of the CPP. They have served for decades as a murderous appendage of bourgeois rivalries and have subordinated social unrest to the interests of their elite allies.

The working masses of the Philippines confront immense dangers in the fascism of Rodrigo Duterte and the coup-plotting of his bourgeois opponents. The CPP have allied with and assisted first one and now the other.

The only way the Filipino working class can oppose these dangers is through their own political independence in the fight for socialist revolution. This requires a complete break with the CPP, its Stalinist program of nationalism and class collaboration, and all of its political appendages.
The Conservative Political Action Conference logo in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

CPAC Conference Focuses Heavily on Election Integrity

The Conservative Political Action Conference, the countrys largest conservative conference, is dedicating the largest portion of its program to election integrity this year.

The Feb. 25-28 conference features at least nine program points focused on elections, including seven part series of talks on Protecting Elections, a panel titled Shining a Light on the Lefts 2020 Shadow Campaign, and a discussion with election lawyers dubbed The Voter Files: The Truth is Out There.

The topic has been on the forefront of the conservative movement after a deluge of allegations of fraud and other illegalities in the 2020 election.

Over the years Americans have watched what used to be Election Day turn into Election Season with measures like early voting beginning a month before Election Day. In fact, Michigan and Minnesota allow voting to begin 45 and 46 days before Election Day respectively, CPAC spokesman Ian Walters told The Epoch Times via email.

That being said, over the course of 2020, out of concern for voters health and safety during the pandemic, many states broadly expanded the criteria for mail-in voting. The results of those measures have led to election results that have left many Americans less than confident about whether the ballots that were counted were legal and counted accurately.

We aspire to talk about this issue in a fact and evidence-based way that cuts through the noise that has left many Americans doubtful about the legitimacy of our election process and whether, as a nation, we should leave these measures in place once the pandemic subsides.

The first speech was delivered by Fox News contributor Deroy Murdock.

The November 2020 election was a nightmare, he said. Judges and other officials made last-minute rule changes that only state legislatures were authorized to enact as the U.S. Constitution requires. Mysterious late night ballot dumps triggered huge lopsided spikes for Joe Biden. Multiple affidavits offered sworn eyewitness reports of cars with out-of-state license plates unloading piles of ballots at counting centers in the wee small hours. Such shenanigans and many more affected Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

He scoffed at the argument that fraud in the election wasnt sufficiently widespread.

How widespread must voter fraud be before the left shares our concerns? he asked. Will that require 10,000 bogus ballots? A million phony votes?

He suggested if illegal votes effectively canceled the ballots of prominent Democrats, the party would perhaps pick up on the issue.

Of course, that is unlikely, because the Democrat party is the party of voter fraud, he said.

Yes, this is quite a charge, but abundant evidence confirms this allegation. Democrats resist virtually every Republican idea to make our electron more secure and they labor tirelessly to make our elections more chaotic, more unsupervised, and more unreliable.

He particularly criticized Democrats support for sending out unsolicited mail-in ballots in some states, allowing unsupervised drop off ballot boxes, diluted signature match standards for mail-in ballots, and obstruction of Republican poll observers.

He proposed Republicans must fight for measures to include ending mass mail-in ballots, ending no excuse mail-in ballots, generally limiting the time period ballots are accepted to election day, prohibiting ballot harvesting, ensuring non-citizens dont vote, voter roll cleanup, and voter photo ID.

We all need to fight like hell for election integrity, he said. This is a fight we can and must win. If we lose we will become the corruptly outvoted vassals of the left. It is in our hands, my fellow conservatives, to make elections great again.
DUBLIN, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine market grew at a CAGR of around 6% during 2015-2020. The foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurs due to a transboundary, contagious virus that infects cloven-hoofed animals. It primarily affects cattle, such as buffaloes, pigs, sheep, goats, etc., and a few wildlife species, including deer, bison, camelid, antelope, etc. The FMD virus (FMDV) has seven immunologically distinct serotypes, namely O, A, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia 1. This viral disease exhibits common symptoms in animals, such as blisters on lips and tongue, fever, excessive salivation, anorexia, low meat and milk productivity, etc. Several vaccines, based on aluminum hydroxide, saponin, and oil formulations, are used against FMD contraction.



The high prevalence of FMD along with its socio-economic impact on the international trade of animal products is driving the FMD vaccine market. The growing meat processing industry and the increasing consumption of dairy products are also fueling the need for FMD vaccines. Additionally, the rising demand for high-grade and disease-free meat supply from livestock is further augmenting the market growth. Apart from this, the implementation of mandatory norms regarding cattle rearing is leading to the bulk purchase of vaccines to control FMD outbreaks.



Furthermore, government bodies across the globe are also introducing several awareness programs for protecting endangered wildlife species, such as bison and antelope, against FMD. Rising globalization along with the growing livestock population across both developed and developing markets is also driving the market for FMD vaccines. Furthermore, the increasing presence of veterinary centers providing safe healthcare practices for livestock is also creating a positive impact on the market growth. Looking forward, the publisher expects the global foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine market to continue its moderate growth during the next five years.



Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being Agrovet Co., Bayer AG, Biogenesis Bago, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Brilliant Bio Pharma Private Limited, China Animal Husbandry Group, FGBI "Federal Centre for Animal Health, Indian Immunologicals Limited, Limor de Colombia, Merck & Co. Inc, Vecol S.A. and VETAL Animal Health Products Company.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global foot and mouth disease (FMD) market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global foot and mouth disease (FMD) market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the animal type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the vaccine type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global foot and mouth disease (FMD) market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology

2.1 Objectives of the Study

2.2 Stakeholders

2.3 Data Sources

2.3.1 Primary Sources

2.3.2 Secondary Sources

2.4 Market Estimation

2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach

2.4.2 Top-Down Approach

2.5 Forecasting Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Animal Type

6.1 Cattle

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Pig

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Sheep and Goat

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 Vaccine Type

7.1 Conventional Vaccines

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Oil based Vaccines

7.1.2.1 Market Trends

7.1.2.2 Market Forecast

7.1.3 Aluminium Hydroxide/Saponin Based Vaccines

7.1.3.1 Market Trends

7.1.3.2 Market Forecast

7.1.4 Market Forecast

7.2 Emergency Vaccines

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

8.1 Government Organizations

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Distributors/Pharmacies

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Private Vet

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

9.1 Asia Pacific

9.1.1 China

9.1.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.1.2 Market Forecast

9.1.2 India

9.1.2.1 Market Trends

9.1.2.2 Market Forecast

9.1.3 Bangladesh

9.1.3.1 Market Trends

9.1.3.2 Market Forecast

9.1.4 Vietnam

9.1.4.1 Market Trends

9.1.4.2 Market Forecast

9.1.5 Korea

9.1.5.1 Market Trends

9.1.5.2 Market Forecast

9.1.6 Others

9.1.6.1 Market Trends

9.1.6.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Latin America

9.2.1 Brazil

9.2.1.1 Market Trends

9.2.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2.2 Argentina

9.2.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2.2 Market Forecast

9.2.3 Others

9.2.3.1 Market Trends

9.2.3.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Middle East and Africa

9.3.1 Nigeria

9.3.1.1 Market Trends

9.3.1.2 Market Forecast

9.3.2 Ethiopia

9.3.2.1 Market Trends

9.3.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3.3 Iran

9.3.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.3.2 Market Forecast

9.3.4 Algeria

9.3.4.1 Market Trends

9.3.4.2 Market Forecast

9.3.5 Others

9.3.5.1 Market Trends

9.3.5.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Europe

9.4.1 Turkey

9.4.1.1 Market Trends

9.4.1.2 Market Forecast

9.4.2 Georgia

9.4.2.1 Market Trends

9.4.2.2 Market Forecast

9.4.3 Armenia

9.4.3.1 Market Trends

9.4.3.2 Market Forecast



10 SWOT Analysis

10.1 Overview

10.2 Strengths

10.3 Weaknesses

10.4 Opportunities

10.5 Threats



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

12.1 Overview

12.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

12.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

12.4 Degree of Competition

12.5 Threat of New Entrants

12.6 Threat of Substitutes



13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 Agrovet Co.

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2 Bayer AG

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.3 Biogenesis Bago

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4 Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5 Brilliant Bio Pharma Private Limited

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6 China Animal Husbandry Group

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7 FGBI "Federal Centre for Animal Health

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8 Indian Immunologicals Limited

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9 Limor de Colombia

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10 Merck & Co. Inc

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 Financials

14.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.11 Vecol S.A.

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.12 VETAL Animal Health Products Company

14.3.12.1 Company Overview

14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u6q43h

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, we take a look at ABC boss David Anderson, and the many and varied challenges facing the national broadcaster.

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The discussion is based on our cover story this week  Auntys other top dog: how David Anderson ended up with the most scrutinised job in Australian media  by Good Weekend senior writer Jane Cadzow, with expert input from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald media and telecommunications reporter Zoe Samios.

Moderated by Good Weekend deputy editor Greg Callaghan, the conversation examines the work of a managing director who is accountable not just to ABC audiences and its board, but the Senate estimates committee in Canberra, making his one of the toughest jobs in Australia.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 26 Master's in Negotiation And Conflict Management Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 64 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 64 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 26 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Negotiation And Conflict Management Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-negotiation-and-conflict-management-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Negotiation And Conflict Management Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Abilene Christian University

Arizona State University

Bay Path University

Brandeis University

California Southern University

California State University, Dominguez Hills

California University of Pennsylvania

Columbia University

Creighton University

Dallas Baptist University

Dominican University

George Mason University

Georgetown University

Kennesaw State University

Lipscomb University

Norwich University

Nova Southeastern University

Portland State University

Salisbury University

Southern Methodist University

Touro University Worldwide

University of Baltimore

University of Massachusetts, Boston

University Of Oregon

University of San Diego

Walden University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.


MASON CITY, Iowa  A second sentence is handed down in some North Iowa car wash thefts.

Authorities say Danielle Minea and Kyle Kuchenmeister stole from car washes in Mason City, Clear Lake, and Hampton in August and September of 2019.

Minea, 40 of Rochester, pleaded guilty to 3rd degree criminal mischief and has now been ordered to pay a $625 civil penalty and spend two years on supervised probation. Minea received a deferred judgment, which means this conviction will be removed from her record if she successfully completes her probation.

Kuchenmeister previously pleaded guilty to 2nd degree criminal mischief and was given three to five years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to complete all recommended drug abuse treatment.

A natural color image of fires in Africa, observed by the VIIRS instrument aboard the NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite on Feb. 14, 2020. Credits: Images by Lauren Dauphin/NASA Earth Observatory using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership

NASA researchers have found a small but unexpected decrease in air pollution over some parts of Africa despite growing use of fossil fuels in many countries due to development and economic growth.

However, they note the findings were evident only during the dry season over areas where a reduction in grassland fires occurred, which likely will not be enough to offset growing human-caused air pollution in the long term.

Researchers from NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York City analyzed satellite observations of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas that causes respiratory illnesses in humans and can increase the formation close to Earth's surface of other pollutants like particulate matter and ozone, which are also harmful to human health. They found that over the northern grassland region of sub-Saharan Africa during the dry season (November through February) NO2 dropped by 4.5%, about a 0.35% annual decline on average.

Though the decrease was small, it was unexpected, as higher fossil fuel consumption was expected to result in increased pollution levels.

The scientists attribute this small but unexpected air quality improvement to the fact that a decrease in burning grasslands from wildfires and controlled burns offset the increased burning of fossil fuels during the four months of the dry season. The total area of savanna burned in sub-Sahara Africa is getting smaller each year, as woodlands and grasslands are converted to agricultural land and more densely populated towns and villages.

Researcher Jonathan Hickman, a senior postdoctoral fellow at GISS, cautions that this positive trend may continue only to a point. Eventually, there may be a net worsening of air quality as the pollution resulting from the amount of fossil fuels burned surpasses what the decline in natural wildfires during the dry season can offset.

In addition, the study found air quality only improved during the dry season, when the decline in wildfires was more apparent; pollution increased somewhat during the rainy season, but not enough to cancel out the decreases during the dry season.

Results from Hickman and his research team at GISS were published Feb. 8 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The GISS team analyzed measurements of NO2 from the Dutch-Finnish Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard NASA's Aura satellite. In addition to monitoring stratospheric ozone, OMI also measures harmful air pollutants like NO2, SO2 and formaldehyde in the atmosphere. NO2 is primarily released as a byproduct of burning fossil fuels for electricity or in automobiles, from burning of vegetation like grasslands or crops and by soil microbes.



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Solar Energy

U Toledo Developing Solar Sheets to Generate Power in Space

The University of Toledo just received a five-year, $12.5 million grant from the U.S. Air Force to develop flexible solar cell sheets for space. The photovoltaic energy sheets will be used to collect solar energy for powering Earth-based receivers or other orbital or aerial instrumentation, such as communications satellites.

Physicists at the institution will develop flexible solar cell sheets, each about the size of a piece of paper, which can be assembled and connected into considerably larger structures. A single space-based array could use tens of millions of the sheets and extend to sizes as large as a square mile. (U Toledo won't be engineering the arrays, however.) An array of that size is projected to be able to generate about 800 megawatts of electrical power, enough to power about 130,000 houses on earth for the day.



Randall Ellingson, a professor of physics, received a $12.5 million grant from the U.S. Air Force to develop space-based solar energy sheets for transmitting clean power back to Earth or satellites in orbit.

Source: University of Toledo

The researchers are building tandem solar cellstwo cells stacked on top of each other that are more efficient for harvesting the sun's spectrumon ultra-thin, flexible supporting materials. The team will "sandwich" various groupings of solar cells, including perovskites, silicon, cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide, to see what the optimal combination is. The team will also investigate the use of lightweight, flexible supporting materialthin ceramic, plastics and glassto create the large solar cell sheets. According to the physicists, those materials need to be "resilient, ultra-thin and tolerant to high and low temperatures."

"With 37% stronger sunlight above the atmosphere than on a typical sunny day here on Earth's surface, orbital solar arrays offer a critical opportunity to harness renewable energy, achieve sustainability goals and provide strategic power for a wide range of orbital and airborne technologies," said Randall Ellingson, a professor in the university's Department of Physics and Astronomy, member of the school's Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization and leader of the project, in a statement.

This isn't the first time Ellingson has worked with the Air Force on space projects. In 2019, his team received $7.4 million to develop solar technology to power space vehicles using sunlight.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund (NYSE: AWP) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund, today announced that it paid on February 26, 2021, a distribution of US $0.04 per share to all shareholders of record as of February 19, 2021 (ex-dividend date February 18, 2021).

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. At Aberdeen, asset management is our business. We only manage assets for clients, allowing us to focus solely on their needs and deliver independent, objective investment advice. We know global markets from the local level upwards, drawing on more than 1,900 staff, across 32 offices in 23 countries. Investment teams are based in the markets or regions where they invest, delivering local perspective in a global investment environment. (PRNewsFoto/Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.)

Your Fund's distribution policy is to provide investors with a stable monthly distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

Under U.S. tax rules applicable to the Fund, the amount and character of distributable income for each fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related Rules, the Fund may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the Rules adopted thereunder. The table has been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The table includes estimated amounts and percentages for this distribution and for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date (11/01/2020 - 01/31/2021), from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated composition of the distributions may vary from month to month because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.



Estimated

Amounts of

Current

Monthly

Distribution

per share ($) Estimated

Amounts of

Current Monthly

Distribution per

share (%) Estimated

Amounts of Fiscal

Year to Date

Cumulative

Distributions per

share ($) Estimated

Amounts of Fiscal

Year to Date

Cumulative

Distributions per

share (%) Net Investment

Income $0.0108 27% $0.0432 27% Net Realized Short-

Term Capital Gains* $0.0004 1% $0.0016 1% Net Realized Long-

Term Capital Gains - - - - Return of Capital $0.0288 72% $0.1152 72% Total (per common

share) $0.0400 100% $0.1600 100% *includes currency gains

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

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Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2021 will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides information regarding the Fund's total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Fund's annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ended 01/31/20211 8.43% Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV2 8.23% Fiscal Year to Date (11/01/2020 to 01/31/2021) Cumulative Total Return on NAV1 14.02% Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV2 2.06% 1 Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of January 31, 2021.

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2010, the Fund may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Fund during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Fund, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the terms of the distribution policy. The final determination of the source of all distributions will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. The Fund's Board of Directors has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Ltd., Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The 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 NAV of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact Investor.Relations@aberdeenstandard.com

aberdeenawp.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aberdeen-global-premier-properties-fund-announces-payment-of-monthly-distribution-301236710.html

SOURCE Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund




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Since 2019, there have been reports that Chevrolet has been working on a full-size answer to the Ford Raptor and Ram TRX, which were further stoked by a factory-modifed race truck. Now we have spy photos of what seems to be a serious Chevy Silverado off-roader, which we will refer to as ZR2 like its little Colorado sibling.

The front offers the most clues to the truck's increased capabilities. The hood has a huge bulge of camouflage, which we suspect may hide a big cowl like that on the Colorado ZR2. The front bumper, particularly when compared to a Trail Boss prototype seen earlier, seems to be turned up more at the edges for better clearance around the tires. The ZR2 doesn't have the aerodynamic air dam either, which further aids clearance. Underneath is a deep and wide skid plate for protecting all the Silverado's vulnerable mechanical bits.

Chevy Silverado Trail Boss and ZR2 prototype

Another thing that makes it clear this is burlier than a Trail Boss is the ride height. It's clearly sitting higher, and the tires are significantly bigger. We can't make out a tire size in the photos, but we know that the Trail Boss so far has been equipped with 32-inch tires. We're betting the tires on this ZR2 are 35-inch units, putting it on par with the standard Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX.

We also can't make out the shocks, but we wouldn't be surprised if the Silverado ZR2 uses a beefier version of the Colorado ZR2's spool-valve shocks. We know that Chevy has worked on a version, since they were fitted to the aforementioned race truck, which, incidentally, also got 35-inch tires and more skid plates. And if that race truck is a model for the production truck, expect long-travel front suspension arms to arrive, too.

Past reports have the Silverado ZR2 slated for the 2022 model year along with a significant facelift for the whole truck line. It will likely only be offered with gas V8 engines, possibly even the supercharged V8 rumored for GM's full-size SUVs.

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Related video:

Hyundai IONIQ 5 / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor



By Nam Hyun-woo



Hyundai Motor is enjoying brisk preorders for its new electric vehicle (EV), the IONIQ 5, but facing production concerns due to the prolonged global chip shortage for cars.



Hyundai Motor was confident over its vehicle semiconductor inventories when the global shortage began to affect carmakers around the world in January, but is now paying closer attention to the situations of chipmakers, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to distort the overall supply chain.



Hyundai Mobis, a parts affiliate of Hyundai Motor, is now closely monitoring the supply status of vehicle semiconductors from low-tier suppliers, as its inventories for chip-requiring components are reaching "an emergency level."



"We are categorizing components into different categories depending on their inventory level, and monitoring some of those categories in real time," a Hyundai Mobis official said. "Though we cannot reveal the exact details, some parts' inventory levels are at an emergency level and may run out of stock in weeks."



This is in contrast to Hyundai Motor Group's projection on its chip supply. In a conference call last month, Kia said it is not expecting any short-term production setbacks due to chip shortages.



As the situation has not improved during the past month, however, the group said "there are difficulties in the supply of some semiconductor-using components, though we are adjusting production plans and negotiating with chipmakers." Analysts are also expecting further difficulties in securing chips.



In a Feb. 17 report, market tracker IHS Markit expected the situation "to hit bottom around the end of March, although the supply chain will still be constrained into the third quarter."



"It will get worse before it gets better," said Phil Amsrud, principal senior analyst at IHS Markit. "Short term all that can be done is juggling priorities in the foundries to make more automotive microcontroller units instead of products for other markets."





Hyundai Motor Group headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seoul / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

In her recent column, Why are CT Republicans demonizing desegregation? Alma Rutgers question serves as an example of how insidious the Lefts messaging really is. If one disagrees with a group named Desegregate CT, then one must be against desegregation and thereby for segregation.

We see this pattern throughout our state with other left-of-center groups with crafty names. How about CT Voices for Children, or Greenwich Voices for Democracy. God forbid one disagrees with them, or you will automatically be demonized as being against children and democracy!

Lets examine Desegregate CT. This is an effort by state Democrats to centralize local planning and zoning authority in Hartford, thus removing it from local communities. There is a basis for goodwill in this effort. According to their platform, they want to create more diverse housing in service of equity.

Translated into real world language, this means they want your state government to engage in a social engineering experiment. Beyond this initial, somewhat altruistic aim, little or no planning has been done, other than giving our one-party state government, what historically has been a local government prerogative,

Our leaders should be focusing on how they can attract investment in our cities and use tax incentives to make our cities enticing for large and small businesses. Concurrent to that, the folks who live in our cities must have a stake in how their neighborhoods are developed. They must be empowered to be a part of the solution, not just be a bystander. That is the role effective government should take.

Imagine for a moment how the economics of affordable housing would develop if Connecticut actually began to show some successes in improving our urban centers and making them more attractive communities? Housing prices would rise, families would build equity in their homes, and what were once vibrant communities would begin to re-emerge. The uniquely American idea of renewal and recovery is to do the exact opposite of what Desegregate CT is proposing.

So, to circle back to Ms. Rutgers column, Republicans are not at all opposed to desegregation. This is a red herring designed by progressive Democrats to gain support for their well-intentioned, but very costly and ill-advised social engineering projects. Republicans support equal opportunity for all and a focus on policies that help rebuild and revitalize our cities and create jobs.

Republicans believe in the American comeback story. Our aim should be to lift up our struggling inner cities through intelligent, strategic policies that improve the quality of life for those who live there.

Taking P&Z authority from local governments centralizes more economic control in Hartford. Is this what we want in our state?

Big government dictating what we should do? After more than a decades worth of failed economic policies in Hartford, our citizens deserve better.

Dan Quigley is chair of the Republican Town Committee.

FYI Resources (ASX:FYI) is strategically focused on potash exploration and development in Thailand.

FYI Resources anticipates 'progressive' six months ahead

FYI Resources Ltd (ASX:FYI) (FRA:SDL) is positioning itself to be a large producer of 4N and 5N high-purity alumina (HPA) in the rapidly developing high-tech product markets and anticipates an active and progressive six months.

The company has developed an innovative processing flowsheet design demonstrating the capability to produce high-purity, high-quality HPA at the lowest cost quartile for capex and opex from its Cadoux Kaolin Project in Western Australia.

Its plan includes a proposed value-adding processing facility in the industrial port centre of Kwinana, south of Perth, Western Australia.



"Outstanding" trial results

FYI's recent production trial in collaboration with Alco of Australia Ltd delivered results described as "outstanding", consistently achieving purity levels higher than 99.998% aluminium oxide.

The analytical results suggest the trial achieved purity levels higher than anticipated due to progressive enhancements to the flowsheet and improvements to operational procedures from previous trials, including the use of an alternative feedstock supplied by Alcoa.

FYI considers the outcome to be of significant relevance in improving project economics for potential commercial production and a key condition to the Alcoa joint venture memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been achieved.
OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alley Cat Allies president and founder Becky Robinson today condemned a vote by a committee of the East Bay Regional Park District in California that recommends a policy of killing cats in the parks.

"It is unconscionable to think that any policy which allows for the lethal removal of cats, a cruel and ineffective practice which must be eliminated, could be adopted in the Bay Area," Robinson said. "The East Bay Regional Park District should be using independent research to form sound policies that rely on proven methods for the reduction of community cat populations, such as Trap-Neuter-Return. Moving forward as it did today amounts to making uninformed decisions to kill innocent animals."

Trap-Neuter-Return, also known as TNR, is the humane and effective approach that improves the lives of community cats, protects public health, addresses community concerns, stabilizes outdoor cat populations and helps cats and communities coexist. Through TNR, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped for identification, and returned to their outdoor home.

"East Bay Regional Park District board members need to hear the voices of their constituents and reject this proposal condoning animal cruelty," Robinson added. "Enough is enough. The public was outraged to learn about the premeditated killing of these cats and has spoken out in overwhelming opposition to lethal policies in their parks."

Americans are compassionate and reject mass-killing. In a 2017 poll by Harris Interactive, 84 percent of Americans said they prefer that their community use tax dollars to adopt sterilization as its cat control policy instead of bringing cats found outdoors into shelters to be killed.

The District's Natural and Cultural Resources Committee voted on Feb. 25 to advance the "Free-roaming Cat Management Policy" to the full East Bay Regional Park District Board for a vote in a future meeting.

"We hope to have collaborative conversations with Board members about the dangers of this policy and effective measures to protect wildlife that do not involve rifles and bullets," added Robinson. "It's clear that there were legal violations in the development of this policy and we'll be pursuing all of our options to protect cats and the community in the East Bay Regional Park District."

Alley Cat Allies will continue to pursue justice for the cats who were shot to death, and policy changes to prevent such killings from happening ever again. Updates are available online at www.alleycat.org/EastBayParkCats.

About Alley Cat Allies

Alley Cat Allies is the leader of a global movement to protect cats and kittens. Now in our 31st anniversary year, we are joined by more than 650,000 supporters worldwide.

Alley Cat Allies believes every cat deserves to live out his or her life to the fullest. We exposed an entrenched system in which animal control agencies and shelters have been killing millions of cats for over a century. Today, the programs we introduced in the United States are mainstream.

To achieve our goals, we collaborate with grassroots advocates, animal shelters, municipal managers, and lawmakers to replace deadly laws and policies with ones that protect cats. We defend all cats by offering cutting edge education online, in person, and through one-on-one dialogue. We advance lifesaving innovations such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Shelter-Neuter-Return (SNR), high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter, microchipping, anti-declawing legislation, and any program that best serves the interests of cats.

Our website is www.alleycat.org, and we are active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

SOURCE Alley Cat Allies

Related Links

http://www.alleycat.org


editorial

The deplorable state in which Ongombo West, a farm situated 30km northeast of Windhoek, finds itself in is another stark reminder that it is not all rosy when it comes to the country's resettlement programme.

Much has been said about this piece of land, which was the first farm to be expropriated with fair compensation in Namibia following a dispute between the farm owners and workers. This process gave resettled families access to 4 000 hectares of land but of which the majority is today lying idle.

In its heyday, the farm exported flowers to the lucrative European market. The farm exported 150 000 flowers to Germany, Holland and South Africa annually.

Ongombo West produced between 130 000 and 150 000 Arum Lilies (Zantedeschia flowers) worth an estimated US$500 000. But now sadly, the farm has basically been reduced to a white elephant, with no production taking place, while the resettled families have resorted to the illegal sale of alcohol to generate income for survival.

It is sad that as much as government is committed to accelerate land redistribution in an effort to redress historic racial inequalities, many of those resettled on large tracts of land are not using the units productively and help feed the nation.

The expropriation of Ongombo West may have been justified on the grounds that the authorities were redressing imbalances of the colonial era. However, it is upsetting when those given such golden opportunities fluff their chances and resort to beg for handouts.

In its current form, Ongombo West is incapable of feeding its own people.

This begs the question whether government is really resettling people with the real passion to work the land or merely to occupy it?

Surely, there are many farms countrywide that find themselves in such mess. In fact, many have been sub-leased as the original resettled owners cannot afford farming.

Indeed, we are aware of a potpourri of challenges that black farmers face. Among the many challenges facing resettled farmers is the lack of adequate capital to go into full production and access available markets.

The lack of capital is a result of many factors such as resettled farmers not being able to use the allocated piece of farmland as collateral when seeking production loans from commercial banks - as commercial banks feel that since the land belongs to the State, it cannot be repossessed in the event of default on repayments by the farmers. This is a situation that has left resettled farmers in a catch-22 scenario, as denying them commercial credit/loans continues to undermine their ability to become productive farmers.

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Not only that, but poor and old farm infrastructure on land bought for resettlement, lack of skills and access to markets for farm products count among those challenges.

Also, another challenge facing resettled farmers is the countless restrictions and unnecessary bureaucracy when trying to expand their farming activities beyond the traditional means of production.

For instance, when resettled farmers want to venture into game farming or charcoal production, they are first required to obtain government permission to embark upon such ventures, and approval from the ministry many a time takes forever to come and by the time approval comes, the farmer would have lost out on lucrative markets and opportunities.

Another problem is the lack of a clear and practical post-resettlement support programme, which many farmers disparately need upon being resettled.

A clear and practical post-resettlement support programme is therefore needed to help train and equip farmers on how to properly maintain farm infrastructure, how to properly apply appropriate breeding and selection practices/methods and on maintenance of livestock health.

At the end of the day, we cannot afford to have productive farmland lying idle in this country.

Welsh Government updates vaccine strategy as JCVI sticks with age-based priority list

This article is old - Published: Friday, Feb 26th, 2021

Wales will continue to prioritise people for covid vaccinations by age in the next phase of the rollout, the health has confirmed.

It comes after Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issued interim advice on phase two prioritisation this morning.

The committee says the the following groups should be prioritised, once all at-risk groups in phase one have been offered at least one dose of the vaccine:

All those aged 40-49 years

All those aged 30-39 years

All those aged 18-29 years

It strongly advises some particular groups to take up a vaccine as soon as it is offered. They are:





Men

People from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

People with a BMI over 30

People living in poorer neighbourhood

In a statement, the JCVI said: This is with the aim of continuing to focus on mortality, morbidity and hospitalisations while also continuing vaccine roll-out at pace.

Organising the programme by age is the most straightforward approach that allows everyone to be offered a vaccination as quickly as possible.

There have been calls for teachers, police and other key workers to be prioritised but the JCVI says a more complex system would require the setting up of new systems and arrangements which would take time and potentially slow down deployment.

The committee said: Other important factors  specifically ethnicity and socio-economic status  are also featured.

We will build these considerations, as well as broader equalities considerations, in our wider communications and deployment arrangements, allowing for local operational flexibility where appropriate.

The 4 Chief Medical Officers agree with the JCVI advice and the 4 nations of the UK have subscribed to implementation of the advice.

That was our clear approach for the milestones 1 and 2 and will be maintained for the next phase.

Following the latest JCVI advice, the Welsh Government has published an updated vaccine strategy for Wales.

Confirming earlier key target dates and the adoption of the JCVI advice on prioritisation for the next phase of vaccinations.

The updated targets are to offer the vaccine to all current priority groups by the middle of April and to the wider adult population by the end of July.

The updated strategy also confirms Wales, in line with the other UK nations, will follow the interim advice of the JCVI on prioritisation for the wider adult population.

Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, said: A huge amount of progress has been made in rolling out the vaccine since our strategy was first published only six weeks ago.

I am pleased to confirm we have brought forward two key target dates, but I must emphasise again that this is based on getting the required supply from the UK Government.

It is encouraging that the UK Government has brought forward some of Wales supply allocation, but from the information available to us at this point there are concerns with both the type of supply and the timing of its delivery.

We have always said that we could go even faster were the supply available.

He added: Todays update also reflects on some of the achievements of our programme to-date, and provides information on the significant and really encouraging evidence that is beginning to emerge around vaccination.

While we remain cautious, there really does appear to be much cause for hope thanks to the success of our vaccination programme.

The updated strategy can be found here: https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccine-strategy-update-february-2021
Smell that? It's the whiff of normal life making its way back to San Francisco. This week, Mayor Breed announced that the City is expected to move to the less restrictive red tier next week, making way the reopening of dining rooms, gyms, museums, and more.

Plus, ancient trees and nearly 15,000 acres of land in Mendocino County will benefit from a preservation deal through Save the Redwoods, historic items stolen from the now-shuttered Cliff House have been returned, and more local headlines to keep you feeling shiny-happy into the weekend.



Northern California Redwood Forest Preserved in $25M Deal, NBC Bay Area

Save the Redwoods League spent $24.7 million on easements that will permanently protect 14,838 acres of land in Mendocino Countyincluding nearly 1,000 acres of redwood reserves. Read more.





Indoor dining, movies and museums could open at reduced capacity in San Francisco next week, SF Chronicle

Mayor London Breed announced this week that SF is expected to move into the less restrictive red tier as soon as Wednesday, March 3rd. Read more.





PHOTOS: Lawrence Ferlinghetti Sidewalk Memorial at City Lights Books, KQED

See how San Franciscans have turned out to honor the life of the late great poet and publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who died this week at the age of 101. Read more.





S.F. man arrested in Cliff House burglary, historical items recovered, SF Chronicle

Memorabilia from the shuttered Cliff House restaurant, including Sutro Baths bathing suits and artwork, was found at second-hand stores, at the burgler's home, and even on Ocean Beach. Read more.

French Laundry Alums Enlist Snoop Dogg for a Tutorial in Rolling (Pasta), Eater SF



While we never saw this collab coming, on Sunday the iconic rapper will be dropping into Truffle Shuffle's mushroom alfredo class to judge participants' pasta rolling abilities. Gin and juice will also be on hand. Read more.





Re-creating San Francisco's Chinatown block by block in Minecraft, CNET

Chinatown Community Development Center youth groups spent months creating a virtual version of the neighborhoodand even included details like Wentworth's Unity of Family mural. Read more.





Kamala Harris Sells San Francisco Condo, AD

In a matter of days, the VP's 1,069 square-foot penthouse condo in SoMa is officially off the market. The price tag? $799,000. Read more.





A Victorian home was just moved in SF. Here's how it looked, SF Gate

The 139-year-old Italianate-style house made the seven-block trek to its new Fulton Street address atop a remote-controlled hydraulic dollyfollowed by a couple hundred onlookers. Read more.
Federal investigators have charged two people from the Philadelphia suburbs with illegally entering the U.S. Capitol last month during the violent riot by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.

An FBI affidavit filed last week says a former romantic partner of Ridley Park resident Richard Michetti alerted authorities about his presence a day after the Jan. 6 event, and photos showed him inside the Rotunda.

The affidavit says Michetti told the informant he was there to protest the election results, saying in a text several hours after the siege began: If you cant see the election was stolen youre a moron.

Hes charged with trespassing, violent entry and disorderly conduct, and obstruction of Congress. A message seeking comment was left for his public defender.

Authorities also charged Raechel Genco of Levittown with trespassing on Capitol grounds. The FBI claims she traveled to Washington with Ryan Samsel, who had previously been charged with allegedly pushing over a fence and knocking an officer to the ground.

Court records did not include a lawyer for Genco, and she did not appear to have a listed phone number.

The two are only the latest among numerous Pennsylvania residents charged in the insurrectionist riot, including a police officer.

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Closing the racial wealth gap is one of the biggest challenges to creating a fair and equitable society. Its also critical to an inclusive economic recovery. Thats why Citi and the Citi Foundation have committed to more than $1 billion in strategic initiatives to help close the racial wealth gap and increase economic mobility in the United States. A recent study by Citi found that if the racial gaps for Blacks had been closed 20 years ago, US GDP could have increased by up to $16 trillion. The study found that just providing fair and equitable lending to Black entrepreneurs 20 years ago could have created an additional $13 trillion in business revenue and more than 6 million jobs per year. The conversation that took place during the Dealbook DC Policy Project and that featured a community of financial institutions, including Citi, working together to increase the flow of capital into diverse communities continues below with some of the many questions we received on the topic.



How has uneven access to technology played a role in inequity?



Harold Butler, Managing Director, Head of MDI Engagement, Citi: Technology was meant to be the great equalizer, in reality, access to technology has been uneven or in most cases lacking, particularly among underrepresented communities. We see evidence of this now with kids who are distance learning and how much harder it is for those who are in homes that dont have high-speed internet or dont have a computer. When it comes to banking, the technology divide has become more apparent as financial institutions go further down the path of digital and develop products and services that can only be accessed via an app. Through the mentor protege program at Citi, for instance, we have seen this firsthand as we partner with minority depository institutions to distribute funding from the Paycheck Protection Program. Many of the smaller financial institutions were bombarded with applications and lacked both the manpower and infrastructure to quickly process the sheer volume of requests they were receiving. Many banks had manual processes that were antiquated. Who does that hurt? The customer. Closing the technology divide is absolutely critical to expanding financial inclusion and giving more people greater access to opportunity in all aspects of their lives.



Can you provide some examples of racial inequity and how to go about solving it?



Harold Butler: I think the most powerful statistic illustrating the depth of the problem is one I read in a report by the Brookings Institution  that the average Black family in the U.S. has only about one-tenth the wealth of the average white household. Closing this gap will require tackling the systemic barriers in our society that make it difficult for racially diverse communities to save and invest. At Citi, we are committed to being part of the solution. Last year we launched a major initiative, called Action for Racial Equity, thats making $1 billion in strategic investments to increase economic mobility and close the racial wealth gap. The effort involves expanding banking and access to credit in communities of color, since a strong financial foundation is key to economic success. Were also investing more in Black entrepreneurs, who have long faced obstacles obtaining loans in both traditional business activities and also in venture capital funding. As the largest affordable housing lender in the US, we also felt that we need to focus more specifically in increasing our work with minority housing developers and promoting the growth of Black homeownership. Homeownership is the most direct path to building wealth and equity for most Americans and yet Black homeownership is at its lowest levels since the 1960s. Lastly, we are committed to looking internally at our own policies and hiring practices to make sure we are on the path to becoming an anti-racist institution. We understand that closing the racial wealth gap wont happen overnight, but we are committed to taking action and ensuring our clients, shareholders and other key stakeholders hold us accountable for making progress.



There has been an increase in large corporations discussing racial equity, particularly at senior leadership levels. Do you think this is a sustainable effort or one that will lose energy as we move further away from killings like George Floyd?



Harold Butler: I absolutely think this can be sustainable. First of all, everyone benefits. According to the Citi GPS report Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps, if the U.S. closed key racial gaps for Black Americans in wages, housing, education and investment, $5 trillion could be added to U.S. GDP over the next five years. This is a topic that also goes to the heart of a companys competitiveness and been increasingly at the forefront of conversations that companies are having with their customers, clients, and investors. How long has corporate America been talking about ESG? Were finally starting to make progress on gender equity and paying more attention to creating more inclusive environments for women. This is another part of that conversation that has been long overdue. I have a 19-year-old son in college now and he is adamant about working for a corporation that mirrors his values. He and the rest of his generation wont let this become a moment, but will aid in sustaining the movement. Companies that want to attract and retain top talent are going to have to do what were doing at Citi, including taking a hard look at existing policies, recruitment and culture. Boards and senior leadership will have to really analyze if their firm is where the next generation of leaders will want to be.



How can businesses have an impact on closing the racial equity gaps in leadership positions before minority groups enter the workforce? How can companies lift up minority groups in elementary school in a non-exploitative way?



Harold Butler: There are systemic barriers that Citi and the Citi Foundation are working to overcome  like providing access to training, mentorship and network-building through initiatives like Pathways to Progress, which will cumulatively reach about 1 million young people by 2023. Were also expanding our Citi Start Saving program to five new cities in order to put 1 million children on the path to college. But theres also an awareness issue. In my case, growing up I didnt even know being a public sector banker was a thing, let alone a viable career path for me and people who look like me. We all remember career day in grade school; I dont remember any Black bankers coming to talk about the career opportunities in global banking. So how can we build awareness in a more intentional way? Companies can partner with organizations that identify and invest in highly-motivated diverse students at all levels. At Citi, we have a partnership with Prep for Prep and some of our protege banks to not only expose high-achieving minority students to banking as a career, but specifically what the path can look like at a Black-owned bank. Its a win-win for both the students and also the banks, who are competing for the best talent.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 05:34:22|Editor: huaxia

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NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Meisha Porter, a New York City (NYC) public school graduate and 20-year veteran who has led at every level in the system, was appointed on Friday as the next chancellor of NYC public schools, the first Black woman to serve in the role, according to an official release.

After three years at the helm, Richard A. Carranza will begin transitioning out of the role of chancellor. Porter will begin as chancellor on March 15, it said.

"Today is a historic day for New York City schools. Meisha Porter is a homegrown New Yorker who knows what it takes to give every kid the high quality public school education they deserve," Mayor Bill de Blasio was quoted as saying.

"Together we care going to build on the work that Richard Carranza has led in guiding the nation's largest school system through the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting social and emotional learning, and making unprecedented gains for equity in our schools," he added.

"As a lifelong New Yorker, a product of our city's public schools, and a career educator, it is the honor of my lifetime to serve as chancellor," said Porter.

"Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza have laid an incredible foundation for me and I am ready to hit the ground running and lead New York City schools to a full recovery," she added.

Porter currently serves as Bronx Executive Superintendent, leading community school districts 7-12 and New Visions Affinity schools, covering the entire borough's 361 schools and 235,448 students. Enditem
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A Galveston, Texas-based marine services company, will pay $125,000 and furnish significant equitable relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit, federal officials say.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit alleges T&T Subsea LLC fired a commercial diver because he had cancer.

According to the EEOC, after being diagnosed with cancer, the commercial diver continued to work for T&T through his chemotherapy and radiation treatment until he took leave for surgery. When he notified T&T that he was ready to return to full duty, the company fired him.

T&T claimed that commercial diver guidelines disqualified him from employment because he had cancer within the last five years. But the guidelines also require employers to make individualized medical assessments, which, the EEOC alleged, T&T failed to do.

The law also requires that employers engage in an interactive process with employees and individually assess their ability to return to work.

T&Ts alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the EEOC said. The suit (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. T&T Subsea, LLC, Civil Action No. 19-12874) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana after the EEOC attempted to reach a pre-litigation settlement through the agencys conciliation process.

In addition to the $125,000 in monetary relief, the three-year consent decree resolving the lawsuit requires T&T to remove unlawful disqualification language from its policies and to revise its existing anti-discrimination policy.

T&T must report all adverse actions taken against divers based on their impairments or medical conditions, all complaints of disability discrimination made by divers, and all diver requests for reasonable accommodation.

Further, T&T will provide annual ADA training to its human resources and managerial employees and post a notice that affirms its ADA obligations and states that employees can report violations to the EEOC.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Texas
Malaysia's Ambank to pay US$700m over 1MDB scandal

AmBank is paying 2.83 billion ringgit to the government to settle claims related to a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal at state fund 1MDB. Photo: Reuters

Malaysian banking group AMMB Holdings Berhad (AmBank) will pay 2.83 billion ringgit (US$699 million) to the government to settle claims related to a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal at state fund 1MDB, the finance ministry said on Friday.



An AmBank spokesman had no immediate comment.



AmBank Group has been under scrutiny over its role in the alleged theft of US$4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a state fund former prime minister Najib Razak set up in 2009.



Last year, Najib was found guilty of corruption and money laundering charges over the transfer of millions of dollars linked to a 1MDB unit into his Ambank accounts between 2014 and 2015.



He denies wrongdoing and has filed an appeal.



As part of the settlement with AmBank, Malaysia's securities regulator will require AmInvestment Bank Berhad to take corrective measures, including putting in place systems and processes to strengthen its due diligence framework, the finance ministry said.



"Resolving this through the court system would have cost a lot of time, money and resources," Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said in a statement.



"With this settlement, the payment of the monies will be expedited, instead of being held up by lengthy court battles, and can be utilised to fulfil 1MDBs outstanding obligations."



The government said in November 1MDB was still US$7.8 billion in debt following the scandal.



In 2015, the Malaysian central bank gave AmBank a 53.7 million ringgit fine by for breaching certain financial regulations. (Reuters)
United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir on Thursday (local time) welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors, saying the two countries stated commitment to achieving sustainable peace through addressing each other's core issues setting "an example" for other countries.

"I wholeheartedly welcome today's ceasefire agreement between #India and #Pakistan. Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace through addressing each other's core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates #UNGA values," Bozkir tweeted.

On Thursday, India and Pakistan released a joint statement saying that they have held discussions regarding establishing a mechanism for hotline contact among both nations. Both sides also agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) starting from February 25.

Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan also reviewed the current situation across the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors "in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere".

"Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight of February 24/25," the joint statement said.

Earlier on Thursday, United Nations Secretary General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is encouraged by India and Pakistan's decision to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and hopes that the "positive step" would "provide an opportunity for further dialogue".

"The Secretary-general is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through the established mechanism. He hopes that this positive step would provide an opportunity for further dialogue," said Dujarric during a daily briefing.

The United States also welcomed India and Pakistan's decision, calling it a "positive step" towards greater peace and stability in South Asia.

"United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan, that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of a ceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25. This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia, which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said.

(ANI)

Also Read: India, China must properly handle border issues to prevent ties from falling into 'negative cycle': Chinese FM to Jaishankar
The Election Commission on Friday announced the election dates for 824 assembly constituencies that will go to polls in four states and one union territory.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that West Bengal will go to polls in 8 phases and Assam in three phases while Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry will have a single-phase election.

While elections to the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the 30-member Puducherry Assembly and the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 6, polling for the 140-member Assam Assembly will be held on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

Polling to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases, on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29.

The Model Code of Conduct will come into force immediately after the announcement of the election dates, said Arora

The CEC said that adequate central police forces will be deployed during the elections. All sensitive, critical and vulnerable polling stations have been identified and an adequate number of CAPFs will be deployed.

The ECI in its press conference said that a total of 824 assembly constituencies shall be going for polls during these elections. As many as 18.68 crore electors will cast their votes at 2.7 lakh polling stations in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The counting of votes will be held on May 2.

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Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

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Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

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Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

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Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

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UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

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Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

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Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

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European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

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Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

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61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

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Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

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4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

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Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

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Interference of superpositions going through A and B: only one detector will detect a signal. Credit: Leiden University

The most famous cat in science is Schrodinger's cat, the quantum mechanical mammal, which can exist in a superposition, a state that is alive as well as dead. The moment you look at it, one of both options is chosen. Leiden University physicists simulated an experiment to catch this mysterious moment of choice red handed.

In quantum mechanics, the physics of the smallest bits of matter, this moment of choosing is called the collapse of the wave. In the journal Physics Status Solidi B, Tom van der Reep, Tjerk Oosterkamp and other physicists of Leiden University and Geneva University describe how they hope to catch this mysterious moment using a quantum mechanical setup using photons of microwaves in the roles of the dead-and-alive cat.

"Superpositions are quite common in quantum mechanics," says Oosterkamp, 'but in the macroscopic world in which we live, you never see them." A cat is either alive or dead, not both. According to the widely accepted Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, this is because the superposition disappears as soon as one makes a measurement on the photon (or the cat).

Collapse of the wave function

Oosterkamp adds: "But nowhere in this Copenhagen interpretation, it is explained how this would work. What exactly is "a measurement"? Any measurement apparatus will consist of atoms obeying the laws of quantum mechanics, so what sets the measurement process apart? Is it the size of the measurement apparatus? Its mass? Something else? Nobody knows. There are even interpretations in which a measurement only occurs when it is done by a conscious observer, or in which the Universe would split up in several variants.

Credit: Leiden University

The Leiden physicists decided to open the hunt for the collapse from the perspective of an amplifier that is as simple as possible. They're starting out with photons of microwaves, a form of light, in a superposition. In their setup, the photons take a route A as well as route B.

This superposition can be detected by merging routes A and B again. The particles will interfere with themselves, which means that they will only be detected in one of two exit directions. When there is no superposition, and hence no interference, the particles will exit in both directions. So far, this is standard quantum mechanical fare, proven in many experiments.

Low temperatures

The next step is introducing a measurement. "In every measurement in a quantum mechanical system, there is an element of amplification," says Oosterkamp, 'since you are translating a small signal to a larger one. So perhaps this amplification step constitutes the cause of the collapse of the wave function."

No interference: both detectors detect light. Credit: Leiden University

So the physicists place a so-called parametrical amplifier in route A and B of their setup. This is a type of amplifier that can be described well quantum mechanically, which is based on a large number of superconducting Josephson junctions.

For this, an ultra-cold temperature of 50 millikelvin is needed, a twentieth of a degree Celsius above the absolute zero temperature of -273,15 degrees Celsius. Such low temperatures are also needed to ensure that the disappearance of interference is not just caused by the heat in the setup.

Red handed

The idea is to slowly ramp up the amplification, and see what happens to the interference. In their article, the physicists describe how the collapse of the wave function would cause a 'measurable decrease' of the interference. So the setup is a way to catch the collapse red-handed.

What will happen when the photons are amplified? Will the wave function collapse? Credit: Leiden University

"If we succeed at that, that would be terrific," says Oosterkamp. "Of course, then you would want to tweak the parameters to see what changes will influence the moment of collapse. But in this piece, we show that it can be done."

Quantum computers

The paper was a calculation exercise, the setup is now being built. Oosterkamp's group has the right cooling machines to execute the experiments, but it will be a hell of a job to develop the necessary parametric amplifiers that pair a high amplification with very low production of heat.

The experiment is a cooperation with colleague Alessandro Bruno, who started the company QuantWare, which produces these amplifiers for future quantum computers. "Hopefully, tests will show that the amplifiers remain cold enough," says Oosterkamp. "Then, we can really hope to carry out these experiments."

Explore further Upper limit found for quantum world

More information: Thomas H. A. van der Reep et al. An Experimental Proposal to Study Collapse of the Wave Function in TravelingWave Parametric Amplifiers, Physics Status Solidi B (2020). Thomas H. A. van der Reep et al. An Experimental Proposal to Study Collapse of the Wave Function in TravelingWave Parametric Amplifiers,(2020). DOI: 10.1002/pssb.202000567
 Flash

China has decided to donate 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Tunisia, the Chinese Embassy in Tunisia announced Thursday.

"In view of the traditional and friendly relations between China and Tunisia, and in order to further support Tunisia's anti-epidemic efforts, the Chinese government has decided to provide Tunisia with 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the form of donation," the Chinese embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook account.

"China reaffirms its readiness to continue to help Tunisia in its fight against the coronavirus to the extent possible," the statement added.

In response, the Tunisian Presidency expressed its "sincere thanks to China for this willingness, which reflects the continuous cooperation between the two countries."
Once a year, America acknowledges the egregious pay gap in which Latinas earn just 67 cents for every dollar a non-Latinx white man makes. Its time we interrogate this fact year-round. The L-Suite examines the diverse ways in which Latinx professionals have built their careers, how theyve navigated notoriously disruptive roadblocks, and how theyre attempting to dismantle these obstacles for the rest of their communities. This month, were talking with lifestyle influencer and entrepreneur Ada Rojas about the lessons shes learned as an Afro-Latina entrepreneur, the pressures of being first generation, and how shes overcome it all to launch a second business.

Among the many businesses that have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Latinx-owned small businesses are one of the groups that have been hit especially hard. Latinx business owners are reportedly approved for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at half the rates as White non-Latinx business owners, and those that are actually approved have trouble receiving the full amount being offered. Additionally, five million Latinx business owners are at risk of bankruptcy with many seeing a 21% drop in small business revenue as of February 2020. This gruesome reality is rooted in not just the inequalities and systemic racism that still exists  with Black business owners also being less likely to get aid or secure PPP  but also the lack of resources that many communities of color have when it comes to entrepreneurship  like accessibility to bank loans and lines of credit.

But entrepreneur Ada Rojas doesnt want these disadvantages to discourage fellow Latinas from starting their own businesses. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York to a Dominican immigrant family, Rojas didnt grow up with the tools or resources to prepare her for entrepreneurship. But after launching her own lifestyle blog in 2009, titled Gypsy in the City (later rebranded to All Things Ada), and having major beauty brands pay her to review their products, she soon saw an opportunity to work for herself and eventually made All Things Ada into a company as an LLC. In 2019, she partnered with a beauty brand owner to launch a natural hair-care line that she has since resigned from to focus on new projects including her latest venture: Vecina Couture, a lifestyle brand created and designed by Rojas herself, that will include one of her favorite at-home staples: robes.

Story continues

As a business owner, Rojas now wants to see the narrative change around entrepreneurship. When we think of entrepreneurs or when we think of people owning their own business, we tend to think of these very white corporate-types of businesses, Rojas tells Refinery29. Our communities breed entrepreneurs. Theres the lady on the corner that sells pastelitos, the lady that bakes Dominican cakes from her home, and the guy on that corner who owns a restaurant. Those are all entrepreneurs, so why havent we trained our minds to see those people as entrepreneurs?

We sat down with Rojas to talk about the knowledge shes learned from her first-time entrepreneur mistakes. From surviving first-gen pressures to finding the motivation to launch her second brand during a pandemic that has disproportionately affected her communities, Rojas shares with us some of the tips she wishes she knew when getting started, ahead.

The pressure to not fail

The pressure and economic stressors that exist for children of immigrants in the U.S. living in poverty is far too common. Even with Latinx communities becoming the fastest-growing small business owners across the country, the fear of failing and not providing for their families is still a reality for many young Latinx folks.

Knowing that your parents and your family have sacrificed so much to put you in a position to even have the opportunities that you have and feeling like you cant take advantage of that  is a constant pressure. Theres also that pressure of not wanting to let your community down because you have people who are cheering you on and watching your every move, Rojas says. When you have setbacks, its very hard because youre thinking about how this is going to affect your community. How are they going to take it?

Rojas recalls feeling scared with how her supporters would respond when she decided to exit the beauty company she founded in 2019. I was highly concerned with how everyone was going to respond to that because of all the love and support that they poured into that business, she says. But Im at peace with that decision now and everyone has been really supportive. Thats why Rojas recommends leaning into your story and the authentic experiences that engage and resonate with your community. Because if people are genuinely invested in you, theyll follow you through all the ups and downs.

Working against the odds

Combined, Black and brown women make up less than 1% of all venture capital investment. This racial and gender economic divide puts them at a disadvantage in a system that has historically fought them from birth. For many of us, we have a survival versus thriving mindset, which is ingrained in us because so many of us come from generational poverty. We are the first in our families to do things like attend and graduate from college  so we just dont know, Rojas says. We dont have access to capital or the same financial resources that our white counterparts do, so were having to fight tooth and nail for the same opportunities, then we have to work three times as hard as they do when we get the opportunity. Theres a lot of things fighting against us but we cant let that stop us from figuring it out.

Thats why Rojas is inspired to be an advocate for Black and brown small business owners. With her new brand, she plans on sharing more about her own journey as a businesswoman through her blog and social media channels, while also looking to lead workshops in the near future for women of color entering entrepreneurship.

One of the topics she aims to spotlight is learning the importance of dedicating herself to the financial parts of her business  something that can often be dismissed by entrepreneurs of color. People in our communities went bankrupt during COVID because they didnt have an LLC or those legalities set in place, so now they are taking on the burden of their business. These are things that we have to get more educated on, she stresses. Im really trying to do better and learn what I can when it comes to the parts of my business that I may not necessarily be the strongest at or may not be as interested in because if your business is not making you money then its not making sense. In order to help it all make sense, Rojas recommends finding the right experts.

Invest in the experts

This year, Rojas was able to change her All Things Ada business from an LLC to an S Corp with the help of her accountant. She also was finally able to put herself on payroll, which she hadnt done in her 11 years as an entrepreneur. She has quarterly meetings with her accountant and recommends that everyone  not just entrepreneurs  have quarterly meetings with themselves and with a financial expert to go over everything from budgeting, financial goals, and investments. With the money shes made with her personal brand, Rojas was able to become her own investor for Vecina Couture. Shes also dedicated time to understanding and creating contracts with the help of a lawyer, another crucial business lesson she had to learn the hard way over the years.

Your ideas are your intellectual property. Do your research and find a lawyer that can help you. I know it can seem scary when we think about these expensive hourly fees, but you can find a lawyer with a reasonable fee, she says. There are a lot of badass Black and brown lawyers out there doing the work. Rojas recommends reaching out to the Small Business Association (SBA) in your local city and taking the time to sit with someone who is going to walk you through the process or put together contracts for you that will ultimately protect you should anything happen. As she wisely puts it: You never know.

Additionally, Rojas highly suggests setting up your business legally and making sure you have contracts for every little move from NDAs to freelancer contracts, and even blogger releases and manufacturing agreements. No matter what it is, she advises making sure you get it written and signed on paper.

This investment in trained professionals didnt come easy for Rojas, who understands the overwhelming fears that come with finances for immigrants and their children. Many of us are scared to even check our bank accounts daily. Get comfortable checking your bank accounts everyday. I finally did my taxes after four years of not doing them, and I paid my accountant a lot of money to do it, but thats part of doing the work, she shares. Its not always going to be fun, its not always going to be pretty, and its not always going to be cheap. But you have to invest in yourself that way. Find people who are experts in those areas that you lack and really lean into them. The more we talk about it and normalize these conversations, thats how the community is going to grow and evolve.

Finding the motivation

Launching a business during a pandemic that has ravaged Black and brown communities disproportionately, Rojas found the motivation in remembering why she was launching this business to begin with: honoring her family and culture. When her great great grandmother died, the women in her family found themselves fighting over her robes. [My great great grandmother] had a bata shed cook in, a bata shed clean in, a bata shed sleep in, and a bata shed wear to just lounge in the house. Knowing all the women in my family were fighting over the matriarchs clothing made me think about who is making batas like this for us  for the future matriarchs, she says. That was really the inspiration for the brand. I want to honor the matriarchs of our family while honoring the future matriarchs by making a line of comfortable classics that you can wear at home.

A brand collaboration also served as catalyst when the success of this partnership showed the demand for product  which is key for any business. Last summer, TheraFlu reached out to Rojas to help curate a box for their latest campaign. She was asked to include POC-owned brands and wound up including a sample of her own made-to-order robes before even officially launching a brand. The boxes were a huge success and quickly sold out. It was the final push Rojas needed to officially launch Vecina Couture, which is set to be released soon.

Rojas hopes that people can look to her experiences and know that its never too late to start a first, second, or third business  even if its during a pandemic thats working against you. She plans to continue using her platform to share the ins and outs of her entrepreneurship journey as an Afro-Latina from the Bronx. I really hope that people are inspired to know that Im not different from them, she says. Im just a girl from the Bronx who had the audacity to think that I can have everything I ever wanted and thats what Im striving for, and Im bringing people along the journey because I want them to feel seen and know they can have this, too.

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The Irish Prison Service can confirm that there are now 24 prisoners in Irish jails with Covid-19 after it was confirmed that the virus has infected inmates at a Dublin jail.

However, the outbreak at the country's biggest prison in Portlaoise is showing signs of being contained.

The IPS confirmed on Friday, February 26 that there are now 13 prisoners in Arbour Hill Prison. The outbreak was confirmed by the prison service on Thursday. The IPS also confirmed the total at Midlands Prison who have tested positive for Covid-19 remains 11.

A statement said Outbreak Control Teams (OCT) have been established in Arbour Hill and the Midlands Prisons to agree and oversee the appropriate actions to be taken to mitigate against further possible spread of the disease within those prisons.

Two mass rounds of testing have been carried out at the Midlands Prison involving up to 1,000 people. There are over 800 inmates in jail which operates separately from the neighbouring high-security Portlaoise Prison.

Most of the results from a second round of testing at the Laois jail have been completed but prison authorities believe they have the situation under control. A restricted regime has operated at the jail since February 20 when five more cases were detected after five emerged on February 17. Staff tested positive on February 12.

Despite the outbreaks, which have also seen staff being infected, the IPS believes it has a pandemic plan has been a success. However, it cautions that the challenge has changed.

"The Irish Prison Service has been hugely successful in protecting the prison community from Covid-19 with the first case in a prison only being confirmed in August and in that case, it was a person who was committed to custody with the virus. Through the introduction of robust infection control measures and an internationally recognised Contact Tracing System the Service has successfully mitigated against the spread of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.

"The Irish Prison Service has developed a 5 stage Framework for Living With Covid-19 in line with the National Framework published by the Government. The Framework sets out the necessary restrictive measure to be adopted as the Country moves from level to level and has allowed the Service to respond to Public Health advice and Government decisions in a dynamic and timely manner.

"However, given the current level of prevalence of the virus in the community the Irish Prison Service now faces an unprecedented challenge in continuing to keep staff & prisoners safe from infection. The Service has successfully managed a number of outbreaks since the beginning of this pandemic.

"The Service is working closely with HSE Public Health with regard to the management of the current outbreaks including making arrangements for the mass testing of prisoners and staff if required," concluded the statment.

The FBI has confirmed it is 'aware' of an American Airlines flight which had a close encounter a fast-moving, 'long cylindrical object' on a trip from Cincinnati to Phoenix on Sunday.

The encounter, which occurred at 36,000 feet above the remote northeast corner of New Mexico, west of Des Moines on Sunday, involved AA Flight 2292, an Airbus A320, according to The Drive.

The FBI has since been notified of the incident, although they did not say if they were launching an investigation.

'The FBI is aware of the reported incident,' FBI spokesperson Frank Connor told Fox News.

'While our policy is to neither confirm nor deny investigations, the FBI works continuously with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to share intelligence and protect the public.

'Anyone who is aware of suspicious or criminal activity should contact their local law enforcement agency or the FBI.'

In a radio transmission intercepted by Steve Douglass, who runs the Deep Black Horizon blog, the pilot can be heard telling Albuquerque Air Traffic Control: 'Do you have any targets up here? We just had something go right over the top of us.

'I hate to say this but it looked like a long cylindrical object that almost looked like a cruise missile type of thing - moving really fast right over the top of us.'

The encounter, which occurred at 36,000 feet above the remote northeast corner of New Mexico, west of Des Moines on Sunday, involved AA Flight 2292 (file photo)

The plane was travelling at around 460 miles per hour at the time.

In a statement to DailyMail.com earlier this week, American Airlines confirmed the authenticity of the audio clip obtained by Douglass.

According to Douglass, no significant military aircraft presence was noted in the area at the time, reported to be just at 1pm local time.

Flight AA2292 went on to land in Phoenix without any further incident.

The apparent encounter shares various similarities with another incident that occurred in the same area just under three years ago.

In that incident, two pilots on different aircraft  a Learjet and an Airbus  reported having close encounters with a mysterious object flying above them.

The sightings occurred within minutes of each other on February 24 in 2018, 37,000 feet above southern Arizona, close to New Mexico.

The pilot of a Learjet 36 belonging to Phoenix Air, with the tail number N71PG, reported the initial sighting, telling Air Traffic Control: 'Was anybody above us that passed us like 30 seconds ago?'

When the dispatcher replied 'no', the pilot laughed insisting it must be a 'UFO.'

'I don't know what it was, it wasn't an airplane but it was - the path was going in the opposite direction,' the pilot went on.

Moments later, the pilot of American Airlines Flight 1095, reported a similar encounter, announcing: 'Yeah, something just passed over us, like a - I don't know what it was. But it was at least two, three thousand feet above us. Yeah, it passed right over the top of us.'

American Airlines Flight 2292's flight path is seen above. The Airbus A320 was making its way from Cincinnati to Phoenix on Sunday

According to The Drive, the incident happened not too far from the sprawling White Sands Missile Range (above), and New Mexico itself is home to a number of military facilities and restricted areas

In the 2018 incident, pilot Blenus Green told local media: 'It was very bright but it wasn't so bright that you couldn't look at it  it didn't look anything like an airplane'

When asked if the object was in motion or hovering, the pilot said: 'Couldn't make it out whether it was a balloon or whatnot. But it was just really beaming light or could have had a big reflection and was several thousand feet above us going opposite direction.'

That pilot, Blenus Green, later told local media: 'It was very bright but it wasn't so bright that you couldn't look at it  it didn't look anything like an airplane. You know, most airplanes, you're going to see some kind of wing surface, some type of a tail, really no matter what type of airplane it is.

'What was weird about it, normally, if you have an object and the sun is shining this way, the reflection would be on this side, but this was bright all the way around. It was so bright that you really couldn't make out what shape it was.'

In Sunday's incident, the pilot's description of a missile-like object matches a number of encounters US Navy Fighter pilots have reported having with anomalous objects off the eastern seaboard over the last 15 years.

Many of such encounters were revealed in a 2019 New York Times report, in which Navy pilots spoke out for the first time about how strange craft would appear in their training airspace, sometimes for days on end  defying known propulsion and aerodynamic capabilities.

The state of New Mexico is no stranger to strange encounters, with the city of Roswell reporting one of the nation's most infamous UFO sightings in 1947

What the pilots aboard AA Flight 2292 may have seen on February 21 remains unclear.

According to The Drive, the incident happened not too far from the sprawling White Sands Missile Range, and New Mexico itself is home to a number of military facilities and restricted areas.

The likelihood that a missile may have 'gone off the reservation' during a test, or any other kind of military exercise, is slim, as procedural practice would mean the pilots would've been pre-notified to any such safety hazard.

Pictured: The FBI's field office in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The incident also occurred near the Mount Dora Military Operating Area (MOA), but again pilots would've been alerted that the airspace was 'hot'  or that military activities were being conducted in the area at that time.

The state of New Mexico is no stranger to strange encounters, with the city of Roswell reporting one of the nation's most infamous UFO sightings in 1947.

DailyMail.com has reached out to American Airlines for comment about potential FBI involvement.


Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has come under increasing pressure to solve the crisis of kidnappers in Nigeria. Photo: REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde.

Unidentified gunmen seized 317 schoolgirls in northwest Nigeria on Friday, police said, the second such kidnapping in little over a week in a region increasingly targeted by militants.

School kidnappings, first practiced by jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, have become endemic around the increasingly lawless north, to the anguish of families and frustration of Nigeria's government and armed forces.

Police in Zamfara state, where the latest attack took place, said they had begun search-and-rescue operations with the army to find the "armed bandits" who took the girls at Government Girls Science Secondary School in the town of Jangebe.

Zamfara's information commissioner, Sulaiman Tanau Anka, told Reuters the assailants came in firing sporadically during the 1 am raid.

"Information available to me said they came with vehicles and moved the students, they also moved some on foot," he said.

It was the third such kidnapping since December.

The rise in abductions is fuelled in part by sizeable government payoffs in exchange for child hostages, catalysing a broader breakdown of security in the north, officials have said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The government regularly denies such payouts.

School abductions were first the domain of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast, but the tactic has now been adopted by other militants in the northwest, whose agenda is unclear.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday's raid.

President Muhammadu Buhari replaced his long-standing military chiefs earlier this month amid the worsening violence. Armed forces in the northeast are fighting to reclaim towns overrun by insurgents.

Last week, unidentified gunmen kidnapped 42 people including 27 students, and killed one pupil, in an overnight attack on a boarding school in the north-central state of Niger.

The hostages are yet to be released.

In December, dozens of gunmen abducted 344 schoolboys from the town of Kankara in northwest Katsina state. They were freed after six days but the government denied a ransom had been paid.

Islamic State's West Africa branch in 2018 kidnapped more than 100 schoolgirls from the town of Dapchi in northeast Nigeria, all but one of whom - the only Christian - were released.

A ransom was paid, according to the United Nations.

Perhaps the most notorious kidnapping in recent years was when Boko Haram militants abducted 276 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in Borno state in April 2014. The incident drew widespread global attention.

Many have been found or rescued by the army, or freed in negotiations between the government and Boko Haram, also for a hefty ransom, according to sources.

But 100 are still missing, either remaining with Boko Haram or dead, security officials say.




Ottawa: The Canadians of Indian origin protested against the attacks by Khalistan supporters on Hindu minorities due to the ongoing farmers` protest in India.

"We are not against the farmers` protest but this agitation has actually turned into a Khalistani movement which is now targeting Hindu minorities in Canada," said a demonstrator outside the office of Jagmeet Singh, MP from Riding (seat) of Burnaby.

The protester further said, "We really expect our leaders to protect everyone without any discrimination"

Several of these protestors were seen carrying Canadian flags and protesting against these attacks. India on Thursday requested the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and security of its citizens following reports that threats have been given by Khalistani groups to the Indian community in Canada after they held a "Tiranga Yatra rally" in support of farm laws.

"We have come across threats and intimidation of some members of the Indian community in Canada. These threats have come from certain fringe elements in Canada and we have taken this up with the Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and Delhi," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in a weekly briefing after a question on threats from the Khalistani groups to the Indian community.

"We have requested them to take steps to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in Canada. We advise Indian nationals to report any such incidents to the local Canadian police and also bring to the immediate attention of the High Commission of Ottawa and as well as our consulates there," the MEA spokesperson said.

Srivastava further informed that the Indian government has taken this issue with the Canadian authorities as it concerns the safety and security of our missions and Consulate and our diplomatic personnel in Canada.

Earlier this month, a group of Indian diaspora conducted a "Tiranga Yatra rally" in Vancouver from Strawberry Hill in Surrey to the Consulate General of India as a display of the strong bilateral relations between India and Canada.

The rally saw the participation of scores of people holding Indian and Canadian flags. Besides the huge crowd, around 350 cars took part in the yatra.

Live TV
A SUV was found parked with suspected explosives outside Antilia, the home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, in South Mumbai.. Image Source: IANS News

A SUV was found parked with suspected explosives outside Antilia, the home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, in South Mumbai.. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Feb 26 : Armed with a few "strong leads", the Mumbai Police early on Friday registered a FIR and launched a massive manhunt to track the two persons who abandoned a SUV with 20 gelatin sticks near the landmark Antilia builidng, the home of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Setting up multiple teams to prove various angles, the police have zeroed in on the owner of the SUV - a Scorpio - who had reported it as stolen from the eastern suburbs a few days ago, while the gelatin sticks are manufactured in a Nagpur-based company, Solar Explosives Ltd.

A purported threat note in Hindi but typed in broken and erroneous English, addressed to "Nita Bhabhi aur Mukesh bhyya aur femili", has ominously warned that arrangements to 'blow up' the entire Ambani are complete.

It further cautioned the Ambanis that the next time, "the stuff would come connected, in an original vehicle," so they should beware, and signed off with a "Gud nit".

However, Mumbai Police Spokesperson Deputy Commissioner of Police S. Chaitanya refused to confirm or deny the threat note, saying "it's part of the investigations".

The Mumbai Police have sought details of the gelatin sticks sale, but since only packets and not the individual sticks are bar-coded, it may take time to confirm who bought it or whether these were also stolen.

Speaking to the local media, company officials pointed out that these gelatin sticks are used for various demolition or blasting purposes and are totally harmless unless they are properly connected to some explosive device.

In the first official reaction in the matter raging for 24 hours, a RIL spokesperson said on Friday: "We are thankful to Mumbai Police for their quick and immediate action. We are confident that they will complete their thorough investigation quickly." The investigations picked up pace after the SUV was driven and dumped near a tree close to Antilia building, the lavish multi-storied house of the Ambani family in south Mumbai, early on Thursday rattling the country's political, corporate and security establishments.

The vehicle was discovered only at around 14.00 hrs on Thursday by some alert persons in the vicinity, nearly 12 hours after it remained unattended, sparking off suspicions and triggering a chain of reactions.

The mystery SUV - which has been seized by police - bears a registration number similar to a vehicle which is part of the Ambani family's security detail.

Additionally, four other fake number plates were found inside the SUV, including one that matches the number of an official foreign consulate vehicle, and these are being separately probed.

Officials are optimistic that once they catch the duo - which parked the SUV there - they would unravel the mystery of from where they came from, what were their diabolic motives, who or what were their intended targets, their associates or a larger network they may be linked with, etc.

Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, home and intelligence department top officers are monitoring the probe.

The FIR was registered at the Gamdevi Police Station invoking Indian Penal Code Sec. 286, 465, 473, 120(b), 506(2) pertaining to explosives, forgery, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation, and Sec. 4 of Explosives Substance Act for attempt to cause explosion, or for making or keeping it with intent to endanger life or property.

The Antilia building in the south Mumbai neighbourhood houses the who's who of the Indian corporate world, top politicians, official or private residences of various bigwigs, government officials, diplomats, major players from Bollywood, the glamour industry and other VIPs.
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On 25th February, Chinese Permanent Representative in Geneva Ambassador CHEN Xu extended China's strong support to Sri Lanka in his official statement in the Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka during the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council. The full text of the statement is as follows:

"As a friendly neighbor of Sri Lanka, China sincerely hopes that Sri Lanka maintains political stability, ethnic solidarity and national unity and wishes Sri Lanka greater achievements in its national development. We commend the government of Sri Lanka for its efforts to actively promote and protect human rights, advance sustainable economic and social development, improve people's living standard, protect the rights of the vulnerable groups, advance national reconciliation and combat terrorism.

It's the consistent stand of China to oppose politicization and double standards on human rights, as well as using human rights as an excuse in interfering in other countries' internal affairs. We are concerned about the clear lack of impartiality shown in the OHCHR's report to this session on Sri Lanka and express our regret over the failure of the OHCHR to use the authoritative information provided by the Sri Lankan government.

The so-called "preventive intervention" and the proposed targeted sanctions contained in the OHCHR's report are clear interference in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka and exceed the mandate of the OHCHR. We hope that the HRC and the OHCHR will strictly follow impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization principles, respect the sovereignty and political independence of all nations, respect the efforts of the nations for the protection and promotion of human rights, advocate constructive dialogue and cooperation, and abandon the practice of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and exerting political pressure."

Prior to the opening of the 46th Session of UNHRC, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping requesting China's understanding and assistance on the resolution. On 24th February, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena also made a telephone call to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to seek the continued solidarity and support. Wang Yi reiterated that China is willing to unswervingly support each other with Sri Lanka to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, the basic norms governing international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter including non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.
Joe Biden's had a lot on his plate. First, he erased America's immigration laws by order government employees not to enforce them. Then he destroyed the economy by attacking the oil and gas that are essential for modern life. After that, he sowed some racial discord. Next, he insulted our only ally in the Middle East while sucking up to "Death to America" Iran. And that's just the shortlist. But the people in charge haven't forgotten one of their most important missions: to destroy the Second Amendment.

On Thursday, the New York Times bent its efforts to the task via a Gail Collins column that starts to "nag" Biden about gun control:

You may be wondering how were doing on gun control.



Joe Biden promised to tackle it on my first day in office, which he didnt. You can appreciate that hes rather distracted. But absolutely no reason we shouldnt start to nag.https://t.co/SaHJ2kQtLJ  Gail Collins (@gailcollins) February 25, 2021

That's not cute. It's scary.

For that reason, here's a very short primer explaining why Americans cannot allow the federal government to seize their guns, to set up the framework for seizing their guns at some time in the future, or to otherwise limit their existing Second Amendment rights:

One: Without the Second Amendment, there is no Bill of Rights. As we're learning, the Bill of Rights is a leash on the government and has meaning only if the government accepts that leash. If it throws off the leash and flexes its police power, the only recourse is to yield or fight  and you can't fight without weapons.

Incidentally, let me be clear: we have not reached the physical fighting point. Thankfully, we are still a civil society with multiple civil, legal, and non-violent means for asserting our rights. Resisting now through these lawful mechanisms will ensure continued peace in America. Still, an armed society is a society respected by its own government.

Two: There is no greater killer in the world than the government. In the last 59 years, using a variety of weapons, Americans managed to kill around 1 million of each other, with the annual average from 2015 to 2019 being roughly 16,600. Meanwhile, Americans defend themselves with guns between 500,000 and 3 million times a year.

If a million murders in 59 years seems like a lot, consider these numbers:

In 1915 alone, the Turks slaughtered 1.5 million Armenians.

In the 1920s and 1930s, the Soviets murdered around 7 million Ukrainian farmers who resisted socialism, as well as killing another 7 to 20 million people in their various purges.

In the 1960s and 1970s, with its Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, China is estimated to have killed 23 to 50 million people.

Over 12 years, the Nazis killed 6 million Jews, 250,000 gypsies, 220,000 homosexuals, and up to 10 million Slavic people. Those deaths were just a small part of a world war that is estimated to have led to the deaths of somewhere between 70 million and 85 million people.

In Cambodia, between 1975 and 1979, Pol Pot killed 1.2 to 2.2 million people out of a population of 8 million. In America, that would have been equivalent to our government killing 66 to 85 million people.

Three: The only recourse people have against a rampaging government is arms. The Founders, who had waged a successful revolution against the most powerful military in the world, fully understood this. Indeed, the spark that lit the revolution was the British attempt to disarm the colonists. That's why governments that are planning to rampage seize their citizens' weapons. (See, e.g., the Nazis.)

Four: Gun control is insanely racist. It's true that the most likely people to be killed by guns are young black males, almost always at the hands of other young black males. That makes it sound as if seizing guns will benefit blacks. The contrary is true: when law-abiding citizens can defend themselves, the bad guys slink away. The same happened in Israel, incidentally, when the government loosened gun control laws during the knife intifada, which stopped it immediately.

Five: Crime goes up when governments ban guns. If you doubt that, just look at England: once it banned guns, it became a country with violent crime and murder rates consistent with South Africa's  and that's not something any civilized country wants to boast about. (Here's some slightly outdated, but still generally accurate, info on that point.) Additionally, when deprived of guns, criminals will find other ways to kill. Currently, in London, you're not allowed to carry even dinner knives. Women, especially, are more vulnerable when denied guns, because they are no match physically for men.

I promised to be brief, so I'll stop now. Just remember that when Gail Collins starts to "nag" about gun control, the rights that keep you safe  safe to speak, assemble, and worship freely; safe from government death squads; and safe from bad people  are in the crosshairs. If you don't speak up, you will lose the one right that makes all the others possible.

Image: Docrock's modern weapons at the American Revolution. Internet meme.
Przepraszamy!

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wygaso z dniem 2021-03-24



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Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has told G20 finance ministers that Washington will drop a contentious part of its proposal for reform of global digital taxation rules which had been the main stumbling block to an agreement, the Financial Times reported.

According to the news article the move could unlock long-stalled multilateral negotiations at the OECD, which struggled to make progress after the Trump administration first insisted on the safe harbour measure in late 2019. The provision would have allowed technology to abide by any agreement on a voluntary basis.

On Friday, Yellen said at a meeting of G-20 finance ministers that the US is no longer advocating for safe harbour implementation, a US Treasury official told the Financial Times.

The US will engage robustly to address both pillars of the OECD project, the tax challenges of digitisation and a robust global minimum tax, the official said.

Another official close to the tax talks said the US wants a deal on both pillars [of the proposals] by July . . . the coming few weeks will be critical but the dynamic has never been that positive, FT reported.
MDHHS continues Flint mobile food pantries during March; Department and Food Bank to take extra precautions due to COVID-19

LANSING, Mich.  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will continue to provide nutritious food by the truckload to Flint residents throughout March.

MDHHS has provided the Flint mobile food pantries since February 2016 in partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Michigan, food pantry distributors are taking extra precautions to keep customers and volunteers protected. Each site is requiring volunteers to wear gloves and masks, clean their hands with hand sanitizer often, and take steps to sanitize distribution buildings throughout the day. Customers do not have to step out of their vehicle to receive food  volunteers are asking the customer to simply open their trunk and they will load up the vehicle with food to reduce contact.

This months mobile food pantry distribution will have plenty of delicious, vitamin-rich produce and proteins, including potatoes, apples, ground turkey and cheese.

March dates for distributions are:

Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy. Monday, March 1, at 10 a.m. Monday, March 8, at 10 a.m. Monday, March 15, at 10 a.m. Monday, March 22, at 10 a.m. Monday, March 29, at 10 a.m.

Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road. Tuesday, March 2, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, at 10 a.m.

Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy. Thursday, March 4 at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11, at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 25, at 10 a.m.

Lukes NEW Life Center, 3115 Lawndale Ave. Friday, March 5, at 10 a.m. Friday, March 12, at 10 a.m. Friday, March 19, at 10 a.m. Friday, March 26, at 10 a.m.



Flint residents can also pick up free nutritional food at the three Flint Help Center locations:

Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Highway, open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays; Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Highway, open Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Information about additional food distributions will be announced as they are scheduled. To check food distribution schedules, visit the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan website at FBEM.org and find the updated schedule on the Mobile Pantry Distribution page, or call 810-239-4441.

# # #
Pennsylvania movie theaters ditch mask mandate

Three chain movie theaters have announced that masks are no longer mandatory for moviegoers who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.





South Korea started its public inoculation program against the new coronavirus Friday over one year after its first confirmed case, seeking for people to return to their normal daily lives and attain herd immunity by November.



More than 5,000 health care workers and patients aged under 65 at long-term care facilities started receiving the first doses of the novel coronavirus vaccines at the start of the nationwide inoculation rollout.



Health authorities earlier announced they will not designate a specific person to get the first jab as part of the long-awaited inoculation program in the country, where COVID-19 cases are nearing 90,000.



The country's first person to get the first shot of British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University's full two-dose regimen was a 61-year-old health care worker from a nursing facility in Seoul.



The nationwide distribution of AstraZeneca's vaccines began Thursday for some 289,000 health care workers and patients aged under 65 at sanatoriums, nursing facilities and rehabilitation facilities. The first vaccinations will be completed in March, according to health authorities.



The first batch of AstraZeneca bottles are enough to provide jabs to 785,000 people. The vaccine doses were produced at a local plant by SK Bioscience Co. under a manufacturing partnership deal.



AstraZeneca's vaccines will be delivered to a total of 1,900 long-term care hospitals and public health centers across the country for the next four days.



The AstraZeneca vaccine is deemed more convenient for mass inoculations as its storage temperature is 2 to 8 C, compared with the vaccine by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. that requires ultra-cold chain storage.



Starting Saturday, the first group of some 55,000 medical workers at hospitals for virus patients will receive Pfizer vaccines, which are part of the World Health Organization's global vaccine COVAX Facility project.



The first group includes 300 doctors, nurses and other health professionals treating COVID-19 patients in the greater Seoul area, who will receive the first jab of Pfizer vaccines at a state-run vaccination facility at the state-run National Medical Center in central Seoul, the authorities said.




Significant historic inferred silver resource in a world class silver mining region which is open along strike and at depth.





Work starting immediately to target resource confirmation and expansion at the Panuco Deposit, and exploration and target generation at the Muleros, El Cristo and San Manuel-San Gill prospects.





Excellent regional exploration potential including El Cristo  the northwest extension of the Veta Grande Vein that has now been traced on the properties for 3km at surface but has had very limited previous exploration.





Strong cash position and management with a track record of shareholder wealth creation via exploration, development and mining.

The Zacatecas Silver property is located in Zacatecas State, Mexico, within the highly prospective Fresnillo Silver Belt, which has produced over 6.2 billion ounces of silver. The company holds 7826 ha (19,338 acres) of ground that is highly prospective for low and intermediate sulphidation silver-base metal mineralization and potentially low sulphidation gold-dominant mineralization.

The property is 25 km south-east of MAG Silver Corp.'s Juanicipio Mine and Fresnillo PLC's Fresnillo Mine. The property shares common boundaries with Pan American Silver Corp. claims and El Orito which is owned by Endeavour Silver. There are four main target areas within the Zacatecas concessions (Figure 1):

The Panuco deposit is located in the north of the concessions is the most advanced prospect. It has an historic inferred mineral resource of 19,472,901 ounces Ag Eq. (cut-off 100 g/t Ag Eq.) from 3,954,729 tonnes at 153.2 g/t Ag Eq (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012% Pb, 0.11% Zn). Mineralization at the Panuco remains open along strike and down dip. See "Historical Resource Estimate Information" set forth below.

is located in the north of the concessions is the most advanced prospect. It has an historic inferred mineral resource of 19,472,901 ounces Ag Eq. (cut-off 100 g/t Ag Eq.) from 3,954,729 tonnes at 153.2 g/t Ag Eq (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012% Pb, 0.11% Zn). Mineralization at the remains open along strike and down dip. See "Historical Resource Estimate Information" set forth below. Muleros is characterized by three sub-parallel, silver-gold-base metal mineralized veins which can be traced over a strike length of at least 3 km.

is characterized by three sub-parallel, silver-gold-base metal mineralized veins which can be traced over a strike length of at least 3 km. El Cristo represents the NW strike extension of the Veta Grande vein system which is reported to have produced over 200 Moz Ag. El Cristo comprises a number of silver-base metal veins that define an extensional jog of approximately 3 km in strike length and 500 m of width.

represents the NW strike extension of the vein system which is reported to have produced over 200 Moz Ag. El Cristo comprises a number of silver-base metal veins that define an extensional jog of approximately 3 km in strike length and of width. San Manuel-San Gill is a relatively unexplored target with northwest-southeast oriented silver-base metal veins. An 800 m long, north-south oriented hematic breccia with elevated gold tenor, is a robust gold target.

is a relatively unexplored target with northwest-southeast oriented silver-base metal veins. An long, north-south oriented hematic breccia with elevated gold tenor, is a robust gold target. The Property also includes the El Oro , El Orito, La Cantera , Monserrat, El Penon, San Judas and San Juan silver-base metal vein targets. These targets are relatively unexplored and will be the focus of rapid reconnaissance review.

Panuco Deposit

The Panuco deposit consists of three prominent northwest-southeast trending, southwest dipping veins and vein breccias, that have been collectively traced over a 4 km strike length (Figure 2). Additional vein splays and jogs are present.

A total of 75 HQ diameter diamond holes (23,444 m) have been drilled, of which 18 holes (4556 m) were drilled in 2009, 14 holes (3548 m) were drilled in 2010, and 43 holes (15,339 m) were drilled in 2011. Intercepts included:

# Hole PA09-01: 174.46 to 176.25 m (1.79 m) grading 0.32 g/t Au, 517.31 g/t Ag, 0.43% Pb and 2.32% Zn

# Hole PA10-30: 333.24 to 335.23 m (2.79 m) grading 0.37 g/t Au, 391.92 g/t Ag, 0.03% Pb and 0.04% Zn

# Hole PA11-68: 625.00-626.50 m (1.50 m) grading 1.05g/t Au, 668g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb and 0.01% Zn

The three veins that were drilled  Panuco NW, Panuco Central and Tres Cruces  remain open at depth and along strike. These are high priority drill targets. A number of sub-parallel veins of shorter strike length, vein splays and dilational jogs are also robust drill targets. The potential strike extension of Panuco Central and Panuco NW under Quaternary cover to the northwest requires further investigation.

Zacatecas Silver plans to immediately complete a 10,000 metre drill program on the vein system outside of the historical resource estimate.

The Company has already completed an extensive verification resampling program of historical drill core, equating to approximately 15% of sample intervals used in the historical resource estimate at Panuco. This data is presently being used to remodel the historical resource.

Given that there has been no metallurgical testwork of Panuco mineralization, and historical, non-optimized Veta Grande recoveries were used in the historical Panuco Resource calculation, Zacatecas Silver has commissioned SGS Lakefield to conduct a bench-scale metallurgical study of Panuco's mineralization.

Muleros Vein System

The Muleros vein system is defined by three principal vein structures  the South Vein, the North Vein (Sabino Vein) and the El Rosario Vein (Figure 3). The South and North Veins dip between 55-80 to the southwest and the Rosario Vein dips 70-80 to the northeast. Veins vary from <1 to 5 m in true thickness. The system has a strike length of at least 2.5 km before veins dip under cover the northwest. Muleros represents a very robust exploration target.

Between 2007 and 2008, a previous operator completed 37 HQ diamond drill holes totalling approximately 6704 m. The historical drill program was designed to test veins to a vertical depth to about 100 meters and the deeper potential of the system remains untested. With over 2.5 strike kilometres of mapped veins, at least three sub-parallel silver-base metal mineralized veins, and a dilutional area to the NW.

Zacatecas Silver considers the historic shafts to the southeast of Muleros to be highly significant. In this area, there is an extensive cover of recent gravel and vein outcrop is absent. Yet, the historical shafts indicate that the south vein extends at least 1 km to the southeast. This has never been drill tested and is an important exploration target.

Gold grades in several of the historical Muleros drill intercepts are higher than other silver-base metals veins in the area. This may reflect the hybrid intermediate-low sulphidation nature of the Muleros vein system making for an attractive target.

El Cristo Vein System (NW Extension of the Veta Grande Vein System)

The El Cristo vein system comprises at least 8 northwest-southeast trending, subparallel veins which define a dilational sigmoidal complex that is up to 600 m wide and which coalesces to the northwest and southeast. Veins extend over a strike length of at least 2.5 km (Figure 4). Dip varies from vertical to 60 to the northeast to southwest. El Cristo is the northwest extension of the Veta Grande vein system.

Silver and base metal mineralization is hosted in brecciated veins, and crustiform and colloform banded quartz-carbonate veins, that vary in thickness from 10 cm to 7 m.

In 2010, the previous operator completed 8 HQ diamond drill holes totalling approximately 2854 m. Silver and gold assays were of a moderate tenor  lead and zinc significantly elevated. For this reason, the veins at El Cristo were modelled as the basal part of a low sulphidation epithermal system and not drilled further.

The historical drill holes do not provide an effective test of an epithermal vein system that has a strike length of over 2.5 km, comprises multiple veins over a width of at least 600 m associated with a sigmoidal dilational zone, and is the northwest strike extension of the Veta Grande vein system. Moreover, given the presence of hybrid intermediate-low sulphidation deposit types at Zacatecas, base metal signatures  are not on their own  a reliable indicator of depth in the system.

El Cristo is a significant system with multiple high priority drill targets. The Company is planning an initial orientation drill program of 2500 m ahead of an extensive second phase drill program.

San Manuel-San Gil Vein System

The San Manuel-San Gill target is relatively unexplored. Quartz-carbonate-sulphide veins of between 10 cm to >7 m wide, trend northwest-southeast over a strike length of at least 2 km. Individual veins are between 400 to 1400 m long and splay to the southeast where they intersect a north-south trending hematitic breccia (Figure 5). The breccia has a strike length of approximately 800 m, is up to 40 m wide, and is most likely vertical.

Between 2006 and 2013, the previous operator completed nine HQ diameter diamond drill holes were completed in 2011 for a total of 3176 m.

The north-south orientation of the breccia is highly significant as gold-rich epithermal veins within the district are generally oriented north-south. This is supported by the hole MG 11-01 intersect. Only four holes of the nine drilled at San Manuel targeted the breccia. It is an extremely robust exploration target and significant further work is required.

The Company will immediately commence a soil and rock-chip geochemical program, ahead of a 1,500 metres of diamond drill program.

Regional History

Discovery of silver in the Zacatecas area occurred in 1546. By 1548, the Spaniards had begun production from three mines; the Albarrada Mine on the Veta Grande vein system, and the San Bernabe Mine and Los Tajos Mine on the Mala Noche vein system. By the late 1800's silver from the Zacatecas Mining District accounted for 60% of the value of all Mexican exports making it one of Mexico's wealthiest and largest districts of the era. According to Ponce & Clark (1988), the Mexican Geological Survey estimated that approximately 23,236,499 kg (747,076,679 Troy oz) of silver was produced from the Zacatecas Mining District between 1548 and 1987.

Corporate Highlights

Zacatecas Silver completed its financing prior to filing a prospectus, supported by top institutional investors and mining professionals, and did not raise funds concurrent with this go public event.

Under the Company's last completed financing, Mr. Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd, a corporation which is beneficially owned by him, holds 2,000,000 shares and is one of the largest shareholders of Zacatecas Silver.

Zacatecas Silver is well funded with over $9 million in cash to carry out an extensive drill program onsite including at the Panuco Deposit, at the Veta Grande vein extension target and on other high priority exploration targets.

As at listing, Zacatecas Silver has 52,362,715 common shares issued and outstanding, no warrants and 5,100,000 incentive stock options.

Zacatecas Silver is led by an experienced team of mining professionals including:

James Hutton , Chairman of the Board

, Chairman of the Board Bryan Slusarchuk, CEO and Director

Dr. Chris Wilson , COO and Director

, COO and Director Jonathan Richards , CFO and Director

, CFO and Director John Lewins , Director

, Director Charles Hethey , Director

The Company has entered into 12 month investor relations agreements with Highland Contact (controlled by Adam Ross), based in Canada. Highland Contact will be paid CAD $7,000 per month and has been granted 450,000 incentive stock options with a term of 5 years and an exercise price of $0.50. Highland will coordinate all North American investor relations for the company including creation of materials, advertising as well as handling all incoming investor relations communications for a period of twelve months. Highland Contact is a corporate communications firm that assists public and private companies with corporate communication and to develop a capital markets strategy. The investor relations agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Dr. Chris Wilson, B.Sc (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG. Chief Operating Officer and Director of Zacatecas Silver, a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.

On behalf of the Company

Bryan Slusarchuk

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Historical Mineral Resource Estimate Information

In 2019 Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. completed an updated historical resource estimate as set forth in the technical report titled "Technical Report  Veta Grande Project, Zacatecas State, Mexico" dated 20th of August 2019. The report was prepared by Van Phu Bui, P. Geo and Michael O'Brien, P. Geo, and filed on www.sedar.com ("2019 Panuco Historical Resource"). The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource reported 3,954,729 tonnes at 153 g/t Ag Eq. (136 g/t Ag, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.012 % Pb, 0.11% Zn) for a total of 19,472,901 ounces Ag Eq. (cut-off 100 g/t Ag Eq.). The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource used "inferred mineral resources", which is a category set forth under CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves adopted on May 10, 2014.

The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource was calculating using 75 drill collars, 866 down hole surveys and 2,607 assayed samples. A surface trench database totalling 183 trenches with 1,813 samples was used. Resource blocks were defined using with dimensions of 20 m along strike and down dip, and 1 m across strike. Grades for gold, silver, lead and zinc were interpolated into blocks using the following estimation algorithms: central  ordinary kriging and NW and Tres Cruces  inverse distance squared. Assumptions used in the 2019 Panuco Historical Resource include the following metal prices: gold price of US $1,350/oz, silver price of US $16/oz, lead price of US $0.90/lb and zinc price of US $1.10/lb. The 2019 Panuco Historical Resource assumed recovering similar to the Veta Grande System being: gold at 52.2%, silver at 62.1%, lead at 87.9% and zinc at 78.6%. The Company considers the 2019 Panuco Historical Resource relevant due to its identification and modelling of the Panuco deposit.

The Company has not done sufficient work to classify the 2019 Panuco Historical Resource as a current mineral resource or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical resource estimate is considered reliable, 8% of the drill core intervals used in the resource calculations was re-sampled and submitted these to ALS for independent assay. Further, additional data verification including resurveying of select diamond drill holes collars; review of graphic drill core logs, comparison of these logs with remaining half-cut core, and a cross-check of select geological logs agonist database entries; and a check of original ALS assay certificates against the assays and drill hole database. Remodelling of the current Panuco resource is ongoing pending receipt of check sample assays.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zacatecas Silver cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zacatecas Silver's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on is Zacatecas Properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zacatecas Silver does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Zacatecas Silver Corp.
The University of Texas at Austin is suspending the SAT and ACT test score requirement for fall 2022 applicants, citing continued limited access to testing opportunities for students due the COVID-19 pandemic.

The continuation of the temporary suspension will ensure that testing limitations related to COVID-19 do not affect a students ability to apply, or be considered for admission, to UT Austin, the university said in a statement.

The flagship university is the latest among schools across the country to extend the temporary hold on the traditional application requirement. Earlier this year, multiple ivy league universities and others had extended their test-optional policies through 2022.

In Texas, Rice University in Houston made a similar announcement. The University of Houston System also said it would remain test-optional through fall 2022 and would consider making the change permanent. Baylor University also made the standardized tests optional through fall 2023 and said it will reevaluate the policy for future years. Texas A&M University has also extended its policy to 2022 and anticipates 2023 will be test optional as well.

Last year, multiple Texas universities temporarily scrapped the testing requirement for 2021 applicants as the College Board cancelled test exams and large exam sites were closed, including Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University.

Elsewhere, other universities had already started to get rid of the standardized test requirement for admission even before the pandemic forced them to announce a temporary pause. Test-optional advocates have argued for years that standardized tests do not demonstrate a students true ability and instead create barriers for students of color and those who are low-income and may not have the resources to hire tutors or attend test prep classes.

Now that schools were forced to adopt these policies, experts said its likely they will become more permanent.

Once the pandemic is over [universities will] be able to really look back and say, Okay, is there a substantial difference to classes prior to my [test-optional] policy and after? and largely discovering no, said Akil Bello, a senior director of advocacy and advancement at FairTest, an advocacy group that tracks testing policies at universities across the country.

Other higher education experts are more cautious, arguing that colleges need some kind of standardized metric.

According to a recent survey of university admissions officers by the ACT, many school officials who shifted their universities to test-optional policies because of COVID-19 said they were somewhat unlikely to reverse back to requiring the test for admission. The survey said before the pandemic approximately 50% of four-year institutions did not require standardized tests for admission. An additional 30% of schools enacted an optional policy at some point in 2020.

In Austin, St. Edward's University had been planning to permanently waive ACT and SAT requirements for months, Dean of Admissions Drew Nichols told The Texas Tribune last spring.

We have come to find out the SAT is not exactly predictive of whether or not a student is successful on our campus, Nichols said, adding that students with low scores often have a stellar first semester and vice versa.

Last year, the University of California system announced its campuses would begin phasing out the ACT and SAT immediately. By 2025, university officials hope to make both exams obsolete.

I think it's a positive step in the right direction toward helping make access to higher ed more equitable, more reasonable, and simpler, said Bello. It adds very little value to the prediction of who is going to succeed and who won't and that minor value added is far outweighed by the problems it creates.

Disclosure: Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, St. Edward's University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Deep-South Resources (CVE: DSM) CEO Pierre Leveille joined Steve Darling from Proactive with news the company has picked the team that will produce an updated resource estimation for their Haib copper project located in the south of Namibia.

Leveille telling Proactive the report will follow the completion of the current drilling program. The contract includes site visits to verify data collection, quality assurance and controls.
Israel's Health Ministry has barred the sale of seafood from the Mediterranean Sea. Fishermen were ordered back to shore. Shops and restaurants were warned to take anything that arrived in the past few days from the sea off their shelves and to take in no new sea products. The ministry also said it was sending samples of marine life to Agriculture Ministry laboratories to check for contaminants.

The exceptional measures stem from a massive oil spill off Israels coast that occurred at the beginning of February. The spill was detected Feb. 16, when hundreds of tons of tar washed ashore after a heavy storm. On Feb. 21, the ministries of environmental protection, health and interior issued a joint statement calling on the public to avoid the beaches. The ministries are asking the public to refrain from going to beaches from Rosh Hanikra in the north down to Zikim Beach in the Hof Ashkelon Coastal Council until further notice due to the pollution of the Mediterranean Sea and the beaches from tar.  Do not go to Mediterranean Sea beaches for swimming, sports, or recreational activities until further notice," read the statement.

Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel told the press that the spill had been identified about 50 kilometers (30 miles) off Israels Mediterranean coast. Later, her ministry said that the tar pollution has impacted about 160 kilometers (100 miles) of the coastal strip. Nature and Parks Authority chief Shaul Goldstein warned on Feb. 20 that Israel is facing its worst environmental disaster in a decade.

Black strips of tar could be seen all along the coastline, from Haifa in the north all the way to the southern beaches near Ashkelon and Gaza. A dead whale washed up on a southern beach Feb. 18.

In the hours after the discovery, several volunteer groups coalesced along the coastline to help with the cleanup. The Haifa municipality posted on Facebook, "Thank you, the hundreds of Haifa residents who voluntarily and out of love for the environment and the sea came to clean up the beaches from the tar pollution. Immediately after the spill, the beach department of the Haifa municipality launched its emergency plan, which was developed with the Environmental Protection Ministry, to address the pollution. In the framework of this program, we have lookouts searching for spots where tar has collected for the municipal staff, who are cleaning up by hand to avoid damaging the coastal ecosystem."

The municipality of Herzliya called on volunteers to help clean the beaches, but only as part of the group organized by the authorities, which is providing protective gear.

The Adam Teva VDin group  the Israel Union for Environmental Defense  says the oil spill was not a surprise, but a catastrophe waiting to happen. This terrible tar disaster could have been avoided if it wasnt for complete ignorance over the sea. There are no laws, no enforcement, no punishment," said the groups executive director Amit Bracha.

Tammy Gannot Rosenstreich, director of policy and strategy for Adam Teva VDin, told Al-Monitor that cleaning up the beaches could take a long time. The Environmental Protection Ministry is talking about a month until they can reopen the beaches. As far as I understand, the most difficult problem currently is cleaning up the unrecognized beaches. Cleaning there is more complicated because of the rocks and small bays."

She added that after lobbying by hers and other environment protection groups and with the help of Knesset members Miki Chaimovich and Yoray Lahav Hertzanu, the Knessets environment committee is now set to hold a special meeting on the issue March 2.

Adam Teva VDin was especially furious over the Feb. 22 decision by a Haifa court, at the request of the state, to impose a seven-day gag order on the ongoing investigation into the oil spill. The court prohibited the publication of any details of the investigation including the name of the ship, company and individuals involved, and even the ships point of origin and destination.

When the decision sparked a public outcry, the ban was significantly reduced but not canceled completely. The Environmental Protection Ministry said rather early on in the incident that 10 boats had been in the area when the spill occurred and could have been the origin. Kan public broadcasting reported Feb. 22 that the Greek-owned boat Minerva Helen was suspected in the incident, noting that the ship was previously involved in a major oil spill just off Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2008. The owners of the ship deny the allegations and the investigation in Israel and elsewhere continues.
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wygaso z dniem 2021-03-26



Ta propozycja bya zozona przez Nordea Bank Abp SA Oddzia w Polsce

Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia ogoszenia to:

propozycja zozona przez pracodawce zostaa wycofana z serwisu praca.egospodarka.pl

zleceniodawca zakonczy proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc pracownikow

ogoszeniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc zlecenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem WWW

dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych

zy adres WWW ogoszenia

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Informatyka / Telekomunikacja, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Informatyka / Telekomunikacja

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Senior Java Developer for Front End system for trading, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Senior Java Developer for Front End system for trading

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Inne ogoszenia, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan:
India: MoU pushes for farming, fisheries ops & income

February 26,2021 | Source: The Pioneer

In a first step towards setting up of the Farmers Produce Organisations (FPOs) and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) in the Union Territory Lakshadweep, the island administration and National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC), have inked a pact to scale up farming operations of the agricultural and coastal communities for better access to quality input, technology, credit and market through economies of scale. The MoU was signed recently by Sundeep Kumar Nayak, Managing Director of NCDC on behalf of the apex finance entity under the Union Agriculture Ministry with A Anbarasu, Advisor to Lakshadweep Administrator in the presence of UT Administrator Praful Patel. As part of the collaboration, among various activities, the NCDC would also appoint Community based Business Organisation (CBBO) to promote FPOs and FPPOs by collaborating with them in a holistic manner, said Nayak. The NCDC will provide handholding to these organizations for next five years to help them realise a better price of their farm produce and make them self-reliant in the long term, he added.



On his part, Anbarasu welcomed the initiative saying that the collaboration will bring innumerable benefits in the region. This will ensure employment and entrepreneurship skills among farmers and fishermen in the island. One out of seven persons is a fisherman here engaged in coastal activities like fisheries, seaweed business and coconut trade besides farming. This is a good beginning and we are looking forward to forming entities of the farmers and fishermen for their benefits besides all round development of the community. Setting up the FPOs and FFPOs is the part of the Narendra Modi Governments scheme of bringing more and more small and marginal farmers on a big platform as a joint entity for which budgetary support of `4,496 crore by 2024 has been allocated. Aim is to form and promote at least 10,000 new FPOs by that period across the States. Currently, there are over 3,000 FPOs in the country, considered to be quite low given the fact that the total marginal and small farmers, having landholding size of up to five acres, account for over 85 per cent of total farmers in the country. Besides, as per the pact, the NCDC and Lakshadweep administration will also work together on areas such as animal husbandry, dairy, agriculture, food processing, rural finance and women issues through cooperative principles in the island.

 2021 The Pioneer.

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Vietnam is one of the most affordable travel destinations in Asia, where budget-conscious tourists can enjoy a wide range of activities, attractions, and local delicacies. Follow our Vietnam travel tips on how to save money in Vietnam, which comprises essential aspects such as accommodation, dining, and shopping.

Eat like a local

Vietnam has recently become a popular destination for tourists, therefore a lot of restaurants and hostels serve Western food with a rather higher price. However, this is rarely worth the extra cost since the local street food is cheap and yet very delicious. Often times the most authentic dishes can be found in roadside eateries, vibrant markets, and food carts. Eating at street stalls is not only the best ways to discover Vietnamese cuisine, but is also incredibly cheap. For example, a bowl of Pho costs just about 40,000 VND (less than $2). Rice dishes, banh mi, spring rolls, and banh xeo are often at a similar price. Pick a stand, do what the locals do and go for it. If you want a truly authentic Vietnamese dining experience, eat a meal with a local family in home-stay or learn to cook the dishes with cooking classes.

Drink like a local

Beer in a Southeast Asian country like Vietnam is cheap. A bottle of Tiger or Saigon costs you around VND 20,000 (under $1). However, theres an even much cheaper one is bia hoi. This cheapest beer in the world is a draught beer freshly brewed on the day and served from a keg or container on the side of the street. Nothing beats sitting on a street corner on a plastic chair, sipping this cheap and cheerful beer at around 15-30 cents. If youre in Hanoi, Bia Hoi Junction in the Old Quarter is a great place to sit and watch the world go by. However, theres a drawback that it contains only 4% of alcohol. So if its not enough, beers such as Tiger are available.

And bargain like a real one, too

Shopping is one of the best things to do in Vietnam, here you can find unique handicrafts and local food at relatively affordable prices. However, selling and buying in Vietnam tend to need some tactics. As a tourist, you should expect to be charged more than the true price of an item or service, but dont take it too serious cause thats just the way it goes around here. Be confident and find ways of bargaining. Also, take your time searching for good Vietnamese souvenirs and gifts for your family and friends.

Here are some tips for bargaining in Vietnam:

 First ask the price, then ask if the price can be reduced.

 If the answer is yes, then offer about one-half of the asking price.

 After some counteroffers, you and the seller will agree on a price that is about half to two-thirds of the original asking price.

 You can leave if you think the final offer is too high.

 Tell the sellers you have visited several shops and you knew the price.

 If you dont really want to buy, dont open negotiations.

 If you are going to shop there frequently, your relationship with the sellers will be important and eventually, his opening prices will be lower.

 In some cases, learning a little Vietnamese can help.

Find the right place to stay

Backpackers areas are great to save money when you travel in Vietnam as you can find just about anything that you want without being charged unreasonably high for it. Wherever you go, hostels are among the cheapest options you can find if youre traveling on a tight budget. These areas usually have funky bars, roadside eateries, street markets and countless tour companies. Accommodation options here comprise guesthouses, hostels, and motels. A typical backpackers district in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh Citys Pham Ngu Lao Street. If you want it to be more private, most hostels in Vietnam offer rooms for couples or singles at higher rates.
1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

Vote

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Ukrtelecom sees EBITDA rise by 4.8%, net income fall by 2% in 2020

PJSC Ukrtelecom in 2020 reduced its net income by 2%, to UAH 6.214 billion, the company's CEO Yuriy Kurmaz said at a press conference in Kyiv on Friday.

At the same time, EBITDA increased by 4.8%, to UAH 1.698 billion, and EBITDA margin by 1.8 percentage points, to 27.3 compared to the operator's audited statements for 2019.

The company's capital investments decreased by 0.5%, to UAH 688 million.

In 2020, Ukrtelecom built 10,000 km of fiber-optic communication lines, providing 270,000 households with the access to the optical Internet network.

In total, according to the operator, in 2020, some 135 merged territorial communities, more than 200 medical institutions, almost 500 educational facilities and 250 business concentration facilities were connected to the high-speed optical Internet network. In general, over the past year, the number of optical Internet users from Ukrtelecom has doubled, to almost 170,000.

As of the beginning of 2021, Ukrtelecom's Internet access network covers 3,322 settlements.

"There is a net profit, and we expect it to be solid," the CEO of Ukrtelecom said.

At the same time, he noted that the company did not plan to disclose this indicator until the end of the financial statement audit.

In total, revenue from telecommunications services amounted to UAH 5 billion. Private subscribers were provided with services for more than UAH 3 billion, and business consumers for almost UAH 1.4 billion, revenue from services to operators exceeded UAH 520 million.

The operator's revenue from the provision of Internet services and data transmission in 2020 increased by 7%, to UAH 2.087 billion.

Fixed-line telephony revenue fell by 15%, to UAH 2.174 billion.

In 2020, Ukrtelecom served 1.54 million fixed-line subscribers, 900,000 users of Internet services and 65,000 television subscribers in the B2C segment. Revenue in this segment from telephony decreased by 20%, to UAH 1.491 billion, revenue from Internet access services increased by 6%, to UAH 1.46 billion.

In the B2B segment over 2020, the operator served 700,000 fixed-line subscribers with an average ARPU of UAH 76 without VAT (UAH 70 in 2019), and 131,000 users of Internet services with an average ARPU of UAH 238 (UAH 195 in 2019).

In addition, Ukrtelecom provides 23,000 cloud PBX lines (more by 14.5 versus 2019), 5,800 data center units, and serves 1,100 business television screens.

Revenue in the B2B segment from telephony for the specified period decreased by 1%, to UAH 682 million, and from Internet services by 7%, to UAH 596 million.

The company's revenues from commercial lease in 2020 increased by 14%, to UAH 332 million, and from technological lease decreased to UAH 104 million (UAH 134 million in 2019).

Revenues from the sale of technological cable scrap decreased by 13.5%, to UAH 230 million, and from the sale of outdated equipment increased by 93.3%, to UAH 458 million.

Kurmaz also noted the presence of accounts receivable from the state for the provision of services to preferential categories of the population, which amounted to about UAH 116 million over 2020.

The leaders in terms of debt are Kyiv region (UAH 22 million), Kyiv city (UAH 18 million) and Chernihiv region (UAH 17 million).

In 2020, operator's payments and fees to budgets of all levels amounted to almost UAH 1.9 billion.

Ukrtelecom provided data for 2020 according to unaudited financial statements.

Ukrtelecom is the largest fixed-line operator in Ukraine. It is the sole founder and participant of TriMob LLC  a mobile operator of 3G/UMTS standard.

Orlando, Florida: For aspiring Republican presidential candidates, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has long been one of the most important stops on their campaign itinerary.

The event, held early each year near Washington DC, gives ambitious politicians a platform to spruik their conservative bona fides before a crowd of dedicated activists from across the country. Each year, conference attendees vote for their preferred presidential candidate in a straw poll that is seen as an important barometer of grassroots conservative opinion.

Then president Donald Trump hugs an American flag at the 2020 Conservative Political Action Conference. Credit:Bloomberg

This year the event is being held for the first time in balmy Orlando, Florida - home to major theme parks such as Disney World, Legoland and SeaWorld.

Mass gatherings are banned in the Washington area because of coronavirus restrictions, but not in Florida, where Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has prioritised keeping the states tourism-dependent economy as open as possible. He is delighted to host the event, which begins on Saturday (AEDT).
ANN ARBOR, MI -- A couple of students and entrepreneurs passionate about wellness wanted to find ways to promote healthier eating on the University of Michigan campus and across the community.

These UM seniors, Jacqueline Sun, 21, and Taylor Hurley, 22, joined forces to create Brassi, a brand of cauliflower oatmeal, which can be blended into a drink or used as a base for bowls or overnight oats.

Hurley would sneak a vegetable, such as cauliflower or zucchini, into her smoothies every morning. But to avoid creating noise that might wake her roommates, she started looking for alternative breakfast foods using vegetables that did not require a blender.

Hurley made her own recipes of overnight oats, using cauliflower, oats and other flavored ingredients as a base. However, it still took several steps.

I had to buy multiple ingredients, Hurley said.

Hurley and Sun, who have been friends since freshman year, came together on a compounded product that can conveniently be stored, and named it after brassica oleracea, a type of cauliflower, Sun said. Each package retails for $7.99 and offers six servings. They come in an apple and spice and cacao and coconut flavors.

We want to be a brand thats more holistic, Sun said. A lot of our target customers are millennial, Gen Z age and we know a lot of college students dont eat enough vegetables.

The duo is working with various entities within the university, as well as Ann Arbor retailers, such as the Peoples Food Co-Op and Argus Farm Stop, on partnerships to sell Brassi products.

We want to make good food that makes you feel great, Hurley said, adding the two were mindful of ensuring the product has complex carbs, healthy fat, fiber and more.

Online pre-sale orders launched in January. Shipping will officially launch in the second week of March. All packaging labels are being printed in Chicago facility, but Sun and Hurley are handling the physical packaging in a local commercial kitchen.

Its definitely a lot of work because its just us two, Sun said, adding they hope to make it a full-time venture.

It would be a dream of ours to work on a healthy food company, Hurley said, adding theyre also considering more savory products and products that are convenient.

View the products at https://www.eatbrassi.com/.

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Representatives at the event (from left to right): Mr. Hanada Shinsaku, Executive Vice President of BYD Japan; Mr. Kazuya Suzuki, President, Representative Director of Keihan Bus; Mr. Kenichi Fujino, Assistant General Manager, Sales and Marketing Division of Kansai Electric Power



Kyoto's famous sightseeing bus loop line (Kyoto Station - Shichijo Keihan-mae - Umekoji - Hotel Emion Kyoto)



BYD J6 Bus

KYOTO, Japan, Feb 26, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - On February 24, BYD Japan Co., Ltd. (BYD), Keihan Bus Co., Ltd. (Keihan Bus) and The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (Kansai Electric Power) announced a tripartite deal in Kyoto, Japan, which will see the three parties work together to help the city achieve Japan's 2050 carbon neutrality target and build a carbon-free society.Beginning in 2021, Keihan Bus and Kansai Electric Power will launch the first batch of 4 BYD J6 buses on Kyoto's famous sightseeing bus line (Kyoto Station - Shichijo Keihan-mae - Umekoji - Hotel Emion Kyoto), as part of a five-year demonstration operation to further promote pure electric public transportation in Japan. This will also become the country's first loop line operated solely by electric buses.By analyzing vehicle operating data and energy-saving results, the project will provide useful experience to support Keihan Bus's plan to continue introducing BYD K8 pure electric buses and gradually realize a green and carbon-free society in the Kansai region, one of Japan's key economic and industrial hubs.As the signing location for the landmark 1997 Kyoto Protocol, Kyoto is a pioneer city that has witnessed the world's active response to climate change. In the same spirit, this latest deal is not only an active response to the Japanese government's goal of achieving Japan's 2050 carbon neutrality target for a carbon-free society, but also an effort to achieve the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's plan to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles in the mid-2030s.Operating buses in this world-renowned tourist destination, Keihan Bus has always provided important travel support for the tourism industry in Kyoto. The new bus loop line will connect Kyoto Station, Shichijo Keihan-mae, and Umekoji - Hotel Emion Kyoto, which are surrounded by key tourist attractions such as Kyoto Railway Museum and Kyoto Aquarium. The introduction of electric buses around the JR Kyoto Station - the gateway station to Kyoto - will further boost the city's green credentials."Keihan Bus will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. We believe that the transition from gasoline and diesel vehicles to pure electric vehicles will mark a huge turning point on the 100th anniversary for the company," said Suzuki Kazuya, President, Representative Director of Keihan Bus.Kansai Electric Power, the second-largest electric power company in Japan, will not only build charging piles and other facilities for the project, but also construct a highly efficient energy management system, as well as analyze and research operating data."Kyoto Station is the gateway to Kyoto. The introduction of electric buses in the city is an important step for us to move towards a decarbonized society," said Kenichi Fujino, Assistant General Manager of Sales and Marketing Division of Kansai Electric Power. "We will fully cooperate with Kyoto to introduce pure electric buses and support subsequent operations."BYD's pure electric buses are quiet and environmentally friendly, and are more cost-effective than fuel buses, while their power batteries can also provide emergency power in the event of a disaster. The first batch of BYD J6 buses can be fully charged within just 3 hours, with a range of more than 150 kilometers, and can accommodate up to 29 people.Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, said, "At present, there are 53 BYD electric buses in operation throughout Japan, with a total mileage of approximately 1.2 million kilometers, which help reduce carbon emissions near to 271 tons, making us the leader in the country's electric bus market. We will continue to share our electric vehicle technology and experience in Japan and around the world, to contribute to the early realization of a decarbonized society."Since BYD's K9 buses first began operating Kyoto in 2015 and successfully opened up the Japanese market, the brand's buses have gone on to enter Okinawa, Fukushima, Iwate, Yamanashi, Tokyo, and Nagasaki, and many other places in Japan over the past six years. It has also gained the trust of developed markets in Germany, the United States, Japan, and South Korea, thanks to its excellent and reliable product quality as well as trustworthy after-sales guarantee system.About BYDBYD Company Ltd. is one of China's largest privately-owned enterprises. Since its inception in 1995, the company quickly developed solid expertise in rechargeable batteries and became a relentless advocate of sustainable development, successfully expanding its renewable energy solutions globally with operations in over 50 countries and regions. Its creation of a Zero Emissions Energy Ecosystem - comprising affordable solar power generation, reliable energy storage, and cutting-edge electrified transportation - has made it an industry leader in the energy and transportation sectors. BYD is listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. More information on the company can be found at http://www.byd.com.ContactsIn Asia-Pacific: Mia GuPr@byd.com; tel: +86-755-8988-8888-69666In North America: Frank Girardotfrank.girardot@byd.com; tel: +1 213 245 6503In Europe: Penny Pengpenny.peng@byd.com; tel: +31-102070888Source: BYD Co. Ltd.Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza released 45 prisoners affiliated with rival Palestinian faction Fatah on Feb. 25. In a statement, it said the released prisoners were arrested over security issues that harmed resistance groups in Gaza, adding their arrests were not politically motivated. The ministry said the move was part of efforts to improve the atmosphere ahead of the upcoming Palestinian general elections. It said there are no prisoners "arrested for their political views and opinion" in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh asked on Feb .22 the Hamas group to release more than 80 political prisoners held in Gaza prisons.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued Feb. 20 a decree ordering that public freedoms be observed, including the freedom to engage in political activity, in accordance with the Palestinian Basic Law and other relevant law provisions.

The decree, which is binding on all parties in the Palestinian territories, prohibits the prosecution, detention, arrest, apprehension and all forms of unlawful accountability for reasons related to freedom of opinion and political affiliation.

The decree also calls for the release of all detainees and prisoners jailed for political affiliation or for expressing their opinion, or imprisoned on charges of any other party-related or faction-related reasons in the Palestinian territories. In addition, it provides for the freedom to electoral campaigning, be it traditional, digital or printed, to hold political and electoral meetings, and to receive electoral funding in accordance with the law. The decree also sets forth equal opportunity to media access for all electoral lists without any discrimination by law.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor, "The numbers mentioned by Mohammad Shtayyeh are incorrect. There are no political detainees in the Gaza Strip, but [they were arrested] over security issues." He explained that Hamas is open to all steps and measures that would enhance the atmosphere of freedoms in the Gaza Strip, stressing that the factions in Gaza operate all activities in the Strip without any obstacles. "The released prisoners were arrested over security issues that harmed resistance groups in Gaza. Their arrests were not politically motivated."

Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi told Al-Monitor that the decree comes as part of the agreement reached during the inter-Palestinian factions talks in Cairo on Feb. 8-9 in preparation for the upcoming Palestinian elections.

The Cairo agreement stressed the importance of providing the right environment conducive to free and fair elections. It stressed that every Palestinian individual or group is guaranteed the right to exercise freedom of electoral campaigning in accordance with the Palestinian Basic Law, without being subjected to any forms of coercion and pressure, and to willingly choose their representatives in the ballot boxes, he said.

According to Mardawi, the elections results can only be accepted if there are no political arrests or any form of violation of personal freedoms, including the freedoms of movement, expression, peaceful assembly, or of the press and media, provided that the law is not violated.

The elections cannot take place while there are still detainees in either the West Bank or the Gaza Strip, Mardawi noted.

He indicated that the decree affirms the Palestinians right to full freedom, and all partisan or official bodies must adhere to said decree and refrain from violating it. He further said that all prisons ought to be free of political detainees, and explained that the Palestinian courts, particularly the election court, will be in charge of the decrees implementation.

Mardawi added that two national committees will be set up with the task to oversee and follow up on the elections. The first will be made up of representatives of the Palestinian factions, and the second will be comprised of lawyers and members of civil society institutions.

He added, All factions can freely engage in activities as per their political program and as they see fit, so as to communicate their vision with their constituencies.

As Palestinians, our commitment to the decree will be tested. We hope that the decree is truly implemented and guarantees full freedoms, Mardawi said.

He continued, In case of a violation by any of the parties, the committees will submit their report to the Egyptian sponsor [of the recent agreement reached in Cairo]. Based on that, independent committees will step in to correct the inconsistencies with the agreement.

Al-Monitor reached out to a number of Fatah detainees Hamas released recently. But they refused to make any comment or explain the reasons behind their release.

One of those detainees who was recently released, however, agreed to speak to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. He said, We are all afraid to speak. Before our release, they required us not to speak to neither the media nor human rights institutions.

Fatah activists are being imprisoned on charges of cooperating with the national authority in Ramallah, he added.

He said he had been detained for more than three months for this very reason, stressing that he is unwilling to exercise any form of freedoms, especially freedom of expression, and will dedicate his time to his family. I am now convinced that politics are a masquerade.

Yaser Weshah, a Fatah activist and secretary of the Palestinian People's Committee for Refugees at al-Bureij Refugee Camp, told Al-Monitor, Abbas decree will cease to apply as soon as the elections and electoral campaigns begin. [The factions] will all challenge each others [actions], and once the elections are over, the number of prisoners of conscience in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip will have increased.

Wishah, also a former prisoner of conscience who was jailed in Hamas prisons in 2017, further said, The Hamas government arrested me because I held a sign that read No to political arrests on one of [Gazas] main streets. I was released 12 days after my arrest in exchange for the Palestinian Authority's release of a Hamas activist in Ramallah's prisons.

I know people who confessed under torture to doing things they had not [done], he added.

Wishah believes that Hamas release of a large number of prisoners of conscience in the past few days depends on the Palestinian reconciliation  if it fails, they will be all brought back to prison. The remaining are those involved in other types of cases.

Dozens of Fatah activists who were detained in Gaza prisons were recently released by Hamas. It remains unclear however how many prisoners of conscience remain in Hamas prisons.

Mustafa Ibrahim, coordinator of the Advocacy Unit at the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), told Al-Monitor that Abbas decree, if implemented, will create an atmosphere conducive to the elections, such as the right to take part in political activities, and will the people to exercise public freedoms without restrictions.

Ibrahim believes the decree is a step in the right direction as it eliminates public freedom restrictions and human rights violations that the Palestinian territories have witnessed over the past 15 years. The decree would enable the people to exercise the right to vote, the freedom of opinion and expression accompanying the election process, in addition to the freedom of access to information and peaceful assembly, he added.

He indicated that the decree affirms the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantees the freedom of opinion and access to information and movement. Yet that was nonexistent in the past years due to the political divide.

A report released by the ICHR in January 2020 documented violations of the freedoms of opinion and expression during the year 2019 based on the complaints filed before the ICHR. Eighty-three complaints were brought on violations of freedom of opinion and expression, including 33 in the West Bank and 50 in the Gaza Strip. In addition, 18 complaints were received on violations of the right to peaceful assembly, including three in the West Bank and 15 in the Gaza Strip.

Ibrahim explained that despite the hundreds of complaints they received in the past years, the ruling authorities in both Gaza and the West Bank do not admit that they have prisoners of conscience. The Gaza authorities bring against Fatah supporters charges of cooperating with Ramallah, whereas in Ramallah, Hamas supporters are accused of financing unofficial bodies.

Samir Zaqout, director of Monitoring and Awareness at Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in the Gaza Strip, told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian division has undermined human rights and public freedoms, as political rivalries had been ongoing over the past years. Human rights violations have become common in the Palestinian territories, namely violations of the freedom to criticize the ruling authorities, he said.

Zaqout added, Some laws are [currently] in force that undermine the basic [rights] mentioned in the Basic Law, such as the cybercrime law in the West Bank.

He said that one of the most important criteria guaranteeing fair elections is to ensure a free atmosphere. He anticipated that in case Fatah and Hamas acted in good faith, the decree will close the dossier of political detentions. He stated, The decree proves that the two parties have prisoners of conscience, which they repeatedly denied before us and all human rights organizations as well.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) plans to destroy the reconstructed wreckage of TWA Flight 800 because it is no longer needed as an instructional tool.

It will be 25 years ago this July 17 when the Boeing 747 bound for Paris exploded off Long Island minutes after takeoff from JKK Airport in New York City, killing all 230 people on board.

The victims included 16 members of the French Club at Montoursville Area High School and five chaperones.

The reconstructed aircraft is in a 30,000-square-foot hangar at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, and for nearly 20 years it has been used in accident investigation training courses.

Advances in investigative techniques such as 3-D scanning and drone imagery lessen the relevance of the large-scale reconstruction in teaching modern investigative techniques, the NTSB says.

The agency says it plans to stop the use of the reconstructed wreckage on July 7 and then spend several months thoroughly documenting it using various 3-D scanning techniques. The scanned data will be archived for historical purposes.

When the NTSB moved the reconstructed wreckage to Virginia, it said it did so with the stipulation it would be used solely as a training resource and never as an exhibit or public display.

To honor this agreement made with the families of the victims the NTSB said it will work closely with a federal government contractor to dismantle and destroy the wreckage.

Representatives of Flight 800 family groups were advised of the NTSBs plans before they were made public earlier this week, said managing director Sharon Bryson.

The NTSB after a four-year investigation determined the probable cause of the crash was the result of an electrical failure that ignited the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank causing an explosion.

Some, however, believe the plane was hit by a terrorist missile or an accidental launch by the U.S. Navy.

The NTSB considers the investigation closed but a spokesman said it could be reopened if new evidence is discovered.

Bryson called the investigation a seminal moment in aviation safety history in part because safety recommendations were issued that fundamentally changed the way aircraft are designed.

It also resulted in a memorandum of understanding between the FBI and the NTSB regarding investigations of accidents resulting from intentional acts as well as evidence collection and preservation, she said.

Legislation governing carrier responsibilities for family assistance in the wake of a transportation disaster was another outgrowth, Bryson said.
The frightening events of 23 February 1981 are etched in the memory of every Spaniard who is old enough to remember them.

This week politicians and dignitaries met in the Congreso de los Diputados parliament building in Madrid to mark the fortieth anniversary of the failed military coup.

King Felipe VI, who led the event on Tuesday, was only 13 when news reached the Royal Family that Guardia Civil officer Antonio Tejero had taken MPs hostage in the parliament chamber as the first stage of an insurrection by some in the armed forces.

The King remembered the key role in ending the crisis played by his father, former King Juan Carlos, who he said had been "decisive for the defence and triumph of democracy".

While King Juan Carlos's late-night television address in 1981 is seen as successfully putting an end to the coup d'etat, there was much comment this week on the absence of the former head of state, in self-imposed exile in Abu Dhabi while his financial affairs are investigated.

The leader of the government coalition partners, anti-capitalist Unidas Podemos did not applaud King Felipe's speech.

"Forty years on, monarchy is no longer a precondition of [Spanish] democracy," Pablo Iglesias said.

Some left-wing and nationalist parties called for all documents around the failed coup to be declassified so as to "know for sure" what really went on.

Tuesday's event in Madrid drew together many people who had been held hostage in 1981, including MPs, parliamentary staff and journalists, who all shared anecdotes from 40 years ago.
The debate around procuring new nuclear capacity for South Africa's unreliable power grid carries on, with the University of Cape Town's (UCT) Energy System Research Group (ESRG) saying it will cost the fiscus more, produce fewer jobs and take longer to meet South Africa's energy needs than other energy options.

In its presentation to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) earlier this month, the group submitted its research as part of a public participation process that gave stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the proposed procurement of 2,500MW of new nuclear capacity by Eskom.The ESRG submission uses previous studies and new modelling to show that new nuclear power is not required to meet future demand  even if the economy experiences robust growth over the next two decades. The best current information and our own modelling shows that building new nuclear capacity would increase both costs and system risk when compared to other options, said senior researcher, Bryce McCall.The authors noted that there is extensive research to show that nuclear power generation is outdated and unsuitable in a modern electricity system and that arguments made about the need for baseload energy from nuclear and coal are no longer relevant. Nuclear technology is not price-competitive with alternative storage and generation technologies now or in the future, and our modelling reflects that. Nuclear power generation is also not necessary in modern-day electricity systems that are based on multiple, flexible generation and storage options, he says.In their comments the researchers recommend that instead of preparing to build new nuclear capacity from 2030, Eskom should adopt a more flexible and modular approach to electricity generation. This would reduce the risk associated with technological disruption and the misallocation of capital. Taking a more flexible approach to system expansion would not only reduce risk but also reduce the cost of electricity by allowing the energy system to respond faster and more efficiently to unexpected technological advances.It is essential that South Africa secures a reliable electricity supply as quickly as possible and at the lowest cost if we are to unlock the countrys true industrial potential. This is unfeasible with a nuclear build that will take decades to come onstream and is guaranteed to experience severe cost overruns at magnitudes greater than we have seen with other capital-intensive mega-projects, such as Medupi and Kusile.Of additional concern is the fact that new nuclear capacity is not included in the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan and the proposed procurement of new nuclear generation is irrational and inconsistent with current energy planning.We conclude that we do not agree with the nuclear determination as provided by the Minister and advise Nersa and the government to delay procurement of new nuclear power generation until after 2030, says McCall.

Updated: 12:15 pm

In prioritizing teachers and school staff to receive COVID-19 vaccines, Gov. Kate Brown sorely disappointed older Oregonians. Despite their singular vulnerability to the virus  those 70 and older account for more than three-quarters of Oregons deaths  the elderly were forced to wait.

But even now that those 70 and older are eligible for the vaccine, the state continues to fail many of them. Technological meltdowns and continuing vaccine shortages have left thousands frustrated and unable to schedule appointments. A reliance on mass vaccination sites favors those who are physically mobile or have transportation. And on Monday, seniors who are 65 to 69 years old become eligible for vaccination, adding another 250,000 people to scramble for vaccines in a fight that favors those who are technologically savvy, fast on their fingers and just plain lucky. This has become the COVID version of the Hunger Games, Portland resident Patti Garland, 72, wrote in an email to The Oregonian, describing her frustration at the impossibility of securing a vaccine appointment.

Brown should recognize the chaos in the vaccine rollout and immediately delay eligibility for the 65-69 year old age group  at least in counties where vaccinations are lagging. She should also direct the Oregon Health Authority to focus on helping the 70-and-older crowd connect with vaccine providers with a particular eye to reaching those with mobility or technological challenges. Until the vaccine supply significantly increases and a goal for vaccinating a benchmark percentage of current priority populations is met, the state should refrain from further straining an already competitive and overwhelmed process.

Its been an exasperating week for seniors in the Portland area, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Aimee Green reported. On the two days that area hospitals were taking appointments for the mass vaccination sites they run, websites failed to load, phone calls to the states 211 information line were dropped and some seniors reported finding open appointment times only to get kicked out before completing the sign-up. OHAs own website, which provides a tool that directs people to vaccine resources in their counties, also went offline due to unspecified problems.

But its not just a matter of a technological remedy. A spokeswoman for OHSU, which runs one of the two mass vaccine sites in Portland, conceded there wasnt a good fix  the true solution relies on an increase in the number of vaccines.

Oregon has no control over how quickly manufacturers are able to ramp up. But it does have control over how many Oregonians are eligible at any one time. And rather than ensure that a significant percentage of the previous population has been vaccinated, the state has forged ahead on a weekly schedule to throw more Oregonians into the mix. Less than half of those who are 80 or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The percentages are even worse for the other senior groups.

Oregon Health Authority chief financial officer Dave Baden acknowledged the difficulties in the Portland area, but noted other parts of the state are doing well in vaccinating seniors. In addition, the state and federal government are expanding ways that Oregonians can access a shot, such as increasing shipments to community-based health centers. New federal funding will also help OHA and local public health authorities target hard-to-reach Oregonians.

That should help the situation, but theres no compelling reason the state cant require some counties to show improvements in their vaccination rates before expanding eligibility. While the state believes a new invitation-only appointment system may alleviate the crush of traffic bringing down websites, officials are still allowing greater competition for too few slots. With vaccine doses expected to increase, delaying shots for the 65-69 group for a week or two is an easy fix to make that will help lower the backlog.

The state must smartly increase eligibility as doses go up, and the news that supplies are expected to surge is encouraging. But the state also must remember that older Oregonians were prioritized for a reason. Failure to provide access and attention, particularly as supply remains tight, makes that priority status meaningless.

Representatives of several senior organizations already showed legislators last week the many ways state and some local health authorities have mishandled communications and outreach with tech-heavy strategies that fail to accommodate older Oregonians preference for mailers, reliance on phones for scheduling appointments and mobility challenges. OHA is working on rectifying some of those issues, but its failure to collaborate with aging organizations prior to the rollout was a serious oversight.

Oregon has distinguished itself by limiting deaths more than nearly every state in the country. Health authorities have proven throughout the pandemic that they can learn from their mistakes, such as their initial slow distribution of vaccines. They should recognize the chaos theyve created for seniors and make the rational choice to not add more.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

This editorial was updated to correct the percentages of older Oregonians who have received at least one dose of the vaccine and to include additional information from a Friday press conference.

Sign up for our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Jesus Diaz, a 61-year-old prediabetic, had waited months to secure an appointment at a coronavirus vaccination site in the Rio Grande Valley region.

But when the undocumented Mexican immigrant got to the front of the line of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's vaccination clinic last weekend after a four-hour wait, a staffer told him he was out of luck.

"Vaccines here are exclusive for American citizens and legal residents of this country," Diaz recounted a staff member telling him. "We can't help you. I'm so sorry, but these are the rules."

Proof of residency and citizenship are not required to get a vaccine in Texas, however. But Diaz feared staff members might call immigration authorities if he caused a scene, so after briefly arguing, he gave up his place in line and left without a shot.

"I felt so much shame and anger at the same time," Diaz told The Washington Post. "I felt discriminated against but I didn't want to keep insisting."

Diaz wasn't alone. At least 14 people have been wrongly turned away from the university's vaccination sites because of their residency or immigration status, a university spokesman told The Post, illustrating one of the many barriers undocumented Americans face in getting vaccinated. Health experts say a flood of misinformation has targeted the undocumented community, which also faces lingering fears that authorities might check their immigration status at clinics.

The university has since apologized for denying vaccines to Diaz and other eligible patients, adding that its staff was given incorrect instructions on how to interpret the state's guidance.

"We know you expect better from us, and we are deeply sorry for failing to uphold our standard of excellence at a time when our community needs us most," John H. Krouse, the dean of the university's school of medicine, said in a Thursday statement.

The U.S. government has promised undocumented immigrants will have the same access to covid-19 vaccines as citizens or legal residents. It has also pledged inoculation sites will be immigration-enforcement free zones.

But some states have already contradicted the Biden administration'stance on the issue. Last month, Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts came under fire after saying he did not expect undocumented immigrants working at meatpacking facilities to get vaccinated under the state's program. Soon after, an aide for Ricketts clarified his comments by noting those without legal status would have to wait in the back of the line.

Diaz, a mechanic and a welder who has lived in Texas since 1996, said his son Abraham Diaz registered him for a vaccine in late November. He constantly asked for updates, Abraham, 28, told The Post, but for weeks the answer was always the same: not yet. But on Feb. 16, an email notifying his father that he was now eligible interrupted the family's dinner in their San Juan, Texas, home.

"He didn't think about it twice," Abraham told The Post. "He didn't care if it was in another city. He was willing to travel, to wake up early, to go at night. He was practically going to put anything he had to do on hold to get vaccinated."

So Abraham booked an appointment last Saturday at 8 a.m. at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's site in their town, which sits along the southern border.

That morning, Diaz arrived about a half-hour early with a printed copy of his appointment confirmation, his passport and a bank statement with his home address. He filled out some forms and waited hours in line for his turn.

Then, at around noon, he called his son to tell him that a staffer had asked him for his Social Security number and then refused to give him a shot because he was not an American citizen or a legal resident.

"He wanted to tell them right there that it was a lie that only citizens could [get a vaccine]," Abraham said. "but he knew ... they could call immigration because he had already disclosed that he didn't have documents."

When Abraham couldn't find anything about a citizenship requirement on the university's website, he took to social media.

"After being in line [for] 4+ hours, @utrgv denied my father the coronavirus vaccine because he's undocumented. He's 60+ with underlying conditions. They said their website mentions it but it's a lie," he tweeted. "@utrgv what is your response to this??"

Diaz said a representative with the university called him two days later to apologize and claimed that he had been turned away because the site ran out of vaccines. He says they have called him about six other times this past week to offer him another slot for a shot.

But Diaz said he no longer wishes to return to that site after the humiliating episode.

"I really don't want to go there," he said. "I'm ashamed to go back. I want to look for another option where the same thing won't happen to me again."

On Wednesday, the university posted a public notice promising that "no eligible individual would be denied a vaccine by UT Health RGV based on the individual's residency or immigration status." The university also encouraged anyone who was previously denied the vaccine because of residency or immigration status to contact the school to reschedule their appointments.

The following day, Krouse acknowledged the university had made some "critical mistakes" at their vaccination sites. The university, he added, has since apologized to everyone affected and has begun rescheduling their appointments.

Diaz said he hopes his story can teach other undocumented immigrants that if they speak up against injustices, they have an opportunity to change things.

"Make your voice heard and don't be afraid," he said.
Prayagraj : , Feb 26 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to Aparna Purohit, the head of India Originals at Amazon Sellers Service Pvt Ltd, which is showing 'Tandav' web series online.

A single-judge bench of Justice Siddharth passed this order on Thursday while hearing an anticipatory bail application.

The anticipatory bail application had been filed by Aparna Purohit in the case under Sections- 153(A)(1)(b), 295-A, 505(1)(b) 505(2) IPC, Section 66 and 67 of the Information Technology Act and Section 3(1)(r) of SC/ST Act.

The allegation in the FIR lodged against the applicant and six other co-accused persons is that a web series is being shown on Amazon Prime Video, which is an online movie OTT platform, has objectionable content.

The web series is being shown through Amazon Prime Video through Head of India Originals, as paid movie.

The movie has been directed by co-accused, Ali Abbas Zafar.

The content of this movie is affecting the image of the Uttar Pradesh police adversely. In a Dial 100 police vehicle, two actors are shown travelling with open doors in a police uniform, consuming liquor and hurling abuses.

It is also seen that Hindu gods and goddesses have been depicted in a bad light with the intention of inciting communal sentiments.

The post of Prime Minister has been depicted in a manner which will adversely affect the democratic system of the country. Caste and community related utterances have been made deliberately so that it may affect the public peace.

Similarly, utterances have been made against the state police, public administration and the constitutional posts so that the element of hate is developed between the communities and there are scenes which show disrespect for the scheduled castes.

All this has been deliberately done to make the web series controversial and gain publicity for the purpose of commercial gain.

The FIR has been lodged against the producer/director and actors/actresses of the movie series.

Aparna Purohit's counsel submitted that the web series in dispute is a work of fiction and all the places, events, characters and incidents are imagination of the author.

A disclaimer is included in the movie in this regard. The cast and crew of the web series Tandav has already issued an unconditional apology and have removed the offensive scenes.

The applicant along with other co-accused persons filed a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India before the apex court praying for quashing of number of FIRs and complaint cases lodged against the applicant and other co-accused persons on January 27, 2021.

Notices have been issued to the opposite parties, leaving it open for the accused persons to approach the High Court of the state for grant of bail/anticipatory bail. Hence, the applicant sought bail from Allahabad high court.

The state government, meanwhile, vehemently opposed the application. He has submitted that total 10 FIRs and 4 criminal complaints have been filed relating to the disputed web series in the country.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Angela Merkel yesterday dismissed suggestions she should ignore her governments guidelines and take the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

There had been calls for Mrs Merkel to lead by example and be vaccinated on camera in order to dispel German public fears over the jab.

I do not belong to the recommended age group for AstraZeneca, Mrs Merkel told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently only approved for under-65s in Germany, and Mrs Merkel is 66.

Germany is one of a number of European countries where the AstraZeneca vaccine is not currently approved for the over-65s because regulators said there was not enough clinical data on its effectiveness in older people.

Emmanuel Macron, who falsely claimed the AstraZeneca vaccine was only quasi-effectual in the over-65s, said last night at a press conference he would take the jab if he was offered it.

Germany has a large anti-vaxxer movement and a recent poll found 34 per cent of its citizens do not want to take any vaccine against the Covid.

The jab has met with resistance from younger people, and so far, Germany has only been able to administer 240,000 of the 1.54 million doses AstraZeneca has delivered.

There are widespread reports of people cancelling their appointments or simply not turning up when they learn they are to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said: It has been a very trying year but we should not let up now.

Meanwhile British tourists face months of waiting before finding out if they can go on holiday to Europe after EU leaders ruled out any immediate agreement on Covid passports.

Mrs Merkel said that not enough people had been vaccinated for restrictions on non-essential travel to be lifted.

Mr Macron said a vaccine passport would be unfair on young people who are at the back of the queue for jabs.

The EU has only vaccinated about six per cent of its population.

Restrictions, which include a ban on non-essential travel from the UK, are expected to stay in place until the figure is closer to 70 per cent of adults. Britain has vaccinated about 28 per cent of its population.

Travel companies reported a surge in holiday bookings after Boris Johnson said the ban on international travel could be lifted on May 17.

Greece, which has opened travel talks with Israel and Britain, and Spain have demanded an EU Covid passport.

But Mrs Merkel said that no political decision had been made over the passports. And we cannot make such a decision as long as we havent even developed such a vaccine passport.
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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Mane Gevorgyan, spokesperson of the Armenian prime minister, denies the reports on the dismissal of Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan.

That information has nothing to do with the reality, Gevorgyan told Armenpress, commenting on the media reports according to which the issue of dismissing Defense Minister Harutyunyan is being discussed.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  The country's budget deficit widened to a record 1.371 trillion in 2020, marked by slow spending on COVID-19 response and lower revenue collection amid the pandemic.

The Treasury Bureau reported on Friday the latest figure was below the revised full-year target of 1.815 trillion for 2020. The fiscal gap was 7.63% of the country's economic output, also lower than the 9.63% eyed for the entire year.

However, it was more than twice the 660.2 billion logged in 2019, or 3.38% of gross domestic output.

Public expenditures reached 4.227 trillion as authorities implemented pandemic response and recovery measures. The Treasury, however, said this fell short of the targeted 4.335 trillion, adding that some economic relief measures under Bayanihan 2 are still ongoing.

The bureau also said government spending fell below target from January to September 2020, with disbursements down by 246.2 billion.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte extended this January the shelf life of 'Bayanihan 2', which set aside 165.5 billion for pandemic response and recovery.

Interest payments grew to 380.4 billion, 11.31% higher than the year prior as the state borrowed more domestically until the third quarter.

Meanwhile, revenue last year reached 2.856 trillion, almost 9% less than that in 2019. Tax collection, which was nearly 87.7% of total revenue, grew past the revised target but fell year-on-year. Non-tax revenue, on the other hand, exceeded both the full-year program and the figure in 2019.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected 1.951 billion and the Bureau of Customs 537.7 billion. Both agencies breached their revised targets, but the figures were lower than in 2019.

The Treasury Bureau income grew by almost 50% at 219.7 billion, settling above its target. Higher dividends, other government service income and interest on government-owned and controlled corporations mainly drove the growth, it said.

Other offices saw full-year revenue fall to 131.9 billion, 19.17% less than their performance in 2019. However, the figure is higher than the revised target for 2020, the Treasury said.

A budget deficit happens when government spends more than it collects, prompting the state to incur more loans.

National debt stood at 9.795 trillion as of end-2020, a slight fall as government settled more domestic loans. Authorities resorted to borrowing to finance higher demand arising from the pandemic.

About one million people, affected by conflict and natural disasters, are in need of humanitarian aid and protection in Myanmar.

By Robin Gomes

The United Nations has expressed concern that the current crisis in Myanmar is hampering the efforts of humanitarian agencies for the vulnerable groups in the country, especially the internally displaced people (IDP) in the countrys conflict-ridden areas. The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which coordinates the UNs global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises, expressed its concern in its weekly bulletin on Thursday.

OCHA said the UN and its partners have, for many years, been responding to humanitarian needs caused by conflict and natural disasters in Myanmar. They want to continue their work also under the current circumstances.

Protests hitting essential services, goods

Three weeks after seizing power, the military junta has failed to stop the nation-wide daily protests and a civil disobedience movement, including a strike, calling for the reversal of the 1 February coup and the release of the nations elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

The crisis has resulted in the shutting down of businesses and services, including banks, interrupting payments and cash withdrawal systems. The price of essential commodities, such as food, construction materials and fuel, has reportedly increased in some areas. OCHA noted that changes in counterpart entities and interlocutors, as well as access issues, have also affected programmes. Many international and national humanitarian actors continue to strive to resume or are resuming their humanitarian and Covid-19-related programmes in camps, displacement sites and villages affected by conflicts.

One million in need of aid

According to Ola Almgren, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, relief agencies are working to resume activities that have been paused in some parts of the country.

According to OCHA, apart from the current crisis, about one million people, hit by conflict and natural disasters, are in need of support and protection. Of these, some 945,000 have been targeted for assistance through 2021, as outlined in a $276.5 million Humanitarian Response Plan, launched in January. However, only $693,000, which is less than 0.3 percent of the amount needed, has been raised.

As the protests continue, OCHA pointed out, thousands of people have been newly displaced with a surge in civilian casualties, following clashes between government forces and armed insurgent groups in northern Shan state.

Constrained humanitarian access

OCHA said that even before the coup, humanitarian access was constrained, because of security concerns, administrative procedures and travel passes.

Access to parts of Shan and Kayin states and Bago region have been affected due to clashes, while at least a third of the displacement sites and half of the host communities in Rakhine state cannot be reached due to insecurity, the Office said. It reiterated its call for safe and unimpeded access to deliver a timely and principled humanitarian response.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the countrys biggest refiner and fuel retailer, plans to invest US$4.46 billion (329.46 billion Indian rupees) to expand the processing capacity of its Panipat refinery by two-thirds to 500,000 bpd within three years.

The refinery expansion project is set to boost petrochemicals production at the site, as well as specialty products that would contribute to de-risking the conventional fuel business of the company, Reuters quoted IOC as saying in a statement on Friday.

Petrochemicals are expected to contribute the most to global oil demand growth this decade, replacing road transportation fuel as the key driver of growth.

India, the third-largest importer of crude oil in the world and the third-largest consumer of oil, plans to significantly boost its overall refining capacity this decade.

Last year, Indias Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the country planned to double its refining capacity by 2030 from the current 5 million barrels per day (bpd).

India aims to boost its refining capacity from the current 250 million tons per year (or around 5 million bpd) to 450-500 million tons a year (up to 10 million bpd) in next ten years, in order to meet growing domestic fuel demand as well as to export fuel, the oil minister said. The refinery capacity additions will consist of both expansion of existing refineries and the construction of new ones, Pradhan said at the end of June last year.

The top refiner in the country, Indian Oil, plans another expansion, at the Haldia Refinery.

Pradhan asked this week the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (I/c) & Chemicals & Fertilizers to help with the leasing of 175 acres of land that Indian Oil would use for the expansion of its Haldia refinery. This will enable the company to complete the construction of critical units to support refinery expansion that will help meet domestic demand in line with the prime ministers vision, Pradhan tweeted on Thursday.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
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In the early hours of February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) jets bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camps in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan and avenged the Pulwama terrorist attack. India on February 14, 2019, was shaken by what can be defined as one of the deadliest terror attacks on its soil in recent times.

Remembering the fateful day, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute by reiterating the events of the successful airstrike and praised the Indian Air force.

The Home Minister said, On this day in 2019, the Indian Air Force had again made clear the policies of New India against terrorism by responding to the Pulwama terror attack.

The Defence Minister lauded the Indian Air Force and said, On Balakot Air Strikes anniversary, I salute the exceptional courage & diligence of IAF. The success of Balakot strikes has shown Indias strong will to act against terrorism. We're proud of our Armed Forces who keep India safe & secure.

As the nation celebrates the second anniversary of the Balakot strike, take a look at how the events unfolded:

A total of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred after a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. A JeM terrorist rammed his vehicle carrying explosives into the convoy in the afternoon.

Around 12 days after the Pulwama attack, the IAF used its Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the precision strike, and official sources said the aircraft spent 21 minutes in Pakistani air space - a remarkable feat as one minute is equal to 17 km at attack speed.

Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid a teary farewell to its bravehearts.

The fighter jets were backed by Emb 145 early warning plane which was deployed to pick up any emerging threat at a large distance and alert the attacking pilots. India also used a mid-air refueller, the sources said. The Mirage 2000 fires a range of Western weapons. After the upgrade, the Mirages have Mica air-to-air multi-mission missiles and a range of precision-guided bombs including Israeli Spice.

As celebrations erupted across India, Foreign Secretary Vijay K Gokhale said, "India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yusuf Azhar (alias Ustad Ghouri), the brother-in-law of (JeM leader) Masood Azhar."

Pakistan's efforts to launch an offensive the next day and target Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir was thwarted by an alert IAF. In the aerial skirmish, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, flying a MiG-21 Bison fighter plane, shot down a much-advanced F-16 of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). However, chasing Pakistani jets, Wing Commander Varthaman crossed over to PoK where his aircraft was hit. He was taken into custody by Pakistan.

Wing Commander Varthaman was released by Pakistan on March 1 after intense diplomatic pressure and his return to India was watched on television sets across the country. He was later awarded the third-highest wartime gallantry award Vir Chakra.

After the Pulwama attack, leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. "I feel the same fire in my heart that`s raging inside you," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on February 17, 2019, days after the attack took place.

On February 16, he had said that "all tears will be avenged" and the armed forces have been given "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation against the enemy".

United Nations and several countries from across the globe condemned the Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism.
Net Protections Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, Shin Shibata, CEO, decided to execute a capital increase through third party allocation, receiving approximately six billion yen from JCB Co., Ltd, headquartered in Tokyo's Minato Ward, Ichiro Hamakawa, Chairman and CEO. This round of capital acquisition increases JCB's investment stake in Net Protections Holdings to 10.24%. At the same time, the two companies will begin a business alliance in the buy now, pay later (BNPL) market both within Japan and abroad.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005023/en/

Net Protections Implements Major Capital Alliance with JCB (Graphic: Business Wire)

Objectives for the Capital Alliance

Net Protections Holdings started offering services in 2002 via its Net Protections, Inc., subsidiary (collectively, the companies are referred to as the Net Protections Group) for post-payment processing in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce. By FY2019, the Net Protections had established consistent growth as an e-commerce payment processing platform within Japan, recording more than 290 billion in total payment volumes for Net Protections Group's primary service, NP Atobarai, with more than 14.5 million unique users per year, reaching 200 million total transactions since service began. Furthermore, roughly 2,300 business have currently signed on for NP Kakebarai, the Net Protections Group payment processing services for business-to-business (B2B) transactions, with total annual payment volumes of 59 billion yen for more than 7.8 million total transactions, allowing Net Protections Group to grow the payment processing infrastructure needed for all business future payment work.

Net Protections Group is continuing various efforts to realize even more growth for both the expanding BNPL market platforms within Japan and beyond, and for B2B payment systems infrastructures. A decision was made to advance this capital alliance with JCB as part of the needed plans to strengthen Net Protection's business promotion.

Working together with JCB, the only international payment brand to have originated in Japan, with their rich network of participating merchants and their diverse payment solutions, together with the advanced service operations that support that network and those solutions, Net Protections will further expand services, including their NP Atobarai and NP Kakebarai offerings as well as Net Protection's atone cardless payment solution for B2C transactions.

The mission of Net Protections is to Create New Standard, and as a pioneering business within the Credit Tech industry, using technology to create new credit, the goal for Net Protections has been to make any and all types of commercial transactions proceed more smoothly. This capital alliance with JCB allows Net Protections to further strengthen its post-payment processing platform status as well as additional growth for the realization of the Net Protections' mission.

Comments from Representatives of Both Companies

Ichiro Hamakawa, Chairman and CEO of JCB

We are extremely pleased to be able to enter into a capital and business alliance at this juncture with Net Protections Holdings, a pioneer in the post payment processing market and a leading company.

We believe that the e-commerce market will continue to grow in the post-Coronavirus world. BNPL and credit cards will complement each other as a means of payment for e-commerce transactions, and with the synergy that can result when Net Protections Holdings and JCB work together, we believe we can offer customers high-quality services that they will be happy to use.

Shin Shibata, CEO, Net Protections Holdings

We are elated to be able to enter into a capital alliance at this juncture with JCB, the sole international credit card brand originating in Japan. An alliance between the two companies that lead in the fields of credit card and post-payment services will have great synergies.

When we bring together the network of merchants and the operations both companies have for B2C and B2B transactions, it will lead to accelerated growth opportunities for both companies. This will allow us to offer both merchants and users an even higher level of convenience.

As a comprehensive provider of post-payment services, and with our mission to Create New Standard, we aim to continue to grow and expand our business.

An Overview of the Capital Increase Through Third Party Allocation

Number of New Stocks Issued Percentage of New Stocks Against Total Stock Volume Amount of Procured Capital 8,737 normal shares 10.24% JPY 5,963,334,506

An Overview of JCB Co., Ltd.

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 35 million merchants in the world. JCB Cards are now issued in over 20 countries and territories with more than 140 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/

An Overview of Net Protections, Inc.

As a pioneer in the field of Credit Tech, creating new credit through the use of technology, the objective for Net Protections, Inc. is to make any and all types of commercial transactions proceed more smoothly. In 2002, Net Protections began offering NP Atobarai the first risk-free guarantee post-payment service in Japan and has subsequently seen year-on-year growth at a speed of roughly 116%. At present, the total number of transactions that have used NP Atobarai has exceeded 200 million. In 2014, Net Protections began sales in earnest of NP Kakebarai, a service developed for business-to-business transactions that was based on the credit experience and operational prowess that had been cultivated from the NP Atobarai business. NP Kakebarai continues to see year-on-year growth at a speed of roughly 137%. In 2017, Net Protections began offering the atone post-payment service, designed to make the purchase experience even easier. And then in 2018, Net Protections presented AFTEE, a post-payment service for smart phones in the Taiwan market. Through these business initiatives, Net Protections has maintained highly reliable big data that is otherwise difficult to acquire, including customer purchase and payment histories, and is working on ways to use and further develop that data in a wide variety of ways moving forward.

Company Name: Net Protections Holdings, Inc. Representative: Shin Shibata, CEO Website: https://corp.netprotections.com/ Business Outline: B2C E-commerce Payment "NP Atobarai"("Payment after delivery" service) B2B payment "NP Kakebarai" ("Payment on credit" service) B2C card-less payment "atone" transaction service B2C E-commerce Payment in Taiwan "AFTEE" etc. Established: January, 2000 Headquarters: 5F, Sumitomo Fudosan Kojimachi First Building, 4-2-6 Kojimachi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, 102-0083

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005023/en/

Contacts:

Direct any inquiries regarding this release to:

Nayuta Nakabori, Shohei Takada

EMAIL: pr@netprotections.co.jp
Police at the scene of stabbing in Ballycastle

Three men who were arrested after another was stabbed in a Co Antrim seaside town on Thursday have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

It's after a report was received by police at 7.50am that a man had been stabbed at a house in Fogarty Crescent, Ballycastle.

The victim, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital.

The three other men, aged 26, 29 and 32, were arrested on Thursday but have now been released.
Trulieve to donate $20,000 in scholarship funding and $15,000 to support leadership development

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp . (CSE: TRUL) (OTC: TCNNF), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced a new partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. Trulieve will donate $20,000 to help fund several college scholarships awarded to students who are attending one of the organization's member-schools as part of Trulieve's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The $15,000 in talent funding is earmarked to support TMCF's internship program, reaching a diverse talent pool of students and alumni from their 47 member-schools to provide immersive experiences at Trulieve.

These funds provide financial assistance in the form of programmatic or gap completion scholarships as well as helping outstanding students enrolled in any of the TMCF's network of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) prepare for internships and job placement opportunities.

"We could not be prouder to announce our participation in such an important initiative," said Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve. "The work that the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is doing to make education more equitable is essential for building a better future, and Trulieve is committed to helping provide students with the opportunity to achieve their higher learning and job placement goals."

"We are excited to welcome Trulieve as a partner and thank them for their generous contribution," said Michael Hurlbert, Director of Strategic Partnerships at TMCF. "Higher education should never be out of reach for students who are eager to learn, and this partnership means that more students will have access to a college or university education without the financial burden it too often comes with. Today's college-bound students are facing incredible challenges, but through support from partners like Trulieve, we are able to make a difference."

To find out more about how to help support the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Program, please visit https://www.tmcf.org/online-gift/ .

About Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: https://www.tmcf.org/.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is primarily a vertically integrated "seed-to-sale" company in the U.S. and is the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida. Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded stores (dispensaries) throughout the State of Florida, as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve also has operations in California, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF.

To learn more about Trulieve, visit www.Trulieve.com .

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

Related Links

https://www.trulieve.com/


New Delhi, Feb 26 : The government said on Friday that following the disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, it is not in the interest of either side to prolong the remaining boundary issues between the two countries.

The statement came a day after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a conversation over phone that lasted for 75 minutes.

The Indian Foreign Minister told his Chinese counterpart that "a prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side. It was, therefore, necessary that the two sides should work towards early resolution of remaining issues", according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.

It is necessary to disengage at all friction points in order to contemplate de-escalation of forces in this sector. That alone will lead to the restoration of peace and tranquility and provide conditions for the progress of bilateral relationship, Jaishankar told Wang Yi.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed the situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh and also issues related to the overall India-China relations, as per the statement.

Jaishankar referred to the meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister in September 2020 in Moscow where the Indian side had expressed its concern on provocative behaviour and unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter status quo. He also noted that the bilateral relations have been impacted severely over the last year.

The 'Boundary Question', he said, may take time to resolve, but disturbance of peace and tranquility, including by violence, will inevitably have a damaging impact on the relationship.

The minister said that during their meeting in Moscow last year, both ministers had agreed that the situation in the border areas was not in the interest of either side and decided that the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue, quickly disengage and ease tensions.

He noted that the two sides had maintained continuous communication since then through both diplomatic and military channels. This had led to progress as both sides had successfully disengaged in the Pangong Tso Lake area earlier this month.

Noting the completion of disengagement in the Pangong Lake area, Jaishankar emphasised that both sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

He said that once disengagement is completed at all friction points, the two sides could also look at broader deescalation of troops in the area and work towards restoration of peace and tranquility.

The MEA statement said that Wang Yi, on his part, expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far. He felt that it was an important step forward for restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas. He also conveyed that it was is necessary to sincerely implement the common understanding reached at various levels.

The Chinese Foreign Minister said that both sides should make efforts to consolidate the outcomes. He also spoke about the need to improve management and control in the border areas.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also noted that the Indian side had proposed 'three mutuals' (mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest) as the approach to the relationship. He also agreed on the importance of taking the long view of India-China ties. The two ministers agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The University of Georgia Press closed their month-long Campus Read event with a conversation between Mary Frances Early and Phaidra Buchanan, during which the two discussed their experiences as Black women and the importance of conversations about racial equality at the University of Georgia. (Screenshot/Nimra Ahmad)
On June 1, 2020 ABH's $1 million pledge began with an immediate, combined donation of $100,000 to The Innocence Project, The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Black Visons Collective, The Marshall Project, and Black Lives Matter. This was quickly followed by a $250,000 donation to mental health resources created by and for Black people, and $200,000 allocated to social initiatives, including community restoration, enrichment programs, and youth-oriented organizations, and finally $450,000 in the form of grants to support Black-owned businesses.

"In June we vowed to use our platform and privilege to amplify voices of marginalized groups that deserve to be heard," said Anastasia Soare, CEO and Founder of ABH. "One of the best ways to support a community is to support their thinkers, innovators, and leaders financially. We are very proud to celebrate these eight dedicated and enthusiastic female entrepreneurs, and our hope is that the grants they receive will help grow and sustain their businesses during these challenging times."

The application process for the ABH grant, which closed in September 2020, was open to all Black-owned business. Over the last several months, our diverse committee of cross-industry thought leaders, carefully reviewed hundreds of applications and offered a total of eight grants.

Meet our Grant Recipients:

Mary Louise Cosmetics - This natural and vegan skincare line was founded by Akilah Releford when she was 20 years old with only $200 in her pocket. That entrepreneurial spirit combined with a focus on products that deliver serious results catapulted her brand. Believing that everyone should have access to wholesome, natural, and organic beauty products, Akilah took inspiration from her grandmothers  Mary and Louise  who always used natural and homemade recipes in their everyday routines. At the start of the pandemic, Mary Louise Cosmetics stepped up to convert the base of their shaving products into hand sanitizer, distributing it along with other PPE to elderly members of the community.

54 Thrones Beauty - 54 Thrones was founded in 2016 by Christina Tegbe. With a southern-American childhood rooted in the cultural essence of Nigeria, Christina grew up experiencing the true and sacred beauty of Africa. Empowered by her Nigerian aunties who would indulge her with tubs of shea butter, she always held those memories close to her heart. 54 Thrones has since ended up on Oprah's list of favorite things and continues to feature products that are natural, authentic, and thoughtful. To date, they have partnered with cooperatives in eight African countries to create work through sustainable job opportunities. In this way, individuals are able to take pride in the work they do rather than relying on aid, which leads to economic disenfranchisement.

Shea Yeleen Beauty - Established in 2005, Shea Yeleen International, Inc. is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to empowering women in West Africa and the United States through the production, sale, and use of shea butter products. A unique blend of grassroots organizing and business development, Shea Yeleen is a company that specializes in manufacturing high quality, organic, fair trade skin care products and utilizing a sales strategy that incorporates women's micro enterprise development. Shea Yeleen offers five times Ghana's minimum wage and provides access to health insurance. Their business model has a direct and regenerative community impact that allows families to keep their children in school and is ensuring the ongoing education of more than 268 children.

Paula Brown Performing Arts Center - Accomplished dancer and performer Paula Brown dreamt of establishing a dance school in her community so that young brown girls could study classical ballet. Five years ago, she was able to open the doors of the Paula Brown Performing Arts Center in Prince George's County, Maryland. It has been a rewarding journey for both her and her Brown Ballerinas. Thanks to the training her students have received, they have gone on to study at a number of prestigious dance academies and institutions.

Naasakle International LLC - Naasakle International LLC is the parent company to both the Eu'Genia and Mother's Shea brands. Founded in 2015, Naa-Sakle Akuete used her mother Eugenia's specialized expertise as the former President of the Global Shea Alliance to provide consumers with clean, affordable skincare products and the best shea around. They strive to increase the perception of African ingredients and the prevalence of "double bottom line" companies (companies that care about both profits and social missions). Their business model also includes a 15% profit share to support an education fund for the women in their supply chain.

Heritage Socks - Heritage was created to ensure that minority groups are appropriately represented in the world of sock culture. Each sock is a representation of the strength the Black community has shown throughout history, showcasing the trailblazers who have made a lasting impact in the world. Heritage also hosts events to engage the community in conversation on topics ranging from politics to homelessness to issues that directly affect the Black community. Heritage's HERstory collection works to register voters throughout the year by providing informational events to the community. In 2018, Heritage Socks collaborated with Stacey Abrams for Governor (Georgia) and donated all of the proceeds to her campaign. The slogan for their campaign was "Toes to the Polls."

Anne's Apothecary - Anne's Apothecary offers mineral-rich skincare products that are 100% non-toxic, all-natural, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and dermatologist approved. Based in North Carolina, they specialize in the use of cold-pressed oils, herbs, and clays to produce skin-loving products that are easy to use. With the philosophy that "what you put on your skin should be safe enough to eat," Anne's Apothecary focuses on ethical and sustainable small batches crafted entirely by hand.

The Nourish Spot Juice Bar - The Nourish Spot is based in Jamaica, Queens, NY where the family has had roots for nearly a century. They opened their doors to a community that was considered a food desert, bereft of healthy food and beverage options. The Nourish Spot established an oasis to provide customers access to fresh produce laden with vitamins and minerals. Many of the foods offered have the power to fight diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, literally saving the lives of customers. Since opening their doors in September 2017, The Nourish Spot has partnered with The Child Care Center of NY, Pathways to Graduation, WIOA, the NYC Mayor's CCAP Program, Summer Youth Employment Program, and Queens Community House to mentor and train more than 50 young adults.

Meet our Committee:

Tunisha Collure - Senior Vice President, Well's Fargo's Commercial Banking Group

Mike Butler- Chief of Staff, Jogg Inc.

Carla Palmer  Senior Manager, Corporate + Community Engagement, United Friends of the Children

Lauren Hill  Director of Ecommerce, Versed

Eula Smith  EMS Consulting Inc., Founder

Anastasia Soare  CEO and Founder, Anastasia Beverly Hills

Claudia Soare  President, Anastasia Beverly Hills

For more information about the ABH Grant Initiative, visit: https://www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com/grant-initiative.html

SOURCE Anastasia Beverly Hills

Related Links

https://www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com


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New Delhi, Feb 26 Ians) : Government seems to be in no mood to subsidise the price of common mans cooking gas which like the price of auto fuels petrol and diesel has maintained consistent increase for past few months.

The price of domestic 14.2-kg LPG cylinder was increased by Rs 25 on Thursday, the third increase in the month of February itself, taking its price Rs 794 a cylinder in Delhi.

While the practice of weekly or fortnightly price revision of cooking gas is normally done for non-subsidised cylinders, this year oil companies shave maintained almost equal increase in price of subsidised LPG cylinders as well.

This has equated its price with market prices cooking gas and thus helping the government to completely eliminate direct benefit transfer (DBT) benefits extended to cooking gas consumers.

"There may just be some element of subsidy that still may be involved in cooking gas if it is getting transported to far off distances from bottling plants. Otherwise, subsidised and non-subsidised cooking gas prices have almost remained same during entire FY21," said an official of a public sector oil marketing company not willing to be named.

While consumers focus has remained on petrol and field prices, the cooking gas price has gone almost unnoticed. It had risen sharply by over Rs 100 a cylinder in the month of February itself from a level of Rs 694 to Rs 794 a cylinder now.

This month cooking gas prices increased on February 4 by Rs 25 (costed: Rs 719) and February 14 by Rs 50 (costed: Rs 769) and now again on February 25 by Rs 25 to Rs 794 a cylinder.

With government not supporting even cooking gas consumers in the time of rising prices, consumers are bearing the brunt of increase in both their transportation and cooking expenses during the difficult period of pandemic.

There are around 30 crore LPG connections in the country and the the levelling of non-subsidised and subsidized LPG cylinder means that the government substantially reduces DBT payments in FY22 as well.

If oil and products prices remain range bound even next year, by the end of the year even LPG subsidy would be completely eliminated, oil sector experts said.

Government's DBT burden even from middle of current fiscal has reduced to nil due to softer LPG prices. The only money that the government would need in FY 22 is towards providing free cooking gas connection to 1 crore additional beneficiaries under the Ujjwala scheme.

As per provision made in this year's budget, DBT transfer towards LPG subsidy has been brought down to Rs 12,480 crore in FY22 from a level of Rs 25,520.79 crore in the revised estimates for FY21.

The budget estimate for LPG subsidy this year (FY21) was even higher at Rs 35,605 crore but subdued global prices helped government to save on LPG subsidy prices that got used for providing three free cylinders to Ujjawala consumers for the lockdown period.

Government provides 12 subsidised LPG cylinder to a household in a year.

While the household buys LPG cylinders at market price, the gap between subsidised and non subsided cylinders is transferred to consumers bank accounts under the DBT scheme.

This transfer has remained suspended during most parts of FY21 as oil companies have raised price of even subsidised cylinders to market levels.

(Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

Farmers' Protest: Kisan Congress to gherao Narendra Singh Tomar's residence today

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Feb 26: The Kisan Congress will on Friday surround Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar's house, the day farmers' protest against the Centre' three agricultural laws completes three months. According to reports, the activists of the grand old party's unit had planned to assemble at the AICC headquarters at 11:30am in Delhi before proceeding to Union minister Tomar's office.

It can be seen that the move comes in the backdrop of the agitation launched by farmers at several borders in Delhi to demand the repeal of farm legislation enacted by Parliament in September last year. The protesters have been camping at various Delhi borders since November 26.

Khelo India Winter Games: Jammu and Kashmir will become 'Winter Sports Hub', says PM Modi

While the farmers want a complete roll-back of three farm laws-Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020- the government has ruled out agreeing to the demand and has offered to make amendments to the legislation.

Your success made the great MGR very happy, says PM Modi at Dr MGR Medical University

WHO chief lauds PM Modi | 'Hope others follow India' | Oneindia News

Responding to Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait's call for another tractor rally in the Capital, the agriculture minister had earlier this week said the government is ready to discuss the demands of the farmers and is committed to the welfare of the farmers.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 13:23 [IST]
In this Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 file photo, people wait in line at a mass vaccination site in the Queens borough of New York. This FEMA run site, along with another in Brooklyn, gives priority to local residents in an effort to equitably distribute the vaccine. Researchers have flagged another mutated version of the coronavirus spreading in New York but experts say it's too soon to know if the variant will be problematic. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)

Another mutated version of the coronavirus has popped up in New York City, and experts reacted to the the news with a mixture of caution and concern.

The new variant first appeared in the New York area in late November, and has since cropped up in neighboring states, according to researchers at the California Institute of Technology, one of two teams to share their work this week.

But how problematic the variant may be isn't known yet. Viruses are constantly mutatingor making typos in their genetic codeas they spread and make copies of themselves.

"Most are not of particular concern," said Francois Balloux, director of the University College London's Genetics Institute.

However, he added, "Noticing them early, flagging them, raising concern is useful."

That's because some genetic tweaks can be worrisome, especially if they help the virus spread more easily, make it more deadly or curb the effectiveness of vaccines. Scientists use genome sequencing and other research to figure out which are a potential problem.

New York City health officials and Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday sought to tamp down worries about the new variant, emphasizing that the new research is preliminary and little is known about the variant.

"Some variants are just that, they're variants." said Dr. Jay Varma, senior health adviser to the mayor.

WHAT DID THEY FIND IN NEW YORK?

Two research groupsat Caltech and Columbia University in New Yorkreleased papers this week describing their findings about the new variant. Neither paper has been published or reviewed by other scientists.

The Caltech researchers found that the new variant showed up in about a quarter of the 1,200 virus sequences they looked at this month. The variant has also shown up in New Jersey and Connecticut and has made "isolated appearances across the country," said CalTech's Anthony West, a co-author of the paper.

On Thursday, Columbia University researchers released their research that scrutinized about 1,100 virus samples from patients treated at the university's medical center, dating back to November. During the second week of February, the new variant was identified in 12% of the samples, they reported. They also found patients infected with the mutated virus were more likely to be older and have been hospitalized.

Both groups noted that the new variant has a mutation that could potentially weaken the effectiveness of vaccinesa mutation seen in other worrisome variants.

"There is clearly something to keep an eye on," Balloux said.

HOW MANY OTHER VARIANTS ARE THERE?

New variants have been showing up throughout the pandemic, but three are considered the most worrisomethey've been designated "variants of concern." They were first detected in Britain, South Africa and Brazil but have spread to other countries.

The one identified in the U.K. late last year has since been found in 45 U.S. states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The strain is concerning because it has so many mutations, nearly two dozen. Some are on the spiky protein that the virus uses to attach to and infect cellsand that current vaccines and antibody drugs target.

One of the spike protein mutations is seen in the variants discovered early on in Brazil and South Africa, and, now, the new variant in New York.

A variant that has been spreading in California is also getting attention. It's been found in 40% to 50% of samples examined by the Los Angeles Count Department of Public Health, according to Director Barbara Ferrer. But there isn't enough rigorous research to determine what, if any, effect its mutations might have.

WHAT'S NEXT?

After what many described as a slow start, the federal government in recent weeks has ramped up its genetic sequencing to look for and study virus variants to figure out which ones might be a problem. In the meantime, Ana S. Gonzalez Reiche, a virologist at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, urged caution.

"Without evidence, we don't need to alarm ourselves about every variant detected," she said.

Studies are raising concern that first-generation COVID-19 vaccines don't work as well against a variant that first emerged in South Africa as they do against other versions. In response, drug companies are already figuring out how to modify their vaccines.

Experts say that in the meantime, public health measures like social distancing and masks will reduce opportunities for the coronavirus to continue mutating and run rampant.

"Emerging of variants will occur," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, told NBC on Thursday. "The trick is when they do occur, to prevent them from spreading."

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The science is crystal clear. We have less than 10 years to radically change our course or face the great consequences of our ongoing ecological destruction spanning from our extractive industries.

According to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the worlds best scientists said we need to drastically move toward decarbonizing our energy economy if we want a habitable planet for our future generations.

By delaying any action on climate change and its immediate threat to our lives, we are working against our own futures.

The climate crisis is real, and it is impacting the lives of everyday New Mexicans in real ways. Our communities have witnessed bigger wildfires, severe water droughts, and weaker snow packs, all of which are threatening our way of life by depleting our water sources. In fact, according to a report published by the Union of Concerned Scientists, New Mexicos major water sources have seen a decrease of up to 37%, compared to the total average throughout the 20th century.

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In many ways our communities feel cornered because they understand the need to address the climate crisis but are perpetually told our communities will perish unless we continue to bow down to extractive industries. It is time to take the reins of our future  we the people working and living in the belly of the beast; we who put our lives on the line to extract our natural resources; and we who have been historically abused by corporations.

Without a doubt we are at a turning point, not only in the history of New Mexico, but in terms of determining the prospect of human existence. We must act swiftly and boldly, before it is too late. And we cant continue to destroy our childrens homelands and futures, only for the accumulation of wealth of a few out-of-state CEOs who could care less about our communities.

But there is good news on the horizon. This is because New Mexico has an opportunity to be a role model to the rest of the country in how to act on climate while making sure these decisions are informed by hard-working New Mexicans. The opportunity is called House Bill 9  NM Climate Solutions Act.

HB 9 arose from the need for a just transition to a clean and healthy environment, with a thriving economy that respects our history and tradition of hard work, and one led by us  frontline communities. It is time for us to be first in line for training and access to the high-quality jobs of the future in emission and pollution reduction, and clean energy.

The Climate Solutions Act is one-of-a-kind in the nation. This bill will put us, workers who for generations have sacrificed our land and health for extractive industries, at the front of leading N.M.s economic diversification while also addressing the root causes of the climate crisis.

For far too long, we have not been included in the decision making of N.M.s energy future. It is time we change that. We must commit to working for the bold, new solutions our communities deserve.

If New Mexico wants to live up to its proclaimed leadership on climate, it is time to show the nation that a healthy and clean environment does not contradict a diverse and sustainable economy. Now is the time to support and pass the Climate Solutions Act.

Nena Benavidez comes from a long tradition of miners and lives in Silver City.
British Airways's owner swung to a record loss of 6.5billion after the pandemic closed borders and stopped millions of passengers flying.

IAG, which also owns Spain's Iberia and Ireland's Aer Lingus, saw revenues plummet 69 per cent to 6.7billion last year.

It lost the equivalent of 19million a day  or 205 a second  as it carried just a third of the travellers it did in 2019.

Struggle: IAG, which also owns Spain's Iberia and Ireland's Aer Lingus, saw revenues plummet 69 per cent to 6.7billion last year

IAG boss Luis Gallego said it was too early to say how the company would perform in 2021 because there is still too much uncertainty around the pandemic.

Second waves of the virus derailed the winter holiday season, which the industry had been counting on for a last-minute boost, and fresh lockdowns mean IAG expects to run just a fifth of the 2019 schedule in the first quarter of the year. But shares in IAG bounced yesterday, despite the bruising figures, rising 3.1 per cent, or 5.7p, to 191.95p.

Gallego said it was encouraging that vaccination rollouts were 'progressing well' and that there was a 'big increase' in demand for travel after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his road map for ending lockdown on Monday.

Flight bookings were up by more than 60 per cent on the day of the announcement compared with the same day the previous week  a surge other airlines such as Easyjet also enjoyed. Holidays could be allowed from May 17 under the plans, but no earlier and this date could be pushed back.

Gallego also urged governments to set up 'vaccine passports' to ensure foreign holidays can go ahead this summer.

British Airways already accepts the Verifly app, on which travellers can upload proof of a recent negative Covid test. But the makers say it could be expanded to include proof of vaccination within days, if governments were to reach agreements on accepting inoculated tourists.

Gallego said: 'The aviation industry stands with governments in putting public health at the top of the agenda. Getting people travelling again will require a clear road map for unwinding current restrictions when the time is right.

'We know there is pent-up demand for travel and people want to fly. Vaccinations are progressing well and global infections are going in the right direction. If we continue with the road map to open aviation, we are going to have a positive summer.' Gallego, 52, said the 2020 results  the first he has delivered as boss  'reflect the serious impact that Covid-19 has had on our business'.

IAG has been particularly badly hit by the drop in transatlantic flights during the pandemic because BA  by the far the biggest airline in its stable  relies on these lucrative routes.

Norwegian Air and Gatwick Airport also released bruising figures yesterday.

Budget carrier Norwegian dived to a record 1.9billion loss last year. The firm, which is under bankruptcy protection in Norway and Ireland, earned much of its cash before the pandemic from cheap transatlantic flights. It has now abandoned these routes.

And Gatwick tumbled to a loss of 465m after passenger numbers fell by nearly 80 per cent.
On a sunny, warm Sunday in February, Jane Kang stands inside a restaurant parklet behind a long table covered in earth-toned ceramics. Selling a mix of mugs with curvy handles, and bubbled bowls and vases is one of her main sources of revenue now, having previously worked at restaurants before the COVID-19 pandemic changed life forever.

In March 2020, Kang was working as a server at the Riddler, a popular champagne bar in Hayes Valley. Overnight, she was laid off indefinitely. Then, the Riddler closed permanently in August.

She had already dabbled in creating artful ceramics, and now shes been showcasing them each Sunday at Nanas Pop Up Market in North Beach. I feel very thankful I've always been an artist, Kang said. Myself and my colleagues in the restaurant industry have found ourselves pivoting to these pop-up markets. Ive noticed its been this amazing momentum of women banding together and supporting each other.

Tessa McLean

Izzel Guerrero had a similar experience, working as a nanny, and a server and hostess at different restaurants when the pandemic hit. The restaurants shut down, and the family she was working for decided it wasnt safe for her to continue working for them. So, she started making salsa.

I started making salsas for my roommates, and they said you have to sell them, Guerrero said. Ive been really lucky. For me, if I can have one person try one of my salsas and like it, it's worth it.

After selling her salsas at a few markets in the fall, the markets began to shutter for the winter, but her popularity was picking up. She turned to Mayra Jimenez, a friend she had worked with before at restaurants, and they decided to start a market of their own, focusing on women-owned businesses, specifically those run by women of color and the LGBTQ community.

The duo was friends with the owners of Red Window, a Spanish restaurant in North Beach that was supposed to open in May 2020, then December 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic each time. The restaurant had already built a large parklet on both sides of 500 Columbus Ave.  on Columbus Avenue and Stockton Street  so they offered the space to their friends to host the market.

On Dec. 6, the duo launched Nanas Pop Up Market and has been out every Sunday accompanied by a rotating roster of vendors. They dont charge a booth fee to be a part of the market; Jimenez said the restaurant has been generous to them so she wanted to pass that along. Theyre uplifting us, so we believe in uplifting others in any way possible, she said.

Located on streets with high foot traffic, North Beach has been a great spot to attract customers. North Beach is such a supportive community, Jimenez said. Once they embrace you, they don't let go of you. People have been putting our flyers in their windows. They've been beyond welcoming.

3 1 of 3 Tessa McLean Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Tessa McLean Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Laura Meyer is a chef at nearby Capos, and like so many people during the pandemic, she started experimenting with baking focaccia when the restaurant was closed. She was giving it away until a friend suggested that she try selling it. Today, she takes pre-orders online for her new business, Focaccia da Laura. People can pick up the bread at the market, while she also sells additional flavors ad hoc until she is sold out.

Christina Mathews, who began an all-natural cosmetics business called Glossin Cosmetics in August, said the market has been crucial to the growth of her business, gaining both social media followers and revenue since December. I would have never been able to have the platform I have without the market, Mathews said.

While Feb. 28 may be the last day for the pop-ups North Beach location (Red Window will open soon in its place), its been so successful that Jimenez and Guerrero are looking for new parklets to host it each week.

In the meantime, one of Guerrero's salsas has made it onto the menu at Little Red Window, the takeout window concept behind Red Window that sells empanadas and to-go cocktails. Even if the market shuts down one day, shell know her salsa will at least live on there, and shes helped fellow former restaurant employees navigate this difficult year.

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Its North Beach Month at SFGATE. Well be diving deep into the neighborhood for the entirety of February as part of a new series where well be highlighting a different corner of San Francisco every month this year.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - . This comes after all the tools were stolen from their storage trailer in Mason City.

A couple weeks ago, someone stole the storage trailer full of equipment. A short time later, the trailer was found abandoned in a cornfield, but the tools were gone, resulting in a loss of about $6,000. That of course sets them back on their mission of building homes for people in the community.

After the merging of Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity and Steele Waseca Habitat for Humanity a few years ago, creating Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity, they had extra sets of tools. The president and executive director, Kevin Worden, said when he heard about the loss, he knew they had to step in. He explained donating extra tools they have can hopefully get them back on their feet. "They're kind of hampered right now and this is not something that we plan or budget for," said Worden. "So it's a bit of an obstacle that they got to get under, over or through." Along with the tools stolen, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa also had mail containing end of the year contributions taken from their mailbox.

Worden said instead of selling the tools, they can now be put to good use. Our friends in Mason City, or North Central Iowa, say that we're a blessing to them because we can do this. That may be true, but I see it as they're a blessing to us because we've got these tools that we need to be able to honor the intent for which they were acquired," he explained. "This is the path that's going to enable us to do this. We didn't see any other path to do so."

The donation is happening Friday afternoon in Austin beginning at 3.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  Half of the Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine doses that will be donated to the Department of National Defense by China may go to government troops, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Friday.

"Ang impormasyon na mayroon tayo, buhat doon sa 100,000 na dinonate sa Department of National Defense, ang huling impormasyon ko, subject to further validation, ay 50,000 dito ay ipagkakaloob sa ating mga sundalo," AFP spokesman Edgard Arevalo told a briefing.

[Translation: Based on the latest information we received, 50,000 of the 100,000 that will be donated to the Department of National Defense will go to soldiers. But this is subject to further validation.]

Arevalo said as soon as there are available vaccines, then they will start the mandatory vaccination to make sure that the troops will be protected whenever they are deployed on the field or the front lines of the COVID-19 fight. Exempted are those who are not qualified to receive the shots based on medical evaluation. Front-line medical workers in the military will be the first ones to be vaccinated, the AFP official said.

While vaccination is "not a matter of choice," AFP personnel can choose the vaccine brand they want, he said. But never before has a COVID-19 vaccine been granted a full marketing authorization, which is needed to sell the product to the public. The Sinovac vaccine is authorized for emergency use in the country. Coronavirus shots of Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca were the first two to receive emergency use authorization from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration.

China promised to donate 600,000 doses of the Sinovac's CoronaVac to the Philippines. Officials said the vaccine shipment will arrive on Sunday, Feb. 28.

A defense official said separately they are "a bit embarrassed" to be among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine doses, but it was China's decision to give a fraction of the donated doses to the DND.

"If we happen to be the first, then, we are glad, but at the same time, we're a bit embarrassed, because we know, we're low on the priority list," DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong told CNN Philippines in an interview. Medical frontliners in private and public health facilities are first in line for the COVID-19 vaccines, followed by other frontliners in the health sector such as nursing aides, janitors, and barangay health workers. Next are people with comorbidities, then front-line personnel in essential sectors such as police personnel and soldiers.

Meanwhile, a security analyst sees this recent move of China as a way to win the hearts of Filipinos amid the territorial conflict in the West Philippine Sea.

"For me, the donation of China will also have strong propaganda value in the Philippines if the vaccine will work among the Defense personnel," Rommel Banlaoi said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

China insists on owning almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling of a tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and backed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The landmark decision invalidated Chinas "nine-dash line" claim and recognized Philippine sovereign rights in areas in the West Philippine Sea which Beijing contests.

CNN Philippines Correspondent David Santos contributed to this report
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - Satori Resources Inc. (TSXV: BUD) ("Satori" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the permits required to commence drilling at the Company's wholly-owned Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project near Flin Flon, Manitoba. Preparatory work on the access road has commenced, drilling tenders are out for quote, and technical staff is being engaged to supervise a 3,200 metre diamond drill program targeting the down plunge continuation of the Main Zone vein system.

Satori plans to apply a modern, systematic approach to exploration at the Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project. In 2020, the Company collected and reviewed the geophysical data from the 1980s in order to isolate geophysical signatures coincident with known mineralization. Processing of the historic data with contemporary techniques has generated new drilling targets which show potential for additional high-grade mineralization across numerous shear zones that transect the property. Therefore, 500 metres of diamond drilling is also planned to test targets within 1,000 metres of the historic mine site.

It has been approximately 23 years since the past producing Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project has seen a significant drill program. Over 50 linear kilometres of shear zones have been mapped throughout the claim package, but the majority of historical exploration focused on 3-5 kilometres of shear zones in the immediate area of the former producing Tartan Lake mine.

The Company believes that in addition to the potential to increase the mineral resource proximal to the former producing mine, there are excellent opportunities for additional discoveries given the unexplored extent of the shear zones that host the known mineralization.

Wes Hanson P.Geo., Director of Satori, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.

ABOUT SATORI RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: BUD)

Satori is a Toronto-based mineral exploration and development company whose primary property is the past producing Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project, located in the prolific Flin Flon Greenstone Belt, Manitoba. Recently, Satori acquired the New Delhi Project, an advanced polymetallic gold project in the Sudbury Mining District, Ontario.

The Tartan Lake Project (2,670 Ha.) is located approximately 12 kilometres northeast of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and includes the Tartan Lake Mine (1986-1989); which produced 36,000 ounces of gold from 250,000 tonnes of ore feed. Remaining infrastructure includes: all season access road, grid connected power supply, mill, mechanical, warehouse and office buildings, tailing impoundment and a 2,100 metre decline and developed underground mining galleries to a depth of 300 metres from surface. Gold mineralization is associated with anastomosing quartz-carbonate veins hosted in east-west striking, steeply dipping shear zones up to 30 metres in width. The veins vary from several centimetres to several metres in width and gold grades vary from 1.0 to +100 g/t. Mineralization at the mine is currently drill limited and open at depth.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jennifer Boyle, B.A., LL.B.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Satori Resources Inc.

(416) 904-2714

jennifer@capexgroupinc.com

Mr. Pete Shippen

Chair, Satori Resources Inc.

pjs@extramedium.ca

416-930-7711

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.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release of Satori contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Satori's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS 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/75536
Feb. 26Longtime Republican member of Congress Gil Gutknecht was considered a rebel in his party when he proposed making it legal to import prescription drugs from Canada. That was in the 1990s.

Today, the market-based approach to lowering prescription drug prices remains illegal. But maybe not for long.

A bipartisan plan by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, calls for opening up markets so individuals could buy prescription drugs from Canada.

We supported the idea when Gutknecht represented Minnesota's 1st District and we remain unwavering in this long overdue change in policy.

The bill has an impressive list of co-sponsors including Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Angus King, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats. The plans was introduced in the House by Republican Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler of Washington and Democrat Chellie Pingree of Maine.

In fact, Gutknecht and former Democratic Congressman Rahm Emanuel were longtime sponsors of a similar plan way back in 2003. Both George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations opposed the plan for a variety of reasons, but all which led to benefitting pharmaceutical companies at the expense of the American taxpayer.

There's no good reason consumers in the United States should pay more for prescriptions drugs than anywhere else in the world. The Klobuchar-Grassley plan will also keep health-care costs low so everyone can afford coverage.

Now, the time seems right with the presidency of Joe Biden to finally get this commonsense legislation passed. What's needed now is a groundswell of public support that is unwavering.

We urge the public to contact their members of Congress and push them to support this prescription drugs competition bill.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. A few storms may be severe. Low 66F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. A few storms may be severe. Low 66F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.

WASHINGTON  Backers of a push to raise the federal hourly minimum wage to $15 suffered a key loss Thursday after a Senate official ruled the controversial measure cannot be considered as part of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief package making its way through Congress.

Under the decision from Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, the provision raising the the wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2025 will have to be removed and considered as a standalone bill or as part of other legislation.

We are deeply disappointed in this decision," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement Thursday night. "We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.

The ruling is key because the COVID relief package is being considered under "reconciliation" rules that bypass the filibuster and allow a simple majority to pass the bill. Progressives who have been pushing for the $15 wage hike say attaching the provision to Biden's American Rescue Plan legislation was their best shot because at least 10 Republicans would be required to overcome a filibuster.

Service industry workers listen to remarks and hold up signs during a rally in support of the Raise the Wage Act, which includes a $15 minimum wage for tipped workers and is included in President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, at the National Mall on Jan. 26, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who is leading the charge for a $15 wage, said on Wednesday the proposal wouldn't stand a chance of passing if it wasn't attached to the relief package.

"As of now, there's not one Republican who will support a $15 an hour minimum," he told MSNBC's All In With Chris Hayes" Wednesday night. "The only way that we are going to raise the minimum wage is through reconciliation or ending the filibuster."

On Thursday, Sanders said that "because of the archaic and undemocratic rules of the Senate we are unable to move forward to end starvation wages in this country and raise the income of 32 million struggling Americans. That fight continues."

Story continues

The ruling is a win for Republicans who argued that doubling the minimum wage would cost jobs and hamper the country's recovery from the economic fallout posed by the nearly yearlong pandemic.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the top Republican on the Budget Committee, said he was very pleased by the decision.

This decision reinforces reconciliation cannot be used as a vehicle to pass major legislative change  by either party  on a simple majority vote, he said.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Biden was "disappointed in this outcome ... ,(but) respects the parliamentarians decision and the Senates process. He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the minimum wage provision still will be included in the relief bill the House will vote on Friday, despite the ruling.

"House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary," she said in a statement Thursday. "Therefore, this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight For 15."

Why Senate parliamentarian was asked to rule

Democrats, who expect to pass the relief package in the House Friday, are using reconciliation to approve the COVID relief package in the Senate as early as next week.

More: Republican plan would raise minimum wage to $10 but only if businesses are required to ensure worker legality

The designation allows certain budget-related bills to bypass filibuster rules that would require 60 votes and be approved by a simple majority. But reconciliation also triggers Senate rules that require provisions of the bill be tied directly to the budget.

That's where the parliamentarian comes in. McDonough, who has served under both Democratic and Republican majority leaders, was asked to determine whether provisions like a minimum wage increase would qualify. She ruled it did not.

Democrats argued it did qualify, pointing to a Congressional Budget Office analysis of the effects a minimum wage increase would have on the federal budget.

CBO found that the cumulative budget deficit over the next decade would increase by $54 billion, that higher prices for goods and services due to increased labor costs would boost federal spending, and that changes in employment and income distribution would affect government spending on programs such as unemployment compensation and nutrition programs.

The ruling comes as other proposals to raise the minimum wage have emerged.

More: Tracking COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state: How many people have been vaccinated in the US?

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., who opposed the $15 wage, has proposed an increase to $11. GOP Sens. Mitt Romney and Tom Cotton are proposing a $10 wage but only if businesses are required to use the internet-based E-Verify system designed to prevent employers from hiring undocumented workers.

Congress hasnt raised the federal minimum wage  currently $7.25 an hour  since 2007, even though a recent Pew Research poll shows Americans overwhelmingly favor an increase. Then-President Barack Obama called on Congress to boost the minimum wage in 2014, but the effort went nowhere. The House voted in 2019 to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, only to see the Senate kill the proposal.

Currently, 31 states have a minimum wage law that allows at least some workers to be paid less than $10, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. No state has a minimum wage at $15 or above.

More: 'We are desperate': Advocates demand Congress pass $15 minimum wage increase, but its prospects are murky

The CBO analysis released earlier this month estimated that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour would boost the pay for as many as 27 million Americans and lift nearly 1 million out of poverty but also would result in the loss of as many as 1.4 million jobs.

Higher wages increase the cost to employers of producing goods and services, and those costs are generally passed on to consumers who usually react by purchasing fewer goods and services, according to the CBO. As a consequence, employers faced with having to scale back their output usually cut back their workforce.

Higher wages can also have an impact on the people that are supposed to benefit, said Rachel Greszler, a research fellow in economics, budget, and entitlements at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Extra pay would force some families into higher income brackets, disqualifying them from subsidies that help offset college tuition or child care costs, and it would force businesses to cut back, she told a House Small Business subcommittee Wednesday.

More: Here's where Congress stands on legislation that includes a coronavirus aid check; House to vote Friday

"For anyone who doubts that doubling the minimum wage will cause substantial disruption and harm, consider if your mortgage payment or rent were to double," she said. "That would likely require a lot of changes, and sometimes those changes end up hurting the people they're aiming to help."

But Rebecca Hamilton, co-CEO of New Hampshire-based W.S. Badger Company, which makes skincare products, told the committee that paying her employees no less than $15 an hour has helped her small firm.

"This approach has enabled us to spend virtually zero dollars on recruitment while retaining an engaged and committed workforce for the past 25 years," she told lawmakers. "By retaining experience staff, we've seen increased productivity, less waste and fewer errors which is important in a manufacturing facility ... The success of our business is directly tied to the dedication of our staff."

Contributing: Nichola Wu, Christal Hayes

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: $15 minimum wage: Increase can't be included in COVID relief bill
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BorgWarner is taking further action in its commitment to diversity through a donation of $925,000 for scholarships for Kettering University students. The BorgWarner Scholars Program will aim to distribute annual scholarships to students in financial need, with a primary focus on African American and Hispanic students who have an interest in participating in an engineering co-op at BorgWarner.

Kettering University and BorgWarner will work together to identify students in underserved communities through various recruitment efforts. Through the endowment, Kettering University will be able to award scholarships  with nearly $40,000 earmarked annually. Students will be on-site, full time at BorgWarner during their paid co-op rotations which start freshmen year. During these rotations, students will gain over two years of real-world experience working alongside BorgWarner engineers and mentors, gaining skills to support and supplement their schoolwork and eventual transition into salaried, full-time employment.

Separately, BorgWarner donated $100,000 to support a new Kettering University initiative and help expand it to more corporate sponsors.

"At BorgWarner, we're dedicated to cultivating a diverse workforce and in order to do so, we need to take action at the student level and help talented, bright, diverse minds overcome the barriers they are facing," said Felecia Pryor, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, BorgWarner Inc. "We relate well with Kettering University's commitment to education that embodies technology and innovation and believe this endowment will be truly successful in opening doors and creating opportunities for students in the field who are most in need."

Though science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) employment is surging, African American and Hispanic professionals are significantly under-represented in the field. This is in-part because many underrepresented students lack the resources and vision to realize STEM success is achievable for them. Kettering University is working with BorgWarner, among other industry partners, to provide gateway opportunities that foster and promote curiosity, provide and leverage educational resources and focus on career transition into STEM fields for the long-term.

"We are grateful to BorgWarner for investing in experiential, as well as financial, opportunities for students," said Sue Davies, Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations at Kettering. "The impact this, coupled with our unique Co-op and educational experience, will have on these students immediately prepares them to be innovators and leaders in STEM industries around the world. I'm most excited about how this will complement and further enhance our existing Office of Multicultural Students Initiatives (OMSI) which provides tutoring, mentorship and other support services to ensure our students' success."

BorgWarner presented the $1,025,000 check to Kettering University on February 25, fortifying the partnership.

About BorgWarner

BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. Building on its original equipment expertise, BorgWarner also brings market leading product and service solutions to the global aftermarket. With manufacturing and technical facilities in 96 locations in 24 countries, the company employs approximately 50,000 worldwide. For more information, please visit borgwarner.com.

About Kettering University

Kettering University, formerly known as GMI, is a Flint, Michigan-based private, nonprofit university recognized as one of the nation's premier science, technology, engineering and business leaders in higher education. Dedicated to offering a curriculum that uniquely integrates classroom learning with experiential co-operative opportunities, Kettering consistently ranks in U.S. News & World Report's listing for elite specialty schools. The University has more than 27,000 square feet of lab and research space used by faculty, students and industry collaborators, and boasts the only ABET-accredited applied physics program in the world. It also houses the first and only FIRST Robotics Community Center on a college campus in the United States. According to a 2019 analysis of federal data ranking 4,500 schools nationwide, Kettering University degree holders have the highest lifetime return on investment (ROI) in the state of Michigan. The University celebrated its centennial year in 2019. For more information go to kettering.edu.

SOURCE BorgWarner

Related Links

www.borgwarner.com


In the third congressional hearing held this week on the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, acting US Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman and Acting House Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee.

The hearing, chaired by Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan, was the latest to interrogate the leadership of the various police agencies about their failure to maintain the security of the Capitol. Members raised questions about how and why, despite receiving numerous intelligence reports warning of the assault, little or no action was taken to prevent it.

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., left, speaks with former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, right, following a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs & Senate Rules and Administration joint hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, to examine the January 6th attack on the Capitol. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

The two police officials answered in generalities, dodged responsibility or sought to blame the process rather than providing direct answers about the course of events on January 6.

There was one significant revelation when Pittman was asked how long the enhanced security measures, which include over 5,000 National Guard soldiers and a ring of secure fencing around the Capitol complex, would continue. She alluded to the ongoing threat of fascistic terrorist violence, warning that militia groups that were present on January 6 have stated their desires to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible.

In other words, the fascists who attacked the Capitol on January 6 are still an ongoing concern. Pittman indicated that their threats were directed against an upcoming address by President Biden to a joint session of Congress, originally proposed for late February, but now pushed back. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said recently that the date for the address would be determined in part by security concerns.

One question posed by the hearing, but not asked there, was how many of the anti-democratic and pro-Trump forces that aided the January 6 attack are still employed within the police and the military-intelligence apparatus. This might well include the higher echelons of the Capitol Police force itself.

The hearing raised new questions about the breakdown in communications between the police leadership and the rank-and-file on the ground in the Capitol, and why there seemed to be a general stand-down of police forces even as the Capitol was under siege.

The ranking Republican on the subcommittee, Jaime Herrera Beutler, who was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, pressed Pittman on the lack of communication from police leadership during the siege. She recounted standing next to officers as the insurrection was happening, it was very clear that they were getting no actual real communication, no leadership, no direction, no coordination and you could see the fear in their eyes.

In response, Pittman offered a meandering explanation of the Incident Command System, which she said failed. Herrera Beutler directly asked her again why you and the leaders didnt gain command of the communication system?

Pittman responded it was a multi-tiered failure, to which Herrera Buetler responded, Im hearing a lot of process and explaining why there was a problem Each of these officers had to make a decision with no information, had no idea what you guys were doing.

The congresswoman went on to cite a recent poll of police union members on their leadership. Ninety-two percent of eligible members voted no confidence in six leaders of the Capitol Police department, which included Pittman and former Chief Steven Sund.

While Democrats, Republicans and the leadership of the various police agencies charged with protecting the Capitol and its members have all offered some variation on the claim of an intelligence failure to explain the breach of the building by right-wing militias, white supremacists and Trump supporters, Pittmans testimony undermined this narrative.

Pittman confirmed that a January 3 special Capitol Police assessment, which warned that militia members, white supremacists, and other extremists groups were targeting Congress and the joint certification process, which they viewed as the last opportunity to overturn the election, was distributed throughout the department via email down to the level of sergeants and above prior to January 6.

Despite her department producing the assessment warning of an attack on members of Congress, Pittman, who was then assistant chief for protective and intelligence operations, claimed that her department did not ignore intelligence and that there was no intelligence of a credible threat of that magnitude.

Pittman also acknowledged that the police had received a memo from the Norfolk FBI office warning that militia groups were planning for war, along with sharing maps of the tunnels under the Capitol complex. Despite allegedly not seeing this memo, Pittman said that even had she been aware of it, it would not have changed the response of the police.

Several representatives questioned the slow response of the National Guard, and specifically why the Police Board, which controls the deployment of the Guard on Capitol grounds in conjunction with the Department of Defense, did not authorize their deployment prior to January 6 and during that day.

Pittman testified that Chief Sund had asked for the deployment on the Guard prior to January 6, but was opposed by House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving. Previous reporting by the Washington Post claimed that Irving didnt like the optics of thousands of soldiers surrounding the Capitol.

Before resigning following the attack on the Capitol, Irving had been sergeant-at-arms since 2012, when he was appointed by Republican John Boehner, who was then House speaker. Irving spent decades in the Secret Service before retiring in 2008 and joining the Command Consulting Group, an international security and intelligence consulting firm, in 2009.

In testimony earlier this week, Irving claimed to have no recollection of a phone call between him and Sund on January 6 discussing the deployment of the Guard to the Capitol prior to 1:28 p.m. He claimed no request was made until 2:10 p.m.

Pittman testified she pulled the phone records of Sund showing that he called Irving at 12:58 p.m., followed by a call to the Senate sergeant-at-arms, Michael Stenger, at 1:05 p.m., also to request Guard support. Pittman testified that Sund again reached out to Irving at 1:28 p.m., 1:34 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. The request to deploy the Guard was finally approved and relayed to the Department of Defense at 2:10 p.m. Troops would not arrive on the grounds until roughly 6:00 p.m., well after the siege had ended, largely through the efforts of the Washington Metropolitan Police.

Representative Jennifer Wexton, Democrat of Virginia, questioned Pittman at the seeming lack of police deployed on the grounds on January 6. Pittman acknowledged that on a typical day when Congress is in session, a little over 1,000 police are on the grounds, yet on the day of the Electoral College certification, only 200 more, about 1,200 police, were deployed at noon.

This is despite the presence of the entire Congress in one room, together with the three highest-ranking officials in the chain of succession to the presidency, Vice President Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Grassley, president pro tempore of the Senate.
Myanmars UN ambassador has condemned the military coup in his country and appealed for the strongest possible action from the international community to restore democracy.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tuns dramatic speech to the UN General Assembly on Friday drew loud applause from diplomats from the world bodys 193 nations.

Mr Tun urged all countries to issue public statements strongly condemning the military coup and refuse to recognise the military regime and ask its leaders to respect the free and fair elections in November won by Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party.

It is time for the military to immediately relinquish power and release those detained, he said. We will continue to fight for a government which is of the people, by the people, for the people.

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Mr Tuns surprise statement not only drew applause but commendations from speaker after speaker at the assembly meeting including ambassadors representing the European Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the new US ambassador, Linda Thomas Greenfield, who joined others in calling it courageous.

She said the United States stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar who have taken to the streets protesting against the coup and reiterated President Joe Bidens warning that we will show the military their actions have consequences.

The assembly meeting was called to hear a briefing from the UN special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, who said it is time to sound the alarm about the coup, ongoing violations of the constitution and reversal of reforms instituted by Ms Suu Kyi, who was previously the de facto head of government.

She pointed to restrictions on internet and communication services, and the detention of about 700 people according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Myanmar.

The huge protests in the country are not about a fight between Ms Suu Kyis party and the military, she said, it is a peoples fight without arms.

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Addressing diplomats in the General Assembly chamber by video link, Ms Schraner Burgener urged all of you to collectively send a clear signal in support of democracy in Myanmar.

The February 1 military takeover in Myanmar shocked the international community and reversed years of slow progress toward democracy.

Ms Suu Kyis party would have been installed for a second five-year term that day, but the army blocked Parliament from convening and detained her, President Win Myint and other top members of her government.

Myanmars military says it took power because last Novembers election was marked by widespread voting irregularities, an assertion that was refuted by the state election commission, whose members have since been replaced by the ruling junta.

The junta has said it will rule for a year under a state of emergency and then hold new polls.
A U.S. intelligence report made public Friday singles out Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying he approved the operation that killed Jamal Khashoggi, 59, a Washington Post contributing columnist and former Saudi royal insider who had become a leading critic of the kingdom's government.

Khashoggi was last seen alive in October 2018 entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. His gruesome killing and dismemberment - of which Turkish officials obtained an audio recording - roiled U.S.-Saudi relations and have been under investigation since then.

With the report's release, here's what you need to know about Khashoggi, his assassination and its impact on U.S.-Saudi relations.

- Who was Jamal Khashoggi?

Washington Post photo by Michael S. Williamson.

Khashoggi was a well-known Saudi journalist and political analyst who came from a prominent family and at first cultivated close ties with the Saudi royal family. Over time, however, he grew more critical of the government's policies, and in particular of Mohammed bin Salman, who was appointed crown prince in 2017, when he was 31. Mohammed (also known by his initials, MBS) had swiftly risen to become the kingdom's de facto leader and pledged to bring modern reforms to the highly conservative, oil-rich country. But as he worked to cultivate this image abroad, Mohammed oversaw a fierce crackdown aimed at suppressing criticism at home.

That soon came to include Khashoggi, who after repeated attempts by the kingdom to silence him relocated abroad in 2017 and settled in a northern Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C. Khashoggi began to write columns in The Washington Post challenging the crown prince's repression of political freedoms and free expression. But even outside Saudi Arabia, Khashoggi didn't feel fully safe. Saudi authorities were increasing their surveillance and attempts to silence dissidents outside the country, too.

- How was he killed?

Khashoggi's outspokenness incurred many costs, one of which was divorce and separation from his children and family back in Saudi Arabia. He eventually decided to remarry and settle down with his Turkish fiancee in Istanbul. To marry her, however, he needed a document verifying his marital status from the Saudi Consulate there. So in late September 2018, he went to the consulate and was instructed to return a few days later to pick up the paperwork.

That set off a chain of actions by Saudi authorities, which culminated in Khashoggi's assassination and, according to U.S., Turkish and U.N. investigators, probably were directed by the crown prince. Right before Khashoggi's disappearance, 15 Saudi agents, including a forensic doctor, flew to Istanbul on government aircraft. Members of the team removed security cameras posted outside the consulate before Khashoggi arrived. Once inside, investigators said, agents killed him and cut up his body. It remains unclear exactly what happened to his remains.

A man wearing Khashoggi's clothes then left the consulate and walked around Istanbul, apparently to try to mislead investigators and bolster an initial claim that he had departed the building alive. Khashoggi's fiancee, however, was waiting for him outside the consulate throughout the ordeal. When he did not return, she was alarmed and reached out to contacts, as he had advised as a precaution.

- What have Saudi officials said?

Saudi officials initially denied any involvement or knowledge of wrongdoing. But amid intense international pressure, Saudi officials said two weeks after his disappearance that Khashoggi died in what they called a fight over an attempt to bring him back to Saudi Arabia. However, they continued to deny that the crown prince had any complicity.

In September 2020, Saudi Arabia announced that eight people had been sentenced to prison terms of between seven and 20 years for Khashoggi's killing. However, the trial was closed to the public, and the names of the defendants were never revealed, although they were believed to have been members of the 15-man hit squad. Agnes Callamard, a U.N. human rights expert who investigated the killing, said the verdicts carried "no legal or moral legitimacy." She added: "They came at the end of a process which was neither fair, nor just, or transparent."

A Saudi court earlier exonerated two senior Saudi officials - Saud al-Qahtani, a powerful royal media adviser, and Ahmed al-Assiri, a former deputy head of intelligence - who Saudi prosecutors found had played key roles in planning the Khashoggi meeting.

- What does the newly public intelligence report find?

The unclassified two-page summary released Friday was produced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and draws on findings from across the U.S. intelligence community. It builds on a CIA assessment released one month after Khashoggi's killing, which found that Mohammed bin Salman probably ordered the assassination.

The latest report concludes that the crown prince did approve the plan that led to the killing of Khashoggi. This assessment is based on several factors, including Mohammed bin Salman's absolute decision-making control in the kingdom, his "support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi," and the involvement of his senior aides and security officials, as The Washington Post reported.

- How has his death affected U.S.-Saudi relations?

U.S. lawmakers across the political spectrum were outraged by Khashoggi's killing. But the Trump administration had built close and lucrative ties with Saudi Arabia, and it pushed back on calls to sanction and sideline the kingdom. Jared Kushner, then-President Donald Trump's adviser and son-in-law, reportedly would communicate directly with the crown prince.

President Joe Biden, however, has pledged to "recalibrate" U.S.-Saudi relations. Biden said Wednesday that he had read the report ahead of his first scheduled call as president with Saudi Arabia that day. The U.S. leader, however, will notably be communicating only with his official counterpart as head of state, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, 85, rather than his son, as the Trump administration frequently did.

Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest customer for U.S. weapons and is seen as a key U.S. ally in containing Iran's political ambitions in the region. But the country's repression of dissidents and its ongoing war in Yemen, which faces the world's worst humanitarian crisis, have also garnered increasing criticism in Washington.

The Biden administration's release of the report is expected to further strain relations. But the president has not yet indicated what specific steps the administration might take to hold the crown prince accountable, if any at all.

Instead, on Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the State Department's "Khashoggi Ban," a directive to deny U.S. visas to "individuals who, acting on behalf of a foreign government, are believed to have been directly engaged in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities." Blinken said 76 Saudi citizens will be banned as a result.

Senator Ted Cruz spoke out Thursday against President Joe Biden's immigration plan. The Texas senator said that Biden's plan is the "most radical immigration plan" ever proposed in history.

Ted Cruz noted that the Biden administration has proposed allowing every single person who was deported from the U.S. for the last four years to come back.

"They don't make exceptions for criminals, for murderers, for rapists. I mean, it is utterly bizarre to have a federal administration refusing to enforce the law against violent criminals... And frankly, it makes, it makes our country more dangerous," Cruz said in a Breitbart News report.

The Texas senator further noted that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants and that there are wonderful people who come to the country legally. He said "there's a right way to come," but the Democratic Party has been radicalized that they are unwilling to impose the law against criminals who committed "horrific crimes."

Cruz's comments come following a federal judge blocking Biden's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from implementing a halt on deportations, which is a blow to the administration's efforts to dismantle immigration reforms.

Related story: Sen. Ted Cruz Leads GOP Lawmakers to Object Presidential Election Results

Ted Cruz Says It Encourages Illegal Immigration

In a Facebook post, Ted Cruz said he was deeply troubled that Biden's first move was protecting illegal immigrants and "encouraging illegal immigration" at the cost of American jobs and workers, according to an ABC 10 report.

He noted that Biden is promoting foreign labor when the American public needs work. Ted Cruz said Biden's executive actions and policies mock the rule of law, and his legislative push demonstrated that. Cruz added that despite Biden's rhetoric, he is fully on-board with the open-borders agenda.

Out of Biden's 17 executive orders, six were memorandums and proclamations dealing with immigration. Biden has also ordered efforts to preserve Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program known as DACA.

It has shielded hundreds of thousands of people who came to the U.S. as children from deportation. DACA was launched in 2012.

Ted Cruz's Criticism of Biden's HHS Pick

Ted Cruz did not stop criticizing Biden on his immigration move. He also scrutinized the president's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Wednesday, expressing his strong opposition to Xavier Becerra.

Cruz said the HHS head must be a doctor, arguing that Becerra should not be confirmed as his background as an attorney was inappropriate to the role, according to a Newsweek report.

"If a Republican tried to nominate a trial lawyer like Xavier Becerra to lead HHS in the midst of a global pandemic, they would be laughed out of the room," Cruz said in the report.

Ted Cruz joined other conservatives and Pro-Life Democrats in opposing Becerra's confirmation. A Conservative Action project memo on Monday called Becerra an "extremist nominee" who will carry the agendas of "liberal dark money groups" to his post if confirmed.

The Texas senator has also painted Becerra as a left-wing activist.

Read more: Ted Cruz on Immigration: GOP Presidential Candidate Finds Trouble With the Spanish Language
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) today announced the establishment of a new information technology (IT) delivery center in Knoxville, Tennessee, where the company plans to create 300 local jobs, engage regional educators, support area workforce development and provide opportunities for the community's students, graduates and professionals.

"Knoxville has developed a strong reputation in the technology sector and is a clear choice for CGI's newest IT delivery center. Our state has experienced positive economic growth over the past several months, and now more than ever, the creation of high-quality jobs remains a priority for me as governor. I thank CGI for bringing new employment opportunities for residents in Knox County," said Governor Bill Lee.

"We are proud to announce the establishment of a new IT delivery center in Knoxville that will create local jobs, engage regional educators, support area workforce development, and provide opportunities for the community's students, graduates and professionals," said David L. Henderson, CGI President of U.S. Commercial and State Government Operations. "After a competitive and wide-ranging search, CGI selected Knoxville based on a number of factors  most notably access to talent and a strong culture of innovation within the Knoxville area and the state of Tennessee."

Knoxville becomes part of CGI's innovative U.S. delivery center network that help clients gain access to high quality, U.S.-based IT services, support and solutions. As a core element of its business strategy, CGI offers balanced IT delivery options to its government and commercial industry clients, as well as creates jobs, spurs economic development and enriches communities in the U.S. CGI continually looks for locations like Knoxville that offer access to quality workforce, strong economics and effective partnerships with state and local governments, industry and academic institutions.

"Tennessee's pro-business environment offers the resources and the workforce to support the needs of technology and R&D-focused companies. We are fortunate as a state to have a network of partnerships with institutions like the University of Tennessee that assist with advancing and building the talent pipeline these companies need. We appreciate CGI for choosing Tennessee for its eighth U.S. IT delivery center and look forward to seeing the impact the company will make on the region in the years to come," said Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe.

CGI is partnering closely with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, (UT) on the launch of the center and will be working with the university to engage students across interdisciplinary programs in colleges such as the Haslam College of Business and the Tickle College of Engineering. Establishing internship programs, embedding real-world capstone projects into the curriculum, and engaging UT and its research partners, are examples of how CGI will collaborate with the UT ecosystem. Advanced analytics, cybersecurity, and digital transformation through emerging technologies are at the forefront of clients' business and CGI will work with UT to build a talent pipeline in these areas for the Knoxville center.

"It's no secret that companies seek to locate in communities that have the best education system and the best work force," UT System President Randy Boyd said. "CGI's partnership with UT is truly the best of both worlds. As the need for jobs in the information technology sector continue to rise, partnerships with companies like CGI are invaluable as we seek to pair our next gen workforce with next gen jobs."

"Our new partnership with CGI is the first step towards developing a long-term alignment that includes not only recruitment of our students and workforce development for alumni, but also the opportunity to engage with a multi-national information technology company on large-scale research and innovation initiatives," said UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman. "Our faculty and CGI combine to form a tremendous translational research and hiring engine that will keep UT graduates in East Tennesseegraduates who are trained in advanced data analytics, machine learning, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and other critical fields."

CGI selected Knoxville after a two-year site-selection process during which numerous U.S. locations were considered. As CGI's eighth IT delivery center in the U.S., employees in Knoxville will join 1,700 similar professionals in seven delivery center locations: Belton, TX; Lafayette, LA; Lebanon, VA; Mobile and Troy, AL; Waterville, ME and Wausau, WI.

CGI will begin hiring in March 2021 and  contingent on pandemic conditions  will commence operations in or near a downtown location. CGI will primarily seek job candidates with software development, business analytics and other in-demand technology skills. They will have the opportunity to work with CGI clients in the manufacturing, retail, utilities, health, financial services and federal, state and local government sectors, among others.

"We are delighted that CGI has selected Knoxville for its newest IT delivery center," Mayor Indya Kincannon said. "I'm especially excited by CGI's record of connecting with communities and its plans to collaborate closely with UT. While new brick-and-mortar investment is always appreciated, even more welcome are the 300 new jobs being created and the unique opportunities that will enrich our students and young professionals."

"Knox County is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive in an engaged and vibrant community by focusing on jobs, education and recreation," said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. "Further, we are committed to attracting and keeping good-paying jobslike those CGI will providefor our growing workforce and ensuring that all businesses feel supported by and connected to our community."

CGI professionals have earned a strong reputation for supporting communities where they live and work. Through donations of time, resources and talent, they often engage in volunteer, training and charitable activities involving education, youth, families, military veterans and people that are underrepresented in STEM fields, including women, minorities and the economically disadvantaged. To learn more about careers at CGI, visit cgi.com/UScareers.

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 76,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

SOURCE CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y.  Onondaga County officials today announced a countywide plan for police reform, put together after a series of public meetings as part of a state funding requirement.

Residents are invited to read the full 59-page report and can submit comments online.

The report covers several areas of reform, including policing policies, recruiting and addressing systemic racism and other community issues. The Onondaga County plan was designed as a template for individual local police departments to customize to suit their needs.

The authors acknowledge the plan may appear to lack specificity or appear overly broad as a result.

The plan recommends smaller Onondaga County police departments adopt some policies used by Syracuse Police currently, including the departments use of force and no-knock warrant policies.

It recommends local departments also consider implementing civilian-led oversight agencies like Syracuses Citizen Review Board, and considering a Right to Know law like Syracuses. The report discussing the pros and cons of smaller departments adopting such a law, which requires officers to introduce and identify themselves to members of the public during stops and interactions.

The report notes that officers should be able to answer questions such as why did you stop me? but formal introductions might also cause strain in communities where there are literally thousands of innocuous, friendly and fruitful interactions between police and citizens.

A countywide coalition led by District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh worked on the reform plan.

Several public officials and law enforcement leaders across the county sat on committees and participated in a series of six public forums, which were attended virtually by about 375 people.

The reform process is part of a statewide reform effort authorized by executive order last year by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Police departments across New York state are required to develop reform and reinvention plans by April 1.

In some portions of the plan, officials spell out best practices for police such as policing in schools, recruiting and training. Other parts of the plan include fully developed policies, such as for body-worn cameras, for departments to adopt.

The plan also advocates for a non-traditional approach to healing and managing the loss of life in Syracuse caused by gun violence.

There is a significant gap in funding to address grief, loss, and trauma specific to gun violence in African-American and LatinX communities, the report states. It advocates for more funding to address these issues.

Contact Julie McMahon: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992
OTTAWA - Health Canada decided Friday to authorize the AstraZeneca vaccine and the first half million doses of it will be shipped to Canada next week.

OTTAWA - Health Canada decided Friday to authorize the AstraZeneca vaccine and the first half million doses of it will be shipped to Canada next week.

The regulatory team reviewing COVID-19 vaccines said the one by AstraZeneca is both safe and effective and can be used immediately on people over the age of 18.

"This is very encouraging news," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "It means more people vaccinated, and sooner."

"This is very encouraging news. It means more people vaccinated, and sooner." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

AstraZeneca joins the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines on the list of those authorized in Canada. Clinical trials showed it to be less effective at preventing infection than the first two, but it is still keeping people from getting very sick or dying, said Dr. Supriya Sharma, the chief medical adviser at Health Canada.

Pfizer and Moderna both reported being 95 per cent effective at preventing COVID-19 infections in patients who received the vaccine, compared to those who received a placebo. AstraZeneca was 62 per cent effective.

But Sharma said the "key numbers" to examine when looking at all the vaccines Canada has approved or is reviewing is whether they prevented serious illness and death.

"If you look across all the clinical trials of the tens of thousands of people that were involved, the number of cases of people that died from COVID-19, that got vaccine was zero," she said.

"The number of people that were hospitalized because their COVID-19 disease was so severe was zero. The number of people that died because of an adverse event or an effect of the vaccine was zero."

A health worker holds up a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 in Rome, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2020. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via the Associated Press)

It's not entirely clear yet how provinces and territories will incorporate the AstraZeneca vaccine into their vaccination programs, but because it is can be shipped and stored in refrigerators instead of freezers, it is a more flexible option.

Sharma said AstraZeneca's review process included not only the clinical trial data submitted by the company but also evidence of how the vaccine has been working in the real world. Millions of people in more than 50 countries have now received the vaccine since it was first approved at the end of December.

AstraZeneca Q&A Questions and answers about the AstraZeneca vaccine: From Subject Received Cotter, John Re: please push vaccine Q+A Fri 26/02 4:22 PM  Why did it take so long to approve?  How effective was the vaccine in clinical trials?  Does it work against the new variants?  How does the vaccine work?  What are the advantages to this vaccine?  When can we expect a rollout to begin in Canada? click to read more Heres what we know about the AstraZeneca product: Why did it take so long to approve? Health Canadas regulatory team had been reviewing AstraZenecas application since Oct. 1, 2020, and was undergoing its final assessment of clinical data as of late last month. Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canadas chief medical adviser, said in January the review was a bit more complicated because some volunteers in AstraZenecas trials only received a half dose at first. How effective was the vaccine in clinical trials? Data released by the company suggested the vaccine was 62 per cent effective in clinical trials when two full doses were distributed a month apart. Another dosing regimen, where a half dose was followed by a full dose 28 days later, was shown in interim data to be 90 per cent effective. Sharma says the recommendations are to administer two shots with the same dosage amount four to 12 weeks apart. She added there was some limited data suggesting a better immune response was observed when the second dose was given closer to the 12-week range. AstraZenecas efficacy compares with the 95 per cent efficacy from the clinical trials of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the other two vaccines currently approved in Canada. Preliminary results from AstraZenecas trial were reviewed early on by The Lancet medical journal, which suggested the vaccine can reduce spread of the virus as well as protect against illness and death. Health Canada says that while the vaccine was not tested on people over the age of 65, real-world data from countries already using the product suggest it is safe and effective among older age groups. Sharma noted that while the efficacy ranged with the three approved vaccines, all of them saw zero hospitalizations and deaths in those who got COVID after getting the vaccine. Does it work against the new variants? A group of experts on immunization working with the World Health Organization is recommending the use of AstraZenecas vaccine, even in countries where variants emerged as dominant. That guidance comes after a small study in South Africa suggested AstraZenecas vaccine was only minimally effective against the variant first detected there, causing the country to halt use of the product earlier this month. South Africa said it would instead give the still-unapproved Johnson and Johnson vaccine to front-line health workers to see how it protects against the more contagious variant thats dominant there. Oxford University, who helped develop the AstraZeneca vaccine, has said researchers were tweaking their product by inserting a genetic sequence from that specific variant. AstraZenecas vaccine has some promising early data suggesting it works against another variant first detected in the U.K. Findings based on swabs taken from around 500 volunteers in trials between October and January showed a 74.6 per cent efficacy rate against that variant. How does the vaccine work? Unlike Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which use messenger RNA (mRNA), the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is a non-replicating viral vector, using a weakened chimpanzee cold virus as a vessel. Scientists stripped the genes from that virus, which isnt harmful to humans, and replaced them with the spike protein gene for SARS-CoV-2. Once injected, the vaccine shows our bodies how to produce the immune response needed to ward off future infections from the COVID-19 virus. Non-replicating means the virus wont actually reproduce throughout the body. What are the advantages to this vaccine? Oxford-AstraZeneca can be shipped and stored at regular refrigerator temperature, unlike Pfizer-BioNTech which requires ultra-low freezers to hold its product before its injected. Modernas vaccine is somewhere in the middle, needing a regular freezer to keep the injections at about minus 20 C. From a global vaccination standpoint, the low cost of AstraZenecas vaccine -- about US$4 per dose -- gives it another advantage. AstraZeneca, which says it aims to manufacture up to three billion doses in 2021, has pledged to make their product available at cost around the world until at least July. The AstraZeneca vaccine forms the bulk of the stockpile acquired so far by the U.N.-backed vaccine-sharing effort known as COVAX, which aims to deploy coronavirus vaccines to people globally. When can we expect a rollout to begin in Canada? The Canadian government has already procured 20 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and a rollout can be expected to begin shortly after the first shipments arrive in the country. Canada will also receive up to 1.9 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX by the end of June. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in early February he believes most of those 20 million doses -- enough to inoculate 10 million people -- will be delivered before Canada Day. The government has said it plans to vaccinate the majority of Canadians by September. - The Canadian Press, with files from The Associated Press Close

Canada anticipated getting enough vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to vaccinate three million people by the end of March, 14.5 million people by the end of June, and all 38 million Canadians by the end of September.

The addition of AstraZeneca should quicken that pace.

Canada is getting 24 million doses by September, and as many as one million by the end of March. That includes 20 million directly from AstraZeneca, and made in the United States, between April and September. Another 1.9 million doses made in South Korea and delivered via the vaccine sharing initiative known as COVAX are to come by the end of June, and the first 500,000 of those could be delivered in the next month.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand also said a deal to get another two million doses from the Serum Institute of India was finalized Thursday. Verity Pharmaceuticals, which is facilitating the Serum Institute's application in Canada, said Friday the first 500,000 will come next week, followed by one million in mid-April, and the rest in early May.

AstraZeneca vaccines are to be given in two doses between four and 12 weeks apart. Sharma said there is some indication that waiting longer provokes a better response, but that data is not yet complete.

There have been some concerns raised about the AstraZeneca vaccine in recent weeks, including how well it works against variants and whether there is enough data to show it works on older individuals.

Several European countries, including Germany and France, limited AstraZeneca to people under the age of 65. Sharma said there were a limited number of people over 65 involved in the clinical trials, but that data, coupled with the real-world experience in the United Kingdom, shows strong evidence seniors are protected.

"When we do the authorization, the question is, for somebody 65 years of age and older, with the benefits of getting the vaccine versus not getting the vaccine, would the benefits outweigh the risk," she said. "And the answer to that was yes based on all the information that we have.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization will issue guidance for how best to use the vaccine in the next few days, said Sharma. Provinces can then determine how they will incorporate it into their planning.

Canada's vaccine program is shifting into a higher gear after a month-long slowdown in deliveries due to production issues for Pfizer and Moderna. More than 300,000 people were vaccinated in the last week, almost one-fifth of the total doses injected since the first vaccinations began Dec. 14.

As of Friday afternoon about 700,000 people have received one dose and more than 500,000 are now fully vaccinated with two doses.

The AstraZeneca office building in Brussels. (Francisco Seco / The Associated Press files)

The AstraZeneca vaccine works differently than the other two already in use in Canada.

Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna use messenger RNA technology, using RNA encoded with the piece of the SARS-CoV-2 virus known as the spike protein. The mRNA trains the body to fight off a COVID-19 infection.

Poll Loading... Which COVID-19 vaccine would you prefer, if you had a choice? AstraZeneca Moderna Pfizer-BioNTech I'll take any of these I wouldn't take any of these Which COVID-19 vaccine would you prefer, if you had a choice? AstraZeneca 3% (31 votes) Moderna 13% (125 votes) Pfizer-BioNTech 33% (312 votes) I'll take any of these 41% (394 votes) I wouldn't take any of these 10% (97 votes) Total Votes: 959 View ResultsHide Results

AstraZeneca is a viral vector vaccine, which takes a cold virus, modifies it so it can't reproduce itself, and adds the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. When injected, it too provokes the body to develop infection-fighting antibodies and cells to fight the virus.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration was meeting Friday to decide whether to authorize the vaccine from Johnson and Johnson, and Sharma said Health Canada was expecting some final data on manufacturing from that company Friday.

An approval for it could soon follow.

A fifth vaccine from Novavax expects to report clinical trial data in April, paving the way for Health Canada to make a decision about it this spring.

Those two vaccines would add another 62 million doses to Canada's supply.
The junior senator from Texas found himself in yet another Twitter spat.

This time, it's over the nomination of Xavier Becerra to head the Health and Human Services department. Ted Cruz and GOP company cried foul in a letter to President Joe Biden that Becerra was unqualified for the position because he's not a physician.

CANCUN FALLOUT: Now you can take out your frustrations on Ted Cruz ... sort of

Becerra famously sued the Trump administration more than 100 times as attorney general of California. He's a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act and would lead the department as it continues to battle through the pandemic.

"(Obamacare) has been life-changing and now through this pandemic, we can all see the value in having greater access to quality health care at affordable prices," Becerra said told the New York Times in June. "Now is not the time to rip away our best tool to address very real and very deadly health disparities in our communities."

On Fox News, Cruz derided Becerra as a "trial lawyer" who shouldn't be in charge of the department as the pandemic rages on. He also pointed out that Becerra, in defending people's access to contraception, wound up suing a group of litigious Catholics who intervened in a federal lawsuit.

He echoed some of his comments on Twitter, which got the attention of noted historian Kevin M. Kruse.

Kruse poked the senator even further, defending Becerra's reputation as former U.S. congressman and attorney general of California.

Cruz doubled down.

Kruse pointed out that the department's last head was also a trial lawyer, appointed by former President Donald Trump and confirmed by senators, including Cruz.

"... Almost none of the HHS/HEW secretaries in US history have been scientists or doctors," Kruse tweeted. "That includes the last one you happily voted to confirm."

Cruz responded by calling the historian a "lefty pundit."

Kruse appears to have ended the back-and-forth and has yet to respond. Cruz has already moved on to tweeting about the gender of toy potatoes.

It's a fair criticism that Bacerra is not a physician leading the department. Before Biden announced his nominee, several prominent doctors advocated for a pick who's a physician and were shocked when he was announced, according to the New York Times.

But even after pushing for a doctor to lead the department, experts praised the nomination. Dr. Ada Stewart, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, told The Times that Becerra was a "good choice."

"Weve already seen his commitment to health and equity, and those things cant be overlooked," Stewart said.

Whether Cruz's arguments have merit is overshadowed by his rolling in the mud on Twitter, of which there's no short supply.

While he and 10 other Republican senators signed off on the letter asked Biden to withdraw the nomination, Bacerra is expected to be approved without any issue, according to Alexander Nazaryan of Yahoo News.
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vouched for the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine which he urged Zimbabweans to take as soon as it is availed in the country.

Speaking while officiating at the opening of 20 boreholes in Nyamandlovu, Mnangagwa said the fact that his deputy Constantino Chiwenga who was vaccinated last week is still alive proved that the Sinopharm vaccine had no detrimental effect.

"I-vaccine leyi irayithi, inhle liyithathe (this vaccine is safe, please take it up). The vice president of the party and the country had the first jab, he is still here," he said.

"My cabinet and myself in two weeks will be next when the next batch comes, I will be vaccinated. Wena ungubani (who are you not to get vaccinated)?" he asked.

Mnangagwa said the country would soon receive more vaccine doses from mainly China, India, and Russia also hinting that individuals who are refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine will not get jobs and essential services.

"You are not forced to be vaccinated but time shall come when those who are not vaccinated won't get jobs and won't be able to board ZUPCO buses. So, decide what you do," said Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe would be following in the footsteps of the Vatican City which earlier told employees that they may risk losing their jobs if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccination without legitimate health reasons.

President Mnangagwa earlier said the country can only return to normality after the majority of the population would have been vaccinated.

The government rolled out its immunization drive a few days ago targeting frontline workers, including healthcare personnel and immigration officers with the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine but the uptake has been subdued even among doctors and nurses as many people question the vaccine's safety and efficacy, especially against the more infectious South African variant now dominant in Zimbabwe.
Now there is a name i havent heard in years.



Idr why we clowned on her en masse but it was funny.

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bring back the era of constantly dunking on lolo jones for simply breathing!! i miss that

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Isn't she like a super intense virgin or something?



Like do you but she makes a big deal about it iirc.

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https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/94171474.html



Olympian Lolo Jones Cracks a Joke About the Trayvon Martin Case, Is Dragged for It

https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/79109064.html



Olympian Lolo Jones and Duck Dynasty's Sadie Robertson: If you want a husband, pray for him

https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/97925665.html



Olympian Lolo Jones Tweets: Clowned For Nosebleed On The Run Seats

https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/89978844.html



Lolo Jones lands in hot water after criticizing fans Halloween costume for lack of a relaxer

https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/82996264.html



Lolo Jones Mocks Rihanna & Drake, Black Twitter Responds

https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/87241016.html

Lolo Jones knows why God "created sex", tells you not to see Fifty Shades of GreyOlympian Lolo Jones Cracks a Joke About the Trayvon Martin Case, Is Dragged for ItOlympian Lolo Jones and Duck Dynasty's Sadie Robertson: If you want a husband, pray for himOlympian Lolo Jones Tweets: Clowned For Nosebleed On The Run SeatsLolo Jones lands in hot water after criticizing fans Halloween costume for lack of a relaxerLolo Jones Mocks Rihanna & Drake, Black Twitter Responds

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i haven't really been following this season but i read the spoilers pre-premiere and it said production removed her because she was struggling with her mental health?



maybe ill catch the latest episode and try to catch up.

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Yeah, PinkRose has apparently confirmed that she was struggling w/ her mental health and production team decided to remove her. That's what I'm gathering from the subreddit, because I too haven't been really following this season (still slogging through the previous season) but I also read spoilers, haha.

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She apparently told 2 castmembers she wanted to kill herself :/

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Surprised Viacom or whoever produced this brought her on. She was messy on celeb big brother.

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I havent watched The Challenge since like 2010. Is Lolo Jones a recurring cast member now? If so... wow

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yeah they did a season a few years ago called "champs vs pros" which she was on

she's become a d-list reality star as a second career

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Olympic Gold Medalist Lolo Jones is on Mtvs The Challenge??



Man I haven't watched The Challenge in a long ass time. Oblig: Fuck Paula, Fuck Wes

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she never won an olympic medal

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yeah I know.

That was a throwback to people mocking her arrogance.

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Well if you do catch up, youll only hear her talk about how much of an athlete she is and her being an Olympian. She doesnt do well on the show though.

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I haven't watched the Challenge in a few years, it's too competitive now having professional athletes on and people who basically train all year just for the challenge, and they have finals that go on like 2-3 days

I miss when the finals would just take an afternoon and people like Casey could compete lol

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Remember the ice cream challenge? So gross but so entertaining 

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Iconic! The chicken feed challenge. The ice block rubbing challenge. The driving a little motor bike on a skinny track over water challenge (The road to God is straight and narrow.) Bring back the silly fun challenges!

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I remember when it all began with Real World vs Road Rules and its nuts how much it has changed.

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Yeah they keep skewing it more and more towards "only athletes win." I wouldn't even mind if the finals were longer if most of the daily challenges weren't "whoever is biggest/strongest/tallest wins."

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They just filmed a Challenge OG season with old school favs and those types of dailies/final. Hopefully that'll take off and we can get more of fun dailies that a regular person could do.

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I'm mad they made Casey an alternate for the OG season they just filmed. I would have loved to see her again.

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I like the idea of the Challenge, but so many of the contestants are toxic.

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I hope she is okay mentally. If she wants to drag producers, drag them. Also, I get why they tried out the skull idea (to force people into eliminations and not let someone coast to a final) but it doesnt work for me. Make a traditional Exes season or Free Agents. They get so wrapped up in themes and twists and redemptions. Enough.

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The main problem for me is that it's so predictable. Like do two guys or girls eliminations in a row, or have both go in. The strategy would be so less much worked out if they didn't always already know what was coming. I also think showing the votes is bad. Even if they're only showing two people they all have alliances and it basically becomes known how everyone voted, so there's no way to be sneaky or have a real surprise.

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This reminds me of The Weakest Link game show where the players can vote someone off and they usually pick the strongest contestant. Like its technically fair but its also not fair. lol Im glad she is looking at the positive side of things.

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lmfao i remember dragging her back in the day

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I'm sorry, but Lolo is manipulative as fuck. She treats Nam terribly and tries to gaslight him regularly, I feel so bad for him having to deal with someone so delusional as a partner.



I really don't want to see her on The Challenge ever again.

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To be honest I think it was best she left. She was not doing well, she was really unhappy. She didn't seem to realize that the challenge is only partly about your physical abilities. Probably best for her to focus on the Olympics.



MTV Rigging the competition I can 100% believe.

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I haven't been watching the challenge but this all seems very Lolo. She's somehow still on the virgin thing like fifteen years later.

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I haven't watched the challenge in a few years but they really pull from the strangest shows



I feel like I was one of like 50 people who watched the shipwrecked revival that Big T was on. She was very entertaining but it wasn't a big show at all

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Once The Real World & The Road Rules were done they had to get people from somewhere. They have people who were on Big Brother, Survivor, American Ninja Warrior or the UK MTV shows.



Paramount+ is brining back Road Rules. They're also doing a Season 1 Real World reunion thing  the OG NY cast, but I have no idea if they're resurrecting the show beyond that. They're also doing The Challenge with past contestants like Ruthie, Syrus & Beth.

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I think it was a shame they stopped using Are You the One after season 5 (although I know there is someone from s8 on this current season) - there's around 20 people per season to pick from, more than used to be on a season of real world. I suppose due to its declining ratings.



Intrigued by the new road rules

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I guess im one of the 20 people who still watches this show lol



Darrell is still SO fine, i need more of him and less of Lolo looking miserable so its good they removed her

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I love this show lol. I will never stop watching. Even w bananas coming back til hes 60

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Investigations editor

Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine.
Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado.


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Satellite photographs suggest Israels secretive Dimona nuclear facility in the Negev desert has undergone recent construction, possibly the largest work done on the site in several decades.

Images requested from Planet Labs, Inc., and published by The Associated Press show new digging near the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, which houses underground labs for converting the reactors spent fuel into weapons-grade plutonium.

Israel has never admitted its nuclear weapons program and began constructing the Dimona site in the southern Negev Desert in the 1950s with help from France. Israels nuclear weapons program was first revealed to the world in news articles in 1960 and further confirmed in detail by a dissident nuclear technician in 1983.

The country is believed to possess about 90 nuclear warheads, according to the non-profit Arms Control Association, though that number may be higher. Along with Pakistan, South Sudan and India, Israel is not signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The purpose of the renewed work at Dimona is not yet clear, but it comes at a time when Iran continues to incrementally expand its nuclear enrichment capabilities in violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement.

The dig appears to be some 150 meters long, 60 meters wide and potentially several stories deep. Just over a mile away, what appears to be a new storage site for spent nuclear waste appears to be under construction.

Work appears to have begun in 2019, according to some images reviewed by AP, and could be part of efforts to maintain its capabilities amid speculation that the ageing Dimona reactor could be approaching the twilight of its life. The new site could also potentially be used to produce additional plutonium, AP reported.

Iran, too, has recently expanded construction at its Ferdow nuclear facility, adding additional centrifuges to enrich uranium to levels well beyond those permitted by the 2015 agreement.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly opposed the current US administrations stated plans to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal, arguing it is too flawed to prevent Iran from achieving a bomb in just a few years.

Late last year, the man believed to be Irans top nuclear scientist was assassinated in an ambush outside Tehran. Iranian leaders have blamed Israel for the killing and vowed to retaliate.

Iranian leaders have occasionally cited Israels secret nuclear weapons program as a justification for obtaining their own. Leaders of the Islamic Republic have insisted nuclear weapons are religiously forbidden in Shia Islam but said they may pursue them if "cornered."
ServiceMaster All Care Restoration has been a leading provider of disaster restoration and cleaning services for homes and businesses in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding areas of Maricopa County as well as Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties in southern Arizona since 2005. They recently launched a new website with an improved design, easier navigation, and mobile friendly responsiveness for a better user experience. Their website was designed and built by Proceed Innovative, a web design and SEO service provider based in the Chicago, IL area.

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The main improvement in the new web design for ServiceMaster All Care Restoration is that it is mobile responsive. The mobile friendliness of a website is extremely important because more people search for products and services online with their mobile devices than on desktops or laptops. The new website for ServiceMaster All Care Restoration now loads quickly and displays properly on all mobile devices and mobile users can navigate it easily. Users can also call ServiceMaster All Care Restoration directly by using the call buttons for emergency disaster restoration services.

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ServiceMaster All Care Restoration has been in business since 2005 serving the homes and businesses in Maricopa, Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties in Arizona with quality disaster restoration services. Their current owner, Jeff Jackson, started ServiceMaster All Care Restoration after working in the ServiceMaster Home Office as the Director of Disaster Restoration for 12 years. The technicians of ServiceMaster All Care Restoration are IICRC certified and equipped to respond to water damage, fires, mold growth, and other disasters that have resulted in property damage. They have won several awards due to their outstanding service including the Farmers Insurance Vendor of the Year and MetLife Vendor of the Year awards.

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Qantas passengers will soon have to disclose their medical history through a travel app which will display their immunisation records and Covid test results.

The airline announced on Thursday it was planning for international travel to return in October 2021 after posting half-year losses of more than $1billion.

The national carrier meanwhile is already testing the digitalised medical record apps on crew.

Customers will have to link a digital health wallet to their passport, which the company said would resemble the existing New South Wales Covid app.

Australians coming home from overseas can use the 'vaccine passports' - which are at this stage optional - from next week.

Qantas passengers will have to disclose their medical history through a travel app which will display their immunisation records and Covid test results. Pictured: CommonPass - which is one of the options Qantas is trialling

The airline announced international travel might return in October 2021 - and that they are already testing the digitalised medical record apps on crew. Pictured: Qantas flight QF10 heading to Perth in 2018

The digital wallet will show airline staff the results of Covid tests and whether or not passengers have been immunised against the virus, 7News reported.

'It will be in an app on your phone, that you can present along with your travel documentation that shows proof of vaccination,' Qantas Chief Financial Officer Vanessa Hudson said.

'If you had required to have a COVID test before travel [it will show you] the results of that test.'

The company is testing two different options, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass and CommonPass app.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the programs were still being developed and may be used for all passengers depending on government vaccine policy.

'[The apps will be used] when the borders open up and we have the ability to know who's been vaccinated, who's been tested and whatever requirements the governments put into place,' he said on Thursday.

Resuming international flights can't come soon enough for the Flying Kangaroo as it lost just over a billion dollars in six months.

Customers will have to link a digital health wallet to their passport, which the company said would resemble the existing New South Wales Covid app. Pictured: A passenger boards an Emirates flight in Sydney International airport

Australian's coming home from overseas will be able use the 'vaccine passports' from next week on a voluntary basis. Pictured: Qantas is trialing the CommonPass app

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said he foresees international travel resuming at the end of October

The airline suffered a $1.03 billion loss and $6.9 billion drop in revenue, down 75 per cent on the previous year, noting the half-year results covered Victoria's extended Covid lockdown and nationwide border closures.

About 5,300 staff were laid off, with $284 million in redundancies paid out, and the airline plans to slash another 1,200 jobs by the end of June.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said he foresees international travel resuming at the end of October, in-line with the date for Australia's vaccine rollout to be effectively complete.

'Our priorities remain the safety of everyone who travels with us, getting as many people back to work as possible and generating positive cash flow to repair the balance sheet,' he said.

'The Covid vaccine rollout in Australia will take time, but the fact it's underway gives us more certainty.

'More certainty that domestic borders can stay open because frontline and quarantine workers will be vaccinated in a matter of weeks.

'And more certainty that international borders can open when the nationwide rollout is effectively complete by the end of October.'
Gandhinagar, Feb 26 : Just ahead of the presentation of the State Budget 2021-22 on March 1, Gujarat Finance Minister and also the Deputy Chief Minister, Nitin Patel on Friday announced launching of a mobile application which will make available to it's users all the details of the Budget. It will ensure hassle-free access to the Budget documents to the lawmakers and the general public.

While launching the Android app, Patel said, "With the consent of the Gujarat state assembly speaker Rajendra Trivedi, this a historic step by the finance department to avail this fiscal's budget on an Android app. The entire budget will be available in English and Gujarati languages on this platform. Not only this, but we have also included budget speeches of the past five years in the app." "The demand for making the budget presentation being transmitted live has also been incorporated into this app, where the users will be able to watch it Live. The way technology is being utilized nowadays, it has helped not only to curb the expenditure wasted on hard copy, but bring in transparency as well," Patel informed.

The deputy chief minister said that due to the application, now the government will be publishing only 20% of the hard copies it used to publish earlier. "Due to this, we will be saving at least Rs 80 lakh," added Patel.

The mobile application will be available on Google Play store for Android users. The budget has been available on the website of the Finance department of the Gujarat government, published every year.

The Android app has been developed by a private software developer for the finance department.
Jennifer Taylor, granddaughter of Albert Taylor, the first U.S. journalist to report on the March 1, 1919, independence movement by Koreans against Japan, looks at the restored home of her grandfather in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



The Seoul Metropolitan Government said, Thursday, that it has restored a house of Albert W. Taylor, a journalist from the United States who first reported on the 1919 March 1 Independence Movement against Japan to the world, and would open it to the public as a historical exhibition hall starting Friday.



The opening has come about 80 years after the Japanese authorities expelled Taylor and his family from Korea in 1942.



Jennifer Linley Taylor, Taylor's granddaughter, was invited, Thursday, to a pre-opening event of the house, which the grandparents named "Dilkusha," meaning "heart's delight" in Hindi. She donated her grandparents' belongings to the Seoul Museum of History in 2016.





The restored home of Albert Taylor, the first U.S. journalist to report on the March 1, 1919, independence movement by Koreans against Japan, in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
People in the Czech Republic are now required to wear specific face masks in places where large numbers gather, including stores, hospitals and public transportation.

Cloth masks are no longer allowed and medical-grade masks, safety respirators or two surgical masks have to be used instead as one of the hardest-hit European Union countries faces a surge of a fast-spreading coronavirus variant originally found in the UK.

The Czech government is also barring its citizens and residents from traveling to countries that have been hit by highly contagious variants.

The government has also approved a plan to fund self-testing for company employees and self-employed people as of March.

The daily increase in new confirmed cases reached 13,657 Wednesday, about 2,700 more than a week ago.

The nation of 10.7 million has had almost 1.2 million cases with 19,835 deaths.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
At the beginning of the coronavirus vaccination rollout, California lagged behind most of the U.S. But as of this week, the state was all caught up.

California as a whole had administered about 19,933 vaccines per 100,000 people as of Thursday, close to the overall U.S. rate of 20,250 doses per 100,000, according to the states and the CDCs coronavirus trackers and 2019 U.S. census population estimates. California was No. 21 for percentage of people receiving at least one dose by state, according to The Chronicles Vaccine Tracker.

And in the Bay Area, eight of the regions nine counties had administered a greater proportion of vaccines than the state and national average. San Francisco was among them, with a rate of 22,857 doses per 100,000.

The Bay Area county with the lowest rate of doses administered so far, Solano, was still close to the state and national average, at 19,350 shots per 100,000 residents. Bela Matyas, health officer for Solano County, said the region has taken a multifocal approach to vaccinating its residents, including by running mass-vaccination sites over the weekend and targeted pop-up clinics in disadvantaged communities.

Like other counties in California, Matyas said, Solano has struggled with supply issues and mixed messaging at the state level. But Solano also has two distinctive issues.

First, Matyas said, nearly three-fourths of its population of about 450,000 is insured by Kaiser, which has struggled to quickly deliver vaccines to seniors. And second, Solano County has a large population of military retirees  about 10,000 to 15,000, Matyas said  who are dependent on Department of Veterans Affairs health care.

According to Matyas, the state did not account for this group in its allocation of vaccines to the county. Instead, the federal government is allocating those retirees doses separately from the state program, which has led to lagging supply.

The federal government is doing its best to help states out, [and] giving more to the states than the (Department of Defense), Matyas said. The problem is the DoD gets shortchanged.

The Bay Area county with the highest vaccination rate is nearby Napa, which has already administered nearly 1 dose per 3 residents  about 29,300 doses per 100,000 people.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza credits Napas success to early investment in vaccine infrastructure.

When the state was rolling out the (vaccine) framework, we werent waiting for the state to tell us what the parameters would be, he said. We were creating partnerships with local providers.

Those partners, Pedroza said, include St. Helena hospital and OLE Health, which had demonstrated the capacity to quickly and efficiently get doses in arms.

Napa County does have one major issue, and thats lagging vaccinations among its Latino population. While the county is nearly 35% Hispanic/Latino, only 12% of doses have gone to Latino residents so far.

Pedroza said the county is working on addressing this gap, primarily by sending health care workers to vineyards and other agricultural sites that staff a disproportionate number of Latino workers.

Whats been successful has been working with employers, holding an info session with their workforce around the vaccine to answer their questions, Pedroza said.

OLE Health has also been calling members of the Latino community directly and encouraging them to get vaccinated, according to Pedroza.

Primary care and direct outreach will lead to more success within our Latino community, he said.

Susie Neilson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: susan.neilson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susieneilson
The Williamstown Select Board will not be retaining a search firm for its interim town manager search, one member says. When it has a list of candidates, the initial screenings will be carried out by a subcommittee of two members of the Select Board. Then, the final candidates will be interviewed by the full board.
Online property rental platform Airbnb has said it expects there to be a 'significant travel rebound' this year after it recorded a $4.6billion loss in 2020.

Chief executive Brian Chesky stated the firm is 'laser-focused' on preparing for the revival in travel, though his company admitted it was 'too early' to forecast how the holiday industry will recover.

The Silicon Valley-based group's business has been deeply harmed in the last year by the coronavirus pandemic, quarantine restrictions, and a collapse in international flights.

Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky (pictured) said the firm is 'laser-focused' on preparing for the revival in travel, which has been decimated in the last year by the coronavirus pandemic

It also booked costs of $2.9billion (2billion) in stock compensation deriving from its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in December when its shares more than doubled in value on its opening day.

Total revenues declined by 30 per cent to 2.4billion, though the drop in the final quarter was only 22 per cent year-on-year, and other major firms such as Expedia and Booking.com experienced much worse falls.

Nonetheless, the number of nights booked on its platform was about 40 per cent lower, with trade the worst affected in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, whose tourism markets are more dependent on international travel.

Demand instead was stronger in North America, where Airbnb relies more heavily on domestic travel, as was long-term stays and destinations less than 50 miles where people lived.

It noted that accommodation in less densely populated areas like Sicily in Italy and Devon in England was more favoured than those in big cities like Florence, Oxford and Cambridge, and that no city represented over 1.1 per cent of its total revenue.

The group anticipates travellers will continue to opt for domestic destinations this year and seek holidays with family and friends because they have spent a lot of more time away from them recently.

Airbnb says its customers have been increasingly opting for accommodation in less densely populated areas rather than in big cities

'As restrictions gradually lift and borders begin to open, we expect there will be a significant travel rebound. But when travel does return, we believe it will look different from before the pandemic,' it remarked.

'In 2021, travel will be less about where you go and when you go and more about who you are with and what you can do together. We will see a shift from mass travel to meaningful travel. And with more people working from home, there will be more flexibility around where and when they travel.'

Despite the optimism, Airbnb is not providing an outlook for this year as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the progress of the coronavirus vaccine rollout and people's resulting willingness to go on holiday.

The European Union is debating whether to classify Airbnb as a 'gatekeeper' platform under the proposed Digital Markets Act, which is aimed at reducing business monopolies

Additionally, its profitability problems will remain a strong issue, as even before the pandemic, the company was losing money due to heavy spending on marketing, technology and adding new lines to the business.

Strict regulation is another potential difficulty it could face as in the last few years, politicians and residents of major cities like Barcelona have complained that Airbnb is pushing up the cost of living for local residents.

Last November, the European Union began debating whether to classify the firm as a 'gatekeeper' platform under the proposed Digital Markets Act, which is aimed at reducing monopolies.

Should that happen, it could be forced to share data with smaller competitors and prevent them from offering preferential treatment on their platforms to their own products and services.
A mystery explosion has struck an Israeli cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman hours after a US air strike hit Iran-backed militia forces in Syria.

The Israeli-owned cargo ship was sailing out of the Middle East on Friday when it was hit by an unexplained blast, renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran in the region.

The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion forced the vessel to head to the nearest port.

The site of the blast, the Gulf of Oman, saw a series of explosions in 2019 that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran against the backdrop of steeply rising threats between former President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders.

A mystery explosion has struck an Israeli cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman hours after a US air strike hit Iran-backed militia forces in Syria . Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, identified the stricken vessel as the MV Helios Ray (pictured)

Tehran denied the accusations, which came after former US president Donald Trump abandoned Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and reimposed harsh sanctions on the country.

In recent weeks, as the administration of Joe Biden looks to re-engage with Iran, Tehran has escalated its breaches of the nuclear accord to create leverage over Washington.

The deal saw Tehran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of crippling sanctions.

Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, identified the stricken vessel as the MV Helios Ray, a Bahaman-flagged roll-on, roll-off vehicle cargo ship.

Another private security official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, similarly identified the ship as the Helios Ray.

Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 10am local time (0600 GMT) on Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz.

It still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker, and by 4pm GMT was still shown as being in the Gulf of Oman, and had not reached a port.

It had been due to arrive in Singapore on March 5.

The site of the blast, the Gulf of Oman (pictured), saw a series of explosions in 2019 that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran against the backdrop of steeply rising threats between former President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders

A United Nations ship database identified the vessel's owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday.

Abraham Ungar, 74, who goes by 'Rami,' is the founder of Ray Shipping Ltd., and is known as one of the richest men in Israel. He made his fortune in shipping and construction.

According to the Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy, where Ungar provides support and maritime training, he owns dozens of car-carrying ships and employs thousands of engineers.

The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet was 'aware and monitoring' the situation, Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich told the AP. She declined to immediately comment further.

The United Nations Maritime Trade Operations - run by the British navy - said on its website that the 'MV (motor vessel) has experienced an explosion', saying the location was in the Gulf of Oman.

'Investigations are ongoing. Vessel and crew are safe and proceeding to NPOV [Naval Point of Contact],' said an advisory published on its website.

While the circumstances of the explosion remain unclear, Dryad Global said it was very possible the blast stemmed from 'asymmetric activity by Iranian military.'

As Iran seeks to pressure the United States to lift sanctions, the country may seek 'to exercise forceful diplomacy through military means,' Dryad reported. Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident.

Pictured: A picture obtained by AFP from Iranian News Agency ISNA on June 13, 2019 reportedly shows fire and smoke billowing from Norwegian owned Front Altair tanker said to have been attacked in the waters of the Gulf of Oman (file photo)

The explosion on Friday recalled the summer of 2019, when the U.S. military blamed Iran for suspected attacks on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic shipping lanes.

In the preceding months, the U.S. had attributed a series of suspected attacks to Iran, including the use of limpet mines - designed to be attached magnetically to a ship's hull - to cripple four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah.

On Thursday, the United States carried out an airstrike in Syria that reportedly killed 22 Iran-backed fighters in an apparent response to rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq that injured American troops and killed a contractor.

The United States on Thursday carried out an airstrike in Syria against a structure belonging to what it said were Iran-backed militia, two officials told Reuters, an apparent response to rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq

The US dropped seven 500-pound JDAMs on seven targets on a crossing used by the militia groups to move weapons across the border. Authorities said the airstrike targeted structures belonging to two Iranian-backed militias in Al Bukamal.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, after repeated tensions between Iran and the Trump White House over the previous four years which reached a peak following Qassem Soleimani's killing in early 2020.

While the strike could be the first retaliatory move by the United States following last week's attacks, it appeared to be limited in scope, potentially lowering the risk of escalation.

Also a decision to strike only in Syria and not in Iraq would give the Iraqi government some breathing room as it carries out its own investigation of a February 15 attack that wounded Americans.

Authorities said the airstrike targeted structures belonging to two Iranian-backed militias in Al Bukamal (depicted)

The US dropped seven 500-pound JDAMs (file image) on seven targets on a crossing used by the militia groups to move weapons across the border

'Guardians of Blood Brigade' behind Iraq rocket attack The Pentagon said Thursday's strikes targeted the Shi'a militants who carried out a February 15 rocket attack in Iraq that killed a civilian contractor and wounded a US service member. A Shi'a group called Saraya Awliya al-Dam, meaning 'Guardians of Blood Brigade', had claimed responsibility for the attack. The group also declared that US troops would remain targets until they leave Iraq, according to extremism expert Rita Katz. Little is known about the group, but some regional experts fear it may be a front for one of Iraq's larger Shi'a militias. Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade. Katz has warned that the number of Shi'a factions in Iraq is 'multiplying'. The February 15 attack came after NATO announced it would scale up its mission in Iraq from 500 personnel to 4,000 to fight the remnants of ISIS. Advertisement

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the strike was approved by President Joe Biden.

In announcing the strikes, John Kirby, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said: 'This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.'

'The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.'

Pentagon officials said they offered up several larger groups of targets but Biden approved the smallest option.

Retaliatory US military strikes have occurred a number of times in the past few years. The rocket attacks against US positions in Iraq were carried out as Washington and Tehran are looking for a way to return to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by former president Donald Trump.

Biden administration officials condemned the February 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out.

Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted US personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the February 15 attack.

Video shows red hot shrapnel and smoke filling the air after a rocket landed in the middle of a street in Erbil on February 15. As well as the US contractors wounded and the foreign contractor killed, five Iraqi civilians were wounded in the attack

A view of the scene after a rocket attack outside the international airport in Erbil, the capital of northern Iraqs Kurdish region on February 16

A view of the Erbil International Airport after flights restarted, following a rocket attack outside the international airport, in Erbil, Iraq on February 16

A view of the scene after a rocket attack outside the international airport in Erbil, the capital of northern Iraqs Kurdish region on February 16. The group, calling itself the Guardian of Blood Brigades, said in a statement that it had fired 24 rockets at the airport and they hit their target

Pro-Iran attacks against the US in Iraq Western military and diplomatic sites in Iraq have been targeted by dozens of rockets and roadside bombs since late 2019, with both foreign and Iraqi personnel killed. In December 2019, a US contractor was killed in a rocket attack on a base in Kirkuk province, prompting the US to respond with air strikes against Kataeb Hezbollah. Furious pro-Iranian militia men stormed the US embassy in Baghdad following the strikes on Kataeb Hezbollah. Kataeb Hezbollah is an Iran-sponsored Shia Muslim faction which is part of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The PMF was assembled by Iraq to help combat Islamic State but, since defeating the radicals, the PMF has been unwilling to bend to the government in Baghdad. Just days after the storming of the US embassy, top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US rocket strike on January 3. His motorcade was obliterated by a US Reaper drone after he arrived from either Syria or Iraq. Several PMF commanders were also killed in the strike. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's foreign policy and Washington said his travel throughout the Middle East, especially into Iraq and Syria, was inextricably linked to Tehran's anti-American designs. Following the strike, rocket attacks were carried out by pro-Iranian militia on al-Asad, a coalition airbase in the west of Iraq. In March 2020, another rocket attack killed two Americans - a soldier and a contractor - and a British soldier. In October, the US threatened to close its embassy in Baghdad unless the attacks stopped. The Iraqi government facilitated an indefinite truce with hardline groups and the fire had come to a near halt. But there have been violations, the most recent of which had been a spray of rockets targeting the US embassy on December 20. Advertisement

'Right now, we're not able to give you a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks, what groups, and I'm not going to get into the tactical details of every bit of weaponry used here,' Kirby said.

'Let's let the investigations complete and conclude, and then when we have more to say, we will.'

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the February 15 attack.

A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone appeared to target the US Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade.

'I'm confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit,' Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington.

Speaking shortly after the airstrikes, he added: 'We're confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes,' he said referring to the February 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he recommended the action to Biden.

'We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline,' Austin said. 'We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.'

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against US targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of Biden's inauguration, though now Iran is pressing America to return to Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal.

The US under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out the attacks.

Tensions soared after a Washington-directed drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen Qassem Soleimani and powerful Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis last year.

Trump had said the death of a US contractor would be a red line and provoke US escalation in Iraq.

The December 2019 killing of a US civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that brought the country to the brink of a proxy war.

US forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.
LOMBARD CAPITAL PLC

("Lombard" or the "Company")

Result of General Meeting

Lombard announces that at the general meeting held today at 10am at 19 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK40 3JY all resolutions were duly passed.

Shareholder approval was obtained to expand the business strategy to include a focus on property investment and development. While the development of waste assets is not precluded, the future of the Gaskell House property is under consideration, and it is possible that it will be disposed of in the near term to realise funds for other property investment and development which we believe can create shareholder value more readily.

Further resolutions were approved to provide inter alia authorities to allot securities for cash up to a nominal amount of 30,000 (30,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.1p), in order both to allow for a substantial fundraising and to preserve a similar amount of headroom as was provided at the recent annual general meeting for further share issues on exercise of options and warrants, and generally.

There are outstanding options to subscribe for up to 350,000 Ordinary Shares at 4.5p per share, and outstanding warrants to subscribe for 10,985,000 Ordinary Shares at 10p per share. There are 14,809,784 Ordinary Shares currently in issue. If the outstanding options and warrants are exercised in full, the Ordinary Shares arising would represent approximately 43% of the enlarged ordinary share capital.

The directors of Lombard Capital Plc accept responsibility for this announcement.

For further information please contact:

Brent Fitzpatrick

Tel: 07718 883813

AQSE Corporate Adviser:

Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Limited

Nick Michaels: 020 3772 0021
HUDDINGE, Sweden, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Promising clinical results, successful business development and secured financing

October - December

Financial summary for the quarter

Net turnover amounted to SEK 1.5 (1.4) million.

(1.4) million. The profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to SEK -10 .6 (-30.3) million. Basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to SEK -0.46 (-1.32) and SEK -0.46 (-1.32) respectively.

.6 (-30.3) million. Basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to (-1.32) and (-1.32) respectively. Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK -1.0 (-23.6) million.

(-23.6) million. Liquid assets and short-term investments at the end of the period amounted to SEK 70.0 (134.5) million.

Significant events during the quarter

In October Dr. Tom Morris was appointed interim Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Morris is a member of Medivir's management team and reports to CEO Yilmaz Mahshid.

was appointed interim Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Morris is a member of Medivir's management team and reports to CEO Yilmaz Mahshid. In December, Medivir's Board of Directors decided to propose a rights issue of class B shares with preferential rights for existing shareholders of approximately SEK 170 million before transaction costs.

before transaction costs. Medivir renegotiated in December the agreement with TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation regarding compensation model and levels for birinapant in order to create better conditions for business development.

January - December

Financial summary

Net turnover amounted to SEK 13.9 (8.7) million.

(8.7) million. The loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to SEK -38.5 (-118.9) million. Basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to SEK -1.75 (-5.08) and SEK -1.75 (-5.08) respectively.

(-118.9) million. Basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to (-5.08) and (-5.08) respectively. Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK -58.1 (-148.3) million.

(-148.3) million. Liquid assets and short-term investments at the end of the period amounted to SEK 70.0 (134.5) million.

Significant events after the end of the period

In January the company signed an exclusive license agreement with IGM Biosciences, Inc. for birinapant. Medivir received a payment of USD 1 million after signing, which is to be followed by an additional USD 1.5 million when IGM includes birinapant in phase I clinical trials. In addition, the agreement entitles Medivir to milestone payments and royalties.

after signing, which is to be followed by an additional when IGM includes birinapant in phase I clinical trials. In addition, the agreement entitles Medivir to milestone payments and royalties. A rights issue of class B shares with preferential rights for existing shareholders was completed in early February. Through the rights issue, which was oversubscribed to 93.5 percent, Medivir received approximately SEK 170 million before transaction costs.

before transaction costs. The Board of Directors decided to exercise the over-allotment option of SEK 25 million , directed to the specialist investor HealthInvest.

, directed to the specialist investor HealthInvest. An Extraordinary General Meeting has been announced on March 11, 2021 , to decide on a directed new share issue of approximately SEK 28 million to Linc AB.

, to decide on a directed new share issue of approximately to Linc AB. In February 2021 a licensing agreement with Ubiquigent was signed for the preclinical research program USP7.

Conference call for investors, analysts and the media

The Year-End Report January - December 2020 will be presented by Medivir's President & CEO, Yilmaz Mahshid.



Time: Friday, February 26, 2021, at 14.00 (CET).

Phone numbers for participants from:

Sweden + 46 8 505 583 50

Europe + 44 33 3300 9273

US + 1 844 625 1570

The conference call will also be streamed via a link on the website: www.medivir.com

The presentation will be available on Medivir's website after completion of the conference.

CEO's message

In the spring of 2020, Medivir was able to present promising data from the phase Ia study and shortly thereafter begin the phase Ib study with MIV-818, our proprietary and wholly owned candidate drug for liver cancer. We now look forward to within short determine the starting dose to be able to initiate part two of the phase Ib study, where MIV-818 will be included as part of a combination treatment. In December, we succeeded in renegotiating the old agreement with TetraLogic for birinapant, which enabled us to sign a license agreement for birinapant with IGM Biosciences in mid-January 2021. In addition, at the beginning of 2021, we were able to carry out a much-needed financing of the company with strong support from both existing and new investors. This provides Medivir an ownership base with specialist investors and institutions in the lead.

Medivir is one of the oldest listed companies in the Swedish pharmaceutical sector. It is a company in constant development that in recent years has been transformed into a specialist company in the field of oncology. Unlike many other cancer companies, Medivir does not have a number of projects in the early clinical phase, but focuses on one clinical project, MIV-818, with a clear therapeutic goal, where the unmet medical needs are large.

I took over as CEO of Medivir in September 2020 and when I was recruited, it was precisely this clear focus that attracted me the most. But the company also stands for much more that is interesting. Experience and competence, not only from clinical development but also from business development and the ability to take drugs to market approval. A robust portfolio of projects for outlicensing or partner agreements. A strong and experienced board of directors. And a very high scientific standard.

MIV-818 is proprietary developed and wholly owned by Medivir. It has received orphan drug designation both in the USA and in Europe, which entails a number of advantages in the development towards market registration. The value of MIV-818 is illustrated by its clear potential. It may become the first liver-directed, orally administered drug that can help patients with various cancers of the liver. Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of cancer that occurs in the liver. Although existing treatments for HCC can prolong patients' lives, the treatment benefits are often limited and mortality remains at a high level.

The data from the phase Ia study presented last year showed that patients had been exposed to acceptable levels of the drug substance, outside of the liver, which provides support for the liver-directed effect of MIV-818. Based on an independent analysis of the growth of liver tumors, five of the nine patients were judged to have stable liver cancer disease after treatment.

The first part of the phase Ib study with MIV-818 in patients with advanced liver cancer who have undergone previous treatments is a classic dose escalation study with groups of three patients, that aims to further investigate the safety and tolerability profile and to determine the starting dose for part two of the phase Ib study.

In parallel, we are preparing part two of the phase Ib study, where MIV-818 will be included as part of a combination treatment. This part of the study is planned to begin in the second half of 2021. At time of writing, this looks feasible, despite the covid-19 pandemic.

We are also working on our business development, where we are looking to find possible partners for outlicensing our projects for partnerships, MIV-711 and remetinostat.

Birinapant is a project acquired in 2016 from TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation, subsequently developed by Medivir. At the end of 2020, we succeeded in renegotiating the birinapant agreement with TetraLogic so that the conditions for achieving an out-licensing were significantly improved. At the beginning of 2021, we could announce that we had signed an exclusive license agreement with US based IGM Biosciences for birinapant. The agreement gives IGM the global and exclusive rights to develop birinapant. IGM intends to initiate clinical trials with birinapant in the second half of 2021 in combination with its proprietary antibody IGM-8444, a combination which has shown enhanced antitumor activity preclinically.

The agreement with IGM provided Medivir with a payment of USD 1 million after signing, which is to be followed by an additional USD 1.5 million when IGM includes birinapant in phase I clinical trials. The terms of the agreement also entitle Medivir to milestone payments up to a total of approximately USD 350 million, given that birinapant is successfully developed and approved, as well as tiered royalties up to mid-teens on net sales. A portion of all revenue goes to Tetralogic, but the main part goes to Medivir.

Another licensing agreement was signed in February 2021, for Medivir's preclinical research program USP7. The agreement grants UK based Ubiquigent Limited an exclusive global license to develop and commercialize all of the program's related substances in all therapeutic indications in exchange for agreed revenue sharing with Medivir upon successful development or commercialization.

In the financing we were able to carry out successfully at the beginning of 2021, the rights issue was oversubscribed to 93.5 percent. As a result, the over-allotment option was exercised, directed to the specialist investor HealthInvest, which thus becomes a new shareholder in Medivir. In addition, it is proposed that an Extraordinary General Meeting on March 11 decides on a directed new share issue of approximately SEK 28 million to Linc AB. In total, Medivir will receive approximately SEK 223 million before transaction costs through the issues, a financing that is central for us to be able to develop our cutting-edge project MIV-818 into the next phase. That this financing has strong support from existing owners such as Linc AB and Nordea as well as from new institutional specialist investors such as HealthInvest feels very gratifying. Medivir now has an owner base with three strong institutions in the lead. I would like to thank all, both old and new shareholders, for the clear trust you have shown in Medivir.

The results we have presented so far regarding MIV-818 have generated strong interest. 2021 will be an exciting year and we will work forward with a clear focus and a strong commitment.

I am convinced that Medivir has a very strong potential to create value for healthcare and patients as well as for our shareholders.

Yilmaz Mahshid

President & CEO

For further information, please contact

Yilmaz Mahshid, CEO, +46 (0) 8 5468 3100

E-mail: [email protected]

Magnus Christensen, CFO, +46 (0)8 5468 3100

E-mail: [email protected]

This report has not been subject to auditors' review.

The information was submitted for publication at 08.30 CET on 26 February 2021

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/medivir/r/medivir-ab---year-end-report-january---december-2020,c3296359

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/652/3296359/1379332.pdf MEDIVIR AB a" YEAR END REPORT JANUARY a" DECEMBER 2020 (PDF)

SOURCE Medivir
The Zamfara State Police Command has disclosed that about three-hundred and seventeen (317) students were abducted from the Government Girls...





The Zamfara State Police Command has disclosed that about three-hundred and seventeen (317) students were abducted from the Government Girls Science Secondary School Jangebe in Jangebe, Zamfara State.

The students were kidnapped after armed gunmen stormed the school located within the Talata-Mafara local government area of the state on Friday morning.

The Zamfara Police Commissioner, CP Abutu Yaro, speaking to newsmen said a joint search and rescue operation has been dispatched to rescue the 317 students kidnapped

CP Yaro stated that the Force Commander Operations Hadarin Daji, Major General Aminu Bande, Brigade Commander 1 Brigade, Nigeria Army Gusau, and other government officials led a heavily armed reinforcement team to Jangebe to complement the ongoing rescue mission in the locations where the students were believed to have been taken to.

The Commissioner appealed to parents and principal of the school to remain calm as he assured them of the students safety.

A joint effort of the police and other security agencies will surely lead to a successful rescue of the students, Yaro added.
WOOD RIVER  A state grant for nearly half a million dollars will be used by Riverbend Family Ministries (RFM) to more than triple its size.

State officials on Thursday announced RFM will receive a Rebuild Illinois grant of $493,892 to help it move across the street from the current 7,000-square-foot building at 133 E. Ferguson Ave. in Wood River to a 24,000-square-foot building at 144 E. Ferguson Ave. formerly occupied by TRs Cafe.

RFM Executive Director Tammy Iskarous ran TRs Cafe before she founded the organization 14 years ago.

The new building will say RFM Community Center on its sign, because the community will be able to use the additional space, too, to hold seminars, to do training, off-campus breakout sessions and more, Iskarous said. We will now have that space available for that type of training, investing in audio visual technology needed to provide that type of training and education.

We have watched RFM grow and watched small nonprofits just sprout, and some have left and some have remained, and the ones remaining and been there for the last eight to 10 years, she said. We holistically worked together to help families in crisis, most of the time due to violence, addiction, homelessness or poverty, from cradle to crave.

For us to be able to wrap around the whole of the family through the various agencies under the roof of RFM enables that family to stay in one place, but more than that, to feel safe, she said. To be going back to the building to expand services, I feel like Im home and that the journey of RFM has come full circle back to the old TRs building.

Iskarous said the concept for RFM began at a table at TRs in late 2006, with a couple friends talking about what a great idea it would be to have a brick-and-mortar building where new nonprofits could share utilities, telephone lines, office space and supplies.

By early 2007 they started planning and conceptualizing what would become Riverbend Family Ministries. It opened in August 2007.

We sat down one day, and said, What if we put a womens ministry and a benevolence ministry under one roof? And I went on and pursued that, she said. They pursued something else, but I believe if it were not for that conversation we had that day, that God wouldnt have pushed me out of my comfort zone.

We were comfortable at TRs, she said. We were good. But God says sometimes you got to step out.

More Information RFM Nonprofits Riverbend Family Ministries houses eight smaller nonprofits under its roof:  Amare, NFP works with those in drug/alcohol addiction, their families, and the community.  Court Appointed Special Advocates advocate for a child's best interest in court.  Client Service Department works one-on-one with people needing help with rent, utilities, employment, financial fitness, social service navigation and rehabilitation.  Pathways Counseling provides professional, confidential Christian counseling to people living in and near the Riverbend community.  Refuge works to prevent childhood exposure to violence and abuse through direct therapeutic efforts.  Warm Neighbors Cool Friends helps moderate-income customers of Ameren Illinois.  Group Interventions is a social service agency serving domestic violence abusers in Madison, Bond and St. Clair counties.  Youth Development Program for those 12-17 who have seen, perpetrated or been a victim of violence. See More Collapse

I tell people that I have the office with a view, watching these services, to give families a foundation and tools to be safe, she said. RFM now is blessed in its ability to grow with more nonprofits and services for communities.

All the services already in our existing building will be able to do more work and serve more families, she said. We will have space for educational components, training, education about trauma, drug addiction, violence, and be able to do community trainings on those.

Iskarous said her faith drives her.

Ive always been involved in missions, youth groups and nonprofits even while we ran TRs, she said. She and her husband, Reda, will mark their 25th anniversary this month.

On Thursday Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $11 million in Rebuild Illinois capital funds to support 11 new capital development projects expected to create 824 construction jobs statewide.

The state funding is leveraged against $46 million in local and private funds committed to unlock a total $57 million total community impact.

RFMs shovel-ready project has been in the fundraising works for about a year, raising nearly $550,000 to match the Rebuild Illinois Capital grant toward the $1 million project. RFM has about $170,000 yet to raise, Iskarous said.

RFM also is working to add other new nonprofits under its incubator model.

This allows us to continue to grow, she said. But not only that, it pours $1 million in prevailing wages into the Riverbend and Madison County for all the trades coming in to do the renovation, such as HVAC, plumbing, electric, carpenters, painters, carpet layers and more.

Were going to be able to put people back to work, or give them work, in a time of pandemic, when work and jobs have slowed and businesses have stalled, she said. We will be able to serve more families. It is such a blessing.

State Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, praised RFMs selection for the grant.

By investing in local organizations, our state solidifies its commitment to improving opportunities and services that many residents depend on, she said. Riverbend Family Ministries is such a blessing to the Metro East, and I am thrilled to see the state recognize its community work and fund its expansion.

For more about RFM visit www.riverbendfamilyministries.com.
Orlando Boom has said he sings and chants the word "Dad" to his baby daughter to encourage her to repeat it as her first word.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor's fiancee, Katy Perry, gave birth to Daisy Dove in August last year.

Bloom, 44, who also has a 10-year-old son, Flynn, with ex-wife Miranda Kerr, told The Graham Norton Show: "I sing and chant to her all the time.

I constantly sing everything with the word 'Dad' in it, so she says that word before anything else!"

Perry has previously revealed that Bloom's parenting experience has been useful, telling Jimmy Kimmel Live!: "I have family and support and I've got an incredible fiance who has done this before - he has a 10-year-old son - so as much as I was little bit like 'I don't need to hear all of those stories', they actually helped.

"He's been amazing, incredible, and we're so in love and we're so grateful."

Perry had her first child at a hospital in coronavirus-ravaged Los Angeles and revealed that, unlike some other expectant fathers, Bloom was allowed in the room and filmed the birth.

She said: "He was such a great support, we had like a little boombox. He was there and he was so wonderful and just like holding my hand and looking into my eyes.

"You want to film it but you also want to be present so there's a fine line. He was great, I highly recommend it."

The couple got engaged on Valentine's Day in 2019.

Michelle Pfeiffer treated her Instagram followers to a trip down memory lane on Thursday, when she shared a clip of herself as a beauty pageant queen in the 1970s.

The 62-year-old actress was seen as a fresh-faced teenager in various local modelling competitions as she competed for titles throughout Southern California.

In sharing the collection of throwback clips, the stunning Scarface star added the playful caption: 'Hey, we all gotta start somewhere.'

Scroll down for video

Looking back: Michelle Pfeiffer shared a throwback video to her Instagram account to give her followers a bit of insight into her days as a beauty pageant competitor

In all of the videos, Pfeiffer is mentioned as being from Orange County, California; she was raised in various cities around the area.

One of the announcers in the videos made a point of pointing out the actress' piercing blue eyes and lustrous blonde hair.

As shared by a commentator in the clips, she mentions interests in softball and oil painting, as well as her desire to become an actress.

In her early years, the screen star competed in numerous beauty pageants, and was crowned Miss Orange County in 1978.

Letting everyone know: In every part of the video, the actress was introduced as hailing from Orange County, California, where she was raised

We've got a winner! The Scarface actress won the Miss Orange County beauty competition in 1978. The star is pictured right in 2017

She later took sixth place in the Miss California contest that same year.

Two of Pfeiffer's younger sisters debated taking up modelling as a career, but both ultimately pursued other interests.

After winning her home county's beauty competition, she made her acting debut in an episode of the classic drama series Fantasy Island.

The actress later made her film debut in the 1980 teen comedy film The Hollywood Knights, where she starred along Tony Danza and Fran Drescher.

Pfeiffer would go on to enjoy a long-running film career, although she has occasionally ventured back into modelling, and was the face of a 2005 campaign for Giorgio Armani.

Blue-eyed girl: One of the announcers in the videos made a point of pointing out the actress' piercing blue eyes and lustrous blonde hair

Interests and ambitions: As shared by a commentator in the clips, she mentions interests in softball and oil painting, as well as her desire to become an actress

In an interview with Elle, the Batman Returns actress spoke about how her extended period of time at home has made her more comfortable in her own skin, without makeup or any other beauty procedures.

'I feel like we all, it just sounds so corny, but I'm sensing that we're all discovering that our natural beauty is enough in a way that I don't think we understood before,' she remarked.

Pfeiffer did admit, however, that she would be grateful to undergo a few spa procedures, just to take the edge off of quarantine.

'At the same time, what I wouldn't give for a facial. Or just a manicure and a pedicure. It's like I could use a little TLC, I think,' the actress said.

The star has been married to celebrated TV producer and writer David E. Kelley since 1993. They share two children: daughter Claudia, 28, and son John, 26.

Model: Although she has primarily worked as an actress, Pfeiffer has occasionally ventured back into modelling, and was the face of a campaign for Giorgio Armani. Pictured in 2019
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Railways Minister-designate, John Peter Amewu has withdrawn a description he made about Mr John Dramani Mahama to the effect that the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in last years elections, was a conman.



He withdrew the comment after appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament during his vetting on Wednesday February 24.



Mr Amewu, when he was the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, descried former President Mahama as a conman who failed to honour promises his administration made for the mining sector.



His comment came after the former Ghanaian leader delivered what they consider as an unfavourable assessment of governments anti-galamsey efforts.

What has Mahama been able to do? Today, we have created a lot of mining districts, weve created 12 mining districts and 33 satellite districts. We are bringing mining back to the decentralization level. The small-scale mining which was in the status quo was supposed to have mining communities.



These were not inaugurated in all the years Mahama was President, we have just inaugurated them, bringing mining to the community of the owners of the resources. Decentralization, this is the approach, so I am so disappointed in [Mahama].



He cannot address the problems. Im telling the small-scale miners that this gentleman is a con man. Hes deceiving them and if they dare go in for him just because of galamsey, this country will come down, he said about Mr Mahama



When asked what informed this comment and whether he himself is also a conman, by Awutu Senya West Lawmaker Gizella Tetteh Agbotui during the vetting Mr Amewu who is also MP for Hohoe said Mr Chairman, I am not a conman. Yes it is on record that I have used that word. It was in reaction to a statement that I issued when I was the Lands minister, the implications and the dictate of that word was in a context at the time I was issuing that statement.



The conman was not directed to what the interpretation might have been made. Of course, it was not an appropriate word to use at the time. In that context I have withdrawn that word.







Source: 3news.com









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Australias universities face the prospect of a prolonged Chinese student drought as reports sweep through the multi-billion dollar industry that Chinese agencies are being encouraged by local authorities not to send students to Australia.

The universities first began receiving these reports at the beginning of this week, at which point the advice not to recommend or advertise Australian universities appeared to be circulating only to agents in smaller regional cities. By Thursday, university sources confirmed some reports had expanded to include Beijing and Shanghai, Chinas two largest cities.

Australian universities have received reports through their Chinese networks that local recruitment agents have been encouraged not to send students to Australia. Credit:Photo: Louise Kennerley

Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said her member universities  which include the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne  had heard the reports but their veracity remained unclear as there had been no official notification from Chinese authorities.

There is definitely something afoot. Either agents are being told not to direct students here or they are being told not to mention Australia as an option for study. But weve had no official notification from anybody, Ms Thomson said.
The US military launched an airstrike on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran-backed militia Thursday, in retaliation for recent rocket attacks on US troop locations in Iraq, the Pentagon said.

AFP

"At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," said spokesman John Kirby in a statement.

No Fundamental Right To Same-Sex marriage Says Centre

The Centre on Thursday told the Delhi high court that there is no fundamental right to seek recognition for same-sex marriage.

BCCL

The government further claimed that marriage in India is not just a union of two individuals, but an institution between a biological man and woman as a family unit.

LPG Refill Price Hiked By Rs 25, Increase Of Rs 100 In February

Household cooking gas became costlier by Rs 25 on Thursday, marking the third increase this month, taking the total increase to Rs 100 per cylinder.

BCCL

Cooking gas prices have been rising since December. Rates have cumulatively gone up by Rs 150 per refill since then. After the latest increase, a 14.2-kg domestic cylinder in Delhi now costs Rs 794 against Rs 769 earlier.

After Australia, Indian Newspaper Society Asks Google To Pay For News

Indian Newspaper Society (INS), which represents print media houses, on Thursday asked Google to increase the publisher share of advertising revenue to 85 per cent.



Reuters

It also asked the technology giant to ensure more transparency in the revenue reports provided to publishers.

No Protection From Arrest For Amazon Top Executive In 'Tandav' Row

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by the head of Amazon Prime Video's India Originals Aparna Purohit, who has been accused of inappropriate depiction of Uttar Pradesh police personnel, Hindu deities and an adverse portrayal of a character playing the prime minister in the web series "Tandav".

BCCL

While rejecting the application, a single-judge bench of Justice Sidharth said that the applicant was earlier granted interim protection from arrest by another bench in a similar case but she was not cooperating with the investigation.

Haryana To Table Anti-Conversion Bill In Upcoming Budget Session

The Haryana government will bring in a bill against religious conversions through force or fraudulent means in the upcoming budget session of the Assembly, state Home Minister Anil Vij said here on Thursday.

BCCL

Presiding over a meeting of a committee formed to draft the bill recently, the state home minister had said, "The enactment of this law will prevent any attempt to get religious conversion by force, inducement, bluff of marriage or by any other unethical methods by anyone in the state".

In the midst of a pandemic, millions in the Harris County area found themselves without power during one of the most intense winter storms in Texas history this this month, Winter Storm Uri, compounding the economic effects of COVID-19 for some with ongoing power outages and bursting water pipes.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Pct. 4 Encore helping seniors navigate vaccine registration process

Nonprofit and community organizations in Cy-Fair, such as Northwest Assistance Ministries and Cypress Assistance Ministries, work to fill in gaps for local families with food, supplies and financial assistance while recovering from the storm themselves.

Food Assistance

Cypress Assistance Ministries , a nonprofit for low-income families in need of assistance is seeking donations and volunteers in order to continue providing for the local community, including financial donations and help with food distribution.

Janet Ryan with CAM said the nonprofit is already seeing more walk-in clients since the storm. Residents needing assistance can come during walk-in hours from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday and Friday for aid. Appointments are required for help Monday through Wednesday.

For hourly workers, I expect the lost days of work will have a very negative impact on people who are living paycheck to paycheck, said the nonprofits director of development, in a written statement Tuesday, Feb. 16. We will see an increase in needed food for sure and probably in requests for help with rent and utilities.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Before winter storm, Lina Hidalgo warned of Category 5 hurricane conditions. Was she right?

CAM is also accepting Operation Jobs clients in person, requiring they register online or by calling 281-955-5895. Operation Jobs helps clients learn how to write their resume, sign up for receiving job leads and how to interview well.

CAM is also in need of financial donations to help clients with bills and food.

The CAM food pantry is located at 11265 Huffmeister Rd. in Cypress.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/cypressassistance.

Cy-Hope is a nonprofit benefiting low-income students in Cy-Fair ISD. Cy-Hope is in need of volunteers for bagging food each month. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CyHopeTx.

Cy-Hope Executive Director Lynda Zelenka said the nonprofit is seeing a need for plumbers, water and food from clients in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri.

Cy-Hope is in need of volunteers for their backpack program. Sign up can be found at www.signupgenius.com/go/805054aa8aa2ea7fd0-backpack.

Cy-Fair Helping Hands , a nonprofit dedicated to homeless and low-income communities, also provides food for Cy-Fair area families.

On Monday, Thursday and the first and third Saturdays of the month Cy-Fair Helping Hands accepts donations of nonperishable foods from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the back door of their office.

For more information, including how to donate, visit www.facebook.com/CYFAIRHELPINGHANDS.

Northwest Assistance Ministries , or NAM, serves hundreds of in-need families a week through their onsite food pantry with both nonperishable and perishable foods and is using a drive-thru model.

NAM is still accepting rent and mortgage assistance applications online at namonline.org.

We can use volunteers to call clients and help in Meals on Wheels and our food pantry, Carr said. We always can use financial and food donations.

NAM is providing food assistance Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at their main building and accepting donations between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. NAM is in need of food and financial donations. Frozen meat, fruit and vegetables, and canned and dry goods are needed for the food pantry.

Northwest Assistance Ministries has seen a consistent increase in requests for rent and food assistance, Carr said.

NAM will be hosting a free immunization clinic for children between 2 and 18 on March 4 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 281-885-4649.

The NAM Resale warehouse is also accepting donations, such as furniture and household appliances. NAM Resale warehouse will be accepting donations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. The NAM Resale Boutique, at 15555 Kuykendahl Rd., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

NAM is also accepting registration for fall classes until June 14. For more information, visit https://www.namonline.org/learning.

For Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, NAM kicked off a month of support with a TDVAM toolkit, and videos during respect week from Feb. 8-12. All materials will be posted at www.namonline.org/family-center.

The unfortunate reality is that we have to break the silence, talk about teen dating violence, and be aware of the gravity of the issue, a NAM news release states. The CDC reports that 1 in 3 adolescents will experience some form of abuse in an intimate relationship before they graduate from high school. Of those who do experience abusive relationships, only 33% tell someone. Thus, the majority of those who experience teen dating violence suffer in silence.

NAM is located at 15555 Kuykendahl Rd. in northwest Houston. For more information, visit www.namonline.org.

Financial services

NAM also provides financial assistance for clients needing help with bills or other expenses after losing their job due to COVID-19.

Because of the way our funding is structured, our advice to our clients is to use the unemployment (payments) for your utilities, for your prescriptions, for some groceries and allow us to subsidize the rent because we can make that one payment to the landlord and get that caught up, Carr said.

NAM has launched an online application process for rent and mortgage assistance, where applicants can submit all appropriate documents without visiting the nonprofit.

The training and learning center is also registering students for spring 2021 online classes. To check qualifications for a scholarship call 281-885-4523.

For more information, visit www.namonline.org.

The Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce has a community resources page, www.cyfairchamber.com/wearecyfair, where small businesses can apply for SBA loans, catch up on the most recent mandates on COVID-19 from the state government and individual instruction for navigating loan and benefits application.

For more information, visit www.cyfairchamber.com.

Mental health assistance

Shield Bearer counseling sessions are being held through remote teletherapy sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit works with different financial situations to provide counseling for a variety of mental health challenges including grief, abuse, addictions and relationship issues.

According to the organizations Facebook page, Shield Bearer has experienced an increase in the demand for mental health services and is seeking financial donations to help the organization continue meeting clients needs.

For more information, visit www.shieldbearer.org.

Igniting Gods Vision Ministry Senior Pastor Floyd Smith said the 19-year-old Cy-Fair area ministry has continued to operate the recently launched Turning Peer Pressure to Peer Power program and counseling for the local community.

Weve launched this ministry enough to where were already dealing with the issues they are struggling with, he said. Our goal is to save money to get our own building or land so well be able to bring them and go through the counseling process. My concern is on the counseling side and what people are going through at this time not only with the teens but also with the pandemic.

Cy-Hope also offers counseling and speech therapy both in-person and through telehealth. In-person appointments require clients to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wait in their car until the beginning of the appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call 713-466-1360. For more information, visit www.cy-hopecounseling.org.

chevall.pryce@chron.com
In the unrelenting claws of ice, Texas grinds to a shuddering halt. Climate change has done to Texas what even a global pandemic could not: the state is shut down.

As the cold seeped into my bones, I curled into an icy bed. Had I not been shivering, I would have told you I shook only from the burning anger and blistering outrage. Our government let us freeze. After deregulating the energy market and scorning federal recommendations to weatherize, Texas legislators now attempt to slink away as heads roll at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

Unfortunately for them, young people will not so easily forget the chilling fear and cold despair with which we looked out at the unadulterated black that descended upon our cities. Under a starry night visible from within Houston, our entire electric grid flirted with total collapse. This world you would leave for us is dystopian.

A decade ago, the Texas environment I knew in elementary school was parched clay ground with foot-deep cracks that webbed across the playground and twisted our ankles. Since then, we have been ravaged by storms and floods we claim are once in 500 years but return every year. In between storm seasons of carrying out rotting waterlogged furniture, year after year of record-shattering temperatures mark the increasingly unbearable summers. Then, we were held hostage by a frigid cold that drives hours-long lines for water and desperate prayers for warmth.

Like most of my generation  and unlike my elected officials  I realize the devastating impact of climate change on us. Growing up in Texas, we see how year after year our suffering is enhanced by the unflinching climate denialism and inaction from our lawmakers. From city councils to the Texas Legislature to the U.S. Congress, the fears and futures of younger generations are cast away and sold for profit. The land they intend to leave us is rotten, pillaged and little more than scorched, sodden and frigid earth.

We do not accept.

Instead, we act. We organize strikes, sit-ins and protests to reclaim our space in the public narrative. We write letters, host town halls and lobby elected officials to demand climate action. Together, were building a movement.

Yet, there is no glory in youth organizing for climate action. Composing the waves of climate strikes and rumbles of protests, we are children whose childhoods have been robbed by decades of irresponsibility. As storms and strikes steal away precious days of school and summer, we desperately fight tooth and nail to confront the same institutions that we are taught protect us. Were terrified, exhausted and possess neither the resources nor the expertise of the older generations who had the privilege of inheriting a livable world.

Four years ago I wouldve asked for a livable world to inherit.

But now  having counted every hour without power, every city without water, every time weve patched ourselves together after yet another climate disaster  Im fighting for a livable world to grow up in. We cannot continue like this. To our parents, mentors, friends and leaders of the older generations: stand with us. Demand a crisis response to the climate crisis  if not for our sake, then for your own.

There is nothing to be gained and a world to be lost with the continued election of leaders who line their pockets at our expense. For now, we must resign ourselves to emailing, writing and calling their offices to demand climate action. But come their re-election, we should vote like our representatives left us out in the cold, because they did.

If we dont act now, then when? If the collapse of functionality in Texas is not enough to persuade our lawmakers, then we  young and young-at-heart alike, liberals and conservatives alike  must either stand together to replace them or reckon with the consequences of how low they set the bar.

I, for one, have never been good at limbo.

Muthupillai is a senior in high school and local youth climate organizer.
Gardai were called to an isolated farm at Corroghorm, near Mitchelstown (PA Wire)

The bodies of two brothers have been discovered on a farm in north Cork.

Both men, who were aged in their 60s, were found at a house in a rural area outside Mitchelstown.

Gardai are currently searching for a man, understood to be a third brother, who is also aged in his 60s.

Gardai were called to the isolated farm at Corroghorm, some 8km from Mitchelstown.

Its understood the body of one man was found in a yard, while the second body was found in a shed.

The community is very sad for the family and our thoughts and prayers are with them today Frank O'Flynn, Fianna Fail councillor

Gardai made an urgent appeal to find a red Toyota Corolla van, registration 03-WW-1556. The search was called off after the van was found at St Josephs Church at Killacluig, about 2km from the farm.

A search is under way to find the third brother. A garda helicopter is currently conducting a search of nearby fields.

Its understood the family come from a farming background and are well known in the area.

The area around the scene has been sealed off while gardai conduct their investigations.

The State pathologist is also expected to visit the scene on Friday.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn said locals had been left shocked at the discovery of the bodies.

I know the area very well. Its very quiet and very rural, he told PA news agency.

People are really shocked to wake up to this tragedy.

The community is very sad for the family and our thoughts and prayers are with them today.
The investigation into the attempted murder of a teenage boy in the capital is being hampered because gardai have not been able to obtain statements from a number of people who are claiming that they have Covid-19 or are fearful of contracting the virus if they meet with officers.

A massive investigation is ongoing into the non-fatal shooting of the 17-year-old at Eugene Street in the south inner city shortly before 11pm on Wednesday.

Gardai have obtained a number of statements including from a taxi driver who had been flagged down by the victim just moments before he was shot three times however they are hoping to speak to a lot more people.

Read More

There are people that gardai want to interview but they are refusing to make themselves available because they are saying they have Covid or are afraid of getting it. There has been no way of confirming these accounts so gardai will just have to wait to speak to them, a senior source said.

The 17-year-old boy is understood to be making a good recovery at St James Hospital where it is expected that he will be treated for a number of days. Gardai have still not spoken to him.

He was shot in the neck and leg and a bullet grazed his face in the attack in which up to six bullets from a handgun were fired at him.

The victim took to social media on Wednesday night where he posted a video of himself from his hospital bed.

With tubes coming from his nose. he taunted his attackers in the recording which has been widely distributed on social media.

Gardai have not made any arrests or carried out any searches yet in relation to the attempted murder of the boy.

One theory being probed is that a local criminal aged in his 20s may have targeted the teenager because he was jealous of the amount of money some of the teenagers friends are making from drug dealing.

While the shooting victim is known to gardai, he has no previous criminal convictions and has never appeared before the Childrens Court.

However sources say that he is on friendly terms with a dangerous grouping of south inner city thugs who run a drugs distribution network in the area.

Gardai were not aware of any threats against the teenager who is friendly with a group of notorious young street dealers who have links to the Kinahan cartel.

This mob had been using a number of sheds and stables in the Liberties area as a drug dealing headquarters before it was demolished by Dublin City Council last May.

Sources say they control street dealing in the Thomas, Francis and Meath Street areas of the south inner city which has brought them into conflict with other local gangs.

Detectives have been monitoring the activities of the ruthless thugs behind the drugs network for a number of years.

Gardai are appealing for information on the getaway car used in the murder bid, a Black Hyundai I30, with registration plate 07 TS 4838, which was found burned out on Greenville Avenue.

They are also appealing for anyone who was in the Eugene Street and Greenville Avenue locations between 10:30pm and 11:30pm on Wednesday to contact them and anyone who has camera footage including dash-cam and mobile phone footage from the locations at that time to come forward.
BOSTON and OXFORD, United Kingdom, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PepGen, an emerging biotechnology company focused on transforming the care of patients with neuromuscular diseases through the enhanced delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides, today announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Company founder Matthew Wood, M.D., Ph.D. will lead the board as Chairman, and is joined by Art Krieg, M.D., Elizabeth McNally, M.D., Ph.D., Charles Thornton, M.D., Jonathon Watts, Ph.D., and Brenda Wong, M.D. This eminent group of scientists, clinicians and thought leaders will bring cutting-edge neuromuscular disease and oligonucleotide delivery expertise to PepGen as the company advances its enhanced delivery oligonucleotide (EDO) therapeutics towards the clinic.

"It is truly an honor to announce these distinguished and prominent experts as new members of PepGen's Scientific Advisory Board," said James McArthur, Ph.D., PepGen's Chief Executive Officer. "Their scientific vision and deep understanding of oligonucleotide therapeutics and the neuromuscular disease space will be critical as we look to deliver our innovative technology to multiple areas of high unmet need. With Rare Disease Day approaching on February 28th, the establishment of this prominent SAB truly underlines our commitment to patients as we drive towards the clinic in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Type 1 myotonic dystrophy."

Matthew Wood, M.D., Ph.D., commented "We anticipate PepGen will dramatically change the treatment landscape for individuals living with neuromuscular disease. I am proud to join my academic and clinical colleagues on PepGen's Scientific Advisory Board and look forward to supporting the company in the role of Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board as it brings the promise of oligonucleotide therapeutics to fruition."

Members of the PepGen SAB include:

Matthew Wood, M.D., Ph.D.  Professor Wood is a Non-Executive Director and Academic Co-Founder of PepGen. He is also a Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Paediatrics, Deputy Head of the Medical Sciences Division (Innovation) at the University of Oxford, as well as the Director of the MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre and the Oxford Harrington Centre for Rare Disease. Over the past decade, Professor Wood has catalyzed major advances in the development of oligonucleotide therapies for a number of neuromuscular disorders.

Art Krieg, M.D.  Dr. Krieg served as the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel oligonucleotides for cancer immunotherapy. Prior to Checkmate, Dr. Krieg was CSO at Sarepta Therapeutics, Chief Executive Officer at RaNA Therapeutics, and CSO of Pfizer's Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Unit. He brings more than 35 years of expertise in the oligonucleotide field, having served on the scientific advisory boards of several companies, driven multiple novel oligonucleotides from discovery to clinical development with the Coley Pharmaceutical Group, and published over 250 scientific papers.

Elizabeth McNally, M.D., Ph.D.  Dr. McNally is a human geneticist and cardiologist with experience in neuromuscular disorders. She serves as the Director of the Center for Genetic Medicine and is the Elizabeth J. Ward Professor of Genetic Medicine, and a Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University. Dr. McNally's research is focused on the genetics of cardiovascular and neuromuscular disorders, and she works extensively with individuals and families to understand the genetic mechanisms that cause these inherited diseases. She received her M.D. and Ph.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed her fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham & Women's Hospital.

Charles Thornton, M.D.  Dr. Thornton is the Saunders Family Distinguished Professor in Neuromuscular Research in the Department of Neurology, the Center for RNA Biology, and the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is recognized worldwide as a thought leader in myotonic dystrophy, and brings deep clinical experience to PepGen's SAB. His academic research is focused on understanding the root causes and downstream pathologies of neurogenetic diseases, and on developing therapeutics to transform patient care and outcomes in this field. Dr. Thornton received his M.D. from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed fellowships in Experimental Therapeutics and Neuromuscular Disease at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry.

Brenda Wong, M.D.  Dr. Wong is the Director of the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. With more than 20 years of experience in pediatric neurology, Dr. Wong received her medical degree from the National University of Singapore and is board certified in Pediatrics in the U.K. She completed her fellowship in Neurology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and directed the Comprehensive Neuromuscular Center for 19 years before relocating to Massachusetts to pursue her passion in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, becoming the founding director of the Duchenne Program.

Jonathon Watts, Ph.D.  Dr. Watts is an Associate Professor at the RNA Therapeutics Institute, part of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. His academic research is focused on advancing new medicinal chemistry approaches for several classes of oligonucleotides and developing novel tools for sequencing and synthetic biology. Prior to his role at UMass Medical, Dr. Watts was an Associate Professor in Chemical Biology at the University of Southampton, UK, where he received the 2013 Young Investigator Award from the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society. He brings over 15 years of oligonucleotide research experience to PepGen's SAB, and developed two new oligonucleotide analogues as part of his Ph.D. studies at McGill University in Canada.

About PepGen

PepGen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on transforming the care of patients with neuromuscular diseases through the peptide-mediated delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. Recognizing a deep need for a paradigm shift in genomic medicine, PepGen's proprietary enhanced delivery oligonucleotides (EDOs) aim to realize the clinical potential of these therapeutics by providing reliable, safe and efficacious delivery to critical disease targets. PepGen raised a $45 million Series A in December 2020 with RA Capital Management as the lead investor; Oxford Sciences Innovation (OSI), CureDuchenne Ventures and the University of Oxford also participated in the round. The company was founded in 2018 with an initial seed investment from OSI. For more information, visit https://www.pepgen.com/.

SOURCE PepGen LTD

Related Links

https://www.pepgen.com


HAZLETON

Two charged after traffic stop

Two Shickshinny men were apprehended after Hazleton police responded to a reported suspicious vehicle on Wednesday.

Police were called about the red Chevrolet Tiburon around 2:50 p.m. and conducted a traffic stop, determining the driver, Charles Allen, 29, was wanted for dangerous drugs by South Centre Twp. police in Columbia County. He also had a driving under the influence suspended license and was in possession of a ceramic pipe that had marijuana residue in it, police said.

Allen was taken into custody and released to South Centre Twp. police.

The passenger, Richard Krywicki, 24, had crystal meth and was apprehended and later released with charges to be filed on him for possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, according to police.

State police incident reports

State police at Hazleton reported the following:

 Corey M. Mackenzie, 30, Leominster, Massachusetts, was attempting to use the brakes in a Toyota Tacoma, due to inclement weather and road conditions on Interstate 81 in Dorrance Twp., on Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle. The truck rolled over once, hit a ditch and then a tree in the area of mile marker 155.1. The truck was towed having disabling damage to the drivers side and the roof. Mackenzie and his passenger, Tyler M. Gray, 27, Pittsburgh, reported they werent injured.

 Juan R. Vasquez-Perez, 29, New York, New York, was west on Forest Road in Hazle Twp., in an Infiniti G25 on Feb. 17 at 5:18 p.m. when he hit a Freightliner Cascadia driven by Dhananjaya D. Van Pelt, 39, Pensacola, Florida, who was east on Forest Road and turned left onto the driveway for Insteel Wire Products. Vasquez-Perez suffered suspected minor injury and was taken by Valley Regional Ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton. His vehicle sustained disabling damage to the front end and right side and was towed.

FRACKVILLE

State police at Frackville reported the following:

 Justise J. Perez Pagan, 22, Berwick, was south on Interstate 81 in a Ford Fusion on Feb. 18 around 9:30 p.m. when she took the Delano exit 134 but went off the left side of the road, hitting a snowbank. Perez Pagan and her passenger, Alize K. Ruiz, 22, Berwick, sustained suspected minor injuries. The vehicle was towed.
WASHINGTON  Republicans rallied solidly against Democrats proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill as lawmakers awaited a decision by the Senates parliamentarian that could bolster or potentially kill a pivotal provision hiking the federal minimum wage.

Despite their paper-thin congressional majorities, Democratic leaders were poised to push the sweeping package through the House on Friday. They were hoping the Senate, where changes seem likely, would follow quickly enough to have legislation on President Joe Bidens desk by mid-March.

By late Wednesday, not one Republican in either chamber had publicly said he or she would back the legislation. GOP leaders were honing attacks on the package as a job killer that does too little to reopen schools or businesses shuttered for the pandemic and that was not only wasteful but also even unscrupulous.

I havent seen a Republican yet thats found something in there that they agree with, said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. I think all Republicans believe in three simple things: They want a bill that puts us back to work, back to school and back to health. This bill is too costly, too corrupt and too liberal.

The hardening opposition suggested that Bidens first major legislative initiative could encounter unanimous GOP opposition. That was a counterpoint to the new presidents refrain during his campaign about bringing the country together and a replay of the Republican wall that new President Barack Obama encountered in 2009 and most of his administration.

Democrats showed no signs of backing down, citing the assistance the measure would spread to people, businesses and state and local governments.

If congressional Republicans want to oppose all that, my response is: Good luck, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor.

By Wednesday evening, the most suspense was over a decision anticipated from Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senates nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, that promised enormous political and legislative consequences.

The relief bill includes a provision that over five years would hike the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. The parliamentarian is involved because Democrats are pushing the overall $1.9 trillion measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans.

Those same rules prohibit provisions with only an incidental impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. The parliamentarian decides if a provision passes that test.

With Republicans strongly against a minimum wage increase, the only way for it to survive is by including it in a filibuster-proof bill like the COVID-19 relief measure. To end a filibuster, Democrats would need 60 votes, an impossibility for them in the evenly divided 50-50 Senate.

If the parliamentarian decides the minimum wage provision can remain in the bill, it would be a major boost for its proponents. But there would be no guarantee the measure would survive because some moderates oppose it or want it dialed back. That suggests grueling bargaining on its final form would lie ahead.

A decision by the parliamentarian that the minimum wage hike must fall from the bill could be fatal, but not necessarily. Democrats could employ a rarely used procedural move to muscle the minimum wage provision into the bill with just 51 votes anyway, but it was unclear if they could muster enough support to do that.

The minimum wage has stood at $7.25 since 2009. Winning the increase is a top priority for progressives at a time when Democrats control Congress and the White House.

The overall bill would provide millions of Americans with $1,400 direct payments to help them weather the pandemic thats stalled much of the economy for a year and killed half a million people. It contains billions of dollars for vaccines and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and local governments and emergency jobless benefits while providing tax cuts or payments for many families with children.

In a sign of hardball politics ahead, top Republicans suggested that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Schumer squeezed money into the bill for their own states.

McCarthy said the bill had $100 million to help extend the San Francisco areas BART commuter rail system south to San Jose. That project was approved previously by the Trump administration and is not in Pelosis San Francisco district, a top Democratic aide said.

McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., suggested Schumer had won money for a bridge connecting upstate New York to Canada. A senior Democratic aide said the bill contains $1.5 million for the bridge, which is in the district of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. The aide said it was requested in 2020 by the Trump administrations Transportation Department, which was headed by Elaine Chao, McConnells wife.

Spains emeritus king Juan Carlos I has made a second payment to the countrys Tax Agency in a bid to regularize his fiscal situation after he received undeclared income over a number of years. The former monarch, who abdicated from the throne in 2014 and has been mired by accusations of wrongdoing regarding his finances in recent years, has handed over more than 4 million to the tax authorities to cover up to 8 million he received in payments in kind, sources with knowledge of the situation have told EL PAIS.

Amid the investigations into his financial affairs last year, Juan Carlos I  who is the father of the current king, Felipe VI  opted to leave Spain and has been living in the United Arab Emirates since the summer. In December 2020, he made a first payment to the Tax Agency of 678,393 to pay off a debt that corresponded to the tax years of 2016 to 2018  after he abdicated the throne, he lost the full immunity from prosecution that he had enjoyed up until that point. When he made this payment, he was admitting that he had committed fraud, but by regularizing the outstanding amount before being informed of the opening of an official probe he avoided facing the courts for the offenses.

This voluntary declaration of 8 million relates to flights from a private jet company that he used and that were paid for until 2018 by a foundation called Zagatka, owned by his distant cousin Alvaro de Orleans, sources close to the case have told EL PAIS. The use of these flights is considered to be a payment in kind and is subject to income tax (known as IRPF) in Spain.

The Zagatka foundation was created in Liechtenstein on October 1, 2003. Its main beneficiary is Orleans, a 73-year-old engineer and entrepreneur. According to the foundations statutes, it was created to help the then-king of Spain in recognition of his contribution to democracy in Spain. Juan Carlos I played a key role in the Transition, when Spanish society moved from the end of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a full democracy in the late 1970s. The second beneficiary of the foundation was a son of De Orleans, followed by Juan Carlos I and then Felipe VI, in the case of the death of the Orleans. In fifth place were Juan Carloss daughters, Elena and Cristina de Borbon.

In June, the foundation modified its statutes and removed Juan Carlos I and his three children as beneficiaries. Since then, the only listed beneficiaries of the funds are Alvaro de Orleans and his son, Andres. The statutes state its objective is guaranteeing the financial support of the family of the founder. In March of last year, the accounts of Zagatka contained around 10 million, according to Orleans.

Ive paid for a lot of flights for the emeritus king, but I am not his front man, Alvaro de Orleans told EL PAIS in February 2020, during an interview in Geneva. The cousin and friend of the former king said that he had done so in order to protect the private life of Juan Carlos I and to continue the Orleans family tradition of helping the Spanish monarchy.

Contacts with the Tax Agency

Javier Sanchez Junco, a lawyer for Juan Carlos I, has been in contact with the Spanish Finance Ministry in order to arrange this latest regularization of the emeritus kings tax affairs, which had been under consideration for months but had not been executed until now. The delay was due to the difficulty that the former monarch had in raising the multi-million amount that he had to hand over. Juan Carlos I must be able to prove the origin of the money that he has paid to the tax office.

The defrauded amount that Juan Carlos I is admitting to now is much greater than the sum that he regularized last December, as well as greatly exceeding the annual 120,000 limit considered to be a tax crime under Spanish law.

The relevant legislation states that any taxpayer can avoid being accused of fiscal offenses if they pay off their debts before the Tax Office or the justice system notify the person in question of the start of an official investigation.

A file photo of King Felipe and his father, Juan Carlos. Paolo Blocco / WireImage

The same article in the Criminal Code states that the regularization must be comprehensive and accurate before the king can be exonerated of any possible tax offenses. The fact that a second regularization has been made throws into doubt whether the first was complete, but the response will depend on the outcome of an analysis as to whether they cover the same fiscal years or indeed the same items.

The Supreme Court prosecutor is still analyzing whether the regularization that the former monarch made two-and-a-half months ago is accurate. The payment of 678,393 was made by the kings lawyer, Javier Sanchez-Junco. The sum was to regularize the hidden funds that were paid to him between 2016 and 2018 by the Mexican entrepreneur Allen Sangines-Krause, who had interests in Spain. The corruption prosecutor, which was already investigating these funds but had not notified Juan Carlos I, questioned the businessman himself and Nicolas Murga Mendoza, a colonel in the air force and an aide de camp for Juan Carlos I for more than a decade, and who allegedly acted as his front man.

According to the prosecutors investigation, the credit cards paid for by Sangines-Krause served to cover a range of costs for the emeritus king and his family members (not including King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia), including trips, gifts, hotel stays and restaurants.

Three investigations

A team of four prosecutors is currently investigating Juan Carlos for three different affairs. Firstly, he is alleged to have received illegal commissions when the contract to build the high-speed AVE train link to Mecca was awarded to a Spanish consortium for 6.5 billion. Secondly, the receipt of the aforementioned funds from Allen Sangines-Krause. And Thirdly, the alleged possession of accounts in tax havens that counted on millions in funds.

The emeritus kings legal team is confident that the first case will be shelved because at the time of the allegations he was still the reigning monarch, and as such had total immunity from prosecution. They believe that the second case will come to nothing, given that the debt has been regularized. And in the third case, Juan Carlos is denying the existence of such accounts. None of these cases is yet to be shelved, but the prosecutor is yet to file a case at the Supreme Court, where the emeritus king still enjoys immunity.

This new regularization has come to light in the same week when Juan Carlos I was notably absent at a ceremony to commemorate the 40th anniversary of an attempted coup detat in Spain. At the event in the Congress of Deputies, which was stormed on February 23, 1981, by a group of armed civil guards, Felipe VI paid tribute to his fathers role in the events of that night. Juan Carloss appearance on television that night to make a statement contributed to the failure of the attempted uprising. The current kings comments at the ceremony were significant given that it marked the first time he had expressly mentioned his father since the ongoing scandal came to a head in March of last year, when Felipe announced that he would renounce any inheritance from his father and was also canceling his yearly stipend paid out by the Royal Household.

On August 3, when Juan Carlos left Spain headed for Abu Dhabi, his lawyer, Javier Sanchez-Junco, sent out a statement in which he said that his client would be at the disposition of the fiscal ministry for any formality or action that they deem appropriate, making clear that under no circumstance was the emeritus king trying to evade the Spanish justice system.

Juan Carlos I still enjoys a level of immunity from the Supreme Court under a legal reform that was approved in June 2014, after his abdication. Only a Supreme Court judge can call him to appear as a suspect, once the corresponding lawsuit has been presented and accepted by the court. However, according to legal sources, the public prosecutor could offer him the possibility of making a voluntary statement, in order to establish the origin of the funds he is seeking to regularize. This would allow for his return to Spain to be expedited.

The former kings fall from grace

A once-revered figure in Spain, emeritus king Juan Carlos I ran into problems back in 2012 after it emerged that he had suffered a fall during an elephant-hunting trip in Botswana. He was taken to Madrid for an emergency hip operation after the incident, which happened when he was aged 74.

He was widely criticized at the time for taking the vacation, in the company of his then-lover Corinna Larsen, at a time when Spain was still reeling from the effects of the global financial crisis that began in 2008. The trip to hunt elephants cost more than 40,000 and had been paid for by Mohammed Eyad Kayali, an advisor to the Saudi royal family who was named in the 2016 Panama Papers scandal as the head of 15 offshore companies.

Juan Carlos made a public apology after the incident, stating to television cameras: Im very sorry. I have made a mistake and it will not happen again. But opinion polls revealed that public support for the monarch had fallen in the wake of the incident.

Corinna Larsen pictured in New York in 2016.

In a bid to save the image of the institution, Juan Carlos ceded the throne to his son in 2014. But the Spanish Royal Familys problems continued to pile up, with the emeritus kings son-in-law Inaki Urdangarin and daughter Cristina facing charges in a corruption case dubbed Noos, after the non-profit institute the former ran in the Balearic Islands. While Cristina escaped punishment, Urdangarin ended up in prison for embezzlement, among other charges. He is still serving his sentence.

It later emerged that Juan Carlos transferred 65 million to Larsen, who also goes by her ex-husbands surname, referring to herself as Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. Her lawyer said that the sum was a gift that she had not requested from the emeritus king.

There were also accusations that Juan Carlos had bank accounts in Switzerland, and that a foundation of his in Panama had named Felipe VI as a beneficiary. This final revelation was what prompted Felipe VI to renounce the inheritance from his father last March, and strip Juan Carlos of his yearly stipend of nearly 200,000.

With reporting by Natalia Junquera.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Australians should brace themselves for more wet weather ahead as La Nina conditions continue well into the autumn.

The country has shivered through its coolest and wettest summer in five years but experts said there will be no sign of a reprieve in the coming months.

Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Dr Andrew Watkins said the atmospheric phenomenon will keep the rain falling in March and April - particularly on the eastern coast.

Australians should brace themselves for wet months ahead with La Nina conditions to continue well into the autumn months. Pictured: Man runs past Sydney Harbour Bridge 2020

Temperatures this summer have been the coolest since 2012 - only rising above average in Queensland and the west coast of Western Australia.

December was the third wettest December since national records began in 1900, said Dr Andrew Watkins, a senior climatologist from the Bureau of Meteorology.

And bad news for Sydneysiders, rain is expected to continue into Autumn.

'Autumn rainfall is expected to be wetter than average across large Eastern parts of Australia particularly in March and April', Dr Watkins said.

Above average rainfall is also expected in dry areas of Queensland, while the rest of Australia will enjoy generally normal levels of rainfall.

The official autumn bushfire outlook predicts most of the country can expect average fire conditions this autumn.

The autumn outlook suggests a high likelihood of exceeding rainfall on the east coast. Pictured: BOM outlook

Risk of wide spread flooding is highest for eastern and northern Australia. Pictured: Flooding of Daly River in the Northern Territory in 2018

Parts of coastal Queensland still have above average normal bush fire potential, with bush fire risks to also remain for parts of Western Australia this autumn.

South Western Australia is one of the few places with 'above normal' fire severity for December to February due to a rainfall deficit in the winter and spring.

Eastern Victoria and northern Queensland show below normal bush fire potential, largely due to a wetter landscape.

La Nina Autumn Summary Above average rainfall for eastern and northern parts of Australia Warmer than average days in northern Australia High and near median stream-flows likely Increased risk of flooding in the east and north Source: Bureau of Meteorology Advertisement

Parts of coastal Queensland still have above average normal bush fire potential, with bush fire risks to also remain for parts of Western Australia. Pictured: Fraser Island fire from Dec 2020

FIVE DAY WEATHER IN YOUR CITY SYDNEY SATURDAY: Min 19. Max 26. Possible shower. SUNDAY: Min 20. Max 28. Partly cloudy. MONDAY: Min 20. Max 31. Mostly sunny. TUESDAY: Min 19. Max 25. Possible shower. WEDNESDAY: Min 17. Max 23. Shower or two. BRISBANE SATURDAY: Min 23. Max 31. Partly cloudy. SUNDAY: Min 23. Max 31. Partly cloudy. MONDAY: Min 23. Max 32. Partly cloudy. TUESDAY: Min 23. Max 34. Possible shower. WEDNESDAY: Min 23. Max 29. Shower or two. ADELAIDE SATURDAY: Min 13. Max 28. Sunny. SUNDAY: Min 15. Max 27. Sunny. MONDAY: Min 14. Max 26. Partly cloudy. TUESDAY: Min 13. Max 24. Partly cloudy. WEDNESDAY: Min 12. Max 25. Mostly sunny. CANBERRA SATURDAY: Min 12. Max 26. Partly cloudy. SUNDAY: Min 12. Max 20. Sunny. MONDAY: Min 13. Max 31. Sunny. TUESDAY: Min 13. Max 25. Partly cloudy. WEDNESDAY: Min 10. Max 24. Partly cloudy. MELBOURNE SATURDAY: Min 11. Max 21. Partly cloudy. SUNDAY: Min 12. Max 298 Mostly sunny. MONDAY: Min 15. Max 21. Partly cloudy. TUESDAY: Min 12. Max 17. Cloudy. WEDNESDAY: Min 12. Max 18. Partly cloudy. PERTH SATURDAY: Min 17. Max 31. Mostly sunny. SUNDAY: Min 17. Max 31. Partly cloudy. MONDAY: Min 17. Max 28. Partly cloudy. TUESDAY: Min 17. Max 27. Partly cloudy. WEDNESDAY: Min 19. Max 27. Partly cloudy. HOBART SATURDAY: Min 10. Max 20. Partly cloudy. SUNDAY: Min 12. Max 22. Partly cloudy. MONDAY: Min 14. Max 22. Showers easing. TUESDAY: Min 9. Max 16. Windy. Cloudy. WEDNESDAY: Min 9. Max 19. Cloudy. DARWIN SATURDAY: Min 25. Max 33. Partly cloudy. SUNDAY: Min 25. Max 33. Partly cloudy. MONDAY: Min 25. Max 33. Partly cloudy. TUESDAY: Min 25. Max 32. Partly cloudy. WEDNESDAY: Min 25. Max 32. Partly cloudy. Source: Bureau of Meteorology Advertisement

Autumn days are expected to be warmer than average across Northern Australia, Tasmania and far western parts of Western Australia but cooler in parts of New South Wales.

Above-average minimum temperatures will continue across most of the country, with the exception of central and western South Australia and south-eastern Western Australia.

Daytime temperatures are expected to be above average for the far north and south as well as the far west.

The rest of Australia will experience neutral temperatures, except a chance of below average maximum temperatures for inland New South Wales.

The risk of widespread flooding is highest for eastern and northern Australia, where soils and catchments are already wet and are likely to see above average rainfall.
A man was killed when someone opened fire on him Thursday in east Birmingham.

Birmingham police received the call at 5:11 p.m. When they arrived at the location - a parking lot in the 8600 block of First Avenue North - they found the man suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Police said the victim was in the drivers seat of a white Dodge Challenger when he was shot. The vehicle was in the far parking lot of a car wash across from Krispy Kreme on First Avenue North.

Authorities said the man was shot in the neck. First responders performed CPR on the man just outside the vehicle and then Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed him to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The ambulance was escorted by police.

The victims wife was in the vehicle but not injured. As of 6 p.m., she remained on the scene talking with investigators.

An employee at the car wash said he was inside the business when he heard multiple shots fired. He said he dropped to the ground immediately to take cover.

A lookout bulletin was issued for a white Dodge Charger with heavy front-end damage from hitting a nearby curb during the getaway.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
Students discuss equity and racial justice during W&M's Road to Richmond event

Racial-justice, COVID-19 and higher-education concerns dominated conversations as William & Mary students lobbied Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and other elected state officials during the 2021 Road to Richmond event on Feb. 10, conducted virtually for the first time this year. Underpinning cautious optimism on addressing specific issues, however, was the reality of the toll exacted on the economy by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his opening comments, Northam suggested the commonwealth was doing well compared to other states regarding COVID-19, which he attributed to state residents following established guidelines. Still, 1.5 million Virginians filed for unemployment during the pandemic, food insecurity has increased to the point where 20 percent of residents dont know where their next meal is coming from, and the prospect of forced evictions hangs over thousands of people, Northam admitted.

Weve been at this for almost a year, he said.  Its been a long dark tunnel but I think were finally seeing the light at the end of that tunnel.

W&M President Katherine A. Rowe opened the meeting by suggesting that the Virginia Council of Presidents, comprising the leaders of public universities and colleges, was united in proposing recommendations to the General Assembly to ensure their institutions have the resources to successfully navigate the pandemic.

Theres a high alignment between higher educationwhat our goals areand those of the governor and the General Assembly, she said. They coalesce around larger interest of recruiting and retaining incredible talent for the commonwealth.

Looking ahead, multiple years out, you are that talent, she told the students who were participating.

Rowe identified two additional requests specific to William & Mary. One involves securing funding for the fourth phase of the Integrated Science Center, which she called crucial to our expansion of computer science and data sciencethe area of highest-spiking demand among William & Mary students. The second seeks to create a pipeline for under-represented faculty and post-doctorate candidates to expand opportunities in data science and marine science, she said.

In addition to Northam, elected officials participating were delegates Mike Mullin (D-93rd), Jeff Bourne (D-71st) and Jay Jones (D-89th), along with senators Tommy Norment (R-3rd) and Monty Mason (D-1st).

In response to a question from Mia Tilman 24 about economic inequality and the high cost of college, Mullin suggested that, in Virginia, the increase in the cost of higher education is proportionate to the decrease in state funding.

We shifted the cost from everyone to those who attend a college or university, he said, relating that for him, a result has been that my first son will be in college the same year I finish paying off my college. Were not going to fix this until we put some money into it.

The question of who pays was part of Norments response to a question from John Lesko 21 referencing his research into regional transportation entities.

Sometimes I hear people say, I only see three or four people on a bus. How can that be profitable? Norment said. I dont look at it like that. I look at public transportation as delivering a very critical service. Either ridership has to pay or state government and local governments have to pony up the money.

Aria Austin 21 questioned whether mental-health resources in K-12 schools were sufficient, given negative effects of the current pandemic. Bourne responded that cuts to education in response to the 2008 great recession resulted in a substantial increase in caseloads for counselors and had handicapped school divisions by placing a support cap on them. Efforts to reduce those caseloads, as well as freeing counselors from other support duties that had been placed upon them, were ongoing, Bourne said.

During the Road to Richmond session, Northam spoke at length about criminal-justice reform, including his support of efforts to automatically restore voting rights to former convicts and efforts to abolish Virginias death penalty, which he called inequitable in that the number of people on death row and the number of executions are disproportionately weighted toward people of color. Northam also addressed reform of marijuana laws, including expungement of records for those who have criminal records because of marijuana.

Later, responding to Jack Thomas 22, who asked about the projected economic recovery in the commonwealth, Northam expressed optimism that Virginia was outperforming some of the more dire estimates espoused at the start of the pandemic. Going forward, Northam suggested, I really think Americans are going to say, Weve been cooped up for so long. We want to get back to our lives. We want to travel again. We want to be together again. I think our economy will take off nicely  I think everyone wants to get back to that new normal.

The event concluded with a panel of young alumni sharing stories about their favorite places at William & Mary and about how the university had prepared them for careers in public service. They also offered themselves as mentors to young people preparing to step from college into jobs as public-policy advocates.

This year, the alumni contact was especially important to students, who are focused on the impacts of the pandemic on their academic experience, according to W&M Director of Government Relations Colin Smolinsky, whose office organized the event.

Since the pandemic has upended the typical methods of networking and the job search, students were eager to hear from young alums sharing their thoughts on how to navigate this new environment, Smolinsky said.

From: Expert Click Radio -- Radio Interview Service For Immediate Release: Dateline: Georgetown , DC Friday, February 26, 2021

published on 2021-02-26T20:33:25Z Kevin Schewe, Author of 'Bad Love Beyond,' Interviewed by Mark Bishop on Tucson Business RadioX: During this interview with Mark Bishop Kevin Schewe talks about the origins of the 'Bad Love Gang' series of historical sci-fi books and the story of the 'Bad Love Beyond,' which is the third installment. Bishop starts off the interview noting that Bad Love Tigers is a bestseller in multiple categories on Amazon and later on mentions one of the key features of the book, the popular songs which populate and enhance the story.Readers of all ages will love Bad Love Tigers, which also contains a soundtrack to guide you on your journey. And the best part? The historical facts are real. Schewe, a lifelong WWII aficionado, has spent years researching his topics, including the very old and famous hotels that the kids stay in along the way.In the first book, the Bad Love Gang discovers The White Hole project, a backup plan time-travel ma-chine created by Roosevelt in case America lost the race to be the first with the atomic bomb. In this exciting sequel, they use it to travel back to 1945 to thwart Russian spies and protect the secrets of Area 51, before heading to China to volunteer with the AVG Flying Tigers under General Claire Chen-nault.Schewe, who has a background in physics, has always loved stories about time travel. He has been fascinated by the story of the AVG Flying Tigers since he was seven years old and sick with asthma. The story of the Flying Tigers was one of the first history books he read. Mixing fiction with solid histor-ical facts and interesting anecdotes such as the formation of Oak Ridge, TN, historical stories of some of Americas most famous hotels, the dawn of the atomic age, and mingling with the likes of President Roosevelt, Schewe offers up an entertaining history lesson. And because he always had a soundtrack playing in his head, he adds a list of music to listen along to on your reading adventure.Whether youre a history buff, a time-travel buff, or just in need of a fun book that will leave you happy, Bad Love Tigers is the adventure youve been waiting for. Grab your copy today! Genre Entertainment License: cc-by-nc-sa Listen Now! Open the Expert Radio SoundCloud Channel Here: https://soundcloud.com/expertclickradio


This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions
After receiving backlash from the "kids in cages" issue, the Biden administration is now working to expedite the migrant children's release to their relatives in the United States.

Breitbart News reported that the Biden administration would be flying and bussing more migrant children, mostly from Central America, to homes through the U.S.

In an interview with Breitbart News, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said its Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) had been authorized to pay transport fees for unaccompanied children, including airline tickets and escort transport, in order to facilitate the release of migrant children to approved sponsors.

Many people have expressed dismay to the current administration for reopening some facilities for migrant children that had been closed since 2019.

According to Al Jazeera, White House Secretary Jen Psaki has denied that the Biden administration is placing the "kids in cages," a criticism that the previous administration has also faced.

Related article: Biden Administration Reopens Texas Detention Center for Foreign Children at Border

Planes as Transport for Migrant Children

According to Breitbart News, the ORR care providers are also permitted to use the program funds to purchase airline tickets if the sponsor could not pay the fees associated with commercial airfare to prevent delays in releasing the migrant children.

Citing the ORR, USA Today reported that the number of unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border is rising. The ORR is the agency tasked with taking care of the migrant children once they crossed the border.

According to agency statistics released early this month, the number of migrant children referred to ORR climbed from 1,530 in October to 3,364 in December - a 120 percent jump.

Breitbart News reported that Rosemary Jenks, policy director from the Numbers USA, said the move to expedite the release of migrant children is not about the backlog. Jenks noted that Biden's policies create a border surge.

"They're getting exactly what we all knew they were going to get, which is more people coming across, including more unaccompanied children. So now they're trying to figure out what to do with them," Jenks said in the report.

"Because you know AOC [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-NY)] and others are so unhappy with their 'kids in containers' policy that they've got to fly them away from the border so nobody notices them," she added.

Unaccompanied Migrant Children Are Flooding the U.S.-Mexico Border

USA Today reported that the ORR usually has 13,764 beds for minors, but because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, only 7,971 are currently available. Of those, the agency noted that about 5,200 are occupied, leaving only 2,700 beds open or available.

Lisa Koop, associate director of legal services at the National Immigrant Justice Center, said the Biden administration must live up to their commitment to the fair and humane treatment of immigrants at the border.

Citing a Washington Times report, Breitbart News said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) scrambles to find bigger airplanes and more ground transport capacity for soaring numbers of illegal immigrants.

ICE has reportedly talked to a Texas company that runs "Man Camps" to see whether it would rent bed space for the illegal immigrants.

Biden's officials have been expressing their desire to refocus the border agencies into helping extract more migrants from Central America for the country's economy.

Read also: U.S. Near Max Capacity to Hold Migrant Children; Biden Administration Scrutinized Over Reopening Holding Facility

WATCH: Hear the Words of Detained Migrant Children from The New York Times

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Egypt stands ready to continue to provide high standards of tourist service and travel safety in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was discussed during a phone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

The ministers welcomed the intensification of bilateral relations achieved after the talks between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi last summer. The parties outlined the priorities for further intensification of the dialogue at high and highest levels and agreed to hold political consultations between the foreign ministries this year.

"The Egyptian minister positively noted the constant interest of Ukrainian tourists in visiting Egypt and assured that the Egyptian side is ready to continue to provide the highest standards of service and travel safety in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic," the statement reads.

Kuleba and Shoukry discussed preparations for this year's meeting of the Ukrainian-Egyptian intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific and technical cooperation and the signing of new agreements between the two countries.

"I am convinced that the meeting of the commission will give an important impetus to the development of trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Egypt, as well as enrich our relations with new serious projects," Kuleba noted.

Shoukry assured Kuleba of mutual readiness to prepare and hold the abovementioned event for the development of trade between Ukraine and Egypt.

As a reminder, Egypt is a key economic partner of Ukraine on the African continent. The total volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Egypt in 2020 amounted to USD 1.8 billion.

In 2020, 727 thousand Ukrainian tourists visited Egypt. According to this indicator, Ukraine ranked first among foreign countries whose citizens visited Egypt last year for tourism purposes.

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As part of MidMichigan Healths ongoing commitment to fighting heart disease across northern Michigan, the heart and vascular team at MidMichigan Medical Center  West Branch continues to expand. The most recent additions to the team include Invasive Cardiologist Scott Huffaker and Nurse Practitioner Jessica Quigley.

Huffaker and Quigley see patients at the medical offices located at 2431 S. M-30, Suite 216 on the Medical Center campus. There they join cardiologist/electrophysiologist Shikha Sharma; Cardiologist/Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialist Susan Sallach; Invasive Cardiologist/Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialist Femi Showole; and Electrophysiologist William Michael Mellana Jr.

Both Huffaker and Quigley work with patients who have a variety of cardiac-related conditions such as coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, valvular and structural heart disease, congenital heart defects, heart failure, and other complex cardiac conditions.

Huffaker is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology. He completed his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete a fellowship in cardiology at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing.

Huffaker strives to provide compassionate, timely, evidenced-based and guideline-directed care. According to him, most people seek out a physicians advice to improve the quality or quantity of their life.

Because heart disease is usually a long-term problem, I try to develop relationships of trust, mutual respect and friendship, he said. I take the time to listen to my patients stories and try to understand what they want and how I can help them.

Quigley completed her bachelor of science in nursing degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and her master of science in nursing degree at Herzing University in Madison, Wisconsin. After earning her masters degree, she worked in critical care and cardiology, while earning her nurse practitioner certification.

I encourage my patients to be open-minded and to have the desire to live a healthier lifestyle, Quigley said. Not everything is black and white in health care. Things are changing; treatments may not be the same as in the past. Its always good to keep an open mind and be willing to try different avenues. I work hard to help my patients find the right treatment and give them the best overall health care.

For more information about the heart and vascular team in West Branch, visit www.midmichigan.org/wbheartcare, or call 989-343-1130 to inquire about becoming a cardiology patient.

In this Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 file photo, the morning sun is seen through a blanket of smog on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. A United Nations report released on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, finds the countries of the world are not promising to do enough carbon-cutting to keep global warming from hitting dangerous levels. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

The newest pledges by countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions are falling far short of what's needed to limit global warming to what the Paris climate accord seeks, a new United Nations report finds.

So the U.N.'s climate chief is telling nations to go back and try harder.

Most countriesespecially top carbon polluters China, United States and Indiamissed the Dec. 31 deadline for submitting official emission-cutting targets for November's climate negotiations in Scotland. Friday's report provides an incomplete snapshot of the world's efforts: The world's pledges so far are only enough to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions to less than 1% below 2010 levels by 2030.

The world has to cut carbon pollution 45% below 2010 levels to achieve the more stringent official Paris goal of limiting future warming to another half a degree (0.3 degrees Celsius) from now, U.N. officials said.

"We are very, very far from where we need to be," U.N. climate chief Patricia Espinosa said. "What we need to put on the table is much more radical and much more transformative than we have been doing until now."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the report "a red alert for our planet."

U.N. officials applauded the more than 120 nations, including the U.S. and China, that have made longer-term goals of net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century. But those same nations must translate long-term talk into the immediate action "that people and the planet so desperately need," Guterres said.

Instead of limiting the world to only 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming since pre-industrial timesthe more stringent of two Paris accord goalsthe data shows that world "is headed to close to 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and a global catastrophe if this is not curtailed quickly," said Bill Hare, director of Climate Analytics, a private group that tracks countries' emissions targets.

The 2015 Paris climate agreement had nations submit voluntary targets for how much heat-trapping gases they would spew by 2025 and update them every five years.

With the big pandemic-delayed climate negotiations in Glasgow set for later this year, nations are supposed to submit updated and tougher goals for 2030. The U.S., the second biggest carbon polluter behind China, promises its goal will be announced before a special Earth Day summit in April.

Fewer than half of the world's countries, accounting for 30% of the world's carbon emissions, submitted targets by the deadline. Only seven of the top 15 carbon polluting nations had done so.

At least 10 countries that submitted goals last year did not provide tougher goals, Hare said. And because of changes to emissions in its base year calculations, Brazil essentially weakened its target from its 2015 version, said Taryn Fransen, a senior fellow at the think tank World Resources Institute.

Espinosa said even countries that already gave targets need to go back and do better because "we are simply out of time."

Her predecessor and prime engineer of the Paris agreement, Christiana Figueres, said she thinks the U.S., China and Japan can change the picture when they announce their goals: "I have high hopes they will deliver."

China and the United States, with 35% of the world's carbon emissions, can make a huge difference with their targets, Fransen said, noting that the U.S. can pledge to cut emissions in half from 2005 baseline levels by 2030 and can achieve that with concerted action.

The goal the Obama Administration submitted in 2015 was to cut emissions 26% to 28% from 2005 levels by 2025. When he was president, Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement, but President Joe Biden put the country back in.

After dramatic decreases in carbon pollution in early 2020 because of the pandemic lockdown, initial data shows that near end-of-the-year emissions were back up to 2019 levels, pushed by China's industrial production, said Corinne LeQuere, who tracks emissions at the University of East Anglia.

The world adopted the more stringent 1.5 degree Celsius temperature goal in 2015 at the urging of small island nations, which fear being swamped by climate-related sea rise if temperatures pass that mark.

"We are flirting dangerously" with the warming limit, said Ambassador Aubrey Webson of Antigua and Barbuda, chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States. "It is small island developing states like ours that will pay the ultimate price if we do not."

Explore further Dozens of nations miss deadline to boost climate ambition

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
GENEVA (Reuters) - United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, in rare public comments on Saudi Arabia, said on Friday that people were unlawfully held in the kingdom and urged it to uphold freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

Bachelet, addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council where Saudi Arabia has observer status, welcomed the release earlier this month of women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, adding: "although I regret that others continued to be unjustly detained".

Hathloul campaigned for women's right to drive and to end Saudi Arabia's guardianship system that requires women to obtain permission of a male relative for certain decisions and travel. She spent nearly three years behind bars in a case that drew international condemnation, and remains forbidden to leave Saudi Arabia for five years.

Bachelet did not refer to the expected release by the Biden administration of a sensitive U.S. intelligence report on the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The European Union, in a speech by Portugal's ambassador Rui Macieira, voiced concern at Saudi Arabia's use of anti-terrorist and security bodies to try civilians and activists subjected to prolonged detention, including solitary confinement.

"Noting reforms to the penal system and a significant decrease in the use of capital punishment, the EU calls for further attention to the rights of migrant workers, to womens rights and to the freedom of expression and of religion or belief," he said.

Bachelet welcomed plans announced by Saudi authorities to adopt new legislation on family law and personal status.

"I urge the authorities to also establish legislative frameworks to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association for everyone in the Kingdom," she said.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by John Revill and Peter Graff)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) The Philippine government can change and expand its age sector recommendation for the use of Sinovacs COVID-19 vaccine in the country once the Chinese firm submits additional data from its clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

In an interview with CNN Philippines The Source, FDA Director General Eric Domingo explained that the agencys advice to use the China-made vaccine for the 18-59 year-old bracket was based on the clinical trials and inoculation programs set in other countries.

Thats because yung clinical trials nila na (their clinical trials for) Phase 3, mostly only had 18 to 59, Domingo said. So since wala pa akong (I dont have) enough clinical trial data for 60 and above, we cannot yet allow them for use.

For example they would like us to expand it to beyond 59, as long as they are able to give us the information that will support that claim, they can submit it, and we will expand it, he said, adding it will now be up to the company to give continuing information that might change the indications and of course the recommendations for the product.

The FDA announced on Monday that it has granted emergency use authorization for the Sinovac vaccine following a long review of its application, which was previously hampered by the incomplete submission of Phase 3 clinical trial data. The regulatory agency also cautioned it is not the most ideal product to immunize the pandemic frontliners.

Further explaining the earlier recommendation, Domingo stressed that Sinovacs Phase 3 clinical trial data has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, and that local experts had to rely on raw reports provided to them.

And we can only allow indications that we can be sure of, the FDA chief noted. But for others, hindi pa natin ma-approve ngayon yun (we cannot approve it) without the necessary information.

Sinovac Biotech general manager Helen Yang said in a separate interview with CNN Philippines that the first batch of their vaccines  to be donated by the Chinese government  is available and may be shipped to the country within the week.

Tributes have been paid to the late Paddy and Willie Hennessy Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

THREE brothers nicknamed 'The Saints' who died in an horrific suspected double murder-suicide have been named locally as Willie (66), Paddy 'Pa' (60) and John (59) Hennessy from Corragorm, just outside Mitchelstown.

Two of the brothers were bludgeoned to death with an axe at the family farm in north Cork.

A third brother was recovered dead from the River Funshion outside Mitchelstown less than 1km from where his Toyota car was found parked near the church where the brothers usually worshipped following a massive Garda manhunt.

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Detectives fear that the double murder-suicide involving the Hennessy brothers was sparked by a dispute between the trio - described by locals as incredibly close over their lifetime - about the small 25 acre farm and the income derived from it against a background of health issues.

However, Gardai said they are baffled as to the precise motive involved.

Pa had only suffered a stroke before Christmas and was still recovering. It was the third tragedy to hit the family with a fourth brother, Jer, having died in tragic circumstances in January 2014.

The son of one of the brothers also died in tragic circumstances in May 2012.

The bodies of Paddy 'Pa' and Willie Hennessy were discovered at their Corragorm farm some 6km from Mitchelstown when a concerned relative went to the property amid concern for their welfare shortly after 11pm on Thursday night and alerted Gardai.

One brother was found with horrific head injuries lying in the farmyard.

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A second brother was found with similarly horrific injuries in a nearby farm shed. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third brother, John Hennessy, who lived at the property, was not present and his red Toyota Corolla van was missing.

Gardai at the scene between Mitchelstown and Kildorrery were supported by armed members of the Regional Support Unit (RSU).

Despite initial indications, Gardai said they are satisfied that no firearm was used in the tragedy.

Gardai conducted a massive manhunt for the third brother and his red Toyota was located parked near Killacluig Church - some 4km from the farmhouse - around 9am.

A massive search of the local countryside some 10km outside Mitchelstown was commenced to locate him with the search being supported by uniformed Gardai, Garda dog units and the Garda helicopter.

Shortly after 12 noon, Gardai spotted a body in the nearby River Funshion and it was later recovered by the Garda Water Unit.

Three scenes - the farmhouse, car park and river field - have been preserved and are undergoing examination by forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau.

Locum State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster visited the scene shortly after 1pm with all three bodies later being removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for post mortem examinations which will take place on Friday.

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Supt Liam Geraghty said Gardai were not looking for anyone else in relation to the tragedy.

More than 50 officers were deployed to the operation.

"Gardai have commenced a criminal investigation into a set of tragic incidents here in Mitchelstown. We are not looking for anyone else in relation to this matter at this time," he said.

Supt Geraghty said no weapon has been recovered as yet.

"Gardai will support the family through this personal tragedy for them. We will have to wait for post mortem results to determine the nature of the injuries but at this stage we do not anticipate that any firearm was involved."

Gardai appealed to anyone with information on the incidents to contact investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, Fermoy Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Locals expressed deep shock at the tragedy. Willie and John Hennessy lived together at the Corragorm farm while Pa lived in nearby Mitchelstown.

Liam O'Donnell was a neighbour of the three brothers and described them as "very quiet people, hard-working men and really great neighbours."

Mr O'Donnell said he was quite friendly with Willie Hennessy and used to regularly call to the house for a chat or a cup of tea.

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"They were very close. They were hard-working people all their lives. They were great neighbours and were three of the nicest men you could ever hope to meet," he said.

Pa's former employer, Michael Downey of JD Tyres, said he was "the salt of the earth."

"Paddy was such a hard-working man - and was a great colleague and a lovely fella," he said.

"He worked in the tyre business for most of his life - he worked for Suttons, Hanover and JD. You couldn't ask for a better person to have work alongside you. He was such a likeable man."

Another employee, who was too upset to give his name, worked alongside Paddy for 18 years and said he loved handball, music and his local community.

All three brothers were noted handball players in Mitchelstown in the 1970s and 80s.

The brothers also worked at fuel supplies, delivering firewood to homes throughout north Cork.

Former Cork East TD Kevin O'Keeffe, a neighbour of the brothers, said the family were very highly respected and were known for their hard work.

"It is beyond belief what happened. It is a total shock and no one knows what could have happened. Our hearts go out to the Hennessy family and their sister Breda," he said.

"They kept to themselves and were known locally as 'The Saints'. It is such a terrible thing for people here in Mitchelstown."

Councillor Frank Roche said the tragedy - coming so soon after the shocking murder-double suicide in Kanturk - raised serious issues about the supports being offered to people in rural Ireland.

"My phone is constantly ringing with people in rural areas pleading for help with stress, money worries or mental health issues," he said.

Fine Gael Councillor Kay Dawson lives near where the farmhouse is situated and described the brothers as genuine, quiet and gentle people, while speaking on RTE News at One.

You cant make anything of it because it just doesnt make sense.

"Normally when you listen to the news its someplace else, but this is our own community devastated by this tragedy this morning. I don't have the language to put the words on the sensation. Unbelievable I think is the best way to describe it.

Its a tight, close-knit community, a hard-working community and we are devastated, she continued.

They were salt of the earth, just got on with their daily lives.

They interacted well. They were genuine, quiet, gentle people. Its just unbelievable to wake up today to hear that they are no longer with us. I am stuck for words and I normally wouldnt be. Its a tragedy beyond belief and our understanding.

Councillor Dawson said the brothers were well known due to their timber business which they operated out of the farmhouse.

They would have been heavily engaged with lots of people, they travelled selling their timber. They were by no means isolated or remote, Ms Dawson said.

The remains of all three men will be transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for full post mortem examinations after The Office of the State Pathologist has examined the scenes.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article please contact Samaritans helpline 116 123 or Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247.
Credit: Yale University

Even if you're still waiting for a vaccine, watching the first people get their COVID-19 vaccinations may have felt like a huge relief. As the weeks pass, countless reports are coming out about the effectiveness of new vaccines that may be approved. It's important to keep up, but it's also a daunting task, given the flood of information (and misinformation) coming at us from so many directions.

So, how do they differ? Here's what we know so far.

Vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are being administered in the U.S. right now, Johnson & Johnson applied for emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its COVID-19 vaccine in February, and others are on track to do the same. Even though you will likely not be able to choose which vaccine you will get, it's still helpful to know how each one is different.

With that in mind, we mapped out a comparison of the most prominent vaccines so far.

The two vaccines authorized by the FDA

Pfizer-BioNTech

On December 11, 2020, this became the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive an FDA EUA, after the company reported positive clinical trial data, which included news that the vaccine was up to 95% more effective than a placebo at preventing symptomatic disease. But the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has had strict requirements involving how the vaccine is stored. For instance, it has required shipping in ultra-cold temperature-controlled units (-94 degrees Fahrenheit). In mid-February, the company submitted new data to the FDA demonstrating the stability of the vaccine at temperatures more commonly found in pharmaceutical refrigerators and freezers. Approval would make the vaccine easier to distribute.

Status: Emergency use in the U.S. and other countries

Recommended for: Anyone 16 and older. Pfizer-BioNTech is still testing the vaccine in kids ages 12-15.

Dosage: Two shots, 21 days apart

Common side effects: Chills, headache, pain, tiredness, and/or redness and swelling at the injection site, all of which generally resolve within a day or two of rest, hydration, and medications like acetaminophen. (If symptoms don't resolve within 72 hours or if you have respiratory symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, call your doctor.) On rare occasions (as in, 11 cases in 18 million vaccinations), mRNA vaccines have appeared to trigger anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that is treatable with epinephrine (the drug in Epipens). For that reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires vaccination sites to monitor everyone for 15 minutes after their COVID-19 shot, and for 30 minutes if they have a history of severe allergies or are taking a blood thinner.

How it works: This is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, which uses a relatively new technology. Unlike vaccines that put a weakened or inactivated disease germ into the body, the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine delivers a tiny piece of genetic code from the SARS CoV-2 virus to host cells in the body, essentially giving those cells instructions, or blueprints, for making copies of spike proteins (the spikes you see sticking out of the coronavirus in pictures online and on TV). The spikes do the work of penetrating and infecting host cells. These proteins stimulate an immune response, producing antibodies and developing memory cells that will recognize and respond if the body is infected with the actual virus.

How well it works: 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in those without prior infection 7 days or more after the second dose. The researchers report that the vaccine was equally effective across a variety of different types of people and variables, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI)or presence of other medical conditions. In clinical trials, the vaccine was 100% effective at preventing severe disease.

How well it works on virus mutations: So far, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been found to protect against the variant that was first detected in Great Britain (B.1.1.7), but it may be less effective against the variant first detected in South Africa (B.1.351).

Moderna

Moderna's vaccine was the second one authorized for emergency use in the U.S.it received FDA EUA on December 18, 2020, about a week after the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna is also an mRNA vaccine, using the same technology as the Pfizer-BioNTech one and with a similarly high efficacy at preventing symptomatic disease. There are two key differences: The Moderna vaccine can be shipped and kept in long-term storage in standard freezer temperatures, and stored for up to 30 days using normal refrigeration, making it easier to distribute and store. Also, the Moderna vaccine was slightly less effective in clinical trialsabout 86%in people who are 65 and older.

Status: Emergency use in the U.S. and other countries

Recommended for: Adults 18 and older. Moderna is still testing the vaccine in children ages 12-17.

Dosage: Two shots, 28 days apart

Common side effects: Similar to the Pfizer vaccine, side effects can include chills, headache, pain, tiredness, and/or redness and swelling at the injection site, all of which generally resolve within a day or two. On rare occasions, mRNA vaccines have appeared to trigger anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that is treatable with epinephrine (the drug in Epipens). For that reason, the CDC requires vaccination sites to monitor everyone for 15 minutes after their COVID-19 shot, and for 30 minutes if they have a history of severe allergies.

How it works: Similar to the Pfizer vaccine, this is an mRNA vaccine that sends the body's cells instructions for making a spike protein that will train the immune system to recognize it. The immune system will then attack the spike protein the next time it sees one (attached to a real SARS CoV-2 virus).

How well it works: 94.1% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in people with no evidence of previous COVID-19 infection. The vaccine appeared to have high efficacy in clinical trials among people of diverse age, sex, race, and ethnicity categories and among persons with underlying medical conditions (although as mentioned above, the efficacy rate drops to 86.4% for people ages 65 and older).

How well it works on virus mutations: Some research has suggested that Moderna's vaccine may provide protection against the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants. Researchers are still studying this.

The one vaccine currently seeking FDA approval

Johnson & Johnson

The company submitted a request to the FDA in early February for emergency use approval for a different type of vaccine, called a carrier, or virus vector, vaccine. In comparison to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, this one is easier to store (in refrigerator temperature), and requires only a single shot, both of which could make it easier to distribute and administer. An analysis released by the FDA in late February showed that the vaccine may reduce the spread of the virus by vaccinated people.

Status: FDA EAU pending

Recommended for: Adults 18 and older. The company also expects to start testing the vaccine on children.

Dosage: Single shot. In November, Johnson & Johnson announced it would launch a second Phase 3 clinical trial to study using two doses, two months apart, to see if that regimen will provide better protection.

Common side effects: Fatigue, fever headache, injection site pain, or myalgia (pain in a muscle or group of muscles), all of which generally resolve within a day or two. It has had noticeably milder side effects than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, according to the FDA report released in late February. No one suffered an allergic reaction in clinical trials for the vaccine, according to the company.

How it works: This is a carrier vaccine, which uses a different approach than the mRNA vaccines to instruct human cells to make the SARS CoV-2 spike protein. Scientists engineer a harmless adenovirus (a common virus that, when not inactivated, can cause colds, bronchitis, and other illnesses) as a shell to carry genetic code on the spike proteins to the cells (similar to a Trojan Horse). The shell and the code can't make you sick, but once the code is inside the cells, the cells produce a spike protein to train the body's immune system, which creates antibodies and memory cells to protect against an actual SARS-CoV-2 infection.

How well it works: 72% overall efficacy and 86% efficacy against severe disease in the U.S.

How well it works on virus mutations: This vaccine's effectiveness has been shown to offer protection against the B.1.1.7 variant. According to the analyses the FDA released in late February, there was 64% overall efficacy and 82% efficacy against severe disease in South Africa, where the B.1.351 variant was first detected.

Two vaccines not yet available in the U.S.

Oxford-AstraZeneca

This vaccine, which is currently being distributed in the United Kingdom, is distinguished from some of its competitors by its lower costit's cheaper to make per dose, and it can be stored, transported, and handled in normal refrigeration for at least six months.

Status: Not available in the U.S., but approved for emergency use in other countries

Recommended for: Adults 18 and older

Dosage: Two doses, four to 12 weeks apart

Common side effects: Tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching, swelling or bruising at the injection site, all of which generally resolve within a day or two.

How it works: Similar to the Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, this is a carrier vaccine, made from a modified version of a harmless adenovirus. The final product contains the spike protein found in SARS-CoV-2. When that protein reaches the body's cells, the immune system mounts a defense, creating antibodies and memory cells to protect against an actual SARS-Cov2 infection.

How well it works: An early review of Phase 3 trials showed 70% efficacy starting after the first dose, and 100% protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death after the second dose. The analysis also showed the potential for the vaccine to reduce asymptomatic transmission of the virus by as much as 67%.

How well it works on virus mutations: So far it seems to work better against the mutation that emerged in Great Britain than the one that emerged in South Africa. A paper in early February (not yet peer-reviewed) cited 74.6% efficacy against the B.1.1.7 variant. However, the vaccine did not protect as well against mild and moderate cases in people infected with the B.1.351 variant. Therefore, South Africa halted its rollout while scientists continue to study whether the vaccine can prevent severe illness and death in people infected with this variant.

Novavax

This vaccine has been shown to be effective not only against COVID-19, but also against the mutations that have emerged in Great Britain and, to some extent, South Africa (although in late January, efficacy against the latter was found to be less than 50% against severe illness). While the other breakthrough vaccines have been either mRNA or vector platforms, the Novavax vaccine is yet another type, called a protein adjuvant. It is also simpler to make and can be stored in a refrigerator.

Status: Still completing clinical trials

Recommended for: The vaccine is being studied in adults ages 18-84

Dosage: 2 doses, three weeks apart

Common side effects: While the Novavax vaccine is still being studied, early trials have shown no adverse events.

How it works: Unlike the mRNA and vector vaccines, this is a protein adjuvant (an adjuvant is an ingredient used to strengthen the immune response). While other vaccines trick the body's cells into creating parts of the virus that can trigger the immune system, the Novavax vaccine takes a different approach. It contains the spike protein of the coronavirus itself, but formulated as a nanoparticle, which cannot cause disease. When the vaccine is injected, this stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and T-cell immune responses.

How well it works: 89.3% efficacy

How well it works on virus mutations: Novavax's report of 89.3% efficacy in January covered both the original coronavirus and the B.1.1.7 variant. But results showed only 49% efficacy against the B.1.351 variant. Novavax has said it plans to begin clinical development of a vaccine specifically targeted to B.1.351.

Re: PM fires another blank

Have you ever fired an automatic firearm?

I am a small arms instructor and have fired many many automatic weapons and calling the rifle an assault weapon is a rose by any other name, still a rose. We don't need regardless of what you will call the weapon, fully automatic weapons in the hands of anyone and i can assure you Dan, I am quite qualified to fire them.

Your Boss, Erin Otoole an airforce Capt perhaps fired to qualify with the C5 and C7 plus the 9MM while he was a cadet and because he was a Capt in the Air Force, I can assure you he perhaps re-qualified once in his 12 years of service. He like you are no authority in weapons and don't hide behind the fact you are an MP.



Regardless of the nomenclature used to qualify a weapon, fully and semi automatic weapons are designed to inflict the most amount of deaths and damage by the military and since we Canadians do not have the right to bare arms in our constitution, why do we need them? Just ask the groups  these good olde boys  who feel it is their right to look big and tough carrying a big bad weapon. Let me tell, you, a 7.62 mm copper jacket can make quite a hole where it enters the body but a worse hole were it exits.



Same as a 9MM. Or 45mm where the back of our head is missing from the exit of the round. A 45mm will knock you down no matter were it hits you. Some police use mushroom rounds instead of the copper jacket simple because the lead breaks down into smaller parts as it enters the flesh and cause much larger damage.



If there is a need to carry an assault or own an assault weapon, have the firing pin removed by law. You still have the really nice looking weapon but it is inoperative.



Just a thought.

Dale Dirk, 80-year-old Veteran
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in a virtual meeting today with CEO, NITI Aayog and Secretaries of 22 Infrastructure Ministries/Departments discussed post-budget action points for infrastructure roadmap ahead including NIP implementation. This was the third review meeting by the Finance Minister with Ministries/Departments about the importance of National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and infrastructure sector to ensure a faster post covid-19 recovery of the economy. It was discussed in the meeting, that in the year, when countries across the globe have been dealing with the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, the NIP has shown substantial progress. The NIP was launched with 6,835 projects; the project pipeline has now been expanded to nearly 7,600 projects. It has witnessed accelerated spending on infrastructure projects in Ministries specially in Q2/Q3 FY21. It has helped in targeting substantial increase in infrastructure expenditure in many Ministries in FY21 over expenditure done in FY20. Around 216 projects worth Rs. 74,067 crore under GoI infrastructure ministries have been completed till Q3 FY 21. Around 678 projects worth Rs. 6 lakh crore have progressed from the lower stage to the upper stage of project formulation and implementation till Q3 FY 21.

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Some West Virginia residents are waiting longer than anticipated for their power to come back on after utility crews found new damage from ice storms earlier this month.

Drone and helicopter surveillance found the new damage from the Feb. 11 and Feb. 15 storms in several western counties. Appalachian Power said in a statement Monday evening that the extent of the storm damage was massive and unprecedented.

About 18,000 customers were without service early Tuesday, down from the peak of 97,000 outages.

The aerial surveys revealed more damage than previously identified and included downed wires and transformers, damaged cross arms, poles, transmission towers and other equipment.

The company has revised estimated restoration times, saying some customers may not get service back in parts of six counties until Friday night. Appalachian Power said repairs are needed in at least 1,350 locations, including 600 broken poles and about 2,400 spans of wire that must be replaced.

Photo Credit: Area residents work to clear downed trees along Honeysuckle Lane, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Huntington, W.Va., following a winter weather system. (Sholten Singer/The Herald-Dispatch via AP)

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February 26, 2021 De Lima welcomes trial monitors from embassies in her cases Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has welcomed initiatives from the diplomatic community in the Philippines to send their representatives to monitor her legal proceedings on trumped-up drug cases filed against her. De Lima, the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, made the statement after the courts handling her cases allowed the embassies of The Netherlands, USA, Germany, European Union (EU) and UK to attend her hearings via videoconferencing. "I appreciate their keen interest to closely monitor the court proceedings to ensure that I receive a fair trial. This is another proof that the world is indeed watching and that the international community cares for rule of law in our country," she said. The embassies of The Netherlands, US , Germany and EU have already managed to attend select hearings of the cases of Senator De Lima before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branches 205 and 256, through videoconferencing. In an OCA Circular No. 166-2020 dated Oct. 9, 2020, it was stated that all videoconferencing hearings conducted by the first and second level courts may be accessible to the public considering that they are already allowed to conduct videoconferencing hearings in all matters pending before them. Notably, any individual who wishes to attend a videoconferencing hearing is only required to email the concerned court at least three days before the scheduled hearing through its official Philippine Judiciary Office 365 email address. It may be recalled that Australian lawyer Mark Trowell, a trial observer for the the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), attended the resumption of the trial of the detained Senator's case based on trumped-up drug charge before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 last Jan. 24, 2020. It was not the first time that Trowell flew to the Philippines to "assess whether the Senator is obtaining a fair and honest trial." Trowell was also present before the Muntinlupa RTC, Branch 205 last Nov. 8, 2019 when the court deferred the hearing on the alleged conspiracy to trade illegal drug charge against De Lima. He first attempted to attend De Lima's trial, which was called off on short notice, last May 3, 2019.
Think about others rather than yourself, said the Queen this week. Yet over in LA, her wise words beseeching altruism and humanity fell on deaf ears.

'My life is always going to be about public service,' said the Duke of Sussex in his first postMegxit TV interview, rather proving that the service he has in mind is chiefly in honour of himself.

Despite the bad timing, the pandemic, the ailing Duke of Edinburgh and the clenched dismay of the entire Windsor family aghast at their publicity manoeuvres, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are plunging ahead with their profile-raising offensive in America.

'My life is always going to be about public service,' said the Duke of Sussex in his first postMegxit TV interview, rather proving that the service he has in mind is chiefly in honour of himself

Next week we can look forward to Meghan being asked if she is OK by Oprah Winfrey, on a CBS Primetime Special that will be watched by millions.

This week we nibbled on an appetiser served up by Harry, who appeared on The Late Late Show (also broadcast by CBS), presented by his friend James Corden. The pals had tea and scones on an open-topped tourist bus that roved around Los Angeles.

On the top deck, Corden served up the kind of soft scoop questions guaranteed to put a non-raspberry ripple of delight deep inside the royal sundae. When did you know Meghan was the one? How are you finding fatherhood? Why are you so goddam fabulous and perfect in every way?

On the top deck, Corden served up the kind of soft scoop questions guaranteed to put a non-raspberry ripple of delight deep inside the royal sundae

A beaming Harry volunteered that the Queen gave his son Archie a waffle maker for Christmas, and that the family had waffles every morning after Meghan makes a 'beautiful, like, organic, mix'. Of course she does.

Yes, but what exactly do you have on those oh so beautiful waffles, Harry? That was the question no one was asking, not even James, but the Prince ploughed on regardless.

'I have them with a bit of yoghurt, a bit of jam on top, a bit of berry maybe, bit of honey maybe, some syrup.'

Soon it was time to add a bit of sauce, too, with the Prince returning to his pet theme that the 'toxic' British media had affected his mental health so much that he had to move to America and sign a Netflix deal to regain his equilibrium.

And he had only done what any father and husband would have done, he claimed, which seems to be living in a succession of enviable and luxurious mansions before buying one of his own.

Clearly, the Prince is much more comfortable with the kind of media coverage that only friends and wedding guests can provide.

Throughout the fun, 17-minute clip, Corden came across like a clammy flunkey oozing obsequiousness and throbbing with a desire to make his royal guest look good, even if that meant flagellating himself.

He even puffed around an assault course behind the Prince, in a segment designed to show off Harry's fitness and military training.

Clearly, the Prince is much more comfortable with the kind of media coverage that only friends and wedding guests can provide

Whether clambering over fences or climbing ropes, James was on bow and scrape duty like any good Tudor jester keen to keep his place in the royal court. 'Prithee welcome to this pleesant comedie, sire,'  he almost said, before going full mud pancake during the barbed wire crawl.

The Prince clearly enjoyed the kind of fawning treatment that would please even Kim Jong-un.

However, it was lovely to see Harry looking so happy for once, his face a picture of sun-toasted sincerity, his marmalade hair ablaze in the golden Californian morning.

There he is, this noble dandelion of do-good who has been brave enough to uproot himself from destiny and replant himself in the rich loam of Hollywood, where he is learning fast.

There were at least three mentions of Netflix, who have paid the Duke and Duchess millions for upcoming projects.

Harry even defended The Crown, the Netflix series that depicts his family as little more than flinty, heartless opportunists on the make. Sometimes you can see their point. What else did we learn? She calls him Haz, he calls her Meg, Archie's first word was 'crocodile'.

There was no confirmation on who was in the room at the time, although my money is on David Foster, the alarmingly youthful-looking 71-year-old music mogul who is married to one of Meghan's best friends and has become, according to her, a 'father figure' to the Prince.

Meanwhile, dressed down in a T-shirt and jeans for this historic appearance, Harry seemed to be emphasising once more that he has descended from the dank ramparts of royal status to let a little light into his life.

Yet even the newly-minted Duke of Haz-ard cannot quite leave behind the prestige of his past, which clings to him like the curl of smoke that lingers from a snuffed candle.

'You know us royals, we don't carry cash,' he said at the start of the interview, revealing himself to be a man who still wants a bit of jam on top and maybe some syrup, too.
Two workers in a bucket truck helped first responders rescue a man who was hanging off the Disraeli Bridge, 35 feet above Higgins Avenue, after people frantically called 911 during rush-hour Tuesday afternoon.

Two workers in a bucket truck helped first responders rescue a man who was hanging off the Disraeli Bridge, 35 feet above Higgins Avenue, after people frantically called 911 during rush-hour Tuesday afternoon.

While the incident ended with the man being taken out of harm's way, it touched off a firestorm because the Winnipeg Police Service had posted photos of the man on its social media accounts, including one in which he is holding onto the railing, suspended above the street. The photos were also sent to media outlets in a news release.

One of the critics was Coun. Sherri Rollins.

"Residents in distress should not have to experience a managed release like this in time of need. This type of communication precludes meaningful engagement," Rollins said in a social media post.

On Thursday, the service deleted the photos and apologized for releasing them.

"Earlier today, we tweeted a media release link (with) photos concerning a person in distress. We recognize the insensitivity of posting these photos (and) the impact they may have," the WPS said in a statement.

"We apologize for including these photos. We will be more mindful of what we share via social media."

The photos were taken around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday after police, firefighters and paramedics raced to the scene. They grabbed the man's jacket to keep him from falling.

Vlad Lebedev and Sergii Koviazn, who work for SRS Signs and Services, came upon the scene with their bucket truck. An officer was lifted up to the man and they were able to pull the man back over the ledge. The man was sent to hospital for a medical assessment.

Lebedev, who has worked at the company for a few months, called it "a good feeling helping somebody out in the city you live in."

"Its a first for me," he said. "Obviously it can be terrifying, it could be sad for the guy, we were just glad we could help."
I think the [Shield] sign has already made an impact... I hope this makes the community safer for all."  Wolcottville Town Marshal Nathan Sprunger

All Traffic Solutions selected Wolcottville Police Department and Kirtland Police Department to receive Shield 12 and SpeedAlert 18 radar feedback signs, respectively, through the companys ATS Gives Back initiative.

Over the years, All Traffic Solutions found that police departments in smaller communities have a need for All Traffic Solutions signs but lack the necessary funds and do not qualify for grants. The ATS Gives Back goal is to bridge this gap. Each month the All Traffic Solutions team selects two police departments to receive radar feedback signs free of charge. ATS Gives Back recipients also receive a subscription to TraffiCloud, All Traffic Solutions patented traffic device and data management system.

Wolcottville is a small town in Indiana with a major state road running straight through it. With a force of seven sworn officers, it can be challenging for Wolcottville Police Department to enforce speed limits along this high-volume road. There are many areas along this road with a lot of pedestrian traffic, including gas stations, shops, an apartment complex, and an elementary school. A few years ago, a child was struck and killed by a vehicle in one of these high-traffic areas.

I think the [Shield] sign has already made an impact. Very easy setup, as far as putting the sign up Working with our area rep to get it all set up on TraffiCloud was made simple. I hope this makes the community safer for all. said Wolcottville Town Marshal Nathan Sprunger.

The City of Kirtland is a small commuter town in Ohio with a population of around 7,000 people. Although Kirtlands population is small, it spans about 15 square miles and is home to many metro parks, a local school district, a community college, and Kirtland Mormon Temple, which is a National Historic Landmark. Speeding is a concern on the major state route that runs through Kirtland and on a curvy downhill road with potentially dangerous blind spots. Kirtland Police Department, a force of 12 full-time sworn officers, plans to use its SpeedAlert sign as a force-multiplier to help prevent speed-related crashes in the community.

This mobile sign will be perfect as we can move it from school zones to high-traffic areas and other areas during special events to keep motorists and pedestrians safer within the city. This will provide a gentle reminder to motorists in areas where officers cannot always be present to monitor speeds. said the City of Kirtland Police Chief Lance Nosse.

You can nominate a department and learn more about the ATS Gives Back criteria by visiting the All Traffic Solutions website.

About All Traffic Solutions

All Traffic Solutions (ATS) is a leader in traffic safety and data analytics for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and smart parking applications. We help law enforcement, municipal agencies, and commercial organizations use data and cloud-supported devices such as web-enabled radar speed displays, conditional messaging technology, and lidar technology to calm traffic, optimize parking availability, share notifications, and improve traffic safety while maximizing resources and budget. For more information, visit http://www.alltrafficsolutions.com.
The United States government publicly identified Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia as the murderer of an American resident, and then President Biden choked.

Instead of imposing sanctions on M.B.S., Biden appears ready to let the murderer walk. The weak message to other thuggish dictators considering such a murder is: Please dont do it, but well still work with you if we have to. The message to Saudi Arabia is: Go ahead and elevate M.B.S. to be the countrys next king if you must.

All this is a betrayal of my friend Jamal Khashoggi and of his values and ours. But even through the lens of realpolitik its a missed opportunity to help Saudi Arabia understand that its own interest lies in finding a new crown prince who isnt reckless and doesnt kill and dismember journalists.

What should Biden have done?

As a matter of consistency he should have imposed the same sanctions on M.B.S., including asset freezes and travel bans, that the United States imposed in 2018 on lower-level figures who carried out the murder of Khashoggi. These sanctions should also apply to the stooges and front companies that M.B.S. has used to accumulate assets around the world.
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Claiming a split between the presidential elections and the drafting of the new constitution, Russia maintains that the upcoming elections are legitimate, writes Al Souria Net.

Russia has called on the international community to assist the Assad regime with the presidential elections, which it plans to hold in several weeks, citing the absence of provisions that hinder that.

Dmitry Polansky, Russias First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, said, some European countries announced from the beginning that they would not recognize these elections and would consider them illegal.

Polansky added, as was reported by Russian media on Wednesday, that these countries undoubtedly have the right to act this way, but we believe that there are no grounds for this position.

He considered that the presidential elections and the drafting of the new constitution are two different processes, and, therefore, there are no reasons for considering voting unconstitutional.

He also considered that the regime has the full right to hold elections, as there are no provisions that hinder this, calling on everyone to help in organizing these elections.

In the past few months, statements have been issued by Assad regime officials, confirming that the elections will be held on time, according to the existing constitution and without outside interference.

Assad confirmed, in a media interview on November 11, that the 2021 elections would be held as scheduled, in accordance with the 2012 constitution.

While the Assad regime stresses that the presidential elections will be held on time, Western countries  led by the US and European countries  say that the elections are illegal, given that a large segment of the Syrian population will not participate in them.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Army Maj. Gen. Donna Martin is trying to figure out why military police respond more to alleged criminal offenses involving people of color.

As the Provost Marshal General of the Army and head of Criminal Investigation Command, Martin is conducting an assessment of how the service investigates and adjudicates military justice under Project Inclusion, a sweeping effort to promote diversity in the force. It was unveiled in late June after riots erupted across America to protest the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died while in Minneapolis police custody.

The data collected in the assessment shows "a little bit of disparity as we respond to crime on our installations," Martin told reporters Thursday, describing the effort as looking at everything from initial law enforcement response to final adjudication.

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"The response shows an overrepresentation of response to ... people of color, but when we go through the adjudication process, or into court-martial or actions that are taken by a commander, race is almost not even a factor," she said. "And so, it's our responsibility now to go and try to find out why that is. Why do we have this huge response at the beginning of the process, but as we look at the adjudication, race is not really a factor?"

Martin was one of seven Black general officers who participated in an Army roundtable with reporters to commemorate African American History Month.

Martin's command has sent out an anonymous survey to military communities on installations asking "very specific questions about how they feel about the safety on the installation, and it also very candidly asks them if they believe ... people of color commit more crimes than non-minority people," she said.

The survey also asks, "are you more likely to call the military police or have a law enforcement response if you suspect a person of color is involved in a crime," Martin said, adding that her command hasn't received all of the survey responses yet.

The roundtable participants said they have experienced racism in their Army careers but believe the service is moving in the right direction with Project Inclusion.

"As a young captain, I ran into a hurdle of racism and prejudice by my boss and was marginalized in my documentation and my evaluations," said Lt. Gen. Scott Dingle, the Army' Surgeon General and head of Army Medical Command. "It made me angry but yet I maintained my professionalism, and I knew that I just must show him as well as others as I went on in my career not to quit and get frustrated and throw in the towel."

Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, the Army's Inspector General, said he is glad to have the chance to fix some of the racial disparities of the service's past.

"I think we have all been disappointed in some of the things we have seen, but there are two ways to look at it -- as a matter to lament and complain about or as an opportunity to fix the things that are there," Smith said. "I will tell you each one of us has a critical role and responsibility in fixing those things that you see. Project Inclusion is part of that, equal opportunity listening sessions are part of that, Army inspections and investigations are part of that -- all of those things are getting after fixing ourselves."

Martin's Army biography lists her as the first African American woman to command Army CID, but that's not how she wants to be known.

"I want the narrative to change; I want us to stop talking about firsts," she said. "I want us to talk about the achievements of all because all have the same opportunity to achieve."

Martin was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the military police in 1988 after graduating through Old Dominion University's ROTC program in Virginia.

"I joined army ROTC because I needed to find a way to afford my education ... but I stayed because I found a family, and the Army is still that family to me," she said. "And so, I serve as an example of what is possible. I serve because I want young women of color to believe that they can achieve anything that they dream, and I am encouraged every single day by the steps the Army is taking toward diversity."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Inside the Army's Decision to Eliminate Photos from Officer Promotion Boards
Levi Strauss & Co, The Childrens Place and Kontoor Brands are funding a programme that targets gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in four Lesotho jeans factories employing up to 10,000 workers.

The project, which is unique in that it is binding and worker-led, will empower Lesotho unions, human and womens rights groups to effectively address GBVH.

To combat widespread abuse, the programme is providing garment workers with GBVH awareness training, a confidential reporting system, and enforcement processes administered by an entity independent of employer influence.

It comes after Levi Strauss, The Childrens Place, and Kontoor Brands launched a comprehensive pilot programme to prevent GBVH in garment factories in Lesotho last summer after an investigation documented a deeply concerning pattern of abuse and harassment at a key suppliers factories in the country.

The brands signed a set of unprecedented agreements with five Lesotho-based trade unions and womens rights organisations, as well as US-based Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), Solidarity Center and Workers United, and Nien Hsing Textile to address GBVH at five factories owned and operated by the Taiwan-based apparel manufacturer in Lesotho.



A survey of workers at three Nien Hsing factories in Lesotho by WRC found that nearly two-thirds of the women from three factories who were interviewed reported having experienced sexual harassment or abuse or having knowledge of harassment or abuse suffered by co-workers. Women workers from all three factories surveyed identified GBVH as a central concern for themselves and other female employees.

The agreements build on the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, in which unions were key participants. The Accord recognises the fundamental role of collective bargaining in achieving an agreement that is binding and enforced, backed by international brands commitment to link their ongoing business with their supplier to their compliance.

Partners in the new programme, which launched earlier this month, include Lesotho-based unions and womens rights groups that will play a key role in implementing the initiative to ensure that the binding agreements change the culture and practice at Nien Hsings factories and provide a remedy for victims of GBVH.

These include the Federation of Women Lawyers in Lesotho (FIDA), the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL), the National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers Union, Lesotho (NACTWU), the United Textile Employees (UNITE) and Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education Trust (WLSA)-Lesotho; international rights organisations Solidarity Center, Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) and Workers United.

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Levi Strauss, The Childrens Place, Kontoor Brands, and Nien Hsing are signatories to and participants in the binding agreements and GBVH programme. Funding comes from Levi Strauss, The Childrens Place, and Kontoor Brands together with the Solidarity Center and WRC in collaboration with the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Under the programme, Workers Rights Watch, an independent Lesotho-based non-profit entity established by the agreements, is fully empowered to investigate complaints of GBVH and determine remedies to redress violations of the agreements GBVH code of conduct.

Meanwhile, a confidential, toll-free information line run by one of the womens rights organisations is available six days a week for garment workers to discuss GBVH issues and remedies with trained counsellors, including determining their rights under the code of conduct and how to participate safely in a complaint and remedy process.

Education and awareness campaigns and programmes are also being provided to garment workers and their supervisors that get at the root causes of gender discrimination and violence against women, outline the GBVH code of conduct and remedies under the programme, and encourage reporting through the information line.

In addition, a new Solidarity Center GBVH training video in English and Sesotho will be widely disseminated to garment workers during training programmes and via social media.
Opinion

"AMEN and awomen."

This was how a U.S. congressman concluded a prayer recently in the House of Representatives. No doubt he meant to be inclusive of both men and women. However, he sounded ridiculous. Thats because the word "amen" comes from Hebrew and means "so be it." Amen has nothing to do with gender.

This embarrassing error leads to an important question: how did North American society reach a point of such widespread ignorance about a word commonly used to end prayers in both Judaism and Christianity?

The answer is that religious ignorance is on the rise. Many people know next to nothing about major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. They have no idea why Muslims fast during Ramadan or why Hindus celebrate Diwali.

Even our societys dominant religion, Christianity, is commonly misunderstood. Few people can outline the key differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants, and they would be hard-pressed to explain the significance of Pentecost in the history of the church.

Its not hard to see why this is a problem. Ignorance is the surest path to misunderstanding. And if it is not addressed, misunderstanding quickly descends into intolerance and hatred.

As Canada becomes more culturally and religiously diverse, its important that people learn about other religions. One of the best ways to do that is by taking a world religions course in high school. To be clear, a properly designed course doesnt proselytize students, nor does it promote any particular religion. Rather, it exposes students to a variety of perspectives and helps them understand where other people are coming from.

Its not hard to see why this is a problem. Ignorance is the surest path to misunderstanding. And if it is not addressed, misunderstanding quickly descends into intolerance and hatred.

For example, students who learn about the history of Islam, explore the Five Pillars of Islam and have an opportunity to visit a mosque are far less likely to assume that all Muslims are terrorists. Accurate information is the fastest way to dispel harmful stereotypes.

The good news is that World Religions 40S is offered in many Manitoba high schools. I was part of a team of teachers who helped develop and pilot this course. So far, it has been a huge success. One thing Ive noticed in teaching this course is that students are interested in learning more about other religions. They recognize that they need to have a better understanding of their co-workers, friends and neighbours.

Learning about other religions helps to take away the fear of the unknown. When you have a basic understanding of world religions, youre far more likely to have positive interactions with people from these different faith traditions. This affects all of us. No matter how culturally homogenous someones home community might be, anyone who visits a shopping mall will quickly see that religious diversity is a permanent reality.

Fortunately, most students are excited to learn about people who are different from themselves. Taking a world religions course in high school helps them get accurate information in a safe and supportive learning environment. Other provinces would do well to follow Manitobas example and make a world religions course available to their high school students.

Religious ignorance is a major problem in our society. Learning about world religions in school is a great way to combat ignorance and promote understanding.

Surely, we can all say a hearty amen to that.

Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher, a senior fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, and author of A Sage on the Stage: Common Sense Reflections on Teaching and Learning.

 Troy Media
Beyond barbecues and ceremonies: Recognizing Memorial Day

For many, Memorial Day weekend is about gathering with family and grilling or attending a parade. Some find a more personal way to honor the holiday.
COVID-19 testing (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - A patient has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 again after being given the all-clear, the Hanoi Centre of Disease Control (CDC Hanoi) said on February 25.

The 48-year-old patient, who resides in Dich Vong ward in Cau Giay district, has been taken to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases for further quarantine and treatment.

The case does not pose any risk of community transmission, Deputy Director of CDC Hanoi Khong Minh Tuan said.

Hanoi had reported 36 COVID-19 cases between January 27 and 12pm on February 25, according to the municipal Department of Health.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee Chu Xuan Dung said relevant agencies have been asked to assess infection risks and put forward solutions to reach the new normal.
[February 26, 2021] Ehave Inc. Reaches Milestone; Ketamine IV Therapy Provider KetaDASH to Launch Beta in Second Quarter 2021

MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ehave, Inc. (OTC Pink: EHVVF) (the Company), a provider of digital therapeutics for the psychedelic and mental health sectors, announced plans to launch open testing of its KetaDASH ketamine IV therapy in the second quarter using advanced vein technology. KetaDASH is a personalized mental care platform designed to instantly connect patients with highly skilled nurses to provide ketamine therapy at home under expert supervision. The platform has been strategically designed as a smart and intuitive dashboard from where patients and their associated nurses can get detailed insight on treatments. KetaDASH will soon be available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Ehave has also secured an umbrella policy to cover liability and malpractice insurance on each home delivery service. Clinicians will only need to fulfill each order without need to add additional cost to their bottom line. The KetaDASH platform allows licensed ketamine clinics and patients who have been prescribed ketamine by a physician to administer the treatment at home intravenously. This gives the clinic an opportunity to increase revenues by treating patients who are unable to come to their office. KetaDASH has also expanded the opportunity for the clinician to increase revenue by servicing all incoming orders with a full blanket of insurance coverage. This liability insurance will be provided by Ehave, so the servicing clinic will not have to add additional insurance coverage. Clinicians will also be provided the latest infrared technology to improve the efficacy of venous access, which is crucial in the industry. As a means of to improving the efficacy of venous access, KetaDASH has signed an agreement with Vein-Eye Carry to use its infrared imaging technology. Everyday there are 30 million to 40 million vein punctures worldwide and approximately 3 million in the USA. Delays in treatment can occur in approximately 25 percent of all patients due to the inability to establish IV access, or "find a vein," as it is more commonly referred to. One in three attempts to establish IV access result in failure in adults, and one in two attempts fail in pediatrics. With critically ill patients the failure rate of vein punctures ranges from 10% to 40% where vein punctures are more difficult. Ehave Chief Executive Officer, Ben Kaplan, said, "Our primary reason for making KetaDASH a reality is to provide ketamine as a psychedelic-assisted therapy for individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD or other mental or emotional health challenges. I strongly believe a large number of patients prefer a medical technician come to their home over going to a clinic." Lisa Ling, who hosts This is Life on CNN, recently aired a special on the psychedelic treatment revolution and how ketamine has been successfully repurposed over the past few years to treat depression and PTSD. The report is available online at https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/20/opinions/psychedelics-trauma-healing-this-is-life-heacock/index.html.



Victor S. Dorodny, MD,ND,PHD,MPH (www.DrDorodny.com), Medical Advisor to Ehave, said, "Ketamine, a widely used anesthetic medication, is now being used to treat depression, suicidality, chronic pain, migraines, OCD and even some PTSD symptoms. For many, this breakthrough treatment represents a powerful opportunity to manage their mental health challenges. KetaDASH will allow the patients who are prescribed Ketamine to receive required treatments in the safety and comfort of their homes." Additional Ehave Inc. Information

We are truly grateful for the support of EHVVF shareholders! Please join the conversation on our Ehave supporters telegram group at https://t.me/EhaveInc . The company posts important information and updates through weekly videos from the official company YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnyW1mgMd0qmYkEMq3O6FWA . Please follow Ehave on Twitter @Ehaveinc1 About Ehave, Inc. Ehave, Inc. (EHVVF) is a leader of digital therapeutics delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions to patients. Our primary focus is on improving the standard care in therapeutics to prevent or treat brain disorders or diseases through the use of digital therapeutics, independently or together, with medications, devices, and other therapies to optimize patient care and health outcomes. Our main product is the Ehave Telemetry Portal, which is a mental health informatics platform that allows clinicians to make objective and intelligent decisions through data insights. The Ehave Infinity Portal offers a powerful machine learning and artificial intelligence platform with a growing set of advanced tools and applications developed by Ehave and its leading partners. This empowers patients, healthcare providers, and payers to address a wide range of conditions through high quality, safe, and effective data-driven involvement with intelligent and accessible tools. Additional information on Ehave can be found on the Companys website at: www.ehave.com. Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be preceded by the words intends, may, will, plans, expects, anticipates, projects, predicts, estimates, aims, believes, hopes, potential or similar words. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: (i) the initiation, timing, progress and results of the Companys research, manufacturing and other development efforts; (ii) the Companys ability to advance its products to successfully complete development and commercialization; (iii) the manufacturing, development, commercialization, and market acceptance of the Companys products; (iv) the lack of sufficient funding to finance the product development and business operations; (v) competitive companies and technologies within the Companys industry and introduction of competing products; (vi) the Companys ability to establish and maintain corporate collaborations; (vii) loss of key management personnel; (viii) the scope of protection the Company is able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering its products and its ability to operate its business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; (ix) potential failure to comply with applicable health information privacy and security laws and other state and federal privacy and security laws; and (x) the difficulty of predicting actions of the USA FDA and its regulations. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statement unless required by law. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in Ehave, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 24, 2015, as amended, which is available on the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov. Contact: Ehave Inc Media Inquiries: Gabe Rodriguez Gabe@Ehave.com Investor Relations: Email: Ir@Ehave.com Phone: (623) 261-9046



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Washington: Saudi Arabias Crown Prince likely approved the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified US intelligence report. The finding could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable for a murder that drew widespread outrage in the US and abroad.

The public blaming of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amounted to an extraordinary rebuke and was likely to set the tone for the new administrations relationship with a country US President Joe Biden has criticised but which the White House also regards in some contexts as a strategic partner.

The US implicated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pictured, in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Credit:AP

The conclusion that the Prince approved a 2018 operation to kill or capture Khashoggi, a critic of his authoritarian consolidation of power, was based on what intelligence officials know about his role in decision-making inside the kingdom as well as the involvement of one of his key advisers, Saud al-Qahtani, and members of his protective detail, according to the report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released on Saturday AEDT. Officials also factored in the Princes past support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, the report said.

As Democrats in Congress clamoured for aggressive action, the US State Department responded by announcing visa restrictions on 76 Saudi individuals involved in threatening dissidents abroad.
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Thousands of of worshippers set up camp on a Bangladeshi river bank this week for a four-day Islamic gathering with few masks and no social distancing in sight.

Crowds were mingling at close quarters at the festival on the banks of the Kirtankhola river where worshippers prayed together and listened to sermons from Islamic scholars.

Local media said some worshippers had taken up positions days before the event began, with thousands of volunteers staffing the gathering known as a mahfil. But it was not clear whether any measures were in place to prevent the coronavirus spreading at a gathering which would normally bring together hundreds of thousands.

Bangladesh currently has a low infection rate with only 470 new cases announced today out of a population of 164million, although testing is limited compared to Western countries. A total of 8,395 have died.

Gatherings have been restricted on a local basis, schools are closed, and border restrictions are in place including hotel quarantine for arrivals from the UK. But the English-language Dhaka Tribune has lamented Bangladesh's failure to curb large crowds, saying that there have been too many 'rallies and processions' during the pandemic.

Last March, a massive prayer session - dedicated, of all things, to ridding the country of the virus - sparked an outcry after police said 10,000 people had gathered in an open field.

Large gathering: Boats were moored on the banks of the Kirtankhola river in Bangladesh where scores of worshippers set up camp for a four-day Islamic gathering with few masks and no social distancing in sight

Close quarters: Worshippers were packed together under a canopy and sitting behind a wire-mesh fence during the gathering known as a mahfil, a word meaning congregation or assembly

From above: This aerial view shows crowds of people mingling on pathways and under canopies during the large gathering

Uncovered: Most people were not wearing masks, although a few face coverings were dotted around the crowds. It was not clear whether any other measures were in place to prevent the spread of the virus

Audience: Worshippers sit at close quarters as they listen to a speaker during the four-day event in Bangladesh, which has a low infection rate compared to Western countries but also more limited testing

Campus: People were walking between canopies at the event where people prayed together and listened to Islamic scholars

Spectators: A large crowd assembled under this canopy, at an event staffed by thousands of volunteers and where some participants had arrived days before the festival began

In line: People filed past canopies as they walked around the campus on the side of a river, with one person here in a mask

Address: Worshippers listen to one of the speakers at the four-day festival which began on Wednesday and finishes on Saturday

Canopy: Scores of people at the gathering on Friday, with one person standing by the fence wearing a red face covering
(Newser)  Never underestimate barnacles. According to researchers in Australia, they might just help in tracing people lost at sea. Species of the Lepas anserifera genus of goose barnacle are among the most common found in biofouling, a fancy word for the buildup of organisms on a surface, and "play an important role in biofouling communities as foundation species," according to a study in Marine Biology. To learn more, researchers at the University of New South Wales monitored how the barnacles and other creatures attached to floating and fixed objects over six months. The Lepas, which only attach to floating objects, showed an average daily growth rate of 1.055mm per day, which was above the fastest daily growth rate observed during earlier research in the 1940s, and a fastest daily growth rate of about 1.45mm per day, per a release. That's not as unimportant as it might sound.

story continues below

If a fisherman goes missing and debris from his boat washes ashore, "we can measure and count the Lepas (as well as counting those other amphipods if present) to give a minimum estimate for how long that debris was drifting," lead author Thomas Mesaglio explains. What's more, experts can "reconstruct the sea surface temperature they experienced while attached to the debris" by performing an isotopic analysis of the barnacle shells. Researchers say this could be used to plot possible drift patterns. All this is hypothetical. However, co-author Iain Suthers says the calculations suggest the 36mm Lepas found on debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 that washed ashore off the coast of Madagascar 16 months after the airliner disappeared in 2014 "were much younger than previously realized" and likely formed "nowhere near the crash site." (Read more discoveries stories.)
A U.S. intelligence report expected to be declassified as soon as Friday implicates Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in approving the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, according to a person familiar with the findings.

The report builds on classified intelligence from the CIA and other agencies after Khashoggi's murder in October 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the report hasn't yet been released. It wasn't immediately clear how much detail the declassified version of the report will provide on Prince Mohammed's role.

The decision to release the report, compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, reflects the Biden administration's determination to recalibrate relations with Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, over its human rights record.

In advance of publication, President Joe Biden held a call Thursday with Saudi Arabia's King Salman. Biden discussed regional security and the renewed U.S. and United Nations effort to end the war in Yemen. He also "affirmed the importance the United States places on universal human rights and the rule of law," the White House said in a statement.

Prince Mohammed has denied any involvement in the killing, while saying he accepts symbolic responsibility as the country's de facto ruler. Saudi officials have said the murder was carried out by rogue agents who have since been prosecuted.

State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to comment when asked about the report Thursday but suggested that the U.S. was looking at other ways to punish the perpetrators. Among the options may be cutting back arms sales to Saudi Arabia and imposing sanctions, he said without elaborating.

"I expect that we will be in a position before long to speak to steps to promote accountability going forward for this horrific crime," Price told reporters in Washington.

Saudi authorities didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Biden's decision to release the report, or the possibility that the U.S. could impose sanctions on one of its closest and most important Middle East allies. Saudi Arabia dominates the Gulf Arab region geographically, is its economic powerhouse and has for decades been a political heavyweight in regional affairs.

Goods and services trade between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia amounted to almost $39 billion in 2019, with American exports totaling about $24 billion and imports reaching nearly $15 billion, according to U.S. government figures. That made Saudi Arabia the U.S.'s 27th-largest goods trading partner but it is one of the biggest customers for American arms.

The decision to release the report, which was withheld by the Trump administration, reflects a return, under Biden, to routine diplomatic channels and traditional U.S. pressure over human rights, even on allies. For Prince Mohammed and his inner circle, the key will be whether the report provides any new findings beyond the largely circumstantial evidence that is already known.

Former President Donald Trump put Saudi Arabia at the center of his Middle East strategy, making it his first foreign visit as he abandoned the 2015 nuclear deal with a common enemy, Iran, and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Trump dismissed concerns about whether the crown prince approved the Khashoggi killing -- "Maybe he did, maybe he didn't," he said -- citing the economic rewards of selling arms to the Saudis. His secretary of state, Michael Pompeo, said the U.S. had "no direct evidence" linking the prince to the murder while Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner maintained a close working relationship with him.

In contrast, within his first few days in office, Biden put on hold major weapons sales to the kingdom pending review and announced an end to U.S. support for offensive actions in Yemen, where he wants to wrap up a Saudi-led military intervention that's contributed to the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

In an overt rebuke, he's also downgraded relations with Prince Mohammed, who runs the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom and typically liaises directly with foreign leaders. Instead, Biden's called his official counterpart, King Salman himself.

Biden will have to navigate the relationship with Saudi Arabia carefully, however, as he seeks to re-engage Iran and persuade it to resume compliance with the nuclear accord. Signaling that being tougher on Saudi Arabia will not mean he's soft on Iran, the administration ordered airstrikes overnight on Iranian-backed militias in Syria that it blames for rocket attacks on U.S. forces in neighboring Iraq.

In recent days, Saudi newspapers and commentators have emphasized the kingdom's close relationship with the U.S.

Abdullah Al Tayer, a former Saudi official, said last week on Twitter that any attempt to "target" the king or the crown prince was targeting "the nation and its citizens in their present and their future."
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Walking down the halls of United Hebrews Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center, colorful bulletin boards displaying vibrant artwork line the walls. The sound of laughing toddlers echoes from classroom to classroom. At the turn of a corner appears a door that leads to endless shelves of books, bins of plastic toys and, most importantly, a compassionate, kindhearted teacher.

Paige Rubin, a senior at Parkway Central High School and member of United Hebrew Congregation, has made her mark as one of the youngest, full-time educators at the Spielberg ECC.

At the young age of 15, she was given the opportunity to discover what would soon develop into possibly a lifelong career.

Ive wanted to work with kids my whole life, but no one would let me because I was never old enough, Rubin, 18, said. I eventually met with (the director of Spielberg EEC) and she assigned me to the 3-year-olds. I started part-time in the summer, she invited me back for the school year and it just kept going.

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Lauren Lourie, director of early childhood engagement at Spielberg ECC, has offered teens in the community an opportunity to become a summer camp counselor, which Rubin had enjoyed doing for several years. But with Rubin, Lourie also saw someone who could take on a larger role year-round.

My first impression of Paige was that she was an enthusiastic teenager who already knew what she wanted her career path to be, Lourie said. [She] was determined to begin and establish relationships with young children and their families.

Rubins determination truly paid off as she was able to establish strong bonds between herself and the students in her classrooms. By building these connections, Rubin has had a pivotal impact on the many young children she has taught.

Paige is always there for our students, Lourie said. If a student comes in sad, Paige is able to cheer them up. If a student needs help, Paige is there. She has the uncanny ability to make connections with all students and understand their unique needs.

As the director of the Spielberg ECC and a parent of children in the program, Lourie has observed the effects of Rubins teaching through different lenses.

Paige recently took the initiative in her class to show parents how much their children have grown with comparison photos from the beginning to the end of 2020, Lourie said. As a parent with a student in her class, it is something that put a smile on my face because not only did I see the physical changes in my child, but Ive also seen the developmental changes that Paige has helped facilitate.

Rubin has had a substantial impact on both the physical and mental growth of her students; however, she has also gained a lot of knowledge about herself. While working at the ECC, Rubin continues to develop her skills as an educator.

I feel like I have grown up a lot, Rubin said. I have learned how to work with parents and kids in a lot of different age groups. There was also setting up classrooms, parent teacher conferences, meeting the teacher and professional development days that I had never done before until this year.

As a result of the pandemic, many exciting opportunities and experiences were abruptly cancelled. However, these disheartening circumstances instead created an opportunity for Rubin. Because of the highly altered online school schedule, Rubin now had time to complete her high school education virtually and graduate a semester early, all while caring for a classroom of year-old infants.

COVID does make teaching difficult because the kids cannot see your face, Rubin said. They ask when the pandemic is going to be over and it is confusing. But it is the only reason I am working full time, so I try to keep that in my mind along with my patience.

Despite the difficulties that come with teaching during a pandemic, the joy and utter happiness the children exude each day make the struggles ultimately worthwhile.

The kids just make me so happy, Rubin said. They learn so much at this age. Every single day they come in with a new word, a new sound, a new something. They smile and are happy, and I cant not walk in with a smile on my face every day.

The childrens effervescent disposition has truly had a significant impact on Rubin and her future.

I have known for a long time that teaching is what I want to do, Rubin said. Working full time has by far been the best experience I have had. Working with an amazing co-teacher and my favorite age has been a blast. I feel so incredibly lucky that I have found what I love to do.

Rubins plans include attending a local community college through the A+ Scholarship Program, which offers qualifying high school students two years of paid tuition to Missouri community colleges. Additionally, she hopes to continue working at the Saul Spielberg ECC while majoring in early childhood education and special education.
Photo: The Canadian Press A dose of COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at a vaccination clinic in Montreal's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021.

Seniors in Canada's two largest provinces are facing significantly different timelines for vaccinations, as increasing spread of COVID-19 variants causes concern for health officials across the country.

Quebecers 85 years and older were able to register for COVID-19 vaccinations starting Thursday, while seniors in Ontario must wait weeks to book in that province.

"We're very happy with what we've seen with the vaccinations," Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said.

He added that there were some minor technical issues, but close to 100,000 people had signed up for appointments the first day.

Some doses were already being administered in Laval, just north of Montreal. Inoculations for the greater Montreal area are to begin Monday.

Ontarios vaccine distribution committee, blaming a lack of supply for the delay, has said seniors there wont be able to book appointments until March 15.

Provinces are moving forward with their vaccine distribution plans as federal officials assure the disruptions that have plagued supply lines have been rectified.

Kerry Bowman, a bioethicist with the University of Toronto, said he is concerned that seniors' access to vaccinations will vary wildly based on the province where they live. He said the pandemic, particularly vaccination distribution, is putting a spotlight on issues with the country's fractured health-care system.

"Whats becoming very, very clear is that the interventions are highly variable from province to province," Bowman said.

While all regions are under immense pressure, Bowman said Ontario's delayed rollout should have been avoided.

"People's lives will be damaged or even lost because of these delays."

There's also worry that differing strategies across the country could leave people confused about when they are able to get a vaccine, he added.

In Saskatchewan, health officials reversed earlier advice to people 70 and older to wait to be contacted for vaccinations, after reports some were confused by the process. The Saskatchewan Health Authority said it will launch a tool to book vaccinations online once more doses become available.

Also, the first day Albertans could book vaccine appointments left many frustrated when the government's online portal crashed Wednesday after more than 150,000 people tried to get access to it at about the same time.

The next day, because of long lineups at vaccination clinics in the province, officials issued a plea for people to wait in their cars.

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, who is in charge of the federal vaccine distribution program, said he understands that provinces may not have a lot of confidence in dose deliveries after a disappointing performance this month.

But supply is already ramping back up, he said. The largest number of doses yet was delivered this week  643,000 across the country.

"Provinces are now in a position to fully deploy their immunization plans," Fortin said.

More than 40 per cent of seniors over 80 have now received one dose of the vaccine. About 5.5 per cent have received a second dose.

But Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer, cautioned it is not time for people to let their guard down.

"COVID-19 remains a serious threat.

Increasing spread of more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus in Quebec prompted officials there to require primary school students in red pandemic-alert zones, including the greater Montreal area, to wear masks starting March 8.

The B.1.1.7 variant  first detected in the United Kingdom  has become a significant issue in Montreal, where there is still widespread community transmission. The variant is making up eight to 10 per cent of new cases.

Dr. Mylene Drouin, Montreal's public health director, said 40 per cent of cases linked to variants in the city have involved children.

Hospitalizations, however, are declining provincewide. Health authorities are reporting 858 new infections and 16 more deaths.

Ontario's science advisory group predicted Thursday that the more contagious variants will likely make up 40 per cent of new cases in the province by mid-March.

Dr. Adalsteinn Brown, co-chair of the group, compared the weeks ahead to a "minefield" and urged vigilance of public-health orders.
A U.S. intelligence report expected to be declassified as soon as Friday implicates Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in approving the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, according to a person familiar with the findings.

The report builds on classified intelligence from the CIA and other intelligence agencies after Khashoggis murder in October 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the report hasnt yet been released. It wasnt immediately clear how much detail the declassified version of the report will provide about Prince Mohammeds role in the killing.

The decision to release the report, compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, reflects the Biden administrations determination to recalibrate relations with Saudi Arabia, the worlds largest oil exporter, amid tensions over its human rights record.

In advance of the reports publication, President Joe Biden held a call Thursday with Saudi Arabias King Salman. Biden discussed regional security and the renewed U.S. and United Nations effort to end the war in Yemen, and he affirmed the importance the United States places on universal human rights and the rule of law," the White House said in a statement.

Prince Mohammed has denied any involvement in the killing, while saying he accepts symbolic responsibility for it as the countrys de facto ruler. Saudi officials have said the murder was carried out by rogue agents who have since been prosecuted.

State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to comment when asked about the report Thursday but suggested that the U.S. was looking at other ways to hold the perpetrators of the killing responsible for their actions. Among the options may be cutting back arms sales to Saudi Arabia and imposing sanctions.

I expect that we will be in a position before long to speak to steps to promote accountability going forward for this horrific crime," Price told reporters in Washington. Transparency, as it often is, is an element of accountability. I wouldnt expect the accountability to stop there, however."

The decision to release the report, which was withheld by the Trump administration, reflects the difference in attitudes toward Saudi Arabia, and human rights issues, under Biden.

Former President Donald Trump dismissed concerns about whether the crown prince approved the killing -- Maybe he did, maybe he didnt," he said -- citing the economic rewards of selling arms to the Saudis. His secretary of state, Michael Pompeo, said the U.S. had no direct evidence" linking the prince to the murder and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner maintained a close working relationship with him.

The U.S. intelligence report isnt the only finding to implicate the Saudi monarchy. A UN investigator, Agnes Callamard has said Khashoggi was the victim of a state killing" and has said there was little doubt it was ordered at the highest levels of the Saudi government.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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LONDON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION IN IT IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION NO. 596/2014 ("MAR"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Yellow Cake plc (AIM: YCA), founded and established by Bacchus Capital to be a specialist company operating in the uranium sector with a view to holding physical uranium for the long-term, is pleased to announce that 43,001,944 new Ordinary Shares (the "Placing Shares") have been placed with existing and new institutional investors at a price of 2.23 per share (the "Placing Price") via an accelerated bookbuild (the "Placing"). Concurrently with the Placing, the Company made an offer via the PrimaryBid platform of 1,523,070 new ordinary shares in the Company (the "Retail Shares") at the Placing Price (the "Retail Offer"), to provide certain retail investors with an opportunity to participate in the Placing (the Placing and Retail Offer together the "Fundraise").

Due to strong investor demand, the Company agreed with the Joint Bookrunners to increase the size of the Fundraise to approximately US$140 million from the approximately US$110 million originally proposed.

The Fundraise was conducted utilising the Company's existing share authorities.

Together, the Placing and the Retail Offer in aggregate comprise 44,525,014 new Ordinary Shares, which will raise gross proceeds of approximately 99.3 million (approximately US$140 million). The Placing Shares and the Retail Shares being issued together represent approximately 53.0% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of the Company prior to the Placing and the Retail Offer.

Andre Liebenberg, Chief Executive Office of Yellow Cake, commented:

"We are delighted with the success of the Fundraise. I would like to thank existing investors for their support and backing of our strategy and welcome new investors to Yellow Cake. The Fundraise highlights the improving sentiment behind uranium, driven by supply challenges and growing demand, as nuclear is increasingly seen as a proven source for clean baseload power. This theme will become more pronounced as we move towards COP26, and supply cuts start to have a greater impact as utilities re-enter the market. With the raise behind us, we are now able to move forward on the next phase of our long term supply agreement with Kazatomprom, and acquire a further 3.5 mmlb of uranium at a price of US$ 28.95 /lb, bringing our total uranium holdings to 12.8 mlbs. Furthermore, we have been able to raise additional proceeds that will give the Company the opportunity to make selective additional purchases of uranium in the market.

Placing:

Application has been made for the Placing Shares and the Retail Shares to be admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc ("AIM") ("Admission"). It is expected that Admission will become effective at commencement of trading on 2 March 2021 and settlement is expected to take place on the same date on a T+2 basis.

The Placing is conditional upon, inter alia, Admission becoming effective and the Placing Agreement not being terminated in accordance with its terms.

Following Admission of all of the Placing Shares and the Retail Shares: (a) the total number of shares of the Company in issue will be 132,740,730, of which 4,156,385 are held in treasury; and (b) the total number of voting shares in the Company will be 128,584,345.

Other than where defined, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the Announcement released by the Company at 17:12 p.m. yesterday.

Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation ("Cantor") and Canaccord Genuity Limited ("Canaccord") acted as Joint Bookrunners (Cantor and Canaccord, together being the "Joint Bookrunners"). Bacchus Capital Advisers acted as Financial Adviser.

ENQUIRIES:

Yellow Cake plc

Andre Liebenberg, CEO Carole Whittall, CFO Tel: +44 (0) 153 488 5200

Joint Bookrunner: Cantor

Graham Moylan James Mazur Tel: +001 416 350 3671

Joint Bookrunner and Nomad: Canaccord Genuity

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor James Asensio Tel: + 44 (0) 207 523 8000

Financial Adviser: Bacchus Capital Advisers

Peter Bacchus Shea O'Callaghan Tel: +44 (0) 203 848 1640

Media & Investors: Powerscourt

Peter Ogden

Tel: +44 (0) 779 3 85 8211



Yellow Cake plc's registered office is located at: 3rd Floor, Liberation House, Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands JE1 2LH.

The information contained within this Announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No.596/20 14. By the publication of this Announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this Announcement on behalf of the Company is Andre Liebenberg.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This Announcement (the "Announcement") and the information in it is restricted and is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in, into or within the United States of America its territories and possessions, any state of the united states or the District of Columbia (collectively, the "United States"), Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, The Cayman Islands, South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction (each a "Restricted Territory"). This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire for placing shares in any Restricted Territory. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of such jurisdictions. Subject to certain exemptions, the securities referred to in this Announcement may not be offered or sold in any Restricted Territory or for the account or benefit of any national resident or citizen of any Restricted Territory. This Announcement has not been approved by the London Stock Exchange, nor is it intended that it will be so approved.

In particular the securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered, sold, pledged, taken up, exercised, resold, renounced, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The securities referred to herein are being offered and sold only: (i) to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in "offshore transactions" pursuant to Regulation S of the US Securities Act and (ii) inside the United States to "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act who have duly executed a US investor letter in the form provided to it and delivered the same to the Company, Joint Bookrunners or their affiliates.

The offer and sale of the Placing Shares referred to herein has not been and will not be registered under the applicable securities laws of any Restricted Territory.

No public offering of the shares referred to in this Announcement is being made in the United States, the United Kingdom, any Restricted Territory or elsewhere.

The securities referred to herein have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority in the United States nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the securities referred to herein or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

The Company has not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940 and investors will not be entitled to the benefits of that Act. All offers of Placing Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) (the "Prospectus Regulation") 2003/71/EC, as it forms part of retained EU law as defined in the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "Withdrawal Act"), from the requirement to produce amended from time to time, including by Directive 2010/73/EC to the extent implemented in the relevant member state and includes any relevant implementing directive measure in any member state (the "Prospectus Directive") from the requirement to produce a prospectus. This Announcement is being distributed to persons in the United Kingdom only in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA") does not apply. Members of the public are not eligible to take part in the Placing.

This Announcement and the information contained herein are for information purposes only and are directed only at: (a) persons in Member States of the EEA who are qualified investors within the meaning of article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation ("Qualified Investors"); (b) in the United Kingdom, persons who are (i) "Investment Professionals" specified in article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") and/or (ii) fall within article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (and only where the conditions contained in those articles have been, or will at the relevant time be, satisfied), and (ii) are "Qualified Investors" within the meaning of article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of retained EU law as defined in the Withdrawal Act (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"); (c) are residents of Canada or otherwise subject to the securities laws of Canada which are 'permitted clients' as defined in National Instrument 31 - 103 - Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations; (d) in Australia, are sophisticated investors or professional investors as those terms are defined in sub- sections 708(8) and 708(11) of the Corporations Act; (e) in Hong Kong, are professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571 of Hong Kong); or (f) in Singapore, are institutional investors as such term is defined in section 4(a) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This Announcement does not itself constitute an offer for sale or to acquire any securities in the Company. This Announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this Announcement relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Each Placee should consult with its own advisers as to legal, tax, business and related aspects of an investment in Placing Shares.

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each defined in paragraph 3 of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels to professional clients and eligible counterparties (the "Target Market Assessment").

Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment for the Placing Shares, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom.

The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the offering of the Placing Shares. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Joint Bookrunners will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Placing Shares.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.

A COPY OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO THE JERSEY REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 5 OF THE COMPANIES (GENERAL PROVISIONS) (JERSEY) ORDER 2002, AND THE REGISTRAR HAS GIVEN, AND HAS NOT WITHDRAWN, CONSENT TO ITS CIRCULATION. THE JERSEY FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION HAS GIVEN, AND HAS NOT WITHDRAWN, ITS CONSENT UNDER ARTICLE 2 OF THE CONTROL OF BORROWING (JERSEY) ORDER 1958 TO THE ISSUE OF SHARES IN THE COMPANY. THE JERSEY FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION IS PROTECTED BY THE CONTROL OF BORROWING (JERSEY) LAW 1947 AGAINST LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE DISCHARGE OF ITS FUNCTIONS UNDER THAT LAW. IT MUST BE DISTINCTLY UNDERSTOOD THAT, IN GIVING THESE CONSENTS, NEITHER THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES NOR THE JERSEY FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION TAKES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS OF THE COMPANY OR FOR THE CORRECTNESS OF ANY STATEMENTS MADE, OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED, WITH REGARD TO IT. THE COMPANY HAS TAKEN ALL REASONABLE CARE TO ENSURE THAT THE FACTS STATED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE TRUE AND ACCURATE IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS, AND THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER FACTS THE OMISSION OF WHICH WOULD MAKE MISLEADING ANY STATEMENT IN THE DOCUMENT, WHETHER OF FACTS OR OF OPINION.

THE COMPANY ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY ACCORDINGLY. COPIES OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE NOT BEING, AND MUST NOT BE, MAILED, OR OTHERWISE FORWARDED, DISTRIBUTED, SENT IN, OR OTHERWISE CIRCULATED IN JERSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS.

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of the Company, the Joint Bookrunners, the Company's nominated adviser, or any of their respective affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) ("Affiliates") or any of such persons' directors, partners, officers or employees or any other person as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this Announcement and no liability whatsoever is accepted by the Company, the Joint Bookrunners or any of such persons' Affiliates, partners, directors, officers or employees or any other person for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of such information or opinions or otherwise arising in connection therewith.

Canaccord is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"). Cantor is authorised and regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). Each of the Joint Bookrunners is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Placing and they will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing and/or any other matter referred to in this Announcement.

This Announcement is being issued by and is the sole responsibility of the Company. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by the Joint Bookrunners (apart from the responsibilities or liabilities that may be imposed by the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder) or by any of their respective affiliates or agents or by any of their respective directors, partners, officers, employees, advisers, representatives or shareholders (collectively, "Representatives") for the contents of the information contained in this Announcement, or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, or any other statement made or purported to be made by or on behalf of the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates or by any of their respective Representatives in connection with the Company, the Placing Shares or the Placing and any responsibility and liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise therefore is expressly disclaimed. Each of the Joint Bookrunners and each of their respective affiliates accordingly disclaim all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) in respect of any statements or other information contained in this Announcement and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates as to the accuracy, fairness, verification, completeness or sufficiency of the information contained in this Announcement and nothing in this Announcement is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or future. This Announcement does not identify or suggest, or purport to identify or suggest, the risks (direct or indirect) that may be associated with an investment in the Placing Shares. Any investment decision to buy Placing Shares in the Placing must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information, which has not been independently verified by the Joint Bookrunners. Shares will not be admitted on any stock exchanged other than AIM.

The distribution of this Announcement and the offering of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons distributing any part of this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any action. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of such jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required by the Joint Bookrunners and the Company to inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions.

Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this Announcement.

This Announcement contains "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as "aim", "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "seek", "may", "could", "outlook" or other words of similar meaning. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond the control of the Company. Any forward looking statements made in this Announcement by or on behalf of the Company speak only as of the date they are made. Statements contained in this Announcement regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Announcement.
Lucknow, Feb 27 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said here on Friday that to understand the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one has to understand its sense of service.

The RSS is an organisation that works without any government support, he said at the launch of the book 'Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh - Swarnim Bharat Ke Disha Sutra' written by Sunil Ambekar, All India Co-Promotion Head of the RSS.

"'Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh - Swarnim Bharat Ke Disha Sutra' is not just a book. This is a vision," he said, adding that the service of the Sangh draws people towards it.

"The RSS has been making its presence felt like a drop of sugar in a solution. Everyone realises this like sugar. This is also given in this book. If you want to understand the Sangh, then you have to understand its service," he said.

He said that in the lockdown, the Sangh registered its presence and was the first organisation that went door to door to help people. The state governments may have neglected people but the RSS did not ignore anyone.

The Chief Minister said that if no one is going to speak against you, then you did not do a good job. This is what the Sangh has done. The Sangh has always acted in service. If a volunteer lives here, and goes to serve in the southern states of India, then only a Sangh volunteer can do it.

RSS Joint General Secratary Dattatreya Hosabale said on the occasion that there was too much misinformation about the Sangh. The number of people who spoke without knowing about it was high. The Sangh started as an organisation but Hedgewar ji has already said that this is not a new job. Sangh is a life vision, it is an experience.

He said that it is not an organisation in a society. It is the organisation of a society. It makes everyone organised. We live in society and keep everyone organised.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New measures will be introduced at the Franco-German border from 1 March, according to a press release issued by the France's Minister of Health Olivier Veran.

People crossing the border for non-professional trips will be obliged to present a PCR test of no less than 72 hours when crossing the border into France from Germany.

For cross-border workers, weekly tests will be organised at the border, but no details are available on this yet.

A flagship measure throughout this pandemic, teleworking will have to be strengthened from next week onwards.

Police presence will be reinforced at the border, and French authorities will work with their German counterparts to "ensure the effectiveness of these measures".

France and Germany agreed Thursday to require coronavirus tests for workers commuting across their shared border, aiming to avoid a full closure of the frontier while controlling the outbreak's spread.

"Border closures are not on the agenda for now," Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters in Berlin after a video summit of EU leaders.

France's hard-hit Moselle department was striking its own deals with Germany's neighbouring Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate regions, Merkel said.

But she added that the case of Germany's borders with the Czech Republic and Austria's Tyrol region, which have been closed, was "very different".

"It was the relevant German regional authorities who asked us" to block crossings, Merkel said.

Closing the French-German border in spring 2020 during the first pandemic wave created tensions between the two countries, even at the level of local populations.

"We do not want Germany to shut the border completely," France's European Affairs minister Clement Beaune had said earlier Thursday as he announced the new weekly PCR tests for cross-border workers, who have also been asked to work from home if possible.

Saarland prime minister Tobias Hans told ARD public television that "we have to have similar measures on the German side."

Covid-19, including the more dangerous South African variant, is spreading faster in the eastern Moselle region than elsewhere in France.

Berlin had warned last week that it was considering expanding new travel restrictions to the border there.

Germany is one of several states rapped by the European Commission over border closures ahead of Thursday's EU summit.

French workers regularly crossing the border with Luxembourg are not targeted by the new requirement.

Elsewhere, the current rule that travellers other than cross-border workers arriving in France from another EU country must present a negative PCR test remains in force.

The French ministers said that joint French-German border police patrols "could be reinforced" to ensure compliance.
A third body has been found by Gardai who began a manhunt following a suspected double murder at a farm in Co Cork.

Gardai are now set to launch a murder investigation after the bodies of two brothers in their 60s were discovered in a remote property in Cork early this morning.

The body of another man was later found in a river close to the discovery of a van Gardai had been searching for.

Gardai confirmed the man they had been searching for is related to the brothers.

The latest development came following the grim discovery in the early hours of the morning at a property outside Mitchelstown on the Kildorrery Road.

One body was found in a yard and another body was found in a shed.

The area at Curraghgorm was sealed off as Mitchelstown Gardai awaited the arrival of members of the Garda Technical Bureau.

Armed support units also attended the scene overnight.

Gardai later located a red Toyota Corolla van that they had previously been looking to trace. The public had been warned not to approach the vehicle if they spotted it.

Detectives had been trying to trace the whereabouts of a third individual - understood to be linked to the property - who was not present at the address.

In a statement at lunchtime, Gardai confirmed the location of a third body, in a river close to the discovery of the vehicle.

"Shortly before midnight, Thursday 25 February 2021, Gardai in Mitchelstown were alerted to the an incident at a farm house and lands at Curragorm, Mitchelstown. Local Uniform and Plain Clothes Gardai attended the scene supported by Armed Support Units.

"A male in his 60s was discovered deceased in the farmyard. Following a further search the body of a second male in his 60s was also discovered in a shed on the farmyard. Both males are related.

"Gardai commenced a search for a 3rd male, also related, believed to be driving a Red Toyota Corolla Carvan, 03 WW 1556," they said in the statement.

"This car was subsequently found by Gardai parked at an unconnected farmhouse at Killacluig, Mitchelstown. This car has been removed from the scene for a technical examination.

"An Garda Siochana have discovered the body of male in a river in a remote location nearby. Investigations are ongoing at this time to recover and identify this body."

Expand Close Gardai pictured at the farm off the Mitchelstown to Mallow Road outside Kildorrery, co. Cork where the bodies of two brothers in their 60s were discovered / Facebook

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A number of scenes have now been preserved for technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau today.

One of the deceased was not resident at the north Cork property.

The area is a remote farm located just off the Mitchelstown to Mallow Road outside Kildorrery.

It is understood the bodies were discovered after Gardai were made aware of an incident at the property, a family farm.

It is understood Gardai received a phone call to say someone had just been killed at the property.

When they attended minutes later, two bodies were found by armed officers in different locations.

Gardai said at lunchtime that the bodies of the two males remain at the scene.

Gardai have sealed off the area and maintained a security cordon some distance from the property.

Dr. Margot Bolster, Locum Assistant State Pathologist, will attend the scene and post mortems will be later carried out at Cork University Hospital later.

"An Garda Siochana appeal to any person with information on the incidents that occurred last night to contact investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station," the statement added.

The Mitchelstown tragedy came just five months after a father and two sons died in a murder-double suicide in Kanturk.

That triple tragedy was linked to a dispute over a family inheritance.
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Our use of social media, specifically our efforts to maximize "likes," follows a pattern of "reward learning," concludes a new study by an international team of scientists. Its findings, which appear in the journal Nature Communications, reveal parallels with the behavior of animals, such as rats, in seeking food rewards.

"These results establish that social media engagement follows basic, cross-species principles of reward learning," explains David Amodio, a professor at New York University and the University of Amsterdam and one of the paper's authors. "These findings may help us understand why social media comes to dominate daily life for many people and provide clues, borrowed from research on reward learning and addiction, to how troubling online engagement may be addressed."

In 2020, more than four billion people spent several hours per day, on average, on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other more specialized forums. This widespread social media engagement has been likened by many to an addiction, in which people are driven to pursue positive online social feedback, such as "likes," over direct social interaction and even basic needs like eating and drinking.

While social media usage has been studied extensively, what actually drives people to engage, sometimes obsessively, with others on social media is less clear.

To examine these motivations, the Nature Communications study, which also included scientists from Boston University, the University of Zurich, and Sweden's Karolinska Institute, directly tested, for the first time, whether social media use can be explained by the way our minds process and learn from rewards.

To do so, the authors analyzed more than one million social media posts from over 4,000 users on Instagram and other sites. They found that people space their posts in a way that maximizes how many "likes" they receive on average: they post more frequently in response to a high rate of likes and less frequently when they receive fewer likes.

The researchers then used computational models to reveal that this pattern conforms closely to known mechanisms of reward learning, a long-established psychological concept that posits behavior may be driven and reinforced by rewards.

More specifically, their analysis suggested that social media engagement is driven by similar principles that lead non-human animals, such as rats, to maximize their food rewards in a Skinner Box--a commonly used experimental tool in which animal subjects, placed in a compartment, access food by taking certain actions (e.g., pressing a particular lever).

The researchers then corroborated these results with an online experiment, in which human participants could post funny images with phrases, or "memes," and receive likes as feedback on an Instagram-like platform. Consistent with the study's quantitative analysis, the results showed that people posted more often when they received more likes--on average.

"Our findings can help lead to a better understanding of why social media dominates so many people's daily lives and can also provide leads for ways of tackling excessive online behavior," says the University of Amsterdam's Bjo?rn Lindstro?m, the paper's lead author.

###

The study's other authors are the University of Amsterdam's David Schultner, Martin Bellander of Sweden's Karolinska Institute, Boston University's Allen Chang, and the University of Zurich's Philippe Tobler.

The research was supported, in part, by a grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (VICI 016.185.058).

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19607-x
PHOENIX, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. has provided additional recognition to its 28,000 frontline employees with $500 "Committed to Serve" awards, thanking them for their dedication and service to communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The multimillion-dollar "Committed to Serve" initiative was launched by Republic Services in April 2020 to support its essential workers and small businesses across the country during this time of unprecedented challenges.

"The extraordinary efforts of our employees, including our essential workers, over the past year allowed Republic Services to remain fully operational throughout the pandemic," said Jon Vander Ark, president. "Toward the end of 2020, we made the decision to continue to acknowledge their relentless commitment through an additional $500 'Committed to Serve' award."

Republic Services launched its innovative "Committed to Serve" initiative early in the pandemic with multiple benefits designed to support frontline employees, customers and local communities. As part of the more than $30 million initiative, the Company purchased weekly meals from independently owned restaurants for employees and their families, and provided $11 million worth of gift cards to employees to spend in the local economy.

In addition, the Company contributed $3 million in funding for small business revitalization projects through "Committed to Serve" grants from the Republic Services Charitable Foundation. These grants will support revitalization projects at more than 135 small businesses in 25 markets across the country. The majority of the supported businesses are minority- or women-owned, and all are cornerstones of their local communities.

Other benefits provided to employees during this time included additional paid time off to cope with COVID illnesses or quarantine as well as a guaranteed 30 hours of pay for eligible employees.

For more information, visit RepublicServices.com/CommittedToServe.

About Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the U.S. environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides superior customer experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world. For more information, visit RepublicServices.com, or follow us at Facebook.com/RepublicServices, @RepublicService on Twitter or Republic Services on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.

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The final resting place of a lost hero of Dunkirk has finally been found more than 80 years later.

The body of Lieutenant Piers Edgcumbe, the son of the 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, had been missing ever since he and a colleague were killed during the German Blitzkrieg in May 1940.

The Blitzkreig - which translates as 'Lightning War' - saw Adolf Hitler's forces invade Luxuembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and then France in the space of a week.

As 400,000 Allied soldiers stationed in France retreated towards the beaches of Dunkirk, the aristocratic officer, 25, and Lance Corporal Leonard Webber, 19, formed part of a forward reconnaissance unit.

Their highly-dangerous role was to make contact with the advancing enemy and report their position back to headquarters as officials sought to gauge the threat posed by Hitler's troops.

But they were both killed when their armoured car was blown up by a German 88mm shell in the town of Esquelbecq, northern France.

The final resting place of a lost hero of Dunkirk has finally been found more than 80 years later. Lieutenant Piers Edgcumbe, the son of the 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, had been missing ever since he and a colleague were killed during the German Blitzkrieg in May 1940

As 400,000 Allied soldiers retreated towards the beaches of Dunkirk, the aristocratic officer and Lance Corporal Leonard Webber were tasked with reporting the Nazis' position. But they were both killed when their armoured car was blown up by a German 88mm shell in the town of Esquelbecq, northern France

They were hastily buried in a roadside grave before being exhumed and reburied side by side in the town's cemetery 18 months later.

While Lance Corporal Webber was identified and given a marked grave, the same could not be said for Lieutenant Edgcumbe.

There was no way of identifying him and his body was placed underneath a headstone which simply listed an 'unknown officer'.

While his family were made aware of his tragic fate they didn't not know what happened to his body.

But the unmarked grave has at last been identified as that of Lieutenant Edgcumbe thanks to an amateur British military historian.

Andrew Newson set himself the task of finding out whose grave it was after visiting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Cemetery in 2003.

Over the past 17 years he has pieced together hundreds of documents from French and British archives to provide the CWGC with overwhelming proof that is it Lieutenant Edgcumbe's grave.

They were hastily buried in a roadside grave before being exhumed and reburied side by side in the town's cemetery 18 months later. While Lance Corporal Webber was identified and given a marked grave (left), the same could not be said for Lieutenant Edgcumbe. There was no way of identifying him and his body was placed in the unmarked grave with his headstone listed simply as an 'unknown officer

Andrew Newson (pictured with his son Jacob) set himself the task of finding out whose grave it was after visiting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Cemetery in 2003. Over the past 17 years he has pieced together hundreds of documents from French and British archives to provide the CWGC with overwhelming proof that is it Lieutenant Edgcumbe's grave

The commission has confirmed this and said he will be given a named headstone as soon as the Covid-19 travel restrictions are relaxed, hopefully by this summer.

Mr Newson, a former corporal in the British Army's Royal Signals, said: 'Bringing someone in from the cold like this is really quite hard to do as the CWGC require an overwhelming burden of proof especially with Dunkirk where there are 4,500 missing men from that six-week campaign.

'I am very pleased and proud to be able to say that I had played a part in this happening.

'I am really pleased that someone, and quite a prominent person as well, who has been unknown for over 80 years has now been identified.

'I go to Dunkirk every year and the next time I go I will be able to tip my hat to him and lay a poppy cross on his grave and he will have a name.'

Lieutenant Edgcumbe, whose family seat was Mount Edgcumbe House on Cornwall's Rame peninsula, served in the 12th Royal Lancers with the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1940.

Documents held in the National Archives at Kew, West London, showed that Lieutenant Edgcumbe and Lance Corporal Webber were listed as missing, believed killed, on the same day at a place just down the road from where they were buried. Pictured: The remains of their armoured vehicle after it was bombed

Lance Corporal Webber, from Chelsfield, Kent, served in the 2nd Battalion Queen Victoria Rifles.

Mr Newson, 52 and from Leeds, thought it was odd to find an officer and a soldier from two different regiments being killed on the same day - May 27, 1940 - and buried side by side.

He discovered that Lance Corporal Webber should have been fighting with his unit in Calais at the time but had been seconded for the reconnaissance missions at Dunkirk and served under Lieutenant Edgcumbe.

Documents held in the National Archives at Kew, West London, showed that Lieutenant Edgcumbe and Lance Corporal Webber were listed as missing, believed killed, on the same day at a place just down the road from where they were buried.

Lieutenant Edgcumbe was the only officer from the reconnaissance unit listed as missing on May 27.

Lieutenant Edgcumbe was the son of the 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, who is pictured above in 1956

With the help of a French historian, Mr Newson obtained an exhumation report from a local mayor's office dated November 26, 1942.

It contained a description of the dead officer which matched that of Lieutenant Edgcumbe including him having blond hair.

Mr Newson said: 'I realised that all probability the officer missing on May 27 in that area was Piers Edgcumbe and that he was in that unmarked grave.

'As the Allies were retreating so quickly bodies weren't properly buried at the time.

'After the British left and some normality returned to the area local people dug up the bodies and moved them to the cemetery because roadside graves were being turned into shrines.

'In a letter from Edgcumbe's commanding officer to the family, he stated he was there and he saw his armoured car hit by an anti-tank round and the car was burnt out with the bodies inside.'

Had he lived Lieutenant, Edgcumbe would have become the 7th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.

Lieutenant Edgcumbe and Lance Corporal Webber were buried at Esquelbecq military cemetery 18 months after their bodies were exhumed from a makeshift roadside grave

His nephew, Piers Conolly McCausland, said: 'Piers Richard Edgcumbe's closest family are very pleased that his memory and his valour and his service for his country can be celebrated more fittingly now that his last resting place at the CWGC British military cemetry at Esquelbec, Northern France has been confirmed and his name is to be recorded on his headstone 80 years after he was killed in action alongside Lance Corporal Leonard Frank Webber, who is buried beside him.'

A spokesman for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission said: 'We were presented with evidence proposing that Second Lieutenant Piers Richard Edgcumbe was buried at Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, partially identified as a British Officer.

'Further research by CWGC led to a positive adjudication by the service authorities and the grave will now be marked as Second Lieutenant Edgcumbe's final resting place.

'A CWGC headstone will be installed, and a service of rededication will be arranged by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), once the situation allows.'

Mount Edgcumbe House was badly bombed during the war.

After it was repaired and restored in the 1950s it was sold by the family to Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council in 1971.

The two local authorities still own the estate today which is open to the public.

Chris Burton, Mount Edgcumbe manager, said: 'Mount Edgcumbe House is delighted that Piers is no longer missing in action and he has a known grave.

'An information panel telling his story and that of the bleak days of May1 940 can be found in the House along with a memorial chapel in his honour.'

The present holder of the Mount Edgcumbe aristocratic title is Robert Edgcumbe, 81, the eighth Earl.
WOOD RIVER  There have been a lot of changes in the workforce since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, from disappearing jobs to remote work.

More changes will be coming, and Madison County Employment and Training has a number of programs to help people upgrade skills and find new or better jobs.

Based out of Madison Countys Wood River Facility, officials there tout it as a one-stop shop that has both resources and expertise to help both workers and business.

If you have no money in your pocket, or a million dollars in your pocket, we will provide those services for you, Director Tony Fuhrmann said Thursday morning.

He said they can help with all phases of a job search, beginning at helping people determine what they want to do and are best suited for; develop skills, including training programs; and actual job searches.

All the offices services are at no cost. Fuhrmann said he dislikes calling them free, because there is a commitment required.

As of Friday, January unemployment figures have not been released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, but in December there was a slight uptick in unemployment in the Metro East to 5.4 percent. It had dropped to 5 percent in November, down dramatically from more than 15 percent in April.

At the time, Fuhrmann said the latest uptick was not surprising because of the last round of lock downs in December, which hit the hospitality industry hard.

Waiting for clients

Ironically, MCET has both resources for job searches and funding for training, but few people are taking advantage of it right now.

Our big issue is people not coming and using our services, Fuhrmann said. We want to make people aware of what we have here, what we can provide them.

After going completely online for several months, they reopened the office by appointment only. Despite the gradual opening up of the economy, fewer people than expected have been coming to them.

We were hoping to see more people coming into our office or utilizing our services, but we havent seen a great increase in that, said One-Stop Manager Antonio Stephens. Were hovering about 20 people using services per month. Normally at this time we would have a couple hundred.

The irony is the office has increased funding for job training, ranging from certificate programs lasting four weeks to two-year programs including associates degrees at local community colleges, and helping with four-year degrees at SIUE.

He said part of the hesitancy may be that because there is still pandemic-related money and extended unemployment benefits, some people are getting by and hesitant to go back to the work force right now.

With vaccines being rolled out throughout the state we hope to see numbers increase, he said.

They are also doing more social media-based promotions, and working with businesses.

We try to let them know we have these programs available, Stephens said. We know you may be in need of certain employees, a certain set of skills. Let us work with you to be able to offer training to those individuals.

Two areas MCET is emphasizing are apprenticeships and a program to retrain workers into the bio-science field.

An apprenticeship expansion grant allows them to work with businesses and local schools to expand opportunities.

Were sort of leading the pack in a lot of things, he said, adding there are apprenticeship programs for healthcare welding, aviation maintenance and other programs.

A lot of times when people think of apprenticeships, they think of trade unions, he said, adding that has changed.

He noted that the U.S. Department of Labor lists more than 1,000 specific apprentice tracks.

Were very flexible down here, he said. If theres a business that has an interest, no matter what theyre in, we can meet with them and determine what they are trying to do.

He said they also have grants to help retrain dislocated workers into bio-science fields. MCET is working with SIUE to create a short-term training program where individuals can get basic certification and get their foot in the door.

This is based on employers telling us what skills their employees are lacking, he said. Its self-driven. You can do it within 6-12 weeks depending on how ambitious you are.

Another advantage is much of it is online and remote.

Youll have training and skills in a marketable area, he said. Youd think you need a degree. All you need is a high school diploma or equivalent to get you into the program. There is really a career path there.

Client calls MCET a hidden gem

Don Rommerskirchen calls MCET a hidden gem that has helped him immensely.

The Highland resident had worked in the federal prison system as a locksmith, and faced a mandatory retirement at 57.

I thought I dont want to retire, he said. So, I came down here. Ive never been through this before, I hate to say I was nervous, but at 57

He was able to get into the HVAC program at Southwestern Illinois College, and will be finished with his certificate program at the end of the summer.

Im really good with my hands, and really good at fixing stuff, he said.

He called the program fantastic.

I study all the time, and Im always on the deans list, he said. When I was younger and went to college, my grades werent that good.

When he finishes the program, his instructors have said they have a number of employers willing to hire him, and have also asked him to come back as an instructor.

Im going to get a full-time job after this, but it doesnt matter if I teach full time, or work out there full time, or split it.

Help for workers and businesses

Kim Bruns, a career navigator at the office, helps people move through the various stages and programs related to career and job searches.

I think its very important, she said, adding that is especially true for those who have been employed for some time, or are reentering the workforce.

There have been numerous changes in how employers look for workers, and how potential employees market themselves.

Its changed dramatically in the last 25 years, she said. Everything is digital, everything is online. We help them navigate that. How to send their resumes, where to send their resumes to, types of resumes, what you do and dont want to put on a resume.

Sarah Lorio is MCETs work-based learning coordinator, and deals with the business side.

Our goal is to match job-seekers with jobs in the area, so we work with employers to find out what those are and share that information with the people that are looking for it, she said.

Currently, manufacturing and logistics, and healthcare are two of the more active sectors.

Employers are hiring, she said. On the business side, things have not slowed down for us with COVID.

For information call 618-296-4301, visit the Madison County website at https://www.co.madison.il.us/ or visit the departments Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MCETD.
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WITH devastating familiarity, the shrill ring of the telephone brings news of tragedy and disbelief, and a community is, once again, shaken to its very core.

Amid the horrific circumstances of violence and sudden death, neighbours and friends spring into action, finding ways to rally round and provide vital comfort for those left behind to grieve.

Helpless shock gives way to bustle and the organisation of practicalities, with the arrangement of funerals. Covid has made all this so much harder.

The people of Cork are no strangers to difficult times, and to rallying around to help those plunged into darkness. So when news began to break of an overnight tragedy in their midst, they no doubt felt completely helpless. Instead of signalling the gathering of their community, they can now only stand back, powerless to assist in the ways that they would wish to.

Read More

Gardai were alerted at around midnight by a call from a woman and went out to a farm at Curraghgorm, three miles north-west of Mitchelstown in the north of the county.

The bodies of two elderly brothers were subsequently discovered at that property.

They found the body of one of the men in a yard near the farmhouse. He was said to be in his 60s and living in Tipperary.

The gardai continued searching outbuildings and in a barn found the body of a second brother, also in his 60s.

Later today, gardai confirmed the body of a third man had been found in a river in a remote location nearby. It is thought that he was a sibling of the other two men.

This latest blow to the community is the second in just a few short months  and another to be compounded by the difficulties of Covid.

In October, devastation came with a double suicide-murder that had been premeditated to inflict as much suffering and heartbreak on a wife and mother deliberately left behind.

Anne OSullivan (60) saw her eldest son Mark (25) ambushed in his bedroom and shot by his father Tadg (59) and younger brother Diarmuid (23), at their farmhouse at Assolas, outside Kanturk.

After shooting Mark with seven bullets from their rifles, the pair walked with apparent calmness to a nearby field and took their own lives.

Mark had been a trainee solicitor and the murder followed by double suicide was sparked by the inheritance of a 2m farm.

At his funeral, Kanturk Parish Priest Canon Toby Bluitt said the entire community was left devastated by the scale of the heartbreaking tragedy.

"The shock, the numbness, the devastation, was impossible to imagine and the unfolding news of the loss of three lives was incomprehensible," he said.

Not withstanding Corks status as the largest county in Ireland, it seems that it has been forced to endure a disproportionate number of tragic instances.

How much hardship is a community expected to endure?

Tragedy struck the county numerous times before that.

In 2013, farmer Martin McCarthy drowned himself after taking his three-year-old daughter, Clarissa, into the sea.

A major land and sea search was launched for the duo when a note addressed to Mr McCarthy's American-born wife, Rebecca (26), was discovered in the milking parlour of the family farm outside Ballydehob in west Cork on March 5 that year.

Mr McCarthy changed his will just over a week before his death, deliberately excluding his California-born wife, who was 24 years his junior, from inheriting major assets and instead leaving them to family and friends.

In 2010, John Butler (43) took his own life by crashing his car into a ditch after earlier killing his two daughters, Zoe (6) and Ella (2) at the family home in Ballybraher, Ballycotton. He had been suffering from mental illness and depression for some time.

On the morning of November 16, 2010, Butler was seen buying petrol for a five-gallon drum. One witness said he saw smoke in the car Butler was driving before it crashed into a ditch.

The bodies of the two girls were then discovered in the family home. Ella had been smothered while Zoe had died by strangulation.

Their mother, Una, later spoke of the difficulty of living with someone with mental illness and said partners and spouses should be involved in their treatment, with the first concern being the welfare of children.

Today, once again, the people of Cork find themselves facing troubled times. Numbness is the first natural reaction in the event of tragic death.

The most difficult times lie in the weeks and months ahead and the comfort of tightly knit communities will struggle valiantly to make itself felt amid the lockdown which has made things even harder.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article please contact Samaritans helpline 116 123 or Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247.
Italian Province of Lombardy has once again triggered global concerns with a drastic uptick in its COVID-19 cases. The administrative region located in the countrys north, became the first epicenter and face of Europes coronavirus outbreak in early 2020. Now, the threat of another outbreak in Brescia, has prompted the provincial government to urge Rome to increase the quantity of vaccine supplied to Lombardy.

On February 25, Italy added another 19,886 confirmed infections, its highest number of daily cases since early January. Lombardy, alone reported nearly 6,000 cases in the total. Additionally, health authorities reported another 308 virus-related deaths, bringing the country's official toll to just fewer than 97,000.

In Brescia, cases have spiked drastically. While, at the start of February, the city only reported cases in 100s; it has risen to 901 on February 24 and 973 on February 25. Adding to it is the fact that the cases have been traced to the UK variant of the virus, implying that it could spread much faster than the non-mutant virus. Speaking to media on February 25, Lombardys governor Attilio Fontana, said that he spoke with the countrys health minister and asserted that the region needed an immediate delivery (of vaccines) in the territory where the virus is growing.

Read: Italy Honors Slain Ambassador, Bodyguard And Prays For Congo

Read: Italy Presses UN For Anwers On Attack Leading To Death Of Amb.

Sputnik V approved amid vaccine shortage

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russias sovereign wealth fund has announced the approval of the Sputnik V vaccine in the Republic of San Marino to inoculate its population against COVID-19. The Russian jab was approved for the mountainous microstate located in northern Italy under the emergency use authorization procedure, making it one of the 30 countries to give approval to Sputnik V. San Marino, the oldest state in Europe, has joined 29 other countries around the world where Sputnik V will become one of the key tools in the fight against coronavirus, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev stated in an RDIF press release.

The vaccine is widely recognized globally by medical professionals and regulatory authorities thanks to its high efficacy, safety, and affordability, he added. Sputnik V is one of the top three vaccines, after Pfizer and Moderna, given the approvals by state regulators worldwide.

Read:San Marino Approves Sputnik V Vaccine Amid Critical Supply Shortage In Italy

Read: Italy Marks 1 Year After First Virus Case In Codogno

Image: Associated Press

(With inputs from the Associated Press)
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The United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority has lifted its ban on Boeing's 737 Max, allowing the plane to return to its skies after being grounded for nearly two years following a pair of deadly crashes, a report said.

Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the authority, said lifting of the ban on the aircraft was a result of the "intensive efforts made by the technical committee at the authority through evaluating all the technical requirements in accordance with the requirements by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration."

"It resulted in the committee determining that those technical requirements should be met by the companies to ensure the return of the aircraft to the skies again," he explained.

Al Suwaidi explained that the latest decision "includes the correct measures to be applied by airlines operating the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, most notably updating the MCAS system, pilot training procedures and the operational readiness of all aircraft before operating again, in addition to the flight permit procedures that will be issued by the authority for each aircraft."

GCAA Director-General noted that the safety decision also includes the technical requirements that must be met by foreign companies Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which are expected to operate in the country's airspace.

"We emphasise GCAAs commitment to guarantee the safe return of the aircraft to the country's airspace," Al Suwaidi continued.

Ismail Al Baloushi, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Safety Affairs, said: "We will be closely monitoring and making sure that the companies are meeting these technical requirements before their aircraft operate again."
News

CrowdStrike Exec Points to Active Directory 'Structural Problems' in Senate Solorigate Hearing

Microsoft's Active Directory authentication solution got notably skewered during a Feb. 23 U.S. Senate hearing on the SolarWinds Orion software hack.

The hearing by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence focused on how a software implant and other methods went undetected, enabling an espionage campaign that affected nine federal agencies and 100 companies, per a White House estimate. The hearing included testimony from four software company heads, who also answered senators' questions about the attack.

A common theme associated with the comments was whether software security breaches should be legally mandatory for organizations.

A video recording of the hearing is available on demand at this page.

Amazon Was a No-Show

The executives in the hearing included Kevin Mandia, FireEye's CEO; Sudhakar Ramakrishna, SolarWinds' CEO; Brad Smith, Microsoft's president; and George Kurtz, CrowdStrike's president and CEO.

Notably absent from the hearing was a representative from Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amazon had been invited but declined to attend the hearing, a fact that got rued by most of the senators in their opening comments.

The discussions included a mention that U.S.-based servers had been used to obscure the sophisticated attacks, which are presumed to have come from a nation-state actor. U.S. officials have alleged Russia was involved, although officials there have denied it.

During the hearing, no one specifically said that servers hosted by AWS services were used in the Solorigate attacks, although possibly that was the reason why the senate panel had invited Amazon.

SolarWinds Orion Not Sole Attack Avenue

SolarWinds' Orion management software was subject to a supply-chain attack in which code was inserted at the software build stage to establish a compromise point for espionage purposes, typically targeting e-mail services. The attack, which affected government agencies and software companies, was first detected in December, but it had a several months-long gestation period beforehand.

Initial reports had just pointed to the SolarWinds Orion software compromise as the security issue that got exploited. However, the attackers used multiple other methods, including password spray methods to guess passwords and gain credentials. They also tapped old software with too many permissions and Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), a Windows Server role, to gain access privileges to Microsoft 365 e-mail services. These other attack methods were noted back in January by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Microsoft has also acknowledged that ADFS used on the local infrastructure of the Solorigate victims was leveraged in the attacks. It has recommended using its Azure AD service instead. The implication from Microsoft, though, seemed to be that compromised organizations had just misconfigured ADFS, rather than that ADFS has inherent security issues.

Active Directory 'Architectural Limitations'

However, comments by CrowdStrike's Kurtz (PDF download) were more pointed. He characterized ADFS as having "architectural limitations" that were leveraged in a "Golden SAML attack" as part of the Solorigate efforts (also known as the "Stellar Particle campaign"):

Significantly, one of the most sophisticated aspects of the StellarParticle campaign was how skillfully the threat actor took advantage of architectural limitations in Microsoft's Active Directory Federation Service credentialing and authentication process. The Golden SAML attack leveraged by StellarParticle actors allowed them to jump from customers' on-premise environments and into their cloud and cloud-applications, effectively bypassing multi-factor authentication.

Kurtz added that the architectural flaws in Microsoft's authentication solutions assure that more breaches will come. These flaws will permit attackers to "impersonate most anybody on a network, gain the permissions needed to perform any actions on the network, bypass multi-factor authentication entirely and, every bit as devastating as it sounds, have the ability to sign in as a compromised user no matter how many times that user resets their password," he explained.

Microsoft should "address the authentication architecture limitations around Active Directory and Azure Active Directory, or shift to a different methodology entirely," Kurtz added. Alternatively, "a more community-driven approach to authentication" should be adopted.

CrowdStrike got involved in the Solorigate investigations because it was asked for help by SolarWinds. However, CrowdStrike also had been indirectly targeted. It happened through a "third party IT reseller that managed Microsoft licenses," Kurtz explained.

"The incident involved abnormal activity in the Microsoft Azure account the reseller uses to validate Microsoft customer licenses via API with Microsoft," he said.

CrowdStrike wasn't harmed by this attack venue. However, Kurtz noted that many companies and government agencies routinely rely on such vendors, making it a broad problem for consideration.

Microsoft's Testimony

Microsoft's Smith appealed to broad information sharing about security breaches and explained that Microsoft was first alerted to the attacks by FireEye. He explained that "all of the attacks" identified by Microsoft had started on servers in organizations, which limited Microsoft's detections.

"And yet we only have direct visibility to the attack when it then moved to the cloud," Smith said, according to testimony (PDF download). "As a result, customers that haven't yet migrated to the cloud are more likely to be continued and undiscovered victims."

The hearing involved discussion between senators and executives. Consequently, Smith didn't directly address Kurtz's claims about Active Directory's alleged structural problems. He did suggest, though, that the use of forged SAML tokens was just one approach used by the attackers.

"As it turns out, however, the SAML token generation approach was only used by the Russian attackers 15% of the time among the victims we have identified," Smith said, per his testimony. "In the other 85% of cases, the Russians used a variety of other methods to obtain the credentials they needed to access O365 from an on-premises network."

In general, Smith advocated for "zero trust" network principles, closer government-industry collaboration and mandatory information sharing about security breaches in his senate testimony.

Smith offered a more nationalistic view in a Feb. 23 Microsoft blog post, where he suggested that the lessons of Solorigate were such that "the Pentagon needs to move more quickly to use, secure and adapt commercial advances for military applications."

Other Views

Testimony from the other senate panelists also was interesting, particularly the comments by Mandia (PDF download). In his verbal comments, he said that about 17,000 companies may have been compromised. He noted that the attackers were able to use the software implant in SolarWinds' Orion product to shut off security software and avoid detection. He also surmised that in addition to its other tools, the attackers probably had zero-day software exploits on hand.

Ramakrishna had been hired at SolarWinds after the attacks were detected in December. He had little to say in his testimony (PDF download). However, he did note that the supply-chain attack code (which he called "Sunspot") was added to the Orion product sometime between March 2020 and June 2020. He characterized code such as Sunspot as posing a great risk for more supply-chain attacks in the future.

"We believe that the entire software industry should be concerned about the nation state attack as the methodologies and approaches that the threat actor(s) used can be replicated to impact software and hardware products from any company, and these are not SolarWinds specific vulnerabilities," Ramakrishna said in his testimony.
3 1 of 3 Air Force Thunderbirds Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Air Force Thunderbirds Show More Show Less 3 of 3





The Air Force Thunderbirds, the air demonstration team, will soon have a pilot with San Antonio ties onboard.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, announced selections for the 2021-2022 show seasons on Wednesday. Maj. Thomas Werner, of the 182nd Fighter Squadron at Texas Air National Guard, will fly the No. 7 jet, serving as the teams operations officer.
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A vendor waits for customers in his shop in Wuhan, China's central Hubei province on Jan. 19, 2021. AFP-Yonhap




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The United States sent an "unambiguous message" with an airstrike against an Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria, the White House said Friday

President Joe Biden is "sending an unambiguous message that he's going to act to protect Americans and when threats are posed he has the right to take an action at the time and the manner of his choosing," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

The Pentagon said Thursday's strike, which according to a Syrian war monitoring group killed 22 militia members, was in response to a series of rocket attacks targeting US soldiers in Iraq.

One of those strikes, on a military complex in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil on February 15, killed a civilian and a foreign contractor working with coalition forces, and wounded several US contractors and a soldier.

Psaki said the decision behind the strike was "deliberative" and that Biden's aim was for "deescalating activity in both Syria and Iraq."

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said two F-15E "Strike Eagles" dropped seven precision-guided munitions, totally destroying nine facilities and partially destroying two facilities.

Kirby said the location targeted near the Syria-Iraq border was "known to facilitate Iranian-aligned militia group activity."

He said the Pentagon had "preliminary details about casualties" but declined to release any figures.

"We're confident that these were legitimate targets that were utilized by groups associated with these recent attacks," Kirby said.

He said Iraqi and Kurdish partners had provided intelligence that led to the identification of the groups behind the rocket attacks.

Kirby also responded to criticism by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said Moscow was notified just four or five minutes before the US struck the targets.

"We did what we believe was the proper amount of notification for this," Kirby said. "It shouldn't come as a shock to anybody that we're going to do what we have to do to notify but we're also going to do what we have to do to protect our forces."

Kirby and Psaki also addressed criticism from some members of Congress that Biden should have sought legislators' authority before ordering the strike.

Psaki, the White House spokeswoman, said the Pentagon briefed congressional leadership "before the action."

"There will be a full classified briefing early next week at the latest," she said.

Short link:


Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 26 (ANI/NewsVoir): A leading hyper-automation services company based out of Chennai, Vuram builds 'EventHall', a one-of-a-kind platform to host its annual company event: Vuram Day.

Almost 700 people, including Vuram's employees (or Vuramites as they are called), their family members, and customers participated in the event. Along with live and recorded sessions, the platform had games, stalls, workshops, and live and on-demand performances.

Before the pandemic, Vuram Day happened for two days at several locations within India. During the physical event, Vuramites and their families used to stay together and celebrate the event. Every minute detail from placing goodies in the hotel room to scheduling the agenda used to be taken care of by the organisation. Due to the pandemic, Vuram decided to conduct the event virtually.

Vuram arrived at the idea to build 'EventHall' after checking several platforms available in the market for organising virtual events. Vuram did not find a platform with features necessary to simulate the physical event (Vuram Day) that used to happen before the pandemic. Hence, Vuram decided to adopt an agile and user-centered design approach to build a highly-customisable platform and successfully built EventHall within a month.

EventHall has cloud-based API-driven architecture integrating webinars or meeting platforms that can be customised to match the theme of the event, video streaming services for live sessions, on-demand videos for sessions/performances, email and SMS services to share updates/event notifications, web-based games with leaderboards, and chat. It also provides insights into post-event analytics on the number of users logged in, numbers of user activities in different sections, and demography of the users logged in. EventHall comes with customisable features and options to choose the required modules.

"Vuram Day is a celebration of our growth together. It is an opportunity for us to be reminded of all the commitment and passion that each one of us pours into our everyday work. It is a day for us to be thankful for the wonderful team we work with every day, for the value systems of Vuram, for the unconditional support we receive every single day from our friends and most importantly our family. What traditionally is a 2-day event of festivities with our families - was done virtually this year - and with the same level of excitement, enthusiasm and memorable moments. We celebrated the day-long event on our homegrown platform: EventHall. The platform was yet another demonstration of the sheer determination and creativity of our people. Put together in record time, the platform catered to a wide variety of requirements, keeping the priority and focus on maximizing interactions and engagement," said Venkatesh Ramarathinam, CEO, Vuram.

Such a hybrid event platform creates a win-win situation for event organizers and people who want to attend events. By the time the pandemic ends, people will be used to virtual events. EventHall is designed for a rich experience despite being virtual. Such a platform could change the way people can experience virtual events.

Vuram is committed to delivering 100 per cent customer success with its intelligent low-code automation services and solutions. Founded in 2011 with the dream of creating the happiest and nourishing workplace, Vuram is a place where passionate hearts and creative minds come together to redefine services and provide ingenious solutions.

Vuram empowers enterprises to seamlessly enable digital transformation, business predictability and sustainability through its cutting-edge technology suite encompassing Process Mining, Process Re-engineering and Implementation, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Business Intelligence (BI).

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Longtime Alabama Democratic Party leader Joe Reed has released a letter to Democratic lawmakers opposing a bill that would eliminate the option of straight-ticket voting in Alabama.

Reed wrote that the Alabama Democratic Conference, a 61-year old Black political organization that Reed chairs, opposes HB 397. Reed addressed the letter to 24 Democratic members of the House who are co-sponsors of the bill. He urged them to abandon it.

What is wrong with a person voting the straight ticket? Reed wrote. What harm does it do to the voter, what harm does a straight ticket vote bestow upon the Democratic process? I do not know of any.

You can read the letter at the end of this article.

Reed said the bill would hurt down-ballot candidates in races with lower profile candidates.

It will reduce the number of votes cast for our Party in all general elections, Reed wrote. It will undermine Party unity and confuse voters who do not know the candidates.

In a general election, Alabama voters can cast all their votes for either party with a single mark at the top of the ballot.

HB 397 would eliminate that option. Voters could still cast all their votes with one party, but would have to mark their ballot for each race, instead of a single mark at the top.

Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, the main sponsor of the bill, declined comment on Reeds letter except to say Reed is entitled to his opinion.

Straight-ticket voting is popular with Democrats and Republicans in Alabama. Two-thirds of Alabama voters cast straight-ticket ballots during the election in November.

Alabama is one of six states that allows straight-party voting, also called straight-ticket voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Grays bill awaits action in the Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee.
02/26/2021

Photo (c) jetcityimage - Getty Images Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, several automakers have already announced plans to convert to all-electric production in the coming years. But a recent recall reveals the cost that automakers may face if they dont get it right.

Hyundai announced this week that it will be replacing the batteries in approximately 82,000 of its electric vehicles because of an increased risk of those models catching on fire. At the time of the report, there had been 15 fires that had already occurred in four different countries.

Replacing these batteries wont come cheaply for Hyundai, with the company paying around $900 million in total to address the issue. Until a more permanent fix can be put in place, Kona and Ioniq owners are being asked not to charge their batteries past 90 percent of capacity.

Mercedes-Benz recalls over a million vehicles with faulty software

Emergency systems in vehicles have improved quite a lot over the years. Now, its possible for a crash to be identified much faster so that emergency personnel can be dispatched to help those in need -- well, unless that system doesnt work properly.

Mercedes-Benz announced a recall of nearly 1.3 million vehicles covering a wide range of models because of an issue that causes a communication module in its eCall emergency call system to fail. In the event of a crash, this could cause the vehicle to send out the wrong location information to emergency services.

The automaker says it will be contacting owners and working with dealers so that a software update can be applied to affected vehicles. The recall will reportedly begin on April 6, 2021.

Childrens science kits contained high levels of lead

Anker Play Products is recalling approximately 13,000 of its 10-in-1 Incredible Inventions Science kits because they contain levels of lead that exceed federal limits. Additionally, the packaging apparently doesnt include the proper warning labels for the magnets and balloons included in the kits.

Although no incidents have been reported yet, children who are exposed to the products high levels of lead or ingest the magnets or balloons could be injured.

Consumers who bought one of these products between August 2020, and November 2020, are advised to remove the magnets so that children cannot play with them. Buyers can also contact Anker Play Products for a full refund.

Cooper Tire recalls over 430,000 tires that may deflate and fail

The Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is initiating a massive recall for over 430,000 of its tires because they may develop sidewall bulges or separations that could cause the tires to rapidly deflate and fail. If this happens while the vehicle is being used, it could drastically increase the risk of a crash.

The company says it will notify owners and dealers so that the affected tires can be replaced at no charge. The recall is expected to go into effect on March 25.

For more information, consumers can call the companys toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288, or they can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Company recalls ALL of its smoked fish products

An Oregon-based company -- Aarons Gourmet Smoked Fish -- is recalling all of its smoked fish products because they were produced without a license or regulatory oversight in the state. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the products.

Consumers are advised to either dispose of the products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Family wants more visits to 91-year old mum who got Covid days after first vaccine shot

A 91-year old mum who contracted Covid-19 just days after she received the first vaccine shot seems to be pulling through, according to her daughter who is hoping to be allowed more bedside visits at her nursing home.
Citizens of later original Montgomery County constituted the nucleus of Sixth Company, Second Regiment, at the Battle of San Jacinto April 21, 1836. Lets meet a few of those citizens while exploring some events and circumstances which rendered their situation exceptional.

Sixth company traced its origins to a rendezvous called for March 1, 1836 at Kennards Fort just outside of Anderson. Bennetts purpose for the March 1 liaison lay in creating a company to join the Texans defending the Alamo.

A mothers concern over the inclusion of her son caused a delay in Bennets purpose. That son was William Zuber, later to reveal the story of Moses Rose leaving the Alamo to tell of William B. Travis drawing the line in the sand, challenging those willing to stay to cross it. The mothers plea made her the possible savior of sixth company itself, as the consequent delay marked that companys destiny as victory at San Jacinto  rather than demise at the Alamo.

Enroute to that grand encounter of April 21, 1836 Bennetts company first arrived at the edge of the Colorado River Bottom around March 13. Here on the following April 8 the Army underwent a reorganization. As a consequence, Joseph Bennett moved beyond the company ranks to Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regiment under Colonel Sidney Sherman. This paved the way for James Gillaspie, later to be Superintendent of Huntsville State Prison, to assume the duties of Captain of Sixth Company. Herein lies the enjoining of a family affair.

Into sixth company came Hezekiah Farris, early resident of Farris Chapel just outside of Huntsville. His cabin once stood off the court house square in Huntsville. Hezekiah became the father-in-law of Captain James Gillaspie on the latters marriage to Susan, Hezekiahs daughter.

Swelling the family circle surrounding sixth company, Mary Farris was the daughter of Hezekiahs brother, William. Mary married Andrew Montgomery, Indian fighter in Texas since 1820. Andrew served in sixth company with Hezekiah and James Gillaspie. Rounding out the extended family circle, Andrews brother, John Montgomery, served in the same company.

Finally, Alfonso Steele, of Montgomery County and sixth company, was the last survivor of San Jacinto. In that battle, while mounted by Sam Houston, Steeles gray horse met death.

Dr. Robin Montgomery is a native of Montgomery County, a historian, author, former professor and columnist for The Courier.
UPDATE: 4:16 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 - Police are multiple other agencies are continuing to search for a suspect accused of robbing a Red Bluff business at gunpoint.

Authorities said the robbery happened at Sunny Side Market at 1202 Park Avenue.

Action News Now spoke to the store owner, who said a man came into Sunnyside Market with a gun and pointed it in her face. The store owner said a customer has just left and thats when the suspect came in and demanded she open the cash register.

The owner told Action News Now she threw her hands up and walked away. The suspect then tried to open the cash register by himself but was unable. He then took some lighters and left the store, according to the owner.

Red Bluff High School and Bidwell School were placed on lockdown. Police said around 3:30 p.m. the lockdown has been lifted.

This is a developing story. Action News Now will keep you updated with new information on-air and online.

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RED BLUFF, Calif.  Red Bluff Police officers and multiple other agencies are currently working to set up a perimeter in the area of Red Bluff Union High School and Bidwell school.

Red Bluff Police said they are searching for the suspect connected to an armed robbery at a nearby business.

Both schools have been placed on lockdown. Police are asking residents to stay out of the area if possible.

This is a developing story. Action News Now will keep you updated with new information on-air and online.
A 400,000 budget to replace the aviation light at the top of the Spire on OConnell Street in Dublin city centre has been described as absolutely startling by a Dublin city councillor.

Cllr Keith Connolly said he was amazed when he saw the figure, questioning how changing a light at the top of the Spire could cost the same as the price of a house in Dublin.

It just doesnt make sense, the Fianna Fail councillor for Ballymun-Finglas said.

An aviation light is a high-intensity light used to alert aircraft to the presence of tall structures when flying at night.

The 400,000 cost cited in the Dublin City Council capital plan for 2021 sparked Mr Connolly to ask the council: How is the project so expensive? Does it need to be carried out, and if so, is it going to tender?.

Mr Connolly said he hopes to have answers to his questions before the council meets on Monday, where he will raise the issue, but admitted very little can be done by the elected councillors.

[The budget] doesnt have to be passed by the reserve members, so the executive can basically do what they like, Mr Connolly said.

We can comment on it, seek clarification and we can give out... but basically there is nothing we can really do about it.

When you see a light being changed for 400,000 it just drives you mad, he added.

Independent.ie has requested a breakdown of the cost of the project from Dublin City Council.

This is not the first time the lights on the infamous Dublin landmark have caused a stir.

In 2015 a lightbulb on the top of the monument cost 10,000 to replace.

In 2008 lights near the top of the Spire were replaced at a cost of more than 100,000 as Dublin City Council were forced to hire a 120m crane  of which there was only one in Ireland at the time  to complete the repairs.

Also known as the Monument of Light, the 120m Spire was erected between December 2002 and January 2003 at a cost of 4.6m.


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GlobeNewswire

TORONTO, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuuhubb Inc. (Kuuhubb or the Company) (TSX- V: KUU), a mobile game development and publishing company targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences, has reported its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Companys unaudited consolidated financial statements as at, and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and related managements discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The Companys financial year end is June 30. The information contained in this news release is unaudited. Highlights for the Three and nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: Revenues of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, on a combined basis for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).Recolor recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021; with trailing twelve-month revenue of US$4,635,529. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor.The production and development of Kuuhubbs upcoming new flagship product Tiles & Tales has progressed well during this time period and is planned for commercial launch later this calendar year. CEOs Message: Jouni Keranen, CEO of Kuuhubb Inc., commented, During this quarter our cost cutting initiatives resulted in Recolor returning to stable profitability, while investment into our Match-3 engine and flagship product Tiles & Tales creates potential for future growth. The Recolor divestment process, while slower than anticipated, is ongoing and our main focus is on preparation of our flagship product Tiles & Tales for commercial launch later this year. Financial Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: The Company generated a total of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, combined revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).The Company recognized revenue of US$125,598 and US$515,547, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 from its continuing operations. This revenue was generated mainly from the subscriptions to, in-application sale of virtual goods from its My Hospital game and related advertising revenue.Recolor Oy recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company incurred cost of sales of US$141,712 and US$376,088, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 in its continuing operations. The cost of sales is predominantly related to the application marketplace (such as Apple App Store and Google Play) fees and other third-party direct costs.The Company incurred consulting and professional fees of US$192,178 and US$594,051, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. These fees were related to Kuuhubbs audit fees, general legal counsel and other professional services.The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$396,032 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$389,638 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$1,341;net interest and accretion expenses of US$5,053; The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$409,564 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$393,243 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$3,968;net interest and accretion expenses of US$12,353; On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$465,992 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$781,412 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$5,947;non-cash share-based compensation of US$102,334;net interest and accretion expenses of US$417,795; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$6,946;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$424;foreign exchange gain of US$203,286 On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$2,135,512 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$3,227,650 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$21,142;non-cash share-based compensation of US$373,138;net interest and accretion expenses of US$944,589; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$91,712;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$24,226;foreign exchange gain of US$130,793 (1) Classification of Recolor Oy as held for sale and discontinued operations As part of the efforts to meet the Companys obligations and build growth, the Company announced it is exploring multiple strategic alternatives, including the divestiture of Company-owned assets such as shares of Recolor Oy. This may be completed within twelve months and as such the associated assets and liabilities within Recolor Oy are presented as held for sale and the net income attributable as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise indicated, the analysis and discussions herein are based on the Companys continuing operations consisting of the Companys My Hospital operation. Exercise of Warrants and Private Placement: In February 2021, 2,200,000 warrants (representing all outstanding common share purchase warrants of the Company) were exercised at a price of CAD$0.10 per common share. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$173,242 (C$220,000) upon the exercises of all of the Companys outstanding warrants common share purchase warrants. In March 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 8,705,334 common shares of the Company at a price of CAD$0.09 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$618,602 (C$783,500). Exploration of Strategic Alternatives to Enhance Shareholder Value On September 30, 2020, the Company announced that it has been conducting a process to explore strategic alternatives, including the potential divestiture of certain Company-owned assets, including the sale of Recolor Oy within the next twelve months. To date, the Company has executed confidentiality agreements with several parties who expressed an interest in receiving information about Recolor Oy and its business in connection with a possible transaction. There can be no assurance that the strategic alternatives review process will result in any strategic change or outcome and the Company does not know the exact timetable for the conclusion of its review of strategic alternatives. There can be no certainty that any potential transaction will emerge from this process. The process may result in a variety of outcomes or no outcome at all, and there can be no assurance that the Company will pursue or execute any specific action or transaction. The Company continues to operate in the normal course during the on-going process. The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor and is in discussion with potential buyers. EBITDA - Non-IFRS Measure EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. We use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our businesses as they reflect their ongoing profitability. We believe certain investors and analysts use adjusted EBITDA to measure a companys ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the technology industry. We believe that certain investors and analysts also use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our business. The Company calculated EBITDA as set out on page 2 and 3 of this press release. EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently. Therefore, the term EBITDA is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. About Kuuhubb Kuuhubb is a publicly listed mobile game development and publishing company, targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences. Our Mission is to become a top player in the female mobile game space. We believe in empowering women by creating games and apps that will have our female audience relax, express and entertain themselves every day. Through our games and partnerships with select developers, we explore new lifestyle trends that can be converted into games and apps which will bring value to our users, employees, and shareholders. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kuuhubb has a global presence with a strong focus on U.S. and Asian markets. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information, including regarding the potential sale of Recolor OY and the planned launch of Tiles & Tales. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements relating to future revenue and development, growth of the Companys business) are forward looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other thing: risks related to the growth strategy of the Company; the possibility that results from the Companys growth plans will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the early stage of the Company's development; competition from companies in a number of industries; the ability of the Company to manage expansion and integrate acquisitions into its business, future business development of the Company; the ability of the Company to complete the sale of Recolor OY on terms which are economic or at all; the ability of the Company to complete the commercial development of its products; the ability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on its business segments, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Kuuhubb Inc.Jouni Keranen - CEOjouni@kuuhubb.comOffice: +358 40 590 0919 Bill Mitoulas Investor Relationsbill@kuuhubb.comOffice: +1 (416) 479-9547
The Promenade des Anglais is being closed under the lockdown (Lionel Cironneau/AP)

Residents of Nice are being banned from strolling on the citys beaches under a temporary local lockdown imposed to curb soaring Covid-19 infections.

Starting on Friday evening, Nice and the surrounding coastal area will be under weekend lockdowns for at least two weeks, in addition to a national 6pm to 6am curfew. The northern port of Dunkirk is under similar restrictions.

In both places, numbers of infections have spiked and hospitals are overwhelmed, with some patients being transferred to other French regions.

Nice mayor Christian Estrosi announced on Friday a ban on the beaches and the famous Promenade des Anglais esplanade, where lots of people usually go for a seaside stroll, to ensure the restrictions are fully respected.

Expand Close People sit out along the Canal Saint Martin in Paris as temperatures rise(Christophe Ena/AP) / Facebook

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We absolutely need to avoid too big gatherings, as the weekend is expected to be summer-like and extremely attractive  Reason must prevail, he said in a video message posted on social media.

Only essential shops will remain open, he added.

Nice reported this week a rate of almost 800 Covid-19 infections per 100,000 people, nearly four times the national average.

Mr Estrosi has repeatedly attributed the worsening situation in his city to the presence of too many tourists during end-of-year holidays, listing the UK, Scandinavia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia, which have direct flights to Nice airport.

We are now paying a very high price, he said.

Since then, France has banned almost all travellers from outside the European Union and applied restrictions to those coming from inside the bloc.

The weekend lockdown also includes nearby coastal towns of Cannes, Antibes and nearby Mediterranean beauty spots.

Residents will be able to go out only for essential needs such as food shopping, medical appointments or urgent family business.

Taking exercise outside will be allowed for a maximum of one hour per day and up to three miles from home.
On Feb. 1, a military coup in Myanmar (also known as Burma) seized control of the government in blatant disregard of a free and fair election that voted overwhelmingly in favor of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyis nascent democratic government.

It is time for the United States to reassert itself as a global leader in championing the values of human rights, civil rights and democracy. The days for coddling dictators have passed.

Americans should care about what is taking place in Myanmar because we have played an important role in cultivating the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people. In Yangon, the American Center  an outreach arm of the U.S. Embassy  hosts public programs that teach about democracy.

In Mandalay, similar events have been offered at the Jefferson Center to inspire reformers. In Naypyidaw, the capital, visiting scholars, such as myself, have worked with pro-democracy organizations to teach members of parliament about the rule of law, free trade and open courts.

Myanmar needs special assistance. Roughly 50 years of military rule from 1962 to 2011  not only destroyed the country economically, but educationally. For many years, schools and universities remained closed. That educational deficit  coupled with a lack of job opportunities and international isolation  led to a gap in human capital. Much of the talent that a democracy needs is missing.

According to the Carter Centers office in Yangon, democracy in Myanmar continues to be undermined by serious deficiencies in the legal framework, including the reserved seats (in parliament) for military appointees. Even before the recent coup, 25 percent of the seats in parliament were filled by the military, who acted and voted as a block.

The brave, young pro-democracy reformers in Myanmar who are now protesting the coup are at a distinct disadvantage. They lack the guidance and example of an elder generation that developed in a world of honest and effective government institutions, robust debate about public issues and self-determination.

The students and young faculty members who I taught three years ago as a Fulbright scholar in Myanmar are now on the front lines of the protest movement opposing the recent coup. They know that they prefer democracy to dictatorship and international cooperation to isolation. But they cannot be expected to successfully battle with a well-armed military absent the support of foreign friends.

President Joe Biden is right in calling the coup a direct assault on Burmas transition to democracy and the rule of law. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens statement that her department stands with the people of Burma ... to help them in their effort to secure freedom and democracy is reassuring.

The Biden administration has made strides in imposing economic sanctions on key military leaders and related corporate subsidiaries. It also wisely redirected more than $40 million of assistance to works that will support civil society institutions.

America remains morally obligated to use diplomacy and international financial tools to cripple Myanmars illegitimate military regime and assist that country in returning to the path of prosperity and democratic development.

Vincent R. Johnson is the South Texas Distinguished Professor of Law at St. Marys University.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
DETROIT  Twenty-three employees at a Whole Foods grocery store in Detroit have tested positive for COVID-19, WDIV Local 4 reports.

The Detroit city health department was informed of coronavirus cases among employees at the Mack Avenue store and responded by making rapid testing available, Detroit Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair said in a statement. Out of 196 employees, there were 23 positive tests.

Whole Foods workers who tested positive, and those who were in close contact with them, will not return to work until they have a negative test, Fair said. The health department is reminding grocery stores that their employees are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Data released Thursday, Feb. 25, show that Michigan has had 585,352 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 15,453 related deaths. So far, 2,621,225 vaccine doses have been administered. On Friday, Michigans seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases jumped to above 1,000 cases a day for the first time in two weeks.

READ MORE:

Friday, Feb. 26, coronavirus data by Michigan county: States 7-day average of new cases back above 1,000

39% of Michigan seniors have gotten COVID-19 vaccine; see numbers in your county

Bars, funeral homes, gyms among 330 Michigan businesses to get money for outdoor spaces

Detroits giant RoboCop statue is real and its spectacular, at 11 feet, 2.5 tons
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The Senate parliamentarian has ruled against including the increase in the minimum wage in the Covid relief bill.

While Democrats had pushed for the increase to be included -- and leadership expressed its disappointment in the ruling Thursday evening -- its removal may actually make it easier to pass the bill, senior Democratic sources believe, because it'll avoid a messy fight over whether to strip it out of the bill and whether to compromise.

'President Biden is disappointed in this outcome, as he proposed having the $15 minimum wage as part of the American Rescue Plan,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. 'He respects the parliamentarian's decision and the Senate's process.'

For now, far from being a defeat, the ruling is viewed as clearing the way for the bill's passage in the Senate, a Biden administration official told CNN.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday evening the provision will remain in the House bill on which the chamber is voting Friday. However, the parliamentarian ruled that the increase to $15 per hour did not meet a strict set of guidelines needed to move forward in the Senate's reconciliation process. That means that the House will pass its bill, the Senate will have to strip the minimum wage provision out, and then eventually the House will have to pass that bill again at the end of the process.

But the ruling likely makes it easier for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to get his members in line behind the bill since the rise in the minimum wage had been a key sticking point for moderates like Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

There are no viable options to use the procedures in the Senate to keep the wage hike in the bill.

White House officials, cognizant of the potential math problem with Senate Democrats if the minimum wage increase were in the final package, had been counting on the provision being stripped, the administration official told CNN.

While there had been discussions about what would occur if it weren't, President Joe Biden's top advisers were fairly certain it would come out -- something Biden himself alluded to several times publicly.

The parliamentarian's ruling takes a significant potential hurdle out of play, officials acknowledged. While Biden will make a push to pass a standalone increase, officials know it has no path in the Senate due to Republican -- and Democratic -- opposition.

'We are deeply disappointed in this decision,' Schumer said in a statement following the ruling. 'We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.'

The parliamentarian's decision marks the end of a multi-weeks effort by Senate Budget Chairman Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, to include the provision in the relief bill.

'I strongly disagree with tonight's decision by the Senate Parliamentarian,' Sanders said in a statement Thursday evening. 'The (Congressional Budget Office) made it absolutely clear that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour had a substantial budgetary impact and should be allowed under reconciliation. It is hard for me to understand how drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was considered to be consistent with the Byrd Rule, while increasing the minimum wage is not,' Sanders added, referring to the rule -- named after the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd -- that prohibits including 'extraneous' measures as part of the budget process that Democrats are employing to send the Covid-19 relief package to Biden's desk by early March.

'Let's be clear: raising the minimum wage is COVID-19 relief,' Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a statement responding to the ruling. 'We simply cannot go back to the Black, Brown, AAPI, Indigenous, poor and working class voters who delivered us the White House and the Senate majority and tell them that an unelected parliamentarian advised us -- based on arcane rules -- that we could not raise the minimum wage as we promised,' she added, calling on the Senate to reform the filibuster 'to allow populist and necessary policies like the $15 minimum wage to pass with a majority of the Senate.'

Progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told CNN earlier this week that she would still support the Covid relief package if the parliamentarian were the one to remove the minimum wage provision, but not if politicians had been the ones to take it out. For Ocasio-Cortez, members of her own party removing or lowering the minimum wage would have made the bill fall apart. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a progressive Democrat from Minnesota, echoed those sentiments.

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a little known but powerful Senate official, had been thrust into the spotlight this week, with Democrats eager to see whether the minimum wage increase would survive in the President's relief package. MacDonough is the first woman to serve in the role of Senate parliamentarian -- a nonpartisan role -- since that position was created in the 1930s.

This story has been updated with additional details.
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Looking after ourselves has never been more important, which is why we've compiled 10 top tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe, happy healthy.

For balanced days and restful nights

Nearly half of us lose sleep on a regular basis because of worry, be it our hectic lifestyles or the impact of the pandemic  think home-schooling and the loss of a work-life balance.

Ironically, however, sleep is one of the best ways to deal with stressful periods.

For those times you need an extra helping hand to get some rest and find balance, theres RESCUE.

Made with a combination of five natural flower essences which are sourced from handpicked flowers and plants from Oxfordshire, the RESCUE range offers a natural solution to find balance day and night.

RESCUE Night contains the Original RESCUE Remedy combination as well as White Chestnut essence, which helps relax your body into a restful routine and switch off the day before bed so you awake refreshed.

The Info: Click here to find out more.

And breathe!

Given up on your first downward-facing dog? Failed to be bowled over by the restorative effects of child's pose?

It's time you gave yoga a second chance - and how better to do it with the groundbreaking yoga app, Skill Yoga.

This app essentially turns your phone into your very own virtual yoga teacher, training you via videos. It offers a yoga-based training program that will help you move more and better, learn new skills, become stronger, more flexible and improve posture - all while learning how to control and calm your mind.

Skill Yoga is suitable for everyone of all ages and abilities including athletes, thanks to its sport-specific yoga videos to complement training routines.

The app even has a clever algorithm to address the common issues people have when they begin practising yoga, ensuring everyone can stick with it and find success. Plus, there's a Athlete Assessment feature so you can track your progress and see how far you've come.

So, whether you're looking to ace your first handstand or embrace the power of the Warrior pose, Skill Yoga can help you get there.

The Info: Click here to find out more and get 50% off your annual subscription.

Get tested

With so many strains of the coronavirus going around, it's understandable that many of us are feeling increasingly concerned about their health.

However, getting tested is now easier than ever, so you can give yourself peace of mind quickly and accurately.

Covid-19 Antigen Lateral Flow Test is one of these speedy tests, and can determine whether you have Covid-19.

CAT Covid-19 Antigen Lateral Flow Test is approved by the German federal vaccines and biomedicines authority and is approved for sale in the UK as CE marked and manufacturer ISO registered.

CAT Covid-19 Antigen Lateral Flow Test takes 15 mins from start to finish with 98.10% accuracy.

To date, over 5 million units of the CAT COVID-19 Antigen Lateral Flow Test Kits have been sold worldwide, ensuring millions of people are not only protecting themselves, but those around them too.

The Info: Click here to find out more and use discount code Mail10 to get 10% off.

Keep your home and your workspace safe

While many of us will have upped our hygiene game since coronavirus came to town, it's always good to know there are additional things we can do to keep our homes and loves ones safe from infection and reinfection.

One such product is Nano-Ag47, a 72-hour safety spray for use on surfaces and common contact spaces.

This fine spray is completely colourless and has microscopic bits of silver in it, which research shows remains on surfaces and kills viruses and bacteria that come into contact with it, offering long term protection compared standard cleaners and disinfectants.

The silver works by blocking the receptors of virus particles, including coronavirus, which then go into shock, die and fall away, leaving the silver to fight off more viruses and keep you safe.

So next time you're cleaning, finish off with a spritz of Nano-Ag47 for complete peace of mind.

The Info: Click here to find out more and use discount code Nano5 to get 5 off.

Bring some calm to your day

During these uncertain times, its easy to feel increasingly stressed out, anxious and overwhelmed. Over time, these feelings can become hard to manage.

Many people have found that CBD oils can help them feel more balanced in their daily lives. CBD stands for Cannabidiol. A natural extract of the hemp plant that is both legal and non-intoxicating.

So if youre ready to try CBD, opt for a premium brand such as Grass & Co. This award-winning CBD company boasts a range of the highest quality and best-tasting CBD and botanicals to help you find your calm.

Grass & Co. CBD delivers the most delicious flavours, such as chamomile and mint, or ginger, turmeric and orange. Their products are packed with therapeutic botanical blends specially created to help relax your mind and soothe your body.

Discover Grass & Co. CBD for a better day and night.

The Info: Click here to find out more and use discount code MOODBOOST25 to get 25% off your order.

Must-have organic skincare

With so many products claiming to be the be all and end all of our skincare woes, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by everything on the market - and that's before you even begin to try to understand what all the ingredients are and what they do.

But Millionaire Beauty is changing all that. This unique skincare brand embraces both organic and active ingredients to have the most effective results on skin - and, most importantly, tells YOU all you need to know about them. That way, you can make educated decisions about what's best for your skin and reap all the benefits.

The combinations of ingredients and results have wowed new customers including celebrities and bloggers, who take to social media to praise the products and show off their skincare results.

The secret comes from nature - but that's not all. As well as using beauty-enhancing ingredients like kale, organic grape seed, AHA fruit acids and retinols, which can help cleanse and protect the skin, Millionaire Beauty is also one of the first companies globally to use Matrixyl 3000, a new ingredient designed for anti-ageing which offers a quick fix for long-term results.

The Info: Click here to find out more and use discount code beauty10 to get 10% off. Plus, play Spin the Wheel on the site for a free product AND receive a free pineapple face mask when you spend over 40.

Show your eyes some love

A staggering 1.5m people in the UK are affected by macular disease, making it the nation's biggest cause of sight loss.

It is all too easy to take good vision for granted, which is why it's important to take steps now to protect your eyes for the future.

That's why it could be advantageous for you to use a supplement like MACU-SAVE.

MACU-SAVE is an easy to swallow food supplement which provides advanced nutrition for the eyes - and you only need to take it once a day.

Contains FloraGLO Lutein and OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin, clinically proven ingredients to enhance the quality of vision and your eyes' overall visual performance.

MACU-SAVE is suitable for diabetics, those with gluten, yeast and lactose intolerances and contains no artificial preservatives or sweeteners.

The Info: Click here to find out more.

Face a better future

Everyone should be able to enjoy the world outside and experience life without worrying about the air they breathe - or how they look.

Designed in a range of sizes and patterns to provide stylish yet effective protection for you and your loved ones, age 2 and up, Cambridge Masks enable everyone to enjoy life safely.

Using exclusive technology developed by the British military for chemical, nuclear and biological warfare protection, Cambridge Masks boast 99.6% viral filtration efficiency and 99.7% bacterial filtration, so you can rest assured you're protected while you're out and about.

These masks are also certified to FFP2 standard and will last for up to 6 months, making them far superior to single-use disposables, which only last a few hours and contribute to tons of landfill waste.

Cambridge Masks are washable, reusable, sustainable, and are already used by over one million people globally. Why not give them a go today?

The Info: Click here to find out more and use discount code PROTECT20 to get 20% off.

Stay safe with a spritz

Now that masks are a part of our everyday lives, it's important that we know how to look after them so that they can do what they do best - help keep us safe.

For this, there's SurSol Face Mask Sanitising Spray. This broad spectrum, anti-bacterial and anti-viral treatment for sanitising face masks is designed to eliminate bacteria and viruses to reduce the spread of harmful germs and viruses.

The spray is easy to use and is suitable for use on all types of face mask, including face coverings and visors.

All SurSol products, such as their hand sanitiser and garment disinfectant spray, are all alcohol free, which means they're better on skin and more effective for the long-term use of keeping harmful bacteria and viruses at bay.

What's more, whenever you buy SurSol hand sanitiser, you'll also be donating to Children in Need, so you can look after yourself and others too.

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For the SADC Protocol on Industry to come into force, at least two-thirds or 11 members states have to ratify it. In this regard, Namibia will demonstrate considerable leadership in being amongst the first countries to ratify the protocol.

This is according to Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, who on Wednesday in the National Assembly motivated the ratification of the protocol.

Seychelles was the first country to have ratified the protocol and Iipumbu stated if Namibia signs up to the legislation, it will ensure regional industrialisation is placed on a firmer footing.

Iipumbu noted that it is therefore essential for SADC member states to ensure the process of ratification as this is a key pillar in efforts to ensure that regional industrialisation takes place.

In highlighting the key objectives of the protocol, the industrialisation minister stated the protocol calls for the development of prioritised regional value chains among member states.

"Value chains in sectors of agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, capital goods, and services are identified as having the demonstrable potential to deepen regional integration through enhancing intra-regional trade and cross-border investment flows," Iipumbu outlined.

She further stressed that these sectors are the same that have been identified nationally through the Growth at the Home execution plan as part of the national industrial policy of 2012.

Moreover, the SADC protocol also calls for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to be supported to master advanced technologies, enhance their competitiveness, and be financially supported.

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Namibia is a forerunner in implementing a national industrial modernisation and upgrading programme (IUMP) since 2012. Iipumbu stated that the IUMP is a requirement for all member states to adopt in the SADC Industrialisation Strategy.

Resultantly, Namibia received a financial envelope from the SADC-trade-related facility to right-size the IUMP as per the requirements under SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (SISR).

Iipumbu indicated that more than 40 businesses received grant funding to the value of N$13 million in 2020. "By advancing industrialisation, the SADC region can be able to catch-up economically and move closer to the level of present-day developed countries. SADC has been left behind because of a lack of quality infrastructure and the scarcity of skills necessary to accelerate industrial development," Iipumbu stated.
Osaagyefuo Amoatia Ofori-Panin, the Okyenhene, has asked leaders of West African countries to see chieftaincy as the institution that can help them fix most of the challenges facing the sub-region.



According to him the Chieftaincy institution is embedded in the psyche of our people and has the respect, legitimacy and direct relation to our daily lives; materially and spiritually.



"Chieftaincy is the primary source of political socialization that integrates all aspects of religious, economic, environment, traditional medicine, marriage, self-identity and public peace.



"For example, in Ghana today, 95% of marital and inheritance conflicts are resolved in the palaces of Chiefs and over 80% of all land disputes and 70% all legal issues. This attest to the indispensability of the chieftaincy institution in modern governance.



"Chieftaincy is the melting ground and matrix of the aspiration, beliefs, mobilization, motivation, social identity of our people and it is indispensable in any developmental effort to alleviate our people from poverty and destitution," he said.



He has expressed worry that despite the vast opportunities available to make countries in West Africa harness its potentials, bad governance is rendering the opportunities useless.



According to him, persistent gaps in education and health sectors as well as skills and entrepreneurship development have left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reach only 40% of its estimated potentials.



"The Sub Region abounds with enormous resources: minerals, forestry, freshwater, marine, a diversified climate that supports all kinds of plants and livestock production, cash crop agriculture potential of all types including ecotourism.



"However despite these enormous opportunities much attention has not been paid in harnessing the enormous resources of the Sub Region with the consequence that the people of the Sub Region are thrown into the abyss of mass poverty, hopelessness and degradation.



"The Economic Community of West African States hosts the largest economic and political union in Africa and has the responsibility to set an example for the rest of the continent and the whole of the developing world," the Okyenhene averred.



Osaagyefuo Amoatia Ofori-Panin said these when he opened the Consultative Meeting of Religious and Traditional Leaders in West Africa Under the ECOWAS Vision 2050 at Kyebi in the Abuakwa South Municipality of Eastern Region on Thursday February 25, 2021.



He also expressed worry about how young West African men and women lose their lives in the Mediterranean all in attempts to reach Europe to find jobs and have meaningful lives.



"(This) brings to question the need for the examination of the structures and effectiveness of the governance system and approaches to public policy, planning and implementation of programmes in our various countries," he said.



To him, when it comes to the environment, age old customary observances on hunting and fishing have proven more effective than forest guards and environmental policies designed by bureaucrats.



Osaagyefuo Amoatia Ofori-Panin therefore advocated that West African leaders must commit themselves to institute legislative measures to ensure the inclusiveness of traditional actors at all levels of governance in the spirit of decentralization and popular participation.



On her part, the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, said the realization of the 2050 vision depended largely on local actions taken ECOWAS citizens with the support of Traditional and Religious leaders who are the custodians of societal norms.



She underscored that to effectively support these local actions, it is important to forge partnerships with relevant stakeholders including the traditional authorities in view of their extensive outreach and presence in the sub-region.



The ECOWAS Vision 2020 was adopted in June, 2007 by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS as the development blueprint for the transformation of West Africa into a borderless, peaceful and prosperous region by 2020.



The ECOWAS Vision 2020 came to an end in December 2020, necessitating the development of a Roadmap for the preparation of the Post 2020 Vision  now referred to as ECOWAS Vision 2050.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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This is Your Warning: a compelling account that brings a sign for nonbelievers to stop cursing and hating God. This is Your Warning is the creation of published author Rick Damboise, a man who was born and raised as a Catholic and a believer of Christ.

Damboise writes, I wrote This Is Your Warning to explain to nonbelievers what will be happening at the end of our age, which I believe we are living in right now. I wanted to make it simple because I love simple. I believe that modern man is comfortable with their lives. Not thinking or worrying about their future. Not contemplating eternity. They hear all these theories about evolution and aliens and they blindly believe in it because some group of smart people gathers in agreement. I know in my heart that if they accept these falsities then their eternal lives are in jeopardy.

This book is about a number of signs. The first and greatest sign is the rapture of the Church. After that, a number of judgments will take place after the Rapture. Judgments that countless MILLIONS of other believers and I believe are literal judgments. You would not be crazy. You will not be alone in believing. What is more important is that you will be correct.

It breaks my heart that they who ignore God think they are wise, but they couldnt be further from the truth.

I pray that they read my book and I would be honored if they would reach out so we can discuss issues. I promise to not be judgmental. I pray that you enjoy my book.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Rick Damboises new book provides readers a sign to return to God before its too late. Here, readers will come to see the possible things that will happen if they continue to turn their back to God and obey evil.

Through this book, the author hopes that nonbelievers may come to realize that God truly exists and only through Jesus Christ can they be saved.

View a synopsis of This is Your Warning on YouTube.

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For additional information or inquiries about This is Your Warning, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

Irelands deputy chief medical officer has urged parents of schoolchildren not organise playdates and warned them not to congregate at school gates.

Dr Ronan Glynn said there is significant concern that the partial reopening of schools will be taken as a signal that household mixing and mobility are acceptable.

In an open letter to parents and guardians of schoolchildren, Dr Glynn said: We cannot afford for this to happen at this time. Despite the progress we have made, Covid-19 is still circulating at high levels in our communities.

We must do all we can individually and collectively to ensure that the reopening of schools results in the minimum possible upward pressure on the reproduction number.

Please avoid congregating at school gates over the coming weeks. Please do not have play dates or organise after school activities which involve household mixing.

And please continue to work from home unless essential.

I know these are difficult requests. We all  adults and children alike  want to meet up with our friends and neighbours and get back to our old routines. And we will get there Dr Ronan Glynn

It is only through your continued buy-in to these measures that we can ensure that our children will get back to school and then stay back in school.

I know these are difficult requests. We all  adults and children alike  want to meet up with our friends and neighbours and get back to our old routines. And we will get there.

We now have three very effective vaccines with, hopefully, three more on the way.

The phased reopening of schools and childcare will see some pupils return to the classroom on Monday.

Junior and senior infants, as well as first and second class in primary schools, will be among the first back to school.

Leaving Certificate students will also return to the classroom next week.

Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team@hpscireland has today been notified of 29 additional deaths related to #COVID19.



17 of these deaths occurred in February, and 12 occurred in January.  Department of Health (@roinnslainte) February 26, 2021

It comes as a further 29 people who had tested positive for coronavirus died.

Another 776 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were also announced on Friday.

There are currently 574 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 136 are in intensive care.

As of February 23, 373,280 doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been administered in Ireland.

This includes 238,841 first doses and 134,439 second doses.

Meanwhile, the boss of the Health Service Executive said staff are working night and day to ensure mass vaccination centres are ready for the surge in vaccine supplies.

Paul Reid said there are currently 6,500 people trained in the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

A national recruitment campaign is currently under way to bring in more staff ahead of a significant ramp-up in vaccines.

The HSE chief executive said the rollout is based on supply, and that every vaccine is being delivered.

Vaccines teach your immune system how to protect you from diseases. A #COVID19 vaccine will offer you protection from COVID-19.aFor factual, expert information you can trust, visit: ahttps://t.co/fCS9k9xnGl

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#CovidVaccine #HoldFirm pic.twitter.com/AtkgCTUj6o  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) February 26, 2021

Around 100,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines are expected to be delivered this week  its highest to date.

The Department of Health said that plans are being put in place to vaccinate one million people a month from April.

We have put a lot of preparation plans in place, both in terms of the various locations that we have and the significant recruitment campaign, Mr Reid told RTE.

The Government aims to have administered first doses to 40% of people over the age of 18 by the end of April, 64% by the end of May and up to 82% of adults by the end of June.

Some 37 vaccination centres are to be set up around the country, with an aim of having one in every county.

As of February 22nd, 359,616 doses of #COVID19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:



a226,291 people have received their first dose

a133,325 people have received their second dose  Department of Health (@roinnslainte) February 25, 2021

Mr Reid said on Friday that there has been a ramping up of resources to get the vaccination centres ready.

We have seen the use of vaccination centres, like the use of the Helix last week in DCU with more than 1,000 vaccinations by 100 GPs.

Up to 5,000 people are being vaccinated a day in these centres.

We have been working night and day to put these preparations in place, this is a great motivator for us in the healthcare teams and staff who are working on something really positive  everyone has galvanised behind this.

People have made huge sacrifices, particularly since December and we don't want to lose the progress we have made Paul Reid, HSE

To date, we are in an exciting place in vaccinating the over-70s.

Mr Reid also urged the public to continue following the Level 5 restrictions.

People have made huge sacrifices, particularly since December and we dont want to lose the progress we have made, he added.

All the indicators are going at the right direction, but it is still at a high base.
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Leaders in the United States and elsewhere stepped up community restrictions after the holiday peaks. But individual choices have also been important, said Lindsay Wiley, an expert in public health law and ethics at American University in Washington.

People voluntarily change their behavior as they see their local hospital get hit hard, as they hear about outbreaks in their area, she said. If thats the reason that things are improving, then thats something that can reverse pretty quickly, too.

The downward curve of infections with the original coronavirus disguises an exponential rise in infections with B.1.1.7, the variant first identified in Britain, according to many researchers.

We really are seeing two epidemic curves, said Ashleigh Tuite, an infectious disease modeler at the University of Toronto.

The B.1.1.7 variant is thought to be more contagious and more deadly, and it is expected to become the predominant form of the virus in the United States by late March. The number of cases with the variant in the United States has risen from 76 in 12 states as of Jan. 13 to more than 1,800 in 45 states now. Actual infections may be much higher because of inadequate surveillance efforts in the United States.

Buoyed by the shrinking rates over all, however, governors are lifting restrictions across the United States and are under enormous pressure to reopen completely. Should that occur, B.1.1.7 and the other variants are likely to explode.

Everybody is tired, and everybody wants things to open up again, Dr. Tuite said. Bending to political pressure right now, when things are really headed in the right direction, is going to end up costing us in the long term.
Courtesy- Target

A San Antonio Target is one of 17 in the country selected for a new collaboration with Apple to provide an "innovative new shopping experience," the store said in a news release Thursday.

The Target located at 18255 Blanco Road will increase floor space for the Apple display and will be home to all of the latest products, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, HomePods and Apple TV. In addition, Target tech consultants will be trained by Apple, the news release said.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The sunshine is back and the ice has melted. But more than a week after a deep freeze across the South, many communities are still grappling with getting clean water to their citizens.

For years, experts have warned of the need to upgrade aging and often-neglected waterworks. Now, after icy weather cracked the regions water mains, froze equipment and left millions without service, its clear just how much work needs to be done.

Families stood for hours in lines to get drinking water. They boiled it to make it safe to drink or brush their teeth. They scooped up snow and melted it in their bathtubs. Hospitals collected buckets of water to flush toilets.

You dont realize how much you use water until you dont have it, said Brian Crawford, chief administrative officer for the Willis-Knighton Health System in the northwestern Louisiana city of Shreveport, where water pressure at one hospital only started returning to normal Wednesday. Tanker trucks had supplied it with water since last week.

The still-unfolding problems have exposed extensive vulnerabilities. Many water systems have decades-old pipes, now fragile and susceptible to breaking. White flight dropped tax revenue in some cities, and a lack of investment has caused problems to become even costlier to fix. Many systems in the South were not built with such low temperatures in mind. But with climate change projected to bring more extreme weather, problems like those seen last week could return.

A 2018 survey by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated $473 billion was needed over 20 years to maintain and improve water infrastructure. In a 2020 report, the American Society of Civil Engineers said a water main breaks every two minutes on average in the U.S., and described chronic, long-term and insufficient investment. The report warned that the nations public health and the economy will be at risk.

Actually, its already happening.

The Mississippi capital of Jackson struggled to fix its damaged water grid, with thousands still facing outages. In Memphis, residents in the city of 650,000 have been told for nearly a week to boil water for three minutes if they plan to use it for drinking, cooking or brushing their teeth. More than 40,000 Louisianans still had water outages Wednesday, and hundreds of thousands more were under boil advisories.

In Texas, more than 2 million remained under boil water notices Wednesday and 40 public water systems are nonoperational, affecting 25,000 people, state officials said. At the height of the problems last week, at least 7 million Texans were told to boil their water. The order was finally lifted Sunday for Houston, where millions had endured power and water outages in the nations fourth-largest city that is more accustomed to hurricanes than winter storms.

As temperatures fell below freezing across the South, residents kept their faucets open to prevent pipes from freezing. But the increased demand taxed the already-struggling systems, and the low water pressure meant that boil advisories were needed until safety tests could be completed.

Charles Williams, director of public works for the city of Jackson, said that as frozen machinery at the water plant began to thaw with rising temperatures, dozens of water mains broke.

Old pipes in the city have a history of breaking after cold weather, but a declining tax base has Jackson struggling to maintain its infrastructure. Following integration, affluent white families moved to the suburbs, taking their tax dollars with them. Now, more than a quarter of residents in Mississippis majority-Black capital live in poverty.

James Williams, 67, went eight days without water at his house and called Jacksons water problem a public health crisis.

The wealthy taxpayers left, so they left Jackson to suffer, the retired public works department employee said. Its not their concern because they dont live here no more.

Voters in 2014 overwhelmingly approved an extra 1% sales tax for infrastructure repairs, but the $15 million a year raised is only a fraction of what Jackson needs. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said close to $2 billion is required to modernize its water system.

These pipes are, described by the people who jump in the holes to repair them, like peanut brittle, he said. Theyll repair a pipe in one area and just sit back and wait, and sometimes theyll see a break happen almost immediately a few yards away.

Monday was the first time in a week that residents could line up for water outside of Madonna Manor, a 13-floor apartment complex for seniors and people with disabilities. People brought laundry pails, bowls, buckets and wastebaskets.

Helen Scott, 68, collecting water in a pink trash can, said people with cars can leave to get water, but those who have the least are struggling the most.

The vulnerable are left behind, she said.

In Shreveport, where about 200,000 people were being told to boil their water, Mayor Adrian Perkins pointed to old, aging infrastructure, just like most American cities.

Voters in 2019 rejected Perkins bond proposal to raise $186 million for infrastructure, including water system repairs and upgrades.

In Tennessee, Memphis Light, Gas & Water said the cold led to problems at pumping stations and ruptures in water mains and service lines. Crews were making repairs and testing for contaminants was being done, but no timetable has been set for a return to normal service.

Problems arose at some of the citys 140 wells that deliver water to reservoirs at eight main pumping stations. Wells failed, several reservoirs froze and engines and motors at pumping stations overheated. The persistent freezing temperatures exposed problems at pumping stations and other parts of the system, some of which dates to the 1930s.

The utility is in the second year of a five-year, $105 million plan to update and strengthen infrastructure. At a news conference Tuesday, utility President and CEO J.T. Young said the plan will be reassessed in light of the recent freeze to make sure it matches the needs that have arisen.

Deslatte reported from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Associated Press reporters Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, and Acacia Coronado in Austin, Texas, contributed.

About the photo: Broken water mains in Jackson, Miss., have played havoc with residences and many businesses and restaurants, such as Barrelhouse in the historic Fondren business district, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. The aging infrastructure has caused problems throughout the city as the rising temperatures have melted the snow and ice statewide, but tens of thousands of people still have little or no water service, with some waiting more than a week for restoration since the outages began during an extended freeze. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The National Assembly (NA) of Armenia Council meeting scheduled for 11am did not take place due to the lack of quorum.

None of the majority My Step faction MPs who are members of the NA Council attended the meeting.

Edmon Marukyan, chairman of the opposition Bright Armenia Party and head of its parliamentary faction, expressed his dissatisfaction to the NA speaker's adviser that even he did not attend this meeting.

The MPs of the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction, however, were in attendance to the meeting.

On Thursday, the opposition Bright Armenia and Prosperous Armenia factions came up with the initiative to convene a special session of the NA, but the NA Council meeting to discuss this matter did not take place again due to the absence of the My Step MPs. The opposition factions want to convene a special session of the NA to lift the current martial law and discuss the current political situation in Armenia.

On Thursday morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement in which the high-ranking military officials demanded the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government. According to the General Staff, the PM and his government are no longer be able to make good decisions. Pashinyan, however, considered the move as an "attempt at a military coup" and called on his supporters to gather at Republic Square in downtown Yerevan.

After their rally Thursday at Liberty Square in downtown Yerevan, the opposition demanding Pashinyans resignation marched to Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, continued their respective protest in front of the National Assembly, after which they announced that they would pitch tents and spend the night on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue.
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Fall in vodka production by 6.7% in 2020 amid rise in consumption indicates growth of illegal alcohol market  Fiscal Service

The decrease in vodka production in 2020 by 6.7% compared to 2019, to 44.5 million liters (in terms of pure alcohol) with an increase in its consumption and alcohol production by 36%, to 9.3 million decaliters, indicates the growth of the illegal alcohol market, Head of the State Fiscal Service Vadym Melnyk has said at a meeting with business representatives.

According to him, in 2013-2020 production of vodka decreased by 2.5 times, alcohol - 2.8 times, and the excise tax on these products increased threefold.

Melnyk recalled that in order to combat illegal excisable goods, the service launched the Alcohol operation on February 1, 2021, during which law enforcement officers seized 226 tonnes of alcohol, 134 tonnes of alcoholic drinks, 547,000 packs of tobacco products and more than 8,000 excise duty stamps.

He clarified that for the period from February 1 to February 25, 2021, the Fiscal Service identified 53 websites with offers of illegal alcohol, 21 Internet ads were removed from websites. The courts are considering 12 petitions to restrict access to almost a hundred websites, one court decision was received with an appeal to the provider to stop illegal trade.

The head of the service noted the prevalence of online sales of illegal alcohol and its transportation through delivery services. He informed about the plans of the State Fiscal Service to work out a solution to reduce transportation of illegal excisable goods, without restricting the activities of carriers.

According to Melnyk, most of the seized alcohol was produced under the brands of the producers Prime, Lubotinn, Oleksandriya and Zlatogor.

In addition, he noted the facts of repeated confiscation of the previously seized products with the same excise stamps, as well as cases of theft of illegal products from storage sites and their incomplete utilization.
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From Covid-19 to an economic downturn, so much of our energy was spent just getting through each day. For many of us in the wine industry, this became a lot harder when a ban on alcohol sales was implemented in late March 2020. Join us as we take a moment to reflect on what was and the lessons we can take into the new year...
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Since the novel coronavirus was first discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019, several variants have emerged across the world.

Some have cropped in countries such as the UK, South Africa and Brazil, and others have been homegrown, including the variants that have appeared in California and New York City.

More than 2,100 cases of variants have been reported across 45 states, with just two deaths reported so far, both linked to the UK variant.

However, laboratory officials say they cannot tell patients or their physicians if they have been infected with a mutant strain.

The tests needed for detecting variants, known as genome sequencing tests, have not been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a diagnostic tool, according to Kaiser Health News.

What's more, there are federal rules which dictate what information university labs can report and to whom, meaning health officials counties don't even know which counties in states have cases.

The testing is only performed by certain labs that are not required to tell patients or doctors their results.

This is in stark comparison with the UK's Office for National Statistics, which has very detailed accounts of which regions of England have cases of the variant and what percentage of test are linked to mutant strains.

It come as Florida became the first U.S. state to record 500 cases of the UK variant, with cases doubling almost every 10 days.

In addition, infectious disease specialists now believe that a new coronavirus variant spreading through New York City is circulating in neighboring New Jersey.

More than 2,100 cases of coronavirus variants have been reported across 45 states, including those from the UK, South Africa and Brazil, as well as homegrown mutant strains but federal rules that dictate what information labs can share mena officials don't even know which counties have cases

Comparatively, the UK has been tracking the incidence of its variant, known as B 1.1.7,as well as what percentage of tests are coming back positive for the new strain

Officials told Kaiser Health News that that there are federal guidelines regarding who can be told about variant cases.

This means public health officials telling residents about the detection of new cases may only know the county a case in, or just the fact that it is in a state.

Dr Nick Gilpin, the director of infection prevention at Beaumont Health in Michigan, told Kaiser Health News, that his hospital is informed if samples submitted for sequencing have been confirmed to be linked to variants.

However, laboratories will not shared who these patients are.

'It's relevant from a systems-based perspective,' Gilpin told the news website.

'If we have a bunch of B.1.1.7 in my backyard, that's going to make me think a little differently about how we do business.'

While notifying patients that they have a variant won't affect how patients are cared for, it could help contact tracers identify close contacts so they can quarantine and prevent potential spread.

The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, a non-profit organization, have asked the federal government to wave these rules.

New survey information revealed the variant is dominant in all regions of England, but officials know how prevalent it is in every region compared to the U.S.

'It could be associated with a person in a high-risk congregate setting or it might not be, but without patient information, we don't know what we don't know,' Janet Hamilton, executive director, told Kaiser Health News.

'Time is ticking.'

The CDC has scaled up its genomic sequencing capabilities from about 400 per week to more than 9,000 this week, according to director Dr Rochelle Walensky.

What's more, the Biden administration has pledged almost $200 million to better identify and track variants, with hopes of being able to test 25,000 samples a week.

This is very different from the way that surveillance is performed in the UK.

For one thing, although patients may not be told the results themselves, the government is tracking the incidence of the old virus and new strains by region.

In addition, the government's Office of National Health Statistics (ONS) performs an analysis looking at the percentage of positive tests that are positive for the UK variant across the country.

Not only does the analysis reveal the percentage of tests across several weeks inked to the variant In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Island, but in all regions of England.

By comparison, the U.S. does not reveal what percentage of tests have come back positive for variant.

The Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium is currently analyzing more than 20,000 positive tests per week - xx more than the U.S.

It comes as officials say that a new coronavirus variant that emerged in New York City is likely circulating in New Jersey

It comes as officials say that a new coronavirus variant that emerged in New York City is likely circulating in New Jersey.

The variant, which first appeared in samples collected in the Big Apple in November, now makes up about 27 percent of viral sequences deposited into a database shared by scientists called GISAID, according to The New York Times.

Two version of the variant are circulating, but both are being called B.1.526 variant for now.

One carries the E484K mutation - found in the Brazilian and South African variants - and which scientists believe reduces the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

The other has the S477N mutation, which may act like a guide for the virus to infect human cells, optimizing the binding process and possibly increasing case rates.

'As soon as people start looking, they're going to find this stuff,' Dr David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told NJ Advance Media.

'It's just [that] nobody was looking.'

Cennimo said the next few months will be telling about how dangerous the mutation - whether cases will continue to decline or begin surging again.

'This could go down as a whole bunch of historical curiosity,' Cennimo told NJ Advance Media.

'And people are going to say: "Oh, look, they all freaked out about a couple of mutation variants" or it's going to be: "Look at this - a whole new branch on the phylogenetic tree took off, and there's a whole second huge spike to this epidemic."'

On Friday, Florida has become the first U.S. state to reach 500 cases of the B 1.1.7. variant after the first cases was detected on New Year's Eve

A pre-print study found that cases involving the new variant are most prevalent in Florida, doubling every nine days and making up 5% of all cases in the state

Meanwhile, on Friday, Florida became the first U.S. state to reach 500 cases of the B 1.1.7. variant, according to the CDC.

The first case was detected in a man in his 20s from Martin County, in southwest Florida, on New Year's Eve with no history of travel.

This means it took just 57 days for cases to hit 500 cases, meaning the number of infections in the state were doubling every nine days, according to a pre-print study.

The study also found that B 1.1.7 cases currently make up more than five percent of all cases in Florida, and will likely only increase.

Florida surpassed California as the state the most cases of B 1.1.7. on January 19 and has more than double the number of cases.

Neither the CDC nor the Florida Department of Health has revealed in which Florida counties these cases have been found.
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Anton Rovenskyy, Master of International Relations, International Political Scientist

Under the rule of Recep Taip Erdogan Turkey has become one of the most active geopolitical actors in the recent years. Its interests stretch throughout the whole Eurasia, and its agenda is of great interest for the states and nations in the Turkish sphere of interests. Let's focus on the main ambitions and interests of Turkey on the geopolitical chessboard.

Syria and the Middle East

Since the start of the Arab Spring uprisings in Syria, Recep Taip Erdogan has not achieved all the goals, but definitely has become one of the winners of the campaign. De facto, North Syria is now under effective control of Turkey, while the Kurds are blocked in their activities and do not possess any serious threat. Turkey is an important party in the process of negotiations on Syria. By now, any strategic decision on the settlement of the conflict annot be reached without Turkey.

Moreover, Syrian refugee camps on Turkish territory has become a new source of money from the European Union for Erdogan. The EU is reluctant to repeat the situation of 2015, when the simultaneous migration of over 1 million refugees has messed up the work of the European customs and migration services, as well as significantly increased social risks.

When we talk about Turkish interests in the Middle East, one should point out, in recent years the official Ankara has established a firm basis to counter the political, cultural and religious influence of Saudi Arabia in the region. Meanwhile, Turkey also tries to build a reliable partnership with the strategic counterpart of the Saudis, Qatar. With the help of Qatar, Turkey effectively blocks Israel in the region and increases its support for Palestine.

Libya

The Turkish military expedition to Libya in 2020 to support Fayez al-Sarraj and the Government of National Accord (GNA) has signaled a significant shift in the ongoing Libyan national conflict. The GNA has maintained its positions and also succeeded in reducing the claims of the Libyan National Army under Khalifa Haftar.

The range of Turkish interests in Libya is wide. It encompasses maritime transport corridors in the Southern Mediterranean, oil and gas fields, as well as creating a constant threat of new refugees for Europe. It may also help to negotiate with the Gulf monarchies, France, Egypt and Russia.

The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, active in Switzerland from 1 to 5 February 2021, has selected the Prime Minister of the United Libyan Government, as well as 3 members of the Presidential Council, ruled by Mohamed al-Menfi. The main purpose of the Government is to hold nationwide elections on December 24. Without any doubt, Turkey is going to be one of the most prominent actors of the Libyan political crisis settlement which ensures its stake in the public and economic life of the nation after the conflict.

Transcaucasia

Enough was said on the Turkish support of Azerbaijan during its military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh last year, as well as on the successful transformation of those victorious battles into a distinct political result. Turkey grips in Transcaucasia, transforming from a distant viewer into an active player.

One more important issue without proper public attention is joint Turkish-Azerbaijani gas projects. The gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Turkey via TANAP pipeline have been launched by the end of 2020. In the near future, the project will develop rapidly, which will reinforce Turkey as a powerful gas hub in Southern Europe.

In addition to Azerbaijan, Turkey also increases its influence in Georgia, another Caucasian nation. The process is distinctly clear in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The reason lies not only in the matters of ethnicity or religion (Wikipedia states, Adjarians are the ethnographic group of Georgians, some part of who was under heavy Islamisation since the Arab conquers), but also in the active invasion of the Turkish money into the region. One may especially notice the process in the spheres of development, tourism, mining industry, which form the basis for the Adjarian and Georgian economy respectively.

The current political crisis in Georgia, followed by the resignation of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and an ongoing confrontation of the two main national parties, Georgian Dream and United National Movement, provides more options for political manoeuvres for the official Ankara in this particular direction, as well as in the region itself. One should wait for the next steps of Erdogan in this situation.

The official Ankara tries not only to strengthen its positions in Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also to create a reliable base in order to increase its influence in the region, particularly in the Russian republics of North Caucasus and Central Asian nations.

Central Asia

Turkey consistently strengthens relations with the establishment of Central Asia by means of the Turkic Council, an international organization established in 2009, which unites all the modern Turkic states. Having in mind the increasing economic, military, political and humanitarian influence of the official Ankara, the ruling families of Central Asian republics may seriously begin to assume Turkey as an alternative to the traditional Chinese and Russian influence in the region. One should point out, Turkey is much closer in both ethnic and religious ways.

Moreover, in the coming decades Turkey, which closes Southern European gas corridors on itself, may get access to new Central Asian gas fields and gas distributing infrastructure, which provides a possibility to transit Central Asian fuel to Europe. Without any doubt, it is a long-term and expensive project, which much depends on the decisions of the Caspian Five (Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan) considering the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

The Balkans

Traditionally, the Balkans used to be the crossroad for the interests of big geopolitical actors; this position remains nowadays. One should notice, Turkish interests in the region are rather pragmatic: alongside with a bunch of traditional matters, such as gas or fuel transportation, Turkey considers the Balkans as a lever of pressure on Western Europe. The fact is, one of the main Middle East and African refugee routes lies through the region.

The growing influence of Turkey in Gagauzia, an autonomous region of Moldova, is also worth mentioning. The Gagauz people are both Orthodox and Turkic, which forms the basis for the Turkish interest in the region. By the way, Erdogan was one of the few world leaders who met Moldovan ex-president Igor Dodon on a regular basis. In October 2018 Erdogan and Dodon signed a Joint Declaration on the strategic partnership between Turkey and Moldova. Turkey is a strategic partner of Moldova, and it has been consistent in its support of the Moldovan sovereignty, stated Dodon back in 2018. Nevertheless, now it is rather unclear whether the level of interstate relations between Turkey and Moldova under Maia Sandus presidency will remain.

China

The main focus is on the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region (XUAR) on the Northwest of the PRC. A half of its 10 million population are the Uyghurs, Muslims of Turkic origin, who now face all the power of the Chinese state machine. Considering the strategic role of the region for the development of the New Silk Way land route and Erdogans protector role to all the Turkic nations, the Uyghur issue may become a bargaining chip in the relations with the official Beijing in order to achieve some kind of political or economic preferences.

With the tightening of the Chinese sea export by the US, Japan and South Korea, the role of the New Silk Way land route is going to increase. Consequently, the weight of the Uyghur issue will only become larger, which is within the Turkish logic of interests.
Bengaluru, Feb 26 : The Karnataka government on Friday signed an agreement with Cognizant Technology Solutions India Pvt Ltd and Rotary Club Whitefield to provide 12,500 de-bonded desktop computers to the first-grade government colleges in the state as part of the 'Help Educate' initiative, Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayana said.

This initiative is part of the Karnataka Learning Management System (Karnataka LMS) based digital learning. The Karnataka LMS initiative is aimed at training around 24,000 teachers and 4.5 lakh students of 430 government first grade colleges, 87 government polytechnics and 14 government engineering colleges.

Addressing reporters after Cognizant Technology and Rotary Club signed an agreement with the Department of Collegiate Education and Technical Education (DCTE) here, Narayana, who also holds the Higher Education portfolio, said, "The 'Help Educate' initiative is aimed at partnering with MNCs and philanthropists to educate and train students, train professors in modern methodology through faculty development programmes and digital teaching and also equip the government colleges with digital assets in order to adopt digital learning which is both a recent trend and also a necessity of times." He added that Cognizant India will provide 12,500 de-bonded desktop computers, while the Rotary Club has come forward to instal Windows operating system and Office 365 besides taking care of transportation and installation of the desktops in the respective colleges.

The Deputy CM explained that the initiative's prime objective is to facilitate the government first grade colleges with computers and make a difference in the learning of students, most of whom hail from a socio-economically marginalised background.

"These 12,500 desktop computers will be distributed among all the government first grade colleges to establish computer laboratories for the use of the students," he said.

Narayana said that the government colleges need at least 30,000 computers, but under this initiative, 12,500 computers are being provided.

"This contribution is valued about Rs 50 crore and will help fill the digital divide of the students studying in government colleges," Narayana said, as he hoped that many more MNCs would come forward to contribute to this initiative.

Launched in November last year, the Karnataka LMS is a comprehensive system which aims to empower teachers, enrich students and bridge the digital divide.
TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Internal Revenue Service is implementing the 8,000 page 2021 Covid-19 CARES Act that was rushed out by Congress on December 21, 2021. Buried in the bill is a great financial relief package for U.S. small businesses  the 2021 CARES Act Employee Retention Tax Credits (ERC).

The 2021 CARES Act ERC provides small businesses and organizations payments up to 70% or $14,000 of an employee's wages for retaining employees through the first half of 2021. To be eligible for the 2021 Employee Retention Tax Credit, employers have to demonstrate that they incurred at least a 20% decline in gross receipts compared to 2020. Small businesses, non-profit organizations, churches and schools up to 500 employees are eligible.

To assist small businesses navigate through the complex ERC Act, the national accounting firm, Profitopia, is providing free consultations to small businesses and organizations to help them determine if they are eligible for the program. The calculations for qualifying and determining employee retention credits are complicated. Profitopia's accountants are experts in the 2021 CARES act Employee Retention Tax Credits. They are trained in all specifics of this unprecedented legislation.

Kevin Marshall, CPA, President, Profitopia. believes the ERC Act, is the "best financial shot-in-the arm to help small businesses thrive during the economic challenges of the pandemic. The ERC is free money for small businesses  it does not require repayment."

At no cost or obligation to a small business or organization, Profitopia, will analyze a business' eligibility and calculate their potential cash refund. If a business or organization elects to retain Profitopia to file their ERC Tax Credit, the accounting fee is not due until the business receives their money from the US government. There is no risk or cost for US small businesses or organizations to get their free consultation.

The 2021 CARES Act ERC can be a lifeline for a small business. "For example, if a small business or organization has 5 employees, they could be eligible to get up to a $70,000 check back from the US government, according to Kevin Marshall, CPA."

For a free consultation, Profitopia's ERC experts can be reached at 888-778-6742 or www.ERCexpert.com

Media contact:

David Arond

[email protected]

520-401-4193

SOURCE Profitopia, LLC
By Kate Abnett and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior officials from Europe have urged the World Bank's management to expand its climate change strategy to exclude investments in oil- and coal-related projects around the world, and gradually phase out investment in natural gas projects, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

In the six-page letter dated Wednesday, World Bank executive directors representing major European shareholder countries and Canada, welcomed moves by the Bank to ensure its lending supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

But they urged the Bank - the biggest provider of climate finance to the developing world - to go even further.

"We ... think the Bank should now go further and also exclude all coal- and oil-related investments, and further outline a policy on gradually phasing out gas power generation to only invest in gas in exceptional circumstances," the European officials wrote in the letter, excerpts of which were seen by Reuters.

The officials took note of the World Bank's $620 million investment in a multibillion-dollar liquified natural gas project in Mozambique approved by the Bank's board in January, but did not call for its cancellation, one of the sources said.

The World Bank confirmed receipt of the letter but did not disclose all its contents. It noted that the World Bank and its sister organizations had provided $83 billion for climate action over the past five years.

"Many of the initiatives called for in the letter from our shareholders are already planned or in discussion for our draft Climate Change Action Plan for 2021-2025, which management is working to finalize in the coming month," the Bank told Reuters in an emailed statement.

The Bank's first climate action plan began in fiscal year 2016.

The United States, the largest shareholder in the World Bank, this month rejoined the 2015 Paris climate accord, and has vowed to move multilateral institutions and U.S. public lending institutions toward "climate-aligned investments and away from high-carbon investments."

Story continues

World Bank President David Malpass told finance officials from the Group of 20 economies on Friday that the Bank would make record investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation for a second consecutive year in 2021.

"Inequality, poverty, and climate change will be the defining issues of our age," Malpass told the officials. "It is time to think big and act big in finding solutions,"

He said it was also launching new reviews to integrate climate into all its country diagnostics and strategies, a step initiated before the letter from the European officials, said one of the sources.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington and Kate Abnett in Brussels; Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Pedestrians stand on the Bund against the backdrop of the Shanghai skyline. Photo: Bloomberg

(Bloomberg)  Credit Suisse Group AG and UBS Group AG are relocating a number of bankers to the Chinese mainland from Hong Kong to better compete for deals after the worlds fastest growing major economy relaxed curbs on foreign financial firms.

Credit Suisse recently moved three directors, including Vivian Feng, Richard Kot and Felix Meng, as well as four more junior bankers, to the mainland, said people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named discussing internal decisions. UBS is in the process of shifting several managing directors, though no final decision has been made, people familiar with the deliberations said.

Having bankers in Hong Kong, long a bridge between the West and China, is becoming less crucial as the mainland market opens, while Beijings tightening political grip has dimmed the citys appeal.

Competition is heating up in China after the nation last year allowed foreign firms to fully own their onshore securities businesses. Credit Suisse and UBS, as well as U.S. rivals such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., are boosting their presence, in some cases seeking to double staff, to chase after profits that are estimated to reach $47 billion in investment banking alone by 2026.

Veteran banker Houston Huang, who oversaw China dealmaking for JPMorgan from Hong Kong, in February relocated to Shanghai after being named chief executive and head of investment banking for its mainland securities joint venture, people familiar said.

Media representatives at the Swiss firms and JPMorgan said they couldnt comment.

UBS and Credit Suisse both have aggressive plans to expand on the mainland. UBS in late 2018 became the first global investment bank to gain control of a local securities joint venture.

Helman Sitohang, the Credit Suisse Asia Pacific chief executive officer, said in an interview last week that the bank is seeking to gain full control over its venture as soon as possible. The bank plans to double its headcount in the country and has been working to upgrade its infrastructure as well as moving bankers to China.

Credit Suisse and UBS both ranked outside of the top 10 last year arranging Chinese share sales on the mainland and in Hong Kong, trailing Chinas biggest firms as well as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

UBS ranked third in advising on mergers and acquisitions in China over the past 12 months, trailing CICC and Goldman Sachs. The Swiss banks standing was boosted by its work on a natural gas pipeline deal.

Other banks such as Morgan Stanley have also been moving people out of Hong Kong to bases on the mainland.

But banks have had some difficulties in persuading Hong Kong-based senior bankers to move to due to higher taxes, lifestyle differences and family reasons.

China recently signaled it would start taxing its citizens living abroad, though questions remain how broadly the authorities will apply the new rules in Hong Kong. Chinas tax rate is as high as 45%, while Hong Kongs is about 15%.

Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)

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COHOES One of Gov. Andrew Cuomos signature economic development programs has run into a pandemic-related tax problem.

Now in its seventh year, with just over 300 companies involved, the START-UP NY program was created amid great fanfare to encourage new businesses to set up in the state.

Under the program, start-ups that affiliate with a New York college or university get a 10-year exemption from state income taxes for their employees.

It was seen as a way to keep aspiring entrepreneurs in New York rather than see them leave for more business-friendly states or being drawn to major start-up hubs like Silicon Valley.

But now, with many employees of START-UP NY businesses working from home thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are facing income tax bills, as the Albany Business Review first reported.

Thats because the tax exemption was based on where the employees were located, in actual New York workplaces.

When the governor ordered us home we were no longer physically working in that space . Its something that nobody expected, said Heidi Reale, who participates in START-UP NY with her Cohoes-based company SparkShoppe, a digital marketing and analytics firm.

Most of her 16 employees had been working from home from last March until January.

More for you News Start-Up NY schools add 11 new companies locally

They went home when Cuomo ordered what was basically a lockdown for non-essential employees.

She learned they would get hit with an income tax bill in January at an annual seminar for START-UP participants about filling out their employee W-2 forms.

The state also emailed participants about the tax issue.

I wish they had told us last March to start deducting, Reale said, adding that the employees are now facing tax bills between $2,000 and $3,000 that they didnt previously have. A number of employees are young recent college graduates who also face college loan payments.

START-UP NY, in large part, was conceived as a way to prevent New Yorks college brain drain, which is especially severe upstate. With plenty of good K-12 schools and colleges, upstate loses countless graduates each year to other states or the New York City area due to the lack of job opportunities.

State officials say they believe the Legislature can fix the tax problem through legislation.

When the governor makes a promise to you it should be kept," Assemblymember Phil Steck said. "Whether I agree or disagree with the START-UP New York program is beside the point. The government made a promise that these people would work tax free, and it is just not right to revoke that promise because the governor forced them to work from home basically.

Our income tax is not an outrageously high number, but there are people who could end up owing 5,000 dollars in New York state tax when they were expecting to pay zero," Steck said.

Were aware of the unique circumstance caused by the pandemic and the State is proposing a fix that we hope the legislature will adopt in the Enacted Budget, Empire State Development, the agency that oversees START-UP NY, said in a prepared statement.

START-UP NY participants will also discuss the tax issue in a Zoom call set for Friday afternoon.

The tax glitch is the latest episode to spotlight concerns about the splashy program that drew national recognition to New Yorks development efforts. It also has been criticized for its slow pace of job creation and its relative cost in foregone tax revenue.

The program has been fairly low-profile in recent years and state budget officials last year had briefly discussed closing it to new entrants, according to one person with knowledge of the situation.

However, for Reale, who is also a marketing instructor at the University at Albany, START-UP NY has done what it was supposed to be.

She believes the tax holiday allows her to compete for talent and it has enticed graduates with marketing or analytics degrees to stay in the Capital Region rather than move to New York City or out of state.

Weve done a really good job of attracting young talent and keeping them, she said.

rkarlin@timesunion.com  518-454-5758  @RickKarlinTU
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Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 05:57:49|Editor: huaxia

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ROME, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Italy on Thursday reported 308 COVID-19 deaths, down from 318 on Wednesday and pushing to 96,974 the death toll since the pandemic outbreak.

The Ministry of Health also reported 19,886 new coronavirus cases, bringing total active infections to 396,143. The new infections were up from 16,424 new cases recorded on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, 12,853 COVID-19 patients recovered on Thursday, down from 14,599 recoveries on Wednesday and pushing overall recoveries to 2,375,318.

Of the total current infections, the vast majority or 375,718 people are isolated at home with mild or no symptoms, 18,257 are hospitalized with symptoms, and 2,168 are hospitalized in intensive care.

Among the overall fatalities, 332 are doctors who lost their lives while battling the new coronavirus, according to a running tally by the National Federation of Medical, Surgical and Orthodontists Boards (FNOMCeO, in its Italian acronym).

RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE

In a report to parliament on Wednesday, Health Minister Roberto Speranza warned lawmakers that restrictions must remain in place.

"In Europe, we are heading to the threshold of one infected person in every 10 inhabitants, and we are at one fatality per 530 inhabitants," Speranza said, adding that these numbers are a testament to "the strength and dangerousness of the virus we are fighting."

Speranza noted that the government led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi is at work on a new anti-coronavirus decree, which "will go into effect from March 6 to April 6."

This means Italians will not be able to travel across regional borders on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, which this year fall on April 4 and 5.

Easter weekend is the first springtime holiday of the year, and people traditionally take trips to the country, to the seaside, or to the mountains with family and friends.

On Thursday, agricultural union Coldiretti said in an analysis that "the expectation of new restrictive measures has put a stop to the travel plans of one in three Italians (32 percent)" over the Easter holiday.

"This is a heavy blow...for many of Italy's 24,000 agritourism venues, which have been hit hard by the COVID emergency and whose losses have reached 1.2 billion euros" since the start of the pandemic, Coldiretti stated.

In his report to parliament, Speranza made a case for sticking with the restrictions, saying: "we must limit the spread of the contagion until we are able to definitively contain COVID-19 and its variants with our vaccination campaign."

Since Italy launched the vaccination campaign in December, over 3.9 million people have been inoculated in the country of some 60 million inhabitants, according to the Ministry of Health.

The rollout speeded up on Monday, when the vaccination was extended to school teachers and staff. Italy is now inoculating an average of 100,000 people a day, the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, 255 candidate vaccines are being developed worldwide -- 73 of them are in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain, and the United States, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. Enditem
Pelosi to Keep Minimum Wage Hike in COVID-19 Relief Bill Despite Parliamentarians Ruling

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other top Democrats are keeping a minimum wage hike in the latest COVID-19 relief package even though the Senates parliamentarian ruled Thursday that the raise should not be included in the bill.

The ruling from the Senate parliamentarian is disappointing, because raising the minimum wage would give 27 million Americans a well-deserved raise and pull nearly one million Americans out of poverty in the middle of a once-in-a-century devastating pandemic and economic crisis, Pelosi said in a statement late Thursday.

House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary. Therefore, this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the Floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight For 15.

The House plans on voting for the relief package, which mainly draws from a proposal President Joe Biden released before entering office, on Friday.

Elizabeth MacDonough, the chief Senate parliamentarian, said the minimum wage couldnt be part of the package because Democrats are using a budget process known as reconciliation to ram through the bill since virtually all Republicans oppose it. The process enables Democrats to pass the package in the Senate with a simple majority, avoiding the typical 60-vote threshold.

Republicans note that Congress has passed five relief packages in the past year on a bipartisan basis and argue the $1.9 trillion package includes a number of measures not related to the pandemic, including the wage raise. They cheered MacDonoughs ruling.

Workers and small businesses face devastating days ahead if a radical $15 federal minimum wage is enacted, hurting most the people Democrats claim it will help. This radical provision will destroy millions of jobs while Americans are desperate to reenter the workforce, redistributenot reducepoverty, and significantly increase costs for families at a time when many are forced to tighten their belts, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), ranking member of the House Education and Labor Committee, said in a statement.

Now that the Senate Parliamentarian has stopped Democrats unprecedented efforts, its time for House Democrats to do away with this partisan scheme and start working across the aisle to deliver meaningful, bipartisan relief to the American people.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, left, works beside Vice President Mike Pence during the certification of Electoral College ballots in the presidential election, in the House chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Some Democrats posited that MacDonoughs ruling wasnt binding and said Vice President Kamala Harris, as president of the Senate, should overrule her.

Im sorryan unelected parliamentarian does not get to deprive 32 million Americans the raise they deserve. This is an advisory, not a ruling. VP Harris needs to disregard and rule a $15 minimum wage in order. We were elected to deliver for the people. Its time we do our job, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said in a tweet.

The White House and Senate leadership can and should still include the minimum wage increase in the bill. We cant allow the advisory opinion of the unelected parliamentarian to stand in the way, added Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Calif.).

The White House has signaled it wouldnt interfere, though.

Certainly thats not something we would do. Were going to honor the rules of the Senate and work within that system to get this bill passed, White House chief of staff Ron Klain said earlier this week when asked if Harris would try overruling MacDonough.

Biden respects the parliamentarians decision and the Senates process, White House press secretary Jen Psaki added in a statement on Thursday.

Biden told CBS earlier this month that he expected the wage hike wouldnt end up in the final bill because of Senate rules.

Senate Budget Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he disagreed with the ruling, alleging the Congressional Budget Office made it absolutely clear that the wage hike should be allowed under reconciliation because of its substantial budgetary impact.

While Democrats enjoy a cushion in the lower chamber, with the party holding 220 seats to the GOPs 211, losing even one Democrat in the Senate, which is divided between 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats or nominal independents who caucus with Democrats, means the party could only pass a bill with support from one or more Republicans.

But no Republican had signaled support for the wage hike, and several Senate Democrats recently announced opposition. The huge hikethe current minimum wage is $7.25 an hourwould drive countless small businesses out of business and make it difficult for others to compete with large corporations, critics say.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) this week proposed an increase to $11 an hour.

Sanders claimed that there would have been majority support in the Senate for the hike before MacDonoughs ruling. He said hed now get to work on adding an amendment that would take tax deductions away from corporations that dont pay workers at least $15 an hour and provide small businesses with the incentives they need to raise wages.
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Facebook Inc on Friday said it had signed letters of intent with three Australian media firms, a day after the country's Parliament passed a law forcing it to pay media companies for using content on its platform.

Facebook said it had signed partnership agreements with Private Media, which owns online magazines, Schwartz Media and Solstice Media. Commercial agreements will become effective within 60 days if a full deal is signed.

"These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to Facebook," the social media company said in a statement.

It did not disclose the financial details of the deal.

Facebook on Tuesday struck a similar agreement with Seven West Media, which owns a free-to-air television network and the main metropolitian newspaper in the city of Perth.

Australia on Thursday became the first nation to pass a law where a government arbitrator can set the price Alphabet Inc's Google and Facebook pay domestic media for using their content if private talks fail.

Facebook blocked all news content in Australia a week ago, citing concerns with the rules, but on Thursday restored all news feeds after reaching an agreement with the government.

For months Facebook and Google threatened to pull core services from Australia if the law took effect, but Google struck some deals with publishers in the days before the vote.
Pangolin scales, songbirds and baby gibbons recovered in undercover raid on illegal wildlife traders in Indonesia 26 February 2021

Last month FLIGHT, our Indonesian charity partners dedicated to rescuing and releasing songbirds back to the wild, made a shocking discovery when they visited an illegal wildlife traffickers warehouse.

The FLIGHT team were undercover and posing as bird collectors. On arrival at the warehouse, the trafficker boasted that he had a lot of poachers who worked for him, and that he had pangolin scales and live baby gibbons as well as birds for sale.

The team immediately contacted the West Sumatra Regional Police to coordinate an arrest strategy. On January 24, the police and FLIGHT raided the warehouse, seizing 4.7 kilograms of pangolin scales, two Agile Gibbons, and 34 protected songbirds including Greater-Green Leafbirds, Blue-Winged Leafbirds, and Blue-Masked Leafbirds.

The raid was part of an ongoing investigation and operations against the illegal trade of rare and indigenous birds which are stolen from the wild and sold at markets to collectors who value their beautiful singing voices.

After the arrest, the birds were given health checks and then released back into the wild, the gibbons were taken to a government rescue centre, and the pangolin scales were destroyed.

All in a days work

Just as the team were regrouping after the raid on the warehouse, they received information from one of their informants that there would be a bird smuggling attempt later that day from the province of Riau to the Lampung province, a 19-hour drive south.

The team once again sprang into action by contacting the local authorities who intercepted the smugglers before they arrived in Lampung. The smugglers were arrested and the birds were released back into the wild on the same day.

Who is FLIGHT?

In 2018, a group of passionate bird lovers who feared that their countrys forests would soon fall silent if its myriad species of - mostly protected - birds continued to be poached at the rate they had been for years, formed FLIGHT Protecting Indonesias Birds to raise awareness of and protect them.

Animals Asia Animal Welfare Director Dave Neale said:

FLIGHTs work is truly vital and what they have achieved since they began - rescuing thousands and thousands of birds, over 30,000 last year alone  has exceeded all expectations. They have also played a huge role in alerting Indonesia to the issue of songbird smuggling. With their help, Indonesias songbirds, and the ecosystems they are central to, have a chance of surviving, and were backing FLIGHT all of the way.

Animals Asia proudly provides funding and mentorship to FLIGHT to help them achieve their goal of saving Indonesias protected birds. And together with your help we can continue to rescue, rehabilitate and ensure the survival of many of the incredible animals we are so lucky to share our planet with.

Read more:

FLIGHT: Meet the people working tirelessly to stop Indonesias jungles falling silent

Illegal bird smuggling operation intercepted leading to release of thousands of Indonesian birds

Gold price declined to Rs 46,750 per 10 gm on Friday, while Silver price was trending at Rs 70,200 per kg, according to the Good Returns website.

Gold jewellery price varies across India, the second-largest consumer of the metal, due to excise duty, state taxes, and making changes.

In New Delhi, the price of 22-carat gold dropped by Rs 350 to Rs 45,550 per 10 gm, while in Chennai it slipped by Rs 450 to Rs 43,720. In Mumbai, the rate decreased to Rs 45,750 according to the website. The price of 24-carat gold in Chennai also plunged by Rs 460 to retail at Rs 47,710 per 10 gm.

In the international market, Gold eased on Thursday as US Treasury yields hovered near a one-year high, tarnishing bullion's appeal, although a softer dollar and the US Federal Reserve's commitment to an accommodative policy limited its fall.

Spot gold fell 0.6 per cent to $1,792.81 per ounce by 0757 GMT. US gold futures eased 0.4 per cent to $1,791.60.

"Rising longer dated yields are a primary weighing factor on the precious metals," DailyFX strategist Margaret Yang said, adding that reflation hopes could push yields even higher.

Benchmark US Treasury yields held close to a one-year peak hit in the previous session, increasing the opportunity cost of holding gold, which pays no interest.

A $1.9 trillion US coronavirus relief aid that is expected to be passed later this week remains in focus.

"The primary trend for gold is downward biased but some short-term rebound is still possible if the US Covid-19 relief bill is approved by the Congress by Friday," Yang said, adding the medium-term outlook remained bearish.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's reiteration of keeping monetary policy unchanged until the economy was back to full employment and a weaker dollar helped limit gold's losses.

Reflecting investor sentiment, holdings of the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, fell to their lowest since May 2020 on Wednesday.

"Investor demand for gold has been distracted by moves in other alternative asset classes," ANZ analysts said in a note.

"We expect gold prices will trade sideways for the next quarter or so as the bond selloff continues and investors play the reflation trade through risky asset classes. But gold's time in the sun is not over."
A 31-year-old Syracuse man previously facing state-level charges after a traffic stop in the Rochester area now faces federal charges stemming from the same stop.

Jaron Flagg has been charged with being in possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing marijuana and cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of New York.

He was previously charged with with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, state police said.

Those charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

On Jan. 10, a New York State trooper stopped Flagg, who was driving 97 miles per hour on the New York State Thruway in Wheatland, federal prosecutors said. When Flagg stopped, the trooper smelled marijuana and found that Flagg did not have a valid drivers license, according to the prosecutor.

The trooper found cocaine, marijuana and a loaded 9mm gun that had been reported stolen, prosecutors said.

In 2016, Flagg was sentenced in Syracuse to up to four years in state prison for fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to state records. He was released on parole in December 2019.

In 2008, Flagg was sentenced in Syracuse to up to three years in state prison for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to state records. He was arrested when officers found a loaded 380-caliber semiautomatic handgun after a police chase that ended when the car he was in crashed, according to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard archives.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.
Chinese Tech giant Huawei marked a milestone in its ambitions to become the worlds leading smartphone maker this week, launching its first device powered by HarmonyOS, an operating system developed in-house.

But Andy Purdy, chief security officer of Huawei USA, said the company is still hoping for a reunion with Googles (GOOG) Android operating system.

Our commitment is that we want to be able to go back to Google, Purdy told Yahoo Finance Live. But we are doubling down to try to increase our capability to live without the American supplies, because we have to expect that we will not get these supplies.

Huawei has been banned from using Googles OS since the U.S. Department of Commerce placed the Chinese firm on a trade blacklist in 2019, barring American companies from selling components to it, citing national security concerns. The Trump administration doubled down on export controls last year, banning Huawei and its suppliers from using American technology and software.

The restrictions dealt a significant blow to Huaweis consumer facing business, which relied on Googles Android operating system to power its devices. The company developed its own OS in response, rolling out the software for the first time, to power the Mate X2 foldable smartphone.

Its been a very difficult struggle, Purdy said. But we're taking a very long term approach, and it's helping us prioritize which products are most important, which components do we have.

A man holds the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone during the Mobile World Congress wireless show, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. The annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) runs from 25-28 February in Barcelona, where companies from all over the world gather to share new products. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

U.S. pressure has dramatically altered Huaweis global footprint, both on the consumer side and in its carrier network business. Once the worlds second largest smartphone manufacturer behind Samsung, Huaweis shipments fell 42% in the past three months of 2020. That put the firm further behind Samsung, Apple (AAPL) and Xiaomi.

Huawei has moved aggressively to increase its self-reliance to counter U.S. sanctions. Its chip design arm HiSilicon Technologies ramped up production of the high-end Kirin mobile processors in the immediate aftermath of Washingtons restrictions. But a ban on the use of American technology, has limited those efforts significantly. The company is reportedly in talks with several Chinese chipmakers for potential investments that are likely to fill the gaps in its semiconductor supply chain.

Story continues

Filling the software void left by Googles absence has proven to be even more challenging. While Googles services are blocked in China, its use of Android allowed Huawei to attract users in regions like Europe, prior to U.S. sanctions. The firms HarmonyOS works across devices, and features the AppGallery in place of GooglePlay. It has more than 500 million active users but lacks major names like Facebook (FB) and WhatsApp, which is not available for direct download.

The sooner we can make decisions to go back to Google, the better, Purdy said.

Akiko Fujita is an anchor and reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @AkikoFujita
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Persistence Market Research (PMR), in a recent report, "Global Market Study on Hemodynamic Monitoring System: Growing Demand for Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening to Drive the Market by 2021", projected the hemodynamic monitoring systems market to expand at a healthy CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The report offered trends driving the market and delivered analysis and insights on the potential of the hemodynamic monitoring systems market in specific regions.

In terms of revenue, the hemodynamic monitoring systems market was valued at US$ 328.7 Mn in 2014 and is projected to reach US$ 508.4 Mn by 2021. Factors driving market growth include government and private sector initiatives to reduce healthcare costs, rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases, growing the geriatric patient population, increasing the incidence of respiratory disorders and growing demand for the screening of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).

How About Looking Through The Sample Of Hemodynamic Monitoring System Market Report? https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/4396

Competition Landscape

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation.

Argon Medical Inc.

Deltex Medical Group plc.

ICU Medical, Inc.

LiDCO Group Plc.

PULSION Medical Systems SE.

Nihon Kohden Corporation.

Teleflex Incorporated.

Cheetah Medical, Inc.

Osypka Medical GmbH.

How About Step-By-Step Insights To Hemodynamic Monitoring System Market? Look Through The Methodology Employed! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/methodology/4396

In terms of region, North America dominated the hemodynamic monitoring systems market with over 30% share in terms of value in 2014 but is expected to lose its market share to APAC by 2021. Europe accounted for over 20% of the total hemodynamic monitoring systems market share in 2014 and will maintain its dominance through 2021.

Among the regions, APAC is projected to register the highest CAGR over 20152021 due to low-cost product offerings by manufacturers in the region. As of 2014, APAC was the third-highest contributor to the overall hemodynamic monitoring systems market, accounting for over 18% market share. By the end of 2021, it is projected to gain 330 BPS.

On the basis of device type, the market has been segmented into pulse contour, oesophageal Doppler, volume clamp, hemodynamic monitoring sensors and pulmonary artery catheters.

The pulmonary artery catheters segment had a dominant share in the global hemodynamic monitoring systems market in 2014, while the volume clamp segment accounted for over 20% share.

Global hemodynamic monitoring systems market is further segmented on the basis of end use into hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centres, home care settings and independent catheterisation laboratories. Revenue contribution of the hospitals segment was over 40% in 2014 and is projected to increase to over 42% by 2021, registering a significant CAGR of 7.3%. Home care settings segment is anticipated to record highest CAGR during the forecast period as hemodynamic monitoring systems are being adopted increasingly in home care settings.

By application type, the hemodynamic monitoring systems market is segmented into invasive hemodynamic monitoring, noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring and minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring segments. Among the three segments, minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.0% over 2015-2021. The invasive hemodynamic monitoring segment accounted for over 30% market share in 2014 but is projected to lose its share to the other two segments by the end of the forecast period.

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Key players in the global hemodynamic monitoring systems market include Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, ICU Medical, Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, LiDCO Group Plc and PULSION Medical Systems SE. Global players focus on research and development initiatives for introducing innovative products to attain sustainable advantages over their competitors.

In addition, they also focus on expanding their regional presence through mergers and acquisitions. In developed regions, hemodynamic monitoring systems manufacturers prefer selling their products directly to the consumer. By contrast, most vendors in countries such as China have tie-ups with suppliers to enhance their customer reach. Globally, medical equipment manufacturers in China account for over 50% market share for exporting noninvasive devices.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 19:14:10|Editor: huaxia

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-- In early 2014, China initiated a key strategy to coordinate the development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei -- a regional city cluster called "Jing-Jin-Ji" -- to create a model with a better economic structure, cleaner environment, and improved public services.

-- A prominent task of the "Jing-Jin-Ji" strategy is to move non-capital functions out of Beijing to treat "urban ills" in the Chinese capital, such as traffic jams and pollution. According to a guideline released in April 2015, the key sectors of politics, culture, international communication and technical innovation will be prioritized.

-- Over recent years, coordination in the "Jing-Jin-Ji" region has deepened with remarkable results, especially in the fields of industrial upgrading, traffic management and environmental protection.

By Xinhua Writers Cui Enhui, Qiang Lijing, Sun Jie and Li Kun

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The largest wholesale clothing market in Beijing, today notably quieter than its former bustling self, is speeding up its transformation into a national-level fintech demonstration zone after the integrated development of Beijing and neighboring areas was upgraded to a national strategy seven years ago.

In early 2014, China initiated a key strategy to coordinate the development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei -- a regional city cluster called "Jing-Jin-Ji" -- to create a model with a better economic structure, cleaner environment, and improved public services.

The malls at the market near Beijing Zoo, which is located in the downtown Xicheng District, have been shut down one by one since 2015, when the capital started purging itself of non-essential businesses to make way for high-end industries.

A prominent task of the "Jing-Jin-Ji" strategy is to move non-capital functions out of Beijing to treat "urban ills" in the Chinese capital, such as traffic jams and pollution. According to a guideline released in April 2015, the key sectors of politics, culture, international communication and technical innovation will be prioritized.

Over recent years, coordination in the "Jing-Jin-Ji" region has deepened with remarkable results, especially in the fields of industrial upgrading, traffic management and environmental protection.

NEW WINGS FOR BEIJING

A total of more than 2,800 manufacturing companies and polluting enterprises in Beijing have been shut down, and over 980 markets and logistics centers have been relocated since 2014, said the municipal government at a press conference on Thursday.

By 2020, the permanent resident population in the capital had been capped at 23 million, which was one of the mid-term goals set by the guideline in 2015.

Behind the impressive figures are the tremendous joint efforts of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.

A new auto plant of Beijing Hyundai has been put into use in Cangzhou, Hebei. As the largest industrial project launched in Hebei since the coordinated development of the three localities, it has brought more than 40 supporting companies to Cangzhou, creating an auto industry cluster in the city.

Photo taken on Dec. 9, 2020 shows the general assembly line of an auto plant of Beijing Hyundai in Cangzhou City, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo by Yuan Liwei/Xinhua)

Over the past seven years, Hebei has accepted more than 24,771 legal entities transferred from Beijing and Tianjin, and signed contracts with over 40,000 merchants in wholesale markets, according to data from the provincial government.

In addition, Beijing's sub-center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei are adding two new "wings" to Beijing and providing a Chinese solution to big city problems.

Beijing has shifted administrative departments of the municipal government to its sub-center -- Tongzhou District in the eastern suburbs, where a 1.28 million-square-meter underground transportation hub, the largest of its kind in Asia, is under construction, linking cross-regional and intercity railways, as well as several metro lines.

People work at the construction site of a transportation hub for Beijing's sub-center in Tongzhou District, March 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

"This is a landmark project for Beijing's sub-center construction and the coordinated development of the 'Jing-Jin-Ji' region," said Hu Jiulong, deputy director of the city's sub-center management committee.

Meanwhile, a number of science and innovation projects from Beijing have been implemented in Xiong'an, the location for many of Beijing's non-capital functions and relocated residents. In April 2017, China announced the establishment of the Xiong'an New Area. Chinese planners envisioned that by the middle of the century, Xiong'an would become a significant part of the world-class "Jing-Jin-Ji" city cluster.

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 27, 2020 shows the Xiong'an Railway Station at sunrise in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

UPGRADED INDUSTRIAL INTEGRATION

During the past seven years, Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have made concerted efforts to promote industrial transfer and upgrading in the region.

Sino Innov Semiconductor (PKU) Co., Ltd., a high-tech company based in the city of Baoding, Hebei, and founded in 2016, is the result of an industrial collaboration between Beijing and Hebei. It is backed up by the technology industrialization of Peking University, incubated in the Baoding-Zhongguancun innovation base, funded by enterprises in Baoding and enjoys preferential policies from Baoding's government.

Aerial photo taken on Feb. 23, 2021 shows the Baoding Zhongguancun Innovation Center in north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

"Within four years, it has achieved a leap from experimental technology to industrial technology development and mass production," said Wang Lin, administration manager of the company.

Beijing's Zhongguancun, also known as China's Silicon Valley, now serves as an important source of technological innovation in the "Jing-Jin-Ji" region. By the end of last year, enterprises based in Zhongguancun had set up more than 8,600 branches in Tianjin and Hebei. The total turnover of Beijing's technology contracts flowing to the two localities exceeded 140 billion yuan (about 21.7 billion U.S. dollars).

The joint construction of innovation platforms has brought about continuous improvement in the innovation capacity of the region. According to a recent report by the Beijing Development Institute of Peking University, from 2013 to 2018, the regional collaborative innovation index increased more than fourfold, and the number of joint patents among the three localities rose by nearly 50 percent.

The regional coordination has also withstood the test of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

After the epidemic hit the country early last year, Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. was in urgent need of auto parts from dozens of plants scattered in Tianjin's Wuqing District and Langfang in Hebei. Should the supply of auto parts be interrupted, the company and many other industrial chain enterprises would be affected.

The local governments in the "Jing-Jin-Ji" region cooperatively rolled out a series of response measures, including transporting workers who had returned home for the Chinese New Year back to their places of work, providing hotels for their quarantine, and ensuring smooth logistical flow, to help enterprises across the industrial chain resume operations.

"With the help of the local governments, we resumed normal production in a short time, and all the orders were delivered," said Zhu Xionglei, Party chief of a Langfang-based wiring harness company, a Beijing Benz supplier.

IMPROVED TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENT

More convenient transportation is connecting Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei closer together, laying the foundation for the region's coordinated development.

Xing Hailiang is a truck driver who transports steel between Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei, all year round. It was not until the end of last year, when a direct expressway between Tianjin and Shijiazhuang opened, that he no longer needed to make a costly detour. For a long time, there was no direct expressway or high-speed railway between the two cities.

"Now, by taking the direct expressway, I save more than an hour on a single trip, as well as about 200 yuan on tolls and fuel," said Xing.

Aerial photo taken on Dec. 22, 2020 shows the Tianjin-Shijiazhuang expressway in north China. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Over the past seven years, a total of 32 expressways connecting cities in the "Jing-Jin-Ji" region have been opened or expanded, stretching 2,005 km in length. More and more cities are joining the "one-hour traffic circle" in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, facilitating the rapid movement of people and goods in the region.

Meanwhile, the railway network in the region has taken shape as a batch of new rail projects were put into operation, such as the high-speed railway between Beijing and Zhangjiakou in Hebei and the one linking Beijing and Xiong'an.

Photo taken on Dec. 30, 2020 shows the entrance of Zhangjiakou Railway Station in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

The coordination has also brought a cleaner environment to people in the region.

In just a few years, a total of 11.25 million households in Hebei villages have replaced their coal-fired boilers with electric heating and natural gas heating, making a notable contribution to the improvement of the local environment.

"The whole village used to be filled with the smell of coal soot during the winter heating season," said Shan Zengping, a resident in Ligezhuang Village, Hebei, adding that blue skies and white clouds are now a common sight in their village.

Last year, the average concentration of PM2.5 in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei was 38, 48 and 44.8 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, a drop of 50 percent or more compared with 2013. The share of days with good air quality in the three localities all stood at around 70 percent, the highest level since data was first collected in 2013.

(Zhang Tao, Qi Leijie, Guan Guifeng, Kong Xiangxin, Luo Xin and Zhang Chao also contributed to the story. Video Reporters: Yue Wenting, Xu Jian, Yang Zichun, Wang Pu, Guo Peiran, Hao Jie, Fang Jinyang, Li Zhen, Li Shufeng and Zhang Hui; Video editor: Lin Lin)
Newly minted Accompong Town Maroon chief, Colonel Richard Currie, has sought to shed light on his longstanding connections with Reggae artiste Protoje, who voiced a dubplate and visited the community to help him in his leadership campaign leading up to election day last Saturday.

Speaking during an interview with Dionne Jackson Miller on Radio Jamaicas Beyond The Headlines programme on Tuesday evening, the Colonel said he and Protoje, whose given name is Oje Ken Oliviere, grew up together and were like blood brothers.

The Munro College old boy made his comments after the host noted that the excitement of the campaign permeated way beyond Accompong and queried whether the Chief who is being labelled by many adoring women as Black Panther, had got Protoje involved in the campaign in a deliberate attempt to attract wider national attention.

To be honest, anybody know me, or anybody know Protoje, know seh wi guh back from eye deh a knee. Wi guh prep school; wi guh high school and wi connect right through college, even though we werent in the same university studying the same courses, Currie said.

When he came back to Jamaica it was just like two bredda a link back up, you know. And before di music and all is not a musician  a mi bredda. Suh to di eyes dat see tings now, it would look like something that is orchestrated or set up, but mi bredda jus come give mi a strength and show mi some support while I was chasing a dream that I shared with him in the different conversations, the 40 year old added.

Protoje had himself paid homage to Currie in his Like Royalty track, placing him amongst those who have always had his back even when he fell on hard times. He had also featured the chief in the accompanying video aligning his image with the line: mi used to sleep pon Currie Couch dem man deh neva lef mi out.

Protoje, Buju Banton and Spragga Benz were among those who used their platforms to urge Maroon voters from the mountainous community the hills of St. Elizabeth to elect Currie as their chief, to represent them for the next five years and oust then-leader Colonel Ferron Williams.

Protoje, who grew up in St. Elizabeth, had also voiced a campaign dubplate for Currie, using lyrics from his Like Royalty and Blood Money tracks.

During Tuesdays interview, Jackson Miller also asked Currie about what she described as a dispute between himself and Dancehall entertainer L.A. Lewis, who has threatened to charge him with treason, if he does not, among other things, report to him and his Nyan Ko Pong about his financial state of affairs.

L.A. Lewis, who was recently ordered to undergo a mental evaluation by a judge, is known for his shenanigans relating to people in leadership positions, including the Queen of England whom he claims to be his personal friend, to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, upon whom he has launched verbal attacks.

He had launched the broadside against Currie after the chief disassociated Accompong from L.A. and stated on his Instagram page that there would be no more games and disorder.

There is absolutely no dispute between myself and LA Lewis, Currie who seemed to be unaware of L.A. Lewis usual wild theatrics responded. I have made a statement with regards to the actions and carrying-ons of LA Lewis and I, nor the Maroons, the Trelawny Town Maroons have any affiliations or any arrangements or agreements with LA Lewis and the Nyag Ko Pong tribe. So thats as much as I am prepared to state.

I do not a carry unnecessary baggage; let me not say I dont carry any personal emotions  when something affects my culture, I will speak out against it. When something threatens and plays against the morals of my people, I will speak against it and especially when we are being affiliated with a wannabe tribe then I have to speak out to protect a legacy, he added.

When asked by Jackson Miller whether there was any validity to L.A. Lewis threats of charging him for treason if he did not submit his financial statements within 21 days, Currie was dismissive of the self-proclaimed Trillionaire Records boss.

First ask yourself under what jurisdiction and I will leave it right there, Currie said.

Asked whether he was concerned about any of the threats coming from LA Lewis, Currie responded: Absolutely not.

KYODO NEWS - Feb 25, 2021 - 02:32 | All, World

Myanmar's military-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin met his Indonesian and Thai counterparts Wednesday in Bangkok, where they discussed ways to seek a peaceful solution to the political crisis in Myanmar.

Disclosing to reporters the three-way meeting that took place at the Thai capital's Don Mueang airport, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she asked the Myanmar official to "prioritize the safety and wellbeing" of his country's people.

"The safety and wellbeing of the Myanmarese people must be protected. Their wishes must be heard," Retno told a virtual press conference upon her arrival in Jakarta from Bangkok.

The minister said she spoke in the 20-minute meeting "about the importance for all ASEAN member states to respect the principles stipulated in the ASEAN Charter and I keep delivering this message loudly and clearly."

She was referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose charter affirms in its preamble the adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, and respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Retno also stressed to him "the importance to give humanitarian access and visits to (political) detainees."

After the gathering of the three, the foreign ministry of Thailand said it also insists on supporting peace and stability in Myanmar, and hopes to see the situation improve for the sake of the country's people.

"It was also a good opportunity for Thailand to directly listen to Myanmar about issues that Myanmar prioritizes, as well as exchanging opinions on issues important to the people for both countries," said Tanee Sangrat, who serves as foreign ministry spokesperson and director general of the Department of Information.

The foreign ministers from Thailand and Indonesia also discussed the possibility of holding an informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in August, which would be the forum's first in-person gathering in more than a year since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The military-appointed foreign minister of Myanmar was in Thailand on the first visit abroad by a senior Myanmar official since the military seized power in a coup on Feb. 1.

His visit came as Indonesia is pushing for a special ASEAN foreign ministerial session to discuss the Myanmar situation.

According to Retno, Thailand has "a special position" because it has a 2,400-kilometer land border with Myanmar and about 2 million people from Myanmar live in Thailand.

Earlier, during her bilateral meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, both sides agreed that Myanmar is an important ASEAN member and that ASEAN "can be a platform for constructive dialogue between Myanmar and other ASEAN member states."

Before visiting Thailand, Retno had a series of talks in the past few days with the foreign ministers of fellow ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, as well as with those of Australia, Britain, China, India, Japan and the United States.

She said she will have talks on Thursday with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

"This shuttle diplomacy is surely not easy to do during the times of pandemic, but Indonesia has to do it because there are some principles that must be respected...Indonesia chooses not to stay silent...To do nothing is not an option," she said.

Wunna Maung Lwin replaced Aung San Suu Kyi as foreign minister after the coup. Suu Kyi, who doubled in that capacity while being Myanmar's de facto leader, remains in detention.

The ouster of the elected government has sparked daily demonstrations across the Southeast Asian nation, with protesters demanding that Suu Kyi and other detained political figures be released. A general strike on Monday shut many businesses.

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Toy giant Hasbro is facing backlash today after announcing a rebranding of Mr and Mrs Potato Head which will see the iconic toys become gender neutral.

The change - which will drop the 'Mr' from the Mr Potato Head brand - has sparked fevered debate, with many accusing Hasbro of bending to 'woke' culture by changing a classic toy that has been sold since 1952.

Piers Morgan is among the critics hitting out at 'woke imbeciles' with others pointing out the character 'identified as male' in the Pixar smash hit Toy Story.

US company Hasbro, which revealed the change in a presentation to investors on Thursday, said the gender-neutral name comes as societal roles change; with increasing numbers of single-parent households and same-sex parents.

OUT WITH THE OLD: The old-style potato family, pictured above, will be retired. The change will appear on boxes this year, Hasbro said

IN WITH THE NEW: The new Potato Family Pack 'Create Your Potato Head Family' kits, pictured above, launching this fall will include two non-gendered adult potatoes, one baby potato and 42 accessories so children can create opposite-sex or same-sex parents

Piers Morgan is among the critics hitting out at 'woke imbeciles' in the wake of the announcement today

One social media user shared the script which shows Mr Potato Head correcting Woody when he fails to address him as Mister

Social media users reacted to the news by saying the removal of the Mr makes the toy 'just a potato'

'So just a potato then?' questioned another Twitter user in a post on social media

IN THE MOVIES: Mr and Mrs Potato Head appearing in Toy Story 2 in 1999, which propelled them to renewed popularity. No word from Disney on whether the rebrand would affect the movies

Hasbro later insisted on Twitter Mr and Mrs Potato Head will still exist as separate characters in the 'Potato Head' lineup sharing new versions of the gendered characters (above)

It remains unclear how the rebrand will affect the Toy Story film series in which Mr and Mrs Potato Head have prominent roles.

Mr and Mrs Potato Head will exist as separate characters in the 'Potato Head' lineup. So while customers won't see 'Mr Potato Head' on the toy box's main branding, they'll still be able to pick up a Mr or Mrs Potato Head from store shelves.

The new Potato Family Pack 'Create Your Potato Head Family' kits will include two non-gendered adult potatoes, one baby potato and 42 accessories.

Children will then be able to make gendered or non-gendered characters, and same-sex, single-parent or traditional potato families, in line with what the company says are 'changing societal roles.'

The rebranded toy will hit shelves later this year.

Hasbro announced: 'Launching this Fall, the CREATE YOUR POTATO HEAD FAMILY is a celebration of the many faces of families.

'Hasbro is making sure all feel welcome in the Potato Head world by officially dropping the Mr from the Mr Potato Head brand name and logo to promote gender equality and inclusion.'

The name change will come with a fresh branding with a 'whimsical colour palette and more inclusive messaging', the company added.

Hasbro Senior Vice President Kimberly Boyd said the toy's current gender identities were 'limiting' to children and in need of a modern makeover.

She said: 'Culture has evolved. Kids want to be able to represent their own experiences. The way the brand currently exists - with the 'Mr' and 'Mrs' - is limiting when it comes to both gender identity and family structure.

'Kids like dressing up the toy, then playing out scenarios from their life. This often takes the form of creating little potato families because they're learning what it means to be in a family.'

The new look: The new Potato Family Pack 'Create Your Potato Head Family' kits will include two non-gendered adult potatoes, one baby potato and 42 accessories

Children will then be able to make gendered or non-gendered characters, and same-sex or single-parent potato families - along with making traditional families

The rebranded toy will hit shelves in the fall and aims to cater to changing societal roles

The rebrand will now mean children from non-traditional families can create potato families that are more in line with their own, she added.

The toy will also be made from plant-based plastic.

One social media user shared a clip of Toy Story when Mr Potato Head corrects the character Woody when he fails to address him as Mr.

'Throw back Thursday to when Mr Potato Head admonished Woody when he wouldn't respect his pronouns. 'That's Mister Potato Head to you, you backstabbing murderer (Hasbro)!' they tweeted.

Both Mr Potato Head and Mrs Potato Head were still listed on Hasbro's website under their gendered names as of Thursday afternoon.

DailyMail.com has contacted Disney for comment.

The rebrand sparked fevered debate on social media with some people calling the move 'woke' and 'absurd.'

'What planet is #hasbro on? No Mr potato Head? Absurd I say,' one person tweeted.

'Mr Potato Head will always be... a potato. Hasbro can't take away the genitals of a spud that never had any to begin with. #thiscountryisNUTS,' another person tweeted.

'Take your gender correct pronouns and stick them in Mr Potato Heads rear. #mrpotatohead #wokepolice.'

The new range will also include box sets that don't present the traditional family structure so children can make same-sex or single-parent potato families in line with changing societal roles.

A 2011 Mr Potato Head range. Hasbro Senior Vice President Kimberly Boyd said the toy's current gender identities were 'limiting' to children and were in need of a modern makeover

The rebrand has sparked debate on social media with some people calling the move 'woke' and 'absurd'

Many people questioned what this means for the future of Mrs Potato Head as well

Others welcomed the news and called for the toymaker to also face a rebrand

One person used the announcement to poke fun at gender pay gaps on social media

The rebrand prompted this individual to slam the 'snowflakes' who were 'taking over'

Others questioned what the rebrand means 'for Mrs Potato Head'.

'Does Mrs Potato Head know?' one asked.

The rebrand of the childhood favourite comes as other toy makers launch updates to appeal, they say, to a broader spectrum of children.

Barbie has shed her blonde image and now comes in multiple skin tones and body shapes.

Thomas the Tank Engine added more female characters while American Girl is now selling a boy doll.

One man joked that Mr Potato head would instead be rebranded 'Gender Equality Pomme De Terre' on social media

A Twitter user referenced the toy's title saying that his 'brute force masculinity' was his appeal

This social media post poked fun at the change to a 'gender neutral' toy by posting a picture of a regular potato

Another joked that the gender neutral toy would from now on be 'known as mash'

Mr Potato Head arrives at the world premiere of Toy Story 3 in Los Angeles in 2010
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For generations, American politics has been defined by the outsize influence of Christian conservatives, so much so that the intersection of religion and politics is often treated as the sole province of white evangelicals. And for generations, promises of a rising religious left have come and gone without any lasting political imprint.

But to look at Americas religious left at this moment is to see something genuinely different. Places of worship are participating in demonstrations for civil rights larger than any protest movement in American history. Democrats like the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Joe Bidenpolitical leaders whose faith isnt just incidental to their public personas, but is a core component of both their identities and their appeal to votersare staging important victories. The National Congregations Study, an annual survey of Americas places of worship, found 41 percent of self-identified liberal congregations lobbied or marched about immigration in 201819; in 2012, it was only 5 percent. Long locked out of power, a growing religious left is pounding on the door. And it has the potential to remake not only American politics, but the way we think about big questions of fairness, justice and what Americans owe to one another.

Having been a part of the religious left my whole life, yes, it is growing, says the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary in New York. Because of the pandemic, people are more open to spirituality in general. And I think that the public eye has been more responsive to seeing the religious left because they need to see them to have any hope at all.

Though the religious left has deep roots in American historyfrom the abolitionist movement to the establishment of hospitals serving the poorfor much of the past several decades, liberal Christians have been relatively silent about their faith and how it informs their political beliefs, Jones says. But as America grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, yawning economic disparities and the legacy of racism, thats changing. She points to universal basic income, for example, as a religious foundational principle thats become a lively topic of political debate, and says religious communities are also taking the lead on education and training to combat white supremacy.

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Both of those issues are going to continue to escalate in terms of the intensity with which the religious left is facing them, she says.

On matters of white supremacy, Jones has personal experience sorting through the traumas of the past. Years ago, she discovered that a Black woman and her son were lynched in the small Oklahoma town Jones family has lived in for generations. She is certain that her ancestorsincluding her grandfatherparticipated in the murders. Jones suggests that the horror of that revelationand how she processed itoffers a glimpse at how the religious left can inform Americas conversation about race and, potentially, lends insight into how reconciliation can occur at a broader level, too.

Human beings in general are a mixture of the glorious things theyre capable of and the horrible things that theyre capable of. None of us can claim to be pure, says Jones. And the more honest one can be about ones brokenness and the sins one has been responsible for, the more freedom one finds from that.

What does an insurgent religious left look like? Where does it go from here? And how much of our political disagreements come down to differences in disagreements over what exactly it means to love thy neighbor?

To sort through it all, POLITICO Magazine spoke with Jones this week. A condensed transcript of that conversation follows, edited for length and clarity.

Theres been a lot of talk recently about a newly resurgent religious left in American life. Why do you think thats happening now, and what is the religious left at this point?

Underneath all of the turmoil that we see are layers and layers of deep traumas that have been with us for centuries  moral and ethical struggles that plague us and, in a sense, are rising up through the cracks and fissures of this broken moment to take a hold of us. The pandemic in particular has turned cracks and fissures into gaping wounds.

I think were seeing [increased talk of the religious left] now because were at a breaking point, and everything is coming into stark relief. We saw it so vividly in Georgia, with election of the the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a graduate of our seminary of whom we are very proud, and [in the election of] Joe Biden. You see it in so many churches and synagogues and mosques across the country thatve come to the fore in, for instance, the Black Lives Matter movement.

Having been a part of the religious left my whole life, yes, it is growing. Right now, because of the pandemic, people are more open to spirituality in general. And I think that the public eye has been more responsive to seeing the religious left because they need to see them to have any hope at all. To them, its a relief to know that there are religious people out there whose view of society is [one of] embracing. They need that.

The big misconception is that the progressive religious voice in this country is suddenly coming to the fore. It has been there a long time. It has a longer history in this country than the evangelical right wing; in the 1920s in Oklahoma, you would be hard-pressed to find a Southern Baptist who was not a socialist. Much of mainline Protestantism all the way back before the Civil War were abolitionists. Theres a long history of deep care for the poor, setting up universities and hospital systems in our countrythat all came out of religious communities that had a very progressive vision for what the United States can be.

The newer kid on the block is right-wing conservative Christianity, which gets most of the media attention as representing Christianity in the United States.

So, you describe yourself as part of the religious left. But what does that mean to you? How does your theology inform the way you see politics and America at this moment in time?

My theology informs the way I see everything all the time. Im a theologian, what can I say? [Laughs]

When looking at this cracking open of all the fissures that run through the history of this nation, my theology demands that I not turn my gaze away from that; that I not pretend as if it isnt there. My reckoning in my faith [has to do] with the reality of the cross: At the center of the story of my faith is a horrific act of violence, and that to have faith is to have the strength to be present to that violence because you know that God is present to you.

My faith gives me the courage and the strengthin fact, the moral demandthat I not turn away, but actually move towards the suffering and the sins, knowing that ultimately the love of God surrounds all of us, saints and sinners that we are. The love of God is universal.

Youve said that too often, progressive Christians get embarrassed about their faith. Why do you think that that is?

I think its because they know that if they admit that theyre Christians, people around them are going to think, Oh, they must be crazy, or They must be right wing, or Well, does she like gay people? or I wonder what she would think about the fact that I had an abortion. All these questions embedded in what it means to be Christian are attached to a conservative vision. You feel youre going to have to immediately fend off all of these misconceptions to say, Look, I actually am deeply progressive and a deeply moral and ethical human being capable of rational thought.

Throughout its history, Christianity, like all religions, has done harm as it has also done good. Being humble about claiming ones religiosity is often tied to a recognition of the horror that has been done in the name of Christianity. Theres a sort of humility that comes with thatthat while my faith as a Christian is absolutely essential to who I am, not knowing whether you may react to it with fear and not wanting to evoke that fear, theres no need for me to shout from the rooftops. I think thats a good intention.

It seems that for many Americans, religious belief is now a secondary description behind party identificationthat, for instance, rather than being a Christian who happens to be a Republican or Democrat, youre a Democrat or Republican who happens to be a Christian. How did that change happen?

We have seen the erosion of that large Christian center that might divide into Republicans or Democrats, [where] you might even be in church together and not know what your [fellow parishioners] party affiliation is. That was the church I grew up in: You could probably guess who was Republican and Democrat, but that was not central; it was your faith identity that mattered more.

As the political divide has deepened, Christian has become a secondary term to give a righteous edge to your political identity. So, not only am I a Republican, but I am a Christian Republicanwhich means I have God behind me. It becomes the adjective that adds the edge of divine sanction.

I dont think its used the same way on each side. For the most part, when someone describes himself as a progressive Christian, they usually have pretty clear theological reasons for that, because its not like its an easy or popular thing to be: Oh, Im a progressive Christian. You usually find theological grounds there. Progressive Christians feel very strongly about the central idea of the fundamental equality of human beings, the preciousness of the Earth and economic justicethat we all deserve to be to be treated equally and to have the conditions for our flourishing as the baseline starting point for our lives together.

On the evangelical and conservative side, you can actually divide it into two groups. There are evangelical conservatives who are very articulate theologically and read the Bible and are grounded in their faith. But theres a vast swath of people who have never read the Biblewhove never even cracked its spine and wouldnt know the first thing about a theological discussion.

One of my greatest frustrations in terms of trying to find ways to bridge this deep divide within the Christian community in the United States is the inability to have a theological discussion, because you cant assume that people have actually articulated theological reasons for their beliefs.

The Bible exhorts us to love thy neighbor as thyself. Does the divide between the Christian right and left boil down to, in part, a disagreement over who my neighbor is and what love means? And in that context, do you see love as political?

Absolutely, I see love as political. All the people who say, love thy neighbor as thyself, and who say that as a truth, need to think deeply about what that means. Can you love your neighbor as yourself and refuse to feed them, or put them in cages or deny them basic health care? Is that love? No, that is not love.

You know, most people in the United States would wantat least theoreticallyto believe that God created all human beings equal. We are all equal. But do they actually believe that everybodys equal? In terms of their political positions, probably not. Loving your neighbor and believing in fundamental equality are not moral givens in the political actions of people, and thats the step we need to take.

Did the Trump years change the way you see Christianity in America?

You know, I grew up in Oklahoma around very conservative, even extremist, Christians. I even grew up loving people who could have been in the crowd that stormed the Capitol. None of the particulars of it are shocking to me.

But I had let myself be lulled into believing that that was a diminishing reality, and that we were moving forward somehow. And I have been shockedand still have to gently slap myself on my face to remind myselfat the magnitude of a very conservative Christianity that is willing to support hatred.

You often hear people talk about us being at an inflection point politically and socially. Left out of that characterization is that were at an inflection point spiritually and morally.

Part of that inflection point has to do with this sense of a national reckoning over racism in Americas past and present, a topic which has been especially salient over the past year. How much of the backlash to that conversation among white Americans is about trying to avoid the shame of being associated with the notion of Americas original sin of racismoriginal sin being something that you inherit at birth through no fault of your own? Do you see it in those terms? Or how is there some other way you think through that?

When were talking about whiteness and white supremacy, part of that rage is deflecting from taking responsibility for the generational legacies of racism. [But] I dont think it can be entirely reduced to that, because that ignores the real economic suffering of millions of impoverished white peoplepeople who are not just deflecting, but are actually enraged, as they should be, by the failure of the system to provide all of us with the possibility of healthy lives. So, its really both. And if either one gets lost, then you dont have a sense for the complexity of race in America.

When it comes to generational trauma and the history of the United States, first of all, the fear of pain is, I think, actually much greater than the pain itself in terms of what it means to come to grips with the past. In my own family, we have wrestled with coming to grips with the terrible legacy of what my grandparents participated ina lynching during the turn-of-the-century Jim Crow. It is shameful and terrible but telling the truth and coming to grips with it actually is liberating.

In trauma studies, we know that as long as traumatic events stay buried and unspoken, they cannot be processed. And if they cannot be processed, they just continue to circulate around in your mind and your bodyand your collective body, when were talking collectivelyand theres no possibility for them to actually be undone and remade. Whether its personal or collective, telling the story of the trauma is a very necessary, painful [step]. And probably the bigger pain is getting the courage to tell the stories and be honest about it.

What I know about trauma is that when youre in the middle of a trauma, its much more difficult to process it than it is once even a modicum of safety has been established. I anticipate that as the pressure of the pandemic begins to lessen, the reality of the trauma that weve been through [will sink in]. We have some pretty hard days ahead of us as the fact of whats happened begins to come out of us and come into the public. You think that it cant get much worse than it has been, but, in fact, some of the hardest days with respect to conflict and pain are ahead of us, as we get the space to grieve and mourn and feel the rage of what weve been through.

You referenced coming to terms with your grandparents participation in a lynching. I can imagine that would be a horrifying, gut-churning revelationone most people would not be inclined to talk about if they discovered it. How did you unearth that bit family history, and why did you decide to go public with it?

In my case, it came quite unexpectedly: I came upon a postcard of a lynching of a young woman named Laura Nelson that happened in 1911 in Okemah, Oklahomaa small town where my family basically comprised half the population. [In the photograph,] many of the people in town were standing on the bridge off of which Laura and her son were lynched.

I was horrified. And I dont have any direct evidence of who in my family was involved, but its impossible to imagine that they werent. I grew up knowing that my grandfather was quite a racist. He didnt try to hide it. And I also know that Woody Guthrie, who grew up next door to my grandfather, has written about this particular lynching extensively, and even wrote a song about his fathers role in leading the lynching mob.

I decided to go public with it because when it comes to looking at white supremacy and the legacy of chattel slavery and Jim Crow, its something that far too many white people project into the far past [instead of] part of the reality that you are still living in. That shift is not going to happen until people realize how closeand still in the middle of those legacieswe still are. Until more white people start telling these stories and unearthing them, its going to continue to be repressed.

Im wondering how you reconcile the love that you perhaps feel for your family members with the reality of their participation in a lynching.

Thats a very hard question. In my case, the grandfather who would have been most directly connected to it, there was no love lost between us.

Being tied to those legacies of terror does have a corrupting effect on peoples souls. Even if its hidden or never spoken of, its not something that you can ever forget with regard to who you conceive yourself to be and the evil that youve done.

That said, this is where my faith comes in. I believe that human beings in general are a mixture of the glorious things theyre capable of and the horrible things that theyre capable of. None of us can claim to be pure. And the more honest one can be about ones brokenness and the sins one has been responsible for, the more freedom one finds from that. I never have a pure understanding of who anybody ismost especially myself, but definitely my family.

In the U.S., the history that weparticularly white peoplehave told ourselves about our past has been much too pure for it to be real. Reckoning with its horrors is only going to make it more real. And history, as it becomes real, shows us the path to healing.

On the topic of history, Ive heard you say that you see a massive cultural shift underway around the globe and have likened it to what happened 500 years ago during the Reformation. First, what specifically do you see? And second, the Reformation happened in part because of the advent of Gutenbergs printing press, and was followed by decades and decades of religious wars throughout Europe. Do you think that what were seeing now is a result of the advent of the Internetthe printing press of our eraand if so, should we expect a few hundred years of religious wars in our future?

When the Reformation happened, we had new technologythe printing press allowed anyone who knew how to read to pick up a book and read. We had the emergence of the nation-state, new political alignments. We had the emergence of nascent capitalism, so we had a shift of economics. You could just go on and on.

These types of seismic shifts in how the world is ordered are manifest in profound spiritual shifts. When the world gets reordered, your imagination with respect to the reality of the divine, transcendent and who you are gets recomposed. Thats happening now: The old orders are breaking down, and our imaginations are being forced to think of the transcendent in new ways and to tell new stories about who we are.

When this happened [during the Reformation], you did see some incredibly positive changes that were, in a sense, totally covered over by a sustained, long, bloody war which wiped out large segments of the population of Europe and went on for many, many years.

In many ways, the history of the United States in its early years was a working out of the unresolved traumas of the wars of religion in Europe. And because that was never dealt with in Europe, so much of the settling of the United States by Europeans was done by communities that had been completely traumatized by the wars of religionyou had traumatized people coming over and traumatizing and violently subjugating others. That is a story that has yet to be told, and its an important one.

Were at an inflection point like the Reformation, and we could go one way, or we could go the other. And its time for us to choose the path of more openness, more creativity, more love, more equality and a more serious grappling with that part of who we are as human beings, and not the hateful, bloody reckoning that the wars of religion were. Talk about a trauma.

Last question: Where does the religious left go from here?

In terms of political issues, were going to hear more and more about universal basic income as a religious foundational principle; were going to hear more and more about denominations, churches and religious communities at a mass level taking on the education and training and morally wrestling with white supremacy. Both of those issues are going to continue to escalate in terms of the intensity with which the religious left is facing them.

We are going to see more and more how the religious left is also an interreligious reality. It is not just the Christian religious left; it is a religious left that includes people from many religious traditions and spiritual people who may not have a specific tradition. That is going to keep growing.
The end is in sight for Direct Provision Centres such as the Eyre Powel Hotel in Newbridge and the former Hazel Hotel in Monasterevin with the publication of a plan to cease the practice of paying firms to house asylum seekers in former hotels and other communal buildings on a long term basis.

Instead, new arrival centres are planned during what is termed a four-month 'orientation' phase. At the end of this period applicants, people whose protection claims are still being processed, will get their own room or own door accommodation in the community which they will have to rent.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman, has published a White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a new International Protection Support Service. His Department says this White Paper sets out a new Government policy to replace Direct Provision, which will be phased out over the next four years.

A statement said a new system for accommodation and supports for applicants for International Protection will be established. Minister O'Gorman is proposing a new system that would see people who are applying for protection will be helped to integrate into Ireland from day one, with health, housing, education, and employment supports at the core of the system.

A statement says that the new system will be grounded in the principles of "human rights, respect for diversity and respect for privacy and family". It is claimed that it is being designed to offer "greater support and greater autonomy to International Protection applicants". It will operate on a not-for-profit basis.

Under the new system, when people arrive in Ireland seeking International Protection, at Phase One they will stay in one of a number of new Reception and Integration Centres for no more than four months. It is claimed these centres will be newly built to a "high specification and will be operated by not-for-profit organisations on behalf of the State".

A statement says that during this orientation period, people will receive integration supports to help them adjust to living in Ireland. This will include English language tuition and employment activation supports

After their first four months in Ireland, people whose protection claims are still being processed will move to accommodation in the community. "This will be own-door or own-room accommodation, for which they will pay a means-tested rent," said a statement.

Applicants will be entitled to seek paid work after six months, and they will be encouraged and supported to do so. Integration supports will continue to be available to people who need them.

The transition to the new system will be led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Progress will be monitored by a Programme Board whose membership will include non-government stakeholders. It is envisaged that the new system will be fully operational by December 2024.

Publishing the White Paper, Minister OGorman said: As a Government, we committed to end Direct Provision and replace it with a new system that would be run on a not-for-profit basis and centred on human rights. Todays White Paper sets out how we are going to do that. Under the new system, people seeking International Protection in Ireland will be encouraged and supported to integrate from day one.

The accommodation will be own-door for families and provide the privacy and independence so many were not afforded over the past two decades. Single people will have own-room accommodation, ending the shared dormitory-styled rooms associated with the current system.

We have seen the huge groundswell of solidarity for people in the current Direct Provision system. Irish people want to be proud of the support offered to people who come here seeking protection. In making a home here, they strengthen and enrich our communities.

This is a new approach to supporting the needs of International Protection applicants in Ireland. It will be run on a not-for-profit basis, and in order to be truly transformative, it will rely on strong engagement and cooperation between the State and not-for-profit organisations. I am looking forward to creating new partnerships with non-governmental organisations as we begin the process of bringing this new system to fruition, said the Minister.
Rebecca DeCoteau worked at the COVID field hospital as a registered nurse in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in the spring. For some of the patients she cared for, the only clothes they had were those on their backs when they entered the hospital.

She witnessed big brands donate sneakers and clothes, but wanted to do more.

I thought, lets keep doing this, DeCoteau said.

DeCoteau created an organization, Nurses for Hope, which since its inception has collected more than 150 bags of clothes along with scores of PPE.

On Thursday, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. honored DeCoteau for her efforts by presenting her with the Team Excellence and Merit - or TEAM - Award, which recognizes outstanding service by those in public safety.

After working in Boston at the COVID field hospital in the spring, DeCoteau helped in the DCU Center in Worcester as it was recommissioned in the fall and winter.

Working as a nurse on the front lines, she has seen others struggle too, not only fight COVID-19 but face life after recovery, Early said. Nurse DeCoteaus care goes far beyond the field hospital, bettering the lives of those who need it the most.

The success of Nurses for Hope grew into other organizations aiding DeCoteaus efforts. Initially, DeCoteau stored the donations in a U-Haul storage unit. Then Seven Hills Foundation, with their offices empty because of COVID-19, offered to allow DeCoteau to use the space for storage.

Two students at Fitchburg State are helping sort all the items.

Its such a simple thing. Its hard when you see people struggling and you want to do more. Just seeing people not have the bare necessities is really difficult, DeCoteau said. It means a lot to me to do anything you can to help your community.

Beyond clothing donations, DeCoteau also set up a feature connected with Amazon where people can purchase items through the e-commerce site and the goods are directly donated to the cause.

Despite all the help so far, on Wednesday, Nurses for Hope posted on Facebook asking community members to donate a host of items from masks to toothpaste to childrens clothes.

Items needed: MASKS- adult and children Hand Sanitizer Toiletries- toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, shampoo,... Posted by Nurses for Hope on Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Anyone interested can find more information on the organizations Facebook page.

People ask what they can do to help, DeCoteau said. I think even if its just going through your clothes and donating what you can, any of your time, just stepping up in your community is going to be what helps everyone get through this difficult time.

Related Content:
The Daily Beast

Delil Souleiman/GettyAL-HASAKAH, SyriaWhen former President Donald Trump said U.S. troops would remain in Syria to keep the oil at the end of 2019, the Pentagon scrambled to deny it.American forces only stayed in Syria to comprehensively defeat ISIS, a spokesman explained; any military presence around the oil fields was purely part of the mission to overcome the so-called Islamic State.Two years later, the remnants of ISIS are diminished, but American troops are still on the ground, still helping to protect that oil.The official stance of the White House, the State Department and the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was thenand remains nowthat keeping the oil is not the reason American men and women are still stationed in one of the worlds most treacherous conflicts. U.S. forces and the coalition more broadly does not provide assistance to any private companies, employees or agents in seeking to develop oil resources NE Syria, a spokesperson said in March.But that is not the full story.The U.S. had come up with a simple if morally and legally dubious plan: help Americas Kurdish partners profit from local oil by keeping it out of the hands of the Assad regime or Islamist militias, and then helping to refine and sell it. These oil fields in the northeast were once part of the network from which ISIS drew a reported $1.5 million in daily revenue.The U.S. Soldiers Spending Thanksgiving Guarding Oil in SyriaAfter decades of claims that American administrations only cared about the Middle East because of its oil, officials knew the U.S. Army could not be seen to seize control of oil fields on Syrian territory and dictate who would profit from their riches. Several former and current U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that the United States sought to obscure the plandespite what Trump saideven though it was the oil strategy justifying a continued U.S. footprint in the countrys northeast.If the U.S. couldnt pull this off officially in public, they were going to need some help. Delta Crescent Energy, LLC., a company incorporated in 2019, was about to assume a centraland largely secretrole in American foreign policy.U.S. officials believed the tiny company from Delaware with offices in Texas could become the American equivalent of Russias powerful, private mercenary army, the Wagner Group, which is linked to President Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Wagner is notorious for intervening in areas where it might be politically advantageous to avoid official fingerprints. U.S. officials saw this newly established company as the Wagner Group used for good, not evilin the words of one senior Biden administration official who, like the more than a dozen former and current U.S. administration officials and officials in northeast Syria and northern Iraq, requested anonymity in order to discuss matters of national security. The Daily Beast also exclusively reviewed Deltas company license and its contract with a local oil partner.A plan to stay and protect Syrian oil had been in the works months before Trumps boast in October 2019. But American companies and individuals were prohibited by an Executive Order from the Treasury Department from operating in Syria due to sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.On April 8, 2020, Delta Crescent, was granted a one-year sanctions waiver in order to advise and assist a local oil company in northeast Syria, an area known locally as Rojava and controlled by the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).A former State Department official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, told The Daily Beast that U.S. officials had decided oil produced in northeast Syria did not really belong to Assad, who claims he was reelected president with 95 percent of the vote last week, because oil belongs to the people not the government.For every barrel the company helped export outside Syria, it would receive $1, according to the production-sharing agreement and the companys application to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The company who took on this enterprise was established by the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James P. Cain, a retired Delta Force officer Jim Reese, and John Dorrier, a former oil executive, at least two of whom donated to Republican party candidates. These three private American citizens suddenly had a huge role to play in one of the U.S.s thorniest foreign policy challenges; how to set up a peaceful and prosperous Kurdish bulwark against Assad.This is the shift we didnt make in Iraq in 2003, a senior U.S. official said. We didnt backfill and if we dont get that right well get the same exact result. If we dont work the commercial and economic angle, were going to lose this battle.That is a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of these three men.The lofty ambitions of Delta Crescent came to an abrupt end as the Biden administration decided on Friday not to extend the license for Delta Crescents work in Syria. Delta Crescent, officials told me, was the de facto plan for the U.S. in Syria. Now its unclear whether there is a plan at allthe decision to revoke the companys license may give Russian oil and gas companies the chance to move in. So, what went wrong?On the GroundOn the road between Rmelan and the nearby city of Qamishli there are imperfect and patched together oil refineries scattered among villages. Plumes of smoke rise in all directions, curling skyward in the region of Syria that boasts three-quarters of the countrys oil reserves.There are black, damp puddles on the ground around us. Workers lean against motorcycles weighted by canisters containing the product direct from the refineries.Rmelan is a town dominated by oil and where Delta maintained offices and ten employees. There are new housing developments under construction which would house future oil workers near existing dormitories and offices on the outskirts of a series of oil fields operated by Delta Crescents local partner, the Jazeera Oil Company.The first time I spoke with the founders about their progress, in late-February, they had just smuggled oil samples out of Syria as testing capabilities were lacking in the country. I traveled to Rojava in early March to find out how much further they had got.The vision for Delta Crescent to help local partners become financially independent, and to wrest control of the countrys oil sector from Assad, was going to be a bellwether that would help our national security objectives, a former U.S. official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast. Maher Joumaa Howair, Ahmad Abu Mohamad, and an unidentified oil refinery worker. Kenneth R. Rosen During a windswept and cool day one week in March, a group of men were waiting at the refineries for the latest truckloads of crude, which came around two in the afternoon. They were making light repairs to engines and smoking cigarettes near the refineries through which they processed 22 tons each day. Asked about the growth of production rates over the last year, Maher Howair said there was no sign of improvement at all. It has been the same, he said. No fewer or more trucks have come through. No expansion or retraction of the local industry. Their thirty hours of work here each week still consistently yield each man $11 a month.Delta Crescent staff were clearly itching to get to the next step. They said they were on the verge of finalizing contracts with exporters and said the company was waiting for a license to import digital oil well monitors which would arrive in Rojava in mid-April.The founders hoped that trucks with local crude, exported through contracts they negotiated would soon cross into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. They had already planned celebrations in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, once the trucks started moving. Dorrier told the Associated Press that the company had secured about $2 billion in contracts to sell Rojava oil to international buyers, but regional oil industry executives told The Daily Beast that was unlikely.American officials had waged a public relations campaign to say U.S. forces were not there for the oil. But roughly 900 troops remain in Syria today to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, an irreversible political solution to the Syrian conflict... and the removal of all Iranian-supported forces, a State Department spokesperson told The Daily Beast. They also have directions to defend their position, which so happened to include the operations of Delta Crescent.A former senior U.S. military official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast that the U.S. actively trained a force within the SDF for the task of protecting the fields where Delta Crescent operated. The Critical Petroleum Infrastructure teamas it is known to U.S. military officialsis composed of 200 fighters from the SDF. They now conduct joint patrols with U.S. forces who visit oil facilities three to five times a week to assess  defenses, according to the latest report from the DoDs Lead Inspector General.This military support had led to reestablishing some confidence between the U.S. and the SDF after Trumps shock 2019 withdrawal which led to more than 100 deaths during a Turkish invasion. The support has also allowed the Kurds to edge toward financial self-sustainment and furthering its capabilities to defend its territory by providing additional security which gave rise to a political apparatus and a stronger internal military. But it has not helped to sever Rojavas reliance on the regime by introducing new revenue streams.Two of the Delta Crescent founders who spoke to The Daily Beast felt they were making progress, but said the U.S. Government had not backed them by pressuring regional leaders in neighboring countries to work with them.There was then, and continues to be, a robust trade in non-sanctioned oil across Syrias borders, but the people of the region have not been getting a fair market price for their oil, because it has not been legal, Cain said.Trump Announces New Syria Plan: Blood for OilThe illegal trade was still booming when I arrived and underscores how arms length U.S. support for Delta Crescent made the companys mission to advise and assist impossible. The State Department had high hopes to establish a low level free movement of goods and people, a former official told me, but failed to go all-in. There was also talk of helping with mobile oil refineries and equipment which has not materialized.Since January, when Delta Crescent tried and failed to open an additional border crossing between Iraq and Syria at the town of al-Yarubiyah, officials within the SDF and the Biden administration had begun hemorrhaging their faith in Delta Crescent. Meanwhile, the Assad regime had led a successful propaganda campaign to convince Syrians that Americans are there to steal the nations oil. Few in Syriaeven among American alliesbelieved the U.S. was there for anything resembling assistance or support or that it wont commit yet another betrayal.In mid-May, as the license extension neared its end, Reese grew concerned that the company would not be granted a renewal. He worried U.S. officials believed Delta Crescent was a Trump-era holdover and wanted it gone.As I drove through Rojava, I often passed trucks chugging west and bearing license plates for regime-held territory like Damascus and Aleppo. Delta was supposed to have opened routes in the opposite direction. It never happened and the fruits of production in this Kurdish enclave are continuing to nourish Assads regime.Who are Delta Crescent?Five years ago, one of the founders of Delta, Ambassador Cain, learned that his son-in-law had been caught up in a terror attack at Brussels Airport in Belgium. With information scarce, Cain jumped on a flight with his daughter, Cameron.To help his daughter find her husband, Cain turned to a network of contacts hed established as a career diplomat. He called Jim Reese when it emerged that ISIS had claimed responsibility for the five suicide bombers, who had targeted the airport and subway.At the time, Reese owned TigerSwan, a company contracted by the Department of Defense to clear landmines near the city of Raqqa. He sent some of his ex-military contractors to Belgium to help. They would soon learn that two of the attackers had survived during the three-way coordinated bombing and that Cains son-in-law, Alexander Pinczowski, had died instantly, along with 31 others between the days series of attacks.Cain stayed involved in the case, later testifying at the trial of the surviving attackers.A couple of years later, Cain and Reese reconvened at a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. They were there to discuss a new venture. Within monthsin December 2018the two men were in Rojava scouting for possible business opportunities in war ravaged northern Syria.They were in the country when Trump made the shock announcement that he was pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, which would leave Americas Kurdish allies to fend for themselves against both Assad and Turkish President Erdogan. Cain was so moved by the betrayal that he published an op-ed in the Washington Post encouraging Trump to reconsider.Reese now says he proposed the idea of an oil company to Commander Mazloum Abdi while at the SDF headquarters in Ain-Issa during their visit. He says it was all his idea.Whats in it for me, at the end of the day, is Im a servant leader. Thats what drives Jim Reese. I was put on this world to help people who need assistance, Reese told The Daily Beast. Whether thats overseas, whether thats in the U.S., whether thats someone getting pushed around on the playground. If I see someone and I can help them thats: If not me, who?Not everyone believes that Americas keep the oil strategy was all down to a flash of inspiration from one man.Lahur Talabany, the intelligence chief who first introduced U.S. officials to the SDF, told The Daily Beast that the protection of oil assets had long been in the works as the reason for U.S. forces staying in northeast Syria.Mazloum was talking about this with the State Department and they reached out to us way before that, Talabany told The Daily Beast during a meeting at his office in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. The DoD was also asking if we could help them with a refinery to refine the fuel right there so we could bring in some companies. This was a year before the announcement of a U.S. troop drawdown.The intelligence apparatus of Talabanywho is also co-leader of Iraqi Kurdistans second-largest political partyplayed a key role in the assassination of Qassim Soleimani via a drone stroke in January 2020, according to a recent report in Yahoo News.Talabany denied involvement but maintains close relations with U.S. interests.A Series of Impossible PositionsDelta Crescent now found itself in a crucible; caught between hostile foreign governments, a vengeful Syrian regime and corrupt local forces.Did the plan to use a tiny private oil company to bring stability to the region ever stand a chance?One thing is clear, no one in Syria ever believed the Americans had a cohesive long-term strategy. The uncertainty created a game of ambiguity between all sides, said a U.S. official briefed on matters in the country.That hesitancy was exploited by Iranian and Russian forces in the region which arent living in an ambiguous policy environment, the official told me. Moscow and Tehran have backed their assets in Syria to act decisively.In direct opposition to U.S. interests, Russia has worked to protect the oil market for the Syrian regime, according to people in Rojava who work in the oil sector. They did that by providing security and logistical support to Hussam al-Qaterji, "the godfather of the regimes oil and wheat trade with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)," according to a Treasury Department sanctions notice. The city of Qamishli. Kenneth R. Rosen The Daily Beast tracked down one of Qaterjis oil truck drivers.He said Qaterji wasnt his only employer and that he used two trucks (one for wheat, one for oil), which meant people other than Assad were profiting off the oil in Rojava. His routes were once between Qamishli and through Deir al-Zour to regime territory, but now he goes west from Rojava to other regime-controlled areas, signaling a move away from Russian and Iranian forces.Without a formal severing of trade between the northeast and the regime in Damascus, U.S. officials said, Rojava will be beholden to Assad, a war criminal who will keep them subjugated.But the SDF and Rojava couldnt rely on the U.S., either.The center of gravity has shifted from building a security zone to building an economy, a conflict monitor familiar with international projects in the region told me. Rojava still relies on regime engineers and its refining capabilities for diesel, and gas for cooking, a trade which does not include exchange of much-needed cash for Rojava.Asked if Delta Crescents objectives were ever possible, the monitor added, Its a series of impossible positions.Aside from anti-American forces such as Russia and Iran, potential allies also failed to help the long-shot oil plan.When Delta Crescent sought to broker a new arrangement between the neighboring Kurdish regions, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq refused to renegotiate its illegal trade with Rojava. Mansour Barzani, the brother of the Kurdish prime minister and the cousin of the regional president, was working to undermine the Delta Crescent operation, according to conversations which have not been previously reported.According to those familiar with the negotiations, near the end of 2020, the Lanaz refinery controlled by Barzani, increased its capabilities to refine more of the poor-quality oil from Rojava. It paid roughly $19 per barrel for the oil and folded it into its pipeline heading for Turkey. But Barzani wanted 70 percent of the income from the Rojava oil. The Delta founders balked.Millions and millions of dollars are being made on a daily basis on that border, a KRG official familiar with the meeting told The Daily Beast.The KRG has made a turn towards authoritarianism in recent years. In August 2019, around the time the State Department was seeking to aid the oil industry in Rojava, a lawsuit was filed in the Royal Courts of Justice in London against the KRG and its Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, alleging a campaign of harassment which delayed the authorization of operational licenses for a company based in Iraqi Kurdistan called Dynasty Petroleum.Dynasty said it had refused to pay the bribes solicited by KRG officials. Barzanis office and the Hawrami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.The CEO of Dynasty spoke to The Daily Beast on a balcony overlooking the metropolitan sprawl of Sulaymaniyah, a view hemmed by the Zagros mountains and the Iraqi border with Iran.The courtyard below was outfitted with a shack and a gate, manned by one man armed with a Kalashnikov. On the day of our meeting, Hiwa Qaramani was confidently awaiting news about the outcome of the lawsuit: there was precedent for a favorable outcome against the KRG.His frustrations lay not only with the regional government. Even though he believed the KRG had played a role in hampering Delta Crescent and other potential international investment in Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria, he felt he had been even more crippled by American fickleness.Were ready to go invest in electricity, in oil refinery, in telecom, in everything, Qaramani told me, but he said he needed to know that the U.S. would remain steadfast.He had believed that Delta Crescent would be able to usher in new capital investment and break the stranglehold over regional monopolies but all he had seen in reality was a massive disconnect between what Delta Crescent was aiming to do and what the U.S. continued to say publicly.From America, theres no clear statement about the future of this area, he said. Theres always a risk, but the risk is way too high.Did They Even Want U.S. Help?Talabanythe Kurdish intel chiefcan see the value of what Delta Crescent attempted. If the Americans hadnt stayed for the oil, he said, the U.S. would have lost everything.But his view is increasingly rare.Those close to the SDF leadership say Mazloum and his aides were cautioning themselves against relying on U.S. support broadly, and Delta Crescent directly, as they remain uncertain whether either can help them achieve further autonomy from the Assad regime.In private, interested parties have also expressed frustration that the U.S. would grant a sanctions exemption to an American company, but not to Rojava as a whole.U.S. officials argue in Washington, D.C., that Assad no longer has the moral authority to control Rojava, but his regime has reclaimed much of its lost territory in an ongoing campaign which continues to kill and maim thousands.Syrias borders are controlled by various countries and groups, but within the state of Syria, the population is largely now loyal to the regime, whether by choice or not. Even within the Kurdish enclave of Rojava, many expect the regimes return.How the Biden administration plans to position itself in Syria, and whether it might support another economic initiative like Delta Crescent, remains unclear.Shaaban Suleiman, from the village of Gundek Sayid, told The Daily Beast that he thought the current governing body of Rojava would help him when Assad was driven out, but they made things even worse, he said.The oil doesnt benefit the people. It does not matter who comes or who goes. Whoever feeds me is welcome here, he said, noting that much of their oil product was still being sent to regime-held areas despite what the Americans had in mind.Ahmad Saeed, 46, who repairs diesel heaters in nearby Qamishli, said further American involvement would do more harm than good.They will pump oil and steal it amid this famine. They will not work in the interest of the country, he said. Nobody understands them, the Americans. They have been here for years, what has changed? When the Americans go somewhere, they work for their own interests, not the peoples.He blamed ongoing sanctions for the countrys failed economy, gesturing to a crowd swarming the entrance to a U.N. World Food Programme handout.You Americans are chasing us, it is impossible for us to relax, he said. What benefit did the Iraqi people get from you except destruction? What benefit did the Yemeni people or any other nation in the world get from you?Saeed massaged his grease-stained hands.They are all invading our country, he said. The country should belong to its people.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Replacing Stolen Van Parts to Cost Charity $1,500

By Bill Hughes





PADUCAH - A local charity recently had a slight setback in their efforts to help others when someone robbed parts from two of their vehicles.Norma Cox manages the St. Vincent de Paul Budget Store at 2025 Cairo Road in Paducah, and said she believes someone stole the catalytic converters from their van and box truck over the weekend. When she arrived Monday morning, she noticed that the back gate on their property was open. She checked around the store and found nothing wrong until someone started the vehicles on Tuesday morning to run errands. Cox immediately knew what had been done, and said she's heard of similar thefts at Heartland Church, Twelve Oaks Baptist Church, and Concord United Methodist Church.Cox said, "Here in Kentucky, you have to have a license to scrap anything. You can go drive right across the bridge to Illinois, and you don't have to have it. You just go and cash in whatever you've got, no questions asked."She said her first check of the charity's fleet insurance said this type of incident isn't covered.Supreme Automotive fixed the van for $769, which was much less than the original estimate of up to $1,200. Cox said she expects to pay about the same amount to Troy's Auto Service for the box truck. She expressed her gratitude for the lower-than-expected bills, saying St. Vincent's has used their services before, and they have good relationships.When word spread about what happened. Paducah Cooperative Ministry called to offer the use of their van. A disabled veteran said he would bring his van, and a family called to say they were willing to rent a U-Haul truck for the store."And the community has stepped up and helped bring us money to get it fixed, so the food pantry wouldn't be taken away from the community," Cox said. "This town knows what we do for the community. We're all volunteers and we dedicate eight hours a day - every day, sometimes - and we do it all for the community," she said.The vehicles are used to pick up items for the food pantry and donated items like furniture, which are sold in the store. Proceeds from the store go toward helping families, whether it's paying a utility or pharmacy bill, providing items from the store, or bringing them food from their pantry. Cox said they typically feed around 60 people each day.The store is open Tuesday through Friday between 10 am until 3 pm and Saturday from 9 am until 1 pm. They can be reached by calling 270-575-1008.

Russias Justice Ministry proposes improved guarantees of jurors material security

 The Moscow City Court's press service

14:52 26/02/2021

MOSCOW, February 26 (RAPSI)  The Russian Ministry of Justice has developed and posted for public discussion a bill aimed at increasing the guarantees of material security for jurors.

It is proposed to amend Article 11 of the Federal Law On Jurors of Federal Courts of General Jurisdiction in the Russian Federation, the press service of the ministry told RAPSI.

The body reminds that, according to the law, for the time jurors fulfill the duties of administering justice, the respective court is to pay them compensations from the federal budget. At the same time, currently neither the payment procedures, nor the terms thereof, are established by law, the Ministry of Justice indicates.

The draft law is developed to amend Article 11 of the Federal Law of August 20, 2004 No. 113-FZ On Jurors of Federal Courts of General Jurisdiction in the Russian Federation, according to which the procedure for paying compensation to jurors is established by the government of the Russian Federation.

The implementation of the provisions stipulated by the draft law will increase the guarantees of material support for jurors, when they are administering justice in criminal cases, and streamline the procedure for paying them compensatory remuneration, the Ministry of Justice specifies.
Lecrae makes way for young Christian rapper Hulvey, release new song together

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Reach Records founder and hip-hop veteran Lecrae jumped on the latest single from his artist Hulvey, broadening the up-and-coming rapper's reach.

Hulvey, a native of Brunswick, Georgia, went from being a college dropout to scrubbing toilets at Publix, to Reach Records' latest breakout artist. His mentor, Lecrae, announced last year that hed be stepping aside from full-time music to make room for other younger artists coming up in the ranks. The 20-year-old artist said he is forever grateful.

Lecrae has truly been a blessing and has paved a way for me to thrive in my career as well as my ministry, Hulvey told The Christian Post of the impact the Grammy Award-winning artist has had on him. He has been so willing to share wisdom and mentor me through hard situations. Im more than grateful that he is in my corner. I know hes only a call away.

The pair collaborated on Hulveys new single, Reasons,'' which also features vocals from pop music artist SVRCINA.

'Reasons' is a song that is extending hope to hurting people out there. Its hard to focus on all the reasons you have to hope or hold on when you are bogged down with pain and sadness. This song is a healthy reminder that hope is available, Lecrae told CP of the new single, which will be on Hulveys sophomore release.

The music video features clips of different people who are clinging to their faith during difficult times.

His label debut EP BRKNHRT, released in 2020, generated national praise. Hulvey was named Christian Artist to Watch in 2020 by Pandora.

The fact that Lecrae and Reach Records chose to sign a young dude out of Brunswick, Georgia, means so much to me. God has me on a mission to point believers and non-believers back to Him and they are backing me 100% of the way, the young rapper gushed.

Lecrae said Hulvey has a natural passion to lead, and he wants his bold message of faith to permeate the sound waves during these difficult times.

His explicit faith-driven messages are refreshing, but then he is also a very talented craftsman. He takes the art very seriously, Lecrae explained. He has a knack for making hit records.

The proud label head said Hulveys sincere talent just bleeds through everything that he does.

It reminds me of the great artists who just create gold whenever they touch the microphone, Lecrae added.

I think what makes him special is his humility, he continued. He's very talented, but he's an avid learner. He calls and asks for advice often. He has consistently come to Bible studies led by us veteran artists and he is always growing. He's not focused on himself and his career but on how he can help others. He doesn't want the shine; he wants to share it. It's refreshing.

Hulvey said he wants his fans and followers to know that God is still completely and willing to wrap you up anytime. He has paved a way for us to be free.
The Canadian Press

As COVID-19 vaccine supplies ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have begun planning to give second doses in the coming weeks. More than 23 million people across Canada have now had at least one dose of a vaccine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says by the summer, Canada will have enough vaccines so that every eligible resident will have gotten their first dose, and by September, it will have enough doses for everyone to be fully vaccinated. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that Canada turn toward the ultimate goal of fully immunizing the population, now that supplies of COVID-19 shots are increasing. The advisory panel said those at highest risk of dying or becoming severely ill should be prioritized for second shots, either after or alongside first doses for anyone else who is eligible for a vaccine. Since the novel coronavirus is still circulating in Canada, NACI is still recommending that the second dose be received up to four months after the first dose, in order to maximize the number of people who get at least one shot. Here's a list of the inoculation plans throughout Canada: Newfoundland and Labrador All people in the province aged 12 and older can now book an appointment for a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. So far 2.19 per cent (11,446) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Nova Scotia Appointments for an initial COVID-19 vaccine shot are now open to people 12 years of age and older. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for use in children aged 12 and up. The Moderna vaccine is only available for those 18 and older. Under the province's accelerated vaccine plan, someone who received their first dose of vaccine on March 22 and is due for a second dose on July 5 will now be able to reschedule their second appointment for as early as the week of June 20. The province has stopped the use of AstraZeneca's vaccine as a first dose. The Health Department says the decision was based on "an abundance of caution'' due to an observed increase in the rare blood-clotting condition linked to this vaccine. The department also says it will reschedule anyone who was to receive AstraZeneca to instead be inoculated with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna "in a timely manner." --- Prince Edward Island In Prince Edward Island, residents as young as 16 can book a COVID-19 vaccine. People 16 years and older who have certain underlying medical conditions, pregnant woman and eligible members of their household can also get a vaccine. So far 8.11 per cent (12,868) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- New Brunswick Residents in New Brunswick aged 12 to 17 are now eligible to book an appointment for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Officials also say residents 55 and older who received an Astra-Zenaca vaccine for the first dose at least eight weeks ago can now get a second dose of the vaccine with informed consent. So far 5.08 per cent (39,633) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Quebec In Quebec, all residents 12 and older can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. The province's health minister says Quebecers 12 to 17 years old will be fully vaccinated by the time they return to school in September. Quebec also says it will shorten the delay between first and second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to eight weeks from 16 weeks. The province says more than 5.8 million doses of vaccine have now been administered, with more than 58.1 per cent of the population having received at least one dose. --- Ontario All adults in Ontario can now book COVID-19 vaccine appointments. People turning 18 in 2021 can book Pfizer-BioNTech shots. Youth aged 12 and older can also book appointments across Ontario. They can book through the provincial online portal, call centre and through pharmacies offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the only shot authorized by Health Canada for use in youth aged 12 and older. Ontarians, meanwhile, are getting the option to shorten the interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses. Most people are being scheduled for doses four months apart, but officials say the new interval could be as short as 28 days. The plan will start with seniors aged 80 and older this week and the province will later offer second shots based on when people received their first. People will keep their original appointments if they dont re-book. The province aims to see all eligible Ontarians fully vaccinated by the end of September. Ontario is also resuming use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine but only as a second dose. Those who received the first dose of AstraZeneca between March 10 and March 19 during a pilot project at pharmacies and some doctor's offices in several Ontario communities will be first in line to receive their second dose. Ontario says more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered across the province. So far 4.68 per cent (687,894) of the population has been fully vaccinated --- Manitoba Manitoba is using the Pfizer vaccine for everyone aged 12 and up, and the Moderna vaccines for people aged 18 and up. These are available through a few channels including so-called supersites in larger communities. The province is also allowing anyone 40 and over to get an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through pharmacies and medical clinics, subject to availability. People 30-39 can get a shot if they have certain underlying health conditions such as chronic liver failure or severe obesity. The province has opened up second-dose appointments to all Indigenous people aged 12 and up, to people with certain medical conditions such as severe heart failure and Down syndrome, and anyone who received their first dose on or before March 29. Provincial health officials say they now expect 70 per cent of Manitobans aged 12 and older to get a dose by the end of June. So far 7.75 per cent (106,678) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Saskatchewan Saskatchewan says it reached the step two threshold of its reopening roadmap released last week, with over 70 per cent of residents age 30 and older having received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That means restrictions will begin to be relaxed June 20, which includes easing capacity limits on retail, personal care services, restaurants and bars, although they must still maintain physical distancing among occupants or have barriers in place. The rules also raise caps on private indoor gatherings to 15, while capacity limits jump to 150 for both public indoor gatherings and all outdoor assemblies, whether public or private. Premier Scott Moe says once 70 per cent of the entire adult population is vaccinated, Saskatchewan can move to the third step of its plan and remove almost all of the remaining public health orders. Saskatchewan residents aged 12 and older are now eligible to book their first COVID-19 vaccine appointment. A school immunization program for those aged 12 to 18 will be introduced in June, but eligible residents of that age can also be immunized at clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine. Anyone 85 and older or anyone who received their first vaccine dose before February 15 can now book their second dose. Anyone diagnosed with cancer and solid organ transplant recipients will be receiving a letter of eligibility in the mail which will allow them priority access to a second dose. There are drive-thru and walk-in vaccination clinics in communities across the province. The province says 6.60 per cent (77,767) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- Alberta Every Albertan aged 12 and older is now eligible for a vaccine. As of May 27, 60.3 per cent of Albertans over the age of 12 had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The milestone means the province's second stage of easing restrictions can begin on June 10. It is subject to hospitalizations being below 500 and trending downwards. Some of the restrictions that would be lifted include allowing outdoor gatherings  including weddings and funerals  with up to 20 people. Restaurants would be allowed to seat tables with up to six people, indoors or outdoors. Retail capacity would also increase, and gyms could open for solo or drop-in activities with three metres of distancing. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, has said people who are immunocompromised can book a second dose three or four weeks after their first shot. All other Albertans are eligible to get their second dose three to four months after the first. For the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the province lowered the minimum age to 30. They are, however, reserving the remaining supply for second doses when people are eligible. More than 250 pharmacies are offering immunizations. So far 8.82 per cent (388,200) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- British Columbia British Columbia is setting an end-of-summer target for everyone in the province to receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also announced a decrease in the time between the first and second dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, cutting the interval to eight weeks from 16 weeks. But the interval for people who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as a first dose and are waiting for their second AstraZeneca shot may take longer. Henry said the province is waiting for results from international data on AstraZeneca, including the effectiveness of mixing vaccine shots and ongoing concerns about rare blood clots. Henry said the rollout of second doses will be similar to the first dose, with those at the greatest risk at the top of the list. Seniors, Indigenous people and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable were to start getting their invitations to book a second shot by the end of May. The province will try to ensure that everyone gets the same vaccine they were first administered, but a shortage of the Moderna vaccine may mean people will have to substitute it for a Pfizer shot. Henry said the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has reviewed the evidence on using different vaccines and has updated the guidance, confirming that while it is preferable to have the same product, it's not always possible. Pfizer and Moderna are the same type of vaccines. Families can get vaccinated together in B.C. as the government allows youth between the ages of 12 and 17 to get their COVID-19 shot. The shots will be administered at community clinics instead of in schools based on feedback from families, with 310,000 children in B.C. eligible to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved for that age group. As of Friday, about 3.1 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines had been administered in B.C., which means about 63 per cent of those eligible have got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. So far 3.14 per cent (160,885) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Nunavut Chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson says Nunavut has placed an order for doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with the federal government to vaccinate people ages 12 to 17 in the territory. The Moderna vaccine is currently the only one available in Nunavut. Nunavut has opened vaccinations to anyone 18 and older. It is also offering shots to rotational workers coming from Southern Canada. In the territory, 36.44 per cent (14,113) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories is now offering vaccinations against COVID-19 to young people between 12 and 17. The territory, which has only been using the Moderna vaccine, recently exchanged some of that for doses of the Pfizer product, which Health Canada has now approved for anyone as young as 12. So far 51.74 per cent (23,344) of the territory's population has been fully vaccinated. --- Yukon The territory is now vaccinating children aged 12 to 17. The government says clinics in most communities will be held in schools, while those in Whitehorse can get their shot at the Coast High Country Inn Convention Centre. The children will be getting the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The territory says because of limited supply and stricter handling requirements, the vaccine will only be available for a short time. It says second doses for those 12 to 17 will start on June 23 and medical travel will be supported for youth who aren't able to make the clinic date in their community. The Moderna vaccine is available to adults 18 years of age and older. The government says 59.34 per cent (24,763) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2021. The Canadian Press
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Homeland Salvation Movement says it is sending a delegation led by Vazgen Manukyan to have a meeting with President Armen Sarkissian at 15:40.

The movement said they will hold a rally today outside the parliament building later at 18:00 and will present details from the meeting.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
(L-R) Then-President Donald Trump looks on as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks during an event about judicial confirmations in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 6, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Trump Will Be Helpful to All Senate Republican Incumbents: Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said former President Donald Trump will be helpful to all GOP Senate incumbents, although House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters that the former commander-in-chief hasnt pledged to refrain from going after House Republican incumbents.

The president is going to be helpful to all Republican incumbents on the Senate. Weve got a great slate of incumbents, Graham told Fox News on Friday.

Trump will be working with our incumbents and is working on helping Republicans in their attempts to unseat Democrats in Arizona, Georgia, and New Hampshire, according to Graham.

Several days ago, Trump endorsed Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in his reelection bid in 2022. Graham said Trumps team had spoken with Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) about a possible endorsement.

Senator Jerry Moran is doing a terrific job for the wonderful people of Kansas. Strong on Military, Vets, the Border, and our Second Amendment, Jerry has my Complete and Total Endorsement for his re-election in 2022! Trump said in a statement released by his Save America PAC.

As for Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and John Thune (R-S.D.), its not clear. Trump called on the two senators to be primaried when they are up for reelection in 2022. Murkowski, a frequent critic of the former president, voted to convict him during his impeachment trial earlier this month and faced rebuke from the Republican Party in her home state.

And McCarthy said that its unclear how Trump will respond during the House races.

I dont have a commitment on that. I work closely with the president on working on endorsements to win seats in the House, he told reporters on Friday. We did quite well [last cycle]you know, everybody said wed lose 20 seats.

Ten House Republicans voted to impeach Trump last year, including No. 3 Republican Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).

The former presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., called a Wyoming rally against Cheney.

Shes going to make a great contributor for MSNBC, Taylor Budowich, a conservative strategist and former adviser to Trumps 2020 campaign, told The Epoch Times this week.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) sent a memo urging Republicans to promptly drop the internal battles and focus on defeating the Democrats in the mid-term elections.

But now is not the time for division and heres why: For the first time in any of our lives, socialism has become the unabashed, governing policy of the Democrat Party, Scott wrote in a memo. The Democrats are fast abandoning any pretense of allegiance to the first and second amendments to our Constitution, theyll give up on the rest of it in due time.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Trumps team for comment.
The consortium led by Dronehub  a European leader in a drone-in-a-box solutions  received funding from the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) from Poland in the amount of USD 1.9 million. Thanks to the grant, an innovative solution will be created - a mobile drone infrastructure for automatic orthophotos. The world and technology are rushing forward, performing measurements or inspections of large industrial areas by humans is already 
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SANTA FE, N.M.  The man convicted of murdering a 75-year-old Santa Fe man and then burning his body had his warrior gene defense rejected yet again by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

The New Mexico Supreme Court last week upheld Anthony Blas Yepezs 22 year sentence for the murder of George Ortiz in 2012.

Yepez was found guilty in 2015 by a Santa Fe jury for second-degree murder, evidence tampering and motor vehicle theft.

Yepez, 34, appealed his case on a warrior gene defense that wasnt allowed into evidence in his original trial by 1st Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer. The judge ruled that there wasnt any evidence that demonstrates the warrior gene results in a predisposition towards aggressive behavior.

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Yepez argued that he had a low-functioning MAO-A gene, dubbed the warrior gene, which some studies show regulates impulsive, antisocial or aggressive behavior, according to previous reporting by the Journal.

Despite those studies, the scientific community hasnt uncovered conclusive evidence on the role the gene can play on impulsive violence control.

It was because of Marlowe Sommers ruling, Yepez argued, that he should be granted a new trial with the warrior gene evidence allowed. However, the Supreme Court justices unanimously upheld Marlowe Sommers ruling and rejected Yepezs arguments for a new trial.

In 2012, Yepez got into a fight with Ortiz after he allegedly struck his then-girlfriend Jeannie Ann Sandoval, according to court documents, and Ortiz ended up in a pool of blood on the floor. Yepez and Sandoval then poured cooking oil around Ortiz and lit him on fire. It was unclear is Ortiz was still alive when the fire was lit.

Sandoval pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2014 for her role in Ortizs death as part of a plea agreement that set her maximum sentence at nine years in prison.

The Supreme Court said Yepezs argument that hes predisposed to impulsive violence wasnt backed by reliable scientific knowledge. The high court said the scientific evidence presented by Yepezs expert witnesses talked about antisocial aggressive behavior, not impulsive violence.

Therefore, the court concluded there was a lack of scientific methodology supporting the conclusions the experts reached.

We hold that evidence of mere genetic susceptibility to a given mental condition is not relevant on the issue of deliberate intent, at least in the absence of evidence that such susceptibility is so well understood and has such strong predictive value as to be clinically validated as an indicator of the mental condition, retired Justice Judith K. Nakamura wrote in the courts opinion.

Nakamura was Chief Justice when oral arguments were presented to the Supreme Court.
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A Meath man smashed a glass into a mans face in Midleton 14 years ago and then fled to Australia but he returned to face sentencing for the crime saying it had been on his mind when he was away.

40-year-old Robert Poleon of Drumbanagh, Kells, County Meath, pleaded guilty to carrying out an assault back in 2007 but then emigrated before he could be sentenced.

The charge stated that he committed the offence of assault causing harm to another man at the Maple Leaf Bar on Main Street, Midleton, County Cork, back on February 13, 2007.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain was told at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that he assaulted the other man by smashing a glass in his face.

Poleon, who was 26 years old at the time he was convicted of the assault, absconded to Australia before he could be sentenced.

Judge O Donnabhain wondered how the accused got into Australia when one hears of people being refused entry when they have a conviction for a much lesser offence.

The judge remarked:

You cant get into Australia if you are convicted of not having a dog licence.

Defence barrister John Devlin suggested that the conviction may not have been recorded at the time because it had not proceeded as far as sentencing.

The accused man gathered 5,000 compensation for the injured party.

Mr Devlin BL said: He came back from Australia and arranged with gardai to hand himself in.

The matter has been on his mind for 12 years in Australia. He has not come to the attention of police in Australia. He worked as a plasterer and decorator.

Prosecution barrister, Donal McCarthy, said the assault causing harm consisted of pushing a glass into the injured partys lip. Poleon was remanded in custody since November 2020 on this charge.

Judge O Donnabhain said the use of a glass was an aggravating factor. However, he imposed a two-year sentence which was fully suspended.

This weekend marks the end of Black History Month, but NOT Black Restaurant Week San Antonio. For the first time, the event has been extended to two weeks long and will come to an end on March 7. BRWSA celebrates the diverse and culturally-rich heritage of Black San Antonio, and features 30 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks and vendors.. Unlike other major Texas cities like Houston or Dallas, San Antonio has a fairly small Black population  less than 10 percent, and they often feel like they are an overlooked population in the city. The event helps bring awareness to the Black community and amazing people making an impact on San Antonio.

This year, BRWSA has partnered with the Spurs and the San Antonio Food Bank to help make a positive impact in our community. Black Restaurant Week San Antonio 2021 is bigger than ever because the need is bigger than ever!!! the organization shared in an Instagram post, and I couldnt agree more. This is a great opportunity to not only support Black-owned businesses, but also help hungry San Antonians.

If you havent had the chance to check it out yet, below I am sharing my top five recommendations for participating restaurants you HAVE to try before Black Restaurant Week San Antonio ends.

Southern Roots Vegan Bakery

After being featured by popular vegan Tik Tok star Tabitha Brown, the small family-owned bakery rose in popularity. They serve up vegan versions of traditional southern delicacies such as carrot cake and red velvet.

What To Try: The Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts, made with fresh wild blueberries!

Jewells Cajun & Southern Cuisine Food Truck

We might have missed Mardi Gras this year, but you can still get a taste of it with this delicious food truck that serves both cajun classics like gumbo and fusion cuisine like king cake on a stick. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

What To Try: Gumbo (because good gumbo is hard to come by and reviews say it is excellent)

Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine

I am always going to be a sucker for oxtails, and the folks behind Jamaica Jamaica have some of the best oxtails in Texas (I said what I SAID!).

What to Try: Mango Scotch Bonnet Wings  theyre housemade mango bonnet sauce is soooo good (I am purposefully not telling you to order to oxtail so I can personally eat it all, NO REGRETS)

Harmons BBQ

Harmons is a Cibolo Institution; the BBQ spot has been serving smoked cue, seven days a week, for years. Rated one of the top San Antonio-area eateries on TripAdvisor, Harmons is always a sure bet for something good.

What To Try: The sausage. Harmons sources their sausage from a Fredericksburg-based location and it. Is. Delicious.

Trices Cafe and Lounge

This small eatery serves up traditional West Afican dishes that are inherently healthy without sacrificing taste. You can expect hearty stews and a variety of amazing rice dishes.

What To Try: The BWRSA special is Jollof rice. Jollof rice is a cultural standard in many West African cultures  it is a must-try for anyone.

Black history month may come to an end, but that doesnt mean our support for Black-owned businesses has to come to. These, and all of the other businesses on the BRWSA roster, are opened year-around and they need our patronage to keep them going. Fill your tummy, contribute to a great cause and support a more diverse San Antonio  its a win/win situation.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the Indonesia retail market and it is poised to grow by USD 37.32 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of about 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Get a Free sample report in minutes

Impact of COVID-19

Indonesia Retail Market by Product and Distribution Channel - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries; however, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. While a few industries will register a drop in demand, numerous others will continue to remain unscathed and show promising growth opportunities. COVID-19 will have a high impact on the Indonesian retail market. The market growth in 2021 is likely to increase compared to market growth in 2019.



Frequently Asked Questions:

Based on segmentation by the product, which is the leading segment in the market?

Food and beverages are the leading segments in the market.

Food and beverages are the leading segments in the market. What are the major trends in the market?

The growth in e-commerce is the major trend in the market.

The growth in e-commerce is the major trend in the market. At what rate is the market projected to grow?

The market will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.06%.

The market will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.06%. Who are the top players in the market?

CT Corp., PT Erajaya Swasembada Tbk, PT Hero Supermarket Tbk, PT Lion Super Indo, PT Multipolar Tbk, PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk, PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk, PT. Circleka Indonesia Utama, PT. Indomarco Prismatama, PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk are the top players in the market.

CT Corp., PT Erajaya Swasembada Tbk, PT Hero Supermarket Tbk, PT Lion Super Indo, PT Multipolar Tbk, PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk, PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk, PT. Circleka Indonesia Utama, PT. Indomarco Prismatama, PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk are the top players in the market. What are the key market drivers and challenges?

The market is driven by the expansion of the retail landscape. However, the underdeveloped infrastructure will challenge growth.

Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include:

Business-To-Consumer E-Commerce Market in China- The business-to-consumer e-commerce market size in China is segmented by product (apparel, footwear, and accessories, consumer electronics and electricals, beauty and personal care products, and others) and device used (mobile devices and PCs). Get an Exclusive Free Sample Report

Global Automotive E-retail Market- The automotive e-retail market is segmented by product (passenger cars and two-wheelers) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America). Get an Exclusive Free Sample Report

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The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. CT Corp., PT Erajaya Swasembada Tbk, PT Hero Supermarket Tbk, PT Lion Super Indo, PT Multipolar Tbk, PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk, PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk, PT. Circleka Indonesia Utama, PT. Indomarco Prismatama and PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk are some of the major market participants. Although the expansion of the retail landscape will offer immense growth opportunities, factors such as underdeveloped infrastructure are likely to pose a challenge for the market vendors. In a bid to help players strengthen their market foothold, this Indonesia retail market forecast report provides a detailed analysis of the leading market vendors. The report also empowers industry honchos with information on the competitive landscape and insights into the different product offerings offered by various companies.

Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct & indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations.

Indonesia Retail Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

The Indonesia retail market is segmented as below:

Product

Food & Beverages



Electrical & Electronics



Apparel & Footwear



Home Improvement & Household Products



Others

Distribution Channel

Offline



Online

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR46507

Indonesia Retail Market 2021-2025: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The Indonesian retail market report covers the following areas:

Indonesia Retail Market Size

Indonesia Retail Market Trends

Indonesia Retail Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies growth in e-commerce as one of the prime reasons driving the Indonesia retail market growth during the next few years.

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Indonesia Retail Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist Indonesia retail market growth during the next five years

retail market growth during the next five years Estimation of the Indonesia retail market size and its contribution to the parent market

retail market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the Indonesian retail market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of Indonesia retail market vendors

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Fiver forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Product

Market segments

Comparison by Product

Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Electrical and electronics - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Apparel and footwear - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Home improvement and household products - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Product

Market Segmentation by Distribution channel

Market segments

Comparison by Distribution channel

Offline - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Online - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Customer landscape

Overview

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

CT Corp.

PT Erajaya Swasembada Tbk

PT Hero Supermarket Tbk

PT Lion Super Indo

PT Multipolar Tbk

PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk

PT. Circleka Indonesia Utama

PT. Indomarco Prismatama

PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Jerusalem: Israel has frozen its program to send COVID-19 vaccines abroad to buy international goodwill, Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, after the initiative came under legal scrutiny.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire for donating COVID-19 vaccines to foreign allies, while Palestinians complained that, as an occupying power, Israel should be supplying more to them.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan, which earlier this week reported that Israel would send small shipments to 19 countries, said Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit was seeking clarification about the program.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, meets Theodor Salzen, seated, the 4 millionth person to be vaccinated for the coronavirus in Israel. Credit:AP

An official in Netanyahus office said that after legal questions were raised, Netanyahus national security adviser had asked Mandelblit to give his opinion.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.

NATO encouraged democracy in Armenia amid growing tension between the military and prime minister.

"We are closely monitoring developments in our partner country Armenia. Its important to avoid words or actions that could lead to further escalation," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said on Twitter.

"Any political differences should be resolved peacefully & democratically and in line with Armenias constitution," she added.

The remarks follow the Armenian militarys demand for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign.

Army Chief of General Staff Onik Gasparyan, along with other senior commanders, released a statement Thursday that called for Pashinyan to step down. Pashinyan responded by labeling the demand a coup attempt and urged his supporters to take to the streets to resist.
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza will step down on March 15 after nearly three years on the job, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a surprise announcement on Friday. He will be succeeded by Meisha Porter, who will be the first Black woman to run the country's largest school system.

Carranza's departure comes at a time when the district of 1.1 million students is working to keep schools open during the coronavirus pandemic - and after repeated clashes with the mayor about who was in charge of education policy and how to desegregate the city's schools.

In remarks to the Board of Education on Friday, Carranza did not say directly why he was leaving but noted that he is a New Yorker who has lost 11 family members and close friends to covid-19 and he "needs to take time to grieve."

He called his departure "bittersweet" and said he and his team had accomplished a great deal, including raising graduation and college enrollment rates and implementing restorative justice practices.

"We made true progress in dismantling structures and policies that are products of decades of entrenched racism - like suspending school screens," he said. "And we finally brought mental health into the spotlight and made it a major priority - which has been tremendously crucial during the pandemic."

Richard Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, alluded to tensions between Carranza and de Blasio in a statement, saying: "Richard Carranza was a real partner in our efforts to open school safely. Too often he had to fight behind the scenes to keep the needs of students, staff and their families ahead of politics. We wish him well. He will be missed."

During his announcement on Friday, while sitting between Carranza and Porter, de Blasio did not say why the change in leadership was occurring now. But hesaid he admired Carranza. The mayor turned to him and said: "We've been through it all together. I think that's a fair statement."

De Blasio also noted that the last year has been a difficult one, and said, "It took a toll, and I admire you for everything you have done."

Desegregation was Carranza's top priority when he was hired away from the Houston Independent School District in 2018 by de Blasio, who has control of the city's school system. But he and the mayor fought repeatedly over how to do it.

Recently, the two men this month clashed about the future of gifted and talented classes, according to the New York Times - after which Carranza wrote a resignation letter.

During this fight, the Times said, de Blasio argued for continuing a program that allows 4-year-old students to enter gifted and talented classes through an admissions test until a new system could be announced early next year before he leaves office.

Carranza had long been opposed to the gifted program - which is dominated by White and Asian American students - as well as to admissions tests to special schools and programs, saying they were unfair to hundreds of thousands of students.

Admissions practices to selective programs and schools is one of the reasons that New York City has one of the most segregated school systems in the country.

Carranza will be succeeded by Porter, a veteran educator who since 2018 has been the executive superintendent of the Bronx, with 361 schools and 235,500 students.

She has been a teacher and helped found the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice, where she stayed for 18 years and served as principal. She later was superintendent of District 11 before her tenure as Bronx executive superintendent, during which high school graduation rates hit an all-time high.

On Friday, Porter said she would work to ensure that every student had educational opportunity.

"Primarily, as chancellor, my job will be to remove the barriers, to direct resources where they are needed most, and communicate clearly around our shared goals and commitments, at every school in every neighborhood in every single borough," said Porter, who was raised by a single mother who returned to school as an adult and became a teacher.

"I'm ready to hit the ground running and lead the city's schools to full recovery," she said, adding that it won't be an easy task.

Mulgrew praised Porter, saying, "We have successfully partnered with Meisha Ross Porter on projects in the past, including the Bronx Plan and expanding community schools. We look forward to working with her in the future."

Before running the Houston system, Carranza - the grandson of immigrants from Mexico - had been superintendent in San Francisco for four years, and was previously a bilingual classroom teacher, a school principal and a senior-level administrator in Las Vegas and Tucson.

During his chancellorship, Carranza did not hesitate to publicly comment on controversial subjects.

On Thursday, Carranza caused a stir when he criticized the Biden administration's decision to require states to administer federally mandated standardized tests this spring during the coronavirus pandemic. The administration allowed states some flexibility about how and when to give the tests.

While news of his coming resignation was not yet publicly known, Carranza made clear that he does not think students should be required to take the tests this year."As an educator I would say to parents, there is an opt-out," he said Thursday. "And if there is ever a time to consider whether that opt-out makes sense for you, this is the time."

New York State early this month asked the U.S. Education Department for a waiver from the federal testing mandate.

In April 2018, a month into his tenure as chancellor, Carranza stoked controversy by tweeting about some wealthy parents in an Upper West Side neighborhood in Manhattan who had been vocal at a meeting about a plan to diversify the public schools there.

Referring to a report and video about the meeting, he retweeted a video of the meeting with the words: "WATCH: Wealthy white Manhattan parents angrily rant."
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Kyiv Metropoliten have signed a loan agreement in the amount of EUR 50 million for the purchase of 50 new metro cars.

According to the website of Kyiv City State Administration, Kyiv City Council and the EBRD signed the necessary guarantee agreement.

"Today we are signing a loan agreement between the EBRD and Kyiv Metropoliten and a guarantee agreement between Kyiv City Council and the EBRD. And I hope that by the end of this year we will conclude a contract for the purchase of new cars for Kyiv Metropoliten. Under the terms of the loan, the city will receive an installment payment plan from the EBRD for 12 years," Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko said.

He also said that now Kyiv is building two new metro stations in Vynohradar residential area - Mostytska and Prospekt Pravdy.

"We plan to open them by the end of the year. Today, more than 700 meters of 1.3 km of tunnel underground have been developed in the direction of the Syretska metro station. A tunnel is being built between the future stations Mostytska and Prospekt Pravdy. Therefore, these cars will serve the Syretsko-Pecherska line of the metro," Klitschko said.

According to the EBRD, improving communication with the Vynohradar residential area by opening two new metro stations will help reduce the use of private cars and improve air quality.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Election Commission on Friday announced the election dates for 824 assembly constituencies that will go to polls in four states and one union territory.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that West Bengal will go to polls in 8 phases and Assam in three phases while Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry will have a single-phase election.

While elections to the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the 30-member Puducherry Assembly and the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 6, polling for the 140-member Assam Assembly will be held on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

Polling to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases, on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29.

The Model Code of Conduct will come into force immediately after the announcement of the election dates, said Arora The CEC said that adequate central police forces will be deployed during the elections. All sensitive, critical and vulnerable polling stations have been identified and an adequate number of CAPFs will be deployed.

The ECI in its press conference said that a total of 824 assembly constituencies shall be going for polls during these elections. As many as 18.68 crore electors will cast their votes at 2.7 lakh polling stations in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The counting of votes will be held on May 2.
Moodys Analytics is a Category Leader in a new report from Chartis Research. ALM Technology Systems, 2021: Market and Vendor Landscape evaluates more than 20 vendors of asset and liability management (ALM) technology systems.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225005264/en/

https://www.moodysanalytics.com/about-us/recognition (Graphic: Business Wire)

We earned the Category Leader distinction in all four of the reports RiskTech Quadrants:

 ALM solutions

 Funds transfer pricing (FTP) solutions

 Liquidity risk management (LRM) solutions

 Capital and balance sheet optimization solutions

The report considers the vendors Completeness of Offering and Market Potential, and assesses them on a range of specific capabilities. Many of the capabilities are highlighted in the report as best-in-class for Moodys Analytics.

Banks across the world use our solution to analyze and optimize their balance sheets. Managing their balance sheets effectively in turn allows our customers to view risk more holistically, leading to better business decisions.

In this moment, as uncertainty persists, banks are even more intensely focused on their balance sheets, said Olivier Brucker, Senior Director at Moodys Analytics. Our customers rely on Moodys Analytics capabilities to assess their positions and their risks. Earning the Category Leader status in all four of the areas detailed in this report reflects our complete solution for these essential functions.

Moodys Analytics continues investing in capabilities that enhance our customers balance sheet management and bridge silos between market risk and credit risk. As part of this strategy, Moody's acquired ZM Financial Systems last December. Financial institutions use ZMFS solutionsin securities and fixed-income analytics, credit-adjusted ALM, liquidity risk management, and moreto identify and monitor the risk and value in their balance sheets. Those capabilities contributed to Moodys Analytics results in this report.

Moodys Analytics, Moodys, and all other names, logos, and icons identifying Moodys Analytics and/or its products and services are trademarks of Moodys Analytics, Inc. or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Moodys Analytics

Moodys Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moodys Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moodys Corporation reported revenue of $5.4 billion in 2020, employs approximately 11,400 people worldwide and maintains a presence in more than 40 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225005264/en/

The failed response to the Texas disaster is the result of a bankrupt ideology that view big government as the enemy, that views lowering taxes is a cure-all, that venerated rugged individualism, and that relies on the big lie to preserve power.

Subscribing to Ronald Reagans view that government was the problem, Republicans sowed distrust of the federal government and regulation. They argued for more power to the states. We saw the failure of this philosophy with the disjointed response to the pandemic. Now, we see it repeated in Texas. Texas created its own power grid because Republicans abhorred federal regulation. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry proudly proclaimed that Texans would rather be without power for several days than have more federal regulation.

Equating taxes with big government oppression, Texas Republicans repeatedly pushed for low taxes. The failure to weatherize infrastructure was a consensus policy decision to avoid higher taxes.

Loathing a dependence on government, a Texas mayor ranted: No one owes you or your family anything; no is it in the local governments responsibility to support you during trying times like this! Sink or swim, its your choice! Unable to deal with the debacle, he retreated to a survival of the fittest argument.

Lastly, fearing voter outrage, Republicans again resorted to the big lie. Opposed to renewable energy sources, Governor Greg Abbot blamed US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, the Green New Deal and wind turbines. Wind turbines provide only 10% of the states energy. The real problem was with the natural gas infrastructure that failed due to the lack of weatherization.

Michael Camerota Westfield
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
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Brandon Ford of Tampa, Florida, has welcomed all 2021 Ford pickup truck lineups to its lot. Brandon Ford, a dealership in Tampa, Florida, that is the worlds largest volume Ford dealer, has welcomed the 2021 Ford Ranger, 2021 Ford F-150 and 2021 Ford Super Duty lineups to its lot.

Brandon Ford, a dealership in Tampa, Florida, that is the worlds largest volume Ford dealer, has welcomed the 2021 Ford Ranger, 2021 Ford F-150 and 2021 Ford Super Duty lineups to its lot.

These Ford pickup truck lineups have long been the dealerships most popular lineups, meaning Brandon Ford routinely has an extensive selection of new Ford pickup trucks on its lot at any given time.

And because of that, the staff at Brandon Ford works hard each new model year to ensure its customers know all they need to know about the new Ford Ranger lineup, the new Ford F-150 lineup and the new Ford Super Duty lineup.

The 2021 model year is no different, as Brandon Ford has not only added model research pages for all of its new Ford truck lineups to its website, but has also added numerous blog posts related to the new 2021 Ford Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty lineups.

The 2021 Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty model research pages and subsequent blog posts cover everything interested customers want to know about the new pickup truck lineups  including powertrain options and engine power ratings, towing and hauling capabilities, trim level comparisons, and more.

All of these 2021 Ford Ranger, 2021 Ford F-150 and 2021 Ford Super Duty model research tools and more can be found on the Brandon Ford website at http://www.brandonford.com. Interested parties can also direct any questions they may have to the friendly and knowledgeable staff at Brandon Ford by calling 813-246-3673 or by emailing Tom Murray, the dealerships marketing director, at tom@brandonford.com. Brandon Ford is located at 9090 Adamo Drive in Tampa.
This is an update of a story posted at 9:27 a.m. Friday.

NORTHAMPTON  A man accused of robbing a downtown bank branch Thursday morning will remain in custody until a dangerousness hearing can be held to determine what if any conditions allow his release before trial.

David Jones Jr., 38, entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment Friday in Northampton District Court. He is charged with armed robbery while masked.

He was denied the right to bail pending the hearing, which is scheduled for March 3.

Jones is accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of cash in a robbery of the Peoples United Bank branch on King Street. No weapon was shown in the robbery, but he implied he had a gun, officials said.

Jones was apprehended by Massachusetts State Police outside a residence at Heathstage Terrace in Charlemont roughly an hour after the 11:30 a.m. robbery.

Northampton police used surveillance footage from neighboring businesses to track Jones from the bank to a nearby parking lot, where he got into a 2004 Ford 250 pickup truck and drove off. Police broadcast a description of the truck and the suspect to area police departments.

Roughly an hour later, trooper John Olari of the Shelburne Falls barracks spotted the truck and Jones in Charlemont.
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Rice export rates ease in India as supply picks up

Rice export rates in top exporter India eased this week as supplies rose, while neighbouring Bangladesh considered allowing higher imports by private traders as domestic rates continued to soar.The country's rice output is expected to increase to 120.32 million tonnes in the crop year to June 2021.

Bomb scare outside Mukesh Ambani's residence; explosive material found

Explosive material was recovered from a suspicious vehicle outside Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai on Thursday. Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and other police teams found 20 gelatin sticks in the vehicle parked near Antilia on Carmichael Road, under the jurisdiction of Gamdevi police station. The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police is further investigating the matter.

China's Xiaomi expands manufacturing in India, adds 3 new partners for smartphones, smart TVs

Chinese technology company Xiaomi, which happens to be the number one smartphone brand in the country, is expanding its manufacturing in India. Xiaomi has added three more partners, of which, two will set up manufacturing plants for smartphones and one for smart TVs. The new partnerships are expected to further increase Mi India's manufacturing capacity in India.

Nirav Modi to be extradited to India; Arthur Road Jail fit for him, rules UK court

Dismissing fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's "mental health concerns," UK extradition and district judge Samuel Goozee on Thursday ruled that Modi will be extradited to India to stand trial. He said Modi has a case to answer for in India, and that Barrack 12 at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai is fit for him. The judge said, "mental health concerns" as cited by Modi were not unusual in a man in his circumstances. Nirav Modi conspired to destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses and he won't be denied justice if he's extradited to India, the UK judge ruled.

Govt announces new guidelines for social media, aims to track down first originator of mischievous content

Emphasising the need for regulating social media and OTT platforms, the government of India has introduced new guidelines regulating the same. Amidst growing concerns around lack of transparency, accountability, and rights of users related to digital media, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has been framed.

Food delivery platform Zomato on Thursday said it has increased the remuneration for its delivery partners on account of the recent increase in fuel prices. Fuel prices have been on the rise for last few days, with a litre of petrol crossing Rs 100 mark in some states.

India witnessed second-highest number of cyberattacks in Asia-Pacific in 2020

India reported the second highest number of cyber attacks after Japan in the Asia-Pacific region in 2020, according to the annual IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index. According to this report, India accounted for 7 per cent of all cyber-attacks observed in Asia in 2020. Finance and insurance was the top-attacked industry in India
The joint parliamentary Budget-Finance Committees cleared Friday the 2021 budget of the Public Prosecution Service, in the form proposed by the initiator, according to AGERPRES.

There were 25 votes in favor and 17 abstentions.

According to the budget proposal sent by the Ministry of Finance to Parliament, the MP has budget appropriations of 1.54 billion lei, up 2.3 percent compared to the preliminary execution in 2020. The commitment appropriations amount to 1.59 billion lei (an increase of 4.18 percent).

Prosecutor General Gabriela Scutea told the parliamentarians that, although the proposals were to grant a budget of 2.1 billion lei, the amounts allocated are lower, still ensuring the Public Ministry's operation "within expected limits".
DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL), the world's leading corporate immigration law firm, is once again a top-ranked firm in the 2021 Chambers and Partners Global Guide. This is the seventh year in a row that Chambers has awarded BAL a place in its prestigious annual ranking.

BAL is ranked a Band 1 firm in the US business immigration category and also ranks highly for its global work. In the individual rankings, Partner Lynden Melmed is once again a Ranked Lawyer, lauded for his work leading the firm's Government Strategies team in Washington, D.C. Founding Partner David Berry, based in San Francisco, and Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge, in Dallas, are both cited as Notable Practitioners.

Chambers calls the firm an "acclaimed group of immigration specialists attracting praise for its deep experience in corporate global mobility" and notes BAL's growth and "ever-expanding US footprint." The ranking highlights BAL's broad scope of expertise from supporting immigration petitions to program management to strategic advice on compliance and government relations.

BAL's reach in over 135 countries, its alliance with Deloitte and its "innovative case management technology, proprietary Cobalt mobile app and artificial intelligent engines" are specifically highlighted by Chambers. The ranking quotes BAL clients as well: "I'm very impressed with the team as a whole. They are all outstanding counsellors who give us practical advice. They tell us the law, the risks and common practice." Another impressed client says, "The firm stands out due to its very experienced attorneys, use of technology and pro-activeness in working through complex cases."

BAL and its leaders rank highly across all major legal publications, and have a sustained presence in the Chambers Guides. BAL Partner Rob Caballero says of the latest ranking: "It's a privilege to receive yet another recognition by Chambers as a leading firm. This honor acknowledges the firm as an elite group of legal experts, policy insiders, technologists, process engineers and immigration strategists. Each team closely integrates with the others to guide our clients through the ever-changing global immigration landscape, and that's what this ranking truly represents."

About Chambers Global

Since 1990, Chambers and Partners has published an annual guide ranking the world's best lawyers on the basis of technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery and value for money. A team of over 200 researchers conducts thousands of interviews worldwide to produce the rankings. Lawyers cannot buy their way into Chambers rankings; as a result, its annual directories are considered among the most accurate and reliable.

About Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP

BAL is one of the world's most recognized corporate immigration law firms and the Best Lawyers Law Firm of the Year in U.S. Immigration Law (2019), the Most Diverse Law Firm in America (2020), the Best Law Firm for Women by the National Law Journal (2019 and 2020) and the #1 Law Firm for Female Attorneys in its category by Law360 (2019 and 2020).

BAL's Cobalt digital immigration services platform earned a 2020 CIO 100 Award, won the 2020 CODiE Award for Best Legal Tech Product, and placed as a 2020 Tech Titans Award finalist. The firm is singularly focused on meeting the immigration challenges of corporate clients around the world in ways that make immigration more strategic and enable clients to be more successful.

Established in 1980, BAL provides immigration expertise, top-notch information security and leading technology innovation. The firm entered into a strategic alliance with Deloitte UK to create the world's first global immigration service delivery model. BAL and its leaders are highly ranked in every major legal publication, including Best Lawyers, Chambers, The Legal 500, and Who's Who Legal. For more information, please visit: https://www.balglobal.com/.

SOURCE Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP

Related Links

https://www.balglobal.com



"This has enhanced the number of options available to create value from the project, said Platina managing director Corey Nolan.

Munni Munni is one of Australias most significant PGE occurrences.

Platina Resources Limited ( ) (OTCMKTS:PTNUF) has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in proceedings against Artemis Resources Limited and its subsidiaries Karratha Metals Pty Ltd and Munni Munni Pty Ltd (MMPL).

These proceedings related to a proposed transaction for the Munni Munni Project in Western Australias Pilbara region that hosts a large palladium deposit with platinum, gold and rhodium credit.

Platinas managing director Corey Nolan said the judgement provided the parties with the opportunity to assess the optimal strategy to move the project forward.

Good metals to be in

He said, The Munni Munni Project near Karratha in Western Australia is host to one of Australias largest undeveloped palladium deposits with credits of platinum, gold and rhodium.

"The palladium and rhodium prices have climbed to record highs this year so, like gold, they are good metals to be in right now.

"This has enhanced the number of options available to create value from the project.

Court proceedings

Platina brought the proceedings as it considered that:

Artemis and MMPL were unable to proceed with contractual arrangements they had entered into with UK, AIM-listed company Empire Metals Limited as MMPL was not a party to a Heads of Agreement entered into between Platina, Karratha and Artemis dated August 4, 2015; and Each of Artemis, Karratha and MMPL had breached the terms of the Heads of Agreement by reason of the proposed transaction.

In a statement, Platina said: Platina is pleased to announce that the Court delivered its judgment in the Proceedings on February 23, 2021 and, whilst it was unable to find that there had been a breach of the Heads of Agreement, it accepted Platinas application for declaratory relief, declaring that:

MMPL is not a party to the Heads of Agreement, or the Joint Venture Agreement established by and under the Heads of Agreement; and The parties to the Joint Venture remain Platina and Karratha.

Additionally, the Court has ordered that Artemis, Karratha and MMPL pay 70 per cent of Platinas costs of the Proceedings from October 26, 2020, onwards.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Army General Staff demands the resignation of the government. Pasinyan dismisses some leaders. Two opposing demonstrations. Responsibilities for the defeat in Nagorno Karabakh. The Kremlin is worried.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Nikol Pasinyan is again under public scrutiny this time for speaking out against the military. Yesterday the Armenian Army General Staff demanded the head the resignation of the entire government, after the premier himself dismissed the first deputy chief of staff, General Tiran Khachatryan.

The latter had criticized Pasinyan, blaming him for the defeat in Karabakh on the military and on the use of Russian Iskander missiles. Forty senior army officials signed a letter against the premier for firing Khachatryan "for unfounded and short-sighted reasons". Pasinyan defined this move as "an attempted coup d'etat", and invited his supporters to take to the Republic Square, in front of the Yerevan government building, to protest against the military (photo 1).

After the letter from the generals was released, Pasinyan also fired the Army Chief of Staff, Onik Gasparyan (photo 2). The premier's statements on Russian missiles date back to February 23, when in an interview with 1in.am Pasinyan claimed that in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict last autumn "the Iskanders failed to explode, at most 10%", a sentence that aroused the protests of the military. According to Gasparyan, "the armed forces of Armenia have long endured discriminatory attacks on soldiers, but everything has a limit".

The Armenian National Security Service (SNB) has asked everyone to avoid provocations, riots and violence that endanger national security, otherwise "there will be a police response".

Representatives of the "Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland" also gathered in Piazza della Liberta, which gathers a dozen opposition parties and calls for the resignation of Pasinyan, to replace him with the former defence minister Vazken Manukyan (photo 3).

Opponents have expressed their solidarity with the army generals, accusing Pasinyan himself of wanting to push the country into civil war. The movement's statement states: "Pasinyan has the last chance to leave the scene politically, before a conflict erupts". Opponent groups have blocked several neighbourhoods of the Armenian capital, even invading the building of the Yerevan State University; 60 people were arrested by the police.

In the rally of his supporters, Pasinyan argued that the situation is under control, and that "inside the country there are no enemies, but there are issues that need to be clarified without giving in to emotional reactions", as reported by the Sputnik Armenia news agency. The premier assured that the armed forces "submit to the people and the premier", and will not allow anyone to plunge the country into an irreversible crisis. Responding to rumours that he wants to flee abroad, Pasinyan reiterated: "I have no intention of going anywhere, even my family stays here".

The evolution of the situation in Armenia worries the Kremlin. In a phone call between Pasinyan and Putin, the premier said he wanted to start consultations to resolve the situation through dialogue. According to the premier, the president of the republic Armen Sarkisyan is also fomenting the riots, having refused to sign the letters of resignation of the generals and in this way "joining the supporters of the coup". Pasinyan also refused to hold early elections, which "would be against the will of the people", but asked to stop the demonstrations and sit down with the opposition at the negotiating table.
WASHINGTON  California Sen. Alex Padilla unveiled his first piece of legislation since arriving in the Senate on Friday, a bill that would offer millions of immigrant essential workers and their families a path to citizenship.

Choosing the topic for his symbolic first bill is indicative of the Democrats efforts to make his presence felt immediately in Washington on matters of immigration, a contentious issue that has stymied lawmakers for decades.

In an interview, Padilla said his Citizenship for Essential Workers Act was an easy choice for his first piece of legislation as a senator on a personal and policy level. He noted his Mexican immigrant parents spent four decades working in the service industry  his father as a short-order cook and his mom cleaning houses. Padilla is the first Latino senator from California and one of only a handful in the Senate, and he has already used that position to voice concerns of the Latino community in Washington.

I think nothing speaks to the moment more than COVID response and fairness for essential workers, Padilla told The Chronicle. On a parallel track, we know that immigration reform is long overdue in the United States of America and there are no states that have more at stake in immigration reform than the state of California.

On its own, its virtually impossible the bill would become law. The legislation would apply to some legally present immigrants and undocumented immigrants alike, providing an immediate opportunity to start the naturalization process for an estimated 5 million or more people who work in more than a dozen essential industries, including health care, agriculture, service, child care and manufacturing.

Republicans have long opposed almost any legalization of even the most sympathetic cases of undocumented immigration unless it was paired with stringent measures to crack down on future illegal immigration.

But the legislation is emblematic of how Padilla hopes to shape the perpetual debate on immigration as it unfolds in coming months. Padilla has also been one of the lawmakers leading a more expansive immigration bill from President Biden, which includes measures like his essential workers bill. It would also would legalize other populations like Dreamers who came to the U.S. as children. Padilla said that legislation is still the ideal package and that he fully supports it, but his bill is a complement that highlights a specific area of the broader deal.

A standalone measure allows us to uplift specific elements of a comprehensive package as you continue to gain momentum and support, Padilla said.

Padilla is working with some powerful Democrats on the measure. His lead counterpart in the House is Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, who recently served a two-year term as the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Also on the bill is Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County).

In the Senate, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a popular progressive who ran for president in the last election, is a co-sponsor.

In a news conference introducing the bill, the lawmakers noted the potential economic advantages of legalizing the status of workers, which also opens the door to aggressive tactics to get it passed. Warren called for using a procedural trick that allows economic legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote instead of the usual 60-vote requirement to advance legislation, called reconciliation, saying it should be done right now. Such a move would delight progressives and immigration advocates who demand a win from the Biden administration on the issue, but could set up a political quagmire for leadership that also has to defend vulnerable moderate lawmakers in swing districts.

Democratic leadership has positioned Padilla to be a major player on immigration as he navigates his new job as well as a re-election campaign in two years. He is appointed to fill only the remaining term of his predecessor, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Padilla was named the chair of a subcommittee on the Senate Judiciary panel that oversees immigration policy, a significant nod for a first-term senator, which will allow him to shape almost any legislation that moves through the committee.

He said he asked for the position, and when it was granted, he changed the name of the committee from the Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety to potentially set a different tone than the cruelty of the Trump administration border and immigration policies of the last four years, he said.

Im here, Im ready to work, I know its urgent and Im just so thrilled that this chairmanship gives me a unique opportunity to help advance this policy as quickly as possible, Padilla said.

Castro told The Chronicle that he began working with Padilla on the issue even before the senator was sworn in, after he was named to replace Harris.

The pair have focused on the issue during the coronavirus pandemic as one of fairness  noting that Americans have had an outpouring of appreciation for the frontline health care, food industry, service industry and janitorial staff, among others, who have risked their lives to keep America running over the past year.

Alex Padilla is a strong partner in Senate, especially to build a fairer immigration system, Castro said. He not only brings subject matter expertise, but also reflects the lived experiences of millions of Americans. ... This effort has real potential to meaningfully improve peoples lives.

Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan

That Haley Arceneaux jumped at the chance to travel to outer space is no surprise. Shes already journeyed to five continents, ridden on camels, walked on glaciers and taken a high-flying bungee swing.

A spirit that adventurous requires courage. The 29-year-old developed hers early.

Arceneaux, whose upcoming SpaceX voyage aboard the Inspiration4 mission was announced last week, survived a rare bone cancer as a child. That experience did more than influence her choice to become a physician assistant at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee  the same hospital where she was treated.

I absolutely believe my journey with childhood cancer has formed me into who I am and my love for life, said Arceneaux, who grew up in Baton Rouge and St. Francisville. I feel like I have such a joy and a zest for life because my life was threatened at age 10, and not knowing exactly how things would turn out, and then the ups and downs of treatment.

Ever since then, every birthday has been so much more special. Whenever I travel, I feel so alive, and I love meeting different cultures, meeting different people. I really do think so much of it is because of the journey I had.

Her cancer journey began in 2002. Just five days after she earned a black belt in taekwondo, a lump appeared above her left knee.

The diagnosis: osteosarcoma, which appears in growth plates in long bones of mostly children and teens.

Her parents, Howard and Colleen Arceneaux, were devastated, and they sought treatment at St. Jude.

She was treated with chemotherapy, losing all her hair during the treatment, and doctors replaced her knee. They also removed part of her femur and installed a prosthetic device that allowed doctors, as she grew, to adjust the length of her leg without surgery. She was only the 12th child at St. Jude to receive the device.

Arceneaux returned to St. Jude often for follow-up care and was able to resume a normal life, though she had to give up taekwondo.

But not the memories.

Before her cancer diagnosis, her father took taekwondo classes alongside Hayley. To earn her brown belt, she had to break a piece of wood. Her dad wrote a message on a piece of the board she broke: Im more proud of you for conquering your fear than for achieving your brown belt.

Howard Arceneaux died of kidney cancer in 2018.

I keep that in my closet and I look at it every single day, and I think he would have been more proud of me for conquering the fear of going to space than actually for going to space, Arceneaux said. I think he saw me in such a beautiful light. Hes even more of the reason I have this desire to help cure cancer because cancer took his life, and cancer takes 20% of the lives of the kids that we treat. We still have a long way to go.

Arceneaux has known that for a long time. Years ago, she rode by the hospital at night with her mother, saw the lights on in the research lab and worried about St. Judes electric bill.

I said, When I grow up, Im going to raise money for St. Jude, Arceneaux said. She said, You dont have to wait until you grow up. You can start now. While I was in treatment, I started telling my story to anyone who would listen.

She became a spokeswoman for how St. Jude saved her life. Her consistent advocacy for the hospital continued until she eventually went to work there.

Her fervent support along with her job factored into her selection for Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian space flight that is the centerpiece of a $200 million fundraising campaign for St. Jude.

As part of the mission, Arceneaux will also become the first American civilian woman in space, the youngest American in space, the first person with an artificial joint and the first cancer survivor. Maybe even, she believes, the first Cajun.

Hayley radiates light and hope and has always been a big inspiration to anyone who meets her, including me, said Rick Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. Her resilience, love of science and lifelong commitment to helping others really makes her the perfect person to fill this seat.

Her selection delighted her brother, Hayden Arceneaux, who is an aerospace engineer in Huntsville, Alabama. He assured her that the space flight should be safe.

Her mother is both excited and apprehensive but said doesnt want her trepidation to discourage Hayley.

She gets how good this could be for St. Jude, Colleen Arceneaux said. Its not, like, Oh, I get to go to space! Its 'This is so great for St. Jude and also empowering survivors that you can do anything. You may be limited physically because of what your cancer was, but theres possibilities that you can grow up and do anything.'

I have to ease my fears thinking Howard is going to watch over her, her mom said.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea administered its first coronavirus vaccines Friday to people at long-term care facilities, launching a mass immunization campaign that authorities hope will restore some level of normalcy by the end of the year.

The rollout comes at a critical time for the country, which has seen its hard-won gains against the virus get wiped out by a winter surge and is struggling to mitigate the pandemics economic impact. Yet it also comes with controversy over the government's decision to delay inoculating people older than 65.

I felt very anxious over the past year, but I feel more secure now after receiving the vaccine, said Lee Gyeong-soon, a nursing home worker, who got her shot at a public health center in northern Seoul.

More than 5,260 residents and workers at 213 nursing homes, mental health facilities and rehab centers who are younger than 65 were to receive their first shots of the two-dose vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University on Friday.

An unspecified number of patients and workers at 292 long-term care hospitals and in the same age group will also get the vaccine, according to officials at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

By the end of March, authorities plan to complete injecting the first doses to some 344,000 residents and workers at long-term care settings, who will receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, and 55,000 frontline medical workers, who will receive shots developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Long-term care facilities, where elders or people with serious health problems often live in crowded settings, have endured the worst of South Koreas outbreak. About 35% of the countrys COVID-19 deaths by the end of 2020 were linked to these facilities, said Jaehun Jung, a professor of preventive medicine at the Gachon University College of Medicine in Incheon.

But theres criticism over the governments decision to delay the approval of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines for people over 65 until the developers provide more data on effectiveness for that age group. The government has yet to approve any vaccine for people older than 65, but officials have indicated the Pfizer shot could get approved first.

Story continues

Jung says the decision risks the safety of people who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 when the country will be chiefly dependent on locally produced Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines during the early part of its vaccination campaign.

Despite what the government sees as a lack of laboratory data on its efficacy in older adults, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is still showing real-world effectiveness in preventing serious illnesses and lowering death rates in the countries where it was used, experts say. People over 80 account for just 5% of the countrys coronavirus cases, but 56% of its virus-related deaths, Jung said.

The vaccinations began as South Korea reported another 406 new infections Friday, brining its total for the pandemic to 88,922, including 1,585 deaths.

Health Ministry official Son Young-rae said the start of the campaign was the historic first step toward restoring normalcy.

Son said to help create a safe environment for vaccinations the government is extending current measures on social distancing for at least another two weeks.

Using refrigerated trucks escorted by police and military vehicles, South Korea transported 1.57 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines across the country from Wednesday to Thursday. These shots were produced in the southern city of Andong, where local pharmaceutical company SK Bioscience manufactures the vaccines under a contract with AstraZeneca.

Separately, doctors, nurses and other health professionals treating COVID-19 patients will begin receiving Pfizer shots from Saturday. On Friday, 117,000 doses of that vaccine, which South Korea obtained through the WHO-backed COVAX program, arrived in the country.

South Korea plans to secure enough doses to vaccinate 79 million people this year, well over its population of 51 million, through bilateral negotiations with pharmaceutical companies and COVAX, which was established to promote global access to vaccines.

While there has been disappointment the shots havent come sooner, officials have insisted South Korea could afford a wait-and-see approach as its outbreak isnt as dire as in the United States or Europe.

Officials aim to vaccinate more than 70% of the population by November, which they hope would meaningfully slow the virus and reduce risks of economic and social activity.

However, experts say a safe return to life without masks would be highly unlikely this year, considering the need to monitor the vaccines real-world effectiveness and the growing spread of virus variants that are feared to be more contagious.

Even if we achieve the government target by November, we probably wont be able to (immediately) go back to the pre-COVID-19 days, said Choi Won Suk, an infectious disease professor at the Korea University Ansan Hospital, west of Seoul.

But if we maintain a certain level of social distancing and mask wearing as the vaccinations proceed, there will be a point where we would no longer be seriously worrying about a massive wave of the virus, allowing for a certain level of social and economic activity, he said.
On Feb. 1, a military coup in Myanmar (also known as Burma) seized control of the government in blatant disregard of a free and fair election that voted overwhelmingly in favor of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyis nascent democratic government.

It is time for the United States to reassert itself as a global leader in championing the values of human rights, civil rights and democracy. The days for coddling dictators have passed.

Americans should care about what is taking place in Myanmar because we have played an important role in cultivating the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people. In Yangon, the American Center  an outreach arm of the U.S. Embassy  hosts public programs that teach about democracy.

In Mandalay, similar events have been offered at the Jefferson Center to inspire reformers. In Naypyidaw, the capital, visiting scholars, such as myself, have worked with pro-democracy organizations to teach members of parliament about the rule of law, free trade and open courts.

Myanmar needs special assistance. Roughly 50 years of military rule from 1962 to 2011  not only destroyed the country economically, but educationally. For many years, schools and universities remained closed. That educational deficit  coupled with a lack of job opportunities and international isolation  led to a gap in human capital. Much of the talent that a democracy needs is missing.

According to the Carter Centers office in Yangon, democracy in Myanmar continues to be undermined by serious deficiencies in the legal framework, including the reserved seats (in parliament) for military appointees. Even before the recent coup, 25 percent of the seats in parliament were filled by the military, who acted and voted as a block.

The brave, young pro-democracy reformers in Myanmar who are now protesting the coup are at a distinct disadvantage. They lack the guidance and example of an elder generation that developed in a world of honest and effective government institutions, robust debate about public issues and self-determination.

The students and young faculty members who I taught three years ago as a Fulbright scholar in Myanmar are now on the front lines of the protest movement opposing the recent coup. They know that they prefer democracy to dictatorship and international cooperation to isolation. But they cannot be expected to successfully battle with a well-armed military absent the support of foreign friends.

President Joe Biden is right in calling the coup a direct assault on Burmas transition to democracy and the rule of law. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens statement that her department stands with the people of Burma ... to help them in their effort to secure freedom and democracy is reassuring.

The Biden administration has made strides in imposing economic sanctions on key military leaders and related corporate subsidiaries. It also wisely redirected more than $40 million of assistance to works that will support civil society institutions.

America remains morally obligated to use diplomacy and international financial tools to cripple Myanmars illegitimate military regime and assist that country in returning to the path of prosperity and democratic development.

Vincent R. Johnson is the South Texas Distinguished Professor of Law at St. Marys University.
As Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo confronts one of the most seemingly perilous moments in his decade as governor, private conversations are beginning to unfold about what it would take to mount a viable challenge against him next year, and who might be best positioned to take him on.

The New York City public advocate, Jumaane D. Williams, has had conversations with allies in recent weeks about the possibility of seeking higher office. Party insiders hang on every public utterance of the New York attorney general, Letitia James, searching for signs of her future ambitions.

Progressive activists and operatives are trading a flurry of texts, calls and tweets, glued to each fresh controversy unfolding around the governor, and speculating about what the political landscape would look like if he ultimately does not seek a fourth term in 2022. He and his team have said that he intends to run.

Those discussions are in their earliest stages, and in some cases are rooted more in hopes than current realities. But they illustrate a growing sense of uncertainty around Mr. Cuomo, marking a striking turnaround from last year, when some Democrats dreamed of putting him on the presidential ticket.
A father-of-five who raped his partner's six-month old baby niece and subjected her to a violent and degrading sexual assault has been jailed for 16 years.

The 59-year-old Tipperary man recorded himself abusing the baby and also secretly recorded four other girls when they used the bathroom.

Sentencing the man today, Mr Justice Alexander Owens said the man's offending involved acting out violent fantasies of having sex with very young children which was highly exploitative.

The offending took place over the course of seven months up to August 2019. The man cannot be named in order to protect the identities of the victims.

The judge said that while it was open to him to impose a life sentence on the man, he considered a very long custodial sentence would be more proportionate.

He handed down a sentence of 18 years but suspended the final two years on a number of conditions.

He also ordered the man to undergo six years of post-release supervision, which the judge said was necessary for the protection of the public.

In relation to the abuse of the baby, the judge said the man subjected her to a violent and degrading sexual assault which caused her great distress at the time.

He said the assault was violent and brutal.

In relation to the older children, the judge said the children had looked up to the man and he had engaged in a serious breach of trust. He noted that all of the man's victims may be told about the abuse in the future and suffer psychologically as a result.

A local detective previously told Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, that an anonymous envelope was delivered to a garda station on August 14, 2019, which contained an SD or memory card and a handwritten note.

The handwritten note outlined that the memory card contained a clip of an infant being sexually abused by the accused man and asked gardai to arrest "this monster".

The detective testified that an examination of the memory card revealed 20 video clips, each lasting three minutes, of female adults and female children using a toilet in a bathroom in the accused's home.

The Central Criminal Court heard that four of the video files showed four girls individually using the toilet with their genitals were exposed. The defendant could be seen coming into the bathroom and fixing the position of the camera in the majority of the clips.

The court heard that the accused man was in a relationship with a woman since 2012 and the couple would mind her nieces from time to time in the defendant's flat.

The woman told gardai that she would occasionally leave the man alone with the young children if she was going to the shops and said she was unaware of events that had taken place.

She said the accused had a "pattern" of checking whether the toilet was clean before the children used it.

The witness said that three explicit video files had shown the defendant masturbating on the six-month-old infant as she lay in her pram, while another video showed him placing the baby's hands on his genital area and performing oral sex on her.

The baby could be heard screaming, making choking noises and crying "intensely" in the videos, the detective said.

The man pleaded guilty last year to two counts of oral rape, one count of attempted oral rape and five counts of sexual assault of the then six-month-old baby.

He also pleaded guilty to five counts of production of child pornography of the baby and the four older children.

He further pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of child pornography at his home in the midlands on dates from February to August 2019.

In an emotional victim impact statement, one mother said she was introduced to the accused man seven years ago and welcomed him into their family home.

She said she could not believe that the man had done "such horrific things" to her daughters and was grateful that they are young enough to move on with their lives.

She said she no longer leaves her children with anyone and knows that she will have to explain to them what happened some day. "He is a monster and is where he should be today," she said.

Another mother told the court in her statement that she had trusted the accused and thought he had her children's best interests at heart. "In my worst nightmare I could never have imagined it. I find now that when I need to use the bathroom I'm scanning it to make sure me or the children are not being recorded," she said.

Colman Cody SC, defending, said that the level of criminality was impossible to comprehend and the aggravating factors included the disparity in ages between his client and the victims as well as the breach of trust.

"There was a degree of planning employed by him and the recording of these incidences provided him with a source of gratification," he said.

Counsel said it was quite obvious that the victims do not have any knowledge of what had happened and the harm caused seemed to be "at a minimum, or relatively non-existent".

In mitigation, Mr Cody said his client became addicted to cocaine and it had become a destabilising factor in his life. He said his client accepted that he would receive a serious custodial sentence for the offences.

Mr Justice Owens said he did not accept that the man's drug-taking was a mitigating factor. He said the man's general character was indifferent and he appeared to have little insight or understanding of the impact of his crimes on his victims.

He imposed a number of post-release conditions on the man, including that he complete all available sex offender treatment programmes and not have any children under the age of 18 in his care.
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West Australians are making tens of thousands of dollars renting out old campervans and caravans sitting idle in their backyards to locals holidaying at home.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been a curse for most small businesses, border closures and uncertainty around travel have seen the caravan trade soar to new heights in the past year.

Warren Barnes and Natalie Carter with son Deegan and daughter Kiki. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola

Natalie Carter and her partner Warren Barnes have earned more than $14,000 renting out their five-person camper trailer to West Australians holidaying at home since December 2019.

Business is booming so much the couple is now planning to buy and another camper to rent out to help pay off the mortgage on their new home in Yanchep.
President Joe Biden delivered an uplifting speech outside the mass vaccination site at NRG Park late Friday afternoon.

The site is a federal initiative to get 100 million people vaccinated in 100 days, an initiative Biden announced at the beginning of his presidency. The site vaccinates thousands of people each day.

HARSH WORDS: Al Green says Equality Act foes 'used God' to discriminate

"Theres so much we can do," Biden said. "As you see the broken hearts of the families who have been left behind, theres nothing partisan about this virus."

He also talked about the reliability of the vaccines, acknowledging that some often overlooked communities are rightfully skeptical of the shot.

He urged that the vaccine was "safe and effective."

"There are plenty of things we can work on together, and one of them is seen here today: To speed up vaccinations," Biden said. "... I know we can do this. Why? Because I know America can do great things when we do them together."

The presidential day trip comes after a major winter storm ravaged the state. Biden saw storm damage and toured the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.

He did so alongside Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. John Cornyn, both partisan foes.

"Were not here today as Democrats or Republicans," Biden said. "When a crisis hits our states, its not a Republican or Democrat whos hurting."

Biden pledged continued federal support for Texans still reeling from the storm.

CARO, MI  A Bay City man who shot another man in his head during an Independence Day get-together has been cleared of wrongdoing by a Tuscola County jury.

The six-day trial of Trevor J. Payne ended Thursday, Feb. 26, with jurors finding the defendant not guilty of all 12 counts he faced: assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, plus three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and six counts of felony firearm.

The three-man, nine-woman jury deliberated for about five and a half hours before delivering its verdicts.

The prosecution alleged Payne on the night July 4, 2019, attended a gathering at the Vassar Township home of Trevor A. Betzing, who was then married to Paynes boss. Payne attended the gathering with his boss two daughters and another young man.

At some point, a dispute erupted between Betzing and his wife, a dispute that turned physical. Payne then fired a .20-gauge shotgun pistol at Betzing, the blast striking him in his head, prosecutors said. The resulting injury caused Betzing to lose his right ear and suffer significant damage to his equilibrium, he previously testified.

Responding police arrested Payne at the scene. He spent his 21st birthday of July 5 in jail but was bonded out shortly thereafter and has remained free ever since.

Defense attorney Matthew L. Reyes argued Payne was justified in using deadly force as he was defending Betzings wife.

This whole case was spun as something that it wasnt, Reyes said. My client was protecting this woman from an abusive husband. All of the people who were immediately there  all said (Betzing) was in a total rage. His hands were around her throat. They all thought he was going to kill her.

Reyes said a sample of Betzings blood taken when he was hospitalized after the shooting indicated his blood-alcohol level was 0.237. In Michigan, a person is legally intoxicated when their blood alcohol level hits 0.08.

Payne did not testify in the trial, but jurors viewed video footage of Paynes two-plus hour interview with detectives, Reyes said.

Were very happy with the outcome, Reyes said. We appreciate that the jurors took the time to review all of the information. They came to the proper and just verdict. This is a case, in our opinion, where Mr. Payne is standing up against this abusive man. This is classic domestic violence. Were glad the citizens of Tuscola County arent going to stand for it.

Mr. Payne is certainly pleased, as well as his family, he said.

Reyes added Betzing is now divorced from his then-wife. Betzing was not charged with a crime related to any assault on his wife.

Read more:

Trial begins for Bay City man accused of shooting man in head

Man shot in head during July 4th gathering testifies against Bay City man

Bay City man was defending woman when he shot another man, attorney claims
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Best Accounting Certificate Degree Program for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 191 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 191 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each university.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Accounting Certificate Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-accounting-certificate-degree-program/

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Advanced College

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Alamance Community College

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Auburn University

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California State University, San Bernardino

Capella University

Casper College

Central Carolina Community College

Central New Mexico

Champlain College

Coastal Pines Technical College

Colorado Christian University

Colorado State University

Community Care College

Craven Community College

Diablo Valley College

Florida State College, Jacksonville

Foothill College

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Gaston College

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Golden Gate University

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Indiana University Northwest

Ivy Tech Community College

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California School Board VP Compares School Reopening to Slavery, White Supremacism

A school board member in California this week said reopening proponents seem to have a mindsight similar to a white supremacist ideology and compared the prospect to slavery.

Charda Bell-Fontenot, vice president of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board, railed on Tuesday against parents who want children to return to classrooms after nearly a year.

Without any teachers, we dont have the ability to teach the students, so thats where we have to start. We cant just say that kids can go back into the classrooms and theres no vaccinated teachers there willing to do that, she said, telling fellow board members she was struggling with understanding their arguments.

So how are we forcing people? That seems like a very white supremacist ideology to force people to comply with and conform, without thinking about all of their intersecting factors and barriers that exist for all families, she said. Were thinking about one type of family when youre speaking right now. Just letting you know, privilege. Check it you guys. Okay.

Another member attempted to speak, but Bell-Fontenot continued, saying: Youre forcing people to do things they dont want to do. Okay, thats where Im at. So, I dont want to be a part of forcing anybody to do anything they dont want to do. Thats what slavery is. Im not gonna be a part of it.

Another member said that teachers do want to return to classrooms, but only if they receive a vaccine against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

So why are we having this discussion about them not being vaccinated and going back into the classroom when they want to be vaccinated? Bell-Fontenot said.

Also during the meeting, a member noted that results of a survey showing that 70 to 80 percent of parents support reopening schools, prompting Bell-Fontenot to say: Who are the 70-80 percent and where are they?  Which school site? Which language group?

The board ultimately voted in favor of reopening classrooms for in-person learning on April 19.

Bell-Fontenot and Board President Rebecca McRae didnt return inquiries.

David Feliciano, superintendent of the La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools, told parents in a statement after the meeting that the board voted to reopen classrooms.

He also said Bell-Fontenot behaved in a manner the Board does not condone, nor did her behavior represent our values and our commitments to our students, community, and to each other.

Members of the board are elected officials and the district cannot release them, he added.

While we were also disappointed and offended by Trustee Fontenots behavior, we were saddened to learn that she has received hateful, racist, and threatening communications as a result. The district will continue to forward all hate mail and threatening communications to law enforcement, he said.

We want to make it very clear that La Mesa-Spring Valley does not condone any behavior that disparages or bullies anyone. We strongly condemn behavior that is racist, discriminatory or threatens violence of any kind. We must embody our commitment to value and love our students, and our neighbors. In fact, last June, the Board of Trustees released the following equity statement to reaffirm our stand against discrimination and racism in all forms, most especially in our schools.

After a similar incident last week, an entire school board stepped down.
Axis of Evil: China and Allies Russia, Iran, North Korea Pose Threat to America, Says Gordon Chang

China analyst Gordon Chang has said that Beijing and its axis of evilRussia, Iran, and North Koreapose the biggest threat to America. Hes concerned that U.S. President Joe Biden is reversing Trump-era safeguards against it.

Speaking to The Epoch Times American Thought Leaders at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Chang said that despite the issues that divide them, Russia and China had developed an enduring partnership, and both view America as an adversary.

Chang added, Neither Iran nor North Korea could develop nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and engage in all sorts of dangerous activities, were it not for the backing that China gives them.

He noted that Beijing and Tehran had recently announced a 25-year strategic partnership worth $400 billion, which he believes has the potential to be dangerous.

This means that Iran is able to fund its terrorist paws like Hezbollah and Hamas, he said. Its able to work in Lebanon in ways that destabilize that society because China gives it backing.

On the relationship between Russia and China, Chang said the two nations were historically adversaries, trading territory and fighting wars, but are now united in a common view against America.

But really, what we have right now, is Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping look at the world in the same way, he said. They view their interests in the same way, and they identify the same adversary, which is us.

Chang expressed concern about Americas China policies under President Joe Biden but noted that all new U.S. administrations take some time to figure out their approach to China.

He expects something more concrete will emerge by April.

Biden Reverses Trump-Era Executive Orders

In the meantime, Biden has reversed a number of Trump-era executive orders, including one he repealed just hours after taking the oath of office that provided protection from Beijing.

Most notably, there was Trumps May 1, 2020, executive order, which prohibited [power] grid operators in the U.S. from buying equipment from China, and that prevented China from selling sabotaged equipment, Chang said.

He noted that Biden threw out the order saying his administration would be reviewing its China policy. But Chang believes this protection could have been left in place until a new strategy emerged.

I cant see any reason why he would allow the Chinese to sabotage the American grid, Chang said. Especially when we saw what happened in Texas right now. What happens when a grid is not resilient?

Biden has also changed a portion of an amended executive order that prevented Americans from investing in companies linked to communist Chinas military.

Under Chinese law, private companies must share data with the ruling Communist Party, which experts have said creates a national security risk when foreign firms do business with Chinese companies.

China has this doctrine of military-civil fusion, which means that every Chinese company can be raided for its technology if the Peoples Liberation Army wants it. So that means every Chinese company is military-linked in one way or another, Chang said.

Chang explained that this meant China should be viewed differently from the rest of the liberal democratic world because China is as a completely unified state entity.

We need to adjust our thinking to understand how China operates. Because if we dont understand how China operates, were not going to be able to do anything about it, he said.

Watch Full Interview

Gordon Chang: Will Biden Allow Investment in Companies Tied to Chinas Military?
PHILIPSBURG:--- As of February 25th, there was one (1) person who tested positive for COVID-19; however, five (5) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to thirty-six (36). The total number of confirmed cases is now two thousand and fifty-one (2051).

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring thirty-five (35) people in home isolation. One (1) patient remains hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at twenty-seven (27).

The number of people recovered since the first case surfaced on St. Maarten has increased to one thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight (1988). Ninety-five (95) people are in quarantine based on contact tracing investigations carried out by CPS.



The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) Airport Health Team in collaboration with Health Care Laboratory Sint Maarten (HCLS) have tested 2503 travelers arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), while CPS tested 19, 228 people throughout the community. As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures.

Minister Panneflek advises everyone to make their health a priority, wear a mask, practice 2-meters social distancing, sanitize and wash your hands frequently and be cautious of large gatherings.
The annual CPAC conference is being held this weekend in Orlando, Florida.

This year looks different with the vacuum created by the November election and the fallout that ensued. It seems likely that conservatives will throw handfuls of test messages at the wall to see what sticks. It's fodder for legacy media outlets as they fire up their pre-conference spin to undermine any momentum the conference may generate.

Last Sunday, CNN focused on former vice president Mike Pence declining to attend the conference. On Tuesday, CNN followed that up with a report claiming that Pence spoke highly of President Trump and their close relationship. The two articles, written a mere forty-eight hours apart, offer contrasting narratives. That network, true to form, is grasping for any stories to stick in the era of post-Trump news cycles.

For the record, Pence's latest statement reeks of an overt attempt to be welcomed back into the fold. The timing of his announcement just days before the CPAC conference screams of waning relevance. Perhaps the vice president is following mainstream media outlets' model to try as many messages as it takes to gain clicks, likes, or viewers.

Throwing too many ideas at the wall is a page right out of the leftist playbook. Conservatives are logical thinkers. They see through this and will continue to splinter into factions because the spaghetti won't stick.

One story expected to dominate the conference is the passing of icon Rush Limbaugh.

Rush deserves all the recognition he will receive. It's not unreasonable to presume that every speaker will offer words of thanks for the legacy Limbaugh left. On its face, it's what speakers do when reflecting on the passing of an irreplaceable public figure. At the same time, it will be used by MAGA-supporters and Establishment types alike. In that way, both camps in the Republican Party will use the man's effigy to further their attempted takeover of the party.

Setting aside the one unifying theme CPAC will provide, a review of the conference agenda shows expected talking points for traditional values. While this is standard fare for conservative positions and policies, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding the conference. It stems from a lack of focused messaging and no singular leader to rally around. Sure, former president Trump is the de facto leader of the MAGA movement, though he sits in social media exile. There are up-and-coming personalities, like Florida governor Ron DeSantis, and a handful of House or Senate members offering public addresses on various topics covering the panacea of individual rights to the dismantling policies promulgated by the left. The wide range of issues shrieks focus-group polling for conservatives to hit the ground running as the GOP looks to take back control of Congress in 2022 and the White House in 2024.

President Trump will deliver the final address on Sunday. It's either a show of solidarity between both halves of the Republican Party or an olive branch to angered MAGA-supporters still stinging from the surreal events that began sometime in the middle of the night on November 3 and are still unfolding. It will probably be the most watched segment of the conference.

Will Trump's words carry the conference or be drowned out by the mixed messaging?

Breakout sessions and panels include themes around tolerance, angry mobs, election integrity, Big Tech, and socialism at our doorstep. Other subjects will be covered, too. Yes, each of these issues is near to conservative hearts. Still, the smorgasbord of topics appears to be nothing more than a focus-group rebranding of the national platform for the Republican Party.

It's remarkable to have national conferences where the brightest and most influential voices build consensus on issues affecting all Americans. It seems unlikely that so many topics will deliver on the desired unity the GOP seeks. The smarter play offers three or four themes that speak to conservative values, offering easy consumption and targeted messaging going into the election cycle of 2022.

Conservatives don't need a cafeteria of ideas to choose from. It's best to prepare a more straightforward meal that will leave everyone wanting more. A well cooked dish of spaghetti is hard to beat.

Image: CPAC.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 19:42:29|Editor: huaxia

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A truck carrying COVID-19 vaccines made in the Chinese mainland arrives at the Zhuhai-Macao Cross-Border Industrial Zone on Feb. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China has sufficient refrigerated trucks and cold boxes to meet the transportation needs associated with COVID-19 vaccines, an official said on Friday.

China's domestic COVID-19 vaccines are usually transported in refrigerated trucks and cold boxes at temperatures from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, Sun Wenjian, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Transport, told a press conference.

According to preliminary surveys, the country has over 10,000 refrigerated trucks and nearly 300,000 cold boxes, which can meet the transportation demands of the process of vaccine production, supply and inoculation, Sun said.

Vehicles transporting COVID-19 vaccines will be exempted from tolls, according to a circular recently released by the ministry.

Toll stations with favorable conditions will set up special passages to give priority to vehicles carrying vaccines, the circular said. 
India notifies guidelines and code of ethics for social media

Government of India on Thursday notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, to address growing concerns stemming from the lack of transparency, accountability and the rights of users related to digital media.

The rules, finalised after elaborate consultations with the public and stakeholders as well as the ministries of electronics and information technology and information and broadcasting, are intended to bring about a harmonious, soft-touch oversight mechanism in relation to social media platform as well as digital media and OTT platforms etc.

While social media platform can certainly be used for asking questions and criticise and these platforms are welcome to do business in India, they need to follow the Constitution and laws of India, an official release stated.

While social media platforms have empowered ordinary users, they suffer from a lack of accountability over its misuse and abuse. The new rules, embodying a mechanism for redressal and timely resolution of grievances, will empower ordinary users of social media, the release added.

Rules for digital media and OTT focus more on in-house and self-regulation mechanism whereby a robust grievance redressal mechanism can be provided while upholding journalistic and creative freedom.

The proposed framework is progressive, liberal and contemporaneous. It seeks to address peoples varied concerns while removing any misapprehension about curbing creativity and freedom of speech and expression.

The guidelines have been framed keeping in mind the difference between viewership in a theatre and television as compared to to watching it on internet.

The rules will be administered by the ministries of electronics and information technology and the ministry of information and broadcasting

Part- II of these rules will be administered by the ministry of electronics and IT, while Part-III relating to Code of Ethics and procedure and safeguards in relation to digital media will be administered by the ministry of information and broadcasting.

Guidelines related to social media to be administered by the ministry of electronics and IT prescribes due diligence that must be followed by intermediaries, including social media intermediaries. In case, due diligence is not followed by the intermediary, safe harbour provisions will not apply to them.

The rules seek to empower the users by mandating the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to establish a grievance redressal mechanism for receiving resolving complaints from the users or victims. Intermediaries shall appoint a Grievance Officer to deal with such complaints and share the name and contact details of such officer. Grievance officer shall acknowledge the complaint within 24 hours and resolve it within 15 days from its receipt.

Intermediaries shall remove or disable access within 24 hours of receipt of complaints of contents that exposes the private areas of individuals, show such individuals in full or partial nudity or in sexual act or is in the nature of impersonation, including morphed images etc. Such a complaint can be filed either by the individual or by any other person on his/her behalf.

To encourage innovations and enable growth of new social media intermediaries without subjecting smaller platforms to significant compliance requirement, the rules make a distinction between social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries. This distinction is based on the number of users on the social media platform. Government is empowered to notify the threshold of user base that will distinguish between social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries. The rules require the significant social media intermediaries to follow certain additional due diligence.

A significant social media intermediary must:

Appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules. Such a person should be a resident in India;

Appoint a Nodal Contact Person for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies. Such a person shall be a resident in India;

Appoint a Resident Grievance Officer who shall perform the functions mentioned under Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Such a person shall be a resident in India;

Publish a monthly compliance report mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken on the complaints as well as details of contents removed proactively by the significant social media intermediary;

Significant social media intermediaries providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable identification of the first originator of the information that is required only for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years. Intermediary shall not be required to disclose the contents of any message or any other information to the first originator.

Significant social media intermediary shall have a physical contact address in India published on its website or mobile app or both.

Users who wish to verify their accounts voluntarily shall be provided an appropriate mechanism to verify their accounts and provided with demonstrable and visible mark of verification.

In cases where significant social media intermediaries removes or disables access to any information on their own accord, then a prior intimation for the same shall be communicated to the user who has shared that information with a notice explaining the grounds and reasons for such action. Users must be provided an adequate and reasonable opportunity to dispute the action taken by the intermediary.

An intermediary upon receiving actual knowledge in the form of an order by a court or being notified by the appropriate government or its agencies through authorised officer should not host or publish any information which is prohibited under any law in relation to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign countries etc.

The rules will come in effect from the date of their publication in the gazette, except for the additional due diligence for significant social media intermediaries, which shall come into effect 3 months after publication of these rules.

Digital Media Ethics Code

Notified under section 87 of Information Technology Act, these Rules empower the ministry of information and broadcasting to implement Part-III of the Rules which prescribe the following:

Code of Ethics for online news, OTT platforms and digital media prescribes the guidelines to be followed by OTT platforms and online news and digital media entities;

Self-Classification of Content, The OTT platforms, called as the publishers of online curated content in the rules, would self-classify the content into five age-based categories - U (Universal), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult). Platforms would be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher, and reliable age verification mechanisms for content classified as A. The publisher of online curated content shall prominently display the classification rating specific to each content or programme together with a content descriptor informing the user about the nature of the content, and advising on viewer description (if applicable) at the beginning of every programme enabling the user to make an informed decision, prior to watching the programme.

Publishers of news on digital media would be required to observe norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, thereby providing a level playing field between the offline (Print, TV) and digital media.

A three-level grievance redressal mechanism has been established under the rules with different levels of self-regulation.

Level -1: Self-regulation by the publisher: Publisher shall appoint a Grievance Redressal Officer based in India who shall be responsible for the redressal of grievances received by it. The officer shall take decision on every grievance received by it within 15 days.

Level-2: Self-Regulatory Body: There may be one or more self-regulatory bodies of publishers. Such a body shall be headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, a High Court or independent eminent person and have not more than six members. Such a body will have to register with the ministry of information and broadcasting. This body will oversee the adherence by the publisher to the Code of Ethics and address grievances that have not be been resolved by the publisher within 15 days.

Level-3: Oversight Mechanism: Ministry of information and broadcasting shall formulate an oversight mechanism. It shall publish a charter for self-regulating bodies, including Codes of Practices. It shall establish an Inter-Departmental Committee for hearing grievances.

The extensive spread of mobile phones, internet etc has enabled many social media platforms to expand their footprints in India. Common people are also using these platforms in a very significant way. Some portals have reported the following numbers as user base of major social media platforms in India:

WhatsApp users: 53 million

YouTube users: 448 million

Facebook users: 418 million

Instagram users: 210 million

Twitter users: 1.75 million

These social platforms have enabled common Indians to show their creativity, ask questions, be informed and freely share their views, including criticism of the government and its functionaries. The government acknowledges and respects the right of every Indian to criticise and disagree as an essential element of democracy. India is the worlds largest open internet society and the government welcomes social media companies to operate in India, do business and also earn profits. However, they will have to be accountable to the Constitution and laws of India, says the release.

While the proliferation of social media, on one hand empowers the common man, on the other hand it gives rise to some serious concerns and consequences which have grown manifold in recent years. These concerns have been raised from time to time in various forums, including Parliament and its committees, judicial orders and in civil society deliberations in different parts of country. Such concerns are also raised all over the world and it is becoming an international issue.

Of late, some very disturbing developments are observed on the social media platforms. Persistent spread of fake news has compelled many media platforms to create fact-check mechanisms. Rampant abuse of social media to share morphed images of women and contents related to revenge porn have often threatened the dignity of women. Misuse of social media for settling corporate rivalries in blatantly unethical manner has become a major concern for businesses. Instances of use of abusive language, defamatory and obscene contents and blatant disrespect to religious sentiments through platforms are growing.

Over the years, the increasing instances of misuse of social media by criminals, anti-national elements have brought new challenges for law enforcement agencies. These include inducement for recruitment of terrorists, circulation of obscene content, spread of disharmony, financial frauds, incitement of violence, public order etc.

It was found that currently there is no robust complaint mechanism wherein the ordinary users of social media and OTT platforms can register their complaint and get it redressed within defined timeline. Lack of transparency and absence of robust grievance redressal mechanism have left the users totally dependent on the whims and fancies of social media platforms. Often it has been seen that a user who has spent his time, energy and money in developing a social media profile is left with no remedies in case that profile is restricted or removed by the platform without giving any opportunity to be heard.

Social media and other such intermediaries have evolved over time and are no longer limited to playing the role of pure intermediary and often they become publishers. These rules are a fine blend of liberal touch with gentle self-regulatory framework. It works on the existing laws and statues of the country which are applicable to content whether online or offline. In respect of news and current affairs publishers are expected to follow the journalistic conduct of Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Network Act, which are already applicable to print and TV. Hence, only a level playing field has been proposed.

The new rules and guidelines are intended to empower the ordinary users of digital platforms to seek redressal for their grievances and command accountability in case of infringement of their rights.

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions

A truck leaves leaves new checking facilities for goods arriving into Belfast Port from Great Britain (Niall Carson/PA)

There have been calls for an urgent Executive meeting on Friday night after DUP Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons ordered his officials to halt construction of permanent inspection facilities for post-Brexit checks.

Mr Lyons ordered a stop to the construction of inspection posts for checks on agri-food goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Ongoing Irish Sea trade checks, which are taking place at existing repurposed port buildings and other temporary facilities, will continue.

Mr Lyons's decision relates to ongoing work on new purpose-built inspection facilities at ports like Belfast and Larne.

He has also stopped further recruitment of inspection staff for the port facilities and ordered an end to charges levied at the ports on traders bringing goods from GB into Northern Ireland.

Three Executive ministers have formally requested an emergency Stormont executive meeting on Friday night in response to Mr Lyons's move.

Sinn Fein Finance Minster Conor Murphy, SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon and Justice Minister Naomi Long have penned the joint letter to executive colleagues requesting the urgent meeting.

The letter, seen by the PA news agency, states: "This controversial and cross cutting matter requires the Executive to meet as a matter of urgency."

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill noted Mr Lyons's predecessor and DUP colleague Edwin Poots had also attempted to halt construction last year but stepped back from that position due to the legal obligations attached to the Withdrawal Agreement.

She said on this occasion "his Permanent Secretary took forward the Executive's responsibilities".

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"The protocol is a consequence of Brexit. The DUP championed Brexit and must own the consequences. Business and society need certainty, not stunts," Ms O'Neill said.

Mrs Mallon accused the DUP minister of "using political office for divisive stunts" and said the decision could not be taken without Executive agreement.

A UK Government spokesman said it was "a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive" and "we remain in close contact with them".

Mr Lyons told the PA news agency: "I've just let executive colleagues know that today I instructed my department to halt work on a range of issues relating to work at the ports.

"This is in and around a number of areas, first of all further infrastructure, any further infrastructure builds; the additional recruitment of staff; and also the charging at the ports."

The decisions come amid the ongoing controversy over disruption caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol, which governs Irish Sea trade post-Brexit.

Unionists are angry at the protocol's requirement for checks on many goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

They claim it has driven an economic wedge between the region and Great Britain, and has undermined the Union as a result.

Mr Lyons said his move was in response to the "practical difficulties" caused by the Protocol.

He cited uncertainty over the movement of goods when grace periods currently limiting protocol bureaucracy end at the start of April.

He said: "We don't know what the movement of retail goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland is going to look like, we don't have the support in place through the digital assistance scheme yet either, and all of the SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) issues around the end of the grace period are just so uncertain and it's real nightmare for us and it's going to be causing us an awful lot of problems."

Mr Lyons said his officials have been warning him that the port control posts are unlikely to cope when the grace period exempting retail agri-food goods from EU export health certification ends on March 31.

He said supply chains into Northern Ireland were also unlikely to be able to hold up when the regulatory red tape increases in April.

"The risk to Northern food supply in those circumstances will remain high so there's a lot of practical difficulties with all of this and that's causing us a huge amount of uncertainty," he said.

The minister told PA there was need for the UK and EU to find "permanent solutions" to the issues caused by the protocol.

"It's a real concern to us heading towards the end of the grace period, so we need that certainty from the EU and the UK," he said.

The Agriculture Minister said the UK's Internal Market Act had compelled him to act with special regard to Northern Ireland's place within the UK's internal market.

Asked about his obligation to fulfil the UK's responsibilities under the Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Lyons insisted he was acting in a "reasonable and proportionate" manner in response to the uncertainty around the protocol.

He highlighted that the UK Government had acknowledged there were problems with the trading arrangements.

"I think this is a reasonable and proportionate step to take," he said.

Mr Lyons said the NI Protocol needed to go.

"My own point of view is I think the Protocol needs to be scrapped, it is not working," he said.

"The evidence we have so far shows it's not working and it's only going to get worse at the end of the grace period."
The Peruvian committee investigating the use of the COVID-19 vaccine outside the clinical trial confirmed on Thursday that 470 people who were not part of the trial received the Sinopharm vaccine candidate doses ahead the official rollout.

Peru's Health Minister Oscar Ugarte received the investigation commission's report on the vaccination irregularities scandal, known as "Vacunagate".

Fernando Carbone, head of the commission appointed by the cabinet to investigate the irregular vaccinations, said that 369 people from the clinical trial teams conducting the research were inoculated, and 101 went to Ministry of Health and Foreign Ministry staff, people close to both sectors, and others not related to either ministry.

Summarising the commission's findings, Ugarte said 3,200 vaccines were delivered that weren't part of the research process, 1,200 went to the Chinese embassy.

According to Ugarte, 803 of those vaccines are immobilised at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia research centre, 58 are at the research centre of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and 235 were assigned to clinical trial volunteers who received the placebo.

The 470 people who were not part of the trial were also vaccinated with these vaccines.

The crisis began when one of the clinical trial researchers at the Cayetano Heredia University claimed that former president Martin Vizcarra had been vaccinated ahead of other priority groups.

The report's final recommendations suggest removing the officials who were improperly vaccinated and are still in office, initiating administrative disciplinary process in the Ministry of Health, as well as referring the report to the Attorney General's Office, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Comptroller General's Office, Congress, among others.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
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The 911 calls came before midnight Feb. 8 to San Antonio-area authorities.

A man said he and about 80 other people were inside a white water tanker. The caller was unable to tell dispatchers where they were, but he said the truck had stopped next to the road.

Help! Holy God! a male voice is heard, apparently gasping for air, according to the 911 calls. It appears from one call that someone opened a hatch. One man shouts: Lets go. Another says, Were out of here.

The Bexar County Sheriffs Office and other police responded to the calls, which appeared to have originated in the southern part of the county, but deputies were unable to find the tanker.

Now Playing: Video: San Antonio Express-News

Nearly two weeks later, on Feb. 18, the Sheriffs Office received similar 911 calls  about a different tractor-trailer.

Authorities spotted a refrigerated truck that fit the description at a South Bexar County truck stop. As they closed in, more than 150 immigrants poured out of the trailer, as snow fell and temperatures dipped below freezing. Most ran into the darkness and escaped.

Homeland Security Investigations, which took over the cases, said it had stopped and interviewed about 50 of the migrants and is reviewing their immigration status.

Catholic Charities in San Antonio said it placed 42 of them in hotel rooms and gave them food, water and other necessities. The organization also helped them get to destinations with host families in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and other cities, said J. Antonio Fernandez, CEO of the charity.

Some decided to stay because it was too cold, Fernandez said. One of the men had only shorts, a T-shirt and gym shoes.

The Border Patrol confirmed that the tanker was found in Laredo after the frantic search in San Antonio. One smuggling suspect was arrested.

Court records show the two San Antonio incidents are part of an increase in smuggling since President Joe Biden took office.

Last weekend alone, Border Patrol agents at two checkpoints near Laredo foiled three other smuggling attempts, finding more than 230 immigrants inside trailers. The immigrants were from Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

Those trucks and the two in San Antonio were carrying as many as 460 immigrants, about four times more than those smuggled in the dozen tractor-trailer cases that resulted in charges last year in South Texas, a review of court records shows. The dozen cases filed last year involved about 115 immigrants.

Last years biggest load  83 immigrants in a tractor-trailer  was stopped at the Border Patrol checkpoint north of Laredo along Interstate 35 on Jan. 26, 2020. Smuggling arrests dwindled as the year dragged on, apparently because the COVID-19 pandemic tamped down migration.

But since Oct. 1, the Border Patrols Laredo sector has discovered more than 3,100 undocumented immigrants in trailers in large-scale smuggling attempts  a 160 percent increase over the same period a year ago.

Thats almost a hundred separate cases that that occurred in, said Laredo Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak. We had one, as a matter of fact last week, in the midst of the cold temperatures, that had 117 individuals locked in a trailer.  The number is increasing, and certainly thats a concern for us.

Hudak said the checkpoint on I-35 north of Laredo sees 5,000 to 6,000 tractor-trailers a day coming from the borders busiest commercial land crossing, and smugglers use it to their advantage.

Overall, Hudak said, his agents have arrested more than 40,000 undocumented immigrants across the Laredo sector in the same period  a 140 percent increase.

Immigration lawyers and other observers cite a number of reasons for the increased smuggling activity, though Border Patrol agents have said this is typically a time of year they see an increase in illegal immigration.

Court officials said that, besides the health toll, the fallout from COVID-19 had scaled back operations in the legal system and limited the number of immigrants who could be held to testify against smugglers.

San Antonio immigration lawyer Simon Azar-Farr predicted that warmer weather and increased truck traffic after the COVID-19 shutdowns would lead to more smuggling attempts.

We will see more of this in the coming months, Azar-Farr said. Those willing to come to this country and undergo this method are generally not discouraged because theres some virus in the air.

In light of the potential wave of undocumented immigrants, the federal government is scrambling for space to house some immigrants, specifically one particular group: unaccompanied minors.

On Monday, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department reopened a tent facility in Carrizo Springs to house up to 700 teens and youths. It was converted two years ago into a holding facility under former President Donald Trump but closed in July 2019.

Health and Human Services operates long-term facilities for immigrant children apprehended by the Border Patrol, and its 7,100 available beds are almost full. Some lawyers dispute that the Carrizo Springs facility was reopened for new arrivals  they contend it is being used to move minors around to sidestep the 1997 Flores legal settlement, which prohibits the government from holding minors in detention for more than 20 days.

It restarts the clock (when theyre moved). Its a shell game, San Antonio immigration lawyer Linda Brandmiller said. I expected better from the Biden administration.

She noted that immigrant traffic is increasing.

Its picking up because of Biden, Brandmiller said. People are more hopeful that they can get into and stay in the U.S.

Aristides Harry Jimenez, who as deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio oversaw a swath of territory that stretched to Del Rio, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley, said smuggling immigrants in tankers is not new.

Smugglers use tanker trucks similar to those used to transport water or wastewater generated by fracking in the South Texas oil fields, he said.

The tanker can blend in when it goes through the Border Patrol checkpoint, said Jimenez, who retired from HSI and now runs a consulting business. Those tankers also can drive around Border Patrol checkpoints through dirt roads.

He added that large-scale smuggling attempts are becoming more prevalent.

As a smuggler, how do I sell my product? Jimenez said. Now, with the new administration, the human smuggling organizations are telling people that if they live in the U.S., an amnesty is coming.

Jimenez said agents are faced with a daunting task. Even if they are able to link any of the people already charged in Laredo with the two smuggling incidents in San Antonio, the suspects may be of little help.

At best, they are middlemen who recruit truckers or others to clandestinely transport humans or drugs, Jimenez said. The networks are loosely interconnected, and other middlemen easily step in, according to Jimenez and the Border Patrols Hudak.

That guy in Laredo may not be able to provide a lot of info. Hes not anywhere high on the food chain, Jimenez said. Hes recruiting for three to four smuggling organizations. Hes also getting immigrants out of stash houses from three or four other organizations.

Several of the cases examined by the San Antonio Express-News involved drivers who had no commercial drivers licenses. Some were recruited through third parties. Others told investigators they were approached at truck stops in Laredo.

Every time the smugglers do this, they are putting immigrants in a place where they cant escape. Theyre trapped, Jimenez said. The real cost of human smuggling is human life.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net

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Letter: Now is not the time to withdraw from merged school district
The late Paddy (Pat) Henessey pictured with his local GAA club Ballygiblin in 1984. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Three brothers nicknamed 'The Saints' who died in an horrific suspected double murder-suicide have been named locally as Willie (66), Paddy 'Pa' (60) and John (59) Hennessy from Corragorm, just outside Mitchelstown.

Two of the brothers were bludgeoned to death with an axe at the family farm in north Cork.

A third brother was recovered dead from the River Funshion outside Mitchelstown less than 1km from where his Toyota car was found parked near the church where the brothers usually worshipped following a massive Garda manhunt.

Detectives fear that the double murder-suicide involving the Hennessy brothers was sparked by a dispute between the trio - described by locals as incredibly close over their lifetime - about the small 25 acre farm and the income derived from it against a background of health issues.

However, Gardai said they are baffled as to the precise motive involved.

Pa had only suffered a stroke before Christmas and was still recovering. It was the third tragedy to hit the family with a fourth brother, Jer, having died in tragic circumstances in January 2014.

The son of one of the brothers also died in tragic circumstances in May 2012.

Expand Close Gardai pictured at the farm off the Mitchelstown to Mallow Road outside Kildorrery, co. Cork where the bodies of two brothers in their 60s were discovered. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision / Facebook

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Whatsapp Gardai pictured at the farm off the Mitchelstown to Mallow Road outside Kildorrery, co. Cork where the bodies of two brothers in their 60s were discovered. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

The bodies of Paddy 'Pa' and Willie Hennessy were discovered at their Corragorm farm some 6km from Mitchelstown when a concerned relative went to the property amid concern for their welfare shortly after 11pm on Thursday night and alerted Gardai.

One brother was found with horrific head injuries lying in the farmyard.

A second brother was found with similarly horrific injuries in a nearby farm shed. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third brother, John Hennessy, who lived at the property, was not present and his red Toyota Corolla van was missing.

Gardai at the scene between Mitchelstown and Kildorrery were supported by armed members of the Regional Support Unit (RSU).

Despite initial indications, Gardai said they are satisfied that no firearm was used in the tragedy.

Gardai conducted a massive manhunt for the third brother and his red Toyota was located parked near Killacluig Church - some 4km from the farmhouse - around 9am.

A massive search of the local countryside some 10km outside Mitchelstown was commenced to locate him with the search being supported by uniformed Gardai, Garda dog units and the Garda helicopter.

Shortly after 12 noon, Gardai spotted a body in the nearby River Funshion and it was later recovered by the Garda Water Unit.

Three scenes - the farmhouse, car park and river field - have been preserved and are undergoing examination by forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau.

Locum State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster visited the scene shortly after 1pm with all three bodies later being removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for post mortem examinations which will take place on Friday.

Supt Liam Geraghty said Gardai were not looking for anyone else in relation to the tragedy.

More than 50 officers were deployed to the operation.

"Gardai have commenced a criminal investigation into a set of tragic incidents here in Mitchelstown. We are not looking for anyone else in relation to this matter at this time," he said.

Supt Geraghty said no weapon has been recovered as yet.

"Gardai will support the family through this personal tragedy for them. We will have to wait for post mortem results to determine the nature of the injuries but at this stage we do not anticipate that any firearm was involved."

Gardai appealed to anyone with information on the incidents to contact investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, Fermoy Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Locals expressed deep shock at the tragedy. Willie and John Hennessy lived together at the Corragorm farm while Pa lived in nearby Mitchelstown.

Liam O'Donnell was a neighbour of the three brothers and described them as "very quiet people, hard-working men and really great neighbours."

Mr O'Donnell said he was quite friendly with Willie Hennessy and used to regularly call to the house for a chat or a cup of tea.

"They were very close. They were hard-working people all their lives. They were great neighbours and were three of the nicest men you could ever hope to meet," he said.

Pa's former employer, Michael Downey of JD Tyres, said he was "the salt of the earth."

"Paddy was such a hard-working man - and was a great colleague and a lovely fella," he said.

"He worked in the tyre business for most of his life - he worked for Suttons, Hanover and JD. You couldn't ask for a better person to have work alongside you. He was such a likeable man."

Another employee, who was too upset to give his name, worked alongside Paddy for 18 years and said he loved handball, music and his local community.

All three brothers were noted handball players in Mitchelstown in the 1970s and 80s.

The brothers also worked at fuel supplies, delivering firewood to homes throughout north Cork.

Former Cork East TD Kevin O'Keeffe, a neighbour of the brothers, said the family were very highly respected and were known for their hard work.

"It is beyond belief what happened. It is a total shock and no one knows what could have happened. Our hearts go out to the Hennessy family and their sister Breda," he said.

"They kept to themselves and were known locally as 'The Saints'. It is such a terrible thing for people here in Mitchelstown."

Councillor Frank Roche said the tragedy - coming so soon after the shocking murder-double suicide in Kanturk - raised serious issues about the supports being offered to people in rural Ireland.

"My phone is constantly ringing with people in rural areas pleading for help with stress, money worries or mental health issues," he said.

Fine Gael Councillor Kay Dawson lives near where the farmhouse is situated and described the brothers as genuine, quiet and gentle people, while speaking on RTE News at One.

You cant make anything of it because it just doesnt make sense.

"Normally when you listen to the news its someplace else, but this is our own community devastated by this tragedy this morning. I don't have the language to put the words on the sensation. Unbelievable I think is the best way to describe it.

Its a tight, close-knit community, a hard-working community and we are devastated, she continued.

They were salt of the earth, just got on with their daily lives.

They interacted well. They were genuine, quiet, gentle people. Its just unbelievable to wake up today to hear that they are no longer with us. I am stuck for words and I normally wouldnt be. Its a tragedy beyond belief and our understanding.

Councillor Dawson said the brothers were well known due to their timber business which they operated out of the farmhouse.

They would have been heavily engaged with lots of people, they travelled selling their timber. They were by no means isolated or remote, Ms Dawson said.

The remains of all three men will be transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for full post mortem examinations after The Office of the State Pathologist has examined the scenes.
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1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

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The Golden Globes will air this Sunday on NBC, though it will look quite different, for a few reasons.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host a bi-coastal ceremony from New York and Los Angeles, with a record 18 first-time nominees this year.

All 18 of the first-timers, including Borat 2 star Maria Bakalova and Mank star Amanda Seyfried, opened up about the awards season process in a Zoom party (via Golden Globes YouTube) and how they'll be celebrating from home this year.

All 18: All 18 of the first-timers, including Borat 2 star Maria Bakalova and Mank star Amanda Seyfried, opened up about the awards season process in a Zoom party (via Golden Globes YouTube) and how they'll be celebrating from home this year

The Zoom party featured all 18 first-time nominees - Leslie Odom Jr., Andra Day, Josh O'Connor, Maria Bakalova, Amanda Seyfried, Anya Taylor- Joy, Tiara Thomas, Vanessa Kirby, Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Helena Zengel, Florian Zeller, Dernst Emile II, Jane Levy, Jon Batiste, Laura Pausini, Sam Ashworth, Niccolo Aggliardi and Tahar Rahim - with Hollywood Foreign Press' Aniko Navai moderating.

Bakalova, a Bulgarian actress and model, was plucked from obscurity by writer-star Sacha Baron Coehn to play Borat's daughter Tutar in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

The 24-year-old revealed she usually watches the Golden Globe nominations from Bulgaria, but when her name was called, she added, 'I think I blacked out for a second,' when she heard her name.

Obscurity: Bakalova, a Bulgarian actress and model, was plucked from obscurity by writer-star Sacha Baron Coehn to play Borat's daughter Tutar in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

'My friend was right next to me and she said, "Oh you got a nomination!" Of course it was the best day of my entire life,' she added.

She added that her nomination helped people from her region realize that 'dreams can come true.'

Seyfried added that she wasn't sure how much they'd be able to be involved, 'on the day, but this is a real sweet opportunity that you've given us to be here with each other. We're all here actually here present with each other.'

Wasn't sure: Seyfried added that she wasn't sure how much they'd be able to be involved, 'on the day, but this is a real sweet opportunity that you've given us to be here with each other. We're all here actually here present with each other'

She added she wasn't sure who was going to be there in person during the ceremony, with Navai adding, 'just the presenters and the host.'

'What an amazing way to experience this moment with everybody in my life, even my dog,' Seyfried said.

'Its a once in a lifetime thing and Im going to get to be with all of them Im not putting my 4-year-old to bed early that night. She can stay up as late as she wants!' she added.

Amazing: 'What an amazing way to experience this moment with everybody in my life, even my dog,' Seyfried said.

Elle Fanning said that her and Nicholas Hoult will be shooting the new season of The Great, so they'll be in London but it will 'be like 3 AM for us' when the awards show airs in the U.S.

'But, we're staying up, and the production has kindly... we only have a rehearsal the next day and we're not filming on the Monday, so we're gonna pull an all-nighter, right? We're gonna try,' Fanning said.

Vanessa Kirby, who is nominated for her role in Pieces of a Woman, said she'd be enjoying the ceremony with her sister, 'who's been locked down with me for a whole year, and she's not getting away on Sunday at 3:30 AM.'

She added that she's, 'grateful it's even happening, and that we've even had movies come out this year,' due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3 AM: Elle Fanning said that her and Nicholas Hoult will be shooting the new season of The Great, so they'll be in London but it will 'be like 3 AM for us' when the awards show airs in the U.S
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President Joe Biden speaks during an event to commemorate the 50 millionth Covid-19 shot (Evan Vucci/AP)

Joe Biden has welcomed the administration of the 50 millionth dose of Covid-19 vaccine since his swearing-in.

The moment came days after the US reached the devastating milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths and ahead of a meeting with the nations governors on plans to speed the distribution of vaccines even further.

The more people get vaccinated, the faster were going to beat this pandemic, Mr Biden said at the White House ceremony, noting that his administration is on course to exceed his promise to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office.

Were halfway there: 50 million shots in 37 days, Mr Biden said. Thats weeks ahead of schedule.

Expand Close President Joe Biden talks to Linda Bussey before she received a vaccination (Evan Vucci/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Joe Biden talks to Linda Bussey before she received a vaccination (Evan Vucci/AP)

All told, more than 45 million Americans have been given at least one dose of the approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna since they received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in December, with more than 20 million receiving both required doses.

As part of the ceremony, four frontline workers  a pair of emergency medical technicians, a school counsellor and a grocery store worker  received vaccine doses on live television, part of the White Houses efforts to build confidence in the vaccination programme.

Mr Biden predicts that by late spring there will be enough vaccine to administer to anyone that wants it, but that hesitance of the vaccine will limit the number of people who want it.

Well have the vaccine waiting, Mr Biden said, predicting that point could come within 60 to 90 days.

He promised a massive campaign to educate people about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, in the hope of stimulating demand as the nation aims to vaccinate about 80% of adults to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic.

Expand Close President Joe Biden looks on as Victoria Legerwood Rivera receives a vaccination (Evan Vucci/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Joe Biden looks on as Victoria Legerwood Rivera receives a vaccination (Evan Vucci/AP)

Mr Biden said he planned to tour a US military-run mass vaccination site in Houston on Friday, one of several ways his administration is aiming to speed injections, particularly once supply increases.

Mr Biden noted the promise of a third vaccine receiving approval as soon as this weekend, as Johnson & Johnsons single-dose candidate undergoes review by the FDA.

We have a plan to roll it out as quickly as Johnson & Johnson can make it, Mr Biden said.

Meeting with governors, Mr Biden appealed for their help in passing his 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Plan, which provides funding to expand vaccination and testing as well as economic relief for people struggling during the pandemic.

The economic toll of this pandemic continues to tear through our country as brutally as the virus itself, Mr Biden said.

He also warned that variants could continue to spread, leading to more cases and hospitalisations. He appealed to Americans to keep up with social distancing measures and wear face coverings.

This is not the time to relax, he said.
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Health officials announced Canadas first confirmed COVID-19 case on January 25, 2020. Thirteen months later, the country has reported over 850,000 cases and more than 21,800 deaths.

During the pandemics first wave last spring, infection rates among Indigenous people did not greatly exceed the national average, in part because many First Nations and the governments of the three northern territories imposed severe travel restrictions. But First Nations, Inuit and Metis people across Canada have been greatly impacted by the second wave of COVID-19 infectionsa second wave that is entirely due to the ruling elites prioritizing of profits over lives, with their back-to-work and back-to-school drives.

Sanikiluaq, pictured above, is one of many remote Inuit communities in Nunavut to experience a COVID-19 outbreak (Wikipedia)

Federal government figures show the number of COVID-19 infections on First Nation reserves has increased more than 10-fold since the end of October. More than 5 percent of those living on reserves have now had an official COVID-19 diagnosis since the pandemic began, more than double the percentage for Canadians as a whole.

Indigenous people across Canada face medical and social conditionsincluding grinding poverty, dilapidated housing, and inadequate access to health carethat place them at especially high risk for contracting the virus and transmitting it to others. When infected, they are often unable to obtain appropriate treatment and face higher mortality rates than the non-Indigenous population.

Communities have struggled to manage and contain outbreaks throughout the winter. The most recent data from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) states that, as of February 18, there have been 19,455 confirmed positive cases on First Nations reserves alone, with 1,265 cases still active and 901 current hospitalizations. At the end of January, the rate of reported cases of COVID-19 in First Nations people living on-reserve was 40 percent higher than the rate in the general population.

Case numbers are steadily worsening for First Nations in Manitoba, where they account for a staggering 70 percent of the provinces COVID-19 cases, although they comprise just 10 percent of the overall population.

Two separate Manitoba First Nations recently reported suspected cases of one of the new more-contagious coronavirus variants.

The Pimicikamak First Nation, located roughly 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg, announced on February 15 that the B117 variant first detected in the United Kingdom is suspected to have infected at least one resident. Two days earlier, the Pauingassi First Nation in eastern Manitoba, where a massive outbreak infected as much as 25 percent of all residents at its peak, reported seven possible cases of the British variant. Samples were sent to Winnipegs Cadham Provincial Lab, where scientists were surprised to identify markers that may be of the B117 variant. Both communities are currently under lockdown.

Scientists and health officials are concerned by these developments, as Manitoba has only reported one other confirmed case of the variant to date. The infected individual tested positive after travelling to Winnipeg from Europe and is not known to have visited either of the affected First Nations communities.

Residents living on-reserve face many barriers in accessing health care and dependable social services. Many isolated rural communities face technological hindrances such as a lack of sufficient Internet connection and few cell towers, rendering sick people unable to speak virtually to a health care practitioner, let alone see one in person.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has said that early data suggests off-reserve First Nations persons are even more likely to be hospitalized and die than those living on-reserve. This is doubtless bound up with the horrific social conditions faced by the large indigenous populations in cities across western Canada, like Vancouver, Edmonton, and Winnipeg.

Indigenous people suffer higher rates of arthritis, diabetes, obesity and asthma, all of which are co-morbidities for COVID-19, than the Canadian population generally. Food insecurity in many places contributes to malnourishment, compromises immune systems, and exacerbates the high incidences of chronic illness.

Factors contributing to the risk posed by the pandemic vary from place to place. In the territory of Nunavut, for example, the largely Inuit population has been grappling for decades with tuberculosis rates 300 times higher than those observed in non-Indigenous, Canadian-born citizens, as well as a housing crisis and food shortages.

Fifty-eight Indigenous communities in Canada are currently living under boil-water advisories, making the hygiene standards necessary to prevent the spread of the virus much more difficult to meet.

Many families live in multi-generational, overcrowded homes, making it extremely difficult for infected people to isolate.

The federal government has initiated a push to vaccinate Indigenous communities more rapidly than the population at large in recognition of the heightened risks they confront. However, the miserable progress of the overall vaccine campaign, which has seen little more than 3 percent of the population receive one dose, does not bode well for Indigenous communities. A Public Health Agency of Canada document released this week estimates that, in order to meet the federal governments intended goal of having 14.5 million Canadians fully inoculated by the end of June, an immediate 11-fold increase in the number of individuals vaccinated daily would be required.

As of mid-February, the vaccination rate in Indigenous communities was six times higher than the general population. More than 83,000 doses have been administered in over 400 communities. Indigenous Affairs Minister Mark Miller says that the three northern Territories and British Columbia are on track to have vaccinated 75 percent of Indigenous adults by the end of March.

In BC, senior health officials recently had to apologize to the Nuxalk First Nation after a medical health officer suddenly withdrew more than 200 COVID-19 vaccines intended to inoculate the people of the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola.

Reports of the incident allege that the medical health officer insisted on distributing the vaccine to the entire Bella Coola Valley, not just health workers and particularly vulnerable individuals living on-reserve as had been previously arranged. The population of the Bella Coola region is approximately 2,000, and with only 360 vaccine doses on hand, there soon was a disagreement between the doctor and Nuxalk health leaders as to who would receive the vaccine.

On the evening of January 21, the doctor sent an e-mail to the Nuxalk executive director insisting that the Nuxalk must provide him with a vaccine rollout plan by 10 a.m. the next day. The rollout plan was delivered at 10:02 a.m.just two minutes lateand the doctor has since used this as an explanation of why he subsequently took the remaining 230 doses and left the community that day, accompanied by an RCMP escort.

Members of the Nuxalk Nation were stunned when the medical health officer referred to the vaccines as a gift rather than a medical necessity during a global health crisis that places communities such as theirs at extremely high risk.

The vaccine rollout is complicated by the almost total absence of medical personnel on reserves and in other remote regions. Statistics Canada reports that 82 percent of Inuit people living in Nunavut do not have a family doctor. One in five Indigenous people living off-reserve and 16 percent of Metis people also do not have a family doctor.

The conditions that make Indigenous communities in Canada particularly vulnerable to the physical and socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic existed long before the onset of the current global health crisis. These conditions are a direct result of the ruthless oppression and abuse of the Native population perpetrated by Canadian capitalism. To overcome the legacy of these historic crimes and put an end to the ongoing neglect and mistreatment of the Indigenous peoples, the working classimmigrant, native-born and Indigenousmust be mobilized to establish workers power, abolish the profit system, and reorganize society on socialist lines.
Germany stepped up its efforts to persuade a reluctant public to take the Oxford vaccine today as Angela Merkel's health minister said it was 'strongly recommended' and a top health official hailed 'fantastic' real-world results from Scotland.

Lothar Wieler, the head of Germany's top diseases institute, welcomed the findings by Edinburgh-based researchers that one dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab slashed hospitalisations by 94 per cent after four weeks.

Health minister Jens Spahn said that 'this vaccine is safe and effective, it protects' as more than a million AstraZeneca doses delivered to Germany lie unused in storage after top EU figures questioned the efficacy of the shot.

Spahn said the vaccine drive was gathering pace with record numbers of doses handed out on Wednesday and Thursday, but it is still moving far more slowly than in Britain which has handed out three times as many jabs to a smaller population.

And despite the findings in Scotland, German regulators have yet to open up the jab to over-65s - with Angela Merkel saying she could not take it as an example to the country because she is too old at 66.

EU nations including Germany are being far outpaced by Britain in the vaccine race after Brussels was late to place orders with firms including Pfizer and AstraZeneca

Angela Merkel, pictured, is under pressure over Germany's sluggish vaccine roll-out but said she herself could not set an example by taking the AstraZeneca jab because she is too old at 66

Germany's 16 states have taken delivery of more than 1.4million AstraZeneca doses, but only 315,000 of these have been given to patients so far with some essential workers refusing to take the jab.

By contrast, 5.3million shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab - co-developed by a German firm - have been deployed out of 6.7million doses delivered so far.

The reluctance to take AstraZeneca shots piles further pressure on health officials already struggling to ramp up jabs because of the EU's chaotic procurement.

Health minister Spahn acknowledged that 'too much vaccine is sitting in the fridge', after Merkel said the AstraZeneca vaccine had an 'acceptance problem'.

There have also been reports of side-effects leading hospital staff and other front-line workers to call in sick. Regulators and scientists say the vaccine is safe.

'We strongly recommend it: this vaccine is safe and effective, it protects,' Spahn told a news conference on Friday.

'It protects oneself and others, like both other vaccines,' he added, referring to the Pfizer and Moderna products.

Wieler said that data coming in from countries such as Britain and Israel made it clearer that AstraZeneca's product is 'very, very effective'.

He pointed to the 'fantastic' results in Scotland where a study of 490,000 vaccinated patients found hospitalisations being slashed by 94 per cent after 28 days.

Rejecting the vaccine would not be 'technically, objectively justified', he said.

German health minister Jens Spahn, pictured, said the AstraZeneca jab was 'strongly recommended' - but it is still not available to the most vulnerable

This graph shows infection rates in six European countries. The UK (in red) was the problem child of Europe at the start of 2021 but has since seen cases plummet and is leading the continent in terms of vaccinations

Merkel's spokesman has also this week called on Germans to accept the vaccine, even as the chancellor said she would not be able to take it herself.

'I am 66 years old and do not belong to the recommended group for AstraZeneca,' Merkel told the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine.

But she added: 'As long as vaccine supplies are as limited as they are at the moment, you don't get to choose which one you get.'

Thomas Mertens, the chair of Germany's vaccine committee, said that 'we are working quite hard at this point trying to convince people to accept the vaccine'.

But his own panel has yet to approve the jab for over-65s because of the small sample size of older people in clinical trial data.

It made Germany one of numerous countries to raise doubts about the vaccine's efficacy, along with France where Emmanuel Macron openly rubbished the jab.

Asked on BBC Radio 4 whether his panel's decision was to blame for the jab's unpopularity, Mertens admitted: 'It may be part of the problem.'

He added: 'Although we always stated that it had nothing to do with the safety of the vaccine - we never criticised the vaccine to be unsafe - we stated, and it's correct, that the amount of data on this group of elderly people was not really great.

'But I don't think that was a major problem. The major problem was all the news that had been spread about the efficacy of the vaccine being much lower than the efficacy of the mRNA vaccines [Pfizer and Moderna].'

Spahn celebrated Germany's relative success in vaccinating 167,999 people on Wednesday and 159,416 on Thursday, its highest daily totals so far.

But Britain is moving at a pace of more than 340,000 doses per day and has already given first doses to 18.7million people compared to Germany's 3.8million.

The UK's decision to delay second jabs means that Germany has managed more double-doses, with just under two million, than the UK on 700,000.

Spahn said that 'nearly all' care home residents had been offered at least a first dose, saying the vast majority had taken up the jab when invited.

Care home residents have taken up around 24 per cent of all the doses given out so far, with 800,000 getting one dose and 560,000 getting a second.

Spahn added that the vaccine drive was starting to show effect, with infection rates dropping significantly among over-80s in recent weeks.

But Germany's overall infection rate has crept up again recently, raising questions about whether Merkel will be able to loosen a two-month lockdown.

The last seven days have seen 54,965 new cases in Germany, up from 49,626 the week before, with the infection rate hovering above the figure of 50 cases per 100,000 which politicians have marked out as a threshold for easing lockdowns.

The closely-watched R rate has also been as high as 1.25 in recent days, although on Thursday it was estimated at only 0.92.

Wieler warned the public to be vigilant in upholding social distancing because of the risk of triggering a third wave of the epidemic.

'This virus will not go away,' Wieler added. 'Of course, we will live with the virus. We will eliminate the severity of the disease through vaccination and immunity and protect ourselves from it, but we will not be able to eradicate it.'
(TNS)  State lawmakers have unanimously voted to tightly restrict local police use of facial recognition technology. The legislation now goes to Gov. Ralph Northam, who hasnt indicated whether hell sign it  though the unanimous vote makes it all but assured of becoming law regardless.House Bill 2031, introduced by Del. Lashrecse Aird, D- Petersburg, imposes what she called a de facto ban on local police using facial recognition technology by requiring the General Assembly pass a law before a police department or other law enforcement agency can use it. Her bill, which won bipartisan support in both the House of Delegates and the State Senate, also requires a police department to have total control of the technology, which is all but impossible given how tech companies are offering facial recognition services.Im thrilled, Aird said.Its tougher legislation than what she introduced a little more than a month ago. Her original bill would have banned most law enforcement agencies from using facial recognition technology unless city or town leaders pass an ordinance authorizing its use. In the case of campus police departments, a governing board would have to approve it. Now, city and town councils have been stripped of any say-so, and only state lawmakers can give the OK.The Virginia State Police, which has denied using facial recognition technology and said it has no plans to do so, is not covered by the legislation.Aird said she considered an outright ban before the session but toned down her legislation into a half measure she thought could win enough support in the Senate, where she thought passage would be more of a challenge. So she was surprised when Sen. Ryan McDougle, R- Mechanicsville, introduced amendments making it harder for law enforcement to use the technology.How and when police use facial recognition has to be highly regulated and very restricted, McDougle said, adding that hes worried bad picture quality or bad actors manipulating images could lead to false positives.And giving each city and town power to decide for themselves would create an unacceptable hodgepodge of practices and policies, he said: This is too important an issue  the whole state needs to be operating under the same system.Aird said the bill was the result ofs investigation into how the Norfolk Police Department had been using Clearview AI, a controversial facial recognition technology, without the knowledge of the mayor and most City Council members.(That) really struck me as unacceptable, the delegate said.In November 2019, Norfolk gang detectives signed up to try Clearview AIs app. Over the next three months, Norfolk police used Clearview in about 20 investigations, and it helped them make nine arrests, Norfolk Police Chief Larry Boone said. Those detectives were so impressed with how the technology identified unknown suspects and helped solve crimes that they pushed the top brass to shell out thousands of dollars a year to make facial recognition one of their permanent crime fighting tools.But Boone killed that effort and ordered everyone in the department to stop using the technology. In an interview with, the police chief said the public needed to know and talk about such a hot-button issue before police permanently added it to its investigative repertoire.That can be perceived to be so intrusive  Big Brother is watching, Boone said in the June interview. Our current society isnt quite ready for that.The Norfolk Police Department was one of more than 600 law enforcement agencies across the U.S. that, largely without public scrutiny, started using Clearview between Jan. 1, 2019, and January 2020, according to a New York Times investigation. In some cases, top brass in those departments didnt know their officers were using Clearview because officers were able to sign up and start using the app with little more difficulty than downloading Facebook or Twitter.
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EUGENE, Ore.-- After a winter storm blew through the Pacific Northwest two weeks ago, blood donations are needed after a significant amount of cancellations.

Lane Bloodworks says 800 people canceled their appointments because of the weather that weekend. To put that in perspective, Bloodworks Pacific Northwest needs 1,000 donations a day to keep up with the demand. Because of the impact on the supply, Bloodworks is in need of donations.

The organization supplies 95% of blood to hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. One official from Lane Bloodworks said even though the main part of the storm hit north of Western Oregon, this affects the entire region. Areas like Portland, that see a drop in donations, will pull from areas like Lane County to meet the demand. Mark Smith, Business Development Representative for Lane Bloodworks, said the winter weather also increased the demand for blood.

"With the adverse weather up north as well as in tandem, we're noticing that there was a surge in hospital usage," Smith said.

If you would like to donate, you can make an appointment on Lane Bloodworks website. Eugene Mayor, Lucy Vinis, will donate blood on Monday to help with the shortage.




In its first ever entirely virtual pageant, VLCC Femina Miss India 2020 partnered with by Indias leading short-video sharing app Roposo, in its endeavour towards providing aspiring contestants a platform to compete and win the title of their dreams. Roposo which is owned by Glance, a mobile-only lock-screen based content delivery platform, played an important role in helping the contestants participate in the beauty pageant. From enabling them to share their videos with the organisers at just a touch of a button using its platform to helping state winners during their grooming and training sessions, Roposo played a nuclear role in making the pageant a success. Among others, it also made the relevant content available to the contestants including modules on Q&A, rampwalk and inspirational videos from previous winners.

We had never imagined a pageant like Miss India to go virtual. We are delighted by the tremendous response we received to the pageant on Roposo. As the largest short video platform in the country, our goal was to encourage participation from the farthest corners of India and provide participants with an opportunity to be in the limelight. With this initiative, we hope to see more creators join the platform and showcase their talent, said Bikash Chowdhury, Vice President  Marketing at Glance.

The pageant received over 2500 applications, with a significant number of those coming from Tier-2 and 3 cities as well. Post their selection, the 31 state winners were provided with virtual training and grooming sessions. Alongside the state winners, Roposos influencers also got exclusive access to attend various Masterclass sessions by industry experts.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
ROME - The number of "ultra-high-net-worth" individuals in the Middle East is expected to increase by 24.6% over the next five years, according to the 2021 Wealth Report by global property consultancy Knight Frank.



The region will remain the fourth-largest wealth hub in the world, the UAE's The National noted on Wednesday in an article detailing the projections and findings contained in the report.



It added that the "global population of the ultra-wealthy is forecast to rise 27 per cent over the same period to almost 663,483 from 513,244 in 2019", noting that "Knight Frank defines HNWIs as those who possess a net wealth of $1 million or more (including primary residences and second homes not held as investments), while UHNWIs have a net wealth of $30m or more".



"Asia is likely to see the largest rise in the number of UHNWIs with growth of 39 per cent, led by Indonesia and India, the report said. By 2025, 24 per cent of all UHNWIs will live in Asia. The region is already home to the most billionaires, accounting for 36 per cent of the global total," The National reported.



"Over the next five years, Africa is estimated to have the second-highest growth in UHNWIs at 33 per cent, led by Zambia (40 per cent) and South Africa (32 per cent)," the emirate's daily said in citing figures from the report. "Over the same period, the number of millionaires globally is set to rise by 41 per cent." "The pandemic has impacted the fortunes of many in the Middle East, and HNWIs and UHNWIs were not spared, with the total number of each decreasing by 11.3 per cent and 10.1 per cent, respectively, in 2020," Taimur Khan, head of research at Knight Frank Middle East, told The National. "However, this decline was not uniform across all countries." "In Saudi Arabia, the number of UHNWIs over this period increased by 9.6 per cent," the daily noted.



"As the region continues its various economic diversification programmes, we expect that there will continue to be significant growth in the number of HNWI, UHNWI and billionaires residing in the region," Mr Khan added.



"This was also reflected in the results of the Knight Frank Attitudes Survey conducted among private bankers and wealth advisers in the Middle East, where 67 per cent of respondents said their clients' wealth either remained the same or increased. Around 69 per cent expect their clients' total wealth to increase in 2021," the paper said.

One of the four men, accused of killing renowned stock theft investigator Hiambepo 'Major' Kazeurua, yesterday gave notice that he will apply for retired Windhoek High Court Judge Alfred Siboleka to recuse himself from the matter.

Advocate Slysken Makando, on behalf of Stockley Kavejao (44), told the judge he received instructions from his client on the eve of the resumption of the trail after a hiatus of about two and a half years to seek the recusal of the judge.

Makando further told the judge that upon scrutinising the grounds for the recusal application, he advised Kavejao to rather seek the services of another counsel to launch the recusal application, as he will not be able to.

Consensus was then reached with Advocate James Diedericks to launch the application, Makando informed the court. He further said he is not at liberty to divulge more details of the grounds for the application, but that Diedericks will officially launch the application on 16 April with the State to respond on 6 May and the application to be heard of 14 May.

Depending on the outcome of the application, the matter was provisionally set down to continue on 26 July for the defence case after the State closed its case in September 2019.

The matter has since suffered several delays, including applications for bail by two of the accused still in custody and appeals after bail was refused.

Siboleka also retired as a sitting judge of the High Court and is now an acting judge while he finalises his remaining cases.

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Mbanga Siyomunji, on behalf of Matheu Kakururume (33), informed the judge they were taken by surprise by the application, as they were ready to proceed but that they have to accept, as it is Kavejao's right to bring such application.

Muvare Kaporo (29), who does not have a legal representative after he lost the services of Monty Karuhaihe, was informed by the judge that he now has the opportunity to either approach Legal Aid for a lawyer or find someone to represent him on a private basis.

The private lawyer of Afas Kamutjemo (42) said he and his client is unhappy about the events that unfolded. According to Jan Wessels, his client is paying for every time he appears in court and he was looking forward to finalising the matter. He indicated that neither he nor his client will attend the recusal application hearing. All of the accused pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, stock theft and defeating or attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.

They put the onus of proof on the State for every allegation against them.

According to the indictment, the accused conspired to kill Kazeurua to prevent him from tracing cattle they had stolen - and Kaporo and Kakururume ambushed him and killed him by strangling him and throwing sand in his mouth to prevent him from breathing.

This allegedly happened on 28 December 2012.

The partly burned body of Kazeurua was found in an aardvark burrow on 7 January after he was reported missing days earlier.

Kakururume and Kaporo remain in custody, while Kavejao and Kamutjemo are out on bail.
Although the world was confined indoors for most of the pandemic-hit 2020, this was no barrier to those with cash buying high-end luxury goods, accessories and upmarket homes, the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index says.

The holy grail of handbags: This Birkin in matte Himalayan crocodile leather sold for $US437,330 at Christies auction in Hong Kong in November 2020. Credit:NYT

The market for high-end collectables and investments was mixed, with cars, upmarket overseas holidays and artwork hit, with investors preferring to invest in passion sectors, such as bitcoins and accessories.

The must-have item, fashion house Hermes handbags, topped the list for the worlds ultra wealthy, as defined as having a net worth of more than $US30 million ($38 million) including their prime residence, and can retail for anything from $US2000 for an everyday shoulder bag, to the Hermes Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Retourne Kelly 25 handbag, which sold at auction by Christies for $US437,330, ($552,487) in November 2020.

Cars raced back up to third place in the index in 2020 with growth of 6 per cent Ferrari was one of the preferred choices to grace the garage.
After months of uncertainty, the government will permanently increase the unemployment safetynet JobSeeker by $50 a fortnight.

Social services groups are warning this increase will not prevent households from falling below the poverty line after the $150 coronavirus supplement ends in March.

On this episode of Please Explain, Im joined by senior economics correspondent Shane Wright to discuss the fate of our welfare recipients and the state of the economy.

Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage.
UNIFIL to try to help Lebanon after oil spill Still dealing with environmental effects of 2006 one

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, FEBRUARY 26 - United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said Friday that UNIFIL would look into how it can help Lebanon counter the threats from an oil spill from Israel that arrived on Lebanon's southern shoes on Sunday.



Tenenti was quoted by the NNA news agency as saying : ""With regard to the oil and tar spill that reached parts of Lebanon's southern shores, local authorities have contacted the UNIFIL inquiring about the assistance that could be provided within the limits of our capabilities and available equipment." President Michel Aoun had on Thursday asked that the ''extent of the damage in each polluted area be assessed" and that ways be found to limit the negative effects of the spill.



The previous day Aoun had asked outgoing foreign minister Sharbel Wehbe to follow the matter closely with the UN and international organizations, paying special attention to the possibility of lodging a case against Israel for the polluting of the Lebanese coast.



Lebanon is still struggling with the environmental damage suffered after a July 2006 oil spill that was a consequence of the Israeli bombing in Jiye in southern Lebanon during the 14 Day's War between Hezbollah and Israel.(ANSAmed). (ANSA).




By Benjamin Jumbe

The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga has directed the inspector general of Police to offer protection to Obongi county Mp Kaps Hasan Fungaroo.

The directive followed concerns raised by the legislator over reported trailing by unknown people moving in drones.

The legislator expressed fear for his life and family members asking for intervention and ensure his impunity wondering why members of the opposition are being witch hunted in the country.

The speaker in response also asked the minister of internal affairs to investigate the legislators complaints.
Burma Myanmar Regime Hunts Down Labor Activists Despite International Condemnation

Thousands of factory workers start the anti-coup demonstration against military rule in Yangon on Feb. 5. / The Irrawaddy

Labour activists and striking workers in Myanmar opposing the military regime are facing a growing threat of being detained, despite the International Labor Organization (ILO) urging the junta to cease all harassment of striking workers.

Ma Moe Sandar Myint, chairwoman of the Federation of General Workers Myanmar, is in hiding after the authorities tried to detain her for leading thousands of workers in protest against the military regime.

She organized labor campaigns against military rule at factories in Yangons Hlaing Tharyar Township since Feb. 5.

Ma Moe Sandar Myint also led more than 4,000 factory workers marching from Yangons Hledan junction on Feb. 6, the first day of nationwide anti-regime protests.

She said the police raided her office on Feb. 5 and her house at night on Feb. 6.

The regime must accept the democracy that our people want and accept the democratically elected government, said Ma Moe Sandar Myint.

A garment factory trade union leader in Hlaing Tharyar Township, who did not want to be named, said factory workers are in hiding as the authorities search for them for starting demonstrations.

She said they sleep in different places at night and protest every day.

We are fighting against the junta as we want our people to have freedom and to be peaceful, she said.

On Tuesday, the ILO has called for the military to halt the arrests of trade unionists amid reports of police and soldiers conducting door-to-door searches of dormitories and hostels in the Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangons industrial zone.

It is alleged that these acts of harassment and intimidation have largely targeted young female workers working in the private sector industries of Yangon, who are living far away from their families in the rural areas, said the ILO.

Labor organizations told The Irrawaddy that the militarys governing council works with employers to pressure workers not to take part in the protests.

An unnamed representative of the Confederations of Trade Unions of Myanmar said the authorities had been asking for the addresses of the trade union leaders. The employers started collecting our addresses. The employers and military work together to pressure the union leaders, they said.

The ILO urged the military to ensure all workers can exercise their rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression and other human rights in a climate free from violence, pressure, fear and threats of any kind.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his call on the military leadership to respect the will of the people of Myanmar and to adhere to democratic norms, with any differences to be resolved through peaceful dialogue.

SEO: Antonio Guterres, labor rights, trade unions, Confederations of Trade Unions of Myanmar, ILO, Federation of General Workers Myanmar, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, coup, military in politics, rule of law, Tatmadaw, National League for Democracy, human rights, democracy, November 8 general election, Min Aung Hlaing, State Administrative Council, civil disobedience movement.

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Massachusetts re-added a state to its list of high-risk states for COVID-19.

Starting Saturday, people traveling to-and-from North Dakota will need to quarantine or get tested for coronavirus.

Just two weeks ago, North Dakota was labeled a lower-risk region.

Gov. Charlie Baker enacted a travel order on August 1 mandating all visitors and residents entering Massachusetts following a high-risk area quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts.

Visitors are urged to obtain a negative result before traveling to Massachusetts.

Failure to comply with the order could result in a $500 fine per day.

Exemptions are allowed for travelers from lower-risk states, people commuting for work or school and patients seeking specialized medical care.

The current list of lower-risk regions includes:

Hawaii

Puerto Rico

Massachusetts residents are urged to limit any out-of-state travel only to states designated as COVID-19 lower-risk areas.

Anyone arriving from an international destination must fill out the Massachusetts Travel Form and must quarantine for 14 days or meet the 72-hour testing rule.
Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by the head of Amazon Prime Video's India Originals Aparna Purohit, who has been accused of an inappropriate depiction of Uttar Pradesh police personnel, Hindu deities and an adverse portrayal of a character playing the prime minister in the web series "Tandav".

While rejecting the application, a single-judge bench of Justice Sidharth said that the applicant was earlier granted interim protection from arrest by another bench in a similar case but she was not cooperating with the investigation.

The court observed, "Western filmmakers have refrained from ridiculing Lord Jesus or the Prophet but Hindi filmmakers have done this repeatedly and are still doing this most unabashedly with Hindu gods and goddesses."

This Court further takes notice of the fact that a number of movies have been produced which have used the name of Hindu gods and goddesses and shown them in a disrespectful manner like in Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Satyam Shivam Sundram, P.K., Oh My God, etc. Not only this, efforts have been made to subvert the image of historical and mythological personalities as in Padmavati. The names and icons of faith of the majority community have been used to earn money (Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela)."

"This tendency on the part of the Hindi film industry is growing and if not curbed in time, it may have disastrous consequences for the Indian social, religious and communal order,' the court observed.

The petitioner's plea was that the web series was a work of fiction. There was no intention of the applicant to outrage the religious feeling of any community.

The court observed, "The fact remains that the applicant had not been vigilant and has acted irresponsibly making her open to criminal prosecution in permitting streaming of a movie which is against the fundamental rights of the majority of citizens of this country. Therefore, her fundamental right of life and liberty cannot be protected by grant of anticipatory bail to her in the exercise of discretionary powers of this Court," the court further said.

'It has come to the notice of this Court that the applicant has filed another anticipatory bail application before this Court with regard to another such FIR lodged at PS Hazratganj, Lucknow. She was granted interim protection from arrest by the order dated 11.02.2021 by a co-ordinate Bench, but she was not cooperating with the investigation,' the court said.

It is to be recalled that on January 19, 2021, an FIR was lodged on the complaint of one Balbir Azad of Raunija village under Rabupura police station of Greater Noida. In the complaint, Azad alleged that the show depicted Uttar Pradesh and its police in a poor light. The complaint further alleged that the web series had deliberately denigrated Hindu gods and goddesses.

The counsel appearing on behalf of Uttar Pradesh has vehemently opposed the application saying that a total of 10 FIRs and four criminal complaints have been filed relating to the disputed web series across the country.

He has submitted that the aforesaid cases lodged against the applicants show that merely one person is not affected by the conduct of the applicant and other co-accused persons, rather a number of persons across the country have felt that the web series is offensive and hence, they have lodged FIRs and complaints.

As a result, the applicant is not required to be granted any latitude from this court, the counsel added.

Photo: The Canadian Press Canada Pension Plan Investment Board President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Machin waits to appear at the Standing Committee on Finance on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa on November 1, 2016.

The CEO of Canada's largest pension fund says in a memo to employees that he received a COVID-19 vaccination while on a "very personal" trip to Dubai.

Mark Machin disclosed the information to staff in an email after the Wall Street Journal reported he had received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Machin, who has been in his current role since 2016, says in the memo viewed by The Canadian Press that he is still in Dubai with his partner.

He says he followed all travel protocols related to his role as head of the pension fund while on the trip.

The Canadian government is actively discouraging Canadians from travelling abroad and recently implemented strict quarantine measures for those returning home.

CPP Investments is an independent fund manager for the Canada Pension Plan, which covers employees in most parts of Canada except for Quebec, which has its own provincial plan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2021.
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YEREVAN.  I do not care what the government thinks. I see that the government has already lost 90 percent of everything, it has virtually no support. Ex-PM Vazgen Manukyanthe PM candidate of the opposition Homeland Salvation Movement which demands the resignation of Armenias incumbent PM Nikol Pashinyansaid this Friday morning in a conversation with reporters at Marshal Bagharmyan Avenue in the capital Yerevan.

"The whole problem is that some hot-tempered people say, 'Let's take decisive actions.' All decisive actions have been taken, the government is in agony. There must be a nationwide movement, and I know that the people from the regions want to come to Yerevan. He [Pashinyan] has to go [from power] whether he wants to or not," Manukyan added.

To the remark that the statement of the General Staff of the Armed Forces endangers the security of Armenia, Vazgen Manukyan stated: "Armenia's security is at zero. The pain is that it is virtually impossible to further disrupt Armenia's security, although Nikol is making quite a lot of attempts. Speaking of the [Russian-made] Iskander [ballistic missiles alleged malfunction], he further reduced the level of defense.

It is clear that the army did not carry out a coup. Even if it had carried out a coup, I would not have mind. The army ensures the security of the country and finds the target which is the enemy. In fact, the army said that now Nikol Pashinyan is threatening the security, and he should leave. That was a matter within their competence," he added.

Referring to the rally and march organized by Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday, Vazgen Manukyan said: "He would have liked very much to have clashes. Who was sending people to the clashes on March 1 [2008 in Yerevan]? Nikol Pashinyan would wanted to, but nothing happened. I believe it was very prudent that we did so that there will not be a clash."

As for the information that the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Onik Gasparyan, was being persuaded to resign, Vazgen Manukyan said: "But it is clear that he will not resign. He is a smart man. Why should he do such a thing? Nikol does not realize what it means when the army says this man must go. That is a final verdict."

On Thursday morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement in which the high-ranking military officials demanded the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government. Pashinyan, however, considered the move as an "attempt at a military coup" and called on his supporters to gather at Republic Square in downtown Yerevan.

After their rally at Liberty Square in downtown Yerevan, the opposition demanding Pashinyans resignation marched to Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, continued their respective protest in front of the National Assembly, after which they announced that they would pitch tents and spend the night on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue.
Lanny Setka - Branch Manager You only become what you think you are.

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This research work done by researchers Sumanth Kumar, Koushik S, and Dr Soni has been recently published in the journal Nanoscale

Scientists have developed a new technique to measure DNA modifications that can have applications in early diagnosis of multiple diseases like cancer, Alzheimers, and Parkinsons diseases.

Alteration in DNA affects their expression and functions. DNA controls cell survival through the genetic code as well as via modifications to its structure.

The novel nanopore-based platform developed by the scientists can directly measure such modifications or branched DNA properties with the single-molecule resolution even with extremely low amounts of sample.

The platform and associated analysis techniques developed by a team of scientists led by Professor Gautam Soni from Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous Institute funded by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India can quantitatively assess the distribution of supercoiled branches on DNA plasmids (DNA molecule outside the chromosome). This research work done by researchers Sumanth Kumar, Koushik S, and Dr Soni has been recently published in the journal Nanoscale.

The measurement principle of the novel platform is analogous to the Archimedes principle. Individual analyte molecules are driven through a nanopore under an applied voltage, which, during translocation, results in a tiny electrical blip. Charges excluded by the analyte (supercoiled DNA) in the nanopore is directly proportional to the volume of the particle and is directly measured as the current change. This method utilises extremely low amounts of sample and can measure DNA structural changes ranging to a few nanometers resolution in the axis perpendicular to the translocation and few tens of nanometers along the translocation axis.

Further optimisation of the technique can help in the development of portable nano-bio sensors for detection and quantification of protein aggregates and cell-free DNA or nucleosomes.
Human Rights Lawyer, Mary Ohenewah Afful has revealed that she has been attracted to married men at an early age just when she had fully developed heavy beasts, buttocks and hips.



The worried lawyer said this persistent attraction has been her problem since she turned 15 though she developed an interest in a relationship with a single man and got married at the age of 24.



Narrating her ordeal, Lawyer Ohenewaa said, I have a problem. I am attracted to married men from age 15 when I had fully developed with heavy beasts, buttocks and hips. However, I entered into a sexual relationship at age 21 then I married same person at age 24.



According to her, though married men kept proposing love to her even when she was legally married, the situation has exacerbated following her divorce in 2016.



Now am divorced after so many years of marriage and separation. I had my divorce in June 2016 even when I had divorced a lot of marriages from 2010 in the law courts, mine was hanging around my neck like a stethoscope. Now that I am very single and free and a single struggling mother, I still get attracted to fully married men even when I was married, they never stopped proposing to me in my wedding band, she shares.



Sharing her experience, the Human rights advocate said dating single and divorced men is difficult because she believes they are play boys whose nonsense she can hardly tolerate.



She said, I wont lie that I have not dated married men. They are very good. Good giving, I mean they respond to money issues swiftly. But they are still married. How long can you hang around a married manits just a total waste of time.



The single Lawyer who is ready to marry in the next two months, prays that God brings along her path, a wealthy man with chains of businesses, mansions and cars.



So to come to my biggest issue right nowMary wants to marry in 2 months. Obviously a single or divorced man. But I dont have a man right now. I just want God to drop a good man to me with a beautiful mansion, a fleet of cars, a group of companies, and the rest. Not forgetting a strong energetic man, with a good performing dick, very neat, good manners, and respectful, the lawyer shared her deep thoughts.



Read the full write up



I have a problem. I am attracted to married men from age 15 when I had fully developed with heavy beasts, buttocks and hips. However I entered into a sexual relationship at age 21 then I married same person at age 24.



Now am divorced after so many years of marriage and separation. I had my divorce in June 2016 even when I had divorced alot of marriages from 2010 in the law courts, mine was hanging around my neck like a stethoscope.



Now that I am very single and free and a single struggling mother, I still get attracted to fully married men even when I was married, they never stopped proposing to me in my wedding band.



Now my biggest problem right now is that dating a single or divorced man is a very difficult task. Very difficult to handle such creatures. They are play boys. Its hard to tolerate their nonsense.



I wont lie that I have not dated married men. They are very good. Good giving I mean. They respond to money issues swiftly. But they are still married. How long can you hang around a married manits just a total waste of time.



So to come to my biggest issue right nowMary wants to marry in 2 months. Obviously a single or divorced man. But I dont have a man right now. I just want God to drop a good man to me with a beautiful mansion, fleet of cars, group of companies and the rest. Not forgetting a strong energetic man, with a good performing dick, very neat, good manners and respectful.





Lawyer Mary Ohenewaa Afful.



Ohenewaa Human Rights Advocacy

Source: TopStories.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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In Gabon, sampling of bats in the framework of the EBOSURSY project. The objective is to promote the improvement of early detection systems in wild animals to prevent Ebola and other emerging diseases. Credit: Pierre Becquart/IRD, CC BY

To stay in step with their times, make their voices heard and play a decisive role in shaping major future directions, researchers must move toward a "sustainability science."

Countless articles published by scientists since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic have reached the same conclusion: there was a risk of a global pandemic; scientific communities repeatedly sounded the alarm; governments were not sufficiently prepared, even though we have already experienced serious health and ecological crises and will have to face other, more violent ones.

These events are the result of our excesses and reflect economic and political reasoning that reaches far beyond the realm of our laboratories. Yet, doesn't this situation also call for scientific communities to rethink the way they build knowledge and propose concrete solutions to respond to global challenges?

As philosopher Edgar Morin said in a recent interview, in this time of health crisis, shouldn't we also have the courage to "see the greatness of contemporary science along with its shortcomings?"

Moving beyond disciplinary interests

Science is now being called upon to find solutions. A multitude of voices are making themselves heard, offering opposing viewpoints at times. But we have to work quickly, provide guidance for public policies and solve problems. While these requirements are legitimate, it is time for us to prepare ourselves better in order to avoid future crises.

Contemporary research remains fragmented and focused on individual disciplines, and it falls very short when it comes to the relationship between the results proposed and the problems to be solved. Putting out the "COVID-19 fire" with research on treatments and vaccines is crucial in order to save lives but let us not forget that the rest of the planet is burning! We must find new ways to work together if we want to stand a chance of solving environmental crises.

Against this backdrop, the recent advent of "sustainability science" is a sign of a radical change in the construction of new knowledge systems. A defining feature of this approach is that research problems are anchored in addressing real-world problems, rather than in the sole dynamics of the scientific disciplines involved.

The aim is to promote interdisciplinary knowledge, built jointly by scientists and stakeholders in society, in an effort to move beyond disciplinary interests. This approach is still marginal, especially in France, but is essential to gaining a better understanding of the complexity of the modern world and finding more comprehensive solutions to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing our societies.

Developing cooperative projects

Based on the UN's sustainable development goals (SDG) established by the United Nations in 2015, new research frameworks may be invented in an effort to foster dialog between experts from different scientific disciplines and create collective knowledge.

A video presenting the results of research on illegal fishing under the Sea Around Us program (2020).

This is what international panels of experts (IPCC, GSDR, IPBES) are already trying to do by providing a multi-disciplinary scientific consensus without which we would not be able to understand and take action concerning the future evolutions of our planet.

However, to tackle the issues at stake, there is an urgent need to strengthen joint efforts to build knowledge by incorporating the full range of scientific expertise more effectively, in close cooperation with policy-makers and civil society. To this end, the management of emerging diseases is perhaps one of the most compelling illustrations of the benefits of sustainability science.

Responding to the Ebola crisis required a coordinated effort, geared toward a common goalecologists specialized in the dynamics of reservoir animal populations, sociologists and economists who study the vicious circles of poverty, anthropologists specialized in the construction of representations of disease and, of course, infectious disease specialists and doctors cooperating with public health institutes and the communities affected.

In France, although some laboratories are organized with a multidisciplinary approach, thematic silos and competition between disciplines are still too pervasive. It is not enough to bring together researchers with different kinds of expertisethey must work toward a common goal, demonstrate curiosity about other disciplines and consider the epistemology of interfaces in order to rethink the way questions are developed and the synergy between different kinds of knowledge.

As such, there is an urgent need to develop new, ambitious and publicly-funded joint scientific projects that bring together international expertise and work toward a common goal (following in the steps of CERN, the Human Genome Project, and the Sea Around Us in marine ecology). These projects focused on developing solutions are complementary with disruptive research, drawing on scientists' curiosity and creativity.

Concrete actions

The COVID-19 crisis has led us to think about concrete ways to promote sustainability science. It appears necessary to strengthen the role of partnership-based, participatory, community research and special attention must be paid to the ethics of the partnership, especially in the Global South, by respecting all of its forms, such as traditional knowledge.

Participatory research with local stakeholders is not a new idea, but it must be promoted in order to build local capacities to better prepare for and combat future crises, especially in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. The growing involvement of society stakeholders can also help bridge the gap between researchers and citizens and help bring them together to work toward a shared goal.

One recent example is the "Silent Cities" project to assess the impact of lockdown measures on biodiversity (birds, amphibians and insects) by monitoring the modification of soundscapes.

Promoting sustainability science also calls for a rethink of the indicators used by the assessment authorities for higher education and research. High quality level requirements for the science that is produced must be maintained and combined with practices that are in step with global challenges.

Scientists must be allowed to build on the activities they have developed in direct interaction with society, as is the case in many countriesin the United States notably with the land grant universities involved in improving quality of life in their region, hours dedicated to "community" activities in South America, and joint university curriculum development with local stakeholders in certain African centers of excellence (AGRISAN, for example).

Finally, it is crucial to apply the principles of sustainability science to our own research institutions, for example by creating places where knowledge can be built jointly by scientific communities and stakeholder organizations (innovation labs) and establishing measures to reduce the energy consumption of our research practices. There is also an urgent need to consider our responsibility to train future generations to conduct research focused on taking up major challenges, and to make them more aware of a science that is fundamentally open to others.

Explore further Researchers develop global consensus on sustainability in the built environment

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Cat risk team of the year: Aon, Impact Forecasting

Impact Forecasting has long established itself in catastrophe risk modelling and, in the face of many large-scale challenges in the last 12 months, it has solidified its reputation.

The company aims to assist insurers' analysis of the financial implications of catastrophic events, to help them achieve a greater understanding of the risks.

"Insurers and re/insurers told us that a black-box approach is limiting them from making most of the catastrophe models as the calculation process is not clearly defined and cannot be easily explained to stakeholders, regulators and rating agencies," says Jakub Aska, business development executive at Impact Forecasting.

Its processes have evolved from traditional catastrophe modelling for reinsurance to underwriting, new product development and automated accumulation control.

In 2020, the firm made several improvements including expanding coverage of its windstorm models across Europe to now include Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, and enhancements to its Automated Event Response (AER) service for European windstorm and US hurricane perils. The model enhancement provides loss projections for an insurer's portfolio in advance of storm making landfall.

The Atlantic hurricane season in 2020 provided a timely test: a record-breaking 30 named storms formed, some of which made landfall as severe hurricanes.

"Our AER service provided insurers and reinsurers with early estimates of projected losses (even before the storms hit land) for all of them  including hurricane Laura, which was the costliest landfalling hurricane of 2020," says Aska.

"From discussions with clients using the service, we've gathered lots of useful feedback which will enhance future developments. These will include additional parameters to explore hazard uncertainty such as storm track and wind field impacts on projected losses."

In addition, Impact Forecasting incorporated the Oasis financial engine in its ELEMENTS platform. This will allow users a greater choice of models and help re/insurers in defining their own view of risk.

Last November, the firm also established a partnership with Columbia University to investigate how climate change will be considered within its models and how it will impact on future catastrophe losses.

Planned future developments, according to Aska, include new models and updating existing ones, as well as enhancing the functionality of ELEMENTS.

"This year for example, we will introduce new UK freeze, US hurricane, US wildfire or Latin America flood models and update the existing European hail and European windstorm models, among others," says Aska.
Venezuela's government on Wednesday ordered the expulsion of the head of the European Union delegation in the South American nation following the bloc's decision to impose sanctions on several Venezuelan officials accused of undermining democracy or violating human rights.

Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa was given 72 hours to leave the troubled country.

"We would not have wanted to do this," said Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president. "But we cannot accept that anyone comes to offend Venezuela."

The move from the Venezuelan government came two days after the European Union's foreign ministers sanctioned 19 Venezuelan officials, freezing their assets and banning them from traveling to the bloc, citing the deteriorating situation Venezuela faces after the December 2020 elections.

The main opposition parties boycotted those elections.

So far, 55 Venezuelan officials have been sanctioned by the European Union.

It is the second time in almost eight months that Brilhante Pedrosa has been declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Venezuela.

The measures both times have been related to the sanctions imposed by the European bloc against officials and allies of Maduro.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 16:48:15|Editor: huaxia

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Bolivia has started its largest vaccination drive in history. It kicked off the campaign with Chinese Sinopharm vaccines in the city of Santa Cruz on Thursday to combat COVID-19.

The campaign has provoked great expectations in the nation's populace. Nicknamed 'a dose of hope,' it will cover various regions in Bolivia, which has reported more than 245,000 cases in nearly a year.

The government has considered the campaign to be unprecedented. Bolivian President Luis Arce, ministers and vice ministers of the government, and representatives of the Chinese embassy in Bolivia have attended the ceremony.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
CPS Energy's AutoPay option will kick back on Friday after the utility service disabled the feature in the wake of last week's storm.

The move to pause the option, which automatically deducts payments from a card or bank account on file, came earlier this week as customers worried their February bills would be substantially higher than usual due to the energy crisis.

Customers can opt out of their AutoPay enrollment online or by calling (210) 353-6110, but they should not see charges stemming from the freeze reflected on their statement yet.

RELATED: Ellen applauds H-E-B's $1 million donation to Texas food banks in storm aftermath

The San Antonio Express-News reported on Wednesday that CPS customers will not be charged until the costs are fully assessed.

CPS CEO Paula Gold-Williams told the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board that the utility is working to ensure "we shelter our customers from shock."

"Our goal is always to keep our customers bills affordable. We experienced unusually sharp increases in the costs of fuel," CPS said in a previous statement. "The effects of this February 2021 weather event will continue beyond restoring power. While fuel charges are normally passed on to customers, our team will pursue every financing tool within our ability to spread the financial impact over years."

RELATED: Photos show people collecting water out of the San Antonio River Walk

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg started the first recovery week post-freeze and utility crisis by going on CNN and saying there will be "hell to pay" if residents are burdened by being billed for the disaster.

On February 19, as CPS Energy was answering questions on Twitter, one user asked if the company would be providing relief to customers. The answer from the company read, "We understand that it would be unacceptable to have customers bear the costs on their monthly bill, so we are working diligently to find ways to spread those costs to 10 years or longer to make it more affordable."

CPS customers can also explore their usage via the My Energy Portal online.

Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @maddyskye
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Singh Tikait, who is spearheading the farmers agitation, is likely to be arrested in Madhya Pradesh where he is due to address rallies on March 8 to drum up support against the Centres new farm laws.

It has emerged that the BKU leader may be arrested in connection with an attempt to murder and rioting case of 2012. According to MP BKU general secretary Anil Yadav, Rakesh Tikait will address farmer rallies in Sheopur, Rewa and Dewas on March 8.

Incidentally, a Madhya Pradesh court has issued an arrest warrant against Tikait in connection with a 2012 attempt to murder and rioting case in the states Anuppur district.

Tikait had led a BKU protest against a power plant in the Jaithari area, which turned violent, leading to injuries to policemen and torching of vehicles. Over 100 people, including Tikait, were arrested under Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with armed weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC, an official said.

However, after being released on bail in 2012, Tikait failed to appear before the court for subsequent hearings, after which an arrest warrant was issued against him in 2016. We will take necessary action on the arrest warrant, Anuppur Superintendent of Police Mangilal Solanki said.

The BKU leader has recently warned that the farmers would march to the Parliament if the three agricultural laws are not taken back. Tikait said, "A call would be made for taking farm protests to the Parliament."

He claimed that farmers would do farming on the lawns located near Parliament and when the crop would mature, the government could analyse the financial yield of the crop. He further said that a Parliamentary Standing Committee should be formed and monitor this and then the government would get to know about the gains and losses related to it. Tikait also said that the movement would spread to other states such as Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

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From Monday, 1 March, four sectorial plans that subdivide the country into different purpose areas come into effect.

The Minister for Spatial Planning, Claude Turmes, called the plans a decisive step in improving the quality of life and protection of the environment. The four plans set out a list of lands that are reserved for very specific purposes in an effort to minimise the impact on the public and the environment.

The four sectorial plans cover housing, industrial zones, countryside and transport. The ministry has determined areas that are suitable for sustainable construction. According to Turmes, this ensures that important resources are protected, including wildlife, forests, agricultural land and other areas of public interest.

De Claude Turmes

The minister also said that this covers air and water, but he estimates that soil is the scarcest resource in Luxembourg. The sectorial plans seek for example to promote building on industrial lands, rather than opening construction sites in the green areas.

In Dudelange, Esch and Wiltz one sectorial plan is used to create more affordable housing. From 1 March, 30% of all new housing projects need to be for social housing, as opposed to current rate of 10%. Some 50,000 people could be given housing space of which 15,000 could live in such social housing.

Elsewhere, 455 hectares are reserved for activity zones. Turmes also said he wanted for Communes to work together in developing these.

Regarding transport, the country has been divided into "corridors" to highlight areas where infrastructure projects may be built. According to Turmer, private property owners have thus been notified that their land may one day need to be used and that they could be expropriated.

The fourth sectorial plan seeks to preserve Luxembourgs nature and landscapes. 46 green areas have been determined where no urban development could go ahead. This covers an area of roughly 3,900 hectares, which is 1.5% of Luxembourgs overall territory.

On geoportail.lu residents can look up what areas are covered by which sectorial plan and whether their own property is concerned.

Efforts to subdivide the country into areas of different purposes dates back to 2003.
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By Ma Jing

According to a report from the public broadcaster KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) on February 24, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the US may hold a joint military exercise in mid-March, and the US Department of Defense (DOD) declared its stance on the same day and emphasized the importance of the joint ROK-US military exercise.

In addition, Chung Eui-yong, the new South Korean foreign minister who once served as the ROK Ambassador to the United States, is known as an old hand to the US in the diplomatic circle at home. Therefore, the outsiders have cared more about the development of the ROK-US relations and how to reach appropriate balance by the ROK in its relationship to China and the US in the future.

Earlier this month, the US and ROK defense ministers reiterated the unbreakable alliance between the US and ROK through a phone call. To restore the US-ROK alliance was taken as one of the important issues of the new US administration in foreign affairs in the Asia-Pacific region. It is true that the new Biden administrations policies on the Korean Peninsula issue and the US-ROK alliance are bound to be different from previous ones; however, many problems facing the US-ROK alliance cannot be readily solved, which are tricky to deal with both for the Biden administration and the Moon Jae-in administration.

When it comes to the affairs of the US-ROK alliance, the defense cost-sharing between the ROK and the US and the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) are critical to the bilateral relationship. The age-old friction between the two sides in defense burden-sharing negotiations has come to a standstill since February last year, as the Trump administration proposed the rising share of defense costs to the ROK side and even made the overcharge as condition of the transfer of wartime OPCON. Compared with the Trump administration, the new Biden administration may adopt a more pragmatic approach to this issue.

The transfer of wartime OPCON has been a diplomatic issue to which President Moon Jae-in had attached great importance since he took office. He had vowed for an early takeover of wartime OPCON during his presidency. However, US officials have repeatedly delayed the transfer on the grounds of some conditions unmet over the past two years. Therefore, whether the transfer of wartime OPCON can be realized during Moon Jae-ins tenure can be achieved is still in question, as restrained by the following three obstacles.

Firstly, it is restrained by the opposition by conservative forces of the ROK. The ROK society has been divided into two camps: the conservatives supporting the US-ROK alliance and the liberals advocating national independence. From the perspective of the conservative camp, the transfer of wartime OPCON means the breakdown of the joint command system that the US-ROK alliance has been always proud of, unfavorable to the coordination and synergy in commanding both the US and ROK forces in the event of future conflicts on the Korean Peninsula.

Secondly, affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the verification of the command capabilities of the ROK forces by the US side has not been carried out as scheduled. The scale of the bilateral joint exercises and related subjects involved have dropped compared with previous years, which in turn will hinder the process of the transfer.

Thirdly, the announcement of defense budget cuts in 2020 by the ROK has brought much uncertainty. The conditions required for the ROK military to regain its wartime OPCON include the possession of core military strength and the ability to respond to nuclear weapon threats from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), both of which depend onthe strong support by the ROKs defense budget. Under the impact of multiple factors, including the 2020 defense budget cut and the COVID-19 epidemic, the uncertainty of the defense budget on the ROK side has increased significantly in the future.

In addition, DPRK nuclear issue and the ROKs attitude towards China are also the thorny issues facing the US-ROK alliance. As we all know, the DPRK nuclear issue can function as not only a binding agent but also the most serious source of friction to the US-ROK alliance. In the past four years, Moon and Trump administrations have maintained certain consilience with regard to their policies toward the Korean Peninsula, the situation of which has been relatively allayed. Nevertheless, unlike its predecessor, the incumbent Biden administration has not shown any interest in holding the US-ROK summit; instead, it has tended to resume the policy of strategic patience towards the DPRK pursued under Obama. This is running counter to the Moon administrations policy towards the DPRK, and new contradictions thereby may arise in terms of the US-ROK relationship.

As for the policy toward China, new frictions may be triggered in the US-ROK relationship. In the early stage, the Biden administration may continue the Trump administrations policy on China in some respects. The Biden administration, which tends to unite with alliances and regional partners to contain China, will take it for granted that the ROK, as an ally, is supposed to take the US side in US-China relations. As a result, the US exerts even more pressure on the ROK in operations like the so-called Clean Network plan and even puts forward more intense requirements for the US-ROK-Japan military cooperation to contain China.

The ROK side has euphemistically declined the invitation of the Trump administration out of multiple considerations such as economic interests and resolving the Korean nuclear issue. However, if the Biden administration keeps up strengthening the value-oriented diplomacy among its Asia-Pacific allies, the approach that ROK takes to respond to the new changes in US-China relations will be a test to the ROK.

(The author is an associate researcher at the International Development and Cooperation Research Center of Northeast Asia, Dalian University of Technology.)
Q. My uncle is in hospice care and my grandmother is his power of attorney. He had a 2006 Corvette that he purchased in Pennsylvania. My grandmother gave me the vehicle and the title was still in the name of the dealer in Pennsylvania. My uncle never registered the car because he bought it right before he got sick. I am planning to get the title flipped to New Jersey. Do I have to pay sales tax? A. He never had it registered, I believe this is because he purchased it right before he got sick.

 Doing it right

A. Were sorry to hear about your uncle.

When your uncle bought the vehicle, he should have paid sales tax as part of the purchase price.

If he did not, then the tax will be due, said Michael Karu, a certified public accountant with Levine, Jacobs & Co. in Livingston.

New Jersey does not charge sales tax on vehicles that are gifted, he said.

The sales price must indicate gift, he said.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may request documentation of the gift, Karu said. While it may be too late, my advice would not have been to gift the car to you, but rather for you to receive it as a bequest after he passes.

Assuming he was a New Jersey resident, there would be no inheritance tax on a bequest to a linear descendant which includes a wife, child, grandchild, parent and grandparent. But nieces and nephews are considered Class D beneficiaries and generally incur a tax on inheritances of $500 or more

Were guessing the car is worth more than that, so you should consider the difference in what would be owed in inheritance tax versus paying New Jersey sales tax.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter.

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Two types of COVID-19 vaccines are now available for inoculating pregnant and lactating individuals here in the Kingdom. The move comes amid concerning reports that pregnancy heightens the risk of severe Coronavirus infection and that pregnant women have a greater need for protection.

Dr Maryam Ibrahim Al-Hajri, the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, said the committee had approved two types of vaccines for inoculating breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.

Dr Al-Hajri is the chair of the Health Ministrys Vaccination Committee.

Bahrain picked vaccines developed by Chinas National Pharmaceutical Group, Sinopharm, and Pfizer and BioNTech for the purpose.

Bahrains approval follows a recommendation by the World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control in the United States of America.

Dr Anthony Fauci, head of infectious diseases at the National Institutes of Health, said in a recent briefing that researchers have seen no red flags so far from the 20,000 pregnant women participating in a federal tracking effort.

According to reports, mRNA vaccines are administered during pregnancy as they do not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19 and, therefore, cannot give someone COVID-19.

Additionally, mRNA vaccines do not interact with a persons DNA because the mRNA does not enter a cell nucleus. Cells break down the mRNA quickly.

Dr Al-Hajri also pointed out: Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women are among the groups most vulnerable to complications from the Coronavirus.

Vaccination will help them prevent the infection or its complications, especially in light of the rapid spread of the new mutated strain.

While vaccination remains a personal choice, people who are pregnant and part of a group recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, such as healthcare personnel, may choose to be vaccinated.

For, it is highly-necessary to strengthen the immunity of breastfeeding and pregnant mother against the virus, said Dr Al-Hajri.

Lactating mothers and pregnant women can register through the website health alert. gov.bh or other authorised applications.

The official said that the vaccination is optional, but a necessity to keep everyone healthy.

CDC says, There are neither data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating women nor on the effects of mRNA vaccines on the breastfed infant or milk production/excretion.

mRNA vaccines are not thought to be a risk to the breastfeeding infant. People who are breastfeeding and are part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, such as healthcare personnel, may choose to be vaccinated.

Five COVID-19 vaccines in Bahrain on Thursday approved a new single-dose coronavirus vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson.

The authorisation makes Bahrain the first nation in the world to authorise Janssen Covid-19, the one-shot vaccine for general use. Bahrains move comes a day after US regulators concluded the shot offers strong protection against severe COVID-19.

The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) said it would dole out the vaccine shots to elderly, people with chronic diseases and other categories determined by the Health Ministry.

The approval for Janssen Covid-19 Vaccine also brings the number of vaccines available in Bahrain for inoculation to five.

Bahrain already uses the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, one manufactured by Chinese state-backed pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm, Indias Covishield (the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine) and Russias Sputnik V vaccine.

Bahrain is providing coronavirus vaccine jab free of cost for citizens and residents.

COVID-19 measures extended for three more months Bahrain also extended the mandatory COVID-19 pre-cautionary measures for an additional three months from 28 February 2021.

The move also follows the recommendations of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Harvard Medical School's Dr. Staci Gruber, Ph.D. is lead investigator

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF) Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. ("Charlotte's Web" or the "Company"), the market leader in hemp CBD wellness products, today announced a long-term scientific collaboration between McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, and the Company. Funding and product support are provided by the CW Labs division of Charlotte's Web Inc.

Harvard Medical School's Associate Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Staci Gruber, Ph. D (CNW Group/Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc.)

Two distinct clinical trials will be overseen by lead researcher/investigator Dr. Staci A. Gruber, Ph. D, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of the MIND program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass. These two studies will investigate the efficacy of a custom-formulated, hemp-derived high-CBD product. Clinical trial results are to be published in 2022. Dr. Gruber is also conducting a number of other studies, including a longitudinal observational study of Veterans who use a Charlotte's Web product.

Dr. Gruber's Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) Program, established in 2014, is the first of its kind, and is dedicated to studying the long-term impact of cannabis and cannabinoids for medical and adult use which utilizes various clinical and cognitive tools as well as multimodal neuroimaging techniques.

"We are honored to be working with Dr. Gruber, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital on these important clinical trials," said Tim Orr, President of Charlotte's Web's CW Labs divison. "Charlotte's Web remains dedicated to supporting third-party research on hemp CBD investigated by some of the country's top scientists."

For More Information About the MIND Program: https://www.drstacigruber.com/

About the MIND Program:

In 2014 Dr. Staci Gruber launched the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) program at Mclean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. The MIND program is the first program of its kind designed to clarify the specific effects of medical cannabis use and is designed to support a wide range of study designs that generate ecologically valid, empirically sound data to close the gap between policy and science. MIND utilizes valid, robust research models and supports numerous projects designed to address the impact of medical cannabis on important variables such as cognition, brain structure and function, mood, conventional medication use, quality of life, pain, sleep, and other health-related measures. Through observational longitudinal investigations, survey studies, and clinical trials of custom-formulated cannabinoid products, MIND aims to examine the unique and synergistic effects of cannabis and its constituents to determine the efficacy of cannabinoids for specific conditions and diseases and to clarify the overall impact of cannabinoid-based treatments on physical and mental health. MIND is poised to improve patients' overall wellbeing by striving to harness the therapeutic potential while minimizing harms of cannabinoid-based treatment.

About Charlotte's Web and its CW Labs Division

Charlotte's Web Labs ("CW Labs") is the research and development division of Charlotte's Web, advancing science around hemp-derived phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoid compounds. CW Labs is headquartered at the Hauptmann Woodward Research Institute on the campus of the University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine and The Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of 64 national and international research and medical institutions.

About Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc.

Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc., a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is the market leader in the production and distribution of innovative hemp-derived cannabidiol ("CBD") wellness products under a family of brands which includes Charlotte's Web, CBD Medic, CBD Clinic, and Harmony Hemp. The Company's premium quality products start with proprietary hemp genetics that are 100-percent American farm grown and manufactured into whole-plant hemp extracts containing a full spectrum of naturally occurring phytocannabinoids including CBD, CBC, CBG, terpenes, flavonoids and other beneficial hemp compounds. Charlotte's Web product categories include CBD oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD gummies (sleep, stress, inflammation recovery), CBD capsules,CBD topical creams and lotions, as well as CBD pet products for dogs. Charlotte's Web is the number one CBD brand in the USA and distributed through more than 22,000 retail locations, select distributors and online through the Company's website at www.CharlottesWeb.com.

Charlotte's Web was founded by the Stanley Brothers with a mission to unleash the healing powers of botanicals through compassion and science, benefiting the planet and all who live upon it. Charlotte's Web is a socially and environmentally conscious company and is committed to using business as a force for good and a catalyst for innovation. The Company weighs sound business decisions with consideration for how its efforts affect employees, customers, the environment, and diverse communities. The rate the Company pays for agricultural products reflects a fair and sustainable rate driving higher quality yield, encouraging regenerative farming practices, and supporting U.S. farming communities. Management believes that its socially oriented and environmentally responsible actions have a positive impact on its customers, suppliers, employees, and stakeholders. Charlotte's Web donates a portion of its pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations.

Subscribe to Charlotte's Web investor news.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Charlotte's Web to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release.

Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including assumptions as to the efficacy and results of research; the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Company's operations; and such risks contained in Charlotte's Web's annual information form dated March 27, 2020 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on Charlotte's Web's issuer profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

SOURCE Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.charlottesweb.com/


Port Elizabeth  Residents fled their shacks in NU29, Motherwell, as water spouted from the ground from about 2am on Friday.

As early as 2am on Friday morning, water spouted sky high from an open drain in NU29 in Motherwell, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Ten terrified families fled their shacks. About 20 other shacks were flooded with residents' furniture drenched.

By 11am, the problem was still not fixed. Municipal workers at the scene promised to fix the burst within four hours.

Video by Thamsanqa Mbovane

A police van arrived and police told children to stop playing in that water "or we will arrest you".

Resident Sibongiseni Ngqungqumba said, "The municipal workers arrived at about 7am and took pictures and left us without saying when they will fix this."

"When I woke up I thought it was raining heavily but as I went outside, I saw the water burst which looked like a tornado."

Vuyisile Mpolweni said his food and furniture were soaked and he took his belongings to his neighbour to keep.

Municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki said, "A valve was removed and stolen from a bulk pipeline. ... A team is attending to it. More updates to follow."
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The four are charged with allegedly embezzling $23 million from 2004 to 2018, mostly through fraudulent loans, according to the indictment. The proceeds were used for everything from buying real estate and paying off credit card debt to the purchase of a $450,000 Sea Ray 420 Sundancer boat named Expelliarmus, the indictment alleges.

Jammu and Kashmir have heaved a sigh of relief over India and Pakistan agreeing to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors. (Photo: PTI)

SRINAGAR: Tired of unending military tensions and frequent bouts of skirmishes between the facing troops, the border residents of Jammu and Kashmir have heaved a sigh of relief over India and Pakistan agreeing to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors.

It has come as a great relief to us. We hope and pray that both sides will really ensure strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC, said Irshad Ahmad Khawaja, a resident of Uri while speaking to this newspaper over the phone.

He said that the border residents were happy. Echoing their and his own sentiment, he said, If the two countries armies follow the promise we wont suffer any further human and property losses. Kam se kam chen ki sans ley payen gay (At least, we will breathe in peace).

Bashir Ahmed Wathloo, chairman Rural Development Society, Uri said, I will get a good nights sleep now. My joy knows no bounds today.

However, Bashir Ahmad Dar, who lives at Balkote, a hamlet at a stones throw from the LoC, said he would keep his fingers crossed. Dar who lost his wife Farooqa Begum, 35, in cross-LoC shelling in November last year said, I feel lost since I have lost my spouse. Had the two sides abided by the ceasefire agreement they had reached in 2003 my world would not have been ruined.

Though the two countries pushed on with the ceasefire agreement signed after months of tortuous negotiations in 2003, the facing armies and border guards have often clashed both along the LoC and International Border (IB), the 198-km stretch of the 2,912-km India-Pakistan border from Gujarat to J&K called Working Boundary by Islamabad as it passes through a disputed region particularly. Both sides suffered hugely in interminable hostility particularly after 2010 but it has been mainly the civilian populations on both sides which bore the brunt in cross border firing and shelling over the years. There had been strong craving for bringing this to a close.

J&K parties, leaders too welcome the pledge

Apart from the border residents, the fresh pledge of the two sides to revert to the November 2003 ceasefire agreement and hold to it has been welcomed by J&Ks political parties across the board. Former chief minister and National Conference president, Farooq Abdullah, said that the measure will go a long way towards sustainable peace between the two neighbouring countries.

The agreement between the DGsMO of India and Pakistan will go a long way in ushering long-lasting peace alongside LoC and IB. NC has always been a strong votary of Indo-Pak peace. It is the people of J&K who have been facing the brunt of escalating tensions alongside the borders. I hope the agreement is followed in letter and spirit. The development, I sincerely believe, will allow people living alongside LoC and IB to go about their normal lives with minimal disruption and risk, he said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, said, It is a big and welcome development. The former chief minister added, I have been saying all along that dialogue is the only way forward if both countries want to stop the unending cycle of violence and bloodshed across the borders and J&K.

Separatist Hurriyat Conference faction headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, It is a move in the right direction. It will provide huge relief to the beleaguered people living under constant threat on the LoC and end the bloodshed there.

It added, Just as the joint statement correctly points out that in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each others core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence, likewise in the interest of mutually beneficial and sustainable peace in the entire region, Governments of India and Pakistan need to address the core concern of J&K in keeping with the aspirations of its people. It is this issue which is the cause of conflict and violence in the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 20:01:11|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative in Nigeria has expressed concerns about and strongly condemns continuous terror attacks on schoolchildren in the west African country.

Early Friday, an unknown number of students were abducted by gunmen who stormed an all-girls school in Nigeria's northwestern state of Zamfara, about a week after 42 people, including 27 students, were taken away by gunmen who attacked a boarding school in Niger state in north-central Nigeria.

"We are angered and saddened and by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria," said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF representative in Nigeria, in a statement.

"This is a gross violation of children's rights and a horrific experience for children to go through - one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being," the UNICEF chief added.

"We utterly condemn the attack and call on those responsible to release the girls immediately and for the government to take steps to ensure their safe release and the safety of all other schoolchildren in Nigeria," said Hawkins.

He said children should feel safe at home and at school at all times and parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school in the morning.

UNICEF acknowledges efforts being made by the government of Nigeria to secure the release of kidnapped school children in Nigeria and calls on the government and all concerned to make schools safe in Nigeria, Hawkins said.

"UNICEF is working with partners to confirm the exact number of kidnapped students," he said.

The Zamfara state government has confirmed the abduction of female students of Government Girls Secondary School at Jangebe, a town in the state's Talata-Mafara area, by hundreds of gunmen at about 2:00 a.m. local time.

A security source told Xinhua that over 300 students are yet to be accounted for.

The latest abduction came about a week after gunmen struck the Government Secondary School at Kagara, a town in the north-central state of Niger, abducting 27 school pupils, three school staff, and 12 family members of the school staff.

They have yet to be rescued as of Friday.

The northern region of the most populous African country has witnessed a series of armed attacks in recent months, with hundreds killed and many others abducted. Enditem
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
Two adults were shot and injured on North Ninth Street in San Jose on Thursday night, authorities said.

San Jose police released few details Thursday night, but said on Twitter that two adults sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a double shooting on the 200 block of North Ninth Street in San Jose at 7:39 p.m.
Freetown, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Feb, 2021 ) :Sierra Leone will receive 200,000 doses of the Chinese-made coronavirus vaccine Sinopharm on Thursday, the health ministry said.

The West African nation's official infection rate is far below that of the West, having recorded 3,880 cases since March, and 79 deaths.

But the country is nonetheless in the middle of a second wave of Covid-19 infections, which forced the government to impose a nationwide curfew last month.

On Thursday, the health ministry said China had donated 200,000 doses of Sinopharm, which were due to arrive the same day.

Beijing has also donated 201,600 disposable needles and syringes, it added.

Sinopharm is 79-percent effective against Covid-19, according to its developers.

It being rolled out in other African countries, including the Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea and Senegal.
Phuket Governor in fender bender

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew escaped even minor injuries after his car was hit head-on in a minor collision across the road from his official residence, the Governors House, in the old government quarter of Phuket Town, earlier today (Feb 26).

accidentsSafetypolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 26 February 2021, 03:36PM

Lt Romthiya Suwannaphan of the Phuket City Police was called to the scene, at the entrance to Phuket Community Hall off Palian Rd, at about 10:30am.

At the scene Lt Romthiya found the governors official car, a black Toyota Camry hybrid bearing licence plates  11, and a white Honda City sedan had come together, each with minor damage to the front right corner of the car.

The cars had not been moved, and were still touching.

Governor Narong was standing to the side, observing the damage.

Lt Romthiya reported that Governor Narong was on his way back to the Governors House when the accident happened.

He had just completed attending a formal ceremony to mark the Buddhist religious holiday Makha Bucha this morning attended a ceremony to observe prayers and blessings to honour the Thai royal family.

While returning to his formal residence the white Honda City had come around the corner too wide and the two cars collided, Lt Romthiya reported.

Both cars were taken to Phuket City Police Station while arrangements are made to pay for damages, Lt Romthiya noted.
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According to new findings, the Atlantic Ocean's circulation underpinning the Gulf Stream, the weather system that carries warm and mild weather to Europe, is at its worst in more than a century. The possible cause is climate breakdown.

Further deterioration of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could lead to more hurricanes, stronger winters, and a spike in heat waves and droughts across Europe, battering the UK.

Related Article: Texas Power Crisis Can Happen Everywhere Because of Climate Change

AMOC Deterioration

Scientists expect that if global heating persists, the AMOC would eventually degrade and will decrease by around 34% to 45% by the end of this century, which will put it close to a "tipping point" at which the environment could become irrevocably unstable. A depleted Gulf Stream will also, with potentially catastrophic effects, increase water levels on the US Atlantic coast.

Stefan Rahmstorf, who co-authored the report published in Nature Geoscience on Thursday from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Effect Studies, told the Guardian that a weakening AMOC would increase the number and intensity of storms reaching Britain and carry more heatwaves to Europe.

Just out: our new paper affirming the unprecedented slowdown of the Gulf Stream System (aka Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, ) in Nature Geoscience! @NatureGeosci A thread. 1/11 pic.twitter.com/2GovKz5evk  Stefan Rahmstorf  (@rahmstorf) February 25, 2021

The circulation had already slowed by about 15 percent, he said, and the results were seen. "It is expected to degrade more in 20 to 30 years, and it will eventually impact our atmosphere, so we will see a spike in storms and heatwaves in Europe, and sea levels will rise on the US east coast," he said.

Rahmstorf and fellow scientists from Maynooth University in Ireland and University College London in the UK concluded that, after analyzing sediments, Greenland ice cores, and other proxy evidence that showed historical weather trends during that period, the recent weakening has not been seen over at least the last 1,000 years. Only since 2004 has the AMOC been tested directly.

AMOC

The AMOC is one of the largest ocean circulation channels in the world, bringing warm seawater from the Gulf of Mexico to the northern Atlantic, where it cools and becomes saltier before it sinks north of Iceland, which absorbs more warm water from the Caribbean in response. Winds that also help to carry mild and damp conditions to Ireland, the UK, and other areas of Western Europe are followed by this circulation.

As a result of global heat spikes, scientists have long expected a deterioration of the AMOC and have raised fears that it might fail entirely. The new study showed that any such point was likely to be decades away but that it would be pushed closer by sustained high greenhouse gas emissions.

Previous Studies

Rahmstorf said: "In this century, we are at risk of triggering [a tipping point] and circulation will spin down in the next century. We're highly unlikely to have caused it now, but if we don't stop global warming, we're more likely to cause it."

A deterioration of the AMOC was also recorded by studies in 2018. Still, the paper in Nature Geoscience says that over the last millennia, this was unusual, a strong indicator that human activities are to blame. A weakening of the Gulf Stream could cause freezing winters in Western Europe and unprecedented shifts across the Atlantic, scientists have previously said.

ALSO READ: Study: After Arctic Winds, 'Arctic Warming' Could Happen Next in Southern US

For the recent climate and weather updates, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
By Tsvetelia Tsolova and Stoyan Nenov

OGNEN, Bulgaria (Reuters) - When Veselin Mirchev, the mayor of a tiny village in southeastern Bulgaria, got a call to say that medics could come to vaccinate the villagers against COVID-19 he felt very relieved, and so did most of the elderly residents.

Bulgaria began sending out mobile vaccinations units last week to remoter rural locations, part of a drive to improve its inoculation record, the poorest in the European Union.

"If the team had not come, we probably would not have got vaccinated at all, because it is quite difficult in the cities, with all the waiting and the queuing," said Mirchev, 61.

Raina Todorova, 83, said she hoped her AstraZeneca shot would allow her once again to see her family.

"Our children can now visit without being afraid... They have been saying 'You are old people, how can we come and see you, what if we infect you'. They can calm down now," she said.

But she and the 30 other villagers who got vaccinated in Ognen, a picturesque spot in the Thrace region, are among the lucky ones because on Thursday Bulgaria's nationwide inoculation campaign stuttered to a halt due to a shortage of shots that is also being experienced elsewhere across the EU.

SHORTAGES AND DOUBTS

In a sharply worded letter, Bulgarian Health Minister Kostadin Angelov accused AstraZeneca of failing to stick to its delivery schedule vaccines and demanded the immediate shipment of at least 52,800 doses that the company has postponed to March 1.

AstraZeneca has told the EU it would cut vaccine deliveries to the 27-member bloc by 60% in the first three months of this year due to production problems. Under the EU scheme, Bulgaria ordered 4.5 million AstraZeneca doses over seven months.

The sudden halt is especially frustrating for Bulgaria, which has so far given a first dose to 190,000 people, or less than 2% of its adult population, but had begun to accelerate its campaign with 'green corridors', where anybody who wants a shot can get one, regardless of age or health condition.

Story continues

Sofia has arranged 85,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine in March and expects new shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. Bulgaria will also order doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine when it wins EU approval, said Angelov.

Vaccine shortages are not the only concern in Bulgaria, where a recent opinion poll suggests around half of the population do not plan to get inoculated at all, while some 37% are still hesitating.

In Ognen, too, some younger residents are wavering, said Mirchev the mayor.

"They still do not believe in the vaccines. They are probably reading different stories on the internet and that is holding them back," he said.

John Cowell, 62, a retired British social worker who lives in the village, had no such reservations.

"We have had COVID in the village, and a number of friends we have in the village have had it... So the more the village is vaccinated, the more safe I feel," he said.

(Writing by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Gareth Jones)
A mother of three has told of how she is lucky to be alive after quick thinking gardai found her ex partner strangling her in bed over a year ago.

Karen Galvin said she would not be able to relive the moments which led up to an incident at her home in Co Longford in September 2019 had gardai not arrived on the scene when they did.

Ms Galvin told a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court of how being pinned to a bed and choked by her then partner Brendan Kellegher (33), Drumlish Hill, Drumlish, Co Longford had left her with everyday emotional, mental and psychological scars.

Mr Kellegher pleaded guilty to assault.

"If I hadn't that gut feeling to leave the front door ajar for the guards I know I wouldn't be here today," she said.

"I'd be dead, plain and simple."

Ms Galvin, who is now in a new relationship and recently given birth to twins, said the trauma of what happened had left her with a deep hatred of the accused.

Read More

"It's not normal that I break into a sweat still coming into Longford," she told Mr Kelleher.

"Even the thought of it makes me physically sick and I despise you for that."

The court heard how gardai had called to a domestic violence incident at 17 Battery Road, Longford on September 9, 2019.

Garda Shane O'Connor said on arrival and after finding the front door slightly ajar, the accused was observed lying on top of the victim with one hand gripped around Ms Galvin's neck and the other covering her mouth.

He said after pulling Mr Kellegher off Ms Galvin, he said the young Longford mother was in an "extremely distressed state", unable to communicate with fingerprint marks clearly visible around both her neck and face.

The court was told Mr Kellegher, who was later charged with a Section 3 assault on Ms Galvin, had previously been convicted of breaching a barring order against Ms Galvin in February 2015.

It was also revealed Mr Kellegher had over half a dozen previous convictions to his name, all fuelled by an addiction to alcohol which the accused had also engaged in on the day of the assault on Ms Galvin.

Mr Kellegher expressed remorse over the incident and alluded to his own attempts to rehabilitate himself by undergoing a three month alcohol addiction treatment programme in Cuan Mhuire.

"I am truly sorry," he told Judge Keenan Johnson.

"It should never have happened, especially to the mother of my child. I am ashamed to sit here and say I done that."

Judge Johnson took issue with Mr Kellegher's expression of apology and questioned a letter detailing that level of remorse from the defendant to his victim in which the general operative apologised with the words "If I hurt you".

He said: "How do you explain to your daughter what you did to her mother?"

Judge Johnson adjourned sentencing until October 5 2021 for the preparation of a probation report.

If deemed positive, the court was told a two and a half year sentence would be handed down and suspended for ten years provided Mr Kellegher adhered to a number of strict conditions.

They included entering into a bond to be of good behaviour, to have no contact with Ms Galvin, to remain alcohol free, to engage with the probation services and to commence an anger management programme for men.

A "tokenistic" 2,000 was handed into court by means of compensation to Ms Galvin with Mr Kellegher ordered to gather a further 5,000 when the case returns in October.

"The keys to prison are in your hands," Judge Johnson told Mr Kellegher.

The case is expected to return before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on October 5 2021.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
Bill Hutchinson/

Oakland police opened an investigation Wednesday after a woman was robbed of her purse and dragged down a street by a car.

Officers responded to the scene of what police called a strong-armed robbery on the 800 block of International Boulevard in the East Lake neighborhood shortly after noon, Oakland police spokesman Paul Chambers said in a statement.

Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andrii Taran held a phone conversation with Minister of National Defense of Canada Harjit Singh Sajjan, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported.

Current security situation in and around Ukraine was discussed. The two ministers paid attention to the practical implementation of Ukraines status as a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner, as well as specified direction of concentration in this area.

"Our Canadian partners are constantly assisting to strengthen the institutional capabilities of Ukraines Defense Ministry. Modern principles of defense management and democratic civilian control are being introduced, and leaders of the strategic and operational levels are being trained. Canada provides all opportunities to improve skills and field training of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine within Operation UNIFIER. Therefore, Canadas key role in training of Ukraines defense and security forces is unquestionable," Taran noted.

In turn, the Canadian minister assured his Ukrainian counterpart of unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as well as of carrying out the defence reform.

The phone conversation once again reaffirmed the mutual willingness to continue a constant dialogue at the military and political levels.
Biden is undoing every single executive order Trump signed, regardless of whether a given order made sense or not. The goal isn't to benefit America or Americans; it's to destroy any vestige of Trump in the American government (and, as a pleasant byproduct, to replace the American population with a more malleable one).

The Victory Girls blog caught up with the seven executive orders that Biden signed on Wednesday. What's noteworthy is how innocuous or pro-American the Trump executive orders were. It's clear that, for the Democrats now in power, the substance of Trump's executive orders is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is getting rid of them. This is the executive order equivalent of fumigation.

Or to put Biden's conduct in its proper historical context, we are witnessing the American version of the damnatio memoriae  or condemnation of memory. It's how a successor government erases the predecessor from every official record. It's a primitive action, as well as being one that totalitarians embrace. (Stalin was famous for it.) You may draw your own conclusions about the Biden administration's motives.

Biden revoked Trump's effort to rid the American government of hideous modernist architecture. Trump had signed an order "Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture." That's gone.

After the summer of violence in Democrat-run cities, Trump issued a memo aimed at identifying what had happened in those cities that allowed "anarchy, violence and destruction." That makes sense because the wise person learns from errors, especially costly ones. But Biden is not going to let anyone finger the major government failures in Seattle, Portland, New York, and Washington.

Deeply disturbed by America's headlong dive into insolvency, Trump announced "Core Principles for Regulating the United States Financial System." Among other things, it intended to make it possible for Americans to create and save wealth. Biden didn't like that one, either, so it's now gone.

Biden also slashed orders aimed at reducing poverty as a general matter and helping small businesses during the lockdown. He gave no explanation. It's enough to know that even those good ideas bear the evil Trump taint.

And then there was this one, and here I'm quoting the Victory Girls:

Finally, the biggest reversal of the day was Joe Biden lifting the ban on some green card applicants from entering the US. Trump had placed the ban last year, saying that it was needed to protect American workers during the pandemic: "By pausing immigration, we will help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens. . . It would be wrong and unjust for Americans laid off by the virus to be replaced with new immigrant labor flown in from abroad. We must first take care of the American worker." But Biden said that the ban [is] "not advance the interests of the United States." In fact, he said it "harms the United States." How? By keeping family members apart, he said. Plus: "It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world." Forget American workers who may just be returning to work after Covid-layoffs. Gotta bring in that "talent from around the world."

The purpose behind lifting the immigrant ban is clear: Democrats don't like the current American population. The really bad Americans are white and believe in traditional values. Blacks are becoming a problem, too. Some are getting independent and trying to escape the Democrat plantation. Others, while reliably Democrat in their voting patterns, are not productive.

In Democrat minds, though, Latin American immigrants are made to order: they're non-white, the ones who haven't been tainted by American education are hard workers, and they'll be reliably Democrat for a long time.

The Democrats have just invented an old saying: if you don't like the current American population, go out and get yourself a new one.

And that's what Joe did between naps on Wednesday.

Image: Joe Biden signs executive orders erasing Trump. YouTube screen grab.

Coronavirus vaccinations finally started in Korea at 9 a.m. Friday.

The first doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine are being administered to patients under 65 in nursing homes and medical professionals. They were manufactured under license here by SK Bioscience.

Some 5,266 patients and workers in over 200 nursing homes nationwide are getting their shots on Friday and the rest within five days.


Nirav Modi, a jeweler whose designs once adorned the necks of A-list celebrities, has lost an extradition case in Britains high court. Mr. Modi is wanted by the Indian government to face charges of fraud, involving transactions totaling $1.8 billion with a state-run bank.

On Thursday, Judge Samuel Goozee said in a London court that there was enough evidence for Mr. Modi to face charges in India, The Associated Press reported.

The celebrity jeweler suffered a quick fall from grace a few years ago. He went from running an empire of luxury stores around the world, mingling with royalty and meeting with the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to being a fugitive in early 2018 after authorities said they discovered that he used fraudulent documents to get loans from the Punjab National Bank to import diamonds and other jewels. He then fled.

Mr. Modi was eventually arrested in London in March 2019 and was denied bail. He attended the hearing on Thursday via video from prison, Agence France-Presse reported.
Citizens of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) today held a spontaneous demonstration in support of the Armenian Army and the opposition Homeland Salvation Movement at Stepan Shahumyan Grove in Stepanakert.

The dignified officers of the army are clearly being humiliated, and this is a matter of our self-love, dignity and, most importantly, security. By holding this demonstration, we wanted to express our support to and solidarity with the opposition Homeland Salvation Movement since we cant attend the oppositions meetings. We were also demanding the resignation of the treacherous and anti-state authorities who led the homeland to perdition, took the lives of thousands of boys and men, made thousands of boys and men disabled and left the captives helpless, public and political figure Bella Lalayan said in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In regard to the statement by the Prime Minister of Armenia that the demand of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia for his and the Cabinets resignation is an attempt of military coup, Lalayan said the person who donated Artsakh to the enemy doesnt have the right to make such a statement.

Asked how she treats President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyans willingness to mediate in order to solve the political crisis with honor, Lalayan said if Harutyunyan thinks about the homeland, he has to support the people and the opposition Homeland Salvation Movement at this moment.
Australias universities face the prospect of a prolonged Chinese student drought as reports sweep through the multi-billion dollar industry that Chinese agencies are being encouraged by local authorities not to send students to Australia.

The universities first began receiving these reports at the beginning of this week, at which point the advice not to recommend or advertise Australian universities appeared to be circulating only to agents in smaller regional cities. By Thursday, university sources confirmed some reports had expanded to include Beijing and Shanghai, Chinas two largest cities.

Australian universities have received reports through their Chinese networks that local recruitment agents have been encouraged not to send students to Australia. Credit:Photo: Louise Kennerley

Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said her member universities  which include the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne  had heard the reports but their veracity remained unclear as there had been no official notification from Chinese authorities.

There is definitely something afoot. Either agents are being told not to direct students here or they are being told not to mention Australia as an option for study. But weve had no official notification from anybody, Ms Thomson said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 00:57:16|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Robust investment in food security and nutrition programs tailor-made for vulnerable demographics including children, women and the elderly is key to hastening Africa's recovery from COVID-19 related shocks, experts said.

The experts and policymakers who spoke at a virtual roundtable in Nairobi on Thursday evening said that robust action on Africa's malnutrition crisis worsened by the pandemic was a prerequisite in order to secure a sustainable future for communities.

"We need adequate financing and political goodwill in order to tackle malnutrition and childhood stunting that worsened during the pandemic amid restricted supply of food due to lockdowns," said Gladys Mugambi, Head of Nutrition Program in Kenya's Ministry of Health.

Mugambi said that improved nutrition will have positive economic and social outcomes in the sub-Saharan African region where the pandemic has worsened poverty, hunger, job losses and inequality.

The virtual roundtable to discuss the growing malnutrition crisis in the East and Southern African region was organized by Global Nutrition Report (GNR) and Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement.

It sought to raise awareness on the declining nutrition status in the region amid pandemic-related disruptions in the agriculture sector.

Gerda Verburg, coordinator of SUN movement and UN assistant secretary-general said that improved nutrition outcomes are key to accelerate Africa's recovery from the pandemic.

"We need proactive measures to improve food and nutrition outcomes in Africa during the pandemic. Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of healthy societies," said Verburg.

She said that Africa required robust policies, political goodwill and private sector investments to boost food and nutrition security amid rising number of stunted and malnourished children during the pandemic.

Renata Micha, Chair of the Global Nutrition Report said that targeted interventions like exclusive breastfeeding and bio-fortification are key to address malnutrition in Africa.

"There is a need to build resilient food systems and reduce the burden of stunting and undernourishment in Africa during this era of COVID-19 pandemic," said Micha. Enditem
Minister of National Defence Nicolae Ciuca on Friday welcomed, at the Ministry headquarters, the head of the National Security Bureau of the Republic of Poland, Pawel Soloch, who is currently paying a working visit to Romania.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES, the two officials had a timely discussion on the current state of bilateral cooperation and its development prospects, in the context of the good relations existing between Romania and Poland, within the framework offered by the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. They also discussed topics related to the NATO and EU agenda, in order to harmonize the two countries' respective standpoints.

The meeting "represented a good opportunity to address security issues on the Alliance's eastern flank, in the context of an increasingly unstable and unpredictable security environment," the Ministry of National Defence said in the press release.The Secretary of State for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Simona Cojocaru, also attended in the meeting.
Its something of a truism, particularly on the right, that conservatives have claimed the mantle of free speech from an intolerant left that is afraid to engage with uncomfortable ideas. Every embarrassing example of woke overreach  each ill-considered school board decision or high-profile campus meltdown  fuels this perception.

Yet when it comes to outright government censorship, it is the right thats on the offense. Critical race theory, the intellectual tradition undergirding concepts like white privilege and microaggressions, is often blamed for fomenting what critics call cancel culture. And so, around America and even overseas, people who dont like cancel culture are on an ironic quest to cancel the promotion of critical race theory in public forums.

In September, Donald Trumps Office of Management and Budget ordered federal agencies to begin to identify all contracts or other agency spending related to any training on critical race theory, which it described as un-American propaganda.

A month later, the conservative government in Britain declared some uses of critical race theory in education illegal. We do not want teachers to teach their white pupils about white privilege and inherited racial guilt, said the Tory equalities minister, Kemi Badenoch. Any school which teaches these elements of critical race theory, or which promotes partisan political views such as defunding the police without offering a balanced treatment of opposing views, is breaking the law.
Having a steady market for your milk was not of much concern to dairy farmers until the growth of the last few years changed how we think about market access. And if it wasnt on your mind before 2020, the pandemic probably changed that.

The limitations of the market were most clear in the base plans that some cooperatives were forced to implement last spring to limit production. Some have been rolled back, but a new milk imbalance looming due to the influx of cows added to the national dairy herd in the last six months means they could return in full force. The panelists of the February 17 Hoards Dairyman DairyLivestream discussed how dairy farmers might deal with base penalties as they try to pencil out 2021 financials.

Base is getting to be a more common conversation, especially in the northeast part of the country, described Roger Murray of Farm Credit East. Thats probably the number one question we get overall is, Should I buy base or not? What is a base worth even if I could find one? he asked.

If youre limited in expanding your production, Murray typically advises three ways to improve profitability: milk quality, ration adjustments, and overstocking.

Theres a lot of folks out there that could make another 30 to 50 cents a hundredweight just by improving their quality and being consistent with it, he stressed. That doesnt count against your base, thats just increasing the quality.

Ration changes must consider a number of factors, but the one he pointed to deals with milk composition. Milk components might not be worth quite as much as they used to be, and so feeding extra cost into that ration to boost components might not be as profitable as it was one, two, or three years ago, he said. Further, he noted that reducing overstocking can often improve cash flow and profitability.

Of course, Murray noted that every lactation is a long-term investment, and these decisions dont come without consequences. The decisions that the farmers are going to have to make depends on how long you think this is going to last, added Chris Wolf, Cornell University economist. If this is going to be a three-month or a two-month problem, its not the same decision as if its a six-month or 12-month problem.

Have a home

Sam Miller, who manages agricultural banking at BMO Harris Bank, noted that the picture has been different in the Midwest. We hadnt seen in our core Wisconsin market a lot of the base plans until the last couple of years and in particular, 2020. We havent had the same type of discussions that Chris and Roger talk about having in the Northeast, but it certainly is an issue.

Miller pointed out that farmers are now trying to balance two different situations. After the milk dumping of last spring, soaring prices later in the year gave people the itch to add more cows, which has now already been done across the country. In those situations, he is cautious, particularly if it involves investing capital in something like putting up a new barn.

Our number one question is, do you have a home for that milk? he asked. That means just not a verbal from the field man, do you have an agreement with that processor? Is there a slot for that milk?

The reinforcement of base plans could change the answer to that question, and its a consideration all dairy farmers must make if they are facing expanded production, even if its on a smaller scale.

Miller stressed that, Everyone should have a good arrangement with their processor, whether its a co-op or a private business, to make sure that theyve got a slot and a home [for their milk], because if you dont, youve got financial problems.

An ongoing series of events

The next broadcast of DairyLivestream will be on Wednesday, March 3 at 11 a.m. CST. Each episode is designed for panelists to answer over 30 minutes of audience questions. If you havent joined a DairyLivestream broadcast yet, register here. Registering once registers you for all future events.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2021

February 25, 2021
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A police officer and a soldier walk past bodies of two of 12 alleged members of a drug syndicate killed in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines, Jan. 23, 2021.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday ordered the justice department to carry out an investigation into an encounter between police and the countrys anti-narcotics agency earlier this week that left two dead from each side.

Initial reports by police called it a bungled drug buy-bust operation involving operatives of the two units. The heads of both agencies have not fully explained what led to the incident, and Dutertes order also suspended their separate investigations into what went wrong.

Duterte has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a probe on the shootout, which occurred at rush hour Wednesday in front of a mall in suburban Quezon City north of Manila, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Friday.

The president likewise ordered the joint panel formed by the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to discontinue their ongoing investigation, Roque said. This is to ensure impartiality in the Quezon City shootout incident.

The gun-battle was recorded and widely shared on social media. National police chief Gen. Debold Sinas called it the saddest day in the history of law enforcement.

He declined to elaborate on what led to the shootout, but stressed that the police operation was legitimate.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Wilkins Villanueva blamed Murphys Law for what transpired. If it will go bad, it will happen, he said.

Astounding disclosure

Undercover police officers were carrying out an operation coordinated with the PDEA to buy drugs, then bust the sellers, but were not aware that others involved in the transaction were anti-narcotics agents, according to an initial report of the incident released Thursday.

It was not clear why anti-narcotics agents were there, but the police, in the report, said they retaliated only after narcotics agents fired first.

The incident turned a spotlight once again on Dutertes war on drugs, which has left thousands dead.

The government has reported that nearly 8,000 suspected drug addicts and dealers have been killed since Duterte came to power in 2016, but rights groups including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International say the figure could be thousands more.

Wednesdays incident played out on the same day Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra admitted before the United Nations Human Rights Council to irregularities in many drug-related killings attributed to police.

In many of these cases, law enforcement agents asserted that the subject of anti-drug operations resisted arrest or attempted to draw a weapon and fight back, Guevarra said in a video message before the councils 46th regular session.

Yet, no full examination of the weapon recovered was conducted. No verification of its ownership was undertaken. No request for ballistic examination or paraffin test was pursued until its completion, he said.

He added that in more than half of the records reviewed, the law enforcement agents involved failed to follow standard protocols pertaining to coordination with other agencies and the processing of the crime scene.

Still, Guevarra said the Philippines would continue its constructive engagement with the U.N. and member states that have demanded reforms in the nations drug war.

We have referred these initial findings to our national police authorities and we have been informed that the appropriate internal investigations of thousands of these incidents have been conducted, he said. And scores of police officers have been recommended for administrative and criminal action.

John Fisher, HRWs Geneva director, said Guevarras statement had effectively undermined the governments usual reasoning that drug suspects were killed because they fought back.

The justice secretarys astounding disclosure is the first time the Duterte administration has admitted many police are to blame for drug war deaths, Fisher said in a statement.

The U.N. Human Rights Council should recognize this admission as reason enough to create an independent, international commission of inquiry, he said.


In order to continue providing the same level of service that East Ridge residents are accustomed to getting, Police Chief Stan Allen requested that the council approve hiring two additional police officers. The department currently is facing a shortage of manpower, partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. City Manager Chris Dorsey told the council that if the request was approved, a budget amendment would be required for the remaining three months of fiscal year 2020-2021 because it was not included in the budget.

The council approved spending approximately $43,100 for April through June this year to fund the two additional officers. That includes $33,900 for salary and benefits and $9,200 for equipment. The department needs to hire officers who are already Tennessee P.O.S.T. Certified and can begin working immediately, said the chief. The starting pay for each officer (counting benefits) will be $67,801.

The cost of two more police for a full year will be $136,600 for salary, benefits and miscellaneous expenses. The city will also need to purchase two new police vehicles. The price of two Ford Interceptor SUVs is $67,044. They will need to have extra police equipment that will add $34,722 more to the cost. The equipment can be paid for with money from the citys drug fund.

The city manager told the council that when approving these additional police, there must also be a commitment to fund the positions in the future. Chief Allen will start advertising for the two new officers.

In November the council approved making renovations and ADA enhancements to both the East Ridge City Hall and to the Fire and Police Service Center. Assistant City Manager Kenny Custer reported that two bids had been received and that the staff recommended accepting the one from Integrated Properties for an amount not to exceed $291,589. The auditorium where court and council meetings are held will be closed off in order to secure the area. The main front entrance will be made handicap accessible. An attorney work space and permanent permit window will be added, and lockers will be refurbished. Many of the changes to the building will be ADA upgrades, he said. In the police and fire service center, a significant sewer drain problem will be repaired and bathrooms will be remodeled.

An amendment passed on the final reading at the Thursday council meeting that changed the zoning ordinance to allow liquor stores to locate in multiple zones. After the approval, stores that sell liquor and wine can operate in zones C-1 Tourism Commercial District, C-2 General Commercial District, C-4 Planned Commerce Center District, C-5 Neighborhood Commercial District and C-6 Low Traffic District. Two of these businesses will be allowed to operate in East Ridge. One large liquor store will be on the eastern side of East Ridge and another can be located on the western side of town. City Manager Dorsey told the council that as of today, 25 individuals have picked up application forms for the stores. The applications are due to be returned on March 15. After credentials and background checks are done on the applicants, two winners will be chosen by lottery.

Rezoning was also approved for property at 6205 Ringgold Road. This parcel of land had been zoned both R-1 Residential District and M-2 Light Industrial District. The owner, Rawter Realty, requested a change for the property to the single zone of C-2 General Commercial District. Approved for the change was given on first reading, following the planning commissions recommendation.

Each council member made an appointment to the East Ridge Personnel Board. The reappointment of Pamela Beard was made by Mayor Brian Williams, Robert Jones, made by Vice Mayor Mike Chauncey, and Doris Rogers by Council member Jacky Cagle. Council member Esther Helton appointed Frances Pope and Council member Andrea Witt chose Debbie Moorefield.

The city will donate 27 surplus ballistic vests to the town of Lookout Mountain, Tn. Chief Allen said that a waiver was written by City Attorney Mark Litchford and has been signed by Chief Chuck Wells from Lookout Mountain to acknowledge that the vests are out of date.

City Manager Dorsey told the council that some paving is allowed with COVID-19 relief money. He plans to submit for approval several main roads in East Ridge that are in need of resurfacing.

He also said that the city is proposing to close McDonald Road at the state line. This road originally was intended to be a neighborhood street, not a thoroughfare. Despite the road being posted that no trucks are allowed, many have started using it as a bypass to Mack Smith Road. The matter will be taken to the planning commission for approval before it is brought to the council for a vote, Assistant City Manager Custer said.

After working for the city of East Ridge for 42 years, Trish Perry has retired from the position of Human Resources Director. City Manager Dorsey said everything that she did for the city is appreciated and that the city and co-workers wish her a happy retirement.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 01:02:32|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Friday appealed for an urgent 107 million U.S. dollars to meet its emergency response requirements in Ethiopia's conflict-affected Tigray region.

The funding will help buy and deliver food for 1 million people and provide specialized nutrition support for 875,000 children and pregnant or nursing mothers after months of insecurity, the agency announced in a statement.

WFP's response, which was requested by the Ethiopian government, includes logistical support to both the government and humanitarian partners to deliver humanitarian assistance in Tigray, especially in rural areas.

"Three million people in the region are in urgent need of food assistance," said Steven Were Omamo, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia.

"For WFP to contribute to meeting their needs, funds are needed now, so that life-saving food and nutrition support can urgently reach the most vulnerable people," Omamo said.

The agency said if sufficient funding is secured, it will augment the transportation capacity of both the government and partners to deliver additional humanitarian assistance to those in need in Tigray, especially in rural areas.

Instability in the Tigray region has generated a severe food security and nutrition emergency, requiring an immediate response.

The humanitarian response's food cluster estimates that 3 million people need emergency food assistance and these needs are expected to persist at least until late this year.

The current food insecurity in the Tigray region is attributable to factors including conflict, loss of employment and income, disruption of markets and movement, loss of harvests, increased food prices, and severe difficulties accessing cash and fuel.

On Wednesday, the Ethiopian government said humanitarian assistance have been provided to some 3.1 million people in the country's troubled regional state.

The government's contribution to humanitarian assistance is said to be about 70 percent while international partner's share of assistance is 30 percent.

Weeks of fighting in northern Ethiopia's Tigray between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule the regional state until its defeat, and the Ethiopian Defense Forces had reportedly left hundreds of people dead, thousands displaced, and millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

The Ethiopian government has assigned an interim administration to administer the regional state following the TPLF defeat. Enditem
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The inside man who played the role of victim in a $3.2 million hold-up from a Melbourne gold dealer has been jailed for five years and nine months.

Daniel Ede and Karl Kachami staged an armed robbery on April 27 last year when Kachami pointed a pistol at his friend Ede inside the Melbourne Gold Company and stole more than 25 kilograms of gold bullion, cash and jewellery.

The Melbourne Gold Company in the hours after the robbery. Credit:Justin McManus

Despite the impression Kachami was the bandit and Ede the victim, police established they were a team and arrested both within weeks of the heist. Kachami had posed as a delivery man in a high-visibility top, surgical mask and goggles.

County Court judge David Sexton on Friday described the charade as an audacious plan to steal what can only be described as a bounty of breath-taking proportions.
Visibility for availability of vaccines for entire month of June provided in advance to States/UTs: Centre

Is this your policy on vaccination? SC asks Centre

Bharat Biotech signs pact to supply 20 mn doses of Covaxin to Brazil

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

Hyderabad, Feb 26: Bharat Biotech will supply 20 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin to Brazil during the second and third quarters of current year, the city-based vaccine maker said on Friday.

It has signed an agreement with the Brazilian government for the supply of the indigenously developed vaccine, a press release from the company said here.

"The company is delighted to partner with Brazil in its battle against Covid-19 and aid its immunisation programme against the virus. It has signed an agreement for delivery of Covaxin during Q2 and Q3 2021," it said.

4 detected with South African Covid variant in India, one with Brazil strain: ICMR

Several countries around the world have expressed strong interest in Covaxin and the company was fully committed to ensuring supplies promptly and efficiently, the release added.

Petroleum Minister: Fuel price will decrease by the end of winter | Oneindia News

Bharat Biotech had earlier saidit signed an agreement with Brazil-based Precisa Medicamentos for the supplies of Covaxin for the private markets inthe South American country.
New Delhi:

Facing heat from all quarters over his sons alleged involvement in a stalking case, Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala broke his silence, saying that the victim (Varnika Kundu) is like his daughter and there was no pressure from his side to influence the investigation.

While talking to ANI, Barala said that law must take its own course in the matter. He said BJP is a party which believes in women's rights and freedom.

On Monday, Senior BJP leader Anil Jain, in-charge of the partys Haryana affairs, had ruled out the resignation of Barala following the arrest of his son.

Varnika is like my daughter, there is no pressure to influence the investigation: Subhash Barala, Haryana BJP chief #ChandigarhStalking pic.twitter.com/IBhJYhTpip  ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2017

Subhash Barala has nothing to with the Vikas Barala case. The law is taking its own course. There is no reason for Subhash Baralas resignation, Jain had said in a statement.

Law should take its own course, BJP is party which believes in women's rights&freedom: Subhash Barala, Haryana BJP chief #ChandigarhStalking pic.twitter.com/FG6BVRzPPg  ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2017

Jains statement ruling out Baralas resignation comes a day after Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had also said that the BJP state unit chief had nothing to do with incident.

The opposition has been mounting pressure seeking Subhash Baralas resignation on the issue.

Subhash Barala has nothing to do with this incident. It is an individual happening, the accused will face action once found guilty. This is my official stand, this was my stand yesterday and today also this is my stand. After this, on this issue, no question, no answer, Khattar had told.

Both the accused, Vikas Barala (23) and Ashish Kumar(27), were released later on bail as they were booked underbailable sections of the IPC and the Motor Vehicles Act, amid a major outcry.

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In April 2018, Mayor Ron Nirenberg pledged to create 70,000 jobs within two years, more jobs than any mayoral administration in San Antonios history.

He made that over-the-top commitment during his State of the City speech in a downtown ballroom packed with businesspeople.

Nirenberg was barely 10 months into his first term as mayor. So, to be fair, he was still learning. And as an introverted wonk with little business experience  his most recent job was helping to run Trinity Universitys KRTU jazz radio station  he was trying to find common ground with private-sector employers.

Nirenbergs message was that he would be a can-do mayor focused on jobs and more jobs. In other words, he was trying too hard to connect with a crowd of company owners and executives, many of whom still didnt trust him.

Too liberal and not sufficiently business-minded, they suspected. And what was all this equity stuff Nirenberg inserted into nearly major issue that came to City Hall?

Under his leadership, City Councils decision  two months after his speech  not to make a bid for San Antonio to host the 2020 Republican National Convention confirmed their sense of the guy. Their skepticism of him was deepened by Councils decision in early 2019 to bar Chick-fil-A from San Antonio International Airport because of its founders perceived anti-LGBTQ bias.

How you reacted to those two decisions mostly reflected your personal politics. If you were a conservative, you probably believed Nirenberg and the councils ideology trumped job creation, economic opportunity and maybe  with the Chick-fil-A vote  religious freedom.

Asked about these controversies today, Nirenberg strikes a conciliatory tone.

Business leaders are essential allies in the work to make San Antonio a more prosperous, healthier city, and I deeply appreciate their efforts, he told me by email. I dont expect to agree with anyone on every issue, but we move on and continue working together to ensure our city is the best it can be.

There are several reasons then-District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse nearly defeated Nirenberg in the June 2019 runoff election. One was that a lot of voters saw Brockhouse as more approachable and down-to-earth. It helped that the police and fire unions, for whom hed worked as a political consultant, were in his pocket. But his relentless flogging of the Chick-fil-A vote  that got people riled up.

Brockhouse is back. Hes Nirenbergs only real challenger in the May 3 election.

But after a year of COVID-19, Brockhouse cant pick up his insurgency where he left off in 2019. Its difficult to remember what all the excitement was about. The big issues that animated the race feel small and frivolous. Chick-fil-A?

Its worth returning to Nirenbergs two-year jobs pledge for a sense of how disastrous the pandemic has been for San Antonio.

Between April 2018 and April 2020  when Nirenberg, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Gov. Greg Abbott closed nonessential businesses to slow the virus spread  the city lost nearly 102,000 jobs, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

If you move the goal post a little, comparing April 2018 with the pre-pandemic month of February 2020, you find that the city gained 29,000 jobs, for a growth rate of 1.5 percent.

Thats a far cry from the 70,000 jobs Nirenberg promised  allowing Brockhouse to say in an interview, Ron failed at jobs before the pandemic  but its better than record-shattering levels of unemployment.

The citys recovery since April 2020 has been generally robust, but due to the scope of the initial decline, San Antonio is still off from the February peak by about 51,000 jobs, or -4.7 percent, as of December 2020, said Christopher Slijk, a Dallas Fed associate economist.

Nirenbergs handling of the pandemic has won him converts. He made tough decisions about businesses closures last spring and joined with the county to impose a curfew in November as COVID-19 cases started to spike. Hes followed the data and the science. And hes worked closely with Wolff from the beginning, appearing with the county judge at daily, televised COVID-19 briefings.

I think he comes out of the pandemic as a leader of a coalition, said tech investor Dirk Elmendorf, a co-founder of the cloud-computing company Rackspace Technology. His focus on how we navigate the pandemic has made his capabilities more clear.

Before his upset victory over then-Mayor Ivy Taylor in 2017, Nirenberg had served two terms as District 8 councilman. As Elmendorf sees it, he emerged last year as a citywide leader, shedding the last vestiges of his council members provincialism.

I think now hes really a mayor, said Elmendorf, an early supporter of Nirenberg and a member of his campaign finance committee.

To Elmendorf, an example of what a real mayor does is the $154-million SA Ready to Work job-training program for people forced out of work during the pandemic. Nirenberg championed the initiative, which is funded by the local sales tax, and voters approved it overwhelmingly in November.

Elmendorf and Nirenberg met in 2015, when then-Councilman Nirenberg showed up at the first meeting of Tech Bloc, the industry advocacy group. The organizations big issue at the time: eliminating city restrictions on Uber and other rideshare companies. Nirenberg was on Tech Blocs side.

Elmendorf, of course, doesnt speak for San Antonios business community  mainly because theres really no such thing.

To talk about the business communitys support for Nirenberg, Brockhouse or any other candidate is a waste of time. There is no core group of business owners and executives who have common values and an agenda against which it measures politicians. At least there is no such group with the power to shape the citys growth.

The Good Government League, a secretive cabal of mostly white businessmen who ruled San Antonio for two decades, collapsed in the early 1970s. And the citys chambers of commerce have steadily lost their political influence; they no longer instill fear in elected officials who flirt with raising taxes or regulating development more rigorously.

Business interests are all over the map.

Elmendorfs industry  tech  has largely prospered in the pandemic as stay-at-home orders and remote working forced people to rely on apps and the internet as never before.

But what about Braunda Smith, owner of Lucy Coopers Ice House on North San Pedro Avenue?

Smiths bar-restaurant was shut for four and a half months last year. Lucy Coopers has yet to fully recover. Our business is down by more than half, she said.

Smith has had to remove no fewer than 35 tables from the dining room to comply with social-distancing rules. And shes still been hit with six citations for COVID-19-related code violations.

With San Antonios restaurants and bars crippled and suffering right now, she said, the city is really coming out and targeting small businesses, the mom-and-pop businesses.

Considering the constraints shes working under, it galls her to see crowded shopping malls and long lines of cars and trucks at fast-food drive-thrus. The restrictions are uneven and unfair, she said.

Shes angry, and she puts part of the blame on the mayor.

I believe Nirenberg has failed small businesses in the food and beverage industry, Smith said.

Shed heard that Brockhouse was making the rounds among restaurant and bar owners and promising to help. Two weeks ago, he released a comprehensive jobs plan that includes a $50 million fund  drawn in part from the citys budget reserves  for loan guarantees/grants for small businesses to expand and hire back.

Brockhouse has piqued Smiths interest, though he hasnt yet won her vote. She wants to hear more.

He badly needs the support of people like Smith. In pursuit of their votes, hes saying things that make people cringe, at least those who believe strong government intervention helped slow the spread of COVID-19.

Obviously I disagreed with the massive shutdowns, Brockhouse said. I would have fought tooth and nail to keep businesses open.

Brockhouse was on hand for Nirenbergs jobs pledge nearly three years ago, and he gleefully chides the mayor for coming up short  even though he says (correctly) that mayors dont create jobs. Businesses do.

What job creators want from a mayor are taxes and regulations that arent too burdensome; good parks, libraries and other public amenities; a reliable transportation system; and plenty of police officer and firefighters to maintain public safety. A skilled workforce would be nice, too.

Over the last year, a lot of business leaders have added an item to the list: They want a mayor who can deal with a pandemic, even if it means temporary shutdowns and rules requiring masks and social distancing.

Few businesspeople warmly embrace Nirenberg, not even the ones who write checks to his campaign. But many of them respect the job hes done since the coronavirus arrived in San Antonio.

And they recognize that Nirenberg will be tough, if not impossible, to beat in May  even though he failed to make good on his silly jobs pledge.

greg.jefferson@express-news.net
GlobeNewswire

TORONTO, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuuhubb Inc. (Kuuhubb or the Company) (TSX- V: KUU), a mobile game development and publishing company targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences, has reported its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Companys unaudited consolidated financial statements as at, and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and related managements discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The Companys financial year end is June 30. The information contained in this news release is unaudited. Highlights for the Three and nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: Revenues of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, on a combined basis for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).Recolor recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021; with trailing twelve-month revenue of US$4,635,529. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor.The production and development of Kuuhubbs upcoming new flagship product Tiles & Tales has progressed well during this time period and is planned for commercial launch later this calendar year. CEOs Message: Jouni Keranen, CEO of Kuuhubb Inc., commented, During this quarter our cost cutting initiatives resulted in Recolor returning to stable profitability, while investment into our Match-3 engine and flagship product Tiles & Tales creates potential for future growth. The Recolor divestment process, while slower than anticipated, is ongoing and our main focus is on preparation of our flagship product Tiles & Tales for commercial launch later this year. Financial Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: The Company generated a total of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, combined revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).The Company recognized revenue of US$125,598 and US$515,547, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 from its continuing operations. This revenue was generated mainly from the subscriptions to, in-application sale of virtual goods from its My Hospital game and related advertising revenue.Recolor Oy recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company incurred cost of sales of US$141,712 and US$376,088, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 in its continuing operations. The cost of sales is predominantly related to the application marketplace (such as Apple App Store and Google Play) fees and other third-party direct costs.The Company incurred consulting and professional fees of US$192,178 and US$594,051, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. These fees were related to Kuuhubbs audit fees, general legal counsel and other professional services.The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$396,032 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$389,638 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$1,341;net interest and accretion expenses of US$5,053; The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$409,564 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$393,243 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$3,968;net interest and accretion expenses of US$12,353; On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$465,992 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$781,412 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$5,947;non-cash share-based compensation of US$102,334;net interest and accretion expenses of US$417,795; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$6,946;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$424;foreign exchange gain of US$203,286 On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$2,135,512 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$3,227,650 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$21,142;non-cash share-based compensation of US$373,138;net interest and accretion expenses of US$944,589; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$91,712;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$24,226;foreign exchange gain of US$130,793 (1) Classification of Recolor Oy as held for sale and discontinued operations As part of the efforts to meet the Companys obligations and build growth, the Company announced it is exploring multiple strategic alternatives, including the divestiture of Company-owned assets such as shares of Recolor Oy. This may be completed within twelve months and as such the associated assets and liabilities within Recolor Oy are presented as held for sale and the net income attributable as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise indicated, the analysis and discussions herein are based on the Companys continuing operations consisting of the Companys My Hospital operation. Exercise of Warrants and Private Placement: In February 2021, 2,200,000 warrants (representing all outstanding common share purchase warrants of the Company) were exercised at a price of CAD$0.10 per common share. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$173,242 (C$220,000) upon the exercises of all of the Companys outstanding warrants common share purchase warrants. In March 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 8,705,334 common shares of the Company at a price of CAD$0.09 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$618,602 (C$783,500). Exploration of Strategic Alternatives to Enhance Shareholder Value On September 30, 2020, the Company announced that it has been conducting a process to explore strategic alternatives, including the potential divestiture of certain Company-owned assets, including the sale of Recolor Oy within the next twelve months. To date, the Company has executed confidentiality agreements with several parties who expressed an interest in receiving information about Recolor Oy and its business in connection with a possible transaction. There can be no assurance that the strategic alternatives review process will result in any strategic change or outcome and the Company does not know the exact timetable for the conclusion of its review of strategic alternatives. There can be no certainty that any potential transaction will emerge from this process. The process may result in a variety of outcomes or no outcome at all, and there can be no assurance that the Company will pursue or execute any specific action or transaction. The Company continues to operate in the normal course during the on-going process. The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor and is in discussion with potential buyers. EBITDA - Non-IFRS Measure EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. We use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our businesses as they reflect their ongoing profitability. We believe certain investors and analysts use adjusted EBITDA to measure a companys ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the technology industry. We believe that certain investors and analysts also use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our business. The Company calculated EBITDA as set out on page 2 and 3 of this press release. EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently. Therefore, the term EBITDA is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. About Kuuhubb Kuuhubb is a publicly listed mobile game development and publishing company, targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences. Our Mission is to become a top player in the female mobile game space. We believe in empowering women by creating games and apps that will have our female audience relax, express and entertain themselves every day. Through our games and partnerships with select developers, we explore new lifestyle trends that can be converted into games and apps which will bring value to our users, employees, and shareholders. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kuuhubb has a global presence with a strong focus on U.S. and Asian markets. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information, including regarding the potential sale of Recolor OY and the planned launch of Tiles & Tales. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements relating to future revenue and development, growth of the Companys business) are forward looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other thing: risks related to the growth strategy of the Company; the possibility that results from the Companys growth plans will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the early stage of the Company's development; competition from companies in a number of industries; the ability of the Company to manage expansion and integrate acquisitions into its business, future business development of the Company; the ability of the Company to complete the sale of Recolor OY on terms which are economic or at all; the ability of the Company to complete the commercial development of its products; the ability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on its business segments, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Kuuhubb Inc.Jouni Keranen - CEOjouni@kuuhubb.comOffice: +358 40 590 0919 Bill Mitoulas Investor Relationsbill@kuuhubb.comOffice: +1 (416) 479-9547
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Marking the seventh anniversary of the beginning of the occupation of Crimea, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has called on the Russian Federation to completely end the occupation of the peninsula, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it is unfairly holding, and return full control over the peninsula to Ukraine.

"We call on Russia to immediately end its occupation of Crimea, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it unjustly holds, and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine. We likewise call on Russia to end its aggression in eastern Ukraine. U.S. sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression in eastern Ukraine and seizure of Crimea will remain in place unless and until Russia reverses course. The United States does not, and will never, recognize Russia's purported annexation of Crimea," a message posted on the Embassy's official website on Friday morning reads.

The report notes that the occupation and increased militarization of the Crimean peninsula threaten overall world security.

"Russia's occupation and increasing militarization of the Crimean Peninsula have implications far beyond Ukraine's borders, threatening the world's common security. This occupation comes at significant human cost. Russian occupation authorities have sustained a brutal campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and members of other minority ethnic and religious groups in Crimea. Russian occupation authorities have raided mosques and homes, driven independent media off the peninsula, and handed down lengthy prison sentences to those who dare to speak out against the occupation. Russia's repression has left Crimean residents in a constant state of fear, unable to live their lives freely," the U.S. Embassy said.
Experts today warned thousands of people in 'middle Britain' could be 'stealthily dragged' into paying more tax after it was claimed Rishi Sunak is planning a raid on wealthy pensioners at next week's Budget.

The Chancellor will unveil his Budget on March 3 and he is expected to set out a raft of continued coronavirus support measures for businesses and families.

But it is thought Mr Sunak will also use the fiscal event to stress that current levels of Government spending and borrowing are unsustainable and action must now start to be taken to improve the public finances.

The Times reported that Mr Sunak is planning to announce a freeze on the lifetime allowance on pensions, lasting for the rest of the current Parliament.

The allowance - the amount of money people can build up in their pension pot before being hit with big tax bills - is currently set at 1,073,100.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil his Budget next week on March 3 amid growing Tory fears he will hike a range of taxes

Reports suggest Mr Sunak could freeze the lifetime allowance on pensions for the rest of the current Parliament

Mr Sunak has repeatedly stressed that current Government spending levels are not sustainable. Office for National Statistics numbers published this month showed state debt had risen above 2.1trillion in January

Freezing the allowance would mean thousands of pensioners being dragged above the threshold in the coming years, potentially raising an additional 250million for the Treasury every year.

Such a move would result in about 10,000 people with larger pensions paying more than 22,000 extra in tax by 2024, it was reported.

The lifetime allowance had been expected to increase by 5,800 in 2021/22, in line with inflation.

Tom Selby, senior analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'If we see a vaccine-inspired spending boom in the UK this summer, for example, inflation could be pushed northwards  and so too would the lifetime allowance under current legislation.

'By freezing the lifetime allowance as inflation spikes, the Chancellor will stealthily drag thousands more people into his tax net.

'Among those to be hit by this move will be NHS doctors, who benefit from generous defined benefit pensions.

'Furthermore, the longer the lifetime allowance is kept at its current level, the more of middle Britain will be dragged into its orbit.'

Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb, who is now a partner at financial consultancy LCP (Lane Clark & Peacock), said: 'What people need in pension planning is certainty, but with the lifetime allowance we have seen the opposite.'



The Times also claimed Mr Sunak could opt to freeze the higher rate of income tax threshold at 50,000 in a move which would see hundreds of thousands of people becoming higher rate tax payers. It is thought this could generate an extra 1billion for the Treasury.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph said the personal income tax allowance - the amount of income people do not have to pay tax on - could also be frozen at the current threshold of 12,500.

The personal allowance threshold has risen significantly in the last decade - it stood at 6,475 in 2009/10.

Keeping the threshold at the current level could boost Treasury coffers by billions of pounds.

A senior Treasury source told The Telegraph that as well as messages of 'support' at the Budget, Mr Sunak will also speak plainly about Government spending levels.

The source said: 'You will hear the word honesty used a lot. He will be very clear to people that we've spent at wartime levels to get people through this, which was the right thing to do, but this can't go on forever.'

Mr Sunak is expected to announce at the Budget that the furlough scheme and business rates holiday for the retail and hospitality sectors will be extended to June.

The Office for National Statistics said earlier this month that over the whole of 2020 the economy dived by 9.9 per cent - the worst annual performance since the Great Frost devastated Europe in 1709

Official figures showed that in the three months to December the unemployment rate went up by 0.1 per cent compared to the equivalent period up to November

A temporary 20 a week uplift in the value of Universal Credit is also due to be retained for potentially another six months.

But reports that the Chancellor could hike corporation tax from 19 per cent to as high as 25 per cent, as well as fears of a fuel duty hike, have spooked many Tory MPs who have demanded he rule out any tax rises.

Numerous Cabinet ministers are opposed to the prospect of imminent tax rises, amid concerns they would harm the UK's economic recovery from the pandemic.

One Cabinet minister told The Telegraph that the 'answer to the pressures of Covid doesn't lie exclusively in just cranking up tax' while another said 'now is not the time' for increasing taxes.

Boris Johnson has threatened to expel any Tory MP who votes against next week's Budget.
[February 26, 2021] Bluma Wellness Announces Filing of Circular and Date of Special Meeting of Shareholders to Approve Proposed Plan of Arrangement with Cresco Labs

Bluma Wellness Inc. (the "Company" or "Bluma Wellness") (CSE: BWEL.U) (OTCQX:BMWLF) announces that it has filed a management information circular of the Company dated as of February 12, 2021 (the "Circular") and related meeting and proxy materials in connection with a special meeting of the shareholders of the Company ("Bluma Shareholders") to be held virtually at https://web.lumiagm.com/294537536, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on March 19, 2021 (the "Meeting"). The Meeting is being held to consider and approve, among other things, the Company's proposed arrangement (the "Arrangement") with Cresco Labs Inc. ("Cresco") (CSE:CL) (OTCQX:CRLBF) to be completed by way of a plan of arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Plan of Arrangement"), pursuant to the arrangement agreement entered into between the Company and Cresco on January 13, 2021 (the "Arrangement Agreement"). The Meeting will be held in accordance with the terms of an interim order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") obtained on February 11, 2021. Bluma Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 8, 2021 will be entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting. The Circular and related meeting materials are available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and have been mailed to Bluma Shareholders of record on February 8, 2021. Holders of the Company's restricted share units will also be sent a copy of the Circular. Bluma Shareholders are encouraged to attend and vote at the Meeting or by proxy prior to the proxy cut-off of 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on March 17, 2021. Details on how to attend the Meeting and how to vote are contained in the Circular. The Circular contains important information regarding the Arrangement Agreement and the Arrangement with Cresco, pursuant to which Cresco will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the "Bluma Shares"). If the Arrangement is completed, Bluma Shareholders will receive 0.0859 of a subordinate voting share of Cresco for each Bluma Share held, subject to adjustment in accordance with the trms of the Plan of Arrangement.



The completion of the Arrangement is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, approval by the shareholders of the Company at the Meeting, the approval of the Court, and the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use, and clearance under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. If the Arrangement is approved by the requisite majority of Bluma Shareholders at the Meeting, the Company will apply to the Court for final approval of the Arrangement on March 25, 2021. Subject to the receipt of all required approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of all applicable conditions, the Arrangement is expected to close by the beginning of the second quarter of 2021. About Bluma Wellness Inc.

Bluma Wellness Inc. owns and operates a vertically-integrated, licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida doing business as "One Plant Florida." One Plant Florida cultivates, processes, dispenses and retails medical cannabis to qualified patients in the State of Florida through multiple retail dispensaries and an innovative next-day door-to-door e-commerce home delivery service, thereby offering convenient access for its customers and meeting the demands of an evolving retail landscape. Bluma Wellness plans to continue expanding its cultivation and distribution operations as the Florida market grows. Additional Information The Company's securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws including information relating to the date, time and format of the Meeting, the business to be conducted at the Meeting, information relating to the Arrangement including the consideration to be received by Bluma Shareholders in exchange for their Bluma Shares, the satisfaction of the conditions for the completion of the Arrangement, the anticipated date of the application for the final order of the Court and the anticipated timing of the completion of the Arrangement. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things: the ability of Bluma Wellness and Cresco to receive, in a timely manner, the regulatory, court, shareholder, stock exchange and other third-party approvals necessary to consummate the Arrangement; actions taken by government entities or others seeking to prevent or alter the terms of the Arrangement; risks relating to cannabis being illegal under US federal law and risks of US federal enforcement actions related to cannabis activities; the Company's ability to comply with all applicable governmental regulations in a highly regulated business; negative changes in the political environment or in the regulation of medical cannabis in the state of Florida; the risk of any disruptions to the Company's business and operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; negative shifts in public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry and cannabis consumption; increasing competition in the industry; risks of product liability and other safety-related liability as a result of usage of the Company's cannabis products; the Company's limited operating history with no assurance of profitability; the ability of the Company to access future financing if needed or on terms acceptable to the Company; the risk of defaulting on its existing debt; risk of shortages of or price increases in key inputs, suppliers and skilled labor; the risks inherent in running agricultural operations such as pests and crop failure; loss of licenses; reliance on key personnel; cybersecurity risks; constraints on marketing products; fraudulent activity by employees, contractors and consultants; tax and insurance related risks and risk of litigation. The forward-looking information in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable securities laws. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005152/en/

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The Canadian Press

As COVID-19 vaccine supplies ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have begun planning to give second doses in the coming weeks. More than 23 million people across Canada have now had at least one dose of a vaccine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says by the summer, Canada will have enough vaccines so that every eligible resident will have gotten their first dose, and by September, it will have enough doses for everyone to be fully vaccinated. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that Canada turn toward the ultimate goal of fully immunizing the population, now that supplies of COVID-19 shots are increasing. The advisory panel said those at highest risk of dying or becoming severely ill should be prioritized for second shots, either after or alongside first doses for anyone else who is eligible for a vaccine. Since the novel coronavirus is still circulating in Canada, NACI is still recommending that the second dose be received up to four months after the first dose, in order to maximize the number of people who get at least one shot. Here's a list of the inoculation plans throughout Canada: Newfoundland and Labrador All people in the province aged 12 and older can now book an appointment for a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. So far 2.19 per cent (11,446) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Nova Scotia Appointments for an initial COVID-19 vaccine shot are now open to people 12 years of age and older. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for use in children aged 12 and up. The Moderna vaccine is only available for those 18 and older. Under the province's accelerated vaccine plan, someone who received their first dose of vaccine on March 22 and is due for a second dose on July 5 will now be able to reschedule their second appointment for as early as the week of June 20. The province has stopped the use of AstraZeneca's vaccine as a first dose. The Health Department says the decision was based on "an abundance of caution'' due to an observed increase in the rare blood-clotting condition linked to this vaccine. The department also says it will reschedule anyone who was to receive AstraZeneca to instead be inoculated with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna "in a timely manner." --- Prince Edward Island In Prince Edward Island, residents as young as 16 can book a COVID-19 vaccine. People 16 years and older who have certain underlying medical conditions, pregnant woman and eligible members of their household can also get a vaccine. So far 8.11 per cent (12,868) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- New Brunswick Residents in New Brunswick aged 12 to 17 are now eligible to book an appointment for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Officials also say residents 55 and older who received an Astra-Zenaca vaccine for the first dose at least eight weeks ago can now get a second dose of the vaccine with informed consent. So far 5.08 per cent (39,633) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Quebec In Quebec, all residents 12 and older can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. The province's health minister says Quebecers 12 to 17 years old will be fully vaccinated by the time they return to school in September. Quebec also says it will shorten the delay between first and second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to eight weeks from 16 weeks. The province says more than 5.8 million doses of vaccine have now been administered, with more than 58.1 per cent of the population having received at least one dose. --- Ontario All adults in Ontario can now book COVID-19 vaccine appointments. People turning 18 in 2021 can book Pfizer-BioNTech shots. Youth aged 12 and older can also book appointments across Ontario. They can book through the provincial online portal, call centre and through pharmacies offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the only shot authorized by Health Canada for use in youth aged 12 and older. Ontarians, meanwhile, are getting the option to shorten the interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses. Most people are being scheduled for doses four months apart, but officials say the new interval could be as short as 28 days. The plan will start with seniors aged 80 and older this week and the province will later offer second shots based on when people received their first. People will keep their original appointments if they dont re-book. The province aims to see all eligible Ontarians fully vaccinated by the end of September. Ontario is also resuming use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine but only as a second dose. Those who received the first dose of AstraZeneca between March 10 and March 19 during a pilot project at pharmacies and some doctor's offices in several Ontario communities will be first in line to receive their second dose. Ontario says more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered across the province. So far 4.68 per cent (687,894) of the population has been fully vaccinated --- Manitoba Manitoba is using the Pfizer vaccine for everyone aged 12 and up, and the Moderna vaccines for people aged 18 and up. These are available through a few channels including so-called supersites in larger communities. The province is also allowing anyone 40 and over to get an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through pharmacies and medical clinics, subject to availability. People 30-39 can get a shot if they have certain underlying health conditions such as chronic liver failure or severe obesity. The province has opened up second-dose appointments to all Indigenous people aged 12 and up, to people with certain medical conditions such as severe heart failure and Down syndrome, and anyone who received their first dose on or before March 29. Provincial health officials say they now expect 70 per cent of Manitobans aged 12 and older to get a dose by the end of June. So far 7.75 per cent (106,678) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Saskatchewan Saskatchewan says it reached the step two threshold of its reopening roadmap released last week, with over 70 per cent of residents age 30 and older having received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That means restrictions will begin to be relaxed June 20, which includes easing capacity limits on retail, personal care services, restaurants and bars, although they must still maintain physical distancing among occupants or have barriers in place. The rules also raise caps on private indoor gatherings to 15, while capacity limits jump to 150 for both public indoor gatherings and all outdoor assemblies, whether public or private. Premier Scott Moe says once 70 per cent of the entire adult population is vaccinated, Saskatchewan can move to the third step of its plan and remove almost all of the remaining public health orders. Saskatchewan residents aged 12 and older are now eligible to book their first COVID-19 vaccine appointment. A school immunization program for those aged 12 to 18 will be introduced in June, but eligible residents of that age can also be immunized at clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine. Anyone 85 and older or anyone who received their first vaccine dose before February 15 can now book their second dose. Anyone diagnosed with cancer and solid organ transplant recipients will be receiving a letter of eligibility in the mail which will allow them priority access to a second dose. There are drive-thru and walk-in vaccination clinics in communities across the province. The province says 6.60 per cent (77,767) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- Alberta Every Albertan aged 12 and older is now eligible for a vaccine. As of May 27, 60.3 per cent of Albertans over the age of 12 had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The milestone means the province's second stage of easing restrictions can begin on June 10. It is subject to hospitalizations being below 500 and trending downwards. Some of the restrictions that would be lifted include allowing outdoor gatherings  including weddings and funerals  with up to 20 people. Restaurants would be allowed to seat tables with up to six people, indoors or outdoors. Retail capacity would also increase, and gyms could open for solo or drop-in activities with three metres of distancing. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, has said people who are immunocompromised can book a second dose three or four weeks after their first shot. All other Albertans are eligible to get their second dose three to four months after the first. For the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the province lowered the minimum age to 30. They are, however, reserving the remaining supply for second doses when people are eligible. More than 250 pharmacies are offering immunizations. So far 8.82 per cent (388,200) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- British Columbia British Columbia is setting an end-of-summer target for everyone in the province to receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also announced a decrease in the time between the first and second dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, cutting the interval to eight weeks from 16 weeks. But the interval for people who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as a first dose and are waiting for their second AstraZeneca shot may take longer. Henry said the province is waiting for results from international data on AstraZeneca, including the effectiveness of mixing vaccine shots and ongoing concerns about rare blood clots. Henry said the rollout of second doses will be similar to the first dose, with those at the greatest risk at the top of the list. Seniors, Indigenous people and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable were to start getting their invitations to book a second shot by the end of May. The province will try to ensure that everyone gets the same vaccine they were first administered, but a shortage of the Moderna vaccine may mean people will have to substitute it for a Pfizer shot. Henry said the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has reviewed the evidence on using different vaccines and has updated the guidance, confirming that while it is preferable to have the same product, it's not always possible. Pfizer and Moderna are the same type of vaccines. Families can get vaccinated together in B.C. as the government allows youth between the ages of 12 and 17 to get their COVID-19 shot. The shots will be administered at community clinics instead of in schools based on feedback from families, with 310,000 children in B.C. eligible to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved for that age group. As of Friday, about 3.1 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines had been administered in B.C., which means about 63 per cent of those eligible have got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. So far 3.14 per cent (160,885) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Nunavut Chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson says Nunavut has placed an order for doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with the federal government to vaccinate people ages 12 to 17 in the territory. The Moderna vaccine is currently the only one available in Nunavut. Nunavut has opened vaccinations to anyone 18 and older. It is also offering shots to rotational workers coming from Southern Canada. In the territory, 36.44 per cent (14,113) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories is now offering vaccinations against COVID-19 to young people between 12 and 17. The territory, which has only been using the Moderna vaccine, recently exchanged some of that for doses of the Pfizer product, which Health Canada has now approved for anyone as young as 12. So far 51.74 per cent (23,344) of the territory's population has been fully vaccinated. --- Yukon The territory is now vaccinating children aged 12 to 17. The government says clinics in most communities will be held in schools, while those in Whitehorse can get their shot at the Coast High Country Inn Convention Centre. The children will be getting the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The territory says because of limited supply and stricter handling requirements, the vaccine will only be available for a short time. It says second doses for those 12 to 17 will start on June 23 and medical travel will be supported for youth who aren't able to make the clinic date in their community. The Moderna vaccine is available to adults 18 years of age and older. The government says 59.34 per cent (24,763) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2021. The Canadian Press
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Amid moral relativism, Christians need more than 'superficial understanding' of Jesus: pastor

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In a culture that increasingly subscribes to moral relativism, its crucial for Christians to have more than a superficial understanding of Jesus and a defense for both His deity and existence, a pastor and apologist has said.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Mark Clark, founding pastor of Village Church in Vancouver, Canada, said the onus is on Christian parents and teachers to have a clear, full picture of Jesus, as the next generation is going to reject Christianity based on how Christians live their lives and the hypocrisy and divisions they see in the church.

Depending on our ideological bent, we'll home in on different aspects of Jesus and then ignore other aspects, he said. Yes, Jesus was all about the Golden Rule, but He was also about the scandalous idea that you have to give up your family life if its an idol in order to follow Him. We focus on Jesus saying, I'm the truth and forget that He loved, served, and gave His life for the people and loved the poor and the marginalized and that Christianity actually flourishes among the margins.

We need to see Jesus clearly and fill in the pieces weve gotten wrong.

A recent study from Barna found that two-thirds of teens and young adults (65%) agree that many religions can lead to eternal life compared to 58% of teens and young adults surveyed in 2018. Additionally, 31% of teens and young adults strongly agree that what is morally right and wrong changes over time, based on society, compared to just 25% in 2018.

The reason for this shift, according to Clark, is twofold: Part of it is not having a biblical worldview constructed through the biblical text, he said. The Bible is very clear about the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only way.

But a more subtle reason for this shift, he said, is the philosophy of the autonomous self that has slowly seeped into both Christian and secular cultures over the last few decades.

We used to have a more collectivist attitude; now, were all about self-actualization, he said. This is about your personal feelings. This is about you flourishing as an individual. Once we've made that pivot, then everything is relativized and it becomes my truth and your truth rather than absolute truth.

As a culture, weve traded out the truth for, we all just wanted to get along, he continued This massive hermeneutic of the self has made it so that all truth becomes relative and, 'I can believe what I want to believe, don't project your values on me.'

A self-described skeptic, Clark became a Christian at age 19, after conducting exhaustive philosophical and historical research for the person of Jesus. So through his speaking and writing, Clark said, he tries to address both the believer and the skeptic.

In latest his book,The Problem of Jesus: Answering Skeptics Challenges to the Scandal of Jesus (Zondervan), Clark asks readers to grapple with the teaching, claims, and actions of Jesus. He looks at the historical and philosophical evidence of who Jesus really was, and examines how Christians should properly view Him.

I wanted to write something that both challenged, informed, and convinced the skeptic, but also helped the believer deepen their faith and inspire their affections and heart for Jesus, he said.

This question of Jesus is the definitive issue for the fate of everyone who's ever lived. Youve got to figure it out. You've got a look at it square in the face and chase it down, versus relegating it to a space that doesnt matter.

Though questions surrounding Jesus existence have become popular in post-Christian culture, both liberal and conservative scholars agree He did, in fact, exist.

Its almost relegated to a footnote, because its not even a question, Clark said. No historian worth their salt actually thinks Jesus didn't exist. There is more historical evidence for Him than any other religious figure. You have people who are enemies of Christianity that actually wrote about Jesus, confirming He actually lived.

The question then becomes: Was Jesus actually who He said He was?

The Gospels all present different presentations of Jesus, but most historians would look at the Gospels and say theyre all legitimate and have historical value, while archaeology vindicates the Gospels over and over again, Clark added.

So the question of whether or not Jesus was the Son of God has historical legitimacy in the sense that we can trust the Gospels, which of course presents Him as the Son of God. There are also reasons to believe the resurrection was legitimate from a historical vantage point, which is the moment where everything Jesus has said about Himself is vindicated and legitimized.

Either Jesus is the Son of God  or a group of people got together and created a religion that they all got slaughtered and tortured for, Clark said, adding: Nobody dies for a lie they made up. These people, who claimed to have seen the resurrected Jesus, died horrible deaths.

The pastor noted that though many people emerged over the years claiming to be the Messiah, none of them claimed to have resurrected from the dead.

Neither in Judaism or pagan culture did they have this concept of one person rising from the dead and return to the physical world, he said. Christianity is so unique in the marketplace of ideas, and it just lends credence to it from a historical vantage point.



A clear picture of Jesus  the man who forever altered the course of human history  is essential to impacting all realms of society with the truth that doesnt change and shift over time.

When the believers faith is deepened and their affection for Jesus increases, their life will actually change, Clark stressed. The way they raise their children, deal with money, their marriage  everything is impacted when we have a holistic picture of Jesus and what it means to follow Him in the modern world.

What if, he posited, we let the whole portrait of Jesus actually inspire us, scandal us, confront us, and encourage us?
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Former state Treasurer Josh Mandel used his speaking slot at a prominent national conservative political confab on Friday to bash Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, his fellow Republican with whom he may end up sharing the top of the ticket in the 2022 election.

Mandel, a U.S. Senate hopeful, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida also took aim at Dr. Amy Acton, DeWines former health director who is considering running for Senate as a Democrat.

Mandel said coronavirus restrictions imposed by state governors over the past year have eroded basic freedoms upon which the country was founded.

This authoritarian state - deep state if you will - is not just led by radical liberal governors like [Gavin] Newsom and [Andrew] Cuomo, but even squishy Republican governors like our governor, Mike DeWine, in Ohio, Mandel said, referencing the Democratic governors of California and New York.

Mandel called Acton DeWines COVID queen, and he criticized her and DeWine for imposing restrictions that he said created greater hardships for small businesses than they did for big-box retailers. He also praised businesses that challenged the restrictions in court, and called DeWine a RINO, a derogatory political acronym that stands for Republican in Name Only.

When DeWine was asked Friday morning what he thought about Mandel calling him squishy and a RINO, the governor laughed.

Hes running for office, and, you know, he says what he says, DeWine said during a videoconference with reporters. But Josh is still my friend, and Im sure hell be my friend after this political seasons all over.

Through a spokesman, Acton declined to comment for this story.

Mandel did not reference U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, of the Niles area, another Democrat who is considering running for Senate.

Mandel and former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken are the only declared GOP candidates, but a slew of other candidates, including several congressmen and wealthy GOP donors also are considering running. All hope to succeed Republican Sen. Rob Portman, who announced last year he will not seek re-election.

DeWine is running for re-election in 2022. There are no official Republican challengers, although Jim Renacci, the former Republican congressman from Wadsworth, has been making preparations to do so. DeWine has faced extensive backlash within his own party over his coronavirus-related health restrictions, including drawing efforts from the GOP-controlled state legislature to limit his authority.

Former President Donald Trump in November seemed to invite a primary challenger to DeWine after DeWine in a national TV interview said Joe Biden should be considered the president-elect, even as he supported Trumps right to pursue what turned out to be fruitless legal challenges to overturn results of the November election. Shortly afterward, Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, a close Trump ally with whom Mandel shares political advisers, began attacking DeWine.

The CPAC, held this year in Florida to evade health restrictions in Washington, D.C., is one of the major events on the conservative political calendar. Former President Donald Trump is expected to speak there on Sunday in his first public remarks since leaving the White House in January.

Cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer reporter Jeremy Pelzer contributed to this story
And the winner is: Miss United States of America.

A federal judge Thursday threw out a lawsuit by a transgender woman who accused the private pageant corporation of discrimination for denying her the right to participate in competitions.

U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman found that the pageant association cannot be required to allow a transgender woman to participate in light of its mission to promote natural-born females.

I view it as an association that cannot under the Constitution be required to allow plaintiff to participate in what defendant says is a contradiction of that message, Mosman ruled from the bench.

Anita Noelle Green of Clackamas said she was disappointed in the ruling but that her suit drew attention to an important bias issue even if it wasnt ultimately successful.

This case brought awareness to an issue many people were and still are unaware of and that issue is that discrimination against transgender people is still actively happening in the private and public sector even within the pageant circuit, Green said in a statement.

Attorney John T. Kaempf, who represented Miss United States of America LLC, praised the ruling.

My client is not anti-transgender but it just wants to be able to hold a pageant that is only for biological females, Kaempf said after the ruling.

Contrary to what people might think, my client, the pageant, is a supporter of diversity. It believes there can be a Miss Black USA pageant, a Miss Native American pageant or a transgender pageant, Kaempf said.

Green holds the title of 2019 Miss Earth Elite Oregon and competed in the 2018 Miss Montana contest.

She applied to participate in the Miss United States of America national pageant in 2019 but her application was rejected.

This policy, intentionally designed to exclude the specific class to which plaintiff belongs  transgender females  is discriminatory because it denied plaintiff the full and equal advantages and privileges of defendants services in violation of Oregons public accommodations law,' her suit alleged.

Shenoa L. Payne, Greens lawyer, argued that the pageant corporation is predominantly a commercial business that is granted minimal protection, as opposed to an expressive association protected by the First Amendment.

The national pageants exclusion of an entire class of individuals - transgender women - is not message-based, but status-based, Payne argued.

Green holds the same viewpoints and goals as the Miss United States of America pageant, which is to promote and uplift women and she wants to advance their goals, Payne said.

Mosman found that the national pageant is predominantly an expressive association.

As opposed to the company Les Schwab, which has a simple, entirely commercial message that is to buy our tires, the pageant corporation, both nationally and locally, is primarily engaged in expressive activity and not substantially commercial, the judge ruled.

Because I viewed it as an organization that does promote a message and seeks to maintain control of that message, I view it as an association that cannot under the Constitution be required to allow plaintiff to participate in what defendant says is a contradiction of that message, Mosman said.

He referenced the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, in which the nations high court ruled that New Jersey couldnt enforce its nondiscrimination laws to force the Boy Scouts to allow gay scoutmasters in the state. The Supreme Court reversed a lower-court decision that ruled in favor of allowing James Dale to serve as an assistant scoutmaster.

Kaempf cited another U.S. Supreme Court ruling, a 1995 decision that established that the First Amendment free speech rights of private groups to define the parameters of their expressive conduct during a parade trumped the provisions of a state anti-discrimination law.

In that case, the Irish-American Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston had wanted to participate in the annual South Boston St. Patricks Day parade, in part to show its members pride in their dual identity as Irish Americans and gay Americans. Its application to register for the parade was rejected by the parades organizer, the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council.

Green said she viewed the ruling as a minor setback and would be exploring options for a way to move forward.

She said that the Miss United States of America pageant is on the wrong side of history for choosing to actively discriminate against transgender people, but the road to creating meaningful change has always been a long and bumpy one.

In court papers, Greens lawyer questioned the pageants so-called mission, noting that the Miss United States of America pageant has had a man dressed in drag serve as a judge and that minors have been provided with alcohol at a 2019 Miss Oregon competition, part of the United States of America Pageants.

The pageant corporation said it would investigate the alcohol allegation. Kaempf, its lawyer, said once the issue of a man dressed in drag serving as a pageant judge was brought to the pageants attention during litigation, it prohibited the mans future participation.

Green said she wont let the ruling change her stance.

Transgender women are women, Greens statement said. My message has always been consistent and my message is this: Every person has beauty.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian

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The Eagle: A Times Union Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

Last week marked the 76th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima  a brutal, bloody fight that began in February of 1945 and went on for five weeks.

A small group of Capital Region veterans would've typically gathered to mark this anniversary at a cafe in Altamont, where theyd swap stories of their days as Marines and their experiences during the battle. However this year the dwindling group (now in their mid-90s) did not have that option, with a pandemic raging and the cafe closed permanently. Yet they still got together on the phone.

On this episode of the Eagle,* reporter Pete DeMola talks about what he learned while listening to them share their stories.

Also on this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and criminal justice reporter Rob Gavin sat down with NXIVM whistleblowers Sarah Edmondson and Anthony "Nippy" Ames to talk about their new podcast, "A Little Bit Culty," and what they're feeling now that Keith Raniere has been imprisoned for life.

* Please listen with care, as this episode contains explicit language and graphic depictions of war.
Gardai were last night still trying to establish a definitive motive for the shocking attempted murder of a 17-year-old boy.

But senior sources said that by far the most likely explanation is that it is linked to the lucrative local drugs trade.

The boy was shot in the face, neck and in the leg just after he had hailed down a taxi on Eugene Street in Dublins south inner city shortly before 11pm on Wednesday, a location a short distance from his home.

He remained in a stable condition in hospital and last night he posted a video to social media from his hospital bed.

While the shooting victim is known to gardai, he has no previous criminal convictions and has never appeared before the Childrens Court.

However, sources say that he is on friendly terms with a dangerous south inner city grouping that runs a drugs distribution network in the area.

One line in the investigation is that the teenager, who will not turn 18 until October, may have been targeted in revenge for a slash attack that an older man who is well known to him carried out in recent weeks.

This is being looked at but it seems unlikely at this stage. This was a very targeted shooting  he was struck three times and up to six shots were fired from a handgun, a senior source said.

Gardai were not aware of any threats against the teenager, who remained in intensive care last night after emergency surgery at St Jamess Hospital.

Officers have not yet been able to speak to the teenager and say he is very lucky to be alive.

Specialist gardai were last night forensically examining the getaway car used in the attempted murder.

Gardai are appealing for information on a Black Hyundai i30, with registration plate 07 TS 4838, which was found burned out on Greenville Avenue.

They are also appealing for anyone who was in the Eugene Street and Greenville Avenue locations between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Wednesday to contact them. Anyone with camera footage from the locations at that time is also asked to come forward.

A prominent line in the investigation is his friendship with a group of notorious young street dealers who have links to the Kinahan cartel.

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This mob had been using a number of sheds and stables in the Liberties area as a drug- dealing headquarters before it was demolished by Dublin City Council last May.

Sources say they control street dealing in the Thomas, Francis and Meath s treet areas of the south inner city, which has brought them into conflict with other local gangs.

Detectives have been monitoring the activities of the ruthless thugs behind the drugs network. These include an out-of-control teenager with very close links to Liam Brannigan (38), who was jailed for eight years last year for conspiring with Kinahan cartel murder plotters to assassinate Dublin man Gary Hanley.

A 28-year-old from Crumlin, who was arrested for a brutal attack on gardai last year, is also suspected of "controlling" the street-level drug distribution.

It previously emerged gardai have established that more than half a dozen boys aged between 10 and 12 are dealing crack cocaine, heroin and other substances for the ruthless mob who have been involved in numerous assaults.

Speaking about the shooting, one local resident said: I went out and I could see the boy crying for help.

"He was either getting into or out of a taxi when he was targeted. He was kind of leaning in the taxi."

"He was crying for help and I could see blood pouring from his face. It was frightening.

"He was very distressed and some local people had run to help him and were holding things up to where he was bleeding."
With their wide gamut of cannabidiol oils along with adequate awareness, Plain Jane's goal is to take care of their clients' CBD products with their new CBD oils and topicals.

MEDFORD, OR / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / plainjane.com focuses on providing the best CBD products commercially available in the United States. It is a company which has something for everyone. Their focus is primarily on accessible, affordable cannabis products, along with an aware customer base when it comes to the Cannabis Sativa plant. They are currently focusing on various queries related to the cannabis plant, starting from the wide variety of strains, combinations, oils, and salves. This house has built its business reputation based on a stable availability of supplying CBD and CBG strains federally legal.

They also are one of the top-rated firms in this industry when it comes to fair pricing and warranty. This, in turn, lures more customers, along with their interactive outlook toward their marketing and PR strategies. Plain Jane is established for treating their clientele with an individualistic outlook, i.e., they take care of individual queries and suggestions in case of a first-time user or a novice. Professionals of Plain Jane do not mind painstakingly explaining every single salve or CBD by-product to someone looking at their variety. Their value for their customer relationships has thus been engaging and comforting, one that they have built over the smokes.

Plain Jane's campaigns are also a method to raise awareness, and thus they ensure simple yet interactive tutorials and blogs, mostly on YouTube or their in-website blog page. However, they do not encourage underage viewing or consumption of this content; they are primarily age-restricted. Their specialization provides the highest quality and the most affordable CBD oils, salves, and topicals in the United States. This might also probably be the reason why their new range of CBD oil packaging has been so widely loved.

For more information, visit https://plainjane.com/cbd-products/cbd-oils-and-topicals/

Plain Jane understands their clientele's affordable CBD and hemp products requirements, but they also work hard to maintain a low quantity THC presence. This is something that they strive for when their subsequently young target groups are in question. The low THC content is usually done so that their patrons do not go through the unwanted psychosis that usually accompanies cannabis consumption. Hence, while they provide their services or complete packaging and shipping every purchase, they make sure all the queries are answered, however basic or distant they are. This is done to ensure client satisfaction, and their reputation usually says it out loud.

Plain Jane does see a boost in sales for their oils and topical essentials during the winters. Hence, they have introduced a new variety of packing CBD oils, taking care of all the necessary information. Commonly asked queries about the topicals are related to the strains' genealogy, regulators, law enforcement qualities, FDA standards, and alternative affiliates.

Apart from being a hemp firm, Plain Jane also strives for sustainability when they source raw materials. Their produce comes from third-generation farms, raising locally sourced produce in Southern Oregon and expanding the local cannabis culture to get national or international fame. This, in turn, ensures that the growers get a fair price for their produce.

About Plain Jane:

This company provides cannabis assistance mainly in Medford, Oregon, and is well known for its care for customers and the sustainable choices they make as a firm. For the people of Southern Oregon, Plain Jane has been a source of earning and a guided cannabis director. They provide not only some highly tested strains of cannabis, but also a significant number of by-products that contain a higher percentage of CBD and a subsequently low THC to avoid unnecessary psychotropic, and specialists who can efficiently recommend any pure or combination strain by the requirements of their customers.

#

For The Media

Company Details

Company: Plain Jane Hemp Co

Address: PO Box 1761, Medford, OR 97501, United States of America

Phone: (833) 420-6621

Email: hi@plainjane.com

Website: https://plainjane.com/

SOURCE: Plain Jane Hemp Co

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/631883/Plain-Jane-Launches-New-CBD-Oil-Packaging
Technology-focused investment trusts have been battered in the second half of February, which might provide a buying opportunity for the adventurous and the tech diehards

Investing in PLC ( ) has long been a convenient way for UK retail investors to gain exposure to the US tech boom.

As well as being convenient, it has been lucrative as well. Until recently.

According to figures from Trustnet, Scottish Mortgages (SMT) net asset value (NAV) per share rose 500% between March 2016 and February 15 2021.

In just 11 days, that appreciation has been slashed back to 437%, as investors fret that the valuations of the tech glamour stocks might be getting way ahead of themselves  not that this has ever seemed to worry investors before.

SMTs share price since February 15 has fallen from 1,600p to 1,159p  a fall of 28%. Thats a bigger fall, even than Tesla (down 18%), the stock that has been partly responsible for SMTs rise to prominence.

Having said that, the investment trust has pared its holdings in Tesla, such that the electric vehicle maker now forms just 5.1% of its portfolio, down from 8.9% at the end of 2020.

That puts Tesla behind Tencent (6.5%), (6.1%) and Amazon.com (5.9%) in its list of big holdings.

The trust is not specifically set up to invest in technology stocks but thats the way it seems to have panned out. Other well-known stocks in its top-10 holdings include Alibaba.com, the e-commerce giant, and Delivery Hero, the food ordering outfit.

Tucked away at number nine and forming 3.3% of its portfolio is Moderna, the drugs company set to make a mint from its COVID-19 vaccine.

The biotech stock was not in SMT's top 10 holdings at the end of 2020 and its appearance now, and the trusts well-timed paring of its Tesla holdings, suggest that the trust is not just going to live on past glories and that its investment manager, Baillie Gifford, might actually have a clue about spotting winners.

What is a tech stock anyway?

At the end of January, healthcare stocks made up 11.6% of the trusts portfolio, compared to 19.1% for the technology sector.

Consumer goods companies formed 19.4% of its portfolio and consumer services firms 39.8%, so the trust is not a pure tech play, although it is unclear how much overlap there is between its consumer good & services companies and technology.

Is Amazon.com a technology company? Based on its network infrastructure business  the company provides the servers that host a lot of e-commerce sites  you could argue that it is but you could also be justified in classifying it as a consumer services company.

The big worry for investors, however, is that technology stocks and quasi-tech stocks are going to have the sort of collapse that did for many companies in the dot.com boom.

Technology stock advocates think it is less likely that a similar collapse will happen with todays technology stocks, many of which seem more powerful and influential than national governments.

Certainly, Google probably knows more about me than my wife does, never mind MI5. Not that MI5 has any reason to be interested in me (ditto my wife but for some reason she does).

It certainly seems that technology is all-pervading, all-seeing and all-knowing but it has not penetrated daily life as much as you might think.

Tech has many territories it has yet to conquer

Dave Bujnowski, a fund manager at Baillie Gifford, said in an interview with Trustnet Magazine, that e-commerce is still just 15% of all retail in the US while only 15-20% of all apps or workloads have migrated to the cloud.

That leaves plenty of room for growth.

If you buy into Bujnowskis view, then SMT remains a convenient way of buying into tech while spreading your risk.

Other trusts are available, as the BBC might say.

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust, for instance, has as its biggest investment (5.5%), followed by Amazon.com (5.0%) and Tesla (4.4%). Down in the number 10 spot is Zoom Video Communications (3.1%), which is perhaps not the hot stock it was at the height of the coronavirus pandemic but it still has tremendous brand recognition because of it.

As the name of the trust suggests, it invests purely in US growth stocks. If Asia-Pacific tickles your fancy more, then a trust such as JP Morgan China Growth & Income might be the one for you. Around 8.3% of its portfolio is in Tencent Holdings and 7.9% in Alibaba.com but it is also invested in stocks that might be a little less familiar, such as Kingdee International Software (2.9%) and Sunny Optical Technology (2.0%).

For technology stock purists, there are ( ) and ( ), both of which have joined SMT in the doghouse in the second half of February.

Investing in these trusts is not, perhaps, as much fun as going on Reddit and joining in the ramp-up of stocks of companies you thought had gone out of business long ago (get ready for the Netscape comeback!) but it takes a lot of the hard work out of the research side and spreads some risk.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 26, 2021 - 18:05 | World, All

New Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Aiboshi held a meeting with First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong Kun on Friday, as the envoy finished a two-week quarantine following his arrival in the country.

During the talks, Aiboshi and Choi explained to each other their governments' positions on compensation issues related to Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, said South Korea's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Tensions between Seoul and Tokyo have heightened following a series of South Korean Supreme Court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese firms to compensate Koreans who were forced to work for them during World War II.

Last month, a South Korean court ruled that the Japanese government should pay damages to a group of former "comfort women" over their treatment at Japanese military brothels.

Choi emphasized that many issues lying between the two countries should be dealt with separately, asking to enhance bilateral cooperation in a future-oriented manner, according to the ministry.

Aiboshi said that during his tenure, he will work hard to restore people-to-people exchanges between the two countries once the coronavirus pandemic settles down.

The career diplomat arrived in South Korea on Feb. 12 immediately after his ambassadorship in Israel. He has previously worked at the embassy in Seoul.

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A Co Cork comedian behind a viral sketch that sees a loyalist face an awkward conversation with housemates from England, Scotland and Ireland has spoken of how humour can break down Brexit's big questions.

Tadhg Hickey (38) works as a writer, comedian, performer and voice artist, and now his sketch 'Loyalism, but in a house share in Cork' has been viewed over a quarter of a million times on Twitter.

Playing all the roles himself, it sees a tense house meeting between a Rangers top-wearing loyalist, and housemates representing England, the Irish Republic, Scotland, the EU and a nearly forgotten Wales.

England explains it is time for the loyalist to move out, as he never really wanted him in the house, but Ireland would be happy to have him. The unfazed loyalist declines, stating he will be living with England forever while a sulking Scotland sits in the corner years despite announcing he was moving out years ago.

Ireland promises that his place is much nicer these days, and that if the loyalist lives with him, he will get access to lavish parties at the wealthy EU's house... not that England or Scotland are invited.

All the while, a tiny ignored Wales gets laughed at when suggesting he might move out himself.

Loyalism, but in a house share in Cork pic.twitter.com/WNDGegEzmA  Tadhg (@TadhgHickey) February 25, 2021

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Tadhg said he has been delighted with the response so far. Despite being a self-confessed Sinn Fein voter, he said his aim was to include all sides in the joke and make fun of everyone equally.

"Most of the comments have been positive. Most of the satire I do I try to be playful as opposed to being cutting," he said.

"I have a pop at policies but I never go in for insulting people. I suppose with loyalism it's an interesting philosophical position it finds itself in, because it's loyal to something that seems to be falling apart. You could argue it's loyal to something that never wanted it to be loyal. I just think there's something intrinsically funny about that.

"I definitely didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I feel that everyone in the sketch gets a little ribbing. So maybe that's why it's done quite well, that people are sharing it to insult their friends in other part of the British Isles."

Asked for his take on how Brexit will ultimately play out, Tadhg says he believes it will be the middle ground rather than hardened loyalists or republicans that decide Ireland's future.

"I'm most enthusiastic when I listen to reports of unionists in the six counties considering voting for a united Ireland because it's the most practical solution to the current situation economically," he said.

"There's really articulate people on the unionist side, the David Trimbles of the world, and then there's a harder, more militant, loyalism that just doesn't even make sense to me on a practical level," he said.

"The harder they push, the more moderates will think they're stuck in the past. I think the DUP have also done more for Irish unity in the last few years than any Irish republican I can think of."

As a performer with no live gigs during the pandemic, he said the value of online comedy has never been more important.

"In Ireland there is a community of comedians and we share each other's stuff, but at the same time there is a bit of competition. So I think it does bring out the best in people," he said.

"Everyone's at home and on their phone as well, so it's a no-brainer. Also, without being cheesy, I'm getting a lot of messages from people telling me that a sketch has made them smile when they've had a tough day.

"That's the majority of what it's all about... when everyone I can think of is struggling at the moment that means the world to me and makes me feel like I've got a purpose."
Both Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly favor politicians who support generous COVID-19 relief spending, yet remain deeply polarized over the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results and former President Donald Trump's second impeachment. Meanwhile, political experts find that the former president's actions and those taken by congressional supporters in the aftermath of the election represent serious departures from American democratic norms.

Those are among the most recent findings of Bright Line Watch, the political science research project cofounded by Gretchen Helmke, a professor of political science at the University of Rochester, and her colleagues at the University of Chicago and Dartmouth College. The watchdog group started regular surveys about the health of US democracy in February 2017.

Read Bright Line Watch's latest (February 2021) survey, "American democracy at the start of the Biden presidency."

The team found strong bipartisan support for a new COVID-19 relief package, with Republican voters favoring a hypothetical candidate who supports a $500 billion pandemic appropriation over one who opposes it by 11 points, independents by 12 points, and Democrats by 18 points.

COVID relief has proven to be extremely popular with supporters of both parties, says Bright Line Watch cofounder Brendan Nyhan, a professor of government at Dartmouth College. "We've seen Democrats and Republicans in Congress at times compete to provide more generous offers of aid and assistance. The public seems to largely agree that the government should provide more help given the economic circumstances Americans currently face."

Meanwhile, the legitimacy of the election result remains a polarizing issue: while 42 percent of Republican public policymakers expressed confidence in the integrity of the election results at the national level, only 22 percent of Republicans in the public sample felt the same way. To Helmke, the public's continued partisan view of the election is troubling.

"In a democracy people basically have to trust that the rules are fair and that if their party or their team loses, the stakes of that loss won't be intolerable, that in the future they'll be able to contest an election again, and that they'll have a chance of winning. That keeps everyone committed to democracy and to playing by the rules," Helmke says. "Once you break that faith--that elections actually determine who the winner is--people's allegiance to democracy wanes."

While the latest survey provides a snapshot of the state of democracy in the early days of the new Biden administration, it's also a look in the rearview mirror. The Bright Line Watch team found that loyalties and antipathy toward the former president--whose Senate impeachment trial began immediately after the surveys were conducted--continue to shape the views of citizens and government officials alike.

As a result, the "country still lives in the shadow of the Trump legacy," the team writes.

As they had done throughout the project, the group fielded two parallel surveys--one to political experts and one to a representative sample of the US population--between January 28 and February 8.

Among the key findings in the survey of the public:

Partisan differences in confidence in the 2020 election and on legal and political accountability for former President Trump are profound. Democrats trust the election, support disqualifying Trump from holding future office, and believe he should face criminal prosecution. Republicans distrust the election results and favor moving on without consequences for Trump. Independents are split.

While there is cross-party consensus on government spending on pandemic relief, stark polarization over the certification of the presidential election and impeachment continues, with Republicans punishing Republican candidates for crossing the party line on either issue.

Among the key findings in the survey of political experts:

The experts overwhelmingly favor a set of reform proposals to expand voting participation, tighten campaign finance regulation, and modify how electoral districts are configured and votes are cast. They also favor abolishing the Senate filibuster and imposing term limits on Supreme Court justices. The only reform the experts reject is compulsory voting.

Experts rate the January 6 insurrection and President Trump's pressure on state-level officials to overturn the election as among the most abnormal and important events of the Trump presidency. They overwhelmingly regard these events and the votes by a majority of Republican lawmakers in Congress not to certify the presidential election results as grave or serious threats to American democracy.

Thinking of secession?

The specter of secession entered into the group's battery of questions after legislators at the local and state level started mentioning it publicly. For the first time Bright Line Watch asked its public sample about the prospect of breaking up the United States into more than one country--a genuinely radical proposition, the team acknowledges.

"Until recently, we would have regarded it as too marginal to include in a survey. But state legislators in Mississippi and Texas and state GOP leaders in Texas and Wyoming have openly advocated secession in recent months, prompting us to design two survey items to gauge perceptions of this idea," they write.

Notably, when presented with a proposal for their region to secede from the United States, almost one in three Americans polled (29 percent) is willing to entertain the prospect. Republicans (33 percent) support secession more than Democrats (21 percent); but Democrats are more amenable to secession than Republicans in areas where they tend to hold power.

Yet, the researchers caution against reading too much into that data: the results reflect initial reactions by respondents about an issue that they are very unlikely to have considered carefully, the team cautions.

###
UTICA, N.Y.  The American Red Cross is assisting four people after a fire on Kellogg Avenue in Utica Thursday morning.

Firefighters were called to the scene around 7:30 a.m., and quickly extinguished the fire.

The cause is still being investigated.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on Friday Democrats should overrule or fire the Senate parliamentarian after Elizabeth MacDonough ruled the $15 minimum wage cannot be included in the COVID relief package.

'I think all options should be on the table,' she told reporters on Capitol Hill when asked about the matter.

'I think the parliamentarian is verging on, you know, just really intruding in this legislative process in a very concerning way,' the Democrat from New York noted.

Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that the House parliamentarian ruled the wage hike could be in that chamber's version of the bill.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Democrats should overrule or fire the Senate parliamentarian after Elizabeth MacDonough ruled the $15 minimum wage cannot be included in the COVID relief package

President Joe Biden said he respects the decision of the Senate parliamentarian as progressive pressure party leadership to overrule the decision

'We have a really serious inconsistency here where you have the House parliamentarian that has ruled it in order and the Senate parliamentarian that has been out of step with virtually every other aspect of this party,' she said.

Many progressives are pressuring Democratic leadership to find a way around the ruling so the wage increase can become law as MacDonough's ruling causes fractions in the party.

Some liberals have argued that Vice President Kamala Harris, in her role as president of the Senate, can overrule the parliamentarian.

'I'm sorry - an unelected parliamentarian does not get to deprive 32 million Americans the raise they deserve,' Democratic Representative Ro Khanna wrote on Twitter. 'This is an advisory, not a ruling. VP Harris needs to disregard and rule a $15 minimum wage in order. We were elected to deliver for the people. It's time we do our job.'

Progressives are furious at Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough's ruling: Representative Ro Khanna called for Democratic leadership to overturn it while Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called for MacDonough to be fired

But the White House said President Joe Biden 'respects' the decision. And White House chief of staff Ron Klain said earlier this week that Harris would not make such a move.

'Certainly, that's not something we would do,' he told MSNBC host Joy Reid. 'Were going to honor the rules of the Senate and work within that system to get this bill passed.'

Rep. Ilham Omar of Minnesota took things a step further when she called for MacDonough to be fired.

'Replace the parliamentarian. What's a Democratic majority if we can't pass our priority bills? This is unacceptable,' she tweeted.

Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders vowed to push for an increased minimum wage to be included the COVID package after the Senate parliamentarian ruled the $15 per hour hike cannot be a part of the $1.9 trillion relief plan.

Sanders slammed the decision and said he'd propose an amendment that would pair the wage increase with a tax penalties on corporations that don't pay a higher minimum wage - a move that could change whether it meets the parliamentarian's criteria for inclusion.

'I will be working with my colleagues in the Senate to move forward with an amendment to take tax deductions away from large, profitable corporations that don't pay workers at least $15 an hour and to provide small businesses with the incentives they need to raise wages,' he said in a statement Thursday night.

'That amendment must be included in this reconciliation bill,' he added.

He said there is support to make a $15 minimum wage the law of thd land.

'I'm confident that we have a majority in the United States Senate including the Vice President that would vote to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour as part of President Biden's American Rescue Plan,' Sanders said.

'Yet because of the archaic and undemocratic rules of the Senate we are unable to move forward to end starvation wages in this country and raise the income of 32 million struggling Americans. That fight continues,' he said.

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough dealt a potentially lethal blow to Democrats' call for a $15 per hour wage when she ruled Thursday night that the provision was not compliant with the rules governing the budget process that Congress is using to pass the bill with simple majorities.

Democrats pushed to have the COVID relief bill passed through a process called reconciliation, which would keep the GOP from filibustering it and allow it to pass with a simple majority.

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough (pictured) dealt a huge blow to Democrats when she ruled their $15 minimu wage could not be included in the $1.9trillion COVID-19 relief bill

But, by invoking reconciliation, they also invoked what is called the 'Byrd rule' - which limits acceptable provisions in the reconciliation process to taxing and spending.

MacDonough, the Senate's nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, ruled the wage hike does not meet those standards.

Her ruling was not a surprise. Even President Joe Biden predicted the wage hike was likely not to meet the reconciliation requirements for inclusion.

But, given the opposition to the wage hike from some moderate Democrats and many Republicans, the COVID relief package was seen as the strongest chance for making it the law.

'I strongly disagree with tonight's decision by the Senate Parliamentarian,' Sanders said.

The Vermont senator pointed to a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office study out earlier this month that found the $15 wage proposal would cost jobs but would also lift nearly one million out of poverty.

Sanders and other progressives argued the findings showed a monetary impact, meaning the minimum wage hike could be included in the COVID relief plan.

'The CBO made it absolutely clear that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour had a substantial budgetary impact and should be allowed under reconciliation,' Sanders said Thursday night.

Odds of a wage hike passing on its own are low after Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said they opposed it.

Given the 50-50 breakdown on the Senate, Democrats need every one of their members to vote with them.

Republicans solidly oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs. They also oppose the overall relief bill, saying it's too expensive.

The House is set to vote on the $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan on Friday. Their version includes the $15 minimum wage hike.

'House Democrats believe that the minimum-wage hike is necessary,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. 'Therefore this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight for 15.'

Senator Bernie Sanders vowed to push for an increased minimum wage to be included the COVID package

The House is set to vote on the $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan on Friday and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said their legislation would include the $15 minimum wage

The existing federal minimum wage, at $7.25 an hour, has not been changed since 2009.

The White House expressed its disappointment in MacDonough's ruling.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki released a statement saying: 'President Biden is disappointed in this outcome, as he proposed having the $15 minimum wage as part of the American Rescue Plan.

'He respects the parliamentarian's decision and the Senate's process. He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also voiced his frustration: 'We are deeply disappointed in this decision. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families.'

He vowed to find a way to make the wage hike law.

'The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.'
Displaced Yemeni mother, Gabra (in pink) and her family, in a hosting site in Sana'a.  UNHCR/Ahmed Haleen

Amid intensified clashes in Yemens Marib region UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is calling for a safe passage for the fleeing civilians. Fighting parties must spare no effort to protect the population caught in the conflict and ease its impact on civilians.

Insecurity is increasingly hindering the delivery of aid to civilians in Marib, with dire consequences for the most vulnerable among them. The latest clashes are just a few kilometers from Marib city and people had little choice but to flee to relative safety in the urban areas.

The existing sites for internally displaced people (IDPs) are already overcrowded, and the humanitarian response is overstretched. More than 800,000 displaced Yemenis have been taking refuge in this part of the country. Most of them have been sheltering there since the start of the conflict in 2015.

Unimpeded access to affected areas must be granted to aid agencies so that critical lifesaving assistance can be delivered to the displaced and other families in Marib and elsewhere in the county where the needs are dire.

Ahead of a major donor pledging conference for Yemen on Monday 1 March, we are also warning that the growing number of displaced Yemenis are now facing severe food insecurity. Out of four million IDPs in Yemen, nearly 2.6 million are just a step away from famine. Most IDPs are sheltering in parts of the country assessed to have acute food shortages or famine-like conditions.

Conflict, protracted displacement, as well as lack of access to services and livelihoods are the main reasons for growing poverty and food insecurity among the displaced communities. Many of them have been displaced for more than two years, while some had to flee multiple times, straining their meager resources, and increasing their dependency on humanitarian aid.

Life in Yemen is getting more desperate and dangerous by the day. Based on UNHCRs assessments, 64 per cent of displaced families have no sources of income. Others earn less than US$50 a month to make ends meet. Consequently, two out of three displaced families say that they resort to harmful coping practices to survive. They limit or skip their meals, take children out of school and forego medical attention. Some end up begging or selling whatever they have left. Child marriages are on the rise.

To mobilize international support for the people of Yemen, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi will attend Mondays virtual high-level pledging event to call for robust international support for life-saving humanitarian response.

UNHCR seeks US$271 million for its 2021 operations in Yemen. So far only six per cent of that amount has been received and we may be forced to reduce drastically the number of people receiving aid, with dramatic consequences notably for displaced children, women, and other vulnerable people.

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Orangutans are a critically endangered species and the coronavirus pandemic halted efforts to protect and increase their population. But as VOAs Arash Arabasadi reports, rescue efforts in Indonesia are back under way. VOA Khmer's Sisovann Pin narrates.
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BAGHDAD (AP)  A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one fighter and wounding several others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday, signaling the first military action undertaken by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The Iraqi militia official told The Associated Press that the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak of the attack. Syria war monitoring groups said the strikes hit trucks moving weapons to a base for Iranian-backed militias in Boukamal.

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington, shortly after the airstrikes which were carried out Thursday evening Eastern Standard Time.

The Biden administration in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Bidens decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq and send a message to Iran.

The U.S. has in the past targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a shipment of weapons that were being taken by trucks entering Syrian territories from Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified.

In a statement, the group confirmed one of its fighters was killed and called the U.S. strike a crime. Kataeb Hezbollah, like other Iranian-backed factions, maintains fighters in Syria to both fight against the Islamic State group and assist Syrian President Bashar Assads forces in that countrys civil war.

Defense Secretary Austin said he was confident the U.S. had hit back at the the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes, referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to President Biden.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Austin said. We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. action was a proportionate military response taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel, Kirby said.

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada.

Further details were not immediately available.

Mary Ellen OConnell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.

The United Nations Charter makes absolutely clear that the use of military force on the territory of a foreign sovereign state is lawful only in response to an armed attack on the defending state for which the target state is responsible, she said. None of those elements is met in the Syria strike.

Syria condemned the U.S. strike calling it a cowardly and systematic American aggression, warning that the attack will lead to consequences.

This aggression is a negative indication of the policies of the new American administration, which is supposed to adhere to international legitimacy, not to the law of the jungle, a statement by Syrias foreign ministry said.

Biden administration officials condemned the Feb. 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack. He added that U.S. officials were not then able to give a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks.

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Alwiya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdads Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade. Iran-backed groups have splintered significantly since the U.S.-directed strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad more than a year ago. Both were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq.

Since their deaths, the militias have become increasingly unruly. Some analysts argue the armed groups have splintered as a tactic to claim attacks under different names to mask their involvement.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of Bidens inauguration.

The U.S. under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out multiple attacks in Iraq.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that culminated in the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Soleimani and brought Iraq to the brink of a proxy war.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.
THE infighting and strategic missteps wracking the MDC Alliance are once again coming to a head, with a worried insider telling the Daily News yesterday that the coalition was becoming a Twitter party.

In addition, the senior alliance official also lamented the undue influence that a few unelected people  including some politically-naive academics and lawyers were increasingly having on the coalitions leadership.

At the same time, political analysts warned yesterday that if the MDC Alliance did not change course and recalibrate its strategies, it risked being decimated by Zanu PF, by the time of the 2023 national elections.

This comes after former MDC senator for Zvishavane, and member of the Alliance, Lillian Timveous, as well as Blessing Chebundo  a former MP for Kwekwe Central  dumped the party, amid its ongoing senseless bloodletting and name calling.

While its hard to admit this, we are a party in crisis, where we are specialising in fighting each other, rather than our real political foes Zanu PF.

And the other hard truth is that we are so lacking in leadership, cohesion and effective strategies that we are now effectively a Twitter party.

The situation is not helped by the fact that there is undue influence by a coterie of unelected people who include some politically-naive academics and lawyers who are misadvising the partys leadership, the senior MDC Alliance official told the Daily News.

Political analysts, including respected University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, described the move by Timveous and Chebundo as a godsend for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF.

In Chebundo, we are talking about someone with real political capital, having previously defeated Mnangagwa in the 2000 and 2005 parliamentary elections.

So, it is a momentous development that will help the incumbent to consolidate his power base in Midlands. It is normal that leaders would want to build their power bases from their home provinces before spreading their tentacles elsewhere.

Mnangagwa wants to be seen as having united the people from his home area to rally behind him after getting the likes of Timveous to his side. It will work wonders for him, Masunungure said.

The highly regarded political commentator also warned that this latest development in the MDC could open floodgates for more defections to the ruling party in the near future.

The development will also send shock waves within the opposition support base because it is a strategic issue, and there is likely going to be continued migration to Zanu PF. There is therefore a need for Nelson Chamisa to re-strategise to counteract that, Masunungure added.

In November last year, Zanu PF also welcomed former Masvingo Urban legislator, Tongai Matutu, to its ranks  with the former MP also decrying the chaos ravaging the opposition.

Stephen Chan, a professor of World Politics at the University of Londons School of Oriental and African Studies said with the ructions that have consumed the MDC since the death of its founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018, the current mass exodus of senior party officials was not surprising.

In a way, its only surprising that defections of this sort havent happened earlier. As the opposition feuds within itself, and as Zanu PF conducts a behind-the-scenes defection diplomacy, it is likely more will defect in the future.

There is prestige and funding available in politics. In opposition politics, however, foreign funders are increasingly disillusioned by the unending bitterness that the splits have engendered.

It may be that Chamisa retains some viability as a presidential candidate, more so than Douglas Mwonzora, but I foresee both MDCs having a reduced place in Parliament after the next elections, Chan said.

The question, he added, was what Zanu PF could offer Zimbabweans having been emboldened by the disintegration of the opposition, as well as what the agenda of the defectors was.

In Singapore, with a dominant party state, the small opposition being a decoration that proved democracy existed, the government there became liberal in a whole raft of sectors that were not essential to its survival and political prosperity.

That was schizophrenia that nevertheless required a form of pragmatic wisdom. Im not sure, however, that Zimbabweans can expect that, Chan said.

On the other hand, senior consultant at the International Crisis Group, Piers Pigou, said the defections were a reflection of the politics of opportunism and survival that was inherent in the opposition movement in Zimbabwe.

Zanu PF obviously benefits from this in terms of propaganda value, although it is hard to see this as a truly substantive win. The politics and economy of the country remain polarised and broken.

These members who have crossed the floor from opposition formations to the ruling party do not appear to have done so on the basis of principle or with the support of constituencies that voted for them.

The optics do not look good for the opposition, losing national executive members to the ruling party, especially in this context.

They appear to be a further indication of the multiple challenges and dysfunction that currently characterise opposition politics, Pigou said.

However, he criticised Mnangagwa for receiving Chebundo and Timveous at State House for what was essentially a party political defection ceremony.

When Matutu was also welcomed by Mnangagwa at State House, he indicated that his coming to Zanu PF was a prelude to more MDC officials joining the ruling party from the ever-squabbling opposition.

At this point in time I am speaking on behalf of myself, but I know there are so many other people who are waiting on the fence.

Most of the MDC members are biblical lepers caught between a rock and hard place on whether to remain there because we are called MDCs by the other party or if we go there we might be ill-treated on account of us being political activists.

I would like to believe that if a sign or signal is given that all is well and they are welcome, I can tell you that by 2023 there will be an amazing number of people who will follow their conscience, Matutu said then.

He also accused the MDC of having lost its purpose as an opposition party, adding that it was now a movement in disarray because of constant bickering.

I believe that there is very little that I can say that is not in the public domain, especially in my former party in its various forms, whether its MDC T or you call it MDC Alliance.

I have taken this decision because I have done a very serious introspection  a reflection of where we are coming from and where we are going and also having considered the amount of time we have lost as a nation and what we want to achieve as a people and especially as politicians.

I believe for the party (MDC) it has really lost the real purpose of its existence to exercise oversight over the ruling party.

It is a party that has plunged into confusion and disarray as far as it has placed the nation into an election mode, Matutu said further. Daily News
South Carolina is removing some of the state's last COVID-19 restrictions as Gov. Henry McMaster lifted mandatory limits on mass gatherings and late-night restaurant alcohol sales, effective March 1.

Large gatherings  including sporting events, concerts and festivals  no longer need state approval to make sure they are complying with safety protocols. Still, McMaster asked organizers to limit attendance to 50 percent capacity and call for face coverings.

The announcements comes as COVID-19 cases drop across the country and more people receiving vaccines. But South Carolina topped the country in positive test rate and was second in new cases per 100,000 people in the past week, according to the latest White House data.

Limitations on nursing home visits remains the only major COVID-19 restriction left in the state.

The virus is still among us and we all must continue to make responsible decisions to take care of ourselves and our loved ones, but those decisions are for South Carolinians to make, McMaster said in announcing the new orders Feb. 26.

The latest change means mass gatherings of 250 people or more will no longer require approval from the states Department of Commerce. Organizers also will no longer be subject to any penalties for violating safety rules.

McMaster has confidence organizers and businesses will follow his suggestions on attendance limits to avoid further spread of the virus, said Brian Symmes, the governor's spokesman.

South Carolina's move comes two days after North Carolina eased attendance limits on event.

Asked about the governor's order, Dr. Linda Bell, chief epidemiologist at the S.C. Department of Environmental Control, encouraged the public to stick with prevention measures.

"We want people to be able to patronize businesses to participate in social activities and what-not," Bell said. "And what we've said all along is that there are safe ways to do certain activities, as long as people practice those prevention measures."

Bars and restaurants will again be allowed to serve drinks after 11 p.m., ending a statewide alcohol sales curfew reviled by business owners and opposed by some epidemiologists.

McMaster said he decided to lift the orders because the targeted and limited safety measures are no longer necessary.

S.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association chair Bobby Williams said the two announcements in tandem should help bring groups back to South Carolina for meetings and other events.

"Its very good news. We feel like were getting back to normalcy," Williams said.

Many hope that normalcy will come quickly. The state already has several large-scale tourism-generating events on the calendar for the spring, including the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in May, which announced a plan Feb. 23 to allow 10,000 spectators per day  about a third of the number it hosted there in 2012.

The University of South Carolina does not anticipate any changes to spring sports events and made no call on fall sports, including football.

"The Athletics Department will continue to review these new recommendations to determine its future plans for the safety of all of its constituents," USC sports information director Steve Fink said.

State tourism director Duane Parrish said he thinks that pattern will continue: More in-person events with hundreds or even thousands of people will be held, but there will be still be attendance limits or other COVID-19 protocols in place.

"So it's not a free-for-all by any means, but it's a big improvement over 2020 and it certainly will help boost us," he said.

"I do believe tourism will start to catch up to 2019 numbers as we go through the late spring and early summer."

While business travel is expected to have a slower recovery than leisure travel, Parrish said lifting the 250-person cap should be an assuring sign for groups thinking about planning meetings or conferences.

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"I think you'll see more corporations and associations start to book meetings, particularly for the fall," Parrish said.

When McMaster originally ordered the alcohol cutoff last year after rolling back seating restrictions in restaurants, it was meant to control the spread of COVID-19 by young people known to crowd into bars around the state.

But bar owners were immediately concerned about the nightly loss of three profitable hours.

We obviously didnt sign a lease for 10,000 feet on King Street in hopes of doing decent daytime business, Uptown Socials Keith Benjamin told The Post and Courier when the curfew went into effect in July.

Across South Carolina, bar owners hailed the curfew lift announcement as crucial to their financial recovery.

Under the early last call were not really able to operate in a way that we can pay our bills, said Mike Whiteley, co-owner of Dalilas on Spring, which opens at 7 p.m.

Prior to the pandemic, the downtown Charleston cocktail bar catered largely to restaurant workers who didnt clock out until around midnight.

We kind of established ourselves as a late-night spot for the F&B crowd, Whiteley said. They dont want to be with college kids; they want to be calm and relaxed. They just want a drink and a sandwich. Weve completely lost that whole group of people.

During the week, Dalilas sometimes doesnt see a drinker until 10 p.m. Whiteley said that on the night of Feb. 24, he had 15 customers there, but with curfew looming he had to ask all of them to leave.

Williams said it will be good for hospitality workers' mental health to have an opportunity to gather at places like Dalila's again.

"Personally, Im very seldom out at night, but this is good for the industry, because restaurant employees have had no place to go," he said. "Everyone likes to let their hair down a little bit after a busy night. And theyre all good tippers, too."

The governor's announcement came months after McMaster lifted capacity restrictions on bars and restaurants. As a result, after owners of upscale bars like Whiteleys closed for the evening, they would often walk past lively nightclubs packed with hundreds of paying people.

In a rare instance of public health experts and business champions finding common ground during the pandemic, scientists were equally frustrated by the scenario.

Maybe it sounds like youre addressing the problem but, in reality, youre doing little to help anyone out, Dr. Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said of time-based interventions.

Head noted that the coronavirus doesnt heed the clock, but drinkers forced out on the street could conceivably congregate at a corner store or unregulated house party.

There is no way to know whether the curfew ultimately hastened or slowed the spread of COVID-19 in South Carolina, but the risk of infection in Charleston County is still considered extremely high.

The state reported another 1,086 new cases on Feb. 26, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in South Carolina since the pandemics start to 441,697. More than 7,500 South Carolinians have died.

With South Carolina dropping its curfew, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are the only states cutting off alcohol sales at 11 p.m.

Virginia is still operating under a 10 p.m. alcohol curfew, but its set to extend its curfew to midnight on March 1.

Hanna Raskin reported from Charleston and Andy Shain from Columbia. Mary Katherine Wildeman and Emily Williams contributed from Charleston and David Cloninger from Columbia.
Brussels, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :The European Union declared Venezuela's ambassador to the bloc "persona non grata" on Thursday in a tit-for-tat move after Caracas expelled its own envoy.

A statement said member states had agreed on the move, proposed by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell after Venezuela ordered the European ambassador to leave.

"This is a response to the decision by the Venezuelan government to declare the head of the EU delegation to Venezuela as persona non grata," it said.

"The EU considers this declaration as wholly unwarranted and contrary to the EU's objective of developing relations and building partnerships in third countries." Claudia Salerno, Venezuela's representative to the EU, responded by saying on Twitter that "the independence and sovereignty of our homeland are not negotiable." On Wednesday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza announced the move against EU ambassador Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa, and gave her 72 hours to leave the country.

This came two days after EU foreign ministers agreed to sanction 19 Venezuelan officials for "undermining democracy".

The EU expanded its sanctions list after rejecting a December legislative election that saw Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro win control of parliament after an opposition boycott.

Until the disputed vote, the National Assembly was run by an opposition majority with Juan Guaido at the helm as speaker -- the only branch of government not under Maduro's control.

Guaido is considered Venezuela's legitimate head of state by some 50 foreign governments, while Maduro is subject to Western sanctions and labelled a dictator over alleged voter fraud and other abuses.
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SALEM, Ore.  Republicans in the Oregon Senate did not show up to the Capitol building for votes on Thursday, preventing the chamber from gaining a quorum to proceed on legislative business.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported just after noon on Thursday that all 11 Senate Republicans were absent from the chamber, along with newly-Independent Senator Brian Boquist. Oregon's constitution requires that at least two-thirds of each chamber be present in order to conduct business.

A statement from Senate Republicans said that they were "standing in solidarity" with Oregonians suffering amid the pandemic by "staging a protest and invoking First Amendment rights."

The lawmakers demanded that Democratic leaders refocus their priorities in the legislative session by addressing several topics first  reopening schools immediately, distributing vaccines equitably, and helping struggling Oregonians to recover.

Throughout the pandemic, the Legislature has abdicated too much responsibility to the Governor," said Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod. "We cannot sit by and watch the Governor fail to deliver on the biggest issues facing Oregonians today. It's time to take some of the responsibility and get to work on the issues that matter most to Oregonians. We are demanding legislation aimed at school reopenings, vaccine distribution, economic recovery, and government accountability be moved to the top of the priority list.

Though Governor Brown gave school districts the go-ahead to reopen in spite of coronavirus metrics at the end of last year, many districts have approached reopening cautiously. Girod pointed to Republican-sponsored bills that would empower private and public charter schools, and use the state's budget authority to force school districts to reopen.

The Governor has completely failed Oregon families and students, Sen. Girod said. She first promised that schools would reopen on February 15. She failed to put our kids first. Now she is moving the goalposts to the spring. Parents and kids no longer have any trust in her empty promises. We need truly bold action. Gov. Brown is the Superintendent of Public Instruction. She needs to start acting like it and demand teachers unions immediately send their members back into the classroom.

Girod also took shots at Governor Brown's decision to vaccinate educators before seniors, and sending a higher portion of vaccines to the highly-populated Portland metro area over rural counties.

Above all, Republicans cited Brown's continued coronavirus measures, the impact on Oregon's job market and damage to small businesses.

Our main concern this session ought to be helping Oregonians recovery from the pandemic and its economic devastation, Senate Republican Leader, Fred Girod said. Yet Democrats are intent on taxing COVID relief money and increasing the cost of living for Oregonians. I urge Legislative leaders to pass Senate Republican bills aimed at giving working Oregonians relief and getting them back to work."

Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner blasted the Republican walk-out in a statement  saying that the Republican lawmakers had "abdicated" their oath of office by continuing to accept pay and benefits while halting the legislature.

"We have tremendously important work this session. Lives are at stake as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and yet the Senate Republicans continue their anti-democratic walkout tactics," Wagner said. Senate Republicans walked out in 2019, again in 2020, and now they are walking out on 2021. Oregonians are exhausted by Senate Republicans irresponsible actions against democracy. The Senate Republicans are denying their constituents the representation they deserve to have in the Senate."

Republican lawmakers walked out twice in the 2019 session  first in protest of a bill that instituted a new tax on corporate activity in order to fund schools, then to kill a cap-and-trade climate bill. In 2020, when a new version of the cap-and-trade bill emerged, Republicans again walked off, resulting in the contentious session ending early.

Governor Kate Brown's deputy communications director, Charles Boyle, released the following statement in response to the walk-out:

Oregonians face unprecedented challengesfrom a worldwide pandemic, to historic wildfires and a severe winter weather event. These challenges demand all of our elected officials to set aside their differences and work together to move Oregon forward. With each crisis, the Governor has declared a state of emergency to make sure families have access to all available state and federal resources that can help.

Lets be clear: Governor Brown is using all available tools and resources to respond to the crises facing Oregonians. This includes addressing the health and economic needs of Oregon families as a result of the pandemic, as well as using all available resources to safely return Oregon students to the classroom. Oregon has vaccinated hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, including our most vulnerable seniors.

Governor Brown is going to keep going to work every day for Oregonians. She expects all elected officials to do the same.
National

Metro man officially joins BJP in Kerala

E Sreedharan

MALAPPURAM, FEB 25 (AGENCIES) | Publish Date: 2/25/2021 1:01:46 PM IST

Former Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan on Thursday evening formally joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Malappuram in presence of Union Minister RK Singh, reports The Mint.

Last week, Sreedharan had expressed his willingness to join BJP ahead of Assembly polls in Kerala saying: Yes, I will be joining BJP. Other political parties in Kerala are just working in the interest of their respective parties and failed to do any good to Kerala, he said.

Speaking in regards to contesting upcoming assembly polls, he had also said, If the BJP asks me to contest I will. It is for them to decide the constituency. A lot of development works can be done and I hope to do it by joining BJP.

He further noted there are many development-oriented works in infrastructure and industries that need to be carried out in the state. If Kerala has to develop then its infrastructure and industries have to develop, he had said.

Meanwhile, in a major boost to BJP in Kerala, as many as 98 members of Left parties joined the local unit of BJP in the presence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI, BJP leader VV Rajesh confirmed the news and said the new members who joined the party offered to convert the local Communist Party of India (Marxist) local office to the BJP office.

Today, 98 CPI(M) party members joined BJP under the leadership of Mukul Prabhakaran who was former Gram Panchayat president and CPI(M) area Committee member. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi welcomed them, he said.

The newly joined CPI(M) workers offered their party office to BJP. And we are going to convert the CPI(M) local office to BJP office in the coming days, the BJP leader added.

Kerala is likely to face Assembly elections in April-May this year.
An overgrown Merino sheep found roaming in a forest near Melbourne, Australia has been shorn of its 35kg fleece.

Edgars Mission Farm Sanctuary shared a video of the ram's transformation on TikTok, which has gained over 18 million views.

The animal, named 'Baarack' by his rescuers, was spotted in the wild by a member of public.

Kyle Behrend, who works at the sanctuary, told Reuters that Barrack was once an owned sheep as he had been ear-tagged.

He had at one time been ear-tagged, however these appear to have been torn out by the thick, matted fleece around his face.

He was in a bit of a bad way. He was underweight and, due to all of the wool around his face, he could barely see.

He added: Sheep need to be shorn at least annually otherwise the fleece continues to grow and grow, as happened here.

Staff at the sanctuary gave the sheep the long-overdue shearing and found the fleece weighed 35.4 kilograms.

But despite Baarack's heavy fleece, he was actually underweight after being sheared, the sanctuary said.
The Duke of Sussex scrambled through mud, climbed up a rope and threw a spear in a military-style assault course with James Corden that showed off his strength.

Prince Harry, who spent ten years in the Army and went on two tours of Afghanistan, also climbed over a frame and ran with a heavy ball in the exercise in Los Angeles.

Corden organised the course as 'a little something to take you back to your roots' during a segment on The Late Late Show during which he interviewed the royal.

The challenge had eight obstacles which the organiser named Sam told Harry, 36, and Corden, 42, were designed to test them 'mentally, physically and spiritually'.

Prince Harry crawls through the mud with ease as James Corden panics about following him

Corden said: 'I know we're both a long, long way away from home. Your life now is particularly different to your life back home and particularly when you were in the military.

'So I've actually arranged a little something to take you back to your roots. A little taste of military life, as a gift from me to you, and I'm already regretting saying I'll be part of it.'

Sam noted that Harry had military experience, before Corden joked that he was 'very much a member of the BTS Army'  a reference to fans of the K-pop boy band.

They first had to climb over two large rectangular pieces of wood, before jumping through tyres on the ground and then pulling a weight on a rope.

The duo then had to crawl through mud under wire, with Corden initially complaining that it was 'too muddy'.

The pair crawled under wire through mud, with the slower Corden needing encouragement

Harry throws a spear towards a target in one of the eight challenges in the assault course

But Harry joked: 'James, get over it, you've been in LA too long, this is like a mudbath, like a facial.'

Corden hit back, saying: I have no interest - that's disgusting. That is a joke, you're (Sam) a joke.'

They then had to throw a spear towards a target, and climb up a rope to ring a bell the latter of which only Harry achieved, prompting Corden to joke: 'That counted for both of us.'

They also had to run with a heavy ball and climb over a frame with a board over the bottom section, meaning they had to lift themselves up.

Harry achieved this without any trouble, but Corden ran off and came back with a stepladder, admitted that it was 'terrifying' as he went over the top of the frame.

The duo went to the assault course which Corden organised to remind Harry of his Army roots

Harry lifts a heavy weight which was among the challenges in the exercise in Los Angeles

As Corden began his descent, Harry jokingly encouraged him, saying: 'You look great from down here. You're doing great, well done.'

But Corden said: 'I feel like I'm Archie at a playgroup the way you're talking to me.' He had earlier joked that Harry was talking to him like he was a 'dog'.

They raced on flat ground to the end - and Harry initially let Corden run past him, but he then sprinted past him to win the challenge.

After finishing the course, Harry exclaimed: 'That was quite fun - i enjoyed that. Same time tomorrow?

Last week it emerged Harry will be forbidden by tradition from wearing full military regalia after suffering the bitter blow of losing his honorary Forces appointments.

Prince Harry climbs a rope to ring a bell, something Corden was unable to follow him in doing

Harry initially let Corden run past him but he then sprinted past him to win the challenge

With the duke no longer returning as a working member of the Royal Family, his honorary roles, such as Captain General of the Royal Marines, will be returned to Her Majesty before being redistributed among other senior royals.

Harry will be prevented  if only by tradition  from wearing full military regalia. Should he attend a Remembrance Sunday event he could wear his medals and a regimental beret but not a uniform.

Garments he should no longer wear are understood to include the Blues and Royals frockcoat worn on his wedding day in May 2018 and the Royal Marines dress uniform he wore to the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020, shortly before he stepped down as a senior royal.

Back in 2005 Prince Harry, then aged only 20, climbed the ornate steps of the Old College at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) to begin his officer training.

Prince Harry (right) races to scramble his Apache at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan in 2012

Prince Harry in fatigues uniform practising for the military tattoo at Eton College in May 2005

It was widely remarked in the following years that the Army became his family.

The three honorary military titles that Prince Harry has lost Captain General, Royal Marines As the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines, Harry was appointed in December 2017, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh. He made numerous visits to the Commando Training Centre in Devon and to Norway for arctic warfare drills. He made his last appearance in Royal Marines uniform at a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020. Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington Appointed by the Queen in 2008 and visited the base on at least three occasions in his formal role. In 2010 he presented the families of two servicemen killed in Afghanistan with the Elizabeth Cross. Royal Air Force Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, is the RAFs centre of Force Protection. Commodore-in-Chief, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving Appointed in August 2006 in recognition of the links between the Navy and the Royals. Opened the 30million Amphibious Centre of Excellence at Devonport Naval Base in 2013. Advertisement

He subsequently served his country with distinction on the frontline in Afghanistan, both as a soldier on the ground and later as a helicopter pilot.

After Sandhurst Prince Harry commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry, in 2006. A debate soon began about whether he could deploy with his unit to Iraq.

As he was not directly in line to the throne many senior army figures thought he should go.

Eventually the Ministry of Defence, after drawn-out discussions with Buckingham Palace, was persuaded that he would be a high profile target whose presence would endanger those deployed with him.

His commander General Lord Dannat then personally arranged for Prince Harry to serve in Afghanistan.

He struck a deal with media outlets for them not to report his presence in return for interviews to be published and broadcast on his return.

The deal held for ten weeks, allowing Harry to experience the brutal realities of warfare.

He served as a Forward Air Controller with a desert reconnaissance unit.

In doing so he became the first member of the Royal Family to serve on the frontline since Prince Andrew took part in the Falklands War in 1982 as a helicopter pilot.

On his return to the UK from Afghanistan Prince Harry was advised to retrain as a helicopter pilot should he wish to go back to the conflict  though secretly few senior officers expected him to pass the necessary selection tests.

But he defied their low expectations, qualifying as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner.

He returned to Helmand Province in September 2012 with the Army Air Corps and duly completed a four-month operational tour.

Harry, 36, will be prevented from wearing full military regalia and stripped of royal patronages

Garments Harry should no longer wear are said to include the Blues and Royals frockcoat worn on his wedding day in May 2018 (left) and the Royal Marines dress uniform he wore to the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020 (right), shortly before he stepped down as a senior royal

Harry then focused on veterans' welfare and helped set up the Invictus Games, a version of the Paralympics for injured military personnel, before retiring from the Army in June 2015.

In December 2017, Harry accepted the role of Captain General of the Royal Marines from his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who had served in this capacity for a remarkable 64 years.

The prince made a number of visits to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon, and to Norway where Marines practise arctic warfare.

It has been speculated that the Captain General's role could pass to Prince William or the Princess Royal.

Harry will also relinquish his roles as honorary commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy's Small Ships and Diving.
A new tool from the Centers for Disease Control will make it easier to find a COVID vaccine close to where you live.

Vaccinefinder.org allows people to find providers close to them. The free website allows users to enter their Zip code and then adjust the search radius to find a vaccine. You can also choose whether you want the Moderna or Pfizer versions and see appointment information for providers.

The list is not comprehensive and may not reflect all vaccination sites. More information will be added in the coming weeks, according to a notice on the website.

The tool was created by the CDC in cooperation with Boston Childrens Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Castlight Health.

You can access the tool here.
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Cesar Vargas came to this country with his family as a child, an undocumented immigrant. He just earned his citizenship earlier this month, and now hes running to be Staten Islands next borough president.

In a Wednesday interview with the Advance/SILive.com, Vargas, who arrived in the U.S. from Mexico when he was five or six, said that if elected he hopes to use his life experiences to better serve the people of Staten Island.

Its time for bold leadership, he said. We need that bold leader whos going to connect with everyone and create opportunities for everyone.

For the Annadale resident, part of that bold leadership is what he calls Upgrade Staten Island, which will take a look at the boroughs infrastructure needs before the pursuit of broader development, he said.

Those needs include the completion of the East Shore Seawall, improvements to the Islands energy grid, and the Islands transit options.

Its one of the key components that Im going to be pushing, he said. Before we talk about any major development . . . we should first address the key infrastructure needs

In 2015, while living on the Island, Vargas made history as New Yorks first non-citizen to be admitted to the state bar under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He graduated from the CUNY School of Law in 2011, and an appellate court had to approve his application to practice law.

When first arriving in the country, Vargas said he lived with his mother in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, where he was exposed to many of the other immigrant communities in the city.

A long-time advocate for the Islands immigrant community herself, Vargas wife, Yesenia Mata, works as the director of La Colmena, a job community center in Port Richmond.

Vargas became a U.S. citizen in early February and now hopes to take the next step in engaging with the countrys democratic process.

The candidate serves as a specialist with the U.S. Army Reserves, and currently works as the legislative director and special projects coordinator for the office of City Councilman Carlos Menchaca (D-Brooklyn).

Your experience and background counts when it comes to connecting with people, Vargas said. When you are someone who has chosen to be an American, chosen to be a Staten Islander, it connects you to the world.

In announcing his candidacy, Vargas enters a Democratic primary field with at least four other candidates  Mark Murphy, Lorie Honor, Radhakrishna Mohan and Brandon Stradford  who have filed with the Campaign Finance Board.

Vargas has yet to do that, but said during his interview that he is working on filing the paperwork while focusing on getting the necessary number of signatures to get on the ballot.

The Staten Island Democratic Party endorsed Murphy last week, but Vargas said he intends to continue his push to be the Islands next borough president, in part because of how his own life story reflects the opportunity in the country.

Government is for everyone, government can work to protect everyone and government can create opportunities, he said. For me, that connection is something that no other candidate can make.
Ghanaian-born country musician and advocate, Samuel John Adotey Allotey, known in showbiz circles as Allor, is calling on stakeholders in the Ghana music industry, particularly, organizers of the annual Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) to include a country music category in the awards.



The composer of the current pledge and anthem of the Ghana Air Force, Wing Commander Samuel Allotey Rtd., in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, stated that the music industry in Ghana is being denied a whole genre of music that is quiet popular elsewhere.



I had high hopes back in 2017 when I released my first album, Whispers of Love, and thought country music would come up as a category in the VGMA. Unfortunately, it was not mentioned. I was very disappointed because that is a whole genre that has been overlooked.



The retired avionics engineer and former member of the popular evangelistic group, Joyful Way Incorporated, attributed the lack of interest in country music to certain perceptions about the genre.



First, we see the genre as foreign, because of its mid- western origins. Meanwhile, the likes of dancehall were also unknown till we became used to them and now have artistes fighting over who is the best and cashing in on the genre. People also think of country songs as music for oldies and expats within an aristocratic society. What such people fail to see is that some of the songs we enjoy today were originally country music. Take Whitney Houstons I Will Always Love You for instance. It was originally composed by country musician Dolly Parton before Whitney polished it to what we know now.



The former aide de camp to the late President Rawlings is also calling on promoters of songs, especially Disc Jockeys (DJs) and Presenters to help stir up interest in country music.



By all means, one cannot get everybody to like country music; it is for a certain niche. However, if our DJs and radio presenters will give some amount of airplay to country music, especially those being sang by local artistes like me, people will develop the interest and begin to come on board. A song like Jerusalema by Master KG from South Africa caught up with Ghanaians like wildfire because of the constant airplay DJs and presenters were giving to it, even though we do not understand the words in it. We can do the same for country music. Let us promote what our local artistes are doing in the genre.



Allor is currently a business consultant and lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).



Allors Whispers of Love album, which is his first, consists of nine (9) songs which can be downloaded from Apple Music, Deezer, iTunes, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, among others.



The full album is also available as a visualizer on YouTube. Allor is managed by Blue Butterfly Records and is currently working on his second album.

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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Ambassador of Belarus A.Metelitsa meets the Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Pakistan

On February 26, 2021, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Metelitsa met with Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Pakistan (in the rank of First Deputy Minister) Noor Ahmed.

The sides discussed the development of trade between Belarus and Pakistan, as well as promising areas for enhancing bilateral business contacts after the coronavirus pandemic, including the preparation of the sixth Session of the Joint Belarusian-Pakistani Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

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Reading is my passion. I cant imagine not having access to books, yet this is exactly what happened to Jewish readers in France during World War II. During the Nazi Occupation, Jewish people were stripped of their rights. They could no longer work in many professions. They did not have the right to enter parks or libraries.

They were in tremendous danger: a quarter of Frances Jewish population was killed. Yet librarians at the time reached out to Jewish readers to ensure they remained part of the community. My novel, The Paris Library, tells the true tale of the international team of librarians who defied the Nazis in order to hand-deliver books to Jewish readers.

American Library in Paris director Dorothy Reeder in her office in 1937. Credit:Courtesy of Janet Skeslien Charles

I first learnt about the story when I worked at the American Library in Paris (ALP). I wanted to write about the courage of the Parisian librarians during the war. I read letters from staff who worked during the Occupation and interviewed those who lived through it. At the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, I devoured memoirs by women, from foreign journalists, to a Parisienne madam who claimed that her Nazi clientele behaved correctly, to a gutsy wife who followed her husband to the army base where he was drafted.

When you research World War II, every detail feels important. The letters, news clippings and journal entries are so fascinating that you wish you could include every single person, every single moment in your book. Today, Im thrilled to be able to share some behind-the-scenes photos and stories of the staff who kept the Library open during World War II.
The Russian Federation currently holds in custody more than 100 political prisoners from the occupied Crimean peninsula. The region is being actively militarized, and the rights of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are constantly being violated.

"No one will manage to annex our memory. We remember that Crimea remains occupied, that security guarantees and international law are brutally wiped the ground with, that the region is being actively militarized, that the rights of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are regularly violated in Crimea, freedom is being persecuted  freedom of speech, expression, religion  civic activists and journalists are being imprisoned. Currently, the Russian Federation holds in custody more than 100 political prisoners from Crimea," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As Zelensky assured, Ukraine is looking forward to the return of the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula and is doing everything possible to ensure that no one ever doubts that Crimea is Ukrainian.

On February 26, Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to Russias Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

On February 26, 2014, a mass rally organized by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people took place in front of the Crimean Parliament building in Simferopol to protest against the intentions to annex Crimea from Ukraine. Since then, February 26 has become a symbol of Ukraine's resistance to occupation, which has been lasting already for seven years.

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New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday saluted the courage and diligence of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the second anniversary of Balakot air strikes.



"On the anniversary of Balakot Air Strikes, I salute the exceptional courage and diligence of the Indian Air Force. The success of Balakot strikes has shown India's strong will to act against terrorism. We are proud of our Armed Forces who keep India safe and secure," the Defence Minister tweeted.

The air strike was conducted days after Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) attacked a CRPF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway near Pulwama in South Kashmir on February 14, 2019, killing over 40 CPRF personnel.

On February 26, the Indian warplanes crossed the de facto border in the disputed region of Kashmir and dropped bombs in the vicinity of the town of Balakot in Pakistan. A large number of militants were killed in the attack.

UNI SB RHK1055
Photo of the Akimat located in Turkestan region posted on Facebook

Kazakhstans southern city of Turkestan has become an official member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, a statement said.

According to its governorship, Turkestan will host the 10th International Eurasia World Heritage Cities Conference on April 2.

The city in the south of Kazakhstan is known as the spiritual capital of the Turkic world.

"Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi [Turkic poet and sufi] in Turkestan, will now be the center of attention of more tourists," Anadolu agency cited the statement as saying.
Burma Pro-Myanmar Military Mob Attacks Jeering Onlookers in Yangon

Riot Police blocking road access to anti-coup protesters open their barricades for the pro-military rally. / The Irrawaddy.

Yangon  Around 10 people have been wounded by pro-military protesters in central Yangon after they were booed by onlookers.

In an attempt to counter the anti-regime protests, on Thursday a few hundred military supporters  claiming to be civilian supporters of the regime  gathered near the Yangon Railway Station. They marched to Sule Road in the city center, waving the national flag and signs with phrases like, We stand with our defence services.

Riot police blocking access to anti-regime protesters opened their barricades for the pro-military procession.

They were denounced and booed by residents and pedestrians and the group retaliated violently, injuring several people.

CCTV and media pictures showed the group carrying swords, knives and big sticks. Pictures showed military supporters attacking a pedestrian with knives and bystanders trying to help him. They also tried to attack journalists covering the rally.

The procession clashed with residents at Thein Phyu near the station, leaving some residents injured.

Myanmars military regimes before 2011 used armed gangs called Swan Arr Shin (masters of force) to counter public resistance, creating instability and often justifying a subsequent crackdown to restore order.

Before the Feb. 1 coup, pro-military rallies in Yangon denounced the National League for Democracys landslide victory in the November general election and called for a military intervention. Some residents and journalists covering the events were also injured.

You may also like these stories:

Arrests, Detentions, Threat of Dismissal Fail to Stop Myanmars Civil Disobedience Movement

Myanmar Military-Appointed Administrators Rejected by Local People

Two More Anti-Myanmar Regime Protesters Die in Mandalay
She welcomed her first child with husband Rio Ferdinand 10 weeks ago.

And Kate Ferdinand revealed she had returned to work for the first time since giving birth to their newborn son Cree, as she headed to a photo shoot on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star, 29, posted a very glamorous snap in her silk pyjamas after taking part in her first shoot since the arrival of Cree.

Glam mama! Kate Ferdinand revealed she had returned to work for the first time since giving birth to their newborn son Cree, as she headed to a photo shoot on Thursday

Kate looked stunning in the black sleepwear with white piping and embroidery which spelt out 'mummy' on the pocket of the pyjama shirt.

The media personality wore her blonde locks in loose beachy waves and sported a face of glamorous soft make-up in natural shades.

She was snuggling a fluffy grey blanket which she said was her 'home comfort' while away from Rio and their kids.

She captioned it: 'Such a fun day at my first shoot back. My blanket, slippers & pjs always come with me... home comforts. P.S. This is absolutely not what I normally look like in my pjs'

Setting the record: Kate recently hit out at the suggestion she could love her biological son Cree more than her three step-children

She captioned the snap: 'Such a fun day at my first shoot back. My blanket, slippers & pjs always come with me... home comforts. P.S. This is absolutely not what I normally look like in my pjs.'

As well as being mum to Cree, Kate is also stepmother to Rio's children Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12, and Tia, nine, who he shares with late wife Rebecca.

Kate recently hit out at the suggestion she could love her biological son Cree more than her three step-children.

She took to Instagram on Wednesday to host a Q&A session with her fans, when she was asked the question by a concerned follower.

Reassuring the fan, Kate wrote: 'People ask me this a lot, and I can only speak for myself as everyone is different

Blended family: Kate said of step-children Lorenz, Tate, and Tia: 'I love all four children equally and I will never see any difference between my biological and non biological children'

'I love all four children equally and I will never see any difference between my biological and non biological children.'

She went on: 'Lorenz, Tate, and Tia taught me what it feels like to love a child way before I had Cree.

'We worked so hard as a family to get to where we are now, and I take huge offence if anyone even suggests I would love Cree more than them.

'We have been through A LOT as a family, and that I believe has cemented my love for them so deep that the fact we are not blood is not important.'

Kate's husband Rio shares his children with his late wife Rebecca, who tragically passed away in 2015 aged 34 following a battle with breast cancer.

Bond: Kate went on, 'We have been through A LOT as a family, and that I believe has cemented my love for them so deep that the fact we are not blood is not important'

Another fan admitted to Kate that they were 'struggling' as a full-time step-mother, and said the reality star was an 'inspiration' for her.

In response, Kate wrote: 'I hope you are OK. Being a step-mum can be very tough at times. In case no one is telling you, remember you are doing a great job.

'The highs always outweigh the lows, you will get through... You've got this (sic).'

Since announcing the arrival of their son Cree in December, former TOWIE star Kate has kept a relatively low profile while she recovers from her C-section at home.

When one fan asked how she was doing after the procedure, Kate wrote: 'I found the recovery really difficult at the beginning, where it was so unexpected I couldn't quite get my head around not being able to do the things i thought I would be able too...

Supportive: Another fan admitted to Kate they were 'struggling' as a full-time step-mother, and she reassured the woman that the 'highs always outweigh the lows'

Recovery: Kate was also asked about her C-section, and she admitted the recovery was 'really difficult' and she struggled with 'terrible guilt' and 'anxiety'

'My emotions were all over the place, I was feeling terrible guilt and my anxiety was at an all time high. I was quite traumatised to be honest!

'No one really warns you of this, I think it's really important that we talk about what happens after giving birth and that not evening is 'perfect' (sic).'

She added: 'I am feeling so much better now, finally feeling back to myself ... for anyone in the early stages of a c section recovery my advice is to REST, don't beat yourself up too much & I promise you will feel back to yourself eventually!

'It feels in those first 6 weeks that you will never be able to do anything again but remember you have had major surgery & you will get back to normal, it just takes some time (sic).

Kate recently ruled out having any more children following the traumatic birth of her newborn baby  and joked motherhood has aged her by a decade.

Blended family: The sportsman shares sons Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12, and daughter Tia, nine, with his late wife, Rebecca

Speaking to MailOnline in her first interview since welcoming son Cree, the former reality star said the thought of expanding her family makes her feel 'anxious' as she recovers from life-saving surgery.

Kate explained she wants to give fellow mums a 'real' perspective of post-baby life, saying she would be 'lying' if she was only uploading glamorous pictures.

On the prospect of having more children, Kate said: 'If you ask me right now I would say never ever again. Our house is very hectic as it is.

'We have four kids and two dogs, it's a madhouse. The thought of having another one makes me slightly anxious.

'I'm only 29 but I feel 39 at the moment! But you never know, I might feel different in a few years.'
EU members have decided on new measures to promote tax transparency. Minister of the Economy, Franz Fayot, said Luxembourg would no longer block those efforts.

All companies with an annual revenue of more than 750 million will be required to disclose how much revenue and profits they generate and how much tax they pay in each country. This is done to highlight what companies are actively trying to avoid tax.

In the past the Luxembourgish government repeatedly rejected such proposals, but it is now supporting them in an effort to promote tax transparency.
Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn is the latest big tech name to invest in Vietnamese startup Loship

Tallinns investment in Loship puts him on a list of global tech leaders betting on Vietnamese tech startups, which has shown resilience and growth even amidst COVID-19. Thus, Loship is poised to become a prominent tech figure for any seasoned investor looking at Vietnam, according to Loship CEO Trung Hoang Nguyen.

"MetaPlanets investment will help us build a much stronger image of Loship as a National Startup Hero. The competition will be much steeper in the long term, and we hope to pick up deep tech insights from Jaan Tallinn that can be applied to the Vietnam market, he further opined.

The latest fundraising, which is part of the startups Series C round, comes just four months after its undisclosed bridge round led by Vulpes Investment Management. The new funding would fuel Loship's path to becoming Vietnams leading one-hour-delivery e-commerce platform.

We already have a winning playbook, and we look to expand it to more markets. Secondly, we know what we want to do with our product, and there are just 1 per cent of things that have been done. So, a huge portion of the funding will be poured into upgrading our app and increasing our tech capability. Also, we will ramp up marketing strategies to strengthen our foothold in the existing markets, stated the CEO.

Founded in 2017, Loship traces its roots back to Lozi, a review app allowing users to find food, beverage, and coffee shops, before transitioning into a one-hour-delivery services platform. Loship had earlier closed its Series A and B rounds from several investors, including South Koreas Smilegate Investment, Hana Financial Group, DTNI, Golden Gate Ventures, before announcing its Vulpes Investment Management-led bridge round in October 2020. The round was joined by DAAL Ventures and Wealth Well (Saudi Arabia-based VC Firms), Eucagi Ventures (Nigerian VC Firm), KI Group, and the vice president of Starbucks.
A number of dog lovers were on edge recently following the emergence of a very confronting sign at a popular off-leash park.

After a pooch was hurt while swimming in a flooded drain last Saturday, dog owners were shocked to see a crocodile warning sign pop up in the Irene Street park in Mooroobool, situated in suburban Cairns.

The sign was introduced as a precaution, with no actual sightings of the fearsome reptiles.

'Dogs should be (kept) on a lead in a known crocodile habitat,' a spokesperson from the Department of Environment and Science said.

Australian saltwater crocodiles (pictured above) are fearsome creatures and are feared by many

The off-leash dog park in Mooroobool, in suburban Cairns (pictured above) now features a sign stating owners should be aware of crocodiles - despite no sightings of the feared reptiles

'Members of the public are responsible for the safety of their dogs.'

The development comes a week after a three-metre crocodile was spotted in the Tinaroo Falls Dam on the Atherton Tablelands - roughly 90 minutes south of the Cairns CBD.

The newly erected croc sign in Mooroobool is adjacent to the Irene St flood plain  a tributary system that feeds into Chinaman Creek downstream and eventually leads out to Trinity Inlet, according to the Cairns Post.

Recent Department of Environment and Science records revealed crocodile tracks were confirmed in the precinct - but authorities were not encouraged to take any further action.

Cairns Deputy Mayor Terry James was dumbfounded how the DES reached that conclusion.

'The last thing we want is for it to take a child being taken in the middle of suburbia,' he said.

'We also dont want someone to get bitten while trying to rescue their dog either.'
This striking visual pairing  an 1821 watercolour by Swiss-born artist Peter Rindisbacher set next to a recent photo taken at the same bend of the Assiniboine River  was originally tweeted by @WardlowAvenue. It has since gotten some play on local social media, being retweeted by the Manitoba Museum and the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation.

This striking visual pairing  an 1821 watercolour by Swiss-born artist Peter Rindisbacher set next to a recent photo taken at the same bend of the Assiniboine River  was originally tweeted by @WardlowAvenue. It has since gotten some play on local social media, being retweeted by the Manitoba Museum and the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation.

These side-by-side views are a fascinating confluence of past and present, as two scenes from Manitoba history come together across a 200-year gap.

The side-by-side views of Manitoba history come together across a 200-year gap.

Sometimes called the "boy artist," Rindisbacher sketched and painted from a young age. His family, lured by Lord Selkirks promises of a new life, emigrated to the Red River Settlement when Peter was 15.

Arriving in the winter of 1821, Rindisbacher began making detailed observations of the daily lives of settlers and Indigenous peoples. Depicting merchants, colonial officials and Metis fur traders, he was able to supplement his familys income with his art.

Rindisbacher later moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he died, possibly of cholera, at the age of 28. In an obituary tribute, the Missouri Republican wrote: "Mr. Rindisbacher had talents which gave every assurance of future celebrity. He possessed a keen sensibility and the most delicate perception of the beautiful."

MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM Peter Rindisbacher (1806-1834). Oil painting by George Markham, 1830.

His art was marked by an obsessive rendering of the smallest details (in Europe, he had some training as a miniaturist). Some of his works may have used a camera lucida, an optical device that assisted in the accurate representation of the physical world. His careful pen and ink drawings and watercolours have been used in historical reconstructions of the buildings, clothing and objects of early 19th-century life in the Red River region.

The clarity and immediacy of Rindisbachers style make it tempting to view his works as a straight-up documentary record. In a 1949 article, historian John Francis McDermott called Rindisbacher a "Frontier Reporter."

When the 1821 river scene is expanded, we can see ice-fishing nets, hungry dogs converging on some recently caught fish, a horse pulling a sledge, scattered groups of people. This is a completely recognizable picture of a Manitoba winter day, with long blue shadows on the snow, scudding clouds and bare tree branches standing out against the sky.

Some recent scholars suggest this sense of absolute realism can be deceptive. As historian and curator Laura Lynn Peers has written: "However detailed Rindisbachers art was, it was never an objective or neutral recording, nor was it simply what he saw around him." These works were formed by esthetic decisions about colour, line and composition.

Rindisbacher also created multiple depictions of popular "New World" subjects, such as bison hunts, that played to a commercial European market hungry for images that reinforced the mythology of an "exotic" and untamed Empire. Some of Rindisbachers works were commissions for Hudsons Bay officials who wanted souvenirs to take back home.

PETER RINDISBACHER / LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA Hunters pursuing buffalo in early spring, by Peter Rindisbacher, 1822

Adele Perry, a professor of history at the University of Manitoba, understands the appeal of putting the two images  1821 painting and 2021 photo  together. "First of all, people love before and after pictures," she says.

More importantly, for Perry, the images emphasize The Forks long history as a meeting place.

Rindisbachers works "give us a sense of Winnipeg as a historic and ancient place, which it is," says Perry. "But that isnt always conveyed by the conventional settler focus on built heritage  fancy houses and castles, etc.  as the only or best markers of historical importance.

"A lot of European fine art images of North America focus on the landscape. Theyre settler images of the land that dont register them as places where people lived and worked," Perry points out. "Rindisbacher gives us a sense of the Red River as a prosperous place, a prosperous Indigenous society."

The 1821 piece "gives us a way of seeing the history of this place with people in it," says Perry.

For Oliver Botar, an art historian at the University of Manitobas School of Art, "this juxtaposition of images of The Forks in winter really gives us a sense of the continuity of settlement in the Red River Valley."

PETER RINDISBACHER / LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA Winter fishing on ice of Assynoibain & Red River, by Peter Rindisbacher (1821).

According to Botar, the two images demonstrate how we think of "the frozen rivers in terms of utility, though nowadays its not so much for fur trading, the hauling of wood, but rather for purely recreational purposes."

Botar also sees parallels in the ways these images are used, even though theyre dated 200 years apart: "While the earlier image was painted for a patron (perhaps the Rev. John West), in its time, it served a similar function as the photograph posted to Facebook does today: to act as a record of activity, a record that one might share with family and friends."

That human activity is a crucial part of the pairings appeal. Its satisfying to match the curve of the riverbend and the slope of the bank in the two images. But whats really reassuring is that two centuries later, we see people still gathering on the river ice  skating, walking, pushing strollers, checking their phones, exploring some of our citys Warming Huts.

In the middle of what feels like a very long and isolated winter, these two pictures remind us that we are connected to this place and its history.

alison.gillmor@freepress.mb.ca
The Kenyan boyband Sauti Sol has expanded its business portfolio by partnering with Keep Pace Africa Limited to launch its own brand of ear pods.

According to the Midnight Train hitmakers, the PaceSol Bluetooth ear pods encompass the bands love for great audio combined with Paces expertise in manufacturing exceptional audio hardware.

We wanted to create a product that sums us up as a group; part lifestyle, part activewear and part musical excellence, said Bien Aime.

PaceSol is a product you can use anywhere and look good, and not compromise on your listening experience because of its quality, added Chimano.

Keep Pace Africa CEO, video director Jibril Blessing said the partnership with Sauti Sol is a celebration of what African brands can achieve through collaboration.

Coupling Sauti Sol and Sol Generations mantra of D.O.P.E (Discipline, Order, Passion and Excellence) and Keep Your Own Pace of Pace, the purpose of the product is to inspire Africans to make their moves in a dope way, said J Blessing.

This partnership with Sauti Sol is a dovetail as we share the same value and passion for delivering meaning experiences. Therefore,we know that our fans and consumers will enjoy the Pacesol experience. He added.

PaceSol is the first product in a range of future products expected to come from the partnership.

Boasting a wireless distance of 33ft/10m and a transmission range of 2.40GHz to 2.48GHz, PaceSol ear pods will retail at Sh5000.

The pods can last up to 10 hours with wireless play and up to 50hrs with a charging case.
on Friday welcomed supplying more COVID-19 vaccines to a number of countries, playing down reports that New Delhi has beaten Beijing in its vaccine diplomacy around the world.

Responding to a question on a report that has beaten in its own game of vaccine diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin during a media briefing said, We welcome that and hope to see more countries taking actions to provide vaccines to the world, especially developing countries, to help with the global response."



has been overcoming domestic difficulties to provide vaccines to other countries in concrete measure," he said, flagging China's own vaccine requirement to inoculate its 1.4 billion population.

He reiterated that China has been providing vaccines to 53 countries and exporting vaccines to 27 countries, amid reports that many of those countries are yet to receive Chinese vaccines or the promised quantities.

For its part, China has promised 10 million vaccines to the United Nations-backed COVAX initiative COVAX, but the first supplies of COVAX vaccines went from the Serum Institute of to Ghana.

India on Wednesday dispatched the first batch of six lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to Ghana under the COVAX facility, an international cooperative programme formed to make sure low- and middle-income countries have fair access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Besides neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives where China competed with India in expanding its influence, New Delhi has delivered vaccines to numerous countries, a substantial amount of doses freely well ahead of Beijing's offers to supply the jabs.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment for supporting vaccine equity and sharing COVID-19 vaccines with over 60 countries across the world, hoping that other nations will follow his example.

India, the largest drug producer in the world, is currently manufacturing two COVID-19 vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin. While Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in Pune, Covaxin is being produced by Bharat Biotech.

India is expected to step up its vaccine diplomacy in a big way once the Covaxin of the Bharat Biotech gets the WHO nod in the coming weeks.

Commenting on China's vaccine diplomacy, Huang Yanzhong, a global health expert at US think tank, Council on Foreign Relations, said China's success in largely controlling the COVID-19 outbreak within its borders had reduced its need for vaccinations until recently.

(China was) not initially paying too much attention to this, which was partly due to the limited vaccine production capacity in the country and the perceived low risk of infection. In a way it was a false sense of security, Huang told Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

On the other hand, China could use (its vaccines) to become the global leader in ensuring equitable access to vaccines, bridging the gap between the developed and developing world. Certainly, this would help improve China's image and project soft power in those countries, he said.

A WHO regulatory evaluation of China's vaccines Sinopharm and Sinovac is expected to be completed by March at the earliest, according to the UN body.

The lower efficacy rate of Chinese-made vaccines, 50.4 per cent for Sinovac and 79 per cent for Sinopharm, compared to more than 90 per cent for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines could also slow China's reaching of herd immunity, according to public health experts, the Post report said.

According to Huang, if China falls behind Western countries in achieving herd immunity, it would lead to an unwelcome scenario for Beijing, with life returning to normal and international travel resuming between some countries.

China may still need to close its borders, that certainly would not improve China's international image, Huang said. This would also mean China could no longer claim a superior disease control model, Huang 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.)
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Boston police are seeking the publics help in finding a suspect accused of robbing a market in Dorchester with a silver gun earlier this week, authorities said.

The armed robbery was reported at the market at 236 Quincy St. shortly after 7:50 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from the Boston Police Department.

The department released photographs of the suspect, seen in a hoodie and bandana. He is accused of flashing the gun before speeding away in a white sedan that was last seen turning onto Bird Street from Magnolia Street, according to police.

Authorities did not say what was stolen in the robbery.

Anyone with information about the robbery has been strongly urged by the department to call detectives at (617) 343-4275. Community members wishing to help the investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).
One might reach for dish soap to clean up an oily mess. But after an oil spill in Israel, a popular sandwich condiment proved to be a better choice this week for cleaning tar from the skin, throats, and nasal passages of sea turtles.

Nicoletta Lanse reveals for Live Science that workers at Israel's National Sea Turtle Rescue used mayonnaise to handle 11 endangered green sea turtles washing ashore coated in tar.

Oil Spill in the Mediterranean Sea

Last week, an unidentified source in the Mediterranean Sea caused a huge oil spill that left beaches covered in dark black tar. At least 120 miles of coastline have been impacted, prompting the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) to term it one of the country's most significant ecological failures, Ariel Shalit reports to the Associated Press.

"They (the turtles) came to us covered with tar. Both of their tracheae was full of substance from inside and outside," Guy Ivgy, a medical assistant at the Michmoret Sea Turtle Rescue Center, told the Associated Press.

Staff at the sea turtle rescue feed them mayonnaise to help the turtles clean out their digestive tracts clogged with crude oil, which would break down the tar to make it easier to remove it as feces, Ivgy told Live Science.

Related Article: Florida Fails to Respond to Epizootic Coral Disease: What Happened?

Mayo Solution

Live Science reported that Mayo and other fatty compounds are used because they are emulsions, combining two substances that normally don't blend readily, such as oil and water.

While being composed of oil and water, egg yolks bring mayonnaise together. There are lecithin molecules in the egg yolks, which repel water on one side and dissolve water. Lecithin, Live Science states, serves as an emulsifier that combines the water and oils, forming the sauce.

The concoction provides hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-loving) properties to the mayonnaise that enables it to interact inside the turtle's digestive tract with the hydrophobic oily tar.

The oil of the mayonnaise communicates with the tar, making it thinner. When its hydrophobic side attaches to the tar while its hydrophilic side faces the outside, Live Science notes that the lecithin from egg yolks induces a membrane between the tar and the digestive tract of the turtle. Similar to how dish soap works to scrub greasy plates, this contact makes the crude oil less oily, meaning it can be washed out.

Road to Recovery

The turtles' recovery is estimated to take one to two weeks, and after the turtles bounce back, they will be released back into the wild, reports the Associated Press.

Dangers of Oil Spills

Oil spills are dangerous to all aquatic lifeforms.

Oil damages the insulating ability of animals carrying fur, such as sea otters, and the water repellency of the feathers of a duck, thereby exposing the harsh elements to these species. Birds and rodents will suffer from hypothermia without the capacity to repel water and separate it from cold water.

Often, adolescent sea turtles will get caught in oil and mistake it for food. Oil, which can damage the lungs, immune system, and fertility, can be inhaled by dolphins and whales. When they seek to clean themselves, birds and animals often eat tar, which can poison them.

Fish, shellfish, and corals will not be instantly exposed, but if washed into the water column, they may come into contact with oil; shellfish may also be exposed in the intertidal zone.

Adult fish can undergo decreased growth, swollen livers, changes in heart and respiration rates, fin erosion, and impaired reproduction when exposed to oil. Eggs and larvae of fish may be highly vulnerable to lethal and sublethal effects. Oil can make fish and shellfish unhealthy for people to consume, even though lethal impacts are not detected.

ALSO READ: Russian Dogs Exposed Near Abandoned Plant, Turned to Red, Blue, and Green Colors

For the latest news from the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News!

Late last month, Anne Danielson-Francois, an associate biology professor at the University of Michigan, received an unusual package. She had instructed the sender to make sure the contents  spiders  were cushioned because she did not want their legs to break off.

When Dr. Danielson-Francois opened the little brown box, there they were  a male spider stuck on a glue trap, two female spiders suspended in an alcohol solution, and a few juvenile spiders.

Dr. Danielson-Francois, who works at the universitys Dearborn campus, had been enlisted by university officials as a sort of spider-buster. Last month, pest management teams found that unfamiliar spiders had moved into the basement of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library on the Ann Arbor campus, a space fewer people were visiting because of the coronavirus pandemic, the university said.

Her job: Identify the arachnids and report back.

Dr. Danielson-Francois usually studies another type of spider, a giant nephila, or orb-weaving spider. But she probed the desiccated body of the male, examined its genitalia, consulted taxonomic literature, noted its six eyes and arrived at a conclusion: Mediterranean recluse spiders were occupying the library basement.
Kabul, Feb 26 : At least three people were killed and five others injured after unidentified gunmen stormed a slain journalist's house in Afghanistan's Ghor province, sources said on Friday.

The gunmen attacked the house of Bismillah Adil, a journalist, activist and former head of Radio Sada-e-Ghor, who was killed in an attack by armed men on the first day of this year, Tolo news reported.

Lala Gul, Adil's kin, has said that his brother, cousin and his 13-year-old nephew have lost their lives in the attack.

Five others who have sustained injuries are also the family members of the journalist, according to local sources.

Gul claimed that the attack was carried out by the Taliban.

However, a Taliban spokesman rejected the their involvement in the incident.

Ghor officials said that a team has been assigned to probe the incident. Meanwhile, protests have been launched in the province following the incident.
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Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

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Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

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Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

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Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

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UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

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Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

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No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

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European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

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Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

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2 people die in Armenia road accident

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A special court on Thursday ordered for unfreezing salary account of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Feb, 2021 ):A special court on Thursday ordered for unfreezing salary account of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah.

Special Court for the Control of Narcotics Substances Judge Shakir Hasan passed the orders while hearing an application filed by the PML-N leader for the purpose.

A counsel for Rana Sanaullah argued before the court that his client was a member of the National Assembly and his salary as MNA was credited into the salary account. He submitted that the petitioner's four bank accounts including salary account had been frozen on the directions of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) following a drug trafficking case against him. He mentioned that the amount of the salary account was also considered as a drug money by the authorities against the facts.

He submitted that the accounts were not unfrozen despite the fact that the Lahore High Court had granted bail to Rana Sanaullah in the drug case and he was also appearing in the trial court regularly. He submitted that the petitioner was facing difficulty to manage the expenses without drawing money from the accounts. He pleaded with the court to issue directions to the quarters concerned for unfreezing his salary account.

A counsel on behalf of the ANF submitted details of the amounts credited into the salary account of Rana Sanaullah.

Subsequently, the court, after hearing arguments of the parties, ordered for unfreezing the salary account of Rana Sanaullah.

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Odesa plant to launch assembly of military helicopters under U.S. license

The first helicopter is expected to be ready by August 2021.

Reporting by UNIAN

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Alex Berenson speaks on censorship, freedom of speech, at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2021. (CPAC/Screenshot via NTD)

Former NY Times Reporter: Mainstream Journalists Are Cheering On Big Tech Censorship

Former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson said the NY Times and other corporate news outlets have dedicated significant resources to finding people who express viewpoints that go against the mainstream orthodoxy.

These news outlets and other elite media outlets have reporters who spend significant amounts of time looking for people, public figures  who have said things [or] words they consider bad or spouted ideas they consider bad, and try to flog people publicly, Berenson remarked.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday, Berenson was a journalist for the NY Times for about a decade before becoming an author of novels and other books. During the CCP virus pandemic, he frequently stated that masks and lockdowns dont work, which has drawn condemnation from scientists.

Reporters with mainstream outlets are now frustrated because they cannot control the debate as completely as they would like and that 75 million people voted for former President Donald Trump.

In recent years, these outlets have increased their negative coverage of Big Tech firms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Amazon, which some commentators have said is a bid to force these companies into censoring and de-platforming conservatives and other figures who dont share their views.

Some Democratic lawmakers have appeared to join the effort, holding a hearing this week claiming that Facebook, Twitter, and Google allowed for falsehoods about the COVID-19 vaccine and debunked claims of election fraud to spread, suggesting that these firms should restrict users abilities to deal with the rise of misinformation and disinformation, while a recent NY Times editorial called for the United States to establish a reality czar.

Berenson, in his speech, said that mainstream news companies have asked and beat on those places, referring to Big Tech firms, to help them censor dissenting viewpoints.

It is amazing to see journalists asking technology companies for help in censorship, but thats happening, he said. And tech has agreed to thispartly out of ideology and partly because its in their interest, it seems.

Examples include Facebooks recent decision to ban groups it doesnt like, and YouTube restricting the uploading of videos with certain content about the COVID-19 pandemic, Berenson said. Amazon, meanwhile, chose to restrict the sales of certain books, including Berensons own book about the pandemicand recently banned a book that criticized transgender ideologies.

Journalists, the people who should be speaking out against this, are cheering it on, Berenson said, referring to Big Techs move to censor and de-platform.

CPAC is scheduled to run three days ending on Sunday, Feb. 28. Trump is scheduled to speak on Sunday.
2309 N. Geneva Terrace, Chicago: $4,250,000 | Listed: March 12, 2021



This six-bedroom home has six full bathrooms, one half-bath, a 55-foot atrium, a wood-burning pizza oven and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar. This building was constructed in 1893 as an apartment complex, converted into a single-family home in 1990 and recently renovated. Stained glass that is original to the building is used in the primary bedroom and bath and the living and dining room windows. The kitchen is equipped with a 10-burner commercial range, new quartz counters and custom cabinets. The primary bedroom suite takes up an entire floor and includes a sitting area with an LED fireplace, two closets, a marble bathroom with a soaking tub, shower and double vanity and another room that can be used as an office or workout room. A large cedar closet, a new roof deck, and a 2-car attached garage complete this home.



Agent: Chloe Ifergan of Jameson Sothebys International, 312-636-4994



*Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.



To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com.



Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news.
WAYZATA, Minn., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Like many industries, agriculture is facing a racial equity problem. Traced back to slavery in the U.S., systemic injustices involving property rights, financing and other exclusionary practices persist today for Black farmers who make up less than 2% of the country's 3.4 million farmers. Cargill is looking to partner across the industry, from fields and ranches to restaurants and grocery stores, to help dismantle these inequities. To accelerate progress, today the company has announced the Black Farmer Equity Initiative, in partnership with two U.S. organizations, the National Black Growers Council and 100 Ranchers.

The ultimate goal is to work with customers, non-profits and others to help increase the participation and profitability of Black farmers. As a first step, the partners will convene listening sessions with Black farmers, ranchers and producers, to map barriers and prioritize ways to improve market access and financial inclusion, sustainable agricultural practices, support next-generation agriculture leaders and advocate for policies that advance equity in agriculture.

"We're looking forward to working with the private sector to prioritize the most powerful ways to address long-standing inequities caused by racism in agriculture," said chairman of the Black Growers Council, PJ Haynie III. "Cargill's engagement will help create long-term solutions to increase market opportunities and earnings potential for our growers."

"Our values drive us to put people first. That is why we are working to address anti-Black racism by helping make the agricultural economy work for more producers," said Anna Richo, Cargill's general counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and corporate secretary. "Racism is systemic, so our approach to addressing it must also be systemic. The status quo is not acceptable. We must do more in food and agriculture to invest in the Black community."

The Black Farmer Equity Initiative is part of a larger effort by Cargill to put its resources toward advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the agriculture industry and in the communities where the company operates. To address anti-Black racism in the United States, Cargill has signed on to Management Leadership for Tomorrow's Black Equity at Work Certification, joined the OneTen partnership and dedicated resources to the CEO Action for Racial Equity. In its headquarters community, Cargill is advancing programs through the Cargill Foundation and with the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity. Globally, the company has contributed more than $15 million in the last year to programs that strengthen and support marginalized or underrepresented communities.

Cargill has also dedicated itself to supporting farmer livelihoods in the United States and around the globe. To date, 3.2 million farmers have gained increased access to markets and participated in trainings on sustainable and innovative agriculture practices that improve yields and earning potential. More than 10 million farmers, ranchers and producers will be trained by 2030, increasing productivity of family farms in the U.S. and around the world.

For more information or to join the efforts to advance opportunities for farmers, ranchers and producers, contact us.

About Cargill

Cargill's 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.

We combine 155 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

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West Bengal will go to polls in eight phases, where the first phase of polling in the state will be held on March 27, said (ECI) on Friday, while announcing the dates for the upcoming assembly in various states.

Polling for 30 assembly seats in the second phase will start on April 1. In the third phase, 31 assembly constituencies will vote on April 6. The date of polling for 44 constituencies in Phase 4 is April 10. The fifth phase of polling will begin on April 17. While the polling for Phase 6, 7, and 8 will be held on April 22, April 26, and April 29 respectively.

Meanwhile in Assam, will be held in three phases. First phase of polls will be held on March 27, second phase will commence on April 1, and third phase will be on April 6.

All the Assembly seats in Kerala will vote in single phase, i.e, on April 6. The polling in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will also be on April 6 in a single phase.



The results for all the four states and one union territory will be announced on May 2.

The chief election commissioner (CEC), Sunil Arora, paid tributes to the Covid warriors, doctors, paramedics, and all the officials on election duty who are located on the frontline.

"Postal Ballot has been extended to voters above age of 80, people with disabilities and people involved in essential services. Polling time has been extended by an hour," the CEC said, adding that the door-to-door campaigning will be restricted to five persons including the candidate.

will be held for 294 seats in West Bengal, 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, 140 seats in Kerala, 126 seats in Assam and 30 seats in Puducherry.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already deployed it's election machine in the states that are about to vote. Led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ruling party at the Centre has started campaigning aggressively. Several leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the poll-bound states multiple times.

In West Bengal, the ECI had already dispatched central security forces to the state. Reacting to the presence of forces, the Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of treating the elections like "war". The election body, however, clarified that central forces were also sent to each of the poll-bound states, and that it was a part of a routine exercise.

In Puducherry, the V Narayanasamy-led Congress government fell, following a spate of resignations by his party MLAs and a DMK legislator. The President's Rule has been imposed and the assembly was suspended.
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In the last hour of my visit on that June day, Peggy woke from her nap and wanted to talk. I held her hand and she stared at it as if it was not attached to her body, as if I had brought some strange little animal to her bed and was showing it to her. She mumbled phrases, the beginnings of sentences, and I offered endings. She watched me fish for meaning and then sighed, resigned but not unhappy, and we tried again. In this way we chatted like sisters until it was time for me to go.

This touch, the connection to family members, is crucial to the health of Alzheimers patients. Before my visit, it had been four months since anyone was able to visit Peggy. After this visit, it would be another four months before the nursing home eased its Covid-related restrictions and my sister was allowed to visit again. During that time, we called her, but she was losing her ability to speak. I sent pop-up greeting cards in the hopes that they would interest her.

Without anyone there to bring her back to this moment in time, Peggy has begun to fade. We were once five sisters. We are already down to four, and when Peggy goes, if she is next, we will be just three. With the loss of each sister go her special memories of us and ours of her. Our life together as sisters, as children of our parents, is known by fewer people and when they are gone, we are no longer completely knowable. When I lose the person who can help me burnish the memories of our lives together, I begin to lose those memories myself. The mirror of my past grows dark.

When the Covid restrictions were lifted, Peggy got a roommate  a former Head Start teacher who has been teaching Peggy to say thank you to her caregivers instead of yelling at them and calling them names.

And then recently, just days after Peggy got the first of her Covid vaccines, she, like many people with dementia, tested positive for the virus. She did not have symptoms, but she was moved to isolation, again alone without the familiar voice of her roommate or the touch of my sister that were both vital to keeping her connected to this world.

We were lucky that Peggy got the vaccine before she got infected. Her life may have been saved. But what the pandemic has taken from me and my sisters is our precious time together, time in which we could still share our lives, time in which we could continue as sisters, time to surround the sister we are losing with our love so that she does not have to face death alone.

Without us to remind Peggy of who she is, she has slipped away from us. The millions of moments that connected us to each other recede into a fog of time, their edges blurring together and disappearing like shadows in a darkening room. Without us there to say her name, to touch her hand, she is in that room alone.
A $1 billion class-action lawsuit has been filed against Texas wholesale electricity retailer Griddy Energy for allegedly charging exorbitant prices during last week's historic storm that left millions powerless in the freezing cold.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Chambers County resident Lisa Khoury in Harris County on Monday, who claimed her electricity bill soared to $9,340 the week of the storm. According to the lawsuit, her average monthly bills typically range from $200 to $250.

She said Griddy automatically withdrew $1,200 from her bank account from Feb. 13 to 18 and her overall bill from Feb. 1 to 19 was $9,546. The lawsuit states that some customers had bills as high as $17,000.

The complaint accused the company of "overcharging" some 29,000 customers "knowing consumers would be harmed."

PHOTO: Pike Electric service trucks line up after a snow storm on Feb. 16, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Khoury said she was hit with the charges even as she and her husband suffered "mostly without power" in their home from Feb. 17 to 18 when they hosted her parents and in-laws who are in their 80s during the storm.

She claimed that despite expressing concern over the withdrawals and subsequently bouncing checks, she never heard back from Griddy. She ultimately placed a stop payment on her bank account on Feb. 18.

In Texas residents can choose between two electricity bill options: A fixed plan, where their price stays at one rate regardless of market conditions, or a market rate plan, which can fluctuate based on how much electricity is used and the market price of electricity. Griddy offers the latter plan.

We charge (customers) the wholesale, real-time price of energy, which changes every 5 minutes. You effectively pay the same price as a retail energy provider or utility," Griddyy said in a statement. Griddy boasts on its website that this strategy ends up being cheaper for most customers.

MORE: ERCOT faces class-action lawsuit, resignations in wake of Texas power outages

Last week's storm pummeled the state's power grid and led to rolling blackouts. It also led Griddy's wholesale rate to soar to $9,000 per megawatt hour due to a shortage of supply and increased demand for power. Before the storm the rate was $50 per megawatt hour, the suit states.

Story continues

In the build up to the storm Griddy advised its customers to switch to another provider with a fixed rate and told customers via its website that it was "seeking relief from utility regulators." But many were unable to change due to the impending weather.

The lawsuit seeks $1 billion in monetary relief for Khoury and "on behalf of all others similarly situated."

PHOTO: The U.S. and Texas flags fly in front of high voltage transmission towers on Feb. 21, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

It also accuses Griddy of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and requests an injunction to stop the company from collecting payment for "excessive prices".

Khoury's attorney Derek Potts, of the Houston-based Potts Law Firm, told ABC News Griddy has 29,000 customers in Texas that the lawsuit could impact.

"What happened financially to all of the customers of Griddy both in terms of the exorbitant prices charged and the manner in that they were collected from peoples' bank accounts and credit cards literally in the middle of a catastrophe while many were without power, heat, and water, is clearly contrary to Texas laws in place to protect consumers," Potts said.

MORE: Power failure: How a winter storm pushed Texas into crisis

Griddy has not immediately responded to ABC News' request for comment, but dismissed the lawsuit as "meritless" to Reuters.

Griddy has cast blame on the Public Utility Commission for raising the wholesale market price of electricity in the crisis, saying the company didn't profit from the raised prices.

"We intend to fight this for, and alongside, our customers for equity and accountability  to reveal why such price increases were allowed to happen as millions of Texans went without power," Griddy said in a blog post.

Texas' embattled power grid operator the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is also facing lawsuits after more than 4 million customers lost power in the storm.

ERCOT's top board leaders announced Tuesday that they will step down amid outrage over the corporation's handling of the storm. Four board directors, including the chairwoman and vice chairman, submitted their resignations, which were effective as of Wednesday. A candidate for a board director position also said he was withdrawing his name from consideration. All five live outside of Texas, which only intensified scrutiny of ERCOT.

ABC News' Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Texan files $1 billion class-action lawsuit after receiving $9,000 electric bill originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Diplomats sat beside stacks of briefing papers, flanked by flags and emphasized their closeness. But they were geographically far apart Friday as Secretary of State Antony Blinken because of the pandemic, started a new chapter in North American relations with virtual visits to Mexico and Canada in what was billed as his first official trip.

Though symbolically important in any administration, the decision by President Joe Biden to dispatch Blinken to Mexico and Canada for the first visits, even virtually, is part of a broader effort to turn the page from a predecessor who at times had fraught relations with both nations. During Trump's presidency, the three nations signed a revamped trade accord after Trump demanded a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The secretary began his virtual visits with Mexico, a country former President Donald Trump repeatedly disparaged in his campaign and early in his presidency, though relations turned more cordial under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

I wanted to visit, in quotation marks, Mexico first to demonstrate the importance that we attach, President Biden attaches, to the relationship between our countries, Blinken told his counterpart, Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard.

Blinkens meetings with Mexico and Canada, two of the largest U.S. trading partners, were expected to cover economic ground as well as well as efforts to fight COVID-19, which has prompted all three countries to close the borders to all but essential traffic.

Biden last week made his first bilateral meeting, also virtual, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who at times had a frosty relationship with Trump. Biden disappointed some in Canada with his decision upon taking office to reverse Trump and revoke the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, which President Barack Obama's administration determined had only limited energy and economic benefits to the U.S. and conflicted with efforts to curb climate change.

That didnt come up in the public portion of Blinkens meeting with Foreign Minister Marc Garneau, who echoed Trudeau in praising Bidens commitment to renew U.S. leadership and diplomacy.

Ebrard, for his part, welcomed Biden's decision to reverse his predecessor and rejoin both the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization. He also praised the initiatives of the new administration, an apparent reference to the decision to set a new course on some immigration and border policies.

We understand that these are being done in recognition to the Mexican community, he said, without mentioning any specific policy. We are receiving them with empathy.

Biden ended Trump's policy of requiring migrants seeking asylum to wait in Mexico or to pursue their claims in Central America. He also restored protection for people without legal status in the U.S. who were brought to the country as children, many of whom are Mexican, and is backing legislation that would enable them to seek citizenship.

The Biden administration has begun processing the asylum claims of about 25,000 migrants who had been in Mexico, often in unsanitary and dangerous conditions, but has not lifted a policy, imposed at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, of quickly expelling people captured along the border and has sought to discourage illegal migration.

Just before his visit with Ebrard, Blinken conducted a virtual tour of the busy border crossing at El Paso, Texas, and said the administration is working with Mexico and Central American nations to ease the conditions that drive people to try to illegally reach the United States.

To anyone thinking about undertaking that journey, our message is: Dont do it. We are strictly enforcing our immigration laws and our border security measures," he said.
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WASHINGTON - Federal agencies should not automatically disqualify job applicants or take disciplinary actions against current employees for using or possessing marijuana, the government's central personnel agency has said.

A memo from the Office of Personnel Management released Friday lays out additional considerations for what the government calls "suitability" decisions related to marijuana for both new and continued employment.

Federal employees remain bound by a federal law defining marijuana as a controlled substance, even though growing numbers of state and local jurisdictions have decriminalized it for medical or recreational purposes.

"As more state laws have changed, federal agencies are increasingly encountering individuals whose knowledge, skills, and abilities make them well-qualified for a position, but whose marijuana use may or may not be of concern when considering the suitability or fitness of the individual for the position," the memo says.

The new guidance for federal hiring and firing puts less emphasis on marijuana use as a disqualifying factor and gives agencies considerable discretion.

It says that use or possession of marijuana can disqualify an applicant or merit the firing of a current employee on grounds of illegal use of a controlled substance or of criminal conduct. "However, OPM's suitability regulations do not permit agencies to automatically find individuals unsuitable for federal employment based on either factor," it says.

Similarly, it said that for job applicants, those regulations "do not permit agencies to automatically find individuals unsuitable for federal service on the basis of marijuana use prior to appointment."

"Rather, when agencies consider the suitability or fitness of an applicant or appointee for a position, the individual's conduct must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the impact, if any, to the integrity and the efficiency of the Government," it says.

In an emailed statement, OPM said the memo "does not represent a change to OPM's suitability/fitness policy. However, it does affirm that regulations do not permit agencies to automatically find individuals unsuitable for federal employment based on use or possession of marijuana."

The guidance from the Biden administration replaces a policy issued in 2015, during the Obama administation, also telling agencies to make case-by-case judgments, based on the nature and seriousness of the conduct, the circumstances and "contributing societal conditions."

The new memo adds considerations including the nature of the position the person is applying for or is employed in; when the conduct occurred; the age of the person at the time; and whether the person has made "efforts toward rehabilitation." Such efforts can include "evidence that use will not occur again, the passage of time without use, or completion of (or current participation in) treatment or counseling."

It adds that agencies are to take those factors into account even regarding the issue of criminal conduct, telling them to "exercise special care before making a determination of unsuitability" on those grounds.

John Mahoney, a Washington-based lawyer who represents federal employees, said that when taking actions against employees for positive drug tests, agencies already consider a range of factors but that some "are pretty hard-core in disciplining employees."

"It is significant in that OPM is putting less emphasis on past marijuana use in terms of suitability determinations," he said in a phone interview. "This does mark the beginning of a trend in the federal sector of moving toward a less strict standard vis-a-vis marijuana use, and I expect that trend to continue."

He added, though, that federal applicants and employees still should understand that under the government's drug-free workplace policy, current marijuana use is prohibited and could be the basis for firing.

The OPM policy does not apply to determinations of eligibility for access to classified information or for employment in sensitive national security positions. A stricter policy issued in 2014 by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence applies in those cases.

The new guidance "does open paths to great adjudication of suitability issues once marijuana use is disclosed. However, until the security clearance rules change, this is a non-starter for many federal employees," said John Gniadek, a senior associate with the Tully Rinckey law firm in the District of Columbia.

"The next crack to appear will come in the medical use category, whether employees using canniboids solely for medicinal purposes can be [suitable] for employment. Until that hurdle is cleared, it is unsafe for federal employees or applicants to smoke," he said in an email.
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Residents of Jangebe where 317 schoolgirls were abducted on Friday in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State have turned their fury on government officials and journalists entering the community.

The residents accused the government of not protecting the citizens and vowed to take action on their own to rescue their abducted daughters.

Groups of youth threw stones at vehicles of government officials and journalists entering the town, with a cameraman, Babangida Calipha, sustaining injury in the attack.

There has been tension in the community since the abduction of the schoolgirls, with youth stopping security operatives and government officials from entering the main town.

The entourage of the commissioner of police in the state, Abutu Yaro, was also targetted.

However, the commissioner told reporters that the police were collaborating with the military in joint search and rescue operations.

Mr Yaro said the Force Commander of Operations, Hadarin Daji, and the commander of 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Gusau, Aminu Bande, were in Jangebe to support the rescue operation.
A top CPS Energy executive, a key architect of the utilitys plan to shift to renewable energy sources, is stepping down after this week.

Chief Operating Officer Cris Eugster, who joined the city-owned utility in 2009, will become president and CEO of North American Energy Services on Monday.

A CPS spokeswoman said Eugsters exit was in motion way before last weeks severe winter storm, which resulted in prolonged power outages in San Antonio and across Texas.

The company that Eugster is set to lead is based in Issaquah, Wash., and it builds and operates power plants and does energy-related business consulting.

NAES is a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Itochu.

On ExpressNews.com: CPS Energy: Natural gas behind sky-high costs during last week's winter storm

Cris is a transformative leader who will help NAES expand its services, especially in renewables and clean energy solutions, NAES Chairman Taka Takeuchi said in a statement.

Eugster led the development of CPS FlexPower Bundle, a plan to replace the utilitys aging power plants with solar farms, battery storage and other energy technologies.

The utility solicited bids for the initiative and since Feb. 1 has been evaluating companies proposals.

The plan calls for the construction of 900 megawatts of solar power, 50 megawatts of battery storage and 500 megawatts of electricity thats available whenever demand runs high. Depending on the proposals, that last 500 megawatts of power could be from a cutting-edge source such as hydrogen or other early-stage energy storage technologies.

Its not just another solar (power purchase agreement) that were trying to do, Eugster said in November. The intent is to replace a fossil fuel plant.

Eugster joined CPS after a two-year stint as chief officer of sustainable growth for the city of Houston. There, Eugster locked in a wind power contract that at the time made Houston the top municipal buyer of renewable power. Eugster also lured Danish company Vestas Wind Systems to establish a research and development center in Houston.

Prior to his time in Houston, Eugster worked at high-powered consulting firm McKinsey for nearly a decade, advising CEOs at Fortune 100 companies on technology and energy-related issues.

Eugster was a candidate to become CEO of CPS during the utilitys executive search in 2010, before it hired Chicago energy executive Doyle Beneby. After Benebys departure in 2015, Eugster was again considered for the top job before CPS board hired current CEO Paula Gold-Williams.

On ExpressNews.com: CPS Energy plan lays out costs of closing - or converting - Spruce coal plant

Still, Eugster, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has garnered respect inside and outside CPS. Ed Kelley, a CPS trustee, recently described Eugster as brilliant and a great resource.

Activists in the failed Recall CPS petition drive, which targeted CPS governance, have also expressed admiration for Eugsters clean energy push  even as theyve called called for Gold-Williams and other CPS leaders to resign.

Cris has been regarded as a positive influence within the utility, as somebody whos genuinely interested and concerned with the issues of clean energy, conservation and climate, said Greg Harman, a clean energy organizer at the Sierra Club. We dont get that same messaging from Paula Gold-Williams, regrettably.

CPS executives Frank Almaraz and Paul Barham will fill Eugsters role after his exit, utility officials said.

Were really proud of him, Gold-Williams said of Eugster. We very quickly mobilized and were able to promote from within.

diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net
Facebook has announced preliminary agreements with three Australian publishers following new laws compelling digital giants to pay for news (Niall Carson/PA)

Facebook announced on Friday preliminary agreements with three Australian publishers, a day after the countrys parliament passed a law that would make the digital giants pay for news.

Facebook said letters of intent had been signed with independent news organisations Private Media, Schwartz Media and Solstice Media.

The commercial agreements are subject to the signing of full agreements within the next 60 days, a Facebook statement said.

These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to Facebook, the statement said.

Schwartz Media chief executive Rebecca Costello said the deal would help her company continue to produce independent journalism.

Expand Close Google had already struck news sharing deals with a number of Australian publishers (Tim Goode/PA) / Facebook

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Its never been more important than it is now to have a plurality of voices in the Australian press, Ms Costello said.

Private Media chief executive Will Hayward said the new deal built on an existing Facebook partnership.

Australias Parliament on Thursday passed the final amendments to the so-called News Media Bargaining Code.

In return for the changes, Facebook agreed to lift a six-day-old ban on Australians accessing and sharing news. Access to Australian news sites did not appear to be fully restored until Friday.

Google, the only other digital giant targeted by the legislation, has already struck content licensing deals, or is close to deals, with some of Australias biggest news publishers including Rupert Murdochs News Corp and Seven West Media.
The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below.

On Thursday, in the afternoon, at Parliament House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC presided at a meeting of the Executive Council.

Following, at Government House, His Excellency and Mrs Kaye de Jersey hosted an afternoon reception in support of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council, and the Governor addressed guests.

In the evening, at the Sofitel, Brisbane City, His Excellency attended the Australia China Business Council's Chinese New Year Dinner, and the Governor addressed guests.

WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it is laying off an undisclosed number of pilots amid negotiations with the union that represents them.

A worker carrying a disinfectant sprayer walks past a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft, after cleaning another plane at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, January 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it is laying off an undisclosed number of pilots amid negotiations with the union that represents them.

Airline spokeswoman Morgan Bell says the layoff notices are going out ahead of the expiration of a memorandum of agreement on March 31, though negotiations are ongoing.

Bell would not disclose the number of affected pilots.

The airline announced on Feb. 5 that it would lay off 120 cabin crew members as of March 2, blaming the measure on the lack of flights to Mexico and the Caribbean.

At the request of the federal government, WestJet and other Canadian carriers agreed to suspend all flights to Mexico and the Caribbean until April 30 in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Airlines have been in negotiations with the government for months about the terms of a sector-specific aid package, with Ottawa saying that any federal funding for airlines would be contingent on their issuing full refunds to passengers who had their flights cancelled during the pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2021.
Meghan Markle revealed her nickname for Prince Harry is Haz during an appearance alongside her husband on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

The Duke, 36, and Duchess of Sussex, 39, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara, both appeared on the programme yesterday as the presenter offered Prince Harry a sightseeing tour of Los Angeles.

In one extraordinary moment the Duchess appears on FaceTime to tell the presenter they won't buy the Fresh Prince of Bel Air mansion because they have 'done enough moving', before asking: 'Haz, how is the tour of LA going?'

The Duchess opted to wear a $29 soft blue smocked dress from local boutique Velvet Torch, with a matching blue heptagon shaped pendant necklace, for the appearance.

Meghan Markle, 39, has revealed her nickname for Prince Harry is Haz during an appearance from the couple on The Late Late Show with James Corden

During the appearance, the presenter joked with Prince Harry about buying the mansion from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, before calling Meghan to discuss it.

After finding Meghan under 'M' within Prince Harry's phone, the presenter proceeded to call the royal, who told the duo they'd not be moving because 'they've done enough moving.'

The couple briefly moved into Frogmore Cottage during Meghan's first pregnancy with Archie in 2019, before spending months in Canada in November 2019.

They then proceeded to move to Los Angeles in the spring of 2020, where they lived in Tyler Perry's house for several months, before finally settling at their own $14 million mansion last summer.

During a brief segment on the show, the Duke of Sussex and presenter James FaceTimed the Duchess to ask whether the couple should buy the mansion where The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was filmed

Meanwhile after Meghan revealed her nickname for Prince Harry, James teased the royal over the moniker, saying: 'Haz, oh Haz, I didn't know we were calling you Haz now?'

Prince Harry responded: 'Well you're not my wife.'

Appearing on the call, Meghan opted for low-key makeup with dark eyeliner and a hint of blusher across her cheeks.

The royal donned a soft blue smocked gown for the appearance, which is believed to be from local LA boutique Velvet Torch.

Appearing over video call, Meghan joked the couple had 'done enough moving', having settled into their $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara last summer

Online, the gown is described as featuring a 'smocked bodice' which adds 'figure hugging style' to an 'on-trend puff sleeve dress'.

Meanwhile she wore her long flowing hair down around her face in loose waves.

Days ago, celebrity hairstylist James Johnson told FEMAIL Meghan's lengthy locks would likely have been achieved with the help of clip-in extensions, adding that the Duchess had had a 'Hollywood makeover'.

He explained: 'I think a lot of us are feeling the need for a re-vamp, perhaps this is the image shes always wanted to look like.'

Meanwhile presenter James teased the couple after Meghan revealed her moniker for Prince Harry is Haz

The Late Late Show with James Corden segment was filmed before he and wife Meghan, who is pregnant with their second child, confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.

Elsewhere in the interview, which was partly filmed on an open top bus, Prince Harry said he and Meghan Markle 'never walked away' from the Royal Family and insisted he did 'what any husband or father would do'.

The Duke said the move to LA last year was about 'stepping back rather than stepping down'. He said that his life will 'always be about public service' and added the Duchess 'signed up for that'.

The appearance comes days after the couple, who last week officially split from the Firm, appeared in a 20-second video plugging their Archewell Audio podcast at a Spotify live stream event

An off the leash Harry also reveals that he has had Zoom calls with Prince Philip and Queen, who sent Archie a waffle maker for Christmas, and describes his son as 'hysterical', saying his first word was 'crocodile'.

He also says he knew Meghan was 'the one' after two dates, describing their relationship as '0-60 in two months'.

The appearance comes days after the couple, who last week officially split from the Firm, appeared in a 20-second video plugging their Archewell Audio podcast at a Spotify live stream event.
student 1 Its going to be 50 degrees outside. student 2 I cant forget my Airpods. student 1 It was freezing this morning. student 3 Im sorry. Lets get them all. student 1 Right here. student 2 Whoa, listen to that.

[laughter]

[chatter]

annie brown

On a crisp Friday last October

student 1 Does anybody need deodorant? I have spray-on deodorant. student 2 Man. Oh, youre breathing hard. student 1 Its cucumber. You can Because I got tired of smelling like coconut.

annie brown

a notably normal scene was playing out in the old band hall of a high school in West Texas.

student 2 Joanna, how do you take this off? Never mind, I got it.

annie brown

School had just let out for the day, and the members of the Odessa High Marching Band

student 1 Can you zip me up?

annie brown

were getting ready for their first game of the season.

student 1 Do I need to suck it in? student 2 Probably. There we go. Good job.

annie brown

And they were giddy

student 1 Ow you zipped up my hair. Ow. Ow, yeah, you zipped me up.

annie brown

as they pulled on their new bright red uniforms.

student 1 Whoo! Are we getting on buses? All right, guys, we gotta go.

annie brown

then filed out the door to board the bus waiting outside.

student 1 Theres one spot left. Theres one more spot left in there.

[engine hums]

annie brown

And as the bus made its 7-mile journey across town to the stadium

student 2 Oh weve got to do our song, the our tradition.

[humming]

annie brown

they sang.

student 2 (SINGING) And shine a little beamer with the red top down. Dogs were all a-barking and a-wagging around.

annie brown

got sentimental about the passage of time.

student 4 It feels like just yesterday I came in as a freaking freshman. I didnt know how to play. student 2 Sitting on this but going down Main Street to Ratliff with

annie brown

And briefly

student 4 You know, its crazy. About a year ago, we probably would have never thought there would have been a pandemic.

annie brown

discussed current events.

student 2 I always thought like maybe like when I was like mid-age, you know, something would happen. But I dont really consider it like a big deal, you know. Its just kind of like student 4 You cant just like give up your whole life because of that. I mean, youve gotta keep conscious, you know. You cant just sit there and go oh, Im not gonna

annie brown

Listening in on these students, that discussion was kind of the only indication of the strangeness of this year. In every other way, the ride was remarkable for just how unremarkable it was.

student 5 Did I show you the nose ring? My mom wont let me get it. student 6 I want to get a nose ring. student 5 I tried the filter, and I saw it. It made my nose look big. I was like, nah. And then I tried to

annie brown

Because as other high school students across the country were logging off their computers for the evening, finishing up another day of remote learning from their beds or their kitchen tables, these students unconsciously were participating in something of an experiment.

teacher Everybody please keep your mask on. student 4 Yes, maam.

annie brown

All the way back before the beginning of the school year, Texas was one of just four states to mandate that public schools must offer in-person learning

speaker [HUMMING]:

annie brown

making possible moments like these reminders of what so many other students have had to sacrifice this year.

announcer Ladies and gentlemen, the Ector County Independent School District and Odessa High School are proud to present the award-winning Odessa High School Broncho Marching Band.

[cheering]

annie brown

But it would only be a couple of weeks later, in the aftermath of a moment of normalcy just like this one, after a bus ride just like this one, that it would become clear that the story of Odessa High School this year, like the story of all school re-openings, is a story of trade-offs

speaker And I said, shut down both buses, quarantine all students. If it were up to the health department and it gets to that level, theyre going to want to shut the entire band down.

annie brown

and that this experiment was going to get a little more complicated.

speaker As far as I could tell, we were prepared. We just didnt realize that we were not.

[band music]

annie brown

From The New York Times, Im Annie Brown. This is Odessa.

archived recording We are not throwing our kids bodies, our teachers bodies in front of Covid to stop it. Virtual school, 38 years teaching, does not work. This is unsafe. We should not be in those school buildings. The risk of spread in schools is low, and the harm that we are doing to our children is high.

annie brown

While more and more schools across the country are attempting to reopen their doors, Odessa High School has been open since August. And for the past six months, weve been reporting remotely, through Google Hangouts and audio diaries, through phone calls and Facetime tours, documenting what happened as the experiment unfolded. Today, in part one, the school year begins in Odessa. Do you remember the first time you visited Odessa? The first time you saw it?

scott muri Yeah. So I was coming in for a job interview to go meet with the board of trustees. And I remember flying into the airport. And I rented a car and then drove to the City of Odessa. And the further I drove, the less interested I became. Because I was looking to my left and looking to my right, and it just didnt look like Houston, or Atlanta, or Charlotte, or any place that Id ever been.

annie brown

This is the superintendent of the school district in Odessa, Texas. His name is Scott Muri. And before this job, he had worked in school districts in several big cities with large budgets and large metropolitan areas. Odessa, Texas was not that.

scott muri So a colleague of mine made a statement, oh, youre moving to the land of no trees. And I was like, what do you mean, theres no trees? And oh, yeah, there are no trees out there. Well, sure enough, there not a lot of trees in this area. It is flat. annie brown Did you see, like, oil rigs and things like that? scott muri Everywhere. Oil rigs everywhere. You know, this town is embedded in an oil field.

annie brown

Odessa sits on the most productive oil field, not just in Texas or the United States, but in the world. Production had been booming for several years when Scott visited. And still, over half of the kids in the school district qualified for free or reduced price lunch.

scott muri But then when I unpacked the situation and looked at the needs, you know, this is one of the lowest performing districts in Texas. It had the potential to be taken over by the State of Texas and annie brown Because it was doing so poorly. scott muri Yeah, correct. Academically, yes, yes, yes.

annie brown

Confronting challenges was not something new for Scott. He had recently led a school district in Houston through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. And he had a demonstrated track record of helping to close achievement gaps. And so before the 2019 school year, the district in Odessa wanted him to come in and turn it around.

scott muri The problem solver in me, you know, thats an interesting challenge. If I could do something to help prevent that, thats interesting to me.

annie brown

So despite the no trees and the oil rigs everywhere, he took the job.

scott muri This was a board that recognized their school district is in crisis. And theyre willing to do whatever it takes.

annie brown

Of course, they had no idea then that theyd be facing a much greater crisis than theyd imagined. Within months, Covid hit, and schools scrambled to transition to remote learning. And Scott watched as his students slid even further behind.

scott muri In fact, we have evidence that suggests that especially our kids of poverty and this is across the country could have lost up to one year of learning. It just cant happen.

annie brown

And so even though the Covid numbers in Odessa were higher than in much of the country, with the positivity rate climbing to 19 percent during the summer, when the governor of Texas announced that public schools were required to offer in-person instruction, Scott was on board.

scott muri Our kids were already behind their peers across the state. And we as a system have to be committed to bringing as many of our kids back in a face-to-face environment as we can.

annie brown

So late last summer, as the district prepared to phase students back into the classroom, Scott agreed to let us follow along.

scott muri But if we see numbers in any area starting to increase because of actions that weve taken as a school district, then we will reverse our course. Weve told our folks all along, you know, yes, were turning school on face-to-face. But we could just as easily turn it off over a weekend. annie brown All right. scott muri All right, ladies. Appreciate you. annie brown Thank you so much, Scott. scott muri Have a good rest of the day. All right. annie brown You, too. scott muri Bye-bye. annie brown Bye-bye.

annie brown

One of the first people the district connected us to was a teacher a teacher whos sort of on the front lines of this mission to not let students fall further behind this year.

naomi fuentes Its August 12, 2020, first day of school. Im actually calm this morning. On the drive to work I was jamming to the radio, singing along. People were looking at me weird, I dont care. It was good. [INHALES, EXHALES] Deep breaths. Yeah. Ready or not, the kids are going to show up some. So were doing

annie brown

This is Naomi, or better known as Ms. Fuentes

naomi fuentes Let me tell you. Love the face shield. You know why? Because I dont have to worry about my hair. So super fast to get ready in the morning. Just put it up in a bun.

annie brown

a relentlessly cheery college prep teacher at Odessa High School, who started sending us audio diaries and hopping on Google Meets as she got ready for classes to begin.

naomi fuentes Let me show you around the room so you can kind of see what we have to do. So let me flip the camera. OK, please excuse the Blair Witch vibe going on. I or my husband, I should say, put up a clear shower curtain around my desk so when I have to conference with my students, theres at least a little barrier.

annie brown

She had created a protected space around her desk and got some special supplies.

naomi fuentes Weve got some cleaner, sanitizer, tissue

annie brown

But what I immediately noticed on our Google Hangout was just her special touch.

annie brown Is that a tombstone that I see behind you? naomi fuentes Yes. On the floor, theres a rest in peace tombstone on the wall. It says mausoleum. I have a Chucky doll, decorate him for every season. And yall should see my dolls. Theyre scary. Like, my dolls are scary. And there are even noise sensors, so when you slam a door, theyll speak.

annie brown

Naomi loves morbid things but cant quite explain why.

naomi fuentes Maybe if I analyze myself, its the whole parents being strict on religion thing and Im like rebelling. But I love it. And people always mess with me. Theyre like, well, youre the happiest dark person I know.

annie brown

But behind this cheeriness, behind the tombstones and the 64-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer

naomi fuentes Yeah, Im really scared, nervous, overwhelmed. Dont know what to expect.

annie brown

shes scared. Naomis husband is considered high risk. And she has a one-year-old grandbaby at home who recently had heart surgery. But like Scott, she has her own reasons for being on board with this plan.

annie brown Did you think about potentially not going back because of how nervous you were? naomi fuentes Actually no. Yeah, I dont think I would ever just leave. Even as scared as I am, I wouldnt leave. O.H.S. is my home. And its O.H.S. and nothing else.

annie brown

Naomi herself went to Odessa High School nearly 30 years ago. And for as long as she can remember, the school has had a reputation of struggling. Today, not only does Odessa High sit in one of the poorest performing districts in Texas, but based on its test scores and college readiness, it was also ranked in 2019 by an education nonprofit as the third worst high school in the entire state.

naomi fuentes Its almost like thats how they were raised. Youre going to O.H.S. Thats the sucky school, I guess. And the kids feel that. The kids, thats been ingrained in our locals minds here.

annie brown

So despite her fear of the virus, Naomi is determined to show up for her students.

naomi fuentes I was always told that your body reacts the same when youre nervous and scared and frightened as it does when its excited. So Im going to say Im excited for this new school year and all that it entails. No matter how were feeling, weve got to put the kids first. And weve got to take care of the kids. And thats what we do naturally. Thats why were teachers the kids, you know. Were going to teach the kids, were going to love the kids, and thats it. Period. Well see what happens. OK. So many people logged in. Lets see. Hello, Kayla. Hello, Jesse. Hello, Delaney.

annie brown

As students start phasing in, Naomi has somewhere between one and eight students who actually show up in the classroom each day. Another dozen or so sign in remotely.

naomi fuentes I figured I would put some music on while we wait.

annie brown

Because while teachers had little choice about returning to the classroom, students and families did. And many of them opted to stay home.

naomi fuentes Hello, Armando. Hello, Bill.

annie brown

Which means her job is to straddle teaching the students in person and the students online.

naomi fuentes OK.

annie brown

And through her voice memos

naomi fuentes Lets go ahead and get started.

annie brown

we hear how it goes.

naomi fuentes OK. Maria, were going to start with you. Can you read us your quick write? Maria? maria I say no, because Im too involved with a lot of things. naomi fuentes OK. Honest honest answer. Very good. That is awesome. Thank you. Armando. Is Armando on I get stressed. Like, you know, my armpits start sweating a little bit. Im like, are you there? Whats going on? Just answer. Well move on. Well come back to you later. Andre, did you get to do the quick write? I dont know whether you caught that. Gaspard, how about you? In my mind Im thinking, OK, I know it doesnt take that long to unmute. Youre awfully quiet. Hope you didnt go take a nap. Nani, how about you? Dom? dom Sorry, miss, Im eating a corn dog. Let me show you. naomi fuentes Do you want us to come back to you?

annie brown

Naomi rarely knows what her students are doing on the other side of the screen, because they almost always have their videos off.

naomi fuentes Bill. Bill showed up. OK, Bill. All we did was we watch the my stuffs still not working. My computer

annie brown

And she doesnt require videos to be on, because it would take too much bandwidth. 39 percent of kids in the school district dont have access to reliable internet.

speaker Yes, maam. Like nothing its not letting me do anything. Look. naomi fuentes Hmm. OK. Yeah, thats something weird happening there.

annie brown

For the first several weeks of school, the virtual students are requiring a lot of Naomis attention. You can see her struggling to figure out how to split her time.

naomi fuentes OK. So those of you online, when youre done, just remember Wednesday OK, like, it looks like Im paying attention to both at the same time, when in reality when Im focused on answering questions in the chat, I kind of cant worry about the kids in front of me. All right. So now my face-to-face peeps. OK. Alexis. alexis Mm-hmm. I did, yeah. naomi fuentes And then someone would in front of me would ask a question, so Id step away. Id be like, OK, Im going to step away, and then go help them. And I would forget student We said prejudice, but naomi fuentes Hang on. Hold that though. I have kids online still. Yes? student 2 Ms. Fuentes. Im saying its or I finished it, but Im not sure if naomi fuentes I dont know if I mentioned this, because it happened Friday. But I taught for 10 minutes on mute until one of the kids chirped up in the chat and they were like, is she talking to us or just the kids in the classroom? student 3 Ms. Fuentes, your screen isnt changing at all. naomi fuentes Its not? OK. Because they couldnt hear me. I was muted the whole time. Can yall see it now? student 3 Yes, maam. naomi fuentes Awesome. OK. So lets start over.

annie brown

By the beginning of October, it was clear that this toggling back and forth between in-person and virtual students was a problem for many teachers across the system. The resounding message coming from district leaders was, we have to do better. But Naomi was feeling at a loss for how exactly to do that.

naomi fuentes OK. You want us to be up and engaging to the face-to-face kids. I get it. But most of us, most of us, dont know what that looks like. Train us. Weve gotten virtual training on how to do that virtually, and we know how to do that face-to-face. But how the hell do you blend it? How the hell do you blend it? Theres this and Ill email it to you theres this TikTok going around with a clip from Schitts Creek, which I love that freaking show. archived recording (schitt's creek - moira rose) Next step is to fold in the cheese. archived recording (schitt's creek - david rose) What does that mean? What does fold in the cheese mean? archived recording (schitt's creek - moira rose) You fold it in. naomi fuentes Its like the enchilada scene where theyre making enchiladas. archived recording (schitt's creek - david rose) I understand that. But how how do you fold it? Do you fold it in half like a piece of paper and drop it in the pot, or what do you do? archived recording (schitt's creek - moira rose) David, I cannot show you everything. archived recording (schitt's creek - david rose) OK, well, can you show me one thing? archived recording (schitt's creek - moira rose) You just heres what you do. You just fold it in. archived recording (schitt's creek - david rose) OK. I dont know how to fold broken cheese like that. archived recording (schitt's creek - moira rose) And I dont know how to be any clearer. You take that thing thats in your hand, archived recording (schitt's creek - david rose) Uh-huh. archived recording (schitt's creek - moira rose) And you archived recording (schitt's creek - david rose) If you say fold in one more time archived recording (schitt's creek - moira rose) It says fold it in. naomi fuentes This TikTok is like, this is what were feeling. Its what were feeling. I havent even seen how its supposed to look. And maybe I missed an email, or I missed a training or something? I dont know. Yeah, I dont know. I know I say that a lot, but I truly dont know.

annie brown

Of course, she hadnt missed some intensive training. There was no email that could explain how to do this, leaving teachers like Naomi feeling like they were navigating this for the first time on their own.

naomi fuentes Ugh, I dont I feel very inadequate. I feel like Im not doing well at all. And I dont know. I dont know what the secret is. Thats what is killing me, because Im them. You know, Im these kids.

annie brown

Like a lot of her students, growing up, no one in Naomis family had been to college. And now she teaches students who need a little extra support in getting there. And she knows how the small things, like having a connection with just one teacher, can make the difference.

naomi fuentes I feel bad. Because usually, I know a lot about all of them. And I dont this year. Like, if I were just to see them in front of me, Id be like, who are you? Because Ive just seen your picture. You know, and thats sad. Its the magic is not happening. This is not what teaching is. I I dont know. I have that imposter syndrome, like OK, I dont ever think of myself that way, that Im great or Im good. But this has kind brought it out in a open, like, see, youre really not that good of a teacher. Because, look, you cant even adjust to virtual teaching. So yeah. Thats my thought right now. annie brown Mm-hmm. Do you have the sense that other teachers are also struggling? naomi fuentes Yes, I do. But I dont I dont know. Even though I know theyre struggling I do, I know theyre struggling I still feel like Im not Im still not as good as them. annie brown Yeah. naomi fuentes But I do try to you know, I do try to be positive. Like, Im all about things will get better, this is just temporary. And as soon as you figure it out, its yeah. But it is tough. Its tough to have that that mentality right now. annie brown Yeah.

[music]

naomi fuentes Have you already turned it in or is that something you need to talk to the teacher about?

annie brown

In years past, Naomi says that shes seen her role not just as a teacher, but as a kind of counselor to her students, too.

naomi fuentes Are you there?

annie brown

And part of the problem is that now, she doesnt even know whats going on in their lives.

naomi fuentes They wont talk about how theyre feeling. But sometimes when they dont show up, either online or in class, thats when Im like, I wonder if something happened. Because I know oil field is big here. Like, it is so big here. And so I know the majority of the kids, theyre struggling with that. Maybe their dad was laid off of the oil field, or it slowed down like, my husband wasnt laid off, but its slowed down, way down, from what it used to be. Theyre having to deal with that, having to make extra money for their parents. A lot of them are having to work. A lot of them log in from work, if their job lets them.

annie brown

How do you know that kids are working jobs?

naomi fuentes Well, I could see them when they log in. Im like, where are you? And theyre like, oh, Im at work. Because theres stuff happening in the background. Theyre not in a quiet, still place. I did ask. Like, I did go through and ask all of them. And so I did like a little survey. Im like, hey, do you work? Where do you work? How many hours a week do you work? annie brown How unusual is it to have kids working? Like, was this happening like that before Covid? naomi fuentes No, I dont think so. I dont remember these many many kids working. Definitely not during the day. Yeah, no, definitely not. joanna lopez I would go into work. I would clock in at 12:00 in the afternoon. And so Im already in the class. The classes that I dont have to have my camera on or my microphone on, I would just like have my earbud in, and I kind of hide my phone and be in class, and then still be working, be making the smoothies or taking peoples orders.

annie brown

For kids like Joanna Lopez, a senior at Odessa High School, the problem with working your first job during class time is that its hard to listen to your econ class while trying to remember how to make a Mango Magic.

joanna lopez I always mix up these two orders, which is the Bye-Bye and the Berrylicious, because they sound the same. And they look the same. There was this one time. It was like really busy, And there was a lot of people waiting on their order. And I think I was supposed to be making a Bye-Bye. Instead, I was making a Berrylicious. And that one has like the meal powder, and like it has protein and everything. And a lot of people are picky about that. There were still people in line screaming at me. I was trying to listen to my teacher. It was just it was a lot. It was stressful that day. annie brown Did your colleagues know? joanna lopez Yes. Because they were also in school.

[laughs]

annie brown

Joanna is one of the students who opted to go remote this year, who was balancing work and school simultaneously. She was 17 when we first started our calls with her.

annie brown Hello, Joanna. joanna lopez Hi. annie brown Is it real light outside there? joanna lopez Yes. annie brown That is amazing.

annie brown

She would sit cross-legged on her bed after school, her dark straight hair parted down the middle, frequently checking for notifications from the many group chats shes on, and sounding a lot like any teenager bored with her hometown.

joanna lopez Theres not a lot of things to do here in Odessa. Basically, the only thing there is to do is like the mall, or just go to Target and walk around and see where you can find.

annie brown

And when she talks about growing up in Odessa, its clear that her life has been tied to the cycles of boom and bust that define the city.

joanna lopez My dad, ever since I was little, he moved from company to company, but he would be doing the same thing.

annie brown

She remembers her dad coming home from his job in the oil field, his boots smelling of oil. And she remembers noticing when she was 11 or 12 that the industry seemed to be taking off.

joanna lopez I mean, there was a point where it was this really big thing where we got a lot of oil. And so people were making a lot of money. And thats when people were starting to come here for the money. My dad had gotten a raise. And I think he got in a higher position. So he was making pretty good money. So we were at a very comfortable spot. annie brown How did you know that things were more comfortable? joanna lopez Yeah, we used to live in a trailer park in like a duplex. But then there was like a trailer park behind us. So it wasnt really like a good neighborhood to live in, because there was a lot of stuff going on. So when my dad got that raise, we were looking into houses, and we found one.

annie brown

They moved into a one-story red brick house with an awning over the front door. Joanna was excited to have her own room for the first time.

annie brown Did you move to this house that youre in? joanna lopez Yes. I used to think it was so big.

annie brown

And she remembers a shift in the familys approach to everyday things.

joanna lopez We didnt really worry about going to the store and be like, we cant afford this, or we might not have enough. And so I guess thats when I realized, like, were good.

annie brown

And this is how things had been for the family for the last few years. Things felt possible. Joanna had been talking about becoming the first member of her family to complete college, to become a psychologist or a veterinarian. But this, of course, was only one half of the boom-bust cycle. And Odessans are all too familiar with the other half.

archived recording Its like someone hit the switch, and all of a sudden layoffs already start, all of a sudden the city starts to slow down. And you can literally feel it.

annie brown

Workers skip town. And For Sale signs appear on lawns and in the windows of shops.

archived recording I think what were in right now is kind of an emotional freefall. Id like to have it over with. Could we please get to where the bottom is?

annie brown

The cycle is so familiar to Odessans, that after a particularly bad bust in the 80s, a bumper sticker became popular in town that read, God grant me one more oil boom, and I promise not to screw it up.

archived recording U.S. oil prices plunged below zero on Monday, hitting a new record low. A penny a barrel. I mean, this is something that most people on the street didnt even think was possible. Never seen anything like it. It closed at negative $37 per barrel. Wow.

annie brown

But coupled with the public health crisis, nothing had prepared Odessa for the kind of economic devastation the pandemic brought over the summer. The sharp decline in demand for oil and the citys dependency on it meant that as the American economy was shutting down in response to the pandemic, Odessas was cratering.

archived recording As of June, we have the highest unemployment rate in the State of Texas. The unemployment rate tonight is the highest in the state sitting at 13 percent, just a stark difference from where we were just a few months ago having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. joanna lopez I think I was like in my room doing homework. And my dad came home early. He was just, like, you know, sad. I kind of just overhear the conversations, because my room is like right next to the living room. So I kind of just overheard. annie brown Do you remember what you heard? joanna lopez I just remember my dad telling my mom that he got laid off, and that hes going to try to get in unemployment. But he was struggling a lot with that. So he was like, might as well just try to look for another job. annie brown How did you feel overhearing that in your room? joanna lopez I mean, seeing my dad sad kind of made me sad. I guess thats when I also realized, like, this Covid thing is very serious. You know, they also kind of told me like, you need to start working also. And so thats when I started looking for a job.

annie brown

It was late spring when things started getting tight for the Lopez family. So Joanna began working at the smoothie shop to help pay for her car. And when the summer ended and Joanna had a choice to make about whether to go back in-person or stay home, she chose to stay home and started signing into classes from behind the smoothie bar.

annie brown How do you learn anything if youre not actually in the class? joanna lopez I would say I didnt really learn anything. I was kind of there for my attendance. I kind of do struggle a lot with keeping up with my schoolwork. So I feel like it would have been easier for me to go to school. Yeah, its very hard for me to try to keep up. And so Im just struggling.

annie brown

Joanna said she had started turning in assignments late or not at all.

annie brown Do you have a sense that other kids are also turning in stuff late? joanna lopez Yes. I see it all over Snapchat. annie brown Like, how does it show up on Snapchat? joanna lopez Like, they would post their grades. Im like, thats not something to post. I wouldnt post my grades. I would be embarrassed. I mean, theyre not ashamed. Good for them, but annie brown Do you feel shame? joanna lopez Sometimes I do. Because I feel like Im not working hard enough. annie brown Is that what you think the problem is, that youre not working hard enough? joanna lopez Maybe. But then, I dont I cant find the motivation to sit down and actually do my schoolwork. annie brown Uh-huh. joanna lopez Like, you kind of just like lay down in bed on your phone and like, Ill just do it later.

annie brown

At the end of the first six weeks of school, Superintendent Scott Muri started to get some actual data back about how kids across the district were doing academically.

scott muri The grading period ends in a couple of weeks. And so were seeing some data that is a bit disturbing. The learning is not happening in a way that it should.

annie brown

And what it showed was that what Joanna and the students and Ms. Fuentess class were experiencing was happening across the district. The in-person teaching seemed to be helping, but only to an extent.

scott muri So the failure rate is higher among our virtual kids than it is face-to-face. And thats simply because theyre not turning in assignments. We have to continue to exhaust every pathway to figure out how we cut the learning losses for kids and accelerate learning a bit more.

annie brown

It was striking that for a school that had reopened, six weeks into the school year the problems they were facing were not about the health risks posed by the kids who came back, but about the learning loss, especially for students who chose to stay home. It wasnt clear what Scott would try and do to change things.

scott muri But we have to give extra attention to our seniors this year to keep them engaged. Some of them are so close that they may or may not graduate.

annie brown

What was missing for so many students was the motivation.

scott muri Those seniors that need extra motivation in order to come to school every day, and in this case in order to turn their computer on, sometimes for those seniors, the motivator is a teacher in the building, or it is the social interaction that they have in the building, or it is the extracurricular that they engage with in the building. And for some of those kids that are at risk, that doesnt exist.

annie brown

They were missing the points of connection.

scott muri And Im afraid it may be a bit easier for those kids just to drop out or fall off the radar. And that is disturbing. This cannot be a reason that our kids fall further and further behind their peers.

annie brown

But there was one thing that was motivating Joanna to come to school every day the same thing that would lead her to being on a bus headed to a stadium on a crisp October Friday.

joanna lopez I love band so much.

[crowd cheering]

[band music]

annie brown

Coming up on Odessa

archived recording Well, our high Covid numbers are triggering some changes around Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.

annie brown

While the city faces a growing health crisis

archived recording The I.C.U. at Odessa Regional Medical Center in Odessa, Texas is at its capacity with Covid-19 patients.

annie brown

we continue following the school districts experiment.

speaker Right now were seeing some things that we dont like. The number of cases is on the rise in our community.

annie brown

and the debate, not just over reopening schools

speaker Its the third down.

annie brown

but restarting the football season.

speaker Tackle made by number one, Brandon Manning

[whistle blows]

speaker This specific area I think you have seen Friday Night Lights, right? So you know this specific area, how important high school football is. I dont think theres any part of this world where its as important as it is in West Texas. Think that there were too many people invested too heavily in that to actually be able to shut down something that big. So make sure thats part of what you guys are thinking about and what that means to them. annie brown Sure. speaker How much that means to them.

annie brown

Yeah. We will. We will make sure not to miss that.

speaker Its a Bronco horse-down.

[crowd cheers]

[music]

annie brown
HOMEWOOD, Ala. (AP)  State regulators have suspended the alcohol license of a Birmingham-area bar over alleged violations of the states pandemic health order in what an official described as the first such case under COVID-19 rules.

Regulators accused Grocery Brewpub in Homewood of violating rules about face mask requirements, occupancy limits and social distancing, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control spokesman Dean Argo said Thursday. The emergency suspension, issued Tuesday, was Alabama's first license suspension linked to a failure to enforce health rules meant to slow the spread of the virus, he said.

Argo said inspectors visited the business after receiving several complaints, including one that included a photograph circulated on social media showing a huge, unmasked crowd at the bar. ABC staff met with the management to discuss the problem, Argo said, and they returned Friday night to see the same situation despite the earlier discussion.

Bar owner Rayford Cook told WBMA-TV, which first reported the suspension, that his business was cited for violating Alabama's mask ordinance, which requires facial coverings in public.

I look forward to our upcoming hearing regarding this matter and addressing it so we can provide a safe environment for patrons to enjoy in the future, Cook said in a statement.

A hearing is expected in April, but the business cannot serve alcohol until then.

"Once a hearing takes place, a decision will be made as to whether or not the suspension will be continued or lifted," Argo said.

More than 490,000 people in Alabama have been tested positive for the new coronavirus, state statistics show, and more than 9 ,740 had died of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. An order which has been in place since July requires face masks in public when within 6 feet (2 meters) of someone from another household.



New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Centre-run Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh has cautioned that the severity of Covid-19 may be returning since the hospital has admitted almost double the number of such cases in the last ten days.

The premiere institute said that the number of infected patients, that was consistently diminishing since and had been stable for over a month, is now seeing a surge. While speaking to IANS, Prof. (Dr.) Jagat Ram, director, PGIMER, said the surge reflects the situation on the ground which suggests that the severity in Covid cases is creeping back in the northern states.

"We have seen close to 100 per cent increase in hospitalisations of the patients coming from Chandigarh and surrounding northern states such as Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The caseload from these areas, which was diminishing for quite a sometime, has started to resurface. However, the alarming part is that these cases have come in a situation which could not be managed at home. Their disease condition is severe in nature," he informed.

The trend has reversed recently in the institute with numbers again rising on a daily basis. Over a week, the number of patents rose from 30 to 57, making it a close to 100 per cent increase in Covid-19 positivity here. Worryingly, all the cases admitted were in a serious condition.

Exploring the plausible reasons behind the surge, he said that the role of undetected or recently reported Indian strains of Covid-19 should not be neglected in the scenario of mounting cases here, which he believes is highly transmissible with increased virulence. "Though yet not known, these strains assume to be fast-spreading and would result in higher mortality and this rise in numbers could convert into a second wave, which we must prevent with collective efforts," Ram added.

Besides, he also said the lax attitude of the people towards Covid appropriate behaviour is riding the stride. The relaxed attitude of people towards hygiene, social distancing and masking is definitely a reason behind the surge. Covid was not over, yet they perceived it as its end," he explained.

Ram said that it is crucial to control the situation so that it does not turn into another wave. "Focus should be on the maximum number of tests, tracking the contacts, containment measures and strict adherence to Covid protocols," he suggested.

Ram also added that genome sequencing of the positive samples should be done in greater numbers to find out if any mutation is causing rise in cases.

Like several states, the twin capital of Punjab and Haryana too has been witnessing a surge in the Covid-19 cases. There has been an increase of 66 per cent in the active case in the last 15 days as Chandigarh logged 168 active cases on February 9 which rose to 279 on Thursday. The daily reported cases also soared from 14 to 49 in the same duration.

Dr. K.K. Talwar, health advisor to the Punjab government also said that mutation in the virus could be a probable reason behind the sudden spike in cases. "The trend definitely raises a suspicion about mutation playing a role in the rise, however, nothing concrete could be inferred without a confirmed data," he added.

Talwar said that samples collected across the state have been sent to CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi for sequencing and the results are awaited.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Israel is among the first nations in the world to have a majority of its citizens vaccinated against the new coronavirus. That effort may be already paying off, with rates of severe COVID-19 cases declining by two-thirds among Israelis over the age of 69, a new report finds.

"These findings provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe cases of COVID-19," say public health researchers led by Yair Lewis, of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer-Sheva, Israel.

They report their findings Feb. 26 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a journal of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With its 9 million people and highly organized, well-supplied COVID-19 vaccine rollout program, many see Israel as a harbinger of what's to come for other, larger countries once vaccines have been delivered into the arms of most citizens.

Like other nations, Israel has been hit hard by SARS-CoV-2: More than 700,000 cases and 5,200 deaths had been reported as of Feb. 9, Lewis' team said.

But beginning Dec. 20, Israel began a massive vaccination campaign, prioritizing older Israelis.

By early February, two doses of the highly effective Pfizer vaccine had been delivered to 84% of all Israelis age 70 and older, the research team said.

How is that success impacting the health of older Israelis?

To find out, Lewis' group compared rates of severe, life-threatening COVID-19 (requiring use of a ventilator) in people over the age of 69 with that of patients aged at or under 50 years. By Feb. 9, only about 10% of these younger Israelis had gotten both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

They report that in the fallprior to the vaccine rolloutfor every one COVID-19 patient under 50 with severe COVID-19, there were about six more aged 70 or older who were hooked up to the lifesaving machines.

But by Feb. 9, that ratio had dropped dramatically, so that for every 1 young patient with severe COVID-19, there were about 2 aged 70 or over. That's a 67% drop overall.

And the hope is that as vaccines reach the bulk of younger Israelis, numbers of severe COVID-19 cases will continue to fall among all age groups.

Lewis' group stressed that it took more than just vaccines to keep SARS-CoV-2 transmission down.

"Non-pharmaceutical interventions have included three national stay-at-home orders, multiple rounds of school closures, restrictions on commercial activity and travel, and a mask mandate, among others," Lewis' group noted.

But the Pfizer vaccine's high effectiveness has also been key. Indeed, on Feb. 19, Pfizer said its latest datafrom 9,000 employees at Israel's largest hospitalsuggests that just one dose of its vaccine may provide 85% protection against SARS-CoV-2.

More information: There's more on COVID-19 vaccination at the There's more on COVID-19 vaccination at the CDC SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Feb. 26, 2021 Journal information: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

At Cape Coast Castle on the shores of the Ghanaian city, a sordid history belies its beauty.

The castle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a former slave-trade outpost, is home to the so-called "Door of No Return," through which millions of Africans were forced onto slave ships bound for the United States.

PHOTO: Shown in this Dec. 1, 2010, file photo, is the 'Door of No Return' at Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, a fortress used to confine slaves in Ghana before they were shipped abroad. (Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

"Even though you may not know the exact village you come from, the township you come from, the clan -- the family -- you come from, you can be assured that this is one of the last places that our ancestors touched before leaving these shores," said Rabbi Kohain Halevi, a board member of the Diaspora African Forum, a nonprofit that in part helps connect visitors to their ancestral history.

Hundreds of years after those fateful voyages, millions of the descendants of those slaves have been returning to the castle -- creating a full-circle moment.

PHOTO: 'Ghana has been the gateway for millions of Africans who were taken away from this soil,' Rabbi Kohain Halevi, of the Diaspora African Forum, which in part helps to connect visitors to their ancestral history. (ABC News)

"That's why they say it's the 'Door of No Return,' because they believed at that time that if they erased all these things from ourselves, that we'd never find our way back home," Halevi said. "But look at the resiliency of the African spirit, and look at who you and I are -- that we made our way back home."

Watch the full story on "Nightline" TONIGHT at 12:35 a.m. ET on ABC.

Actor Boris Kodjoe is best known for his work on screen in films like "Brown Sugar" and the ABC TV series "Station 19," but when he's off screen, he says his mission is much bigger: bringing the Black diaspora back to Africa.

"When you walk the paths of the dungeons at these slave castles, whether it's Elmina or Cape Coast, you feel the spirits of your ancestors," Kodjoe said. "You feel the suffering and the pain and just the atrocities that took place there, and you realize at that moment that you're not a descendant of slaves, but you're a descendant of survivors."

"To survive the cruelty of the dungeons, to survive the cruelty of the ships and then to survive the terror and the pain of slavery infuses you with so much strength and also commitment to never give up," he added.

Story continues

PHOTO: Actor Boris Kodjoe speaks to 'Nightline' about visiting the slave castles in Ghana, and the impact it had on him. (ABC News )

The 47-year-old actor, who was born in Vienna to a Ghanaian father and Austrian mother, co-founded the Essence Full Circle Festival in 2018, which coordinates trips for descendants of slaves to visit and invest in Africa. For him, the mission was personal.

"My background is different from a lot of African Americans, since my father is from Ghana.  So my roots, I never had to retrace. I'm very clear on what my family tree looks like, and that knowledge fills you with pride, but it also fills you with a sense of identity, a sense of culture, heritage," Kodjoe said.

It's this exact sense of empowerment that he seeks to share with the Black community.

Kodjoe helped organize two trips back to Ghana in 2018 and 2019 for Black Hollywood stars, influencers and entrepreneurs to "reconnect with their ancestry," he said. Among those invited were "Black-ish" star Anthony Anderson, supermodel Naomi Campbell and "The Wire" star Idris Elba.

MORE: What America owes: How reparations would look and who would pay

The Full Circle Festival took guests to places with significance to the slave trade in Ghana, including the Door of No Return, the Assin Manso Slave River and Jamestown -- the oldest district in the nation's capital, Accra.

"Observing friends who were part of this pilgrimage, if you will, reconnect with their ancestry has been the most overwhelming and just fulfilling experience," Kodjoe said. "To see, in their eyes, the realization that their ancestry gives them roots and a sense of belonging and therefore a sense of purpose, [it] is such an important experience that you want everybody to have that experience."

PHOTO: Visitors gather on August 18, 2019, at Cape Coast Castle, in Ghana, outside the 'Door of No Return', through which enslaved Africans were loaded as cargo onto the ships that took them across the Atlantic to the Americas. (Natalija Gormalova/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Guests were told about their ancestors' history and given tours of Ghana's neighborhoods and beaches. They were also welcomed at President Nana Akufo-Addo's home for a reception dinner.

"There's a lot of history that's shared between the continent and the diaspora, if you will. So to me, Full Circle Festival represents the honoring of our ancestry but also the realization that we have to build this bridge between the diaspora and the continent in order to address those generational traumas that we have suffered on both continents," Kodjoe said.

A large part of the festival involves being honest about those traumas and examining the lingering emotional and economic effects of colonialism.

"There is this disparity that has been carried from one generation to the next over hundreds and hundreds of years," Kodjoe explained. "The goal is to first acknowledge our history and realize that this generational wealth didn't just appear but it was systematically prepared, and there were mechanisms put in place to ensure that certain people were at an advantage and others weren't."

In the United States, the median and mean wealth of Black families is 15% less than that of a white families, according to a 2019 survey from the Federal Reserve.

MORE: Inaugural event to celebrate resiliency of Black Americans

The wealth gap has been growing, according to the Brookings Institute, said in a 2020 report that the ratio of white family wealth to Black family wealth is higher today than it was at the start of the century -- a result in part of white families inheriting wealth.

Kodjoe says there are "actually certain steps we can undertake, collectively, to reduce that wealth gap and to make things right."

A large part of Kodjoe's efforts have been to rectify false narratives about Africa that persist to this day.

"We've been told so many lies in the past hundred years about Africa that have kept us from it," he said. "This newfound excitement and interest has ignited a wave of not just tourism but people coming to Africa to experience, not just the culture, but also investing in Africa."

PHOTO: Rabbi Kohain Halevi is a board member of the Diaspora African Forum, which in part helps connect visitors to their ancestral history. (ABC News)

"The traditional narrative about Africa has been dominated by poverty, war, corruption, mass exodus to Europe," he added. "There's vibrancy and music and food and people and sights, and there's tremendous potential in terms of economic development."

In 2019, Akufo-Addo called for the descendants of slaves to visit the country and commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which he triumphantly called "The Year of Return."

Tourism boomed in Ghana that year, with nearly a million tourists touching down -- most of them hailing from the U.S.

Experts say ancestry DNA tests are a driving force behind some of the travel. The United States has also seen a racial reckoning unfold over the last few years, with protests across the country decrying racism and police brutality. The heightened focus on the Black identity has also contributed to a wave of interest in descendants' African roots.

MORE: Stocks are soaring, and most Black people are missing out

Full Circle Festival has done more than just reconnect visitors with their past, too; it's reinvested in Africa as well, already generating over $1 billion toward the local economy.

"Full Circle Festival started changing the narrative about Africa, specifically Ghana," Kodjoe said. "We noticed that after just one year, we had helped stimulate the economy by $1.9 billion, and that was of utmost importance to show people the diversity and the vibrancy and the potential for not just tourism but business in Africa."

Since moving to Ghana over two decades ago, Rabbi Halevi has guided newcomers through monuments of the past.

"Ghana has been the gateway for millions of Africans that were taken away from this soil to various parts of the diaspora throughout the last couple of centuries, and now we find that has reversed," he said. "Ghana is now a gateway for hundreds of thousands, and hopefully millions, of Africans in the diaspora to return back to Mother Africa, through the gateway of Ghana."

PHOTO: Rabbi Kohain Halevi talks about the meaning of removing one's shoes when walking up to the Assin Manso Slave River site. (ABC News )

One place he takes visitors is the Assin Manso Slave River site, where Africans from various parts of the continent had their "last bath" on their native land before being sold into servitude.

"Our ancestors believe if you walked barefoot with it, you're connected all the time with its strength and its power," Halevi told a group of tourists.

"How many people will lay on this ground to get the strength of mother earth back in your body. That's where the strength comes from.  We take our shoes off at the river, bathe in the river," he added.

PHOTO: Tourists stand at the Assin Manso Slave River site, where soon-to-be enslaved Africans had their 'last bath' on their native land. (ABC News)

Halevi praised the influx of visitors to Ghana, saying, "Africa is a place we can also come and enjoy. It's not a place of agony and pain, sickness and starvation. It's a place that is on the rise as the place is being rebuilt after centuries of devastation and for sons and daughters having been ripped from her womb."

"Africa is on the rise and African people are also ascending," he added.

Kodjoe said he hopes that these trips will change how the world views and engages with Africa.

"The goal is to continue to change that narrative and engage with the diaspora, build a bridge between the diaspora and the continent, which then hopefully will result in more economic development investment," he said.

Black Americans reconnect with roots in emotional trips to Ghana's 'Door of No Return' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The inability to disagree or offer a dissenting opinion is holding people back in their careers and contributing to workplace accidents and business failures.

Thats according to Professor Connson Locke who lectures in the department of management at the London School of Economics.

In her new book, Making Your Voice Heard, to be published by Endeavour on March 4, she explores social psychology research and offers advice on how to have more influence in the workplace. She says groupthink has contributed to businesses making the wrong decisions  because those with the right answers had been too scared to speak up. She says the constructive expression of dissenting views and disagreement about the way work tasks are done can be healthy for an organisation. But personal conflict was not helpful.

We can disagree on this task but not take it personally, she said.
According to The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management in Southern Africa, when it comes to reaping the benefits of supply chain optimisation - including efficiency enhancements and cost savings - SMMEs are being left behind because they lack the necessary skills and resources.
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The Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality, human rights violations and related offences has given an update concerning the 23 cases before it.

The chairman of the panel, Akin Oladimeji, a retired judge, told journalists in Osogbo on Friday that while some of the cases have been concluded, others are still being investigated.

Mr Oladimeji told journalists the panel is committed to ensuring fairness and equity in all the petitions brought before it.

Speaking on the cases, he said we struck out 12 cases out of 23 cases that we have concluded and three cases had reached the final address stage, while eight cases are pending for hearing and further hearing.

Asked why the panel has not awarded compensation to any petitioner, he said, it is conventional to complete all the cases before awarding compensations.

Meanwhile, a petitioner, Adegoke Raheem, withdrew his petition before the panel, saying he wants to settle the matter out of court.

Mr Raheem has earlier claimed that he was beaten up by Dayo Ezekiel, a police superintendent. He said the officer punched him for no reason on October 2, 2020 while exiting a motor-park around Oke-Baale, Osogbo.

But on Friday, his counsel, Michael Akinwande, said his client had settled the matter amicably following an agreement by the officer to formally apologise to him.

Mark Schack speaking to Fox 5 on Wednesday 24 February 2021 ((Fox 5))

A teachers aide in Maryland will not face charges after he was filmed masturbating during a Zoom call with a class of eighth graders.

Marc Schack, an assistant for special education students at Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was placed on administrative leave on Monday after the footage that was filmed at the end of a history lesson was shared online.

The 13-second clip allegedly showed Mr Schack looking at the screen, before standing up, turning away from his laptop and beginning to masturbate.

Mr Schacks name was on the screen as the host of the Zoom call, but seconds after he stood up, another name appeared replacing him as the moderator.

The teachers aide told Fox 5 that he was unaware of the video when he was placed on administrative leave, as he claimed he was informed that the school had misplaced his background check file.

Mr Schack added that he only discovered the reason for the action when he was contacted by reporters on Wednesday.

The teachers aide, who has worked for Montgomery County Public Schools for 21 years, also runs Pirate Magic, a business that throws pirate parties for children in the area.

Following reports of the video, Mr Schack has insisted that he thought the online lesson had ended, telling Bethesda Magazine on Wednesday: I thought I was logged out when class was over.

He added: I had no clue that Zoom was still on. Why would I do that? Thats my job. I had no clue that Zoom was on. I mean, thats just crazy behaviour.

Mr Schack claimed that he thought he was in the privacy of his residence at the time, saying: Im not a pervert or anything like that, you know. You gotta believe me on that, and adding: Im only human. It was my bad.

Shady Grove principal, Alana Murray, wrote to parents earlier in the week to confirm that a staff member had engaged in inappropriate behaviour.

Ms Murray added: We ask that any student who may have this video posted on social media platforms take down the content and refrain from sharing with other students.

Story continues

A district spokesperson told the New York Post on Thursday that an employee had been placed on administrative leave, as an investigation is ongoing into inappropriate behaviour that was sexual in nature earlier in the week.

Per our procedures, we do not release the names of staff members that are under investigation, the spokesperson continued, adding: Local authorities were informed and are investigating as well.

However, Montgomery County police spokesman Rick Goodale confirmed to Bethesda Magazine on Thursday that Mr Schack will not face charges as his alleged behaviour did not rise to the level of a criminal offence under Maryland law.

The Independent has contacted Montgomery County Public Schools and Pirate Magic for comment.

Read More

New Yorker reporter Jeffrey Toobin fired after exposing himself on Zoom call

Im gonna f**k you up: Entire California school board resigns after being caught disparaging parents on Zoom
Veteran trainer, driver and owner Jim Gluhm, 77, of Trenton, Florida died at home on February 11, 2021.

Mr. Gluhm was born in Hamilton, Ohio on July 28, 1943 to Dr. Charles and Helen Gluhm. Jim's father was a veterinarian in Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Jim started his career in harness racing after high school and a short stint in college working for one of his mentors, Charlie King. Mr. Gluhm was then drafted into the Army in 1965 where his appointment was at Fort Sam, Houston, TX looking after the Modern Pentathlon stable of horses. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1967 he returned working for Charlie King, racing horses from New York to California. Among Mr. Gluhm's other mentors helping him along the way in his young career were his long-time friends John Patterson, Bruce Nickells and Eldon Harner.

Mr. Gluhm opened his public stable in the late 1970's racing along the East coast and quickly found success with young stakes horses specializing with trotters. He was instrumental in selecting and developing young talents including 1986 Hambletonian Oaks and 1985 and 1986 two time Breeders Crown winner Jefs Spice, who went on to win over $2 million Internationally. He also developed back-to-back 1983 and 1984 million-dollar Peter Haughton winners, Why Not ($823,108) and Another Miracle ($906,314) along with standouts Jazz Cosmos ($701,568), Nearly Perfect ($630,327) and 1991 Goldsmith Maid winner, My Starlet. Mr. Gluhm trained Tabor Lobell as a four-year-old, finishing third in The 1987 International Trot and came back to follow up with a win in The Challenge Cup at Roosevelt Raceway. There were many sire stakes and sire stake finals won through the years as well. Mr. Gluhm's success was a benefit of having wonderful owners that loved harness racing.

Mr. Gluhm and his wife Dottie purchased parcels of The Castleton Farm of Florida in Trenton in the late 1980's where they developed a small broodmare band and stood some stallions that were prominent in the Florida program through the 1990's and 2000's. One of the horses during that time was their homebred Basil, who is a Florida Hall of Fame Sire.

Jim loved life and felt that he had a good one, and said "It was a good ride." Cheers.

Mr. Gluhm is survived by his two daughters, Kimberlie (Jeff) Miller, Annette Davis (Brett Carachi) and his Brother David Gluhm. He also leaves behind many people whom he was honoured to call friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to a local chapter of The American Legion to benefit our Military Veterans and their families.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Jim Gluhm.



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A bill to legalize and regulate medical marijuana in Alabama is now in the hands of the House of Representatives, where it will go through an extra step before coming up for a vote.

House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said today the House will send the bill through both the Judiciary and Health committees. Its rare for a bill to go through more than one committee before coming to the House floor.

Were going to take our time, McCutcheon said this afternoon after lawmakers completed the third week of the legislative session. Were going to go through the bill page-by-page.

The Senate passed the 86-page bill on Wednesday. Its the third time the Senate has passed medical marijuana legislation by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence. Alabama would become the 37th state to allow products made from marijuana to be used for medical purposes.

Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic killed any chance Melsons bill had in the House. In 2019, the House rewrote his bill to create a study commission. The commission, made up of doctors, lawyers, and other professionals, held a series of meetings in 2019 and voted 12-3, with three abstentions, to recommend legislation. Read the commissions report.

There are still a lot of questions about it, McCutcheon said. Is this just a stepping stone to legalize marijuana in the state? Thats a huge question. And I know in some ways, we cant answer that question. But we can look at the bill and make sure that its tight enough to make sure that it deals only with the medical treatment part of using the drug itself.

McCutcheon said there are also questions about the list of conditions a doctor could recommend medical marijuana for.

Melson, a medical researcher and anesthesiologist, said he opposes recreational marijuana use. Patients would receive a cannabis card and be registered. It would be a felony to divert medical marijuana products from the patient to others.

Melson said he is convinced based on evidence and experiences in other states that doctors should be able to recommend medical marijuana to help people who have not found relief from symptoms such as chronic pain, anxiety, panic disorders, seizures, and weight loss and nausea from cancer or HIV.

Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield, an OB-GYN who has opposed Melsons bill all three years, said it would allow doctors to recommend the products for such a broad range of conditions that anybody could qualify and that would effectively increase recreational marijuana use.

McCutcheon explained the reasons for the two-committee review process.

Youve got the medical treatment component of the bill and I think the Health Committee needs to address those issues, McCutcheon said. The other issue is that were dealing with a drug that right now the federal government has not even put its stamp of approval on, although theres been many states that have approved this for medical reasons. We just want to make sure that as far as the legal aspect this is covered. And we want to make sure theres no loopholes there or anything that we may have missed.

Melsons bill, called the Compassion Act, would create an Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee a seed-to-sale program to regulate the cultivation, production, testing, transportation, and use of medical marijuana products. A 9% sales tax and license fees would fund the program.

Medical cannabis could come in tablets, capsules, gelatin cubes, oils, patches, and suppositories. The bill would not allow the use of raw plant material, products that could be smoked or food products containing cannabis.
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has ousted four of its churches, two for forming policies that are considered to be too welcoming of the LGBT community, while the other two for hiring pastors who were sex offenders.

According to the Associated Press, the announcement was made on Tuesday, during the SBC executive committee's two-day meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.

St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky and Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Georgia were expelled due to their LGBTQ inclusion issues.

Rev. Jim Conrad of Towne View Baptist Church said that he plans to affiliate with The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which aligns with the church's perspective on LGBT community. The church started welcoming LGBTQ in October 2019 when Pastor Conrad allowed a gay couple with adopted children, who asked to attend their services.

"The alternative would have been to say, 'We're probably not ready for this,' but I couldn't do that," Pastor Conrad said.

Similarly, St. Matthews Baptist was ousted due to its policy that features LGBTQ inclusion for its members, stating that "a belief in Jesus as personal Savior is the sole criterion for membership in our Church."

The church said that SBC's decision does not change its commitment to carry out what God has called them to do in "worship and spiritual growth."

On the other hand, West Side Baptist Church in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania and Antioch Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tennessee were both ousted for employing pastors who were involved in sexual misconduct activities.

John Randy Leming Jr. of Antioch Baptist Church was convicted of two counts of statutory rape in 1998, when he was ministering in Shiloh Baptist Church in Sevier County in 1994.

In the same way, West Side Baptist Church's pastor, David Pearson, has a history of inappropriate sexual behavior. He was registered as a sex-offender in Florida for sexually assaulting a child in Texas in 1993.

West Side acknowledges Pearson's troubled past on their website, saying that "Pastor David lived as a great sinner and rebel" but he has found his salvation through Jesus Christ. And that he "has gone from disgrace to amazing grace and now has served the Lord Jesus Christ at West Side for 18 years."

The meeting also brought up a report about SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission president, Rev. Russell Moore. Moore reportedly criticized Trump and supported the current administration's stand on immigration policy, matters that dismayed some of SBC's conservatives. But the committee did not take an action on the report, declining to do something that would silence Moore.

In the meeting, SBC President J.D. Greear and executive committee president Ronnie Floyd have warned against divisions over critical issues, which they said are damaging the organization.

"This sound of war in the camp of Southern Baptists is concerning to me, and I know it is also concerning to many of you. While we hear and see how the American culture is so out of control, my friends, our own culture within the Southern Baptist family is also out of control," Floyd said.

"In this fever-pitch environment, each of us needs to be very careful with the words we write, speak, tweet or post. As SBC leaders and followers of Jesus, our public behavior matters," he further said.

Greear, on the other hand, tackled the race issue in the organization.

"We should mourn when closet racists and neo-Confederates feel more at home in our churches than do many of our people of color," Greear stated in his opening speech.

Several black pastors have reportedly left the SBC and the organization has also been criticized for electing six seminary presidents, who are all white.

"The reality is that if we in the SBC had shown as much sorrow for the painful legacy that racism and discrimination has left in our country as we have passion to decry CRT, we probably wouldn't be in this mess," he also said.

During the meeting, SBC has reportedly adopted an expansion plan called Vision 2025. The plan seeks to increase its full time international missionaries to 4,200, raise the number of its congregation by 5,000 and improve the record of teenagers being baptized.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Supreme Court on Friday held that malicious complaints levelled by a wife against her husband, damaging his reputation, amount to mental cruelty against the husband for the purpose of seeking divorce.

A bench, headed by Justice S.K. Kaul and comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy, said the Uttarakhand High Court committed error, as it described couple's broken relationship as "normal wear and tear" of the middle class.

The bench noted that the explanation of the wife that she made those complaints in order to protect the matrimonial ties would not, in its view, justify the persistent effort made by her to undermine the dignity and reputation of the husband.

"It is a definite case of cruelty inflicted by the respondent (wife) against the appellant (husband) and as such, enough justification is found to set aside the impugned judgment of the High Court and to restore the order passed by the Family Court," it said in the judgment.

Citing these circumstances, the bench said the wronged party cannot be expected to continue with the matrimonial relationship and there is enough justification for him to seek separation. It emphasised that the allegations are levelled by a highly educated spouse and they do have the propensity to irreparably damage the character and reputation of the husband.

The man, who is in the Army, moved the top court seeking divorce, alleging mental cruelty by his wife who is holding a faculty position in a government PG College.

The bench noted that husband suffered adverse consequences in his life and career following the allegations made by his wife. "The legal consequences must follow and those cannot be prevented only because no court has determined that the allegations were false," it said.

The High Court, however, felt that without any definite finding on the credibility of the wife's allegation, the wronged spouse would be disentitled to relief. But the top court said: "This is not found to be the correct way to deal with the issue." The bench noted that the materials in the present case reveal that the wife had made several defamatory complaints to the husband's superiors in the Army for which a Court of inquiry was held by the Army authorities against the appellant, and his career progress got affected.

"The respondent was also making complaints to other authorities, such as the State Commission for Women and has posted defamatory materials on other platforms. The net outcome of above is that the appellant's career and reputation had suffered," it said.

The couple had got married in 2006 and lived together for few months, but differences emerged then and they began to live separately since 2007. The wife also filed a petition against the husband for restitution of conjugal rights and for resumption of matrimonial life.

"The appellant is accordingly held entitled to dissolution of his marriage and consequently, the respondent's application for restitution of conjugal rights stands dismissed. It is ordered accordingly," the top court said.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney and Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton on Thursday lent their support to a growing movement to strike a clause from the California Constitution allowing for "involuntary servitude" as a form of punishment.

Currently, the state constitution allows for involuntary servitude for the punishment of a crime.

According to Haney's office, the clause was modeled after the U.S. Constitution's 13th amendment, which prohibited the practice of slavery by private citizens and instead transferred the power to state and federal governments in the form of involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes.

Involuntary servitude results in prisoners being paid wages far below the minimum wage and being barred from accessing social security benefits, right afforded to most workers.

Last month, Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager, D-Los Angeles, introduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment 3, seeking to put an end to the constitutional clause. Other states have already taken similar steps to amend their constitutions to explicitly prohibit involuntary servitude.

"The origins of involuntary servitude have never been about rehabilitation or justice. For that reason, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska have all amended their state constitutions to remove language that authorizes involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime, and 12 other states have introduced similar measures," Haney said. "California needs to do the same and eliminate any and all language in our constitution that continues the legacy of slavery and involuntary servitude. I'm proud that San Francisco will be joining this movement to get this on the state ballot and passed as soon as possible."

Walton said, "Incarceration has become the modern from of slavery. You cannot pay people less than a livable wage. Period."

Haney and Walton have both introduced a resolution to support ACA 3. The Board of Supervisors Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Thursday approved the resolution unanimously and it's now set to go to the full Board for a vote at their upcoming meeting.

In addition to supporting ACA 3, the resolution also "denounces structural racism and any vestiges of slavery operating within its jurisdiction," and also calls for a commitment "to create and maintain an equitable, healthy and safe environment for all Californians including those impacted by laws and regulations which have been found outside of the spirit of California."

ACA 3 was crafted with help from the Abolish Bondage Coalition, a grass roots coalition made up of formerly incarcerated people and groups advocating for criminal justice reform, including the Bay Area-based group All of Us or None.

All of Us or None Co-Founder Dorsey Nunn said, "We are not asking people to be soft on crime but just on humanity. We are trying to denounce structural racism and remove ourselves from vestiges of slavery. We are kicking Jim Crow out of the California Construction."

Copyright  2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (left) and, Ambassador of Cuba to St. Vincent and the Grenadines His Excellency Jose Manuel Leyva Ventura, sign the agreement regarding repatriation of criminals.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Cuba have signed an agreement to facilitate the repatriation of criminals to serve their sentences in their home country.





The agreement between the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of Cuba regarding Criminal Sentences, was signed on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at Cabinet Room.





The signing ceremony witnessed Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves and His Excellency Jose Manuel Leyva Ventura, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, declaring the humanitarian intent of the contract.





According to Gonsalves, "This is a further deepening of relationship between both countries.





The agreement facilitates the process of repatriation once a crime has been committed. The Prime Minister, however, noted that this will be permitted only if the person gives consent to the process.





His Excellency Jose Manuel Leyva Ventura also spoke at the ceremony. He said that the signing of the agreement is a special moment for the people of Cuba, and it will serve to strengthen the relationship between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of Cuba.
The Daily Beast

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Photos Linkedin/FacebookThe daughter-in-law of British political and business titan Lord Michael Ashcroft was charged Monday with manslaughter by negligence in the shooting death of a top police officer in Belize.The arraignment of Jasmine Hartin, 38, comes three days after she was initially detainedafter being found spattered with blood on a dock where she and Superintendent Henry Jemmott had been socializing alone after curfew. police said.Jemmott, 42, was found dead in the water with a gunshot wound behind his ear. Police said the weapon used was his service pistol.According to local reports, Hartin suggested to responding officers that Jemmott might have been shot by a passing boat, then stopped cooperating with investigators while one of the countrys top lawyers was retained for her.After he was arraigned Monday night, bail was denied by the magistrate, though she can ask a higher court to release her, according to Belize TV news station Channel 7.UK Billionaires Daughter-in-Law Questioned in Belize Cops DeathBelize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that Hartin provided a statement but he declined to provide details of her account. We cannot say we have a clear understanding of what happened because we were not there, he said.The only two persons who could have said that is the deceased and Ms. Hartin. The deceased is dead. He cannot speak for himself. Dead man carries no tale. Ms. Hartin has given her version of what she said transpired.Hartin, a Canadian who lives in Belize, is the wife of Andrew Ashcroft, the youngest son of Lord Ashcroft. The elder Ashcroft is a billionaire known as a top donor to the U.K. Conservative Party who also has massive business interests in Belize and recently donated a fully equipped gym to the police department.Hartin, who reportedly has two children with the younger Ashcroft, was the director of lifestyle and experience at the Alaia Belize, a luxury resort developed by her husband.Jemmott had five children and was engaged. His family has been demanding answers about what happened on the pier and brushing aside any suggestions that he might have taken his own life.My brother loved life, he loved life. He had passion for his work. He did his work with integrity and that's the way he loved his family as well, his sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul told reporters.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Rakhi Sawant's mother Jaya Sawant is currently in hospital as she is undergoing cancer treatment. The Bigg Boss 14 finalist's mother recently underwent a chemotherapy session in a Mumbai hospital. After learning about her critical condition, many celebrities and fans of Rakhi Sawant sent wishes to her and are praying for her mother's speedy recovery.

Amidst all, Rakhi's mother Jaya Sawant recently had a candid chat with Times of India from the hospital, in which she talked about Bigg Boss 14 and her daughter. Jaya is very sad as her daughter didn't win the show. She said, "Yes, I watched as much as I could. I was very happy that she was participating but I was very sad that she didn't win."

Now, after Bigg Boss 14, Jaya Sawant has expressed her wish to see Rakhi and her husband Ritesh in Bigg Boss 15. Reportedly, Rakhi Sawant's mother has so far undergone three chemotherapy sessions, and yet to undergo three more. Coming back to Bigg Boss 14 grand finale, Rakhi left the show by taking Rs 14 lakh cash.

When Salman Khan asked the diva about her decision, she said that she wants to use it for her mother's treatment. Recently, Kashmera Shah and Sambhavna Seth met Rakhi's mother in the hospital. Earlier, Jaya Sawant had expressed her disappointment when Rubina Dilaik had thrown soap water on Rakhi.

She had even asked the makers to let Rakhi come out of the house. Currently, Rakhi Sawant is taking care of her mother, and her fans are praying for Jaya Sawant's speedy recovery.

Also Read : When Rakhi Sawant Revealed Her Mother Used To Pick Garbage At Hospital & They Used To Find Leftover Food

Also Read : Kashmera Shah & Sambhavna Seth Meet Bigg Boss 14 Finalist Rakhi Sawant's Ailing Mother In Hospital [Photos]
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
GHOne TV's multiple award-winning news anchor, Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman, has emerged Best African Journalist in the TV category of the 2020 African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards, held on the sidelines of the Fifth UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya.



While the pandemic has overwhelmed the news cycle and dominated headlines around the world, the young Journalist offered a rare perspective on used PPE disposal and gives comprehensive coverage of waste management gaps in Ghana's response to the covid-19 pandemic.



Ridwan's TV piece on Covid-19 waste disposal which has already received two awards from the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) beat two renowned Kenyan science reporters, Zeynab Wandati and Sheila Sendeyo, both of NTV Kenya to win the coveted prize.



The competition drew over 400 entries from across the African continent.



The winners of the different awards in the set categories were from all over the continent, from Benin, to Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Togo, Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Algeria.



There were at least four categories done in two languages. They were Radio, Print, TV and digital.



The Radio (English) Category had Aunyango Nkhoma of Zodiak Broadcasting Station in Malawi as the second runners-up, Victor Faison and Mphatso Mkumpha of Malawis Chisomo Radio Station jointly as first runners-up, and Peter Labeja of Ugandas Radio Rupiny becoming the winner.



The Radio (French) Categorys three winners were all from Benin in the following order: Chamsou Dine Koto Baguiri of Arzeke FM was the second runners-up, preceded by Ernest Agbota of Radio Nationale du Benin as first runners-up, and finally Romain Dek Adjevi of Radio Tokpa as the winner of the category.



Next was the TV (English) Category that was shared between Kenya and Ghana. Kenyas NTV produced the second runners-up and the first, both female. Sheilah Sendeyo and Zaynab Wandati were second and first runners-up respectively, while Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman of GHOneTV in Ghana became the winner.



The TV (French) Category went to Vincent Kiendrebeogo of Radio Broadcasting TV in Burkina Faso as second runners-up, Redha Menassel of Algerias Radio Alger Chaine 3 as first runners-up and Togolese Daniel Addeh of Cameroons Tele Sud Channel as the winner.



The other category awarded by PACJA was Print (English). Its second runners-up was Amindeh Blaise Atabong of Cameroon, Daniel Wagema Mwangi of Kenya as the first runners-up and Olatunji Ololade of Nigerias Nation newspaper as the winner.



Five editors and communication experts sat in the selection panel that came up with the winners announced yesterday. They were Michael Simire of EnviroNews, Nigeria, Lilian Odera (KTN), Gerard Senapkon Guedegbe of Benin and Andrew Kipkemboi of Standard Group. The four worked under the leadership of Emmanuel Wongibeo, who is also the Deputy Director of Cameroon Radio TV.



The United Nations Environment Programmes Director for Africa, Dr Juliette Biao, graced the occasion and gave a televised speech stating that they were pleased to see PACJA achieve the fifth edition of the ACCER Awards despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic throughout 2020, when calls for submission of stories for the competition were made.



Climate Change, biodiversity loss and pollution  put the wellbeing of the current generation at unacceptable risk, she said, adding that emissions were now 62 per cent higher than they were in 1990, with parts of the biodiversity threatened with extinction.



The African Climate Change and Environment Reporting (ACCER) Awards is a biennial initiative of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) that recognizes excellence in climate change and environmental journalism in Africa.

The ACCER Awards 2020 is the fifth in a series and comes at a time of uncertainty abound regarding climate action in the context of Covid-19 and other crises.



About Ridwan



Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman is a multiple award winning broadcast journalist with more than 7 years experience.



He began his journalism career with the JoyNews channel of the Multimedia Group Limited in 2013 as general news reporter.



He currently works at GHOneTV, one of Ghana's most watched channels as a producer, a news anchor, and a senior reporter.



Ridwan is a recipient of the 2018 Lorenzo Natali Media Prize, a global prestigious award run by the European Commission.



Ridwan, in May 2018, was named as finalist for the 2018 edition of the International Centre for Journalists prestigious Michael Elliott Award.



He is Ghana's 2017 Best reporter in Development Journalism.

He is also a recipient of the African Media Initiative award for Best African Journalist for Peace and Security Reporting 2017 and 2016 Best Journalist Award in Rural Reporting from the Ghana Journalists Association.



Ridwan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The rollout of the coronavirus vaccine to all of Northern Ireland's care homes has been completed, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.

On Friday Mr Swann confirmed first and second doses of the vaccine had been offered to all care home residents and staff, calling it an "an important milestone in the battle against Covid-19".

Vaccination teams from the various health and social care trusts have been visiting care homes since the vaccination programme began in December.

Mr Swann said the he last remaining homes have now been visited, with the programme schedule allowing sufficient time for outbreaks of infection to conclude and vaccination to subsequently be offered to those care homes.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Lourda Geoghegan said provisional figures showed a "high rate of uptake" of the vaccine among residents and staff, but not everyone wished to receive it.

She warned that while the vaccination programme is welcome no vaccine in history has ever been 100% effective and a "small minority of people", including care home residents, may not derive the full benefits from the vaccine.

Dr Geoghegan said that definitive data is still awaited on the impact of vaccination on transmission of the virus and It cannot be ruled out that some vaccinated people could still pass the virus on to others.

There are currently 28 active outbreaks of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland's care homes. Dr Geoghegan said that while the virus would not stop outbreaks from happening it would save lives.

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Mr Swann warned measures to protect care home residents and staff from coronavirus will not be relaxed at this stage.

The health minister said measures including maintenance of social distancing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a programme of regular asymptomatic testing will remain in place.

An epidemiology study is now commencing which will examine the impact of vaccination on care homes in NI.

Vaccination will provide vital protection to our care home residents. It will save lives and reduce serious illness," Mr Swann said.

My heartfelt thanks go all those involved in delivering the vaccination programme across our care homes. I very much welcome the fact that this aspect of our vaccination programme is completed.

We will need to maintain a precautionary approach, particularly given the prevalence of the virus in the wider community and the fact that vaccination of the overall population remains at a relatively early stage.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the completion of the care home vaccination programme was "fantastic news".

"It's a real comfort that these precious members of our society, and their amazing carers, have this protection," she said.

"Thanks to all our vaccination teams."

Dr Geoghegan urged everyone who has received the vaccine to maintain "maximum vigilance" and follow the basic advice to stop the spread of the virus.

It is far too early for anyone to even think of dropping their guard. That message is obviously vitally important in our care homes, given the particular threat Covid-19 poses for elderly residents," she said.

We expect the impact of the vaccination programme on care homes to be felt over the coming weeks and months. We currently see a very welcome reduction in care home outbreaks. Vaccination will not stop all outbreaks happening, nor will it bring existing outbreaks to an immediate close.

However, it will protect thousands of residents from serious illness and loss of life.

Meanwhile, as of Friday 537,086 vaccines have been administered in Northern Ireland, of which 505,188 were first doses and 31,898 were second doses.

Kohima, Feb 26 : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday laid the foundation stone of the Mon Medical College, the second medical college in the northeastern state along Myanmar.

The Mon Medical College would be set up in Mon district adjoining Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar borders at a cost of Rs 325 crore of which Rs 292 crore would be given by the centre and is planned to be completed by 2023-24.

The setting up of the new medical college in Mon, one of the most backward and farthest districts from the state capital, would facilitate to avail the affordable secondary healthcare facilities to the doorsteps of nearly 2.5 lakh people.

Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, Harsh Vardhan underscored the holistic development of the northeast region being planned and carried out on the ground by the apex political leadership under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said at present there are 562 medical colleges in the country out of which 286 are in the government sector while 276 are in the private sector. Another 175 medical colleges are also in the process of development. Against 52,000 MBBS seats in 2013-14, there are now 84,000 Under Graduate medical seats.

Around 1,50,000 health and wellness centres have been set up in the country, the Union Minister said.

Harsh Vardhan said that the government aims to eliminate Tuberculosis by 2025 from India and urged the state government to work to ensure the same.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his address observed that the medical college would not only benefit Mon and Nagaland but also the people living in neighbouring states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and even Myanmar.

Stating that the medical college would be run by the state government under Public-Private-Partnership, the Chief Minister outlined that Mon Medical College is one of the 75 district medical colleges to be constructed in the districts of the country where people have been historically deprived of development and health facilities due to their locational disadvantage.

Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister S Pangnyu Phom while addressing the gathering stated that Nagaland has never had the privilege of having two medical colleges being sanctioned by the Centre. He stated that the desire to establish medical college was not only to produce more manpower but also to enhance healthcare delivery.

He added that Nagaland at the time of statehood inherited a deplorable state of health care facility, however over the years healthcare in the state has improved although much is needed to be done.

Phom said that most of the private healthcare is concentrated in Kohima and Dimapur and the rest are dependent on public healthcare.

Due to lack of facilities and equipment in public health care, most people from the other parts of Nagaland are not able to avail proper healthcare services, he added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Runoff is variable, dependent on precipitation in the 673-square-mile watershed. To offset the reversal of the Chicago River, officials count runoff in the watershed against the states Lake Michigan total. In 2017, the last year accounting has been completed, runoff made up the largest portion of the diversion at 45%. Public water systems pumping from Lake Michigan, which send drinking water to taps, has generally been the largest.
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The UK Supreme Court ruled Friday that Shamima Begum, who left London as a teen to join the Islamic State in Syria, cannot return to the United Kingdom to fight the British governments decision to revoke her citizenship.

The ruling overturns a lower court judgment in July that said Begum, now 21, should be allowed to come back to her home country to participate in her citizenship case. But in November, the Home Office appealed the ruling on national security grounds, saying Begums return would expose the public to an increased risk of terrorism.

In 2015, Begum and two classmates from east Londons Bethnal Green neighborhood boarded a flight to Istanbul and from there slipped across the border into Syria. Shortly after arriving in the Islamic State capital of Raqqa, then-15-year-old Begum married a Dutch militant. They had three children, all of whom died as infants, she said.

Begum, who is currently detained in a Kurdish-run displacement camp in Syria, spurred an intense debate over "Islamic State brides" who traveled to Syria and Iraq to join the terrorist group and whether Western governments should repatriate and prosecute them.

Then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Begum of her citizenship in February 2019, saying that because both of Begum's parents are citizens of Bangladesh, she too was entitled to citizenship in the South Asian country. But Bangladeshs Foreign Ministry said the England-born teen was not one of its citizens, had never visited the country and there is no question that she would be denied entry.

Lawyers for Begum are appealing the removal of her citizenship, and had fought for their client to be allowed to return home to challenge her case in court. They argued she was unable to mount an effective case from Syria, in part because she cant speak with her lawyers confidentially from her camp.

But in a unanimous decision Friday, the UKs Supreme Court ruled that Begums rights were not violated by the Home Office when she was told she couldnt return.

"The right to a fair hearing does not trump all other considerations such as the safety of the public," said Robert Reed, president of the Supreme Court. If a vital public interest makes it impossible for a case to be fairly heard, then the courts cannot ordinarily hear it.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel welcomed the courts ruling Friday, saying it "reaffirmed the home secretary's authority to make vital national security decisions.

Begum is among roughly 10,000 foreign women and children with perceived links to the Islamic State who are living in subhuman conditions in camps across northeastern Syria. Earlier this month, the UN called on 57 countries, including France, the United States and Russia, to reclaim their nationals from the camps.

Ying Li, 51, with her husband, Grant Lee, 58. Ying was persecuted in communist China two decades ago for refusing to give up her faith in the Falun Gong spiritual school before Grant rescued her to Australia in November 2003.(Courtesy of Ying Li and Grant Lee)

A Love Story From Communist China: Woman Jailed for Faith Escapes With Fiances Help

After braving two years of relentless torture in a communist forced-labor camp in China, a woman was safely rescued to Australia by her fiance nearly 20 years ago.

The couple, now in their 50s, recounted to The Epoch Times their soul-stirring journey through the darkest days of life, exposing the injustices happening behind the closed red-terror walls of the Chinese jails and labor camps. Theirs is a story of true love, firm faith, and unwavering courage.

Almost two decades ago, Ying Li, now 51, was arrested in China for her faith in the Falun Gong spiritual practice. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution campaign against the peaceful meditation system in July 1999, fearing the practices universal teaching of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance as a threat to its ideologies rooted in atheism and Marxism.

Ying, who currently resides in Sydney with her husband and their three children, was persecuted and abused for refusing to give up her faith.

It is his love that has supported me through the darkest days of my life, Ying said.

Ying Li with her husband, Grant Lee. (Courtesy of Ying Li and Grant Lee)

Tortured for Faith

After Ying was abducted by police in January 2001, she was sent to a brainwashing center. To protest against the unlawful arrest, Ying went on a hunger strike for a month. The guards resorted to unethical torture methods to force-feed her, causing her health to deteriorate. She was incarcerated for four months before being bailed out by her workplace.

Recalling the abuses she was subjected to, Ying said that a staff member of the brainwashing center told her without any fear: Putting you in jail or under house arrest is exactly what we want to do. We are government institutions, so what do you think you can do about it?

The communist-ruled society is not a normal society. Its against humanity. They brainwash people to follow what the CCP thinks and do what it asks you to do. They dont allow people to have their faith so that they can control your mind.  Ying Li, originally from China, now residing in Australia

Ten months later, on Oct. 16, 2001, Ying was on a business trip to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, when she was suddenly arrested for the second time and sent to the Shanghai Qingsong Female Forced Labor Camp. At the time, she was working for a management consulting company.

I was confined for 2 years. The reason recorded was other, because my arrest was not based on any actual law, she said.

They hung me with my hands cuffed behind my back for three days to an iron door. They also locked me in a solitary confinement cell for more than six months, she said. They were afraid that my determination would interfere with their so-called re-education of other Falun Gong practitioners.

Recounting the torture methods employed by the communist officials to reform prisoners of faith, Ying said the CCP has devised various ways to persecute. The abusive methods include forcing practitioners to sit on very tiny stools for hours at a time, leading to the festering of buttocks, as well as standing for a long extended time, leading to swollen feet and legs, making them unable to walk.

Some were beaten with electric batons so badly that it was hard to find any good piece of skin on their bodies, Ying said. In some areas, there were more physical tortures. In other places, there were more mental tortures.

A reenactment of sitting on a small stool, a method often used in Chinese prisons to torture Falun Gong practitioners who refuse to give up on their faith. (Minghui.org)

Ying said she and other practitioners often got blisters on their palms after long hours of forced slave labor, which lasted from 7 a.m. to almost midnight every day.

After Ying fled to Australia, she revealed that the Shanghai Womens Forced Labor Camp was involved in making dolls that were directly shipped to a renowned brand in Italy.

Ying was also forced to make products for the Three-Gun brand of underwear, and underwear labeled with examined by #16 were produced by detainees in the labor camp where she was held, according to a 2004 Australia-China Free Trade Agreement Joint Feasibility Study report by the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG) Australia Branch.

Ying Li and Grant Lee attending a rally in front of Capital Hill in Canberra, Australia, to support the motion to Rescue the Australian Citizens Relatives on Dec. 1, 2003. (Minghui.org)

A Daring Rescue

All the while when Ying was facing persecution in China, her then-fiance in Australia, Grant Lee, was busy making the Australian government aware of her case. Grants tireless efforts proved impactful to a certain extent and reduced the severity of the torture Ying experienced in the sinister labor camp.

Grant then managed to send Ying an engagement ring as a Christmas gift while she was still incarcerated. The ring not only comforted Ying during her lifes most trying days but also reassured her that true love and faith never fail; she knew Grant would never give up on rescuing her. Ying was released from the labor camp on Oct. 15, 2003.

However, the long journey of rescuing Ying out of China was no easy feat for Grant.

At the beginning, no one wanted to help because she was a Chinese citizen, said Grant, 58, who met Ying in 2001 via a common friend. So, I rode a bike from Sydney to Canberra to raise awareness.

After five local Australian media outlets reported their story, the officers from the Australian foreign department met with him when he arrived in Canberra and agreed to inquire with the Chinese government about Ying.

Grant said that to sponsor Ying to Australia, he needed to submit photos of them together. However, the couple never got any chance to take photos due to the persecution. So, Grant braved the journey to China to click some pictures with Ying.

However, the Chinese consulate in Australia refused to grant him a Chinese visa knowing that he was a Falun Gong practitioner as well. To bypass the restrictions, Grant changed his name and appearance and went to Hong Kong to apply for a Chinese visa. Thereafter, he traveled through a few cities in China before arriving in Shanghai by bus to avoid letting others know that he came from abroad.

Grant said some members of the Parliament in Australia had contacted the Australian Consulate in Shanghai facilitating the procedures; as a result, Ying was issued a visa within a week.

Hope for a Peaceful World

With her beloved soulmate right by her side, Ying finally landed in Australia on Nov. 29, 2003. Her elder sister and younger brother, who were also persecuted repeatedly for practicing Falun Gong, were subsequently rescued from China, and have since been granted refugee status in Australia.

Cherishing the freedom to practice her faith without the fear of getting arrested, Ying said she feels lucky compared to the millions of Falun Gong practitioners who are still being persecuted in her beloved homeland.

The communist-ruled society is not a normal society, Ying said. Its against humanity. They brainwash people to follow what the CCP thinks and do what it asks you to do. They dont allow people to have their faith so that they can control your mind.

Ying Li and Grant Lee posed for a photo with other Falun Gong practitioners after arriving at the Sydney international airport on Nov. 29, 2003. (Minghui.org)

Having experienced the evilness of the communist party firsthand, Grant hopes that people who are living in China will not be scared by the Partys authoritarian rule but rather stand strong to resist it.

If people around the world could understand the evil nature of the communist party then you can see through the gradual transition to communism that is happening worldwide, he said. If more people can resist communism, then well have a peaceful world.

Arshdeep Sarao contributed to this report.
High-flying data analytics group Nuix has come crashing down to earth, as investors punished the recently listed company over worries it may miss its prospectus forecasts.

Nuix stock dived more than 30 per cent on Friday to a low of $6.06, its lowest price since its public listing in December, as currency headwinds, COVID and political trouble in the US weighed down its first half results.

Nuix chief executive Rod Vawdrey said he is still confident of the company hitting its prospectus forecasts after a tougher than expected first half. Credit:AFR

The company said its still confident of hitting prospectus forecasts, but it will need a strong second half performance.

After a softer (first quarter), the December quarter was encouraging with a strong performance in all sales regions despite the US government being impacted by delayed access to decision makers because of COVID and the US election, Nuix chief executive Rod Vawdrey said.
The parliamentary groups of the opposition Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Bright Armenia (LHK) parties collected enough signatures to force such a debate.

Under Armenian law, the session can go ahead after its agenda is approved by the parliaments leadership. Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan and other senior lawmakers affiliated with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians My Step bloc twice declined to show up for leadership meetings on the opposition initiative.

BHK and LHK representatives accused them of being unwilling to address the political crisis aggravated by the Armenian militarys demands for the governments resignation.

Pashinian rejected the demands as a coup attempt as he rallied thousands of supporters in Yerevan on Thursday.

An alliance of more than a dozen opposition parties, including the BHK, staged rival demonstrations to voice support for the military.

Supporters of the Homeland Salvation Movement alliance blocked on Thursday a major street adjacent to the parliament compound and remained camped there on Friday. Riot police did not attempt to unblock Marshal Bagramian Avenue.

Leaders of the alliance said they will continue nonstop protests until Pashinian agrees to step down and hand over power to an interim government. One of them, Vazgen Manukian, urged Armenias police, National Security Service and other state bodies to join the army and issue similar statements.

Manukian addressed protesters before they again marched through the city center to reiterate the opposition demands.

The protesters also urged President Armen Sarkissian to reject Pashinians motion to fire Armenias top army general, Onik Gasparian.

Later in the day, Sarkissian held separate meetings with Mirzoyan and parliamentary leaders of My Step, the LHK and the BHK as well as other opposition figures. The presidential press office said they discussed ways of easing the tensions and peacefully resolving the situation. It gave no details.

As well as ruling out his resignation, Pashinian on Thursday offered to start political consultations with the opposition to end the crisis sparked by Armenias defeat in the autumn war with Azerbaijan. But he sent conflicting signals about his readiness to hold snap parliamentary elections.

A senior BHK lawmaker, Arman Abovian, said his party has received no negotiation offers from Pashinian and is skeptical about the success of such talks. Still, he did not exclude the possibility of discussing technical details of elections with the authorities.

For his part, LHK leader Edmon Marukian indicated that while his party, which is not part of the Homeland Salvation Movement, also wants Pashinian to step down, it would not boycott a snap vote organized by the current government.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Here is one thing the pandemic has not changed: No one ever lost a buck overestimating the devotion of Disney Park fans.

If you think Disneys recent announcement that it will soon be charging $75 a head for the thrill of wandering around California Adventure to buy and eat things while admiring the entrances to still-closed rides is nuts, I am here to tell you that it is not.

At least not if my recent visit to Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street is any indication.

In recent years, I have grappled with Disney's many attempts to overturn my family's deep-seated love of the parks with rampant consumerism, and this seemed like just one more. When Downtown Disney reopened in July, there was no way we were setting foot anywhere near it. Even amid coronavirus surges, the mask wars were raging in Orange County and my husband was too high-risk for any of us to go out much, even fully masked and socially distant.

But now he has been vaccinated, the winter surge appears to be falling and I just couldn't believe that anyone would pay good money to walk around the park when its biggest attractions were closed. So, double-masked and ready to ditch the minute it seemed unsafe, my daughters and I decided to see what had led Disney to believe that people would pay to visit a theme park with no rides.

It was absolutely clear right away. Desperate for even the faintest tang of the Disney experience, thousands of us apparently are quite willing to settle for the elements of the Disney experience we normally complain about the most: waiting in line, overpriced food and the siren call of way too much Disney merch.

Late on a recent Wednesday afternoon, it was a 45-minute wait simply to enter the Downtown Disney area, 50 if you count the five-minute walk from the car, which cost 10 bucks to park.

To be fair, the line that snaked through an entire parking lot could be construed, at least in these coronavirus-plagued times, as a Disney experience in and of itself. The now-ubiquitous six-feet-apart marks created a socially distant conga line that involved far more walking than standing: Well, were getting our steps in, one of my daughters remarked.

Story continues

Besides, Disney fans always create their own festive ambience. After a year of hunkering down, there was indeed much joy to be had in the sight of tiny children in princess and space voyager costumes, in couples and groups sporting sometimes-but-not-always-matching mouse ears and in people looking excited about something other than getting a vaccination. Certainly the small themed backpacks that Disney has made popular in recent years were on full ooh, look at that one display.

As the sun set over the Simba parking lot and our group advanced through the temperature-taking station and the bag-check station, then past a police presence prominent enough to make any mask-shirker think twice, one could at least imagine a world returning to something approaching normal.

Listen to the piped-in music! Yes, once upon a time it did indeed drive some of us insane. But now, after a yearlong lifetime of home-office work  concentration broken on an hourly basis by the maddening syncopated roar of leaf blowers and brain-drilling hum of the neighbors' home improvement project  all those Disney tunes fell around us like the singing of a heavenly host.

The bright and colorful bevy of stores and eateries that once we passed with haste on our way to the greater pleasures of the theme parks now beckoned enticingly  why have we never tasted the delights of the Earl of Sandwich, Tortilla Jos or the Uva Bar & Cafe? None of which, it turns out, we would be visiting on this sojourn either  because look at those lines! Am I going to wait another 45 minutes outside Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen Express? Nope, not even for beignets.

But many heartier and more dedicated people certainly would.

Watching people pass by laden with enormous bags full of goodies from the Star Wars Trading Post and the World of Disney, it occurred to me that even though Disney recently canceled all annual park passes, former holders still are entitled to discounts at the shops.

But again, the lines for the big emporiums were snaking into the shadows of the thoroughfares various nooks and crannies, often bumping into lines for the smaller shops, so lets just enjoy the magic of the place, shall we?

Which is, for an hour or two, not inconsiderable. After months of limited vistas, the mere sight of the fountains, kiosks and trees twinkling with lights offered a serotonin-boosting balm, sparking comforting conversations that inevitably began with Remember that time when  ?

The restorative sight of children chasing bubbles created by flashing Disney-branded machines, of Disney balloons lit up and bobbing along in the dusk, of mothers chasing dropped sippy cups and couples walking hand in hand was made even more reassuring by the sight of everyone wearing their mask properly. If youve ever wondered what it will take to get certain people to pull their freaking mask all the way up, I now have an answer for you: Take them to Disneyland.

The empty plaza between the two resorts provided a jarring reminder that nothing, really, is normal yet, and it was hard even to look to Disneyland, lit up but still vacant (the famous feral cats are no doubt having the time of their lives). But entering California Adventure, a park so long dismissed as second-best, felt hopeful and even briefly amazing. How pretty it all was: the trolley cars, the faux gas station, the elegance of Carthay Circle.

Never mind the lines, churros all around, if only for the look of wonderment on my childrens faces  in normal times, churros were allowed only occasionally, and then at the end of a long FastPass-chasing day.

Did I feel stupid taking such pleasure in a Disney experience stripped down to its nakedly commercial roots? A bit. We finally ate dinner at the Smokejumpers Grill, where there was no line. The food was fine, if pricy; with plenty of space and empty tables in the dining area, it felt safer than many outdoor cafes in Downtown Disney.

Watching the girls eat, I was struck by a deluge of emotions more often associated with the Proustian madeleine than with chicken strips and waffle fries. Nostalgia for happier times, some Disney-specific and some not; fear that we are not really close to normal-normal fighting with hope that at least some version is close enough; sorrow for all that was lost during this year, including far too many lives; and hope that maybe we can learn to appreciate life more keenly as the places and people we love and enjoy are slowly made accessible to us once more.

Frankly, our evening, weird as it was, was probably closer to what Walt Disney had in mind when he built the park than our previous ride-focused, what next marches through the resort. When my husbands family moved to Los Angeles from Indiana, his parents would take them to Disneyland not for the rides, which cost money, but to visit Main Street, which did not.

Disneyland was built to evoke  childhood, fantasy, a vision of Americana that for many existed only in imagination. Homesick for their small town, Richards parents would stroll the sidewalks, peer into the stores, buy the kids ice cream and dance to the swing bands at the park's Plaza Gardens. Then they would go home.

Many of us are homesick right now. Sick of our literal homes and longing for the more general definition, which includes crowds, movement and excursions, even limited socially distanced ones to familiar places outside of our shutdown bubbles. So will people pay 75 bucks  which includes parking and a $25 food coupon  to stroll around California Adventure even though none of the rides or shows are open? Looking at the crowds swarming Downtown Disney, the answer is clear: You bet they will.

As long as its safe, well take what we can get. If we cannot have rides, then let us eat churros.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The United States launched airstrikes on targets of pro-Iranian groups in Syria at the direction of President Joe Biden, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby told reporters traveling with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin.

"At President Joe Biden's direction, U.S. military forces, earlier this evening, launched airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in Eastern Syria. These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to on-going threats to those personnel," TASS cited Kirby as saying.

According to the press secretary, the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups including Kait'ib Hezbollah and Kait'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

"This proportionate military response was conducted along with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners. The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both Eastern Syria and Iraq," Kirby said.

On February 22, the so-called green zone of Baghdad came under rocket fire. According to the Al Arabiya TV channel, at least three rockets were fired in this area of the Iraqi capital, where government agencies and foreign diplomatic missions, including the US Embassy, are located. Two rockets fell inside the zone, the third - outside. It was noted, there were no casualties.
SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTHI) - A jolt of funding is making its way to public housing authorities in the Wabash Valley. This week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded over $2.7 billion across America for public housing authorities.

Nearly $35 million worth of that funding was distributed to 40 public housing authorities in Indiana. That includes eight that are located here in the Wabash Valley to the tune of nearly $5 million.

Heres how it all breaks down:

The Housing Authority of Terre Haute - $2,057,917

Vincennes Housing Authority - $836,485

Brazil Housing Authority - $602,675

Sullivan Housing Authority - $562,578

Washington Housing Authority - $395,495

Bloomfield Housing Authority - $168,085

Knox County Housing Authority - $162,592

Linton Housing Authority - $123,592

This money is to build, renovate, or modernize public housing in communities across the State of Indiana. News 10 spoke with the Executive Director at Sullivan Housing Authority Toni Anderson. She spoke about how helpful this funding is.

Anderson says this funding is determined in part by how well kept a citys public housing units are. She says Sullivan is fortunate and that not all cities are lucky enough to receive these beneficial funds.

Weve been really lucky here that our properties have always been well maintained and that we are able to keep them that way, Anderson said.

Anderson says the money will be used at four public housing sites in Sullivan. These are Sullivan Towers, Parkview Terrace, Court Plaza, and Sullivan manor, which is family housing.

She says the funding will go towards roof replacements and repairing sidewalks, patios, and parking lots. She says they also have other projects in the works that this funding will help immensely.

We are very lucky that we have housing to help those in need here in Sullivan and that Congress hasfor the last two or three yearsbeen a little more generous in their funding, Anderson concluded, We wouldnt be able to do it without this money.

HUDs goal with awarding these funds is to help preserve and improve public housing all across the United States of America.
COLUMBIA, N.Y.  A Whitesboro man is facing several charges after New York State Police found a gun, along with cocaine and marijuana, during a traffic stop in the town of Columbia.

Justin P. Murray was pulled over on Elizabethtown Road on Feb. 18, where troopers say they found a loaded semi-automatic untraceable firearm, also referred to as a ghost gun, in the vehicle, as well as ammunition. After searching further, troopers say they found two pounds of marijuana, an unspecified quantity of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Murray is facing the following charges:

Second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, both felonies

Second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a felony

Criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor

Three counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor

Murray was arraigned virtually and remanded to the Herkimer County jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.

He will appear in Town of Columbia Court at a later date to answer the charges.
Washington: The United States, the United Nations and the European Nations have welcomed the announcement by the militaries of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors, and hoped that it would lead to greater peace and stability in South Asia.

In a significant move to ease tension, India and Pakistan on Thursday (February 25) said they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors.

Reacting to the development, the US said it viewed the ceasefire agreement as a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the President Joe Biden administration remains closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan.

"The United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of a ceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25th," Psaki said.

"This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress," she said when asked about the joint statement that announced India and Pakistan have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

At a separate news conference, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the administration had called on the parties to reduce tensions along the LoC by returning to the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

"We have been very clear that we condemn the terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control," he said.

"When it comes to the US' role, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern, and we certainly welcome the arrangement that was announced that will go into effect I should say on February 25," Price said.

He said Pakistan is an important partner with whom the US shares many interests.

"We have been clearer in terms of this issue. Obviously, Pakistan has an important role to play when it comes to Afghanistan and what takes place across its other border. So clearly, we will be paying close attention, and we urge the Pakistanis to play a constructive role in all of these areas of mutual interests including in Afghanistan, including with Kashmir including with our other shared interest," Price said.

At the United Nations, the spokesman for the UN chief, Antonio Guterres said the Secretary General welcomed the move of India and Pakistan and hoped that it will provide an opportunity for further dialogue.

"The Secretary-General is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observe the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through established mechanisms," Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN chief, said at the daily press briefing on Thursday.

"He hopes that this positive step will provide an opportunity for further dialogue, Dujarric said.

President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkir tweeted that he wholeheartedly welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.

Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace through addressing each other's core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates #UNGA values, he said in the tweet.

In response to a question on whether the Secretary-General plans to talk to the leaders of India and Pakistan, Dujarric said, "There's no plan that I'm aware of, but the Secretary General is always available for his good offices... Between any Member States who would request it."

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) on Friday welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between India and Pakistan.

Nabila Massrali, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, EU, tweeted: "The EU welcomes the agreement between India and Pakistan to observe a strict ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and to engage through the established mechanisms.

India / Pakistan: The EU welcomes the agreement between India & Pakistan to observe a strict ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir & to engage through the established mechanisms.

An important step in the interest of regional peace & stability on which to further bilateral dialogue.  Nabila Massrali (@NabilaEUspox) February 26, 2021

"An important step in the interest of regional peace and stability on which to further bilateral dialogue."

The decision on the ceasefire, effective since Wednesday midnight, was taken at a meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.

The DGMOs held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact and reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a "free, frank and cordial atmosphere", a joint statement issued by the two countries said on Thursday.

"Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight of February 24/25," it said.
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on people to eat more pineapples to help farmers on Friday, saying Taiwan had been "ambushed" by a ban on the fruit by neighbouring long-time rival China which claims the island as its own.

China said on Friday that starting in March it would suspend imports of pineapples from sub-tropical Taiwan, citing "harmful creatures" it said could come with the fruit, threatening China's own agriculture.

The move prompted condemnation from Taiwan's ruling party and Tsai said in a Facebook post that the island's agricultural exports met international standards.

"China sent an ambush-like notice, unilaterally suspending the imports of Taiwan pineapples. This obviously was not a normal trade decision," Tsai wrote without elaboration.

"To support the farmers, let's eat pineapples all together!"

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said on top of ongoing "military intimidation", Beijing is also using the import ban to exert economic pressure on Taiwan, which counts China among its top trading partners despite political tensions.

"This is not the first time China has used agricultural exports to other countries as political threats," the DPP said in a statement.

Beijing, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has carried out repeated air missions in the southwestern corner of Taiwan's air defence identification zone in recent months.

Taiwan's air force scrambled for a second straight day last weekend after a dozen Chinese fighter aircraft and bombers carried out drills close to Taiwan-controlled islands in the disputed South China Sea.

Taiwan exported about 46,000 metric tons of pineapples last year, and more than 90% of them were sold to China, the DPP said.

(Reporting by Yimou Lee; Editing by Nick Macfie)
New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday carried out searches at five locations of the Lakshmi Precision Screws Ltd and its directors in Haryana in connection with its probe into a Rs 176.28 crore bank fraud.

A CBI spokesperson here said that multiple agency sleuths carried out the searches, and seized several incriminating documents.

The agency's action comes in the wake of the case it registered in the fraud case against Lakshmi Precision Screws Ltd, its directors Lalit K. Jain, Rajesh K. Jain, and Vijay Kumar Jain, property mortgagors Nilikesh Jain and Saurav Jain, and several unknown officials and private persons.

In its complaint to the CBI, the Canara Bank alleged that the company, through its proprietor or directors in conspiracy with others, had defrauded the consortium of banks by misrepresentation or concealment of facts and false documents or information making diversion of funds, to dispose off the mortgaged properties without the consent of banks.

The bank complaint stated that an alleged loss of Rs. 176.28 crore was caused to the consortium, comprising Canara Bank and the State Bank of India.

The official said that the firm, engaged in the manufacturing of high tensile fasteners, was incorporated on December 27, 1968 as private limited company and converted to public limited company on August 20, 1971.
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With two weeks remaining before the general election, Donald Trump continues to mobilize far-right forces in support of his bid to remain in power no matter the outcome of the November 3 election.

Speaking in Muskegon, Michigan on Saturday, the president repeated baseless warnings of massive voter fraud and launched into a bitter denunciation of the states Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who was the target of an assassination plot by Trump supporters unearthed 12 days ago.

Be careful of her and her attorney general, Trump told the crowd in reference to Whitmer and the states top lawyer, Democrat Dana Nessel. Because you know, theyre, like, in charge of the ballot stuff. At the mention of Whitmer, the crowd chanted, Lock her up!

Yesterday, the Trump campaign further intensified its attacks on Whitmer, provocatively claiming that the governor was encouraging her supporters to assassinate Trump. In a statement reminiscent of the Nazi tactic of the big lie, his campaign posted on Twitter: Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks after someone sent a ricin-laced package to the White House.

In this April 15, 2020 photo, protesters carry guns outside the Capitol Building in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Acting with the implicit or direct approval of Trump, statewide police and sheriffs associations declared Monday they will not enforce an order issued by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson barring open-carry of weapons at polling places on Election Day. This act of semi-rebellion against an elected officials lawful order raises the question as to who is in charge of the state. The weapons ban was issued because militias plan to disrupt voting on election day.

The dangerous role played by the fascist right in league with the police makes the cowardly response of the Democratic Party all the more politically criminal.

Yesterday, the office of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released an official position paper on behalf of the Senate Democratic caucus announcing the partys plans for combatting Trumps strategy.

The paper is a declaration of spinelessness and unseriousness. Titled 2020 General Election: Counting Votes & What to Expect on Election Day, the document makes no reference to the plot against Whitmer or Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, who was also a target. It responds to Trumps threats to override the election outcome by stating:

It is unfortunate that President Trump and his allies are attempting to stoke fear and chaos. The American people should be aware of these efforts, but must understand that they are nothing more than disinformation.  Americans should be prepared to reject misinformation and be patient about results in places where counting ballots may take longer.

This is a miserable statement of political capitulation. Trumps threat to remain in power is not an unfortunate accident like a glass of spilled milk. It is a deliberate fascist strategy, one without precedent in US history, backed by substantial sections of the police and repressive state apparatus.

Schumer and the Democratic Party know this full well. Earlier this year, Joe Biden told the Daily Shows Trevor Noah that the prospect of Trump refusing to leave office keeps me up at night. Now, Biden and the Democrats tell the population there is nothing to see here. Meanwhile, they ruthlessly make their case within the ruling class that Biden is the better steward of the crown jewels of American imperialism.

As representatives of a powerful faction of finance capital, the Democratic Partys statement is aimed above all at lulling the population to sleep and downplaying the danger of dictatorship. The Democrats greatest fear is that chaos in the form of social opposition from below will escape their control and threaten the long-term interests of Wall Street and American imperialism.

Leon Trotsky identified this fundamental political dynamic in his November 1934 essay Whither France. Referring to the pro-capitalist, middle-class French Radical Party, Trotsky wrote: Like the camel under its drivers whip, Radicalism gets down on its four knees to let capitalist reaction sit between its humps. Terrified of the threat of social opposition from below, Trotsky continued, they are more than ever striving to cover up the reaction, to lull and dupe the people and in this way prepare for the victory of Fascism.

A critical role in this process is played by the left Democrats like Bernie Sanders, who has not once tweeted to his 13 million followers about the Michigan conspiracy or the threats against Whitmers life, and by groups like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and its semi-official publication, Jacobin magazine. Jacobin has not written a single article on the Michigan plot, and the DSA has issued no statement condemning it.

The pseudolefts complicity was on display at an online Jacobin event last week with former Communist Party leader Angela Davis, Debt Collective founder Astra Taylor and editor Bhaskar Sunkara.

The participants consciously refused to reference the plot against Whitmer. At the beginning of the meeting, Taylor declared, We are not going to spend a lot of time on the election, on the news. The panelists said they support a vote for Biden. This is the mechanism for suppressing social opposition: Jacobin and the DSA capitulate to Sanders, who capitulates to Biden, who yields to Trump. Without this dynamic, Trumps position would be untenable.

The growth of a fascist movement in the United States is a reality. This is Trumps political strategy on November 3 and beyond. And even if he were to lose the election, Trump would still have the long months between November 3 and January 20, 2021 to pardon his far-right supporters and escalate his fascist strategy.

Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Partys strategy of capitulation will continue.

If the Biden-Harris ticket prevails, their administration will make concession after concession to the right in the name of national unity and governing for all Americans. Militias will become a mainstay in the American political landscape and will even be invited by Democratic and Republican governors to raise their grievances at the same state capitols to which they are currently planning to lay siege.

The same tendencies on display in the US are playing out in Brazil, Germany, England, Argentina, France, and elsewhere. The intervention of the working class on an international scale and with an independent, socialist program is required to stop the growth of fascist reaction.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ending Racism Partnership (Partnership), a collaborative movement to develop concrete strategies for ending systemic racial injustice and economic inequality, kicked off today with "A Blueprint to End Racism," a virtual roundtable event attended by more than 200.

The event was the first in a series of planned roundtable discussions and events designed to inform and engage Philadelphia citizens and regional stakeholders in the work of the Partnership. Co-convened by the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) and Independence Blue Cross, the partnership is co-chaired by Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president and CEO of UAC; Stephen P. Fera, executive vice president of Public Affairs at Independence Blue Cross; and Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church. Gregory E. Deavens, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, provided welcoming remarks at the event.

"Now is the time to turn the conversations that have been mounting over the past year, and through generations, into a movement to end racism, once and for all," said Matlock-Turner. "Ours is an ambitious, yet tangible, systemic plan of action to create a more just, equitable society in Philadelphia and beyond."

Since last fall, UAC and a steering committee of more than 25 leaders representing cross-sections of power in Philadelphia have been laying the groundwork for this multi-phase, multi-year partnership. The group is creating a structured platform for authentic, measurable data and clear deliverables that will serve as a sustainable model that can be replicated in cities across the country.

In January, the Partnership started assembling multiple roundtable discussions to accelerate change across community-identified areas where embedded racism continues to create disparities: education, jobs, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice, and art and culture. Moderated by a panel of experts, these "Equity in Action" roundtables allowed citizens to discuss their experiences with racism and inform this plan moving forward.

"We've witnessed a collective outrage, combined with a passionate desire for knowledge and understanding, among civic leaders and individuals across communities and businesses that we must harness," said Rev. Tyler "But we cannot hope to change history without changes in behavior."

The first phase of the process is intended to hold space for listening and reflecting at a "table" where everyone is welcome, while Phase two will establish shared priorities for healing and rebuilding. In phases three and four, the Partnership will develop steps for implementation, measurement, and accountability.

"At Independence, our dedication to addressing social and health inequities is deeply rooted in our mission to enhance the health and well-being of the communities we serve," said Fera. "That's why we are proud to be involved in the Ending Racism Partnership, which will drive important actions to address unfair processes and accelerate inclusive change that brings new opportunity for all."

To help inform Partnership's efforts, UAC and Independence Blue Cross announced the launch today of a citywide sentiment survey intended to engage Philadelphians in providing firsthand accounts of their perceptions of racism and its impact on their lives. Special attention will be paid to engage the LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities, who often have a unique experience with and perspective on racism.

Experience management software company Qualtrics is designing the survey and will capture and assist in analyzing its findings. The Partnership has also received guidance from Pew Charitable Trusts on best practices for the survey's distribution to the community. Currently available in English, the online survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, will also be available in Spanish and Chinese in the coming weeks. The Partnership will share the results of the survey in May and identify ways to begin the work to build a systematic response to ending racism in Philadelphia.

Ultimately, the Partnership will, according to its vision statement, strive to build "an equitable Philadelphia, where laws, policy, and human interaction are governed by a common belief in our shared equality, opportunity, and equal representation, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, or color of skin."

To join the Ending Racism Partnership and complete the survey, which will open for participation through the end of April, visit endingracismpartnership.org. The Partnership's next "Equity in Action" roundtable discussion is scheduled for the spring on the issue of health equity.

Contact:

Laura Feragen

Jacobson Strategic Communications

[email protected]

267-262-4309

Brandon Johnson

Urban Affairs Coalition

[email protected]

215-851-1931

SOURCE Independence Blue Cross

Related Links

http://www.ibx.com


Photograph: Reuters

New York Citys mayor, Bill de Blasio, has called for an independent investigation into the New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, a day after a former aide accused the governor of sexual harassment.

In an essay published in Medium on Wednesday, former aide Lindsey Boylan described several problematic episodes with Cuomo, including an unsolicited kiss in his Manhattan office, an invitation to play strip poker on a government airplane, and an internal email from another aide indicating that the governor considered her a better looking sister of a rumored former girlfriend.

The governors press office responded to the strip poker element of Boylans allegations on Wednesday with flight records. Ms Boylans claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false, a statement read.

In remarks on Thursday, De Blasio, who has a contentious relationship with the governor, issued a call for an investigation into Cuomos behavior. These allegations are really disturbing  This kind of behavior, if its true, is just unacceptable. Weve got to get the truth about this, he said.

Boylans allegations come as the governor, who was for much of last year hailed as a hero for his handling of the pandemic, also faces a federal investigation into claims his administration deliberately undercounted the number Covid-related deaths in New York nursing homes.

Cuomo, who is facing calls for his resignation, is also in a showdown with angry state legislators from his own Democratic party who are looking to strip him of emergency powers they granted him during the pandemic.

Boylan, who is running for Manhattan borough president, went public with allegations of alleged sexual harassment in a series of remarks on Twitter in December but did not provide details.

But on Wednesday, she offered details, including describing an incident in 2018 when she said that she and the governor were alone in his Manhattan office. As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips. I was in shock, but I kept walking, Boylan wrote.

Story continues

In an earlier incident, in 2016, Boylan wrote that she was emailed by Stephanie Benton, director of the governors offices, who suggested she look up images of Lisa Shields  his rumored former girlfriend  because we could be sisters and I was the better looking sister.

The governor, Boylan added, began calling me Lisa in front of colleagues. It was degrading. Boylan also wrote that she had complained to friends that Cuomo would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.

In her essay, Boylan said: Governor Andrew Cuomo has created a culture within his administration where sexual harassment and bullying is so pervasive that it is not only condoned but expected.

His inappropriate behavior toward women, she continued, was an affirmation that he liked you, that you must be doing something right. He used intimidation to silence his critics. And if you dared to speak up, you would face consequences.
Pennsylvania's Delaware County Partners with Outsourcer to Ramp Up COVID Call Center

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, many cities, states and municipalities have discovered the limits of their public information call centers. Calls and other contacts have increased exponentially during a time when many call centers were finding it wasnt safe to operate with a full staff in place. As a result, citizens have often found long waits in their search for public health information.

Pennsylvanias Delaware County Vaccine Call Center has seen spikes in volume, with more than 1,100 people calling in each day with some experiencing hold times measured in hours. To try and alleviate the problems, county officials recently approved expanding the center with temporary staff so that residents' concerns can be addressed in a more timely manner, according to local news source the Daily Times.

Delaware County Council unanimously approved a $692,347.60 contract with Helpware Inc. to provide temporary staffing and services to expand the county's COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center beginning March 1. This expense will be funded through the county's Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act allocation.

Helpware is a call center outsourcing company that builds customized teams in customer service and back offices for government and commercial clients. The company has offices in the U.S. in Kentucky, as well as globally in Kyiv, Manila, Guadalajara and Berlin. The outsourcers services will add to the existing call center labor force of 12 full-time staff.

"We are being besieged by calls at our call center," said Delaware County Executive Director Howard Lazarus in a statement, noting that Helpware would provide 10 operators for 12 months. "So we worked with them to find a outsource resource that can help us get through the call volume that we're receiving and to be more responsive."

Delaware County's Chief Information Officer Frank Bilotta told the Daily Times that a key component of the contract is that it can scale either up or down based on need.

"If we see a reduced volume of calls, we'll be able to reduce the number of agents on staff," he said.

Edited by Maurice Nagle
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No hard feelings! Shanna Moakler only wants the best for her ex-husband, Travis Barker, and his new girlfriend, Kourtney Kardashian  on one condition.

Read article

As long as shes great to my kids and theyre both happy, Im happy for them, the model, 45, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, February 25. I absolutely am super happy for them. I have no ill will toward anybody.

Moakler and Barker, also 45, were married from October 2004 to February 2008. They share son Landon, 17, and daughter Alabama, 15. Us confirmed in January that the Blink-182 drummer moved on with Kardashian, 41, who shares sons Mason, 11, and Reign, 6, and daughter Penelope, 8, with her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick.

Peter Brooker/Shutterstock; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

I think theyve been friends for a really long time, the former Playboy Playmate, who is dating fellow model and actor Matthew Rondeau, told Us of the new couple. My kids seem to really like her, and they all seem [to be] in a good place, and Im in a good place, so its good!

Read article

Since their divorce, the Meet the Barkers alums have shared joint custody of their two children. Now that Landon and Alabama are getting older, however, the former couple are not as strict about working out a schedule.

Its not like when they were babies. Theyre teenagers, Moakler told Us. I dont think they want to hang out with either of their parents at this point. I think they want to hang out with their friends and be teenagers.

That said, the Hollywood Exes alum noted that she has a great relationship with her kids and called coparenting a first priority for Travis and I no matter where were at  as friends or acquaintances.

Read article

Landon and Alabama also have a tight bond with Mason, Penelope and Reign. A source previously told Us that they all became friends living in the same neighborhood, and the kids friendship had Kourtney and Travis spending a lot of time together before their relationship turned romantic.

The E! personality and the Grammy nominee became Instagram official on February 16 when they shared a close-up photo of their fingers interlocked in a car. The social media move came two days after they enjoyed a low-key Valentines Day together in front of an outdoor fireplace.

Theyre taking their time and trying not to move too fast, a source later told Us exclusively. No one is surprised by their relationship.

With reporting by Diana Cooper
Pfizer and BioNTech have started an evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine (BNT162b2).



It is to understand the effect of a booster on immunity against Covid-19 caused by the circulating and potential newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, the companies said in a statement on Thursday.

The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has not been approved or licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization to prevent Covid-19 for use in individuals 16 years of age and older.





The study will draw upon participants from the Phase 1 study in the US who will be offered the opportunity to receive a 30 g booster of the current vaccine 6 to 12 months after receiving their initial two-dose regimen.



The study is part of the companies' clinical development strategy to determine the effectiveness of a third dose against evolving variants.



Separately, in order to be prepared for any potential future strain changes, Pfizer-BioNTech are in ongoing discussions with regulatory authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency, regarding a registration-enabling clinical study to evaluate a variant-specific vaccine having a modified mRNA sequence.



This study would use a new construct of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine based on the B.1.351 lineage, first identified in South Africa.



This could position the companies to update the current vaccine quickly if the need arises to protect against Covid-19 from circulating strains.



Source: IANS "This booster study is critical to understanding the safety of a third dose and immunity against circulating strains," Bourla added.The study will draw upon participants from the Phase 1 study in the US who will be offered the opportunity to receive a 30 g booster of the current vaccine 6 to 12 months after receiving their initial two-dose regimen.The study is part of the companies' clinical development strategy to determine the effectiveness of a third dose against evolving variants.Separately, in order to be prepared for any potential future strain changes, Pfizer-BioNTech are in ongoing discussions with regulatory authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency, regarding a registration-enabling clinical study to evaluate a variant-specific vaccine having a modified mRNA sequence.This study would use a new construct of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine based on the B.1.351 lineage, first identified in South Africa.This could position the companies to update the current vaccine quickly if the need arises to protect against Covid-19 from circulating strains.Source: IANS

"While we have not seen any evidence that the circulating variants result in a loss of protection provided by our vaccine, we are taking multiple steps to act decisively and be ready in case a strain becomes resistant to the protection afforded by the vaccine," said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer.
A federal judge in Camden on Wednesday declined to appoint an independent monitor inside the Cumberland County Jail or to mandate a list of demands from inmates to ensure health and sanitation, especially to combat COVID-19.

Judge Noel L. Hillman instead instructed attorneys to expedite discovery of facts surrounding the issue and return to his court soon to try to resolve the issue during a 3 hour-and-20 minute virtual court session.

The decision is the latest in a lawsuit filed in June by inmates at the jail who claimed they were denied masks and other safeguards against COVID-19 while being held in unsanitary close quarters in dormitory settings of multiple bunk beds in a cell.

Opposing attorneys argued about the condition of the jail, which was scheduled to be closed in November before another lawsuit prevented it, an attorney in the proceeding said.

Our position is theyre failing to provide basic protections mandated by the CDC and others for COVID protection, Jeffrey Pollock, the inmates court-appointed attorney told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. The county claims they are doing everything wonderfully and its a place you and I should go to visit over a holiday. So theres obviously a factual difference between us.

Cumberland County Counsel John Carr had a more subdued response to what happened Wednesday.

Based on the information thus far provided the court, yesterday Judge Hillman declined to order injunctive relief sought on behalf of the inmates, he said in an email Thursday.

Pollock said all of the 240 prisoners in the jail have not faced trial and should be kept in better conditions.

Theres guys who have not been outside since last spring, Pollock said.

He said he believes the judge is taking that into consideration by expediting the next proceedings.

Pollock said he is not asking for the judge to release the prisoners. But he said he believes a recent decision by state officials will make more pretrial detainees eligible for release to combat COVID-19 and in conjunction with the elimination of cash bail in New Jersey.

The county had planned to close the county jail and spend $65 million to replace it with a new facility, but nixed those plans due to both the elimination of cash bail and efforts to combat COVID-19. Instead, the jail was scheduled to close in November and the county planned to pay neighboring counties to house the remaining prisoners in their jails. But lawsuits from the county jail guards union and the state public defenders office have delayed the action.

Cumberland County Commission Director Joseph Derella characterized the lawsuits as a loosely coordinated attempt, based on a common foundation of false information and misrepresentations, to further agendas that are completely unrelated to the control of the spread of COVID-19.

In January, federal authorities said they have reasonable cause to believe the Cumberland County Jail, where seven inmates died by suicide over three years, failed to take measures to prevent inmate suicides and provide adequate mental health care.

The justice department alleges that the jail violated the U.S. Constitution, as inmates faced a heightened risk of suicide due to the jails failure to provide medication-assisted treatment to inmates experiencing unmedicated opiate withdrawal.

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Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com.
With 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca corona vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India already in the country, with distribution to persons with underlying conditions, health workers and essential services providers already set to take off from next week, there is the need to understand one other important double-faced aspect of the vaccines we have in Ghana.



Ghana has so far settled on two vaccines for the country: the AstraZeneca and Sputnik-V vaccines, but one other interesting thing about these vaccines is that for each or either of them, they require two shots to fully complete the process of vaccination.



That means that should you take your first jab today, you'd need to be put on a follow-up schedule at which you will take your second and final shot of the vaccine.



But how long do you have to wait between those two shots?



According to a report on Forbes.com, for the AstraZeneca vaccine, for instance, the waiting period is 28 days.



"The official answer may be 21 days after the first dose for the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, 28 days after the first dose for the Moderna vaccine, and 28 days or more after the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine," the report said.



But, speaking at the Public Engagement on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out Plan, Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, Programme Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), said that it is expected that after three weeks of taking the first shots, citizens should be able to take their second and last shots.



Between that period however, according to the Chief Executive Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Delese Mimi Darko, there will be an efficient roll-out plan on following-up on those who have been vaccinated, as well as a way of monitoring causalities.









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 key Boris Johnson aide has launched a vicious attack on the lack of 'capability' in the civil service warning it is risk averse and obsessed with the metropolitan 'bubble'.

Baroness Finn, the new Downing Street deputy chief of staff, said Brexit showed the political system was seen as 'aloof and arrogant' and Whitehall is part of the problem.

She called for an overhaul in career structures and a change in mindset to help the government force through its 'levelling up' agenda.

The intervention, in an article for the Bright Blue think tank, suggests Lady Finn has been handed the mantle of civil service reform that was held by Dominic Cummings before his abrupt departure.

Her comments prompted an immediate backlash from union bosses who claimed she was 'insulting the very people you want to reform'.

Meanwhile, Downing Street repeatedly refused to say whether Boris Johnson agrees with Lady Finn, with the PM's Official Spokesman saying the premier has 'huge admiration for the civil service'.

Lady Finn, an ally of Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove as well as Mr Johnson's fiancee, Carrie Symonds, was appointed to her No10 role earlier this month.

Her appointment came at the same time as a former aide of Mr Gove, Henry Newman, was also handed a No10 role as her assistant.

The pair have worked together before and were in Mr Gove's team when he famously betrayed Mr Johnson in the 2016 Tory leadership contest.

They are reportedly often invited to the Downing Street flat by Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds.

Baroness Finn, who became a Tory peer in 2015, is now Boris Johnson's deputy chief of staff

Pictured left to right: Baroness Simone Finn, Henry Newman, Dilyn and Carrie Symonds

Lady Finn is an ex-girlfriend of Mr Gove and they were reportedly an item when they left university.

She also hosted Ms Symonds's 30th birthday party in 2018, which was attended by both the Prime Minister and Mr Gove.

Ms Symonds, Lady Finn and Mr Newman also campaigned together in the 2019 election in Wales.

Ms Symonds is said to have played a role in bringing Lady Finn and Mr Newman into their new No10 roles, with a source telling The Times earlier this month: 'This is her tribe, these are her people.'

Lady Finn worked with Mr Newman for just under five years while David Cameron was in power. She also knows Mr Johnson well after running his fundraising campaign when he stood as Mayor of London.

Writing for the Bright Blue think tank, Lady Finn said: 'In the Brexit referendum of 2016, overlooked families and undervalued communities expressed their discontent with a political system they regarded as aloof, arrogant, remote, and centralised.

'A key part that the civil service can play in drawing together a renewed sense of common purpose is making sure that it draws on all the talents of every part of the UK, and ensuring that decision makers are acquainted with the challenges faced by those outside the metropolitan bubble.'

Oxford-educated Lady Finn, who has been a member of the House of Lords since 2015, said the Government needed to 'address the lack of capability in the civil service to deliver successful projects across the UK and create the right enabling environment'.

She suggested Whitehall currently was too closed off to new ways of thinking and working.

'The civil service needs to become more open to new ideas and decision making, more commercially aware, and less risk averse,' she said.

'It is not enough simply to relocate jobs. Those leading the civil service also need to think harder about cognitive diversity.

'Levelling up means not only geographical diversity, but respect for and inclusion of different voices and life experiences.

'This means breaking up the current career ladder, welcoming people into the service not just for secondments but for periods of two years or more, so that the civil service can gain from people whose expertise is in, for example, renewable energy.'

Lady Finn said she welcomed the Treasury changing its Green Book - the rules which are used to assess the value of government schemes - but said more needed to be done.

She said: 'This is a welcome development as the rules have traditionally favoured investment in London and the South East.

'Equally importantly, the civil service lacks the right approach when it comes to investment and the allocation of project resources.

'The Government must be allowed to take on genuine risk and invest at earlier stages when the risk cannot be fully quantified and would therefore be out of bounds for early-stage venture capital.

Lady Finn said the Government must 'address the lack of capability in the civil service'

'There could be a high failure rate, but our universities are spread nationwide and provide ample opportunity for the state to invest and commercialise the IP.'

The PM's Official Spokesman was repeatedly asked at lunchtime if Mr Johnson agrees with Lady Finn's assessment of the civil service being seen as 'aloof and arrogant'.

The spokesman said: The PM has huge admiration for the civil service and is immensely proud of the amazing job they have done throughout the pandemic.

The civil service is always seeking to improve and the reforms we have already set out are part of that ongoing effort to deliver the best for the people of the UK.'

Asked again if the PM agrees with Lady Finn, the spokesman said: As I say, I am happy to repeat the point, the PM has huge admiration for the civil service and as I say he is immensely proud of the amazing job they have done throughout the pandemic.'

Lady Finn's comments prompted a furious backlash from the FDA union for civil servants.

FDA boss Dave Penman told Politico that civil servants have been 'working their socks off' during the pandemic response.

He said: 'If this government is serious about civil service reform, it needs to learn about leadership: Insulting the very people you want to reform  who are already working flat out for a civil service that's internationally recognised as the best in the world  is entirely self-defeating.'
Martin will dismiss as noise the rumblings in Fine Gael about his own and Health Minister Stephen Donnellys performances of late. The Taoiseach will insist he is paying no heed to the latest opinion poll. The same poll that suggests the public believes Donnelly is doing a better job than he is.

Martin has broad shoulders and will be able for the criticism. He will also insist he is putting the country before his party, which is certainly the case. Im sure hell mention how his focus is on the substance of policy.

But, after a decade in charge of Fianna Fail, it may be time for Martin to pay some attention to his party or it might become a little-known political entity. There are three key findings in the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll that should set off alarm bells for the Taoiseach.

The first two are dismal levels of support for Fianna Fail in Dublin (8pc) and among 18 to 34-year-olds (6.5pc). The party barely registers with young voters who live in the countrys capital city, which doesnt suggest there are foundations in place for Fianna Fail to build its way out of its current funk. Thirdly, and almost as worrying for Fianna Fail TDs, is the drop in support among its core vote of over-65s (23pc), now just two points ahead of Sinn Fein (21pc) in the same age group. This is a huge concern for veteran Fianna Fail TDs who have cultivated support among this key group of voters over years and are now being told they cant rely on them any more. So where is the growth for Fianna Fail? Martin will point to his party being the largest in local authorities and insist it can build on this ahead of the next general election. Unfortunately, as things stand, the next local election will fall four years into this Governments term while it is in the process of unwinding the welfare measures introduced during the pandemic. It wont be pretty and you can be sure it wont be popular. Theres not much Fianna Fail can do other than hope our notoriously fickle electorate will show it some good grace for guiding the country through the pandemic when others didnt step up to the plate. Hopefully, Covid restrictions will be long gone by the time the country votes again and people can go back to worrying about the housing crisis. Politicians of all parties have been getting it in the neck for months but Fianna Fail and Fine Gael TDs say it has become steadily worse in recent weeks, accumulating in widespread fury in the last seven days. Fine Gael TDs, who not long ago were basking in the Covid glow of public support from the first wave, are now selfishly worrying they will become tainted by the public anger towards Martin and Fianna Fail. Sinn Fein, meanwhile, continues to mirror the public anger with increasingly negative attacks on the Government. But yesterdays poll shows its growth in support may have hit a brick wall and might need a new strategy. Fianna Fail might also look to the Labour Party which has never recovered from its time in power with Fine Gael during an economic crisis. Five years after leaving Government, and despite Alan Kellys more populist approach to politics than the more measured Brendan Howlin, there seems to be no saving the party. Fianna Fail TDs will hope it wont take as long for their party to bounce back.
A leading rights group accused Libyan authorities on Thursday of failing to bring to justice war criminals responsible for a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests that led to the fall of longtime dictator Moammar Ghadafi in 2011. The statement by Human Rights Watch came on the tenth anniversary of the referral of Libya by the Security Council to the International Criminal Court of Justice over allegations of serious crimes against humanity committed during the uprising. But not a single suspect has been brought before the court to date.

After a decade of impunity for serious crimes, the wheels of justice set in motion by the Security Councils referral of Libya to the ICC seem to have come to a grinding halt, said Hanan Salah of HRW.

Council members need to ensure that the court has sufficient means and political backing to do its vital work on behalf of victims of grave abuses in Libya.In 2017, the ICC issued three arrest warrants against Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the late dictators son, Al-Tuhamy Mohamed Khaled, former head of the Libyan Internal Security Agency and Mahmoud al-Werfalli, a Libyan military officer.

Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, who is charged with murder for his alleged role in the violent suppression of the 2011 protests, is believed to be hiding in the Libyan town of Zintan. He was released from custody in June 2017 after more than five years in detention as part of a pardon issued by the Libyan parliament based in the countrys eastern region.Khaled is wanted for alleged war crimes against prisoners held by Libyan security forces during the 2011 protests. The ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had previously said that he was in Cairo.Werfalli is sought for his alleged role in or ordering the execution of 33 captives in the city of Benghazi in 2016 and 2017. The ICC holds that the executions were filmed and posted on the social media. Werfali has been serving as a commander in Libya's eastern army based in Benghazi and led by Khalifa Hifter.The ICC prosecutor has demanded that the Egyptian government surrender Khaled, and that Hifter hand over al-Werfalli.

The ICC faces steep challenges in carrying out its mandate in Libya. Without a police force, it relies on governments of countries where suspects can be found for cooperation in arrests, and that cooperation has been inadequate, read the statement.

Since 2011. Libya has descended into chaos and has become a haven for Islamic militants and armed groups who have spawned a protracted civil war.The country has been divided between two rival governments: one in the east and another in the west for the last six years. Each government is backed by a vast array of militias and foreign governments. In 2019, the east-based commander Khalifa Hifter launched a military offensive to capture the capital, Tripoli from the U.N.-backed government. His 14-month-long campaign failed last year after Turkey had backed Tripoli with forces, military equipment and war mercenaries.

During the conflict, armed groups from both sides committed a series of war crime violations including indiscriminate shelling, abductions, torture, unlawful executions, desecration of bodies and the use of and prohibited cluster bombs and anti-personnel landmines and booby traps, said HRW.In October, the U.N. could mediate a ceasefire between warring parties and initiated a political dialogue that culminated in the election of interim authorities earlier this month. The new transitional government is expected to lead the country into general elections in December 2021.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Christina Lake Cannabis Corp. (the Company or CLC or Christina Lake Cannabis) (CSE:CLC) (OTCQB: CLCFF) (FRANKFURT: CLB) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TAAT Lifestyle & Wellness Ltd. (TAAT) (CSE: TAAT) dated February 24, 2021 in which CLC is to develop and distribute the TAAT nicotine-free and tobacco-free alternative to tobacco cigarettes for the Canadian market. The MOU grants CLC exclusive rights to develop and distribute TAAT in Canada for a two-year renewable term, and provides for budgets, schedules, and contributions of both parties for each stage of product development to be agreed upon by way of written agreements to set out specific stipulations for each stage. After TAAT was first announced in mid-2020, considerable interest was received from legal-aged Canadian smokers who appear to be drawn to the unique properties of TAAT as a tobacco-free and nicotine-free product, as well as its low price point compared to tobacco cigarettes (e.g., USD $3.99 for TAAT in Ohio vs approx. USD $7.00 for Marlboro). The base material of TAAT is known as Beyond Tobacco, a proprietary hemp formulation which undergoes a 14-step process to taste, smell, and smoke similarly to actual tobacco. As Canadian law generally requires hemp products and derivatives to be produced, distributed, and sold through entities licensed by Health Canada, CLCs status as a Licensed Producer under the Cannabis Act could enable TAAT to be produced and sold in the Canadian market, where the tobacco industry is valued at CAD $19.1 billion1.



Carried by tobacco retailers in Ohio as of December 2020, TAAT has seen considerable success to date in the tobacco category in the United States. In a press release dated January 29, 2021 TAAT announced that 60% of retailers who carried its products for three or more weeks had already placed reorders, a velocity regarded by the firms Chief Revenue Officer Tim Corkum as an outlier in comparison to the dozens of tobacco brands he has launched in Canada and the Caribbean2. After launching the TAAT online store on February 17, 2021, availing the product to the majority of smokers aged 21+ in the United States, TAAT sold more than CAD $50,000 worth of product in 48 hours3. Although TAAT ran digital advertising campaigns for its online store targeted towards smokers aged 21+ in the United States, more than 16% of all users visiting the TAAT online store to date were from Canada. Based on this level of interest, TAAT began to explore potential supplier relationships with a Licensed Producer in Canada, ultimately leading to its memorandum of understanding with the Company.

Offered in Original, Smooth, and Menthol varieties, TAAT is engineered to mimic the experiential attributes of smoking a tobacco cigarette. Elements of TAAT which contribute to this similarity include a cigarette-style combustible stick format, an enhanced volume of smoke, and a tobacco-like taste and smell.

More information about TAAT can be found on its website: http://taatglobal.com

To view Picture 1 accompanying this release please visit:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72835fec-353b-4085-922c-5357814ad101

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR or the Investor Relations section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

CLCs inaugural harvest in 2020 yielded 32,500 kg / 71,650 lb of sun-grown cannabis, which is primarily being extracted to produce winterized cannabis oils and distillates for the Canadian market. Although CLC does not presently cultivate hemp, which would be used to produce Beyond Tobacco for the manufacture of TAAT, CLC has sourced multiple local growers who can supply high quality, toxin-free hemp biomass which is suited to the ideal composition of Beyond Tobacco, the base material of TAAT products. As TAAT continues its rollout in the United States, CLC believes that it could capitalize upon this momentum to strategically place TAAT in authorized online retail and sales channels across Canada to capture the interest of legal-aged smokers who might desire a nicotine-free and tobacco-free alternative to tobacco cigarettes.

Nicco Dehaan, Chief Operating Officer, Master Grower, and a director of the Company commented, Working with TAAT is a wonderful opportunity for us to branch out into the commercialization side of the cannabis and hemp industry, as a partner of a third-party firm. The Canadian environment for cannabis and hemp can be tricky to navigate, which creates barriers for players from outside of Canada when it comes to entering the market here. We believe TAAT has created a novel product formulation which has clearly resonated well with smokers aged 21+ in the United States. Between our ability to develop and produce TAAT and its Beyond Tobacco base material for the Canadian market, as well as to distribute TAAT through authorized sales channels, I believe that we can unlock a lot of value for both CLC and TAAT as they work towards expanding into a new country for the first time.

Setti Coscarella, Chief Executive Officer of TAAT commented, Legal-aged smokers in Canada have shown a persisting interest in TAAT, despite the fact that we have not conducted any product advertising whatsoever here. In the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry it is relatively common for firms to partner with local manufacturers in international markets for a variety of reasons (e.g., Hershey makes Cadbury chocolate in the United States), and I believe that working with CLC could help to expedite our planned entry into the Canadian market.

Sources

1 - https://www.statista.com/statistics/488752/forecasted-market-value-of-the-tobacco-industry-canada/

2 - https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/01/29/2166840/0/en/60-of-Tobacco-Retailers-who-Have-Carried-TAAT-for-Three-or-More-Weeks-Have-Placed-Reorders.html

3 - https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/19/2179100/0/en/Following-E-Commerce-Launch-TAAT-Sells-More-than-CAD-50-000-of-Product-in-48-Hours.html

About Christina Lake Cannabis Corp.

Christina Lake Cannabis Corp. is a licensed producer of cannabis under the Cannabis Act. It has secured a standard cultivation licence and corresponding processing/sales amendment from Health Canada (March 2020 and August 2020, respectively) as well as a research and development licence (early 2020). CLCs facility consists of a 32-acre property, which includes over 950,000 square feet of outdoor grow space, offices, propagation and drying rooms, research facilities, and a facility dedicated to processing and extraction. CLC also owns a 99-acre plot of land adjoining its principal 32-acre site, which enables the Company to grow at a much larger scale. CLC cultivates cannabis using strains specifically developed for outdoor cultivation and in its inaugural harvest year produced 32,500 kg (71,650 lb) on its existing facility before developing an adjacent 99-acre expansion property. Such an expansion will ultimately bring CLCs annual cultivation footprint to over 4.35 million square feet, which could enable at least 150,000 kg (330,693 lb) of low-cost, high-quality, sun-grown cannabis to be produced annually by the Company.

On behalf of Christina Lake Cannabis Corp.:

Joel Dumaresq

Joel Dumaresq, CEO and Director

For more information about CLC, please visit: www.christinalakecannabis.com

Jamie Frawley

Investor Relations and Media Inquiries

jamie@clcannabis.com

416-268-9432

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSES REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words anticipate, continue, estimate, expect, may, will, would, project, should, believe and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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 can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this News Release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Companys disclosure documents which can be found under the Companys profile on http://www.sedar.com .

Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms

Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by Christina Lake Cannabis Corp. can be found under the Company's profile on http://sedar.com .




As Infections Dip, Governors Across U.S. Start Easing Restrictions China approved two more Covid-19 vaccines for general use. In the U.S., vaccinations, stalled by heavy storms across the country, are accelerating again.

Governors relax restrictions as infection numbers fall. Fenway Park will be allowed to reopen at 12 percent capacity starting March 22. Credit... Elise Amendola/Associated Press With the coronavirus slowly receding, governors around the United States are beginning to relax pandemic restrictions. But the rules are being eased much in the same way as they were imposed: in a patchwork fashion that largely falls along party lines. Republicans are leaning toward rollbacks, and Democrats are staying the course or offering a more cautious approach. On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas said he was considering lifting a statewide mask mandate that has been in place since July. Were working right now on evaluating when were going to be able to remove all statewide orders, and we will be making announcements about that pretty soon, Mr. Abbott said. Mr. Abbott, a Republican, has been scrutinized for his handling of the pandemic, especially given the runaway infection rates in the states border cities. In November, he ruled out any more lockdowns, determined to keep Texas open despite a surge in cases. As Mr. Abbott weighs easing restrictions, the states vaccination effort has yet to fully rebound from the winter storm that knocked out power to millions and crippled water systems across Texas last week. In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves said he was also considering pulling back some restrictions, particularly mask mandates for people who have been fully vaccinated. Just over 12 percent of the states population has received at least one shot, and 5.5 percent have received two. But in Mississippi and elsewhere, even as a mass vaccination campaign continues to pick up momentum, new dangers loom in the form of more contagious coronavirus variants. The variants might cause new spikes in infections that outpace the gains made by vaccination. So could lapses in social distancing and other precautions. In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican who has been criticized for a rocky vaccine rollout, said on Thursday that the state would move into the next phase of reopening in March as long as infection rates continue to trend downward. Capacity limits for indoor dining will be lifted starting next week, but bars and nightclubs will remain closed. Large sports facilities like Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium and TD Garden can reopen at 12 percent capacity starting on March 22, he said. Weve been watching how these venues perform in other states and believe with the right safety measures in place they can operate responsibly and safely here in the commonwealth, Mr. Baker said. Red Sox opening day is scheduled for April 1 at Fenway. In Philadelphia, Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said he, too, was optimistic that there would be some fans in the stands for the Phillies opening day. On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, announced some changes to Covid-19 restrictions in North Carolina, eliminating the states nightly curfew and easing occupancy regulations at indoor and outdoor businesses. The Republican-led North Dakota House of Representatives went a step further, passing a bill on Monday that would prohibit state and local governments from creating future mask mandates. The bill is headed to the State Senate. Gov. Doug Burgum allowed the states mask mandate to expire in January. Some Democratic leaders are taking more measured steps. In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam said he was easing limits on outdoor gatherings and ending a 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew starting Monday; restaurants and bars will be permitted to serve alcohol until 12 a.m. We hope that with trends continuing as they are, that we can look at further steps in the coming months, Mr. Northam said on Wednesday. But its critical that we do this slowly and thoughtfully. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan said at a news conference on Wednesday that she also planned to ease some restrictions in the coming days, though she provided few specifics. Our case numbers and public health metrics are trending in the right direction, she said. Im very pleased to see that, and feeling very optimistic. Remy Tumin and

The pace of U.S. vaccination begins to rebound after recent winter storms. Florence Mullins, 89, sitting to wait as a family member held her place in a long line to receive a coronavirus vaccine at Fair Park in Dallas last month. Credit... Pool photo by Smiley N. Reports of new vaccinations have started to increase again across the United States after a week of declines brought on by severe weather. The country administered an average of about 1.5 million reported doses a day in the seven-day period ending Thursday, according to federal data, a slight increase from a low point of 1.4 million doses a day through Tuesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday that nearly 68.3 million doses of vaccine had been administered across the country since the U.S. vaccination campaign began in December. Since Jan. 20, the C.D.C. has reported the administering of more than 50 million shots across the country. But even as the pace of vaccination rebounds, it remains well below the roughly 1.7 million doses the country was averaging each day before a powerful winter storm disrupted shipping nationwide last week and forced vaccination sites to close in parts of the South and Midwest. The average number of daily doses administered across the country had been steadily increasing as the two federally authorized vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, became more efficient and expanded production for their two-dose vaccines. While that acceleration had been expected well before President Biden assumed office, officials have been anxious to highlight every increase in shipments as evidence that the new administration is strongly tackling the pandemic. A third vaccine, from Johnson & Johnson, which is a one-dose vaccine, is expected to be authorized soon. On Thursday, Mr. Biden watched two firefighters and a Safeway grocery store manager get vaccinated at an event in Washington and used the moment to mark the nations progress toward goal  considered fairly unambitious by many many experts  he set before he took office: 100 million shots in his first 100 days. Weve been laser-focused on the greatest operational challenge this countrys ever undertaken, he said. We are going from a mess we inherited to moving in the right direction. At one point, Mr. Biden suggested without specifics that in late April or May there may be more vaccines available than people willing to take them. Were gong to hit a phase in this effort, maybe as late as April or May, when many predict, instead of long lines of people waiting to get a shot, well face a very different scenario: Well have the vaccine waiting, he said. The presidents optimism about supply tracks with congressional testimony from vaccine manufacturer officials earlier in the week. Pfizer and Moderna executives said they would deliver a total of 400 million doses by the end of May, and 600 million by the end of July. Johnson & Johnson has pledged 20 million doses by the end of March and 100 million doses by the end of June if its shot is authorized. But on Thursday, Mr. Biden repeated his warning that this is not a victory lap and said he could not predict regular public life might resume. Sharon LaFraniere contributed reporting. Mitch Smith and See How Vaccinations Are Going in Your County and State See where doses have gone, and who is eligible for a shot in each state.

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Vaccinations are on the rise in N.Y.C., but opening up the economy more could counter progress. Shoppers in Chinatown. With the rise of coronavirus cases in New York City, more restrictions may come for small businesses that have already taken a financial hit. Credit... Lanna Apisukh for The New York Times As the rate of positive coronavirus test results and the number of virus cases have trended downward to pre-holiday levels, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has reopened a spigot of activity in New York: indoor dining at reduced capacity in New York City, major sports stadiums and arenas with limited fans, movie theaters in the city and wedding venues. But virus variants, including a new form spreading in New York City, could pose threats to the citys progress. Mr. Cuomo said he did not want to keep things closed just because the variants were here. On a daily basis we are looking at the data and calibrating this, said Gareth Rhodes, a member of Mr. Cuomos coronavirus state task force. You have to be very, very careful, but also recognize that you cannot keep the economy indefinitely closed. But experts noted that, with the arrival of the variants, keeping community transmission at bay is more important than ever. It does not make epidemiologic sense to me, said Dr. Denis Nash, an epidemiologist at the City University of New York. I see how it makes economic sense, on the one hand. In the short term, it will help the bottom line of restaurant workers and employ people. But it also puts employees at risk, and it is at cross purposes with the larger goal, which is to get the vaccine into as many arms as possible before the virus gets them. New York City has seen a steep decline in the number of people testing positive for the virus each day, but the drop has not been as dramatic as it has been nationally and community transmission in the city remains high. One encouraging sign is that there has been a steeper drop in the positive test rate among New Yorkers over 75 than in New Yorkers as a whole, likely because of vaccinations. Also, emergency room admissions for people over 65 have stabilized and are falling gradually. As of Tuesday, the city had partially or fully vaccinated about 1 million people  a major milestone for the rollout. Of those, about half a million people had received both shots. But the vaccine rollout has been uneven across racial groups, with those hit hardest by the virus being vaccinated at lower rates. Though nearly one-quarter of New Yorkers identify as Black, for example, Black people account for only 12 percent of the vaccinations, according to city statistics. In addition, about a quarter of the people who have been fully vaccinated in New York City do not live in the city, but outside it, according to the data. It is unknown how many qualified because they work in the city or were vaccinated at state sites, and how many broke the rules. The pace of vaccination in recent days has also been slower than the city would like, as delivery delays caused by bad weather compounded shortages in supply. In the past week, the city has administered about 30,000 vaccines a day, down from a peak of 60,000 doses per day the prior week.

A U.S. aircraft carrier is coming home after 10 months at sea  just not to quite the same home. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III greeting troops aboard the carrier Nimitz on Thursday. Credit... Helene Cooper/The New York Times ABOARD U.S.S. NIMITZ, off California  Many Americans might have given almost anything to have escaped the past year in their country, but consider the experience of the crew of the Nimitz. When the aircraft carrier departed Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., on April 27, George Floyd was still alive. Donald J. Trump was still president. Georgia had two Republican senators. And about 56,000 people in the United States had died of the coronavirus. Now, 10 months later, the nuclear-powered warship is returning home to a country vastly different from the one it left. That difference was highlighted on Thursday when the new defense secretary  for the first time, an African-American  landed onboard to talk to a travel-weary and isolated crew. Secretary of defense in combat! came the announcement. Lloyd J. Austin III, his baritone ringing through the ships public-address system, told the sailors and pilots on the Nimitz that he knew what it felt like to be cut off from life during extended deployments: Mr. Austin, a retired Army four-star general, was posted in Iraq about a decade ago for a tour even longer than the Nimitzs. But that was on land, in Army bases near Baghdad and flying around to Erbil and Ramadi. The Nimitz sailors and Navy and Marine pilots were at sea, spending 2020 in what sometimes felt like a time capsule, sailors said. They had to quarantine for two weeks before they even boarded the ship and, once on, they basically could associate only with one another, even during port calls. On the rare occasions that the ship came into port  in Guam or in Manama, Bahrain  the 5,000-strong crew was not allowed traditional shore leave and had to sleep onboard, in berths with around 100 other sailors. They were told not to interact with the public on land because of the pandemic. They watched the presidential election returns from the Indian Ocean and woke up the morning of Jan. 7, in the Persian Gulf, to the news that rioters had stormed the Capitol. Among crew members on Thursday, there was a palpable sense of excitement, but also some trepidation about what they would find after 10 months in a bubble at sea. Some had lost family members to Covid-19  after all, more than 450,000 more people in America had died of the disease while the Nimitz was sailing the world. Petty Officer First Class Christina Ray, 31, said she was hopeful but wary. I am filled with so many emotions, she said. Weve been so removed from the world, and now its like, How do I be normal?

California has now lost more people to Covid-19 than any other state in the U.S. A Covid-19 victim being placed in a hearse in El Cajon, Calif., in January. Credit... Mario Tama/Getty Images Its really hard to put all of it into words. It was December, as Covid-19 deaths were besieging California, and Helen Cordova, an intensive care unit nurse in Los Angeles, was trying to describe what it was like. This is a very real disease, Ms. Cordova said. Those images of inside of hospitals, thats very accurate. Two months later, it is still hard to put in words how deeply the pandemic has scarred the state, but one single number told the story: 50,000. That is how many people have died from coronavirus over the past year in California  the first state to pass that milestone. The record was hit on Wednesday, and by Thursday deaths were nearing 51,000. It was a bleak reminder that the recent progress the state has made against the pandemic may be fragile. Most of those deaths were recorded recently, during a frightening winter surge that followed a period of relatively low case counts and cautious hope. According to a New York Times database, California, the countrys most populous state, averaged more than 560 deaths a day at its peak in January. By contrast, for much of November, it reported fewer than 50 deaths a day on average. Though the state has reported more total deaths than any other in the nation, it is far from the hardest hit relative to the size of its population. At least 30 states have reported more total deaths per capita, and New Jersey has recorded twice as many. Tallying the loss of life across Californias vast expanse belies the viruss uneven impact on poorer communities of color, particularly in the Central Valley and Los Angeles. Weve created a separate and unequal hospital system and a separate and unequal funding system for low-income communities, said Dr. Elaine Batchlor, chief executive of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles, the hardest-hit hospital for its size in the hardest-hit county in the state. Latinos, who are more likely than other Californians to work in essential industries and less likely to have the resources or space to isolate themselves if they get infected, have been sickened and have died at disproportionately high rates. And so far, California has failed to prevent the same inequities from plaguing the states vaccination effort, a process that has been criticized as chaotic and confusing. Nearly all of Californias roughly 40 million residents spent the holidays under strict orders to stay at home. Gatherings with people they did not live with were banned. Even with those restrictions, the virus spread rapidly and hospitals were overwhelmed. Doctors and nurses like Ms. Cordova treated patients in hospital lobbies. Relatives watched remotely as loved ones took their last breaths. Health care workers who held the screens for them are still grappling with the lingering effects of sustained trauma. Now, as in the fall, there is a feeling of hope. California is reporting half as many new cases a day, on average, as it did two weeks ago. Some counties have been allowed to lift restrictions, and local officials say more reopenings are on the way. And California has administered many more vaccine doses than any other state. The first in the state to get one outside of a clinical trial? Ms. Cordova.

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China approves two more Covid-19 vaccines. The Chinese pharmaceutical company CanSinoBIO ran a late-stage clinical trial for its coronavirus vaccine candidate in Oaxaca, Mexico, in November. It is now seeking regulatory approval. Credit... Jorge Luis Plata/Reuters China has approved two Covid-19 vaccines whose manufacturers say are effective at preventing serious illness, paving the way for their deployment in the country and the developing world over the next few months. China now has four vaccines approved for general use; two are already being mass produced, by the companies Sinopharm and Sinovac Biotech. The addition of two more could significantly speed up Chinas strategy of vaccine diplomacy and its mass domestic inoculation drive, which has been slow in part because the government is prioritizing the export of its vaccines. All four vaccines have been shown to prevent severe illness, but they have been dogged by a lack of transparency around clinical data. CanSinoBIO, which has teamed up with a military institute that belongs to the Peoples Liberation Army, said this week that its one-shot vaccine had an efficacy rate of 65.28 percent at preventing all symptomatic Covid-19 cases. Separately, Sinopharm, a state-controlled company with a vaccine that is already in use in China, said the shot that it developed with its affiliate, the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, had an efficacy rate of 72.51 percent. The companies gave few details on their analyses, such as how many people contracted Covid-19 during the trials. That will make it hard for scientists to evaluate the new vaccines independently. Several developing countries have already ordered the two new vaccines, which can be easily stored at refrigerated temperatures. Like other Chinese vaccine makers, CanSino had to start its Phase 3 clinical trials abroad  in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Pakistan and Russia  because there were so few domestic cases. The companys vaccine has already been approved for use by the Chinese military. Unlike Sinopharm and Sinovac, CanSinos chief executive, Yu Xuefeng, has indicated that the company could struggle to ramp up production to meet the needs of Chinas 1.4 billion people. Mr. Yu has said that the companys vaccine production capacity was 100 million doses per year, or 200 million doses at the most. The CanSino vaccine is made with a virus, called Ad5, that is modified to carry genetic instructions into a human cell. The cell begins making a coronavirus protein and the immune system learns to attack it. Before the release of the efficacy data, scientists were doubtful that the Ad5 vector would work effectively because it is a common cold virus that many people are likely to have been exposed to. Sinopharm tested its Wuhan vaccine in seven countries, including Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. In December, the vaccine that it developed with the Beijing Institute of Biological Production was approved for use. Like the Beijing vaccine, the Wuhan shot was made using a tried-and-tested technology that relies on a weakened virus to stimulate the immune system. Both Sinopharm vaccines were approved in July for emergency use and rolled out to thousands of health care workers and travelers even before the completion of Phase 3 trials. The company said it could produce a maximum of one billion doses this year.

New infections in Europe have fallen to half their winter peak, W.H.O. says. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 0:50 - 0:00 transcript New Covid-19 Infections Have Fallen to Half in Europe, W.H.O. Says Heightened restrictions on social interaction have caused the rates of Covid-19 cases to fall in Europe. But the World Health Organization cautioned that new cases were still 10 times as high as they were last May. For the second consecutive week, less than one million new cases were reported as transmission continues to slow across the region. The decrease in new cases in the past month is driven by countries that have implemented new measures to slow transmission. New reported cases have declined by almost a half since the end of 2020. However, to put that into perspective, the number of new cases in the region now is 10 times higher than in May last year. The burden is real, and it is significant. About one in 10 Covid-19 sufferers remain unwell after 12 weeks, and many for much longer. Heightened restrictions on social interaction have caused the rates of Covid-19 cases to fall in Europe. But the World Health Organization cautioned that new cases were still 10 times as high as they were last May. Credit Credit... Alastair Grant/Associated Press With much of Europe living under heightened restrictions on movement and social interaction, the rates of Covid-19 infection across the continent have been cut in half from the winter peak, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. But as pressure on national governments mounts to ease lockdowns, Hans Kluge, the W.H.O.s director in Europe, cautioned new cases were still 10 times as high as they were last May and that the region was still experiencing high rates of community transmission. No one can predict the course of the pandemic, Mr. Kluge said. This really depends on our individual and collective measures. His caution reflected the broad concern over new virus variants while the infection rate remains stubbornly high. Europe has now experienced close to 38 million coronavirus infections and at least 850,000 deaths. In the past two weeks, new cases have fallen below one million in the 53 countries covered by the W.H.O.s European regional office. But Europe has an increasing geographic spread of new infections and increasing prevalence of variants of concern, Catherine Smallwood, W.H.O. Europes senior emergency officer, told reporters. More infections in the human population means more variants will arise over time, she noted. Public health officials have been pushing back at growing calls to open up economies and loosen controls as health services complete vaccinations of older and more vulnerable members of society  a campaign that has gotten off to a sluggish start in many nations. What we should be absolutely clear about is that will simply encourage the emergence of more dangerous variants, said Martin McKee, professor of European public health at London Universitys School of Hygiene and Tropical Health. The places the variants have come from are the places with high levels of community transmission. European countries needed to step up their capacity for the genome sequencing used to detect characteristics of the virus and which enables scientists to spot the emergence of new variants. Only a small number of European countries are doing it, Mr. McKee said. That is a really high priority now, he said.

A debate over a vaccine passport to allow travel in the E.U. grows. The Acropolis archaeological site in Athens reopened to visitors in May. Greek officials are hoping to bolster the tourism industry with vaccination certificates. Credit... Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters European leaders, deeply concerned that another summers lucrative tourism trade could be lost to the pandemic, are escalating calls for the European Union to introduce a common system that would allow borders to reopen to people who have been inoculated against the virus. Even as Europes vaccination program contends with long delays and one senior European Union official admitting it would be difficult to reach the blocs goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adults by the end of summer, the idea of a European Union-wide vaccine passport system has become a hotly discussed topic. Senior officials in Greece and Spain  countries heavily reliant on tourism  are among those who have supported proposals for a program of so-called vaccine passports. They argue that requiring people to show a certificate proving they have received a coronavirus shot would restore the blocs pillar of free movement, help draw in summer holidaymakers and allow business trips to return. Before a scheduled online meeting on Thursday of the heads of all 27 European Union nations, the Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, added his voice in support of the idea. We want to get back to normal as quickly as possible, have our old lives back and maximum freedom, Mr. Kurz said in a tweet on Wednesday. We therefore want an EU-wide Green Passport, with which people can travel freely, do business without restrictions and go on holiday, as well as finally enjoy gastronomy, culture, events and other things again. But there is concern brewing that introducing a vaccine passport system so early in Europes vaccination program would create a two-tier system by the summer of inoculated people who could travel carefree while those yet to be vaccinated would be grounded. European leaders are not expected to make a decision at the summit meeting on Thursday on the use of vaccination certificates, but they are expected to discuss how to ensure such a program would be able to run across all countries in the bloc. In an interview with Bild Live, a digital offshoot of the German tabloid, Mr. Kurz urged that the passport system to be one easily accessible on a cellphone. He said he supported the idea so everyone can have all the freedoms back that we value so much, adding that he was personally very optimistic about the summer.

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The F.D.A. says the Pfizer vaccine can be kept at normal freezer temperatures. Cold storage freezers with Covid-19 vaccines at the Pfizer Kalamazoo Manufacturing Site in Michigan. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times Federal regulators on Thursday approved a request by Pfizer and BioNTech to store and transport their vaccine at standard freezer temperatures instead of in ultracold conditions, potentially expanding the number of sites that can administer shots. The Food and Drug Administration said the change allowed for more flexible conditions. The alternative temperature for transportation and storage will help ease the burden of procuring ultralow cold storage equipment for vaccination sites and should help to get vaccine to more sites, Dr. Peter Marks, director of the F.D.A.s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. Now, smaller pharmacies and doctors offices should be able to administer shots, since they can use their existing refrigerators or freezers. Until now, distribution of the Pfzier-BioNTech vaccine has been complicated by the requirement that the vaccine be stored in freezers that kept it between -112 and -76 degrees Fahrenheit. But last week, the companies submitted new data to the F.D.A. showing their vaccine could be safely stored at -13 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two weeks. Modernas vaccine can be stored in standard freezers and then in a refrigerator for up to 30 days. That has allowed it to be used more readily at smaller vaccination sites.

North Koreas borders are closed, but Russia says some of its citizens found a way out by hand-pushed railcar. Several employees at Russias embassy in North Korea left the country on a journey that included a trip on a hand-pushed railcar, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Credit... Russian Foreign Ministry North Korea sealed its borders more than a year ago, grounding flights and shutting its borders with neighboring China and Russia because of the pandemic. This week, a few Russians found a way out. Russias Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that several employees at its embassy in North Korea had taken an unusual route  one that included a bus ride and a trip on a hand-pushed railcar  to reach the countrys border with Russia. The group included the embassys third secretary, Vladislav Sorokin, and his 3-year-old daughter, the ministry said on its official Facebook page. It also posted a photograph showing several children sitting on the railcar beside suitcases, with adults walking behind them on a railroad track and snow-capped hills in the distance. When the group arrived at a Russian border post in Siberia, they were met by colleagues from the Foreign Ministry and taken to an airport in Vladivostok, the ministrys post said. It was not clear from the post whether the group had broken any North Korean regulations or encountered any police or border officials. The ministry did not immediately respond to an email on Friday requesting further details about the journey. North Korea closed its borders in January 2020 out of fears that a Covid-19 outbreak could seriously test its underequipped public health system and a domestic economy that was already struggling under international sanctions, analysts say. The country has also deployed troops along its border with China with shoot to kill orders to prevent smugglers from bringing in the coronavirus, Gen. Robert B. Abrams, commander of the United States military in South Korea, said in September. The Norths leader, Kim Jong-un, said last summer that he would not accept international aid after devastating floods in his country for fear that outside help might bring in the virus, the state news media reported. But Mr. Kim is apparently willing to import Covid-19 vaccines. According to a report this month by Covax, an international group that has negotiated for vaccine doses, North Korea is expected to receive nearly two million doses of the AstraZeneca shot by the middle of this year. The Norths state news media has long insisted that the country has no confirmed Covid-19 cases, but outside experts are skeptical.

France may impose regional restrictions as infections rise sharply. Unlike some of its neighbors, France has resisted imposing a new national lockdown to fight back the more contagious variants, instead opting for restrictions at the regional level. Credit... Ian Langsdon/EPA, via Shutterstock The prime minister of France said Thursday that several regions could face new pandemic restrictions starting March 6, as the country recorded a sharp increase in Covid-19 infections. The virus has been gaining ground again in the past week, Prime Minister Jean Castex told reporters at a news conference, adding that the surge in infections was attributable to new variants of the virus, such as one originally detected in Britain that now accounts for half of infections in France. France on Wednesday registered more than 30,000 new coronavirus cases, up from a daily average of 20,000 new infections in recent weeks and the biggest daily tally since mid-November. Mr. Castex said that 20 of the countrys administrative regions would be put on alert and that stricter limits on movement would be enforced there if infections rise further in the coming week. The regions include the Paris area and the northern and southern tips of the country. Restrictions could include weekend lockdowns, increased checks at airports and a crackdown on public gatherings in public places, similar to measures that were recently enforced on the French Riviera and in the city of Dunkirk, Mr. Castex said. Unlike some of its neighbors, France has resisted imposing a new national lockdown to fight back the more contagious variants, instead opting for restrictions at the regional level. Reacting to the news, Pariss deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said such measures would not be enough to fight back rising infections. Instead, he suggested a total lockdown of the capital for three weeks so the city would have the possibility to reopen everything afterward, including bars, restaurants and cultural venues. Mr. Castex said that by mid-May, everyone over 50 should have received a first Covid-19 vaccine dose. With about 4 percent of its total population, or 2.7 million people, having received a first dose, France trails countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel but is on par with its Spanish and German neighbors. Everything possible must be done to delay a new national lockdown, Mr. Castex said. He added that tightening restrictions just enough to stave off a new surge of the virus without affecting businesses and peoples lives too much was a difficult balance to strike.

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More than 120,000 virus cases have been linked to American colleges since the start of 2021. Students wearing masks on campus at Marquette University in November. More than 530,000 coronavirus cases have been linked to college campuses since the beginning of the pandemic Credit... Taylor Glascock for The New York Times Coronavirus cases have continued to emerge by the tens of thousands this year at colleges, a New York Times survey found, after students returned to campuses during a period when case numbers were soaring across much of the country. More than 120,000 cases have been linked to American colleges and universities since Jan. 1, and more than 530,000 cases have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic. The Times also identified more than 100 deaths involving college students and employees. The vast majority occurred in 2020 and involved employees. Nearly a year after most universities abruptly shifted classes online and sent students home, the virus continues to upend American higher education. When many campuses reopened in the fall, outbreaks raced through dorms and infected thousands of students and employees. Since students returned for the spring term, increased testing, social distancing rules and an improving national outlook have helped curb the spread on some campuses. At Ohio State, where the test positivity rate once peaked at about 5 percent, university officials reported a positivity rate of just 0.5 percent across 30,000 tests on campus in one recent week. Still, major outbreaks continue. The Times surveyed more than 1,900 colleges and universities for coronavirus information and found at least 17 colleges have already reported more than 1,000 cases in 2021. At the University of Michigan, a highly infectious variant turned up on campus. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where more cases have been identified in 2021 than during the fall term, in-person classes are resuming after a difficult start to the year. Kumble R. Subbaswamy, the chancellor at Massachusetts, wrote in a letter to the university community last week of a promising but fragile opportunity to resume campus life, warning that we stand at a critical juncture of the spring semester. Despite surges at some colleges, there are positive signs. In counties with large populations of college students, coronavirus cases have been falling, mirroring a national trend in declining cases. Mitch Smith and

After months of despair, a big drop in virus deaths at nursing homes. Transporting a nursing home resident with coronavirus symptoms in Austin in August. Credit... John Moore/Getty Images Contagion and death have been intertwined with nursing homes since the coronavirus made its first appearance in the United States. Some of the grimmest chapters in the book of death the pandemic has written over the past year have been set in the very places where the weakest Americans were meant to be sheltered. The virus has raced through some 31,000 long-term care facilities, killing more than 163,000 residents and employees. They accounting for more than a third of all virus deaths since the late spring. But something is changing. Our graphics team has taken a look at nursing home deaths and found heartening news. Since the arrival of vaccines, which were prioritized to long-term care facilities starting in late December, new cases and deaths in nursing homes have fallen steeply, outpacing national declines, according to a New York Times analysis of federal data. The turnaround is an encouraging sign for vaccine effectiveness and offers an early glimpse at what may be in store for the rest of the country, as more and more people get vaccinated. Matthew Conlen , Sarah Mervosh and

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N.Y.C. officials are still assessing the full risks of a new variant found in the city. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:30 - 0:00 transcript Officials Monitoring New Variant Detected in N.Y.C. New York City officials said on Thursday that they are investigating possible risks of a new coronavirus variant spreading in the city, but that it did not appear yet to require change in public health response. So right now, at least for the report that we hear  we have from Columbia  we need to just consider this a variant of interest, something thats interesting that we need to follow and track. But it doesnt change anything about our public health concern. We need more data and studies to understand that. So we are able to detect and track this new strain thats been reported, and well continue to follow it. We have the ability also to now collect information about those patients, and to understand better whether or not they have different features or outcomes. And through our test and trace score, which is the best performing test and trace score in the country, has the ability to offer. You know, if somebody was infected, did they spread it to other people more often than something else. Because I understand when people hear variant it is a cause for concern, of course. And theres something about it thats unknown, and that gets people worried. I dont blame anyone whos feeling that way. But I want to really take the essence of what Dr. Varma is saying here: Until theres evidence that tells us that a variant is not handled well by vaccine, for example, or a variant has different impacts, we shouldnt assume the worst. We should say we need the full truth. We need the facts because so far the experience with the variants has been, even where theres been some proof of being more transmissible for example, and its not changed the reality, its not changed the impact of the disease, its not changed our ability to fight the disease with the vaccine and all the other measures we take. New York City officials said on Thursday that they are investigating possible risks of a new coronavirus variant spreading in the city, but that it did not appear yet to require change in public health response. Credit Credit... James Estrin/The New York Times New York City officials said on Thursday that the full possible risks posed by a new form of the coronavirus spreading in New York City were unknown, but that it did not appear yet to require that the city modify its public health response. Two teams of researchers have reported that the new virus variant carries a worrisome mutation that may weaken the effectiveness of vaccines. Right now, we need to just consider this a variant of interest  something thats interesting, that we need to follow and track, Dr. Jay Varma, the mayors senior adviser for public health, said at a news conference with Mayor Bill de Blasio. But it doesnt change anything about our public health concern, he added. We need more data and studies to understand that. Public health officials have also been working incredibly intensively to improve efforts to detect new variants as a whole, Dr. Varma added. The new variant, called B.1.526, first appeared in samples collected in the city in November. By the middle of this month, it accounted for about one in four viral sequences appearing in a database shared by scientists. Asked about the new variant on NBCs Today, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nations leading expert on infectious diseases, said any new version of the virus is a concern, and he urged people to get vaccinated to stop it from spreading. Other strains or mutants or variants, as we call them, are coming up, but the major spread in the country right now  the vaccine is good against it, he said. And even ones in which it may be somewhat less effective, the vaccine is still good against severe disease. One study of the new variant found in New York City, led by a group at Caltech, was posted online on Tuesday. The other, by researchers at Columbia University, was published on Thursday morning. Neither study has been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal. Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, the citys health commissioner, said on Thursday that officials had no evidence that the B.1.526 variant was concentrated in specific areas or contributing to the broader spread of the virus in the city. The variant carries a mutation, shared with other variants discovered in Brazil and South Africa, that partially blunts the bodys immune response. The authorized vaccines are still effective, scientists say. But now Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are examining whether third booster shots may be necessary to counter new variants as they arise. The new variant is not particularly happy news, said Michel Nussenzweig, an immunologist at Rockefeller University who was not involved in the new research. But just knowing about it is good because then we can perhaps do something about it. Dr. Nussenzweig said he was more worried about the variant in New York than the one quickly spreading in California. Since the peak of the holiday surge in early January, New York City has seen a steep decline in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus each day, as have the state and the nation. But the drop has not been as dramatic as it has been nationally, and community transmission in the city remains high, with about 3,200 probable and confirmed new cases reported daily. As more contagious variants spread, the citys positive test rate has only dropped slowly, to over 7.1 percent this week from 8 percent two weeks ago, according to city data. Yet another variant, discovered in Britain, now accounts for about 2,000 cases in 45 states. It is expected to become the most prevalent form of the coronavirus in the United States by the end of March. Patients infected with virus carrying that mutation were about six years older on average and more likely to have been hospitalized. While the majority of patients were found in neighborhoods close to the hospital  particularly Washington Heights and Inwood  there were several other cases scattered throughout the metropolitan area, said Dr. David Ho, director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center at Columbia University. We see cases in Westchester, in the Bronx and Queens, the lower part of Manhattan and in Brooklyn, Dr. Ho said. So it seems to be widespread. Its not a single outbreak. Still, some experts remained optimistic about the fight to control the spread of the disease, now that a number of vaccines are being distributed. As the virus continues to evolve, the vaccines may need to be tweaked, but in the scheme of things, those arent huge worries compared to not having a vaccine, said Andrew Read, an evolutionary microbiologist at Penn State University. Id say the glass is three-quarters full, compared to where we were last year. On the Today show, Dr. Fauci said the new findings underscore the need for Americans to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. When a vaccine becomes available, take it, he said. The longer one waits not getting vaccinated, the better chance the virus has to get a variant or a mutation. Eileen Sullivan and Sharon Otterman contributed reporting. Troy Closson and

To blunt surge in cases, Poland tightens rules on what counts as a mask. People wearing protective masks in central Warsaw on Wednesday. The government announced it would tigthen restrictions on face coverings. Credit... Kacper Pempel/Reuters With many businesses in Poland in open revolt against coronavirus restrictions  and their cause increasingly backed by the court  the Polish government is hoping to blunt a recent rise in cases by turning to the one tool known to work: masks. The Polish government announced this week that face coverings like scarves and bandannas can no longer be worn instead of protective masks. The announcement came as the number of new cases rose for a second straight day  with some 12,000 new infections detected on Wednesday. The third wave of the epidemic is gaining momentum, said the Polish health minister, Adam Niedzielski, during a news conference on Wednesday. He also said that restrictions would be tightened in the Northeastern region of the country where the growth in cases has been highest. Children in early primary school will be forced to return to remote learning and galleries, museums, swimming pools, movie theaters and hotels will have to close down again  less than two weeks after they were allowed to reopen. The minister, who is currently self-isolating after coming into contact with a virus-infected member of the government during a news conference last Friday, announced additional restrictions on the Polish southern border with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Both of those neighboring countries have seen even larger surges in new cases and nearly all people entering Poland from those nations will have to present proof of a negative coronavirus test or proof of complete vaccination.

The W.H.O. rings an alarm bell over oxygen shortages in poor countries. An employee carries oxygen tanks to refill them at an uncertified private oxygen provider in Mexico City this month. In Mexico, hospitals have been so overrun that virus patients have been dying in their homes, gasping for air because there are not enough oxygen tanks to meet the need. As many as 20 poor countries were in urgent need of oxygen. Credit... Luis Antonio Rojas for The New York Times The World Health Organization on Thursday warned that as many as 20 poor countries were in urgent need of oxygen, as more than 500,000 Covid-19 patients in low and middle income countries around the world need an oxygen treatment each day. Access to oxygen has always been difficult for some countries, and the pandemic has exacerbated the problem, leading to deaths that might have otherwise been avoided, the global health organization said. In Mexico, hospitals have been so overrun that virus patients have been dying in their homes, gasping for air because there are not enough oxygen tanks to meet the need. In Egypt, patients died last month at a hospital because of an interruption in oxygen supplies. Last month in the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas, patients died of asphyxiation because hospitals ran out of oxygen amid a sharp rise in critically ill patients. The director of the countrys health regulatory agency, Alex Machado Campos, called the oxygen shortage the saddest and most outrageous expression of the governments abject failure at all levels. The W.H.O. created an emergency task force to address the shortages. The group identified countries that were in immediate need, including Afghanistan, Malawi and Nigeria, and said it would cost $90 million to address the most urgent needs. The task force estimates it will cost $1.6 billion over the next 12 months to address the global oxygen shortages in the short run. Many of the countries seeing this demand struggled before the pandemic to meet their daily oxygen needs, said Dr. Philippe Duneton, the executive director of Unitaid, a Geneva-based global health agency that pledged to help fund the emergency response. Now its more vital than ever that we come together to build on the work that has already been done, with a firm commitment to helping the worst-affected countries as quickly as possible, he said.

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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, newly vaccinated, return to church in Georgia. Former President Jimmy Carter at his Sunday school class at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., in 2019. Credit... Dustin Chambers for The New York Times The list of announcements at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., on Sunday included some routine business. There was a reminder of a deacons meeting immediately following the service and a request for donations of macaroni and cheese for a local food bank. Then the pastor said he had one additional announcement to share, and it was good news: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were back. The former president, 96, and his wife, 93, had returned to the church to worship in person for the second Sunday in a row, now that both had received vaccinations against the coronavirus, the pastor, Tony Lowden, said. Lets welcome them back, Pastor Lowden told the congregation, according to a video of the service posted on the churchs Facebook page. The Carters, wearing masks, waved from their familiar spot in the front pew, acknowledging applause from the church. Pastor Lowden gently reminded the members that if they get tackled by the Secret Service when approaching the Carters, it would only be because the church was practicing social distancing. The Carters have long been devoted members of Maranatha Baptist  she as a deacon, and he as a deacon and, for many years, a Sunday school teacher. The Sunday school classes, which he no longer teaches, for decades drew Democratic presidential candidates and visitors from across the country, who made pilgrimages to hear the former president teach at the church in the tiny southwest Georgia farming community where he was raised.

Limited by the virus, Blinken plans virtual trips to Canada and Mexico. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken listened as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada spoke during a virtual meeting with President Biden on Tuesday. Credit... Evan Vucci/Associated Press Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken plans to take virtual trips to Mexico and Canada on Friday, an effort to continue diplomacy in as normal a fashion as possible at a time when the coronavirus has shut down most foreign travel. Mr. Blinken will first visit Mexico, the State Department announced in a statement on Thursday, where he will meet with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard and Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier to discuss issues like trade, migration and climate change. Mr. Blinken and Mr. Ebrard will also pay a joint virtual visit to the Del Norte border entry point to discuss management of the southern U.S. border. The digital facsimile of travel is an innovative, if potentially awkward, effort by the State Department to compensate for Mr. Blinkens inability for now to take physical trips amid the pandemic, a frustrating condition for a newly installed diplomat determined to rebuild U.S. alliances after the Trump era. Were trying to make it resemble, as closely as we can, a physical trip, said Ned Price, a State Department spokesman. Mr. Blinken has been vaccinated, but State Department officials say that given the size of his overseas entourage, and potential risks to people who might gather for his visits in host countries, he is not expected to take a physical trip before late March at the earliest. Later on Friday, Mr. Blinken will meet with Canadian officials, according to the State Department, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Marc Garneau, as well as a group of Canadian students. Mr. Blinkens meeting with the students, visit to the border, and meet and greets with embassy employees are intended to replicate the sort of interactions with host countries outside of government ministries that enrich diplomatic travel but have become dangerous because of the virus. Mr. Blinken joined President Biden on Tuesday for a virtual meeting with Mr. Trudeau, who was broadcast onto a large video screen about 20 feet away from his American hosts, and then appeared on another screen alongside Mr. Biden, standing at a podium, for press statements. As Julie Chung, the acting assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, put it in a briefing for reporters Thursday: This is the new world we live in.
Indian companies are increasingly looking at the lucrative Vietnamese market

In mid-December, major Indian IT provider HCL Technologies announced its official foray into Vietnam, where it aims to boost employment, provide resources and skilling local talent to serve its global clients.

HCL began operations in Vietnam in July with the goal of hiring more than 3,000 local university graduates and experienced professionals over the next three years. The company has set up its first delivery centre in Hanoi. From there, HCL will deliver advanced technology solutions to its global client base across several industries and verticals, including banking and financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, engineering, and cybersecurity.

Another Indian company Sethia Hemraj Rice Oil Co., Ltd. is also ramping up its presence in the country. Surbhi Bachhawat Sethia, vice general director of the company, is upbeat about the fast-paced growth of Vietnam relying on an export-led growth model, combining trade liberalisation and foreign direct investment (FDI) to spur exports. It has been enjoying growth since the 1990s despite the constant ups and downs in the global market.

She noted that as Vietnam is one of the largest producers of paddy, the company felt there is good scope to set up a Rice Bran Oil manufacturing project in Vietnam. Additionally, the punctual, hardworking, and friendly work force facilitates foreign investments pouring in. The supportive local and central governments have succeeded in creating a business-friendly environment for ever-increasing FDI.

Before choosing to invest in Vietnam, we also did thorough research across Southest Asia, in Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. Some did not have stable political conditions or favourable tax policies, while others had smaller potential for success in comparison with Vietnam. However, the language and communication are still huge barriers that discourage some investors from investing in Vietnam, she added.

Most recently, many Indian firms have explored investment opportunities in Vietnam through the India-Vietnam Business Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City in January. Speaking at the forum, Ambassador of India to Vietnam Pranay Verma said India values Vietnam as an important partner in its Act East Policy. Indian investment in Vietnam stood at $900 million as of December 2020, which could go up to $1.9 billion if investments through third countries are also included.

The ambassador pointed out that one potential sector for Indian investors in Vietnam is the pharmaceutical industry. Meanwhile, both India and Vietnam are focusing on renewable energy generation. India has made global initiatives in this regard and is looking to cooperate with Vietnam.

The ambassador also proposed the two sides to look at startups, since both countries have young populations keen on innovation. Startups play an important role in both countries. Additionally, the ambassador highlighted climate change and smart city development as other potential areas for cooperation.

On the same note, Ambassador of Vietnam to India Pham Sanh Chau said that India and Vietnam have different strengths to complement each other and are not in direct competition. This is seen in reciprocal investment projects such as HCL Group from India investing in Vietnam and FPT Group investing in India. HCL's $650 million investment project in Vietnam is highly potential as it focuses on training high-quality human resources in the IT industry.

He further noted that Indian and Vietnamese companies can cooperate in the textile and yarn field. Vietnam currently ranks third in the world in terms of textile and garment exports after China and India. With supply chain shifts, Vietnam and India need to find room to develop cooperation. While Vietnam has a great demand for yarns and fabrics, India has strengths in both natural and synthetic fibres. This woulud be a valuable addition to Vietnam which depends heavily on imported raw materials.

Tran Duy Dong, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, said, Vietnam welcomes investment from India in many fields and the two sides will strengthen investment connections with each other. The Ministry of Planning and Investment will join other ministries in India to promote two-way investment, economic development, and connectivity between the two countries.

Since 2016 when Vietnam and India established a comprehensive strategic partnership, India has become one of the 10 most important trade partners of Vietnam and Vietnam is the fourth-largest trade partner of India in ASEAN.

The results achieved are not commensurate with the potential of the two countries. To promote economic recovery as soon as the pandemic is controlled, businesses of both sides need to seize opportunities for cooperation in production and business, as well as participate more deeply in the global value chain. Vietnam welcomes Indian businesses to invest in Vietnam in the fields of manufacturing, automotive supporting industries, IT, renewable energy, and high-tech agriculture, he stated.

The strategic relationship between the two countries is not limited to investment. India considers Vietnam a potential trade partner. The latest Standard Chartered Trade Opportunity Report also revealed that Vietnamese businesses could increase exports to India by $633 million annually. Meanwhile, Indian exporters could boost trade with Vietnam by an estimated $475 million, raising the bilateral trade volume to $1.1 billion.

The Japanese government invariably supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Japan's embassy in Kyiv said.

"On the occasion of the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, we once again remind the government of Japan's unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and emphasize that Japan will never recognize Russia's declared 'annexation' of Crimea," the embassy said on Facebook on Friday.

On February 26, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. On this day in Simferopol, a mass rally organized by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people took place under the building of the Crimean parliament against the intentions to separate Crimea from Ukraine. Since then, for Ukraine, February 26 has become a symbol of resistance to the occupation, which has been going on for seven years.
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Half Year Financial Report - Explanation of Results

Perth, Feb 25, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Wiluna Mining Corporation ( ASX:WMX ) ( FRA:NZ3 ) ( OTCMKTS:WMXCF ) reports its financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2020.EXPLANATION OF HALF-YEAR INFORMATION- There was significant investment of $30m into Mine Development, Resource/Reserve definition/drilling activities, and plant and equipment. These major investing activities will sustain and create substantial value over the next 6-12 months as the Company transitions to its three-year development plan to produce 250kozpa.- Ongoing investing activities relating to the current free-milling operations will be minimal and the Company expects operating margins and net operating cash flows to increase. Future transitional cash flows generated from the current free-milling operations will be able to be applied against future debt repayments as well as partially fund the three-year development plan related activities.- Owing to a combination of operating performance and proceeds from equity transactions, the Company continued to strengthen the balance sheet, having improved its working capital position by A$15m since 30 June 20201.- Net profit for the half-year ended 31 December 2020 of $11m. Gross profit and cash flows from operations of A$9m and A$1m respectively, was underpinned by gold production of 26,758oz at an All in Sustaining Cost ('AISC') of A$1,839/oz.A review of the Company's operations is provided in the Directors' Report in the Half-Year Financial Report.To view the half year financial report, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd

Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMX) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has said fishermen community needs an independent ministry and not a department within a ministry in response to PM Modi's jibe at him.

In response to the Prime Minister's statement Gandhi tweeted, "Dear PM, fisherfolk need an independent and dedicated ministry of fisheries, not just a department within a ministry. PS- 'Hum do Humaare do' obviously that hurt bad." 'Hum do Humaare do' was a reference for Modi and his "corporate friends".





Dear PM,



Fisherfolk need an independent and dedicated ministry of fisheries, not just a department within a ministry.



PS- Hum do Humare do obviously hurt bad.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 25, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at Gandhi's statement wherein the former Congress president said there was no "dedicated" fisheries ministry. "Congress leaders say we will make a fisheries ministry. I was shocked. The truth is, it is the current NDA government that had made a ministry of fisheries in 2019," the Prime Minister said while addressing a public meet in Puducherry.

Narendra Modi is not the only one to take a swipe at Rahul Gandhi. Union Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Giriraj Singh said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) should know that there is a fisheries department for an investment of Rs 20,050 crore has been made by the Centre. In 70 years, work that couldn't be done by your 'Nanaji' and others, has been done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Singh also tweeted in Italian, "Dear Raul, There is not separate Ministry of Fisheries in Italy. It comes under the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policies."

Caro Raul (@RahulGandhi),



Non esiste un Ministero della pesca separato in Italia. Viene sotto Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali. https://t.co/Lv9x3r8ozK  Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) February 17, 2021

Union Minister for Textiles and Women and Child Development Smriti Irani, who defeated Rahul Gandhi in his home turf Amethi in 2019 General Elections said, "The fact that Rahul Gandhi sustains on lie was evident when he again promised the people in Kerala, a ministry for fisheries. The fact that he insults the people of Kerala by speaking a lie time and again is something that the citizens need to take note of. He was made available data with regard to the Ministry of Fisheries. What is astounding that this gentleman himself asks a question of the same ministry."

Also read: Rahul takes dig at renaming of Gujarat stadium, invoked his 'Hum do humare do' jibe
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into a law a measure that aims to speed up procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccine.

This was confirmed Friday by Duterte's former special assistant Senator Bong Go, and Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

"Indeed, we remain committed in our fight against the coronavirus pandemic, and we are using necessary means, such as the enactment of this Republic Act, certified urgent by the President, as a way to start our vaccine rollout," Roque said in a statement.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 also allocates 500 million for the COVID-19 National Vaccine Immunity Fund to compensate vaccinees who may experience serious side effects or die after inoculation.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will handle the fund, which will be sourced from the contingent fund.

The Department of Health will also issue vaccine cards that will contain basic information about the individual, manufacturer and brand of the vaccine received, date it was administered, date of last swab test, where the vaccination took place, and the name of the health professionals who gave the vaccine.

Under the new law, local government units and the private sector will be allowed to purchase doses through multilateral agreement with the Department of Health, the National Task Force, and the vaccine supplier.

LGUs will be also allowed to give an advance payment of up to 50%, and to directly purchase ancillary supplies for the storage, transportation, and deployment of vaccines.

The law also gives immunity to public officials and employees, contractors, manufacturers and volunteers who are duly authorized to carry out the vaccination program from suit, unless it is based on willful misconduct or gross negligence.

The measure was approved by Congress earlier this week. The House of Representatives adopted the Senate version of the measure just hours after it was transmitted to them by the upper chamber.

Go said section 14 of the law requires concerned agencies to formulate the implementing rules and regulations within five days from its effectivity. In the absence of an IRR, provisions of the law will still be implemented after publication.

The government aims to buy around 140 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to immunize up to 70 million Filipinos this year.
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In The Fathers house are many rooms, all of them beautifully appointed with details so sharp and precise that you might be startled to find them vanishing a few moments later: Didnt those backsplash tiles look different a minute ago? Wasnt there a lamp on that side table? The French writer-director Florian Zeller, adapting his internationally acclaimed play for the screen, has a meticulous eye and a keen sense of mischief, which doesnt lighten so much as heighten the implacable tragedy at the heart of this story. The moment-to-moment pleasures of trying to decipher the plot give way to crushing futility; youre left sifting through the pieces of a puzzle thats almost too painful to solve.

Recently on FOX News's Hannity show, Ari Fleisher, a self-described member of the establishment GOP, weakly attempted to placate both sides of the fractured Republican Party. He emphatically pleaded the argument that the establishment needs to respect the patriot wing, and the patriot side needs the establishment to know how to pass laws. I am sure I was joined in a collective double-take upon hearing Mr. Fleischer's disconnected reasoning.

Since 2008, the Republican Party has been in a political downfall. Each political cycle, the self-lauded establishment GOP overwhelmingly endorsed weak candidates across the board  Presidential, congressional, and state-level. It is as if the party of Lincoln wants to aid the Democrat party in weakening America, both domestically and internationally. Everyone knows that in 2016, an outsider defeated 16 establishment types, and thus, the patriot era emerged with an enthusiasm not seen before in politics. A reformed and inclusive party of the people emerged under the GOP umbrella.

For four years, President Trump and the Republican members of Congress worked steadily to pass America First policies. Yet it was President Trump, buoyed by his mandate from patriots, who pushed the establishment GOP to succeed, to stand politically taller, and to finally have a backbone. The media falsely labeled the new GOP the "party of Trump," and thus, it was erroneous to conclude that once President Trump "lost" due to a fraudulent election, the Republican Party would retain the same level of support it enjoyed for four years yet be able to backtrack to its pre-2016 ways.

It is a kaleidoscope of the American fabric that constitutes the Patriot Movement  from disengaged former Democrats to staunch conservatives, a smattering of Bernie Bros, and proud representation of every ethnic and religious group. As a cohesive unit, we are proud citizens whose only wish for our government representatives is to place Americans first  not in an isolationist-era capacity, but in a way that ensures that basic needs be catered to. We believe in the economic long-term benefits of school choice, especially in underserved areas. We understand the necessary evil of taxes but insist that our money be used wisely. Transparency is of utmost importance to the movement, which is why we applauded President Trump when he limited lobbying efforts.

While President Trump was tasked with delivering the patriot mandate, there would be no such modern undertaking without the great Rush Limbaugh. Aside for the indelible mark on American broadcasting left by the creator of talk radio, Rush was the political architect of today's Patriot Movement. In the decades prior to Trump's presidency, he used passion and humor to educate and inspire Americans to believe in themselves, to rise above adversity, and to be proud of our great country  a country that gladly welcomes (legal) immigrants who seek freedom and opportunity. The establishment GOP mourned the too early loss of Rush Limbaugh (as they should have), but they did not do him justice by not properly upholding his ideals and grassroots conservative standards.

Establishment Republicans have yet to come to terms with the fact that they need patriots to keep them in office. Patriots had high hopes for Nikki Haley for 2024 due to her myriad of accomplishments at the U.N. Those accomplishments were at the behest of President Trump and his directive for her as a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The fallout from Ms. Haley's postJanuary 6 anti-Trump statement is irreparable, and now her political career is most likely all but done, all by her doing. The former South Carolina governor did not just turn on the man who elevated her onto the national stage, but managed to invalidate the legitimate concerns patriots still have about the election results. Republicans who were voted in by patriots but choose to kneel to the establishment will find out in less than two years' time that it will hurt their re-election chances dearly.

Senator Lindsey Graham, who emphatically declared with a sweaty brow from the U.S. Senate floor on January 6 that Biden would be sworn in as president, senses that his political relevancy is nearing expiration. Labeled a traitor among America's 80 million Trump voters, he has recently attempted to grovel back into President Trump's good graces. Perhaps the 45th President has a forgiving heart, but Republican disenfranchised voters will not be supporting a traitorous career politician. After all, it was patriots who saved Senator Graham's almost failed re-election bid this past November. For a while, a Democrat challenger was tied in the polls for a seat that has not turned blue since the 1960s. Many patriots personally donated to Senator Graham's embattled campaign primarily due to his upholding of President Trump's policies.

Mr. Graham, like all the other RINO (Republican in Name Only) politicians, including Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. Liz Cheney (among a list of others), who have since flipped back to their own crony capitalism, ought to realize that their voter support has dwindled, and their campaign donors will not be backing them for their next elections. A recent Gallup poll indicated that 70% of registered Republicans would support a third party, up from 40% in September of 2016. It is not just that the establishment GOP turned on President Trump; they turned on the patriot wing of their party, which just happens to be the majority.

President Trump was a political bulldozer who exposed Washington's defect of not prioritizing citizen-centered politics. It was the patriots who placed their political will onto his presidency. Anything less than maintaining a patriot mandate will not bode well politically for the current Republican leadership.

Laureen Lipsky is a pro-Israel advocate living in New York and the founder of The Jewish Patriots Network. An op-ed writer, she has been published in The Federalist, American Thinker, JNS, Israel Hayom, and Times of Israel. Laureen is also the author of "The Semantics of anti-Semitism" which was exclusively written for the Center for Security Policy.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Mitch McConnell will absolutely support Donald Trump if the former president wins the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election, the GOP senate minority leader told Fox News on Thursday.

He said there are at least four Republicans plus some governors and others who plan to run.

Days earlier, Mr McConnell claimed the former president was practically and morally responsible for provoking the 6 January insurrection after he was acquitted in his impeachment trial for inciting the riot fuelled by his supporters belief in the lie that the election was stolen from them.

On 13 February, Mr McConnell said: They did this because they had been fed wild falsehoods by the most powerful man on earth. Because he was angry. He had lost an election. Former President Trumps actions preceded the riot were a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty.

Mr McConnell was among a majority of Senate Republicans to voted against convicting the former president. A vote of 57-43 to convict fell short of a two-thirds majority to secure a conviction.

Following the riot, Mr McConnell said that the mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.

The senator, then the majority leader, delayed an impeachment trial in the Senate until after Mr Trump was no longer in office. He was impeached in the House of Representatives on 13 January, seven days before Joe Biden was inaugurated.

Mr McConnell then backed a motion tabled by Senator Rand Paul that argued to dismiss the impeachment trial entirely, on the grounds that it would be unconstitutional to impeach a person who is no longer in office. That motion did not pass, nor did a similar move supported by Mr McConnell as the trial was underway.

Theres a lot to happen between now and 24, he told Fox News on Thursday. Theres no incumbent, it should be a wide open race, and fun for you all to cover.

His comments follow the opening of this years Conservative Political Action Conference, at which Mr Trump will headline.

I dont have any advice to give the former president about what he should say or where he should speak, Mr McConnell said.
The president and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Bill Magness, said he wouldn't have done anything differently last week when millions of Texans lost power during a severe winter storm.

Magness testified in front of the Business and Commerce Committee in the Senate Thursday morning in a hearing regarding the widespread blackouts that occurred as the state experienced record low temperatures.

HOUSTON HEROES: What 'Mattress Mack' told Ellen DeGeneres about Houston's recovery from winter storm

ERCOT implemented "rolling" outages during the winter storm to prevent the entire grid from collapsing, which would have resulted in a catastrophic blackout that could last months.

The outages were intended to be rolling across the state but instead left countless Texans in the dark for days.

State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, asked Magness if there was anything he would have done differently, the Houston Chronicle's Taylor Goldenstein reported. Magness said he wouldn't.

"Obviously, what you did didn't work. I think that's fair to say," Whitmire said.

"Respectfully, I'd say it worked from keeping us into a blackout that we'd still be in today," Magness said. "That's why we did it. Now it didn't work for people's lives, but it worked to preserve the integrity of the system."

THE COST OF THE STORM: Winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state history

Magness said he "feels a great deal of responsibility and remorse about the event."

"Texas suffered last week in ways they shouldnt have to suffer," Magness said.

The Texas House and Senate both began hearings Thursday morning to discuss and hear testimony on what went wrong with Texas' power infrastructure during the unprecedented cold snap.

As of Feb. 22, Harris County reported 16 deaths related to the winter storm, the Houston Chronicle's Brooke A. Lewis reported.
Demir is a Fortune Global 500 mining company with interests in iron, coal, gold and base metals

( ) has dropped its planned Irish joint venture with ( ) in favour of a deal with Turkish group Demir Export.

A letter of intent between the two firms has already been signed, with Demir set to fund and develop Conroys Clontibret licence on the Longford-Down Massif gold trend.

The Turkish group will pay 1mln on signing a definitive contract and can take its stake up to 57.5% through funding the project through to construction-ready status.

At that point, Conroy will have the choice to keep its stake at 42.5% or be carried with a loan through to production.

Demir is a Fortune Global 500 mining company with interests in iron, coal, gold and base metals, including zinc and copper.

Its owners, the Koc family, also run Turkeys largest industrial conglomerate.

Conroy said its plan is for similar arrangements with Demir to be put into place for its other licences on the Longford-Down trend, nine of which are in the Irish Republic and two in Northern Ireland.

Demir will also have the right of refusal over eight gold exploration licences in Finland and one other licence in Ireland not subject to the proposed joint venture.

Richard Conroy, Conroys chairman, said: The comprehensive nature of this Letter of Intent should facilitate us progressing through the next stage of the transaction.

"Demir Export has the mining expertise and the financial resources not only to bring the Clontibret gold deposit to construction-ready status and into operation as a mine, but also to advance the significant gold potential of the other licences along the gold trend to the same status.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 06:08:03|Editor: huaxia

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Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to journalists at the UN headquarters in New York, on Feb. 25, 2021. Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Thursday said that diplomacy is about "managing points of differentiation" while making her debut at the world body. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, on Thursday said that diplomacy is about "managing points of differentiation" while making her debut at the world body.

"Throughout my time representing America all over the world, I found that diplomacy is about showing compassion. It's about managing points of differentiation, and it's about bringing people together," Thomas-Greenfield, who was confirmed to be the top U.S. UN envoy by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York after officially presenting the credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The senior U.S. diplomat, who has been serving as a U.S. diplomat for more than 35 years, underscored that the United Nations is the world's "most important forum for bringing people in countries together."

"I take that seriously as a U.S. diplomat," she noted.

Thomas-Greenfield said that "we're clear-eyed about the difficult work that needs to be done from elevating human rights to reforming the UN itself, to addressing conflicts, old and new, around the world."

The new envoy, who was preceded by Kelly Craft, stressed that she was "particularly" looking forward to U.S. presidency of the Security Council in March.

"We're ready to work," she concluded. Enditem
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Madam Freda Prempeh, the Minister-of-State-designate for Works and Housing has advocated a budget for housing in the national efforts to roll out adequate and affordable housing.



She said such a budget was necessary to fund housing projects, which required intensive capital.



Madam Prempeh, who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North, gave the suggestion during her vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, at the Parliament House, in Osu-Accra, on Thursday.



The Committee, chaired by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Joseph Osei Owusu, who is also the MP for Bekwai, draws its existence and power from the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament.



It vets persons nominated by the President to public office, to recommend for approval or otherwise, to the plenary of Parliament.



They include Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State, the Chief Justice and other Justices of the Supreme Court and any other persons specified under the constitution or under any other enactment.



Madam Prempeh, in response to what funding strategy she would adopt to finance the development of housing suggested tapping into the Shelter Afrique programme and other funding schemes.



Shelter Afrique, also known as Company for Habitat and Housing in Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya, is a pan-African finance institution created to exclusively support the development of the African real estate and housing sector.



Ghana, she said, was rated Number three, under Shelter Afriques programme.



Through its strategic partnerships, it offers products and related services, which supported the efficient delivery of commercial real estate and affordable housing.



She also said the Ministry, under the National Mortgage Scheme, would team up with other Ministries to work out more accessible mortgage financing for health workers and teachers to encourage them and other service workers to accept postings to rural areas.



Madam Prempeh, who was also an immediate past Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, said if approved, she would ensure that the Housing Ministry collaborated with Ministries such as the Local Government and Rural Development, as well as and traditional leaders to secure lands for the development of affordable housing.



In that regard, she paid compliments to traditional leaders in Ghana that had made lands available for investment in housing projects.



She called for more education on the use of local materials, especially, brick and tile, to increase the use of the materials in housing development.



She, consequently, agreed to a suggestion to have more professional bricklayers trained.



A lot of developers in the Tanoso area were turning to the use of brick and tile in the building of houses, she said.



The Chairman of the Committee announced that he had offered land at Bekwai to the predecessor of the nominee for the development of rental unit, particularly for young upstarts.



The Deputy Chairman of the Committee and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, indicated the readiness of traditional rulers in his constituency to give out lands for affordable housing schemes.

Source: GNA









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New Delhi, Feb 26 : As the government renews thrust on the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to promote domestic manufacturing, MediaTek, which is the world's fourth-largest fabless semiconductor company, on Friday said the scheme will provide a much-needed impetus to the semiconductor manufacturing sector which currently faces several issues with a lack of funds, and the company is in a position to further strengthen its foothold in the country.

The Taiwanese giant is working closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like realme, Xiaomi and OPPO, among others, to cater to the Indian market.

According to Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India, manufacturing is a capital-intensive sector that demands huge manpower as well.

"Thus, investing in manufacturing is not a viable option for most companies. By offering schemes like PLIs, REITs (real estate investment trusts) and InvITs (infrastructure investment trusts), the government has stepped into this realm, thus encouraging more players to enter the field," Jain told IANS in an interview.

"These initiatives, along with the focus on technology education and skill development, further underscores the government's commitment. With FDI rules relaxed than ever, FDI inflow is likely to soar for manufacturing," he added.

According to him, the smart device ecosystem in India is set to explode in the coming years driven by the growth of IoT (Internet of Things) and 5G.

"It is likely that with 5G and WiFi 6, Indian households will soon be capable of connecting up to 50 devices through their home network," Jain mentioned.

By the end of this year, India is expected to join the select club of countries like the US, Canada, the UK and many European Union nations where 5G technology has already been launched.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Communications Ministry, in a detailed note submitted to a parliamentary committee recently, held that "the specific time frame" for the rolling out of 5G technology in India is "by the end of 2021".

According to Jain, considering the growing demand from OEMs for chipsets that deliver performance and energy efficiency, MediaTek has come up with a wide range of products suitable for the connected devices ecosystem.

"The latest being the MediaTek Dimensity series of SoCs, designed to deliver cutting-edge performance to 5G smartphones. Key characteristics of the SoC include the UltraSave power-saver technology, dual 5G SIM capabilities with 2CC Carrier Aggregation, AI and multimedia enhancements, and more," Jain told IANS.

The India market holds great opportunities for technology adoption across the smartphone segment along with intelligent devices like digital smart TV, Blu-ray and DVD, wireless routers, wearables, voice-assisted devices, AIoT and automotive products, enabling unrivalled communications experience across multiple channels.

"With the current PLI scheme announced as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, MediaTek is in a position to further strengthen its foothold in India," Jain emphasised.

Electronics is a prime focus area for manufacturing under the PLI scheme.

"We collaborate with leading industry players to develop products and solutions. This includes players like VVDN Technologies, to design, develop, and manufacture innovative and new-age Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) solutions, including camera solutions, home automation solutions, and voice assistant devices/smart speakers," he informed.

The MediaTek India head said that going forward, the company will build on more collaborations with them to develop innovative solutions to address the needs of society.

"We are in the process of designing a new range of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) solutions for home and office use. They include camera solutions, home automation solutions and smart speakers," Jain said.

Anticipating the wider adoption of 5G by late next year, MediaTek plans to increase the capacity of the production of the chipset solutions dedicated to these applications.

"Spectrum availability and supporting infrastructure like fibre networks are integral for the launch of 5G in India. Once the 5G spectrum auction is launched, it will catch momentum in India," he added.

(Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in)
To date, Governor Cuomo has closed 18 prisons due to the significant decrease in crime (54.1%) in New York State since 1999. He now wants to close three more because of the continued decline.

Because of the decline from 72,649 inmates in 1999 to the recent count of 33,376 inmates, it's obvious that the facilities that are now open have more beds than are needed. (Of interest is that in our local newspaper article of Feb. 24 the visit by lawmakers cited 1,700 beds and about 1,300 incarcerated people, which indicates there's no overcrowding in Auburn's prison!)

We're being reminded again that to-date there has been no layoffs of staff according to Anthony Annucci, the acting commissioner of the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, who also told lawmakers that the facility closures have generated $292 million in savings.

Certainly the taxpayer, who pays for most of the state's expenses, would want to see cuts when justified because it's a benefit to their wallets that have  for a long time  been stretched thin because of taxes!
Courtesy photo

A promising tip in a decade-old missing persons case did not turn up a body or evidence, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said during a news conference Thursday.

A man told investigators he possibly knew where the body of Pauline Diaz was located. The San Antonio woman, who was 63 at the time, went missing on Dec. 7, 2010, after her shift at an H-E-B located at the intersection of SE Military Drive and Goliad Road on the Southeast Side.
Secession, subversion and collusion defined Beijings political perception of Hong Kong for a decade. Now, the harbour city state conquered, China is using those terms to remake the city in its own image and purge dissent from childrens imaginations.

The national security laws that brought an end to 18 months of protest over Beijings rising influence are being weaponised to enforce the loyalty of children, their parents, and the rest of Hong Kongs citizens.

Hong Kong citizens on the border, with Chinas Shenzhen in the background. Credit:AP

As time progresses, the concept of national security is not only confined to political security, territorial security and military security, Hong Kongs secretary of education told teachers in an internal memo this week. But may also encompass economic security, cultural security, social security, technological security, cyber security and ecological security.

On Thursday, there was a mystery $HK8 billion ($1.4 billion) for national security revealed in Hong Kongs budget - equivalent to half its new coronavirus stimulus package. In Beijing next week thousands of National Peoples Congress delegates are expected to pass laws that will stop non-patriots for running for office.
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The Zamfara State Government has confirmed the abduction of schoolgirls from a secondary school in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the attack by armed men on the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Friday morning.

Zailani Bappa, the spokesperson to the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, told PREMIUM TIMES Friday morning that the exact number of students kidnapped has not been ascertained.

He said the state government is working with security operatives to ascertain the details of the kidnap and ensure the kidnapped victims are freed.

A teacher in the school had told the BBC Hausa that about 300 female students were kidnapped.

The latest incident in Zamfara adds to the growing insecurity around the country.

The attack occurs about 10 dayd after over 40 students, staff members and parents were abducted by armed bandits from a school in Niger State. Those abducted in Niger were yet to be released at the time of this report.

Zamfara, in Northwest Nigeria, is one of the states most affected by bandits attacks. The attacks have continued despite negotiations initiated by the state government with the bandits. The state government has repeatedly announced that many bandits had surrendered their arms and agreed to amnesty offered by the state government.

More details later
Fianna Fail senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed the publishing of a White Paper on ending Direct Provision.

The White Paper outlines the new system of accommodation and supports that will be put in place for applicants for International Protection. It is anticipated that all existing Direct Provision Centres will close by the end of 2024.

Senator McGreehan commented: I very much welcome this and it has been a priority for this Government since it came into existence last June.

"The failure of the Direct Provision system has long been ignored by previous governments.

"I have called for the end of the Direct Provision system for a long time.

"It is a cruel, inhumane way to treat people who come to this country for refuge.

Direct Provision is a dysfunctional system, and the goal of 2024 is great, however I believe that there needs to be short term goals for those who are currently are in Direct Provision.

"They need some hope and care.

"The average length of stay in Direct Provision is 24 months, with some residents having spent up to 10 or 12 years living in these conditions.

"This is completely unacceptable, the processing times for applications needs to be hurried up and resources and personnel should be given to do this.

The Louth Senator added: The new system grounded in human rights creates a system of accommodation and supports for applicants for International Protection.

"Under this new system, people who are applying for protection will be helped to integrate into Ireland from day one, with health, housing, education, and employment supports at the core of the system.

"They will be provided with dignity, respect and humanity.

I look forward to reading the White Paper in detail and learning more about this new process of International Protection, concluded Senator McGreehan.
The dream began in 1955, with a tiny, toylike creation called the "Sunmobile." Built from balsa wood and hobby shop tires, it was just 15 inches long. The 12 selenium solar cells that decorated its exterior produced less horsepower than an actual horse. But it was proof of a concept: Sunlight alone can make a vehicle run.

The years went on, and the dream evolved into a converted vintage buggy with solar panels on its roof. Then a glorified bicycle, a retiree's garage project, a racecar that crossed the Mojave Desert at 51 miles per hour.

It is a dream of perpetual motion. Of travel that doesn't do damage to the planet. Of journeys that last as long as the sun shines.

There are problems with this dream, big ones. Clouds come. Night falls. The laws of physics limit how efficiently solar panels can turn light into energy.

But one start-up claims it has overcome those problems. Now, its founders say, the dream can be yours for as little as $25,900.

Aptera Motors, a California company whose name comes from the ancient Greek for "wingless," is rolling out the first mass-produced solar car this year. It's a three-wheel, ultra-aerodynamic electric vehicle covered in 34 square feet of solar cells. The car is so efficient that, on a clear day, those cells alone could provide enough energy to drive about 40 miles - more than twice the distance of the average American's commute.

The Aptera must undergo safety tests before the company can begin distribution, which it hopes to do by the end of this year. Even then, it's not clear that consumers will want to buy something that looks like a cross between the Batmobile and a beetle. The shadow of an initial attempt, which ended in bankruptcy, hangs over the founders as they gear up to launch their new product.

But the Aptera's creators, Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro, think the world needs a car like theirs. Transportation is the largest source of planet-warming pollution in the United States. The Biden administration has made it a priority to reduce vehicle emissions, and several major automakers have pledged to phase out cars and light trucks with internal combustion engines.

After years of dreaming, maybe the time for driving on sunshine is finally here.

- - -

Anthony and Fambro didn't set out to build a vehicle that could run on solar power. They just wanted to make a more efficient car.

Burning gasoline, it turns out, is not a very efficient way to travel; as much as four-fifths of the energy produced by an internal combustion engine is lost as heat, wasted overcoming wind resistance or used up by fuel pumps and other components, according to Energy Department data.

All-electric vehicles perform much better, but they're still not perfect. About 10 percent of the energy that goes into them is lost converting alternating current from the electrical grid into direct current for the battery. Inefficiencies in the drive system eat up another 20%, and the car must still deal with wind resistance and friction, through regenerative braking systems can reduce some waste.

From top to wheels, the Aptera is designed to eliminate as much waste as possible. Its creators say the car is 13 times more efficient than a gas-powered pickup truck and four times more efficient than the average electric vehicle. At least 90% of the power produced by the Aptera's solar panels goes toward making the vehicle move, the company says.

- - -

The Aptera can be recharged the same way a standard electric vehicle is fueled - by simply plugging it into an outlet. Its extreme efficiency means the car can go 150 miles after just 15 minutes at an ordinary charging station.

But an average electric car would need a solar panel "the size of a semi truck" to go farther than a few miles, Fambro said. Meanwhile, a relatively small number of solar cells can propel the Aptera.

"It only works if you have a super-efficient vehicle," Fambro said. But once he and Anthony realized how far the sun alone could take them, "there was no other plan than to make it a solar vehicle."

- - -

When the first solar vehicle, the tiny Sunmobile, debuted at a General Motors trade show 65 years ago, even its inventors were skeptical about its prospects. GM officials told the magazine Popular Mechanics their creation was of "no practical application to the automotive industry at present."

But that challenge was exactly what appealed to Danish adventurer Hans Tholstrup. Feeling guilty for his fossil-fuel guzzling exploits - flying around the world, driving a speedboat around Australia - he wanted to do something to benefit the planet.

In 1982, Tholstrup and racecar driver Larry Perkins unveiled the "the Quiet Achiever" - a boat-shaped, single-driver construction topped by a 90-square-foot solar array. A tiller served as the steering system, and the wheels and brakes were borrowed from a bicycle. Eating orange slices to stay hydrated and camping by the side of the road, they took 20 days to drive 2,560 miles across the Australian continent. Their average speed was 15 miles per hour.

Tom Snooks, the project's coordinator, recalled Tholstrup comparing the journey to the flight of the Kittyhawk: impractical but inspirational, and a sign of advances to come. "If it will motivate just one more idea and thought in the development of solar power," Tholstrup said, "then the venture will have been well worthwhile."

In 1987, Tholstrup launched the "World Solar Challenge" to encourage others to improve upon his record. Soon solar races were springing up around the globe, attracting competition from car manufacturers and high school students alike. The vehicles evolved from Tholstrup's "bathtub on wheels" to bullet shapes to three-wheeled cars with curved, winglike solar arrays. By 2013 the World Solar Challenge introduced a "cruiser class" competition in an effort to spur development of more commercially viable vehicles.

"It makes for a really fun design challenge," said University of Michigan mechanical engineer Neil Dasgupta, faculty adviser to the school's highly decorated solar car team. "And we've made tremendous advances."

The team's 2017 vehicle, which placed second in the World Solar Challenge, weighed just 420 pounds and averaged almost 50 miles per hour.

Solar cars have to be small and sleek, Dasgupta explained, because of inefficiencies in solar panels. Photovoltaic cells are limited in what wavelengths they can turn into electricity. They don't perform well when they get hot. Even the best solar panels only convert about 23% of the sunlight that hits them into energy. You can get much more power more quickly by simply plugging into a charging station.

Total reliance on solar power also poses practical problems. It means the car can't be parked in a garage or under a tree. Once the battery is full, any additional energy that hits the solar panels is lost.

"This is a niche kind of thing," said Timothy Lipman, co-director of the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California at Berkeley. The Aptera, which seats two, wouldn't work for a large family, a commuter in cloudy Seattle, a plumber who has to lug around equipment.

Advances in solar cars could benefit the broader automotive industry, Lipman said. They might lead to the development of lighter materials and make the case for greater efficiency in electric vehicles. Manufacturers could add solar panels to augment car batteries. Maybe the technology will find use at national parks and remote military installations.

But Lipman thinks it will be difficult for sun-powered vehicles to find broad commercial success. A Chinese manufacturer was still seeking funding to produce its prototype when it ran into financial problems last year. The Dutch champions of the first "cruiser class" race in the World Solar Challenge launched their own start-up, Lightyear One, and aim to start deliveries of their large, four-wheel hatchback at the end of this year. Still, the Lightyear car's price tag, about $180,000, puts it out of reach of most buyers.

Anthony and Fambro know how easy it is to fail. Four years after founding Aptera in 2006, they left the venture amid disagreement with other leadership - auto industry veterans who wanted to build a traditional four-wheeled vehicle to qualify for federal loans. But the money never materialized. The company was liquidated in 2011, and its intellectual property sold.

Business analysts treated the collapse as a case study in the perils of launching an automotive start-up. Cars are more expensive to make than software. Federal regulations are difficult to navigate. Consumers are wary of change.

But Aptera's inventors took a different lesson from that experience: "The traditional design process doesn't allow for breakthroughs," Fambro said. "Because anything that's a breakthrough is seen as something that's polarizing, and they don't allow polarizing things to exit the research clinic."

If the Aptera was going to succeed, they decided, they couldn't make compromises to satisfy a federal requirement or a market-research firm's recommendation. They had to be willing to be different.

"That's the march of technology," Anthony said, before paraphrasing Apple founder Steve Jobs. "People don't know what they need until you show it to them."

- - -

After a decade spent pursuing other ventures, Aptera's creators bought back the company in 2019 and launched a crowdfunding campaign to restart development.

Their timing was good. Electric batteries had gotten much cheaper and lighter. Solar cells had become more efficient. Advances in computing enabled the inventors to simulate the vehicles on their desktops, speeding up the design process. Even the constraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic spurred creativity, Anthony said.

When Aptera began taking preorders last December, it sold out of itsplanned first batch of 330 vehicles in 24 hours. Almost 7,500 people have now put down deposits for a car.

One of them was Tyler Perkins, the 27-year-old assistant manager of a small airport in Oklahoma City. A technology buff who had been following the company since he was a teenager, he said he was drawn to the Aptera's "funky, radical design" and wanted to make a hopeful bet on tomorrow.

"They're actually like, 'let's build a futuristic car, because if we don't do it no one will,' " Perkins said. "And that's how the future happens."

Concern about climate change already motivated Perkins to become a vegan and drive a hybrid. He wanted to switch to an electric vehicle, but his apartment building offers no charging station. Then the Aptera came on the market. Even without federal tax credits (which only go to four-wheeled electric vehicles) it costs almost $10,000 less than other EVs. Sure it's small, but all he needs is space for himself and his camping gear.

"I think it will work great for me," Perkins said, "as someone who is trying to be as efficient as possible and have a minimal impact on the environment."

Not every Aptera fan fits the stereotype of an avid environmentalist. Nick Field, a 36-year-old accountant in London, is drawn more to the car's long range and high performance; it can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and hit top speeds of 110 mph. As far as he's concerned, the Aptera's low climate impact is just a fringe benefit.

"I'm in the category of, 'I want to enjoy my life,' " Field said. "I just like fast cars. . . . I think it's really cool."

Anthony acknowledged that the Aptera is not for everyone. But it has more appeal than its skeptics give it credit for, he said. The car's high efficiency means it puts less demand on the grid than ordinary electric vehicles. It could be ideal for delivery trucks and Postal Service vehicles, which don't travel far and spend lots of time idling. Outdoor enthusiasts will probably like the option to venture far from charging infrastructure without worrying about fuel. And the notion of parking an Aptera in the sun and returning to a car that has more fuel than when you left it - free, clean fuel - is a powerful idea at a time when the world is looking for transformation.

"We see solar as the main driver of our business," Anthony said. "It enables so many things."

He considered the dreamers who first conceived of solar cars: Tholstrup subsisting on orange slices during his cross-continent journey, engineering students building racecars after school. He thought about the early developers of electric vehicles, who had faith in a future that didn't run on gas. He remembered the investors who shied away from the Aptera's first incarnation, saying "who is going to buy your weird egg-shaped creation?"

"It's the same thing with anybody who does anything first," Anthony said. "It's always: Why would you do that?"

When Aptera hits the road, he'll have his answer.
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SYOSSET, N.Y., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday afternoon, ViaClean Technologies, a biotech company that develops, manufactures and markets environmentally responsible antimicrobial solutions that protect surfaces, treated the Syosset Fire Department using its BIOPROTECTUs System to disinfect the department's facility surfaces against viruses, bacteria and germs and provide long-term antimicrobial protection against odor and stain causing bacteria, mold, mildew, algae and fungi for up to 90 days. In joint efforts with Josh Lafazan, the youngest-ever legislator for the 18th District of the Nassau County Legislature and the second youngest-ever legislator for the State of New York, ViaClean continues with its support of essential workers throughout the country by providing local emergency workers with greater peace of mind by treating their work places with the BIOPROTECTUs System, a combination of SmartTouch List N disinfectant and BIOPROTECT antimicrobial protectant formulations.

"ViaClean Technologies is committed to safeguarding our country's first responders who put our citizens and residents always first. We are proud to be able to include in this initiative the Syosset Fire Department," said Greg Tipsord, President and Chief Executive Officer of ViaClean Technologies. "We are so humbled by these community heroes who prioritize their resident's safety every day and have done this selflessly throughout an extremely difficult year. This is our way to show appreciation."

The treatment of the Syosset Fire Department with BIOPROTECTUs System and donation of the branded BIOPROTECT hand sanitizer is part of ViaClean's ongoing initiative to help give back to these community frontline workers by providing treatment of work facilities with these unprecedented products. In 2020, ViaClean Technologies also treated the Lower Gwynedd Township Police Department and City of Madison Fire Department as well as donated its BIOPROTECT Hydrating Hand Sanitizer to select Feeding America locations across the country.

"We are so appreciative that ViaClean Technologies offered to treat our station with the BIOPROTECTUs System," said Giovanni Graceffa, 30-year Syosset Fire Department Member. "It gives us great peace of mind to have such an advanced system in place for regular treatment of the departments station, knowing our Fire Fighters are as safeguarded as the community residents and business owners they serve, especially during this still unsettling time."

The BIOPROTECTUs System by ViaClean Technologies encompasses an array of patented, registered technologies that disinfect surfaces from bacteria, mold, mildew and viruses, and provide persistent and continuous long-term antimicrobial protection from odor and stain causing bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi and algae for up to 90 days. An essential component in the BIOPROTECTUs System is BIOPROTECT RTU (https://bioprotect.us/); a groundbreaking, water-based antimicrobial product that when applied to both porous and non-porous surfaces, creates a highly durable protective shield that provides long-term (up to 90 days) antimicrobial protection that inhibits the growth of odor and stain causing bacteria, mold, mildew, algae and fungi.

For more information on ViaClean Technologies and The BIOPROTECTUs System, please visit www.bioprotect.us.

About Syosset Fire Department

The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department is comprised of 110 men and women of various ages and backgrounds. These firefighters and medical technicians provide emergency services to the Syosset Fire District's 14.4-square-miles, the largest coverage area in Nassau County. From the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery to the Plainview Shopping Center, these dedicated volunteers respond to calls out of the three station houses with an emergency response fleet of five engines, one ladder truck, one quint, one heavy rescue, three ambulances, and several special support and reserve units.

About ViaClean Technologies

ViaClean Technologies LLC, a biotech company, develops, manufactures and markets groundbreaking, innovative and environmentally responsible antimicrobial solutions that protect surfaces by disinfecting and safeguarding both interior and exterior physical surfaces from microbial contaminants* (*odor and stain causing bacteria, fungi and algae). ViaClean Technologies' pioneering and proprietary technologies, products and services provide antibacterial, antimicrobial, disinfectant and advanced odor control solutions for commercial, institutional and consumer use. ViaClean's BIOPROTECTUs System products include BIOPROTECT for textiles, plastics and metal goods. ViaClean is headquartered in Philadelphia with satellite offices in Arizona and in New York. For more information, visit the ViaClean website (www.bioprotect.us).

SOURCE ViaClean Technologies

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SAGINAW, MI  In being interviewed for his prospective parole, a Roman Catholic priest told state officials his sexual misconduct with a teen was shameful and inappropriate.

After news broke on Feb. 13 that Robert J. Father Bob DeLand Jr., 74, had been approved for parole, MLive-The Saginaw News submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Michigan Department of Corrections for parole board members notes, recommendations, and findings.

DeLand in March 2019 pleaded no contest to second-degree criminal sexual conduct, gross indecency between two males, and manufacturing or distributing an imitation controlled substance. By pleading no contest as opposed to guilty, DeLand did not admit to having committed any crime, though presiding Saginaw County Chief Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson treated him as guilty when he sentenced him in April 2019 to two to 15 years in prison.

Parole board member Sonia Amos-Warchock conducted a one-on-one interview with DeLand on Dec. 7. Amos-Warchock took notes during her interview, but a transcript of the priests verbatim statements was not recorded.

In her notes, Amos-Warchock wrote DeLand admitted to the offenses he had been convicted of. DeLand said because there was attraction on my part, that was shameful and inappropriate. Sorry. (I) was attracted to him because I believed he was convienent [sic], was suppose [sic] to be giving him help with the court system and he was near me.

DeLand further stated he is committed to making certain the behaivor [sic] I have been found guilty will never happen again, have a support group to hold me accountable, sorry to the v(ictim) and the community down. I will make atonement for that.

Amos-Warchocks notes were reviewed by fellow parole board member Tim Flanagan. Both members then voted Dec. 29 to approve paroling DeLand. Had their votes been split, a third member would have broken the tie.

Regarding the crime, it is our belief prisoner accepts responsibility, the documents further state. Regarding personal history, it is our belief that the prisoner identifies community support (and) recognizes need for treatment.

DeLand has worked as a school tutor in prison, the documents state. DeLand also refrained from negative conduct while incarcerated and had no citations for misconduct, the documents state.

DeLand is currently incarcerated at Marquette Branch Prison in the Upper Peninsula. He is to be paroled on or about April 27 for a term of two years.

While on parole, DeLand is to live at his own home or with a nearby sister, who will help him financially and emotionally, the documents state. DeLand also stated he plans to help give back with community service, such as helping the homeless and providing office work with Humanities for Prisoners.

Conditions of DeLands parole are that he not access the internet, not possess pornography, not communicate with anyone younger than 17, not possess alcohol or intoxicants, not visit bars, and not work, reside, or be within 1,000 feet of any school safety zone. He must also register as a sex offender until Oct. 13, 2045, at which time he will be 98.

Regarding DeLands future with the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, the organization removed him from priestly duties on April 25, 2019. Prior to that, the agency placed him on administrative leave on Feb. 26, 2018.

He is permanently forbidden from presenting himself as a priest or exercising any public ministry, said Erin Looby Carlson, the dioceses director of communications.

A decision on if DeLand would be laicized would come from the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith.

We are awaiting a final decision by the Holy See regarding Robert DeLands priestly status, Looby Carlson said.

The diocese will not be paying DeLand a salary, benefits, or living expenses, Looby Carlson said. DeLand will be receiving income and benefits from the dioceses priest retirement plan, however, as he is vested in that program and is required by law to the benefits.

Read more:

Catholic priest who sexually assaulted teen did express remorse to parole board, official says

Popular Catholic priest to be paroled after serving 2 years in prison for sexual assault

Judge dismisses ex-detectives lawsuit alleging he was fired for investigating Catholic priest

Employee sues Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, claiming retaliation for reporting sex-abuse complaint

Suspended Catholic priest gets two years for sexual assault of teen

Catholic priest pleads no contest to sex assault charge, avoids second trial

Jury acquits Catholic priest Robert DeLand of sexually assaulting 2 teens

Teens testify Catholic priest sexually assaulted them

Lawsuit against Father Bob, Saginaw Diocese moved to state court



The city of Houston is partnering with Harris County to offer a new round of rent relief amounting to $159 million for Houstonians in need. BakerRipley and Catholic Charities will oversee the program.

"Yesterday, we had 20,000 applications in total that we'll be able to serve," Catholic Charities COO Bart Ferrell told Chron.

The program is designed to help those who have been hit the hardest during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to BakerRipley's Community Relations Manager Cristina Cave.

"This program will bring much-needed relief for those tenants who are due to pay rent, Cave said. This will go back to April of last year. It will cover rent up to present.

OUTRAGEOUS WATER BILLS: Slapped with exorbitant water bills? Here's what you need to do

For Houston families who need help right now, applicants must show proof and meet income requirements. In order to qualify, your household income must be below 80 percent of the median family. For example, the overall average income for a family of four is just over $63,000, Cave explained. The priority will given to the most vulnerable, who are low income and have been unemployed for at least 90 days.

"The hope is to keep people safely housed, to bring them up to date, current on their rent," Ferrell said. "The cool thing about the program is that it can pay up to a year's rent, so you can go back to any rent that's past due back to March of 2020. It can pay up to 2 months forward and 13 months back."

Houstonians who need rental relief can register here or at houstonharrishelp.org. Applications are not assessed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"We continue to receive calls for rental relief, food, utility assistance," Ferrell said. "People are being evicted every day in Houston. Even though there's been a federal moratorium on evictions, some don't qualify. By being able to catch up, this program will really keep people safely housed."

The relief money is earmarked to go directly to the landlords who must credit renters' accounts within five days. Eviction and legal action against the renters must also halted for participants in the rental relief program, Ferrell said. The one difference with this new program is that rent can be paid, even if the landlord refuses to participate in the program.

"We're asking landlords to forgive late fees, to stop any legal proceedings on evictions," Ferrell said. "It's designed to get the money to the landlords faster. There will be landlords who don't want to participate. There is a workaround with this program. It does allow for us to pay the tenant directly if the landlord is absolutely refusing to participate in the program."
The document presents, among others, the details of land tenure, a summary of historic exploration work, and an analysis of Berenguela's drill hole data base

"The Berenguela Technical Report provides a detailed review of the available data on Berenguela. Key preliminary work will start soon including trade-off studies on process options," said Ralph Rushton, the CEO of Aftermath

Ltd ( ) (OTCQB:AAGFF) has filed its NI 43 101 technical report carried out by AMC Mining consultants and Ausenco on the Berenguela silver-copper project, for which Aftermath struck a binding letter of intent (LOI) with SSR Mining to buy in July last year.

The document presents, among others, the details of land tenure, a summary of historic exploration work, and an analysis of Berenguela's drill hole database.

It does not outline a resource estimate or an economic study for the project in Peru - an epithermal polymetallic carbonate-replacement deposit with a total land package of 6,594 hectares.

"The Berenguela Technical Report provides a detailed review of the available data on Berenguela. Key preliminary work will start soon, including trade-off studies on process options," said Ralph Rushton, the CEO of Aftermath.

"Planning for metallurgical test work, using available samples stored in Perth, Australia and drill program design and permitting will now commence."

Aftermath also clarified that the historic scoping study for Berenguela undertaken by the previous operator, which was disclosed in last July's news release "should not be relied upon" as a qualified person has not classified the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

"The company is not treating the scoping study as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and hereby retracts the scoping study disclosure in the July News Release," it said in the statement on Thursday.

currently owns 80% of the Cachinal silver-gold project, with an option to acquire the remaining 20% from SSR Mining. In addition, the exploration company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project near Iquique, in Chile.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
COVID-19 testing information for west-central Illinois counties:

Morgan County

Jacksonville

Days and times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Drive-through testing site located at Dunlap Court and Morgan Street.

Details: No appointment necessary. Photo ID and insurance card requested but not required.



Brown County

Mount Sterling

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Brown County Health Department, 120 E. Main St. 217-773-2714

Details: Testing eligibility determined by telephone screening.



Cass County

Beardstown

Days and times: Monday-Friday 9-11:20 a.m.

Location: Cass County Health Department, 8590 St. Lukes Drive. 217-323-2182

Virginia

Days and times: Monday-Friday 1-3 p.m.

Location: Cass County Health Department, 331 S. Main St. 217-452-3057

Details: Testing by appointment only and is limited to those who live or work in Cass County. Schedules subject to change.



Greene County

Carrollton

Days and times: By appointment. Open seven days a week.

Location: Boyd Rural Health Clinic, 800 School St. 217-942-3600

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated, pre-op with doctors order, or return to work. Must call and leave message with name and callback number.



Jersey County

Jerseyville

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Jerseyville Community Hospital Walk-in Clinic, 903 S. State St. 618-498-2273

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated.



Macoupin County

Gillespie

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Maple Street Clinic, 109 E. Maple St. 217-313-5078

Details: Drive-through free testing. Register by phone or online at mcphd.net.



Pike County

Pittsfield

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Quincy Medical Group, 320 N. Madison St. 217-277-4001

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated.

.

Days and times: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Location: Illini Express Clinic, 101 E. Washington St. 217-277-3504

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated. Register upon arrival.



Scott County

Winchester:

Days and times: Mondays and Fridays 9-11 a.m. (No drive-through testing week of Feb. 22)

Location: Scott County Health Department, 335 W. Cherry St.

Details: Schedule subject to change. See Facebook page for updates.
Lake Charles Toyota details the Toyota College Grad Rebate for recent and upcoming college graduates.

Recent college graduates in the market for a new vehicle in or near Lake Charles, Louisiana, are encouraged to consider a new Toyota at Lake Charles Toyota. Toyota is offering a $500 rebate on any new Toyota purchase or lease for qualifying recent or upcoming college graduates.

To qualify for the Toyota College Grad Rebate, the applicant must provide proof of graduation from an accredited university within the past two calendar years or within the next six months. The applicant must also provide proof of current employment and finance or lease through Toyota Financial Services. This rebate is only valid for new Toyota models and will not be available for pre-owned Toyota vehicles.

Individuals that have questions about the Toyota College Grad Rebate can contact the Lake Charles Toyota sales team directly at 337-426-1691. Those interested in learning more about Lake Charles Toyota or would like to browse its inventory can do so online at http://www.lakecharlestoyota.com. Shoppers near the Lake Charles area that would like to explore new Toyota models in person can visit the dealership at 3905 Gerstner Memorial Drive while following current health guidelines.
Colin Williams, who served as this countrys Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) from 2003 until 2018, will assume duties as a High Court judge, of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, in Antigua.





Williams, in fact, will be vacating his post as High Court judge in Belize, a post he has held since 2018, upon his departure as SVGs DPP.





His three-year tenure in Belize had exceeded the initial one-year which he was expected to serve, during which time he was to give attention to assisting with clearing the backlog of case in that mainland CARICOM territory, he told media personnel before his departure from SVG.





Williams appointment as DPP here was met with much opposition from individual members of the legal fraternity and officially from the SVG Bar Association, who were of the opinion that he had had too close of an association with the governing Unity Labour Party (ULP).





They cited among other things, that: he had served as a ULP senator in the House of Assembly; he was Public Relations Officer of the ULP, and worked as a partner in the Law Firm of the current Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonslaves.





Williams assignment in Antigua was set to commence March 1.

Vinh Hoan Corporation has become major shareholder at leading prawn cracker maker SGC from late January 2021

In late January 2021, Sa Giang Import Export Corporation (SGC), a leading prawn cracker maker in the country based in Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta, completed selling a 49.89 per cent stake to Vinh Hoan Corporation, a leading producer of tra fish (Pangasius) also based in Dong Thap, through a deal valued at around VND348 billion ($15.13 million).

Together with a batch of 100,000 SGC tickers earlier bought in the stock exchange, Vinh Hoan officially became the majority shareholder of SGC with the ownership ratio reaching 51.29 per cent as of January 22, 2021.

Following the move, three out of seven personnel at SGCs Board of Management were changed. Along with this, Truong Thi Le Khanh, chairwoman at Vinh Hoan, took a seat in SGCs Board of Management and was appointed as its chairwoman. Vinh Hoans current CEO also took a seat on the SGC Board of Management from February 2, 2021, and Le Thi Dieu Thi, acting as quality director at Vinh Hoan, became SGCs deputy general director.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) moves have also fueled changes in firms' top personnel in the first months of 2021.

Besides changes associated with M&A, many decisions on human resources at big players were based on internal dynamics or generational change.

On January 28, the extraordinary shareholders meeting of Development Investment Construction JSC (DIC Corp.) appointed Phan Van Danh, who is project director at Ho Chi Minh City-based developer Him Lam Land, to its Board of Management.

Through acquiring 67.7 million DIC stock in early December 2020, Him Lam Land increased its stake to 21.49 per cent in DIC Corp. Besides changing personnel, DIC has also set forth ambitious business expansion plans for 2021-2025, with the target of more than tripling its charter capital from the current VND3.125 trillion ($135.87 million) to about VND10 trillion ($434.8 million).

Also in January, big changes were spotted in the shareholder structure of Vietnam Gateway Securities JSC when the entire 23.7 per cent stake held by an individual was transferred to four others, two of whom hold management positions at privately-held Sunshine Group, a luxury real estate developer based in Hanoi. They are CEO Tran Thi Thu Hang (holding 9.7 per cent stake in Vietnam Gateway) and Dinh Huu That (holding 5 per cent) who is an executive at a member company of Sunshine Group.

Albeit no changes have been reported in management positions at Vietnam Gateway, market observers forecast that changes are forthcoming as Vietnam Gateway Securities JSC, which has a meager charter capital of VND110 billion ($4.8 million), is in hibernation for a long time now.

M&A deals are anticipated to rebound from mid-2021, with economist Can Van Luc even expecting transfers on the scale of the ones from 2010-2012.

Besides changes associated with M&A, many decisions on human resources at big players were based on internal dynamics or generational change.

Early this month, Nam Long Group appointed Tran Xuan Ngoc as CEO and Nguyen Thanh Son as housing section director at Nam Long Land.

According to Nam Long chairman Nguyen Xuan Quang, the move aims to materialise changes in the companys new organisational structure and develop core business lines in line with Nam Longs development strategy for 2021-2030.

Tran Xuan Ngoc used to hold senior positions at Shelf Drilling in Dubai UAE, while Nguyen Thanh Son held important positions at big real estate firms like MIK Group and Vincom.

At the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Le Hong Ha took on the CEO position at the beginning of the year, taking over from Duong Tri Thanh as part of the roadmap for top executive generation succession at the leading state-run airline. The new CEO, born in 1972, was deputy general director at the group since 2012 and is concurrently holding CEO position at budget carrier Jetstar Pacific Airlines.

Earlier, in August 2020, Dang Ngoc Hoa, a member of the Board of Management and deputy general director became chairman of Vietnam Airlines, succeeding Pham Ngoc Minh who reached retirement age.

Though the generation shift was carefully prepared, the current situation with critical impacts from COVID-19 on the global aviation sector poses mighty challenges to the new generation of leaders at the leading state-run carrier.

The local airport may hire a company to offer COVID-19 tests for airline passengers.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board heard a presentation on the idea Thursday from Dr. Sheeva Rajaei, CEO and chief medical officer of Rapicare, based in Horsham, a Philadelphia suburb.

The airport board also hired a new full-time public safety director and authorized the installation of a Bitcoin sales machine.

Rajaei, a cardiologist, said the company would provide antigen test results in five minutes and PCR test results within 48 hours guaranteed.

One of the benefits that we see for the airport is that really this provides a great deal of comfort for passengers, Rajaei said. I think one of the biggest fears and the reason why theyre not traveling is because they just dont feel safe. So being able to give a patient easy access to testing, should they choose before they get on their flights, will potentially increase the number of passengers in the future.

The antigen test costs $65; the PCR test, considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing, costs $165, Rajaei said after the meeting.

The company would set up a small kiosk in the airport terminal and perhaps pay rent for the space, she said.

In terms of international travel, you all probably know its a requirement, for all countries practically if youre traveling internationally, to have a PCR test. Some of them accept a rapid antigen but regardless, you need some sort of testing, Rajaei said. Domestic travel right now is still up in the air.

The company has a drive-thru testing center in Horsham but is only beginning to try to expand to airports, Rajaei said. Many larger airports already offer testing, she said.

The idea intrigued airport board members, but member David Pedri said the board should publicly seek proposals to gauge other companies interest.

I think its a great service, (Im) really interested. I just couldnt support it without going through the RFP (request for proposals) process, he said.

In other business, the board hired retired state Trooper Lt. Floyd P. Bowen Jr., 51, of Forty Fort, as the new airport public safety director at $60,000 a year. Bowen, a Scranton native, retired in January 2020 as commander of the state police barracks at Blooming Grove. Before that, he directed the state polices criminal records and investigation division, according to his resume.

The airport needed a replacement because the last new hire, Gary Vogue, resigned in July after only 3 months on the job to remain with the state police. Longtime Public Safety Director George Bieber retired Jan. 31, 2020.

The board also agreed to let Hugo Amusements Inc. of Scranton install the Bitcoin machine. Bitcoin is a digital currency thats grown in popularity around the world over the last decade. The airport will earn $450 a quarter or 1.5% of gross sales, whichever is higher, with a guarantee of at least $1,800 a year.
MIDDLETOWN  The owner of the 18th-century Seth Wetmore House tells the story of a African-American Civil War veteran from Mississippi who, in 1865, showed up at the doorstep battered and bruised, and eventually came to run the familys 1,200-acre farm for more than 60 years.

George Washington eventually became so beloved that the Wetmore family buried him in their plot at Indian Hill Cemetery on Washington Street, according to current Wetmore House owner Jack Bolles, who bought the 23-room, circa-1746 home at 1066 Washington St. in 2007.

Washington, who was about 22 when he arrived, was born in the South, and came to Connecticut two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, according to his obituary.

Once President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, Washington essentially declared himself free, and left the plantation owned by James P. Clark of Mississippi, where he had lived and worked since a child, according Jack Bolles.

It was built by judge and businessman Seth Wetmore. The homestead came to be known as Oak Hill, Bolles said.

Soon after, Washington moved into a two-floor wing on the south side of the home, next to the main kitchen, now Bolles living room. The windows in the sitting room are the very same ones Miss Cornelia Wetmore looked out to see Washington sitting on her well 10 or so feet away.

Wetmore, who considered Washington a godsend, needed help running the farm because she was caring for aging parents, while also overseeing the land by herself. He came to know four generations of the family, Bolles said.

Washington traveled to Middletown to find a job after someone recommended he go there seeking work, Bolles said.

The history of the mansion, added to the National Register of Historic Places in September 1970, is fascinating. Its really mind-blowing, said Bolles, who has since made substantial renovations.

After he assumed ownership, a New Haven attorney contacted him, offering 24 cartons of memorabilia, which he picked up. They were the former property of Wesleyan professors Helen and Samuel Green, who rented and later owned the property in the mid-1950s, Bolles said.

Washington and his three brothers were sent to fight with the Mississippi Regiment with the Confederacy. He never learned what happened to his siblings, Bolles said.

He was captured by the Yankees and they nearly worked him to death. He was often ragged, hungry and cold, according to a 1941 account written by Carrie Brown Potter, Clarks granddaughter.

Washington managed the Wetmore estate for six decades until the 1920s, according to Middlesex County Historical Society Executive Director Jesse Nasta, a history professor at Wesleyan.

In 2018, Dr. Barbara Hosien of Mississippi, the great-great-granddaughter of Washington, called Debby Shapiro, who formerly led the historical society, asking whether anyone knew about the Wetmore House and Washington, Bolles said.

She and her sister, who were white, were blood relatives, Bolles said. They stopped by Bolles house. They walked in, and  were mesmerized to think that George actually lived here, he said. Imagine  150 years later and his Southern familys descendants would remember him, Bolles wrote in a letter he included in one of his holiday cards. It was a grand experience.

It is important Washington not be remembered as an employee, Nasta said. He was also one of the thousands of enslaved people who emancipated themselves during the Civil War by fleeing to the Union army lines. In doing so, George Washington made a courageous move to gain his own freedom, while also joining the thousands of enslaved people who pushed Abraham Lincoln to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, he said.

By refusing to stay put on plantations, they forced the U.S. government to embrace the abolition of slavery as a tactic to win the Civil War, Nasta said.

Bolles also has the letter Washington wrote after 60 years away from his Mississippi home to the Clark family. I have not forgotten any of them, Washington wrote.

Washington died at the Soldiers Home in Darien in February 1929 at about 86, Nasta said. He was uncertain of his exact birthday, because there was no record of his birth, his obituary said. He was laid to rest with full military honors and interred at Indian Hill Cemetery.
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Europe

Energy engineers at British Gas continue strikes

Engineers at energy company British Gas, part of the Centrica group, are continuing their programme of strikes. British Gas supplies gas and electric energy and services equipment and has around 20,000 employees.

A four-day strike is due to begin today, with further four-day actions planned for February 19 and 26. The GMB union members are opposing fire and rehire plans by British Gas to undermine workers conditions and cut pay by 20 percent.

Around 7,500 workers are involved, including 4,000 service and repair gas engineers, 1,700 smart metering engineers, 600 central heating installers, 540 electrical engineers and 170 specialist business gas engineers. The strikes have led to a backlog of 170,000 boiler repairs and the delay of 200,000 service visits.

The company announced restructuring plans in June last year, including shedding 5,000 jobs. Following negotiations, Unison, Unite and Prospect unions reached agreements to accept the inferior terms. This covered 7,000 frontline office workers, most of them represented by Unison.

Airport staff at London Heathrow strike

Around 4,500 UK workers at Londons Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) walked out February 5 and again on Tuesday, with further action planned for February 13, 16 and 18. The Unite members took four days of strikes in December.

The airside operations, baggage handling, engineering and security staff are opposed to HALs announcement last September to cut pay by up to 25 percent, with some workers set to lose around 8,000. HAL, using the pandemic to impose long planned attacks, threatens to fire and rehire the workforce on lower pay and inferior terms.

Scaffolders at British Steel Scunthorpe plant continue pay strike

Around 50 scaffold erectors at British Steels Scunthorpe plant held a 48-hour strike on Monday, after taking four days of strike action. Another 48-hour strike is planned for February 15, followed by a 24-hour strike February 18, a 48-hour strike on February 22, and a final 24-hour strike on February 25.

The Unite union members are employed by contractor Brand Energy. They have been in dispute since 2019, demanding to be paid the hourly rate determined by the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry. Their current rate is 2 short of that. Brand Energy has refused to negotiate with Unite. The workers voted 100 percent for action.

On February 15, Brand Energys contract for scaffolding ends and transfers to Activo. If the dispute remains unresolved at contract transfer, Unite plans to re-ballot its members.

Workers at care home in UK capital continue strike

UK workers employed as carers and cleaners at a care home for the elderly, run by the Sage group in Golders Green, north London, held a one-day strike Saturday, their sixth strike day.

The United Voices of the World (UVW) union members voted unanimously for action. They are calling for a 12 an hour wage, sickness and leave conditions in line with NHS staff and recognition of their union. UVW met with management at the care home the previous day to discuss demands.

Strike by staff at north London school

Teachers and support staff began a three-day strike on Wednesday at Colvestone Primary school and Thomas Fairchild community school, run by the Hackney-based Soaring Skies Foundation. The National Education Union and Unite union members are opposed to a planned reorganisation that will lead to job losses.

Bus drivers in UK capital to strike

UK bus drivers in London working for three subsidiaries of French-owned transport company RAPT, London United, Quality Line and London Sovereign, plan to strike over pay and conditions. Around 2,000 Unite union members oppose plans by the companies to attack conditions using the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unite says the proposals would leave drivers around 2,500 a year worse off, with longer working hours. RAPT are also proposing bringing in a zero-hour type system whereby drivers would be paid for time behind the wheel, not actual working time.

Drivers at London United will strike February 22 to 24, those at Quality Line February 22 and 23 and those at London Sovereign February 22. In a separate dispute, around 4,000 drivers at Singapore-owned bus company Metroline will be balloted by Unite over plans by the company to bring in a remote sign-on process.

Go North West buses drivers in Manchester, England vote to strike

UK bus drivers Go North West buses in Manchester voted by an 82 percent majority on a 77 percent turnout to strike. The Unite union members are opposed to a new contract the company is seeking to impose.

Go North West, part of the multi-billion pound Go Ahead group, wants to impose inferior terms including a 10 percent pay cut, longer hours for no additional pay, and cuts to sick pay for the 500 workers. The latter could force drivers who are sick or self-isolating into work.

Unite regional secretary Ritchie James immediately called for negotiations aimed at ending the dispute, They are being forced by Go North West to choose between their jobs and huge cuts in their pay and conditions. Unite is now providing Go North West with a very short window of opportunity, where it can tear up its fire and rehire plans. If the company fails to grasp this opportunity then Unite will not hesitate in calling strikes.

News website aboutmanchester reported that drivers have been given hand-delivered letters stating that if they do not sign the new contracts then, Go North West is issuing you with notice of the termination of your employment, which shall end on 8 May 2021. The article said drivers have only until February 16 to decide whether or not to accept the new contract.

In a consultative ballot held September last year, drivers voted by a 94 percent majority to be prepared to strike. The union did not proceed to a strike ballot, instead appealing to the Go Ahead groupall of your stakeholders, partners and associates, including our significant political network in the Nordic countries, Germany and Australasiato pressure Go North West to drop their plans.

Unite also made proposals to save the company 1 million a year, and said it was prepared to accept a year-long pay freeze to save the company an additional 200,000. The company is demanding more, and the union was forced to call the strike ballot.

UK telecom workers engineers vote to strike

A ballot of 170 Repayment Project Engineers (RPE) working for UK telecom company BTs Openreach division produced an 86 percent majority on a 94 percent turnout to strike. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) members oppose company plans to unilaterally impose regrading of their posts.

The vote by the RPEs to strike follows a consultative vote of CWU members across BT Openreach and EE announced in December last year. On a 70 percent turnout in that ballot, nearly 98 percent voted in favour of striking to defend jobs, terms and conditions.

Rather than acting on the ballot result, the union is seeking to pressure the company to retract the regrading. CWU national officer for Openreach, Davie Bowman, wrote to senior management saying, It is clear from that result our members have demonstrated, once again, their clear opposition to the movement of the RPE role from the team member grading structure. The CWU believe the company should reflect on the outcome of the statutory ballot and urgently meet with the CWU.

Union ends strike of DHL drivers and warehouse staff in northwest England

Unite ended the strike by UK delivery drivers and warehouse workers at DHL Supply Chain, in Croxteth, Liverpool after agreeing a paltry wage settlement. They had been due to strike Monday and Tuesday this week. The 120 Unite union members who work for DHL on a delivery contract for Burton Biscuits and AB World Foods had taken 10 days of action.

Strikers demanded a pay increase and an end to victimisation of union members. They were paid 8.94 an hour, just two-and-a-half pence above the new minimum wage rate coming into effect in April. Unite regional officer Kenny Rowe said several members were suspended or sacked on spurious charges, due to management victimisation. During the strikes in December, management called the police to picket lines on at least 10 occasions, involving up to three police vehicles at a time.

Unite initially called a strike after negotiations under the auspices of the Advisory and Conciliation Arbitration Service collapsed. Unite called for a pay rise of just 50p an hour above the minimum wage. The union then called off planned action in December, offering further talks to DHL. They were forced to reinstate the action in late December as talks proved fruitless.

Under the agreement between DHL and Unite, workers will be given a three percent rise for 2020 backdated to April last year, followed by a three percent rise this year plus a one off 75 payment. This will leave the DHL workers on around 9.50 an hour, 60p above the minimum wage rate set in spring.

Scottish college lecturers ballot for strike action

Lecturers in Scottish Further Education colleges are taking part in a consultative ballot over plans by the national employment body, Colleges Scotland, to replace college lecturer posts with instructor/assessor posts. The new posts would be open to less qualified staff, on lower pay and inferior conditions.

Lecturers at Forth Valley college have been involved in industrial action over what amounts to a fire and rehire threat by management.

The Educational Institute of Scotland-Further Education Lecturers Association members has called an online rally.

UK court security staff strike vote

Around 300 UK court security staff working for contractor OCS have voted to strike, rejecting a pay offer of 13p an hour. The Public and Commercial Services union members voted by more than 90 percent on a two-thirds turnout to strike. The workers also want sick pay paid from day one, and 30 days leave.

Union calls off IT staff strike at Brighton University after agreeing a redundancy

A strike by IT staff at the University of Brighton on Englands south coast, due to begin Monday, was called off after the University and College Union (UCU) agreed a voluntary redundancy. Workers were opposing compulsory redundancy plans as part of restructuring of the IT department, under which a third of staff would be made redundant.

The workers took several strike days in December and were working to rule.

A statement agreed by the UCU and university said: UCU and the University have met today (5/2/21) regarding the dispute in connection with the reorganisation of IS. The dispute is resolved as the individual concerned is now leaving the university voluntarily. As a result, the UCU has agreed to call off its industrial action. The University has given assurances that no repercussions will be felt by those who took part in industrial action and recognises that working hours lost through industrial action cannot be rescheduled. Both parties look forward to working together constructively on the significant future challenges facing the sector, the university and our students.

UK pharmacists may strike as they face overwhelming debts

Indebted community pharmacists in the UKon the front line in the pandemic, as many GP practices only offer telephone consultationsare considering strike action.

The government loaned 370 million to pharmacies last year to cope with the COVID-19 crisis. The loan is due to be repaid this year. Pharmacists are urging the government to waive the repayment, saying many community pharmacies are in debt and paying back the loan would push them into bankruptcy.

The Guardian quoted Andrew Lane, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, saying, This is a desperate situation for many of our members, so its not surprising that you do hear people talking about some form of protest. But no one wants to let their patients down, so strike action is the last thing any pharmacist would want to do. Instead, we need to continue to make the evidence-based case and appeal to the government to do the right thing by the nations heroic pharmacists and the patients they serve.

In contrast to pharmacists, GP practices had costs of 197.5 million reimbursed in recognition of the extra workload due to the pandemic. Dentists, too, had financial help.

In 2009, pharmacists in Ireland took 10 days of strike action protesting cuts in payments by the Irish government.

Port workers strike in Hamburg, Germany

Around 350 technical workers at state-owned HHLA subsidiaries SCA and SCB, Hamburg, held a three-day stoppage February 24, following a one-day strike the previous week. The Verdi union members are demanding that an agreement covering weekend work week be brought into line with conditions in other northern German ports.

Under the current agreement for most port workers, a regular 40 hour working week is spread Monday to Saturday. With 30 days leave per year this amounts to a 35-hour week. Sundays are not included in working out the working week figure. However, for SCA and SCB employees, Sundays are counted as a normal working day, so they end up working more weekends than colleagues at other ports.

HHLA want to maintain the flexible working hours system to enable Hamburg to better compete with other ports in northern Europe.

Middle East

Egyptian fertiliser workers continue sit-in

Workers at the Delta Company for Fertilisers and Chemical Industries at Daqahlia, in Egypts Nile delta, are continuing their sit-in protest. Around 2,500 workers oppose company plans to relocate to Suez. Last week, 13 workers were arrested and eight remanded in custody. The sit-in is supported by workers families.

Africa

Nigerian university administration workers national walkout as union sells out teachers strike

University workers in Nigeria walked out midnight on February 5. The strike is over the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (a new computer system used to handle salary payments), non-payment of the minimum wage, delays in negotiations, and failure to honour an agreement from 2009.

Leaders of the SSANU (Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities) and NASU (Non-Academic Staff Union of the Universities) said the strike would go ahead pending any contrary resolution by the branches.

A three-week stoppage by teachers in Edo state ended February 8, when the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers intervened. Workers demands including unpaid salaries were not met.

Overworked doctors at South African hospital protest

Doctors at Dr Harry Surtie Hospital, Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa walked out February 3, to protest staffing levels and overwork. They are demanding the appointment of another 10 medical officers and four community service doctors, or they will strike.

The hospital is staffed by 36 doctors, which they say is inadequate to serve the local population. In a letter to management, they state the COVID-19 wards are full and no doctors have been appointed to work in these wards. They are expected to work an extra 110-140 hours a month in excess of their 40-hour week, leading to burnout.

South Africa has 1,482,412 cases of COVID-19 with 44,145 deaths.

South African municipal workers in Port Elizabeth walk out in protest over wages and conditions

Over 200 municipal workers in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa stopped work Tuesday and protested outside the provincial government offices.

The South Africa Municipal Workers Union members are demanding a COVID-19 compensation allowance, discounts on electricity and water, the ending of outsourcing and permanent employment of all contract workers. Union representatives are currently in discussion with the municipality.

South African animal feed workers at Humansdorp Co-operative dismissed after striking for wage increase

Workers at the Humansdorp Co-operative animal feed plant in Cookhouse, Eastern Cape, South Africa were dismissed after walking out in protest over wages. The 25 forklift truck drivers and food mixers at the plant said they should be paid as skilled workers, and also complained their contracts were written in Afrikaans.

The company said the strike was unprotected and gave notice of dismissal on February 4, suggesting workers go to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) if they wanted to contest the decision. Employers know the CCMA is currently struggling to cope with a backlog of cases after having its budget massively slashed, making it difficult for workers to access services.

Shop stewards dismissed by Volkswagen in South Africa

Fourteen trade union shop stewards at the Volkswagen car plant in Uitenhage, South Africa, sacked at a disciplinary hearing in January, will dispute the decision at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration February 15. The South African Federation of Trades Unions held a demonstration outside the factory February 3, and future protests are planned.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) stewards were originally suspended last year, when workers walked out July 17 after returning to work from the COVID-19 lockdown to find themselves exposed to unsafe conditions. When the firm threatened the entire workforce with dismissal, workers went to the Department of Employment and Labour to enforce their rights, and the international company was found to have violated health and safety regulations. The stewards were reinstated but were sacked after the disciplinary hearing, which accused them of inciting the 2020 strike.

NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim said members now have no union representatives at the factory and management refused to meet him.

Twenty years ago, 1,300 workers from the Uitenhage plant were sacked while on strike in defence of elected stewards, who had been suspended from office by NUMSA. The union leadership collaborated closely with VW management in ousting the militant shop stewards and the workers supporting them from the plant to prevent further industrial action.

Liberian workers confront House of Representatives Speaker to demand payment of arrears

Workers from the House of Representatives in Liberia besieged the official vehicle of the Speaker of the House on February 4, to demand payment of 17 months arrears of unpaid salaries. Workers shouted, We have families to take care of, we cannot afford to pay our childrens school fees.

The Liberian dollar component of workers pay was removed 17 months ago by the Ministry of Finance.

In a previous protest by the workers, leader Archie Ponpon set himself on fire in front of the Ministry of Justice and is still being treated for his injuries.

Tunisian union umbrella group agrees protest ban

During a working session of the Tunisian government with the Tunisian General Labour Union ending on February 9, the two bodies agreed to ban all forms of protest in the health sector.

They also agreed to work together on a statute to be followed by public health workers. A corporatist committee is to start work on February 17 to draw up the statute, expected to be completed by November.
A third grade Monmouth County girl started sobbing in the middle of her Zoom class and when asked what was wrong, told her teacher and her peers that she was starving.

The girls mother lost her job and they didnt have anything to eat, a problem being magnified across the state by the coronavirus pandemic.

A social worker from the girls school determined the family was in need and picked up food for her, her two siblings and their mother from Fulfill, formerly known as The FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties.

The family received enough food to feed four people for four days, toiletry items and fresh produce.

That was the immediate solution. Now were working to stabilize the family, said Kim Guadagno, the former lieutenant governor who is now president and CEO of Fulfill.

Since the story went public, donations have come in for the family: six months worth of groceries, clothing, a car and more. The mother, an unemployed restaurant worker, has landed a new job washing dishes and has other job offers that Fulfill is helping her to explore.

The outpouring of support for this one child has been fabulous, Guadagno said.

This family is now well cared for, Guadagno said, but the girl is one of 400,000 children in New Jersey who is food insecure. In Monmouth and Ocean counties, there have been 92% and 64% increases in need, respectively, since last March.

Fulfill saw a 40% increase in demand. And there are probably even more people who need help, she said.

If youve never been to a food bank, you dont know where to start, Guadagno said.

Almost half, or about 4 in 10 people, who have visited a food bank since the pandemic began last year had not received food assistance previously, according to Feeding America.

And the demand is expected to continue. Were looking at at least two to three years, said Guadagno.

New Jersey has been particularly hard hit by food insecurity. It has risen by 56%, which is about 10% higher than the national rate. Currently, about 1.2 million people in New Jersey dont know where their next meal will come from, said Nicole Williams, communications and public relations manager for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, which serves 16 counties across the state.

The service sector and hospitality industries have just been so hard hit and we have quite a lot of jobs in New Jersey in those sectors, she said. If you look at Atlantic City especially, its one of the hardest hit cities in the country. Those are the people who are most in danger of losing their jobs.

Food insecurity among kids has increased by an estimated 75%, meaning about one in five kids in the state is food insecure. Even though schools are still handing out meals, not all children who need them may be able to get them.

It might be hard for some people to make their way over there to pick them up, if the parents are working or dont have transportation, Williams said. The increase in food insecurity among children has been really stark.

Food banks are working hard to meet the increased demands. CFBNJ has hosted about 40 drive-through food distributions in 12 counties. People wait on line for two to three hours to pick up rice, pasta sauce, peanut butter and other pantry items, along with fresh produce, that will feed a family of four for a few days.

Fulfill has helped to prop up local food pantries that closed during the pandemic by making sure they have working refrigerators and freezers, tents and PPE. They also put into service a benefits bus to help people in need register for assistance programs.

Until people go back to work its not going to go away, Guadagno said. The vaccine offers hope to people who can already put food on the table, but doesnt change the boots on the ground.

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Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.

The staff at a Denver restaurant called Guard and Grace were stunned and grateful after a patron left a $6,800 tip, distributed among the 34 employees working there that night.

The generous guest signed the receipt COVID bandit and also wrote COVID sucks along with a smiley face. The receipt is similar to one previously signed at another cafe and is the same amount per employee, according to WFLA.

NO TIME OFF: Some Texas employers are forcing workers to use vacation days after snowstorm

According to staff member Ben Moon, who was working that Saturday night when the tip was left, the patron had been talking with the general manager for some time. He then went to one of the private dining rooms, the staff were lined up, and he personally handed each of them $200 in cash.

His reservation was literally under the name COVID Bandit, said Moon.

Whoever this person is , thank you so much for your act of kindness and your sincere genuine caring thoughtfulness you just bestowed on our Guard and Grace staff," Chef Troy Guard said in a post on Facebook.

You gave out $6800 DOLLARS in total  you gave $200 to each employee some were crying  some are jumping up and down  some are dancing !

I dont know who you are Mr. COVID BANDIT - but from the bottom of my heart - and our entire staff ..... THANK YOU."
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

The LaRouche Factor in U.S. Relations with Russia and China

Feb. 25 , 2021 (EIRNS)Will President Joe Biden follow in the footsteps of Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trumps obnoxiously aggressive Secretary of State, in U.S. relations with Russia and China? That is the question that the governments of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are asking, one month into the new administration in Washington. The future of war and peace for the planet hangs in the balance.

The answer does not lie with personalities or public remarksthere have been many, and often contradictory statements issued in recent weeksbut with the dynamics of the underlying drive for war created by the bankrupt trans-Atlantic financial system. Helga Zepp-LaRouche addressed this issue at the very outset of her Feb. 24 weekly webcast. After noting that Biden had recently stated, both in his G7 and his Munich Security Conference speeches, that he did not want confrontation between East and West, nor a new Cold War, Zepp-LaRouche remarked:

So, while I dont want to exaggerate this as such, one has to see it in the context that the relationship between the United States and China is the most important strategic relationship for the future of humanity. For the simple reason that these are the two largest economies, that China is involved with Russia in a strategic alliance, and that, therefore, [it is key] to not have a confrontation and not continue where it was at the end of the Trump Administration, which was completely governed by the China-bashers such as Pompeo, Navarro, and their ilk.

Zepp-LaRouche declared that Bidens is a new administration, so we have to see. Im not making a judgment at this point on his Russia and China policies. She also stressed that when President Trump first came into office, in the beginning, in the election campaign 2016, and throughout the earlier part of Trumps administration, he said many times, that to have a good relationship with Russia and China is a good thing and not a bad thing. But then we saw how, increasingly, under the strategic pressure, and pressure from the neocons and from the military-industrial complex, Trump more and more capitulated to their confrontational line, especially in respect to China. By April of last year, he started to blame China for COVID, and all kinds of other things. So by the end of the Trump Administration, unfortunately, the relationship with Russia and China was at a historic low.

With such pressures being brought to bear on Republicans and Democrats alike in Washington by the hit-men of the bankrupt international financial system, both Beijing and Moscow have always taken special note of the clear, unambiguous voice of Lyndon LaRouche coming from the United States, for defining a new basis for U.S. relations with China and with Russia. For example, China Youth Daily, the second-most widely read newspaper in China, reaching an audience of some 10 million people, ran a lead article in its July 24, 2009, edition based on an interview they had conducted with Lyndon LaRouche. Entitled The Present International Financial System Cannot Be Saved, the article reported:

LaRouche proposes that the U.S. put the present financial system through bankruptcy proceedings and return to the system set up by Alexander Hamilton, and through the establishment of a national bank begin to issue credit for reviving U.S. industry. On the international level, this principle can then be extended to the world economy by means of treaty agreements among sovereign nations. Establishing an international system of fixed exchange rates among currencies would determine the price of commodities, and the treaty arrangements would provide the needed credit,

the article continued.

LaRouche believes that if the United States, China, Russia, and India, as sovereign nations which encompass the greatest area of the world, and contain the largest population in the world, were to come together around agreement on financial arrangements, this would provide immediately the basis of a new world financial system. LaRouche believes that the development of Asia will, in the future, take the lead in the development of humanity, and that China is the key to the Eurasian continent.

Today, a dozen years after those remarks, the voice for that LaRouche policy is to be found with Helga Zepp-LaRouche, and with The LaRouche Organization.
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Ivory Coast has received over 500,000 doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Assess Facility (COVAX) making it the second country to benefit from the facility.

Ghana is the first country to benefit from the programme with the delivery of 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines on Wednesday.

COVAX, a World Health Organization-backed programme, was set-up to divide about two billion doses of vaccines across 92 low-and middle-income countries.

The facility promised access to vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries population with an initial supply beginning in the first quarter of the year to immunise three per cent of their populations.

Cote dIvoire is the second country in Africa to receive COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility, the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office for Africa tweeted on Friday.

504,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine just arrived in Abidjan. Another step towards #VaccinEquity & a symbol of global cooperation & solidarity.

The WHO regional director, Matshidiso Moeti, said the vaccines will be rolled out to frontline health workers in the coming days.

Over half a million vaccines just arrived in Abidjan & will be rolled out with frontline health workers in the coming days, she said.

One year after Africa recorded its first case of the infection, over 3.9 million cases have been reported and the death toll surpassed 100,000 last week.

Ivory Coast, with a population of about 26 million, has recorded over 32,000 COVID-19 cases and 188 deaths, data from worldometers shows.

Nigeria is also expecting to receive 16 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines with the first four million expected soon.

Nigerias health minister, Osagie Ehanire, on Wednesday admitted that the country may have to wait till March to receive its first doses of the vaccines.

Now, the COVAX will start delivering to African countries before the end of February, thats what they told us. But they didnt tell us which country is first or which is second, which is third, Mr Ehanire said at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.
Oil price revisions started cautiously: some banks saw Brent crude averaging $65 a barrel this year, and others, of a bolder nature, predicted that the oil benchmark could climb to $65 a barrel. Just a couple of months ago, these forecasts sounded pretty optimistic for the environment, given the slow rollout of Covid-19 vaccines, the continuing excess supply of oil, and reports of coronavirus variants emerging in different parts of the world, threatening new infection waves.

Now, banks and traders are talking about Brent at $100 a barrel. Of course, a big reason for this is the slump in U.S. oil production caused by the Texas Freeze earlier this month. It was even greater than the production decline prompted by the pandemic last year, and it will take a while to recoverif it ever does fully.

Yet demand has also been recovering steadily in some key markets, most notably in China. This recovery has largely offset slow-to-return demand for oil in other large consumers such as the United States and helped push prices higher.

Then, of course, there has been government stimulus poured into economies around the world in response to the crisis. Trillions of dollars have sunk into businesses and households in hopes this will help set GDP back on the growth path sooner rather than later. Once again, the U.S. has been crucial for the change in oil sentiment: oil price forecast revisions were quick to follow President Joe Bidens proposal of a $1.9-trillion stimulus package.

The package is still being debated, and it might end up smaller than originally proposed. But when it comes to oil, it has done its job. Banks, the Fed, and the Treasury Department all expect a swift economic recovery due to this stimulus, and a swift recovery will invariably include a rebound in oil demand as people start traveling more.

Related: Bank Of America Expects Fastest Oil Price Rise In 30 Years



Meanwhile, global oil stocks are on the decline, even if not all the reasons for that are clear. The Wall Street Journal recently wrote an analysis of the so-called missing barrels, or barrels of oil that somehow slip under the radar of inventory trackers and that last year reached a record high of 68 percent of an estimate global inventory increase totaling 1.39 billion barrels. Outside the mystery of the missing barrels, OPEC+ efforts in production cutting have been fruitful, and U.S. shale producers have this time round been cautious about returning to a growth mode, not least because of oil prices.

In this context, it is not at all surprising that earlier this week that Bank of America, Socar Trading, and Energy Aspects all said Brent could rise to $100 over the next two years. According to Socar TradingAzerbaijans oil marketing companyprices are up on the rebalancing fundamentals, and by the summer, Brent could hit $80 a barrel. As supply remains tight, it could climb further to $100 a barrel, the companys chief trading officer Hayal Ahmadzada told Bloomberg.

Energy Aspects Amrita Sen, on the other hand, cited economic stimulus as chief reason for the expected price rally.

Its a futures market, we always discount stuff thats going to happen in the future, now. Thats why prices are rallying right now, Sen said, speaking on Bloomberg Surveillance. Weve always called for $80 plus oil in 2022. Maybe that is $100 now given how much liquidity there is in the system. I wouldnt rule that out, she added. Related: Natural Gas Production Plunged 45% During The Texas Freeze

Of course, the expectations of a demand rebound have yet to materialize outside China, and then there is the question of additional barrels coming soon from Saudi Arabia, maybe Russia, and likely Iran. With U.S. production still depressed, these may not affect prices right away. But a few million barrels daily more will certainly exert some pressure.

Then there is the latest from OPEC: the cartel is set to discuss a group increase in production in addition to Saudi Arabia removing its voluntary 1-million-bpd cut from March. The increase, however, will be modest, if agreed, at 500,000 bpd. This is the same amount of production OPEC+ brought back online in January, reducing its overall cut by 7.2 million bpd, excluding Saudi Arabias unilateral additional cut.

This means that come April, the group could be pumping 1.5 million bpd more than it is pumping now, and this is not including the possible return of Iranian barrels to the market. This may interfere with immediate price expectations, but by next year, the effects of underinvestment in new production will become more obvious, spurring prices higher.



By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Timeline: How Shamima Begum's dream of becoming a jihadi bride saw her stripped of her British citizenship for joining ISIS 2015 February 17 - Kadiza Sultana, Amira Abase and Shamima Begum leave their east London homes at 8am to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, from Gatwick Airport. Begum and Abase are reported missing by their families later the same day.

- Kadiza Sultana, Amira Abase and Shamima Begum leave their east London homes at 8am to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, from Gatwick Airport. Begum and Abase are reported missing by their families later the same day. February 18 - Sultana is reported missing to the police.

- Sultana is reported missing to the police. February 20 - The Metropolitan Police launch a public appeal for information on the missing girls who are feared to have gone on to Syria. The Met expresses concerns that the missing girls may have fled to join ISIS.

- The Metropolitan Police launch a public appeal for information on the missing girls who are feared to have gone on to Syria. The Met expresses concerns that the missing girls may have fled to join ISIS. February 21 - Four days after the girls went missing, police believe they may still be in Turkey.

- Four days after the girls went missing, police believe they may still be in Turkey. February 22 - Abase's father Abase Hussen says his daughter told him she was going to a wedding on the day she disappeared.

- Abase's father Abase Hussen says his daughter told him she was going to a wedding on the day she disappeared. March 10 - It emerges that the girls funded their trip by stealing jewellery. 2016 August 2016 - Sultana, then 17, is reported to have been killed in Raqqa in May when a suspected Russian air strike obliterates her house. 2019 February 13 - Begum, then 19, tells Anthony Loyd of The Times that she wants to return to the UK to give birth to her third child.

- Begum, then 19, tells Anthony Loyd of The Times that she wants to return to the UK to give birth to her third child. Speaking from the al-Hawl refugee camp in northern Syria, Begum tells the paper: 'I'm not the same silly little 15-year-old schoolgirl who ran away from Bethnal Green four years ago. And I don't regret coming here.'

February 15 - Home Secretary Sajid Javid says he 'will not hesitate' to prevent the return of Britons who travelled to join IS.

- Home Secretary Sajid Javid says he 'will not hesitate' to prevent the return of Britons who travelled to join IS. February 17 - Begum gives birth to her third child - a baby boy, Jarrah - in al-Hawl. Her two other children, a daughter called Sarayah and a son called Jerah, have both previously died.

- Begum gives birth to her third child - a baby boy, Jarrah - in al-Hawl. Her two other children, a daughter called Sarayah and a son called Jerah, have both previously died. February 19 - The Home Office sends Begum's family a letter stating that it intends to revoke her British citizenship.

- The Home Office sends Begum's family a letter stating that it intends to revoke her British citizenship. February 20 - Begum, having been shown a copy of the Home Office's letter by ITV News, describes the decision as 'unjust'.

- Begum, having been shown a copy of the Home Office's letter by ITV News, describes the decision as 'unjust'. February 22 - Begum's family write to Mr Javid asking for his help to bring her newborn son to Britain. Shamima's sister Renu Begum, writing on behalf of the family, said the baby boy was a 'true innocent' who should not 'lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this country'.

- Begum's family write to Mr Javid asking for his help to bring her newborn son to Britain. Shamima's sister Renu Begum, writing on behalf of the family, said the baby boy was a 'true innocent' who should not 'lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this country'. Late February - Begum is moved to the al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria, reportedly because of threats to her life made at al-Hawl following the publication of her newspaper interviews.

- Begum is moved to the al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria, reportedly because of threats to her life made at al-Hawl following the publication of her newspaper interviews. March 7 - Jarrah dies around three weeks after he was born.

- Jarrah dies around three weeks after he was born. March 19 - Begum's lawyers file a legal action challenging the decision to revoke her citizenship.

- Begum's lawyers file a legal action challenging the decision to revoke her citizenship. April 1 - In a further interview with The Times, Begum says she was 'brainwashed' and that she wanted to 'go back to the UK for a second chance to start my life over again'.

- In a further interview with The Times, Begum says she was 'brainwashed' and that she wanted to 'go back to the UK for a second chance to start my life over again'. May 4 - Bangladesh's foreign minister Abdul Momen says Begum could face the death penalty for involvement in terrorism if she goes to the country, adding that Bangladesh had 'nothing to do' with her.

- Bangladesh's foreign minister Abdul Momen says Begum could face the death penalty for involvement in terrorism if she goes to the country, adding that Bangladesh had 'nothing to do' with her. September 29 - Home Secretary Priti Patel says there is 'no way' she will let Begum return to the UK, adding: 'We cannot have people who would do us harm allowed to enter our country - and that includes this woman.'

- Home Secretary Priti Patel says there is 'no way' she will let Begum return to the UK, adding: 'We cannot have people who would do us harm allowed to enter our country - and that includes this woman.' October 22-25 - Begum's appeal against the revocation of her British citizenship begins in London. Her barrister Tom Hickman QC submits the decision has unlawfully rendered her stateless, and exposed her to a 'real risk' of torture or death. 2020 February 7 - SIAC rules on Begum's legal challenge.

- SIAC rules on Begum's legal challenge. July 16 - Court of Appeal rules on the case and finds in Begum's favour.

- Court of Appeal rules on the case and finds in Begum's favour. November 23 - Supreme Court hears case. 2021 February 26 - Supreme Court denies her right to enter UK to fight for British citizenship. Advertisement

Shamima Begum today broke cover after the Supreme Court ruled she cannot return to the UK to pursue an appeal against the removal of her British citizenship.

The jihadi bride was seen crying and looking angry in her tent before she marched through al-Roj refugee camp in Syria.

The 21-year-old was wearing Western clothes - a pair of sunglasses, a dark jacket, leggings and white trainers - but refused to comment on the news she will have to fight her case from abroad.

Begum was 15 when she and two other east London schoolgirls travelled to Syria to join ISIS in February 2015.

Her British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.

Begum challenged the Home Office's decision to remove her British citizenship and wanted to be allowed to return to Britain to pursue her appeal.

The Court of Appeal ruled in July 'the only way in which she can have a fair and effective appeal is to be permitted to come into the UK to pursue her appeal'.

The Home Office challenged that decision at the Supreme Court in November, arguing allowing her to return to the UK 'would create significant national security risks' and expose the public to 'an increased risk of terrorism'.

Today, the UK's highest court ruled Begum should not be granted leave to enter the UK to pursue her appeal against the deprivation of her British citizenship.

It means she can still challenge the removal of her citizenship, but will have to do it from abroad - likely the al-Roj refugee camp where she is being held.

Begum was 'angry' and 'cried' after hearing of today's ruling, Darin Issa, a Kurdish translator and fixer, told MailOnline via WhatsApp.

'She does not talk to usshe was in her tentshe does talk to us or any other journalist,' Issa added.

Roj camp, which is located in north east Syria near the town of Al-Malikiyah houses most of the Western women whom joined ISIS and is considerably more developed than the Al-Hawl camp where she was initially taken after the collapse of ISIS caliphate.

Reacting to the ruling, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'The Supreme Court has unanimously found in favour of the Government's position, and reaffirmed the Home Secretary's authority to make vital national security decisions.

'The Government will always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security and our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of our citizens.'

Downing Street said it was 'pleased' with the decision, with a spokesman adding: 'As we've said before, the Government's priority is maintaining our national security.

'Decisions to deprive individuals of their citizenship are not taken lightly. We'll always ensure the safety and security of the UK, and will not allow anything to jeopardise this.'

Sajid Javid, who as home secretary at the time took the decision to revoke Begum's British citizenship on national security grounds, also welcomed the ruling.

But human rights groups claimed it sets 'an extremely dangerous precedent' and accused the government of abandoning jihadi brides in 'a legal black hole'.

Announcing the decision, President of the Supreme Court Lord Reed said: 'The Supreme Court unanimously allows all of the Home Secretary's appeals and dismisses Ms Begum's cross-appeal.'

He said: 'The right to a fair hearing does not trump all other considerations, such as the safety of the public.

'If a vital public interest makes it impossible for a case to be fairly heard then the courts cannot ordinarily hear it.

'The appropriate response to the problem in the present case is for the deprivation hearing to be stayed - or postponed - until Ms Begum is in a position to play an effective part in it without the safety of the public being compromised.

'That is not a perfect solution, as it is not known how long it may be before that is possible. But there is no perfect solution to a dilemma of the present kind.'

He also slammed the Court of Appeal's decision to allow her to return, saying there were four principal errors in its judgment.

Lord Reed said it wrongly 'made its own assessment of the requirements of national security and preferred it to that of the Secretary of State, despite the absence of any relevant evidence before it'.

The judge said: 'The Court of Appeal's approach did not give the Secretary of State's assessment the respect which it should have received, given that it is the Secretary of State who has been charged by Parliament with responsibility for making such assessments, and who is democratically accountable to Parliament for the discharge of that responsibility.'

Lord Reed continued: 'There was no evidence before the court from the police, the Crown Prosecution Service or the Director of Public Prosecutions as to whether it was either possible or appropriate to ensure that Ms Begum was arrested on her return and charged with an offence.

'Nor was it known whether, if she were arrested and charged, she would be remanded in custody: that would be a matter for the courts.'

The 21-year-old today (left) refused to comment on the news she will have to fight her case from abroad. She is also pictured in 2019 (right)

The jihadi bride kept a low profile as she walked through al-Roj refugee camp in Syria today, wearing a pair of sunglasses, a dark coat, leggings and white trainers

Her British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019

The judge also said there was 'no evidence, nor any submissions, before the Court of Appeal as to whether or not a Tpim [terrorism prevention and investigation measure] could or would be imposed on Ms Begum, or as to the effectiveness of any such measure in addressing the risk which she might pose.'

Lord Reed slams the Court of Appeal's decision to allow Begum to return to UK The judge said: 'First, the Court of Appeal misunderstood the scope of an appeal against a decision of the Secretary of State to refuse a person leave to enter the UK. 'Ms Begum's appeal against the LTE decision could only be brought on the ground that the decision was unlawful under section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998. 'As Ms Begum did not advance that argument before the Court of Appeal, her appeal against the LTE decision should have been dismissed. 'Secondly, the Court of Appeal erred in its approach to the appeal against the dismissal of Ms Begum's application for judicial review of the Secretary of State's refusal of leave to enter the UK. 'It made its own assessment of the requirements of national security, and preferred it to that of the Secretary of State, despite the absence of any relevant evidence before it, or any relevant findings of fact by the court below. 'In particular, there was no evidence before the Court as to whether the national security concerns about Ms Begum could be addressed and managed by her being arrested and charged upon her arrival in the UK, or by her being made the subject of a Terrorist Prevention and Investigation Measure. 'The Court of Appeal's approach did not give the Secretary of State's assessment the respect which it should have received, given that it is the Secretary of State who has been charged by Parliament with responsibility for making such assessments, and who is democratically accountable to Parliament for the discharge of that responsibility. 'Thirdly, the Court of Appeal mistakenly believed that, when an individual's right to have a fair hearing of an appeal came into conflict with the requirements of national security, her right to a fair hearing must prevail. 'But the right to a fair hearing does not trump all other considerations, such as the safety of the public. If a vital public interest makes it impossible for a case to be fairly heard, then the courts cannot ordinarily hear it. 'The appropriate response to the problem in the present case is for the deprivation appeal to be stayed until Ms Begum is in a position to play an effective part in it without the safety of the public being compromised. 'That is not a perfect solution, as it is not known how long it may be before that is possible. But there is no perfect solution to a dilemma of the present kind. 'In those circumstances, Ms Begum's application for judicial review of the LTE decision was properly dismissed by the Administrative Court, as should be her cross-appeal in respect of SIAC's preliminary decision in the deprivation appeal. 'Fourthly, the Court of Appeal mistakenly treated the Secretary of State's extraterritorial human rights policy as if it were a rule of law which he must obey, as opposed to something intended to guide the exercise of his statutory discretion. 'On a deprivation appeal, SIAC is not entitled to re-exercise the Secretary of State's discretion for itself. Rather, unless there is an issue as to whether the Secretary of State has acted in breach of his obligations under has the Human Rights Act, SIAC is confined to reviewing the Secretary of State's decision by applying essentially the same principles that apply in administrative law. 'In this case, having considered detailed assessments by his officials and by the Security Service, the Secretary of State was not satisfied that depriving Ms Begum of British citizenship would expose her to a real risk of mistreatment within the meaning of his policy. 'SIAC decided that that conclusion was not an unreasonable one. There was no defect in SIAC's reasoning in that regard. 'Ms Begum's application for judicial review of SIAC's preliminary decision in the deprivation appeal is therefore dismissed.' Advertisement

He concluded: 'The Court of Appeal also appears to have overlooked the limitations to its competence, both institutional and constitutional, to decide questions of national security.'

Former Home Secretary Mr Javid said he 'strongly welcomed' the Supreme Court's ruling.

He said: 'The Home Secretary is responsible for the security of our citizens and borders, and therefore should have the power to decide whether anyone posing a serious threat to that security can enter our country.

'There are no simple solutions to this situation but any restrictions of rights and freedoms faced by this individual are a direct consequence of the extreme actions that she and others have taken, in violation of government guidance and common morality.'

But human rights lawyers immediately hit out at the decision.

Rosie Brighouse, a lawyer with Liberty, said: 'The right to a fair trial is not something democratic governments should take away on a whim, and nor is someone's British citizenship.

'If a government is allowed to wield extreme powers like banishment without the basic safeguards of a fair trial it sets an extremely dangerous precedent.

'The security services have safely managed the returns of hundreds of people from Syria but the Government has chosen to target Shamima Begum.

'This approach does not serve justice, it's a cynical distraction from a failed counter-terror strategy and another example of this Government's disregard for access to justice and the rule of law.'

Maya Foa, director of the human rights group Reprieve, said: 'Barring Shamima Begum from Britain remains a cynical ploy to make her someone else's responsibility.

'Like many of its European counterparts, the UK is more than capable of bringing home British detainees in Syria, many of whom left as teenagers after being trafficked or groomed online.

'The Government should bring the British families back to the UK so that children can be provided with support they need and adults can be prosecuted where there are charges to answer.

'Abandoning them in a legal black hole - in Guantanamo-like conditions - is out of step with British values and the interests of justice and security.'

Professor of law at the Bristol University Devyani Prabhat claimed the Supreme Court's judgment was 'a classic instance of deference to the powers of the Home Secretary in matters of national security'.

Prof Prabhat added: 'From a human rights perspective, this is a very disappointing decision as it seems to offer complete and whole discretion to the Home Secretary and has an unsatisfying view on fair trial rights and how people can be kept 'in limbo'.

'However, this was a politically-charged matter and, therefore, while disappointing, not wholly unexpected.'

Managing Director of London-based advocacy firm CAGE Muhammad Rabbani said: 'It is shocking that the Supreme Court has rubber stamped a policy of medieval exile, that effectively introduces the death penalty on people deemed undesirable by an increasingly hostile Home Office.

'It is a great cause of worry that racially motivated political diktats are not prohibited by the courts  thus limiting the accountability of the government.'

In a joint statement, Rights and Security International (RSI) and the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (ISI) called the Supreme Court's decision 'disappointing'.

The two NGOs expressed 'significant concerns about the judgment's potential impact on the right to a fair trial and the Government's ability to deprive individuals of their citizenship without adequate safeguards'.

Sarah St Vincent, executive director of RSI, said: 'For too long, the UK Government has refused to see Ms Begum for what she is - not a 'bride', but a victim of ongoing inhuman and degrading treatment, and a potential victim of child trafficking.'

She added: 'Throughout this case, the Government has acted with callous disregard for the vulnerability of Ms Begum as a potential victim of trafficking and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

'Rather than stripping Ms Begum and others of their British citizenship, the Government should be bringing vulnerable people home from the camps and providing them with the necessary rehabilitation support.'

Amal de Chickera, co-director of the ISI, said the Supreme Court's ruling 'affords a concerning level of deference to the executive on matters of national security and has, in essence, permitted a nationality deprivation order to remain unchallenged indefinitely'.

Begum (seen right) was one of three schoolgirls from Bethnal Green Academy to travel to Syria

Begum and two girls flew to Istanbul from Gatwick then helped by ISIS traffickers through Turkey to Syria

Begum is being held at the al-Roj refugee camp in northern Syria, where she is faced with 'dire conditions', according to her legal team

Jihadi bride Shamima Begum wore a shirt and a blue hat as she walked through a Syrian refugee camp after an interview in 2019

They were backed by a small number of Tory MPs who had called for Begum to be repatriated and said we should 'not wash our hands' of ISIS brides.

In a letter to Ms Patel and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab yesterday, Andrew Mitchell, David Davis, Tom Tugendhat and Tobias Ellwood said not bringing her back would further the terrorist threat against the UK.

Mr Mitchell told the Telegraph:'If they are judged to be a risk, then all the more reason why they should be returned to Britain where they can be processed by the British criminal justice system,' said Mr Mitchell.

'There are a host of potentially applicable offences on the statute book, such as 'preparation of terrorist acts' under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, which can carry a life sentence.

What became of her school friends? Amira Abase The British schoolgirl who travelled to Syria to join Islamic State with two teenage friends is feared to have been killed in an air strike. The mother of Amira Abase told friends she understands her daughter died almost a year ago. As well as being told by informed sources her daughter is believed to have been killed, Fetia Hussen lost the mobile phone app communication she had with Amira last summer. Friends of Fetia Hussen say she believes her daughter, who married Abdullah Elmir, an 18-year-old Australian jihadi, has died, but clings to the faint hope that she is wrong. Both Fetia Hussen and Amira's father, Abase Hussen, declined to comment. Some have claimed she may have faked her death to escape Syria. Kadiza Sultana Kadiza Sultana, 17, is thought to have died in 2016 after her home in the terror state's stronghold city of Raqqa was hit by a bomb believed to have been dropped by a Russian plane. The teenager had quickly become disillusioned with Isis and told her family last summer that she wanted to return home. ITV News revealed Kadiza is dead. Her sister Halima Khanom said: 'We were expecting this, in a way. 'But at least we know she is in a better place.' Advertisement

'The Director of Public Prosecutions has made crystal clear Britons returning from Syria can be prosecuted, saying he expects this to happen 'in the vast majority of cases.' Any returning prisoner who committed crimes in Syria will face British justice.

'Our justice system is also best placed to deal with the deep complexities of these cases. Many of the people involved travelled to Syria as teenagers, after being groomed online or trafficked by organised Isis gangs. These are challenging issues which must be considered.'

Mr Davis tweeted after the ruling this morning: 'Disappointing verdict in the Supreme Court.

'Regardless of what individuals like Shamima Begum have done, the UK cannot simply wash our hands of Brits in the Syrian camps.

'The correct approach would be to return them to the UK to answer for their crimes.'

At the Supreme Court hearing in November, Begum's lawyers said she was currently in the al-Roj camp in northern Syria, where conditions are 'dire'.

Lord Pannick QC told the court the Syrian Democratic Forces, which control the al-Roj camp, 'do not permit visits from lawyers nor do they permit detainees to speak to lawyers'.

He said the case against Begum was 'no more than that she travelled to Syria and 'aligned with IS'', and 'it is not alleged that she fought, trained or participated in any terrorist activities, nor that she had any role within IS'.

Lord Pannick added if Begum could not return to the UK to pursue an effective appeal 'the deprivation appeal must be allowed', as there is 'no other fair or just step that can be taken'.

Sir James Eadie QC, representing the Home Office, told the court: 'If you force the Secretary of State to facilitate a return to the UK, or if you allow the substantive appeal, the effect is to create potentially very serious national security concerns.'

He said of Begum: 'She married an IS fighter, lived in Raqqa, the capital of the self-declared caliphate, and remained with them for about four years until 2019, when she left from, in effect, the last pocket of IS territory in Baghuz.'

Sir James argued individuals who went to Syria to join IS pose a 'real and serious' risk to national security 'whatever sympathy might be generated by the age of the person when they travelled'.

Begum, and Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase, then 16 and 15 respectively, boarded a flight from Gatwick Airport to Istanbul, Turkey, on February 17 2015, before making their way to Raqqa in Syria.

The three schoolgirls from Bethnal Green Academy left London shortly after Sharmeena Begum, who is no relation, travelled to Syria in December 2014.

Begum claims she married Dutch convert Yago Riedijk 10 days after arriving in IS territory, with all three of her school friends also reportedly marrying foreign IS fighters.

She told the Times in February 2019 she left Raqqa in January 2017 with her husband, but her children, a one-year-old girl and a three-month-old boy, had both since died.

Her third child died in the al-Roj camp in March 2019, shortly after he was born.

From Gatwick to Islamic State's last stand: Shamima Begum's journey across war-torn Syria that saw a schoolgirl from Bethnal Green transformed into a callous ISIS bride who will NOT be returning to Britain

It is over five years since Shamima Begum, now 21, and two classmates ran away to become 'jihadi brides' aged 15.

When Begum left to join Islamic State with friends from Bethnal Green Academy  15-year-old Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana, 16  they plotted their departure with cynical precision.

They stole jewellery from their families and sold it to fund their secret half-term flight to Turkey in February 2015.

They lied to their devout Muslim families about why they had to go out that weekday morning. One girl said she was going to work at school, another that she had a wedding to go to.

Shamima Begum pictured with a Union Flag cushion and for the first time without her usual black burqa in February, which has been banned in the camp as part of attempts at de-radicalising the women and children

Kadiza Sultana, then 16, Amira Abase, then 15 and Shamima Begum, then 15, (left to right) in images released by police in 2015 after they ran off to Syria. Only Begum is believed to have survived

After arriving in Istanbul, the girls took a bus to the Syrian border, where a people-smuggler guided them into IS territory. They were taken to a 'house for women' and each was married off to foreign fighters within three weeks.

In camera-phone footage, which has emerged from IS, the Bethnal Green trio are shown trudging through a snowy landscape to load their bags into a car.

They slipped into IS territory and disappeared  until Begum dramatically reappeared, having been found by The Times, registered as number 28,850 among 39,000 other refugees at the Syrian Al-Hawl holding camp near the last desperate redoubt of the remaining few hundred IS fighters.

She may sound sorry for herself and her unborn baby now. But the truth is that Begum and her fellow jihadi brides were well on the road to radicalisation before they left British soil.

Pictured: Begum at Gatwick Airport heading for Turkey in 2015 where she crossed into Syria

Abase had gone to radical Islamic protests in London with her father, and Begum had been in touch with a female IS recruiter online before she left the UK.

All three had attended meetings at a hardline Islamic women's group which preached the virtues of IS and was an offshoot of the local mosque.

Friends at Bethnal Green Academy have told of how the three girls changed as they became devotees of IS.

The three formed a clique. They began wearing the hijab to school and talking about the fighting in Syria. They also started to badmouth their non-Muslim classmates, calling them 'slags' and 'kaffirs', an Arabic term of abuse for an infidel or non-believer.

The trio also sent their classmates a computer video link claiming that Israelis were deliberately burning Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip.

Begum was using her Twitter account to contact a former medical student called Aqsa Mahmood, a 21-year-old who left Glasgow for Syria in 2013 to join IS and marry a jihadist.

The Glaswegian was a prolific blogger and recruiter for Islamic State, praising its terror attacks online. She is still alive and thought to be a leading light in the al-Khansaa Brigade, an all-female group enforcing strict Sharia law rules on women and children in Islamic State territory.

Begum was also 'following' 70 other IS terrorists from around the world  both male and female  on Twitter.

But nearer home, there was a further influence on Shamima Begum. It came from another teenager, Sharmeena Begum, who is not a relation but a 15-year-old school pal and a fellow jihadi bride.

Begum said previously she still loves Riedijk (left) very much and fears she'll never see him again. Begum (right) now wears a maroon headscarf. She is pictured alongside her Canadian roommate Kimberly Polman (centre)

Sharmeena disappeared from the UK on a Saturday morning in December 2014 flying from Gatwick, apparently on her own, to Turkey before crossing the border into Syria with the help of IS fighters.

The teenager's family had allowed her to open a bank account with cash gifts given to her to mark the recent loss of her mother, a tradition in her Bangladeshi community. She withdrew 1,000 to fund her flight and told her family she was going to extra school classes on a Saturday morning before taking a plane to Turkey.

After arriving in the IS stronghold of Raqqa in 2015, she was put in the 'house for women' where newly arrived jihadist brides-to-be waited to be married off.

'I applied to marry an English-speaking fighter between 20 and 25,' she said this week. She was the first of the girls to marry, to the Dutchman from Arnhem, while Sultana married an American, Abase an Australian, and Sharmeena Begum a Bosnian.

Soon after, Shamima Begum received her first reality check of life under Islamic State. Her husband was arrested and charged with spying.

Ahmed Ali, the father of a British teenager Shamima Begum who ran away to join the Islamic State group in Syria. He lives in Bangladesh

'They imprisoned and tortured him for six and a half months,' she says. 'There were a lot of similar oppressions of innocent people.

'In some cases, fighters who fought for the caliphate were executed as spies, even though they were innocent.'

Sometimes, she says, the wrongly accused were tortured so hideously that they confessed to being spies so they would be executed to end the pain.

Despite the charge against her husband, he was released from prison, but was no longer classified as an IS fighter. The two continued to live their married life together in Raqqa, an existence that alternated between normality and horror. 'Mostly it was a normal life in Raqqa, with every now and then bombing and stuff. But when I saw my first severed head in a bin it didn't faze me at all. It was from a captured opposition fighter on the battlefield, an enemy of Islam.

In January 2017 she left Raqqa with her husband to live on the outskirts of the town of Al- Mayadin, where she was later slightly wounded during an airstrike that killed another woman and child in the same house. By the time she had given birth to her first child  a daughter, Sarayah  the family had moved south- west along the Euphrates valley, moving away from Syrian government advances.

The family moved on to Baghuz, which is now the last stronghold of IS. Already pregnant with her third child, she then watched as her daughter grew sick there and died, too. She described how in the past few weeks IS gave instructions to the families of all foreign fighters to make up their own minds about whether they would stay in the besieged village to face the bombings.

Begum walked out of Baghuz along a three-mile long road east of the town, where her husband surrendered to a group of Syrian government fighters. That was the last time she saw him.

Of the other Bethnal Green jihadi brides, she says that Sultana is dead, blown up in her house alongside her IS fighter husband when the building was targeted by the Russian allies of the Syrian government.

She added: 'I was in denial when I heard. I always thought that if we were killed, we would all be killed together.'

As for the Bethnal Green ringleader Sharmeena Begum and the fourth girl, Abase, they were last heard of alive two weeks ago in Baghuz, according to Shamima Begum's account from the refugee camp.

Wives and children of fighters were yesterday flooding out of the besieged village as 100 IS fighters made a last stand against Syrian Democratic Forces aided by the West. 'With all the bombing, I am not sure they will have survived,' she said.

One of three children in a family of Bangladeshi immigrants, Shamima Begum is thought to have travelled under the name of her sister Aklima, who is two years older, to avoid scrutiny at the airport gates from police over her young age.

In February she was pictured for the first time without her usual black burqa, which has been banned in the camp as part of attempts at de-radicalising the women and children.

Her tent, which she shares with US-Canadian citizen Kimberly Polman, has heating, electricity, satellite TV and cooking appliances. The women have decorated it with hearts and fairy lights for Valentine's Day.

They have made a small sofa from blankets given to them by the UN and Miss Begum has a knitted cushion with the UK flag, made for her by her roommate.

The tent has poems about love and hangings with inspirational quotes.

Begum was stripped of her UK citizenship by former home secretary Sajid Javid after she left the UK with two school friends Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase five years ago at the age of 15 to join Islamic State in Syria.

Ten days after arriving, she married Yago Riedijk, a Dutch convert to Islam who was 23 years old at the time.

Riedijk is being held at a Kurdish detention centre in northeastern Syria. Begum gave birth to their son in the refugee camp last year. The child later died, as had her previous two children.

The 21-year-old was dealt a blow this month when she lost the first stage of her appeal against the Government's decision to remove her citizenship.

She told the American network ABC News that her 'whole world fell apart' when she was stripped of her citizenship last year.

A tribunal ruled she could be stripped of her citizenship because she had not been left stateless.

Britain has refused to take back dozens of British women and children from Syria out of fear they would present a security risk back in the UK.

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) said Begum could however turn to Bangladesh for citizenship, where her father is from.

She said: 'When my citizenship got rejected, I felt like my whole world fell apart right in front of me.

'You know, especially the way I was told. I wasn't even told by a government official. I was told by journalists.'

She added: 'I thought I would be a bit different because I had not done anything wrong before I came to Isis.'

Asked about her previous comments to the Times where she appeared unrepentant after being found in Al-Hawl camp after fleeing the village of Baghuz, she said she was 'afraid for my life'.

She said: 'I had just come into the camp. I had just given birth. I was hearing all these stories about women threatening other women, you know, folk uncovering their faces or speaking to men or doing interviews, or anything like that.

'I just was afraid for my life.'
The House's effort to compel testimony from former Trump White House counsel Don McGahn will be delayed two months, a federal appeals court ordered Thursday, adopting a proposal by the Biden administration  over the objections of House Democrats  to postpone the proceedings.

The order from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals makes it increasingly likely that a full two years will elapse without enforcement of the Houses April 2019 subpoena of McGahn to obtain his testimony about alleged efforts by former President Donald Trump to obstruct special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The case has become a poster child of sorts for the courts inability to resolve congressional subpoena fights on a timeline that allows Congress to make practical use of the information.

Indeed, the fact that the House has since impeached Trump twice  with the Senate acquitting him in both cases  makes the lingering battle over the McGahn subpoena feel like an afterthought. But for a time, the events the House wants to explore threatened to sink Trumps presidency  in its first year.

Muellers probe found that Trump repeatedly encouraged McGahn to fire or stifle the investigation, and that he once asked McGahn to create a false record about his efforts. McGahns testimony on those episodes became some of the most explosive aspects of the special counsels final report. Notes from McGahn and his deputy also provided some of the most detailed insight into the panic and chaos that enveloped the West Wing as Mueller launched his probe.

The subpoena has a tangled history in the courts. The House issued it just days after the Justice Department released Muellers redacted report. But McGahn refused to appear a month later, and the House Judiciary Committee sued to force him to appear. In response, the Trump administration claimed that close aides to the president were absolutely immune from testifying.

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A District Court judge, Obama appointee Ketanji Brown Jackson, rejected those arguments in November 2019. Last February, a D.C. Circuit panel ruled, 2-1, that the judiciary should not consider subpoena disputes between the executive branch and Congress, potentially undercutting Congress power to investigate wrongdoing. The full bench of the appeals court agreed to take the case and voted last August, 7-2, to reverse that decision .

However, that ruling left open some potential arguments against the subpoena, and a D.C. Circuit panel again blocked enforcement . The decision, again 2-1, said the House doesnt have a statute that specifically allows courts to enforce demands for testimony or documents. That is the question the full bench of the D.C. Circuit was set to take up on Tuesday  until the court issued the latest postponement.

President Joe Bidens victory changed some of the political dynamics at work, seemingly increasing the chances of an out of court resolution with the Democratic-controlled House.

On Wednesday, Justice Department lawyers asked the D.C. Circuit to postpone next weeks arguments, citing the prospects for talks that might resolve the case.

But the House urged the appeals court to reject the proposed delay, arguing that it would simply serve as an extension of Trumps drawn-out effort to stall resolution of the case. The Justice Department would likely have to consult with the former president about the case, prolonging an already protracted and failed effort to reach agreement about the parameters of McGahns testimony.

While the en banc sitting normally involves all 11 of the D.C. Circuits active judges, the order issued by the court on Thursday indicates that only seven judges intend to take part in the next arguments on the case, if they proceed.

Among those bowing out are Judge Merrick Garland, a Clinton appointee who has been nominated by Biden to become attorney general, and Judges Greg Katsas and Neomi Rao, Trump appointees who have recused themselves from some or all cases related to Muellers investigation. The order Thursday also indicated that Judge Karen Henderson would not take part in the delayed arguments. The reason for her decision is unclear.
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Even as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on the life and health of the global population  not to mention economic activity  effective therapies remain at a premium. Despite herculean drug development and repurposing efforts, few results have appeared to justify the investment.

A new study by researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel reports the discovery of a promising group of E channel inhibitors with significant antiviral activity. This could be developed into new treatment agents for this often-deadly virus.

Study: Targeted Drug Repurposing Against the SARS-CoV-2 E channel Identifies Blockers With in vitro Antiviral Activity . Image Credit: Fahroni / Shutterstock

The research team has released its findings as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server.

The viral E protein

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), identified as the pathogenic agent in this pandemic, is an enveloped RNA virus with several membrane proteins. One of these is the E protein.

The E protein takes part in the viral lifecycle, being involved in its assembly, release and mechanism of disease in other coronaviruses. They appear to be key in viral infectivity. When the E protein is weakly expressed, the virion is also attenuated and may serve as a vaccine agent.

E proteins from SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, among other similar proteins, are ion channels to transport cations into the cell.

These are classical targets for drug development, such as calcium channel blockers in hypertension, sodium channels in cystic fibrosis, and many others. With the influenza virus, aminoadamantine drugs suppress the activity of the viral M protein, which is an ion channel. However, these are no longer very useful due to the extensive development of resistance.

Screening by reciprocal assays

The current study used already approved drugs in libraries to screen around 3,000 drugs that inhibit E channels. The researchers looked at the hits for possible anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.

As a first step, the E protein was expressed on bacteria in excess, causing increased membrane permeability and thus depressed growth. Inhibitors of the viral channel are thus easily identifiable by the restoration of bacterial growth.

They then screened the chemical library at concentrations of 50 M, looking for hits. Each hit in this negative assay was then screened at different concentrations.

To rule out confounding factors that could also affect bacterial growth, they tested each shortlisted compound with a reciprocal inhibition test.

The second assay used bacteria that cannot take up potassium ions in normal cell media but thrive following the expression of a potassium channel even in low-potassium media. This positive assay yields results of channel blockade in the form of restricted growth.

Here again, hits were further tested in a dose-response assay.

Finally, a fluorescence-based test was used to detect alterations in the pH of the bacteria. If the bacteria are exposed to acidified media, and if they express a hydrogen ion channel, an obvious fluorescence is the result. Blockade of hydrogen ion channels will cause reduced fluorescence, therefore.

Of the eight hits from the two assays, six were active against the channel, as reflected by a reduction in fluorescence. The exceptions were 5-azacytidine and mebrofenin.

Cytotoxicity was measured for each compound with respect to cell metabolic activity markers.

Out of the large number of compounds tested, they found eight hits, to which another two were added from an earlier study on calcium channel blockers. These were tested against viruses in culture.

At a concentration of 10 M, nine of the ten compounds inhibited viral growth, reducing the viral load by 98% in one case (5-azacytidine). Six reduced it by 40-50%, while the other two reduced it by up to a quarter. Memantine was the exception, probably due to its low affinity.

No toxicity against the host cells was observed, except for 5-azacytidine. The direct cytotoxicity of this drug may have contributed significantly to its very high antiviral activity rather than selective E channel inhibition.

What are the implications?

Repurposing is not only a reliable and valuable route towards drug discovery against specific targets, especially against viruses. It also uses approved drugs, reducing the time and chemical space required to bring out an effective agent.

Most repurposing studies have relied on in silico methods, while a few have used an experimental design. The approach used in this study was different in that the large library was screened for compounds with inhibitory activity against the E protein.

Not only are these channels highly suitable as drug targets, but their inhibitors may be rapidly and cheaply sought without expensive experimental workflows. The use of bacteria for screening could make it possible to identify many more inhibitors of the single protein target because of the inherent genetic selection in these microbes, conferring higher tolerance to toxicity.

The use of two reciprocal assays minimizes the chances of picking up the wrong hits.

The high screening concentrations used in this study allowed eight compounds to be identified  a high yield. Even at relatively lower affinities, such drugs can also have significant antiviral activity if modified further. Alternatively, they may have synergistic antiviral activity when combined with other selective inhibitors directed against other viral targets.

E channel inhibition may not be the only mechanism of antiviral activity operating among these compounds. Indeed, with 5-azacytidine, transcriptional networks may be widely modified by its known function as a DNA methyl donor.

The findings, therefore, present a hit list of approved drugs that may be used as a starting point for the synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. This approach could be used to identify other useful ion channel inhibitors as well, to help fight this and other viruses.

*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.
Border Force today intercepted around 30 migrants crossing the English Channel - including a man with one leg.

The amputee was seen being pushed up the gangway on a wheelchair provided by officers while he held on to his crutches.

He was on board the second boat of the day and was brought into Dover Marina, Kent, on the back of the cutter Alert.

Migrants, who appeared to be Vietnamese, were also processed alongside women huddling red blankets for warmth.

It comes as figures show the UK granted asylum or offered some form of protection to almost 10,000 people last year - falling by more than half that of 2019.

The amputee was seen being pushed up the gangway on a wheelchair provided by officers while he held on to his crutches

Migrants, who appeared to be Vietnamese, were also processed alongside women huddling red blankets for warmth

They were walked up the gangway wearing orange life-jackets and disposable face masks by immigration enforcement officers

They were walked up the gangway wearing orange life-jackets and disposable face masks by immigration enforcement officers.

Their inflatable grey rigid hulled inflatable boat with oars inside was towed in shortly afterwards and moored in the harbour.

The first boat arrived in the dead of night at around 1.30am with around 10 people on board.

French authorities were also called to rescue a boat in difficulty around five miles north west of Calais.

Coastal maritime surveillance boat (VCSM) Scarpe, of the maritime gendarmerie, picked up five migrants and brought them back to France at 1.36am.

It has been a busy week for Border Force as 49 migrants arrived in four boats on Monday followed by 77 in four boats on Tuesday.

The UK granted asylum or offered some form of protection to almost 10,000 people last year - falling by more than half that of 2019 (file photo)

A total of 188 have made the treacherous 21-mile journey in February so far after 223 arrived last month.

The Home Office is yet to confirm how many migrants have been detained today. So far this year, 411 migrants have crossed the Channel.

It comes after a record 8.410 arrived last year - dwarfing 2019's total of 1,850.

Figures this week showed the UK granted asylum or offered some form of protection to almost 10,000 people last year - falling by more than half that of 2019.

Protection in the form of asylum, humanitarian protection, alternative forms of leave and resettlement was offered to 9,936 people in 2020, said the Home Office.

This figure is 52 per cent lower than in 2019 and is the lowest level since 2014.

The Home Office said the fall in the latest year is due to fewer initial decisions being made on asylum applications - 14,365 last year compared with 20,766 in 2019 - as well as the pause to resettlement activity since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said: 'These figures show how broken the asylum system is, which is why we are working as fast as possible to fix it.

The number of people offered protection in the form of resettlement (bottom line), asylum and alternative forms of leave (middle line) totalled 9,936 in 2020. The total number of people granted asylum or some form of protection (top line) fell by more than half that of 2019

'We will deliver a long-term plan to make the system firm and fair, which removes people who have no right to be here while providing protection to those who genuinely need our help.

'We have already changed the law meaning those who have travelled through safe countries will have their asylum cases treated as inadmissible.'

There were 823 grants of protection through resettlement schemes in 2020, 85 per cent fewer than in the previous year.

The vast majority were resettled in the first quarter before resettlement activity was paused during the second and third quarter of 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic.

The Home Office recommenced resettlement activity in December 2020 when eight refugees were resettled.

There were 29,456 asylum applications in the UK in 2020, an 18 per cent decrease from the previous year.

The Home Office said this latest figure will have been impacted by the measures taken in response to Covid-19.

In 2020, there were 14,365 initial decisions made on asylum applications, and 46 per cent of these were grants of asylum, humanitarian protection or alternative forms of leave - a decrease of 52 per cent compared with the previous year.

The number of asylum applications lodged in the UK in the years ending December 2011 to December last year, dropping after the Covid pandemic was declared

The top 10 nationalities claiming asylum in the UK and the grant rate at initial decision (shown by percentage) in 2019 and 2020. The most applications in both 2019 and 2020 came from Iran, while Eritrea and Syria had the highest grant rates last year

The immigration statistics also show that there were an estimated 39.5 million passenger arrivals in 2020 (including returning UK residents) - a 73 per cent (106.8million) decrease compared with 2019.

The Home Office said this was driven by significantly fewer passenger journeys in the last three quarters of 2020, when there was an 87 per cent (101.7million) decrease compared with the same period in the previous year, due to the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.

Figures show there were just under one million visas granted in 2020, 69 per cent fewer than the previous year.

Of these, 51 per cent were to visit, 23 per cent were to study (excluding short-term study), 13 per cent were to work, four per cent were for family, and nine per cent were for other reasons.

The figures also show that there were 170,692 applications for British citizenship in 2020, two per cent fewer than 2019.

The number of asylum applicants to the top five countries in the EU+ and the UK for the years ending November 2014 to November last year, with Italy receiving the smallest number of applications in 2020. The other EU+ category includes all other countries that are European Union member states, part of the European Economic Area and Switzerland

Applications for citizenship by EU nationals rose by 20 per cent compared with the previous year to 59,229.

EU nationals now account for 35 per cent of all citizenship applications compared with 12 per cent in 2016, while applications made by non-EU nationals fell by 11 per cent in 2020 to 111,463.

There were 130,568 grants of British citizenship in 2020, 18 per cent fewer than the previous year.

The Home Office said this fall was due in part to the pandemic response and comes after a period of relative stability since 2014.

The statistics also state that the number of people entering detention in 2020 was 14,773, 40 per cent fewer than the previous year.

Although in part affected by the pandemic, the Home Office said this continues a general downward trend since 2015 when the number entering detention peaked at more than 32,000.
Like many who have been locked down at home this past year, Ive been passing the time by binge-watching TV, mainly foreign series. Among the best of these is the Deutschland series, about East German spies in the latter days of the Cold War, much of it based on real events.

The first season, which takes place in 1983, at a time of heightened East-West tension, deals with the growing fears in Moscow and East Berlin that NATO might launch a surprise nuclear attack under the guise of one of its annual military exercises. We have long known about Soviet fears of war at the time, but newly declassified documents released by the U.S. State Department last week suggest we came much closer to war than anyone realized at the time.

The episode is instructive, not only from a historical perspective, but as a warning that as strategic competition between the United States and China heats up, its critically important that both sides take steps to reduce the chance of a war that neither side wants.

1983 was a fraught year in U.S.-Soviet relations. President Ronald Reagan had come to office determined to end the Cold War standoff through a massive military buildup that an ailing Soviet economy could not afford to match. He had denounced the Soviet Union as an evil empire and promised to leave Communism on the ash heap of history. Hed refused meeting with his Soviet counterpart, something all of his predecessors had done.

And despite massive public protests, Reagan stuck with the NATO-approved plan to deploy a new generation of nuclear missiles in Europe that could reach the Soviet Union. The first of the Pershing-II missiles, which could strike targets within seven minutes from launch, were scheduled to arrive in Germany in November 1983.

It was against this backdrop that NATO conducted a series of military exercises, culminating in Able Archer, a tabletop exercise that simulated the transition from conventional fighting to nuclear war. Able Archer was anything but routine that year. It coincided with the deployment of 19,000 U.S. troops to Europe, putting B-52 bombers visibly armed with dummy warheads on runway alert, and raising the U.S. threat level to its highest alert. Top political leaders participated in the war game (including British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and U.S. Vice President George Bush). NATO commanders operated from alternate war headquarters.

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Soviet intelligence was closely observing all of these moves, as the U.S. intelligence community knew they would. But rather than seeing the actions as part of a routine exercise that the United States and its NATO allies conducted annually, a growing number of people in Moscow began to fear that the exercise was actually a preparation for launching a nuclear attack against the Soviet Union.

And these fears, we now know, were translated into Soviet actions that had previously been taken only during actual crises. Senior commanders of the Soviet rocket forces deployed to their command centers and placed nuclear forces on heightened alert. This included 75 SS-20 missiles, which were moved out of their garrisons to war-fighting deployments, as well as an unknown number of the 10-warhead SS-19s.

Even more worrisome, the newly released documents show the Soviet military ordered all units of the Soviet 4th Air Army in Eastern Europe to make preparations for the immediate use of nuclear weapons. This included loading actual nuclear bombs on planes in East Germany and Poland that would be ready for takeoff in under 30 minutes.

The increased preparations suggest that key Soviet officials believed war was imminent. Fortunately, the U.S. intelligence chief monitoring Soviet activities during the exercise recommended not responding to the Soviet actions, correctly believing that they were a response to what NATO was doing and that any further U.S. escalation could trigger an actual war.

A major after-action review of what came to be known as the Soviet war scare conducted in 1990 and only recently declassified, concluded that in 1983 we may have inadvertently placed our relations with the Soviet Union on a hair trigger. There had been a real danger of a pre-emptive strike against the U.S. in response to a perceived but non-existent threat.

There are many lessons to be learned from this episode. Reagan learned the most important  that to understand your adversary you need to talk and engage with them. From then on, Reagan was more interested in meeting with Soviet leaders to talk peace than continuing to prepare for war.

The broader lesson is that competition between opposing military powers can produce their own, destructive dynamics as each assumes the worst about the others intentions. That is why intense dialogue, among military as well as political leaders, is critical even between countries that view themselves as adversaries.

Even as the competition and rhetoric between China and the United States heats up, engaging in a broad dialogue will be important to avoid tensions escalating into a military confrontation neither sides wants.

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Fidel Castro as Cuban leader believed in children and youths and was confident that once the country took good care of them, the Cuban Revolution could never be defeated. Pulido was one of those Cuban youths who came close to Fidel. Her choice of education in Africa after a first degree in Havana was deliberate.

Clara Margarita Pulido Escandell is a 61-year old Cuban who breathes Africa. When I first met her and she discovered I had a trade union background, she enquired about the African labour leader, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, the founding President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Sunmonu had spoken at the university in Legon, Accra, Ghana when she was a Master Degree student. His Pan Africanist exhortations continues to ring in her head over three decades later.

Fidel Castro as Cuban leader believed in children and youths and was confident that once the country took good care of them, the Cuban Revolution could never be defeated. Pulido was one of those Cuban youths who came close to Fidel. Her choice of education in Africa after a first degree in Havana was deliberate. In turn, her country made good use of her preferences, enthusiasm, revolutionary spirit and Pan African inclinations. Her proficiency in Spanish, French and English also stood her in good stead. The Pulido story is a study in how a country works at its overall interests, while developing its citizens. She rose from being a 1982 official of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (of the World) to Deputy Head of Mission in the Cuban Embassy in Ghana by 1999. Later, she was promoted the Director of the Centre for African and Middle Eastern Research.

In 2008, she was back in Africa, this time as ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, with concurrent accreditation to Djibouti and South Sudan. She stayed four years, then in 2017, returned to Africa, this time as ambassador to Algeria, with concurrent accreditation to the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

When in 2019, then Cuban ambassador, Carlos Trejo Sosa, informed some of his Nigerian friends he was leaving, we expressed some sadness because he was like an elder brother who was never tired of explaining the historical links between Cuba and Africa; between this continent and Latin America. Whenever we discussed the sacrifice of thousands of Cuban youths who laid down their lives in Angola fighting the forces of Apartheid, he would tell us stories of people of African descent, like the Bronz General Antonio Maceo, who were amongst the leaders of the liberation forces in the Cuban and Latin American wars of decolonisation.

When we raised concerns that with his recall, we are going to lose a well-grounded African, he would chuckle as if to say, she who is coming after me is even more African. Pulidos knowledge of African history and politics are truly wide.

She particularly highlighted UNGA Resolution 74/7 on the necessity to end the blockade, and noted that: The United States has ignored, with arrogance and contempt, the 28 resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly condemning the blockade

When she met journalists in Abuja on Thursday, February 18, she walked in wearing half boots, a kneel length overall jacket and confidence; the message and the messenger rhymed. She began by thanking Africa for its continuous support of the Cuban people in the face of a six-decade aggression and bullying by its giant neighbour, the United States of America (U.S.A). She acknowledged the February 7 resolution of the African Union (AU) Heads of State Summit, which expressed: serious concern about the continuous and illegal Economic, Commercial and Financial Blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba. The AU, in expressing  its solidarity with the people of Cuba, had acknowledged that the Blockade is the main obstacle for Cubas implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

On behalf of the Cuban people, she also expressed appreciation to leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP), and the Non-Aligned Movement, whose 2019 Summit of Heads of State in Baku, Azerbaijan, strongly condemned the blockage.

The Cuban ambassador also expressed profound appreciation to countries across the world who, at the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reject the American blockade and unilateral sanctions imposed against Cuba. She particularly highlighted UNGA Resolution 74/7 on the necessity to end the blockade, and noted that: The United States has ignored, with arrogance and contempt, the 28 resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly condemning the blockade

The blockage, she said, means that Cuba cannot import or export anything to the U.S., receive American tourists, use the U.S. dollar for foreign exchange, use credit from financial institutions or import life-saving medicines.

Pulido, who was a year old baby when the U.S. imposed the blockade, revealed that just between April 2019 and March 2020, contrary to the United Nations resolutions, the Americans carried out about 90 coercive economic actions against Cuba, with the intention of intervening in the countrys internal affairs and in clear violation of the freedom of international trade and navigation. These, she said, included imposing punitive sanctions against 27 companies, 54 vessels and three individuals for transporting fuel to Cuba, despite the fact that none of them were of U.S. origin. In the one year period, the US blockage she said, cost Cuba an estimated $5,570,300,000, while the accumulated quantifiable cost over the past sixty years is $1,098,008,000,000.

So, why is Cuba insistent that the blockage must be ended? Pulido replied: We are not requesting this just for ourselves, but mainly for our children; children everywhere, are the future of any country.

The blockade, she said, is so inhuman that when in 2020, the Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma (of Ali Baba), sent emergency COVID-19 supplies to various countries, including Nigeria and Cuba, the airlines, for fear of American sanctions, refused to deliver those of Cuba. To her, the blockage is actually a genocide.

Pulido said despite these pains, Cuba, in true solidarity with the rest of humanity in 2020, sent over 3,000 medical workers, including doctors and nurses in 38 medical brigades, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in 28 countries and three non-autonomous territories. This, she said, has led to various international figures and organisations like the Nigeria Labour Congress, nominating the Cuban White Shirts for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.

The ambassador said while the Biden administration promises to be better than that of Trump, even under the Obama administration, the Cuban Embassy in U.S. was not allowed to use the banks. She however said Cuba is always ready to relate with all countries, provided that this is based on mutual respect. She added that Cuba is an ever hopeful country: We are ever optimistic; were we not, we wont be alive.

Despite the stifling blockade and sanctions, Cuba is a model of development. Its 14-15 year olds are 100 per-cent literate; life expectancy is 77.87 years, while it has run free and qualitative healthcare and education for over 50 years. Its physicians are 5.91 per 1,000 persons; the infant mortality rate is 4.1 per 1,000 live births; unemployment is 3.8 per cent; government debt is 17 per cent, while 1.5 per cent live below the poverty line, in comparison to about 11 per cent in the U.S.

So, why is Cuba insistent that the blockage must be ended? Pulido replied: We are not requesting this just for ourselves, but mainly for our children; children everywhere, are the future of any country.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.
The Biden administrations airstrike against Iran-backed forces in Syria is facing opposition and skepticism in Congress.

On Thursday night, the US military struck positions of the Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada groups in Abu Kamal, in eastern Syria. The strike followed recent attacks on US forces in Iraq.

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said he wants more information from the White House on the action.

I am looking forward to receiving more specific information about yesterday's airstrike in Syria, the committee said on Twitter, attributing it to panel Chairman Gregory Meeks of New York.

The Democratic lawmaker added that he is reviewing the legal justification for the strike before commenting further. He referred to the 1973 War Powers Act, also known as the War Powers Resolution, which is a federal law that requires the president to consult Congress prior to sending American forces into combat.

I will be looking to the text of the War Powers Resolution as I evaluate the appropriate role for Congress in addressing both attacks against US forces by Iranian-backed militias and America's response, he said.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican known for his anti-war stances, responded more critically. He questioned President Joe Bidens authority to approve the airstrike.

I condemn meddling in Syrias civil war. I also condemn attacking a sovereign nation without authority. What authority does @POTUS have to strike Syria? said Paul on Twitter, mentioning Bidens account.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, also of Kentucky, called on Democrats to oppose the strike the way they opposed former President Donald Trumps deadly strike against Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq last year.

When President Trump launched an attack against an Iranian general in Iraq, the Democrats offered a resolution to assert that any further attacks against Iran would require the proper approval of Congress, said Massie on Twitter, adding that he voted for the resolution.

Now that President Biden has launched an attack directed toward Iran in a sovereign country without permission, I wonder if @SpeakerPelosi will be consistent and offer a similar resolution to assert the Constitutional authority of Congress to decide when we go to war? he added, referring to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Some Democrats took a more critical stance than Meeks. Rep. Ro Khanna of California said on Twitter We ran on ending wars, not escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

When asked about the legal justification for the airstrike, the White House referred Al-Monitor to the Department of Defense. The department said the strike was a proportionate military response in defense of US forces following the attacks against them in Iraq.

Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada are Iraqi militias allied with and supported by the Iranian government. Like Iran, they fight also fight alongside Syrian government forces in that countrys civil war.

The US military is in Iraq at the behest of the Iraqi government to help fight against the Islamic State. Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and other resistance militias oppose the US presence there.

Air bombings are a regular occurrence in Syria, which has been mired in a devastating civil war since 2011. Israel also is suspected of carrying out regular airstrikes against Iran-backed and Syrian military targets throughout the country, including near Abu Kamal.

The Trump administration also bombed Syria without consulting Congress. In 2017, he authorized a strike against Syrian government forces following a chemical attack in a rebel-held town.
Increasing the number of MQ-9 Reaper drones based in Europe earlier this year gives the U.S. more leverage on the continent and allows it to observe Russian military activity in the Black Sea, the head of U.S. Air Forces Europe-Africa, or USAFE, said Thursday.

In January, the Air Force announced that it had begun operating the drones from Romania, expanding its intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance reach in Europe with approximately 90 airmen on a new NATO support mission at Romania's 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii.

Earlier this month, USAFE officials said MQ-9s operated by the 25th Attack Group had begun flights in support of the service's Agile Combat Employment, an initiative to test quick-reaction forces across the continent; freedom of maneuver missions; and integration with joint and coalition forces.

Read Next: Militia Official: US Strike in Syria Kills 1, Wounds Several

Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, USAFE's commander, said the drone operations are also meant to reassure the U.S.'s partners and allies.

The Air Force began MQ-9 surveillance missions out of Miroslawiec Air Base in northwest Poland in 2018; it established the 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group, Detachment 2, as a permanent host for the drones one year later. MQ-9s from Miroslawiec have deployed to Campia Turzii numerous times, according to the service.

But Miroslawiec Air Base sits closer to the Baltic Sea; Campia Turzii is roughly 300 miles from the Black Sea.

"Importantly, it really facilitates our ability to compete in the Black Sea," Harrigian said during a virtual chat with reporters at the Air Force Association's annual Aerospace Warfare Symposium.

U.S. officials have repeatedly called for more eyes in the sky to keep watch over adversarial behavior by Russia as the American military's European presence has shrunk since the Cold War. The United States had 80 military bases across Europe in the late 1980s; today, it has 37, according to database company Statista.

In 2012, the U.S. deactivated two Army brigade combat teams that had been permanently stationed on the continent, removing more than 10,000 soldiers, according to the Heritage Foundation.

As of December, there are roughly 64,000 active-duty U.S. troops stationed in Europe, including large groups stationed across the U.K., Germany and Italy, according to the Pentagon. That's up from December 2015, when there were roughly 58,000 active-duty U.S. troops on the continent, per the Defense Department's quarterly end-strength reports.

The DoD has put an emphasis on having more troops in Europe, even if on a more rotational basis, given the uptick in Russian activity since 2014.

"As you can imagine, there's a fair amount of activity down there, and these MQ-9s will better ensure that we're able to develop our understanding of the operational environment," Harrigian said. "It gives us the ability to collect in a manner that we previously did not have, and simultaneously affords us -- from a theater perspective -- to gain a clearer understanding of activities that are occurring not only in the Black Sea but ... Crimea and that area."

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014, followed by a further incursion into Ukraine's eastern front, where Russian forces began using mixed urban techniques in hybrid warfare operations against Ukrainian forces.

The Defense Department officially transitioned from the MQ-1 Predator to the Reaper in 2018 when it retired the older, medium-altitude unmanned aircraft. The move brought the MQ-9 to the forefront of multi-role drone operations worldwide.

USAFE intends to use MQ-9s in Romania and in Poland "in several different fashions," Harrigian said.

MQ-9s in Poland have flown in the Baltics, demonstrating "that we can operate up there," he said, noting that they've flown into Arctic regions as well.

"They have been very effective in that region in terms of the reach that they provide us. ... In both locations, the MQ-9s in competition have been very helpful," Harrigian said.

-- Stephen Losey contributed to this report.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: The Air Force Is Now Operating MQ-9 Reapers from Romania
China has shared a look at the first moon samples to be brought back to Earth in more than 45 years.

The lunar regolith was collected by the nation's Chang'e 5 mission that returned in December with 3.8 pounds of soil and rocks from our natural satellite.

The images show the samples as small as dust particles up to larger chunks, along with samples inside a crystal container that will go on display at the National Museum of China.

The container is designed like a ritual Chinese wine vessel, or 'zun,' and holds the lunar dust within a hallow sphere that represents both the moon and the Chang'5 re-entry capsule.

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China has shared a look at the first moon samples to be brought back to Earth in more than 45 years

China's moon mission was the first to return with samples since the former Soviet Union's Lunar 24 robotic mission in 1976 and is now the 21st mission to set down on the lunar surface.

The Chang'e-5 took off atop the Long March-5 rocket in November from the Wenchang launch site in Hainan province for what is a major advancement in the country's space program.

The probe targeted a 4,265-foot high volcanic complex called Mons Rumker on the near side of the moon, a region known as Oceanus Procellarum, which is Latin for Ocean of Storms.

The area is 'very unusual and nowhere near where we landed before,' said James Head, professor of geological sciences at Brown University, following the November launch.

The lunar regolith was collected by the nation's Chang'e 5 mission that returned in December with 3.8 pounds of soil and rocks from our natural satellite

'It raises really important questions, because these samples are actually going to tell us how young the moon had volcanic activity, which is an indication of how recently it has been geologically active, a critical question in the evolution of the planets,' he added.

The images show the samples as small as dust particles up to larger chunks, along with samples inside a crystal container

The probe returned December 17 with lunar rocks and soil stowed safely inside and China has provided the first official look at the cosmic wonders.

The age of the rocks and soil should help scientists fill a gap in knowledge about the history of the moon between roughly one billion and three billion years ago, Brad Jolliff, director of the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences at Washington University in the US city of St. Louis, said in an email.

They may also yield clues as to the availability of economically useful resources on the moon such as concentrated hydrogen and oxygen, Jolliff said.

'These samples will be a treasure trove!' Jolliff said when the probe returned in December.

'My hat is off to our Chinese colleagues for pulling off a very difficult mission; the science that will flow from analysis of the returned samples will be a legacy that will last for many, many years, and hopefully will involve the international community of scientists.'

The age of the rocks and soil should help scientists fill a gap in knowledge about the history of the moon between roughly one billion and three billion years ago

The probe targeted a 4,265-foot high volcanic complex called Mons Rumker on the near side of the moon, a region known as Oceanus Procellarum, which is Latin for Ocean of Storms

The image shared by China show samples of fine, grainy material, along with chunks of basaltic glasses that formed on the surface by lunar volcanism, according to the image description.

Some of the soil collected in 2020 will go on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing, CGTN shared in a release.

The 38.44-centimeter tall elaborate container is a nod to the average distance between the Earth and Moon, which is 384,400 kilometers.

It is also 22.89 centimeters in width, symbolizing the time duration of Chang'e-5 mission from launch to landing, 22.89 days.

'Eighty percent of the samples will be used for the scientific research,' said Pei Zhaoyu, deputy chief designer of China's Lunar Exploration Program Phase-3 of CNSA, during a press conference on January 18. The remaining 20 percent would be saved in permanent storage.
Tax records that former President Donald Trump tried to keep secret for years are now in the hands of the New York district attorney.

Prosecutors obtained the records on Monday, just hours after the US Supreme Court denied Trump's last-ditch effort to keep the records private, a spokesperson for the district attorney said.

The millions of pages of documents, sources say, contain Trump's tax returns spanning from January 2011 to August 2019, as well as financial statements, engagement agreements, documents relating to the preparation and review of tax returns, and work papers and communications related to the tax returns.

Though the documents handed off from Trump's long-time accounting firm Mazars won't be released to the public because they're subject to grand jury secrecy rules, their delivery caps off an extraordinary 17-month quest by the former President and his lawyers to block investigators from obtaining the records.

New York District Attorney Cy Vance is investigating whether Trump and the Trump Organization engaged in tax fraud, insurance fraud and other schemes to defraud, including potentially providing false information to financial institutions or banks about the value of certain buildings and assets.

RELATED: Steve Bannon investigation gains steam as Manhattan prosecutors subpoena financial records

With the records now in hand, Vance and his fellow prosecutors will be able to dig deeper into investigative theories, pursue interviews with key witnesses, and determine whether they believe any state laws have been violated.

"Our office obtained the records on Monday," said Vance spokesman Danny Frost.

Mazars' spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.

The records may be critical to the investigation because they are likely to contain documents that reflect the decision-making behind valuations and tax write-offs, which may be important to determine whether there was intent to commit a crime. The investigators have wanted to review the documents before calling key witnesses before the grand jury, people familiar with the inquiry said.

In addition to the records from Mazars, Vance's office has been seeking a slew of other documents. They subpoenaed records and interviewed employees at Deutsche Bank, one of Trump's creditors, about loans given to him, and insurance broker Aon, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation. Deutsche Bank has loaned Trump more than $300 million.

RELATED: Donald Trump Jr. deposed by DC attorney general as part of inaugural funds lawsuit

Prosecutors have also subpoenaed Ladder Capital, which has loaned the Trump Organization over $100 million, and the Trump Organization for records relating to fees paid to consultants, including Ivanka Trump, these people said.

This has been updated with a statement from Vance's office.

MOSCOW - Russia was given about four to five minutes warning of the Biden administration's first military action when it struck Iranian-backed militias in eastern Syria early Friday, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. But he said the warning came too late to reduce the risk of a potential clash between the two country's forces.

U.S. officials believe the attack killed a number of alleged Iranian-linked fighters, signaling the administration's intent to use targeted military action to push back against violence tied to Tehran.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Friday that 22 Iranian-backed fighters were killed when the strike at 1 a.m. local time Friday (6 p.m. Thursday in Washington) hit three truckloads of weapons crossing a border point from Iraq to Syria. It added that the death toll could rise.

"Our military was warned four or five minutes in advance. Of course, this has no value even from the angle of deconfliction, as they say in relations between Russian and U.S. servicemen," Lavrov told a Moscow news conference. He said the U.S. notice was given when the strike was "already being delivered." He referred to communications between the U.S. and Russian militaries to "deconflict" Syrian airspace to avoid clashes between their aircraft.

Russia emerged as a key player in Syria when President Vladimir Putin deployed forces in 2015 to back Moscow's longtime ally, President Bashar Assad. Russia claims to be the only foreign player legally in Syria, as Assad sought Russian help in confronting rebels in the country's civil war.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the attack hit facilities used by Iranian-linked Iraqi militias, including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, at a strategic border-crossing station in eastern Syria. The attack was "authorized in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats," Kirby said.

The last U.S. strike targeting the Syrian border region was in late 2019 when the Pentagon struck two locations of Kataib Hezbollah.

Syrian state media confirmed the latest strike, reporting that it took place at a time when the army was targeting the Islamic State in the area.

Later Friday, Syria's Foreign Ministry put out a statement condemning the attack, saying it breached international law and would escalate tensions in the area.

"This aggression is a negative indication of the new American administration's policies, which are supposed to follow international legitimacy, not the law of the jungle that the previous administration had employed to deal with regional and international crises around the world," the statement said.

Iranian-backed groups allied to Assad control the border crossing, using it to transport weapons, personnel and goods.

Kataib Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the recent attacks against U.S. interests in Iraq. An aide to a senior Kataib Hezbollah commander told The Washington Post that one of its soldiers was killed in the attack.

"It's strange the United States bombed Kataib Hezbollah over an attack that was condemned by Kataib Hezbollah themselves," he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

While the United States has not targeted the area since 2019, Israel regularly strikes sites near the Syrian-Iraqi border, bombing Iranian and Iranian-backed groups and their facilities, as well as positions of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated a terrorist group by the United States.

"The implicit message is that the strike is not about the strike itself but the messages it carried," said Omar Abu Layla, head of the monitoring group Deir al-Zour 24, which has a network on the ground in the area. The Americans "are not negotiating on the Iranian file outside of Iran," he said. "[They] may agree [with Iran] on the nuclear issue, but will continue to strike militias that follow Iran outside." Abu Layla added that the strike shows that the United States won't let ally Israel bear the brunt in hitting that area alone.

Lavrov claimed to have intelligence that America has no plans to leave Syria and was aiming to break up the country.

"It's been alleged that they've decided never to leave Syria, up to the point of the country's breakup," Lavrov said, adding that Moscow wants to resume contacts with Washington over the conflict.

"It's very important for us to resume contacts at the political-diplomatic level, and we hope the new administration will put together teams for this purpose soon enough," he said.

Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Russian state Duma's foreign affairs committee, said the attack proved that Washington was not interested in peace in Syria.

"Obviously, the priorities of the new U.S. administration do not include peace on Syrian land and the war on terror," Slutsky said, according to the Interfax news agency. "The airstrike killed members of pro-Iranian units fighting for Syrian government forces, and the attack was launched without any charge or trial," he said.

- - -

Dadouch reported from Beirut. The Washington Post's Mustafa Salim in Baghdad contributed to this report.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Congress is gearing up for the forthcoming Assembly elections in five states/Union Territory with the Election Commission of India (ECI) announcing the poll schedule on Friday.

According to the ECI, elections to the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the 30-member Puducherry Assembly and the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 6, while polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on March 27, April 1 and April 6. The 294-member West Bengal Assembly will go to the polls in eight phases on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

In Assam, the Congress is pitted in a direct battle against the BJP, while in West Bengal the contest is mainly between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress with the Left and the Congress together trying to make it a triangular contest.

In Tamil Nadu, the Congress is in an alliance with the DMK, taking on the ruling AIADMK, while in Kerala the contest is primarily between the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be on a three-day tour to Tamil Nadu to spearhead the party's campaign with the Congress and the DMK ready to decide on the seat sharing formula.

The Congress faces a tough task of returning to power in Puducherry and make a come back in Assam and Kerala.

Senior Congress leader Pawan Bansal said, "The people will teach the BJP a lesson for its misgovernance at the Centre. People are fed up with the soaring prices of auto fuel and LPG sylinders, while they are also miffed with the Centre for not paying attention to the farmers' plight for the past three months." Congress General Secretary (Organisation), K.C. Venugopal, said that the alliance in Assam has been finalised with the AIUDF and the other like-minded parties, while in Kerala and West Bengal, the alliance has almost been finalised. Talks are on in Tamil Nadu." However, sources said that in Tamil Nadu, the Congress is facing a tough time in negotiating with the DMK which is not conceding seats to the party as per its desire.
IN the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.

May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
GENEVA : UN experts urged India to immediately release a British middleman extradited from the UAE over a helicopter deal, in a complex case with suspected links to the foiled flight of Dubai's Sheikha Latifa.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) found that Christian Michel, who has been held in India since December 2018 after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates, was being detained arbitrarily, according to conclusions seen Thursday by AFP.

The WGAD raised concerns that Michel's extradition "was a de facto swap" for India's capture and return of a high-profile detainee to Dubai in March 2018, without providing more details.

But sources familiar with the case noted that Sheikha Latifa -- the daughter of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the UAE's vice president and prime minister -- attempted to flee her homeland that same month.

She fled on a boat that was intercepted by commandos off the coast of India, according to her companions and the UK-based group Detained in Dubai.

The UN panel said that as well as his release, Michel should be accorded the right to compensation and reparations from India and the UAE.

The experts also called for an independent full investigation and action to be taken against those responsible for the violation of Michel's rights.

The WGAD did not respond when contacted by AFP.

Michel, born in 1961, was working in the UAE as a middleman and as an external consultant for a subsidiary of the Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland, itself a subsidiary of aerospace and defence group Finmeccanica.

He was accused of arranging kickbacks to Indian officials to secure a deal for the company to supply New Delhi with 12 helicopters for 556 million euros ($677 million) in 2010.

India cancelled the deal in January 2014 amid allegations that the company paid bribes to win the contract.

In January 2018, an Italian court acquitted the former chief of Finmeccanica of false accounting and corruption charges.

The experts ruled that the deprivation of Michel's liberty "lacks a legal basis", and that "the violations of the right to a fair trial and due process are of such gravity as to give Mr. Michel's deprivation of liberty an arbitrary character".

The group, made up of five independent experts, has no power to compel states to follow its rulings, but its decisions carry reputational weight.

The experts said the appropriate remedy would be for India "to release Mr. Michel immediately and for both governments to accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law".

It urged both countries to ensure a "full and independent investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the deprivation of Michel's liberty and to take "appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of his rights".

The WGAD wrote to India and the UAE in May 2020, putting to them allegations about Michel's extradition and treatment.

New Delhi replied in June insisting that Michel's arrest and subsequent custody were above board, the group said.

Contacted by AFP, lawyers for Michel and his family urged India and the UAE to implement the working group's recommendations and called on Britain to intervene to secure his repatriation.

Francois Zimeray said: "No state should allow such methods, against any notion of justice and dignity.

"India and the UAE will be held accountable."

His colleague Toby Cadman said: "The procedure followed in Christian's case can only be described as a flagrant denial of justice and a circumvention of the rule of law."

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When Converse Mayor Al Suarez woke up last week to a house so cold he could see his own breath, he knew there were probably thousands of city residents in the same situation.

When you live it, you get up and say, Theres no way were going to allow any citizens to suffer what we did, Suarez said early on the morning of Feb. 18 at the Converse-Judson ISD jointly sponsored warming center at Judson High School.

A series of winter storms swept through the area Feb. 13-19. What at first seemed a winter wonderland soon morphed into a paralyzing, life-threatening ice-and-snow deluge that cut power and water service to millions of Texans.

Suarez said his home was without power for 18 hours, from 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, until 1 p.m. the next day.

Having to get up in the very cold weather to go to my car to get power to my phone, just so I could have a meeting with the city manager to see what course of emergency action we needed to take, thats how bad it got, he added.

The idea of a warming center took hold from discussion among the citys emergency management team.

Suarez asked Fire Chief Luis Valdez to speak with Judson Principal Jesus Hernandez III about using the high school as a warming center.

(Hernandezs) response was, What do you need? There was no doubt or hesitation. This is his community, too. These are his kids, his families, too, the mayor said.

Suarez then called Judson Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Ball. Her response was the same, Whatever we can do, he said.

Within the hour, plans came together. The citys emergency management team  spearheaded by Suarez, Valdez, City Manager Le Ann Piatt, and Public Works Superintendent Mark Velasquez  secured the location and started gathering necessary equipment and supplies. They began circulating the word: the Judson High School Warming Center was open and available to all.

Suarez said the immediacy of need took priority while city and school officials dealt with the specifics.

At first we thought, Once we get everything here, well open up. No. We needed to open it NOW, Suarez emphatically declared. These people couldnt wait. There was nowhere for them to go, it was freezing. Some didnt even have any water.

Converse Ridge Apartments resident Marcia Jones arrived at the warming center the afternoon of Feb. 17, unable to endure the cold chill of her apartment.

I hadnt had electricity all day and had no water, Jones said. My apartment complex was nice enough to tell me that the Judson High School gymnasium was here, and I was like, OK, lets go check it out.

She said she sought out the warming center because of the constant chill in her apartment and a basic inability to warm up.

She said she also had no connectivity at the apartment, which she was happy to find at the warming center.

When everything goes down at once, you cant do anything, she said. Youre freezing your butt off. You cant go to the bathroom because the toilet wont flush. You cant take a shower. Youre thirsty and your animals are thirsty. And you cant check your phone because your phone is dead.

Hernandez spent the nights of Feb. 16 and 17 at the school, overseeing the centers operation.

Hernandez said about 70 families had checked in to the warming center through Thursday morning.

Some people stay, some people just come to use the restroom. Some people come to get water because their pipes are frozen, and they dont have access, he said. One woman came in to charge her computers because she needed to work and had no power where she lived.

A contingent of volunteers from across the district responded to provide round-the-clock staffing and security at the warming center.

We had support from teachers and other administrators. There was no set schedule because there was no plan for this, Hernandez said. Whoever decided they could spare a couple of minutes so somebody else could shower, go home, get some rest or eat, and then come back, they did so.

Suarez said once news of the centers opening began to spread, help started pouring in.

Chief Valdez, seated at a table just inside the Judson High gymnasium entrance early last Thursday morning, lauded the community for its support.

Weve got Little Caesars Pizza bringing pizza. The county gave us all this PPE for residents to have. The American Legion stepped up, bringing us tacos and serving, and helping us set up the cots that the Red Cross delivered, along with a supply of blankets, he said. It all just seemed to come together.

The emergency management team circulated news of the warming centers opening via several social media platforms as well as texts and emails. Valdez said they also reached out to the various homeowners associations and area churches, to filter the word to residents.

Suarez said the city received calls from Live Oak and Universal City residents who asked if they could use the center. We even received a call from someone in Leon Valley, who had relatives here, he said. We werent going to turn away anyone. This was for everyone.

This shelter was the first full-service shelter set up in Bexar County, Valdez said. The mayor and Principal Hernandez have been over here every night to make sure its running smoothly. That says a lot about the leadership we have in this community.

Community response, Hernandez said, was positive, including from those spending nights, coming for water or showers, and even from those who didnt use the center, but thanked them for having it available for their family, friends and neighbors.

Everybodys grateful that were doing this. I think we opened up too late. We should have opened Monday when the cold first started hitting us, Hernandez said. Now we have an idea of how this operates and runs. The next time it happens, well be ready to roll.

jflinn@express-news.net
The first hint for Gov. Ned Lamont and his top aides that Connecticut might be better off sticking with age groups as the vaccination order, not front-line workers or people with medical conditions, came in a mid-afternoon meeting on a very hectic day at the state Capitol in early January.

It was the Core Four: Lamont sat behind his desk on the second floor of the Victorian masterpiece building. Josh Geballe, the chief operating officer, sat in his usual perch, off to the left, near the windows. Dr. Deidre Gifford, the acting public health commissioner, was on video.

Paul Mounds, the chief of staff, was in his office next to the governors suite, with CNN on another screen, showing activity in Washington, DC.

5 1 of 5 Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Paul Daly / The Canadian Press via AP Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5









Geballe and Gifford presented the first draft of recommendations from the COVID-19 vaccine advisory committee, an unwieldy group of 80 people with about 20 on its all-important allocation subcommittee. Phase 1a, health care workers and nursing homes, was progressing well.

Just about everyone in Connecticut agreed the next round of vaccinations had to include people age 75 and older  the group with the overwhelming majority of Connecticuts 6,300 deaths to that point. It also made sense to include people living in congregate settings such as prisons and group homes, since they faced immediate danger.

If we add in essential employees in front-line jobs, such as teachers and grocery workers, how many is the grand total? Gifford answered: 808,000 people, with the straight face of a poker pro.

No one said it in the moment, but all four realized that number was too large to work in one shot. Lamont asked, Is there a way that we can do this in bite sizes?

As they parsed the options, Mounds chimed in with other news: Hey, it looks like something is happening in D.C. based on the Electoral College vote.

The United States Capitol was under siege. That crisis soon took over as Lamont would follow the action, first on a live-streaming feed on CBS.

State legislators, as of that day, were back in session and had been sworn in outside the state Capitol, with protesters of all kinds shouting from behind barriers. Everyone had watched Lamonts pre-recorded State-of-the-State, an optimistic homily that felt like a campaign speech for a possible 2022 re-election bid.

News outlets had announced results of the U.S. Senate elections in Georgia, giving Democrats control of the whole federal government.

The siege was just unfolding. Thinking about security, Mounds called James Rovella, commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

And the Core Four kept talking about vaccinations for a little while longer. Lamont had lots of questions, as usual. How, he wondered aloud, can we give people a sense that their turn is coming up without promising too much, too soon?

A sweeping plan for 1.3 million residents

On Jan. 11, New York State opened up its Phase 1b, with vaccinations to a very large swath of residents. The list included people 75 and older, corrections officers, teachers and other school staff; in-person college instructors, child care workers, public facing grocery store workers, transit workers and individuals living and working in homeless shelters, a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

It came with a warning: Be patient. Appointments could take 14 weeks. And that didnt even include people with medical conditions, which Cuomo added three weeks later.

It was already becoming clear that Connecticut was vaccinating people faster than almost all other states, certainly faster than New York, which had all sorts of bottlenecks  much of it around checking who was and who wasnt eligible.

That same day, at his regular Monday news briefing, Lamont announced that Connecticuts next group would be people age 75 and older, starting that week. Controversy was muted as no one wanted to see massive waits for one phase.

That Thursday, Jan. 14  the day after hip-replacement surgery  the governor, live on-camera, laid out a sweeping plan for Phase 1b to include 1.3 million residents. It covered anyone 65 and over, anyone of any age with certain medical conditions, front-line workers and people in congregate housing.

Unsaid was which groups Lamont would allow to sign up next, within that vast universe. News reporters peppered him and Gifford: When will you decide? What will you decide? People need to know! Gifford, under relentless pressure from two reporters, said providers would probably turn next to front-line essential workers.

All along, Lamont has focused more on efficiently moving doses into arms than on strict rules, never fretting over lapses where inoculations went to the wrong people. He couldnt know it in mid-January but he and his top aides would spend the next five weeks weighing when and whether to open up vaccinations to essential workers and people with medical conditions.

Which Walmart workers?

H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

Concerns about unleashing the vast Phase 1b emerged quickly behind closed doors, causing Lamonts group to delay a decision on essential workers and people with medical conditions.

Well into January, allocation subcommittee had not reached an agreement on exactly which underlying medical conditions Connecticut should use to qualify people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was still refining its list of 11 conditions.

With smoking and obesity on the list, everyone wondered how it might work in the real world.

As for front-line workers, the bleeding of categories came up at every meeting  the U.S. Postal Service, per the CDC guidelines, but not UPS and FedEx? That means the very people delivering the vaccine were not included.

Transit workers and school bus drivers, yes  but what about Uber and Lyft drivers? Does grocery mean convenience stores too? And Walmart? If so, which Walmart workers?

In the end, the governor made the final call at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, on a video conference with the core group and a couple of others. I like that one, he said after the group raised a menu of three options.

Connecticut would go with age groups as the order of vaccinations, leaving school employees, mostly teachers, as the only carve-out. No other essential workers, no people with medical conditions.

As for racial equity, a concern at virtually every public and private meeting, the state would demand that health providers delivering the vaccines meet benchmarks by race and in cities.

The decision that sparked scattered anger  though still not the sort of organized opposition we saw with tolls and some of the coronavirus shutdown orders  appeared to come suddenly as Lamont announced it on Monday afternoon. In fact, it had been building for weeks, since that first meeting at the moment when the U.S. Capitol came under siege by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Private questions about a public plan

On Sunday, Jan. 17, the Core Four met along with Benjamin Bechtolsheim, a young, key operative who joined the state Department of Public Health just over a year ago from the blue-chip consultancy, McKinsey & Co. For the next group to be authorized for vaccines, they considered a complex mix of people age 65 to 74, combined with essential workers and people with high-risk medical conditions who were at least 45 years old.

Bechtolsheim and Gifford reported back from the advisory panel, which, being large with many factions represented, tended to favor vaccinating more groups, rather than fewer.

But the numbers estimates had grown once again, to 1,360,000  a huge nut, as Lamont noted pointedly. And at the same time, both local political pressure and CDC guidance was starting to lean toward people age 65 to 74.

Lamont announced the decision for the next group on Tuesday, Jan. 19: Ages 65 to 74 only, starting in early February. There was slightly more backlash. But the data still showed the vast majority of deaths and severe illnesses happening in older people.

Publicly, Lamont was still committed to essential workers and people with those underlying health issues, targeted for March 1. But his private questions focused on ground operations: What can we actually get done, and when?  rather than the ideals from a distant CDC.

Before he entered politics, he spent 25 years as founder and CEO of a company that installed cable TV and internet access at institutions, largely college campuses. That gave him a solid background in the nuts and bolts of delivering services.

But by several accounts, Lamont has never said in a meeting, This is what we did at Lamont Digital.

Crunch time

Through January and February, Connecticut has remained at the top of the pack of states in percentage of its adult population vaccinated  it now stands at just over 20 percent, or more than 600,000 first doses  and in the speed of vaccination from the time doses arrive.

The next group in Phase 1b, starting March 1, was crunch time as the number of vaccinations the state was set to receive climbed to 100,000 a week. As Geballe put it, if there was going to be a time when front-line workers and people with medical conditions gained priority, the moment was now or never.

By Monday, Feb. 15, when the group met, Lamont had been tracking the performance of other states. This time the core was joined by Adelita Lita Orefice, a prominent Rhode Island lawyer who Gifford had brought in last spring to help stanch the tragedy in which 12 percent of all nursing home residents died. Orefice is now chief of staff at DPH.

Lamont and Mounds had both spent a lot of time talking with their counterparts in other states. It was coming clear: The simpler the better. But no one was ready to make a decision and this meeting was less than smooth.

I want you to look at some different options, Lamont said to the group. Come back to me with the answers.

Friday night medical advice

The key meeting came Friday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. Lamont had publicly promised an answer by Monday.

The governor and Mounds were not on that call, but Gifford, Geballe, Bechtolsheim and Michelle Gilman, the point person for the health providers in testing and vaccinations and Geballes deputy, met with about ten representatives of the largest providers doing vaccinations.

Dr. Reginald Eadie, Giffords co-chairman on the full vaccine advisory group, was there in both that capacity and in his role as CEO of Trinity Health New England, the parent of large hospitals in Hartford and Waterbury.

The state group didnt lay out specific plans for the health providers. Rather, they talked about various ways of doing the next phase.

The talked about how they would make sure people in the targeted groups belonged in those groups.

Im not sure how, as a vaccine provider, I can verify that somebody has one of those 11 conditions, Dr. Tom Balcezak, chief clinical officer at Yale New Haven Health system, recalls saying. For example, does a person who once had coronary artery disease still have it years later?

And who exactly is obese, or a smoker? The medical people said they sort it out if they had to, but the task would be a logistical nightmare  as other states were finding out.

They talked about an honor system. They talked about hybrid systems. They talked about the providers actively calling people in their care with medical conditions. Some said they didnt have the capacity to do that. And what about people who have no active medical care or undocumented immigrants afraid to come forward?

The same issues held sway for workers in front-line jobs. Someone mentioned restaurant workers, a giant group thats hard to define, to say the least.

The more complex a process is, the more likely that people who have time resources, connections, easy access to health care, are going to find their way to the front of that line and the people that dont have connections are going to be pushed aside, Geballe said, recalling the tenor of that part of the conversation.

They talked about how the providers would have to work closely with community groups in cities and low-income towns that would need to be targeted.

What they didnt discuss, directly at least, was the pure age-group option. They were looking for our ideas, Balcezak said. They were asking questions.

Then there were the numbers. By last week, the estimated number of people in the targeted medical and work groups alone had grown to as many as 1.5 million, Geballe said, if they included an expanded CDC list.

The final decision

Jen Benson was at home in New Canaan at 10 a.m. on Saturday, texting with her mother, Karen Benson, a Wilton resident with an appointment for her COVID vaccination that afternoon. Dont forget to take Tylenol, the younger Benson reminded her mother.

Soon, Jen Benson, 41, would be eligible for the vaccination, she figured, as a recipient of a transplanted kidney and pancreas six years ago. Thats a group on every list of COVID-19 high-risk patients and as founder of a nonprofit support agency for transplant patients, Transplant Journey, Benson was following vaccination decisions minute-to-minute.

At that moment Saturday morning, the Core Four gathered on another video call: Gifford, Geballe, Mounds and of course, Lamont. Its likely Lamont knew where he was leaning after weeks of discussions, but he had not played his hand.

The group presented three options: First was stay the course, as many expected, with front-line workers and the expanded CDC medical list. That would mean about half the states adults in one phase. The second was a hybrid, with high-risk medical patients and essential workers, but first only those age 45 and older, then the younger people in the targeted groups.

The final option was the one Lamont chose: Just divide the state into age groups starting with people age 55 to 64, then 45 to 54 and so on.

They all knew critics would say Black and Latino people are front-line workers and have underlying health conditions in disproportionate numbers. They knew younger people with medical conditions or jobs in crowded places would scream.

But the logic was, the age groups could reach more people quickly and efficiently  including the vast majority of those very targeted people.

Every option on that Saturday call included the carve-out for teachers and other school employees. Every option called for aggressive outreach in the poorest cities.

Lamont did not hesitate. As soon as the third option was laid out, he picked it. The group spent most of the hour-long meeting mapping out a rollout strategy, which, by 4 p.m. Monday, the state would see at Lamonts regular news briefing.

I need to talk with her

Sunday and early Monday was the time to prepare legislators, vaccine providers, local health departments and key state departments. The Friday night group came together again at 5 p.m. Sunday, this time for a briefing that lasted an hour. No one objected. Some were relieved they wouldnt have to certify who was and who was not on the CDC medical list.

They talked about how the lists of educators would come to the providers, and about the urban benchmarks.

At noon on Monday, Mounds, Gifford, Geballe and Jonathan Harris, another key Lamont aide and former state senator, met with the six legislative leaders and their top staffers.

Lamont has faced some friction from lawmakers about not including them enough in decisions. Speaking for himself, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, said Thursday hes had conversations with Lamonts office in which he was able to deliver his ideas.

Mounds opened the meeting. House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said he was pleased to see teachers in the carve-out and he appreciated the tough position the governor was in. By several accounts, no one at that meeting was upset, but the General Assembly leaders had questions.

A press release was scheduled to go out at 3 p.m. Shortly after 2 p.m., Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, a 2018 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, tweeted the key details  the first public report of the plan.

A high-level Lamont staffer called Stevensons office. Shes in a meeting, the staffer was told. Ill wait. I need to talk with her. Stevenson was apologetic and offered to take down the tweet, which she did. Minutes later, the press release went out and Stevenson tweeted that.

In New Canaan, Jen Benson, the transplant advocate, quickly heard about the news. She live-streamed Lamonts briefing on a Facebook feed. This is absolutely ridiculous, she said out loud, even though she was alone in her office across from the New Canaan post office. She slammed her left hand down on the desk  and shes left-handed.

Messages from all over the country started flooding her phone. She later reached U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who, Benson said Thursday, promised hed do what he could.

In the General Assembly, Rojas joined a Tuesday night meeting of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, which held a press conference Wednesday  with angry words from some members.

White House Spokeswoman Jen Psaki snapped Wednesday to reporters that the CDC recommendations Lamont flouted are there for a reason. A federal complaint arrived Thursday from an association for disabled people.

Amid the dissent, the reaction for much of the state is questions more than outright opposition. Whether its going to result in a continuing inequity in this, I dont know, Rojas said Thursday. Time will tell whether this plan is the best plan. It depends on how quickly they can get shots in the arms of these people.

dhaar@hearstmediact.com
Reporter

Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
In an attempt to make their services a bit more accessible to a wider range of people, Google ended up creating a feature that enabled users to have articles on Google News as well as any general web page read aloud to you. This is the sort of thing that many people have received rather positively which is understandable given just how valuable something like this can be for those that are hard of hearing, and it also fits in with a general culture that is starting to develop a preference for audio based content consumption over reading.With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that there is always room for improvement. The voice that you hear while using this feature previously had two available accents with both accents offering a male as well as a female reading voice. However, now Google has expanded the accent choices because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making it easier for users to obtain information in an accent that is familiar as well as recognizable to them and it can help make more users feel at home while using the feature in the first place.There are three new accents (along with American accent) that are going to be available, namely British, Australian as well as Indian. The four accents now offered encompass the major English accents that can be heard around the world, and with male and female options both being available this means that users are now going to have a choice of ten different voices that they can opt for. Changing your accent is as simply as pulling up Google Assistant, asking it to read the article and then tapping the three dot icon to choose the voice.Read next: Google Docs Will Soon Be Getting a Comments Filter
Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda has sworn that he isnt returning to jail, even if it means fleeing to Jamaica and becoming light-skinned by taking up skin bleaching which is popular among some Dancehall artists. The 26-year-old was released from federal prison on Tuesday, February 23.

The rappers Jamaican father, Gervase Johnson, has been serving a life sentence since 1995 for attempted murder, while his mother, Leslie Pollard, is an African-American. Shmurda, whose real name is Ackquille Jean Pollard, made the joke when describing how committed he was in not returning to the upstate New York prison, where he spent the last six years, while being interviewed by GQ Magazine about reintegrating into society.

One part of the interview revealed Bobbys epiphany about his career, how he now sees himself as a role model, and the shame and regret he felt about being away, which Shmurda expressed to rapper Meek Mill while on a FaceTime call.

It was 2016, I was in the box. A six-year-old girl wrote to me; she said I was her favorite rapper That just let me know the kids are watching me, and I have to be a role model. Suddenly, being familiar enough with jail to rise above it didnt mean so much

Bobby decided then to take rapping and his music career seriously: I didnt really care too much for it until I went to jail and I seen how the fans were loyal, he tells me.

While were talking, Bobby pauses to take a FaceTime call from Meek Mill, and the two commiserate over the unfamiliar emotion that Bobby experienced after reading this letter: shame. Hell, yeah, Meek empathizes over the phone, I was embarrassed every time. Im done with that [jail] sh*t, Bobby vows to Meek, cracking, Ill be light-skinned in Jamaica before I go back.

I left my godkids. They were four or five when I used to take them all to the store, he told GQ. Now its been seven years. I used to lie to them, say I was on tour, but kids are smart. I missed out. Even that little half decade of their lives, thats important to me.

Fans were quick to notice his phrasing about how serious he was about avoiding any further jail time. Many found it funny and took it in stride, with one saying it was Bobbys version of itll be a cold day in hell.

Others predicted that there would be backlash for the comments which implied that he would rather leave US jurisdiction to avoid prison and flee to Jamaica where he would start bleaching his skin like popular Dancehall artists. Skin bleaching among deejays was first popularized by now incarcerated artist Vybz Kartel, followed by Alkaline, both of whom have stopped and have returned to their natural skin tones. However, the practice continues today with some, including Jahvillani, Intence, and other upcoming deejays looking to make a name for themselves.

Bobby this aint 2014 society sensitve af now, one commenter said, while another added, Dont cancel him remember he just came home .

When one user pointed to the massive amount of bleaching in Jamaica, another responded saying, there are millions of us and maybe a few hundred who bleach.

Humor aside, the Brooklyn-based rapper has a long road ahead of him, something he acknowledged during the very revealing interview.

At one point he asked someone in the room how long he had to take a shower, a sign that hes definitely been institutionalized and that it will take some deprogramming before he can return to normal.

His close friend, Quavo of the Migos ensured that his first day out was like a dream birthday and he also shared how he did his best to support Shmurda when he was behind bars. He was always getting in trouble and stayed in the hole. He would just tell me how crazy it was in there. Id say, Keep your head up, stay down, because were all Black, weve all been in tough situations. But I aint never had to do years like that, he said.

He added: But you just say, Keep God first, stay loyal to what [you] stand on. At the end of the day, [if you do that] its an easy road to success when you come home. Be ready to get out, have some goals, have some plans, some money plans.

Shmurda is hoping that his life takes a new direction now and revealed that he intends to get rich legitimately after spending years learning about real estate.

It seems hes determined to turn a new leaf and stick to the straight and narrow.

I know what yall like. I know what yall dont like. Yall dont like to see young, Black rich nig-as. So Im going to get real rich on yall. Im going to make it legit, though. They want to see you nig-as back selling crack. You know what I mean? Going to jail and shit. And Im going to make it legit now.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with moderate to large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) may benefit from transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) in the first four weeks of life, according to research published by Le Bonheur Cardiologist Ranjit Philip, MD, and Medical Director of Interventional Cardiac Imaging and Interventional Catheterization Laboratory Shyam Sathanandam, MD. Early PDA closure may prevent early onset pulmonary vascular disease, promote growth and facilitate faster weaning off supplemental oxygen and ventilator support.

"The primary objective of this study was to describe changes in hemodynamics, respiratory support and growth associated with TCPC in ELBW infants," said Philip. "We also wanted to describe clinical outcomes in early versus delayed PDA closures to identify factors associated with worse clinical outcomes."

The study followed 100 infants with a hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) who were born at less than 27 weeks gestation, weighed less than 1 kg at birth and were referred for possible TCPC. The infants were separated by age into those who underwent TCPC at less than 4 weeks (group 1), 4-8 weeks (group 2) and greater than 8 weeks of age (group 3).

A hemodynamic assessment was completed as part of the procedure and included baseline pulmonary to system flow ratio, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), degree of shunting and pulmonary vascular resistance. To assess respiratory outcomes of these infants, a respiratory severity score (RSS) was calculated by a product of the mean airway pressure and the fractional inspired oxygen with a lower score denoting less respiratory support.

"The presence of moderate to large PDA in ELBW preterm infants is associated with poor respiratory outcomes and an increased mortality," said Philip. "Our study aimed to determine if early PDA closure demonstrated a reduction in these adverse outcomes.

While all infants were on mechanical ventilator support at the time of TCPC, baseline RSS was highest for infants in group 3. Although younger and smaller, infants in group 1 were able to extubate sooner compared to group 3 and reach an RSS of less than two (denoting minimal support) significantly faster than those with late PDA closure.

Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) also influenced RSS. Those with PHT were referred for PDA closure later and consequently had a higher pre-procedure RSS. This group took a longer time to return to baseline RSS following TCPC in comparison to infants without PHT.

Finally, age at PDA closure effected weight gain for these infants. Specifically between four and eight weeks, the weight gain for infants in group 1 was much more rapid than those in group 3 who still had the PDA at this age.

"Growth during the four to eight week period is important for the overall outcomes of these ELBW infants," said Philip. "This further supports the notion that earlier PDA closure would be beneficial for ELBW infants."

The study's results raise questions regarding when, how and whether a PDA should be closed in ELBW infants. Based on this study, benefits of early closure in ELBW include rapid improvement of respiratory status and normal weight gain. Delayed PDA closure and PHT are risk factors for worse respiratory outcomes.

In terms of how closure is performed, the study shows that TCPC can be performed with good success with no significant adverse events while also obtaining invaluable information on hemodynamic significance. And finally, this is the first-time published study of PDA closure whose hemodynamics were measured prior to closure.

"When we first started offering this novel procedure, the infants were usually older and more critical. Since January 2016, with our growing experience in TCPC, younger and smaller infants are being referred," said Philip. "As our team has gotten more comfortable with the procedure and post-procedure care, ELBW infants are referred for TCPC between the second and third week of life."

The study concluded that it may be beneficial to close hsPDAs in the first four weeks of life before the onset of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance in ELBW infants with the additional benefits of faster weaning off ventilator and oxygen support and better weight gain. Researchers concluded that additional RCTs are needed to examine the short and long-term benefits for ELBW infants, evaluating no intervention versus TCPC and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

###

Le Bonheur holds virtual International PDA Symposium for 1700 registrants.

In October 2020, Le Bonheur's Heart Institute hosted the International PDA Symposium virtually for 1700 registrants from around the world. The goal of this symposium is to facilitate building a consensus in management of PDA in preterm infants.

Speakers covered topics ranging from trend in management of preterm infants with PDA to ongoing PDA trials to transcatheter PDA closure in premature infants. This is the third year that Le Bonheur's Heart Institute has held the International PDA Symposium.

To view the recording of the symposium, visit pdasymposium.org.

About Le Bonheur Children's:

Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., treats children through community programs, regional clinics and a 255-bed state-of-the-art hospital. Le Bonheur serves as a primary teaching affiliate for the University Tennessee Health Science Center and trains more than 350 pediatricians and specialists each year. Nationally recognized, Le Bonheur is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Children's Hospital.

For more information, please call (901) 287-6030 or visit lebonheur.org. Connect with us at facebook.com/lebonheurchildrens, twitter.com/lebonheurchild or on Instagram at lebonheurchildrens.

About University of Tennessee Health Science Center:

As Tennessee's only public, statewide, academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health through education, research, clinical care, and public service, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region. The main campus in Memphis includes six colleges: Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. UTHSC also educates and trains medicine, pharmacy, and/or health professions students, as well as medical residents and fellows, at major sites in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville. For more information, visit http://www. uthsc. edu . Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/uthsc, on Twitter: twitter.com/uthsc and on Instagram: instagram.com/uthsc.

- END -
We brought together a truly best-in-class portfolio across categories when we merged Korova, LTRMN and The Spot said Unrivaled Inc CEO Dallas Imbimbo. Now, under the Unrivaled name, were focused on our vision of becoming the leading Global Cannabis Operator.

UMBRLA Inc, today announced it's organizational restructuring under the new brand name Unrivaled Inc. UMBRLAs recent acquisitions of consumer multi-state cannabis brand Korova, multi-state cannabis distributor LTRMN, retail locations The Spot, and significant license holdings in California and Oregon will all live under the privately-held Unrivaled entity. As part of the restructuring, Unrivaled's LTRMN distribution entity will be rebranded to Unrivaled Distribution.

We brought together a truly best-in-class portfolio across categories when we merged Korova, LTRMN and The Spot, said Unrivaled Inc CEO Dallas Imbimbo. Now, under the Unrivaled name, were focused on our vision of becoming the leading Global Cannabis Operator.

Unrivaled Inc. Company Highlights:

Proven consumer brand powerhouse - Unrivaled has integrated manufacturing, distribution and brands to provide one of the most recognizable brands not just on the West Coast, but in all of the United States with Korova. Korova currently has the largest brand distribution in OR and CA of any west coast cannabis brand. In addition, combining Korova with complementary owned brands Sticks, Cabana and Beaucoup into a single sales portfolio has significantly increased monthly revenues in over 1000+ doors in active markets.

Comprehensive technical platform - Unrivaled has built a complete tech stack for compliant and efficient tracking of inventory, production, sales, distribution and analytics of consumer cannabis goods, offering unparalleled scalability for new product lines or regions.

Unrivaled Labs - Unrivaleds in-house R&D division is responsible for dozens of unique SKUs in multiple categories, offering industry-leading development of cannabis edibles and concentrates in innovative footprints optimized for mass-production.

Market footprint - In addition to existing in-house operations in CA and OR, the Unrivaled brands are licensed by active partners in Arizona and Oklahoma. Unrivaled operates a unique licensing model of ready-to-market branded products for new partners, and is primed for expansion that keeps pace with the rapidly-expanding cannabis marketplace.

Proven retail success - Unrivaled retail sales saw a 200% growth YOY under a new combined operating structure. This established playbook will help optimize future acquisitions and enable quality operational partnerships in the retail space, and is a key concentration for Unrivaled moving forward.

About Unrivaled

Unrivaled Inc is a leading cannabis multi-state operator, and the parent company of multiple dominant cannabis lifestyle brands spanning consumer products and retail. Our brands lead in their respective categories and markets by a focus on customer experience, product innovation, and organic brand building.

http://unrivaledbrands.com
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Gov. Phil Murphy will hold a virtual press briefing on Friday afternoon to provide updates on the fight against the coronavirus in New Jersey.

The 1 p.m. briefing will be streamed live on the governors Facebook page.

Murphy will be joined by White House Task Force on Health Equity Chair Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, state epidemiologist Dr. Christina Tan and State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan.

There have been 1,866,998 vaccination does provided at the states 295 sites as of 4 p.m. Thursday. At least 623,408 people have received two does and are fully vaccinated.

A Facebook group with more than 65,000 members has been helping residents navigate the challenges of finding a vaccination appointment.

There were 2,008 patients in the states 71 hospitals with the coronavirus or a case under investigation as of 10 p.m. Thursday, a decrease from the 2,032 in the previous 24-hour period. There were 439 patients receiving critical care on Thursday night with 270 on ventilators.

Thats the lowest number of COVID-19 patients since 1,908 were hospitalized on Nov. 12. Hospitalizations have dropped 42.6% since New Years Day.

Murphy on Thursday disclosed 3,079 additional COVID-19 cases and 70 additional deaths.

At 10 a.m. Murphy was at Hudson County Community Park in Jersey City to sign legislation for the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) Program. The grant provides tuition assistance at the states 18 community colleges to low-income students.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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The CM explained that nearly 800 poor families lived in houses they had built on railway land in Raja Rajeswari Peta area here more than 30 years ago and that they had unsuccessfully made several representations to the government to regularise these encroachments. (Photo: Twitter @AndhraPradeshCM)

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has addressed a letter to Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, offering transfer of some land to the railways in lieu of the land occupied by nearly 800 families within the municipal corporation limits here.

He requested that the railway land in Rajarajeswari Peta be handed over to the AP government so that this could be regularised.

The CM explained that nearly 800 poor families lived in houses they had built on railway land in Raja Rajeswari Peta area here more than 30 years ago and that they had unsuccessfully made several representations to the government to regularise these encroachments. No meaningful effort had been made in the past to resolve the issue, the CM said.

The chief minister said that suitable state government land could be provided to the railways by way of an exchange in lieu of this encroached land.

It is not out of place here to mention that the Railways had not been able to put this land to any use for more than 30 years. The land identified by the state government to be given to the Railways is very suitable and located within the limits of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, the CM said.

More so as the land offered in exchange is of equal value. Both the encroached land and the land proposed for exchange were inspected by a joint team of revenue and railway officials.

The CM said railway officers had expressed their opinion to the district collector that the encroached land is of little use and they would rather be in a better position to utilise the proposed land located adjacent to the 25 acres of railway land in Ajit Singh Nagar. The chief minister told the Railway minister, You are earnestly requested to impress upon the concerned Railway Board members to take a suitable decision in the matter which would ameliorate the present sufferings of hundreds of poor families.
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Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

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Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

Dangerous carcinogen found in 78 sunscreens

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

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MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

Armenia national squad hold first training in Croatia

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China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

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Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

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Roma offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan a two-year deal

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Stephen Fry has supported Russell T Davis' decision to cast homosexual actors in Channel 4 drama It's a Sin.

In a new interview, the screen star, 63, insisted 'there is something magically extra' about knowing the show's characters are 'young gay men'.

The writer told TravelGay: 'I think Russell was absolutely right. There is a sort of feeling as you watch it about how those boys could have been us.'

'He is absolutely right': Stephen Fry has supported Russell T Davis' decision to cast homosexual actors in Channel 4 drama It's a Sin

On relating to the drama - which chronicles the lives and deaths of a group of friends in the 1980s AIDS epidemic - the comedian said: 'There is something magically extra about knowing that the boys are themselves young gay men.'

Earlier this month, James Corden's nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy for The Prom for his portrayal as Barry Glickman at the 2021 Golden Globes sparked backlash from fans, who claimed he gave a stereotypical depiction of a gay man.

The A Bit of Fry & Laurie star claimed the blame should be put on director Ryan Murphy for casting talk show host James as he commented: 'I don't want to add to the hate James Corden is receiving [for that role].

'I have to say in his defence that whatever performance ends up on film is the responsibility of the director. So Ryan Murphy is at fault there, not James. He should have said to dial it down and not to go for a camp, podgy 1970s figure.'

'There is a sort of feeling as you watch it about how those boys could have been us': The drama chronicles the lives and deaths of a group of friends in the 1980s AIDS epidemic (cast pictured)

Heaping praise: In a new interview, the screen star, 63, insisted 'there is something magically extra' about knowing the show's characters are 'young gay men'

Criticism: James Corden's nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy as gay character Barry Glickman in The Prom at the 2021 Golden Globes has sparked a backlash among the film's fans

'He's at fault there': The A Bit of Fry & Laurie star claimed the blame should be put on director Ryan Murphy for casting talk show host James

The media personality also discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health and dealing with body confidence issues in the age of social media, adding: 'I've tried to learn to forgive myself for days that aren't good.

'You know, there are days when I get up and I just can't bring myself to work or to make that phone call or wash that saucepan.

'There's a lot of glorifying of a certain type of body, which I've always hated. That kind of pressure [to be popular online] is horrific because I can remember, most people can, the feeling of being unpopular at school.

Gay actors who have won critical acclaim for portrayal of straight characters Andrew Scott: Gay actors have won critical acclaim for their portrayal of heterosexual characters - most notably Andrew Scott for his turn as the 'Hot Priest' in Phoebe Waller Bridge's hit show, Fleabag. After he played Waller Bridge's love interest in the second season of her show, the phrase, 'Can you have sex with a Catholic priest?' became one of the most googled terms of 2019. Luke Evans: The Welsh actor Luke Evans, who recently split with his boyfriend, won 'Best Villain' at the 2017 Teen Choice Awards for his portrayal of the Lothario Gaston in the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. Ben Whishaw: The revered stage and film actor has been nominated for, and won, dozens of awards for his depiction of characters including Hamlet, Richard II and Q in James Bond. He also played Keith Richards in the Rolling Stones biopic, Stoned. Jim Parsons: The actor came out publicly in 2012 in a New York Times profile. He won several awards for playing Sheldon Cooper on the CBS show, The Big Bang Theory. The role saw Parsons become one of the highest paid actors in the world, earning $1million per episode. In the series, Sheldon marries fellow scientist Amy. Zachary Quinto: The actor came out in 2011. He is perhaps best know for his turn as Spock in the Star Trek films. Advertisement

Candid: Earlier this month, writer Russell, 57, urged Hollywood stars to turn down gay roles in films and instead encourage producers to instead cast an LGBT actor (pictured in 2019)

Earlier this month, Welsh screenwriter Russell, 57, urged Hollywood stars to turn down gay roles in films and instead encourage producers to instead cast an LGBT actor.

The producer said famous gay actors 'don't exist to lead blockbusters' and straight actors must 'step aside' to help them get more opportunities.

But Swansea-born Russell, who is gay, admitted his house was 'built off straight people who played gay parts' and said any change has to begin at 'ground level'.

His critically-acclaimed show, which became Channel 4's most binged new series ever, is fronted by Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Lydia West and Nathaniel Curtis.
The Panama-flagged MT Freya (left) and Iran-flagged MT Horse tankers are escorted by Indonesias coast guard to Batu Ampar Port on Batam island, Indonesia, Jan. 26, 2021.

Investigators could soon name suspects responsible for an unauthorized oil transfer from an Iran-flagged tanker to a Panama-flagged one, officials said Friday, following a cabinet ministers visit to the island where the ships are impounded and Iranian and Chinese crews detained.

Indonesias coast guard seized Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) MT Horse and MT Freya on Jan. 24 after it detected the tankers with their identification systems turned off in waters near West Kalimantan, and discovered a suspected illegal transfer underway, authorities said at the time.

We hope we will be able to name people responsible or suspects in the near future, Sugeng Purnomo, an aide to Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mohammad Mahfud MD, said Friday.

Mahfud urged law enforcers to get to the bottom of the case, which he described as a crime.

Were carrying out a legal process because its about our territorial and legal sovereignty, Mahfud said after a Friday meeting with officials from the countrys coast guard (Bakamla) and Transportation Ministry.

On Thursday, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi visited Batam, the Indonesian island near Singapore where the tankers and crew are being held pending investigations.

I urge my colleagues who handle this case to work seriously and maintain integrity, Budi said in a statement.

Violations allegedly committed by the tankers include transferring oil ship-to-ship, concealing the tankers origin, turning off their automatic identification systems (AIS), and spilling oil, said Agus Purnomo, the Transportation Ministrys director general of sea transportation.

Spilling oil is certainly a criminal offense. Other violations of navigational rules are still being investigated, Agus said.



He said the government was planning to revise regulations to enable greater monitoring of sea traffic to prevent illegal activities by foreign ships.

Bakamla chief Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia told reporters on Friday that the two tankers had trespassed 25 nautical miles into Indonesias territorial waters when the agency caught them, according to Arab News.

Earlier this month, Aan said the ships owners faced a fine of up to 200 million rupiah ($14,000) for violating Indonesias navigational laws, in the absence of legal provisions that allow heavier sanctions.

Agus did not specify on Friday what kind of punishment the tankers crew members and owners were facing, saying only that legal options were being considered.

Vigilant

Thirty Iranian nationals crewed the Horse, while 25 Chinese nationals crewed the Freya, officials said. The Panama-flagged tanker is owned and managed by a firm listed as the Shanghai Future Ship Management Co., according to information from MarineTraffic.com.

The Iranian embassy in Jakarta said earlier this month that Tehran was cooperating with Indonesian authorities on the matter.

With regard to the Iranian-flagged MT Horse tanker, we have been in communication and close coordination with relevant authorities in the Republic of Indonesia, embassy spokesman Ali Pahlevani Rad said in a statement.

China has urged Indonesia to conduct the investigation fairly and in accordance with the law.

Bakamla said it had become more vigilant after a Chinese survey ship went through Indonesias exclusive economic with its AIS turned off in January.

The Indonesian Navy has been investigating the discovery of an unmarked underwater surveillance drone, or sea glider, near South Sulawesi in December.

The device, which is capable of collecting military intelligence, likely belongs to the government of China, Malcolm Davis, of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told Australias ABC News at the time.

Indonesia is the only nation that has designated archipelagic sea lanes.

All foreign vessels, including warships, have the right of passage through such lanes as long as they transit continuously and do not pose a security threat. Indonesia requires all ships passing through archipelagic waters to activate their automatic identification systems, or report any damage to those systems.

Earlier this year, Iran seized a South Korean oil tanker and its crew of 20, the Wall Street Journal reported. Iranian officials said the tanker flouted environmental regulations  drawing a rebuke from their South Korean counterparts, according to the report.

Tehran, for its part, has been accused in recent years of violating U.S. sanctions on its oil exports, for example, by hiding the international movements of its tankers through turning off their automatic identification systems.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian visited the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia where he met with the Chief of the General Staff, Colonel-General Onik Gasparyan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President's Office.

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New York, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Active Network Management Market Research Report by Component, by Organization Size, by Application Area - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06027988/?utm_source=GNW



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. This helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available.



1. The Global Active Network Management Market is expected to grow from USD 962.84 Million in 2020 to USD 1,865.76 Million by the end of 2025.

2. The Global Active Network Management Market is expected to grow from EUR 844.23 Million in 2020 to EUR 1,635.93 Million by the end of 2025.

3. The Global Active Network Management Market is expected to grow from GBP 750.52 Million in 2020 to GBP 1,454.35 Million by the end of 2025.

4. The Global Active Network Management Market is expected to grow from JPY 102,759.42 Million in 2020 to JPY 199,124.37 Million by the end of 2025.

5. The Global Active Network Management Market is expected to grow from AUD 1,398.17 Million in 2020 to AUD 2,709.33 Million by the end of 2025.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Active Network Management to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Component, the Active Network Management Market studied across Services and Software. The Services further studied across Managed Services and Professional Service.



Based on Organization Size , the Active Network Management Market studied across Large Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.



Based on Application Area, the Active Network Management Market studied across Energy and Utilities and Power. The Energy and Utilities further studied across Electric Power Transmission, Oil and Gas, and Water Treatment and Distribution. The Power further studied across Power Generation and Power Grids.



Based on Geography, the Active Network Management Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Active Network Management Market including ABB Ltd, Argand Solutions, Baringa Partners LLP, Chemtrols Industries Private Limited, Chemtrols Industries Private Limited, Cisco Systems, Inc., Clarion Energy, Enzen Global Limited, General Electric Company, HelpSystems, IBM Corporation, Indra Sistemas, S.A., Indra Sistemas, S.A., Intrada Technologies -, Iris Network Systems, Itron, Inc., Kelvatek Ltd., Kokuyo Camlin Ltd, Landis + Gyr Inc., Oracle Corporation, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, Smarter Grid Solutions Ltd., TNEI Services Ltd, and ZIV Automation.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Active Network Management Market on the basis of 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.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines 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.



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 analyzes 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, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Active Network Management Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Active Network Management Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Active Network Management Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Active Network Management Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Active Network Management Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Active Network Management Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06027988/?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.



__________________________
2021-02-26

Maeci

LATIN AMERICA - WEBINAR "EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITALIAN COMPANIES IN LATIN AMERICA"

The CDP (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti - Savings and Loans Fund) and CAF (Corporacion Andina de Fomento) Development Bank of Latin America are organising a webinar for 4 March from 15:00 to 17:40, entitled Exploring Opportunities for Italian companies in Latin America. This event is part of the wider collaboration between these two institutions, in order to facilitate sustainable development processes in Latin America, while it also aims to increase the presence of Italian companies in the region, by exploring new investment opportunities in the green and climate change sectors.

In terms of the agreement signed between the promoters, Italian companies with sustainable investment projects in Latin America can count on a Euro 200 million line of credit.

The procurement processes in Latin America and the financial and service instruments the CDP and CAF can offer the companies to support local initiatives and planning ability that have a positive impact in economic, social, and environmental terms, will be illustrated during the webinar.

Participating companies will also be able to meet specialist teams for the sector from the CDP and CAF one-on-one, by means of bilateral meetings that will be organised after the webinar.

The event will be held in English on the Webex platform subject to registering via the dedicated page . Companies that register will receive the link for the connection on the day before the event.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  The proposed tribal casino in Muskegon County hit a bit of a snag this week.

However, a local state representative and the tribe that would build and operate the casino say they still expect the casino to eventually be constructed on the former horse racetrack site, not far from The Lakes Mall, along Harvey Street in Fruitport Township.

The Michigan House of Representatives approved a resolution Thursday which could impact the 12-year-long effort to build a $180 million casino-centered development in Muskegon County.

The resolution, introduced by state Rep. Roger Hauck, R-Union Township, and passed with a voice vote, opposes the unchecked proliferation of off-reservation gaming that is not within gaming compacts approved by the tribes, the state and the U.S. Department of Interior.

Unlike some previous tribal casinos, the proposal in Muskegon County requires state and federal approval because it is off reservation. Because the Muskegon County casino would be the Little River Bands second casino, its approval would require the Legislature to amend the Michigan State Gaming Compact, a tribe spokesman previously told MLive.

State Rep. Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, believes the resolution was directly pointed toward the proposed casino project in Muskegon County, which has been met with opposition from three other Michigan tribes.

It casts a negative shadow on it, he said.

Its been more than 12 years since the project was first proposed publicly.

Since 2008, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has been working to turn the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack in Fruitport Township into a 69,000-square-foot casino and 220-room hotel.

The Muskegon site is about 80 miles from the Little River Bands Manistee headquarters, but tribe spokesperson Tom Shields said it is far from off-reservation because many members live in the area.

Related: 12 years later, Muskegon County officials hopeful proposed casino poised to become reality

The Little River Band currently operates a casino in Manistee. The Muskegon project hinges on amending the state gaming compact established in 1998 to allow the tribe to open a second casino.

Even though the resolution asks Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to oppose any off-reservation effort that is not in complete conformance with Indian gaming compacts, that doesnt worry Larry Romanelli, the Little River Band tribe leader.

Its in the governors hands now, he said.

The tribe started taking steps to amend the gaming compact late last year after the Bureau of Indian Affairs filed a Final Environmental Impact Statement to the federal registry.

Related: State lawmaker voices support for proposed Muskegon-area casino

Three tribes that operate casinos within a two-hour drive of Fruitport Township oppose the proposed casino.

Were just simply asking that all tribes continue to play by the rules, said James Nye, a spokesperson for The Gun Lake Tribe, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

Twelve tribes have gaming compacts with the state of Michigan to run casinos on eligible reservation land.

A joint statement from the three tribes said the approved resolution shows the growing sentiment against the unchecked expansion of casinos.

Local leaders are supportive of the Muskegon casino, which is projected to create 3,000 jobs, including 1,500 for the construction, in the area and generate $15 million in state tax revenue, according to the tribe.

Our focus now is working with the governor to approve the process and approve the casino, Shields said.

Sabo said he met with tribe leaders and the governor Friday morning to discuss the Muskegon project, and he is optimistic it will become a reality.

The governors office did not return a request for comment.

More on MLive:

Muskegons growing soul food scene is bringing us together

Muskegon area residents under 65 could start getting COVID-19 vaccine in April

Michigans economic development groups avoid controversy, pursue jobs
A Denver Police Department sergeant submitted a character letter on behalf of a Colorado man who faces charges for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot in January. It was one of more than two dozen letters filed as exhibits to a request submitted Feb. 23 seeking his release while he awaits trial.


New Delhi, Feb 26 : US President Joe Biden spoke to King Salman of Saudi Arabia over the phone hours ahead of a new report was set to be made public in the sensational killing of acclaimed journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Recently filed court documents have mentioned that the two private jets used by the alleged Saudi Arabian assassination squad that killed and dismembered journalist Jamal Khashoggi were owned by a firm that was seized by the Kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, media reports said.

The documents are labelled "Top Secret" and signed by a Saudi Minister who relayed the orders of the Crown Prince, the young de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.

"According to the instruction of His Highness the Crown Prince," the Minister wrote according to a translation, "immediately approve the completion of the necessary procedures for this." The filing lays out how ownership of Sky Prime Aviation was ordered to be transferred into the country's $400 billion sovereign wealth fund in late 2017. The company's planes were later used in the October 2018 killing of Khashoggi, CNN reported.

The Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, known as the Public Investment Fund, is controlled by the Saudi crown and is chaired by the crown prince, who is known as MBS. The documents establishing the link between the planes and the prince were filed by a group of Saudi-state owned companies as part of an embezzlement suit they opened last month in Canada against a former top Saudi intelligence official, Saad Aljabri.

The embezzlement accusations against Aljabri came after a lawsuit he filed last year in Washington, DC, District Court against MBS. Aljabri has accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada just days after Khashoggi was murdered.

MBS was served a summons via WhatsApp, and in December, a lawyer for the prince asked the court to dismiss the case.

Evidence that ownership of the fleet of private planes had been moved into Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has not been previously reported and provides another link between Khashoggi's death and MBS.

In October 2018, not long after Khashoggi's murder, the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that the Gulfstream jets used by the killers belonged to a company controlled by MBS.

"He would have been tracking (the company) and would've been aware of how it was used," Dan Hoffman, the former director of the CIA's Middle East Division, said of the powerful crown prince. "And it's just more potential evidence that he was in the know on this. Which has always been the contention. This is just more evidence of that." The US intelligence community was set to release a long-awaited report with new public details about those behind the death of Khashoggi on Thursday.

Not long after the Saudi journalist was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the CIA assessed with high confidence that MBS had personally ordered the killing, but intelligence officials never spoke publicly or presented evidence. A United Nations investigator found in June 2019 it was "inconceivable" that MBS wasn't aware of the operation.

Saudi officials in Washington and Riyadh did not immediately respond to the new revelations. MBS has denied that he ordered Khashoggi's murder but said that he bears responsibility. Eight suspects were given prison sentences in what the UN investigator called a "parody of justice." Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden had a telephonic conversation with King Salman of Saudi Arabia as he seeks to put relations with America's old ally on a new footing, the BBC reported.

He "affirmed the importance" the US "places on universal human rights and the rule of law", the White House says.

Biden made the call after reading a forthcoming US report into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The report, due to be released shortly, is expected to implicate the king's son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, pursued closer ties with Saudi Arabia.

On October 2 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, the US-based journalist and critic of Saudi Arabia's government, walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was murdered. In the months that followed, conflicting narratives emerged over how he died, what happened to his remains, and who was responsible.

Saudi officials said the journalist was killed in a "rogue operation" by a team of agents sent to persuade him to return to the kingdom, while Turkish officials said the agents acted on orders from the highest levels of the Saudi government, the BBC had reported.

Khashoggi, 59, went to the consulate in order to obtain papers allowing him to marry his Turkish fiancee. He had allegedly received assurances from the crown prince's brother, Prince Khalid bin Salman, who was ambassador to the US at the time, that it would be safe to visit the consulate. Prince Khalid has denied any communication with the journalist.

According to Saudi prosecutors, Khashoggi was forcibly restrained after a struggle and injected with a large amount of a drug, resulting in an overdose that led to his death. His body was then dismembered and handed over to a local "collaborator" outside the consulate, prosecutors said. The remains were never found.
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Dredging Corporation of India jumped 11.63% to Rs 404.95, extending its winning run to fourth consecutive trading session.

Shares of Dredging Corp have rallied 32.23% in four trading days from its previous closing low of Rs 306.25 posted on 22 February 2021. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 419.35 in intraday trade today. The stock is up 232% from its 52-week low of Rs 121.8 hit on 25 March 2020.

On the BSE, 2.05 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far compared with average daily volumes of 95,332 shares in the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex tumbled 1478 points or 2.9% to 49,560.89.

Dredging Corp on Wednesday (24 February) announced that it has signed an Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Cochin Shipyard for construction of trailing suction hopper dredger. The company added that it has signed 18 MoUs of Rs 14,000 crore with ports, ship builders, ship repair complex, research organisation and maritime states.

On the technical front, the stock's RSI (relative strength index) stood at 82.229. The RSI oscillates between zero and 100. Traditionally the RSI is considered overbought when above 70 and oversold when below 30.

The stock is trading above its 50 and 100 days simple moving average placed at 308.29 and 284.74 respectively. These levels will act as crucial support zones in near term.

State-run Dredging Corporation of India provides dredging services to the major ports of the country. The Government of India holds 73.47% stake in the company as per the shareholding pattern as on 31 December 2020.

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The latest in a controversial shipment of phosphate rock from Western Sahara is set to arrive in Tauranga this weekend.

The IVS Phoenix is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Tauranga on February 27. The vessel is carrying approximately 56,000 metric tonnes of phosphate rock mined in the disputed territory of Western Sahara in North Africa.

Mount Maunganui-based Ballance Agri-Nutrients, who have sourced the material from the region since 1989, chartered the impending cargo. It is their first arrival of 2021 with an expected annual amount between 150,000 and 200,000 metric tonnes.

Previous shipments of phosphate rock from the area have been met with protests in Tauranga due its origin.

Western Sahara is a disputed territory in Northern Africa. Morocco has governed the territory since 1975 when Spain gave up colonial rule. The Polisario Front, a national liberation movement representing the indigenous Saharawi people, are seeking independence and consider Moroccan rule an invasion of their territory.

The United Nations established a mission toward a referendum regarding independence in 1991, but that is yet to materialise. A ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front that had existed since 1991 ended in November.

This conflict and the disputed sovereignty of the area in which the phosphate rock has been mined has led to the popularisation of the term blood phosphate.

Ballance strongly oppose this phraseology, labelling it highly emotive and disrespectful. They insist the terminology oversimplifies a complex topic. However, Mike Barton, of Western Sahara Campaign New Zealand (WSC-NZ), stands by the term.

We said plunder and war booty - that is the reality, says Barton. I think the companies involved have always had a bit of a corporate guilt about things. I think they know they are on shaky ground.

Phosphate rock is used in superphosphate fertiliser and is considered crucial to New Zealands agricultural needs. Ballance suggest agricultural production would be halved without it. Due to its physical and chemical properties, no other alternative is said to offer the same performance as Western Sahara rock.

Its got a high phosphorous content, which is what is desired, explains Mount Maunganui site operations manager Charlie Bourne.

The super phosphate, what we produce, is best for New Zealand. Its also really low in cadmium. There are other sources of phosphate but they have a high cadmium count.

We could source from other sources but what would end up happening is we would poison the soil. We would not see an immediate impact now, but 300 years from now you have pretty much killed all your kids and grandkids.

Kamal Fadel is the Polisario Front representative to Australia and New Zealand. He suggests the claim New Zealand cannot source from elsewhere is baseless, citing an example of three Australian companies who stepped away from phosphate rock originating from the Western Sahara region.

They have been really intransigent and strong-headed, claims Fadel. These companies are just looking at it from a profit point of view and have not taken into consideration the legal aspects or the moral, ethical aspects of this trade.

It is a claim disputed by Bourne.

We pay a premium for the Boucra rock because of the low cadmium. So we could bring in something with a high phosphate content, but it would have that hike in cadmium.

Megan Clarkin, communications advisor for Balance, reaffirms that the cadmium issues remain a key reason behind their continued use of rock sourced in Western Sahara.

Thats the difference, says Clarkin. Cadmium builds up over time. It doesnt go away. Thats what is unique about New Zealand.

It is a tricky thing to get across because other places dont have the cadmium issue New Zealand has, so for them they can change their source. Were always looking at other sources and other ways from around the world but that cadmium content is an issue.

Ballance ensure they are working in conjunction with a United Nations framework for operating economic natural resources activities in a non-self-governing territory, such as Western Sahara.

The framework insists that operations should provide direct and indirect benefits to inhabitants of said territory, including economic advancement.

Ballance are keen to point out that there are thousands of Saharawi who live and work in Moroccan-administered Western Sahara.

While all parties seek a solution, the protestors don't appear to consider the risk of ceasing trade to the livelihoods of the Saharawi who are employed by OCP, says Ballance head of communications Aimee Driscoll.

It is not clear how the loss of jobs in a volatile part of the world would progress the issue of Western Sahara's political status.

Ballance currently source their phosphate rock from mining company Phosboucraa, a subsidiary of Moroccan fertiliser company OCP. OCP claim all profits from the operation supplying New Zealands phosphate are reinvested in the region.

But Fadel disputes that claim, suggesting money will go toward the Moroccan treasury and does not benefit locals.

If you talk to people inside Western Sahara itself, they will tell you they have no benefit - they live in poverty, Fadel continues. It is white-washing, window dressing, and not based on reality. It is propaganda. The Saharawi do not benefit.

It is a claim Ballance CEO Mark Wynne strongly denies.

Ballance absolutely refutes the suggestion that any money received from the sale and purchase of phosphate rock from Phosboucraa is returned to Moroccan authorities, the parent company, OCP, or any other entity.

Fadel is now imploring the government in New Zealand to intervene and take a stronger stance.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade say they are supportive of the United Nations process in Western Sahara, including the exercise of the principle of self-determination by the Saharawi people. They continue to monitor the situation in Western Sahara and call on both parties to return to the ceasefire.

Companies importing from Western Sahara must comply with relevant legal obligations and import at their own risk, says the MFAT spokesperson.

Companies have been encouraged to look for alternative sources, as well as to continue to develop and invest in technology that would make importation from a range of sources more viable.

WSC-NZ head Mike Barton has confirmed protest action is being planned for the latest shipments arrival. Ballance are keen to point out that the right to peaceful protest was an innately Kiwi right. Any protests at the plant would be accommodated as long as they remained peaceful.

Bourne says that people with questions should contact the company, whilst remaining understanding of peoples concerns.

It is just trying to get the understanding out there, says Bourne, to educate people on what we do, why we do it and the steps we take to do it properly in with the best interests of everyone, not just us and our shareholders.

Fadel, however, suggests the nations reputation is being harmed by the continued use of resources mined in Western Sahara. He has a message for ordinary Kiwi citizens.

Our people have suffered a great deal from oppression, occupation and they live in refugee camps in dire conditions while you benefit from our resources.

These companies are not listening and they are putting no effort into stopping this illegal importation of stolen goods. Its why we call it blood phosphate.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 18:43:08|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's security forces in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed a high-profile terrorist during an operation, an army statement said on Friday.

The security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation on the terrorist's hideout in the province's South Waziristan area on confirmation of the presence of the terrorist, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement.

"Terrorist (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) commander Nooristan alias Hasan Baba killed. The most sought and wanted killed terrorist was IED (improvised explosive device) expert and master trainer," the statement said, adding that the targeted terrorist was involved in killing more than 50 security forces personnel since 2007.

Located along Pakistan-Afghanistan border, South Waziristan used to be a hotbed of militancy, but the security forces have flushed out the terrorists from the area in armed offensives.

However, a resurge of terrorist attacks in the South Waziristan and neighboring North Waziristan regions has recently occurred, with a number of attacks on security forces and civilians.

In a recent interaction with correspondents, director general of the ISPR said that the fleeing terrorists who have been cornered by security forces in the area have regrouped and carried out attacks in frustration, adding that the security forces are chasing them. Enditem
Even though we do not play as the band Valentine we are all still close. And as you know, Gerard, Adam and I still play together with the Steve Augeri Band. As for Valentine. anything is possible given the right circumstances.

New York City early 90s AOR heroes VALENTINE led by one of the most loved voices in music, courtesy of Hugo Valenti, have released Sandy, the first single from their upcoming collection Demos from the Attic and it can be downloaded from here.

The Demos from the Attic collection comes two decades after the quartets much loved debut surfaced on Giant / Reprise Records in 1990. Recording began after the touring cycle for that record was completed and continued throughout 1991. Guitarist Adam Holland explains, We bought an 8-track recorder, a small console and some speakers, and start putting together the demos for the next record. We produced and mixed them all ourselves in Neil's parent's basement and my parent's basement. We recorded so many ideas because we didnt know which ones would go the distance.

The band members werent even aware that between them they had so much available material. Bassist Gerard Zappa says, "When the label approached us about this idea, I had already moved houses and I had packed crates of cassettes and DAT tapes. But I had stored a lot of them at my sister's. I had to ask her to rummage through the crates as I was in a different city. I had to explain the difference between a regular cassette and a DAT so she knew what she was looking for. It was due to her patience and persistence that I was able to dust off so many songs that we are proud of to this day."

As for the future of the band, they will continue to reunite for the occasional show every now and again  as they did last year for a very special occasion alongside their friends in Night Ranger, Danger Danger and Trixter - with no big plans on the cards. But, according to keyboardist Craig Pullman, even though we do not play as the band Valentine we are all still close. And as you know, Gerard, Adam and I still play together with the Steve Augeri Band. As for Valentine. anything is possible given the right circumstances.
La Paz, Feb 26 : Bolivia launched the largest immunization campaign in its history in the eastern city of Santa Cruz to inoculate residents with Covid-19 vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm.

Bolivian President Luis Arce on Thursday inaugurated the campaign, accompanied by government officials and representatives of the Chinese Embassy to Bolivia, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

People with underlying medical conditions were the first to be vaccinated.

"With this vaccine we feel safe, so that all my colleagues with whom I do dialysis three times a week can be protected," said Monica Alejandra Cruz, the first beneficiary at the National Centre for Tropical Diseases in Santa Cruz.

A hundred people in the high-risk group arrived at the vaccination centre, complying with social distancing rules put in place by the Ministry of Health.

The "doses of hope" have generated high expectations among the public that the campaign will bring the pandemic under control, as the novel coronavirus is spreading to different parts of the country, which has registered 245,719 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 11,547 deaths from the disease.

On Wednesday, a shipment of the Chinese vaccines arrived in the Latin American country from Beijing. Part of the cargo remained in Santa Cruz and the rest was distributed to other departments to continue the vaccination drive.

According to the government's plan, the campaign will first immunize healthcare workers and people over 60 years old, as well as those with underlying medical conditions.

Arce thanked China for its decisive support and called on the Bolivian public to get vaccinated to combat the pandemic.

"We are vaccinating people who are in the high-risk group and we will gradually reach all of the people, who have suffered uncertainty and great concern for a year," Arce said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)


The United Nations cultural agency may consider the making of French bread, known as the baguette, for its list of intangible treasures.

Bakers in France asked the French government to propose the traditional bread for the honor from UNESCO. About 6 million baguettes are sold every day in France.

The French minister of culture will make a recommendation to UNESCO in March. The baguette is competing against two other candidates for Frances nomination. The candidates are the metal rooftops of buildings in Paris, made from zinc, and a wine festival in the countrys Jura area.

In 2020, UNESCO considered things such as a dance in Zambia, camel racing in the United Arab Emirates and pottery making in Serbia for its list of treasures.

Bakers in France hope the baguette will be considered an official treasure because of its importance in French life. But, the bakers also are worried the baguette is becoming less important in France. They say it is being replaced by frozen bread that gets produced in factories and sold in supermarkets.

They want to protect small, traditional bread makers. Many of the small bakeries had a difficult year in 2020 because of coronavirus restrictions. Since the 1950s, about 30,000 small bakeries closed in France as supermarkets became popular.

Food and drink-making methods in other countries are already considered treasures by UNESCO. The organization recognizes the making of flat breads in Iran and Kazakhstan, Neapolitan pizza-making in Italy and beer making in Belgium.

In 1993 the French government declared rules for bread to be considered a baguette: It must be made only from water, flour, yeast and salt. The declaration noted the time and temperature for the uncooked bread to rise.

Mickael Reydellet owns eight bakeries in France. He said there is no single secret to making a good baguette. It requires patience, know-how and good flour without additives.

Bakers in France hope the label from UNESCO would prevent the French baguette from being taken over by impostors. Reydellet said the UNESCO honor would give support to the next generation of bakers.

Dominique Anract is the president of the French bakers organization. He said it is important for French people to protect the tradition of buying a baguette.

The first errand we ask of a child is to go buy a baguette from a bakery, he said.

Im Dan Friedell.

The Reuters news agency wrote this story. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

Is there an item in your country that should be considered by UNESCO? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

intangible - adj. not made of physical substance : not able to be touched : not tangible

pottery n. objects such as bowls, plates and cups that are made from clay that is baked

patience n. the ability to wait without becoming upset or to lose interest

additive - n. something (such as a chemical) that is added in small amounts to a substance to improve it in some way

impostor - n. a person who deceives others by pretending to be someone else

errand - n. a short trip that you take to do or get something
(Natural News) Big League Politics has reported on the plight of Parler, a social media upstart receiving a great deal of support from Republican politicians and talking heads, as it has been thrown off the web following the raucous Jan. 6 Capitol protest.

(Article by Shane Trejo republished from BigLeaguePolitics.com)

Parler has done itself no favors by relying on Amazon to provide their cloud hosting services, and then switching to another provider who has a blanket ban on all so-called hate speech in their terms of service without defining what really falls under that classification.

In a recent profile from The Telegraph, it was explained how the organizations billionaire backer, Rebekah Mercer, got Parler back online. She acquiesced to censorship policies that are supported by the Big Tech giants.

Latest: Transgender HHS Nominee Refuses to Say That Minors Shouldnt Override Parents and Make Their Own Decisions About Transitioning

One thing the company has added, likely in part as a play to be added back to the Apple App Store, is automated moderating ability, which involves computer systems scanning posts to flag offending material. Major social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have employed this type of moderating technology for years, to varying degrees of success, but Parler had long resisted, the profile stated.

Parler has also brought on board a new CEO who is pushing a scheme that would allow oligarchs like George Soros to rewrite the Constitution.

Mark Meckler, founder of the Convention of States Project, is now heading up Parler on at least a temporary basis. The Convention of States Project wants to create a new constitutional convention that would put every provision of the U.S. Constitution up for grabs. It would give liberals an opportunity to codify all of their most grandiose and destructive schemes into the law.

His 2012 book advocates for single-issue constitutional conventions, but he has declared under oath that the Article V Convention is not a Constitutional Convention, a representative from the John Birch Society said to the National File regarding Meckler. The John Birch Society is a patriotic group that has opposed what they call a Con Con for decades.

As well, he hosted with Harvard Professor Lawrence Lessig the Constitutional Convention Conference. Again, he has declared under oath that the Article V Convention is not a constitutional convention, they added.

Lessig is a far-left operative with deep ties to George Soros. He led an effort to overturn the results of the 2016 presidential election by urging electors to put in Hillary Clinton instead of Donald Trump. These are the types of cronies who are behind Mecklers plot to permanently alter the U.S. Constitution.

Although Parler may have started with the best of intentions, they have already been co-opted by the globalist establishment and forced to grovel to their opposition just to stay online. They may ultimately be remembered as an example of how not to run an alternative social media platform.

Read more at: BigLeaguePolitics.com and Globalism.news.
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The company said it has raised around 10mln that will be used to advance various programmes at its BKM copper project in Indonesia

Limited ( ) said it raised around 10mln through a fundraising which will be used to advance various programmes at its BKM copper project in Indonesia.

The AIM-listed company said it has successfully placed around 45.5mln new shares at a price of 2.2p each, an 8.3% discount to its closing price on Thursday, to raise gross proceeds of 1mln.

The oversubscribed placing was in addition to a conditional firm placing of 395.5mln new shares to raise around 8.7mln and a conditional subscription of 16.5mln shares to raise around 0.36mln, both of which are at the same price per share.

Announcing the fundraising plans after the close on Thursday, Asiamet said the proceeds will be used to complete a second phase value engineering programme for the BKM project, as well as commence early stage detailed engineering and design works at the site.

The firm said the money will be used to finalise the key Pinjam Pakai permit with the forestry department and secure supplementary permits for construction and commencement of operations. It will also secure project financing and help fund drill tests on a number of high probability copper targets in close proximity to the site, continue community engagement and development work, and test the potential for a high grade extension of its Beutong copper-gold deposit.

"The overwhelmingly strong response from institutional investors coupled with large retail demand through the accelerated bookbuild sees this capital raising heavily oversubscribed and strongly positions the company to deliver on its key objectives for 2021 and beyond. Asiamet has been progressively developing its portfolio of high-quality copper projects over the past few years and is now very well positioned to take advantage of a highly favourable macroenvironment for copper and substantially higher copper prices going forward, Asiamet executive chairman Tony Manini said in a statement.

Solid news flow is anticipated from BKM value engineering works, a further update to project economics, achieving permitting milestones, drilling of high potential copper targets nearby BKM and project financing workstreams. Further drilling and development partnering initiatives at Beutong are planned to bring the project back onto the radar of strategic investors. With a strong balance sheet now in place we are confident of delivering very significant value for stakeholders through these initiatives during the course of 2021 and look forward to updating the market with regular updates as we progress", he added.

The companys shares were 4.2% lower at 2.3p in early deals on Friday.
The world is facing a sperm shortage, and apparently that is bad news. While I, a woman who has sex with men and does not wish to bear their children, dont happen to think a spermless future sounds like such a bad thing at all, it would seem a lack of sperm is a problem from a survival of the human species standpoint.

That seems to be what Shanna Swan, an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, is worried about, anyway. In the her new book Count Down, Swan traces the rapid decline of sperm counts, a fertility crisis she claims could pose as dire a threat to the human race as climate change. In fact, according to Swan, the current state of reproductive affairs cant continue much longer without threatening human survival.
VALE -- The executive had a deal for Greg Smith when she called last fall.

For no cost, her Pendleton firm could take on the job of chasing down millions of dollars for Malheur County.

The offer came soon after Smith learned his own work to get that money had failed. The U.S. Department of Transportation concluded the application he submitted last May was unacceptable.

The money remains key to turning farmland now owned by taxpayers into a Nyssa industrial park, adjacent to the planned Treasure Valley Reload Center.

Susan Christensen and her team at Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corp. are well positioned to help. They had years of economic development experience and had just added an experienced grant writer to its staff.

Smith agreed to use the fresh help.

We have just started working in earnest on the application, Christensen said by email Friday.

The no-cost work will stand in contrast to the thousands that Malheur County taxpayers had paid to Smiths firm over nearly two years to chase the same funds.

Smith didnt respond to written questions about why the Malheur County Economic Development Department hadnt turned to the Pendleton nonprofit in the first place.

Instead, Gregory Smith & Company collected $138,000 from Malheur County over 22 months for under a contract to principally pursue what was known as the BUILD grant.

Dan Joyce, Malheur County judge, said in an interview he has been on the board of Greater Eastern Oregon Development for 16 years.

But he said Smith, a state legislator from Heppner, never alerted him or the Malheur County Court about the possibility of free service either.

That has never come up at meetings, he said.

Asked why the county hadnt used the service before, Joyce replied, That is a really good question.

Joyce explained that though he has been on the development corporations board, he was unaware it provided local governments free work to pursue grants.

The new role in Malheur County for the Pendleton firm was revealed after the Enterprise obtained county public records about the $15 million grant effort.

Under Smiths guidance, the countys application had a hurried sense to it. An investigation by the Enterprise found it didnt provide crucial information sought by federal officials to judge whether to hand over the $15 million. Large segments were copied from an earlier submission to the state that Smiths firm already had been paid to produce.

Records show Smiths team didnt round up crucial letters of support from Oregons congressional delegation until just days before the application for the federal money was due last May.

And the county also asked for $5 million for utility work that cant be funded by the federal grant. The county will have to look elsewhere for that money.

Smith did hire some outside help to get the application done, retaining Pac/West, a lobbying and marketing firm in Portland.

But the $4,500 paid to the company last April wasnt to gather information for the application.

We simply provided creative support, said Paul Phillips, Pac/West president. He said his firm did the graphic design and layout for Malheur Countys submission.

Despite the glossy look, federal authorities didnt include Malheur County on the list of grant winners it announced in September. Smith arranged a telephone conference in November with federal officials to learn why.

Christensen said she reached out to Smith with her offer after reading that the grant had been turned down.

I wanted to start the process of applying for the next BUILD grant, she wrote in a Nov. 10 email to Smith.

In an interview, Christensen said she joined the Nov. 17 call with a U.S. Transportation Department analyst to learn why the countys application failed.

Smith initially provided county officials no indication how weak the countys application had been.

We received invaluable feedback, Smith wrote hours after the conference call in an email to county commissioners. Their presentation was prefaced by stating the incredible competitiveness of this round.

Despite the importance of that conference call, Smith asserted neither he nor anyone at his county agency had notes about it.

Christensen recalled that the federal official made clear that the countys application had to be more focused on the purpose of the federal money.

That was recorded in notes made of the conference call by Brad Baird, president of Anderson Perry & Associates. His firm is providing engineering services for the Nyssa project.

Unacceptable is our category, Baird wrote. Need more focus on clear, direct, significant benefits.

Chirstensens own notes of the call, which she provided to the Enterprise, also noted the countys application was rated as unacceptable because it was not specific enough. Her notes showed the application was not clear, direct, significant about merits of the industrial park.

Christensen said she and Smith have talked since the conference call to arrange an agreement for the Malheur County work. She said Greater Eastern Oregon Development provides grant services to seven counties and 39 cities in the region.

Besides grant work, Greater Eastern Oregon Development manages several loan programs, including financing for projects in Malheur County in recent years.

SACRAMENTO  California will spend up to $28 million to provide quarantine hotel rooms, medical care and other services to asylum seekers whom the Biden administration has begun processing for entry into the United States again.

In a memo Thursday, the state Department of Finance said it would make the money available to pay for hotels where migrants entering through the San Ysidro port of entry near San Diego will quarantine for seven to 10 days upon arrival to protect against spread of the coronavirus.

The state will also use the funding to contract with UC San Diego for medical screenings, including coronavirus testing, and medical care, and with the nonprofit Jewish Family Service for food, transportation, case management and other services.

Tens of thousands of largely Central American asylum seekers are stuck in Mexico under a 2019 policy adopted by former President Donald Trump that forced them wait outside the U.S. for the duration of their immigration proceedings.

President Biden reversed that order this month, allowing migrants with credible asylum claims to enter the country while their cases are considered, as has historically been the approach.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has started to let 25 people through the San Ysidro port of entry each day, according to the state Department of Finance memo, with a goal of eventually processing up to 300 people per day.

H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance, said California was stepping in to help the Biden administration implement its far more humane immigration policy because of the additional challenges of the pandemic. Asylum seekers must first test negative for the coronavirus, for example, before being allowed to enter the country.

Palmer said California is paying for the costs to move the program along more quickly and the state hopes to ultimately be reimbursed for the services it provides. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions.

We now have a situation that has not existed in recent years where the state government and the federal government are rowing in the same direction, Palmer said. We are doing what we can on the front end to make sure this is done seamlessly.

Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff
Jaipur, Feb 26 : The Bandh call on Friday given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) against GST and rising fuel prices failed to get any support from the Rajasthan traders, as the markets were functioning smoothly.

All markets remained open in Jaipur and traders were seen doing regular business.

Seema Sethi, National senior vice-president, CAIT told IANS: "We have given a call to traders for their benefit, but it seems they did not realise its significance and hence have not shown unity.

"There are many groups amongst traders and lot of politics is being done. When they will realise the significance of this Bandh, they shall join hands with us," she added.

Sethi further said that memorandums in the name of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have been submitted to Rajasthan Chief Minister and Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra.

However, she claimed that other than Jaipur, the Bandh call has been successful in districts like Alwar and Jodhpur, adding "the Bandh has been 60 per cent successful in the state".

Countering this, traders in the state said they have already suffered huge economic losses due to Covid and lockdown, and are not in favour of any more hindrances.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed



A Portland police forensic officer who responded to the scene of a shooting in Northeast Portland early Friday was arrested and accused of driving drunk, police said.

The police criminalist Bradley McIntyre, a 23-year member of the Police Bureau, was arrested at 12:22 a.m. at Northeast 61st Avenue and Thompson Street.

McIntyre, 54, had responded to a shooting call nearby at Northeast 66th Avenue and Thompson to photograph the scene and collect evidence.

A supervisor at the scene became concerned by McIntyres behavior and asked him to sit in the passenger seat of his police car, police said. Moments later, McIntyre was seen driving off in the vehicle, according to the Police Bureau.

A Portland patrol officer pulled him over.

McIntyre was given a criminal citation accusing him of driving under the influence of intoxicants. He must appear in court at a future date, according to police.

He was not booked at the downtown jail due to coronavirus booking restrictions issued by the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office, Sgt. Kevin Allen said. No one would be booked for these charges at this time, Allen said.

McIntyre will be placed on paid administrative leave as the case is pending. An internal investigation also will be conducted, police said.

Driving under the influence is a serious offense, Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement. The public holds police to a higher standard, which we must always strive to meet and hold ourselves accountable.

Brian Hunzeker, the president of the Portland Police Association that represents officers, criminalists, detectives and sergeants, declined any comment on the arrest. McIntyre couldnt be reached for comment.

McIntyre was arrested six years ago while off-duty in LaCenter, Washington, by the Clark County Sheriffs Office, accused of fourth-degree assault stemming from alleged domestic violence.

In that case, he was accused of punching his wife on the side of her head and trying to grab the steering wheel as she was driving, according to court records. At that time, his wife reported to the sheriffs office that her husband was an alcoholic with a gambling problem, according to the court records. The case was dismissed without prejudice on June 15, 2015, according to court records.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Bangladesh a success in dealing with corona and a unique example for the world : WHO

Dhaka, Feb 24(UNI) Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanam Gabriasus has lauded Bangladesh for what he called it's success in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic and said that the South Asian nation is a unique example for the world to follow.

Dr Tedros also reassured that the World Health Organization(WHO) will continue to support and cooperate with Bangladesh for controlling the pandemic. The Director General made the remarks during a courtesy call on Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Mostafizur Rahman in Geneva on Tuesday (February 23rd).

A press release issued by the embassy on Wednesday (February 24th) said that the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed satisfaction over the expansion of Bangladesh's health infrastructure and development of health services. He assured the Ambassador that the support and cooperation of the organization would continue in this regard.


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Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the U.S. and worldwide. Americans consume 400 million cups per day, making the U.S. the world's leading consumer of coffee.

E-commerce and coffee go hand-in-hand. As the market grows -- and becomes more competitive -- coffee companies are coming up with more creative ways to get their products to online consumers.

The E-Commerce Times recently spoke with coffee and e-commerce experts to get their views on what's involved in successful online coffee sales.

"Selling coffee online was very popular even before the pandemic hit, which, of course, increased demand for all goods online," Murry Ivanoff, cofounder and CEO of Metrilo, told the E-Commerce Times. His company is an analytics, CRM and email marketing platform provider. "Coffee connoisseurs are really serious about their passion and very proactive in their search for interesting blends."

Specialty coffee sales are increasing by 20 percent annually and account for nearly 8 percent of the $18 billion U.S. coffee market. Because selection in local stores can often be limited, e-commerce allows consumers to find specialty coffee products that they might not otherwise have access to.

"Since coffee in the supermarket has never been anything special, specialized online stores filled the niche easily," explained Ivanoff. "Coffee lovers do make an effort to discover new flavors and suppliers, so reaching them online is not hard. In addition, coffee is a regularly-bought product and one that's easy to ship, making it perfect for online sales."

With the pandemic prompting people to stay home rather than go out to cafes and restaurants, online coffee sales have helped to fill the gap.

"One of the most striking changes in consumer behavior we have seen since the pandemic started is the desire to improve the 'at home' experience," Craig Ross, vice president of sales for e-commerce platform provider TrueCommerce Nexternal, explained to the E-Commerce Times.

"While we have seen this across many industries, for many people one of the easiest and most cost-effective way to improve their experience at home is to start their day with a great cup of coffee. Additionally, many coffee roasters had seen their B2B business sales decline due to the pandemic, so selling directly to the end customer at their home was a natural evolution," noted Ross.

Creative Strategies

As with any other e-commerce endeavor, successful online coffee sales rely on creative strategies to attract and retain customers.

"Our mission is to help our customers discover great coffees," Matthew Berk, CEO of Bean Box, told the E-Commerce Times. "What sets us apart from other services is our coffee-tasting boxes and expert curation, and sourcing some of the best coffees in the world from our network of over three dozen specialty coffee roasters."

Bean Box's unique approach allows the company to curate the coffee experience of their customers -- an educational service that's not typically available in the local supermarket.

"We're neither a coffee roaster nor a dropshipper, which allows us to curate multiple coffees from multiple origins and roasters within the same product," explained Berk. "Our primary format is the sampler box, containing multiple coffees, and not the bag, and this format helps our customers learn about and discover what they like."

Successful coffee e-commerce companies must also harness the power of new technologies to achieve their mission.

"What we've built is a platform that connects an otherwise fragmented local supply chain of amazing coffee with a nationwide network of coffee lovers, using expert curation, data and personalization, and frictionless commerce," said Berk.

"In any given week, we'll curate, source, receive, package, and fulfill thousands and thousands of pounds of fresh coffee, and this requires not just end-to-end control of our supply, but the software to manage it all. Software and operations allow us to control for the experience, and to make sure that there's no friction when our customers need coffee, whether they order online, via text message, or on our app," he explained.

Many of the technologies and design strategies used by other types of e-commerce companies can be tailored to the specific needs of coffee companies and consumers.

"A simple and easy-to-use online store that acts as an extension of a merchant's brand is an absolute requirement now," explained Ross. "If a merchant's online store is slow, clunky, looks detached from the brand, or is otherwise difficult to use, customers simply won't invest their efforts to place an order. They will simply go to Amazon instead.

"In addition to online store technology, it is a given that merchants need to have compelling product content and imagery. Plus, customers really respond to peer reviews. Be sure to have a system that captures and solicits reviews of customers who have purchased. Coffee needs to be fresh, so it has the additional requirement that customers want to pick a preferred delivery date when they order."

Coffee's E-Commerce Evolution

Consumers have grown accustomed to having access to a wide variety of coffees online, and they'll likely continue to expect these kinds of offerings even when the pandemic is over.

"Coffee sold online is definitely staying," said Ivanoff. "The target customers just love the easiness of buying high-grade coffee as directly from farms as possible. As for marketing, branding and design are more and more important to grab the attention as competition grows. The brand story also has to be something wow. The people behind the brand need to be knowledgeable in order to add value -- and sales can easily be automated with subscriptions. Coffee is a great product for monthly subscriptions."

Subscriptions will, most likely, be an important part of the future e-commerce coffee market.

"Like wine, it's all about the tasting experience," explained Berk. "Our customers are always keen to try new coffees, especially those with compelling stories, or which are rare or unusual. While the rest of the market is focused on selling 12-ounce bags, we've built our product set and operations on the single-serve pouch, which allows our customers to experience two, four, eight, or even 16 different coffees with a single delivery. Once a customer discovers a coffee they love, we can also send them larger bags."

With the growth of online coffee sales, specialty coffees will likely continue to grow in popularity, as well.

"The future of coffee in the U.S. is specialty coffee, and the future of specialty coffee is the at-home experience, as opposed to retail," predicted Berk. "Where others are chasing wildly after the idea of becoming the 'Amazon of Coffee', emphasizing variety for its own sake, and in the process replicating what we call the 'chaos of the supermarket', we're razor-focused on building unique at-home coffee experiences that are thoughtfully curated and make the stories behind the coffees relevant to the consumer. For us, that's the future: ever more thoughtful, unique, and difficult-to-approximate at-home coffee experiences."

Coffee consumers have increasingly become coffee connoisseurs, and the e-commerce world must continue to adapt to serve their evolving tastes and curiosity.

"We are now at a new normal for e-commerce and coffee," said Ross. "Customers expect to be able to buy directly from the roasters now, and that is not going to change. The best coffee marketers understand that online they need to not only sell coffee but tell the story of the coffee they are offering. When they do this well, coffee merchants are no longer limited to their local markets, and find that they can expand their reach to new customers across the country."

Vivian Wagner has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2008. Her main areas of focus are technology, business, CRM, e-commerce, privacy, security, arts, culture and diversity. She has extensive experience reporting on business and technology for a variety of outlets, including The Atlantic, The Establishment and O, The Oprah Magazine. She holds a PhD in English with a specialty in modern American literature and culture. She received a first-place feature reporting award from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and is the author of Women in Tech: 20 Trailblazers Share Their Journeys, published by ECT News Network in May 2020. Email Vivian.


By David Lawder and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Katherine Tai, President Joe Biden's top trade nominee, backed tariffs as a "legitimate tool" to counter China's state-driven economic model and vowed to hold Beijing to its prior commitments, while promising a sweeping new approach to U.S. trade. At her Senate confirmation hearing to become U.S. Trade Representative, Tai also called for a revamp of global trade rules to eliminate what she called "gray areas" exploited by China and end a "race to the bottom" that she said had hurt workers ...

The Bench asked the AG why if land was available, the government has not allotted funds so far to construct a new building. It directed the government to make up a clear mind. (Photo:osmaniageneralhospital.org)

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the state government to stop being indecisive about the issue of whether to go for a new construction for the Osmania General Hospital (OGH). The Court asked the government to make up its mind and take a final decision.

You may either proceed further as per an earlier decision to construct a new hospital in the existing place or go for construction in a vast vacant place available in the premises, the court said.

Expressing displeasure at the government for keeping the issue pending for six years despite several petitions and listings before the Court, Chief Justice Hima Kohli observed that this type of ambiguity cannot be maintained for long time.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy was dealing with several PILs, some of which were filed seeking protection for the existing heritage structure of the OGH while another set sought that the Court direct the government to construct a new hospital building in the existing place and premises.

When the Court asked why the government was taking so much time in taking a decision, Advocate General B.S Prasad submitted that the state government was ready to construct a new building in place of the existing OGH, within the existing premises. He said that due to these legal hurdles, regarding the heritage structure, the government could not proceed further.

The Bench asked the AG why if land was available, the government has not allotted funds so far to construct a new building. It directed the government to make up a clear mind.

If the government had taken a decision a while ago, new constructions would have come up by now, the CJ observed.

Senior Counsel Sarasani Satyam Reddy submitted to the Court that since a threat of demolition looms large over the heritage wing of a nearly 100-year-OGH structure, it is important to bear in mind that going by the Errum Manzil judgment of 2019, the OGH still remains a protected heritage monument.

The Court assured that the structure was protected till a further decision by the Court. The Court faulted Advocate General Prasad for not complying with earlier orders, in which the Court had asked the government to submit a site plan of the OGH, including Google maps, to get an understanding of how much vacant space was available in the premises. It directed AG to submit them by next hearing.

Some of the petitioners contended that of the 25 sprawling acres area of the OGH premises, heritage structure was spread over only around two acres, so it can be protected. New constructions can be made to house a new OGH in the remaining space, they argued.
A cow in a field. Photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images

A Canadian dairy group has asked farmers to stop using palm oil supplements in cow feed.

The request came after consumers noticed their butter has recently become harder.

Palm oil, which is used to increase milk fat, can change the consistency of butter.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Dairy Farmers of Canada, a milk product lobbying group, has asked farmers to consider alternatives to palm oil supplements after home bakers started expressing concerns that their butter was hard.

There is no research proving why Canadian butter has gotten harder, but some dairy consumers are pointing to the increased use of palm oil in cow feed as the culprit.

This form of supplement is used to produce more milk fat from cows and can change the texture of butter.

Dairy Farmers of Canada formed a group of experts to look into "buttergate."

"Academics from different relevant areas along with sector experts will come together shortly to begin the work. DFC will also seek the views of consumers as part of this exercise," the group said in a statement. "Pending completion of this work, DFC is asking dairy farmers to consider alternatives to palm supplements."

The outrage came to light after Julie Van Rosendaal, a Canadian cookbook author, wrote a column in the Globe and Mail last week that an increased use of palm fats in cows' diets could be what is changing the consistency in the spread.

Including palm oil in cow feed is not new, but hundreds of farmers around Canada have recently stepped up their use of the supplements since this summer to meet an increased demand by home bakers spending more time in the kitchen, The BBC previously reported.

The use of palm oil is legal, but controversial because of a known link between the consumption of saturated fats and heart disease. Its production can also be damaging to the environment.

"Notwithstanding this announcement, we stress that all milk produced in Canada is as safe as always to consume and is subject to Canada's robust health and safety standards," Dairy Farmers of Canada said in a statement. "We also note that all animal feeds used on dairy farms are approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and are safe for animals."

Read the original article on Insider
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Some projects take years to complete.

Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig spent more than a decade toying with the idea that became Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.

The feature film was released on video on demand instead of theaters due to the pandemic.

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Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar follows Barb, played by Mumolo, and Star, played by Wiig, as the two leave their small Midwestern town for the first time to go on vacation in Vista Del Mar, Florida.

They soon find themselves tangled up in adventure, love, and a villains evil plot.

Production took place in Mexico and New Mexico.

In May 2019, Wiig pulled the production from filming in Georgia due to the states heartbeat bill. The bill, which was enacted into law but ruled unconstitutional, made it illegal to perform an abortion once a heartbeat can be detected.

Production was moved to Albuquerque.

Mumolos emotions were running high because after the movie wrapped, the pandemic hit and left a release date up in the air for the film.

We didnt know how it was going to come out. We just didnt know, she says. We got word that it was supposed to come out in summer. Then it didnt. It was a crazy process. Now that the world can see it, theres a sense of relief, and it feels great to be excited about something again.

Mumolo says the idea for Barb and Star was born when she and Wiig were members of The Groundlings, a Los Angeles-based comedy troupe, in the early 2000s.

We were writing sketch comedy there, and somehow these characters of middle-aged women kept coming up, she says. They were based on people we knew. Thats what is great about them. We know these women. Barb and Star could be your mom or your aunt. We were drawn to inhabiting them. Now, we feel like we are them.

Barb and Star are part of an underrepresented group of women who have their own passions and dreams. We wanted to bring them to life and get inside of them and take them on the adventure they deserve.

Mumolo says the fictional Vista Del Mar was a perfect setting.

Vista Del Mar is the ultimate vacation spot for singles in their middle years, Mumolo says.

Mumolo says that while working on Bridesmaids in 2010, she and Wiig were putting similar characters together.

They didnt make the cut, she says. We were sitting there on set and told each other, Someday, were going to write these women into a movie. 

A lot of the interior scenes at the beginning of the film were shot in Albuquerque.

Our job and our town and house, all that was in Albuquerque, she says.

Arriving in Albuquerque in 2019, Mumolo didnt know what to expect, because it was her first time in the city.

In addition to acting in the film, the pair also wore multiple hats and worked 18-hour days  with the exception of one day.

Kristen and I had one day off together, she says of the shoot. We did so much shopping there. We went to the antique stores, and I bought a really cool painting, which I love. We went to Old Town and saw all the small gift shops. Of course, a little bit of the characters came out of us. If we do a sequel, I definitely want to return there.

According to the New Mexico Film Office, the production filmed in Albuquerque and employed about 150 New Mexico crew members and 180 New Mexico background actors.

On demand

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is available to rent at Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Vudu
When many students in the United States go back to in-person learning this fall, parents and school administrators may have to contend with an unexpected infectious disease problem: more colds than usual.

Thats at least the caution coming from researchers in Hong Kong, who published a study last week detailing a spike in common colds after students returned to classrooms in the fall, following nearly a year of remote learning. Specifically, the researchers reported almost seven times more large outbreaks of acute upper respiratory infections (involving 20 people or more) compared with those recorded in 2017, 2018 and 2019 combined.

Normally, we dont think of them as a real public health challenge, Benjamin Cowling, one of the studys authors and an epidemiologist and biostatistician at the University of Hong Kong School of Public Health, said of common colds. But it can be tough to distinguish the symptoms of a cold from those of Covid-19, especially in kids. And if colds start spreading through schools in the United States, children may be sent home until they have been tested for the coronavirus. They may even have to return to remote learning.

Heres what happened to students abroad, and what it might mean for kids in the United States.

What the researchers found

In late January 2020, as the spread of the coronavirus increased, schools in Hong Kong closed and began teaching students remotely. Schools reopened in late May, but then closed again in July through late September because of a surge of cases of Covid-19. During the last week of October, after schools reopened once more, the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection received reports of a surge in respiratory infections in kindergartens, child care centers, nursery schools, primary schools and secondary schools.
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I have come here to thank you for your testimony and to pay homage to the people martyred by the insanity of Nazi populism. And with sincerity I repeat to you the words that I spoke from my heart at Yad Vashem and that I repeat before every person who, like you, has suffered so much because of this: forgiveness, Lord, in the name of all humanity.

The Holy Father is about to stand up to say goodbye. He has been conversing with Edith Bruck for over an hour, but before leaving, he wishes to explain the reasons that spurred him to move and to repeat the concept which is at the basis of his latest encyclical letter: We are all brothers and sisters, even though at times Cain forgets this as occurred in the 1900s. Yes it happens often still today, Edith sighs looking at Francis and adds: How long will it happen this way? The Pope returns her glance and replies: You are fighting for this... and it is no small thing. The image that often comes to mind in this long conversation is that of a drop in the ocean, a small thing, but the immense ocean is made of an infinite number of small things.

But let us rewind the tape and go back a bit to the beginning because perhaps not all stories have an ending (this one for sure) but they always have a beginning. And everything begins from here, from the pages of LOsservatore Romano, of last 26 January. Commissioned by Giulia Galeotti, head of the Cultural Service, an interview by Francesca Romana de Angelis with Edith Bruck appears on the cover of the weekly insert QuattroPagine (Four pages). The Pope reads it and is impressed by it and lets me know that he would like to meet this woman. I buckle down and organize a visit for Edith Bruck at the Vatican and I communicate this to the Pope who calls me and says: Director, you did not understand, it is not she who has to come here, I will go visit Ms Bruck in her home, if possible. Well, what could I say: By reversing the order of the factors, the result certainly changes! I reset everything I had done and I reorganize the Popes visit to Brucks house.

And here we are: The Holy Father and I on an already spring-like Saturday afternoon, in a crowded street in the centre of Rome. We climb the two floors that lead to Edith Bruck. She is there on the threshold and almost cannot speak. I am moved and honoured, she tries to say, but the most comprehensible words (the rest are sighs too deep for words) that repeatedly come from her and from the Pope are thank you. She thanks him for being here now, he thanks her for having always been there, bearing witness with her presence, with her words, with her life. Edith apologizes for all the crying and trembling and struggles to recompose herself and to show the way for the Pope along the long corridor that leads to the living room where her dearest ones are gathered: Deborah, the daughter of her sister, Judit, also a survivor of the horrors of the lager (if we had not embraced and encouraged each other, we would never have made it), with her husband Lucio, and then the other nephew, on her husbands side, Marco Risi (the director son of [Italian film director] Dino), and Olga, the Ukrainian woman who has been accompanying Edith for 20 years, and finally, Francesca Romana, the journalist of LOsservatore Romano from whom all began.

The moment on the threshold was the most emotionally intense one and, as often happens, it did not require verbalizing: the gestures and the silences, indeed the sighs expressed the power of that encounter. One is never prepared for the beautiful moments in life, Edith later commented, once we were seated on the couch, almost as if to justify herself for the happy and moving disorder with which she received her guest, in the same way that we are never prepared for the bad moments, she added. And the Pope agreeing, promptly replied, that is how it is and then there is the surprise of what springs forth from inside, from our heart.

The surprise is the timbre, the hue that can be read on the faces of the few people in this living room who find themselves experiencing, almost incredulously, a moment that is special because of its splendid normality and simplicity. First there is the exchange of gifts because the Pope did not come empty-handed but wished to bring two small presents: a menorah, the seven armed candelabrum, and a book, the Babylonian Talmud in the Italian-Hebrew bilingual version. Edith and her family are moved by the sensitivity and return [the gesture] with a table laden with cakes and sweets, all of them hand made, as Olga says with a touch of pride, adding, whoever comes to this house, always wants to return.

Who knows if the Pope will ever return to this house. He certainly came to stay here, to stop and meet these people. And the conversation is sweet, slow, a space in which everyone participates. At a certain point, Deborah cites Borges, a great Argentinian poet and a great conversationist because Ediths niece lived in Buenos Aires for many years and she extends to the Pope (in Spanish) the greetings of a mutual friend, Rabbi Daniel Goldman. The Pope lights up and begins to tell old and funny anecdotes that tie him to his Jewish friend. The climate is precisely like this, light, like that of a pleasant family reunion, with the Pope enjoying and appreciating the ricotta cake (much to Olgas joy) and Edith showing him family photos. Francis is attentive and shows that he already knows many of the details of that dramatic family history. He has read the book Il pane perduto (the lost bread), and he often anticipates Ediths words which recall those five points of light that enlightened the abyss of horror in which she had fallen at the age of 13 when she was deported to Auschwitz. That episode of the comb touched my heart, the Pope says to the moved astonishment of Edith and the others.

That comb was given to the then 13 year old by a cook at Dachau, who first asks her name (I replied by saying my name. I had not done that in a long time, for the first time again, I perceived that I was a person with a name, not a number) and then says to her: I have a daughter who is your age and looking at my head of new-grown hair, he pulled a small comb from his pocket, and gave it to me. It was the feeling of finding myself before a human being after a long time. I was touched by that gesture that was life, hope. The Hungarian woman of almost 90 years of age and the Argentinian Pontiff continue to recall the events in La luce nel buio (Light in the Darkness): the first in chronological order that symbolized life for young Edith was when a German soldier forcefully separated (with strikes from the heel of a his rifle) her from her mother who was destined for the gas chamber; next when a German soldier threw his mess tin at her to be washed, but left some jam for her at the bottom; and when another one gave her some gloves, tattered and with holes, but precious to her; and lastly when, as part of a group of 15 young women who had to carry jackets for the military to a station that was located eight kilometres away, she threw some of them away because she did not have the strength to walk with that weight. A German soldier noticed this and lunged against her but her sister Judith struck him making him fall to the ground, and at that point the soldier did not shoot because he had been struck by their courage and spared them.

There are always signs scattered throughout life, at times they are indecipherable in the moment in which they are experienced, but they carry a distinctive sign. For the Pope, this sign is often tenderness, that strength that changes people, and then he adds almost sighing to take stock: How much courage, how much suffering. But Edith is almost like a river in flood, to the point that sometimes she pauses and asks us to interrupt her otherwise she might overflow with words. In the end however she wishes to state that: After all, it went well for me. Even if now it is as if I could feel all the suffering of the world. The two agree on the importance of recounting, of remembering. Both the good and the bad. There is a very important book that was released a short time ago, Sindrome 1933, by Siegmund Ginzberg which is a read that I would call urgent because it reflects, and in some way explains, how all this evil could have been possible. And thus how it could repeat itself.

The Pope returns to the theme of grandparents which is very dear to him, the need to listen to the stories of the elderly, to enter into dialogue with them and he quotes the prophet Joel: if the old will dream, the young will have visions. And he cites Nonna Rosa and the story about the table that still impresses him today: There was once a family who always had lunch together, including the grandfather, who however was no longer able to eat without dribbling over himself and making everything fall, and getting dirty and dirtying ... until the father decreed that the grandfather would eat alone at the kitchen table, so that the rest of the family would be able to invite friends over without any embarrassment. A few days later the father saw his young son busying himself with nails, hammer and wooden boards.... What are you doing?, he asked him: I am building a small table for you, where you can eat when you will grow old.

Among laughter and admiration, Bruck seems to become saddened and, filled with worry, she confides that she is afraid about this health crisis, I would not want us to reach the point of having to choose who to cure and who to reject. The point is that we should be cared for at home. And as the Pope recalls the ever present risk of the throwaway culture, Ediths memory turns to events relating to her husband, Nelo Risi, and to those last ten years, marked by senile dementia and Alzheimers. It may seem strange but they were happy years, Edith says. I continued to talk with my husband, to be close to him, hand in hand. The doctors told me that he would die in a few days, and we went on like that for more than ten years. Because you loved him, the Pope adds.

It is beautiful to tangibly grasp the feelings that unite the members of this family gathered around their elderly Aunt Edith. The Pope addresses everyone, the conversation expands, many things are talked about, young people, the elderly, the fact that a child dies of hunger every minute while at the same time enormous amounts of money are spent on weapons. Selfishness is the problem, the Pope says. Holding out ones hand is inexpensive but selfishness blocks this gesture, it addles the hand that would have been ready to reach out to the other.

At a certain point, we end up on the topic of cinema. Marco Risi talks to him about the masterpiece of his father Dino, Il Sorpasso which had great success in your land, so much so that my father immediately made another film, in Argentina, Il Gaucho. But I saw Il Sorpasso, a great film! All those curves along the road, that coming and going, a powerful image of life. Marco Risi is pleasantly surprised and comments on the bitter ending (which De Sica would have wanted to be different): At the end the young man dies, innocence dies and cynicism remains; it was 1962 and it is almost a prophesy of the changing Italy. The Pope reveals himself to also be a film expert: The fact is that for years I used to amuse myself by going to the cinema and I saw practically all the Italian movies of the postwar period, those with Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi, Fellinis first films; I remember having seen all his films up to La Dolce Vita. Then, around those years also because of my ever increasing commitments, I lost a bit of touch with Italian cinema. I was even more fascinated by the films of Bergman, like The Seventh Seal, a great director. However, I remember Il Sorpasso well, it was powerful ... all that drama narrated in the span of only 24 hours. Between the astonishment and with encouragement, Marco Risi speaks to him about the new film he is making which tells the story of elderly people enclosed in a retirement home, and the arrival of two young people who are forced to be there to carry out social service as atonement for their criminal sentences. A difficult and intense relationship ensues. Francis is very curious. For him this topic of dialogue between generations is fundamental: we have to be able to learn from history and therefore, we need storytellers. Edith Bruck resumes this theme to speak about new and ever old fascisms and of the importance of going to visit schools to tell what had happened. And here the Pope strongly affirms his gratitude to Edith, for her witness with her words and even before that, with her life.

And thus, we have rewound the tape, but in the hearts furrow of those who were present, much more than the simple words we have tried to recall and fix in memory, was recorded.
A second crime scene has been set up on a beach 150km away from where Melissa Caddick's decomposing foot was found inside a shoe.

Police were called to Mollymook Beach on the NSW South Coast about 9.30pm on Friday night after walkers found human remains.

The group came across a large piece of stomach flesh which included a belly button, police sources told The Saturday Telegraph.

DNA testing will be carried out to see if the new remains belong to the conwoman - whose death was confirmed on Friday.

Caddick vanished from her home in Sydney's eastern suburbs a day after it was raided by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on November 11.

Her disappearance sparked wild theories as to her whereabouts, but detectives now believe she either committed suicide or met with foul play.

Human remains including what appeared to be stomach flesh and a belly button have washed ashore on a beach 150km away from where missing Sydney conwoman Melissa Caddick's (pictured) foot was found

The decomposed foot of Melissa Caddick pictured in the shoe found by campers on the NSW South Coast on Sunday

Police were called to Mollymook Beach at about 9.30pm on Friday night and will conduct DNA testing to see if the remains belong to Melissa Caddick (pictured right with her husband Anthony on the left)

Police were called to Mollymook Beach (stock image) on the NSW South Coast about 9.30pm on Friday night

Police suspect the fraudster took her own life, because she could have reached the Dover Heights clifftops - 300m from her $6.1million home - without being tracked by CCTV cameras.

On Sunday, campers found her rotting foot inside an ASICS Gel Nimbus shoe 50km north of the Bournda National Park.

The group of three teenage campers were near Tathra on Sunday when one of them found the shoe lying on the sand.

When he turned the shoe upside down as he went to throw it out, he discovered there were human remains inside.

Police later used footage from the raid of her home - which had featured vision of her feet - to help identify her as the shoe's owner.

They have said it is likely Caddick took her own life after her home was raided by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on November 11, 2020. Pictured: Map shows the distance between where Caddick's foot was found,where she was last seen and Friday night's latest discovery

The 49-year-old was accused of swindling at least $20million from clients, including friends and family, before disappearing on November 12.

Days after she was reported missing, NSW Police used modelling to determine where her body might wash up if she had died in the water near her Dover Heights home.

The modelling deemed it possible that her body could have drifted as far south as Bermagui, about one hour north of Bournda.

Yesterday New South Wales Police said they believe Caddick (pictured) suicided but have not ruled out foul play

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said the modelling was done in the wake of Ms Caddick's disappearance, as crews conducted extensive land, air and sea searches.

In a sworn statement tendered at the Federal Court, and recently made public, ASIC investigator Isabella Allen alleges Caddick hit her with a barrage of questions when authorities raided her $6.2million Dover Heights mansion on November 11.

Caddick allegedly demanded answers on how she was to abide by a court order freezing her assets.

Those questions includes: When would she have to appear in court? Where would she drop off her passports? Did one order mean she couldn't use her credit cards, because she used them for all transactions?

Caddick also asked how quickly she had to write up a description of her assets and liabilities, and asked: 'how am I supposed to do that when you have taken my computers?'

The route from Caddick's $6.1million home on Wallangra Road in Dover Heights (pictured) to nearby clifftops is believed to not have any CCTV cameras facing the road or street

The 49-year-old (pictured left with husband Anthony on the right) has been accused of swindling at least $20million from clients, including friends and family, before disappearing on November 12

ASIC investigator Isabella Allen alleges Caddick hit her with a barrage of questions when authorities raided her $6.2million Dover Heights mansion on November 11 (pictured is bodycam footage of the raid)

The investigator replied: 'I am unable to answer that question and it may be best that you speak to a lawyer. Do you have a lawyer?'

It is believed ASIC had been investigating her for three months before the raid.

Caddick is survived by her husband Anthony, a 15-year-old son, parents Barbara and Ted Grimley and brother Adam.

Mr and Ms Grimley are said to be 'furious at ASIC' for the death of their daughter.

The conwoman used investors funds to prop up a lavish lifestyle, including extravagant overseas trips and designer items.

Caddick (pictured centre) is survived by her husband Anthony (pictured right), a 15-year-old son, parents Barbara and Ted Grimley and brother Adam.

Her victims were mostly wealthy friends, some of whom invested life savings in Caddick believing they were making returns.

When ASIC and the Australian Federal Police raided the clifftop home, they seized about $1million in couture gowns, designer clothes, handbags, shoes and jewellery.

Corporate watchdog ASIC said on Wednesday the investigation into Caddick and her company would continue as they try and return funds to investors.

'ASIC's priority is to seek the return of funds to investors in the most efficient way possible,' an ASIC spokesperson said.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing (pictured on Friday) confirmed remains of the missing businesswoman have been found on the NSW far south coast. Also pictured is an exhausted looking Gretchen Atkins (left), the detective who has led the investigation

If Ms Caddick had been found alive, NSW police would have been able to arrest the high-flying financial fraudster.

Liquidators allege the self-styled financial adviser 'meticulously and systematically' deceived those who entrusted millions of investment dollars to her over seven years, then used the money to fund her lavish lifestyle.

'Melissa's family were informed of the identification last night and are obviously distressed,' NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing told reporters on Friday.

'Police have always kept an open mind in relation to what the circumstances were for her disappearance, including the fact that Melissa may have taken her own life.'

Campers found a decomposed foot and ASICS shoe washed up on Bournda Beach (pictured) on the NSW far south coast near Tathra

One of the investor victims ripped off by Ms Caddick reacted with shock when told by 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham.

Cheryl Kraft Reid entrusted almost $1million of her superannuation with Ms Caddick, whom she considered as a friend and last heard from two months prior to her disappearance.

'Wow, that's a sad tragic outcome for her son but its also just a sad tragic outcome for us because we just don't get closure,' Ms Kraft Reid told the radio program.

'Besides the news we're unlikely to see any return of that, it's pretty devastating.'

'It's not just the money, it's the consequences of what's happened to us and for the many years we've worked for zero returns because she decided to live an entitled and frivolous life.'
Irish people battling the lockdown blues would love a blast of Mediterranean sun, sea and, er  sangria sooner rather than later. EU Covid vaccine certificates  now being demanded by sunspots Greece, Spain, Malta, among others  might do that.

But not everybody sees these vac certs as a passport to early normality. As Taoiseach Micheal Martin joined EU leaders at an online summit yesterday, Ireland was among those arguing the measure is far too premature.

The idea of mandatory proof of vaccination is far from new. Countries in Africa, South America, and elsewhere require the vaccine passport as part of regular passport and visa checks. Diseases covered include smallpox, yellow fever and other delights.

A Covid-19 vaccine passport may help people get back to work and reopen tourism, and seems the way to go.

Greece, which has a quarter of its economy linked to tourism, has been pushing for an EU vaccine passport for over a month. And they have the backing of other sunspots.

But a bloc of northern EU states  notably Germany and France, and others, including Ireland  think not, or at least not yet.

They have four main reasons: health, social, political, privacy.

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Health is mainly the fear that vaccinated people can still infect others. It is widely accepted that vaccination gives huge anti-virus protection to the person receiving it. It remains unknown whether they could still be carriers and passive spreaders. The threat of new variants compounds this fear.

The social one is huge in countries badly struggling to get people vaccinated. The fear is that vaccine haves being able to travel, while vaccine have-nots  are grounded, will add to societal tensions caused by lockdowns. Most countries are prioritising older citizens for vaccines  a vaccine passport could be seen as discriminating against younger people.

The political element is a big-picture version of the social argument. The developed world has vaccine supply and logistics problems  but many poorer countries have literally no vaccines. Rich, vaccinated, citizens gadding about while unvaccinated citizens of poorer countries are stranded at home will add to international vaccine tensions.

The privacy issues are about who will hold an individuals health data and how secure it may be. It raises real questions about trust in the health industry and state authorities. Any EU vaccine passport must accord with EU data protection law.

But vaccine passports seem inevitable. The real question is when?

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has clearly said Brussels backs some form of vaccination proof.

Some of the sunspot  countries might go it alone. Greece is already talking about arrangements with Israel which has reopened business after an apparently successful vaccination campaign.

Athens may also similarly talk to the UK  a huge market for Greek holidays.

Moves are afoot by the international airlines to develop some sort of vaccine proof system as a requirement for would-be travellers.

US President Joe Biden has asked his officials to investigate the prospect. Surveys show travel-starved citizens  including Irish people  would go with the vaccination passport if it allowed them travel again soon.

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For Lam Van Hoang, a fisherman from Vietnam's Mekong Delta province of An Giang who makes his catches by diving into local waterways, the regions depleting fish populations are too precious to be wasted.

Hoang, the fourth-generation diving fisherman in his family, is known in his hometown of Pho Ba Islet in Long Xuyen City as Ba Hoang, or Hoang the Otter, thanks to the abundant fishing experience he has built up over the years.

Fishy dedication

On a typical working day, the 54-year-old angler spends hours plunging into local waterways with just a diving rope wrapped around his body and an air hose between his teeth.

Hoang begins each fishing session by dragging his chai  a type of fishing net popular in the Mekong Delta  through the water while his wife holds the other end of the hose aboard a sampan and helps him pull the net.

Hoangs father, Ba Lung, is a seasoned diving fisherman credited with being the first on the islet to build an apparatus for diving.

It is also his father that Pho Ba Islet is named for, after the man migrated to the area from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and began to earn his living by diving for fish.

Lam Van Hoang receives tempting offers from traders for his lucky catch, a ca tra dau (Mekong giant catfish), in this supplied photo.

Hoang began accompanying his father on fishing trips when he was just a child, eventually becoming so engaged in the work that he began taking fishing trips of his own.

Nowadays, he is known throughout the region for his unmatched diving skills.

No one can dive as deep as me and bring in as many giant fish as I do, he said.

Hoang is such an adept fishmen that the he can tell with ease which fishing grounds will bring in the biggest fish on any given day.

I can catch giant fish with just two tries. Most of the others can only bring in a small batch after casting their nets 10 more times, he explained.

Pointing to a cast net placed in a corner at his home, Hoang shared that it trapped a ca ho (Giant barb) in the Hau (Back) River five years ago.

I groped for the giant trapped in my net while diving with eyes closed. It was so strong that I thought I was facing a crocodile or a spiky ca tra dau gai [Mekong giant catfish], he recalled.

Hoang managed to pull the 40-kilogram river monster ashore after a strenuous battle and help from three other people. He was able to sell the fish to a nearby restaurant for VND750,000 (US$32) a kilogram.

Hoang and his wife are constantly on the lookout for new fishing grounds in neighboring provinces, including Dong Thap, Long An, Vinh Long and Soc Trang, with many of their trips lasting anywhere from several days to a few months.

Years ago, the couple would cast their nets twice a day, with Hoang diving 20 to 70 meters down for 15 minutes to two hours depending on how highly populated the fishing area was.

During such times, he began to develop a reputation in the community for the massive fish he was bringing in.

On one particular trip to Moc Hoa District in Long An Province, Hoang caught four ca bong lau (Pangasius krempfi, a type of catfish), each of which weighed more than 10kg.

He also caught a 19.5-kilogram ca ngat (Gray eel-catfish) in Soc Trang Province.

According to Hoang, much of his success comes from truly understanding various fishing grounds throughout the Mekong Delta region.

Fish typically build nests in the center of rivers. I usually take a dive and cast a net around the nests and pull them ashore, he shared.

Theres no room for errors, otherwise the schools can slip away.

Hoang added that he uses a special method to distinguish between different kinds of fish while diving with his eyes closed.

Ca suu [Smallscale croaker] and ca coc [Soldier river barb] make distinctive sounds while ca tra [Shutchi catfish] has a long torso and flat head and ca vo [Giant pangasius] has a short torso with a small tail," he said.

"Many dont believe that I know what the fish are until I prove them wrong after hauling in the nets.

The good old days

Now that Hoang is in his mid 50s, he believes the days of diving 100 meters below the surface or hauling in two catches a day are long gone.

A ca ho (Giant barb), which weighed nearly 40 kilograms, got tangled in Lam Van Hoangs net five years ago.

He has seen dwindling catches in recent years due to overfishing and a failure to protect young populations of fish and promote their reproduction.

According to Hoang, his daily income fluctuates greatly depending on his luck.

Ten years ago, fishing was a boon. We usually ended up with big catches and could easily pocket VND10 million [$430] or more each catch.

Now, he is lucky to bring in four or five kilograms each day, earning him just VND200,000-400,000 ($9-17), barely enough for him, his wife, and their two grandchildren to get by.

Despite his passion for fishing, he has asked his two sons not to follow in his footsteps.

My younger son can earn around VND1 million [$43] each day, much more than what we do now, he said.

Hoang added his younger brother, also a professional diving angler, dives for shipwrecks.

Accidents have been few and far between during his decades on the job.

I always dive alongside the opening of the net and rise to the surface immediately if I sense that something is wrong, the man said.

Despite the difficulties of the work, Hoang has no intention of quitting anytime soon.

His wife, 53-year-old Bui Thi Dam, supports his decision to keep going and plans to keep joining her husband on his fishing trips.

Its really hard work, especially for women like me, but well keep trying, she shared.

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A couple who wanted their wedding ceremony entirely in Cornish were devastated after being told it was illegal.

Cornwall Council told Steph Norman and Aaron Willoughby their ceremony must be in English and Cornish.

The council said 'declaratory and contracting words' can only be said in English or Welsh for a legally binding marriage.

Cornwall Council told Steph Norman and Aaron Willoughby their ceremony must be in English and Cornish

The council said 'declaratory and contracting words' can only be said in English or Welsh for a legally binding marriage

What does the law say? The Marriage Act 1949 makes a provision for weddings to be conducted in Welsh but not Cornish. Section 52 says: 'The Registrar General shall furnish to every registrar in Wales and in every place in which the Welsh language is commonly used a true and exact translation into the Welsh language of the [F1declarations and forms of words] required to be used under section forty-four of this Act, and the said translation may be used in any place in which the Welsh language is commonly used in the same manner as is prescribed by the said section forty-four for the use of the [F1declarations and forms of words] in the English language.' Advertisement

Ms Norman said: 'I feel if everyone understands the language, it should be up to them what language they speak.'

The couple contacted the council as part of their search for a registrar who spoke Cornish, only to be told their plans for the ceremony were not legal.

Ms Norman, 32, from St Anne near St Day, then researched the Marriage Act 1949 and found an exception only applied to Welsh speakers.

She said: 'If you fluently speak Welsh then that's perfectly legal, but not Cornish. It feels like we've been a bit discriminated against, because it's not equal across the board.'

The couple have learned a 'good fair bit' of the language as it was 'really important to our culture and our heritage', Ms Norman said.

'We just really wanted an authentic Cornish wedding and part of that would be incorporating the language. So we can a little bit, but not fully,' she added.

Cornwall Council confirmed the 'declaratory and contracting words' of a marriage ceremony must be conducted in English or Welsh to be legally binding.

A spokesman said: 'We try to tailor each ceremony to the couple's wishes and Cornish phrases are often included in our ceremonies.

'Currently we don't have a fluent Cornish speaking registrar but we can accommodate a Cornish translator if one is provided by the couple.'

Cornwall Council estimated in 2015 about 300 to 400 people spoke the language fluently and used it regularly, with around 5,000 more having some conversational ability.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Hague Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that the coronavirus pandemic constituted an emergency sufficient enough to justify the Dutch government's ordering of a curfew without consulting parliament

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2021) The Hague Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that the coronavirus pandemic constituted an emergency sufficient enough to justify the Dutch government's ordering of a curfew without consulting parliament.

The ruling thus overrode the one by The Hague District Court on February 16, which ordered for an immediate lift of the curfew due to its illegitimacy. The district court deemed the curfew violating the freedom of movement and not justified by a valid emergency.

"The court ruled that there exist extraordinary circumstances that justify the introduction of a curfew.

The coronavirus pandemic is a sufficient reason for this," the ruling read.

This verdict might be appealed with the Supreme Court.

The Netherlands issued the 9 p.m. - 4.30 a.m. curfew on January 23, imposing a 95-euro ($115) fine for non-compliance. This triggered mass protests across the country, including in Amsterdam. Rallies in Amersfoort and 's-Hertogenbosch turned violent, while the demonstrations in Rotterdam and Harlem escalated into clashes with the police.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : The private facilities will be able to collect a "service charge" of up to Rs 100 from the beneficiaries to meet the operational expenses they will be incurring during the vaccination drive against Covid-19. This will be in addition to the cost of the vaccines, government sources told IANS on Friday.

The decision was taken at a meeting held on Friday evening after taking inputs from the major private healthcare brands, the sources added.

"Whatever is the cost the vaccine provided to them, they (private facilities) will have a band of Rs 100 to incur the operational cost of the vaccines which includes syringes, needles, manpower etc.," sources told IANS, adding that the government has clarified that the private centres will not be allowed to charge more than Rs 100 (plus cost of the dose) from the beneficiaries.

The sources also added that the vaccines will be provided to the private vaccination centres by the government itself. The private hospitals can also avail vaccines from the public hospitals having cold storage facilities.

Meanwhile, the sources said that deliberations regarding fixing the cost on which the government would provide vaccines to the private healthcare facilities are still on. "It will be decided shortly. The stakeholders will be informed may be by tonight or by the morning," the sources added.

While there is no official word from the government yet, officials said that the rate is being fixed at a reasonable price.

"The government is looking to fix the judicious cost of the vaccines," said Suneela Garg, public health expert and member of the government task force for Covid vaccination.

The sources suggested that a single dose is expected to cost below Rs 600.

The sources also said that one challenge the government is facing is coming to an even price for both the Covid vaccines being used in the vaccination drive.

"Covaxin costs a bit higher, while Covishield is cheaper and more widely available than the former. The government is bothered by the possibility that one vaccine being at a higher price may discourage the beneficiaries from taking it," a senior official said.

However, the beneficiaries will not have a choice over the vaccines.

Gajendra Pal Singh, member of the expert committee on vaccine administration, said, "The private facilities will have to show their intent first. After the approval, they will be able to receive vaccine doses," he said.

He also said that the beneficiaries will not have a choice over the two vaccines. "They will have to take the vaccine as per its availability at the vaccination centre. If a centre has Covaxin, the beneficiary will be provided that vaccine only," he said.

However, the beneficiaries can choose which centre they wish to go to for vaccination in their respective city, Singh added.

Meanwhile, the Centre has formed four mandatory pre-requisites for the private healthcare facilities willing to start vaccination centres: i) They must have adequate space for the vaccination process, as detailed in the comprehensive SOPs issued by the Ministry

ii) They must have basic cold chain equipments for storing the vaccine vials

iii) They must have their own team of vaccinators and staff

iv) They must have adequate facility for management of any AEFI cases

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries will get three modes for registering for the vaccination drive: Advance self-registration through CoWIN 2.0 or Aarogya Setu; walk-in registration at vaccination sites; and facilitated vaccination where the state/UT government will reach out to the beneficiaries through ASHAs, ANMs, Panchayati Raj representatives and women's Self Help Groups (SHGs), as per the information released by the government.

Registration by CoWIN or Aarogya Setu will show the beneficiaries government and private hospitals serving as Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) with date and time of the available schedules. The beneficiary would be able to choose the CVC of his/her choice and book an appointment for vaccination.

The third phase of vaccination against Covid-19 pandemic will begin from March 1 and will cover 27 crore of people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age with comorbidities at 10,000 government and over 20,000 private vaccination centres.

While people will be vaccinated free of cost at the government hospitals, those taking the shots at private hospitals will have to pay.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Two warships operating in the Mideast have been affected by the coronavirus, authorities said Friday, with one already at port in Bahrain and another heading there now.

A dozen troops aboard the USS San Diego, an amphibious transport dock, tested positive for COVID-19, said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The ship is at port in Bahrain.

All positive cases have been isolated on board, and the ship remains in a restricted COVID bubble, Rebarich told The Associated Press.

The port visit and medical support have been coordinated with the host nation government and Bahrain Ministry of Health.

The second ship, the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, has several person under investigation for possible infections, Rebarich said. The ship is expected to pull into port for further testing at a port she declined to name, citing operational security.

The San Diego has a capacity to carry nearly 700 personnel, while the Philippine Sea can carry over 300.

The 5th Fleet patrols the waterways of the Mideast. Its vessels often have tense encounters with Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Gulf through which 20% of all oil traded worldwide passes.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As part of the preparation of Ukraines National Economic Strategy until 2030, the Government has unveiled the main vectors for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Iryna Novikova stated this during the second meeting of the sectoral working group on small and medium-sized enterprises to coordinate international technical assistance, the ministrys press service reports.

"As part of the preparation the National Economic Strategy until 2030, the Economy Ministry and the government have identified the main vectors for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine," said Novikova.

Among these vectors are the development of the business support ecosystem, expanding access to finance, simplification of the regulatory environment and promoting access to new markets.

The deputy economy minister noted that currently the priority task of the ministry is to consolidate the state national infrastructure for business support and development. To this end, the Economy Ministry is planning to take the following steps: launch joint programs with international partners to develop the capacity of business associations; create information, incubation, acceleration centers of business support with a focus on innovation and production activities; introduce the institution of a local business ombudsman in each region.

The development of entrepreneurship for the economy of any country is the basis for the formation of competitive relations, filling the budgets of all levels, raising living standards," said Novikova.

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In a nutshell: The right-to-repair movement has taken some positive steps. Apple and Samsung recently began labeling their devices with repairability scores in France. Granted, this became required as of the first of this year. However, the two companies, which have stood against R2R laws in the past, have not complained about the new rules.

French law now requires electronics manufacturers to post repairability scores for their products. The legislation went into effect on January 1, but companies have until next year before regulators begin imposing fines to enforce the rule. Apple and Samsung have already started displaying the labels on their websites (below) and in stores (bottom).

French media outlet Radio France Internationale notes that manufacturers are allowed to self-report their scores but are bound by strict guidelines. The ratings range from 1-10, with higher scores indicating the device is more readily repairable.

Things like ease of disassembly and availability of repair manuals or replacement parts factor into the scores. MacGeneration lists the five main judging criteria are as follows (translation via Google):

the availability of documentation (for repair, use and maintenance as well as the period during which this information is made available);

disassembly (how easily it is done, how easy it is to access parts, what tools are required, how the parts are fixed in the device);

spare parts (period of availability and delivery times);

the price of spare parts (compared to new);

the available software updates, the offer of remote technical assistance free of charge and the possibility of resetting your device in a software way [sic].

For example, the iPhone 11 ranks a 4.5, while the iPhone 12 scored a solid 6.0. According to the detailed listings that Apple recently added to the French version of its support pages, the newer phones are more repairable because they are easier to take apart and because parts are less expensive.

Although neither Apple nor Samsung have commented on the new law, it is safe to assume that they are probably not happy about having to list repairability scores, especially on products that fall short in that area. Apple has been a vocal opponent of right-to-repair laws in the past, but has begun relaxing its stance more recently. Fortunately, the rules allow device makers easy ways to increase a product's ranking.

For example, Le Monde reports that Samsung published a Galaxy S21 Plus repair guide online to boost its score. Since most companies already use them in-house, online manuals are a practically effortless way for OEMs to improve their products rankings. Making spare parts more readily available is another thing they can do without much hassle.

These seemingly little things are the whole point behind the legislation. Instead of requiring manufacturers to outright allow third-party repairs, which Apple and others have long resisted, lawmakers have forced them to compete in terms of repairability, and they seem to be taking to it without complaint.

Image credit: Vladimka Production

ORLANDO, Fla.  Senator Ted Cruz has decided to own it.

Appearing at the Conservative Political Action Conference, known as CPAC, just days after he was caught fleeing to Mexico for a vacation in the midst of a deadly snowstorm in Texas, Mr. Cruz tried to make light of his lapse in judgment.

I gotta say, Orlando is awesome, he said while opening his speech. Its not as nice as Cancun  but its nice!

Mr. Cruz, a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, had been roundly criticized by prominent Democrats for abandoning his constituents in a time of strife. But here, the moment made for a winning laugh line.

Much of Mr. Cruzs speech went this way, with the Texas senator, his voice at times sounding like a growl, entreating the left and the media to lighten up about many of the issues that have defined America in the past year.
Joe Biden and his press chief have been accused of hypocrisy after old tweets slamming the Trump administration's Middle East air strikes resurfaced following last night's bombing raid on Syria.

The US dropped seven 500-pound precision-guided bombs in a Biden-directed bombardment that reportedly killed 22 Iran-backed militants smuggling weapons at a border crossing with Iraq.

That ferocity has drawn accusations of double standards because Biden previously referred to Donald Trump as 'erratic' and 'impulsive' for threatening to bomb Iran, while press secretary Jen Psaki questioned the legality of attacking Syria.

Four years ago, Psaki tweeted her dismay at Trump-sanctioned air strikes on the very same country which her boss approved a bombing raid on last night.

'What is the legal authority for strikes? Assad is a brutal dictator. But Syria is a sovereign country,' Psaki wrote in April, 2017.

Joe Biden clutches his face mask as he appears at a press conference on Wednesday. The president ordered strikes on the Syria/Iraq border last night despite previous tweets criticizing Trump's 'erratic' foreign policy in the Middle East

A blown apart mobile building is seen in the aftermath of the Biden-approved strikes on pro-Iran militants in Syria last night. The militia are said to have been smuggling arms through Iraq.

The devastated scene after the US strike on Iran-backed militants in eastern Syria last night

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (pictured yesterday) tweeted four years ago to attack the legality of Trump's strikes on Syria, saying: 'Assad is a brutal dictator. But Syria is a sovereign country.'

Hard-left Democrat Ilhar Omar was among those to draw attention to the old tweet

Joe Biden called Trump 'erratic' and 'impulsive' on June 22, 2019, after it was reported that Trump had considered air strikes on Iran following the downing of a US drone by Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz

Hard-left Democrat Ilhan Omar was among those to draw attention to the old tweet, responding with: 'Great question.'

Senator Rand Paul said: 'I condemn meddling in Syria's civil war. I also condemn attacking a sovereign nation without authority. What authority does @POTUS have to strike Syria? Perhaps someone should ask his @PressSec today?'

At the time of Psaki's statement, Trump ordered bombing runs on a Syrian airbase in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack President Bashr Al-Assad carried out on his own people.

Toxic gas, believed to have included the extremely deadly sarin compound, killed at least 89 civilians and injured more than 500.

It was one of the deadliest chemical weapons attacks in the Syrian civil war and the images of children stricken by the gas sickened the world.

Trump's response was tough, launching a barrage of 59 cruise missiles from the Mediterranean, while calling Assad 'a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it.'

He also forcefully confronted Iran and Russia for aligning themselves with 'barbarism and brutality' and said the US and its allies in the strike, France and Britain, are prepared 'to sustain this response' until Assad stops using chemical weapons.

NATO and the European Union were supportive of the strike, as were most of the US media, although some of Trump's right-wing supporters said it was a reversal of his campaign pledge to avoid foreign intervention.

A condemnatory tweet from Biden also resurfaced last night, in which he ripped into Trump's military action towards Iran in June, 2019, which he called 'erratic' and 'impulsive.'

Biden's tweet came the day after it emerged that President Trump had mulled a massive bombing of Iran after Tehran downed a US drone over Strait of Hormuz.

'Trump's erratic, impulsive actions are the last thing we need as Commander-in-Chief. No president should order a military strike without fully understanding the consequences,' Biden wrote.

'We don't need another war in the Middle East, but Trump's actions toward Iran only make that more likely.'

But, in fact, Trump had called off those strikes - against all advice from the top brass - despite his famous words that he was 'cocked and loaded' to unleash hell on Iran.

'We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights (sic) when I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General. 10 minutes before the strike I stopped it,' he said in tweets, 'not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone.'

At the White House a senior administration official said that Trump had overruled all of his advisers and Pentagon chiefs when he called off the strikes.

Those advisors included Iran hawk John Bolton, Trump's national security advisor; Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State who had been seen as more doveish than Bolton; and CIA director Gina Haspel.

The scene after the US dropped seven 500-pound precision-guided bombs in a Biden-directed bombardment on Thursday night

Parts of a destroyed building are pictured in eastern Syria after an American strike which last night reportedly killed 22 pro-Iran militants

Another tweet by Biden from October 2019 reappeared in which he once again referred to then-President Trump as 'erratic' and 'impulsive' over the decision to pull troops out of Syria where they had been supporting Kurdish allies in the fight against ISIS.

A Turkish invasion was launched against Kurdish factions and there were accusations of war crimes, including summary executions. The ensuing conflict would lead to more than 300,000 being displaced.

While vying for the Democratic nomination, Biden told a crowd in Iowa: 'The events of the past week  have had devastating clarity of just how dangerous this president is.'

He claimed the Trump administration had 'abandoned' Kurdish allies in the region and created a vacuum for ISIS to regain lost territory.

Trump was widely criticized at the time, including by Republican Senators like Lindsey Graham, but he defended the decision, saying he didn't want boots on the ground so far from home.

'The United States was supposed to be in Syria for 30 days, that was many years ago,' Trump said. 'We stayed and got deeper and deeper into battle with no aim in sight. When I arrived in Washington, ISIS was running rampant in the area.'

Trump, pictured with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, National security adviser John Bolton, center, and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, on June 2019. Trump later revealed the US had been 'cocked and loaded' to strike Iran before pulling out of retaliatory strikes over the downing of a US drone over the Strait of Hormuz

In June 2019, Biden criticised Trump's foreign policy as 'erratic' and 'impulsive' after the president revealed that he had been 'cocked and loaded' to bomb Iran.

The US staked its foreign policy intentions once again last night, with a Biden-ordered bombardment in eastern Syria on militants trying to ship arms through Iraq.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, after repeated tensions between Iran and the Trump White House over the previous four years which reached a peak following Qassem Soleimani's killing in early 2020.

The strike also appeared to be the first retaliatory move following rocket attacks against US targets in Iran that injured American troops and killed a contractor.

In announcing the strikes, John Kirby, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said: 'This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.'

'The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.'

The US dropped seven 500-pound JDAMs (file image) on seven targets on a crossing used by the militia groups to move weapons across the border

Authorities said the airstrike targeted structures belonging to two Iranian-backed militias in Al Bukamal (depicted)

Pentagon officials said they offered up several larger groups of targets but Biden approved the smallest option.

Pro-Iran attacks against the US in Iraq Western military and diplomatic sites in Iraq have been targeted by dozens of rockets and roadside bombs since late 2019, with both foreign and Iraqi personnel killed. In December 2019, a US contractor was killed in a rocket attack on a base in Kirkuk province, prompting the US to respond with air strikes against Kataeb Hezbollah. Furious pro-Iranian militia men stormed the US embassy in Baghdad following the strikes on Kataeb Hezbollah. Kataeb Hezbollah is an Iran-sponsored Shia Muslim faction which is part of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The PMF was assembled by Iraq to help combat Islamic State but, since defeating the radicals, the PMF has been unwilling to bend to the government in Baghdad. Just days after the storming of the US embassy, top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US rocket strike on January 3. His motorcade was obliterated by a US Reaper drone after he arrived from either Syria or Iraq. Several PMF commanders were also killed in the strike. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's foreign policy and Washington said his travel throughout the Middle East, especially into Iraq and Syria, was inextricably linked to Tehran's anti-American designs. Following the strike, rocket attacks were carried out by pro-Iranian militia on al-Asad, a coalition airbase in the west of Iraq. In March 2020, another rocket attack killed two Americans - a soldier and a contractor - and a British soldier. In October, the US threatened to close its embassy in Baghdad unless the attacks stopped. The Iraqi government facilitated an indefinite truce with hardline groups and the fire had come to a near halt. But there have been violations, the most recent of which had been a spray of rockets targeting the US embassy on December 20. Advertisement

Retaliatory US military strikes have occurred a number of times in the past few years.

The rocket attacks against US positions in Iraq were carried out as Washington and Tehran are looking for a way to return to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by former president Donald Trump.

Biden administration officials condemned the February 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out.

Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted US personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the February 15 attack.

'Right now, we're not able to give you a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks, what groups, and I'm not going to get into the tactical details of every bit of weaponry used here,' Kirby said.

'Let's let the investigations complete and conclude, and then when we have more to say, we will.'

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the February 15 attack.

A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone appeared to target the US Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade.

'I'm confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit,' Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington.

Speaking shortly after the airstrikes, he added: 'We're confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes,' he said referring to the February 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he recommended the action to Biden.

'We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline,' Austin said. 'We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.'

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against US targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of Biden's inauguration, though now Iran is pressing America to return to Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal.

Video shows red hot shrapnel and smoke filling the air after a rocket landed in the middle of a street in Erbil on February 15. As well as the US contractors wounded and the foreign contractor killed, five Iraqi civilians were wounded in the attack

The US under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out the attacks.

Tensions soared after a Washington-directed drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen Qassem Soleimani and powerful Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis last year.

Trump had said the death of a US contractor would be a red line and provoke US escalation in Iraq.

The December 2019 killing of a US civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that brought the country to the brink of a proxy war.

US forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.
Scientists studying Australia and Antarctica have sounded the alarm on collapsing ecosystems, saying urgent action is needed to avert catastrophic biodiversity losses in places like the Great Barrier Reef and Victorian ash forests.

The 38 eminent scientists, from 29 universities and organisations, say they have observed signs of Australian ecosystem decline and collapse all over the country, from tropical savannahs and rainforests to coral reefs, deserts and even Antarctic environments.

Australian scientists say there are 19 ecosystems that are collapsing.

Their stark findings were published on Friday in the journal Global Change Biology.

Their collaboration began when Dr Dana Bergstrom, from the Australian Antarctic Division, documented rapid, widespread plant dieback in the subantarctic tundra of remote Macquarie Island, and wondered if it was happening elsewhere.
A seemingly innocent photo of a patch of green grass is going viral after a snake catcher pointed out that there is a serpent hiding in plain sight.

The image, which was shared on the Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers Facebook page on February 21 has left viewers rubbing their eyes in amazement, unable to spot the camouflaged animal.

The owner of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers Stuart McKenzie told the Daily Mail Australia that this is a very 'hectic time of year' for snake sightings.

The carpet python expertly camouflaged itself leaving viewers bewildered

While some eagle-eyed viewers did see the snake in the bottom right hand corner of the picture many couldn't.

'Umm, am I going blind?' One user commented.

Another said: 'I'm never going outside again.'

A third commented: 'Well I'd get bitten and stand on it as I couldn't see it till I read comments.'

Some viewers were able to identify the snake in the bottom right hand corner

Mr McKenzie said he had accidentally found the snake at a popular release spot he uses. He said, 'we found it while walking in to release another snake.'

The pictured snake was a carpet python photographed in Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast.

Mr McKenzie said despite being harmless it is the most common snake he is called to relocate.

'We also get a lot of red bellies as well,' he added.

Mr McKenzie said that this is a very busy time of year and that it had been 'phone calls galore.'
Altamira names new CEO, Ted Davies retires

Ted Davies six-and-a-half year run as CEO of Altamira Technologies has come to an end with the company announcing his retirement and the appointment of Jane Chappell as the new CEO.

Chappell joins Altamira after three decades at Raytheon, where she rose to the position of vice president of the global intelligence solutions area of the companys intelligence, information and services business. She ran a significant portion of the multi-billion dollar business.

Other responsibilities at Raytheon included leading business development and strategy efforts and developing partnerships. Chappell also is a graduate of Raytheons executive leadership program.

"Janes executive leadership and lifelong commitment to the national security mission will strengthen Altamiras execution of critical customer programs," Altamira board chairman Joe Wright said in a company statement. "She has an incredible track record of success, and her proven abilities and deep appreciation of our customers unique needs make her a perfect match to leverage the incredible talents and capabilities that already exist at Altamira.

Wright also thanked Davies for all of his vision, perseverance and success in building Altamira to the company it is today.

Davies joined Altamira in July 2014 after six years as leader of Unisys Federal. He took the reins just one year after Altamira was formed through the Invertix Corp. and Near Infinity Corp., which were owned by the private equity group Columbia Capital and the venture capital fund Razors Edge Ventures.

In 2019, Columbia and Razor's Edge sold Altamira to an investor group led by Florida-based investment group ClearSky.
Direct intervention is needed from the Government to save the demonised travel industry, according to the leader of the Seanad.

The Government needs to act now to save Aer Lingus, just like other countries have done, according to Senator Regina Doherty.

She said that 280m cash injection to airport authorities does not come close enough to ensure Irish airlines like Aer Lingus and Ryanair survive.

It is time for the Government to make a direct intervention, as many other EU governments have done to ensure the sustainability of their airlines.

Ms Doherty said that Irelands connectivity, prior to the pandemic, took years to establish and that Ryanair is the envy of the world

If we are not careful and do not take immediate action, I do not believe we will have an aviation sector left standing to help Ireland recover when the sector will be needed most, she told the Seanad today.

Ms Doherty also called for antigen testing to be introduced for arrivals on landing.

We must introduce antigen testing on landing to ensure that these essential travellers are safe and that we can build confidence in this sector again.

Otherwise, I fear the demonising of the travel industry will have the same impact as when we demonised the building industry ten years ago, and we can see the ramifications of that both on building and employment in that sector, she added.

Her Fine Gael colleague Senator Paddy Burke echoed her claims, saying that people in the airline industry cannot understand why antigen testing is not being used on all arriving passengers.

The Minister of State must look at the area of antigen testing and the free movement of people. If we do not keep these routes open we will be at a huge disadvantage as an island nation going forward, he said.

Junior Minister at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton said that the Government needs to do our best to ensure that when the time is right our aviation industry will be ready to recover.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : Actor-activist Deep Sidhu, arrested in connection with the Red Fort violence on Republic Day, has moved the court seeking fair and impartial investigation in the case by the agencies, asserting that he did not incite violence, rather helped police to pacify the crowd.

On January 26, protesting farmers had clashed with the police during the tractor rally against three farm laws. During the clash, a section of protesters had entered the Red Fort and hoisted a religious flag. Police arrested Sidhu on February 9 and said that he instigated the violence and was the key conspirator.

Sidhu, through an application moved by his counsel Abhishek Gupta, showed his apprehension about the fair and impartial investigation by the agencies.

He told the court that he was at a hotel in Murthal till 12 p.m. on the day of violence and reached the Red Fort at 2 p.m.

"Huge crowd had already gathered at the spot before the accused reached there," he stated in the application, adding he had asked police to check these claims by obtaining his phone location and data from car navigation system but "agency has chosen not to check it".

The accused further said that the CCTV footage of the Red Fort, already with the investigating agency, shows that he did not participate in violence and rather helped the police in pacifying the crowd. "The accused is apprehensive that the CCTV footage and the video will also not be considered." His counsel told Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gajendra Singh Nagar that he has the power to order registration of FIR and order a proper investigation if he is satisfied that investigation is compromised.

"Media trial has happened, and the story woven around me is that I'm the main person. Every time the investigating agency comes and submits that while seeking custody," he added.

He is facing charges of rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, dacoity, culpable homicide among various other sections of the Indian Penal Code. On February 23, the court sent him to the Tihar Jail for 14 days.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
NCUA headquarters

In 2010 NCUAs regulatory activity reigned unchecked. Even though the economy was on the mend its penchant for shutting down credit unions was unabated. It would ultimately lead to the liquidation of five corporate credit unions in Septemberthe most catastrophic decision in credit union history.

On August 3rd, 2010, six years after founding, Kappa Alpha Psi FCU ($750K, Dallas, Tx) fell under NCUAs knee having been served a surprise order of liquidation and charter revocation.

In the regulatory environment, one might assume this was just another small credit union falling prey to economic circumstances. But then something happened that no other credit union had dared in this situation. The credit union appealed NCUAs action, filing a complaint contesting the order on both factual and constitutional grounds.

KAPFCU requested a temporary restraining order against NCUA: Petitioner fears that before a show cause hearing can be held, the Respondent will complete what has already been threatened, and that is to hastily liquidate assets, expend money, enter or break contracts and disrupt the ongoing operations of the credit union.
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The choice of President Joe Biden to head the CIA was received with bipartisan applause at a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday. William J. Burns is a veteran of decades of skullduggery for American imperialism, in the course of a three-decade career at the State Department.

His 33 years in government, 1981-2014, included the Reagan administration, the first Bush administration, the Clinton administration, the second Bush administration and the bulk of the Obama administration. During those years, the United States military invaded Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria, and US diplomats supervised paramilitary operations in many other countries, including Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ukraine, Georgia, Pakistan and much of Africa.

William Burns is sworn in before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his nomination to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Tom Brenner/Pool via AP)

Burns played major roles in important theaters of conflict, serving three years as the US ambassador to Jordan and five years as US ambassador to Russia. In such posts, particularly, the State Department and the CIA are virtually interchangeable, both in personnel and in function. He was also at key positions in the State Department itself, particularly during the latter part of his career, which culminated in the number two position, deputy secretary of state, under Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.

In this position, Burns played the lead role 2013-2014 in secret talks with Iran, which set the stage for public talks in 2015 that led to the nuclear treaty signed the following year. By that time, Burns had left the State Department to head the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, itself one of the key institutions for the promotion of US foreign policy goals. (Named after its founder, Andrew Carnegie, the robber baron who once controlled the US steel industry, it has branches in Brussels, Moscow, Beirut, Delhi and Beijing, and acts as a reserve force for the State Department).

Despite the Republican denunciations of the Iran deal, none of the Republican senators on the Intelligence Committee made an issue of it during the hearing. Instead, there was fulsome praise for Burns as a veteran of the national-security apparatus who could be relied on by politicians of both parties. The New York Times described the session as far more of a coronation than a confrontational question-and-answer session.

The Republican vice chairman of the committee, Marco Rubio of Florida, praised Burns for his lengthy and distinguished career and said he would regard him as a partner. Roy Blunt of Missouri, chairman of the Republican conference, said he would vote to confirm Burns, in a vote expected next week.

In his prepared remarks to the committee, Burns laid special stress on US policy towards China, saying, If confirmed, four crucial and interrelated priorities will shape my approach to leading CIA: China, technology, people and partnerships. He laid less stress on what he described as an aggressive Russia, a provocative North Korea and a hostile Iran, indicating that these countries did not provide a challenge of the same dimensions as China to the assertion of US interests around the world.

He told the committee an adversarial, predatory Chinese leadership poses our biggest geopolitical test, adding that he would seek to expand the CIAs recruitment of agents fluent in Mandarin. This is not like the competition with the Soviet Union in the Cold War, which was primarily in security and ideological terms, he said. This is an adversary that is extraordinarily ambitious with technology and capable in economic terms as well.

Burns, who speaks Russian, Arabic and French, said that Russia was a declining power, but added, Putins Russia continues to demonstrate that declining powers can be just as disruptive as rising ones and can make use of asymmetrical tools, especially cybertools, to do that.

It is noteworthy that despite the pretense of vast, unbridgeable differences between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, Bidens nominees in the national-security area have received overwhelming bipartisan confirmation. This includes Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (confirmed 93-2), Secretary of State Antony Blinken (confirmed 78-22), UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (confirmed 78-21) and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines (confirmed 84-10). When Burns comes to a vote next week, he may outdo Austin.

The bipartisan support exposes the claims of Biden apologists like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and his pseudo-left supporters, that the president can be pushed to the left by political pressure. In the critical area of foreign policy, where the global interests of American imperialism are at stake, Biden has selected a team that consists largely of warmongers and their apologists.

General Austin, of course, was commander of US forces in Iraq and then head of Centcom, which controls all US forces in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. Both Burns and Thomas-Greenfield were career diplomats who defended the US invasion and conquest of Afghanistan and Iraq for more than a decade. Haines and Blinken were on the National Security Council in the Obama administration, the White House cockpit for launching US wars in Libya and Syria.

Personnel is policy, and Bidens choice of national-security staff demonstrates the priorities of his foreign policy, with US imperialism now shifting its attention from the Middle East to Russia and China.

In his speech, delivered virtually to the Munich Security Conference last week, Biden cited, as though reciting proven facts, Russian recklessness and hacking into computer networks in the United States and across Europe and the world.

Appearing on a Sunday talk show, Bidens National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the response to alleged Russian hacking, will include a mix of tools seen and unseen, and it will not simply be sanctions. The result would be, he threatened, that we will ensure that Russia understands where the United States draws the line on this kind of activity.
BEIRUT, Lebanon  Since President Biden entered the White House, Iranian-backed militants across the Middle East have struck an airport in Saudi Arabia with an exploding drone, and are accused of assassinating a critic in Lebanon and of targeting American military personnel at an airport in northern Iraq, killing a Filipino contractor and wounding six others.

On Thursday, the world got its first glimpse of how Mr. Biden is likely to approach one of the greatest security concerns of American partners in the region: the network of militias that are backed by Iran and committed to subverting the interests of the United States and its allies.

United States officials said that overnight airstrikes ordered by Mr. Biden hit a collection of buildings on the Syrian side of a border crossing with Iraq on Thursday and targeted members of the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and an affiliated group.

A Kataib Hezbollah official said that one of his groups fighters had been killed in the airstrikes. A statement by the group later described the dead fighter as a member of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, a collection of paramilitaries that includes Kataib Hezbollah and is officially part of Iraqi government security forces.

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Australias Bega Cheese has won its long-running legal battle with New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra over the use of the Bega trademark on peanut butter products.

The Supreme Court of Victoria ruled yesterday (25 February) that Bega Cheese is entitled to use the Bega trademark on products outside of a licence agreement with Fonterra without the Kiwi companys consent.

In a statement on the Australian Securities Exchange, on which it is listed, Bega said: In practical terms, this means that while Fonterra has an ongoing licence to use the Bega trademark on natural and processed cheddar cheese, string cheese and butter, Bega Cheese is entitled to use the Bega trademark on products outside of the scope of the licenced products including on peanut butter.

The legal dispute dates back to early 2018 and relates to a deal the previous year in which Bega Cheese acquired a clutch of Australian and New Zealand grocery brands from Mondelez, including the Vegemite, ZoOsh and Bonox brands, as well as other products that use the Kraft brand under licence, such as peanut butter and processed cheese.

Fonterra started legal action against Bega Cheese over the Australian groups moves to rebrand some of these products as Bega.



It claimed that under a deal signed between the two companies in 2011, Fonterra has what it says is an exclusive licence for the Bega brand within Australia.

Fonterra sought an injunction against the use of Bega logo on those items but Bega claimed that was an unreasonable restraint of trade.

The Supreme Court of Victoria agreed.

However, it dismissed a claim by Bega Cheese which had contended Fonterra had breached a contractual obligation to market and promote the Bega brand.

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The court also dismissed another Bega Cheese claim that Fonterra misrepresented Bega by insinuating all cheese in Bega products was made in the Bega Valley in New South Wales.

just-food asked Fonterra for its response to the court ruling.

Rene Dedoncker, managing director of Fonterra Australia, said: Were pleased with the decision that Fonterra will retain the exclusive license for the Bega cheese brand for cheese and butter. Since the 1980s, Fonterra and its predecessor Bonlac have nurtured and built the Bega brand, and supported Bega Cheese Limited to grow and provide good returns back to its farmers, shareholders and community. We will continue to invest in the Bega brand because we believe in it.

Although were disappointed with the decision on the trademark claim, we are confident that we can work together with Bega Cheese Limited to continue to grow the value of the brand.

We will review the judgement in the coming days and consider our options.
Invesco Mutual Fund announces the launch of its new fund Invesco India ESG Equity Fund, (an open ended equity scheme investing in companies following Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) theme).

The fund aims to generate capital appreciation by investing 80 per cent - 100 per cent of the net assets in equity and equity instruments of companies, which are selected based on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria, as defined by our proprietary investment framework. The fund will adopt a bottom-up approach to select stocks.

While the fund will invest the majority of its assets in large cap companies; it will also offer limited exposure of up to 35 per cent to mid and small cap companies1. The fund is benchmarked to the NIFTY 100 Enhanced ESG Index and will be managed by Taher Badshah, who has over 26 years of experience and Amit Nigam, who has over 20 years of experience in the Indian equity markets.

Note - 1The above strategy is based on current views and is subject to change from time to time.

In today's socially conscious society, we expect companies to care about environment, society and have high standards of governance. And as consumers, we exercise our voice through the products and services we consume.

Investors globally consider ESG factors to evaluate where the company has risks because of environment, social and governance issues. For companies today, the risks which originate from environment, social and governance issues are real.

Disregarding ESG values can have a serious impact on the company's operations, profits, and shareholder value. From an investment point of view, it is important to evaluate where the company faces the risk on account of ESG parameters, as ignoring these risks can have far-reaching consequences.

"As a firm, we have been demonstrating our commitment globally to responsible investing by actively encouraging ESG inclusive practices across every area of business. Globally, there is a big difference between being ESG "Aware" and ESG "Inclusive". Our ESG inclusive practices are at the core of our equity investment process, which differentiates us," said Saurabh Nanavati, Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Mutual Fund said, speaking at the launch.

"It is important to analyze a company through the ESG lens. Governments and society are penalizing irresponsible companies. On the other hand, companies with strong ESG proposition are creating value through increased top-line growth, lower costs of production, better financing terms, government support & subsidies, motivated employees and enhanced returns on capital invested, which in turn help investors in long term wealth creation."

"First time investors can embark on their investment journey with this new fund and embrace responsible investing from day one"

Invesco and ESG1

- 32 years journey of sustainable investing

- Managing USD 34.5 bn across 44 ESG funds and segregated mandates globally (managed by our global firm)

- Signatories to the UN sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)

- Lead Investor in Climate Action 100 plus

- ESG advocacy through industry associations and participation in policy efforts

1 The details referred above are of our global firm. Source: Invesco; Data as on 31 December 2020.

The minimum investment amount during the NFO is Rs 1000/- and in multiples of Rs 1/- thereafter. For SIP investments, the minimum application amount is Rs 500/- and in multiples of Rs 1 thereafter.

No exit load will be charged, if upto 10 percent of the units are redeemed/ switched out within 1 year from the date of allotment. If more than 10 percent of the units are redeemed/switched out within 1 year from the date of allotment, exit load of 1 percent will be charged. No exit load will be charged for units redeemed/switched after 1 year from the date of allotment.

The New Fund Offer (NFO) is open for subscription from February 26, 2021, and will close on March 12, 2021.

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Folk dance, Peking Opera and other activities are held to celebrate the Spring Festival as well as the upcoming Lantern Festival at Yuquan District in Hohhot City, north Chinas Inner Mongolia, Feb. 17, 2021. (Photo by Ding Genhou/ Guangming Picture)

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[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
[February 26, 2021] More than 1,650 households in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region now have access to high-speed Internet

QUEBEC, Feb. 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Thanks to a combined investment of close to $2.5 million from the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and Bell, more than 1,650 households in the SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean region, specifically in the communities of L'Anse-Saint-Jean, Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, Saint-Felicien and Saint-Ambroise, now have access to a reliable, powerful high-speed Internet network. These infrastructure projects were carried out as part of a large intergovernmental initiative to provide connectivity to 24,000 households in 58 regions of Quebec. The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, along with Gilles Belanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier of Quebec (high-speed Internet); Andree Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister Responsible for the SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean Region and Member of the National Assembly for Chicoutimi; Francois Tremblay, Member of the National Assembly for Dubuc; Nancy Guillemette, Member of the National Assembly for Roberval; and Charles Gosselin, Director of Government Affairs at Bell, today announced the completion of the projects. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the degree to which the regions rely on the Internet to function every day. Given the constant evolution of technological tools, access to quality high-speed Internet service at an affordable price is essential for everyone, whether it's for working, learning or communicating with loved ones. Quotes "Access to reliable connectivity is key to the success of residents in rural regions of Quebec. The COVID-19 crisis has shown us how important it is to be able to access the digital world. By investing in these projects through the Connect to Innovate program, we are continuing to bridge the digital divide so Quebecers in the regions can also beefit from all the advantages the digital world has to offer. To date, the Government of Canada has invested over $213 million in 54 projects, which will connect up to 250,293 households in Quebec."





"We have an ambitious goal: Our premier has committed to ensuring that all Quebecers have access to Internet service at 50/10 Mbps by autumn 2022. With today's announcement, we now count 1,650 more households with access to effective, reliable, affordable high-speed Internet service. There is still much to do by 2022; we are doubling our efforts and working tirelessly. We hope to be leaders in Canada and a benchmark for the world in terms of connectivity."

 Gilles Belanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier of Quebec (high-speed Internet)

"Bell is pleased to collaborate with the governments of Canada and Quebec to provide high-speed Internet access to residents in a number of communities in the SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean region. The value of fast, reliable broadband network connections for working, learning and playing is evident. Bell is proud to use its network leadership to help transform the way Quebecers communicate with each other and the world."

 Charles Gosselin, Director of Government Affairs, Bell Canada Quick facts The Government of Canada's $585-million Connect to Innovate program aims to improve high-speed Internet services in Canada's rural and remote communities.

Connect to Innovate program aims to improve high-speed Internet services in Canada's rural and remote communities. The Government of Canada has allocated billions of dollars toward Internet infrastructure in rural and remote regions, including through the $1.75-billion Universal Broadband Fund.

Universal Broadband Fund. The goal of the $100-million Quebec branche program (link in French only) is to provide high-speed Internet services to rural areas that are currently underserved or without service. Stay connected Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.

Twitter: @ISED_CA, Facebook: Canadian Innovation, Instagram: @cdninnovation and LinkedIn SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Kenyan MPs Refuse to Sign Kenya-UK Trade Pact

Members of Parliament are accusing unknown officials of "sneaking in" documents that had not been tabled in parliament. They said that until they are fully aware of the details of the Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the UK, they will not ratify the agreement. Some of the annexures missing from the report include custom details of the goods coming from the UK, a joint statement of the parties that signed the agreement and the concept definition of terms of the products originating from the UK. The deal between the two countries provides full duty-free and quota-free market conditions for goods originating from East African Community partner states into the market of the UK on a secure, long-term and predictable basis. Once signed and ratified, Kenyan traders will continue accessing the UK market under a duty-free, quota-free arrangement, in the same way they did when the UK was part of the EU.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Conte and Raul turn down Real Madrid's offer

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

David Loria: Several football clubs interested in Tigran Barseghyan's services

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Turning off one protein may help prevent heart failure, research claims

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

PSG refer to Pochettino's possible resignation

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Cartoon: Kante carries Chelsea to the Champions League

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Experts are testing experimental drug for lupus

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Money decides everything! TOP 5 richest movie characters

Zidane speaks on reasons for leaving Real Madrid

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

Dangerous carcinogen found in 78 sunscreens

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Madonna's son stages fashion show in woman's dress

Tarzan series star dies in US plane crash at 58

Some COVID-19 patients experience up to 84 long-term symptoms

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

Argentina also out as Copa America co-host

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

Armenia national squad hold first training in Croatia

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

Thierry Henry returns to Belgium national team coaching staff

UEFA President to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus: Let all three play the Super League

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Five-time Grammy winner BJ Thomas dies in USA

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Roma offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan a two-year deal

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

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No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

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Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet
NEW MILFORD  AARPs Wish of a Lifetimes Cupid Program, Girl Scouts and students helped to spread a little extra love this Valentines Day to the residents and patients of Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation (CVHR), 30 Park Lane East. Along with homemade Valentines cards, they received long-stemmed roses.

The adorably illustrated and handwritten cards were provided by this years program cosponsor, Girl Scouts of the USA, with the help of local schools across America, and the elegant long stem roses were donated by AARP, as part of its annual Wish of a Lifetimes Cupid Crew program, said Melissa Marici, CHVR community outreach director. The goal is to create intergenerational connections and send messages of care and kindness to help combat the negative effects of social isolation among older adults.
Fine Gael councillor Noel Cribbin has contacted Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, in a bid to confirm the next steps in bringing the North Offaly Green Energy Hub to life.

Cllr Cribbin was instrumental in the plan for the Green Hub to be included in the Programme for Government and developments in recent weeks mean that the time has come for further action to take advantage of the massive investment and job opportunities a Green Energy Hub represents for Edenderry and the entire North Offaly area, according to the councillor.

Cllr Cribbin has participated in a Zoom meeting with representatives from Bord na Mona, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, and Minister Pippa Hackett, along with Orla Martin from the Local Enterprise Office in Offaly CoCo and Niall Kelly of the Cube in Portlaoise, in light of proposals by Bord na Mona for a third windfarm to be located between Edenderry and Rathangan.

At the meeting, Cllr. Cribbin proposed that energy from the proposed windfarm be used for industrial purposes, which would help greatly in driving industry, particularly in the data centre space, into the region. He added that this, combined with the other six windfarms planned for, and Edenderry Power plant, has the potential to generate 1000 MW of Green Electricity - enough green energy to power all of Leinster.

Cllr Cribbin quoted a recent article in the Irish Independent outlining plans by electricity provider, Energia, which is 'currently researching the potential feasibility for the possible location of a sustainably managed Carbon Neutral Data Centre and are in exploratory discussions with An Bord Pleanala.

The article goes on to say that EirGrid, which manages the countrys transmission network, has suggested that future data centre developments should be required to provide their own power generation.

Cllr Cribbin also highlighted the significant savings that would be made by data centre operators by constructing and locating their operations in the Midlands and outside of the capital, while availing of Offalys excellent transport links.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Cllr Cribbin said, "There was a general consensus in relation to the proposal and the decision was made to now involve Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar.

"Ive emailed the Tanaiste and requested that a meeting is arranged with all stakeholders to advance this proposal. The people of Edenderry and North Offaly have had to deal with the consequences of windfarms being built on their doorsteps and now is the time for them to gain some benefit from that, with the much-needed investment and job creation that this opportunity presents."
"The recovery in December and the one that was coming in January have to do with the investment of resources made by the State. The GDP of December 2020 is already higher than that of 2019; that is wonderful because in a short time we have regained the level we used to observe in a normal year," he expressed.





"We have to acknowledge the excellent macroeconomic policy response we put in place last year. Those 20 points of GDP that were invested by the public sector, such as Reactiva Peru , and the sacrifice of the people, who withdrew money from their Service Time Compensation (CTS) and Pension Fund Administrators (AFP), explain the rapid recovery that the Peruvian economy has been experiencing, climbing from a 40% decline in April last year to a 0.5% growth in December," he indicated.









"We must face the second wave; from our own experience, we learned that full lockdowns hurt the economy too much. That is why this quarantine is different, and it is focused on provinces ; the economic activity will be somehow affected, but not as much as in previous months," he indicated.












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Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

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Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Community Colleges for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,187 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 1,187 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Community Colleges. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-community-colleges/

2021 Community Colleges featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Alamo Colleges District

Amarillo College

Barton County Community College

Bladen Community College

Carl Albert State College

Casper College

Central Community College

Central Texas College

Coastline Community College

Cochise College

College of Central Florida

Cuyahoga Community College

De Anza College

Delgado Community College

Flint Hills Technical College

Florida State College, Jacksonville

Foothill College

GateWay Community College

Georgia Southern University

Independence Community College

Inver Hills Community College

Itasca Community College

Kilgore College

Maricopa Community Colleges

Marion Military Institute

Mayland Community College

Mesa Community College

Moraine Valley Community College

Muskegon Community College

New Mexico Military Institute

North Central Kansas Technical College

Northcentral Technical College

Northwest Florida State College

Northwest Iowa Community College

Oakton Community College

Pearl River Community College

Rowan College at Burlington County

Saint Paul College

Santa Barbara City College

Scottsdale Community College

Shoreline Community College

South Mountain Community College

South Puget Sound Community College

St. Cloud Technical Community College

Stanly Community College

Tarrant County College

Utah System of Higher Education

Walla Walla Community College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Western Wyoming Community College

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
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The closed loop that NorthPoint proposes hinges on a yet-to-be-approved bridge over Route 53 at Walter Strawn Drive in Elwood. It is a needed component to make the project  miles away from the existing rails  profitable. The companys rendering of the bridge shows only one semi driving over an artists concept of the bridge. The image is misleading and represents the best reason so many in Will County have joined against the effort. NorthPoints promises of reduced truck traffic because of its development rings just as false as its rendering of the bridge. The bridge lacks necessary land and necessary Interstate Commerce Commission approvals.
Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, has urged the media to lead the campaign to get every Ghanaian to take the covid-19 vaccines.



He said the vaccination exercise, which starts on March 2 this year, was safe and effective in reducing the rate of hospitalization and deaths associated with the coronavirus pandemic.



Addressing journalists in Kumasi to get their support for the vaccination exercise, Dr Tenkorang said the media had a critical role to play in encouraging people to participate in the vaccination exercise to help reduce the spread of the virus and its negative impacts on the life of the people.



He said the Ashanti Region was expecting about two million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was manufactured in India, to administer to the people.



Dr Tenkorang said the first batch of vaccines would be administered in 14 districts, including the Kumasi metropolis and the municipalities in the Greater Kumasi area.



Frontline health workers, including nurses, doctors and laboratory technicians as well as people with chronic diseases, officers from the various security agencies, persons above sixty years and others, would be the first to receive the doses.



They would be followed by teachers, students, members of the media and others, according to the plan drawn by the Ghana Health Service.



Dr Tenkorang said the Ashanti Region currently had a total of 14,263 confirmed cases of covid-19 with 192 deaths; active cases stood at 438, while 13,633 have recovered from the disease.



He said there was a lot of misconception about the covid-19 vaccine and it was important for the media to let the people understand that this was not the first time the country had undertaken vaccination exercises to prevent the spread of diseases.



Dr Tenkorang said the same processes used for various vaccination exercises would be deployed for the covid-19 exercise.



He said the only challenge that could pose danger to the covid-19 vaccination would be the decision by most Ghanaians not to partake in the exercise.



Dr Tenkorang said national identification cards, including the National Identification Card, passport or voters ID cards, would be required during the vaccination exercise to help gather the data of people who took part in the exercise.



This would help generate certificates of vaccination, which could be a requirement for people who would want to travel to other countries.



Dr Tenkorang stressed that pregnant women, children and lactating mothers would not be part of the vaccination exercise.



He said vaccination centres would be created in communities for people to go there and get vaccinated.



Dr Tenkorang appealed to Ghanaians to discard the negative misconceptions on the vaccine and get immunized to protect themselves and their families.

Source: GNA









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This article first appeared on the Boston Business Journals website.

The Baker administration has suspended a program that would allow Massachusetts businesses to vaccinate their workers on-site for Covid-19, citing supply constraints.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services issued a memorandum instructing the business community to hold off on efforts to set up employer-based vaccination clinics. Administration officials had previously encouraged businesses to begin making plans to vaccinate their own employees.

At this time, we do not receive sufficient vaccine supply from the Federal Government to support an employer-based vaccine program, the agency said.

For now, the state plans to focus on larger vaccination sites available to all residents until the supply of Covid-19 vaccines increases dramatically, according to the memorandum. The programs suspension was first reported by The Boston Globe.

Right now, a fraction of workers are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine by virtue of their profession. Health care workers were among the first Massachusetts residents eligible for the vaccinations. Employees in nursing homes and affordable senior housing facilities, as well as first responders, can also get the shots.

However, that will change once the administration advances to the next stage of vaccination, making the third group in Phase 2 eligible for the shots. That group includes workers in a wide range of industries, including those at biotechnology firms, retailers, restaurants, grocery stores and other food-related businesses. The administration has previously said those workers are expected to become eligible for a vaccination in February or March.

Employers of all kinds had started applying to the state to vaccinate their workers. Top administration officials have been meeting with business groups in recent weeks to outline what employers would need to do to host on-site clinics, whether they wanted to administer the vaccine themselves or bring in a pharmacy or other health care provider to handle the shots.

Boston-based North Coast Seafoods is among the businesses seeking to vaccinate its employees. The family-owned seafood provider has about 600 employees at locations in the Seaport District, New Bedford and Chatham. As a member of the food sector, its employees would be eligible in Phase 2s third group.

North Coast has been working with a third-party health care provider to test employees for Covid-19, and that provider said it could vaccinate North Coast workers on-site with the states approval, said Megan Pileggi, a business development consultant at North Coast. Pileggi said she was disappointed by the move.

Im concerned about employees having enough time just to find a place to get vaccinated, she said, adding that many of them speak English as a second language and rely on public transit to get around, making it difficult to get to the mass vaccination sites.

Gov. Charlie Baker has come under intense criticism for the states vaccine distribution efforts, especially after its vaccination-appointment website crashed last week. He has consistently pointed to the limited supply received by the state each week from the federal government as a chief reason for delays in the rollout.

Officials reiterated that stance in the memo to employers. Massachusetts only receives 139,000 first doses of vaccine on a weekly basis from the federal government, the memo said. That weekly allotment is far less than the supply the Commonwealth had expected to receive based on initial federal projections.

The state health agency acknowledged that some businesses had already taken steps to vaccinate workers.

We hope that as the vaccine supply increases, we will be able to continue to discuss employer sponsored clinics for employees who are eligible to receive vaccinations, the memo said. We regret the necessity of taking this step at this time.
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By Damali Campbell Oparaji

Black History Month is the perfect time for us to renew our pledge to provide accessible health care for all. As a Black, female physician who has dealt with discrimination at most every turn in my life, I truly understand the battle that women of color face in looking to receive quality, affordable, and accessible reproductive healthcare. And the best way to support access to reproductive care right now in New Jersey is to support the Reproductive Freedom Act (S3030/A4848).

Planned Parenthood is here to serve patients of all races, religions, gender identities and citizenship statuses with excellent care, respect and compassion. Addressing underlying causes of inequalities is a top priority for Planned Parenthoods board members and healthcare staff, as we know health equity is not achieved without addressing racial equity.

Due to centuries of systemic racism and classism, it is often those who need care the most who lack access to it  and unfortunately, that means Black and Latinx communities, communities with low income, and immigrant communities. As reproductive justice activist LaTasha D. Mayes pointed out in Time, Black women live disproportionately in states hostile to abortion rights, are less likely to have health insurance, more likely to be denied coverage for abortion, and often struggle to afford the birth control that best meets their needs.

As you can see, even when legal rights exist, barriers to abortion care remain that are financial and logistic. Lack of coverage, funds, and accessible providers keeps reproductive care out of reach for too many. But Planned Parenthood is committed to expanding access and providing necessary care regardless of financial need. As our reproductive justice partners teach us, the ability to decide when and whether to have a child is an essential component of reproductive freedom.

Please join us in the fight to make healthcare accessible and the fight for reproductive justice for all by supporting the Reproductive Freedom Act, a bill introduced in both houses of the state Legislature. The legislation would protect and expand access to time-sensitive pregnancy-related care, including prenatal services, birth control, and abortion, in three main ways:

By confirming the rights guaranteed in Roe v. Wade in state statute;

By fully funding state programs for pregnant people and requiring insurers to cover safe, legal abortion care and birth control, removing financial barriers that hurt New Jerseyans health and

By eliminating outdated and medically unnecessary regulations that only block access to care.

Desmond Tutu notes, When you are silent in the face of oppression you, are choosing the side of the oppressor. I promise that Planned Parenthood and our many supporters will not remain silent.

Damali Campbell Oparaji MD, FACOG, FASAM is a community member, physician, and Board Member at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey.

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No matter your taste in beaches, Europe obliges, says Lonely Planet.

Its latest list of the continent's top beaches certainly proves the point, ranging from Arctic escapes to sandy coves squirreled away in Sicily and Sardinia.

And theres an Irish inclusion too  at No.18 on the list, Achill Islands Keem Bay is described as a gloriously remote treasure on the Wild Atlantic Way.

A precipitous coastal drive fires the appetite for proper wilderness  and here you have it, author Kerry Christiani writes in the post.

Bearing the brunt of stormy seas and the fickle whims of the Irish weather, this half-moon bay of golden sand spreads at the foot of steep cliffs and grassy slopes.

Topping the list is Haukland beach on Norways Lofoten Islands, followed by Cala Goloritze in Sardinia and West Beach on Scotlands Outer Hebrides. Plage de Palombaggia in Corsica and Platja Illetes in Spains Formentera round out its take on Europes Top 5.

Barafundle Bay in Wales, Praia da Arrifana in Portugal, Cala Macarella in Menorca, Navagio (or Shipwreck Beach') on the Greek island of Zakynthos and Mallorcas Platja de Coll Baix complete the Top 10.

Keem Bay is a Signature Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way, renowned for its beauty and wildlife including seasonal basking sharks, which have been filmed returning to the bay years after fishermen in currachs contributed to a drastic reduction in their numbers.

For several years, Mayo County Council has planned to develop the bay as a tourist attraction, including with a skywalk, skeleton sculpture, watchtower restoration and pedestrian trails.

Summer traffic challenges are an issue, the Council noted in tender documents advertised this year, and a sensitive and sustainable" development could address this, while increasing visitor dwell time at the site and delivering economic and social benefits to the local community.

Expand Close Keem Bay. Photo: John Joyce / Facebook

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The plans have proved controversial, however, with almost 10,000 people having signed up to a Change.org petition aiming to save the bay.

The petitions organisers say the plan is a disastrous idea that would threaten the very reason that Keem is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Lonely Planets latest citation for Ireland follows its selection of the Burren Ecotourism Network as one of the Top 30 travel experiences in the world for 2021.

You can find the full Top 20 beaches online here.
ROME - The US carried out an airstrike Thursday night on an Iran-linked armed group in Syria.



The airstrike was the first of its kind since the Biden administration took office in January and targeted facilities used by these armed groups.



It came after three separate rocket attacks on bases housing US forces in Iraq and aimed to impair the militia's ability to conduct similar attacks in the future. It was conducted at a time designed to result in minimum casualties, US media quoting officials as saying.



At least one Iraqi national was reported dead: a man who was part of the Kataib Hezbollah militia named Said Rahi Al-Sharifi.



The attack was near the city of Albu Kamal in Syria's eastern Deir al-Zor region along the Iraqi border.



Iran-linked militias have been operating in the area for years.



The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claimed that 22 Iraqi fighters had been killed and that: " The death toll is expected to rise further as the attack left several militiamen injured, some seriously. There are unconfirmed reports of more casualties."
Good morning.

Health Canada has given the go-ahead for AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine. It is the third COVID-19 vaccine Ottawa has approved.

The warmer-than-usual weather continues today, but with snow and rain. There is a 60 per cent chance of snow all weekend and on Monday, too.

The provinces spring thaw outlook report, states the risk of a major spring high-water event remains low in most areas.

Movie theatres are allowed to reopen in Quebec today, but they cant sell food. There are no plans to reopen cinemas in Manitoba under proposed loosening of pandemic restrictions announced Thursday.

 Adam Treusch, assignment editor
The chilling 999 call made by a murderer who was jailed for life after strangling his wife-to-be, wrapping her body in clingfilm and ordering a pizza has been released.

Madog Rowlands, 23, waited 35 hours before calling emergency services after murdering 21-year-old call centre worker Lauren Griffiths.

Rowlands went shopping and ordered takeaways before trying to set up a Netflix account while Lauren lay dead next to him at their home in Cathays, Cardiff.

In a recording of the 999 call, he can be heard saying: 'I've killed my fiancee by mistake.' The operator then asks: 'Are you the patient?', to which he responds 'yes'.

Rowlands then says: 'She's dead because I've killed her. I have strangled her. I killed Lauren by accident. We got into a fight.'

He also told the operator that he had taken LSD and MDMA before the fatal attack on Lauren in April 2019.

Judge Daniel Williams jailed Rowlands for life with a minimum term of 18 years before he can be considered for parole. He has spent 485 days on remand in custody.

Madog Rowlands, 23, waited 35 hours before calling emergency services after murdering 21-year-old call centre worker Lauren Griffiths (both pictured above)

Rowlands seen on police bodycam in footage that shows him being arrested in his flat in Cardiff, Wales, in April 2019 after murdering his fiancee

Judge Daniel Williams jailed Rowlands, above, for life with a minimum term of 18 years before he can be considered for parole. He has spent 485 days on remand in custody

Footage taken by police bodycam of Rowlands' arrest at his flat has also been released, alongside images showing writing on the wall inside his home.

The notes appear to read: 'Now that I have killed her, this will be my plan, to keep her sexy from the outside, I'll wrap her in plastic'.

Police found the messages when they arrived at the home along with a prepared statement Rowlands used when he reported his harrowing crime.

In the video of his arrest, Rowlands nods while an officer says: 'Obviously, what's happened has happened. The ambulance staff told us what happened, okay?'

The constable then goes on to tell him he is being arrested on suspicion of murder, saying: 'I will record and I will write down, alright?', to which Rowlands replies 'yes'.

Rowlands told the police he had a fight with Lauren and claimed he lost consciousness while defending himself from his fiancee.

He had carried out internet searches for 'six steps to getting the best result in court', 'how to show remorse' and 'credit for a guilty plea'.

Rowlands had also claimed he strangled his fiancee 'by mistake' when she suffered a psychotic episode.

In a statement to police he said: 'I had no intention to harm, kill, or hurt Lauren. We were deeply in love. I was trying to defend her from herself and had to defend myself.'

But a jury heard Rowlands had tried to strangle 'sweet and bubbly' Lauren a year earlier after persuading her to enter a suicide pact.

Notes written on the wall inside Rowland's flat, pictured above. Police found the messages written on the walls when they arrived at the flat along with a prepared statement Rowlands used when he reported his harrowing crime

Images released by the CPS show the messages on the wall, appearing to read: 'Now that I have killed her, this will be my plan, to keep her sexy from the outside, I'll wrap her in plastic'

Notes made by Rowlands before his arrest in Cardiff, South Wales, appearing to read: 'I have tried to kill myself and have taken too much LSD and MDMA'

The drugs found by police in the flat where Rowlands was living in Cardiff. Rowlands told the 999 operator he had taken LSD and MDMA before the fatal attack

Lauren, from Oswestry, Shropshire, suffered from a dissociative disorder which made her 'terribly vulnerable', the court was told.

Rowlands, of Wrexham, North Wales, was found guilty of murder at Newport Crown Court last December.

The judge told Rowlands: 'Your friends spoke of you as a sullen and self-obsessed manipulator.

'I am satisfied that you pressurised and persuaded Lauren into making a suicide pact which would have ended your financial worries and would bring an end to her painful battle with mental illness.

'But Lauren had changed her mind - she saw a brighter future and told you she wanted to part in the pact which you had lured her into.

'This led to an argument and you assaulted her in the flat which the two of you shared. Police were called but Lauren forgave you - forgiving an abusive partner was in her nature.'

The judge said by April 2019 the pair were in a low mood and Rowland's thoughts of killing Lauren 'resurfaced' at a time when she saw hope in her life and did not want it to end.

Lauren seen shopping with Rowlands in a Lidl store in Maindy Road, Cardiff, in a CCTV image. Rowlands was found guilty of murder at Newport Crown Court last December

Rowlands (circled) seen on CCTV leaving the flat he was living in. He went shopping and ordered takeaways before trying to set up a Netflix account while Lauren lay dead next to him

Rowlands (circled) seen on CCTV on Salisbury Road in Cathays, Cardiff. Rowlands told police he had a fight with Lauren and claimed he lost consciousness while defending himself

He said: 'You had thoughts of murdering Lauren for well over a year.

'You gave her no chance and decided to carry on your long-held and intermittent desire to kill her. You put your hands around her throat and strangled her to death.

'What you did for the 35 hours after you murdered Lauren defies belief. You ordered drugs to be delivered, paid for by cash taken from your account and Lauren's.

'You ordered a sandwich home delivery which you ate in the bedroom sitting on the mattress next to Lauren's body.

'You then wrapped her in clingfilm and bin bags and bound her ankles with Sellotape.'

The judge said Lauren was 'always smiling, kind and couldn't do enough for others' despite her tough start in life.

Lauren pictured with Rowlands. Lauren's mother, Alison Turner, said in a victim impact statement: 'She was a quirky and fun-loving character - Lauren is missed every day'

The judge said Lauren (pictured above) was 'always smiling, kind and couldn't do enough for others'. He told Rowlands: 'She saw a brighter future and told you she wanted to part in the pact which you had lured her into'

Lauren's mother Alison Turner said in a victim impact statement: 'She was a quirky and fun-loving character - Lauren is missed every day.

'All we have left is the precious memories of someone we loved dearly.'

The sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Lauren's father Jason Griffiths was left with PTSD and suffers a recurring nightmare of his daughter's murder.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Millie Davies said: 'Expert medical evidence was placed before the jury showing that Rowlands would not have been able to strangle his girlfriend if he'd lost consciousness, and therefore would have been aware of what he was doing.

'His actions were deliberate, and the jury's verdict reflects that.

'A young woman tragically lost her life at the hands of her partner. Our thoughts are with her friends and family and we hope they can find some comfort in the knowledge that the person responsible will face the consequences of his actions.'
Jaipur: Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country, the Rajasthan government has tightened restrictions for travellers arriving from Maharashtra and Kerala. The state government has made it mandatory for travellers from these states to produce a negative COVID-19 test report upon their arrival in the state.

"Travellers from Maharashtra and Kerala to Rajasthan should provide negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours on their arrival," read the statement by the government.

On February 24, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) deputed high-level multi-disciplinary teams to Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir for supporting them in public health measures for targeted COVID response and management.

According to the official release, the three-member multidisciplinary teams will work closely with the states and UT administration and ascertain the reasons for the recent surge in the number of COVID19 cases.

They will also coordinate with health authorities of the states and UT for requisite COVID19 control measures to break the chain of transmission. The Union Health Ministry has advised states and UTs for regular critical review of the emerging situation with concerned district officials to ensure that gains made so far in COVID management are not lost.

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Texans are in recovery mode following the deadly freeze that gripped the state last week and Senator Ted Cruz is already cracking jokes about his controversial trip to Cancun amid the crisis.

Cruz joined speakers like former President Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. in Orlando at the Conservative Political Action Conference, hosted by the American Conservative Union, on Friday. Cruz was on stage to discuss "Bill of Rights, Liberty and Cancel Culture," according to the morning's agenda.

RELATED: Burning bed frames for warmth, living on pistachios  Texans share painful storm survival stories to hold leaders accountable

Calls for Cruz's resignation were amplified in January following his role in leading a group of lawmakers objecting the certification of electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania. The day ended in a Pro-Trump mob breaching the U.S. Capitol. The riot left five dead and forced congressional members into hiding. The ire grew last week, as Texans froze in their home and learned Cruz hopped a plane to Cancun. He later blamed the trip to Mexico on his daughters wanting to getaway for the weekend. Cruz returned to controversy in the U.S. later that day after the news broke.

He used the conservative platform to joke about the jaunt Friday, according to Washington Post reporter Dave Weigel.

"Ted Cruz, owning it: 'Orlando is AWESOME! It's not as nice as Cancun, but it's nice,'" the senator said, according to Weigel's tweets.

Cruz, who has taken a liking to comparing the political climate to movies lately, used the opportunity to insert a "Star Wars" reference and further support Texas native Gina Carano. Carano, who played Rebel Alliance soldier Cara Dune on Disney+'s "The Mandalorian," was fired earlier this month after many online pushed for LucasFilm to #FireGinaCarano after she published a now-deleted social media post likening the Holocaust to the current political climate.

RELATED: This TikTok Mashes 'Wandavision' and Ted Cruz's Cancun trip in the best way

"'This is the rebel alliance,' says Cruz. 'Vader and the emperor - and let's be clear, they're not your father - are terrified of the rebels that are here. And I'm telling ya, Gina Carano stands with us,'" Weigel's dispatch of the conversation said.

The Recount, a website focused on politics, shared video of the moment Cruz cracked his joke. It was met with laughter from the audience.

More than 80 deaths have been associated to the storm, but an official tally may take months to confirm.

Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @maddyskye
Lynas chief executive Amanda Lacaze says global trends towards electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronics are driving rare earth prices and underpinned a massive rise in profit for the group despite COVID-related challenges in Malaysia.

The miner on Friday reported a net profit of $40.6 million, up from $3.9 million in the prior first half after increasing sales by 12 per cent to $202.5 million while capping costs at $150.8 million.

The result meant Lynas was one of the few stocks on the ASX to stay in positive territory on Friday up 5.6 per cent to close at $5.98.

Global megatrends like electric cars and wind turbines are starting to underpin rare earth pricing, says Lynas chief executive Amanda Lacaze. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Ms Lacaze said the rising demand for trend items such as e-vehicles, wind turbines and electronics devices is underpinning rare earth prices rather than market speculation. The price trends have more to do with market fundamentals, she told analysts and investors on a conference call following the result.
(Newser)  President Biden ordered an airstrike in Syria on Thursday, after recent rocket attacks launched on US forces in Iraq. The target was a structure thought to be used for smuggling weapons by two Shia militias backed by Iran, CNN reports. The goal of the US attack was to hurt the militias' capability of carrying out any more attacks, per Politico, though the site, in the eastern Syrian town of Al Bukamal, has not been tied to the rocket attacks. The Defense Department had not publicly blamed any Iran-backed militias. Last week, per ABC, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the US "reserves the right to respond in the time and manner of our choosing."

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The Pentagon said the strikes were specifically in response to an attack in Iraq that killed a civilian contractor and wounded a service member, per the AP. A Pentagon spokesman called the airstrike a "proportionate military response." It was the first military action taken since Biden took office. "The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel," John Kirby said. "At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq." The airstrikes, which took place about 6pm ET, successfully "destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups," Kirby added. Attacks by Shiite militia groups against US targets in Iraq decreased in the months before Biden became president. (Read more airstrikes stories.)
ICE

EV

Owning an electric vehicle has many benefits, but recharging their battery packs can be a hassle, especially if you live in an area where the infrastructure isnt well developed.Even if this isnt the case and you own a newer model, fully recharging it still takes more time than refueling a conventional-powered model, so you still have to spend time in a parking lot, time you could spend at home, with your family.To solve this problem, many companies have developed home chargers that you can buy and install at home, so many that choosing the right one can become an arduous process.Before we look at some of them, you should be aware that there are mainly two types of chargers, hardwired or plug-in. Both require an electrician to correctly set up, but the first is more mobile. It can be plugged into a specific socket, so you can move it easily. Hardwired chargers are mounted in a fixed position and need to be rewired if moved.Once you decide what type of charger you want, its important to consider the amperage. The higher it is, the faster it will charge. Sure, charging speed also depends on yours electrical system but even if your current car cant take full advantage of it, get a charger with at least 30 amps. Youre going to buy a newer vehicle eventually, and it will be able to make the most of the charger.The name might ring a bell since ChargePoint offers one of the largest networks of EV charging stations in both North America and Europe.They also developed the Home Flex, a WiFi-enabled home charger capable of delivering 50 amps. It is available in either hardwired or plug-in versions, with the latter offering customers a choice between a NEMA 14-50 or a NEMA 6-50 socket.Both versions come with a 23-foot (7-meter) cable and, like the JuiceBox, offers a companion app that is compatible with Amazon Alexa . On the official website, the price for the Home Flex is $699.If you want a high-quality product, look no further. From windshield wipers, brake pads, or rotors to washing machines, refrigerators, or impact drills, Bosch has manufactured them all and has made a name for itself in terms of reliability and quality.The EV600 is a 40-amp charger that offers easy installation and a compact, premium-quality box. It features thermal monitoring, comes in generous cord lengths, and can be either hardwired or plugged into a NEMA 6-50 outlet. Its built to exceed NEMA 3R standards, meaning that it can endure all weather conditions, enabling owners to install it outside.On Boschs official website, its priced at $695 with an 18-ft (5.5-m) cable and $895 with a 25-ft (7.6-m) one. Both cables are equipped with a standard J1772 connector and benefit from a 3-year warranty.The high-power, 40-amp JuiceBox comes with a cool feature called JuiceNet. That is a smartphone app useful for receiving notifications, scheduling, or energy metering. The app is also fully compatible with Amazon Echo and Alexa, meaning that the charger can be voice-controlled.Like the Bosch EV600, it can be mounted inside or outside thanks to its durable aluminum casing and can either be hardwired or plugged into a 14-50R outlet.Built in the U.S., it comes with a 24-ft (7.3 m) cable fitted with the industry-standard J1772 connector and can be purchased for about $600.A great choice for the value, this simple yet powerful 40-amp charger is built to withstand rough conditions. It has a water- and fire-resistant aluminum case and can be easily fitted outside.The Grizzle-E Classic is a plug-in unit and comes with either a NEMA 6-50 or NEMA 14-50 outlet. Customers can also choose between a standard or a premium cable, the latter being able to remain flexible even in extremely low temperatures.The charger costs around $400, and the premium cable comes for an extra $20. For another $20, you can get a 24-ft (7.3-m) cable instead of the standard 18-feet version.This is the cheapest option available, but it comes from a premium German manufacturer so you shouldnt worry about quality.This is a basic 30-amp charger that can be either hardwired or plugged into NEMA 6-50 outlet and comes with a standard 20-ft (6-m) cable. Like the other chargers, it can also be fitted outside, and Siemens states that it can withstand temperatures ranging from -22F to 122F (-30C to +50 C).Although less powerful than the other options, the VersiCharge 30GRYU can get the job done, charging any current EV overnight. If youre on a tight budget, it can be yours for about $390.
Pennsylvania movie theaters ditch mask mandate

Three chain movie theaters have announced that masks are no longer mandatory for moviegoers who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
The United States carried out an airstrike against buildings used by Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria late on Thursday night in retaliation for recent rocket attacks on US and coalition military sites in Iraq.

The strikes destroyed several facilities at a border control point used by Iran-backed militias Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said. An Iraqi member of a Kataib Hezbollah-affiliated militia was killed, the group announced in a statement.

Speaking to reporters accompanying him in California on Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed confidence that the US strikes hit the same Shiite militia that carried out the recent attacks in Iraq. Austin also credited an Iraqi-led investigation into the recent attacks with helping determine the target. We know what we hit, he said.

Iraqs defense ministry sought to distance itself from the US retaliation on Friday, denying that it had shared intelligence related to the airstrike.

President Joe Biden authorized the strike in response to rocket barrages in recent weeks that targeted Erbil air base in Iraqs Kurdistan Region, the Green Zone in Baghdad and Balad air base some 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of the capital.

The Erbil attack killed a Filipino contractor for the US military and wounded nine others, including a member of the US military. Another contractor  one working for an American defense company called Sallyport  was injured when at least four rockets struck the Balad air base, home to Iraqs F-16 fleet.

Kirby said Thursday's airstrikes were carried out in consultation with US-led coalition partners and in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq.

The strike came just hours after Biden spoke with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud by phone. The Gulf kingdom has been also been hit with a spate of projectile attacks claimed by both known and suspected Iran-linked groups in the region. Biden also spoke with Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Tuesday. The two leaders "agreed that those responsible for such attacks must be fully held to account," according to a White House statement.

The decision to strike in Syria instead of Iraq was likely to avoid causing issues for the Iraqi government, said Mick Mulroy, the Pentagons former top policy official for the Middle East, fellow at the Middle East Institute and ABC News analyst.

The strike risks retaliation from Iran-backed groups in the region, a consequence that could potentially complicate the Biden administrations goal of reentering the 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran.

Biden adminsitration officials avoided immediately attributing blame for the recent attacks in Iraq, deferring to a local investigation by Iraqi authorities before saying the United States would hold Iran accountable for the actions of armed groups that Tehran supports in the region.

Iran's government denied involvement in the Erbil strike, but the head of all US military forces in the Middle East, Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie, cautioned on Wednesday that it was very dangerous for Iranian leaders to assume plausible deniability for such attacks.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister of Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government Masrour Barzani announced that the investigation had identified those responsible for the Erbil rocket barrage, but declined to publicly name them.

Previous rocket strikes on US and international coalition positions in Iraq have been carried out with similar Iranian-made weapons as those used in the recent attacks. Previous incidents have also been claimed by suspected front groups for powerful Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias whose leaders have continued to call for the withdrawal of the 2,500 American forces remaining in the country in the aftermath of the multinational ground war against the Islamic State (IS).

A rocket fusillade on an air base near Kirkuk in 2019 brought the United States and Iran to the brink of conflict after an American citizen was killed, leading to a chain of events that culminated in former President Donald Trump ordering Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani killed in a drone strike in Baghdad early last year.

A US official familiar with operations in the region told Al-Monitor that Thursdays airstrike was designed to avoid significant casualties. The Syria-Iraq border area near the towns of Albukamal and al-Qaim is regularly transited by Iran-backed militias moving personnel and weapons into Syria. The United States and Israel have closely coordinated to inhibit that activity, fearing the implications of the free flow of Iranian-backed fighters and weapons westward toward the Mediterranean.

US aircraft have penetrated Russian-controlled airspace to strike IS targets on the western side of the Euphrates River in Syrias eastern desert before, according to a former US official. But Iran-backed targets typically fall under the focus of Israel's air force.

Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria, including against the country's own air defenses. The United States began aiding Israels secretive air campaign following a request in 2018, sharing intelligence and allowing Israeli fighter jets to use US air corridors along the Jordan-Syria border and via airspace over al-Tanf outpost.

Last month, Israel launched an unusually bold string of airstrikes against Iran-backed militia facilities across eastern Syria. The strikes came after then-outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly discussed the operation with Israels intelligence chief Yossi Cohen in Washington.
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Afghanistan's first all-female flight on Kam Air. Josh Cahill

Afghanistan's Kam Air says it performed the first all-female crewed flight in the country's history.

The Boeing 737-500 flew from Kabul to Herat with two female pilots and four female cabin crew.

YouTuber Josh Cahill was onboard to capture the flight as part of an International Women's Day documentary.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

A routine 90-minute flight in Afghanistan just made history.

The country's only private airline, Kam Air, is celebrating its first flight with an all-female crew, which it says is the first in the South Asian country's history.

Kam Air's first female Afghan pilot, 22-year-old Mohadese Mirzaee, joined Captain Veronica Borysova in piloting the Boeing 737 from the capital city of Kabul to Herat in western Afghanistan on Wednesday. And while they were at work in the cockpit, four female cabin crew serviced passengers for the routine 350-nautical mile flight while it journeyed across the country.

Josh Cahill, a leading airline reviewer and travel YouTuber, was invited onboard the flight to document the endeavor during a recent trip to the Middle East and South Asia. Aside from the flight's historic nature, Cahill said the flight was as smooth running as any that he's in his extensive global journeys, telling Insider that the flight crew consisted of "highly trained pilots."

Kam Air pilots preparing for the flight from Kabul to Herat. Josh Cahill

"The crew has been very professional, just as you would expect from any other airline around the world," Cahill told Insider. "I have joined a few crews at the flight deck around the globe and I couldn't notice any difference."

The historic flight was kept largely under wraps, besides inviting Cahill, as is the norm in the country. Airlines typically do not miss the opportunity to spread the word about their accomplishments but Afghanistan's heightened security discourages high-profile events.

"For security and safety purposes, gatherings or celebrations aren't very common in Afghanistan," Cahill said.

Story continues

South Asian and Middle Eastern countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran are a constant source of fascination for aviation enthusiasts like Cahill as their airlines boast some of the most unique and oldest aircraft still flying.

The 23-year-old Boeing 737-500 performing the flight was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in 1998, according to Planespotters.net, and delivered to Kam Air in April. It isn't the oldest aircraft in Afghanistan but the type has long been retired by US airlines.

Cahill is no stranger to the country and has witnessed Kam Air's development first-hand over the years.

"I have been frequently visiting Afghanistan for the past 6 years and it is nice to see how Kam Air is developing given the difficult circumstances," Cahill said. The airline had recently lost nine staff members in a 2018 Taliban attack at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.

Kam Air is currently banned from European Union airspace but plans to start flights to Frankfurt, Germany soon, citing its certification under the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit as a step towards being taken off of the Union's blacklist.

YouTuber Josh Cahill with Kam Air's first all-female flight crew. Josh Cahill

Cahill frequently travels the globe as part of his job to review the latest airline products but doesn't encounter female pilots all that often, let alone all-female flight crews, something he hopes will change as the industry progresses.

"Unfortunately, it is still rather rare to see female pilots around the world, especially in male-dominated societies such as the Middle East, but I really hope that my documentary on Kam Air will change this and inspire more women to join our industry," Cahill said, having flown on the world's best and worst airlines during his travels in the furthest reaches of the world from America to Afghanistan.

Cahill's documentary on the flight will air on International Women's Day on March 8.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A judge has approved a 9,000 damages settlement offered to a teenager who was pulled back into a Tesco store and wrongly accused of not paying for a can of Coca Cola.

Barrister Maeve Cox told Judge John OConnor in the Circuit Civil Court today that 15-year-old Luke Wall had also been falsely imprisoned in a small room while security checked CCTV coverage of the alleged theft on December 30, 2018.

Ms Cox, who appeared with John OLeary Solicitors, said that despite the boy having insisted he had paid for the beverage at the self-service checkout in Tesco, The Square, Tallaght, he had been grabbed by the arm and pulled back into the store.

She said he had been kept in a small room with another security guard while the CCTV had been checked and it had been established he had paid for the item.

Judge OConnor heard that Luke, of Brookview Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24 had been subjected to an embarrassing ordeal as a result of defamatory statements having been made against him in front of a friend and a number of other customers in the store.

Luke, through his father Patrick Wall, had sued Tesco Ireland Ltd and security company OCS, One Complete Solution, Unit 38 Airways Industrial Estate, Swords Road, Santry,Dublin, for damages for defamation and false imprisonment.

Ms Cox told the court that when Luke had told his father in the car park about the incident his dad had gone into Tesco and had asked the security man for his name but he had refused to identify himself.

She said the security man involved in the incident had said to Luke: Come back in here, you didnt pay for that item, grabbed him and then pulled him back into Tesco. Five minutes later the guard had said to him: I see you did pay for the item. Im sorry I didnt check the CCTV first, the court heard.

Judge OConnor, approving the 9,000 settlement, said he considered the offer to be reasonable in the circumstances. The boys legal team was also awarded Circuit Court costs.




by Francis Khoo Thwe

Myanmars civil society goes on strike: doctors, health staff, teachers, students, bank employees, private sector workers, railway employees, dockworkers. According to the UN rapporteur on Myanmar, three-quarters of state employees are on strike. The junta could be dragged down by economic collapse. Police carry out night arrests, detain protesters. Catholic nuns and Buddhist monks support protesters. A Japanese journalist is arrested. Indonesian minister calls for respect the wishes of the people of Myanmar.

Yangon (AsiaNews)  Many public servants are on strike against the military junta that seized power in a coup, even at risk of losing their salary and jobs, or going to jail.

Doctors and health personnel went on strike on 1 February, when the junta took power and arrested democratic leaders. They were followed by teachers and students, bank employees, private sector employees, railway workers, dockworkers. At present, many hospitals are deserted, trains are idle at stations, and many government offices remain closed.

General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the new junta, has threatened health staff, but admitted that two-thirds of hospitals are not operating.

According to the UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, three quarters of state employees are on strike; a local channel reported that the strike affects all 24 ministries of the new government.

In addition to the lack of services for the population, the strike has delayed payments, transactions, production, foreign relations, pushing the country towards economic collapse, at a time when it is already reeling from COVID-19.

The paralysis of the state machine is increasing the generals anxiety as they issue daily warnings against state employees to return to work if they want to avoid legal action.

To break the resistance, every night police raid neighbourhoods, with arrest warrants for pro-democratic leaders and protest organisers. So far, some 600 people have been arrested and imprisoned.

In the past, during the 1988 protest movement, resistance was mainly concentrated in universities; in 2007, Buddhist monasteries played the leading role. This time, opposition to the military is more widespread and encompasses all sectors of society.

Last night, around 3 am, when police moved in to arrest some young people in a Yangon neighbourhood, residents tried to stop them and even some nuns began arguing with soldiers, asking them to not to do any harm, to listen the voice of the people, be loving and compassion, and work for the truth.

This morning, at least 50 police officers in riot gear, with shields and sticks, broke up a crowd of about a thousand people near a shopping mall in Yangon, the country's economic capital.

A few shots were fired into the air to intimidate, while the group chanted, and shouted slogans against the dictatorship. At least two people were arrested. One of them, Yuki Kitazumi, is a Japanese journalist. Police deny beating him and said he would be released after he signed a statement.

Protests also took place in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, with Buddhist nuns carrying placards reading Pray for Myanmar, or We reject the military coup.

A Buddhist group held a prayer meeting in Yangon, in front of the home of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest in Naypyidaw since the first day of the coup.

Meanwhile, diplomatic activity among members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is also a member, is increasing.

In recent days, ASEAN leaders have gone from silence, to avoid meddling in the internal affairs of another country, to calling for new elections, in tune with the junta's agenda. However, Myanmars economic inertia caused by public sector strikes, is driving these countries to seek new approaches.

In a statement to Reuters, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi today noted that The inclusive democratic transition should be pursued according to the wishes of the Myanmar people.

In a previous statement, Reuters cited Retno suggesting that inclusive democracy implied fresh elections, thus stripping Aung San Suu Kyi's party of the victory it secured in last Novembers election.

Now ,Indonesia is very concerned about the situation in Myanmar and supports the Myanmar people. The well-being and security of the Myanmar people is the number one priority, Retno said.


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New Delhi, Feb 26 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reached Gujarat's Surat city on Friday to participate in a roadshow organised by the state party unit.

Scores of AAP leaders and workers welcomed Kejriwal at Surat airport. An AAP leader in Gujarat told IANS that from the airport the Delhi Chief Minister went to a government guest house.

"He met party leaders and workers and congratulated those who won municipal elections. A series of meetings are scheduled for today as every parry worker is enthusiastic and wants to meet him. He also reviewed the party's plans for the upcoming panchayat elections that will take place on February 28. A meeting is also scheduled to discuss strategies regarding preparations for state Assembly elections," said the AAP leader.

The AAP's thanksgiving roadshow for their win in the municipal elections will start in Surat at 3.30 p.m.

Kejriwal visited the state after the party's good showing in its maiden municipal corporation elections in Gujarat where it won 27 seats on Tuesday. The AAP will now pitch for 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats in the polls on February 28. The party will also gear up for the Gujarat Assembly polls scheduled to take place next year.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
(Natural News) Millions of Texans were without power for two straight days after a historically cold winter strained the states electricity grid, triggering a public health emergency in the countrys second-most populous state.

The power outages earlier this week prompted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to open an inquiry into the incident. The agency said it would investigate along with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), an international regulatory authority based in Atlanta, Georgia.

At a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 18, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott placed the blame for the outages squarely on the states power grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Abbot argued the council has not been reliable for the past 48 hours. The Republican governor has called for a reform of the council and declared it a top priority for state legislators in the current session. This would allow the Legislature to approve bills on the topic during the first 60 days of the session, which began on Jan. 12.

Abbot said reviewing the preparations and decisions by ERCOT would help them get a full picture of the cause of the problem. Doing so would also allow authorities to develop long-term solutions, he added.

On the other hand, a group of congressmen from North Texas sent ERCOT a letter on Wednesday. They asked the council to explain what it has done the weeks prior to prepare for the power outages.

NBC5 Investigates reported that ERCOT officials had reassured authorities less than a week before the winter storm struck Texas that the states power plants can withstand the elements. But the massive power outages that occurred have now raised questions about how such a failure of the states power grid could happen.

Abbot said that power has been restored to two million homes since Wednesday. However, some 325,000 still remain without power, mainly because of downed power lines. Abbot is now asking President Joe Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for Texas as officials continue to deal with a power and water crisis.

Additionally, Abbot has issued an order stopping natural gas produced in Texas from being shipped out of the state. The order, which is in effect until Feb. 21, requires producers that normally ship out of Texas to sell that natural gas to Texas power generators instead.

ERCOT under fire as anger sweeps Texas

ERCOT is a nonprofit that manages 90 percent of the power grid Texas uses. It came under fire on Tuesday as top state officials expressed frustration over its handling of the long-lasting power outages.

ERCOT officials said Tuesday that they could not estimate when the outages would end. More people could be left without power as well as they work to balance supply and demand to the states power grid.

ERCOT President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Magness said that they were aiming to avoid a shutdown of the grid while they were working on restoring power to residents. He added that a shutdown might last for an indeterminate amount of time.

But despite the supposed threat of a shutdown, Magness seemed to be pleased with how ERCOT was working to restore power. I think we see really good signs of progress even though we have much work to do.

But authorities and residents alike would beg to differ. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who woke up to one million people still without power in his city on Wednesday, said he knows people are frustrated. So am I.

Magness insists that the council did not underestimate the seriousness of the winter storm and that they, like the rest of the state, took many steps to prepare beforehand. (Related: 10 Practical tips that will help you survive a long-term disaster without electricity.)

The severe winter weather also threatens to overwhelm power grids in other states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and New Mexico.

The weather has also sent water service providers scrambling to manage their supplies, with some states now experiencing a water crisis as well on top of the power outages.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Wednesday that some states will face serious delays in receiving their doses of the coronavirus vaccines because of the outages and dangerous road conditions.

Go to Power.news for more articles with updates on the ongoing power crisis in Texas.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NBCDFW.com

TexasTribune.org

TheGuardian.com

Insider.com
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the "government has no business to be in business", India Inc on Thursday said privatisation except in strategic sectors would unleash exciting opportunities, boost investments in infrastructure and create jobs. However, the industry called for an effective implementation of road map towards privatisation and asset monetisation, cautioning that regulatory and legal hurdles should not derail the process.

FICCI President Uday Shankar said senior government functionaries and other officials responsible for the execution of the programme would adopt a highly cautious approach in case they are not insulated from the outcome of their bona fide decisions. "Wisdom gained in hindsight should not be used to question the judgement of the decision-takers and such officers should be offered protection for their action done in good faith," he said.

The FICCI president emphasised that the quality of the asset is as important as the credibility of the process. In addition to being fair and transparent, the process should have smooth sailing and adhere to projected timelines, Shankar said. He also stressed that asset valuation is contextual and price discovery through an objective and transparent manner should be acceptable.

Modi on Wednesday said the government has no business to be in business and his administration is committed to privatising all public sector undertakings (PSUs) barring the bare minimum in four strategic sectors. He also said the Centre's policy is to either monetise or modernise public sector enterprises, with the intent that the government has "no business to be in business".

"The prime minister has conveyed his message loud and clear that the focus of the government would be on the welfare of people and not in running business enterprises. "His statement that the government has no business to be in business leaves no doubt in the mind of the policy makers," Assocham Secretary General Deepak Sood said.

He expressed confidence that the strong messaging from the prime minister would lead to the desired results. In the process of privatisation, except in strategic areas, India would see unleashing of a tremendous growth potential, required to meet aspirations of our people and taking us towards the USD 5-trillion mark, Sood said.

Speaking at a webinar on privatisation by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Modi had said the Budget has given a clear road map to take India to a high growth trajectory. Fiscal support to sick PSUs puts burden on the economy, and public sector units should not be run just because of legacy, the prime minister said. He added that many PSUs are loss-making and supported by taxpayers' money.

The government has many under-utilised and unutilised assets, and 100 assets would be monetised to garner Ra 2.5 lakh crore, Modi added. The FICCI president also highlighted the importance of the design of the auction. He said it should not be a non-starter nor should it lead to an extensive competition which may impair implementation.

While revenue maximisation is the desired objective, larger good in terms of making the resource available to the public should over-ride everything else, Shankar said. In the case of the reverse auction, a bidding war can lead to the winner's curse, making the whole deal unviable. There should be some degree of rationality in the design of the auction, he added.

Shankar observed that advisers should be appointed through careful consideration and should have an international presence and network. Appointing the lowest bidder does not always ensure effective discharge of responsibility. Undoubtedly, there are questions on the capability of the lowest bidder. There is a need to qualitatively qualify the advisers, the FICCI president said.

CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said, "The prime minister has given a strong statement that the government has no business to be in business, which is a morale booster shot for entrepreneurs. His words reflect a mindset change in the government that its responsibility is to fully support businesses and enterprises, and the agenda of disinvestment, privatization and monetisation of assets that he has unleashed strengthens the confidence of industry."

He added that privatisation would contribute significantly towards improving competency within enterprises and would build resource efficiency among units. "The mantra of 'monetise or modernise' is a powerful statement for better utilisation of resources with global best practices."

Global and domestic perceptions about India would get a further fillip and so would the environment for doing business in the country, Banerjee said. "CII warmly welcomes this statement of intent and commitment from the Prime Minister."

Also read: Patanjali criticises IMA for seeking explanation from Harsh Vardhan over Coronil
The push by Democrats to force the President's Nuclear Authority was questioned by Republicans. Allegedly, Democrats demand that the structure be changed to fit their agenda of controlling even the White House.

A reaction to the Democrats by three Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee called on Biden not to do as they say. It comes as DEMS want to alter how nuclear authority is defined incredibly. They want the president to give in to their demands.

Democrats get wayward

Since the DEMS came into power, they have made changes like the Capitol fence, which has been under fire. According to Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), and Mike Turner (R-Ohio), the House Armed Services Committee, had things to say about the audacious request, reported the Epoch Times.

They criticized what they call the DEMs' dangerous and misguided efforts to change the nuclear command and control process that is dangerous to compromise. Republicans scoured the Democrats for trying to change the protocol, which keeps American and its allies safer. One example of a severe breach is Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), an Axios report that said he was compromised by a spy named Christine Fang.

Removing the Commander-in-Chief's sole nuclear authority would undermine our security and the security of our allies, and would be cheered by our enemies.



We can never take steps that would tie our hands and make us less safe.https://t.co/CsNvZ9J2Ta  Rep. Liz Cheney (@RepLizCheney) February 26, 2021

Republicans said that Democrats were making proposals that were not well advised, that wasn't geared for the American people's welfare. This proposal is a dangerous precedent that will open an attack on the nuclear balance. If that is not enough, Democrats will make the US allies not trust America's nuclear umbrella. Furthermore, all these changes by the DEMS to the President's Nuclear Authority open questions, why are they so keen on it.

Also read: Schumer Callously Mocks Texas over Energy Crisis, Says They Ignored Climate Change

Republicans went further and said that it undermines Biden's authority to decide as the United States' leader. Next, the GOP members asked if their demand was for the benefit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the Trump administration, the interests of America were first, unlike what the democrats are doing.

Democrats want America to stumble

One of the implied intents of the Democrats' demands is that they are against American security in the face of their adversaries. The statement said that the American president should be able to issue commands to deter enemies from attacking. No bureaucratic impediments or policies should hinder the White House's option that will disadvantage them.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) calls the Democrats' letter weird, and the Democrats should respect that Biden is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. DEMS have no prerogative to change procedures that have served the US government.

Lee questions what the Democrats want by getting the nuclear codes and what their end game is. He added that a DEMS-led committee in Congress does not follow the constitution is a bad idea. Citing the January 6 incident happened with the DEMS in charge. They are saying that the Democrats cannot be trusted in such matters.

Two DEMS from California, Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) first argued that the commander in chief and the president are a risk to national security. Next, they laid out arguments that 30 other DEMs agreed, but the GOP has challenged their assertions. The President's Nuclear Authority is part of the chief executive's responsibility, which is a given.

Related article: Biden Officials Including John Kerry, ex-Obama Officials, Undermine then President Trump on Iran Policy

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A nursing home worker in Daegu receives a COVID-19 inoculation at a public health center in the southeastern city, Friday, when the nation started its coronavirus vaccination program. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



People who have received COVID-19 vaccines can get a government-issued certificate confirming their vaccination status, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Friday, the same day the nation started its vaccination program.



The government will provide the certificate at its website gov.kr, or the state vaccination website nip.kdca.go.kr. As most of the vaccines  AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax  require two shots, except for the Johnson & Johnson product requiring one, the issuance will be available after receiving the second shot.



The certificate will show the person's name, birthdate, address and gender, as well as when and where the person received the shots and which product they were. The information will be written in both Korean and English.



If a person received only the first shot and is waiting for the second one, they will get a "confirmation document" showing they had the first jab and when they can get the second one. This is also aimed to ensure everyone gets the same product for the second shot as the first one.



But the certificate doesn't provide the holders any benefits in quarantine regulations, such as allowing them not to wear face masks, unlike Israel's "green pass" which permits inoculated people to enter public facilities. So vaccinated people here still have to abide by quarantine rules, according to the KDCA.



Instead, health authorities are considering exempting vaccinated people from having to self-quarantine after coming into contact with confirmed patients.



The KDCA is also pushing to issue the certificates in digital form to prevent forgery.





First batch of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Korea [PHOTOS] First day of Korea's mass vaccination drive [PHOTOS] Korea begins mass vaccination On Friday, some 5,000 healthcare workers and patients aged under 65 at 5,803 long-term care facilities across the country began receiving AstraZeneca's vaccines.



They are part of the first group to be inoculated by March, counting 289,480 people at such facilities, under the government's goal to attain herd immunity by November.



The KDCA did not designate a specific person to get the "nation's first" vaccine shot, so each local government had its own first.



President Moon Jae-in visited a public health center in Mapo District, Seoul, to observe the vaccination process and to encourage the public to actively participate in the inoculation program.



Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines are unloaded from a Korean Air plane at Incheon Airport, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Meanwhile, the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech arrived at Incheon Airport on Friday.



The 117,000 doses came through the COVAX facility, separately from 13 million doses that the government has purchased directly from the company.



These were transported using cold-chain facilities as they have to be stored in an ultra-low temperature, and were distributed to five hospitals in major cities.



A group of about 300 medical workers taking care of COVID-19 patients in the capital area will start receiving the Pfizer shots Saturday.



In the meantime, the country added 406 new virus cases for Thursday, including 382 local infections, raising the total caseload to 88,922.




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Mobster Peter Gotti (pictured in 2002), has died while serving a federal prison sentence, a person familiar with the matter said

Mobster Peter Gotti, the brother of notorious Gambino crime boss John Gotti, has died while serving a federal prison sentence, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.

Gotti, 81, died of natural causes while incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, said the person, who could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Gotti was sentenced to a 25-year term for his conviction in 2004 on racketeering and other charges alleging he took command of the Gambinos after his brother was locked up.

Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano testified against Gotti, which ultimately landed him in prison.

It was previously reported that Gotti had placed a $70,000 bounty Gravano's head after he helped authorities bring down his brother John in 1991 in exchange for a plea deal.

Gotti was already serving a separate sentence when he was convicted in 2004.

Upon hearing the news of Gotti's death, Gravano told Newsday: 'It is the closing of the Gotti era.'

'I don't like to hear about anybody dying in prison,' Gravano added.

He had sought an early release in late December, citing his poor health and his rejection of the gangster life, in an effort to avoid dying in prison. Gotti served more than 17 years behind bars, authorities said.

Peter Gotti in his mugshot from 1990. The former mob boss died on Thursday night

Gotti, who is the brother of notorious Gambino crime boss John Gotti (left and right, with Peter), died of natural causes while incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina

'We are truly afraid he is dying now, he feels he is,' his attorney James Craven wrote in court papers in 2019.

'As his lawyer, I am afraid this will all become moot soon if nothing is done.'

According to the New York Post, Craven also claimed that even 'Stevie Wonder could see' Gotti was not dangerous and had fully rejected his former life.

Peter Gotti as a young mobster

Peter's shift in attitude is a marked difference from his brothers John and Gene - the former would deny being part of any crime and the latter was released last year after spending 29 years in prison for dealing heroin and refused to leave prison even a day earlier than his sentence.

His nephew Junior, who is John's son, publicly denied being a part of the mob in 2005.

Peter Gotti had been sick for some time, suffering from thyroid problems, and was blind in one eye, said Lewis Kasman, a former mobster and close confidant of John Gotti.

According to New York Daily News, Peter suffered from glaucoma which earlier in his life had earned him the derogatory nickname One Eye.

He also allegedly had another nickname, 'The Dumbest Don', stemming from John's belief that Peter didn't have the ability for the mafia.

'My client was considered a dope by his own brother!' defense lawyer Joe Bondy famously said in his opening argument.

The Gambinos were the most powerful of the five families of the New York City mafia and worth an estimated $500 million a year.

Kasman recalled Peter Gotti as a 'regular knockaround guy who didn't let his title go to his head'.

His kindness, however, made him ill-suited to lead the Gambino crime family, Kasman said.

'He was trying to do his brother's bidding and he had a tough task,' he said. 'A lot of the captains were very upset with him because he wasn't a strong boss. The Lucchese family walked all over him.'

Pictured, lawyer Bruce Cutler, mobster Peter Gotti and John Miller

Peter Gotti (left) had been sick for some time, suffering from thyroid problems, and was blind in one eye, said Lewis Kasman, a former mobster and close confidant of John Gotti (center in 1986)

Kasman recalled Peter Gotti (left in 1986 with his brother John, center) as a 'regular knockaround guy who didn't let his title go to his head'

Peter Gotti worked as a sanitation worker and collected a disability pension until taking over as acting Gambino boss in 1997 and as boss in 2001.

He retired from the sanitation job with a disability pension after injuring his head against the back end of a garbage truck after a fall in 1979.

Bruce Mouw, the former FBI agent who ran the investigation that ultimately led to Gotti's arrest, said that while working for his brother, Gotti mainly collected the money.

'He got made in 1986,' Mouw told Newsday Thursday night. 'Peter was a loyal soldier and very loyal captain. His main job was to collect the money.'

'He was a good captain but as far as a boss he was a disaster and the family went down hill,' Mouw added.

John Gotti became the head of the Gambino family in 1985 after engineering the assassination of former boss Paul Castellano, Mouw said.

John, who was known as both the 'Dapper Don' because of his expensive suits and silvery swept-back hair, and the 'Teflon Don' after a series of acquittals, was serving a life term for racketeering and murder when he died of cancer in 2002.

He had received a life sentence in 1992 for racketering and related offenses.

Peter was indicted on his own federal racketeering charges just days before his younger brother's death.

Peter Gotti's climb from santitation worker to mob boss

Born in the Bronx in October 1939, Peter was one of 13 children and grew up in East New York in Brooklyn.

While John, who was just a year younger, emerged as the family leader, brothers Gene Richard and Vincent were also involved in the famil business.

Peter started working for the family aged 21 but didn't become a 'made made' until the mid 1980s.

In the early days of his mob career, he worked as a sanitation worker - as his father did - and his pension from the job was still listed as his form of income when he was arrested.

Peter kept the job from 1969 until 1979 when he had the accident.

Peter Gotti (left) and John Gotti pictured in January 1990

Peter Gotti, John Gotti, Jackie 'The Nose' D'Amico entering court in February 1990

He was made capo in 1989 and was made caretaker of Bergin Hunt and Fish Club and a designated driver for John and Gene. The Club was where John held court and where Peter would later take the reins.

The New York Times reported Peter and Junior carried out John's wishes as he relayed them from prison after 1992 with Peter acting my himself after Junior also went to prison in 1999.

Peter is said to have formally succeeded his brother after his death in June 2002.

When Peter was hit with his own charges in 2003, New York Magazine reports that he received little legal or financial support to fight the case, which appeared to indicate the lack of respect that the rest of the crime family had for him.

'When Pete offered me the consigliere job in 1998, I turned him down,' mobster Mickey Scars testified.

'I didnt think he had the qualifications [to be a boss]. Good skipper [capo], but the [bigger] management skills werent there.'

During his trial, Peter's ten-year affair with girlfriend Margie Alexander was also revealed and his wife Catherine sued him for divorce.

Alexander had written a plea to the judge to beg for mercy on charges linked to the attempts to kill Gravano which also threw Peter into a rage.

She later killed herself after her relationship with Peter ended.

The charhes of racketeering brought against Peter in 2003 centered on the Brooklyn and Staten Island waterfronts and including charges of extorting money from actor Steven Segal.

It was reported in 2011 that Domenico Cefalu had formally replaced Gotti as boss of the Gambino family.

'The Dumbest Don': Peter Gotti's strained relationship with his younger brother John

Mob boss John Gotti (pictured above) was known for his flashy suits

Peter Gotti's ascension to mob boss came as a surprise to some given his own younger brother John's believe that he was no fit to be in the mafia, never mind lead a crime family.

'He's not only an unlikely gangster, he's an unlikely boss,' mob expert Jerry Capeci told the New York Daily News as he was announced as the new leader in June 2002.

'He would have never made the grade if not for his brother John.'

Capeci added that Peter rode on his brother's coat tails for years without having to make his 'bones' by committing a murder.

Peter was said to have none of the flair his younger brother had, opting for a less formal jacaket and pants even at his arraigment, while John was known for his flashy suits.

He could be recognized for his custom-tailored $1,000 suits and a diamond pinkie ring.

The Daily News reported that before his arrest, he had lived in a modest home in Howard Beach in Queens which then had an estimated cost of $383,000.

Gene had initially seemed the brother who would rise to the top after John.

When John became boss, Gene was promoted to captain and took over the crew that his brother had formery led for a decade in Ozone Park, Queens, the New York Times reported.

Gene's rise was also tied to John's success but he appeared to command more respect compared to Peter despite the ties.

'Without John, he wouldn't be a capo,' Lieutenant Remo Franceschini told the Times in 1988, 'but he is not resented, and on the streets he is a respected guy.'

Yet Gene's own convictions paved the way for Peter to become the unlikely successor.

As U.S. states brace for massive revenue shortfalls due to the pandemic, several are looking for ways to curb the budget deficits, including increasing taxes for the wealthy.

The majority of states are now holding their first full legislative sessions since the pandemic started and the very first issue to deal with is balancing the budget for this fiscal year and writing next years budget.

State revenue collections across the country plummeted as commerce slowed down to curb the spread of COVID-19. Even though some expected shortfalls as high as 20%, state revenues fell 1.6% in fiscal year 2020 and were 3.4% lower than projected before the pandemic

According to some analysts, estimates are that state and local revenue losses will total about $300 billion through fiscal year 2022.

In full panic mode, some governors are proposing various budget-cutting and revenue-increasing measures, while they await federal aid.

The Biden Administrations $1.9 trillion relief plan, the American Rescue Plan, would send hundreds of billions of dollars to state and local governments. The deadline for the final passage of the rescue plan is mid-March.

According to an estimate from Moodys Analytics, even with federal aid, states are still facing $56 billion in spending cuts or revenue increases to balance their budgets.

In Arizona, authorities have already enacted a 3.5% surcharge on earnings above $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for married couples filing jointly to raise revenue for public schools and other educational institutions.

In Connecticut, authorities have proposed raising the income tax rate to 8.8% on individuals with a yearly income of over $500,000 and 12.6% on individuals that earn over $1 million a year.

Connecticuts proposal is modeled on New Jerseys millionaires tax, which imposes a 10.75% tax rate on those earning more than $1 million per year.

In order to fill in a projected $1.28-billion gap in the next two-year budget, Minnesota governor Tim Walz has proposed a new state income tax bracket for couples earning $1,000,000 a year. Still, only 21,000 households would have an average tax increase of $8,072 per return under this proposal. Governor Walz has also proposed 4% tax hikes on capital gains and corporations.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf proposed an income tax increase from 3.07%, to 4.49%. However, he said only the top one-third of earners would pay more.

Still, the proposed tax increases, if they get approved, will be enacted at different times in different states.

Opponents of the wealth taxes, particularly in New York, say the plan could backfire and drive away wealthy people who already contribute significant amounts to the states tax coffers. Other states with lower taxes could be the direct beneficiaries, with the move potentially leading to a change in demographics.

By Fred Dunkley for Safehaven.com

Germans shun AstraZeneca vaccine

Early January, many in Germany complained about the severe shortage of vaccines. A month-and-half later, Germans are complaining that they aren't getting the shot they want. Across the country, health workers and many others are refusing to sign up for the AstraZeneca jab, saying its the secondary option. Instead, Germans are preferring the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNtech. As a result, two weeks after the first delivery of 1.45 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Germany, only 270,986 have been administered, according to data collected by the health officals. Read here

Let's look at the global statistics Global infections: 113,025,730 Global deaths: 2,507,803 Nations with most cases: US (28,413,374), India (11,063,491), Brazil (10,390,461), United Kingdom (4,166,727), Russia (4,164,802). Source: John Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center

Covid impact: Thai Airways posts worst-ever $4.7 bn loss

With the pandemic having devastated the aviation sector, Thai Airways posted its worst ever results in 2020. The carrier's loss grew 12-fold to $4.7 billion, from the previous year (2019). The company's total operating revenue plunged as much as 74 per cent during the period under review. It carried 76 per cent fewer passengers and 72 per cent less cargo by volume last year. The record loss led to the fall of shareholder's equity to negative levels. As a result, trading in the company was suspended on on the Stock Exchange of Thailand from Thursday morning. Read here

Vanuatu vaccine rollout to take until end of 2023

Vanuatu, an island nation in the pacific, will take two years from now to inoculate its population, despite bagging heavy losses due to tourism shutdown, a direct consequence of the pandemic. A country of 307,000 people, the government budget figures for the vaccine rollout forecast about 60,000 people being inoculated in 2021, just under 97,000 in 2022, and 161,000 in 2023. According to the health authorities, the first shots will be administered in April this year, but only the most vulnerable 20 per cent of the population will get a jab in the first phase. Read here

Goldman Sachs' boss wants bankers back to their desks asap

The chief executive of Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, wants bankers at their office desks as soon as possible, saying the work from home syndrome is just an 'aberration' that must be corrected. While the bank operated successfully throughout the Covid crisis with less than 10 per cent of its 34,000 global staff working in the banks offices, the CEO dashed the hopes of any Goldman staff hoping to split their time between their homes and offices in the future. He said the work from home or hybrid working culture did not represent a new normal for the firm. Read here

New Delhi, Feb 26 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against 11 terrorists of Al Qaeda, who were planning to execute terror attacks in several parts of the country.

An NIA Spokesperson said the agency had filed the chargesheet in a Special NIA court here against 11 members of Al Qaeda from West Bengal and Kerala -- Murshid Hasan aka Sofiq, Mosaraf Hoseen, Mainul Mandal, Lea Yean Ahmed aka Leion, Najmus Sakib, Iyakub Biswas, Samim Ansari, Abu Sufian, Atiur Rahman, Al Mamun Kamal, Abdul Momin Mandal under several sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Arms Act.

The NIA had registered a case based on information about an Al Qaeda-inspired module sprouting and operating in West Bengal and Kerala under the leadership of Murshid Hasan and that the members of this module were in an "advanced stage" of the conspiracy to execute terrorist attacks in different parts of the country.

The NIA carried out raids on September 19, 2020 in West Bengal and Kerala and arrested nine terrorists.

The official said that two more Al Qaeda operatives were arrested from West Bengal on August 26 and November 1 last year.

The official said, "Investigation has revealed that Murshid Hasan was in touch with Al Qaeda handlers based in Pakistan and Bangladesh and had received instructions along with radical propaganda material through encrypted social media platforms from them." Murshid Hasan along with his other associates conspired to radicalise and recruit more individuals into the terrorist organisation Al Qaeda, the NIA official added.

"They disseminated radical material through social media and encrypted chat platforms with an intention to radicalise and recruit others for establishing an Islamic State by waging jihad in India," the official said.

The NIA officer said the terror group members planned to attack individuals whom they consider "kafirs".

"The group members had conducted a series of conspiratorial meetings for raising funds for the purchase of arms and ammunition or explosive materials, radicalising and recruiting more members and charting out the future course of action, including establishing a 'Markaz' (a training centre for providing religious and weapons training to new recruits)," the official added.

He said, "The accused persons were also in active communication with an arms dealer through their foreign-based handlers and were planning to receive a consignment of sophisticated arms and ammunition in New Delhi. However, their nefarious plans were obviated by their timely arrest by the NIA. The accused persons were planning to attack, among others, an India-based Bangladeshi blogger for his views expressed on social media."
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US President Joe Biden has ordered airstrikes in Syria against Iranian-backed militia groups (Evan Vucci/AP)

The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militia groups.

The Pentagon said the strikes on facilities near the Iraqi border were in retaliation for a February 15 rocket attack in Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasised its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist.

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington.

Were confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes, he said, referring to the February 15 attack.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel Pentagon chief spokesman John Kirby

Mr Austin said he had recommended the action to President Joe Biden.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Mr Austin said. We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

The Pentagons chief spokesman John Kirby said: This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.

Mr Kirby said the US airstrikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

The US has blamed Kataib Hezbollah for numerous attacks targeting US personnel and interests in Iraq in the past.

Biden administration officials condemned the February 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out.

Expand Close Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite efforts from the Biden administration towards mending US ties with Iran, Thursdays airstrikes are expected to increase tensions (Meisam Hosseini/Hayat News Agency/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite efforts from the Biden administration towards mending US ties with Iran, Thursdays airstrikes are expected to increase tensions (Meisam Hosseini/Hayat News Agency/AP)

Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted US personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Mr Kirby had said on Tuesday that Iraq was in charge of investigating the February 15 attack.

Right now, were not able to give you a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks, what groups, and Im not going to get into the tactical details of every bit of weaponry used here, Mr Kirby said.

Lets let the investigations complete and conclude, and then when we have more to say, we will.

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the February 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdads Green Zone appeared to target the US Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade.

Expand Close President Joe Biden prepares to speak at a virtual meeting of the National Governors Association on Thursday. The airstrikes in Syria were the first military actions of his administration (Evan Vucci/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Joe Biden prepares to speak at a virtual meeting of the National Governors Association on Thursday. The airstrikes in Syria were the first military actions of his administration (Evan Vucci/AP)

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against US targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of President Joe Bidens inauguration, though now Iran is pressing America to return to Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal.

The US under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out the attacks. Tensions soared after a Washington-directed drone strike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and powerful Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis last year.

Trump had said the death of a US contractor would be a red line and would provoke US escalation in Iraq.

The December 2019 killing of a US civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that brought the country to the brink of a proxy war.

US forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State groups.
[February 25, 2021] Haeggquist & Eck, LLP Is Investigating Claims Against Stifel Financial Corp.'s Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Haeggquist & Eck, LLP, a leading shareholder rights litigation firm, is investigating whether certain directors and officers of Stifel Financial Corp. ("Stifel") (NYSE:SF) breached their fiduciary duties to Stifel and its shareholders. If you are a Stifel shareholder, you are encouraged to contact Amber Eck at Haeggquist & Eck for additional information. Stifel is a financial services and bank holding company. Haeggquist & Eck is investigating whether members of Stifel's board of directors or senior management failed to manage Stifel in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Stifel, and whether Stifel has suffered damages as a result. On January 5, 2021, a registered client services associate filed a lawsui against a subsidiary of Stifel, alleging sexual assault and harassment by one of Stifel's leading senior investment managers seeking injunctive, declaratory, and monetary relief. Specifically, Patricia Olivieri alleged that senior investment manager Neil Isler had "subjected" her to "egregious sexual assault and harassment," including placing "the palm of his hand on her buttocks without her consent."



According to the complaint, Olivieri reported Isler's conduct to Stifel management but the firm "refused to take the matter seriously, failed to conduct a legitimate investigation and took measures only to protect Mr. Isler . . . and shield the Company from potential exposure in litigation." The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Central Islip. What You Can Do

If you are a Stifel shareholder, you may have legal claims against its directors and officers. If you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Amber Eck at 619-342-8000 or e-mail her at ambere@haelaw.com. There is no cost or obligation to you. Haeggquist & Eck, LLP is a nationally recognized leader in shareholder rights law. The firm represents individual investors in shareholder derivative lawsuits, and members of the firm have helped shareholders recover more than $1 billion of value for themselves and the companies in which they have invested. This release constitutes attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006278/en/

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SEATTLE, WA  Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Computer Programming Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 194 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 194 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Computer Programming Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-computer-programming-degree-programs/

2021 Computer Programming Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Arizona State University

Atlantic Cape Community College

Baker College

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The opposition Homeland Salvation Movement has posted the following on its Facebook page:

The opposition Homeland Salvation Movement will hold its next rally in front of the National Assembly on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Join us! Our struggle is gaining momentum day after day. More and more citizens, servicemen, members of the intelligentsia, organizations and institutions are joining our demand every day.

There is no alternative to our demand. The treacherous and incompetent authorities must leave sooner or later, and we will save and rebuild our homeland.

On Thursday morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement in which the high-ranking military officials demanded the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government. According to the General Staff, the PM and his government are no longer be able to make good decisions. Pashinyan, however, considered the move as an "attempt at a military coup" and called on his supporters to gather at Republic Square in downtown Yerevan.

After their rally Thursday at Liberty Square in downtown Yerevan, the opposition demanding Pashinyans resignation marched to Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, continued their respective protest in front of the National Assembly, after which they announced that they would pitch tents and spend the night on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue.

Today at 1 p.m. the opposition launched its rally on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, after which it marched to the presidential residence. A few representatives of the Homeland Salvation Movement met with the President and presented their demand. They demanded that Armen Sarkissian not sign Nikol Pashinyans petition to dismiss Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Onik Gasparyan o fhis post and forward the petition to the Constitutional Court.

After the meeting, the opposition held a march through the streets of the city with the demand for Nikol Pashinyans resignation. At 6 p.m. the opposition held another rally on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue.
Bidens trans nominee for HHS dodges Rand Paul's questions about sex changes for kids

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President Joe Bidens nominee to serve as assistant secretary in the Department of Health and Human Servicesrefused to answer whether minors have the capacity to make life-changing decisions about their gender when questioned during a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.

Dr. Rachel Levine, a man previously named Richard who identifies as transgender and currently serves as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, was questioned by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Paul began his questioning of Levine by discussing the topic of genital mutilation and repeatedly asked him to opine on whether minors should have the power to decide to undergo life-altering elective procedures in an attempt to look more like the opposite sex.

Genital mutilation has been nearly universally condemned. Genital mutilation has been condemned by the WHO (World Health Organization), the United Nations Childrens Fund, (and) the United Nations Population Fund, Paul explained as he questioned Levine.

According to the WHO, genital mutilation is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights. Genital mutilation is considered particularly egregious because as the WHO notes, it is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children, the senator added.

Paul lamented the fact that American culture is now normalizing the idea that minors can be given hormones to prevent the biological development of their secondary sexual characteristics and expressed concern that Levine had supported allowing minors to be given hormone blockers to prevent them from going through puberty as well as surgical destruction of a minors genitalia.

After explaining that hormonal interruption of puberty can permanently alter and prevent secondary sexual characteristics and that the American College of Pediatricians reports that 80% to 95% of pre-pubertal children with gender dysphoria will experience resolution by late adolescence if not exposed to medical intervention and social affirmation, Paul asked Levine: Do you believe that minors are capable of making such a life-changing decision as changing ones sex?

Levine replied: Transgender medicine is a very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care that have been developed. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as the assistant secretary of Health, I will look forward to working with you and your office and coming to your office and discussing the particulars of the standards of care for transgender medicine.

Paul reiterated that his question was about minors, urging Levine to be a little more specific and then asked, Do you support the government intervening to override the parents consent to give a child puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and/or amputation surgery of breasts and genitalia?

Before allowing Levine to answer, Paul told the story of 23-year-old Keira Bell, who was confused with her identity and was prescribed puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones in addition to having her breasts amputated.

As Paul noted, Bell later decided that she had made a brash decision as a teenager, as a lot of teenagers do, describing the medicalized gender transitioning as a very temporary, superficial fix for a very complex identity issue.

Paul expressed alarm at Levines failure to explicitly agree that minors shouldnt be making decisions to amputate their breasts or to amputate their genitalia before asking the nominee to make a more firm decision on whether minors should be involved in these decisions.

After Levine reiterated his earlier response to Pauls previous question, the Kentucky senator requested that the record indicate that the witness refused to answer the question.

Paul concluded his questioning of Levine by explaining that sterility is a consequence of medicalized gender transitioning along with the fact that the puberty-blocking drugs are being used off-label.

Paul also accused his Democratic colleagues of hypocrisy for expressing outrage at the use of Hydroxychloroquine as an untested coronavirus treatment while not having a problem with the use of untested puberty-blocking drugs.

Theres no long-term studies," Paul declared. "We dont know what happens to them. We do know that there are dozens and dozens of people who have been through this who  regret this happened and a permanent change happened to them.

If confirmed, Levine would become the first openly trans-identified individual to serve in a presidential cabinet. Levines confirmation hearing came as the confirmation vote for another one of Bidens cabinet nominees, Neera Tanden, was postponed due to an increasing number of senators speaking out against her confirmation.

Bidens nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, has also received intense criticism from pro-life groups due to his abortion advocacy. Last week, more than 60 pro-life organizations sent a letter to Biden urging him to withdraw Becerras nomination.
Joss Whedon has been accused of running the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff, Angel, like a high school mean girl. Pictured: Whedon attends the premiere of Bad Times At The El Royal, September 2018

Joss Whedon has been accused of running the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer like a high school mean girl.

Whedon was the creator of the supernatural drama, which ran on The WB from 1997 to 2003, and its spinoff Angel, which was also a huge success.

But 11 former staffers, all of whom spoke to Variety on the condition of anonymity, claim that although Whedon was a major talent, he also had a history of unprofessional and disparaging behavior towards his employees.

This included making inappropriate jokes in front of underage cast members, calling women 'fat,' making writers cry and having affairs with actresses and female production members working on the shows.

It comes on the heels of several cast members of the shows, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charsima Carpenter, Amber Benson and Michelle Trachtenberg, describing Whedon's behavior on set as 'toxic' and 'cruel.'

Whedon's behavior first came under attention when Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase on three seasons of Buffy and four seasons of Angel, spoke out in a Twitter post on February 10.

'For nearly two decades, I have held my tongue and even made excuses for certain events that traumatize me to this day,' she wrote.

'Joss Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working together on the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

'While he found his misconduct amusing, it only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me, and alienate me from my peers.'

Carpenter claims Whedon would regularly make 'passive-aggressive' threats and asked her if she was going to keep her baby when she became pregnant.

Eleven former staffers spoke to Variety, on the condition of anonymity, about Whedon's alleged unprofessional and disparaging behavior on the set of the supernatural drama. Pictured (left to right): Buffy cast members Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Head, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charisma Carpenter and Alyson Hannigan, circa 1997

He is accused of making inappropriate jokes in front of underage cast members, such as Michelle Trachtenberg, who was 15 when she joined the show. Pictured: Trachtenberg (left) and Gellar on the set of Buffy, 2001

His comments were described by one former staffer as 'very, very bad, mean-spirited, and verbal abuse.' Pictured: Whedon talks with Buffy cast member James Marsters on the set of the show, 2003

Carpenter also alleges that Whedon called her 'fat' to other members of the cast and crew when she was four months pregnant, despite weighing just 126 lbs, and then fired her after she gave birth.

One of the former staffers, who worked with Carpenter on both the Buffy and Angel sets, verified the actress's story with Variety.

It was 'very, very bad, mean-spirited, and verbal abuse,' the unnamed person said.

They added that this behavior made it clear to Carpenter that Whedon had favorites and she was not among them.

One source told Variety that Whedon was pushed to cast Carpenter by the network and, as a result, he would often pick on her.

He or she also said that some writers emulated Whedon's behavior and would disparage Carpenter's acting ability.

Several actors and actresses, as well as writers and producers, stood behind Carpenter's claim, including Trachtenberg.

Trachtenberg, who played Buffy's younger sister, Dawn, for three seasons beginning at age 15 said in an Instagram post than Whedon's behavior as 'not appropriate' and claimed that there was a 'rule' on the set that forbade him from being alone in a room with her.

Most former staffers told Variety they did not know about this rule, but one ex-employee did say that efforts were made on set to make sure Trachtenberg was never around Whedon by herself.

One staffer alleged Trachtenberg's mother complained that Whedon's off-color jokes were making the set inappropriate for her teenage daughter.

The former staffers claim Whedon had several affairs with actresses and female production members, and exhibited a power dynamic over them when the affairs ended. Pictured: Whedon attends the LA Art Show 2019 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, January 2019

One staffer backed up Trachtenberg's (left) claims that she was not allowed to be left alone with Whedon in a room while another backed up actress Charisma Carpenter's (right) claims of Whedon of calling her 'fat' while pregnant

Many reiterate that his jokes were not just improper but also mean

He allegedly called Nell Scovell, creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch 'fat' when she was two weeks from her due date and would make female writers cry during notes sessions.

Another reason his nature was described as being like high school was due to Whedon reportedly having affairs with several women working on the show, causing his profession and personal lives to intersect, the staffers told Variety.

However, because Whedon was the show-runner, he was also the boss of these women, and therefore exhibied an unequal power dynamic that continued even after the alleged affairs were over.

The staffers also told Variety that complaints about Whedon never reached the studio level and they are not aware of any monetary settlements made due to his alleged behavior.

All of the stars of Buffy and Angel, including Gellar, Benson, Trachtenburg, Eliza Dushku, David Boreanaz and Alyson Hannigan, declined Variety's requests for comment.

Whedon declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by Variety.
Heritage NSW has imposed a 40-day demolition suspension on Rydes ageing 1960s civic centre in Sydneys north-west.

It comes as a lobby group for developers fights to stop a $110 million project, known as The New Heart of Ryde, in order to protect the civic centre from being destroyed.

But the mayor has hit back at the group, suggesting the developers are only upset because the council rejected an application to build apartments there.

A spokesman for Heritage NSW confirmed to the Herald on Friday night the Heritage Council Chair approved a stop work order on Friday afternoon, halting the demolition of the building under section 136 of the Heritage Act.

This will be in place while assessment of its potential heritage significance is undertaken by Heritage NSW, he said.
ABB today published the invitation to its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021. The invitation can be found above and on ABBs investor relations website at www.abb.com/agm.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006070/en/

Due to the extraordinary circumstances and in accordance with applicable Swiss COVID-19 legislation, shareholders will not be able to attend the event in person but may exercise their shareholder rights via the independent proxy.

Two video presentations with the Chairman and the CEO will be published on www.abb.com/agm on the day of the AGM. There will be no webcast of the AGM.

The voting results will be published on www.abb.com/agm shortly after the AGM.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABBs success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006070/en/
Hollywood veteran Lisa Rinna shared a sizzling video to Instagram on Friday for her 2.6M followers.

The 57-year-old RHOBH star was seen jumping for joy while in a red string bikini on a sandy beach.

Her caption caused some confusion however as she said 'it's all an illusion.' It is not clear if she was referring to her body or her mood.

Beach bunny: Hollywood veteran Lisa Rinna shared a sizzling video to Instagram on Friday for her 2.6M followers

Still a pinup: The 57-year-old RHOBH star was seen jumping for joy while in a red string bikini on a sandy beach

The star looked toned with impressive abs and no fat on her lean frame - she is a size six and has a 26in waist.

Her hair is worn short in the video and she has on sunglasses. The red suit is playful as it has rings on the front of the top and on the sides of the briefs.

Earlier this month she said she was giving away free product for her newly minted Pal-entine's Week that puts the focus on friends, not a lover.

'What better time to celebrate friendship and love than Valentine's Day?' asked Lisa. 'This past year has showed how valuable those relationships are.'

What does she mean? Her caption caused some confusion however as she said 'it's all an illusion.' It is not clear if she was referring to her body or her mood

Slender: The star looked toned with impressive abs and no fat on her lean frame - she is a size six and has a 26in waist

She added, 'I'm fortunate to have the most amazing group of friends who have been a tremendous support for me through recent times, and I know there are so many others who feel the same. So why not say so? Pal-entines Week is a great way to show your love to all your besties.'

The star will be giving away items from her lip collection which has been a big hit.

'Creating a cosmetic line has been one of the most exhilarating, fulfilling experiences in my 57 years,' said Lisa.

'What's great about Rinna Beauty is I don't have to fit into any mold. There's nothing holding me back from creating exactly what I love and what works for me.

Running off: Her hair is worn short in the video and she has on sunglasses. The red suit is playful as it has rings on the front of the top and on the sides of the briefs.

'And then of course, the sky is the limit. I see Rinna Beauty as a true lifestyle brand.'

The Lisa Rinna Collection is inspired by her 'breezy, West Coast aesthetic,' she has said.

The line was an off shoot of the Belle Gray boutique, a clothing store (named after her daughters Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray) she ran for 10 years.

In January the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills standout told DailyMail.com that getting lip injections at age 24 paved the path for her brand.

Another day, another bikini: Rinna also shared this image which was taken by her husband

'I always say, jokingly, that my lips have a career of their own,' the brunette bombshell said. 'The feedback on them was not always positive. There was a time when people were negative. But I think they became accepted when I said, 'These are my lips! This is the way they are.''

Rinna had permanent silicone filler injected into her top lip in her 20s, but after about 10 years, the silicone started seeping throughout her lip and creating scar tissue that was bumpy.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Garth Fisher reconstructed her upper lip by removing some of the damaged tissue in 2010. And she has been happy ever since.

Rinna Beauty sells lip kits that include lip liner, lipstick and lip gloss, all in flattering neutral tones. The items can also be purchased separately.

It was not easy launching the brand as Rinna tried five times over 10 years only to be told it could not happen.

So three years ago: A flashback photo from 2018 in Costa Rica while in Fendi

Turns out it was Mrs Harry Hamlin's 'pure tenacity' that made it come to fruition as she explains she 'does not take no for an answer.'

Lisa told DailyMail.com that she first started thinking about creating a lip line about 15 years ago and she met with executives, but was turned down over and over. 'It always fell apart,' said Lisa.

But the former soap opera actress, who thinks of herself as a 'Lip Pioneer' thanks to her fillers, was committed to creating a lip line and would not stop taking meetings.

'It really was pure tenacity, I don't like to take no for an answer,' the star - who says on her website she has 'tested every sample, chosen colors, approved ingredients, inspired the packaging' - told DailyMail.com.

'And I was very passionate about it so I kept going.'

 Slide me  The move: Rinna had permanent silicone filler injected into her top lip in her 20s, but after about 10 years, the silicone started seeping throughout her lip and creating scar tissue that was bumpy. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Garth Fisher reconstructed her upper lip by removing some of the damaged tissue in 2010. And she has been happy ever since

The approve! Her daughters Delilah Belle Hamlin and Amelia Gray Hamlin love all the colors; seen in February in NYC at the Christian Cowan Fall/Winter 2020 show

Lisa also shared that contrary to popular opinion, just because she is famous does not mean a lip line would fall into her lap.

'No one calls you, you have to go out and make the deal happen, even if you have fame,' explained the Sex, Lies & Obsession actress.

'People think things just come to people who are famous and it's not true, you have to go after it.'

And Rinna also asserted that she had to pour her soul into the brand.

'It's not about fame or money, it's really about the passion, the brand has to come from a place of passion or it won't do well. My work comes from a place of authenticity. People have to believe in me and my product,' she explained.

Early days of love: Harry Hamlin also weighed in on the hues. 'He has never liked red or dark colored lipstick on me, so that is why I wear a lot of neutral colors, like nude or beige,' she told DailyMail.com; seen in 1993

'And it's not good to just slap your name on something, you have to create it with passion and have it be authentic to you.'

The Bravo star added that there are also so many famous people who have beauty lines - Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Rihanna are just a few.

'The beauty brand is so crowded,' she said. 'You need to know what you're doing.'

Taking a break: The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills is temporarily suspending filming on season 11 due to concerns surrounding COVID-19; season 10 is seen here

And Rinna told DailyMail.com that she has also educated her model daughters Amelia and Delilah on branding. 'I was happy to teach my girls that things don't really fall into your lap, you have to have tenacity, even if your name is out there a lot,' she stated.

The wife of LA Law actor Hamlin told DailyMail.com that the pretty, neutral colors from Rinna Beauty have also been given a stamp of approval by her daughters. 'My daughters, I watch them, I watch what they like, and they often go with a lighter nude lip color,' she told DailyMail.com.

'They wear the colors I have made. They will say, 'Hey mom that one is pretty, I like that color' and they have all of the shades, they wear them out. They are fans of my work.'
Humanity must agree on the benefits of technology  and then use it to uplift each other and achieve our development goals, says Huawei vice-president Catherine Chen.

Technology holds significant benefits for humanity, and digital technology can be an indispensable tool for helping the United Nations achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This was the view of Huawei senior vice president and board member Catherine Chen, in her keynote speech at the recent Connected for Shared Prosperity Forum in Shanghai.

Chen said technology could be an engine for human progress, and called on individuals and businesses to think big and act small, while reiterating her support of the SDGs and building a green, innovative and inclusive world.

Chen said it was essential that people reach agreement around technology, which held significant potential for achieving development goals.

Large social changes tend to happen in lockstep with breakthroughs in science and technology. But today, technological advancements are hyped and politicised  as has sometimes been the case with 5G.

Chen pointed out that 5G was in fact a standardised technology defined by its high bandwidth, low latency, and broad connectivity, which could transform traditional industries and benefit all.

Every day, consumers are benefiting from 5G experiences, while industrial use in seaports, mines, and the transportation sector is increasing operational efficiency. Is this a bad thing? I dont think so.

Chen said that while there was always the danger that a new technology could be abused, rules could be established to manage technological risks.

Many people are already hard at work creating governance rules for cyber security, privacy protection, and trusted AI that will keep us safe. For the rest of us, its time to be confident and open to technological development.

Chen said technology was most effective when it created value for all, and that consensus could be built gradually so that technological advancement could continue.

By focusing on the limited common understanding we have right now and what resources are actually available, we can drive progress step by step, she said. Huawei has always supported technological advancement. We believe digital tech benefits humanity, and can help the UN achieve its SDGs.

Chen described how Huawei was already deploying digital solutions to empower people and meet UN development goals  especially the goals of innovation, reduced inequality and quality education.

In South Africa, for instance, Huawei, non-profit organization Click Foundation and network provider rain teamed up to connect more than 100 urban and rural primary schools to the Internet. The goal is to boost reading comprehension skills and close the digital gap through technology.

In Kenya, Huawei partnered to build Digitrucks, mobile, solar-powered classrooms that bring digital skills to remote, underserved communities. Equipped with 20 laptops, 20 VR headsets, and built in Wi-Fi, each DigiTruck is a temporary digital school that provides free classes, resources, and materials.

Chen also described how Huawei Smart PV solution being used in more than 60 countries was already helping to achieve SDGs, and had reduced carbon emissions by 148 million tons.

This is the equivalent of planting more than 200 million trees. In Ethiopia alone, we have helped our customers deploy more than 400 solar power stations, reducing carbon emissions by 2 850 tons. In China, we have also helped build the worlds largest solar stations, dedicated to agriculture and fishing in Ningxia and Shandong provinces.

Huawei and UNESCO have also partnered to launch the Open Schools programme to help schools in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana improve their digital skills through online education.

In all these examples every single connection, every gram of emissions reduced, every watt of electricity saved, could not have been achieved without small advances in tech, said Chen.

This is the value that tech brings to the world.

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U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, R-Midland, recently visited MidMichigan Medical Center  West Branch to learn more from health system representatives on its work to expand telemedicine in much needed rural areas.

During the visit, Moolenaar introduced new legislation that would help to increase internet access to those in rural communities. Specifically, the BOOST (Broadening Online Opportunities through Simple Technologies) act would provide rural homeowners and primary lessees with a refundable consumer tax credit of up to $300, to supplement the purchase of a mobile hotspot they can use to connect to the internet, or the purchase of a hotspot booster they can use to increase the speed of a slow connection. MidMichigan Health leaders agreed the act would be of great benefit to the communities as it would expand the opportunity for patients to take advantage of growing telemedicine opportunities.

Today, telemedicine is being implemented in a variety of ways at MidMichigan Health and provides a multitude of benefits to patients, including reducing exposure to COVID-19, providing convenient care for both specialty care and primary care patients, and increasing the likelihood that patients will follow up with routine care. The health system recently celebrated the milestone of providing 100,000 virtual visits since the inception of its virtual care program in 2016. According to MidMichigans virtual health experts, this milestone was the result of early system-wide investment in the technology coupled with a dramatic increase in demand for virtual care services during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

MidMichigan Health chose to invest in virtual care and make it a priority long before it was mandated by a global pandemic, said Tom Wood, director of trauma and virtual care for the health system. Our program was driven by our goals to improve access to advanced specialists and offer the same high-quality of standard of care throughout the service area. The experience and infrastructure we have developed over the years also enabled us to quickly respond and expand to new services when COVID-19 required it.

Due to the rural nature of MidMichigan Healths service area, the health system was an early adopter of telemedicine, enabling patients in even the most remote areas to consult with advanced specialists. For example, all of MidMichigans emergency rooms partner with Michigan Medicines Telestroke program, providing 24/7 access to highly specialized neurologists for rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment that can save lives and improve functional outcomes. The health system also offers telemedicine consults with a wide variety of specialists ranging from psychiatry to cardiology to nephrology.

The program has since expanded to include video visits and e-visits that a patient can complete from home plus e-consults that enable providers to collaborate electronically through the patients chart. The health system offers patients the option of having a video visit with their own MidMichigan Health provider, rather than a third-party teledoc service. This ensures the provider is familiar with the patient and has access to their medical chart for improved safety and continuity of care.

Virtual care combines technology and human interaction to help patients get the care they need, when and where they need it, said Steven Blodgett, virtual care manager, MidMichigan Health. Options such as telemedicine, e-visits and video visits enable patients to get medical advice or treatment remotely, saving them time and travel while connecting them to the appropriate specialists. By providing these virtual care options, we have saved more than 1.5 million miles in travel for our patients. Other options make everyday tasks faster and easier, such as online appointment booking, e-check in, viewing test results and medical records electronically, renewing prescriptions electronically and more.

Blodgett is also participating in the Connected Nation project through the Midland Broadband Committee. The program collects data from local stakeholders and works directly with providers to identify needs and opportunities for expanding access to broadband, ultimately developing a county-specific Technology Action Plan.

Being part of this project, just takes our involvement one step further to ensuring those who want internet access have the opportunity to do so, said Blodgett. Telemedicine is here to stay, and its only going to get better. That is why its so important to us to make sure those patients who want to utilize it can.

Virtual care options at MidMichigan include e-visits for specific symptoms, primary care provider video visits, MyMidMichigan patient portal, e-consults, telemedicine and virtual post-op appointment. Those who would like to learn more about these options may visit www.midmichigan.org/virtualcare.

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TAIPEI, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Innodisk is proud to announce multiple new products coinciding with Embedded World 2021, to be held from 1 - 5 March 2021. As a leading global provider of industrial-grade flash, DRAM, and embedded peripherals, Innodisk has strived to maintain its unrelenting pace of innovation in the face of the past year's pandemic challenges.

Kicking off this year of the Ox on a high note, Innodisk is announcing new PCIe Gen 4 NVMe flash storage, DDR4-3200 DRAM, and CANbus & LAN modules.

PCIe Gen 4 NVMe - Twice The Transfer

Innodisk's NVMe flash storage series now supports the latest PCIe Gen 4 interface with a staggering 7.88 GB/s transfer rate-double the bandwidth of Gen 3-that simultaneously lowers overall power consumption, reducing the overheating issues of many PCIe SSDs. Smart temperature control through thermal throttling firmware technology is convenient for users to monitor temperature changes of SSDs at any time, and protect data with higher performance.

Featuring end-to-end data protection, including iData Guard, iPower Guard, and iCell technologies, Innodisk's NVMe series provides exceptional flexibility and data security. Further enhanced by TCG Opal 2.0 compliance and AES-256 military-grade encryption, data is secure with Innodisk's NVMe series flash storage solutions in various applications.

NVMe flash storage is available in M.2 2242, M.2 2280, CFexpress, 2.5" U.2, and NanoSSD form factors with up to 8 TB storage capacity.

DDR4-3200 - Industrial-Grade DRAM

Innodisk's DDR4-3200 DRAM module lineup provides technology leaders with the performance and features necessary to capitalize on the future of computing. The development of 5G, edge computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has fueled the exponential growth of connected devices as more data is generated and processed at the edge.

Innodisk's DDR4-3200 industrial DRAM modules provide the robustness necessary for computers at the edge that require the fastest speeds, wide-range temperature tolerance, and environmental protection. The DRAM modules feature anti-sulfuration, side fill, and conformal coating. They are available in 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB capacities across SODIMM, UDIMM, and RDIMM form factors, including optional ECC.

CANbus and LAN - Embedded Expansion

CANbus is crucial for industrial automation and smart healthcare. Innodisk CANbus series products meet this increasing demand in the autonomous vehicle, automation, and medical markets. Available modules provide one or two CANbus ports, are offered in M.2 2260, M.2 2280 B-M, and mPCIe form factors, with support for USB and PCIe protocols. These combinations meet the requirements for CANbus 2.0B, J1939, and the increasingly popular CANopen.

LAN connectivity is non-negotiable, especially in applications like industrial automation and surveillance. The comprehensive range of GbE LAN modules fits any application where multiple wired network ports are needed. Industrial-grade LAN modules utilize a PCIe data connection, come with single or dual GbE RJ-45 LAN ports, and are available in mPCIe, M.2 2280 B-M, and M.2 2242 B-M form factors.

In this online-only event, Innodisk is showcasing its smart IoT technologies and solutions, including InnoOSR SSD which can quickly restore the system with one click. Innodisk's smart transportation solutions that integrate advanced technologies from in-vehicle signaling, edge computing, and image recognition, will be presented with smart service, smart agriculture, and autonomous vehicle cases.

About Innodisk

Innodisk is a service-driven provider of flash memory, DRAM modules, and embedded peripheral products for industrial and enterprise applications. With satisfied customers across a range of demanding industries, we have set ourselves apart with a commitment to exceptional products and service.

For more information about Innodisk, please visit https://www.innodisk.com

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By Benjamin Jumbe

President Museveni has issued guidelines to military police officers on how to handle riots in line with their professional training.

Meeting the officers at State House Entebbe this morning, the President who is also the Commander in Chief also advised them on good conduct among other things.

The meeting comes days after 7 military police officers were charged before the Unit Disciplinary Committee for assaulting journalists who were covering the National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi as he presented his petition to the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kololo.

Security agencies have since been put on spot over alleged torture and kidnap of citizens especially supporters of opposition candidates.
GlobeNewswire

TORONTO, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuuhubb Inc. (Kuuhubb or the Company) (TSX- V: KUU), a mobile game development and publishing company targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences, has reported its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Companys unaudited consolidated financial statements as at, and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and related managements discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The Companys financial year end is June 30. The information contained in this news release is unaudited. Highlights for the Three and nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: Revenues of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, on a combined basis for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).Recolor recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021; with trailing twelve-month revenue of US$4,635,529. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor.The production and development of Kuuhubbs upcoming new flagship product Tiles & Tales has progressed well during this time period and is planned for commercial launch later this calendar year. CEOs Message: Jouni Keranen, CEO of Kuuhubb Inc., commented, During this quarter our cost cutting initiatives resulted in Recolor returning to stable profitability, while investment into our Match-3 engine and flagship product Tiles & Tales creates potential for future growth. The Recolor divestment process, while slower than anticipated, is ongoing and our main focus is on preparation of our flagship product Tiles & Tales for commercial launch later this year. Financial Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: The Company generated a total of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, combined revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).The Company recognized revenue of US$125,598 and US$515,547, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 from its continuing operations. This revenue was generated mainly from the subscriptions to, in-application sale of virtual goods from its My Hospital game and related advertising revenue.Recolor Oy recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company incurred cost of sales of US$141,712 and US$376,088, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 in its continuing operations. The cost of sales is predominantly related to the application marketplace (such as Apple App Store and Google Play) fees and other third-party direct costs.The Company incurred consulting and professional fees of US$192,178 and US$594,051, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. These fees were related to Kuuhubbs audit fees, general legal counsel and other professional services.The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$396,032 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$389,638 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$1,341;net interest and accretion expenses of US$5,053; The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$409,564 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$393,243 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$3,968;net interest and accretion expenses of US$12,353; On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$465,992 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$781,412 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$5,947;non-cash share-based compensation of US$102,334;net interest and accretion expenses of US$417,795; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$6,946;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$424;foreign exchange gain of US$203,286 On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$2,135,512 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$3,227,650 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$21,142;non-cash share-based compensation of US$373,138;net interest and accretion expenses of US$944,589; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$91,712;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$24,226;foreign exchange gain of US$130,793 (1) Classification of Recolor Oy as held for sale and discontinued operations As part of the efforts to meet the Companys obligations and build growth, the Company announced it is exploring multiple strategic alternatives, including the divestiture of Company-owned assets such as shares of Recolor Oy. This may be completed within twelve months and as such the associated assets and liabilities within Recolor Oy are presented as held for sale and the net income attributable as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise indicated, the analysis and discussions herein are based on the Companys continuing operations consisting of the Companys My Hospital operation. Exercise of Warrants and Private Placement: In February 2021, 2,200,000 warrants (representing all outstanding common share purchase warrants of the Company) were exercised at a price of CAD$0.10 per common share. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$173,242 (C$220,000) upon the exercises of all of the Companys outstanding warrants common share purchase warrants. In March 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 8,705,334 common shares of the Company at a price of CAD$0.09 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$618,602 (C$783,500). Exploration of Strategic Alternatives to Enhance Shareholder Value On September 30, 2020, the Company announced that it has been conducting a process to explore strategic alternatives, including the potential divestiture of certain Company-owned assets, including the sale of Recolor Oy within the next twelve months. To date, the Company has executed confidentiality agreements with several parties who expressed an interest in receiving information about Recolor Oy and its business in connection with a possible transaction. There can be no assurance that the strategic alternatives review process will result in any strategic change or outcome and the Company does not know the exact timetable for the conclusion of its review of strategic alternatives. There can be no certainty that any potential transaction will emerge from this process. The process may result in a variety of outcomes or no outcome at all, and there can be no assurance that the Company will pursue or execute any specific action or transaction. The Company continues to operate in the normal course during the on-going process. The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor and is in discussion with potential buyers. EBITDA - Non-IFRS Measure EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. We use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our businesses as they reflect their ongoing profitability. We believe certain investors and analysts use adjusted EBITDA to measure a companys ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the technology industry. We believe that certain investors and analysts also use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our business. The Company calculated EBITDA as set out on page 2 and 3 of this press release. EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently. Therefore, the term EBITDA is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. About Kuuhubb Kuuhubb is a publicly listed mobile game development and publishing company, targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences. Our Mission is to become a top player in the female mobile game space. We believe in empowering women by creating games and apps that will have our female audience relax, express and entertain themselves every day. Through our games and partnerships with select developers, we explore new lifestyle trends that can be converted into games and apps which will bring value to our users, employees, and shareholders. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kuuhubb has a global presence with a strong focus on U.S. and Asian markets. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information, including regarding the potential sale of Recolor OY and the planned launch of Tiles & Tales. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements relating to future revenue and development, growth of the Companys business) are forward looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other thing: risks related to the growth strategy of the Company; the possibility that results from the Companys growth plans will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the early stage of the Company's development; competition from companies in a number of industries; the ability of the Company to manage expansion and integrate acquisitions into its business, future business development of the Company; the ability of the Company to complete the sale of Recolor OY on terms which are economic or at all; the ability of the Company to complete the commercial development of its products; the ability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on its business segments, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Kuuhubb Inc.Jouni Keranen - CEOjouni@kuuhubb.comOffice: +358 40 590 0919 Bill Mitoulas Investor Relationsbill@kuuhubb.comOffice: +1 (416) 479-9547
Posted Friday, February 26, 2021 8:01 am

A group of legislators from Southwest Washington have secured a meeting with the state Department of Health on Saturday to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine allocation disparity that exists for Clark County.

According to a news release from Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Vancouver, the legislators will be able to meet with Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah and Michele Roberts, acting secretary for prevention and community health. Vick and nine other Southwest Washington legislators sent a letter to Shah, calling for the meeting.

The legislators hope to make Clark County a higher priority on the DOH vaccine allocation distribution list, and make sure the county is receiving an equal portion of both first and second doses based on the county's population in comparison to other counties. They also want the Department of Health to catch up on the number of vaccine allocations that are already behind in the county and make sure the Department of Health is working with local health jurisdictions to ensure providers have access to, and can use, both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, according to the news release.

On Tuesday, Clark County Public Health released a data analysis showing that Clark County was being allocated fewer vaccines on a per capita basis than other counties.

Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, also sent a letter to the secretary of health on Wednesday, requesting a review of the state's formula for vaccine allocation. And on Thursday, the Clark County Board of Health finalized a letter for Gov. Jay Inslee, requesting that the allocation issue is remedied.

Related

Residents and staff at Van Mall Retirement received their COVID-19 vaccinations in late January. Many Clark County residents have experienced long waits for the vaccine, which might be caused by low vaccine allocation from the state to the county. Herrera Beutler grills state health secretary over vaccine allocation

A day after Clark County Public Health released data showing the state's vaccine allocation to the county hasn't been proportional to other counties, Washington's secretary...

Chuck Adams of La Center, left, gives a thumbs-up while receiving his COVID-19 vaccination from Staff Sgt. Cory Hoveskeland of the National Guard at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds on Tuesday morning, January 26, 2021. Adams said getting the vaccination went smoothly. "I didn't even feel it," he said. Tuesday was the first day of mass vaccinations in Clark County, which are given by appointment only. Melnick: Clark County near bottom of vaccine allocation in Washington

The Clark County Board of Health agreed Wednesday morning to send a letter to state leaders seeking information regarding why the state has been supplying...

"Clark County residents have not been treated fairly when it comes to vaccine allocations," Vick said in a prepared statement. "I'm grateful to the other legislators who joined with me in this important effort. We will continue to work together to see that residents in our county receive their fair share of vaccine allocations from the state."

In a Thursday press conference, Inslee hinted that more vaccine may soon be available to Clark County and other counties that have experienced these allocation disparities.

Inslee claimed in the press briefing that Clark County was experiencing issues because it does not have as much extra-cold storage which is required for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Inslee said Washington has fewer doses of the Moderna vaccine, which has fewer restrictions on storage.

Public Health Public Information Officer Marissa Armstrong said in an email Thursday night that "the limited amount of Moderna vaccine does not explain the large discrepancy in vaccine allocation in Clark County."

"Our largest health care providers, who have the greatest capacity to vaccinate people in Clark County, have been requesting Pfizer vaccine for several weeks," Armstrong said. "Some had requests that were only partially filled or not filled at all. Some of our local providers were previously ordering Moderna and those orders were not being filled without any explanation why."

___

(c)2021 The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.)

Visit The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.) at www.columbian.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A woman in her 20s who was pulled from the Charles River in Cambridge on Thursday was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day, authorities confirmed Friday.

Cambridge firefighters rescued the woman from the river around 12:40 p.m. She was near 45 Memorial Drive and was in distress, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.

She was then taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead in the afternoon, according to state police.

The investigation into the incident suggested there was no foul play. Theres no threat to the public, state police noted.

Authorities identified the woman only as a 23-year-old resident of Canada.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - NetCents Technology Inc. (CSE: NC) (FSE: 26N) (OTCQB: NTTCF) ("NetCents" or the "Company"), a cryptocurrency payments company, is pleased to report signing an agreement with Vesto, Inc to pave the way for DeFi investing in the NetCents platform.

Vesto Inc, is a San Francisco based Company that has created a platform allowing users to choose from multiple DeFi protocols in a virtual supermarket. NetCents (with regulatory approval) intends on enabling a portal to the Vesto infrastructure from the NetCents wallet in order to facilitate user's adoption of DeFi investing in an efficient and easy to understand interface.

"We have seen the DeFi space explode over the past year, but for it to reach the next level - the tools and the process has to be attainable by the novice crypto investor. We will be adding a layer of simplification to the process so that individuals can have their savings actually working for them without the complexity of the current platforms. Individuals have the right to lend their money at market based rates instead of getting 1% interest on their savings that the commercial banks are offering," stated Clayton Moore, Founder and CEO.

The definition of DeFi from Coin Telegraph:

DeFi protocols allow users to become lenders or borrowers in a completely decentralized fashion, such that an individual has complete control over their funds at all times. This is made possible via the use of smart contracts that operate on open blockchain solutions such as Ethereum. In contrast to CeFi (Centralized Finance), DeFi platforms can be used by anyone, anywhere without them having to hand over their personal data to a central authority.

"DeFi is a great concept - but it needs a platform like NetCents to make it understandable to the mainstream - and we are uniquely positioned to achieve that," stated Mr. Moore. "Regulators aren't going to be excited about DeFi without someone like NetCents there to protect investors from loss in some way. NetCents intends to screen DeFi players, and will make sure that investors will continue to be able to have access to their funds even if a user does something like forget the password they have on their account," he continued.

The Letter of Intent contemplates a Joint Venture between parties and an option for NetCents to invest in Vesto and hold a significant ownership stake in the Company at a future date.

Management would also like to inform investors that many of the concepts embraced by these DeFi platforms have not been vetted by the many authorities that regulate financial products. Net Cents intends to work together with regulators to navigate this landscape and resolve with a compliant product. For Example: Fintech businesses seeking to bring a novel product or service to the market can seek regulatory relief through regulatory sandboxes such as the Ontario Securities Commission's LaunchPad or the British Columbia Securities Commission's SandBox.

Furthermore, businesses that distribute, trade or advise in crypto assets that are securities are required to comply with securities laws (in particular, registration and prospectus requirements), which can be onerous. There are many exemptions for specific types of distributions, trades, and other activities and NetCents intends to research these exemptions rigorously. These exemptions, at a high level, may limit the types of investors that can participate or the investment amounts, or may require the preparation of disclosures to investors and filing of a disclosure document.

Management looks forward to providing more updates on business developments in the coming weeks.

About NetCents

NetCents Technology Inc, the transactional hub for all cryptocurrency payments, equips forward-thinking businesses with the technology to seamlessly integrate cryptocurrency processing into their payment model without taking on the risk or volatility of the crypto market. NetCents Technology is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FINTRAC.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.net-cents.com or contact Investor Relations: investor@net-cents.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

NetCents Technology Inc.

"Clayton Moore"

Clayton Moore, CEO, Founder and Director

NetCents Technology Inc.

1000 - 1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC, V6E 0C3

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This 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 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 regulatory actions, market prices, 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/75548
Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urged on Friday the adopting of an advanced engineering and construction plan while establishing the Shinzo Abe axis east of Cairo, due to its major significance.

El-Sisis remarks came as he inspected the workflow of building works at new roads and axes under construction in the capital, the presidency said in a statement.

In September last year, El-Sisi ordered that a new road, linking El-Shahid Axis with Suez Road and the Ring Road, be named after Abe: Japan's longest serving prime minister.

The decision came a month after Abe announced his resignation for health reasons.

During his weekly tour today, El-Sisi urged that the eight kilometer-long axis provides all the services required for vehicles.

The president highlighted the significance of the Shinzo Abe axis in organising traffic in the eastern Cairo region and linking eastern districts with New Cairo and the New Administrative Capital.

During his tour, the president was briefed on developments of the project to develop road and bridge networks in Nasr Citys 10th district along with some districts in the fifth Settlement, which contributed to ending traffic congestion, the statement read.

The president urged adherence to a high-speed rate of finishing the road projects, in order for the new road and axis networks in eastern Cairo to be entirely completed.

The statement referred to the new road network linking eastern Cairo with areas at Greater Cairo and new cities as a system that would cause significant qualitative progress to the smooth and fast flow of citizens.





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Opinion Article

26 February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a tremendous amount of uncertainty to the travel industry, including the revenue performance discipline, with many accommodations resting their success - and in some cases survival - in their revenue managers' ability to effectively anticipate market trends. While this is a challenge unlike any other, it presents the opportunity for revenue managers to demonstrate the value they provide to the broader travel industry.



With 2021 underway, many questions remain unclear, such as when travel restrictions will ease, when demand will return, and how to effectively price inventory when traditional revenue management approaches are no longer reliable. However, the more informed you are, the more you can make confident decisions. Without the right resources and access to data, forecasting revenue and predicting peak travel demand is difficult to pinpoint. One proven solution to better evaluate market conditions and make data-driven decisions is through revenue performance technology, something 85 percent1 of lodging properties still do not use.



Having a revenue performance solution in place allows accommodations operators to make more informed decisions and ultimately drive true revenue growth. There are many solutions available in the market including Expedia Group's Rev+, that have helped drive clarity and data-driven decision making.



In tandem with revenue performance technology, post-C OVID-19 recovery will depend on operators' abilities to identify and adapt to new trends. As you continue to evolve your revenue performance strategy this year, here are a few key recommendations to consider:

Think forward, not backward: Historical data has become less reliable when forecasting future trends or patterns in the current travel environment. It is now more important for accommodations operators to utilize forward-looking demand data as a guide to better understand where the market is heading and how to take the right pricing actions.

Re-evaluate the competition and traveler motivation: With traveler shopping behaviors and motivations shifting, properties are doing more to inspire customer confidence and offer flexibility. And with more competition for demand, your competitive set is likely providing more assurances to customers. It is important to regularly compare your rates and the flexibility of your policies against similar competitor offerings.

Explore dynamic pricing tactics: Dynamic prices, even in times of low demand, can help you capture bookings and generate necessary revenue for a rebound. Current low-demand conditions have made it difficult to sell higher-priced inventory, so consider new pricing categories for all your room and accommodation types and assess how traveler demand responds from there. Also, consider providing better deals for increased length of stays to help control turnover cost.

Collaborate with your network: Look to your local tourism authority for access to additional data across your market. This data can help identify your capture rate by comparing your conversion rate against the market average. Tourism organizations and local businesses may also be interested in collaborating on marketing opportunities and deals to promote your property and drive demand.

Experiment with new approaches: COVID-19 has eliminated many of the levers and incomes revenue managers can normally test. Though most of these options are no longer available, don't be afraid to test out new pricing approaches, especially if your old pricing models are ineffective. With travelers becoming more price-sensitive, look to add more value to your products to help protect your ADR (average daily rate).

One example of successfully targeting long-term demand during COVID-19 comes from Expedia Group partner Janet Chen, General Manager of the Beimen WOW Poshtel in Taipei. To make early booking even more appealing to travelers, Janet created several promotions that gave discounts based on how far in advance travelers booked their stay. After loading long-term inventory, Janet saw a 150% increase in net room nights and a 392% increase in revenue. By setting up a long-term booking strategy, Janet is confident that she can capture bookings from travelers eager to explore the world again when it is safe.

In 2020 Expedia Group continued to evolve its revenue performance technology, creating more value for partners by implementing new features on Rev+. Powered by Expedia Group's proprietary search data from all Expedia Group sites, we launched Market Recovery Insights to help partners understand how travelers are searching for their markets and how their respective markets are recovering from the impact of COVID-19. Leveraging purpose-built data science models, accommodations partners can also view current market occupancy metrics to better understand how their market is performing on a daily basis on future dates.

Additionally, Expedia Group expanded access to its revenue performance insights through a new application program interface (API). Rev+ Insights API externalizes the insights from Rev+ to connectivity provider platforms like property management systems and central reservations systems, creating operational efficiencies and improving decision-making for accommodations partners that use these platforms t o manage their day-to-day operations.

Optimizing revenue performance is critical to ensuring the longevity of your property. With the right solutions and tactics, revenue managers can help mitigate loss, drive demand and position their properties for success post-crisis.

To learn more on building a successful revenue performance strategy, visit the Life at Expedia Group blog and access a series of online instructional videos to help you succeed.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security in the region amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security in the region amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion in the Gulf of Oman forced the vessel to head to the nearest port.

The incident recalled the summer of 2019, when the same site saw a series of suspected attacks that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran, which Tehran denied. Meanwhile, as President Joe Biden tries to revive nuclear negotiations with Iran, he ordered overnight airstrikes on facilities in Syria belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group.

Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, identified the stricken vessel as the MV Helios Ray, a Bahamian-flagged roll-on, roll-off vehicle cargo ship. Another private security official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, similarly identified the ship as the Helios Ray.

Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 0600 GMT Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz. It was coming from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker.

Israels Channel 13, in an unsourced report, said the assessment in Israel is that Iran was behind the blast. Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Iranian government did not comment on the blast Friday.

The blast comes as Tehran increasingly breaches its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers to create leverage over Washington. Iran is seeking to pressure Biden to grant the sanctions relief it received under the deal that former President Donald Trump abandoned nearly three years ago.

Iran also has blamed Israel for a recent series of attacks, including a mysterious explosion last summer that destroyed an advanced centrifuge assembly plant at its Natanz nuclear facility and the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a top Iranian scientist who founded the Islamic Republics military nuclear program two decades ago.

Capt. Ranjith Raja of the data firm Refinitiv told the AP that the Israeli-owned vessel had left the Persian Gulf Thursday bound for Singapore. On Friday at 0230 GMT, the vessel stopped for at least nine hours east of a main Omani port before making a 360-degree turn and sailing toward Dubai, likely for damage assessment and repairs, he said.

The vessel came loaded with cargo from Europe. It discharged vehicles at several ports in the region, Raja added, including in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with its last port of call at Dammam.

While details of the explosion remained unclear, two American defence officials told the AP that the ship had sustained two holes on its port side and two holes on its starboard side just above the waterline in the blast. The officials said it remained unclear what caused the holes. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss unreleased information on the incidents.

A United Nations ship database identified the vessels owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday.

Abraham Ungar, 74, who goes by Rami, is the founder of Ray Shipping Ltd., and is known as one of the richest men in Israel. He made his fortune in shipping and construction.

According to the Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy, where Ungar provides support and maritime training, he owns dozens of car-carrying ships and employs thousands of engineers.

The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it was aware and monitoring the situation. The U.S. Maritime Administration, an agency of the Transportation Department, issued a warning to commercial shippers early Saturday acknowledging the explosion and urging ships to exercise caution when transiting the Gulf of Oman.

While the circumstances of the explosion remain unclear, Dryad Global said it was very possible the blast stemmed from asymmetric activity by Iranian military."

As Iran seeks to pressure the United States to lift sanctions, the country may seek to exercise forceful diplomacy through military means, Dryad reported.

In the tense summer of 2019, the U.S. military blamed Iran for explosions on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic shipping lanes. The U.S. also had attributed a series of other suspected attacks to Iran, including the use of limpet mines  designed to be attached magnetically to a ships hull  to cripple four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah.

Since the killing of Fakhrizadeh, the Iranian nuclear scientist, last November, Israeli officials have raised alarms about potential Iranian retaliation, including through its regional proxies like Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Over the years, Iran has been linked to attacks on Israeli and Jewish civilian targets in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Israel has not commented on its alleged role in the scientist's killing.

Friday's incident also follows normalization deals between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain. The agreements, met with scathing criticism from Iran, solidified an emerging regional alliance against the Islamic Republic.

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Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report.
Federal authorities have charged two suspects for allegedly stealing items worth more than $1,000 from an FBI agents car in Lafayette last week, including the agents credentials and a loaded gun, court records show.

San Francisco police arrested Marvin Raul Guerra and Jose Ochoa Gutierrez for allegedly stealing a backpack containing a slew of items  a loaded gun, federal law enforcement badge and credentials, an access key card and more  on Feb. 20 in Lafayette. Both suspects were released from jail this week, FBI spokesman Prentice Danner said.

The investigation was ongoing as of Thursday afternoon to find the gun, Danner said. The suspects, who are both 18 years old, threw out the stolen items from the car on the Bay Bridge after realizing they belonged to law enforcement, authorities said.

Guerra allegedly stole the agents backpack after he smashed the rear passenger window of the parked car, authorities said. Guerra fled the scene in a white Honda Accord that Gutierrez admitted driving, court documents show.

The agent was having lunch with his wife at American Kitchen in downtown Lafayette during the incident, the restaurants owner, Victor Ivry told The Chronicle last week. It happened in a matter of seconds, Ivry said.

Hours later, authorities located Guerras residence in San Francisco from captured footage of the vehicles license plate. Police have only found a protein bar that was in the stolen backpack.

Guerra was charged with theft of government property, and Gutierrez was charged with theft of government property and aiding and abetting. Both are facing a maximum 10-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release, $100 special assessment, forfeiture and a $250,000 fine, court records show.

The burglary was similar to a 2017 incident when a submachine gun and a bulletproof vest were stolen from a special agents vehicle in the Concord-Orinda-Lafayette area. Then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill in 2016 requiring people, including law enforcement officers, to lock unattended guns in a trunk or in a container that isnt visible.

The law was passed in response to incidents in which firearms stolen from officers vehicles were used in killings, including the deaths of Kathryn Steinle, who was shot in 2015 on San Franciscos Pier 14, and Oakland muralist Antonio Ramos, who was shot in 2015 while working on a mural.

Danner, the FBI spokesman, said the agency was unable to comment on whether the agent would be disciplined for leaving the gun in a backpack in the backseat of his vehicle.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
Cement imports into Mexico from Turkey and China surge in 11M20

ICR Newsroom By 26 February 2021

Imports of cement into Mexico from Turkey and China increased by 88 and 150 per cent, respectively, in the January-November 2020 period, reports Market Data Mexico. Turkey imported cement to the value of US$2m while Chinas imports reached US$1m, the same value as Croatia and The Netherlands.



However, the USA remains the largest cement importer with US$12m in the 11M20 although its imports into Mexico were down by 29 per cent YoY.



Croatian cement imports into Mexico saw a drop of 35 per cent YoY in the 11M20.







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A running shoe specially imported from Israel that washed up on a beach helped police to confirm missing businesswoman Melissa Caddick was dead.

The ASICS shoe was found, with Ms Caddick's decomposed foot inside, by campers at Bournda Beach, on the New South Wales south coast, on Sunday.

The shoe had washed up on the beach more than 400 kilometres away from Ms Caddick's Dover Heights home, in eastern Sydney.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said the shoe matched the description of the shoes Ms Caddick, 49, was seen wearing when her home was raided on November 11.

'That foot and a shoe, which matched the size and description of a shoe that Melissa Caddick was seen wearing during the execution of the ASIC search warrant, were conveyed to the New South Wales Health Forensic and Sciences Service Section here in Sydney,' he said.

A Senior Police source added the ASICS shoe had been ordered specially from Israel and fell in line with Ms Caddick's habit of spending 'lots of money on luxury goods'.

A running shoe specially imported from Israel that washed up on a beach helped police to confirm missing businesswoman Melissa Caddick was dead

The shoe was found more than 400 kilometres away from Ms Caddick's Dover Heights home, in eastern Sydney

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said the shoe matched the description of the shoes Ms Caddick, 49, was seen wearing when her home was raided on November 11

Court-appointed liquidators allege Ms Caddick 'meticulously and systematically' deceived investors who handed millions of dollars to her over seven years, then used the money to fund her extravagant lifestyle.

ASICS women's running shoes can retail for more than $200 online.

Police confirmed the shoe belonged to Ms Caddick after matching the DNA of the foot found inside of it with a toothbrush used by Ms Caddick.

'Melissa's family were informed of the identification last night and are obviously distressed,' assistant commissioner Mick Willing said.

Investigators cannot rule out foul play, he said. But they suspect Ms Caddick died by suicide.

'Given the circumstances of the disappearance (and) the fact that she left personal belongings behind, we've always considered the possibility that she might have taken her own life,' he said.

Police are unsure how long the decomposed foot had been in the water as the search for more remains continues.

'I can say that exactly how Melissa came to enter the water is still a mystery,' assistant commissioner Mick Willing said.

'The searches and ongoing investigation and will take all forms that we normally would.'

The ASICS shoe was found, with Ms Caddick's decomposed foot inside, by campers at Bournda Beach (pictured), on the New South Wales south coast, on Sunday

Melissa Caddick (pictured) disappeared without a trace from her Sydney home on November 11

Modelling by police marine rescue teams, taking tides and drift patterns into account, has been conducted around the possibility of Ms Caddick entering the water in Sydney's Dover Heights area on or about November 12.

Analysis of the foot - found inside a shoe - will help investigators determine when she died.

'It was decomposed so obviously it had been in the water for some time,' Mr Willing said.

Police will continue to search for Ms Caddick's remains around the location of the foot at Bournda Beach, south of Tathra.

Melissa Caddick's husband Anthony Koletti (pictured left with Melissa) and her family were informed of the confirmation of her remains on Thursday night

A foot inside a shoe was found on a beach on the NSW south coast on Sunday, February 21, before DNA testing confirmed it belonged to the alleged conwoman

Liquidators appointed to deal with Ms Caddick's affairs on Wednesday said they were unable to find a single example of a legitimate investment in the name of the investor.

Instead, Ms Caddick mixed 'many, many millions' of investors' funds in company bank accounts and her own personal accounts.

She then used the money to fund an 'extravagant lifestyle' and property purchases, according to provisional liquidator Bruce Gleeson.

Ms Caddick provided investors with hundreds of documents on Commonwealth Bank and CommSec letterheads suggesting their investments were doing well.

Remains of missing Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick (pictured) has been found, three months after she disappeared from her Dover Heights mansion

But really the account numbers on the documents either did not exist or were not associated with the actual investor.

Investors were deceived from the very start, as her company Maliver Pty Ltd did not hold a financial services licence as claimed.

Ms Caddick's husband and son from Friday won't be paid living and legal expenses out of her assets.

The matter is back in the Federal Court in April, when Mr Gleeson and his partner will ask to be appointed as ongoing liquidators so they can start realising Maliver's 'limited' assets.

Mr Willing said the police were working alongside ASIC on the matter.

For confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Help Line on 1800 551 800.
The Congress which lost its



government here at the fag end of its term will be keen to prove a point by winning the assembly elections scheduled for April 6 but would face a stiff challenge from the opposition bloc which includes the BJP.

The 30 assembly constituencies spread across the union territory's four regions -- Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam -- would go for polls in single phase with 10,02,414 voters eligible to cast their ballots.

The total number of polling booths has been increased to 1,559 from 952 with a cap of 1,000 voters each to ensure safe election in view of the COVID-19 situation, Chief Electoral officer Shurbir Singh told reporters here, soon after the election scheduled was announced by the Election Commission.

The model code of conduct came into force on Friday, he said, adding the electorate in comprised 5,30,438 women, 4,71,863 men and 113 third gender.

The UT will go to polls under President's Rule, imposed after the V Narayanasamy government fell on February 22 after being reduced to a minority following a spate of resignations of MLAs of the Congress and its ally DMK in the last two months.

Political observers see the polls as a litmus test for the performance of the Congress government in the last nearly five years during which it enjoyed outside support of the DMK and lone independent MLA after contesting the polls as part of the "Secular Democratic Alliance" that also comprised the VCK and Left parties.

Former chief minister V Narayanasamy was locked in a power tussle with then Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, eased out of the post earlier this month, for most part of his term and had accused her of impeding implementation of his government's decisions, including welfare schemes.

The principal opposition All India NR Congress led by former chief minister N Rangasamy is in alliance with the AIADMK and the BJP and the combine is eyeing to capture power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have already visited the union territory and launched their respective parties' campaign since last week.

The seat sharing exercise in the AINRC-led alliance would be finalised soon, according to indications available from the party, floated by Rangasamy in 2011 after he quit the Congress.

On the other hand, alliance talks between the Congress, DMK and other partners of the combine is yet to begin.

Senior DMK leader and former union minister S Jagathrakshakan has recently dropped hints that the party was keen to contest all 30 seats in the UT.

This would be the second time the assembly polls would be held under Central rule in in the last three decades.

In 1991, President's rule was imposed after the then DMK-Janata dal government fell following rift in the alliance.

With the polls to be held on April 6, the political parties would have to race against time to finalise the alliances and respective candidates.

(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.)

Jersey Mike's locations nationwide will donate 100% of sales on Day of Giving, March 31, to local charities.

During the month of March, customers can make donations through the Jersey Mike's mobile app or onsite. Charities include hospitals, youth organizations, food banks and more. As added incentive, special deals will be announced each week on Twitter and through Jersey Mike's email club.

The campaign culminates with the nationwide event, Day of Giving, on Wednesday, March 31, when local Jersey Mike's owners and operators will donate their resources and every single dollar that comes in to local charities. On Day of Giving, Jersey Mike's will offer free delivery through the Jersey Mike's app.

At the first nationwide fundraiser in 2011, all of Jersey Mike's 454 locations raised $600,000 for 66 charities. Since then, Jersey Mike's annual Month of Giving has raised more than $32 million for local charities.

This year, Jersey Mike's hopes to raise a record-breaking $8 million for local charities striving to fulfill their missions and make a difference.

"This March, we celebrate our Month of Giving with a renewed sense of determination to do all we can to raise as much as we can for important local causes," said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike's founder and CEO. "I invite you to come in this month and make a difference in someone's life."

In each market, restaurant owners select charities that support local neighborhoods and build a stronger community.

For more information, go to jerseymikes.com/mog.

About Jersey Mike's

Jersey Mike's Subs, with more than 2,500 locations open and under development nationwide, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread  the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike's local communities is reflected in its mission statement "Givingmaking a difference in someone's life." Please visit jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/jerseymikes), Instagram (instagram.com/jerseymikes), and Twitter (twitter.com/jerseymikes.com). Join the conversation at #JerseyMikesGives.

Contact: Kyle Potvin, [email protected], 917-838-4500.

SOURCE Jersey Mikes Subs
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Feb. 26LEBANON  A proposal to create a human relations commission here was turned down Tuesday by Lebanon City Council.

Nearly 40 people attended the council meeting offering their comments for and against the proposal. Council voted 5-2 against the proposed ordinance citing that a private/public nonprofit partnership would be more effective rather than another governmental board.

The proposed commission would have consisted of citizens appointed by city council to "research, investigate and discuss current available information, methods and approaches that address discrimination, bias and prejudice within Lebanon and similar sized communities" and report back with recommendations.

In August 2020, council unanimously adopted a resolution denouncing racism, prejudice and discrimination and resolved to continue to work for change in the community on these issues. The Human Relations Commission was thought by some residents as a next step.

Some residents said an human relations commission is needed to help the community address racial and other issues. Several citizens making comments declined to identify themselves citing concerns of retaliation or retribution by other residents who disagree with them.

One man asked why local faith leaders have not been asked to assist the city in developing a dialogue. He said Lebanon has a long history of racism, adding "some human relations commissions have done good work for their communities, while other human relations commissions are divisive and have become political hammers."

About 93% of Lebanon's population is white and less than 3% is Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Statewide, about 82% of Ohio's population is white and more than 13% is Black.

"I think we need to have an advisory committee," said resident Steve Edwards. He said he put up a Black Lives Matter sign that irritated a neighbor who suggested he should move away.

Raye Kimberlin of the MLK Community Coalition of Lebanon, believes an HRC would be a positive for the city. She asked council to address past and present discrimination as people of color have been affected by white supremacists.

Story continues

"A Human Relations Commission would speak to all people of Lebanon," she said. "A Human Relations Commission would bring different kinds of people together and discuss issues."

The proposal was introduced earlier this month by Councilwomen Kristy Wyatt and Wendy Monroe. Wyatt asked how the city got to the point where Lebanon is perceived as being a racist community.

"The issue may not be as bad as we think and this (HRC) could be a good thing," Wyatt said.

Monroe said she was concerned the city could lose talent and possible economic growth. "It's good to talk about different subjects. We have to be at the table to get us to the next level."

However, the majority of council agreed there should be community dialogue, but did not think creating another public board was the answer.

Councilman Doug Shope said he did not think an HRC would be a good tool. "I think this will create problems we don't have and it won't solve the ones we do have."

Councilman Joe Shaffer raised concerns that there was no budget for the proposed commission, concerned that an HRC might be dominated by a few groups, and said it should be a nonprofit organization.

Mayor Amy Brewer said she has "learned a tremendous amount" throughout all of the discussions. She has also seen "ugliness, bullying, labeling of groups and people, and politics entering into it... It was sad to see that. It was absolutely disheartening." Brewer also believes this could be better accomplished through a nonprofit public/private partnership.

"I believe the community needs to work together," she said. "The power of positive change starts with community members. It starts with all of us."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday responded to World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who expressed gratitude to India for the supply of crucial COVID-19 vaccine doses to over 60 countries.

PM Modi replied to the WHO chief saying "We are all together in the fight against this pandemic" and that India is committed to sharing resources, experiences, and knowledge for global good.

Thank you @DrTedros. We are all together in the fight against this pandemic. India is committed to sharing resources, experiences, and knowledge for global good. https://t.co/nVwQKPUl38  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2021

The WHO chief had thanked the Prime Minister and India for sharing the Covid-19 vaccines which are the most essential commodity across the world in pandemic-ridden times. Dr Tedros said India's commitment to COVAX and sharing COVID-19 vaccine doses is helping more than 60 countries to start vaccinating their health workers and other priority groups. He also expressed hope that more countries will follow India in sharing the vaccines.

Thanks  & Prime Minister @narendramodi for supporting #VaccinEquity. Your commitment to #COVAX and sharing #COVID19 vaccine doses is helping 60+ countries start vaccinating their #healthworkers and other priority groups. I hope other countries will follow your example.  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 25, 2021

READ | WHO Chief Thanks India And PM Narendra Modi For Supporting 'vaccine Equity'

READ | COVID-19: Brazil Signs Deal With India's Bharat Biotech For 20 Million Vaccine Doses

Besides supplying over 60 countries, India will supply 2,00,000 doses of vaccines to the United Nations for vaccinating the peacekeepers. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is extremely grateful for the gift of 200,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses by India for peacekeepers. Additional 200,000 doses mean that it will be possible to administer the required double doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all the United Nations peacekeepers across missions.

India has supplied 361.94 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines to various countries so far, the Ministry of External Affairs revealed on Thursday. While 67.5 lakh doses of the total vaccines have been supplied as grant assistance, 294.44 lakh are on a commercial basis, according to MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.

India has supplied Covid-19 vaccines to several countries under its Vaccine Maitri initiative as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge to assist other countries to combat and overcome the challenges of the pandemic. The vaccine diplomacy which started with the supply of vaccines to neighbouring countries has now broadened its ambit by supplying it to distant countries having friendly ties with the Union of India. India has sent consignments of coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados and Dominica. Countries that do not want to openly have India to thank for their vaccine supply, such as Pakistan, have the route of the COVAX alliance, which is also being supplied by India.

READ | India Vaccine Registration: How To Use Co-WIN App For Covid-19 Vaccination Phase 2

READ | India's Covid Vaccine Proposal Draws Support From 115 MPs Of European Parliament
NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative event production agency Eventique won some of the BizBash Event Style Awards' most distinguished recognitions at the event trade media company's live ceremony on Wednesday, February 17th. One of the top awards, for Best Nonprofit Event Concept of the Decade went to Eventique's production of The Humane Society of the United States' "To The Rescue!" Gala.

For the annual fundraising event, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, Eventique transformed the format of the gala into a talk show-style program, where hosts Jerry O'Connell and Rebecca Romjin interviewed attendees and award recipients from a lounge setting. One of the evening's highlights was O'Connell challenging award-winning "Mutts" cartoonist Patrick McDonnell to a drawing competition. Musical guest Gavin DeGraw performed three of his hit songs for the 600+ attendees, and graffiti legends David "Chino" Villorente and Ribs painted a custom 40-foot mural of the HSUS causes for guests to interact with.

"When we reflected about what to do with the gala after ten consecutive years, we gravitated to all the talk shows that have kept us on our couches for generations," said Eventique's Strategic Director Eric Wielander. "If you've watched any morning, daytime or late night shows, you've enjoyed the way content has been presented through monologue, stories, interviews, host-guest challenges, and musical performances. It's a recognizable formula, but not one that we saw used for a fundraising gala until now."

At the same event, Eventique also took the Best Tabletop Design award for its inventive hologram centerpiece featuring imagery of some of the animals that the organization helps. "The Humane Society of the United States is honored to have our 'To the Rescue!' gala recognized with these two awards," says HSUS Senior Director of Philanthropy Karen Duarte. "Our partnership with Eventique helps us highlight the mission of the HSUS in such creative and engaging ways."

The timing of this year's BizBash awards acknowledged both live and virtual events. Eventique also took home BizBash's Best Live or Virtual Conference for its virtual experience of The Toy Insider's "SweetSuite" toy trade event for toy bloggers that included such brands as Lego, Nintendo and Fisher-Price. "At the beginning of the pandemic, we quickly recognized that while live events would be in question for an indefinite period, companies would need to engage through COVID," said Eventique's Founder and Executive Producer Liron David. "Our VP of Operations Christopher Mattina and Production Manager Amelia Friedman worked tirelessly with our team of designers and developers and immediately began creating a unique, interactive 3D environment that was branded, otherworldly, and not some software you could license that looks like a generic trade show or general session. In less than three months, Eventique had our first and completely customized environment for 'SweetSuite' and we were hired to create a follow-up to the inaugural virtual event months later."

Eventique was nominated for a total 10 BizBash Event Style Awards this year, including Best Influencer Event for the beauty and cosmetics brand philosophy, and Best Use of Special Effects for UNICEF's World Children's Day at the iconic United Nations General Assembly Hall.

ABOUT EVENTIQUE: Founded in 2006 by Liron David, Eventique is a live / virtual event and creative agency headquartered in New York City. Eventique creates and produces events including multi-day meetings and conferences, brand activations, media events, and fundraising galas. The agency's clients include TikTok, WWD, bareMinerals, Variety, Anheuser-Busch, Coty, Meridian Capital, New-York Historical Society and more.

SOURCE Eventique

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The Indian government has released the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 with an aim to regular social media platforms, digital media and OTT platforms. When the new rules come into effect, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and more will have to ensure better checks and balances when it comes to user-generated content shared on their platforms. Similarly, the new rules also entail a three-tier content classification model for regulating OTT platforms like Netflix and Hotstar and you can read more about that separately here.

Essentially with the new IT Rules 2021, the Government of India is trying to regulate the digital media sphere and with it the content that is shared online. The new IT Rules are formed under the IT Act, 2000 and supersede the previous IT Rules 2011. The Ministry of Electronics and IT in its press release said that the new Rules empower ordinary users of social media, embodying a mechanism for redressal and timely resolution of their grievance.

Until now, digital media and OTT platforms have largely remained away from the ambit of any regulations courtesy of Section 79 of the IT Act which allows a safe harbour. However, in the past couple of years, the Indian government has been trying to put a leash on Big Tech companies as they look for larger accountability from them in the eye of challenges like fake news, misuse, violence spread of defamatory content and disruption of public order among others. The new rules are applicable to OTT platforms, digital media and social media at large and will be enforced by the Ministry of Electronics and IT and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Establishing grievance redressal system

Under the new IT Rules 2021, social media platforms have been asked to follow due diligence, the lack of which will mean that safe harbour provisions wont apply to them. Furthermore, the government directs these companies to set up a grievance redressal mechanism for users to send in their complaints. Intermediaries shall appoint a Grievance Officer to deal with such complaints and share the name and contact details of such officer. Grievance Officer shall acknowledge the complaint within twenty-four hours and resolve it within fifteen days from its receipt, as per the new rules.

Though social media platforms have empowered users, yet they need accountability against its misuse and abuse. These Rules substantially empower the users to seek redressal for their grievances. Take a look to know more. #ResponsibleFreedom #OTTGuidelines pic.twitter.com/o5Z2brfnA8  MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) February 25, 2021

The IT Rules 2021 also classify two kinds of social media platforms. Theres social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries, the latter being platforms with a large user base. The government also revealed that over 53 crore Indians use WhatsApp followed by over 44.8 Crore YouTube users, 41 Crore Facebook users, 21 Crore Instagram users and 1.75 Crore Twitter users. These could potentially be the kind of significant social media intermediaries that the government categorizes in the new rules.

Under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, what are the additional due diligence that needs to be followed by a significant Social Media Intermediary? Have a look! #ResponsibleFreedom #OTTGuidelines pic.twitter.com/VQwQCpoSKA  MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) February 25, 2021

The significant social media intermediaries will be obliged to follow some additional measures that include appointing a Chief Compliance Offer, Nodal Contact Person and a Resident Grievance Officer in India. Apart from this, these platforms should also have a physical contact address in India which should be notified on the website and apps.

Identifying the source of information

A big red flag in the IT Rules 2021 is the Traceability aspect detailed by the government. In it, the government has asked social media platforms to enable identification of the first originator of the information which essentially means the source of the information/content. This will be applicable in the event of prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years.

However, take the example of an end-to-end encrypted app like WhatsApp or Signal which does not keep a track of messages sent or received by its users. What happens to such apps in case the government wants to know the source of a particular message? There is no clear answer to this yet. However, instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram have banked on their end-to-end-encryption features to offer privacy to their users time and again. When the new rules come into effect, it remains to be seen what measures do the social media giants take to safeguard the privacy of their users.

Amidst the concerns around lack of transparency, accountability & rights of users related to digital media, the IT Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code Rules 2021 have been announced. Take a look to know some of the key details. #ResponsibleFreedom #OTTGuidelines pic.twitter.com/KKIIDMcEn3  MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) February 25, 2021

The IT Rules 2021 also lay down the measures to remove content that is deemed unlawful by the government. The new rules state that social media companies are prohibited from hosting or publishing any unlawful information obtained in relation to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign countries etc. after receiving a court order or government notification. Furthermore, the new rules ask social media platforms to inform users before removing or disabling access to the information posted by them. Users must be provided an adequate and reasonable opportunity to dispute the action taken by the intermediary, the rules state.

The IT Rules 2021 have been published in The Gazette of India which means that it is currently under effect except for some rules for significant social media intermediaries which will come in effect after three months. We have explained the new IT Rules for OTT platforms separately that you can read here.
On February 26, 2021, the famous Balakot Airstrike, which was the first aerial assault carried out by India in Pakistan after the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, completed 2 years. The Balakot Air Strike was conducted in response to the deadly Pulwama terror attack that had claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Jawans. This airstrike was the brainchild of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and was permitted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the security forces were given a free hand to avenge the worst terror attack on Indian forces in many decades.

At around 3:30 am on February 26, 2019, 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and destroyed the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Pakistan's Bakalot. Codenamed as "operation Bandar', the strike was conducted by the seventh and ninth squadrons of the Indian Air Force. The IAF had used the upgraded Mirage 2000s to carry out the attack inside the Pakistani territory.

READ | J&K Police Recovers 7 Kg IED; Major Terror Attack Averted On 2nd Anniversary Of Pulwama

How India planned Balakot Air Strike

The Balakot Air Strike was mainly conducted by 12 Mirage 2000s that flew from the Gwalior Aur Force base to avoid detection by the Pakistanis. The Mirage 2000s, flying three separate formations, flew over north and central India for hours before entering Pakistan.

Just before entering Pakistan, the Mirage 2000s, along with Su-30 MKIs, formed 3 separate formations. The Su-30s had played a major role in the strike as they caught the attention of Pakistani radars. In response to the formation of the Indian Su-30s, the Pakistani force scrambled a group of F-16 fighter jets and at the same time, the Mirage 2000s, which were heading towards Balakot dropped Israeli-made Spice 2000 bombs on the terror facility in Balakot.

Air Marshal Hari Kumar, who had planned and executed the Balakot Airstrike had said, "The choice of target and execution came with a lot of planning and intelligence inputs. It was important to send a message to Pakistan that India will not tolerate any more attacks like Pulwama."

It is also important to mention that IAF had also kept its team of Garuda commandos on standby for any kind of operations that may have been required due to any kind of emergency there.

How did Pakistan react to the Balakot Air Strike?

A day after the airstrike, Pakistan had tried to attack the Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. however, the IAF had successfully thawed the attack by a full squadron of Pakistan F-16s but IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot a Pakistani F-16 from his MiG-21 Bison, was captured. However, Wing Commander Abhinandan was released by Pakistan after 2 days due to international pressure exerted by India.

READ | Pulwama Terror Attack: Bollywood Stars Pay Tributes To Brave Souls And Their Families

What the then IAF chief said about the Balakot Airstrike

The Balakot Air Strike had helped India neutralise terror inside the Kashmir Valley and also helped it show its military capabilities. Former Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa had said that Balakot Air Strike gave Pakistan a message that India"gus kar maarega".

The former IAF chief had said, "Basically, it's a paradigm shift in the way we conduct our operations. The other side never believed that we could carry out a strike inside Pakistan to take out a terror training camp that we successfully carried out. After Balakot Air Strike, there was no major terrorist attack throughout the Indian elections because they were scared that we will respond again in the same manner or even more devastatingly."

The airstrike had killed an estimated 300 terrorists

Pulwama Terror Attack: A black day for India

Earlier on February 14, 2019, 40 Indian soldiers were martyred in one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. After the deadly attack, a Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility. A 22-year-old suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus. The convoy had 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. The attack, which was reported near Awantipora at nearly 3:15 pm resulted in the death of 40 CRPF jawans, while many others were left injured.

READ | 2 Days After Pulwama Attack Anniversary, Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM; No Mention Of Pakistan

After this attack, India had also withdrawn the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan and the whole international community had expressed its strong support to India in the wake of the terror attack. The memorial having names of all 40 jawans killed in the attack was inaugurated on February 14, 2020, at CRPF's Training Centre at Lethpora camp in Pulwama. The memorial is inscribed with the names of all the 40 troopers along with their photographs and the motto of the CRPF -- "Seva and Nishtha" (Service and Loyalty).

Earlier on Republic Day 2021, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) ASI Mohan Lal who lost his life during the Pulwama attack in 2019, was awarded the President Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) posthumously. Mohan Lal was awarded the medal for spotting the IED-laden car and having fired to stop the car before it rammed into a bus in the convoy that killed the suicide bomber and 40 CRPF personnel on February 14, 2019.

READ | PM Modi Visits Poll Bound Tamil Nadu, Assures Equality & Justice For Tamils In Sri Lanka
Gurugram, Feb 26 : The Gurugram Police have arrested a man on the charge of murdering his 32-year-old wife, Ruby, in Sarhaul village in Guguram as he suspected her of having illicit relations, police said on Friday.

Satish Kumar, 38, of Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh had allegedly brutally assaulted his wife with an iron rod after a heated argument over a suspected extramarital affair and fled the spot on February 14.

Kumar was arrested from near Shani temple in Sarhaul village on Thursday by a team of crime branch unit DLF Phase-4 after a tip-off.

"During questioning the accused has confessed his crime and disclosed that he suspected that his wife had developed illicit relations. He hit his wife with an iron rod after an argument and fled the spot to his native place," said Preet Pal Sangwan, ACP (Crime).

Kumar, who works as a security guard at a private company and was living at a rented accommodation in Sarhaul village for the past three years with his wife and their two children.

Akshay Singh, the woman's brother, who lives in Delhi, had said in his police complaint that he received a call from his sister's friend who had found her body at the residence. He rushed to Gurugram and saw her lying on the bed. He immediately informed the police control room and tried to wake her up but by then she was dead.

"Her nose, mouth and ears were bleeding and she had suffered severe injuries all over her body," he told the police.

A case under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against Kumar on February 14 at Sector 17/18 police station in Gurugram.

New Delhi:

The Karavan-e-Aman weekly bus service across the Line of Control (LoC) on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road resumed on Monday. It was suspended last week. However, the trade on the given route is expected to resume on Tuesday.



An official issued a statement, "The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service operated today after an agreement reached with authorities from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir last week." 116 passengers boarded the bus bound for the capital of PoK - Muzaffarabad on Monday morning, he said.



"It includes 110 residents of PoK who are returning home after spending time with their relatives here while six persons from Jammu and Kashmir are going to meet their relatives on other side of LoC," the official added.



The trade on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was suspended two weeks ago following recovery of 66.5 kg of heroin and brown sugar valued at over Rs 300 crore from a truck coming from PoK on July 21.



The impasse was resolved at a meeting between officials of two sides held at Kaman Post last week.



(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Cross-LoC bus service between Poonch & Rawalakot halted due to shelling by Pakistan

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AL Jasoor, the UAEs armoured vehicle specialist and exclusive supplier of the Rabdan 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, has announced its collaboration with EOS Defence Systems, a leading Australian technology company operating in the space, defence and satellite communications markets.

The partnership marks the first time a vehicle is fitted with the R800, a remote weapon system that offers lighter-weight gimbals, advanced electro-optics applications, transformative stabilisation and multiple weapon mounting options.

AL Jasoors signature vehicle will take centre-stage in highlighting the companys best-in-class offerings at the EDGE pavilion.

As the industry registers a global uptick for weapon stations that optimise full-size, medium-calibre turret capabilities without the limitations that large, cumbersome, and invasive structures may impose, EOS R800 remote weapon system meets the growing demand for sophisticated armaments, while setting new benchmarks for firepower that is significantly lighter than others in its category.

Employing the same interface as other EOS remote weapon systems, the R800 features modular state-of-the-art capabilities and boasts the added capacity to mount the Mk44S 30x173 mm cannon with dual ammunition feeds as well as a coaxially mounted machine gun and an anti-tank or air defence artillery missile package. The addition of the Mk44S allows the system to leverage the range and effectiveness of existing 30x173 mm ammunition.

As the name implies, the R800 weighs 800 kg with a traverse of 360 and an elevation from +55 to -30. The remote weapon system is optimised for tracked and wheeled vehicles, such as the Rabdan 8x8, and features a direct-drive sensor unit that minimises high-frequency road and vehicle vibration from degrading the operator video image. In addition, the remote weapon system is equipped with various sensors including a day camera, a thermal camera, and an eye safe laser rangefinder.

Built to endure extreme environmental conditions and terrain, with capabilities that allow soldiers to operate and observe from a protected position using stabilised precision day and night optics and laser, the R800 can detect and engage targets from distances of up to 3 km with increased accuracy and reduced collateral damage.

Speaking on the occasion, Fahad Al Absi, CEO, AL Jasoor, said: As a world-leader in remote weapon systems, EOS brings to the table decades of experience in manufacturing precision systems that are versatile in addressing the most exacting end-user demands. We are delighted to be the first in this class of vehicles to integrate the new generation R800 onto our Rabdan 8x8 fleet. We believe this synergy with EOS will mutually benefit our trusted business partners and stakeholders.

For his part, AbdulRahman AlBlooshi, CEO of EOS Advanced Technologies in UAE said: EOS is proud to partner with AL Jasoor in bringing to market this enhanced next generation remote weapon system. The R800 is an overall capable system that upgrades the armament capacity of vehicles without compromising payload or requiring the extensive modifications of a full turret system.

AL Jasoor works relentlessly to meet the nations diverse armoured vehicle requirements, with a strong vision for manufacturing land platforms in order to address the future needs of the UAEs domestic and export markets.

AL Jasoor is part of the Platforms & Systems cluster within EDGE, an advanced technology group for defence that ranks among the top 25 military suppliers in the world. -- Tradearabia News Service
US, Britain seek new WHO look into possible origins of COVID-19 in China

Border disputes a reality, should be given sufficient attention: China tells India

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi has told External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar that the border dispute between India and China is a reality and should be taken seriously, but should be placed at an appropriate position in bilateral ties.

The two ministers spoke over phone on Thursday to review the troop disengagement process. The two sides have agreed to set up a hotline for better communication in a timely manner, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

Border disputes are an objective reality and should be given sufficient attention and taken seriously.

Disengagement win-win situation for both sides: Army chief

However, border issues are not the whole of India-China relations and should be placed at an appropriate position in bilateral relations, Wang Yi said according to the statement.

He was further quoted as saying that the recent disengagement of frontline Chinese and Indian troops had clearly eased the situation on the ground. Both sides must cherish the current hard-won situation, jointly consolidate the existing results and maintain the momentum of consultation, he also said.

Disengagement of the two militaries in the Pangong Lake area is an important result of the two sides earnestly implementing the Moscow consensus of the two foreign ministers, Jaishankar said according to the statement.

India hopes to strengthen dialogue and consultation with China to achieve complete disengagement in other regions as soon as possible and promote the continuous cooling of the border situation between the two countries, Jaishankar also said.

Wang Yi said that the bad ties were not in the interest of both countries. He said that the Indian policies towards China had changed in the last year and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries had been affected. He also said that past experiences show that highlighting differences will not help resolve problems and would also erode the foundation of mutual trust.

The statement said that both parties agreed to establish a communication hotline to exchange opinions in a timely manner.

"Spoke to State Councillor & Foreign Minister Wang Yi this afternoon. Discussed the implementation of our Moscow Agreement and reviewed the status of disengagement," Jaishankar said in a tweet later.

Post disengagement, no change in policy on Chinese FDI

Both sides view the smooth and successful completion of disengagement in the north and south bank [of Pangong Lake] as a significant first step as this forms a basis for resolution of remaining issues so as to achieve the eventual goal of complete disengagement in all friction areas. Both sides have agreed to work towards a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

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Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 9:22 [IST]
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in Theology Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 156 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 156 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Theology Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-theology-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Theology Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Abilene Christian University

Anderson University

Asbury Theological Seminary

Ave Maria University

Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary

Barclay College

Belhaven University

Biola University

Campbellsville University

Chaminade University, Honolulu

Clarks Summit University

Columbia International University

Cornerstone University

Covenant Theological Seminary

Criswell College

Dallas Baptist University

Faith International University & Faith Seminary

Gateway Seminary

Grace Christian University

Grand Canyon University

Heritage Christian University

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Hope International University

Iliff School of Theology

Indiana Wesleyan University

King's University

Lee University

Liberty University

Lincoln Christian University

Luther Rice College & Seminary

Luther Seminary

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Moody Bible Institute

Multnomah University

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Newman University

North Greenville University

Ohio Christian University

Oral Roberts University

Regent University

Saint Joseph's College, Maine

Saint Leo University

South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Southwestern Assemblies Of God University

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Truett McConnell University

University of Dallas

World Mission University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.




Haiti - DR : The Dominican opposition calls for an international commission to monitor the agreements signed with Haiti





Quique Antun, the President of the Christian Social Reform Party (PRSC) suggested to the Dominican President Luis Abinader the creation of a "Commission of control and collaboration" whose mission will be to guarantee the respect of the agreements recently concluded between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32758-haiti-flash-9-joint-commitments-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32834-haiti-environment-signature-of-a-joint-declaration-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic.html



Quique Antun, proposes as members of this commission: the Organization of American States (OAS), local representations of the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), as well as the friendly states accredited to the Dominican Republic, "closely related to Dominican-Haitian issues, such as the United States, Canada, France, Germany and others."



He underlines that the proposal aims for these international organizations and these nations "to accompany the process, guaranteeing the faithful respect of what is written in these agreements knowing that it is a tradition on the part of our neighbors not to respect the agreements."



The reformist leader affirms in his letter to Abinader, that this commission, with a consensus of the two countries beforehand, would ensure and coordinate the logistical and financial support, "establishing a coordination between the corresponding institutions of the two countries, to ensure the completion between another of the official Haitian documentation process on behalf of the Haitian Government with the help of the corresponding Dominican entities."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32834-haiti-environment-signature-of-a-joint-declaration-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32834-haiti-environment-signature-of-a-joint-declaration-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32741-haiti-flash-luis-abinader-met-jovenel-moise-in-the-border-area.html



S/ HaitiLibre


















Canada's vaccine rollout received a boost Friday with the approval of a third COVID-19 inoculation, giving the country another immunization option at a time when case counts remain nearly 75 per cent higher than they were at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic.

A health worker holds up a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 in Rome, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP

Canada's vaccine rollout received a boost Friday with the approval of a third COVID-19 inoculation, giving the country another immunization option at a time when case counts remain nearly 75 per cent higher than they were at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic.

Health Canada approved a vaccine from AstraZeneca, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said jabs will keep arriving "faster and faster as we head into the spring."

While numbers of cases and hospitalizations have dropped from all-time highs just weeks ago, variants of concern are rising in parts of the country.

Canada's top doctor Theresa Tam said nationally there are 964 reported cases of the variant first detected in the U.K., up from 429 reported two weeks ago. There were also 44 cases of the variant first discovered in South Africa, and two cases of the version first found in Brazil.

"The risk of rapid re-acceleration remains," Tam said. "At the same time new variants continue to emerge ... and can become predominant."

Tam added that average daily case counts in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia have increased between eight and 14 per cent over the previous week.

Thunder Bay, Ont., will move into lockdown on Monday after community leaders called for government action following a recent spread of COVID in the city. Outbreaks have been declared there at correctional facilities, among the homeless population and at a number of local schools.

Ontario's Simcoe Muskoka region will also go into lockdown next week after a spike in infections, but restrictions will loosen in seven other areas in the province.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer, said the country's vaccine rollout will be just one method in slowing the spread of new variants and avoiding a third wave.

He said public health measures aimed at halting transmission such as physical distancing and limiting contacts remain important, adding that jurisdictions that have recently reopened need to keep a keen eye on transmission rates.

"Certainly if there's any indication that the case rates and ... the emergence of variants are increasing, we would need to adjust as appropriate," he said. "But the vaccinations, and certainly the introduction of more vaccines coming to Canada is very, very good news."

Experts advising the Ontario government said this week more contagious variants of COVID-19 are expected to make up 40 per cent of cases by the second week of March.

Ontario reported 1,258 new cases of COVID-19 and 28 more deaths linked to the virus on Friday, with 362 of them in Toronto, 274 in Peel Region and 104 in York Region.

Parts of Atlantic Canada have also seen rising case counts. Newfoundland and Labrador reported four new cases of COVID-19 while Nova Scotia added 10 more to its tally.

Of the new Nova Scotia cases, the province says two are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada.

Prince Edward Island, which reported an outbreak of three cases earlier this week, had one more new case Friday that does not appear to be directly linked to the others.

Quebec, meanwhile, reported 815 new COVID-19 infections and 11 more deaths. Health officials in the province said hospitalizations have dropped by 13, to 620, while intensive care also decreased by three to 119.

Saskatchewan health officials announced 153 new cases and no new deaths, while in Manitoba there were 64 new infections and one additional death.

In Alberta, with 356 new infections and three more deaths, doctors with the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association's pandemic committee urged the province to hold off on possibly easing more restrictions next week. They said they are concerned that new daily active cases have stopped decreasing and the number of new infections that result from each case is growing.

As of Thursday evening, federal data showed there have been 858,217 COVID-19 cases in Canada, including 21,865 deaths, since the beginning of the pandemic.

While Tam warned that COVID-19 variants can spread more quickly and easily become dominant, progress on the vaccine front is a source of optimism, she noted.

"To date, over 1.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across Canada. And there are early indications of high vaccine efficacy."

Trudeau also announced on Friday a partnership with Mississauga, Ont.'s Verity Pharmaceuticals and the Serum Institute of India that will deliver two million more doses of the AstraZeneca jab  in addition to the 20 million doses Canada already secured with AstraZeneca.

Trudeau said as vaccinations ramp up across the country, many provinces have expanded the number of health professions able to administer a COVID-19 vaccine, and he asked dentists, midwives, pharmacy technicians and retired nurses to lend a hand in the rollout.

"Job 1 remains beating this pandemic," Trudeau said, adding the federal government will continue to send rapid tests to provinces in hopes of getting more Canadians tested.

"We still have to be very careful, especially with new variants out there. We all want to start the spring in the best shape possible."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2021.
TORRINGTON  Superintendent of Schools Susan Lubomski believes having additional teachers is key to helping students meet graduation requirements and recover from remote learning challenges, adding five to the rolls in next years proposed budget.

Lubomski on Wednesday gave the Board of Education an overview of the proposed $78,143,125 spending package for the coming school year, a 2.1 percent increase over current spending.

She noted salaries and benefits made up a large portion of the budget, 46.9 percent and 23.6 percent, respectively.

Contractual increases come to 2.03 percent, or $1.536 million, she said.

The superintendent said adding four teachers at Torrington High School  in English, science and social studies  would allow her to add more course offerings. Shes also asking for an additional special education teacher at Torrington Middle School.

There are new (high school) graduation requirements this year  25 credits  and that means we will require staffing increases, she said.

Public Act 17-42 says that, starting in 2021, students are required to complete a minimum of 25 credits in humanities: English, social studies, American history including civics and government; fine arts and a humanities course elective, and credits in science, technology, engineering and math. Students will also will need a half-credit in health and safety education, two credits in life skills and career electives, English as a second language, community service, personal finance, public speaking, nutrition and physical activity; and one credit for a senior project.

The high school also is planning to offer expanded child development classes and more technology study options.

Other proposed staff additions include increasing a behavioral program at Torringford School, as well as targeted enrichment and support time for students who need one-on-one support.

There are no staff or course section reductions, Lubomski said. We cant do it in the time of COVID-19. When you look at our enrollment, its staying consistent; the high school enrollment is actually up this year. We cant afford to lose course sections and we need continued intervention supports in the district.

Salaries for the added teaching positions total $318,182, Lubomski said.

The increase is 2.1 percent or $1,610,227 in the school operating budget, she said.

School board Chairman Fiona Cappabianca encouraged members to hold off on questioning Lubomski on spending until they were able to review the budget themselves.

The board is scheduling budget discussion sessions starting March 3 and 10. Residents can learn more about those upcoming meetings and the budget proposal at www.torrington.org .

Jopie Heuseveldt, who turned 90 over the weekend, has been a fan of Katikati College for decades.

She and her late husband, Kees, immigrated to New Zealand from Holland and originally settled in Christchurch where they both worked as teachers.

While serving as VSA volunteers in Tonga from 1968 to 1970, they made friends with a couple from Katikati who invited them for a visit.

It only took one trip to the Western Bay of Plenty to convince Jopie and Kees that they had found their new home, and they soon bought property in Omokoroa.

Both Jopie and Kees found a place at Katikati College, where Kees installed a new workshop and taught Engineering and Technical Drawing.

Jopie had taught primary school in Christchurch, so she was very excited to be hired to teach English and History at the college.

They both retired in the 1980s, and Jopie moved to Katikati after Kees passed away.

Jopie has recently committed to supporting the Katikati Innovative Horticultural Project through her Acorn Foundation fund.

She chose this cause due to Kees passion for growing trees of every type on their property in Omokoroa and her belief that supporting students into careers in horticulture will greatly benefit the area.

Since the Katikati Innovative Horticultural Project is setting out to create a centre of horticultural educational excellence that will cater for college-aged students, young people not in education, employment or training and the local community, it perfectly aligns with Jopies vision for the area.

After meeting Jopie recently, Katikati College horticulture head teacher Hilary Johnson says she's hugely grateful to Jopie for not just her generosity, but for her vision in seeing how her contribution can go towards affecting so many young lives in our community, which then of course translates into older lives contributing to our community and society in general.

"To receive support for our project from a private individual with no affiliations to the horticultural industry is truly humbling. She greatly recognises that learning must be relevant and real to the individual.

"This is something that underpins our personalised Innovative Horticulture programme and is one of the key factors making it successful.

Quite simply she reminded me why I love my job! Being a teacher is truly a calling for some like Jopie, and even at 90 she still has a lesson or two to teach others, says Katikati College Principal Carolyn Pentecost.

I imagine she was a game changer for the students lucky enough to have her as a teacher. Her humility and passion are the essence of a good teacher and something I will always strive to achieve as an educator.

The Acorn Foundation has been working with generous donors like Jopie Heuseveldt to support local organisations working in areas of interest to them since 2003.

For more information on how you might support the community you love, go to www.acornfoundation.org.nz

For more information on the exciting work being done at the Katikati Innovative Horticultural Project, go to www.katikatiihp.com
Netflix snatched up the film rights to the popular video game Tom Clancy's The Division in June 2019.

And on Thursday, it was announced that the still-in-the-works movie with Jessica Chastain and Jake Gyllenhaal attached has got a new director.

Rawson Marshall Thurber is replacing original helmer David Leitch, Deadline.com reported.

Update: Netflix's video game movie The Division has a new director. The long-in-the-works project will be now be helmed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, Deadline.com reported Thursday

Thurber is coming off another Netflix project Red Notice starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot which will be released on the streamer later this year.

Leitch, whose credits include John Wick, Deadpool 2 and Hobbs & Shaw, had to drop out of The Division due to filming for Brad Pitt's Bullet Train.

Chastain, 43, was most recently seen in Ava, It Chapter Two and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

Gyllenhaal's last big screen outing was Spider-Man: Far From Home and the actor, 40, is currently filming Michael Bay's new thriller Ambulance.

A-listers: The Division stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain and centers on a group of civilians attempting to save what remain of society after a virus wipes out millions of people

The Division is set in the near future and starts when a virus spread via paper money on Black Friday decimates New York City and kills millions.

Within a few short weeks, what's left of society is in chaos and a small band of civilians trained for catastrophe attempt to save who and what remains.

The role-playing game became the fast-selling IP in history upon its release in 2016.

The Division 2 was released in March 2019.
IF you have absolutely no urgent or emergency need to be outdoors today, then remain at home.

Should you take a chance and decide to tempt fate, then it may most likely result in you being stopped and questioned by police officers and members of the Defence Force, or even find yourself charged and taken before a court.
A company boss has won a 130,000 payout from British Airways after slipping in a puddle of spilt Bailey's liqueur and hitting his head on the floor at Heathrow Airport.

Andreas Wuchner suffered brain damage after his foot slipped in the beverage tipped over by a passenger near a BA check-in desk in November 2017.

The businessman's company folded the next year and he took BA to court, suing over his injuries and for loss of earnings.

Now Judge Simon Monty QC has awarded Mr Wuchner a 130,000 payout and opened the door for him to claim considerably more.

Andreas Wuchner (pictured above) suffered brain damage after his foot slipped in the beverage tipped over by a passenger near a BA check-in desk at Heathrow Airport in 2017

Central London County Court heard that, at the time of the accident, Mr Wuchner had been at the airport to catch a BA jet to Zurich.

He was checking in for his flight when he went head over heels in a puddle of spilt booze.

Natasha Jackson, for Mr Wuchner, told the judge: 'This was a slip on a spilt bottle of Bailey's liqueur, but unfortunately he does seem to have suffered some traumatic brain injury as a result.

'The accident took place on 11 November 2017. My unfortunate client slipped and fell on liquid on the floor while embarking at Heathrow.'

She added: 'The claim is admitted.'

Ms Jackson also said outside the court: 'The liquid turned out to be Bailey's liqueur that hadn't been cleared up.'

Central London County Court heard that, at the time of the accident, Mr Wuchner had been at the airport (pictured above, file photo) to catch a BA jet to Zurich

It means Mr Wuchner is entitled to 130,000 under a 'strict liability' clause of the Montreal Convention - the law which governs payouts for injuries suffered by passengers in the process of embarking on international flights.

That is the normal limit for compensation under the Convention.

However, if negligence on the part of BA staff were to be proved 'the limit can be exceeded,' Ms Jackson added.

While telling the judge that Mr Wuchner wants to pocket the 130,000 but press ahead with a bigger claim too, she said 'much of this claim is a complicated loss of earnings claim'.

Mr Wuchner had been running his own office supplies company but that was 'liquidated' in September 2018, ten months after the accident, she said.

Mr Wuchner was checking in for his flight when he went head over heels in a puddle of spilt Baileys (file photo showing bottles of the beverage, pictured above)

She told the judge that the brain-damaged boss wants to call an orthopaedic surgeon, a neurologist and a pain management expert to give evidence about the impact of the slip on his life.

Christopher Loxton, for BA, agreed Mr Wuchner should get the 130,000 payout, telling the judge: 'I am happy for judgment to be entered for the claimant with damages to be assessed.'

But the airline is arguing that there was no negligence on the part of their staff and that he should not get more.

The judge went on to enter judgment for Mr Wuchner against British Airways PLC, with damages to be assessed.

That guarantees him the 130,000 and a trial will go ahead at a later date over whether he is due a bigger payout.
Sinn Fein has called on controversial party councillor Paddy Holohan to remove a Facebook post in which he tells people to get behind the beauty salon owner who was arrested for opening her business in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.

In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Holohan described C&N Beauty Room owner Christine McTiernan as inspiring after she was arrested by gardai for opening her business during the highest level of restrictions.

Mr Holohan said: I feel its important we all support each others mental health and spiritual health during these testing times for the world.

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We need to get in behind and support people anyway we can while of course making sure guidelines are encouraged, the South Dublin county councillor said.

In another Facebook post, Mr Holohan said you can bet your house gardai would not attend a meat plant in the same numbers as those who attended Ms McTiernans beauty salon. Aldi has 100s of People a day pass through, this shop probably wouldnt see 100 a month, he said.

Were (sic) the TDs that claim they support the people and the workers, he added.

Off picking lowing hanging fruit is were (sic) they are.

Mr Holohan added that not all but large percentage of TDs in the Dail are snakes.

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said Mr Holohan should remove his Facebook post in support on Ms McTiernan.

Expand Close Christine McTiernan, who defied Level 5 restrictions and opened her premises at C&N Beauty Room, Balbriggan, Dublin, to the public. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Christine McTiernan, who defied Level 5 restrictions and opened her premises at C&N Beauty Room, Balbriggan, Dublin, to the public. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

This is a position completely at odds with the view of the party, the spokesperson said before adding: he should remove this. Mr Holohan has not responded to a request for comment.

Ms McTiernan was arrested after she opened her salon in Balbriggan, North County Dublin on two days in row this week.

She was charged with the breach of Covid restrictions and is due back in court on March 25.

She claimed she had a constitutional right to open her beauty salon during the pandemic and insisted she was taking a stand against government restriction aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.

Mr Holohan was previously suspended from Sinn Fein for derogatory comments he made about women and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar

Speaking on a podcast before the last general election, Mr Holohan said Mr Varadkar is separated from the history of this country.

"Leo Varadkars blood obviously runs to India. His great-grandfather is not part of the history of this country. Now Leo obviously is. Hes an Irish citizen but his passion doesnt go back to the times when our passion goes back to, he said.

He later apologised and said his comments were taken out of context. On the same podcast he said there are some f****** scum women out there before claiming underage girls were blackmailing men. After these comments emerged he was suspended from Sinn Fein.
WINDSOR LOCKS  Police say two incidents involving unlocked cars in a local shopping plaza sparked a series of misinformation that was shared on social media this week.

Windsor Locks police said there was a lot of inaccurate information shared on Facebook about the incidents that occurred Wednesday outside Village Pizza and Izumi on Ella Grasso Turnpike.

The first incident occurred after a driver left a vehicle unlocked with cash on the center console in the parking lot at Village Pizza 25 Ella Grasso Turnpike late Wednesday afternoon, police said. When the driver returned, the money was gone. Police said it happened around 5:45 p.m. and was reported when the driver noticed it around 7:50 p.m. A male suspect fled in a light-colored vehicle, police said.

Around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, police reported a car was stolen outside the adjacent Izumi restaurant. Police said the vehicle was left unlocked and the keys were inside. The car was recovered Thursday morning in Hartfords North End. Police said Hartford police made two arrests and found weapons in the vehicle.

On Facebook, however, police said people claimed there was a robbery at Village Pizza and a carjacking outside Izumi.

All crimes are negative no matter the severity, but some have more impact on public safety and immediate threats to the public than property crime, police said. We do not want to cause undue alarm to the public.

Police said the false claims of a robbery and carjacking imply force, weapons used and possible physical injury, which wasnt the case in either instance.

It is important to keep information accurate when sharing so not to cause undue panic or alarm among our friends and neighbors, police reminded residents.

Beyond the inaccurate information on these incidents, police said theyve also seen recent social media posts from people frustrated with the current cycle of thefts, lack of a juvenile offender enforcement plan at the legislative levels and what is being done about it.

While police said there were valid concerns, they referred residents to a proposed bill intended to reduce the number of juvenile vehicle thefts and break-ins.

The partisan bill was introduced on Jan. 28.

Among many suggested changes, the bill proposes the state create a juvenile justice restoration program to hold youth committing these crimes accountable. The bill indicates that the juvenile would be expected to apologize to the victims and do community service.

In some cases, older individuals will have a juvenile commit a crime because the penalties are significantly less for someone under the age of 18. The bill seeks to address that issue with a point that urges the state to add a new risk of injury to a minor charge for anyone five years or older than a juvenile that facilities the minor to commit an auto theft or break-in.

The bill also urges the creation of regional law enforcement task forces with state and local police agencies to focus on reducing these types of incidents.
New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India Limited and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) will jointly nurture and mentor 26 startups in the mobility sector through up to a nine-month long incubation program.

The two organisation said the selected startups will undergo a three-month pre-incubation journey during which they will be engaged in various peer-to-peer learning activities besides regular one-on-one mentoring and advisory sessions.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

The ventures will be allowed to pitch for incubation and funding and the selected ones will be taken forward for a further six-month incubation journey.

Through our partnership with IIM Bangalore, we are excited to foster and encourage some of the most innovative startups in the country," Kenichi Ayukawa, MD and chief executive of Maruti Suzuki India said in a statement.

The incubation program will help the startups become large scale businesses, and also help industry with practical and technology-led solutions that bring efficiency and value to business functions, Ayukawa added.

Mobility is evolving at a rapid pace in India and is projected to reach 90 billion by 2030, with significant growth expected in ride hailing, shared mobility and more. We are therefore proud to collaborate with Maruti Suzuki, who we share a similar drive with, in developing mobility solutions for a better and more connected future," said Venkatesh Panchapagesan, chairperson at N.S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at IIM Bangalore

Together we aim to deliver fresh thinking and innovative solutions to the existing mobility ecosystem. Maruti Suzuki, with its vast experience and market leadership in the automotive industry, will be able to significantly contribute to the development of the ventures, here at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, and the start-up ecosystem overall," added Panchapagesan.

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While the COVID-19 pandemic has gone from bad to worse over the past year, another public health crisis targeting Black mothers has worsened over the past 100 years  maternal mortality and morbidity. In New York City, Black women are eight to 12 times more likely than white women to die during childbirth. According to a report from the Center for American Progress think tank, Black women are also twice as likely as non-Hispanic white women to experience life-threatening pregnancy-related complications.Research shows cardiovascular conditions, hemorrhage, and pulmonary embolism are among the primary causes of pregnancy-related deaths. As we are closing out Black History Month and entering into Womens History Month, policymakers should be reminded of this issue that disproportionately impacts Black women, who have been changemakers in the advancing civil rights for Black Americans and womens rights, and yet remain at higher risk of health complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

In the 1990s, researchers attributed this problem to weathering, which refers to how social disadvantages cause stress hormones to deplete energy, including those that support healthy pregnancies, from ones body. Black women can experience weathering from facing threats and hardships, such as racism. Even social isolation brought on by professional or educational attainment, combined with being othered in new, predominantly white environments can also cause weathering. A few years ago, a researcher led a study among low-income individuals and found that Hispanics with more education experienced more weathering than those with less education. These results imply that community and family could be more beneficial for ones health than income and education.

Weathering is only one factor in this crisis. Another factor is racism, which is why the tragic deaths of Sha-Asia Washington,Amber Rose Isaac, and Cordielle Street last year reignited calls to action. At a New York City Council hearing last December, Isaacs fiance provided testimony explaining how she had trouble breathing during her pregnancy, especially since her job as an early education teacher required her to carry students up and down stairs. When she told her obstetrician-gynecologist her concerns, the doctor said, Well, there are pregnant women who are squatting and lifting in this office, why cant you do the same? Isaac even tweeted about her experience. When doctors induced her labor and began to perform her Cesarean section, her heart stopped immediately.

At the root of this neglect is medical discrimination, which is in part due to medical personnel holding antiquated, racist misconceptions, such as the notion that there are physiological differences between Black people and white people, in areas such as pain tolerance and thickness of skin.

Two laws[AM1] have been passed at the municipal level to mandate annual reporting on maternal mortality, one of which codified New York Citys maternal mortality and morbidity review committee. The city began investing $12.8 million in 2018 towards ac omprehensive, four-point plan to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, which included engaging private and public health care providers in implicit bias training, enhancing data tracking and analysis of severe maternal mortality and morbidity events, improving maternal care at NYC Health + Hospitals facilities, and expanding public education. In 2019, New York state created a Maternal Mortality Review Board. That same year, the State Task Force on Maternal Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes issued recommendations to reduce maternal mortality and racial disparities, which included creating competency-based curricula for providers as well as medical and nursing schools, and designing and implementing a comprehensive training and education program for hospitals on implicit racial bias.In 2018, as part of the Citys four-point plan, Health + Hospitals introduced new medical simulation training to educate providers on best practices to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity outcomes during childbirth. The corporation announced the expansion of its obstetrics simulation labs just last September.

All of these efforts have been put forth and yet the racial disparities remain.

A solution to this problem centers on midwifery and doulas. Doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support and they advocate for pregnant people during prenatal appointments, which is crucial for Black pregnant women, as they are at risk of bias and discrimination. Midwifery is patient-focused, and helps address the social and personal needs of a mother. Midwives are more likely to listen to Black mothers who are experiencing symptoms of comorbidities than doctors and nurses, and they can diagnose the problem and provide referrals for specialists, thereby ensuring that these women receive the necessary treatment early enough. Research has shown that a substantial increase in midwife-delivered interventions could avert 41% of maternal deaths. Midwifery also reduces use of unnecessary medical interventions, including epidurals and Cesarean sections, which bring greater risks  including death  than vaginal births. The World Health Organization stated the rate of C-sections should be between 10% and 15%. Yet, 31.9% of all deliveries in the U.S. in 2018 were by C-section, a statistic that is far too high and a factor in maternal mortality and morbidity.

The citys role begins with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The agency needs to use existing resources to create a public, freestanding birthing center that provides midwifery and doula services. While certain hospitals have some midwives on staff, they are fewer than the number of obstetrician-gynecologists. Birthing centers are primarily staffed with midwives and doulas, making them an adequate alternative for Black pregnant persons who face discrimination in a hospital setting. New York City only has two freestanding birthing centers and two public doula service programs, By My Side and Healthy Women, Healthy Futures. But the supply simply does not meet the demand, which is why our City needs another birthing center.

New York state needs to pass legislation requiring that health insurance plans provide free coverage of midwifery and doula services, and ensure that Medicaid will adequately reimburse midwives and doulas. In 2018, the state announced an initiative that included a Medicaid pilot program to cover doula services in Erie County and Brooklyn. But the Brooklyn pilot has been on hold because doulas there are dissatisfied with the low rate of reimbursement and the requirement that they bill Medicaid directly.

The state also needs to expand the midwifery licensure to Certified Professional Midwives. There are three types of midwives: Certified Nurse-Midwife, Certified Midwife (CM), and Certified Professional Midwife. Certified Nurse-Midwife have the ability to practice in all 50 states, Certified Midwives are recognized in 6 states, and Certified Professional Midwives are legally able to practice in 35 states. In New York, the Professional Midwifery Practice Act qualifies Certified Professional Midwives for licensure based on the training they have received, but they are unable to get licensure. This hindrance is due to the fact that when the Board of Midwifery developed its rules and regulations in 1994, Sections 52.20(b) and 79-5.2(a), it created the licensure requirement of a masters degree or higher, making CPMs ineligible for licensure, but Certified Midwives are eligible. Despite this obstacle, Certified Professional Midwives in New York could take the same exam that nurse-midwives took to become a Certified Midwife, which allowed licensing. That is, up until 2011, when the American College of Nurse-Midwives began requiring a Masters level education in order to take its exam. This requirement created an additional barrier to licensure for Certified Professional Midwives, thereby taking away their ability to practice in this state. The governor did issue Executive Order 202.11 in March of 2020 to allow midwives who are licensed and in current good standing in any state in the U.S. to practice in New York. However, this executive order only allows Certified Professional Midwives who are already licensed in other states to practice in New York; it does not allow New York-based Certified Professional Midwives who are not licensed to finally receive a New York license. This barrier keeps the number of practicing midwives in New York limited, thereby diminishing the availability of supply for these midwifery services.

These solutions are feasible. But given the gravity of COVID-19, it is likely that many elected officials do not see this as a pressing issue right now. However, with two vaccines currently available and two more on the horizon, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually come to an end. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, unless lawmakers prioritize this public health issue and take the necessary steps to eradicate it.
Installation view of Jung Yoon-suk's "Tomorrow" at the Korea Artist Prize 2020 exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul / Courtesy of MMCA



MMCA says it has no plans to take down Jung Yoon-suk's artwork



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Artist and filmmaker Jung Yoon-suk's documentary exploring human desires and contradictions by zooming in on the production and consumption of sex dolls in Asia has drawn the ire of feminists.



Women's groups claim that the film fuels the sexual objectification of women. They demand that the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) reverse its decision to select the artist as one of the four finalists for the prestigious Korea Artist Prize (KAP) 2020 and strip him of the finalist title.



The MMCA, however, stood firm in its defense of the artist, claiming that artists are allowed to explore any topic freely, even if that topic may cause viewers discomfort.



Life-size sex dolls are a controversial topic not just in the art field. The Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of importing the life-size dolls recently, against the Gimpo International Airport Customs Office's decision to ban their importation, as they offend public morals.



Jung's film, "Tomorrow," is currently on display at the museum until April 4. It features people who produce, consume or use surrogate human forms. It shows a sex doll factory in China, a Japanese man who lives with several sex dolls and another Japanese man who promotes artificial intelligence (AI) robots.



Jung is a visual artist and film director specializing in documentaries that explore the relationships between personal events and social problems.



Though the film is said to raise questions about what humanity is in this era of rapid change, "Tomorrow" has received criticism from women's organizations as well as from the general public for its use of sex dolls as its main subject matter.





Artist Jung Yoon-suk / Courtesy of MMCA



Louise the Woman, a group of female visual artists, released a statement in December criticizing the film for reproducing commodified female imagery in a state-funded project.



"The image of the sex doll reenacted by Jung is based on the premise of sexual objectification of women, and it cannot deal with universal human issues from a neutral perspective... As a national museum, the MMCA should not overlook discrimination and violence against the socially disadvantaged, so those who selected Jung's works for the KAP should take responsibility for this," the group said in a statement.



They claimed that contemporary art cannot be used as a justification for reproducing social discrimination and misogyny.



"We oppose any kind of attempt to justify violence against women through art. The MMCA should take responsibility for this attempt and disqualify Jung for the KAP," the group stated.



They also requested that the MMCA require a gender balance in future screening and judging committees, so that at least 50 percent of the jury is constituted by women.



The Women's Party also released a statement, denouncing the artist and the museum for being anachronistic.



"The problem is that Jung lacks a critical perspective in portraying the sex doll issue. The MMCA is responsible for reproducing women's oppression at a state-run facility," the party said in a statement.





Installation view of Jung Yoon-suk's "Tomorrow" at the Korea Artist Prize 2020 exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul / Courtesy of MMCA
District 6 Rep. Mike Cronk, left, of Tok, tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday evening. From left is Cronk, District 12 Rep. Cathy Tilton of Wasilla and District 8 Rep. Kevin McCabe of Big Lake at the 11th Annual Alaska Outdoor Council Banquet on Saturday night in Palmer.
Burma Myanmar Military-Appointed Administrators Rejected by Local People

Residents in Thaketa Township stage a protest against the military-appointed administration on Feb. 25. / The Irrawaddy

YANGONLocal residents in some regions and states are staging protests against new ward administrators appointed by the Myanmar military regime that seized power on Feb. 1.

The State Administrative Council (SAC) of the military regime has been replacing ward and village administrators since the second week of February after forming district and township-level administrative councils.

In Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Magwe and Ayeyarwady regions and Karen State, local residents have banged pots and pans in front of ward administration offices to show their disapproval of the military-appointed administrators.

In Yangons Tamwe Township on Thursday, the protest was so large that riot police and military convoys had to be mobilized. Amid confrontations with residents, police fired warning shots and made some arrests.

In North Okkalapa Township, hundreds of local residents staged protests against the military-appointed administrators on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

The administrators and the groups which they call law enforcement teams are core members of the USDP [Union Solidarity and Development Party] as well as ex-convicts. We cant accept them. We couldnt even accept saints if they were appointed by the military, because those appointed by the military will do as they are told by the military, said Daw Mi Mi Win, who participated in the protest.

In a number of wards in North Okkalapa, local residents have locked up the ward administration offices and hung posters reading: This ward will be managed by ward residents themselves. No administrative officials shall be accepted at this office as of today. Some posters call the appointees traitors to the state.

Similar protests also took place in several other townships including Sanchaung, Thingangyun, Tamwe, Kyimyindaing, Hline, Mayangone and Thanlyin through Tuesday and Wednesday.

We will oppose and condemn any pillar of the military council. We wont accept their rule. Everyone knows how the stooges of the military bullied us during the times of [ex-military dictator] U Than Shwe, said U Kyaw Thiha, a resident of Sanchaung Township.

Due to opposition from local residents, 11 ward administrators in Hline, 42 in Dagon Seikkan, and four in Kyauktan have submitted their resignations.

I dont want to take this job while people are in such strong opposition. I have lived in this ward since I was young, and I dont want to be hated by the community by dancing to the tune of dictators, said a military-appointed ward administrator who submitted his resignation.

In a ward in Sagaing in central Myanmar, residents opposing the military-appointed administrator have assigned a Buddhist monk to take the helm of the wards affairs temporarily. In several villages in Myaung Township of Sagaing, local residents said they would manage their villages by themselves until the elected government is back in office.

Previously, ward and village administrators were directly elected by residents under the Ward and Village-Tract Administration Law. They are now directly appointed by the township administrative councils formed by the military regime.

Besides replacing the ward administrators, the township administrative councils are forming ward security and rule of law teams in every ward. The teams are reportedly formed to facilitate the rule of law. Locals in some townships are also staging protests against those teams.

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WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden's proposed $15-an-hour minimum wage increase cannot remain in his coronavirus relief bill as written, the Senate's parliamentarian said Thursday, imperiling a major Biden campaign promise and top priority for the Democratic Party's liberal wing.

The ruling could be a major setback for liberals hoping to use Biden's $1.9 trillion relief bill as the vehicle for their long-sought goal of raising the federal minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 an hour. And it could create divisions in the party as some push Democratic leaders for dramatic action to get around the parliamentarian's ruling.

Democrats had been anxiously awaiting the decision, but their next steps are not clear. Liberals are already pressuring Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., to challenge the ruling on the Senate floor, although the White House has dismissed that idea.

Schumer released a brief statement Thursday night vowing to fight on, without saying how.

"We are deeply disappointed in this decision. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families," Schumer said. "The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality."

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement that Biden was "disappointed in this outcome" but "respects the parliamentarian's decision and the Senate's process."

"He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward, because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty," Psaki said. "He urges Congress to move quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan."

The ruling was made by Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a nonpartisan official who is little known outside Washington but may command tremendous influence over certain elements of Biden's agenda. Her ruling pertains only to the Senate, where the legislation will move forward under complex rules that prohibit certain items that don't have a particular impact on the budget. MacDonough determined that, as written, the minimum wage increase did not pass that test -- an outcome that had been predicted by a number of Democrats, including Biden himself.

Despite her ruling, the House is preparing to vote Friday to pass the stimulus relief package with the $15 minimum wage included and send it to the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement on Thursday.

"House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary," Pelosi said. "Therefore this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight for 15."

Pelosi's decision to pass the $1.9 trillion relief bill with the minimum wage language intact means Schumer will face a potentially consequential decision. He could take out the minimum wage language before putting the bill on the Senate floor, or try to keep it in the bill -- whether by challenging the parliamentarian's ruling or trying to rewrite the provision in such a way that it could pass muster under the Senate's complicated rules.

Schumer has not said what he will do. Liberals are pushing him and the Biden administration to try to overrule the parliamentarian's decision, which Democrats could attempt to do on the Senate floor.

"We said we'd raise the wage. Now, we need to deliver," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on Twitter. "We must be prepared to use every tool in our toolbox to get this done, whether it's overruling the parliamentarian if necessary or finally ending the filibuster. Not delivering is not an option."

But White House chief of staff Ron Klain has publicly ruled out trying to overrule the parliamentarian, and Democrats would not likely command the necessary votes to succeed anyway, since at least one Senate Democrat - Sen. Joe Manchin III, W.Va. - has said he would not vote to overrule the parliamentarian.

The Senate is divided 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, so Democrats need unanimity in their ranks to pass Biden's coronavirus relief legislation and overcome procedural hurdles like the minimum wage ruling. They are pushing the legislation forward over unified GOP opposition under a procedure called "budget reconciliation" that allows them to prevail with a simple majority, instead of the 60 votes normally required - but also limits what can be included in the package, such as the minimum wage increase.

Manchin and a second Senate Democrat, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona had indicated opposition to including the minimum wage increase in Biden's covid relief bill anyway, so even if the parliamentarian had allowed the minimum wage increase, it's not clear the provision would have been able to advance. Nevertheless, liberals had been holding out hope of being able to keep all Democrats on board to approve the overall bill with the minimum wage included.

If the Senate sends the legislation back to the House without the minimum wage increase, liberals in that chamber will have to decide whether to vote for it anyway. The legislation does include many other items Democrats widely support, including an increased child tax credit, a new round of $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals, increased and expanded unemployment insurance, and hundreds of billions of dollars for cities and states, schools, vaccinations and testing.

The House has advanced stand-alone minimum wage increase bills in the past, but it's highly unlikely the Senate would agree to such legislation - at least not at the $15-an-hour level liberals support.

One possibility is to find compromise at a lower level - Manchin has endorsed $11 an hour - and then to try to get it in the bill in a different way, for example by crafting it more narrowly.

Several liberal Democrats said Thursday they need to do whatever it takes to raise the minimum wage - including eliminating the filibuster, the 60-vote rule that gives the minority party enormous sway in the Senate. Manchin and Sinema have said publicly they oppose taking that step.

"We still need to pass the minimum wage, and if that means getting rid of the filibuster, so be it," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

- - -

The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis contributed to this report.
A gory road accident has occurred at Akyem Asafo Junction in the Eastern Region Friday morning.



Sixteen (16) passengers have so far been confirmed dead while many others have sustained various degrees of injuries in the fatal accident.



Two transport buses, a Kia Grand Bird bus with registration number GT 5629-18 heading from Accra to Kumasi and a VIP bus with registration number GE 5510-15 from Sankore in the Bono Region to Accra had a head-on collision resulting in the unfortunate accident.



According to eyewitnesses, the Kia Grand Bird bus from Accra to Kumasi was overtaking 4 trucks including a fuel tanker on a hill section of road but sped directly against the VIP bus which was also descending the hill.



The accident happened at around 3:00 am.



More details soon . . .



Watch video below:



Be warned of unpleasant images and scenes.







Source: Michael Akrofi/Peace FM, Eastern









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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UAE-based Indian businessman Murari Lal Jalan, who is part of a two-member consortium chosen to revive Jet Airways (India) Ltd by its creditors, is in an advanced stage of talks with the Uzbekistan government to start a full-service airline and also build a new airport in the central Asian country, lawyers representing the lenders and their chosen resolution professional informed the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday.

Jalan, whose net worth stood at $138 million ( 939 crore) as of 31 December 2019, plans to launch the airline in the June quarter in collaboration with the Uzbekistan government. The airline will have more than 25 planes comprising Boeing 737Max, Airbus330 and Boeing 787-Dreamliner aircraft, and it will primarily cater to CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and European Union.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

The airport is likely to be developed jointly by the Uzbekistan government and Jalan at Namangan city, the lawyers informed the NCLT.

However, the signing of a binding agreement for the airport development has been delayed due to the pandemic.

The consortium comprising Jalan along with London-based Kalrock Capital is awaiting the bankruptcy courts nod to restart Jet Airways which grounded in April 2019 amid a cash crunch and large debt.

The NCLT will hear the matter next on 3 March when the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation have been asked to update the court about slots held by Jet Airways prior to its grounding, which were later distributed among other airlines in India.

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K bank headquarters in Seoul / Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung



K bank is enjoying the benefits from its partnership with Upbit, a Seoul-based digital currency exchange, after Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his interest in Dogecoin. Upbit is the only exchange here trading the meme-based cryptocurrency.



The internet-only lender resumed its business in July 2020 after suffering years of capital erosion. The bank has since engaged in a series of aggressive marketing activities to regain the spotlight as the nation's first mobile bank.



Until recently, market watchers said the lender's identity looked vague despite such efforts, with some sharing skepticism over its sustainability. Kakao Bank, a dominant leader in the market, has also been posing a threat to K bank's business expansion here. Major revenue streams overlap between the two banks. Kakao Bank secured more than 13.6 million customers, while K bank falls far short of that figure as of the end of 2020.



But K bank has been drawing unprecedented attention lately from investors and customers here by attracting more than 1 million customers in only about two months after the Tesla leader recently expressed his optimism on the cryptocurrency. It took two years for the lender to attract the number of customers since its establishment in 2017.



Under the partnership between K bank and Upbit, those who plan to invest in the digital asset should open an account of the lender. Following Musk's remark over the cryptocurrency, Upbit and K bank placed their names on the top two most popular apps lists on Google Play Store and Apple App Store here.



Industry sources expected the cryptocurrency craze here and abroad to continue at least for the next few months unless financial authorities slap abrupt sanctions against its trading.



"K bank's strategy to jump on the untapped and promising digital asset market appears to be bearing fruit, and this will play a crucial part in enhancing its brand identity as the internet-driven financial player," a bank industry source said.



The lender plans to raise 600 billion won ($534.56 million) from investors here and abroad this year, as part of its efforts to increase capital before a planned initial public offering (IPO) sometime as early as 2022. Toward that end, K bank is advised to keep increasing its influence in the market by rebuilding its brand identity in a differentiated manner, according to the source.



"A revenue structure of mobile lenders is not that risky, as they focus on generating profits from the loan-to-deposit margin, and do not engage in a wider and complex range of businesses unlike other big commercial lenders here. K bank may be able to generate stable revenues if it keeps paying attention to risk management for the next few years," another source said.




Cutler, whos been making documentaries for 30 years  most notably, The War Room (1993), which followed Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign, and The September Issue (2009) about Vogue editors Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington  says the demand for the genre is greater than its ever been thanks to streamings impact. We couldnt quantify the success of these films in the past because the outlets couldnt provide that success. And we couldnt quantify the desire because any desire wasnt translating into success. But then along came Netflix and suddenly the audiences appetite had a place to go, Cutler says. I remember I would run into [Netflix chief executive] Ted Sarandos at Sundance and hed say to me, Dude! The War Room! Its one of our most successful films. This was when Netflix was still mailing out DVDs. And he was like, Im telling you, documentaries are the thing. And so as Netflix grew, the ability for the audiences appetite to find an outlet and the ability for the buyers to recognise that developed. Eilish with her mum Maggie Baird in a scene from Billie Eilish: The Worlds a Little Blurry. Credit:Apple TV+ Then Netflix started getting competition. So Netflix wants to buy these documentaries? Well, so does Amazon, so does Disney+, so does Apple All of a sudden now youve got six, seven, eight premium buyers. So the marketplace is very healthy! When I started, there was no marketplace. It was tough, challenging. We sold The War Room for $US100,000.

Of course with saturation often comes underwhelming product, perhaps even nefarious, an idea skewered half-a-decade ago in Andy Sambergs prescient mockumentary Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping - the perception that these films are often blatant promotional products or used by record labels to actively maneuver a pop stars persona or image. When YouTube released Justin Bieber: Seasons in January 2020 (the online platform reportedly paid $US20 million for the honour), music site Pitchfork savaged the doco series as redemption propaganda. When Swifts Miss Americana was released that same month, Wired suggested the film was pointless in the Instagram era. Eilish with her father Patrick OConnell. Pop star documentaries also look to humanise their subject, says Dr Sarah Keith. Credit:Apple TV+ Dr Sarah Keith, senior lecturer in media and music at Macquarie University, says while such films follow a clear formula to humanise these larger-than-life, exaggerated personalities, they also make really good business sense. Musicians have always been really saleable properties in films, going back to Elvis movies in the 50s. Its good business because a well-known pop act has a ready-made audience, she says, noting that Eilish has 76.4 million Instagram followers - a treasure trove of potential new subscribers for Apple TV.

The line, however, can become blurred when a film is produced, or commissioned, by the artists own label  such as with The Worlds a Little Blurry, which is produced by Eilishs label, Interscope Records. For a veteran documentarian with a solid reputation as his own, Cutler understandably bristles at questions about the films integrity. Loading I made my deal with [Interscope] that I had final cut, he says. I have to have final cut. I cant make a movie without final cut. You dont want to see a movie that Interscope edited; you want to see a film that I edited. And Interscope, theyre very happy that they have a film that I edited, because I edited it! he says, noting the prestige his filmmaking pedigree lends the film. Listen, Interscope makes records; theyre great at it. Interscope discovers Billie and develops her career; theyre amazing at it. And I make documentaries. [Interscope] got it, they understood.
Britain's Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden walks outside Downing Street in London

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is seeking to build a consensus among G7 nations on how to stop large technology companies exploiting their dominance, warning that there can be no repeat of Facebook's one-week media blackout in Australia.

Facebook's row with the Australian government over payment for local news, although now resolved, has increased international focus on the power wielded by tech corporations.

"We will hold these companies to account and bridge the gap between what they say they do and what happens in practice," Britain's digital minister Oliver Dowden said on Friday.

"We will prevent these firms from exploiting their dominance to the detriment of people and the businesses that rely on them."

Dowden said recent events had strengthened his view that digital markets did not currently function properly.

He spoke after a meeting with Facebook's Vice-President for Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister.

"I put these concerns to Facebook and set out our interest in levelling the playing field to enable proper commercial relationships to be formed. We must avoid such nuclear options being taken again," Dowden said in a statement.

Facebook said in a statement that the call had been constructive, and that it had already struck commercial deals with most major publishers in Britain.

"Nick strongly agreed with the Secretary of States (Dowden's) assertion that the governments general preference is for companies to enter freely into proper commercial relationships with each other," a Facebook spokesman said.

Britain will host a meeting of G7 leaders in June.

It is seeking to build consensus there for coordinated action toward "promoting competitive, innovative digital markets while protecting the free speech and journalism that underpin our democracy and precious liberties," Dowden said.

The G7 comprises the United States, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Canada, but Australia has also been invited.

Britain is working on a new competition regime aimed at giving consumers more control over their data, and introducing legislation that could regulate social media platforms to prevent the spread of illegal or extremist content and bullying.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Gareth Jones and John Stonestreet)
Each generation has the responsibility to teach and train the next generation. You know, if we win a few elections, were still going to be losing unless we win the hearts and minds of our children. This is the battle. Hitler was right on one thing. He said, whoever has the youth has the future, she said.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, February 24th, a Candelight vigil was held in the honor of the late Rhonda Thomas, a school teacher of the Methodist Agogic Center who was brutally murdered on February 14, 2021, in a domestic violence case. Prime Minister Silveria E. Jacobs, Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport drs. Rodolphe Samuel were amongst the attendees at the event held at the Carib Lumber Ball Park to show their support for ending violence against women and girls.

Prime Minister Jacobs shared a few words with attendees calling them to action. She said, "Stand together against violence - Break the Silence. Tell your story, and tell her story so that we can learn the pitfalls and avoid them."

"Train our children to respect each other, there is no Love in violence. Mothers come together to teach our daughters to love themselves too much to tolerate violence. Train our boys to love and respect women. We must break the cycles of violence in our families and community. Let her death not be in vain - try to find the lesson and grow," she continued.

While standing with the late Ms. Thomas' daughter, Minister Richardson said, I wish to not focus on the malicious act during this candlelight vigil, but instead wish to beautifully celebrate and honor the life and light of Ms. Rhonda Thomas. I continuously stress the importance of tackling domestic violence on the island and together with the Honorable Minister of VSA, Mr. Panneflek, we have set the enactment of the Domestic Violence (DV) Policy to a high level of importance. May God give us all the strength we need as we journey through the emotions of this great loss."

Teaching is beautiful; it is the work of Heart. We stand in solidarity with you against violence to women and violence to all, stated Minister Samuel as he addressed the attendees of the event.

The Ministers expressed condolences to her daughters, family, students, colleagues, and friends of the late Ms. Thomas, and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the eradication of violence, especially against women and girls on St. Maarten.

Teaching is beautiful; it is the work of Heart. We stand in solidarity with you against violence to women and violence to all, stated Minister Samuel as he addressed the attendees of the event.

The Ministers expressed condolences to her daughters, family, students, colleagues, and friends of the late Ms. Thomas, and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the eradication of violence, especially against women and girls on St. Maarten.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Alexandra Ichizli, 34, was taking a walk just blocks from her Annadale home on the night of Feb. 15 when she was stopped in her tracks  a large, unleashed dog was growling just feet away from her, she says.

Ichizli, who was on the phone with a friend at the time, said she froze before the dog began to bark more aggressively. She dropped her phone.

Then the dog, which appeared to be a Rottweiler, attacked, she alleges in a lawsuit.

A struggle ensued and the animal dragged her into the middle of Rathbun Avenue, she said.

She used her arms to shield her head and began screaming for help as, she alleges, the dogs teeth tore through her winter coat and mangled her right arm.

The mother of four young children filed the suit on Wednesday in state Supreme Court, St. George, against the dogs owners, who the litigation identifies as Edward and Beth Bernstein.

The filing says the dog repeatedly attacked and bit [her] body.

At one point during the ordeal, Ichizli said, I had a thought that I could not scream anymore. I could not protect my neck, and I will lose my life.

During an emotional phone call with the Advance/SILive.com, Ichizli, said she feared the animal would kill her, just hundreds of feet away from her home.

Soon, the owners of the dog appeared and attempted to pull the animal away from Ichizli, at first to no avail, she said.

When she was finally free from the dogs jaws, Ichizli realized she was bleeding and needed medical attention.

Her husband, who was notified of the attack by the friend Ichizli was initially talking to on the phone, called 911 and she was transported by an ambulance to the hospital where she received over 20 stitches for her injuries.

A police report confirms the NYPD was notified of a 34-year-old woman who indicated she was walking on the sidewalk when a dog bit her arm.

Her lawsuit alleges the owners of the dog should have known that the subject dog had viscous and/or ferocious and/or aggressive propensities and did not act reasonably in allowing the dog to remain at the subject premises because the dog was a danger to the public.

Ms. Ichizlis injuries are horrific and reflect the violent nature of the attack, said Matthew Sullivan, an attorney at Gregory Spektor & Associates, the law firm representing the victim. Yan Gilkarov, a member of the firm, is serving as Ichizlis attorney in the case.

It is a miracle that she survived, and to that end we are thankful for the immediate medical attention provided by the ambulance personnel who arrived on scene, said Sullivan in a written statement. No member of the community should be afraid of walking in their own neighborhood. We will therefore be litigating this case not only for our client but also to ensure that the streets are safe for all Staten Islanders.

It is our intention to hold the dog owners accountable for their inability to control their animal, said Sullivan, who added we look forward to having our day in court to confront the dogs owners.

The dogs owners did not return multiple phone messages requesting comment.

ANTIQUATED LAWS

The latest Annadale incident sparks memories of other brutal Staten Island dog attacks in recent years that left dog owners injured and even beloved pets dead.

However, New Yorks dog bite laws are some of the most antiquated of their kind, legal experts previously told the Advance/SILive.com.

In New York, there is no actual statute governing what happens if the owner of a dog allows it to attack somebody and someone gets horrifically injured, said Glen Devora, the managing attorney of DAgostino and Associates, located in Eltingville.

Were still going off of the common law, which dictates that those injured by a dog bite must satisfy two essential burdens to place responsibility on a negligent dog owner, Devora explained.

First, as Jonathan DAgostino, president and founder of the firm, said, a vicious propensity must be established.

Ultimately, a dog must be shown to have a dangerous tendency to be violent.

While there is no exact criteria for vicious propensity, DAgostino said that its not enough to show a dog barks.

The ambiguity in this section of the law creates a dangerous precedent, as a lack of cooperation of the owners of a potentially dangerous dog could halt or stunt an investigation.

The lack of clarity surrounding the first aspect of the burden of proof also makes the second criteria even more difficult to establish: Knowledge of the vicious propensity.

This requires victims to prove that the owner of a dog committing an attack had prior knowledge of the dogs vicious tendencies.

This can be especially difficult if the owners adopted a dog from a shelter and were unaware of its past.

Its a hard burden, DAgostino said.

IM AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE

The lawsuit contends Ichizli sustained serious personal injuries and a severe shock to her nervous system; became sick, sore, lame and disabled and required and still does require medical aid and attention.

In the aftermath of her horrific experience, Ichizli said she is afraid to go outside, especially with her children, the youngest of whom is only 10 months old.

The consequences of the incident even go past the massive gashes on her arm.

I lost my breast milk because of this incident, she said.

In the days that followed her return from the hospital, she needed help doing everyday tasks since she lost most of the use of her right hand, she said. Ichizli said she couldnt work her job as an accountant for days because of an inability to type.

The whole week, my friends drove my kids and helped me around the house and everything, she said.

Now, she said shes committed to making sure her neighbors are aware of the mauling she says she suffered.

I just want to make sure people know [about the dog], Ichizli said. Im devastated. I dont understand how this could happen.
The Texas blackout is over, and water has also been restored. It didnt get as much press as the loss of electricity, but water pipes froze and broke across a wide swath of the state, causing inconvenience that for many was greater than the power outage. The ultimate source of both problems was the same: the relevant authorities failed to anticipate record-breaking cold.

One question that I have not seen asked is this: why didnt the relevant authoritiesthe Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and whatever municipal governments and private contractors have been responsible for water pipesanticipate a worst case cold snap such as what actually happened?

One obvious possibility is that they were so deluged with propaganda about climate change, which just means global warming, that they took elaborate precautions against record-breaking heat, but it didnt occur to them to guard against unprecedented cold. Is this what happened? I dont know, but back in the days when we had people known as investigative reporters, someone might have looked into it.

Yesterday the Wall Street Journals Editorial Board weighed in on the subject. The editorial is behind a paywall, so here are some excerpts:

Regulators have been warning for years that the grid is becoming shakier as cheap natural gas and heavily subsidized renewables replace steady coal and nuclear baseload power. The nations power grid will be stressed in ways never before experienced due to an unprecedented resource-mix change, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) warned in 2011. It added: Environmental regulations are shown to be the number one risk to reliability over the next one to five years. But the Obama Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) refused to consider how climate policies would affect reliability.

There is an enormous difference between energy sources that are reliable and can produce electricity on demandcoal, nuclear, natural gas, hydroand those that are weather-dependent and therefore unreliablewind and solar. If we want the lights to go on every time we flip the switch, we need to have enough reliable (not Green) electricity sources to meet peak electricity demand. This is not rocket science, but it is news, apparently, to Green activists, a category that now includes the entire Democratic Party.

[T]he Southwest Power Pool, north of Texas, and the Midwest power gridboth of which rely heavily on wind backed by gasalso experienced power outages last week due to surging demand, declining wind production and gas shortages. California relies on gas and imports to back up its solar power. But last summer California couldnt get enough power from its neighbors amid a heat wave that strained the entire Western grid.

If we increase our reliance on wind power in the years to come, blackouts will become a common feature of American life. For policy purposes, the most immediately relevant takeaway from Texass electricity fiasco is that wind energy failed to show up for work. I am pleased that the Journals Editorial Board relied on data from my organization, the nations cutting-edge source on energy policy:

The wind lobby says Texas should have required thermal (nuclear, gas, coal) plants to be weatherized to withstand single-digit temperatures. Perhaps, but wind still performed the worst during the blackout, generating power at 12% of its capacity compared to 76% for nuclear, 39% for coal, and 38% for gas, according to a data analysis by the Center of the American Experiment.

How are liberals trying to defend the abysmal performance of wind turbines during Texass energy crisis? Absurdly, they argue that wind turbines outperformed the forecast and therefore cant be blamed for the fiasco. This is an astonishingly dumb argument. First of all, what forecast are they talking about? ERCOT issues a forecast, every day, for electricity production from the various elementscoal, gas, wind, etc.the following day. Why is this a forecast rather than a plan, as it would be in a state that gets its electricity from reliable sources? Because it depends in considerable part on the weather.

When the weather forecast says it will be windy, ERCOTs daily forecast predicts a lot of electricity coming from wind turbines and less from conventional (i.e., reliable) sources. Conversely, when the weather forecast says there will be little or no wind, ERCOT predicts little electricity from wind turbines and more from coal and natural gas.

What happened during Texass energy crisis is that the weather forecast predicted almost no wind, and therefore hardly any contribution from wind turbines, exactly when the state needed electricity the most. What occurred instead is that a little bit of wind blew, so that electricity production from the turbines that didnt freeze up, while pathetic, was a bit above the forecast. This chart, from my colleague Mitch Rolling, shows how minimal wind turbines contribution to Texass energy needs was:

Far from proving the merit of wind energy, Texass experience precisely illustrates why wind and solar energy, which are weather-dependent and therefore unreliable, are essentially worthless in any time of crisis. To depend on unreliable sources of energy when the grid is stressed and reliability is imperative is a recipe for disaster, as Texas has learned. Lets hope the rest of the country takes away the right lesson.

RTHK: First US raid in Syria under Biden kills 17

The US military struck facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran-backed armed groups on Thursday, saying President Joe Biden's new administration was sending Tehran a message after recent rocket attacks on US troop locations in Iraq.

In its first military action against Iran-linked groups since Biden became president five weeks ago, the US Defence Department said it had carried out airstrikes at a Syria-Iraq border control point used by those groups, destroying "multiple facilities".

"At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilised by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," said spokesman John Kirby in a statement.

"These strikes were authorised in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," he said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 17 people were killed after the strike hit three trucks loaded with munitions coming from Iraq near the Syrian city of Bukamal.

The group said all the dead were from Iraq's state-sponsored Hashed al-Shaabi force, the umbrella group over many small militias that have ties to Iran.

Kirby said the location was used by Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada, two armed Iraqi Shiite groups under Hashed al-Shaabi.

The US action followed three rocket attacks on facilities in Iraq used by United States and coalition forces fighting the Islamic State group.

One of those strikes, on a military complex in the Kurdish region's capital Arbil on February 15, killed a civilian and a foreign contractor working with coalition forces, and injured several US contractors and a soldier.

The attacks in Iraq laid down a challenge to the new Biden administration just as it opened a door to resumed negotiations with Tehran over its alleged nuclear weapons programme.

Last week, the administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies as it sought to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, left on the brink of collapse after the previous government of President Donald Trump withdrew from it.

But the administration has also made clear it would not brook "malign activities" in the region by Iran.

Although Kataeb Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for the attacks, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the powerful pro-Iranian organization was behind them.

"We're confident in the target we went after. We know what we hit," he told reporters on the plane flying to Washington after a tour of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier off the California coast.

"We are confident that the target was being used by the same Shia militia that conducted the strikes" against American interests in Iraq, he said.

Iran is believed to be searching for an opportunity to avenge the US assassination of top general Qasem Soleimani one year ago.

Soleimani, a senior officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was Tehran's key liaison to allied groups and figures in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere in the region.

He was killed in a US drone strike just as he arrived in Baghdad for meetings with top Iraqi officials.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday the US would "hold Iran responsible for the actions of its proxies that attack Americans" but would not "lash out" and risk destabilising Iraq.

Kirby called Thursday's strikes "proportionate" and said it "was conducted together with diplomatic measures," including consultation with US partners in the anti-IS coalition.

"The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel," he said.

"At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq," he added. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-02-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.


TBILISI -- Thousands of Georgians took to the streets in the nations capital on February 26 to protest a police raid on the headquarters of an opposition party and the arrest of its leader.

Participants, waving Georgian and NATO flags and carrying signs, rallied outside the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi to call for new snap parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners.

We will not leave until our demands are met, a protester who traveled 300 kilometers from the town of Zugdidi to participate in the rally told RFE/RL.

The protest was sparked by the February 23 police raid at the United National Movements (ENM) headquarters in Tbilisi. Nika Melia, the leader of the movement, as well as several activists were arrested.

WATCH: Thousands Protest In Georgia

More than a dozen people were injured during the raid as police sprayed what appeared to be chemical irritants into the offices where party leaders -- as well as representatives of other opposition parties -- had been shielding Melia for several days.

Police accuse Melia of inciting violence at anti-government protests during the summer of 2019. Melia has dismissed the charges against him as politically motivated.

In a statement later that day, a group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers called the raid profoundly disturbing and demanded Georgian authorities release Melia and the activists.

Participants at the February 26 rally held signs that read Free Nika Melia and Freedom for Prisoners.

Khatia Dekanoidze, one of the leaders of the ENM, addressed the crowd and read a letter from Melia, who called upon his supporters to continue fighting.

Dekanoidze called for another rally outside the parliament building on March 2 and one in front of the Chancellery, where the government presides, on March 5.

There were no reports of arrests or violence at the protest.
Its been more than a decade now since Ford dropped its control over the European brand in favor of Chinese carmaker Geely . A thriving decade for the Swedes, but also for relatively new owner from Asia.The two companies are linked together far more than when it comes to corporate structure and have been working together on a number of projects. This interdependency is about to grow even stronger according to this latest development.The two parties said earlier this week they have agreed on a wide-ranging collaboration that covers everything from powertrain production to aftersales but keeps the two entities independent still.The most important move is the combination of existing powertrain operations into a single, new company expected to become operational later this year. It will be tasked with making internal combustion engines, transmissions, and dual-motor hybrid systems for Volvo and Geely cars, but also other interested partners, if that need arises.Further down the line, future electric powertrains will make their way into differently-branded cars that share the same electric vehicle architecture. Then comes joint work on autonomous systems and joint procurement of needed parts and services.Separately, one of Geelys brainchildren, Lynk & Co , will move to a position of a global brand by taking advantage of Volvos distribution and service network.Having evaluated different options to realize value, we concluded jointly that a collaboration model between two standalone companies is the best way to secure continued growth and at the same time achieve technological synergies in many areas. We welcome the opportunity of further and deeper collaboration with Geely Auto, Hakan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars, said in a statement.
By Sankalp Phartiyal and Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India announced new rules on Thursday to regulate content on social media, making Facebook, WhatsApp and others more accountable to legal requests for swift removal of posts and sharing details on the originators of messages. The rules -- part of an effort by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist government to tighten the leash on Big Tech -- come after Twitter recently ignored government orders to drop content related to farmers' protests. India is the largest market by users for both Facebook and its ...
Who knows if Sardinia will be able to celebrate the passage in the white zone .

Today the decision from Rome is expected, but for the island it could be a cold shower. Throwing shadows are the new outbreaks of the English variant which, after the cases in the north of the island, have also hit southern Sardinia.

The confirmation comes from the health councilor Mario Nieddu who this morning attended the inauguration of the new public relations office of the Aou of Cagliari. "Two outbreaks were triggered by an arrival from Albania, a third from Lebanon. For this reason I asked the minister to evaluate the possibility of forcing all those arriving from the areas at risk to not only quarantine but also a swab ".

The concern is therefore that the variant of the virus could weigh on the passage to the white area which, the commissioner warns, would not be a free all.
This award is a testament to the amazing team I get to work with at Agri-Neo, whose hard work and dedication inspires me every day.

Agri-Neo is pleased to announce that the companys President, Robert Wong, has earned a 2021 Report on Business Changemakers award. Changemakers is a new editorial award program produced by The Globe and Mails Report on Business magazine. Its intent is to showcase the emerging leaders transforming business today. Wong is one of 50 inaugural winners of the award.

I am honored and humbled to accept this award, and excited to continue working with food companies, associations, academia and regulators to enhance food safety, said Wong. This award is a testament to the amazing team I get to work with at Agri-Neo, whose hard work and dedication inspires me every day. We have more exciting news lined up for 2021 as we continue to bring much needed innovation to solving food safety challenges. I would like to thank the Globe and Mail again for this honorable recognition.

Report on Business solicited nominations for the Changemakers award in late 2020. Winners were selected by The Globe and Mails award-winning editorial team based their ideas, accomplishments and impact, as determined by their nominations, subsequent interviews and reference checks.

As the Canadian economy recovers from the pandemic, many people are seeking ways to make business more sustainable, inclusive, innovative and fair, says James Cowan, editor of Report on Business magazine. The 50 Changemakers on our inaugural list serve as inspiration and instruction for any business leader seeking to effect meaningful change.

Editorial coverage of all 2021 Changemakers can be found in the March 2021 issue of Report on Business magazine, distributed with The Globe and Mail on Saturday, February 27th, and online now at tgam.ca/Changemakers.

About The Globe and Mail

The Globe and Mail is Canadas foremost news media company, leading the national discussion and causing policy change through brave and independent journalism since 1844. With our award-winning coverage of business, politics and national affairs, The Globe and Mail newspaper reaches 5.9 million readers every week in our print or digital formats, and Report on Business magazine reaches 2.1 million readers in print and digital every issue. Our investment in innovative data science means that as the world continues to change, so does The Globe. The Globe and Mail is owned by Woodbridge, the investment arm of the Thomson family.

About Agri-Neo

The Agri-Neo mission is to help safely feed the world by creating technology that sets new food safety standards. Neo-Pure and Neo-Temper developed by Agri-Neo eliminate harmful pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, while maintaining the nutrition and quality that flourishes naturally in food. Agri-Neo has a dedicated team of food scientists, researchers, and engineers to launch more food safety solutions for many high risk food groups in the future. For more information, visit http://www.agri-neo.com.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global marine insurance market has the potential to grow by USD 8.42 billion during 2020-2024, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. Get a Free Sample Report Delivered Instantly

The report highlights key products offered by the top five vendors and their contribution to the overall growth of the market.

Marine Insurance Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

The use of multiple distribution channels will be crucial in driving the growth of the global marine insurance market during the forecast period. Technological advances in the marine industry, such as digitization and analytics, have increased the number of online portals that improve customer experience. For example, countries such as Singapore encourage insurance business models that promote direct underwriting via online platforms. Also, the use of multiple distribution channels is helping suppliers reach a broader audience, especially in emerging markets. This leads to reduced costs, low risks, and helps vendors craft a better customer experience.

"The increase in the use of IoT has been a prominent factor in boosting the market growth. Also, an increase in premium contribution from the emerging markets will positively impact the market as well as the marine industry in the forthcoming years", says an analyst at Technavio.

Develop Smart Strategies for Your Business: Grab an Exclusive Free Sample Report Now!

Marine Insurance Market: Competitive Vendor Landscape

The market is fragmented due to the presence of many players. Allianz Group, American International Group Inc., Aon Plc, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and AXA Group are some of the major market participants. To help clients improve their market position, this marine insurance market report provides a detailed analysis of the market leaders and offers information on the competencies and capacities of these companies. The report also covers details on the market's competitive landscape and offers information on the products offered by various companies.

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Top Five Vendors in the Global Marine Insurance Market:

Allianz Group

Allianz Group operates its business through segments such as Property-Casualty, Life or Health, Asset Management, and Corporate and Other. The company offers marine and shipping insurance for all types of marine risk, from single vessels and shipments to the most complex fleets and multinational logistics businesses.

American International Group Inc.

American International Group Inc. operates its business through segments such as General Insurance, Life and Retirement, Other Operations, and Legacy Portfolio. The company provides marine insurance for goods in transit from warehouse to warehouse anywhere in the world.

Aon Plc

Aon Plc operates its business through segments such as Commercial Risk Solutions, Reinsurance Solutions, Retirement Solutions, Health Solutions, and Data and Analytic Services. The company provides marine insurance which insure transport and storage risks in comfort, keep an administrative overview, and produce certificates and policies online.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. operates its business through segments such as Brokerage and Risk Management. The company offers specialized expertise, foresight, and knowledge of the current risks and future opportunities in the marine industry to manage your risk and develop alternative financing.

AXA Group

AXA Group operates its business through segments such as France, Europe, Asia, AXA XL, US, International, and Transversal and Central Holdings. The company offers insurance against loss or damage to goods while being transported by rail, road, air, and sea.

Related Reports on Industrials Include:

Global Aerospace Insurance Market  Global aerospace insurance market is segmented by end-user (service providers, airport operators, and others), insurance type (public liability insurance, passenger liability insurance, ground risk hull insurance not-in-motion, ground risk hull insurance in-motion, in-flight insurance, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America). Get an Exclusive Free Sample Report

Global Seafreight Forwarding Market  Global seafreight forwarding market is segmented by service (FCL and LCL) and geography (Europe, APAC, North America, South America, and MEA). Get an Exclusive Free Sample Report

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, Download a Free Sample Report

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Report: www.technavio.com/report/marine-insurance-market-industry-analysis

SOURCE Technavio
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(Natural News) On the surface, Mars seems very quiet. It has no active volcanoes, and the only water it harbors is locked up underground and on the polar caps. But as it turns out, this placid-looking planet hosts landslides called slumps from time to time.

While scientists have known about these slumps for at least a decade, the mechanisms behind them had been unclear. Now, a team of researchers has found that small-scale melting ice beneath the surface may be causing landslides on the Red Planet.

In a new study published in the journal Science Advances, the researchers described how the interaction between underground water ice and salts within Mars-like soil triggers a chemical reaction that creates unstable icy slush that weakens the soil.

Exploring the science behind Martian landslides

In the last decade, scientists have captured images of slumps using the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations High-Resolution Imaging Experiment aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. These landslides are usually accompanied by a trail of dark, narrow lines called recurring slope lineae (RSLs).

Little is known about RSLs. A handful of observations indicate that these lines are always sun-facing, appear most commonly near the equator and occur seasonally, typically when temperatures are higher than usual on Mars. But aside from these, scientists dont know much about RSLs because no rover or lander has been near one to capture images of them up close. As it is, their exact cause had been unknown.

Past studies link RSLs to the interaction of chlorine salts and large amounts of sulfates (another type of salt). Mars analog investigations showed that when salts interact with gypsum (a sulfate mineral) or water underground, they cause disruptions on the surface such as sinkholes and landslides.

For their experiment, the researchers added another element to the mix, permafrost or frozen ground. The equatorial regions of the Red Planet are assumed to harbor permafrost with small ice grains surrounding soil and mineral particles.

The researchers mixed sulfates, chlorine salts and ice particles with volcanic ash obtained from Mars-like places on Earth: the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica, the Dead Sea in Israel and the Salar de Pajonales in the Atacama Desert. The mixture was frozen then gradually thawed at Martian temperatures.

An unstable slush consisting of frozen and liquid brine formed at a temperature of -58 degrees, followed by the gradual melting of ice at -20 to -4 degrees. The salts then migrated upward toward the surface and dried out, in turn collapsing and disrupting the soil.

I was thrilled to observe such rapid reactions of water with sulfate and chlorine salts in our lab experiments and the resulting collapse and upheave of Mars analog soil on a small scale, said Janet Bishop, a senior scientist at the SETI Institute in California and the lead researcher of the study.

Dust storms may be triggering landslides on Mars

The researchers noted that warmer temperatures of around -58 degrees to -20 degrees can support small-scale briny water during the Martian spring and summer beneath the equatorial surface.

If this subsurface brine expands and contracts over time, it could weaken the soil and create a fragile crust with cavities. When a dust storm happens, accumulated dust on the crust could lead to slumping of surface material and tumbling of particles downslope, leaving RSL tracks that mark locations of former salt crusts.

Most of us Mars scientists have considered modern Mars as a cold and dry and dormant place, shaped mostly by dust storms, Bishop said. If our hypothesis is correct, then RSL could be indicators for salts on Mars and for near-surface active chemistry.

The study could point to the possibility that the Red Planet was once habitable. Some hardy creatures have been found in briny waters several hundred feet below the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

While the icy slush is currently too salty to harbor life, its possible that the environment just below the surface was habitable much longer than the Martian surface was. (Related: Scientists say the best place for life on Mars is underground.)

It is difficult to estimate how long, but perhaps [habitable] liquid water was present around soil grains below the surface until three or two billion years ago or even more recently, said Bishop.

Read more fascinating studies about Mars at Space.news.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

SETI.org

Advances.ScienceMag.org

Edition.CNN.com

ABC.net.au
A MEDIATOR in the High Court action of a 16-year-old boy who claimed he developed a rare sleep disorder after receiving a swine flu jab has recommended a 990,000 award.

Last November, Benjamin Blackwells action was resolved in a groundbreaking settlement which is set to pave the way for the resolution of 80 cases over the Pandemrix vaccine which were due before the High Court.

The case had been put back so the amount of the settlement could be brought before the court.

It was agreed under the terms of settlement the teenager is to get 50pc of the settlement figure which the High Court has heard in his case comes to 990,000.

The Blackwell settlement was without an admission of liability.

Benjamin Blackwell claimed he contracted narcolepsy and cataplexy  an associated muscle weakness  after he received the Pandemrix vaccine at national school when he was five years old.

The landmark action was a test case for 80 other legal actions over the vaccine developed in response to the swine flu pandemic of 2009 and 2010.

This week Mr Justice Kevin Cross ruled the mediators award did not fall outside the range of what was reasonably open to him and should not be interfered with.

However, the judge noted the mediators decision can under the settlement be appealed to a retired judge who will then decide on the matter.

Without in any way interfering with the jurisdiction of a retired judge on appeal from the mediator and without in any way wishing to fetter his or her discretion to set aside the award if he or she believes that it did indeed fall outside the range it follows from the above that in my view the award did not fall outside the range and should not be interfered with, Mr Justice Cross said.

The judge will at a later date hear submissions from counsel as to how the parties want to proceed in relation to the mediators decision.

Mr Justice Cross said the seriousness of Benjamins condition is not in doubt and he fully accepted the details as to his condition as set out in the determination of the mediator and in submissions on his behalf.

The judge said the parties had entered into mediation as specified by the agreement and the mediator awarded a gross figure of 1.98million which netted down to a figure of 990,000.

The judge said Benjamins advisers are not satisfied with this award and applied to the court for a direction as to whether the offer should be accepted.

He said the group settlement of such cases by parties under mediation as approved by the court is something to be warmly welcomed.

He said a settlement represents an enormous saving of court time and the costs on all sides would have been prohibitive if cases had to go ahead. The settlement, the judge said, means the cases do not have to be litigated and the resulting trauma to the individual plaintiffs and their families is avoided.

The court previously heard there are extensive benefits in the settlement for Benjamin Blackwell, which includes educational supports, accommodation costs in relation to third-level education, a gold medical card as well as childcare costs.

The settlement will not be taken into account when assessing future disability benefit.

Benjamin, of Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath, Co Meath, had, through his mother Natalie Blackwell, sued the Minister for Health, the HSE, and Glaxosmithkline Biologicals SA (GSK)  the producer of Pandemrix.

GSK was previously given an indemnity by the State concerning any adverse reactions to the vaccine.

In his action, the teenager claimed he was administered the Pandemrix vaccine on February 22, 2010. It was claimed he complained of occasional headaches and a high-pitched loud squealing in his head soon after, and his parents noted changes in his behaviour, including dramatic mood swings, and that he started falling asleep at odd times during the day, including at school.

He had ongoing problems with fatigue, and narcolepsy was diagnosed in 2012.

It was claimed neither he nor his parents would have consented to the vaccination if various matters were made clear to them, including that Pandemrix had allegedly never been, or never been adequately, tested, on children of his age.

The claims were denied.

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President Joe Biden on a trip to Texas touted the government's emergency use recommendation of a new coronavirus vaccine, as he promised 'even more rapid progress' to protect the nation from the pandemic.

'And we've all seen the news about Johnson & Johnson vaccine today just the third safe, effective vaccine and its out,' Biden said after visits to Houston focused on storm recovery and pandemic response, speaking just hours after the new tool in the fight against the virus won approval.

'They've approved it today. Were going to use every conceivable way to expand manufacturing of the vaccine, the third vaccine, make even more rapid progress shots in peoples arms,' he said at a mass vaccination site at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Government health experts have been lauding the vaccine for its ability to stave off serious illness and hospital visits caused by COVID-19  plus its single-shot potency and ease of transport.

He spoke after a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel unanimously backed the J&J single-dose vaccine.

Speaking in a Republican state that Democrats have been seeking to pry away politically, Biden noted that he met with two top GOP officials, and urged a non-partisan response to penultimate issues.

'There's nothing partisan about this virus. It's too long we've allowed the virus to divide us. I met today with Governor [Greg] Abbott, Senator [John] Cornyn  conservative Republicans. I'm a Democratic presidents, we disagree on plenty of things. Nothing wrong with that. But there are plenty of things we can work on together.'

''We're not giving shots to Democrats or Republicans. I say it again we're given shots to Americans,' he said.

Biden earlier heard firsthand from Texans clobbered by this month's brutal winter weather on Friday as he and his wife made their first trip to a major disaster area since he took office.

Biden was briefed by emergency officials and thanked workers for doing 'God's work.'

Biden and first lady Jill Biden took their first joint trip on the large 747 most often used as Air Force One Fridayfor the trip to Texas to tour areas impacted by a deadly winter storm.

With tens of thousands of Houston area residents still without safe water, local officials told Biden that many are struggling.

While he was briefed, Jill Biden joined an assembly line of volunteers packing boxes of quick oats, juice, and other food at the Houston Food Bank, where he arrived later.

The president's first stop was the Harris County Emergency Operations Center for a briefing from acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton and state and local emergency management officials.

Texas was hit particularly hard by the Valentine's weekend storm that battered multiple states. Unusually frigid conditions led to widespread power outages and frozen pipes that burst and flooded homes. Millions of residents lost heat and running water.

At least 40 people in Texas died as a result of the storm and, although the weather has returned to more normal temperatures, more than 1 million residents are still under orders to boil water before drinking it.

'The president has made very clear to us that in crises like this, it is our duty to organize prompt and competent federal support to American citizens, and we have to ensure that bureaucracy and politics do not stand in the way,' said Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, who accompanied Biden to Houston.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks after touring a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) vaccination facility for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, U.S., February 26, 2021

Food bank visit: Joe Biden spoke to a child as he visited the Houston Food Bank as part of his visit to the disaster-hit city

Greeting: Joe Biden elbow bumps a volunteer at the giant Houston Food Bank, which has been distributing food in the wake of the storm, blackout and water disaster which hit Texas

'God's work.' Joe Biden praised emergency workers as he met officials at the Harris County emergency operations center in Houston, Texas, accompanied by the state's governor, Greg Abbott (left)

Rapport: Joe Biden and Greg Abbott shared a moment of humor at the emergency center controlling operations in Harris County, which includes Houston, the largest city in Texas and one of the worst-hit areas in the winter storm disaster

Testimony: Houston mayor Sylvester Turner briefed Joe Biden and Greg Abbott, the Texas governor, on the impact of the twin winter storms which caused mas blackouts, which in turn left millions without safe water

Picture time: Texas senator John Cornyn was in the emergency center when Joe Biden visited but junior Texas senator Ted Cruz was once again out of state, this time at CPAC in Florida

Inspection: Jill Biden accompanied her husband Joe as the couple toured the Houston Food Bank to thank volunteers

Meeting: Joe Biden met Houston mayor Sylvester Turner when he landed in Air Force One, while Jill Biden spoke to Texas Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia

Biden was joined at the operations center by Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. John Cornyn, both Republicans, four Democratic Houston-area members of Congress and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Sen. Ted Cruz, an ally of former President Donald Trump and one of a handful of GOP lawmakers who had objected to Congress certifying Bidens victory, was in Florida addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Cruz, who has been criticized for taking his family to Cancun, Mexico, while millions of Texans shivered in unheated homes, later said the trip was a mistake, but he made light of the controversy on Friday. 'Orlando is awesome,' he said to laughs and hoots. 'Its not as nice as Cancun. Buts nice.'

At the peak of the storm, more than 1.4 million residents were without power and 3.5 million were under boil-water notices in the nation's third largest county.

Before leaving Houston, Biden also planned to visit a mass coronavirus vaccination center at NRG Stadium that is run by the federal government. Biden on Thursday commemorated the 50 millionth COVID-19 vaccination since he took office, halfway toward his goal of 100 million shots by his 100th day in office. That celebration followed a moment of silence to mark the passage earlier this week of 500,000 U.S. deaths blamed on the disease.

Post-storm debate in Texas has centered on the state maintaining its own electrical grid and lack of storm preparation, including weatherization of key infrastructure. Some state officials initially blamed the blackouts on renewable energy even though Texas is a heavy user of fossil fuels like oil and gas.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on February 26, 2021 as they travel to Texas to visit a food bank and emergency operations center. It is the first lady's first trip on the large 747 Air Force One

Salute: A Marine and three Air Force members see off the plane at Joint Base Andrews, Jill Biden's first 747 flight as First Lady and Joe Biden's second as president

Up in the air: Air Force One is wheels up for Houston on the first couple's trip to the city ht by freezing storms which led to days-long blackouts and boil water orders

Arrival: Marine One and the decoy Marine helicopter come in to land at Joint Base Andrews with the Bidens on board

Arrival: Joe Biden salutes the Air Force officer greeting him and First Lady Jill Biden at Joint Base Andrews to escort them to Air Force One

Descent: Joe Biden holds First Lady Jill Biden's hand as she comes down the steps of Marine One at Joint Base Andrews

Departure: The First Couple wave before boarding Air Force One. Jill Biden had previously flown once on the plane, when she and then President Obama took it to a community college event in Michigan in 2015

Red carpet: The Bidens walk up the stairs to Air Force One before their first flight together on it

Sherwood-Randall said it remains up to Texas on how to shore up its utilities.

'Fundamentally the first decision has to be made by the state of Texas about what kind of energy system it wants to maintain, what kind of energy market it wants to maintain,' she said.

The White House said Biden's purpose in visiting was to support, not scold.

'I expect that what he will do during this trip today is asking every single person he sees what do you need, how can I help you more,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. 'And what can we get more for you from the federal government.'

Biden has declared a major disaster in Texas and asked federal agencies to identify additional resources to aid the recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent emergency generators, bottled water, ready-to-eat meals and blankets.

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said in an interview that he didn't know what more the federal government could do to help because the failures were at the state level. But Henry, a Republican who is the highest county official in the suburban Houston county, said that if Biden 'thinks it's important to visit, then come on down.'

Biden wanted to make the trip last week, but said at the time that he held back because he didnt want his presence and entourage to detract from the recovery effort.

Houston also was the destination for Trump's first presidential visit to a disaster area in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding that August.

Trump, who was not known for displays of empathy, did not meet with storm victims on the visit. He returned four days later and urged people who had relocated to a shelter to 'have a good time.'

President Joe The first couple also plan to use the trip to once again urge Americans to get coronavirus vaccines, now that 50 million shots have already been delivered, with plans to visit a community vaccination site in Houston.

The president opted for a casual Friday outfit, sporting an open collar and loafers, while ditching the pinstripes that he has sported for power meetings in the Oval Office.

The first lady, who has previously traveled with the president aboard a smaller aircraft that also serves as Air Force One, wore a green Veronica Beard blazer that retails for $650.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk across the South Lawn to board Marine One at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Houston

Biden is taking his first trip as president to visit a state hit by disaster

Washington skyline: The Bidens walk out to Marine One with the Washington Monument in the background

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on February 26, 2021

Aides: Jill Biden's advisor Anthony Bernal and White House deputy chief of staff Jen O'Malley Dillon walk from Marine One to Air Force One

Leaving the White House: Joe Biden acknowledged waiting reporters as he walked out of the South Portico with ths First Lafy but did not speak to them

Salute to the Marine: Joe Biden salutes before boarding Marine One on the White House South Lawn

Ready to fly: Jill and Joe Biden climb into Marine One, with the First Lady greeting the pilots on the flight deck

Departure: The Bidens take the first leg of their journey to Texas, lifting off from the South Lawn and passing the Washington Monument on their way to Joint Base Andrews

The post-storm debate in Texas has centered on the state maintaining its own electrical grid and lack of storm preparation, including weatherization of key infrastructure. Some state officials initially blamed the blackouts on renewable energy even though Texas is a heavy user of fossil fuels like oil and gas.

The White House said Biden's purpose in visiting would be to support, not scold.

'The president doesnt view the crisis and the millions of people whove been impacted by it as a Democratic or Republican issue,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday. 'He views it as an issue where hes eager to get relief, to tap into all the resources in the federal government, to make sure the people of Texas know we're thinking about them, were fighting for them and were going to continue working on this as theyre recovering.'

Psaki said policy discussions about better weatherization and preparation could come later, 'but right now, we're focused on getting relief to the people of the state.'

Biden has declared a major disaster in Texas and asked federal agencies to identify additional resources to aid the recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent emergency generators, bottled water, ready-to-eat meals and blankets.

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said in an interview that he didn't know what more the federal government could do to help because the failures were at the state level. But Henry, a Republican who is the highest county official in the suburban Houston county, said that if Biden 'thinks it's important to visit, then come on down.'

Biden wanted to make the trip last week, but said at the time that he held back because he didnt want his presence and entourage to detract from the recovery effort.

Biden, whose life has been marked by personal tragedy, is known for his ability to empathize with others and their suffering. His first wife and infant daughter were killed in a car collision in 1972. His son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.

No Texas lawmakers were expected to hitch a ride home aboard Air Force One due to 'limitations on space' on the plane, Psaki said.
RZIM Americas' director apologizes for failures, furthering late apologist's false narratives

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The Americas' director of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and his wife are the latest to release public apologies for trusting the late apologist and furthering the false narratives he promoted, following the release of an investigative report this month detailing Zacharias' years of sexual misconduct.

In a Personal Confession from Vince and Jo Vitale that was shared in a video and printed statement released Tuesday, the married couple said they were grieved beyond measure for every one of Zacharias victims, calling his actions against them appalling and reprehensible.

Since the interim report was published on Dec. 23, we have been asking God to search our hearts, to reveal to us the ways in which we personally have failed. And we have recognized some extremely sobering truths: first, our confidence in our friend, Ravi, was severely misplaced; Ravi abused people in horrific ways and then repeatedly and brazenly lied to our faces, the Vitales said.

Vince Vitale serves as RZIM's director for the Americas and director of the Zacharias Institute, and his wife, Jo, serves as dean of studies at the Zacharias Institute. Both also serve as speakers for the organization.

On the heels of these truths came the sickening realization that by believing Ravis lies and then passing on his false narratives, we in turn deeply hurt people  the very people most in need of our care  and we added to their pain. We are sorry. We are so very, very sorry.

The couple added that they were especially grieved that they failed in the exact areas where they felt called to minister as Vince Vitale desired to offer hope to suffering people, and Jo desired to share with women how God sees them and the value of their worth.

I feel particularly convicted that although Im someone who speaks regularly about the God who sees women, when a woman was abused by someone in my own sphere, I completely and utterly failed to see her. Not only should I have listened, but given the serious nature of the claims, I should have recognized my own personal bias and weighted the victims words more heavily. As a woman with a public voice, I failed to use that voice to speak up for another when her voice was not being heard. For this, I am so ashamed and so devastatingly sorry, Jo Vitale said.

We hope that the many people we have wronged might one day consider forgiving us. That would be a blessing that we would forever treasure. But we recognize that we have no right to this and that even if forgiveness is possible, it would likely take time. We also realize that earning trust is a process and depends on what we commit to and how we live in the days ahead, the couple added.

Since the release of the final report, RZIM has halted all fundraising activities and public relations staffer Ruth Malhotra has come forward with an insider account of how the organization operated in a "toxic" manner.

In a 26-page letter to the RZIM board of directors, Malhotra expressed how she was not given straightforward answers when she asked leadership questions that were emerging about Zacharias various misdeeds and that she felt she was unable to do her job in keeping with her moral convictions.

Malhotra also recounted that RZIM leadership staged a conciliation session where she was berated and told she was nearly insane for raising objections.

Allegations against Zacharias include that he had sexually groomed a Canadian woman, Lori Anne Thompson, and that he had inflated and misrepresented his credentials and academic background, which first emerged in 2017. He was also accused of engaging in serious sexual misconduct with female employees at a spa he co-owned in Georgia, which was revealed last summer, not long after his death in May 2020.



Both sets of allegations were first exposed by Steve Baughman, a San Franciso Bay area attorney who documented Zacharias multi-faceted corruption in the book, Cover-Up in the Kingdom: Phone Sex, Lies, and Gods Great Apologist, Ravi Zacharias. In media interviews since the release of the final report, Baughman has stressed that the problem that enabled Zacharias to abuse so many for so long is not exclusively about him but is rooted in a broader evangelical Christian business culture.

The Vitales added in their statement that they would commit to listening to survivors of sexual abuse and learn from them.

Thompsons victim impact statement, they said, is a deeply moving place to start for anyone else who feels they have not listened as God asks us to.

We commit to having the courage to challenge situations whenever we witness people being spoken to or about unlovingly and dishonorably. On many occasions in the past  were not talking only about work situations but in the course of life generally  we have not loved people enough to challenge conversations in which they have been mistreated. We repent of this and are asking God to give us the strength to be less concerned about ourselves and more concerned about others, they said.
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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research "Global Market Study on Osteoporosis Drugs : AsiaPacific to Witness Highest Growth by 2022", the global osteoporosis drugs market is estimated to be valued at US $ 11,226.1 Mn by the end of 2015 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2014 to 2022, to account for US $ 14,786.7 Mn by 2022.

The global osteoporosis drugs market is witnessing significant growth due to rising geriatric population and changing lifestyles impinging bone health. Prevalence of osteoporosis is high among people aged 60 years and above. Moreover, increasing the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, growing awareness about osteoporotic care, and increasing investment in drug discovery and development are also driving the growth of the market.

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Top companies profiled in this report are:

Eli Lilly and Company

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Merck & Co, Inc.

Novartis AG

Amgen, Inc.

Novo Nordisk A/S

Actavis plc

Pfizer, Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

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However, there are various side effects and complications associated with osteoporosis drugs such as heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, and ulcers in the stomach or esophagus. Furthermore, patent expiration of osteoporosis drugs also inhibits the growth of the market.The osteoporosis drugs market is anticipated to grow from an estimated US$11,226.1 Mn by the end of 2015 to account for US$14,786.7 Mn by 2022 at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period.

In North America, the prevalence of osteoporosis is high primarily due to increasing geriatric population, growing obesity, and rising prevalence of lifestyle associated diseases in the region. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, in 2013, approximately 54 million people in the U.S. aged 50 years and above were affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in the U.S., approximately 250,000 hip fractures are associated with osteoporosis.

In Europe, increasing aging population, changing lifestyles, and increasing consumer awareness about osteoporosis care are driving the growth of the osteoporosis drug market. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 5.5 million men and 22 million women suffered from osteoporosis in 2010. Moreover, according to International Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 27.5 million people in Europe suffered from osteoporosis in 2010 and the number is expected to reach 33.9 Mn by 2030.

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However, the growth of osteoporosis market in Asia Pacific is much due to rising geriatric population and changing lifestyles in the region. Osteoporotic patients have a higher risk of hip fractures, owing to a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, by 2050, approximately 50% of the world's osteoporosis hip fractures would occur in women in Asia. In addition, according to a study on Epidemiology in Osteoporosis in Japan by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, in 2011, approximately 15 million people suffered from osteoporosis in Japan.

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Popcorn and Inspiration: Sergeant York: A Rousing Biopic About a Real American Hero

Not Rated| 2h 14min | Biography, Drama, History | 27 September 1941 (USA)

There are many heroes who initially dont seem destined for greatness. This certainly is the case with Alvin York, a real-life American hero who went above and beyond the call of duty during World War I.

Yorks heroics are retold in director Howard Hawkss fascinating Sergeant York, a 1941 patriotic war movie. The film opens in the Valley of the Three Forks of the Wolf, nestled in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. The local pastor, Rosier Pile (Walter Brennan), is leading his parish in a powerful Christian hymn titled When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.

When the hymn concludes, the pastor begins his sermon, which is interrupted by gunfire that erupts from somewhere outside of the church. York (Gary Cooper) and his fellow booze-swilling cohorts are riding around town and shooting their pistols off in a belligerent bout of drunkenness.

Even while drunk and disorderly, York manages to shoot his initials into a tree right outside of the church, A V. If theres one thing that good ol country boy York does well, its to hit a target with unnatural accuracy.

Yorks mother (Margaret Wycherly) goes to the settlements general store (which is coincidently owned by Pastor Pile) to make amends for her sons transgressions, and it is here that we learn the widows family is destitute. The only thing the Yorks own is a small patch of land.

Pastor Rosier Pile (Walter Brennan), also the proprietor of the local general store, talks with his parishioner Mrs. York (Margaret Wycherly), in Sergeant York. (Warner Bros.)

While there, Mrs. York suggests, in a beautiful Southern drawl, that the pastor have a talk with her older son, Alvin, to tell him that A little religion wouldnt do him no hurt.

Meanwhile, York and his buddies take to swilling even more booze at the local bar and get so soused that they get into some fisticuffs with other drunken neer-do-wells. His younger brother, George (Dickie Moore), marches into the place and tells him that his mother wants him to come home. York returns home with his tail tucked between his legs and makes amends with his stern but fair mother, who greets him at the door with a bucket of cold water in an effort to sober him up.

Trying to make amends, York begins tilling his familys fields. Pastor Pile then travels to the York property and does try to persuade the youth to become a man of faith. But York is stubborn and shrugs off the pastors endeavors.

Pastor Rosier Pile (Walter Brennan, L) chats with Alvin York (Gary Cooper), in Sergeant York. (Warner Bros.)

Later, while out hunting for foxes with his younger brother and some friends, York falls under the spell of local country girl Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie). Although she is also attracted to him (in a shy manner), she figures that he isnt quite marriage material because of his familys circumstances.

This motivates York to ditch the booze and set his sights on a larger patch of property called the bottomland. Unfortunately, while working his tail off to obtain the land, he gets hoodwinked by a conniving wheeler-dealer, Nate Tomkins (Erville Alderson). This causes York to return to the bottle, and in a fit of drunken fury, he sets off to kill Tomkins.

Alvin York (Gary Cooper) is smitten with Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie), in Sergeant York. (Warner Bros.)

Perhaps through divine intervention, a bolt of lightning strikes him, bending his rifles barrel and thus rendering it useless. York views this as a wake-up call and he begins attending Pastor Piles services, much to the solace of his family, who are regular attendees.

York undergoes a total Christian conversion, which compels him to be a better man. He makes amends with local folks, including Tomkins.

However, World War I intrudes and all of the local men must register for the draft. Because of his religious conversion, York has become a pacifist. But Pastor Pile advises York to register anyway, and he reluctantly obliges.

When York is selected for Army service, a conundrum arises: Can he serve his country and go to war, while being against killing his fellow man?

Focus on the Hero

While the first two acts of the film paint a beautiful tapestry of Yorks upbringing in the backwoods of Tennessee, the final act showcases his extraordinary honor and courage in the face of adversity on the battlefields and in the trenches of the Great War.

For a film set in 1941, Sergeant York has an exceptional level of character development that enables it to transcend mere propaganda. Through Hawkss more-than-capable guidance, Cooper is set free to deliver one of his finest, most compelling performances, buttressed further by Wycherly as his stalwart, ever-supportive mother. The excellent supporting cast carry their own weight without being too obtrusive.

Sergeant York is a deeply moving film that should inspire even the most ardent of pessimists out there. Its sincere dedication to unusual heroism, patriotism, and selflessness is something that should be witnessed. Be warned: Bring a handkerchief or box of tissues to wipe away all of those tears.

Sergeant York

Director: Howard Hawks

Starring: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Margaret Wycherly, Joan Leslie

Not Rated

Running Time: 2 hours, 14 minutes

Release Date: Sept. 27, 1941 (USA)

Rated: 5 stars out of 5



Ian Kane is a filmmaker and author based out of Los Angeles. To learn more, visit DreamFlightEnt.com or contact him at Twitter.com/ImIanKane.
Some of the world's most powerful countries issued a rare unified call for better vaccine access for poorer nations on Friday, as inoculation campaigns strengthened and governments cautiously envisioned a post-COVID future.

The unanimous support for the resolution at the UN Security Council came as G20 nations sought to align plans to relaunch economies when the pandemic is finally tamed.

But there were also more reminders of the months of difficult work ahead, with new virus cases increasing again globally after a month in which they had fallen by half.

The global death toll is now above 2.5 million out of a total of some 113 million cases, and the United States remains the country with the most fatalities.

Vaccinations are however marching ahead in many countries after a sluggish start.

The United States has hailed progress in turning around its troubled vaccine rollout, while the European Union said it was on track to meet jab targets after months of supply problems.

A US panel met Friday on granting Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine emergency approval, which would add crucial supplies to the country's inoculation arsenal.

Rollouts in Asia also gathered momentum as Hong Kong and South Korea began their mass vaccination programmes.

In Africa, Ivory Coast received its first jabsa consignment of 504,000 doses funded by the Covax initiative for poorer countries.

And just over half of the population of Israel has now had at least a first dose, according to the health ministry there.

Russia and Austria have meanwhile agreed to talks over the delivery and joint production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.

But many poorer countries have struggled to secure supplies and launch inoculations, and there have been repeated warnings over the consequences.

Most of the 217 million doses administered globally have gone to wealthier countries.

'The same threat'

With that in mind, the UN Security Councilincluding permanent members the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain unanimously adopted a resolution calling for improved access to vaccines in conflict-hit or impoverished countries.

In a rare gesture, it was co-sponsored by all 15 members of the council, diplomats said, and required just a week of negotiations to drafta change from the days when former US president Donald Trump spoke of the "China virus."

"We are all facing the same threat, the same pandemic, and international cooperation and multilateral action is needed," one diplomat said.

Another diplomatic gathering looked further ahead, with G20 countries discussing post-pandemic economic recovery in a video conference.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has signalled openness to new assistance to less developed countries through the International Monetary Fund.

The recovery "from the worst recession since World War II" will be "long and uncertain", IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned in an interview with Italy's La Stampa newspaper.

"The prospects for recovery are diverging dangerously across countries."

In the United States, the House of Representatives was expected to vote Friday on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief package.

And in Japan, a state of emergency will be lifted early in some regions as the pace of infection slows and with the country preparing to host the postponed Tokyo Olympics in less than five months.

Paris lockdown?

But restrictions are unlikely to disappear anytime soon, including in France, where a debate erupted over how to respond to infections in Paris.

Scepticism greeted a suggestion by Paris city hall for a three-week lockdown to help restore normality, with critics accusing mayor Anne Hidalgo of a PR stunt.

France has so far avoided a third lockdown but case numbers are starting to rise.

The danger of new variants also remained apparent as Belgian authorities said the more contagious British strain was now the dominant one in the country.

In Britain itself, an advisory group said the next phase of vaccines will be administered based on age rather than occupational risks, sparking anger from police and teachers who said they should be prioritised.

Britain has vaccinated 19 million people, 35 percent of all adults, with at least one dose and says it plans to reach the whole population by the end of July.

Brazil has the world's second-highest death toll after the United States, and it has now surpassed 250,000 fatalities.

The virus has hit especially hard in Brazil's impoverished "favelas," among indigenous communities and in the Amazon rainforest city of Manaus, where there have been haunting scenes of mass graves and patients suffocating to death with no oxygen.

Explore further Over 200 million vaccine doses administered globally

 2021 AFP

One of the most anticipated Indian web series of the year, Tandav has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The show, helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar and written by Gaurav Solanki of Article 15 fame, has been accused of hurting religious sentiments. One particular scene, featuring Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, where he is seen chanting lines dressed as Lord Shiva was found to be disrespectful by the people.

Heres the scene that created a stir:

A case had been filed by Additional Inspector, Hazratganj, Amarnath Verma, regarding the web series on January 18 against Aparna Purohit, Tandav director Ali Abbas, producer Himanshu Krishna Mehar and writer Gaurav Solanki. Another case was registered in Uttar Pradeshs Gautam Buddha Nagar against Aparna and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (under sections 153-A (1) (B), 295-A, 505 (1) (B), 505 (2) of IPC).

In a recent turn of events, the Allahabad high court on Thursday rejected anticipatory bail to Aparna Purohit in the case against the web series.

Western filmmakers have refrained from ridiculing Lord Jesus or the Prophet but Hindi filmmakers have done this repeatedly and are still doing this most unabashedly with the Hindu Gods and Goddesses, the court observed.

This tendency on the part of the Hindi film industry is growing and if not curbed in time, it may have disastrous consequences for the Indian social, religious and communal order. There appears to be a design behind such acts on the part of the people who just give a disclaimer in all the films and depict things in the movies which are really religiously, socially, and communally offensive in nature, the court added.

Some people appreciated the decision of the Allahabad High Court.

@PrimeVideoIN People and forces behind them must be shown day light. They can't get away from everything in the name of creativity. #amazon #Tandav #inshort pic.twitter.com/M4HbgI5hAk  Sunil Shahu (@sunilshahu) February 26, 2021

#TANDAV: Every soul who raised voice against hindu-hatred contents in any film/websr/show, must read the observation by ho'ble court. Each & every word is echo of our concern (& so prolonged frustration).

This is just OUTSTANDING.

Excerpt pic.twitter.com/Ep8btYEMwD  Bharat@INDIA (@BharatI96658079) February 26, 2021

We will not tolerate insult to our Hindu Gods n Goddesses and to our country.. Punish #Tandav makers n associates @HMOIndia @PMOIndia @myogioffice https://t.co/4Fn6XRGWoX  SPeace (@SPeace02189860) February 26, 2021

It seems that finally respected judges begin to realise that Bollywood and OTT platforms continuously hurt Hindu sentiments in the name of freedom of expression. #Tandav  Rajnikant Jha (@RajnikantJhaInd) February 26, 2021

Honorable judges of Allahabad High Court also follow @GemsOfBollywood, it seems. They have referred to gems we have showcased in rejecting bail plea of Aparna Purohit of @PrimeVideoIN for #Tandav



On other side, our gems were used to build case against this web series.

https://t.co/ZGpr5yBknV     (@Narcissistic_VK) February 26, 2021

But there were others who went on to say that politicians have used religion to win the elections and its a hypocritical move as they are jeopardizing the freedom of speech of filmmakers.

So its totally fine for the government to use religion and cast to get votes during elections but the film makers cant use the same to make money.



Justified isnt it?#Tandav  IKeshava (@keshava_i) February 26, 2021

How were hindu gods and goddesses demeaned on #Tandav?  CrocodilePallan (@jacquesmugatu) February 26, 2021

What do you have to say about the entire incident? Let us know in the comments section below.
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan with $1,400 stimulus checks for most Americans on Friday before sending the legislation to the Senate for consideration.

The legislation includes $1,400 direct payments for individuals making up to $75,000 a year and married couples earning up to $150,000 a year. The new plan has a faster phase-out than in previous proposals, capping payments at $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples.

The House bill would also extend the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs through Aug. 29 and increase weekly federal benefits from $300 to $400.

Democrats are hoping to pass the stimulus deal into law before Mar. 14, the day that $300 weekly unemployment benefits approved in Decembers coronavirus package expire. That timeline has added to lawmakers desire to use the reconciliation process, which allows for expedited consideration of legislation on spending, taxes and debt.

Around 11.4 million workers could lose their unemployment benefits between Mar. 14 and Apr. 11 unless Congress passes the bill before the mid-March deadline, a study by The Century Foundation found.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, said the House will vote on President Joe Bidens stimulus package on Friday. The legislation is expected to pass along party lines; Democrats hold a 221-211 majority in the chamber.

The American people strongly support this bill, and we are moving swiftly to see it enacted into law, Hoyer tweeted on Wednesday. If the bill passes the House as expected, it will then head to the Senate.

Minimum wage hike runs into roadblock

But one of the most debated portions of the bill ran into a roadblock after Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian, ruled on Thursday that the stimulus deal including a federal minimum wage increase to $15 per hour cant be passed in the Senate under reconciliation.

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That ruling says a deal including a minimum wage hike would require 60 votes in the Senate  where Democrats hold a narrow 50-50 majority with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as a tiebreaker.

Once passed in the House, reconciliation would have allowed Democrats in the Senate to bypass the 60-vote requirement for advancing the legislation including a minimum wage hike without a filibuster. Instead, under the process, they could have passed that deal with a simple majority  paving a path for the bill to become law without needing any Republican votes. The bill without a minimum wage increase can still pass under reconciliation.

The Byrd rule, which is interpreted by the Senate parliamentarian, outlines that the reconciliation process can only be used for provisions related to the federal budget. MacDonough ruled the minimum wage increase didnt apply under the rule.

The minimum wage hike is one of the main points of contention in the stimulus deal and has faced opposition from many Republicans  and Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who has said he supports raising the minimum wage to $11, and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who has signaled opposition to raising the minimum wage through the reconciliation process instead of requiring 60 votes for passage.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said the minimum wage provision would be kept in the Houses version of the stimulus plan regardless of MacDonoughs ruling, as it only applies in the Senate.

House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary. Therefore, this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the Floor tomorrow, Pelosi said on Thursday. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight For 15.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, also expressed his disappointment in MacDonoughs decision.

We are deeply disappointed in this decision. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality, Schumer said.

Some Democrats, including Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, have voiced support for overruling the parliamentarians decision  or firing her, as happened in 2001 when Senate Republicans were told they couldnt pass tax cuts under the reconciliation process.

But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden respects the parliamentarians decision and the Senates process, The Washington Post reported.

He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward, because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty, Psaki said. He urges Congress to move quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan.

Strong opposition from Republicans

Some Republicans have balked at the cost of the package and called for more targeted relief for families during the pandemic, while others have criticized the legislation for being partisan.

The partisan bill Democrats are preparing is stuffed with non-COVID-related liberal goals and more band-aid policies as if the country were going to stay shut down another year, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said on Monday.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, called the legislation a clunker in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.

It would waste hundreds of billions of dollars, do nothing meaningful to get kids back to school, and enact policies that work against job creation, Romney wrote.

Other GOP senators have indicated they wont vote for the legislation.

What were looking at now is whether there are changes that we could make. But I would be surprised if there was support in the Republican caucus if the bill comes out at $1.9 trillion even if were able to make some beneficial changes, Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, said on Tuesday, according to The Hill.

Romney and Collins were part of the group of Republicans who met with Biden to propose a $618 billion counteroffer to his stimulus deal.

Biden has urged Republicans to support the relief deal.

Critics say that my plan is too big, that it costs $1.9 trillion, Biden said last week during a speech in Michigan. Let me ask them: What would they have me cut? What would they have me leave out? Should we not invest $20 billion to vaccinate the nation? Should we not invest $290 million to extend unemployment insurance for the 11 million Americans who are unemployed so they can get by?
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YANGON, Myanmar (AP)  Myanmar security forces cracked down on anti-coup protesters in the country's second-largest city on Friday, injuring at least three people, two of whom were shot in the chest by rubber bullets and another who suffered a wound on his leg.

Protesters had gathered on a wide road outside a park in Mandalay in the early afternoon when security forces arrived and began firing what sounded like gunshots and using flash bang grenades to disperse the crowd.

Bullets, shell casings, and other projectiles were later found by local residents on one of the main streets and shown to journalists.

The victims were all taken to a private clinic for treatment. One of the men who was shot in the chest with a rubber bullet also had a white bandage wrapped around his head. The man with an injured leg was later photographed in a cast that stretched from his foot to his knee.

The confrontations underscore the rising tensions between a growing popular revolt and the generals who toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a Feb. 1 takeover that shocked the international community and reversed years of slow progress toward democracy.

Also Friday, a Japanese journalist covering a separate protest in Yangon, the countrys largest city, was detained by police and later released, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency. Yuki Kitazumi could be seen in a video circulating among media as police seized him, with one of the officers briefly putting a truncheon around the journalist's neck.

Earlier in the day, security forces in Yangon fired warning shots and beat truncheons against their shields while moving to disperse more than 1,000 anti-coup protesters.

The demonstrators had gathered in front of a popular shopping mall, holding placards and chanting slogans denouncing the Feb. 1 coup even as the security presence increased and a water-cannon truck was brought to the area.

When around 50 riot police moved against the protesters, warning shots could be heard, and at least one demonstrator was held by officers. Security forces chased the protesters off the main road and continued to pursue them in the nearby lanes, as some ducked into houses to hide.

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On Thursday, supporters of Myanmars junta attacked people protesting the military government, using slingshots, iron rods and knives to injure several of them. Photos and videos posted on social media showed groups attacking people in downtown Yangon as police stood by without intervening.

The violence erupted as hundreds marched in support of the coup. They carried banners in English with the slogans We Stand With Our Defence Services and We Stand With State Administration Council, which is the official name of the junta.

Late Thursday, police turned out in force in Yangons Tarmwe neighborhood where they tried to clear the streets of residents protesting the militarys appointment of a new administrator for one ward. Several arrests were made as people scattered in front of riot police who used flash bang grenades to disperse the crowd.

No pro-military rally appeared to be scheduled for Friday.

Suu Kyi has not been seen since the coup. Around 50 of her supporters held a prayer Friday opposite her home in Yangon. The mansion is where she spent many years under house arrest during previous military governments, and the residence has long had iconic status among her supporters.

Because of the situation, on this day of the full moon we are sending love to, and reciting Buddhas teachings for Mother Suu, President U Win Myint and all those unlawfully detained, said Hmuu Sitt yan Naing, who joined the prayer group.

It is believed Suu Kyi is currently being detained in the capital Naypyitaw. She is due to face a court on Monday on charges brought against her by the military junta. The charges are widely seen as politically motivated.
Some foreigners not entitled to Covid-19 vaccine. Type of insurance matters

Health Ministry dealing with the situation.

The sign reads: Vaccination centre Covid-19, if you need to ensure barrier-free access, contact the staff (Source: TASR)

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Covid-19 vaccination is not accessible to everyone in Slovakia.

A 75-year-old Iranian who has been residing in Slovakia since 2016 has learned this the hard way.

Soon after his age group, 75+, became eligible for the Covid-19 jab in January, he registered for vaccination. Since the appointments for vaccination are scarce and fast to fill online in Bratislava where he lives, he travelled to the western-Slovak town of Malacky, about 40 km from Bratislava.

The man wished to remain anonymous but The Slovak Spectator editorial knows his name. He explained he duly registered through the NCZI.sk registration form, but the vaccination centre in Malacky Hospital refused to vaccinate him.

He did not have the necessary health insurance, the hospital explained to The Slovak Spectator.

This came as a surprise to the man and his family, as he is paying a health insurance fee. The problem is his insurance is not the public health insurance provided by the state-run or one of the two private health insurers. His is so-called commercial health insurance, often the only option for foreigners in Slovakia who are not entitled to public health insurance for some reason.

Commercial insurance covers basic health care, but not the Covid-19 vaccine.

From the epidemiological point of view it is absurd that we have people who live in Slovakia, are entitled to the vaccine [in the vaccination strategy], but will not be vaccinated as they are not subject to public health care, said human rights lawyer Zuzana Stevulova, a member of the non-parliamentary Progressive Slovakia who has been dealing with the problem of Covid vaccination accessibility to some groups of foreigners based on their health insurance.

All elderly people are threatened the same way [with Covid-19], regardless of whether they are or arent insured in the public health system.

Everyone has to be insured

Every foreigner living in Slovakia is obliged to have health insurance. People who work in the country - as employees or self-employed - pay the monthly payroll taxes, or premiums for the public health system just like Slovak citizens. The levies are docked from their gross salaries every month, and are paid to the state-run Vseobecna Zdravotna Poistovna, or the private Union or Dovera health insurers, per choice of the insuree.

But there is a group of people not entitled to public insurance, even if they wanted to pay for it on their own. This includes people who gained a residence permit for the purpose of doing business or family reunion.

26. Feb 2021 at 11:45 | Nina Hrabovska Francelova
A medical worker wearing a protective suit sprays disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus at a coronavirus testing site in Seoul, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. AP



South Korea will extend its current social distancing measures for another two weeks, the prime minister said Friday, as sporadic COVID-19 cluster infections continue to pop up across the country.



"The government will decide to extend the current distancing levels for another two weeks starting next week during today's meeting," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a regular COVID-19 response meeting held at the government complex in Seoul.



The greater Seoul area, home to around half of the nation's 52-million population, will remain under Level 2 distancing and the rest of the country will be subject to Level 1.5 distancing for an additional two weeks starting next week.



Bans on gatherings of five or more people and restrictions on small businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, will also remain in place for another two weeks, Chung said.






Washington Senate Approves Ban on Open Carry at State Capitol, Demonstrations

The Washington state Senate on Thursday approved a ban on people carrying guns in the open on Capitol grounds and at or near rallies.

Lawmakers approved the legislation in a 28-20 party-line vote.

With exceptions for law enforcement and people who own property in the area, the bill would bar people from openly carrying firearms or other weapons within 250 feet of a permitted demonstration or on state Capitol grounds.

The bill would add language to a law that already bans firearms inside courtrooms, airports, and other places.

Violators would face a misdemeanor. They could be sentenced to up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $5,000.

State Sen. Patty Kuderer, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, said on the floor in Olympia before the vote that theres been intense political polarization in our country.

She said she introduced the bill because guns and polarized politics is a bad combination, and it poses serious risk to public health and safety.

Honestly, I dont see any practical purpose for carrying a deadly weapon at public demonstrations or here at the Capitol. The only purpose to do it is to intimidate people who are exercising their First Amendment rights, she added.

State Sen. Judy Warnock, a Republican, said she attended a rally last year that was organized by minorities and may have been linked to Black Lives Matter. During the march, she said, there were counterprotesters openly carrying along the route.

Two men stand armed with guns at a protest in Olympia, Wash., on Jan. 6, 2021. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

I dont see why a bill like this should restrict the people that are my constituents, my neighbors, and my teenage members of my family, to participate in a peaceful rally and march, she added. There are definitely too many questions about my Second Amendment rights, and my neighbors Second Amendment rights, so I have to be in opposition to this bill today.

The bill will now be considered by the state House, where Democrats hold a 57-41 majority.

Second Amendment protests are common in Washington state, with some taking place at the state Capitol. Currently, people are allowed to open carry inside the building itself, and on the Capitol grounds.

According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which advocates for gun restrictions, three statesCalifornia, Florida, and Illinoisalong with the District of Columbia bar people from openly carrying guns in public.

Five other states prohibit openly carrying handguns or long guns, but not both.

Many states that generally allow open carry bar open carry in specific locations, such as schools and on public transportation.

Forty-three states, meanwhile, allow concealed carry upon completion of certain requirements, with no permit required, or with certain exceptions, according to the National Rifle Associations Institute for Legislative Action. Washington state is one of the former, according to the group, which says advocates for laws officials believe protect against Second Amendment infringements.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.  Police arrested a Klamath Falls man on Friday for his alleged part in a deadly gun battle in Fairview Park back in November of 2019.

Reports from Klamath Falls Police at the time of the shooting described a meeting between two armed groups in the early morning hours of November 20. Two men were killed in the shooting  31-year-old Christopher Gregory and 43-year-old Donald Cheatham Jr. Sean Dalton Brazil-Gates was hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

In the immediate wake of the shooting, officers arrested 22-year-old Gillian Bradley. She was accused of conspiring with Gregory to confront and murder Brazil-Gates. Cheatham Jr. and Brazil-Gates made up the other side of the meeting, investigators said.

According to Klamath Falls Police, Sgt. Ed Foreman has been actively investigating the shooting since it took place in 2019. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab helped Sgt. Foreman piece together evidence from the shooting, along with other information and witness statements.

On February 22, a Klamath County grand jury met and returned a secret indictment of the now 30-year-old Brazil-Gates for his alleged role in the deadly exchange  charging him with Murder, Manslaughter I, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Posession of a Weapon, and Perjury.

The indictment alleges that Brazil-Gates shot and killed Gregory, and later made false statements under oath "about struggling over a gun with Christopher Gregory" during the investigation into Bradley's case.

KFPD detectives and parole officers arrested Brazil-Gates on a warrant Thursday afternoon, lodging him at the Klamath County Jail.

While some of the more serious charges against Bradley were dismissed in December, she pleaded guilty on two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence. She was sentenced to almost five years in prison followed by three years on post-prison supervision.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336. Anonymous information can be left at the Klamath Falls Police Tip Line number 541-883-5334.
The co-owner of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr, who defied Gov. Phil Murphys orders to shut down to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, is joining former President Donald Trump, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at this weekends annual gathering of conservative activists.

Ian Smith, who owns the gym with Frank Trumbetti, is scheduled to appear on a panel Friday morning at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, a must-stop for Republican presidential hopefuls that attracts a whos who of prominent politicians and activists from the right side of the political spectrum.

Every chance I get to tell our story honestly and completely is only important for what Frank and and I are doing and for what all of us want as small-business owners, Smith told NJ Advance Media.

We decided we were going to make a stand not only for ourselves but for all Americans, he said, Were not doing anything out of the ordinary, were standing up for our rights as sovereign American citizens.

On the panel, he will join Shelley Luther, a Texas salon owner who refused to close her shop after her states governor, Republican Greg Abbott, ordered businesses to close in response to the pandemic. She later lost a GOP primary for a state House seat.

CPAC normally takes place near Washington, but this year will be held in Orlando, Florida.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

New Jersey in December tried to collect on $123,900 in fines against the gym, which in turn set up a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $470,000.

Murphy first ordered all gyms, casinos and move theaters closed in March as the coronavirus spread throughout New Jersey.

But Smith reopened his gym in May, and has battled state and local authorities ever since. The owners have been arrested and fined and their business license was revoked, but they have continued to reopen the facility even when government officials ordered it boarded up. They also sued the state, claiming the lockdown was unconstitutional.

At one point, they reopened the gym as a campaign headquarters for Rik Mehta, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. Mehta now is seeking the GOP nomination to run against Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist.

As citizens, we are guaranteed the right to our private property, Smith said. They just cant come in, especially with no due process. If the government said, You have to close because youre dangerous, they have to provide proof.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com.

MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / Alphinat Inc. (TSXV:NPA) ("Alphinat" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that the Department of Labour at a New England State acquired a SmartGuide production licence for secure portal from Alphinat.

In addition, Alphinat is pleased to announce the vote results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation (the "Shareholders") held Thursday, February 25, 2021 with the required quorum of voting Shareholders.

Each of the nominee directors listed in the Corporation's management information circular dated January 21, 2021 (the "Circular"), being Michel Lemoine, Curtis Page, Benoit Ste-Marie, Marcel Elefant, Eric David and Karyn Pellatt-Caron were elected as directors with no less than 97% of the votes cast.

The resolution to appoint Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, as auditors of the Corporation for the current financial year 2021, to hold office until the next meeting of Shareholders, and authorize the board of directors of the Corporation to set the compensation to be paid to the auditors was also approved with 100 % of the votes for the resolution.

The resolution to amend the stock option plan by authorizing the Corporation to increase the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of options under the stock option plan, as described in the Circular, was approved by a majority of disinterested Shareholders representing 87.4 % of the disinterested votes cast.

About Alphinat

At Alphinat, we are driven by the passion to make application development easy for everyone and system interoperability issues a thing of the past. We enable people with the vision of how a finished application should look and behave to be a major part of the development process. After all, what better way to ensure a favorable outcome than to provide those closest to an application's end-users with a vested interest in its success throughout its development?

That's why we bring you new ways to empower the right people at the right time in the application development process. At the same time, we're constantly working to reduce the need to code in order to make application development and maintenance simpler and less error prone.

So, whether you choose to develop your applications with the help of our low-code platform SmartGuide, kickstart your project using one of our pre-built apps or engage us or one of our partners to do the work for you, we're here to help you deploy secure user-friendly applications in record time. Visit us at https://www.alphinat.com for more information.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this document, including those which express management's expectations or estimations with regards to the Company's future performance constitute forward-looking statements as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed, they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward- looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause significant differences between actual results and those described in forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's capacity to increase acceptance of its products on the market, and to penetrate new markets; the potential existence of defects or undetected problems in the Company's products; the Company's ability to manage its growth; the Company's ability to compete with others; potential commitments; maintaining the Company's intellectual property rights and defending against litigation putting those rights in question; the Company's reliance on the knowledge of its key personnel; and the Company's access to sufficient capital to finance its future needs. This is a partial and non-exhaustive list of factors that could bear on any of our forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward-looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to Alphinat or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company. The Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances. Risks and uncertainties that bear on the Company are described in greater detail in the Company's Annual Report.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Curtis Page

Chief Executive Officer Alphinat Inc.

(514) 398-9799 ext 225

SOURCE: Alphinat Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632398/The-Department-of-Labour-at-a-New-England-State-Acquires-SmartGuideR-Production-Licence-and-Alphinat-Announces-Results-of-Annual-and-Special-Meeting-Held-on-February-25-2021
In northeastern Illinois, groundwater has been drained faster than it is replenished, causing water levels to drop to depths where costs and complications may render wells inoperable. Joliet is the latest city to give up on the deep aquifers, voting last month to tap into Lake Michigan water provided by Chicago. That comes with a cost: If Joliet takes on the project alone, an average monthly water bill for residents could quadruple in the next 20 years.
Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, is seen in New York City on Oct. 18, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Prosecutors Ask Judge Not to Dismiss Bannons Indictment Despite Trump Pardon

Prosecutors this week asked a federal judge not to dismiss an indictment against former President Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon following Trumps pardon of his ex-aide.

Bannon was facing charges related to allegations he and three others involved in a campaign to build barriers along the southern border kept some of the money they raised.

Bannon pleaded not guilty and said the charges amounted to a political hit job. Just before leaving office last month, Trump pardoned him.

Prosecutors said in a new motion that the government has no objection to the Court entering an order exonerating Bannons bail.

However, the government respectfully submits that the pardon granted to Bannon is not a basis to dismiss the Indictment against him. A pardon is an executive action that mitigates or sets aside punishment for a crime,' they wrote.

Citing Nixon v. United States, they added: The fact that Bannon was pardoned does not extinguish the fact that a grand jury found probable cause to believe that he committed the offenses set forth in the Indictment, nor does it undercut the evidence of his involvement therein which the Government expects to elicit as part of its presentation at trial, their letter states. Were the Court to dismiss the Indictment against Bannon, it could have a broader effect than the pardon itself, among other things potentially relieving Bannon of certain consequences not covered by the pardon.

Prosecutors said Bannon asked the court to dismiss the indictment in a letter last week that has not been placed on the public docket. They asked the judge to have the letter placed on the docket so the public can read it.

Bannons counsel submitted the letter to the Court by emailand therefore effectively under sealbecause, in his view, Bannon should no longer be a defendant in the case,' they wrote. However, until the defendant is administratively terminated, he remains a named defendant and more important, Bannons status in the case is not a basis to make his submission under seal.

Bannon and an attorney representing him didnt return requests for comment.

The case is being heard by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, an Obama appointee.

Trump pardoned Bannon in part because he has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen, the White House statement said last month.
Photo credit: Iryna Veklich - Getty Images

From Prevention

There are a lot of COVID-19 vaccines to keep track of lately. So far, the ones from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have been authorized for use in the U.S., but there are plenty of others coming down the pipeline that show promise. One of them is the Novavax vaccine.

In late January, Novavax shared positive results from its phase 3 clinical trials in the U.K. The vaccine development company announced in a press release that its two-dose vaccine is almost 90% effective against preventing symptomatic forms of COVID-19. Worth noting: The vaccine was tested when the highly infectious U.K. variant (B.1.1.7) was widely circulating.

The Novavax vaccine wasnt highly effective against every coronavirus variant, though. The company announced that its vaccine was 60% effective at preventing mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 in study participants in South Africa. The reason is likely due to the circulation of the regions highly infectious variant (B.1.351), says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

Recently, Novavax completed enrollment of 30,000 volunteers for its late-stage study in the U.S. and Mexicoa key step toward getting emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Until then, you may be wondering how the Novavax vaccine works and when it might be available. Heres everything experts know so far.

How does the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine work?

Similar to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the Novavax vaccine requires two shots given three weeks apart. But thats where the similarities end, as the Novavax vaccine uses a totally different mechanism to provide protection from COVID-19.

Heres how it works, per Dr. Adalja: The Novavax vaccine is a protein-based vaccine thats engineered from the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Its spike protein gene is inserted into an insect virus, called a baculovirus. That virus infects insect cells, which pump out the spike protein. Then, the spike proteins are harvested and combined with an adjuvant, i.e. an ingredient that helps the vaccine create a stronger immune response in your body. Its very similar to how the flu vaccine works, Dr. Adalja notes.

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This approach is completely different compared to how the mRNA vaccines work, which give your cells the code to make the spike protein themselves, explains Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. Then, your body develops antibodies in response to these cells. With the Novavax vaccine, the majority of this process occurs [in a lab] outside your body, he says. (Important to note: The Novavax vaccine will not cause COVID-19.)

How effective is the Novavax vaccine?

Novavaxs phase 3 clinical trial enrolled more than 15,000 participants between 18 and 84 years old, including 27% who were over the age of 65. The researchers found that, in the U.K. clinical trial, 56 cases of COVID-19 were observed in the placebo group compared to six cases in the vaccinated group. That led to an efficacy rate of 89.3%.

The researchers also discovered that the vaccine was 95.6% effective against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and 85.6% effective against the U.K. strain. A preliminary analysis discovered that B.1.1.7 (the U.K. strain) was detected in more than 50% of the confirmed symptomatic cases.

The South African phase 2b clinical trial showed that the vaccine was 60% effective at preventing mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 in study participants who did not have HIV. Overall, there were 29 cases of COVID-19 detected in the placebo group and 15 in the vaccine group.

Novavax points out that about a third of patients enrolled in the South African clinical trial had previously been infected with the original coronavirus strain, while subsequent infections were mostly with the variant virus. These data suggest that prior infection with COVID-19 may not completely protect against subsequent infection by the South Africa escape variant, Novavax notes in its press release. However, vaccination with NVX-CoV2373 provided significant protection.

Its a very promising vaccine, Dr. Adalja says. It still prevents severe disease, hospitalization, and death, which means its a good vaccine.

Dr. Russo agrees. The efficacy is not as high as the mRNA vaccines, but it still affords a reasonable level of protection, he says. If we convert a lethal disease into a nuisance and keep people out of the hospital, I think thats OK.

Does the Novavax vaccine have side effects?

Novavax hasnt provided much detail on potential side effects of the vaccine, but for now, they have said this: Severe, serious, and medically attended adverse events occurred at low levels and were balanced between vaccine and placebo groups. They note that there were no serious adverse reactions in the trials.

When will the Novavax vaccine be authorized in the U.S.?



Its not clear at the moment. The vaccine is currently in phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S., so it could still be a while, says William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

The New York Times recently reported that, if all goes well, Novavax could have results from the trial by spring, which could mean authorization from the FDA as soon as April. Its an exciting prospect since, unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Novavax vaccine can be stored and shipped at normal refrigeration temperatures, making distribution much easier.

Ultimately, experts say, we could have a handful of options eventually authorized for use in the U.S. We probably will have a lot more coronavirus vaccines that appear, Dr. Adalja confirms.



This article is accurate as of press time. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific communitys understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. While we aim to keep all of our stories up to date, please visit online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department to stay informed on the latest news. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice.



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The president of the Jersey City chapter of the NAACP, under pressure from members over alleged election irregularities, has resigned, members told The Jersey Journal.

The Rev. Nathaniel Legay announced his resignation by sending members a text message Thursday. In the text message, he also said that the chapter was being suspended, pending a revocation hearing. Officials with the state and national offices of the NAACP did not return calls to confirm or comment on the developments.

Earlier this month, 37 members of the chapter had signed on to an Article 10 complaint, contesting the recent branch election  won by Legay  and asking for the expulsion, suspension or removal of Legay as president.

Besides citing violations of the organizations election process, the complaint alleged and offered evidence that Legay was in violation of the by-laws of the organization by not living in Jersey City since 2019.

Chapter member Neal Brunson said Friday that he supported Legay when he first ran for president in 2016, but like in anything else, leadership is required to follow through.

Legay was re-elected in 2018. In response to the Article X complaint in January, Legay denied all allegations made against him. He said he was not involved in the organizations election process, which was handled by a committee.

Phyllis Gordon, long-time secretary of the Jersey City chapter, said she had not heard anything about Legays resignation or the suspension of the chapter when she was reached by phone Friday afternoon.

Legay did not return a call for comment Friday. Election controversy preceded Legays presidency. In 2016, the chapter elections were postponed two weeks by the national office because of complaints regarding possible infractions of the voting rules and procedures.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) commends the Biden Administration's release of a declassified intelligence report on the murder of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

This report establishes the role played by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Khashoggi's murder. Per the declassified report, MBS ordered the killing. Khashoggi, a peaceful advocate for democracy, freedom of expression, and universal human rights in Saudi Arabia, was brutally murdered on October 2, 2018, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, on direct orders from MBS.

"We expect nothing less than justice for Jamal Khashoggi and all of Saudi Arabia's brave dissidents," said HRF President Thor Halvorssen. "MBS has proven that he is unfit to represent the Kingdom on the global stage and we applaud the Biden administration for choosing to engage directly with King Salman. Now the United States and the European Union must urgently place sanctions on MBS himself, along with those within his direct chain-of-command who were involved in the murder."

Today's intelligence report, provided by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, confirms the truths first revealed in HRF's film, THE DISSIDENT , specifically, the accusation that MBS was behind the murder of Khashoggi, and meticulously shows the involvement of MBS' close associates in the killing.

As part of its global campaign to bring attention to the abuses committed by the Saudi regime, HRF produced the critically-acclaimed documentary (directed by the Academy Award-winning director of ICARUS). THE DISSIDENT, released shortly after the second anniversary of Khashoggi's murder, features a wealth of damning information that had never before been available to the public.

Khashoggi was a member of HRF's global community, and he attended the Oslo Freedom Forum hosted by HRF in 2018, just months before his murder. Since then, HRF has led calls for Saudi Arabia's leadership to be held accountable on the world stage for the assassination.

"THE DISSIDENT both preserves Khashoggi's memory, as well as provides credible evidence about the role of the Crown Prince in his murder," said film's producer Jake Swantko. "I am grateful for the Biden Administration's overdue release of the intelligence report, and I hope this is just a first step in establishing real accountability."

The Biden Administration has already begun to recalibrate its relationship with Saudi Arabia; this report illustrates how critical it is that the United States continue to stand against egregious human rights violations, regardless of who is responsible.

"The murder of Jamal Khashoggi is a chilling illustration of the destruction that can result when extreme power goes unchecked," said HRF President Thor Halvorssen. "Dictatorships can be undone through public exposure, and we are committed to sharing this story globally to ensure that MBS and his henchmen face justice. At last."

TAKE ACTION and SIGN THE PETITION to join the global campaign to demand justice for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

About THE DISSIDENT

THE DISSIDENT is a 2020 United States documentary film directed and produced by Bryan Fogel. It follows the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia's effort to control international dissent. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020.

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. For interview requests of further comment, please e-mail [email protected].

SOURCE Human Rights Foundation
Carol Vorderman received her first coronavirus vaccine on Friday.

The former Countdown star, 60, took to social media to share images from her trip to the vaccination centre at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, as she lauded the staff and volunteers for their hard work and meticulous organisation.

She revealed that her experience was made even more eventful when she bumped into a childhood friend who was carrying out the injections.

Carol joins in a long-line of stars who have shared the news of receiving their jab, including Shirley Ballas and Gary Lineker, who got their first round of the COVID vaccine on Thursday and posted on social media.

Working on it: Carol Vorderman received her first coronavirus vaccine on Friday

Carol shared four images from her trip to the vaccination centre, including a shot showing her in a NASA tee while she was injected and wearing a black mask.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Carol shared pictures of the experience and wrote a caption alongside reading: 'I've had my vaccine jab this morning. This was so well organised and really quite an emotional experience...

'From the smiley lady directing people in the car park and putting everyone at ease to the volunteers and staff at @ashtongatestadium Bristol...

'A huge coincidence happened tho. I love chatting and was blathering away to the wonderful Dr Susan Clompus who gave me my jab. And it turns out we were at school together HUNDREDS of Miles away in Rhyl, North Wales...

Working hard: The former Countdown star, 60, took to social media to share images from her trip to the vaccination centre at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, as she lauded the staff and volunteers for their hard work and meticulous organisation

Proud: She revealed that her experience was made even more eventful when she bumped into a childhood friend who was carrying out the injections

'I went to her brother's birthday party and apparently I was a very nice Prefect cos I didn't tell anyone off... oh I do love this world'.

She also shared her news on Twitter, as she penned: 'If it's helpful to see how well this is organised at every stage. outside in the car park beforehand...

'You are guided through by happy people (very comforting), the whole thing is laid out perfectly. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS AND NHS xxxx'

BBC presenter Gary revealed he had received his first vaccination in an example of Britain's postcode lottery - with Shirley also receiving hers.

Ins and outs: Followers were given a glimpse

The Match of the Day host, 60, got his first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab and tweeted a picture of his confirmation card, saying: 'Well played, NHS.'

It means Gary has had his jab early, with the NHS currently only vaccinating those aged 64 or over; the clinically vulnerable; people living or working in care homes; health and social care workers; and people eligible for carer's allowance.

Shirley is another person who has revealed she has had the Covid-19 vaccine early.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge was photographed pulling up the sleeve of her red top to display her arm in preparation for her jab.

Happy days: She also shared her news on Twitter, as she penned: 'If it's helpful to see how well this is organised at every stage. outside in the car park beforehand'

It follows fears that the vaccine roll out has become a postcode lottery, with several areas in England, including London, said to have started offering jabs to people in their 50s with no underlying health issues such as diabetes or liver disease.

Their jabs come after Queen Elizabeth II encouraged people to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying the shot is quick, harmless and will help protect others.

In a video call with the officials responsible for rolling out the vaccine, the 94-year-old monarch compared the effort thats gone into Britains national vaccination campaign to the way people worked together during World War II.

Work hard: BBC presenter Gary revealed he had received his first coronavirus vaccination in yet another example of Britain's postcode lottery

Strictly Come Vaccinating: Strictly's Shirley also revealed she has received her Covid-19 vaccine as she shared a video of her at her local vaccination centre

She said in a broadcast on Friday: 'Well, once youve had the vaccine you have a feeling of, you know, youre protected, which is, I think, very important...

'And as far as I can make out it was quite harmless, very quick. And I've had lots of letters from people who've been very surprised by how easy it was.'

The Queen also highlighted the fact that being vaccinated helps protect everyone, not just the person who gets the shot.

'It is obviously difficult for people, if they've never had a vaccine, because they ought to think about other people rather than themselves,' she said.

Some 18 million people have been vaccinated in the U.K., but worries persist that some of the groups most at risk, such as Black and Asian people and members of other minority groups, are hesitating to get their shots.
TORONTO, February 25, 2021  Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today announced it will host its 2021 Investor Day virtually on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, beginning at 8:30 am EDT.

Thomson Reuters senior management team will deliver a series of presentations outlining the companys Change Program and how the program is designed to transition Thomson Reuters from a holding company to an operating company and from a content company to a content-driven technology company.

Registration for the webcast is now open and can be found on the Investor Relations section of the Thomson Reuters website. Additionally, an archive of the webcast will be available following the presentation.

Thomson Reuters



Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the worlds most global news service  Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.

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Some Tema Residents on Friday expressed divergent positions on calls for a review of retirement age for public service workers from 60 to 65 years This was proposed by Mr Mahama Ayariga Member of Parliament for Bawku Central.



Some Tema Residents on Friday expressed divergent positions on calls for a review of retirement age for public service workers from 60 to 65 years



This was proposed by Mr Mahama Ayariga Member of Parliament for Bawku Central.



Mr Yusif Alhassan, ex-soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces, touted the recommendation stressing, I think if the person is 60 years and strong and can work why not, he can be considered and be at post for the extra five years.



He however expressed concerns about age-cheating during the point of entry into the employment circles, some people reduced their ages before entering, official records indicate that the person is 55 years, but because one cannot cheat nature, where they used wrong age, so at age 55 the person is weak, looked sick and so on, then have to be retired.



Mr Alhassan, who is a student Minister of the Presbyterian Church, Prince of Peace Congregation, Community 2 therefore proposed that the recommendation should not be holistic, but conditional and optional.



Mr Edward Tetteh Debrah, a retiree, supported the recommendation, but suggested that measures should be put in place to ensure that people enter the public service with accurate age.



He said there were some retirees who were strong but idling in the house, wasting the energy, if given the privilege they would be productive to the nation.



Mr Debrah however noted that the Army and Police have age limit, which they depend on when applying, you might have the job all right, but during training one will be exposed and cannot cheat nature.



Mrs Vivian Owusu-Darko who is in active service, said the longer on the job, the more experienced the person becomes which is good for the job; we must therefore use the last five years between 60 to 65 years to tap from the men and women of experience.



Experience has nothing to do with academic qualifications, it is what a person has gathered from the job, trainings, meetings, solving problems and other encounters over the years.



It must not be taken away simply because the person is 60 years old, the organization must pull-out what it invested in the person before they finally leave at 65.



The youth on the contrarily told the GNA that the old folks are blocking our employment opportunities so when they hit 60 years, must give way for fresh modern ICT inclined, with youthful zeal to take over.



They described the senior citizens as old manually operated vehicle on the speed lane on the motorway, they cannot compete with the fast automatic modern carsthey impede the flow of traffic.



In this fast advancing technological world, Ghana needs the youth to build the country, in any case we give the elders the opportunity, they have finished the race and must hand over the button at age 60 not 65.



Mr Ayariga during the vetting process by the Appointments Committee in Parliament of the Minister-designate for Labour and Employment suggested, that the retirement age should be revised from 60 to 65 years for persons in the public service of Ghana to include; the prisons, Immigration, Fire Service, Judicial Service, Ghana Education Service among others.



He stated: I am sponsoring a bill which is proposing that we should amend the 1992 Constitution to extend the compulsory retirement age from 60 to 65.



We can also say that there should be a contract after 65, but the compulsory retirement age should be 65 instead of 60.

He said some sections of the 1992 Constitution provided some persons in some public services the opportunity of a five-year contract after retirement.



Article 190 of the Constitution sets out the public services of Ghana; prisons, Immigration, Fire Service, Judicial Service, Ghana Education Service, all those services and [Article] 191 says that the retirement age is 60.



Compulsory retirement age is 60 and there was an amendment to [Article] 191, which enabled five-year contract to be given to a retiree subject to certain conditions.



And also, judicial officers, Article 148 deals with judicial officers and [Article] 150 also says that judicial officers must retire at age 60. There is no amendment that gives a right to contract after age 60, he said.



The reason for this initiative according to him stems from Ghanas present life expectancy, which is 64.42 years and can be attributed to the provision of better healthcare.



Because in 1992 when we set the retirement age at 60, the life expectancy was 57.46 years. Today, life expectancy in Ghana due to improvement in health and infrastructure is 64.42 years.



We are losing a lot of experienced, healthy and capable people in the public service to retirement, he added.



Meanwhile, Minister-designate for Labour and Employment, Ignatius Baffour Awuah said thorough analysis must be made before passing a law to that effect.



If you are looking at the sustainability of pension when you have a shorter working period, it does not really augur well for the health of your pension scheme. When people stay more and work, they accumulate more funds; they are able to retire on a handsome pension than when their working period is short, he said.



He said review of the retirement age must address the pros and cons associated.





Source: GNA









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WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has added Matthew L. Kanna as a shareholder and Friederike S. Gorgens as of counsel in its Washington, D.C. office, expanding the firm's dynamic International Trade Practice.

Kanna and Gorgens regularly represent U.S. domestic industry entities, foreign producers, and foreign governments in trade remedy and customs proceedings  areas that are top of mind for many clients  and that complement other aspects of Greenberg Traurig's trade practice, including compliance with domestic and global sanctions and foreign investment restrictions.

Kanna has extensive experience combining specific actions before individual U.S. government agencies to maximize disruption in clients' competitors' supply chains. He has defended against similar legal attacks for clients' own supply chains.

Gorgens brings to Greenberg Traurig her German-American trade practice, which focuses on counseling German companies in maximizing their opportunities in the U.S. market while navigating trade barriers, market access issues, and turning trade disruption into a competitive advantage.

"Step by step we are making additions to continue to build on premier practices that dominate a sector or market. We are fortunate that these experienced Trade attorneys have found a new home at Greenberg Traurig," said Ernest L. Greer, Greenberg Traurig co-president and chairman of its Washington, D.C. office. "Particularly important for our clients is the synergy between Matt and Friederike's experience and our expanding multidisciplinary team of lawyers and governmental affairs professionals in Washington, D.C."

Kanna most recently ran his own firm. Both Kanna and Gorgens previously were members of the international trade group at Arent Fox.

"As part of their robust and impressive experience, these attorneys are global players in trade remedy proceedings. Because international trade continues to be a critical area for many firm clients, and a focus of the Biden administration, the addition of Matt and Friederike is a key step in continuing to grow this offering here in Washington, D.C., and across the globe," said Pamela Marple, an established Washington, D.C. litigator and the office's Administrative Shareholder.

"When the experience and platform are there, clients can be confident that their legal needs will be addressed no matter where their business takes them. Greenberg Traurig's global platform is a critical resource for our clients and was a key reason for joining the firm," Kanna and Gorgens noted in a joint statement. "As clients expand their products and services across the globe, they need a team that includes experience in tax, real estate, commercial litigation, at a very high level, and many times with local market experts, all delivered seamlessly within a collaborative culture. This is Greenberg Traurig."

Kanna received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and an M.H.S.A. from the University of Michigan in 2001. He received a B.S. from the University of Utah in 1997. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also clerked for Judge Antonio Mario La Pergola of the Cour de justice des Communautes europeennes.

Gorgens received her J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law and a B.A. from Trinity College. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, New York, Massachusetts, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She will spend time in the firm's Germany office.

Greenberg Traurig's Washington, D.C. office has experienced growth this past year in several disciplines. Since January 2020, the following attorneys and governmental professionals have joined Greenberg Traurig's Washington, D.C. office: Smith (Smitty) W. Davis and Rodney P. Frelinghuysen as shareholders in the Government Law & Policy Practice; Kyle R. Freeny as shareholder in the White Collar Defense & Special Investigations Practice; Robert (Bob) Hollingshead as shareholder in the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice; Chia-Feng Lu as shareholder, Andrew Tsui as of counsel, and Tyler Scandalios as an associate in the Health Care & FDA Practice; Gary Lombardo as of counsel in the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice; Jack T. LeBris Erffmeyer as an associate in the Energy & Natural Resources Practice; and Christopher O'Brien as an associate in the Government Contracts Practice.

About Greenberg Traurig's International Trade Practice: Greenberg Traurig helps clients promote global trade and lower trade barriers. The International Trade Practice works throughout numerous countries on trade policies, remedies, negotiations, disputes and other commercial issues as part of Greenberg Traurig's International Practice. The group is marked by a combination of experience and insight in strategic trade consulting and representation on issues relating to the World Trade Organization's global trade rules. The attorneys offer strategic advice to assist clients in both sustaining and enhancing their competitiveness in the ever-changing world economy. Members of the group also have experience in the growing array of global trade dispute proceedings.

About Greenberg Traurig's Washington, D.C. Office: Home to a multidisciplinary team of lawyers and governmental affairs professionals, the members of Greenberg Traurig's Washington, D.C. office help clients of all sizes navigate the federal government. The team of lawyers and lobbyists provide strategic corporate, regulatory, and litigation assistance on Capitol Hill, in the board room and before administrative agencies, and federal and state trial and appellate courts. The D.C. office's practice areas include governmental affairs; federal procurement and government contracts; global trade and investment; corporate, securities and financial services; health care and FDA; antitrust; energy; environment; real estate and hospitality; telecommunications; international arbitration; intellectual property; public finance; and employment law. Greenberg Traurig attracts clients from an array of sectors  from federal defense to energy, telecommunications to health care  and represents them before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies and regulatory bodies, and the entire U.S. court system.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: www.gtlaw.com

Contact:

Lourdes Brezo-Martinez

[email protected]

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig

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The immediate-past Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, is dead.

Mr Abdu-Kafarati, who retired about 19 months ago, died at 66 on Thursday.

A major highlight of his judicial career was the court order he issued in September 2017 to proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Friday that Mr Abdu-Kafarati, who hailed from Gombe State, died Thursday night, after observing his evening prayer.

NAN quoted a family source announcing the passing of the former judge in a statement.

The statement read, Innalillahi Wa inna ilaihi Rajiun.

It is with deep sorry that I announced the passing away of our elder statesman, Hon Justice Abdul Kafarati the immediate-past Chief Justice of High Court of the Federation and former Bauchi State Attorney General which occurred this night (Thursday) after magrib salat at Abuja.

Mr Abdu-Kafarati was inaugurated as the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court on September 16, 2017.

He was sworn in as the substantive Chief Judge of the court on June 18, 2018.

He retired 13 months later on clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65 on July 25, 2019.

IPOBs proscription

Barely four days after his appointment as the acting Chief Judge, Mr Abdu-Kafarati on September 20, 2017, issued the order proscribing IPOB and its activities.

The order, which validated President Muhammadu Buharis earlier executive order, designated IPOB as a terrorist group and its activities an act of terrorism.

Mr Abdu-Kafarati gave the order following an ex parte application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The proceedings took place inside chambers and not in open court.

IPOB later filed an application challenging the proscription order.

Mr Abdu-Kafarati, in a ruling delivered on January 18, 2018, dismissed the application and affirmed its order proscribing and designating it a terrorist organisation.

He ruled that the issuance of the proscription order by him in chambers on September 20, 2017 was in accordance with the provision of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Mr Abdu-Kafarati, ruled that the ex parte did not violate the groups right to fair hearing, rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of assembly and expression.

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He also awarded the sum of N500,000 as cost against IPOB.

IPOB has since been on appeal to have the proscription order reversed.

Despite the proscription order, IPOB has continued to carry on with its activities in the South-east region, insisting on its demand for a Republic of Biafra.

Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who fled the country after a violent military attack on his home under an operation code named Operation Python Dance II in September 2017, has continued to reach out to members of the organisation through various social media channels.

(NAN)
The head of Treasurys retirement income review has accused Paul Keating of being chief of a scare campaign against changes to the superannuation system that is tapping into peoples fears about their financial security in old age.

Mike Callaghan, a former Treasury deputy secretary and chief of staff to then-treasurer Peter Costello, chaired last years retirement income review, which found the 9.5 per cent super guarantee could be adequate if retirees more effectively used existing assets such as their home.

Retirement Income Review chair Mike Callaghan says tapping into home equity in retirement is a realistic option. Credit:Michel O'Sullivan

Mr Keating has warned the Coalition will destroy the super system if it bows to pressure to dump legislated rises in compulsory super to 12 per cent of wages and has said the suggestion retirees should use more of their home equity to fund their post-work years is essentially telling them to eat the house.

Speaking on a panel at an event hosted by the Council on the Ageing Australia on Friday, Mr Callaghan said: One of the sad things Ive seen since the release of the report is the continuation of trading off peoples fears and uncertainties to try and promote particular outcomes. I identify our former prime minister as being chief in doing that.
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Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 49 Master's in Christian Counseling Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 155 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 155 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 49 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Christian Counseling Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-christian-counseling-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Christian Counseling Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Abilene Christian University

Amberton University

Andrews University

Asbury Theological Seminary

Ashland University

Baptist Bible College and Seminary

The Baptist College of Florida

Bob Jones University

Cairn University

Calvary University

Carson-Newman University

Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary

Christian Leadership University

Colorado Christian University

Colorado Theological Seminary

Columbia International University

Cornerstone University

Crown College

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Theological Seminary

Faulkner University

Fordham University

Freed-Hardeman University

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Grace College and Seminary

Grand Canyon University

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Hope International University

Houston Baptist University

Indiana Wesleyan University

Johnson University

LeTourneau University

Liberty University

Lincoln Christian University

Louisiana Baptist University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Maryland

Luther Rice College & Seminary

Maranatha Baptist University

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Missouri Baptist University

Ohio Christian University

Oral Roberts University

Ottawa University

Regent University

San Diego Christian College

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Toccoa Falls College

University of Southwest

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : All markets remained open in east Delhi's Madhu Vihar and other areas despite the Confederation of All India Traders' (CAIT) call for a 'Bharat Vyapar Bandh' on Friday.

Speaking to IANS, Rajesh Mishra, owner of RR Paints (located in east Delhi) and the Secretary of Madhu Vihar Traders Association, said, "If the businesses are closed then it affects both the government as well as the shopowners." The Madhu Vihar Traders Association had decided that the markets won't be closed and talks with the Central government would open, he added.

Speaking to IANS, Gautam Sabhrawal who owns a grocery shop 'Sai Home Needs' in south Delhi's Sharma Colony area said, "We have opened our shop and customers are coming as usual", adding that we only got to know about the 'Bharat Vyapar Bandh' on Friday morning.

Kapil, owner of Gopal Store located in north Delhi's Rohini area, told IANS: "I opened my store on Friday morning and everything is as usual." Another trader, who owns a general store in west Delhi's Uttam Nagar area, requesting anonymity said everything is open and it is business as usual.

The Confederation of All India Traders had announced that all markets across the country will remain closed on February 26.
They recently relocated to Sydney, and now Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster Blake have put their Melbourne home on the market, finalising their indefinite move.

According to a report by the Herald Sun and realestate.com.au on Friday, the celebrity power couple are selling their Richmond home.

While it's not known what they're asking for the property, they purchased it back in 2015 for $4.25million.

Selling up: They recently relocated to Sydney, and now Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster Blake (both pictured) have put their Melbourne home on the market, finalising their indefinite move

Hamish, 39, and Zoe then spent thousands of dollars renovating the home, where they lived with their two young children, son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three.

The property was apparently photographed this week, with an official listing for the home expected to go up online next week.

It comes just two months after Hamish and Zoe, 40, purchased a property in Sydney's Vaucluse in December for $8,925,000.

Former home: According to a report by the Herald Sun and realestate.com.au on Friday, the celebrity power couple are selling their Richmond home (pictured)

Expensive taste: While it's not known what they're asking for the property, they purchased it back in 2015 for $4.25million

Striking it rich: Zoe made the Australian Financial Review Young Rich List in November, with an estimated net worth of $36million thanks to her Go-To skincare line

According to a report by Domain in December, the couple purchased the five-bedroom, six-bathroom home after moving to Sydney from Melbourne.

Zoe made the Australian Financial Review Young Rich List in November, with an estimated net worth of $36million thanks to her Go-To skincare line.

The couple announced on their respective Instagram accounts in December that they were leaving Melbourne for Sydney.

For sale: The property was apparently photographed this week, with an official listing for the home expected to go up online next week

Making a move: The couple announced on their respective Instagram accounts in December that they were leaving Melbourne for Sydney

'Exciting times ahead: we are moving to Sydney baby! For a long time I have known that stealing my wife from Sydney would mean one day we'd venture there to live for a while,' Hamish wrote at the time.

'Since her business is going so strong ("booming" I believe is the business term), her family is there, and I am keen to get a role on Bondi Rescue (as a tourist who faints from eating too many ice creams) it seemed like the time to make the move!

'The loose plan is for a few years, but however long it's for, we're excited for this adventure with our little fam.'

Family home: Hamish, 39, and Zoe then spent thousands of dollars renovating the home, where they lived with their two young children, son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three (both pictured)

Mortgage: It comes just two months after Hamish and Zoe, 40, purchased a property in Sydney's Vaucluse (pictured) in December for $8,925,000

Home sweet home: According to a report by Domain in December, the couple purchased the five-bedroom, six-bathroom home after moving to Sydney from Melbourne

Meanwhile, Zoe expressed her excitement at moving back to Sydney while lamenting how much she'll miss Melbourne.

'I moved to Melbourne from Sydney (for love!) (also the bars!) eight years ago with no set return. But the time has come, I'm heading back. And in great news for my kids, husband and cat, I've decided they may accompany me,' she began.

She added: 'I feel lucky to have been able to live here [in Melbourne], and really feel like it was home. Get ready Sydney. We're coming for you and we are VERY SERIOUS ABOUT COFFEE.'




Haiti - FLASH : Arnel Joseph escaped, spectacular escape from the prison of Croix-des-Bouquets





Thursday, February 25, following an armed mutiny, a spectacular and bloody escape, which left many dead, took place at the Croix-des-Bouquets Prison, considered as the most modern and secure penitentiary in the country...



The inmates took the Director of the prison under hostage and entered the armory where they seized all the weapons and those of the guards. At least 7 prisoners and the Director of the prison Inspector Hector Paul Joseph were killed (partial report).



Several dozen prisoners made it through the prison walls. Among them Arnel Joseph the gang leader of Village de Dieu, who had missed his previous escape in July 2020 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31361-haiti-flash-failed-escape-attempt-by-arnel-joseph.html He would be heavily armed...



The divisional inspector Gary Desrosiers, spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH) confirmed Thursday evening the escape of the gang leader declaring "The gang leader Arnel Joseph escaped from the civil prison of Croix- des-Bouquets". Regarding the escaped prisoners, he indicated that more than 40 escaped prisoners had already been taken back, however he was not able to specify the exact number of escaped prisoners, pending the detailed assessment of the Directorate of the National Penitentiary Administration.



According to the first available and corroborating information, the armed mutiny would have started in the prison, while outside the penitentiary was another unidentified armed group which participated in support of this spectacular escape, which leaves presumed that it was a well-prepared coordinated operation. An investigation is open to discover the bottom of this escape.



Rockefeller Vincent, the Minister of Justice and Public Security at the end of the day declared "The PNH has regained control of the Croix-des-Bouquets prison, following the mutiny which led to the escape of some prisoners, including very dangerous gangsters. Some have already been taken up. The population is called upon to cooperate with the PNH so that everyone is taken back. I deplore the assassination of Inspector Paul Joseph Victor, the head of the Croix-des-Bouquets prison. The DG of the PNH was instructed to take back all the escapees; to determine the circumstances of the escape and to strengthen surveillance in all detention centers."



Recall that in June 2018, 3 prisoners escaped from this prison https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24609-haiti-flash-escape-from-the-croix-des-bouquets-prison.html and that on August 10, 2014 a spectacular escape allowed 329 prisoners to escape, including Clifford Brandt https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11795-haiti-security-329-escapees-the-government-explains-video.html



To be continued...



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31361-haiti-flash-failed-escape-attempt-by-arnel-joseph.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24609-haiti-flash-escape-from-the-croix-des-bouquets-prison.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11795-haiti-security-329-escapees-the-government-explains-video.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















LogRhythm, the company powering todays security operations centers (SOCs), announced multiple areas of growth as a result of customer- and employee-centric initiatives implemented in 2020. These include increases in the amount of data being protected by customers using the LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform and the introduction of new programs designed to promote holistic employee well-being. In addition to supporting customers and employees successes during challenging times, these initiatives also fueled the business and laid the groundwork for LogRhythm to expand its market presence in 2021.

Customers Protect More Data with More Predictability

The response to LogRhythms True Unlimited Data Plan (TUDP) offering has proven to be a win-win for the company and its customers. Not only have LogRhythms subscription sales increased by more than 20-fold, but more importantly, its clear customers are seeing the value. On average, existing LogRhythm customers who transitioned to TUDP increased data ingestion by 13 percent year-over-year, with some customers more than doubling their data collection. This shift enabled customers to better protect their remote workforces without worrying whether theyd need to allocate more budget to cover the costs in the coming year.

LogRhythm Commits to More Frequent Releases While Enabling Top-Tier Customer Support

With more data being collected, customers get better insight into their environment and the ability to quickly detect and respond to the latest cyberthreats. Next is ensuring customers have easy-to-implement threat hunting and analysis capabilities  as well as efficient support to help them realize the benefits of SIEM as quickly as possible.

In 2020, this resulted in smaller, more frequent product releases and the introduction of two new unique professional service offerings. The variety of releases included out-of-the-box detections for the latest additions to the MITRE ATT&CKTM framework, graphical features to visualize connections between users and hosts, and integrations to automate malware detection and remediation.

The professional service offerings  Technical Account Manager (TAM) and Service Account Management (SAM)  help customers gain value from their deployment faster, enhance the accuracy of their platforms threat detection capabilities, ensure platform health, and guide customers to become LogRhythm power users.

LogRhythm Prioritizes Supporting Employees and the Community

To ensure LogRhythm employees were properly supported during challenging times, the company created a Work Evolution task force and focused heavily on its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. These efforts ensure an open flow of communication exists between employees and management, promote the importance of mental health, and offer skill-building mentorship programs. Every individual within the company deserves to have their perspectives, needs, and voices heard and met, and LogRhythm will continue expanding these programs through 2021.

LogRhythm also focused on giving back to the local community through its Logiving Committee, a group of employees committed to providing financial support, global community outreach and education. The Committee supported 17 different organizations in 2020, with major focuses including non-profits addressing challenges related to COVID-19 and Colorado wildfires.

Additionally, LogRhythms co-founders established the LogRhythm Community Fund, which has dispersed $41,000 to support frontline organizations providing relief throughout the pandemic and members of the LogRhythm community who have been personally impacted.

Looking Ahead to Continued Product Excellence in 2021

Our mission  to relentlessly protect organizations from current and future cybersecurity threats  has never been more relevant than it is today, said Mark Logan, CEO of LogRhythm. The pressure on todays security teams is immense, and we are fully committed to supporting them. Weve spent the past year strengthening and expanding our development team to enhance our solutions and alleviate that pressure, and in 2021, were excited to facilitate their success with our set of evolving, industry-leading security solutions.

And 2021 has already seen LogRhythm make notable moves for innovation and platform leadership. On January 13th, the company announced the acquisition of MistNet, a cloud-based analytics platform that delivers vast network visibility and accurate threat detection. The acquisition will allow LogRhythm to deliver intelligent, machine learning-based detection and response capabilities that incorporate network detection, user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), endpoint detection and response data (EDR), and additional MITRE ATT&CK detections to solve current and emerging security and risk problems.

In the coming months, customers can expect to learn more about how they can use the MistNet technology to supplement their threat detection and response capabilities, as well as look forward to additional innovation and product releases.

Visit the website to learn more about LogRhythm, and to stay up-to-date on company news, please subscribe to the blog.

About LogRhythm

LogRhythms award-winning NextGen SIEM Platform makes the world safer by protecting organizations, employees, and customers from the latest cyberthreats. It does this by providing a comprehensive platform with the latest security functionality, including security analytics; network detection and response (NDR); user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA); and security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR). Learn how LogRhythm empowers companies to be security first at logrhythm.com.
Jacksonville Public Library will present the program Rosa Parks & the Montgomery Bus Boycott at 6:30 p.m. March 9 via Zoom.

Linda Gorham will tell the story of Parks, who in 1955 refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her defiance sparked a boycott of Montgomerys buses by the citys 55,000 African Americans.

The boycott lasted 381 days and ultimately led to an end to segregation on public transportation throughout the United States.

Gorham tells Parks story through the eyes of three people  Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old teenager who was arrested on a Montgomery bus six months before Parks; James Blake, the bus driver on the day Parks was arrested; and Parks herself.

The program was funded by a Healing Illinois grant awarded to the library by United Way.

To register for the program and receive Zoom access information, contact Sarah Snyder by email at ssnyder@jaxpl.org.

 Rochelle Eiselt
Prison Service denies claims inmate at Wrexhams HMP Berwyn was attacked after raising concerns over treatment of Welsh-speakers

This article is old - Published: Friday, Feb 26th, 2021

The Prison Service has denied claims that an inmate at Wrexhams HMP Berwyn was attacked after raising concerns over the treatment of Welsh-speakers.

The allegations were brought to light this week by North Wales MS Llyr Gruffydd, who said the assault occurred after the prisoners complaints appeared in the media.

Speaking in the Senedd, the Plaid Cymru politician said it showed Welsh speakers at the prison on the towns industrial estate were being treated as second-class citizens.

However, a spokesperson for HM Prison Service said there was absolutely no truth to the accusations.





The claims were made after a report was published last year highlighting complaints that inmates had been threatened with sanctions for speaking Welsh.

The Independent Monitoring Boards annual review also detailed reports that guards could not understand Welsh speakers.

Raising the matter with First Minister Mark Drakeford during a plenary session on Tuesday, February 23, Mr Gruffydd said: You will be aware that Berwyn prison has been harshly criticised by the independent monitoring board last year for failing to provide for Welsh-speaking prisoners, and had denied certain rights to those prisoners because they were Welsh speaking.

Six months later, the prison has confirmed, in correspondence with me, that they dont even know how many of their own staff are able to communicate through the medium of Welsh, so how can they claim that they are securing the necessary provision, Im not sure.

Theres been a serious allegation too that one prisoner had suffered an attack because of the coverage given to his case in the media in relation to the Welsh language.

This whole situation highlights a fundamental failure in meeting the rights of Welsh speakers.

He added: I would encourage you in the strongest possible terms to ensure that this situation changes.

The fundamental question is: why are we still seeing Welsh speakers being treated as second-class citizens here in Wales?

Mr Drakeford said Welsh Language Minister Eluned Morgan had written to the Ministry of Justice earlier this month to express concern about the monitoring boards findings.

He also called for changes to be made to improve the situation as soon as possible.

The Welsh Labour leader said: It is entirely unacceptable to me if people in Berwyn are not being treated according to the laws that we have in place here in Wales.

I have seen the annual report of the Independent Monitoring Board in the Berwyn, which does raise concerns about the use of the Welsh language within the prison.

Thats why Eluned Morgan has written to the UK Government seeking assurances that the Welsh language scheme at Berwyn is being implemented.

Im sure that Llyr Gruffydd will be aware that the Welsh Language Commissioner has a meeting on the 2 March with representatives of Berwyn prison to discuss this very issue.

He added: The authorities at Berwyn prison have outlined steps that theyre taking to ensure that rights to use the Welsh language are supported, and we now need to see those steps being taken.

We dont just want to see them on paper, but we want to see them having an impact on the lives of those in the prison.

The Prison Service said a number of measures had been taken to support Welsh-speaking prisoners at HMP Berwyn, including the implementation of an action plan and the appointment of a dedicated Welsh language lead.

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
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GODFREY  As in many trades, theres a gap between the number of welders looking to retire and the number of qualified applicants entering the workforce.

Women like Lewis and Clark Community Colleges Charlie Vonder Haar have found great success in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

Vonder Haar, of Hamel, graduated from L&C in 2015 with an Associate in Science in Welding Technology. Shes now an adjunct instructor in that same program.

After acquiring her degree, Vonder Haar immediately entered the workforce at Mechanical Dynamics and Analysis where she traveled to power plants across the country, repairing steam and gas turbine systems. She spent a month in the Dominican Republic working on a GE Steam Turbine system.

Its been my proudest experience, so far, Vonder Haar said. There was a language gap and I was the only woman on deck. It definitely made for an interesting work environment.

From there, she took a job with Cee Kay Supply, a welding supply company based in St. Louis. She has since embraced the opportunity to share her knowledge by joining the Welding Technology department at L&C.

I was approached to collaborate on some non-credit welding courses to help get the community more involved in the new Weber Workforce Center, Vonder Haar said. I am very fortunate to have had this opportunity.

Welding Technology Program Coordinator Travis Jumper credits Vonder Haar for the number of women who have entered the program.

Charlie was one of the best welders to come out of the program, Jumper said. She has been the largest recruiter of women into the welding program, so it was a natural transition to ask her to teach.

Currently, Vonder Haar teaches Welding for Women and Welding for Weekend Warriors, both non-credit, three-week, Saturday classes. She enjoys helping people understand a new trade skill and working in L&Cs facility.

The Weber Workforce Center is truly state-of-the-art, Vonder Haar said. From our top-of-the-line virtual reality welding systems to our CWI prep class, there is something for everyone to learn.

As an educator, Vonder Haar strives to be very hands-on.

I try to spend a majority of the time in the shop so the students can see first-hand what they are learning, she said. While I do use many different online resources, I feel some absorb information much faster while in a shop environment.

Vonder Haar sees welding as a diverse industry with many companies actively looking to hire students from programs like L&Cs.

Our program not only gives students the job skills they will need to make it out in the workforce, but they will also be required to properly format their resumes and do mock interviews before receiving their degree, Vonder Haar said. With flexible class schedules, even those with full-time jobs can still attend classes.

She wants students to understand the only way to become a great welder is through hard work and practice.

The most rewarding part of being a teacher is when students finally understand and succeed on their own, Vonder Haar said. The small confidence boost they give themselves lets me know Im doing all right as a teacher.

Even though becoming a top-notch welder takes hard work, Vonder Haar encourages her students to stick with it.

Dont lose momentum, she said. Your courses wont always be the fun hands-on classes that you want. But the computer program and technical math classes will help you become a better welder and employee.

The Welding for Weekend Warriors class will be held 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, March 13-27. The Welding for Women class will be held 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, April 10-24.

For more information contact Jumper at 618-468-4931 or tjumper@lc.edu. To enroll, text or call 618-468-2222 or email enroll@lc.edu.
A billionaire diamond tycoon can be extradited from Britain to India to face trial over an alleged 1.3billion fraud, a judge ruled yesterday.

Nirav Modi, 49, whose jewels have been worn on the Oscars red carpet by Kate Winslet, has been in Wandsworth prison, south-west London, since his arrest in March 2019.

His long battle against extradition was all but lost yesterday as District Judge Samuel Goozee said there was enough evidence for him to answer fraud allegations by the Punjab National Bank.

Nirav Modi, 49, (pictured) whose jewels have been worn on the Oscars red carpet by Kate Winslet, has been in Wandsworth prison, south-west London, since his arrest in March 2019

The ruling at Westminster Magistrates Court will now be sent to Home Secretary Priti Patel for sign-off.

Modi, who appeared via video from jail, was told he had 14 days to appeal.

Modi left India in early 2018 just before criminal charges were brought. He is also alleged to have concealed 630million of property, intimidated witnesses and perverted the course of justice.

His wealth was once calculated by Forbes magazine as 1.5billion and supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was the face of his global brand.

The ruling at Westminster Magistrates Court will now be sent to Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) for sign-off

The jeweller allegedly presided over a Ponzi-like scheme involving bank guarantees which allow foreign transactions, called letters of understanding (LOUs).

Acting on behalf of the Indian government, the Crown sought to establish there were no human rights blocking Modis extradition.

Modis lawyers argued that his deteriorating mental health met the threshold to block the extradition - the same defence that was recently used to stop the extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

But district judge Samuel Goozee said he would send the case to the Home Secretary and Modi had the opportunity to appeal the decision should he wish.

I am satisfied that there is evidence upon which (Modi) could be convicted in relation to the conspiracy to defraud the (Punjab National Bank). A prima face case is established, he said in the judgment.
Amid a city-wide crackdown on all forms of peaceful dissent, students at Hong Kong's universities are fighting a rearguard action over freedom of speech after the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) withdrew recognition for the student union.



Thousands of staff, students, and alumni signed an online petition on Friday supporting the union, Syzygia, following the announcement, with the petition garnering nearly 6,000 signatures by close of business on Friday.



"We are deeply regretful and distressed to know that the university renounces its students," the union said in a statement. "It is very unfortunate that the integrity and foundation of humanities rooted in CUHK have been destroyed by the University itself."



"We ... are now launching a petition. We call for support from students, graduates and staff in CUHK to support us ... to show objection against CUHK from depriving the rights of the Student Union because of political reasons," it said.



CUHK announced late on Thursday that it would stop allowing the union to use university facilities, and staff, accusing it of failing to clarify "potentially unlawful statements and false allegations."



Syzygia accused the university of "kowtowing to the regime," in a reference to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).



A separate signature campaign calling on CUHK vice-chancellor Rocky Tuan to reverse the university's decision has also been signed by more than 3,000 alumni.



The decision by the university came just one day after Syzygia elected a new cabinet on Wednesday amid high turnout.



It has now been warned that it must suspend the collection of dues from members, as it has no legal status.



Fears of a backlash against student unions, which have played prominent roles in mass pro-democracy movements in 2019 and 2014, had already led unions in other universities not to elect key officials.



The decision by CUHK suggests that more universities will cut ties with student unions.

Academic freedom, student politics under threat



Ivan Choy, a former CUHK student union president and currently a lecturer in politics at the same university, told RFA that academic freedom and student politics are now under threat in Hong Kong.



"I think if you have been paying attention to what a lot of people are saying in recent days, you will realize that universities are under huge pressure right now," Choy told RFA.



"This has been going on for a while, but it was generally treated until now as an internal matter requiring mutual understanding and mutual accommodation," he said.



"Now I think things have gotten way more complicated."



He said the student unions could soon be regarded as a matter for the newly formed national security police, who are charged with implementing a draconian national security law imposed by the CCP on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020.



While CUHK said Syzygia should set itself up as a separate entity, former student union leader Gary Poon said there is scant room for that to happen under current Hong Kong law.



"I have been involved in discussions about starting an independent union, but I found it can only be done if the law is amended by the Legislative Council (LegCo)," Poon told RFA.



"It can't be regulated under the Societies Ordinance because it was established under a different law," he said.



He said relations between university management and student unions had often been conflicted, but had largely been maintained based on custom and unwritten rules.



Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) said it would cancel a planned exhibit of press photography for "safety and security" reasons, citing coronavirus concerns.



But the exhibit had included a number of prize-winning photos of the 2019 protest movement, a topic regarded as subversive under the national security law.



Reported by Cheng Yut-yiu and Chan Yun Nam for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
A Union City man was sentenced this week to five years in prison for a deadly 2019 crash on the New Jersey Turnpike where he admitted that he had smoked weed and was driving recklessly, authorities said.

Johnalex Grullon, 21, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and assault by auto in exchange for the prison term he was sentenced to Wednesday, according to a statement from the Burlington County Prosecutors Office.

An investigation revealed that Grullon had two passengers in his Honda Accord on the afternoon of October 19, 2019 in Mansfield, when his car veered off the highway as they were returning from a trip to South Philadelphia to get cheesesteaks, the office said.

The Accord then struck the guardrail along the shoulder and spun across all lanes before it hit the concrete median barrier, reentered traffic and crashed into another car, the office said. Grullon and the other passengers were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the car.

Grullons friend, Mohamedam Elbezaz, 21, the rear-seat passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

He acknowledged in court that he had been smoking marijuana in the car prior to the crash, as well as driving in a reckless manner, according to the statement. He did not refute the findings of toxicology tests that indicated, at the time of the crash, he had marijuana in his system, authorities said.

A statement was read to the court from Elbezazs father who stated, I feel like I died when my son died. The pain this accident caused will never heal.

As part of his plea agreement, Grullon must pay nearly $13,000 in restitution to Elbezazs family for funeral and other expenses.

As marijuana becomes legal in New Jersey, we urge our residents to view this case as a cautionary tale about the dangers of driving while high, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Prosecutor Coffina said in a statement. Even if using marijuana has been decriminalized, driving while impaired has not, and doing so can lead to preventable tragedies like the death of Mohamedam Elbezaz here, and the serious consequences that this defendant now must face. Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Elbezaz.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.


Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has faced global condemnation over Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Bernd von Jutrczenka/Getty Images

The Biden administration on Friday released a long-awaited report on Jamal Khashoggi's killing.

The declassified intelligence report directly implicated Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Trump administration prioritized the US-Saudi relationship and refused to release the report.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

The Biden administration on Friday released a declassified US intelligence report that explicitly implicated Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the brutal killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

"We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," said the report, provided by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

It added: "We base this assessment on the Crown Prince's control of decisionmaking in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman's protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi."

The report noted that Prince Mohammed since 2017 has had "absolute control" over the kingdom's security and intelligence organizations, "making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Prince's authorization."

"The Crown Prince viewed Khashoggi as a threat to the Kingdom and broadly supported using violent measures if necessary to silence him," the report said.

The intelligence assessment also named with "high confidence" 21 people who "participated in, ordered, or were otherwise complicit in or responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi on behalf of Muhammad bin Salman." The report said, however, that it was unclear "whether these individuals knew in advance that the operation would result in Khashoggi's death."

Story continues

The names included Saud al-Qahtani, formerly a close advisor to Prince Mohammed who's been accused of directing the operation behind Khashoggi's murder. Al-Qahtani was dismissed shortly after the killing.

Khashoggi at an event hosted by Middle East Monitor in London. Reuters

The Trump administration repeatedly defied congressional demands for an unclassified report identifying any current or former Saudi officials responsible for Khashoggi's death in a Saudi Consulate.

The release of the declassified report on Friday is one sign of how President Joe Biden is drastically altering the dynamic with Riyadh. After Khashoggi's killing, President Donald Trump defended Prince Mohammed and suggested that "maybe" the Saudi leader had no knowledge of the killing. "The world is a very dangerous place!" Trump said.

As part of this realignment, Biden in early February announced an end to US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

'A deliberate, premeditated execution'

In 2019, the UN released a report that also implicated the Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi's killing, which it described as "a deliberate, premeditated execution, an extrajudicial killing for which the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible under international human rights law."

Khashoggi, who once had close ties to the Saudi royal family, was killed and dismembered by agents of his own government in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. His remains have still not been found. Khashoggi had been lured to the consulate to pick up documents necessary to marry his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen.

"Assessments of the recordings by intelligence officers in Turkey and other countries suggest that Mr. Khashoggi could have been injected with a sedative and then suffocated using a plastic bag," the UN report said. Turkish officials have also said that Khashoggi's body was dismembered with a bone saw.

A Washington Post columnist at the time of his killing, Khashoggi was often critical of the Saudi government.

Khashoggi's gruesome killing prompted global outrage and sparked bipartisan calls for the US to reevaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia. Democrats and Republicans alike explicitly accused Prince Mohammed of being behind Khashoggi's death.

But Trump prioritized preserving the US-Saudi relationship and stood by Prince Mohammed, citing the importance of arms sales. He brushed off the CIA's conclusion that the Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi's killing.

President Donald Trump, holding a chart of military hardware sales, next to Prince Mohammed in the Oval Office on March 20, 2018. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Trump also rejected efforts from congressional lawmakers to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, where a war has fostered the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Trump at one point boasted that he'd shielded Prince Mohammed from congressional retribution over Khashoggi's killing, the veteran journalist Bob Woodward reported.

Biden snubs MBS as he recalibrates the US-Saudi relationship

The US-Saudi relationship has taken a sharp turn under Biden. Beyond releasing the Khashoggi report and moving to end US involvement in Yemen, the White House recently announced that Biden would speak with King Salman and not Prince Mohammed in official communications. This marked a major diplomatic rebuke of the Saudi crown prince, the kingdom's de facto ruler, and underscored how serious Biden is about recalibration.

Biden spoke with King Salman for the first time as president on Thursday. A White House readout of the call said Biden "affirmed the importance the United States places on universal human rights and the rule of law."

"Together they discussed regional security, including the renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United Nations and the United States to end the war in Yemen, and the U.S. commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian-aligned groups," the White House said.

The readout did not mention Khashoggi, and it wasn't clear whether Biden brought up the Saudi journalist's killing. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Following the release of the report on Friday, the Treasury Department unveiled sanctions on Gen. Ahmed al-Asiri, a former deputy head of the Saudi intelligence services, and the Saudi Rapid Intervention Force over their involvement in Khashoggi's killing. No sanctions against Prince Mohammed were announced, even though the intelligence assessment said that he approved Khashoggi's murder and that the RIF answered to him.

A senior administration official told Reuters that the Biden administration was concerned that sanctioning the crown prince could "rupture" the US-Saudi relationship.

Read the full ODNI report:

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Read the original article on Business Insider
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PHOENIX  A judge ruled Friday that the Arizona Senate can get access to 2.1 million ballots and election equipment from Arizonas most populous county so it can audit results of the 2020 election that saw Democrat Joe Biden win in the state.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Thomasons decision comes after a protracted battled between the Republican-controlled state Senate and the GOP-dominated Maricopa County board over subpoenas issued by the Senate.

The five-member Board of Supervisors argued that the ballots were secret, that the Legislature had no right to access them and that the subpoenas issued by Senate President Karen Fann were for an illegitimate purpose, among other arguments.

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The Senates lawyers contended that the constitution gives the Legislature the role of maintaining the purity of elections and make sure voter integrity is protected, that the subpoenas were legal and a proper use of legislative power.

In his ruling, Thomason agreed with the Senate on all those arguments, saying the subpoenas are legal and enforceable.

There is no question that the Senators have the power to issue legislative subpoenas, Thomason wrote. The Subpoenas comply with the statutory requirements for legislative subpoenas. The Senate also has broad constitutional power to oversee elections.

The Arizona legislature clearly has the power to investigate and examine election reform matters, the ruling says. The Subpoenas also do not violate separation of powers principles. Production of the subpoenaed materials would not violate confidentiality laws.

The ruling appears to end a bitter fight that has divided two elected Republican-controlled bodies who became embroiled in a battle prompted by then-President Donald Trumps loss in Arizona.

Board Chairman Jack Sellers said the ruling brings clarity to whether Senate subpoenas apply to ballots that, per state law, must be kept private following an election; as well as the many other documents and equipment demanded.

We respect his legal opinion and will immediately start working to provide the Arizona Senate with the ballots and other materials, Sellers said in a statement after meeting with county lawyers. These items are in addition to the more than 11GB of data already provided. We hope senators will show the same respect and care we have for the 2.1 million private ballots and use them in service of their legislative duties.

Fann has said she wants the audit to prove one way or another whether the victory of President Joe Biden was legitimate. Court challenges in Arizona and other battleground states where former President Donald Trump lost found no evidence of fraud, miscounts or other problems.

Reached by phone while driving to her home in Prescott on Friday morning, Fann said she had not yet talked to Senate lawyers other than to be told she had won.

We are thrilled and grateful that the judge was able to see the big picture in this whole issue, she said. That this has never been about overturning an election. This has always been 100% about voter integrity and finding the answers to all of our voters questions about the safety and security and validity of the Arizona electoral system.

The county Board of Supervisors has pointed to repeated checks that show the election was free and fair and properly conducted. They also did two additional audits in an effort to mollify the Senate.

Early this week, they released the results of those new audits of their equipment that showed no malicious software or incorrect counting equipment and that none of the computers or equipment were connected to the internet. Previous reviews and a hand recount of a sample of ballots also found no issues.

The state Senate wants its own forensic audit. The Senate fell one vote short of finding the five-member board in contempt earlier this month.

The county Board of Supervisors previously turned over reams of data but balked at handing over the actual ballots or the tabulation machines, saying the ballots were by law secret and the machines would be compromised.

Fann said she now will move forward with a full forensic audit, working from the audits the county just completed. That effort was incomplete, she said, and only looked at vote counting machines and software.

This will certainly give us the opportunity to get a more independent forensic auditor in there to verify that work, she said. And then do the rest of the audit, which actually verifies the ballots and more sampling of the signatures.

Fann said she wants to make a deeper diver into questions Republicans have raised about the states mail-in ballot system. Arizonans have embraced mail voting, and more than 80% of voters cast ballots early by mail or in-person.

I really want to get questions answered about how many mail ballots are going our to people who are no longer living, or are no longer living in Arizona, or going to wrong addresses, and what we can do to fix those problems, Fann said.

Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada said any new audits wont persuade Republicans who argue without evidence that Trump lost the election because of fraud.

If anything this is going to further rile up a base of people who want to believe that this election was stolen, Quezada said. If this was going to answer questions, I think any of the previous multiple audits that have already been done would have answered those questions.

Thomason lamented that the courts had become embroiled in a political fight, calling the highly bitter dispute between dedicated public servants in two branches of government regrettable and noting he had urged them to reach an agreement outside of court.

They apparently have not done so. Our governmental officials should not be spending valuable resources on lawyers, fighting with another branch of government over what materials can be provided to another branch of government under a subpoena, Thomason wrote. Rather, the citizens expect their governmental officials to work cooperatively for the common good. It is highly unfortunate that that has not happened here. When government officials resort to name calling and threats, something has gone terribly wrong.
The deadline, barely two months away, is itself a factor, since it will soon be too late to get all 10,000 U.S. and NATO troops out in an orderly way by May 1. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said last week that he has assured U.S. allies and partners in Afghanistan there will be no hasty pullout, and that Washingtons focus is on diplomacy.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - A former elementary school teacher is now the new dean of the College of Education at Mississippi State University (MSU).

MSU named Teresa Jayroe the colleges dean, the university announced Friday.

Since joining the MSU faculty in 1997, Jayroe has served as a lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor and professor.

Prior to MSU, she taught kindergarten through second grade for 13 years in the Louisville Municipal Separate School District and the Philadelphia [MS] Public School District.

Dr. Terry Jayroe has served our university faithfully for a number of years, and I am looking forward to her ongoing leadership in this role as she provides a visionary path for our College of Education, Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said. Dr. Jayroe is known for her excellent work ethic and her unfailing dedication to students at all levelsfrom the K-12 schoolchildren to our own undergraduate and graduate students, she wants to see scholars learning and growing at every stage.

Her predecessor Richard Blackbourn served as dean for 15 years and returned to a faculty role and classroom teaching at the beginning of the year.
A California magistrate judge has ordered Valve to comply with Apple's recent request for financial data on over 400 Steam titles.

Earlier this month, Apple approached Steam for data about the yearly sale of apps, IAPs, and external products, along with details about Steam revenue.

The iPhone maker said the information would be used in its long-running legal battle with Epic by allowing it to calculate the "total size of the market for Epic's digital distribution channels." Apple explained it has already reached out to Samsung with a similar request, which the court ultimately found relevant to the issue at hand.

Valve pushed back against Apple, and essentially told the company it didn't see how its data -- pulled from a completely different platform and market -- would be of any relevance to the case.

"Somehow, in a dispute over mobile apps, a maker of PC games that does not compete in the mobile market or sell 'apps' is being portrayed as a key figure," said Valve. "It's not."

As reported by Kotaku, however, a judge has now told Valve to share the data on 436 specific titles sold through Steam from 2017 onward.

Judge Hixson said Valve has until mid-March to comply with the order, telling its legal team that "Apple has salted the earth with subpoenas, so don't worry, it's not just you."

Epic and Apple will head to trial in May 2021 to settle their legal dispute, which sparked into life after the Fortnite maker attempted to circumvent App Store platform fees using third-party payment methods --prompting Apple to pull Fortnite from its platforms.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Colleges for Associate's Degrees for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,180 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 1,180 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Colleges for Associate's Degrees. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-colleges-for-associates-degrees/

2021 Colleges for Associate's Degrees featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Albany State University

Amarillo College

Arkansas Northeastern College

Ashland Community and Technical College

Barton County Community College

Carl Albert State College

Central Community College

Central Texas College

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Cochise College

Columbus State Community College

Cornerstone University

Dakota College, Bottineau

Eastern Kentucky University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Florida Institute of Technology

Franklin Pierce University

Georgia State University

Grantham University

Highland Community College

Hinds Community College

Hutchinson Community College

Independence University

Keiser University

Lake Region State College

Liberty University

Lone Star College

Mesa Community College

Metropolitan Community College

Miami Dade College

North Central Missouri College

Northeast Community College

Northwest Nazarene University

Ozarks Technical Community College

Penn Foster College

Pennsylvania State University

Purdue University Global

Rasmussen College

Sessions College for Professional Design

State Fair Community College

Tallahassee Community College

Tarrant County College

Truckee Meadows Community College

Tulsa Community College

Vincennes University

Wake Technical Community College

Washtenaw Community College

Western Nebraska Community College

Western Wyoming Community College

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
As coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania continue their slowing rise, the number of fully vaccinated residents increases to meet them. Parts of the state are approaching a day when there will be more people with both shots than who fell ill with COVID-19.

One county in the Lehigh Valley is already there.

Thursdays latest figures from the Pennsylvania health department show at least 30,588 people in Lehigh County have received their second shot of coronavirus vaccine, compared to 30,481 total reported cases of COVID-19 in the county in the last year.

This is a tremendous milestone for Lehigh County as we slowly, but surely, return to normal, County Executive Phil Armstrong said in a statement to lehighvalleylive.com. The COVID-19 virus has left a devastating mark on Lehigh County, but our residents are strong and we are fighting back.

The difference in Northampton County also is closing: It had at least 24,208 fully vaccinated residents to 26,549 total cases as of Thursday.

The threshold, already reached in several of the states less-populated counties, is purely symbolic. It holds no intrinsic public health value, but it is a sign of progress amid Pennsylvanias difficult and sometimes troubled vaccine rollout.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

The Pfizer and Moderna shots currently available require two doses to achieve maximum protection. Supplies are limited and some of those shipments have been delayed due to weather and internal miscommunication. More than 2.1 million doses have been administered in Pennsylvania, but an estimated 8 million doses are needed to cover the roughly 4 million people included in Phase 1A, which focuses on medical workers, seniors and those with high-risk health conditions.

As of Thursday, about 5.5% of Pennsylvanias approximately 12.8 million residents have been fully vaccinated with their second shot. That percentage must be much, much higher for the vaccines to offer any significant community protection from COVID-19.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

Pennsylvania coronavirus cases are still accumulating at a rate of about 2,400 a day, though that is slowing. The Lehigh Valleys two major hospital networks each say they have the ability to vaccinate than that daily. But supply is still limited and it is expected to take months before vaccines are available to all who want them.

It is critical that we not let down our guard, state health department spokesperson Maggi Barton told lehighvalleylive.com. Even as tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians are being vaccinated each day, we need to continue the proven mitigation measures of wearing masks, washing hands and practicing social distancing.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Rosamund Pike - The woman who terrorized us in 2014 with Gone Girl and still continues to do so with just a straight-faced look is back once again with doing what she does best - appal her audience!



This 2020 movie is being touted as the best film of the year and at the most disturbing film of the year as well.

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(Spoilers Ahead: If you are yet to watch the film, now is the time to retreat and come back after you're done streaming this J Blakeson directorial.)

I Care A Lot falls under dark-humour or black comedy genre if you may, and it revolves around a conniving sociopath Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) who has successfully found loopholes in the system and systematically defrauds senior citizens, who are deemed unfit to look after themselves. She poses as a caring legal guardian and then drains their assets into her own account. She runs a smooth racket with doctors and nursing home administrators support who help her in identifying susceptible targets. She seizes legal control of their lives, ruthlessly auctions off their assets and pays for own services.



den of geek

Interestingly, the director of the film got inspired to make such a movie after reading news stories about similar scams.





Rosamund Pike pulls off yet another Gone Girl but this one is more sinister and much more destructive. She callously takes down innocent elders with absolutely no regrets. Her sharp bob hair can cut glass and her expression can send shivers down your spine!

In the beginning, you might fall for her niceties, just for a second. In no time, she will make you question humanity when she mercilessly carries out her business, one elder ward at a time. Her modus operandi is flawless and her allies are loyal. She is accompanied by her partner Fran, who is also her henchmen and advisor. She has the judge wrapped around her little finger who can never doubt her or see through her ulterior motives.



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Without wasting a lot of time to set the premise, she soon reaches a roadblock when she targets a wrong ward, an elderly woman with ties to a mobster.

One of the most loved characters in the history of TV, Peter Dinklage aka Tyrion Lannister, plays a former Russian mob boss who has gone underground r after denouncing the dirty business and is leading a quiet life, away from public eye.

the ringer

Until he crosses path with Marla Grayson! Playing Roman Lunyov, Dinklage doesnt have to be extra to show his sinister side. His death glare and silence do the deed beautifully! He brings a lot of unpredictability on the table. Both his associates and the audience are left in anticipation of how hes going to react throughout the film. The only flaw that was almost a buzzkill is the fact that he gave in too easily. For such a menacing build-up, the expectation to see him retaliate was only natural.

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This is one of those movies that will leave you bittersweet in the end. In a film with no hero, you will constantly find yourself in a fix - which villain to feel for the most? The sociopath Marla who wants to achieve success and lead a happy life with her lover Fran, the Russian lord who only wants to reunite with his murder or the frustrated son who resorts to murder to avenge his mothers death.

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Such movies are rare which show the dark side of humanity and question all our righteous beliefs. I Care A Lot touches upon those very nerves and theres a constant disarray of emotions. The unique script, fabulous performances and flawless execution are probably few of the many reasons why this movie has managed to get Rosamund Pike a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actor.



If you are bored of the usual predictable content and are looking for something quirky to watch then I Care A Lot is your best bet.
Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai and Nigel Skea outside a Singapore court. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Singapore requires all new arrivals to quarantine in a hotel room for 14 days.

Last September, Nigel Skea took his quarantine hotel's emergency stairs to sneak a visit to his fiancee.

Skea was caught, pleaded guilty, and on Friday was given two weeks in jail and a $753 fine.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

Authorities in Singapore sentenced a British man to two weeks in prison after he broke the city's hotel-quarantine laws to spend the night with his fiancee upstairs.

Nigel Skea, 52, used the emergency staircase at the Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore Hotel to visit Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai, 39, in September last year, the BBC reported.

By law, new arrivals in Singapore must spend 14 days in a hotel room as a precaution against imported cases of COVID-19.

After arriving in Singapore from London on September 20, Skea told Eyamalai - who lives in the city and did not need to quarantine at the time - to book a room in his hotel, prosecutors said, according to Channel News Asia.

During the two-week stay, Skea walked up several flights of stairs to meet Eyamalai on the 27th floor, where Eyamalai opened an emergency-exit door for him, prosecutors said, according to Channel News Asia.

Skea pleaded guilty to one charge of contravening a control order and one charge of not wearing a face covering on February 15, Channel News Asia reported.

On Friday, a Singapore court sentenced Skea to two weeks in prison and gave him a fine of 1,000 Singapore dollars ($739), Channel News Asia reported. Eyamalai was also sentenced to one week in prison, the outlet said.

Skea and Eyamalai have since married, the BBC reported.

Singapore seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images

District Judge Jasvender Kaur said the fact that the couple were engaged didn't negate that they had broken the rules.

"The fact of the matter is that the restrictions are necessary to prevent the spread of the pandemic," she said, according to Channel News Asia.

"Disruptions to relationships are an inevitable consequence. It requires patience and sacrifice."

Story continues

Singapore imposed widespread and tough rules on preventing the spread of COVID-19, known as the Stay-Home Notice program, in February 2020.

The program included mandatory hotel quarantines, for residents and non-residents alike.

As Insider's Julie Gerstein previously reported, food is provided by the hotels and delivered directly to the rooms to ensure minimal human contact. Those in quarantine must also record their temperature three times a day.

Read the original article on Insider
Most of the investment banks have increased their price target for both oil benchmarks by the end of the year

In Friday trading, Brent crude was still holding above US$66 with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) close to US$63 a barrel

The oil price held strong all week as sentiment improved and investors and analysts looked to a brighter year ahead.

In Friday trading, Brent crude was still holding above US$66 with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) close to US$63 a barrel.

Most of the investment banks have increased their price target for both oil benchmarks by the end of the year.

Pre-Covid levels

Group revised up its price predictions for 2021 by US$10 a barrel on expectations of demand returning to pre-Covid levels by July.

The bank says it is expecting to see Brent crude over US$70 in coming months, perhaps as high as US$75 by end of year.

Barclays is expecting to see prices in the high sixties and says prices will range between US$50 and US$70 a barrel as oil is set to rise at its fastest rate in years.

The global vaccination programme is being rolled out successfully and this in turn is delivering stronger oil demand. Global inventories are shrinking and storage at sea is almost at its lowest in a year.

The OPEC+ Ministerial Monitoring Committee will meet next week to consider slowly adding supply back to the market.

With a sense of stability returning to the market, some countries will feel it might be a suitable time to review the production agreement in place.

Iranian oil still remains off the market due to long positioned American sanctions, but the Iran nuclear situation has been back on the agendas for the Democratic administration.

Monitoring continues, but the Iranians remain adamant that sanctions be lifted before talks resume. While some Iranian oil has been traded with some countries, production would take a considerable amount of time to return to pre-sanction levels.

Cutting emissions

As the US made its official return to the Paris climate agreement this week, the big focus for all energy companies will be the need to cut emissions in line with government policy.

The report this week noted that the rising oil price would attract US producers back to the market.

In the event theres additional American supply, OPEC+ might be hesitant to change their production agreement when they meet next week.

The oil price has gained more than 20% since the beginning of the year and many investment banks expect this trend to continue.

With stronger economic data, inventory drawdowns and a return of demand due to easing Covid worries, the oil market seems well placed for a summer recovery.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : Shakti Gupta, the newly appointed Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jammu discussed AIIMS Jammu's development roadmap with Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

AIIMS, Jammu is set to start its first academic session of MBBS this year with 50 students.

Singh suggested to Gupta that attempts be made to attract the best of the merit from across the country for faculty as well as paramedical staff, particularly, the nursing staff as the salary patterns would be on the same lines as those of AIIMS, New Delhi.

Singh also said that AIIMS Jammu was sanctioned only through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal intervention.

Singh further added that it was all because of PM Modi's attempts that a state-of-the-art healthcare cum medical education infrastructure was created in Jammu.
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A healthcare worker prepares for the injection of a Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, at a hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Feb. 18, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

HARARE, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday thanked China for making a second donation of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Zimbabwe.

"Only yesterday (Wednesday), I was informed that we have received another donation of 200,000 doses of vaccines from His Excellency, President Xi Jinping and the Government and people of the People's Republic of China, making the total donation from China to date, 400,000 doses of vaccines," he said.

"I would like to express the profound gratitude of the Government, the party ZANU-PF and the People of Zimbabwe, to the President and people of China for their kind generosity," Mnangagwa said.

He said in addition to the donation, China's Sinopharm had availed an additional 1.8 million doses of vaccines for purchase by Zimbabwe.

At least 600,000 of the 1.8 million doses of Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccines are expected in the country in early March.

Mnangagwa added that procurement plans of other vaccines from India and Russia are also advanced, as the nation steps up the first phase of its vaccination roll-out program.

Last Thursday, the Zimbabwean government launched its COVID-19 vaccination program, three days after taking delivery of the first batch of the 200,000 vaccines from China.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also health and child care minister, became the first citizen to receive the Sinopharm jab.

Frontline workers, including journalists, are being prioritized for inoculation under the first phase of the vaccination program. Vaccination is being done on a voluntary basis and in three phases.

Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to continue adhering to the laid-down COVID-19 health protocols.

As of Wednesday, Zimbabwe had recorded 35,960 COVID-19 cases, 32,410 recoveries and 1,456 deaths.
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New Delhi, Feb 26 : After the announcement of phase three vaccination which is set to begin from March 1 in the country, the vaccination centres are expecting a manifold rise in the number of people coming to take their scheduled jibe.

While they are yet to receive guidelines from the Union government, the centres expect that the vaccination will increase by two to four times than the current pace.

The government facilities expect more turnout in vaccination since the beneficiaries of the third phase, which are people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age with comorbidities, will be given jibes free of cost at public health facilities.

The centre-run Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital said that it may see an increase of up to 600 inoculations per day, which is nearly twice the number of people it is vaccinating currently. "We are conducting vaccinations at three sites and are able to achieve the mark of 350. However, we expect to vaccinate as many as 600 people when the immunization programme opens to the general public," said Dr. Neelam Roy, nodal officer for Covid immunization at the hospital.

Dr. B.L. Sherwal, director, Delhi government-run Rajiv Gandhi super Speciality Hospital, told IANS that it can comfortably vaccinate 500-600 people in a day. "The vaccination programme is being operated at five sites at our centre. Going by the current borderline, we will be able to vaccinate 500 people in a day. However, it could be stretched up to 600 as well," he said.

The current Covid-19 vaccination programme which is being run over healthcare and frontline workers will be extended to people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age with comorbidities from March 1. Around 10,000 government's and over 20,000 private vaccination centres will be roped in to carry the immunization drive across the country.

Sherwal also said that depending upon the response by the people, the session sites may be increased as well to accommodate all who would be queuing-up for the vaccine shots.

Tirath Ram Shah Charitable Hospital is looking forward to ramp-up the inoculations by double at its centre when the immunization drive is opened for the general public. "We would be able to vaccinate 500 people every day," said Dr. Shilpa Pandita, deputy medical superintendent there. The hospital is running vaccination at one site and would add another in coming days.

The vaccination will be provided free of cost at the government facilities while it will be chargeable at the private entities. While the government is yet to set a price to which the vaccines will be available at the private centres, a few hospitals expressed to IANS that the private centres may not get enthusiastic response.

An official from Fortis chain of hospitals said that people will definitely prefer public facilities over the private ones due to the charges involved. "A judicious price may be able to drive people to us since we are super speciality and can manage efficiently the side effects that may arrive after vaccination in large numbers of beneficiaries," the official added.

A few hospitals said that they are seeing quite eagerness among the people to take up the shots and the safety net that comes provided by the vaccines against the virus may push them not to mind the price, at least to those who can afford it. Besides, a trust among people in private healthcare may also encourage them to choose private one over the public facilities.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) said that it is ready with an infrastructure to accommodate as many as 1,000 vaccinations daily. "Our current pace of vaccination ranges between 290 to 350 per day. However, we have five sites and we expect to inoculate as many as 1,000 people a day," informed Dr. Shalini Chawla, nodal officer for vaccination at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the large chain of hospitals are waiting for the government's direction before responding to any query regarding the vaccination. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital did not comment despite repeated attempts whereas Fortis chose to speak unofficially.
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI  An 18-year-old man has been charged with criminal sexual conduct after police seized records from the Snapchat.

Andrew Wilson Simmons of Traverse City has been charged with one count of third-degree CSC and two counts of fourth degree CSC. He was arraigned via video in the 86th District Court in Grand Traverse County.

The investigation into Simmons began in August of 2020 when the mother of the victim instructed her minor daughter to tell a trooper from the MSP Cadillac Post what she had told her regarding a sexual assault.

The victim alleged she had been sexually assaulted by Simmons, which led to a months-long investigation which included interviews of several other witnesses and young females in the area, police said.

According to police, most of the initial communication between the victims and suspect occurred over the social media app Snapchat. A search warrant was executed for Snapchat records, according to police.

An arrest warrant was authorized for Simmons who turned himself in at the Grand Traverse County Jail on Feb. 23. Bond was set at $10,000.

His next scheduled court appearance is on March 9. The Traverse Bay Childrens Advocacy Center assisted troopers in the investigation.
Emirati princess Latifa Al Maktoum has urged police in the UK to reinvestigate the disappearance of her older sister, Princess Shamsa.

Princess Latifa, who says she has been held captive in a villa jail in Dubai by her father Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum since an attempt to flee in 2018, said Shamsa was also captured by her father.

Shamsa, now 38, was abducted from the streets of Cambridge on August 19, 2000 and has never been seen in public since. It is believed she was returned to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Cambridgeshire Police previously confirmed aspects of their 2001 investigation  which found insufficient evidence to take any action  will be revisited, although the force insisted the investigation is no longer active.

In a letter from Latifa to the force, obtained by the BBC, she wrote: All I ask of you is to please give attention on her case because it could get her her freedom... your help and attention on her case could free her.

She has strong links to England... she really loves England, all of her fondest memories are of her time there.

A police spokesman said: The review into the disappearance of Princess Shamsa continues. This is a very complex and serious matter and as such there are details of the case that it would be inappropriate to discuss publicly.

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We can confirm officers have recently received a letter, dated February 2018, in relation to this case which will be looked at as part of the ongoing review.

In addition, we are also looking at the contents of the recent BBC Panorama documentary to identify whether it includes anything of significance to our case.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons official spokesman said the issue is a matter for the police: [He] said last week Princess Latifas claims of being held against her will are obviously concerning.

But with regards to the abduction of Princess Shamza, that [investigation] was conducted by Cambridge

Constabulary.

Footage filmed by Latifa of her life in the villa jail, broadcast this month, was described by UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab as very distressing, and triggered concern around the globe.

A family statement released through the UAE embassy in London played down allegations of mistreatment, and said she is being cared for at home.

It said: She continues to improve and we are hopeful she will return to public life.
The killer jailed alongside Mick Philpott and his wife for the manslaughter of his six children is set to be released from prison halfway through his sentence.

Paul Mosley, 54, was caged for 17 years in 2013 over the deadly arson plot dreamt up alongside Philpott and his wife Mairead.

They set a fire in Allenton, Derby, that killed Duwayne Philpott, 13, his sister Jade, 10, and brothers Jack, nine, John, eight, Jesse, six and Jayden, five.

The trio had wanted to frame Philpott's ex-girfriend Lisa Willis, even falsely reporting her to police before setting the blaze.

Paul Mosley, 54, was jailed for 17 years in 2013 for the manslaughter of six innocent children

Mairead and Mick Philpott conspired with Paul Mosley to carry out the plot back in 2013

Mosley was best pals with Philpott and took part in sex games with him and wife Mairead, including after the fire, and will be freed on licence in May.

Andy Lyons, the partner of one of Mosley's sisters, said today: 'The man is sick, deluded and callous beyond belief.

'Since his conviction he has claimed a Chinese newspaper is apparently clamouring for his story for a reputed 1 million, that he has "some big MP working on my case," that he is "in talks with a few TV and radio stations" and also said "I'll be back in Derby before you can blink an eyelid".

'None of these mind-boggling claims have ever come to fruition simply because there isn't and never will be any new evidence.

Duwayne Philpott, 13, Jade, 10, and brothers Jack, nine, John, eight, Jesse, six and Jayden, five

The trio started the fire while the children slept intending to rush in and rescue them

The horrific scene inside the property where the fire was started and killed six children

The Philpotts' devious plan to frame an ex for killing their kids Mairead and Mick married in 2003 and shared a cramped three-bedroom council house in Derby with his lover Lisa Willis and their children. Mick led his wife and accomplice Paul Mosley into a scheme to get a bigger council house by burning down his home and framing Willis for the crime after she walked out on him. He also hoped to win back custody of his five children who had recently moved out of the home. His intention was to rescue the sleeping children through an upstairs window but the plan went disastrously wrong after too much petrol was used and the fire burned out of control. The blaze claimed the lives of Duwayne, 13, Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six and Jayden, five. Mick, who had previously been jailed for stabbing a girlfriend 27 times, wove a web of lies trying to get away with the crime and even plotted to 'get rich quick' off generous donations from the local community meant to pay for the funerals of his children. In the days that followed the fire, Mick began his elaborate ruse to appear blameless and even appeared at a press conference appealing for information. During a fortnight of surveillance at the hotel where the couple were put up by police in May after the fire, they were heard whispering about the case, with Mick being recorded telling his wife to 'stick to your story'. They were charged by police on May 30 in connection with the deaths and Mosley was arrested in the months afterwards, having told a friend the plan had been for him to rescue the children. Police initially charged the trio with murder but downgraded this to manslaughter because, while their actions were sickeningly reckless, the defendants had not intended to kill the children. Mick was found guilty of the horrific crime at a trial in April and sentenced to life behind bars. Advertisement

'He was quite rightly convicted in a court of law, based on compelling evidence, of the slaying of six innocent children.

'He's simply a convicted child killer, may he rot in hell,' he added to the Derby Telegraph.

Mosley is still protesting his innocence over the horrific crime, which shocked the nation.

It was started by Philpott with the help of Mosley and Mairead in a twisted bid to frame Philpott's former mistress and gain custody of children he had with her.

But the plan to rescue the youngsters went wrong, and they perished after the house filled with deadly smoke and fumes.

The trio denied their involvement but each was convicted of six counts of manslaughter after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

The judge had told Mosley: 'You must have appreciated the appalling risk to which these six children were to be exposed when this fire was started in their home.

'And yet you were prepared to go along with the plan and to join in with it to please your then friend, Michael Philpott.

'I am quite sure that one of your tasks that night was to remove the petrol containers from the scene so that the attack would appear to have come from outside.

'You enjoyed the attention that you gained from your proximity to the fire. You boasted of being arrested and bailed for six counts of murder.

'You could not help telling people that this was a plan that had gone wrong. You were going to hand

yourself in as 'it wasn't fair that Mick was taking all the blame', 'what would you say if I told you we rehearsed it all 6 weeks earlier', and so on.'

Philpott was jailed for life while Mairead - who was released earlier this year with a new identity - and Mosley were each handed 17-year jail terms.

A HM Prisons Service spokesman said: 'Offenders released on licence are closely monitored and can be returned to prison if they breach strict conditions such as curfews and exclusion zones.

'Sentencing decisions are a matter for the independent judiciary who consider the full facts of each case.

'Since 2005 the majority of criminals serve what are known as 'standard determinate sentences' and are released automatically at the half-way point, serving the second half of their sentence in the community on licence.'

New Jersey could get an initial shipment of about 70,000 doses of Johnson & Johnsons new one-dose vaccine for the coronavirus next week and the same amount in subsequent weeks if federal health officials give the vaccine approval as expected, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday.

The New Brunswick-based pharmaceutical giant is awaiting emergency approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration on what would be the countrys third COVID-19 vaccine. A key FDA panel voted unanimously Friday afternoon to recommend emergency use of the vaccine. The agency now needs to give final approval.

Murphy said the state has already been notified of the first shipment.

Quite simply, an approval of Johnson & Johnsons application would be a game-changer, the governor said during his latest COVID-19 briefing, held virtually Friday afternoon. First off, simply having a third tool in our toolbox is critical. An additional 70,000 doses in one week means another 70,000 vaccinated New Jerseyans  and this is a vaccination that would only require one dose, no follow-up necessary.

The development comes as health officials voice concern about new variants of the virus affecting the U.S. At least one, first discovered in the United Kingdom, has been found in New Jersey.

The state has been administering Pfizer and Modernas vaccines  both of which require two doses  since December.

The FDA said Wednesday the Johnson & Johnson has proven to be 66.9% effective against moderate to severe/critical COVID-19 (illness) across all geographic areas in cases occurring at least 14 days after the single-dose vaccination, according to a new analysis.

Johnson & Johnson has said it will be able to deliver enough of its vaccine to immunize more than 20 million Americans by the end of March.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

A total of 1,899,671 Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses have been administered in New Jersey as of Friday morning  including 1,262,000 first doses and 636,947 second doses, according to the states dashboard. Thats out of more than 2.47 million doses the state has received, according to a running tally by the federal Centers for Disease Control.

The states goal is to vaccine 70% of its adult population  about 4.7 million people  within the next few months.

New Jersey on Friday reported 3,149 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 46 more deaths related to the virus, while hospitalizations fell to the lowest level in more than three months.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
Israel has now vaccinated half its population against Covid-19, another milestone on the way to subduing the pandemic.

More than 4.6 million people have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, according to Health Ministry data released Friday. With nearly 8% of the country having recovered from the disease and likely developing some resistance to reinfection, that could bring Israel closer to herd immunity.
Hyundai faces one of the most significant issues in its entire vehicle production, as it would be recalling more or less 82,000 electric vehicle units that it sold to replace its battery cells that have reported to have battery problems.

The issues with its battery cells have several reports from private vehicle owners, saying that it caught fire on its own.

The main problem is centered on its flagship electric vehicle, the Kona Electric SUV, in which more than 15 people have reported to have seen its batteries catch on fire without doing anything. The problem is common for electric vehicles, as their drivetrain and entire functions rely on its power cells, which could contribute to a massive strain and stress.

However, while this problem is understandable, it should not be a common problem for electric vehicles since safety should still be upheld despite the car being in the possession of the new vehicle owner who bought it. The spontaneous combustion due to stress on the battery means that it is a manufacturer or factory defect on the end of Hyundai.

Read Also: 'Valheim:' How to Defeat the Drake Dragon and Obtain a Drake Trophy for Helmet Crafting!-Guide

Hyundai Recalls 82,000 EVs Because of Battery Cells Catching Fire

According to CNN, through the span of last year up to the present, there have been several reports to have confirmed that the Kona Electric SUV's power packs have problems and might lead to possible dangers. This resulted in the company issuing a recall to almost 7,000 units in the United States alone to prevent further damages and a lawsuit.

Moreover, its global distribution of the Kona E-SUV has also recalled a massive 75,000 units that it has sold across different countries, including its home region, South Korea. The recall would entitle the SUV to an all-new battery pack from Hyundai, featuring its latest design for its power cells that would, hopefully, not catch on fire anymore.

Since the EV industry has only started to bloom and catch recognition around the world, its recall and repair are expected to be costly and expensive as revealed by experts. The change in the vehicle's entire engine is a massive one and would result in a lengthy process that could potentially backlog other innovations and repairs.

Hyundai's Recall Costs $900 Million, One of the Most Expensive in History

According to Reuters, Hyundai's expenses would potentially be at around 1 trillion Korean Won or $900 million for the entire lineup's change and addition of the new battery pack. As experts in the matter broke it down, the change of engine, also known as the EVs' battery pack, would cost as much as $11,000 per vehicle in the company.

In terms of cost per vehicle, Hyundai's battery pack recall is one of the most expensive recalls in history, as typical prices in gas-powered vehicles only cost $200 to $500 per car. However, since the EV industry is one of the latest technology and it is limited to original parts from its manufacturers and suppliers, it takes on different pricing and experience.

Related Article: 2022 Hyundai Kona Redesign: First Look at the Electric SUV-Specs, Release Date, and MORE!
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
'Metro Man' formally joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Malappuram on Thursday in presence of Union Minister RK Singh.

Sreedharan joined the party during BJP's ongoing Vijaya Yatra led by Kerala Chief K Surendran.

"Metro man Sri joins at Mallapuram in the presence of Union Minister RK Singh during Kerala Vijaya Yatra led by K Surendran," tweeted General Secretary BL Santhosh.

Ahead of Assembly elections in Kerala, former Delhi Metro chief on February 18 announced that he will join the BJP.

"If BJP comes to power in Kerala, I am ready to become the chief minister. The party has not asked me till now as it is too premature. But if BJP asks me, I am willing to take up the post and show how a state can be run efficiently like we are running DMRC," Sreedharan had told ANI earlier.

The Assembly elections in Kerala are likely between April-May this year.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Coronavirus immunisation drive, launched on January 16 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi across India, will not take place on Saturday (February 27) and Sunday (February 28).

The drive will be halted on these two days as the Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) platform, a digital platform for real-time monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine delivery and distribution, will be transitioning from CoWIN 1.0 to CoWIN 2.0. People eligible for vaccination in the upcoming phase will be able to self-register on the CoWIN 2.0 app.

Besides this, beneficiaries will also be able to register using Aarogya Setu and Common Service Centres. The vaccination drive, covering those above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age having co-morbidities, will begin from March 1.

ALSO READ: People over 45 yrs with co-morbidities will need doctor's certificate for COVID-19 vaccine

The Co-WIN app is being updated as technical glitches in the app hit vaccination drive across various centres.

Staff at Maharashtra's BKC Jumbo COVID-19 vaccination facility told India Today, "We are facing problems since morning. The name of the healthcare worker who was to be vaccinated isn't reflecting in the system and hence, the delay. In fact, the first two doctors who were to be vaccinated also had to wait."

ALSO READ: Co-WIN app registration: Checklist of documents required to register for COVID-19 vaccination

Another staff member said they cannot vaccinate those healthcare workers whose names are not mentioned in the system since they don't have the permission to go ahead with offline registrations.

Many also called out Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for lack of coordination. A senior healthcare professional said, "I had taken the first vaccine dose on January 16, but I am yet to receive a message from the BMC for receiving my second dose. My hospital has now said that I could go tomorrow but I am yet to get the message or call."

ALSO READ: COVID-19 vaccine: India provided 361.94 lakh doses to various countries
BOSTON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Trust Walden Company is pleased to announce that Tchintcia Barros has joined the firm. She will serve as a portfolio manager on the institutional Large Cap Core and Multi-Asset strategy teams.

Ms. Barros previously served as a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Large Cap Growth team at Columbia Threadneedle Investments for fifteen years. Prior to joining Columbia Threadneedle, she worked for Putnam Investments as an Investment Associate in the International Core Equities group. In 2020, Ms. Barros was named one of the 100 Women in Finance. She is also a member of The Boston Club and an active member of the Boston non-profit community.

In addition, the firm promoted Mark Zagata, a thirteen-year veteran of the firm, to portfolio manager on the institutional Large Cap Core team and to Associate Director of Equity Research. He will continue to serve as a portfolio manager on the Large Cap Value and Mid Cap strategies.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tchintcia to Boston Trust Walden," said co-Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Scott. "These appointments reflect the firm's strong commitment to reinvest in our high quality investment approach and to advance our leadership in impact investing."

"Boston Trust Walden is a firm that shares my commitment to impact investing. I am delighted to join the team and look forward to contributing to investment decisions that serve the needs of our clients," said Ms. Barros.

Effective today, the Large Cap Core team is comprised of four individuals: Stephen Amyouny, William Apfel, Tchintcia Barros, and Mark Zagata. The Multi-Asset team is comprised of four individuals: Stephen Amyouny, William Apfel, Tchintcia Barros, and Sean Cameron.

On March 2, 2021, Mr. Amyouny, Ms. Barros, and Mr. Zagata will be added to the portfolio management team of the Boston Trust Walden Equity Fund (WSEFX), and Mr. Amyouny, Ms. Barros, and Mr. Cameron will be added to the portfolio management team of the Boston Trust Walden Balanced Fund (WSBFX). William Apfel will serve as lead manager on these funds until he retires on June 30, 2021.

About Boston Trust Walden

Boston Trust Walden is an independent, employee-owned firm providing investment management services to institutional investors and private wealth clients. The firm manages approximately $12 billion in assets. The team is committed to a distinctive investment philosophy, disciplined approach, and impact investing leadership. Boston Trust Walden Company is a Massachusetts chartered bank and trust company. Boston Trust Walden Inc. is a registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Boston Trust Walden Company.

Media inquiries: Heidi Vanni, [email protected] , (617) 726-7136

AUM includes assets managed by Boston Trust Walden Company and its wholly owned investment adviser subsidiary, Boston Trust Walden Inc.

Please read the statutory prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing. An investor should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing or sending money. This and other important information about the investment management company can be found in the Fund's prospectus or summary prospectus. To obtain a statutory prospectus or summary prospectus, please call 1-800-282-8782.

The above is not an offer to buy or sell and investors should read and consider carefully the prospectus before making investing decisions. Investments in the funds are not obligations of Boston Trust Walden Company, are subject to investment risk including the loss of principal, and are not FDIC insured.

Foreside Financial Services, LLC, distributor.

SOURCE Boston Trust Walden Company

Related Links

http://www.bostontrust.com


For Janelle Sweeney, the lowest of low points came when she was found in the middle of a California intersection with her car completely broken down.

I was high as hell, passed out, and butt ass naked and had lotion all over my body. My manic episode was manic and a hot mess, Sweeney told me.

That moment in 2001 was a turning point in a life of highs and lows. Over 52 years, shes been a military brat, a soldier, a stripper, a flight attendant, a sober bartender, and an antique dealer.

She is a mother and will soon be a grandmother. She survived military sexual assault, PTSD, one of Alabamas deadliest tornadoes and breast cancer.

I always say that the next day is always a different day, Sweeney said recently in her booth at Crestwood Boulevards Urban Suburban. It may be hard but if you wake up for the next day, its a new day.

Sweeney has been a popular presence in Birmingham for 20 years. Her journey here began in the Netherlands, where she lived until she was 8-years-old as her father was stationed there with the U.S. Air Force.

From there, her family moved to San Bernardino, California, which she describes as the the armpit of the world. After high school, Sweeney served in the U.S. Army from 1987-1991.

I really had nothing. No prospects. I knew I wasnt going to go to college, she says. I had ditched so much in my senior year that I actually could not graduate so I had to go to a special school to get my high school diploma.

I was being a real butthole of a kid and said I was going into the Army to piss (my father) off. He laughed at me and said, Youll be back. And he was right.

The Army broke me

The four years she spent in the military led to some of her greatest trauma.

I was one of the first classes to go into co-ed training so you know I dont think the Army was really prepared for that ... It was pretty rough for us females, she recalled.

Sweeney was a victim of sexual assault while training at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

It was revealed in 1996 that multiple female trainees in Aberdeen had been raped by multiple male members of the schools military faculty. A similar scandal unfolded at Fort Leonard Wood.

I ran into a lot of sick individuals that didnt protect me and the Army broke me. So, it was not a good experience. It has taken me a long time to talk about it.

Asked how she coped with her sexual assault, Sweeney replies with three short, stark words: Alcohol and drugs.

When I got out of the military I called a 1-800 number to report what happened to me and they told me that they had all the information that they needed and hung up the phone and I think that was pretty much the last I really talked about it until recently.

After the Army, she went back to California where she got in touch with an old captain of hers who was in Alabama in 1992. He wanted me to come out to Enterprise and go to junior college, she recalls. Things were rough back home, so I packed my duffle bag and moved.

After she got off a Greyhound bus, she went into Food World. This little boy was following me around the store and told his mom at the top of his lungs that he saw his first nigger. It was like, Wow, welcome to Enterprise.

Stripping at The Toy Box

Things did not work out well with the gentleman that I was staying with and then I ended up dating my next door neighbor, who was going to school at Fort Rucker, and he graduated and came back and asked me to marry him, she says.

When my fiance was in Korea, I started stripping to make some extra money. This bar opened up between Dothan and Enterprise called The Toy Box. It was a bikini bar at first. It was really crazy, she says with her infectious laugh.

I didnt have a stage time so the DJ was like You should be called Brown Sugar. That was my name. There were a lot of peanut farmers that would come in and I was the only Black chick so they were just, ya know, enthralled at the fact there was this Black-skinned woman dancing in front of them. I made some money. It was nothing for me out in the country on one night to make $1,500.

When her fiance got back from Korea, they moved to Savannah, where she continued nude dancing. Another man hounded her for a date and she went. She broke off her engagement and married the man who would make her a mother and be her husband for 10 years.

About seven months after the wedding, the two moved to Santa Fe although neither of them had jobs lined up in New Mexico.

Throwing life to the wind, I guess. I drank a lot. He drank a lot. I lost my mom pretty early on in our marriage so I was going through a lot of shit. Then he comes home and tells me he joined the Army.

While he attended Explosive Ordnance Disposal school in Huntsville, she waited tables at TGI Fridays and visited her best friend from the Toy Box who was living in Birmingham.

The couple tried to have a baby and she had several miscarriages. Her husband told her he was to be stationed in Alaska. There is no Black people in Alaska; I am going to die, she said.

I was probably at my rock bottom

The two made a 10-day drive from Savannah to Whitehorse, in the Canadian Yukon Territory. While there, Sweeney she gave birth to her daughter -- it was her 10th pregnancy.

We get in fights all the time. I think I punched him in the eye, so he had to go to work his first day trying to explain his black eye...I did not acclimate very well because Im not an outdoor girl, she says.

It wasnt long before the couple split up.

Thanks to Janelle Sweeney for sharing her story with me. Article to come on AL.com. Posted by Jeremy W. Gray on Wednesday, February 24, 2021

He had a drinking problem and I had a drinking problem. I scooped (my daughter) up one night and flew back to California....It needed to happen. I was heavy into drinking to stop my head. But I thought I had my shit together.

Sweeney got a job as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. Her cousin took care of her daughter while she was gone.

I cant say that was the best decision but I didnt know I was sick mentally and having, what do they call it, manic episodes.

Her drinking got her fired after about seven months.

Flight attendants can party, she says. After Northwest, I went back to California, and tried to live but, at that point, I was probably at my rock bottom.

In my head I was sick

Then she ended up passed out naked in an intersection. She asked her daughters father to take their child. I needed help. It took me years to finally be able to see her after that.

After the intersection episode, Sweeney woke up in a hospital.

When I came to I was told ... they had defibbed me to get my heart to regulate. I was that bad off and in psychosis, she says. They were going to release me from the hospital but none of my family members wanted me....I dont blame them.

Sweeneys best friend picked her up at a Birmingham bus station in 2001. She slept on her couch and went to a halfway house.

Ive been here since. Have you ever felt like your life goes around in a circle? Like in a full circle? she asked me.

I was a shit person. I was sick and that epiphany of treating people the way you want to be treated was real important to me in my sobriety. From that time, as crazy as I tried to be, in my head I knew I wasnt crazy but in my head I was sick.

In her lowest moments, she found solace in Birminghams vibrant music scene, sneaking out of her halfway house to hear bands at the now-closed Five Points South bar Dugans and at The Nick.

I can give up alcohol and everything else but I felt I needed music because that saved me. Sweeney eventually went on to work the door and then being behind the bar at The Nick. Toward the end, I just had no tolerance for drunk ass people.

So, she left the service industry.

Everything I owned was gone

Then, I had the opportunity to care for these two amazing kids while I was fighting for mine. Their dad was raising two children, a boy and a girl, and their mother was with me at the halfway house. I met these little redneck babies and they said I talked funny and I said, Well you guys talk funny. I became their babysitter while their dad did his hunting. I moved into their family home right up the street in McDonald Chapel, she says.

Sweeney calls those kids her nonvaginal babies.

I got a job working for Jefferson County as a laborer (in 2008). I started off weed-whacking. I did that and helped raise these amazing kids, she says. It was backbreaking, nasty work but I was grateful because I could start saving up to see my kid and to basically show her dad I was not a piece of shit....I worked my ass off and got to see my baby.

Her daughter is now grown, lives in Georgia, and in June will give birth to a little girl.

She lost her dad when she was 18. He died of very advanced cancer really quick but I was grateful that I got to see him and thank him for giving me our kid. I said my peace.

On April 27, 2011, one of the deadliest days in Alabama, she lost the house she rented from the grandparents of the kids she was helping to raise.

(The tornado) leveled 40 homes....We had one death (Deniece Kemp Presley).... She laid in the street for a couple of days before they even came and got her. Theres nothing there now. They never rebuilt.

Sweeney herself barely survived.

Janelle Sweeney looks through debris from her home in McDonald Chapel on April 29, 2011 after a deadly tornado. One person was killed and several houses were destroyed. (The Birmingham News/Bernard Troncale).bn

I was sleeping when that happened and heard a voice that told me to get up. I grabbed my phone and all I remember was looking up at the sky. My whole living room wall had collapsed and hit me in the head and pinned me in. That was how I survived, she says.

The only thing that was left was my bathroom. Four walls. That was it.

She had only recently bought her first car and got rental insurance less than a month earlier. That saved me because everything I owned was gone.

Im not done fighting

Sweeney went back to Savannah, resigning from Jefferson County although she was still on a personnel board list. She moved in with her boyfriend in Murfreesboro, Tennessee because she couldnt find a job in Georgia.

She worked at Publix and Amazon before getting a job in Chattanooga as a wastewater oiler, or lubricating specialist, although she couldnt afford to live there while making $11.50 an hour.

I ended up living in a crack hotel outside of Georgia. My first night there, I lifted up the mattress and there was like a crack pipe.

After a week at that job, Jefferson County called her to do the same work here, only for more money.

It was pretty amazing, but it was rough. There was some fucking rednecks. I had to prove myself. To be honest with you, the only reason I got that job was because they needed to fill a quota, she says. I was not well-received, at all. It was hard to learn a trade because nobody wanted to teach me. I asked too many questions or Im too sensitive.

I resigned myself to Im just going to do what my boss tells me to do and stay out of everybody elses way.

Eventually, the stress of that situation took its toll and she started missing work. She cried in front of a supervisor she was close with.

He looked at me and said I needed help....Thats when I started talking about my rape and my assault and not feeling ashamed about it. I went to the veterans center to talk about my experience and I have the most amazing psychiatrist. She helped me start talking about what was going on with me.

Sweeney hired a lawyer and started fighting for veterans benefits. She began receiving military disability pay.

Im not done fighting. They finally recognized what happened to me and that was like a huge ball and chain was finally cut off.

It was a victory in a battle she had been fighting since she was 18.

I just gave up

Sweeneys next battle in life came when she was diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentines Day 2019.

She underwent a double mastectomy on April 4th of that year and has undergone six surgeries since then, as well as chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

She wears a sleeve on her arm because she has no lymph nodes and a brace on her ankle as a result of the damage done by the chemo and radiation. The treatments burned her skin and she had a port in her body.

It was hard seeing my big ole mammies going away; 20 pounds of titty gone. Scared the shit out of me, she says. The thing that sucks about it most of all is the paperwork you have to do when you are sick. It is ridiculous to the point I just gave up. I lost my life insurance. I lost a lot of things, she says.

She is lucky to be alive. Shes cancer free and will talk to a plastic surgeon soon about the possibility of implants.

She uses marijuana medicinally to cope with her illness, despite decades of recovering from alcoholism, and hopes Alabama will make it legal for her and others to use cannabis to alleviate their symptoms.

(The cancer) had spread really fast. It was a regular, routine mammogram and they found it...The scar tissue is laying against my muscle so it causes a lot of pain. Its not easy to get through to your doctors...but through this whole cancer thing they have been amazing.

I was really sick back then

Using insurance money from the tornado and her disability, Sweeney began buying antiques.

I always loved the 50s so I went on a hunt to find things that were cool and unique, she says. People were like How much do you want for that? and I really had no idea, so it just snowballed.

Though selling her kitschy treasures brings her joy, there is still pain.

Her bestfriend who took her in when she came to Birmingham relapsed and died of an overdose. Shes reeling from the recent end of an 11-year relationship. Sometimes my PTSD is off the chain I dont like to leave the house.

In March 2020, around the start of the COVID pandemic, she went back to California to see her father, who uses an oxygen tank as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

I met up with a high school friend and we had dinner and it was awesome. She always was my biggest cheerleader through school and shes dating a firefighter, she says.

He asked how she got to Birmingham and she told him the story of passing out in an intersection. His eyes got big.

I asked Whats the matter? and he goes, I was the one who pulled you out of your car. And I was like, Wow, this just came full circle. He told me the whole story. I was like, Man, Im sorry, I was really sick back then, she recalled. That blew my mind.

Its just one of the many amazing stories she has picked up from all the people shes met along the way.

I dont think I would change any of it, she told me.

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused the military of an attempted coup and brought supporters to the streets on Thursday, as months of tensions over its defeat in last year's war with Azerbaijan came to a head

Yerevan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Feb, 2021 ):Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused the military of an attempted coup and brought supporters to the streets on Thursday, as months of tensions over its defeat in last year's war with Azerbaijan came to a head.

Thousands marched through the streets of the capital Yerevan in support of Pashinyan, with the opposition urging him to step down to avoid bloodshed or even civil war.

President Armen Sarkisian, whose role is largely symbolic, said he was taking urgent steps to try to defuse the crisis, calling on all involved to "show restraint and common sense." Under pressure for his handling of the conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, Pashinyan has ignored repeated calls to resign for losing swathes of territory to Azerbaijan in the war.

After largely backing the prime minister for months, the military's general staff on Thursday joined calls for him to step down, saying in a statement that he and his cabinet "are not capable of taking adequate decisions".

Pashinyan hit back with an accusation that top brass were mounting an "attempted military coup" and fired the chief of the general staff Onik Gasparyan.

Hundreds of supporters then joined Pashinyan to march through central Yerevan, chanting "Nikol Prime Minister!" Speaking to supporters through a megaphone, Pashinyan called for calm, as dozens of police deployed outside the main government offices.

"The situation is tense, but we must agree that there cannot be clashes," said Pashinyan, who was joined at the march by his wife, daughters, ministers and security detail.

He said the situation in the country was under control and that the military's call had been an "emotional reaction" to his firing the previous day of the deputy chief of the general staff Tigran Khachatryan.
Creating a ruffle within the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), party MLA and secretary of its minority wing S Masthan offered Rs 11,000 as a donation towards the construction of the Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. Speaking about his decision to donate funds towards the Ram temple, the DMK MLA said that he has contributed funds for the construction of different temples several times and believes in the principle of "one God, one religion".

It is important to note here that in the past, DMK has opposed the construction of the Ram Mandir. Party President MK Stalin had earlier alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had failed to prove the conspiracy in the Babri Masjid demolition case. As per sources, the DMK leader's decision to donate for the Ram Mandir did not go down well with other DMK leaders. Some DMK allies have also reportedly expressed their clear objection to this issue.

READ | Tejasvi Surya Calls DMK & Stalin 'anti-Hindu; Declares 'BJP Is The Spirit Of Tamil Nadu'

DMK on Ram Mandir

Earlier, former DMK chief and 5-time Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had strongly opposed the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. Not only this, the party had also staged protests condemning the Ram Rath Yatra led by LK Advani. Karunanidhi had also condemned the then Union government for not acting in time and preventing "the dastardly act".

READ | BJP's Chandrasekhar Reacts To Puducherry Govt Fall; Says 'Cong-DMK Destroyed UT's Economy'

The former DMK chief in the past has also opposed the concept of Ramar Palam or Ram Setu (Adam's Bridge). Earlier in 2007, when Sethusamudram Shipping Canal was proposed to be constructed between India and Sri Lanka, many Hindu groups had objected to it, claiming it would harm Ram Setu, which is a mythical bridge built by an army of vanars to help Lord Ram to go to Lanka and bring back his abducted wife Sita. At the time, in a controversial speech, Karunanidhi had asked, "Who is Ram? Ram is a lie. In which engineering college did he studied and is there proof that he constructed a bridge?"

However, according to S Masthan, Karunanidhi was not against any religion. In his script for the movie Parasakthi, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) said that the party is not against any religion or temple, he said. The Gingee MLA also quoted DMK founder CN Annadurais principle of Ondre Kulam Oruvane Devan (one religion and one god).

READ | Siddaramaiah Wants Account Of Donations Made For Ram Mandir, Claims BJP Is 'using God'

Donation drive for Ram Mandir

Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust which is overseeing the construction of Ayodhya Ram Mandir is conducting a mass contact and contribution campaign for the construction of the grand temple in Ayodhya. The Trust was set up in accordance with the Supreme Court verdict on November 9, 2021, for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya. The Trust announced in December that it will launch a mass contact and contribution campaign which began on January 15 and is said to go on till February 27. The trust had printed 4 crore coupons of Rs 10 denomination, 8 crore coupons of Rs 100 and 12 lakhs coupons of Rs 1,000 denomination for the donation drive. the Trust said nearly 4 lakh volunteers will cover 55 crore people (11 crore families) in 5 lakh villages during the campaign. The trust's treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri revealed that Rs.1511 crore has been deposited in its account so far. President Ram Nath Kovind has also donated Rs Five lakh in his personal capacity for the construction of the temple.

READ | 'Meetings Like Corruption Hackathons, Politics Based On Bullying', PM Tears Into Cong-DMK

Can you hear the bells ringing?

Vegas Weddings and Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel are happy to announce the marriage of their two chapels! These iconic Las Vegas wedding institutions will now be united in the business of love under the Vegas Weddings umbrella.

Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel was founded in 1999 with a focus on offering one-of-a-kind themed and classic weddings to couples, particularly those from the LGBTQ community, who wanted an experience that was fun, entertaining, and customized to them. As the largest freestanding chapel on the Strip, Viva Las Vegas proudly offers wedding themes only limited by their couples imaginations. Some of the most popular themes include a graveyard wedding with a Beetlejuice officiant and fog effects, as well as a classic Elvis wedding where The King himself rides down the aisle with the couple in his pink Cadillac.

Just a few minutes drive away, at their Downtown Las Vegas location, Vegas Weddings is a family owned and operated wedding chapel founded in 2001 with the long-term goal of creating upscale, elegant weddings and vow renewals for couples on a budget. Offering a range of services from simple weddings in the Fast Lane Drive-Thru to elaborate offsite ceremonies taking place in the Grand Canyon, Vegas Weddings has established itself as the place to go for an unforgettable experience without the hefty price tag.

When the opportunity arose to acquire the Viva Las Vegas brand, we didnt hesitate to pop the question! says Melody Willis-Williams, executive director of Vegas Weddings. While Vegas Weddings has hosted its share of unique weddings, Viva Las Vegas truly specializes in immersive, themed weddings for couples who want that unique experience that can only be found in Las Vegas. Marrying these two chapels will open up new opportunities to provide Las Vegas newlyweds with their dream wedding, whether thats traditional or themed.

While each chapel will operate separately, there will be a great deal of collaboration, allowing each business to sharpen its strong suits - Vegas Weddings with its focus on upscale and elegant ceremonies on a budget and Viva Las Vegas Chapel on traditional and themed weddings alike. The addition of the vintage Event Center, a Spanish mission-style chapel, and two beautiful, outdoor venues, will allow us to deliver exceptional weddings and vow renewal for any budget and in every setting!

Renovations have already begun at the Viva Las Vegas Chapel, says Willis-Williams. We are excited to bring some modern touches to this classic Las Vegas chapel while keeping all the aspects that make the Viva Las Vegas brand so iconic.

Wedding and vow renewal packages at Vegas Weddings and the Viva Las Vegas Chapel start at just $149 and include everything the couple needs from the wedding flowers to the photographer and officiant.
An elderly woman who fled from the town of Shire to the city of Axum to seek safety, but was then wounded in the jaw during an attack on the city - AP

Hundreds of civilians in Ethiopias war torn Tigray region were methodically hunted down and killed by soldiers from neighbouring Eritrea, a damning new report has revealed.

Amnesty International claims that Eritrean soldiers converged on residential areas of Axum on November 28, with orders to immediately gun down males of fighting age.

Knocking on doors and breaking down others, scores were killed in front of their families, the human rights group alleges.

Soldiers also targeted those they encountered as they rode through the citys streets atop tanks, with the rampage leaving the streets of the city of 70,000 residents flowing with blood.

Included in the 25 page report is testimony from more than 40 witnesses of the massacre, which took place in the holy city of Axum, home of the 4th century St. Mary of Zion church which many Christians believe houses the Biblical Ark of the Covenant.

The Church of St. Mary of Zion in Axum, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia - AP

Starting (at) 2 pm, the Eritrean soldiers started going home to home and killing men, a university professor told Amnesty International. When I heard that they were killing men, I ran out of the city.

I saw a lot of dead on the street, another witness is quoted as saying. Even my uncles family. Six of his family members were killed. This was in the middle of the city, not the entrance or in surrounding villages.

Ethiopias war in Tigray began on November 4 and resulted in Ethiopian and allied Eritrean soldiers ousting forces loyal to the rebellious Tigray regional government from the city Mekelle after weeks of brutal fighting. The war has left thousands dead and more than two million internally displaced.

Despite claims by Ethiopias Nobel Peace Prize winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that his forces had taken precautions to prevent civilian casualties, mounting reports implicate them in extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate shelling, and rapes.

Last week, The Telegraph obtained a graphic video showing Ethiopian troops taunting survivors of a mass slaughter of 40 civilians near a Tigray monastery. A communications blackout and the barring of journalists from the region rendered verification of accounts from the region extremely difficult and led to atrocities, such as the Axum massacre, going largely underreported.

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The report also revealed that Ethiopian forces shelled Axum indiscriminately starting from November 19, before being reduced to observers during the massacre. A survivor explained how with time, Eritrean soldiers improved their killing efficiency and thought up resourceful ways to save bullets.

They only shot twice for the six people, said the man who witnessed summary executions on November 29. They shot three people with one bullet. The first and second fell dead. The third was injured, about to fall. They shot him a second time and killed the three others with the same bullet. They were lined up perfectly. They shot them with a Bren (light machine gun).

The killings went on unabated for almost 24 hours, and during a lull on the 29th, Eritrean soldiers shot at residents who ventured out to collect decomposing bodies in the streets.

Burials were finally permitted on November 30, and residents conducted funeral processions and mass burials at church courtyards across the city. Satellite imagery obtained by Amnesty International reveals swathes of the church compounds freshly dug earth and appears consistent with mass graves.

The bodies of 450 people were said to have been buried at just one of the churches. A survivor had told the Associated Press that 800 were killed. But Axumawit Berhane,* who lost three relatives in the slaughter, told the Telegraph that there were plenty unaccounted for, and that the death toll likely approached a thousand.

Its still a nightmare for our family, she explained to the Telegraph. I feel like Im no longer alive, I just feel numb. My niece hasnt recovered from the trauma and has developed a heart condition.

Berhane added that Eritrean soldiers looted everything from vehicles and electronics to food. Satellite images show that factories and warehouses had their entrances blasted open. Banks, universities and even bakeries are said to have not been spared.

The war and pillaging have left some 4.5 million people across the war affected region in need of emergency assistance. Despite the dire situation, Ethiopia remains largely hesitant to allow humanitarian access to Tigray.

*Interviewees name changed to conceal identity.

It was easy to root for Phil Mickelson at the PGA Championship last weekend. The little boy who learned to play golf left-handed by standing opposite his right-handed dad and mirroring dads swing has long been a crowd favorite. He is not only immensely gifted; he is imaginative and willing 

A single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine may block 75 per cent of symptomless infections, a study on NHS workers has suggested.

Asymptomatic screening of staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge showed the number of people testing positive fell from 0.8 per cent to 0.2 per cent 12 days after their injection.

The 'very impressive' findings are another sign that the UK's gamble to delay the second dose in a bid to get wider coverage quicker has paid off.

Curbing symptomless infections is crucial to stopping outbreaks from growing unknowingly because people who do not feel ill are less likely to self-isolate.

Numerous studies had indicated that a single injection of the Pfizer jab prevented severe illness and death but to what degree it blocked asymptomatic spread was unclear. Research has also suggested Oxford University's jab stops more than 60 per cent of asymptomatic cases.

The study, led by Cambridge University, analysed thousands of weekly Covid tests at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in January.

It found that 26 out of 3,252 swabs (0.8 per cent) from unvaccinated workers yielded a positive result, compared to four out of 1,989 (0.2 per cent) in staff 12 days or more after their vaccine.

The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, also found asymptomatic infection was halved in those vaccinated for less than 12 days, suggesting immunity kicks in rapidly in many cases.

Independent experts reacting to the pre-print hailed the findings, saying they signalled Britain was headed for a 'much brighter future'.

A single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine may stop 75 per cent of people spreading the disease, a study on NHS workers has suggested

It found that 26 out of 3,252 swabs (0.8 per cent) from unvaccinated workers yielded a positive result, compared to four out of 1,989 (0.2 per cent) in staff 12 days or more after their vaccine

Professor Jonathan Ball, a molecular virologist at the University of Nottingham, said: 'To see such a reduction in infection rates after a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine is very impressive and shows that vaccination truly does offer a way out of the current restrictions and a much brighter future.

'It will be important to understand whether the reduced risk of infection played out across all the exposure risk groups included in the study, but nonetheless, this is still excellent news.'

Israel reveals Pfizer vaccine has stopped 94% of recipients getting symptoms in huge peer-reviewed study The Pfizer vaccine has prevented 94 per cent of recipients in Israel from getting symptoms in a huge peer-reviewed study of 1.2 million people. The experiment took place between December 20 and February 1 - a period when the British mutant strain of Covid was rampant, making the vaccine's performance all the more impressive. The paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine marks the latest victory for Israel whose world-beating vaccine rollout has given Pfizer jabs to more than 50 per cent of its 9 million population - more than a third have received both doses. The country ended draconian lockdown restrictions earlier this month and started to reopen its economy over the weekend with concert halls, gyms, hotels and theatres welcoming vaccine passport holders. The 'green pass' is valid for six months from the time of full vaccination (two doses) or for those who have recovered from Covid-19 and are immune. Up to 500 passport holders can attend outdoor cultural venues, while crowds of 300 are permitted indoors at theatres, museums and cinemas. Restaurants and cafes remain restricted to takeaway service and schools kids are back in class only in areas where infection rates are low. The scheme is being closely watched abroad, with Boris Johnson saying that Britain was looking at the idea of 'Covid-status certification' while adding that there were 'many concerns surrounding exclusion, discrimination and privacy'. Advertisement

Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, added: 'In working age adults, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has good efficacy for preventing asymptomatic infection by the Covid-19 coronavirus.

'This is really important if we are to decrease the amount of spread from people who are unaware that they are infected.

'While this is very encouraging, no data were provided to show how long the effect will last for and continued surveillance is required in case this protection dwindles.'

He added the study 'relies on studying NHS staff and there appears to have been no assessment made of their pre-existing immune status, which might have been higher than in the general population given healthcare workers' likelihood of exposure at work.

'Pre-exposure to the coronavirus before receiving a dose seems to cause a more potent immune response to the vaccine.

'It's also important to remember that these findings cannot automatically be extended to every other vaccines.'

During a two-week period between January 18 and 31, Cambridge researchers screened similar numbers of vaccinated and unvaccinated staff using around 4,400 PCR tests per week.

A positive PCR swab would signal that even someone who is vaccinated is carrying fragments of the virus in their nose or throat which they could pass on.

Reducing Covid's spread is critical to achieve 'herd immunity', when so many people are immune that a disease peters out.

The results were then separated out to identify unvaccinated staff, and staff who had been vaccinated more than 12 days prior to testing, when immunity kicks in.

When the team included symptomatic healthcare workers, their analyses showed similar reductions.

Some 56 out of 3,282 (1.7 per cent) of unvaccinated healthcare workers tested positive, compared to eight out of 1,997 (04 per cent)at 12 or more days post-vaccination, a fourfold reduction.

The researchers have released their data ahead of peer review because of the urgent need to share information relating to the pandemic.

Dr Mike Weekes, an infectious disease specialist at the trust, who led the study, said: 'This is great news  the Pfizer vaccine not only provides protection against becoming ill from SARS-CoV-2 but also helps prevent infection, reducing the potential for the virus to be passed on to others.

'This will be welcome news as we begin to plot a roadmap out of the lockdown, but we have to remember that the vaccine doesn't give complete protection for everyone. We still need social distancing, masks, hand hygiene and regular testing until the pandemic is under much better control.'

Dr Nick Jones, first author on the study and an infectious diseases expert at Cambridge, added: 'This is fantastic news for both hospital staff and patients, who can be reassured that the current mass vaccination strategy is protecting against asymptomatic carriage of the virus in addition to symptomatic disease, thereby making hospitals even safer places to be.'

The UK drew criticism in January when it pushed back giving second doses of both vaccines from three weeks to three months because the jabs were never trialled using that dosing regimen.

The policy recommendation was made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) as the country grappled with the highly virulent Kent variant and limited vaccine supplies. Its goal was to get wider coverage more quickly.
WASHINGTON - Neither Canada's prime minister nor the U.S. secretary of state were showing their diplomatic cards Friday as the two countries discussed the plight of two Canadians languishing behind bars in China.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken listen as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a virtual bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Evan Vucci

WASHINGTON - Neither Canada's prime minister nor the U.S. secretary of state were showing their diplomatic cards Friday as the two countries discussed the plight of two Canadians languishing behind bars in China.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met virtually with Canadian officials including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau as part of the Biden administration's post-Trump charm offensive.

The U.S. has a "significant role" to play in helping secure the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, said Trudeau, although he refused to elaborate on the details.

"These are processes that are ongoing," the prime minister told a news conference earlier in the day.

"The United States is taking their role in this very seriously and we look forward to working with them on bringing the two Michaels home as soon as possible.

Blinken, too, stayed in his diplomatic lane, expressing earnest American harmony with Canada and cheering a multilateral effort to denounce the practice of taking political prisoners.

"We stand in absolute solidarity with Canada in insisting on their immediate and unconditional release," Blinken said before lavishing praise on the new Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention.

The declaration, a project initiated by former foreign affairs minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, is from a coalition of more than 50 countries opposed to the state-sponsored political detention of foreign nationals.

Its purpose "is to bring countries together to stand against the arbitrary detention of individuals for political purposes, a practice that we see in a number of countries, including China," Blinken said.

"I think and I hope that this can grow into something that establishes a new international norm against arbitrary detentions."

Spavor and Kovrig  the "two Michaels"  were swept up after the RCMP's arrest in December 2018 of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Blinken demurred on the question of whether the U.S. is considering a so-called deferred prosecution agreement  a form of plea deal that could allow Meng to return to China in return for an admission of wrongdoing.

"There are legal questions that are appropriately the province of our Department of Justice," he said. "They follow the law, they follow the facts and I refer you to them for anything on the legal aspects of this."

Earlier this week, a Justice Department spokesman confirmed that prosecutors were continuing to seek Meng's extradition to the U.S., where she is facing fraud charges.

Friday's meetings, billed as a "virtual visit"  no jet lag, but no frequent-flyer miles either, Blinken joked  follow Trudeau's own virtual summit this week with President Joe Biden, which produced a "road map" for collaboration on issues like climate change, the economy and COVID-19.

"It's hard to think of two countries whose destinies are more connected, more intertwined than ours," Blinken told Garneau as their meeting got underway.

"We know that every single day, the work that we're doing, and more importantly the deep ties between our people  in virtually every aspect of our societies  are benefiting both countries."

Garneau returned the compliment, adding that Canada can be more to the U.S. than just a friendly ally.

"I want you to know that you can count on Canada to be by your side," he said. "And I think that you'll find that we can be surprisingly helpful to you, while advancing our own objectives."

That could easily be seen as an oblique reference to Buy American, Biden's suite of protectionist measures aimed at ensuring that U.S. contractors, suppliers and workers are the primary beneficiaries of American infrastructure projects and federal contract work.

Canadian businesses, employees and contractors depend on that work too, however, and the federal government is pressing hard to ensure that they don't get shut out of what will surely be a big-budget effort to resurrect the U.S. economy.

On that score, Blinken seemed to suggest that Garneau's message got through  particularly on the issue of fortifying North American supply chains.

"There's a lot of opportunity there between the United States and Canada that we intend to pursue," he said.

"My sense, from the conversations between the two governments, is that there is ample opportunity for us to work together and find ways to benefit each other."

Efforts to restore ties between the two countries after extensive fraying during the Trump era have been going on all week, albeit virtually.

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson spoke Wednesday with John Kerry, Biden's special envoy on climate, to shore up plans for more stringent emissions-reduction targets in advance of a climate summit in April.

And Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra have committed to tougher vehicle pollution standards, and collaborating on new standards for aircraft and ships.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2021.
The Virginia General Assembly is advancing legislation that allows Virginia consumers more protection with their online data, though opponents say the measure does not include the ability for people to file private lawsuits against companies that breach the proposed law.

The measure is known as the Consumer Data Protection Act in both chambers of the state legislature. The Senate version, sponsored by Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, passed the House 89-9 last Thursday. The House version, sponsored by Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, is awaiting a final vote but was passed by for the day last Thursday.

The consumers should have the right to know what is being collected about them, Hayes said when introducing the bill.

The data protection act allows consumers to retrieve a copy of their online data, amend or delete this data and opt out of allowing large businesses to sell the data.

Hayes wants businesses to responsibly handle consumer information.

The bottom line is, we want the controllers to know what their role is when it comes to the protection of individuals data, Hayes said during a House committee meeting. We believe that no matter who you are as an organization, you need to be responsible when it comes to handling of data of consumers.

The bills apply to businesses that control or process personal data of at least 100,000 consumers per year. It also impacts businesses that handle data of at least 25,000 consumers per year and make more than half of their gross revenue from selling personal data. The businesses must be located in Virginia or serve Virginians.

Under the Consumer Data Protection Act, the attorney generals office would handle the enforcement of this legislation. The office would handle anything from consumer complaints to the enforcement of fines.

The attorney generals office will have the depth and breadth, experience, the investigative tools necessary to know and to follow trends of companies and to make sure that they bring the muscle of that office to the table, Hayes said.

Microsofts Senior Director of Public Policy Ryan Harkins testified in favor of the proposed law.

Weve seen dramatic changes in technology over the past couple of decades and U.S. law has failed to keep pace, Harkins said. Its fallen behind much of the rest of the world and failed to address growing challenges of privacy.

Harkins said that Microsoft has advocated for data protection laws since 2005. He said that the public has lost trust in technology, and passing comprehensive data protection legislation can help win the publics trust back.

Harkins said that the measure stands alongside leading data protection legislation such as Californias Consumer Privacy Act and aspects of the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation.

In some respects, it would go further and provide the most comprehensive and robust privacy laws in the United States, Harkins said.

Attorney Mark Dix spoke in opposition of the bill on behalf of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. He said the measure would hurt Virginians because it is going to close the courthouse doors.

It provides no cause of action whatsoever for the consumer, the person who is actually hurt, Dix said. It provides no remedy whatsoever for the consumer.

Dix argued that having the attorney generals office handle the enforcement of this legislation limits the consumer. Using a hypothetical scenario, Dix asked what would happen to Virginians if there was an administration change and the Attorney General did not prioritize data protection.

The Consumer Data Protection Act would take effect in January 2023. Marsden told a Senate subcommittee that allows time to deal and field any other tweaks to the bill or difficulties that someone figures out.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Virginia
CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - A Boeing 777 aircraft operated by Russian airline Rossiya made an emergency landing in Moscow in the early hours of Friday after the pilot reported a problem with the engine, according to the reports. The Rossiya Air flight was reportedly operating as a cargo service from Hong Kong to Madrid. As per the media reports, the pilot requested to make the emergency landing at the Moscow Sheremetyevo airport after one of the left engine control channels failed. No injuries were reported. The type of engine is immediately unknown. Earlier this week, Boeing recommended suspending all 777s powered by the similar PW engines, following the United Airlines flight 328 engine failure involving Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engine. On 20th February, United Airlines flight 328 bound to Honolulu, Hawaii experienced a right engine failure causing an in-flight engine fire shortly after take-off from Denver International Airport. The airplane returned safely to Denver, and none of the 229 passengers or 10 crewmembers were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board or NTSB, which is investigating the United incident, attributed fan blade damage for the engine failure. In its preliminary report, the agency stated that most of the damage was confined to the number 2 engine, with minor damage to the airplane. A preliminary assessment revealed that damage to a fan blade is consistent with metal fatigue. 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.
By Eva Hill

hilleva@grinnell.edu

Five new names to be inscribed on the interior walls of the Humanities and Social Studies Center (HSSC) were released to the Grinnell College public today. The upcoming inscriptions will honor James Baldwin, Steve Biko, Octavia Butler, Rachel Carson and Frida Kahlo.

The five new plaques will join the inaugural name, that of Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison, inscribed in spring 2020. Morrisons name was chosen by former Grinnell College President Raynard Kington who initiated the project. The inscribed plaques form a dialogue with a much older set of honorific inscriptions on the outside of Carnegie Hall, now part of the modern HSSC, which list the names of classical theorists and artists (Homer, Dante and Plato frame the buildings street-facing entrance).

The modern additions carry a strong theme of art and activism; the five newly selected names encompass authors, activists and artists (most if not all were more than one). The only criteria for a nominee was that they have died.

Baldwins novels, poems, short stories, plays and essays form a foundational portion of Black queer literature from the mid-20th century. Bikos anti-apartheid activism and essays on African nationalism and socialism were critical to the rise of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa during the same period. Butlers novels, known for their evocative, uncompromising prose and scrutiny of historical and modern-day racism and sexism, combine Afrofuturism, magical realism and speculative fiction elements in genre-defying stories. Carsons book Silent Spring  as well as her other nature writings and work in biology  resulted in a nationwide ban on the toxic pesticide DDT in the United States and led eventually to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. And Kahlos paintings mix surrealism, social commentary and autobiography to address questions around race, class, gender and postcolonialism in Mexican society, as well as issues of chronic pain.

Professor Caleb Elfenbein, history and religious studies, led the nomination and selection process. He wrote in the announcement email today that more than 30 nominated names had been voted on by over 500 College community members before the final five were chosen. The selection work occurred remotely over hours of synchronous and asynchronous work, a public comment period once nominations were finalized and then several more rounds of voting from the selection committee (Elfenbein himself was a non-voting member of the committee).

It was a very deliberate and deliberative process that stretched over five months, Elfenbein wrote in an email to The S&B. We tried to make it as inclusive as possible, while empowering the selection committee to make the final choices based on their extended consideration of the candidates.

The College will physically inscribe the names this coming summer. Over the next two years, the selection committee will hold a nomination and voting process for six more names, for a total of 12. Elfenbein encourages any College community members interested in nominating a thought leader or otherwise participating in the process to contact him or the selection committee.

Editors Note: S&B Editor-in-Chief Zoe Fruchter 21 and staff photographer Shabana Gupta 22 are members of the inscription selection committee.

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Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Nasara Coordinator aspirant, Alhaji Ali Suraj has pleaded with Ghanaians especially the Muslim and the Christian community to avoid anything that will bring calamity to the country.



According to him, it will be very dangerous for the country especially the religious denominations whose doctrines promote a man and a woman marriage to be entertaining same-sex marriage.



Sharing his thought with Peacefmonline.com, Alhaji Ali Suraj encouraged the Muslims and the Christians to stick to what the Quran and Bible teach about marriage as going contrary to the religious teachings will have dire consequences on the country.



My religion has taught me that the only way to get married is through a man and a woman. This is what my Muslim religion has taught meboth Muslims and Christians should stick to what the Quran and the Bible teach about marriage because anything that the Quran and the Bible have not taught you, I have this belief that if you do it, it will end in calamity, he cautioned.



He, however, pleaded with Ghanaians to come out to support the nation-building in a manner that will be beneficiary to everyone. He added that some women are finding it difficult to get husbands already even when homosexuality has not officially been acknowledged in the country.



He insisted that entertaining the activities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) in the country will spell doom; thus the nation should be careful of how to deal with this issue in a manner that will continue to put the nation as one.



We should come together as one nation and stay away from this abomination. Look at the pandemic we are dealing with as a nation; we are not over this abominable Covid-19 and we are thinking of entertaining homosexuality in the country, he advised.



We are praying to God to help us come out of this Covid-19 pandemic; we dont know what will come after this one and so I am pleading to all Ghanaians to stay away from this homosexuality, he cautioned.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/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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One of the Washington Post reporters got assaulted online by liberals partisan Neera Tanden, the Biden OMB nominee. The reporter only asked for confirmation from a congress member, then was deluged by haters.

Liberals online have been on the attack about conservatives; this latest assault is another of them. It seems that anyone not in line with the new administration is a perspective target.

WaPo reporter is the target

According to the Washington Post's national editor, one of their reporters is subject of racist and sexist assaults online. The editor defended the reporter who was doing her job. It all started after she went out to seek comment from a congress member about a tweet, reported the Blaze.

No offense but this sounds like youre high on your own supply.



You know, we know, and everyone knows this is all garbage. Just stop. https://t.co/0MzDYCpDyc  Neera Tanden (@neeratanden) December 1, 2017

The reporter from WaPo (Washington Post), identified as Seung Min Kim showed a tweet to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that show the response of Tanden to the representative's tweet. Tanden fired back at Murkowski's in a heated Twitter response. The Alaskan representative is opposed to Biden's nominee. This online scuffle was on the record as a Huffington Post reporter posted it on his Twitter feed. Murkowski and Tanden went at it online with Tanden, who was allegedly combative.

.@seungminkim showing Murkowski an old Tanden tweet targeting her



High on my own supply? Thats interesting pic.twitter.com/gdhaYpQuvf  Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) February 24, 2021

Next was the launch of personal attacks on Kim by liberals who think Neera Tanden is a victim of a double standard. They were canceling the reporter like everything else that did not agree with the Democrat agenda. Many posted racial slurs and sexist messages that were in line with liberal attacks on identity and race.

Also read: Biden Officials Including John Kerry, ex-Obama Officials, Undermine then President Trump on Iran Policy

One of the hate rhetoric emails was posted by her haters, who said she was against Tanden and was partial to whites. This kind of language is allowed by liberals, but conservatives get flak if they did. Coon is a term used to describe a non-white which is very offensive.

Attacks on Kim get worse

When Kim's haters were getting more flagrant in their slurs, her editor Steven Ginsberg had to air a statement that lambasted those insulting the Asian reporter.

.@seungminkim has been subjected to hateful attacks simply for doing her joba job she does with integrity, upholding the highest journalistic standards. No one should have to endure the racist, sexist, ill-informed comments that have flooded her inbox.  Steven Ginsberg (@stevenjay) February 25, 2021

He said that on Wednesday, an indelicate tweet by Tanden is the cause of the difficulty in getting confirmed by the Senate as the head of the Office of Management and Budget. Kim met Senator Murkowski unexpectedly in the Capitol building.

She then asked a general question on the nomination of Tanden by Biden's White House and the indelicate tweet. The senator never saw it, and the reaction was added in a New York Post Article. Included in the report was Tanden's nomination as OMB head.

One picture showed Seung Min holding the phone to Murkowski on Twitter, which led to focused attacks by woke liberals on social media. Most of them did not know the real score. Yet, they launch attacks on Kim's person unrelentingly.

Many like Kim are victims of these attacks that are baseless and uninformed without the facts before tweeting. He called it an attack on her integrity that aimed at silencing dissenting voices.

He educated those who think they know better than her because Kim did basic journalism and commented. Not look and bash immediately was a mistaken response by her haters. Neera Tanden doomed herself by not checking what she said on the record. Canceling Kim is not correct at all.

Related article: Republicans say Democrats Shouldn't Change the President's Nuclear Authority, Call it Dangerous Precedent

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The acting head of the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that the agency will move quickly to follow the recommendation, which would make J&Js shot the third vaccine authorized for emergency use in the U.S. Vaccinations are picking up speed, but new supplies are urgently needed to stay ahead of a mutating virus that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.
Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
The United States looks forward to continuing to work with Ukraine and allies and partners to end Russia's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and aggression in eastern Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the United States welcomes Ukraine's new initiative on the Crimean Platform.

"The United States welcomes Ukraine's new initiative, the Crimean Platform, and looks forward to continuing to work with Ukraine and our allies and partners to end Russia's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and aggression in eastern Ukraine," he said in a statement on February 25, as reported by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

Crimean Platform to end Russian occupation of the peninsula

On September 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who participated in the general debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, called on partners to join an international platform for the end of the Russian occupation of Crimea.

Read also"Fierce resistance" by Russia ahead of Crimean Platform summit, FM Kuleba saysIn December, Zelensky announced that the creation of the Crimean platform had already been backed by powers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The platform will operate at several levels. The first, the highest one, is the political level, which will involve heads of state and government. The second level is that of top diplomats and defense chiefs, the third is the inter-parliamentary level, and the fourth will involve non-governmental experts. An expert network will be created to enhance the effectiveness of government action, as well as engage additional intellectual resources in the platform's work.

The Crimean Platform Summit is scheduled for August 23, 2021.

Russian occupation of Crimea

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia.

On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin.

The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced.

Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began.

Reporting by UNIAN
EC statement on compliance of COVID norms in elections in light of Madras HC observations and order

Lawyer on EC's panel resigns for values not being in consonance with poll body

EC announces dates for assembly polls in 5 states: Highlights

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Feb 26: The Election Commission on Friday announced poll dates for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry.

Election 2021: Results on May 2nd | All you need to know | Oneindia News

Voting for five assembly elections will begin on March 27, with West Bengal having the maximum eight phases continuing till April 29, while counting of votes for the four states and one union territory will be done on May 2, the Election Commission said on Friday.

Assam assembly polls will be conducted in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6, while polling for the Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry assembly elections will take place in a single phase on April 6.

Elections for the West Bengal assembly will be held in eight phases, up from seven last time, beginning with polling for 30 seats on March 27, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said while announcing the poll schedule.

The second phase of West Bengal's assembly elections has been scheduled on April 1 and will cover 30 constituencies, followed by the third phase on April 6 for 31 seats, fourth phase on April 10 for 44 constituencies, fifth phase on April 17 for 45 seats, sixth phase for 43 seats on April 22, seventh phase on April 26 for 36 seats and last and eighth phase on April 29 for 35 seats, Arora said.

The Election Commission will appoint two special observers for West Bengal and a third can also be sent if required, Arora said in response to queries on whether enough arrangements are in place for the polls in the state, where many have been raising questions about political violence.

Arora also said everyone on election duty for the upcoming polls will be vaccinated against COVID-19 before polling day.

During the press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that a total of 824 assembly constituencies will be going for polls during the upcoming elections. "As many as 18.68 crore electors will cast vote at 2.7 lakh polling stations in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry," Arora said.

Polls are to be held for 294 seats in West Bengal, 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, 140 seats in Kerala, 126 seats in Assam and 30 seats in Puducherry.

LIVE: Poll timing to increased by an hour, 5 person door-to-door campaign

''A total of 824 assembly constituencies shall be going for polls during these elections. 18.68 crore electors will cast vote at 2.7 lakh polling stations in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry,'' CEC said.

"In the thick of the pandemic, ECI started test trials with elections to 18 seats to Rajya Sabha. After that, came the challenge of the Bihar elections, it was indeed a watershed moment for ECI. It proved to be a litmus test," says Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner.

Chief Election Commissioner said voter turnout in Bihar which was 57.34 percent exceeded the last assembly elections of 2015 and the Lok Sabha election of 2019.

Paying tributes to Covid warriors, Sunil Arora said,"Our tributes to the COVID warriors, doctors, paramedics, nurses, researchers, scientists and all our officials on election duty who are located on the frontline: Sunil Arora Chief Election Commissioner of India."

Sunil Arora took exception to media reports suggesting Election Commission requested early deployment of central forces in West Bengal.

He said that CAPF forces were dispatched for all poll-bound states on the same date. "I am not aware where this news came from," Arora said.

Election Commission has said that the voters will be allowed one extra hour to caste their votes to avoid crowds at the polling centres. The decision was also implemented in the previously held Bihar polls, keeping in view the coronavirus pandemic.

Sunil Arora said that each poll-bound district will have arrangements for webcasting of voting on at least 50 percent of the booths. Some districts have achieved 100 percent coverage as well, he said. The Election Commission will also appoint General Observer for each State. There will also be an IPS Observer for every poll-bound State.

''This will be last set of elections during my tenure before I demit office on April 13,'' he said.

Responding to questions on the increased number of phases in West Bengal, the CEC said when the EC assesses the law-and-order situation, the assessment is based on several factors.

Assembly Election 2021: Guidelines by EC for upcoming polls in 5 states

"Afterall the elections to West Bengal (assembly) in 2016 were in seven phases. The Lok Sabha was in 7 phases. So, 7 to 8 (phases) is not such a big deal because we also have to see the movement of forces, we also have to see the current charges and counter-charges (by political parties).

"We have to kind of find a way out. That is why we are sending two expenditure observers to Tamil Nadu and two police observers to West Bengal," Arora explained.

In the 2016 West Bengal assembly polls, the process, beginning from the date of announcement till the date of counting, was completed in 77 days. This time, the period has been compressed to 66 days.

In the 2016 polls, there were 77,000 polling stations, and 11,000 polling stations went to poll per phase.

Due to distancing norms, the number of polling stations have gone up to 1.1 lakh. On an average, over 12,000 poling stations would go for polls in each of the eight phases.

Arora said the Commission has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide two or three BSF helicopters so that the observers can visit various places for on-the-sot checks. The helicopters would be utilised for all the four states and the Puducherry UT.

On Assam, he said the number of phases have been increased from two this time keeping in mind the security scenario.

Responding to questions on Tamil Nadu and efforts to curb the influence of back money, Arora said the state is "expenditure sensitive". He recalled that polls to Vellor constituency and R K Nagar seat had to be rescinded. He said the R K Nagar polls were rescinded on two occasions.

Arora also said everyone on election duty for the upcoming polls will be vaccinated against COVID-19 before polling day.

Voting will take place for 126 seats in Assam, 234 in Tamil Nadu, 294 in West Bengal, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry.

Arrangements will be put in place for candidates to file their nominations online. Voting will be allowed for an additional hour, keeping in mind COVID-19 safety guidelines, he said.

Also, webcasting arrangements will be in place at polling stations in critical and vulnerable areas, while adequate CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) deployment will be ensured, Arora said. All critical and vulnerable areas have been identified and advance teams have been already deployed across the four states and one union territory, he added.

He said door-to-door campaigning will be restricted to five persons, including the candidate, while roadshows will be allowed with a maximum of five vehicles.

According to Arora, the nationwide vaccination drive has made the situation more conducive for conducting elections and the Health Ministry has declared everyone on poll duty as frontline workers for vaccination purposes.

All poll officials will be vaccinated before the elections, Arora said.

Arora, who will demit office on April 13, also said all must be congratulated for the successful conduct of elections in Bihar last year despite the COVID-19 challenges and he is confident of success once again.

The Commission also announced bypolls to the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala and Kanniyakumari parliamentary seat of Tamil Nadu.

The bypolls would be held on April 6 along with assembly elections in the two states. The results of the bypolls to Kanyakumari and Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha seats will be declared on May 2.

The Kanyakumari Lok Sabha byelection was necessitated following the death of Congress MP H Vasanthakumar who died of COVID-19 in August 2020.

Bypolls to the Malappuram seat were necessitated following the resignation of IUML leader K Kunhalikutty.

Here is the full schedule:

STATE / UT (number of seats) NUMBER OF PHASES POLLING DATES COUNTING DATE Tamil Nadu (234 seats) Single-phase April 6 2nd May Kerala (140 seats),Malappuram by-poll Single-phase April 6 2nd May West Bengal (294 seats) 8 Phase1- March 27,Phase 2- April 1,Phase 5- April 17,Phase 6- April 22,Phase 7- April 26,Phase 8- April 29 2nd May Assam (126 seats) 3 Phase 1- March 27,Phase 2- April 1,Phase 3- April 6 2nd May Puducherry (30 seats) Single-phase April 6 2nd May
what volume of business, if one may ask, is expected from Niger Republic, which is more than the thousands of containers of goods making their way to South-East Nigeria, clogging the highways and constituting a daily nightmare to those unfortunate to commute through those routes. Yet, there is no single rail road, at this moment, linking Onitsha or Aba to Lagos

One of the swiftest ways of destroying a kingdom is to give preference to one particular tribe over another or to show favour to one group of people rather than another.  Sheik Usmanu Dan Fodiyo, in his book, Bayan Wujub al-Hijra

In Nigerias classic case of Orwellian justice, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a rag-tag mix of largely innocuous but vociferous brash talkers are terrorists, while Fulani marauders, an organised militia of killer herdsmen ranked in the Global Terrorism Index as the fourth deadliest terror group in the world, are but peaceful pastoralists. As asinine as that sounds, thats the argument the current occupants of Aso Rock are selling to Nigerians and they are sticking by it.

Buharis government warns that IPOB poses a serious security threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria. Hiding under such cover, the military acting more like an occupation force, launched a series of dare-devil attacks, targeting the group, with record number of collateral deaths occuring. As I write this piece, an assemblage of military assault helicopters are heard buzzing over Orlu airspace with heavy artillery fire directed at some phantom terrorist targets. The Igbo man and his family is harassed as he goes about his daily business trying to scratch off a living in a country that holds no promise for something better. He hunkers down as the state unleashes a reign of terror.

In a different scenario playing out however, we are supposed to see herdsmen as some unfortunate group of people who, while trying to eke out a living, have become victims of constant attack by unruly farmers. We are told that our very influential Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, acting as an unofficial emissary of the government is seeking out a few of these farmers, who sometimes tend to misbehave in their hideouts. Like a big uncle, he chastised them and pleaded that they behave themselves after crisp wads of cash exchanged hands. How nice!

If that sounds to you like an alternate reality, it might as well be. This is not minding that many Fulani umbrella bodies including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as well as GAN Allah Fulani Development Association have all at various times claimed responsibility for the gruesome killings across the country. But accepting such reality will not provide this President a justification for the constant largess in payout as ransom and compensation running into billions of naira to these terror franchises.

One of the greatest threats to the unity and overall wellbeing of any nation state is a biased interpretation of laws in a manner that seems to suggest that certain individuals or groups are higher than others. Thats one of the reason the United States, the most powerful nation on earth, is today unraveling before our very eyes. Her greatest undoing is in applying different sets of rules and justice to her black and minority populations, in a way that destroys the social contract between the state and her citizens. You will not have a shining city on the hills when some citizens belong to the category of blue blooded royalty, while others are mere hewers of wood and drawers of water.

President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on the strength of the iron-clad public persona of a Caesars wife who is above reproach. Today, he has chosen the inglorious path that elevates nepotism as the most important element of statecraft. Fluency in Fulfulde is now the new measure of competence and ability.

Nigeria could be burning to the ground and you wouldnt even hear anything in the semblance of a presidential address to calm the frayed nerves of a hurting nation. All people can recall is the iconic image of a shadowy figure, sinked in an upholstered chair with legs up on the table while picking his teeth.

In an open letter published in June last year, the retired army colonel and a former military governor of Kaduna State, Abubakar Dangiwa Umar warned President Buhari that Nigeria has become dangerously polarised and risks sliding into crisis on account of your administrations lopsided appointments which continues to give undue preference to some sections of the country over others.

While performing a groundbreaking ceremony for the $1.96 billion Kano-Maradi rail project very recently, the President had this to say, and I quote:

The project, when completed, would serve import and export of goods for Niger Republic and other countries in the sub-region through Nigerian ports. The country would earn revenue through expansion of trade and commerce, while the people of Niger Republic will benefit from ease of transportation logistics at affordable cost in their import and export business. Now, which of the Nigerian ports was he talking about?

According to a Financial Times article titled Nigerias port crisis, as reported by Nairametrics, the perennial gridlock at the Apapa and Tin Can Island port terminals has become so calamitous to the extent that business entities pay more than $4,000 to truck a 40-feet container 20 kilometres to the Nigerian mainland. This is approximately the same costs to ship similar container from China, about 12,000 kilometers away.

The problem goes way beyond that. Freight companies have to queue for more than a month, off the coast, before they can discharge their goods. This terribly inefficient system forces operators to pay demurrage costs in many instances, for no fault of theirs.

Nigeria could be burning to the ground and you wouldnt even hear anything in the semblance of a presidential address to calm the frayed nerves of a hurting nation. All people can recall is the iconic image of a shadowy figure, sinked in an upholstered chair with legs up on the table while picking his teeth.

This is hardly surprising, given that the ports capacity has not increased since 1997. It still operates with that same decrepit 15th-century infrastructure and yet our population and import demands continue to grow yearly in geometric proportion.

Our President still believes its a great business idea to borrow on the back of Nigerian children that are unborn to finance what some policy experts believe to be a white elephant project, motivated purely by ethnic loyalty. And what volume of business, if one may ask, is expected from Niger Republic, which is more than the thousands of containers of goods making their way to South-East Nigeria, clogging the highways and constituting a daily nightmare to those unfortunate to commute through those routes. Yet, there is no single rail road, at this moment, linking Onitsha or Aba to Lagos, Kano or Abuja or any foreseeable plan for such by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

It must be tough to imagine that Africas most populous nation has a President when the country today is a rudderless ship carrying on like a vast criminal enterprise. In this age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), most Nigerians are too consumed by the struggle to make it through to another day, to even give a care that such things exist. Armed bandits wielding Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), ubiquitous killer herdsmen, trigger-happy-dare-devil kidnappers; you name it, and we have it.

Nigeria could be burning to the ground and you wouldnt even hear anything in the semblance of a presidential address to calm the frayed nerves of a hurting nation. All people can recall is the iconic image of a shadowy figure, sinked in an upholstered chair with legs up on the table while picking his teeth. A leader should appreciate that optics is reality and never in the history of Nigeria have we had this recluse of a President.

Those selling us the bogus claim that the President of Nigeria has transitioned to after-life and that our country is now ruled by his doppelganger named Jubril from Sudan, are not entirely as stupid as we thought. More than likely, they have been eavesdropping on the hushed tones heard around the dinner tables. All they did was to breath life into it. Or maybe they are just like the rest of us asking the same vexed question, albeit with a heavy dose of sarcasm: What in the world is going on, Muhammadu Buhari?

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Osmund Agbo, a public affairs analyst is the coordinator of African Center for Transparency and Convener of Save Nigeria Project. Email: eagleosmund@yahoo.com
A suspected fly-tipper who is said to be using a van with fake number plates to dump piles of rubbish at four sites in South Wales is today being hunted by environment chiefs.

The suspect was caught on camera dumping mounds of rubbish on land near the former LG Electronics factory in Coedkernew, Newport in September.

An image of the man, who is also suspected of fly-tipping at three sites in Cardiff, has since been issued by Natural Resources Wales in a bid to track him down.

The agency said the suspect used the car registration ND06 LWZ while illegally dumping waste from his white Transit tipper van between September 2 and October 7 last year.

The site in Newport, which was allegedly visited by the fly-tipper two days in a row in September, had previously been piled high with abandoned sofas, bathtubs, fridges and freezers in an unrelated incident.

An image of the suspect, who was spotted fly-tipping at four sites in Cardiff and Newport, has been issued by Natural Resources Wales in a bid to track him down

The Government agency said the suspect used the registration plates ND06 LWZ to illegally dump waste in his white Transit tipper van between September 2 and October 7 last year

Pictured: Where the five incidents took place in October and September last year

There were hundreds of car tyres, clothes, suitcases and doors scattered across the disused road, which is close to the M4, last April.

It was said the fly tipping was so significant that the rubbish could be seen on Google Earth, though there is no evidence the suspect contributed to this.

The man is said to have abandoned mounds of trash near the Lamby Way Workshops and the Waterside Business Park in Cardiff.

The most recent incident also took place in Cardiff, on Hendre Road.

It is feared the suspect, who is white and slim with dark hair, may now target other sites.

Pictured: The suspect is caught on camera leaving a fly tipping site on Hendre Road, Cardiff

Pictured: Rubbish left at the Newport site during an unrelated fly tipping incident in April last year

He is believed to have used false number plates on his white Ford Transit van to transport the waste.

'The person who repeatedly fly-tipped this waste clearly has little regard for the environment or the local communities and businesses who are left to face the problem,' says Pamela Jordan, senior officer for Fly-Tipping Action Wales.

'From the behaviour we've seen, we strongly believe they are likely to do this again, if they haven't already, which is why we're so keen to track down the individual for questioning.

Pictured: Land where the man is suspected of fly tipping in Cardiff on September 6 and 10

Pictured: A site where the alleged fly tipper dumped mounds of rubbish on October 7

'Remember that as a householder, if you are paying someone to take away your waste you need to check that they are a registered waste carrier.

'If your waste is fly-tipped, and can be traced back to you, you could face an unlimited fine and prosecution.'

Ms Jordan appealed for anyone who recognises the suspect to contact Natural Resources Wales.
Lucknow, Feb 26 : The Bharat Bandh call given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Friday against rising fuel prices, the new e-way bill and Goods and Services Tax (GST) has evoked negligible response in Uttar Pradesh.

The All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA) -- the apex body of the organised road transportation companies -- had announced support to the Bandh but in Uttar Pradesh, transporters were apparently divided and in several cities, trucks were seen operating even after the 'chakka jam' began at 6 a.m.

"We cannot stall trucks without prior notice. We have commitments to fulfil to our clients and deliver goods on time," said Daljeet Singh, a truck operator from Haryana who was seen with his truck in Lucknow on Friday.

Commercial establishments in almost all major cities, including Lucknow, Meerut and Agra, were open on Friday.

"There was no clarity in the Bandh call. Besides, our business is already in doldrums and we cannot afford more closures," said Raj Kumar Chaudhary, a businessman in Meerut.

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) core committee chairman, Malkeet Singh said that they had already distanced themselves from the Bharat Bandh call.

"This Bandh call is only on paper and not on the ground level," he said.

Meanwhile, a heavy deployment of police force was seen at Transport Nagar in Lucknow on Friday. The Transport Nagar is the centre of transport activity in the state capital and a meeting point of transporters.

A senior district official said that police had been deployed to check forceful closure of any commercial or transport activity.

The CAIT as well as AITWA are seeking scrapping of the new e-way bill or eliminating certain rules from it. The e-way bill system has been introduced nationwide for inter-state movement of goods with effect from April 1, 2018.

They have also appealed to the government to withdraw heavy taxes on fuel prices and make it uniform across India.

Calling the GST 'one of the most complex taxation systems', the protesters want a review of the GST system and simplification of the tax slabs.
HOUSTON - (Feb. 26, 2021) - Tracking the origin of synthetic genetic code has never been simple, but it can be done through bioinformatic or, increasingly, deep learning computational approaches.

Though the latter gets the lion's share of attention, new research by computer scientist Todd Treangen of Rice University's Brown School of Engineering is focused on whether sequence alignment and pan-genome-based methods can outperform recent deep learning approaches in this area.

"This is, in a sense, against the grain given that deep learning approaches have recently outperformed traditional approaches, such as BLAST," he said. "My goal with this study is to start a conversation about how to combine the expertise of both domains to achieve further improvements for this important computational challenge."

Treangen, who specializes in developing computational solutions for biosecurity and microbial forensics applications, and his team at Rice have introduced PlasmidHawk, a bioinformatics approach that analyzes DNA sequences to help identify the source of engineered plasmids of interest.

"We show that a sequence alignment-based approach can outperform a convolutional neural network (CNN) deep learning method for the specific task of lab-of-origin prediction," he said.

The researchers led by Treangen and lead author Qi Wang, a Rice graduate student, reported their results in an open-access paper in Nature Communications.

The open-source software is available here: https:/ / gitlab. com/ treangenlab/ plasmidhawk .

The program may be useful not only for tracking potentially harmful engineered sequences but also for protecting intellectual property.

"The goal is either to help protect intellectual property rights of the contributors of the sequences or help trace the origin of a synthetic sequence if something bad does happen," Treangen said.

Treangen noted a recent high-profile paper describing a recurrent neural network (RNN) deep learning technique to trace the originating lab of a sequence. That method achieved 70% accuracy in predicting the single lab of origin. "Despite this important advance over the previous deep learning approach, PlasmidHawk offers improved performance over both methods," he said.

The Rice program directly aligns unknown strings of code from genome data sets and matches them to pan-genomic regions that are common or unique to synthetic biology research labs

"To predict the lab-of-origin, PlasmidHawk scores each lab based on matching regions between an unclassified sequence and the plasmid pan-genome, and then assigns the unknown sequence to a lab with the minimum score," Wang said.

In the new study, using the same dataset as one of the deep learning experiments, the researchers reported the successful prediction of "unknown sequences' depositing labs" 76% of the time. They found that 85% of the time the correct lab was in the top 10 candidates.

Unlike the deep learning approaches, they said PlasmidHawk requires reduced pre-processing of data and does not need retraining when adding new sequences to an existing project. It also differs by offering a detailed explanation for its lab-of-origin predictions in contrast to the previous deep learning approaches.

"The goal is to fill your computational toolbox with as many tools as possible," said co-author Ryan Leo Elworth, a postdoctoral researcher at Rice. "Ultimately, I believe the best results will combine machine learning, more traditional computational techniques and a deep understanding of the specific biological problem you are tackling."

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Rice graduate students Bryce Kille and Tian Rui Liu are co-authors of the paper. Treangen is an assistant professor of computer science.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health via the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Army Research Office. Addgene provided access to the DNA sequences of the deposited plasmids.

Read the abstract at http://dx. doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41467-021-21180-w .

This news release can be found online at https:/ / news. rice. edu/ 2021/ 02/ 26/ bioinformatics-tool-accurately-tracks-synthetic-dna/

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Mitochondrial stress 'ages' astronauts: http://news. rice. edu/ 2020/ 12/ 02/ mitochondrial-stress-ages-astronauts/

Flood of genome data hinders efforts to ID bacteria: http://news. rice. edu/ 2018/ 10/ 30/ flood-of-genome-data-hinders-efforts-to-id-bacteria-2/

Treangen Lab: https:/ / sites. google. com/ view/ treangen/ home

Rice Department of Computer Science: https:/ / csweb. rice. edu

George R. Brown School of Engineering: https:/ / engineering. rice. edu

Image for download:

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 02/ 0221_PLASMID-1a-WEB. jpg

CAPTION: Todd Treangen. (Credit: Tommy LaVergne/Rice University)

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,978 undergraduates and 3,192 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Jeff Falk

713-348-6775

jfalk@rice.edu

Mike Williams

713-348-6728

mikewilliams@rice.edu

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he has accepted an invitation by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to visit the Gulf state. The prime minister's office issued a statement motioning the two leaders agreed that Netanyahu will travel to Bahrain "as soon as possible," once Covid-19 restrictions would allow it.

Besides, Bahrain was also looking into a possible investment in a planned Covid-19 vaccine factory that is expected to be built in Israel, according to the statement. The statement further reads - "The crown prince noted he is interested in examining a possibility of Bahrain joining an investment in a vaccine manufacturing plant that is planned to be established in Israel together with other countries."

Netanyahu announced earlier in February that he postponed his first official visits to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to Israel's pandemic-led lockdown. Some of the lockdown's restrictions have been lifted but a ban on outgoing and incoming flights is still in effect, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel has signed the US-brokered agreements to normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in 2020.

US blames LoC infiltration, expects Pakistans constructive role

US welcomes India-Pak agreement reaffirming ceasefire along Line of Control

Pakistan, India militaries agree for 'strict observance of all accords on ceasefire

Immigration minister says 26,600 new permanent residents were admitted in January 2021.

Canada on track to meet 2021 immigration targets, Bloomberg reports Immigration minister says 26,600 new permanent residents were admitted in January 2021.

Canada on track to meet 2021 immigration targets, Bloomberg reports Immigration minister says 26,600 new permanent residents were admitted in January 2021.

Canada on track to meet 2021 immigration targets, Bloomberg reports Immigration minister says 26,600 new permanent residents were admitted in January 2021. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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The minister of immigration suggested that Canada is on track to meet the ambitious immigration targets for 2021.

Marco Mendicino said 26,600 new permanent residents were admitted in January, in a video interview with Bloomberg news. That translates to a roughly 10 per cent increase from January 2020, before Canada went into lockdown.

Mendicino said that with new admission in February, the government is almost 40 per cent ahead of the pace needed to meet the 2021 immigration targets of 401,000 new permanent residents.

On February 13, the federal government invited 27,332 immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence through the popular Express Entry system, about five times more than the previous record-breaking draw. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited every single candidate who was eligible for the Canadian Experience Class. An estimated 90 per cent of these candidates were already in Canada at the time of the draw.

Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration

Canadas borders are still closed for non-essential travel. After travel restrictions went into place in March 2020, the number of permanent residents fell about 50 per cent. The year ended with Canada admitting just 184,370 new permanent residents compared with 341,175 in 2019.

This low number of new immigrants means Canadas population growth slowed to a standstill in 2020. In an average year, immigrants make up about 80 per cent of Canadas population growth.

In an effort to make up for the low number of new immigrants, Canada upped the immigration targets over the next three years. Increasing from 401,000 this year to 421,000 in 2023.

Canada is prioritizing immigration candidates who are already in the country, while travel restrictions are still in place.

The federal government has not released any details on when or how travel restrictions will be lifted. For now, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, their families, essential workers, and international students are among the key groups exempt from travel restrictions.

Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has vowed that the next President of Nigeria must be a Muslim from the South Western region of the coun...

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has vowed that the next President of Nigeria must be a Muslim from the South Western region of the country.

The group wondering why no single Yoruba Muslim has ever ruled Nigeria since independence to date, argued that all Yoruba that have occupied the position have been Christians all along.

MURICs argument is contained in a statement issued by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, contending that Yoruba Muslims have been at the receiving end of political and religious persecution for too long.

It said in the interest of fairness and equity, its time to allow a Yoruba Muslim occupy Nigerias number one seat come 2023.

MURIC argued that even on the state level, Muslims in the South West have suffered marginalisation in the appointment of Commissioners and other political positions by Governors of Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo and Ogun.

Are Yoruba Muslims third class or second class citizens? Are we not equal before the law?

It is our strong belief that the narrative will only change when a Yoruba Muslim occupies Aso Rock. Who feels it knows it, MURIC said.

Yorubas have been heads of state, president and vice president but all those who got there have always been Christians.

So we have had three Christians of Yoruba extraction in Aso Rock at different times. It is therefore natural to ask why there hasnt been any Yoruba Muslim politician in Aso Rock all these years, particularly from 1979 to date?

President Buharis tenure ends in 2023 and the South West is already warming up. Will it still be fair for another Christian from the South West to occupy Aso Rock come 2023?

Our message to all political parties is loud and clear. Yoruba Muslims will not support any non-Muslim presidential candidate put forward by any political party. To our brothers in the North, we call for solidarity for a Yoruba Muslim presidential candidate from any political party, he said.
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2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
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The Indian packaged food market is expected to be double and grow up to USD 70 billion in the next 5-10 years, led by factors that include economic growth, demographic dividend and growing e-commerce, said Nestl India Chairman and Managing Director Suresh Narayanan on Friday.

The company is also waiting for the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector, which would be a good step for the industry that has the best ratio of capital investment and employment generation.

"I am a firm believer of the consumption story of this country," said Narayanan while addressing a virtual media roundtable.

Surveys conducted by all major agencies suggest the packaged goods market to double in the next 5-10 years, he added.

"The market today is worth USD 35 billion and we are expecting it to go to USD 70 billion," said Narayanan while adding that because of the pandemic, there could be some delay in that but "cannot be denied also".

There are factors such as 'demographic dividends' and 'economic reasons', which would help the food processing industry with a digital push.

"If you look at the aspiring class, the affordable class and the wealthy into the country, research after research are showing that between 2018 and 2030, we are going to add almost 140 million households to the aspiring and to the affluent class," he said.

He also added that the bottom of the pyramid, those who are the deprived, is going to shrink.

This clearly means that there is going to be an increasing proclivity towards the consumption of packaged goods and also of branded goods, Narayanan added.

"It is also interesting to note that the component of Generation-Z, which is the generation coming into the workforce, is almost going to be 25-30 per cent of the population," he said.

Narayanan also added that the digital connectivity and digital pace of India are truly meteoric.

Today, India has about 140 million consumers who are in the e-commerce space and is expected to be almost triple in the next 5-10 years. Total people accessing the internet, which is about 600-650 million, is expected to be a billion people, he added.

"In every sense of the terms, the results of the economic cycle, demographic cycle, digital cycle and the aspiration in the rural and urban India would probably lead to a robust future as far as the consumer goods are concerned," he said.

While talking about the PLI scheme, Narayanan, who is alsochairmanof industry bodyCII'sNational Committee on Food Processing, said dialogue with this still going on.

"The dialogue is still on. The PLI scheme is being finalised, we are expecting an announcement relatively soon and then we will look at what emanates," he said.

According to Narayanan, it is a good step for the food processing industry, which has the best ratio of capital investment and employment generation.

"The employment generation multiples in food generation (companies) and is among the best of all manufacturing industries and if we look at one economic and social task that faces all of Indian, it is the generation of job and I do hope something positive comes out of it," he added.

In October last year, had announced to invest Rs 2,600 crore further into India over the next 3-4 years on expansion on the existing units and towards the construction of its new upcoming unit as Sanand, Gujarat.

Currently, operates eight production units in India. It had reported a net sales of Rs 13,290.16 crore for 2020. Its net profit was up 5.79 per cent to Rs 2,082.43 crore.

The Indian market was ranked 13th in terms of contribution to Nestle's global revenue in 2019.

(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 decision to allow private sector banks to conduct government banking transactions is the first step towards the privatization of a few state-owned banks, experts said.

According to them, public sector banks that are slated to be privatized have been conducting government banking transactions, and any change in their ownership status would have hampered continuity. That apart, focus on digital transactions will help private lenders as the reliance on branches for conducting government transactions, so far, the forte of public sector lenders has been declining. To that extent, Indias private lenders have been at the forefront of adopting digital banking initiatives, and this will now allow them access to a larger market through governments businesses.

View Full Image Against the backdrop of privatising public sector banks. support from private banks will be crucial as it would ease serving the last-mile delivery of financial services in rural areas

The government is laying the ground for privatizing some state-owned banks and has made this change so that those banks are able to continue providing services in future," a former official at the State Bank of India (SBI), requesting anonymity.

He said that private banks will get access to government deposits now like the public sector, which will be beneficial to them.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget for FY22 that the government will pare stake in two state-owned lenders apart from IDBI Bank, without specifying names. News agency Reuters reported on 15 February that those shortlisted are Bank of Maharashtra, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and Central Bank of India, although there was no official confirmation.

Experts said that the support from private banks will be crucial as this would ease serving the last-mile delivery of financial services in rural areas. Besides, the lifting of embargo will also give private banks a chance to expand their customer base.

The budget has taken this historic step to privatize public sector banks, and this, coupled with past mergers, will reduce the strength and reach of these lenders. On the other hand, governments payment obligations, which include payouts for the pension scheme, healthcare or job guarantee schemeswill continue to increase," said Kuntal Sur, a partner at PwC.

The finance ministry on Wednesday said it has allowed private banks to conduct government-related banking transactions, including taxes, payments of pension. The latest decision will enable private and state-owned lenders to be on equal footing as far as execution of the governments economic and social initiatives goes.

Till now, public sector lenders have been at the forefront, limiting the presence of private lenders to a few large ones. Experts also believe that while large banks will be able to gain the most, smaller regional banks like Bandhan Bank and Federal Bank would be beneficiaries.

Analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities said that the positives for private banks are better access to deposits through the float and fee income streams for the activities undertaken on behalf of the Centre.

We note that the decision to allow private banks has been in the works for nearly a decade. Private banks have been operating with the government, and this is reflected in the market share of deposits that they have from the government," said the Kotak Institutional Equities report on 25 February.

Meanwhile, public banks have a higher reliance on government and household deposits compared to private banks, showed data from the report cited above. While government deposits formed 15.4% of all public sector banks deposits in FY20, they were 9.2% for private lenders in the same period. However, analysts are concerned about a potential reversal of this guideline. For instance, a few state government deposits, which had a regular running relationship with private banks, were quite abruptly withdrawn after the Yes Bank moratorium episode, the Kotak report said.

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Why do the worlds two richest men want to get off the planet so badly?

Elon Musk of Tesla and Jeff Bezos of Amazon have more than $350 billion in combined wealth and preside over two of the most valuable companies ever created. But when theyre not innovating on Earth, they have been focusing their considerable brain power on bringing a multiplanetary human habitat to reality.

For Mr. Musk, its through his other company, SpaceX, which has become an ever bigger player in the private space-technology arena. On top of satellite launches and other rocket innovations, the company announced it will send its first all civilian crew into orbit at the end of the year, in a mission called Inspiration4. SpaceX has already carried NASA astronauts to the International Space Station and is planning to transport more, as well as private astronauts, for a high price.

Most ambitiously, Mr. Musk has said that SpaceX will land humans on Mars by 2026. To do that, the private company will use a chunk of the close to $3 billion  including $850 million announced this week in a regulatory filing  that it has raised over the last year to finance this herculean effort.

While Mr. Musk might not be the first human to go to the red planet, he once told me that he wanted to die there, joking, Just not on landing.
Womanspace has created a new Young Adult Advisory Council for ages of 14-22 to use their social media platforms and life experiences to promote the mission of the Lawrence-based nonprofit and its programs.

We are creating the Young Adult Advisory Council to make sure youth who are passionate about ending interpersonal violence have their voices elevated and heard just as loudly as those of us who have been working in this field for years, said prevention and community education coordinator Danielle Scollins, who is spearheading the new group. The Young Adult Advisory Council will be helping to inform and influence our work at Womanspace. We are hoping to reach more people in new and innovative ways.

The eight-seat council will hold monthly hourlong meetings online until it is safe to transition to in-person gatherings. The goal of these meetings will be to create content for five-minute videos for social media platforms on topics related to consent, sexual assault, bystander intervention and any other related topics.

If interested in applying, email des@womanspace.org for more information and an application.

Womanspace provides services to individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Programs include crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy and housing assistance.

For information on agency events and updates, visit womanspace.org or Womanspaces Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.

Send community news to community@njtimes.com
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Imagine you or your child, spouse or parent having serious, often painful and debilitating symptoms that professionals are challenged to accurately diagnose or effectively treat. One feels helpless and hopeless. There are so many rare diseases affecting people this way in this country. Why one might ask, is the issue of rare diseases so important when compared to other more common illnesses that besiege multitudes of people across the age span? Who is impacted and how?

Feb. 28 is Rare Diseases Day. It is celebrated annually across the world in an effort to increase awareness about this significant yet less well-known public health concern. If you are having trouble getting your symptoms diagnosed or adequately treated; this could be you. Chances are good that you or someone you love is impacted by a rare disease. Despite there being more than 7,000 rare diseases ( Rare Disease Database; the National Organization for Rare Disorders/Rare Diseases-NORD) they impact 25 to 30,000 million American men, women, children and seniors; as well as more than 350 million people worldwide. Collectively, that is massive impact on quality of life and productivity. One in 10 Americans suffers with a rare disease, and half of those are children. The rarity of each individual disease makes it easy to overlook the total effect of rare diseases on individuals, families, communities, schools, and businesses, as well as on health providers, insurers and health systems. Care can be costly, frustrating, heartbreaking, and under-productive because we do not know enough about these individual rare illnesses.
Federal Department of Finance

Bern, 26.02.2021 - Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan took part in the first meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors under Italian presidency on 26 February 2021. The global economic situation, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and international financial issues were discussed during the virtual meeting.

Following Italy's invitation in 2020, Switzerland is once again involved in all work of the G20 Finance Track. This includes participation in working groups at the technical level, as well as attendance at meetings of finance ministers and central bank governors and their deputies.

The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors discussed short-term measures to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how to ensure a sustainable recovery. The upturn should also be used to achieve the climate goals and to promote corresponding investments and technologies. The financial sector is crucial for sustainability, which is why the Italian presidency has reconvened the sustainable finance working group.

Federal Councillor Maurer welcomed Italy's priorities in the G20. Switzerland has pledged to make substantive contributions especially to work on infrastructure financing, the international financial system and financial sector sustainability.

Further meetings of the G20 finance ministers will take place this year in April, July and October.

Address for enquiries

Peter Minder, Head of FDF Communications

Tel. +41 79 437 73 61, peter.minder@gs-efd.admin.ch

Publisher

Federal Department of Finance

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With an array of keynote speeches and roundtable discussions, the forum academically explored the art of light and shadow covering topics of empowering future cities, boosting night economy, and back-feeding cities' soft power. Participants of these online and offline discussions included Wang Zhi'ou (Chief Curator of GLOW SHENZHEN 2020), Qiu Zhijie (Dean of School of Experimental Art, Central Academy of Fine Arts), Cai Xinyuan (Associate Dean of School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Liu Jun (General Manager of Strategic Market Center of Unilumin), teams of artists such as Radugadesign from Russia and ENESS from Australia, as well as experts of light technology and related industries. In one of the roundtable discussions themed "exploring the influence of light art on city life and public space in the future", Wen Bin, Director of IDG ASIA Accelerator, Qin Xiu, Founder of Aura Project, and other representatives shared enlightening insights from different walks of life. The discussion was hosted by Professor Zhang Yuxing from School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University.

In the forum, the Urban Administration and Law Enforcement Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and IDG ASIA signed a five-year framework agreement, with the aim to build GLOW SHENZHEN into a world-renowned brand of city light art exhibition.

Wen Bin, Director of IDG ASIA Accelerator, expressed his hope that this forum, as an industry-academia-research platform for the development of tech-based art, can help Shenzhen lead the world in scientific and technological innovation and play an exemplary role in the integration of "technology + art" for the world. IDG ASIA also wishes to make full use of its resources in technology, investment, convention& exhibition, industry& research, media, culture& tourism to support GLOW SHENZHEN 2020.

"The brightness of lighting in a region at night is proportionate to the GDP of that region." A healthy business environment can unleash the potential of night consumption to promote a city's economic growth. This forum received strategic support form Shenzhen International Investment & Promotion Association (SZIIPA), a non-profit organization initiated by the Shenzhen Investment Holdings Co., Ltd. and other institutions. Sticking to the forum's core topics such as technology industry, urban art and economic development, SZIIPA drew on all kinds of resources from enterprises that have invested in Shenzhen to support the building of industry-academia-research platforms, to connect global investment resources, and to consistently promote Shenzhen's business environment and its image.

SOURCE Shenzhen International Investment & Promotion Association (SZIIPA)


Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

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Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

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Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
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Agreement reached on protection measures for Steam Packet Company crew

Revised measures have been agreed in relation to resident Isle of Man Steam Packet Company crew members.



It follows constructive talks between the Isle of Man Government and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company this week. The new arrangements have been approved by the Islands Director of Public Health.



Last week, it was announced that crew members will have priority access to the Islands COVID-19 vaccination programme. On Wednesday 69 crew members received their first dose. This offers an additional layer of protection that has the potential to reduce the likelihood of crew members who may have the virus from passing it on to others.



A new testing regime will also be introduced to ensure that the infection status of crew members can be regularly monitored. Crew will be tested at the beginning and the end of each shift.



The risk assessments already in place for Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessels have been reviewed. These set out the requirements for crew and passengers, including the use of PPE, social distancing, and the interaction between Isle of Man and UK based crew members.



Taking the new measures into account and acknowledging that the risk profiles of Isle of Man and UK based crew differ, Isle of Man-based crew members will not have to self-isolate when returning to the Island. UK-based crew will still be required to self-isolate.



Both parties will continue to engage on a regular basis and ensure that the measures agreed remain practical and effective in protecting the Island.
A woman receives a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in Nicosia, Cyprus, Feb. 24, 2021. Cyprus' COVID-19 vaccination campaign is picking up speed as larger vaccine shipments were due to be delivered on Wednesday under the European Union's joint vaccine procurement scheme, a Health Ministry official said. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua)

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Elderly individuals who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine are allowed to meet, even hug their relatives again, Swedish officials said Thursday.

The decision was made even though the rate of infection is again on the rise in the country, Minister for Health Lena Hallengren said at a joint press conference.

"83 percent of all people living in nursing homes have received at least one dose. 70 percent have received both doses and are thus fully vaccinated," she said, showing a graph outlining the rate of infection.

While clearly on the rise in society in general, the rate of infection had decreased rapidly among nursing home residents over the last weeks.

"There are strong indications that vaccinations in nursing homes are an important explanation for this positive trend," Hallengren said.

She said that many nursing home residents had eagerly awaited since all visits were banned almost 11 months ago.

"Two weeks after receiving the second dose, it is possible to receive visits without special infection preventative measures. It is also possible to hug children or grandchildren if they are completely healthy and have no symptoms."

The announcement was made only a day after the government had introduced stricter restrictions to fend off a looming third wave of the pandemic.

By Thursday, at least 690,000 individuals in the country had received at least the first dose of vaccine, while 235,000 had received both doses.

Now, the vaccination program has been expanded to include younger elderly. "As the vaccinations continue, we can return a little more to a normal life," said Johan Carlson, Director-General of the Public Health Agency.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is also underway in Sweden and many other countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 255 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 73 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Tuesday.
MSHDA Board approves more than $27 million for Howell-area affordable housing project

MSHDA Board approves more than $27 million for Howell-area affordable housing project

Media Contact:

Katie Bach, BachK@michigan.gov



February 26, 2021

LANSING, Mich.  During its February meeting, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Board approved more than $27 million in loans to support the construction of a new affordable housing project in Howell Township.

The board approved a tax-exempt bond construction and permanent mortgage loan for $27,251417, and a permanent subordinated loan for $314,221, to finance the construction of Union at Oak Grove. The development will offer 220 units for income-qualified households with incomes at 60% of the area median income. It will feature 72 one-bedroom units, 108 two-bedroom units, and 40 three-bedroom units, all of which will feature modern amenities such as in-unit washers and dryers and on-site parking for residents and guests.

At MSHDA, our vision is to give every Michigan resident access to quality, affordable housing as a foundation for them to reach their full potential, said Chad Benson, MSHDA rental development director. Projects like Union at Oak Grove that bring new affordable housing stock to the market are incredibly important for bringing that vision to life.

A measure also was approved to enter into a revolving line of credit with US Bank. The agreement will allow for MSHDA to borrow up to $100 million to fund the purchase of single-family mortgages and down payment assistance loans, like the recently announced MI 10K DPA program, prior to the issuance of long-term financing.

###
Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni made their on-screen reunion in the first teaser for the upcoming Law & Order crossover episode  almost.

Hargitay, 57, and Meloni, 59, are both featured in the 30-second trailer, released Thursday on social media, but only Hargitay is shown on screen in the new footage.

The iconic duo who led Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for 12 years will be back together again in front of the camera for the first time in a decade with a new crossover episode introducing Meloni's new spin-off series, Law & Order: Organized Crime.

A reunion ten years in the making. An #SVU and #OrganizedCrime crossover event, April 1 on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/pIYyBIVgcj   & :  (@nbcsvu) February 26, 2021

Reunited: Mariska Hargitay, 57, and Christopher Meloni, 59, made their on-screen reunion in the first teaser for the upcoming Law & Order crossover episode released Thursday

The teaser opens with a flashback to 2011, when Meloni left the series after producers refused his demands during contract negotiations.

His character was subsequently written off the show.

'Are you and Stabler good partners?' a woman asks off screen at the start of the teaser in the flashback to 2011.

'We've worked together a long time. I can anticipate what he's thinking, what he's gonna do. Yeah, we have a great rapport,' Hargitay's character Detective Olivia Benson says as if in a stupor over footage of her and Detective Stabler walking in front of a New York cityscape.

Old school: The teaser opens with a flashback to 2011, when Meloni left the series after producers refused his demands during contract negotiations

Old pals: Hargitay's character Detective Olivia Benson praises Detective Elliot Stabler (Meloni) in flashback

The action shifts to the office of Captain Donald Cragen (played by Dann Florek) at Benson's precinct.

'Elliot put his papers in,' he says, sounding defeated as emotion clouds Benson's face. 'There was nothing I could do.'

But the then desaturated footage is replaced by color images from the upcoming crossover episode.

Police officers are seen milling about a crime scene near a burned-out car with an ambulance ready nearby.

Bad news: The action shifts to the office of Captain Donald Cragen (played by Dann Florek) at Benson's precinct

Wounded: 'Elliot put his papers in,' he says, sounding defeated as emotion clouds Benson's face. 'There was nothing I could do'

Present day: But the then desaturated footage is replaced by color images from the upcoming crossover episode. Police officers are seen milling about a crime scene near a burned-out car with an ambulance ready nearby

Benson is overcome with emotion due to something at the crime scene.

'Liv!' shouts her older partner off screen, and Olivia turns dramatically to face him as her eyes begin to well up.

'Elliot!' she gasps as the teaser comes to an end.

Although the clip coyly leaves Meloni off screen, it confirms the actors' on-screen reunion in the episode, which is slated to air on Thursday, April 1 on NBC.

An episode of SVU will kick off the reunion at 9 p.m. ET/10 CT, followed by the first episode of Organized Crime at 10 p.m. ET/11 CT.

Surprise! Benson is overcome with emotion due to something at the crime scene. 'Liv!' shouts her older partner off screen, and Olivia turns dramatically to face him as her eyes begin to well up

Shocker: 'Elliot!' she gasps as the teaser comes to an end

Hargitay and Meloni helped revive the long-running Law & Order franchise when they debuted as partners on SVU in 1999.

The show has gone on to become the longest-running live-action series airing on prime time in the US, even surpassing the original Law & Order series, which ended after its 20th season in 2010.

It's also the fourth longest-running scripted series in television history.

On Wednesday, Hargitay was spotted filming a scene from the upcoming 22nd season with her costar Ice-T, who has been a regular on the series since its second season.

They'll likely be at it for quite some time, as NBC made a rare three-season renewal for SVU, keeping it on the air at least through its 24th season.
By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Dutch competition authorities are nearing a draft decision in a years-long investigation into Apple Inc over rules requiring software developers to use its in-app payment system, according to a letter sent this month to developers involved in the case. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, or ACM, said in 2019 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-antitrust-netherlands/apple-in-dutch-antitrust-spotlight-for-allegedly-promoting-own-apps-idUSKCN1RN215 that it was investigating Apple's requirement that developers use its payment ...
Expansion of public transport in Ukrainian capital Kyiv with EBRD 50 million loan

Integrating residential disrict of Vynohradar to reduce use of private cars

EBRD-financed upgrades to public transport already benefit residents of 12 Ukrainian cities

A new 50 million loan by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the Ukrainian capital Kyiv will encourage more people to use modern, efficient and environmentally friendly public transport.

The Bank is supporting the expansion of Kyivs underground rail network to the residential district of Vynohradar by financing the acquisition of new metro cars. Kyiv, a rapidly growing city of three million people, is notorious for its road congestion.

The new metro line promotes clean mass rail transit as the backbone of public transport. It will encourage more people to switch from private cars or polluting minibuses to more environmentally friendly means of transport and thus improve air quality.

Kyivs public transport is facing financial challenges caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In response to the crisis, and in order to keep essential infrastructure operating, the EBRD has launched a Vital Infrastructure Support Programme. The EBRD loan will also ensure that investments aimed at promoting greater sustainability will not be disrupted.

Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said: We are delighted that our cooperation with such a reliable partner as the EBRD continues. Today we are entering a new stage of this cooperation.

"We are implementing a project to upgrade the rolling stock of the Kyiv metro. With the help of the 50 million EBRD loan, we will be able to buy 50 new metro cars. They will make up 10 metro trains. I am grateful to our partners for their cooperation and their support for projects that are important to Kyiv and its residents.

Matteo Patrone, EBRD Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, commented: We are pleased to be able to support Kyiv in expanding metro services to densely populated and remote areas. Our loan will help ensure that more residents of the Ukrainian capital will in the future be able to leave their cars at home and travel around the city in comfort and at ease.

The new EBRD loan follows similar agreements with 12 Ukrainian cities worth a total of 350 million. Over six million people are now benefiting from better and more comfortable public transport thanks to the introduction of almost 400 new EBRD-financed trolleybuses.

The EBRD is the largest international financial investor in Ukraine. To date, the Bank has made a cumulative commitment of almost 14.5 billion through 486 projects in the country. Last year it responded to the Covid-19 pandemic in Ukraine with 812 million of financing for the economy. Ukraine was among the Banks top three recipients in 2020 after Turkey and Egypt.
AUSTIN, Minn. - High school students in Austin wanting to become business owners in the future are learning first hand what it's like to navigate through a pandemic.

The Mower County CEO program has been around for 3 years now where students learn what it takes to become entrepreneurs. Currently, 21 students are in the program developing a variety of businesses - from candles and jewelry all the way to decor from bicycle parts and lawn equipment. The students meet with a banker, go through projected financials and create a full business plan to get approved for grant and loan money.

Janay Williams is a student in the program. She explained watching first hand the business owners they meet with navigate through the pandemic has been a huge learning curve. "I want to get more of an understanding on how businesses work. I think this program has opened up a lot of opportunities for all of us with everyone that we've met," she said. "I like leadership, I'm learning how to do that and I'm getting more confident with my public speaking."

The facilitator, Emily Hovland, said while going through this program during a pandemic has been challenging, they're also learning more than they might have otherwise. "As they were navigating that as students, everyone was navigating that," she explained. "So the businesses that we meet with, they were learning it right alongside our students. So Janay met a lot online and learned in different ways, but still got to access those business people just we had to be creative in how we did it."

On February 26th and 27th, the Mower County CEO students are hosting a drive-in fundraiser to help kickstart their businesses. The price for the entire vehicle is $45 with all of the proceeds going back to the students. The showings will be at Riverland Community College.

February 26th:

- Alvin & the Chipmunks at 6:15 p.m.

- The Sandlot at 8:30 p.m.

February 27th:

- The Greatest Showman at 6:15 p.m.

- Hidden Figures at 8:45 p.m.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Jovenel Moise speaks with CARICOM

"I had fruitful exchanges with the Heads of State and Government of CARICOM. Various subjects were discussed including the electrification of the country, the referendum and the elections. On this occasion, I thank our friends of CARICOM for their indefectible support to Haiti. I invited the leaders of Caricom to delegate representatives to Haiti to inquire about the socio-political situation prevailing in the country, as well as the various works carried out across the territory during the first four years of my five-year term," said Jovenel Moise on Thursday.



The Embassy of Haiti in DR condemns

In a statement, the Embassy of Haiti in the Dominican Republic condemned "all maneuvers, from here and elsewhere, wanting to give free rein to any coup attempt against President Jovenel Moise whose mandate will end on the 7th February 2022" adding "Today democracy is put to the test in Haiti, but it must triumph for a democratically elected President to succeed President Moise in 2022. So let us contribute, friendly and neighboring countries, to this for the good of the Haitian people, and for political stability leading to peace, social and economic progress in the region."



13 Haitians arrested

US immigration authorities arrested 13 Haitian nationals in Florida and began the process for their repatriation. The alleged smuggler was taken into custody. Illegal migration is dangerous and will prove to be a Futile Adventure



Referendum : the Consulate General of Haiti in Atlanta mobilizes

A team from the Consulate General of Haiti in Atlanta visited the state of Alabama to mobilize community and religious leaders in the awareness campaign around the referendum of the draft new Constitution.



Also, the Consulate General of Haiti in Atlanta initiated the conversation around the Referendum of the new Constitution with the leaders of the Community. A meeting took place with the President of GA Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Mr Saurel J Quettan; with Reverend Father Carl Jean, Haitian chaplain in charge of the Haitian Catholic community in Georgia...



ONI : Emergency number

The National Identification Office (ONI) informs that it has set up the emergency number 8822, free for applicants for a national identification card. They can call this number for any information relating to the CIN and for their complaints. ONI has announced the establishment of a new office in Tabarre, near the US Embassy, in an effort to make it easier for more citizens to get their cards.



More than 35,000 Haitians intercepted at the border

Between January and February 2021, no less than 35,000 undocumented Haitians who entered Dominican territory illegally were arrested and returned to their country, trying to escape the political instability that prevails in their country. The army commander, Major General Julio Ernesto Florian Perez said that for the first week of February 2 more than 11,000 Haitians who had tried to cross the border illegally into the Republic had been arrested.



Towards a Haitian gastronomy festival in the DR?

Manuel Jimenez, Mayor of the Municipality of Santo Domingo East, received Ambassador Smith Augustin this week accompanied by Ginette Michaud Privert and Virginia Mathieu, two officials of the Embassy. There was talk of cultural exchanges, the possibility of twinning this municipality with a Haitian municipality and also the feasibility of a festival of Haitian gastronomy next October.



Release of Me Abdias Edume

The former deputy of the Government Commissioner of Petit-Goave, Me Abdias Edume, was released very early this Thursday morning February 25, after 8 days of kidnapping See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-33055-icihaiti-insecurity-2-lawyers-kidnapped-in-48-hours.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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By John Miller and Ludwig Burger

ZURICH (Reuters) - Vaccines from AstraZeneca, Russia's Gamaleya Institute and Johnson & Johnson fight the coronavirus with another virus, leaving scientists concerned the shots may lose potency if annual inoculations become necessary to fight new variants.

So-called viral vector shots - also used by several Chinese COVID-19 vaccine developers - use harmless modified viruses as vehicles, or vectors, to carry genetic information that helps the body build immunity against future infections.

However, there is a risk that the body also develops immunity to the vector itself, recognising it as an intruder and trying to destroy it.

Most vector-vaccine developers have opted to use an adenovirus, a harmless class of common-cold viruses."The experience with adenoviruses has been for many years that vectors can be intercepted by the immune system after repeat injections," said Bodo Plachter, deputy director of the Institute of Virology at Mainz University's teaching hospital.

"There may be the same problem with other types of vectors. Only 'trial and error' will tell," he added.

That potentially puts vector vaccines at a disadvantage to mRNA shots from Pfizer and Moderna, or vaccines using deactivated coronaviruses, like Sinovac's, or the coronavirus' surface spike proteins, an approach pursued by Novavax.

Vector immunity is not a new issue but has come under renewed scrutiny as companies including J&J anticipate regular COVID-19 vaccinations, like annual influenza shots, may be needed to combat new variants of the coronavirus.

Moderna as well as Pfizer and partner BioNTech said in separate statements this week they are studying additional booster shots that target new variants over time.

Even without any evolution in the virus, it is not yet clear whether vaccine-induced immune memory will eventually wane, which would also require booster shots.

Scientists who spoke with Reuters acknowledged no definitive conclusions can be drawn about vector immunity's ultimate impact.

Story continues

While it may prove surmountable in the end, health policymakers will still have to grapple with the question of which vaccines to deploy, and in what order, ahead of potential repeat inoculations.

A major validation of vector technology was the approval of Merck & Co's Ervebo inoculation against Ebola in 2019 and its use - and that of similar experimental vaccines - during outbreaks in Africa in prior years.

But vector immunity has been implicated in past failures, including when a 2004 Merck AIDS vaccine trial flopped in men previously exposed to the adenovirus used for the vaccine.

AstraZeneca declined to comment. J&J and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is responsible for marketing the Sputnik vaccine made by the Gamaleya Institute abroad, did not respond to a request for comment.

MIX AND MATCH

One approach could be to combine different shots, known as "mixing and matching".

AstraZeneca and partner Oxford University's shot is being trialled with Russia's Sputnik V, and British scientists are testing Pfizer's mRNA shot with AstraZeneca's vaccine in a study funded by the British government, which says it is aware of the vector immunity issue.

The main motive for the British combination trial was to give healthcare providers flexibility in case of limited supplies, but Matthew Snape, the Oxford vaccinologist leading the project, said the question of vector immunity "is one of the reasons this study is interesting".

He added there were plans to test for any anti-vector reaction by seeing how well a viral vector performs versus an alternative vaccine when given as a third dose.

Mainz University's Plachter is among those suggesting it may be more practical over the longer term to pivot to a class of vaccine that does not rely on vectors.

"If after a while, you get to a standard immunization protocol, as with influenza, I would assume you would use other carriers," he said. AstraZeneca and the Gamaleya Institute have already sought to overcome vector immunity challenges under the standard COVID-19 two-shot regimen. The Russian lab employed two different viral vectors, seeking to prevent efficacy dropping from the primary dose to the booster shot, while AstraZeneca and Oxford use a chimpanzee virus vector to which humans would not previously have been exposed.

But questions over a third or subsequent shot have yet to be addressed.

"One of the big sells for (AstraZeneca) was that there can be no existing immunity," Ian Jones, a professor of virology at Reading University, said. "This will not be the case once the world has had the COVID vaccines."

Since the vectors in the leading vaccines have been stripped of their ability to replicate, the antibody and T-cell responses they generate may, however, not be that strong.

Moreover, only tiny vector volumes are needed for COVID-19 vaccines, in contrast with gene therapies where viral vectors serve as gene repair kits for diseased cells and vector immunity needs to be monitored closely because much larger quantities are injected.

"The injected dose is so low that the induction of immunity to the capsid, or virus shell, remains low," said Luk Vandenberghe, a Harvard Medical School gene therapy expert working on a viral-vector COVID-19 vaccine.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt, John Miller in Zurich, Kate Kelland and Alistair Smout in London and Michael Erman in New York; Editing by Josephine Mason and Kirsten Donovan)
Manitobas public health officials could keep waiting for more data to decide if they should delay giving out second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Or, they could follow the lead of other provinces, which have decided there's enough evidence that shows delaying doses saves lives and reduces hospitalizations.

Manitobas public health officials could keep waiting for more data to decide if they should delay giving out second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Or, they could follow the lead of other provinces, which have decided there's enough evidence that shows delaying doses saves lives and reduces hospitalizations.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead on the province's vaccine committee, said Wednesday Manitoba is still reviewing the scientific evidence to decide whether delaying second doses beyond the manufacturer's recommended 21 to 28 days would protect more Manitobans from the disease.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead on the province's vaccine committee, says Manitoba is still reviewing the scientific evidence about delaying second doses. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Manitoba has resisted the move, suggesting it would be unsafe to go "off-label." Provincial officials have said repeatedly they would not compromise "safety for speed," preferring instead to fully vaccinate as many people as possible with both doses.

Delaying second doses would allow more people to get vaccinated with one shot sooner.

At least five provincial governments have expedited vaccinations by delaying second doses.

Quebec led the way in December when it announced second-dose intervals would be extended up to 90 days. British Columbia has been delaying second doses since January, citing evidence from around the world (and more recently from Quebec) that first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines provide over 90 per cent protection after two weeks. Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are also delaying second doses.

Reimer, for the first time this week, appeared open to making the shift.

"Right now, this is being reviewed in all provinces and territories and at the national level by the national advisory committee on immunization and the Public Health Agency of Canada," she said.

At least five provincial governments have expedited vaccinations by delaying second doses. Charles Krupa / The Associated Press)

Thats a bit misleading. Other provinces may be reviewing new data as it becomes available, but most of the country is already extending second-dose intervals, particularly in the face of limited vaccine supply.

"As weve said all along, we will shift our approach if the evidence shows us that thats the best direction to go," she said.

That's not quite what they've said in the past, but it does appear they're now open to the change.

In a perfect world, the province would have the luxury of taking all the time it needs to review mountains of data. But in the midst of a pandemic, in which people are dying and where more contagious variants are circulating, time is of the essence.

No one is asking the province to be reckless or compromise safety when it comes to immunizing people. Nor is anyone suggesting second doses be eliminated altogether.

No one is asking the province to be reckless or compromise safety when it comes to immunizing people. (Charles Krupa / The Associated Press)

Rather, there is convincing evidence from around the world (supported by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and Canadas national advisory committee on immunization) that first doses provide high levels of protection, and second doses can be delayed.

Manitoba already has anecdotal evidence from personal care homes, where most residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Its led to a drastic decline in outbreaks, said Reimer.

Part of that is because of lower cases overall in the province, but first doses of the vaccine are likely a factor, she said.

Manitoba already has anecdotal evidence from personal care homes, where most residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Its led to a drastic decline in outbreaks, said Reimer. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"What theyre telling us is that it seems that the residents are experiencing less severe symptoms than they had seen in previous outbreaks," said Reimer. "They feel that fewer of (them) are becoming very ill, fewer are dying and fewer are ending up in hospital."

As of Feb. 17, only 106 Manitobans had tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving one dose (among 35,009 immunized, or 0.3 per cent), Manitoba Health said.

This is not just about reducing severe illnesses and deaths (although it is the primary consideration). Its also about doing everything possible to reopen more of the economy sooner. Many businesses and not-for-profits are on the brink of bankruptcy.

Stepping up the province's immunization strategy would help mitigate that.

Manitoba cant wait much longer. Its time to make a decision.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca

Getaways 30th season begins today on Nine.

Catriona Rowntree, who has starred for 25 years, said: Its a joy to be a part of such a remarkable achievement in Australian television history.

Who knew what began for me as a six-week contract would blossom into the gig that just keeps giving  a show that connects Australians with the rest of the world?

David Reyne added, Television today is a far different beast from the one it was 30 years ago, but the combination of Getaways unwavering commitment to inspire Australians and the camaraderie of its fabulous team are the core of its success.

Getaway, which first went to air on May 14, 1992, instantly captured the imagination of Aussies via its dream-like destinations and bucket-list experiences, becoming the go-to guide  in a world before the internet  for domestic and international escapes.

Getaway will celebrate its milestone as Australias longest running lifestyle television series by inspiring viewers with the magic of travel, both domestically and for when international borders reopen.

Join our top team of travel experts for a special season of escapes to the best of Australia as well as exotic international adventures. Getaway will take viewers on an armchair ride to destinations including New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Antarctica and South America.

Over three decades, Getaway has presented a spectacular travelogue of stories: from doing a show live on Mt Everest to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first ascent, to a special edition to mark one billion viewers, and an interactive program that attracted a record two million text entries in one night to win every holiday featured in the episode.

This season, Catriona Rowntree, David Reyne, Charli Robinson, Tim Blackwell and Jason Dundas will be joined by guest presenters to provide viewers with unlimited access to experience the awe-inspiring, natural beauty of the world for themselves.

Happy 30th season, Getaway!

5:30pm Saturday on Nine.

Related
(Natural News) The House Energy and Commerce Committee convened a hearing recently to address the spread of disinformation and extremism by traditional news media, which members of Congress claim presents a tangible and destabilizing threat to the country.

Entitled, Fanning the Flames: Disinformation and Extremism in the Media, the hearing focused on the problem of some news stations like Fox News and Newsmax relying on conspiracy theories and misleading or patently false information in their reporting.

Fox, Newsmax, and OANN (One America News Network) are the three news outlets that Democrats have chosen to place in their crosshairs for elimination from the airwaves due to their questionable devotion to journalistic integrity.

The prolonged severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the attack on our Capitol on January 6 have driven home a frightening reality, said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-Penn.) in a statement.

We look forward to hearing from media experts about what is being done and what more can be done to address this growing problem moving forward.

Treasonous Congress is doing exactly what the First Amendment forbids

In addition to trying to police what gets posted on social media, these congressional Democrats are aiming to bully cable and satellite providers into removing all offensive news outlets from their lineups.

Even though the First Amendment explicitly prohibits the government from interfering with the media, this is exactly what some members of Congress are spending their time doing.

Since when is it the role of the U.S. Government to arbitrate and enforce precepts of journalistic integrity?' asks Glenn Greenwald, one of the co-founders of The Intercept.

Unless you believe in the right of the government to regulate and control what the press says  how can anyone be comfortable with members of Congress arrogating unto themselves the power to dictate what media outlets are permitted to report and control how they discuss and analyze the news of the day?

Democrats are angry that Trump shined a light on the deep states crime rings

Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.) both sent letters to the top media providers in the country grilling them on their protocols for approving which news stations to air or stream.

Comcast, AT&T, Spectrum, Dish, Verizon, Cox and Altice all received letters, as did streaming providers Roku, Amazon, Apple, Google and Hulu. All of these providers are in the crosshairs for continuing to include Fox, Newsmax, and OANN in their lineups.

The letters are filled with buzzwords like morals and ethics, the implication being that only left-leaning fake news outlets should be aired because they embrace these concepts. Conservative media, on the other hand, should be forbidden.

Specifically, those networks that refuse to bash President Donald Trump as an unprecedented threat to democracy need to be axed, say Democrats, because they are causing division that is preventing America from healing.

Other than the indictment of Julian Assange  which most Washington Democrats cheered  what did the Trump administration do in the way of attacking press freedoms that remotely compares to Democrats abusing their majoritarian power to force the removal of conservative cable outlets from the airwaves, just days after doing the same with dissident voices online? asks Greenwald.

The answer, of course, is that Trump attacked the freedoms of the elitist criminals that are used to doing whatever they want without consequence. Trump shined a light on some of their crimes and because of this he became a forever enemy of the deep state and its media lapdogs.

as much as I loathe so much of what those outlets do, Greenwald concludes, it is not the role of the government to regulate let alone silence them.

You can find more stories like this one at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

Greenwald.Substack.com

NaturalNews.com

New Delhi, Feb 26 : With an unprecedented year of transformation in education, children's reading has gained a new significance. Here are new children's titles from Talking Cub and Scholastic that will keep the young readers company as they navigate these challenging times.

A Clown for Tenali Rama The book is a riveting blend of fact and fiction that will appeal to those who like to read adventure stories in a historical setting. First published around 20 odd years ago, this book is still relevant, enjoyable, and filled with the wonder that was once the magnificent Vijayanagar Kingdom. Author Subhadra Sen Gupta was recently awarded Parag Reads' Big Little Book Award 2020 for her contribution to children's literature.

Bhootbusters of Himmatnagar Written by author Adithi Rao, Bhootbusters of Himmatnagar is a murder mystery for the bravehearts. Three dead men. A mysterious trail of Eclairs. A fainting potter. When three men are found inexplicably dead in the village of Himmatnagar, five friends get together to solve the crime. Is it the strange young man with the matted hair? Or Biru, the nervous potter? Join Kalki, Angad, Mukund, Vasuki and Govind as they follow a string of clues straight to the village cemetery -- and beyond -- in their search for the murderer.

Kashmir Kashmir While the uncertainties of a lockdown weigh heavily upon Humra and her friends; Zainab must run to protect the life of her neighbour. Buried in snow, Rehman is saved by an unexpected rescuer; and Atharva finally understands his mother when he is forced to visit his abandoned ancestral home.

Kashmir Kashmir is a collection of nine short stories by veteran author Deepa Agarwal exploring the lives of the young in a land that is beautiful, warm, yet at times, cold and turbulent. These stories cover themes of friendship, courage, sibling love, hope, coping with change, perseverance and understanding different perspectives.

Aliens Ate My Homework: Secret School Mysteries #2 Aliens ate my Homework is the second installation in the new Secret School Mysteries series by the famous author Ashok K. Banker.

Two weird aliens. Confusing identities. A hilarious shape-shifting adventure. The second book in the best-selling series follows Uru, the quirky librarian, daredevil twins Asha and Usha, super learner Arun, logical Sania and the genius Peter as they try to protect and save a friendly Green alien from a nasty alien predator. Will they succeed? Vahana Masterclass

Italian author Alfredo Covelli, brings a story of exciting adventure, deep friendships, evil demons and four brave mice.

Anand, Karthik, Gitanjali and Kanu can scarcely believe it when they suddenly find themselves on a mysterious white plain to compete to become the next vahana of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha. Under the guidance of wise Mooshika, Ganesha's current vahana, the four mice train and challenge each other while fighting evil demons and forming deep friendships. Join in this epic adventure to find who will win the honour of becoming Ganesha's next vahana.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
Authorities have charged a second man with killing a 74-year-old woman in Camden last year.

Dymir Washington was arrested after being pulled over for a traffic violation in Camden around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said.

Washington has been sought since his alleged accomplice  Dayshawn Nesmith, 23, of Camden, was arrested Nov. 4 in Wilmington, Delaware.

Sheila Baskin, 74, of Camden, was found shot in a car on the 1800 block of Mulford Street on Oct. 4. Baskin was pronounced dead at an area hospital. She was not the intended target, CourierPostOnline.com reported last year.

The shooting took place weeks after Washington, of Camden, was released from state prison where he served nearly three years on robbery and drug dealing convictions, according to state department of corrections records.

Washington is charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and eluding. He is being held at the Camden County jail ahead of a detention hearing.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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Kathmandu, February 26

The Ministry of Health and Population has informed that the countrys Covid-19 tally has reached 273,984 as of Friday afternoon.

The ministry says 112 new cases were confirmed in the country in the past 24 hours.

In this period, 3,944 swab samples were tested. So far, 2 million and 157,580 people have been tested in the country.

As of today, 936 cases are active.

Of the total cases so far, 270,277 people have achieved recovery whereas 2,771 died, according to the ministry. In the past 24 hours, 54 people have been discharged whereas four deaths have been reported.

Over 50 people are quarantined across the country.
A Superman reboot is in the works for Warner Bros. and DC Comics, according to multiple reports.

Shadow and Act and Deadline report famed The Case for Reparations author Ta-Nehisi Coates is writing the script with J.J. Abrams (Star Wars, Star Trek) producing under under his Bad Robot company. Hannah Minghella, whos working on the upcoming Masters of the Universe reboot, will serve as producer.

To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor. I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of Americas most iconic mythic hero, Coates told Shadow and Act.

Plot details have not been announced and its unclear who will play Superman.

Henry Cavill last played the Kryptonian superhero Kal-El/Clark Kent on the big screen in Justice League, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Man of Steel. Interest in DCs current cinematic universe has been revived by Zack Snyders new cut of Justice League hitting HBO Max next month, and Deadline reports Cavill is eager to get back into the cape.

Superman is also currently appearing on the small screen in the new Supergirl spinoff, Superman & Lois, on The CW. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as the titular TV characters, who are now parents.

Coates, a national correspondent for The Atlantic who has also written for the Village Voice, Time magazine and The New York Times, is also reportedly attached to a Ryan Coogler drama, Wrong Answer, starring Michael B. Jordan as a math teacher in Atlanta who alters his students test scores to get funding for his school. Coates has also written several non-fiction books and Marvel Comics series about Black Panther and Captain America.

Bad Robot and Warner Bros. are reportedly developing a Justice League Dark Universe for film and television, which centers on less prominent superheroes like John Constantine and Madame Xanadu, rather than the traditional Justice League of Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Aquaman and The Flash.

SlashFilm notes Abrams previously wrote a Superman script called Flyby that would reboot the character with a new mythology, where villain Lex Luthor is also an alien from Krypton.

There is a new, powerful and moving Superman story yet to be told. We couldnt be more thrilled to be working with the brilliant Mr. Coates to help bring that story to the big screen, and were beyond thankful to the team at Warner Bros. for the opportunity, Abrams said in a statement.
The former leader of Scotland's government and its campaign for independence suggested the handling of an investigation into harassment claims against him showed the nation wasn't ready to stand on its own as a sovereign state.

In a direct attack on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, his successor and former protege, Alex Salmond told a parliamentary inquiry Scotland's "leadership had failed." Independence, "which I've sought all my political life and continue to seek," must be "accompanied by institutions whose leadership is strong and robust and capable of protecting each and every citizen from arbitrary authority," he said.

The comments marked the latest escalation in a toxic dispute between the two most prominent faces of Scottish politics just weeks before an election that could prove critical to the future direction of not just Scotland, but Britain as a whole. Sturgeon is pushing for a second vote on breaking away from the rest of the U.K. and is seeking a renewed mandate in May to exert more pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to grant one.

Salmond was giving evidence to a cross-party group of lawmakers after he accused Sturgeon's government of a politically motivated campaign to remove him from public life over allegations he sexually assaulted women while in office. He was acquitted by a court last year after a judge earlier had ruled that the way the government had investigated the claims had been unlawful.

"The failures of leadership are many and obvious, but not a single person has taken responsibility, there has not been a single resignation or sacking, not even an admonition," Salmond said on Friday. "The government acted illegally, but somehow, nobody is to blame."

The clash between the two drivers of the Scottish independence movement also comes when support for their dream looks strongest, and the question is whether it moves the political needle enough to dent the governing Scottish National Party.

The spat heated up this week after the Scottish Parliament published documents from Salmond before revising some of what was released after concerns from the public prosecution service. Sturgeon says her former mentor's claims of a conspiracy are untrue and that she is ready to face the inquiry next Wednesday to answer questions on the mistakes that were made.

Sturgeon rebuffed suggestions by the opposition Conservatives on Thursday that there was a coverup and that Scotland's parliament and judiciary should not be "sacrificed at the altar of the ego of one man." "What is poisoning our democratic institutions is politicians standing up and hurling abuse without a shred of evidence," she told the legislature in Edinburgh.

An opinion poll published on Thursday showed the SNP is on track for a majority in the May election. The survey by Ipsos MORI forecast the party would win 72 of the 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament, though the pollster warned the inquiry into the handling of harassment complaints against Salmond is starting to register with the electorate. Support for Scottish independence declined to 52%.

The problem for Sturgeon and her party is that she is very much the face of Scottish politics and the push for independence. The outcome of the inquiry -- and a separate one into whether she mislead parliament over a meeting with Salmond -- could put pressure on her to resign if she's found to have broken the ministerial code, which Salmond alleges and she denies.
About Serial Season One:

A high-school senior named Hae Min Lee disappeared one day after school in 1999, in Baltimore County, Maryland. A month later, her body was found in a city park. Shed been strangled. Her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was charged with murder, and within a year, he was sentenced to life in prison. The case against him was largely based on the story of one witness, Adnans friend Jay, who testified that he helped Adnan bury Haes body. But Adnan has always maintained he had nothing to do with Haes death. Some people believe hes telling the truth. Many others dont.

Sarah Koenig sorted through thousands of documents, listened to trial testimony and police interrogations, and talked to everyone she could find who remembered what happened between Adnan Syed and Hae Min Lee. She discovered that the trial covered up a far more complicated story than the jury  or the public  ever got to hear. The high-school scene, the shifting statements to the police, the prejudices, the sketchy alibis, the scant forensic evidence  all of it leads back to the most basic questions: How can you know a persons character? How can you tell what theyre capable of? In Season One of Serial, she looks for answers.

When it launched in 2014, Serial became a global sensation that has been credited with launching the modern era of audio journalism. Serial has been downloaded 1 billion times and won the Peabody and the Nobel Prize. The New York Times Company acquired Serial Productions in 2020.

This episode of Serial was produced by Sarah Koenig, Julie Snyder and Dana Chivvis, with editorial advisory by Ira Glass and editing help by Joel Lovell. Production and operations managed by Emily Condon. Research and fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Administrative support from Elise Bergerson. Original scoring by Nick Thorburn, who wrote the theme song, and Mark Henry Phillips, who mixed the show.
Arul Louis, U.S. correspondent for IANS, gets an injection in the trial for the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine in New York. Participants in the study were given either the actual vaccine or a placebo and it was not known which he received. (IANS photo)
By Raphael Satter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior Democratic lawmaker said there is a growing appetite for a new federal cybersecurity breach notification law in the wake of a sprawling series of digital intrusions blamed on the Russian government.

The comment, made by Mississippi Representative Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House's Homeland Security Committee, comes as cybersecurity executives are facing their second round of congressional questions on Friday over their companies' roles in the breach centered on Texas software company SolarWinds.

Introducing the witnesses, Thompson said that there was "growing interest in a cybersecurity reporting law" from his colleagues and that he hoped "we can enact cyber incident notification legislation in the short order."

What such a law might look like was not yet clear.

State and federal rules already compel organizations to notify the public in cases where health information or financial institutions' data has been compromised, but companies are generally free to keep quiet about more traditional forms of cyberespionage - something Microsoft Corp President Brad Smith said was hobbling the fight against foreign hackers.

"A lot of companies choose to say as little as possible and often that's nothing," Smith told lawmakers.

"Silence is not going to make this country stronger. So I think we have to encourage - and I think even mandate - that certain companies do this kind of reporting."

Testifying alongside Smith on Friday were SolarWinds Chief Executive Sudhakar Ramakrishna and FireEye Inc Chief Executive Kevin Mandia.

Their appearance before the joint hearing of the House Committees on Oversight and Reform and Homeland Security comes three days after the trio testified before U.S. senators over the massive breach, which has ensnared nine American government agencies and more than 100 other organizations.

Former SolarWinds Chief Executive Kevin Thompson, who stepped down shortly before the breach was announced, was also testifying on Friday.

(Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by Stephen Coates and Steve Orlofsky)
Michigans new director of the Department of Health and Human Services defended her background and her departments work to an oft-skeptical Senate committee Thursday afternoon, telling lawmakers the state is headed in the right direction on COVID-19 while asserting her departments authority to respond to it.

Speaking before the Senate Advice and Consent Committee as lawmakers consider whether to allow her appointment to stand, MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel told lawmakers case numbers and positivity numbers continue to decline in Michigan as vaccination rates are going up.

Continued tracking, testing and mitigation efforts are necessary to keep the state on a path towards a post-pandemic situation, Hertel said, noting that its her departments responsibility to ensure that happens.

In the instance of a public health crisis or a public health emergency, its absolutely the responsibility of the state health department to take action and have that authority, she said.

Hertel, a former deputy director in the department, was Gov. Gretchen Whitmers pick to lead the MDHHS after former director Robert Gordon abruptly announced his resignation on Twitter last month. Its currently the highest-profile role subject to the Senates advice and consent process, which gives the chamber 60 days to reject certain gubernatorial appointees by majority vote.

Whether Hertels appointment wins approval from a majority of senators remains unclear. Senate Republicans have used the advice and consent process to reject 18 Whitmer appointees this year as a show of disapproval against the Whitmer administrations COVID-19 response.

Since Whitmer lost her ability to issue COVID-19 emergency orders without the legislatures approval following a Michigan Supreme Court ruling last fall, those public health orders have come from MDHHS.

Senate Advice and Consent Committee Chair Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, asked Hertel several questions about what she believed the department could have done better to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, at one point posing the hypothetical of whether the administrations orders should last for more than a year or into perpetuity.

Hertel responded that based on current trends, she would find it hard to believe if the state could not contain it within a reasonable amount of time if current trends persist.

Asked whether she or Whitmer has the final say on emergency public health orders, Hertel said, I have the autonomy. She added that shed be willing to diverge from the governors wishes if she felt it appropriate, but said Whitmers positions have been in line with the science thus far.

Prior to her appointment, Hertel served as the departments senior chief deputy director for administration. She served in various roles in the states health department from 2013-2016 and was director of Michigan Advocacy for Trinity Health before returning to MDHHS in February 2019. Her husband, Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr., D-East Lansing, is currently serving his second term in the Senate.

Whitmer has not elaborated on the circumstances of Gordons departure, declining to say whether shed asked for his resignation multiple times during a subsequent news conference.

Ahead of Thursdays hearing, Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, urged Senate colleagues to reject Hertels appointment unless she fully commits to reopening the state immediately, to restore a fully in-person learning experience for K-12 students, and to not shutting down school sports.

In a Jan. 27 floor speech, Nesbitt called the advice and consent process a tool to pressure Whitmer into working with the legislature.

Several Senate Democrats have denounced the rejections as partisan attacks that have nothing to do with the experience or fitness of the appointees chosen by Whitmer to serve in those roles.

Republicans first floated the possibility of rejecting Whitmers appointments after she announced a continuation of the statewide, indoor restaurant dining ban through Feb. 1. The administration has since announced restaurants will be allowed to reopen with capacity limits and curfews on that date, but Republicans have remained concerned about the parameters of that reopening and limits on high school sports.

The Advice and Consent Committee is expected to meet with Hertel again next week for further questioning.

Related coverage:

Whitmer wont say whether she asked former MDHHS Director Robert Gordon to resign

Michigan health director abruptly resigns, replaced by deputy

Michigan GOP Senate scrutinizes Whitmer appointments under partisan power split

Whitmer natural resources appointee was smeared by Michigan Senate rejection, critics say

Republicans block more Whitmer appointees, wont name specific goal of political gesture

Senate Republicans mull rejecting Whitmer appointees until coronavirus restrictions are lifted

Police and security forces in Myanmar's largest city fired warning shots Friday as they moved to break up a group of about 1,000 demonstrators who had gathered at a popular shopping mall in Yangons Tamwe neighborhood overnight to protest a military-appointed official.

Protesters were holding banners and shouting slogans denouncing the Feb. 1 coup, despite the increase of the security presence with a water cannon truck stationed in the area.

According to state media and eyewitnesses, a unit of about 50 riot police acted against the protesters and arrested at least one demonstrator.

The Reuters news agency reports that a Japanese journalist was detained at a protest in Yangon on Friday. If confirmed, the detention would be the first of a foreign journalist since the coup.

On Thursday the World Bank said it would not disburse funds to Myanmar in the wake of the military takeover.

The political crisis in the country took a new turn Thursday when supporters of the military junta in Yangon attacked demonstrators protesting the Feb. 1 overthrow of the civilian government.

The violence capped a day that began when hundreds of pro-military supporters turned up for a rally in downtown Yangon. The pro-military supporters were marching near the citys central railway station when they were jeered by a group of bystanders and responded by firing slingshots and throwing stones at them.

Popular protests against the coup have been staged across Myanmar on a daily basis since the military detained de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the civilian government on Feb. 1, claiming widespread fraud in Novembers election, which Suu Kyis National League for Democracy won in a landslide.

The United Nations said 150 people in the capital were arrested Monday.

The U.N. team is currently tracking more than 900 political and state officials, activists and civil society members  including journalists, monks and students  now being detained. And of course, we call for their immediate release, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday.

The junta has declared a one-year state of emergency. Its commander, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has pledged that new elections will be held to bring about a "true and disciplined democracy, but did not specify when they would take place.

Myanmars electoral commission denied the militarys claims of election fraud.

The United States and other Western nations have demanded the release of Suu Kyi and her lieutenants, who have been detained since the coup, and called on the junta to restore power to the civilian government.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - SKRR Exploration Inc. (TSXV: SKRR) (OTC: SKKRF) (FSE: B04Q) ("SKRR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be presenting at the Virtual Metals Investor Forum on March 4-5, 2021.

Interested parties that wish to schedule a meeting, or who would like further information regarding the conference noted above, please contact SKRR at the contact information below.

Sherman Dahl, chief executive officer of SKRR, comments: "Management is very excited about the early drill results from the Leland Gold property of our 2021 drill program and are looking forward to maximizing our success with the remainder of the programs. It is extremely exciting exploring in Saskatchewan, the No. 1 mining jurisdiction in the world according to Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2020, where we are confident that the Trans Hudson Corridor has the potential to become one of the world's prolific gold producing regions."

The Company also completed a 9-hole drill program in 1,341m at its Irving-Leland property (the "Irving-Leland Property"), in the Trans Hudson Corridor, Saskatchewan. Variable widths of quartz veining and sulphide mineralization were intersected in all holes with visual results of the first 3 holes previously reported (see News Release February 10, 2021). Drill core is being logged and prepared for sampling and assay results are pending.

2021 Drill Program

The 2021 winter drill program focused on testing a 1 km strike length of the gold-mineralized shear system between the Irving Lake and Simon Lake showings on the west side of the Irving-Leland claims. This first drill program is testing this orogenic gold-bearing system. Targets were prioritized based on surface rock grab and trenching results, soil geochemistry and detailed airborne (drone) magnetic survey data.

The nine hole program targeted the Michelle, NW Irving and Irving showings located in the western part of the project area where historic work as identified numerous gold-bearing quartz veins with notable grades including the Irving-Leland Lake South Zone, which hosts grab samples ranging from trace values to up to 32.8 g/t Au and 8.6 g/t Au; and the Simon/Irving Lake Zone, which returned up to 60 g/t Au and 53 g/t Au from within a 2km x 600m shear zone centered along an open- ended contact between mafic volcanic and intrusive rocks. Field work during 2019 and 2020 identified gold mineralization grading up to 5.4 g/t Au over 0.65 m within 2.1 g/t Au over 3.22 m (channel sample) from the Irving trench and the discovery of 5 new gold-mineralized occurrences along the Simon-Irving trend grading between 113 ppb Au and 3.5g/t Au. All nine holes have intersected varying degrees of mineralization of quartz vein and associated sulphide mineralization (pyrite, pyrrhotite, and locally chalcopyrite), in widths from cm to up to 1m at depth beneath the surface showings.

Figure 1 - Le21008 Irving-Leland Property Project Map





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6952/75558_05b4524734794899_002full.jpg

Photo 2 - Le21008 Irving-Leland Property Core Image





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6952/75558_05b4524734794899_003full.jpg

All references to depth in this news release are downhole, and true thickness has yet to be determined. Drill core is being logged and split for samples to be sent for assaying. Assays will be reported when received.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ross McElroy P.Geol, a director of the Company and a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. McElroy verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained therein.

About the Irving-Leland Property

SKRR's Irving /Leland Project is a large land package covering more than 23,500 hectares strategically located within 10km of SRR Mining's very successful Seabee Gold Mine operation, Saskatchewan's largest orogenic gold deposit within the Trans Hudson Corridor. The Company owns 100% of the Irving claims and under the terms of the option agreement with Taiga Gold Corp. ("Taiga"), SKRR may earn up to a 75% interest in the Leland claims.

About SKRR Exploration Inc.

SKRR is a Canadian-based precious metal explorer with properties in Saskatchewan - one of the world's highest ranked mining jurisdictions. The primary exploration focus is on the Trans-Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan in search of world class precious metal deposits. The Trans-Hudson Orogen - although extremely well known in geological terms has been significantly under-explored in Saskatchewan. SKRR is committed to all stakeholders including shareholders, all its partners and the environment in which it operates.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Sherman Dahl

President & CEO

Tel: 250-558-8340

For further information contact:

Rich Matthews, Investor Relations

Integrous Communications

rmatthews@integcom.us

+1 6047577179

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

This news release contains "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the drilling on the Irving-Leland Property, receipt of assays from the Irving-Leland Property, other statements relating to the technical, financial, and business prospects of the Company, its projects, and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather conditions, decrease in the price of gold and other metals, equipment failures or failure to obtain the necessary equipment, adverse weather conditions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75558
DENVER, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gates Industrial Corporation plc (NYSE:GTES), a global manufacturer of innovative, highly engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions, today announced that the Company will participate virtually in the Evercore ISI Industrial Conference on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Ivo Jurek, Chief Executive Officer, will present at 3:20 p.m. Eastern time.

To listen to a live webcast of this presentation, please visit the Events & Presentations section of the Gates Investor Relations website at investors.gates.com, and click on the event webcast link.

About Gates Industrial Corporation plc

Gates is a global manufacturer of innovative, highly engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions. Gates offers a broad portfolio of products to diverse replacement channel customers, and to original equipment ("first-fit") manufacturers as specified components. Gates participates in many sectors of the industrial and consumer markets. Our products play essential roles in a diverse range of applications across a wide variety of end markets ranging from harsh and hazardous industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and energy, to everyday consumer applications such as printers, power washers, automatic doors and vacuum cleaners and virtually every form of transportation. Our products are sold in 128 countries across our four commercial regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Greater China; and East Asia & India.

SOURCE Gates Industrial Corporation plc
IMF lists terms for further talks with Ukraine

The exact date for the resumption of the negotiations is not known.

Reporting by UNIAN

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The Seward House Museum in Auburn has announced that it will reopen to the public Tuesday, March 2.

Located at 33 South St., the historic site will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with tours at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Due to restricted capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, preregistration for tours is required.

Additionally, staff from the museum represented the 24th Congressional District in New York during the American Alliance of Museums' 13th annual Museums Advocacy Day Feb. 22-23. The museum's executive director, Billye Chabot, and director of education, Dr. Jeffrey Ludwig, were joined by Geoffrey Stark, director of development at the Cayuga Museum of History & Art.

Held virtually during the pandemic, the day saw advocates from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., present Congress with research and stories on the educational, economic and community impact of museums, and how they are vital to the country's recovery from the pandemic. The alliance also presented its annual award to a legislator who has demonstrated exemplary support for museums, and this year's award went to Sen. Chuck Schumer. The senator took time to personally meet with the museum advocates from his state.
The French military has ordered 300 ANAFI USA micro-UAVs from Parrot, a French firm that is the largest European designer and manufacturer of consumer and commercial UAVs. The ANAFI USA model was developed in response to a 2019 U.S. Army order for a militarized quadcopter that was similar to the Chinese DJI products but without the danger of being hacked by China. That was considered difficult to do because DJI had a huge head start, especially with flight control software and reliability.

The American military determined that Parrot was best suited for this contract because there were few Western firms as capable as Parrot. The French military spent $36 million not just for the purchase of 300 ANAFI quadcopters. The five-year deal includes Parrot developing new ANAFI features to meet specific needs of army, navy and air force users.

One of the first users will be French special operations units. The ANAFI quadcopter is a militarized version of a similar, but lighter (at 300 grams), consumer model. ANAFI weighs 500 grams (1.1 pound), has endurance of 32 minutes and standard equipment is a day/night vidcam using military-grade communications. Parrot carries two 4K (21 megapixel) vidcams with 32X zoom and the ability to identify man-sized targets two kilometers distant plus useful detail in general at up to five kilometers. There is also a thermal sensor on the Parrot that works with the 4k vidcam and enables the operator to see hot spots superimposed over the video image. The flight software is as capable as DJT models and uses no Internet access. An additional security feature is the flight control software being regularly audited to ensure that no new features have compromised security. ANAFI is very quiet and is inaudible when about 130 meters away. ANAFI can be ready for use in less than a minute and is designed to be used after brief training. For experienced quad-copter users, ANAFI is very familiar and training consists of explaining the unique security and military features.

ANAFI is also built to accept accessories that generate digital maps and thermal videos. This kind of flexibility is a major feature of Parrot commercial quad-copters and one reason for its market dominance in Europe. The ANAFI is being delivered to French forces as systems, each with two quad-copters, additional batteries and operator controllers.

Parrot does have some competition in the military market. Since 2015 Israeli firms have designed and built several quadcopters for military and police use. In 2016 the Israeli military bought some locally made Roetm L UAVs for their infantry to use in urban combat. Roetm L is a lightweight (4.5 kg/10 pound) quad-copter based on commercial designs, but modified so that it not only carries the usual day/night cameras but can also replace the cameras with two 450g (one pound) grenades which can be armed and released by operator command. With 30-minute endurance and easily learned operation, Rotem L can be carried (in a case) by one man, set up and ready to go in a minute or so and recovered for reuse. The controller has a range of up to 10 kilometers but in a dense urban environment, the max range is more like 1,500 meters. The major advantage of Rotem L is that it is quiet and can be flown through open doors or windows. Carrying one or no grenades allows Rotem L to stay airborne for up to 45 minutes. The grenades can be triggered while still aboard Rotem L to provide a self-destruct mechanism. If Rotem L lands with live grenades aboard, the operator can double-check the armed status of the grenades before recharging it for another mission. Rotem L can be used unarmed by police or carry tear gas or flash-bang grenades. Rotem L is expensive, costing over $10,000 each. Military users prefer to use it equipped with vidcams and use the cruise missile option only when forced to. Israel firms offer less expensive unarmed quadcopters for military and police use.

Parrot was competitive with the Israeli designs and offered to build ANAFI USA in the U.S. as well as demonstrating it could incorporate military-grade security features and a quad-copter that matched Israeli and Chinese designs in flexibility, features and price. Parrot had another advantage because France was a NATO member and this made it easier for French firms to meet NATO standards that enabled all NATO members to easily purchase Parrot UAVs.

NATO troops in places like Syria, Iraq, Mali and Afghanistan found that both Islamic terrorist and local security forces were eager users of high-end Chinese-made DJI commercial quadcopters. A particular favorite is the DJI Matrice 200/210. This is an industrial-grade quadcopter costing up to $20,000 each. The DJI 210 weighs 4.7 kg (10.3 pounds) and can carry up to 1.45 kg (3.2 pounds) of cameras, additional batteries or improvised weapons. Max endurance is about 30 minutes and top speed is 60 kilometers an hour. When under user control the 210 can operate up to eight kilometers away although five kilometers is more common. The 210 can be programmed to use its GPS/GLONASS navigation system to cover a specific route and return. If the control system is lost for any reason, the quadcopter will automatically return to where it started and land. While the 210 is mainly used for surveillance and reconnaissance, some have been equipped with an explosives dispenser. Anything from grenades to IED (improvised explosive devices) can be used. The 210 can be rigged as a one-way cruise missile but that is expensive and rarely done. High-end models like the 210 are favored because they are rugged and can handle wind and incorporate obstacle avoidance. This is important when operating in urban areas, forests or at night using a night-vision camera.

While popular with Islamic terrorists, gangsters and less-well equipped police and military units, Western forces tend to avoid DJI products because of fears that China may have ordered the manufacturer to include secret features that would allow the Chinese military to disable to take-control of DJI products. No one has ever found such a back door in the quadcopter software and these Chinese quadcopters, especially those made by DJI, are the most popular models worldwide. Thats because DJI models offered are the best value as well as being the most reliable.

Sometimes these bans were issued after troops had already obtained and were using DJI quadcopters. For example, in early 2018 the U.S. Marine Corps announced a new squad and platoon organization, based on its experience so far this century, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the unique changes to the new 12-man squad was that each one would get a commercial quadcopter. These were smaller, more compact models costing less than two thousand dollars each. The Marines had already bought 600 and ordered another 200 when the U.S. Department of Defense ordered a ban on the use of Chinese quadcopters. The Marines did manage to get an exemption to the new ban and are also seeking a government approved quadcopter to purchase. These are out there but none as inexpensive as the Chinese models.

The U.S. Army banned the use of DJI quadcopters in 2017. The troops had been encountering these DJI quadcopters in combat zones for years and some troops had bought them with their own money to use (successfully) in combat. Its no secret that DJI quadcopters have been showing up in combat zones with increasing frequency since 2014. Initially the most popular of these was the DJI Phantom quadcopter. The Phantom 3 showed up in 2015. It cost about a thousand dollars, weighs 3.9 kg (8.6 pounds), can stay in the air about 20 minutes per flight and can go up to 2,000 meters from the operator. The operator can see (at 720p resolution) what is under the Phantom using a small display and capture a higher resolution video (2.7k or 1080p) on a 16 GB micro memory card on the UAV. The Phantom 3 was widely available. It is easy to operate and has flight control software that makes it easy to operate and keeps the video image stable. You can equip these with a night vision camera. Max altitude is over 500 meters (1,600 feet) but most Phantoms operate lower down because getting to higher altitude takes time. DJI kept upgrading its Phantom line of quadcopters from the moment the first one hit the market in 2013. The Phantom 1 was basically a quadcopter you could add your own GoPro wireless vidcam to. But every few months DJI added new features and major upgrades were introduced as a new mode. Phantom 2 appeared at the end of 2013, Phantom 3 in early 2015 and Phantom 4 a year later. Phantom 3 was the most popular model and Phantom 4 was basically a Phantom 3 with lots more capabilities (4K video, video transmission range of five kilometers) and a higher price (about $1,500 each). New models of the Phantom continued to appear, sometimes just with a few new features and a lower price. New features include collision avoidance sensors and software. The Phantom line was replaced by the Mavic and Matrice which covered included low (Mavic) and high end (Matrice) models. Year by year the capabilities of the DJI quadcopters increased and the troops were not happy that they could not use them but the enemy could and did.

For combat troops cost is an important feature because something low-cost and capable in the combat zone equipment is quickly worn out. This is especially true with quadcopters. As a result, the troops have become accustomed to buying commercial products whenever they can get away with it.
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible.
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The opinion column written by Dr. Barbara McAneny in the Albuquerque Journal (Feb. 19) misrepresents the facts about Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Centers (CSVRMC) participation in New Mexicos Patient Compensation Fund (PCF). As the only hospital named in her opinion, we feel the need to respond to correct the record on behalf of our providers and the patients we are privileged to serve.

 CSVRMC applied for participation in the fund in 2009 because in 1976 the New Mexico Malpractice Act Section 41-5-3 was written to allow hospitals to be covered as participants in the PCF.

 CSVRMC underwent underwriting, providing required data to the actuaries of the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI). From this data, they based their recommendation of a significant surcharge for participation in the PCF and qualified CSVRMC as a provider. This standard process was neither secret nor a special deal. This is the same process that other New Mexico hospitals have undergone to participate in the PCF. As part of its participation in the PCF, CSVRMC has paid yearly surcharges for the past 12 years.

 As a result of participation, CSVRMC and other hospitals are excluded from the three-occurrence limit per the statute. This has allowed physicians a high degree of confidence that hospitals are better positioned to work alongside them in protecting the delivery of health care across New Mexico because hospitals share in the malpractice risk.

A fully functioning PCF that includes hospitals and physicians is vital to providing the malpractice coverage that health care providers need to stay in the state. Hospital participation in the fund has strengthened the fund and allowed for a cohesive and fair adjudication of disputes on a playing field that the New Mexico Legislature has supported since its passage 45 years ago.

House Bill 75 is making its way through the Legislature. It would remove hospitals from the PCF and would eliminate a hospitals ability to obtain reasonable insurance coverage. In addition, HB 75 will inhibit the ability to recruit and retain providers to the state. N.M. hospitals employ a high percentage of the states doctors who are counting on the PCF to keep malpractice insurance costs fair. Reasonable malpractice costs are key to attracting and retaining health care professionals. The rural parts of our state already struggle with inadequate access to care, and this proposed legislation will only exacerbate this situation as physicians and specialists will leave the state for other locations where they can purchase the insurance coverage they need and can reasonably afford.

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There is a similar bill making its way through this legislative session which is far more favorable. Senate Bill 239 seeks to protect patients and clinicians by preserving hospital participation in the PCF, and ensuring that funds are available to adequately compensate patients who have been injured in the rare event of medical malpractice. To reinforce the viability of the PCF for the long term, SB 239 was drafted in large part from analysis completed by the OSI.

SB 239 is supported by the New Mexico Clinician Coalition. This bill reflects the urgency that clinicians across our state  including the overwhelming majority of physicians, nurses and hospitals  feel to develop a comprehensive fix to the Medical Malpractice Act. Any legislation should be structured to keep the PCF as strong as possible, for as long as possible.

Im proud that Christus St. Vincent is a not-for-profit entity, that zero funds have left New Mexico from its operations and that its funds are 100% re-invested to provide excellent health care delivery in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. Avenues such as the PCF allow them and other hospitals to maximize their investments in delivering high-quality care to our community.
Senior Reporter

Farmers have responded overwhelmingly to the John Deere Mechanisation facility, with 54 of the 60 tractors availed so far being taken up.

President Mnangagwa last year launched the US$51 million John Deere Mechanisation facility, which is expected to transform the agriculture sector and ensure the industry becomes a pathway out of poverty and a pre-condition for economic growth and prosperity.

The facility will unlock 1 300 tractors, 80 combine harvesters, 600 planters, 200 disc harrows, 100 boom sprayers and 100 trailers, which will enable farmers to boost productivity.

The tractors will be used mainly by 5 000 farmers under the National Agriculture Recovery Plan.

CBZ managing director, Mr Peter Zimunya, whose bank is assessing the creditworthiness of farmers, confirmed the huge interest in the facility.

"Out of the 60 units that were availed by Government so far, we have successfully processed all the units. Fifty-four farmers have already collected their tractors while the remaining six are undergoing our credit assessment or awaiting payments of the requisite deposits and collections.

"Performance has been good so far with farmers undertaking their intended programmes and their crops looking very good.

"We do not anticipate to have any defaulters. The programme kicked-off in earnest with the current summer crop. Repayments are therefore expected from the standing crop. The crops at the farmers who received the tractors are in excellent condition and we project that repayment will be achieved," he said.

The deal with the global tractor manufacturer was entered into in November 2018 following President Mnangagwa's engagement with John Deere Agriculture Worldwide president Mr Mark von Pentz, who expressed willingness to partner the Government in boosting the agriculture sector through mechanisation.

Government has prioritised mechanisation to boost productivity, with another equipment facility from Belarus available to farmers.

Other elements of the Agriculture Recovery Plan in which progress has been recorded are irrigation development; capacitating of extension services delivery; value chain financing; and promotion of sesame seed production for export.
The number of fines issued for breaches of Covid-19 regulations in Limerick continues to rise and has now passed 800, gardai have confirmed.

According to data, published this Friday evening, members of An Garda Siochana in the Limerick division, have issued a total of 827 Fixed Charge Notices - up from 702 last week.

The figure is the third highest for any division in the country.

The Fixed Charged Penalty regime was introduced late last year and as Thursday evening, a total of 9,475 fines had been issued and processed nationwide.

3,833 for leaving home without a reasonable excuse

302 for organising an unauthorised event/gathering (including house parties)

1,019 for attending unauthorised event/gathering (including house parties)

187 for the non-wearing of face coverings in designated premises

341 for non-essential travel to airports or ports

A further 6o fines have been issued to individuals who are not ordinarily resident in the country.

According to An Garda Siochana almost half of all fines, issued to date, related to breaches which were detected at weekends (21% on Saturdays and 23% on Sundays) with 75% of all fines being issued to men.

Just over half (53%) of all fines have been issued to individuals aged between 18 and 25 and while 24% have been issued to peopled aged between 26 and 35.

Gardai say they will be continuing to mount checkpoints and high visibility patrols across Limerick at public amenities, parks and beauty spots across this weekend and they are appealing to people to stay within their 5km - despite the expected good weather.

"The vast majority of people are complying with the public health regulations. This is vital in bringing down the Covid-19 infection rate. We know it has meant major sacrifices for people and we thank them for their great efforts. The best way of keeping safe this weekend is to stay home. If you are going out, please stay within your 5km, limit your contacts with others, maintain social distancing, and regularly wash your hands," said Deputy Commissioner John Twomey.

"We all have a role to play in tackling the spread of Covid-19. This is an individual and collective responsibility. Unfortunately, there appears to be some people who dont believe it is their responsibility. Having such an attitude puts themselves, their loved ones and anyone they come into contact with at risk of getting a virus that has killed more than 4,000 of our fellow citizens," he added.

A number of Covid-related prosecutions are expected to come before the courts in Limerick over the coming weeks.
Washington state senators passed a bill to ban the open carry of firearms at the state's Capitol building in Olympia on Thursday amid fears of political violence.

The bill also bans the open carry of firearms within 250 feet of a permitted protest anywhere in the state.

'What you need when you come to the Capitol is your voice,' said Democratic state Sen. Patty Kuderer, who sponsored the bill. 'You dont need a weapon.'

Fellow Democrat Sam Hunt stated the bill was necessary because of the charged political atmosphere, saying 'these are not normal times.'

'Schools have gun-free zones and  we can do the same thing in very limited instances, which this bill does,' Hunt continued.

But the bill, which passed along party lines, 28-20, was criticized by state Republicans.

Much of the debate in Washington centered around the right to free speech guaranteed in the First Amendment and the right to bear arms guaranteed in the Second Amendment.

'What this bill does is pit one right against another,' state Sen. Keith Wagoner said.

Following armed protests at the state Capitol, the Washington senate voted to ban the open carry of firearms at the building, as well as at sanctioned demonstrations across the state

In December, there were three shootings at demonstrations at the state Capitol, injuring one

The bill will next go to the Washington state House of Representatives for a vote.

It also covers carrying of firearms near a permitted protest anywhere in the state after a string of clashes.

In December, there were three separate shootings at demonstrations near the state Capitol, one which left a person injured according to the Seattle Times.

The bill was first introduced in the state Senate in the days following the riot at the US Capitol in Washington D.C., which shocked the nation and left five dead.

Washington is not the first state to ban the open carry of firearms in the wake of the insurrection.

In the immediate days after the insurrection, the Michigan Capitol Commission unanimously banned open carry, allowing only law enforcement and those with concealed-weapon permits to carry a gun into the state capitol.

The debate in the state Senate focused on First Amendment and Second Amendment friction

Ultimately, the bill passed along party lines in favor of the Democrats by a 28-20 tally

Washington D.C. has strict gun control laws that make carrying a concealed weapon illegal.

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, who ran a pro-gun campaign, was granted a concealed carry license at the beginning of the month, shortly after she attempted to evade metal detectors installed at the U.S. Capitol.

She previously promised to bring her handgun with her to work during her freshman term.

In February, the US House of Representatives voted to ban firearms from the floor altogether, with fines of $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for additional offenses.

Nevertheless, Boebert hinted to TMZ on Thursday that she still carries her firearm to work, responding 'Who says I don't' to a question about whether she continues to carry her concealed weapon.

These bans come as fears of political violence at the U.S. Capitol grow around the State of the Union, which has not been scheduled yet.

Lauren Boebert has drawn criticism for pledges to carry her firearm to the House of Rep. floor

More and more states are examining gun control laws around their state legislative buildings as a result of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which left five dead

'We know that members of the militia groups that were present on Jan. 6 have stated their desire that they want to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible, with a direct nexus to the State of the Union,' Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said on Thursday to a House Appropriations subcommittee.

'Based on that information [it's] prudent that Capitol Police maintain its enhanced security posture until we address those issues going forward.'




More than 300 schoolgirls have been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen from a school in Nigeria's north-western Zamfara state, police say.



Security officers have been dispatched to the town of Jangebe where the girls were seized early on Friday morning.

Local officials have confirmed the attack but have not given more details.



This is the latest mass abduction targeting schools in recent weeks. Armed gangs often seize schoolchildren for ransom.



At least 42 people, including 27 students, who were kidnapped last week in Kagara, in neighbouring Niger state, are yet to be released.



The 2014 kidnap of 276 schoolgirls in the north-eastern town of Chibok by Islamist militants Boko Haram brought global attention to the scourge of raids on schools in Nigeria but the most recent attacks are suspected to be the work of criminal gangs.



How did the attack happen?



Friday's attack happened at 01:00 local time (midnight GMT) when a group of gunmen arrived at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe town with pick-up vehicles and motorcycles, a teacher told news site Punch.



Some of the gunmen were dressed as government security forces, the report said, adding that they forced the schoolgirls in the vehicles.



But other witnesses have told the BBC that the armed men arrived on foot at the school.



The witness told BBC Hausa that more than 100 gunmen entered the school.



"They broke the school gate and shot at the security man. Then they moved into the hostels and woke up the girls, telling them it was time for prayers. After gathering all of them, the girls were crying and they took them away to the forest. They were also shooting in the air as they were marching to the forest," the witness said.



Distraught parents have gathered outside the school and some have gone out into the bush to look for their daughters, witnesses say.



A teacher told the BBC that of 421 students in the school at the time, only 55 had been accounted for.

Source: BBC









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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In 2016, Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut locked horns and things got dirty in the media. Kangana Ranaut had claimed that she had a romantic liaison with Hrithik Roshan and later called him her silly ex. This made Hrithik Roshan take a stand and claimed that he was never involved with the actress and that there were no messages or emails exchanged between them, which the actress claimed.



Now according to reports in E-times, Hrithik Roshan has been summoned to appear at Mumbai crime branch tomorrow at 11 am. Here the actor will record his statement against Kangana Ranaut. The case has been resurfaced in December 2020 when Roshans lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani made a request and the case which was earlier handled by the Cyber Cell of the Mumbai police has now been transferred to Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU). Now lets see if this war comes to an end or what's the new turn this ugly spat takes.



In 2016 Kangana had claimed that Hrithik and she exchanged several emails, which was then investigated and Hrithik Roshan came clean that it wasnt the email id he handled, but rather it was a bogus id. However later Hrithik had accused Kangana of harassing him with several mails which the actress denied sending them. This case has been going on for years and looks like the saga continues.
Maldives: Relations with EU better than ever before, says MEP Zdechovsky

by Zunana Zalif

February 26,2021 | Source: Raajje

Nearly 40 years since Maldives established relations with the European Union, the current relationship is the best in history, remarks Member of the European Parliament Tomas Zdechovsky. Joining RaajjeTV for an exclusive interview during his trip to the island nation, the MEP was at a loss for words when questioned regarding the current relationship between Maldives and EU and how it has been developing.



Maldives-EU relations



I cannot describe it said an ecstatic MEP who stated that the current relationship is in a state where if the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid visited Europe, everybody wanted to meet him, like never before. Zdechovsky went on to note that the current politicians are very well-educated, is capable of enlightening things very well in the EU and can be a very practical part of the international community. The MEP stated that right now Maldives is a very reliable partner, who promises something and does it, while three years ago no one trusted the island nations actions and showed no interest in the Maldives.



How can the EU assist the Maldives most right now?



Highlighting that there are many areas in which EU can assist Maldives right now, MEP Zdechovsky stated that assisting Maldives like a strong diplomatic partner will really help the government negotiate with other countries, as EU has a lot of experience from across the world through which we can help. The MEP stated that EU could extend assistance through environment experience, scientist, development and technologies. As such, he highlighted the production of tuna fish in the Maldives which could be boosted through technologies from Spain.



How can Maldives progress further?



When questioned on areas that Maldives can improve on as there is still room for progress despite the increased progress Maldives has made since the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took over, the MEP stated that there are many things Maldives has to continue progressing on. However, when comparing Maldives as a full member of the South Asia Delegation, the MEP stated the biggest progress made in democracy within the past years has been in the Maldives, which tops the list. Maldives still requires to fight against corruption a get involved in a lot of negotiation with other states, not only oriented for one state but globally, as the archipelago nation is very international, MEP Zdechovsky said, stressing on the importance of doing so for the future and to maintain a very good name.



Maldives fisheries sector



Maldivians tuna has been described as the most sustainable, caught one-by-one with pole-and-line fishing, however, being the only country to not have a preferential arrangement in the South Asian region and a 24 percent duty on export, the MEP was also questioned whether he will be addressing these issues through discussions with the European parliament members. Responding to this, the MEP said that they wish to prepare a letter to the European Commissions president in which they urge her to go into a partnership with the Maldives, which will be a very important step. He described the Maldives to be a very democratic country to have the same values as the EU and congratulated the island nation as discussions were held a few months back, regarding visa realization. The MEP assured that the first step has been taken with some three embassies of Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary which will pave way for easier access to the European visa, which Maldivians do not have to travel to neighboring Sri Lanka to attain. During the interview, MEP Zdechovsky also commended the Maldives government for their excellent response to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. He noted that the Covid-19 vaccination drive across Maldives is the best across the globe and while many countries have had steep declines in tourist arrivals since the pandemic began sweeping across the globe, he remarked that Maldives has been observing steadily increasing numbers in tourist arrivals over the past six weeks or so. MEP Zdechovsky expressed hopes to observe continuation in the strengthening of relations between Maldives and EU in the coming years.

 2021 RaajjeTv
BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping, whose career has been closely associated with his country's war against poverty, declared on Thursday that China has scored a "complete victory."

The country has created a "China example" of poverty reduction and made great contributions to global poverty alleviation, Xi said when addressing a gathering marking the country's accomplishments in poverty eradication and commending role models in that cause.

During the race against impoverishment at home, the Chinese president is keenly aware that poverty eradication is a common ideal of humanity. He thus has urged his country to play an increasingly proactive role in global efforts to reduce poverty.

Xi calls it "the bigger perspective."

People-centered development

In the late 1960s, Xi, who was then less than 16 years of age, came to a small village on the loess plateau of northern Shaanxi Province and worked on the land there for seven years.

Back then, peasants had nothing to offer but sweat and toil in hopes of living better, but due to a severe scarcity of resources, that still seemed a pie in the sky for the rural impoverished.

That experience has built enduring momentum in Xi's devotion to the anti-poverty cause.

By the end of 2010, China's economy was about 6 trillion U.S. dollars, overtaking Japan as the world's second-largest economy, while there remained nearly 150 million people whose income was less than one dollar a day.

When China's per capita GDP rose from 4,551 dollars in 2010 to 10,276 dollars in 2019 -- crossing the 10,000-dollar mark for the first time, Xi has repeatedly said "no single poor area or individual shall be left behind."

Over the past decade, the overarching goal of China's anti-poverty endeavor was to realize the Two Assurances and Three Guarantees -- to ensure the rural poor do not have to worry about food and clothing, and have access to compulsory education, basic medical services and safe housing.

"It is a basic requirement and core indicator in our poverty eradication effort that by 2020 we will succeed in delivering the Two Assurances and Three Guarantees for impoverished rural residents," Xi said during an inspection tour of southwest China's Chongqing municipality in April 2019.

"This is key to the success of the final stage of our fight against poverty," he said.

While the Chinese people are moving closer to realizing what has come to be known as the Chinese dream, hundreds of millions of people in other countries are still living in extreme poverty.

"We cannot but feel deep concern that more than 800 million still go to bed every day with an empty stomach," Xi said, addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at the UN headquarters in New York.

As a developing nation, China will share its development opportunities with other developing countries, Xi pledged on the same day at the High-level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation.

"China will closely link its development with the common growth of the developing world, connect the Chinese dream with the dream of all the people in the developing countries for a better life, and join hands with other developing countries to create a bright future for common progress," he said.

Targeted poverty alleviation

In 2012, there were still nearly 100 million people living below the national poverty line -- 2300 yuan (about 356 dollars in the current value) or less per year, a new but tough period in China's anti-poverty war.

The idea of "targeted poverty alleviation" proves to be China's mighty weapon in its final push against poverty, which was first put forward by Xi during an inspection tour in 2013 to Shibadong, a Miao minority village in the central province of Hunan.

Despite its location deep in the mountains, Shibadong abounds in ethnic charm and ecological resources. Therefore, the villagers decided to bet their future on six major industries, including Miao embroidery and rural tourism.

In early 2017, all the 533 impoverished residents in the village were lifted out of poverty, while the net per capita income grew nearly ninefold between 2013 and 2019.

In 2018, Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith led a delegation to Shibadong to learn from its playbook of fighting poverty.

As Laos is striving to reduce poverty, the village's success has become a model for his country, Bounnhang wrote to Shibadong villagers in 2019.

Having blazed a poverty reduction path with Chinese characteristics, China, under Xi's guidance, is helping other developing countries transform their resource endowment into development advantages.

In 2000, Xi helped launch the pilot Juncao project to help improve the livelihood of the Papua New Guinea people, when he was the governor of southeast China's Fujian Province.

Juncao, famed as "magic grass" and discovered by Chinese scientists, is an economical and environmentally friendly substitute for timber, which can be used as a substrate for growing mushrooms.

Eighteen years later, during Xi's visit to the Oceania country, the two countries signed another aid project using the grass technology. By 2023, the aid program is expected to lift 30,000 local people out of poverty.

At a UN meeting in 2019, former President of the General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces described Juncao as "emblematic of China's Belt and Road Initiative," which, according to the World Bank's estimates, could contribute to lifting 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty.

Uphill battle

Over the past eight years, China has lifted 98.99 million poor rural residents under the current poverty line out of poverty, with 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 poor villages removed from the poverty list, Xi said Thursday, hailing the country's achievement of eradicating absolute poverty as a miracle that shall "go down in history."

It was a hard-fought battle, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in late 2019, tore through China's economy.

Thanks to China's dual efforts to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 and stabilize economic and social development, its economy emerged as the only major economy to grow in 2020, with a 2.3-percent increase of GDP year on year, official data showed in mid-January.

Despite China's rebound, other emerging markets and developing economies, however, may trace diverging recovery paths, as the pandemic is still mauling many parts of the world, according to the World Economic Outlook Update released by the International Monetary Fund on Jan. 26.

The quest to end poverty has suffered its worst setback for the first time in a generation.

The COVID-19 crisis is forecast to pull 32 million people back into extreme poverty and efforts to rebuild the economies of the world's poorest nations post-pandemic will fall significantly short, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said in December.

It called for swift, significant and substantial policy action.

In his special address at the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda in January, Xi said as a steadfast member of developing countries, China will further deepen South-South cooperation, and contribute to the endeavor of developing countries to eradicate poverty, ease debt burden, and achieve more growth.

At the G20 Riyadh Summit on Nov. 21, Xi said "we should keep our support for developing countries and help them overcome the hardships caused by the pandemic."

He pledged that China will increase the level of debt suspension and relief for countries facing particular difficulties and encourage its financial institutions to provide new financing support on a voluntary basis and according to market principles.

"Past a fallen ship, one thousand sail onward," Xi said, quoting a Chinese poem. "In that spirit, let us join hands to deliver a better life for our people and build a community with a shared future for mankind."

by Xinhua writers Xia Yuanyi, Huang Yinjiazi
Healthy Living Magazine 2021

NJ Top Docs has just released the latest issue of Healthy Living Magazine which features all reviewed and approved NJ Top Doctors and Top Dentists of 2021.

NJ Top Docs is an exclusive healthcare resource that reviews healthcare providers in the state of New Jersey based on merit, not popularity. Each provider is put through a rigorous application and review process that includes but is not limited to, a minimum of 5 years in practice, a clean license, no significant malpractice issues, and generally stellar patient reviews.

To view all reviewed and approved 2021 NJ Top Doctors and NJ Top Dentists, please turn to page 69 in the digital edition. To learn more about our methodology please read our review process.

All providers are reviewed at no cost to them and if approved, they are listed in the magazine directory as an approved provider (also at no cost to them). Our Healthy Living Magazine is free to the public via direct in-home distribution (across all 21 counties of New Jersey) and subscription signups.

You can click here to subscribe to Healthy Living Magazine and the next printed issue will be delivered to your doorstep. If you prefer to read the latest issue digitally, you can do so here.

The newly released issue also features articles on a few of the top apps for mental health, work from home essentials, modish masks and more.

The goal of Healthy Living Magazine is to provide New Jersey residents with a complete informational resource to assist them in choosing a local highly qualified healthcare provider.

To take a look at all past and present Healthy Living issues, please click here.

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Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
ATHENS (Reuters) - Prosecutors ordered on Friday that the former director of Greece's National Theatre be remanded after hearing his plea over child rape allegations, his lawyer said.

Authorities also launched an investigation into allegations that teachers were abusing students at a private school in Athens following a letter signed by nearly 300 alumni.

Dimitris Lignadis, a prominent actor, resigned as head of the National Theatre this month and turned himself in on Saturday after an arrest warrant was issued following lawsuits filed against him by two men who say he raped them when they were minors.

Lignadis has denied all allegations and the case "truly has no evidence", his defence lawyer, Alexis Kougias told reporters. "I am sure that in the end this person will be freed."

The case, which follows other sexual abuse allegations in Greek cultural life and sports in recent weeks as part of a delayed #MeToo movement, prompted Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to announce that his government will toughen laws to combat sexual abuse and protect minors.

On Friday, a prosecutor ordered a preliminary investigation into allegations of abuse at the prestigious private school Arsakeio, made by a group of former students against teachers.

In a letter signed by 285 alumni who were at the school between 1994-2018, they said teachers "systematically exploited and insulted the sexual dignity of students with their unethical behaviour", and called for them to be removed.

"We want to make clear that we are not referring to isolated events of a particular period, but to a mentality," said the letter, posted on news website in.gr. "A complete lack of pedagogical boundaries by some teachers, which in no way is in line with the practices of a protected school environment."

The president of the Arsakeio board, Georgios Babiniotis, who requested the prosecutor investigate, said the school would cooperate with the authorities "when and if the vague and general references in the letter take the form of specific and eponymous complaints."

(Reporting by Deborah Kyvrikosaios and Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Conte and Raul turn down Real Madrid's offer

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

David Loria: Several football clubs interested in Tigran Barseghyan's services

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Turning off one protein may help prevent heart failure, research claims

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

PSG refer to Pochettino's possible resignation

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Cartoon: Kante carries Chelsea to the Champions League

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Experts are testing experimental drug for lupus

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Money decides everything! TOP 5 richest movie characters

Zidane speaks on reasons for leaving Real Madrid

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

Dangerous carcinogen found in 78 sunscreens

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

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Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

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World oil prices on the rise

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Armenia national squad hold first training in Croatia

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

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Pune, India, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaolin Market Overview:

According to Market Research Future (MRFR), the Kaolin Market is predicted to develop at a 4.1% CAGR through the forecast period. Kaolin was created nearly 150 million years ago. Its chief constituent is kaolinite, a hydrous aluminum silicate formed by the decomposition of minerals and silicates such as mica, quartz, feldspar, or metallic oxides such as rutile and hematite. It has found increased demand in treating a range of ailments in ancient times and even now for diarrhea, swelling, and sores inside the mouth to stop blood loss and other conditions. Still, there is no relevant scientific evidence to support most of these usages. Kaolin, or China clay, is virtually white, and it is differentiated from other industrial clays based on its fine particle dimensions and pure coloring. Its capability to dissolve in water presents it as an ideal pigment. In the 7th and 8th centuries, the Chinese were the forerunners to use kaolin to make porcelain. Although kaolin is found worldwide, deposits with suitable viscosity, whiteness, and other favorable characteristics are rare. The United States region has some high-quality deposits in its Southeastern regions. The mineral has been mined from colonial times in the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Brazil and the United Kingdom are the Other valuable kaolin deposits globally.

COVID-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 occurrence had disturbed the manufacturing and supply in the kaolin market and delayed the global industry's development. Many businesses in the kaolinite market are utilizing strategies to reduce downtime losses that are becoming worrying as the effects of the pandemic linger. The well-known factor propelling the global kaolin market's development is the swelling demand for kaolin in the paper industry; despite most of the applications not requiring paper as much as before, the formal correspondence is conducted on paper, even now leaving an enormous potential for kaolin in the paper industry. Kaolin is extensively implemented in high-grade ceramics manufacture, which is further used to design whitewares, such as sanitaryware, tableware, and tiles. These applications are estimated to see an increased demand in the coming years, which will benefit the kaolin market.

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Market Segmentation:

Furthermore, developing new application areas such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals on a larger scale will likely propel the future market's progress. Potential substitutes' availability is expected to hamper the global kaolin market's growth. In terms of value, the calcined segment led the global kaolin market with a 50.2% share in 2019 and is likely to list a 4% CAGR throughout the review period. The paper segment described the leading share of above 35% in 2018 due to kaolin's extraordinary properties such as whiteness, ink absorptivity, printing characteristics, and glossiness. This is evident in MAJUPERAK Holdings Bhd, a Perak-based property developer's appointment of Modkha Marine Sdn Bhd as the operative for its kaolin mining outfit in the state. Majuperak, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Majuperak Energy Resources Sdn Bhd, participated in a mining operations contract with Modkha Marine, which allows the latter to obtain raw kaolin from the site for cash trades of RM13.50 per tonne.

Regional Market Insights:

The Asia Pacific kaolin demand managed the kaolin market in 2018. The National markets of India, China, and Japan see budding demand for kaolin from several industrial verticals due to the quick industrialization degree and budding per-capita income in these nations. The regional market is anticipated to record a CAGR of over 4.5% throughout the forecast period. Suvo Strategic Minerals (SUV), a notable player in the APAC region, has announced its latest trimestral earning. The company ended the year well-funded with $7.4 million in reserve. It was a big quarter for the kaolin and silica sand manufacturer, who also attained Imerys' hydrous kaolin operations centered in Australia SUV effectively procured $6 million in an oversubscribed assignment to fund the charge of buying the new operation. The European kaolin market held the second prime market share globally in 2018. The kaolin market in Europe was evaluated to be assessed at USD 1,295.0 million in 2018. Germany influenced the regional market's main share and is projected to log the uppermost CAGR in the review period.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (150 Pages) on Kaolin: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/kaolin-market-5865

Competitive Landscape:

The mineral's versatility has led to its discreet development as a significant element in a range of applications that are now attracting investors and new players into the global business.

The Notable Companies in the Kaolin Market are:

BASF SE (Germany)

Imerys (France)

Sibelco (Belgium)

Thiele Kaolin Company (U.S.)

LB MINERALS, Ltd (Czech Republic)

Ashapura Group (India)

KaMin LLC (U.S.)

EICL Limited (India)

Sedlecky kaolin a.s. (Czech Republic)

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Andromeda Metals (ADN) is one of the growing players in the global kaolin market who are currently in the process of advancing the Great White Kaolin Project in the South Australian region. The project is maintained in a joint undertaking with Minotaur Exploration who now possesses a 25 % interest after Andromeda augmented its claim to 75 %. The Great White project's mineral reserve was elevated by 33 % and now rests at 34.6 million tonnes of clear white kaolinised granite. The combined undertaking partners also saw optimistic results from testing their halloysite-kaolin's suitability in the concrete and coatings industry; a conclusive feasibility study is being directed for the project and is anticipated to be accomplished in the June quarter. Andromeda Metals, in the course of the project thus far, have spent $301,000 on operational activities and just over $1 million on investment endeavors.

Discover more Research Reports on Chemicals Industry , by Market Research Future:

Cryogenic Insulation Market : Information by Material Type (PU/PIR, Polystyrene, Cellular Glass, and Others), End-Use Industry (Energy & Power, Food & Beverages, Chemical, Medical and others) and Region (Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa) - Forecast till 2025

Bentonite Market : Information by Product (Sodium Bentonite, Calcium Bentonite, Sulphur Bentonite, Others), Application (Foundry Sands, Cat Litter, Iron Ore Pelletizing, Refining, Drilling Muds, Absorbent/Adsorbent, Binder, Sealant, Civil Engineering, Others), End-Use Industry (Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Construction, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Paper and Pulp, Agriculture, Ceramics, Wastewater Treatment) and Region (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa) - Forecast till 2024

Abrasives Market Research Report: Information By Source (Natural, Synthetic), By Material (Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Emery, Corundum, Boron Carbide, Others), By Type (Bonded, Coated, Super, Others) and By Application (Automotive, Metal Working, Machinery, Electrical & Electronics, Construction, Others) - Forecast till 2027

Nanocellulose Market Information: by Type [Nanofibrillar Cellulose (NFC), Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC), Bacterial Cellulose (BCC)], Application (Composites & Packaging, Paper & Board, Paints & Coatings, Oil & Gas, Personal Care, and Others), and Region- Forecast till 2023

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
Bharat Forge wins Rs178-cr defence ministry order for Kalyani M4 vehicles

The Defence Acquisition Council of the defence ministry has placed an order worth Rs177.95 crore with Bharat Forge for the manufacture and supply of Kalyani M4 vehicles.

Under the contract, which is part of a Rs13,700 crore emergency procurement by the ministry, entails production and supply of 200 Kalyani M4 vehicles..

Pune-based Bharat Forge has entered into a partnership with global aerospace and technology firm Paramount Group to manufacture armoured vehicles in the country.

The agreement was signed a day before during the International Defence Expo held in Abu Dhabi.

"This collaboration brings together the manufacturing and technology excellence of two leading companies, which have matching synergies and complementary capabilities. The Kalyani M4 is a fantastic new generation vehicle, and we want to position it as the future of protection in all markets world-wide," Bharat Forge deputy managing director Amit Kalyani said.

The Kalyani M4 is a multi-role platform, designed to meet the specific requirements of armed forces for quick mobility in rough terrain and in areas affected by mine and IED threats.

It is intended that the Kalyani M4 will see service with the Indian armed forces in the very near future. The Kalyani M4 successfully completed a series of extreme vehicle trials in some of the toughest environments," a statement from the two companies said.

Indian multinational company Bharat Forge limited has bagged an order worth Rs 177.95 crore from the Indian Ministry of Defence for the supply of Kalyani M4 vehicles.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by degence minister Rajnath Singh has approved capital acquisition proposals of various weapons/platforms/equipment/systems required by the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Three Acceptance of Necessities (AoNs) for an overall cost of Rs13,700 crore were accorded. All these AoNs are in the highest priority category of Defence Acquisition viz 'Buy [Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)].

All these acquisition proposals will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. These will include inter-alia platforms and systems designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The DAC also decided that all capital acquisition contracts (delegated and non-delegated) other than D&D cases shall be concluded in two years. The ministry, in consultation with the Services and all stakeholders, will come up with detailed plan of action for achieving the same.

Hyderabad, Feb 26 : A war of words has broken out between Telangana's ruling and opposition parties over jobs created in the state during the last six years, increasing the political heat ahead of next month's elections to two seats of Legislative Council and ensuing by-polls to the Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly seat.

Where are the new jobs created, asking the opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) disputing the claims of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) that the government provided 1.32 lakh jobs since 2014.

Open letter, challenges, counter-challenges and 'data war' among the parties have heated the state politics in the run up to March 14 elections to two graduate constituencies of the Council.

The leaders are reeling out statistics in support of their claims while their supporters are also waging a war on social media.

Unemployment has been a major issue in Telangana ever since its formation as a separate state in 2014. In fact, water, funds and jobs were the three slogans of the TRS during the Telangana movement.

After forming the first government in the new state, TRS leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao had promised to provide one lakh jobs by filling all vacancies in the government departments.

The TRS claims that it has done much more. Two days ago, the Chief Minister's son and Industry Minister K. T. Rama Rao rejected the argument that the TRS had failed youngsters on jobs and said that 1.32 lakh jobs were given in the government sector in the last six years. He said Congress could fill up just 10,000 posts in Telangana from 2004-2014 when it was in power in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, said he was ready for a debate on this issue.

Congress spokesperson Sravan Dasoju was quick to accept the challenge. He asked KTR to come to the Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park on Friday for debate. "We will not believe in your false statement. Come with your team and the figures on the recruitment and current vacancies," he said.

KTR, who is also Working President of TRS, instead issued an open letter, accusing the opposition parties of resorting to false propaganda to mislead youth and students.

He reiterated that the government filled 1,32,899 posts in various department during the last six years, and also released the figures giving department-wise vacancies filled.

He also reiterated that if anyone has any doubts about our government's commitment to job recruitment, they can approach respective departments and clarify.

He said that the Telangana State Public Service Commission recruited 30,594 employees while the Telangana State Level Police Recruitment Board filled 31,972 vacancies. He also gave the figures of vacancies filled in other organisations while asking Congress to provide figures of the jobs created during its 10-year rule between 2004 and 2014.

Sravan along with supporters reached Gun Park around noon on Friday but KTR did not turn up.

He wanted to know why KTR wrote an open letter instead of coming forward for an open debate as he had proposed, and termed as "utter lies" the claims of the government on jobs given.

He pointed out that on June 2, 2014 when Telangana state came into being, out of total sanctioned 4.19 lakh employees, 3.12 lakh employees were on rolls while there were 1.07 lakh vacancies. He said now and after 7 years of TRS rule, on rolls employees are 2.28 lakh while vacancies are 1.93 lakh.

He claimed that KTR was revealing false figures to mislead graduates. He said regularisation of over 22,000 TS Genco, and Transco employees is projected as the vacancies filled.

A war of words also broke out between the TRS and the BJP. The TRS asked BJP to give details of the 12 crore jobs created during last six years, in a reference to the party's promise of 2 crore jobs every in the country.

BJP national Vice President D.K. Aruna joined the issue. She cited the statement by the Telangana State Public Service Commission's former Chairman Ganta Chakrapani that 32,000 vacancies were filled but KTR claimed 1.32 lakh jobs were provided. "People want to know who is telling the truth," she said.

The war of words is likely to turn bitter in the coming days. Over 10 lakh graduates are eligible to cast their votes in the two constituencies of the Council on March 14.
The uproar began after an academic journals website published an article in December in which J. Mark Ramseyer, a Harvard Law School professor, argued that the women were prostitutes who had willingly entered into indenture contracts.

An international chorus of historians called for the article to be retracted, saying that his arguments ignored extensive historical evidence and sounded more like a page from Japans far-right playbook. A group of more than 1,900 economists wrote this week that the article used game theory, law and economics as cover to legitimize horrific atrocities.

The Korean International Student Association at Harvard has also demanded an apology from Mr. Ramseyer, expressing concern that the universitys name could lend credibility to the argument that Japans wartime government was not responsible for the trafficking and enslavement of women. A petition with similar language has been signed by hundreds of Harvard students.

Several scholars noted that Mr. Ramseyers argument was flawed because he did not produce any signed contracts with Korean women as evidence  and that focusing on contracts in the first place was misleading because the women, many of whom were teenagers, did not have free agency.

Mr. Ramseyers paper also ignored a 1996 United Nations report that concluded that comfort women, who came from a number of countries, mostly in Asia, were sex slaves, said Yang Kee-ho, a professor of Japanese studies at Sungkonghoe University in Seoul.

There are many details in the paper which contradict facts and distort truth, he added.

The paper, Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War, argues that the Japanese Army created standards for licensing so-called comfort stations around Asia during World War II as a way of preventing the spread of venereal disease.

Mr. Ramseyer, an expert on Japanese law, wrote that prostitutes who worked in the brothels signed contracts that were similar to those used in Tokyo brothels, but with shorter terms and higher pay to reflect the danger of working in war zones.
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Shamima Begum has lost her legal battle attempting to return to the UK to fight for her British citizenship.

The Supreme Court found that the former Isis member did not need to be in the country to have a fair and effective appeal, overturning a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal.

Begum left the UK for Syria aged 15, with two other schoolgirls from Bethnal Green in east London.

She was nine months pregnant when a journalist found her in the al-Hawl camp in northern Syria in early 2019, and her baby son later died.

Last July, the Court of Appeal ruled that she should be allowed to return to the UK to appeal against the removal of her British citizenship.

Ms Begum should be allowed to come to the United Kingdom to pursue her appeal albeit subject to such controls as the secretary of state deems appropriate, a summary of its decision said.

The Home Office immediately moved to appeal that judgment to the Supreme Court, staying its effects.

Lord Reed, the Supreme Court president, said the Court of Appeal had made four errors in its judgment, saying the right to a fair hearing does not trump all other considerations, such as the safety of the public.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, he said: The Supreme Court unanimously allows the secretary of states [Priti Patels] appeals and dismisses Ms Begums cross appeal.

The result is that Ms Begums appeal against the leave to enter decision is dismissed, her application for judicial review of the leave to enter decision is dismissed, and her application for judicial review of Special Immigration Appeals Commissions preliminary determination in her appeal against the deprivation decision is dismissed.

Begum, now 21, remains in a Syrian camp for women and children who were captured after leaving Isis territories.

Shamima Begum left the UK in 2015 with two schoolfriends from Bethnal Green

The Syrian Democratic Forces, which runs the camp and other prisons, has repeatedly asked the UK and other countries to repatriate their nationals.

But the British government has been depriving surviving Isis members of their UK citizenship in a bid to stop them returning.

Maya Foa, director of the Reprieve legal charity, said the continued detention of Begum and others from the UK in Syrian camps was untenable.

She called for the government to repatriate detainees and prosecute the adults, while rehabilitating their children.

The Supreme Court ruling has put the problem back in the hands of the government and it has always been their problem to resolve, Ms Foa told The Independent.

Indefinite detention without charge or trial, in unstable camps, is not a good situation from a justice perspective or a human rights perspective.

She said Isis detainees had been left in a legal black hole, and that there were concerns that the possibility of them escaping, being freed or radicalising each other created other national security risks.

If we are purely talking about what will keep the British people safe, it is not the do nothing approach, Ms Foa added.

Several MPs have called for Begum and others like her to be returned to Britain to face justice.

Tory MP and former Brexit Secretary David Davis called the Supreme Court ruling disappointing and wrote: Regardless of what individuals like Shamima Begum have done, the UK cannot simply wash our hands of Brits in the Syrian camps.

The correct approach would be to return them to the UK to answer for their crimes.

Lord Reed, giving the Supreme Court judgment on behalf of all five justices, said the consequences of citizenship deprivation were serious.

Although [Begum] cannot be rendered stateless, the loss of her British citizenship may nevertheless have a profound effect upon her life, especially where her alternative [Bangladeshi] nationality is one with which she has little real connection, he added.

 Shamima Begum on moving to Syria: 'Videos on the internet attracted me to join them'

But the setting aside of the decision may also have serious consequences for the public interest. In such a case, it would be irresponsible for the court to allow the appeal without any regard to the interests of national security which prompted the decision in question, and it is difficult to conceive that the law would require it to do so.

Arguing their case at the Supreme Court in November, lawyers representing Begum said the government could not assume she would pose a terror threat if allowed to return to Britain.

Lord Pannick QC said safeguarding mechanisms had failed before Begum left the UK with two school friends in 2015, and that her particular circumstances should be taken into account.

But a barrister representing the home secretary said Begum had aligned herself with Isis and that her return to Britain would expose the public to an increased risk of terrorism.

Sir James Eadie QC drew judges attention to passages of an interview with The Times in which Begum said she did not regret travelling to Syria, and that seeing severed heads in a bin didnt faze me at all.

The Supreme Court ruled there was no basis for the Court of Appeal's finding that the national security concerns about Begum could be addressed and managed by her being prosecuted or subjected to Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIM) on her return.

Lord Reed said: There was no evidence before the court from the police, the Crown Prosecution Service or the Director of Public Prosecutions as to whether it was either possible or appropriate to ensure that Ms Begum was arrested on her return and charged with an offence.

Nor was it known whether, if she were arrested and charged, she would be remanded in custody: that would be a matter for the courts.

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The judge also said there was no evidence, nor any submissions, before the Court of Appeal as to whether or not a TPIM could or would be imposed on Ms Begum, or as to the effectiveness of any such measure in addressing the risk which she might pose.

Ms Patel, the home secretary, said: The Supreme Court has unanimously found in favour of the governments position, and reaffirmed the home secretarys authority to make vital national security decisions.

The government will always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security and our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of our citizens.

The UN special rapporteur on counterterrorism intervened in the case, as did the Liberty and Justice human rights groups.

Liberty lawyer Rosie Brighouse said: If a government is allowed to wield extreme powers like banishment without the basic safeguards of a fair trial it sets an extremely dangerous precedent.

The security services have safely managed the returns of hundreds of people from Syria, but the government has chosen to target Begum. This approach does not serve justice, its a cynical distraction from a failed counterterror strategy and another example of this governments disregard for access to justice and the rule of law.

Of about 900 people who left Britain to engage in the conflict in Syria and Iraq since 2014, around one-fifth have been killed and 40 per cent have returned.
Ryan C. Painter, an Owosso native, has recently joined Braun Kendricks business and estate planning practice group.

He focuses his practice in the areas of elder law, estate planning, probate litigation, and municipal law. He also advises individuals and closely held businesses on a variety of matters, including entity formation, business planning, and real estate.


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Coronavirus infection rates are rising in around one in four local authorities in Britain, official data revealed today.

Department of Health statistics showed 98 out of 380 UK councils - 25 per cent of the total - recorded a rise in cases over the week to February 21, the latest available. In England it was 71 out of 315 - 22 per cent or less than one in five.

Cases surged fastest in Rutland, near Leicestershire, where they ticked up by 87 per cent in a week, followed by East Lothian in Scotland (81 per cent) and Mid and East Antrim in Northern Ireland (80 per cent).

Rutland's high infection rate has previously been linked to an outbreak in its prison - HMP Stocken - which drove up the case rate for the whole area. Scotland reopened primary schools on Monday, but it is not clear whether this is behind an increase in the number of cases.

But the vast majority of councils continued to register falling infection rates as lockdowns remained in place. The sharpest drop was in West Devon, down 67 per cent, followed by Argyll and Bute, in Scotland, and Winchester, in Hampshire, where they dropped by 60 per cent.

It comes as the Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a Downing Street press conference tonight that at least one in five local authorities in England were seeing a rise in infections compared to last week.

Jonathan Van-Tam also urged Britons not to 'relax' as the UK heads into a glorious weekend with the first warm weather for months, warning that 'this is not a battle that we have won yet'.

A catalogue of data today suggested the second wave was still in retreat - and has almost halved in England within two weeks. Sage estimates of the R rate also remained at its lowest level ever for the second week in a row.

But a symptom-tracking app also estimated the fall downturn may have begun to slow, after estimating there were 9,545 new symptomatic Covid infections a day in the week ending February 21 - up three per cent on the same time last week.

Jonathan Van-Tam said some parts of the UK were still 'burning hot' with high infection rates - places in dark blue on the map have the highest number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people

Cases are rising in a significant number of places in the UK, data show - JVT said: 'In some parts of the UK, case rates are changing, albeit slowly, in the wrong direction. This is not a good sign and reinforces the fact that Im afraid this battle at the moment is not won'

Warning that the UK wasn't out of the woods yet, Professor Van-Tam said there were 'quite a few areas of the UK that are burning quite hot' with rising infection rates, including in the Midlands and spreading up to the North West of England.

'Although it is generally good news, I'm afraid it is better news in some places than it is in others and this is not a battle that we have won yet,' he said.

FURY OVER PLAN FOR COVID VACCINE ROLLOUT Fury erupted today after the Government confirmed police officers and teachers would not be bumped up the Covid vaccine priority list once the NHS has made its way through 32million people in the top nine priority groups. Ministers announced they will continue with the age-based approach recommended by leading scientists, paving the way for everyone in their forties to be jabbed in April before the roll-out eventually reaches every remaining adult. But police and teaching unions were outraged at being ignored in the next phase of the inoculation drive. Metropolitan Police Federation chief Ken Marsh slammed the 'absurd' plan, calling it 'absolutely disgusting' and arguing that health officials 'don't give a damn about us'. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, also attacked the announcement, telling the BBC that prioritising teachers would 'reassure' them and 'minimise disruption to education caused by staff absence as a result of Covid'. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance (EYA), accused the Government of being 'lazy' in its decision not to prioritise key workers Advertisement

'In some parts of the UK, case rates are changing, albeit slowly, in the wrong direction. This is not a good sign and reinforces the fact that I'm afraid this battle at the moment is not won.'

Boris Johnson's plan to bring England out of lockdown - which will see schools open to all pupils on March 8 - is partially dependant on infection levels remaining low enough that they do not risk a spike in hospitalisations and deaths.

The Prime Minister has not ruled out imposing tougher 'local action' on some areas where cases are higher after starting to ease restrictions.

Experts on SAGE, whose advice has guided ministers through the pandemic, said the R rate was below one in every region of the country.

It was lowest in the East of England and London - which both entered stringent measures fastest in response to the second wave - and the South West, where infections have remained lower than in the rest of the country.

And it was the highest in the Midlands, North East and Yorkshire, North West and South East.

Separate data published yesterday by Public Health England found that cases dropped in all but 15 local authorities in England in the most recent week.

The biggest declines in positive tests per 100,000 people were seen in the Isle of Wight, Bath, Gloucestershire and the London boroughs of Lewisham and Bromley, which all saw their infection numbers fall by between 37 and 57 per cent.

But the 15 places where infection rates increased on the previous week were Rutland, Swindon, Herefordshire, Hartlepool, Bradford, Bury, Sheffield, North East Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Kirklees, Leeds, Rochdale, Southampton, East Riding of Yorkshire and Wakefield

They saw positive test rates rise by anywhere between 0.3 per cent (Wakefield) and 87 per cent (Rutland).

As well as its area-by-area breakdown, Public Health England's numbers also show that positive test numbers are down across most regions and all age groups in the most recent week.

Yorkshire and the Humber was the only region where the infection rate stayed flat.

With this exception and a two-week hiccup in the North West in December, all regions have lower positive test rates than at any time since October or September.

Other studies have also suggested that Covid cases could be plateauing in the Yorkshire region.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) infection survey - considered one of the most accurate ways of tracking the size of the Covid outbreak in Britain - estimated the number of infections in the UK using random swabbing of more than 100,000 people.

The measure is seen as the gold-standard by ministers because it can pick up asymptomatic infections that are missed by testing, and also account for those that don't come forward for a swab because they do not want to be asked to self-isolate.

In England it found infection rates continued to dip in all regions except Yorkshire and the Humber, where they had plateaued.

 Slide me  Coronavirus infection rates across the UK on February 14 (left) and a week later on February 21 (right)

Across the country it found the positivity rate - the proportion of all swabs estimated that would be positive - was highest in England, where it was 0.69 per cent - equivalent to one in 145 people having Covid.

The rate was 0.52 per cent in Northern Ireland, 0.48 per cent in Wales and 0.45 per cent in Scotland.

The ONS also predicted the infection rate across the country was lowest among over-70s, who are most at risk of hospitalisation or death if they catch the virus. It is not clear whether this is due to the vaccine rollout, but scientists say they are starting to see signs the jabs are preventing infections and transmission.

The second lowest rate was among children aged two to 11, but this was a slight rise from the levels seen last week.

The Kent variant of the virus was also still the dominant strain across the UK, and in all four nations. There are now more than 200 cases of the South African variant - which can make jabs less effective - in the country, and ministers are attempting to snuff out the outbreaks by testing everyone in postcodes where they were detected.



Ted Cruz has mocked Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over lawmakers fears during the assault on the Capitol as he raged against political theatre following the attack, as well as mask guidance during a pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 Americans within a year, among other right-wing grievances while his state recovers from a devastating winter storm.

In his remarks to the the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference, he said: Bernie [Sanders] is wearing mittens, and AOC is telling us, She was murdered! and the media desperately, desperately, desperately wants to see a Republican civil war.

The Republican Senator from Texas claimed that Democrats are responsible for the increased security around the Capitol in the wake of the attack, fuelled by Donald Trumps lie that the election was stolen from his supporters, because they are convinced that political theatre helps them, he told a crowd in Orlando, Florida.

Democrats have sought to turn the Capitol into a military outpost in Baghdad, he said.

He joked about wearing face coverings during the public health crisis from the Covid-19 pandemic, asking his audience how much virtue do you want to signal after saying health officials are telling Americans to wear masks for the next 300 years.

Read more: Follow live updates from CPAC

And by the way, not just one but two, three, four  you cant have too many masks, he said. This is just dumb.

More than 41,000 people in Texas have died from the disease, and confirmed infections in the state have topped 2.2 million. Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who did not implement a statewide mandate for wearing face coverings until July 2020, has recently indicated he considering evaluating when were gonna be able to remove all statewide orders.

The senator opened his remarks referencing his trip to Cancun, Mexico as his state experienced widespread, life-threatening power outages amid a winter storm that knocked out critical infrastructure.

Read more: See the full CPAC schedule

US Rep Ocasio-Cortez helped raise more than $5 million for Texas relief while Mr Cruz left the state, only to return facing criticism for appearing to abandon his constituents during the crisis. The New York congresswoman also travelled to the state to volunteer at a Houston food bank.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are also travelling to Texas on Friday to visit a Houston food bank and emergency centre.

The senator did not mention the crisis in his CPAC remarks.

Orlando is awesome, he said, adding, its not as nice as Cancun, but its nice.

On one of the Republican Partys largest stages broadcast across social media and cable news, he invoked cancel culture and fear-mongering visions of an authoritarian left in his at-times screaming speech riddled with grievances and right-wing tropes: the GOP is the party of calloused-hand working-class Americans and gives Americans the freedom to worship however you like.

Of Black Lives Matter protests, he said: In Houston where I live, I have to tell you, there werent any rioters because lets be very clear, if there had been, they would discover what the state of Texas thinks about the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis, was laid to rest in Houston.

The annual conference  where the former president remains its most popular figure, with a literal golden statue  is the first in the post-Trump era, testing the partys messaging and appeal ahead of 2022 mid-term elections and the 2024 presidential race.

Mr Trump will headline the conference on Sunday.
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said Friday he considered running for the U.S. Senate in 2022 but has decided not to pursue the office.

The announcement, which Ainsworth made on his Facebook page, removes a potential leading candidate in the Republican Party to replace the retiring Richard Shelby.

Ainsworth, who is from Guntersville, could also be a gubernatorial candidate in 2022 and said in the Facebook post that he will be focusing on state government and not seek a seat in Washington.

Related: Who will run for Richard Shelbys Senate seat? 10 possible candidates to watch

After discussions with my wife, Kendall, and prayerful consideration, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Ainsworth said.

Because our twin boys and daughter are young and need a father who is present and deeply involved in their lives, I feel strongly that Gods plan currently calls for me to continue leading on the state, not federal, level of government.

Ainsworth has been on a meteoric rise since first being elected to the state legislature in 2014. He received more votes than any other candidate in being elected as lieutenant governor in 2018 and said he received encouragement across the state to pursue the Senate seat in 2022.

The encouragement to run that I have received from every corner of the state is humbling, and the support of my fellow Alabamians is deeply appreciated, Ainsworth said in the Facebook post.

Lynda Blanchard, former ambassador to Slovenia for the Trump administration, announced her candidacy last week for the Senate seat. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has indicated he will make a decision about running in a few weeks as has Congressman Mo Brooks. Katie Boyd, CEO of the Business Council of Alabama and former Shelby chief of staff, is also considered a candidate to run for the Senate. On the Democratic side, Congresswoman Terri Sewell has said she is also considering a run.

Sen. Shelby has served Alabama well, and his shadow will loom large over all those who seek to fill his seat, Ainsworth said in the Facebook post.

As lieutenant governor, I will continue seeking conservative solutions to the problems facing Alabama and will keep working each day to bring more jobs, hope, and opportunities to the citizens of our state.

Rio Tinto has to date awarded contracts valued at over $385 million (A$500 million) to local Western Australian and Pilbara Aboriginal businesses to support the latest development of its Greater Tom Price Operations.

Construction of the Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 (WTS2) expansion commenced in early 2020 and to date more than 85 per cent of spending on the project has been awarded to Western Australian and Pilbara Aboriginal businesses, directly through Rio Tinto or principal contractor Mondium.

At peak construction, development will support a workforce of over 1,000 people with the majority employed by WA businesses, including Guma Warnii, Monadelphous, Mondium, Kerman Contracting, Whittens, North West Mining Civil, MACA Civil, Linkforce and Aerison.

Rio Tinto approved the $749 million (A$1 billion) investment in the mine in November 2019 to sustain production capacity of its iron ore business in the Pilbara. The investment allows for the mining of existing and new deposits at WTS2 and includes construction of a new crusher and a 13-kilometre conveyor which will help lower greenhouse gas emissions from the mine by 3.5 per cent compared to road haulage.

First production from the new deposits at WTS2 is expected in the second half of 2021.

Premier and Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade, Mark McGowan said, "The Pilbara region is the engine room of the nation, and thanks to Western Australia's strong management of the pandemic, we can expect more job-creating projects to come online in the coming years.

"Rio Tinto has been embedded in the Tom Price community for decades and have made a significant contribution to the town. I congratulate Rio Tinto for its commitment to this important project.

"This project will ensure Tom Price has a bright future and my government is committed to ensuring mining communities have first class services to support local families."

Rio Tinto Iron Ore managing director of Pilbara Mines, Matthew Holcz, said Rio Tinto's commitment to Tom Price and regional communities remains as strong as ever.

"Tom Price is the birthplace of Western Australia's iron ore industry and more than 50 years later this $749 million (A$1 billion) investment in the Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 expansion will underpin the viability of this proud town for decades to come.

"We are proud the vast majority of contracts we have awarded to date have been to Western Australian businesses, including Pilbara Aboriginal businesses. This investment demonstrates our commitment to spending with local businesses, buying locally and supporting our communities through the creation of jobs."

Rio Tinto Iron Ore currently employs more than 50 per cent of workers living in Tom Price and this latest development will extend employment opportunities into the future.

Notes to editors

Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia 35 kilometres north-west of the Tom Price mine from where its ore is ultimately processed and loaded onto rail.

Rio Tinto's Greater Tom Price production hub includes the Tom Price, Western Turner Syncline Phase 1 and Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 satellite hubs. Rio Tinto commenced development of Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 in 2014 and expansion plans commenced in 2019.

The investment in the WTS2 mine will help sustain the current workforce at Rio Tinto's Greater Tom Price production hub.

The project is expected to deliver an attractive internal rate of return with a capital intensity of about $25 per tonne of production capacity.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006343/en/

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The first phase, from Callan Avenue/Winchester Avenue to Ridge Avenue, will take place from March to May. Phase two, from Ridge Avenue to Asbury Avenue/Western Avenue, will happen from June to July. Phase three, Asbury Avenue/Western Avenue to the Target Access Drive/Sacramento, will take place from August to September, and phase four, which includes final street paving along the entire street, will happen from September to October, according to the release.
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The global electric vehicles market is anticipated to reach USD 912 billion by 2026 according to a new study published by Polaris Market Research. Electric vehicles are one of the fastest growing mode of transport which have adopted smart technologies. It constitutes of electric buses, cars, trucks, and electric bikes. The market is maturing at a fast rate due to increasing demand, initiatives to expand electric vehicle charging stations, and diverse vehicle models. Large number of consumers have become more familiar with these technologies and the trend is spreading fast across the world economies.

Browse for full research summary: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-vehicles-ev-market

Government initiatives to accelerate the shift of their nations vehicle fleet from combustion to electric drive has led to rapid growth in the sale of the electric vehicles. Some of the actions undertaken in 2018 by the federal and state regulators in this regard include Evolve NY (an electric vehicle expansion initiative in New York), funding opportunities for advanced electric vehicle projects by the U.S. Department of Energy, and rebate programs for EV charging stations in Ohio, U.S. Oil dependence benefits, climate change, and clean air are the most crucial factors for different governments across the world to promote the electric vehicles among consumers. Apart from these factors, one another significant parameter includes economic benefits from manufacturing of the future electric car industry. The automobile manufacturing hubs such as the United States, Germany, and Japan will have much to lose if they do not support the transition to electric vehicles.

Electric vehicle sales & production has witnessed a tremendously rapid growth due to numerous advanced technological developments. The manufacturing companies have undertaken R&D concerning the design, range, and maintenance of these vehicles. In 2017 ten big companies (Tesla, BAIC, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, and five others) had more than 50,000 in annual sales as compared to five such companies in 2016.

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Asia is the most popular region for the growth of electronic vehicles with China as the most significant global player. Other Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan along with China have been major battery providers. Increase demand from India for the electric vehicles has also contributed towards the growth of this regional market. However, the global industry is also subjected to some restraints such as high product price. Electric vehicles are highly priced and are not affordable by each consumer, especially in the countries with lower economic growth. Moreover, the maintenance of the electric bikes is costly and requires frequent charging and changing of batteries. Some battery related issues also include lead emissions from few batteries and the energy storage systems, are some of the factors restraining the market growth.

The global electric vehicle industry constitutes of many international and domestics players. Some of the key players include Volkswagen Group, Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, BAIC Corporation, General Motors, Ford, and Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi.

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About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world.

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In this Jan. 16, 2016 file photo people take rest on the Promenade des Anglais, in Nice, southeastern France. Residents of the French Riviera city of Nice won't be allowed to enjoy a walk on the beach on a sunny weekend after authorities have decided to implement a local, temporary lockdown to try to curb the spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File)

Residents of Nice in the French Riviera will be denied their strolls along the beach on a sunny weekend, under a temporary local lockdown imposed to curb soaring COVID-19 infections.

Starting on Friday evening, Nice and the surrounding coastal area will be under weekend lockdowns for at least two weeks, in addition to a national 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. The northern port of Dunkirk is under similar restrictions.

In both places, numbers of infections have spiked and hospitals are overwhelmed, with some patients being transferred to other French regions.

Nice mayor Christian Estrosi announced on Friday a ban on the beaches and the famous Promenade des Anglais esplanade, where lots of people usually go for a seaside stroll, to ensure the restrictions are fully respected.

"We absolutely need to avoid too big gatherings, as the weekend is expected to be summer-like and extremely attractive ... Reason must prevail," he said in a video message posted on social media. Only essential shops will remain open, he added.

Nice reported this week a rate of almost 800 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people, nearly four times the national average.

Estrosi has repeatedly attributed the worsening situation in his city to the presence of "too many tourists" during end-of-year holidays, listing the UK, Scandinavia, United Arab Emirates and Russia, which have direct flights to Nice airport.

"We are now paying a very high price," he said. Since then, France has banned almost all travelers from outside the European Union and applied restrictions to those coming from inside the bloc.

The weekend lockdown also includes nearby coastal towns of Cannes, Antibes and nearby Mediterranean beauty spots.

Residents will be able to go out only for essential needs such as food shopping, medical appointments or urgent family business. Taking exercise outside will be allowed for a maximum of one hour per day and up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home.

The national 6 p.m. curfew will apply during the week.

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Hundred and fifteen members of European Parliament have backed Indias proposal to waive provisions of Agreement on Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The proposal, drafted jointly by India and South Africa in October last year, seeks a waiver on the intellectual property rights regime in a bid to facilitate access to medicines by more countries. As a health crisis continues to threaten the world, New Delhi has called for cost-effective universal solutions which could only be made possible with collective research and efforts.

Read:Piyush Goyal Announces 88 Projects Worth Rs 1,000 Cr To Make Railways 'future Ready'

Read: Piyush Goyal Inaugurates Series Of Railway Development Projects In Bengal Ahead Of Polls

We now have 57 WTO members supporting us. We have many African countries already on board. The developed world is under pressure because on one hand, they talk about supporting each other and multilateral fight against Covid pandemic, but on the other hand, they're looking at protecting the interests of a few companies only in terms of innovation costs or R&D, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said.

'Decade of India'

Speaking further at the International Conference on Pharmaceuticals and Medical organized by industry body FICCI., Goyal stressed that India has been in the golden period for health care in the last few years and the industry should strive to make the next ten years Decade of India where entire world would be following Indian standards.

Stressing that the world needed a CURE that will come out of Cost-effective Universal solutions through Research and Enterprise, he touted that Indian Pharmaceutical industry had the ability to cure the world and lead the world in medicine. He stressed that a waiver on Intellectual property rights could help India establish a system where the entire world would be driven by Indian quality standards, regulatory processes and manufacturing practices in the coming decade.

If we take it upon ourselves that India is going to cure the world, I see no limitations in our ability to aspire to become a world dominant leader in the field of medtech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health care providers, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Read:Piyush Goyal Shares Picture Of World's Highest Rail Bridge Arch In J&K, Netizens React

Read: CM Reddy Writes To Piyush Goyal To Take Suitable Decision On Vijayawada Railways Land
Boykin said Barnes had the idea for the hall for a few years, but Barnes said it came together over the past month after she asked him to get involved with an aim to launch during February, Black History Month. Boykin said he was happy to accept the invitation, and his desire was driven by the potential to inspire young people.

KYODO NEWS - Feb 27, 2021 - 01:40 | All, Japan

Bodies of three children have been found in southwestern Japan's Kyushu region, local police said Friday, adding the children's father is suspected of being involved with their deaths.

The police said a boy was found dead Thursday by an officer in an apartment in Iizuka, Fukuoka Prefecture. The boy is believed to be the eldest of the three, a 9-year-old, who was living with his 3-year-old brother and 2-year-old sister and their father, but none of them was in the home when the boy's body was found.

The investigators later learned that the father, in his 40s, and the other children were staying in a hotel in Sakurajima, a mountainous island in Kagoshima Bay in Kagoshima Prefecture, about 230 kilometers south of their home.

When they stormed the hotel after 7 p.m. Friday, a man, believed to be the children's father, jumped from the fourth floor to the ground, the police said.

He was taken to the hospital, but his condition is not known, they added.

In a hotel room, the investigators found the bodies of two young children with visible wounds, along with a suicide note.

The hotel said the man and the two children checked in on Wednesday.

A man who lives near the family in Iizuka said the father was raising the three children by himself.

"He never yelled at his kids. He was a doting father," said the man in his 70s, adding the father was always polite and often exchanged greetings with his neighbors.

"I would never imagine something like this could happen," said the man.

The police said an autopsy on the boy found dead Thursday was inconclusive as to a cause of death. He had been dead for about a week with no visible injuries to his body.
Does this seem like a high time for us to back Atmanirbhar Apps? Indian minds are championing Make In India apps and we must be more encouraging to switch to such platforms.

Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and I&B Ministry released new OTT Guidelines to regulate content on Social Media as well as OTT Platforms. This has sparked a whole new row over the alleged regulation of the social media giants presence in India like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Indian Entrepreneurs have come up with various apps that serve as an alternative for all the social media giants like WhatsApp, Twitter, and other forums.

Does this seem like a high time for us to back Atmanirbhar Apps? Indian minds are championing Make In India apps and we must be more encouraging to switch to such platforms. Aprameya Radhakrishna, Founder, Koo App exclusively said NewsX in an interview that they started the whole app last year just so that everybody in India irrespective of what language they speak. are able to express themselves. Koo app has crossed 3 Million users in India this year.

In the light of Galwan clash with China and after India banned 59 Chinese apps, Indian startups have stepped up to draft the available opportunities. It is time to support Indias own homegrown apps. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Founder, Elyments App said in an exclusive interview with NewsX that Elyments is an app that is in the direct space as WhatsApp. The idea of the company is to become a social media super app in the days to come.

Also Read: FATF to decide Pakistans Grey List status today; Paks fate to be tested

Several political leaders and celebrities, including Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan, Devegowda, HD Kumaraswamy, Priyank Kharge have joined Koo.

Aprameya Radhakrishna said he is hopeful that in the coming days, personalities across the political spectrum will join Koo to connect with their regional audience.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington - AP

President Joe Biden has launched airstrikes on Friday against Iranian-backed fighters in Syria, as he used his first military operation since being elected to retaliate for a rocket strike on a US base in Iraq.

An Iraqi militia official told Reuters news agency that one fighter was killed in the strike, though there also reports in Syria of at least a dozen deaths and many injuries.

The strike was carried out in eastern Syria and targeted infrastructure being used by Iran-funded militia groups.

It follows a rocket attack by Iranian-backed militia groups on US bases in Erbil, which killed a civilian contractor and wounded several others.

By choosing to strike pro-Iran forces operating in Syria, rather than in Iraq, the White House hopes to avoid stoking anti-American tensions in the latter country, where the militia groups are gaining influence.

It also allows the Iraqi authorities to continue their own investigation into the Erbil rocket strike without a further escalation in violence.

"At President (Joe) Bidens direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilised by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq," Mr Kirby said.

He added that the strikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was "confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit".

Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said he recommended the action to President Joe Biden - AP

Speaking shortly after the airstrikes, he added: "We're confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes," referring to the Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq.

Story continues

Mr Austin said he recommended the action to the US president.

"We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline," Mr Austin said. "We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets."

A US official said the decision to carry out these strikes was meant to send a signal that while the United States wanted to punish the militias, it did not want the situation to spiral into a bigger conflict.

It was not clear what damage was caused and if there were any casualties from the US strike.

Retaliatory US military strikes have occurred a number of times in the past few years.

The rocket attacks on US positions in Iraq were carried out as Washington and Tehran are looking for a way to return to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by former US President Donald Trump.

It was not clear how, or whether, the strike might affect US efforts to coax Iran back into a negotiation about both sides resuming compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.

In the Feb. 15 attack, rockets hit the US military base housed at Erbil International Airport in the Kurdish-run region killing one non-American contractor and injuring a number of American contractors and a US service member.

A view of the scene after a rocket attack outside the international airport in Erbil - Getty

Another salvo struck a base hosting US forces north of Baghdad days later hurting at least one contractor.

Rockets hit Baghdads Green Zone on Monday which houses the US embassy and other diplomatic missions.

Earlier this week, the Kata'ib Hezbollah, one of the main Iran-aligned Iraqi militia group, denied any role in recent rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq.

Some Western and Iraqi officials say the attacks, often claimed by little-known groups, are being carried out by militants with links to Kata'ib Hezbollah as a way for Iranian allies to harass US forces without being held accountable.

Since late 2019, the United States carried out high-profile strikes against the Kataib Hezbollah militia group in Iraq and Syria in response to sometimes deadly rocket attacks against US-led forces.

Under the Trump administration, the escalator back-and-forth stoked tensions, culminating in the US killing of Iranian military leader Qassim Soleimani and a retaliatory Iranian ballistic missile attack against US forces in Iraq last year.
Felix Munyaradzi, who was in remand prison for illegally parcelling out land is alleged to have been clandestinely allowed to attend his mother-in-law's funeral in Zvimba, without being granted bail by a court.

The complaint has since been forwarded to the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) and the Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU) for further investigations.

Munyaradzi was arrested last year on allegations of duping people who wanted to buy stands at Sandton near Westgate in Harare before he was later freed on $55 000 bail and other stringent conditions set after spending some days in prison.

However, in new twist of events, a Harare man, Collen Mavhundutse (38) made a report to the police to investigate allegations that Munyaradzi allegedly connived with two Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers to allow him to attend the funeral.

According to the report made, after attending the funeral, it is further alleged that Munyaradzi then went to sleep at his house in Borrowdale before returning to prison the following day.

He is also alleged to have slaughtered two beasts for the two officers before giving them about 200 chickens.

The Herald is in possession of a copy of a sworn affidavit made by Mavhundutse to the police on Tuesday.

"I wish to state that I know Felix Munyaradzi for more than 20 years. I also know him as the director of Delatfin Investment (Pvt) Ltd.

"I recall sometime on the 14th of August 2020 when I was in Zvimba, Chirau area, when Felix Munyaradzi lost his father-in-law, I was surprised to see him attending the funeral since I knew he was in custody at Harare Remand Prison.

"He was in the presence of two prison officers dressed in civilian clothes. I believe this is not proper.

"After the burial, Munyaradzi went to sleep to his Borrowdale home and then returned back to prison the following day," read part of the statement.

"I also established that Felix Munyaradzi slaughtered two beasts for the prison officers and gave them 200 slaughtered chickens which were destined for Harare Remand Prison.

"I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing all above facts as correct."

Circumstances leading to Munyaradzi's arrest are that during 2015, his firm Delatfin Investments, entered into a swap deal with Mr Delish Nguwaya for the sale of stands in exchange for a Toyota Prado.

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Delatfin Investments sold three residential stands - 1572, 1516 and 1471 - in Sandton Park in Mt Hampden, worth US$50 000 and Mr Nguwaya surrendered the Prado and an agreement of sale was signed on February 2, 2018.

It is alleged that Munyaradzi went on to sell the stands to other people, and when Mr Nguwaya complained, he agreed to compensate him with eight smaller stands in Sandton Park.

But then Munyaradzi allegedly went on to sell one of the stands to Tawanda Mashumba for US$30 000.

It is the State's case that Mr Nguwaya was aware that the stand in question had already been sold, and he lost US$15 000 in the process.

On April 20, 2015, Delatfin Investments was offered 120 hectares of State land by the Ministry of Local Government to develop residential stands. The land was previously used by the police for breeding horses.

In 2016, Munyaradzi through his firm, allegedly sold a stand fraudulently to Mrs Gabaza for US$18 000, a stand in Sandton Phase 3 to Mr Dondo for US$22 000, and another stand in the same neighbourhood to Mr Makodza for US$40 000.

Mr Makodza is said to have later discovered his stand had allegedly been sold for a second time to Mrs Nyongo by Munyaradzi, forcing him to lodge a complaint with the police.



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In 2014, shortly after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Shannon Leon moved to Washington and rented a room in an all-female house via Craigslist. Her new roommates sometimes got together with a group of guys that included John Keiran, who admired Ms. Leon from afar for months.

I thought she was extremely beautiful, he said. One night, he ran into her by chance in a bar in Washington and they ended up talking for hours. It just clicked and felt effortless, said Mr. Keiran, who texted her minutes after they parted ways.

Mr. Keiran graduated from James Madison University and comes across as self-deprecating, likable and funny. He was born in Oita, Japan, and adopted as an infant by an American couple, Alan and Sally Keiran. His father, who died in December, was a chaplain in the Navy and the family moved often, from Rhode Island to Hawaii to Missouri, which made Mr. Keiran especially outgoing. As a result, hes just so good at making friends, said Ms. Leon, who grew up in a Chinese-Filipino family in Chicago where her parents, Wing Sun and Marie Rose Leon, own a few small restaurants.

The two started dating although Ms. Leon, unlike Mr. Keiran, wanted to date other people, too.

I had to step up my game and win her over, said Mr. Keiran, 34. One way he did so was by cooking for her. Thered be Chilean sea bass with a cauliflower puree underneath it, said Ms. Leon, 30. She added, The thing I found most attractive about him is hes very calm and confident. It never felt like he was flexing.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 21:39:37|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's spending on research and development (R&D) has seen rapid growth during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), and its total expenditure on R&D in 2020 is projected to reach 2.4 trillion yuan (about 372 billion U.S. dollars). So announced Minister of Science and Technology, Wang Zhigang, on Friday.

China's spending on basic research in 2020 has nearly doubled that of 2015 and will likely exceed 150 billion yuan in 2020. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), spending on basic research achieved an overall growth rate of 16.9 percent, Wang said.

The contribution rate of scientific and technological progress is projected to reach 60 percent in 2020, and the proportion of the scientifically literate Chinese population has surpassed 10 percent.

China's ranking in the Global Innovation Index, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, went from 29th in 2015 to 14th in 2020, Wang added. Enditem

On the 29th anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre, Azerbaijanis still wait for those responsible to be held accountable for their crimes while Armenian authorities are far from acknowledging responsibility despite all the evidence, Daily Sabah reports.

While horrors of the Khojaly Massacre still continue to haunt the Azerbaijani community, Armenian authorities are far from acknowledging responsibility despite all the evidence of the incident. On the 29th anniversary of the tragedy, Azerbaijani officials and surviving victims reiterated their call for justice and for those responsible to be punished.

On Feb. 26, 1992, with the Soviet Union newly dissolved, Armenian forces took over the town of Khojaly in the occupied region of Nagorno-Karabakh after battering it using heavy artillery and tanks, assisted by infantry. A total of 613 civilians were killed by Armenian soldiers in Khojaly, a strategically important settlement originally inhabited by 7,000 people. The attack killed 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly people. The massacre is seen as one of the bloodiest atrocities by Armenian forces against Azerbaijani civilians in the region, which was mostly liberated by Azerbaijan forces last fall after decades of occupation.

Some 487 people, including 76 children, were critically injured, while 150 of the 1,275 Azerbaijanis the Armenians captured during the massacre still remain missing. Eight families were completely wiped out, 130 children lost their fathers, and some 25 children became orphans in the massacre. According to the investigations launched by the Azerbaijani government based on expert statements and the testimonies of 2,000 survivors, Armenian forces tortured the captives by burning them alive, slaughtering people, peeling off their scalps, cutting off ears, noses or sexual organs, and removing their eyes, alongside mass killings.

However, despite all the evidence, Armenian authorities are still far from acknowledging responsibility.

Durdane Agayeva survived the massacre when she was 20. Captured by Armenian forces and subjected to horrendous torture, Agayeva told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Armenian forces started to target the town on the night of Feb. 25, 1992, with missiles and artillery. As Armenian tanks and armored vehicles came closer, they decided to leave their hometown, she said.

Saying that they moved toward the Aghdam region in very cold and snowy conditions, she added: "My mother, grandmother and my brothers and sisters were with me. Armenian forces blocked our way and started shooting. Innocent civilians, children and old people were brutally murdered. Everyone tried to run away to save their lives."

Bullet-scarred Agayeva and her brother Elsad were captured by Armenian forces and taken prisoner. They took them to the town of Askeran and locked them in a cell.

"May God not show the scene I witnessed there to any nation. I cannot forget the screams of women and children ... Armenians committed such ferocity. I cannot call them warriors. They were terrorists," she said.

After being tortured for eight days, Agayeva and her brother were released as a result of Azerbaijani commander Allahverdi Bagirov's efforts.

"It is not possible for me to forget my days in captivity. The word captivity includes many things. It means death, torture and suffering. Our honor was swallowed. We left a stain on us. However, our victorious army cleaned that stain in the 44-day war. The Azerbaijani army took our revenge in this 44-day war. This year is different," she said.

Agayeva also wrote a book called "Eight Days in an Armenian Dungeon," and it was translated into four languages. Recalling her visit to Turkey and her meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2019, Agayeva said Erdogan had called her "Azerbaijan's hero woman."

Agayeva also reiterated her call for the perpetrators of the massacre to be held responsible for what they did.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

Several U.N. Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, as well as decisions by many other international organizations, demanded the withdrawal of the Armenian forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Minsk Group  co-chaired by France, Russia and the U.S.  was formed to find a peaceful solution to the conflict but had not yielded results.

When new clashes over the region erupted last year, Baku liberated several strategic cities, towns and nearly 300 of its settlements and villages from the Armenian occupation during the fighting. Before this, about 20% of Azerbaijans territory had been under illegal Armenian occupation for nearly three decades.

The ex-Soviet rivals signed a Moscow-brokered peace deal on Nov. 9, 2020, ending weeks of heavy fighting and documenting that Armenia would surrender several territories to Baku.

Still, both sides accuse each other of crimes against humanity. Last month, Azerbaijan applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), suing Armenia for its human rights violations during its nearly 30-year occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Perpetrators should be punished

The head of the World Azerbaijani Congress also said Wednesday that the perpetrators of the massacre by Armenian forces in the town of Khojaly should be punished.

Asif Kurban said in a statement that Armenian armed forces, terrorist groups and the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Soviet Army committed an unprecedented genocide against civilians by violating all international legal norms and human rights.

"The images that were taken at that time and the stories of the survivors of the massacre show that there was a real genocide in Khojaly. Also, a document presented by 30 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe signed on April 26, 2001, the report prepared by the Memorial Human Rights Organization on Khojaly and the reply letter of U.N. Human Rights Organization President Holly Cartner to the Armenian representative in 1997 prove that the Armenians committed genocide in Khojaly," he added.

Underlining that the parliaments of 15 countries and 16 state assemblies in the U.S. recognized the genocide, he called on all parliaments to do the same.

"The 'modern' world of the 21st century is still silent and ignoring the Khojaly Massacre," he said, adding Armenia violated its obligation to prevent genocide and the actions of its perpetrators since it had effective control over those who carried out the actions in Khojaly.

"As the World Azerbaijani Congress, we consider what was done in Khojaly a violation of many conventions such as the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide," it said, demanding that the perpetrators be punished.

It said the failure to ensure that those responsible for the Khojaly genocide are held accountable before the law will pave the way for new genocides that may be committed by Armenians in the future.

Speaking in the capital Ankara during the opening of an exhibition marking the 29th anniversary of the massacre, Turkey's Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop also said that the struggle will continue until those murderers who try to legitimize this atrocity are held accountable for their crimes.

"We, as Turkey, always feel the pain of this ferocity, which took place in front of the eyes of the whole world, ignored by the international community and written as a disgrace in the history of humanity. We exert great effort to keep this massacre on the international agenda," he said.
Secretary of State Tells Mexican Officials: Border Is Closed to Irregular Migration

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday warned Central Americans not to make journeys to the United States without travel papers as the Biden administration deals with a surge in illegal immigrants on the southern border.

The border is closed to irregular migration, Blinken said in a virtual event with officials from El Paso and Mexicos Ciudad Juarez. He said the United States will strictly enforce border laws.

To anyone thinking about taking that journey, our message is: dont do it, he also stressed. President Biden is committed to reforming our immigration system and ensuring safe, orderly, and humane processing at our border. Those things will take time.

In recent weeks, President Joe Bidens administration undid a number of Trump-era immigration policies that closed off immigration routes in the United States. Notably, the administration placed a halt on all new border wall construction.

President Biden is committed to reforming our immigration system and ensuring safe, orderly, and humane processing at our border. Those things will take time, Blinken said, according to Reuters.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concludes his first press briefing at the State Department in Washington on Jan. 27, 2021. (Carlos Barrisa/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, the president also did away with the April 2020 Proclamation 10014 that suspended entry into the United States for 60 days to foreigners who did not have a valid immigrant visa or official travel document.

Proclamation 10014 paused issuing new green cards that allowed for permanent residency to most foreigners looking to settle in the country. The proclamation had several exceptions, including for foreigners entering the country on an immigrant visa as a healthcare professional to work on alleviating the outbreak caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

Biden said Wednesday that former President Donald Trumps entry suspension does not advance the interests of the United States.

To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here, Biden added in his proclamation.

And last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced the United States, Canada, and Mexico agreed to keep their land borders locked down until at least March 21 due to the CCP virus pandemic. But White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated Thursday that there may be a plan to relax the restrictions around the border soon: I do expect there will be more on this soon.

Reuters contributed to this report.
After a doctor administered a drug cocktail that knocked her out for about 24 hours, she awoke and started feeling better. She was released after seven days, but it took her five months to recover enough to go back to work. She still gets headaches, clouded memory and other lingering symptoms, and does exercise therapy for her heart on bicycles and treadmills.
National security police in Hong Kong look set to bring subversion charges against more than 50 opposition politicians and activists in a city-wide crackdown on dissent under a draconian law imposed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).



Some of the 53 activists said they expect to be charged on Sunday after being asked to report to their local police stations weeks ahead of their next scheduled check-in under bail arrangements.



The activists were arrested on suspicion of "subverting state power" after they took part in a democratic primary election in July 2020, that the authorities said was part of a deliberate attempt to block government bills in the city's Legislative Council (LegCo).



Soon after the primary, chief executive Carrie Lam postponed LegCo elections that should have taken place in early September, citing safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.



Former Hong Kong University law professor Benny Tai and founder of the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement and former Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai were among those arrested.



Several former opposition lawmakers were also among the arrestees, including Eddie Chu, James To, Andrew Wan, Jeremy Tam, Gary Fan, Kwok Ka-ki, Helena Wong, Lam Cheuk-ting, Au Nok-hin, and Alvin Yeung, along with Yuen Long District Councillor and primary candidate Ng Kin-wai and District Councillor Tiffany Yuen.



Lam posted a video clip of police officers requesting he attend his local police station on Feb. 28 at 2.00 p.m.



Democracy activist Joshua Wong, who is currently in jail on a separate charge, was also among the group.



Some of the arrestees said they are making mental preparation to be taken into custody, as the chances of being granted bail for charges brought under the national security law are slim.



Pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, who is in a maximum-security jail awaiting trial for "collusion with foreign forces" under the law, has been repeatedly denied bail.

'Nothing going on is reasonable'



Arrestee Lau Hoi-man, an officer for the Hong Kong Allied Health Professionals and Nurse Association, told RFA he had been summoned to Wanchai police station for "further investigation," and that he was "mentally prepared" to be charged.



"Nothing that is going on right now is reasonable," Lau said. "It's all just based on something they said you did."



"All I can do now is meet up with friends, something I don't have much time to do normally," he said. "If I am held on remand, I am highly unlikely to get bail under the national security law."



But Lau said he had no regrets.



"Of course I don't regret taking part; I did take part and it all forms a part of my life journey," he said.



Former democratic primary candidate and disability campaigner Lee Chi-yung said he had no idea what would happen when he reported to police on Sunday, but that he would face it calmly.



"It's important for me just to keep going now, without worrying too much or getting depressed about it," Lee told RFA. "I want to minimize the negative impact on other people."



"That's helpful, both to me and to others -- I don't want to spread an atmosphere of doom and gloom: that would not be helpful," he said.

A test of US reaction



Current affairs commentator Sang Pu said the CCP is likely pushing ahead with the cases in a bid to test the reaction of the Biden administration.



"The first test is the reaction from the U.S. and the E.U.," he said.



But he said he didn't see much likelihood that the authorities would slow down.



"The CCP is only going to accelerate its crackdown in Hong Kong from now on," he said.



Police have said the primaries were considered "subversive" because their stated aim was to secure at least 35 seats in LegCo for opposition candidates, so the pro-democracy camp could veto the government's budgets.



Such an action is regarded as "subversion of state power" under Article 22 of the national security law.



The arrests come after the primaries were criticized in state-run Chinese media as an attempt to foment a "color revolution."



After the elections were postponed, the entire pro-democracy camp resigned from LegCo en masse in November 2020, in protest at the ouster of four opposition lawmakers following a decree from the National People's Congress (NPC) standing committee in Beijing.



Beijing has since repeatedly warned that only "patriots" who love China and the CCP will be allowed to hold public office in Hong Kong.



Reported by Man Hoi Yan for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Jon T. Samuelson only moved to the small city of Shenandoah seven months ago, but the longtime oil and gas industry professional says he has learned a lot about his new neighbors and residents in that time and now hopes to be elected to the city council.

A native of Minnesota who resided nearby in The Woodlands for 28 years before downsizing to a smaller home for he and his wife in Shenandoah, Samuelson is one of two candidates who are seeking to replace soon-to-be retired incumbent Dean Gristy, who dropped out of the race. The other candidate is 10-year city resident John Escoto.

He lives with his wife, and the couple has six combined children and numerous grandchildren spread across Texas. Now retired, he said he has a lot of free time to help serve the city if elected.

On HoustonChronicle.com: After relocation, Gristy halts re-election bid in Shenandoah

Samuelson said he is seeking a seat the council to bring his vast experience in business issues to the city and help with future issues. The idea to seek elected office came after a long talk with an acquaintance during which, he said, he became interested in the role.

I love Shenandoah and am interested in the city and its government and want to offer my services. I believe I am very qualified. It was the suggestion at the end of the conversation.(my friend) said, there is an election coming up, why dont you run? The next thing I knew, the filing deadline was the next day and I filed papers, Samuelson said. I decided I wanted to do it. I want to represent the citizens of Shenandoah. I want to continue to see this place be a great place to live.

Having never held elected office, Samuelson said he is preparing for both the election as well as possibly winning by watching meetings of the council and also the audit committee report that was recently presented to residents. He said he is excited to run against his opponent, John Escoto, and was willing to debate or take part in a community forum if one is hosted. The last contested race was in 2019, when incumbent Ted Fletcher took part in a forum against his opponent.

Robust platform

Samuelson said he wants to focus on six key areas if he is elected to a two-year term on the council. Particular areas of concern are traffic congestion at David Memorial Drive as well as variances in spending in every department in the city.

(The) key things I want to focus on given what I know (are to) represent the residents of Shenandoah and learn their perspectives and concerns and objectives. Support and advise to the mayor and city to govern and protect our city and the people who live here, he added.

Other issues he would focus on include, he said, protection of our low tax rate, protection of our roadways and not having them turn into major thoroughfares for others, and keeping Shenandoah as a desirable small city to live and visit. With limited remaining residential area land that also means promoting renovations as appropriate.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Shenandoah re-examining its comprehensive plan

Originally from the suburbs of Minneapolis, Samuelson worked as a systems analyst, management consultant and senior project manager with a special expertise in government accounting systems. He also has a CPA certificate and worked at both Arthur Andersen & Co. as well as a 30-year stint with the Apache Corporation.

I retired in 2015 after 30 years with Apache Corp. During my tenure with Apache, in Minneapolis, Denver and Houston, I was director of information technology as well as a business systems analyst and senior technology adviser. I believe I am smart, have good common sense and am open minded.

3 seats up for election

The municipal election is May 1 for the three open city council seats; Seats 2, 3 and 4 are up for election this year. The seats are held by Ted Fletcher, Dean Gristy and Charlie Bradt.

The election day is May 1, with early voting beginning on April 19, and continuing through April 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a second early voting period this year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both April 26, and April 27. The last day to register to vote is April 1.

Two incumbents on the council  Seat 2 member Fletcher and Seat 4 member Bradt  announced at a meeting in January that they would both be seeking re-election to another two year term in office. Neither are opposed, but their names will appear on the ballot as the only option for voters, and both will be automatically re-elected to new two-year terms

Fletcher noted during the January meeting that if he was elected it would be his final term in office. Gristy is relocating to outside city limits, hence would be ineligible to serve in office after June 1.

jeff.forward@chron.com
Limerick man Tom OMahony is celebrating on the double this week. He received his first dose of the Covid vaccine on Wednesday and will celebrate his 100th birthday this Saturday.

Born in Ballyfaskin, Ballylanders on February 27, 1921, Tom has been alive during many of the atrocities of the War of Independence that we are currently commemorating.

Tom resides with his daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and Tom Byrne in Wicklow. He was driving until Christmas 2017, helped move cattle across the road up to a few years ago and still loves a game of cards. Tom reveals the secret to his long life and continued good health to the Leader.

No porter, whiskey or smoking, said Tom, which is bad news for most of us! He also stresses the importance of being a kind, helpful human being, a good neighbour and going to Mass.

But most of all, Tom says being well looked after by a good wife who worked alongside me over all the years.

He married Alice Martin in 1951 and they have three children - Billy, Maura and Eileen. They were man and wife for 67 years. Sadly, his beloved Alice passed away in August 2018.

Tom attended school in Anglesboro and Mitchelstown. His early days were spent working on the family farm where he grew up with his three siblings. From there he went to work in Dinny Dwyers Garage in Ballylanders. This was to set his career path for the next twenty five years.

In the early days he was interested in electricity and having answered an ad in the local paper he erected a wind charger for the Tobin family in Ballylooby. It had been sent to them from the Mayor of Boston, a relative of theirs.

He completed his training as a mechanic by serving his time in McGuinness Garage, Tipperary, Cavanaghs of Fermoy and Enniscorthy Motor Company while also engaging in a correspondence course with The Bennett College, Sheffield.

In the late 1940s he rented a premises in Ballylanders and opened his own garage business. He then bought the Old Barracks for the sum of 500, where he built a spacious garage. Tom was owner, mechanic, electrician, salesman, hackney driver and driving instructor.

An explosion in the garage in 1959 left Tom hospitalised for several months, while Alice ran the business.

A few years later they left the motor trade and returned to farming. They farmed in Ballinvreena, near Emly and later in Cappauniac, near Bansha.

After a long working life Tom and Alice sold their farm and retired to Cahir.

Toms brother, the late William OMahony, wrote the local notes in the Limerick Leader and the Avondhu for years. His late brother Mike was a well known farmer and cattle dealer. His sister, Phil OHea, lives in Cork.

In her book Growing Up with Ireland, Valerie Cox devotes a chapter to Tom. The lifelong teetotaller has seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren and is very proud of all of them.

His daughter Eileen said they had parties for him in Wicklow for his 98th and 99th birthdays, when friends and family gathered.

Unfortunately this year it will just be the household members celebrating with him. He has received lots of cards and presents and he will enjoy reading all the messages and letters, over and over, said Eileen.

Toms enthusiasm belies his age.

He sometimes complains about sitting around all day and feels he should be more useful. He still offers to help fix things, stand in a gap etc. He likes to keep his shoes on, instead of slippers, in case he is needed to help with cattle. He loves to ask about what is going on, on the farm and chats with his son-in-law Tom about it. Are the cattle in? Are the cows calving? When is the silage cutting starting?

He is very appreciative of all that is done for him and takes nothing for granted. Always concerned we might be working too hard or not getting enough sleep. His grandson Tom Byrne and his fiancee Yvonne O Loughlin look after him also, said Eileen.

Having received the Covid-19 vaccine, Tom is hoping for a proper birthday celebration in 2022 and in the years to come.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-25 22:58:12|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has achieved its poverty alleviation goal, with all of the country's nearly 100 million rural residents living below the current poverty line shaking off poverty after eight years of arduous efforts.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has fulfilled its historic promise of eradicating absolute poverty in the largest developing country on the planet.



Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has organized and launched a tough anti-poverty drive that is the largest in scale and strongest in intensity, and benefits the biggest number of people in human history.

The country has sent millions of people to villages as special commissioners for poverty relief and invested fiscal funds totaling nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (248 billion U.S. dollars) into poverty alleviation. More than 1,800 people have lost their lives in the country's fight against poverty.

When calculated in accordance with China's current poverty line, the country has lifted 770 million rural residents out of poverty since the beginning of reform and opening-up over 40 years ago, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global total based on the World Bank's international poverty line.

China has met the goal of ending poverty established in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

The elimination of absolute poverty in China is thanks to the CPC's strong leadership and determination, the people-centered philosophy of development, the institutional strength which can bring together the resources necessary to accomplish great tasks, as well as a series of creative and significant ideas and measures such as targeted poverty reduction, domestic and overseas observers have said.

Eliminating absolute poverty is a key contribution to accomplishing the CPC's first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, has set a solid foundation for its new journey of fully building a modern socialist country, and has created a "China example" for poverty reduction.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

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Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

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Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

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Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

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New Delhi:

A 52-year-old fisherman was attacked and killed by a tiger in the Sunderbans on Monday. He was catching crabs in a canal close to the reserve forest area when the incident happened.

The tiger dragged away the fisherman from his boat, said a forest department official. After being chased by other fishermen, the tiger left the man in a bleeding state. But by the time the fisherman could be rescued, he had died, the official added.

The man hailed from Basanti block in South 24 Parganas district and had gone to the spot with a permit for fishing.

Earlier as well, a man was killed in a tiger attack while fishing in a creek surrounded by mangrove trees.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: In a Dragon vs Tiger faceoff, who holds the edge? Indian military's strength check

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday (February 26, 2021) announced the polling dates for the Assam assembly elections in a press conference in New Delhi.

The election to the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held in three phases from March 27 as the state Assembly tenure comes to an end on May 31, 2021.

The first phase of election for 47 seats will be held on March 27, second phase for 39 seats on April 1 and third phase for 40 seats on April 6.

The poll panel will implement a protocol similar to that during the Bihar Assembly election as it announces poll dates amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and increased security risk with political temperatures rising in poll-bound states.

The Election Commission held a crucial meeting on Wednesday to finalise the schedule for the upcoming poll to four states (West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala) and one Union Territory (Puducherry).

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured Tamil Nadu on Thursday, Home Minister Amit Shah has arrived in poll-bound Assam to review preparations for the upcoming assembly polls in the state.

The Election Commission on Friday announced the schedule for assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry. The counting of votes for all five assembly elections will take place on May 2 said the Election Commission (EC).

The terms of legislative assemblies of four states -- Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal -- are coming to an end in May and June.
Trump Plans to Make Forward Looking Speech at CPAC: Senior Adviser

Former President Donald Trump plans to lay out his vision for America and give his assessment of Biden administration policies during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump senior adviser Jason Miller has said.

Trump, who is a featured speaker at the conservative conference, will express his concerns about the direction President Joe Biden has taken since coming into office. Biden has taken numerous executive actions to reverse Trump administration policies and is receiving blowback for a number of these actions, including court challenges.

The former president will focus on issues such as the amnesty push for illegal immigrants, the halting of the border wall construction, and the blocking of the Keystone XL Pipeline, Miller said.

The focus here, really, is the exact things the president predicted would happen if Joe Biden were to be elected president on the policy end have already started to happen, Miller told Mediaite founder Dan Abrams in a radio interview on Thursday.

The former president is scheduled to speak on the last day of the conference on Feb. 28. The conference begins on Friday. This will also be the presidents first public appearance since leaving office.

Miller has been outlining the presidents speech in several media appearances in the last two weeks. Trump, he said, will talk about the future of the Republican Party, his America First agenda, and lessons learned in the 2020 election campaign.

While responding to Abrams question on Thursday, Miller said the former president may also explore reforms to bolster election integrity during his address. He also reassured Abrams that the issue will be explored in a way that is forward-looking. Abrams had accused Trump of perpetuating the lie that somehow votes were switched and that he won in a landslide during the interview.

I think the only way election reform issues are going to come up are in the context of what reforms that we need to go and do in advance of 2022 and 2024, Miller said. There are some real concerns Article II violations, things that we need to go and address with state legislatures, certain state legislatures around the country.

I do think that there will be an aspect of election reform that would go into that and a future focus: heres what we need to go and do to ensure we have the free and fair elections that we all appreciate so much.'

He noted that Trump has plans to spearhead election integrity reforms and discussions about how that may be done is currently underway.

Trump is also expected to talk about standing up to China, reviving U.S. manufacturing, dismantling the monopoly of Big Tech, reopening schools, and securing the border, among other topics, former Trump senior adviser Stephen Miller told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News last week.

Hes going to present an optimistic vision for a country where communities are safe, where criminals are behind bars, and where everybody can earn a decent high-paying wage and produce products here in the United States, where they should be made, not in China, not overseas, Steven Miller said.

The conference, hosted by the American Conservative Union, attracts hundreds of conservatives and Republican party members each year. Trump is a frequent guest at the conference and has made addresses in past years.

Other confirmed speakers at the event include South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, and former acting national security adviser Richard Grenell.

The conference is being held at a time the GOP is currently assessing its path forward post-Trump presidency.

While some Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have called for the party to move beyond Trump, others argue that embracing the former president and his policies such as his America First agenda is the way forward.

Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.
(Natural News) Nearly all of the seven Republican senators who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump are now facing the threat of censure from their states parties. This comes after Trump has been acquitted last Saturday on the charge of inciting an insurrection.

Louisianas Republican Party censured Sen. Bill Cassidy in a Twitter post on Sunday: We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the vote today by Sen. Cassidy to convict former President Trump.

On Monday, the North Carolina Republican Party unanimously voted on censuring retiring Sen. Richard Burr.

On the same day, Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey received some pushback from several state GOP committee leaders in Clarion, Centre, Lawrence, Washington and York Counties. Clarion County officials said in a statement that Toomeys vote was purely self-serving and vindictive.

In Utah, a petition to censure Sen. Mitt Romney has been circulating online. It stated that Romney, who also voted to convict Trump in his first impeachment trial, embarrassed the state and accused the senator of prioritizing his personal and political vendetta against President Trump ahead of the Constitution. (Related: Carpetbagger Mitt Romney ticked off at Trump administration for incomprehensible and inexcusable vaccine roll out.)

Maine Sen. Susan Collins is also facing backlash and a potential censure from state Republicans. Maines GOP chairman said in an email over the weekend that the party might hold a committee meeting later this month to vote on whether to censure Collins.

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse is also facing a pending censure motion by the states Republic Central Committee, though it is still unclear when a vote on the move will happen.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has yet to face any public censure motions. However, Murkowski is gunning for reelection in 2022 and it is expected that her vote to impeach will compel other Republicans to run against her.

What is censure and what are its consequences?

According to the U.S. Senate, a censure is a formal statement of disapproval. Also called a condemnation or denouncement, it provides a public record rebuking an officials actions and is less severe than an expulsion, which is the removal of someone from office. The president, any member of Congress, federal judges and other government officials can be censured.

The power to censure is not provided by the Constitution. Instead, the Senate and the House of Representatives follow internal rules that allow them to draft and approve censure resolutions, which either chamber of Congress can adopt.

Though a censure does not remove someone from office, it can have a powerful psychological effect on a member and his/her status as a public official, according to the Senate.

Former Republican Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, for instance, was censured in 1954 on charges of abuse and noncooperation with the Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections during a 1952 investigation of his conduct. Known for his views that communists and Soviets had infiltrated the federal government, McCarthy was eventually reduced in status after the censure.

McCarthy tried to appear unaffected by the censure, but it became apparent that the Senate vote had robbed him of his power and status. As his political fortunes waned, so did his health. He died in 1957, the Senate said on its website.

The most recent censure by the Senate was that of former Minnesota Sen. David Durenberger in 1990. An ex-Republican, Durenberger was charged with unethical conduct for a wide range of financial improprieties.

In the House of Representatives, the most recent Congress-level censure was former Sen. Charles Rangel in 2010. A New York Democrat, Rangel was charged with tax evasion, misuse of the congressional letterhead for fundraising and unauthorized use of a rent-controlled facility for campaign headquarters.

Read more articles about Democrats evil propaganda against Trump at Traitors.news.

Sources include:

OANN.com

ABC4.com
Mutual aid networks have historically arisen when those in need have felt regular social support systems, like those provided federally and by their states, have failed them. Based on solidarity-based support, the groups are grassroots as they come. Mutual aid is neighbors helping neighbors.

RELATED: Vegan donuts, drool-worthy barbecue and more - 5 Black-owned restaurants to visit this weekend

Aid groups in San Antonio have worked together post-storm to provide San Antonians with resources, everything from food to household goods, after thousands went without power, food and water for days.

Below is a brief guide to some mutual aid events and collectives helping out after the storm.
The Democrat-proposed COVID-19 relief bill cannot include a provision raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour if the bill were passed through the reconciliation process, according to the Senate parliamentarian.

Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian, told key senators on Thursday that the minimum wage hike cannot stay in the COVID-19 relief bill since it would have an "incidental" effect on the budget, The Daily Wire reported.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that the Senate could pass a bill with a filibuster-proof simple majority under the reconciliation process. However, any amendment must be relevant.

The White House has been pushing for a $15 minimum wage hike, but President Joe Biden has reportedly expressed skepticism that it could survive reconciliation.

Biden told a group of Democratic mayors and governors last week that it just does not look like they can do it. Biden's proposal is set to receive a House vote on Friday.

Read also: Next COVID-19 Relief Package: Immigrants Must Be Included

Disagreements Between Democrats on $15 Minimum Wage Hike

There has been a procedural dispute over whether Senate rules even allow them to include the minimum wage hike in the coronavirus relief bill. There are also arguments over policy division whether a nationwide wage floor of $15 an hour is too high, according to an NBC News report.

Some moderate House Democrats worry that it would be a strategic mistake to keep it in the bill, given the Senate's chances of it being removed. One source familiar with the internal debate noted that some of the House Democrats expressed concerns that it may slow down the package and highlight party divisions.

"There are serious questions about the possibility of minimum wage prolonging the reconciliation process if it is found not to comply with the Byrd rule," a senior Democratic aide associated with the moderate wing of the party said in the report.

The aide, who requested anonymity, added that it could prolong the process and undercut Democrats' message of saying that they are moving as fast as possible on relief.

Sen. Tim Kaine said he supports the minimum wage hike inclusion. However, he warned that one could not put it in a reconciliation bill if it does not have 50 votes and a potential tiebreaker.

Sen. Joe Manchin said he opposes a wage hike to $15 an hour. However, he said he would defer to the Senate parliamentarian procedure.

"I'm supportive of, basically, having something that's responsible and reasonable," Manchin noted in the report.

Senate Budget Committee Chair Bernie Sanders is pushing to keep the minimum wage hike in the package. However, he admitted that they would never get 10 Republicans to increase the minimum wage through "regular order."

Sanders said the only way to raise the minimum wage is to pass it with 51 votes through budget reconciliation.

Meanwhile, some were disappointed after Biden said it might be removed from the package, like Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.

Fetterman said he is deeply disappointed with how the minimum wage hike is no part of the package as he thinks it is absolutely a must. Fetterman is running for the Senate.

Read more: Minimum Wage in Los Angeles Could Increase to $15 for Some Workers

I caught part of an interview with Academy Award nominee Timothee Chalamet recently and he was talking about the movie The King which is now available on Netflix. I love medieval history ever since I traced some of my ancestors back to medieval England, so the idea of The King appealed to me.

Henry IV disinherits his eldest son Hal (Timothee Chalamet), a wayward prince who has turned his back on royal life and is living among the people, in favor of his younger son Thomas. When Thomas is killed in battle and King Henry IV dies, Hal is crowned Henry V. Hal must navigate palace politics, the wars his father left behind and the emotional strings of his past life, including his relationship with his closest friend and mentor, the aging alcoholic knight, John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton).

I found the characters very confusing. There are tons of actors whose names you never discover. There is so little character development because there are too many characters and not enough screen time.

The King flirts with historical truth but is closer to the Shakespearean play Henry V.

I found the first half of this film boring as all get out! It is dark  all the shots take place at night, it is difficult to see whos talking and the sound is poor so you can barely make out what is being said by the characters. The second half, though, is much more interesting. It is finally daytime and the battle of Agincourt (1415), ensues.

Spoiler Alert: The battle is based on fact. The French on horseback and full armor got mired down in the mud. Armor was personally made for each knight, so I dont understand how anyone could tell one side from the other. It was obvious that the knights killed one another regardless of whether they were friends or foes, until the last man was standing. For the actors and horses, thrashing around in the mud all day must have been horrendous. Watching was torture, I found myself trying to breathe for the men whose faces were sunk in the mud.

The King was written by David Michod and Joel Edgerton. Michod directed and Joel Edgerton was one of the principal actors.

The movie is streaming on Netflix and is definitely a guy flick.

The King is rated R because of the violence  lots of folks get killed. I give the first hour 0 stars and the last hour 3 stars.

Movie critic Mary Cox lives in Wood River and studied film at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has worked in L.A. with various directors and industry professionals. Contact Mary at mary.cox@edwpub.net.
YEREVAN.  There is no evidence base as such in the statement of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia. Former Minister of Justice Arpine Hovhannisyan said this Friday to reporters at Marshal Baghramyan Avenue in the capital Yerevan.

"That is, it is a statement under which one can already see the readiness of the Armed Forces staff and command staff to provide that evidence. In that case, yes, the Prosecutor General is obliged to take measures prescribed by law and initiate a criminal case against the traitor on the universal scale in Armenia's history," she said, referring to PM Nikol Pashinyan.

To the question whether the statement of the General Staff is an occasion for the Prosecutor General to contact Onik GasparyanChief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Hovhannisyan said: "It is definitely an occasion to get in touch; he must take that action. If I rely on his behavior for [the past] three years, he will not get in touch. [But] if I rely on remnant memory, dignity and being concerned for the fate of the country, then he must, he must do it, and I hope he will do it.

Referring to Pashinyan's words that he will not allow the army to come out against the people, Hovhannisyan responded: "He has no potential to allow or not to allow. I said that without the army, the prime minister is a headless horseman. As a lawyer, I say that there was not even an insinuation of an armed coup in that statement [by the army general staff]. Therefore, the prime minister must be very careful in his statements, as it may turn out that it is not the Armed Forces, but himself who will be outlawed.

And when asked what will happen if President Armen Sarkissian does not sign Pashinyans petition submitted to him to sack Onik Gasparyan, Arpine Hovhannisyan said that there are two ways to resolve the issue. "If Armen Sarkissian does not sign within three days and does not take any action, then Onik Gasparyan will be considered dismissed by force of law.

Under the Constitution, there is a second option that if the President returnswith his observationsto the person who gave the proposalthe prime ministerand notes his observationsand there are clear manifestations of unconstitutionality there, the prime minister can send it back, in which case the President has two options: either signs or sends [it] to the Constitutional Court. As I confidently say that it is a decision that contradicts the Constitution, Armen Sarkissian shall send that petition back; if it comes back, he [shall] send it to the Constitutional Court, she said.
The United States has pledged to tell the world its conclusions on what role Saudi Arabia's crown prince played in the brutal killing and carving up of a US-based journalist, but as important is what comes next what the Biden administration plans to do about it.

Ahead of the release of the declassified US intelligence report, President Joe Biden was expected to speak to Saudi King Salman as soon as Thursday for the first time since taking office more than a month ago. It will be a later-than-usual courtesy call to the Middle East ally, timing that itself reflects Biden's displeasure.

The conversation will be overshadowed by the expected imminent release of findings on whether the king's son approved the Oct. 2, 2018, killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's authoritarian consolidation of power, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

US intelligence agencies concluded in 2018 that the prince likely ordered the killing, a finding reported by news media but never officially released.

Biden pledged as a candidate to make a pariah over the killing. The prince's critics, including a rights group founded by the slain journalist, want him to make good on that pledge with sanctions or other tough actions targeting and isolating the prince. They fear Biden will go with condemnation instead, eschewing a lasting standoff with the likely future ruler of an important, but often difficult, US strategic ally, valued both for its oil reserves and its status as a counterbalance to Iran in the Middle East.

The killing drew bipartisan outrage. Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said Thursday he hopes Biden talks to the king very straight about it, and very emphatically, and says that this is not acceptable.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said he understood the administration to be considering new sanctions to accompany release of the report. So it's a day of reckoning, but one that's long overdue.

The report's findings, and Biden's resulting next steps, at a minimum will set the administration's tone for dealing with the ambitious 35-year-old prince.

Critics blame Mohammed bin Salman for the kingdom's imprisonment and alleged torture of peaceful rights advocates, businesspeople and other royals at home and for launching a devastating war in neighboring Yemen and a failed economic blockade against neighboring Qatar, among other actions.

Mohammed bin Salman has consolidated power rapidly since his father, Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, in his 80s, became king in 2015. Salman is one of the last living sons of modern Saudi Arabia's original founder.

Given his age and Saudi royals' longevity, the prince could rule for the next half-century, if he follows his aging father to the throne.

"This was in the span of two or three years just imagine what will happen in the next 40 years if they allow him to rule, Abdullah al Oudh, a Saudi man who has received asylum in the United States after imprisoned al Oudh's father in 2017 over a tweet urging Saudi reconciliation with Qatar, said Thursday.

This guy ... sees the world as a stage for his botched operations," said Oudh, a Gulf research director for Democracy for the Arab World Now, a rights group Khashoggi founded shortly before his murder.

The Embassy spokesman in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Saudi officials have said Khashoggi's killing was the work of rogue Saudi security and intelligence officials.

The prince said in 2019 he took full responsibility for the killing since it happened on his watch, but denied ordering it.

US intelligence findings are coming out more than two years after Khashoggi walked hand-in-hand with his fiancee to the Saudi consulate in Turkey. He planned to pick up documents for their wedding.

The errand was recorded by surveillance cameras that tracked his route and those of his alleged killers in Istanbul in the hours leading up to his killing.

Inside the consulate, Khashoggi died at the hands of more than a dozen Saudi security and intelligence officials and others who had assembled ahead of his arrival.

A Turkish bug planted at the embassy reportedly captured the sound of a forensic saw, operated by a Saudi military colonel who was also a forensics expert, carving up Khashoggi's body within an hour of his entering the building. The whereabouts of his remains remain unknown.

Much of the damage from the killing of Khashoggi, a gregarious and well-regarded Saudi journalist with influential supporters in the United States and around the world, has already been absorbed by the US-Saudi relationship.

Once in office, Biden said he would maintain whatever scale of relations with Saudi Arabia that US interests required. He also ordered an end to US support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen and said he would stop the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia. He's given few details of what weapons and support he meant.

Asked how the release of the findings would affect Biden's approach toward Saudi Arabia, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday, He will speak out on the concerns he has about human rights abuses, about the lack of freedom of speech or the lack of freedom of media and expression, or any concerns he has."



But she added: We have a long relationship with Saudi Arabia and said the US would continue aiding Saudi Arabia's defense against regional rivals.

Congress in 2019 demanded the release of the report's findings, but the Trump administration refused. The Biden administration agreed to release a declassified version.

Saudi Arabian courts last year announced they had sentenced eight Saudi nationals to prison in Khashoggi's killing. They were not identified.

(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 Boeing Co. 777 aircraft operated by Rossiya Airlines made an emergency landing at 4:44 a.m. in Moscow because of engine trouble.

Friday's incident with the Rossiya Air flight came less than a week after an aircraft of the same model flown by United Airlines Holdings Inc. suffered a dramatic engine blowout over Denver, shedding debris onto neighborhoods below.

While the Denver incident triggered a worldwide grounding of older 777 aircraft with Pratt & Whitney engines, the Rossiya cargo jet is powered by General Electric Co. turbines, according to fleet data from planespotters.net

The 15-year-old Rossiya aircraft was heading from Hong Kong to Madrid, according to an employee at Sheremetyevo International Airport, who declined to be named.

The crew of the plane requested to make the emergency landing after one of the left engine control channels failed, according to Interfax. No injuries were reported.

A GE spokesman said by email that its support teams were working with airline to resolve the issue quickly and return the plane to service. Neither Boeing nor Rossiya Air were immediately available for comment.

Last Saturday's incident in Colorado involved a PW4077 engine made by Pratt, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp. A preliminary examination of fragments from the engine suggested a crack that grew gradually over time prompted the failure.

In an incident on Feb. 20, a Boeing 747-400 cargo jet operated by Longtail Aviation suffered a failure with its Pratt & Whitney engine shortly after takeoff from Maastricht in the Netherlands.

That failure was contained, meaning debris didn't escape laterally and damage the body of the plane, but two people on the ground were injured.

While that aircraft also had engines from Pratt's PW4000 family, the Denver and Netherlands incidents are unrelated, according to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Beyond barbecues and ceremonies: Recognizing Memorial Day

For many, Memorial Day weekend is about gathering with family and grilling or attending a parade. Some find a more personal way to honor the holiday.
Students and parents held a rally Thursday to demand in-person learning at University of Chicago Lab School.

Video Transcript

LEAH HOPE: Most of these students haven't been back to their classrooms for months. So today some students of UChicago Lab Schools and their parents shared their frustrations with remote learning.

- Private and public schools in Chicago have gone back. What's taking you so long?

SARAH HOEHN: So our teachers were vaccinated. So there is no reason, none, for us to be in school.

NAUSHEEN ZAIDI: They need to start us-- all of us, the whole school-- back in person now.

LEAH HOPE: As the students and teachers delivered a petition requesting in-person learning resume immediately to the University Chancellor's Office, some other parents and other parts of the city want to remain remote. On Monday, some CPS parents plan to participate in a sick-out. They will keep their children remote on Monday, despite the district resuming more in-person learning.

CPS parent Silvana Casas-Perez says the plan for a third grader to go into a classroom to do her work on a computer is not the best option for her.

SILVANA CASAS-PEREZ: You need to care about what the parents have to say, what their concerns and questions are, and you need to keep us highly informed, which has not been the case.

LEAH HOPE: Dr. Daniel Johnson is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at UChicago Comer Children's Hospital and is co-lead for the Illinois Return to School Task Force with the American Academy of Pediatrics.

DANIEL JOHNSON: We now have enough data, both from schools inside Illinois and outside Illinois, to be able to show that it's safe for children, it's safe for teachers to be at school.

LEAH HOPE: While scientists offer their recommendations, parents weigh the best options for their children. Currently, Lab plans to have lower school return to in-person learning March 29 and middle and high school will have a hybrid schedule. In the Hyde Park neighborhood, Leah Hope, ABC 7 Eyewitness News.
Four suspects have been arrested for alleged involvement in a human smuggling ring that helped Vietnamese people reach Cambodia.

Officers at Song Trang Border Guard Station in Long An Province have apprehended four suspects amid allegations that the group ran a human smuggling ring, a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday.

They were identified to be Nguyen Thanh Giang, Vo Van Xuan, Le Thi Anh, and Dang Van Sa Mal, all of whom are from Long An.

The four were suspected of assisting two border jumpers in the locale, who were spotted at around 7:30 pm on Wednesday in Cay Me Village of Long Ans Tan Hung District, and detained two hours later by a border patrol cohort.

The border jumpers were identified as Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa, 26, and Nguyen Van Thang, 23, both hailing from the southern province Tay Ninh.

The duo had tried to cross the border through the Tan Hung area of Long An in order to reach Cambodia and secure a well-paying job they had seen advertised on social media.

The incident is not the first case of border jumping busted in Long An Province within this week.

At 12:05 am on Wednesday, Song Trang Border Guard Station cooperated with local forces to detain 14 suspects who had attempted to cross the border from Long An Province.

According to the border guards, these suspects hail from different localities across Vietnam.

Functional forces are investigating the link between this incident and the smuggling ring caught in Tan Hung District.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
While demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is surging amid scarce supply, stories are flying around about pharmacies, hospitals and mass vaccination sites passing out excess doses to people who just happen to be at the right place at the right time. There is also a lot of talk about waiting lists that vaccination sites use when they need to dispense doses at risk of expiring.

This is all based on the theory that some people aren't showing up for their appointments, or something goes wrong like a freezer breaks down, and there's a surplus of unclaimed vaccines that need to be administered before spoiling.

East Bay resident Ben Lindorfer got a tip from his partner that the Oakland Coliseum  where some 6,000 doses are being administered a day  pass out leftover vaccine at the end of the day to people who show up without appointments.

"I dont want it to get thrown out," Lindorfer said. "If theyre throwing it out and theres an opportunity for me to wait around, Im happy to wait around."

Lindorfer arrived at the walk-in checkpoint last Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and said he was told by a worker that they didn't have any extra vaccine.

A friend went 15 minutes later and was told to show up at 6 or 6:30 p.m. for leftover vaccine. Lindorfer went back at 7 p.m. and there were about a dozen people waiting for extra doses.

"A gentleman in a FEMA jacked said they had no leftover vaccine," Lindorfer said. "He said if they have any leftover, they throw it away."

(Editor's note: Cal OES spokesperson Brian Ferguson said the Oakland Coliseum is a zero-waste site.)

It's not surprising that people are following leads on unclaimed shots, as there have been multiple stories reported in the media about people scoring inadvertent vaccines. When a refrigerator broke at a Mendocino County hospital, 850 Pfizer doses that required cold storage were distributed from a church and health clinics on a first-come, first-serve basis in a matter of two hours. A public health care worker caught in the snow in Oregon walked from car to car giving drivers doses that would expire in six hours, the New York Times reported.

While these stories are true, the likelihood of picking up excess vaccine seems slim. It's especially unlikely if you're not currently eligible within California's prioritization framework that advises counties to give doses to health care workers, seniors ages 65 and over, and essential workers in education, food, agriculture or law enforcement.

The Oakland Coliseum vaccination site in Alameda County is managed by Cal OES, and spokesperson Brian Ferguson said any extra vaccine is distributed to eligible people through a "call list."

"We try to be thoughtful about allocating vaccines and track the number of shots well need in a given day. If were getting near the end of the day and we have extra, we have an on-call list of local folks who are eligible who can come over and get a shot. Were working through eligible community partners, health care workers, law enforcement agencies, teachers groups."

Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, the two major health care providers administering vaccines in the Bay Area, said the no-show rate for vaccines is extremely low, and sites are bending over backward to ensure no dose goes wasted.

"Generally, cancellations are filled pretty quickly, even on the same day," Kaiser said in a statement. "We monitor our doses closely and can call in members who are booked the next day or later to come in early."

"In cases where there are appointment cancellations or remaining vaccine at the end of the day, we contact scheduled patients to come in early," a statement from Sutter said.

SFGATE also reached out to all nine Bay Area counties to ask whether they ever have excess vaccine, pass out extra doses at vaccine sites or toss out unused vials. We also asked whether they keep waiting lists to expedite the distribution of excess vaccines at risk of expiring.

We heard back from all the counties, and here's what they said.

Alameda County

The county said it hasn't wasted a single dose or vial of vaccine at any county-operated sites.

"We monitor open vials and reconcile drawn doses approximately two hours prior to a POD closing down to ensure open vials dont go unused," county spokesperson Neetu Balram said in an email. "We have wait lists of those who have appointments coming up and who can respond quickly if we have doses left after our appointments. We do not vaccinate people out of tier."





Contra Costa County

The county said 2% of people with appointments don't show up. "When doses do become unexpectedly available, we have a policy that lays out a process for calling in people from our wait list," the county said. "We do not encourage people without appointments to gather near our clinics."

Marin County

Marin County said between 5% and 10% of people with vaccine appointments don't show up. The county said in a statement that they assume people don't show up because they didn't get a confirmation from PrepMod (the county's appointment system), got an appointment somewhere else, didn't meet the criteria but booked anyone hoping it would change by the date of the appointment, tested positive for COVID and delayed getting vaccinated, or had a family emergency.

"We track our no-show rate throughout the day to prevent those doses from being drawn in the first place," county spokesperson Laine Hendricks wrote in an email. "Again, in the rare event we do have left over doses, we try to work with nearby clinics or hospitals (e.g,. MarinHealth Medical Center) to ensure the doses are used appropriately."

The county said it doesn't keep a waiting list, but it does have a "vaccine interest form" that it can leverage if needed. Any resident can self-register and identify that they want to be vaccinated.

"While any member of the general public can sign-up, we only engage those eligible to receive the vaccine in accordance with our current vaccine prioritization," the county said. "The form allows us to target vulnerable populations or communities of color who have not yet been vaccinated."

Napa County

The county said it has few no-shows, and a process in place to manage any potential impacts of no-shows involving intentional one-at-a-time syringe draws during the last hour of our clinics. It hasn't reported any waste.

"We have a well-established county interest list used to prioritize vaccine appointments according to state guidance," county spokesperson Janet Upton wrote in an email. "For each clinic, we identify people from that list who do not yet have an appointment and ask them to be available should we have any overages."

San Francisco

The San Francisco Department of Health said it does not track cancellations at sites run by the large health care providers or at the neighborhood clinics.

"San Francisco healthcare providers, who distribute two-thirds of the vaccines in SF, and the Department of Public Health function on the basic guideline that there should be no waste of any vaccine," the COVID Command Center, which manages the city's pandemic response, said in a statement. "Therefore, people are required to have appointments and are asked to cancel in the event they cannot make it. All vaccinating sites run by different healthcare providers have different protocols but plan aggressively to ensure the vaccine is not wasted. Many vaccinating entities have a call list, of those who are eligible, that can be called to be vaccinated at the end of a day. Nearly 100% of vaccines received each week are allocated for use in the coming week."

San Mateo County

San Mateo County said it sees a rate of 4% to 9% of appointments that need to be canceled because of ineligibility, lack of need because the individual received the vaccine elsewhere, a no-show, or other issues.

"We have staff working continuously on the appointment list throughout the day of the clinic, to make sure that only eligible recipients are on it and are on track to arrive at the appointed time," Preston Merchant, a spokesperson for the county, wrote in a statement. "As part of this process, we also build waitlists of eligible recipients who can receive any unused doses at the end of the day. The waitlist is built from the targeted appointment list and is not open to the public. We dont accept additions to the waitlist or allow anyone to wait at a site in hopes of receiving vaccine at the end of the day."

Santa Clara County

The county said it has a no-show rate of about 10%. "This rate is consistent with what we see overall in healthcare," the county wrote in an email. "We expect that 10-15% of those who make appointments may miss them for one reason or another, and we build our system around that assumption so that no-shows do not result in either wasted or misallocated doses. This includes building a buffer by overbooking' appointments to account for it."

The county said waste is minimal; its most recent data as of Feb. 22 revealed that 506 doses out of 413,233 total doses administered were wasted, or 0.12%.



"Not all of these doses were expired doses; some may have been reported as wasted due to other reasons that include malfunctioning syringes or needles, problems when reconstituting, diluting, or drawing out doses, or other reasons," the county said.

The said it has procedures in place to guard against vaccine wastage in the rare instances where more doses are thawed than can be used on persons who show up for appointments.

Santa Clara County does not have a waiting list.

Solano County

Solano County said "an overwhelming majority of residents show up to their appointments."

At the end of vaccination events, if there is remaining vaccine, the county's Emergency Medical Services team transports it to a long-term care facility that has recently received new staff or residents, according to Jose Caballero, a spokesperson for the county.

The county keeps a waiting list that's "generated from the registration form when max capacity has been reached," Caballero said. "Only eligible residents can join the waitlist for our vaccination events."

The county asks that people without vaccine appointments who haven't been notified from the waiting list not show up at vaccine sites and events.

Sonoma County

Sonoma County said it isnt tracking the number of people who dont show up for vaccine appointments. "We do have some, but anecdotally it is not very many, and we understand that it is mostly due to people making multiple appointments and going with the one that is most convenient while forgetting to cancel the one they dont use," county spokesperson Matt Brown wrote in an email. "So, we are encouraging people to cancel appointments that they know they are not going to use in order to free up those appointments for others."

Brown said if a clinic has doses left over at the end of the day, it is put back in the refrigerator to use the next day or sent to other clinics that need a supply.

"Since our demand is high, there are rarely, if ever, cases of vaccine going unused after their expiration date. The only time we will have a need to use vaccine is if we have an opened vial at the end of the day," he said. "Unopened vials can be stored for later, but opened vials must be used that day. Vials contain five or six doses each. So, if we open a new vial for the last appointment of the day, then we will have at most five doses that we need to use. Some clinics have a list of eligible patients that can receive these, typically people who have appointments at a later time. We dont recommend showing up at a clinic in the hopes of getting an extra dose."
Nepali mountaineers have been the backbone of almost all the Himalayan expeditions starting from the early 1930s. Their support has been unparalleled as thousands of foreigners have reached the summit of high mountains thanks to their help.

Their hardiness, expertise and experience at high altitudes are renowned all over the world. Known to the outside world as Sherpas, these mountaineers and guides are more than just muscles as many claim them to be. Their ability to fix ropes tackling high winds and bitter temperature even back in the day when mountaineering gears were non-existent is one of the reasons why they are respected and reputed all over the world. No wonder only a few were surprised as a team of 10 Nepali mountaineers summited K2 in harsh winter conditions creating history in the process.

Here, we bring you a list of a few mountaineers including some well-known and others not so much, but whose names have been forever etched in mountaineerings hall of fame.

1. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa

Tenzing Norgay Sherpa with his eldest daughter Pem Pem

Tenzing Norgay is known all over the world. He is probably the first mountain guide from the Khumbu region to have etched his name in history books all around the world as he reached the top of the world with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, the first-ever successful Everest summit. That was his seventh Everest expedition and probably his last, according to Jamling Norgay Sherpas book.

Giving it all he got, he climbed Everest having been involved in mountaineering for nearly two decades. Those who remember Tenzing Norgay call him a leader. No wonder foreigners kept picking him to join them on their expeditions. Before him, all Nepali mountaineers climbed for money. Tenzing Norgay did too. But, he also wanted to summit. His ambition to become the first is what stands him out on this list.

2. Ang Tharkay Sherpa

Ang Tharkay was the most famous of the early Himalayan sherpas. Photo: Dan Bryant/Royal Geographical Society from the 1935 Everest expedition

Many may not have heard about Ang Tharkay, but an argument can be made about him being even greater than everyone, even Tenzing Norgay himself. Born in Kunde, Ang Tharkay, like Tenzing Norgay, spent much of his time in Darjeeling where he looked for work as a porter. He started to catch foreign climbers eye quite quickly and was on his way to Everest in 1933 with Britishers. His leadership quality and performance in attitude started getting him both respect and job as he became Eric Shiptons right-hand man.

Apart from various Everest expeditions he went on, it was his 1950 Annapurna expedition with a French team that made him famous. Having guided for many parts of the expedition, Ang Thakrey turned down the chance to be the first to summit Annapurna with the French team as he stayed a few 100 metres below to let the French bask in the glory. This, according to Maurice Herzog, is one of the most selfless acts anyone has done on the mountain.

3. Gaylay Sherpa

Another climber who is not talked about much is Gaylay Sherpa. Like Ang Tharkey, Gaylay was also selfless. His sacrifices in the mountains is another reason why Nepali mountaineers are regarded so highly around the world. Why? Here is a story.

In 1934, Galay went to Nanga Parbat in Pakistan with a German team. The weather was bad, treacherous even. But, the climbers pushed on. With no chance of a summit, they decided to retreat, but the expedition leader Willi Merkl could not move. Most members of the expedition had died and only Gaylay, Merkl and one more climber were alive. As the other climber went to get help, Merkel had asked him to go with him, but Gaylay denied. He stayed with his employer, loyal to him till he froze to death with him.

4. Galzen Norbu Sherpa

Gyalzen Norbu stand on the top of Manaslu hoisting a Nepali and a Japanese flag. Photo: Toshio Imanishi

One often looks for firsts when it comes to mountaineering. A first ascent is always regarded highly among the mountaineers especially if its an 8,000-metre peak. But, what about two? Galzen Norbu, another name missing out from Nepals history books is the first person to have made successful ascents of two 8,000 metre peaks.

His leadership in Makalu in 1955 with a French team gained him a lot of plaudits, which is why a Japanese team in 1956 hired him as the lead Sherpa to take them to the top of Manaslu. His photo atop the summit of Manalsu is what many call one of the most iconic pictures in the Himalayan mountaineering.

5. Babu Chiri Sherpa

Photo: Babu Chiri Sherpa Foundation

Babu Chiri was a NatGeo adventure/athlete even before anything like that was invented. First, in 1995, he climbed Everest twice in the same season. But, that was not enough for him. In 1999, he did something even more ridiculous. Carrying a tent to the top of the world, he pitched it and spent nearly 21 hours on the summit, without bottled oxygen and sang the national anthem. In 2000, he wanted to be more ambitious as he climbed Everest in under 17 hours where it takes people at least three days. It remains to be seen what might have become of him who died in 2001 as he fell into a crevasse while taking a photograph.

6. Ang Rita Sherpa

Ang Rita Sherpa, popularly known as The Snow Leopard, a world-famous mountain climber from Nepal, had climbed Mount Everest 10 times without bottled oxygen.

The Snow Leopard who passed away recently was a legend and an inspiration to many mountaineers of today. Ang Rita remains the only person to have climbed Everest 10 times without bottled oxygen, one of them in the harsh winters. He said he never needed oxygen even at the death zone and once spent the whole night doing aerobic exercises to stay warm around camp 4. He was so good at an altitude that he did not use bottled oxygen in any of the ascents of Dhaulagiri, Cho Oyu and Kanchenjunga. Ang Tsering of Asian Treks in an interview once called him the best climber he has ever climbed with. He was a legend, a master climber.

7. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa

Pasang Lhamus inclusion on this list does not even need thinking. She inspired a generation of women in Nepal showing them that if you work hard enough, no dream is unachievable as she reached the summit of Everest in 1993, becoming the first Nepali woman to do so. Even though that joy was short-lived as she died during the descent, reaching the summit of Everest which not many women had done clearly shows how courageous and determined she was to prove people wrong.

For achieving what no other Nepali woman had achieved before her, Pasang Lhamu was honoured by mountaineers all around the world in various ways. She was the very first woman to be decorated with the Nepal Tara (Star) by King Birendra.
London, Feb 26 : Nearly 70,000 fines have been handed out to those who breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Britain since the rules came into force last year, police data showed on Thursday.

According to the British National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), a total of 68,952 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issues by police between March 27 last year and February 14 this year.

Fines increased sharply following the introduction of Tier Four restrictions before Christmas last year and the latest national lockdown in England announced on January 4, which "reflected quicker and stronger enforcement by police." "We are still in a really dangerous stage of a pandemic which has killed more than 120,000 people," NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said in a statement.

"Eleven months on and back into a national lockdown, the rules are really clear and so it is frustrating that we still have a small number of completely defiant and irresponsible people who have no regard for the safety of themselves or others," Hewitt said.

Fines were handed out for reasons including illegal large gatherings, breaches of the face coverings regulations and failing to self-isolate after arriving from a country on the British government's quarantine list, the Xinhua news agency reported.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his long-anticipated "roadmap" exiting the lockdown.

Schools in England will reopen from March 8 as first part of the four-step plan, which Johnson said was designed to be "cautious but irreversible".

Johnson said he is "very optimistic" that all coronavirus restrictions in England will be removed by June 21.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
Dell Technologies Inc. and HP Inc. reported earnings buoyed by a resurgent personal computer demand they projected will continue even as people return to offices and schools when the coronavirus pandemic is under control.

The U.S. companies, two of the worlds top three PC makers, reported sales and profit in the three-months ending in January that topped analysts estimates.

The overall market, which grew for the first time in almost a decade in 2020, will expand again this year helped by demand for laptops, according to HP Chief Executive Officer Enrique Lores.PC makers are arguing that runaway demand for notebooks from consumers that snapped them up to enable work and study from home during the pandemic wont evaporate as restrictions ease.

The months-long lockdown for large chunks of the worlds population has accelerated the use of computers in everything from personal communication, to learning and gaming, they argue.We think that change is sustainable," Lores said in an interview.

Covid has made technology more fundamental in all of our lives."

HP executives tempered that optimism by predicting that consumer demand will subside" as more people return to the kind of lives they led before the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 virus. As that happens, companies and other organizations will return to spending on their in-house hardware, HP said.

Dell Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clarke told analysts the hardware maker sees an improving demand environment in 2021.

Millions of school children still need laptops and companies will be reopening offices that are equipped with old PCs in need of replacement, he said.The PC is the hub of the new economic model," Clarke said.Dell, which shipped a record number of units in the quarter, said there are shortages of some types of chips such as those that power memory card readers and displays. Supply constraints of some components are also keeping a lid on growth.

HP expects that sitution to continue until the third quarter. Still, its view of PC demand in 2021 is 45% higher than it was prior to the pandemic, Lores said, and suppliers simply havent been able to keep up with the surge.Dell said sales rose 9% to $26.1 billion in the period that ended Jan. 29. That compares with an average analyst estimate of $24.5 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

HP reported revenue of $15.6 billion, more than $600 million higher than the average estimate.

Dells fiscal fourth-quarter revenue from consumer PCs jumped 19% and HPs climbed 34%. PC sales to business and government agencies for Dell rose 16% to $9.9 billion. Commercial sales at HP contracted.

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ALBANY  Dozens of state lawmakers peppered state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker with questions about New York's handling of the coronavirus pandemic during a much-anticipated budget hearing Thursday, and did not conceal their displeasure with the administration's handling of the illness in nursing homes.

"We are the only state in the nation which counted (fatalities in) nursing homes in a convoluted way," Schenectady Republican Sen. James Tedisco said, challenging Zucker and other members of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's administration to admit "your culpability in these deaths."

The administration has been mired in controversy over its handling of the virus in the long-term care facilities, with legislators for months demanding clarity on how an early Health Department directive might have fueled nursing home deaths and calling for data on how many nursing home residents died after being transferred to hospitals. The matter is currently being investigated by federal prosecutors.

Sen. Tom O'Mara, a Southern Tier Republican, asked Zucker whether he had been subpoenaed by either Democratic-led state legislative chamber, and if the Health Department has responded to a federal Department of Justice letter inquiring about nursing home deaths.

After Zucker declined to answer, citing legal concerns, O'Mara concluded by telling the commissioner he considered "virtually everything you said today to be totally without credibility."

But the scrutiny was not limited to nursing homes. Zucker faced challenges from lawmakers over how vaccinations have been distributed; a provision to allow out-of-state practitioners to provide telehealth services in New York; staffing and personal protective equipment shortages; Medicaid cuts and general cuts to providers for senior citizens, alcohol and substance abuse and mental health programs; and a legal immunity clause slipped into the state budget vote last year.

A January report from state Attorney General Letitia James on COVID-19 in nursing homes found that this blanket immunity policy may have incentivized those facilities to place profits over safety, Sen. Alessandra Biaggi told Zucker.

"Do you still support this article?" the Westchester Democrat asked.

Zucker initially took offense to the question, and dismissed the notion that health care workers would not provide appropriate care.

"You are not answering the question I asked you," Biaggi said. "It has nothing to do with health care professionals."

Zucker would only say that he had supported the decision at the time it was added to the budget almost a year ago.

The health commissioner's testimony was preceded by a conference call conducted by Steven M. Cohen, a longtime Cuomo advisor, former federal prosecutor and current chair of the Empire State Development Corp. Cohen repeated the administrations defense of its actions on nursing homes and insisted its slow response on data production was merely a sincere effort to provide the correct numbers.

It wasn't until James released her office's report revealing the Health Department had underreported the deaths of nursing home residents related to COVID-19 by as much as 50 percent that Zucker released some of that sought-after data. The agency's preliminary review of the data from March 1 to Jan. 19 showed 9,786 confirmed fatalities associated with residents in skilled nursing facilities. That figure includes 5,957 deaths within nursing homes and 3,829 in hospitals.

Cohen, who assisted in the state's pandemic response, and others in Cuomos administration have repeatedly conflated the newly launched investigation  by the FBI and the Eastern District U.S. Attorney's office  with inquiries that were begun by the Justice Department in August, under President Donald Trump's administration.

You have to understand how it has been politicized," Cohen said. "  I am not suggesting that we should not be looking in respect to nursing homes  but that doesnt change the fact that this situation was largely set up as part of a political process in a highly contested and high-stakes national campaign for president.

However, reporting by the Times Union and others has indicated that current investigations into nursing homes and the Cuomo administration are separate from the inquiries launched in August.

Cohen defended the Health Departments controversial March 25, 2020, policy that said nursing homes could not turn away COVID-positive patients. He said the order was and remains in line with Centers for Disease Control guidance, and that it was designed to prevent the hospital system from being overrun.

In the hearing, Zucker repeatedly cited his agency's July report that concluded the order played no significant role in the virus' spread in nursing homes.

"I know you said what you said back in July is still true today, but there have been a lot of reports that would seem to contradict that statement alone," Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said. "Is it still your assertion that the March 25 order  which the attorney general and Empire Center (for Public Policy) both concluded played a role in the spread and fatalities  ... did not have any effect?"

Zucker blamed community spread, whereby asymptomatic nursing home staff inadvertently brought the virus into nursing homes during a time when little was known about the virus.

"It is very clear that this administration  whether it's you, sir, or anybody else speaking on his behalf  will never acknowledge that you did anything wrong," Bronx Democratic Sen. Gustavo Rivera said.

Rivera also questioned New York's plans to use Medicaid "savings" to help close the state's general fund deficit along with offsetting the costs of increased enrollment in the program.

Rivera called that plan "bananas and frickin' crazy," echoing sentiments shared by other legislators who expressed concern about the cuts being imposed during a pandemic.

There are now roughly 7 million New Yorkers insured through Medicaid, yet New York has budgeted less money to cover those costs, said Manhattan Democratic Sen. Liz Krueger, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee.

"It's just an impossible scenario," Krueger said. "You can't provide health insurance for 7 million people on a lower cost than we started off on for 4 million people, and we shouldn't even be trying."

For many farmers in Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam, buffaloes are also the highlights of eco-tours hosted by the Jack Tran Tours company.

So in the Year of the Buffalo, they have more tales about the animals to tell than ever.

Tran Van Khoa (third from the left, in green T-shirt) shows his visitors how to ride a buffalo. Photo courtesy of Jack Tran Tours

Tran Van Khoa, sales manager and owner of the company, told Viet Nam News that the idea for the tour came to him on a field trip he took a group of foreigners to visit Tra Que vegetable village on the outskirts of ancient Hoi An Town 10 years ago.

The foreign tourists seemed to be interested in buffaloes eating grass, he said. They asked the owners to take photos with the cattle. They often tipped the farmers one or two US dollars for each photographing session. I thought the buffalo might be a special tourism product that will bring more income to farmers.

Over the time, the company has gathered nearly 20 farmer families who own some 100 buffaloes for wet rice tours, which offer tourists the chance to work in the field with buffaloes. Before the pandemic, each year the company received 2,000-3,000 guests, bringing each family VND10-15 million ($434-651) a year.

Such a tour lasts for five hours when tourists try various farming tasks.

Two junior tourists enjoy riding a buffalo in Tra Que Village. Photo courtesy of Jack Tran Tours

At first local farmers were not willing to join the service, Khoa recalled. They thought foreigners would never like dirty work in the field. I spent lots of time to persuade them.

Now the tour attracts mostly group tours and families at a ticket cost of VND1.3 million each including lunch at homestays.

Local farmer Le Nhien, in his mid-50s, who has raised buffaloes since his childhood, is among the farmers who have worked the longest with the company.

We often choose strong male buffaloes for the job, he said. They are gentle, good-looking with twisted hair in the middle of their heads, stubbed noses, big ears, square forehead and bent back, which shows that the buffaloes are very hard-working. The buffaloes with red eyes should not be chosen to serve visitors as they are aggressive.

We teach them to stand up following oral orders and be friendly to visitors. The buffaloes should also have at least two years of experience working in the field as they will be more agile and hard-working, he said.

I let them sniff perfume and sun cream to be familiar to tourists smell, he revealed.

The trainers should control their buffaloes by short and sharp orders like di means walk to the left; ha means walk to the right; do means stop, and dun means walk backwards.

He now owns in total 20 buffaloes and the five best work on the tours. The buffaloes brings home VND10-15 million per month, double the income from raising rice, he said.

He even names his buffaloes like humans with names such as Gio, Si, Tuong and Phao.

The buffaloes are given young rice to be stronger and can work in the field from the ages of three to 20.

Beside stable income from tourism, each female buffalo may give birth to a baby each year, Nhien said.

The tour attracts foreigners. Photo courtesy of Jack Tran Tours

Nhien said each peak month before the pandemic, his family could get VND20 million per month including tips from tourists.

I have enough money to raise three children, he said. My eldest son helps me with the tours.

Khoa said most of the tourists like his eco-tours with the wet rice planting experience, which also helps create more jobs for locals, and the Jack Tran Tours page is filled with good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Khoa said in 2020, the pandemic has seriously affected tourism in Hoi An, including buffalo tours.

I was shocked and very sad to tell my staff of 30 people and dozens of involved farmer families to stay off from work as there have been no tourists, he said. I gave them each VND5 million for three months at the beginning of the pandemic.

"Before the pandemic, we received 20-100 tourists per day. Now, there are only 1-2 tourists per day or even no tourists in the past year.

Male strong and friendly buffaloes are chosen for serving tourists. Photo courtesy of Jack Tran Tours

The farmers and buffaloes now focus only on their farming work, he said. I sometimes support them some money to care of the buffaloes.

I just hope the disease will soon be controlled with vaccines so that tourists will return to us, he said.

This year, the company will aim focus on domestic guests with 50 per cent discounts for the tours.

He said a group of tourists has just booked a tour of 45 minutes at VND500,000 per person.

Some customers have also booked the tour for this summer, he said.

We always compare the buffaloes to the BMWs of the field: strong and valuable, he said.

They do not only resemble the familiar image of Vietnamese village and traditional culture but also of the patience and resilience of Vietnamese people to overcome obstacles. VNS
A global deal on taxing tech giants has inched closer after the US unblocked talks on Friday.

According to the French and German finance ministers, US treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has dropped a key US demand which had stalled international talks since 2019.

She made the announcement at a meeting of G20 finance ministers on Friday.

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire, who was at the meeting, said on Twitter that he was happy to hear Ms Yellens announcement.

Its a major advance. An international agreement on minimum taxation for companies and taxation of digital services is within reach.

Ms Yellen has apparently dropped a so-called Safe Harbour requirement, which would have allowed the US to opt out of any future deal.

The stance of the old US administration is being abandoned, that these rules should be optional, German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told Bloomberg in an emailed statement.

Today we saw a strong tailwind for a fair taxation of the large digital corporations. My US colleague Janet Yellen declared today at the G20 finance ministers that the USA will join in.

EU economy and tax commissioner, Paolo Gentiloni, believes its a very encouraging development according to his spokesman.

The EU is pressing ahead with plans for its own digital levy, which it intends to table by June this year.

The bloc fears that the proliferation of national levies could undermine the single market.

France, Spain and Italy have imposed digital levies of 3pc, Poland has a 1.5pc tax on streaming services, while Austrias 5pc tax is levied on online advertising only.

Several other EU countries, including Belgium, Czechia, Hungary and Poland, have also announced measures.

The UK introduced a 2pc levy on the revenues earned by tech giants on its territory last year.

Talks on taxing tech giants are being steered by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which is working on profit shifting by multinationals and on ensuring a minimum level of corporate taxation.

The OECD has set a summer 2021 deadline for the 135 countries participating in the talks to reach a deal.
Alabama is amending its lethal injection procedures to allow a condemned inmate to have his spiritual advisor in the execution chamber, state lawyers wrote in a Thursday court filing.

The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court this month sided with Alabama inmate Willie B. Smith III who had sought to have his pastor in the chamber. Alabama, which had previously argued that only prison staff should be allowed in the chamber for security reason, canceled Smiths execution.

In light of the Supreme Courts decision in this matter, however, Defendant is in the process of amending the ADOCs lethal injection protocol to permit a condemned inmate to have his spiritual advisor in the execution chamber, lawyers with the Alabama attorney generals office wrote in a court filing.

A spokeswoman for the Alabama Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The filing did not give additional details about the states plan, including how long the spiritual adviser can stay in the chamber and if they will be present when the execution begins. In past lethal injections, the state allowed a prison chaplain to remain in the chamber.

Smiths scheduled Feb. 11 execution was called off by Alabama officials after Supreme Court justices maintained an injunction issued by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, saying he could not be executed without his pastor present in chamber.

Alabama has not carried its burden of showing that the exclusion of all clergy members from the execution chamber is necessary to ensure prison security. So the State cannot now execute Smith without his pastor present, to ease what Smith calls the transition between the worlds of the living and the dead, Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a writing joined by three other justices, including Amy Coney Barrett.

The Alabama case was the latest in a series of legal fights over personal spiritual advisers at executions.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested in a dissent in the Smith case that states that want to avoid continuing litigation on the issue should figure out a way to allow spiritual advisors into the execution room, as other states and the federal government have done.

The court in 2019 halted the execution of a Texas inmate who claimed his religious freedom would be violated if his Buddhist spiritual adviser was not allowed to be in the death chamber with him.

In the past, Alabama routinely put a Christian prison chaplain, who was employed by the state, in the execution chamber to pray with an inmate if requested. The state stopped that practice after a Muslim inmate asked to have an imam present. The prison system, which did not have Muslim cleric on staff, said non-prison staff would not be allowed in the chamber.
The US State Department has condemned Iran's government for the violence in the southeast Baluchistan region. The statement comes at a time of high tensions between the two countries.

On Thursday, the departments Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs called on Iran to show restraint in the area.

Deeply concerning reports of internet outages & government violence against fuel carriers & protestors in Iran's Sistan & Baluchestan province. We call upon Iran to uphold its commitments to human rights & fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression & peaceful assembly, the department tweeted.

The situation in the Sistan-Baluchistan province began when members of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire on unemployed locals who were bringing untaxed fuel to Pakistan to earn money. This led to outrage and protesters storming state institutions throughout the province. Both demonstrators and Iranian security officers have been killed. Authorities also cut internet access in the area.

US President Joe Biden vowed to engage Iran diplomatically, eschewing the maximum pressure campaign of his predecessor Donald Trump. Relations remain tense, however. Also on Thursday, the US military struck Iran-backed militia targets in Syria. The strike was in response to the recent attack on US military positions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which the United States blamed on Irans Iraqi militia allies.

The situation in Baluchistan could develop into yet another sore point between Washington and Tehran.

Many people in the province belong to the Baluchi ethnic minority. There are Baluchi separatist groups active there and in neighboring Pakistan, and the province has experienced armed conflict before.
THE Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) targets to vaccinate a total of 5,634,789 individuals regionwide this year.

Dr. Van Phillip Baton, DOH 7 medical program coordinator for infectious diseases, said during the first full council meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 for 2021on Friday, Feb. 26, said that around 18,000 will be healthcare workers (HCWs).

Of this number, 9,659 HCWs will come from Cebu City.

Aside from the HCWs, others under priority group A under the national deployment and vaccination plan are indigents, senior citizens and uniformed personnel.

Those under priority group B are teachers, social workers, other government workers, other essential personnel outside of health and education, overseas Filipino workers and the remaining workforce.

The remaining population will comprise priority group C.

This prioritization framework is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (Sage) recommendation.

Aside from prioritizing population groups, the government will also consider geographic location because the supply of vaccines is still limited.

"Since majority of our vaccines are slated tl be coming in within the third quarter of this year, we, in our hospitals, will be able to really select what priority groups will be provided depending on the vaccines that will be coming in," Baton said.

Not eligible

Some individuals may not be given the vaccine, upon the assessment of a medical doctor.

Those who are manifesting Covid-19 symptoms on the day of their scheduled vaccination will have to reschedule their vaccination until they fully recover from the disease.

These symptoms include fever, chills, headache, cough, colds, sore throat, fatigue, weakness, loss of smell or taste, diarrhea, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing.

Those with history of exposure to confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases in the two weeks prior to the vaccination schedule will have to complete the mandatory quarantine period first.

Story continues

Those who were treated for Covid-19 in the past 90 days will also be rescheduled after 90 days.

Those who received convalescent plasma or antibodies will also be rescheduled after 90 days.

Pregnant women in their first trimester will be scheduled after the first trimester.

Those who received any vaccines in the last two weeks will be rescheduled after a two-week interval.

Nationwide target

Under the three-year vaccination plan, Baton said 70 to 75 million Filipinos who are at least 18 years old will be eligible for vaccination this year.

The number will increase to 112 million in the second year. By the end of the third year, a total of 114 million Filipinos will be eligible for vaccination.

Baton said as initially discussed, those who are vaccinated in the first year will be given a booster dose in the second year. Booster vaccines are still being developed.

Baton said he believed that the first batch of vaccines will reach the region in March.

A shipment of 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines donated by China will arrive in the country on Sunday, Feb. 28, around a week after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA).

Aside from Sinovac, other vaccines that were granted an EUA in the Philippines are Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca-Oxford.

The DOH, in a statement on Friday, assured that all three vaccines are "safe and effective" as evaluated by experts and the technical working group. (WBS)
South Africa: NERSA issues generation licence

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved the issuing of a generation licence to GFI Joint Venture Holdings Proprietary Limited and Gold Fields Operations Limited (South Deep Joint Venture) to operate a 40MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant.

The generation facility will be constructed in Westonaria, south-west of Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province.

On 1 February 2020, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy issued approval for deviation from the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for self-generation projects of any capacity.

Following this approval, South Deep Joint Venture submitted a compliant application on 18 June 2020.

The application could not be processed within the required timelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the application was subjected to public participation process with a virtual public hearing conducted on 3 December 2021.

The 40MW solar PV plant will be constructed on the same site as the South Deep Gold Mine and all power generated by the plant will be consumed by the mine, NERSA said on Thursday.

The energy regulator has noted unverified and misleading media reports that NERSA has delayed processing this application since 2017.

It must be indicated that South Deep Gold Mine submitted its first application for a generation licence of a 40MW solar plant in 2017. However, this application could not be processed because it was not compliant with the requirements of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006.

The application did not have Ministerial approval to deviate from the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), as was required by section 10(2)(g) of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006, NERSA said.

South Deep Gold Mine also did not have environmental authorisation as required by the National Environmental Management Act, 1998.

NERSA engaged with and guided South Deep Gold Mine on how to ensure that the application is compliant with the legal requirements to enable NERSA to process the application. In this regard, several consultation meetings were held between NERSA and South Deep Gold Mine, the energy regulator said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-02-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Will not let the culprits get away, India tells Israel after blast outside embassy

Its done: The 3.45 am call to NSA Doval after Balakot was hit and Operation Bandar was competed

Be it LAC or LoC, why NSA Ajit Doval gets top billing in national security planning

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: There have been positive developments both along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC) in the past few weeks.

There was disengagement at the north and south banks of the Pangong lake. In a joint statement India and Pakistan said that the ceasefire was being maintained at the Line of Control since the midnight of February 24.

These are positive development and will go a long way in maintaining peace at both the borders with China and Pakistan. A lot of credit for both developments go to India's national security planners led by National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.

Prior to the disengagement process, India had moved to occupy the heights on the southern bank of the Pangong Lake. This proved to be a game changer and the meeting at where it was decided was led by NSA Doval. The NSA at the meeting at which it was decided to occupy the heights was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and Indian Army Chief General M M Naravane.

Sources tell OneIndia that the coordination of the security forces ensured that there was no Chinese aggression. The security forces were further bolstered by the deployment of fighter assets including the Rafale fighters.

General Naravane while crediting the nations approach for the disengagement had said that the advise given by the NSA came extremely handy. His insight into strategic affairs definitely helped us in chalking our response, the Army Chief also said.

The joint statement by India and Pakistan is one of the many steps that both countries may take to normalise relations. Pakistan did not rake up the Kashmir issue at the SAARC meeting last week.

General Bajwa had made a peace proposal. New Delhi too reciprocated and allowed Imran Khan's special aircraft to use Indian airspace en route to Sri Lanka. Imran Khan at Sri Lanka said that India and Pakistan can resolve issues through dialogue.

All this became possible after back-channel talks were initiated by NSA Doval with his counterpart in Pakistan. The NSA and Moeed W Yusuf, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan were in touch.

However Yusuf in a series of tweets late on Thursday night distanced himself from the talks. He said no such talks took place between Doval and me. The welcome development on the LoC is a result of discussions through the established channels of the DGMO, he also said.

In a joint statement issued yesterday India and Pakistan said, the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact.

The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere.

In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence.Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021.

Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.
British Airways owner IAG today announced the biggest annual loss in its history as the Covid pandemic closed borders and grounded its aircraft.

The airline group, which also owns Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus, announced a post-tax loss of 6billion in 2020, the worst since its formation 10 years ago. This compares with a profit of 1.48billion a year earlier.

Revenues collapsed 69% from 22.2bn to just 6.8bn last year as the pandemic decimated the company's business model, which depends on long-haul routes and corporate customers paying business class rates.

Despite the ugly results, IAG shares were up 4% at 1.94 in morning trading. They have jumped 13% in the last five days, after Britain's announcement on a travel restart, but over the last 12 months have lost half their value.

A British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger jet coming in to land over a deserted road near Heathrow earlier this month

The number of passengers using IAG's airlines remains significantly down on pre-pandemic levels, and fell again during the traditional peak festive season.

Capacity for 2020 was just 33.5% of 2019 levels, and is only expected to be around 20% between January and March.

IAG's loss is the largest for a FTSE 100 company this year aside from oil super majors Shell and BP.

IAG chief executive Luis Gallego said the results 'reflect the serious impact that Covid-19 has had on our business'.

Getting people travelling again will require 'a clear road map for unwinding current restrictions when the time is right', he said.

'We know there is pent-up demand for travel and people want to fly.

'Vaccinations are progressing well and global infections are going in the right direction.

'We're calling for international common testing standards and the introduction of digital health passes to reopen our skies safely.'

Mr Gallego said IAG airlines will not require passengers to prove they have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Testing will be key for travel until vaccines have been rolled out across the world, he added.

Australian airline Qantas has said in future it will require passengers to prove they have received a jab before they can board its international flights.

Mr Gallego said there was a 'big increase' in demand for travel after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his plan for easing restrictions in England on Monday.

Flight bookings were up by more than 60% compared with the same day during the previous week.

'If we continue with the road map to open aviation, we are going to have positive summer,' Mr Gallego said.

He revealed that IAG will contribute to a Government taskforce evaluating how foreign travel can resume.

Commenting on IAG's full-year results, Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: 'Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the travel sector, and for airlines, it has caused their finances to nose dive as countries across the globe have closed their borders and put restrictions on movement.

'For IAG, it has led to plummeting demand, early retirement of fleets, the possibility of more cuts to employee numbers and a need to boost its cash flow through sales and loans. Despite this it has to plan for the future and is doing so with greater investment in fuel-efficient aircraft on the cards.

'This industry is one that is watching the global vaccine roll-out even closer than others and its success has lifted hopes of international travel returning soon, but for now, IAG needs to weather the storm and wait for clearer skies if it's going to stand any chance of recovery.'

The number of passengers using IAG's airlines remains significantly down on pre-pandemic levels, and fell again during the traditional peak festive season. Pictured is a deserted Terminal 2 at Heathrow

It comes as the first couple released from 10 days of gruelling quarantine in an airport hotel at midnight punched the air and celebrated their new-found freedom by treating themselves to a meal at McDonald's.

Removal man Wagner Araujo, 43, and his 40-year-old wife Elaine, from Finchley, London, were among the first of those quarantined after flying into Britain to be freed from their confinement.

They left the Radisson Blu hotel at London Heathrow Airport smiling and said after they had tucked into their McDonald's chicken burgers and fries they would be heading straight home to hug their children.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, mother-of-four Mrs Araujo said she was going to shower her sleeping children with 'kisses and give them big cuddles', while her husband added: 'It has been tough at times, and a bit crazy.'

Mr Araujo said: 'It has been an expensive time. But it has been an experience. I'm just so happy that we are out at last. To look up at the sky and feel the fresh air and of course to have a McDonald's outside the hotel.'

His wife said of their children: 'I have missed them so much I can't tell you. It has been the hardest thing. But it will be a nice surprise for them because they're not expecting us now.'

The first couple released from hotel quarantine at midnight after 10 days of detention punched the air and celebrated by going straight to a McDonald's

Around 1,200 people are currently in a number of Government-approved quarantine hotels to prevent mutant variants of coronavirus from high-risk countries including Portugal from spreading around the UK.

MPs were told this week that more than 100 people a day are going into the hotels at London Heathrow Airport, where they must stay for 10 days at a cost of 1,750 for the accommodation on risk of criminal prosecution.

Arrivals who lie about where they have been could be jailed for a maximum of 10 years, and if they leave before the end of quarantine they could be fined a maximum of 10,000.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock's extreme border crackdown sparked criticism from a chorus of lockdown opponents including senior Tory MP Sir Charles Walker and former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption.

However, the Government has not yet released data on how many people have tested positive for coronavirus since going into a quarantine hotel, with ministers expected to publish an update in the coming weeks.
Lucknow, Feb 26 : A Lucknow court has ordered a probe and filing of an FIR into an alleged encounter death of a man, who was accused of a murder.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Sushil Kumari has directed the Hazratganj police to lodge an FIR over the alleged encounter death of Girdhari Vishwakarma on February 15, after his remand to the police custody by her court, following his arrest.

Girdhari a.k.a 'Doctor' was arrested for allegedly gunning down a gangster Ajit Singh in the city's posh Gomti Nagar area on January 6.

CJM Sushila Kumari on Thursday ordered a probe into Giridhari's death on a plea by advocate Sarvjeet Yadav, who had earlier represented Giridhari as his defence counsel.

"There are clear guidelines of the Supreme Court that in a case of a police encounter, an FIR should be registered and the entire incident be probed to find out the truth," the court said while ordering the probe on the advocate's plea made under section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"It is a matter of investigation as to whether the police team shot Giridhari in self-defence or the team exceeded its power of self-defence," the court said.

The court gave the order taking note of the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sanjeev Suman, and Vibhuti Khand police station in-charge, Chandra Shekhar Singh, at the spot of the encounter.

In her order, the CJM said though the police lodged two FIRs over Giridhari's bid to run away from the police custody and opening of fire by him at the police, no FIR was registered to probe the incident of his death.

Earlier, in his application, advocate Yadav alleged that SHO Chandra Shekhar Singh and other policemen killed Giridhari under fool-proof conspiracy and prepared false documents to suppress evidence in the case.

This all happened when Giridhari was in police custody on the basis of an order passed by the CJM herself.

Giridhari was killed in an encounter with the police on February 15. He was arrested for allegedly gunning down Ajit Singh in the posh Gomti Nagar area in Lucknow on January 6.

Following Giridhari's encounter death, Lucknow Police Commissioner D.K. Thakur had said three policemen too were injured in the incident.

"Around 3.00 a.m., Giridhari Vishwakarma was taken to Khargapur crossing along with the weapon used in the crime. When sub-inspector Akhtar Usmani was getting down from the vehicle with him, the accused hit him on his nose. The officer fell on the ground and the accused snatched his pistol and started running. The sub-inspector followed him but Giridhari hid behind bushes and started firing, after which the police also opened fire which led to his death," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nilabja Choudhury had said.


A man charged in last months deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol bragged to friends and shared photos on Facebook about taking part in the insurrection and claimed he urinated in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to federal charging documents unsealed Thursday.

James Douglas Rahm, of Atlantic City, was charged earlier this month with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, impeding the orderly conduct of government business or official functions, and obstruction of Congress though violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol ground.

Several surveillance images from inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 show Rahm among large groups who entered the building, federal authorities said in a complaint. A video posted by Rahm inside doesnt show his face but his voice is audible, according to court documents.

Were in. Were taking our (expletive) house back, Rahm said, according to authorities. Were here. Time to find some brass and kick some frickin ass.

Rahm also posted since-deleted photos of himself outside the U.S. Capitol and exchanged messages with Facebook friends who commented on the social media platform.

In one post, a person wrote to Rahm, Get back inside. Give Pelosi a kiss. Rham then responded, Pissed in her office.

When someone asked Rahm if he was OK, he replied, Shields and pepper spray never hurt anyone, did they? Home alive. History made. I walked right through Pelosis office. I should have [defecated] on her chair.

Federal investigators were alerted five days after the Capitol attack by a member of the public with access to Rahms online postings, according to authorities. Three people in total provided the investigators with photos and videos of Rahm, authorities said.

In one photo, Rahm is seen wearing a grey Trump knitted winter hat, a dark hooded sweatshirt inside of a green and black Harley Davidson motorcycle jacket, blue jeans and tan work shoes.

James Douglas Rahm, of Atlantic City, faces four charges in the deadly Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021. Federal authorities say he boasted to friends on Facebook about breaching the Capitol and claimed to have "pissed" in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. Authorities say images of Rahm outside the Capitol were matched to security footage inside.U.S. Attorney's Office

That photo matched surveillance images captured inside the Capitol, authorities said.

In other posts obtained by federal investigators, Rahm, who goes by his middle name Doug online, allegedly gave his account of the attack.

Yes do not believe the media there were no anarchist no antifa just patriots trying to take our country back. Yes I was there the pepper spray is just wearing off, Rahm said in the online posts, according to authorities.

We the people tried to take our house back now they will blame it on Trump. Disgusting anti-Americans, Rahm wrote, according to authorities.

Rahm has since been released on bail, according to court records.

James Douglas Rahm, of Atlantic City, faces four charges in the deadly Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021. Federal authorities say he boasted to friends on Facebook about breaching the Capitol and claimed to have "pissed" in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. Authorities say images of Rahm outside the Capitol were matched to security footage inside.U.S. Attorney's Office

Rahms case was initially filed in the federal Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and as are all charged with Capitol attack crimes, the case will be transferred to Washington, D.C. for prosecution.

No lawyer is listed for Rahm in the scarce court records of the case, and the public defender who represented him in court after his arrest told NJ Advance Media it was a five-minute appearance and they never spoke. Online records show a James Douglas Rahm has homes in Atlantic City and Philadelphia, is registered as a builder. Messages on telephone numbers for Rahm were not immediately returned.

Eleven New Jersey residents have been charged in connection with the attempted insurrection.

Five people died as a result of the riots at the U.S. Capitol when supporters of now former President Donald Trump attempted to stop Congress from certifying the results of the November election. Among the dead was a U.S. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick.

Congress returned to session that evening and finished what is normally a routine process. No evidence of widespread election fraud had been found.
Here is why debit, credit cards will be a thing of the past in 3 years

Your debit, credit cards may be blocked by Dec 31: Know why

Soon you will need to keep your debit, credit card handy to make payments online

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Anuj Cariappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: The debit and credit card numbers contain 16 digits and it is not easy to remember.

It is even harder when people use more than one card. As per the new rules of the Reserve Bank of India, you many have an option, but to take the card with you wherever you go.

The RBI has mandated that merchants, e-commerce websites and payment aggregators will not be allowed to store the card details of the online customers. These rules will apply to Amazon, Flipkart, Google Pay, Paytm, Netflix, etc. This means these companies will not be able to store your card number.

Earlier, when the card number was stored, you could enter your CVV to make payments. Now you will have to enter all the details such as your name, card number and card validity to make online payment.

The RBI circular says that this would come into effect from July 2021.

While there is an argument that this could hamper the process of going cashless, the RBI says that the purpose of not giving card details to a third party is to reduce the risk of fraud.

The IT industry body NASSCOM had already expressed its concern against such a move in January.

According to CNBC-TV18, a group of 25 consumer internet companies like Flipkart, Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft and Zomato have also written to the RBI. They argue that these rules will severely disrupt the customer's online payment experience.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 11:33 [IST]

Kerala to issue Covid vaccination certificates with passport number for people who plan to go abroad

Monsoon onset delayed, likely to hit Kerala by June 3

100 gelatin sticks, 350 detonators seized from passenger at Kozhikode railway station

India

oi-Deepika S

Kozhikode, Feb 26: At least 100 gelatin sticks and 350 detonators - were seized from a train passenger in Kerala at the Kozhikode Railway Station on Friday.

The explosives were found by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) from the Chennai-Mangaluru Superfast Express in Kozhikode.

The passenger, identified as Ramani has been taken into custody; the explosives were kept under the seats.

Ramani, a native of Tamil Nadu has told police that she was bringing gelatin sticks for use of digging a well.

According to a senior RPF official, explosives including 117 gelatin sticks and 350 detonators were found hidden beneath the seat of Ramani, a native of Tiruvannamalai, travelling from Chennai to Thalassery in Kannur district by the ChennaiMangaluru superfast train.

In view of the forthcoming elections to the state Assembly, the RPF has intensified searches in trains recently.

Following the seizure, the PRF has taken Ramani into custody.

A case has been registered and the matter is being probed.
NEW YORK - The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has taken possession of former president Donald Trump's tax returns and a wealth of other financial data, officials said Thursday, records deemed central to prosecutors' sprawling criminal investigation into Trump's business activities.

The transfer, involving millions of pages of documents spanning eight years, occurred within hours of this week's Supreme Court order rejecting Trump's last-ditch bid to shield the information. In a statement, a spokesman for the district attorney's office confirmed that Trump's longtime accounting firm, Mazars, had complied with its subpoena after 18 months of delay while the former president challenged the matter in court.

A team of analysts working for District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., including experts from an outside forensics accounting firm, have been at the ready for months to dissect the records and scour for any evidence of criminal activity at the Trump Organization or by its executive employees. That group includes Trump, three of his adult children - Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump - and Allen Weisselberg, the company's longtime chief financial officer.

Investigators are examining whether the values of certain properties in the Trump Organization's portfolio were manipulated to gain tax advantages or favorable loans and insurance rates under false pretenses. They have asked specifically about the company's methods of valuing its Manhattan assets for purposes of seeking loans, said two people familiar with the matter who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss their knowledge of the investigation.

The Trump Organization did not respond to requests to comment.

There appears to be some overlap between Vance's probe and a separate but similar civil inquiry by New York Attorney General Letitia James. James, a Democrat like Vance, also is investigating Trump's financial practices, telling the New York Times recently that her team is focused on whether Trump and his company "inflated their taxes for the purposes of gaining benefits" from insurance and mortgage companies "then deflated their very same assets for the purposes of evading tax liability in New York state."

She has expressed interest in Trump's property at 40 Wall Street, an office building in New York's financial district, among others, according to public disclosures that were part of a recent lawsuit. Vance is said to be interested in multiple properties as well, including the namesake Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan.

The New York City Tax Commission, which hears appeals from owners who feel the city has overvalued their property, also has received a subpoena from Vance's office, according to city spokeswoman Laura Feyer. That subpoena was first reported by Reuters.

In some cases, owners will contest their property's valuation by providing data about the rental income it generates. Such moves are intended to demonstrate that the income is less than what the city believes. Feyer declined to say which Trump properties are identified in the subpoena.

Tax commission records show that, in recent years, Trump's company has applied to reduce its tax valuations at Trump Tower, the Trump Palace and Trump World Tower condo buildings.

Before he was elected president, Trump worked with Ladder Capital Finance to refinance debts on his New York real estate. The mortgage lender provided Trump's business with loans when almost no other would. According to city property records, the deals included a $100 million refinancing of Trump Tower, $160 million for the office building at 40 Wall Street and $15 million for the Trump Plaza condo building. Unlike Deutsche Bank, Trump's primary lender, Ladder quickly sold the loans on securities markets.

It's unclear precisely why Vance is interested in the buildings. Jack Weisselberg, whose father is the Trump Organization's longtime finance chief, is an executive at Ladder Capital. Multiple banking experts, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preserve industry relationships, said they did not believe Jack Weisselberg had the authority to issue loans without approval from people more senior to him.

Attempts to reach Jack Weisselberg were unsuccessful, and Ladder's chief executive, Brian Harris, did not return a request for comment.

Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, with whom he had a bitter falling out amid the federal investigation surrounding Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, has been interviewed by Vance's team five times - and another round of questioning is set for Friday, a person familiar with the matter said. Cohen, whose split with Trump coincided with Cohen's 2018 conviction for tax evasion and campaign-finance violations, is likely guiding prosecutors through the Trump Organization's inner workings.

Mark Pomerantz, a former federal prosecutor recruited by Vance to assist with the investigation, conducted much of the questioning during Cohen's most recent interview, the person familiar with the matter said.

Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis declined to comment.

Trump has rigorously and at times angrily denied any wrongdoing, labeling the district attorney's investigation a "fishing expedition" and part of a political conspiracy orchestrated by Democrats. Nevertheless, he faces unprecedented legal jeopardy for a former president.

Vance's investigation is one of two known criminal probes focused on him. The other was opened earlier this month in Atlanta, where the Fulton County district attorney is investigating Trump's controversial conversations with Georgia state officials amid his failed bid to subvert the election results there.

The former president also faces defamation lawsuits brought by two women who have accused him of sexual assault. His niece Mary L. Trump is suing him and his siblings over an inheritance dispute. He's being sued by the former tenants of apartments his family once owned, and by people who say they suffered financially after joining a multilevel marketing organization touted by Trump and his children.

The former president or his representatives have denied wrongdoing in each of these matters.

In Washington, the District of Columbia attorney general, Karl Racine, filed a lawsuit last year alleging that Trump's 2017 inaugural committee misused donor money to benefit the Trump Organization. Trump Jr. was interviewed by attorneys working with Racine, a Democrat, earlier this month.

Among the allegations in Racine's suit is that Trump Jr.'s assistant, a Trump Organization staffer, reserved a block of rooms in the company's name at a District hotel during his father's inauguration. The bill for the rooms was $49,000, Racine says, but the Trump Organization didn't pay it. Instead, Racine has alleged, the charges went to a collection agency, and then Trump's inaugural committee paid the bill rather than the Trump Organization.

Because the inaugural committee is a nonprofit entity, Racine has alleged the Trump Organization used a charity's money for private gain. The attorney general is seeking to make the Trump Organization pay back more than $1 million, with the proceeds going to charity.

The president's son told Racine's investigators that he didn't authorize the charges, according to a court filing from Racine's office on Wednesday. His sister Ivanka also was deposed in the case, which the Trump family has attacked as politically motivated.

- - -

Fahrenthold, O'Connell and Hamburger reported from Washington.
Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the inauguration ceremony of the new national administration for rural vitalization in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China unveiled a new government body for the promotion of rural vitalization on Thursday as the world's most populous country declared an end to absolute poverty, shifting its policy focus to further boosting rural areas.

The new national administration for rural vitalization is the successor to the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, which focused on overseeing China's poverty alleviation efforts.

The debut of the new administration came after China's announcement of "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty, marking the transition of the country's policy priority from poverty alleviation to comprehensively promoting rural vitalization.

A grand gathering was also held in Beijing on Thursday to mark the country's accomplishments in poverty alleviation and to honor its model poverty fighters.

Official data shows that the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty over the past eight years. All of the 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 impoverished villages have been removed from the poverty list.
Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations made an impassioned plea Friday for the international community to take the "strongest possible action" to end the junta's rule in the country.

Kyaw Moe Tun's voice cracked with emotion as he spoke out against the military regime that ousted the nation's elected civilian government in on coup on February 1.

It is extremely rare for a representative to break with the rulers of the country they represent during an address at the UN General Assembly.

The ambassador even flashed the three-finger salute that has been used by pro-democracy protesters during street demonstrations against the junta, after concluding his speech with a message in Burmese.

"We need... the strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people, and to restore the democracy," he pleaded.

Kyaw Moe Tun, his voice trembling, called on all member states to issue public statements strongly condemning the coup during the special meeting on Myanmar.

He appealed for countries not to recognize the military regime or cooperate with it and asked them to demand that the junta respects last year's democratic elections.

The envoy also urged nations to "take all stronger possible measures" to stop violent acts committed by security forces against peaceful demonstrators.

"We will continue to fight for a government, which is, of the people by the people, for the people," he said.

- 'Cruel and inhumane' -

The diplomat's address was met with warm applause in the chamber, with diplomats quick to congratulate him.

"I applaud my colleague Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun today on his courageous and powerful statement," tweeted Britain's ambassador Barbara Woodward.

The last time an ambassador broke ranks with their country's ruler was in 2011 when the Libyan representative denounced then leader dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Story continues

Earlier, the UN envoy to Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener said she "strongly condemns" recent steps by the junta including "unacceptable" use of lethal force, and called for the international community to press for a return to democracy.

"There is no justification for the military's actions, and we must continue to call for the reversal of this impermissible situation, exhausting all collective and bilateral channels to restore Myanmar's path on democratic reform," she told the General Assembly via video link.

The diplomat said she been blocked from visiting Myanmar by the military regime.

"It seems they want to continue making large-scale arrests. This is cruel and inhumane," she said.

"If there is any escalation in terms of military brutality -- and sadly as we have seen this before in Myanmar -- against people exercising their basic rights, let us act swiftly and collectively," Burgener added.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, making her first address in the chamber, said President Joe Biden's regime stands "in solidarity" with the Myanmar protesters.

"We will show the military that their actions have consequences. Violence against those exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms is unacceptable," she said.

China's ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, repeated his country's stance that the current events in Myanmar are "internal affairs."

"The voice and measures taken by the international community should help the parties in Myanmar bridge their differences and solve problems, and avoid intensifying tensions and further complicating the situation," he said.

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A woman has died after her car hit an express train at a level-crossing notorious for collisions.

The 32-year-old's car was struck by a train on the Cleveland train line next to Lindum station at Wynnum West in Brisbane's east about 1.45pm on Friday.

The woman's red car rammed into the crossing - with debris from the vehicle found under the front of the train.

'This train was an express train, so you can imagine the impact was quite catastrophic,' Queensland Police Inspector Carl Hahne told the ABC.

The woman was the sole occupant of the car and went into cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived.

She could not be revived and later died at the scene.

Queensland Police said the train was a non-passenger service and there were no injuries following the collision.

A police investigation is underway with road closures on Lindum Road and North Road at Wynnum West.

Cleveland line trains resumed at 9.25pm after being suspended with delays of up to 60minutes in the aftermath of the incident.

Police Inspector Carl Hahne said the accident at Lindum station was 'quite catastrophic' (pictured: emergency services at the collision)

Queensland MP for Lytton, Joan Pease, shared her condolences to the woman's family.

'My heart breaks for the young woman who died, and for her grieving family and friends,' she tweeted.

'Any death on our roads is a tragedy.'

The woman's red car rammed into the crossing and debris from the vehicle were found under the front of the train (pictured)

'Like me, there are many in our community who have been shaken by what has happened today.

'Fixing the Lindum crossing is my number one priority and I will keep pushing to start work as soon as possible.'

The intersection of Lindum and North roads at Lindum train station is well known for being one of the city's most dangerous for over a decade with locals.

Queensland Police said the train was a non-passenger service (pictured) and there were no injuries following the collision

Cleveland line trains resumed at 9.25pm after being suspended with delays of up to 60minutes in the aftermath of the incident (pictured)

The intersection of Lindum and North roads at Lindum train station is notorious for being one of the city's most dangerous for over a decade with locals (pictured)

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta, said immediate action will be taken following the 'awful accident'.

'A young woman with her whole life ahead of her has tragically died at this notorious intersection', he wrote on Facebook.

'My deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones. I grieve with you. This is just an awful accident'.

Mr Vastas decade long campaign for changes to the dangerous intersection helped secure $85million from the federal government.

'I have always been pushing to have this dangerous level crossing fixed, he said.
BRIDGEPORT  The Rev. Carl McCluster has a saying at his church: fighting fear with faith and facts.

McCluster, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport, was one of nine Bridgeport-area clergy who gathered Friday outside St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport to get their first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Before getting his dose, McCluster spoke about the importance of the vaccine in fighting the deadly illness that has killed more than half a million people nationwide. Though many people might have reservations about the vaccine, now is not the time for hesitation, he said.

It is time for us to fight the fear of taking this vaccine, he said. It is time to fight the fear of COVID and emerge boldly as a community and as a people to rise up and take back our lives. To us, this begins right here with these COVID shots today.

Fridays event was partly an effort to address the hesitancy some people still have about the vaccine and to help fight racial and ethnic disparities surrounding the treatment.

On Thursday, the state released data showing that at least 39 percent of white Connecticut residents 65 and older have received a first dose, compared with 21 percent of Black residents in that age group and 27 percent of Hispanic residents.

The inequality has been attributed to a variety of factors, including a lack of access to the vaccine in some of Connecticuts cities and a general suspicion of the vaccine itself.

During Fridays event, many people spoke about the disparities and how they need to be acknowledged and overcome. The gesture by McCluster and other clergy demonstrates the ability to impact the disparities that exist within our communities, which must be eliminated, said Jeffrey Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, who spoke at the event.

He said Hartford HealthCare is trying to break down those inequities in multiple ways, such as offering mega vaccination clinics all over the state, including Central High School in Bridgeport and Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

The participation of community leaders like McCluster are crucial to help remove some of the safety concerns or other reservations people have about the vaccine, said Bill Hoey, vice president of mission Integration, Hartford HealthCare Fairfield Region.

Whats so powerful about all these pastors coming together in a group is that they are the trusted leaders in their communities, he said. They will carry the message forward that getting a vaccination is the right thing to do, the safe thing to do and the appropriate thing to do.

Others who spoke at the event included Bridgeports chief administrative officer Janene W. Hawkins. Like Hoey, she applauded the clergy for setting an example.

It is our belief that everything rises and falls with leadership, she said. It is one thing to say something but it is another thing to do it.

Gov. Ned Lamont also attended the vaccination event and talked about how essential the vaccine is to making Connecticut safe and healthy.

A month ago, we were losing 40 to 45 people a day to COVID-19, Lamont said. Yesterday it was eight people. Thats still eight people too many.

But, he added, the progress is proof that the measures Connecticut is taking are working.

Were getting through this, Lamont said. Were making real progress as a state (and) as a country, but were not through it yet.

He urged people at Fridays event to continue to spread the word about vaccinations.

Get vaccinated, and tell a friend, Lamont said.
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A federal grand jury indicted a Utica, New York, man accused of traveling to Scranton to have sex with a teenage girl last fall.

The indictment handed up Tuesday charged Joan Perez, 20, with online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and interstate travel with the intent to engage in sex with a minor.

Perez was initially arrested in November after city police say he sent the 13-year-old explicit messages via Snapchat and told her numerous times he wanted to have sex.

Using the girl's online profile, the teenager's father invited Perez to meet her, according to police, who arrested him when he arrived in the city.
1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

Vote

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ARCHIVED - Covid infection rate down by a third in Spain this week but health authorities urge caution



345 fatalities reported on Thursday as the official death toll approaches 69,000

Delays in the vaccination campaign leave Spain vulnerable to a potential fourth wave of Covid

Exactly a month after the peak of the third wave of coronavirus infection in Spain was reached, with a 14-day incidence rate of 899 confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants on 26th January, the figure published in the latest daily update from the Ministry of Health on Thursday afternoon has dropped to 206, with other indicators also reflecting the easing of the pressure on health services in all parts of the country.

The rate has fallen by around a third over the last seven days (having stood at 321 a week ago) and among the 17 regions of Spain the extreme risk threshold of 250 cases per 100,000 inhabitants is currently exceeded only in Madrid (322) and the Basque Country (264), although the north African enclaves of Ceuta (297) and Melilla (431) also fall into this category.

At the other end of the scale the rate has dipped below 100 in Extremadura (78) and the Balearics (97) and is close to doing so in the Canaries, La Rioja and the Region of Murcia, and with under 10,000 new positive diagnoses having been made for the third day in a row there are grounds to expect that the figures will continue to fall next week.

The proportion of hospital beds occupied by Covid patients also continues to fall, although rather more gradually, and now stands at 10.16 per cent (as opposed to 13.5 per cent a week ago), while over the last seven days the equivalent figure in intensive care units has dropped from 35.4 per cent to 29.6 per cent.

But the third wave of contagion is still resulting in many fatalities, and after another 345 were reported in Thursdays update the official Ministry death toll over the last year has now reached 68,813.

At the same time, warnings of a possible fourth wave are growing louder as regional governments begin to relax the restrictions on socializing and mobility which are generally accepted to have been successful in combating the third wave, with very few of the population having been vaccinated so far and more infectious strains of coronavirus, such as the Kent variant, becoming more prevalent in this country. In Catalunya the regional government has already slowed down its proposed de-escalation of anti-pandemic measures and a minimal increase in infection rates was reported on Thursday, and Fernando Simon, the Director of the Coordination Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies, has repeatedly stated that although the situation has improved dramatically over the last month in no way can it be considered good.

While the number of hospital beds occupied by patients has fallen considerably, he points out, it is still higher than at the peak of the second wave of Covid last autumn and another increase in case numbers would create yet more severe problems for health services.

Vaccination

Meanwhile, mainly as a result of problems in the supply line, the number of people to have received vaccines against coronavirus in Spain continues to rise slowly. The latest Ministry update reports that a total of 3,436,158 doses have been administered, with 1.23 million people having received both recommended doses and just under 1 million more having received just the first.

The number of people to have received at least one dose is therefore 2.2 million, equating to just 4.65 per cent of the countrys population.
To the Editor:

Re Israel Vaccines Go to Far-Off Allies Before Palestinians (news article, Feb. 24):

Palestinian responsibility for and success in acquiring Covid-19 vaccines continues to be ignored.

The Palestinian Authority has been in direct contact with international organizations, countries that are producing vaccines, and pharmaceutical companies to ensure that the population under its rule is inoculated.

In January, the Palestinian health minister, Dr. Mai al-Kaila, said the authority has contracts with four companies producing the vaccine to cover 70 percent of the population, and the World Health Organization will provide for another 20 percent of the population.

Israeli Ministry of Health officials are in regular contact with their Palestinian Authority counterparts. Coordination on addressing the pandemic and meeting myriad other daily needs is a shared priority.

The Palestinian Authority, according to agreements signed with Israel, is responsible for the health of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and thus has not yet asked Israel directly for vaccines. Still, Israel has supplied thousands of vaccines from its supply, while facilitating delivery of the large number of vaccines ordered by the Palestinian Authority.
Story Highlights 27% of U.S. adults are satisfied, up from 11% in January

Satisfaction among Democrats surges 40 percentage points

COVID-19 surpasses the government as most important problem

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Twenty-seven percent of U.S. adults are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S, more than double the percentage observed in January. The increase reverses a three-month decline that saw satisfaction drop to one of its lowest levels ever.

Line graph. Recent trend on Americans' satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S. Twenty-seven percent are currently satisfied, up from 11% in January. Satisfaction had declined since hitting 28% in October before the election. It remains below where it was before the coronavirus pandemic, including a recent high of 45% in February 2020.

Satisfaction, which had been 28% at the time of the 2020 presidential election, fell in the ensuing months as U.S. coronavirus infections surged and then-President Donald Trump and his allies disputed Joe Biden's victory, culminating in the Jan. 6 riots on Capitol Hill. The 11% satisfied in January was four percentage points above the all-time low registered in October 2008 during the financial crisis.

The national mood took some twists and turns in 2020, peaking at 45% satisfied in February -- the highest since 2005 -- as Trump was acquitted in his first impeachment trial, and the economy was strong. As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S., and after George Floyd's death at the hands of police, the percentage satisfied fell into the teens and stayed there for much of the summer and early fall.

Democrats are leading the resurgence in national satisfaction seen in the Feb. 3-18 poll. Currently, 45% of Democrats are satisfied, up 40 points from January. Independents show a smaller increase in satisfaction, from 14% to 27%. Fewer Republicans are satisfied now (6%) than were in January (14%).

Line graph. Recent Trend in U.S. Satisfaction by Party Identification.

These partisan shifts in satisfaction likely reflect reactions to the Washington power structure change, with Democrats now controlling the presidency as well as both houses of Congress. Gallup has seen similar shifts when the presidency changed from one party to the other, including in 2017, 2009, and after all prior presidential transitions since Gallup first asked the satisfaction question in 1979.

Coronavirus Displaces Government as Most Important Problem

This month, a slightly higher percentage of Americans name the coronavirus pandemic as the most important problem facing the country, 26%, than did so last month (22%). Meanwhile, there has been a larger decline in mentions of the government in response to the open-ended question, dropping to 19% from 29%. As a result of these shifts, the coronavirus once again ranks as the top problem facing the nation, according to Americans.

Ten percent of U.S. adults name race relations or racism, continuing the elevated concern about the issue since the Floyd incident.

Eight percent of Americans cite unifying the country as the top problem, down from the all-time high of 12% for the issue in January.

Mentions of the economy are up -- 16% name some economic issue, increasing from 9% in January. Currently, 8% say the economy in general terms is the top problem -- up from 2% last month -- and 5% cite unemployment.

Most Important Problem, Recent Trend What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? Nov. 2020 Dec. 2020 Jan. 2021 Feb. 2021 % % % % Coronavirus/Diseases 28 33 22 26 The government/Poor leadership 22 20 29 19 Race relations/Racism 10 8 10 10 Economy in general 6 4 2 8 Unifying the country 6 5 12 8 Unemployment/Jobs 2 3 3 5 Ethics/Moral/Religious/Family decline 3 4 4 4 Immigration 2 2 1 3 Environment/Pollution/Climate change 3 2 2 3 Lack of respect for each other 2 5 4 3 Judicial system/Courts/Laws 2 2 1 2 Healthcare 3 4 2 2 Federal budget deficit/Federal debt 1 1 1 2 The media 2 2 2 2 Crime/Violence 1 1 2 2 Issues named by 2% or more of respondents in February Gallup

The declines in mentions of the government as the most important problem are seen among all party groups, but the drop is greatest among Democrats -- 15 points -- compared with nine points among independents and six points among Republicans.

Democrats and independents are more likely to cite COVID-19 than they were last month, while Republicans are less likely to do so. Republicans have expressed far less concern about COVID during the pandemic, and now 8% do, compared with 43% of Democrats.

The economy ranks higher among all party groups this month than last month, but more so among Republicans and independents than Democrats.

Changes in Mentions of Most Important Problem, January to February, by Political Party Republicans Independents Democrats Jan. 2021 Feb. 2021 Jan. 2021 Feb. 2021 Jan. 2021 Feb. 2021 Coronavirus 14 8 18 24 32 43 The government 37 31 26 17 28 13 The economy in general 2 11 2 10 1 5 Gallup

The increase in Republican mentions of the economy as the most important problem comes as their views of it have shifted from mostly positive under Trump to mostly negative under Biden.

Bottom Line

After falling to near-record lows last month, Americans' national mood improved in February. Democrats' outlook has brightened the most, while independents are also more upbeat. Republicans, however, are now less satisfied, perhaps settling into a low level of satisfaction that will persist for at least the next four years, given similarly low levels of satisfaction from Democrats during the Trump administration and Republicans throughout the Barack Obama administration.

The coronavirus is uppermost in Americans' minds as the top problem facing the country at a time when new infections have been on the decline, but delays have plagued the rollout of vaccines. The economy, which had not been a major concern last year, has ticked up this month, and the 16% mentioning an economic issue this month is the highest Gallup has recorded since June.

The Biden administration is attempting to address both the coronavirus and the economy with the proposed $1.9 trillion relief bill that the House is looking to pass as early as this week.

View complete question responses and trends (PDF download).

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.
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Keira Maguire has gone through a makeover since appearing on The Bachelor five years ago.

On Friday, the 34-year-old showed off her latest transformation in a photo posted to Instagram.

The former reality star showcased her new hairdo, with very long, caramel locks framing her face.

New look: Keira Maguire (pictured) has gone through a makeover since appearing on The Bachelor five years ago. On Friday, the 34-year-old showed off her latest transformation in a photo posted to Instagram

The beauty also flaunted her gym-honed figure in a skin-tight crop top and ribbed pants set.

Her blue eyes sparkled, highlighted by her bronzed complexion, and she opted for rosy blush and a nude pink lipstick.

In her caption, Keira explained that her hair was styled by Melbourne hairdresser Edwards and Co, and her makeup by Karla Roccuzzo.

Old school: Keira has undergone an extreme transformation since first shooting to fame on The Bachelor back in 2016 (pictured)

Last week, the beauty first revealed she had traded in her platinum bob hairstyle for long 'bronde' (brown-blonde) extensions.

Posing and preening in a heavily filtered video to showcase her new look, Keira wrote: 'Hair glow up.... obsessed.'

The reality TV villain was also sporting a golden glow from a recent fake tanning session and some of her features appeared to be more refined compared to a puffier appearance she's had in the past.

Transformed: Last week, the beauty first revealed she had traded in her platinum bob hairstyle for long 'bronde' (brown-blonde) extensions

Keira has spent over $35,000 transforming her appearance over the years, from injectables like Botox to getting a nose job, breast implants and porcelain veneers.

The socialite went under the knife for a nose job in 2017 and the following year, Keira got a boob job, taking her A cup breasts up to a more sizable C cup.

In 2018, she got lip fillers before filming the first season of Bachelor In Paradise, but she ended up regretting the trout pout and getting the fillers dissolved after filming.
By Jessica Resnick-Ault NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday as the U.S. dollar rose while forecasts called for crude supply to rise in response to prices climbing above pre-pandemic levels. Brent crude futures for April, which expire on Friday, fell 74 cents, or 1.1%, to $66.14 a barrel by 12:45 EDT (17:45 GMT). The more actively traded May contract slipped by $1.08 to $65.03. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped $1.42, or 2.2%, to $62.11. The contract was still on track to be up 4.8% on the week. The U.S. dollar rose as U.S. government bond ...
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A medical worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Buk-gu of Gwangju, South Korea, Feb. 26, 2021. South Korea on Friday launched its mass COVID-19 vaccination nationwide, starting with patients and health workers under the age of 65 in nursing hospitals and facilities. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)

SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Friday launched its mass COVID-19 vaccination nationwide, starting with patients and health workers under the age of 65 in nursing hospitals and facilities.

The free vaccination campaign began at 9:00 a.m. local time across the country. On the first day, 5,266 patients and health workers in 213 nursing facilities are scheduled to be inoculated, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Separately, 292 nursing hospitals started administering vaccines according to their own schemes of inoculation that is slated to be completed in five days.

The first batch of the two-dose AstraZeneca vaccines will be administered to a total of 289,480 patients and health workers in 1,657 sanatoriums and 4,147 elderly care and rehabilitation facilities who agreed to the vaccination.

It represents 93.7 percent of the total personnel and patients in the facilities. The health authorities aimed to finish administering the first jabs in the long-term care facilities in March.

The AstraZeneca vaccines were manufactured at a domestic plant of SK Bioscience, the pharmaceutical unit of South Korea's third-biggest conglomerate SK Group.

SK Bioscience signed a consignment manufacturing deal with the British-Swedish drug producer last year, and also with the U.S. pharmaceutical company Novavax earlier this month.

From Saturday, the vaccination campaign will kick off for 54,498 medical workers treating COVID-19 patients in 143 hospitals and 35 residential treatment centers across the country. It represents 95.8 percent of the total personnel.

The medical staff will receive the two-dose vaccines of U.S. drug maker Pfizer. The health authorities planned to complete the first shots by March 20.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed to provide vaccines to all of the country's 52 million population free of charge, aiming to almost completely form a herd immunity no later than November.

In the latest tally, the country reported 406 more cases of COVID-19 for the past 24 hours, raising the total number of infections to 88,922. Enditem
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Last week, President Joe Biden introduced a bill that would create an expedited pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants. It is a step in the right direction to acknowledge the contributions these people have made to our society. But Biden's plan must go further. In order to build a competitive economy for the future, we must set our sights higher - to the top of the talent pyramid.

America is renowned for having some of the world's top educational institutions. People everywhere dream of going to Harvard or MIT, or any number of our extraordinary universities. Yet, our immigration policy makes it nearly impossible for those brilliantly educated graduates to stay in America once their education is complete.

The strategic plan for an economy should be similar to that of any entrepreneur's -- recruit the world's best talent and then set up a system in which they can flourish. Unfortunately, our current policies do exactly the opposite. We currently invite the brightest people in the world to be educated in America -then export them back home, to China, India, and elsewhere. Once home, those talented people set up companies, build technologies, and create jobs in their home countries, instead of ours.

America shouldn't shut the door on the next Elon Musk. President Biden's policy needs to go several steps further, and not only focus on undocumented immigrants, but grant citizenship to any foreigner who attains a masters or PhD in STEM fields at an American institution of higher education, or is able to attain significant VC funding for a venture born in America. Changing our policy is a matter of urgency if we want to remain the world's technology and economic powerhouse in the future.

A 2018 study by the National Foundation for American Policy notes that 55% of America's $1 billion unicorn startup companies had at least one immigrant founder. For centuries, immigrant founders have overcome tremendous adversity and built some of the world's most recognizable businesses. We know Jerry Yang, a Taiwanese immigrant, founded Yahoo!. Hamdi Ulukaya, who learned to make yogurt in his native Turkey, came to America and used an SBA loan to convert a shuttered Kraft plant in upstate New York into what would become Chobani. With our current restrictive immigration laws, these visionaries would have likely been turned away.

If you are afraid that an immigrant is going to come here and take your job, consider this: they don't need to come here to take your job. The world's top talent can do that just fine from their home country in this era of global remote work, through a satellite office and a broadband connection. We should be doing everything in our power to keep future founders in America, so they can create jobs and economic benefits here. Otherwise, they will most likely return home and those nations will reap the benefits.

Top-tier global talent is so sought-after for their job-creation capabilities that other countries are actively recruiting those potential migrants that America is rejecting. Our neighbors to the north, in Canada, have targeted billboard advertisements in Silicon Valley trying to poach the talent that is struggling through H-1B visa status, which became ever-more difficult to attain as a result of Trump-era policies.

American companies' ultimate response to these visa restrictions is to hire and create jobs in other parts of the world rather than on American shores. Not only is it bad for our businesses and economy overall, but it is bad for our next generation and beyond who need the jobs of the future to be created here.
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Myanmar envoy appeals to U.N. to stop coup as police break up protests

Myanmar envoy appeals to U.N. to stop coup as police break up protests (Photo : REUTERS/Stringer)

(Reuters) - Myanmar's U.N. envoy urged the United Nations to use "any means necessary" to stop a military coup there, making a surprise appeal on behalf of the ousted government as police cracked down on anti-junta protesters.



The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the army seized power on Feb. 1 and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership, alleging fraud in a November election her party had won.



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The coup has brought hundreds of thousands of protesters to Myanmar's streets and drawn condemnation from Western countries, with some imposing limited sanctions.



Myanmar's ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun told the U.N. General Assembly he was speaking on behalf of Suu Kyi's government and appealed to the body "to use any means necessary to take action against the Myanmar military and to provide safety and security for the people."



"...We need further strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people.. and to restore the democracy," told the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, receiving applause as he finished.



Delivering his final words in Burmese Kyaw Moe Tun, a career diplomat, raised the three-finger salute of pro-democracy protesters and announced "our cause will prevail."



Reuters was not immediately able to contact the army for comment.



Opponents of the coup hailed Kyaw Moe Tun as a hero.



"The people will win and the power-obsessed junta will fall," one protest leader, Ei Thinzar Maung, wrote on Facebook.



U.N. special envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener pushed the world body for a collective "clear signal in support of democracy" and told the General Assembly no country should recognise or legitimize the junta.



China's envoy did not criticize the coup and said the situation was Myanmar's "internal affairs", saying it supported diplomacy by Southeast Asian countries which protesters fear could give credibility to the ruling generals.



SUU KYI'S WHEREABOUTS UNCERTAIN



Uncertainty grew over Suu Kyi's whereabouts on Friday, as the independent Myanmar Now website quoted senior officials of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party as saying she had been moved this week from house arrest to an undisclosed location.



One lawyer acting for her, Khin Maung Zaw, told Reuters he had heard the same from NLD officials but could not confirm it. Authorities did not respond to a request for comment.



The lawyer said he had been given no access to Suu Kyi ahead of her next hearing on Monday, adding: "I'm concerned that there will be a loss of rights to access to justice and access to legal counsel".



Protesters who have taken to the streets daily for over three weeks demand the release of Suu Kyi, 75, and recognition of the result of last year's election.



In the biggest city, Yangon, riot police fired rubber bullets, stun grenades and shots into the air to send protesters scattering. At least one person was wounded there, a witness said.



Several people were detained, witnesses said, among them a Japanese journalist who was held briefly.



Several people were also hurt by police in the second city of Mandalay, domestic media and an emergency worker said. Police also broke up protests in Naypyitaw, the central town of Magwe and western hill town of Hakha, witnesses said.



Military chief General Min Aung Hlaing says authorities were using minimal force. Nevertheless, at least three protesters have died. The army says a policeman was also killed.



At least 689 people are under detention or have outstanding charges that have been laid against them since the coup, according to Myanmar's Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.



Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar's independence hero, spent nearly 15 years under house arrest under previous juntas. She faces charges of illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios and of violating a natural disaster law by breaching coronavirus protocols.



The army has promised an election, but has not given a date. It has imposed a one-year state of emergency.



The question of an election is at the center of a diplomatic effort by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is a member. Indonesia has taken the lead, but coup opponents fear the efforts could legitimise the junta.



ASEAN foreign ministers are planning to hold a meeting on Myanmar next week, regional diplomats said.



(Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Ed Davies, Robert Birsel; Editing by Nick Macfie, Jon Boyle and John Stonestreet)


A group calling itself FOOT soldiers eye has through a petition pleaded with President Nana Addo to appoint Col Kwadwo Damoah as Commissioner General of GRA.



They noted that We are by this petition humbly requesting you to consider Col Damoah who is a known NPP party member in your government at Commissioner-General.



They further provided in their petition that, Col. Kwadwo Damoah as the commissioner for customs created two key deputy commissioner portfolios (Petroleum and mining). This has led to increasing in the number of portfolios for customs and more positions to be filled. This has generated lots of excitement in customs. He is a team player and a very good man. He is the only customs commissioner to have toured almost every customs operations area(be it barriers, a checkpoint, a port, or a station) and listened to the concerns of customs officers.



Col. Kwadwo Damoah brought peace and assurances to customs after a turbulent start of the year 2017-2019 when officers were interdicted on daily basis. He was able to use his managerial skills to win the heart and support of the officers. Again, his personal relationship with customs earned the party serious support. He works very closely with some of the party faithful in customs. 



Find attached the full petition



26th February 2021



H.E The President

Jubilee House

Ghana - Accra



Dear Sir



REQUEST TO APPOINT COL KWADWO DAMOAH AS COMMISSIONER GENERAL



I write this petition on behalf of Foot Soldiers Eye.

FootSoldiers EYE is a pressure group politically affiliated to the New Patriotic Party that seeks to encourage informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and exert influence on government and the policy-making process.

We seek to encourage informed and active participation in government works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and to promote accountability at all levels of governance.



We are by this petition humbly requesting you to consider Col Damoah who is a known NPP party member in your government at Commissioner General.



Col. Kwadwo Damoah as the commissioner for customs created two key deputy commissioner portfolios (Petroleum and mining). This has led to increase in the number of portfolios for customs and more positions to be filled. This has generated lots of excitement in customs. He is a team player and a very good man. He is the only customs commissioner to have toured almost every customs operations area(be it barriers, a check point, a port or a station) and listened to the concerns of customs officers.



Col. Kwadwo Damoah brought peace and assurances to customs after a turbulent start of the year 2017-2019 when officers were interdicted on daily basis. He was able to use his managerial skills to win the heart and support of the officers. Again, his personal relationship with customs earned the party serious support. He works very closely with some of the party faithfuls in customs.



FOOTSOLDIERS EYE seeks to express the views of minority groups in the community who might not otherwise receive a hearing.



Footsoldiers Eye wishes to use our expertise to provide the government with important information. This will often be in relation to motoring governmental organisations, agencies and ministries such.



FOOTSOLDIERS EYE seeks to offer an alternative source of advice to the government, separate from that coming from the Public Service.



In conclusion, we are pleading with the President to consider Col Damoah due to his selfless nature and unflinching support for the party.



Yours Faithfully



Benjamin Gyewu Appia

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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[February 26, 2021] Paul Alivisatos named next president of the University of Chicago

CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Chicago's Board of Trustees has named Paul Alivisatos as the University's 14th president. An accomplished leader in higher education and a world-renowned scientist, Alivisatos, 61, is currently executive vice chancellor and provost at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a professor and the Samsung Distinguished Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research in the Department of Chemistry and the former director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Following an extensive international search, Alivisatos was elected president at a meeting of the University's Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 and will assume his role on Sept. 1. He will succeed Robert J. Zimmer, who has served as president since 2006. Zimmer will transition into a new role as chancellor of the University on Sept. 1. "Throughout his distinguished academic career, Paul has demonstrated the skills and imagination needed to be an inspirational leader, confront the challenges of our time and guide the University of Chicago during a period of enormous opportunity," said Joseph Neubauer, MBA'65, chair of the University's Board of Trustees, who led the search for a new president. "He has the vision to further elevate the University's eminence, uphold its rich traditions and enduring values, and make an impact on higher education and the lives of University students, faculty and staff, as well as enrich the South Side community." A native of Chicago, Alivisatos is also a University of Chicago alumnus, having received his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1981. Alivisatos will become only the second University of Chicago graduate to serve as University president in its 130-year history. Edward H. Levi, who attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, the undergraduate College and the Law School, led the University from 1968 to 1975. "I am honored for this opportunity to lead the distinctive intellectual community at the University of Chicago, a special place that was so transformative in my early education and guided me throughout my academic career," Alivisatos said. "I look forward to partnering with members of our campus and South Side communities, who are so integral to the University's role as a great research university in one of the world's greatest cities." As Berkeley's executive vice chancellor and provost, Alivisatos has been responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and improvement of campus academic programs and policies. Since taking the role in 2017, he supported new initiatives to increase diversity in the undergraduate and graduate student body and achieve greater faculty and leadership diversity. He also has been deeply engaged in issues of free speech and social justice. Alivisatos spearheaded efforts to transform unergraduate educationleading a campus-wide initiative that created immersive learning projects and discovery experiences for students, while starting a series of forums that promoted mentoring between faculty and graduate students. During his tenure, Berkeley also launched a new division focused on data science, creating opportunities for students in the humanities and the social sciences to join the fast-growing field.



"I can think of no one better suited for this extraordinary opportunity, and no one who will be harder for us to replace," said Carol Christ, chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley. "Paul has been an extraordinary partner; a tireless, visionary leader; a friend; and a true champion for Berkeley's mission, values and academic excellence." Alivisatos oversees a significant development portfolio as provost. Annual giving to Berkeley exceeded $1 billion in 2020, with Alivisatos stewarding more than $450 million in gifts from 2016 to 2020. As director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory from 2009 to 2016, Alivisatos guided the U.S. Department of Energy lab through a period of transformational change, creating new programs in biosciences, renewable energy and entrepreneurship. From 2016 to 2017, he served as Berkeley's vice chancellor for research, fostering greater interdisciplinary faculty research and strengthening opportunities for undergraduate research.

A preeminent scientist and entrepreneur, Alivisatos has made pioneering research breakthroughs in nanomaterials. His inventions are widely used in biomedicine and QLED TV displays, and his scientific advances have yielded more than 50 patents. He also founded two prominent nanotechnology companies: Nanosys, Inc. and Quantum Dot Corp. (now part of Thermo Fisher). "The University of Chicago is characterized by a distinctive approach to our work of research, education, and impact, and we share ambitious aspirations for the future," Zimmer said. "Paul Alivisatos is superbly equipped to serve as president of the University in a way that honors its legacy while building upon it for the next generation of scholars and students. This outstanding choice will serve the University community and our partners locally and around the world well in the coming years. I have known Paul in our professional capacities, and I have found him to be an extraordinary scholar and academic leader. I look forward with great enthusiasm to working with him in my new position as chancellor of the University." In his nearly 15-year tenure as president, Zimmer increased the University's eminence and helped raise its status among the world's top research universities. As chancellor, Zimmer will focus on high-level strategic initiatives, stewardship of key relationships and high-level fundraising. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, Alivisatos will serve as the chief executive of the University and a member of the Board of Trustees. The president is charged with driving excellence and impact across multiple aspects of the University and engaging a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, both locally and internationally, to define the vision for the University. The Trustee Search Committee and Faculty Advisory Committee received recommendations and feedback from the University community and friends of the University as part of the presidential search process. The Trustee Search Committee worked closely with the Faculty Advisory Committee over the past six months to conduct a broad international search. The Faculty Advisory Committee also conducted dozens of listening sessions with members of the University community, including faculty, students, alumni, staff and former University presidents. Members of the Trustee Search Committee participated in several of these meetings, in which our community shared their insights on the opportunities and challenges facing the University. Prof. Robert Rosner, who chaired the Faculty Advisory Committee, said: "In Paul Alivisatos, we believe we have found a collaborative and inspiring leader who is deeply committed to excellence, including our support for the high ambitions of faculty, students and other members of the University community. The committee believes he will be an outstanding partner, with a deep commitment to rigorous academic inquiry and innovative approaches to interdisciplinary scholarship, research and education." Among his more than 25 awards and honors, Alivisatos has received the National Medal of Science, the Wolf Prize in Chemistry and the Priestley Medal. It also was announced this week that Alivisatos will share the prestigious international BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. After receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago, Alivisatos earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1986. Alivisatos joined the Berkeley faculty in 1988 as an assistant professor, was appointed associate professor in 1993 and professor in 1995. Alivisatos is married to Nicole Alivisatos, a retired chemist and former editor of the journal Nano Letters. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paul-alivisatos-named-next-president-of-the-university-of-chicago-301236608.html SOURCE University of Chicago

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Wireless power transfer leader WiTricity announced an additional $18 million to its previously announced October fund raise of $34 million for a total of $52 million. The extension included investments from Tony Fadells Future Shape and other private investors. Fadell also joins WiTricitys newly formed Board of Advisors.

Stage 1 Ventures led the first tranche of $34 million with participation from Air Waves Wireless Electricity and a strategic investment by Mitsubishi Corporation through its US subsidiary, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

Many of the worlds top automakers and their Tier 1 suppliers have licensed WiTricitys technology, including Toyota, Mahle, TDK, IHI, Shindengen, Daihen, Aptiv, Anjie Wireless, Yura, VIE, Green Power, and Lumen Freedom. The technology can already be seen in action with McLarens Speedtail Hyper-GT and the BMW 530e iPerformance.

WiTricitys technology enables a hands-free and efficient charging experience for EV drivers. The company envisions a not-too-distant future when dynamic charging will support moving vehicles (from taxi queues to roadways), and autonomous vehicles and robots will charge without human intervention. These advancements depend on WiTricitys wireless power transfer innovation and patented magnetic resonance technology.

New Board of Advisors. As the company readies for the transition from technology and standards development to broad market adoption, WiTricity has secured advisory support from several of the worlds leading authorities on designing consumer experiences, building leading edge technology, and monetizing intellectual property. The new Advisory Board includes:

Grant Covic, Professor of Engineering at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where there are more than 40 Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers on campus working on wireless charging. Covic leads industrial and EV wireless power research efforts, is a pioneer in inductive power transfer, and actively collaborates in WiTricity research.

Tony Fadell, Principal at Future Shape, a global investment and advisory firm. Fadell is the founder and former CEO of Nest (acquired by Google), and former SVP of Apples iPod Division, where he led the development of the first 18 generations of the iPod and first three generations of the iPhone.

Bill Merritt, President and CEO of InterDigital, the mobile and video technology research and development company. Merritt is an expert in intellectual property and leads one of the most successful technology licensing businesses of all time.

Marin Soljacic, Professor of Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MacArthur Fellow and WiTricity founder. Soljacic and his team developed the foundational technology for wireless power transfer over distance via strongly-coupled magnetic resonators and founded WiTricity in 2007.

Jack Watanabe, President of Climeon Japan, a clean energy company. Watanabe is a 36-year veteran of Mitsubishi Corporation, having last served as the chief strategist and SVP of Mitsubishi Energy Group.

The implementation of EWS quota is delayed by over two years in the state. (Photo: Facebook @TelanganaCMO)

Hyderabad: Confusion prevails over the implementation of the 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in education and employment in Telangana.

Official sources in the Secretariat said the state government would appoint a committee to study the implementation of EWS quota in various states and make recommendations to the state government. The implementation of the EWS quota is delayed by over two years in the state.

In January 2019, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre passed a Constitutional amendment bill in Parliament seeking to provide 10 per cent reservations for EWS in education and employment. However, the Centre left the decision to states on when to implement the EWS quota and whether to implement it at all.

While several states started implementing this in 2019 and 2020, the Telangana government is yet to act.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had on January 21 this year announced the state government's decision to implement the EWS quota. Accordingly, chief secretary Somesh Kumar issued a GO (government order) on February 8. However, no guidelines were issued so far.

The state government has to first take a decision on creating supernumerary seats in educational institutions and supernumerary jobs in government departments to ensure that the existing reservations amounting to 50 per cent extended to BCs, SCs, STs and Minorities are not disturbed.

The remaining 50 per cent quota is under the open category under which all categories irrespective of caste and religion can compete.

To implement a 10 per cent EWS quota, the state government needs to create supernumerary seats and jobs. However, the government is confused whether to create 10 per cent or 20 per cent supernumerary seats and jobs. This is because the Centre has created 20 per cent supernumerary seats and

jobs to implement the EWS quota. Of this, 10 per cent is extended to EWS and the rest 10 per cent is distributed among reserved categories.

Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has created 10 per cent supernumerary seats only for EWS. In this backdrop, officials in the TS government are confused over which model to adopt. Indications are that the EWS quota implementation will be delayed further till the committee submits its report.
Royal fans and critics are slamming Queen Elizabeth II after allowing Prince Andrew retain his royal roles while stripping Prince Harry of his.

This comes after Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, confirmed to Buckingham Palace that they would not be returning as working royals.

Prince Andrew has maintained a very low profile "for the foreseeable future" following his connection to Jeffrey Epstein in the past.

On the "Royally Obsessed" podcast, Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie talked about the "strange choice" made by the Queen.

Bowie claimed that other non-working royals have honorary and military roles, including Prince Michael of Kent and Prince Andrew.

Speaking of the Duke of York, they claimed, "He still has his honorary titles and patronages. It's unbelievable. I don't understand."

In 2019, Prince Andrew was interviewed by the BBC, but following public backlash, he was forced to step down from his duties and give up his 230 patronages.

However, he was allowed to keep his military honors, including Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Army and Colonel-in-Chief of several British Army units.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Sussex gave up his military honors - Captain-General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of RAF Base Honington, and Honorary Commodore-in-Chief Royal Naval Commands' Small Ships and Diving.

But if questioned, Her Majesty could discuss that only working members of the royal family hold the military titles.

Prince Harry is no longer a working member of the royal family, while Prince Andrew still is.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Step Down

News of Queen Elizabeth II's "double standards" comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they would not be returning as working members of the royal family.

In a statement released on Feb. 19, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple decided and told the Queen.

"Following conversations with the duke, the queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the royal family, it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service."

The statement also mentioned that Prince Harry's honors would be returned to Her Majesty, who will be redistributing them to working members of the royal family.

Meanwhile, the Sussexes also released a statement following the Palaces saying they have been committed to their duty and service around the world "regardless of official role."

"We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."

However, Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams thinks that the language they used in their statement seemed to appear that they were lecturing the Queen.

"That sort of statement is very unhelpful, but what it showed is how angry they are."

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Investment banking firm FundVice on Friday said it will support in India with a corpus of Rs 330 crore, which includes funding from its new fund Ryoma Ventures.

The company has plans to raise up to Rs 250 crore and accelerate at least 50 deals by 2021-end.

In addition, Fundvice has announced to set-up a sector-agnostic fund with about Rs 80 crore.

"We have seen exciting start-ups that are revenue-generating but what they lack is the right support of investors. Various incubators, accelerators and mentors have been supporting the team of FundVice to support start-ups reach the heights they are at, but still lack investors.

"To support them, we took the decision to start this fund, with the support of everyone, as the next step towards making a dent in the start-up ecosystem," Heena Aroora, Managing Director - FundVice and Ryoma Ventures, said in a statement.

The company said it plans to close this fund soon with its present investors and is also looking at collaborations with other investors and funds.

FundVice is also planning to mop up over Rs 150 crore for that are yet to raise funds and are at a very initial stage, and Rs 100 crore for those entities that have established their business process and have raised funds earlier.

"Rs 100 crore will be inclined towards pre-series A and above stage funding," Aroora said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)




A zoo worker in Spain has died after he was struck by an elephant's trunk, knocking his head against the bars of an enclosure, the zoo and local officials said Thursday.







The female elephant, which weighs around 4,000 kilos (8,800 pounds), whacked the 44-year-old with her trunk on Wednesday morning at the Cabarceno Natural Park near the northern city of Santander, the zoo said in a statement.







The man was rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries some three hours later, it added.







At the time staffers were cleaning the elephant stables as part of their daily duties and the elephant was with her calf in the compound.







"We're talking about unpredictable animals," Javier Lopez Marcano, the tourism minister in the regional government of Cantabria which owns the zoo, told reporters.







"The force of the strike was tremendous, of a magnitude that one could not survive," he added.







Police and the zoo said they had opened an investigation. It is the first such incident in the park's 31-year history.







Cabarceno Natural Park is home to almost 120 animal species including wolves, tigers, lions and jaguars which live in large enclosures where one or more species co-exist.







Last year a 46-year-old keeper was mauled by a 200-kilo gorilla at Madrid Zoo Aquarium, leaving her with two broken arms and chest and head injuries. (AFP)


WASHINGTON - U.S. border officials are preparing to open another tent facility in South Texas to cope with soaring numbers of migrant families and children crossing into the United States in recent weeks, according to three Homeland Security officials involved in the planning.

The temporary facility is expected to open in the coming weeks in U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Del Rio sector, and will be similar to another "soft-sided" structure the agency opened in Donna, Tex., three weeks ago. That site and other Border Patrol facilities are under increasing capacity strain from the burgeoning influx of Central American minors and family groups in U.S. custody.

Officials are also looking at the possibility of opening additional sites in Arizona, but those plans are less advanced, according to one official.

The Del Rio sector tent facility, which will be located near the town of Eagle Pass, is distinct from another temporary shelter the Biden administration opened this week in Carrizo Springs, Tex., where Health and Human Services is holding migrant teens who crossed the border without a parent.

President Biden has used executive authority to reverse several Trump administration border policies, but he is facing a looming crisis as more and more minors and family groups enter without authorization. The number of minors arriving without a parent has grown to more than 300 each day in recent weeks, a fourfold increase since last fall.

Late Thursday night, 130 adults and teens arrived in a group near Mission, Tex., according to Brian Hastings, the Border Patrol sector chief in Rio Grande Valley. "In less than a 24 hour period, this area alone saw more than 500 illegal entries," Hastings said in a tweet.

The Trump administration used a pandemic-related public health order to rapidly send border-crossers back to Mexico, but the policy was denounced by immigrant rights groups for sending vulnerable minors to dangerous border cities. Biden ordered CBP to stop "expelling" minors, and since then the number of teens and children arriving without parents has ballooned.

U.S. law requires CBP to deliver unaccompanied minors to HHS within 72 hours, but the volume of new arrivals has led to backups, and Homeland Security officials are scrambling to find more shelter space. Pandemic distancing protocols have reduced capacity by about 40 percent in the HHS shelter network.

HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement oversees the shelters and works to vet sponsors who can assume custody of the minor - typically a parent already living in the United States or other relative. After migrant advocacy groups criticized the Biden administration this week for opening influx facilities, HHS said it would begin paying for airfare to deliver minors to family members and sponsors who cannot afford the travel costs.

"What is happening now is there are children fleeing [persecution], fleeing threats in their own countries, traveling on their own, unaccompanied, to the border," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Thursday. "And our focus is on approaching this from the view of humanity and from - and with safety in mind."

Biden officials have faced daily questions from reporters and criticism from other Democrats who say the government should not be holding the migrant children, and allowing them to reunite with relatives as quickly as possible.

HHS and other agencies that care for the minors say they need to screen sponsors carefully, a task made more challenging when these adults lack legal status, a permanent address and other records. In 2014, teens were released to traffickers who put them to work on an egg farm in Ohio, an incident that outraged lawmakers and led to a more thorough vetting process.

"Each day brings new reports of a surge of arrivals at the U.S. southern border, which we know will increase the risk of trafficking in persons, especially for unaccompanied children arriving in greater numbers," said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, the ranking GOP member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, in a statement.

"I urge the Biden administration to ensure that these children do not fall victim to human trafficking, abuse, or other harm and that the agencies of jurisdiction improve their operations and meet their responsibilities under the law," Portman said.

Family groups pose a different challenge to the administration. The Biden administration has continued to use the Trump-era pandemic order, known as Title 42, to quickly return them to Mexico. But last month, Mexican authorities stopped taking back some family groups in the Rio Grande Valley and other sectors, citing capacity limits in its shelter system.

The Biden administration started releasing those families into the U.S. interior in late January, typically after giving them a notice to appear in court and affixing some sort of GPS monitoring device to track their whereabouts.

Democratic officials in South Texas, a region devastated by the pandemic, have urged the Biden administration to stop the releases. Earlier this month, Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano implored Biden to halt the practice in a video uploaded to YouTube.

"I am pleading and requesting with you to put a halt to any measures regarding the release of immigrants awaiting court dates into the city of Del Rio and surrounding areas," Lozano said.

Internal communications among DHS officials show agency leaders scrambling to avert a humanitarian crisis.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has asked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help process families and transport them further north, away from the border towns and cities where local officials are upset with Biden, according to a Feb. 12 internal email obtained by The Washington Post.

Critics of the Biden administration, including some Democrats, have compared the tent facilities to the chain link enclosures denounced as "cages" during the Trump administration's Zero Tolerance 2018 crackdown, when thousands of minors were separated from their parents by the government.

The McAllen, Tex., warehouse that is the Border Patrol's largest facility for families and children is closed for a major renovation that includes the removal of the chain link fencing used to separate teens by gender and age. The chain link will be replaced with more humane-looking dividers, CBP officials say.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Bernal Neale the suspect police arrested ten days ago for the murder of MAC School teacher Rhonda Richmond Thomas remains behind bars for another 8 days confirmed a spokesman for the Prosecutors Office Roderick Gouverneur.

Bernal Neale a resident of Middle Region and national of Nevis was the alleged boyfriend of the suspect, he is also well known to police as there were other women that filed complaints against him for abuse.

In 2006 the former Lt. Governor of St. Maarten Franklin Richards revoked Neals permanent residency because there were 3 cases filed against him for abusing women with a weapon.

It is alleged that on February 14th, Neale and Thomas got into a heated argument where she was stabbed to death. Her lifeless body was discovered on Monday, February 15th in her Beacon Hill home where the killing took place.
A promise made earlier this year that the American people will receive their $2,000 right away if Democrats will be winning the Senate is still currently in question as the United States President Joe Biden ignored a question regarding the stimulus checks' timing.

According to Fox News, their White House correspondent asked the U.S. President regarding the promise of stimulus checks during the conclusion of an event where Biden made remarks commemorating 50 million vaccine doses administered in the U.S. in 37 days.

He can be heard in the background in a video, asking the President what happened to his promise from seven weeks ago that if Democrats flipped the Senate, the checks were going out the door.

Biden returned to his podium as he retrieved his mask, which he appeared to have forgotten to put back on, but he did not answer any questions from the media.

During his campaign in Atlanta in January, Biden told the voters that the $2,000 stimulus checks would be imminent if the Democrat Senatorial candidates will win their runoff races.

Biden told the crowd that the election of the Democratic candidates would put an end to the block in Washington on that $2,000 stimulus check. He also added that the money would go out the door immediately to help Americans who are in trouble financially, Breaking 911 posted on its Twitter account.

President Biden ignores question from Fox News @pdoocy:



Mr. President, whatever happened to your promise from 7 weeks ago that if Democrats flip the Senate, checks were going out the door?



pic.twitter.com/3GY08TYoBr  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 25, 2021

Both Democrats won their runoff races, which effectively gave the party a majority in the Senate, considering that Vice President Kamala Harris will cast the tie-breaking vote.

Moreover, Democrats are currently working on a $1.9 trillion relief package, including a round of $1,400 direct payments to American households. A vote in the House could take place within the next few days.

Read also: Biden Orders Launch of US Airstrike Against Iranian-Backed Militia in Syria

The relief package does not have bipartisan support, which means it could move along in a fast-track process called budget reconciliation, wherein Democrats can pass certain spending measures without any approval from the Republicans.

The said legislation is intended for American households and includes aid to state and local governments, a fund for distributing vaccines, and the expansion of the unemployment benefits.

Also, lawmakers hope to pass the said relief package in the middle of March, which is also the expiration period of the federal unemployment insurance benefits.

The $15 minimum wage

A Senate official ruled on Thursday that the Democrats cannot include the $15 minimum wage per hour in the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which derailed a party priority and a raise for millions of Americans, CNBC reported.

The nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough determined that lawmakers cannot include the expected policy under budget reconciliation. Along with her staff, MacDonough shared that they have heard arguments from both Republicans and Democrats regarding whether the proposal met strict standards for deficit effects that are needed to include it in the process. Reconciliation allows the Senate to pass a bill with simple authority, and in this case, no Republicans are wary of another rescue package.

Related article: Biden Revokes More of Trump's Executive Orders Including on Financial Regulations, Immigration

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Other efforts to harness online platforms to force social change have not yielded widespread results in Japan. Yumi Ishikawa, a Japanese model, actress and temp worker, led a viral social media campaign two years ago calling for an end to requirements by employers that female workers wear high heels. The Labor Ministry acknowledged that it needed to raise awareness of the issue, and a few employers relaxed some dress codes, but many women still feel compelled to wear heels  and skirts  to the office.

To a certain extent, demography dictates the hegemony of the old in Japan. More than a quarter of the population is 65 or older, the highest proportion in the world. Japanese tend to live longer and in better health than many people elsewhere, and the media is filled with examples of vibrant craftspeople who remain active well into their seventh and eighth decades. But at times, outdated values of the older generation prevail.

And while age in many cases brings with it valuable experience, in Japan its often the credential that outweighs all others.

Seniority and age is still more important than ability, said Jesper Koll, a senior adviser to the investment firm WisdomTree who has lived in Japan for more than three decades. Japan is the world champion of pulling rank on you, and rank is not ability, but predominantly just age.

The seniority system endures in part because it provides a sense of security. Workers know the path forward, and the values are inculcated well before they enter the work force, with hierarchies enforced even among children.

When I was in school, I heard that if you listen to your older sempai now, then when you become a sempai, people will have to listen to you, said Ryutaro Yoshioka, 27, using the word for older mentors. Similarly, in the workplace, Mr. Yoshioka said, employees who stay in the company will eventually rise up.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will not visit Western Australia ahead of the March 13 election, the Liberal Party has confirmed.

The news will come as a blow to some Liberal Party members who hoped a high-profile visit would give the partys flagging campaign a shot in the arm.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup played down the WA snub saying it was not a big issue for him the Prime Minister would not be visiting.

The Prime Minister is a very busy individual, hes just finished sitting weeks in Canberra, Im sure he has his own agenda to fill on behalf of the people of Australia, particularly with the vaccine roll-out, he said.
Music Tech Works launches a database to help identify rights holders for syncs

UPDATED: Being able to accurately find the controlling publisher and label information of a music track destined for syncing has been an issue plaguing the music industry for far too long  an issue which Jarett Hines and Bryson Nobeles of Music Tech Works may have solved.

Guest post by Emmanuel Legrand of the Legrand Network

Jarett Hines and Bryson Nobles, co-founders of Music Tech Works, believe they have solved one of the critical problems facing synchronisation licensing: finding the controlling publisher and label information of music tracks to be used for syncs.

They have set up rightsholder.io, a database of over 60 million songs, ready to access for anyone involved in the licensing of music for uses in TV, film, video games, and advertising. We just took on the challenge and tried to answer the question: who owns what? explained to Creative Industries Newsletter Atlanta-based Hines, who is CEO of Music Tech Works, which was founded in 2019.

Nobles and Hines have worked together in the past to create the digital split sheet app SongSplits, and were looking for a new challenge. After some research, in 2019, they realised that there was no consolidated database of rights information, so they set out to build one, as part of the Project Music Accelerator in Nashville, TN.

An underserved market

In 2020 Music Tech Works was part of the Google For Startups Founders Academy, and was awarded in October 2020 capital from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. The company also closed at the end of 2020 a round of funding from Collab Capital, an early-stage investment fund focused on start-ups by Black founders, which counts as partners hip hop artist Lecrae and Kapor Capital.

rightsholder.io provides users a clear and complete way to search for publishing and master recording ownership information. In addition to ownership data, users can quickly identify past use data from shows, movies, and brands that have previously licensed a track as well as sample audio for each track in the database.

We looked at syncs and we found that it was a group that was underserved, said Nobles, who is based in New Jersey and serves as CTO. The process, he explained, was to help music supervisors by organising information in a way that could help them do their searches in a timely and accurate way.

Simple and intuitive interface

One of the problems with the music industry, said Nobles, is that it is based on silos of data that do not communicate with each other. Without going into details, Nobles said they have looked at what is available such as the IMDB database and other trusted sources displaying information. The data is then recouped using machine learning and is made available via what Nobles describes as a simple and intuitive interface.

The system is designed to help people find the information, said Nobles. We try to make things simple and provide high value to our customers. We are a small team but we are disciplined and focused in solving this data problem.

One thing that the database is not is user-generated. You have the possibility to flag information, said Nobles, but we are not crowd-sourcing information.

Create value for users

What weve done is to reduce the time needed for research, said Hines. In 10 seconds you can access all the data you need to make the calls [to clear songs]. We make sure our data is accurate. We wont feature something if we are not 100% sure.

Their business model is based on subscription. Users pay a monthly fee and can access the database without limit, said Hines, who added that the company is now focused on developing its clients base. We want more people to use the database, he said. We understand the value we can create for them, and we want to make sure we serve them well.

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London Mayor hopeful Shaun Bailey launched a stinging attack on his main opponent Sadiq Khan, accusing him of using the Black Lives Matter movement to divide communities across the country.

Mr Bailey alleged that recent figures showing startlingly low levels of recruitment of black officers in the Metropolitan Police was the result of the current London mayor's using last year's Black Lives Matter protests to 'drive a wedge between us.'

And the Conservative candidate slammed Mr Khan's diversity commission, to review landmarks in the capital following the protests as 'divisive.'

Mr Bailey told MailOnline: 'Instead of using some of the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter protests to bring people together, he's used it for his own political ends and to divide us.

Shaun Bailey (right) says that if he wins the May 6 mayoral election, he will introduce a minimum target of recruiting between 13% to 16% of BAME officers into The Met Police

Mr Bailey says Sadiq Khan's ambition for BAME officers to make up 40 per cent of all Met officers recruited from next year is 'unrealistic' and says Khan for low levels of recruitment

'The Mayor has driven wedges between communities. He portrays the police as an 'enemy,' as the 'other.'

'With his diversity commission, he's trying to re-write British history, but he does not have the expertise or the authority to do this.'

Figures published recently showed that only 3.3% of officers recruited by the Met are black with Mr Bailey insisting that he was 'not surprised by this.'

He added: 'I can understand why young black men don't want to join the police because all they hear from Mr Khan and others like him is that they are the 'other' and the 'enemy.'

Mr Bailey is hoping to become London Mayor during the forthcoming elections on May 6

'They use issues like stop and search to batter the police. But it's an obligation on us all to join the institutions of British society so we can improve them.'

Last year, Mr Khan published a plan to improve trust and confidence in the Met and to address community concerns around officers' disproportionate use of force. Part of it was an ambition for BAME officers to make up 40 per cent of all Met officers recruited from next year.

Mr Bailey said that if he wins the May 6 election, he will introduce a minimum target of between 13% to 16% of BAME officers in the Met, describing the 40% figure as 'unrealistic.'

He added: 'The 40% target mentioned by Mr Khan is an absolute lie; it's governance by press release because we are nowhere near it.

'My plan is to set a realistic, minimum target and then work towards stretching that. And if a base target of between 13% to 16% was not met, I would work closely with the police to find out why and then support them to give them what they need.'

Referring to Mr Khan's diversity commission to review the capital's statues celebrating figures with colonial links, Mr Bailey reiterated his promise to scrap it on the first day if he becomes mayor.

Formally known as the Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm, it is made up of a panel of experts working to decide which road names and statues should be removed and what they should be replaced with.

Mr Bailey said: 'I promise you it will go. It's all about the politics of division and does nothing to bring people together or unite communities.

If elected, Mr Bailey would scrap Mr Khan's diversity commission, which was set up to review the capital's statues in response to the BLM's attacks on statues like Winston Churchill (above)

'Going forward, there is a debate to be had about diversity in our public spaces, but it should be an inclusive process and cannot involve trying to eradicate British historical figures just to elevate ourselves.'

In response, a London Labour spokesperson said: 'There is a clear choice in this election between Sadiq, who has always championed Londons values - and the Tory candidate who simply doesnt share them.

'The Tory candidate has said appalling things about Londons diversity - including saying that multiculturalism is turning London into a crime-riddled cesspool.

'Sadiq makes no apologies for believing that Black Lives Matter and for trying to ensure that Londons diversity is better reflected in the statues and road names that make up our public realm.

'Anyone who wants to defend Londons values of diversity, inclusion and respect should vote for Sadiq on 6 May.'
LAFAYETTE, La. -Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that three men from South Louisiana were sentenced for illegally possessing firearms by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr.Jaquan Smith, 27, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3years of supervised release, for illegal possession of an unregistered firearm. On October 10, 2018, law enforcement officers in Jennings, Louisiana stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in which Smith was a passenger. Officers found Smith to have a square-shaped object bearing a Glock insigniain his possession. The device is capable of converting a firearm into a machine gun. The machine gun converter device was not registered to Smith in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Smith knew that the purpose of the converter device was to turn a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun and was illegal for him to possess.The ATF and Jennings Police Department conducted the investigationand Assistant U.S.Attorneys T. Forrest Phillips andRobert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case. Jeffery James Sullivan, 24, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. On August 18, 2018, Sullivan attempted to purchase a firearm while under indictment on felony charges in the 14thJudicial District Court in the State of Louisiana, including aggravated second degree battery and illegal use of a weapon in commission of a crime of violence. While completing the ATF Form 4473 to purchase the firearm, Sullivan falsely answered NO to the question on the form, Are you under indictmentor information in any court for a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year? Sullivan made this false statement intending to deceive the firearms dealer in order to purchase the firearm and was therefore charged.The ATF conducted the investigationand Assistant U.S. AttorneyDanny Siefker prosecuted the case.

Timothy Caudle, 43, of Oakdale, Louisiana, was sentenced to 2 years of supervised probation, forillegally possessing firearms at a federal facility. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 10, 2019, when Caudle went to the Fort Polk Community Based Outpatient Clinic for an appointment. When clinic administrators told Caudle they would not be able to order his medication because he was behind on his scheduled appointments with the Clinic, Caudle becameupset and made threatening remarks to the staff. This behavior caused law enforcement officers to monitor Caudle and determine whether or not he had any weapons on his person or in his vehicle, which possession was strictly prohibited in the federal facility and on the federal property. Officers found that Caudle illegally possessed two firearms in his vehicle on the federal property.This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leon H. Whitten and John W. Nickel. Thesecasesare part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Departments renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Reports of Bamboo Airways, a three-year-old aviation firm, operating more flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City than veteran air carrier Vietnam Airlines during Vietnams busiest travel week have shocked travel experts from across the country.

According to flight data, Vietnam Airlines made just 113 trips between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City during the one-week span from February 8 to 14, which coincided with the 2021 Lunar New Year holiday.

Comparatively, Bamboo Airways made 130 trips on the same route.

Flights between Vietnams two largest cities are considered critical to airline success given consistent demand and high profits.

Still, more flights do not necessarily mean more success.

More data related to how many seats were sold aboard each flight and how each carrier fared on its other routes is needed in order to truly judge who came out on top during the holiday season.

What the numbers do show, however, is the intensifying competition between Vietnams homegrown airlines, particularly as COVID-19 continues to keep thousands of passengers grounded.

According to a report on Vietnams aviation industry released in January, domestic airlines collectively operated 19,295 flights, with Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet each accounting for 6,000-7,000 departures, or twice as many as Bamboo Airways.

Meanwhile, three-year-old Bamboo Airways seems to be gradually winning passengers hearts thanks to its high service quality.

As international operations remain in hibernation, the countrys six carriers  Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, Vietravel Airlines, and VASCO  are each scrambling for ways to convince travelers that they offer the best product, including setting prices as low as VND85,460 ($3.7) for the Hanoi  Ho Chi Minh City route.

Customers gain

Similar to Vietjets recent success, the surge of customers flocking to Bamboo Airways reflects the significant role played by private airlines in Vietnam in an industrial landscape long dominated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines.

Not only beaten by Vietjet in the domestic flight category, Vietnam Airlines and its subsidiary VASCO are also facing tough competition from Bamboo Airways on the Ho Chi Minh City  Con Dao or Rach Gia  Ca Mau routes.

Under the shadow of the current COVID-19 crisis, Vietnam Airlines is the only domestic carrier to benefit from the governments bailout package after it reported a VND14 trillion ($610 million) loss in 2020.

Meanwhile, Vietjet and Bamboo are pulling themselves by the bootstraps to negotiate debt rescheduling and the sale of assets, which in turn have helped them post profits of VND70 billion ($3 million) and VND400 billion ($17.4 million), respectively, in 2020.

According to experts, Bamboos success over Vietnam Airlines on one route during one week cannot be used to reflect the entire industry, considering the aviation sector tends to reward those who achieve optimal cost management, sound ticket pricing, and decent customer service over an extended period of time.

During the current travel slump, experts recommended that the government maintain fair competition in terms of policy and bailout programs in order to ensure customers gain and avoid reinstating a monopoly in aviation.

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In 2020 the Russian annual Victory (over Germany) parade held in Moscow every May 9th was delayed and somewhat reduced in size because of covid19. While there were fewer troops and spectators than originally (before 2020) planned, one feature of the original parade that remained intact was the prominent display of new and improved Russian weapons as well as the display of World War II vehicles. The World War II T-34 tanks used were museum pieces restored to running condition. Using these ancient armored vehicles caused some unique problems. For one thing there is, not surprisingly, a shortage of trained T-34 drivers in the Russian Army. Until 2019, when a T-34 battalion was formed for parades and other propaganda purposes, army personnel assigned had to undergo training. This turned out to be a problem because there were no experienced T-34 drivers in the military and this led to problems every year because there were few museum personnel who knew how to operate a T-34. The army coped as best it could but the T-34 drivers provided for major events, like the Victory Day parade had only basic skills that did not include things driving a T-34 onto a tank transporter. After one parade an inexperienced driver caused a T-34 to roll over while being maneuvered onto the tank transporter. Another problem is a shortage of concrete roads for the T-34s to rehearse on in Moscow and other cities where they are featured in the major parade events.

When rehearsals are held on asphalt roads the threads of the T-34 tear up the asphalt and local governments have to pay for road repairs. Until 2020 the T-34 drivers used were a few experienced tank drivers from current tank battalions who were selected to drive the historical vehicles after brief training and familiarization. This proved to be insufficient because modern tanks, like modern automobiles, are easier to drive than those used in the 1940s and 50s.

After 2018 a lot more T-34 drivers were needed because the government bought thirty T-34/85 tanks from Southeast Asian nation Laos, which had obtained them from Czechoslovakia in the 1980s. These T-34s have been built by Czechoslovakia in the 1950s and were transferred to Laos in good working order. The Laotian Army took good care of their T-34s, as did many other poor countries that bought them cheap or received them as gifts. The relatively primitive but robust design of the T-34 made it possible for local mechanics to keep them running. What parts that were not available locally, like tracks or some mechanical items, are still available from firms that specialize in stocking and providing such parts for older military vehicles.

Russia already had dozens of restored (to running condition) T-34s in several museums. However, the museums did not want to keep shipping their pristine T-34s around the country each year to appear in parades. This justified the formation of a T-34 tank battalion in early 2019. The soldiers in the battalion devote most of their time to learning how to maintain and operate their T-34s, and then show off their skills during military parades, especially the Victory Day parade. The crews wear World War II uniforms for these occasions. The problem was that for 2020 the troops in the T-34 battalion were still new to dealing with a tank designed nearly a century ago.

The T-34 holds the record for tank production and longevity. Since 1940 when the first model, armed with a 76mm gun appeared, 84,000 were built. Most (58 percent) of the T-34s were the 1944 T-34/85 version with slightly better armor, a more powerful 85mm gun and numerous improvements. Since 1940 that army had collected user suggestions and data on T-34 combat experience. The original T-34/76 weighed 26 tons and had a four-man crew while the 27-ton T-34/85 had five men. Russia halted production in 1945 but it resumed in Poland and Czechoslovakia during 1951, and continued until 1955 in Poland and 1958 in Czechoslovakia. About a hundred T-34s are still active in a few countries, not counting the parade battalion and museum T-34s in Russia.

The T-34/76 came as a shock to the Germans in 1941, who had nothing like it and did not expect such an innovative and effective Russia tank because in the 1930s Russia had become very good at keeping secrets. The T-34 not only had a more powerful gun than any other tank, if was nimbler and more maneuverable, especially in mud, marsh and snow. The Germans adapted and introduced more powerful tanks but they could not match the sheer quantity of T-34s showing up to replace losses and keep the fight going.

With the collapse and dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, there were fewer events like the Victory Day Parades. The big Moscow parade was not held from 1991 to 1994 because there was no money for it. The parades were resumed in 1995, in part because it had become customary to hold a larger parade, involving up to 15,000 troops and hundreds of vehicles, every five years. The 2020 parade was to be special because it was the 75th anniversary of the victory.

Back in 2010, Russia resumed the Cold War custom of holding large military parades to commemorate the Russian World War II victory. Since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, Russia dropped the military displays for these parades, which became much smaller in size overall. Another reason for no longer featuring a lot of military vehicles was that a late 1990s reconstruction boom in Moscow made it difficult or impossible for tanks and other large military vehicles to reach Red Square, where most of the spectators assembled. By 2010 further changes had been made along the parade route making it possible to resume staging large military parades. Revival of the military parades proved very popular and by 2013 there were similar parades in 24 cities, involving 38,000 troops and hundreds of military vehicles plus dozens of aircraft overhead. Nearly ten million people came out to witness the parades and even more caught it on TV or the Internet. There was no problem with the crowds, in part because about 200,000 security personnel were on hand, including 4,700 uniformed Cossacks, to maintain order.

The first of these big parades in 2010 saw 11,000 troops and hundreds of military vehicles assembled for the Victory Day parade in Moscow. Commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II has always been a big deal, if only because 18 percent of the population died during that conflict. The Russians refer to World War II as The Great Patriotic War and the extent of the casualties (nearly 30 million dead) was kept secret until the 1990s, partly out of embarrassment, partly to not demoralize the population, and partly not to let the outside world know just how badly the Russia had been hurt.

The 2010 parade also included, for the first time since 1945, small contingents from wartime allies Britain, the U.S., and France. The British contingent was particularly striking, as it was 76 members of the Welsh Guards, wearing their dress uniforms; red jackets, black trousers, and tall bearskin hats. Some of the best viewing locations were given to 3,000 grey haired veterans of the war, who tended to show up wearing their medals on their civilian clothes, a common Russian custom for such occasions.

The large military contingent also included many current Russian soldiers wearing World War II uniforms and carrying period weapons. This included World War II era armored vehicles, particularly dozens of the famous T-34 tank. The assembled veterans were visibly moved by this visible demonstration of the now departed Red (communist) Army of the Soviet Union. Overhead, 127 modern aircraft put on an eight-minute flyover and display of their maneuverability. The parade took about 70 minutes to complete but was weeks in preparation, with many people coming down in the evening to watch various contingents practice.

Many Russian weapons systems that are rarely, if ever, shown in public, were displayed in the 2010 parade and subsequent ones. In 2010 there were smaller but similar parades in 71 other Russian cities, with 102,000 Russian troops taking part. All this was part of a morale building exercise, to reassure the Russian people that the armed forces were being rebuilt, after nearly two decades of decline. The end of the Soviet Union saw the armed forces lose 80 percent of its manpower within a decade, most equipment rotted away from lack of use, or maintenance, and there was little money to buy new stuff. That has changed in the past few years, and starting in 2010 the Victory Parade has become an effort to showcase the new military, while honoring past accomplishments.

The Great Patriotic War defined Russian attitudes during the Cold War because of the enormous casualties and devastation it inflicted. But now the memories, along with the few remaining veterans, are fading fast. The end of the Cold War, the Soviet Union, and communism in the early 1990s was another shock that is still sinking in. Revival of the military participation in the victory parade was a novelty the first year, but enthusiasm faded along with the memories of new generations for whom World War II and the Soviet Union are ancient history.
MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Payless, the retailer with a 60+ year heritage, is excited to announce the grand opening of its first, redesigned brick-and-mortar retail concept store in North America on March 1, 2021 in Miami, FL.

The brand will open its doors to the 4,000-square-foot 850 NE 125th Street store, featuring roughly 10,000 footwear, apparel and accessories at any given time. The new retail location is set in the heart of North Miami, which is also home to the brand's new headquarters. Within the store, Payless will feature interactive touchscreen wall panels as well as sleek color palettes, modern neon lighting, and signage. Top of the line Augmented Reality (AR) capabilities, available in both English and Spanish, will also be available thanks to partner, Zappar. A first-of-its-kind AR foot measurement chart and floor decal, comprising 16 individual 3D animated characters and 16 2D animal footprints, along with a subsequent multiple-choice quiz and photo feature with save function, will allow for a unique and personalized customer experience, while seamlessly making the brick-and-click connection for consumers.

The exterior of the new concept store will spotlight a new community mural by Amaranta Martinez, better known as Superama. Superama is a local, award-winning artist who specializes in bringing impactful ideas to life. She was commissioned to create a Payless mural highlighting Miami's vibrant community and the combination of cultures that makes it a beautiful, positive place to live.

"What I love about Miami is the different kinds of people you encounter every day," said Superama. "The variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and languages makes this a very exciting place to be, which I reflected in Payless' new store mural. It is an honor for me to be part of this beautiful project, and I'm overjoyed that Payless embraced my community and sought to create an inclusive and inviting shopping hub for the area."

Aimed at providing consumers with a truly immersive, Omnichannel retail experience, Payless is integrating the traditional shopping model with high-tech touchpoints throughout the in-store experience to meet the needs and wants of today's consumers. The launch of the new concept store merges advanced digital components and fresh design elements that paves the way for a new era of the Payless brand following the summer 2020 North America relaunch, while still providing the same value and style Payless is known for.

"The traditional brick-and-mortar storefront isn't going anywhere, but recent times have demanded the need for a new 360-degree immersive retail experience," said Jared Margolis, CEO of Payless. "Our plan has always been to make a comeback for our U.S. consumers with brand new smart and strategic retail locations that are also in line with our Omnichannel strategy. We have maintained a strong retail presence having 700 stores throughout Latin/Central America, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Middle East and India, and now with the opening of our Miami store, we're excited to continue to embrace the diverse communities here within the States and provide the best in value and style to customers both in-store and online."

The Payless Miami location is the first of a series of retail openings in the North American market. In fact, the brand is confidently moving forward with big plans to implement a unique Omnichannel experience through our enhanced digital platform and stores in the next three to five years.

To kick off the Payless grand opening, the brand and the Miami Chamber of Commerce invites the Miami community to attend the official grand opening and ribbon cutting event on Monday, March 8th to experience everything it has to offer.

MORE DETAILS:

WHAT: Payless Miami Store Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Event WHEN: Monday, March 8th at 10:00 am WHERE: 850 NE 125th Street, Miami, FL 33161 WHO: Payless Executives & Miami City Officials

For more information about Payless and the new store opening, visit and shop Payless.com and follow @Payless.

About Payless

Founded in 1956 in Topeka, KS, Payless is an iconic footwear retailer with a 60+ year heritage, and uncompromised commitment to value. Serving millions of customers through its extensive global network of brick-and-mortar and Ecommerce retail footprint, Payless spans 30 countries with over 700 stores in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. Relaunched in 2020, Payless is now headquartered in Miami, FL and offers a wide range of fashionable footwear as well as apparel and accessories, all at affordable prices for every member of the family.

SOURCE Payless
Saif Reveals Kareena And Their Newborn Are Doing Fine; Taimur Is Very Protective Of His Little Brother

Back in August last year, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan had proudly announced that they are expecting their second child after son Taimur Ali Khan. Along with their family, their fans were also over the moon with joy to hear the good news. Well almost a week ago, Bebo and Saif welcomed their newborn son into the world. Taimur rushed to the hospital to meet his baby brother along with aunt Karisma Kapoor and grandmother Babita Kapoor.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

Ever since then, netizens have eagerly been waiting for the couple to announce their sons name. Well, they will have to wait a little longer because in a recent chat with Spotboye, Saif revealed that they have not decided a name yet. He also shared that his wife and son are doing fine. Meanwhile, sources revealed that Saifs mother and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, who is currently in Delhi, will not be able to meet her grandson any time soon as travelling is not advisable amid the new wave of coronavirus.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

And what about big brother Taimur Ali Khan? Well, a family friend was quoted saying, Taimur is very protective of his new little brother. He sits staring at the newly-born with a look of supreme joy on his face. Aww! We cant wait to see all their adorable pictures together on Bebos social media handle!
American journalist Patrick Lancaster released a video of a rally of Armenian soldiers' parents near the Armenian Defense Ministry building, asking not to send their children to the Russian peacekeepers' zone of responsibility in Azerbaijan. Lancaster said a group of Armenian conscripts was recently sent to Khankendi through the Lachin corridor under the guise of technical cargo.

Everyone with whom the journalist speaks in this video says the same thing: we do not want our children to be sent to Azerbaijan. "Like they are building materials," the first of those who spoke with Lancaster described the illegal dispatch of military personnel to Khankendi. "We were told that they would not return to Karabakh, and now they want to smuggle soldiers there. Our children are not building materials!"

Another man stressed that the Armenian military cannot serve in Karabakh, and therefore the Ministry of Defense has no right to bring soldiers there, to the territory of Azerbaijan. "We do not want our children to be sent to Karabakh. They mustn't be there, according to the agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. And they (the army command - editor's note) want violence!" he noted.



"My grandson was on the first line in Jabrayil. The war stopped, he came back, wounded with shrapnel and depressed. But the people came from the department and asked about the reasons of his staying at home? They promised to put him in the hospital. He will not go to serve in Karabakh! He must serve only on the territory of Armenia! " the third man said, adding that the authorities promised not to send conscripts to Karabakh after the war, but they do not keep their promises.

The mother of one of the conscripts emphasized: "We allow our children to serve, but not in Karabakh. Because it is restless there! We do not need it." "We do not want our children to go to Karabakh, we want them to serve in Armenia. In Karabakh they can be captured," another woman said, specifying that her son is still in Armenia.



The third mother said that those who returned from the war are afraid the authorities will send them to the territory of Azerbaijan again. "No problems are solved by the authorities. We are not against our children serving, but we just need them to be healthy," she concluded.

The participants of the rally also said that those soldiers who still remain in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers are not given leave by the Ministry of Defense so that the Armenian Armed Forces remain in Khankendi. In addition, soldiers are brought to Karabakh in civilian clothes in order to deceive the Russian peacekeepers who do not allow Armenian servicemen to enter the territory of Azerbaijan.



Thus, the citizens of Armenia, the parents of the soldiers, spoke in detail about how Yerevan is violating the provisions of the November Statement and trying to illegally import Armenian servicemen into the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers. Moreover, the soldiers themselves report these violations, because they do not want the authorities to send them back to the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Armenian army suffered a crushing defeat.
The drop in immigration was felt across the country in 2020. Looking ahead, Canada is already ahead of schedule to welcome 401,000 immigrants this year.

Where Canadas immigrants settled in 2020 The drop in immigration was felt across the country in 2020. Looking ahead, Canada is already ahead of schedule to welcome 401,000 immigrants this year.

Where Canadas immigrants settled in 2020 The drop in immigration was felt across the country in 2020. Looking ahead, Canada is already ahead of schedule to welcome 401,000 immigrants this year.

Where Canadas immigrants settled in 2020 The drop in immigration was felt across the country in 2020. Looking ahead, Canada is already ahead of schedule to welcome 401,000 immigrants this year. Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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While the drop in immigration to Canada was felt across the country in 2020, early signs suggest that most provinces will see their intakes recover by the end of this year.

The coronavirus pandemic caused immigration to Canada to fall to the lowest level since 1998 last year. As a result, Canada welcomed just over 184,000 new immigrants, well short of the 341,000 newcomers it was seeking to welcome in 2020.

Canada got off to a strong start in 2020 before travel restrictions and other COVID-19 disruptions caused newcomer flows to fall beginning in March.

The decline affected each province and territory. However, immigrant settlement patterns were largely unaffected by the pandemic.

Canada has over 100 immigration pathways. Find out if you are eligible!

Immigration to Canadas largest province, Ontario, fell by almost half to nearly 83,000 newcomers in 2020. Ontarios share of all immigration to Canada remained unchanged compared to 2019, with the province welcoming 45 per cent of the countrys newcomers.

British Columbia remained the second leading province for newcomers, as it welcomed just under 30,000 immigrants, or 15 per cent of the national total.

Quebec moved into third place, ahead of Alberta, as it welcomed over 25,000 immigrants in 2020. Quebecs share increased to 14 per cent, compared with 12 per cent the previous year. One reason for this is Quebec welcomes a higher share of family and refugee class immigrants than most provinces, and its newcomer intake under certain categories did not fall as significantly (e.g., sponsored spouses and partners) as the drop in skilled workers seen across the country.

Albertas national share of newcomers fell slightly from nearly 13 per cent in 2019 to 12.4 per cent in 2020. Manitoba and Saskatchewan also saw their shares decline. Manitobas share fell from 5.5 per cent in 2019 to 4.7 per cent in 2020, while Saskatchewans fell from 4.6 per cent to 4 per cent.

The four Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) also experienced a slight dip from 5.2 per cent in 2019 to 4.7 per cent in 2020.

Canada has over 100 immigration pathways. Find out if you are eligible!

Looking ahead: Which provinces are set to see their immigration levels recover in 2021?

In October of last year, Canada announced it would target the arrival of 401,000 immigrants in 2021. It is currently looking to transition as many temporary residents currently into the country as permanent residents. Canada took a major step towards this goal by holding a historic Express Entry draw on February 13th. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 27,332 candidates to apply for permanent residence. All of these candidates fell under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and IRCC estimates 90 per cent of them currently reside in the country.

In a new interview with Bloomberg, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino revealed that Canada welcomed 26,600 new immigrants in January. He also stated that immigration levels are nearly 10 per cent higher compared with the same time in 2020, and that Canada is 40 per cent ahead of schedule in terms of the pace it needs to maintain to achieve its 401,000 target this year.

What remains an open question is whether the recovery will be enjoyed across Canada. Express Entry is the main way that Canada welcomes skilled workers. According to IRCCs most recent annual report on Express Entry, 92 per cent of Express Entry immigrants settle in Ontario, B.C., and Alberta.

In 2019, 62 per cent of Express Entry immigrants indicated they would settle in Ontario. A variety of factors suggest that Ontario should see a significant recovery in its permanent residence landings this year. In addition to a large pool of temporary residents who will obtain permanent residence through Express Entry and the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) in 2021, Ontario can also count on family class immigrant landings to support its recovery. Ontario welcomes the most family class immigrants in the country, and family class immigrants are exempt from Canadas COVID-19 travel restrictions.

British Columbia is also set for a strong recovery this year for the same reasons as Ontario. Of note, the province holds weekly Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws which invite a large number of those residing in the province to transition to permanent residence.

While Alberta can expect a bump in immigration through Express Entry, it has chosen to reduce its Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) intake this year while its economy recovers.

Of less certainty is whether Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces will see their share of Canadian immigration recover this year. All six provinces rely on their PNP streams to attract immigrants more so than the aforementioned provinces, and hence, they are currently unable to count on PNP arrivals from abroad. While this PNP challenge also exists for Ontario, B.C., and Alberta, those provinces can compensate for shortfalls with Express Entry.

However, there is a strong possibility Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces will also enjoy solid recoveries this year. They too stand to benefit from IRCC transitioning more temporary residents to permanent residence since they each host significant international student populations. IRCC has indicated it will look for more measures beyond Express Entry to achieve its national immigration target this year, and these forthcoming measures could help to give these smaller provinces a boost. In addition, these six provinces can work with IRCC to transition as many temporary residents currently living in their provinces to immigration status through their respective PNP streams as well as through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Finally, Quebec will also need to adapt its approach to reach its 44,500 newcomer target for 2021. While travel restrictions will create an obstacle in terms of welcoming newcomers through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, the provinces can achieve its targets through its aforementioned high family class intake, as well as by facilitating permanent residence transitions for skilled workers through pathways such as the Quebec Experience Program. The new pathway for guardian angels will also help given the large number of asylum seekers in the province who are on the front lines combatting COVID.

It is important to stress that IRCC and the provinces are looking more inward during the pandemic to compensate for the decline in newcomers arriving from overseas. This is a temporary policy adjustment, and IRCC recently stated it looks forward to inviting and welcoming more immigrants from abroad when travel restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, those overseas can continue to submit immigration applications, and those with approvals in hand can expect to eventually be welcomed into Canada once the pandemic situation improves.

Find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada!

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

At a special school board meeting Tuesday night, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Board of Education announced a pause on their racialist campaign to rename 44 school sites in order to intensify efforts to reopen the citys schools in a matter of weeks amidst the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement of a halt to the renaming of schools comes nearly one month after the school board voted to approve the renaming of one third of its school sites in the district including the erasure of the names of revolutionary historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Abraham Lincoln High School in San Fransisco (Photo: BriefEdits/Wikipedia)

The initial decision to rename schools produced an onslaught of opposition from parents, community members and the public at large who criticized the process as flawed and lacking historical research. The right-wing initiative to rename schools on the basis of racialist politics is a deliberate attempt to falsify history and showcases the hostility district officials have toward the entire working class of all races.

Responding to mass public opposition to the school renaming and facing heightened pressure from city officials to reopen schools, San Francisco Board of Education president Gabriela Lopez said in a statement Sunday,  reopening will be our only focus until our children and young people are back in schools. Were canceling renaming committee meetings for the time being. We will be revising our plans to run a more deliberative process moving forward, which includes engaging historians at nearby universities to help.

Lopezs statement makes clear that this weeks decision by the board does not end the efforts to rename schools. Any resumption of the reactionary campaign, which rejects the significance of the legacies of the Great Emancipator as well as the Founding Fathers and falsifies the revolutionary and progressive character of the Civil War, the American Revolution and even the Enlightenment, must be rejected.

As the working class is entering into struggle and a fight for its lives amidst a pandemic which has already killed 500,000 Americans, the ruling class is doubling down on efforts to use racial politics to divide the working class and break down resistance to its homicidal policies. Teachers must draw the necessary conclusions from the fact that those driving for renaming are now dead set on pushing for the resumption of in-person learning, which will facilitate the spread of COVID-19 among students, teachers and staff.

San Francisco is currently in Californias purple tier or highest category for COVID-19 transmission with 9.4 average daily new cases per 100,000. Despite widespread transmission and news of more infectious and deadly variants of the virus within San Francisco, the school district alongside the educator and school worker unions are pushing ahead with reopening plans.

The San Francisco school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to open schools before the end of the school year. Tuesdays vote also approved the tentative agreement between SFUSD and the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), a collection of several unions representing school educators and staff, made earlier this month which sets in motion the guidelines for face-to-face instruction for the districts 52,000 students. Under the tentative agreement, the district will begin phased-in reopenings as soon as the city reaches Californias red tier: a 7-day average test positivity rate of 5 to 8 percent or up to 7 daily new cases per 100,000 people.

The agreement also notes that once the city reaches the red tier, staff and teachers onsite should have at least had the opportunity to be vaccinated at the recommended dosage. Further, schools may be opened without providing vaccinations to staff and teachers once the county reaches the orange tier: a 7-day average test positivity rate of 2 to 4.9 percent or 13.9 daily new cases per 100,000. No set date has been determined for reopening but given the recent decline in case rates, public health officials anticipate San Francisco will be in the red tier within weeks.

SFUSD superintendent Vincent Matthews also announced Tuesday that the district is preparing for its Phase 2A of reopening which would open classrooms for students who have been identified as a priority for in-person learning. Under their initial phase at least 2,900 students will be offered in-person instruction including preK-13 students with moderate/severe disabilities, and preK-2 students. Parents will be given the choice of 100 percent in-person learning or a hybrid schedule. After Phase 2A of reopening, the district will reopen to the rest of the student population.

We are committed to reopening as many schools as possible for in-person instruction, Matthews said. Our goal has been and continues to be to maximize daily in-person instruction for students and maintain as much consistency as possible by welcoming students back to the school in which theyre enrolled.

Significantly, an additional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently made between SFUSD and UESF to open an assessment center in the district for special education students. The assessment center will open during the districts initial phase of reopening and will not require vaccinations to teachers and staff. John OConnell High School will have ten rooms designated for assessments throughout the day and in-person staffing will be voluntary.

Despite its claims to be fighting for the interests of teachers and school workers, UESF has been an integral part in the reopening plans which will throw teachers and students into deadly classrooms in a matter of weeks.

UESF President Susan Solomon said in a statement, We strongly believe that the most equitable and workable schedule is to keep students together with the teachers who have taught them this entire year, and to bring students to school at least four days a week, even if they are half days and that families who choose not to return wont be left out. UESF is proposing four days a week in-person for half days and one day online for about 14 hours a week.

District and union officials continue to argue that schools can be reopened safely, yet this is entirely false unless the pandemic is adequately contained. The tentative agreement between SFUSD and UESF fundamentally accepts the reopening of schools which is a policy that carries with it deadly implications and will facilitate community spread of the virus.

Following President Joe Bidens pledge to reopen all schools in his first 100 days, school districts throughout California such as SFUSD are in a fever pitch to open for in-person learning before the end of the school year. Educators, students and parents must reject the homicidal efforts to reopen schools throughout the state and beyond. Opposition must be organized to demand online instruction with full funding to public schools, educators and all families to ensure every child has access to high-quality instruction and resources for support until COVID-19 is suppressed.

Educators and workers across the United States and internationally are forming a network of rank-and-file safety committees to mobilize an independent struggle, oppose unsafe conditions and halt the drive to reopen schools. We call on teachers, parents, students and other workers in San Francisco and across the state of California to contact us today and join the Northern California Educators Rank-and-File Committee.
IFRS 17 solution of the year: Legerity

2020 was a challenging year for many businesses. But software provider Legerity says its service remained undisrupted despite having projects across the globe.

Part of that success was down to the vendor providing its solutions via the cloud. According to Jeremy Wood, chief executive of Legerity, 2020 "was really the year the cloud came of age".

The firm's collaboration with Aegon International is a prime example. The Dutch insurer's subsidiaries in Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Turkey were looking for common solution to implement IFRS 17.

The project required collaboration among 75 professionals across three areas of expertise: actuarial, accounting and IT. There was also the need to integrate IFRS 17 into the local and group reporting requirements. Legerity showed it was able to deliver complex, multi-region projects and meet the needs of a large insurer.

Many large insurers are well under way with their IFRS 17 projects, but Wood says demand continues to emerge from small and medium sized firms.

Whatever the sophistication of the user, Wood stresses the importance of finding a solution that delivers more than just IFRS 17 compliance.

"There are solutions built just for IFRS 17, but if you want IFRS 9, you need to buy another solution. Legerity's platform covers not just IFRS 17, but other accounting standards, and also gives clients finance transformation benefits."

He also attributes Legerity's success to its team that provides support and expertise to the industry. Over the last 12 months, the firm's IFRS 17 Explainer videos and online tutorials have had more than 20,000 viewings.

Wood is optimistic about the company after the IFRS 17 implementation deadline of January 2023 and will continue to focus on finance transformation.

"IFRS 17 is the first step towards really equipping them for the future, so we think there's a lot of work to be done as well."
Lakshadweep: Pact signed with NCDC to ensure all-round development of farmers, fishermen

February 26,2021 | Source: Outlook India

Union Territory Lakshadweep and National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC), an apex finance entity under the Union Agriculture Ministry has signed a pact to ensure all-round development of farmers, fishermen. It will scale up farming operations of the farmers and fishermen for better access to quality input, technology, credit and market through economies of scale. This will be done by establishing Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FPPOs) in the island where every one out of seven persons is a fisherman. Sundeep Nayak, Managing Director of NCDC signed the MoU on behalf of the central finance agency and Advisor to Lakshadweep Administrator A Anbarasu in the presence of Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel. The NCDC would appoint Community based Business Organisation (CBBO) to promote FPOs and Fishermen Promotion FPPOs by collaborating with them in a holistic manner.



As per the MoU, the NCDC will provide handholding to the FPOs for the next five years to help them realise the better price of their farm produce and in the long run, making them self-reliant, Nayak said. On his part, Anbarasu welcomed the initiative saying that the collaboration will bring innumerable benefits to the region. This will ensure employment and entrepreneurship skills among farmers and fishermen on the island. One out of seven persons is a fisherman here engaged in coastal activities like fisheries, seaweed business and coconut trade besides farming. This is a good beginning and we are looking forward to forming entities of the farmers and fishermen for their benefits besides all-round development of the community. In fact, the agreement is part of the Modi Governments scheme of bringing more and more small and marginal farmers on the big platform as a joint entity for which budgetary support of Rs 4,496 crore by 2024 has been allocated. The aim is to form and promote at least 10,000 new FPOs by that period across the States.



Currently, there are over 3,000 FPOs in the country, considered to be quite low given the fact that the total marginal and small farmers, having landholding size of up to five acres, account for over 85 per cent of total farmers in the country. "The FPOs will be formed and promoted through cluster-based business organizations (CBBOs) engaged at the state/cluster level by implementing agencies. The CBBOs will have five categories of specialists from the domain of crop husbandry, agrimarketing/value addition and processing, social mobilisation, law and accounts and IT/MIS," said an official from the Ministry. Besides, as per the pact, the NCDC and Lakshadweep will also work together on areas such as animal husbandry, dairy, agriculture, food processing, rural finance and women issues through cooperative principles on the island.
Australian home cooks are going crazy over these 'super easy' 15-minute pear and blueberry crumbles.

The recipe was shared by supermarket giant Coles - and is guaranteed to be a quick crowd-pleaser.

The recipe calls for pear slices, slightly thawed frozen blueberries, caster sugar, vanilla essence and reduced-fat Greek yoghurt for the fruit mix.

Australian home cooks are going crazy over these 'super easy' 15-minute pear and blueberry crumbles

Home cooks will also need self raising flour, cinnamon, caster sugar, an egg, sunflower oil and milk for the topping of the dessert.

The delicious recipe was developed in collaboration with the Australian Heart Foundation - so it is guilt-free.

Preparation takes just 15 minutes - then the host or hostess can sit back and relax while they bake for 25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.

Quick recipes are in demand as people head back to the office after working from home for the last 12 months.

HOW CAN I MAKE 15-MINUTE PEAR AND BLUEBERRY CRUMBLES? INGREDIENTS FILLING 410g can pear slices in juice 1 cup (125g) frozen blueberries, just thawed 1 tsp caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 tbs of reduced-fat Greek-style yoghurt TOPPING 1/2 cup wholemeal self-raising flour 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tbs caster sugar 1 egg, lightly whisked 1 tbs sunflower oil 1 tbs milk METHOD STEP 1 - Preheat oven to 180C. Drain the pear slices and keep 60ml of juice. Combine the pears, blueberries, sugar and vanilla in a bowl. STEP 2 - Divide the fruit mixture evenly between four single-serve oven-proof dishes and drizzle with juice. STEP 3 - Sift flour and cinnamon into a bowl. Add sugar, egg, oil and milk. Stir to combine the ingredients then spoon over the fruit mixture. STEP 4 - Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. STEP 5 - After allowing to cool slightly serve with warm yoghurt. Source: Coles Advertisement

Another crowd-pleasing recipe for s'mores pies has set mouths watering across social media - and they're remarkably easy to make.

All that's needed are three ingredients - ready-rolled pie crusts, mini marshmallows and a block of milk chocolate - which are all widely available in leading Australian supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths.

Each crust should be filled with a handful of chocolate, topped with a generous scoop of marshmallows and baked in an air fryer for roughly five minutes until the marshmallow has caramelised into a golden brown.

Budget-friendly air fryers are sold in Kmart for as little as $49.

These simple s'mores pies have set mouths watering across social media - and they're remarkably easy to make

Each crust should be filled with a handful of chocolate (pictured)

Home cooks have been rushing to make the pies since a woman, believed to live in the US, shared the recipe in a Facebook cookery group on Thursday morning.

'S'mores without the mess. So easy,' she wrote in the caption.

The woman said the pies turned out 'just right' after being baked for four minutes at 375 degrees Celsius.

Pictures of the pies, which have racked up 1,000 'likes' since they were uploaded online, have drawn dozens of delighted responses.

'Cute idea!' one woman replied.

'I love these so easy and so good,' added a second, while a third wrote: 'Where is that YUM button at?'

Others said they planned to buy an air fryer just to make them.

The pies (pictured) should be topped with a generous scoop of marshmallows and baked in an air fryer for roughly five minutes until the marshmallow has caramelised into a golden brown

The recipe is the latest dessert inspired by s'mores - a sweet treat popular in the US made from toasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two digestive biscuits - to catch attention on social media.

In July, Olivia Nash showed amateur bakers how to make biscuits stuffed with marshmallows and white and dark chocolate.

The chef from Dublin, Ireland, uses 100 grams of brown sugar mixed with 125 grams of unsalted butter, 225 grams of self-raising flour, 200 grams of chocolate, one egg and a tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Chocolate squares and marshmallow are then sandwiched between the dough which is baked for 10 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.

Irish baker Olivia Nash's s'mores cookies, made from sugar, butter, self-raising flour, chocolate, marshmallows and a single egg

The cookies (pictured) are a new take on s'mores, a sweet treat popular in the US made from toasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two digestive biscuits

Photos of the cookies have been reposted on social media pages around the world, with many hailing them 'heavenly' and marvelling at the simplicity of the recipe.

'Are they as good as they look and as easy to bake as it reads?!' one woman asked.

A second said she saved the recipe for the next time she can find marshmallows in the supermarket, while a third declared: 'Oh my Jesus lord, I need these.'

Others said the cookies were the best thing posted online in 2020.
Gardai investigating the discovery of two bodies at a house near Mitchelstown in North Cork say they are urgently looking to trace the whereabouts of a red Toyota Corolla Van.

The alarm was raised at around midnight after gardai were alerted to an incident at a property in a rural area not far from the Limerick border.

In an appeal, issued by the Garda Press Office this Friday morning, information is being sought in relation to the red van which has a registration number 03-WW-1556.

"Gardai are currently at the scene of an incident at a domestic premises outside of Mitchelstown, County Cork, following the discovery of the bodies of two elderly men. Gardai are continuing to trace the whereabouts of a red Toyota Corolla Van, registration 03-WW-1556," read a brief statement issued by the Garda Press Office.

Garda Alert - North Cork, 26th February 2021



Gardai in Cork are urgently looking to trace the whereabouts of a red Toyota Corolla Van, registration 03-WW-1556.



Members of the public with information are asked to call 999 immediately. Do not approach or this vehicle. pic.twitter.com/VLs9yuVr29  An Garda Siochana (@GardaTraffic) February 26, 2021

Gardai are appealing to any members of the public with information to call 999 immediately. They should not approach the vehicle.

It's reported that armed gardai from the Limerick division were deployed overnight to assist their colleagues in Cork.

The scene has been preserved and the office of the State Pathologist notified.

More to follow....
HOUSTON - (Feb. 26, 2021) - In a twist befitting the strange nature of quantum mechanics, physicists have discovered the Hall effect -- a characteristic change in the way electricity is conducted in the presence of a magnetic field -- in a nonmagnetic quantum material to which no magnetic field was applied.

The discovery by researchers from Rice University, Austria's Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Switzerland's Paul Scherrer Institute and Canada's McMaster University is detailed in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Of interest are both the origins of the effect, which is typically associated with magnetism, and its gigantic magnitude -- more than 1,000 times larger than one might observe in simple semiconductors.

Rice study co-author Qimiao Si, a theoretical physicist who has investigated quantum materials for nearly three decades, said, "It's really topology at work," referring to the patterns of quantum entanglement that give rise the unorthodox state.

The material, an exotic semimetal of cerium, bismuth and palladium, was created and measured at TU Wien by Silke Buhler-Paschen, a longtime collaborator of Si's. In late 2017, Si, Buhler-Paschen and colleagues discovered a new type of quantum material they dubbed a "Weyl-Kondo semimetal." The research laid the groundwork for empirical investigations, but Si said the experiments were challenging, in part because it wasn't clear "which physical quantity would pick up the effect."

In April 2018, Buhler-Paschen and TU Wien graduate student Sami Dzsaber, the study's first author, dropped by Si's office while attending a workshop at the Rice Center for Quantum Materials (RCQM). When Si saw Dzsaber's data, he was dubious.

"Upon seeing this, everybody's first reaction is that it is not possible," he said.

To appreciate why, it helps to understand both the nature and the 1879 discovery of Edwin Hall, a doctoral student who found that applying a magnetic field at a 90-degree angle to conducting wire produced a voltage difference across the wire, in the direction perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field. Physicists eventually discovered the source of the Hall effect: The magnetic field deflects the motion of passing electrons, pulling them toward one side of the wire. The Hall effect is a standard tool in physics labs, and devices that make use of it are found in products as diverse as rocket engines and paintball guns. Studies related to the quantum nature of the Hall effect captured Nobel Prizes in 1985 and 1998.

Dzsaber's experimental data clearly showed a characteristic Hall signal, even though no magnetic field was applied.

"If you don't apply a magnetic field, the electron is not supposed to bend," Si said. "So, how could you ever get a voltage drop along the perpendicular direction? That's why everyone didn't believe this at first."

Experiments at the Paul Scherrer Institute ruled out the presence of a tiny magnetic field that could only be detected on a microscopic scale. So the question remained: What caused the effect?

"In the end, all of us had to accept that this was connected to topology," Si said.

In topological materials, patterns of quantum entanglement produce "protected" states, universal features that cannot be erased. The immutable nature of topological states is of increasing interest for quantum computing. Weyl semimetals, which manifest a quasiparticle known as the Weyl fermion, are topological materials.

So are the Weyl-Kondo semimetals Si, Buhler-Paschen and colleagues discovered in 2018. Those feature both Weyl fermions and the Kondo effect, an interaction between the magnetic moments of electrons attached to atoms inside the metal and the spins of passing conduction electrons.

"The Kondo effect is the quintessential form of strong correlations in quantum materials," Si said in reference to the correlated, collective behavior of billions upon billions of quantum entangled particles. "It qualifies the Weyl-Kondo semimetal as one of the rare examples of a topological state that's driven by strong correlations.

"Topology is a defining characteristic of the Weyl-Kondo semimetal, and the discovery of this spontaneous giant Hall effect is really the first detection of topology that's associated with this kind of Weyl fermion," Si said.

Experiments showed that the effect arose at the characteristic temperature associated with the Kondo effect, indicating the two are likely connected, Si said.

"This kind of spontaneous Hall effect was also observed in contemporaneous experiments in some layered semiconductors, but our effect is more than 1,000 times larger," he said. "We were able to show that the observed giant effect is, in fact, natural when the topological state develops out of strong correlations."

Si said the new observation is likely "a tip of the iceberg" of extreme responses that result from the interplay between strong correlations and topology.

He said the size of the topologically generated Hall effect is also likely to spur investigations into potential uses of the technology for quantum computation.

"This large magnitude, and its robust, bulk nature presents intriguing possibilities for exploitation in topological quantum devices," Si said.

Si is the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor in Rice's Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of RCQM. Buhler-Paschen is a professor at TU Wien's Institute for Solid State Physics.

###

Study co-authors include Sarah Grefe and Hsin-Hua Lai, both of Rice; Xinlin Yan, Mathieu Taupin, Gaku Eguchi, Andrey Prokofiev and Peter Blaha of TU Wien; Toni Shiroka of the Paul Scherrer Institute; and Oleg Rubel of McMaster University.

The research was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (P29279-N27, P29296-N27, W1243), the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program (EMP-824109), the Swiss National Science Foundation (200021-169455), the National Science Foundation (1920740, 1607611), the Welch Foundation (C-1411) and an Ulam Scholarship from the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

RCQM leverages global partnerships and the strengths of more than 20 Rice research groups to address questions related to quantum materials. RCQM is supported by Rice's offices of the provost and the vice provost for research, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, the Brown School of Engineering, the Smalley-Curl Institute and the departments of Physics and Astronomy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Materials Science and NanoEngineering.

Links and resources:

The DOI of the PNAS paper is: 10.1073/pnas.2013386118

A copy of the paper is available at: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1073/ pnas. 2013386118

High-resolution IMAGES are available for download at:

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 02/ 0301_WEYL-dev-lg. jpg

CAPTION: Photograph of a single crystal of a nonmagnetic topological material of cerium, bismuth and palladium known as a Weyl-Kondo semimetal that physicists at Vienna University of Technology used to measure the Hall effect -- a characteristic change in the way electricity is conducted in the presence of a magnetic field -- with no magnetic field applied. (Photo by S. Dzsaber/TU Wien)

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 02/ 0301_WEYL-Rgrp-lg. jpg

CAPTION: Rice University theoretical physicists (from left) Hsin-Hua Lai, Qimiao Si and Sarah Grefe worked with experimental collaborators at Vienna University of Technology to understand topological features of a nonmagnetic Weyl-Kondo semimetal allowed it to produce a giant Hall effect in the absence of a magnetic field. (Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 02/ 0301_WEYL-sdsbp01-lg. jpg

CAPTION: Physicists Sami Dzsaber and Silke Buhler-Paschen of Vienna University of Technology (Photo by F. Aigner/TU Wien)

This release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,978 undergraduates and 3,192 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
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String of exhibitions leaves Mongiovi ready for more

Professor Laura Mongiovi recently returned from a Fall 2019 sabbatical, taught during a pandemic and completed an exhibition project in collaboration with the Flagler College Archives.

This is the third time for the Archives collaboration and grew out of Archivist Jolene DuBrays desire to host student exhibition opportunities for student work on the first floor of Proctor Library. Each time the pair works together, they seek new formats for student engagement outside of the art department in addition to the actual showing of the student artwork. For the most recent exhibit, The Book of Tea they invited Assistant Professor Nicholas Miller to speak on tea history and Visiting Lecturer Lauren Tivey's students to contribute Haiku poems. The goal for the partnered shows is always to offer a broad history and interpretation of the subject matter selected for exhibition.

For Mongiovis part, her Drawing II class were afforded observational drawing practice. She explained that the teacup is a common object to use for this purpose. Remembering a book she had read on the topic years ago, she saw then the potential to expand the discussion on the teacup and Western and Eastern drawing practices in general. Furthermore, it could allow for an expansion of cultural awareness on the subject of tea. The exhibit showcased her students observational drawings and drawings based on their perception of the reading, The Book of Tea.

She was excited to get back to these types of collaborative projects after a long year of teaching during a pandemic. After sabbatical, when she returned to the classroom for the Spring 2020 semester, she didnt expect the wave of change that would overcome us all. But she was fresh off a successful art show in Kentucky as part of her sabbatical and excited to start the semester back at Flagler.

Find Your Purpose is a piece about Kentucky horse racing history. Isaac Murphy is considered one of the greatest riders in American thoroughbred horse racing and represents the roots of the Kentucky Derby - black male riders rode and took care of horses. Once sport became popular/profit, white jockeys replace black riders. The piece I made includes a piece of silk I dyed with marigolds (to represent the winning of the silk purse by Murphy - which was yellow). The flowing silk is suggestive of the undulating movement of riding the horse.

For her sabbatical project, Mongiovi focused her work on place-based subject matter, indicative of the location in which its being shown. Her show was titled, The Grass is Blue and was located at the Anne Wright Wilson Gallery in Georgetown College, Kentucky.

Her pieces, reflecting Kentucky history, exhibit from the Ordovician period to current coal mining practices.

She seems naturally drawn to community projects that offer a sense of inclusiveness and accessibility. Her art and her shows are not too high brow for the casual viewer.

My intent is to raise awareness of past events, to reflect upon the span of humanity and culture within the region, and to generate current feelings of empathy and community. Consequently, I utilize various materials and processes to create an inclusive visual language that acknowledges the people, events, and land in which they have emerged, she said in her artists statement.

While at the Anne Wright Gallery, Mongiovi also created a community project to honor three female botanists significant to Kentucky history: Mary E. Wharton, E. Lucy Braun and Sarah Frances Price. Interested participants residing in Kentucky were able to send in their own artistic drawings representing the specimens associated with the historical figures in Kentuckys history. She had over 50 artists submit their work.

Completely consumed during her fall semester 2019 Off to complete her project, she said the work becomes a part of you. That in doing this work, sometimes one might neglect other areas of life. Perhaps reflection on the show and the joy it brought to others helped provide a welcomed distraction from the daily COVID conversation that would later ensue.

She is already planning more projects to collaborate on and more exhibitions to showcase students work.

Research, collaboration and designing programming for visual exhibitions are essential components of my studio and teaching practices. These approaches provide opportunity for me to learn new information and result in moments of shared community, she said.

For more photos from the show, The Grass is Blue, please visit here.

From School House to White House"

I used words from Affrilachian Poets bell hooks and Frank X. Walker to title all the artworks except one, "From School House to White House." When researching Kentucky history I learned about Alice Dunnigan, a black female press reporter who was forced to sit in a side room during presidential press conferences. I used the title of Dunnigan's book to title this piece. I used red and purple velvets because these colors and textures associated with royalty. I created an "archway" to frame the story with grandeur. The purple "pendants" were derived from the press passes carried by journalists.

Tagged As
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) today issued a detailed new report, entitled Momentum for Lasting Solutions, to serve as a roadmap for private investors as well as federal, state and local governments to combine forces in a comprehensive regional effort to deliver housing affordability throughout the nine-county Bay Area.

Specific strategies identified in the report include securing billions of dollars in dedicated funding; fortifying cities' and counties' capacity to produce and preserve housing while also protecting residents from displacement; and launching new pilot programs to prevent homelessness, spur the preservation of existing housing, bolster rental and mortgage assistance, create a single regional platform for affordable housing applications, and establish a regional database to monitor the "pipeline" of new projects in the planning, permitting, financing and construction phases. Near-term actions proposed in the report are designed to lay a foundation for the Bay Area to efficiently and effectively deploy future capital resources, including funds from a potential nine-county ballot measure.

"The Bay Area's housing crisis has been growing for decades," noted Berkeley mayor and ABAG Executive Board president Jesse Arreguin, "The roots of the problem are deep and tangled, and they reach into every one of our communities. ABAG and MTC have been organizing a coordinated regional approach because the problem is too big for any one city or county to solve separately."

One of the cornerstones of ABAG's and MTC's expanded regional housing portfolio is the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority. Established in 2019 by state Assembly Bill 1487, BAHFA is the first regional housing finance authority in California and gives the Bay Area a new set of tools that can be used in new ways in all nine Bay Area counties and in each of the region's 101 cities. While BAHFA is comprised of the same membership as MTC, its procedures also are managed by the ABAG Executive Board; and both boards must approve any decision to put a regional housing finance measure on a future ballot.

Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza, who also serves as Chair of both MTC and BAHFA, acknowledges that meeting the Bay Area's interrelated housing challenges will require the investment of dollars that are not currently available. "As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic upheaval that followed, MTC and ABAG elected not to put a measure on the November 2020 ballot. But we have kept working on the 'Three Ps' to boost housing production, encourage the preservation of existing housing and protect vulnerable residents from displacement. We're building partnerships with Bay Area companies and foundations, and also working to secure state and federal dollars that can be used as seed money to kickstart the regional approach outlined by AB 1487 and the Momentum for Lasting Solutions report. And we will continue to evaluate the next viable opportunity to put a regional housing measure on the ballot. The bottom line is that the Bay Area has to deliver stable and affordable housing on a massive scale and with equitable outcomes  now more than ever."

San Francisco Assembly member David Chiu, who authored AB 1487, explained in 2020 that, "BAHFA is more than just a vehicle for voters to support affordable housing. It's also a vehicle for collectively addressing our housing crisis, embracing bold ideas, testing innovative approaches, strengthening the partnership between ABAG and MTC through shared decision-making, and fostering new funding partnerships with foundations and the private sector."

The complete Momentum for Lasting Solutions report can be accessed on the ABAG website at https://abag.ca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2021-02/Launching%20BAHFA-Regional%20Housing%20Portfolio_2-24-21_v6.pdf.

ABAG is the council of governments and the regional planning agency for the 101 cities and towns, and nine counties of the Bay Area. MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission; Association of Bay Area Governments

Related Links

http://www.mtc.ca.gov


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Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
The head of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Mark Machin, has stepped down after disclosing he recently traveled to the where he arranged to be vaccinated against Covid-19, the country's largest pension fund said on Friday.



said on Friday it had accepted Machin's resignation and appointed John Graham as chief executive officer.



Canada's Ministry of Finance on Thursday called a media report about Machin traveling to the Middle East and receiving a COVID-19 vaccination "very troubling".



Machin was not immediately available for comment.



Machin, 54, received Pfizer's vaccine shot after arriving in the UAE with his partner this month, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.



Machin joined in March 2012 and was appointed as its president and chief executive officer in 2016. He had a 20-year long career at Goldman Sachs Group Inc prior to joining



There is no specific ban on Canadians traveling abroad, but the federal and provincial governments have advised against overseas trips to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.



Canada trails behind many developed nations in its vaccination drive, with under 3% of the population inoculated so far. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has come under attack from opposition leaders and provincial premiers for the slow-burn roll out.



Some Canadian federal and provincial leaders have resigned in the past month after their overseas leisure trips sparked public outrage.



Incoming CEO Graham has been with CPPIB for 10 years. Prior to that he was with Xerox Innovation Group for over nine years.




CARLSBAD, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / OPTEC International, Inc. (OTC Pink: OPTI), a developer of UV and UV-C safety products using related advanced technologies specific to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), today announced the "Let's Get Cruising" Webinar targeting the safe return of the Cruise Ship Industry and hosted by Renowned Author Dr. Drew Pinsky and OPTEC CEO Roger Pawson.

Invitations are limited for the 10:00 am PST Webinar on Friday February 26th, 2021. Description: OPTEC International Invite Cruise industry senior executives and procurement specialists to attend an event about how groundbreaking UVC technology can keep your environment and your customers safe.

OPTEC will publish the entire recorded webinar on the company's website shortly after completion of the event.

Topics include how to assist the safe return of the Cruise Ship Industry using a suite of Pre-Emptive Pandemic products many of which are available for immediate supply by OPTEC International, to expedite the re-birth of the Globally disabled Cruise Ship Industry due to the serious ramifications of the Pandemic.

OPTEC CEO Roger Pawson commented" A key component in targeting the safe return of the Cruise Industry is the ability to provide the company's new 10-minute rapid test, helping ensure passenger confidence in the cruise lines intent to monitor safety daily or on-demand during the vacation cruise, along with constant non-intrusive thermal digital temperature scanning throughout the voyage using the OPTEC "SAFE-SCAN" temperature scanners".

Related Articles:

In 2019, the cruise industry's contribution to the U.S. economy was on the rise, according to a new economic report put out by Cruise Lines International Association, the leading industry organization. But in 2020, facing an estimated $32 billion loss, the industry will contribute less than half of what it did last year.

Article: "The impact of the pandemic and the subsequent suspension of cruise operations in the U.S. is having a devastating impact on the economy and on those who depend on cruise activity for their livelihoods, " Bari Golin-Blaugrund, vice president of strategic communications for CLIA, told USATODAY. Cruising contributed $55 billion to the American economy in 2019 up 5.3% from 2018, according to the CLIA report. But in 2020, cruising is suspended in U.S. waters through the end of the year thanks to the ongoing pandemic.

Source: Morgan Hines USA TODAY

The OPTEC "Let's Get Cruising" Webinar audience includes invitations to Cruise Line principals and the Hospitality Industry worldwide. The Q & A component is limited to questions specific to the Cruise Industry during this Live Webinar.

OPTEC will publish the entire recorded webinar on the company's website shortly after completion of the event.

Event Schedule: Date Time: Feb 26, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Topic: OPTEC UV-C Webinar | Targeting the Cruise Industry

IMPORTANT LINKS:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/11/impact-coronavirus-pandemic-cruise-ships/

https://cruising.org/en/cruise-industry-covid-19-facts-and-resources

About OPTEC International, Inc. With Locations in Carlsbad and Vista, California, OPTEC International is a developer and manufacturer of electronic LED, Ultraviolet (UV) & UV-C safety products and related advanced technologies and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) products. The company's Safe-Scan product line is being launched at a time when HR directors and facilities managers are experiencing extreme concern with respect to keeping environments safe during the global pandemic crisis and the safe reopening of the U.S. economy. For more information, visit: www.optecintl.com www.z2o.com

OPTEC International, Inc. investor relations at: www.optecintl.com/investor

Safe Harbor Statement: Safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Opti, OPTEC or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions, or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. OPTEC International Inc.

OPTEC International, Inc.

Investor Relations Contact:

Andrew Barwicki

516-662-9461 / Andrew@barwicki.com

SOURCE: Optec International, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632338/OPTEC-International-Lets-Get-Cruising-UV-C-Webinar-Targeting-The-Cruise-Industry-Co-Hosted-By-Renowned-Author-Dr-Drew-Pinsky
Violent attempt by a joint team of soldiers, Department of State Services, DSS and policemen to arrest popular Yoruba activist, Sunday Igb...

Violent attempt by a joint team of soldiers, Department of State Services, DSS and policemen to arrest popular Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho on Friday afternoon was foiled.

Igboho was said to be on his way to see Afenifere chieftain, Pa Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos when the joint team, numbering about 40 ambushed him and wanted to arrest him on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to a video obtained by NigerianEye, Igboho, who is topless, is seen with his men daring the security operatives to do their worst before they drive off.

His supporters reportedly resisted his arrest as commotion ensued between his supporters and the joint team which sought to arrest him by force.

Critic, Femi Fani-Kayode confirmed that the joint security team sought to violently arrest Igboho while on his way to Lagos to see Pa Adebanjo.

According to him, he just spoke with Igboho who confirmed that there was a violent attempt to arrest him by a joint team of soldiers, DSS and the police.

Fani-Kayode condemned the attempted arrest of Igboho, saying it would be very dangerous to do so, adding that if the security operatives wanted to see him, all they needed to do was to simply invite him and not to lay ambush for him.

In his words: I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives and policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos.





I condemn this attempt to ambush and abduct him. It is not only reckless but also very dangerous.

If the security agencies want to see him all they need to do is to invite him to their office. I am not aware of any crime that he has committed & I urge restraint on all sides, he said.

Igboho had in January issued seven days ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo over killings of Yorubas.

After the expiration of the ultimatum, he came back to Igangan and addressed thousands of supporters, leading to tension in the area.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had ordered his arrest for inciting the populace against the Fulani herdsmen.
Hyderabad, Feb 26 : In a bizarre incident, the police in Telangana's Jagtiyal district will produce a rooster in court which accidentally killed its owner.

The knife tied to the leg of the bird accidentally cut into the groin of Thanugulla Satish (45). The incident occurred at Lothunur village on February 22 when the man brought the rooster for an illegal cockfight but it tried to set itself free from his clutches.

Satish was injured when the 'kodi kathi', as the knife tied tied to a rooster's leg for cockfight is called, cut into his groin. The profusely bleeding man was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

As cockfight is banned the state, a group of people had secretly organised cockfight near the Yellamma temple in the village.

After the inquest, the police brought the rooster to the Gollapalli police station, where it was kept and looked after by the police personnel. They also arranged food for it.

Some news channels on Friday reported that the police have 'arrested' the rooster, showing visuals of the bird tied at the police station.

The police, however, denied that the rooster was arrested or under police custody.

Gollapalli SHO B. Jeevan clarified that the bird was neither arrested nor detained. He said the police took the responsibility of protecting the rooster and shifted it to a farm house.

"We will produce the rooster in court and follow the direction of the judge as to what to do next," the SHO told IANS.

Cockfights are common in parts of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh during Sankranti. Despite the ban imposed by the courts a few years ago, some people continue to oragnise cockfights during the festival. Some groups also illegally organise cockfights in parts of Telangana.

In such cockfights, specially-bred roosters are made to fight against each other with small knives or blades tied to their legs. Punters bet lakhs of rupees on the fights which often end with the death of one of the two birds, while a large number of people watch the bloody sport which they consider a part of their tradition.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

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Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
The battle over the federal minimum wage  long a deferred dream for Democrats  moved to the forefront on Thursday as lawmakers waited to see if inclusion of a $15-per-hour wage in President Bidens $1.9 trillion pandemic bill passes parliamentary muster.

Approval of the hike by the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, which would more than double the current $7.25 rate, would likely set off one of the biggest intraparty and interparty battles yet of Mr. Bidens young administration.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, during her weekly news conference at the Capitol on Thursday, suggested the increase would pass, despite opposition from two Senate Democrats and from the White Houses reluctance to overrule Ms. MacDonough if she strikes the provision from the bill.

We will pass the minimum wage, said Ms. Pelosi. We must pass the minimum wage.

Democrats argue that the federal standard, often lower than the more generous rates set in individual states (New York States base minimum wage is $12.50, rising to $15 an hour for some employees in New York City), is far below the subsistence level, regardless of the state, for any worker who needs to support a family or pay rent.
DIGITAL hugs and digital high fives are the order of the day now when it comes to our workshops.

Da Silly Heads is a new, forward thinking social enterprise with the promotion of mental health advocacy at its core. How is this done you might ask? Through advocacy apparel designed to spark conversation and express solidarity, as well as mental health focused workshops, our aim with Da Silly Heads is to build a movement of advocacy within Irish communities.

Although Da Silly Heads was set up as a business in October 2020, the groundwork and piloting was taking place from the summer of 2018. As friends we created the concept whilst completing our business degree at Cork Institute of Technology.

A key component of Da Silly Heads movement is our Stigma is Silly workshop. This highly engaging workshop is focused on what we call visual mental health advocacy.

Visually advocating for mental health really is about expressing what you stand for when it comes to mental health, but in a way that can be seen by others.

For Dan, it was this subtle, yet influential method of solidarity that was one of the key components in starting my own process of dealing with my silly heads.

The workshop was developed over several months by ourselves but with the help of a number of mental health professionals. The aim of the one hour workshop is to highlight the power of mental health advocacy as well as educating participants on topics such as mental health stigma and its impact, GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). The topics highlighted all centre around Dans story in dealing with these issues, and this allows the workshop to be delivered authentically.

While the workshop is designed to get people to feel more confident in advocating, it is a great chance to see our silly heads in action.

As Cork entrepreneurs we worked closely with fellow Cork man Kevin OSullivan, a 3D animator working out of London.

We needed to bring our silly heads to life, to make the separation between us as people and these labels. We came across Kevin through a mutual contact and he instantly bought into the concept. We enhance the separation between us and our silly heads by actually talking to them during the workshop, which takes a bit of coordination on our part but is being received really well.

Without giving too much away, we have had to adapt to virtually delivering our workshop for now, and have come up with creative ways in which to make participants feel they are as close to being in the same room as possible.

Initially, we saw the workshop being delivered onsite across organisations, institutions and schools but like every business weve had to change course. Normally, we may be throwing a pom pom or two into the audience giving away a Da Silly Bobble hat, or distributing jellies to people with correct answers. Now, we use digital hugs, digital high fives and free rounds of applause in a bid to keep this connection.

Its important to note that we see our visual mental health advocacy method as an addition to more traditional methods of advocating regarding mental health, and feel it will be an important tool within communities as we exit the current pandemic and Da Silly Heads have some amazing support in order to achieve this.

The Local Enterprise Office Cork have been absolutely amazing in their support for our cause and we are very grateful to be working with them for Enterprise Week. It sends out a strong message about Cork as a city, that we care about our people and their mental health, and are committed to pushing mental health stigma out of our communities.

Da Silly Heads will be taking part in Local Enterprise Week with LEO Cork City. This year the schedule is packed with events from Tips and Tools for Minding your Mental Health and Wellbeing during COVID-19 (with the HSE) to a session on selling online.

MORE ABOUT LOCAL ENTERPRISE WEEK

Local Enterprise Week 2021 will take place from Monday March 1 to Friday March 5. All of the events throughout the week are free of charge and will be moving online this year.

Throughout the week there will be panel discussions, networking sessions, Business Advice Clinics and workshops such as Funding the Digitalisation of SMEs (with Cork Smart Gateway).

Local Enterprise Week is a highly anticipated national event organised by Local Enterprise Offices around Ireland. As part of this, Local Enterprise Office, Cork City will be running its own series of free business related events for Cork city businesses and budding entrepreneurs.

The week is packed with informative online workshops, talks and conferences aimed at supporting owners and managers of small businesses in the city.

For further information on the list of the free events and activities taking place in Cork City during Local Enterprise Week visit www.localenterprise.ie/CorkCity.

For more detail on the Da Silly Heads story you can visit www.dasillyheads.com, Facebook page @Da Silly Heads or Instagram page @dasillyheads.
Cells rely on membranes to protect themselves from the outside world. But these membranes can't be fully closed because nutrients and other molecules have to be able to pass through. To achieve this, cell membranes have many types of channels and pores. Also, there are receptors, antennas if you like, imbedded in the membrane that continuously monitor the outside world and signal to the cell interior. Extensive collaboration between five VIB groups resulted in a better understanding of the machinery that plants use to regulate the protein composition of their outer membrane. This discovery, published in Science Advances, enhances our basic knowledge of how the plasma membrane composition can be adapted based on external stimuli, an essential process for life on earth.

The molecular architecture of TPLATE

Complex life has complex cells, also known as eukaryotic cells. Unlike bacteria, for example, the cells of complex life have many distinct internal compartments known as organelles. These organelles exchange material among themselves. To do so, the organelles have a few tricks. One of those tricks is vesicle trafficking. This means that they use a part of their own membrane as a bag for the goods to be exchanged.

A recent discovery showed that plants heavily rely on a protein complex named the TPLATE complex to do so. This complex is not only present in plants, but also in a wide range of other eukaryotes, which suggests it is evolutionary very old and part of a protein complex family of which all other members are intensively studied. However, because this particular complex is not present in the most-studied model organisms (animals and yeasts), its existence and function remained under the radar for a very long time.

In this study, VIB teams (the groups of Bert De Rybel, Geert De Jaeger, and Daniel Van Damme from the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Remy Loris from the VIB-VIB Center for Structural Biology, and Savvas Savvides from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) reveal TPLATE's molecular architecture for the very first time. They achieved this by crosslinking mass spectrometry and computer simulations. These new insights revealed the orientation of this complex towards the membrane as well as the delicate relationship between the different domains of its subunits.

These findings are important to increase our knowledge of crucial eukaryotic processes. Indeed, the structure of this complex now allows us to compare it with known structures of its close relatives that are present in all eukaryotes including animals and yeasts and this allows us to visualize the evolution of these trafficking complexes.

Collaborating for success

To obtain both structural and functional insight into this enigmatic complex an integrative, collaborative approach was needed. Five VIB research groups and one group from the Czech Republic contributed within their specific expertise to perform experiments ranging from lipid-binding studies to structural biology approaches.

The novel structural insight was mostly generated based on crosslinking mass spectrometry, performed with the help of the VIB Proteomics core facility.

'A major benefit of working at VIB is that it greatly encourages and facilitates access to knowledge and expertise that allows research groups to successfully embark on joint projects that lie far beyond their comfort zone.' - Prof. Daniel Van Damme

This study will form the foundation of further scientific work and will open doors for the generation of novel and safer herbicides or modulation of stress responses in plants.

###

Publication

Klaas Yperman*, Jie Wang*, Dominique Eeckhout, Joanna Winkler, Lam Dai Vu, Michael Vandorpe, Peter Grones, Evelien Mylle, Michael Kraus, Romain Merceron, Jonah Nolf, Eliana Mor, Pieter De Bruyn, Remy Loris, Martin Potocky, Savvas N. Savvides, Bert De Rybel, Geert De Jaeger, Daniel Van Damme and Roman Pleskot (2021). Molecular architecture of the endocytic TPLATE complex. Science Advances. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe7999.

Financing

The study is financed by the T-REX ERC Consolidator grant (682436) and by the National Science Foundation Flanders (FWO; G009415N). Jie Wang was supported by a China Scholarship Council (grant no. 201508440249 to J.W.) and by Ghent University BOF CSC co-funding (grant no. ST01511051). Peter Grones by an FWO grant (3E004619) and Martin Potocky by a Czech science foundation grant (GA19-21758S).
Ryan Jarvi 517-599-2746 Attorney General

February 26, 2021

"The crimes this defendant has now pled guilty to are extremely disturbing," Nessel said. "Children must never be taken advantage of, and this office will take aggressive action to ensure the laws that protect them are enforced and those individuals who exploit minors or support that immoral behavior are punished."

A tip provided to authorities led to the execution of a search warrant, which allowed police to discover more than 100 images and video of child sexually abusive material on Wernette's computers and cell phone. It also led authorities to the discovery of drugs that were illegally in Wernette's possession.
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.
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By the time police arrived at his home in Santa Cruz, Scott Nevin had escaped to his vacation property in Lake Tahoe.

Nevin, 55, was out on bail for 50 felony charges  but had a slew of arrest warrants to his name, including felony threats to civilians, domestic violence, witness intimidation and threats to kill law enforcement.
Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or contributing today.
Infowars boss Alex Jones buzzed his ex-wife's house with a helicopter after being told by a judge to stay away from her home, DailyMail.com can reveal.

The conspiracy theorist, 47, was filmed flying the chopper over former wife Kelly's home in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday.

In the video, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, the couple's 12-year-old daughter is briefly seen waving before rushing over to her mother and screaming: 'It's scary Mom. It's scary!'

Kelly, meanwhile, is heard saying: 'Oh my gosh! You've got to be kidding me. So close and he's circling our house. I can't I mean'

Jones filmed a video of his flight, in which he can be heard laughing, pointing to Kelly standing outside the property and telling the pilot he had done a good job.

He also commented on the view, telling the pilot: 'It's pretty down there, isn't it? Look how pretty that creek is.'

Alex Jones and his ex-wife Kelly have been battling it out over custody of their three children since 2015 when they split following a 13-year marriage

Alex flew a helicopter over Kelly's home in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday after a judge ordered him to stay away

Kelly recorded the ordeal from down below and is heard saying:' Oh my gosh! You've got to be kidding me. So close and he's circling our house'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Jones for comment.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com about the incident, Kelly said: 'I never wanted to go public and I regret that I have to do this.

'But the helicopter is outrageous. A grown man flying a chopper over a house after his child has told him she loves him but isn't ready to see him  why can't the court see this is not ok?

Speaking to DailyMail.com about the incident, Kelly (pictured with her three kids) said: 'I never wanted to go public and I regret that I have to do this. The helicopter is outrageous'

'It's as clear as that big chopper in the sky.'

Kelly, 51, and Jones have been battling it out over custody of their three children since 2015 when they split following a 13-year marriage.

Their oldest child, Rex, is now 19 but their two daughters, aged 16 and 12, are subject to a shared custody order.

Both girls lived with Jones and his new wife Erika until last August when Kelly got custody of their youngest child.

Court-imposed rules include Jones not being present during handovers, staying away from Kelly's home and only communicating via a court-supervised app  although Kelly claims he has violated all three.

The mom-of-three had previously applied for an emergency custody order after Jones was caught driving while intoxicated in March 2020.

He claimed he was not 'legally drunk', had consumed a 'small amount of sake rice wine' at a Japanese restaurant and was 'caught in a Travis County dragnet'.

But a police affidavit said he had actually consumed a bottle of sake, was 'glassy eyed' and had become involved in an altercation with Erika who had earlier called the cops to report a 'family disturbance' at their home.

On that occasion, Jones was merely ordered not to drink around his kids but the youngest has since moved in with Kelly after the Infowars host agreed she should be allowed to choose which parent to live with.

Kelly says her youngest child has a complicated relationship with her father, telling DailyMail.com that she loves him but finds him challenging.

Her mother says she has complained about him sending her news articles that claim Covid-19 is a hoax as well as antivaxx propaganda  the child has asked to be given a vaccine once they are available for her age group.

Jones has been making outlandish claims about the pandemic since it took hold and was banned last April from hawking bogus Covid cures, most based on colloidal silver.

Jones filmed a video of his flight and can be heard laughing, pointing to Kelly standing outside the property and telling the pilot he had done a good job

'It's pretty down there, isn't it? Look how pretty that creek is,' Jones can be heard saying

The pilot can be seen flying the helicopter over Kelly's Texas home while Jones is heard laughing and enjoying the ordeal

The FDA has said colloidal silver has no known health benefits but can cause some serious side-effects, including argyria  a condition that turns the skin silver-blue permanently.

Since being forced to accept that Covid-19 is real, Jones has gone on to be a dedicated anti-masker, regularly appearing maskless at rallies and crediting his homemade supplements with his avoidance of the illness so far.

When Donald Trump fell ill with Covid-19 in October, Jones claimed the treatments being used at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC were meant to kill him, adding in a rant on his Infowars show:

'President Trump is being given very dangerous experimental drugs that no one has ever been given together

'President Trump is in grave danger. Evidence is mounting he's being deliberately killed at Walter Reed Military Hospital.'

The conspiracy theorist has also been openly dismissive of the US vaccine program, subscribing to the theory that the jabs are part of a Bill Gates sponsored plot to give the population HIV.

Speaking on the Howard Stern Show on December 17, he ranted: 'This is normalized mass extermination, a bio attack on humanity  before the day of our Lord's birth in the name of the satanic pedophile globalist new world order.

'They want forced inoculation of the Gates vaccination which has the HIV delivery system gene coding  it has HIV in it!'

Kelly told DailyMail.com that her daughter wants to have the Covid-19 inoculation and will be given her shot as soon as it is available.

She says Jones' chopper-flying antics are just the latest in a series of incidents, among them showing up at handovers after being banned and keeping his 12-year-old away from his four-year-old daughter with Erika.

Kelly says she is also concerned by his blase attitude to Covid and says her daughter is frightened of catching the virus from Jones and his friends.

She said: 'The court has done nothing about Alex going without a mask and being surrounded by large crowds of unmasked people during a global pandemic.

'My child doesn't want to risk being exposed to Covid. Why should she be endangered by his choices?'

Kelly says she has been worried further after the FBI announced they are investigating Jones over his role in the January 6 Capitol Hill riot. Jones is seen at the riot

'A grown man flying a chopper over a house after his child has told him she loves him but isn't ready to see him  why can't the court see this is not ok?' Kelly said. Their oldest child, Rex, is now 19 but their two daughters, aged 16 and 12, are subject to a shared custody order

Kelly says she has been worried further after the FBI announced they are investigating Jones over his role in the January 6 Capitol Hill riot.

Jones is thought to have helped facilitate donations to fund the event which ended in the crowd barging into the Senate chamber. Six people, including two cops, died as a result.

His attorney Norm Pattis later told CNN that Jones had been there but 'deplored the violence that took place.'

He said: 'Like many Americans, Mr. Jones peacefully assembled to register his concerns about the 2020 election

'He deplores the violence that took place.'

Jones and Kelly are scheduled to have another court hearing early next week. Jones is asking the court to cancel his child maintenance payments and to have Kelly cover his legal fees.

She says she cannot afford to pay the fees and is entitled to the support payments. She also claims Jones has limited contact with his daughter and failed to speak to her on Christmas day or buy her a present.

Thailand on Thursday voiced its support for "peace and stability" in Myanmar after hosting talks between officials from the country and neighbouring Indonesia. The military seized power in Myanmar on February 1, detaining leader Aung San Suu Kyi, after it said last November's election was marked by widespread voting irregularities, an assertion that was refuted by the state election commission.

Demonstrators have since taken to the streets in their thousands demanding the military release Suu Kyi and for the elected government to be restored. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Wednesday visited the Thai capital, Bangkok, and held three-way discussions with her Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai and Myanmars new foreign minister, retired army colonel Wunna Maung Lwin, who also travelled to Thailand. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said the talks were "brief and informal" .

"Thailand reiterated its firm support for the continued peace and stability in Myanmar and its hope to see a peaceful resolution of the ongoing situation in Myanmar for the benefit of the Myanmar people," Sangrat said. Sangrat offered no details of the discussion but said the three discussed holding an informal meeting among ASEAN foreign ministers in August.

(Image Credit: AP)

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
SALEM, Ore.  With the last group of Oregon seniors set to become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine on Monday, state officials are looking ahead to the next groups prioritized to receive the vaccine.

Up until early Friday, the state's still-evolving vaccine plan did not detail groups beyond the eligibility of seniors 65 and older, effective March 1. A representative for Governor Kate Brown's office released preliminary details on the next steps ahead of a virtual press conference planned for 11 a.m. on Friday.

The next phases were developed with recommendations from the state's Vaccine Advisory Committee, "with the goal of ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines to those communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, and Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Tribal communities," Brown's office said.

The VAC recommended that Oregon prioritize people with underlying conditions and frontline workers.

"Until March 29, Oregon will continue to vaccinate individuals only Oregon seniors, educators, adults in custody as required by a recent Oregon court decision, and any individuals eligible in Phase 1a still remaining," said Liz Merah, press secretary for Governor Brown.

The vaccination of Oregonians for the continuation of Phase 1b is set to proceed in two waves.

Beginning March 29, the following groups of Oregonians will be eligible for vaccination:

Adults age 45 to 64 with underlying health conditions as defined by the CDC

Seasonally-impacted frontline workers, such as migrant seasonal farm workers, seafood and agricultural workers, and food processing workers

Currently displaced victims of the September 2020 wildfires

Wildland firefighters

People living in low-income and congregate senior housing

Individuals experiencing houselessness

No later than May 1, the following groups of Oregonians will be eligible:

All other frontline workers as defined by the CDC

Individuals age 16-45 with underlying health conditions

Multigenerational household members

No later than June 1, Phase 2 of vaccination will begin with all adults aged 45 to 64. And, no later than July 1, all Oregonians 16 and over will be eligible to receive a vaccine.

"By summer, provided supplies from the federal government continue as planned, any Oregonian who wants the vaccine will be eligible to receive it," said Governor Brown. "And while that gives us all a reason to breathe a sigh of relief, it should also serve as a reminder that the finish line is in sight, and we cannot let up.

"New variants of this virus still threaten our communities. While infection rates continue to plummet here in Oregon and across the country, were not out of the woods just yet. We must continue to make smart choices around the safety measures we know work: keep wearing your masks, physical distancing and limiting social gatherings."

This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they emerge.
By Benjamin Jumbe

Business Owners in Uganda have been challenged to take advantage of the new E-postal address to register them.

This has been made by the Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau Mercy Kainobwisho at the launch of the E-postal services in Kampala this morning.

She said having a postal address is a legal requirement for any one seeking to register a company and has been a challenge to many people seeking to formalize their businesses.

She however says this new e postal service will simplify acquisition of these addresses and the registration of business noting that there should not be any excuse for noncompliance.
The Chicago Bears have re-signed Ryan Nall, according to a report.

#Bears to re-sign exclusive rights FA RB Ryan Nall, per agent @SamLeaf  Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) February 25, 2021

The Bears running back and former Oregon State star signed for his third year with the team. Nall, 25, would have become an exclusive rights free agent at the official beginning of the 2021 season next month.

Nall appeared in all 16 games in 2020, after playing sparingly in 2019. While Nall was on the field for just 68 snaps on offense, and he finished the year with eight receptions for 67 yards in 2020. Nall has become a valuable special teams player and was on the field for a career-high 294 snaps on special teams.

Nall will face tough competition for more playing time at running back. The Bears have starter David Montgomery and change-of-pace backup Tarik Cohen. Artavis Pierce, another former Beaver, saw action as a rookie in five games during the 2020 season.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler attends a press conference at Health Canada headquarters in Ottawa on Monday, July 24, 2017. First Nations leaders in the Thunder Bay, Ont., area are calling on all levels of government to take action on the worrying spread of COVID-19 in northwestern Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

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Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Conte and Raul turn down Real Madrid's offer

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

David Loria: Several football clubs interested in Tigran Barseghyan's services

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Turning off one protein may help prevent heart failure, research claims

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

PSG refer to Pochettino's possible resignation

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

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Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Experts are testing experimental drug for lupus

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Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

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Zidane speaks on reasons for leaving Real Madrid

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Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

Dangerous carcinogen found in 78 sunscreens

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

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President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Feb. 26, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Kaine Demands Briefing on Why Biden Authorized Syrian Airstrikes

Several Democrats on Friday said they want information on why the Biden administration launched airstrikes in Syria.

The American people deserve to hear the Administrations rationale for these strikes and its legal justification for acting without coming to Congress. Offensive military action without congressional approval is not constitutional absent extraordinary circumstances. Congress must be fully briefed on this matter expeditiously, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, said in a statement.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he looked forward to receiving more specific information about yesterdays airstrike in Syria.

I will be looking to the text of the War Powers Resolution as I evaluate the appropriate role for Congress in addressing both attacks against U.S. forces by Iranian-backed militias and Americas response, he added.

The War Powers Resolution states that the president shall in every possible instance consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement is clearly indicated by the circumstances.

The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 9, 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

In the absence of a declaration of war by Congress, or other limited exceptions, the use of the U.S. military shall be reported within 48 hours by the president to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate, together with a full account of the circumstances under which such hostilities were initiated, the estimated scope and duration of such hostilities, and the constitutional and legislative authority under which the introduction of hostilities took place, the resolution also states.

The Senate tried to curb former President Donald Trumps ability to take military action against Iran last year, but failed to override a veto.

Biden on Thursday authorized airstrikes against sites in eastern Syria the Pentagon said are linked to Iranian-backed militant groups.

A Pentagon spokesman said the strikes were in retaliation for recent attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq.

Theres not much more that Ill be able to add at this point other than the fact that were confident in the target we went after, we know what we hit, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said. Were confident that the target was being used by the same Shia militia that conducted the strikes.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon in Washington on Feb. 19, 2021. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Lawmakers were divided on the strikes, with some questioning them and others saying they were lawful.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said Bidens attack was a reckless abuse of his presidential powers, adding: We should be ENDING wars, not starting them.

I condemn meddling in Syrias civil war. I also condemn attacking a sovereign nation without authority, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said, sharing an old tweet from White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), though, said he appreciated the strikes. It is imperative that our enemies know that attacking Americans comes at a cost, he wrote in a statement.

POTUS authorized an airstrike on Iran-backed militia in Syria in response to attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq I support POTUSs decision to deter Iranian aggression & defend our troops, allies & interests, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) added in a tweet.
AUSTIN, Minn.  A man charged with seven felonies in a violent attack is taking a plea deal.

Alberto Gonzalez Garcia, 33 of Austin, was arrested in August 2020 for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife. Court documents state Garcia damaged his estranged wifes vehicle, broke into her garage, and entered her home through a window. Investigators say Garcia punched his pregnant victim in the stomach, tried to strangle her, then pulled out a black knife and threatened to cut off her face.

Garcia was charged with three counts of 1st degree burglary, 2nd degree assault, two counts of domestic assault, and terroristic threats. He pleaded guilty Friday to one count of domestic assault by strangulation. Garcias sentencing is scheduled for June 24.
A federal judge has dismissed a discrimination lawsuit by a transgender fire chief who led a rural Georgia citys fire department for more than a decade, then got fired 18 months after first coming to work as a woman.

U.S. District Court Judge Tilman E. Self III didnt rule on the merits of Rachel Mosbys discrimination claims. Instead, the judge decided Mosby had no legal standing to sue because of a technical flaw with the initial complaint she filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Mosbys attorney, Kenneth Barton, said in a court filing Feb. 2 that he planned to appeal the judges dismissal.

City officials in Byron fired Mosby in June 2019, citing poor job performance. She filed suit last April, saying her termination was instead based on her sex, gender identity, and notions of sex stereotyping.

Mosby, who had led Byrons fire department since 2008, said being fired not only cost her wages and financial benefits, but also tarnished her reputation.

Mayor Michael Chidester and other Byron city officials denied Mosby was fired because of her transition.

The judge dismissed the case without wading into that issue. Instead, he focused on problems with the 2019 complaint Mosby filed with the EEOC  a required step before someone can sue an employer for discrimination.

Tilman found Mosbys initial complaint to the EEOC on June 28, 2019, failed to include a written sworn statement or notarized affirmation as the agency requires. Though Mosbys attorney tried to amend the complaint to include the missing document last July, the judge ruled that was too late because the EEOC had already closed Mosbys case and she had filed suit.

Tilmans ruling Jan. 28 also threw out Mosbys claims that Byron officials had denied her due process and defamed her character.

In a landmark decision last June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits sex discrimination applies to bias against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Georgia
The warships of China and Singapore sail in formation during the joint naval drill on February 24. (Photo by Liang Lihu)

By XueFei and Liang Lihu

SINGAPORE, Feb. 26 -- The 36th Chinese naval escort taskforce held a joint naval drill with the Singapore navy in waters near Singapore on February 24. The joint drill lasted about eight hours and was successfully completed at 7 p.m. on the same day.

The Chinese side sent the guided-missile destroyer Guiyang (Hull 119) and the guided-missile frigate Zaozhuang (Hull 542), and the Singaporean side sent frigates RSS Intrepid and RSS Sovereignty to participate in the drill. The drill mainly involves such subjects as communication exercise, formation movement and joint search and rescue.

According to Lyu Dongfang, the commander of the 36th Chinese naval escort taskforce, the drill has strengthened the professional exchanges between the two navies, boosted mutual trust and enhanced friendship.

Before the joint drill, the 36th Chinese naval escort taskforce has completed 38 escort missions on 52 Chinese and foreign ships and participated in the multinational exercise AMAN-21 in waters near Karachi, Pakistan in mid-February.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Bachelor's Degrees and Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 19,205 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 19,205 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Bachelor's Degrees and Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-bachelors-degrees-and-programs/

2021 Bachelor's Degrees and Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

American Public University System

Arizona State University

Ball State University

Bellevue University

Bemidji State University

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Campbellsville University

Charleston Southern University

City University of Seattle

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Colorado State University

Colorado State University, Global Campus

Cornerstone University

Duquesne University

Franklin Pierce University

George Washington University

Georgia Southern University

Illinois State University

Lamar University

New England College of Business

North Greenville University

Northern Arizona University

Ohio State University

Pace University

Portland State University

Saint Joseph's College, New York

State University of New York, Buffalo

Texas Tech University

Trinity University

University Of Alabama, Birmingham

University of Arizona

University of Florida

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of La Verne

University Of Maine, Augusta

University of Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts, Lowell

University of Michigan

University Of Nebraska, Omaha

UNC Greensboro

University Of North Carolina, Wilmington

University of North Florida

University of Northern Colorado

University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

University of Oklahoma

University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

University of Wisconsin Green Bay

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

University of Wyoming

West Texas A&M University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

Chinese regime's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is anchored in the northern port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Feb. 27, 2013. (Wu Dengfeng/file/Xinhua via AP)

War to Unify Taiwan in One Year? China May Not Be Ready: China Experts

An expert said mainland Chinese military leaders told her that they would be ready to unify Taiwan by force in one year, while another China expert told The Epoch Times that Chinese leader Xi Jinping would be too busy maintaining his position as party boss over the next 20 months.

Oriana Skylar Mastro, center fellow at Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, told the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (pdf) on Feb. 18, China can afford to wait until later in Xis tenure to make its move [of unification of Taiwan]. Xis current term will end in November 2022.

U.S.-based China affairs expert Tang Jingyuan told The Epoch Times on Feb. 25: I dont think Xi Jinping will unify Taiwan by force before he can make sure that he will take another term as [Chinese Communist Party (CCP)] boss. Currently, Xi is struggling with other factions within the CCP. Its too risky for him to take any aggressive action.

New York-based expert Tang Hao shared a similar view. He said that with support from the United States and its allies in the region, such as Japan and Australia, the Chinese regime wont dare to [start] a war in the Taiwan Strait and even the South China Sea in the near future.

The Chinese missile frigate the Yancheng in Qingdao, China, prior to a deployment to the Gulf of Aden, on November 30, 2013. The Chinese regime will now station several warships in the Gulf of Aden. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Smell the Gunpowder

Chinas Eastern Theater Command announced that it conducted military drills in disputed waters close to Taiwan in the South China Sea on Feb. 25, and a large number of warplanes joined the drills.

The Taiwan Defense Ministry said five days ago that 11 Chinese warplanes entered its airspace on the night of Feb. 20, which was the largest scale incursion in February. The ministry said the warplanes included two J-10 fighters, two J-16 fighters, four JH-7 fighter-bombers, two H-6 bombers, and one Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft.

On Jan. 24, or the fourth day after the inauguration of President Joe Biden, 15 Chinese warplanes entered Taiwan airspace, which was the largest-scale incursion in 2021. The day before, 13 Chinese warplanes entered Taiwans airspace.

Chinese J-10 fighter jets fly on display over the Yangcun Air Force base of the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force in Tianjin on April 13, 2010. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

Taiwan is a self-ruled island that is located in the southeast of China. The 110-mile-wide 230-mile-long body of water separating the island and continental Asia is the Taiwan Strait, which connects the South China Sea and the East China Sea. The narrowest part of the strait is about 81 miles.

The Chinese regime claims the island as its own, despite the fact that Taiwan is a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution.

Since 1949, China and Taiwan have had independent forms of government, and the two sides fought several times in the 1950s and 1960s. Since that time, while there hasnt been an armed confrontation across the strait, the situation hasnt eased either. Instead, it has deteriorated in recent months.

On Jan. 11, 2020, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen won against the pro-Beijing KMT candidate Han Kuo-yu and was re-elected president. The Beijing regime then launched more military exercises in the seas close to Taiwan and dispatched warplanes to Taiwans airspace.

In December 2020, the mainland Chinese authorities sent the countrys newest carrier, the Shandong, through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, accompanied by four warships to demonstrate its threatening posture towards Taiwan.

Warships and fighter jets of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) take part in a military display in the South China Sea on April 12, 2018. (Reuters)

A War?

The question of when China will launch a war to unify Taiwan isnt new, but became a hot topic after Bidens inauguration and the development of U.S. policy to Taiwan became unclear.

On Feb. 18, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission had the hearing on Deterring PRC (Communist China) Aggression Toward Taiwan online. Mastro said, Cross-strait deterrence is arguably weaker today than at any point since the Korean War. Impressive Chinese military modernization, U.S. failure to build robust coalitions to counter Chinese regional aggression, and Xi Jinpings personal ambition, all coalesce to create a situation in which Chinese leaders may see some aggregate benefit to using force.

She then cited Chinese officials public comments and information she received from China, and said, Specifically, I believe Xi Jinping will use force to compel Taiwan to unite with the mainland once he is confident in the Chinese militarys ability to succeed in relevant joint operations, like an amphibious attack.

Tang Jingyuan concurred about the Chinese army preparing for a possible war to unify Taiwan, but disagreed about the timing.

Xi Jinping uses the term unification rather than occupation in Taiwan, said Tang. Unification includes control of the island and rule of the island. Its a systematic action, and cant be solved by a war.

Chinese J-20 stealth fighters perform at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, south Chinas Guangdong province on Nov. 6, 2018. (Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images)

Tang said he believed Beijing wouldnt launch a war in the Taiwan Strait in the next two years for two reasons.

Currently, Chinese leader Xi Jinpings first priority is to protect his position. Although he eliminated the leaders term limitation by amending the Chinese constitution in 2018, he is facing a challenge to his capability to rule the country from former leaders Jiang Zemin faction and Hu Jintao faction, he said, adding, Xi doesnt have enough energy before he ensures he can take another term at CCPs 20th national congress in October 2022.

The second reason is that the United States, Japan, Australia, India, and other U.S. allies will support Taiwan, if China initiates the conflict he said. The Chinese military isnt ready to face a war with all these countries.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : Marking the completion of three months of farmers' protest against the three Central farms laws on the borders of Delhi, hundreds of Kisan Congress activists on Friday staged a protest outside Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar's residence here demanding that the three farm laws be repealed.

Scores of Kisan Congress activists led by its Vice Chairman Surendra Solanki assembled outside the residence of Tomar in central Delhi's Krishna Menon Marg, banging utensils. The Kisan Congress workers also carried placards demanding the repealing of the three farm laws.

Addressing the Kisan Congress workers, Solanki said, "The government has been sleeping for the last three months despite the fact that the thousands of farmers from several states are camping on the borders of the national capital." "Since day one of the farmers' protest, we have been camping with the farmers at the borders. Ever since the three black farm laws were discussed, the Kisan Congress has stood with the farmers and staged protest against the three farm laws," he said.

Solanki added that till date, more than 200 farmers have died while protesting across the country, but the government is yet to listen to the plight of the farmers.

"Till the time the government doesn't repeal the three farm laws, Kisan Congress will stand in solidarity with the farmers on the borders of the national capital," he added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police detained several Kisan Congress workers from the protest site before releasing them hours later.
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Harding High School Music Teacher Sheena Graham expects a lot to be different when all of her students come back full-time as the COVID pandemic wanes.

Harding and other schools in Bridgeport are going to need more staff to help teachers get students caught up  as well as school counselors, she said.

Its having all the social-emotional skills, and having additional people in that area, because coming back is going to be challenging, depending on how your family has suffered through the pandemic, she said. We may need more counselors on hand to deal with all of the needs, even for the adults.

School districts across the state, especially those in Connecticuts cities, expect they will need huge increases in staffing to get students caught up after the COVID pandemic broadly interrupted learning. Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed sending schools more than $440 million in federal aid  but, at the same time, pausing promised increases in state aid.

Even though the federal funding is a bigger increase than districts would have seen if state aid had been increased, many districts say the plan will leave them short. Their needs, they say, far exceed what the federal money can provide  and after two years, when the federal funds dry up, theyll be back to where they started, underfunded and struggling to give students the support they need.

For example, Bridgeport is receiving $40.5 million in federal funds to spend over the next two years, but Superintendent Michael Testani said that with the masses of kids that could potentially take advantage of learning loss recovery and summer programs, that is not going to be enough. The district could go through the money quickly this summer and the next.

We obviously cant add additional employees, because we know in two years that moneys going to dry up, and those people and those services would be gone, Testani said.

It would be nice to be able to have a little flexibility, possibly to either stretch the money out or to know that when this money is gone, that new money would be coming in.

Lamonts budget proposal pauses the states school-funding formula by skipping the $117 million increase in state aid that was scheduled over the next two fiscal years. Stalling the increases in the ECS grants will help Lamont close the states deficit, which tops $2 billion over the next two fiscal years. The proposal does nothing to satisfy the growing chorus of those who want the state to fully fund seven years worth of Education Cost Sharing grant increases by fiscal year 2022, or those who just wanted the state to increase annual funding.

Instead of increasing state aid, Lamont is relying on the $443.2 million the state was required to funnel directly to districts to meet their needs. Districts were told on Feb. 1 how much they will receive over the next two school years.

The state Department of Education released guidance and priorities for how federal relief funding should be used, which includes paying for staff development and protective equipment to keep schools safe during the pandemic as well as to provide extended days, more tutoring and summer school for those who have fallen behind during the pandemic.

Gov. Lamonts proposed budget leverages over $440 million in federal funding that is available to school districts across Connecticut including the states Alliance and Urban districts, the governors spokesperson Max Reiss said in an email. These funds can and should be used for school leaders to provide the resources necessary to address the needs of the districts and focus on learning loss and recovery as well as continued safe reopening. Districts were also held harmless from ECS reductions, protecting them from the impact of COVID related enrollment fluctuations.

But for a district like Bridgeport, schools have struggled for years with the ever-increasing cost of operation. The district has shed 24 school counseling staff and social workers since the 2010-2011 school year.

Bridgeport spends just $15,000 per student, compared to $19,000 spent per student in neighboring Fairfield.

Bridgeport has been the most underfunded when you look at it, compared to New Haven and Hartford and Waterbury, Testani said. So weve lost a lot of critical services to kids over the last decade, and I think it just makes it much more challenging. People are taking on more and more and more.

If districts received the full increases in Education Cost Sharing funds now, Bridgeport would have received an additional $15 million on top of $20.28 million in federal relief heading to the district this year.

He would hire kindergarten paraprofessionals to help with early education experiences. He would hire more social workers and school counselors to help relieve the high caseloads. And he would hire people for the districts department of instruction to get help on curriculum and professional development.

Some of these positions and services were in place but lost due to a lack of funding even before COVID shut schools down, but the pandemic has since shed a light on how critical these services are to the city, Testani said.

The situation here in Bridgeport prior to the pandemic was not ideal, Testani said. Coming out of the pandemic, its even more amplified, to the point where we need to hit the ground running immediately to be able to provide students with support and services. And we need funds to be able to sustain that  not just for a year or two, but long term.

Other districts see the same problems

Other district leaders have expressed the same concerns as Testani, saying the federal relief funding is not enough for them to address the needs exacerbated by the pandemic.

In New Haven, the districts chief financial officer told board members on Monday that the governors proposal to freeze the ECS funding will have a devastating impact on the district, according to the New Haven Independent.

Hartford Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez explained that if the school year, or school days, are extended to help address learning loss, it could cost more money than the district is getting.

Im not saying that thats going to be the approach, but I have to start somewhere, so that we can know what exactly are we looking at from a resource perspective, because of sustainability, she said, adding that teachers have told her that they need additional time to support students.

We know that this is not a one-year, one-shot recovery and rebuilding effort. This is a multi-year approach, and thats just as it relates to the instructional support.

Superintendents warn of disruptions

A letter penned to Lamont Monday, signed by superintendents from the states urban and Alliance Districts, called for him to reevaluate his budget proposal so that additional state aid will head to districts and warned about significant disruptions to their budgets.

The proposal to use one-time federal ESSER II dollars to address a state funding obligation creates a future onerous structural deficit for state and local budgets, superintendents said in the letter. By pausing the ECS increase formula and supplanting this phase in approach with funds not intended for general budget activities, Connecticut adopts a financial strategy that will create large scale disruptions for fiscal year 2024.

That disruption, the letter said, could result in over a $109 million loss for districts.

They also said having districts depend on the one-time federal funding while also pausing increases to the ECS, which includes Alliance Grant funds, will restrict the ability to address these needs and funnels one-time federal monies away from their intended use.

But Lamonts spokesperson said the governor believes funding from Congress that would go to municipalities could help with any additional needs school districts may continue to have.

The governor remains optimistic that Congress will provide the estimated $1.6 billion to Connecticuts local municipalities, which will support our towns and cities in revenue replacement, COVID response and supporting additional resources needed for our schools, Reiss said. The governors budget mitigates the need for broad-based tax increases, relying on federal aid and partial use of the states Budget Reserve Fund while the states economy and revenues continue to recover. As the budget process continues, the administration will continue to engage with local stakeholders, those who work with students, and the General Assembly on a sustainable path forward.
The Pentagon building is seen in Washington in a file photograph. (AFP via Getty Images)

US Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes on Iran-Backed Militias in Syria

The airstrikes mark the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration

The United States on Thursday launched airstrikes in eastern Syria, targeting sites connected to Shia militias groups backed by the Iranian regime believed to be involved in recent attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq.

The retaliatory strikes marked President Joe Bidens first overt use of military force.

These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

A rocket attack on an airport near the city of Erbil on Feb. 15 in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region killed a civilian contractor with the American-led military coalition, and injured six others, including four American contractors and a U.S. service member.

Biden administration officials condemned that attack, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack.

Earlier, on Jan. 8, the United States treated 11 of its troops for symptoms of concussion after an Iranian missile attack that hit Al Asad airbase in Iraq where U.S. forces were stationed. It appeared to be action by Iran in response to the Jan. 3 killing of Irans top military general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad last year, via a U.S. drone strike that was ordered by former President Donald Trump. Soleimani had approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier that week, and was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, according to the U.S. State Department.

Kirby said that the U.S. strikes on Thursday destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed Khomeinist militia groups, including the Kaitib Hezbollah and Kaitib Sayyid al-Shuhada. Members of Kaitib Hezbollah were among those who attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad last year.

Read More US Launches Retaliatory Strike on Iran-Backed Group After Deadly Attack

President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq, Kirby added.

It wasnt immediately clear if the U.S. strikes caused any casualties. No further details were immediately available.

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters late Thursday.

Were confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes, he added, referring to the Feb. 15 attack.

Austin noted that he recommended Biden authorize the airstrike.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Austin said. We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

The Biden administration had been deliberate in its approach, Austin said.

We allowed and encouraged the Iraqis to investigate and develop intelligence, and it was very helpful to us in refining the target, he added.

Biden authorized the airstrikes one day after speaking with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. They discussed the recent rocket attacks against Iraqi and coalition personnel and agreed that those responsible for such attacks must be held fully to account, according to a statement from the White House.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Market Highlights

According to MRFR analysis, Aortic Valve Market is expected to register a CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period of 2019 to 2025 and held a value of USD 6,454.91 Million in 2018.

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An aortic valve is surgically implanted in the heart to replace a valve that has damaged due to heart valve diseases such as stenosis, regurgitation, and atresia. The replacement of damaged valves with prosthetic heart valves reduces the morbidity and mortality associated with aortic valve disorders.

The growth of the global aortic valve market is boosted by various factors such as the rising geriatric population, surge in prevalence of cardiac disorders, in conjunction with the introduction of innovative products in the market. According to the Heart Valve Voice, approximately 1.5 million people over the age of 65 years are currently affected by heart valve disease in the UK, and the number is expected to increase up to 19 million by 2050. Moreover, increasing product approvals are likely to provide favorable conditions for the growth of the market. For instance, in June 2017, the US FDA granted market clearance for aortic and mitral valve-in-valve procedures using the Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 transcatheter heart valve (THV).

However, product recalls due to safety reasons and changing regulatory landscapes are likely to hamper the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Several market players currently dominate the global aortic valve market. The key players are engaged in product launches and strategic collaborations to strengthen their market positions.

Regional Analysis

The market has been divided, by region, into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The Americas held the maximum share in the base year 2018, owing to the presence of established key players in countries such as the US and Canada. The aortic valve market in the Americas has further been branched into North America and Latin America, with the North American market is further divided into the US and Canada. The European aortic valve market has been categorized as Western Europe and Eastern Europe. The Western European market has been classified as Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe. The aortic valve market in Asia-Pacific has been segmented into Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The aortic valve market in this region is anticipated to be the fastest growing during the assessment period due to the booming geriatric population, rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, and favorable government initiatives for disease treatment. The aortic valve market in the Middle East & Africa has been divided into the Middle East and Africa.

Aortic Valve Market Segmentation

The Global Aortic Valve Market has been segmented based on Type of Valve, Suture, Surgery, and End User.

The market, based on valve type, has been divided into mechanical and biological. The mechanical valve segment is likely to be the largest due to the high adoption of mechanical valves in replacement procedures. The biological valves segment is predicted to be the fastest-growing due to the increasing awareness about the advantages of biological valves in replacement procedures. Magna Ease (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation), Hancock II (Medtronic), Trifecta (Abbott) are some of the well-known biological valves brands currently present in the market.

The Global Aortic Valve Market has been segmented, based on the surgery type, into minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. The minimally invasive surgery segment is further divided into transfemoral, transaortic implantation, transapical, and trans-subclavian. It is expected to hold majority share of the market owing to shorter hospital stay, less pain, and faster recovery as compared to open-heart surgery.

The end users of the market are hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers. The hospital segment is likely to hold the maximum share during the forecast period.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into a law a measure that aims to speed up procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccine.

This was confirmed Friday by Duterte's former special assistant Senator Bong Go, and Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

"Indeed, we remain committed in our fight against the coronavirus pandemic, and we are using necessary means, such as the enactment of this Republic Act, certified urgent by the President, as a way to start our vaccine rollout," Roque said in a statement.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 also allocates 500 million for the COVID-19 National Vaccine Immunity Fund to compensate vaccinees who may experience serious side effects or die after inoculation.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will handle the fund, which will be sourced from the contingent fund.

The Department of Health will also issue vaccine cards that will contain basic information about the individual, manufacturer and brand of the vaccine received, date it was administered, date of last swab test, where the vaccination took place, and the name of the health professionals who gave the vaccine.

Under the new law, local government units and the private sector will be allowed to purchase doses through multilateral agreement with the Department of Health, the National Task Force, and the vaccine supplier.

LGUs will be also allowed to give an advance payment of up to 50%, and to directly purchase ancillary supplies for the storage, transportation, and deployment of vaccines.

The law also gives immunity to public officials and employees, contractors, manufacturers and volunteers who are duly authorized to carry out the vaccination program from suit, unless it is based on willful misconduct or gross negligence.

The measure was approved by Congress earlier this week. The House of Representatives adopted the Senate version of the measure just hours after it was transmitted to them by the upper chamber.

Go said section 14 of the law requires concerned agencies to formulate the implementing rules and regulations within five days from its effectivity. In the absence of an IRR, provisions of the law will still be implemented after publication.

The government aims to buy around 140 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to immunize up to 70 million Filipinos this year.
On January 14, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) submitted notice to the Federal Register that it would issue practice guidelines that exempt physicians from the requirement to apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) in up to 30 patients at one time. This exemption has been placed on hold by the Biden administration and may require legislative change to implement. An exemption to the X-waiver has the potential to help reverse the morbidity and mortality associated with the opioid overdose epidemic, although without accompanying changes and attention it will not be enough.

The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid overdose epidemic fueled by high-potency synthetic opioids have led to increased overdoses. However, national and state leadership, health professions schools, and health care systems in the US have not responded sufficiently. More than 83,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the US in a 1-year period ending in June 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, and an increase of more than 21% compared with the previous year.

Nationally, 67% of opioid overdose deaths involved fentanyl in 2018 and drug overdoses increased most among non-Hispanic Black individuals. Despite these devastating losses, access to evidence-based care to prevent opioid overdose and treat OUD remains highly regulated, restricted, and very limited, particularly among Black individuals with OUD and in rural communities. It is estimated that only 18% of individuals with OUD in the US receive highly effective medications, such as buprenorphine or methadone, to treat OUD. For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has further limited access to medications for OUD (MOUD).

Unlike other medical conditions, treatment of OUD has substantial and unique restrictions imposed by US federal and state laws. Such restrictions do not facilitate access to care; on the contrary, they impede it. Methadone for OUD must be administered or dispensed by an accredited, registered, and certified opioid treatment program. The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) requires that prescribers of buprenorphine apply for a waiver (ie, X-waiver) to prescribe once certain educational and practice requirements have been met. However, this restriction has outlived any usefulness.

Although appropriate training is essential to care for any disease, federal law does not require such training or registration to prescribe for other diseases (and more specifically, not for prescribing opioids for other indications such as pain). However, health professions schools are mandated by entities such as the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to provide training to treat most other diseases. As of 2018, only 1 of 191 medical schools provided training to their students that was sufficient to meet the DATA 2000 training requirement.

Additionally, neither AAMC nor the ACGME require competency in OUD evaluation and treatment in medical education. Together, the absence of health professions school and graduate education; prescribing restrictions; stigma and misinformation among patients, families, and health care professionals; archaic payment structures and systems that emphasize acute care models over long-term treatment; care largely separate and uncoordinated from the rest of health care; and lack of support for patients' psychosocial needs have impeded the large expansion of MOUD treatment that is required to meet the need.

In an effort to address the vast need for MOUD treatment accessibility in the US, the HHS exemption proposed changes as follows. Physicians would need to place an "X" on the prescription, note that the prescription is to treat OUD, maintain separate records for such patients, prescribe to patients in the state in which they practice, and limit prescribing to no more than 30 patients at one time. Physicians who want to treat more than 30 individuals with OUD would need to seek additional training through the current 8-hour DATA 2000 mechanism. Notably, these guidelines do not apply to the large workforce of advanced practice clinicians who remain mandated to complete 24 hours of training to prescribe buprenorphine.

Relaxing restrictions on physician prescribing does have the potential to expand access to treatment and reduce opioid overdose deaths as it has in other countries. For example, in France, buprenorphine became available in 1995 and an estimated 3% of patients with OUD were treated that year with MOUD; by 2006, 67% of the 180000 people with OUD were treated with methadone (n=26000) or buprenorphine (n = 95000) in a setting with relaxed MOUD regulations. Rates of prescribing continue to be high, although over time, initiation of prescribing has shifted somewhat from primary care to specialized addiction treatment centers. While there are some cautionary tales from the rapid expansion of buprenorphine prescribing in France, such as subtherapeutic buprenorphine dosing, it has been estimated that a similar increase in prescribing in the US that occurred in France could have potentially led to an estimated 37000 fewer deaths in 2018 alone if it were used appropriately, adherence was high, and the same conditions were being treated in the US as in France.

Inaction is not an option when 40% of counties in the US do not have a single prescriber of MOUD. The proposed 2021 HHS guidelines represented progress toward MOUD expansion; however, they were far from enough to address the opioid overdose crisis. The US needs to normalize the treatment of OUD among health care professionals and individuals with OUD. Practicing health care professionals should be encouraged and incentivized to prescribe and obtain any needed training or support. OUD identification, evaluation, and treatment education should be integrated in all health care professions schools and should be implemented throughout all health care systems. It is also important to emphasize that medical management of OUD is effective, that buprenorphine alone at therapeutic doses can improve outcomes and prevent overdose, and that detoxification alone is insufficient to prevent overdose and treat OUD.

Buprenorphine prescribing by trained health care professionals can promote high-quality care and the new exemption could increase that prescribing. However, much more will need to be done. These additional steps include eliminating limits on the number of patients who could be treated by individual clinicians. One estimate suggests that by eliminating patient limits, the US could potentially treat nearly 800?000 additional individuals with OUD. Further needed actions include allowing prescribing by advanced practice clinicians; advocating for addiction training efforts at health professions schools, postgraduate programs, and as part of continuing education to make up for previously absent training; allowing office-based methadone treatment to ensure expansion to all types of MOUD; enforcing parity of benefits and insurance coverage for treatment; and addressing the stigma of addiction and addiction treatment. The effects of regulatory changes should be studied after implementation.

Recommendations to help ensure access to high-quality medication treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD)

Pass federal legislation to ensure lasting changes on a national scale

Eliminate buprenorphine patient limits and Drug Enforcement Administration audits that discourage prescribing; include advanced practice clinician prescribers in any legislative change; and remove restrictions on methadone prescribing and dispensing outside opioid treatment programs

Improve and provide training for prescribers and health professional teams at all levels

Incentivize training and offset clinician training time; provide a menu of training options appropriate to the needs of the clinician; integrate substantial training into specialty-specific health professions schools, postgraduate programs, continuing education, and maintenance of certification; include patient perspectives in all training; and provide experiential learning, such as apprenticeship models (eg, with mentors), in practice

Expand access to all forms of OUD treatment shown to have efficacy

Increase access to strategies that reduce consequences of drug use ("harm reduction"); increase access to methadone treatment (eg, via primary care clinicians and pharmacies); and increase access to all treatment options (beyond specialty treatment programs) including medications

Address stigma and include patients receiving medications for OUD (MOUD) in educational campaigns

Enforce Parity (Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act) to ensure equitable coverage and reimbursement for addiction and behavioral health treatments

Ensure equitable access to MOUD in all treatment settings

Study the effects of regulatory changes after implementation

Comprehensive treatment for OUD, including medical, psychiatric, and social services, can and should be provided by experienced clinicians and should be expanded, but MOUD urgently needs to be more accessible. The proposed HHS exemption would offer progress toward achieving that goal even though it was not, as written, a panacea. Improving access while ensuring high-quality care for individuals with OUD to sustain lasting reductions in opioid overdose deaths will require implementing these guidelines and additional strategies, many of which have been suggested for decades. As the new administration considers how to move forward, enacting an improved version of these guidelines and durable legislative changes to ensure access to high-quality MOUD offers a possibility to meaningfully address the overdose crisis.
The Queensland government and its dam operator Sunwater will pay $440million to compensate flood victims of the 2011 Wivenhoe Dam disaster.

State-owned operators Sunwater and Seqwater faced a class action lawsuit in 2019 following the floods in southeast Queensland.

About 23,000 homes were hit by flood waters, which inspired a clean up effort from volunteers known as the 'Mud Army'.

A hydrology report commissioned by the Insurance Council of Australia found that water was released from Wivenhoe Dam during the heavy rainfall, which raised levels in the Brisbane River by as much as 10 metres.

The Queensland government and dam operator Sunwater will pay $440million to compensate flood-victims of the 2011 Wivenhoe Dam (pictured) disaster

About 23,000 homes were hit by flood waters, which inspired a clean up effort from volunteers known as the 'Mud Army' (pictured, flooding across Brisbane Valley highway in 2011)

The report claimed the release of water was the 'principle immediate cause' of the flooding from the river.

Brisbane, Ipswich and the surrounding areas were all hit by extensive flooding as a result.

The class action case came to a head when the New South Wales Supreme Court ruled against the dam operators in 2019.

The court concluded engineers for the organisations negligently operated dams which led to more damage than there would have otherwise been.

Justice Beech-Jones found dam operators did not follow their own operation manuals by failing to act on rainfall forecasts.

Some of the 23,000 homes and businesses hit by floodwaters would not have been hit as hard if not for the acts of negligence, the court found.

Sunwater and Seqwater announced they would appeal the decision to the dismay of the 7,000 class action members.

Litigation funder Omni Bridgeway announced on Friday the state government and Sunwater have now agreed to pay $440million.

A hydrology report commissioned by the Insurance Council of Australia found that water was released from Wivenhoe Dam during the heavy rainfall, which raised levels in the Brisbane River by as much as 10 metres (pictured, relief effort at Wivenhoe Pocket in 2011)

Seqwater, which holds 50 per cent of the liability, will continue with its appeal.

Class action lawyer Rebecca Gilsenan told The Australian it would be welcome news to the victims of the flood.

'It has now been ten years since the Brisbane and Ipswich floods, so this settlement is a very welcome development that we hope will bring some much-needed closure to our clients,' she said.
Paris Hilton has finally found her Prince Charming! After dating entrepreneur Carter Reum for a little over a year, the hotel heiress is now engaged to be married and couldnt be happier.

Though this isnt her first time saying yes to a proposal, Hiltons relationship with Reum is a lot different from her past romances, as theres a good chance this love story will have a fairy tale ending, which shes always dreamed of.

Paris Hilton | Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Paris Hilton just announced her engagement to Carter Reum

Wedding bells are ringing for Hilton and Reum.

On Feb. 13, Reum popped the question to the hotel heir while celebrating her 40th birthday on a private tropical island.

When you find your soulmate, you dont just know it. You feel it. My love & I have been together since our first date, and for my birthday, he arranged a special trip to [a] tropical paradise. As we walked to dinner along the beach, Carter led us to a cabana adorned with flowers and dropped to one knee, Hilton wrote on her social media following their engagement. I said yes, yes to forever. Theres no one Id rather spend forever with.

When you find your soulmate, you dont just know it. You feel it. This weekend, Carter dropped to one knee. & I said yes, yes to forever  Theres no one Id rather spend forever with.  To see more photos of my birthday dream come true, visit https://t.co/b99NdkFIFU pic.twitter.com/vtAUnz4pk7  Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) February 17, 2021

RELATED: Paris Hiltons $2 Million Engagement Ring From New Fiance Carter Reum Isnt the Most Expensive Diamond Shes Received From a Lover

According to E! News, the venture capitalist proposed to Hilton with a stunning 20-carat emerald cut diamond ring designed by Jean Dousset, the great-great-grandson of Louis Cartier. The ring reportedly retails for about $2 million.

Paris Hiltons romance with Carter Reum comes after three failed engagements

If youve been following Hiltons love life closely these last few years, then you know that this isnt the first time shes been proposed to.

Hiltons first engagement took place in 2002 when model Jason Shaw, who was eight years her senior, asked for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, the engagement only lasted a year, as the couple called it quits in 2003.

In 2005, the socialite became engaged to Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis, who proposed to her with 15 different engagement rings. She ended up choosing a 24-carat canary diamond ring that was valued at $4.7 million. However, the couple split six months later.

Paris Hilton and Paris Latsis |Toni Anne Barson/WireImage

RELATED: Newly Engaged Paris Hilton Thought She Was Going to Be Alone Forever After Breakup With Ex Chris Zylka

In 2018, Hilton got engaged to actor Chris Zylka while vacationing in Aspen, Colorado. The couple was betrothed for about a year before Hilton decided to call off their engagement.

How is Paris Hiltons romance with Carter Reum different from her past relationships?

Though Hiltons engagement to Reum marks her fourth betrothal, this romance may be the one that stand the test of time.

While the couple has yet to exchange vows, The Knot Senior Editor Esther Lee predicts that Hiltons love story with Reum will have a happy ending as their relationship is different from the hotel heirs past romances.

Paris Hilton and Carter Reum | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Paris has been engaged multiple times before; however, her relationship with Carter is different, Lee tells Showbiz Cheat Sheet. They fell in love in the middle of a pandemic, which has forced individuals everywhere to re-prioritize their lives. Their relationship avoided the usual hullabaloo that often came with her previous relationships.

Lee continued, In the last year, Paris has emerged as self-assured and vulnerable, from sharing her experience with trauma and aligning herself with advocacy over fame. I believe Paris is at a point in her life where she knows what she wants: love, family and a stable career, in which she can use her voice to help others. And it seems her fiance also shares these values, especially with how he supports her publicly.

It looks like Hilton may have found her forever with Reum, and we couldnt be happier for her!
Heather Sells, writing at CBN News reports:

North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby is a man of faith and his journey to the top seat includes prayer and what he considers to be an election miracle.

Growing up in Jamestown, he says no one in his family ever practiced law but he caught the bug, attending Duke University and interning on the Supreme Court for Chief Justice Warren Burger during the summer of 1976.

As part of the celebration of the nation's bicentennial that year, Newby worked on speeches and articles focused on the nation's founding, developing a deep appreciation for the Bill of Rights and the practice of law.

"As lawyers, that's our high calling," he said in an interview with CBN News. "To be sure that people are able to exercise their fundamental God-given rights and the courts are there to protect 'we the people' from 'we the government.'"

Newby attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and married classmate Macon Tucker Newby in 1983.

He then worked in private practice before being appointed as Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina in 1985.

He held that post for 19 years during which time he found himself praying for those on the bench and growing increasingly concerned that various judges were not holding religious liberty in high regard.

"I'm crying out to God that we might have godly people in these roles and I get this sense, 'what about you? Are you willing to do it?'" he said. "And I'm like, 'Here I am Lord send somebody else. This is crazy. I'm a nobody. Yeah, Newby's have been in North Carolina since 1700 but we haven't done anything."

That prayer proved to be a turning point as Newby ran and was elected in 2004 to the state supreme court.

Another turning point came in 2019 when chief justice Mark Martin left to lead the law school at Regent University.

Despite different political parties, Newby thought that North Carolina governor Roy Cooper would name him interim chief justice.

"Generally, the tradition for the court has been that the senior associate, the one with the most experience, would get that appointment," he said. "I was the senior associate."

But Cooper appointed fellow Democrat justice Cheri Beasley and that set up a race between the two in 2020 for the chief justice post.

More than five million North Carolinians voted in the election and gave Newby the edge by just 406 votes. The close count began 40 days of prayer in the Newby home.

As permitted by state law, Beasley requested a machine recount.

Newby remembers spiritually wrestling with God and spending hours in prayer with his wife. "You got nothing, no tools left in your toolbox. You're done but just to say 'Lord if you don't deliver us, it's in your hands' and understand that God has the power to do whatever."

After the machine recount, with the margins still slim, Beasley requested a hand-to-eye recount.

Newby didn't fault her for requesting the legally-permissible recount but he was well aware that Beasley's party controlled all 100 county boards of election.

Newby asked God for a miracle.

"I frequently prayed, 'Lord, I know you took Gideon from thousands down to 300. Please God, don't let it get below 400. Please God I'd like it to stay at 400,'  and by His grace, I won by 401 votes," he told CBN News.

The grueling recounts came amidst a national debate over the presidential election and growing political unrest.

Newby has some thoughts for those still struggling with the presidential election. "God is in control  that's my message," he said. "We should not become wearing in doing good that at the proper moment we'll reap a harvest  and my other message is  we need to be on our knees," he said.

Newby also points to the courts as a great example of the way to have a civil discussion about difficult matters.

And he's convinced that Americans aren't in disagreement about as much as they think they are, pointing to established legal concepts like presumed innocent until proven guilty and the right to confront those who witness against you.

For now, he's racing to attend to a tremendous backlog in the courts brought on by the pandemic. The North Carolina state constitution says the courts are to provide justice "without favor, denial, or delay" and Newby hopes to do just that.

Original source: 'Here I am Lord, Send Somebody Else': N. Carolina Chief Justice Recalls Journey to the Top | CBN News

Hat tip to Carole Gunn for sending us this link
MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Shehryar Khan Afridi Friday urged United Nations (UN) to act on the recent report of UN experts on human rights and put sanctions on India for its demographic terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

He expressed these views while addressing participants of a seminar titled 'Countering Extreme Behaviors Through Perception Management' at Nishtar Medical University Multan.

Afridi said that seven UN experts have issued a report on India's stripping of autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir and undermining minority rights.

The UN rights experts have said that the loss of Kashmir's autonomy and subsequent legislation has threatened the demographics of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that UN experts have warned that Indian acts could curtail the previous level of political participation of Muslims and other minorities.

He said that top human rights organizations have also called on India to immediately halt its intensifying suppression of voices of Kashmiris after the country's National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided several organizations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Quoting the Amnesty International, Shehryar Afridi said that the global watchdog on human rights said that Indian raids are an alarming reminder that India's government was determined to suppress all dissenting voices in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy, thousands of Kashmiris were arrested, including pro-India politicians, and an internet blackout was imposed following the unprecedented political move.

He said that the high-speed internet was restored after many months, the longest spells of internet shutdown in the world.

Shehryar Afridi said that the youth should beware of enemy's propaganda and must not distract from their roots. He said that self-belief and national pride was a must for our youth and they should work diligently to create a tolerant and moderate society.

He said that Pakistan was the jewel of the crown in Asia and was a center of regional and global connectivity and trade.

He said that in this information age, enemy was using mod electronic gadgets to proliferate negative propaganda through fake news about Pakistan.

He said that Pakistani youth should act as agents of change and work to unify and unite the nation and instill national pride among the people at large.
Global IT and business consulting company will invest $27 million in Knoxville

New location will create 300 new jobs

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that global IT and business consulting company CGI will locate new operations in Knoxville.

After a two-year search process, CGI selected Knox County for its eighth U.S. IT delivery center, where it will invest $27 million and create 300 jobs over the next five years.

The Knoxville location will become the newest member of CGIs innovative U.S. delivery center network that will help clients gain access to high quality, U.S.-based IT services, support and solutions. As a core element of its business strategy, CGI offers IT delivery options to its government and commercial industry clients.

CGI is partnering with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on the launch of the IT delivery center and will be working with the university to engage students across interdisciplinary programs in colleges such as the Haslam College of Business and the Tickle College of Engineering. CGI will partner with the university to build a talent pipeline focusing primarily on advanced analytics, cybersecurity and digital transformation through emerging technologies for the new Knoxville facility.

CGI will seek job candidates with software development, business analytics and other in-demand technology skills. Hiring will begin in March 2021 and interested candidates can visit www.cgi.com/us/en-us/careers to learn more.

Over the last five years, TNECD has supported more than 10 economic development projects in Knox County, resulting in approximately 1,000 job commitments and more than $148 million in capital investment.

QUOTES

Knoxville has developed a strong reputation in the technology sector and is a clear choice for CGIs newest IT delivery center. Our state has experienced positive economic growth over the past several months, and now more than ever, the creation of high-quality jobs remains a priority for me as governor. I thank CGI for bringing new employment opportunities for residents in Knox County.  Gov. Bill Lee

Tennessees pro-business environment offers the resources and the workforce to support the needs of technology and R&D-focused companies. We are fortunate as a state to have a network of partnerships with institutions like the University of Tennessee that assist with advancing and building the talent pipeline these companies need. We appreciate CGI for choosing Tennessee for its eighth U.S. IT delivery center and look forward to seeing the impact the company will make on the region in the years to come.  TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe

We are proud to announce the establishment of a new IT delivery center in Knoxville that will create local jobs, engage regional educators, support area workforce development, and provide opportunities for the communitys students, graduates and professionals. After a competitive and wide-ranging search, CGI selected Knoxville based on a number of factors  most notably access to talent and a strong culture of innovation within the Knoxville area and the state of Tennessee.  Dave Henderson, CGI President of U.S. Commercial and State Government Operations

Knox County is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive in an engaged and vibrant community by focusing on jobs, education and recreation. Further, we are committed to attracting and keeping good-paying jobslike those CGI will providefor our growing workforce and ensuring that all businesses feel supported by and connected to our community.  Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs

"We are delighted that CGI has selected Knoxville for its newest IT delivery center. I'm especially excited by CGI's record of connecting with communities and its plans to collaborate closely with UT. While new brick-and-mortar investment is always appreciated, even more welcome are the 300 new jobs being created and the unique opportunities that will enrich our students and young professionals."  Knoxville City Mayor Indya Kincannon

TVA and Knoxville Utilities Board congratulate CGI on its decision to locate operations and create hundreds of new job opportunities in Knoxville. Helping to foster job creation and investment in the Valley is fundamental to TVAs mission of service, and we are proud to partner with the Knoxville Chamber, Knox County, City of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee to further that mission.  John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development

We are so excited CGI has chosen Knoxville for its new location. This significant investment will not only bring 300 new jobs to our area but will also bring added value to companies in our area through their technology consulting services. Gov. Lee, Commissioner Rolfe, the team at ECD and local officials did great work to bring this company to Knoxville.  Sen. Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville)

I am very pleased CGI is making such a significant investment in Knox County to expand their operations. Knoxville is a great location for new offices for CGI as it helps businesses update and modernize their operations. I appreciate the work of Gov. Lee, Commissioner Rolfe and their team for securing these jobs for our area.  Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville)

Im extremely excited about CGIs coming to Knoxville and bringing potentially 300 new well-paying jobs. Software development and business analyst jobs are exactly the type of employment opportunities we need to bring to the Knoxville area. Congratulations to all who worked hard to make this happen.  Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville)

The prospect of a more than 26-million-dollar investment is a great shot in the arm for the Knoxville economy. Add to that the fact that CGI is planning on forming a strong partnership with UT and possibly providing internship and future employment opportunities and this is an announcement worth celebrating. Thanks to CGI for choosing Knoxville and to the local officials and the folk at ECD for making this happen.  Rep. Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville)



CGI Media Contact

Alison Hallett, Vice President, U.S. Communications

(703) 267-5915

alison.hallett@cgi.com

TNECD Media Contact

Molly Hair, Public Information Officer

(615) 878-0063

molly.hair@tn.gov

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 76,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is $12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Developments mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.

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Shimla, Feb 26 (UNI) Opposition Congress in Himachal Pradesh gheraoed Governor Bandaru Dattatreya outside the state Assembly complex on Friday over the government's alleged failure in handling several issues, including the farmers' protest.

As Mr Dattatreya was leaving for the Rajbhavan after addressing the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, he faced the agitation from the Opposition, led by Mukesh Agnihotri, who were already on the main gate of the Assembly protesting over price rise, farm laws and a number of other issues.

Opposition members did not give way for the Governor, even when the parliamentary affairs minister requested them. The governor was forced to break the protocol as he left the Assembly campus from another gate amid milieu.

Congress member Mr Agnihotri said the opposition have gathered here to raise people's issues, who are facing the burnt of price rise and farmer crisis, but the Governor's address to the Assembly appeared to be a ritual.

Congress member Rajinder Rana alleged that security personnel and members at the treasury bench misbehaved with them when they were protesting against the Government for 'not allowing to raise issues'.

In the history of state assembly, no Governor ever faced such protest outside the state assembly complex.

UNI ML PS 1300

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Indias fintech market likely to grow to 6 lakh crore

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: Our effort is to encourage private enterprises wherever possible. However, the country needs effective participation of the public sector in banking and insurance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. The PM was addressing a webinar on budget proposals (financial sector).

There is still great scope for the banking & insurance sectors in our economy. Keeping this in mind, we have taken many steps in this Budget- be it our decision to privatise two PSBs, raising FDI limit to 74 per cent in insurance or our decision to bring LIC IPO, the PM also said. The government is committed to strengthening the banking sector and reforms will continue, PM Modi also said.

Govt is facilitator, private sector driver of growth: Nirmala Sitharaman

Today 130 crore people in the country have Aadhaar cards and more than 41 crore people have Jan Dhan accounts. Of the 41 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts, 55 pc belong to women and have Rs 1.5 lakh crore deposits.

Our Fintech Startups are doing excellent work today and exploring every possibility in this sector.They have a very high share in the Start-Up Deals that have taken place in the Corona era as well, the Prime Minister also said. India's fintech market likely to grow to Rs 6 lakh crore, the PM also added.

We are willing to stand by decisions taken with right intentions; govt understands not all business ventures will be successful, the PM said on the lending norm.

Our endeavour is to promote private sector business but public sector banks and insurance sector have an important role in the country, As economy grows, credit flow to new entrepreneurs and businesses have to increase, products have to be tailored for fintech, startups, PM Modi also said.

Our start-ups and MSMEs would be the identity of Aatmnirbhar Bharat that is why special schemes were formulated for MSMEs during the COVID pandemic. Under these schemes, around 90 lakh enterprises have been given credit worth Rs 2.4 trillion, the PM also said.

WHO chief lauds PM Modi | 'Hope others follow India' | Oneindia News

With the Mudra scheme itself, loans worth about Rs. 15 lakh crore have reached the small entrepreneurs. About 70 percent are women and more than 50 percent are Dalit, deprived, tribal and backward class entrepreneurs, the PM said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 13:21 [IST]
She went public with her new romance with Scream star Skeet Ulrich over the weekend.

But Lucy Hale was solo on Thursday afternoon when she was spotted running errands in Los Angeles.

The 31-year-old Pretty Little Liars star cut a stylish figure with a cool white leather jacket as she headed to her car.

Taking care of business: Lucy Hale, 31, looked chic in a white leather biker jacket while taking care of errands around Los Angeles on Thursday, days after she was seen kissing actor Skeet Ulrich, 51

Woman in red: Lucy added some color to her summery ensemble with what looked like a red off-the-shoulder mini dress

Lucy rocked a short biker-style jacket with a wide collar and thick lapels.

She added some color to her summery ensemble with what looked like a red off-the-shoulder mini dress.

The item was decorated with white safari prints of elephants, cheetahs and other exotic beasts.

She flaunted her fit legs thanks to the short dress and wore pricey white Golden Goose high-top sneakers that had been pre-weathered.

Animal lover: The item was decorated with white safari prints of elephants, cheetahs and other exotic beasts

Revealing: She flaunted her fit legs thanks to the short dress and wore pricey white Golden Goose high-top sneakers that had been pre-weathered

Lucy added a touch of elegance to her ensemble with a beige Yves Saint Laurent handbag with a metallic gold chain strap.

The Katy Keene star blocked out the piercing sun with a pair of aviator sunglasses, and she had her dyed brown tresses parted down the middle and pulled back in a tight bun.

She did her part to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus by wearing a black mask.

Lucy's MayDecember romance with Skeet Ulrich was first reported on by Page Six earlier this week after the two were seen sharing a kiss while dining outdoors for lunch on Sunday.

Most recently, Ulrich has been known for playing the father of Cole Sprouse's Jughead Jones, Forsythe Pendleton Jones II, on The CW's hit series Riverdale.

He was featured on the series for three seasons, before revealing in October that he had finished filming on the series.

Getting close: Lucy's MayDecember romance with Skeet Ulrich was first reported on by Page Six earlier this week after the two were seen sharing a kiss while dining outdoors for lunch on Sunday; seen in 2019 in NYC

Hit series: Most recently, Ulrich has been known for playing the father of Cole Sprouse's Jughead Jones, Forsythe Pendleton Jones II, on The CW's Riverdale

Although Lucy's now-canceled series Katy Keene was a Riverdale spin-off, it's unclear if the two ever met through the series, which is now airing episodes from its fifth season.

However, she was featured on a crossover episode in which she was paired up with Camila Mendes' character Veronica.

Skeet was previously married to Georgina Cates from 1997 until their 2005 divorce, and he later remarried to Amelia JacksonGray in 2012, before finalizing their divorce in 2015.

He shares his 19-year-old twins Jakob Dylan Ulrich and Naiia Rose Ulrich with Georgina.

Hale was briefly linked to Bachelor star Colton Underwood last year, and previously dated her Life Sentence co-star, Riley Smith.
Some of the first people to check into quarantine hotels are to be released on Friday morning.

From last Monday, UK and Irish nationals returning to England from a red list country deemed at high risk for Covid-19 have had to self-isolate in hotels for 11 nights.

Hotel guests have complained about the 1,750 fee for the stay, which is punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 or 10 years in prison if breached, according to the Government.

The rule applies to people returning to Scotland from any destination.

A man in quarantine at the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel (Yui Mok/PA)

If travellers return a negative test on day two and day eight of their stay they are allowed to leave, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

Delivery driver Roger Goncalves, 23, who was among the first travellers to be medically impounded at the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel near Heathrow Airport after arriving from Brazil, should be one of the first to taste freedom.

Another, businessman Wayne Kelly, 37, of Birmingham, said he feels like I have been through a prison sentence and said he could not wait to see his wife and children.

He told MailOnline: I was thinking of having a poster on the wall where I could just cross one day off each day.

I just want to go back to Birmingham to my home and my family and put this all behind me. I should never have been here in the first place. I had a negative test when I left Dubai.

Im really glad that my release day is nearly here.

Another traveller, Zari Tadayon, 66, from north London, told the PA news agency on Wednesday she was relieved her quarantine was almost completed after arriving from Dubai last Monday.

She previously said she was unprepared for her stay and had not packed any books, adding: How Im going to cope I dont know. Its going to be tough.

Travellers arriving in England must quarantine in a hotel if they have been in one of the Governments 33 red list countries  which covers Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, South America and southern Africa  in the past 10 days.

The UK has banned direct flights from those locations, so passengers must take connecting flights, mixing with passengers from countries not on the list.

The Prime Minister said last week he expects those in quarantine to be able to cover their costs when asked what happens if a person has to extend their stay after a positive test.

Boris Johnson said: It is currently illegal to travel abroad for holidays anyway.

We would expect people who are coming in from one of these red list countries to be able to cover their costs.
While in office, former NDP premier Greg Selinger constantly pushed for expansion of hydroelectric dams in Manitobas north. Ultimately, in 2014, the Public Utilities Board allowed construction of the 695-megawatt Keeyask project. That decision, however, remains controversial, the subject of a high-profile inquiry initiated by current Progressive Conservative Premier Brian Pallister.

Opinion

While in office, former NDP premier Greg Selinger constantly pushed for expansion of hydroelectric dams in Manitobas north. Ultimately, in 2014, the Public Utilities Board allowed construction of the 695-megawatt Keeyask project. That decision, however, remains controversial, the subject of a high-profile inquiry initiated by current Progressive Conservative Premier Brian Pallister.

The results of that inquiry, led by former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall, are expected to be released Friday. At the same time, after many delays, the first phase of the Keeyask project has finally come on-line.

From the NDP perspective, however, support for Keeyask was hardly unanimous. Tim Sale, retired MLA and former energy minister, was a notable voice of dissent. Sale objected, at the time, to putting all the eggs in a single "mega-project" basket, given inherently high risks ("Sale sounds warning on escalating costs," Dec. 20, 2013).

He was and remains a strong advocate for renewables, especially wind. He even proposed a novel solution to address intermittency of wind, a long-standing concern of Manitoba Hydro. This involved building utility-scale wind, but backing it up, kilowatt-for-kilowatt to start, with generating capacity based on natural gas turbines to ensure power always would be available.

MBA students studying sustainability economics during the Winter 2021 session evaluated this case to determine who, in the end, was correct  Tim Sale or Manitoba Hydro management? The analysis looked at relevant capital and operating costs for Keeyask, as well as the hybrid-wind option, to estimate respective electricity prices required to break even and cover all costs. (As a note, annual operating costs for both hydroelectricity and wind are low, but important for natural gas turbines.)

Unfortunately, official final costs for Keeyask are not yet public. Instead, students relied on the most recent estimates, from late 2017, in the range of $9.5 to $10.5 billion. Combining the anticipated lifespan of 78 years for Keeyask, and Manitoba Hydros cost-of-money of 4.7 per cent, translates to electricity prices in the range of 10.4 to 11.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

These are very expensive, and would need to be fully met for the dams entire output well into the future if Manitoba Hydro is to not lose money. They do not, however, include costs for the additional Bipole transmission line needed to allow Keeyask power to flow south.

For the hybrid system, on the other hand, capital costs and lifespans come from current literature, and include a rough unit cost for natural gas of 15 cents per cubic metre. If implemented by an independent power producer, necessitating a higher cost-of-money, the hybrid system price is cheaper by three to four cents per kilowatt-hour. If implemented by Manitoba Hydro itself, the hybrid system price is cheaper by five to six cents per kilowatt-hour.

All of these values are much lower than for Keeyask, primarily due to dramatically lower capital costs  i.e., less than $2 billion to achieve the same output. Further, no Bipole is needed. While carbon taxes are not included, such impacts are much less than might be expected.

First, the basic hybrid system, as outlined, is not so sensitive, with carbon taxes needing to be at least $100 to $140 per tonne for Keeyask to be remotely comparable. Second, as wind implementation increases, the proportion of natural gas backup needed declines. The wind component of the overall system is the least costly, so the incentive in any event is to maximize wind power.

The conclusion is clear: Sale was right and his advice on this matter was prudent. That said, we cannot simply fixate on Selingers past mistakes, nor continue to cry over spilled milk and lost opportunities. The decision was made, and we are stuck with excessively pricy power. So, what are we to do now?

Fortuitously, one important solution appears available: electrifying our vehicles. Electrifying passenger and heavy-freight vehicles alike would certainly save enormous greenhouse gas emissions, but those are merely side benefits. The main attraction for Manitoba is that electric vehicles represent a new and high-value domestic market for our own electricity.

We can even dare to imagine wildly higher prices  say, 12 cents to 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, respectively, for freight vehicles and passenger cars. These are unimaginable from export sales, and more than cover Keeyask. Yet, at the same time, for vehicle users, net fuel savings exceed 70 per cent in all cases.

The economics of electric vehicles turn out to be hardly sensitive to the price of electricity. The extra power from Keeyask can also support a relatively high level of vehicle electrification without any new generation. Transitioning to the future does, however, force us to get over a long-held Manitoba obsession over "low-price" electricity. Instead, we need to focus on achieving full value for our electricity, and into the near future the best place for that is here at home in our own vehicles.

Robert Parsons teaches sustainability economics and quantitative methods in the I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : Networking giant Cisco is partnering with Nasscom FutureSkills Prime and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to offer 20,000 virtual internship opportunities in cybersecurity.

The virtual internship programme is an extension of Cisco's Networking Academy programme and will be launched in two phases.

During Phase 1, 20,000 virtual internships on cybersecurity will be offered, and during phase 2, internship opportunities on new skills will be included, Nasscom said on Friday.

To qualify for the internship, students will be required to undertake a Cisco Networking Academy course which will be aided by a series of learning content provided by Cisco via the institution's NetAcad platform or the Nasscom FutureSkills Prime platform.

The FutureSkills Prime is a joint initiative by the Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and the IT Industry led by Nasscom.

"This partnership with Nasscom and AICTE is a step towards realigning the existing talent with emerging technologies, enabling better job opportunities, and ultimately transforming India into a Digital Talent Nation," Sameer Garde, President India and Saarc, Cisco, said in a statement.

Upon completing the programme, the applicants will be evaluated by Cisco NetAcad partners and eligible students will receive a digital certificate.

"By creating these internships, we aim to offer students a golden opportunity to upskill and reskill with relevant experience and competencies in emerging technologies," said Amit Aggarwal,Chief Executive Officer, IT-ITES Sector Skill Council of India, Nasscom.

Over the last three decades, India has been the global leader in IT-ITeS, with almost 4.36 million employees and over $190 billion in revenue.

However, the lack of internship opportunities in the industry hampers the chain of growth, affecting the industry's readiness to capitalize on new-age technologies to help propel the economy forward.

The program, through internship opportunities, will allow students access to a world of enhanced skills and add to the country's digital expertise pool.
The road to the summit of Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a showstopper. It curves through corridors of spruce and fir, emerging from the trees to kiss scenic overlooks, where you can kill the engine and gaze out at the humpback expanse of the Smokies. The tallest mountain in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome is one of the greatest attractions for hikers who visit the park. But getting to its top can be an adventure in its own right; drivers are more than 6,000 feet above sea level, navigating roads with nerve-racking drop-offs. One wrong turn and you could tumble down.

On July 15, 2019, that's what happened when a Chevy Cobalt plunged more than 50 feet from a stretch of Clingmans Dome Road near its terminus, killing the driver and injuring a passenger. In Great Smoky, the crash was the latest in a history of deadly motor vehicle accidents along the park's side-winding roads.

The most probable cause of death in Great Smoky is a vehicle crash, which is saying something for a park whose 522,427 acres of mountains and rivers offer ample opportunities for falling or drowning. "On record, we've seen roughly 500 fatalities since the inception of the park" in 1934, says Dana Soehn, spokesperson for Great Smoky. "About 170 of those deaths are related to motor vehicle accidents."

Every national park has hazards that cause serious injuries and deaths. The outdoor travel site Outforia recently ranked the parks by number of deaths after it obtained systemwide data spanning 2010 to 2020 and categorized the fatalities. A heart attack would be classified as medical/natural death, while tripping and cracking your skull on a rock - or losing your balance on a ledge - counts as a fall.

Of the 62 national parks in the system at the time (New River Gorge in Virginia became the 63rd this year), these 10 are ranked as the most dangerous.

1. Grand Canyon, Arizona (134 deaths)

2. Yosemite, California (126 deaths)

3. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina (92 deaths)

4. Sequoia & Kings Canyon, California (75 deaths)

5. Yellowstone, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho (52 deaths)

6. Denali, Alaska (51 deaths)

7. Mount Rainier, Washington (51 deaths)

8. Rocky Mountain, Colorado (49 deaths)

9. Grand Teton, Wyoming (48 deaths)

10. Zion, Utah (43 deaths)

Several national parks recorded no deaths between 2010 and 2020: Gateway Arch, Missouri; Petrified Forest, Arizona; Kenai Fjords, Alaska; American Samoa, American Samoa; North Cascades, Washington; Isle Royale, Michigan; Kobuk Valley, Alaska; and Gates of the Arctic, Alaska.

The Outforia ranking does not include 2020 deaths, many of which occurred during the nationwide surge of pandemic-era visitation that parks experienced this past year. As the pandemic heads into its second year, the ranking offers some helpful insights for visitors about where and how accidental deaths can happen.

Take the Grand Canyon, one of the most iconic symbols of the American landscape and the deadliest national park on the Outforia ranking.

But while some visitors have fallen while posing for selfies on the rim, the most common fatalities in the park result from natural medical emergencies. Many of these emergencies begin with heat exhaustion from the infernal temperatures at the bottom of the canyon, which can reach as high as 150 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Heat, combined with more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain for hikers ascending the canyon from the bottom, can be dangerous for anyone with cardiac or respiratory problems, diabetes or little experience in a desert climate.

"If you're simply in that environment and not exerting yourself, you still might experience heat exhaustion," says Joelle Baird, public affairs specialist for Grand Canyon National Park. Baird is familiar with the dangers of the canyon, having served as a ranger with the park's preventive search-and-rescue team (P-SAR), which tries to educate hikers before they get in trouble.

Baird says P-SAR teams go beyond asking visitors whether they have sufficient water, snacks and appropriate clothing, though those are all important. They also ask hikers why they have chosen a trail. If they know the motivation, they can suggest a more manageable hike. "Sometimes it's just, 'I want to see the river,' " she says. "And that's easy to work with. You don't have to go down to the bottom of the canyon to see the river."

In addition to overambition, one red flag that P-SAR teams encounter is hiker groupthink. "Sometimes hiking in a group can be dangerous because no one wants to be the squeaky wheel," Baird says. "They may be having trouble" but are reluctant to speak up.

Falls are the top cause of death in Yosemite, where the second most deaths occur. And it's not just because of climbers tackling the famed peaks of Half Dome or El Capitan. More falls occur as a result of taking selfies near treacherous terrain, not paying attention or ignoring risks. "While Yosemite is certainly a destination for rock climbing and higher-risk activities, the majority of our search and rescues that we see, anecdotally, are people who are engaging in traditional park activities such as casual hikes on marked trails," park ranger Jamie Richards says.

Posing for photos, selfies in particular, has emerged as a cause of fatal falls. In the past decade, Yosemite visitors have plunged to their deaths from Nevada Fall, Taft Point and Vernal Falls while attempting to take selfies or pose for others. The Vernal Falls deaths, which occurred in 2011, were especially grim. Three park visitors fell from the top of the 317-foot-tall cascade. One had been posing for a photo near the brink of the cascade when she lost her footing and fell into the water. Two bystanders tried to extract her, only to be swept over the waterfall.

Even in more tranquil park territory, spur-of-the-moment decisions can lead to falls. According to Richards, the ragged beauty of Yosemite's jagged peaks, misty waterfalls and towering Ponderosa pines can distract visitors from subtle hazards such as a lingering patch of ice or an unsafe off-trail detour.

"It just takes one false step to lose your balance, fall, break an ankle or hit your head," Richards says.

And if water coursing over the rocks is strong and abundant enough, visitors could drown. Beyond falls and natural death, drownings are the most common cause of death in Yosemite. The park website warns visitors to be cautious when hiking the Mist Trail, which stretches past Emerald Pool. This shallow river-fed lake can look inviting on broiling summer days, but beneath its glassy surface are extremely strong currents. Despite the signs posted around the lake, some visitors have waded into the seemingly placid waters of Emerald Pool, only to get whisked away by the current.

Drowning is also a noteworthy danger in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "We have boulder-strewn swift river systems throughout the park, and we don't recommend swimming in them," Soehn says. "The water can rise unpredictably if there's rain in the upper mountains. It may be kind of sunshine at the lower elevations, and people can be taken off guard" by the current. Sixty drownings have been recorded in Great Smoky since the park's opening.

Auto crashes, the top killer at Great Smoky, may be a result of the park's development. Soehn says the park was designed when auto touring was becoming popular. "One of the largest advocacy groups for the creation of the park was an auto touring group," Soehn says. "They had been driving out West, doing scenic touring, and they realized what an opportunity it could be, to bring tourism into their home in the eastern U.S."

The 384 miles of roadway in the park were carefully designed to fold into the craggy landscape and align with the topography of the mountains. "That is what presents the challenge for drivers," Soehn says. While visitors may understand that they'll be doing a lot of driving, "they need to approach it differently than they would for their daily commute on a highway."

Parks have safety information on their websites and at visitors centers. Being prepared, watching your surroundings and knowing your recreational limitations can be the difference between life and death.




SINGAPORE, Feb 26, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Today, staking of Centrality's native token, CENNZ, is officially available on Moonstake's Web Wallet. CENNZ is the native token of Centrality, our strategic partner. Moonstake became the first staking provider in the world to launch staking services for CENNZ.Now Moonstake's wallet users can hold, send and receive CENNZ and are able to stake through the Moonstake wallet and receive CPAY as staking rewards with one simple click with the best user experience. After Cosmos, IRISnet, Ontology, Harmony, Tezos, Cardano, Qtum, Polkadot, Quras and Centrality became the 10th available staking coin on Moonstake Wallet.Moonstake wallet provides 3 CENNZ staking validator options for users with an average commission fee of 5%. To celebrate our milestone as the world's first wallet to support staking of CENNZ, one of the 3 validators will offer zero-staking fee for the first 3 months from today until 31st of May so that CENNZ holders can enjoy free staking on Moonstake wallet.Moonstake started in the staking business last year with the aim to create the largest staking network in Asia. Since then, Moonstake has developed the most user-friendly wallets for both Web Wallet and Mobile Wallet (iOS/Android) that are compatible with over 2000 cryptocurrencies. After a full-scale operation launched in August 2020, Moonstake's total staking assets have grown rapidly to reach USD 600 Million in staked assets in 6 months.Moonstake and Centrality entered into a strategic partnership in August last year. Aaron McDonald, CEO of Centrality has joined Moonstake as an advisor and both parties are actively developing for the implementation of CENNZ (Centrality's token) through Moonstake staking platform. During a joint webinar last year, both parties shared details about the progress of the partnership and product development, including an announcement regarding the launch of CENNZ staking on Moonstake. Based on joint marketing and technical collaboration, Moonstake Wallet achieved another milestone as a world's first wallet to support CENNZ and CPAY enabling users to send, receive, and hold ERC-20 based CENNZ and CPAY tokens and the world's first wallet to support staking for CENNZ.How to stake CENNZ on MS WalletHere's a simple 4-step process to stake CENNZ with Moonstake Wallet:1. Register your Moonstake Web wallet (https://wallet.moonstake.io)2. Deposit 10,000 CENNZ and an appropriate amount of CPAY to your Moonstake wallet. (10,000 CENNZ is the minimum amount required to stake)3. From the wallet screen, select CENNZ and click the "Stake Now" button.*If CENNZ and CPAY are not displayed, click on the + button on the right to add them.4. Confirm the staking information, then click the "Staking" button and enter your wallet password.*Once the staking operation is completed, the amount of CENNZ will be displayed in the column Staking.How CENNZ Staking WorksA minimum threshold amount of 10,000 CENNZ needs to be locked in and stake for both nominators or validators. To stake CENNZ with Moonstake wallet, you need to be a "Nominator" and select a "Validator". Up to 16 or more validators can be selected. If the chosen Validator is elected and performs their duties correctly, Nominators receive a portion of their resulting CPAY reward.*Nominators are CENNZ token holders who stake a portion of their CENNZ behind a Validator.*Validators are node operators who each store a copy of the blockchain and must perform certain functions to keep the system secure.How to get Rewards of CENNZ stakingThe APY (Staking Reward Rate) BASE rate for CENNZ will initially start at a minimum of 8-10% APY in CPAY. This can increase based on network activity. You will receive a staking reward approximately every 24 hours.For example, if you stake 10,000 CENNZ, you will receive 800 - 1,000 CENNZ worth of CPAY per year, which will be divided and distributed as a reward.How CENNZ unstaking worksThere is an unbonding period when you unstake CENNZ, which serves as a cooldown. This period will take 28 days on CENNZnet and your CENNZ will be locked. After 28 days, you can redeem your CENNZ and start to use or transfer them. During the unbonding period, you will not receive any staking rewards.Mitsuru Tezuka, Founder at Moonstake says: "Moonstake is pleased to be the world's first wallet to support staking of CENNZ and the first validator for CENNZnet. We completed API connection for CENNZ staking to provide extensive support for the CENNZ community. With this collaboration, Moonstake and Centrality will continue to accelerate the strong growth of the staking ecosystem while providing the best staking service for CENNZ."Aaron McDonald, CEO at Centrality says: "Centrality is on a mission to bring decentralised technology to consumer mass markets and Moonstake will help us do just that. E-wallet is the most convenient and friendly solution for modern day money management, in both the real world and the crypto world. Making the crypto usage experience seamless while still fully secure to mass consumers is what Moonstake excels at and we're happy to bring about CENNZ staking on this leading staking platform."The global staking market capitalization has grown exponentially over the last year from $10 billion to $133 billion. During this period, Moonstake has also become part of the top 10 staking providers in the world in terms of total staking value and is continuing to expand non-stop. Through CENNZ's staking, we are committed to providing more people in the world with valuable staking opportunities at their convenience and contributing to the development of the blockchain industry.About MoonstakeMoonstake was recently established to develop a staking pool protocol to satisfy increasing demands in regional and global blockchain markets. Moonstake develops a staking pool protocol and provides business services through partners and companies.Moonstake aims to be the largest staking pool network in Asia by providing an active environment for crypto asset holders. Establishing a clear partnership roadmap with Moonstake represents another significant milestone for continuing to strengthen ties with leading platforms across Asia's burgeoning Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) ecosystem. Partnership has been announced with Emurgo, Ontology and NEO to boost staking adoption, Binarystar, Japan's biggest blockchain hub, OIO Holdings Limited (SGX: OIO), a Singapore Catalist-Listed company. Industry's reputed advisors, such as Lisk and Lawrence Lim of RAMP DEFI support Moonstake's innovative journey.With a full-scale operation launched in August 2020, we expanded our business and as of now, our total staking assets exceeded over USD 600 Million. https://www.moonstake.io/About CentralityCentrality is the world's leading fintech venture platform based in New Zealand. They have received a research grant from the New Zealand government and are working with the New Zealand government to build a decentralized system through the public-private integrated organization "Digital Identity NZ" together with NZ Tech and Singlesource. https://centrality.ai/Source: MoonstakeCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 11:09:10|Editor: huaxia

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LISBON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's parliament approved on Thursday President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's proposal to renew the state of emergency in the country until March 16, allowing the government to keep the same lockdown rules already in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Tempting it may be to reopen the country now as soon as possible," but it is important "not to rush into it and repeat the health crisis," the president said Thursday in a national speech.

Although the number of infections has dropped in recent weeks, pressures remain high on hospitals, with the numbers of patients hospitalized with symptoms and hospitalized in intensive care units both doubling experts' recommendations, he said.

"The economy and society are undergoing a profound crisis ... Mental health is increasingly undermined. Schools see the second academic year run over," he noted, adding there have also been delays in the delivery of vaccines, which will affect vaccination in the next month and a half.

It is necessary to "guarantee the fastest and broadest vaccination and testing" starting with schools before a gradual reopening, he said.

According to the epidemiological bulletin released by the Portuguese Directorate-General for Health (DGS), Portugal registered 1,160 COVID-19 infections and 49 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising the country's total caseload and death toll to 801,746 and 16,185 respectively.

There were 2,613 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the country, the lowest since Nov. 8, of whom 536 were still in intensive care units, according to the DGS.

The Portuguese health authorities also reported the recovery of another 2,659 people. Now a total of 711,713 people have recovered from the disease since the beginning of the pandemic.

According to the latest data from the DGS, Portugal has administered 752,317 doses of vaccines against COVID-19, which include 497,040 first doses and 255,277 second ones. Enditem
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Following the changing of the guard in the White House, a re-energised Quadrilateral Security Dialogue linking the U.S., Japan, India and Australia needs to prepare itself to face serious global tensions in this year and beyond.

The Quad will have to deal with the erosion of liberal democratic values under pressure from authoritarian priorities as an ascendant China, supported by Russia, seeks to alter the fabric of the established world. Multilateral institutions such as the World Health Organization, United Nations and World Trade Organization now find themselves as contested space.

Washingtons increased support for the Quad includes a major U.S. reorientation within the Indo-Pacific. President Joe Biden has already confirmed the regions importance by appointing Kurt Campbell as Indo-Pacific coordinator to manage the U.S.China relationship. Campbell has endorsed some policies towards China initiated by Donald Trumps administration, but he has also acknowledged that the U.S. has much work to do in engaging with the region as a whole and in re-engaging with allies.

Another key element of the Biden administrations strategy will be making greater use of assets such as satellites in developing national security policy and assessing foreign capabilities, including in space. China, and to a lesser extent Russia, are challenging Americas dominance in space, raising cybersecurity and infrastructure concerns in the U.S. and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad will need to be involved in developing a cybersecurity strategy that recognises the varied nature of evolving threats and the importance of ensuring the security and resilience of alliance members networks. Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking to secure the technological future by fostering the Quad Tech Network.

This initiative opens a new track 2 Quad stream for universities and think tanks to promote research on and discussion of cyberspace and critical technology. Participants include the National Security College at the Australian National University, Indias Observer Research Foundation, Japans National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and the U.S. Center for a New American Security. DFATs focus is on addressing key technology- and cyber-related issues facing the region and fostering policy collaboration among Quad members. This focus will complement the departments forthcoming international engagement strategy for cyber and critical technology, which is expected to focus on protecting critical infrastructure and assets while securing vital supply lines for technology development.

Competing visions for technological sovereignty and governance already disrupt geopolitics. A liberal perspective seeks a system thats distributed mainly from the bottom up, with a vital non-government and private-sector role. In this model, international organisations promote level playing fields for trade, set standards and regulate fair economic competition.

China and Russia reject this model as broken and seek to reshape multilateral organisations to reflect their own interests. They favour an authoritarian model that mandates a state-centric, top-down approach to governance, altering institutions to better support and acknowledge the legitimacy of authoritarian practices. Beijings attempts to make the UN a platform that will legitimise its authoritarian rule, is an example of what China has in mind.

In the state-centric authoritarian model, global internet and cyberspace governance, including the management of information flows, becomes ever more important. Chinas and Russias disinformation strategies have gathered traction in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Beijing has taken advantage of disjointed Western responses and a dearth of cooperation and leadership among the democracies to alter views on the pandemics origin to better fit the Chinese Communist Partys needs for legitimisation and international respect.

The China Standards 2035 plan lays out a blueprint for the CCP and leading state-owned technology companies to set global standards for emerging technologies like 5G, the internet of things and artificial intelligence, among other areas. This is intended to work in concert with Chinas other industrial policies, such as the Made in China 2025 strategy, to make China a global leader in high-tech innovation, and dovetails into the Belt and Road infrastructure expansion.

As Beijing seeks to export its norms, values and governance practices to the rest of the world, concerted and urgent action by the Quad, and associates including NATO, is necessary to protect shared democratic values and the rule of law. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in his first policy speech since the U.S. election that his organisation should reach out to potential new partners in the community of democracies  and embrace a global outlook.

Some argue that the Quad wont work because the histories and agendas of the four partners are too different. However, this views the Quad narrowly as a military alliance. It can be and is much more. In an encouraging sign, the Quad has already engaged with South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand (the Quad-plus) on collective responses to the pandemic.

As Quad members, the U.S. and Australia may encourage the inclusion of Japan in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network along with Canada, New Zealand and the U.K.. The British government has also floated the idea of a Democracy 10 (including the Quad countries) to tackle issues, such as the development of standards for 5G and emerging technologies, that affect the collective interests of the democratic nations.

A key to the Quads future is its embrace of a multilateral and nuanced approach that builds on strategic alliances and partnerships globally. This is a strategic advantage that illiberal states cannot yet, and may never, match. However, as democracies rally, others will seek out new alliances. Keeping a step ahead wont be easy.
The Goa Home Guard and Civil Defence Organization, under the Government of Goa, has called for applications from eligible and interested candidates for filling Two Ninety-Six (296) vacancies to the post of Home Guard Volunteers in the Goa Home Guard and Civil Defence Organization through direct recruitment to be posted in Goa, India on a fulltime basis. The offline application process towards the same started on February 21, 2021 and closes on March 31, 2021.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Home Guard Volunteers posts in the Goa Home Guard and Civil Defence Organization Organisation Goa Home Guard and Civil Defence Organization Educational Qualification Passed Class VIII Experience Fifteen years residence certificate (valid) Job Responsibilities null Skills Required null Job Location Goa Salary Scale As per the Goa Home Guard norms Industry Govt. of Goa Application Start Date February 21, 2021 Application End Date March 31, 2021

Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021: Age And Fees

Candidates interested in applying for Goa Home Guard Jobs 2021 through Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021 must have attained 20 years of age and not be more than 50 years as on March 31, 2021 with relaxation (upper age limit) reserved categories as specified in the Goa Home Guard Notification 2021.

For details regarding the application fee for Goa Home Guard Jobs 2021 through Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021, refer to the official Goa Home Guard Notification 2021 given at the end of the article.

Also Read: IPHB Recruitment 2021 For 100 Staff Nurse, LDC, MTS, Pharmacist And Other Posts. Apply Offline Before March 9

Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021: Education

Desirous candidates applying for Goa Home Guard Volunteer Jobs 2021 through Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021 must have passed Class VIII from a recognised Board/Institution with fifteen years' residence certificate (valid) as detailed in the Goa Home Guard Notification 2021.

Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021: Selection And Pay

The selection of candidates for Goa Home Guard Volunteer Jobs 2021 through Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021 will be done through Physical Test (Qualifying Run), Written Test and Oral Test as notified in the Goa Home Guard Notification 2021.

Candidates selected for Goa Home Guard Volunteer Jobs 2021 through Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021 will be paid emolument as per the Goa Home Guard norms.

Also Read: CSBC Recruitment 2021 For 2380 Fireman Posts, Apply Online Before March 25

Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021: How To Apply

Candidates applying for Goa Home Guard Jobs 2021 through Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021 must personally submit their application form to the "Commandant General Home Guards & Director, Civil Defence, Panaji-Goa" on or before March 31, 2021.

The application forms for Goa Home Guard Volunteer Jobs 2021 can be obtained at the "Enrolment Cell in the Office of the Home Guards & Civil Defence, Police Head Quarters, Panaji" between 10.00 am to 5.30pm on all working days on paying Rs.20 per form.

Download Goa Home Guard Recruitment 2021 PDF Notification for Goa Home Guard Volunteers posts
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Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).

The government of Azerbaijan revealed this week plans for the construction of an all-new highway in the countrys Karabakh region as part of large-scale restoration projects in the liberated territories, Caspian News informs. Azerbaijans leading highway construction company, the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads (SAAAR) will be teaming up with Turkish Proyapi Company to build a road to Kalbajar, a mountainous district in the north of the Karabakh region.

The launch of the construction work is slated for some time in March, SAAAR Director Saleh Mammadov said in a press briefing on Monday, adding that the design and engineering work for the road to Kalbajar begun only two months ago.

The road will pass along the route Ganja - Goygol - Omar pass [in Kalbajar]. It is planned to build a mountain tunnel here, Mammadov said. Currently, we use the Tartar-Agdere-Kalbajar road with the participation of peacekeepers. According to the instructions of the president of Azerbaijan, a new road is being built for the safe movement of the population."

Ganja, the second-largest city of Azerbaijan, and the Goygol district are located north of Kalbajar. Goygol shares a border with Kalbajar, the largest and highest mountainous district of Azerbaijan. Omar mountain pass connects Kalbajar with Goygol at an altitude of 3,261 meters above sea level on the Murovdagh mountain range.

Kalbajar remained under Armenia's occupation for nearly three decades since April 2, 1993 when Armenia's forces occupied the district during the first war in the Karabakh region, which is an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan. Kalbajar was exclusively populated by 60,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis before the occupation. Following the invasion, Armenia launched a brutal ethnic cleansing to expel all Azerbaijanis from the district. Armenia's forces killed 511 and took 321 as hostages in the Kalbajar district. Currently, the IDPs from Kalbajar are living in 707 settlements located in 56 different regions of Azerbaijan.

Kalbajar returned to Azerbaijans control on November 25, 2020 after successful counter-attack operations carried out by the Azerbaijani army in the Karabakh region. The 44-day-long war between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place between September 27 and November 10 and ended with Azerbaijan's decisive victory. Azerbaijani army liberated over 300 settlements, including five major cities from Armenias occupation throughout the operations. Kalbajars return took place in non-combat conditions set by the tripartite ceasefire statement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia to end the hostilities.

The road to Kalbajar is the second major highway built by Azerbaijan in its Karabakh region after the Fuzuli-Shusha road, dubbed the Victory Road. The construction of the 100-kilometer-long highway from Fuzuli to Shusha, both liberated from Armenias occupation last year, kicked off in November. The road is scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2021.
KANAZAWA, Japan, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at Kanazawa University report in Biosensors and Bioelectronics a successful test of a sensor for measuring hydrogen peroxide concentrations near cell membranes. The sensor has the potential to become a tool for new cancer therapies.

Several processes in the human body are regulated by biochemical reactions involving hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Although it can act as a 'secondary messenger', relaying or amplifying certain signals between cells, H 2 O 2 is generally toxic because of its oxidant character. The latter means that it converts (oxidizes) biochemical molecules like proteins and DNA. The oxidizing property of H 2 O 2 is of potential therapeutic relevance for cancer, though: deliberately causing tumor cells to increase their H 2 O 2 concentration would be a way to destroy them. In light of this, but also for monitoring pathologies associated with H 2 O 2 overproduction, it is crucial to have a means to reliably quantify hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the extracellular environment. Now, Leonardo Puppulin from Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University and colleagues have developed a sensor for measuring concentrations of H 2 O 2 in the vicinity of cell membranes, with nanometer-resolution.

The biosensor consists of a gold nanoparticle with organic molecules attached to it. The whole cluster is designed so that it anchors easily to the outside of a cell's membrane, which is exactly where the hydrogen peroxide molecules to be detected are. As attachment molecules, the scientists used a compound called 4MPBE, known to have a strong Raman scattering response: when irradiated by a laser, the molecules consume some of the laser light's energy. By measuring the frequency change of the laser light, and plotting the signal strength as a function of this change, a unique spectrum is obtained  a signature of the 4MPBE molecules. When a 4MPBE molecule reacts with a H 2 O 2 molecule, its Raman spectrum changes. Based on this principle, by comparing Raman spectra, Puppulin and colleagues were able to obtain an estimate of the H 2 O 2 concentration near the biosensor.

After developing a calibration procedure for their nanosensor  relating the H 2 O 2 concentration to a change in Raman spectrum in a quantitative way is not straightforward  the scientists were able to produce a concentration map with a resolution of about 700 nm for lung cancer cell samples. Finally, they also succeeded in extending their technique to obtain measurements of the H 2 O 2 concentration variation across cell membranes.

Puppulin and colleagues conclude that their "novel approach may be useful for the study of actual H 2 O 2 concentrations involved in cell proliferation or death, which are fundamental to fully elucidate physiological processes and to design new therapeutic strategies."

Related images

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/figure1_puppulin.jpg

Figure 1: (a) Explanatory sketch of the plasma membrane anchored nanosensor. The compounds used for gold nanoparticles (AuNP) conjugation are the H2O2-sensitive 4-mercaptophenylboronic pinacol ester (4MPBE) and Biotin-HPDP. Biotinylation of the plasma membrane protein ectodomains is obtained using NHS-Biotin. The anchoring of the conjugated AuNP and NHS-Biotin is given by Streptavidin reacting with the two biotin moieties. (b) AFM analysis was performed on A549 lung cancer cells after nanosensor anchoring and fixation. High resolution AFM images confirmed the presence of the nanosensor, which is in contact with the cell surface and is capable of detecting endogenous H2O2 in a very shallow region (i.e., 90 nm) of the extracellular fluid in contact with the plasma membrane.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/figure2_puppulin.jpg

Figure 2: (a) Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy was used to detect and quantify the H2O2-induced modification of 4MPBE molecules assembled on the gold surface of the nanosensor anchored to the cells. The intensity of the Raman band at 998 cm-1 depends on H2O2 concentration, while the band at 1074 cm-1 did not show modification and it can be used for normalization of the spectral lines. (b) Results of the nanosensor calibration. The ratio of the intensity at 1074 cm-1 to the intensity at 998 cm-1 showed linear dependence with respect to H2O2 concentration. (c) Example of SERS hyperspectral map of extracellular endogenous H2O2 collected from the surface of the A549 cell shown in the bright-field image. The SERS spectra shown in (a) were collected from the locations A and B.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/figure3_puppulin.jpg

Figure 3: (a) Explanatory schematic of the extracellular production of H2O2 by NOX complex, the consequent absorption through Aquaporin channel and the reaction with intracellular peroxiredoxin. At steady-state condition, the concentration ratio of extracellular H2O2 to intracellular H2O2 can be estimated by the ratio of the rate constant of H2O2 reduction by peroxiredoxin (kprx) to the rate constant of H2O2 absorption through the plasma membrane (kabs). (b)-(c) Typical results of redox biology experiments with fitting lines from which we measured kabs and kprx, respectively. (d) Mean surface extracellular [H2O2]e and the typical maximum of [H2O2]e measured on A549 cells using the newly designed nanosensor. (e) Mean intracellular [H2O2]i and the typical maximum of [H2O2]i estimated on A549 cells according to the model reported in (a) and using the results from (b)-(d).

Background

Surface-enhance Raman spectroscopy

The biosensor developed by Leonardo Puppulin from Kanazawa University and colleagues is based on a method called surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The principle derives from Raman spectroscopy, in which differences between the incoming and the outcoming frequencies of laser light irradiated onto a sample are analyzed. The spectrum obtained by plotting the signal strength as a function of frequency difference is characteristic for the sample, which can in principle be a single molecule. Typically, however, the signal coming from one molecule is too weak to detect, but the effect can be enhanced when the molecule is absorbed on a rough metal surface. Puppulin and colleagues applied the technique to (indirectly) detect hydrogen peroxide; their Raman-responsive molecule is a compound called 4MPBE, which is modified when exposed to hydrogen peroxide.

Reference

Shigekuni Hosogi, Yoshinori Marunaka, Eishi Ashihara, Tadaaki Yamada, Ayumi Sumino, Hideo Tanaka and Leonardo Puppulin. Plasma membrane anchored nanosensor for quantifying endogenous production of H 2 O 2 in living cells, Biosensors and Bioelectronics 179, 113077 (2021).

DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113077

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2021.113077

Further information

WPI-NanoLSI Kanazawa University

Hiroe Yoneda

Vice Director of Public Affairs

WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI)

Kanazawa University

Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192 Japan

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +81 (76) 234-4550

About Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI)

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/

Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa University is a research center established in 2017 as part of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The objective of this initiative is to form world-tier research centers. NanoLSI combines the foremost knowledge of bio-scanning probe microscopy to establish 'nano-endoscopic techniques' to directly image, analyze, and manipulate biomolecules for insights into mechanisms governing life phenomena such as diseases.

About Kanazawa University

http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/e/

As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities.

The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa  a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.

SOURCE Kanazawa University
and the Queen have called Sussexes a 'few times', said Prince Harry

Prince Harry has revealed that his grandfather Prince Philip does know how to use Zoom - but simply slams shut his laptop to end calls instead of pressing the Leave button.

The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen have called the Sussexes a 'few times' and even seen Archie 'running around', said Harry.

His comments came as part of a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out during an open-top bus tour of Los Angeles with The Late Late Show host James Corden.

In one extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the mansion where it was filmed, before Corden video calls Meghan Markle, who calls her husband 'Haz'.

The Duke of Sussex also opened up to James about his relationship with Meghan, his son Archie and their decision to quit as frontline royals, saying the pressure of being in London was 'destroying his mental health', branding Britain's media 'toxic'.

The rare TV interview was recorded before Prince Philip, 99, was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London, where he is being treated for an infection and today begins his 11th day.

Prince Harry has revealed that his grandfather Prince Philip (pictured above, in July last year), 99, ends family Zoom calls by simply shutting his laptop instead of pressing the leave button

Prince Harry pictured visiting the mansion used in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air during his wide-ranging interview with The Late Late Show host James Corden

Responding to whether the Queen knows how to use Zoom, Prince Harry said: 'Yes, both my grandparents do.

'They have zoomed a few times, they have seen Archie running around.

'But my grandfather, instead of pressing leave meeting he just goes [Harry pretends to close laptop].

'I am like "bye" as I'm pressing - and he just goes [imitates closing laptop].'

Harry also revealed that Prince Philip and the Queen sent Archie a waffle-maker for Christmas.

He then described his son as 'hysterical', saying his first word was 'crocodile'.

Harry seen enjoying tea on the top deck of the open-top bus tour of Los Angeles. He also revealed that Prince Philip and the Queen sent his son Archie a waffle-maker for Christmas

James Corden pictured video calling Meghan Markle, who calls her husband 'Haz', during the interview, which was recorded before Prince Philip was admitted to hospital in London

The Queen pictured talking to members of the Armed Forces via Cisqo Webex. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen have called the Sussexes a 'few times', said Harry

Buckingham Palace's last update on Prince Philip was on Tuesday and said he was 'comfortable' and 'responding to treatment'.

His son Prince Edward has also said this week Philip was 'a lot better' but 'looking forward to getting out' with the Royal Family who were keeping their 'fingers crossed'.

The Earl of Wessex thanked well-wishers for their messages of support as it was announced on Tuesday that Philip would spend 'several days' more in hospital.

He was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell, and walked into the building unaided.

This is the longest amount of time he has spent in hospital since June 2013 when he had an exploratory operation on his abdomen.

Police officers stand at the entrance to the King Edward VII Hospital in London where Prince Philip was admitted on the evening of Tuesday, February 16

Police officers pictured standing at the entrance to the King Edward VII Hospital. Prince Philip was admitted as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell

Philip's 11th day in hospital came as Harry's interview was released, during which he described the couple's decision regarding frontline royal duties, he said: 'It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down.

'It was a really difficult environment, which I think a lot of people saw. So I did what any father or husband would do and thought: "How do I get my family out of here".

'But we never walked away'.

While the interview was carried out before the Queen stripped the Sussexes of their royal patronages last week, Harry says: 'My life is public service, so wherever I am in the world it's going to be the same thing.

'As far as I'm concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side [in Britain], I will never walk away.'
MILAN, FEB 26 - An accountant for the nationalist League party arrested for slush funds linked to the Lombardia Film Commission on Friday plea-bargained a jail term of three years and four months. Michele Scillieri was convicted of embezzlement and bid rigging. He was cleared of tax offences. His brother-in-law Fabio Barbarossa plea-bargained two years and one month on the same charges. (ANSA).
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  The SoNo branch of the Norwalk Public Library is hosing a virtual Kwanzaa celebration Saturday, with community leaders presenting each of the holidays seven principles.

While Kwanzaa is typically celebrated in December, the key principles should be practiced year-round, Interim Library Director Sherelle Harris said. As February is Black History Month, Harris put together the Kwanzaa celebration, as the holiday is common in Black communities.
The figures offer a reality check on the many promises coming from world capitals and company boardrooms that leaders are taking climate change seriously.

The United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, called the report a red alert.

The tally was all the more damning because fewer than half of all countries submitted fresh targets to the United Nations. The Paris climate accord, designed to limit an increase in global temperatures, had urged them to do so by the end of 2020.

Still missing from the ledger is the United States, which has produced more greenhouse gas emissions than any other country in history. It rejoined the Paris Agreement last week, after the former president, Donald J. Trump, pulled out. It has yet to submit its 2030 targets and is under pressure from climate advocates to reduce emissions by at least 50 percent compared with 2005 levels.

Likewise, China, which currently produces the largest share of emissions, has yet to submit new 2030 targets to the United Nations. Its president, Xi Jinping, said in December that China would produce more of its electricity from renewable sources (25 percent), grow more forests (six billion cubic meters) and reduce its carbon intensity by over 65 percent, which means that as Chinas economy grows, its carbon emissions would grow at a slower pace than before.

Mr. Xi has said China will be carbon neutral by 2060, meaning it will remove from the atmosphere planet-warming carbon emissions equal to the amount it still produces at that time.
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Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible.
President Klaus Iohannis had a talk in video-conference system with his Estonian counterpart, Kersti Kaljulaid, context in which the Romanian president accepted the latter's invitation to pay a state visit to the Republic of Estonia in June, if the epidemiological conditions allows, informs the Presidential Administration, according to AGERPRES.

According to the cited source, the conversation took place in the context of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations on Friday, and the two officials addressed issues in the field of bilateral cooperation, managing the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation with the Eastern Neighborhood countries of the European Union, as well as the Three Seas Initiative.

"In the context of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the President of Romania welcomed the excellent level of bilateral relations, based on common values and interests. At the same time, President Klaus Iohannis appreciated the intensified dialogue and in-depth cooperation between the two countries, both bilaterally and at European level, as well as within the regional and international cooperation formats," the Presidential Administration shows in a press release.

The head of state stressed the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the economic sphere, in terms of ensuring the transition to the digital economy and society, as well as in combating the effects of climate change.

The two presidents informed each other about the national measures implemented in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the stage of the vaccination process.

With regard to the Eastern Neighborhood, Klaus Iohannis emphasized the need for a stronger political commitment to the Eastern Partnership countries, especially those associated with the European Union, as well as a greater focus on resolving protracted conflicts in the region.

"At the request of the Estonian side, the Romanian President informed about the visit he made to Chisinau at the end of last year, on which occasion he conveyed a strong message of support for the reform agenda of the new President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu. In this context, Klaus Iohannis specified that Romania has mobilized a new support package for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, consisting of emergency assistance for combating the COVID-19 pandemic," shows the Presidential Administration.

As regards cooperation under the Three Seas Initiative, President Iohannis expressed appreciation for the success of the summit hosted by his Estonian counterpart last autumn in a difficult epidemiological context.

"President Klaus Iohannis appreciated that the Three Seas Initiative offers, more than ever, an adequate platform for economic recovery in the post-pandemic period, based on the development of connectivity. From this perspective, the President of Romania stressed that the main objective remains the implementation of strategic interconnection projects," reads the release.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The Ohio Republican Party elected Bob Paduchik, a political operative and former Republican National Committeman, as its next chair Friday, succeeding Jane Timken who resigned last month.

Paduchik won the support of the state central committee and was the heavy favorite going into Fridays meeting, securing an endorsement from former President Donald Trump earlier this week. Paduchik replaces Timken, who left her post in January to run for retiring GOP U.S. Sen. Rob Portmans seat.

Paduchik is a longtime political operative with a record of winning races. That includes two successful Ohio campaigns for former Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump each. He has also lobbied for several high-profile bills in the state, including House Bill 6, the nuclear bailout bill.

For the last 35 years, I have devoted my life to carrying out conservative principles on the state and national level, Paduchik said in a statement. As a strong ally of President Trump, I look forward to leading the party through these coming years.

His only competition was John Becker, a former state representative known as one of the most conservative members in the caucus. He left office in 2020 due to term limits.

Paduchik said he wanted to focus on having stronger showings in judicial races, using the ORP as a service organization and increasing outreach from the Republican Party into urban areas  where Trump made some inroads during the 2020 election.

Paduchik also said he wouldnt take a stance on party endorsements, which has become a hot topic during the past couple months as conservatives grow increasingly frustrated with Republican Gov. Mike DeWines response to the coronavirus pandemic. The more conservative wing of the party, including Becker, has criticized the governor for mitigation methods such as shutdowns and mask mandates, feeling it has irreparably harmed the states economy.

The party can and, at times, chooses to endorse, Paduchik said. I do not have an opinion on that for the committee. That is the committees decision to make.

Some controversy among members broke out when executive committee members moved to go into executive session to ask the chair candidates questions. Some of the rank-and-file central committee members werent pleased with that, feeling it gave the election process a sense of secrecy.

Several members wondered if it would even be legal, given the states open records laws.

I thought we were an open body. I thought we were here to elect a chairman openly, said Keith Cheney, Allen County Republican Party chairman. I know that Mr. Paduchik and Mr. Becker are here. I dont believe either one of them would have a problem addressing this committee, making their presentation, as Mr. Borges and Mrs. Timken did during their election.

After taking up most of the first hour of the meeting, the central committee voted down going into executive session.

Pension savers who have had to dip into their savings during the coronavirus pandemic should not be penalised for trying to put money back in when they can, the Association of British Insurers has said (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Pension savers who have had to dip into their savings during the coronavirus pandemic should not be penalised for trying to put money back in when they can, insurers have said.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) wants the money purchase annual allowance (MPAA) to be scrapped or increased in the Budget on March 3, so that savers do not miss out on tax relief.

The pension freedoms introduced in 2015 allow over-55s to access their retirement savings flexibly.

But if someone wants to pay back the money they have withdrawn, they risk missing out on pensions tax relief.

This is because once pension savings have been accessed, the amount eligible for pensions tax relief decreases from a maximum of 40,000 to 4,000, known as the MPAA.

The change in pensions tax relief is permanent, so older workers who withdraw from their pension will never get a maximum of 40,000 in pensions tax relief again.

Removing or increasing the money purchase annual allowance will help incentivise older workers to save Yvonne Braun, Association of British Insurers

The MPAA applies if you start to take money flexibly from a defined contribution (DC) scheme. It is not applied if you take a tax-free lump sum or if you buy an annuity.

The ABI said it does not take much to exceed the MPAA.

Someone on the average salary for a 50 to 59-year-old paying minimum pension contributions would only have to pay an extra 151 a month to exceed the MPAA and miss out on pensions tax relief for contributions above that amount, the ABI said.

Someone earning the average salary for over-60s would have to pay an extra 183.

The ABI said figures show the number of pension pots accessed as a flexible income increased by 3% from 7,737 in December 2019 to 7,936 in December 2020.

Yvonne Braun, director of policy for long-term savings and protection at the ABI, said: Covid-19 has shown that households financial resilience can be fragile and addressing that should be a central part of the nations Covid-19 recovery.

Our data suggests that pension withdrawals have not yet substantially increased but the continued uncertainty and insecure job market could mean more people dipping into their retirement savings to get by.

Removing or increasing the money purchase annual allowance will help incentivise older workers to save.

This will improve their financial resilience and also make sure people are not penalised for doing the right thing by paying money back into their pension when they can afford to.
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Marine sediment samples used in the irradiation experiments. Credit: Justine Sauvage

A team of researchers from the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography and their collaborators have revealed that the abundant microbes living in ancient sediment below the seafloor are sustained primarily by chemicals created by the natural irradiation of water molecules.

The team discovered that the creation of these chemicals is amplified significantly by minerals in marine sediment. In contrast to the conventional view that life in sediment is fueled by products of photosynthesis, an ecosystem fueled by irradiation of water begins just meters below the seafloor in much of the open ocean. This radiation-fueled world is one of Earth's volumetrically largest ecosystems.

The research was published today in the journal Nature Communications.

"This work provides an important new perspective on the availability of resources that subsurface microbial communities can use to sustain themselves. This is fundamental to understand life on Earth and to constrain the habitability of other planetary bodies, such as Mars," said Justine Sauvage, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Gothenburg who conducted the research as a doctoral student at URI.

The process driving the research team's findings is radiolysis of waterthe splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxidants as a result of being exposed to naturally occurring radiation. Steven D'Hondt, URI professor of oceanography and a co-author of the study, said the resulting molecules become the primary source of food and energy for the microbes living in the sediment.

"The marine sediment actually amplifies the production of these usable chemicals," he said. "If you have the same amount of irradiation in pure water and in wet sediment, you get a lot more hydrogen from wet sediment. The sediment makes the production of hydrogen much more effective."

Justine Sauvage, lead author of the study, measures dissolved oxygen content in sediment cores collected in the North Atlantic. Photo courtesy of Justine Sauvage

Why the process is amplified in wet sediment is unclear, but D'Hondt speculates that minerals in the sediment may "behave like a semiconductor, making the process more efficient."

The discoveries resulted from a series of laboratory experiments conducted in the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center. Sauvage irradiated vials of wet sediment from various locations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, collected by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program and by U.S. research vessels. She compared the production of hydrogen to similarly irradiated vials of seawater and distilled water. The sediment amplified the results by as much as a factor of 30.

"This study is a unique combination of sophisticated laboratory experiments integrated into a global biological context," said co-author Arthur Spivack, URI professor of oceanography.

The implications of the findings are significant.

"If you can support life in subsurface marine sediment and other subsurface environments from natural radioactive splitting of water, then maybe you can support life the same way in other worlds," said D'Hondt. "Some of the same minerals are present on Mars, and as long as you have those wet catalytic minerals, you're going to have this process. If you can catalyze production of radiolytic chemicals at high rates in the wet Martian subsurface, you could potentially sustain life at the same levels that it's sustained in marine sediment."

Sauvage added, "This is especially relevant given that the Perseverance Rover has just landed on Mars, with its mission to collect Martian rocks and to characterize its habitable environments."

D'Hondt said the research team's findings also have implications for the nuclear industry, including for how nuclear waste is stored and how nuclear accidents are managed. "If you store nuclear waste in sediment or rock, it may generate hydrogen and oxidants faster than in pure water. That natural catalysis may make those storage systems more corrosive than is generally realized," he said.

The next steps for the research team will be to explore the effect of hydrogen production through radiolysis in other environments on Earth and beyond, including oceanic crust, continental crust and subsurface Mars. They also will seek to advance the understanding of how subsurface microbial communities live, interact and evolve when their primary energy source is derived from the natural radiolytic splitting of water.

Explore further Microbial diversity below seafloor is as rich as on Earth's surface

More information: Justine F. Sauvage et al, The contribution of water radiolysis to marine sedimentary life, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Justine F. Sauvage et al, The contribution of water radiolysis to marine sedimentary life,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21218-z
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 22:19:13|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's success in poverty alleviation offers inspiration to and is worth learning for other countries still beset by poverty, overseas experts have said.

Addressing a grand gathering held in Beijing Thursday to mark the country's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China upholds a people-centered philosophy of development and unswervingly pursues prosperity for all, emphasizing that ending poverty, improving people's well-being and realizing common prosperity are the essential requirements of socialism.

President Xi has vividly explained that poverty is not a human destiny, said Humphrey Moshi, a professor of economics and director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

The Chinese leader said poverty can be eradicated by using available natural resources and adding value to them, and the use of technology, like what China is doing, is also vital to fighting poverty, said the professor, stressing that in fighting poverty, China has a lot that is worth learning for Africa.

China has created a "good example" of poverty alleviation and made great contributions to global poverty alleviation, said Anri Sharapov, head of the Department of Economics and Politics of China at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.

China's experience in eradicating poverty is "very attractive for Uzbekistan," said Sharapov, noting that with scientifically-based strategic goals, China brings together the necessary resources to take on great tasks.

Emphasizing that the fight against poverty has become an urgent task for the world amid the pandemic, Sharapov said each country should quickly learn from the Chinese experience to benefit its people and achieve social development.

Noting that "China is a very large country with a very large population," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that China's accomplishments in poverty reduction "point to systematic development, despite all the difficulties that arise with regard to the COVID-19 crisis and post-COVID developments."

China's experience in the fight against poverty will be very useful for the world, as these achievements exemplify the attractiveness of the development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, said Vladimir Petrovsky, chief researcher at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. "This is an absolutely obvious and significant achievement," he said.

"We are all witnesses to the history that China has recorded in achieving the goal of eradicating poverty by 2020," said Garba Shehu, spokesperson for the Nigerian president, adding that the model of targeted poverty alleviation "is very important for all nations of the world to learn from."

Similarly, Al Mamun Mridha, joint secretary general of the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that "the world has witnessed the enormous success of China in combating absolute poverty and achieving economic goals."

It was a huge task to accomplish, he said, stressing that it was "China's profound leadership, intelligent foresight, dedication, determination, depth of knowledge and patriotism" that made the dream come true.

The strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the joint efforts of the government at all levels have enabled the country to achieve victory in that decisive battle, noted Nourhan al-Sheikh, a professor of political science with Cairo University.

"Of course, it is also an inspiring experience for the world," she added. Enditem
GODFREY  The Lewis and Clark Community College Veterans Club will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 at The Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: LewisClark1 or call 800-RED CROSS. Walk-ins are always welcome, but scheduling an appointment online helps the Red Cross make sure they have the right number of people and supplies on hand for the drive.
YEREVAN (Reuters) - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's grip on power appeared to be slipping on Friday, a day after the army called on him to quit.

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in the capital Yerevan to demand his downfall, and a leading opposition figure called on the army to rebel against him. Two former presidents have already said he must step down.

Pashinyan, 45, accused the military of a coup attempt on Thursday and tried to sack the chief of staff, after the army issued a written statement calling for him to resign.

He has faced calls to quit since November from countrymen who blame him for a disastrous six-week war that saw ethnic Armenian forces lose swathes of territory in neighbouring Azerbaijan they had held for decades.

While crowds on Friday demanded he resign, thousands of others had gathered in the capital to rally behind him on Thursday.

Pashinyan told his supporters on Thursday he was firing Onik Gasparyan, the chief of the army's general staff. But by Friday the dismissal had not yet been approved by Armenia's president, a step needed for it to enter force.

President Armen Sarkissian held a meeting with Gasparyan, the president's office said, without releasing further details.

Vazgen Manukyan, a politician who has been touted by the opposition as a possible interim prime minister to replace Pashinyan, told hundreds of supporters at a rally that the army would never allow Gasparyan to be sacked.

"You think the army will easily agree that Pashinyan illegally removes their head? No. The army will rebel. I call on the army to rebel. The army shouldn't carry out illegal orders," Manukyan said.

The General Prosecutor's Office told Reuters on Friday that it was investigating whether the army's call for the prime minister to go constituted a crime.

"The general staff's statement and the possible risk of developments around it are the subject of our attention," Gor Abrahamyan, an aide to the prosecutor general, told Reuters by telephone. "If any elements of a crime outlined in the criminal code are revealed, a legal response will immediately follow."

Story continues

Pashinyan, a former journalist and lawmaker, came to power in a peaceful popular uprising in May 2018 known as Armenia's velvet revolution.

But the loss of territory in and around the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh last year was a bitter blow for Armenians, who had won control of the area in the 1990s in a war which killed at least 30,000 people.

The conflict was brought to a halt by a ceasefire deal brokered by Russia. Moscow, which has deployed peacekeepers to enforce the ceasefire, said on Friday it was vital the agreements be fully implemented despite Armenia's crisis.

(Reporting by Artem Mikryukov and Nvard Hovhannisyan; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Peter Graff)
New York, New York, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- African Gold Acquisition Corporation (the Company) announced today the pricing of its upsized initial public offering of 36,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units will be listed on The New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) and trade under the ticker symbol AGAC.U beginning on February 26, 2021. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and three-quarters of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. After the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants are expected to be listed the NYSE under the symbols AGAC and AGAC.W, respectively. The offering is expected to close on March 2, 2021.

African Gold Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, share purchase, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue a business combination target in any industry, the Company intends to focus on a target with operations or prospective operations in the gold mining sector. The Company is led by Chairman Robert Hersov, Vice Chairman Brian Hinchcliffe, Chief Executive Officer Christopher Chadwick and Chief Financial Officer Cooper Morgenthau.

B. Riley Securities, Inc. is acting as the sole book running manager of the offering. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 5,400,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on February 25, 2021. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from B. Riley Securities, Inc., 1300 17th Street N., Suite 1400, Attn: Syndicate Prospectus Department, Arlington, Virginia 22209, by telephone at (800) 846-5050 or by email at prospectuses@brileyfin.com.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements, including with respect to the initial public offering and search for an initial business combination. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Companys registration statement for the initial public offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SECs website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Contact

Cooper Morgenthau

info@africangoldcorp.com
Jefferies confirmed today that it will hold a Doing Good Global Trading Day tomorrow, Friday, February 26, 2021 to support accredited charities focused on advancing diversity and inclusion, supporting COVID-19 relief efforts, Texas Relief & Support, and improving sustainability and the environment. The Jefferies Doing Good Global Trading Day offers investors around the world the opportunity to join these efforts by trading with Jefferies.

As previously announced, Jefferies will donate 100% of net global trading commissions on February 26, for all trading in equities, fixed income and foreign exchange by the firms clients. In addition, Jefferies as a firm will donate $1 million directly, and all 3,922 employees worldwide will be given the opportunity to personally donate to these efforts. These contributions will be allocated to a broad array of qualified charities dedicated to these important initiatives.

Rich Handler, CEO, and Brian Friedman, President, of Jefferies commented: As we approach the one-year anniversary of the impact of Coronavirus on mankind, we at Jefferies are grateful to be so fortunate and we are excited to be able to contribute to so many important causes that are dear to our and our clients hearts. Our Doing Good" Global Trading Day will support organizations including those focused on diversity and inclusion, COVID-19 relief efforts, Texas Relief & Support, and the sustainability and protection of our environment. Every one of us at Jefferies is looking forward to partnering with our clients, fellow employees and shareholders as we utilize Jefferies global platform for a day of giving back where it is most needed.

For further information, please contact your Jefferies representative.

Jefferies Group LLC is the largest independent, global, full-service investment banking firm headquartered in the U.S. Focused on serving clients for nearly 60 years, Jefferies is a leader in providing insight, expertise and execution to investors, companies and governments. Our firm provides a full range of investment banking, advisory, sales and trading, research and wealth management services across all products in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Jefferies Leucadia Asset Management division is a growing alternative asset management platform. Jefferies Group LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: JEF), a diversified financial services company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225005370/en/
Scientists studying Australia and Antarctica have sounded the alarm on collapsing ecosystems, saying urgent action is needed to avert catastrophic biodiversity losses in places like the Great Barrier Reef and Victorian ash forests.

The 38 eminent scientists, from 29 universities and organisations, say they have observed signs of Australian ecosystem decline and collapse all over the country, from tropical savannahs and rainforests to coral reefs, deserts and even Antarctic environments.

Australian scientists say there are 19 ecosystems that are collapsing.

Their stark findings were published on Friday in the journal Global Change Biology.

Their collaboration began when Dr Dana Bergstrom, from the Australian Antarctic Division, documented rapid, widespread plant dieback in the subantarctic tundra of remote Macquarie Island, and wondered if it was happening elsewhere.
The Congress party on Friday criticized the joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control and other sectors. Taking to Twitter, national spokesperson of the party Dr. Shama Mohamed said that both the countries have been holding back-channel talks for the last 3 months, with NSA Ajit Doval leading the initiative. She alleged that this is being done after the Centre is "clearing the road for Chinese FDI."

"It's shocking how quickly the BJP forgets the martyrdom of our soldiers at Pulwama and Galwan," she said.

India & Pakistan have been holding back-channel talks for last 3 months, with NSA Ajit Doval leading the initiative. This, after the govt is clearing the road for Chinese FDI. It's shocking how quickly the BJP forgets the martyrdom of our soldiers at #Pulwama & Galwan!  Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) February 26, 2021

However, the Chinese FDI claim was discarded by government sources earlier this week. The Government has said there is no change in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy from China post disengagement and easing of tension between the two Asian giants.

Commerce Ministry sources told news agency ANI that there is no change or easing in FDIs from China as of now and nor it is planned in near future. All investments from China have to follow the procedures and government clearance route, nod will only be given to those investments that bear no implications on Indian security interests. Any Chinese company that potentially impinges on India's security will not be cleared.

READ | Pillion earlier, watch WB CM Mamata Banerjee learn to ride e-scooter & lead fuel protest

READ | India's Covid vaccine proposal draws support from 115 MPs of European Parliament

India-Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire

The joint statement issued in Islamabad and New Delhi said the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact and reviewed the situation along the LoC and all other sectors in a "free, frank and cordial" atmosphere.

"In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence. Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight of February 24/25," the joint statement said.

The two sides also reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding, it added.

READ | India-Pakistan ceasefire pact is 'positive step towards greater peace & stability': US

READ | Delhi Police refutes AAP's claim that Delhi CM Kejriwal's Z-Plus security has been removed
West Australians are making tens of thousands of dollars renting out old campervans and caravans sitting idle in their backyards to locals holidaying at home.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been a curse for most small businesses, border closures and uncertainty around travel have seen the caravan trade soar to new heights in the past year.

Warren Barnes and Natalie Carter with son Deegan and daughter Kiki. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola

Natalie Carter and her partner Warren Barnes have earned more than $14,000 renting out their five-person camper trailer to West Australians holidaying at home since December 2019.

Business is booming so much the couple is now planning to buy and another camper to rent out to help pay off the mortgage on their new home in Yanchep.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a grand gathering to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

 Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty.

 Combined with poverty-reduction results since the late 1970s, China is responsible for over 70 percent of the global reduction in poverty over the period.

 Xi said the country has blazed a poverty reduction trail and formed an anti-poverty theory with Chinese characteristics.

 Xi demanded efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and initiate a dovetailing drive of "rural vitalization."

 China on Thursday inaugurated a new cabinet body on promoting rural vitalization.

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday that China has secured a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said absolute poverty has been eradicated in the world's most populous country, home to over 1.4 billion people.

Xi made the announcement while addressing a grand gathering held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters.

With absolute poverty eliminated, China has created another "miracle" that will "go down in history," Xi said in a televised speech.

The high-profile event was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang and attended by other senior Party leaders Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng  all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee  and Vice President Wang Qishan.

A Miracle

Under Xi's leadership, China launched a monumental anti-poverty campaign on a scale unseen anywhere in the world.

Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty. All 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages have also been removed from the poverty list.

The country has met the poverty eradication target set out in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

Combined with poverty-reduction results since the late 1970s, China is responsible for over 70 percent of the global reduction in poverty over the period, World Bank statistics have shown.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged the success of China's anti-poverty campaign over the past few years, calling it "the most important contribution" to the global poverty reduction cause.

"No country has been able to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in such a short time," Xi said.

Xia Sen, former researcher of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, attends a grand gathering to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. [Xinhua/Liu Bin]

At Thursday's gathering, Xi presented medals, certificates and plaques to role models from the country's anti-poverty fight. He also joined other Chinese leaders in presenting awards to individuals and groups for their outstanding achievements in the fight against penury.

The recipients include villagers, Party members dispatched to villages to fight poverty, grassroots officials and college researchers. Some of them were honored posthumously.

Shi Jintong, a village Party chief in central China's Hunan Province, accepted an award on behalf of his village. Shi's village  Shibadong  is where Xi, during a visit in 2013, put forward the "targeted poverty alleviation" strategy that was instrumental in the success of China's poverty eradication campaign.

"I feel so honored to meet the general secretary again, yet I am confident at the same time as we have accomplished the task of poverty eradication," Shi said.

But not all of China's anti-poverty champions lived to see this day.

Over the past eight years, more than 1,800 people died fighting poverty on the front lines.

Xi acknowledged these fallen heroes at Thursday's event, saying that their sacrifice and contributions "will never be forgotten by the Party, the people and the republic."

A grand gathering is held to mark the country's accomplishments in poverty alleviation and honor its model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

Party, People, Pooling Resources, Precision

Summarizing China's experience in conquering poverty, Xi said the country has blazed a poverty reduction trail and formed an anti-poverty theory with Chinese characteristics.

He underlined the role of Party leadership, which has provided a "political and organizational guarantee" for China's poverty alleviation efforts.

Poverty relief work has been led by the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC with its 90 million members. Party chiefs at all levels were required to assume the primary responsibility for achieving the campaign's ambitious targets. Over 3 million public sector officials were sent from cities and towns to villages to fight poverty "on the front lines."

Funds were channeled to assist the fight. Nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (about 246 billion U.S. dollars) of fiscal funds have been invested into poverty alleviation over the past eight years.

China also leveraged the political advantage of its socialist system, which can bring together the needed resources to accomplish great tasks. This enabled massive programs, such as those pairing up better-off provinces with others in need to tackle poverty.

The country's strategy of targeted poverty alleviation was also highlighted.

Xi said poverty eradication is an important embodiment of the Party's fundamental purpose of "whole-heartedly serving the people."

"Ending poverty, improving people's well-being and realizing common prosperity are the essential requirements of socialism," Xi said.

A grand gathering is held to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. [Xinhua/Ding Lin]

Rural Vitalization

Building on its victory in eradicating poverty, China is moving on to push for higher-level development in its rural areas.

Shaking off poverty is not the finish line, but the starting point of a new life and new endeavor, Xi said in the speech, demanding efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and initiate a dovetailing drive of "rural vitalization."

The rural vitalization strategy was proposed as a key move for the development of a modernized economy at the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017.

More detailed plans of the strategy were unveiled in the Party leadership's proposals for formulating an economic and social development plan for the 2021-2025 period and long-term goals through the year 2035.

China on Thursday inaugurated a new cabinet body on promoting rural vitalization, which was transformed from the State Council Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development.

In his speech, Xi said efforts must be made to prevent any large-scale relapse into poverty, and identifying solutions to problems concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers must be the top priority of the Party's work.

"China will attach greater importance to the pursuit of common prosperity," he said.

Video Editor: Liu Xiaorui

(Source: Xinhua)
WINNIPEG - Billions of dollars in cost overruns and spiralling debt at Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro were caused in part by a lack of government oversight and overly optimistic sales predictions, says a report released Friday.

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WINNIPEG - Billions of dollars in cost overruns and spiralling debt at Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro were caused in part by a lack of government oversight and overly optimistic sales predictions, says a report released Friday.

A review by former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall looked at construction of the Bipole III transmission line and the Keeyask generating station, which together ran $3.7 billion, or 38 per cent, over their initial budgets.

The report said there were many factors, including one major contract that left the province instead of the contractor on the hook for cost overruns.

And as costs rose, the former NDP government did not take action, said Wall, who was hired by the province's current Progressive Conservative government to do the review.

"The commissioner saw no evidence of interest or proactive outreach on the part of the former elected Government of Manitoba to provide oversight, accountability, and overall leadership on the Keeyask and Bipole III projects," Wall's report states.

"As the costs of the projects grew and the potential impact on Manitoba Hydro became apparent, there is no evidence that the former government engaged with the (Manitoba Hydro board) or provided any direction."

The report also says Manitoba Hydro officials and the former NDP government overestimated the potential for export sales.

When the government began pushing the projects, it said hydroelectricity could do for Manitoba what oil had done for Alberta. But energy prices softened as the use of natural gas and fracking expanded in the United States.

Domestic demand was also overstated, Wall said. Instead of Keeyask being needed as early as 2019, its energy may only have been needed a decade from now, Wall said. The generating station started operating earlier this month.

Keeyask and Bipole III were built over the last 15 years and Manitoba Hydro's debt has tripled in that time to more than $23 billion.

Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall speaks during the Saskatchewan Party leadership convention in Saskatoon on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. A review done by Wall of Manitoba Hydro says overly optimistic sales predictions and a lack of government oversight led to cost overruns and a large increase in debt at the Crown corporation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

The Crown corporation has applied to increase customer rates by up to eight per centtto pay down some of the debt, but provincial regulators have approved much lower increases.

Wall's report said up to $1 billion might have been saved had Manitoba Hydro been allowed to build Bipole III on a straight route along the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Instead, the NDP government ordered it take a much longer route through western Manitoba to preserve pristine boreal forest, respect Indigenous land use and to not raise environmental concerns among potential customers in the United States.

When the Opposition Tories raised the issue in 2007, the government said export sales would pay for any extra costs.

Attempts by The Canadian Press to reach Greg Selinger, who was the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro at the time and would became premier in 2009, were unsuccessful Friday.

The current NDP Opposition said the report from Wall, a former Saskatchewan Party leader, was the work of a political operative.

"Typically these types of reports would be produced by a judge or an expert in their field," hydro critic Adrien Sala said.

"Instead, the (Tories) have decided to hire their friend and political ally ... to write a report that would tell them exactly what it was that they wanted to hear."

Manitoba Hydro said it is reviewing the report and will discuss its findings with the government.

Wall's report makes many recommendations, including greater oversight by the provincial cabinet of major hydro projects. It also says some projects could be done in partnership with the private sector.

Wall said the province would continue to own any infrastructure under such an arrangement, but the Canadian Union of Public Employees called the idea a step toward privatization.

"Private, for-profit corporations ... aren't participating in projects for the public good. They're there to make a profit," CUPE Local 998 president Michelle Bergen said in a news release.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2021
SPRINGFIELD  Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno called Thursday for five neighborhood COVID-19 vaccination sites in the name of bringing racial and economic equity to the fight against the pandemic.

Earlier this week, the City Council revealed that a state-sponsored mass vaccination clinic in the Eastfield Mall was, despite being located in Springfield, administering the majority of its doses to people living in the suburbs.

In a letter sent Thursday to Monica Bharel, state commissioner of Public Health, Sarno calls for vaccination clinics at:

St. Johns Congregational Church

The Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center

Gerena Community School

Rebecca M. Johnson Middle School

South End Community Center

The sites would target Springfields faith community  St. Johns is a predominantly Black church  the Latino, Black, Caribbean and Vietnamese populations in Springfield. Sarno asks for 250 initial doses and 250 second does at each location, for a total of 2,500 doses.

Sarno says in the letter, released Thursday by his office, that he spoke with Gov. Charlie Baker Wednesday evening and this request is a follow-up to the conversation.

Sarno said hed like to get the first round of vaccines in the clinics no later than March 19.

The city plans a virtual town hall covering vaccine education March 16.

Sarno said the city will need finding to hire vaccinators, information technology professionals and administrators.

The state has been stingy with the federally supplied vaccine doses, preferring to funnel them to larger sites like Eastfield Mall and, starting this week, to regional sites like the one run by Northampton and Amherst.

Gov. Charlie Baker took criticism at a hearing Thursday from state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and others, over the poorly performing state vaccine registration and appointment system. Meanwhile, for a time hospitals couldnt get doses for their clinics.

And the state has not approved a cooperative regional vaccination site Agawam, West Springfield, Westfield and Southwick want to host at the Big E.

In December, the city established a 15-member Vax Force Committee with Sarno and city Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen R. Caulton-Harris. The idea was to have trusted voices, including local health professionals, to help educate the public about the vaccines. And Sarno said Thursday that message needs to get out to communities of color in Springfield.

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ALBANY - The Capital New York Branch of the American Public Works Association awarded CHA Consulting three 2020 Project of the Year Awards across multiple categories. CHA's award-winning projectscity of Troy Seawall Stabilization, Roosevelt II Bathhouse, and the Albany International Airport Parking Garagewere recognized at the Capital Branch APWA Virtual Awards Banquet.

According to CHA:

The City of Troy Seawall Stabilization was selected as Public Works Project of the Year  Disaster or Emergency Construction/Repair ($5 Million, but less than $25 Million). Rehabilitation of the 95-year-old concrete seawall along the banks of the Hudson River protects a significant county wastewater interceptor sewer while providing essential flood protection to Troy's thriving downtown commercial district.

Roosevelt II Bathhouse was named Public Works Project of the Year  Historical Restoration/Preservation (Less than $5 Million). Renovating the iconic Georgian Revivalstyle bathhouse, which had been closed since the late 1980s, is part of a plan to make the building a center for arts and wellness.

The Albany International Airport Parking Garage was awarded Public Works Project of the Year  Structures ($25 Million - $75 Million). The new Albany International Airport Parking Garage expands parking in a way that enhances the traveler experience and reshapes how drivers arrive at the airport with a new five-level precast concrete parking garage connected to the terminal.
The latest local manifestation of the political pandemic debate attempts to blame COVID vaccine scarcity on Missouri Republicans and worsen the racial, cultural and partisan divide betwixt rural and urban communities.

To wit . . .

IN AN EPIC NOTE JUST SENT OUR WAY, AN OLD SCHOOL TKC READER DENOUNCES MAYOR Q'S COVID BLAME GAME!!!



First, just a bit of recap as the nation celebrates the Johnson & Johnson COVID single shot approval . . .

COVID vaccine for rural communities in Missouri has moved more effectively and recent events were opened up to the public because of new supplies.



In fact, the influx of additional COVID vaxx doses inspired speculation that was ultimately disproved.

Rumors swirled vaccine went to waste in rural Missouri. Officials say thats false

As KCMO cars trek out to the Show-Me State, here's the controversy dutifully relayed by the newspaper . . .

Missouris COVID-19 vaccine strategy shortchanges KCs most vulnerable, officials say

The Mayor's money quote . . .

Mayor Quinton Lucas said Missouris structure was fundamentally flawed. People without a primary care physician or insurance may not seek services at a hospital or health system except in emergencies.

These are the sorts of things that are incredibly stark and they will lead to this perpetual inequality because the health department actually knows how to reach a population that finds themselves in these ZIP codes with lower life expectancies,

Lucas said during a phone interview this week. I am not sure our hospital groups are as strong in reaching out to those groups. It angers me actually.

And finally we get to our KICK-ASS READER COMEBACK . . .



"Disgusting. The mayor trying to get political mileage out of people fighting for their lives is one of the lowest things I've ever witnessed from an elected official in my city.

"Kansas City is not an island. These are neighbors we're talking about. These are seniors he's holding in contempt.

"Has he no decency? Has he no compassion for rural Missouri?

"What's worse is that this debate isn't going to matter much in matter of days because there is more vaccine on the way.

"This 'controversy' has only shown us that there is no limit to the petty tactics of Mayor Lucas. There is no level low enough to which he will not sink in order to capitalize on a political opportunity. That's not leadership during a global crisis, it's not even effective partisanship. The mayor has used a malevolent ploy and for all of our sake I hope he can see the error of his ways."

You decide . . .


BANGALORE, India, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market is Segmented Type (Electric Motorcycle, Electric Scooter), Application (E-Commerce, Retail Store) : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2026. This report is published on Valuates Reports in the Automotive Industry Category.

The global Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market size was USD 5297.7 million in 2019, and it is expected to reach USD 7283.5 Million by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period 2021-2026.

Major factors driving the growth of electric motorcycle & scooters market size are improving charging infrastructure, innovative battery technologies, increasing demand for efficient commuting options, and improving design & performance specifications, very less maintenance compared to Internal combustion engine scooter and motorcycle.

Request a Sample Copy of the Report For COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market : https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-1Z1154/Global_Electric_Scooter_and_Motorcycle_Market

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE ELECTRIC SCOOTER AND MOTORCYCLE MARKET SIZE

Increasing demand for high-performance and long-range electric motorcycles is expected to drive the electric motorcycle & scooter market size. The shift in consumer preferences towards electric motorcycles due to an increase in harmful carbon emissions is increasing the Electric motorcycle demand. Electric motorcycles help to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, carbon footprints, and noise pollution, thus gaining popularity over internal combustion engine (ICE) powered motorcycles.

Countries implementing regulations and policies in favor of electric two-wheelers are expected to fuel electric motorcycle & scooter market size growth. Many countries have recognized the need for electric power to reduce the increasing pollution from cars.

Technological advancements in the field of motors and battery management systems will fuel the growth of electric motorcycles and scooter market size. For example, the development of Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) engines that provide optimized power and efficiency to enhance the performance of electric motorcycles and scooters. This will, in turn, fuel the electric motorcycles and scooters market growth. These engine's compact size and reduced weight provide enhanced power and acceleration for electric scooter and motorcycle.

Features such as low operating and maintenance costs are expected to drive the electric motorcycle & scooter market size growth. Consumers in emerging countries are already affected by the increased cost of petrol. Electrical two-wheelers operating on electricity will definitely reduce the operating costs of these vehicles. Manufacturers are expected to develop electric scooters and motorcycles with a higher range than the current generation of electric two-wheelers.

However, the lack of charging infrastructure might hinder the market growth. A widespread and extensive charging infrastructure network is needed for users.

View Report Details Before Purchasing: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-1Z1154/global-electric-scooter-and-motorcycle

ELECTRIC SCOOTER AND MOTORCYCLE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

By Type, Electric Scooter type occupies the largest market share and segments reach 98.36

The E-Motorcycle segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Manufacturers are focused on developing e-scooters/mopeds because they have a more suitable design to incorporate the electrical propulsion system.

By Application, Retail stores were the most used area, accounting for 92 percent of all applications

By RegiChina held the largest sales of Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market share and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. China's sales volume took up about 93.42% of the global market in 2017, but it changed in 2018 due to the saturated demand.

China's sales share dropped to 92.86% in 2019. At the same time, the export to Europe and the USA increased dramatically. Apparently, many Chinese producers of Electric Motorcycles & Scooters are trying their best to look for a new growing-market.

Inquire for Regional Report : https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-1Z1154/Global_Electric_Scooter_and_Motorcycle_Market

Key Players:

The major players that are operating in the global Electric Motorcycles & Scooters market are

Yadea

AIMA

Lvyuan

Sunra

TAILG

Lima

BYVIN

Wuyang Honda

HONG ER DA

Lvjia

Slane

Opai Electric

Supaq

Xiaodao Ebike

Sykee

Aucma EV

Terra Motor

Govecs

ZEV

Zero Motorcycles

Palla

Zongshen Electric Motorcycle

"We can also add the other companies as you want"

Segment by Type

Electric Motorcycle

Electric Scooter

Electric Scooter type occupies the largest market share and segments reach 98.36

Segment by Application

E-Commerce

Retail Store

Retail stores were the most used area, accounting for 92 percent of all applications

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SIMILAR REPORTS :

- Electric vehicle market was valued at USD 162.34 Billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 802.81 Billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 22.6%.

- Electric Commercial Vehicle market size is projected to reach USD 178560 Million by 2026, from USD 110540 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 8.3% during 2021-2026.

- Electric Bike Market is expected to grow from USD 19,719.54 Million in 2019 to USD 36,466.04 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.78%.

- Wireless electric vehicle charging market was valued at USD 7.6 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 210.1 Million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 36.4% from 2020 to 2030.

- Electric vehicle charging system market size was valued at USD 3.18 Billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 66.27 Billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 45.6% from 2019 to 2026

- Electric Bus Market size will increase from USD 88,632.45 Million in 2018 to USD 183,269.78 Million by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.93%.

- Electric truck market size was valued at USD 422.5 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,893.1 Million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 25.8% from 2020 to 2027. Asia-Pacific accounted for the highest share in the global electric truck market in 2019 in terms of revenue, and LAMEA is anticipated to exhibit a remarkable growth rate during the electric truck market forecast period.

- Electric Car Market size is projected to reach USD 1438.8 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 19.40%.

- Battery Materials market size is projected to reach USD 53,980 Million by 2026, from USD 40,540 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period 2021-2026.

- Solid State Battery Market size is projected to reach USD 13680 Million by 2026, from USD 1172.4 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 50.6% during the forecast period 2021-2026.

- Lead acid battery market size was valued at USD 39.7 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach USD 59.7 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.24% from 2019 to 2026.

- The lithium-ion battery market was valued at USD 36.7 Billion in 2019, and is projected to hit USD 129.3 Billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 18.0% from 2020 to 2027.

- Graphene battery market size was valued at USD 48.8 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 398.6 Million by 2027, to register a CAGR of 31.2% during the forecast period.

- Electric Traction Motor market size is projected to reach USD 27860 Million by 2026, from USD 12260 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 14.7% during 2021-2026.

To see the full list of related reports on the Electric Vehicles

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MOSCOW  A long-haul Boeing 777 airliner made an emergency landing in Moscow on Friday after pilots received an indicator warning of possible engine failure, Russian officials said, reviving concerns about the Boeing planes.

An engine failed last weekend on another Boeing 777, scattering debris over the Denver area, while a similar mishap occurred on a Boeing 747 cargo plane over the Netherlands. Both planes managed to land safely.

Both of those equipment failures involved Pratt & Whitney engines, raising concerns about metal fatigue in the fan blades of the engines, some of them dating to the mid-1990s. But the plane that landed in Moscow was equipped with different engines, made by General Electric.

The plane, operated by a Russian company, Rossiya Airlines, was flying from Hong Kong to Madrid when it diverted to Moscows Sheremetyevo Airport shortly before 5 a.m. local time.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : In the first ever show of strength, the dissenters in the Congress will be sharing a public platform in Jammu as party leader Rahul Gandhi will be busy campaigning in Tamil Nadu.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, the veteran Congress leader who recently retired from the Rajya Sabha, is on a three-day visit to his home state.

The programme, which will see several G-23 leaders together, is being organised under the banner "Shanti Sammelan" in Jammu on Saturday.

Apart from Azad, other Congress leaders who are expected to participate in the programme are Anand Sharma, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Vivek Tankha, Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari and some others.

The 'dissenters' have been unhappy over the way the party is functioning and Rahul Gandhi taking key decisions within the party.

The programme is also being seen in the backdrop of the North vs South statement as Rahul Gandhi will be in the south, and a controversy recently erupted after this statement by him.

Sources said the infighting in the party is far from over as Rahul Gandhi is placing people close to him in key places and seniors are being overlooked. They have not been consulted in connection with the decisions being taken for the poll-bound states.

This is the reason, sources say, that the Congress leaders, especially the G-23 members who had written to Sonia Gandhi for sweeping reforms in the party, have said that it is up to Rahul Gandhi to clarify his statement allegedly comparing North vs South.

By organising the programme the aim seems to test the waters in the state, said sources.

This show of solidarity by Ghulam Nabi Azad and the G-23 camp, which is up against the 'Team Rahul Gandhi' is pushing for elections in the organisation.

Anand Sharma and Kapil Sibal have been refraining from defending Rahul Gandhi, and have even sought clarifications from him.

Sharma, who is deputy leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha said, "Congress never believes in dividing the country on region and religion and does not disrespect any region. Rahul Gandhi had made certain observations, perhaps shared his personal experiences, but in what context he made that observation, he can clarify so that there is no conjecture or misunderstanding." Kapil Sibal said it is the BJP which is dividing the country but "what Rahul Gandhi had said he can explain in what context he made the statement." He added that the voters should be respected from any region and their wisdom should not be questioned.

But leaders close to Rahul Gandhi are defending him. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera addressing the media said, "The observation of Rahul Gandhi is for the kind of political culture the BJP has developed." He rejected the statement of Kapil Sibal and said he did not listen to the whole speech.

The Congress launched a counter attack on Wednesday against the BJP after the latter targeted Rahul Gandhi. Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "Rahul Gandhi has given a clarion call to the people of India to question the governments of the day, whether in the states or at the Centre on issues paramount to the people and to ignore the superficial 'Toolkits' story being sold by the BJP day in and day out." On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi had said in Thiruvananthapuram, "For the first 15 years I was an MP in the North, I had got used to a different type of politics. For me, coming to Kerala was very refreshing as suddenly I found that people are interested in issues and not just superficially but going into detail in issues."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
A COUNCIL worker found drunk and surrounded by beer cans in Dublin city centre told gardai he was Jon Bon Jovi when asked for his name.

Daniel Filip (43) had been out having drinks with a friend on OConnell Street when gardai encountered him.

Judge Bryan Smyth said he would apply the Probation Act, leaving him without a criminal record, if he made a 200 charity donation.

Filip, with an address at Rosedale Apartments, Tyrconnell Street, Inchicore, pleaded guilty to public intoxication and giving gardai a false name and address.

Dublin District Court heard gardai were on duty at 11.20pm last November 14 when they encountered the accused.

He was sitting on the ground, surrounded by empty cans of beer, Garda Sergeant Michelle Lynch said.

She said the accused was clearly intoxicated and gardai asked for his name.

He replied, Jon Bon Jovi, Sgt Lynch said.

Suitable

Filip was arrested and taken to a garda station to be charged. He had no previous convictions.

The court heard the case had not been deemed suitable to be dealt with under the adult caution scheme.

Filip, who worked as a general operative for a Dublin local authority, had moved here 20 years ago, his solicitor Andrew Broderick said.

On the evening in question, he was having some drinks with a friend.

Mr Broderick asked the judge to leave the accused without criminal convictions.

Judge Smyth said he would apply the Probation Act on each charge, leaving him without convictions, if he donated 200 to Focus Ireland.

Mr Broderick said the accused had 50 with him, but the judge said 200 is the amount.

He asked the judge to give him time to pay as he was struggling financially.

Judge Smyth adjourned the case to a date in April and said Filip would be fined 200 if the donation was not paid.

[February 26, 2021] New Study Reveals Baby Boomers Turning to International E-Commerce, but With Different Expectations Than Younger Consumers

Global e-commerce shoppers who are baby boomers have different expectations than younger groups when purchasing online from international brands, according to Global Voices 2021: Cross-Border Shopper Insights, a new global survey from eShopWorld (ESW), the world's leading cross-border e-commerce company. Unlike Gen Zers, who might prioritize the latest buy now, pay later payment options when shopping online internationally, baby boomers tend to look for fundamental best practices like the use of local language and currency and clear refund policies. "Our data show that baby boomers are participating in international e-commerce more than ever, but that they value different aspects of the cross-border shopping experience than their younger counterparts do," said Tommy Kelly, CEO of ESW. "Shoppers in the 57-75 age group naturally gravitate to online marketplaces, so retailers and brands seeking to reach them directly need to make sure their cross-border shopping experience is presenting information in their own local language and currency. Older shoppers also don't care as much about customer reviews as Gen Zers and millennials do and they prioritize lower costs and clear refund policies. Being aware of these generational differences and offering boomers a cross-border e-commerce experience that caters to their specific preferences and needs ensures brands can create long-lasting, fruitful relationships that might be lost if they allow marketplaces to engage these loyal shoppers." KEY INSIGHTS:



Boomers are more concerned about having information presented in their local language and currency. When shopping cross-border, 43% of boomers said they prefer websites to present information in their own local language (versus 31% of shoppers 40 and under) and 39% prefer to be shown prices in their own local currency (versus 31% of younger shoppers).

When shopping cross-border, 43% of boomers said they prefer websites to present information in their own local language (versus 31% of shoppers 40 and under) and 39% prefer to be shown prices in their own local currency (versus 31% of younger shoppers). Baby boomers are most comfortable shopping via credit or debit card . Some 65% of global e-commerce shoppers ages 57-75 have used credit or debit cards to make cross-border purchases. Only 3% of boomers have taken advantage of buy now, pay later options, versus 12% of shoppers ages 40 and under.

. Some 65% of global e-commerce shoppers ages 57-75 have used credit or debit cards to make cross-border purchases. Only 3% of boomers have taken advantage of buy now, pay later options, versus 12% of shoppers ages 40 and under. Shoppers in the 57-75 age group prioritize lower cost over satisfaction with a past online experience. Some 42% of boomers surveyed said lower cost is a primary factor when shopping cross-border, versus just 32% of those in younger age groups. Only 27% of shoppers in both the boomer and 40-and-under age groups said that satisfaction with a previous shopping experience was a major concern.

Some 42% of boomers surveyed said lower cost is a primary factor when shopping cross-border, versus just 32% of those in younger age groups. Only 27% of shoppers in both the boomer and 40-and-under age groups said that satisfaction with a previous shopping experience was a major concern. Boomers are less inclined to trust positive ratings. Only half as many boomers (9%) as younger shoppers (18%) said they are swayed by referrals or positive ratings when shopping online from international brands.

Only half as many boomers (9%) as younger shoppers (18%) said they are swayed by referrals or positive ratings when shopping online from international brands. Clothing is the top category for boomers purchasing cross-border. Among respondents ages 57-75 who had made a purchase from an international e-commerce site over the past six months, 72% said they had shopped for clothing, versus 91% of shoppers ages 40 and under, making it the most popular product category among both groups.

Among respondents ages 57-75 who had made a purchase from an international e-commerce site over the past six months, 72% said they had shopped for clothing, versus 91% of shoppers ages 40 and under, making it the most popular product category among both groups. A clear refund policy is key to a successful international e-commerce experience. Some 29% of boomers said a clear refund policy was important when shopping online from international merchants, versus 24% of those in the Gen Z and millennial group. METHODOLOGY ESW's latest consumer survey was fielded from more than 22,000 consumers in 11 countries (Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, the UK and the US), who were surveyed online in December 2020. Gen Zers are defined as consumers ages 18-24, millennials as ages 25-40, Gen Xers as ages 41-56, baby boomers as ages 57-75 and the Silent generation as ages 76-92. To gauge how baby boomers' global online shopping preferences differ from those of Gen Zers and millennials (shoppers ages 40 and under), ESW looked specifically at survey responses from shoppers in seven countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US.

About ESW ESW is the cross-border e-commerce leader, empowering the world's best-loved brands and retailers to make global shopping better, safer, simpler and faster, end to end. From compliance, data security, fraud protection, taxes, and tariffs to checkout, delivery, returns, customer service and demand generation, our powerful combination of technology and human ingenuity covers the entire shopper journey across 200 markets. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005403/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Lucknow, Feb 26 : To mark International Women's Day on March 8 this year, schools across Uttar Pradesh will hold awareness events on 'gender equality' from February 27 to March 8 as part of the 'Mission Shakti' campaign.

Directives to this effect have been given to basic education officers of all UP districts by director general of School Education, Samagra Shiksha, Uttar Pradesh.

The BSAs (Basic Shiksha Adhikaris) have been told to hold 'abhibhavak chaupals' (parents' meet) on the day at schools and also at KGBVs (Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas).

During the chaupal, the parents will be asked to take a pledge to send their girl child to school regularly, provide them proper environment to study at home, and encourage their daughters to pursue the career of their choice. The parents will also be asked to inform their children about the helpline numbers of the government.

They will also be given a pledge to follow gender equality in letter and spirit.

The department also plans to organize several other events that will be held beyond March 8.

Beginning from February 27, these events will ensure maximum participation of students.

Poster competition on the theme of gender discrimination and child marriage, quiz competition, presentation of street plays by students are some of the events. On March 4, the school staff and students from class 6 to 8 will take out a rally to spread awareness on menstrual hygiene.

The students will bring out a newspaper 'Baal Akhbar' on March 5 and on March 6 and successful women from different fields will be invited to share their experiences with students.

On March 7, there will be exhibitions at schools to display the posters, slogans and newspapers created by students.

On March 8, meritorious students and their mothers will be felicitated.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
(Natural News) The Department of Defense (DoD) reported that almost 75 percent of military personnel turned down the Wuhan coronavirus vaccine. According to Pentagon officials, the vaccination being voluntary for members of the armed services is the main reason COVID-19 vaccination rates are low. But despite these figures, the Pentagon denied it was covering up exact data.

Top military figures presented the data to the House Armed Services Committee in a Feb. 17 hearing. Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Director of Operations Maj. Gen. Jeff Taliaferro told lawmakers that vaccine rejection figures in the military were somewhere in the two-thirds territory and can vary by different groups. However, he noted that the data only indicates the initial findings and is not conclusive.

Taliaferro noted that some troops are refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 because they are not required to take it. Getting the Wuhan coronavirus vaccine is voluntary for the armed forces and top military officials believe that is the right course of action to take. The National Guard Bureau Operations Director Maj. Gen. Steven Nordhaus later added that the National Guard had vaccine reception rates similar to that of the military.

The militarys vice director of operations told lawmakers that the Pentagon received about 916,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Acting Defense Secretary for Homeland Defense and Global Security Robert Salesses added that 359,000 troops have received the first dose and 147,000 have completed their immunization schedule.

Pentagon officials present during the hearing remarked that the DoD would finish vaccinating military personnel, civilian staff and contractor workforce by late July or early August. They said vaccination would initially be voluntary because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not fully approved it yet. However, military leaders have encouraged personnel to get the jab. We believe that, of course, the vaccine is the right thing to do. Its clearly safe for service members, and we need to continue to educate our force and help them understand the benefits.

The Pentagon denied concealing vaccine-related data amid rumors of a cover-up

Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers voiced concerns about three issues  the pace of vaccinations, the number of troops opting out of the jab and the impact of personnel turning down vaccines on military readiness.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), House Armed Services Committee ranking member, said in his opening statement: Its critical for our national security that every service member, as well as DoD civilian personnel and contractors, receive vaccines as soon as possible.

The Pentagon has not previously indicated how many troops declined the vaccine, leading to allegations that the Defense Department is concealing data from the public. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby shot down rumors of a cover-up involving DoD officials on Feb. 17. He told reporters that the department does not have a system in place to monitor the number of troops turning down COVID-19 jabs.

Nobody is hiding data, the spokesman commented. We dont have a system in place across the services to specifically track data with respect to those individuals who, for whatever reason, are declining.

He also clarified that House officials were referring to broad data showing that the militarys vaccine acceptance rates reflect that of American society as a whole.

Vaccine hesitancy being prevalent in the armed forces starkly contrasts with the militarys projected role in mass COVID-19 immunization programs. Back in January, newly appointed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the public health body would commission military personnel for the countrys mass vaccination program.

The CDC head told Good Morning America last Jan. 19: We need to make sure we have the people  on the ground. Were going to commission military medical personnel, [and] were going to look at upper level nursing students and medical students. Walenskys comments followed President Joe Bidens plan to vaccinate 100 million Americans on his first 100 days in office. (Related: Biden orders TROOPS to administer coronavirus vaccines in California as military is repurposed for genocide.)

Vaccines.news has more about COVID-19 immunization programs in the armed forces.

Sources include:

BlacklistedNews.com

GreatGameIndia.com

POLITICO.com

DailyMail.co.uk

GoodMorningAmerica.com
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Farmers harvest rice in An Giang Province, March 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Vietnam, a top world rice exporter, ranked 11th out of 23 economies in Asia-Pacific and fourth in Southeast Asia in the latest food security index.

The country scored an overall 60.3 out of 100 points, placing it at 63rd among 113 countries and territories, while adding it to the 'good performance' category, according to the report released by Economist Intelligence Unit, a division of U.K.-based Economist Group.

Compared to Southeast Asian peers, Vietnam lags behind Singapore (19), Malaysia (43) and Thailand (51), though ranking above Indonesia (65), Myanmar (70), the Philippines (73), Cambodia (81) and Laos (90).

The ranking measured economies based on four indicators including affordability, availability, quality and safety, along with natural resources and resilience.

Vietnam performed best in availability at 48th, which measured factors like food supply adequacy, agricultural research and development, volatility of production and political stability.

The report said Vietnam ranked 63rd in affordability, which included presence and quality of food safety net programs, access to financing for farmers, change in average food costs, and the proportion of population under global poverty line.

Vietnam, a tropical country habitually hit by drought, ranked 67th in natural resources and resilience and 68th in quality and safety.

Finland topped the index, followed by Ireland and the Netherlands.
Emmy organizers are facing demands to strip Andrew Cuomo of the 'farcical' award they gave him for his pandemic press briefings, DailyMail.com can reveal.

In a letter sent Friday, 10 GOP representatives urged the president and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (IATAS) to distance the group from Cuomo by rescinding his International Emmy Founders Award.

In November, IATAS awarded Cuomo with an Emmy for his daily, televised press conferences providing an update on the developing coronavirus situation in one of the states most hard-hit by the pandemic  which the organizers called 'masterful' at the time.

'Rescinding Governor Cuomo's Emmy will not bring back the lives lost due to his deceit and reckless policies,' they wrote to Bruce Paisner. 'However, it would send a message to their surviving loved ones that IATAS sympathizes with their pain and stands with them in solidarity.'

'We urge you to rescind Governor Cuomo's Emmy Award for the sake of your credibility and the heartfelt pain of New York families,' the letter continues.

One letter co-signer, Representative Jody Hice of Georgia, said the award is a 'farce' used as part of Cuomo's cover up for the true outcomes of his coronavirus policies.

'From the farcical Emmy award to the book tour and the theatrical press conferences, Governor Cuomo was paraded by the Left and the media as the model on COVID-19 response,' Hice told DailyMail.com.

'We now know that was a charade covering up his disastrous policies,' he continued. 'His reckless failures in leadership led to the deaths of thousands, and his administration covered it up to save his precious image.'

A spokesperson for Cuomo dismissed the letter as a 'cheap political stunt.'

A group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter Friday, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, demanding the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences strip New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of his Emmy

The letter was led by Tennessee Rep. Mark Green and was signed by nine others, including Minority Whip Steve Scalise

The demand comes as Cuomo faces increasing criticism of his handling of the coroanvirus pandemic in one of the states most hard hit by the virus  including claims he intentionally lied about the number of deaths in nursing homes

'We are laser focused on vaccinating as many people as humanly possible and leading the state through the ongoing public health crisis,' Jack Sterne told DailyMail.com.

'New Yorkers have seen the Governor show up and fight this pandemic on their behalf every day for a year, and that's why they support his actions to defeat COVID by a large margin. The letter is a cheap political stunt, period,' he continued.

So far, 28.3 million Americans have been infected with coronavirus and close to 508,000 have fallen fatal to the disease. New York, one of the most hard-hit states, has made up more than 1.6 million of the U.S. cases and 47,000 deaths  as of Friday.

Republican Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a co-signer of the letter, told DailyMail.com: 'Governor Cuomo has no one but himself to blame for this tragedy, and I hope that IATAS will rescind the Governor's Emmy to provide consolation for the thousands of grieving families seeing Governor Cuomo awarded for his deadly actions.'

The group of lawmakers, led by Tennessee Representative Mark Green, are accusing Cuomo of his 'gross negligence' in sending coronavirus-infected elderly back to their nursing home facilities resulting in thousands of deaths.

'In March of 2020, Governor Cuomo issued an order forcing nursing homes to accept COVID- positive patients released from the hospital. Following his order, more than 9,000 COVID-positive patients were released into nursing homes,' the letter details.

'Following his order,' it continued, 'nearly 15,000 nursing home residents lost their lives to COVID-19. Many of these deaths could have been avoided if Governor Cuomo had followed the science rather than his political instincts.'

The letter was signed by Green, Hice, Scalise and fellow Republican Representatives Claudia Tenney of New York, Gregory Murphy of North Carolina, Chip Roy of Texas, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, James Baird of Indiana, Michael Guest of Mississippi and John Joyce of Pennsylvania.

Cuomo being awarded the Emmy is an 'embarrassment,' Congressman Guest said.

'Governor Cuomo's negligent actions and refusal to accept responsibility are certainly not deserving of an Emmy awarded for presenting the facts to the people of New York,' Congressman Green, the author of the letter, said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

President Joe Biden, when he was still a candidate, referred to Cuomo's handling of the pandemic as the 'gold standard' to which other local and state leaders should aspire.

The White House wouldn't say this week if Biden still feels that way. But the administration is sticking by their defense of Cuomo, and says they will continue to work with him on the coronavirus response and in his capacity as chairman of the National Governors Association.

Bruce Paisner, president and CEO of IATAS, awarded Cuomo an Emmy in a virtual ceremony in November, for his 'masterful' daily televised updates on the pandemic

'At the time, which was I believe April of last year, the president spoke out and said positive things about a range of governors  Democrats and Republicans  who were stepping in when there was a vacuum of leadership at the federal level, when they were getting no information, when they were getting no help, and no guidance from the former Trump administration,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at her press briefing on Thursday.

'He made some positive comments about Governor Cuomo and his role in New York at the time as he did about a range of governors,' she continued, remaining ambiguous on specifics regarding Cuomo's nursing home scandal.

Other local, state and federal lawmakers, however, are demanding Cuomo resign for sending sick elderly patients back from the hospitals to their nursing home facilities  where they were at a much higher chance of infecting other at-risk individuals.

On March 10, Cuomo released guidance mandating New York hospitals could not send back patients who tested positive to long term care facilities until they tested negative. Later, on March 25, the state's website promoted new guidance from the Department of Health barring elderly care facilities, where some of the most susceptible populations reside, from turning away coronavirus-positive patients.

He denies that this order significantly contributed to New York's 46,000 COVID-19 deaths.

The March 25 order, which was later removed from the website entirely, stated: 'no resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the [nursing home] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.'

The order also said nursing homes and adult facilities were 'prohibited from requiring a hospitalized resident who is determined medically stable to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission.'

Cuomo is also under water for allegedly intentionally underreporting the number of deaths at such facilities.

Previously, Cuomo publicly released that approximately 8,500 COVID deaths in New York were from those at nursing homes and elderly care facilities. New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, revealed last month that the number is actually nearly 15,000  a 43 per cent increase from what was previously reported by the governor's administration.

Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa admitted during a private call that the governor's office withheld data requested by New York State legislatures because, at the time, they felt it could be 'used against us' by then-President Donald Trump.

In an attempt at damage control, Cuomo held a press conference on Monday where he admitted he should have released data related to COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes sooner  but it appears to be too little, too late for the governor.

'As I said on a call with legislators, we could not fulfill their request as quickly as anyone would have liked,' DeRosa said. 'But we are committed to being better partners going forward as we share the same goal of keeping New Yorkers as healthy as possible during the pandemic.'

During Cuomo's virtual ceremony accepting the Emmy award, he stressed the importance of honesty while facing adversity  an ironic phrase now that it's revealed he lied about the nursing home death toll.

'I'm proud of New Yorkers who had the courage to tell the truth and the strength to stand together  that's what New York tough really means, to be tough enough to say, 'I love you, I care about you, I need you,' to see past the color of skin, religion or sexual orientation to see the humanity in each other, how we're all interconnected and all interrelated,' Cuomo said during the ceremony.

Letter co-signer Representative Guest said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'Governor Cuomo lied to the nation during his televised news conferences by covering up the deaths of thousands of American citizens  deaths that he prompted when he ordered patients from hospitals back into nursing homes at the beginning of this pandemic.'

'Honoring his misdeeds with an Emmy is an embarrassment and that should be rescinded,' he lamented.

Cuomo implemented a policy in March policy sending elderly coroanvirus patients back to their nursing home facilities from hospitals, which the 10 Republican co-signers say led to the high death toll of 15,000 in nursing homes

The virtual event in November was graced by the likes of Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Billy Joel and Spike Lee, among other celebrities.

The Friday letter is from the most high-ranking lawmakers so far demanding Cuomo be stripped of his Emmy, but it is not the first time politicians have made the call following revelations of his real handling of the pandemic.

In a letter to IATAS, Queens-based Democratic Councilman Robert Holden said the rationale for honoring Cuomo is no longer valid.

'The Academy awarded Governor Cuomo 'in recognition of his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic & his masterful use of TV to inform and calm people around the world,'' Holden wrote. 'We now know that his TV appearances and clout were used to mislead the public regarding how their loved ones died.'

He added: 'Please rescind the Governor's award immediately, as his actions have been an insult to every New Yorker who lost a loved one during this terrible pandemic.'

The latest letter from Capitol Hill lawmakers adds to a laundry list of grievances against the once-beloved New York Democratic governor.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he feels an investigation is needed into sexual harassment and assault allegations levied against Cuomo.

Former Cuomo aide Lindsey Boylan came out Wednesday with allegations that Cuomo kissed her without her consent and said he suggested they play 'strip poker.'

Psaki said the allegations 'should be reviewed.'

'Let me first say that the president has been consistent in his position. When a person comes forward, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Their voice should be heard, not silenced,' she said from the James S. Brady Briefing Room on Thursday.
If Sasha Kelly Jackson and Stephen Small-Warner II are spotted passing a treasured old notebook back and forth in their old age, it wont be because a Nicholas Sparks novel inspired them. Their small spiral pad, pawned off by a stranger at an airport, has its own plot twists.

Ms. Jackson and Mr. Small-Warner met in 2008 as Howard University students in Washington. But they first crossed paths three years before in a moment worthy of a Craigslist missed connection post. Ms. Jackson was getting on the subway in Manhattan. Mr. Small-Warner was getting off.

I was doing the New York mad-dash thing, and someone held the door, and I said, Aw, man, thanks! Ms. Jackson said. The door holder looked familiar. With millimeters to go before it heaved shut, she knew why. I said, Oh, you go to Howard. He disappeared into the turnstiles before she could register his response.

It had been a fluke of geography: Ms. Jackson and Mr. Small-Warner, both 33, grew up in Brooklyn, she Crown Heights, he Bedford-Stuyvesant. Each was home from Howard for freshman year winter break. And though she identified him as a fellow Howard student first, hers was the more recognizable face. Ms. Jackson was already known as the MTV girl around campus.
Foreign minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, foreign minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and foreign minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu held a meeting in the Turkish capital.

During the talks, the sides noted the significant potential for trilateral interaction in the spheres of fuel and energy, trade, economic and transport and logistics. The foreign ministers of the three countries reviewed issues relating to the implementation of the agreements reached earlier. In particular, special attention was paid to the intensification of cooperation along the Lapis lazuli transport corridor.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan called this meeting historic and stressed that this mechanism contributes to building up the positive dynamics of development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

According to the Turkish Foreign Minister, the trilateral format of cooperation between the three fraternal countries makes a significant contribution to the prosperity and stability of the entire region.

In turn, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan noted the timeliness of signing an agreement between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on the joint development of the Dostluk oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea that opens up great prospects for cooperation in the field of energy.

The sides signed a joint statement on the outcomes of the 5th trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey.

 TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021
By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Myanmar's U.N. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, speaking for the country's elected civilian government ousted in a military coup on Feb. 1, appealed to the United Nations on Friday "to use any means necessary to take action against the Myanmar military" to restore democracy to the Southeast Asian country.

He addressed the 193-member U.N. General Assembly after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, warned that no country should recognize or legitimize the Myanmar junta.

"We need further strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people and to restore the democracy," said Kyaw Moe Tun to applause and praise from Western and Islamic counterparts.

Such an address - at odds with those in power in a country - is rare. Kyaw Moe Tun appeared emotional as he read the statement on behalf of a group of elected politicians that he said represented the country's legitimate government. He ended with a three-fingered salute used by protesters.

Schraner Burgener pushed for a collective "clear signal in support of democracy" as she sounded the alarm over the coup, urging "influential" countries to push the military to allow an independent assessment of the situation.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power and detained civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party after the military complained of fraud in a November election.

"Regrettably, the current regime has so far asked me to postpone any visit. It seems they want to continue making large-scale arrests and have been coercing people to testify against the NLD Government. This is cruel and inhumane," Schraner Burgener said.

'INTENSIFYING TENSIONS'

Story continues

The country has been largely paralyzed by weeks of protests and a civil disobedience campaign of strikes against the military. While military chief General Min Aung Hlaing says authorities are using minimal force during the protests, three protesters and one policeman have been killed.

"If there is any escalation in terms of military crackdown  and sadly as we have seen this before in Myanmar  against people exercising their basic rights, let us act swiftly and collectively," Schraner Burgener said.

The army has promised an election, but has not given a date. It has imposed a one-year state of emergency.

"It is important the international community does not lend legitimacy or recognition to this regime," Schraner Burgener said. "The result of the election of November 2020 was clear with 82 percent of the votes for the NLD."

Guterres has pledged to mobilize enough international pressure "to make sure that this coup fails." The Security Council has voiced concern over the state of emergency, but stopped short of condemning the coup.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the United States "has and will continue to take actions in close coordination with allies and partners" to show the Myanmar military its actions have consequences.

"We urge every member state here today to use any channel available to tell the military that violence against the people of Myanmar will not be tolerated," she said. "Together we all show the people of Myanmar that the world is watching. We hear them and we stand with them."

China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun said the international community should respect Myanmar's sovereignty and "avoid intensifying tensions."

"China is engaging right now right now and communicating with relevant parties in Myanmar to facilitate de-escalating the situation and returning to normalcy at an early date," he said.

Russia said other nations should not intervene in the "exclusively internal process" of Myanmar. Any attempts to turn the consideration of recent events in the country, in terms of the announcement of state of emergency, into a human rights issue is unjustified and politicized, a Russian diplomat told the General Assembly.

(Additional reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Dan Grebler)
No need to apologise to Goa people, spoke for their rights: TN Finance Minister Thiaga Rajan

Your success made the great MGR very happy, says PM Modi at Dr MGR Medical University

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Feb 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began to address the 33rd convocation ceremony of the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University via video-conferencing. A total of 17,591 candidates will be conferred with degrees and diplomas at the convocation ceremony. It is reportedly said that the governor of Tamil Nadu will also be present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, "Indian health eco-system is being seen with new eyes, new respect and new credibility. However, this also means that world will have greater expectations from you which is responsibility on your young and strong shoulders."

"This is time when you'll transition from earning marks in exams to making a mark in society. In time of COVID-19, India hasn't only made a new path but helped others too. Today, India is among the countries with the lowest death rate & high recovery rate," PM Modi added.

"The National Medical Commission will bring great transparency and will rationalize norms to set up new medical colleges. It will also improve quality and availability of human resources in this sector," PM Modi said.

President Ram Nath Kovind all set to go on 4-day visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands today

Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 33rd convocation of the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University on February 26, 2021 at 11 am via video-conferencing."

The university is named after former Tamil Nadu chief minister MG Ramachandran.

It has a total of 686 affiliated institutions under its umbrella, encompassing the disciplines of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, AYUSH, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and allied health sciences.

Khelo India Winter Games: Jammu and Kashmir will become 'Winter Sports Hub', says PM Modi

These institutions, including 41 medical colleges, 19 dental colleges, 48 AYUSH colleges, 199 nursing colleges, 81 pharmacy colleges and the rest being speciality post-doctoral medical and allied health institutions, are spread across the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : His keen interest in the 'riti genre of Hindi poetry (romantic works of the 18th-20th centuries) and classical music helps him understand the nuances of Rangmala paintings that depict variations of Indian musical modes. Today, art historian and art critic Vijay Sharma is widely recognised as a fine miniature painter and has travelled extensively in India and abroad, giving lecture demonstrations on the techniques of the Pahari paintings of his native Himachal Pradesh.

"The pictorial treasure displayed in the gallery of the Bhuri Singh Museum, Chamba, had cast a considerable influence on me. The beauty and brilliance of these splendid paintings enhanced my interest in fine arts. Incidentally, most of the paintings are based on Sanskrit and Hindi poetry. The studies in Indian love-poetry helped me greatly for the proper understanding of Pahari miniature paintings," Sharma told IANS in an interview of his latest book, "Painting In The Kangra Valley" (Niyogi Books).

"The Pahari painters rarely inscribed their works," he explained of his research into the book, adding: "We have only sketchy information about the lives and working process of Pahari painters; hence attempts to describe their careers remain uncertain." "The inadequate consideration of what we know about artists' works and stylistic developments in their milieu can lead to erroneous conclusions. Unfortunately, for want of evidence, in the case of Pahari painters, it is not possible to write on the lives and works of individual painters. In addition to the absence of any biographical information, signed Pahari works are extremely rare and dated inscriptions are almost unknown.

"The discovery of scores of centuries-old archival records containing the names and genealogies of Pahari painters retained by priests at various pilgrimage centers seemed to open up new possibilities. My tours to the places of pilgrimage yielded copious evidence related to the Pahari painters, which I have reproduced in my book," elaborated Sharma, the recipient of several awards, including National Award of Master Craftsman in Basohli Painting in 1990 and Padma Shri in 2012. He is at present, a Senior Artist in the Bhuri Singh Museum, Chamba.

Image Source: IANS News

The painting activity in the region began with Kashmiri painters, who started receiving royal patronage during the reign of Raja Dalip Singh (1695-1741) of Guler. But it attained culmination during the long reign of Maharaja Sansar Chand (1776-1823) of Kangra. The royal atelier of Kangra produced a large number of paintings covering diverse subjects. The advent of the Bhakti movement in north India had a tremendous impact, resulting in a preference for Krishna themes for the artists of Guler and Kangra.

Thus, the sentiment of love is the main subject of Guler-Kangra paintings. They illustrate the finest specimens of various kinds of nayika described by the Hindi poets of the riti genre. The female figures seen in these paintings are depicted as graceful and beautiful idealisations, handled by the painters with utmost delicacy and tenderness.

Sharma's analytical approach, based on facts, gives new insights into the origin and development of the Guler school and the marked influence of later Mughal painting on the styles of Manaku and Nainsukh. Featuring more than 160 images this book is a significant read for researchers as well as connoisseurs.

"Being myself a miniaturist, I believe that the stylistic changes that occurred in the works of Guler painters were possible only through their contacts with painters working in the Mughal style. In fact, I am convinced that Guler painters almost certainly visited centres of later Mughal painting in north India, at Delhi, Lahore or even Awadh," he elaborated.

Noting that classical music and art of painting "were the court arts patronized by the art lover aristocrats" Sharma lamented that after Independence, "Hindustani classical music was promoted by the government by introducing it as a subject, whereas miniature painting was never given such treatment. At present, there is not a single government institution where one can learn the art of miniature painting. It is pity that Lalit Kala academy fosters only contemporary artists," he lamented.

Sharma has co-authored several books and research articles, the notable ones being "The Temple of Devi-Kothi"; "Love for Pleasure; Vision of an Enlightened King" (ed.); "Pahari Paintings of an Ancient Romance: The Love Story of Usha-Aniruddha" and "Painted Words: Kangra Paintings of Matiram's Rasraj". He has also written "Kangra ki Chitrankan Parampara" (in Hindi).

What's his next project? "I am preparing a series of paintings on Bhagavata Purana in Guler style for the Triveni museum in Ujjain. Also, I am working on Pahari Ragamala paintings," Sharma concluded.

(Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in)

-- Syndicated from IANS
A third-grade Monmouth County, N.J., girl started sobbing in the middle of her Zoom class and when asked what was wrong, told her teacher and her peers that she was starving.

The girls mother lost her job and they didnt have anything to eat, a problem being magnified across the state by the coronavirus pandemic.

A social worker from the girls school determined the family was in need and picked up food for her, her two siblings and their mother from Fulfill, formerly known as The Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties.

The family received enough food to feed four people for four days, toiletry items and fresh produce.

That was the immediate solution. Now were working to stabilize the family, said Kim Guadagno, the former lieutenant governor who is president and CEO of Fulfill.

Since the story went public, donations have come in for the family: six months worth of groceries, clothing, a car and more. The mother, a restaurant worker, has landed a new job washing dishes and has other job offers that Fulfill is helping her to explore.

The outpouring of support for this one child has been fabulous, Guadagno said.

This family is now well cared for, Guadagno said, but the girl is one of 400,000 children in New Jersey who is food insecure. In Monmouth and Ocean counties, there have been 92% and 64% increases in need, respectively, since last March.

Fulfill saw a 40% increase in demand. And there are probably even more people who need help, she said.

If youve never been to a food bank, you dont know where to start, Guadagno said.

Almost half, or about 4 in 10 people, who have visited a food bank since the pandemic began last year had not received food assistance previously, according to Feeding America.

And the demand is expected to continue. Were looking at at least two to three years, said Guadagno.

New Jersey has been particularly hard hit by food insecurity. It has risen by 56%, which is about 10% higher than the national rate. Currently, about 1.2 million people in New Jersey dont know where their next meal will come from, said Nicole Williams, communications and public relations manager for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, which serves 16 counties across the state.

The service sector and hospitality industries have just been so hard hit and we have quite a lot of jobs in New Jersey in those sectors, she said. If you look at Atlantic City especially, its one of the hardest hit cities in the country. Those are the people who are most in danger of losing their jobs.

Food insecurity among kids has increased by an estimated 75%, meaning about one in five kids in the state is food insecure. Even though schools are still handing out meals, not all children who need them may be able to get them.

It might be hard for some people to make their way over there to pick them up, if the parents are working or dont have transportation, Williams said. The increase in food insecurity among children has been really stark.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.

More:

I dont really care what I eat: Teens loss of smell, taste lasts long after COVID-19 | Nancy Eshelman

Biden administration to send millions of free reusable masks to health centers, food banks
Kellen Heniford stopped grading papers as soon as she heard the news. It was the first rule of teaching, she said: Never grade angry.

And Heniford was furious.

For weeks, Heniford, a teaching assistant at Columbia who graduated from Princeton in 2014, had been waiting for her alma mater to respond to allegations against classics professor Joshua Katz. A Daily Princetonian investigation published Feb. 4 uncovered allegations that Katz had "crossed professional boundaries" with three female students who attended Princeton years ago.

In the most serious allegation, Katz was accused of engaging in a years-long relationship with a female student in the mid-2000s and having sex with her. The other two students say he behaved "inappropriately," taking them out for expensive dinners where he always picked up the tab. One woman, who told the Daily Princetonian that Katz pursued her for years, said she felt trapped: As an influential professor, she said, Katz held considerable power over her future.

Katz confirmed Friday that he had a consensual romantic relationship with a student that "violated the university's rules," which prohibit faculty-student relationships, and received a year-long unpaid suspension in 2018-2019, which appeared as a standard period of faculty leave. "It was wrong, and I am ashamed of my past conduct," he said. Soon after Katz issued his statement, the university responded.

"Based on the information available to the university, and his subsequent compliance with university requirements, we believe that Professor Katz is able to fulfill his responsibilities as a member of the faculty," university spokesman Ben Chang wrote in a statement to the Daily Princetonian on Feb 19. Katz will continue to teach classes and advise students on independent work.

"They say he is capable of fulfilling his responsibilities. Well, one of those responsibilities as a professor is not to have sex with your students," said Heniford, who advocated for victims of sexual misconduct as a student at Princeton, and now at Columbia. She immediately texted the statement to a group of her college friends.

"He should be fired, point blank."

Many members of the Princeton community are urging the administration to do more to hold Katz accountable. Students and professors say Princeton's inaction sends a troubling message to female students, especially those who work closely with Katz, leaving them to wonder whether they'll experience the same kind of behavior - and how the university will respond if they do.

"We take seriously any allegations of misconduct by any member of our campus community," Chang wrote in a statement. "Violations of our sexual misconduct and consensual relationship policies are unacceptable, and individuals who violate those policies are held accountable and disciplined."

Chang reiterated that Katz was disciplined for the relationship he had with a student in the mid-2000s with a one-year unpaid suspension and mandatory counseling, adding that suspension is "the most severe penalty provided for in the University's Rules and Procedures short of dismissal."

"The Daily Princetonian reporting has not contained any new allegations of disciplinary infractions by Professor Katz," Chang wrote. "In the instances previously brought to the attention of the University, the administration took appropriate action."

But while the relationship confirmed by Katz took place more than a decade ago, community members worry that his inappropriate behavior has continued. Jennifer Jennings, a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton, cited a public speech delivered by a graduating senior in 2017. Accepting one of the university's most prestigious academic awards, the student mentioned late-night conversations with Katz, where they would discuss "my existential crises at 4 a.m."

Katz and the student are engaged to be married in July. The Washington Post reviewed a copy of the wedding invitation, along with various references to the wedding on social media. (Katz and the university did not respond to questions on the nature Katz's relationship with this former student, or when it began.)

At Princeton, Katz is known as a "gatekeeper" for prestigious fellowships and academic opportunities, said Nicolette D'Angelo, a classics major who graduated from Princeton in 2019, winning a Rhodes scholarship. She never took a class with Katz as her time in the department corresponded with his administrative leave, now recognized as a suspension. But she said professors and other academic mentors often advised her to reach out for a recommendation letter, because a good word from Katz would resonate with fellowship selection committees.

"There is this perception that he is someone you should talk to," said D'Angelo, a first-generation college student who said she relied heavily on mentorship to succeed at Princeton. More than once, she said, people told her that Katz "was the key to winning the Rhodes."

But D'Angelo said a close relationship with Katz or a similarly prominent White male professor shouldn't be a prerequisite for a prestigious fellowship: "There is something really pernicious to this logic that in order to succeed at school, you need to solicit the approval of White men."

In the classics department, the "golden child students" were almost always White women, "selected" by men like Katz, said D'Angelo, who is White.

The classics department chair, Michael Flower, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, requested on Tuesday that the university conduct a "culture review" of the department. The review would solicit feedback and recommendations from students and professors. Princeton has committed to support the review.

When D'Angelo won the Rhodes, several students asked her whether she slept with her professors to get it, she said. They were mostly joking, she said, but she didn't find it funny. Their comments grew out of a culture that was real.

Princeton had an opportunity to come out strongly against that kind of culture when the allegations surfaced against Katz, said Princeton senior Aisha Tahir, an African American studies major who advocates for victims of sexual misconduct on campus. Now that the allegations are public, everyone will know how Katz has behaved, she said - and they'll know the university chose to take no further action.

Students who receive high marks or special attention from Katz, she said, will wonder: "Am I here for my brilliance? Or am I here because you have this really predatory relationship with students?"

Women in Katz's classes might hesitate to seek him out for help, said Heniford, or worry about asking him for a recommendation, wary of the kinds of inappropriate situations they read about in the Daily Princetonian - receiving special gifts from his travels abroad or unwanted comments on their appearance.

"It's yet another structural block for women, preventing them from accomplishing the things they came to Princeton to accomplish," Heniford said.

Princeton should have issued a strong statement after the article was published, said Jennings, the sociology professor: "We don't sleep with our students. Period. Full stop." If the administration doesn't address the issue head-on, Jennings said, students and faculty might be left thinking that kind of behavior is acceptable.

Jennings would like to see some kind of formal investigation into Katz's behavior, she said, especially in light of the "written record" of the speech from a few years ago, referencing the 4 a.m. conversations.

Romantic relationships between students and professors should never be tolerated, Jennings said. Since she's become a professor, she said, she has realized just how much power faculty members have over students, holding the key to opportunities that could shape their professional futures. Even if a student consents to a relationship, she said, the faculty member should know better.

"I just can't see a world in which, as an institution, we can honestly look at ourselves and say we are doing great by our students, especially female students, if we don't enforce this basic social norm," she said.

It's frustrating to even be having this conversation, Jennings said.

"This is not something we should ever have to discuss. It puzzles me that we do."
Romanian postal operator Posta Romana has launched its largest investment program in 40 years in a bid to increase the quality of postal, parcels and related services in Romania. The Management Plan and the Multiannual Investment Plan will be implemented in 2020-2025.

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The investment program is comprised of three parts. First, a 3.1m (US$3.7m) investment in an automated sorting line at the posts sorting center in Cluj, which will increase the operability and efficiency of the center. The project is scheduled to begin in April 2021, with procurement documents currently being prepared.

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A second large investment will be made at the sorting center in the northern part of Bucharest, to the tune of 19.4m (US$23.4m). This project, which will also begin in April 2021, will see the facility fitted with modern new workspaces equipped with high-performance technology solutions to increase productivity and the speed of processing postal items.

The final investment of 26.6m (US$32.2m) will be made in the digital transformation of Posta Romana, covering three main areas: an integrated computer system to centralize operations (14.7m/US$17.8m); a new management information system (ERP) that will replace the module applications currently used by Posta Romana for the economic, commercial, human resources, real estate, car fleet and operational flows (8m/US$9.7m); and new IT hardware and software (3.9m/US$4.7m). This digitization project will begin in March 2021.

Posta Romana is also developing five major policies for structural and sectoral reform, namely the Financial and Digital Inclusion Policy of the Romanian Population in Rural and Small-Urban Areas, the Digital Literacy Policy, the Decarbonization Policy (through the Green Post Program in accordance with the EU Green Deal), the Urban Mobility Policy and the Research and Innovation Policy. The last four are proposed to be financed through the European Commission Recovery and Resilience mechanism.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  The inter-agency task force on the government's COVID-19 response has approved the recommendation of health experts to allow the use of Chinese firm Sinovac's vaccine on health care workers.

"Just this morning, we presented to the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and we got the approval already," Department of Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media briefing on Friday. The IATF's decision will then be presented to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The IATF gave credence to the conclusion reached by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and the DOH's Technical Advisory Group that Sinovac's CoronaVac "will be beneficial for the health care workers," Vergeire said.

Early this week, the Food and Drug Administration granted Emergency Use Authorization to Sinovac, recommending its vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in clinically healthy individuals aged 18-59. FDA Director General Eric Domingo earlier said CoronaVac is not recommended for medical workers exposed to COVID-19 patients because it has a low efficacy rate of 50.4% for this group.

But Vergeire clarified that while clinical trials show lower efficacy in preventing mild symptoms, CoronaVac is still 100% effective against moderate and severe symptoms. This means it can effectively reduce morbidity and mortality  the main goal for prioritizing medical frontliners in the vaccination program, Vergeire said.

READ: FDA only 'flagged' 50% efficacy of Sinovac, but still safe for health workers, Vergeire says

Members of NITAG and TAG agreed health workers should be given the chance to decide for themselves whether they want to take CoronaVac, considering this will be the first to be rolled out in the country for public use.

Officials said the 600,000 doses of CoronaVac donated by the Chinese government will arrive in the country on Sunday, with health care workers getting priority.

Amid questions on its efficacy, Dr. Anna Ong-Lim of the DOH's TAG said the medical frontliners who will refuse to get inoculated with it will not lose their spot in the priority list. However, it's still unclear when the other vaccines will become available.

READ: Health workers' vaccine hesitancy may affect public confidence, says expert

"Asang-asa tayo ng darating na yung iba e (We were expecting too much that the others will arrive), Ong-Lim said, mentioning the vaccine made by US firm Pfizer. Delivery of Pfizer doses through the global COVAX facility was delayed by the lack of an indemnification agreement, which the government sent last week.

"Ang problema is medyo nagkakaroon talaga ng (The problem is there have been) issues about whether these vaccines will come and when they will come in," Ong-Lim said.

Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang, a member of NITAG, said the first batch of Sinovac vaccines need not undergo the Health Technology Assessment Council, an independent advisory body, since it's a donation. This means one less step before the much-awaited start of the vaccination program, which is expected next week.

CNN Philippines' Lara Tan contributed to this report.
Accusations against a federal cabinet minister have been referred to police after two senators received an anonymous letter on Friday with allegations of a decades-old rape.

Labor Senator Penny Wong and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young sent the claims to police soon after receiving the letter, which was attached to a statement from a woman who said she was raped.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told all MPs this week to report any criminal allegations to police without delay. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The documents contain an allegation of a violent, historical attack.

The claims came one day after Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw urged all federal politicians to tell police without delay if they learned of allegations of sexual assault and other criminal matters.

LANSING  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians $291,767 for affordable housing, the department announced Friday.

HUD announced more than $652 million in Indian Housing Block Grant formula funding for eligible Native American tribes and tribally designated housing entities to carry out affordable housing activities in tribal communities. This includes nearly $15 million for 12 tribes in Michigan.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 17:32:04|Editor: huaxia

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VIENTIANE, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Laos recorded a trade deficit of 10 million U.S. dollars in January 2021, according to the latest information from the country's trade portal website.

Laos' exports increased to 482 million U.S. dollars in January 2021 from 468 million U.S. dollars in December 2020. The value of imports in January 2021 was 492 million U.S. dollars, according to the report.

The country's leading exports included copper ore, bananas, rubber, clothing, camera parts, coffee, sugars and tobacco.

The main imports included steel and steel products, diesel, land vehicles excluding motorcycles, mechanical equipment (excluding motor vehicles), electrical equipment and appliances.

China remained the top export destination for Laos, followed by Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Japan.

The main countries for imports are Thailand, China, Vietnam, Japan, and the United States.

These figures do not include earnings from the export of electricity. Enditem

OAKRIDGE, Ore. -- Officials are searching for the suspect in a shooting that sent two men to the hospital Thursday night.

At 10:21 p.m., The Lane County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police responded to a report of two adult males shot with a firearm during a dispute over a vehicle at Highway 58 and Harbor Drive.

The suspect was described as male, possibly Hispanic, armed with a firearm and driving a blue Toyota Prius.

Both victims were sent to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. This is an ongoing investigation and the sheriff's office is not releasing the two victims' identities at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Lane County Dispatch non-emergency number, 541-682-4141 and reference case #21-1152.
More than 400 Houstonians were murdered in 2020  a 40 percent year-over-year spike. In response, city leaders and advocates have been searching for solutions to slow this sudden growth in violent crime. Theyre not alone. Cities across the nation are facing a similar challenge.

Big-city murder rates grew by 30 percent last year compared to the year before  likely the largest single-year increase since the nation started keeping official crime statistics.

This outcome was unfortunately foreseeable. In July, we wrote an op-ed for the Houston Chronicle urging policymakers not to become complacent about the sudden dip in nonviolent crime caused by lockdowns around the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, our follow-up research, supported by Arnold Ventures and the Council on Criminal Justice, has documented an unprecedented nationwide jump in homicide. Murders rose in 29 of the 34 cities we examined. As hundreds of thousands died from a pandemic, another national tragedy ravaged the nation  in just the cities we studied, an additional 1,268 people lost their lives to violence in 2020 compared to the year before.

But as with the pandemic, reactions to this crime wave that are grounded in fear or panic will only be counterproductive. Despite the dramatic jump in last years homicide rate, violent crime remains below the historical peaks of the 1990s. The average homicide rate last year in the 34 cities we studied was 11 per 100,000 population in 2020, compared with 19 per 100,000 residents in those cities in 1995.

Nor is it true that the nation faces a rising tide of lawlessness. Property and drug crimes actually declined significantly last year. Not all violent offenses increased  many cities saw rapes and assaults falls. Homicides remained clustered among small groups of people and in a small number of places. As it does every year, the burden of violent death fell heaviest on disadvantaged and disenfranchised young men who have few options or hope for their lives.

So, what is actually going on?

While we dont have definitive answers to why homicide rose in 2020, it is likely that the overlapping crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest around police violence and other factors all combined to create a perfect storm of circumstances pushing murder rates to record levels among these young men in the most disadvantaged communities.

Each one of these issues poses massive policy challenges in its own right. But the interplay is a daunting challenge for policymakers. Despite this, leaders at all levels of government can and should respond with bold action.

First, the pandemic has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable among us while straining the institutions charged with keeping the peace  police, hospitals and community-based groups, to name a few. Successful violence reduction efforts depend heavily on proactive outreach to at-risk people and places. This outreach has been largely foreclosed by the ongoing risk of infection. Zoom meetings are simply no substitute, so subduing the coronavirus pandemic remains crucial for reducing homicide and other forms of violence.

Second, the precipitous rise in homicide largely coincided with the emergence of mass protests after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The homicide rate following this tragedy was higher than during any other period in 2020. Many scholars believe that were seeing a dynamic similar to the increase in murders that occurred after police killed Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014. This Ferguson Effect is likely a combination of de-policing (police pullbacks in response to pressure and criticism) and de-legitimizing (residents pulling back from reporting crimes and cooperating with police due to increased mistrust).

Rather than play the blame game, our nations leaders must engage earnestly with the crisis in policing. Some pundits and politicians have argued that community safety and calls for policing reform are in tension with one another. They are not. In fact, the two are inexorably intertwined. Sustained reductions in violence depend heavily on improving the fairness and legitimacy of the justice system. Translating calls for policing reform into workable policy will not be easy, but it is essential for sustained improvements in both safety and justice for everyone.

Finally, our elected leaders cannot wait for the pandemic to pass or for reforms to be made before they respond to these record-breaking rates of homicide. During a normal year, violent street crime could be curbed through a combination of well-tested, programmatic efforts by law enforcement, violence intervention and community health organizations. Now these strategies must be COVID-proofed by providing police, public health and community-based workers with prioritized access to vaccines and personal protective equipment, along with the necessary health care.

More research is needed to fully understand what is driving this spike in homicides. But that is no reason to hesitate. Policymakers have tools at their disposal to help bring these numbers back down to earth. With so many lives at stake, the time to act is now.

Abt is director of the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice and author of Bleeding Out: The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence  and a Bold New Plan for Peace in the Streets. Rosenfeld is professor emeritus at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a former president of the American Society of Criminology.

Senate next up for stimulus package

Once the bill is through the House (watch proceedings live) - and that might not take place until after midnight - all eyes will be on the Senate, where they will debate their own version of the stimulus package - one thing that will be different will be the lack of provisions on the minimum wage, which the Senate Parliamentarian said can't go through under budget reconciliation, the method Dems are using to get the bill through.

The revised bill is expected to be in the house next week and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is keen to get it through by 14 March when the current unemployment benefits from the most recent covid bill are set to expire. He is said to be confident he can make that deadline.
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During the next few weeks, people who visit the Parque Botanico-Orquidario in Estepona can enjoy seeing how many species are in flower at this time of year. One stands out especially among the rest, because it is difficult to find in private collections anywhere in the world and also because of its close association with one of the most influential people of the 19th century and human history, British scientist Charles Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution.

The species in question is the Angraecum sesquipedale, also known as the Christmas orchid, Star of Bethlehem orchid or just Darwin's orchid. It is special because, among the more than 25,000 varieties that exist, it is the orchid with the longest spur, the cavity from which insects extract the pollen, measuring between 20 and 25 centimetres.

Orchids were of special interest to Darwin. Their immense variety, shapes and colours posed interesting challenges when it came to studying their methods of reproduction, to such an extent that he published a book just about their fertilisation. It tells how Darwin received a package of several orchids from British horticulturist James Bateman, which included the Angraecum sesquipedale. He was struck by the length of the spur and, following the premises of his evolutionary studies based on changes in species due to natural selection, he believed that there must be a pollinating insect in existence with a proboscis long enough to reach the nectar receptacle at the end of the spur.

In other words, Darwin suggested that the Angraecum and its supposed pollinator had acquired their striking physionomy through a process of evolution in which one species responded to changes in the other. Nowadays, this is known as co-evolution, or sometimes as concerted evolution.

At first, this idea was greeted with incredulity by his scientific colleagues, because no insect of that type had ever been seen. However, over time Darwin was proved right: forty years later, in 1903, in Madagascar, which is where this species of orchid originated, a type of moth appeared with a proboscis measuring nearly 30 centimetres.

This confirmed Darwin's belief, and the insect was given the name Xanthopan morganii praedicta, whose subspecific epithet alludes precisely to Darwin's prediction about the existence of this hawk moth.

Special care

Darwin's orchid can be still be seen in flower for the next two months at the Parque Botanico-Orquidario de Estepona, which has successfully adapted to the conditions it needs to survive. This was no easy task because it is a capricious species and it has taken several attempts and different locations in the park before the plant decided it was happy to grow there.

Something else unusual about this plant is that it emits its strong scent at night. One of the experts at the orchid park, Anatoli Minzatu, says it can be smelled from at least five metres away, so it is a pity that this type of natural museum can only be visited during the day.

Anatoli has been working at the botanical park since shortly after it opened, nearly six years ago. During that time he has seen it evolve and grow.

"We have nearly 1,500 species of orchid here now. There are apparently between 25,000 and 35,000 different varieties, and new ones are still being discovered. Some countries, such as Ecuador, have more than 4,500 different types, and in different parts of Asia new ones are found every year," he says.

The countries in South America are the main orchid exporters. Each species which arrives at the orchid park in Estepona has to be carefully studied and they all need special care.

"Many of them need a period of up to two or three years just to adapt to their new environment," says Anatoli.

He says the aim of the park is to have as many as 8,000 different varieties on display within the next few years, and if it is successful in achieving this it would become one of the most important parks of this type in the world.
Justice Minister David Lametti during a news conference in Ottawa, Thursday Nov. 26, 2020. Lametti says he will seek parliamentary approval to remove a Quebec judge from the bench after the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the judge's appeal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Daily Beast

Delil Souleiman/GettyAL-HASAKAH, SyriaWhen former President Donald Trump said U.S. troops would remain in Syria to keep the oil at the end of 2019, the Pentagon scrambled to deny it.American forces only stayed in Syria to comprehensively defeat ISIS, a spokesman explained; any military presence around the oil fields was purely part of the mission to overcome the so-called Islamic State.Two years later, the remnants of ISIS are diminished, but American troops are still on the ground, still helping to protect that oil.The official stance of the White House, the State Department and the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was thenand remains nowthat keeping the oil is not the reason American men and women are still stationed in one of the worlds most treacherous conflicts. U.S. forces and the coalition more broadly does not provide assistance to any private companies, employees or agents in seeking to develop oil resources NE Syria, a spokesperson said in March.But that is not the full story.The U.S. had come up with a simple if morally and legally dubious plan: help Americas Kurdish partners profit from local oil by keeping it out of the hands of the Assad regime or Islamist militias, and then helping to refine and sell it. These oil fields in the northeast were once part of the network from which ISIS drew a reported $1.5 million in daily revenue.The U.S. Soldiers Spending Thanksgiving Guarding Oil in SyriaAfter decades of claims that American administrations only cared about the Middle East because of its oil, officials knew the U.S. Army could not be seen to seize control of oil fields on Syrian territory and dictate who would profit from their riches. Several former and current U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that the United States sought to obscure the plandespite what Trump saideven though it was the oil strategy justifying a continued U.S. footprint in the countrys northeast.If the U.S. couldnt pull this off officially in public, they were going to need some help. Delta Crescent Energy, LLC., a company incorporated in 2019, was about to assume a centraland largely secretrole in American foreign policy.U.S. officials believed the tiny company from Delaware with offices in Texas could become the American equivalent of Russias powerful, private mercenary army, the Wagner Group, which is linked to President Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Wagner is notorious for intervening in areas where it might be politically advantageous to avoid official fingerprints. U.S. officials saw this newly established company as the Wagner Group used for good, not evilin the words of one senior Biden administration official who, like the more than a dozen former and current U.S. administration officials and officials in northeast Syria and northern Iraq, requested anonymity in order to discuss matters of national security. The Daily Beast also exclusively reviewed Deltas company license and its contract with a local oil partner.A plan to stay and protect Syrian oil had been in the works months before Trumps boast in October 2019. But American companies and individuals were prohibited by an Executive Order from the Treasury Department from operating in Syria due to sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.On April 8, 2020, Delta Crescent, was granted a one-year sanctions waiver in order to advise and assist a local oil company in northeast Syria, an area known locally as Rojava and controlled by the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).A former State Department official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, told The Daily Beast that U.S. officials had decided oil produced in northeast Syria did not really belong to Assad, who claims he was reelected president with 95 percent of the vote last week, because oil belongs to the people not the government.For every barrel the company helped export outside Syria, it would receive $1, according to the production-sharing agreement and the companys application to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The company who took on this enterprise was established by the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James P. Cain, a retired Delta Force officer Jim Reese, and John Dorrier, a former oil executive, at least two of whom donated to Republican party candidates. These three private American citizens suddenly had a huge role to play in one of the U.S.s thorniest foreign policy challenges; how to set up a peaceful and prosperous Kurdish bulwark against Assad.This is the shift we didnt make in Iraq in 2003, a senior U.S. official said. We didnt backfill and if we dont get that right well get the same exact result. If we dont work the commercial and economic angle, were going to lose this battle.That is a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of these three men.The lofty ambitions of Delta Crescent came to an abrupt end as the Biden administration decided on Friday not to extend the license for Delta Crescents work in Syria. Delta Crescent, officials told me, was the de facto plan for the U.S. in Syria. Now its unclear whether there is a plan at allthe decision to revoke the companys license may give Russian oil and gas companies the chance to move in. So, what went wrong?On the GroundOn the road between Rmelan and the nearby city of Qamishli there are imperfect and patched together oil refineries scattered among villages. Plumes of smoke rise in all directions, curling skyward in the region of Syria that boasts three-quarters of the countrys oil reserves.There are black, damp puddles on the ground around us. Workers lean against motorcycles weighted by canisters containing the product direct from the refineries.Rmelan is a town dominated by oil and where Delta maintained offices and ten employees. There are new housing developments under construction which would house future oil workers near existing dormitories and offices on the outskirts of a series of oil fields operated by Delta Crescents local partner, the Jazeera Oil Company.The first time I spoke with the founders about their progress, in late-February, they had just smuggled oil samples out of Syria as testing capabilities were lacking in the country. I traveled to Rojava in early March to find out how much further they had got.The vision for Delta Crescent to help local partners become financially independent, and to wrest control of the countrys oil sector from Assad, was going to be a bellwether that would help our national security objectives, a former U.S. official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast. Maher Joumaa Howair, Ahmad Abu Mohamad, and an unidentified oil refinery worker. Kenneth R. Rosen During a windswept and cool day one week in March, a group of men were waiting at the refineries for the latest truckloads of crude, which came around two in the afternoon. They were making light repairs to engines and smoking cigarettes near the refineries through which they processed 22 tons each day. Asked about the growth of production rates over the last year, Maher Howair said there was no sign of improvement at all. It has been the same, he said. No fewer or more trucks have come through. No expansion or retraction of the local industry. Their thirty hours of work here each week still consistently yield each man $11 a month.Delta Crescent staff were clearly itching to get to the next step. They said they were on the verge of finalizing contracts with exporters and said the company was waiting for a license to import digital oil well monitors which would arrive in Rojava in mid-April.The founders hoped that trucks with local crude, exported through contracts they negotiated would soon cross into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. They had already planned celebrations in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, once the trucks started moving. Dorrier told the Associated Press that the company had secured about $2 billion in contracts to sell Rojava oil to international buyers, but regional oil industry executives told The Daily Beast that was unlikely.American officials had waged a public relations campaign to say U.S. forces were not there for the oil. But roughly 900 troops remain in Syria today to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, an irreversible political solution to the Syrian conflict... and the removal of all Iranian-supported forces, a State Department spokesperson told The Daily Beast. They also have directions to defend their position, which so happened to include the operations of Delta Crescent.A former senior U.S. military official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast that the U.S. actively trained a force within the SDF for the task of protecting the fields where Delta Crescent operated. The Critical Petroleum Infrastructure teamas it is known to U.S. military officialsis composed of 200 fighters from the SDF. They now conduct joint patrols with U.S. forces who visit oil facilities three to five times a week to assess  defenses, according to the latest report from the DoDs Lead Inspector General.This military support had led to reestablishing some confidence between the U.S. and the SDF after Trumps shock 2019 withdrawal which led to more than 100 deaths during a Turkish invasion. The support has also allowed the Kurds to edge toward financial self-sustainment and furthering its capabilities to defend its territory by providing additional security which gave rise to a political apparatus and a stronger internal military. But it has not helped to sever Rojavas reliance on the regime by introducing new revenue streams.Two of the Delta Crescent founders who spoke to The Daily Beast felt they were making progress, but said the U.S. Government had not backed them by pressuring regional leaders in neighboring countries to work with them.There was then, and continues to be, a robust trade in non-sanctioned oil across Syrias borders, but the people of the region have not been getting a fair market price for their oil, because it has not been legal, Cain said.Trump Announces New Syria Plan: Blood for OilThe illegal trade was still booming when I arrived and underscores how arms length U.S. support for Delta Crescent made the companys mission to advise and assist impossible. The State Department had high hopes to establish a low level free movement of goods and people, a former official told me, but failed to go all-in. There was also talk of helping with mobile oil refineries and equipment which has not materialized.Since January, when Delta Crescent tried and failed to open an additional border crossing between Iraq and Syria at the town of al-Yarubiyah, officials within the SDF and the Biden administration had begun hemorrhaging their faith in Delta Crescent. Meanwhile, the Assad regime had led a successful propaganda campaign to convince Syrians that Americans are there to steal the nations oil. Few in Syriaeven among American alliesbelieved the U.S. was there for anything resembling assistance or support or that it wont commit yet another betrayal.In mid-May, as the license extension neared its end, Reese grew concerned that the company would not be granted a renewal. He worried U.S. officials believed Delta Crescent was a Trump-era holdover and wanted it gone.As I drove through Rojava, I often passed trucks chugging west and bearing license plates for regime-held territory like Damascus and Aleppo. Delta was supposed to have opened routes in the opposite direction. It never happened and the fruits of production in this Kurdish enclave are continuing to nourish Assads regime.Who are Delta Crescent?Five years ago, one of the founders of Delta, Ambassador Cain, learned that his son-in-law had been caught up in a terror attack at Brussels Airport in Belgium. With information scarce, Cain jumped on a flight with his daughter, Cameron.To help his daughter find her husband, Cain turned to a network of contacts hed established as a career diplomat. He called Jim Reese when it emerged that ISIS had claimed responsibility for the five suicide bombers, who had targeted the airport and subway.At the time, Reese owned TigerSwan, a company contracted by the Department of Defense to clear landmines near the city of Raqqa. He sent some of his ex-military contractors to Belgium to help. They would soon learn that two of the attackers had survived during the three-way coordinated bombing and that Cains son-in-law, Alexander Pinczowski, had died instantly, along with 31 others between the days series of attacks.Cain stayed involved in the case, later testifying at the trial of the surviving attackers.A couple of years later, Cain and Reese reconvened at a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. They were there to discuss a new venture. Within monthsin December 2018the two men were in Rojava scouting for possible business opportunities in war ravaged northern Syria.They were in the country when Trump made the shock announcement that he was pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, which would leave Americas Kurdish allies to fend for themselves against both Assad and Turkish President Erdogan. Cain was so moved by the betrayal that he published an op-ed in the Washington Post encouraging Trump to reconsider.Reese now says he proposed the idea of an oil company to Commander Mazloum Abdi while at the SDF headquarters in Ain-Issa during their visit. He says it was all his idea.Whats in it for me, at the end of the day, is Im a servant leader. Thats what drives Jim Reese. I was put on this world to help people who need assistance, Reese told The Daily Beast. Whether thats overseas, whether thats in the U.S., whether thats someone getting pushed around on the playground. If I see someone and I can help them thats: If not me, who?Not everyone believes that Americas keep the oil strategy was all down to a flash of inspiration from one man.Lahur Talabany, the intelligence chief who first introduced U.S. officials to the SDF, told The Daily Beast that the protection of oil assets had long been in the works as the reason for U.S. forces staying in northeast Syria.Mazloum was talking about this with the State Department and they reached out to us way before that, Talabany told The Daily Beast during a meeting at his office in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. The DoD was also asking if we could help them with a refinery to refine the fuel right there so we could bring in some companies. This was a year before the announcement of a U.S. troop drawdown.The intelligence apparatus of Talabanywho is also co-leader of Iraqi Kurdistans second-largest political partyplayed a key role in the assassination of Qassim Soleimani via a drone stroke in January 2020, according to a recent report in Yahoo News.Talabany denied involvement but maintains close relations with U.S. interests.A Series of Impossible PositionsDelta Crescent now found itself in a crucible; caught between hostile foreign governments, a vengeful Syrian regime and corrupt local forces.Did the plan to use a tiny private oil company to bring stability to the region ever stand a chance?One thing is clear, no one in Syria ever believed the Americans had a cohesive long-term strategy. The uncertainty created a game of ambiguity between all sides, said a U.S. official briefed on matters in the country.That hesitancy was exploited by Iranian and Russian forces in the region which arent living in an ambiguous policy environment, the official told me. Moscow and Tehran have backed their assets in Syria to act decisively.In direct opposition to U.S. interests, Russia has worked to protect the oil market for the Syrian regime, according to people in Rojava who work in the oil sector. They did that by providing security and logistical support to Hussam al-Qaterji, "the godfather of the regimes oil and wheat trade with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)," according to a Treasury Department sanctions notice. The city of Qamishli. Kenneth R. Rosen The Daily Beast tracked down one of Qaterjis oil truck drivers.He said Qaterji wasnt his only employer and that he used two trucks (one for wheat, one for oil), which meant people other than Assad were profiting off the oil in Rojava. His routes were once between Qamishli and through Deir al-Zour to regime territory, but now he goes west from Rojava to other regime-controlled areas, signaling a move away from Russian and Iranian forces.Without a formal severing of trade between the northeast and the regime in Damascus, U.S. officials said, Rojava will be beholden to Assad, a war criminal who will keep them subjugated.But the SDF and Rojava couldnt rely on the U.S., either.The center of gravity has shifted from building a security zone to building an economy, a conflict monitor familiar with international projects in the region told me. Rojava still relies on regime engineers and its refining capabilities for diesel, and gas for cooking, a trade which does not include exchange of much-needed cash for Rojava.Asked if Delta Crescents objectives were ever possible, the monitor added, Its a series of impossible positions.Aside from anti-American forces such as Russia and Iran, potential allies also failed to help the long-shot oil plan.When Delta Crescent sought to broker a new arrangement between the neighboring Kurdish regions, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq refused to renegotiate its illegal trade with Rojava. Mansour Barzani, the brother of the Kurdish prime minister and the cousin of the regional president, was working to undermine the Delta Crescent operation, according to conversations which have not been previously reported.According to those familiar with the negotiations, near the end of 2020, the Lanaz refinery controlled by Barzani, increased its capabilities to refine more of the poor-quality oil from Rojava. It paid roughly $19 per barrel for the oil and folded it into its pipeline heading for Turkey. But Barzani wanted 70 percent of the income from the Rojava oil. The Delta founders balked.Millions and millions of dollars are being made on a daily basis on that border, a KRG official familiar with the meeting told The Daily Beast.The KRG has made a turn towards authoritarianism in recent years. In August 2019, around the time the State Department was seeking to aid the oil industry in Rojava, a lawsuit was filed in the Royal Courts of Justice in London against the KRG and its Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, alleging a campaign of harassment which delayed the authorization of operational licenses for a company based in Iraqi Kurdistan called Dynasty Petroleum.Dynasty said it had refused to pay the bribes solicited by KRG officials. Barzanis office and the Hawrami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.The CEO of Dynasty spoke to The Daily Beast on a balcony overlooking the metropolitan sprawl of Sulaymaniyah, a view hemmed by the Zagros mountains and the Iraqi border with Iran.The courtyard below was outfitted with a shack and a gate, manned by one man armed with a Kalashnikov. On the day of our meeting, Hiwa Qaramani was confidently awaiting news about the outcome of the lawsuit: there was precedent for a favorable outcome against the KRG.His frustrations lay not only with the regional government. Even though he believed the KRG had played a role in hampering Delta Crescent and other potential international investment in Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria, he felt he had been even more crippled by American fickleness.Were ready to go invest in electricity, in oil refinery, in telecom, in everything, Qaramani told me, but he said he needed to know that the U.S. would remain steadfast.He had believed that Delta Crescent would be able to usher in new capital investment and break the stranglehold over regional monopolies but all he had seen in reality was a massive disconnect between what Delta Crescent was aiming to do and what the U.S. continued to say publicly.From America, theres no clear statement about the future of this area, he said. Theres always a risk, but the risk is way too high.Did They Even Want U.S. Help?Talabanythe Kurdish intel chiefcan see the value of what Delta Crescent attempted. If the Americans hadnt stayed for the oil, he said, the U.S. would have lost everything.But his view is increasingly rare.Those close to the SDF leadership say Mazloum and his aides were cautioning themselves against relying on U.S. support broadly, and Delta Crescent directly, as they remain uncertain whether either can help them achieve further autonomy from the Assad regime.In private, interested parties have also expressed frustration that the U.S. would grant a sanctions exemption to an American company, but not to Rojava as a whole.U.S. officials argue in Washington, D.C., that Assad no longer has the moral authority to control Rojava, but his regime has reclaimed much of its lost territory in an ongoing campaign which continues to kill and maim thousands.Syrias borders are controlled by various countries and groups, but within the state of Syria, the population is largely now loyal to the regime, whether by choice or not. Even within the Kurdish enclave of Rojava, many expect the regimes return.How the Biden administration plans to position itself in Syria, and whether it might support another economic initiative like Delta Crescent, remains unclear.Shaaban Suleiman, from the village of Gundek Sayid, told The Daily Beast that he thought the current governing body of Rojava would help him when Assad was driven out, but they made things even worse, he said.The oil doesnt benefit the people. It does not matter who comes or who goes. Whoever feeds me is welcome here, he said, noting that much of their oil product was still being sent to regime-held areas despite what the Americans had in mind.Ahmad Saeed, 46, who repairs diesel heaters in nearby Qamishli, said further American involvement would do more harm than good.They will pump oil and steal it amid this famine. They will not work in the interest of the country, he said. Nobody understands them, the Americans. They have been here for years, what has changed? When the Americans go somewhere, they work for their own interests, not the peoples.He blamed ongoing sanctions for the countrys failed economy, gesturing to a crowd swarming the entrance to a U.N. World Food Programme handout.You Americans are chasing us, it is impossible for us to relax, he said. What benefit did the Iraqi people get from you except destruction? What benefit did the Yemeni people or any other nation in the world get from you?Saeed massaged his grease-stained hands.They are all invading our country, he said. The country should belong to its people.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.


With another round of COVID-19 small business grants given out by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, some businesses, while grateful for the funds, are still resentful they cannot operate at full capacity.

The Port Hope Hotel is one such business, receiving $15,000 in grant funding and retaining two jobs in the process.

Leroy Pleiness, the owner of the restaurant, plans on using the money he received to pay for wages and utility bills, which is helpful for him since Gov. Gretchen Whitmers curfew for restaurants is still in effect.

Currently, the curfew is for restaurants and bars to close at 10 p.m. Capacity for those places is also limited to 25%.

If she let us extend hours, wed be open to 1 a.m., Pleiness said. Were losing about 25 hours of work per week.

Pleiness also remarked that when the restaurant was allowed to operate at 50% capacity, it could have about 40 people inside. Now at 25%, it can only have about 28 people.

The Port Hope Inn had received another grant from the MEDC early in the pandemic for about $8,000, which was also used for paying wages and utility bills.

The takeout business helped keep our head above the water, Pleiness put it, saying they were making enough to keep their supplies up and that was it.

The ability to be open, even at 25% capacity, helps a lot since people come in to get drinks and stay around for a little bit.

I think we may be all right now, Pleiness said. If I can stay open, Ill be fine.

The Blue Water Inn in Caseville, owned by Huron County Commissioner and Caseville city council member Todd Talaski, also received a $15,000 grant, which allowed it to retain 11 jobs. Talaski plans on using the money to keep the lights on and the bills paid.

Talaski noted this would be covering operating costs the restaurant should be generating on its own and the added costs of cleaning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wed be making our own revenue if were at full capacity like we should be doing, Talaski said.

Talaski had previously said that his business is down due to the cancellation of festivals due to the pandemic and capacity restrictions. He also felt that restaurants have been focused on too harshly compared to other types of businesses.

Each business in the Upper Thumb that was awarded grant funding received $15,000. Other Huron County businesses that received funds include the Franklin Inn, the Gathering Place, the Ubly Pub, El Rio Mexican restaurant, the Lake Street Emporium, the Fireside Inn, and the village of Pigeon.

Huron County had 27 businesses receive a combined total of $405,000, retaining 197 jobs.

Tuscola County had 29 businesses receive a combined total of $435,000, retaining 214 jobs.

Sanilac County had 28 businesses receive a combined total of $420,000, retaining 243 jobs.

The three Upper Thumb counties are part of the Flint and Genesee chamber foundation, an economic development organization that also includes Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, and Shiawassee counties. Combined, they received $4.425 million that went to 291 small businesses and retained 2,878 jobs.

In total, this program provided approximately $52.5 million for nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed in a phone call Friday to talks over the delivery and joint production of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Kremlin said

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed in a phone call Friday to talks over the delivery and joint production of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Kremlin said.

"The issues of countering the spread of the coronavirus infection were discussed in detail, including the possibility of supplying the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to Austria, as well as establishing its joint production," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The phone call, which the Kremlin said was initiated by Austria, came as the European Union faces criticism for a sluggish mass vaccination rollout after it was plagued by supply problems.

Several of the bloc's member states, including Germany and Spain, have said that they would be interested in Russia's vaccine if it gets approval from European regulatory bodies, while Hungary has registered the jab on its own.

Brussels however has been wary of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- concerned that Moscow would use it as a soft power tool.

Russia approved its vaccine last August ahead of large-scale clinical trials, sparking concerns over the fast-track procedure.

But leading medical journal The Lancet this month published results showing the jab to be safe and over 90 percent effective.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund, which helped finance the development of Sputnik V, has said that more than 35 countries have registered it.

Rather than exporting the vaccine in bulk, Moscow hopes to agree production partnerships with local factories.

Brazil, India, Kazakhstan and South Korea have begun producing Sputnik V, though not all of them have made it available to the public yet.

In recent years, Austria has emphasised close ties with Russia.

After a number of EU countries in 2018 expelled Russian diplomats over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK, Austria said it would not follow, stressing its neutrality.

Later that year Karin Kneissl, Austria's foreign minister at the time, raised eyebrows when she invited Putin to her wedding and danced with the Russian leader.
Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) will ask President Biden to appoint a national director of gun violence prevention, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The issue  which resonates in Colorado with its dark legacy of mass shootings  comes days after the White House began to push forward on an issue activists wanted to see prioritized in his first month.

"If we are not doing everything we can to ensure another Columbine, another Aurora, another Highlands Ranch, does not happen again, then we are not doing enough," Neguse said in a statement.

What they're saying: In the letter, Neguse and McBath tell Biden that "a comprehensive government approach to address this violence, will help bring our nation out from under the depths of the gun violence crisis."

The pair notes that "disproportionate shares of this violence [fall] on communities of color" and that those who lost their lives to gun violence jumped 10% in 2020 from 2019.

They highlight that "federal efforts to combat gun violence, including research on the impacts and causes of gun violence and law enforcement efforts to combat it, are siloed across agencies."

Read the full letter:

This story first appeared in the Axios Denver newsletter, designed to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in their own backyard.
Its been some time since our last update on progress with Mike Spauldings Vought Corsair which has been under restoration for the past decade in Mareeba, near the city of Cairns in northern Queensland, Australia. This aircraft, F4U-1D BuNo.82640, served aboard the carrier USS Intrepid with VF-10 Grim Reapers between January and April, 1945, and likely participated in the Battle of Okinawa, making it one of just a handful of surviving WWII-era combat veteran Corsairs. Furthermore, this Corsair is one of just two surviving Vought-built -1D variants. Oddly enough, the only other complete F4U-1D is also associated with VF-10, this being the Smithsonians example, BuNo.50375, which helped train Grim Reapers pilots during their Corsair workup at NAS Atlantic City in the weeks prior to their deployment aboard Intrepid for the Pacific.

Regarding Bu.82460s restoration, Mike Spaulding reported to us, We have here been working along on this project without interruption which has been pretty good compared to what has been happening around the world. I hope you are well and coping with your situation in the USA.

Progress with the restoration has moved forwards considerably since our last report HERE. The aircraft and its systems are essentially complete. Furthermore, they have painted the airframe with an overall gloss navy blue scheme representative of the period.

Asked about the projects present status, Spaulding replied, We have now run the engine a few times and are just finishing off small jobs Work remaining is basically to weigh the aircraft, get the Certificate of Airworthiness and fly it, all of which we expect to have completed by midyear. Whilst doing these remaining items we also maintain in flying condition our Winjeel, Harvard & Beech 18.

As Spaulding noted, there are several other historic aircraft in his fleet, these being: Beech H.18 VH-MBU, former Royal New Zealand Air Force NAA Harvard Mk.II NZ1040, and former Royal Australian Air Force CAC CA-25 Winjeel A85-453. Spaulding also has previous experience restoring vintage WWII fighters, having played a big role in the rebuild and operation of his Curtiss P-40N 42-104977 earlier this millennium. This aircraft now belongs to Thom Richard in Kissimmee, Florida, and flies as American Dream.

For a more evocative look at the Corsairs engine runs, the December, 2020 video below should prove useful make sure to turn up your speaker volume when the engine starts!

Given how close the aircraft is getting towards attaining her airworthiness certificate, we asked Spaulding about who might make the first flight. He responded, Due to the current situation [with the pandemic] our test pilot has not yet been chosen. So the timing of the first flight will really depend upon a few factors outside of Spauldings control. Even so, it is clear that the Corsair is in great hands. She looks and sounds magnificent, and we anticipate reporting on her first flight in due course!

Many thanks indeed to Mike Spaulding for sending us the images included here, and for taking the time to talk about his fabulous aircraft!
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP)  A trust representing more than 80,000 victims of deadly wildfires ignited by Pacific Gas and Electrics rickety electrical grid is suing nearly two dozen of the utilitys former executives and board members, alleging they neglected their duty to ensure the equipment wouldnt kill people.

The complaint filed Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court is an offshoot of a $13.5 billion settlement that PG&E reached with the wildfire victims while the utility was mired in bankruptcy from January 2019 through June last year.

As part of that deal, PG&E granted the victims the right to go after the utilitys hierarchy leading up to and during a series of wind-driven wildfires that killed more than 100 people and destroyed more than 25,000 homes and businesses in Northern California in 2017 and 2018.

John Trotter, the trustee overseeing the $13.5 billion settlement, is now following through with an action that targets a litany of former executives and board members.

The list includes two of PG&Es former chief executives, Anthony Earley and Geisha Williams, who were paid millions of dollars during their reigns. The company is now being run by a former Michigan utility executive, Patricia Poppe, with a board of directors that was overhauled during PG&Es bankruptcy case.

PG&E acknowledged the lawsuit without commenting directly on the allegations. We remain focused on reducing wildfire risk across our service area and making our electric system more resilient to the climate-driven challenges we all face in California, the company said in a statement.

The wildfire victims lawsuit is seeking to tap into the $200 million to $400 million in liability insurance that PG&E secured for the former executives and board members, said Frank Pitre, the lawyer handling the case. He told The Associated Press that he hopes to resolve the lawsuit within the next year to help wildfire victims still struggling to rebuild their lives.

If the lawsuit is successful, it could help make up for a roughly $1 billion shortfall that the wildfire victims trust faces because half of the promised settlement consisted of PG&E stock that is currently worth less than what was hoped for when the deal was struck toward the end of 2019.

Trotter acknowledged the problem in a Jan. 26 letter to the wildfire victims _ many of whom had balked at a settlement that required half of the promised $13.5 billion to come in stock in a company with a history of negligence.

But none of the PG&E shares have been been sold by the trust so far, leaving time for the stock to rebound.

PG&Es stock price closed at $11.41 on Wednesday. The shares have ranged from a low of $3.55 to $25.19 during the tumultuous past two years.

The complaint against PG&Es former executives and board members seeks to tie them to acts for which the utility has already accepted responsibility.

That includes the company pleading guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter for causing a 2018 wildfire that wiped out the town of Paradise, California, along with the surrounding area. PG&E was fined $4 million in that case, the maximum penalty allowed.

If there was ever a corporation that deserved to go to prison, its PG&E, Butte County Judge Michael Deems said at the time of the utilitys sentencing eight months ago.

Deems condemnation is included in the wildfire victims lawsuit alongside scorching criticism from U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who is overseeing PG&Es probation in another criminal case. That case stemmed from the utilitys neglect of natural gas lines that blew up an entire neighborhood in a San Francisco Bay Area suburb in 2010.

Alsup has repeatedly ripped PG&E for not doing more to maintain its power lines in recent years, including during a court hearing earlier this month cited in the victims lawsuit.

PG&E has been a terror, T-E-R-R-O-R, to the people of California, Alsup said during the Feb. 3 hearing.

Pitre said its time to hold people hired to manage and oversee the company responsible for PG&Es recklessness. We are talking about a massive dereliction of duty.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Nigerias ruling class understand the trajectory we are on but they are too irresponsible to care. Of course, they care for themselves and are busy buying houses in Dubai, United Kingdom, Ghana For the rest of us who are going nowhere, our future is in our hands, do we allow the criminal elements to destroy us through conflict or do we make efforts to rebuild a political community that would serve the interests of all Nigerians?

The mass circulation of small arms and light weapons among the civilian population has placed Nigeria on the path to self-destruction. When the Minister of Defence challenged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits wielding sophisticated weapons, he was telling us the truth we know, that there is no state to defend us, and we are on our own; as such, lets do what we can. Of course, what he said does not make sense, coming from someone with the responsibility to defend us. The reason we have the state and give it the monopoly of the legitimate use of violence is to provide for our collective security, as if we all have our arms we will turn against each other in a direct march to anarchy. That is why we, citizens, unlike criminals, do not procure arms.

Today, we live in a society in which we are faced with the Kalashnikov Challenge, characterised by the mass use of modern rifles by civil actors with criminal orientation. In the good old days of inter-tribal warfare, a week of combat between two communities might produce two or three casualties. The dane gun that was in use at that time had a quasi-democratic character. In one out of four times that the trigger is pulled, the gun explodes and the shooter is the victim. The Kalashnikov has changed all that. A young man with a single rifle could wipe out a whole village and start hate memories that the whole of previous history could never have imagined. We live in difficult times in which the destruction of community, society and ultimately the state has become too easy a pathway.

The Fulani pastoral community has endured the highest agency in this regard. Over a period of three decades of serious crisis of the pastoralist mode of production due to well documented causes  population growth and expansion of agriculture, climate change and dramatic decline of the availability of pasture, as well as extortion by police and area courts, amongst others, many within the community lost all or significant parts of their herd. It was in that context that cattle rustling, an age-old practice of pastoral communities utilised in forming herds and for getting cash and meat was revived.

When procurement of the Kalashnikov rifles started in the late nineties and early 2000s, cattle rustling was transformed into a vicious criminal activity far beyond the quasi-cultural practice earlier observed by anthropologists. Low intensity conflicts were quickly transformed into commando like attacks with sophisticated weapons, affecting both pastoralists and large-scale farmers. The result was that the scale of loss of both herds and human beings started to escalate and the victims were mainly Fulani pastoralists in the bush, as such the stories did not make it into the legacy and social media.

The third phase was the extension of these criminal activities to neighbouring Hausa communities who were also subjected to the malfeasance. Through the 2010s, criminal gangs composed mainly but not exclusively of Fulani youth and uniformed vigilante groups known locally as yanbanga, set up by communities to provide security, fought each other.

The second phase was also largely unnoticed. When security agencies initiated significant moves in the early 2000s to trace rustled cattle, the method of criminal activity changed and rather than rustle, heads of cattle owning families were kidnapped, forcing the families to sell their cattle, pay ransom and get their relations released. The forests straddling Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina States became the ungoverned territories for these activities. Much of this was done without media attention.

The third phase was the extension of these criminal activities to neighbouring Hausa communities who were also subjected to the malfeasance. Through the 2010s, criminal gangs composed mainly but not exclusively of Fulani youth and uniformed vigilante groups known locally as yanbanga, set up by communities to provide security, fought each other. The fight was uneven and Hausa farming communities were the main victims. Some Hausa leaders, starting from Zamfara State, started providing heavy duty weapons to newly formed Hausa militia known as yansakai to strike back, and revenge assaults became the order of the day. These developments hit the media, creating shock when Middle Belt communities in Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States also got affected by the spread of these criminal activities.

The dynamics of the conflict became national, especially as access to pasture became dramatically reduced partly due to the effects of activities by some pastoralists but also some other actors. The Chad basin for dry season pastures was affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and insecurity, so pastoralists avoided it. They also fled the Zamfara/Katsina wet season pastures, as cattle rustling grew and pastoralists became frontline victims. The spreading out of violence from the Zamfara/Katsina vortex subsequently affected the Dandume/Birnin Gwari zone in southern Katsina and Kaduna States. The Boko Haram insurgency spread arms south to affect the Falgore/Ningi grazing areas between Kano and Bauchi States. As pastoralists were being blocked out of their traditional grazing reserves in the North-West and North-East due to growing insecurity, large numbers moved South.

The war between the Fulani and the Hausa is enroute. At the national level, the coming war is read with a different lens; the Hausa-Fulani Muslims are seen as a united group against the Christian Southerners and Middle Belters. The risk at that level is national cohesion and the survival of the country.

As these movements intensified, the conditions under which they were operating also pushed cattle breeders into adopting pastoralist methods, which increased, rather than decreased, the potential for conflicts and discord. Traditionally, pastoralists engaged in open grazing disperse themselves so as not to overgraze areas and encroach on farms. With rising insecurity, however, they started moving in large groups in smaller spaces, as they got blocked out of their traditional grazing zones. This large-scale concentration of pastoralists in limited ranges allows them to protect themselves against attacks. The paradox is that the more concentrated they are, the more damage they do to crops, which in turn fuels more violent conflict. As they spread around the country and are being chased out of many States, the conflicts have intensified. This conflict-generating trend that spread around Nigeria can only be reversed when security in rural Nigeria begins to improve.

We are now entering a new phase in which drivers of conflict are being multiplied. Rural banditry and mass kidnapping are sapping rural communities of their resources and savings. Families are being forced to pay millions of naira in ransom, which they do not have. To pay, they have to tax themselves, sell their animals and farms to secure the release of their relations. There is a deep process of pauperisation that is ongoing in rural Nigeria today. The youth of the affected communities, therefore, have nothing to lose but their poverty. The pathway to success that has destroyed their family resources is the Kalashnikov, as such they also choose to seek it and arms thereby spreads and violence grows. It is a pathway to self-destruction. The war between the Fulani and the Hausa is enroute. At the national level, the coming war is read with a different lens; the Hausa-Fulani Muslims are seen as a united group against the Christian Southerners and Middle Belters. The risk at that level is national cohesion and the survival of the country.

Nigerias ruling class understand the trajectory we are on but they are too irresponsible to care. Of course, they care for themselves and are busy buying houses in Dubai, United Kingdom, Ghana and other places to bolt out when the times come  just they and their nuclear families, while their relations and former compatriots fight it out. That is why they are not really making any effort to rebuild the state and create conditions for rebuilding legitimacy and state capacity to provide for the security and welfare of all citizens. Wherever they go would be a temporary abode, their destination is hell. For the rest of us who are going nowhere, our future is in our hands, do we allow the criminal elements to destroy us through conflict or do we make efforts to rebuild a political community that would serve the interests of all Nigerians?

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.
02/26/2021



Eugene Rothman at a hospital in El Centro, Calif. during a hospital augmentation mission in December 2020.

It was spring of 2013, and Eugene Rothman was supposed to be taking a final exam.

Rothman was completing his masters degree in emergency management at JSU and was required to pass an oral exam given by a panel of JSU professors. Because he lived in Natick, Mass., the test was given over the phone. Before Rothman could answer (or even be asked) any exam questions, the conversation was steered toward a disaster that had taken place a world away  the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti that killed more than 200,000 people, devastating the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

They wanted to know all about Haiti, he said, so 45 minutes later, Im still talking about Haiti, and they had to stop to ask the actual test questions.

Rothmans knowledge didnt come from Internet research, though he wrote about the earthquake for a paper. It came from firsthand experience. He was there.

Since 1992, Rothman, who is now an adjunct instructor in emergency management at JSU, has been a been the senior paramedic and team leader for the Boston Disaster Medical Assistance Team, which is an arm of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). When theres a need for large-scale disaster assistance, one of the NDMS teams from across the nation is deployed to help fill in the gaps, supplementing health and medical systems and response capabilities. Team members must be ready to leave at a moments notice, much like the National Guard.

We have to always have our bags packed because you just never know when the federal government is going to make the call, he said. It takes a lot of support and understanding  from family and friends and employers. I have to admit that it can be anxiety-inducing. And we can say, No, Im not ready for this one, but our team prides itself on always being ready to go.

Thats how he was deployed to Port-au-Prince Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. His team was one of the first to be out in the field, where they remained for 21 days, working adjacent to a tent city filled with more than 6,000 injured and displaced disaster victims.

Its main purpose was for orthopedic surgery, Rothman said. But we also helped to deliver nine babies. In fact, our first patient came in at 6:30 in the morning in labor.

Rothman has responded to hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf Coast, as well as floods in North Dakota.

NDMS professionals also serve behind the scenes at many large-scale national events, like the Presidential Inauguration, or Republican and Democratic National Conventions, where there is the potential need for additional trained medical professionals.

Rothmans team was in Washington, DC for former President Donald Trumps State of the Union address last February and the funeral for Rep. Elijah Cummings in 2019.

In March of 2020, Rothman and his team were deployed to a federal quarantine in Marietta, Ga. to assist passengers of the Princess Grand cruise ship, some of whom had contracted what news reports called a mysterious respiratory illness. It was unlike anything they had ever faced.

Weve never been deployed to a mysterious virus before, he said, but most of our deployments are ventures into the unknown. We often do not know exactly where we are going or precisely what our mission will be when we arrive, especially as missions change without warning.

The team was placed in contact with roughly 250 people who werent so much patients as guests, Rothman explained. The team basically served as the concierge, delivering fresh towels and food, taking temperatures and sending some to the hospital.

We were essentially running a hotel combined with a novel infectious disease, he said. Luckily, we in disaster response have been talking about these diseases for years  not about this particular organism, but in general.

Having participated in federal training for Highly Infectious Diseases and Isolation, Simulation and Quarantine, among others, the team was familiar with the process of donning and doffing the PPE necessary to protect themselves.

As in any life-hazard situation  fires, infectious diseases, law enforcement, he said, our reliance on our training and experience prepares us to respond with concern and caution, as opposed to fear. It was an interesting experience.

Rothman would be deployed twice more to COVID-related destinations. At the end of July, he was in Lake Charles, La., for what he called a hospital augmentation mission, where the team goes to support hospital staff. The team of about 30 people was split in half and helped turn the hospital ICU into COVID and non-COVID units.

Even in a pandemic, people still have strokes and heart attacks, he said, but we had to deal with everything with COVID in mind. That was a very interesting deployment.

In December, Rothman was sent to in El Centro, Calif., where his team staffed a non-COVID med-surg unit for people waiting for rehab or just out of surgery. All the patients were COVID-negative.

We looked after them in what was basically a tent, Rothman said. They kept us busy, very busy.
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The media campaign to promote the poetry of Amanda Gorman, the young woman who recited her own work at the January 20 inauguration of Joe Biden, deserves a comment.

Gorman rose from almost total obscurity to the cover of Time magazine (personifying The Black Renaissance) in the space of a single month. On January 1, nobody outside a relative handful of people even knew who she was.

Amanda Gorman at the Biden inauguration, January 20, 2021 (Photo creditChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)

Gorman was named the first National Youth Poet Laureate of the US in 2017 and has now performed two high-profile recitations. As noted, she delivered The Hill We Climb at the Biden inauguration. Her follow-up performance of Chorus of the Captains at the Super Bowl on February 7 was no less celebrated, and no less banal. Affixing firmly the establishment seal of approval, Gorman was interviewed in Time by Michelle Obama, the former First Lady.

Obama told Gorman: The power of your words blew me awaybut it was more than that. It was your presence onstage, the confidence you exuded as a young Black woman helping to turn the page to a more hopeful chapter in American leadership.

Much of the media acclaim, frankly, has been deranged. Witness this comment about Gorman from the Guardian: Erect as a statue, her skin gleaming as if burnished, her hair cornrowed, banded with gold and drawn tightly back into a red satin Prada headband, worn high like a tiara, she evoked what poet Kae Tempest calls the Brand New Ancients: the divinity that walks among us in the present day. According to Greek mythology, nine muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, inspire creative endeavour, with five devoted to different kinds of poetryepic, romantic, lyric, comic or pastoral and sacred. Gorman suggested a new poetic museone to inspire the poetry of democracy... Not just fawning praise, but Apotheosis!

Two points need to be made at the outset. Gorman is not the instigator or prime mover of her meteoric rise, but its victim (albeit, a willing one). A very young person, she is being used, manipulated, turned into an emblem of something that has nothing to do with who she actually is, or at least might be. It is rather sad and degrading.

Second, on the basis of the evidence so far, she does not appear to possess the slightest feel for poetry. Gorman has produced merely thrown-together, patriotic jargon at a low level.

Whatever light her appearances and verses have shone on contemporary American political realities and the state of its artistic life is unintentional and unflattering.

Gormans poem stands in a short line of inaugural poems, all written and recited to crown Democratic presidents with laurels. The tradition began with Robert Frost reciting at the January 1961 inauguration of John F. Kennedy. Neither Lyndon Johnson in 1965 nor Jimmy Carter in 1977 commissioned such a work, but Bill Clinton in 1993 (Maya Angelou) and 1997 (Miller Williams) and Barack Obama in 2009 (Elizabeth Alexander) and 2013 (Richard Blanco) revived and continued what Kennedy had initiated.

An inauguration ceremony belongs to the ruling elite, it is their show, and an inaugural poem inevitably conforms to certain standards. One would be naive to expect anything ground-breaking or penetrating. Such works tend to be patriotic, sweepingly general and optimistic. The majority of them have been forgettable. Frost concluded the piece he planned to read (conditions did not permit it, instead he recited a poem from memory) by presaging the glory of a next Augustan age and a golden age of poetry and power, only 22 months before Kennedys assassination and the subsequent descent of American politics into an ever more backward and reactionary spiral.

Poetry ought to reveal the truth about life in highly concentrated form, in concrete imagery. By and large, official, occasional poetry, on the other hand, reveals very little, unveils no new truths. The poets (and their listeners or readers) conclude precisely where they began. The poets simply make a point, performing a type of verbal painting by numbers.

Still, the emptiness of Gormans verses and of the official praise for them represent something new.

Even an inaugural poem needs to make some point of contact with reality. In The Hill We Climb, Gorman appeals for unity in a society torn asunder by economic catastrophe, the global COVID-19 pandemic and a fascist coup attempt. She makes no persuasive reference to these latter realities in her poem, a quilt of cliches and the shop-worn tropes of American political speech-making.

Somehow weve weathered and witnessed a nation that isnt broken, but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine,

but that doesnt mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.

We are striving to forge our union with purpose.

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.

Very little here is compelling as poetry. Poetic imagery is altogether absent. It is therefore difficult to examine Gormans poem using the standard approach of art criticism, which takes the aesthetic component as one of its starting points. Her stylistic choices, the hackneyed use of alliteration, anaphora and rhythm echo the political pulpit more than poetry.

Gormans poem is better appreciated as rhetorical, political speech, which has been given the mantle of poetry by virtue of its presentation as poetry. If it is poetry, it is poetry of a particular kind, intended to be inspiring and useful for those who commissioned itthe Democratic Party and its environs.

The Democrats have been trying to construct a false reality since the November election, and more desperately since the fascist coup attempt of January 6. According to this narrative, the coup attempt came about solely due to the personal machinations of ex-President Donald Trump. Former Vice President Mike Pence and the congressional Republicans who plotted with Trump and sections of the police and military to overturn the 2020 election are fellow patriots with whom unity must be forged. Now it is time to put our differences aside.

Such a picture can only be recast as poetry by artistically stilted and second-rate means. Gormans description of the American situation relies on unreal, Hallmark sentiments. There is not a genuinely original image in the work, and what little imagery there is often confuses. What is a bronze pounded chest, for example?

Gorman has to leave the ugly facts on the cutting room floor. A more mature and serious literary figure surely would have made some reference to the mass protests against police violence last year, to the murderous pandemic, to the burning social ills, even if only as a way of then painting the incoming administration as the potential righter of wrongs. But, no, even that would have been too much for this unreal event.

Gorman does make a single, oblique reference to the coup attempt, having re-written the poem in its wake. She declares:

Weve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it.

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.

This effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed,

it can never be permanently defeated.

What is this force? Gorman does not say. She speaks in euphemism. The unremarkable passage evokes no emotional response. It equivocates. On the one hand, force nearly succeeded. But never mind. Democracy can never be defeated. This is poetry for a culture that mass-produces cinematic superheroes with magical powers, and where no crisis is real enough to spoil the mandatory happy ending. Ultimately, Gormans poem is equally fictitious.

As noted above, none of the short list of inaugural works is especially noteworthy as poetry, although each of the previous ones has at least been recognizable as poetry. The possible exception is Maya Angelous 1993 offering, which managed to wrap up a few inconvenient truths in poetic imagery, including here:

A River sings a beautiful song,

It says come rest here by my side.

Each of you a bordered country,

Delicate and strangely made proud,

Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.

Your armed struggles for profit

Have left collars of waste upon

My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.

The day is past, however, when one could publicly rebuke the armed struggles for profit at such a ceremony. Gormans unfortunate contribution speaks mostly to careerism, social indifference, self-satisfaction. It reflects the degree to which the crisis-ridden and decrepit powers that be, incarnated by Biden, have lost virtually any ability to hear the truth about themselves.

We have reached a point in the decline of official culture where a grab bag of banalities can declare itself to be poetry and be roundly applauded, despite the obviously weak artistic content of the work. The audience is invited to participate in a falsehood, and becomes complicit in it.

What explains the open embrace of such a corrupting pretense? Sections of the upper-middle class inhabit an altogether different world than the working class. This is the real audience for The Hill We Climb. For them, shielded from reality by their stock and real estate holdings and high salaries, it is possible to imagine (or wish) the social crisis away with comforting cliches, at least for now.

Such people will experience a rude awakening. A social explosion is developing, and artists sensitive to reality will absorb the convulsive character of the epoch and find new, aesthetic means of representing it. Many others will simply be forgotten.
Michael Somare, Papua New Guineas first prime minister, who played a major role in leading the country to independence from Australia, died on Friday in Port Moresby, the capital. He was 84.

His death, at a hospital, was announced by his daughter Betha Somare, who said he had been admitted on Feb. 19 after a diagnosis of late-stage pancreatic cancer.

Sadly, pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers that are rarely detected early, she said in an emailed statement. We as a family had only two weeks to look for possible treatments for our father.

Widely regarded as papa blo kantri, the father of his Pacific nation, Mr. Somare was Papua New Guineas longest-serving prime minister, over three separate terms, for 17 of the countrys 45 years of independence. He held the office from 1975 to 1980; from 1982 to 1985; and from 2002 to 2011.
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China has lashed out at Australia with another thinly-veiled swipe as relations between the two nations continue to sour.

Australia has been accused of being a part of 'US-centered, racist, and mafia-styled community' due to its intelligence ties with the likes of Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Australia is part of Five Eyes, a long running intelligence alliance with the three nations as well as New Zealand.

The alliance was described as 'a fake international community with an axis of white supremacy' in the Chinese government-controlled Global Times newspaper.

Australia has been accused of being a part of 'US-centered, racist, and mafia-styled community' in the Chinese government-controlled Global Times newspaper. Pictured: President Xi Jinping

'They have formed a US-centred, racist, and mafia-styled community, willfully and arrogantly provoking China and trying to consolidate their hegemony as all gangsters do,' the scathing editorial states.

'They are becoming a racist axis aimed at stifling the development rights of 1.4 billion Chinese.'

Five Eyes had been transformed from the intelligence-sharing mechanism into a 'political clique', the piece continued.

'Global diplomacy in the 21st century must not be hijacked by a fake international community with an axis of white supremacy,' they wrote.

'We cannot allow their selfishness to masquerade as the common morality of the world, and they cannot set the agenda of mankind.'

The article concludes: 'What they want is sham multilateralism, and what they actually pursue is hooliganism in their own interest circle.'

The editorial piece was published on Tuesday, as trade tensions between China and Australia continue.

The editorial piece was published on Tuesday, as trade tensions between China and Australia continue. Pictured: Container terminal of Lianyungang Port in east China's Jiangsu province

Australian Reef Fish Traders - the nation's biggest live-fish exporter - failed to have their export licence renewed in China, it was revealed on Thursday.

The Cairns-based operation accounted for 70 per cent of all live exports in 2020.

The decision to end the licence concludes a 20-year trading relationship and causes room for concern about the future of North Queenslands coral trout industry.

Exports to Australia's number one trading partner, China, dropped more than eight per cent in January.

Australian meat exports in particular tumbled 39 per cent in the month, with Commonwealth Securities senior economist Ryan Felsman noting they are subject to Chinese trade restrictions.

'The drop in exports could reflect trade tensions,' Mr Felsman said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison shakes hands with President Xi Jinping

The Australian Bureau of Statistics said iron ore exports also declined by seven per cent or $963 million in January, although this could have been worse if not for the ongoing strength in prices, which were up seven per cent in the month.

'The strong prices have been driven by ongoing Chinese demand and weaker than expected output from Brazil's largest iron ore mine,' the ABS said in releasing the data on Tuesday.

While metalliferous ores dropped 10 per cent or $1.5 billion overall, they were still up 53 per cent or $4.9 billion higher over the year.

Preliminary figures show total exports were down nine per cent or $3 billion to $32.1 billion in January.

Imports also fell 10 per cent or $2.6 billion to $23.4 billion, lead by a 23 per cent drop in road vehicle shipments, the first decline since May.

This still left a goods trade surplus of $8.8 billion for the month.
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Coco Rocha and Martha Hunt have recently returned to the runway amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

And the models brought a bit of their quarantine with them back to work, as they served looks at New York Fashion Week.

They rolled out of bed and got dressed on the runway to model some moody glam evening wear looks inspired by Aspen, Colorado at Christian Siriano's FW21 show, which took place Thursday at Gotham Hall.

Mountain time: Coco Rocha and Martha Hunt rolled out of bed and got dressed on the runway to model some moody glam evening wear looks inspired by Aspen, Colorado at Christian Siriano's FW21 show at NYFW

Bedroom eyes: The dramatic presentation began with models waking up in beds surrounding the runway

Rise and shine: They stretched in black underwear, before getting dressed and hitting the runway

The dramatic presentation began with models waking up in beds surrounding the runway, stretching in black underwear before getting dressed.

Rocha, 32, stepped out in one of the boldest looks of the evening, a plunging black gown with an exaggerated waist and sleeves for a dramatic silhouette.

She cut a winter chic look in a floor-length off-white belted trench coat, which she twirled like a dress at the end of the runway.

The Canadian model showed off her stunning legs under the coat, in a pair of cream alligator stiletto cowgirl boots.

Bold silhouette: Rocha, 32, stepped out in one of the boldest looks of the evening, a plunging black gown with an exaggerated waist and sleeves for a dramatic silhouette

Winter white: She cut a winter chic look in a floor-length off-white belted trench coat, which she twirled like a dress at the end of the runway

Floor-length: The Canadian model covered her stunning legs under the coat, in a pair of cream alligator stiletto cowgirl boots

Matchy matchy: Hunt, 31, donned a cropped jacket with oversized lapels in the same off-white textured material, with a matching maxi skirt. The jacket was layered over a sheer black bustier and the look was finished with silver beaded earrings and a pair of bronze strappy kitten heels

Evening chic: She looked ravishing in another look, as she stepped out in a skintight sparkling black ruched gown with a thigh-high leg slit and a sleeveless peekaboo turtleneck

Hunt, 31, donned a cropped jacket with oversized lapels in the same off-white textured material, with a matching maxi skirt.

The jacket was layered over a sheer black bustier and the look was finished with silver beaded earrings and a pair of bronze strappy kitten heels.

She looked ravishing in another look, as she stepped out in a skintight sparkling black ruched gown with a thigh-high leg slit and a sleeveless peekaboo turtleneck.

Teddy Quinlivan, 26,

Other chic evening looks ranged from muted grey flannel to fuchsia tulle and chartreuse satin.

Flannel to fuchsia: Other chic evening looks ranged from muted grey flannel to fuchsia tulle and chartreuse satin

Glam look: Dramatic silhouettes are juxtaposed with sheer peekaboo cutouts and psychedelic prints, complemented by glam looks with winged liner and contoured cheekbones

Aspen inspo: Siriano, 35, designed the collection after a recent trip to Aspen, visiting his family for the first time in a year, which he called 'homage to the lodge' in plaid lames and cashmeres

Social distancing: His second show during the pandemic welcomed about 75 in-person guests, also broadcasting on Instagram Live

Dramatic silhouettes are juxtaposed with sheer peekaboo cutouts and psychedelic prints, complemented by glam looks with winged liner and contoured cheekbones.

Siriano, 35, designed the collection after a recent trip to Aspen, visiting his family for the first time in a year, which he called 'homage to the lodge' in plaid lames and cashmeres.

His second show during the pandemic welcomed about 75 in-person guests, also broadcasting on Instagram Live.

The Project Runway alum told the Associated Press: 'If you take this away, and the glamour, then it's like I'm just at the office talking about money all day, and that's not what I want. I wouldn't want to do this job if I couldn't have this world.'

Christian's world: The Project Runway alum told the Associated Press: 'If you take this away, and the glamour, then it's like I'm just at the office talking about money all day, and that's not what I want. I wouldn't want to do this job if I couldn't have this world'

Squad goals: Candice Huffine and Teddy Quinlivan were just a few of the other featured models

Artist's muse: Siriano posed backstage with his muse Rocha

Gal pals: She also took a photo with Leigh Lezark

Front row: Lezark looked cool in a taupe printed PVC overcoat. Yvette Williams sizzled in a cheetah print dress

Working from home: The models each had their own bed, next to a rack with their outfit hanging on it

Kinky boots: Rocha slipped on her boots in bed, before putting on the rest of the look

Serving body: Hunt showed off her gorgeous figure in the black bodysuit
WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States will continue to back Ukraine against Russian aggression and will never recognize the Kremlins annexation of its neighbors territory.

Biden made the comments of support on February 26 as Ukrainians mark the seventh anniversary of Moscows steps to seize Ukraines Crimean Peninsula.

"The United States does not, and will never, recognize Russias purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russias aggressive acts. We will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its abuses and aggression in Ukraine," Biden said.

Russia in 2014 seized Crimea and backed separatists in two provinces in eastern Ukraine after protesters in Kyiv overthrew pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych. The war in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 13,000 people to date and continues to simmer.

Key Biden Role

Biden played a key role in mobilizing U.S. support for Ukraine against the Kremlins aggression while serving as vice president in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017, making at least five visits to the region after the outbreak of hostilities.

Biden last week reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine in his first foreign policy speech directed at a foreign audience. The U.S. president told the Munich Security Conference on February 19 that Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty was of vital importance to Washington and Brussels.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked Biden for his statement of support.

"Thats what a real strategic partnership is for. Ukrainians highly value the #US support: from territorial integrity to strengthening defense capabilities & implementing reforms. United we stand -- divided we fall," he tweeted.

Biden has yet to speak one-on-one with Zelenskiy since taking power on January 20.

Zelenskiy has said he hopes for a close relationship with the Biden administration following tense ties with his predecessor, Donald Trump, who sought to improve relations with Moscow.

During a conversation with reporters in 2018, Trump declined to rule out recognizing Crimea as part of Russia. However, his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo repeatedly said the United States would never accept the annexation of the peninsula.

In a move viewed as an attempt to improve the relations with the Biden administration, Zelenskiy on February 25 appointed Oksana Markarova as his new ambassador to Washington.

Markarova, a former finance minister, is highly regarded in the United States for her pro-reform views.
Beyond barbecues and ceremonies: Recognizing Memorial Day

For many, Memorial Day weekend is about gathering with family and grilling or attending a parade. Some find a more personal way to honor the holiday.
Herald Reporter

The vaccination of journalists against Covid-19 has started following Tuesday's Cabinet decision that they be included among frontline workers being vaccinated under Phase One of the programme.

Cabinet approved the submission by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services that journalists be included in the first phase of the vaccination programme as they are frontline workers.

Some of the journalists who were vaccinated yesterday urged their colleagues to get the jab so as to protect themselves from Covid-19.

Roselyne Sachiti, the Features Editor of The Herald said vaccination is ideal because it protects others from the coronavirus, which has destroyed people's lives the world over.

"Vaccination does not protect myself only, but others will be also protected, Let's make informed decisions based on facts", said Sachiti.

The Herald Deputy News Editor, Kudakwashe Mugari said people need to understand that this vaccine is safe.

Kudakwashe Hunda, The Herald Senior Photographer said as frontline workers we are all supposed to be among the first to be inoculated so our colleagues in the media fraternity should also get vaccinated.

"Vaccination is the only way to go, lets get vaccinated to save our lives together with our families", said Hunda.

A senior journalist Joseph Madzimure also highlighted the importance of vaccination against Covid-19, saying it is a move in the right direction because the vaccine is there to help us fight the virus that has destroyed millions of lives in the world.

"Prevention is better than cure, let's protect ourselves by getting vaccinated", said Madzimure.

James Chikwanah, a Zimpapers sub editor, also urged journalists and others to get vaccinated.

"I am glad that I was vaccinated today and others should follow a good development which we are doing as individuals to protect ourselves from Covid-19," he said.

Another Zimpapers sub editor Privilege Chikwaya said vaccination is the only way to protect ourselves. "Let's all get inoculated. Vaccines are for the greater good."

Zimbabwe launched the Covid-19 vaccination programme last Thursday and vaccination of frontline workers started on Monday.
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While renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels fuel a fraction of the states energy grid, the bulk of Texas power is supplied by natural gas, coal and nuclear plants, with natural gas power plants generating nearly half of the states electricity, according to the states comptroller. No matter the source, however, a lack of winterization was a big factor in the failure of Texas energy producing operations during the historically severe and lengthy freeze that enveloped the state starting in the second week of February and left millions without electricity for days. But it didnt have to be that way, says one oil and gas insurance and risk management expert.

Winterization is protecting the equipment and the instrumentation, so it wont be susceptible to failure from cold weather much like they do in Canada or North Dakota or any place with cold weather. That just wasnt in place in Texas, said David Robertson, Global Head of Energy Risk Consulting at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.

With natural gas, for example, the problems start at the wellhead, Robertson said. Texas has so much gas that they dont have a lot of online storage. Its in the ground when they need it. They just open the valve a little bit more and take out more and it connects directly into the entire system.

Well, the cold weather impacts gas, the well itself, the instrumentation, it impacts the pipelines somewhat. Even natural gas pipelines are sensitive to cold weather, especially if the cold weather is severe and extended.

During Texas recent big freeze, diminished gas production at the wellhead created a domino effect  reduced supply to natural gas plants meant utilities couldnt produce enough electricity to keep up with demand. As the temperature dropped people across the state turned up the heat in their homes and businesses, but electrical generating plants werent getting enough fuel to respond to the surge.

Generating facilities also suffered from the same issue of not being well winterized. So, their equipment began to fail. Instrumentation, utility lines, things like that, freezing up, not working right. So, not only did they not have enough gas to run, but they started to suffer from their own inability to run at full speed, just because their own equipment wasnt working well in cold weather, Robertson said.

No Winterization Requirements A report produced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation following an extreme winter storm that occurred in Texas in 2011 and caused similar outages and failures in the states energy infrastructure recommended winterization investments that would have helped mitigate the most recent weather disaster. According to The Texas Tribune, there was no follow up by the states politicians and regulators on the reports recommendations for Texas power infrastructure. In an article published by Bloomberg, Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler for Enki Research, estimated that losses from the extended freeze and power outages in Texas could run as high as $90 billion. About 90% of those losses could have been prevented by better planning and implementation of mitigation measures recommended in the 2011 report, Watson told Bloomberg. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) operates the electric power grid for about 90% of the state and provides power for more than 26 million customers in Texas. Dan Woodfin, an ERCOT senior director acknowledged in a Texas Tribune report that currently participants in the states power infrastructure are not required to prepare their operations for extremely low temperatures.

As an energy risk consultant, its Robertsons job and that of his team of engineers to analyze the risks in energy production facilities whether its the oil and gas exploration and production  or upstream  operations, the midstream raw material transportation systems and storage facilities, or the downstream petrochemical plants.

We go out and see the facilities, we meet the senior management, we spend some time touring the facilities with the people who work there, and we develop a feel, a picture of how they do their business and how safely they do it relative to their peers, Robertson said.

Its complicated without strong regulations in place like they have in Europe where companies are required to meet certain clearly defined standards, he said. In our world, its not so clear.  We go out and we meet with our insureds and we tour their facilities, and we meet their management. And if we do see opportunities for them to improve, we try to sell our ideas to them and convince them that its in their best interest to do it themselves.

However, Robertson added, it is incumbent upon the business owners to make the changes, to make the investments.

Robertson said he and his team try to help make the world a safer place by working with insureds to identify risks and educate clients on best practices or ways to mitigate those risks. And in this case, its just probably better implementation of winterization practices.

For example, on the renewable end, the windmills, turbines, have winterization packages. There are kits that you can install that will de-ice the blades, that will keep the motors and the gearboxes warm and running. They run really well in Scandinavia, and Canada, and Northern United States, he said.

Those winterization packages apparently werent installed on many turbines in Texas, but its pretty clear that it wouldnt have been a bad investment, he said.

Similarly, there are options for winterizing oil and gas operations at every point from upstream to downstream, Robertson said. He used as an example North Dakota, which is now one of the top states for oil and gas production and is well equipped to handle extended and extreme cold weather. While some parts of North Dakota experienced controlled rolling blackouts during the recent record low temperatures, it avoided the intense and widespread energy disruption that plagued Texas, according to various local media reports.

So, its just a matter of  I mean, I hate to say it, spending the money on the installation and maintenance of winterization, whether its insulation, trace heating, building enclosures to take stuff out of the weather, things like that. He added that his group at Allianz utilizes winterization checklists that we share with our insureds to help them.

About the photo: An Oncor Electric Delivery crew works on restoring power to a neighborhood following the winter storm that passed through Texas Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Odessa, Texas. (Eli Hartman/Odessa American via AP)

Topics Texas Risk Management

The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.

A new and dangerous coronavirus variant has emerged in New York City.

The variant  B.1.526  is similar to the strain that emerged in South Africa. Experts fear this variant  like the South African strain  could be more transmissible and render COVID-19 vaccines less effective.

Dr. David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, said the discovery is unsurprising and the variant is likely already circulating in New Jersey.

As soon as people start looking, theyre going to find this stuff, Cennimo said. Its just (that) nobody was looking.

The B.1.526 variant  first detected in November  is increasingly showing up in samples. In fact, the strain now accounts for more than 12% of the coronavirus samples collected by researchers at Columbia University.

We observed a steady increase in the detection rate from late December to mid-February, with an alarming rise to 12.3% in the past two weeks, according to an analysis by the Columbia University research team.

The continued decline in new coronavirus cases across New Jersey and the nation and the increase in vaccinations have provided some hope that maybe the U.S. is turning a corner.

New Jerseys seven-day average for new confirmed cases is now 2,512  a 9% drop from the previous week, and a 42% decline from a month ago. More than 1.8 million vaccine doses have also been administered, according to the state dashboard.

Cennimo said its possible we are turning a corner. But hes still wary. He said the next couple of months will be key in telling us which direction were going  whether cases will continue to drop or once again spike after two waves of the pandemic.

This could go down as a whole bunch of historical curiosity, Cennimo said. And people are going to say, Oh, look, they all freaked out about a couple of mutation variants' Or its going to be: Look at this  a whole new branch on the phylogenetic tree took off, and theres a whole second huge spike to this epidemic.

We dont know yet which it will be.

Still, there is some reason for concern, Cennimo said.

The fear has been that variants could impact the efficacy of the vaccines  that they wont be able to defend against the emerging new strains.

If the vaccines that were given are less effective against this variant and/or if this variant is more transmissible, we could see (an) increase in infections, Cennimo said.

He said its now a race against the new strains, which include variants from the United Kingdom and Brazil.

Meaning, (getting) more people vaccinated to decrease the fuel, if you will, for new infections before we get more variants taking over, Cennimo said.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday morning that he isnt aware of the New York variant being found in New Jersey, but noted that we assume the worst and hope for the best.

Im assuming if this is in New York City, its in New Jersey, Murphy said during an unrelated news conference in Fair Lawn. Thats the way weve got to operate.

The governor stressed that the state government is watching that very closely and officials are concerned about what were seeing in New York City.

Murphy called on residents to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

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Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com.
WASHINGTON  Seven Saudis involved in the killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi belonged to an elite unit charged with protecting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a declassified report on the assassination released on Friday. The New York Times has linked the group to a brutal campaign to crush dissent inside the kingdom and abroad, citing interviews with American officials who have read classified intelligence reports about the campaign.

The role of operatives from the so-called Rapid Intervention Force, or R.I.F., in the Khashoggi killing helped bolster the American intelligence case that Prince Mohammed approved the operation. Members of the R.I.F. would not have participated in the killing without the crown princes consent, according to the report.

The group exists to defend the crown prince and answers only to him the report said, and on Friday, the Treasury Department designated the Rapid Intervention Force for economic sanctions for its role in the Khashoggi killing.

Here is some of what is known about the unit:

Operations

The killing of Mr. Khashoggi was but one particularly egregious operation involving members of the group. The Rapid Intervention Force appears to have begun its violent campaign in 2017, the year when Prince Mohammed pushed aside his older rival to become heir to the Saudi throne.
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.
Kano, Nigeria: Police have confirmed the abduction of 317 girls from their boarding school in north-western Nigeria, the second case of a mass school kidnapping in less than 10 days.

The children were taken by unidentified gunmen from their secondary school in the town of Jangebe, in Zamfara State, on Friday, the states police spokesperson Mohammed Shehu said.

It was the second such kidnapping in little over a week in a region increasingly targeted by militants and criminal gangs. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

One of the students left behind when armed men kidnapped 317 girls from a junior secondary school in Jangebe, Nigeria, on Friday. Credit:AP

Aid organisation Save the Children said it had received reports of up to 450 kidnapped schoolgirls, saying it was horrified about the incident.

President of the European Council Charles Michel will travel to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia from February 28 to March 3.

This was said in a press release published on the website of the European Council.

"President Michel will travel to Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine from Sunday 28 February to Wednesday 03 March... In Ukraine, he will join President Zelensky in visiting eastern Ukraine before discussing EU-Ukraine relations in Kyiv and meeting with representatives of institutions fighting corruption," the statement reads.

Prior to that, President Michel will visit Chisinau, where he will meet with President Maia Sandu. Then he will fly to Georgia, where he will meet President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, and Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Archil Talakvadze.

In addition to bilateral relations and common fight against Covid-19, the future of the Eastern Partnership will also feature high on the agenda of the visit.

As reported, after a meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal on February 9, President of the European Council Charles Michel announced his visit to Ukraine and his intention to visit Donbas.

ish
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Parasitic flatworms known as agents of food-borne zoonoses were confirmed to use several species of thiarid snails, commonly found in freshwater and brackish environments in southeast Asia, as their first intermediate host. These parasites can cause severe ocular infections in humans who consume raw or improperly cooked fish that have fed on infected snails. The study, conducted in South Thailand by Thai and German researchers and led by Kitja Apiraksena, Silpakorn University, is published in the peer-reviewed open-access journal Zoosystematics and Evolution.

"Trematode infections are major public health problems affecting humans in southeast Asia," explain the scientists. "Trematode infections depend not only on the habit of people, but also on the presence of first and second intermediate host species, resulting in the endemic spread of parasites, such as intestinal and liver flukes in Thailand".

The snails of concern belong to the genus Stenomelania, have elongated and pointed shells and can be found near and in the brackish water environment of estuaries in the Oriental Region, from India to the Western Pacific islands. Worryingly enough, science does not know much else about these snails to date. Further, these species are hard to distinguish from related trumpet snails, because of the similarities in their shell morphology.

In order to provide some basic knowledge about the parasitic worms in Thailand and neighbouring countries, the research team collected a total of 1,551 Stenomelania snails, identified as four species, from streams and rivers near the coastline of the south of Thailand in Krabi, Trang and Satun Provinces. Of them, ten were infected with trematodes. The parasites were found at seven of the studied localities and belonged to three different species. In Krabi Province, the researchers observed all three species.

Speculating on their presence, the scientists suspect that it could be related to the circulation of sea currents, as the flow of water along the Andaman coast is affected by the monsoon season.

In conclusion, the researchers note that it is a matter of public health that further research looks into the biodiversity and biology of these snails, in order to improve our knowledge about the susceptibility of Stenomelania snails to food-borne zoonotic.

"This finding indicated that the resulting parasitic diseases are still largely neglected in tropical medicine, so further studies should be performed on the prevalence of various trematode-borne diseases in locations with snail occurrences in Thailand," they say.

###

Research article:

Apiraksena K, Namchote S, Komsuwan J, Dechraksa W, Tharapoom K, Veeravechsukij N, Glaubrecht M, Krailas D (2020) Survey of Stenomelania Fisher, 1885 (Cerithioidea, Thiaridae): The potential of trematode infections in a newly-recorded snail genus at the coast of Andaman Sea, South Thailand. Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 807-819.

https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 3897/ zse. 96. 59448

Corresponding author:

Duangduen Krailas

Email: kduang@gmail.com
Marvel J. Olson, age 94 of Alexandria, formerly Lowry, died Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2nd at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Lowry with Rev. Bryan Taffe officiating. Visitation will be one hour pri

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Feb. 25OXFORD  Olin Winchester was awarded a $37.14 million contract to provide ammunition for the U.S. Army.

The firm-fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract is for 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 caliber ammunition.

Bids were solicited via the internet with one received.

Work will be performed at the Oxford plant with an estimated completion date of March 14, 2026. The U.S. Army Contracting Command in Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, awarded the contract.

This is the third Army contract Olin-Winchester has received in four years.

Last January, the company awarded a $75.8 million contract extension for the same ammunition, with a completed date set for May 31 of this year.

In 2017 the company landed a nearly $91 million extension to another Army ammunition contract and the work was completed in mid-2018

Olin dedicated its $100 million, 500,000-square-foot centerfire manufacturing plant in Oxford in 2011. Olin opened its rimfire and military packing operations in Lafayette County in 2005. The company employs more Han 1,000 people at its facilities.
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- XNK Therapeutics AB ("XNK") today announced that it is entering into a joint Phase II clinical study to treat patients with multiple myeloma using XNK's leading drug candidate in combination with Sanofi's anti-CD38 antibody Sarclisa (isatuximab). XNK and Sanofi are both collaborative partners within NextGenNK Competence Center coordinated by Karolinska Institutet.

The investigator-initiated Phase II study is made possible by the three parties' contributions to the trial. XNK will provide its novel autologous NK cell-based product to the study set to take place at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.

"Performing this Phase II study together with Karolinska Institutet is an important step for XNK in its ambition to combat multiple myeloma," said Johan Liwing, CEO of XNK Therapeutics. "Combining our efforts together with the present partners highlights just how far XNK has progressed with its patented technology platform."

"We really look forward towards conducting this exciting clinical trial including partnering with XNK Therapeutics," said Hareth Nahi, Associate Professor at KI.

The study ISA-HC-NK (EudraCT: 2020-000994-26) compares XNK's leading drug candidate combined with isatuximab vs isatuximab as a consolidation treatment following autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

XNK is a collaborative partner within NextGenNK, a recently established Competence Center for the development of next-generation NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies coordinated by Karolinska Institutet and supported by Sweden's Innovation Agency (Vinnova).

For more information, please contact:

Johan Liwing, CEO, XNK Therapeutics

Tel: +46 706 70 36 75

E-mail: [email protected]

About XNK Therapeutics AB

XNK Therapeutics is a clinical stage, immunotherapy company focusing its efforts on preventing and treating cancer by developing novel NK cell-based therapies. The company has established a leadership position in the clinical development and manufacture of autologous NK cell-based products using its proprietary technology platform. The company's platform technology and leading investigational drug candidate have ideal properties for targeting cancers, including settings where allogeneic cell products are not readily applicable. It is foreseen that the product will bring a critical component to tomorrow's cancer treatment strategies. XNK Therapeutics is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. For more info, please visit www.xnktherapeutics.com .

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/xnk-therapeutics-ab/r/xnk-therapeutics-partners-with-karolinska-institutet-on-phase-ii-study-in-patients-with-multiple-mye,c3296450

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/16693/3296450/1379520.pdf Press release (PDF)

SOURCE XNK Therapeutics AB
According to the complaint, an informant told the FBI in November that Frobouck has expressed a desire to raise an army and take the country back and also had referred to various politicians as enemy combatants. Froboucks Facebook profile contains numerous posts supporting former President Donald Trump and calling for the potential use force to keep him in power.
It seems reasonable that you are looking for things to celebrate. Why not seek out some joy now that the two-week COVID-19 lockdown has dragged on for a year?

St. Patricks Day is coming up. While joining a mob of 20-somethings at an Irish pub doesnt seem like a good idea this year, maybe its time to indulge in one of those Shamrock Shakes from McDonalds?

I have an alternate idea. Dont.

On a recent afternoon, I took my assistant, a one-and-almost-a-half-year-old, through the drive-thru of a McDonalds and purchased one small Shamrock Shake and one small Shamrock McFlurry. I also got a side of fries, because it is a scientific fact that all milkshake products taste better with a side of salty fries.

When I was 17, I worked at McDonalds, so I know generally the McFlurry is a superior product to the shake. In this case, the rule holds.

Shamrock McFlurry (Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian)

The Shamrock McFlurry is fine. Its a McFlurry -- a lesser Blizzard, really -- with mint and Oreo bits. Mint and Oreo is a great combination. Add ice cream, or soft serve, and it is even greater.

The color on the McFlurry, and the Oreos, were recognizable enough as food that I let the one-year-old taste them. She, having almost no experience with ice cream, was blown away.

I, on the other hand, have been eating ice cream for 30-some years and know that the McFlurry was passably tasty, but not the pinnacle of flavor or texture by any means.

The classic Shamrock Shake is a whole different story.

Shamrock Shake (Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian)

The shake was a distressing color of green reminiscent of the ooze from which four teen turtles emerged with ninja skills.

It was the color of toxic sludge, or a toxic tree frog, or a Mr. Yuck sticker.

I certainly wont win Mother of the Year anytime soon -- I gave the baby a couple fries to go with the McFlurry -- but even I wouldnt give a Shamrock Shake to my child. So I had to taste it alone.

The flavor is hard to pin down, but vacillates wildly between nothing and toothpaste, depending on how much syrup you get at any given moment. Or maybe mouthwash? The experience really does seem like slurping thickened mouthwash with a straw.

I didnt finish either treat. I decided they werent worth the calories, as Pru from The Great British Baking Show would say, and tossed them. Anyway, it was almost dinner time.

But two days later, I got to slurp something that was worth the calories -- a Burgerville Mint Patty Shake.

Burgerville Mint Patty Shake (Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian)

The calories of these two drinks really do tell a tale. The small size of the McFlurry is 370 calories and the shake is 460.

The Burgerville shake is 650 calories for a small.

You will not be surprised to learn that one of these ice cream treats is significantly better than the others.

The Burgerville Mint Patty Shake did not get anywhere near a garbage can until it was completely consumed. The toddler was allowed to enjoy several small spoonfuls (and she did enjoy them) but the rest, including the chewy mint patty bits, went straight into my stomach.

Burgervilles milkshakes are actually made out of ice cream, which makes them obscenely creamy and really just the perfect milkshake. And the mint and chocolate version is, for a mint and chocolate aficionado like myself, the best one.

A bonus: The mint flavor is just a flavor, not an alarming color. And its an evenly distributed, edible flavor.

Another bonus: The fries at Burgerville are also better, and also so good with a shake.

And one more bonus: Unlike the Shamrock treats, the mint shake at Burgerville isnt tied to any holiday or season. Its just there, always on the menu, whenever you need it.

Which is now. You probably need one right now.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker
"Post Reports" is the daily podcast from The Washington Post. Unparalleled reporting. Expert insight. Clear analysis. Everything you've come to expect from the newsroom of The Post - for your ears.

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In this episode:

For four years, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez built his governing program around the demands of the Trump administration, which in turn stayed out of Honduras's domestic affairs. Now, that arrangement is ending and Hernandez is finding himself in a precarious position as the United States pivots from one administration to another.

Kevin Sieff spent a week with Hernandez and his team. He spoke with Alexis Diao about that surreal week and how the biggest threat to Hernandez could be an extradition treaty he pushed through himself.
The central government-funded North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Center (HKICC) is inaugurated in south China's Hong Kong, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

The HKICC is the last of the three central government-supported projects for Hong Kong to combat COVID-19. The other two, a mass testing program and the AsiaWorld-Expo treatment facility, were completed in September and October 2020, respectively.

HONG KONG, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The central government-funded North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Center (HKICC) was inaugurated on Thursday, and it will first open a ward with 48 isolation beds on Friday.

The HKICC is the last of the three central government-supported projects for Hong Kong to combat COVID-19. The other two, a mass testing program and the AsiaWorld-Expo treatment facility, were completed in September and October 2020, respectively.

At the inauguration ceremony, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam expressed gratitude for the central government's support for the HKSAR government and care for the Hong Kong residents.

Qiu Hong, deputy head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said the central government has been providing all-out support for Hong Kong's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and will always be Hong Kong's strong backing.

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, together with the HKSAR government and Hong Kong people, will prioritize the prevention and control of the epidemic and unite to overcome the epidemic, Qiu said.

Photo taken on Feb. 25, 2021 shows a ward of the central government-funded North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Center (HKICC) in south China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

There are six two-storey ward buildings with a total of 816 isolation beds at the center, which will first open a ward with 48 isolation beds to admit COVID-19 confirmed patients, aged between 16 and 65, with mild or moderate clinical conditions, a spokesperson of the Hospital Authority said.

The center is able to provide intravenous medication and oxygen therapy, which can help alleviate the pressure for isolation beds in public hospitals. In addition, the six independent blocks of ward buildings can be activated in phases according to the evolving epidemic situation, allowing more flexibility in manpower deployment and operation arrangements, the spokesperson said.

Apart from routine tests for clinical management, the laboratory at the center is equipped with state-of-the-art and fully automated laboratory equipment to handle a maximum of 1,500 specimens per day and augment the overall laboratory capacity of public hospitals by about 15 percent, the spokesperson added.
The heavy duty equipment sits on the area on Bentick Square from where three structures were demolished.

The state followed the law in acquiring the properties in Bentick Square, Kingstown, that have been demolished to make way for the construction of storage facilities to serve the Laboratory and related specialized services, at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).





According to Senator Julian Francis, Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Airports, Seaports, Grenadines Affairs and Local Government, the controversy that arose as a result of claims made by relatives of the owner(s) of one of the structures demolished, was "manufactured.





Third and fourth generations always have questions, Francis quipped.





"The administration has dealt with all the legal aspects of the acquisition and the law was followed, Francis said on radio on February 21.





The issue was made public when a media entity reported that at least one of the families had indicated that they were not aware that the building which belonged to the family for generations, had been acquired by the government and was now being demolished.





They further contended that they have been paying property tax, with the most recent payment having been made this month (February).





Minister of Health, St Clair Jimmy Prince, had said during the 2021 Budget debate that the buildings had been acquired, earmarked for demolition, and that storage facilities were going to be constructed on the site.





On a related development, Francis said that the five buildings along the lower portion of Tyrell Street (Back Street), beginning with the building adjacent to the Co-op Gas Station down to the ambulance entrance at the MCMH, were also going to be demolished.





"The Ministry of National Mobilization had already done its work  that is to say that they have already gathered the names of the individuals and last Wednesday (February 17), the details were finalized as to how they would be dealt with, Francis said.





One of those buildings housed the Melborne Artisans Mas tent for the last ten years or so.





According to Francis, bids have been received for the demolition works to be undertaken.





He noted that no definite use has been identified for the site just yet, but it will be converted for parking in the meantime.





The idea, he said, in essence, was to clean up the area and provide for space under the hospital expansion project.

Saturday 27 February sees 107 years since the death of Captain Tayyareci Fethi Bey, the first pilot in Turkish aviation history, who gave his name to Fethiye.

Usually, there is a commemoration service held at Sehit Fethi Bey Park to honour the first Turkish airman to die in military service.

This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the commemoration service cant take place in its usual format.

Heres a reminder of last years service to remember Captain Tayyareci Fethi Bey.

Fethi Bey

Tayyareci Fethi Bey was born in Ayazpasa in Istanbul in 1887. He graduated from Naval College in 1907 as a second lieutenant. He was then sent to Britain, where he trained as an aviator. He was promoted to captain in 1911 and was one of the first pilots in the Ottoman Air Force.

What happened to Fethi Bey?

One American newspaper at the time said that the young aviator died on 28th February 1914. It reported that he was attempting to fly from Istanbul to Alexandria, in Egypt, together with his navigator, Sadik Efendi, in a Bleriot XI/B plane called Muavenet-i Milliye when the tragedy occurred.

This article appeared in the Knoxville Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee on March 1, 1914,

Turkish Aviators Killed,

Constantinople, Feb. 28.  Fethi Bey and Sadik Bey, young aviators of the Turkish military aviation corps, were killed today while attempting to fly from Constantinople to Alexandria, Egypt. After leaving Damascus on the way to Jerusalem the aeroplane broke down in mid-air and the two aviators fell with it from a high altitude. Fethi Bey rendered great assistance to the Ottoman army during the Balkan war, making many flights over the Bulgarina positions.

There appears to be some confusion about the day Fethi Bey died but Turkish sources agree that it was on February 27th, 1914.

Fethiye  the place of Fethi

The town was renamed from Megri to Fethiye which means The place of Fethi, to honour the first Turkish airman to die in military service.

In photos  have a look at our gallery of photos from the ceremony

Photographs by Lyn Ward and Sefik Akkurt. Video by Paul Watts.

Although the day was grey and the low clouds promised rain to come, the weather held and people turned out to enjoy the ceremony. Many were looking forward to the flypast by three Turkish Air Force jets as a mark of respect.

The day was grey and the low clouds promised rain to come.

Fethi Bey looking to the sky

Istiklal Mars  the Turkish National Anthem.

Istiklal Mars  the Turkish National Anthem.

Istiklal Mars  the Turkish National Anthem.

The flypast by three Turkish Air Force jets as a mark of respect.

The flypast by three Turkish Air Force jets as a mark of respect.

The flypast by three Turkish Air Force jets as a mark of respect.

A display by the Turkish Aeronautical Association founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1925.

A mark of respect to Fethi Bey

The Turkish Aeronautical Association put on a fantastic display with this model plane

The crowds were delighted with the acrobatics of this model plane

The crowds were delighted with the acrobatics of this model plane

Photograph by Sefik Akkurt
A report published in October by a nonprofit technology rights organization has revealed that thousands of smartphones are searched by law enforcement every day across the US, many of them without a warrant and in violation of the Fourth Amendments guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures.

In the report entitled, Mass Extraction: The Widespread Power of U.S. Law Enforcement to Search Mobile Phones, the group Upturn Toward Justice in Technology studied the use of mobile device forensic tools (MDFTs) by law enforcement that enable police to make a complete copy of the contents of a smartphone regardless of its security features.

Screen capture of the Cellebrite UFED user interface, where the user can select the categories of data they want to extract from the internal storage of a smartphone

The extensive and well-documented Upturn reportbased on 110 public records requests to state and local police agencies across the countryshows that more than 2,000 agencies have purchased these tools, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and that the agencies have performed hundreds of thousands of cellphone extractions since 2015, often without a warrant.

The report warns, Every American is at risk of having their phone forensically searched by law enforcement.

Police agencies use MDFTs to download smartphone data routinely during arrests, both those involving major harm, as well as those involving graffiti, shoplifting, marijuana possession, prostitution, vandalism, car crashes, parole violations, petty theft, public intoxication, and the full gamut of drug-related offenses.

The Upturn report reveals that individuals detained by police are often coerced into granting access to their smartphones without realizing the extent of the copying of their personal data and information that then takes place.

MDFTs are powerful tools that extract a full copy of a smartphones data contents. As the report explains, By physically connecting a cellphone to a forensic tool, law enforcement can extract, analyze, and present data thats stored on the phone. This includes all emails, texts, photos, locations, app data, and more.

Upturn reveals that many of the police departments, district attorneys offices and sheriff departments have purchased the sophisticated phone extraction tools through a variety of federal grant programs. Meanwhile, departments that have been unable to purchase MDFTs themselves have access to the tools through partnerships and sharing agreements with larger law enforcement agencies and the FBI.

MDFTs have multiple capabilities, such as data extraction, data analysis and security circumvention. Once the entire contents of a smartphoneincluding contacts, photos, videos, saved passwords, GPS records, phone usage recordshave been copied to law enforcement computer systems, law enforcement representatives then set about to use the MDFTs to sift through the data looking for specific information, such as mapping where someone has been through GPS data, searching specific keywords, and searching images using image classification tools.

They have the ability to circumvent smartphone security features and copy all the data from the device even that which is encrypted. Some of law enforcement extraction tools employ brute-force techniques to guess, for example, an iPhone passcode in no more than 13 minutes for a 4-digit passcode, 22 hours for 6 digits, and 92 days for 8 digits. The default length prompted by iOS is 6 digits.

In one case, an MDFT developer known as Cellebrite claims in marketing literature that it can determine locks and perform a full file system extraction of all iPhone devices from iPhone 4S to the latest iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / Max running the latest iOS versions up to the latest 13.4.1. With most advanced MDFT tools, a smartphone passcode can be guessed in under a day.

The Upturn report explains the important fact that not all data on an iPhone is encrypted. They wrote, certain data is unencrypted upon startup, including some account information that is needed to receive notifications. For example, Cellebrites UFED Premium claims it can extract data even on locked iPhones. The data that appears before first unlock (BFU) even includes parts of Apples password manager. Once the iPhone is unlocked after being powered onafter first unlock (AFU)even more unencrypted data becomes available.

There are other MDFT suppliers, including Oxygen Forensics and Grayshift, that promote their ability to find and extract the unencrypted data on an otherwise encrypted smartphone. In the case of Oxygen Forensics Detective software, the tool can extract data before the first unlock, including image detection that allows law enforcement officials to categorize pictures on an encrypted phone.

The Upturn report does a deep dive into the functionality of the Cellebrite MDFT software and goes step by step through the process deployed by the tool to extract and then analyze smartphone data.

Once a law enforcement investigator plugs the targeted phone into the Cellebrite system, it will prompt the investigator to choose the kind of extraction to be performed, and, sometimes, the categories and time range of data to be extracted.

Once the extraction is complete, the Cellebrite system moves on to analyze the data and, the Upturn report continues, law enforcement can sort data by the time and date of its creation, by location, by file or media type, or by source application. They can also search for key terms across the entire phone, just like you might use Google to search the web. This means police can  view them together as a chronological series of events. It also means they can pull all pictures from the phone to view in one place, regardless of how they are organized on the phone.

Other features include functionality that permits law enforcement to retrieve deleted files, as well as data from cloud accounts associated with an individual smartphone. The report says, an MDFT may be able to pull a remote backup of the phone from Apples iCloud service by copying information it finds in the phones password management system and because many services allow users to download all of their data.

The law enforcement tools can also recover log files showing when applications were installed, used, and deleted, as well as how often someone used an application and when a device was locked or unlocked, when a message was viewed, when a Bluetooth device was connected, words added to a users dictionary, notification contents, as well as past spotlight searches on iPhones, a search function that combines on-device and web results.

The MDFTs also trace a users actions on a map or chronological timeline using patterns of life metadata; sort data by file type regardless of its location on the phone  or create network graphs  to infer social relationships using contact data.

In short, the Upturn report has pulled back the curtain on the increasing use by law enforcement agencies of third-party software tools to extract and analyze enormous amounts of information contained on the smartphones of individuals in complete violation of basic constitutional rights.

Cellebrite is an Israeli digital intelligence company founded in 1999. The company came into public view in 2016 when the FBI clashed with Apple over two iPhones recovered from the scene of the San Bernardino mass shooting and attempted bombing. Following the killing of the two shooters by police, the FBIunder the direction of the Obama administration and then FBI Director James Comeydemanded Apple assist in breaking into the iPhones that were found at the scene.

After Apple refused, a public campaign was launched by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) demanding that a law enforcement back door be built into the encryption of consumer mobile devices. Later, the FBI and DoJ announced that the iPhones of the San Bernardino shooters had been successfully accessed with the assistance of a third party. Although the FBI has denied it, there were reports at the time that access to the iPhones was made possible through the MDFT services of Cellebrite.
2021-02-25

Maeci

MOLDOVA  7TH ECONOMIC FORUM OF ITALIAN AND ITALIAN-MOLDOVAN BUSINESSES

The 7th Italian-Moldovan Economic Forum will be held in Chisinau, on 5 March. This annual event is an important communication platform providing information and support to companies with Italian capital operating in Moldova.

The event is organised by the Italian Embassy in Chisinau, in collaboration with the International Development Law Organization and the local chambers of commerce. This years edition will be hybrid, streamed on various Italian and Moldovan communication platforms.

Moldova and Italy maintain intense economic relations, in fact, no less than 1400 and more companies with Italian capital are registered in Moldova. In 2018, these businesses invested approx. 1.8 bn Lei, making Italy the second largest foreign investor in the Country. The Forum will focus primarily on the consequences of the pandemic, on bilateral economic and trade relations, on the instruments offered by Italian agencies such as SACE, SIMEST and ICE, as well as on the new platform for exports developed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation "Export.gov.it".

Another important topic of discussion will be the role of commercial mediation as an economic and financial dispute settlement tool.
The latest view of the assassination of President Kennedy is presented in a new book, Operation Dragon: Inside the Kremlin's Secret War on America, written by R. James Woolsey, former CIA director, 199395, and Ion Mihai Pacepa, former two-star general in the secret police force in communist Romania and national security adviser to President Nicolae Ceausecu. Pacepa, who defected to the U.S. in 1978 and died on February 14, 2021, was the highest intelligence officer who defected and got asylum in the U.S.

This new book amplifies the argument already made by Pacepa in his previous book, Programmed to Kill: Oswald, the KGB, and the Kennedy Assassination, published in 2007, which argued that Oswald was a KGB agent. The authors say they based their argument on the Warren Report, state that much of it was "codified" and that it has not been properly understood until their version. The essential thrust in Operation Dragon is that the assassination was carried out by Oswald, who had been ordered by Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev, acting through the KBG, now the FSB. Khrushchev, who thought JFK was inexperienced and could be manipulated, had differed with, perhaps was humiliated by, Kennedy during the Cuban missile crisis, but reached an agreement on October 28, 1962 according to which the Soviet Union would remove its missiles from Cuba if the U.S. removed its missiles from Turkey.

The story in O.D. is that Oswald was recruited as a Soviet agent in 1957, when he was a Marine stationed in Japan. He provided information that allowed the Soviet Union to shoot down the U-2 spy plane of Gary Powers in May 1960. In 1962, Oswald was told by the KGB on behalf of Khrushchev to prepare to assassinate Kennedy. He was trained by the KGB, but the Soviet leaders changed their mind, believing that Khrushchev had crazy ideas, and that his behavior might lead to a nuclear war, and canceled the mission. However, Oswald went ahead on his own to carry out the assassination on what he considered a personal mission. He had a clandestine meeting in Mexico City with Comrade Kostin, Valery Kostikov, a PGU officer of the 13th Department, the group in charge of overseas assassinations. It is pertinent to consider that two KGB officers met a few cases before the assassination; one of them was the head of the 13th Department. Oswald met on September 27, 1963 with the Soviet and Cuban consulates in the city. Oswald was making plans to flee to the Soviet Union after the assassination. In a letter of July 1, 1963, Oswald asked the Soviet Embassy for separate visas for himself and his wife and daughters, so that the family could leave for the Soviet Union before the assassination.

O.D. suggests that Warren Commission did not use much of the intelligence because they did not want to go to war with the Soviet Union and the investigation was poorly done. The debate over Warren's conclusion that Oswald acted alone continues. However, it is surprising that most Americans have refused to accept that conclusion. In 2003 three quarters of Americans thought more than one man was involved, and in 2013, the number was still 61%. It may not be a driving event in American history, but it is important in this era of Russian disinformation to examine allegations of a covert war waged by the Kremlin in the past.
As humanitarian aid workers in Armenia and South Sudan, Jerry and Meaghan Kenney have huddled around wood stoves to keep warm and bathed with buckets for lack of water. But the couple didnt expect theyd need such survival skills to get through the winter storm at their home outside Hudson, in deep East Texas.

The Kenneys, who have a 1-year-old and 3-year-old, had only intermittent power and water last week, and remain under a boil water notice.

The family huddled together under the covers, built indoor tents with sheets and blankets and lobbed snowballs at one another. But after so many days, they grew weary of sitting in the cold and the kids lost interest in playing in the snow.

HALLELUJAH: More than 99 percent of Houston has had power restored

Its hard to think about not being able to keep my kids warm, on a visceral level, said Jerry Kenney. From our time living in places where water was scarce, we knew instinctively to fill up bathtubs and pots and containers, and to let the water drip overnight. Ill admit that me and the kids have not bathed every night, and fortunately, the water came back before my wife forced us all to bucket bathe.

Like other parts of Texas, rural communities were hammered by the winter storm that left families without the basic necessities of heat and running water. But temperatures in the country dipped lower than in cities, plummeting to the low single digits. Fewer resources serve that larger geography, and without city services, mobility can be more limited. Many living in the rural areas are ranchers and farmers who also had to worry about and prioritize livestock and crops.

Mickey Edwards has about 3,000 acres of lease pastures scattered across Lampasas County, and spent the week using axes to chop holes in the sheets of ice that covered stock tanks and water troughs for his cattle, which number about 200. To ensure the cows survived, he brought 1,400-pound hay bales and feed to them early every morning last week, not returning home until just before dark.

On Tuesday, during the 100-mile round trip to tend to his cattle, Edwards truck stalled on an incline slick with ice. No one had salted or sanded the country roads. Another truck barreled down the road in his direction, lacking traction and unable to stop, prompting Edwards to jump from his vehicle, past the ditch on the side of the road, to a fence. It was a close call with no impact or injuries.

But the trip was necessary.

LOCAL HEROES: That time Trae tha Truth rented an entire gas station to help Houstonians

We know other ranchers arent as in good shape as we are, said Edwards, whose family has been in the ranching business for eight generations  since before the Civil War. We didnt have that second sheet of ice. Some of our friends near Florence couldnt even drive because they had an inch of ice on top of the snow, so they were homebound and couldnt get off their home place to go check cattle. They probably didnt fare as well as we did. We feel very fortunate.

The cold was too much for the newborn calves and many lost cattle.

Livestock-wise on the dairy end, its just a struggle. You try to keep them fed, keep them milked, keep them watered, said Russell Boening, a dairy farmer in Poth, southeast of San Antonio. A lot of our beef cows are having babies right now. You have to get to them pretty quick after theyre born Everyone is doing what they can to save those babies. We lost a couple. We couldnt get there in time.

Boening, president of the Texas Farm Bureau, said hes been at this work for nearly 40 years. He has never seen a weather event like this in South Texas and is hearing similar stories across the state from the organization's 500,000 members.

Vegetable and citrus farmers suffered substantial losses, he said. And while at least half of the citrus crops of oranges and grapefruit had already been harvested in the Rio Grande Valley, he said the losses for that region alone total more than $300 million so far.

Its difficult to prepare for what youve never lived in, Boening said.

There hasnt been anyone who was spared the craziness, said Randy Willis, superintendent of the 450-student Granger Independent School District, in northeastern Williamson County. Its been a challenge for every superintendent, whether youre big, small, rural or urban. Its one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. ... We had people without water or power for over seven days.

A water pipe burst within the 1924 Building that houses the districts middle and high school students, rendering a classroom unusable. But with some teachers and students still lacking power and the internet, the district might not reopen Monday, not even virtually. (After the winter break, about 90% of students had returned in person for school.) Willis, who was on the verge of losing water again Friday night, said he wants to return students to normalcy as soon as possible, but will assess the situation Sunday night. He said he must weigh the human cost on students and staff members, and the stress theyve endured in the past week.

In Marfa, the south side of Lincoln Street was without power Monday through Wednesday. The northern neighborhoods remained online. Marfa ISDs campus straddles Lincoln Street, so the main campus didnt lose power, but the bus barn across the street did.

Local officials partnered with MISD Superintendent Oscar Aguero last Monday afternoon to turn the cafeteria into a warming center, with cots available in the gymnasium. Those who lost power had a place to warm up, charge their electronics and get a meal. Local grocery stores  Porter's Thriftway and The Get Go  and some individuals donated extra food and water. With the help of MISD cafeteria staff and volunteers, they were able to provide 60 to 75 meals for breakfast and for lunch.

Marfa Food Pantry volunteers Gary Oliver and Alisha Waller load pallets with boxes of food for Saturday morning distribution. West Texas Food Bank delivered food Friday night after power was restored in Marfa. Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

Marfa resident Ellie Tejada gathers produce from the Marfa Food Pantry Saturday morning. Tejada didn't have power at her house for three days this week and had to throw out her food. Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

First: Marfa Food Pantry volunteers Gary Oliver and Alisha Waller load pallets with boxes of food for Saturday morning distribution. The West Texas Food Bank delivered food Friday night after power was restored in Marfa. Last: Marfa resident Ellie Tejada gathers produce from the Marfa Food Pantry Saturday morning. Tejada didn't have power at her house for three days this week and had to throw out her food.

Audrey Herrera grabbed a meal on Tuesday as the food in her fridge had gone bad. Growing up in southern California, shes never experienced a real winter until she moved to Marfa in 2019, and she didnt properly prepare for the outages. She was able to stay warm with the gas heater in her casita. Her co-workers donated food and supplies, and her neighbors provided hot water.

It kind of felt like we were in it together, even though I live alone, said Herrera.

The West Texas Food Bank in Odessa delivered 150 boxes of food to the Marfa Food Pantry Friday night, and planned to bring an additional five pallets. Elbert Bassham, the program manager, texted the residents he normally sees at the pantrys bi-weekly distributions to let them know about the food and vegetables ready for pick-up, and word spread on social media. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry has served an average of 100 families with an average of two to three individuals per family.

Bassham stopped by the pantry every day to power the refrigerators and freezers with a generator. The generator is powered by gasoline, so it was limited because the power was off at the three stations in town. Bassham was able to borrow some until he drove to Alpine, where KCs Mart still had gas.

I filled up every container I had, plus my car and everything, in anticipation of more issues, said Bassham. As it turns out, we don't need it. I have extra gas now.

In Milam County, part of the San Gabriel River froze. Water lines and pumping stations froze in Rockdale and Cameron, home to about 5,000 residents each. On Friday, about 10% of this agricultural community, about 75,000 acres of which is crop land and 225,000 of which is ranch land that runs cattle, remained without electricity and 15% without water. The county remains on a boil water notice for those who have it.

Its been pretty miserable, said Milam County Judge Steve Young. Its been one thing after another. Its just been a mess.

With the power out, the sewage treatment plant in Rockdale couldnt operate properly.

They were just about at the point of pumping raw sewage into the creek, said Young, who was among Milam County residents still without power on Friday.

The electric company was able to get things back online at the plant Friday, avoiding disaster.

RELATED: Texas was 'seconds and minutes' away from catastrophic monthslong blackouts, officials say

Young, also a cattle rancher, lost two newborn calves but was able to save three others, including one Friday morning, when he got up at 3:30 a.m. to ensure its survival upon delivery.

You sponsor that old cow all year for that calf, and that kind of thing happens, and it really sets you back, Young said. Its no big deal in some ways, but doggone, I hate that. Its more than just economics, its a terrible loss.

Goodall-Witcher Hospital, located in 4,500-resident Clifton, located northwest of Waco, is Bosque Countys only hospital. It was never without power for long, but the water main burst, spilling into the generator room and forcing the medical center to shut off the water to the fire sprinkler system. It could be several more days before its repaired.

Multiple patients without power at home were admitted with breathing problems after their oxygen machines were turned off. Between six and a dozen staff members spent the night at the hospital after conditions made it too dangerous to travel back and forth. CEO Adam Willman, who has a four-wheel drive truck, also picked up employees from their homes. One of the clinics in the health system couldnt open because of power and water outages.

We took everything day by day, Willman said. Were exhausted, but in the end, we did what we had to do to take care of everything we needed to do.

Rural Texans also told stories of joy amid the hardship. Neighbors helped neighbors, letting them stay at their homes or shoveling ice and snow from their sidewalks. Volunteers worked overnight to cook for warming centers and keep them staffed. While the icy roads kept Young from reaching his 93-year-old father whose pipes froze at his Rockdale house, leaving him without water, local police officers delivered a case of water bottles Friday morning. A Goodall-Witcher emergency room nurse, who volunteers at a local animal shelter, checked on a patients dogs.

I love living in rural communities and East Texas, said Jerry Kenney, whose neighbors came to shower at his house when his family had power and water. The neighbors, in turn, offered to pick up supplies. Theres a sense of belonging and a resilience that is unique. I have no doubt that I can rely on my neighbor in a time of trouble.
Gov. Greg Abbott is assessing when he may lift the statewide mask mandate he implemented last July to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Were working right now on evaluating when were going to be able to remove all statewide orders, and we will be making announcements about that pretty soon, Abbott said at a Thursday press briefing on vaccine distribution in Corpus Christi.

He had been asked when the state might end its mask requirement as more Texans receive the vaccine.

Abbott has issued several other coronavirus-related orders over the course of the public health crisis, including capacity limits and business restrictions in areas where hospitalizations are high. Those mandates have earned the governor backlash from the most conservative members of his party, who criticized the orders as government overreach.

TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

Experts have not yet come to a consensus on when it will be safe to end pandemic-related safety precautions, including the mask mandate. Dr. Anthony Fauci has said Americans may need to wear masks until 2022.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said earlier this week that he wouldnt consider changing the citys mask guidance until at least June, or when 5 million residents are vaccinated. Until then, he is encouraging residents to wear two masks.

Nearly 1.6 million Texans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, meaning they have received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. That represents about 5.5 percent of the Lone Star States 29 million residents.

Abbott appeared hopeful about the states vaccine supply on Thursday, anticipating allocations to ramp up in the coming weeks with the expected approval of a third vaccine from Johnson & Johnson.

[February 26, 2021] Government of Canada supports the development of an innovative technology to help the Canadian steel industry

Canadian tech company reaches new milestone using blockchain and artificial intelligence solutions OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 26, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada turned to the private sector to find ways to improve the end-to-end traceability of the steel supply chain in Canada. By doing so, the government is using its advantage as the country's single-largest purchaser of Canadian goods and services to support the growth of homegrown innovators and entrepreneurs. Today, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the selection of Mavennet, which, over the next two years, will refine its prototype for a digital tracing system that uses blockchain and artificial intelligence. This system could be used in the Canadian, and possibly North American, steel supply chain for businesses and government. This technology could help the Government of Canada's decision-making process and possibly ease and digitize the procedures for clearing customs. For steel companies, this technology could help improve supply and demand forecasts, allow for instant verification of origin, confirm responsible sourcing, reduce costs, and increase efficiency and productivity. The Toronto-based company will receive $1.125 million through Innovative Solutions Canadaa program that invites Canadian small business to develop innovative solutions to address government challenges. Innovative Solutions Canaa is a key component of the government's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year plan to make Canada a global innovation leader and prepare Canadians to succeed in tomorrow's economy.



Quotes "Our government is committed to helping Canadian small businesses innovate and become more competitive. To achieve this, we are focusing on Canada's greatest asset: its people. By supporting Canadian innovatorssuch as Mavennetand their best ideas, we are funding new and innovative products and technologies to solve some of Canada's most pressing challenges, while helping the economy grow and creating good middle-class jobs across the country."

 The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"We are very thankful to have been chosen by the government to partner in the advancement of such an important industry for Canada. Aligning the latest digital technology innovations with an industry such as steel can have a positive ripple effect in our country as a whole, and we are honoured to be at the forefront."

 Patrick Mandic, CEO, Mavennet Quick facts Mavennet will work closely with various government departments and the Canadian steel industry over the next 15 months to pilot this prototype technology.

Innovative Solutions Canada helps Canadian innovators by funding R&D and testing prototypes in real-life settings. Its two streams have a combined funding of over $140 million dedicated to Canadian innovators who want to start up, grow and get to market. Innovators can sign up to receive updates on the Innovative Solutions Canada program.

dedicated to Canadian innovators who want to start up, grow and get to market. Innovators can sign up to receive updates on the Innovative Solutions Canada program. There are hundreds of programs and services that offer everything from funding to expert advice to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. Using a simple, story-based user interface, the Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes. Associated links Innovative Solutions Canada Challenges

Tracing the Steel Industry Supply Chain Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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(@FahadShabbir)

UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) experts on Friday warned the Myanmar military of international accountability for violent crimes committed against peaceful demonstrators and journalists in the anti-coup protests

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2021) UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) experts on Friday warned the Myanmar military of international accountability for violent crimes committed against peaceful demonstrators and journalists in the anti-coup protests.

"We warn the military junta that those who are responsible for repression and killing of peaceful protesters, as well as the detention of government officials and journalists, will be held accountable before international jurisdictions," the experts said in a statement.

According to the OHCHR, at least five protesters have died, and 700 people including State counselor Suu Kyi and President Win Myint have been detained since the February 1 Mynamar's military seizure of power.

Massive demonstrations, triggered by the coup, have seen a number of journalists being arbitrarily detained and subjected to deliberate attacks by military forces, the UN rights office said.

"Deliberate attacks on journalists and their arbitrary detention are serious violations of international human rights law and must immediately stop," the experts said.

They also noted that the "unlawful" cybersecurity bill, already passed or planned to be passed, which will give the military access to user information, would violate Myanmar peoples' right to privacy.

The experts also reiterated their call on the military to immediately end the use of force against peaceful protesters and restore democratic institutions in the country.
A number of 4,375 tests have been used so far in schools, with 92% of them having a negative result, the Health Ministry announced on Friday in a press release.

"The Health Ministry informs that, until February 26, a total of over 1.15 million SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests were distributed to the public health directorates of counties and Bucharest. Of these, over 66% were distributed to school medical offices. The SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing targets 17,677 schools and 3,226,554 people, of whom 2,918,275 are pupils. So far 4,375 tests have been used and 92% of them had a negative result," the release said.

The Health Ministry states that it will permanently monitor the distribution of antigen tests in schools and the testing process.The Government has decided to introduce rapid testing in schools when courses resumed, starting on February 8.
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New Zealand is to launch a project to protect one of the worlds most endangered dolphin species, said to number just 55.

Jacinda Ardern, the countrys prime minister, announced a conservation effort aimed at saving the critically endangered Maui dolphin using drones.

The initiative, announced on Friday, will see the New Zealand government work with the WWF, fishing companies, and scientific and technology experts to track the animals using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Helped by artificial intelligence, conservationists will use the drone data to piece together how the Maui dolphins, a subspecies of the Hectors dolphin, live and hunt.

Hectors dolphins are described by the WWF as the smallest and rarest marine dolphins in the world, with distinct black facial markings, short stocky bodies and a dorsal fin shaped like a Mickey Mouse ear.

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The Maui subspecies is critically endangered and estimated to have a population of between 65 and fewer than 50  less than 5 per cent of the original population size.

They are found exclusively in shallow coastal waters along the western shores of New Zealands North Island.

David Parker, New Zealands oceans and fisheries minister, said the drones were just one part of the project to save the dolphin from extinction.

This technology has the potential to compile detailed data on the habitats, population size and distribution and behaviour of the dolphins, along with many other types of marine species such as other dolphins, seabirds, and whales, he said.

By advancing our understanding of how Maui dolphins behave during the day and throughout the year this project will help us ensure the measures our government has already put in place to protect our Maui dolphins are robust and appropriate.

New Zealands Whale and Dolphin Trust blamed the depletion of the Maui dolphin numbers on the animals getting caught in fishing nets.

They said banning trawling in waters up to 100m deep would allow Hectors and Maui dolphins to recover.
ALTON  The Illinois House of Representatives is scheduled to begin its first virtual hearing at 9 a.m. Monday, March 1.

The hearings are scheduled through March 5 with state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Fosterburg, serving on six committees, all scheduled to convene next week, including the Labor & Commerce Committee scheduled Thursday to discuss Illinois unemployment agency.
Ukraine will never forget the events that took place seven years ago associated with the occupation of Crimea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"We will never forget the events that took place seven years ago. Crimea was the heart of Ukraine. Sunny, kind, bright. Seven years ago, our heart was torn out. We will never forget who did it, and we will never forget who allowed it. Some argued that they had torn our heart out lawfully and politely. And now, holding it in their arms, they sincerely wonder why Ukraine is offended, why it does not want to have good relations, why there is so much hatred, why Ukraine cannot forget and forgive this ...," Zelensky said in a video address before the start of the telethon devoted to the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on Friday.

The President said that in order for Ukraine to be able to happily and sincerely "its heart must be returned, the Crimean peninsula must be returned.

"Unfortunately, this has not happened yet. But no one will be able to annex our memory. The memory that Crimea remains occupied. That the boots were brutally wiped on security guarantees and international law. That the active militarization of the region is taking place. That the rights of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are regularly violated in Crimea. Freedom of speech, thinking, religion is persecuted. Public activists and journalists are being imprisoned," he noted.

Zelensky specified that now the Russian Federation holds captive more than a hundred political prisoners from Crimea, and reminded that together with Ukraine's international partners, the first meeting of the Crimean Platform will take place on the eve of Independence Day in Kyiv, which is an international platform initiated by Ukraine to search for and further implement a set of measures to deoccupy the peninsula and protect the rights of Crimean residents.

"Dear Crimea! The whole of Ukraine is waiting for you. 'Welcome' is usually said to guests. And relatives are told: 'We look forward to seeing you at home.' Dear Crimeans! It's time to go back home. We are waiting. We believe. We love. The people of Ukraine," the head of state added.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected almost every part of the globe with millions of cases and over a million deaths. The pandemic has had a significant global economic impact and addressing it systematically requires significant efforts from researchers, healthcare workers and governments.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Epidemiology, Molecular Biology and Therapy covers relevant aspects of this viral pandemic including information about the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen (morphology, genome, proteins, structural protein genes, replication), global epidemiology, transmission, risk factors, clinical manifestation, management, host immune response, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapeutic agents (antivirals, natural compounds) and vaccines. Readers will find basic and advanced knowledge about the disease organized into simple and easy-to-read chapters about the disease, making this book a handy and comprehensive reference for general readers, academicians and biology students, alike.

###

About the Editor:

Dr. Shama Parveen is an Associate Professor at Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India. She completed Ph.D (Microbiology) in molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus from the Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. She has been actively involved in clinical and basic research in the Molecular Biology of human viruses like SARS-CoV-2, Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and respiratory syncytial virus. Her work on clinical research relates to the analysis of viral strains across the globe keeping in view their ever-changing evolutionary trajectories and resultant epidemiology. The basic research involves cloning, expression, purification and structural characterization of different viral proteins and identification of their potential inhibitors. Dr. Parveen has published more than 50 papers in journals of repute that have around 2000 citations. She was awarded the prestigious Sayeeda Begum Women Scientist Prize 2018 for the significant scientific contribution. She is also member of National Academy of Sciences India (NASI), Allahabad, India.

Keywords:

Pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, vaccines, global epidemiology, pathogenesis, host immune response, clinical manifestation, risk factors, Coronavirus, pathogenesis,
EBRD President visits Germany

During a one-day visit to Berlin EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso briefed the German Bundestag on the Banks activities during the coronavirus pandemic and its role in Europes development architecture. In an interview with the business daily Borsen-Zeitung she said: We already have a lot of institutions. The idea is not to create a new one, but make the existing ones work together more closely. She also gave an interview to Deutsche Welle and stressed: The focus on the private sector and reform support through policy are components which make the EBRD special.

Learn more

EBRD helps Uzbekistan to reach milestone in power sector reform

In an interview with the trade publication IJ Global, the EBRDs Veronika Krakovich, explained how the Bank is supporting Uzbekistans new approach to the power sector. The country has adopted a carbon-neutral policy and is ramping up its investments in renewables. One first milestone is the 100 MW Nur Navoi solar plant, which the EBRD is co-financing with US$ 60 million. This first project confirms the governments ambitious plans, Ms Krakovich said.

Read more (paywall)

EBRD Innovation Challenge winners announced

The EBRD announced the five winners of its first first Start-up Innovation Challenge to recognise small businesses response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The winners were the Egyptian start-up 1Trolley, an on-demand service, Otsimo from Turkey, an education platform for children with special needs, Fazla Gda from Turkey, a surplus management platform which helps to mark products for expiry, Plant an App from Romania, a low-code development platform that accelerates delivery of software systems by a factor of up to 40 times and EMBIO Diagnostics Ltd from Cyprus, a multi-use handheld chemical analyser that within minutes can accurately detect harmful chemicals in food.

Learn more

Project signings

New metro cars to help link residential district of Kyiv with centre

In Ukraine, a new 50 million loan by the EBRD for the capital Kyiv to finance the acquisition of new metro cars will encourage more people to use modern, efficient and environmentally friendly public transport.

Learn more

Financing water and wastewater upgrades in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the EBRD and the EU are providing financing for an upgrade of the water system in the Stara Zagora and Vratsa regions. The EBRD is providing a 3.7 million loan from its own resources, complemented by a 2.4 million loan from the EUs European structural and investment funds (ESIF) and EU grants.

Learn more

Donors

Promoting continuous learning in Central Asia

The EBRD cares about the countries where it invests and the people who should benefit from it: Tatyanas story is one with humble beginnings. She joined KMF, the largest microfinance organisation in Kazakhstan, as a cashier. But hard work, commitment and a learning programme supported by the EBRD and the European Union (EU) have helped her settle into her new position.

Read more

Supporting Montenegros first one-stop-shop for home renovation

From hinges to home decor, Okov  Montenegros first major home retailer  boasts a huge selection of home goods and tools that come in handy whenever repairs or renovations are in order. Business expertise and donor support from the Small Business Impact Fund help Okov overcome barriers to growth.

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The EBRD on social media

The 7th Sustainability Finance Forum was held in Turkey, where the EBRD Managing Director for Turkey, Arvid Turkner, spoke about the countrys circular economy.

Learn more

EBRD Director, Gender & Economic Inclusion Barbara Rambousek spoke at an event hosted by ACCA, a global accountancy firm, about opportunities for people with disabilities.

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Subscribe to instant email updates on EBRD news about topics such as coronavirus and climate finance.

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A couple who started a cocaine supply ring to dig them out of $20,000 debt have narrowly avoided a jail term.

Zo Denham, 34, and his wife Whitney, 33, sold 161.23g of cocaine, worth about $58,500 in south-west Sydney - including multiple sales to an undercover cop.

The court heard Mr Denham met with their supplier and organised the deals but many were also attended by Ms Denham - who was then on Centrelink benefits.

The glamourous couple (pictured together) pleaded guilty to a string of charges in court

They operated a cocaine supply ring in Sydney making nearly 100 deals over the space of a few months

Zo Denham and his wife Whitney Denham (pictured) ran a profitable operation supplying cocaine, including transactions to an undercover cop, a court heard

The pair had sought financial help with their debts but were told they should file for bankruptcy - leading Mr Denham to take up a mates offer to sell cocaine for him.

Cops first investigated the cocaine ring after Mr Denham organised to sell the illicit drug to an undercover officer in November 2019 by text message.

They then arranged to meet in the car park of Raby Tavern and Denham revealed five bags of white powder which had been concealed in a hair product case.

Denham was paid $1200 for 3.43 grams of the drug.

Police then conducted surveillance on the pair as they continued to make deals and drop off cocaine for their clients - netting them a profit of just nearly $15,000 over a few months.

'I'm satisfied beyond reasonable doubt their sole purpose in the arrangement was for financial gain,' Judge Andrew Colefax said on Thursday, reports The Macarthur Chronicle.

Whitney Denham and her husband Zo were both given intensive corrections orders to be served in the community

They thanked him after he handed down a three-year sentence to Mr Denham and an 11-month sentence to Ms Denham for two charges each of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

Both are to be served as intensive corrections orders.

'I'm satisfied for community safety that the sentence can be served in the community,' Judge Colefax said.

He added that he believed their chance of re-offending was low.

At a previous court appearance Ms Denham said she now viewed her offending differently after being to jail.

'I could've caused half the problems in prison just because I sold to people,' she said.

'I can see the mistakes that I have made and what I have done wrong.'

Mr Denham is also required to completed 750 hours of community service and they will be regularly tested for illicit drugs.
The bright and excited voice of Bishop Yaldo reaches the other side of the telephone line that seeps joy and hope: The people of Iraq are wholeheartedly awaiting the visit of the Pope, he says. The Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad and coordinator for the Church in Iraq of the papal visit scheduled for 5-8 March, is well aware that he is before an event without precedent. It is the first time that a successor of Peter will visit this part of Western Asia. For us this represents a historical event; we have been waiting for decades. Now at last, the moment has arrived.

The motto of the trip is You are all brothers and the logo displays a dove, the symbol of peace. In some way do they sum up what the people desire?

Iraq still suffers greatly as a result of the wars and terrorist attacks: we want to achieve this peace. And we are certain that the Popes visit will bring hope to all Iraqis, not only to Christians. As the motto reads, we want to live as brothers and sisters, with no more war, with no more terrorism.

The Popes visit will begin in the capital, Baghdad. What will be the other important stops?

In Baghdad, the Pope will meet the Iraqi authorities and celebrate Holy Mass in the Chaldean cathedral. He will also visit the Syrian rite Catholic cathedral in which 48 people died, including two priests, following a bombing in 2010. Another very important stop will be the one in Ur of Chaldeans, from where Abraham departed for his mission: a meeting will take place here involving all the major religions in Iraq which will be followed by a joint moment of prayer. In Mosul, the city from which most of the countrys Christians hail, the Pope will pray for the victims of the violence that took place during the Isis occupation: More than 120,000 Christians fled from this city in a single night, abandoning their homes to avoid being killed.

The Pope will also visit Qaraqosh. Will this also be a fundamental moment of the journey?

Certainly. It is in fact from this small Christian village in the Nineveh Plains that aid for displaced Christians arrives, so that they may return to their lands. The Pope will travel there to bring the solidarity of the Church. But we should not forget another stop: the one in Erbil in Kurdistan Region. The Holy Mass that the Pontiff will celebrate in the Franso Hariri Stadium has profound significance. The Pope will arrive here for all the people of Iraq, without any distinctions.

In your opinion, what will be the fruits of this journey?

The first fruit will be hope. And then fraternity, As the phrase chosen for the motto of the visit reads, we all have to feel like brothers and sisters, live as brothers and sisters. Peace must be our objective. And the Pope will come to help us truly become a united people.
A declassified version of a US intelligence report expected to be released on Thursday finds that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, four US officials familiar with the matter said. The officials said the report, for which the CIA was the main contributor, assessed that the crown prince approved and likely ordered the murder of Khashoggi, whose Washington Post column had criticized the crown prince's policies.

President Joe Biden, a Democrat who succeeded the Republican Donald Trump five weeks ago, told reporters on Wednesday he had read the report and expected to speak soon by phone with Saudi Arabian King Salman, 85, father of the crown prince, the country's 35-year-old de facto ruler.

The report's release is part of Biden's policy to realign ties with Riyadh after years of giving the Arab ally and major oil producer a pass on its human rights record and its intervention in Yemen's civil war. Biden is working to restore the relationship with Riyadh to traditional lines after four years of cozier ties under Trump.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday Biden would only communicate with the Saudi king and said the declassified Khashoggi report was being readied for release soon. While Biden restricts his contacts to the king, others in the Biden administration are talking to Saudi officials at various levels.

"We have been in touch with Saudi officials at numerous levels in the early weeks of this administration," said State Department spokesman Ned Price. The 59-year old Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018, and killed by a team of operatives linked to the crown prince. They then dismembered his body. His remains have never been found.

Riyadh eventually admitted that Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue" extradition operation gone wrong, but it denied any involvement by the crown prince. Five men given the death penalty for the murder had their sentences commuted to 20 years in jail after being forgiven by Khashoggi's family.

In 2019, a U.N. human rights investigator, Agnes Callamard, accused Saudi Arabia of a "deliberate, premeditated execution" of Khashoggi and called for further investigation. "There is sufficient credible evidence regarding the responsibility of the crown prince demanding further investigation," Callamard said after the six-month probe.

A classified version of the report was shared with members of Congress in late 2018. But the Trump administration rejected demands by lawmakers and human rights groups to release a declassified version, seeking to preserve cooperation amid rising tensions with Riyadh's regional rival, Iran, and promote US arms sales to the kingdom.

Biden's new director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, committed at her confirmation hearing to complying with a provision in a 2019 defense bill that required the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to release within 30 days a declassified report on Khashoggi's murder.

Biden pledged during the 2020 presidential campaign to reassess US-Saudi ties in part over Khashoggi's murder. Since taking office, he has ended sales of offensive arms that Riyadh could use in Yemen and appointed a special envoy to boost diplomatic efforts to end that country's grueling civil war.

Also read: Japan appoints Minister of Loneliness to tackle suicide rates

Also read: How robust are Saudi Arabia's coffers? Kingdom demystifies its finances
Michigan has cited another 23 workplaces for a lack of COVID-19 precautions in the workplace, fining 21 of the 23.

The citations were announced Friday by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

MIOSHA has cited 126 workplaces for health safety violations since the pandemic began  although less than 5% of MIOSHA investigations have led to citations, with the wide majority of businesses and organizations following the rules.

Violations include not requiring masks, not telling the health department about a known COVID-19 case in the business and not requiring social distancing.

The fines can range up to $7,000 per citation. The latest workplaces to be fined include a state prison, a hospital, a few construction companies and an oral surgeon. Two businesses from outside the state were also fined for work they were doing in Michigan.

RELATED: Michigan prisons near herd immunity, but coronavirus variant poses new threat

Employers and employees with questions about COVID-19 workplace policies can call the MIOSHA hotline at 855-723-3219. To file a complaint against a workplace, go to Michigan.gov/MIOSHAcomplaint.

Businesses have 15 days to contest the penalties. MIOSHA cuts the penalties in half for businesses that agree not to appeal and show theyve fixed the problems.

MIOSHA isnt the only state agency going after businesses ignoring COVID-19 precautions. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have also punished violators.

Heres the list of businesses to be cited by MIOSHA in the last batch of penalties. Click on the business name to read the full citation document.

Midway Rentals and Sales

Location: Negaunee

Fine: $1,200

Reasons: Not having on site a preparedness and response plan and not documenting daily health screenings. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Beacon Park Finishing LLC and its successors

Location: Roseville

Fine: $19,100, but only $4,200 for COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Not providing a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, not doing daily entry self-screening protocols and not training to employees on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. This inspection was in response to a governmental referral.

Iron Mountain Powersports LLC

Location: Kingsford

Fine: $400

Reasons: Not documenting daily health screenings. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Brighton NC Machine Corp

Location: Brighton

Fine: $18,000, but only $2,000 for COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Not following the local health departments quarantine orders for a suspected COVID-19 case and not contacting the local health department when a known positive COVID-19 case was detected at the workplace. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

McLaren Port Huron Hospital

Location: Port Huron

Fine: $6,300

Reasons: Not conducting a daily self-screening protocol for employees working onsite, not keeping everyone on the worksite premises at least 6 feet from one another to the maximum extent possible, not requiring face coverings to be worn when employees could not consistently maintain 6 feet of separation from other individuals, not creating a policy prohibiting in-person work for employees and not maintaining a record of screening protocols for each employee or visitor entering the workplace. The inspection was in response to an employee complaint.

Prefix Corporation

Location: Rochester Hills

Fine: $0

Reasons: Not maintaining employee screening records. This inspection was a result of a state emphasis program for offices.

Pro-Tech Environmental & Construction Services Inc.

Location: Grand Rapids

Fine: $500

Reasons: Not wearing face coverings when not consistently maintaining 6 feet of separation from other individuals. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Santigo Roofing LLC

Location: Grand Rapids

Fine: $800, but only $400 from COVID-19 violations

Reasons: No COVID preparedness and response plan, the lack of daily health screenings and no onsite COVID safety coordinator. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Ampro Inc.

Location: Howell

Fine: $4,000

Reasons: Not maintaining a record of COVID-19 employee training. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Pro-Vision Solutions LLC

Location: Byron Center

Fine: $1,500

Reasons: Lack of enforcing the use of face coverings. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Bingham Farms Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Location: Bingham Farms

Fine: $1,400, but only $700 for COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Not providing a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, not implementing daily entry self-screening protocols and not providing training to employees on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. The inspection was initiated in response to an employee complaint.

John Joseph Companies LLC

Location: Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin (inspection site in Menominee, Michigan)

Fine: $3,800, but only $400 for COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Not having a COVID-19 written preparedness plan, not wearing face coverings when workers could not maintain 6 feet of separation, no COVID-19 safety coordinator on-site, not maintaining 6 feet of separation, not providing COVID-19 training and not documenting daily health screenings. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Complete Roofing and Repair LLC

Location: Grand Rapids

Fine: $800, but only $400 for COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Lack of daily health screenings and no onsite safety coordinator. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

MORR Construction LLC

Location: Richmond

Fine: $1,200

Reasons: Lack of a preparedness and response plan. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Rodrigo Garcia Trejo

Location: Detroit

Fine: $2,000

Reasons: Lack of a preparedness and response plan. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Omar Nonato

Location: Kalamazoo

Fine: $3,900, but only $400 for COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Lack of face coverings, no social distancing from other employees, no preparedness plan and no COVID safety coordinator. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

GLIC Electrical Services

Location: Toledo, Ohio (inspection site in Temperance, Michigan)

Fine: $2,800

Reasons: Lack of a preparedness and response plan, not performing daily health screenings and not having employees maintain 6 feet of distance where possible. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Cross General Contracting Inc.

Location: Munising

Fine: $3,800, but only $1,000 from COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Not wearing face coverings. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Smith Metal Structures Inc.

Location: Iron Mountain

Fine: $0

Reasons: Not documenting daily health screenings. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Terrazzo Creations and Renewals LLC

Location: Iron Mountain

Fine: $800

Reasons: Not documenting daily health screenings. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Gerber Construction Co. Inc.

Location: Reed City

Fine: $3,600, but only $2,000 from COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Lack of social distancing and lack of face coverings when workers could not consistently maintain six feet of social distancing. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Herzog Homes LLC

Location: Grand Rapids

Fine: $4,100, but only $2,100 from COVID-19 violations

Reasons: Lack of a preparedness and response plan, failing to train employees on COVID-19 control strategies, lack of social distancing, lack of self-screening protocols for COVID-19 and lack of face coverings when workers could not consistently maintain 6 feet of social distancing. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection.

Michigan Department of Corrections, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility

Location: Adrian

Fine: $6,300

Reasons: Not developing an adequate infectious disease preparedness and response plan; not identifying all close contacts for employees who had received a positive result from a COVID-19 laboratory test; not applying social distancing strategies on an operational level for employees who ate lunch; not taking adequate measures to assure employees wore face coverings and practiced social distancing; and not adopting protocols to clean and disinfect the facility in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace. This inspection was in response to a COVID-19 related fatality.

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Hyundai and Kia confirmed at the beginning of this month that they were no longer in talks with Apple over the Apple Car partnership. However, a new South Korean report from Chosun Biz claims that both companies are still under negotiations for developing Apples self-driving electric vehicle.

The report claims that Apple and Kia had signed an MOU (Memorandum of Association) last year that involved cooperation in eight sections, which includes electric vehicles. As per an insider, despite setbacks, the negotiations between the two companies are still ongoing.

Even if the negotiations on electric vehicles fail, there are many items that can be negotiated in other fields, so we are still optimistic about the possibility of partnership between the two sides, the Korean report says citing an unnamed executive.

Apple and Kia are also discussing last mile mobility solutions in which the passenger has to cover a short distance to reach the final destination after using another means of transport like a car or metro to reach the last mile point.

There were strong rumors of Apple partnering with Hyundai or Kia to manufacture the Apple Car in the United States a few years from now. However, all the leaked information seemingly led Apple to look at other partners for Apple Car. The company talked with Nissan and other carmakers regarding this, though it is unclear if it has finally partnered with any of them or not.

Reputed Apple analysts and reporters have claimed that Apple Car is still in the early stages of development, with the car at least half a decade away from public release. This gives Apple plenty of time to finalize a manufacturing partner for its electric vehicle.

[Via Chosun Biz
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Were going to open communications with communities which have a need for this resource at an equitable price, he said. The plant is not only more efficient, but we can do it at a low cost. Our water rates are the third-lowest in the state of Illinois.
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (February 26) attended the convocation ceremony of the Dr MGR Medical University. He addressed the graduating students via video conferencing.

He started his address by saying, Friends we are transforming the entire medical education and healthcare sector. PM Modi also said the National Medical Commission would bring great transparency and also rationalise norms to set up new medical colleges.

Telling the students how important they are to the Health Industry of India, he stated that a healthy sense of humour will help the medical professionals as well as the patients they are treating.

I request all of you to still keep your sense of humour intact. It will also help you cheer up your patients and keep their morale high," PM Modi said.

While addressing the 33rd convocation of the state-run Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, the Prime Minister pointed out that in 2014, there were six AIIMS in the country. "In the last six years, we have approved 15 more AIIMS across the country," he said.

During the last six years, MBBS seats increased by more than 30,000, which is a rise of more than 50 per cent from 2014.

Talking about the role of doctors in the society, Modi said that doctors are among the most respected professionals in our country and today, after the pandemic this respect has gone up even more.

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The mining division of the CFMMEU has won a last-minute legal fight against a larger division of the bitterly divided union that it had accused of trying to poach its members.

The legal win in the Federal Court comes ahead of a meeting of 300 mining division delegates next week, an important step in its bid to leave the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining & Energy Union.

Mining division president Tony Maher welcomed the court ruling. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Federal Court judge John Snaden on Friday ruled in favour of the mining divisions application to stop a meeting of the national executive of the CFMMEU, which is now dominated by the rival construction division.

The miners had alleged that if the meeting had gone ahead on Friday, the construction division would start poaching its members, a claim disputed by lawyers for the construction division.
A MAN who is accused of raping a woman in a Limerick town last summer is to be prosecuted on indictment before the Central Criminal Court.

The 23-year-old defendant appeared before Newcastle West Court earlier this week after he was arrested and charged with three offences relating to an incident at an address in West Limerick on August 15, last.

The Romanian national, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces two charges of rape and one of burglary.

Detective Garda Elaine O'Keefe said he replied "I didn't do it, it's not how she says it," when one of the charges was put to him.

In relation to a second charge he replied: "Not true, we had a relationship, she consented to having sex with me".

Sergeant Noel Barry said a file has been prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions who has directed that the matter is to proceed on indictment before the Central Criminal Court.

He told Judge Mary Larkin there was no objection to conditional bail and he requested an adjournment of the case to facilitate the preparation of the book of evidence.

Solicitor Con Barry was assigned to represent the defendant and he confirmed the bail conditions had been agreed.

His client must sign on at his local garda station twice a week and he was ordered not to have any contact with the injured party or any witnesses.
The new offence should cover so-called downblousing as well as upskirting, the Law Commission said.

Laws on upskirting introduced two years ago make it illegal to take a mobile image from under a woman's clothing. However, they do not extend to pictures taken from above, down a female's top to capture an image of her bra, cleavage or breasts.

The commission called for sweeping new rules which would outlaw a range of attempts to take intrusive pictures. It would also outlaw efforts to humiliate someone by posting faked pornographic pictures of them.

Taking sexual or naked pictures of anyone without their consent should become a crime, the Government's law advisers said yesterday (Stock image)

Laws on upskirting introduced two years ago make it illegal to take a mobile image from under a woman's clothing. However, they do not extend to pictures taken from above, down a female's top to capture an image of her bra, cleavage or breasts (Stock image)

Legislation should make it a crime to threaten to share private sexual images of someone, and victims should get anonymity for life, the commission said.

Professor Penney Lewis, of the Law Commission, said: 'For victims, having their intimate images taken or shared without consent can be an incredibly damaging and humiliating experience. However, the law does not adequately protect victims from this behaviour.

'Our proposals would reform the existing law and ensure that victims are given the protection they need.'

Its new law would not only give victims of 'intimate image abuse' lifelong anonymity but would remove the need for prosecutors to prove that whoever took the picture intended to cause distress. The commission said: 'We have heard from many victims that requiring proof of a specific motive has led to no prosecution taking place.'

Some motives for taking or sharing abusive pictures are not covered by the current law, it said, saying at present those who take or share intimate pictures for a joke or as a threat cannot be prosecuted.

Legislation should make it a crime to threaten to share private sexual images of someone, and victims should get anonymity for life, the commission said (Stock image)

And a social media practice that should be outlawed by a law, the commission said, is 'deepfaking', where someone typically imposes the head of someone they know on to a pornographic picture. It added: 'The non-consensual taking and sharing of intimate images can have a significant and long-lasting impact on victims. The harms they experience are serious and significant.

'These can include psychological harm such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.'

The proposals were released following a climbdown by the commission this month over its call for new laws criminalising hate speech. It has withdrawn a proposal that it should become a crime for anyone to stir up hatred in their own homes.

Bharat bandh today: Commercial markets across the country are observing a shutdown due to the Bharat bandh called by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). The nationwide shutdown has been called as a sign of protest against rising fuel prices, GST and e-way bill. As many as 40,000 traders' associations have extended their support to the call. The All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA) is supporting today's bandh with a chakka jam.

Bombay Goods Transport Association, SIMTA, KGTA, Baroda Goods Transport Association, Vapi Transport Association, HGTA, CGTA, Car Carrier Association, Association of Transporters Poona and many other state-level transport associations have confirmed their support to AITWA.

Mahendra Arya, National President AITWA, had said, "All state level-transport associations have confirmed their support to AITWA in this one-day non-operation of transport in protest of the fuel price hike and scrapping of new E-way bill laws introduced by Government of India. The nature of the movement is to reject booking and movement of all e-Way Bill oriented goods for one day. All transport companies are asked to park their vehicles between 6 am to 8 pm as a symbolic protest. All transport godowns will display the protest banners. All customers will be approached by transport companies not to book or load any goods on February 26th, 2021."

Meanwhile, Kisan Ekta Morcha has also said that is supports the call for a Bharat bandh today. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) asked protesting farmers to peacefully participate in the Bharat bandh.

WHAT WILL BE AFFECTED?

Commercial markets will remain closed as over 40,000 traders' associations are taking part in the bandh. Road transport services would be affected as companies are not going to operate from 6am to 8pm. Movement and booking of bill-oriented goods will be impacted, no traders would log in to the GST portal. Small industries, hawkers, women entrepreneurs all showed their support to the bandh.

Bank services, as well as essential services including medical shops, milk, vegetable shops will remain opened.

WHY BHARAT BANDH TODAY?

Bharat bandh has been called over rising fuel prices, e-way bill and GST.

Fuel prices: AITWA has said that the increasing fuel prices must be reduced. They also are demanding a mechanism that could ensure future regulation.The association has also asked for diesel price to be equalised across the length and breadth of the nation.

E-way bill: CAIT and AITWA have asked for the scrapping of the e-way bill that was introduced for the movement of goods inter-state. It was implemented on April 1, 2018. The sender of goods has to fill in goods details on the online portal and the transporter has to update the vehicle no. The transporter also has to cover the total journey at 200km/day from consignor place to destination as per pin code calculated at the shortest distance. A truck carrying a consignment with an expired e-way bill, or with an erroneous e-way bill are penalised 200 per cent of the tax value, or 100 per cent of the invoice value.

GST: CAIT has said that voluntary compliance of GST is key to a successful regime. Increase in compliance burden, glitches in GST portal are major issues in the tax regime.

Also read: Bharat Bandh: Traders, transporters to stop work on Feb 26; all you need to know

Also read: Bharat Bandh on Feb 26: Traders' body calls for shutdown over rising fuel prices, GST norms, e-way bill
The nation has been gripped by the sudden disappearance of Sydney woman Melissa Caddick in November and those of us in the news business have been just as fascinated. Ive lost track of how many times Ive asked our veteran investigative reporter Kate McClymont have you found Melissa yet?!

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Kate has been inundated by readers since she began covering the case, with tip-offs, sightings and theories ranging from the bizarre to the incomprehensible, some of which she revealed on this episode of our daily podcast, Please Explain.

It was in early November 2020 that the well-heeled Ms Caddick left her home in Sydneys east with nothing - not even her mobile phone - and vanished without a trace.

As Kate wrote in her first story on the case, the previous two days had been a nightmare for the self-proclaimed financial adviser. On Tuesday, November 10, the corporate watchdog ASIC was granted permission in the Federal Court to freeze her bank account and properties, and prevent her from leaving the country.
The scene shows fewer tumbrils, but more spaced-out citizens in painted cars. And they have strange license plates and engines that devour America. Lawrence Ferlinghetti was a poet, a painter, a publisher and a ceaseless political provocateur. And I am waiting for Voznesensky to turn on with us and speak love tonight. And I am waiting for Aphrodite to grow live arms at a final disarmament conference. He penned one of the single most popular books of poetry in print, served as San Franciscos first poet laureate and won the National Book Award. Perhaps most famously, Ferlinghetti became the spiritual godfather of the Beat movement when he opened City Lights Books on a gritty hillside of San Francisco in 1953. I had no idea of any poetry scene here or anything like that. But then when you have a bookstore, thats a place where poets naturally fall into and hang out. City Lights became a proving ground for bohemian and Beat writers and artists. Ferlinghetti soon expanded his reach by starting City Lights Press, which published the Pocket Poets Series. The first book was his own, Pictures of the Gone World. The dog trots freely in the street and sees reality, and the things he sees are bigger than himself. The fourth was Allen Ginsbergs explosive poem Howl, which would shock the civilized world. Allen Ginsberg laid his manuscript of Howl on me one day. I told him Id like to publish it, but we didnt have any money. Once I heard it aloud, I realized this was going to cause a revolution in American poetry. I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical, naked, dragging themselves through the Negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix. It was a little like with the rock revolution that happened in the 60s. When Allen Ginsbergs Howl came along, you didnt hear any more about the old academic poetry for a long time. Howl swept Ferlinghetti into a landmark First Amendment fight. We were selling it at City Lights Bookstore, and two officers from the juvenile department bought a copy from Shigeyoshi Murao, who was my manager at that time. Shig was arrested, and I was indicted as the publisher and bookstore owner. The charges? Willfully and lewdly publishing obscene writings. The trial went to court. We had a marvelous lineup of witnesses on our side, the most impressive literary figures in the West. When the judge brought in his decision, he said that a book cannot be judged obscene if it had the slightest redeeming social importance or social significance. And that precedent, even though this was just in the municipal court, it held up all these years. Its still very hard to convict someone of obscene literature these days. When The Times spoke with Mr. Ferlinghetti in 2007, he was 88 years old and still actively provoking. Im waiting for the next revolution. As a publisher, I always say, you cant publish a revolution when there isnt any. Lawrence Ferlinghetti was born in 1919 in Yonkers, just north of New York City. His mother was ill, and his father died before he was born. He was raised by an aunt who worked as a servant in the home of Presley Bisland, a Southern gentleman who sparked a literary interest in the troubled boy. He was very much like Mark Twain. He was very witty and very literate. He would get me to recite poems at the dinner table, and I would get a silver dollar if I could recite the poem perfectly. And I would start out, The Syrian came down like  No, no, young man, not like that. And then he would thunder forth dramatically. As I say, I had an unhappy childhood, quote, unquote, so I escaped by lyricism. When present-day life gets too awful, theres the lyric escape. You can write a lyric poem, or you can go out and look at the moon. Or you can shack up with your best girlfriend or whatever. Thats the lyric escape. Ferlinghetti studied journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating in 1941, he joined the Navy. [explosions] On D-Day, Ferlinghetti was commanding a ship that provided protection for the invasion fleet at Normandy. We were an antisubmarine screen around the beaches. We didnt have to land. And we could look through our binoculars and see these poor G.I.s getting shot up on the beaches. After the carnage in France, Ferlinghetti was transferred to Japan, arriving soon after the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. In the towering mushroom, Japan could read its doom. This was more than a routine bombing. As soon as I saw the devastated landscape, this burned, scorched landscape, where human flesh and teacups were melded together, and bones and fingers and faces sticking out of mud and not an erect building in sight. Before the blast, these were modern buildings, constructed like our own American factories. That made me an instant pacifist. Ferlinghetti decided to forge one of his lyric escapes from the Navy and use the G.I. Bill to earn advanced degrees from Columbia University and the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1951, he went west to San Francisco. I see San Francisco from my window through some old Navy beer bottles. The glass is dark. Whats it all about? Right after the Second World War, theres so many people who had been uprooted, it was as if the whole continent had tilted up, and the population slid westward. Its still the last frontier. I had an old second-hand car, and I was driving up Columbus Avenue. And I looked across the street at Columbus and Broadway, and there was this guy putting up a sign Pocket Book Shop. I said, are you opening a bookstore? Ferlinghetti decided to join forces with that man, Peter Martin, to open up a shop specializing in a new type of cheap softcover book, the paperback. Up till then, the only paperbacks you could get were murder mysteries and some science fiction. So Peter Martin had this brilliant idea to start a paperback bookstore where you could find these books, which you couldnt find anywhere. Right from the beginning, we had poets and writers dropping in because there was nothing else like this. If you walked into any other bookstore in town, you couldnt just sit down and read. They wanted  the clerk would be on top of you asking you what you wanted or could I help you. We actually ignored the readers. We ignored the customers. You practically had to hit the clerk over the head to buy the book. Ferlinghetti went solo when Martin left town after a couple of years, and the shop became the literary meeting place for Beat writers like Allen Ginsberg, Michael McClure, Gary Snyder, Jack Kerouac, and the hero of his classic On the Road, Neal Cassady. Neal Cassady would dash in. He left his jalopy out front with the motor running and the door open. He would rush in and get a copy of  and rush out. Of course, these are all free books we gave the poets. Its already too late. Pentagon is taking care of it all, and were doing this deliberately, as far as that goes. The Pentagon? Tell me what  Well, I dont know whos running the country. Do you? The bookstore from the beginning had this anarchist position, which wasnt a bomb-throwing position. It was a pacifist position. Oh. [chanting] I mean, I remember I was at the Human Be-In in Golden Gate Park in 1967. [chanting] Peace in San Francisco. Peace in Hanoi. And I was sitting next to Allen Ginsberg on stage, and at one moment he turns to me and he says, What if were all wrong? [chanting] I wrote a poem called Tentative Description of a Dinner to Impeach President Eisenhower, and now I realize that Eisenhower, compared to todays leaders in federal government  Eisenhower was an angel. You know, one shouldnt put down all the things that the Beats and the hippies stood for. The expansion of consciousness, this is something completely new in poetry. Religious consciousness  theyre turning toward the Far East, for instance. The first articulation of an ecological consciousness. So many things in our culture now, which we take for granted, came out of that rebellion, that youth rebellion. In 2001, City Lights was placed on the list of San Franciscos historic landmarks. Does poetry still matter today? What did you put the word still in there for? Yeah, does poetry still matter today? Its still  its a still. All the disparate elements of the new civilization, the new culture of the 21st century is in this still. And one of these days, the brew is going to coalesce into a marvelous, new, intoxicating liquor.
NEW DELHI/DHAKA (Reuters) - India's coast guard found 81 survivors and eight dead on a boat crammed with Muslim Rohingya refugees adrift in the Andaman Sea, and were repairing the vessel so that it can return safely to Bangladesh, Indian officials said on Friday.

The Indian government was in discussions with Bangladesh to facilitate the safe return of the vessel, which was found drifting in international waters having left southern Bangladesh about two weeks ago with hopes of reaching Malaysia.

The boat had sailed on Feb. 11 from Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh carrying 56 women and eight girls as well as 21 men and five boys, officials said.

Many of the survivors, according to Indian officials, were sick and suffering from extreme dehydration, having run out of food and water after the boat's engine failed four days after leaving Cox's Bazar, where refugee camps house hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who have fled neighbouring Myanmar.

"The engine of the boat broke down earlier this week and we received an SOS from some Rohingyas, " said an Indian coast guard official overseeing the search and rescue effort from New Delhi.

"It's a humanitarian crisis and we are doing the best we can to save their lives," he said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

"The foreign ministry is working towards sending them back to Bangladesh and India will repair or replace the boat's engine to ensure they can travel back safely."

The survivors were being provided with food supplies and medicine, and women and children have been given fresh clothes. It was unclear what arrangements were being made for the funeral rites of the people who died, the coast guard official added.

Announcing that the boat had been found, India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said on Thursday two Indian coast guard ships were dispatched to search for the vessel following urgent calls for help.

Story continues

U.N. RAISED THE ALARM

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, had raised the alarm earlier this week over the missing boat.

"We understand that around 47 of the occupants of the boat are in possession of ID cards issued to them by UNHCR office in Bangladesh stating that they are displaced Myanmar nationals," Srivastava said.

Of the 90 people that had set out on the voyage, eight were found dead, and one was missing, he added.

More than 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are living in teeming camps in Bangladesh, including tens of thousands who fled after Myanmar's military conducted a deadly crackdown in 2017.

Human traffickers often lure Rohingya refugees, promising them work in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia.

A Bangladeshi foreign ministry statement said the boat had been traced some 1,700 km (1,056 miles) away from Bangladesh and 147 km (91 miles) from India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

"Other states, particularly those on whose territorial water the vessel has been found, bear the primary responsibility and they should fulfil their obligation under international law and burden-sharing principle," it said.

India did not sign the 1951 Refugee Convention, which spells out refugee rights and state responsibilities to protect them. Nor does it have a domestic law protecting refugees, though it currently hosts more than 200,000, including some Rohingya.

Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a group that monitors the Rohingya crisis, accused India of trying to shirk responsibility, saying keeping the refugees "at sea put their lives at further risk."

(Reporting by C.K.Nayak in New Delhi, Subrata Nagchoudhury in Kolkata and Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Additional reporting and writing by Rupam Jain; Editing by lincoln Feast and Mark Heinrich)
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus S.Aleinik meets the Head of the ICRC Regional delegation for Russia, Belarus and Moldova

On February 26th, 2021 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Aleinik met with Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Belarus, Moldova and the Russian Federation Ihtiyar Aslanov.

During the meeting the sides discussed the results of cooperation between Belarus and ICRC in 2020 as well as the forthcoming joint events planned for the current year, including holding regional seminars on international humanitarian law, providing support to vulnerable groups, realizing initiatives within the CIS and the CSTO.

The parties noted the high efficiency of bilateral cooperation and welcomed further interaction in areas of mutual interest.

The Belarusian side highly appreciated the contribution of the ICRC and of the Belarusian Red Cross Society to the COVID-19 counter-proliferation measures in Belarus.

Background information: ICRC is an international humanitarian organization that operates around the world. It provides protection and assistance to victims of armed conflicts. ICRC is an integral part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. ICRC was founded in 1863 in Switzerland.

The assistance received by Belarus through the ICRC and the International Federation of the Red Cross in 2020 amounted to 3.6 million Belarusian rubles (about 1.5 million USD), of which 2.8 million Belarusian rubles allocated for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

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Illustration of the lunar gateway. Credit: NASA

Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan blasted off from the Taurus-Littrow valley on the moon in their lunar module Challenger on December 14 1972. Five days later, they splashed down safely in the Pacific, closing the Apollo 17 mission and becoming the last humans to visit the lunar surface or venture anywhere beyond low-Earth orbit.

Now the international Artemis program, lead by Nasa, is aiming to put humans back on the moon by 2024. But it is looking increasingly likely that this goal could be missed.

History shows just how vulnerable space programs, which require years of planning and development spanning several administrations, are. After Apollo 17, Nasa had plans for several further lunar Apollo missions, even including a possible flyby of Venus. But budget cuts in the early 1970s and a reprioritising of human spaceflight to focus on the Skylab project precluded any further lunar missions at that time.

It was not until July 20 1989, the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing, that President George H.W. Bush inaugurated the Space Exploration Initiative. This involved the construction of a space station called Freedom, which would later become the International Space Station, aimed at returning humans to the moon, and eventually undertaking crewed missions to Mars.

The project was to take place over an approximately 30-year time frame. The first human return flights to the moon would take place in the late 1990s, followed by the establishment of a lunar base in the early 2010s. The estimated cost for the full program, including the Mars missions, was US$500 billion (350 billion) spread over 20-30 years. This was a fraction of what would be spent on the Iraq Warin 2003 but, the project nevertheless ran into opposition in the Senate, and was later canceled by the Clinton administration in 1996.

Another eight years would pass before, in 2004, President GW Bush, partly as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, announced a revitalized Vision for Space Exploration. In response, Nasa began the Constellation program, which would oversee the completion of what was now the International Space Station and then retire the Space Shuttle. It would also involve the development of two new crewed spacecraft: the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Altair Lunar Surface Access Module.

Orion, optimized for extended trips beyond low-Earth orbit, was to be developed by 2008, with the first crewed mission no later than 2014, and the first astronauts on the moon by 2020. To lift the Orion and Altair spacecraft a new series of launchers would be developed under the name Ares, with Ares V having lift capability more akin to the massive Saturn V rockets of the Apollo era.

President Obama took office in 2009 and in 2010 instituted a review of U.S. human spaceflightthe Augustine Commission. It found that the Constellation program was unsustainable with current Nasa funding levels, was behind schedule, and that a human Mars mission was not possible with current technology. The prototype of the Ares I rocket was nonetheless launched on a successful test flight from the Kennedy Space Center on October 28 2009.

The Constellation program was canceled by President Obama in 2010. This was the same year in which private company SpaceX made their first flight with the Falcon 9 rocket. Obama's space plans were praised by some, including SpaceX's founder Elon Musk, but criticized by others, including several Apollo astronauts.

The only significant survivor of Constellation was the Orion spacecraft which was repurposed and renamed the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle or Orion MPCV. The Augustine Commission recommended a series of more modest space exploration goals for the US, which included Orion flights to near-Earth asteroids or to the moons of Mars, rather than the planet's surface. Orion's first, and so far, only test flight in space (without astronauts) took place on December 5 2014.

The future of Artemis

In December 2017, President Donald Trump signed "Space Policy Directive 1," which reoriented Nasa to a lunar landing by 2024. Nasa implemented the Artemis program in the same year and it has been endorsed by the new Biden administration. This is the first time in decades that a new U.S. administration has continued with the deep space human spaceflight policies of the previous one.

Artemis is also an international program, with the Lunar Gateway - an international orbital outpost at the moonbeing an essential part of the project. The international nature of Artemis might make the program more robust against policy changes, although the Lunar Gateway has already been delayed.

Officially, the first uncrewed test flight of Orion to lunar orbit, Artemis 1, is scheduled for later this year, with the 2024 return to the lunar surface still on the books. The effects of the pandemic and recent engineering concerns with the new and still unflown Space Launch System, may push this back. Furthermore, in 2020 Nasa requested US$3.2 billion (2.3 billion) in development costs for the Human Lander System, a critical component of the first lunar landing mission, Artemis 3. Congress approved only a fraction of what was requested, putting the 2024 landing date in further jeopardy.

A delay of any more than a year would move Artemis 3 beyond the end of President Biden's first term in office. This would make it vulnerable to the many vagaries of U.S. deep space human spaceflight policy that we have seen for most of the spaceflight era.

By contrast, Nasa's Mars Exploration Program, which began in 1993 and whose goals are driven primarily by scientists rather than politicians, has resulted in a series of highly successful robotic orbiters and landers, most recently the spectacular landing of the Perseverance Rover at Jezero Crater. Undoubtedly, the robotic exploration of Mars carries less political weight than human missions and is considerably cheaperwith no inherent risks to astronauts.

If the current Artemis 3 schedule holds, then 52 years will have passed between Cernan and Schmitt departing the lunar surface in Challenger and the next human visitors to the moon, in 2024.

Explore further Canadian will join Moon mission for first time in 2023

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday stressed the need for 'Akhand Bharat' (undivided India) and claimed that countries such as Pakistan which broke away from India are now in distress. Speaking at a book launch in Hyderabad, Bhagwat said 'Akhand Bharat' is possible through "Hindu Dharm" but not by force.

"There is a need to make glorious Akhand Bharat for the welfare of the universe. That's why there is a need to awaken patriotism for the country," Bhagwat said, according to a PTI report. "More than present India, the separated parts of erstwhile India, which shed their relevance with the country, have more necessity for the reunification to come out of their miseries," he further said.

'What seemed to be impossible had happened'

It is not for the first time that an RSS leader has talked about 'Akhand Bharat'. Its a view the RSS, which was formed in 1925, started propagating in 1947, after partition. RSSs idea of 'Akhand Bharat' includes not only Pakistan and Bangladesh but also Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Tibet.

Stressing that the concept of 'Akhand Bharat' is possible, Bhagwat said some people had expressed serious doubts before the partition of the country in 1947 whether Pakistan would be formed, but it happened. India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, when asked before the partition of the country in 1947, had said the possibility of formation of Pakistan was a "dream of fools" though it happened, Bhagwat said.

According to Mohan Bhagwat, Lord Wavell (during British rule) also said in British Parliament that God has made India one and so who would divide it. "But ultimately it (partition of India) happened. What seemed to be impossible had happened, so it cannot be ruled out that 'Akhand Bharat' which may seem to be impossible, will not happen," he said.

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'All their problems will get resolved'

Alleging that there is unhappiness in the separated regions of 'Akhand Bharat' which now do not call themselves 'Bharat', the RSS chief said the remedy to come out of their miseries is reunification with India.

"They (separated countries) did all they could but did not find any remedy. And the remedy is reunification (with Bharat) only and all their problems will get resolved," he said. He, however, said the reunification should be done through "humanity's dharma" which according to him is called "Hindu dharma".

"Gandhar became Afghanistan. Is there peace and tranquillity in Afghanistan since then? Pakistan was formed. From that date till now, is there peace and tranquillity?" he asked. He said India has the endurance to overcome several challenges and the world looks towards it to overcome difficulties. With "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (world is one family) belief, India can again offer happiness and peace to the world, he added.

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(With PTI inputs)
Himachal Pradesh Governor Bandaru Dattatraya was allegedly manhandled by some Congress members in the Assembly complex on Friday, following which five MLAs were suspended for the remainder of the Budget Session. Later, an FIR was registered against the suspended MLAs in Boileauganj Police Station of Shimla in the matter.

The incident took place outside the Speaker's office when the Governor was leaving for the Raj Bhavan after he cut short his address in the House following a ruckus created by the Congress on the opening day of the Budget session.

#WATCH Opposition leaders protested & tried to stop the Governor outside Himachal Pradesh Assembly, earlier today. FIR has been registered against five suspended MLAs in Boileauganj Police Station of Shimla in the matter. pic.twitter.com/2SJGhZd86v  ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2021

Speaker Vipin Parmar said the Opposition members tried to stop the Governor, who was accompanied by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur when he was going towards his cavalcade. They hit on the Governor's back with copies of his address. They also hit the bonnet of the Governor's car, the Speaker said, adding that he is examining the Assembly rules to lodge an FIR against the Congress legislators.

The Speaker told PTI that this is for the first time in the history of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly that a Governor was manhandled by Opposition members. After the incident, the Speaker suspended Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri and four other Congress MLAs Harsh Vardhan Chauhan, Satpal Raizada, Sunder Singh and Vinay Kuma for the entire Budget session till March 20 on a motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Bhardwaj.

Earlier, the Congress MLAs created a ruckus in the House during the Governor's address. He then skipped to the last sentence after reading the initial few pages and stated that the entire speech should be deemed as read. Suspended Congress MLA Harsh Vardhan Chauhan told PTI that they were waiting outside the Speaker's office and just wanted to ask the Governor why he cut short his address but they were not allowed to do so.

He alleged that it was Deputy Speaker Hans Raj who manhandled the MLAs, a charge denied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, who said the Congress legislators had planned to create a scene. Chauhan also said they did not have any intention of manhandling the governor. "If any FIR is registered against us, we will not go to the court for bail, rather we will prefer to be arrested," he said, adding that the suspended Congress MLAs will sit outside the Assembly during the Budget session.

Earlier, while moving the motion in the House, Bhardwaj said Chief Minister Thakur had termed the manhandling an "attack on the governor". It reflected the frustration of Congress MLAs after the party's defeat in the recent panchayat elections, Bhardwaj added. The Assembly, which was adjourned till 2 pm on Monday earlier in the day, was reconvened at 1 pm on Friday to consider the motion moved by Bhardwaj.

No Congress MLA was present in the House at the time of suspension of the five MLAs. The session is scheduled to conclude on March 20. The chief minister will present the Budget for 2021-22 in the Assembly on March 6, Speaker Vipin Parmar had said on Thursday.
Our hearts are broken at the devastation and deaths across our beloved state resulting from last weeks winter storm. We want to share our stories, from two other parts of Texas, in the hope that we can help to prevent this from ever happening again.

In February of 2011, El Paso as well as other parts of Texas were hit with an arctic blast that devastated our communities. In El Paso, several days of temperatures of near zero degrees resulted in a collapse of our power grid. We suffered then as the rest of Texas has now: blackouts and frozen water pipes which then burst. El Paso was and still is served by the Western Interconnection power grid, and working with our partners in that grid, El Paso Electric Company upgraded and winterized its equipment so that such a catastrophe would not happen again.

Our Panhandle communities faced the same storm in 2011 and learned the same lessons. Amarillo is served by Xcel Energy, a member of the Southwest Power Pool. The SPP spans 17 states and is part of the Eastern Interconnection. These two major power grids, Eastern and Western, are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees the interstate transmission of electricity.

Last week, Texas again suffered another arctic blast. For many days, El Paso faced temperatures that dipped into the teens, and the city was coated with snow and ice. Amarillo saw overnight temperatures drop to 10 degrees below zero and snowfall of more than 7 inches. The Eastern and Western Interconnections were strained, but they did not fail, because of careful planning and weatherization efforts by our power companies, regulatory oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the ability to depend on our neighbors.

In contrast to the dire situation across the rest of Texas, our cities experienced only a few controlled outages of very short duration. Many homes never lost electricity at all.

Just south of El Paso is our Mexican border sister city, Juarez. With only the Rio Grande River separating us, we have exactly the same weather. But our neighbors, unfortunately, rely on Texas natural gas, and they suffered with lengthy power outages and frozen and burst water pipes. According to the El Diario de Juarez, a Spanish language newspaper, the power in Juarez was out for two days in many residential areas.

In the ERCOT grid, most of the limitations on the supply of power came from failures of thermal energy sources such as natural gas. Renewable energy sources like wind also went offline, but they make up a much smaller portion of Texas energy sources. ERCOT reported that the majority of lost generation was from non-weatherized infrastructure. While all energy sources failed, they shouldnt have: other states with much colder and more sustained winter storms have weatherized their power sources to operate properly.

Texas officials knew from the last major winter storm in 2011 that weatherization of infrastructure was needed. Xcel Energy spent the last 10 years upgrading its equipment, as did El Paso Electric. But the Texas Public Utility Commission did not require Texas power suppliers in ERCOT to upgrade, despite numerous warnings and reports that made the danger clear. Instead, they made suggestions for voluntary improvements, leaving it to power companies to decide whether to spend the money to protect consumers. This lack of regulation resulted in catastrophe and loss of life.

This disaster did not need to happen. Had the Texas power grid been upgraded and winterized after the lessons of ten years ago, much of the pain and suffering could have been avoided. Texas government did not do its job in protecting those in the Texas power grid.

Letson is the president of the League of Women Voters of Amarillo, and Wallace is the president of the League of Women Voters of El Paso.


This time last year, infectious disease physician Francis Riedo was having what he'd consider a fairly typical Friday -- and didn't suspect his hospital would soon report the United States' first death from Covid-19.

It was the middle of flu season, and several patients were being treated in the intensive care unit of EvergreenHealth Medical Center Kirkland, a suburb of Seattle.

Two of them were on ventilators, critically ill with lower respiratory infections, but "there was no clear diagnosis," Riedo recalled.

A handful of Covid-19 cases had so far been detected in the country, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had just changed its guidance to recommend testing people with suspicious symptoms, even if they hadn't traveled to Wuhan.

That evening, "we filled out the three pages of paperwork for each, and the following morning, on Friday morning, collected the swabs of these two individuals and sent them off to the state lab testing."

It happened to be the first day that state labs were trusted with testing samples -- prior to that, the specimens were all sent to the CDC's headquarters in Atlanta.

Riedo wanted to make sure the swabs were correctly collected, and hand them over himself.

He'd certainly been keeping up with the mysterious new disease that had been ravaging China but wasn't really worried.

"I dropped those specimens off and went about my day," said Riedo. "I honestly did not think that this was going to be more than an exercise."

He then went to see one of the two critically ill patients -- whom he had happened to have treated five years earlier, too.

"By the time I got there in the afternoon, he had already passed away," he said.

The man had been in his fifties and in poor health. His family had come to see him, and it wasn't known at that point that he had had Covid-19.

Riedo didn't expect the test results to come back for several more days, but that evening, he received a call from the county health authorities, informing him both samples had returned positive.

Story continues

"My initial response, I have to say, was a bit of skepticism," he said, recalling widespread reporting at the time of defective tests.

The officials, however, were adamant.

"After that moment of skepticism or incredulity, I said, 'This is it, this is really where it begins.'"

- 'Great deal of unknowns -

The revelation unleashed a rapid chain of events.

Riedo spoke with the family of the deceased and had to respond to inquiries from the county authorities, as well as talk to the nurses about remembering masking practices.

The names of everyone who was exposed were also collected, so that they could be tested as well.

"This immediately launched a huge investigation," said the doctor.

Since the two individuals had no known connection to each other, doctors quickly realized the disease was already spreading in the community.

The announcement was made public the next day, February 29. And the cases continued racking up.

"These two individuals turned into 31 within five days, and hundreds within weeks," continued Riedo.

Officials later confirmed that others had in fact succumbed to the disease as early as mid-February, in California.

Looking back, Riedo recalls "there were a great deal of unknowns" at the time.

"I don't think we ever imagined that it would be a magnitude that we've experienced," he said.

But within weeks, "ambulances were literally lining up outside the emergency department to drop off patients."

The United States has been hit hardest by the pandemic, and earlier this week crossed the latest grim milestone of 500,000 deaths.

Even with the early mayhem, "I don't think anybody could have expected half a million," Riedo concluded.

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GlobeNewswire

AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPU AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPU  AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics provide a generational performance leap of up to 1.5X, powering the next generation of premium gaming laptops from ASUS, HP, Lenovo, MSI and other leading OEMs   Open-source, cross-platform AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution leverages optimized spatial upscaling technology, delivering up to 2.5X higher performance than native resolution gaming in select titles  TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today at Computex 2021 AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) introduced several powerful new solutions that take high-performance gaming to new levels. Designed to bring world-class performance, incredible visual fidelity and immersive experiences to gaming laptops, the new AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics include the top-of-stack Radeon RX 6800M  the fastest AMD Radeon GPU for laptops1, delivering desktop-class performance2 to power ultra-high frame rate 1440p gaming anywhere. AMD also introduced the AMD Advantage Design Framework, the result of a multi-year collaboration between AMD and its global PC partners to deliver the next generation of premium, high-performance gaming laptops. Combining AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics, AMD Radeon Software and AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Mobile Processors with exclusive AMD smart technologies and other advanced system design characteristics, AMD Advantage systems are designed to deliver best-in-class gaming experiences. The first AMD Advantage laptops are expected to be available from leading OEMs beginning this month. In addition, AMD unveiled AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), a cutting-edge spatial upscaling technology designed to boost framerates up to 2.5X in select titles at 4K resolution3 and deliver a high-quality, high-resolution gaming experience. More than 10 game developers plan to integrate FSR into their top titles and game engines in 2021, with the first games supporting FSR expected to be available later this month. There have been incredible advances in gaming over the last several years, with powerful technologies allowing desktop PCs to deliver high-octane, beautifully complex and immersive worlds like never before, said Scott Herkelman, corporate vice president and general manager, Graphics Business Unit at AMD. Today were excited to bring the high-performance, energy-efficient AMD RDNA 2 architecture to next-generation laptops to unlock the same level of high-performance experiences and true-to-life visuals for mobile gamers. With AMD Advantage, gamers can be sure these next-gen laptops are designed, optimized and purpose-built for the best possible gaming experiences. AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series mobile graphics are built on breakthrough AMD RDNA 2 gaming architecture, delivering up to 1.5X higher performance4 or up to 43 percent lower power at the same performance level5 compared to AMD RDNA architecture. They also bring advanced technologies such as AMD Infinity Cache and DirectX Raytracing (DXR) to next-gen laptops. The AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPU is a graphics powerhouse, offering world-class 1440p/120 FPS performance6 with a powerful blend of raytracing, compute and traditional effects for true-to-life visuals. The AMD Radeon RX 6700M GPU offers 1440p/100FPS gaming performance7, next-level visuals and efficiency designed for the new generation of advanced gaming and content creation laptops. The AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU is designed to deliver high refresh rate 1080p/100FPS gaming8 for lightweight laptops. Radeon RX 6000M Series mobile graphics bring numerous game-changing features available to gamers on the go, including: AMD Infinity Cache  Up to 96MB of last-level data cache integrated on the GPU die reduces latency and power consumption to deliver higher gaming performance than traditional architectural designs.AMD Smart Access Memory  Unlocks higher performance for select AMD-powered laptops by providing AMD Ryzen processors with access to the entire high-speed AMD Radeon GDDR6 graphics memory.AMD SmartShift Technology  Dynamically shifts laptop power between AMD Ryzen Mobile Processors and AMD Radeon Graphics, providing an additional increase in gaming performance.AMD Radeon Chill  Power-saving feature that helps save battery by regulating frame rates based on in-game movements.AMD FidelityFX  Supported by more than 45 titles, AMD FidelityFX is an open-source toolkit of visual enhancement effects for game developers available through AMD GPUOpen. It includes a robust collection of rasterized lighting, shadow and reflection effects, as well as the new AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution technology, that can be integrated into the latest games with minimal performance overhead. ModelCompute Units & Ray AcceleratorsGDDR6Game Clock9 (MHz)Memory InterfaceInfinity CacheAMD Radeon RX 6800M 4012 GB2300Mhz @ 145W192-bit96 MBAMD Radeon RX 6700M3610 GB2300Mhz @ 135W160-bit80 MBAMD Radeon RX 6600M288 GB2177Mhz @ 100W128-bit 32 MB AMD Advantage Design Framework With the new AMD Advantage Design Framework, AMD and its global PC partners are redefining high-performance mobile gaming. AMD Advantage laptops combine AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics, AMD Radeon Software and AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Mobile Processors with exclusive AMD smart technologies, AMD FreeSync Premium-certified displays, fast NVME storage, optimal thermal designs, and other advanced system design characteristics. AMD Advantage laptops are designed to deliver best-in-class gaming experiences, providing new levels of performance and responsiveness. Enhancements from AMD SmartShift and AMD Smart Access Memory boost gaming performance on these systems. In addition, AMD Advantage laptops are optimized to deliver over 100FPS gaming in todays most visually demanding titles, all-day battery-powered video playback (10+ hrs.)10, 144Hz+ high-refresh rate, vividly bright (300+ nits) displays, and custom-tuned thermals for cool operation during continuous gameplay  all packed into sleek laptop designs. Several AMD Advantage gaming laptops are expected to be available in 2021. The ROG Strix G15/17 AMD Advantage Edition gaming laptops, featuring AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPUs, AMD Ryzen 5900HX Mobile Processors and AMD smart technologies, are expected to be available beginning in early June at Best Buy and other leading retailers. The OMEN 16 laptop, featuring AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPUs, AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Mobile Processors and AMD smart technologies, are expected to be available soon at JD.com. AMD Advantage laptops from Lenovo and MSI are expected to be available later this year. AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) offers broad support on more than 100 AMD processors and GPUs as well as competitor GPUs. FSR offers four quality settings allowing gamers to adjust the balance between image quality and performance based on their preferences, providing high-performance, visually stunning gaming experiences for even the most demanding visual features, including raytracing. FSR offers up to 2.5X higher performance in Performance mode than native resolution gaming in select titles. AMD has been a strong partner throughout the development of Godfall, providing players with stunning visuals and world-class performance to power this first-of-its-kind, looter-slasher, melee action-RPG, said Keith Lee, CEO of Counterplay Games. Now, with FidelityFX Super Resolution, AMD has delivered another amazing platform-agnostic feature thats easy for developers to implement and provides the Godfall community with higher performance at higher resolutions with all of the bells and whistles, including raytracing, cranked way up. FSR is an open-source solution based on industry standards, making it easy for developers to integrate the technology into new and existing titles. More information about FSR and supported titles will be announced on June 22. Learn more here. You can learn more about all of AMDs announcements at Computex 2021 through AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Sus keynote presentation here. Supporting Resources Learn more about the AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series mobile graphics hereLearn more about AMD Radeon RX 6000M-based laptops hereLearn more about AMD Advantage Design Framework hereLearn more about AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution hereBecome a fan of AMD on FacebookFollow AMD on Twitter About AMDFor 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies  the building blocks for gaming, immersive platforms and the datacenter. Hundreds of millions of consumers, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research facilities around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees around the world are focused on building great products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) website, blog, Facebook and Twitter pages. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) such as the features, functionality, performance, availability, timing and expected benefits of AMD RadeonTM RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics GPUs, the AMD Advantage Design Framework, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and AMD Radeon RX 6000M-based laptops, which are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as "would," "may," "expects," "believes," "plans," "intends," "projects" and other terms with similar meaning. Investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations, speak only as of the date of this press release and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Such statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond AMD's control, that could cause actual results and other future events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, without limitation, the following: Intel Corporations dominance of the microprocessor market and its aggressive business practices; global economic uncertainty; the loss of a significant customer; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMDs business, financial condition and results of operations; the competitive markets in which AMDs products are sold; quarterly and seasonal sales patterns; market conditions of the industries in which AMD products are sold; the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; AMD's ability to adequately protect its technology or other intellectual property; unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations; the ability of third party manufacturers to manufacture AMD's products on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive technologies; the availability of essential equipment, materials, substrates or manufacturing processes; expected manufacturing yields for AMDs products; AMD's ability to introduce products on a timely basis with features and performance levels that provide value to its customers; AMD's ability to generate revenue from its semi-custom SoC products; potential security vulnerabilities; potential IT outages, data loss, data breaches and cyber-attacks; uncertainties involving the ordering and shipment of AMDs products; AMDs reliance on third-party intellectual property to design and introduce new products in a timely manner; AMD's reliance on third-party companies for the design, manufacture and supply of motherboards, software and other computer platform components; AMD's reliance on Microsoft Corporation and other software vendors' support to design and develop software to run on AMDs products; AMDs reliance on third-party distributors and add-in-board partners; the impact of modification or interruption of AMDs internal business processes and information systems; compatibility of AMDs products with some or all industry-standard software and hardware; costs related to defective products; the efficiency of AMD's supply chain; AMD's ability to rely on third party supply-chain logistics functions; AMDs ability to effectively control the sales of its products on the gray market; the impact of government actions and regulations such as export administration regulations, tariffs and trade protection measures; AMDs ability to realize its deferred tax assets; potential tax liabilities; current and future claims and litigation; the impact of environmental laws, conflict minerals-related provisions and other laws or regulations; the impact of acquisitions, joint ventures and/or investments on AMD's business, including the announced acquisition of Xilinx, and the failure to integrate acquired businesses; AMDs ability to complete the Xilinx merger; the impact of the announcement and pendency of the Xilinx merger on AMDs business; the impact of any impairment of the combined companys assets on the combined companys financial position and results of operation; the restrictions imposed by agreements governing AMDs notes and the revolving credit facility; AMD's indebtedness; AMD's ability to generate sufficient cash to service its debt obligations or meet its working capital requirements; AMD's ability to repurchase its outstanding debt in the event of a change of control; AMD's ability to generate sufficient revenue and operating cash flow or obtain external financing for research and development or other strategic investments; political, legal, economic risks and natural disasters; future impairments of goodwill and technology license purchases; AMDs ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; AMDs stock price volatility; and worldwide political conditions. Investors are urged to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in AMDs Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to AMDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Advantage, FreeSync, Radeon, Ryzen, RDNA and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. DirectX is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the US and other jurisdictions. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only, and is subject to change without notice. Timelines, roadmaps, and/or product release dates shown in this Press Release are plans only and subject to change. Contact:George Millington AMD Communications(408) 547-7481 George.Millington@amd.com Laura GravesAMD Investor Relations(408) 749-5467 Laura.Graves@amd.com 1 Testing done by AMD performance labs April 12, 2021 on Asus ROG Strix-G713 equipped with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX (3.29GHz) CPU, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, Radeon RX 6800M graphics, Win10 Pro x64 19041.804, with AMD Smart Access Memory and SmartShift Technology enabled vs. Alienware Area 51m equipped with Intel i7-10700K CPU, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, Radeon RX 5700M graphics, Win 10 Pro x64 18363. Tested on the benchmarks: Time Spy Graphics Score, Fire Strike Graphics Score, 3DMark11 P Graphics Score. PC manufacturers may vary configurations yielding different results. Performance may vary. RX-656 2 Testing done by AMD performance labs May 12 2021, on RX 6800M in ASUS ROG Strix (driver: 20.50.02.05-210331a-365797E) with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, on Win10 Pro 64. Games tested: Battlefield V, F1 2010, Resident Evil Village, Apex Legends, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, DOTA 2, CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege. Performance may vary. RX-6653 Testing by AMD Performance Labs as of May 21, 2021, on the AMD Radeon 6900 XT, AMD Radeon 6800 XT, and AMD Radeon 6700 XT graphics cards with pre-release AMD Radeon Software 21.6.1 RC Prime 9 (21.20-210518a-367616E) driver, on a test system comprising of an AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM, ASRock X570 Taichi motherboard with BIOS version P3.61 at default settings, and Windows 10 Pro May 2020 Update (19041.508). Benchmark tests: Godfall, DX12, 3840x2160, Epic preset, Raytracing ON, FSR Game 2, DX12, 3840x2160, Ultra preset, Raytracing ON, and FSR Game 3, Vulkan, 3840x2160, Ultra preset, No Raytracing. Performance may vary and is dependent on the FSR Quality Mode selected. FSR requires developer integration and is available in select games only. RS-3644 Testing done by AMD performance labs April 9 2021, on 25 games at 1440p using the flagship AMD RDNA 2 mobile part versus the flagship AMD RDNA mobile part. Performance may vary. RX-6615 Testing done by AMD engineering labs April 6 2021, using 3DMark FireStrike, on AMD RDNA 2 mobile part 80W TGP at versus the AMD RDNA mobile part at 140W TGP. Performance may vary. RX-6626 Testing done by AMD performance labs May 12 2021, on RX 6800M in ASUS ROG Strix (driver: 20.50.02.05-210331a-365797E) with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, on Win10 Pro 64. Games tested: Battlefield V, F1 2010, Resident Evil Village, Apex Legends, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, DOTA 2, CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege. Performance may vary. RX-6657 Performance projection by AMD engineering. Engineering projections may not reflect the final performance results and are subject to change. RX-6708 Testing done by AMD performance labs May 17 2021, using 18 games, on RX 6600M in HP laptop (driver: 21.10.01.09-210331a-366029C-HP) with AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (3.3GHz), 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, on Win10 Pro 64. Performance may vary. RX-6719 Game clock is the expected GPU clock when running typical gaming applications, set to typical TGP (Total Graphics Power). Actual individual game clock results may vary. GD-14710 AMD defines All Day Battery Life as at least 8 hours of continuous battery life using a video playback test. Actual battery life will vary based on several factors, including, but not limited to: system configuration and software, settings, product use and age, and operating conditions. GD-173. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83d1c258-be49-440f-9226-9a60168b1749
Deep in the Negev desert, Bedouin residents of a village deemed illegal by Israel say more houses have been demolished than people vaccinated, despite the Jewish state's world-beating coronavirus inoculation drive.

"No one is vaccinated here," said Adnan Al-Abari, a maintenance worker at the school in Tal Arad.

Israel is a global leader in coronavirus vaccinations per capita, having administered both recommended jabs of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to roughly a third of its nine million citizens.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said authorities are on track to fully inoculate the entire over-16 population by the end of next month.

But in the "illegal" Bedouin villages in the arid Negev desert of southern Israel, the vaccination rate is around two percent, according to official data.

Tel Arad residents say they have not been visited by a single health worker since the pandemic began.

But demolition orders have continued to arrive, targeting houses built without impossible-to-obtain permits.

"Here there are more houses destroyed than people vaccinated by Israel," Abari said.

- 'It does not exist' -

Bedouin have lived in the Negev desert for generations, but under Israeli rule have become marginalised and often live in poverty.

The Jewish state's effort to transfer Bedouin to recognised towns has fuelled tensions.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel says Tel Arad, which has no electricity or running water, is just one of dozens of unrecognised Bedouin villages in the region.

"Everything that currently exists in the village is illegal and cannot be legalised because the law alleges that it does not exist," the association said.

"Residents of the unrecognised villages cannot receive building permits, and the structures in the villages are accordingly designated as 'unauthorised'," it added.

Abari said that a neighbour's house was recently torn down, reduced to a pile of dust and twisted metal.

Story continues

"Look at this house," he said, pointing to a separate canary-yellow cottage he said had also received a recent demolition notice.

"It will be demolished next month."

The father of five told AFP that Israel had not sent "anyone to explain the (coronavirus) crisis or to help us."

Tel Arad, where goats scour the rocky hillside for blades of grass, does not have reliable internet access, making pandemic coping strategies like remote schooling impossible.

Abari said his 12-year-old son Yussef had not had a lesson in more than a year.

Yet the demolitions have continued.

- Anti-vax -

Patchy web access hasn't stopped anti-vaccine conspiracy theories spreading via WhatsApp, text message or word of mouth.

In Tel Arad, many fear that the jab will alter their genes, make them sterile or even contain a microchip allowing Israeli security services to track their movements.

About 60 percent of Israel's 290,000 Bedouin live in villages or towns which are officially recognised.

But despite having clinics, schools and public services, fewer than a fifth of residents in these communities have received even one vaccine injection, according to official data.

"Fake news travels faster than real information," said Mazem Abu Siyam, a doctor coordinating the vaccination campaign for Negev Bedouin.

"There is really this fear of the long-term effects."

"We are a traditional community and it's difficult to convince people to get vaccinated, to adopt a new technology."

- Faith-based argument -

Jameh Abu Odeh, a 36-year-old lawyer in the Negev's main Bedouin town of Rahat -- population 22,000 -- won a small victory over such fears.

After telling relatives about the benefits of vaccination, he convinced his mother to get inoculated.

"Everyone is afraid of the vaccine! In fact it's a mixture of fear and confusion about the side effects," he said, as a nurse injected his frail, shy mother in the arm.

"We must not forget also that here many don't know how to read".

Bedouin elder Ibrahim Leamor, 70, blamed "ignorance" as the primary cause of anti-vax sentiment.

In his village of Kuseife, fewer than 10 percent have received the jab.

He quotes the Koran to convince the most reluctant.

"'The prophet said that every disease has its remedy,' and today this remedy is called the vaccine," Leamor said.

Abu Siyam said that in recognised villages, Bedouins have begun to accept the vaccine.

"We are only just beginning to overcome fear... I hope this is the start of a boom."

gl/cgo/scw/bs/par
Appearing at a campaign rally in Muskegon, Michigan, his first visit to the state since 14 right-wing militia members were arrested for plotting to kidnap and murder the states Democratic governor, President Donald Trump escalated his incitement of violence against his political opponents, as well as his threats to stay in office indefinitely.

Trump sought to whip up the crowd with denunciations of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, only 10 days after a gang of fascists was rounded up while making last-minute preparations for her assassination. Get the governor to open up your state, he shouted, although virtually all major businesses have been permitted by Whitmer to reopen, including the major auto plants, despite a rising toll of coronavirus infections and death.

I guess they said she was threatened, right? And she blamed me, Trump said, professing amazement. When the crowd obligingly responded with chants of lock her up, Trump extended this demand to all his political opponents. Lock em all up, he said, with evident glee.

President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Muskegon County Airport, Saturday, October 17, 2020, in Norton Shores, Michigan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

He went on to proclaim his determination to stay in office for four years, eight years, 12 years, 16, far beyond the constitutional limit of two terms in office. He mocked his media critics, saying, You really drive them crazy if you say 12 more years. Then they say he is a fascist. The crowd of several thousand responded with chants, 12 more years, 12 more years. Trump added, Now the story with the fake news will be, He is a fascist!

In reality, the corporate media has refused to apply the fascist label to Trump, despite his increasingly open effort to develop an armed, violent, anti-democratic movement centered on himself and his family. Neither his Democratic opponents in the November 3 election, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, nor the congressional Democrats in Washington have dared to use the term, although it is undeniable that this is the trajectory of the Trump campaign and the Republican Party as a whole.

Governor Whitmer protested Trumps language at the Muskegon rally, warning in an appearance Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press, Its incredibly disturbing that the president of the United States, 10 days after a plot to kidnap, put me on trial, and execute me10 days after that was uncoveredthe president is at it again and inspiring and incentivizing and inciting this kind of domestic terrorism.

But other leading Democrats and their media supporters have sought to downplay the issue or avoid it entirely. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared on ABCs Sunday morning interview program, she responded to a direct question about the Muskegon rally by dismissing Trumps rhetoric as irresponsible, but did not actually speak Whitmers name or refer to the plot to take her life. And she concluded, The biggest antidote to his poison is the vote, without addressing Trumps repeated suggestions that he will defy the outcome of the election and stay in office indefinitely.

Former Vice President Biden also made no mention of the plot to kill Whitmer when he delivered his lone campaign speech of the weekend in Durham, North Carolina, on Sunday. While he cited Trumps statement, after the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, that there were very fine people among the torch-wielding fascists, he drew no conclusions about the presidents present political course. He said nothing at all about Trumps visit to Muskegon, in the state where the presidents demands to Liberate Michigan were put into practice by more than a dozen fascist thugs.

There is no precedent in American political life for a president of the United States conducting himself in this manner. The Democrats impeached Trump on a largely concocted pretext of no interest to the American people, stemming from their bogus anti-Russia campaign, but they refuse to lift a finger when the president incites a mob and seeks to create a violent fascistic movement.

Last week, during his town hall appearance on NBC, Trump only begrudgingly spoke a sentence formally rejecting white supremacy, while he embraced the fascistic QAnon conspiracy theory and indicated that he shared its goal of combating pedophilia. The principal contention of the QAnon campaign is that the Democratic Party is run by Satanic pedophiles whom Trump will round up and exterminate in a coming storm. In that context, Trumps lock em all up remark is chilling.

While the American media has generally dismissed QAnon as the ravings of the lunatic fringe without real consequences for American political life, the Washington Post published Sunday a disturbing account of how the Democratic candidate for Congress in a northwest Georgia district faced threats of violence from supporters of his Republican opponent, a candidate who openly embraced QAnon. No one in the state or national Democratic Party lifted a finger in his defense, and he abandoned his candidacy and fled the state.

In the case of Michigan, there is ample evidence that those who plotted to kidnap and kill Governor Whitmer had support from officials in the state Republican Party and connections with political operatives directly linked to the Trump White House. And according to the state attorney general, this plot is just the tip of the iceberg, and many other Democratic governors were targeted by similar groups of conspirators.

Neither the media nor the Democratic Party has pointed to the connection between the violent plot against Whitmer and the planned attacks on the right to vote in the 2020 election. But remarkably, when the Michigan secretary of state announced a ban on openly carrying firearms within 100 feet of polling places or locations where absentee ballots are counted, Michigan Republican officials immediately denounced the restriction and said they would file suit to assert the Second Amendment rights of pro-Trump thugs who wish to threaten voters in heavily Democratic precincts.

The Socialist Equality Party denounces the threats of violence against Governor Whitmer and other Democratic Party officials. We oppose the politics of the Democratic Party and of Whitmer herself, but we are not indifferent to the threats of violence against an elected governor who received more than 2.2 million votes in November 2018.

There is a tremendous danger of fascist and state violence directed from the highest levels. Only last week, it was revealed that anti-fascist activist Michael Reinoehl was riddled with bullets by a police death squad, which gave him no warning and gunned him down as he was entering his car in an apartment parking lot in Washington state. The police were acting as part of a US Marshals task force under direct orders from Trump and his attorney general, William Barr.

The drive towards dictatorship and fascist violence arises out of the staggering social contradictions in America: the yawning social gulf between the super-rich and the rest of the population, exacerbated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The response of the ruling class is war abroad and repression at home. The Democratic Party cannot oppose this trend because its own policies are determined by the same class interests.

The only way that this danger can be fought is through millions of working people and young people breaking with the Democratic Party and creating a genuine mass socialist movement that unites the entire working class. The anti-socialist hysteria of Trump and his fascist partisans is a response to the growth of working class militancy, expressed currently in the resistance of workers to being forced back to unsafe workplaces and the opposition of young people to the equally deadly back-to-school drive.

The incitements to violence and fascist attacks will not go away regardless of the outcome of the election. On the contrary, if Trump is ousted in the November 3 voteand if he is forced to accept the result of that votehe and his forces will only intensify their efforts. And as the comments of Pelosi and Biden demonstrate, a Biden administration would be far more concerned about working class resistance to the right-wing policies of the Democrats than about the fascist threat.

This reality underscores the significance of the campaign of the Socialist Equality Party in the 2020 elections. With two weeks to go before the election, we renew our call on workers and youth to support our candidates, Joseph Kishore for president and Norissa Santa Cruz for vice president, to vote for them in states where this is possible, and write in their names in all other states.

But the central question is the preparation for the crisis conditions that will follow the elections, whatever their outcome. The working class must build a mass independent political movement fighting for socialist policies and against all the parties and apologists for the capitalist ruling elite and the profit system. This means joining and building the SEP and our youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality.
KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate is conducting multiple raids at various places in West Bengal's Asansol and adjacent areas in connection with its ongoing probe into the coal scam and cattle smuggling cases on Friday.

According to reports, the central agency conducted raids in various location of West Bengal, including Kolkata`s Princep Street and adjacent areas in connection with its ongoing probe into an illegal coal mining case.

The ED is investigating the money laundering aspect in connection with the coal mining case, they said. Earlier, the central agency sleuths had conducted a raid in the house of the close aide of Anup Majhi alias Lala`s, who is said to be the mastermind of coal mine cases.

On the other hand, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has been also conducting another raid separately in various places including Asansol over the coal scam issue.

CBI earlier also had issued Look Out Notice against Anup Majhi who is said to be involved in the said coal mining case but he is still absconding since November last year.

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Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

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Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

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Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

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Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

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Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

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Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

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New Delhi: The late legendary Indian actor Irrfan Khan's son Babil often shares notes or unseen rare pictures of his father on social media. Babil, who is an avid Instagrammer, recently shared that he saw his late dad in his dreams.

The emotional and heart-wrenching caption of his post reads: For in my dreams, I have no knowledge of your desertion. In my dreams today, you told me you were about to leave me and you held me for so long. Imagine the fact that I just woke up cause my phone rang for yet another offer to act, for yet another film. Now what sense does all this make without you Baba? Id rather keep dreaming. (Tears make it hard to type, someone invent a phone for people that cry a lot plis)

Late actor Irrfan Khan died on April 29, 2020. He was admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Hospital due to a colon infection a day prior to his untimely demise.

The actor par-excellence battled a rare form of cancer - Neuroendocrine Tumour - for which he had undergone treatment for it in London. He first informed about his illness on social media sending fans into a state of shock.

We miss you Irrfan!
Katima Mulilo  The jobs of about 400 workers went up in smoke after a huge fire razed the Katima Mulilo Shoprite shopping complex yesterday morning, destroying property worth millions.

At least six outlets, including Shoprite, Pep Store, Clicks and Hungry Lion were destroyed in the fire. It is suspected that the fire started in the morning around 04h00 and although the town council's fire brigade was quick to respond to the incident, they could not extinguish the fire as their truck was itself nearly engulfed in flames after allegedly being hit by flying objects from the burning property.

Town CEO Raphael Liswaniso, who was one of the first people to arrive on the scene, said the fire started inside Shoprite, before it extended to other outlets. Liswaniso suspects a short circuit may have caused the fire.

The town in fact experienced a power outage around 03h00, which was restored moments before 04h00.

"The fire started from the back of the shop. Most people suspect that it started from the bakery. If it is not a short circuit, it should be something to do with the bakery," said Liswaniso.

Liswaniso added that the fire was so huge and their small truck could not do anything to prevent the fire from spreading. He admitted that their fire brigade department was not prepared for such a huge fire, as they do not have adequate equipment.

Firefighters from Mpacha Airport and the forestry department were roped in to help put out the fire. However, despite the reinforcement, the fire spiralled out of control and nothing could be saved.

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The shortage of water at the town also worsened the situation, as firefighters were forced to fetch water from the Zambezi river.

"When we went to NamWater we found that there was no water in the reservoir. Only to learn that they have a pipe burst at the waterfront. So, the level of the reservoir was very low and we couldn't pump water at the time. We had to talk to NamWater, and they had to start another smaller pump at the river to fill the reservoir to start pumping," the CEO said.

Katima Mulilo mayor Lister Shamalaza described the incident as a great loss for the town. "We are very sorry this morning that all the buildings that were at this Shoprite complex where our people were employed have now burnt down. This was their livelihood where they used to get money at the end of the month to assist their families," he said. One of the owners of the Shoprite complex from Coimbra group declined to comment. "I have no comment, I don't know what to say. The solar system alone is valued at N$4 million," he said briefly.

Zambezi region crime investigations coordinator Deputy Commissioner Evans Simasiku said the cause of the fire was not yet established.

"Investigations will still continue. We are going to open a case of arson, which will involve a forensic investigation. We want to establish what really caused the fire. Where did the fire start? Was it from outside or from inside? But what I would like to say is, if this satanic work which was done here, was done by a human being purposely, if found will be brought to book," said Simasiku.
It must have seemed like a fresh concept back when Florian Zeller's play The Father hit Broadway in 2016, in a Manhattan Theatre Club production that earned Frank Langella a Tony Award. Instead of simply observing the effects of an elderly man's dementia on the world around him, Zeller went a step further and turned the main character's headspace into a puzzle box, blurring fantasy and reality in ways that theoretically hewed to the manner in which dementia patients process the world around them. However, in subsequent plays  The Mother and The Height of the Storm have been produced in New York since then  Zeller has applied a similarly gimmicky approach to mental illness to diminishing returns.

Now, Zeller has brought The Father to the screen in an adaptation he directed and co-wrote with Christopher Hampton, starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman. It's one thing for Zeller to attempt this kind of narrative game-playing onstage, where arguably his only peer in that regard is Harold Pinter. By bringing his vision to the cinematic medium, however, he is now competing with the likes of legendary French filmmaker Alain Resnais and, more recently, Christopher Nolan when it comes to exploring the outer limits of perception and reality through temporal instability and scrambled chronologies. One look at, say, Resnais's still-challenging landmark 1959 romance Hiroshima Mon Amour, and Zeller's idea of structural provocation can't help but seem too literal-minded by comparison.

The patriarch of the title is Andre (Hopkins), and over the course of the film, we gradually get a sense that his mind is deteriorating. He keeps losing his keys and accusing nurses of stealing them. He claims he was a tap dancer in his younger days, while his long-suffering daughter Anne (Colman) states for the record that he was an engineer. He frequently brings up another daughter, Elise, never seen, wondering why she doesn't visit him anymore. He often misidentifies people, places, and things. All of this is revealed in the manner of a mystery, with each scene providing new clues into the reality of Andre's situation  an unexpected object here, a tossed-off line of dialogue there  until the final scene strips all the illusions away and lays everything bare.

Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman star in The Father

( Sean Gleason)

As involving as it may be in the moment to piece this psychological puzzle together, there's something overly tidy about the way Zeller lays out these crumbs, to the point where the cleverness of Zeller's writing threatens to overwhelm the emotions it's meant to evoke. It doesn't help that we ultimately don't get a particularly deep impression of these people. At times, one gets the sense that Andre may have been difficult to deal with even before dementia set in, especially when he outright states his preference of the aforementioned absent daughter Elise over Anne. Otherwise, though, rarely does he come off as anything other than an object of pity. Anne isn't given much dimension either. She's just another planet orbiting Andre's solar system of mental decline and medical need.

It's a good thing that Zeller has not only attracted great actors to handle his material, but that he has directed them well enough to allow pathos to shine through even amid his showiest narrative tricks. Colman gives full weight to Anne's ambivalent feelings, torn between devotion to her father and a desire to live her own life. Rufus Sewell manages a similarly tricky balancing act as Anne's boyfriend, Paul, struggling to tamp down the frustration he feels at the familial situation he's been thrust into. (If anything, Zeller has made Paul more sympathetic in the film than he was in the play.) By comparison, Imogen Poots, as prospective new nurse Laura, exudes the patience of a saint in Andre's alternately charming and ornery presence, as does Olivia Williams as a mysterious woman, with Mark Gatiss coming off as Williams's smarmy opposite as a mysterious man.

Naturally, though, this is Anthony Hopkins's show. Whereas Frank Langella was lordly as Andre, Hopkins is subtle, with a refined authority, befitting the camera's intensified intimacy. As a result, his occasional blank expressions  captured in painful close-ups by cinematographer Ben Smithard  have the power to break your heart, as does a climactic moment when he seems to revert to a childlike state. Even at Zeller's most structurally precious, Hopkins's performance explodes onscreen with the power of grim, unsparing truth.
KYIV -- Ukraine has announced a fresh set of sanctions against 10 individuals close to ousted pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych, the latest in a series of moves by incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskiys administration against actors with ties to Russia.

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council on February 26 announced sanctions against former Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko, former Security Service Chief Oleksandr Yakymenko, and eight other individuals.

Zakharchenko was accused of unleashing deadly force against anti-government protesters in Kyiv in 2014. He later fled to Russia, as did Yakymenko and Yanukovych.

The sanctions freeze any assets, such as bank accounts, the men have inside Ukraine.

Zelenskiys administration has now announced three rounds of sanctions this month alone against individuals, including lawmakers, with close ties to Russia.

The moves come after a sharp drop in Zelenskiys popularity and as he seeks to build strong relations with the new administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.

Eugene Majda, a political analyst at the Ukrainian Institute of Politics in Kyiv, told RFE/RL the latest round of sanctions was aimed at pleasing voters as it will have little impact on the country since none of the individuals are in a position of power and some have fled.

The Security and Defense Council on February 19 announced sanctions against tycoon and political heavyweight Viktor Medvedchuk, his wife Oksana Marchenko, as well as several individuals and companies connected to him.

Medvedchuk is the chairman of the political council for the second-largest party in the Ukrainian parliament after Zelenskiys Servant of the People.

Medvedchuks Opposition Platform-For Life party has its base in Ukraines eastern provinces and advocates a pro-Russia policy. He has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Crackdown On TV Stations

Earlier in the month, Zelenskiys administration sanctioned Taras Kozak, a close associate of Medvedchuk, and three television stations that he owns.

Zelenskiys administration justified the sanctions on the grounds of combatting terrorism financing, claiming the stations receive money from mining activities in regions of Ukraine not controlled by the central government.

Russia-backed separatists in 2014 took control of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine after Yanukovych fled. Kyiv continues to battle the separatists in a low-intensity war that has killed more than 13,000 people.

Zelenskiys administration justified the sanctions, claiming the stations receive money from mining activities in regions of Ukraine not controlled by the central government.

Russia is backing separatists in parts of two regions in eastern Ukraine that Kyiv is seeking to re-exert control over. The war, now heading into its eighth year, has killed more than 13,000 people.

Ukrainian media claim the stations are actually owned by Medvedchuk, who uses them to promote his pro-Russia agenda and slam Zelenskiys leadership.

Zelenskiy has obviously realized that pro-Russian television stations and politicians are causing a significant influence on his rating, Majda said of the sanctioned stations.

A former comic with no political experience, Zelenskiy won a landslide victory in April 2019, garnering about 73 percent of the vote on promises to fight corruption and take on the tycoons who control Ukrainian politics from behind the scenes.

However, Zelenskiy has failed to make significant progress to date, leading to a sharp decline in his ratings to around 25 percent. Servant of the People stands at just 22 percent versus 17 percent for Medvedchuks Opposition Platform-For Life.

On January 27, Oleksandr Danylyuk, Zelenskiy's former national-security chief, described his government as very weak.

Mykhailo Minakov, the Kennan Institute's senior adviser on Ukraine, told RFE/RL on February 24 the moves to impose sanctions on Medvedchuk and others was driven by Zelenskiys desire to boost his ratings and that it appeared to be working.

His risky moves have generated him support and his approval rating is back to growth and this is very important for him, Minakov said.

It has also won him praise from the United States, another key constituent for the Ukrainian president.

The United States is Ukraines biggest backer in its standoff with Russia and drive to reform its economy and government. However, relations were strained during the term of former President Donald Trump.

Zelenskiy is keen to revive the bilateral relationship under the new Biden administration.

Zelenskiy's moves to impose sanctions -- and arrest former bank officials tied to one of the nations biggest corruption sandals -- coincided with the start of the new U.S. administration.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has welcomed the sanctions against the television stations and Medvedchuk, whom Washington sanctioned in 2014 for undermining democracy in Ukraine.
The Biden administration is detaining more than 700 unaccompanied migrant children in custody at the U.S.-Mexico border. The move caused criticisms from various groups.

An internal Customs and Border Protection memo shows that most of the children remained in the custody of the Border Patrol after awaiting transfers to shelters being managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to The Federalist report.

In addition, at least 200 of the kids were held for at least two days, while the document showed that at least nine children were detained for longer than 72 hours, which is a direct violation of federal law.

Read more: Mexico Stops Holding Migrant Children in Detention Centers

Migrant Children Detained

Around 400 unaccompanied minors have already been referred to HHS shelters, which is a significant increase since the 2019 border crisis when the 30-day referral average was just under 300 children.

As the administration receives criticisms from various groups and people, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that some migrant children have been detained for a minimum of four days.

The press secretary then downplayed the longer-than-allowed holding periods, citing the snowstorm and cold weather experienced in Texas last week.

She added that transfers were delayed as some shelters did not have power and were not in a place where they had the capacity to take in the children.

"We have a couple of options: We can send them back home. ... We can quickly transfer them from CPB to these HHS-run facilities. ... We can put them with families and sponsors without any vetting," Psaki was quoted in a report.

An HHS official said that the capacity of these detention facilities is at 92 percent capacity. The agency added that the first teens arrived at Carrizo Springs, Texas, which was converted two years ago into a holding facility under former president Donald Trump, which has been closed since July 2019.

Some have accused President Biden of moving to detail children in "cages," according to an ABC 7 report.

HHS on Wednesday authorized operators of long-term facilities to pay for some of the children's flights and transportation to the homes of their sponsors.

Sponsors can be charged for the flights and required to pay before the government releases the children, according to HHS' current guidelines. In addition, these costs can sometimes exceed $1,000 per child.

Difference from Trump Administration's Policy

During his campaign, President Joe Biden promised to apply immigration reforms on certain policies, including detaining migrants in holding facilities.

The difference of what the Biden administration is doing from the Trump administration is that the previous admin pursued a "zero-tolerance" policy of prosecuting adults for the illegal entry that had the effect of more migrant children being separated from their families, according to a Washington Examiner report.

Cris Ramon, an immigration policy analyst, said that intention matters.

"Anybody who's saying that this is the same as Trump really aren't paying attention to the intentionality," Ramon was quoted in a report.

Meanwhile, Naureen Shah, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement that they recognize the current administration's efforts to process migrant children, adding that it is critical that it does not repeat the mistakes of the previous administration.

Also read: Largest Contract: $1.3 Billion for US-Mexico Border Wall Awarded
Prior to the emergence of new mutants of the coronavirus, such as the British variant B.1.1.7, the SARS-CoV-2 variant named D614G had already mutated from the original SARS-CoV-2 pathogen that triggered the pandemic. D614G has rapidly spread to become the most abundant variant worldwide and this D614G mutation remains in all the new emerging variants. An international team including researchers from Bern has now been able to demonstrate in both the laboratory and in animal models why the D614G variant was able to gain the upper hand over the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. "Our approach also allows us to characterize emerging mutations such as the British variant B.1.1.7 better and quicker," says Volker Thiel of the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), one of the four lead authors of the study. The findings are extremely important for assessing the risk of new mutants running rampant, as they show how a fitness advantage of virus variants can lead to higher transmission. First results were released earlier allowing for scientific discussion on what is known as a preprint server. The results of the study have now been published in full in Nature.

The D614G variant carries a mutation in the spike protein that makes it easier for the virus to dock onto human cells. The researchers at IVI and in David E. Wentworth's laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (USA) first demonstrated in human cell cultures from the upper respiratory tract, as well as from the nose, that the D614G variant binds more strongly and also replicates faster than the original virus. The increased replication of the D614G variant was also confirmed in vivo, in a new mouse model first described in this study. These experiments were also carried out at the IVI in Charaf Benarafa's group.

The new mutation clearly prevails

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 viruses can be studied better in other animals rather than mice. Hamsters and ferrets are well established in infection research and are especially suitable animal models. To compare the two variants, a mixture of equal parts of the original version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the D614G variant was applied into the nose of each animal under light anesthesia. After one day, experimentally infected animals were rehoused with another healthy sentinel animal of the same species, to evaluate the transmission of the two variants in direct competition with each other. The experiment was repeated with six pairs of animals in total. In virtually all sentinel animals, the proportion of transmitted SARS-CoV-2 viruses was massively dominated by the D614G variant early on. The differentiation of the variants was carried out using the latest sequencing technology and PCR techniques by Martin Beer's team at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, in Greifswald-Insel Riems (D). "Our study stands out because we were able to clearly discern the more efficient transmission of the mutated variant in direct comparison with the original variant," says Volker Thiel.

A fitness test for further mutations

This approach can even be used to test any single mutation or a specific combination of mutations that are present in a number of currently circulating viral variants. The IVI relies on a cloning technique developed in Bern a year ago, in which SARS-CoV-2 viruses can be exactly reproduced in the laboratory. The British virus, for example, is known to have not just one but often more than 14 mutations, eight of which occur in the spike protein. Thus, with the help of the cloning technique, any number of mutations of variants can be reproduced and used to compete against each other in the established cell cultures and animal models. The results show how single mutations affect the fitness and transmissibility of new variants. "Our testing strategy allows us to rapidly examine why other, newly emerging virus variants have become established," says Volker Thiel.

Similar research projects on infectious pathogens could also be carried out in the future at the newly established Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases and Immunity (MCIDI) at the University of Bern.

###

The study was financially supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation SNF, the European Commission, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH) / Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Pictures of a high school band in Washington state rehearsing in 'bubble' tents due to the coronavirus pandemic has sparked debate on social media.

Students at the recently reopened Wenatchee High School were pictured in the band room zipped into bright green tents as an inventive way to keep them social distance while playing.

However photos of the students crammed into the small enclosures with their instruments has sparked debate online with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene leading critics tweeting that it was 'child abuse'.

Pictured from left Emma Banker, Jessi McIrvin, and Valerie Sanchez record vocals in pop-up tents during choir class at Wenatchee High School on February 26, 2021 in Wenatchee, Washington. The school has been using pop-up tents as COVID-19 enclosures for its music programs as students return to classrooms

Some people on social media compared the bright green tent bubbles to the large egg seen in the movie Alien

Pop-up tents are seen in an auditorium at Wenatchee High School in Wenatchee, Washington

The school returned to hybrid learning on January 26 and the band has been forced to adapt to new health and safety restrictions with the tents - and by allowing only half of the group to practice at any one time.

Congresswoman Greene tweeted: 'End this nonsense, America!' wrote the congresswoman, who has been a vocal critic of coronavirus restrictions.

'This is not normal,' slammed one Twitter user James Melville.

'This high school band practice in Washington is making me lose it,' joked another named Joshua Potash.

Some went as far as to compare the bright green tent bubbles to the large egg seen in the movie Alien.

Even Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene waded into the debate about the band's tents

Some social media users claimed that it was 'not normal' as the debate continued

Yet despite the controversy over the pictures of the band, school officials have reported that the students are happy to be back and the safety restrictions are working well.

'It is amazing the level of energy in the building, having adults interacting with kids but also the conversations of adults to adults,' Wenatchee principal Eric Anderson told Wenatchee World.

'You get kids back in the building, you get a lot of smiles even with masks on. You can tell people are happy,' he added, claiming that being back in schools is much better for the children from an emotional standpoint.

Wenatchee senior Alexandra Provo de las Heras said that she was 'excited to be back in the building with friends and around teachers.'

'It's so much easier to being in the classroom than being in Zoom,' she added.

Faith Colman disinfects her pop-up tent at the end of choir class at Wenatchee High School

Choir director Dawn McCormick (R) leads students as they record vocals in pop-up tents during choir class at Wenatchee High School

Pictured from left, choir director Dawn McCorkmick and students Emma Banker, Jessi McIrvin, and Valerie Sanchez prepare pop-up tents during choir class at Wenatchee High School on February 26, 2021 in Wenatchee, Washington. The school has been using pop-up tents as COVID-19 enclosures for its music programs as students return to classrooms

Clay Lancaster poses with a tenor saxophone in his pop-up tent during wind ensemble class at Wenatchee High School in Wenatchee, Washington. The school has been using pop-up tents as COVID-19 enclosures for its music programs as students return to classrooms

The school is currently working on a hybrid am/pm system.

All students are taught remotely on Mondays but throughout the rest of the week, they attend in-person classes either in the morning or in the afternoon.

'I think that has been critical, in my mind, because you have now four days a week where they are seeing a teacher and interacting with some friends. Granted they only have 5 minutes between class periods, so they don't have a ton of time to chat,' Anderson explained.

'Some kids will get here early so they have time to talk to their friends.'

He said that the classes have been changed to only 35 minutes in length but that teachers are adapting and that the grab-and-go lunch system the school has established is also working well.

'That and getting into that groove of what are we doing in-person and what are we asking kids to do as an extension of learning when they are not with us,' Anderson continued.

'That has been working out well. The grab-and-go lunches could not be working out better. We really have an environment in this building where there is never a reason where a kid has to take their mask off.'

The principal claimed that he would also be hesitant to suggest that the students lost out on learning during the pandemic.

'Even in remote learning, their questions would be different. I will give our students and staff credit. They have worked extremely hard through this process,' Anderson said.

'They have learned a lot, but they have learned a lot differently than they have learned in the past.'

Twitter users joked about the bright green tents being used by the band, as pictured

Choir director Dawn McCormick leads students as they record vocals in pop-up tents during choir class at Wenatchee High School

Keyonna Page-Green (L) and other students prepare a pop-up tent during choir class at Wenatchee High School

From the start of the year, Washington school districts have been allowed to begin reopening across all grades if their area is averaging fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents

While others joked, 'When the kids revolt and kill us all, we deserved it.'

'There I was, trapped in a tiny green tent with a sousaphone, and all I could think was not again,' wrote user Ben Domenech.

'From here out whenever I try to describe how stress feels to me, I'm going to just share a photo of that sousaphone player,' added @NMercad as he shared the photos.

From the start of the year, Washington school districts have been allowed to begin reopening across all grades if their area is averaging fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents.

According to the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 28.3 percent of students are now back in schools on any given day across all grades.

Wenatchee High School returned to hybrid learning on January 26. It is using an am/pm system with students coming to school in the morning or in the afternoon from Tuesday to Friday

Only 17 percent of high school students are back in schools on average on any given day.

At least 33.1 percent of the state's students are now in schools at least once a week.

This is higher among elementary school students, where 41.8 percent are in-person at least once a week. It drops to 21.8 percent for high school students.

A report last week from Washington State Department of Health found that there had been 'fairly low' transmission of COVID-19 in Washington schools since August.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control also issued new guidance that there is strong evidence in-person learning can be done safely and emphasized measures like hand washing, disinfection, diagnostic testing and contact tracing.

It added that vaccination of teachers is important but not a prerequisite for reopening schools.

This is not the first time that 'bubbles' have been tested out by musicians.

In January rock band The Flaming Lips also placed musicians and audience members inside giant inflatable bubbles for two gigs.

There was no spike in cases after the event, but health experts have claimed more testing is needed.
With power generators knocked offline and outages rolling across Texas on Feb. 15, wholesale electricity markets in Texas presented a puzzle. Power was trading between $1,000 and $2,000 per megawatt-hour, a very high price, but not one that reflected the severe power shortages crippling the state.

That evening, the Public Utility Commission stepped in, ordering the states grid manager, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, to declare a level three emergency and push wholesale prices to the maximum allowed, $9,000 per megawatt-hour, where they stayed for much of the next few days.

That move, however, has proved controversial, particularly among retail power companies that were forced to buy electricity at the astronomical rates  about 300 times the typical $25 to $30 per megawatt-hour  and pushed toward insolvency. Just Energy blamed artificially set prices that contributed to an estimated $250 million in losses, diminished its cash and raised questions of whether it can stay in business.

Griddy, whose customers pay wholesale prices and face power bills in the thousands of dollars, has accused the PUC of market manipulation.

Industry analysts and energy economists, however, say the PUC was justified in pushing prices to the limit as regulators sought every incentive to get generators online and producing power. Experts add that retail power companies finding themselves in trouble share the blame. Its likely that they relied too heavily on spot markets and did not secure enough power for customers through long-term contracts, a risk management strategy known as hedging.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Days ahead of Texas blackouts warning signs were there

It probably appeared cheaper to buy on the spot market to these retailers, which did not anticipate the high demand and soaring prices of last week, said Peter Hartley, a faculty scholar at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy.

They could have signed long-term contracts that would have protected them against those prices, Hartley said. But (generally), with a long-term contract, youll pay a larger average price.

ERCOT and the PUC likely were using any incentive they could to keep power flowing through the grid, said Adam Sinn, president of the electricity trading company Aspire Commodities.

ERCOT was worried because the grid had just suffered blacking out, Sinn said. The grid operators were nervous and did everything they could to prevent that from reoccurring. They were looking out for the best interest of restoring generation capacity to Texas.

Sinn, however, said the emergency order was kept in place too long. It could have been lifted last Thursday around midday, he said, as moderating temperatures lowered demand and more generation returned, instead of waiting until Friday.

Sinn, who owns small power generators, said he earned about $400,000 during that period, which he donated to charity.

In testimony before the Legislature on Thursday, the chair of the Public Utility Commission, DeAnn Walker, said state officials should review whether prices should be kept at $9,000 for extended periods during such emergencies. She conceded that pricing strategy did not work because power supplies remained short and outages lasted for days.

But she defended the PUCs move to lift prices to the state cap as necessary to ensure that all available generation was up, running and selling into the market. In a statement, the PUC said, These peak prices are paid by wholesale buyers that have failed to purchase power in advance to hedge risk exposure for their customers. They are also paid by generators who do not generate power that they have committed to provide. This acts as a penalty for generators who fail to show up when needed.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Blackouts, soaring prices cost retail power company $250 million

ERCOT estimates that retail power companies and other buyers ran up bills totaling about $20 billion over two days, the grid managers CEO, Bill Magness, told lawmakers Thursday. Some companies may not be able to pay those bills and could end up in bankruptcy.

Ed Hirs, an energy fellow in the economics department at the University of Houston, said the costs of the power crisis and who pays them will become controversial.

All the guys that won big will insist on collecting, Hirs said. And those who lost big are going to scream foul.

becca.carballo@chron.com
SMITHFIELD, Va., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is dispatching a truck carrying nearly 40,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to aid disaster-relief efforts in the wake of a devastating EF-3 tornado that touched down in Brunswick County late last Monday. The natural disaster claimed at least three lives and injured several more, destroyed dozens of homes and left thousands without power amid winter storm conditions.

Smithfield's donation is enough to feed nearly 160,000 people and is facilitated through the company's signature hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes, which donates nutritious protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts and education and community outreach programs year-round.

"Our thoughts are with the North Carolinians impacted by this horrific weather event," said Jonathan Toms, charitable initiatives manager at Smithfield Foods. "We are grateful to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, as well as state emergency personnel, frontline responders and all assisting the community in its recovery."

To join Smithfield's ongoing support of Feeding America, visit: www.smithfieldfoods.com/goodfoodchallenge.

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. Our 40,000 U.S. team members and 14,000 European employees are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." and have made us one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including many industry firsts, such as our ambitious commitment to cut our carbon impact by 25 percent by 2025. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our neighbors in need. 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.

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An immunocompromised San Francisco Catholic school teacher was allegedly fired by the school for wanting to extend her medical leave and not immediately returning to mandatory in-person instruction.

Robin Rockey, a second grade teacher at St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School in Bernal Heights, separated from the school in February after more than 20 years of teaching.

According to a Change.org petition posted by a former student, Alma Busch, an email sent to parents by the school's principal, Barbara Moodie, suggested that the much-loved teacher left of her own accord.

But the San Francisco Examiner, which first reported on Rockey, found that she was allegedly fired Feb. 8 for wanting an extension for her three-month medical leave suggested by her doctor.

Busch's mother, Shirley, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.

One parent of a former St. Anthony's student told the Examiner: "When you think of St. Anthonys, you think of her. She brings so much joy to children. Its hard to see a teacher suffering during these hard times when it wasnt something she did with ill intent.

Perhaps the greatest frustration expressed in the petition is that Rockey is slated to get the COVID-19 vaccine within the next week or two, easing the transition to in-person learning. San Francisco teachers became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this week.

"Thats right, teachers will be eligible in the next tier but it doesnt matter for Ms. Rockey," the petition reads. "[W]hile she will still get the vaccine, it wont be to return to work because her livelihood has been ripped out from under her in the blink of an eye."

Private schools have re-opened earlier than the city's public schools, which has led City Attorney Dennis Herrera to file a lawsuit against the schools. The suit cites private and parochial schools' reopening as a factor.

While the school district finally reached an agreement with its teachers and staffers, the schools did not immediately announce a date for return.

St. Anthony's did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.
An electrical substation is seen after winter weather caused electricity blackouts in Houston, Texas on Feb. 20, 2021. (Go Nakamura/File Photo via Reuters)

Texas Power Retailer Hit With $1Billion Class Action Suit Claiming Price Gouging After Soaring Bills

A Texas resident has filed a class action lawsuit seeking over $1 billion against power retailer Griddy Energy LLC, alleging the wholesale company of engaging in price gouging and unlawfully charging thousands of dollars.

Lisa Khoury of Chambers County claims she was charged with an excessive electricity bill during a deadly winter storm that knocked many power supply facilities offline, according to a petition (pdf) filed with the Harris County District Court.

Attorneys representing Khoury said in the suit the utility customers bill for the period of Feb. 119 spiked to a total of $9,546. Her monthly bill normally averages between $200 and $250 and she usually keeps a $150 balance in her account to pay the bills.

Khoury said she tried to reach the company repeatedly after the retailer automatically withdrew eight times the amount of $150 from her bank account between the period of Feb. 1318, totaling $1,200.

Griddy never answered Khourys concerns, the plaintiff states. She eventually blocked her bank account on Feb. 18 to prevent further charges, but now she still owes the utility company thousands of dollars.

Griddy charged Khoury in the middle of a disaster, the suit noted, adding that she and her husband were mostly without power in their home between Feb. 17 and Feb. 18.

At the same time, Khoury hosted her parents and in-laws, who are in their 80s, during the storm, it explains. Even then, she continued to minimize any power usage because of the high prices.

During the power outages in Texas last week, wholesale prices soared to a maximum of $9,000 per megawatt/hour compared to the pre-storm rate of $50 per megawatt-hour.

Griddy, which launched in 2017, charges $10 a month to give people a way to pay wholesale prices for electricity instead of a fixed rate. It warned customers of rising prices and urged them to switch providers. The company said wholesale prices returned to normal as of Feb. 20.

The company has since released a statement on its website, explaining the company always takes transparency as their goal and provided an explanation on whats been going down with the recent outrageous electricity bills. The company also vowed to fight the prices.

At Griddy, transparency has always been our goal. We know you are angry and so are we. Pissed, in fact. Heres whats been going down: https://t.co/6rShCYfJGu@PUCTX @ERCOT_ISO pic.twitter.com/mj43p8kG4C  Griddy (@GoGriddy) February 19, 2021

The PUCT [Public Utility Commission of Texas] left the directive in place and continued to force prices to $9/kWh, approximately 300x higher than the normal wholesale price, the statement reads.

For a home that uses 2,000 kWh per month, prices at $9/kWh work out to over $640 per day in energy charges, it continues. By comparison, that same household would typically pay $2 per day.

Besides Khoury, there are likely thousands of other utility customers charged with costly electricity bills. A man living in Arlington was shocked after he was charged more than $17,000 from Griddy over a period of just five days, Fox News reported.

State lawmakers on Thursday started digging into the causes of the deadly power blackouts that left millions shivering in the dark as frigid temperatures caught its grid operator and utilities ill-prepared for a skyrocketing power demand.

Power lines are shown in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 16, 2021. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

Hearings are highlighting shortcomings by grid planners, electric utilities, natural gas suppliers, and transmission operators that led to billions of dollars in damages and dozens of deaths. Consumer advocates have called for more stringent regulation of utilities and a review of retail marketing plans.

Whos at fault? State Representative Todd Hunter demanded of utility executives. I want to hear whos at fault. I want the public to know who screwed up.

The entire energy sector failed Texas, said NRG Energy Inc Chief Executive Mauricio Gutierrez, who testified at the hearing.

While executives said there were broad failures of leadership and preparation, the biggest was the states natural gas system, responsible for the largest share of Texas power generation, said Curtis Morgan, CEO of Vistra Corp. Texas is the countrys biggest producer of natural gas, but without better ties between gas producers, pipelines, and power plants, the state will face future cold weather outages.

We just couldnt get the gas at the pressures we needed, said Morgan, who instructed employees to buy gas at any price but could not acquire enough to run plants.

Up to 48 percent of the states power generation was offline at times last week and at least 32 people died, including an 11-year-old boy of hypothermia in an unheated mobile home.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Loading Robert Walters, who owns Place of Changing Winds vineyard near Mount Macedon, hired a lawyer in the hope of halting the controlled burns and will investigate further action if his crop is damaged. One of the controlled burns set to go ahead in the next 10 days will take place about three kilometres from his vineyard. He is concerned the departments actions will impact long-term investment in the region, which is renowned for its pinot noir and chardonnay. No one is going to invest the millions of dollars it takes to establish vineyards if there is the risk of smoke taint every year due to controlled burns, he said.

Mr Walters, who has owned his vineyard for 10 years, said the timing of the burns had only become a problem in recent years, and they previously occurred less frequently and at different times of the year. He said the situation had made wine growers incredibly stressed as they approached harvest. We are hoping for no weather disasters and this type of pressure is sending people over the edge. People arent sleeping. Attwoods Wines owner Troy Walsh said so many elements of winemaking were already out of his control, which made the controlled burns hard to take.

Loading As a winemaker you have the risk of frosts and other weather events, but when its something we can control that can affect us, thats hard to take. Smoke taint involves compounds from smoke penetrating grape skins, which can lead to an unpleasant, smoky taste in wine. Smoke taint from the 2019-20 bushfires caused about $120 million of damage to wineries in north-east Victoria and also devastated vineyards in the Hunter Valley and Adelaide Hills regions, with many winemakers destroying their fruit. Forest Fire Management Victoria acting chief fire officer Allyson Lardner said the strategic burn would protect local communities around the Wombat Forest area and reduce the risk of bushfire.

Current conditions make this an ideal time for the burn, she said, pointing out that the area didnt burn as efficiently and effectively as it became damp ahead of winter. We have been in ongoing communication with those who are managing vineyards in the region. We are confident the current weather and wind conditions are suitable to minimise any possible impacts on growers. DELWP officers burn a containment line along Blaze Road north of Bairnsdale in January. Credit:Justin McManus She said the agency worked to minimise the impact from smoke. Smoke from a bushfire has far greater impact on vineyards than smoke from a planned burn, she said.

La Trobe University Professor Ian Porter, who is investigating how much smoke will cause tainted fruit in a vineyard, travelled to the Macedon Ranges on Friday to rig up smoke detectors. In the past six years, his team has monitored 40 controlled burns near vineyards and so far they havent noticed any issues with smoke taint, which is generally caused by heavy, fresh smoke as opposed to haze. He said when controlled burns were conducted in still conditions, smoke dissipated into the atmosphere and steered clear of vineyards. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video There are a lot of issues involved, he said. There is bushfire safety, tourism and wine growing. Its a really hard balancing act.
A mother-of-one from New York was almost killed after a new nose piercing caused a deadly infection that destroyed her liver.

Dana Smith, 37, from Queens, spent $60 on the jewelry during a shopping trip over Thanksgiving last year, as a birthday treat to herself.

A few days later the manager at Northwell Health started to feel unwell but she put off going to the doctor believing the problem was down to stress caused by the holiday season and the pandemic.

But by January 12, Smith became unable to drink or eat and she finally went to Long Island Jewish Medical Center on January 12.

Doctors discovered that she was suffering from fulminant Hepatitis B, a rare infection that had caused her liver to fail - and she could be days from death.

Dana Smith, 37, a mother and insurance manager from Queens, New York, nearly died from Hepatitis B after her nose piercing became infected

Dana was rushed into hospital with Hepatitis B virus which destroyed her liver. She was put into a medically induced coma (pictured) to avoid seizures whilst surgeons put her on the transplant list

She later told ABC7 News: 'I was just drinking water, I couldn't hold the water down. I guess at some point I started to throw up blood.'

After being taken to North Shore University Hospital, in Manhasset, Dr Lewis Teperman, director of Northwell's Transplant Services took over her care.

He decided to put Dana into a medically induced coma in order to reduce the risks of the infection swelling her brain or causing seizures.

It was then a race against time to put her on the transplant list for a new liver.

A match was found in just 48 hours and the surgery took place on January 17.

But it wasn't until after her surgery that Dr Taperman noticed the small stud in her nose and realized that it could be the source of the infection.

Dana told New York Daily News: 'I told him it was new, its not something I had for years. My health was good otherwise. I had just gone to doctor, everything was fine prior to me getting it. That was the only thing that made sense.'

Dr Teperman added: 'This was the one unique change that had taken place in her life, this nose ring. And it's the perfect time for the virus to incubate.'

Dana returned home on January 26.

The surgeon and patients were reunited later after her recovery, where she thanked him for saving her life

Dana Smith pictured this week reuniting with Dr Lewis Teperman, the Northwell Health surgeon who saved the life of the Northwell Health manager following her infected nose piercing

Dana Smith pictured with her teenage daughter said she isn't sure how she would react to her daughter getting a nose piercing in the future

Speaking to ABC7News following her recovery she said: 'That one decision [to go to the hospital] saved my life. It's very overwhelming. Emotionally, everything, mentally.'

Doctors warned that the infection was made much more serious because Dana waited so long to seek medical attention.

Smith warned others not to avoid going to the hospital because of fears over COVID-19.

Dr Teperman said that the Hepatitis B virus is rare and causes only 5% of the country's cases of liver failure each year.

He added that he cannot be sure that Dana contracted the deadly infection at the Valley Stream, Long Island mall salon where she got the piercing, or from improper care afterwards.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 16:24:47|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Friday called on all parties concerned to respect Syrian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and avoid adding new complications to the situation in Syria.

Wang made the remarks when responded to a question on reports that the U.S. military had conducted airstrikes against an infrastructure in Syria. Enditem
Members of the Worcester School Committee on Thursday night listened to a highly detailed plan from Superintendent Maureen Binienda covering health and safety protocols for the districts hybrid learning plan.

The superintendent listed process of ensuring students are safe from the moment they get onto the bus until they leave school for the day.

Worcester students are preparing to return to school next month to start hybrid learning after just about a year of learning online only during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As voted on by the committee earlier this month, students with the highest level of needs and New Citizens Center Program students are slated to return to classrooms on March 15. Then March 29 will be the return date for all other students.

Of 24,043 total students, there are 10,609, or 44%, who plan to stay remote and 12,667, or 53%, who plan to partake in hybrid learning, Binienda explained to committee members citing data compiled earlier this month.

Worcester students with the highest level of needs and New Citizens Center Program students are slated to return to classrooms on March 15 for hybrid learning. Then March 29 will be the return date for all other students participating in the hybrid model.

For one employee who called in to the meeting, however, there is frustration that students are able to decide to stay remote when the same option is not available for all educators.

Keri Boisclair told committee members during the virtual meeting that more than 100 members of the Educational Association of Worcester have requested to work remotely because of preexisting medical conditions.

As far as we are aware, approximately half of these requests have been ignored and the other half have been outright denied, Boisclair said. As a result, many if not most of these members, will likely be taking a leave of absence because they fear for their health and safety.

Boisclair said that in some cases, the leave will be unpaid because the member is not eligible for medical leave or does not have accrued sick time.

In other words, though the district has the opportunity to organize a remote academy for the 50% of students who have not opted into the hybrid model, it is forcing teachers and staff to choose between their health and paycheck, Boisclair said.

In Massachusetts, K-12 employees are part of Phase 2 of the vaccination plan. Though Phase 2 started earlier this month, it is not yet clear when exactly educators can begin getting the vaccine. This means that Worcester educators may not be fully vaccinated before they head into school buildings for hybrid learning.

A motion made by member Tracy OConnell Novick for educators to receive precedence in the vaccination process passed unanimously.

For about 40 minutes during the school committee meeting, Binienda thoroughly explained numerous protocols about health and safety that are needed to start in-person schooling during the pandemic. She said schools will also be disseminating this information to families.

In most cases, teachers will instruct both hybrid and fully remote students at the same time. Teachers will start the day with simultaneous synchronous instruction for all students.

There will also be a model where teachers are designated for hybrid or remote students. The hybrid teacher will instruct students while they are both in-person and learning from home, while the remote teacher will focus on the students who have opted for 100% remote learning.

Students are going to be split up into cohorts to limit the number of people in a building for hybrid learning. Cohort 1 will go to class on Mondays and Tuesdays and Cohort 2 will go in on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Binienda explained. The district is working to group siblings in the same cohorts.

When back in school, students will have to wear masks and stay 6 feet apart. Particularly when eating, Binienda said, students must be 6 feet away from one another. Students and staff will also need to wash their hands frequently.

There is a plan for the day to include mask breaks, according to district documents. Students will have assigned seating to help with contract tracing, if necessary. There will be plenty of signs to direct students and staff on what direction to walk through hallways, Binienda said, to help keep buildings safe.

Binienda said the district has upgraded buildings to improve airflow and needlepoint bipolar ionization systems have been installed. Because of the ionization, windows should be closed in classrooms, the superintendent said.

Families must conduct a self-check of students health via a district health portal before kids go off to school, Binienda said.

You cant come to school sick, the superintendent said.

If there are multiple coronavirus cases at a school, Binienda said the district will work with local health officials and determine if a classroom, wing or entire building needs to be shut down.

In addition to the traditional nurses office, schools will now have a separate COVID-19 medical waiting room for students who do not feel well and have symptoms, as needed per guidelines from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. For example, if a student develops coronavirus symptoms on the school bus or during class, they will go to the COVID-19 medical waiting room until they can be picked up.

While waiting for the school bus, students must be 3 feet apart. On the bus, they need to sit in assigned seats, Binienda said. Windows on the bus must be open and everyone on the bus must be masked.

Binienda said the district has plenty of personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.

Though Worcester is just getting ready to start hybrid learning, state education officials are hoping a full return to school will be possible for some students this spring.

This week, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said he wants to start looking at taking hybrid and remote education off the table as coronavirus case counts continue to decrease statewide. Ideally, the state wants elementary school students learning in person five days a week this April, Riley said, with older students returning to classrooms for traditional learning at a later date.

Novick made a motion that members request legal counsel, both our own legal counsel and also to formally request [Massachusetts Association of School Committees] MASCs legal counsel, regarding the legal authority of the commissioner to decide effectively who is going into what buildings when and also to explore what consequences are actually available to the commissioner under his authorities regarding a district that disregards regulation.

The motion passed unanimously.

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SBC pastor in NYC calls for repudiation of report finding ERLC a threat to funding

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NEW YORK  Stephen Stallard, leader of the Mosaic Church, a small multicultural Southern Baptist congregation in Brooklyn, called on the SBCs Executive Committee Tuesday to repudiate a new report from a task force which found that the Russell Moore-led Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is a major threat to the funding of the $15 billion Protestant Christian organizations Cooperative Program.

If the SBC is to be a national convention instead of a regional one, I believe this report should be repudiated by the entire executive committee. Im pleading with you to make it clear that the members of my congregation who subscribe to the BFM 2000 are welcome in the convention, Stallard stated in a letter that was read during Tuesdays plenary session of the SBC Executive Committees annual meeting.

Stallard, who said his church was planted six years ago with help from the denominations North American Mission Board, represents the future of the SBC.

We are a multicultural church comprised of people from across the country and across the world. We are a young church, most of us millennials. In short, what the SBC will look like in a generation, he declared in his letter.

Moore, Stallard added, speaks for this future of the denomination and they support him.

NAMB sent my wife and I to Brooklyn to reach people who are not necessarily culturally southern or politically conservative. Those we are trying to serve are confused by some of the actions and statements of the SBC. When our members look at the SBC, they think that Russell Moore, in many ways, represents them, he said.

If the SBC is to survive, it will be because young people including people of color, decide the SBC was worth the investment. I want the SBC to survive and thrive for generations to come.  However, reports like the one just issued, distract us from the task and undermine our missionary witness in places like New York City, he continued.

If the executive committee accepts the findings of the task force, Im concerned that [the] unintended message will be received in the northeast that only a certain kind of Southern Baptist is welcome.

While a motion to defund the ERLC, which currently has an operating budget of $4.3 million, was rejected by SBC messengers nearly two years ago, members of the task force, which includes Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia, who is vying to become the next president of the SBC, painted a grim picture of the threat Moores controversial leadership poses to the Cooperative Fund.

The Cooperative Program is the SBCs unified plan of giving through which cooperating SBC churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and SBC missions and ministries.

The ERLC, along with the North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and the six Southern Baptist seminaries in America  Southern, Southeastern, Midwestern, Southwestern, Golden Gate, and New Orleans, all receive varying levels of funding from the SBCs Cooperative Program.

While much of the work of the ERLC is praised and appreciated by Southern Baptists, the ERLC is also a source of significant distraction from the Great Commission work of Southern Baptists. The leader of a large state convention reported, The ERLC has been a stumbling block not worth the mission dollar investment. The task force finds merit in this statement, members of the task force chaired by Stone wrote.

Among the concerns state executive directors of the SBC reported hearing about Moore from pastors were:

Moores open opposition of President Donald Trump; an allegation that he received funding from an organization with ties to George Soros; an Amicus brief from the ERLC in support of a New Jersey mosque; a perception that he criticizes conservative political figures more frequently and more harshly than moderate to liberal figures; his stance on immigration; his stated support of attending homosexual wedding showers and receptions; plus giving disrespectful and condescending responses to the questions of messengers. Repeatedly noted was the response given to Pastor John Wofford of Armorel Baptist Church at the 2016 annual meeting about Muslims.

Other members of the task force are SBC Executive Committee Chairman Rolland Slade, Hoyt Savage, Ron Hale, Mike Lawson, Monte Shinkle, and Cheryl Samples.

The entire task force was involved in writing this report, Stone explained at the committee meeting Tuesday. This is not my report from my task force. This is our report to you, the Executive Committee, from your task force.

Stone said while the task force did not find any evidence that the ERLC acted outside the scope of the organizations assignment, the financial losses based on its work is real.

The task force believes and it is indicated in the report that the ERLC is acting within the bounds of that ministry assignment. It was not the function of this task force and frankly is not the focus of this Executive Committee to oversee how well that task is being done. That is a matter for the board of trustees, Stone said.

You asked us to assess whether the actions of the Commission and its leadership are affecting cooperative program giving or the further advancement of the cooperative program. And based on the information that we received from our state convention partners, the answer to that question in our estimation is undeniably, yes, he continued.

Stone said that executive committee staff working with state convention partners were able to verify that the work of the ERLC under Moore resulted in a reduction to the International Mission Board of $1.5 million, a reduction to the North American Mission Board of nearly $700,000, a reduction to theological education of nearly $700,000, a reduction of nearly $100,000 to the work of the Executive Committee and nearly $4 million in losses to state convention partners.

He further noted that the report has been criticized as one sided because it does not list the names of the churches that have increased giving because of their appreciation for the work of the ERLC. The task force chairman explained that there is no verification from any of the states that responded during their data collection that "any such church exists.

That is not to say they do not exist but the responding states have no record of them, Stone said.

When contacted by The Christian Post Wednesday, Stallard said he first raised concern about the report with the SBCs New York state representative when the report was released a few weeks ago.

I reached out to our state representative and told him about some of my concerns and I also spoke to Chairman Slade. Neither of them were able to address the specifics of the report because they have agreed within the EC not to discuss it. They could listen to my concern but they were waiting until the EC meeting to weigh in, he said.

He said he was directed to write down his concerns and when he submitted his letter, officials just said thank you for your input, we will pass it along.

When asked why he believes SBC churches would withhold funds even though the ERLC was found to be working within the scope of its assignment, Stallard said he couldnt say.

That question is above my pay grade. Im a pastor of a local church. What I have to do in my church is to preach the truth whether people tithe or not. And if I preach the truth and people stop tithing, then so be it. I dont know what is going on in Southern Baptist life in general, but I know with Baptists we have a history of being people of the Bible, he said.
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Loading Robert Walters, who owns Place of Changing Winds vineyard near Mount Macedon, hired a lawyer in the hope of halting the controlled burns and will investigate further action if his crop is damaged. One of the controlled burns set to go ahead in the next 10 days will take place about three kilometres from his vineyard. He is concerned the departments actions will impact long-term investment in the region, which is renowned for its pinot noir and chardonnay. No one is going to invest the millions of dollars it takes to establish vineyards if there is the risk of smoke taint every year due to controlled burns, he said.

Mr Walters, who has owned his vineyard for 10 years, said the timing of the burns had only become a problem in recent years, and they previously occurred less frequently and at different times of the year. He said the situation had made wine growers incredibly stressed as they approached harvest. We are hoping for no weather disasters and this type of pressure is sending people over the edge. People arent sleeping. Attwoods Wines owner Troy Walsh said so many elements of winemaking were already out of his control, which made the controlled burns hard to take.

Loading As a winemaker you have the risk of frosts and other weather events, but when its something we can control that can affect us, thats hard to take. Smoke taint involves compounds from smoke penetrating grape skins, which can lead to an unpleasant, smoky taste in wine. Smoke taint from the 2019-20 bushfires caused about $120 million of damage to wineries in north-east Victoria and also devastated vineyards in the Hunter Valley and Adelaide Hills regions, with many winemakers destroying their fruit. Forest Fire Management Victoria acting chief fire officer Allyson Lardner said the strategic burn would protect local communities around the Wombat Forest area and reduce the risk of bushfire.

Current conditions make this an ideal time for the burn, she said, pointing out that the area didnt burn as efficiently and effectively as it became damp ahead of winter. We have been in ongoing communication with those who are managing vineyards in the region. We are confident the current weather and wind conditions are suitable to minimise any possible impacts on growers. DELWP officers burn a containment line along Blaze Road north of Bairnsdale in January. Credit:Justin McManus She said the agency worked to minimise the impact from smoke. Smoke from a bushfire has far greater impact on vineyards than smoke from a planned burn, she said.

La Trobe University Professor Ian Porter, who is investigating how much smoke will cause tainted fruit in a vineyard, travelled to the Macedon Ranges on Friday to rig up smoke detectors. In the past six years, his team has monitored 40 controlled burns near vineyards and so far they havent noticed any issues with smoke taint, which is generally caused by heavy, fresh smoke as opposed to haze. He said when controlled burns were conducted in still conditions, smoke dissipated into the atmosphere and steered clear of vineyards. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video There are a lot of issues involved, he said. There is bushfire safety, tourism and wine growing. Its a really hard balancing act.
Lisa Moran, Pearse View, Longford Town, Longford / Edgeworthstown, Longford



The death occurred, peacefully, in the presence of her family and in loving care of the staff of the I.C.U. Mullingar Regional Hospital, on Sunday, February 21 of Lisa Moran, Pearse View, Longford and formerly of Killsallagh, Edgeworthstown. Sadly missed by her loving partner Patrick and son James, her parents Seamus and Moira, brother Damian, sister Paula, grandmother Kathleen, Damian's partner Madeleine, Paula's partner Gary, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends and neighbours. Rest in Peace.

Lisa's funeral cortege will leave her mother's residence at Killsallagh, Edgeworthstown, at 11.40am on Friday, February 26 to arrive at St. Mary's Church, Edgeworthstown, for funeral Mass at 12 noon. Cremation afterwards in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan. Funeral Mass will be streamed live on https://churchtv.ie/edgeworthstown.html

Given the current exceptional circumstances and in accordance with government guidelines and social distancing protocols, and to protect the welfare of everyone dear to Lisa and her family, her funeral service will be restricted to family only. Those who would have liked to attend but are unable to, may leave a personal message for Lisa's family in the condolences section below.

The family appreciates your support and sympathy at this time. Donations if desired in lieu of flowers to Diabetes Ireland at https://www.diabetes.ie/

Brigid Catherine Gordon (nee Connaughton), Kilmovee, Mayo / Newtowncashel, Longford / Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon



The death occurred, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, February 7 of Brigid Catherine Gordon (nee Connaughton), Oldfield Road, London and formerly Elfeet, Newtowncashel, Co Longford. Sadly missed but remembered with love by her husband Andy, daughters Louise, Brenda and Hannah, granddaughter Evie, brothers Gerry, Pat and Fr. Vincent (Ardagh), extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. May She Rest in Peace.

Catherine will be removed from The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Monday (March 1, 2021) at 11.30am to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 12noon followed by interment in Naomh Mobhi cemetery. However, in line with Government and H.S.E advice regarding public gatherings, a small private funeral will be held. The Gordon family would ask that over the coming days, everyone who knew her would take some time to light a candle or say a prayer in her memory.

For those who would have liked to attend the Mass but cannot due to the current restrictions, Funeral Mass can be viewed here  Kilmovee Parish church webcam or via Facebook. Family flowers only, please.

The Gordon family understands and appreciates that people would like to offer their condolences, we would suggest you use the private on-line condolence page https://www.sharkeyfuneraldirectors.ie/bgordon

In keeping with HSE, NPHET and Public Health guidelines, attendance at funerals is limited. Please respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time. If you would like to pay your respects along the way, please join the static Guards of Honour as the funeral cortege makes its way. Please ensure you maintain the recommended social distancing at all times keeping to the 2-metre apart guideline.

Sue Lynch (nee Gilroy), Lacken Cross, Ballinagh, Cavan



The death occurred, peacefully at Wexford General Hospital with her three girls by her side, on Wednesday, February 24 of Sue Lynch (nee Gilroy), Lacken Cross, Ballinagh, Cavan. Beloved wife of the late Mel and loving and much loved mother of Jackie, Sharon and Aoife. Sue will be sadly missed by her heart broken daughters, sons-in-law, Colm and John, Aoife's partner Cormac, her beloved grandchildren Eoin, Sean, Amy, Diarmuid and Liam, her brother, Sean, sisters Rose, Patricia, Bernie, Gabrielle and Geraldine, sisters-in-law, Bernadette, and Lily, her brother-in-law, P.J. nieces,nephews and her wonderful neighbours and friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Sue will arrive home to her beloved Lacken on Thursday, February 25. Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 27 at 12 noon in St. Michael's Church, Potahee, Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only please. Those who wish to leave a message for Sue's family may do so on the condolence link on RIP.ie. In keeping with government guidelines Sue Funeral Mass will be family only please. and will streamed live on https://vimeo.com/516424573

Ray Harwood, London and formerly Main Street, Ballinagh, Cavan



The death occurred, peacefully in the loving care of his Family and the staff at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, on Wednesday, February 24 of Ray Harwood, London and formerly Main Street, Ballinagh, Co Cavan. Predeceased by his beloved father Jim, brother Barry and his nephew Kevin. Will be very sadly missed by his loving Mother Esther, sisters Mar and Clare, brothers Jim and Niall, sisters-in-law Mary and Deirdre, brother-in-law John, nephews, nieces, grandnephew and grandnieces, all his family circle and many friends. May he rest in peace.

The Funeral cortege will travel via Ballinagh on Friday, February 26, turning right to Crossdoney and then continue to St Patricks Church, Drumcor arriving for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Due to Government restrictions regarding public gatherings and the real threat of Covid 19, Rays Funeral Mass will be celebrated privately with his Family of 10 people.

The Harwood Family are very grateful for your cooperation and support at this sensitive time. Please leave your personal messages on the condolence page on RIP.ie. House strictly private please.

If you wish to have a death notice published on www.longfordleader.ie you can email it to newsroom@longfordleader.ie

And if you wish to submit an obituary for publication in the Longford Leader, you can submit it along with a photograph of the deceased to newsroom@longfordleader.ie

To sign up for the FREE Longford Leader daily newsletter CLICK HERE or on the image below;
Kashmir: Bandipora police arrested on Friday arrested two Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist associates in Hajin.

Acting on specific information, the police officers along with 13 RR and 45 BN CRPF apprehended two terrorist associates of proscribed terrorist outfit LeT, in a joint operation at Bonikhan Mohalla area of Hajin town.

Also, arms and ammunition was recovered from their possession which includes two live hand grenades and eight live rounds of AK 47.

They have been identified as Gh Mohi-Ud -din Khan from Paribal Hajin and Riyaz Ahmad Bhat from Bonikhan Mohalla Hajin.

On preliminary enquiry, it was revealed that the accused were associated with terror outfit LeT and were providing shelter, logistics and other material support to active terrorists in Sumbal and Hajin area.

In this regard, an FIR under relevant sections of IPC has been registered and further investigation has been taken up.
President Joe Biden said Friday that a US air strike against an Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria, the first since he took office, should be seen by Iran as a warning.

Asked what the message was from the air strike, Biden said: "You can't act with impunity."

"Be careful," he added, speaking in Houston during a tour of relief efforts after a huge winter storm in Texas.

Syria and Iran on Friday condemned the attack with Damascus calling it a "bad sign" from the new Biden administration and Tehran saying it would further destabilize the region.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said two F-15E "Strike Eagles" dropped seven precision-guided munitions on Thursday on facilities in eastern Syria used by the militias believed to be behind a spate of rocket attacks on US troops in Iraq.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden was sending "an unambiguous message."

"He's going to act to protect Americans and when threats are posed, he has the right to take an action at the time and in the manner of his choosing," Psaki said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the administration wanted to make it "very, very clear -- notably to Iran-- that they cannot act with impunity against our people, our partners, our interests.

"And I think -- and expect -- that that message was clearly received," Blinken said.

Syria condemned the strike as "cowardly American aggression."

"It is a bad sign regarding the policies of the new US administration which should adhere to international (norms)," the foreign ministry said.

At least 22 pro-Iran fighters were killed in US strikes in Syria at the Iraq border, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said /  US AIR FORCE/AFP/File

The Iranian foreign ministry strongly condemned what it called "illegal attacks" that are a "clear violation of human rights and international law."

The air strikes would lead to "intensifying military conflicts and further destabilize the region," the foreign ministry spokesman said.

- Hashed casualties -

A rocket attack on a military complex inside Arbil airport that hosts foreign troops deployed as part of a US-led coalition caused serious damage /  KURDISTAN 24 CHANNEL/AFP/File

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 22 fighters from Iraq's state-sponsored Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force were killed.

It said US warplanes hit three trucks loaded with munitions coming from Iraq near the Syrian border town of Albu Kamal and destroyed border posts of the Hashed, an umbrella group that includes small militias with ties to Iran.

Kirby said the Pentagon had received "preliminary details" about casualties but declined to release any figures.

He said nine "facilities" used by the militias were "totally destroyed" and two "partially destroyed."

It was the first US military action targeting such groups since Biden took office five weeks ago and came just as Washington had opened the door to resuming negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.

Kirby said the targeted location was used by Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada, two Iraqi pro-Iran groups operating under the Hashed.

Kataeb Hezbollah said one of its fighters was killed and slammed the strike as a "heinous crime in violation of international law."

Kirby said Iraqi and Kurdish partners had provided intelligence that led to the identification of the groups behind the rocket attacks.

Iraq's defense ministry denied the US had coordinated with it to conduct the strike, saying it only works together with the US-led coalition in the fight against the Islamic State group.

Syria's ally Russia also condemned the attack, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov questioning the Biden administration's plans in Syria.

"It is very important for us to understand the United States' strategic line on the ground," Lavrov said.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the US was sending an 'unambiguous message' with the air strikes /  GETTY IMAGES/AFP/File

Kirby responded to criticism by Lavrov that Moscow had been notified just four or five minutes before the US struck the targets.

"We did what we believe was the proper amount of notification for this," he said. "It shouldn't come as a shock to anybody that we're going to do what we have to do to notify but we're also going to do what we have to do to protect our forces."

- Rocket attacks -

The US action followed three rocket attacks on facilities in Iraq used by US and coalition forces fighting IS.

Map showing Albu Kamal in eastern Syria, near where the US military on Thursday struck facilities used by Iran-backed armed groups. /  AFP

One of those strikes, on a military complex in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil on February 15, killed a civilian and a foreign contractor working with coalition forces, and wounded several US contractors and a soldier.

Last week, the Biden administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies as it seeks to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal, left on the brink of collapse after Biden's predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from it.

But the new administration has also made clear it would not brook "malign activities" by Iran.

Iran is believed to be searching for an opportunity to avenge the US assassination of top general Qasem Soleimani one year ago.

Soleimani, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander, was Iran's key liaison to its allies in Iraq and Syria, and elsewhere in the region.

He was killed in a US drone strike just as he arrived in Baghdad for meetings with top Iraqi officials.
RSA is set to be split into two parts after the takeover (Victoria Jones/PA)

RSA Insurance saw its profit contract in its final full year before the UK giant is split up by its new owners.

The business said that pre-tax profit had dropped by 2% to 483 million, due to costs associated with Covid  restructuring among other things.

In what is likely to be its last set of full year results, RSA recorded a 3% fall to 6.2 billion in net written premiums  the money that the company gets for selling insurance.

Underlying profit before tax rose 15% to 718 million, it added.

Underwriting profits are sharply up to new record levels and return on tangible equity has risen above our target range Chief executive Stephen Hester

Chief executive Stephen Hester said: We are pleased to report excellent results for RSA in 2020. Underwriting profits are sharply up to new record levels and return on tangible equity has risen above our target range.

He added: The Group paid out some 4.6bn in normal claims whilst also providing for over 250m in Covid-19-specific claims, together with offering a range of other customer support measures.

But shares remained unmoved, with the prospect of an already-approved takeover deal hanging above the company.

Last month investors voted in favour of the 7.2 billion bid from Intact, a Canadian insurance firm, and Denmarks Tryg.

The two bidders have agreed to split up RSAs business between them, separating the Scandinavian part of the firm from the UK and Canada wing.

For some investors RSAs results are going to feel like a formality. The takeover bid has been approved by shareholders, the board is enthusiastic and the deal looks set to complete soon, said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst William Ryder.

However, wed encourage investors not to count their chickens before theyve hatched  the deal could still hit a snag and fail to go through. So its still important to keep an eye on RSAs business performance.
Up to 60 masked men involved in an alleged UVF gathering in east Belfast were staging a peaceful "walk-through" to deter one family's suspected anti-social behaviour, the High Court heard today.

Prosecutors claimed eleven people were forced to flee and shelter in a community centre for more than a week because the show of strength left them fearing for their lives.

But a defence lawyer argued that it had been a non-violent protest supported by residents "tortured" by the behaviour of others in the Pitt Park area.

Further details emerged as bail was refused to two men accused of taking part in the gathering on February 2.

Derek Lammey, 56, from Spring Place in Belfast, and David Matthews, 34, of Millreagh in Dundonald, are both charged with unlawful assembly and affray.

Matthews' 58-year-old father, Stephen Matthews, of Pansy Street in Belfast, remains in custody accused of the same offences.

With the case against all three men based on disputed identification evidence, the defendants do not accept involvement.

Prosecution counsel Natalie Pinkerton said police in the area saw 50-60 men arriving with faces covered.

"These weren't described as surgical masks, but more as dark scarves with hoods up," she told the court.

One policeman was so concerned that he locked the doors of his vehicle, while a woman pulled up in her car, distressed and pointing at the crowd.

The gathering was split into sub-groups, according to the prosecution, with the first section allegedly led into Pitt Park by Lammey and Stephen Matthews.

A larger group headed by David Matthews followed behind, it was claimed.

According to Ms Pinkerton 11 members of the public fled to the nearby Ballymac Centre, where they remained for up to eight days under a constant police presence.

"This included a pregnant woman, children and it's indicated they brought their dogs from their homes," she submitted.

"They told police that they feared for their safety and their lives."

Asked if they were allegedly targeted by the crowd, counsel referred to an "undercurrent", but was not instructed to disclose a specific reason.

However, she did confirm that those who were to the community centre were all part of the same family.

Statements from civilian witnesses claimed the group of men were part of the East Belfast UVF, the court heard.

One alleged that she had been warned that a crowd was on the way and she should get her children out of the house for safety.

Another said a friend told her to get out because a "team" was coming.

Even though none of the defendants have been charged with any paramilitary offences, Ms Pinkerton contended: "Based on the evidence it's the police belief that all of these men are members of the UVF.

"This involved a display of sinister force by the group acting together in this manner."

Michael Chambers, for David Matthews, described the objections to bail as "flimsy, unfocused and unsustainable".

Insisting that the alleged UVF connection should be discounted, he added: "Opinion evidence and anonymous hearsay evidence is not admissible in any form of court proceedings."

Mr Justice McFarland was told that a registered charity sent a letter to police indicating it was behind the incident, a peaceful "walk-through" to deter people suspected of anti-social behaviour in the area.

The organisation describes itself as "facilitating the rehabilitation of the UVF and Red Hand Commando".

Conor O'Kane, representing Derek Lammey, claimed a majority of people living in the area were in support of what occurred.

"There is a small family who the Pitt Park residents group say have 'tortured' the broader community for years," he told the court.

"This was a protest on behalf of residents of Pitt Park, who are tired of the behaviour of a certain family and their connection."

It was also contended that there was nothing sinister about covering faces during the ongoing pandemic.

"If this was a few years ago thirty of forty men gathered with masks on would be one thing, but in Covid masks have a different connotation completely," the barrister said.

Denying bail to both accused, however, Mr Justice McFarland cited the risk of potential further offences.

He said: "There still appears to be a problem in this area."
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NEW YORK (AP)  Lincoln Center intends to emerge from the novel coronavirus pandemic by creating 10 outdoor stages for performances and rehearsals in New York City starting April 7.

Venues announced Thursday as part of the Restart Stages initiative include a cabaret-style stage on Lincoln Center's Hearst Plaza, areas for public school graduations, dedicated space for arts activities for young people and an outdoor reading room created with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.





. . .
MIDDLETOWN  Middletown author Anthony Valerio has published a book about the writer of children's books and songs, Shel Silverstein, Before The Sidewalk Ended: A Walk With Shel Silverstein.

Generations of will discover what he was like as a adult and friend, collaborator and confidante of (mine), Valerio said. You can read it and also listen to it in a new Audible edition.

A reader has said: Valerio's description of two writer friends casually walking through a more gritty West Village and the interesting insights they reveal along the way is an absolute delight to read. The poetry of SS has always held a special place in my heart and this gem of a book has given me a deeper insight into the heart of the poet himself.

Shel was a friend, collaborator and confidante. Of course he was and remains a renowned author of children's books and songs, Valerio said. IncludingThe Giving Tree, Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends. During this period of forced isolation I looked back over my shoulder to the time of our friendship and work together, in Key West and Greenwich Village of the 1980s and 90s  much changed since then. So I hope this work captures a time and place no longer here and a friend as a man, what he was like.

Find the book on Amazon at https://rb.gy/4w4apn

Old Saybrooks Rudi Beiser dies at 91

OLD SAYBROOK - GNCB Consulting Engineers recently announced the death of its founder, Rudi Besier.

Engineering was always in Rudis blood, having served in the Navy as a Seabee and dedicating over 30 years of his profession to practicing as a consulting structural engineer in Connecticut, GNCB said in a statement. In 1965, Rudi came east from a Denver, CO firm under the guidance of his mentor, Milo Ketchum. He found the CT shoreline to be a desirable place to settle and practice while easily being able to service our clients between New York and Boston. Since then, Rudi served as a leader, mentor, and teacher to many young engineers. He established our company culture focusing on client satisfaction and the use of sound engineering practice to solve our clients challenges. We will miss you, Rudi, but have been, and will be forever, guided by your example.

Sustainable Durham seeks new members

DURHAM  Sustainable Durham, a town committee, has openings for regular members, and also welcomes volunteers who are interested in one or more of their important community goals that align with the Sustainable CT certification program. The Complete Streets Durham CT working group is an example of a group of volunteers who are working on one community goal.

The Sustainable CT website (https://sustainablect.org/actions-certifications/actions) outlines 13 Community Action Categories: Inclusive and Equitable Community Impacts, Thriving Local Economies, Well Stewarded Land and Natural Resources, Vibrant and Creative Cultural Ecosystems, Dynamic and Resilient Planning, Clean and Diverse Transportation Systems and Choices, Renewable and Efficient Energy Infrastructure and Operations, Inclusive Engagement, Communication, and Education, Strategic Materials Management, Optimal Health and Wellness Opportunities, Healthy, Efficient and Diverse Housing, Effective, Compassionate Homelessness Prevention, Innovative Strategies and Practices, according to a statement.

To learn more about Sustainable Durham, contact Tonya Buddie at: Tbuddie@townofdurhamct.org. The group meets on Zoom at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month.

Payment plan reminder from CT Water

CLINTON  Connecticut Water is reminding customers that in accordance with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, COVID-19 Payment Plans are available until April 20 or the expiration of the Governors declaration of Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies due to the COVID-19 Pandemic - whichever comes last, according to a statement.

Extended payment plans are available for any customer who needs it. COVID-19 Payment plans require no initial or down payment, can last up to 24 months, and waive fees and interest. In addition, the companys H2O - Help 2 Our Customers assistance program provides for payment plans and bill reductions for income-eligible customers.

Connecticut Water is also an Operation Fuel partner and Connecticut Water customers may receive assistance for their water and other utility bills by applying online at operationfuel.org/help.

Customers should call Connecticut Water at 1-800-286-5700 for more information. Additional information about income-eligible assistance through the companys H2O - Help 2 Our Customers assistance program can be found at ctwater.com/H2O, through the customers local service agency, community support organizations and through Operation Fuel.

Sponsors needed for Goff House Concert Series

EAST HAMPTON  The Joseph N. Goff House seeks individuals, local businesses and organizations to help sponsor the annual Joseph N. Goff House Gazebo Music Series, which takes place six Thursdays during the summer at the Center School Gazebo in the East Hampton Village Center.

Sponsors will be listed by donations level, Baritone, $250, Soprano, $150; Alto, $75; Tenor, $50 and Bass, $25 in promotional materials and posters displayed around town and handed out at concerts.

The Joseph N. Goff House is a nonprofit organizations and donations are tax deductible. New members to the board are welcome! 860-205-7376 for information. Donations can be mailed to The Joseph N. Goff House, c/o Melissa Pionzio, 61 Smith St., East Hampton, CT 06424. Visit http://goffhouseehct.blogspot.com/ for updates and band lineup.
The federal government will recommend flood control measures including storm surge barriers, floodwalls and elevating homes and other buildings in a report later this year on combating back bay flooding, a major problem in New Jersey that gets comparatively less attention than oceanfront storm surge.

Since Nov. 2016, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been studying ways to reduce or prevent flooding along back bays in New Jersey and elsewhere. Governments in Massachusetts, California, Florida and Maine are among those that also have grappled with the issue.

Such flooding caused major damage on the East Coast during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, even though more attention was paid to damage from oceanfront waves pounding on the beachfront.

By contrast, back bay flooding is gradual and insidious, creeping up on areas fronting on bays or places with tributaries that swell with flood water and inundate homes and businesses.

J. Bailey Smith, an Army Corps coastal expert overseeing the study, said on Monday that the agency will present its recommendations in July. During a webinar hosted by a special panel of the New Jersey state Assembly, Smith said the recommendations will include storm surge barriers, floodwalls, elevations, and other features.

The Army Corps and state government have been building dunes and replenishing beaches for more than 30 years as a way to protect against deadly storms along the oceanfront.

We often get asked why isnt there a similar solution already in place on the back bays, Smith said. Along the oceanfront, dunes and berms reduce damages and inundation associated with wave attack and storm surge. Along the back bays, the problem is tied to storm surge pouring through coastal inlets and raising the water surface elevation in the bay.

In an interim report in March 2019, the Army Corps floated the possibility of storm surge gates across popular and widely used inlets up and down the Jersey Shore, including the Manasquan, Barnegat, Absecon and Great Egg Harbor inlets.

Similar barriers have been proposed for waterways in New York like those already in place along the Mississippi River and in Venice, Holland and England. But other places, including Boston, considered the idea but decided the cost outweighs the benefits.

Some environmental groups oppose such barriers, fearing the structures would restrict the tidal flow and sediment transport, and impede the migration of fish, including striped bass.

The potential solutions to this problem are very different from on the oceanfront, Smith said. These potential solutions are much more complex and costly, but there is a clear need to consider and evaluate all options and thats what the New Jersey Back Bays Study aims to do.

Natural solutions including so-called living shorelines, reefs, wetland restoration and submerged aquatic vegetation are also mentioned as possible solutions.

Shawn LaTourette, New Jerseys acting environmental protection commissioner, said sea levels are rising at a faster rate in New Jersey than in many other places. He said pollutants such as heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are contributing to the higher water levels.

It is coming, no matter what we do, he said.

The study actually ran short of money and was halted in the fall of 2019. But Smith and other Army Corps officials said new funding should be in place shortly, and the study can resume once an Army assistant secretary approves it.

It would be 2030 at the earliest before construction could begin on the project, which would still have to be approved and funded by Congress.

The potential solutions are costly, Smith said. However, the cost of doing nothing is also staggering.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics USA Flood New Jersey
GRAND RAPIDS,MI  They market their region to business looking to expand in Michigan, provide educational services to employers and connect companies to government subsidies designed to spur job creation.

Michigans network of economic development organizations come in all shapes and sizes, with different structures, different areas of expertise and different budgets. But, by and large, they share one goal: bolstering their regions economy.

Our mission is to advance the economy, advance economic growth, said JoAnn Crary, president of Saginaw Future Inc., an economic development group that works to attract and retain businesses in Saginaw County.

The groups largely avoid negative headlines.

But one such group, Southwest Michigan First, received backlash when it announced on Feb. 11 that it had hired former Republican state House Speaker Lee Chatfield as its new CEO. A range of community groups, from the city of Kalamazoo to Western Michigan University, did not support Chatfields past opposition to expanding civil rights for the LGBTQ community.

Related: What is Southwest Michigan First, and why did Kalamazoo reject Lee Chatfield as its next CEO?

Most economic development groups seek to steer clear of such politically charged controversies. Several that MLive spoke with this week  Lakeshore Advantage in Zeeland, Saginaw Future and Ann Arbor SPARK  say their day-to-day work has been and remains focused on their mission of advancing their regions economy.

That work includes helping businesses find and access grants and other public assistance, pointing employers toward resources to train and educate workers and helping companies acquire personal protective gear amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Most of the groups, like Southwest Michigan First, are nonprofit organizations, and are governed by a board of directors consisting of business, education, government and civic leaders. A significant part of their funding comes from investors, a group that typically includes businesses, nonprofits, foundations and governments. Ann Arbor Spark also receives funding from a local tax capturing district designed to help bring university research products to market.

Who were ultimately accountable to is our investors, because if were not doing a good job, they could choose not to invest in us, said Emily Staley, vice president of marketing and communications at Lakeshore Advantage, a nonprofit economic development group serving Ottawa and Allegan counties.

As economic developers, we have the best interest of our community in mind, Staley said. So were also accountable to the community as a whole. But ultimately its the investors who really vote with their investor dollars on whether were doing good for the community.

They demonstrate their value to investors in multiple ways.

Often, its by sharing progress reports with local governments that contract with them. They also host annual meetings where the economic development groups share how much private investment and new jobs the businesses they work with brought to the region in a given year.

Allegan County recently decided to renew its annual $50,000 contract with Lakeshore Advantage for three years, said Dan Wedge, executive director of services at Allegan County. He said he is pleased with Lakeshore Advantages business outreach and retention efforts, and that the nonprofit meets with the countys economic development commission quarterly.

When COVID hit, they were able to jump in and provide assistance to our local businesses and help them stay successful during that time, he said.

Lakeshore Advantage says it supported 14 business growth projects in 2020. Those projects brought $152 million in private investment to the region, and 652 new jobs.

Have the local governments that contract with economic development organizations learned anything from the Chatfield controversy at Southwest Michigan First?

Wedge said the situation reinforces the need for local economic development groups to avoid any political perspective.

I think it comes down to serving the community and what the community needs and not really approaching it from a political position, he said.

Part of what economic development groups do is connect employers with subsidies from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). However, because those subsidies are provided by the state, the local economic development groups are not responsible for tracking whether the businesses meet the job creation objectives necessary for the subsidy.

The businesses instead report their performance directly to the state.

We dont require it because were not asking them to administer those large incentives on our behalf, said Amanda Bright-McClanahan, chief operating officer at the MEDC.

She said local economic development groups play a crucial role in marketing their respective regions to new businesses.

The intention behind those groups is that Michigan is phenomenally diverse in its geography, in its talent base, in the breadth of its communities and in the breadth of its collective assets from an economic development perspective, Bright-McClanahan said. The MEDC cant do all that work on its own. So, we rely on those partnerships as part of our overall strategy to be successful to ensure that we really arent leaving any region of the state behind.

Some of regional economic development groups were founded to bring a more cohesive, region-wide approach to business retention and attraction.

For example, Saginaw Future Inc. was formed in 1992 in a partnership between the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, Saginaw County and the city of Saginaw.

At the time, each of those had their own organization, and no one was working together and there was a lot of duplication, said Saginaw Future Inc. President JoAnn Crary.

Today, the organization has 165 investors and a $1.2 million annual budget, she said. Its budget is primarily funded by its investors  46% are public entities; 54% are private.

Saginaw Future Inc.s work ranges from helping new businesses find a location in Saginaw County, talking with business leaders about their needs and obstacles, and assisting companies seeking grants, tax abatements and government contracts. It also has agreements to provide economic development services to 16 local governments in its region.

Our job is to know all the tools available, to reduce the barriers and to help them invest, Crary said, explaining how her organization works with businesses.

Others focus heavily on the tech sector.

We are one of the technology growth centers of the state, said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, an economic development organization based in Ann Arbor that works throughout Southeast Michigan.

The organizations 2019 annual report, the most recent available on its website, shows it assisted 31 companies with expansion projects. Those projects created $132 million in investment commitments, 534 announced jobs and 1,192 retained jobs. Part of Ann Arbor SPARKs work focuses on bringing to market research products developed at University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University.

While Southwest Michigan First drew pushback after hiring Chatfield as CEO, another economic development groups recent appointment of a new CEO went more smoothly.

In late December, The Right Place, which is based in Grand Rapids, announced that Randy Thelen, who has worked in the economic development sector for 25 years, would take over as president and CEO on March 1. He replaces longtime president and CEO Birgit Klohs, who retired in late January.

Related: 5 projects Birgit Klohs and The Right Place helped bring to West Michigan

Andria Romkema, spokesperson for The Right Place, said her organization sent a questionnaire to over 100 people as part of its effort to find Klohs replacement. The survey asked recipients  which included board members and investors, as well as business, government and community leaders  about the skills and characteristics its next leader should possess.

The Right Place cannot achieve its mission of driving sustainable economic growth and prosperity for all without the support of the community it serves, which is why this was an essential step in the CEO search process, Romkema said.

The Right Place was founded about 35 years ago. The organizations funding includes 80% from private businesses, while the remaining 20% is split between public sources and foundations.

After Chatfield resigned as CEO at Southwest Michigan First just 11 days after being named for the post, the organizations staff said they are eager to move forward.

In a statement, the organization apologized to the community, reiterated its mission is a nonpartisan one and promised an open, transparent and inclusive process as it again searches for a new chief executive to lead economic development efforts in Southwest Michigan.

Read more:

Suicide of John Geddert, ex-Olympics coach accused of abusing gymnasts, wont end fight for justice, victims attorney says

Participation increasing in Michigans long-term care vaccination program, but many workers still hesitant

College student from Michigan dominates Wheel of Fortune, winning $72K in cash and prizes, including a Mustang
The broker's analysts see even further upside as Valens executes on its strategic plan and returns to profitability

The Stifel Nicolaus Canada analysts said the companys planned expansion into Manitoba and Quebec could add about $740 million in potential Canadian retail sales

Stifel Nicolaus Canada has increased its target price on shares of ( ) ( ) (FRA:7LV) to $3.75 from $3.35, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock, after the cannabis extraction company reiterated its 1Q 2021 revenue guidance, with the broker's analysts noting that the guidance in-line with their expectations while demonstrating a strong return to growth to start the year.

The Stifel analysts see even further upside as Valens executes on its strategic plan and returns to profitability.

More importantly, management provided a glimpse behind its strategy to enter the flower/pre-roll market, essentially doubling its addressable market, they said.

The analysts noted that key details from the company included leveraging existing partnerships with the decision prompted by customers, suggesting a demand-pull versus a supply-push. As well, Valens said it expects to enter the Manitoba and Quebec markets near-term, which the analysts believe will unlock about 20% more market potential while compounding the companys flower entry.

The Stifel Nicolaus Canada analysts said the companys planned expansion into Manitoba and Quebec could add about $740 million in potential Canadian retail sales.

They also singled out Valens' opportunity in Quebec, where Cannabis 2.0 product limitations in Canadas third-largest cannabis market have resulted in an edibles space dominated by beverages. The analysts noted that Valens could potentially expand its market share in the French-speaking province given its proximity to the companys Greater Toronto Area (GTA) facility, which specializes in beverage manufacturing.

As well, the analysts highlighted the companys impressive accomplishment of manufacturing one out of every five vape products in its recreational market, noting that Valens is expected to launch gummies beginning in 2Q 2021 as a second step in its edibles strategy, which they believe will drive sales growth as the company should be able to replicate its historical success in the broader edibles category.

Overall, we believe Valens' expanded positioning provides investors with a more fulsome Canadian market exposure at a valuation unjustifiably discounted versus (other) junior Licensed Producers, they concluded.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
Speculations claimed that the Huawei P50 series and Google Pixel 6 are the ones that will soon have Sony's 1-inch IMX800 sensor. The first one to leak the detail is the Twitter user @RODENT950.

GSM Arena confirmed that all the three Huawei P50 models are expected to have Sony's latest advanced display. The tweet Huawei P50 is expected to have the basic sensor, ultra-wide, and tele-configuration sensor.

On the other hand, Huawei P50 Pro is expected to have the basic sensor, ultra-wide, and periscope lenses. Meanwhile, the Huawei Pro+ is expected to have all these features. These include the basic sensor, ultra-wide, tele-lenses, and even the 3D ToF sensor and periscope lenses.

What the leaked Huawei info revealed

The leaker's post currently has four quotes tweets, 161 likes, and 26 retweets. It also received a lot of comments.

#Huawei - Huawei P50 series detail.



- Huawei P50 series will be the first to be equipped with a 1-inch CIS in smartphones with own Huawei taste.

- No liquid lens

- 120Hz refresh rate

- 300Hz touch sampling rate

- Bigger camera section

- Harmony OS#HuaweiP50Pro pic.twitter.com/vIf8Cn2n3F  Yash Raj Chaudhary (@hereYashRaj) February 24, 2021

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 and Z Flip Are Available for 100 Days Free Trial; Huawei Releases Expensive Folding Phone!

"I sent the s21U back as I was not impressed. Thinking about the p50 pro plus or mi 11 ultras. The camera is my main focus. Google services? Depends on the camera. Based on leaks what's going to have the best hardware?" asked @PandaSquiish.

"I Just hope Huawei will give us ois in main + tele then put AF on ultra wide for standard version ... I know the pro and pro + will have ois all-rounder Smiling face with sunglasses Huawei is sweet," added another Twitter user in the comment section.

This means that Huawei receiving Sony's 1-inch sensor is really something that people are really looking forward to.

Google Pixel 6 to also have it

Aside from Huawei, Google Pixel 6 will also have Sony's 1-inch IMX800. Rumors stated that this will happen since the Google Pixel 5, Google Pixel 4, and Google Pixel 3 previously came with the Sony IMX363 sensor. On the other hand, Marc Levoy, the ex-Google executive, also confirmed that the Pixel 6 lineup's computational photography will have a new unit from Sony or from other manufacturers.

Phone Arena stated that Sony's larger size of the IMX800 is expected to allow better images in low-light, capture a greater dynamic range of tones, and enable Huawei and Google to have more efficient background blur. You can click here for more info.

For more news updates about Huawei, Google, and other giant smartphone manufacturers, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Oppo Reno5 K With Snapdragon 750G chip, Ultra-Fast Charger to Launch Soon, Chinese Leaker Reveals

This article is owned by TechTimes.

Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

St. Martin

Iberia

Scott

U.S. 90

Acadiana Planning Commission

Monique Boulet

Lafayette Regional Airport

Jorge Ayala

U.S. Department of Commerce

Louisiana

Iberia Parish

Acadiana Regional Airport

Port of Iberia

Larry Richard

Jeanerette

Loreauville

Delcambre

U.S.

Highway 90

Larry Richard

Iberia Parish

Lafayette

Louisiana Public Service Commission

(TNS)  LUS Fiber will extend broadband infrastructure to underserved areas inandparishes and the city ofthanks to a $3.1 million federal grant, officials announced Thursday.The grant will help LUS establish fiber connections to businesses along thecorridor in those areas to help them transition to the current economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.The grant was facilitated through the. Work on the project is expected to begin later this spring and take 18-24 months to complete, officials said.LUS Fiber provided a $700,000 matching grant for the project."The challenge to bring reliable broadband to Acadiana's rural communities has become as important as the delivery of other basic utilities," APC directorsaid. "Decisions we make today about broadband expansion will determine which of Acadiana's towns will survive in the future. Those left behind in broadband delivery will be just that  left behind."The project is significant boost for economic development efforts in those areas, many of which remain reliant on the struggling oil and gas industry. The grant targets initiatives like this one this is focused strictly on the business community as many have been forced to rely on internet capacity to pivot in the current economy.The EDA plays a key role in facilitating regional economic development in communities across the nation, including a $2 million grant awarded to thein 2019 that went to build parking at the new terminal."Communities all across our nation have been faced with how to deal with COVID," said, regional director for the. "COVID has really made our economies suffer in many ways. The pandemic has also exposed the divide between rural and urban areas. I think the way this is going to impact your community will be very long term and very much regional in its impact and will spur future development."Various websites specializing in internet speeds rankin the middle, and many of the metro areas have some of the highest speeds in the state. The site broadbandnow.com ranks the state 33rd with most residents having access to wireline, cable or DSL service.But only 27% of residents have access to fiber optic service.In, the fiber network will benefit theand the, both home to major employers in the region, Parish Presidentsaid. It will also benefit the communities ofand"Running this fiber down () 90, we're going to have an opportunity to developand bring business that we should have in the industrial park there," Parish Presidentsaid. "More importantly, the businesses that we currently have that's having problems being able to communicate, they're going to be competitive in whatever they are doing. This is so important toand so important to the areas of growth that we're trying to develop in the parish."LUS Fiber has become a leader in building fiber optic lines, which deliver the fastest internet in the country as well as the nation's first gigabit peer-to-peer intranet. The system also is beneficial for themarket and surrounding areas by the revenue it brings in and forcing other providers to be more competitive, officials said.The internet provider was also the target of an investigation into accusations that its former director deliberately overcharged LUS and other Lafayette Consolidated Government departments for internet service to prop up the fiber operations. The district attorney later declined to prosecute anyone and therecently closed its case.
Police in Derry City and Strabane are asking users of ATMs to be vigilant following a report of suspicious activity in the city earlier this month.

If you notice anything attached to an ATM which looks out of place, do not touch it, stop the transaction immediately and alert police as well as the bank.

There are a few things you can do to protect your cash and details:

 Be aware of your surroundings. If you are talking on a phone or wearing headphones you can't take in what is going on around you;

 Guard your personal identification number (PIN) carefully and be aware that any form of distraction or assistance while you are using an ATM could mean someone is trying to steal your dispensed money or card.

 If someone tries to distract you and you feel unsure - cancel the ATM transaction.

 Do not be complacent - a robbery can occur in crowded environments, not just deserted streets.

Anyone who would like further advice or has information in relation to suspicious activity at ATMs can contact us on the non-emergency number 101.

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Europe

UK gas energy workers resume strike

Strikes planned by British Gas engineers resumed February 19, with a four-day stoppage. The four days of strikes, planned to begin January 12, were suspended for talks between British Gas parent company Centrica and the GMB union under the auspices of the government mediation service Acas. The talks broke down after British Gas refused to take the threat of fire and rehire off the table. A further four-day strike will begin February 26.

The GMB union members are opposed to fire and rehire plans by British Gas to undermine workers conditions and cut pay by 20 percent. Around 7,500 workers are involved in the dispute, including 4,000 service and repair gas engineers, 1,700 smart metering engineers, 600 central heating installers, 540 electrical engineers and 170 specialist business gas engineers. The previous strikes led to a backlog of 170,000 boiler repairs and delayed 200,000 service visits.

Following negotiations, Unison, Unite and Prospect unions reached agreements to accept the inferior terms. This covered 7,000 frontline office workers, most of them represented by Unison.

British Gas supplies gas and electric energy and services equipment, with around 20,000 employees. The company has threatened to sack workers who refuse to sign up to the new contract by March 31.

Teachers strikes at school in Midlands, England over COVID-19 concerns

Around 20 UK teachers at Langley Primary school in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham held a one-day strike Wednesday. The special school caters for around 120 pupils who are either autistic or have learning difficulties.

The National Education Union (NEU) members are concerned over COVID-19 safety measures at the school. Among the issues is the inadequate heating system, meaning if teachers open windows to lessen the threat of infection, they and their pupils become excessively cold. In addition, there are concerns over cleanliness in the school, particularly the toilets. Additional strikes are planned for March 2 and 4. No picket lines were planned because of COVID-19 concerns.

NEU members at Barrow Hedges School in the London Borough of Sutton began a two-day strike Tuesday. They are protesting the school managements refusal to let teachers work from home when they have children who have to self-isolate. A further four days of strikes are planned.

Scaffolders at British Steels Scunthorpe plant continue stoppage

Around 50 scaffold erectors at British Steels Scunthorpe plant held a 48-hour strike beginning Monday, following nine days of previous strikes. A further 48-hour strike began Thursday.

The Unite union members are employed by contractor Brand Energy. They have been in dispute since 2019, demanding to be paid the hourly rate determined by the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry. Their current rate is 2 below that rate. Brand Energy has refused to negotiate with Unite. The workers voted 100 percent for action.

Striking security staff at hospital in Reading, England continue action

Twenty security staff at the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading, southwest England, who began striking in December, are currently on their third walkout lasting until March 7.

The Unite union members are employed by contractor Kingdom Services to provide security at the hospital. They are seeking a pay increase of 12 an hour and 13 for supervisors. Kingdom, with a turnover in excess of 100 million, is offering 9.30 an hour for staff and 10 for supervisors.

Two-day strike by lecturers at University of East London

UK staff at the University of East London (UEL) began a two-day strike Monday. The University and College Union (UCU) members voted by a 92 percent majority on a 63 percent turnout to take action. They were protesting the decision by UEL management to cut four jobs. Three of the workers were due to finish this week.

The redundancies come on top of 82 jobs cut last year, leaving remaining staff to struggle with unmanageable workloads. An online rally attended by over 200 workers and students took place Monday. The UCU said further strikes may take place next month.

Strike at college in Shrewsbury, England

Shrewsbury college workers walked out on Wednesday in defence of a sacked colleague who was an National Education Union representative. The representative had raised concerns over racism.

Bus drivers in north west England to begin all-out strike

UK bus drivers at Go North West buses in Manchester are set begin all-out strike action on Sunday. The Unite union members voted by an 82 percent majority on a 77 percent turnout to strike in opposition to a new contract.

Go North West, part of the multi-billion pound Go Ahead group, wants to impose inferior terms including a 10 percent pay cut, longer hours for no additional pay, and cuts to sick pay for the 500 workers. The latter could force drivers who are sick or self-isolating into work.

After drivers voted in September by 94 percent to strike in a consultative ballot, Unite appealed to shareholders to intervene to help resolve the dispute without the requirement for industrial action. On February 9, the company hand-delivered threatening letters to the drivers saying that if they did not sign the contracts their employment would terminate on May 8.

On its website, Unite explained it entered into detailed cost saving negotiations with Go North West and agreed changes which would have generated savings of 1 million and also accepted a 12 month pay freeze which was worth a further 200,000 to the company.

Appealing to the company, Unite regional secretary Ritchie James said, Our members who have worked throughout the pandemic, ensuring key workers in Greater Manchester can get to and from work, are being rewarded for the dedication and commitment with huge pay cuts, which will mean that they and their families will struggle to make ends meet.

Unite has been clear this strike can be averted providing Go North West withdraws its plans to fire and rehire its bus drivers and allow proper negotiations to take place.

At a recent press conference, Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he met with Go North West senior management two weeks ago to discuss the issue and called for mediator Acas to become involved.

Lecturers at Chichester College Group in England ballot for strike action

Lecturers at the Chichester College Group in southeast England are balloting for strike action. The UCU members oppose plans outlined in letters sent to staff to cut around 10 posts in the maths and English departmentaround 40 percent of staff. The UCU accuses the college of using the pandemic to push through cuts.

Cleaners at London school vote to strike

Cleaners at the La Retraite Catholic girls school in south London voted by a 100 percent majority to strike. The United Voices of the World union members, who are all originally from Latin America, are employed by private contractor Ecocleen.

While the company agreed in January to pay its workers the London Living Wage, currently set at 10.85 an hour, there are unresolved issues. The company cut the cleaners hours, resulting in a loss of around 150 a year. The workers are also calling for parity of terms and conditions with teachers around sick pay and for the reimbursement of wages docked when they refused to work in unsafe COVID-19 conditions.

A 40-day strike is due to begin March 16.

ScotRail staff ballot in pay dispute

Conductors working for ScotRail are being balloted for industrial action. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union members are pushing for an increase in overtime pay rates. The ballot will run until March 11.

Protest by Romanian coal miners

Hundreds of Romanian coal miners employed at the Lupeni coal mine held a protest at the Hunedoara Energy Complex on Monday. Around 60 miners refused to go underground on their shift and threatened to go on hunger strike. The miners are protesting outstanding wages over 10 months. Allowances for travel and heating are owed for the last 11 months.

The protests were held at the same time as talks between the miners leaders and the Energy and Labour ministry representatives. Later that day, Labour minister Raluca Turcan announced 3,000 miners would be paid their outstanding wages in three instalments, beginning this week. On the basis of the agreement, the miners leaders called off the protest.

Strike by Italian Amazon drivers

Last week, drivers working for the online company Amazon in the Italian city of Vigonza walked out. The CGIL union members were protesting low pay, poor working conditions, the unsustainable pace at which they are expected to work and inadequate COVID-19 protection measures.

Strike and protest by Greek hospital doctors

On Tuesday, Greek hospital doctors held a one-day strike. Dozens of the strikers marched through Athens. The OENGE members were protesting the suffocating conditions they work under on the front line against the COVID-19 pandemic. Intensive care units (ICU) operating at 80 percent capacity have little room to cope with surges of patients.

The doctors called on the government to create new units to deal with COVID-19 patients and for more staff, to leave ICUs more able to cope with other critically ill patients. To date over 1,200 COVID-19 patients have been admitted to ICUs since the start of the pandemic.

On the day of the strike, Reuters reported that 880 cases of COVID-19 were announced, with 24 deaths. Since the pandemic began, 6,371 people have died and there have been 184,686 cases.

Protest by Greek students against draconian campus security law

On Tuesday, over 5,000 students and supporters held a protest outside the courthouse in the northern Greek city Thessaloniki. They were protesting the arrest of 31 students the previous day for demonstrating against measures brought in by the right-wing New Democracy government allowing police to patrol university grounds.

Since 1982, police were not allowed on university campuses, following the killing of least 23 students and civilians, including a five-year-old boy, during an uprising at the Polytechnic University in Athensnow called the National Technical University of Athens, on November 17, 1973

The new law establishes a special campus police force for the surveillance of universities. The university police force is empowered to guard campuses and will be able to arrest those deemed troublemakers by the authorities. The university police will be answerable to the Hellenic Police force rather than the education institutions they are patrolling. The law established a disciplinary council able to suspend or expel students.

Belgian retail workers set to strike

Employees of the Swedish-owned fashion retailer H&M are to hold strikes and protests against job losses incurred with the closure of eight stores in Belgium. H&M announced the closures between November last year and January this year.

The CNE union complained that H&M was closing the stores in such a way as to avoid having to create any legally binding restructuring plan to save some jobs. Workers are also protesting the insufficient severance pay. Stores are slated for closure in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Liege.

Middle East

Strike by Tunisian airport staff

Airport workers at Tunisair held a strike at all its facilities across Tunisia on February 19. The General Transport Union members, who held a rally outside the companys headquarters in Tunis, were protesting the deteriorating financial conditions at the company, which employs around 7,800.

The dire financial situation meant workers were not paid allowances to which they are entitled. On Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of Tunisair, Olfa Al-Hamdi was fired.

Africa

South African workers in nationwide strikes and demonstrations

South African workers in unions affiliated to the South African Federation of Trade Unions took part in stoppages and protests as part of a national strike Wednesday.

While many across the country stayed away from their workplaces, in the cities hundreds of workers marched in larger demonstrations against the erosion of workers rights, unemployment, corruption, inequality and poverty. The official unemployment rate is a record 32.5 percent.

In Cape Town, 40 workers marched to the parliament buildings to protest as the African National Congress government minister delivered his budget speech. Police blocked their progress using stun grenades and riot shields. Two protesters were arrested.

Around 150 workers in Johannesburg picketed a hospital in Soweto and demonstrated outside the offices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, subject of recent budget cuts which have adversely affected workers ability to use the law to fight employers. In Port Elizabeth, 200 workers protested outside city hall, chanting Down with the government.

South African food workers strike for improved pay and benefits

Food processing workers at Tongaat-Hulett sugar and maize processing company mills in South Africa took industrial action Monday, for improved wages and allowances.

The Food and Allied Workers Union members want a 15 percent rise, housing allowance, COVID-19 allowance, health insurance and profit shares.

South Africa reported 1,507,448 coronavirus cases, with 49,523 fatalities.

Protesting South African municipal workers face police with teargas

Municipal workers burned tyres and blocked streets in the Buffalo City Metro area, Eastern Cape, South Africa on February 18 and 19, in protest over COVID-19 allowances unpaid since June 2020.

The South African Municipal Workers Union members were dispersed by police with teargas after they demonstrated outside East London City Hall.

Health workers in South Africa strike for permanent jobs and professional recognition

Community Health Workers (CHWs) picketed and closed clinics in Eastern Cape, South Africa February 18, demanding to be made permanent employees. Many CHWs do not have the salary, benefits, support or protection given to permanent staff.

The action was part of a second week of strikes and protests by National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union members in Eastern Cape province. On February 17, 30 enrolled nurses demonstrated outside the health departments offices in provincial capital Bhisho demanding professional status.

Specialist doctors and academics strike in Sudan

Specialist doctors at 35 hospitals across Sudan walked out on February 21, over the governments failure to implement agreed benefits and health insurance during the pandemic.

Medical specialists at a further 41 hospitals have been on strike since February 15, over non-payment of their salaries for the last 11 months.

On February 21, university professors and lecturers mounted a protest in front of the Cabinet office in the countrys capital Khartoum against the governments failure to pay their January salaries. They denounced the government for bringing education to the brink of total collapse.

Union ends three-month strike by Kenyan nurses, clinicians and lab technicians

Health unions instructed nurses, clinicians and lab technicians in Mombasa County, Kenya to return to work after a three-month strike. Over 1,200 health workers walked out on November 15, over delays in salary payments, lack of promotions and non-payment of statutory deductions.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses, the Kenya Union of Clinical Workers (KUCW) and the Kenya National Union of Laboratory Officers used court rulings against them to justify the return to work. The unions kept workers divided between the different counties, with no common demands or coordinated action.

County governors refused to allow any pay increases for nurses. Clinical officers in Kenya were instructed to return to work after a court order issued on February 22, after 70 days on strike. KUCW Chairman Peterson Wachira told union members to report to work while admitting demands for adequate personal protective were not addressed.

Kenya has 105,057 coronavirus cases and reported 1,847 deaths.
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Recently, the internet was taken by storm after Pakistani artist Dananeer, also known as Geena posted a video with her friends. In no time, she was a viral sensation as her video #PawriHoRahiHai became a trending subject, thanks to Yashraj Mukhate's rendition of the meme.

Not just social media influencers, politicians are now giving this trend their own spin too. BJP President JP Nadda seems to be the latest to hop on to the 'Pawri' trend. At the West Bengal rally, he said, Ye Bengal ki janta hai, ye hum sab hai, aur Bengal main parivartan ki tayyari ho rahi hai. (This is Bengals people, this is us, and in Bengal, people are getting ready for a change).

People have started reacting to what he said at the rally. People feel it was surely an epic way to put forth his point.

Sahi hai,,, aap sab politicians comedy jyada badhiya karte ho @kunalkamra88 competition badh raha hai bro,,  Nicky yadav (@Nickynancy91) February 26, 2021

Didn't expect political parties taking memes too seriously  Rishi Vyaas (@MonkKunal) February 26, 2021

Nadda ji got no chill  KESHRI (@AjayKeshri8) February 26, 2021

This is next level trolling  Puneri_Ankita (@90_Ankita) February 26, 2021

We are wondering how the minister would react to it.

Yesterday, Nadda had launched an all-out attack against the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government. We will give Bengal a new culture. No cut money, corruption-mukt, vikas yukt. The BJP will stop illegal coal mining. We are all emotionally involved with Bengals culture, the BJP chief had said.

He launched the 'Sonar Bangla' mission and said, We'll make available approx 30,000 suggestion boxes across Bengal. Around 100 boxes will be kept in 294 assembly constituencies. Our workers will go from door to door with 50 boxes and 50 will be placed at strategic locations.

He bashed Mamta Banerjee for the current state of Bengal. "Dengue had spread here [Bengal]. The state govt wasn't providing us reports on dengue. People were dying here and as the then Health Minister I used to ask Mamataji to give me reporting of dengue. She used to threaten the doctors that no reporting has to be done," he added.

Political battle aside, it's interesting to see politicians being on top of latest trends and memes. What do you think? Which politician do you think is the most aligned with new trends? Let us know in the comments below.
"It really is heartening when you are able to provide those members of our school community with basic needs. Once you are shaping minds and helping with the development of people, you have an obligation to respond in this way!





These were the sentiments expressed by Mr. Yohance Gibson, Principal of the St. Martins Secondary School (SMSS), as he spoke to THE VINCENTIAN about the schools ongoing programme of providing care packages to needy families, from among the school population.





And Mr. Gibson was clear that with the current situation of health and volcanic hazards that the country has found itself facing, the support that the school has been extending to families before, had to be increased and widened.





The student population represents a varied socio-economic landscape and the institution has always been aware of this and the plight of some of the families, Mr. Gibson said.





"The school administration has an obligation to respond to this need, Gibson asserted, "and it has been doing so throughout the years by providing students with lunches and other necessary requirements throughout the course of the school day.





Students (families) are selected based on observation and dialogue with Form Teachers and Deans of Discipline. A preliminary list is prepared, following which the School Counsellor conducts further investigations and a final list of those eligible for assistance is put together.





During this challenging period, the School has gone beyond its regular distribution and has delivered packages to homes throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Principal called it, "a response to the plight especially as some parents have lost their jobs and the economy is suffering some backlashes as a result of the COVID-19.





The SMSS Philosophy





The philosophy that drives the SMSS includes guiding its student population into an awareness of the situation of their classmates  a awareness that helps them to develop a consciousness of self and others that will lead to a sense of civic responsibility and care for their fellowmen.





In aiding this drive in a tangible sense, one exercise that is conducted is a community service day is mounted every year on November 3, the Feast Day of St. Martin de Pores, patron Saint of the School.





That day is designated Pay and Wear Day; students pay $3.00 each to wear clothes other than their uniforms. With a can of a non-perishable item, a student gets past the gate for $1.00. This fund provides for families at Christmas time.





"During this lockdown, we were fortunate to have some items that we could use to provide for our students. We certainly do not have enough to provide for all students, so the neediest were supported, Mr. Gibson disclosed.





And as for how the distribution works, Mr. Gibson said, "The transaction is between the school and the parents. The school makes the effort to drive to each individuals home throughout St. Vincent, and sends packages by boat to the Grenadines. Students are told that they have helped their classmates but never who these are.





Principal Gibson expressed a desire to expand the programme even further, and towards this end, appealed to corporate entities, past students, and individuals at large to contribute to the initiative, bearing in mind that, "For a family who has nothing, every little bit is something!





Kelly also used his first speech to raise the unsung group of heroes who were, like him, parents and carers of children with disabilities. His son Trent, now 24, was born with Down syndrome and autism and has no speech. What does he do? Kelly has risen to public prominence most notably for his opposition to climate action and support for coal-fired power. Although he declared in his first speech to Parliament I consider myself an environmentalist, he may well be the only person who does. In 2018 he chaired the Coalitions backbench policy committee that effectively killed off the national energy guarantee because of its aim in part to cut emissions. Around the same time, Kelly was part of the Monash Forum group of MPs actively pushing for new coal-fired power stations. British television presenter Laura Tobin accused him on air of being a climate denier in January 2020, after he said people drawing a link between the summers horrific bushfires and climate change were just playing politics.

Hes also a prolific user of Facebook, frequently appearing in the top five in statistics of politicians with the most interactions on their posts. Or he was, until Facebook slapped him with a temporary ban last week for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. His outspokenness had caused growing agitation among Liberal colleagues, with one dubbing him the Pete Evans in the party room in reference to the anti-vaxxer celebrity chef. Days after this comment was reported, Kelly appeared on Evans podcast. Loading Kelly has vowed to resume his social media campaign to promote unproven coronavirus treatments, despite warnings from medical experts and the Australian Medical Association. This spruiking for alternative treatments led to Morrison reprimanding Kelly after a public clash with Labors Tanya Plibersek in the first sitting week of the year. But he insists hes on board with the government in urging Australians to have either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. I want to make sure theres no doubt: Im not an anti-vaxxer, he told this masthead.

What did he do this week? On Tuesday, Kelly blindsided Morrison and his colleagues by standing up in the party room meeting of all Liberal and National MPs and announcing he was quitting to sit as an independent. Loading He recalled an analogy Morrison is fond of using about New Zealands Americas Cup defence where the only consideration for the team was what would make the boat go faster. I acknowledge that some of my conduct over recent months has not helped the boat go fast, Kelly said in his resignation statement. He had decided that in order to continue to speak fearlessly and act in line with his conscience and principles, he had to resign as a member of the Liberal Party.

Of course, it would have also been playing on his mind that his preselection was yet again under threat. A number of challengers had emerged, including Kent Johns, who had prepared to run against Kelly twice before. Kelly has also been under pressure to sack his long-time adviser, Frank Zumbo, after reports about a restraining order made against him by a young woman. Morrison said Kelly had known for many years the Prime Minister didnt think he should be employing Zumbo. But Kelly is standing by his man. I would not be here without your friendship and advice, Kelly told Zumbo in Parliament back in 2010, and this week he again refused to sack him. Why is this important? The government has effectively lost its majority in the lower house - although it now has 76 MPs out of 151, one of that number, Tony Smith, is the Speaker and doesnt vote except in instances of a tie. There are actually 75 there and 75 here, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese pointed out helpfully during question time on Wednesday.
A former adviser to Craig Kelly has accused the Liberal MP's office manager of sexually harassing her at work.

The 27-year-old, who worked for Mr Kelly in his Sydney office from 2015 to 2018, claimed she was groped, kissed and hugged by Frank Zumbo.

The young woman was just 21 when she started working in the office after former lecturer Mr Zumbo offered her the job while teaching her law at UNSW.

Frank Zumbo (pictured) has strongly denied sexually harassing a young woman at work

A 27-year-old, who worked for Mr Kelly in his Sydney office from 2015 to 2018, claimed she was groped, kissed and hugged by Frank Zumbo (pictured)

In an interview with The Australian, she claimed he tried to kiss her every morning, groped her breasts and tried to rub his crotch on her.

The adviser said she enjoyed her job at first but then felt unable to leave because Mr Zumbo told her she would never get another job in politics if she did.

She eventually quit and now works in UK where she hopes to become a member of parliament.

The woman has made a police complaint and officers are investigating the allegations but no charges have been laid.

Mr Zumbo's lawyers told The Australian he strongly denies the allegations. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Zumbo for comment.

The office manager is also subject to an apprehended violence order preventing him from contacting, harassing and intimidating a teenage former intern in Mr Kelly's office.

Craig Kelly has resigned from the Liberal Party

Mr Kelly says he has investigated the allegations and does not believe they are true, but he will co-operate with the inquiries.

'I've had extensive discussions with my current staff. I am more than comfortable that my office is a safe place to work,' he told the ABC.

'I've got several staff members at the moment, two young girls, they have my mobile phone number to contact me at any time if they have any concerns about anything.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his office raised Mr Zumbo's employment with Mr Kelly after media enquiries about the staff member.

'It has long been my view that Mr Zumbo shouldn't be employed in the member for Hughes office,' Mr Morrison told parliament.

'He has known that. That has gone on over a very long period of time.'

Last week Mr Kelly became an independent after acknowledging his prolific promotion of two unapproved drugs was a drag on the government.

Mr Kelly threatened to quit the Liberals ahead of the 2019 election when he faced a challenge to his seat from within the NSW branch but was saved by Mr Morrison.
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The Colorado Springs economy wont recover the jobs lost in the COVID-19 pandemic until next year, according to an economist at the University
ARCHIVED - Covid restrictions relaxed in much of Spain despite warnings of a potential fourth wave



Regional governments ignore repeated pleas for caution from the Ministry of Health

So great is the desire for a semblance of normality to be re-introduced to daily life in Spain that in spite of the repeated warnings that caution is required in maintaining restrictions on socializing and travel in order to avoid a potential fourth wave of Covid-19 contagion, at least half of the 17 regional governments are already allowing people a greater degree of freedom as the month of February comes to its end.

It is only a month since the third wave reached its peak and the strain on hospitals and health services remains extreme as entire wards and units are reserved for Covid patients, but at least 8 Autonomous Communities have announced less strict measures as the infection rates continue to fall. This has raised hopes that inter-regional travel bans could be lifted by the time the Easter holidays start at the end of March, potentially bringing about a partial reactivation of the tourism sector, but of course at the same time it increases the risk that by that time infection rates could be rising again.

It appears that many regional governments have no longer been able to ignore the calls from businesses  particularly bars and restaurants  and members of the public for some relief from the forced closures over recent months. In Madrid it has been decided that the night-time curfew will continue to be in force from 22.00 to 6.00 for at least another two weeks  although in Catalunya the anticipated relaxation of some restrictions has been postponed due to a slight increase in infection rates shown by the latest data, but other administrations seem unwilling to heed the warnings or to risk unpopularity.

Even in Catalunya the government has announced that after two months with their doors closed shopping malls will be allowed to re-open partially (although not at weekends), while in Castilla-La Mancha it is the intention to shorten the curfew and allow inter-regional travel, becoming the first region to do so apart from Madrid and Extremadura since the end of the Christmas holidays.

Meanwhile, in Aragon the start of the curfew is being put back from 22.00 to 23.00 and social gatherings of up to 6 people are to be allowed as fewer restrictions are placed on bars and restaurants, and in Galicia Friday sees the partial reopening of hostelries and the resumption of travel between the 313 municipalities with just 10 exceptions.

Even in Murcia, where the regional minister for Health generally urges caution, the number of people allowed to meet has been raised to four and outdoor bar and restaurant terraces are permitted to open in 43 of the 45 municipalities.

Similarly, in the Comunidad Valenciana, one of the regions to suffer most severely during the third wave, outdoor terraces are now allowed to open and after this weekend it is expected that almost all municipal boundaries will be open, allowing greater movement.

In Andalucia only 51 municipalities are now confined, and borders re-open at midnight on Friday in the remainder across all eight provinces of the region.
"Step by step we are making additions to continue to build on premier practices that dominate a sector or market. We are fortunate that these experienced Trade attorneys have found a new home at Greenberg Traurig," said Ernest L. Greer.

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has added Matthew L. Kanna as a shareholder and Friederike S. Gorgens as of counsel in its Washington, D.C. office, expanding the firms dynamic International Trade Practice.

Kanna and Gorgens regularly represent U.S. domestic industry entities, foreign producers, and foreign governments in trade remedy and customs proceedings  areas that are top of mind for many clients  and that complement other aspects of Greenberg Traurigs trade practice, including compliance with domestic and global sanctions and foreign investment restrictions.

Kanna has extensive experience combining specific actions before individual U.S. government agencies to maximize disruption in clients competitors supply chains. He has defended against similar legal attacks for clients own supply chains.

Gorgens brings to Greenberg Traurig her German-American trade practice, which focuses on counseling German companies in maximizing their opportunities in the U.S. market while navigating trade barriers, market access issues, and turning trade disruption into a competitive advantage.

"Step by step we are making additions to continue to build on premier practices that dominate a sector or market. We are fortunate that these experienced Trade attorneys have found a new home at Greenberg Traurig," said Ernest L. Greer, Greenberg Traurig co-president and chairman of its Washington, D.C. office. "Particularly important for our clients is the synergy between Matt and Friederikes experience and our expanding multidisciplinary team of lawyers and governmental affairs professionals in Washington, D.C."

Kanna most recently ran his own firm. Both Kanna and Gorgens previously were members of the international trade group at Arent Fox.

"As part of their robust and impressive experience, these attorneys are global players in trade remedy proceedings. Because international trade continues to be a critical area for many firm clients, and a focus of the Biden administration, the addition of Matt and Friederike is a key step in continuing to grow this offering here in Washington, D.C., and across the globe," said Pamela Marple, an established Washington, D.C. litigator and the offices Administrative Shareholder.

"When the experience and platform are there, clients can be confident that their legal needs will be addressed no matter where their business takes them. Greenberg Traurig's global platform is a critical resource for our clients and was a key reason for joining the firm," Kanna and Gorgens noted in a joint statement. "As clients expand their products and services across the globe, they need a team that includes experience in tax, real estate, commercial litigation, at a very high level, and many times with local market experts, all delivered seamlessly within a collaborative culture. This is Greenberg Traurig."

Kanna received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and an M.H.S.A. from the University of Michigan in 2001. He received a B.S. from the University of Utah in 1997. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also clerked for Judge Antonio Mario La Pergola of the Cour de justice des Communautes europeennes.

Gorgens received her J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law and a B.A. from Trinity College. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, New York, Massachusetts, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She will spend time in the firms Germany office.

Greenberg Traurigs Washington, D.C. office has experienced growth this past year in several disciplines. Since January 2020, the following attorneys and governmental professionals have joined Greenberg Traurigs Washington, D.C. office: Smith (Smitty) W. Davis and Rodney P. Frelinghuysen as shareholders in the Government Law & Policy Practice; Kyle R. Freeny as shareholder in the White Collar Defense & Special Investigations Practice; Robert (Bob) Hollingshead as shareholder in the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice; Chia-Feng Lu as shareholder, Andrew Tsui as of counsel, and Tyler Scandalios as an associate in the Health Care & FDA Practice; Gary Lombardo as of counsel in the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice; Jack T. LeBris Erffmeyer as an associate in the Energy & Natural Resources Practice; and Christopher OBrien as an associate in the Government Contracts Practice.

About Greenberg Traurigs International Trade Practice: Greenberg Traurig helps clients promote global trade and lower trade barriers. The International Trade Practice works throughout numerous countries on trade policies, remedies, negotiations, disputes and other commercial issues as part of Greenberg Traurig's International Practice. The group is marked by a combination of experience and insight in strategic trade consulting and representation on issues relating to the World Trade Organizations global trade rules. The attorneys offer strategic advice to assist clients in both sustaining and enhancing their competitiveness in the ever-changing world economy. Members of the group also have experience in the growing array of global trade dispute proceedings.

About Greenberg Traurigs Washington, D.C. Office: Home to a multidisciplinary team of lawyers and governmental affairs professionals, the members of Greenberg Traurigs Washington, D.C. office help clients of all sizes navigate the federal government. The team of lawyers and lobbyists provide strategic corporate, regulatory, and litigation assistance on Capitol Hill, in the board room and before administrative agencies, and federal and state trial and appellate courts. The D.C. offices practice areas include governmental affairs; federal procurement and government contracts; global trade and investment; corporate, securities and financial services; health care and FDA; antitrust; energy; environment; real estate and hospitality; telecommunications; international arbitration; intellectual property; public finance; and employment law. Greenberg Traurig attracts clients from an array of sectors  from federal defense to energy, telecommunications to health care  and represents them before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies and regulatory bodies, and the entire U.S. court system.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
She says this week has been inspiring. There was still hidden victim-blaming, deflecting the issue to alcohol, drugs and self-respect. We need to shift away from rape culture, where its normal to do these things and people are bystanders. It needs to be normal to call this out, Contos says. Loading Im so optimistic about the future. I think so many good things can come of this. Jess* was among the first women to submit her story on Friday. She was in year 11 when she passed out in a taxi and woke up in the bed of a man she knew had been a few years older than her at a neighbouring school. He was having sex with her. I pretended to be asleep until he was finished as I was too scared to move, she says. Shortly after I ran into his bathroom and vomited. His roommate found me naked next to the toilet and woke me up.

She and a colleague were discussing creepy men during a shift at a Bondi store years afterwards, when they realised both had been sexually assaulted by the same man. Jess later learnt he attempted to assault a third friend. This week has felt overwhelming. But even if schools were teaching more about consent thats a step in the right direction. Its getting people talking, she says. These conversations have often searched for a scapegoat. Some say parents need to take more responsibility, or blame parties, alcohol and porn. Others pointed to privilege, entitlement and single-sex environments as incubators of toxic behaviours and attitudes towards women. Theyve drawn links between the petitions content and the story playing out in Parliament House, in terms of both cause and effect. I pretended to be asleep until he was finished as I was too scared to move. Jess, who submitted a testimony to the petition Contos petition focused on better and earlier sex education in schools, amid a wider misogynistic and patriarchal culture. The former female and male students who signed feel betrayed; they say their schools did not equip them to recognise sexual assault or teach them enough about consent. Principals pointed to their existing initiatives  assemblies, pastoral care programs or annual workshops  as evidence of their efforts. But one principal says everyone could do more: girls schools, boys schools and parents.

The NSW curriculum, which all schools must follow, was revised in 2018 to more explicitly teach consent, starting with concepts like private parts and bodily autonomy in the early years. However, the curriculum relies on teachers willing to confront its material head-on. Principals and schools are able to pick and choose which parts they teach and dont teach, says Professor Kath Albury, who has researched young peoples sexual learning. Loading They can skip over anything that seems controversial and unpleasant. Some will decide its too hard for their teachers to do the work, so theyll hire a speaker who will do a three-hour presentation to everyone in an assembly and say theyve ticked the box. A NSW Education Standards Authority spokeswoman says it could take a while for the new syllabuses to generate change. We also recognise a cultural shift depends [on] strong leadership, both culturally and educationally, within the school, she says. Schools are up against external pressures, including a political and parent landscape which is often squeamish about sex. But principals were this week forced to admit their failings. Nicholas Sampson, the headmaster of Cranbrook  where former students were the subject of dozens of claims and several have been formally charged with sexual assault  acknowledged a pretty dark culture in his letter to parents on Monday. You will see a number of initiatives in this field unfold over the coming months, Sampson said.

Former police officer Brent Sanders addressed an assembly at The Scots College on Wednesday, and Parker spoke to Newingtons year 9 to 12 cohort about consent and pornography on Thursday. Year 8 was given a more age-appropriate version of the talk. We will educate the boys about consent in large groups and small, Parker told parents. Scots College and Cranbrook School at Bellevue Hill. Credit:Sydney Morning Herald Kincoppal-Rose Bay head Maureen Ryan said principals across Sydney were committed to working together for social change. Many of the principals have reached out to each other and we will be dealing with it in a united front, she wrote. St Catherines School has put its hand up to host parent seminars for the eastern suburbs community. Head of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW, Geoff Newcombe, says private schools would also work closely with the public and Catholic school sectors, as well as NSW Police. Sydney psychologist Jocelyn Brewer says the issue needs to be role modelled, discussed, called out and supported throughout high school. Booking a fly-in fly-out speaker that kids have no relationship with is not ideal. Being lectured in a one-off talk is not ideal. Its a Band-Aid on an amputation, she says. But there is also a view among principals that this cannot only be seen as a schools issue. It is a problem we all have to own, wrote SCEGGS Darlinghurst principal Jenny Allum. Schools have to be part of the solution. Parents have to be part of the solution. So too do governments, and the media, and all organisations.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says there are clearly cultural issues at some of these schools. I think it was encouraging that their principals have met those head on, she says. The challenge here is beyond the classroom and comes down to young people having the strength to stand up for their friends, do the right thing, look out for each other and for adults to set clear examples and expectations. There have been times when Ive heard about disgusting behaviour and not done anything about it. Cranbrook prefect Asher Learmonth In their emails, schools have asked parents to join them on this journey and start difficult conversations at home. Rose Cantali, a psychologist and president of the NSW Parents Council, says many were confronted by the weeks events. For a lot of them it has come as a shock: theyre traumatised and really sad they havent been able to help their child. Ive had parents calling up saying its happened to their children, theyre dealing with their own emotions. Some boys school parents and their sons, particularly those who fear they could be the subject of some of the allegations, were really worried about it, Cantali says. You have kids who are perpetrators who maybe dont know what theyve done is wrong... Its become a community problem. Online and within their friendship groups, young people are reckoning with the claims too. There were reports on social media of students snickering during assemblies, and men in their 20s mocking the petition at last weekends gatherings.

Loading Others - like the man who reached out to Kate - are starting to reflect. Amid the hundreds of womens testimonies, a handful of men expressed their regret about behaviour they walked past and accepted. Some are just beginning to understand that what they witnessed - or engaged in - was sexual assault. A speech given by Cranbrooks head prefect Asher Learmonth said the schools name had featured too heavily, once again, in the allegations. He urged his peers to avoid laughing or dismissing the topic. There have been times when Ive heard about disgusting behaviour and not done anything about it, times when Ive tolerated boys referring to women in derogatory ways, times when Ive stood by, he said. I do think there is a very specific and damaging attitude many of we boys have... Identify this sexist and reductive attitude within yourself, within the boys you go out with. Change the way you view women. Change it. Kate has watched men respond to the week with interest. Its not the relief I thought I would feel, she says. Maybe deep down theyre good people, but it will always play on the back of my mind  are they coming forward because theyre worried about the future of themselves, or the future of us? * Names have been changed to protect the identity of the women
El Chapo's wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro (pictureds), 31, reportedly turned herself in when she arrived in DC, on Monday in a sign that she could turn on the Sinaola Cartel

El Chapo's beauty queen wife reportedly turned herself in when she arrived in Washington, DC, on Monday in a sign that she could turn on the Sinaola Cartel.

US officials could be looking for Emma Coronel Aispuro, 31, to help take down her husband Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's operation, the Sinaloa cartel.

On Monday, authorities said Coronel was arrested at Dulles Airport in DC, and charged with drug trafficking after an informant accused her of masterminding Guzman's Hollywood-style escape from a Mexico prison in 2015.

However, according to Vice, sources claimed that she actually turned herself in and was prepared to face the charges against her when she landed in DC.

The sources, who spoke to the news outlet on the condition anonymity, suggested that Coronels surrender could signal a cooperation agreement. That could mean she may provide information or testimony in exchange for leniency in her case.

Coronel and Guzman, who is more than three decades her senior, tied the knot when she was 18 in 2007 and went on to spend the majority of their married life with Guzman either in jail or on the run as one of the world's top drug lords.

When Guzman finally went on trial in 2019, Coronel stepped into the spotlight, attending court in designer outfits with their twin daughters in a show of loyalty.

Coronel had refused to cooperate with investigators and turn on her husband - who was easily convicted anyway and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

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US officials could be looking for Coronel (pictured) to help take down her husband Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's operation, the Sinaloa cartel

On Monday, authorities said Coronel (pictured in 2019) was arrested at Dulles Airport in DC, and charged with drug trafficking after an informant accused her of masterminding Guzman's Hollywood-style escape from a Mexico prison in 2015

However, according to Vice, sources claimed that she actually turned herself in and was prepared to face the charges against her when she landed in DC. The sources suggested that Coronels surrender could signal a cooperation agreement. El Chapo is pictured in 2017

After Guzman was put away, Coronel leaned even further into her newfound fame, garnering a 579,000-strong following on social media, launching a clothing brand in the US and appearing on a reality show about mafia families.

US investigators are said to be confident that putting pressure on Coronel will finally make her crack and cooperate - potentially providing information that could bring the Sinaloa cartel down altogether.

Coronel has been charged with one count criminal complaint with a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and 500 grams or more of methamphetamines for unlawful importation into the US.

According to prosecutors, she helped run her husband's drug empire between 2014 and 2017, and she also participated in two plots to spring him from prison - one in 2015 - which was successful - and another in 2016, while he was awaiting extradition to the US - which was not.

Coronel has been enmeshed in the cartel world all her life, having grown up with a father and brother who were both drug traffickers.

When she married Guzman, then 50, the families 'merged' and he brought her brother and father in to be his 'top lieutenants', according to former DEA Chief Mike Vigil.

'Emma Coronel has always been a narco princess,' Vigil told the Sun this week. 'The cartels trust their family members more than anybody else. She can provide a lot of information that can lead to US-based indictments against Sinaloa cartel members.'

It remains unclear whether Coronel intends to cooperate, or if she plans to continue standing by her husband's side. Vigil said he thinks it could go either way.

'Her life is in danger if she cooperates,' he said. 'Her motivation for co-operating would be her young twin daughters. She goes to jail, she has a life without them.'

The Sinaloa cartel, which was established in Culiacan in the 1980s, has only increased its power in the wake of Guzman's arrest, authorities say.

It continues to send millions of dollars of drugs into the US each month under the presumed leadership of Guzman's longtime partner, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada.

Zambada is believed to be sharing that role with Guzman's sons - Jesus Alfredo Guzman, Ivan Guzman and Ovidio Guzman, who go by the moniker 'Los Chapitos'. The cartel's leadership structure has long been elusive, but cooperation from someone as high up as Coronel could change that.

At a virtual court appearance on Tuesday, Coronel's attorneys said they were not immediately seeking bail. She is pictured in a court sketch of the virtual proceedings along with her lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman (top left) and US Magistrate Judge Robin Meriweather (top right)

The Sinaloa cartel has held its power even after Guzman's arrest and continues to send millions of dollars of drugs into the US each month under the presumed leadership of Guzman's longtime partner, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada (pictured)

Guzman's sons - Jesus Alfredo Guzman, Ivan Guzman (left) and Ovidio Guzman (right), who go by the moniker 'Los Chapitos' - have also taken a more active role in the cartel since his arrest

The Department of Justice has not confirmed when or how Coronel agreed to turn herself in on Monday.

At a virtual court appearance on Tuesday, her attorneys said they were not immediately seeking bail. The hearing was delayed because an interpreter hadn't been called.

US Magistrate Judge Robin Meriweather said prosecutors had provided sufficient reason to keep Coronel behind bars for now.

She is facing a minimum of 10 years in prison but a maximum of life and a fine of up to $10million.

A date does not appear to have been set for her next hearing.

In the wake of her arrest, speculation arose that Coronel, who lived in relative obscurity before Guzman's trial, may have put a target on her own back when she embraced the limelight.

Her actions violated unwritten rules about family members, especially wives, keeping a low profile.

Until the trial, 'Emma had remained anonymous like practically all of partners of Sinaloa cartel capos,' Adrian Lopez, executive editor of Sinaloa's Noroeste newspaper, told the Associated Press.

Then, 'she begins to take on more of a celebrity attitude. ... This breaks a tradition of secrecy and a style specifically within the leadership of the Sinaloa cartel.'

Late last year, the Mexican investigative journalist Anabel Hernandez - who has written extensively about the Sinaloa cartel, including a 2019 book about the diary of cartel leader Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada's son - said a source told her that Coronel's mother, Blanca Aispuro, was worried about the turn her daughter's life was taking.

Concern was also building among Guzman's sons and Sinaloa cartel leader Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, said Hernandez, who was the first journalist to ever interview Emma Coronel.

Coronel walks out of Federal Court flanked by bodyguards and US Marshalls after her husband was found guilty of drug trafficking charges in 2019

After Guzman was put away, Coronel leaned even further into her newfound fame, garnering a 579,000-strong following on social media, launching a clothing brand in the US and appearing on a reality show about mafia families

'Her mother was also worried that an enemy cartel could harm Emma because she was unleashed, was out in the street a lot, the clubs, excessive in her social life,' Hernandez said the source told her.

'Her mother worried something like that could happen or she could become a target of the government.'

Guzman has been married numerous times; as was made clear in his trial in New York, he has been far from faithful.

Sitting in the courtroom, Coronel heard a woman testify to how she and Guzman made a dramatic escape from a middle-of-the-night raid on one of his hideouts by Mexican marines.

She described hopping out of bed, locating a secret hatch and running through a drainage tunnel, a naked Guzman leading the way.

'Sometimes I loved him and sometimes I didn't,' the woman said, tearfully.

Coronel was there each day smiling, blowing kisses to Guzman, 'but in reality they tell me that Emma was very, very mad and very hurt,' Hernandez said.

'And so, when the trial ended she decided to take revenge and the way to get revenge was to make her husband see what he was losing.'

Coronel was born in San Francisco, but grew up in the mountains of Durango bordering Guzman's Sinaloa state in an impoverished area known as the Golden Triangle.

She and Guzman married in 2007, when she had just turned 18 and he was 50. 'I don't imagine she really had many options to say no, I won't marry you,' Hernandez said.

For a time, Coronel's father, Ines Coronel Barreras, allegedly took charge of moving the Sinaloa cartel's marijuana across the border into Arizona.

In 2013, he was arrested with one of his sons and other men in a warehouse with guns and hundreds of pounds of marijuana across the border from Douglas, Arizona

For years, Emma Coronel's only public image was a photograph from 2007, when she was crowned the beauty queen of the festival in Canelas, the town where she grew up. She wore an enormous crown and a closed mouth smile, and looked directly at the camera.

After their wedding, she disappeared from public view until it was reported in 2011 that she had given birth to their twin daughters in Los Angeles County. On February 22, 2014, she was with Guzman and their daughters in the Pacific resort town of Mazatlan when he was captured by Mexican marines.

Guzman was sent to the maximum security Altiplano prison outside Mexico City while his lawyers fought his extradition.

On July 11, 2015, Guzman escaped through a milelong tunnel that had been dug to the shower in his cell.

In January 2016, Mexican marines recaptured Guzman in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. The next month, Coronel gave her first ever interview to Hernandez, complaining repeatedly about the conditions in which Guzman was being held.

Coronel told Hernandez she had learned of his escape from the Altiplano prison from television.

'If I had known something I wouldn't have been able to sleep or eat from desperation,' she said. 'I had no idea.'

Guzman was extradited to the United States - but not before Coronel was involved in planning yet another escape attempt that never came to fruition, US prosecutors say.

Coronel and her designer wardrobe made a splash at the El Chapo trial. Photographers elbowed each other to capture her arrivals and departures.

Coronel and her designer wardrobe made a splash at the El Chapo trial with their seven-year-old twin girls in tow

Coronel arrives at Brooklyn Federal Court on January 29, 2019, for her husband's trial

At one point, she wore a burgundy velvet blazer that matched one she had sent to Guzman to wear that day. Afterward, she commissioned a courtroom artist to recreate the show of solidarity - a souvenir.

Coronel strode the courtroom confidently. She played with her hair while waiting for proceedings to start and chatted amicably with reporters sitting behind her. She carried crackers and cookies in her purse, sometimes offering snacks to reporters.

Every morning, Guzman sought her out as he entered the courtroom. He smiled and waved hello.

One day she chatted and laughed in the courtroom with Mexican actor Alejandro Edda, who played Guzman in the Netflix series 'Narcos: Mexico.'

In the trial's sixth week, she brought her seven-year-old twin daughters, dressed in matching jeans and white jackets; their father clapped to them softly, as if to play with them.

After Guzman was convicted Coronel posted a statement thanking Guzman's attorneys, and her mother and sister for taking care of the twins while she was attending the trial.

She said the trial had been difficult. Her name had come up in testimony: Damaso Lopez, one of Guzman's former lieutenants, testified that he met several times with Coronel and Guzman's sons to plan the drug boss' escape from the Altiplano prison. And he said Coronel had relayed messages from her husband.

Coronel was unrepentant. 'What I can only say about that is that I have nothing to be ashamed of,' she wrote. 'I am not perfect but I consider myself a good human being and I have never hurt anyone intentionally.'

Lopez, the editor of Noroeste, and Ismael Bojorquez, editor of Riodoce, a news outlet known for its investigations into Sinaloa's underworld, both expressed shock that Coronel had traveled to and from the US after the trial.

Hernandez suspects US authorities noticed Coronel's change in lifestyle and spotted an opportunity to pressure her at a moment when she may be more open to betraying her husband.
The fulfillment of the order of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on implementation of the Program for the construction of domestic helicopters was discussed on Thursday, February 25 in Kharkiv by Deputy Prime Minister for Strategic Industries Oleh Urusky with the management of the state concern Ukroboronprom and aircraft companies.

"Ukrainian aircraft builders are confidently moving in the direction of creating a helicopter industry. JSC Motor Sich, according to the management, has mastered the production of all helicopter systems in Ukraine," Urusky wrote following the meeting.

He also said that the implementation of the State Defense Order for the production of three An-178 military transport aircraft for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the resumption of work of the Kharkiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company was also discussed.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the Ministry of Strategic Industries has updated the Strategy for Revival of the Domestic Aircraft Industry, and the concept of the State Targeted Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of the Aviation Industry for 2021-2030 has already been approved.

According to him, the Ministry of Strategic Industries keeps special control over the situation around Kharkiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company, in particular, steps are being taken to promote the order of four An-74 aircraft for the Ministry of Defense.

Urusky said that the issue of aggregate construction for aircraft was also raised during the discussion. "Today in Ukraine we have all the available potential to carry out import substitution and produce all the necessary components at domestic facilities," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
A wild boar was caught and put down in Punggol on Friday, 26 February 2021. (PHOTO: Sun Xueling)

SINGAPORE  A wild boar has been captured and put down after it injured a Punggol resident and an NParks officer on Friday afternoon (26 February), in the third such incident in Punggol in a week.

In a Facebook post, Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How said National Parks (NParks) officers trapped a wild boar in the Punggol area, close to where two people were injured last Saturday. In a separate post, Punggol West Member of Parliament Sun Xueling said the pig was seen in the Punggol Seas and Ecopolitan area.

The Straits Times reported that separate wild boar attacks took place on Saturday at 308B and 310A Punggol Walk. Both individuals were taken to Sengkang General Hospital.

According to Tan, a member of the public spotted the hog hiding in the bushes. NParks personnel and a police officer secured the area and kept an eye on it.

The officers then gave chase when the wild boar charged out of the vegetation and attacked a woman. Two NParks officers and a resident managed to free her from the pig, which was darted. In the process, one of the officers was himself bitten by the wild boar.

"The wild boar had to be humanely euthanised because of its aggressive behaviour. The lady and the NParks officer suffered minor cuts and are being attended to," said Tan.

The MOS noted that NParks has erected hoarding around the remaining forest patches to minimise the chances of wild boars roaming into the community. It also deployed CCTVs, camera traps and traps around the estate.

"NParks colleagues shared with me that the feeding of wildlife whether intentionally or through irresponsible discarding of food is a key reason for such wildlife-human incidents," said Tan.

Since the Wildlife Act came into force in June 2020, NParks has prosecuted about 20 wild boar feeders, he added.

In response to Yahoo News Singapore's queries, NParks confirmed the facts of the MOS's post and added that it will continue surveillance of the area to ensure public safety.

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday (February 26) said that governments should support the businesses in their countries, specifically the MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).

Speaking at the Asia Economic Dialogue 2021, Jaishankar said, "People expect today the government to bat for them. It is not just the business of Indian diplomacy to do business, it is the business of the government to support businesses."

"Every government in the world does that, we in India haven't done that enough and I think that is changing. This realisation is very sharp in India," he added.

People expect today the govt to bat for them. It's not just the business of Indian diplomacy to do business, it's the business of govt to support business. Every govt in the world does that, we in India haven't done that enough & I think that is changing: EAM S Jaishankar pic.twitter.com/dvN2mRBqZG  ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2021

These statements by the EAM came on the same day, when 40,000 trade associations across the country will observe the Bharat Vyapar Bandh to protest against some of the "draconian, arbitrary and critical" amendments made recently in GST rules.

All commercial markets in the country will remain closed on Friday in view of the Bharat Bandh called by the Indian traders' bodies in protest against GST, fuel price hike, E-Way Bill.

This years Asia Economic Dialogue is being jointly convened by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Pune International Centre (PIC). This years theme is Post Covid-19 Global Trade and Finance Dynamics and the event witnessed high-level international participation.

"We need to stand up for our business and that doesn't mean just big business, it means MSMEs," the EAM added.

After the meeting, Jaishankar said in a tweet, "Pleasure to participate at the Asia Economic Dialogue. Always good to talk with my colleague Marise Payne. Thank MEA and Pune International Centre for organising the engaging conversation on Resilient Global Growth in a Post-Pandemic World.

Pleasure to participate at the #AsiaEconomicDialogue. Always good to talk with my colleague @MarisePayne. Thank MEA & @PuneIntCentre for organising the engaging conversation on Resilient Global Growth in a Post-Pandemic World. pic.twitter.com/CepetEyr1u  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2021

Meanwhile, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said in a release that the traders will stage protests at over 1,500 places across the country on Friday, demanding the GST Council, Centre and State governments to keep on hold the draconian provisions of GST.

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Theres a tiny oasis on the west coast of Florida where the men wear Tommy Bahama from head to toe and women of a certain age stroll around poolside in tube tops and full jewelry.

Its a middle-age nirvana where crabs talk and you can eat veal-stuffed manatee while wearing your evening culottes and sip tropical drinks served in a mini-aquarium.

This oasis is called Vista Del Mar, and its the wacky invention of Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who co-wrote and co-star in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, a gentle salute to women in their 40s getting their groove back.

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Wiig and Mumolo, whose Bridesmaids was nominated for a screenwriting Oscar, are irresistible this time as two best friends who accidentally get wrapped up in a huge plot to destroy the Florida resort town.

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar has some pleasant messages  like dont abandon a friendship over a boy, fight to keep your inner shimmer, and youre never too old to grow. Its not gross or sharp, unless you find jokes about how tourists like gifts made of shells a little too close to home.

Wiig (Star) and Mumolo (Barb) play a particular caricature of a Midwestern woman  the hair is fluffy, they adore character socks and eat hot dog soup. Just a pair of very forgiving and kindly single gals from Soft Rock, Nebraska.

They are members of a Talking Club (run ruthlessly by Vanessa Bayer) and say things like, Its so funny to think all the raccoons in the world are sleeping right now. Somehow, the relentlessly optimistic pair dont get grating for viewers during its 100 minutes. Director Josh Greenbaums work is straightforward, wisely just letting these gals do their thing.

When their careers at a furniture store take a nosedive, Barb and Star decide on a Florida vacation. Maybe something is telling us to do something different, Star tells Barb. To which Barb replies: Should we try those socks with individual toes?

In Florida, they wander into a revenge plot laid by a James Bond-like villain (also Wiig) who wants to destroy her hometown of Vista Del Mar with killer mosquitoes because residents were mean to her as a kid. The tip-off thats shes evil comes quickly; her lair has an elevator with a button labeled Lair.

There are roles for Jamie Dornan as a love interest, Damon Wayans Jr. as a bumbling spy, Reba McEntire as a water sprite and a hysterical turn by Andy Garcia as Tommy Bahama, who delivers this line without cracking up: It is time to mount the wind and ride it with the fierceness of a hippopotamus.

Wiig and Mumolo are also behind many of the movies songs, including the hotel lounge piano tune I Love Boobies and Edgars Prayer, which is delivered to seagulls. Of course, there are classic beach bum songs, too, like Cheeseburger in Paradise and Key Largo.

The film nicely sends up spy capers, Broadway and buddy movies and is a lot like its two leading characters: kindly, a little silly and as sweet as a candy-colored drink at the pool bar.

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

2.5 stars

RATED: PG-13 (for crude sexual content, drug use and some strong language)

WHEN: Available for rental

WHERE: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Vudu
In winning its legal battle to stop Shamima Begum returning to the UK, the government was forced to make rare admissions over weaknesses in its ability to protect the public from terrorism.

One of its core arguments to the Supreme Court was that the former Isis member, who travelled to Syria aged 15, was dangerous and should be excluded from Britain for national security reasons.

Sir James Eadie QC, representing the home secretary, admitted that terrorists had been able to commit attacks even while being monitored by MI5, such as in the 2017 London Bridge attack and 2019 Fishmongers Hall stabbings.
Prince Albert of Monaco has candidly revealed how different his six-year-old twins can be from one another.

The head of state, 62, who is married to Princess Charlene of Monaco, told People that his daughter Princess Gabriella has the 'gift of gab and no qualms about being in front of people'.

This is in stark contrast to her 'shy' brother Prince Jacques, with the heir to the throne being a little quieter than his sibling.

But despite the twins' growing confidence, Prince Albert is determined to let them enjoy their childhoods and refuses to constantly place them in the public eye.

Prince Albert of Monaco (pictured with his family last month) has revealed how different his six-year-old twins can be from one another

He told the publication: 'In very broad terms, Jacques is a little more shy and a little quieter, but he can also come up with some very funny things,' adding that he's a keen observer.

Meanwhile, he admitted his daughter is 'a little more outgoing, and she definitely has the gift of gab'.

Explaining that she loves to dance and sing, the prince suggested Princess Gabriella has no problem standing in front of a crowd.

However, the devoted father said he hadn't given the twins a long list of what's expected from them in terms of their royal duties because he's careful to let them enjoy their childhoods without any scrutiny.

He revealed: 'We don't want to put them into the spotlight too much. It's a case-by-case opportunity for now, so it remains special for them.'

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert with their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella at the Palace balcony during the Monaco National Day Celebrations on November 19, 2019 in Monte-Carlo

Joining parents across the world, Prince Albert and wife Princess Charlene have been forced to homeschool their children amid the coronavirus pandemic - but fortunately, the head of state said he can handle their math assignments.

He went on to add that the twins are eager to know about geography and science after showing an interest in how oceans, planets and the solar system work.

Last month, Princess Charlene praised 'loyal' Prince Albert in her first comments since claims arose he is facing a paternity suit over a third love child.

The mother-of-two shocked royal fans around the world when she debuted a striking punk shaved haircut in December.

Last month, Princess Charlene praised 'loyal' Prince Albert in her first comments since claims arose he is facing a paternity suit over a third love child. The mother-of-two shocked royal fans around the world when she debuted a striking punk shaved haircut in December (pictured)

Days later it emerged her husband is set to appear in court in the coming months to fight explosive claims he fathered a third love child with a secret girlfriend.

After appearing alongside her husband in snaps over the Christmas period, the former Olympic swimmer made her first comments in an interview in which she hailed Prince Albert as 'loyal, determined and courageous'.

Speaking with Point du Vue, she revealed: 'When my husband has problems, he tells me about it. I often tell him, "No matter what, no matter what, I'm a thousand percent behind you. I'll stand by you whatever you do, in good times or in bad."

The mother-of-two went on to say she also often tells her husband she will 'protect him' and will 'always be by his side.'

Meanwhile Princess Charlene revealed her drastic new haircut was 'her decision', explaining she had wanted the cut 'for a long time' because the 'style pleases her.'

The royal, who usually wears her hair in a chic blonde bob, shocked fans around the world when she unveiled her drastic new haircut earlier this year (pictured, before the haircut in September)

She said she had dismissed comments about the style 'not being royal', adding: 'And I have nothing to answer them, except that we are in 2021, and that in these times so troubled, so difficult, other much more important subjects deserve our attention.'

And after being asked 'are you happy', the royal responded: 'There are times more or less easy, it is the case for everyone.

'But I am happy as I am, fulfilled by what I am going through, I know I am very privileged.'

Sources in the Mediterranean principality say Charlene has had a 'terrible' year as lawyers for the billionaire couple brace themselves for the court case that opens in Milan in February.

Albert, who already supports two illegitimate children, is alleged to have had a relationship with a 34-year-old Brazilian woman which resulted in a daughter on July 4, 2005.

The claim, which his lawyers dismissed as a 'hoax', is particularly painful as he was dating Charlene at the time, having met the former Olympic swimmer in 2000.
Luxembourg is often accused of lagging behind its neighbours when it comes to vaccination. Our colleagues at RTL 5 Minutes have taken a closer look to determine whether this is actually the case.

Is Luxembourg too slow? At the very least, it is a claim often made and heard during discussions of the country's vaccination campaign, which officially started two months ago.

While it is far behind the most advanced countries such as the UK (about 27% of the population vaccinated at least once, but only 1% have received both doses) or Israel (48%), is Luxembourg really lagging behind?

As of Tuesday 23 February, 24,508 people had received a first dose of the vaccine, while 8,862 had been vaccinated twice. That is 3.91% of the total population with at least one injection and 1.41% with two.

In Europe, according to calculations made by our colleagues at RTL 5 Minutes, other countries have a vaccination rate close to this level. Notably the neighbouring countries of France (3.96%), Germany (4.2%), and Belgium (3.6%) regarding the first dose. Spain (4.34%) and Portugal (4.55%) are slightly ahead in Europe, as are the Netherlands and Iceland. All in all, Luxembourg is following a similar pace to that of the Greater Region. For the second dose, however, Luxembourg is in fact lagging behind.

Data assembled by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) point in the same direction. This time focusing on the vaccination status of people over 18 years of age, these figures confirm that Luxembourg's figures are similar to those of the Greater Region. It is also behind but close to most other nations. And remains far from the most advanced countries. Malta (which has placed additional orders), Denmark, Norway, and Finland are among the countries with the most vaccinations. Luxembourg's delay is more apparent in the case of vaccinations described as "complete", i.e. with two doses.

Vaccination avec au moins une dose de la population adulte en Europe au 21 fevrier. /  Centre europeen de prevention et de controle des maladies Vaccination complete de la population adulte en Europe au 21 fevrier. /  Centre europeen de prevention et de controle des maladies

Luxembourg is speeding up the vaccination process

Although it has indeed started off at a slower pace than its main neighbours, Luxembourg has just stepped up its vaccination campaign. In fact, it has stepped up the pace quite considerably. During the week of 15 to 21 February, 8,092 injections were carried out. Of these, 6,004 were the first injections. It was by far the most active week since the campaign began at the end of December. And according to the vaccination figures published for Monday and Tuesday, this rhythm seems to continue over the course of the current week.

However, vaccination automatically relates to vaccine stocks. Luxembourg, like other countries, is dependent on deliveries from pharmaceutical companies. According to the schedule of deliveries communicated by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, Luxembourg has received enough to fully vaccinate 27,495 people. That's nearly 55,000 doses of the vaccine. It has already used 33,370 of them and has enough to guarantee their second dose to those who have already been vaccinated once.

Other countries have adopted a more aggressive strategy, with more sustained vaccination but fewer stocks. In this sense, Luxembourg is slower but also less at risk of shortages in the event of a supply problem. Compliance with manufacturers' vaccination instructions is therefore ensured. On Thursday, Minister of Health Paulette Lenert announced that Luxembourg will increase vaccination with the AstraZeneca product and only keep in stock the strict minimum, i.e. the second dose to be injected ten weeks later. A "small risk" that is expected to "save lives", according to Lenert.

According to planned arrivals, Luxembourg expects to have vaccinated "69,887 people by the end of March 2021". Mainly thanks to vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca. A little over 11% of the population. It should then be able to step up its campaign further once other vaccines such as CureVac and Johnson & Johnson are authorised.
France expressed its readiness to join an inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform initiative, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

He said this at a joint press conference with Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday, February 26, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"I am grateful that France welcomes the Crimea Platform initiative, confirms its readiness to take part in its inaugural summit, and the format of participation will be directly determined taking into account the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic on the date of its holding," the minister noted.

Kuleba said that he had informed his French counterpart about the Crimean Platform and invited French President Emmanuel Macron to take part in it.

The Ukrainian foreign minister hopes that France will play an important role in the protection of international law, human rights and the de-occupation of Crimea.

At the same time, he thanked the French partners for their "consistent and principled" support for Ukraines territorial integrity and efforts within the framework of the Normandy format.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba is on a working visit to France on February 26.

As reported, the Crimean Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupying power and to achieve the de-occupation of Crimea and its return to Ukraine.

The Crimean Platform is expected to operate at the level of heads of state and government, foreign ministers, in the dimension of inter-parliamentary cooperation and expert network.

The Crimean Platform is to be launched officially at an inaugural summit in Kyiv on August 23, 2021.

Photo credit: Twitter / DmytroKuleba

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A DUBLIN man who killed his father should be assessed by a psychologist and a psychiatrist before he is sentenced, the Central Criminal Court heard today.

David Fortune (33), of Rutland Grove in Crumlin went on trial at the Central Criminal Court last year charged with murdering his father Gerry Fortune (62) on August 19, 2018. On the fifth day of the trial, Fortune was re-arraigned following legal discussions between the parties.

When charged again with his fathers murder, Fortune replied: Not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.

Counsel for the prosecution, Sean Gillane SC, told the trial judge Ms Justice Eileen Creedon that the plea was acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Today Ms Justice Creedon adjourned a sentence hearing, saying she wants to allow time for assessments by a psychiatrist and a forensic psychologist. She said the reports were suggested by probation services and considered necessary before a sentence hearing can take place. The sentence hearing will take place on Monday, April 26.

During the brief hearing Tony McGillicuddy SC asked the court to provide him with a transcript of the five days of the trial and access to the digital audio recording of the trial. Mr McGillicuddy said he is acting for the Garda Commissioner and he said the transcripts are required as part of an inquiry being carried out by gardai.

During the trial, the jury heard that Gerry Fortune, who worked in St James Hospital, was stabbed in the neck in his family home with a knife by his son after watching the All-Ireland hurling final in his living room.

Sean Gillane SC for the DPP said the accused and a number of other people were in a granny flat at the rear of the house for a day of drinking and drug taking on the day of the fatal assault.

Counsel said some of those attending had described the accused as behaving in a paranoid way before he went into the house following a row with his half-brother Gerard Lambe. Mr Lambe denied that he put black-market diazepam tablets in the accuseds mouth earlier on the day but said he did give the tablets to the accused.

Witness Eddie Byrne told the trial that he saw Gerard Lambe physically putting a big, blue tablet into the accused man's mouth on the day before the stabbing.

He told Michael Bowman SC, defending, that Mr Lambe had given it to him to calm him down. "He said: 'Here, try that,'" testified Mr Byrne, while gesturing with his outstretched hand.

"He didn't ask for it," he said of the accused, who he thought didn't know what he was taking.

"Are you saying that Gerard physically put it in his mouth?" asked Mr Bowman.

"Yeah," replied the witness.

Fortunes half-sister, Laura Lambe, gave evidence that the accused had been hallucinating just before the stabbing after consuming a number of tablets.

On and off, David was getting paranoid and he was arguing, she recalled.

Ms Lambe said her father had called the accused into the house for dinner and to try and calm him down.

She told the court she heard her father scream at Gerard to get out of the room before David hit him.

Ms Lambe broke down in tears as she recounted how the accused was shouting at her father: Da, Im going to die and that her father replied: Youre not going to die, son. Nobody is going to die today.

She claimed her half-brother was blank and his eyes were black at the time that he swung at his father with a knife before stabbing him in the neck.

The victim was rushed to hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The court heard that after the stabbing, Fortune jumped through the front window before hijacking a car from a woman on Rutland Grove and driving to Blanchardstown Hospital where he ran though the hospital building in a frightened state wearing only one shoe.

Fortune was arrested by gardai who were alerted after he had been given Valium by staff in the hospitals emergency department.

Several hospital staff gave evidence that Fortune claimed his father or family had been trying to stab him.

The accuseds sister, Anne-Marie OLeary, said Fortune had contacted her that evening and said: Da stabbed me.

He had also asked her to call the gardai before hanging up.

The court heard from several witnesses that the accused enjoyed a very good relationship with his father.

Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster, said a post-mortem exam showed the deceased had suffered an 8cm stab wound above the collarbone on the left side of his neck which had cut through his carotid artery and jugular vein.

Dr Bolster attributed the cause of death as haemorrhage and shock due to a stab wound to the neck.
A pest control company found 27 mice inside a Chinese restaurant and their droppings all over the kitchen after a member of the public raised the alarm.

Health inspectors declared Chung Ku, in Liverpool, posed an 'imminent risk to health' after a visit to the restaurant in August, 2019.

A dead rodent was found on a counter used to prepare food and droppings were found on bags of sugar, the cookers and on shelving and it was given a food hygiene rating of zero.

After their visit the restaurant was closed voluntarily by its owner, Dove Ross-Williams, for two weeks, during which time a pest control company found an extensive rodent infestation.

A health inspector found a dead mouse in the kitchen at Chung Ku in Liverpool

Dove Ross-Williams, the owner of Chung Ku, voluntarily closed for two weeks after the inspection and its food hygiene rating rose from zero to three

Ross-Williams, 57, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court this morning after Liverpool City Council brought a prosecution based on their findings.

John Ball, prosecuting, said there was an inspection following a complaint from a member of the public 'relating to mouse activity'.

He said: 'Droppings can be seen in a number of locations, most notably under the refrigerator.

'They also discovered a dead mouse underneath one of the food preparation counters.'

He told the court there was also a 'lack of routine cleaning'.

The court was told inspectors revisited on August 28, 2019, where Chung Ku was given a new food hygiene rating of three.

Rodent droppings were found in the kitchen, including these shelves used to hold food

More droppings were discovered on the floor of the kitchen, with pest controllers later finding 27 mice in the restuarant

The remains of the dead mouse can be seen in pictures taken by Liverpool City Council at the restaurant

Vicky Balenski, defending, said: 'Mr Ross-Williams has engaged with the council when the health inspectors attended.'

'Mr Ross-Williams took over the restaurant in January 2019. This is the first time he has ever been involved in the restaurant business.'

'It became clear the then current pest controllers weren't dealing with the problem adequately. There was a meeting between Mr Ross-Williams and a number of members of staff, the manager and the assistant head chef.

'As a result of those conversations the contract with the then current pest controllers was terminated and the manager and assistant head chef resigned.'

'Whilst it was known there was an issue the parties were doing everything they could and making changes to try and address the problem.'

District Judge described the infestation as a 'very obvious problem' at today's hearing in Liverpool

The view of the ground in the kitchen of Chung Ku, Liverpool, during an inspection

'He was doing the best he could and did take steps to address it..'

District Judge James Clarke, sentencing, said that there was a 'very obvious' problem which had required 'active engagement'.

'A degree of risk was taken here to be aware of the problem and to continue to trade at the time when effectively closure was what was required.'

Ross-Williams was ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling 3050.

A spokesman for Liverpool City Council said: 'In August 2019 a member of the public complained to the Environmental Health Service at the City Council about rodent activity within the dining room at the premises.

'An unannounced food hygiene inspection was carried out by an Environmental Health Officer in order to investigate the complaint and to carry out an inspection.

'During the 16th August 2019 inspection, a dead mouse was found beneath catering equipment in the restaurants kitchen and mouse droppings were found on food preparation surfaces next to catering equipment and crockery, mouse droppings were found on floor surfaces under cooking equipment and fridge/freezers.

'The kitchen was unclean with a build-up of food debris and grease which provided a food source for pests.

'There were gaps and holes in the wall and floor surfaces which provided rodents with access/entry points.

'Conditions were so unsatisfactory that the kitchen was shut down because it presented an 'imminent risk to health'.

'After the restaurant carried out remedial works the EHO revisited on the 28 th August 2019 and agreed that kitchens could reopen.'
She's been enjoying quality time with her family during her stay in Dubai.

And Tamara Ecclestone was giving fans an insight into her trip as she posed for a stunning snap with her baby daughter Serena, six months, on Friday.

The Formula One heiress, 36, who is also mother to Sophia, six, with her husband Jay Rutland, 39, looked stunning in the snap as she held the tot on her chest.

Stunner: Tamara Ecclestone was giving fans an insight into her trip to Dubai as she posed for a stunning snap with her baby daughter Serena, six months, on Friday

Tamara showed off her lithe legs in the snap as she beamed while soaking up the sunshine with her young daughter and looking chic in the process.

The heiress and philanthropist has been keeping her followers up to date with her extended trip and has shared a plethora of snaps with her family.

She has barely been back to the UK since June and her husband admitted concerns over his family's safety was one reason they had not been back more.

Tamara's husband Jay revealed to MailOnline that the family have no plans to return to London following the dramatic security lapse that led to a multi-million pound jewel heist at her West London home in December 2019.

No plans: The family jetted to Dubai for the festive season and have remained there since, and Jay told MailOnline that they have no plans to come back yet

Speaking from Dubai about their plans, Jay told MailOnline: 'We do not intend to return to the UK from Dubai.

'There are a host of reasons why we are not going back to London any time soon and security is one of them. The truth is we are playing it month by month and watching how the situation develops.'

Meanwhile, Jay denied he and Tamara had broken travel restrictions as he explained: 'We have not broken the lockdown rules to come to Dubai, that is not what we have done.

Fabulous: On Tuesday, Tamara looked incredible as she showcased her figure in a grey swimsuit while treating six-year-old daughter Sophia to a day at a Hello Kitty spa

'At the beginning of the outbreak last year we really stuck to the rules.

'From March to May we locked down and did not leave the house [in London]. We went to Croatia in [June] the summer, but that was only after the rules changed and everyone was allowed to travel.

'From there we went to Switzerland and we stayed there until Christmas when we came here to Dubai.'
At a school in Newburyport Friday morning, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker touted a COVID-19 pooled testing program as a major component of how education moves forward during the ongoing pandemic.

Baker was touring the Nock-Molin Middle School in Newburyport with Secretary of Education James Peyser, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley and Newburyport Mayor Donna D. Holaday.

Newburyport is among the schools that have started surveillance COVID-19 testing through a pooled testing program.

Part of the reason I wanted to come here today was A.) to promote the fact that Newburyport has teed this up and teed it up pretty successfully, but also to note that there are hundreds of school districts and schools at this point and hundreds of thousands of kids and staff who are currently doing this and we have the resources and the capability to do this for pretty much everybody, Baker said.

Baker said he would like to see even more schools participating.

I think in some respects for all of us, this is a big part of how we create and build what I would describe as whatever the next normal is going to be here with respect to life both toward the end as we turn the corner here and down the road with respect to how we manage COVID, the Republican governor said.

The state announced the pooled program in January, calling it another mitigation effort to help ensure more children can safely be in classrooms during the pandemic. Baker said that so far, about 950 schools in the state are administering the weekly tests to about 300,000 students, teachers and staff.

With pooled testing, 10 nose swabs from one classroom or cohort of students and staff will go into one tube to be tested together at the lab. If the pooled sample comes back positive, individual tests are necessary.

DESE is covering costs for testing during the initial phase of the program, which is estimated to be between $15 and $30 million and will be funded by federal stimulus money. Schools and districts participating will receive the test kits, support from a testing service provider and the testing software to track results at no cost until March 28. After that, districts can continue the program by purchasing tests through a statewide contract using federal stimulus dollars.

Holaday said the pooled program, along with the eventual vaccination of education staff, will help bring every single student back into classrooms.

In Massachusetts, 1.2 million people have received first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Baker said. Though, K-12 employees have not yet been able to get the shot.

Earlier this week, Riley said state officials want to start looking at taking hybrid and remote education off the table as coronavirus case counts continue to decrease statewide.

The state wants elementary school students to learn in person five days a week this April, Riley said, with older students returning to classrooms for traditional learning at a later date.

Though many districts offer some form of in-person learning, other districts remain remote. Worcester, for example, is continuing remote education but plans to start hybrid learning in mid-March. For districts that remain remote, Riley said, a waiver to go to hybrid learning before fully in-person schooling will be an option.

Riley said Tuesday that the state will continue its recommendation of a minimum of 3-feet distancing when schools are fully open rather than the CDC-recommended and widely-used 6 feet of distance. That 3-foot minimum aligns more closely to the threshold used by the World Health Organization.

From Feb. 11 to 24, a two-week period that included school vacation, a total of 582 cases of COVID-19, split among 373 students and 209 staff members, were reported by Massachusetts schools to DESE. The department releases a weekly report on COVID cases in schools, and data show that those numbers have been declining in recent weeks, mirroring a statewide trend.

The prior COVID case report, on Feb. 11, reported 674 cases of the virus among 462 students and 212 staff members.

From Jan. 24 to Feb. 20, public health officials have identified 13 clusters of the virus in K-12 schools, according to Department of Public Health data released Thursday. Those clusters led to 44 confirmed cases and 72 contacts. There are also 37 ongoing clusters that were identified before Jan. 24 but have not yet met the criteria for closing.

School clusters include cases associated with a school where in-school transmission cannot be completely ruled out, officials have said, though other transmission settings are considered more likely. A cluster is considered closed after 28 days have passed since the last confirmed case.

Evidence of possible in-school transmission includes two or more cases that share a classroom or other school setting; timing between cases, as the average time between exposure and development of disease for COVID-19 is 5 days; and ruling out of other exposure settings, officials said.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 11:21:19|Editor: huaxia

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by Yosley Carrero

HAVANA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Delbis Utria, who resides in Havana's Arroyo Naranjo district with her husband and adolescent son, opened a community-based laundromat after leasing two washing machines from the government.

Like her, dozens of homemakers nationwide have found a job during the COVID-19 pandemic through Espumas, an entrepreneurship initiative supported by the island's Ministry of Domestic Trade and the Federation of Cuban Women.

The 46-year-old said that under the new legal framework for the private sector on the island, she would like to expand the scope of her business, providing medical centers and the hospitality sector with her services.

"This opportunity has come to my life when I needed it most. My family earnings have improved a lot over the past few months," she said while putting a red towel in the washing machine.

Among the laundromat regular clients is Omar Camejo, a 55-year-old state employee, who takes his family's dirty laundry for a weekly cleaning.

"I am a single father taking care of my son. It is difficult for me to do the laundry at home," he said. "When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, this business will grow quickly."

Cuba reported on Thursday 670 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 364 of which were registered in Havana, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the Caribbean nation.

Across the city, in the fishing town of Santa Fe, 36-year-old Daniuska Mercader also became a laundry worker after joining the Espumas project some months ago.

Wearing a homemade facemask, the laundry worker avoided shaking out dirty laundry to reduce the risk of getting infected with the contagious disease given how the novel coronavirus can survive on clothes for some time.

"Now, I spend more time with my kids who are not going to school due to partial lockdown measures in place," she said while turning a pair of jeans inside out. "I am lucky to have this job."

According to local authorities, Espumas is aiming to extend services on the periphery of the country's metropolitan areas and the countryside as well.

"Already, nearly 50 washing machines are operating, but this figure is expected to double by late March," Marlene Perez, a high-ranking official at the Cuban Ministry of Domestic Trade told Xinhua.

At present, the Cuban government is implementing public policies on gender equality in conformity with the national program for women empowerment, approved by the Council of Ministers in 2020.

Anielka Fernandez del Monte, a senior official at the Federation of Cuban Women, said that female workers play a leading role in different fields of the island's economic activities.

"With Espumas, we are helping homemakers, retired women and vulnerable people," she said. "We strongly believe job creation strategies are fundamental to continuing empowering women nationwide economically." Enditem
Indias huge capacity to make coronavirus vaccines is helping the country take on in the battle to gain political influence across the developing world.

Competition among poorer nations to get cheap or free vaccines to fight the pandemic had given a golden chance to strengthen ties in emerging markets it has been courting for years. And initially Beijing seemed in a strong position. It suppressed the domestic spread of Covid-19 last year and accelerated the production of shots.

At the same time, India was struggling to contain one of the worlds worst outbreaks of the virus, with nearly 100,000 cases a day, while a nationwide lockdown sent its economy into recession for the first time in 25 years.

But Chinese pharmaceutical companies have been reticent in sharing details of their pivotal vaccine trials crucial for building public trust around the world, and new domestic outbreaks reinforced the urgency of inoculating Chinas own 1.4 billion population, a task that could take years. Meanwhile, India sent millions of doses to neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, allowing them to begin vaccinations earlier than if they had waited for Chinese doses.

Because of their gift, Sri Lanka has been able to start vaccination immediately, said Eran Wickramaratne, a Sri Lankan opposition lawmaker who received one of the Indian shots. Most Sri Lankans would be thankful for this.

So far, New Delhi has managed to ship nearly 6.8 million free vaccines around the world. has pledged around 3.9 million, according to publicly available information compiled by Bloomberg, some of which have yet to arrive.

Beijing and New Delhi have long competed for influence in Asia, and tensions between the two have risen since the pandemic struck, including their most violent border clash in decades. India has banned hundreds of Chinese apps, including ByteDance Ltd.s TikTok, sought to attract investors away from China and boosted security ties with Japan, Australia and the US.

The rapid growth of Chinas economy  now roughly five times the size of Indias  has allowed Beijing to forge ties with poorer countries by loaning tens of billions under its Belt and Road Initiative.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: More than 13.7 million vaccine doses administered so far

But Covid has given India a diplomatic opportunity to pursue its aspirations of becoming a global power. Its pharmaceutical industry, especially the Serum Institute of India, had already made the South Asian nation the main supplier of essential medicines to the developing world. Now its allowing India to push back against Chinas growing influence.

A case in point is Myanmar, which has been rocked by a military coup and shares borders with both China and India. Beijing promised to send around 300,000 doses but has yet to deliver anything, while New Delhi quickly delivered 1.7 million shots.

Indian vaccines

New Delhi recognised early on that Indian production capacity would be crucial to beating the pandemic, said Ashok Malik, a policy adviser to the Ministry of External Affairs. Last year, when Indian manufacturers were exporting the anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine  hyped by then President Donald Trump  Prime Minister Narendra Modi was already talking to world leaders about providing vaccines, he said.

Not that India doesnt need doses itself. It too has more than a billion people to protect, and while China swiftly suppressed Covid-19, India was unable to prevent the virus from spreading rapidly.

New Delhi says its prioritising its own population. But Indias ability to manufacture vaccines was always going to outstrip the nations ability to inoculate all of its own citizens. And the countrys leaders can now deploy those millions of surplus vaccines to win friends and influence abroad.

In Bangladesh, the process of vaccination has started and its going very well, at least in the cities, said Meghna Guhathakurta, who is set to get the Indian dose in Dhaka this month. She said her relatives in the Indian city of Kolkata havent been contacted and dont know when they will get vaccinated.

Even as the Covid death toll in India passed 156,000, compared to less than 5,000 official deaths in China, New Delhi promised it wouldnt engage in vaccine nationalism and block exports.
Serco fights to keep Navy work

Serco Inc. doubled its work with the Navy almost two years ago when the company paid $225 million to acquire the Alion Science & Technology naval engineering business.

Executives at Serco Group's U.S. subsidiary have often mentioned that deal as a critical component of its transformation into becoming a larger provider of end-to-end design and sustainment work for the Defense Department.

Then it comes as no surprise that Serco is protesting a recompete decision that, for now, has taken away one of those prized Navy contracts.

Serco is protesting the Navys decision to award a $354 million task order to Booz Allen Hamilton. Awarded through the Seaport-NXG vehicle, this work supports the Navys SEA 21 office that manages the lifcecycle maintenance of non-nuclear surface ships.

Alion first won the work in 2015 that then went to Serco through the acquisition. In January, Serco was awarded an extension to continue those services through April 16, 2021.

The Navy said it needed the extension to transition from one contract to the next, even if Serco remained the prime. No winner of the recompete had been chosen at the time of that extension.

Several portions of the justification document were redacted including the extension's monetary value, according to procurement documents.

Serco filed its protest on Feb. 23. A decision from the Government Accountability is expected June 3.
PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RespectAbility, the disability advocacy non-profit that works to combat stigmas and promote opportunities for people with disabilities, is making a strong virtual presence at Sundance this year.

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UNDER TRUMP, WHITEHOUSE.GOV WAS A DISASTER. BIDEN'S TEAM REVAMPED IT IN 6 WEEKS

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EEOC SUES SAINT CLARE'S HEALTH FOR DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

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ROBINHOOD SUED IN CLASS ACTION, ALLEGING WEBSITE INACCESSIBILITY AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLIND USERS

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HOW BUSINESS LEADERS CAN CREATE TRUE INCLUSION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

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PROPUBLICA USES PLAIN LANGUAGE TO MAKE STORIES MORE ACCESSIBLE

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The sheriff said many of the reforms in the new law have already been adopted by the sheriffs office. He said, though, that there are provisions in the act that require adjustment to ensure the safety of both police and the community. Idleburg said he would continue working with legislative representatives in Lake County on modifications.
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Spain may need plenty of cava in stock for June, July and August, because it's the holiday destination Britons most want to visit for a post-lockdown summer getaway, according to data from a flight search site.

Following the Prime Minister revealing his roadmap out of lockdown for England, Skyscanner delved into its databanks and kept tabs on booking and search volumes by Britons for summer 2021 holidays (meaning June, July and August)  and Spain is the most-booked destination by UK travellers since the announcement was made. It's also No1 by search volume and has seen a 170 per cent increase in searches.

The most popular outbound date for Spain is August, says Skyscanner, most trips (54 per cent) will be a week or less in length, and the top destinations are Malaga, Palma and Ibiza. Flight prices, meanwhile, are currently up to 25 per cent lower during June, July and August than in 2020, the search engine and travel agency reveals.

Spain is the holiday destination Britons most want to visit for a post-lockdown summer getaway, according to Skyscanner. Pictured is Malaga, one of the top destinations within the country for a getaway this June, July and August

Greece is the second most-booked destination, according to Skyscanner, and has seen a 96 per cent increase in searches since Boris issued his lockdown escape route.

Average flight prices are up to 11 per cent lower for Greece than in 2019.

The third most-booked holiday destination by Britons for this summer is Turkey, which has separately seen a 113 per cent increase in search volumes.

Greece (Santorini pictured) is the second most-booked destination on Skyscanner and has seen a 96 per cent increase in searches since Boris issued his lockdown escape route

BRITONS' SUMMER HOLIDAY DESTINATION WISH LIST Most-booked holiday destinations 1. Spain 2. Greece 3. Turkey 4. Portugal 5. Italy Fastest risers in terms of search volumes UK to Portugal +176% UK to Spain +170% UK to Italy +122% UK to Turkey +113% UK to Greece +96% Source: Skyscanner Advertisement

With an average of 2.9 passengers per booking, most of the planned trips are for families and groups and 76 per cent of bookings are for trips longer than a week.

And they're making the most of cheaper flight prices, which are up to 27 per cent lower compared to 2020 and 31 per cent lower than 2019.

Portugal is the trending destination, with search volumes rising by 176 per cent, the most of any holiday spot, but in terms of overall bookings, it's fourth on Skyscanner's list.

The search engine and booking site says Faro is the most popular place in the country for a July getaway and flight prices are a whopping 34 per cent cheaper than in summer 2020 and 23 per cent lower than in 2019.

The fifth most-booked summer holiday destination by Britons is Italy.

Searches are up 122 per cent and 65 per cent of people when they actually book are doing so for a getaway that's one week or less in duration.

Flight prices to Italy are 27 per cent lower than the 2020 average and 23 per cent lower than 2019.

Skyscanner also revealed that Spain and Greece take the top spots for trips in August, while trips to Turkey, Italy and Portugal will be more likely in July, travel rules permitting.

The data also indicates couples are choosing Italy while families favour Turkey.

Jon Thorne, Skyscanner's Traveller expert, commented: 'Whilst UK holidaymakers are still waiting for the green light to be able to travel again, we've certainly seen consumers react to the latest roadmap announcement with a surge in bookings for summer 2021 and beyond. European short-haul destinations are the order of the day for the summer months, with travellers pinning their hopes on mainstay favourites Spain and Portugal, as well as Italy and new favourite Greece for that all-important dose of sea and sunshine.

'It's good news for those eager to get away this summer and book ahead as airlines look to be keeping prices low and flexible booking policies in place in order to entice travellers back to the skies. Our analysis shows that average prices are up to 34 per cent lower compared to the same time last year, and up to 31 per cent cheaper than summer 2019.

The third most-booked holiday destination by Britons for this summer is Turkey, which has separately seen a 113 per cent increase in search volumes. Pictured is the Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz, in Turkey's Mugla Province

Portugal is the trending destination, with search volumes rising by 176 per cent, the most of any holiday spot, but in terms of overall bookings, it's fourth on Skyscanner's list. The search engine and booking site says Faro (pictured) is the most popular place in the country for a July getaway

'For those who prefer to wait until we have a clearer idea of dates, Skyscanner's price alerts are a handy tool for being the first to know when flight prices drop on favourite destinations.'

The analysis period for the Skyscanner data was February 22, 2021, to February 24.

Other flight search engines are available.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported 684 more confirmed coronavirus cases and 21 more confirmed deaths in its noon update Friday.

The number of hospitalizations decreased by 21, and the number of patients in need of ventilators decreased by five.

There are also 59,690 total "probable" coronavirus cases in Louisiana, according to the agency's dashboard.

Biggest coronavirus vaccine allocation to date headed to Louisiana, possibly including J&J doses Louisianas mass COVID-19 vaccination effort is getting a proverbial shot in the arm: The state expects its biggest allocation of doses to dat

These are another few key statewide statistics as of Friday:

Total confirmed cases: 368,902

Total "probable" cases: 59,690

Total confirmed deaths: 8,906

Currently hospitalized: 651

Currently on ventilators: 95

Vaccine series initiated: 593,576 (updated twice weekly)

Vaccine series completed: 332,415

Presumed recovered: 408,463 as of Feb. 22 (updated weekly)

Note: The Advocate and The Times-Picayune staff calculates daily case count and confirmed death increases based on the difference between today's total and yesterday's total of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths. The Louisiana Department of Health releases a daily case count on its dashboard that includes probable cases as indicated by a positive antigen test. That case count can be different than the one listed here.

Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Here are some of the parishes with the highest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases, based on the Friday report:

St. Tammany: 78

Jefferson: 73

East Baton Rouge: 71

Calcasieu: 38

Caddo: 36

Ascension: 31

Lafayette: 30

Avoyelles: 30

You can view more graphs and charts breaking down the data by clicking here.

Louisiana began reopening for Phase 1 on May 15-16 then moved to Phase 2 on June 5. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards extended Louisiana's Phase 2 restrictions twice in August before moving the state to Phase 3 on Sept. 11. The governor then moved the state back to a modified Phase 2 near the end of November.

This is a developing story. More details and analysis to come.
SHANGHAI, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On Feb. 23, 2021 at MWC Shanghai, Wanxiang Blockchain and aitos.io announced they joined RISC-V International as strategic members and have formed RISC-V International's new Blockchain SIG (special interest group) in collaboration with LeapFive, StarFive and SiFive. This group will help integrate blockchain technologies with RISC-V solutions, and promote the development of trusted blockchain databases.

Tu Wenhui, Senior Director of Blockchain + Technology Department at Wanxiang Blockchain, and Gary Xu, CTO of aitos.io, will take the positions of Acting Chair and Vice Chair of the Blockchain SIG, and will be in charge of the preparatory work for the official launch of the group.

RISC-V is a free and open ISA enabling a new era of processor innovation through open standard collaboration. The RISC-V ISA delivers a new level of free, extensible software and hardware freedom on architecture, paving the way for the next 50 years of computing design and innovation. RISC-V International is a global nonprofit association based in Switzerland. Founded in 2015, RISC-V International now has over 1,200 members around the world.

Vincent Y. Wang, Executive President of Wanxiang Blockchain, said that the RISC-V International Blockchain SIG initiated by Wanxiang Blockchain, aitos.io, LeapFive, SiFive, StarFive and other important partners will promote the integration of blockchain technologies with the RISC-V community. Wanxiang Blockchain has been committed to building a trusted database and collaborating with PlatONE, a next-generation blockchain consortium supporting privacy-preserving computing developed by Wanxiang Blockchain and Juzix. With its open and extensible architecture, the RISC-V ISA supports cryptographic algorithms and enables developers to create secure, trusted solutions. In the future, these companies will continue to build solutions to integrate different technologies so that more developers can take advantage of blockchain, which promises to help empower digital transformation across key industries and market segments like the Distributed Cognitive Industrial Internet, Digital Cities, Asset Digitization, etc.

"Our new Blockchain SIG will give the RISC-V community the opportunity to collaborate on blockchain technologies in order to enable the best performance and functionality in the RISC-V ISA and software ecosystem. Blockchain is already a big disruptor for the silicon industry, and we are committed to helping our members take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead," said Mark Himelstein, CTO, RISC-V International.

"Joining RISC-V International is in line with our innovative strategy of integrating IoT applications with blockchain. By creating the Blockchain SIG and rolling out an in-depth cooperation with the RISC-V community, we will optimize our BoAT blockchain application framework to provide better support for RISC-V solutions, accelerate the application of IoT devices in blockchain-based services and build a trusted IoT database to make this data valuable and open," said Leo Lin, CEO of aitos.io.

Aglaia Kong, CTO of LeapFive, mentioned that as blockchain is used to track value of data, it is getting more important to ensure the origin of data is from a trusted source. By placing root of trust, ensuring each SOC having a unique DNA, having dedicated compute optimized for blockchain of where data is originated become super important. With RISC-V open and extensible architecture, combining blockchain and LeapFive' s SOC design capabilities, we are working together with Wanxiang Blockchain and aitos.io to build the "Chinese TEA ( Trusted Embedded Architecture)", so one can ensure the data origin is known, data usage is tractable and trust worthy.

"In the current AIoT era with massive data being produced, processed and analyzed, data and computing security becomes one of the main driving forces of choosing the open and modern RISC-V ISA. It is an inevitable trend for RISC-V to enter blockchain, a promising industry." StarFive CEO Thomas Xu emphasized with confidence, "The scope of blockchain applications is expanding. Many applications are unexpectedly innovating because of the adoption of blockchain. No matter it is cloud computing of big data, or end to end computing applied to IoT, there is no doubt that RISC-V's diversity and outstanding functions will even flourish to the blockchain industry."

"The adoption of RISC-V to develop blockchain technologies, and the use of RISC-V International working groups to encourage broad industry collaboration, demonstrates the power and flexibility of the freely available and open specification ISA," said Dr. Chris Lattner, President of Engineering and Product, SiFive. "Blockchain is an area where optimized hardware and software designed together can provide tangible benefits for secure, fast processing for supply chain, logistics, or financial operations, improving efficiency and accuracy. This demonstrates the potential for members of RISC-V International working groups to develop and build industry-wide specifications that can be broadly implemented."

Wanxiang Blockchain made its debut at MWC Shanghai 2021 with CT Wing, UNISOC, LeapFive, Fibocom and aitos.io in Hall N4. On the Leader Stage, these companies discussed IoT and blockchain trends from the perspective of blockchain companies, chip and module manufacturers, operators and platform service providers.

Earlier in 2020, Wanxiang Blockchain kicked off its efforts to build comprehensive solutions based on the integration of blockchain and big data, cloud computing, 5G, IoT, AI, and other digital technologies and successfully hosted the Sixth Global Blockchain Summit in Shanghai with the theme of Integrated Innovation.

In January 2021, Wanxiang Blockchain established the Biological Asset Financial Service Platform with Sancai Digital Technology and Foidn Technology based on the BoAT + PlatONE IoT Data Platform developed by Wanxiang Blockchain and aitos.io. This platform was the first in China to integrate blockchain modules into biological asset monitoring for IoT devices, assigning blockchain IDs to 1000 cows at the Ashili Farm in Changji, Xinjiang, a province located in northwest China.

The Biological Asset Financial Service Platform can collect key data about the whole process of beef rearing in real time, and encrypts the data and records it on blockchain to make the data tamper-proof and traceable. This allows key data about the beef rearing process to be turned into valuable digital assets that can be shared among participants across the whole industry to improve operational efficiency.

This blockchain+IoT based platform can improve the efficiency of government regulation on biological assets, beef slaughter, transactions and the settlement of insurance claims, and more importantly, make beef produced in this process traceable for safety purposes. Supported by Wanxiang Trust, this platform can also make it easier for farmers to get financial support and increase their production thanks to this trusted database powered by blockchain and the IoT.

With all these benefits, the Biological Asset Financial Service Platform will help accelerate the digital transformation of the traditional animal husbandry industry by building a trusted database and inspiring financial institutions to drive economic growth in new and innovative ways.

SOURCE Wanxiang Blockchain
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A Dutch court Friday upheld an appeal by the government against a lower court's order to scrap a controversial coronavirus curfew, saying the cabinet had not overstepped its brief.

Friday's ruling against the case brought by the Covid-sceptic group Virus Truth has limited impact as parliament already pushed through a new law to support the curfew instituted on January 23.

The introduction of the curfew -- the first since Nazi occupation during World War II -- led to three days of severe rioting across the country in late January.

But police clamped down and hundreds of rioters were arrested. Many have already been sentenced by Dutch courts.

A lower court judge earlier this month said Prime Minister Mark Rutte's government overstepped its authority when it imposed the 9:00 pm to 4:30 am curfew based on a law that gives government emergency powers.

Such measures could only be used in sudden national emergencies such as a dyke breach, the lower court judge ruled.

However, the Hague Appeals Court on Friday said there were "indeed exceptional circumstances to make the introduction of the curfew possible."

"The corona pandemic is sufficient reason for this," the court said in a statement, adding government was relying on advice from scientific experts on its Outbreak Management Team.

Judges also found that the curfew was "proportional and that no other means were reasonable available. The situation was urgent," the judges said.

"The (temporary and limited) violation of various fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of movement, is therefore justified," the judges said.

Earlier this week Rutte announced that the measure would be extended until at least March 15, two days ahead of general elections in the country.

Cabinet will decide next week whether to further lengthen the curfew beyond March 15, as the country continues to battle the virus which has now killed some 15,400 and infected more than one million others.
When COVID-19 patients inundated hospitals, respiratory therapists arriving for yet another grueling shift with a dwindling supply of ventilators often would glance at their assignments and cry, heading into the locker room to collect themselves.

They were like, Man, another 12 hours of this slog of these on-the-verge-of-death patients who could go at any moment. And just knowing that they had to take care of them with that kind of stress in the back of their head, recalled Joe Kowalczyk, a respiratory therapist who sometimes works in a supervisory role.

Now the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S. has dropped by 80,000 in six weeks, and 17% of the nations adult population has gotten at least one dose of a vaccine, providing some relief to front-line workers like Kowalczyk.

The U.S. has seen a dramatic turnaround since December and January, when hospitals were teeming with patients after holiday gatherings and pandemic fatigue caused a surge in cases and deaths. Health officials acknowledge the improvement but point out that hospitalizations still are at about the same level as earlier peaks in April and July and right before the crisis worsened in November. Deaths still are persistently high, though much lower than the peak in early January, when they sometimes exceeded 4,000 a day.

Its a balancing act. You dont want to close it too soon until you really believe were on the other side of this pandemic, yet we dont want to tie up (the fairgrounds) too long if were truly not going to need the facility, state Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.

Hospitalizations in Illinois hovered around 6,000 patients for several days in late November but fell to 1,488 by Monday, a decrease of about 75%. The number of patients in intensive care has dropped as well, from 1,224 on Nov. 25 to just 361 on Monday, according to the state health department.

.

Total cases in west-central Illinois counties as of Thursday, according to individual county health departments, were:

Brown County

659 total, 643 recovered, seven deaths

Cass County

1,880 total, 1,833 recovered, 32 deaths

Greene County

1,358 total, 1,296 recovered, 47 deaths

Jersey County

2,483 total, 2,413 recovered, 45 deaths

Macoupin County

4,479 total, 3,812 recovered, 108 deaths

Morgan County

3,656 total, 3,502 released from restrictions, 98 deaths

Eight new cases.

Pike County

1,664 total, 1,605 recovered, 47 deaths

Sangamon County

16,072 total, 218 deaths

22 new cases.

Schuyler County

652 total, 628 recovered, 16 deaths

Scott County

450 total, 444 recovered, one death

Statewide, 1,884 new cases of coronavirus disease and 32 deaths were reported Thursday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

There have been 1,181,226 cases and 20,406 deaths in Illinois.
Saint Luci:--- The Council of the European Union (EU), on 22 February 2021, announced changes to the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Several of these changes affect Caribbean jurisdictions.



Four territories in the region are on the blacklist. The status of Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States Virgin Islands remains unchanged from the last bulletin. According to the EU conclusion, unresolved issues with these countries may include the following:

 Not rated at least Largely Compliant by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes for Exchange of Information on Request

 Failure to sign and ratify amended OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance.

 Failure to apply any automatic exchange of financial information.

 Harmful preferential tax regimes.

 Failure to commit to apply the BEPS minimum standards.



Similarly, the Commonwealth of Dominica has been added to the blacklist, as that nation has only received a rating of Partially Compliant from the Global Forum.



Positive News



Jamaica - which committed to amend or abolish its harmful tax regime (special economic zone regime) - has been granted until 31 December 2022 to adapt its legislation. Likewise, Barbados - which was added to the blacklist in October 2020  joins Jamaica on the greylist, as that jurisdiction awaits a supplementary review by the Global Forum.



One Caribbean jurisdiction has been entirely delisted. Saint Lucia has been wholly removed from the document, as they have fulfilled all their commitments.



The list includes jurisdictions worldwide that either has not engaged in a constructive dialogue with the EU on tax governance or have failed to deliver on their commitments to implement the reforms necessary to comply with a set of objective tax good governance criteria. These criteria relate to tax transparency, fair taxation, and implementation of international standards designed to prevent tax base erosion and profit shifting.



The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes was established in December 2017. It is part of the EUs external strategy on taxation and aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote tax good governance worldwide.
Officer Dies Trying to Rescue 2 Teenagers Who Fell Through Ice in Ohio Lake

An Ohio officer has died in the line of duty while trying to rescue two teenagers who fell into a frozen lake earlier this week, authorities confirmed.

The drowning incident happened on Tuesday around 6:00 p.m. at Rocky Fork State Park in Hillsboroa city in Highland County, WCPO reported.

One of the teenagers, identified as a 16-year-old girl, also died while rescuing her 13-year-old brother, who reportedly fell into the icy lake first and rushed to call for help after his sister saved him.

It turns out that she got him out before she succumbed, Lt. Branden Jackman of the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District told the network. Dont go out on the ice, he added.

Jason Lagore, a 15-year veteran with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), responded to the emergency call Tuesday and suffered a medical emergency at the scene during the initial phases of the rescue, a spokesperson for the department said.

Lagore was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officials didnt provide any further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the officers death.

The teenage boy survived the incident after his sister managed to get him out of the frozen lake and is currently in a stable condition, authorities said. His sister was found by divers unresponsive hours later and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Lagore was well respected among the community of law enforcement agencies statewide for his expertise in working with K-9s, police said. He was responsible for the first K-9 academy within the department and also led the training program.

Multiple state officials, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, offered their condolences to the fallen officers family and colleagues.

The Senate observes a moment of silence honoring the life and service of Ohio Department of Natural Resources officer Jason Lagore. @ohiodnr pic.twitter.com/B67QSDXrOH  Ohio Senate GOP (@OhioSenateGOP) February 24, 2021

In honor of his life and service, Ive ordered flags lowered on public buildings and grounds in Highland County, and at the Statehouse, Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower in Columbus., Gov. Mike DeWine wrote on Twitter.

Ohio Senate GOP officials also observed a moment of silence in honor of the ODNR officers life and service.

Lagore leaves behind a wife, two young sons, and his K-9 partner, Sarge.

From NTD News
NEW YORK (AP)  Mr. Potato Head is no longer a mister.

Hasbro, the company that makes the potato-shaped plastic toy, is giving the spud a gender neutral new name: Potato Head. The change will appear on boxes this year.

Toy makers have been updating their classic brands to appeal to kids today. Barbie has shed its blonde image and now comes in multiple skin tones and body shapes. Thomas the Tank Engine added more girl characters. And American Girl is now selling a boy doll.

Hasbro said Mr. Potato Head, which has been around for about 70 years, needed a modern makeover.
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Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex tanked over 1,000 points in the opening session on Friday tracking losses in index majors ICICI Bank, HDFC twins and Reliance Industries amid a negative trend in global markets.

After touching a low of 49,950.75, the 30-share BSE index was trading 927.21 points or 1.82 per cent lower at 50,112.10.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty was quoting 270.40 points or 1.79 per cent down at 14,826.95.

IndusInd Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding around 3 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC, M&M, SBI, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and Tech Mahindra.

On the other hand, Nestle India, Maruti, HUL and Bharti Airtel were among the gainers.

In the previous session, Sensex spurted 257.62 points or 0.51 per cent to finish at 51,039.31, and Nifty climbed 115.35 points or 0.77 per cent to 15,097.35.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital market as they purchased shares worth Rs 188.08 crore on Thursday, as per exchange data.

"Recent rise in bond yields globally and concerns with regard to higher commodity prices weighed on investors' sentiments as these two elements reduce the future value of cash flows and earnings," said Binod Modi Head-Strategy at Reliance Securities.

US equities witnessed steep fall as sharp spike in bond yields dampened investors' sentiments.

Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo were trading with significant losses in mid-session deals.

Live TV

#mute

Meanwhile, the global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.62 per cent lower at USD 65.70 per barrel.
Residents in Melbournes west have been put on alert after coronavirus fragments were detected in the wastewater catchment of eleven suburbs earlier this week.

Victoria recorded zero new coronavirus cases on Saturday and state-wide restrictions were eased in a move public health experts hope will mark the first steps towards regular life.

Weak fragments were found on Monday in the wastewater catchment for Taylors Hill, Plumpton, Hillside, Sydenham, Delahey, Caroline Springs, Burnside Heights, Kings Park, Albanvale, Burnside and Deer Park.

The Department of Health stated on Saturday that further testing had confirmed the existence of the viral fragments and called on anyone in the citys west with any symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested.

Although fragments may indicate a historic case of viral shedding, they have in the past been linked to active cases.

The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

View Results
BEIRUT - The Syrian government on Friday spoke out against a US airstrike in its border area near Iraq, in which Iran-linked fighters and facilities used by them were targeted.



It claimed that the attack was a bad signal as concerns the new Biden administration and that it would lead to an increase in tension in the region.
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A top health expert at Trinity College has warned that Ireland will be nowhere near widespread vaccination by April.

Tomas Ryan, associate professor in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, said that while Covid is on its way out it could take a lot longer than we think.

"We're talking about coming out of this lockdown in early April or late April, he told Newstalk Breakfast.

We will have nowhere near widespread vaccination by that point in time.

"If we come out of this lockdown and we don't have low enough case numbers, we can easily be heading quickly towards a fourth wave if - with this new variant - there's too much of it in the population.

On Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said over 80% of adults will have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination by the end of June.

Read More

He said 1.25 million doses will have been administered by the end of March - then one million doses on average per month between April and June.

That will mean up to 40% of people over 18 will have received their first dose by the end of April, up to 64% by the end of May, and up to 82% by end of June.

But Prof Ryan said: "Even with the most ambitious targets by Micheal Martin - which are based on optimistic supply - we might have half the population having a single dose of the vaccine by the middle of June".

"Having half the population vaccinated by April, I don't think that's realistic.

He also warned of "a very risky situation" where a lot of the population are vaccinated and others are not.

"Internationally, this is going to create the ideal situation for variants to emerge that are vaccine resistant."

"Things are definitely improving, probably not [at] as fast a rate as some people would like.

"We're definitely seeing a lot of very heterogonous improvement in the sense that the 14-day average is looking really good in places like Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny and other counties.

"Whereas on the other side of the spectrum places like Dublin, Galway and Offaly cases are not really declining so much.

"This lockdown is a longer lockdown than any of us would have liked - that's almost certainly due to the B117 variant... which is now dominates in the population - which means it is going to be a slightly longer lockdown, or the alternative is we could find ways of going harder.
has extended deadline to file application to set up an umbrella entity for retail payments till March 31, 2021. Earlier, it had given time till February 26, 2021.

At least four consortiums, including one led by and the consortium of Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Amazon and Visa, are working to plans to form a pan-India entity. State Bank of India is also working on plans to be stakeholder in New Umbrella Entity (NUE). All of them aims to create a for profit NPCI like body for retail payments. At present National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a not for profit entity, is sole player managing retail payment systems. RBI has thrown open retail payment systems space for more players to support growth of digital payments.

RBI said in a statement that it had received requests from various stakeholders including Indian Banks Association for extending the timeline, keeping in view the Covid-19 related disruptions and inconveniences, banking regulator said.

Bankers said institutions need time to prepare before they apply. The plan and structure for proposed entity should be robust with capacity to take on NPCI. More than competition, it is important to see how system could be made more efficient to tap vast business opportunity. Those with collaboration with IT firms would stand to have advantage.

So Hum Bharat Digital, founded by Naveen Surya, Chairman Emeritus of Payments Council of India (PCI), and Vishwas Patel, Chairman of PCI, backed by Infibeam Avenues are looking to apply for RBI's NUE license. YES Bank was also in talks to pick up a stake in So Hum Bharat. State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda are also in fray to form company for retail payments.

Tata Sons has also promoted a company Ferbine Private Ltd, where private sector lender HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank have picked up stakes.

The umbrella entity shall have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 500 crore. No single promoter/promoter group will have more than 40 per cent investment in the capital of the umbrella entity.

The promoters/promoter groups shall upfront demonstrate capital contribution of not less than 10 per cent (Rs 50 crore) at the time of making an application for setting up of the umbrella entity.

The balance capital shall be secured at the time of commencement of business/operations. A minimum net-worth of Rs 300 crore shall be maintained at all times.


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BLACKPINK has, undeniably, accomplished a lot in the past few months since the release of "The Album" in October 2020. The names of Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rose continue to make headlines after they held their first-ever virtual concert in January.

BLACKPINK Reaches a New Milestone as They Become Ambassadors

On Thursday, Feb. 25, it was revealed that BLACKPINK was named as the newest ambassadors of the "United Nations Climate Change Conference U.K. 2021." Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rose met up with Simon Smith, who is the British ambassador to South Korea, for their installment.

In the photos that surfaced online, all BLACKPINK members looked so classy in their chosen ensembles. Rose opted to wear a white top and a black-colored skirt, while Jennie looked so dashing in her white-colored dress.

Lisa, on the other hand, donned a white shirt topped with a black cardigan and a pair of black square pants. Jisoo, also, looked stunning in her gray-and-white dress.

Recalling, BLACKPINK earned a lot of attention when they released their campaign video titled "Climate Action in Your Area #COP26" in 2020. The clip aimed to raise awareness toward climate change and the imminent conference that the United Kingdom would host.

With their recent installment as the newest ambassadors of the "United Nations Climate Change Conference U.K. 2021," BLACKPINK expected to actively promote #COP26 until the full conference that would happen on Nov. 1 to Nov. 12, 2021.

BLINKS, of course, are very happy after learning about the latest milestone of the quartet

BLACKPINK Members Speak Out Against Climate Change

Meanwhile, the members were asked to give their thoughts about climate change following their official installations as the "United Nations Climate Change Conference U.K. 2021" ambassadors. In a video shared by BBC through its official Twitter account, the girls were heard telling viewers everyone can help make a difference and contribute to the alleviation of the perils brought by this global issue.



"I think we all probably saw it but definitely the documentary that Sir David Attenborough presented, 'A Life on Our Planet,' has helped us a lot and various other platforms has helped us to actually learn more about what we could actually do to sustain our beautiful planet," Rose shared.

"I think we've all still got so much more to learn that it feels good that we can be able to participate in such as important cause," the "GONE" songstress added.

"Basically, the documentary showed us how precious our planet is and how vulnerable it is right now. So, we're losing more of the natural world every day and time is running out," BLACKPINK member Jennie stated.

"We just really felt like we need to say something, you know?" The K-Pop idol went on.

"Our message is that it's not too late. We can still learn more and work to it better," Jisoo said.

"The first step is to know what's happening with climate change because it affects all of us. We want to learn more and we hope our fans do too," BLACKPINK member Lisa furthered.

For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Nica Vaughn
Four environmental advocacy groups on Thursday sued the U.S. Interior secretary and federal Bureau of Land Management seeking to overturn the Jan. 19 decision to grant a 10-year grazing permit Hammond Ranches Inc. on the final day of former President Donald Trumps administration.

The suit alleges the decision was tainted by political influence and that a rushed and truncated public process cut out opportunities for public participation required by law. It further accuses the federal government of granting the permit to the Hammonds over other applicants who were qualified and bypassing an administrative appeal process.

The January 19, 2021 decision  made on the very last day of former Secretary (David) Bernhardts tenure at the Department of the Interior  was an end run around the laws that provide proper oversight of Americas public lands, Greta Anderson, deputy director for Western Watersheds Project, said in a statement. The secretarys involvement is a clear signal that this decision was motivated by politics, not science. That is not how public lands should be managed.

Western Watersheds Project, Oregon Natural Desert Association, Wildearth Guardians and Center for Biological Diversity filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Pendleton.

The grazing permit covers four land allotments called Hammond, Mud Creek, Hardie Summer and Hammond Fenced Federal Range and allows cattle grazing on more than 26,000 acres of public lands neighboring Malheur National Wildlife Refuge about 45 to 70 miles south of Burns, near the town of Frenchglen.

In February 2014, the Bureau of Land Management rejected the Hammonds renewal application, citing the criminal convictions of father Dwight Hammond Jr. and son Steven Hammond for setting fire to public lands.

In early 2019, former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke issued a renewal on his last day in office.

The renewal followed six months after Trumps pardon of the Hammonds in July 2018. Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steven Hammond had been convicted of arson and were serving out five-year mandatory minimum sentences for setting fire to public land where they had grazing rights. Both were convicted of setting a fire in 2001, and the son was convicted of setting a second fire in 2006.

In December 2019, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon of Portland revoked the grazing permit finding Zinkes renewal was an abuse of discretion.

Last year, on New Years Eve, Bernhardts principal deputy assistant took over the matter from the local Bureau of Land Management office, according to the suit, and issued a proposed decision to return grazing rights to Hammond Ranches for 10 years, citing among other reasons their extensive historic use of the allotments and what was characterized as their past proper use of rangeland resources.

The suit alleges that Bernhardt issued a final decision in place of the Bureau of Land Management after purporting to review and resolve 160 protests from the public in less than one business day following the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

It accuses the federal government of failing to consider the environmental consequences of the decision.

Its important to remember that federal grazing permits are a privilege, not a right. The law doesnt contain an exception for political favors, said Marc Fink, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. These federal agencies are charged with protecting our public lands, and this beautiful place includes fragile populations of sage grouse, redband trout and other animals that need protecting.

Last month, W. Alan Schroeder, attorney for Hammond Ranches Inc., said in a statement on behalf of the Hammonds: The Hammond family wishes to extend their sincerest appreciation and thanks to the many individuals and organizations who have supported them, their livelihood and the agricultural industry as a whole. They look forward to helping manage the natural resources in a responsible and productive manner. Everyones efforts have truly been a blessing.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Ukraine, Kazakhstan mulling over joint agricultural enterprises  minister

Implementation of joint projects will bring the cooperation to higher quality level, official says.

Reporting by UNIAN

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Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Thunderstorms likely late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Thunderstorms likely late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
Despite a brutal week for markets, his Reliance Industries Ltd. was relatively unscathed as it said it would spin off its oil-to-chemicals business into an independent unit. With a net worth of about $80 billion, Ambani is again richer than Zhong Shanshan, whose bottled-water company tanked a record 20% this week. The Chinese tycoon is worth $76.6 billion, down more than $22 billion from a peak just last week, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Ambani spent most of the past two years leading the ranking of Asias richest people, taking over from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s Jack Ma. Then the listing of two companies put Zhong on the map: He grabbed the title from Ambani at the end of December and by early 2021 was the sixth-wealthiest person on Earth, surpassing Warren Buffett. Zhongs Nongfu Spring Co. more than tripled from its initial public offering to a peak in January as investors flocked to consumer shares, while his vaccine maker, Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co., surged as much as 3,757%.

But the rally faded as the Hong Kong and Chinese stock markets were among the worlds biggest decliners this week. Nongfu shares have erased their gains for the year, while Wantais posted a record monthly plunge.

Ambani has focused on pivoting his empire to tech and e-commerce, moving away from energy. Last year, he sold stakes in Reliances digital and retail units worth $27 billion to investors including Google and Facebook Inc., lifting his fortune by $18 billion. The spinoff announced this week of the oil-to-chemicals unit -- which accounted for more than 60% of the conglomerates revenue in the last fiscal year -- will help the tycoon bring in more investors and expedite a proposed stake sale to Saudi Arabian Oil Co.

Zhong and Ambani are not the only two swapping titles lately. Tesla Inc.s Elon Musk became the worlds richest person at the start of January before Amazon.com Inc.s Jeff Bezos regained the No. 1 spot earlier this month as shares of the electronic-car maker tanked. Musk lost $15 billion on Monday alone after he tweeted that the prices of cryptocurrencies seemed high -- just two weeks after Tesla said it invested $1.5 billion in Bitcoin.

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Correspondent

Last week, The Guardian published an opinion article penned by MDC-Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, entitled "The international community must stop legitimising despots' regimes in Africa."

In the article, Chamisa accused the international community of aiding and abetting what he termed the perpetuation of the delay of the future of the youth by "ageing authoritarian politicians" in apparent reference to some countries that endorsed the Ugandan elections held last month.

The opposition leader claimed that there was increasing authoritarianism in Zimbabwe and Uganda, adding that the leaders of the two countries were intolerant of dissent.

He cited the arrest of Ugandan opposition figure, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, during the campaign period for gathering supporters in disregard of Covid-19 safety protocols which preclude crowds.

If Chamisa was honest with himself, he would have told the truth about the Zimbabwean democratic space.

In the run up to the 2018 election, he freely criss-crossed Zimbabwe, addressing more than 70 campaign rallies in areas which prior to the advent of President Mnangagwa's administration he could not imagine.

Chamisa even abused the opened up democratic space to insult and poke fun at President Mnangagwa. Nevertheless, nearly three years, he has never been arrested or questioned about it.

Chamisa shamelessly accused African governments, Zimbabwe's included, of refusing "to allow young people to develop politically and take on leadership roles".

In 2018 at 40 years of age following Tsvangirai's death, he seized the leadership of his party from the rightful heiress, Dr Thokozani Khupe, who had been elected during that party's elective congress of October 2014 as the party deputy.

He went on to contest as the party's presidential election candidate and lost to President Mnangagwa.

One wonders what he was talking about when he wrote of the youth being barred from taking leadership positions.

His age was never used to disqualify him. Maybe excitement of contributing an opinion piece to a global publication got the better of him.

In what seemed to be his way forward for the false situation he painted, Chamisa highlighted that "there is a need for deliberate policies that include young people in the political and economic architecture of their countries."

Most of Chamisa's sentiments read like a script from a Martian visitor.

He lives in Zimbabwe where young people are staking their claim on the economic landscape by participating in agriculture, mining and other initiatives, but he chose to conveniently forget about them because youths from his party refused to participate in the initiatives after he forbade them.

Fearing that the ruling party, Zanu PF, and Government would gain credit, he dismissed the initiatives as Zanu PF gimmicks and some of his young members remain very cross with him for that.

Apart from his usual baseless accusations of human rights abuses, Chamisa accused Zanu PF of "using surrogates to undermine and shut down the opposition" in apparent reference to the March 31 2020 Supreme Court judgement, which adjudged his hostile takeover of the party in 2018 as irregular.

This resulted in the December 2020 election of a new leadership fronted by Douglas Mwonzora. The internal poll reduced Chamisa's formation into a faction of the main party led by Mwonzora.

In line with the judgment, Treasury released the $7,4 million due to the party under the Political Parties (Finances) Act to the Mwonzora executive to Chamisa's chagrin.

Chamisa contradicted himself.

A Government which is bent on shutting down the opposition would not allocate it funds due to it under the law.

Chamisa has been telling anyone who cares to listen that Mwonzora is "a Zanu PF project." This is just a way of saving face after the embarrassing judgement.

It developed into propaganda and apparently he now believes his own lies to the extent of selling them to the world. If anyone propelled Mwonzora to his position, it is Chamisa's immature decision to seize the party from Dr Khupe.

The opposition faction leader also sought to get the world's buy-in on his claims that President Mnangagwa stole the 2018 election by accusing the international community of "rubber-stamping these illegitimate outcomes in the name of maintaining a supposed peace."

Chamisa again chose to conveniently forget to tell the world that after losing the 2018 poll, he took the matter to the Constitutional Court, where it was heard on 24 August 2018.

He lost the case after failing to prove his claims.

As part of his preparations for the elections, Chamisa did not pay his polling agents and when asked to produce the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) V11 forms for the court to determine whether or not there was any electoral theft, his team failed to produce any.

Was the international community supposed to pay for his ZEC form V11 as well?

Those who followed the Ugandan elections and Ssentamu's candidature will agree that, like Chamisa, he is viewed as popular among the youth, but lacks the necessary political maturity, gravitas and mettle to lead a country like Uganda. No wonder he lost.

He was not even sure of victory and he ended up basing his likely performance not on his support on the ground, but on social media.

On January 13 2021, he tweeted: "One million just before polling day? I think this is one of the many signs of victory on our side."

What people such as Chamisa and Ssentamu should know is that power is not given on the basis of social media following, perceived popularity, publishing opinion articles in global publications, appeals to the international community or wishes.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Zimbabwe 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.

Power is won on the basis of the quality of one's candidature.

This is why even in the United States, they voted a 78-year-old Joe Biden into power on the basis of the quality of his candidature. Candidates have to convince the electorate with their ideology, policies and programmes.

The international community cannot win an election for a candidate just because he is a young opposition politician. Power is not about sympathy. It is about merit.

Chamisa's party has been running all of Zimbabwe' nearly 30 urban local authorities since 2020.

Councillors from his party have run down once beautiful cities like Harare through corruption and abuse of office.

Chamisa himself is known for blatant lies. Given this background, who would want such candidates to rule over them?

The international community should be careful to avoid being used by poor quality politicians like Chamisa.

Falsely accusing sitting national leaders of repression will never bring undeserved State power in a silver platter to political quislings like Chamisa.

Power is given by the electorate, and not by the international community.
All travellers are required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their entry into Canada.

Canadas COVID-19 test requirements on incoming travellers All travellers are required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their entry into Canada.

Canadas COVID-19 test requirements on incoming travellers All travellers are required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their entry into Canada.

Canadas COVID-19 test requirements on incoming travellers All travellers are required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their entry into Canada. Mohanad Moetaz Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Canada has required all incoming international travellers over age five to take a COVID-19 test since February 22.



Proof of having a vaccine does not exempt travellers from the test requirement at this time. Generally speaking, travellers need to show a test that has been taken within 72 hours of entry at the border, or their scheduled departure time.

International travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 but continue to test positive may enter Canada, provided they took the COVID-19 test between 14 and 90 days prior to their entry into Canada. This is because those who have recovered from the COVID-19 virus and can test positive for the virus long after they have recovered. At this point, they are no longer infectious, according to the government webpage.

Only some molecular COVID-19 tests are accepted, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, and the reverse transcription real time PCR (RT-PCR).

Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration

As part of the original policy, there will be more border officials and Canadas ports of entry. This is to ensure those arriving understand the new rules.

This pre-arrival COVID-19 test does not replace the quarantine requirement. It is required by law that all travellers coming into Canada must quarantine for 14 days. This means that they must remain indoors and have a plan on how they will get groceries, food and medicine. Those who break quarantine rules may face up to six months in prison or up to CAD $750,000 in fines.

Post-arrival COVID-19 test

International travellers who are driving to Canada are also required to take a COVID-19 test when they arrive in Canada. Land travellers must enter Canada through a port of entry with onsite testing. Currently, there are five ports of entry with onsite testing:

Douglas, British Columbia,

Coutts, Alberta;

Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario

St. Bernard de Lacolle (Highway 15), Quebec

St. Stephen 3rd Bridge, New Brunswick.

There will be 11 additional land ports who will have onsite testing as of March 4, 2021.

International air travellers must also take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. They must then wait for their results in a government-approved hotel for up to three days. Travellers who get back a negative test will be allowed to go home, but must continue their 14 day quarantine. Travellers who receive a positive test will be relocated to a designated quarantine facility for the remainder of their 14 day isolation period.

Some individuals are exempt from receiving a post-arrival test. This includes people who had a positive COVID-19 test taken between 14 and 90 days before travel. This also includes people who are exempt from quarantine requirements as well as diplomats and diplomatic or consular couriers. Children under five are also exempt.

In total, travellers are generally required to take three COVID-19 tests: one before arriving, one upon arrival, and one towards the end of their quarantine. Information will be provided to travellers when they arrive, on how to get their final COVID-19 test.

Checklist for travellers to Canada

Travellers must have an approved COVID-19 test. The result can be positive, provided the individual has recovered from COVID-19, and the test was administered 14 to 90 days prior to entry into Canada. Travellers must book a room at an approved hotel for their mandatory three-day quarantine. They can do this by calling the designated number. Travellers must have a plan for the rest of their 14-day quarantine after leaving the hotel. They are required to know how they will travel to their home or place of quarantine, and how they intend to obtain essential items such as food, groceries or medicine. Travellers are also required to install the ArriveCAN mobile application before travelling to Canada. They will be required to provide personal information and flight details on the application. During their quarantine, they will also be required to complete a daily self-assessment on the application.

Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
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[February 26, 2021] Set Your Children Up For Success: iQ Academy Minnesota Now Accepting Enrollments for 2021-2022 School Year

After an academic year like no other, iQ Academy Minnesota (iQMN), an accredited, full and part-time online public school program of Independent School District No. 544 (Fergus Falls) serving K-12 students statewide, is welcoming students to enroll for the 2021-2022 school year. iQMN is tuition-free to all students who reside in Minnesota and offers a personalized approach to learning, delivering rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education. iQMN students are offered a full course load in the core subjects of math, science, history, and English/language arts, as well as world languages, music, and art. Electives are available to high school students, as well as concurrent college enrollment opportunities through the state's Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PESO) program. Students are offered exposure to academic and career-focused content as they work towards their high school diploma. "At iQ Academy Minnesota, education is our passion," said Theresa Gallager, Operations Manager. "Throughout the year we provide families with a safe, trusted online learning option where students continue to grow and explore the many paths they have to achieve success." /p>



Part-Time Online Supplemental Courses program available to any student in grades 6-12, statewide, who is currently attending a public school within his or her resident district. Students choose online school for a variety of reasons including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment, and the ability to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. iQMN's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style.

For more information on how to enroll, visit mn.iqacademy.com or download the free K12 mobile app for iOS and Android (News - Alert) devices. About iQ Academy Minnesota iQ Academy Minnesota (iQMN) is an accredited, full- and part-time online public school program of Independent School District No. 544 (Ferguson Falls), serving students statewide in grades K through 12 throughout the state. As part of the Minnesota public school system, iQ Academy Minnesota is tuition-free and gives parents and families the choice to access the engaging curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build their skills for the future. For more information about iQMN, visit mn.iqacademy.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005009/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
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A Dublin man who killed his father should be assessed by a psychologist and a psychiatrist before he is sentenced, the Central Criminal Court heard today.

David Fortune (33), of Rutland Grove in Crumlin went on trial at the Central Criminal Court last year charged with murdering his father Gerry Fortune (62) on August 19, 2018. On the fifth day of the trial, Fortune was re-arraigned following legal discussions between the parties.

When charged again with his fathers murder, Fortune replied: Not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.

Counsel for the prosecution, Sean Gillane SC, told the trial judge Ms Justice Eileen Creedon that the plea was acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Today Ms Justice Creedon adjourned a sentence hearing, saying she wants to allow time for assessments by a psychiatrist and a forensic psychologist. She said the reports were suggested by probation services and considered necessary before a sentence hearing can take place. The sentence hearing will take place on Monday, April 26.

During the brief hearing Tony McGillicuddy SC asked the court to provide him with a transcript of the five days of the trial and access to the digital audio recording of the trial. Mr McGillicuddy said he is acting for the Garda Commissioner and he said the transcripts are required as part of an inquiry being carried out by gardai.

During the trial, the jury heard that Gerry Fortune, who worked in St James Hospital, was stabbed in the neck in his family home with a knife by his son after watching the All-Ireland hurling final in his living room.

Sean Gillane SC for the DPP said the accused and a number of other people were in a granny flat at the rear of the house for a day of drinking and drug taking on the day of the fatal assault.

Counsel said some of those attending had described the accused as behaving in a paranoid way before he went into the house following a row with his half-brother Gerard Lambe. Mr Lambe denied that he put black-market diazepam tablets in the accuseds mouth earlier on the day but said he did give the tablets to the accused.

Witness Eddie Byrne told the trial that he saw Gerard Lambe physically putting a big, blue tablet into the accused man's mouth on the day before the stabbing.

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He told Michael Bowman SC, defending, that Mr Lambe had given it to him to calm him down. "He said: 'Here, try that,'" testified Mr Byrne, while gesturing with his outstretched hand.

"He didn't ask for it," he said of the accused, who he thought didn't know what he was taking.

"Are you saying that Gerard physically put it in his mouth?" asked Mr Bowman.

"Yeah," replied the witness.

Fortunes half-sister, Laura Lambe, gave evidence that the accused had been hallucinating just before the stabbing after consuming a number of tablets.

On and off, David was getting paranoid and he was arguing, she recalled.

Ms Lambe said her father had called the accused into the house for dinner and to try and calm him down.

She told the court she heard her father scream at Gerard to get out of the room before David hit him.

Ms Lambe broke down in tears as she recounted how the accused was shouting at her father: Da, Im going to die and that her father replied: Youre not going to die, son. Nobody is going to die today.

She claimed her half-brother was blank and his eyes were black at the time that he swung at his father with a knife before stabbing him in the neck.

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The victim was rushed to hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The court heard that after the stabbing, Fortune jumped through the front window before hijacking a car from a woman on Rutland Grove and driving to Blanchardstown Hospital where he ran though the hospital building in a frightened state wearing only one shoe.

Fortune was arrested by gardai who were alerted after he had been given Valium by staff in the hospitals emergency department.

Several hospital staff gave evidence that Fortune claimed his father or family had been trying to stab him.

The accuseds sister, Anne-Marie OLeary, said Fortune had contacted her that evening and said: Da stabbed me. He had also asked her to call the gardai before hanging up.

The court heard from several witnesses that the accused enjoyed a very good relationship with his father.

Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster, said a post-mortem exam showed the deceased had suffered an 8cm stab wound above the collarbone on the left side of his neck which had cut through his carotid artery and jugular vein.

Dr Bolster attributed the cause of death as haemorrhage and shock due to a stab wound to the neck.
NASA's all-electric X-57 Maxwell prepares for ground vibration testing, or GVT, at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. Done in parallel with cruise motor controller testing, the GVT tested the vehicle at various vibration levels, helping engineers to examine and validate the integrity of the vehicle for flight conditions. A goal of X-57 is to help the Federal Aviation Administration set certification standards for emerging electric aircraft markets. Credit: NASA Photo / Lauren Hughes

NASA is set to start high-voltage functional ground testing of the agency's first all-electric X-plane, the X-57 Maxwell, which will perform flights to help develop certification standards for emerging electric aircraft. NASA is also supporting these new electric aircraft by developing quiet, efficient, reliable technology these vehicles will need in routine use.

The testing will take place at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, marking a pivotal milestone for the project as NASA proceeds from the component design and prototype phase to operation of the vehicle as an integrated aircraft, taking a critical step closer toward taxi tests and first flight.

The X-57, currently in its first configuration as an electric aircraft, called Mod 2, will use a battery support system for this phase of testing, drawing power from a large, high-voltage power supply as development on the X-plane's battery control system nears completion.

Testing is expected to start with low power, checking the startup and shutdown sequences and verifying that the new motor control software boots up and controls the motors as expected. This software and other major components were recently redesigned based on lessons learned from previous testing by the project's prime contractor, Empirical Systems Aerospace, or ESAero, of San Luis Obispo, California.

These tests will include higher-power operation of the vehicle. The first pair of electric cruise motors to fly on the X-57, which were delivered by ESAero, will be powered up and activated, allowing engineers to ensure that the vehicle's propellers spin as designed.

This will be followed by throttling up the motors to make sure they provide all the power intended, validating the vehicle's instrumentation system, and verifying whether all the sensors installed across the aircraft are functional.

This high-voltage testing will feed directly into final verification and validation testing, a critical final step before taxi tests begin.

"Many of the team members operating this test will be the same ones who will be sitting in the control room for flight, and that's why I'm excited," said Sean Clarke, NASA's X-57 principal investigator. "We've turned a corner from system design and lab tests, to turning it over to the NASA flight systems and operations engineers to actually operate the vehicle. What they're learning in this test, they'll take with them into the control room for first flight."

Explore further NASA takes delivery of first all-electric experimental aircraft

More information: For more about NASA's X-57 Maxwell, see For more about NASA's X-57 Maxwell, see www.nasa.gov/x57
The vehicle with explosives found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence in south had been stolen last week, and a letter found inside said it was only a "glimpse" of things to come, police said on Friday.

A Scorpio with gelatin sticks was found parked on Carmichael Road near 'Antilia', the multi-storey residence of Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, on Thursday evening.

The registration number on the vehicle's number plate was the same as that of an SUV in Ambani's security detail, police had said.

"The owner of the vehicle, Hiren Mansukh, visited the police commissioner's office in south this afternoon after he saw visuals of the SUV found near Ambani's house, which was similar to his vehicle," a police official said.

Mansukh, a resident of neighbouring Thane, told reporters that he had parked the SUV near Airoli Mulund Bridge on February 17 after its steering got jammed while he was on his way to attend a family function.

"The next day, when I went to get my car, it could not be found....following which I lodged a complaint at Vikhroli police station," he said.

On Thursday, besides gelatin sticks a letter was also found in the SUV, in Hindi but written in English alphabet and purportedly addressed to Ambani, his wife and the family, police said.

This was only a "Jhalak" (glimpse) but the next time the "saaman" (explosives) will be fully assembled, the letter said.

The letter was in a blue bag next to the driver's seat, while the gelatin sticks were kept in a packet with the name of its manufacturer, "Solar Industries, Nagpur". Also a bag with ' Indians' printed on it was found in the car.

Satyanarayan Nuwal, owner of Nagpur-based Solar Industries, said in a statement on Friday that he received a phone call from about the discovery of the packet.

As provided under the Explosives Rules 2008, all the data of production and sale of explosives by the company is submitted to the Explosives Department and police, it said.

The statement also said that "explosive cartridges" (gelatin sticks) produced by it cannot be exploded without a detonator.

The police said an FIR was registered in connection with the seized SUV at Gamdevi police station here against unidentified persons under IPC sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 465 (punishment for forgery), 506(2) (criminal intimidation, if threat be to cause death or grievous hurt) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy).

Section four of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, (punishment for attempt to cause explosion) was also invoked.
A: I think there are maybe only one or two other cities in this country that have been written about more than Chicago, and thats New York, of course, and probably Los Angeles. I am drawn to a strong sense of place, and when I first came to Chicago it wasnt the New York I probably imagined. So in a way I went about making it more special by reading about it. I found my fascination with Chicago through its literature, in a way. Like Los Angeles, it was kind of nothing and nowhere when writers first moved in, so a lot of them did not really climb the usual social rungs to get where they finally landed. But also, on a practical level, I thought about an archive, because I collect books on Chicago and from Chicago authors and I have done a lot of research on its literature, and while everyone knows about Gwendolyn Brooks and Studs Terkel and Saul Bellow, there are hundreds of authors and books we should know more. But a lot of what was published here before World War II has fallen out of print. You cant even find a lot of information on lot of what was published in Chicago before then. So why not ask others? My knowledge is incomplete. By starting a website I hoped that scholars and readers might fill in the large gaps.
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Friends and the former in-laws of cult mom Lori Vallow have revealed she was preparing for the end of the world by storing food, water and medical supplies.

Vallow, 47, believed she was one of 144,000 people that would survive Doomsday - on what they believed would be July 22 last year - and was actively stocking up on things she could lose access to in an apocalyptic event.

Her friend April Raymond spoke to ABCs 20/20 for a two-hour special on Vallow and her husband, Doomsday author Chad Daybell, which will air on Friday night.

They were actively preparing for the end which was inevitably coming very soon, Raymond says of the couple.

Storing food, storing water, medical supplies, all the things you would need if you werent able to access them for whatever reason.

Scroll down for video

Lori Vallow's friend April Raymond spoke to ABCs 20/20 about how the cult mom was preparing for the end of the world by storing food, water, and medical supplies

Vallow's former in-laws, pictured, also spoke to 20/20 about her Doomsday beliefs

Vallow and Daybell are currently behind bars awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to hide the remains of her children JJ and Tylee, whose disappearance sparked a wider investigation into the mysterious deaths surrounding the couple.

Their bodies were found on Daybell's property in Salem, Idaho, in June - months after Vallow had been arrested for failing to provide them with support - after JJ's grandparents reported them missing in September 2019.

Lori Vallow is facing two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, as well as three misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing officers, solicitation to commit a crime and contempt of court

Vallow and Daybell married in November 2019, just two weeks after the sudden death of his wife and a few months after the death of her husband.

However, Raymond said that Vallow was a superfan of Daybell long before their marriage.

'She started talking about this new group that she was a part of, she would bring it up more and more often and I could see that she was becoming more involved in it and it was kind of becoming more of the focal point in her life,' she told 20/20.

'Lori had always been a fan of Chads books and thats how I first heard about Chad, from Lori. She would talk about this author that she was really interested in and really connected with his work,' Raymond continued.

'Kind of like a super fan, I would describe her as a superfan.'

Raymond said that Vallows brother Alex Cox also became involved in Daybell's Doombday group, and the pair would attempt to recruit members of the 144,000 they believed would survive.

Vallow's children JJ, left, and Tylee Ryan, right, went missing in September 2020

She said that Vallow believed she would survive but never mentioned the fate of her kids.

What they basically said is that were here to gather the 144,000 and you are one of them, Raymond said of the moment Vallow tried to recruit her.

Im pretty familiar with Revelations and so I knew what she was referring to. These are the people that will be here at the second coming. It was just too far out there for me. It wasnt something that connected with me on any level.

Raymond said that she felt she needed to distance herself from Vallow at this point and added that her friend had always been fascinated with death.

Even before she started displaying changes in her personality that was something that was always interesting to her, she told 20/20.

Vallow was arrested in February 2020 in Hawaii over the disappearance of her two children who had been reported missing by grandparents in September.

JJ's grandparents also spoke to 20/20, claiming that Vallow and Daybell just fed off each other.

I actually think they like their Kool-aid, theyre drinking their own Kool-aid, Larry Vallow said.

The disappearance of JJ and Tylee in 2019 sparked a wider investigation into the mysterious events that have surround Vallow and Daybell over the past few years.

Chad Daybell is also charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, along with two other felony counts for destruction or concealment of evidence

They are currently being investigated by the Idaho Attorney General for conspiracy, murder and/or attempted murder in the death of Chads wife Tammy in October 2019.

Tammy reportedly died in her sleep after going to bed coughing, according to an obituary. Yet she was in training for a 5K run to be held a few days after her death.

Mormon Doomsday author Chad reportedly declined an autopsy, and her death was ruled to be from natural causes.

Two weeks later, he was married to Vallow.

Investigators now believe that Tammys death could now be linked to the deaths of Vallows children.

Her body was exhumed, and an autopsy completed earlier this month, but the results are currently being held under wraps as evidence.

DailyMail.com revealed exclusively in January 2020 that police were investigating whether Tammy may have been poisoned.

No charges have been filed so far in connection with Tammys death.

Vallow and Daybell are preparing to face a joint trial in June 2021 on charges related to the disappearance of JJ and Tylee.

She is facing two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, as well as three misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing officers, solicitation to commit a crime and contempt of court.

Pictured: Map showing the suspicious deaths Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow are linked to

Tylee Ryan (left) and Joshua JJ Vallow (right) had not been seen or heard from since September 2019 but cops only realized they were missing two days before Thanksgiving. A search was launched and their bodies were found on Daybell's property in June

Investigators search for human remains at Chad Daybell's residence in 2020

Daybell is also charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence, along with two other felony counts for destruction or concealment of evidence.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty and have maintained their innocence.

Neither Daybell nor Vallow have been accused of harming Tylee or JJ. Authorities have yet to say how the children died, or whether homicide charges will be filed in the future.

However, the couple are linked to at least four suspicious deaths and one attempted murder in just the last two years, including Tammy.

Vallow's husband Joseph Ryan was just 59 when he died of an apparent heart attack in 2018. He was cremated so his body cannot be exhumed.

She then married Charles Vallow, who was shot dead by her brother Cox after the three got into an argument when he went to pick up JJ in July 2019. Vallow was 62.

After Charles' death, Lori moved her children to Idaho, and Cox went with them, renting an apartment in the same complex. The kids disappeared a few weeks later.

Police believe Tammy Daybell's death was caused by poison, DailyMail.com revealed in January 2020. She is pictured above

Family members have speculated that Lori and her brother moved to Idaho to be close to Chad, who allegedly led a 'doomsday cult' called Preparing a People. Members of the group have said both Lori and Cox were involved.

Cox, who had been charged in both Texas and Utah for violent assaults, also died on December 12, 2019, the day after Tammy's body was dug up. He was 51.

An autopsy determined he died of natural causes with blood clots in his lungs and the overdose drug Narcan in his system.

Cox left Idaho for Arizona weeks before his death and married a woman named Zulema Pastenes on November 29, 2019.

Earlier this month authorities released a 59-page report with new details about Cox's death. The report, which was heavily redacted, said that Cox had been feeling short of breath for days, and that he got a 'blessing over the phone' from a 'friend' just hours before he died.

The East Idaho News identified that friend as Chad.

Investigators believe Cox helped bury the bodies of JJ and Tylee hours after the children vanished, according to affidavits for Lori and Chad's arrests.

The couple is also allegedly linked to the death Brandon Boudreaux was shot at as he drove in Gilbert, Arizona, on October 2. The Jeep that his would-be killer was driving was registered to Charles Vallow, who had died three months earlier, court papers show.

Boudreaux told the Arizona Republic that his wife, Melani  Lori Vallow's niece  had joined Daybell's cult and suddenly asked for a divorce over the summer.
There were no casualties in the past day.

The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported 10 violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Thursday, February 25.

"In the past day, February 25, as many as 10 ceasefire violations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 26, 2021.

In particular, the Russian Federation's armed formations fired proscribed 82mm mortars and heavy machine guns near the village of Lebedynske.

Read alsoCabinet names conditions for holding local elections in DonbasAlso, the enemy used grenade launchers of various systems and automatic rifles near the villages of Zholobok, Slavne and Pisky.

What is more, the Russian occupation troops fired automatic and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, and rifles near the village of Pavlopil, a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Luhanske, and an anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Shumy.

Since Friday midnight, February 26, one ceasefire violation was recorded in the JFO zone. In particular, the enemy fired rifles near Pisky.

The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas.

There were no casualties in the past day.

The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.

Donbas ceasefire: Background

Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27, 2020.

On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period.

Reporting by UNIAN
The U.S. Capitol building is seen past American flags at the base of the Washington Monument in Washington on Feb. 15, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Senate Parliamentarian Rules $15 Minimum Wage Cannot Be Included in COVID-19 Stimulus Bill

Biden 'disappointed,' says White House

The Senate parliamentarian ruled Thursday that the $15 per hour minimum wage cannot be included in the Democrats proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package.

The controversial proposal in the House bill seeks to gradually raise the federal minimum wage, which has been at $7.25 an hour since 2009, to $15 by 2025.

Elizabeth MacDonough, the chief Senate parliamentarian, has decided that the minimum wage increase cannot be included under the budget reconciliation process, according to multiple reports.

Per the Byrd Rulea procedural step for determining the eligibility of a provision to be included in a reconciliation billMacDonough and her team heard arguments from Democrats and Republicans about whether the wage increase aligns with reducing the budget deficit. She decided that the wage increase did not meet the criteria to be included in the bill under the reconciliation process.

Democrats in the House and Senate earlier this month sought to fast track Bidens $1.9 trillion stimulus package by passing a budget resolution to start the reconciliation process that would allow the bill to move forward by simple majority votes, instead of needing 60 votes threshold to break any possible filibuster before coming to a vote in the tied Senate that gives Vice President Kamala Harris the tie-breaking vote. The reconciliation process also limits debate to 20 hours and does not allow filibuster in the Senate, among other requirements.

The decision by the Senate parliamentarian suggests that any minimum wage increase provisions cannot be passed with a simple Senate majority and would require bipartisan support.

President Biden is disappointed in this outcome, as he proposed having the $15 minimum wage as part of the American Rescue Plan, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. He respects the parliamentarians decision and the Senates process. He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty. He urges Congress to move quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan, which includes $1,400 rescue checks for most Americans, funding to get this virus under control, aid to get our schools reopened, and desperately needed help for the people who have been hardest hit by this crisis.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, on Feb. 25, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

We are deeply disappointed in this decision, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement to news outlets. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.

Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C) welcomed the decision on Twitter, writing, Very pleased the Senate Parliamentarian has ruled that a minimum wage increase is an inappropriate policy change in reconciliation. This decision reinforces reconciliation cannot be used as a vehicle to pass major legislative changeby either partyon a simple majority vote. This decision will, over time, reinforce the traditions of the Senate.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pressed for the wage increase provision in the bill on Thursday morning. We will pass a minimum wage bill, she said, adding that Democrats have been working on this fight for years and the increase is long overdue.
New Delhi:

The law ministry said on Tuesday that Justice Dipak Misra, the senior most judge in the Supreme Court, will be the 45th Chief Justice of India. He will succeed incumbent J S Khehar and an official notification regarding Misra's appointment was issued by the law ministry today.

One of the most eloquent judges in the apex court, Justice Misra, 63, has been a part of several key verdicts, such as sending Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon and four men who raped and killed a physiotherapy intern to the gallows.

Justice Misra is the third from Odisha after Justices Ranganath Misra and G B Pattanaik to become CJIs. He has also served as a former Chief Justice of the Patna and Delhi High Courts.

Justice Misra, who will have a tenure of over 13 months as the CJI after he takes over on August 28, has a sensitive assignment on hand -- the vexatious title dispute in the RamMandir and Babri Masjid case.

His tenure will be a busy one, for as the CJI he will bepart of benches deciding on crucial issues such as, apart from the Ayodhya title case, the Cauvery waters dispute, SEBI-Sahara payment row, BCCI reforms, the Panama Paper leaks andon privacy policy.

Justice Misra, who was elevated to the apex court bench on October 10, 2011, from the Delhi High Court, where he was the Chief Justice, has already presided over several key cases and verdicts.

He headed the bench which, in an unprecedented pre-dawn hearing in 2015 when the doors of the apex court were opened at 1 AM, rejected last-ditch efforts by Memon to get his execution stayed.

Justice Misra also headed a three-judge bench which upheld the Delhi High Court's verdict sentencing to death the four convicts of the sensational December 16, 2012, gangrape-cum-murder case of Delhi.

The "brutal, barbaric and diabolic nature" of the crimecould create a "tsunami of shock" to destroy a civilised society, the verdict, penned by Justice Misra, had said. He headed the apex court bench which upheld the constitutional validity of 156-year-old penal laws on defamation, holding that the "reputation of one cannot be allowed to be crucified at the altar of the other's right of free speech".

In an order, hailed by nationalist organisations, Justice Misra mandated the playing of the national anthem before the screening of films in cinema halls. Another significant judgement by Justice Misra was the one directing states and union territories to upload FIRs on websites within 24 hours of their registration for enabling accused and others to file appropriate pleas in the courts for redress.

Justice Misra, who was enrolled as an advocate in 1977, had practised in constitutional, civil, criminal, revenue, service and sales tax matters in the Orissa High Court and Tribunals before being elevated to the High Court bench.

He was appointed Additional Judge of the Orissa High Court in January, 1996, after which he was transferred to the Madhya Pradesh High Court in March, 1997.

In 2009, Justice Misra became the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court and assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in May, 2010. He was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on October 10, 2011.

With PTI inputs

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
Workforce

OPM cautions feds on marijuana use

Protesters rally in support of marijuana legalization in front of the White House in April, 2016. (Image credit: Rena Schild / Shutterstock.com)

The Democratic Party platform in 2020 called for the decriminalization of marijuana use, but that doesn't mean the Biden administration is welcoming recreational use among federal employees  even where the substance is legal.

The use of marijuana and cannabis-derived products for medical purposes has a legal basis in all but three states; 15 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws decriminalizing or legalizing the recreational use of pot. Virginia is on the cusp of conferencing marijuana bills passed in the state's House and Senate in the closing days of the legislative session.

If Virginia's law passes, then in the National Capital Region alone there will be more than 415,000 federal jobs located in jurisdictions where recreational pot use is permitted. California, where recreational use is permitted, is home to more than 148,000 federal jobs.

Past marijuana use is not necessarily a barrier to federal employment, according to a Feb. 25 memo from Kathleen McGettigan, the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, but current or ongoing use is another matter.

"Heads of agencies are expected to continue advising their workforce that legislative changes by some states and the District of Columbia do not alter federal law or executive branch policies regarding a drug-free workplace," McGettigan wrote. "An individual's disregard of federal law pertaining to marijuana while employed by the federal government remains relevant and may lead to disciplinary action."

The report cautions in a footnote that even use of cannabis-based products that have low concentrations of THC could lead to positive drug test results. The Food and Drug Administration "does not certify the level of THC in these products and the percent of THC cannot be guaranteed," the report states.

Marijuana is illegal under federal law and classified as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin, LSD and methamphetamine. A Reagan-era executive order mandating a Drug-Free Federal Workplace stated that feds "are required to refrain from the use of illegal drugs," that the "use of illegal drugs by federal employees, whether on or off duty, is contrary to the efficiency of the service" and that "persons who use illegal drugs are not suitable for federal employment."

That order is still in place, the OPM memo notes.

For applicants to federal jobs with a history of marijuana use, there is more leeway  as long as that use is in the past.

McGettigan advised agencies to consider the sensitivity of the job in question, the extent and circumstances surrounding marijuana use, the age of the person in question at the time of the use and how recently it occurred.

"Past marijuana use, including recently discontinued marijuana use, should be viewed differently from ongoing marijuana use," the memo states. The memo also advises agencies to consider "the absence or presence of rehabilitation or efforts toward rehabilitation" when making a decision to hire an individual with a history of marijuana use.

Feds aren't exactly being singled out. A Congressional Research Service report on federal drug laws released earlier this month notes that "people who use marijuana, even for medical purposes, generally enjoy little or no legal protection from adverse employment consequences."
( ) provided an updated JORC-compliant bankable feasibility study for its Tulkubash oxide gold project in the Kyrgyz Republic and said it is in the process of starting exploration works for the 2021 season.

The AIM-quoted company also said it was in talks to complete the financing package for the project, but warned that this could be affected by current events in the mining sector of the former Soviet republic.

It noted that a current disagreement between the Kyrgyz government and Centerra Gold Inc ( ) has not affected the general business climate in country. It has been advised by government spokespersons that the issue is specific to Centerras Kumtor mine and is in no way reflective of the relationship of other businesses operating in the country.

All such discussions have no impact on any of Chaarat's operations or activities in country, the company said.
"The Delusions of Crowds: Why People Go Mad in Groups"

By William J. Bernstein

Atlantic Monthly Press. 482 pp. $35

- - -

By eerie coincidence, I began reading William J. Bernstein's "The Delusions of Crowds: Why People Go Mad in Groups" in early January and was deep into it on Jan. 6. I kept reading in the days that followed the unprecedented insurrection at the Capitol, putting the book aside occasionally to look at the scores of videos taken by participants before and during the rioting. ProPublica, the investigative news site, acquired more than 500 of these videos and assembled them into a compelling new kind of documentary.

The people in these clips fit with what Bernstein describes as victims of delusions. In this instance they were victims of our deluder in chief, who concocted false tales of election fraud that he repeated again and again to convince his followers that Joe Biden had stolen the 2020 election. At a rally on Jan. 6, President Donald Trump urged the crowd to march on the Capitol, "show strength" and "stop the steal." At his bidding, the believers set off for the Capitol. The rioters' explanations of their actions in the ProPublica videos put on full display Bernstein's conclusions about the delusions of crowds. Bernstein wants us to understand that human beings are not remotely as smart or as rational as we would like them to be. Only rarely are people truly analytical about anything. We make things up constantly, then claim that our inventions are true.

"Novelists and historians have known for centuries that people do not deploy the powerful human intellect to dispassionately analyze the world, but rather to rationalize how the facts conform to their emotionally derived preconceptions," Bernstein writes. "Over the past several decades, psychologists have accumulated experimental data that dissect the human preference of rationalization over rationality. When presented with facts and data that contradict our deeply held beliefs, we generally do not reconsider and alter those beliefs appropriately. (Instead) ... we avoid contrary facts and data, and when we cannot avoid them, our erroneous assessments will occasionally even harden and, yet more amazingly, make us more likely to proselytize them. In short, human 'rationality' constitutes a fragile lid perilously balanced on the bubbling cauldron of artifice and self-delusion."

Storytelling trumps analyzing nearly always, Bernstein writes. Narratives, not analytical constructs or algebraic solutions, are what engage the human mind. But "the more we depend on narratives, and the less on hard data, the more we are distracted away from the real world," he adds. This is how demagogic politicians and charismatic preachers can win us over, often despite their reliance on implausible narratives that beguile us. Reading Bernstein, I thought of Trump's tales of Mexican rapists sneaking across our southern border, and Ronald Reagan's "welfare queen."

Bernstein is a neurologist with an MD and a PhD in chemistry who became an investment adviser and author. At the beginning of this, his eighth book, he warns that he won't be writing about political delusions, but he adds coyly that "the reader will, however, encounter no great difficulty connecting the episodes described in the coming pages, as well as their underlying psychology, to manias of all types, particularly to the totalitarianism of the last century and the viral conspiracy theories of this one." He is right about that.

His subjects are religious and financial manias. He succumbs to his own argument that narratives are more persuasive than analyses or calculations, and he loves telling stories, which he does well. That makes this a fun book to read, though a windy one, as the long quotation in the previous paragraph suggests. Bernstein is a good writer, but his internal editor occasionally takes an unearned vacation.

His inspiration and guide for this book was a 19th-century bestseller, "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds" by a Scottish writer named Charles Mackay, who was just 27 when he wrote it. Mackay's book is still in print 180 years later and still popular among students of stock market behavior. Bernstein's version unabashedly echoes Mackay's, enriching its analysis with the findings of modern social scientists who study the irrational human behavior that intrigues both authors.

Both Bernstein and Mackay put religious manias and economic bubbles in the same category of mass delusions. The most powerful narratives, Bernstein argues, involve "end-times" stories like the one in the last chapter of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation, which foretells that Jesus will return to rule the world for 1,000 years - its final 1,000 years. "The most prominent, and dangerous, mass delusion running like a red thread through human history, (is) the end-times narrative," he writes. He devotes a large portion of his book to examples of delusional crowds embracing end-times stories, from the Middle Ages to our day, in the United States, Israel and the Arab world.

Bernstein writes that secular Americans don't appreciate the extent of fundamentalist Christian belief in the end-of-the-world scenario in the Book of Revelation or the associated notion that the re-establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine in 1948 foretold the fulfillment of the biblical prophesy of Armageddon. Many evangelical Christians believe that this will be a devastating military confrontation heralding the return of Jesus. Bernstein fears that an evangelical Christian believer in a key position - an Air Force officer commanding American intercontinental ballistic missiles, for example - could someday initiate a nuclear holocaust to try to bring on Armageddon, like a real-life Dr. Strangelove.

Mackay is famous for arguing that "men ... think in herds (and) ... they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses more slowly, and one by one." Bernstein agrees, and he enjoys sending up the fakers who exploit the herd phenomenon, be they promoters of stock scams or self-serving proselytizers of religion. The shots he takes find their marks - the Rev. Pat Robertson, for example, the evangelist and onetime presidential candidate who has often claimed to be in direct communication with God. "Robertson ... has misheard God with some frequency," Bernstein writes, "as when He told him that the world would end in 1982, that a tsunami would hit the Pacific Northwest in 2006, that worldwide mass terrorist killings would occur in 2007, and that Mitt Romney would win the 2012 presidential election."

Americans believe in myths and concoct narratives in huge numbers, Bernstein writes, a fact that sets us apart from all the other industrialized nations, none of which is remotely as religious as we are. Bernstein recounts the astounding commercial success of what he calls "rapture fiction," evangelical science fiction spun around the Book of Revelation's prediction that on the eve of the end of the world, believing Christians will be whisked from Earth to heaven - "raptured" - while hundreds of millions of nonbelievers and non-Christians will be slaughtered. A series of novels based on this possibility by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, the "Left Behind" novels, have sold more than 65 million copies. Equally impressive sales have been recorded by "The Late Great Planet Earth" by Hal Lindsey and Carole C. Carlson, purportedly a nonfiction work describing the biblical prophesies that put the future of the world and all of humanity in doubt.

Lindsey had many acolytes, Bernstein notes, including Reagan and several members of his Cabinet. Perhaps more important, LeHaye, Lindsay and like-minded preachers with large followings have had a palpable impact on public opinion. In a 2010 Pew Research Center poll cited by Bernstein, a third of Americans said they expected Jesus to return to Earth in their lifetime.

But we don't need a poll to confirm Mackay's and Bernstein's conclusion that people tend to believe what they want to believe, whether or not hard facts and cold reason support their views. We know, for example, that on Nov. 3, more than 74 million Americans voted to re-elect a man whom a slew of serious historians have already identified as the worst president in American history, a man whose personal behavior was never remotely dignified, who often behaved like a compulsive liar with an uncontrollable need for approval and applause. His indifference to Americans who did not share his own attributes - European ancestry, white skin, economic comfort - was obvious. That indifference often became outright hostility that reeked of ethnic prejudice. He faced one huge crisis as president and utterly botched it. And yet, those 74 million-plus citizens evidently wanted four more years of making America great again. How could that happen?

Explains Bernstein: "When compelling narrative (Make America Great Again, for example) and objective fact collide, the former often survives, an outcome that has cursed mankind since time immemorial."

- - -

Robert G. Kaiser, a former managing editor of The Washington Post, is the author of "So Damn Much Money: The Triumph of Lobbying and the Corrosion of American Government."
[February 26, 2021] Global Fixed Broadband - Analyses, Statistics and Regional Overviews

Sydney, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets. - https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Global-Fixed-Broadband-Analyses-Statistics-and-Regional-Overviews/?utm_source=GNW

The success of national policies has been variable, but the scale of investment and the manner in which the development of fibre infrastructure has been encouraged has been significant during the last five years or so.



The ongoing pandemic has also focused the attention of telcos on the need to ensure that telecom infrastructure is robust, while in the popular imagination fixed-line broadband has become an essential service for home working and home schooling. The increasing dependence on home internet services has led to significant growth in the number of subscriptions in many markets. It has also supported the use of associated services within the digital economy, such as e-payments.



Improved fibre-based broadband has also expedited the fall in the number of DSL connections in some regions, notably Europe and North America, as customers are migrated to fibre. The cable broadband sector has proved more resilient as customers are able to take advantage of cablecos investment in DOCSIS3.1 technology.



In addition, fibre-based infrastructure is supporting the complex requirements for the transition to smart telecoms, incorporating smart grids and smart cities. It is also evident that such infrastructue is pivotal in forming the backbone for 5G infrastructure.







From a global perspective, the various regions and countries can vary markedly in terms of fixed broadband development. Overall, Asia continues to be a leading region, not only in the roll-out of broadband infrastructure, but also in promoting and applying the increased use of broadband to facilitate digital economies. Asia also continues to be the dominant region globally in the take-up and availability of FttP infrastructure, though there are market differences within the region itself.



The development of fixed-line broadband markets in Africa continue to be hampered by the lack of fixed infrastructure in rural and semi-rural regions, as well as by the poor quality of networks in those urban areas where they are concentrated. As a result, mobile networks provide the principal platform for voice and data connectivity. In many countries in the region, the mobile platform accounts for up to 98% of all internet connections.





In general terms, Latin American countries have moderate fixed-line broadband penetration rates, being generally lower than in Europe but above those found in Africa and parts of Asia.



In Europe, the leading fixed broadband markets, such as France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, generally started to migrate from copper to fibre networks earlier, and thus have a more advanced fibre infrastructure in place. The UK had an ambitious goal to become entirely fibre enabled by 2025, though financial constraints have contributed to this schedule likely being missed.



The Middle East is variable. Israel and Lebanon enjoy some of the highest fixed broadband penetration rates in the region, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt have schemes in place to develop substantial economic zones or new cities predicated on smart infrastructure. By contrast, countries such as Syria and Yemen remain bedevilled by civil conflicts which have kept investors away and stalled any meaningful progress in the sector.



The North American market (the USA and Canada) has its own complexities based on the size of the countries and the patchwork of licencing which prevails. Nevertheless, progressive government policies and financial support have encouraged the extension of broadband to rural and regional areas, with the result that services are almost universally available.



This BuddeComm annual publication provides a broad regional overview of fixed broadband infrastructure development around the world, including the regions of Asia-Pacific, Central Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The report provides insights and analyses into each market, supported by recent fixed broadband subscriber and penetration statistics.

Read the full report: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Global-Fixed-Broadband-Analyses-Statistics-and-Regional-Overviews/?utm_source=GNW

Nicolas Bombourg: nbombourg@budde.com.au Europe office: +44 207 097 1241 Oceania Office: +61 280 767 665

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Kelly Rowland recently welcomed her second child, giving birth to a baby boy named Noah Jon last month.

And the five-time Grammy winner is ready to get back into her fitness routine, as soon as her doctors give her the go-ahead.

She showed off her incredible post-pregnancy bod Thursday, posting a video to Instagram in a blue Fabletics look, as she prepared to get back in the gym in two weeks.

Hot mama: Kelly Rowland showed off her incredible post-pregnancy bod Thursday, posting a video to Instagram in a blue Fabletics look, as she prepared to get back in the gym in two weeks

The 40-year-old was all smiles as she told her 10.9million followers: 'So, I'm starting to feel like my old self again. I was actually finally able to put me in a cute little Fabletics outfit.'

She put her taut figure on display in the skintight Propel two-piece seamless bra and leggings look, with the matching Cassidy seamless jacket.

'It's the Propel look, to propel me forward to working out,' she joked as she did some running poses, adding: 'Because I'm excited to get to work out again. I got two more weeks 'til I can!'

Rowland did a little dance in her cute gym ensemble, as her son Titan Jewell, six, could be heard yelling for 'mommy', before she answered without missing a beat: 'Yes, son?'

Gym bunny: The 40-year-old was all smiles as she told her 10.9million followers: 'So, I'm starting to feel like my old self again. I was actually finally able to put me in a cute little Fabletics outfit'

Athleisure chic: She put her taut figure on display in the skintight Propel two-piece seamless bra and leggings look, with the matching Cassidy seamless jacket

Back at it: 'It's the Propel look, to propel me forward to working out,' she joked as she did some running poses, adding: 'Because I'm excited to get to work out again. I got two more weeks 'til I can!'

Mom duty: Rowland did a little dance in her cute gym ensemble, as her son Titan Jewell, six, could be heard yelling for 'mommy', before she answered without missing a beat: 'Yes, son?'

She shares Titan and Noah with husband Tim Weatherspoon, 46, whom she married in Costa Rica back in May of 2014.

The Destiny's Child alum announced their new addition last month on Instagram, posting a photo of Titan doting on his baby brother.

She wrote: 'On the 21st day, of the 21st year, of the 21st Century, Noah Jon Weatherspoon greeted us! We are truly grateful.'

Happy family: She shares Titan and Noah with husband Tim Weatherspoon, 46, whom she married in Costa Rica back in May of 2014 (pictured in December, 2019)

New addition: The Destiny's Child alum announced their new addition last month on Instagram, posting a photo of Titan doting on his baby brother

Motherhood goals: Rowland recently told Billboard: 'I still don't know how to be a mother of two, exactly, but I'm figuring it out. It's going to be a unique experience -- Titan's not like anyone else on this planet, Noah's not like anyone else on this planet'

Rowland recently told Billboard: 'I still don't know how to be a mother of two, exactly, but I'm figuring it out. It's going to be a unique experience -- Titan's not like anyone else on this planet, Noah's not like anyone else on this planet.

'I'm still navigating myself through motherhood. So the less pressure I put on myself and allow myself grace -- because I'm not going to get it right every single time  I think it's only fair to just breathe and use your instincts to navigate your way through. But I've learned not to put so much pressure on myself and to let my creativity flow.'

Her creativity has flown into her latest EP K, which dropped this month, along with the single Black Magic.

The Bad Hair actress said: 'To be able to drop this project during Black History Month It all means Black magic to me. It's been so awesome to be able to have my son, have my 40th, and of course drop the record in Black History Month -- to me that is the definition of Black magic.'
ARCHIVED - Mass marches banned on International Womens Day in Spain this year



8th March demonstrations were a key factor in the rapid spread of the first wave of the pandemic last year

Monday 8th March is International Womens Day, a date which has become more and more important in Spain in recent years and has seen the holding of mass meetings and events promoting the equality of opportunities for both sexes, but this year the national government has announced that no such rallies will be permitted in spite of the importance of the issue.

That the ban on mass meetings should be headline news is due largely to the fact that last year the extremely well-attended marches and other events are thought to have been one of the most important causes of the spread of the first wave of coronavirus infection in this country, and the government came in for heavy criticism for not having acted sooner and banned the celebrations on 8th March. It was not until the following weekend that the national state of emergency was first declared, and opposition leaders were extremely vocal after the event in expressing the opinion that the first wave of contagion could have been far less devastating if action had been taken earlier.

To be entirely fair, though, it should also be remembered that a week before the state of emergency was declared the virus had still hardly been detected in many parts of Spain: in the Region of Murcia, for example, the number of confirmed cases was precisely 1.

To have imposed a lockdown at that stage would certainly have been criticized as an unnecessary over-reaction!

Laying aside the arguments of a year ago, though, the ban on all 8-M demonstrations was confirmed this week by Carolina Darias, the Minister for Health, who explained that there is simply no place for them in the current situation. There has been a sharp decrease in the rate of transmission over the last couple of weeks, but the Minister points out that only in the last couple of days has this resulted in the transition from extreme risk status to very high risk levels, and in no way is this compatible with the holding of mass gatherings like those of a year ago.

Almost certainly, however, smaller displays of solidarity with the cause will be permitted in some areas, and in Madrid, for example, the central government delegate has reiterated only that gatherings of over 500 people are prohibited on the recommendation of the regional government.

In consequence, there are likely to be numerous events on a much smaller scale in the national capital, although the Mayor of the city, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, is adopting a cautious approach. He advocates symbolic gestures rather than marching in the street, recognizing that in a group of 500 people there will inevitably be little respect for social distancing and that it will be impossible for such an event to be risk-free.
Like rape, the sad case of harassment in politics isnt about sex, but about power. The Prime Minister and senior ministers have been under fire in question time, as the Opposition seeks to score political points by focusing on trivialities of timing around Brittany Higgins alleged rape. But who knew what and when is immaterial. Attitudes to sex and power are the substance of this story.

To begin with, it helps to understand why women often feel unwelcome in Parliament House. One reason is often, ironically, the long overdue attempt to increase the number of women in the ranks.

As a quick primer for the uninitiated, political parties of all stripes are comprised of factions. The factions come together around principle  more or less  and vote together within the party to influence policy and select political candidates. Despite former prime minister Malcolm Turnbulls claim that the Liberal Party does not have factions, it has three: the Moderates, the Right and the Centre Right. The Labor Party has the Left and the Right faction. Even the smaller parties, like the Nationals and the Australian Greens, have factions  but I wont bore you with details.

Former Labor MP Emma Husar says men call the shots in the powerful NSW Right faction. Credit:James Brickwood

Ian McAllister, professor of Politics at the Australian National University, makes a strong case for the positive contribution factions can make to politics. They help governments maintain an internal contest of ideas that can replace the two-party system during long periods of incumbency. Seen through this lens, factions have a lot going for them.
FLINT, Mich., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cash for Michigan Houses is located in Flint Michigan and serves all of Michigan. Their team of real estate investors offer an easy way for homeowners to sell unwanted homes.

Many homeowners are currently struggling in the current economic climate. This is especially true for homeowners that rely on rental income from investment properties. When tenants stop paying rent, the landlord is still on the hook to pay mortgages, which places a strain on their finances.

We pay cash for as-is houses we buy fixer upper houses

This is where real estate investors offer help. As such, Cash for Michigan Houses buys houses in any condition and in any situation. This means that they buy houses with bad tenants that stop paying rent, refuse to move, and/or have damaged the home.

They can inherit tenants for one simple reason. They offer tenants a lump sum payment in order to cover moving expenses and additional cash as an incentive to move and 'turn in the keys.'

Many real estate investors will buy houses with bad tenants. Cash for Michigan Houses is different from one critical perspective. They always make an offer that landlords can rely on. Some investors may offer more but will not actually perform. Often, a high offer is too good to be true. The only way to guarantee to close is to leverage integrity with experience in order to offer a purchase price that is competitive and firm. Cash for Michigan Houses always offers a fair price and always stands by that price.

Inexperienced investors expose homeowners to unnecessary risk and can make a bad situation much worse. Landlords with no rental income cannot afford setbacks to getting their home sold. These homeowners don't have time for buyers to fall through. The key to success for homeowners in these situations is the speed at which their property is sold. In a worse case scenario, they lose their home, all their equity and destroy their credit, all in one swoop.

Furthermore, few of these companies actually provide a service to the community. Cash for Michigan Houses does this with passion and care. They are committed to enriching the local Michigan communities they do business in. To that end, they donate a portion of all profits to the local Michigan community.

Contact:

Matt Stark

Cash for Michigan Houses

Phone: (810) 309-9371

https://cashformichiganhouses.com/

SOURCE Cash for Michigan Houses
SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies, announced today that the U.S. government has agreed to purchase a minimum of 100,000 doses of etesevimab (JS016 or LY-CoV016) 1400 mg and bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) 700 mg together, according to the company's global partner Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY). Etesevimab and bamlanivimab together recently received emergency use authorization for the treatment of recently diagnosed, mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently updated the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines to recommend the use of bamlanivimab plus etesevimab for the treatment of outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of clinical progression.



The agreement is for $210 million and doses will be delivered through March 31, 2021. The U.S. government will have the option to purchase up to an additional 1,100,000 doses through November 25, 2021, under the same terms as the base agreement and subject to agreement from Lilly, product availability and the medical need in the U.S. The government has said it will provide neutralizing antibodies at no out-of-pocket cost to patients, although healthcare facilities may charge a fee for the product's administration. The federal government directs the distribution of etesevimab and bamlanivimab together.

About etesevimab(JS016)

Etesevimab (JS016 or LY-CoV016) is a recombinant fully human monoclonal neutralizing antibody, which specifically binds to the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike protein receptor binding domain with high affinity and can block the binding of the virus to the ACE2 host cell surface receptor. Point mutations were introduced into the native human IgG1 antibody to mitigate effector function. Lilly licensed etesevimab from Junshi Biosciences after it was jointly developed by Junshi Biosciences and the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (IMCAS). Junshi Biosciences leads development in Greater China, while Lilly leads development in the rest of the world.

Lilly has successfully completed a Phase 1 study (NCT04441931) of etesevimab in healthy U.S. volunteers to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity. A Phase 2/3 study in people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in the ambulatory setting (BLAZE-1, NCT04427501) is ongoing. Junshi Biosciences has completed a similar Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers in China and has initiated Phase 1b/2 trials in COVID-19 patients globally.

About bamlanivimab

Bamlanivimab is a recombinant, neutralizing human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. It is designed to block viral attachment and entry into human cells, thus neutralizing the virus, potentially treating COVID-19. Bamlanivimab emerged from the collaboration between Lilly and AbCellera to create antibody therapies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Lilly scientists rapidly developed the antibody in less than three months after it was discovered by AbCellera and the scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center. It was identified from a blood sample taken from one of the first U.S. patients who recovered from COVID-19.

Lilly has successfully completed a Phase 1 study of bamlanivimab in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (NCT04411628). A Phase 2/3 study in people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in the ambulatory setting (BLAZE-1, NCT04427501) is ongoing, and results from the Phase 2 cohorts of BLAZE-1 were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Medical Association. A Phase 3 study of bamlanivimab alone or bamlanivimab and etesevimab together in residents and staff at long-term care facilities (BLAZE-2, NCT04497987) is also ongoing. In addition, bamlanivimab is being tested in the National Institutes of Health-led ACTIV-2 study in ambulatory COVID-19 patients.

About Junshi Biosciences

Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences (HK: 1877; SH: 688180) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The company has established a diversified R & D pipeline comprising 28 innovative drug candidates and 2 biosimilars, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Junshi Biosciences was the first Chinese pharmaceutical company that obtained marketing approval for anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in China. Its first-in-human anti-BTLA antibody for solid tumors was the first in the world to be approved for clinical trials by the FDA and NMPA and its anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody was the first in China to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA. In early 2020, Junshi Biosciences joined forces with the Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Science and Eli Lilly to co-develop JS016 (etesevimab), China's first neutralizing fully human monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2. JS016 administered with bamlanivimab has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by US FDA in Feb 2021 for the treatment of recently diagnosed, mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. The JS016 program is a part of our continuous innovation for disease control and prevention of the global pandemic. Junshi Biosciences has over 2,000 employees in the United States (San Francisco and Maryland) and China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing and Guangzhou). For more information, please visit: http://junshipharma.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at? www.lilly.com ?and? www.lilly.com/news .?P-LLY

Contact Information



IR Team:

Junshi Biosciences

info@junshipharma.com

+ 86 021-2250 0300

Solebury Trout

Bob Ai

bai@soleburytrout.com

+ 1 646-389-6658

PR Team:

Junshi Biosciences

Zhi Li

zhi_li@junshipharma.com

+ 86 021-6105 8800
Eurocine Vaccines AB ("Eurocine Vaccines") confirms good immunological effect in a preclinical animal study with its chlamydia vaccine candidate. The study confirms that an adapted variant of the vaccine, designed to meet the regulatory requirements for a finished product, is highly immunogenic. The good immunological effect of the tested vaccine surpasses, by a good margin, what in previous studies with our vaccine has provided protection in preclinical models.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the current study, a chlamydia vaccine candidate, adapted to meet regulatory requirements, has been evaluated. The study shows that Eurocine Vaccines' chlamydia vaccine candidate, after adaptation, remains highly immunogenic and focuses the immune response to the relevant parts of the chlamydia bacterium. The antibodies that the vaccine induces bind to the same parts of the chlamydia bacterium surface as protective antibodies.Two different doses have been evaluated, both of which showed good immunogenicity. This study thus lays the foundation for further preclinical studies to determine the right doses in our planned clinical studies."By optimizing the vaccine candidate, we can focus the immune response so that the antibodies formed bind to relevant parts of the chlamydia bacterium to an even greater extent than before. This is probably of great importance for how effective the vaccine is, which will be studied in future studies," says Dr. Karl Ljungberg, Director of Preclinical Development at Eurocine Vaccines. "Now we will move forward with the vaccine candidate and evaluate both the immune response of T cells and protection against infection and disease. It will be very exciting to see to what extent the immune response is converted into protection," continues Karl Ljungberg."The results confirm that we are on the right track with the vaccine and support the strategy we have chosen for the development - to already at this stage invest in the development of a manufacturing method, suitable for manufacturing on an industrial scale," says Dr. Hans Arwidsson, CEO of Eurocine Vaccines. "This confirmation is an important step ahead of further development of the chlamydia vaccine candidate towards the first clinical study," continues Hans Arwidsson.



About the market potential for a chlamydia vaccine

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease where preventive vaccines are lacking on the market today. The global sales potential for a successful chlamydia vaccine is considered to be comparable to the sales of HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix. Together, these vaccines sold for more than $ 2.5 billion in 2017 and are expected to reach $ 5 billion by 2024, according to Globe Life Sciences Ltd. (London, UK), a company specializing in market analysis.

About the need for a chlamydia vaccine

Chlamydia infection is the most common type of sexually transmitted infection and the majority of sexually transmitted chlamydia shows no symptoms. It is estimated that 130 million cases of chlamydia infection occur globally each year. The infection can, especially in women, lead to severe complications, such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and premature birth. In addition, chlamydia infection can lead to increased susceptibility to other sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, there is a strong need for preventive vaccines against chlamydia, a need that has also been identified by the WHO. Despite that, there are only two products against chlamydia in clinical phase, one of which is a preventive vaccine candidate.

Furthermore, effective vaccines and vaccination programs against bacterial infections are one of the best ways to counteract the development of antibiotic resistance, a serious threat to global health.

CONTACT:

Hans Arwidsson, Ph.D., MBA

CEO of Eurocine Vaccines AB

hans.arwidsson@eurocine-vaccines.com

+46 70 634 0171

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/eurocine-vaccines/r/eurocine-vaccines-confirms-good-immunological-effect-in-preclinical-study-with-the-chlamydia-vaccine,c3296454

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Join Shady Grove Fertility's virtual events this March to learn about causes of infertility like endometriosis along with family-building options from SGF physicians including Drs. Imudia and Libby. While having endometriosis does not necessarily mean that one will experience infertility, those with the condition are at a higher risk of developing infertility. [For] women with known or suspected endometriosis...we recommend seeing a fertility specialist sooner.

Individuals and couples struggling with infertility are invited to join Shady Grove Fertility's (SGF) five, free virtual events featuring a mix of topics including endometriosis, egg freezing, what to expect when youre not expecting, affording fertility treatment, and the legal ties to gestational surrogacy.

Endometriosis is a common condition in which cells that ordinarily line the uterine cavity reside in the pelvis leading to cyclic pelvic pain, inflammation, and sometimes scarring in and around the Fallopian tubes. In support of those affected by endometriosis, and to honor Endometriosis Awareness Month, Anthony Imudia, M.D., of SGFs Wesley Chapel and Tampa - Westshore offices will host a virtual Endometriosis webinar on Tuesday, March 2 at 4 pm.

While having endometriosis does not necessarily mean that one will experience infertility, those with the condition are at a higher risk of developing infertility, says Dr. Imudia. Women with known or suspected endometriosis, especially those with what is called stage 3 or 4 endometriosis (meaning significant lesions or adhesions that can cause anatomic distortion), we recommend seeing a fertility specialist sooner.

A woman's age is the single most important factor affecting fertility. In women ages 30 to 35, there is a gradual decline in the ability to become pregnant. Egg freezing can help preserve future fertility and family building options. Join Valerie Libby, M.D., from SGFs Atlanta - Northside office for SGFs Egg Freezing webinar on Wednesday, March 10 at 4 pm to learn about the following:



SGFs simplified egg freezing program,

how to determine if egg freezing is right for you,

what to expect during the egg freezing process,

the success rates associated with egg freezing,

and the unique financial programs offered by SGF that make egg freezing affordable.

A womans fertility, or ability to have a baby, is largely dependent on the quantity and quality of her eggs. Egg freezing creates an alternative to the constant ticking of the biological clock and allows women to plan for their future, explains Dr. Libby, who can relate to patients after choosing to freeze her own eggs, too.

For any couple or individual who is struggling to conceive, SGF invites them to attend the Fertility 101: What to Expect When Youre Not Expecting webinar on Tuesday, March 16 at 3 pm, hosted by Joseph Osheroff, M.D., who sees patients in SGFs Columbia office. During this information event, Dr. Osheroff will review:



who should see a fertility specialist,

what to expect during the initial appointment,

how fertility is diagnosed,

treatment options,

and the financial options.

Oftentimes, one of the biggest hurdles that delays patients from seeking fertility treatment is the cost. On Wednesday, March 17 at 12 pm, Jennifer Cockburn from SGFs Patient Financial Services Team will host a Financial webinar to help viewers navigate insurance plans. For patients with limited insurance coverage, Jennifer will provide detail about SGFs unique financial programs, such as their exclusive 100% refund programs for IVF and donor egg treatment.

March 2021 Virtual Fertility Events at a Glance



While SGF fertility webinars are complimentary, interested parties must register to attend by visiting the SGF calendar of events. For more information, visit SGFs growing resource library for free, on-demand webinars, E-books, and other education resources on topics such as endometriosis, PCOS, low-tech treatment options, weight and infertility, and much more. For more information, visit SGFs growing resource library for free, on-demand webinars, E-books, and other educational resources. Follow SGF on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and events.

For people struggling to conceive, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist. Contact the SGF New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or complete a brief online request form to schedule a virtual fertility consult with an SGF physician. A virtual consult is the first step toward pursuing a pregnancy with the help of SGF.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and 5,000+ 5-star patient reviews. With 37 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, we offer patients virtual physician consults, deliver individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 22:09:37|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2021 shows a classroom of the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe town in the Talata-Mafara local government area of Zamfara state, Nigeria. Nigerian police confirmed that 317 students were abducted from a girls' secondary school in the northwestern state of Zamfara early Friday. In a statement made available to Xinhua, Mohammed Shehu, spokesman for the police in Zamfara, said 317 students were taken away by unidentified gunmen after their attack on the Government Girls Secondary School at Jangebe, a town in the state's Talata-Mafara local government area. (Photo by Emma Houston/Xinhua)

LAGOS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police confirmed that 317 students were abducted from a girls' secondary school in the northwestern state of Zamfara early Friday.

In a statement made available to Xinhua, Mohammed Shehu, spokesman for the police in Zamfara, said 317 students were taken away by unidentified gunmen after their attack on the Government Girls Secondary School at Jangebe, a town in the state's Talata-Mafara local government area.

A joint search and rescue operation is under way to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls, he said.

Authorities have appealed to the school principal and the parents to be calm, telling them that police and other security agencies are try to rescue the students.

The latest abduction came about a week after gunmen struck the Government Secondary School at Kagara, a town in the north-central state of Niger, abducting 27 school pupils, three school staff, and 12 family members of the school staff.

They have yet to be rescued as of Friday.

The northern region of the most populous African country has witnessed a series of armed attacks in recent months, with hundreds killed and many others abducted. Enditem
TEL AVIV - An open letter by Jordanian prince Hassan ben Tallal, 73, was published Friday by the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot.



The prince claimed peace could be achieved in the Middle East by the end of the decade if countries in the region worked together, noting that October would mark 27 years since the signing of a peace agreement between the Jordan and Israel.



He stressed that this could be achieved by increasing stability in countries in the region including in the State of Palestine.



The prince recommended that a political agreement be reached that would include the dividing of Jerusalem as an act of respect for both the Jewish and Muslim faiths, that the al-Aqsa mosque complex be protected, and that a younger generation of Palestinian leaders be brought in for Jerusalem, "the capital of the State of Israel and of Palestine".
Michigan loves a good fish fry.

We had more than 275 nominations in the first 24 hours after announcing our search for Michigans Best Fish Fry. The nominations came flooding in from all parts of the state, including familiar places like the classic Lenten Fish Fry at your local Catholic Church to tiny bars in Northern Michigan.

We appreciate all of them.

Check out the massive list of nominations we compiled and released Thursday afternoon.

READ: See over 275 nominations for Michigans Best Fish Fry

Now, we need those nominations to keep coming in.

Even if your favorite place is already on the list above, we love to read your comments. It help us to determine our upcoming visits.

If you missed our kick off story, here it is:

READ: Tell us where to find Michigans Best Fish Fry

How to nominate

Using the nomination form below, please fill out it completely. Its the best way to make sure your favorite place makes it into one of our regional polls. Voting begins next week.

As always, if you have questions about this search or suggestions for future searches, feel free to email us:

John Gonzalez: gonzo@mlive.com

Amy Sherman: asherma2@mlive.com

Details

Were looking for popular churches, VFW halls, Knights of Columbus clubs, and even restaurants and bars who offer popular Friday Fish Fry nights, not only during Lent, but all year round.

The nominations deadline is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28.

After that, Michigans Best reporter Amy Sherman and I will organize the nominees into regional polls and you can vote for your favorites next week.

Our goal is to declare a winner in each region.

Well also travel to as many as possible and share our experiences.

Owners Mike Lietzke and Meredith Larson of the Lewiston Hotel Bar and Grill in Lewiston, Michigan, offer perch every Friday night year round. They were the 2019 Northern Michigan poll winner for Michigan's Best Fish Fry.John Gonzalez

Michigans Best Fish Fry 2019

We found some great places when we did this search in 2019, and Amy Sherman selected her Top 21 picks in 2020.

Friday fish fry take-out will be flying out the door at these 21 spots across Michigan

Michigans ultimate fish fry guide

Michigans Best Fish Fry poll winners

3 places in the Northern Lower Peninsula for fantastic fish fry

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend a Michigan's Best Day in Gaylord. (Photo taken Jan. 8, 2020.)John Gonzalez

Follow our Michigans Best adventures on social media:

@mlivemibest on Twitter

@mlivemibest on Instagram

Facebook at MLiveMIBest.

Join in by using the hashtags #mibest and #BestFishFry.

In addition:

John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo.

Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail.

Fresh perch at Tootsie's Diner.

More Fish Fry Stories

A 2021 guide to Jackson-area Friday Lenten fish fries

Grand Rapids area 2021 fish fry guide for Lent

The 6FT Separation Burger was created during Covid-19 and is now one of the top sellers at O's Pub and Grill in Auburn. It is topped with smoked gouda cheese, bacon jam, onion straws, lettuce, tomato and bacon aioli.John Gonzalez

More Michigans Best Stories

6 things Michigan restaurant staff want you to know before you eat out

Michigans Best Outdoor Dining: See winners from across the state

Adorable yurts, guest chefs sets this Hazel Park hotspot apart

Third Nature Brewing Company built for outdoor dining, and a pandemic

Enjoy a Six Feet of Separation burger at this Michigans Best Outdoor Dining poll winner

Every day is National Pizza Day with Michigans Best

Operation Shantyville is adventurous twist on outdoor dining, supporting Bay area restaurants

Traditional Irish food, tacos and great service at this Michigans Best Outdoor Dining spot

An Italian man who threatened to blow up an NHS hospital during the first wave of Britain's Covid-19 pandemic unless he was paid 10million in Bitcoin has been jailed.

Berlin resident Emil A made the threat against an unspecified hospital in April 2020, as the hard-hit NHS battled soaring Covid hospitalisation rates.

The defendant emailed the hospital from his home threatening to blow it up unless he was sent the enormous fund to his Bitcoin account.

The NHS did not respond and the suspect proceeded to send another 17 threatening emails until his arrest in June, according to prosecutors.

Emil A - known only by his first name due to German privacy laws - was sentenced to three years in prison for making the threat, which he did not follow through with.

Nigel Leary - deputy director of Britain's National Crime Agency's cyber crime unit - said because of the difficulty of evacuating patients in intensive care, 'a mere phone call' threatening to plant an explosive in a hospital could have resulted in loss of life at the time.

The suspect - who had studied computer science - had used an email address under the pseudonym 'Combat 18,' a known neo-Nazi organization.

An Italian man who threatened to blow up an NHS hospital during the first wave of Britain's Covid-19 pandemic unless he was paid 10million in Bitcoin has been jailed. Pictured: File image of an NHS hospital

British National Crime Agency officials said the suspect had used 'Combat 18' merely as a front for the extortion to add 'gravitas' to the threats, but did not have any ideological link to the far right.

They said he had no known links to the UK or its hospitals.

Emil A initially sent threats to the NHS, but later included a Black Lives Matter protest and a UK lawmaker as potential targets.

The defendant emailed the hospital from his home threatening to blow it up unless he was sent the enormous fund to his Bitcoin account. Pictured: File image of an NHS hospital

Investigators were able to track the suspect electronically despite his attempts to conceal his footprints, court spokeswoman Lisa Jani said.

He was arrested in an overnight raid June 15 by police SWAT teams and federal agents.

During the course of their probe, investigators determined that Emil A had produced no bomb and had no specific target, Jani said.

He can appeal Friday's ruling.

Emil A was already previously convicted of a similar threat against a Dutch company in 2013 and sentenced to 10 months probation.
A teacher has reportedly been arrested on charges of sexual contact with a student.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Ashton McCluskey turned herself in Wednesday afternoon. She faces two felony charges of a school employee having sexual contact with a student under the age of 17.

She was released from the Lauderdale County Jail on $50,000 bond Wednesday.

Back in January, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation said McClusky was under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct involving a student.

McCluskey was listed on the Brooks High School website as a 7th grade math teacher.
Mitsubishi Corp has decided to pull out of the Vinh Tan 3 power plant in Vietnam, two sources familiar with the company's thinking on the matter told Reuters, as it shifts away from carbon intensive businesses in the face of climate change.

Mitsubishi's move to exit the estimated $2 billion project shows how willing Japanese companies and financiers are to drop their once-strong support for coal amid pressure from shareholders and activists.

Japan's big banks regularly topped lending league tables for coal mines and power stations. But, in a little over a year, they have committed to ending their financing for the dirtiest fossil fuel, albeit over decades.

The Japanese trading house will pull out of the 2-gigawatt Vinh Tan 3 project, located in the southern province of Binh Thuan, because of climate targets, the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Mitsubishi has committed to reducing their investment in coal power to keep in line with international climate goals, according to its environmental statement, which a company spokesman pointed to in response to questions on Vinh Tan 3. He declined to comment on that particular project.

The Japanese trading house also has a stake in the Vung Ang 2 coal station being built in the central province of Ha Tinh, which is more widely known due to the focus on that project by environmental and other groups as well as investors.

Mitsubishi is a sponsor of the project through a joint venture with Hong Kong's CLP Holdings where they have a 49% stake. Electricity of Vietnam Group has a 29% stake with Thai Bin Duong Group holding the remainder, according to Market Forces. Operations were due to start around 2024.

Vietnam is likely to shift away from a large rollout of coal power as renewables investments start to take hold, analysts have said.
Nicos Anastasiades, the Greek president of the ethnically divided Cyprus, on February 25, said that he would attend a UN-backed meeting with the leader of breakaway Turkish Cypriot with full political will to resume the otherwise dormant peace talks. The meeting, scheduled for April 27 to 29 in Switzerland, would also be attended by foreign ministers of Cyprus' three guarantors  Greece, Turkey and Britain. Anastasiades has expressed a strong will to get on common grounds with Ersin Tatar, who was chosen as the President of breakaway Northern Cyprus in 2019.

The Republic of Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is ethnically divided between Greeks and Turks. While Turkey and Northern Cyprus have suggested that a two-state solution was the only way out of the islands conflict, the other side does not doesnt support such a formula. Both Cyprus and Greece, have called for a "bizonal federation" as the only solution for the reunification of the Mediterranean island.

Read:Turkey: Police Detain Iraqi IS Suspect, Rescue Yazidi Girl In Planned Raid

Read: Turkey Court Convicts Pilots, Airline Official For Helping Ex-Nissan CEO Escape From Japan

Ankara's shift

The meeting would mark the latest attempt to get both the sides ink an accord to establish peace on the Island. The meeting is also jeopardized by Ankaras recent shift from its call on establishing a federal sytem consisting of Greek and Turkish speaking nations to the establishment of a sovereign state. Besides, the issue of Cyprus, Turkey and Greece have been at loggerheads on a variety of other matters such as control over a sliver in the Meditation Sea.

The relationship between Greece and Turkey has been alternating between periods of hostile acts and reconciliation ever since Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. The TCG Cesme, a research vessel, was deployed in the Aegean Sea in March earlier his year for conducting a hydrographic surveyor scientific and technical research concerning earthquakes. However, Greece had opposed Ankaras move, saying it was against the spirit of renewed dialogue between the two. The Turkish government, on February 23, accused the Greek military of harassing a Turkish research vehicle in the west of the Islands of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea.

Read: Turkey Accuses Greece Of 'harassing' Research Vessel In Aegean Sea

Read: Turkey Court Convicts Pilots, Airline Official For Helping Ex-Nissan CEO Escape From Japan

(With inputs from the Associated Press)
FREETOWN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Sierra Leone on Thursday received a consignment of 200,000 doses of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated by China to support the country's vaccination campaign.

Health authorities in Sierra Leone said the vaccine will "play an important role in preventing and containing the COVID-19 in the country."

According to the authorities, the vaccine comes at a time when the Sierra Leone government is planning to vaccinate about 1.6 million vulnerable people.

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Hu Zhangliang said that "we are supporting Sierra Leone with the COVID-19 vaccine at a time when countries around the world are struggling to have the vaccine."

Hu called on the Sierra Leonean authorities to put the precious vaccine into good use to save the nation from the COVID-19.

Sierra Leone's Deputy Foreign Minister Solomon Jamiru expressed his government's appreciation to China for helping Sierra Leone fight against the pandemic and assured that they will continue to work with the Chinese medical teams to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - On February 25, 2021, Daniel William Lehmann was captured by members of the U.S. Marshals Service led Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force, with the assistance of the Yuma Police Department K9 Unit and the Arizona State Gang Task Force, on the charges of sexual contact with a minor, aggravated incest and sexual contact without consent.

The U.S. Marshals Service considers the capture of child sexual predators a priority, said United States Marshal David Gonzales. This is another great example of local and federal law enforcement agencies partnering to ensure those who violate the trust of children are held responsible for their actions.

It is alleged that for five years, from 2009 and continuing through 2014, Daniel William Lehmann sexually assaulted a 9-year-old family member in Sioux Falls, SD. Additionally, Lehmann is accused of sexually assaulting a second victim in 2014, this time a 14-year-old, after Lehmann moved in with a Sioux Falls family and took advantage of their trust. It was during this time that he sexually assaulted the second victim.

The state of South Dakota indicted Lehmann on the sexual assault charges and an arrest warrant was issued for his apprehension. Lehmann fled South Dakota and sought refuge in Yuma, Arizona. In light of this information, the U.S. Marshals Service was asked to assist with locating and arresting Lehmann. After an extensive investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service led WANTED Violent Offender Task Force, along with members of the Yuma Police Department K9 Unit and the Arizona State Gang Task Force, located Lehmann at a local business on Arizona Ave and 18th Pl. in Yuma.

Lehmann was arrested by Deputy U.S. Marshals without incident. Located in Lehmanns vehicle was a loaded 9mm handgun with multiple loaded magazines. Lehmann was booked in at the Yuma County Jail awaiting extradition to South Dakota to face charges.

The Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force is a U.S. Marshals Service led multi-jurisdictional fugitive apprehension unit responsible for more than 1,748 arrests in the last year. The task force is comprised of 22 agencies bringing together the resources of federal, state and local law enforcement to locate and arrest the communitys most violent offenders and sexual predators. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at: https://www.usmarshals.gov .
The recent Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO) Research virtual conference expunged all doubt that what every country needs, is an organisation to track and audience measurement. Equally as important are the industry bodies that govern them.

The Own Service structure

The Joint Industry Committee (JIC)

Media Owners Committee (MOC)

The conference presenters were from London-based agency, pure X media, a strategic consultancy that specialises in media measurement systems, and media analysis, insights, and interpretation. Spanning decades of experience, both Pushkar Kulkarni and Renata Uhlarikova gave a convincing presentation to PARMO members and non-members about the most common structures of an efficient and effective industry body.Sifiso Falala, PAMRO Chairperson said, The topic of audience measurement systems and a deep dive into various structural forms of industry bodies is an important topic for Africans. It was great to start the year off by learning from experts who have worked with leading organisations around the world. While all African countries need one, the selection of precisely the right organisational structure is key. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach.The Own Service structure is generally set up on an entrepreneurial basis and wholly owned and managed by a research supplier. Benefits of this kind of structure include the lack of long-term cost commitments by users, and the speed in which it operates. Shortcomings of an own service is the question around quality  as it depends on the suppliers initiatives. This means quality can be variable. It also means there is no direct control by users.Another structural option is a Joint Industry Committee (JIC). Good value for money by members is one benefits of a JIC. Another is that it is likely to offer the most reliable form of research due to total industry involvement. It is also a transparent approach which is a plus. The shortcomings, however, are that a JIC tends to be the slowest method of an organisation, and it takes a lot longer to set-up than other organisational structures.Another option is the Media Owners Committee (MOC), benefits include service costs that are guaranteed and usually shared; the contract is open to competition; and the results are acceptable to all subscribers. The shortcomings of a MOC is that its slower to set up and make changes. The organisation may discriminate against non-participating media owners and media agencies sometimes have little influence.Falala says, Having learned all this information  some of us for the first time  the question on our members lips, is how exactly to bring this to Africa. There must be a willingness to work together as a start. Then a selection of industry representatives should be agreed upon. The matter of funding is key, and it should be tabled as a formal agreement. Lastly selecting and creating an organisational structure and choosing a supplier will set you on the road to success.The PAMRO conference concluded with a superb question from the audience: What is a trading currency, and why is it important? The trading currency drives the industry. It is best described as the revenue and expenditure that is directly related to audience ratings.Falala explains, This is where organisation bodies come in. The benefits of governing bodies are that they establish a trading currency. They ensures the trading currency is always up to date, and that the results are acceptable to all subscribers. Organisational bodies also strive to offer the most reliable form of research. They ensure total industry involvement by guaranteeing measurement systems are set as per industry requirements. Like PAMRO, they should be an industry body, by the industry, and for the industry.

Renu Begum, sister of teenage British girl Shamima Begum, holds a photo of her sister as she makes an appeal for her to return home at Scotland Yard, in London, Feb. 22, 2015. Britain's highest court on Feb. 26, 2021, rejected the attempt. Reuters



Britain's highest court on Friday rejected a bid by a woman who was stripped of her UK citizenship for joining the Islamic State group to return to challenge the decision.



Five judges at the Supreme Court gave a unanimous decision in the case of Shamima Begum, whose legal battles have come to be seen as a test of how Britain treat nationals who joined the jihadists.



They found her right to a fair hearing did not override considerations such as public safety, and that the decision to block her return should remain until she can participate "without the safety of the public being compromised".



"That is not a perfect solution, as it is not known how long it may be before that is possible," the head of the Supreme Court, judge Robert Reed, said in a written judgment.



"But there is no perfect solution to a dilemma of the present kind."



Now 21, Begum left her home in east London at the age of 15 to travel to Syria with two school friends and married an IS fighter.



Britain's then-interior minister Sajid Javid revoked her citizenship in 2019 on national security grounds amid an outcry led by right-wing newspapers.



'Extreme actions'



The Conservative lawmaker welcomed Friday's ruling, noting it underlined that the government must be able to decide if someone poses too serious a threat to enter the country.



"Any restrictions of rights and freedoms faced by this individual are a direct consequence of the extreme actions that she and others have taken," Javid added.



In 2019 Begum told The Times newspaper that she did not regret travelling to Syria and had not been "fazed" by seeing a severed head dumped in a bin.



Although Britain has blocked her return, the United States and several European countries have accepted the repatriation of their citizens accused of joining the IS group overseas, with some facing charges in their home countries.



Begum claims she married a Dutch convert soon after arriving in IS-held territory. She was discovered, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.



She remains in a camp in poor conditions, while her husband is reportedly in jail in Syria.



Her newborn baby died soon after she gave birth, while her two other children also died in infancy under IS rule.



Begum has repeatedly appealed various court rulings over her ability to re-enter Britain to challenge the legality of losing her citizenship.



'Dangerous precedent'



Begum argued that the decision was unlawful as it has made her stateless and exposed her to the risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment.



Begum is of Bangladeshi heritage but the country's foreign minister has said he will not consider granting her citizenship.



The Court of Appeal ruled in July last year that Begum needed to come back to mount a fair and effective appeal.



But the interior ministry in turn appealed against this decision, insisting she remained "aligned" with the proscribed terrorist organisation.



A government lawyer told the Supreme Court in November her return would create "an increased risk of terrorism".



Her legal team argued that this did not override the need for a fair hearing.



In upholding the government appeal, the Supreme Court found four main flaws with the Court of Appeal decision, including that it had erroneously made "its own assessment of the requirements of national security".



Rights groups, which have argued Begum should answer for any crimes in her home country, reacted with dismay to the ruling.



"Stripping someone's citizenship without due process sets a dangerous precedent," rights organisation Liberty said.



But tabloid newspaper The Sun has backed the government, calling her a "vile fanatic" who has "no place on our soil". (AFP)


Ammo Grrrll recognizes those STRIVING TO BE LESS WHITE  A WORK IN PROGRESS. She writes:

In the late 70s, and early 80s, various Covetous Racist Tools invented Critical Race Theory. MY theory has always been that they just found some old Klan document lying around in the basement of Grand Imperial Kleagle Robert Byrd (D-Bestie of Biden) and simply changed all the words black to white. There is nothing original in teaching one race to hate another. I have hated racism in any form since I was first aware of it as a young child. And still do. Anyway, this hateful anti-white garbage has now seeped out of its leaky plastic trash bag all over the floor of academia, all the way down to kindergarten, and into corporate America. The garbage smells just as bad no matter which race is being vilified.

Its one thing for rich liberal women to VOLUNTEER to pay $2500 apiece to spend an evening being excoriated for being racists, while they are not permitted to talk back or express any opinions whatsoever. Hard pass. I guess its the female version of going to a dominatrix, which fun also escapes me. (I cant imagine who the dominatrix customer base is because I would think most liberal weenies get enough abuse at home. Oh, well. Not my problem.)

Anyway, Corporate Coca-Cola has instituted mandatory Hate classes, the ultimate object of which is to teach White people  who are a majority, after all  to lend a hand with the psychological beatdown by learning to hate THEMSELVES. And more importantly, to cease and desist doing those things that make people unfairly successful, regardless of race. Melania Trumps slogan for children was Be Best. Cokes is Be Less White.

Maybe if I were an albino, I could somehow be MORE White in skin tone than I am, but I doubt it. My gene pool is filled with the Whitest of White people  Irish, Dutch, German, Danish  although I am a rarity in my extended family with blue eyes. I could put my hair in cornrows and never come close to passing. Nothing would help, not even draping myself in those orange and green African cloths that our Democrat Congress-cretins wore for that cringe-worthy kneeling photo shoot where Nancy Pelosi couldnt get up afterwards. That was awesome. I was laughing so hard that I couldnt get out of my chair either, but I digress.

My personal habits are even more White than my skin tone, according to all that I read. Most of my life I have feared that I may be just a touch Obsessive-Compulsive, but it turned out I was just excessively White! Since the 7th grade, every single night of my life I have made a To Do List for the next days tasks. I check off every item as I accomplish it. If I happen to do something NOT on the list, I PUT it on the list. And then I check it off.

In my family of origin, as they say in therapy, if you arent 10 minutes early for a function, you are late. As if being cursed with the self-starting habits of Whiteness were not enough, I am also a first-born and feel responsible for taking care of everything and everyone, which is sometimes confused with just being bossy or controlling. Famous novelist Max Cossack, even though he is very smart, has often mistaken righteous concern for bossiness, or even, God forbid, NAGGING.

If only I had been raised in the current era where teachers did not express inordinate and racist concern over finding the right (rhymes with White  get it?!) answer, I would not have wasted all that time on studying. Especially if I didnt have to show my work.

And how did you arrive at this answer, Susan? Which Im sorry to say is actually correct.

It is racist even to ask me to show my work, as you well know. But if you must know, I looked at Billy Andersons paper and copied his answer. Thank God my last name started with B so that he was sitting right ahead of me and very poorly guarding his work.

I could have just hung out at the Mall  if only my town had had one. Later, I could have got into both college and Medical School what with SATs and ACTs being verboten because some colors of people do better than others on tests. And I could have spent all my time perfecting my own Less Whiteness. I could be practically beige by now, if not taupe. One of the ways we can overcome Whiteness, I read in the Coca-Cola workshop on Being Less White, is to be Less Certain. That will definitely come in handy when I am a doctor:

Uh, Mrs. Jefferson, I have some good and bad news for you. The bad news  and boy, this one is really on me  is that your daughter, Taniquas troublesome tonsils are still in there, but here in this jar I have her perfectly healthy appendix. The good news is that I was really not certain which organ was problematic, because I didnt read her chart. I was busy celebrating my lack of White Certainty. Ever since I heard about the Coca-Cola Mandatory Workshop, I have really been working on being Less Certain and I WOULD say that I have almost perfected being Less Certain, but, of course, that would make me Whitely Arrogant. So much to work on; so little time! When would you like to reschedule Taniquas tonsillectomy?

We could go on and on, of course, about the paramount importance of the Right Answer, of Certainty in so many endeavors from building bridges, to medical diagnoses; from moon shots to flu shots. From crop rotation to truckers going in the right direction to deliver their seafood before it goes bad! Anybody who has ever learned to code can tell you a thing or two about certainty and its opposite  Garbage in; garbage out. Saints preserve us!

Ill tell you what IS a Certainty, though. I will never personally drink another Coke. And I am sending this to Coke Crackpot Central. I have read that one of the most closely guarded corporate secrets is the formula for Coke. Why have a precise recipe with the dreaded Racist Right Answer when you can just wing it to be Less White? Call it, I dont know, NEW Coke?

The Coke Workshop asserts with no citations that by age 3 or 4 children understand that it is better to be white. What kind of questions were asked these tots? Who did the interviewing? How large was the sample? It sounds bogus to me and I will give three anecdotal examples of why I think that. In 1973, I was watching a rainbow of diverse grade-school kids in Dolores Park in San Francisco play. A squabble ensued; one little girl yelled at another, You are nothing but a stupid white bitch. The girl took the stupid AND the bitch in stride, but white was an insult too far. I aint white, I am mixed, she announced with great indignation.

In 1978, when our little boy came home from his first day of Kindergarten Class in St. Paul, I met his bus and we walked home. He said he had made several friends. I later casually asked him how many of the children were black. He said, none. I said, Oh, thats too bad. When we got the class picture, four of the 20 children were black. I asked him about it and he said, Mama, those kids arent black, see? They are brown. Two are my friends.

Two years later when we had moved to our home in the suburbs, he came home very excited about his nice and pretty teacher, Mrs. Bell. At the first PTA conference, we met her. She was, indeed, nice and pretty. She was also African-American. He had not thought that even important enough to mention. Does that sound to you like a nation of apprentice white supremacist children? And that was over 43 years ago. I call BS.

The last suggestion in the Coke workshop was: Break with race solidarity. No problem. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did that in 1963 when he encouraged all Americans to look at the content of ones character instead of skin color. Ill stand with him any day. BLM should do the same. No chance. They have hundreds of millions of dollars. The race hate racket turns out to be a very lucrative hustle.
The first hint for Gov. Ned Lamont and his top aides that Connecticut might be better off sticking with age groups as the vaccination order, not front-line workers or people with medical conditions, came in a mid-afternoon meeting on a very hectic day at the state Capitol in early January.

It was the Core Four: Lamont sat behind his desk on the second floor of the Victorian masterpiece building. Josh Geballe, the chief operating officer, sat in his usual perch, off to the left, near the windows. Dr. Deidre Gifford, the acting public health commissioner, was on video.

Paul Mounds, the chief of staff, was in his office next to the governors suite, with CNN on another screen, showing activity in Washington, DC.

5 1 of 5 Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Paul Daly / The Canadian Press via AP Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5









Geballe and Gifford presented the first draft of recommendations from the COVID-19 vaccine advisory committee, an unwieldy group of 80 people with about 20 on its all-important allocation subcommittee. Phase 1a, health care workers and nursing homes, was progressing well.

Just about everyone in Connecticut agreed the next round of vaccinations had to include people age 75 and older  the group with the overwhelming majority of Connecticuts 6,300 deaths to that point. It also made sense to include people living in congregate settings such as prisons and group homes, since they faced immediate danger.

If we add in essential employees in front-line jobs, such as teachers and grocery workers, how many is the grand total? Gifford answered: 808,000 people, with the straight face of a poker pro.

No one said it in the moment, but all four realized that number was too large to work in one shot. Lamont asked, Is there a way that we can do this in bite sizes?

As they parsed the options, Mounds chimed in with other news: Hey, it looks like something is happening in D.C. based on the Electoral College vote.

The United States Capitol was under siege. That crisis soon took over as Lamont would follow the action, first on a live-streaming feed on CBS.

State legislators, as of that day, were back in session and had been sworn in outside the state Capitol, with protesters of all kinds shouting from behind barriers. Everyone had watched Lamonts pre-recorded State-of-the-State, an optimistic homily that felt like a campaign speech for a possible 2022 re-election bid.

News outlets had announced results of the U.S. Senate elections in Georgia, giving Democrats control of the whole federal government.

The siege was just unfolding. Thinking about security, Mounds called James Rovella, commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

And the Core Four kept talking about vaccinations for a little while longer. Lamont had lots of questions, as usual. How, he wondered aloud, can we give people a sense that their turn is coming up without promising too much, too soon?

A sweeping plan for 1.3 million residents

On Jan. 11, New York State opened up its Phase 1b, with vaccinations to a very large swath of residents. The list included people 75 and older, corrections officers, teachers and other school staff; in-person college instructors, child care workers, public facing grocery store workers, transit workers and individuals living and working in homeless shelters, a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

It came with a warning: Be patient. Appointments could take 14 weeks. And that didnt even include people with medical conditions, which Cuomo added three weeks later.

It was already becoming clear that Connecticut was vaccinating people faster than almost all other states, certainly faster than New York, which had all sorts of bottlenecks  much of it around checking who was and who wasnt eligible.

That same day, at his regular Monday news briefing, Lamont announced that Connecticuts next group would be people age 75 and older, starting that week. Controversy was muted as no one wanted to see massive waits for one phase.

That Thursday, Jan. 14  the day after hip-replacement surgery  the governor, live on-camera, laid out a sweeping plan for Phase 1b to include 1.3 million residents. It covered anyone 65 and over, anyone of any age with certain medical conditions, front-line workers and people in congregate housing.

Unsaid was which groups Lamont would allow to sign up next, within that vast universe. News reporters peppered him and Gifford: When will you decide? What will you decide? People need to know! Gifford, under relentless pressure from two reporters, said providers would probably turn next to front-line essential workers.

All along, Lamont has focused more on efficiently moving doses into arms than on strict rules, never fretting over lapses where inoculations went to the wrong people. He couldnt know it in mid-January but he and his top aides would spend the next five weeks weighing when and whether to open up vaccinations to essential workers and people with medical conditions.

Which Walmart workers?

H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

Concerns about unleashing the vast Phase 1b emerged quickly behind closed doors, causing Lamonts group to delay a decision on essential workers and people with medical conditions.

Well into January, allocation subcommittee had not reached an agreement on exactly which underlying medical conditions Connecticut should use to qualify people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was still refining its list of 11 conditions.

With smoking and obesity on the list, everyone wondered how it might work in the real world.

As for front-line workers, the bleeding of categories came up at every meeting  the U.S. Postal Service, per the CDC guidelines, but not UPS and FedEx? That means the very people delivering the vaccine were not included.

Transit workers and school bus drivers, yes  but what about Uber and Lyft drivers? Does grocery mean convenience stores too? And Walmart? If so, which Walmart workers?

In the end, the governor made the final call at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, on a video conference with the core group and a couple of others. I like that one, he said after the group raised a menu of three options.

Connecticut would go with age groups as the order of vaccinations, leaving school employees, mostly teachers, as the only carve-out. No other essential workers, no people with medical conditions.

As for racial equity, a concern at virtually every public and private meeting, the state would demand that health providers delivering the vaccines meet benchmarks by race and in cities.

The decision that sparked scattered anger  though still not the sort of organized opposition we saw with tolls and some of the coronavirus shutdown orders  appeared to come suddenly as Lamont announced it on Monday afternoon. In fact, it had been building for weeks, since that first meeting at the moment when the U.S. Capitol came under siege by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Private questions about a public plan

On Sunday, Jan. 17, the Core Four met along with Benjamin Bechtolsheim, a young, key operative who joined the state Department of Public Health just over a year ago from the blue-chip consultancy, McKinsey & Co. For the next group to be authorized for vaccines, they considered a complex mix of people age 65 to 74, combined with essential workers and people with high-risk medical conditions who were at least 45 years old.

Bechtolsheim and Gifford reported back from the advisory panel, which, being large with many factions represented, tended to favor vaccinating more groups, rather than fewer.

But the numbers estimates had grown once again, to 1,360,000  a huge nut, as Lamont noted pointedly. And at the same time, both local political pressure and CDC guidance was starting to lean toward people age 65 to 74.

Lamont announced the decision for the next group on Tuesday, Jan. 19: Ages 65 to 74 only, starting in early February. There was slightly more backlash. But the data still showed the vast majority of deaths and severe illnesses happening in older people.

Publicly, Lamont was still committed to essential workers and people with those underlying health issues, targeted for March 1. But his private questions focused on ground operations: What can we actually get done, and when?  rather than the ideals from a distant CDC.

Before he entered politics, he spent 25 years as founder and CEO of a company that installed cable TV and internet access at institutions, largely college campuses. That gave him a solid background in the nuts and bolts of delivering services.

But by several accounts, Lamont has never said in a meeting, This is what we did at Lamont Digital.

Crunch time

Through January and February, Connecticut has remained at the top of the pack of states in percentage of its adult population vaccinated  it now stands at just over 20 percent, or more than 600,000 first doses  and in the speed of vaccination from the time doses arrive.

The next group in Phase 1b, starting March 1, was crunch time as the number of vaccinations the state was set to receive climbed to 100,000 a week. As Geballe put it, if there was going to be a time when front-line workers and people with medical conditions gained priority, the moment was now or never.

By Monday, Feb. 15, when the group met, Lamont had been tracking the performance of other states. This time the core was joined by Adelita Lita Orefice, a prominent Rhode Island lawyer who Gifford had brought in last spring to help stanch the tragedy in which 12 percent of all nursing home residents died. Orefice is now chief of staff at DPH.

Lamont and Mounds had both spent a lot of time talking with their counterparts in other states. It was coming clear: The simpler the better. But no one was ready to make a decision and this meeting was less than smooth.

I want you to look at some different options, Lamont said to the group. Come back to me with the answers.

Friday night medical advice

The key meeting came Friday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. Lamont had publicly promised an answer by Monday.

The governor and Mounds were not on that call, but Gifford, Geballe, Bechtolsheim and Michelle Gilman, the point person for the health providers in testing and vaccinations and Geballes deputy, met with about ten representatives of the largest providers doing vaccinations.

Dr. Reginald Eadie, Giffords co-chairman on the full vaccine advisory group, was there in both that capacity and in his role as CEO of Trinity Health New England, the parent of large hospitals in Hartford and Waterbury.

The state group didnt lay out specific plans for the health providers. Rather, they talked about various ways of doing the next phase.

The talked about how they would make sure people in the targeted groups belonged in those groups.

Im not sure how, as a vaccine provider, I can verify that somebody has one of those 11 conditions, Dr. Tom Balcezak, chief clinical officer at Yale New Haven Health system, recalls saying. For example, does a person who once had coronary artery disease still have it years later?

And who exactly is obese, or a smoker? The medical people said they sort it out if they had to, but the task would be a logistical nightmare  as other states were finding out.

They talked about an honor system. They talked about hybrid systems. They talked about the providers actively calling people in their care with medical conditions. Some said they didnt have the capacity to do that. And what about people who have no active medical care or undocumented immigrants afraid to come forward?

The same issues held sway for workers in front-line jobs. Someone mentioned restaurant workers, a giant group thats hard to define, to say the least.

The more complex a process is, the more likely that people who have time resources, connections, easy access to health care, are going to find their way to the front of that line and the people that dont have connections are going to be pushed aside, Geballe said, recalling the tenor of that part of the conversation.

They talked about how the providers would have to work closely with community groups in cities and low-income towns that would need to be targeted.

What they didnt discuss, directly at least, was the pure age-group option. They were looking for our ideas, Balcezak said. They were asking questions.

Then there were the numbers. By last week, the estimated number of people in the targeted medical and work groups alone had grown to as many as 1.5 million, Geballe said, if they included an expanded CDC list.

The final decision

Jen Benson was at home in New Canaan at 10 a.m. on Saturday, texting with her mother, Karen Benson, a Wilton resident with an appointment for her COVID vaccination that afternoon. Dont forget to take Tylenol, the younger Benson reminded her mother.

Soon, Jen Benson, 41, would be eligible for the vaccination, she figured, as a recipient of a transplanted kidney and pancreas six years ago. Thats a group on every list of COVID-19 high-risk patients and as founder of a nonprofit support agency for transplant patients, Transplant Journey, Benson was following vaccination decisions minute-to-minute.

At that moment Saturday morning, the Core Four gathered on another video call: Gifford, Geballe, Mounds and of course, Lamont. Its likely Lamont knew where he was leaning after weeks of discussions, but he had not played his hand.

The group presented three options: First was stay the course, as many expected, with front-line workers and the expanded CDC medical list. That would mean about half the states adults in one phase. The second was a hybrid, with high-risk medical patients and essential workers, but first only those age 45 and older, then the younger people in the targeted groups.

The final option was the one Lamont chose: Just divide the state into age groups starting with people age 55 to 64, then 45 to 54 and so on.

They all knew critics would say Black and Latino people are front-line workers and have underlying health conditions in disproportionate numbers. They knew younger people with medical conditions or jobs in crowded places would scream.

But the logic was, the age groups could reach more people quickly and efficiently  including the vast majority of those very targeted people.

Every option on that Saturday call included the carve-out for teachers and other school employees. Every option called for aggressive outreach in the poorest cities.

Lamont did not hesitate. As soon as the third option was laid out, he picked it. The group spent most of the hour-long meeting mapping out a rollout strategy, which, by 4 p.m. Monday, the state would see at Lamonts regular news briefing.

I need to talk with her

Sunday and early Monday was the time to prepare legislators, vaccine providers, local health departments and key state departments. The Friday night group came together again at 5 p.m. Sunday, this time for a briefing that lasted an hour. No one objected. Some were relieved they wouldnt have to certify who was and who was not on the CDC medical list.

They talked about how the lists of educators would come to the providers, and about the urban benchmarks.

At noon on Monday, Mounds, Gifford, Geballe and Jonathan Harris, another key Lamont aide and former state senator, met with the six legislative leaders and their top staffers.

Lamont has faced some friction from lawmakers about not including them enough in decisions. Speaking for himself, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, said Thursday hes had conversations with Lamonts office in which he was able to deliver his ideas.

Mounds opened the meeting. House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said he was pleased to see teachers in the carve-out and he appreciated the tough position the governor was in. By several accounts, no one at that meeting was upset, but the General Assembly leaders had questions.

A press release was scheduled to go out at 3 p.m. Shortly after 2 p.m., Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, a 2018 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, tweeted the key details  the first public report of the plan.

A high-level Lamont staffer called Stevensons office. Shes in a meeting, the staffer was told. Ill wait. I need to talk with her. Stevenson was apologetic and offered to take down the tweet, which she did. Minutes later, the press release went out and Stevenson tweeted that.

In New Canaan, Jen Benson, the transplant advocate, quickly heard about the news. She live-streamed Lamonts briefing on a Facebook feed. This is absolutely ridiculous, she said out loud, even though she was alone in her office across from the New Canaan post office. She slammed her left hand down on the desk  and shes left-handed.

Messages from all over the country started flooding her phone. She later reached U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who, Benson said Thursday, promised hed do what he could.

In the General Assembly, Rojas joined a Tuesday night meeting of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, which held a press conference Wednesday  with angry words from some members.

White House Spokeswoman Jen Psaki snapped Wednesday to reporters that the CDC recommendations Lamont flouted are there for a reason. A federal complaint arrived Thursday from an association for disabled people.

Amid the dissent, the reaction for much of the state is questions more than outright opposition. Whether its going to result in a continuing inequity in this, I dont know, Rojas said Thursday. Time will tell whether this plan is the best plan. It depends on how quickly they can get shots in the arms of these people.

dhaar@hearstmediact.com
Editors note: During Black History month, PennLive is paying tribute to the people who are helping shape what will some day be the history of the Black community in Central Pennsylvania. These are people who are examples of excellence, who inspire those around them for the work they do, the art they create, or the causes for which they fight.

This is one in an ongoing series of profiles that will be featured this month on PennLive and in The Patriot-News.

Born in New York and raised in North Carolina, Victor Vic Rodgers had never been to Harrisburg until he applied for a job at HACC several years ago.

Now Rodgers, vice president of workforce development and continuing education at HACC since 2014, oversees workforce programs that serve thousands of people in the central Pa. region.

Rodgers is a colleague whose workforce training and development acumen, mentorship, organizational skills and professional expertise have benefited HACC and the central Pennsylvania community in myriad ways, said HACC president John Sygielski in an emailed statement.

A 24-year veteran of the Navy, Rodgers said that one workforce program that stands out for him is STEP (Stand up, Take action, Expect results and Put in the work), which was created for prison reentrants.

This highly successful program helped prepare reentrants for the world of work, he said. We then gave them access to skilled training, and helped them seek employment. This was a program which, without a doubt, changed lives for the better.

The program lasted for a year and offered more than a hundred people training in machine operations or as an office professional.

HACC has since modified the program and now offers it to high school seniors who are looking for employment immediately after graduation.

The four-week work readiness training program helps improve critical thinking, communication skills and the ability to work with others in the workplace, Rodgers said. And students have the opportunity to earn college credits and certifications.

We would take them out to employment sites (before the pandemic) so they would see what a factory looked like, what a workplace looks like, so they could see with their own eyes, Rodgers said.

Rodgers also said that HACC has been working with other organizations to recruit students into the STEP program and to find internships for the them in the summer.

Rodgers, who holds a masters degree in business administration and a master of arts in business, said he is proud of the many collaborative partnerships that his department has created.

Whether helping industry solve a particular challenge, working with our school districts to help students explore career options, or finding ways to serve our communities of color and nonnative English speakers, HACC has led the way to building programs that work, he said.


Many countries have commenced vaccination programs against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The rapid development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 offers a great promise of stemming the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the efforts to deploy the vaccines in many countries, challenges to the supply chain have prompted questions about whether a single rather than double dose administration may be sufficient for some individuals.

Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the U.S. assessed the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response following first and second doses of a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, administered in a large and diverse group of healthcare workers.

The researchers found that people who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed a level of provoked antibody response, even after receiving just one dose of the vaccine. The immune response is comparable to the provoked response seen after a two-dose vaccination course administered to infection naive individuals.

The study

In the study, published on the pre-print medRxiv* server, the researchers evaluated the immune response in a cohort of 1,089 healthcare workers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Southern California.

The team evaluated and measured the circulating levels of SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid (N) protein immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-spike (S) protein IgG at three-time points before or up to three days after the first dose, within seven to 21 days after the first dose, and seven to 21 days after the second dose.

Further, they studied the proportion of vaccine recipients who attained the threshold after receiving one dose or two doses. Apart from these, the researchers obtained data from the participants on their medical history, if they were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, and symptoms they experienced after each vaccine dose.

The team also noted the history of COVID-19 infection, and timing was linked to the date of the first dose received. They then compared antibody levels and symptom responses between those with and without past COVID-19 diagnosis.

The recipients of the vaccine provided at least one blood sample for antibody testing. Of the recipients, 980 provided baseline samples, 525 provided samples after the first dose, and 238 provided samples after the second dose. Meanwhile, 216 recipients provided samples for all three-time points.

The team found that from the total sample, the proportions of anti-S IgG levels at or above the threshold were akin to COVID-19 recovered persons at baseline, compared to infection naive individuals after a single dose.

Further, the study findings showed that COVID-19 recovered persons developed a level of provoked antibody response after just one dose of the vaccine. This is similar to the response seen after the two doses given to people who had never been infected.

The study suggests that giving at least one dose of the vaccine may provide a potential benefit, given that the pre-vaccine levels of anti-S IgG in COVID-19 recovered people to be lower than the levels found among those who were never infected following a single dose of the vaccine.

With the vaccine supply challenges and the aim of countries to vaccinate most of their population, providing a single dose could provide protection. However, the researchers reiterate that further studies are needed to validate their findings.

If validated, an approach that involves providing a single dose of vaccine to persons with a confirmed history of COVID-19 infection along with an on-time complete vaccine schedule for infection naive persons could assist with maximizing the benefit of a limited vaccine supply, the researchers recommended.

COVID-19 vaccine rollouts

Many countries have already started administering vaccines to their citizens. Most of these countries prioritized healthcare workers and high-risk groups, including the elderly and those with comorbidities.

While vaccines are being distributed, health experts emphasize that infection control measures are still essential to prevent infection. These include regular handwashing, physical distancing, and the wearing of face masks.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

7News is launching an Australian-first made for mobile vertical format digital breakfast shorts, Happening Now, to be viewed on a smartphone device.

Produced in 7NEWS.com.aus custom-built digital studio at Channel 7s studios in Martin Place, the five-minute episodes will be available weekdays from 7am AEDT via 7NEWS Facebook and Instagram pages, YouTube channel and 7NEWS.com.au.

7NEWS.com.au Executive Producer Phil Goyen said: Were incredibly grateful to our global community for making The Latest on Facebook Watch so successful, its now time to add to the family.

Happening Now is the first of its kind in Australia, a made for mobile vertical video breakfast show, the cool new format will come to wherever you are.

The Latest on Facebook Watch has amassed a staggering 400 million views and counting.

It will be available online from 7am AEDT Monday.

Related
Local gastroenterologist Dr. Glenn Freed is on a mission to bring world class medical research to Pottsville. He has partnered with Care Access, a national decentralized research organization, to offer cutting-edge experimental treatments for digestive diseases.

Dr. Freeds office serves thousands of patients and is located in the Schuylkill Medical Plaza on Route 61 in the heart of Pottsville. He and his staff treat a variety of conditions including GERD (acid reflux), irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, NASH (fatty liver) and Hepatitis B and C.

Despite his works serious nature, Dr. Freed maintains a positive  and often humorous  approach with patients. People often describe him as down-to-earth, friendly and easy to talk to.

Dr. Freed has made it his mission to keep up with new developments in his field, through extensive reading and hands-on training opportunities. He recently spent time at the VA Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, providing medical services for veterans while also learning more advanced endoscopic procedures.

Were just a small town GI practice, but we strive to stay up-to-date and current for our patients, he said.

Dr. Freed is part of a multispecialty surgery center where he performs GI procedures in a state-of-the-art facility. His surgery center is the only local facility that can perform wireless pH probe tests for reflux disease, among other advanced treatments. Despite these advantages, there are some cases where available treatments are not enough to help patients. In those cases, patients can consider trying an experimental treatment by participating in a clinical research study.

Clinical research studies are used to evaluate new medical treatments and are conducted under strict guidelines from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They take place after scientists have performed extensive laboratory experiments and animal studies to test the efficacy and safety of new therapies. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, medical devices and other treatments have all been through the clinical research study process.

The partnership with Care Access has allowed Dr. Freed to conduct research with no interruption in his clinical work. Care Access set Dr. Freed up with Sherri Dutter, a medical assistant with over 20 years of experience in clinical research, to manage study logistics and administration.

Care Access is the leader in rapid development and management of clinical research sites. The company uses a decentralized approach to help bring experimental treatments to local communities, some of which have historically been underrepresented in clinical research. Care Access provides staffing and other resources to help physicians conduct studies in their own clinics.

For years the only local clinical studies in gastroenterology were conducted at academic medical centers located two to three hours away by car. Then an opportunity to participate in clinical research came up closer to home.

Dr. Freed was approached by Care Access about conducting studies on new gastroenterology treatments from his own clinic.

I jumped at the opportunity, Dr. Freed said. I enjoy that part of medicine. It gets back to the basics of trying to learn new and innovative ways to take care of people and give them options.

Dr. Freed was not new to the research world, having conducted studies earlier in his career for a pharmaceutical company and for his alma mater, Temple University. However, it was difficult to manage the significant administrative side of research studies in conjunction with his full-time clinical work. Ultimately, he chose to focus on treating patients.

Dr. Freed has always been drawn to innovations in the detection and treatment of diseases affecting the digestive tract. When he graduated from medical school in the late 1970s, the field of gastroenterology was just beginning to blossom. Scientific researchers were uncovering the causes of common problems like ulcers. Meanwhile, colonoscopy  now routine for people over 50  was becoming an accepted procedure in the United States.

After finishing his internship and residency in internal medicine, Dr. Freed completed gastroenterology fellowships at St. Marys Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and Loyola University Medical in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Freed enjoyed the procedural aspect of gastroenterology, which required strong hand-eye coordination, as well as the opportunities for one-on-one interactions with patients.

He started his first private practice in 1983 in San Diego, California, specializing in gastroenterology. A decade later, the Pennsylvania native returned to his home state to open a practice in Pottsville.

When asked about his approach to patient care, Dr. Freed says, We treat everyone like family.

He takes his time with each patient, carefully explaining treatment options in straightforward language.

I wouldnt go to anyone else, wrote Melannie from Palmyra, in a review on Healthgrades.com. She has been seeing Dr. Freed for two decades.

I refer all of my friends and family to him, Melannie wrote. I love that he tells it like it is and doesnt beat around the bush and try to sugar coat. He never rushes you and takes the time it needs to figure things out.

Now when Dr. Freed talks to people about treatment options, he tells qualifying patients about the research studies he is conducting. He sees clinical research as an additional care option for patients, especially those unable to travel several hours to the nearest academic medical center.

Dr. Freed and Sherri Dutter, clinical research coordinator, talk to potential participants about what the study entails, possible risks and benefits and their rights, in a process called informed consent. Participation is always voluntary, and people can withdraw from a study at any time. Those who choose to participate receive cutting-edge medical therapies free of charge, while also helping to develop new treatments that could potentially benefit others.

Dr. Freed finds that many patients are open to the idea of participating in clinical research. Some of his patients have already participated in multiple studies. He finds the research process invigorating.

Staying up-to-date on the latest treatments is what drives me, he said, adding that conducting research, prevents burnout and helps keep my skills fresh.

For more information or to contact Dr. Freed go to: 100 Schuylkill Medical Plaza Suite 101, Pottsville, PA 17901 or call 570-622-3366.
Edward Achorn, Atlantic Monthly Press, 416 pages

Lincolns Second Inaugural Address is counted as one of his most memorable speeches. Containing just 700 words, it is inscribed in stone in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, along with the Gettysburg Address.

The Second Inaugural Address was unique in being the first Lincoln speech that condemned slavery as an unmitigated evil. It brought to an end decades in which the question of slavery had been the subject of repeated attempts at compromise aimed at establishing a modus vivendi between the slaveholding South and the North.

Every Drop of Blood

A new book by Providence, Rhode Island, journalist Edward Achorn traces the events surrounding Lincolns second inauguration and follows several side stories relating to the lives of African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass, assassin John Wilkes Booth, and poet Walt Whitman.

A prologue provides some historical stage-setting. In early March 1865, the American Civil War was nearing its end. After four years of unparalleled bloodshed, the Confederacy was in its final weeks. Union General Shermans troops were marching north through the Carolinas, while Grants army held a tight grip on Confederate General Lees dwindling forces defending Richmond.

The war triggered by the secession of the Southern states had been originally waged only to preserve the union. It had, through remorseless logic, evolved into a revolutionary struggle against the system of chattel slavery. Hundreds of thousands of freed slaves had been armed to fight the Confederacy, and in January 1865, the US Congress completed passage of the 13th Amendment banning slavery.

George B McClellan

In the summer of 1864, as the war entered a phase of attrition, it appeared that Lincoln might lose the presidential election to former Union General George McClellan, who favored peace with the Confederacy and the preservation of slavery. The Democratic campaign was the most racist in US history, with lurid claims that white women would be forced into unions with African Americans. Lincoln, however, stood steadfastly behind the Emancipation Proclamation and the goal of ending slavery.

The capture of Atlanta by General William Tecumseh Sherman in September helped shift the popular mood, and Lincoln won re-election by a decisive margin, propelled by the votes of Union soldiers.

The import of the struggle in America was recognized throughout the world. Achorn does not mention it, but on Lincolns re-election Karl Marx, on behalf of the First International Workingmens Association, sent congratulations to Lincoln. They consider it an earnest of the epoch to come that it fell to the lot of Abraham Lincoln, the single-minded son of the working class, to lead his country through the matchless struggle for the rescue of an enchained race and the reconstruction of a social world.

General William T. Sherman

Now the Confederacy was nearing collapse and the end seemed near. The question of what would become of the freed slaves loomed large. The Second Inaugural signaled the completion of a major shift on the part of Lincoln, and public opinion more broadly, against slavery and toward accepting African Americans as citizens.

The Second Inaugural speech is among the most eloquent political addresses in the English language. Clothed in biblical allusions, the speech contains these immortal words:

Fondly do we hopefervently do we praythat this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-mans two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.

Prior to this soaring passage, Lincolns speech had provided a sharp exposition of the role of slavery in causing the Civil War. It deserves to be read in its entirety.

Second Inauguration inscription in Lincoln Memorial at night

Achorn makes a careful and, in my view, sensitive and moving analysis of Lincolns extraordinary speech. Achorn shows that this dark and troubling speech, in which there was not a trace of self-congratulating triumphalism, was the work of a man who had thought deeply about the nations relation to its history and the inescapable claims of the past upon the present. It was a damning and unanswerable indictment of slaverya crime rooted in historical circumstances, which could not be expiated except through the shedding of blood on a massive scale.

The author concentrates on Lincolns citations from the Bible, but he does not do so to claim Lincoln for religion. Though he does not refer to Melville, one cannot avoid thinking that Lincoln had carefully read and re-read the novelists masterpiece, Moby Dick. There is a haunting passage, from Ahabs speech to Starbuck, which may have served as inspiration for Lincoln:

Ahab is forever Ahab, man. This whole acts immutably decreed. Twas rehearsed by thee and me a billion years before this ocean rolled. Fool! I am the Fates lieutenant; I act under orders.

Lincoln, somewhat like Ahab, felt that he was acting under the compulsion of forces that no individual can resist.

Lincoln, the materialist who (according to William Herndon) had studied Feuerbach, had a profound sense of the force of historical circumstances, which determine actions and overwhelm motives. As he wrote on another occasion: I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.

The book is fairly wide-ranging and follows a number of different events and actors.

The author devotes one chapter to Shermans march through the Carolinas, which placed Lees army in the vice between Ulysses S. Grant in the north and Sherman in the south. With a flair for the theatrical, Sherman arranged to explode the first cannon used to fire on Fort Sumter to coincide with Lincoln taking the oath of office.

In discussing Shermans role, the author places a somewhat one-sided emphasis on the destruction visited on the slave-owning oligarchy by the Union army in South Carolina. The accounts of a few of the wealthy ladies of the South are presented as the Southern point of view, largely excluding the views of slaves and ignoring entirely the mass of poor whites who had no slaves or plantations, indeed no stake in slavery.

Frederick Douglass (circa 1879)

Some of the most interesting passages of the book deal with the changing attitudes of Frederick Douglass toward Lincoln. Always an opponent of slavery, Lincoln was by no means an abolitionist and sought only to halt the spread of slavery into new areas.

Douglasss first face-to-face meeting with Lincoln was at the White House in August 1863. As the author notes, he got in immediately even though he did not have an appointment. Douglass later remarked, In his company I was never in any way reminded of my humble origin, or my unpopular color. When asked by Lincoln his views on the political and military situation, Douglass criticized Lincoln for what he felt was the presidents tardy, hesitating, vacillating policy. Lincoln replied that he might seem slow but did not vacillate. I think it cannot be shown that when I have once taken a position, I have ever retreated from it.

At their second meeting, in August 1864, Lincoln warned Douglass that he might lose the upcoming election. He asked Douglass to help encourage as many slaves as possible to seek protection behind Union lines so they would be free after the war was over. Douglass recalled, What he said on this day showed a deeper moral conviction against slavery than I had ever seen before in anything spoken or written by him.

Years later, Douglass recalled that, measured by the perspective of abolitionists, Lincoln might have seemed tardy. But, he added, Measure him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult; Lincoln was swift, zealous, radical and determined.

This view of Lincoln contradicts the recent attempts by the New York Times and its 1619 Project to present a racialized view of US history, which presents Lincoln as just another white racist president uninterested in the fate of the slaves, and denies the enormous, revolutionary significance of the American Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address

As Douglass said in a speech in January 1864 at Cooper Union In New York, the world had never seen a nobler or grander war than that which the loyal people of this country are now waging against the slaveholding rebels. The blow we strike is not merely to free a country or a continent but the whole world from slaveryfor when slavery falls here, it will fall everywhere.

Not surprisingly, Lincolns Second Inaugural speech evoked sharply polarized views. The pro-Democratic Chicago Times said it did not seem possible Lincoln could produce a paper so slip shod, so loose jointed, so puerile not only in literary construction, but in its ideas, its sentiments, its grasp.

On the other hand, the Philadelphia Enquirer wrote that the speech was noteworthy for its brevity and still more remarkable for its simplicity, force, clearness of style, and its nobleness of spirit. It is worthy of the man and the occasion.

Writing to a supporter, Lincoln said he expected the Second Inaugural to wear as well asperhaps better thananything I have produced; but I believe it is not immediately popular.

Charles Francis Adams Jr.

Charles Francis Adams Jr., the son of the US ambassador to Britain, called Lincoln one of the wonders of the ages and he thought the speech the historical keynote of the war.

At the reception following the inauguration, Douglass was determined to shake hands with Lincoln, despite the efforts by security to bar him because of his race. He finally managed to get inside with the help of an unnamed member of Congress who recognized him. Lincoln insisted on pausing to ask Douglass what he thought of the inauguration speech. That was a sacred effort, Douglass replied.

Achorn concludes his book with an epilogue recounting the dark events at Fords Theatre and the assassination of Lincoln. Shadowing Lincoln throughout the time of the inauguration, Booth had long plotted to kidnap the president. His plan later turned into a murder plot after he learned Lincoln favored giving the vote to at least some freed slaves.

The assassination of Lincoln put Vice President Andrew Johnson in charge. Johnsons drunken, incoherent speech at the inauguration is dealt with in some detail by Achorn. Johnson was a bitter opponent of civil rights for African Americans and indeed the entire program of radical reconstruction.

African Americans soldiers march during Lincoln's second inauguration

It is legitimate to speculate on the impact on Reconstruction if Lincoln had not been killed. But in the long run, the decision by the Northern ruling elites to eventually end Reconstruction and restore power to the remnants of the old Southern slavocracy was determined by their common fear of the emergence of the industrial working class as a powerful social force.

No effort should be criticized for failing to take up every aspect of the immense historical drama that is the American Civil War. Achorn brings a journalists eye to stories and angles surrounding Lincolns second inauguration. Such detail can only enrich the Civil Wars revolutionary significance, so beautifully articulated by Lincolns Second Inaugural Address.
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Hyderabad, Feb 26 : Telangana's opposition Congress on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor, Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan, seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the killing of advocate couple.

A delegation of party leaders led by state party chief Uttam Kumar Reddy met the Governor at Raj Bhavan and submitted her a memorandum for a court-monitored CBI probe into the gruesome murder of Gattu Vaman Rao and his wife Nagamani, who were practicing at the Telangana High Court.

The couple were waylaid and brutally hacked to death in full public view by two assailants in Peddapalli district on February 17.

Police have so far arrested four accused including a mandal-level leader of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), who has been since suspended from the party, and the nephew of another TRS leader and Zilla Parishad chairman Putta Madhu.

Reddy, who is also a Member of Parliament, alleged that the murders are an attack on the legal community to silence them and "prevent them from exposing the massive corruption and misuse of state power".

The Congress leader alleged that the advocates were murdered to prevent the truth from coming out in the death of Seelam Rangaiah, a Dalit, in police custody.

Reddy told reporters that the Governor responded positively to their demand for the CBI probe.

Alleging that the ruling party leaders are involved in the murder, he said the police were not probing their role.

The state Congress chief said the couple was killed in a pre-planned manner as they had approached the High Court for justice in Dalit youth's death in police custody and they were also proving hurdle for TRS leaders' illegal activities in Manthani.

Reddy claimed that Vaman Rao was silenced as he was gearing up for a fight over illegal mining of sand worth Rs 4,000 crore from the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.

He said Vaman Rao was also exposing the Putta Lingamma Charitable Trust for illegally mobilising funds.

The High Court, which took suo moto cognizance of the double murder on February 18, directed the government to conduct thorough investigation and submit a status report by March 1.


DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Megatel Homes LLC, one of the largest private homebuilders in the country, today announced that the company has secured a 116-lot subdivision for Pleasant Run Estates, a residential development located in Ellis County, directly south of Dallas. Once developed, the approximately $30 million development will feature 116 single-family homes.

"Pleasant Run Estates is well-located in the Lancaster region of Ellis County where there is significant job growth and demand for quality housing," said Zach Ipour, co-founder. "Walmart is currently building larger fulfillment centers in Lancaster in an effort to support the e-commerce growth in the Dallas market. These fulfillment centers are projected to bring more than 1,300 jobs to the area."

Ranging in size from 1,750 square feet to 3,400 square feet, homes in the community are priced between $230,000 and $330,000.

Ipour explains that job growth in the Lancaster area is expected to positively affect new home sales in the newly acquired subdivision. "The opportunity to develop Pleasant Run Estates was one that we could not turn down. We are pleased to have the opportunity to develop in this growing area and to provide residents with a high-quality residential housing option with convenient access to employers."

Pleasant Run Estates is projected to be completed within the next 18 months. Pre-selling of lots will begin in mid-March and model homes are scheduled to open by June 2021. Financing for the project was mostly provided by Megatel Capital Investment, the capital markets division of Megatel Homes.

About Megatel Homes

Founded in 2006, Megatel Homes has emerged as one of the most successful homebuilders in the state of Texas. The company has had considerable growth, with more than 100 developments comprised of several thousand homes, completed since its founding. The company currently has more than 100 communities and is rapidly spreading throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Contacts: Lauren Burgos Damon Elder

Spotlight Marketing Communications Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1399 949.427.1377

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Megatel Homes

Related Links

http://www.megatelhomes.com/


The area where Jack was first spotted behaving in a strange manner. Inset: Akeila Jack succumbed not only to a poisonous substance but to her battles with a mental challenge, from all reports.

A young woman of Fancy, North Windward, who had a history of mental issues, is reported to have committed suicide by drinking a poisonous substance.





The information received is that on Friday 12th February, Akeila Jack was first spotted by a number of vendors in an area used for parking between the Paint Shop and the Anglican School Annex, just across from the Leeward Bus Terminal in Kingstown, acting in a strange manner.





According to one of the vendors, at one point she was heard to exclaim that persons were accusing her of being married and it was not true.





On observing what appeared to be a green substance coming from the womans mouth, the vendors ran to her assistance, put her in a vehicle that took her to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where she died from the effects of ingesting what could have been the herbicide Gramoxone, according to reliable sources

The police were called in after Jack was taken to the hospital and they were able to question her before she passed away.





One of the persons who helped to take her to the hospital said that Jack was reluctant to tell the police from whom she had purchased the poisonous substance, admitting only that she had purchased the item in the Central Market.





The person also said the last thing they heard from the woman was her asking the doctors, "Me goin to die?





A troubled soul





THE VINCENTIAN heard from reliable sources that Jack had been admitted to the Mental Health Centre, Glen, on at least three occasions.





"She does have mental breakdown. She use to be normal but an incident happen change she life, said a relative.





According to that family member, Jack was pregnant for a St. Lucia man but "she got rid of the child, and when the man came to look for the child, she couldnt show the man the child.





To the amazement of relatives, friends and residents in her community, Jack went to St. Lucia and, according to relatives, on her return (home) she was never herself again.





Many persons formed the opinion that someone had hurt Jack while she was in St. Lucia.





A resident of Owia and friend of the deceased shared the narrative that Jack was hurt and described Jack as "very cool and a normal person before her visit to St. Lucia.





On her return, "Every February she tummy does get real high and she does be washing baby cloths, said the female friend of Jacks unusual behavior.





The female friend recalled that there was an incident involving a dead baby that was found in Kingstown, and Jack was rumored to be the mother.





Jacks family is said to be originally from Barrouallie but she grew up Fancy, and attended the Georgetown Secondary School.





This whole affair, as per a conversation with a medical doctor, "reeks of our unwillingness to deal with mental illness as an illness and not as something that we must scorn or avoid.
IN NUMBERS: Over 16,500 fresh cases reported

India reported 16,577 fresh infections on Friday, taking the cumulative caseload to 11,063,491, according to a report in the Scroll. The fresh cases were slightly lower than Thursdays count of 16,738. The country saw 120 deaths due to the pandemic, taking the death toll to 156,825, according to central health ministry data. The active caseload is at 155,986, while the total recoveries have surged to 10,750,680. As many as 13.4 million healthcare and frontline workers have been inoculated since the nationwide inoculation programme kicked off on January 16. Read more here

Private hospitals could charge Rs 400 for a shot of Covid-19 vaccine

Private hospitals may charge an estimated Rs 400 for a shot of Covid-19 vaccine when they become a part of the vaccination programme, a report in ThePrint said that cited a top official in the Union Ministry of Health & Welfare. The estimate includes a Rs 100 charge to pay nurses fees and account for miscellaneous expenses. A price of Rs 400 a shot would translate into an overall expense of Rs 800 for the two-dose regimen required for the vaccines being administered currently. The report said the estimates may change as discussions progress. So far, private hospitals have only served as vaccination centres, with the government procuring the vaccines. Read more here

Co-Win app not necessary to get vaccinated: Head of vaccination drive

It is not necessary to download the Co-Win app to get vaccinated, the Chairman of the Empowered Panel for Covid vaccination in India R S Sharma told the Quint. Sharma said the authorities are working to ramp up the vaccination drive and also make the process easier. "Its not necessary to download the CoWIN app. The Aarogya Setu app can also be used to register... not necessary that only one person can be registered on your app, other people can also be registered using the same app, Sharma told the Quint. Read more here

Those with comorbidities will need doctor's certificate to get shots: Task force member

People with preexisting conditions that sign up to get vaccinated in the second phase of the rollout will need a doctor's certificate, the head of the operations research group of the Covid-19 task force N K Arora told The Hindu. The second phase is slated to kick off from March 1 for people above 60 years of age and also those above 45 years of age with comorbidities. The vaccines will be available at both government and private hospital vaccination sites. Read more here

Bharat Biotech asked to submit efficacy data for testing vaccine on children

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has been asked to submit data of Covaxin's efficacy by an expert body under India's top drug regulator to consider the drugmaker's request to test the vaccine on children, a report in The Indian Express said. Also, Dr Reddys Laboratories, which sought emergency approval for Russian-made Sputnik V, has been asked to submit data from Indian clinical trials which demonstrates a prompt immune response, the report said. Read more here
Pool Testing in Lanesborough-Williamstown Schools Yields Negatives

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Mount Greylock Regional School District on Thursday completed a successful first week of pool testing for COVID-19 among its students and staff.

"It's amazing how empowering it is for a child to see they just did something with something the size of a Q-tip that has the power to determine if a virus is in them so they can take care of themselves and their family and their friends," Business Manager Joe Begeron told the School Committee on Thursday night. "Every student I saw today had a really positive experience, a really positive outlook for what this means."

Mount Greylock was one of the first districts to sign up and take advantage of a state-sponsored pool testing program. Essentially, samples (non-invasive nasal swabs) from a batch of individuals are bundled together into a single sample that is analyzed in the lab.

If the batched sample turns up negative, then all the contributors to the sample are assumed negative. If a batched sample tests positive, further tests are ordered for individuals who were part of that batch.

"Tuesday and today were our testing days this week," Bergeron said. "Next week, we'll be testing on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. We've tried to align with the same days of the week that [Williams College] has its courier service running to the laboratory in Cambridge. The college has been a great partner in this and has extended their help in sharing that resource, that courier service, with us, which is a huge help.

"So far, we've had all negative test results, which is fantastic. That's from our first week with staff only prior to break, and we received our results for Tuesday's testing late last night, and it was all negative for everyone who participated."

Bergeron reported that as of Thursday, about 700 of the district's 1,100 students had opted in to the program. And he expects more families to sign the permission forms that will allow their children to be tested.

"When you say 'test,' everyone recoils a little bit," Bergeron said. "But the way our staff was able to work with students to make it part of the school day, make it quick but make it something positive we're doing for the community at large was awesome.

"That's a long way to say I think participation will go up."

Superintendent Jason McCandless credited Bergeron and the school nurses at Lanesborough Elementary School, Williamstown Elementary and Mount Greylock Regional School for developing the logistical plan to make communitywide testing possible.

"The application process was arduous," McCandless said. "The organization of it was a massive undertaking, and it was really Joe and our three school nurses and school principals. Joe, Nicole [Russell], Kathy [Larson] and Carol [Stein-Payne], our school nurse team did a massive amount of work in rolling up their sleeves and making this possible.

"Joe and the three school nurses are heroes."

Bergeron praised teamwork needed to coordinate tests across the district's three schools, using venues that ranged from the classroom to the playground during mask breaks to drive-up testing.

He said staff and students who are participating in school remotely are welcome and encouraged to participate in the testing program.

"The nurses pulled out all the stops, and when we asked for participation from the staff, the staff was really excited about it," Bergeron said. "It's yet another thing we're asking staff to figure out that's new and certainly not normal. Across all three buildings, it's been amazing."


The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.

The Group of 20 nations on Friday moved closer to an agreement on boosting Monetary Fund reserves to help poor nations devastated by the global pandemic, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

Talks focused on a proposal for a $500 billion allocation of the IMFs special drawing rights, but the final decision likely will come closer to the lenders spring meetings in April, the officials said, asking not to be identified before a public statement.

Fridays virtual meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors was hosted by Italy.

The breakthrough came after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen leaned toward supporting the action, reversing opposition last year under President Donald Trump. Her predecessor, Steven Mnuchin, blocked the move in 2020, saying that because reserves are allocated to all 190 members of the IMF in proportion to their quota, some 70 per cent would go to the G-20, with just 3 per cent for the poorest developing nations.





ALSO READ: Biden admin removes stumbling block to global deal on digital tax

Yellen on Thursday endorsed strengthening support for developing nations, saying that without further action to support low-income countries, we risk a dangerous and permanent divergence in the global  The IMF and World Bank must continue to play a role in financing the global health response, she said. While an expansion in the IMFs resources could help low-income nations in the fight against the coronavirus, the and others need to work toward greater transparency and accountability in the use of the funds firepower.

More than 200 groups, including the Jubilee USA Network, had called on the to support the creation of $3 trillion in SDRs. They say the funds are needed to provide debt relief in developing nations and help free up resources for health care and social spending. Some Democrats in Congress have pledged support for a similar-sized move.

Theres a practical reason to focus on the smaller package. Yellen is unlikely to need congressional approval to vote in favour of the increase if the it remains at around $500 billion. However, Republicans have already voiced opposition because the issuance would send billions of dollars to Iran, Russia and China, countries that the US sees as violating human rights.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced consumers and companies alike to seek cost savings in new and creative ways. Public agencies are under the same pressures, and they are increasingly finding meaningful savings.

With help from the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), public agencies throughout Southern California have saved more than $2.2 million during 2020, through projects as simple as installing LED light bulbs and as complex as a water-system overhaul.

In all cases, the work was possible because of support from SoCalREN. Authorized in 2012 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), SoCalREN provides services to residents, businesses, and public agencies throughout the areas served by Southern California Edison (SCE) and/or SoCalGas. SoCalREN is administered by the County of Los Angeles and is offered to more than 700 cities, counties, school districts, water districts, sanitation districts, and other public agencies across 12 California counties.

Some of the most impactful projects include:

The City of Moreno Valley purchased more than 9,000 street lights from its local utility and then retrofitted them with LED bulbs. The projectbacked with over $1,000,000 in incentiveswill save the city approximately $395,000 annually.

purchased more than 9,000 street lights from its local utility and then retrofitted them with LED bulbs. The projectbacked with over in incentiveswill save the city approximately annually. Water system pumping upgrades by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District cut energy costs by 35%. Fueled by a $173,000 incentive, the district replaced six blowers with two higher efficiency models, reducing air usage  and energy costs. Savings are estimated to exceed $174,000 per year.

cut energy costs by 35%. Fueled by a incentive, the district replaced six blowers with two higher efficiency models, reducing air usage  and energy costs. Savings are estimated to exceed per year. The Alhambra Unified School District leveraged a $42,855 incentive for annual savings of more than $75,000 annually through energy-efficient equipment and process upgrades at two of its high schools.

"In a year where belts have gotten a lot tighter, it's heartening to see that investing in energy-efficiency projects continues to provide meaningful savings all over our state," said Minh Le, GM, Energy and Environmental Services, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department. "The best choice for our planet is also the best thing for our budgets."

The Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) Public Agency Programs believe in the power of public agencies to lead their communities toward a safe, secure, resilient, affordable, and sustainable clean energy future. SoCalREN offers a suite of customizable, no-cost services to remove barriers to achieving energy savings. They also offer programs for residents and businesses which public agencies can leverage for the benefit of their communities. SoCalREN is here to help public agencies save energy, save money, and lead their communities on the pathway to zero net energy and overall greater sustainability. Learn more at SoCalREN.org.

SOURCE SoCalREN

Related Links

http://SoCalREN.org


EDWARDSVILLE  An Alton man was charged with battery in two separate cases Thursday, including one in which a 13-year-old victim suffered permanent disfigurement.

Johnny L. Stiff, 31, was charged Feb. 25 with two counts of aggravated battery in separate incidents. Both charges are Class 3 felonies.

The cases were presented by the Alton Police Department.

According to court documents, on Feb. 19 Stiff kicked and punched a woman in the 700 block of Oakwood.

In a second, unrelated charge, Stiff repeatedly hit a 13-year-old girl with a computer cord, causing permanent disfigurement.

Bail was set at $15,000 for the first charge, $25,000 for the second.

Other felony charges filed Feb. 25 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Frederick E. Crook, 35, of Madison, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 2 nonprobational felony, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, both Class 3 felonies. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on Feb. 24 Crook allegedly was found to have a Ruger SR9 9 mm handgun with a defaced serial number. It was noted that he did not possess a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card or concealed carry license, and had a previous felony conviction for methamphetamine deliver out of Madison County in 2018. Bail was set at $80,000.

 Orlanduis M. Lacey, 24, of Alton, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On Feb. 8 he allegedly punched a girlfriend in the face and threw her to the ground, causing a concussion and a broken blood vessel in her eye. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Lawrence L. Perry, 50, of East Alton, was charged with domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On Feb. 24 Perry allegedly kicked a girlfriend in the chest. It was noted that Perry had a previous conviction for domestic battery out of Madison County in 2018. Bail was set at $10,000.

 Christopher D. Coopage, 36, of St. Louis, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On Feb. 24 Coopage, who had a prior conviction for theft/stealing in 2010 out of St. Louis County, allegedly was found to be in possession of a 9 mm Jimenez handgun. Bail was set at $40,000.

 Raymond D. Moton, 44, of East St. Louis, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Illinois State Police. On Jan. 2 Moton allegedly was carrying a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver in his vehicle without having a Firearm Owners Identification Card or concealed carry license. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Reginald T. Luckett, 39, of Cahokia, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On Dec. 6 Luckett allegedly took miscellaneous merchandise worth less than $300 from the Collinsville Walmart, 1040 Collinsville Crossing. It was noted he had a prior conviction for retail theft out of St. Clair County in 2014. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Matthew D. Smith, 37, of Granite City, was charged with driving while license revoked, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Illinois state Police. On April 13 Smith allegedly was driving on Illinois 159 in Fort Russell Township, with a revoked license. It was noted he had a 2017 conviction for DUI, and a 2017 conviction for driving while license revoked. Bail was set at $20,000.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - Golden Independence (CSE: IGLD) (OTCQB: GIDMF) (FSE: 6NN) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jeremy Poirier and Mr. Benjamin Asuncion to the Company's Advisory Board.

Mr. Poirier has over 15 years of experience in the capital markets, built a strong network of investor and industry contacts, served on a number of boards, and held senior officer positions at several public and private companies. Mr. Poirier was a co-founder of Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. and served as a Director from December 2013 to September 2016, in addition to holding a senior management role. During his tenure with Pure Energy, he reviewed numerous lithium assets and fostered relationships with various partners throughout the supply chain. Mr. Poirier was CEO of Bearing Lithium Corp. from September 2016 through December 2019 and was instrumental in the Company's transformation through the acquisition of Li3 Energy and facilitating a number of over-subscribed capital raises.

Mr. Asuncion has accumulated extensive experience in the capital markets and the natural resources sector over the past two decades. Mr. Asuncion has held senior management or director roles with a number of public and private companies throughout the mining, healthcare, technology and life sciences sectors. Previously, Mr. Asuncion was with Haywood Securities Inc., a privately-owned Canadian sell-side brokerage firm, as a research analyst covering mining companies from exploration through to production from 2007 through 2016. During his tenure at Haywood, he was involved in a number of sectors including oil and gas, technology and telecom, in addition to his core focus on mining. Prior to joining Haywood, Benjamin was involved in the management of an endowment fund at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Mr. Asuncion holds a Bachelor of Business degree from SFU with concentrations in finance, accounting and management science.

"We are very excited to have Jeremy and Benjamin join the team to add value to all stakeholders. Jeremy's background and network has been instrumental in the capital raising of the Company, and Benjamin's experience within the mining industry capital markets has been key in identifying accretive opportunities for the Company" commented Golden Independence CEO Christos Doulis. "While both individuals have been extensively involved in the Company to date, we are happy to formalize their relationship going forward as we embark on the next stage of growth."

About Golden Independence Mining Corp.

Golden Independence Mining Corp. is an exploration company currently focused on exploring the advanced-stage Independence Gold Property located in the Battle Mountain-Cortez Trend, Nevada and the Champ precious metal property near Castlegar, British Columbia. The Independence Gold Property benefits from over US$25 million in past exploration, including over 200 holes drilled, and is located adjacent to Nevada Gold Mines' Phoenix-Fortitude mining operations in the Battle Mountain-Cortez trend of Nevada.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Christos Doulis, Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: 1.647.924.1083 Email: christos@goldenindependence.co

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75514


Broader de-escalation of troops once disengagement is completed at all friction points: Jaishankar tells Wang

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Feb 26: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday and discussed the border standoff in eastern Ladakh as well as reviewed the status of disengagement.

Releasing details of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar''s 75-minute telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Friday that China was told that bilateral relations have been impacted severely over last year.

"EAM said that Boundary Question may take time to resolve but disturbance of peace and tranquillity, including by violence, will inevitably have a damaging impact on the relationship," the ministry said.

Border disputes a reality, should be given sufficient attention: China tells India

The two ministers agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline, it added.

The two leaders discussed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and issues related to overall India-China relations.

Jaishankar referred to their meeting in September 2020 in Moscow where the Indian side had expressed its concern on provocative behaviour and unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter the status quo, according to the MEA statement.

Jaishankar said that during their meeting in Moscow last year they had agreed that the situation in the border areas was not in the interest of either side and decided that the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue, quickly disengage and ease tensions.

The EAM noted that the two sides had maintained continuous communication since then through both diplomatic and military channels. This had led to progress as both sides had successfully disengaged in the Pangong lake area earlier this month.

Noting the completion of disengagement in the Pangong lake area, the EAM emphasized that both sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

Jaishankar told Wang that once disengagement is completed at all friction points, then the two sides could also look at broader de-escalation of troops in the area and work towards restoration of peace and tranquillity.

Wang, on his part, expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far and said it was an important step forward for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas, according to the MEA statement.

Wang also spoke about the need to improve management and control in the border areas, while Jaishankar highlighted that both sides had always agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas was essential basis for development of bilateral relations.

"A prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side. It was, therefore, necessary that the two sides should work towards early resolution of remaining issues. It was necessary to disengage at all friction points in order to contemplate de-escalation of forces in this sector. That alone will lead to the restoration of peace and tranquillity and provide conditions for progress of our bilateral relationship," it said.

Wang also noted that the Indian side had proposed "three mutuals" -- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests -- as the approach to the relationship. He also agreed on the importance of taking the long view of ties between the two neighbours.

At the 10th round of the senior commanders'' meeting least week, India is learnt to have insisted on a faster disengagement process in areas such as Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to defuse tension in the region.
There were deals for Vietnamese blast furnace (BF) billet of 3sp quality from two different mills at $580 and $582-583 per tonne fob in recent days for shipment to China, with trading sources on Friday estimating the shipments at the equivalent of $600-603 per tonne cfr China.Deals of Vietnam BF billet were closed to traders selling onto China earlier in the week at $575-578 per tonne fob.Indian 3sp BF billet was heard sold to China on Thursday at $550 per tonne fob, which would work out at $585 per tonne cfr China, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Non Asean-origin billet, such as from India, incurs a 2% import duty to China, meaning that the all-in cost on this transaction would be around $597 per tonne cfr.

Prices were boosted by a spike in bulk freight rates this week amid mounting oil costs and a...

Senator Julian Francis, Minister with responsibility for Airports and Seaports, conceded that after four years of operation of the AIA, there might be some matters that have to be addressed.

The Board of Directors of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) was expected, this week, to address the issues said to be affecting workers at the facility.





Minister with responsibility for airports and seaports, Senator Julian Francis, said on radio on February 21 that he was expected to address the meeting which was scheduled for February 23.





In addressing the situation, Francis said that he was not prepared to discuss in detail what the said issues were, but confirmed that the workers had some grievances, and that the Public Service Union (PSU) had been in dialogue with the management at the AIA.





According to the minister, there may be at the airport, which has been in operation for four years, some areas that were required to be reviewed, and that there were some items among those to be addressed that warranted the need for attention now.





The PSU, in a release dated February 17, indicated that among the issues of concern were the non-payment of increments to some workers and provision for uniforms which were said to be last made more than two years ago.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (February 26) said it cannot allow sexual harassment cases to be swept under the carpet and asked a retired District Judge of Madhya Pradesh to face in-house departmental inquiry instituted by the high court on the allegations levelled against him by a junior woman judicial officer.

"We cannot allow sexual harassment cases to be swept under the carpet like this," a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said. The bench, also comprising justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, rejected vehement submissions of senior lawyer R Balasubramanium, appearing for the former judge, that the woman judicial officer had withdrawn her earlier complaint and had categorically stated that she wanted conciliation.

In the proceedings conducted through video conferencing, the bench made clear that it is not going to interfere with the Madhya Pradesh High Court order of an inquiry and said that as on date the former judge stood convicted and there may be a chance of his acquittal if he chooses to face the inquiry. "You are walking on a very thin ice you can fall any time. You may have a chance in the inquiry they conduct, you may be acquitted," the bench said, asking him to join the inquiry.

The counsel for the former judge then withdrew the appeal against the high court's order. Earlier, the top court had observed that to flirt with a junior official is not acceptable conduct for a judge. It, however, had taken note of submission of Balasubramanium that sexual harassment allegations were levelled against the former judge only when he was in the zone consideration for elevation as a high court judge.

This is a ubiquitous phenomenon to raise complaints...All kinds of allegations are levelled in such cases, the bench had said, adding that the issue before it was whether the high court was empowered to order the departmental enquiry.

The bench had said it was of the view that the high court was always competent to order the departmental enquiry and the former judicial officer must face it. It said the complainant might have withdrawn the complaint because of some embarrassment but it will not preclude the High Court from initiating separate departmental proceedings.

Live TV
[February 26, 2021] Vaquero Private Wealth Increases Its Dallas Presence With the Addition of The Maynard Group

Vaquero Private Wealth Ltd., a Dallas-based RIA, announced today they are combining forces with a veteran team from Merrill Lynch, The Maynard Group. The team is led by seasoned advisor, Ryan Maynard, CFA, CFP . Maynard was with Merrill Lynch for 19 years, where he managed $400M in client assets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005565/en/ Ryan Maynard, CFA, CFP. (Photo: Business Wire) Founded in 2017 by former Merrill Lynch PBIG advisor, Ben Gordon, CIMA (News - Alert) , Vaquero Private Wealth is a boutique RIA specializing in catering to high-net-worth individuals and families. Gordon shared, "Vaquero was formed on the simple principle of rust - placing the client's best interest first and foremost. Ryan and his team share those same values and will add incredible depth further complementing our offering at Vaquero. I'm extremely excited to synergize and grow with Ryan and his team. We share a uniquely like-minded approach to the client experience and the future growth of Vaquero."



"We're excited for the opportunity to be unencumbered to serve our clients the way they deserve to be served," Ryan Maynard said. "We're eager to be truly focused on finding the best solutions for them regardless of where those solutions come from. We'll have flexibility to spend more time with our clients and have more tools and resources. We're as excited for our clients as we are for us. We're looking forward to getting back to a culture of excellence where we can truly partner with our clients and not be pressured or encumbered to promote certain banking products. We've strived to create an environment where the client comes first and where achieving their goals is most important." The new team is supported by Fidelity Investments as custodian. Fidelity Investments is one of the world's largest providers of financial services. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit Fidelity.com.

Vaquero Private Wealth, Ltd. is a registered independent advisory firm based in Dallas, TX. Serving individuals and families, Vaquero's strategy combines customized investment management and financial planning with family-office level personal service. Utilizing intellectual capital from a combined 125 years in the industry, along with best-in-class support from industry leaders and experts, Vaquero is able to craft a strategy unique to each client. Blending experience with innovation to provide clients with leading edge solutions is the hallmark of the Vaquero experience - providing a complete money management strategy. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005565/en/

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By Kate Abnett and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior officials from Europe have urged the World Bank's management to expand its climate change strategy to exclude investments in oil- and coal-related projects around the world, and gradually phase out investment in natural gas projects, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

In the six-page letter dated Wednesday, World Bank executive directors representing major European shareholder countries and Canada, welcomed moves by the Bank to ensure its lending supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

But they urged the Bank - the biggest provider of climate finance to the developing world - to go even further.

"We ... think the Bank should now go further and also exclude all coal- and oil-related investments, and further outline a policy on gradually phasing out gas power generation to only invest in gas in exceptional circumstances," the European officials wrote in the letter, excerpts of which were seen by Reuters.

The officials took note of the World Bank's $620 million investment in a multibillion-dollar liquified natural gas project in Mozambique approved by the Bank's board in January, but did not call for its cancellation, one of the sources said.

The World Bank confirmed receipt of the letter but did not disclose all its contents. It noted that the World Bank and its sister organizations had provided $83 billion for climate action over the past five years.

"Many of the initiatives called for in the letter from our shareholders are already planned or in discussion for our draft Climate Change Action Plan for 2021-2025, which management is working to finalize in the coming month," the Bank told Reuters in an emailed statement.

The Bank's first climate action plan began in fiscal year 2016.

The United States, the largest shareholder in the World Bank, this month rejoined the 2015 Paris climate accord, and has vowed to move multilateral institutions and U.S. public lending institutions toward "climate-aligned investments and away from high-carbon investments."

Story continues

World Bank President David Malpass told finance officials from the Group of 20 economies on Friday that the Bank would make record investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation for a second consecutive year in 2021.

"Inequality, poverty, and climate change will be the defining issues of our age," Malpass told the officials. "It is time to think big and act big in finding solutions,"

He said it was also launching new reviews to integrate climate into all its country diagnostics and strategies, a step initiated before the letter from the European officials, said one of the sources.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington and Kate Abnett in Brussels; Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Courtesy of Howling Hot Chicken

Nashville hot chicken is heating up in Connecticut, as diners get a taste of its fiery, peppery profile. Restaurants dedicated to the spicy Tennessee specialty have popped up around the state in the past six months, capitalizing on its growing popularity.

The blazing dish originated at Princes Hot Chicken in the Music City, and as a payback for infidelity, according to the restaurants website. Restaurant founder Thorton Prince had a well-earned reputation as being quite the ladies man, and his scorned lover wanted revenge, so she cooked him his favorite fried chicken with a devilish amount of peppers and spices. Instead of crying in pain, according to legend, he ate it all, and asked for seconds.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Communications Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 195 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 195 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Communications Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-communications-degree-programs/

2021 Communications Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

American University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Arkansas State University

Bellevue University

Bemidji State University

Boston University

California Baptist University

City University of New York

Colorado State University

Colorado State University-Global Campus

Columbus State University

Dominican College

Drexel University

East Carolina University

Elon University

Florida International University

Franklin University

Granite State College

Indiana University East

King University

Lamar University

Liberty University

Midway University

Mississippi College

Missouri State University

Montana State University, Billings

National University

New York University

Northeastern University

Ohio University

Oral Roberts University

Pennsylvania State University

Regis University

State University Of New York, Oswego

Syracuse University

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff

University of Central Florida

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

University of Florida

University of Louisville

University of Memphis

University of Minnesota

University of North Dakota

University of Pennsylvania

University of Texas, Permian Basin

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Valley City State University

Webster University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Calls for the resignation of South Dakota's Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg are mounting after investigators found the glasses of a crash victim in Mr Ravnsborg's vehicle. He claims he thought he drove into a deer and didn't know it was a pedestrian until the next morning.

Mr Ravnsborg was charged with three misdemeanour counts last week after the accident leading to the death of 55-year-old Joseph Boever, CNN reported.

New evidence was released on Tuesday night, with investigators now saying that Mr Boever was hit with such force that his face came through the windshield of Mr Ravnsborg's vehicle. He hit and killed Mr Boever on 12 September of last year.

Theyre Joes glasses, so that means his face came through your windshield, one investigator tells Mr Ravnsborg during a filmed interview. The footage was released on Tuesday.

I did not see those glasses until you showed them to me, Mr Ravnsborg responded.

"The only way for them to get there is through the windshield," the law enforcement official says. His face was in your windshield, Jason. Think about that.

I did not see him. I did not see anything, Mr Ravnsborg said. I did not know it was a human until the next day.

You think you had an idea it was something other than a deer, though?" An investigator asked.

I just believed it was a deer," Mr Ravnsborg said.

Mr Ravnsborg was on his way home from a Republican fundraiser when he hit pedestrian Joseph Boever at around 10:30 pm, according to The New York Post. Investigators of the crash say Mr Ravnsborg was distracted when he swerved into Mr Boever who was walking on the shoulder of the highway.

South Dakota lawmakers have now started an effort to remove Mr Ravnsborg from his office. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem called for his resignation Tuesday, but so far Mr Ravnsborg has resisted.

Two articles of impeachment were filed Tuesday against Mr Ravnsborg, according to toThe Washington Post.

Private Ravnsborg spokesman Mike Deaver told The Argus Leader that he won't resign despite the impeachment push. Mr Deaver said: "At no time has this issue impeded his ability to do the work of the office. Instead, he has handled some of the largest settlements and legislative issues the state has ever been through."

Republican State Representative Will Mortenson, who filed the articles of impeachment, told The Leader : "I do not believe Attorney General Ravnsborg belongs in prison, but I know he does not belong in the Office of the Attorney General anymore."

The articles were cosponsored by the leaders of the two parties in the South Dakota House. Republican Majority Leader Kent Peterson said: This isnt about party or politics. Its about doing the right thing for South Dakota. We must hold our elected leaders to a high standard. In this case, the Attorney General has failed to meet that standard, and we owe it to the people to bring these articles."

Democratic Minority Leader Jamie Smith said: "The Attorney General has lost the confidence of the people of South Dakota, and he should be removed from office for the betterment of the state.

Mr Ravnsborg, a lieutenant colonel in the US Army Reserves, told detectives: I did not know until the next day. I did not. No. Im a military guy. You do not leave people on the battlefield. You do not leave people behind."

The Independent has reached out to Attorney General Ravnsborg for comment.

The full interview between investigators and Mr Ravnsborg can be seen below:

Expectations were defied more than once this week on Superstore, leading up to an ending that leaves a lot of questions for what the last several episodes will look like for Store 1217 in the romance department.

Its deposition day at Cloud 9. Everyone who was working during Carols incident with the robot is scheduled to testify under oath with Carols lawyer Hannah and a lawyer for the Cloud 9 corporation. Marcus claims that if Carol wins her suit against Cloud 9, she could get up to $10 million, to which the rest of the employees are vocally aghast. Is this what todays gonna be like? Everyone talking about me? Im gonna hate this, Carol says with a smile.

Glenn is especially nervous for his deposition, so Jonah tries to help him prepare. It doesnt go particularly well, and Jonah worries that hell have to protect Glenn from being targeted by Carol's lawyer.

In Jonahs deposition, he tries to make it sound like Glenn never came near Glen the robot to give him an alibi for Carol's incident. However, Hannah uses this testimony to ask Jonah if that means Glenn never performed software updates on the robot (the job of the floor supervisor), something which would have led to Carols electrocution. Not helped by the Cloud 9 lawyer, who is happy to place the blame on an individual as opposed to the company, Jonah realizes that he has accidentally thrown Glenn under the bus.

Meanwhile, Garrett and Dina agree to go on to laser tag and dinner, but both try to brush it off as not a date; its not not breaking the deal with Brian as long as it ends in sex, right? However, when Dina gets jealous of the thought of Garrett flirting with other women, she and Cheyenne begin to realize that she might actually feel more for Garrett than she initially thought. Cheyenne encourages Dina to tell Garrett how she feels, and Dina hesitantly agrees.

To try and repair his blunder, Jonah asks the rest of the employees to say in their depositions that Glenn is a competent worker, which is difficult, since none of them can lie under oath. Although, to be fair to Glenn, could any of them be considered that competent? Even the more serious workers have had their fair share of major oopsies.

Mateo, too, has deposition-related woes: he is scheduled to get his ankle monitor off soon, but that future is jeopardized when he finds out that Eugene has been deposed because hes listed as Glenns assistant. If Eugene lies and says he was working as Glenns assistant that day, hell be committing perjury, but if their arrangement is found out, Mateo will be in trouble. Mateo locks Eugene in his office (a.k.a. the supply closet), pretending the door got stuck. He attends the deposition pretending to be Eugene instead. Then, Sandra tricks Eugene into "doing his deposition" through the locked door, with her - crisis averted!

In Glenns deposition, Jonah drags the robot in to try to prove that Glenn didnt have the proper training to update it, making one last desperate attempt to get Glenn off the hook for Carol's $10M payout. However, he finds out that as he interrupted the deposition, Glenn had been detailing that he had actually been updating the robot, learning how to on his own time. This leaves Jonah embarrassed, as he had not only thrown Glenn under the bus, but was wrong - making it clear that he thought less of his boss than he deserved.

Dina comes to Garrett to tell him how she feels, but Garrett, uncomfortable with the way shes been acting with him, breaks off their arrangement. She tries to play it off - shes still with Brian, she reminds herself, but is clearly hurt by this new development.

Jonah apologizes to Glenn for thinking so little of him. Glenn, in return, asks him to prove his trust in him by sticking his hand in the robot. Jonah reluctantly does so, only to get shocked, and Glenn confused as to why it happened, reaches in and gets shocked too.

The episode ends in a big boo! moment for the Simmosa fans, as Hannah approaches Jonah and flirts with him, and he insinuatingly asks her to let him know if there are any more depositions he can crash. Boo!

This Jonah/Hannah moment honestly does make me believe more that Amy and Jonah will reunite in the final episodes, only because were reaching the point where the writers knew they were cancelled, and bringing in a new love interest last minute for Jonah with the intention of it sticking would be one of the biggest missteps they could possibly take. Its more than possible that this flirtation with Hannah could be just one last way to kick Jonah while hes down - perhaps shell try to use him for information? - but other than that, I cant see any sensible path for this plotline to go down.

As we near the end of Superstore, I cant help but think of the way this show is mostly unique in the way it portrays the working class - empathy without pity; honesty with authentic comedy. I want to write so much more about the way that this show took the notion of the rich, elite white savior coming in and rescuing the working class from their monotony and turned it on its head. This is definitely worthy of its own, specialized article: how would everyone feel if I wrote about that for the finale? Just feeling things out.

Regardless, what did you think about Depositions? What are your feelings on Garrett/Dina and Jonah/Hannah? And what do you think will happen with Carol's lawsuit? Let me know in the comments!
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WINNIPEG - Billions of dollars in cost overruns and spiralling debt at Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro were caused in part by a lack of government oversight and overly optimistic sales predictions, says a report released Friday.

WINNIPEG - Billions of dollars in cost overruns and spiralling debt at Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro were caused in part by a lack of government oversight and overly optimistic sales predictions, says a report released Friday.

A review by former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall looked at construction of the Bipole III transmission line and the Keeyask generating station, which together ran $3.7 billion, or 38 per cent, over their initial budgets.

The report said there were many factors, including one major contract that left the province instead of the contractor on the hook for cost overruns.

And as costs rose, the former NDP government did not take action, said Wall, who was hired by the province's current Progressive Conservative government to do the review.

"The commissioner saw no evidence of interest or proactive outreach on the part of the former elected Government of Manitoba to provide oversight, accountability, and overall leadership on the Keeyask and Bipole III projects," Wall's report states.

"As the costs of the projects grew and the potential impact on Manitoba Hydro became apparent, there is no evidence that the former government engaged with the (Manitoba Hydro board) or provided any direction."

The report also says Manitoba Hydro officials and the former NDP government overestimated the potential for export sales.

When the government began pushing the projects, it said hydroelectricity could do for Manitoba what oil had done for Alberta. But energy prices softened as the use of natural gas and fracking expanded in the United States.

Domestic demand was also overstated, Wall said. Instead of Keeyask being needed as early as 2019, its energy may only have been needed a decade from now, Wall said. The generating station started operating earlier this month.

Keeyask and Bipole III were built over the last 15 years and Manitoba Hydro's debt has tripled in that time to more than $23 billion.

Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall speaks during the Saskatchewan Party leadership convention in Saskatoon on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. A review done by Wall of Manitoba Hydro says overly optimistic sales predictions and a lack of government oversight led to cost overruns and a large increase in debt at the Crown corporation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

The Crown corporation has applied to increase customer rates by up to eight per centtto pay down some of the debt, but provincial regulators have approved much lower increases.

Wall's report said up to $1 billion might have been saved had Manitoba Hydro been allowed to build Bipole III on a straight route along the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Instead, the NDP government ordered it take a much longer route through western Manitoba to preserve pristine boreal forest, respect Indigenous land use and to not raise environmental concerns among potential customers in the United States.

When the Opposition Tories raised the issue in 2007, the government said export sales would pay for any extra costs.

Attempts by The Canadian Press to reach Greg Selinger, who was the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro at the time and would became premier in 2009, were unsuccessful Friday.

The current NDP Opposition said the report from Wall, a former Saskatchewan Party leader, was the work of a political operative.

"Typically these types of reports would be produced by a judge or an expert in their field," hydro critic Adrien Sala said.

"Instead, the (Tories) have decided to hire their friend and political ally ... to write a report that would tell them exactly what it was that they wanted to hear."

Manitoba Hydro said it is reviewing the report and will discuss its findings with the government.

Wall's report makes many recommendations, including greater oversight by the provincial cabinet of major hydro projects. It also says some projects could be done in partnership with the private sector.

Wall said the province would continue to own any infrastructure under such an arrangement, but the Canadian Union of Public Employees called the idea a step toward privatization.

"Private, for-profit corporations ... aren't participating in projects for the public good. They're there to make a profit," CUPE Local 998 president Michelle Bergen said in a news release.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2021


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Please find following a letter sent by the Artisan Partners International Value and Global Value Teams to the board of directors of Danone SA.

In their letter, Daniel J. O'Keefe, Artisan Global Value Strategy Lead Portfolio Manager, and N. David Samra, Artisan International Value Strategy Lead Portfolio Manager, express their views on the company's recently announced year-end results and their suggested path forward for Danone.

Board of Directors

Danone SA

To the Members of the Board:

We write to you in our capacity as significant shareholders in Danone. We are long-term value investors managing collectively over $45 billion in long-only equity. Our investment teams have a proud track record of supporting European businesses as constructive shareholders with a very long-term investment horizon. Our attraction to Danone is the quality of its assets; however, it is our belief that the current strategy undermines the strength of its brands and ultimately the health of the company.

In response to press speculation regarding a board of directors meeting on Monday, 1 March, we are writing to share our updated views on the company's performance. According to press reports, this meeting is to address governance and management issues at Danone. We hope our observations are helpful in the board's decision on both leadership and strategy.

On 19 February, Danone reported year-end results that exhibited a continuation of poor performance. Danone's sales and volume growth, as well as profitability, continue to trail relevant category competitors. Comparisons to companies in the broad and unrelated processed food industryas shown in the CEO's recent analyst presentationare not relevant to Danone's categories.

Danone's water business has declined more than Nestle's; the sales decline of Danone's nutrition business is in stark contrast to the sales growth of Nestle and Abbott; and EDP reported growth well below its category. Further, much of the growth in the EDP business comes from the assets purchased in the expensive Whitewave transaction, while the underlying business continues to decline. These trends do not represent solely issues related to the Covid-19 pandemicrather, they are a continuation of the trends reported over the last six years.

Management has appointed a new team and announced a new structure. Management in its own words is embarking on a reinvention and a reshaping of the company. Overhead put in place by the current management team is to be reduced, and brands purchased by the current management team are to be sold. Jobs created and employees hired by the current management team are to be terminated. These are all hallmarks of management failure, and they beg a fundamental and inescapable question: Given it is this management team that has driven Danone to disrepair over the past six years, why does the board of directors continue to support it?

There is an urgent need to address the board's structure and the company's leadership. The roles of CEO and Chairman should be split to reflect modern-day corporate governance. Governance standards also require that prior leadership leave the board. And logic demands more consumer goods experience on the board of directors. Finally, a new, non-financial CEO with consumer goods experience and a track record of success should be installed as soon as possible to restore Danone to the elevated status it deserves within the French business establishment.

For media enquiries:

Greenbrook (London)

Andrew Honnor and Rob White

[email protected]

+44 207 952 2000

Steele & Holt (France)

[email protected]

+33 6 66 58 81 92

+33 6 58 25 54 14

SOURCE Artisan Partners
The news that the Election Commission of India would be announcing the poll schedule on Friday has warmed up the traditional rival fronts in Kerala, who said that they are well on the course of winning the Assembly polls.

Kerala has 140 Assembly seats.

The ruling CPI(M)-led Left Front after keeping a winning record in the December local body polls is nurturing high hopes of creating an electoral history by becoming the first government in the state to retain power.

The poll date will be announced when its' two political Yatras will end in two places and CPI(M) central committee member M.V. Govindan said they are confident of winning the polls .

But Leader of Opposition and a possible Chief Ministerial candidate of the Congress-led UDF Ramesh Chennithala said, 'There is no doubt that the UDF will romp home easily, when votes will be counted'.

Former Defence Minister and three time Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony, who is all set to arrive in Kerala from Delhi as the star campaigner for the UDF, expressed confidence that in May, this year, it would be the UDF government which will be sworn in.

State Congress chief Mullapally Ramachandran said that a secret deal has been inked between the CPI(M) and the BJP in Kerala on 10 seats.

"We will be coming out with our list of candidates very soon and we are supremely confident that we will win," said Ramachandran.

The BJP-led NDA has just one seat at present and its senior leader M.T. Ramesh commented that they will be making giant strides in the election.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led UDF had a resounding victory, winning 19 out of the 20 seats, and had a vote share of 47.48 per cent, the ruling Left won just one seat with a vote share of 36.29 per cent. The BJP drew a blank but secured 15.64 per cent votes.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-25 23:43:25|Editor: huaxia

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A grand gathering is held to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China, the world's most populous country, on Thursday declared that it has eliminated absolute poverty.

The feat means China has solved absolute poverty, which has existed for thousands of years. The nation's people have now realized their long-cherished wish for ample food and clothing as well as comfortable housing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China has scored a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty and accomplished the arduous task of eliminating absolute poverty, hailing the achievement as another miracle of mankind that will "go down in history."

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the announcement while addressing a grand gathering held in Beijing to mark the country's poverty alleviation accomplishments and award model poverty fighters.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has organized and launched a tough anti-poverty drive that is the largest in scale and strongest in intensity, and benefits the biggest number of people in human history. Under the current standard, the country has lifted all 98.99 million of its rural poor out of poverty, or an average of over 10 million each year, which is equivalent to the population of a medium-sized country.

Aerial photo taken on Feb. 20, 2021 shows a relocation site for poverty-stricken people in Huawu Village, Qianxi County of Bijie City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Wang Jincai is a farmer from the Miao ethnic group in Pangru Village of the Ziyun Miao-Bouyei Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

"We didn't have enough to eat and lived in an old wooden house with holes everywhere. You could see the stars when you sat inside," he recalled. His family bid farewell to poverty in 2020 and now lives in a new house equipped with running water.

Over the past eight years, Xi has presided over seven central poverty alleviation work symposiums, conducted more than 50 investigations into poverty alleviation work, and visited all of China's 14 contiguous impoverished areas. The country has sent over 3 million people to villages as special commissioners for poverty relief and invested fiscal funds totaling nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (248 billion U.S. dollars) into poverty alleviation. More than 1,800 people have lost their lives in the country's fight against poverty.

Yang Yalin, Party chief of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, said that the key to success in poverty alleviation is to firmly rely on the leadership of the CPC. "No matter how hard a nut is, we are resolved to crack it with the concerted efforts of cadres and the masses," he said.

When calculated in accordance with China's current poverty line, the country has lifted 770 million rural residents out of poverty since the beginning of reform and opening-up over 40 years ago, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global total based on the World Bank's international poverty line.

Women of the Miao ethnic group show the Zongzi, a traditional Chinese food made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in Dangjiu village of Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

China has met the goal of ending poverty established in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

The elimination of absolute poverty in China is thanks to the CPC's strong leadership and determination, the people-centered philosophy of development, the institutional strength which can bring together the resources necessary to accomplish great tasks, as well as a series of creative and significant ideas and measures such as targeted poverty reduction, domestic and overseas observers have said.

Eliminating absolute poverty is a key contribution to accomplishing the CPC's first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, has set a solid foundation for its new journey of fully building a modern socialist country, and has created a "China example" for poverty reduction.

Senegalese scholar Ibrahima Niang said China's achievement in alleviating extreme poverty is exemplary, and its experience will contribute to the development of African countries.

Despite the accomplishment, the income levels of people who have recently shaken off poverty are relatively low.

As Xi said at the gathering, shaking off poverty is not the finish line, but the starting point of a new life and a new endeavor, and further efforts will be made to integrate the work of consolidating poverty alleviation achievements with rural vitalization. Enditem

(Xinhua reporters Li Jingya, Xu Lingui, Ma Xiaoran and Liu Xinyu contributed to the story.)
Mumbai Saga was supposed to release last year, however the pandemic changed its course of action invariably. Today the cast which includes John Abraham, Emraan Hashmi, Sanjay Gupta, Gulshan Grover and others were present for the trailer launch of the film. The trailer was filled with action packed sequences and have sure gotten us excited for the film.



On asking John to share his views on action films, he was quoted saying, "'Yes, it's tough because I think my bones are breaking (laughs) I am trying to do different action in different films, like this has got very raw action and conflict with Emraan's (Hashmi) character. Attack is another film that has got futuristic action.'' Further on being quizzed, he also added, ''It's difficult but I enjoy that space. It's like for some actors they love dancing but for me, action is my dance. So, I enjoy that space, it's like an item song for me.'' The film also stars Manish Manjrekar and Sunil Shetty. The movie is slated to release on March 19, 2021 in theatres.
A Utah high school teacher who tweeted that he wishes 'more Republican senators are killed if a president incites a riot at the United States Capitol sparked outrage among parents who are now demanding that he be fired.

Brian Townsend, a humanities teacher at Parowan High School in Parowan, Utah, posted the tweet on February 13 - the same day that the Senate voted to acquit former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.

I only hope that the next time a president incites a riot at the Capitol more Republican senators are killed,' Townsend tweeted that day.

A total of 57 senators - including 50 Democrats and seven Republicans - voted to convict Trump for inciting the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6.

But 43 Republican senators voted to acquit, meaning that the vote count fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump.

Brian Townsend, a humanities teacher at Parowan High School in Parowan, Utah, is being investigated by the Iron County School District in Iron County, Utah for a controversial tweet that he posted on February 13

I only hope that the next time a president incites a riot at the Capitol more Republican senators are killed,' Townsend's tweet read

Mitt Romney, a US senator from Townsend's home state of Utah, was one of the seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump.

Townsends tweet was shared on Wednesday by Lisa Sunny Carter, who is a member of a Facebook group made up of Iron County public school parents.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Townsend, Carter, and the Iron County School District seeking comment.

An email message to Townsends official account at Iron County School District was unable to be sent, apparently because the account may have been deactivated.

Townsends tweet was posted on Wednesday by Lisa Sunny Carter, who is a member of a Facebook group made up of Iron County public school parents

Carter wrote that the tweet was 'not appropriate for a history teacher' and that Townsend should 'keep your political socialist views to yourself'

Parowan High School in Parowan, Utah is seen in the above file photo. The Iron County School District released a statement saying it is investigating the matter

Carter said she became aware of the tweet after she overheard her daughter and her friends discussing it.

I am very upset about this I hope this doesn't offend anyone but this is my 14 year old daughter's history teacher and yes I believe in the freedom of speech but this him allowing young children to follow him where they see this bull cr** is ridiculous, Carter wrote on her Facebook page on Thursday.

It's another form of pushing the Socialist agenda on to our children and I really feel like he should be terminated that is my opinion because yes you don't have to agree with a politician one way or the other but to speak of violence and to speak of murder on a social media platform that your students in your classroom are reading and commenting and thinking about this is completely really upsetting me today.

Im shaking, Carter told Cedar City News.

Not only did he post something inappropriate, but his students can see.

Email messages addressed to Townsend's official account at Iron County School District bounced back, suggesting that the account was deactivated

The Iron County School District released a statement on Wednesday which read: Weve only recently become aware of these tweets.

In light of the impact on the educational process and on Iron County School District, we are reviewing with legal counsel our appropriate response and we are investigating the matter.

His statements do not represent a statement or the opinions of the Iron County School District.

In fact, the school district ensures that where it may be a matter of free speech we are very serious about protecting free speech.

However, all matters that affect the educational system adversely are not protected and above all we want to make sure that the educational process and the education for our students is protected.

Carter alleged that Townsend has been in trouble before the tweet.

A total of 57 senators - including 50 Democrats and seven Republicans - voted to convict Trump for inciting the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. But 43 Republican senators voted to acquit, meaning that the vote count fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump. Trump supporters are seen above after breaching the Capitol on January 6

In February 2020, a woman was arrested for allegedly punching a teacher at Parowan High School in the chest.

The woman, Nikell Judd, was taken into custody after she grew angry over the way the teacher was treating her daughter and just snapped.

The arrest report does not mention Townsend, though Judd told Cedar City News that he was indeed the teacher involved.

According to the probable cause statement, Townsend was acting in the scope of his profession at the time of the incident, which was during school hours.

Judd pleaded guilty in abeyance and the charges against her were eventually dismissed.
FRANKFORT  Two young artists from Frankfort High School have won Silver Key awards for their works submitted to the Scholastic Art Competition through the Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids.

Seniors Maggie Kelly and Clover Roeters will be recognized for their artistic achievements at a March 6 virtual awards show to honor West Central Michigan Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Award recipients.

Kristine Harvey, art and ceramics teacher at Frankfort High School, said Scholastic Art Competition is a national competition that has been around for a long time. She said just being considered for an award is an honor.

Kelly's entry was a series of landscapes called "Alternate Realities."

"I did a series which probably has around 20 or more different pictures in it I've drawn, then colored with oil pastels," Kelly said. "They all have some sort of landscape theme in them. I've added bright colors; different colors than what normally would be there. Bright pinks and dark greens where they wouldn't normally be. Some are realistic images, other's aren't. Each picture is a different world or realm."

She said she got the idea sitting down to do a picture, and really enjoyed it. She kept doing them and eventually started pinning them on a wall and decided to cover the whole wall.

Kelly said she's always grown up around artists, and that her whole family is artistic and supports her.

"I think the piece comes together more as a whole than just picking out one picture," she said. "When you set aside one, you don't capture what I've been doing. They're all connected. Submitting all of them is more meaningful and representative of what I've been doing."

She said the series was not yet finished.

Roeters won multiple awards for her ceramic work, five honorable mentions and three Silver Key Awards. She won one Silver Key for a portfolio; something Harvey said was a first for a Frankfort student.

"I was able to get a Silver Key on a portfolio; a series of work, which is a first for Frankfort," Roeters said. "It was quite the array of things. I sent in a selection of shapes I found difficult to make; things with skinny necks and smaller middles. The shapes still had to be structurally sound. I also had a glazing technique that worked out really well."

She said she also submitted a set of bowls and other kitchenware with unique shapes.

"It was experimental stuff I felt I succeeded with  bowls, cups, dishware and vases," she said.

Roeters said she enjoyed the opportunity to receive praise for her work and that the contest was a nice opportunity to showcase people's passions.

She said she started ceramics her first year, when she was able to choose electives.

"I wanted shop super bad, but I got ceramics," Roeters said. "I've been doing it since. I've found I enjoy working with my hands."

Harvey said the work is objectively judged, and that just because Frankfort High School is small, that it isn't graded on a curve.

Around six or seven students submitted work, down from previous years, but Harvey said that was due to difficulties with COVID-19 protocols and students spending time learning from home.

"We're super proud of our students who submitted work and who got awards in this difficult year," she said. "It is an important, respected show they're participating and our students measure up."
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The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime and the 2021 Toyota Sienna are among the newest hybrid models available to Lexington Toyota customers. Learn more about both vehicles today before your test drive.

The automobile future appears to be betting on electric power. Toyota is in a better situation than many of its competitors, being an industry leader in hybrid technology for more than 20 years. Lexington Toyota product experts are very excited about the 2021 Toyota model year because several new gas-electric options have been unveiled including the redesigned Toyota Sienna which now features a hybrid platform as well as a plug-in hybrid variant of the popular Toyota RAV4. The 2021 Sienna has arrived at the Lexington Toyota showroom, but the team is still waiting for the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV to get to town. However, there is more than enough information available about both new Toyota hybrid models to compare them to some top rivals.

While the 2021 Toyota Sienna isnt the only hybrid minivan on the market, it is the only one that offers this fuel-saving technology as standard equipment. One of the competitors the 2021 Sienna faces does offer a hybrid version, but its treated as a separate vehicle. Even though the 2021 Sienna gas-powered rival does make more horsepower, the Toyota platform is able to offer a nearly identical towing capacity.

Obviously, the 2021 Toyota Sienna will take advantage of its hybrid technology to produce strong fuel economy scores of 36 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway, when equipped with front-wheel-drive.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime will have some strong competition when it eventually goes on sale. However, when the 2021 RAV4 Prime is held against one of its top competitors, it will make significantly more net horsepower, 302 to 190; more electric range, 42 miles to 22 miles and a very comparable amount of cargo volume.

Anyone can view the entire Lexington Toyota inventory today by visiting the dealerships website, http://www.lexingtontoyota.com. The showroom is located at 409 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420. Customers can start the pre-ordering process for any vehicle available at Lexington Toyota today by calling, 781-325-8558.
The initiative will be launched first at three toll plazas (Duddeda, Renikunta, Basanthnagar) on Rajiv Rahadari. Later, it will be implemented at toll plaze in Madgulapally between Narketpally and Addanki. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: FASTags are all set to be made mandatory on Telangana state highways too soon. As of now, they are mandatory only on national highways. However, FASTags are in force since March 2019 on the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road.

The Telangana state government has initiated steps to make FASTags mandatory on state highways from March. The government plans to initially make them compulsory on the Rajiv Rahadari between Hyderabad and Ramagundam in March. Later, it would be extended between Narketpally-Addanki in April.

However, an official announcement on the date of launching FASTags on state highways is likely to be made in a week. It may be recalled that the Centre made electronic toll collection system for FASTags mandatory for all vehicles from February 15.

It was noticed during the past ten days on national highways passing through Telangana that FASTags are helping in seamless collection of toll tax, without the need of stopping at toll plazas. The use of RFID technology is helping in collecting taxes without the need of handling cash by toll booth employees and reducing waiting time in toll booths.

It also stopped unnecessary queuing at toll booths, although teething problems continue to create hardships for motorists at few toll plazas. Taking these factors into consideration, the Telangana government has decided to introduce FASTags on state highways soon.

The roads and buildings department has initiated steps to launch FASTags in March and April. Roads and buildings minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy held a series of meetings with senior officials of the department in this regard over the past few days.

Mandatory FASTags on national highways since February 15 has proved to be a success. Over 85 per cent of vehicles passing through toll plazas have installed FASTags. There are no traffic jams at toll plazas now. Motorists are relived. Since we received good feedback, we want to extend FASTags to state highways soon. If all goes well as planned, FASTags will be implemented from March on state highways, said Mr Reddy.

The initiative will be launched first at three toll plazas (Duddeda, Renikunta, Basanthnagar) on Rajiv Rahadari. Later, it will be implemented at toll plaze in Madgulapally between Narketpally and Addanki.
Like rape, the sad case of harassment in politics isnt about sex, but about power. The Prime Minister and senior ministers have been under fire in question time, as the Opposition seeks to score political points by focusing on trivialities of timing around Brittany Higgins alleged rape. But who knew what and when is immaterial. Attitudes to sex and power are the substance of this story.

To begin with, it helps to understand why women often feel unwelcome in Parliament House. One reason is often, ironically, the long overdue attempt to increase the number of women in the ranks.

As a quick primer for the uninitiated, political parties of all stripes are comprised of factions. The factions come together around principle  more or less  and vote together within the party to influence policy and select political candidates. Despite former prime minister Malcolm Turnbulls claim that the Liberal Party does not have factions, it has three: the Moderates, the Right and the Centre Right. The Labor Party has the Left and the Right faction. Even the smaller parties, like the Nationals and the Australian Greens, have factions  but I wont bore you with details.

Former Labor MP Emma Husar says men call the shots in the powerful NSW Right faction. Credit:James Brickwood

Ian McAllister, professor of Politics at the Australian National University, makes a strong case for the positive contribution factions can make to politics. They help governments maintain an internal contest of ideas that can replace the two-party system during long periods of incumbency. Seen through this lens, factions have a lot going for them.
Roasted Cauliflower with Spinach and Lentil Salad from the Art Gallery of NSW cafe. Credit:James Alcock Martha, a 40-something food writer who lives in England, was a teenager when she first went upstairs and got into the space under [her] desk and sat still like a small animal that instinctively knows its dying. The novel is about trying to carve a life and love - particularly with her doctor husband Patrick and her droll sister Ingrid - in, and in between, the spaces shaped by mental illness. There are numerous doctors visits, psychologists and prescriptions; theres the assumption that maybe Martha is simply too sensitive and difficult; and the entreaties that she ought to just try. But through it all Marthas sardonic voice: describing Patrick as looking like he is enduring a minor medical procedure without anaesthetic the first time they have sex; communicating with her sister exclusively by texting pictures of Kate Moss drunk; deliberately failing an eye test because she felt so bad for her optometrist after he fell off a stool. Meg Masons first attempt at Sorrow and Bliss caused her far more sorrow than bliss. Credit:James Alcock And if the reading experience lives up to the name of the novel, so too did the writing of Sorrow and Bliss.

Mason, 43, has spent most of her working life as a freelance writer, a profession that makes itself evident during the course of our lunch as she moves aside a peace lily that sits on the table between us; shelters my recorder from background noise; opts for a photograph-friendly roast cauliflower, spinach and lentil salad and, every so often, edits her own quotes with a thats boring for your readers. Masons got the journalists skill for lulling those around her into conversation, a natural charisma and charm but a cautiousness about the comments that slip out of her control. Born in New Zealand, she moved to Australia with her parents, who worked in education and agriculture (there we are again, not especially thrilling for readers), when she was 16. She studied English and History at the University of Sydney, before moving to the United Kingdom with her husband in 2000, where she lived on the outskirts of London and worked as a journalist, before returning to Australia. Loading After publishing a memoir about becoming a young mother, Say It Again In A Nice Voice, in 2012 and her first novel You Be Mother in 2017, Mason had a deal and a deadline for a second novel. She wrote it. She hated it. It featured vignettes of Martha and Patrick - whose relationship is at the heart of Sorrow and Bliss - on different Christmas Days during the course of their lives. In economics they call it the sunk-costs fallacy; Mason thought she was too far into the novel to stop. She sent the finished manuscript to her publisher, Catherine Milne, who, according to Masons recollection, responded: Im sure theres something in here that can be salvaged.

We had a long champagne-fuelled come-to-jesus conversation where we said its not working, Milne tells me before my lunch with Mason. I said, you know its not good, its not working. I think you should put it away and give yourself a break and decide what you want to do, either junk it or start again from scratch. Meg just went away, went very quiet, and I think wept. Decide what you want to do, either junk it or start again from scratch. Meg just went away, went very quiet, and I think wept. Publisher Catherine Milne Theres no doubt about that last part. She wept. And then wept some more. Mason can confidently say she ruined Christmas 2018 for her husband, and their two daughters, aged 14 and 17. She thought her writing days were done. She avoided bookstores because she couldnt endure looking at the new releases. I was just so depressed, and I didnt know what to do next. Writing was all Ive ever really wanted to do as a full-time thing, and then to discover that you cant do it, that youve reached the end after not that long... Mason says. But with no expectation comes a form of liberation. Mason was hanging up laundry when the first scene of Sorrow and Bliss - Patrick and Martha encountering a woman awkwardly struggling to eat a canape in one mouthful at a wedding - came to her.

I think the definition of a writer is someone who just cant help themselves. As much as you want to quit, and you tell everyone youre never doing it again, one day, you just need to write this one little thing down. Thats what I did, but it was never to be a novel, and it was never to see the light of day, Mason says. Verdura Salad Bowl with Vegan Roasted Pumpkin. Credit:James Alcock I think I wrote it for about six months before I showed it to my publisher and even let her know that I was doing it. I was just beavering away in secret, which I think is what the key was, because it was just this complete abandon. Thats why its turned out so differently to the other two, because I just put in everything that I wanted to put in, Mason says. This time round Mason banned the use of a thesaurus, something she found herself doing out of desperation while writing her other books. There was no need to be novelistic, she told herself, as what she was writing would never be a novel. Martha doesnt slump, collapse or sink onto sofas, she sits down. The result is a pared-back style that packs an emotional punch because of what is left unsaid far more than what is said. I wouldve thought Id have to convey it with lots of fancy, heavy, novelly language, Mason says. But it turns out, I guess, just by saying it, it seems to have made it more powerful. Because I think people hear it as more realistic, or they feel like its true. Its hard to see how it works. And that was just no fun because it was so easy compared to what I was doing before.

The Art Gallery of NSW provided not only a quiet space to write, but affirmation that although a solitary pursuit, the artists creative struggle is a shared one. Mason would take breaks from her desk (she wont reveal precisely where it is as she says there are only three in the research library) to wander around the collections. The receipt. Credit:Fairfax There must be so much collective struggle. Do you know what I mean? In all the paintings, and all the art thats been created. I think it just made me feel better when I was looking at it, thinking, everybody who tries to make something is going to have an awful time of it, at some point. One of the features of the novel that will have book clubs reaching for more wine is Masons decision not to reveal Marthas eventual diagnosis but to refer to it, obliquely, as two dashes. Mason had reasons: she was worried about naming a real condition and fictionalising some of the symptoms; she didnt want her book to be shoe-horned as being based on a specific mental illness; and mainly she was concerned about misrepresenting others real-life experience. So in the end, it was no [naming of the] condition. And I think that means that people have been able to transfer whatever they think it is into that little space. And to me, again, the overall thing of the book is the not knowing. Thats whats defined everything. Its not the condition. Its the sense that Martha didnt know. And she knew, but she didnt know what it was.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform will secure sufficient budget allocation during the 2021/22 financial year for further construction work on its Ohangwena regional head office at Eenhana.

The ministry's spokesperson, Chrispin Matongela, in his response to Nampa queries regarding construction stoppage, indicated the building was abandoned in 2017 after the contractor left the construction site.

Matongela said the contractor, Spes Bona Construction and Renovations CC, "absconded because of its inability to continue and financial problems" by then.

"There are no payment disputes, neither outstanding nor unpaid invoices by the ministry," he said, adding that for the past three consecutive financial years, most ministerial projects were affected by the exorbitant charges and penalties arising from the Neckartal Dam project.

Matongela said the ministry tender to construct its regional head office at Eenhana was awarded to Spes Bona Construction and Renovations at N$34 million in 2014.

Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein during his recent visit to Eenhana expressed disappointment over contractors failing to deliver after being awarded government tenders.

He went on to say the government will no longer tolerate companies abandoning projects, adding that it wastes taxpayers' money.

Schlettwein told journalists the construction of the office was supposed to be completed long ago, but the building stands incomplete after construction was started some six years ago.

Through the Ministry of Works and Transport, Schlettwein said his ministry has drawn up a list of unfinished capital projects.

"We have now decided to ensure that all projects are completed as we can't see taxpayers' money going to waste like this," cited the minister.

Approached for comment, a senior representative of Spes Bona Construction and Renovations, who preferred to remain unnamed, said the company abandoned the project due to delayed payment for months on the part of the government.

The Spes Bona rep stated although the contract is not yet terminated, "things are tough and the company is thinking of parting ways".

He concluded by saying the company is proud of the work it did on the building, which is almost complete and "only needs finishing touches".

- Nampa
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Roy Andersson was 53 when he first appeared in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. It was 2000; the film was called Songs from the Second Floor, which certainly gave nothing away. To all intents and purposes he was an unknown filmmaker; only those with long memories recalled that his first film, the charming but conventional A Swedish Love Story, had equally come from nowhere to win four prizes in Berlin in 1970.

Roy Andersson says that at 77 he finds hope in youth. Credit:Getty Images

Swedes might also have known of him as a director of television commercials. After A Swedish Love Story, he made another film called Giliap that was critically mauled in his home country; at that point, he turned to advertising. For 25 years, he made commercials that were bizarre, unsettling, funny and surprisingly effective; no less a figure than Ingmar Bergman had described him as the best director of commercials in the world. But that wasnt the kind of recommendation that got bandied about with enthusiasm by Cannes critics  not then, anyway.

All this meant that nobody was prepared for Songs from the Second Floor, which was unlike anything else: a series of twinkling vignettes of everyday life, abstracted and drained of colour but still grounded in a sort of stilted reality, with almost no narrative links between its short chapters apart from their common vision. So singular was this vision, however, that the fragments fitted together like the panes in a stained-glass window. Some are vicious. Some are funny. In art, you have all sides of the human being, he says. I dont hesitate to show everything, even the cruel side. In the horn of plenty you have beauty and ugliness.

Songs from the Second Floor went on to win a jury prize in Cannes and a legion of critical fans. Andersson then gave up on commercials to make You, the Living (2007) and A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence, which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2014. They followed the same style  short scenes shot with a fixed camera, actors with faces whitened like Japanese Noh theatre masks, jagged dialogue punctuated with judicious silences, studio interiors stripped of detail and colour to look, in the words of one critic, like a Trabant showroom in 1962  and were driven by the same painful concern for the human condition. Together, they are known as The Living Trilogy.
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TUCSON, Ariz.  City officials in Tucson have increased its minimum wage, effective immediately, boosting compensation for more than half of its workforce.

The Tucson City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to increase its minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The city says about 170 workers making less than $15 an hour will see a bump in pay and 2,000 workers who already make around that amount will get some kind of increase to avoid compression issues.

Its not only the right thing to do, but its the smart thing to do from a managerial perspective as we address ongoing retention concerns throughout the organization, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said, adding that she has been pushing for the effort for three years. Its the right thing to do for our workers and their families to make sure that they have living wages, and it is the right thing to do for our city and economy.

The statewide minimum wage in Arizona was $12.15 as of Jan. 1 and ranks among the highest in the country.

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Romero said she did not have an estimate for what the increase would cost the city but said there is money for it in general and special funds.

There is going to be no request for any additional sales taxes or anything else, she said. We are doing this with the funds we currently get from taxpayers.

The decision came as Congress continues to debate a federal $15 minimum wage by 2025.


AER Lingus has already cut 500 jobs and is currently finalising an additional 84 redundancies as it grapples with the impact of the Covid pandemic.

The losses represent more than a tenth of the 5,000 people the airline employed at the end of June last year.

Its interim CEO, Donal Moriarty, confirmed the extent of the job losses this morning as Aer Lingus owner IAG revealed the scale of losses inflicted on the Irish carrier during 2020.

Aer Lingus plunged to a 563m loss last year, which included 202m of exceptional items. It had made a 276m pre-exceptional operating profit in 2019. Its passenger revenue slumped 81.4pc to 382 last year, while cargo revenue jumped to 88m in 2020 from 34m.

Mr Moriarty said Aer Lingus would have hired another 500 people by now had the pandemic not struck, in order to fuel growth. The airline had significantly expanded its services to North America since IAG acquired it in 2015.

But IAG remains committed to continuing development of Dublin Airport as a hub for transatlantic travel after the pandemic, insisted IAGs CEO, Luis Gallego.

He said Aer Lingus had done an excellent job with its value carrier model, generating the best return on invested capital in the group.

If things come back to the place where they were as we expect, for sure we will continue investing in Aer Lingus and development of the Dublin hub, said Mr Gallego.

IAG has plans to initially shift five aircraft to Manchester to operate direct flights from the UK city to destinations in the United States this year, including Orlando, New York and Boston.

Mr Moriarty claimed that the plan doesnt involve the taking aircraft that would otherwise be deployed in Irish airports.

Our fleet plan and the aircraft within our fleet is sufficient to allow us to launch services from regional UK to North America and for us to execute on our plans out of airports in Ireland, he said.

Mr Moriarty also insisted that Aer Lingus is happy with progress made to date by Conor McCarthys Emerald Airlines, which in November was named preferred bidder to operate the Aer Lingus Regional service from the end of 2022. Its currently operated by Stobart Air. Emerald Airlines has been in continuing discussions with lessors to secure initial aircraft to operate the service.

This week, IAG named the head of its cargo division, Lynne Embleton, as the new CEO of Aer Lingus. Shell commence her role on April 6. Ms Embleton is the first ever female chief executive at the airline.

Aer Lingus has underpinned its liquidity with a 150m facility from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) that was inked in December. It has already drawn down 75m of that. It also received a 50m loan from IAG.

Mr Moriarty said that Aer Lingus the ISIF funding represents an important contribution to the airlines position from a liquidity perspective.

He added that the carrier remains in continuing discussions with the government and is keen to focus on detailed planning for the restart of aviation.

The sector and government need to start that planning in a meaningful way, he said. Aviation is a critical driver of the Irish economy and indeed will be crucial to the recovery.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 17:55:42|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The All-China Women's Federation has decided to honor 310 women role models ahead of International Women's Day.

Among them, 10 were granted the title of national "pacemakers," a top honor.

The awardees include a senior engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, a community official from the city of Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province, a lathe operator with Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Co.,Ltd., the head of a volunteer group helping people trace their missing children, the general manager of a Shanghai-based restaurant who founded "Women's Home" to help self-employed women in need, the head of a rural poverty eradication work team in the city of Bozhou, east China's Anhui Province, the president of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, a professor at the National University of Defense Technology, the head of Beijing No. 2 Experimental Primary School, and a Communist Party of China member from the city of Wuzhong, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, who is still active in volunteer activities at the age of nearly 70.

A total of 199 organizations and groups were also honored for the outstanding performance of their female workers. Enditem
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Musician-cum preacher and politician Hosiah Chipanga has revived efforts to meet and have a conversation with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, saying that he has to deliver a message from God which will save the country from turmoil.

Chipanga told TellZim News in an interview that the country has derailed from Gods path and was now isolated in a wilderness marked with endless suffering.

He said the country lost its direction beginning from the days of former president Robert Mugabe to the new dispensation which has done nothing to remedy the curse that has befallen the country.

For the past 40 years I have tried all means known to me to meet the President of my country both the late and the current one to no avail.

It is true that those with access to tell the President of whoever would want to see him are, for some reason, or due to the evil spirit of the devil that wants to see suffer, not conveying the request.

In brief, I would tell President Mnangagwa of Gods spiritual advice on how Zimbabwe can change itself and the world at large for the better, said Chipanga.

The Kwachu-kwachu hit maker said he knew exactly what is needed to be done to get the country back on track on which the economy will flourish.

Imagine we are millions of people in Zimbabwe but we each have a different talent altogether though some may appear similar. Each country has its resources though on the same planet.

My point is we as a people did not give these resources to our country but the country gives them to us and we benefit.

So by nature the creator has given different things to different nations. So, if a nation has been chosen to follow a certain path and through disobedience decides to deviate, there is no way they reach their intended destination but just lost forever.

The country wont come out of the wrong track because it has new people. I know exactly what needs to be done to remedy all these ills begotten our country, said Chipanga.

He said there is nothing other than pride and selfishness that is stopping President Mnangagwa and opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa from having a dialogue for the betterment of Zimbabwean lives.

From God's point of view, whoever for whatever reason refuses to associate with others for the betterment of the people's lives would upset the creator of mankind.

If men like baba Nkomo (Joshua) and Robert Mugabe would join hands, who are we not to be united, said Chipanga. TellZim News
A portion of the website for the U.S.s Foreign Agents Registration Act in Washington in a file photo. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File)

Canada Actively Considering Foreign Agents Registry, Oliphant Says

The federal government is actively considering creating a foreign agents registry to track individuals who may be influencing Canadas political process on behalf of foreign states such as China.

Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Minister, told the House of Commons on Feb. 23 that the Liberal government is looking at precedent measures established by the United States and Australia.

The government is focused on protecting Canadian democracy from foreign influence, and a registry of foreign agents is something that we are actively considering, Oliphant said.

We are aware that some of our allies, namely, the United States and Australia, already have foreign agent registries in place and we are studying that. We want to make sure that we have a Canadian solution for a Canadian problem.

The United States Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities to disclose their activities, has been in place since 1938.

Australia passed its Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act in 2018 to address the Chinese influence in the countrys political and academic institutions. Under the act, a registered individual is required to report the work they are doing on behalf of a foreign principal, such as foreign state-owned enterprises or political organization.

Oliphant did not provide a specific timeline as to the creation of a registry in Canada, but said all good things come in good time and due course.

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis told The Globle and Mail that the Liberals have used promises of active consideration to delay or avoid real action. But he said talk of establishing a registry indicates the government is detecting significant public concern through public opinion polls.

It demonstrates the pressure they are feeling, Genuis said.

Then-Canada ambassador to China, John McCallum, arrives to brief members of the Foreign Affairs committee regarding China in Ottawa on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Genuis said the federal government must move to protect Canadians from foreign state interference and to prevent elite capturethe Chinese regimes use of money, blackmail or other kinds of tools to co-opt and control the direction of Canadian institutions.

An example of elite capture, he said, is former Liberal cabinet minister and ambassador to China John McCallum, who was fired in 2019 after telling reporters that Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei executive who was arrested by the RCMP in 2018, had a strong case to fight U.S. extradition in Canadian courts.

Meng was arrested on a U.S. warrant in December 2018 while on a layover in Vancouver. The United States is charging her with bank fraud, accusing her of misleading HSBC about Huaweis business dealings in Iran, causing the bank to break U.S. sanctions.

Soon after Mengs arrest, Beijing detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor on baseless charges of espionage activities. The two have been held in China since December 2018.
ANDERSON COUNTY, SR 61 Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway and Market Street in Clinton: SR 61 East is reduced to one lane through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this area.

ANDERSON COUNTY, US 25/SR 9 Bridge over Clinch River between SR 61 and Carden Farm Drive: SR 9 northbound is reduced to one lane approaching the bridge as crews continue work in this area. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this bridge construction project.

ANDERSON COUNTY, US 25/SR 9 at SR 170: Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, possible lane closures and use extreme caution through this intersection construction project.

BLOUNT COUNTY, US 129 North and South between SR 35 Hall Road and Tyson Boulevard: Motorists should be alert for workers present, possible lane closures and brief stoppages of traffic through this roadway construction project. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-hall-road-to-tyson-blvd.html

BLOUNT COUNTY, SR 335 Hunt Road between Ambrose Street and Ramsay Street: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times as crews install utilities through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present directing traffic and use extreme caution through this area.

BLOUNT COUNTY, SR 33 between Foothills Mall Drive and Henry Street: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this intersection improvement construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changed conditions and use extreme caution through this area.

BLOUNT COUNTY, US 321 between Jones Avenue and Lamar Street: Motorists should be alert for possible daily lane closures as crews perform roadside work through this project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution through this area.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, I-75 North and South between Mile Markers 135 and 142: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, I-75 North near Mile Marker 143: Motoristsshould be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning on Sundays through Thursdays through this project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, SR 63 between Myers Lane and Frontier Road/Woodson Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and/or 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area.

CARTER COUNTY, US 19E/SR 37 Bridge over the Doe River and Riverview Road: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, SR 63 between Old Town Creek and US 25E/SR 32: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alertfor workers present, expect delays and use extreme caution through this area.

HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 34 near Commerce Blvd.: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 160 near Commerce Blvd.: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, I-40 East and West between Mile Markers 410 and 415: On Thursday, February 25, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning as crews perform roadway maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, I-81 North and South between Mile Markers 0 and 7.5: OnThursday, February 25, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning as crewsperform roadway maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

JOHNSON COUNTY, SR 167 at Log Mile 7.5: Motorists should be alert for single lane roadway with temporary traffic signal through this slide repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

KNOX COUNTY, I-40 East and West between Mile Markers 392 and 393: On Thursday, February 25, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform median barrier wall repairs. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

KNOX COUNTY, Various Interstates through Knoxville: On Thursday, February 25, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible mobile lane closures between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform roadway maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area.

KNOX COUNTY, US 11W/SR 1 Rutledge Pike Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad near Harris Road: Motorists should be alert for lane shifts and changing traffic patterns through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect potential delays, and use caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway between Topside Road and Maloney Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures and lane shifts as crews perform work through this project. Motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduce speed and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-little-river-to-maloney.html

KNOX COUNTY, US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway between Maloney Road and Woodson Drive: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures and lane shifts as crews perform work through this project. Motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduce speed and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-maloney-to-woodson.html

KNOX COUNTY, US 441 Broadway Viaduct between Jackson Avenue and Fifth Avenue: US 441 Broadway Viaduct over Norfolk Southern Railroad in downtown Knoxville is closed for bridge replacement. The Broadway Viaduct will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the project. During the closure, Broadway will be closed from the intersection of Oak Avenue, Worlds Fair Park, and Jackson Avenue to just north of the Depot Avenue intersection. Depot Avenue will also be closed. These closures will ensure the safety of workers and motorists as crews demolish the old bridge and reconstruct the new bridge. Primary and Local Detour Routes around the bridge closure will be in place. For detour routes and project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/broadway-viaduct.html

KNOX COUNTY, US 441/SR 71 Chapman Highway between Highland View Drive and Burnett Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/chapman-highway-evans-to-burnett.html

KNOX COUNTY, SR 162 Pellissippi Parkway West between I-40 and Lovell Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 162 Pellissippi Parkway West at Hardin Valley Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 332 Concord Road between Turkey Creek Road and Northshore: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and new traffic patterns through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-332-proposed-widening.html

LOUDON COUNTY, I-40 East between Mile Markers 364 and 365: Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, closed shoulders and use extreme caution through this slope stabilization project.

LOUDON COUNTY, I-75 North between Mile Markers 66 and 68: On Tuesday March 2, 2021 through Thursday, March 4, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. as crews perform roadway maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution in this area.

LOUDON COUNTY, I-75 North between Mile Markers 73 and 74: On Monday March 1, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. as crews perform bridge maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution in this area.

ROANE COUNTY, I-40 West between Mile Markers 340 and 344: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times through this slope stabilization project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this area.

SCOTT COUNTY, US 27/SR 29 between Industrial Lane and Second Avenue: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area.

SEVIER/JEFFERSON COUNTY, I-40 East between Mile Markers 407 and 412: Through Friday, February 26, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform work through this I.T.S. expansion project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area.

SEVIER COUNTY, I-40 East between Mile Markers 405 and 410: On Monday, March 1, 2021 through Thursday, March 4, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible mobile lane closures nightly between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning as crews perform roadway maintenance activities. Motorist should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area.

SEVIER COUNTY, SR 71 between US 411 and Macon Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

SEVIER COUNTY, SR 73 between Nell Rose Lane and Pitman School Road: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. as crews perform roadside geotechnical work through this area. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, I-81 North near Mile Marker 71: On Monday March 1, 2021 through Friday, March 5, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. as crews perform roadside maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution in this area.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, I-26 East and West between Mile Markers 16 and 18: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect delays, and use extreme caution approaching this area.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, SR 93 between Davis Road and Fire Hall Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, and use caution through this area.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, SR 354 Boones Creek Road at I-26: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this construction project. Lake Park Drive will be closed and detoured at the intersection with SR 354 as construction continues in this area. Motorists should follow signed detour. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect delays and use extreme caution through this area.

For information on statewide interstate construction motorists can access the Tennessee Department of Transportation SmartWay website at https://smartway.tn.gov/traffic.

TDOT is now on Twitter. For up to the minute traffic information in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/knoxville511. For statewide travel information follow www.twitter.com/TN511.
The Upper East Side's soon-to-be most popular Gen Z-ers were spotted gossiping on the Constance Billard steps.

The stars of the upcoming Gossip Girl reboot were shooting group scenes in New York City on Thursday.

Newcomers Emily Alyn Lind, Jordan Alexander, Zion Moreno and Savannah Smith all looked impeccably chic on the set of the HBO Max continuation of the hit teen series.

XOXO: Emily Alyn Lind and Jordan Alexander were spotted on the Upper East Side set of the upcoming Gossip Girl reboot series on Thursday in New York City

'Gossip' sesh: Cast members Zion Moreno and Savannah Smith looked impeccably chic on the set of the HBO Max series based on the hit books and CW television series of the same name

While little is known about the upcoming show, fans can rest assured that the original's trend-setting fashion is still intact.

Star Emily Alyn Lind looked like the perfect mix of Serena van der Woodsen and Jenny Humphrey in her striped school uniform.

Layering a navy and white striped V-neck sweater atop an oversized white dress, there's no doubt she's playing one of the most popular girls in her class.

The next Blake Lively? Star Emily Alyn Lind looked like the perfect mix of Serena van der Woodsen and Jenny Humphrey in her striped school uniform

Layers: Pairing a navy and white striped V-neck sweater layered atop an oversized white dress, there's no doubt she's playing one of the most popular girls in her class.

Emily also sported a blue neckerchief, black leggings and black sneakers to give the outfit a bit of edge.

Her long wavy blonde locks accentuated her nicely made-up face and she kept accessories to a minimum with a single gold bangle on her right wrist and a stunning white leather purse.

Lind, 18, who's starred in such films as Revenge, The Babysitter and Doctor Sleep portrays 'Audrey Hope: Grace.'

Rebel: Jordan Alexander's ensemble had a very rebellious Vanessa Abrams quality to it, layering up in a gray Constance Billard School for Girls hoodie and navy bomber jacket

Boots made for walking: She gave the uniform a street style spin with a pair of navy biker shorts and gray knee high leather boots

Jordan Alexander's ensemble had a very rebellious Vanessa Abrams quality to it, bundling up in a gray Constance Billard School for Girls hoodie and navy bomber jacket.

She gave the uniform a street style spin with a pair of navy bike shorts and gray knee high leather boots.

The actress topped it off with a few gold rings and a green suede handbag worth being envious over.

Alexander, a Canadian pop artist with several albums to her name, plays 'Julien Calloway: Influence.'

Leighton Meester who? Zion Moreno gave serious Blair Waldorf vibes as she sat atop a bench in the schoolyard set of the upcoming show

Uniform: The actress sported a cream-colored knit turtleneck sweater and navy skirt for a more traditional take on the school uniform, including the signature blue neckerchief

Zion Moreno gave serious Blair Waldorf vibes as she sat atop a bench in the set's schoolyard.

The actress sported a cream-colored knit turtleneck sweater and navy skirt for a more traditional take on the school uniform, including the signature blue neckerchief.

All eyes were on her mauve suede ankle boots, which she paired with furry white socks and matching pink sunglasses. Naturally, she completed the look with a white Fendi purse.

Moreno, 28, a Mexican-American actress who recently made her debut in the hacker series Control Z, appears as 'Luna La: Style.'

Gen-Z Clueless: Savannah Smith rounded out the stylish group looking like the Gen-Z version of Dionne from Clueless

Queen 'B': The star stayed warm in with a black comber jacket emblazoned with a giant 'B' patch on the left side as well as an adorable grey beret to cover her beautiful braids

Savannah Smith rounded out the stylish group looking like the Gen-Z version of Dionne from Clueless.

She sported a white turtleneck sweater and black and white striped miniskirt, complete with a black Chanel belt.

The star stayed warm in with a black comber jacket emblazoned with a giant 'B' patch on the left side as well as an adorable grey beret to cover her beautiful braids.

Smith, a Hollywood newcomer, makes her breakout role in the show as 'Monet de Haan: Power.'

Arriving: The starlets arrived to the chilly New York City set in long puffy Canada Goose coats to stay warm before having to don their more revealing ensembles while the cameras roll

Staying safe: The cast of the 10-episode season, set to premiere later this year, put on medical grade face coverings between takes to protect from contracting COVID-19 while they work

The reboot takes place eight years after the titular gossip site went dark, as a new crop of Upper East Side private school teens grapple with a new anonymous blogger amid a new era of social media.

Production on the 10-episode season began in early November in New York City, and it's expected to premiere on streaming platform HBO Max later this year.

The original Gossip Girl starred Blake Lively, Leighton Meester and Penn Badgley, running for six seasons on The CW from 2007 to 2012.

Based on the YA books by Cecily von Ziegesar, the franchise also sparked spin-offs in Acapulco, Thailand and Indonesia.
Mr. Kirby said the American retaliation was meant to punish the perpetrators of the rocket attack but not to escalate hostilities with Iran, with which the Biden administration has sought to renew talks on a nuclear deal that President Donald J. Trump had shelved.

We have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq, Mr. Kirby said.

The attack on the Erbil airport was claimed by a little-known group called Awliya al Dam, or Guardian of the Blood, brigades. The group also claimed responsibility for two bombings against U.S. contractor convoys in August.

Little is known about the group, including whether it is backed by Iran or related to the organizations that used the facilities the American airstrikes targeted on Thursday. Some American officials contend that the group is merely a front for one of the better-known Shia militias.

Michael P. Mulroy, a former top Middle East policy official at the Pentagon, said the limited strikes appeared intended to signal that Irans use of militias as proxies would not allow them to avoid responsibility for attacking Americans. But the time and place of the attack also were significant.

The decision to strike in Syria instead of Iraq was likely to avoid causing issues for the Iraqi government, a key partner in the continuing efforts against ISIS, Mr. Mulroy said in an email. It was smart to strike in Syria and avoid the blowback in Iraq.

Mr. Biden had discussed the rocket attacks in a phone call on Tuesday with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi of Iraq. A White House statement afterward said that the two agreed that those responsible for such attacks must be held fully to account.


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Sen. Ted Cruz will be at CPAC while President Joe Biden visits Texas. ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images

President Joe Biden is heading to Texas on Friday to survey storm-recovery efforts.

But he won't be meeting with Sens. Ted Cruz or John Cornyn.

Cruz is set to give a speech on cancel culture at CPAC that day.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

President Joe Biden heads to Texas on Friday to tour some of the areas hit hardest by the winter storm last week. While he's there, he won't be meeting with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.

Cruz has a speaking engagement that day at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. He's set to give a speech titled "Bill of Rights, Liberty, and Cancel Culture." Cancel culture appears to be a major theme of the conference, called "America Uncanceled."

Though senators typically travel with the president when he visits their state, limited space on Air Force One made it impossible for Cruz or GOP Sen. John Cornyn to join, said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary. Gov. Greg Abbott will accompany the president.

"There are some limitations on space available, so there are not members, I don't believe, of any party traveling with the president to Texas," Psaki told reporters, adding that the first lady, Jill Biden, would join the president on his trip. "But again, he's going to be spending the day traveling with Gov. Abbott and surveying the damage on the ground."

Psaki said Biden would "meet with local leaders to discuss the winter storm, relief efforts, progress toward recovery, and the incredible resilience shown by the people of Houston and Texas."

Some have speculated that Cruz was left off Biden's travel plans because of the senator's recent controversial trip to Cancun, Mexico.

Cruz was spotted heading to Cancun last week during one of the worst winter storms in the state's history. Many accused the senator of abandoning his constituents, and Cruz later said the trip was "obviously a mistake."

Story continues

The White House has not directly commented on Cruz's behavior. Psaki said last week that as "many people across the state" were "without power, without the resources they need," the administration would "expect that would be the focus of anyone in the state or surrounding states who was elected to represent them."

Cruz's and Cornyn's offices did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Armenia, along with the 366 th motorized infantry regiment of the former Soviet Army, launched a massive attack against the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, brutally murdering 613 civilians, 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly people in one night. Another 487 people were wounded and 1,275 taken captive. To this day, 150 people from Khojaly remain missing; 8 families lost all members, 25 children lost both parents while 130 children lost at least one parent in a massacre.

The responsibility of Armenia and its former political and military leadership for the crimes committed in Khojaly and elsewhere in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan has been documented by numerous independent sources, including testimonies of witnesses to the tragedy, statements by authoritative international institutions, findings of independent investigations by foreign journalists and media reports (Washington Post, the New York Times, the Times, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, The Independent and etc.).

Pronouncements by Armenia's high-ranking officials, including the former President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, along with publications by Armenian authors, also corroborate the facts on the ground. The following words by Serzh Sargsyan, said when he was Armenia's Minister of Defense, speak for themselves: "Before Khojaly, the Azerbaijanis thought that they were joking with us, they thought that the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. We were able to break that [stereotype]." Sarkisian's account suggest that the massacre was a deliberate act of mass killing.

In 2020, Armenia once again committed crimes against humanity during the recent war by deliberately targeting the civilian population of Azerbaijani cities Barda, Ganja, and Tartar located outside the conflict zone. As a result of rocket and heavy artillery attacks more than 100 Azerbaijani civilians, including 12 children and 27 women were killed, and 423 civilians were wounded.

The international community should not forget that the perpetrators of the crimes committed in Khojaly and elsewhere in Azerbaijan during the war continue to enjoy impunity. Similarly, Armenia's military leaders, who have been implicated in war crimes and have inflicted a wide-spread destruction on the lands illegally occupied for 30 years are yet to face responsibility.

The memory of victims of Khojaly is an urgent reminder of the need for justice, accountability and reconciliation for a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Justice for Khojaly!

SOURCE Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States

Related Links

http://www.azembassy.us


By Hamza Ibrahim

KANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - An operation to rescue more than 300 girls kidnapped in Nigeria had failed to pinpoint their location by late on Friday, almost 24 hours after gunmen seized them in a raid on their school.

The raid in Zamfara state, where the governor ordered all boarding schools to close immediately, was the second such kidnapping in little over a week in the country's northwest, a region increasingly targeted by militants and criminal gangs.

Zamfara police said they had begun search-and-rescue operations with the army to find the "bandits" who took the 317 girls from the Government Girls Science Secondary School in the town of Jangebe.

"There's information that they were moved to a neighbouring forest, and we are tracking and exercising caution," Zamfara police commissioner Abutu Yaro told a news conference.

All the abductees remained at large, but the parent of one of them, Mohammed Usman Jangebe, said seven of their schoolmates had resurfaced after escaping the raiders by hiding in gutters.

The assailants stormed in at around 1 a.m., firing sporadically, said Zamfara's information commissioner, Sulaiman Tanau Anka.

"Information available to me said they came with vehicles and moved the students. They also moved some on foot," he told Reuters.

By late Friday, there had been no claim of responsibility for the raid.

School kidnappings were first carried out by jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province but the tactic has now been adopted by other militants whose agenda is unclear.

They have become endemic around the increasingly lawless north, to the anguish of families and frustration of Nigeria's government and armed forces. Friday's was the third such incident since December.

The rise in abductions is fuelled in part by sizeable government payoffs in exchange for child hostages, catalysing a broader breakdown of security in the north, officials have said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Story continues

The government denies making such payouts, and President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated on Friday that it would will not succumb to blackmail.

In a statement isued late on Friday, he also appealed to state administrations not to reward bandits with money or vehicles.

RAGE AND FRUSTRATION

Jangebe town seethed with anger over the abduction, said a government official who was part of the delegation to the community.

Young men hurled rocks at journalists driving through the town, injuring a cameraman, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"People mobilised to block security operatives, journalists and government officials from getting access to the main town," he said.

Parents also had no faith in authorities to return their kidnapped girls, said Mohammed Usman Jangebe told Reuters by phone.

"We are going to rescue our children, since the government isn't ready to give them protection," he said.

"All of us that have had our children abducted have agreed to follow them into the forest. We will not listen to anyone now until we rescue our children."

MILITARY SHAKEUP

Buhari replaced his long-standing military chiefs this month amid the worsening violence.

Last week, unidentified gunmen kidnapped 42 people including 27 students, and killed one pupil, in an overnight attack on a boarding school in the north-central state of Niger. The hostages are yet to be released.

In December, dozens of gunmen abducted 344 schoolboys in northwest Katsina state. They were freed after six days but the government denied paying a ransom.

Islamic State's West Africa branch in 2018 kidnapped more than 100 schoolgirls in northeast Nigeria, all but one of whom - the only Christian - were released. A ransom was paid, according to the United Nations.

Perhaps the most notorious kidnapping in recent years was when Boko Haram militants abducted 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno state in April 2014. The incident drew widespread global attention, with then U.S. first lady Michelle Obama among the prominent figures calling for their return.

Many have been found or rescued by the army, or freed years later after negotiations between the government and Boko Haram, according to sources, but 100 are still missing.

Ikemesit Effiong, head of research at Lagos-based risk consultancy SBM Intelligence, said many northern governors were keen to pay to avoid protracted hostage situations attracting international outrage, which in turn gave an incentive for more abductions.

"When you have these mass abductions now and you see victims are released relatively quickly, unlike Chibok, the one thing that has changed is money," Effiong said.

(Reporting by Hamza Ibrahim in Kano, Ardo Hazzad in Bauchi, Maiduguri Newsroom and Alexis Akwagyiram in Lagos; Additional reporting by Camillus Eboh in Abuja and Libby George in Lagos; Writing by Paul Carsten and Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Angus MacSwan and John Stonestreet)
This serial innovator mindset results from visionary engineers and incredible watchmakers combining radical expertise. It is nourished by a daily obsession for designing and creating the future of Haute Horlogerie. Serving aesthetics through technical skills, reinventing tradition by unleashing creativity to push all boundaries, Roger Dubuis proudly introduces the latest interpretation of its iconic Knights of the Round Table collection, reserved for an exclusive tribe. A select group of individuals who truly feel the pleasure of blending Haute Horlogerie with artistic crafts.

Excalibur Knights of the Round Table  Roger Dubuis

Epitomising exceptional technical skill dedicated to standout design, this new interpretation of Roger Dubuis iconic Knights of the Round Table collection celebrates the mighty legend of King Arthur. Featuring unprecedented design expressed through highly disruptive materials, this new model offers a stunning combination of contemporary craftsmanship and technical savoir-faire. Powered by Calibre RD821 and fitted with a vintage grey red-stitched calf leather strap, the new Excalibur Knights of the Round Table collection is a daring demonstration of the Maisons exceptional expertise, passion for challenges and obsession with reinventing iconic legends. It sets an incredible stage for the fabled knights micro-sculpted by hand, while reinventing the ancient art of Damascus steel through a Damascus titanium alloy worked in a technically and aesthetically innovative manner.

Disruptive innovation

Damascus steel, today the most commonly used name for patterned welded steel, was historically prepared with steel sheets with various degrees of hardness and is said to have been developed by the Hittites during the first millennium. Used ever since to produce the swords, daggers and blades, its combination of hard and soft steel serves to leverage the intrinsic qualities of these two varieties. Impelled by its inherent drive to take on new challenges, Roger Dubuis opted for Damascus titanium to create an unparalleled aesthetic as well as an incredibly airy feel on the wrist. Twice as light as steel yet 30% more resistant, this material is totally biocompatible. Starting from a block of Damascus titanium, the case and bezel are machined and then dipped in an acid bath designed to reveal the inimitable pattern that is the perfect symbol for contemporary knights. This exclusive treatment, combined with the Haute Horlogerie decorative techniques applied to the 45 mm case of this model, represents a novel approach for Roger Dubuis.

Excalibur Knights of the Round Table  Roger Dubuis

So as to preserve the singular allure of the raised Damascus motif, the Maisons watchmakers opted for a variety of refined techniques. Well-accustomed to performing movement decorations meeting the rigorous Hallmark of Geneva criteria, they opted to implement them here on the watch exterior. These subtle finishing touches notably include delicate straight-graining creating an appealing matt finish on the case sides; brushing that enhances the smooth look and touch of the curving lugs; as well as extremely precise hand-chamfering using a variety of files. The result is a series of straight and flat angles such as no machine could ever hope to achieve. The aesthetic effect powerfully demonstrates an ability to leverage the talent of the Roger Dubuis watchmakers in order to overcome all difficulties in their tireless pursuit of beauty.

A shining array of manual skills

The adventure continues with a 3D dial featuring an outstanding display of craftsmanship skills including a stunning combination of dark grey enamel, white gold and Murano glass. The dial structure is composed of white gold and dark grey enamel, creating the perfect stage-setting for the crafted Knights of the Round Table. Cast in pink gold and just 7mm high, each knight is meticulously micro-sculpted, engraved and finished by hand. They represent striking examples of Low Poly Art, a singular technique in which polygonal facets are used to create sculptures or painting. Swords at the ready, each represents an hour, while the case-back is engraved with their famous oath of allegiance to King Arthur: Around this table, the bravest knights will gather as equals. They will set forth in search of adventure, righting wrongs, protecting the weak and humbling the proud.

Fully engaged in its own quest to share pleasure, madness and freedom with a chosen tribe of connoisseurs, Roger Dubuis provides another stunning demonstration of its uncompromising technical mastery allied with legendary craftsmanship.
A federal appeals court has rejected Maines law requiring cable companies to give subscribers the option of purchasing access to individual cable channels rather than bundled packages.

A federal judge already delayed the law from going into effect in 2019, and the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston agreed that the law raises constitutional concerns.

Comcast, joined by Disney, Fox Cable and NBC/Universal, Fox Cable and others, sued the state over the law.

The appeals court noted that state acknowledged theres an insufficient record to justify that the law could withstand muster when it came to First Amendment arguments raised by the cable companies. Cable companies contended they were unfairly singled out, among other things.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey had no immediate comment on the ruling, which was issued Wednesday.

Comcast contended the law would mean limited choices and higher prices than the current packages it offers to consumers.

It argued it wouldve been forced to overhaul ordering, distribution and billing systems along with providing new digital cable boxes to many customers. It also contended it would have had to renegotiate contracts with programmers and content providers.

The law was adopted in response to consumer frustration over the growing cost of cable TV packages.

Independent Rep. Jeff Evangelos, the bills sponsor, said TV viewers complain about paying for unwanted channels. The Democratic-controlled Legislature passed the law largely on party lines.
MASON CITY, Iowa - Fire officials have identified a woman killed in a house fire this week in Mason City.

The Mason City Fire Department said Rhonda "DeeAnn" Lloyd died from injuries sustained in Monday's fire.

Officials responded to 777 S. Eisenhower Ave. No. 57 at 8:53 p.m. and found a structure that was heavily involved in fire.

Fire and police investigators have determined the cause of the fire appears to be smoking material.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the victim's family.
As humanitarian aid workers in Armenia and South Sudan, Jerry and Meaghan Kenney have huddled around wood stoves to keep warm and bathed with buckets for lack of water. But the couple didnt expect theyd need such survival skills to get through the winter storm at their home outside Hudson, in deep East Texas.

The Kenneys, who have a 1-year-old and 3-year-old, had only intermittent power and water last week, and remain under a boil water notice.

The family huddled together under the covers, built indoor tents with sheets and blankets and lobbed snowballs at one another. But after so many days, they grew weary of sitting in the cold and the kids lost interest in playing in the snow.

HALLELUJAH: More than 99 percent of Houston has had power restored

Its hard to think about not being able to keep my kids warm, on a visceral level, said Jerry Kenney. From our time living in places where water was scarce, we knew instinctively to fill up bathtubs and pots and containers, and to let the water drip overnight. Ill admit that me and the kids have not bathed every night, and fortunately, the water came back before my wife forced us all to bucket bathe.

Like other parts of Texas, rural communities were hammered by the winter storm that left families without the basic necessities of heat and running water. But temperatures in the country dipped lower than in cities, plummeting to the low single digits. Fewer resources serve that larger geography, and without city services, mobility can be more limited. Many living in the rural areas are ranchers and farmers who also had to worry about and prioritize livestock and crops.

Mickey Edwards has about 3,000 acres of lease pastures scattered across Lampasas County, and spent the week using axes to chop holes in the sheets of ice that covered stock tanks and water troughs for his cattle, which number about 200. To ensure the cows survived, he brought 1,400-pound hay bales and feed to them early every morning last week, not returning home until just before dark.

On Tuesday, during the 100-mile round trip to tend to his cattle, Edwards truck stalled on an incline slick with ice. No one had salted or sanded the country roads. Another truck barreled down the road in his direction, lacking traction and unable to stop, prompting Edwards to jump from his vehicle, past the ditch on the side of the road, to a fence. It was a close call with no impact or injuries.

But the trip was necessary.

LOCAL HEROES: That time Trae tha Truth rented an entire gas station to help Houstonians

We know other ranchers arent as in good shape as we are, said Edwards, whose family has been in the ranching business for eight generations  since before the Civil War. We didnt have that second sheet of ice. Some of our friends near Florence couldnt even drive because they had an inch of ice on top of the snow, so they were homebound and couldnt get off their home place to go check cattle. They probably didnt fare as well as we did. We feel very fortunate.

The cold was too much for the newborn calves and many lost cattle.

Livestock-wise on the dairy end, its just a struggle. You try to keep them fed, keep them milked, keep them watered, said Russell Boening, a dairy farmer in Poth, southeast of San Antonio. A lot of our beef cows are having babies right now. You have to get to them pretty quick after theyre born Everyone is doing what they can to save those babies. We lost a couple. We couldnt get there in time.

Boening, president of the Texas Farm Bureau, said hes been at this work for nearly 40 years. He has never seen a weather event like this in South Texas and is hearing similar stories across the state from the organization's 500,000 members.

Vegetable and citrus farmers suffered substantial losses, he said. And while at least half of the citrus crops of oranges and grapefruit had already been harvested in the Rio Grande Valley, he said the losses for that region alone total more than $300 million so far.

Its difficult to prepare for what youve never lived in, Boening said.

There hasnt been anyone who was spared the craziness, said Randy Willis, superintendent of the 450-student Granger Independent School District, in northeastern Williamson County. Its been a challenge for every superintendent, whether youre big, small, rural or urban. Its one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. ... We had people without water or power for over seven days.

A water pipe burst within the 1924 Building that houses the districts middle and high school students, rendering a classroom unusable. But with some teachers and students still lacking power and the internet, the district might not reopen Monday, not even virtually. (After the winter break, about 90% of students had returned in person for school.) Willis, who was on the verge of losing water again Friday night, said he wants to return students to normalcy as soon as possible, but will assess the situation Sunday night. He said he must weigh the human cost on students and staff members, and the stress theyve endured in the past week.

In Marfa, the south side of Lincoln Street was without power Monday through Wednesday. The northern neighborhoods remained online. Marfa ISDs campus straddles Lincoln Street, so the main campus didnt lose power, but the bus barn across the street did.

Local officials partnered with MISD Superintendent Oscar Aguero last Monday afternoon to turn the cafeteria into a warming center, with cots available in the gymnasium. Those who lost power had a place to warm up, charge their electronics and get a meal. Local grocery stores  Porter's Thriftway and The Get Go  and some individuals donated extra food and water. With the help of MISD cafeteria staff and volunteers, they were able to provide 60 to 75 meals for breakfast and for lunch.

Marfa Food Pantry volunteers Gary Oliver and Alisha Waller load pallets with boxes of food for Saturday morning distribution. West Texas Food Bank delivered food Friday night after power was restored in Marfa. Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

Marfa resident Ellie Tejada gathers produce from the Marfa Food Pantry Saturday morning. Tejada didn't have power at her house for three days this week and had to throw out her food. Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

First: Marfa Food Pantry volunteers Gary Oliver and Alisha Waller load pallets with boxes of food for Saturday morning distribution. The West Texas Food Bank delivered food Friday night after power was restored in Marfa. Last: Marfa resident Ellie Tejada gathers produce from the Marfa Food Pantry Saturday morning. Tejada didn't have power at her house for three days this week and had to throw out her food.

Audrey Herrera grabbed a meal on Tuesday as the food in her fridge had gone bad. Growing up in southern California, shes never experienced a real winter until she moved to Marfa in 2019, and she didnt properly prepare for the outages. She was able to stay warm with the gas heater in her casita. Her co-workers donated food and supplies, and her neighbors provided hot water.

It kind of felt like we were in it together, even though I live alone, said Herrera.

The West Texas Food Bank in Odessa delivered 150 boxes of food to the Marfa Food Pantry Friday night, and planned to bring an additional five pallets. Elbert Bassham, the program manager, texted the residents he normally sees at the pantrys bi-weekly distributions to let them know about the food and vegetables ready for pick-up, and word spread on social media. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry has served an average of 100 families with an average of two to three individuals per family.

Bassham stopped by the pantry every day to power the refrigerators and freezers with a generator. The generator is powered by gasoline, so it was limited because the power was off at the three stations in town. Bassham was able to borrow some until he drove to Alpine, where KCs Mart still had gas.

I filled up every container I had, plus my car and everything, in anticipation of more issues, said Bassham. As it turns out, we don't need it. I have extra gas now.

In Milam County, part of the San Gabriel River froze. Water lines and pumping stations froze in Rockdale and Cameron, home to about 5,000 residents each. On Friday, about 10% of this agricultural community, about 75,000 acres of which is crop land and 225,000 of which is ranch land that runs cattle, remained without electricity and 15% without water. The county remains on a boil water notice for those who have it.

Its been pretty miserable, said Milam County Judge Steve Young. Its been one thing after another. Its just been a mess.

With the power out, the sewage treatment plant in Rockdale couldnt operate properly.

They were just about at the point of pumping raw sewage into the creek, said Young, who was among Milam County residents still without power on Friday.

The electric company was able to get things back online at the plant Friday, avoiding disaster.

RELATED: Texas was 'seconds and minutes' away from catastrophic monthslong blackouts, officials say

Young, also a cattle rancher, lost two newborn calves but was able to save three others, including one Friday morning, when he got up at 3:30 a.m. to ensure its survival upon delivery.

You sponsor that old cow all year for that calf, and that kind of thing happens, and it really sets you back, Young said. Its no big deal in some ways, but doggone, I hate that. Its more than just economics, its a terrible loss.

Goodall-Witcher Hospital, located in 4,500-resident Clifton, located northwest of Waco, is Bosque Countys only hospital. It was never without power for long, but the water main burst, spilling into the generator room and forcing the medical center to shut off the water to the fire sprinkler system. It could be several more days before its repaired.

Multiple patients without power at home were admitted with breathing problems after their oxygen machines were turned off. Between six and a dozen staff members spent the night at the hospital after conditions made it too dangerous to travel back and forth. CEO Adam Willman, who has a four-wheel drive truck, also picked up employees from their homes. One of the clinics in the health system couldnt open because of power and water outages.

We took everything day by day, Willman said. Were exhausted, but in the end, we did what we had to do to take care of everything we needed to do.

Rural Texans also told stories of joy amid the hardship. Neighbors helped neighbors, letting them stay at their homes or shoveling ice and snow from their sidewalks. Volunteers worked overnight to cook for warming centers and keep them staffed. While the icy roads kept Young from reaching his 93-year-old father whose pipes froze at his Rockdale house, leaving him without water, local police officers delivered a case of water bottles Friday morning. A Goodall-Witcher emergency room nurse, who volunteers at a local animal shelter, checked on a patients dogs.

I love living in rural communities and East Texas, said Jerry Kenney, whose neighbors came to shower at his house when his family had power and water. The neighbors, in turn, offered to pick up supplies. Theres a sense of belonging and a resilience that is unique. I have no doubt that I can rely on my neighbor in a time of trouble.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
A third body has been found by Gardai who began a manhunt following a suspected double murder at a farm in Co Cork.

Gardai are now set to launch a murder investigation after the bodies of two brothers in their 60s were discovered in a remote property in Cork early this morning.

The body of another man was later found in a river close to the discovery of a van Gardai had been searching for.

Gardai confirmed the man they had been searching for is related to the brothers.

The latest development came following the grim discovery in the early hours of the morning at a property outside Mitchelstown on the Kildorrery Road.

One body was found in a yard and another body was found in a shed.

The area at Curraghgorm was sealed off as Mitchelstown Gardai awaited the arrival of members of the Garda Technical Bureau.

Armed support units also attended the scene overnight.

Gardai later located a red Toyota Corolla van that they had previously been looking to trace. The public had been warned not to approach the vehicle if they spotted it.

Detectives had been trying to trace the whereabouts of a third individual - understood to be linked to the property - who was not present at the address.

In a statement at lunchtime, Gardai confirmed the location of a third body, in a river close to the discovery of the vehicle.

"Shortly before midnight, Thursday 25 February 2021, Gardai in Mitchelstown were alerted to the an incident at a farm house and lands at Curragorm, Mitchelstown. Local Uniform and Plain Clothes Gardai attended the scene supported by Armed Support Units.

"A male in his 60s was discovered deceased in the farmyard. Following a further search the body of a second male in his 60s was also discovered in a shed on the farmyard. Both males are related.

"Gardai commenced a search for a 3rd male, also related, believed to be driving a Red Toyota Corolla Carvan, 03 WW 1556," they said in the statement.

"This car was subsequently found by Gardai parked at an unconnected farmhouse at Killacluig, Mitchelstown. This car has been removed from the scene for a technical examination.

"An Garda Siochana have discovered the body of male in a river in a remote location nearby. Investigations are ongoing at this time to recover and identify this body."

Expand Close Gardai pictured at the farm off the Mitchelstown to Mallow Road outside Kildorrery, co. Cork where the bodies of two brothers in their 60s were discovered / Facebook

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A number of scenes have now been preserved for technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau today.

One of the deceased was not resident at the north Cork property.

The area is a remote farm located just off the Mitchelstown to Mallow Road outside Kildorrery.

It is understood the bodies were discovered after Gardai were made aware of an incident at the property, a family farm.

It is understood Gardai received a phone call to say someone had just been killed at the property.

When they attended minutes later, two bodies were found by armed officers in different locations.

Gardai said at lunchtime that the bodies of the two males remain at the scene.

Gardai have sealed off the area and maintained a security cordon some distance from the property.

Dr. Margot Bolster, Locum Assistant State Pathologist, will attend the scene and post mortems will be later carried out at Cork University Hospital later.

"An Garda Siochana appeal to any person with information on the incidents that occurred last night to contact investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station," the statement added.

The Mitchelstown tragedy came just five months after a father and two sons died in a murder-double suicide in Kanturk.

That triple tragedy was linked to a dispute over a family inheritance.
Gulfs are defined as a part of the sea or ocean that is enclosed partially by landmasses. Covering an area of 18,000 km2, the Gulf of Riga is a large gulf of the Baltic Sea located in Northern Europe between the countries of Estonia and Latvia. It is separated partially from the Baltic Sea by the Saaremaa Island of Estonia. However, the Baltic Sea is connected to the Gulf of Riga via the Irbe Strait. The Gulf also includes the Vainameri Sea.

Gulf of Riga Map

Geography

The Gulf of Riga has a maximum depth of 54 m and an estimated average depth of 26 m. The gulf is subjected to extremely large temperature fluctuations throughout the year. A part of the gulf remains covered with ice from December to April. During the summer months, the average temperature ranges between 26-28C along the coasts and about 22-23C at the gulfs center. Some of the significant rivers that drain into the gulf are Daugava, Gauja, Lielupe, Parnu, and Salaca rivers. A narrow connection between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea extends the residence period of water in the Baltic for approximately 30 years. These two factors are responsible for the brackish nature of the Baltic Sea. The Gulf of Riga is also brackish and has a salt concentration of 6-10 parts per 1,000.

Saaremaa, Estonia, the largest island in the Gulf of Riga.

The major islands that are located in the Gulf of Riga are Kihnu, Ruhnu, and Saaremaa. All these islands are under the administrative control of Estonia. The major cities and towns that are located along the Gulf of Riga are Jurmala, Kuressaare, Riga, Parnu, Salacgriva, Saulkrasti, and Ainazi.

Economy

Jurmala, Latvia, is a popular tourism destination on the Gulf of Riga.

The city of Jurmala is one of the most popular destinations in Latvia. This resort town is positioned between the Lielupe river and the Gulf of Riga and hosts numerous tourist attractions like Livu Akvaparks, Kemeri National Park, Dzintari Forest Park, and the Ragakapa Nature Park, among others.

The most abundant fish species of Estonia, the Baltic herring, use the northern and eastern coastal waters of the Gulf of Riga as its spawning grounds. The Gulf also serves as a critical wintering area for several migratory birds.

The Battle of the Gulf of Riga was a fierce naval battle fought between the Russian Baltic Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet during the First World War.
100,000 Pounds of Made-in-China Food Seasoning Recalled

Federal food safety authorities recently issued a recall of around 96,810 pounds of Chinese-made food seasoning products. The products were imported by GLG Trading Inc, a company based in Chino, California.

The U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) said in a Feb. 22 notice that it found the hot pot seasoning products contained beef tallow, a type of fat. Chinese beef products are barred from being exported to the United States, according to the agency. The imports were also not inspected by the FSIS.

The hot pot seasoning items recalled are:

17.6-oz. vacuumed sealed packages of Ming Yang Hotpot Seasoning (Slightly spicy)



17.6-oz. vacuumed sealed packages of Ming Yang Hotpot Seasoning (Super spicy, Extremely)



12.07-oz. vacuumed sealed packages of Ming Yang Hotpot Seasoning (Medium spicy, Mala)



Those items were shipped to Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New York, and Texas for distribution to retail locations and restaurants, the notice said. They did not bear the Federal mark of inspection and were discovered during verification activities.

Although there have not been any confirmed cases of adverse reactions from eating the foods, the FSIS urged people who bought the products not to consume them. FSIS also advised customers to throw the products away or to return them to the place of purchase.

FSIS categorized the products in its highest recall level, meaning that there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
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A woman was left in a coma for three weeks and nearly died after a rare reaction to anti-depressants caused her skin to burn off.

Designer Christan Bennett, 29, from Texas, has suffered with major depressive disorders since she was 24 and was prescribed the antidepressant Lamictal in March 2016.

But the following month, having taken the medication, Christan woke up one morning with adverse side effects including a high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, severe nerve pain in her legs and a painful headache.

She became even more concerned when the skin on her lip began falling off while she brushed her teeth. Assuming it was an allergic reaction, she went to hospital where she was immediately isolated and examined by multiple doctors.

Designer Christan Bennett, 29, from Texas, pictured before, was left in a coma for three weeks and nearly died after taking anti-depressants which caused her skin to burn off

Christan was diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrosis - a severe skin reaction to medication that blisters skin and can even cause blindness (pictured in hospital)

Christan was then rushed to a specialist burns unit, where she was placed in a medically induced coma to reduce strain on her organs. She was diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrosis - a severe skin reaction to medication that blisters skin and can even cause blindness.

After three weeks she was taken out of the coma and placed on a ventilator for a further three weeks, spending nearly a year in hospital while she recovered. She also underwent 14 procedures to save her skin and her organs.

Christan still suffers with daily pain - but feels lucky to be alive.

'I still feel angry some days that I had to live with so much pain daily due to medication that was meant to make me feel better, and I feel so alone with my illness, as I don't know one person who shares my experience,' she admitted.

Following the reaction, Christan was rushed to a specialist burns unit, where she was placed in a medically induced coma to reduce strain on her organs

After three weeks she was taken out of the coma and placed on a ventilator for a further three weeks, spending nearly a year in hospital while she recovered (pictured: her leg following the skin reaction)

'My family supported me greatly throughout my ordeal, as I wasn't able to work for three years afterwards and have only just been able in the last two years to start my career as a designer.

'I'm still trying to piece together my hospital stay; my advice to anyone going through a similar situation is to take it one day at a time - you aren't alone.'

On reaching hospital, Christan told how she felt like she was examined by '50 doctors', including a contagious disease expert and a toxicologist.

'It was hard to decipher what was real at this point,' she recalled. 'I was in and out of consciousness with periods of delirium and had several hallucinations that I was being held hostage and at one point, even tried to remove my own IV that was keeping me stable.

On reaching hospital, Christan told how she felt like she was examined by '50 doctors', including a contagious disease expert and a toxicologist

Christan's time on the ventilator caused a fistula - an abnormal connection between the throat and stomach - so she had to have a gastrointestinal tube fitted to help provide her with fluids to keep her stable

What is toxic epidermal necrolysis? Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening skin reaction that affects people of all ages, usually caused by a medication. The symptoms are likely to start showing up one to four weeks after you start taking a new drug. TEN is a severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). The most common drug triggers of SJS/TEN include antibiotics, epilepsy drugs, sulfa drugs and allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim). TEN is usually treated in a hospital. While the skin heals, supportive care includes controlling pain, caring for wounds and making sure you're getting enough fluids. Recovery can take weeks to months. If your condition was caused by a medication, you'll need to permanently avoid that drug and those related to it. Information supplied by Mayo Clinic Advertisement

'I had multiple tests run such as a toxicology to analyse potential toxins in my body, a full blood panel to check my blood cells and platelets, as well as a skin biopsy - but the results were unclear.

'After a few hours, I was seen by a dermatologist who recognised my symptoms and arranged an immediate emergency transfer by ambulance to the Parkland Memorial Hospital specialist burn unit.

'I had gone into shock due to the pain and I have little memory about what happened during my transfer apart from my arms blistering and starting to slough off.'

During her transfer, Christan's arms started to blister and burst, and when she arrived at the specialist burn unit, they performed a placental membrane transplant - a membrane cell graft - on her eyes to protect them from blistering, taking membrane from a donated placenta.

Shortly after, her health began deteriorating very quickly and she was placed into a medically induced coma to help take the stress off her heart and lungs, as she was too weak to breathe on her own.

'Medics tried to wake me up to tell me that I was suffering from toxic epidermal necrosis - a severe skin reaction to my medication - but I wasn't coherent enough to understand,' she explained.

'As I entered the intensive care unit, I was told that I was hours away from losing my vision and that if I wasn't transferred to the specialist burns unit when I was, I would no longer be here.

'After three weeks I was taken out of the coma and placed on a ventilator, which they tried to remove twice, but I had to ask to put it back in as I was too tired to breathe on my own - which is when the nurses at the intensive care unit told me that if I go back on, I might never come off.

'However, after three weeks I was able to come off the ventilator and breathe on my own, which felt exhausting.'

Medics performed a placental membrane transplant - a membrane cell graft - on Christan's eyes to protect them from blistering, taking membrane from a donated placenta

Christan was left bed bound and seen by an occupational therapist who helped her regain mobility, as well as an ophthalmologist who oversaw her eye surgery recovery

Christan's time on the ventilator caused a fistula - an abnormal connection between the throat and stomach - so she had to have a gastrointestinal tube fitted to help provide her with fluids to keep her stable.

Unable to walk, Christan was left bed bound and seen by an occupational therapist who helped her regain mobility, as well as an ophthalmologist who oversaw her eye surgery recovery.

After nine months on a feeding tube, she underwent surgery where doctors used a muscle graft from an organ donor to help repair her throat, which was successful.

She then had to start relearning how to eat and drink on her own and was discharged from hospital.

Christan said she's now 'very cautious' about what medications she is prescribed, and won't take anything new that she hasn't tried before.

'It's a miracle that I'm alive,' she added.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Myanmar envoy urges 'strongest' UN action as junta clamps down Police march on a road to clear away protesters from holding a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon

Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations made an emotional plea on Friday to the international community for the "strongest possible action" against the military's rule, as riot police violently clamped down on anti-coup protests in the Southeast Asian country.

Since the February 1 toppling of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has seen a burst of demonstrations demanding a return to democracy while outrage from abroad has mounted.

The nation's UN envoy, Kyaw Moe Tun, made the extremely rare move as a representative when he broke with the rulers of his country during an address at the UN General Assembly.

"We need... the strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people, and to restore the democracy," he said, his voice at times cracking with emotion.

He also flashed the three-fingered salute -- a symbol of resistance for anti-coup demonstrators, and was met with applause in the chamber.

"It's impossible to overstate the risks that #Myanmar UN ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun just took in the UN General Assembly," tweeted Samantha Power, a former UN ambassador for the US.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, making her first address in the chamber, vowed: "We will show the military that their actions have consequences."

So far, at least five people have been killed since the overthrow -- four of them from injuries sustained at anti-coup demonstrations that saw security forces open fire on protesters.

The military said one police officer had died while attempting to quell a protest.

- Protesters violently dispersed -

The UN General Assembly session comes after a tense day, which saw nearly 100 protesters arrested in three major cities across Myanmar.

Since daily anti-coup demonstrations started three weeks ago, authorities have steadily increased their use of force.

Story continues

Riot police advanced on central junctions Hledan and Myaynigone -- a key organising area for a movement that had bypassed restrictions by moving fluidly through the city.

Demonstrators who had been sitting on the ground and chanting slogans quickly dispersed into the smaller residential streets, with some assembling makeshift barricades using barbed wire and stacking tables to halt police.

Stun grenades were deployed in Hledan junction, according to witnesses and AFP reporters on the ground, sending protesters fleeing to hide in buildings nearby.

As officers searched apartments, residents protested by banging pots and pans -- a common act of defiance against the military regime.

Authorities hauled away protesters, and a least one appeared injured from the melee, sitting in a police truck with a bloodied shirt.

"They beat young protesters with rods and cursed them while doing it," said Thandar Cho, a street food vendor, adding that she saw police point their guns towards apartments.

A Japanese journalist, Yuki Kitazumi, was detained during the protracted crackdown, though he was later released.

He "was beaten on the head by baton but he was wearing a helmet", his assistant Linn Nyan Htun said on Facebook.

More than 31 in Yangon were arrested, according to state-run media.

- Worries over Suu Kyi's trial -

In Myanmar's second biggest city Mandalay, thousands of anti-coup demonstrators were also violently dispersed when police opened fire -- though it was unclear if live rounds were used.

At least one man was seriously injured, said doctor Thet Htay, who also treated four others.

"The injury is severe with his left leg broken," said the doctor, declining to name what type of weapon had caused the injury.

Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw saw similar chaos, with protesters fleeing as stun grenades go off and riot police chasing them.

State-run television reported that 39 people were arrested during the Mandalay protest, and 25 in Naypyidaw.

The military has justified its power grab by alleging widespread electoral fraud in November's elections, which her National League for Democracy had won in a landslide.

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi faces two charges for having unregistered walkie-talkies in her residence and for breaking coronavirus rules.

Her trial is scheduled for March 1, but her lawyer told AFP Friday that he still has not had contact with his client.

"It's very important to get her signed power of attorney before the hearing starts on March 1 because we won't be allowed to act as her defence counsels if we cannot file (it)," Khing Maung Zaw said.

"Then Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be rid of her right of fair trial without a legal counsel."

bur-jm/ft
Bankruptcy commissioner of Tomet LLC sums up results of first meeting of creditors

 Tomet LLC

12:37 26/02/2021

The first meeting of creditors of Tomet LLC, which is a joint defendant in a criminal case over large-scale fraud and damages caused to PJSC Togliattiazot and JSC Uralchem, took place. Anatoly Selishchev, who was elected as the bankruptcy commissioner at the meeting, and is currently acting as the temporary manager of the company, told RAPSI about the most important results of this event, as well as about its future prospects.

At the end of November 2020, the Commercial Court of the Samara Region introduced a monitoring procedure at Tomet. According to the courts decision, temporary manager Anatoly Selishchev was to conduct an internal audit at Tomet enterprise by March 1, 2021 and prepare a report on its financial standing. The data are to be submitted to the court, which, on the basis thereof, will decide on the introduction of one of the following procedure: financial recovery, external management, bankruptcy proceedings.

The first meeting of Tomet LLC creditors was held on February 18 in the city of Togliatti (Samara Region). According to Anatoly Selishchev, the meeting was attended by representatives of Tomet LLC, JSC Uralchem, Triumph Development Limited (Hong Kong based offshore company which owns Tomet), and the labor collective of Tomet.

The meeting approved Selishchev's report on the financial standing of Tomet, as well as the decision to declare the debtor bankrupt and to launch bankruptcy proceedings. Also, the meeting participants unanimously rejected the draft settlement agreement proposed by Triumph Development Limited, which provides for the write-off of 69.2 billion rubles ($940 million at the current exchange rate) of debt and a seven-year installment plan as to the payment of the remaining 18.46 billion rubles (about $251 million).

The creditors believe that the terms of the settlement agreement, firstly, do not answer the interests of both PJSC Togliattiazot and JSC Uralchem, and, secondly, they are a priori impracticable - Tomet will not be able to enforce the agreement as it lacks own assets for this purpose. Selishchev noted that at the moment Uralchem is the only creditor: "They have 100% in the register of creditors' claims."

The origin of debt

The obligations of Tomet to Uralchem in the amount of 87.7 billion rubles ($1.2 billion) arose after the verdict of the Komsomolsk District Court of the city of Togliatti in July 2019 that convicted the beneficiaries of PJSC Togliattiazot Vladimir and Sergey Makhlais and their foreign partners in the fraud case related to the TOAZ export operations in 2008 through 2011 (Article 159.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Of this amount, more than 77.3 billion rubles (about $1 billion) are to be paid as compensation for the damages suffered by PJSC Togliattiazot and 10.3 billion rubles ($140 million) are due to Uralchem; it is to be noted that Uralchem was appointed as the damage collector in favor of Togliattiazot.

According to the court's decision, Tomet, owned by offshore company Triumph Development Limited, was found to be one of the defendants. The offshore company is controlled by Swiss businessman Andreas Zivy, convicted in a criminal fraud case.

Selishchev noted that Tomet's debts to Togliattikhimbank and RTS Bank amount to about 1 billion rubles ($13.5 million). These are affiliated banks (both controlled by the Makhlais family), there is a suspicion that they have artificially created this debt. So far, they were not excluded from the register of creditors, the temporary manager of the enterprise said.

Selishchev described the current financial standing of Tomet in extremely pessimistic terms: "at the moment, the rate of profit is steadily decreasing, re-equipment is not being carried out, the enterprise is slowly sinking." In addition, due to the poor technical condition as a result of accidents reported by Rostekhnadzor on December 6 and 13, 2020, one of the methanol units was put out of action and needs serious repairs.

Bankruptcy prospects

Earlier, the owners of PJSC Togliattiazot tried to bankrupt Tomet by turning to court, but were defeated in the Samara Regional Commercial Court and in the Eleventh Commercial Court of Appeals.

Later, Uralchem had to join the Tomet bankruptcy lawsuit, since exactly this enterprise was appointed by the Komsomolsk District Court of the city of Togliatti as a claimant for damages in favor of PJSC Togliattiazot in the fraud case, while TOAZ representatives in the court denied that it suffered any damages and renounced its status of a victim in court.

Thus, both instances recognized that Togliattiazot was not a legitimate claimant, and its claim was dismissed. According to experts, if the bankruptcy procedure at Tomet was carried out according to the scenario offered by the owners of Togliattiazot, the prospects for recovery of the damages would be zero, and the fate of Tomet's assets would be uncertain, perhaps those would have been withdrawn and sold to some affiliated company of the Makhlais.

The temporary manager confirmed that his report proved that it would be impossible for Tomet to restore solvency in its current financial standing. In this regard, it is assumed that a bankruptcy procedure will be introduced at the enterprise. The term of the bankruptcy proceedings is six months, within that time, according to the law, the bankruptcy commissioner is to organize and hold the auction. At this auction, the property is to be sold to the person who offers the highest price, Selishchev said.

In the event that "if the court appoints me as a bankruptcy commissioner, then I will be obliged to take an inventory of the property, then make an assessment and put it up for the auction." "At the same time, I will have to ensure the safety of this property until it is sold, he noted.

Bankruptcy proceedings may be introduced at the enterprise by the Commercial Court of the Samara Region, the respective hearings are scheduled for March 1. The court will be presented with a report of the temporary manager on the financial standing of Tomet.

Anatoly Selishchev specifically notes that the introduction of bankruptcy proceedings in no way means the liquidation of Tomet or will result in any problems for its employees. "The company will continue its stable work, and my task as a bankruptcy commissioner is to organize this work and preserve its labor collective."

The future of the labor collective

Selishchev stressed that the employer would be obliged, according to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, to ensure timely and full payment of wages to Tomet employees both during the bankruptcy proceedings and after the enterprise is put up for the auction.

All obligations to the labor collective will be fulfilled unambiguously. Their rights will not be infringed upon. And nothing can influence this, because Tomet assets are sufficient enough to meet the costs of the bankruptcy procedure, including the payment of salaries. If I am to be the bankruptcy commissioner, I will be obliged to monitor the fulfillment of all these obligations," Selishchev says.

The enterprise will continue to work all this time, and after the transfer of the asset to the new owner is completed, the labor collective is to be preserved.

Restoring the company's solvency

The expert believes that such a method of restoring solvency as replacement of assets, which provides for the transfer of the property complex and its labor collective to a new legal entity, can be applied to Tomet.

This method is quite possible, since it is provided for by Federal Law On Insolvency (Bankruptcy). If creditors agree to this, it means that a new company will be created, which will begin to sell the stocks or its share instead of assets at auctions," Selishchev explained.

He clarified that it is not possible to restore solvency, since the amount of Tomet's assets is 10 billion rubles ($136 million), whereas the amount of its liabilities makes 87 billion rubles ($1.2 billion).

In my opinion, it is preferable to pay off as many of the creditors' claims as possible. But first it is needed to deal with the situation at the plant, and only then make some conclusions about what is better or worse. We will use any method stipulated by law, Selishchev concluded.

The temporary manager does not see any special risks that could arise during the implementation of the bankruptcy proceedings and the events arising from these proceedings. The only factor to take into consideration is that Tomet is supplied with all energy resources by Togliattiazot. Therefore, only TOAZ's opposition can provoke risks. However, again from the point of view of salaries and the preservation of the property complex, there should be no risks, Selishchev believes.

That is, such developments will not affect the payment of wage arrears to the employees. Workers will not be affected at all under this procedure. They will definitely receive all salaries. I am practically sure that all jobs will be 100% preserved, especially with regard to the workers, they will definitely not suffer, the temporary manager assured.

Prospects for bankruptcy proceedings

The question of the bankruptcy commissioner, Selishchev reminded, should be decided at the first court hearings on March 1. After that, according to him, it is possible that there will be changes in the composition of creditors, since so far the only creditor that has established its requirements is Uralchem. In addition, several other creditors have presented themselves; those are also to be identified."

These developments will take place after the court hearings on the establishment of the requirements are completed. Selishchev does not undertake to estimate the time frame: "They can be carried out quickly, or all this can take six months or a year." The number of creditors, of course, will increase, the temporary manager adds, but the entire amount already requested is scanty compared to that owned by Uralchem.

What can the introduction of bankruptcy proceedings bring to Tomet? Firstly, certain streamlining of the debt collection process. All obligations will be deemed to have been triggered, and no one will be able to collect debts in a way other than through bankruptcy procedures, what will ensure the stable operation of the plant. Secondly, as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings, a more efficient owner or investor may come to Tomet, who will invest in this enterprise and develop it," Selishchev explained.

Thus, the introduction of bankruptcy proceedings at Tomet, a change in the management and, ultimately, the arrival of a new qualified investor will allow to financially rehabilitate the company, put its equipment in order, and establish efficient production activities, as well as to ensure the work of the labor collective with timely and full payment of wages.
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The Federal Aviation Administration is fining Boeing Co. $6.6 million in a move that will settle two cases that alleged senior managers at the North Charleston Dreamliner plant put "undue pressure" on safety workers.

Most of the penalty payment, $5.4 million, is for the planemaker's "failure to meet performance obligations" laid out in a 2015 settlement agreement with the FAA, according to a Feb. 25 statement from the agency.

In that 29-page document, terms were set to "improve and prioritize regulatory compliance" at Boeing, and the FAA was authorized to impose penalties if they weren't met in five years. Federal regulators said some managers "did not sufficiently prioritize compliance" and missed improvement targets.

I have reiterated to Boeings leadership time and again that the company must prioritize safety and regulatory compliance, and that the FAA will always put safety first in all its decisions," agency administrator Steve Dickson said in this week's statement.

Because of the terms set in the 2015 settlement, Boeing can't appeal the FAA's assessment of the penalty.

The $6.6 million fine also settles two separate probes that alleged issues with the oversight and safety inspections done on behalf of the FAA at Boeing's 787 plant in North Charleston.

Both cases detailed violations of the FAA's Organization Designation Authorization program, which allows Boeing to inspect its own aircraft and issue airworthiness certificates. The federal safety agency also accused managers at the South Carolina site of pressuring employees who worked on behalf of regulators.

Letters from the FAA that detailed the allegations said the pressure came from some of the most senior managers at the site.

In the documents, the agency accused managers in North Charleston of "harassing" safety workers to complete their inspections more quickly, berating their performance and threatening to replace them with other employees.

Managers also interfered with an airworthiness inspection of a 787-9 at the North Charleston campus, the FAA said.

Those allegations were spelled out by the FAA in August, and regulators proposed $1.25 million in civil penalties. Boeing is paying $1.21 million to settle the cases, according to the government.

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Boeing said in a statement that the FAA fine "fairly resolves previously announced civil penalty actions while accounting for ongoing safety, quality and compliance process improvements."

"We look forward to ongoing engagement with, and direction from, the FAA as we continuously improve safety and quality in our processes," it said.

This newly announced fine is a small sum compared to the $2.5 billion the Chicago-based company agreed to pay to avoid prosecution by the Justice Department for its handling of the 737 Max, the jet that was recertified to fly late last year after two deadly crashes and a 20-month worldwide grounding.

Though deliveries have resumed for the Max, the 787 program hasn't handed over a new aircraft since October as Boeing deals with widespread production issues with the widebody jet.

Dreamliners made in North Charleston and Everett, Wash., are being assessed for flaws which involve variances in flatness of the interior fuselage skin where parts of the jet's body are joined.

According to a Feb. 25 report from Reuters citing industry sources who were not identified, the cost of the 787 issues could "dwarf" this week's penalty.

Rework on affected jets could cost "hundreds of millions  if not billions  of dollars," the report says, and the fixes could take up to a month per aircraft.

During a Feb. 22 earnings call, CEO John Plueger of Air Lease Corp., a Boeing customer with 787s on order that have been delayed by the inspections, said problems with the Dreamliner seem to have "mushroomed." There have been "greater and greater levels of inspection going on," he said, and an end to the process is not yet in sight.

Boeing is consolidating the 787 program in March by halting assembly in Everett, leaving North Charleston the only plant that will build the Dreamliner.

Workers in Everett will continue to inspect 787s made in the Seattle area until all of the widebodies are delivered. North Charleston will balance its safety checks with a sharply reduced production rate of five planes per month in response to a steep drop in demand for new aircraft during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hope has risen for the return of nursing home visits within weeks after robust evidence emerged that vaccines are leading to a significant drop in infections and deaths among residents.

However, the ongoing threat from mutated versions of the virus was also highlighted after it was reported a case of a B1525 variant, which could be more infectious and potentially impact on vaccines, was detected here.

Public health officials are investigating the origin of the case, which has previously been found in the UK and Nigeria, and whether it was linked to recent travel.

Professor Philip Nolan, who tracks the spread of coronavirus, provided the first robust evidence that vaccines are protecting nursing homes from infections and death after being in the frontline of risk during the pandemic.

He said in the past fortnight there had been a very small number of cases in long-term care homes  less than 200 last week compared with 1,250 case at the end of January.

It has been sudden and sharp, he said, and this is also seen among nursing home staff. Although the vaccination regimen is not complete, you begin to see some protection three weeks from the first dose.

Deaths from the virus are also decreasing more rapidly in long-term care homes than in the community.

There are also signs of vaccine protection in healthcare workers, among whom infections have also fallen.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn confirmed the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) was to receive guidance from an expert group on March 11 outlining how nursing home visits could best be done safely.

He said the visits would be done on a slow and phased basis.

It is unclear what the guidance will involve but under previous relaxation of rules residents of nursing homes and other care facilities were able to have one visit by one person per week.

Several nursing homes still have outbreaks of the virus and public health officials will be cautious in the beginning.

Earlier, HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said there would need to be a dividend for residents.

We have to be mindful we are coming out of a January surge which saw 1,000 deaths, one-third of which happened in residential settings so people would not forgive us if we rushed into this, he said.

There were 58,414 people vaccinated in long-term residential care homes up to last Monday and 3,600 more will get another dose next week which should complete the vaccination programme there.

Referring to the fall in cases linked to vaccination, he said there is good evidence from Israel and Scotland about the impact vaccination is having on infections. What we are seeing here now are early signals which, based on international experience, we can increasingly be confident and translate into robust evidence, Dr Henry said.

Meanwhile, a further 35 deaths from the virus were reported yesterday and 613 more cases.

Prof Nolan said even though progress in the fall of the virus was slower the progress is still there.

The incidence is falling among all age groups except for the 19-24-year-olds and there is a persistence of disease among the over-85s.

There has been an increase in close contacts of people infected with the virus but this is largely due to the more infectious UK variant which now accounts for 91pc of cases and is more infectious.

It is also influencing the R number which is around 0.6 to 0.9 compared with 0.65 to 0.85 last week.

Dr Glynn said the reopening of schools was a signal of hope but he said uncertainties meant no timetable could be set to lift lockdown restrictions. There was a responsibility not to give false hope, he insisted.

If we keep numbers down, we will be in a much brighter place by the end of March. The impact of the new variant will be monitored over the coming weeks.

It emerged yesterday that several GPs, including rural doctors, are having problems getting deliveries of the Covid-19 vaccine, which is leading to delays for many patients aged 85 and over who in some instances have had clinics cancelled.

Some had not received expected deliveries and other doctors got too little or too much.

Up to last week 14,614 people aged 85 and older had been given the inoculation.

HSE chief Paul Reid said work was under way to address the problems and said the timeline to have all over-70s vaccinated by mid-May would not be affected.

Nationally up to Monday, 226,291 people had received their first dose and 133,325 were fully inoculated.

The threat from new variants remains and four more cases of the South African variant have been detected bringing the total to 15.

Three cases of the Brazilian variant were detected last week and none have been found since.

Dr Cillian de Gascun of the Virus Reference Laboratory said around 15pc of cases of the virus now undergo more detailed investigation to find out if they are one of these variants of concern.
A system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean that acts like a massive conveyor belt redistributing warm water throughout our planet's oceans is the weakest it has been in more than 1,000 years - and human-induced climate change is to blame.

Formally known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), it powers the Gulf Stream that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the northeastern US coast.

Scientists determined that in 2015 it to had slowed by at least 15 percent since 1950, but the latest work paints a picture of how it will develop long term.

Experts warn that by 2100 the AMOC could weaken by as much as 45 percent, bringing humanity dangerously close to a 'tipping point' that would result in devastating weather conditions across the world.

If these predictions become our reality, sea levels will rise along the eastern US coast and Western Europe would experience extreme weather more frequently.

Formally known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), it powers the Gulf Stream that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the northeastern US coast. Experts warn that it is slowing and could increase sea levels along the northeastern US coast

The consequences of the AMOC slowdown could be manifold for people living on both sides of the Atlantic as Levke Caesar explains: 'The northward surface flow of the AMOC leads to a deflection of water masses to the right, away from the US east coast.

'This is due to Earth's rotation that diverts moving objects such as currents to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

'As the current slows down, this effect weakens and more water can pile up at the US east coast, leading to an enhanced sea level rise.'

The AMOC was the plot of the 2004 film 'The Day After Tomorrow,' which depicted the current coming to an abrupt stop and triggered catastrophic storms worldwide.

Although the movie is deemed science fiction, the study by scientists from the Potsdam Institute, Ireland's Maynooth University and University College London suggests it could become a reality if greenhouse emissions are not curbed.

Study author Stefan Rahmstorf from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK said: 'The Gulf Stream System works like a giant conveyor belt, carrying warm surface water from the equator up north, and sending cold, low-salinity deep water back down south.

'It moves nearly 20 million cubic metres of water per second, almost a hundred times the Amazon flow.

Experts warn that by the end of the century it could be so weak it reaches a tipping point which would result in devastating weather conditions across the world

Because direct data from the AMOC is hard to obtain, researchers instead collected information from a variety of proxy sources dating back around 1,600 years. The team cites proxies such as surface temperature and marine productivity, and found nine out 11 (pictured) show a clear weakening trend

The AMOC was the plot of the 2004 film 'The Day After Tomorrow,' which depicted the current coming to an abrupt stop and triggered catastrophic storms worldwide. Pictured is a scene of New York being flooded

What would happen in the US if the Gulf Stream stopped? Paleoclimate records constructed from Greenland ice cores have revealed that AMOC circulation has, indeed, shut down in the past and caused regional climate change, according to the University of Illinois. It caused the area around Greenland to cool by 44 degrees Fahrenheit. In the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow, New York Citys temperature dramatically dropped to a point that a deep freeze appeared within a day. Even a second outside and the movies characters would freeze to death. Scientists say the film plays up the shift, which would take decades to see, but note temperatures would dramatically decrease along the eastern US coast. In the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow, New York Citys temperature dramatically dropped to a point that a deep freeze appeared within a day. Scientists say the film plays up the shift, which would take decades to see, but note temperatures would dramatically decrease along the eastern US coast Winters would become colder and storms more frequent that would linger longer throughout the year if the AMOC would come to a halt today. However, scientist say it isnt the cold temperatures that we should prepare for, it will be the rise in sea levels that will have the largest impact. The increase would be caused by water piling up along the east coast that would have been pushed away by the northward surface flow. But with AMOC weakened, or at a stop, experts say sea levels around the North Atlantic Basin could experience a rise up to nearly 20 inches. This would eventually push people living along the coast from their homes and further inland to escape flooding. A weakened AMOC would also decrease the amount of rainfalls in the North Atlantic that would cause intense droughts in areas that rarely experience such events. Advertisement

'If we continue to drive global warming, the Gulf Stream System will weaken further - by 34 to 45 percent by 2100 according to the latest generation of climate models.

'This could bring us dangerously close to the tipping point at which the flow becomes unstable.'

Because direct data from the AMOC is hard to obtain, researchers instead collected information from a variety of proxy sources dating back around 1,600 years.

The team cites proxies such as surface temperature and marine productivity, and found nine out 11 show a clear weakening trend.

This works stems from the team's previous finding in 2018 that found the ocean current has slowed by 15 percent since the mid-20th century.

But Rahmstorf told The Washington Post that the latest evidence 'makes this conclusion considerably stronger.'

The team notes a recurrent 'cold blob' that was first spotted in 2015 in the Atlantic Ocean that is cooling as the rest of the world heats up is caused by shifting ocean currents and low-level cloud.

Researchers believe that this is evidence that not enough warm water is reaching the south of Greenland, where the cold blob sits, due to a weakening AMOC.

And it could be because of runoff from melting glaciers is overpowering the waters.

Separate work from the University of Arizona Department of Geosciences attributed an increase in sea levels from New York to Newfoundland to the AMOC slowing down by 30 percent from 2009 to 2010, as well as unusual wind currents that pushed ocean waters towards the coast.

Dr. Richard Wood, who leads the climate, cryosphere and oceans group at the Met Office, also warns that ea levels could rise up to nearly 20 inches around the North Atlantic Basin, which surrounds the eastern US coast as a result of a slowed AMOC.

Another team of US scientist also say the weakened AMOC explains a reduction in Arctic sea ice loss in all seasons and, in particular, a delay by about 6 years of the emergence of an ice-free Arctic in boreal summer.

AMOC is a natural way of Earth keeping water temperatures balances throughout the oceans, along with keeping weather systems stable.

Areas near the equator are hit with direct sunlight than the colder poles, which results in heat building up in the tropics.

Although a majority of the heat is redistributed by the atmosphere, the Global Ocean Conveyor Belt picks up the rest and moves it throughout the world's oceans - sending it in all different directions horizontally and vertically.

The Little Ice Age, a centuries-long cold period that lasted until about 1850. Experts believe that as the North Atlantic began to warm near the end of the Little Ice Age, freshwater disrupted the system. Pictured is Thames Frost Fair, 168384, by Thomas Wyke

And the engine that drives this is the AMOC, which moves water at 100 times the flow of the Amazon river.

The Gulf Stream carries warm, salty water from the tropics near Florida up to the North Atlantic.

WHY ARE OCEAN CURRENTS SO IMPORTANT? Ocean currents play a critical role in regulating the planet. Slower circulation in the North Atlantic can yield profound change on both the North American and European climate but also on the African and Asian summer monsoon rainfall. This transfer of heat and energy not only has direct influence on climate over Europe and North American but can impact the African and Asian monsoon system through its effect on sea surface temperature, hydrological cycle, atmospheric circulation and variation in the intertropical convergence zone. Advertisement

Once the band of water hits the area around Greenland, it cools just enough to become more dense and heavier that surrounding waters, and then it sinks.

And if the AMOC slows it could spell disaster for the Northern Hemisphere's climate.

However, the weakening of the AMOC did not spark overnight.

Until the 1800s, it was relatively stable but the current declined after the so-called 'Little Ice Age' ended in 1850.

This was likely not due to human impact as the Industrial Revolution had yet to reach full tilt.

Scientists first observed a weakening in the 1950s, as huge amounts of pollution disrupted its formation.

Increased rainfall and enhanced melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet caused by global warming add fresh water to the ocean which reduces the salinity and density of the water.

This subsequently prevents the warm water which has traveled north from sinking as it cools and this breaks the convection cycle ultimately weakening the flow of the AMOC.

Dr Andrew Meijers, Deputy Science Leader of Polar Oceans at British Antarctic Survey, who was not involved in the study, said: 'This work provides new long term context and reveals that prior to the era of human induced climate change the Atlantic overturning circulation was relatively stable and stronger than it is now.

'This indicates that the slowdown is likely not a natural change, but the result of human influence.

'The AMOC has a profound influence on global climate, and particularly in North America and Europe, so this evidence of an ongoing weakening of the circulation is critical new evidence for the interpretation of future projections of regional and global climate.

'Additionally, the AMOC is frequently modeled as having a tipping point below some circulation strength, a point at which the relatively stable overturning circulation becomes unstable or even collapses.

'The ongoing weakening of the overturning means we risk finding that point, which would have profound and likely irreversible impacts on climate.'

The study was published in Nature Geoscience.
Cho Yong-je, former head of the e-commerce business unit at Lotte Shopping, speaks about Lotte ON during a press conference held at Lotte Shopping headquarters in Seoul, April 2020. Courtesy of Lotte Shopping



By Kim Jae-heun



Local retail giant Lotte Shopping is still lost in its online business sector despite Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin's strong push to reorganize offline businesses and focus on digitization.



Lotte Shopping launched its online shopping platform Lotte ON last April, combining all seven of the company's retail brands including Lotte Department Store, Lotte Mart and Lotte Home Shopping.



However, it started off uneasy with the platform's online traffic overloading and data processing paralyzed. The company took quick action to settle down the problem but the real issue lied with customers not returning to shop with Lotte ON.



Last year, Lotte Shopping's gross merchandise value (GMV) with Lotte ON stood at 7.6 trillion won, which is only 7 percent up from the previous year when it did not have the combined shopping platform. Considering that the size of the domestic online shopping market grew by 19 percent year-on-year, Lotte ON's business performance has proven unsuccessful. The GMV of its rival Shinsegae Group's online shopping platform SSG.com improved by 37 percent in the same period.



"Last year, online shopping exploded thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many e-commerce players reduced their losses and increased their GMVs, which makes Lotte ON's poor performance look even worse," an industry source said.



Cho Young-je, head of the e-commerce business unit at Lotte Shopping, resigned to take responsibility on Thursday, following Shin's order last month to review revisions to the business portfolios of companies not seeking changes.



Cho has been working for Lotte Group for 30 years, starting his career at Lotte Department Store in 1990. He took over Lotte Shopping's e-commerce sector in January 2020.



"Cho failed to create synergy between retail firms under Lotte Shopping and could not offer the best service to customers. This disappointed Shin and Cho had to quit," an industry source said.



Lotte Shopping is hiring a CEO from outside the company who has more knowledge in online commerce. Lotte ON has allegedly scouted workers from Coupang and other e-commerce firms that made their presence in the local market. The company believes it needs people from outside to establish a distinguished strategy for online business of Lotte style and strengthen cooperation between its shopping subsidiaries.



Meanwhile, Lotte said Cho resigned due to health problems.



"We will seek experts from outside to head Lotte Shopping's e-commerce business soon," Lotte Group said.


The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Feb. 25 halted the process of sending Moderna coronavirus vaccines to foreign countries, according to media reports. It appears that the decision to send vaccines abroad will need to be examined by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit before it can be further carried out.

Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Benny Gantz had called on Netanyahu to suspend the transfer of vaccines. Gantz demanded that the Security Cabinet be convened for deliberations before a decision is made. This is not the first time that significant security and diplomatic decisions are made behind the back of the relevant officials, with possible harm to the security of the state, foreign relations and rule of law, Gantz said.

On Feb. 23, Netanyahu had said he was planning to give some COVID-19 vaccination doses to the Palestinian Authority and to various countries. The number of doses to be donated and the number of countries to receive these donations were not specified officially.

A statement issued by Netanyahus office said that in light of the countrys successful vaccination campaign, Israel has received many requests from countries for assistance in supplying vaccines. Israel is not producing vaccines itself and has informed respondents that the quantities that were ordered by Israel are for the vaccination of its population; no ability to render significant assistance is anticipated at least until the vaccines campaign in Israel has ended. Nevertheless, over the past month, a limited quantity of unused vaccines was accumulated; therefore, it has been decided to assist Palestinian Authority medical teams and several of the countries that contacted Israel with a symbolic quantity of vaccines, read the statement.

The Israeli press then revealed that some 15 countries were expected to receive vaccines from Israel, including Honduras, Guatemala, Czech Republic and Chad. The Palestinian Authority was also on the list.

Honduras on Thursday received 5,000 doses of the vaccine from Israel, Honduran officials told the media in the country's capital, Tegucigalpa.

Honduras recognized Jerusalem last year as capital of the state of Israel and has pledged to relocate its embassy there. Guatemala moved its embassy to Jerusalem shortly after the Americans did so. Netanyahu considers the Czech Republic as one of his main allies within the European Union. As for Chad, President Idriss Deby arrived in Israel in November 2018 for a visit that received a lot of media coverage. Two months later, Netanyahu visited Chad's capital, NDjamena. He met with Deby and declared the resumption of diplomatic relations.

Clearly, the criteria for donating vaccine doses was first and foremost diplomatic. Israel decided to reward its allies  countries that support it in the diplomatic arena. This became even more evident as the press reported the list of countries slated to receive the vaccine donation kept growing, to perhaps 19 or 20 countries.

According to Israels public broadcaster, Kan, apart from Honduras, Guatemala, the Czech Republic, Chad and the Palestinian Authority, the list includes Cyprus, Mauritania, Hungary, Maldives Islands, San Marino, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Morocco and Equatorial Guinea. Each country would receive between 1,000 and 5,000 Moderna vaccine doses.

The newer, longer list is also composed of countries considered close to Israel. The Hungarian leadership, for instance, is even seen as a personal ally of Netanyahu. Ethiopia and Kenya have long traditions of relations with Israel, with large Israeli embassies in both capitals. Cyprus is part of the Israel-Greece-Cyprus alignment on energy cooperation and on regional security strategies, with frequent mutual visits of senior officials and ministers. Morocco normalized ties with Israel in December. It recently reopened a liaison office in Tel Aviv and expects to open an embassy in Israel in the future.

But the most intriguing name on the list is certainly Mauritania, which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. After the Oslo accords, Mauritania became the third member of the Arab League to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, in 1999. Later on, against the backdrop of the 2008-2009 Gaza war, Mauritania severed ties with Israel. After Israel signed the Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in 2020, there was speculation that Mauritanian would follow the same path and normalize ties with Israel. This, however, did not happen. Unnamed US officials told Israeli media in January that President Donald Trump's administration was close to concluding deals with Mauritania and Indonesia to be the next Muslim countries to normalize relations with Israel, but that officials were unable to finalize the negotiations before Trump's term ended Jan. 20.

Still, as abovementioned, not everyone in Israel is pleased with the diplomatic move to share Israel's vaccines. Gantz has clearly expressed his reservations about the way the decision was made and the motives involved. Israeli coronavirus czar Dr. Nachman Ash said he wasnt consulted about the plan to donate the Moderna vaccines, saying, I understand there were various considerations but I cant address them. Its important to vaccinate all Israeli citizens and this is the top priority.

Then there is criticism that the prime minister chose to donate most of Israels vaccine surplus to other countries, instead of transferring all of it to the Palestinians. Such voices were also heard outside Israel, with liberal US Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeting, As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control. It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting.

The vaccines to be donated are 100,000 doses Israel bought some time ago from Moderna. So far, Israel has been vaccinating its citizens only with the Pfizer vaccine. Health authorities in Israel have been reluctant to use the Moderna doses, fearing that the different storage conditions for the Moderna vaccine and the different ways of administrating it could confuse medical personnel.
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the dates for the assembly elections in four states, including West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry on Friday.

The poll panel will hold a press conference at 4.30 PM today during which it is expected to announce the dates for assembly elections in four states - West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala - and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The terms of the legislative assemblies of the four states are coming to an end in May and June.

Election to the 294-seat West Bengal Legislative Assembly is expected to be held in March  April. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Election Commission is likely to hold assembly elections in West Bengal in seven-eight phases. In 2016, elections were held in six phases from April 4-May 5.

According to Election Commission data, about 6,400 polling booths are deemed sensitive in the TMC-ruled state - the highest among the 5 states going to polls. The number of polling stations has also been increased in Bengal from 78,903 to 1,01,790.

The full bench of the poll panel had visited West Bengal for two days in the third week of January to take stock of the preparedness, and law and order situation. Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain had also visited the state twice to take stock of the situation there.

The poll panel had held meetings with representatives of political parties, central and state regulatory agencies, senior IAS and IPS officers and the states top bureaucrats including the states chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police.

The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal also held a video conference with district magistrates. The districts in West Bengal have been asked to submit details of polling stations and their requirements to make the booths and polling stations ready for the polling day.

It may be recalled that aiming to oust the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government from power, the BJP has launched an extensive election campaign in West Bengal. The saffron party has on Thursday kicked off the 'Lokkho Sonar Bangla' campaign to drum up support ahead of the assembly polls.

While PM Narendra Modi toured Tamil Nadu on Thursday, Home Minister Amit Shah has arrived in poll-bound Assam to review preparations for the upcoming assembly polls in the state.

In Puducherry, President's Rule has been imposed and the assembly kept under suspended animation after the V Narayanasamy-led Congress government resigned earlier this week ahead of a vote of confidence.

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The Australian share market finished session steep lower on Friday, 26 February 2021, following a global selloff after Wall Street's main indexes tumbled overnight, as a rapid rise in bond yields rattled investor sentiment. At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 tumbled 160.76 points, or 2.36%, to 6,673.27. The broader All Ordinaries tanked 165.05 points, or 2.32%, to 6,940.63.

Investors monitored bond yields during Friday's session. Overnight, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U. S. Treasury note briefly crossed the 1.6% level to trade at its highest level in more than a year. Yields are rising because investors are optimistic.

They believe a strong sustainable recovery is right around the corner and prices will rise as demand comes roaring back. Investor optimism about the economic outlook has risen recently on the back of factors such as positive vaccine developments as multiple major economies inoculate their populations.

Every sector traded lower by at least 1% with technology the worst performer, sliding 5%. Afterpay (APT) tumbled 11% having resumed trade from a halt all of yesterday. The buy-now pay-later provider will raise $1.5 billion via its convertible notes offer while also advising that co-CEO's Anthony Eisen and Nicholas Molnar have each sold 450,000 shares at $134.36.

Kogan.com (KGN) was 10% lower even after net profit more than doubled to $23 .6 million while revenue jumped 89% to $414 million. KGN also increased its interim dividend to 16 cents per share.

Harvey Norman (HVN) also saw reported that net profit more than doubled to $462 million on a 25% lift in total aggregated sales of $5.1 billion, as sales for furniture electrical and whitegoods sales remains strong during the pandemic. HVN also raised its dividend to 20 cents per share. HVN shares ended 1% softer.

CURRENCY NEWS: The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7834, off levels above $0.792 seen earlier in the week.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SUMMERVILLE  After more than 20 years of service, Summerville Chief of Police Jon Rogers has announced his retirement from law enforcement.

Department staff were informed earlier this week that his last day on the job is April 16.

Its been an honor to serve alongside the men and women of the Summerville Police Department," he said in a press release. "I have enormous gratitude for the talented and dedicated employees of the Town of Summerville and a deep appreciation for the community."

Rogers joined the Summerville department in 1999 after working with the Isle of Palms Police Department.

Rogers was appointed chief of the Summerville department in 2016 by Town Council. Before being named chief, he served as public information officer, field training officer, a detective and later the Criminal Investigations Division commander for the Summerville department.

He has been recognized twice by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Recently, Rogers also worked alongside the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy in creating the town's Dignity Project. It consists of 20 Summerville police officers, church leaders, community activists, elected officials and residents.

Those involved with the project will meet twice a month in 2021 to discuss programs that could advance the relationship between the community and police. The goal is to establish a team that could work with the department during periods of social unrest.

The project was announced following a string of protests across the nation last summer after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota. The town of Summerville also witnessed protests during that time.

Dorchester County Sheriff L.C. Knight, who has been in office since 2009, said working alongside Rogers has been a pleasure.

"I hate to see him leave," he said.

It was because of Rogers that the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office and the Summerville Police Department have a good working relationship, Knight said.

Knight said the connection between the two departments is vital and hopes that relationship continues with the next chief.

"We need all the help we can get," he said.

Mayor Ricky Waring, a former fire chief and director of public safety in Summerville, congratulated Rogers on his retirement.

"He has been a committed public servant to the Town of Summerville for 22 years and a champion for public safety," Waring said in a statement. "The Town is better for his leadership. I wish him the best in the future.

Town Council is slated to appoint a new chief at the next town meeting on March 11.
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This story was first published by Texas Tribune.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that Texas is looking at when it will be able to lift all statewide orders related to the coronavirus pandemic and that an announcement is forthcoming.

Abbott made the comments at a Corpus Christi news conference where he was asked when the statewide mask mandate would end as Texans continue to get vaccinated. That requirement has been in effect since July.

Abbott called it a great question.

Were working right now on evaluating when were gonna be able to remove all statewide orders, and we will be making announcements about that pretty soon, Abbott said, without giving a specific time frame.

In addition to the mask mandate, statewide orders in effect include a policy that rolls back business reopenings in a hospital region if its COVID-19 patients exceed 15 percent of hospital capacity for seven days. Abbott put that policy in place in last fall.

Only 5.1 percent of Texans had been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, though Abbott has been optimistic that the pace will pick up as more vaccines are made available to Texas.

Experts say Texas is a long way from reaching herd immunity through the vaccines. Hitting the 70 percent to 80 percent level that many estimate is needed would mean vaccinating some 22 million people, or nearly 100 percent of adults in the state, according to census numbers. The vaccines are currently not approved for children under 16, who make up about 23 percent of the population.

Scientists do not yet know for sure whether or how well the vaccines prevent the spread of the virus, though some preliminary research has suggested that some vaccines might be able to do so to some extent.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that people who have received two doses of the vaccine continue to avoid crowds, stay at least 6 feet away from people who live outside their households, and wear masks to cover their nose and mouth.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious-disease doctor, has repeatedly said that he does not know when Americans will be able to return to normal, but that they may still need to continue wearing face masks into 2022.

Abbott has faced scrutiny from some of his fellow Republicans for how he has wielded his executive authority to issue statewide pandemic rules, and multiple GOP proposals have been introduced at the Legislature to curb his power. He has expressed openness to reforming executive authority while also promising that we will not have any more shutdowns in Texas.

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Tim Hart was sitting on his couch one evening in November 2011 when he got an email with the subject line: "I'm watching." The message that followed was short and to the point 

"Did you hear me? I'm at your house. Clean your fucking attic!!!" Jack Froese

Jack Froese had been a close friend of Hart's since their teens. A few months earlier Froese and Hart had been up in Hart's attic at his home in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Jack had teased him then about how messy it was; now, it seemed, he was doing it again.

Except Jack was dead.

That June, Froese had died suddenly of a heart arrhythmia, at the obscenely young age of 32. Months later, he started emailing people. Those who replied to these emails never got a response, and the messages stopped as abruptly as they began.

Not long after Froese's death, a group of philosophers gathered in a seminar room on the other side of the Atlantic to hear David Oderberg, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Reading, offer a curious thought experiment: what if you received an anonymous email, containing information that you and you alone were privy to?

In Oderberg's example, the email might say, "I know you felt like killing Mr Watson for failing you on your A-level English exam,"something you'd never told anyone at all"but you deserved to fail."

Who could this message come from: God? Your future self? A spambot whose random message just happened, by mind-boggling coincidence, to describe your early life? The late Mr Watson, now posthumously aware of how you felt that day and eager to set the record straight?

For the specific purpose of the interaction, says Oderberg, it doesn't really matter, just as when a soldier receives an order on the battlefield it doesn't matter whether the order comes from the colonel or the general.

Both options have what Oderberg dubs "telic possibility." Something is telically possible if it might as well have been true. The purpose of the order is to command an action. It might as well have come from the colonel as from the general: an order's an order.

Not infrequently, according to Oderberg, electronic communication is just like this. If all you want is to know how to drive to the nearest supermarket, GPS navigation with synthesized speech is just as effective as a human sitting next to you with a roadmap.

Someone under the misapprehension there is a flesh-and-blood person on the other end of the SatNav reading out driving instructions to them in real time will get to their destination just as quickly as someone who understands they're listening to a computer. The voice might as well be a person as a piece of software.

Planned or spammed?

There are other plausible, earthly explanations for Jack's emails, though not all of them check out. You can send an email after you die, if you've done a bit of planning. There are online services specifically designed to send pre-prepared messages on your behalf after your death.

Some rely on a next of kin contacting the service to let them know the user has died. Others require the user to log in at set intervals or reply to periodic emails, and will assume the user has died if they don't respond. (So if you're keen to use such a service to tell people how much you secretly hated, cheated on, or lusted after them, just make sure you don't fall into a long coma and then wake up. Things could get awkward.)

That would be a very neat explanation for Froese's emailsexcept that an email his cousin received mentions an injury that happened long after Froese had died.

But what's really interesting here is not how the emails came about, but the responses of the people who got them. Hart's attitude was that, even if someone other than Jack wrote the emails, it ultimately didn't matter: " we spoke to his mother, and she told us, you know, "Think what you want about it, or just accept it as a gift.'"

In other words, to use Oderberg's language, Froese's friends and family treated it as telically possible that the emails were from Jack. For the purpose of the communication, it didn't really matter. They had the emails, and felt comforted by a sense of Jack's persistence, whatever their origin.

Ghosts in the machines

The dead persist everywhere and nowhere, from the solidity of corpses to wispy traces in dreams, writing, building, and even in the faces of their descendants.

From the ancestor mask processions of the Romans through to the death masks of the royal and famous that began to be produced during the late Middle Ages, from the earliest portraiture to photography and video, humans have found ways to preserve the phenomenality of the dead, the distinctive way they appear and sound.

New technologies allow the dead to persist among us in enhanced ways, yet risk turning the dead into mere fodder for the living. Danger lies in the very thing that makes electronic communication so powerful: the transparency of the medium, the frictionless ease with which others appear to us, unburdened by distance and delay.

As the internet folds itself into the sinews of our everyday existence, as our flesh becomes increasingly digitized, the gap between electronic and face-to-face communication is closing. That makes it far easier for the dead to remain among the living. But it can also change our relationship to the dead in ethically troubling ways.

With every day that passes, the internet fills up more and more with dead people, while our ability to reanimate them becomes ever more powerful.

The dead are both more robust and more vulnerableand we're not ready for any of this. We need, urgently, to understand what the internet era means for our relationship to the dead, and what new demands this makes of us.

Talking to Edison

It's easy to lose sight of the fact that electric communication is now in its third century, reckoning from Francis Ronalds' first working telegraph of 1816, two decades before Samuel Morse. What's perhaps even more remarkable is that, as the cultural historian Jeffrey Sconce demonstrates in his book Haunted Media, the idea of communicating with the dead became conceptually entangled with electric communication right from the start.

Commercial telegraph services began to appear at roughly the same moment as the table-turning craze, which began with the rapping "spirits" that plagued the Fox Sisters in Hydesville, New York in 1848. The uncanny new technology of communication-at-a-distance provided a helpful structuring metaphor: the electric telegraph allowed the living to speak to each other across vast distances, while the "spiritual telegraph" of the seance room bridged the gulf between the living and the dead.

That association of the dead with electric communication, as Sconce notes, lingered right throughout the 20th century. Near the end of his life, Thomas Edison was speculating to reporters about the possibility of building a machine so sensitive it could communicate with the dead. Both Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, experimented with telepathy by winding wires around people's heads. (It didn't work.)

Many people found the telephone unsettling and even creepy the first time they heard it, reminiscent of the mysterious disembodied voices of the seance room. In particular, the entirely new phenomenon of white noise unnerved early telephone users; some came to interpret sounds within the phone line static as somehow connected to or even communications from the afterlife.

Electronic media collapses time and space, removes the tyranny of distance and absence; understandable, then, that overcoming the ultimate distance and the final absence, the chasm that separates us from the dead, would come to figure in the cultural imagination of the first generations of humans to live with this new technology.

But the dead do not just appear to us in terrifying visions or mysterious ciphers, but in the very real material and mental traces they leave behind.

Haunting is an everyday event, not an anomalous one. And with the digital age, the dead have found new ways to haunt us more comprehensively than ever before.

Digital grief

Ancient questions about the metaphysical and ethical status of the dead collide with new ones about our relationship to our information and our ownership of digital property.

Anxieties about whether public grief is "real" and who has the right to grieve are amplified when mourning is instantaneous and global. Crucially, this is not just an academic concern, but an urgent practical one. How are we to meet the conceptual and ethical challenges of the world that is coming into view? Can people really survive death online? Should we let them?

In 2017, Australian journalist Mark Colvin died, aged 65. A universally admired broadcaster and author, Colvin was also an avid and highly responsive Twitter user. The news broke around 11:40am, and Twitter was immediately flooded with tributes. Then, at 1:18pm, Colvin's account posted a single tweet: "It's all been bloody marvelous."

Had it been sent by a family member on his behalf? Had he, knowing the end was near, scheduled the tweet? Was the ghost of Mark Colvin somehow using his iPhone?

Nobody, it seemed, felt like asking. They all just wanted to say goodbye and explain what Colvin meant to them. It was what it was. "Think what you want about it, or just accept it as a gift."

Explore further Why some people believe they can hear the dead

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Pamela SpringsteenWillie Nelson is offering up his thoughts on faith, family, music and the complex current state of affairs in America in a new book.

Called Willie Nelsons Letters to America, the book comes out in stores nationwide on June 29, 2021. Willie wrote it in collaboration with Turk Pipkin, a contributing editor to Texas Monthly and a longtime friend of the country legend.

We are witnessing a unique time in American history, between shifting cultural norms, political unrest and the ongoing effects of the coronavirus, says Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, publisher of Harper Horizon, who will exclusively distribute the book.



...It seems our nation is collectively reflecting on what it means to be an American, she continues. It seems only fitting that Willie Nelson, who has already so accurately defined the American spirit through his words and songs, now offer his thoughts on things we all hold dear: Family, community, country and faith.

In his book, Willie will also reflect on some of his best-known and best-loved lyrics, as well as delivering thoughts on his personal heroes and closest loved ones. You can preorder Willie Nelsons Letters to America now.

In musical news, Willie released his second Frank Sinatra tribute album, Thats Life, on Friday. The project features a number of the legendary crooners biggest hits, including Ive Got You Under My Skin, Luck Be a Lady and the reflective title track.





By Carena Liptak

Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
President Xi Jinping on Thursday announced that China has achieved complete victory over absolute poverty. In an hour-long speech made from the Great Hall of People in Beijing, he asserted that the victory is a human miracle and the government under his leadership has waged & won a massive peoples war against poverty by lifting 100 million people out of the penury state. Xinhua, the official news agency in China called the victory- a great leap of the millennium.

The speech comes after the coronavirus pandemic has pushed the world into an economic crisis, and is set to push 150 million people in the world into extreme poverty. as per the World Bank data, China, the country where the virus originated has emerged from the global crisis relatively undamaged. yet the announcement which was pronounced with bombast but very few details, underlines the countrys looming demographic crisis as its businesses continue to struggle globally, a working-age population about to shrink.

In the last 8 years, The Chinese government has spent as much as $248 billion on poverty elimination. the local officials went door-to-door to collect data of impoverished households, and provided assistance from loans to farm animals. In the speech delivered at the Great Hall, the Chinese communist party head, President Xi emphasized on unity and asked people to unite around him as the core and to realize and vision the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Also Read:

While Chinas economy is anticipated to grow at the rate of 8% this year, analysts believe that the unemployment rates have increased in the country and consumer spending has not yet fully been recovered. failing birthrates and youth struggling to find jobs in the nation points to threaten the growth of China.

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A Navy ship that deployed with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group last week was expected back at its homeport Friday morning after the crew reported a problem while the cruiser was operating in heavy seas.

The guided-missile cruiser Vella Gulf has a fuel oil leak in one of its engineering spaces, Lt. Marycate Walsh, a U.S. 2nd Fleet spokeswoman, said Friday. After technical evaluation, it was determined repairs would need to be made in port, she said.

"The ship remains in a safe condition and does not require assistance, personnel or materials at this time as it returns to Norfolk," Walsh added.

Read Next: 2 Navy Warships in the Middle East Halt Operations over COVID-19 Outbreaks

It's too early to know the extent of the damage and how long the repairs will take, she said. The cruiser will be examined by engineers.

The rest of the carrier strike group, which left Virginia on Feb. 19, will continue its mission. The cruiser's maintenance issue presents "no impact to the other ships," Walsh said. A second Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, the Monterey, also deployed with the strike group.

"The strike group remains underway in the Atlantic executing its mission and remains capable of continuing its deployment and carrying out [leadership's] tasking," she said.

The Vella Gulf returned from a seven-month deployment with the Ike Carrier Strike Group to the Middle East in August. Each of the strike group's ships sailed more than 60,000 nautical miles during that deployment, Navy officials said at the time.

Some of the ships spent more than 200 consecutive days at sea since crews can't make normal port calls during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Vella Gulf is the third Navy ship to head to land this week during a scheduled deployment. Officials announced early Friday morning that two other ships -- the amphibious transport dock San Diego and cruiser Philippine Sea -- are pierside or heading there after members of those crews tested positive for the illness caused by the new coronavirus.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Returns to Norfolk After Record-Breaking 7 Months at Sea
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Armed bandits have attacked a girls secondary school in Zamfara State, kidnapping many female students, the BBC is reporting.

The attack reportedly occurred at the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State Friday morning.

A teacher in the school confirmed the attack to BBC Hausa with the number of kidnapped students said to be close to 300.

PREMIUM TIMES will provide more details of the incident in subsequent reports. The state government and the police were yet to speak on the incident at the time of this report.

Zamfara in Northwest Nigeria is one of the states most affected by bandits attacks. The attacks have continued despite negotiations initiated by the state government with the bandits.

The latest attack on the Zamara school occurs about two weeks after over 20 students were abducted by armed bandits from a school in Niger State. The students in Niger were yet to be released at the time of this report.

Details later
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Friday an increase of 3,346 new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus illness as well as an additional 69 deaths across the state. Pennsylvanias case count is now up to 926,336 total cases since March 6, 2020. The death toll increased to 23,937.

The state, by Feb. 27, says it will have allocated 3,172,900 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, a combined total of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Of the allocated doses to date, 2,226,004 have been administered to Pennsylvania residents. Given that both vaccines require two doses, 1,576,984 patients have received at least their first dosage of the vaccination. Of those patients, 649,020 have also received their second dose.

COVID-19 vaccine update

Drugmaker Johnson & Johnsons vaccine was expected to be recommended for emergency authorization on Friday, which means a third vaccine will begin to make its way to providers around the country. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose, unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The company has said it plans to have distributed 20 million doses by the end of March.

Lindsey Mauldin, a senior adviser at the Department of Health, said during a briefing on Friday morning the state is waiting on guidance from the federal Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention once the recommendation is accepted. Mauldin said that the department is expecting to review allocations early next week.

A third vaccine, especially one that requires only one dose, will hopefully allow for Pennsylvania and the rest of the United States to speed up a vaccine rollout that has generally been panned for its slow pace. During the briefing, Mauldin said that Pennsylvanias health department isnt putting exact estimates on when the next phases of the vaccination plan should start, but the departments goal is still to have everyone covered by the summer.

(Cant see the map? Click here.)

COVID in the Lehigh Valley

On Thursday, Lehigh Countys number of vaccinated residents surpassed its total number of COVID-19 cases, and the county as of Friday has 31,672 fully vaccinated residents compared to 30,599 total cases of coronavirus since March. Northampton County is inching closer to that designation as well, with its 26,662 total cases slightly outpacing its number of fully vaccinated individuals, 25,140.

The Lehigh Valley had 213 new COVID-19 cases reported on Friday  118 in Lehigh County and 113 in Northampton County. There were also seven new deaths in the region. Three of them were reported in Lehigh County, bringing its death toll to 758 total coronavirus-related deaths, and the other four were in Northampton County, raising its toll to 643.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

Lehigh University spent the latter half of February with stringent COVID-19 limitations following an increased outbreak of the virus, but the school announced on Thursday that, following a decrease in cases, campus would ease those restrictions. Chief among them, classes with an in-person designation would return to meeting in-person starting March. 1. Other relaxations of guidelines included gatherings in campus buildings, including dorms and public lounges, gathering sizes  five people indoors and 15 people outdoors  and the reopening of Taylor Gym.

COVID in Pa.

Generally, coronavirus levels across the state are continuing to fall. While Fridays increase of 3,346 new cases was the states highest of the last week, the seven-day case average sits at 2,509 new cases per day. The increase also came on 14,835 new tests, equating a 22.6% positivity rate. It was the highest amount of new tests reported since Feb. 13, and the third-lowest daily positivity rate of the last week. So, the increase can mostly be chalked up to more test results to pull from.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

The 69 new deaths, which brings the states total death toll to 23,937, kept Pennsylvanias seven-day death average steady at 65 per day. The last time the average was this low was mid-November, but the closes figure, 66 per day on Nov. 20, was part of a five-day stretch from Nov. 17 to 21, in which the seven-day death average shot up from 38 to 75 thanks to consecutive death increase of 110, 116, 108 and 111, respectively. Todays rate is moving much more gradually and, fortunately, in the other direction.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

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Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
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Our tasks

Financial stability

The ECB has two main tasks in the field of financial stability:

To identify risks

The ECB, together with the other central banks of the Eurosystem and the European System of Central Banks, monitors cyclical and structural developments in the banking sectors of the euro area and the EU as a whole, as well as other financial sectors.

To assess risks

The potential impact of systemic risks on the stability of the euro area/EU financial system and its degree of resilience is assessed by using quantitative tools, such as the ECBs macro stress-testing framework, network analysis and other related modelling tools. A macro stress-testing framework is often used to assess in a forward-looking manner the resilience of the banking sector to (adverse) macroeconomic and financial developments.

In the field of financial stability, the ECB also provides analytical support to the ESRB.

Macroprudential policy

With the entry into force of the SSM Regulation on 4 November 2014, the ECB was given macroprudential tools to tackle the emergence of possible systemic risks in the financial system. The ECB has two mandates in the field of macroprudential policy:

To apply more stringent measures

The ECB may, instead of the national authorities, apply higher requirements for capital buffers than those applied by the national authorities and apply more stringent measures aimed at addressing systemic or macroprudential risks, subject to the procedures set out in relevant EU law. For example, the ECB may  after notifying national authorities  apply higher requirements for banks:

counter-cyclical capital buffers

systemic risk buffers (if implemented in national law)

capital surcharges of systemically important institutions

risk weights on real estate and intra financial sector exposures

limits on large exposures

additional disclosure requirements

To comment and object

National authorities have to notify the ECB when they intend to implement or change a macroprudential measure. The ECB assesses the planned measures and can object to them. National authorities consider the ECBs comments before proceeding with the decision.

Financial regulation

The regulation of financial institutions and markets forms the foundation for macroprudential policy. The ECB analyses initiatives concerning financial regulation, financial supervision, financial stability arrangements (e.g. financial crisis management and resolution) and other areas of financial services (e.g. accounting) introduced by European and global regulators and supervisors, and gives advice from a macroprudential and financial stability perspective. In particular, the ECB provides regulatory and supervisory input, via ECB/Eurosystem contributions, to legislative proposals at the national, international and EU levels.
Credit: torstensimon, Pixabay, CC BY 2.0

These are the findings of a study, published as a research letter in The Lancet, of 51 UK healthcare workers, around half of whom had a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

It showed that a single dose of Pfizer/BioNTech's RNA vaccine resulted in a significantly enhanced immune response against the virus, compared to a single dose in those without prior infection. The enhanced response was at least an order of magnitude greater than after a conventional two-dose vaccine schedule in a previously uninfected individual.

The researchers caution that while the findings add to the emerging picture of COVID-19 immunology, they should not influence current vaccination policy in the UK or discourage people from booking a second booster vaccination through the NHS COVID-19 vaccination program.

However, they add the findings have the potential to inform future vaccination strategies to include serology testing (also known as anti-body testing) at the time of the first vaccination to enable the second, booster dose to be prioritized for previously uninfected individuals. Researchers explain that such an approach could accelerate vaccine roll-out by stretching vaccine supplies further.

The research is a collaboration between scientists at UCL, Public Health England, Barts Health NHS Trust, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, QMUL and Imperial College Londonpartners in the COVIDsortium led by Professor James Moon and supported by Professor Charlotte Manisty (both UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science).

Professor Moon said: "These published peer-reviewed results shows that healthcare workers who had previously had COVID-19 make a huge antibody response to the first vaccine dose which effectively acted as a boost."

Prime/Boost approach

Most approved COVID-19 vaccine platforms rely on a two-dose approachan initial primer, followed by a booster dose several weeks laterto generate an immune response against the spike protein on the surface of the virus. This includes the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines currently being rolled out in the UK.

However, despite growing evidence of real world effectiveness of the vaccines, the impact of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on dose regimen is unclear/still emerging.

In the latest study, researchers looked at antibody data from healthcare workers enrolled in an ongoing observational study (COVIDsortium).

All participants underwent weekly PCR and serology testing from the date of first UK lockdown in March 2020, for 16 weeks. From a sample of 51 participants, 24 had a prior COVID-19 infection confirmed with a laboratory PCR test. Participants were given a single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, and bloodwork was analyzed three weeks later.

Following a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine, participants produced antibodies against the spike protein. In those without prior infection, levels of spike-protein antibodies were similar to peak levels measured seen in individuals with mild SARS-CoV-2 infection.

However, those with prior infection produced high levels of antibodies against the spike protein after a single dose, compared to those without prior infection, indicating a significantly enhanced antibody response.

Blood analysis of the 24 showed that antibody response (anti-S response) increased 140-fold on average following a single dose of vaccine, compared to their peak pre-vaccine antibody levelsafter their infection but before their first vaccination.

The UCL Immunology lead for this study, Professor Mahdad Noursadeghi (UCL Division of Infection & Immunity), added: "Prior infections in this group date back to the beginning of the epidemic in London. The fact that a vaccine dose almost a year later has such a boosting effect, highlights the longevity of immune memory to this infection and increases our confidence that booster vaccines at intervals may be an effective way to may maintain high levels of immunity in the future."

Study limitations

The researchers stress that these findings relate to those with laboratory-confirmed infections only at this stage and do not take into account variables such as the amount of virus (viral load) which caused the initial infection, participants age, detailed health status or the severity of their infection.

The study was also restricted to the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine in a small group of healthcare workers with and without lab-confirmed infection. It cannot, at this stage, be applied more generally to other groupssuch as older adults, people with underlying health conditionsor to other vaccines.

They authors explain that the findings add to the growing picture of immunological protection against SARS-CoV-2 and could inform other programs around the world where vaccine supplies may be limited.

In practice, laboratory-based testing could be used to screen patients for antibodies against the spike protein before their first vaccination. This could help to accelerate rollout by reallocating doses of vaccine and prioritizing patients who may receive greater additional benefit from a second dose, compared to those with sufficient response from a single dose.

Explore further One dose of COVID-19 vaccine provokes strong immune response in those previously infected

More information: Charlotte Manisty et al. Antibody response to first BNT162b2 dose in previously SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals, The Lancet (2021). Journal information: The Lancet Charlotte Manisty et al. Antibody response to first BNT162b2 dose in previously SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00501-8
The United States has welcomed the joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control and other sectors, saying it is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said at her daily news conference on Thursday that the Biden administration remains closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan.

"The United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of a ceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25th," Psaki said.

"This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress," she said when asked about the joint statement that announced India and Pakistan have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

Asked if Islamabad is doing enough in the fight against terrorism, she said, "But in terms of an assessment of that I would point you to the State Department or the Intelligence Department."



The joint statement issued in Islamabad and New Delhi said the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact and reviewed the situation along the LoC and all other sectors in a "free, frank and cordial" atmosphere.

"In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence.

"Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight of February 24/25," the joint statement said.

The two sides also reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding, it 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.)
Visibility for availability of vaccines for entire month of June provided in advance to States/UTs: Centre

No Covid-19 vaccination for the next two days. Here is why

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Feb 26: The COVID-19 vaccination sessions will not be held this Saturday and Sundayin view ofthe Co-Win digital platformtransitioning from Co-Win 1.0 to Co-Win 2.0 as Indiagears up to inoculate peopleabove 60 years and those over 45 years with comorbidities against the infection from March 1.

All states and UTs have been already informed about this transition,the Union Health Ministry said.

TheCo-Winsoftware was created for real-time monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine delivery.

The nationwide COVID-19 inoculation drive tovaccinate healthcare workerswas launched on January16 by the prime minister. Vaccination of frontlineworkers started onFebruary 2.

"The country wide vaccination exercise is being exponentially expanded to include those above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with co-morbidities, fromMarch 1.

"On this Saturday and Sunday (Feb 27 and 28), theCo-Windigital platform will be transitioning fromCo-Win1.0 toCo-Win2.0. In view of this, COVID-19 vaccination sessions will not be scheduled during these two days. The states and UTs have been already informed about this transition," the ministry said.

According to official sources eligiblebeneficiaries would be able to register themselves on the Co-Win platform from Monday itself after the transition.

There will also be a walk-in provision for beneficiaries to get themselves registered at the session site itself to get vaccinated.

Everyone above 60 years of age and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to get COVID-19 vaccine from March 1 for free at government facilities and for a charge at many private hospitals, the government said on Wednesday.

Coronavirus: Centre extends existing Covid guidelines till March 31

"Eligible beneficiaries would be able to register themselves on the Co-Win platform from March 1 itself.There will also be a walk-in provision for the beneficiaries to get themselves registered at the nearby session site to getvaccinated," said R S Sharma, Chairman of Empowered Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Administration.

He said thenew version of the Co-Win platform will be GPSenabled and beneficiaries will have theoption to choose the inoculation session sites both at the government and private facilities.For those who would walk in,there will be volunteers to help those who are not tech-savvy to get registered.

One will also have the option to get inoculated in a state different from the one he or she is a resident of.

People aged above 45 will have to upload and provide a medical certificate mentioning their comorbid conditions.The government is yet to specify the conditions which be included in the over-45 age group with comorbidities.

"The Co-Win will be able to take registrationsand appointments frommultipleapplications includingArogya Setu or any other application such as a common service app," Sharma said.

One will justhave to register in withthemobile number and receive an OTP with which his or her account will be created. One can get their family members also registered on the account.

The second phase of the world's largest vaccination drive will start from Monday in which anybody above 60 years, that may not be less than 10 crore people in the country, and 45 years plus with co-morbidities will be given vaccines in 10,000 government medical facilities and also over 20,000 private hospitals, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday.

"Whoever goes to the government centre will be administered vaccine free of cost. Indian government will pay for them. The government will purchase the necessary doses and will send them to all the states," Javadekar said.

WHO chief lauds PM Modi | 'Hope others follow India' | Oneindia News

Those who want to get vaccination from private hospitals will have to pay, but the amount will be decided by the health ministry within the next three-four days as they are in discussions with manufacturers as well as hospitals, he said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 17:51 [IST]
A top state health official declined Friday to guarantee delayed second doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will arrive in time to keep vaccinations effective, but said all the second doses are secure.

Well be continuing to work with providers to make sure that they get those second doses, said Lindsey Mauldin, the Department of Healths senior adviser for COVID-19 response. But those second doses are secure in our allocation plan. And I think if specific providers have questions, they can reach out to the department to help answer those.

Last week, citing inadvertent mistakes by providers eager to vaccinate and unclear department directions, the Department of Health officials said up to 60,000 second doses could be delayed up to two weeks. That means extending the wait time for a Moderna vaccine, normally 28 days, to 42 days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allows for up to 42 days between vaccinations. Pfizer vaccines were unaffected.

Asked again later in a virtual news conference she hosted if she could guarantee the delayed second doses arrive on time, Mauldin said only, So I think were working as hard as we can to ensure that happens.

After the news conference, department deputy press secretary Maggi Barton said in an email that facilities faced with falling out of the 42 day window for vaccination should contact the department.

We are prioritizing these requests, Barton said.

Allyson Favuzza, co-owner of Hometown Health Care of NEPA in Covington Twp., had to postpone a second-dose mass-vaccination clinic set for today at North Pocono High School until March 13 because the Department of Health could not provide enough second doses of the vaccine in time. Her office vaccinated about 1,000 people with first doses Jan. 30.

At this point, the allocated second doses for next week arent enough to cover the clinic, she said. Health Department officials have so far assured her shell have enough by March 13, but shell know better when the allocation for the week of March 8 comes out Tuesday or Wednesday, Favuzza said.

Were hopeful, she said.

So far, the department has limited vaccines to people in nursing homes and long-term care centers, people 65 and older and people 16 to 64 years old with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to dying from COVID-19.

Daily cases, deaths

After five straight days of fewer than 200 new COVID-19 cases, the seven-county Northeast Pennsylvania region recorded 228  increasing the total to 56,594 in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

The region added four deaths for 1,614 total.

Statewide, the state Department of Health recorded another 3,346 new cases and 69 deaths to reach totals of 926,336 cases and 23,937 deaths.

By county:

Lackawanna added 57 cases for 13,829 total, including 2,061 probable. Two new deaths raised the county total to 416.

Luzerne added 67 cases for 24,804 total, including 1,807 probable. One new death raised the county total to 725.

Monroe added 46 cases for 9,589 total, including 249 probable, and remained at 266 deaths.

Pike added 19 cases for 2,496 total, including 207 probable, and remained at 47 deaths.

Susquehanna added four cases for 1,693 total, including 190 probable, and remained at 53 deaths.

Wayne added 32 cases for 3,026 total, including 259 probable, and remained at 66 deaths.

Wyoming added three cases for 1,157 total, including 195 probable. One new death raised the county total to 41.

The 12th session of the WCO Capacity Building Committee (CBC), under the theme " Leading Customs to Navigate Challenging Times and Beyond was conducted in two phases. The document-based phase 1 took place from 25 January to 8 February and was followed by the phase 2 web-conference sessions from 22 to 24 February 2021.

The web-conference was attended by nearly 340 representatives of Member administrations, development partners, academia and other stakeholders.

In his welcome address, the WCO Secretary General, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya reminded the delegates that the CBC 11 was the last meeting to be held in the traditional way and this new meeting process had now become the new normal under the current circumstances. The Secretary General underlined that the theme of the meeting, Leading Customs to Navigate Challenging Times and Beyond, was well in line with the WCO theme of the year Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a sustainable supply chain, and emphasized the importance of a united approach in contributing to recovery from the crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic, by enhancing collaboration with partners and stakeholders in the public and private sector and focusing on the role of Leadership and People in times of crisis and challenge from several perspectives, whilst setting the people at the center.

Mr. Levan Kakava, Director General of the Revenue Service, Ministry of Finance of Georgia, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing that Strength is in Unity. The integrated border management approach, single window and E-services and E-formalities were key factors for Georgia in managing the pandemic challenges in four main directions: (1) Facilitating the Cross-border Movement of Relief and Essential Supplies; (2) Supporting the Economy and Sustaining Supply Chain Continuity; (3) Protecting staff and (4) Protecting society. Mr. Kakava concluded that now was the time when increased cooperation, especially on the establishment of common rules, between international organizations, state agencies and other stakeholders, should be developed, supported and encouraged. He also sent a message to the meeting that challenges can be turned into opportunities and create a great value for tomorrow.

The 12th session of CBC discussed and provided direction on a number of key issues, that included People and Organisational Resilience, Operationalizing the WCO Capacity Building Strategy  Action Plan on the WCO Organizational Development Package, the next WCO Environmental Scan and Strategic plan 2022-2025, Report of the Global Meeting of Regional Entities, Innovation, Digitization and Data Analytics in Support of Organisational Resilience, Experts Management and Deployment, and Tailor-made and Responsive Approach to Ensure Business Continuity, among others.

Mr. Santiago Vazquez, Director of the Emerging Leadership Center at Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mr. Hisham F. Abou Ibrahim, Head of Studies Department at the Higher Council of Lebanese Customs and Dr. Lois Parkes, Leadership Development and Institutional Strengthening Specialist with the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD), shared their excellent experience and knowledge on the session theme during a lively and insightful panel discussion.

The 12th Session of the CBC was chaired by Mrs. Velma Ricketts-Walker, Commissioner and CEO of the Jamaica Customs Administration. Mrs. Sigfriur Gunnlaugsdottir from the Customs Administration of Iceland was elected as the new Chair for the Committee session in 2022 and Ms Li Yan from China Customs was elected as the new Vice-Chair.

Information on the date and place for the Committees next session in 2022 will be given at a later stage.

For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.

NHS remains very concerned that the good progress we are now seeing could be reversed

This article is old - Published: Friday, Feb 26th, 2021

The head of the NHS in Wales says the health service remains under intense and sustained pressure, despite a drop in the number of new coronavirus cases.

The seven day rolling average in Wales now at 75.2 per 100,000  down from over 560 per 100,000 at the end of December.

In Wrexham, which at one point had the worst case rate in Wales, however the average is now at 67.7 per 100k.

Speaking at todays Welsh Government briefing Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of the NHS, said that the drop in community transmission is starting to translate into lower demand and fewer people being admitted to our hospitals.





It is thought this drop is largely due to the lockdown restrictions in place.

However data released by Public Health Scotland this week showed that the vaccine rollout had led to a substantial fall in hospital admissions.

Dr Goodall notes that further information on the impact of vaccination on admissions in Wales is expected in the coming weeks.

The number of coronavirus related patients in hospitals across Wales is 1,650, which is around 1,200 lower than the peak in January.

This, Dr Goodall said, is the lowest number since November 19.

However he added that there are still more patients in hospital being treated for the virus than there were during the first wave of the pandemic in April.

He said: This continues to be a challenging time for our health service as we balance the ongoing pandemic, winter pressures and all the other demands on our NHS.

The NHS has been under intense and sustained pressure over the last few months.

Its been the most challenging time that I have known and that our incredible NHS staff will ever have experienced.

Weve seen a drop in the proportion of GP consultations identified as coronavirus incidents reported by Public Health Wales. This represents around 70 per cent reduction since January.

The Welsh Ambulance Service has confirmed that the percentage of ambulance demand related to covid has reduced to around nine per cent from a high of 20 per cent. Whilst improving this still means that one in 10 ambulance calls are to help someone with Coronavirus.

The number of people admitted daily to hospital with coronavirus symptoms has been reducing over the last month. There are now on average around 70 coronavirus hospital admissions a day, down from a peak of around 130 a day in January.

I remain concerned about this sustained pressure on our critical care facilities and hard working staff. Today there are 60 covid related patients in critical care beds. Its a quarter lower than last week and two thirds lower than its peak.

However, despite falling numbers our staff are supporting the equivalent of 110 per cent occupancy in critical care.

It is really positive to see recent improvements in the trends that show our collective response against coronavirus is working and we hope and expect that this could progress will continue.

However he warned that it would not take much to see these numbers go up very quickly if the virus once again spreads through our communities.

Dr Goodall said: The NHS remains very concerned that the good progress we are now seeing could be reversed if we do not retain the right balance between NHS pressures and the gradual release of restrictions.

Although the NHS is under immense pressure, people still receive life saving treatment each and every day. It is absolutely critical that people still come forward for emergency or urgent care.

If you require non-urgent and medical attention, please contact your GP or call NHS 111.

I would like to acknowledge the incredible commitment of the NHS and care workforce in continuing to protect the people of Wales throughout this crisis.

I also want to pass on my personal thanks to NHS staff, supported by partners, volunteers and military colleagues who are working tirelessly to deliver vaccinations at pace.

You can view the full briefing on the below video:
(TNS)  When the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out in the United States, the choice of who should receive them was fairly obvious  and widely accepted.They would go to healthcare workers, who are highly exposed to the coronavirus and keep the medical system functioning, and people living in nursing homes, who have made up a third of all COVID-19 deaths nationwide.Since then, the choices have gotten tougher: Teachers, farmworkers, senior citizens and dozens of other groups have made compelling arguments for why they should go next. For leaders making those decisions, it is effectively a zero-sum game: giving priority to some means fewer doses for others.Though the nation's vaccine availability will probably improve substantially in the coming months, officials at this moment are wading through what could be the most contentious phase of the rollout  a collision of relentless demand and constrained supply. "We've got to take care of the most vulnerable," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a recent news briefing when asked about priority for individuals with disabilities and underlying conditions."I'm committed to do that, but I fear that whatever we do won't be enough until supply is adequate."Desperate attempts to fairly distribute the scant supply have created 48 different vaccine eligibility lists across 50 states, with some giving early access to incarcerated people, hospitalized psychiatric patients or people living in multi-generational households, according to data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation.In California, there are as many as 61 more vaccine priority lists, as local health departments are allowed to deviate from Newsom's rules as they deem appropriate."When you get your place in line really ends up depending on where you live," said Jennifer Tolbert, an author of the Kaiser foundation report. "There honestly are no good decisions when you're in a situation of so many people needing the vaccine, and just not enough doses."At the heart of the debate around how to allocate vaccines is a conundrum: Should scarce vaccine be given to one young person, say a supermarket cashier who interacts with hundreds of people a day, because that may protect five elderly people from being infected? Or should the vaccines go directly to five elderly people?Leading public health experts disagree about how to answer that question. Yet state and local officials face the daunting task of providing a solution that balances science and politics in a way that is equitable and practical.The nation's vaccine supply may be abundant in a few months, but for now, when there are only so many lifeboats to go around, some people are bound to be harmed by being left onboard."I so regret having to think about it as an either-or," said Dr. Eve Glazier, president of the Faculty Practice Group at UCLA Health.In December, as the U.S. vaccination rollout began, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released recommendations for how states should allocate the doses.They advised vaccinating healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents first. Thirty states followed the guidance exactly, while the others tweaked it by adding police, teachers and other groups.Next the CDC recommended vaccinating people 75 and over and front-line essential workers, such as grocery store workers, postal workers and teachers. But as states prepared for those vaccinations, federal officials on Jan. 12 called on them to immediately offer shots to everyone 65 and above."That as much as anything explains why there is so much variation," Tolbert said.Many states, including California, soon expanded access to vaccines to all seniors, a move that came at the expense of essential workers who were supposed to be next in line. In L.A. County, vaccinations for teachers, grocery store workers and law enforcement will not begin until Monday, though people 65 and older have been able to make vaccination appointments for weeks.Tolbert said that the push to expand vaccinations to people 65 and older was probably an attempt to speed up the slow rollout, since it is simpler to verify age than job status.And it may be a reflection of where the country was in January  in the midst of a devastating and deadly COVID-19 surge. Protecting people most likely to die from COVID-19 felt particularly urgent, she said.But unpredictable vaccine allotments have prevented states from moving on to the next tiers as quickly as they may have hoped. California has received just three-quarters of the vaccine doses that officials initially expected by the end of February and has fully immunized less than 6 percent of its population.The CDC had a strong argument for wanting to vaccinate essential workers quickly, some experts say. Though counterintuitive, vaccinating people who may be healthier but more likely to spread the disease can better curb transmission than vaccinating those most likely to die, experts say.Though the vaccine trials found that the shots significantly reduce deaths and hospitalizations, scientists are studying whether the vaccines reduce transmission of the virus as well. Many experts believe they do.In an analysis released this month, Rand Corp. researchers found that vaccinating the 15 percent of the population that has the fewest contacts, such as the elderly who mostly stay home, reduced new infections in a society by 1 percent, compared to a 96 percent reduction in infections following a vaccination plan that targeted the 15 percent of the population with the most contacts, such as essential workers."This strategy has the potential to reduce the spread of the virus so radically that everyone, including the vulnerable, will be safer," the Rand researchers wrote. "People should be vaccinated not so much to protect them, but to protect others from them."Essential workers also face serious risks from COVID-19, experts say. California food and agriculture workers under 65 experienced a 39 percent increase in mortality during the pandemic compared to before, according to a UCSF study."We're talking about people that cannot afford to stay home," said Esther Bejarano, a community health worker in Imperial County. "You cannot compare vulnerability just solely based on age."People under 65 make up the majority of people hospitalized with COVID-19 nationwide, said UC San Francisco epidemiologist Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a co-author of the study. And when analyzing COVID-19 deaths among people who don't live in nursing homes, approximately one-third are people under 65, many of whom are essential workers, she said.Removing groups of essential workers from the vaccine priority list also worsens racial inequities in vaccine distribution, since many are people of color, and will allow outbreaks to continue in the hardest-hit neighborhoods, she said. In L.A. County, vaccination rates are lowest in communities hardest hit by the virus, early data shows.Vaccinating only on the basis of age "doesn't help to get the pandemic under control," Bibbins-Domingo said. "The strategy at some point has got to be to try to break chains of transmission, and that is in these very same communities."The calculus on how to best distribute the doses will probably continue to evolve as more vaccine supply becomes available. The FDA is expected to approve the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the next few days.Ideally, the vaccination strategy would eventually shift from protecting people at risk of death to reducing transmission, though when that turn comes will be based on vaccine supply and a state's demographics, said Harvard internal medicine physician Dr. Abraar Karan."There comes a point at which it makes more sense to vaccinate people that have a higher exposure and that have a higher chance of transmitting onwards and superspreading than it does to get 100 percent of high-risk people that are in their 70s or 80s," he said. "To me, it's not clear when that point is."For now, the national patchwork of policies doesn't make much sense and increases skepticism among the public that rules aren't based on science, said Yale sociologist and physician Dr. Nicholas Christakis. For many weeks, for example, anyone over 65 years old was allowed to make a vaccine appointment in L.A. County, while vaccination was open only to people over 75 in neighboring Ventura County."I wish we had a consistent national policy," he said. "It's a little bit like designating one part of the swimming pool for urination and hoping for the best."

The Mou between Vietnam and West Virginia will facilitate the $100 billion bilateral trade turnover target with the US in 2021

With this MoU, the MoIT of Vietnam and West Virginia provide a comprehensive cooperation framework to facilitate trade and investment exchanges in the sectors of export-import, trade, industry, and energy. At the same time, the two countries also aim to increase information sharing about potential business opportunities, supporting projects and activities of businesses from both sides.

Tran Tuan Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade said that it is the priority of the Vietnamese government to improve the business and investment environment, and facilitate US projects.

Vietnam, together with the US, has developed an action plan with particular solutions, towards sustainable and harmonious trade balance between the two countries, Minister Tuan Anh said.

He believed that this is an appropriate time for the two countries to enhance in-depth cooperation, promote economic recovery, and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam has joined several free trade agreements with 54 country partners, including most of the G20 countries. Thus, businesses of West Virginia or the US have a chance to access a broad market of Vietnam.

Congresswoman Carol Miller affirmed the signing of the MoU marked a beginning of a strong friendship between Vietnam and West Virginia. It brings practical economic benefit for both sides, promoting balance and harmony in the bilateral trade relationship between Vietnam and the US.

Trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and the US has continuously grown year-over-year.

According to the MoIT, 2020 marked the first year that the total trade turnover between the two countries reached $90.8 billion, surpassing $90 billion, and looking for $100 billion in 2021.

Over five years, Vietnams export turnover to the US rose by 230 per cent, while export from the US to Vietnam has also increased by over 175 per cent.
Three Jefferson Parish Council districts are about to get $10 million richer.

The money, which comes from proceeds from the lease of West Jefferson Medical Center to LCMC Health in 2015, will be put into separate funds for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Jefferson Parish Council districts.

According to the agreement with LCMC Health, the money must be spent for health and fitness projects on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. This week the council voted on a resolution that signaled its intent to transfer $30 million of the approximately $59 million in available money to the supervision the council members of those districts, each of which covers at least part of the the west bank.

Wednesday's vote means the transfers will come up as a budget amendment at the next council meeting, which is March 17. Any allocations out of the funds, once transferred, would also have to be approved by the entire council.

+2 Forensic audit shows West Jeff Medical Center expenses not as bad as feared The tension that emerged last week when LCMC Health threatened to sue the Jefferson Parish Council over the lease of West Jefferson Medical Ce

Such discretionary accounts are not unfamiliar in Jefferson Parish. Each district was also given a portion of BP oil spill settlement funds several years ago, and all five council districts get a portion of hotel and motel taxes each year to spend largely as members see fit.

The West Jefferson money was part of the cash payout that LCMC made to the parish in exchange for signing the 45-year lease in 2015. The money has sat largely untouched since 2017, when most disputes over the financial terms of the deal settled.

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The $29 million not allocated in this move will remain in parish coffers to cover previously dedicated projects and to service annual costs of the pension fund, which is about $1.5 million per year, according to the resolution the council adopted. Other projects funded from West Jefferson lease proceeds include $600,000 for ambulances, $1.2 million for a park adjacent to the Gretna Governmental Building; and another $1 million per year for the parish jail's medical unit.

Councilmember Marion Edwards, whose District 1 is the only one that is entirely on the West Bank, said he is looking to perhaps pool resources and do projects in conjunction with the other two west bank districts.

"My person preference is to look for projects we can do together," Edwards said, "things that increase the health care for the entire west bank."

Councilmember Deano Bonano, whose 2nd District covers the west bank and east bank, said he hopes to dedicate some of the money to help revive the Hope Haven campus in Marrero, a former youth home that has languished, largely in disrepair. The parish is currently soliciting bids to put a fitness track around the campus, he said.

"I anticipate great needs in our community for health care, fitness and nutrition," Bonano said. "This is all the very beginning of the process."
The OPEC+ group of producers complied at 103 percent with the oil output cuts in January, higher than the estimated compliance in December, Argus reports, citing three delegates from the alliance.

In December 2020, the OPEC+ coalition saw its overall compliance with the original production adjustments at 101 percent, OPEC said at the end of the February monthly meeting of the OPEC+ panels. This compliance level is reinforcing the trend of high compliance by Participating Countries, OPEC said.

According to Argus sources, in January 2021, the ten OPEC members bound by the pact achieved 108-percent compliance, while the non-OPEC group of producers, led by Russia, complied with the cuts at 95 percent, up from 93 percent in December.

The OPEC+ panels estimate compliance rates by averaging the production estimates of six independent secondary sources, including Argus.

Argus itself pegs the January compliance of OPEC+ at 104 percent, including 110 percent from the ten OPEC members and a 95-percent compliance rate for non-OPEC producers.

The biggest producer in the non-OPEC group, Russia, is aiming for 100 percent compliance, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at the beginning of February. Russia was just one of two members of the OPEC+ group, alongside Kazakhstan, which was allowed to raise its oil production  by 65,000 bpd each in February and March  while all the others are set to keep output flat and Saudi Arabia is cutting 1 million bpd beyond its quota this month and next.

The compliance figures will be reviewed by the OPEC+ panels next week, before the monthly meeting of the groups ministers, expected to decide how the group will proceed with the supply management from April onwards.

The leaders of the OPEC+ alliance, Saudi Arabia and Russia, are reportedly once again at odds over oil production policies, especially in light of the oil price rally so far this year.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) hosted a 2021 economic outlook on Wednesday where analysts believe investments are a promising option for domestic economic growth. Cheryl Emvula, a local economist from Cirrus Capital, said Namibia has a toxic investment environment with high uncertainty which pushes investors away. He noted that Namibia needs to change to produce a conducive investment environment that it sorely needs.

Emvula further stated that the Namibian consumer and government spending both face significant constraints, with the only left option being to attract investors in the domestic economy.

On the same occasion, First National Bank group economist, Ruusa Nandago, said structural reforms are needed to lift domestic long-term growth.

According to Nandago, investment from external sources has been declining over the years and foreign firms choose to invest in other jurisdictions. She noted that low business or investor confidence results in reduced hiring rates and a shrinking tax base, thus reinforcing weak economic conditions.

Nandago said more investments can be attracted by improving the ease of doing business and noted that regulatory and bureaucratic bottlenecks are a form of indirect taxes for businesses. "Create a predictable environment for business and investors by removing policy and regulatory uncertainty," she stated.

Nandago added that risks for economic growth should be expected from the slow rollout of the Covid-19 pandemic vaccine, weak business sentiment, slow consumer spending, and lackluster employment opportunities.

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Government spending is expected to produce a budget deficit of about 10.1% in the 2020/21 financial year, which when compared to previous years is one of the highest the country has experienced since Independence. Economists expect the budget deficit to return to more comfortable levels in 2023.

However, national debt levels are expected to be elevated in the coming years to around 69% during this fiscal year and to keep increasing until the 2023/24 fiscal year to about 78%.

Nandago stressed that this is still above the threshold of 35% set by the government. "With high debt levels, there is less to be spent in the economy, because much of the revenue goes to servicing the debt."

For the next three years, the economy is expected to grow up to 4.5% but analysts feel this is not sufficient to solve many of the domestic problems for sustainable economic conditions.

In fact, economists believe that government had to increase spending due to the pandemic, through stimulus packages for households and businesses, as well as health spending. Both, household and businesses' confidence have been deteriorating in recent years and the pandemic made it so much worse. Consumer spending on wholesale and retail trade already declined quite severely even before the pandemic mainly due to the high level of unemployment the country is facing.
Ukraine continues to consolidate international efforts to achieve the full de-occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol and to hold Russia accountable for its crimes, and calls on all partners to join the Crimean Platform.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this its comment on the occasion of the Day of Resistance to Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.

Russia seized Crimea by armed aggression and attempted its illegal annexation on the pretext of an unlawful and rigged referendum. By doing so, it grossly violated the basic principles of international law and undermined the European and global security system, the ministry said.

The ministry stressed that from day one of the occupation, Russia has been pursuing a criminal policy of colonization and assimilation of the peninsula. It systemically violates international law and human rights, uses brutal repression against all those, who have the courage to resist the occupation.

At the same time, the Ukrainian diplomats thanked its allies and partners for their consistent and effective support in the struggle for the restoration of our country's territorial integrity.

The international community should increase political and sanctions pressure on Russia to persuade it to liberate the occupied Ukrainian territories, release all political prisoners, and abide by the international court rulings. Ukraine continues to consolidate international efforts to achieve the complete de-occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol and to bring Russia to justice for its crimes. To this end, Ukraine is creating a new international coordination format, the Crimea Platform, and calls on all partners to join it, the ministry said.

On 26 February, Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.
Washington: US President Joe Biden has directed military air strikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Department of Defence said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to recent rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq.

The strike near the Iraqi border was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasised its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Middle East threats persist. Bidens decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen US military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend US troops in Iraq.

US President Joe Biden. Credit:AP

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington. Speaking shortly after the air strikes, he added, Were confident that that target was being used by the same Shia [Shiite] militants that conducted the strikes, referring to a February 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to Biden.

Jim Acosta was met with 'CNN sucks' chants at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday before a conservative journalist confronted him over the network's coverage of Andrew Cuomo's nursing home and sexual harassment scandals.

CNN correspondent Acosta was met with a raucous crowd of hecklers as he arrived to cover the four-day right-wing political event in Orlando, Florida.

Footage on social media shows the journalist being interrupted mid-interview by David Marcus, a correspondent for conservative magazine The Federalist, who harassed him over the reporting about the New York governor.

CPAC is being held from Thursday through Sunday with Donald Trump set to speak on the closing day in his first public appearance since leaving the White House and being impeached for a second time by the House.

Jim Acosta was confronted by a conservative journalist at CPAC over the network's coverage of Andrew Cuomo's nursing home and sexual harassment scandals

In the video, Marcus films himself approaching Acosta who is interviewing a man about Trump's upcoming appearance.

'Do you think that it's healthy for him to come here and peddle the big lie?' Acosta is heard asking, in reference to the ex-president continuing to claim he won the 2020 presidential election despite Joe Biden's win.

'Well, I'm not sure exactly what he's gonna say, I'm not sure,' the interviewee responds.

Marcus interrupts and says to Acosta: 'Hey Jim, I'm Dave Marcus from The Federalist. When are you guys going to start covering Cuomo?'

'I'm conducting an interview,' Acosta replies.

'I know but I'm asking a serious question,' responds Marcus.

'I know but we do cover that. We have to,' Acosta says.

Marcus fires back saying 'no you don't' repeatedly at the CNN journalist.

'He killed 10,000 people and he's accused of sexual assault, and you guys want to talk about Ted Cruz,' says Marcus.

'Let me just finish this interview and then I'll talk to you, OK?' says Acosta.

Marcus continues to harass Acosta repeatedly asking 'when are you going to start covering it' as Acosta tries to return to his interview.

CNN correspondent Acosta was met with a raucous crowd of hecklers as he arrived to cover the four-day right-wing political event in Orlando, Florida

CPAC is being held from Thursday through Sunday with Donald Trump set to speak on the closing day in his first public appearance since leaving the White House and being impeached for a second time by the House

The CNN journalist tells him the network is 'covering it' before telling Marcus they can 'agree to disagree.'

'I'm here to do a job right now. I'm not here to talk to you,' Acosta says.

Marcus responds: 'The emperor of New York and you have nothing to say.'

The conservative journalist was referring to the scandals currently surrounding the New York governor as he has been accused of sexual harassment and - separately - of covering up the extent of COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes.

In an essay published to Medium Wednesday, Lindsey Boylan - who worked as a special advisor to Cuomo in 2018 - claimed Cuomo asked her to play strip poker and kissed her on the lips without her permission.

The #MeToo movement board called for an investigation into the allegations and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also backed the need for an independent investigation.

The allegations have been vigorously denied by Cuomo.

The conservative journalist was referring to the scandals currently surrounding the New York governor (pictured) as he has been accused of sexual harassment and - separately - of covering up the extent of COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes

The accusation comes as Cuomo is also under increasing pressure over his handling of COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes.

Days after DeRosa's revelation, NY Democrat Assemblyman Ron Kim claimed that the governor made threats to him as part of an effort to get him to 'cover up' for DeRosa's admission.

Earlier this month, Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo's secretary, unleashed a political firestorm when she admitted the administration had deliberately hid data on the number of deaths.

This came after New York AG James revealed in January the state had downplayed the number of deaths of nursing home residents by 50 percent.

The death toll was actually 15,000, up from the 8,500 previously disclosed.

When the true figures were reported, Cuomo tried to defend himself saying there had been no deception on the totals just the place of death, adding 'who cares' where people died.

Cuomo signed a March order that ordered nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients back to their facilities.

In an essay published to Medium Wednesday, Lindsey Boylan (pictured) - who worked as a special advisor to Cuomo in 2018 - claimed Cuomo asked her to play strip poker and kissed her on the lips without her permission

The accusation comes as Cuomo is also under increasing pressure over his handling of COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes. Pictured a COVID-19 patient at a nursing home in Brooklyn in April

CNN, which employs Cuomo's brother Chris, reported on the sexual harassment allegations on air Thursday - one day after they surfaced.

A quick search on CNN's website shows the outlet has reported on both the sexual harassment allegations and the nursing home deaths cover-up scandal.

However, several outlets and Democrats have been accused of staying silent on the accusations against the governor.

The View's Meghan McCain said on the show Thursday: 'The silence of so many people in the media and so many Democratic politicians, like Kirsten Gillibrand who has been at the forefront of all sexual harassment cases and the #MeToo movement, she hasn't said anything today.

'So apparently, if you are Governor Cuomo and your brother is the host of a big CNN show, and you're a Democrat, then he has a complete double standard.'
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A team of University of Miami researchers working to detect variants of the novel coronavirus have found that approximately 25 percent of COVID-19 positive patients in the past two weeks were stricken with the more contagious U.K. variant. In addition, they have found three samples of the Brazilian variant, which could be one of the first times that strain has been identified in South Florida.

This comes amidst an overall decline in cases of COVID-19 across the Sunshine State that began the second week of January and has slowly decreased since then.

Dr. David Andrews, an associate professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Miller School of Medicine, is leading the Universitys variant tracking initiative. So far, his team has tested nearly 500 COVID-19 positive samples from patients at UHealth Tower; Jackson Memorial Health Systems three hospitals; and University students and faculty and staff members since mid-January.

We are seeing a small potpourri of variants out there, said Andrews, who is also vice chief of pathology for Jackson Health System. Weve encountered the California variant, the U.K. variant, and a number of variants of concern. But this is what one would expect from Miami-Dade County, which has such an international population.

With new mutations of COVID-19 emerging weekly, Andrews team is harnessing the Miller Schools scientific expertise to understand how the novel coronavirus is evolving. While one group of molecular microbiologists is using cutting-edge strategies to determine how prevalent the variants are, another is working to genetically sequence as many of the COVID-19 positive samples as they can to learn whether new strains of the virus are circulating locally.

Id like to think that by looking actively and early at genetic variants that well be able to be proactive and catch things ahead of time, said Andrews. This will be a lot easier to handle with knowledge, rather than backtracking. Were trying to stay ahead of the curve, and its very important to do that now.

The University is one of a handful of academic medical centers across the United States testing its COVID-19 samples for the variants and sequencing them. Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has contracted with private companies and some academic institutions to help them sequence the virus, the University is doing this independently of that effort at the moment, as part of its research on emerging infections, said Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, who developed the Universitys COVID-19 testing program for patients and employees. Meanwhile, according to the CDC, Florida currently has the largest share in the nation of the very contagious U.K. variant, with 489 cases confirmed, as well as detection of the Brazilian variant. The Universitys latest findings would add to these figures.

Because of our geographic location, its very important for us to develop these capabilities, Nimer said. If we are able to find other variants, we can then determine whether they are covered by our vaccines and whether they actually cause more severe disease, and all of this information is helpful for the world to know.

So far, most of the vaccines available will still provide partial protection against the variants, so they are a critical pathway to ending the pandemic, University experts said.

Andrews variant-tracking team includes two different labs on the Universitys Medical Campus that are part of his surveillance study. While one lab is analyzing samples from the University community, another is focusing on hospital patients. As part of the study, all of the student and patient information is de-identified, Andrews noted.

Medical technologist Haider Saleh loads some COVID-19 samples into a DNA extraction instrument used to detect the U.K. variant. Photo courtesy Miller School of Medicine

University scientists are searching for variants in two ways. After the COVID-19 positive samples are separated, the Universitys pathology lab splits each sample in half. One half of the sample goes to Dr. Emmanuel Thomas lab, where he uses targeted PCR testing to determine whether that patient has the U.K. variant, also known as B.1.1.7. Soon, they will also begin testing for other well-known variants, like the South African and Brazilian ones, Andrews said. This operation takes about 24 hours for results. The lab is currently processing about 100 samples each week but will increase its capacity with time.

So far, we are seeing close to 25 percent of the U.K. variant among patients; and fortunately, in the students, there are very low numbers of that variant, Andrews added.

However, Andrews cautioned that they have only processed about 500 samples. So, once more are analyzed, they will have a better way to predict how much of the known variants are circulating in the patient and University population.

A third of the COVID-19 positive samples are also taken for genetic sequencing, a more labor-intensive operation done at the Onco-Genomics Shared Resource lab at Sylvester. Led by Sion Williams, a research assistant professor in the Miller Schools Department of Neurology, the team of scientists is sequencing about 50 to 60 samples per week. This process takes five days because it includes generating data from each sample and feeding it into a global public database to determine whether that sample has a similar lineage to known variants or is an entirely new one. Anthony Griswold from the Miller Schools Department of Human Genetics is also working on accelerating this process so that analysis can be done on campus. Despite the complexity, Nimer, Andrews, and Williams know that sequencing is a critical part of the effort to combat COVID-19.

While they have only sequenced samples from hospital patients, they have found three samples of the Brazilian variant since they begantwo in the past week, as well as some other rare variants of COVID-19 from New York, Saudi Arabia, Aruba, and Israel. Williams believes it is vital to do more sequencing because local variants may emerge, with unique characteristics that health care professionals could be alerted about ahead of time.

We have very quickly seen the value of doing this because we have seen there are strains we need to watch in our community, said Williams, a molecular biologist whose lab also provides genomic services for the Center for AIDS Research at the University. The public data being generated in America on viral strains was pitifully low. But as a nation we cant see whats going on until people sequence and share their samples.

With time, Andrews said he is hoping to expand the initiative, and is utilizing the expertise of faculty members and labs in the Department of Human Genetics and at the Universitys John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics for more sequencing firepower. Williams pointed out that the Universitys effort could help inform South Florida government leaders about strains of concern locally, as well as whether they are seeing a new variant that could contribute to another surge. Sequencing data could also help leaders know when more restrictions may be needed, as well as whether expanded variant testing is necessary.
New Delhi:

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now a divided house after many of its senior leaders have openly demanded resignation of the Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala on moral grounds after his son has been charged for allegedly stalking the daughter of an IAS officer.

On the other hand, a good number of party leaders and workers are supporting Barala.

BJP general secretary in-charge of Haryana, Anil Jain asked the Indian Express, Why Should he resign?

Jain added, The incident did not take place in Haryana. It took place in Chandigarh. Police is investigating the case. The incident did not even take place in Haryana. It took place in Chandigarh, which is a Union Territory. The police is investigating the case. The law will take its course, Jain added.

While another senior BJP leader and Haryanas labour minister Nayab Singh Saini told the English daily that the opposition which includes Congress and INLD does not have any issue so they are misguiding the public.

Also Read | Chandigarh stalking case: Girl and her father narrate their experience on Facebook while BJP defends the accused

Barala is not a tainted leader, said Saini.

Ramveer Bhatti, Chandigarh BJP vice-president taking side of Barala questioned why the woman was "allowed to stay out late?"

"Parents must take care of their children. They shouldn't allow them to roam at night. Children should come home on time and why stay out at night?" Bhatti questioned.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur supporting the victim tweeted, I strongly condemn the eve teasing & stalking incident that has taken place.

Replying to Bhattis statement, Thakur had tweeted that men must learn to respect women and their individual space.

Instead of questioning the girl why she ws out at 12.30am,we must question those individuals & thr mindset tht leads to such harassment. 2/2  Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2017

Thakur in the tweet also wrote that instead of questioning the girl why she was out at 12:30 am, we must question those individuals and their mindset that leads to such harassment.

Also Read | Chandigarh stalking case: Cong alleges police trying to save Haryana BJP chiefs son

BJP MP from Chandigarh Kirron Kher, responding to allegations said that "politics will not be played with the case" and added that Chandigarh police was only going by law

Kher had also tweeted, Incident with young girl from Chandigarh is unfortunate and shouldnt happen to anyone. We must NOT play politics with womans dignity.

Talking to New18 she had said, I am glad the girl is safe and nothing bad happened to her. I am sure the police will get to the bottom of the case.

In 2017, every girl and boy have equal rights to be out at night. We need to respect that right. I condemn statements questioning this.  Kirron Kher (@KirronKherBJP) August 7, 2017

The BJP MP from Kurukshetra, Rajkumar Saini, has openly demanded for the BJP chiefs resignation on moral grounds.

Talking to media Saine had said on Sunday, If a leader cannot sensitise his own family members on women safety, he should stay away from public life."

A woman accused the son of Haryana BJP chief of stalking her and trying to kidnap her in a widely-shared Facebook post. According the complaint lodged by the girl the allegedly chased the 29-year-old woman - the daughter of a bureaucrat - on the streets of Chandigarh late on Friday night and even blocked her way.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Flags have been flying at half-staff across the United States to commemorate the half-million American lives lost to the coronavirus.

But there is another tragedy we havent adequately confronted: Millions of American schoolchildren will soon have missed a year of in-person instruction, and we may have inflicted permanent damage on some of them, and on our country.

The reluctance of many Republicans to wear masks and practice social distancing is one reason so many Americans are dead. But the educational losses are disproportionately the fault of Democratic governors and mayors who too often let schools stay closed even as bars opened.

The blunt fact is that it is Democrats  including those who run the West Coast, from California through Oregon to Washington state  who have presided over one of the worst blows to the education of disadvantaged Americans in history. The result: more dropouts, less literacy and numeracy, widening race gaps and long-term harm to some of our most marginalized youths.

The San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank this month estimated that educational disruptions during this pandemic may increase the number of high school dropouts over 10 years by 3.8 percent while also reducing the number of college-educated workers in the labor force. This will shrink the incomes of Americans for 70 years, until the last of todays students leave the workforce, the bank said.

What that doesnt capture is the human toll. Rich kids going to private schools glide on through life mostly unaffected, while low-income children often dont even have internet to attend Zoom classes.

Bellwether Education Partners, a nonprofit focused on underserved students, estimates that as many as 3 million children in the U.S. have missed all formal education, in-person or virtual, for almost a year.

We have to acknowledge that there is a large percentage of kids that have disappeared  students who have never logged in, or logged in and never fully engaged, said Melissa Connelly, CEO of OneGoal, a nonprofit that does outstanding work with low-income high school students.

As of Jan. 29, almost 10 percent fewer high school seniors had submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms, a sign that some are losing the chance to attend college.

Closures also exacerbate racial inequity. According to McKinsey & Co., fifth-graders in schools with mostly students of color mastered only 37 percent of the math that usually would be expected.

Yes, it is hard to open schools during a pandemic. But private schools mostly managed to, and that is true not only of rich boarding schools but also of strapped Catholic schools. As a nation, we fought to keep restaurants and malls open  but we didnt make schools a similar priority, so needy children were left behind.

The evidence on remote learning suggests that despite the best efforts of teachers, it doesnt work for a large share of kids, said Emily Oster, a Brown University economist who has studied the issue. I think weve deprioritized children in a way that will do long-term damage.

What are the risks of opening schools? We now have a great deal of data in the U.S. and abroad comparing areas that reopened schools versus those that kept them closed. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found, in-person learning in schools has not been associated with substantial community transmission. The British Medical Journal this week put it this way in an editorial: Closing schools is not evidence based and harms children.

Most evidence aligns with a careful Tulane study that found that in most of the U.S., school openings do not increase coronavirus hospitalizations. And teachers generally dont seem at greater risk than people in other occupations. While it is crucial to improve ventilation, increase testing and maintain adequate spacing, those steps arent always possible  and failure to meet every benchmark shouldnt be an automatic bar to in-person schooling.

Teachers in some places are suggesting that in-school instruction shouldnt resume even after they are vaccinated, not until students are vaccinated as well. That is an abdication of responsibility to Americas children.

Many Democrats seemed to become more suspicious of in-person schooling last summer when President Donald Trump called for it. We shouldnt let ourselves be driven by ideology rather than science, and that wasnt universal.

Maybe new variants of the virus will spread and require school closures  we should be relentlessly empirical  but that should be a last resort. Yes, there is uncertainty. Sure, there are trade-offs. But serving kids in schools should be a higher priority than serving drinks in bars, and we should plan on summer school so lagging children can catch up.

For almost a year now, we as a country have failed millions of Americas most vulnerable children. We must right this wrong.
Senior Reporter

The commissioning of the National Data Centre by President Mnangagwa on Wednesday is set to be a game changer in data management and will allow co-ordinated planning through the use of e-Government.

During the launch, head of the e-Government unit, Brigadier General (Retired) Charles Wekwete, outlined how the NDC will transform data use for the benefit of the Government and across the entire economy.

The NDC is meant to facilitate the e-Government processes through providing centralised virtual servers for data processing and storage accessible to all ministries and agencies across all Government departments.

"This removes the need for each department or ministry to have on its own premises the physical servers as is the current situation. It enables the shared use of ICT personnel instead of having database or network administrators scattered all over ministries and departments."

He gave a number of examples where the NDC would bring efficiencies and save costs and time for the Government.

In vehicle management, Brig Gen Wekwete, said an officer could just enter the vehicle registration number and information such as whether one was paying vehicle licence Nyamandlovu, insurance, ZBC licences among others would be laid bare.

"In another scenario, the same principle will apply where data regarding vehicles through Central Vehicle Registry, data does not need to be stored at Zinara or VID or ZRP. All what the other ministries need is to get the vehicle registration number and verify the rest of the detail online without human intervention and if there is any anomaly you raise a red flag," said Brig Gen Wekwete.

Brig Gen Wekwete said a police officer on foot or vehicle patrol with a mobile device linked to the NDC can just enter a vehicle registration number to establish whether it was stolen, whether the vehicles was insured, and if it is a public service vehicle then whether it had the required VID fitness certificate could also be ascertained.

The same officer could enter the driving licence number of the driver, and find out whether it was fake, or whether it was supposed to be endorsed and other details.

Computers on tollgates could also be linked to the NDC so as to ascertain whether a vehicle has paid all licences due such as for ZBC, Zinara licences or insurance or whether it was stolen or not.

"To do this, there might be need to change certain administration rules and laws because Zinara can say, for example, you have no roll on tollgate. We can have a tollgate linked to all other ministries, agencies that licence anything to do with vehicles. In that instance Zinara will have to link its system to all other agencies in a coordinated manner for tollgate computers to flag defaulters, instead of these different agencies mounting roadblocks along the same road looking for defaulters," he said.

Using the tollgate to instantly and automatically do many of the checks done at roadblocks would cut inconvenience for the legal drivers and enhance finding stolen and unlicensed vehicles.

"In that scenario we can avoid a situation where with buses or kombis we will find out that it has no fitness certificate or insurance only when it has been involved in an accident yet it would have passed through a tollgate."

Brig Gen Wekwete said when acquiring other documents such as passport or drivers licence you might just need to provide your identity number and all other details will emerge.

Speaking at the same occasion, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said the launch of the NDC was a national anchor of e-government as well as a key component of National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.

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"While the contract of NDC was signed in 2014, financial constraints prevented its fulfilment until 2018 when the advent of the New Dispensation resulted in heightened prioritisation of this project and subsequent payment of outstanding amounts. Hence our being here today," he said.

Public Service Commission chairperson, Dr Vincent Hungwe said data was critical in that it helped in decision making timeously.

"Time is the most valuable resource, clearly time can be spent once and any organisation must think strategically on how it need to spent time to achieve its goals," he said.

Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said his ministry will continue to provide the enabling environment that is necessary for the intensified adoption and utilisation of ICT within Government and across the economy at large to ensure that the country moved in tandem with global dictates.
He contacted his old colleagues at the Metropolitan, which had leased the Breuer building from the Whitney until 2023. Everybody knew the Met was having financial troubles, and having troubles running all those exhibitions. So I thought, maybe, theyd give me a floor, Wardropper said. But, very quickly, we got into negotiations for the whole thing. And that changed the whole ballgame. Because suddenly, it was not just an opportunity to show a few works, but to really rethink the collection for a couple of years.

When the deal came through, Salomon says, I felt totally relieved that the collection could be on view. And totally terrified: What the hell am I going to do with this space? (We were talking through our masks in the half-complete Italian galleries. The Frick staggered its crews in case of infection, and sometimes curators supervised the installation via FaceTime.) But the Frick already had a partner in Selldorf, who knew the collection intimately after years planning the museums fourth attempt at expansion and renovation.

Breuers gridded ceiling dictates much of the flow. The concrete ceiling creates a kind of module that you want to respect, Selldorf says. Its such a strong building. Its not like you can argue it away. Along with the Fricks longstanding designer, Stephen Saitas, she contrived a sequence of walls (often left blank) noticeably thicker than those the Whitney or Met used, and paint jobs in a narrow band of slate to gunmetal. White, Salomon tells me, is the kiss of death for old masters.
This September it will be 10 years since thousands of people descended on Zuccotti Park, in Lower Manhattan, to protest economic inequity  one result of a financial industry left to operate like a fraternity in an unmanned bar.

As a means of consciousness raising, Occupy Wall Street was hugely successful. Suddenly, 16-year-olds were talking with great authority and conviction about the dark consequences of repealing the Glass-Steagall Act. Political fortunes were buoyed by the popularization of new memes  We are the 99 percent. But over the next decade, the tax policies that could have brought about a real redistribution of wealth only favored the rich more extravagantly.

The pandemic, as we have seen over and over, has aggravated the existing injustices to a degree that dystopian metaphors have become an addiction. This is especially true in New York, where the exceedingly well-off have spread out into $28 million brownstones and newly renovated country houses, while the poor and working-class have confronted mounting joblessness, hunger and threats of eviction. By August, the unemployment rate in the city had quadrupled to 16 percent over the previous year. At the top of a climbing wall in which the only direction is up, billionaires in the state  there are 118 of them  watched as their aggregate net worth rose by $45 billion during the first two months of the pandemic.

It has taken this kind of disparity and devastation for political will to coalesce around raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers. Despite a looming budget deficit years in the making, advocates who had long fought for tax reform had consistently met resistance. Despite New Yorks relatively high income-tax rate, policies have found creative ways to favor the wealthy. In 2015, for example, the states budget offered a tax break for anyone buying watercraft valued at more than $230,000.

The new dispensary expands patient access to Florida's largest inventory of medical cannabis products

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company based in the United States, announced today the opening of a brand-new Florida dispensary, the Company's 80th nationwide. The new location marks the Company's first in Tamarac and third in Broward County, expanding patient access to Florida's largest and broadest assortment of high-quality medical cannabis products.

The new Tamarac dispensary supports Trulieve's goal of ensuring direct, reliable access to medical cannabis across its home state of Florida. It marks a record 75 Florida dispensaries for Trulieve, joining nearby locations in Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, and several more throughout nearby Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

"Access has always played a key role at Trulieve, from continually expanding and broadening our product catalog to bringing stores directly to where patients need them, we're really focused on ensuring patients across Florida are well taken care of," said Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers. "There's so much to celebrate as we open our 75th Florida dispensary but we're especially excited to connect further with the community in Tamarac, especially those curious about exploring natural relief and medical cannabis. Our staff is well-trained, educated, and ready to serve patients; we encourage everyone to reach out to find out more."

In honor of the Company's brand-new dispensary, all patients  from those new to Trulieve to the dedicated Truliever community  will be eligible for a 25% in-store discount at the new Tamarac dispensary on opening day. In line with policies adopted statewide, all visitors are required to wear masks for the duration of their dispensary visit. Additionally, only patients and their state-approved caregivers will be allowed inside the waiting room and dispensary at this time.

ANNOUNCING: Trulieve Tamarac Grand Opening

WHERE: 5900 Rock Island Rd., Tamarac, FL 33319

WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 9:00 a.m.

In stores and online, patients will find Florida's largest selection of THC and CBD products in a variety of delivery methods, including edibles, smokable cannabis, concentrates, tinctures, topical creams, vaporizers, and more. Trulieve also offers home delivery statewide for patients and convenient in-store pickup at each of its 75 dispensaries in Florida.

To assist patients with ordering, Trulieve has made our entire catalog of products available for online ordering, with in-store pickup and statewide home delivery options available. In addition, patients can schedule a complimentary 30-minute virtual consultation with a Trulieve certified consultant to help navigate questions on products, devices, or review their doctor's recommendation.

Furthermore, to assist with CDC recommendations for social distancing and in compliance with additional company-enforced safety guidelines, several measures have been taken to ensure the health and well-being of employees and patients, including modifications to the layout of all stores, installation of plexiglass partitions and HEPA air filtration scrubbers in every dispensary, increasing access to masks and sanitizer throughout the store for staff and visitors, utilizing visual aids to direct traffic throughout the store, and increasing the frequency of deep cleanings for all dispensaries.

Trulieve is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and will update store policies as needed to ensure the highest level of safety of our patients and staff. All updates will be shared directly on Trulieve's website as they are enacted.

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use recently announced the registry was nearing 500,000 registered medical marijuana patients with an active ID card, with Trulieve consistently selling approximately half of the state's overall volume per the Florida Department of Health. To support the state's rapidly growing patient base, there are nearly 2,700 registered ordering physicians in the State of Florida.

For more information, please visit www.Trulieve.com.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is primarily a vertically integrated "seed-to-sale" company in the U.S. and is the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida. Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded stores (dispensaries) throughout the State of Florida, as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve also has operations in California, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF.

To learn more about Trulieve, visit www.Trulieve.com.

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

Related Links

https://www.trulieve.com/




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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 10:19:27|Editor: huaxia

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CANBERRA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government's infrastructure adviser has listed renewable energy zones and dispatchable energy storage as priority projects for the first time.

Infrastructure Australia on Friday released its annual national Infrastructure Priority List, including 44 new projects that the agency said reflected the country's changing needs in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

The new proposals represent a combined 59 billion Australian dollars (46.4 billion U.S. dollars) of potential investment.

"We have added a record 44 new proposals to the priority list for consideration by Australia's governments across the broad spectrum of transport, energy, water, waste, telecommunications and social infrastructure," Romilly Madew, the chief executive of Infrastructure Australia, said in a media release.

"More than half of the investment opportunities on the 2021 priority list benefit our regional communities, as we continue to draw focus on equitable service delivery and investments that will deliver affordable and quality infrastructure services for all Australians regardless of where they live."

The report found that the national electricity market (NEM) required "significant investments in dispatchable energy storage to support growing renewable energy generation and the future retirement of coal-fired generators."

It listed hydrogen infrastructure as a priority within the next five years due to "growing interest in the production and use of green hydrogen as an energy source, as it produces no carbon emissions."

The federal government identified hydrogen as one of five priority low-emissions technologies for the next 10 years in its Technology Investment Roadmap, which was released in September 2020.

In addition to renewable energy projects, the agency also added improving the digital connectivity of rural Australia and expanding telehealth services as priorities. Enditem
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be visiting India on Friday to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishanakar. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit comes just over two months after Jaishankar visited the United Arab Emirates in November last year. During Jaishankars two-day visit to the UAE on November 25-26, he had discussed during his talks with Nahyan further opportunities to work together with the Gulf kingdom towards changing the world.

The UAE Foreign Minister will return today evening itself. This meeting is crucial for India and its strategic partnership as relations between Pakistan and the UAE appeared to be on a sharp downward spiral particularly after Pakistan PM Imran Khan was critical of the UAEs formalisation of its relationship with Israel.

Last November after the Bahrain visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had arrived in UAE. In this visit, S Jaishankar was seen discussing ways for Indian workers in UAE to start work post-pandemic among others. The immediate fallout of the ties between the UAE and Israel was soon felt in Pakistan. There is speculation that Pakistan ex-pats would be dispatched back home from UAE as there is renewed pressure on Pakistan to accept Israel.
CCI clears private fund investments in Tata Communications, API Holdings

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of Tata Communications Limited (TCL) by buy-out fund Panatone Finvest Limited, CCI also .approved the acquisition of equity shareholding in API Holdings Private Limited by another buy-out fund CDPQ Private Equity Asia Pte Ltd.

The proposed combination envisages acquisition of shareholding not exceeding 26.12 per cent by Panatone Finvest in Tata Communications Subsequently, Tata Group would also increase its shareholding in Tata Communications from 48.87 per cent to a maximum 74.99 per cent.

Panatone Finvest is a systemically important non-deposit taking core investment company registered with the Reserved Bank of India and is a subsidiary of Tata Sons and belongs to the Tata Group.

TCL is part of the Tata group and is a facilities-based service provider of a broad range of integrated communications services. It generates revenue from three business segments - wholesale voice, enterprise and carrier data and others. In India, TCL is, directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries, engaged in the following activities:

 International Long-Distance services (ILD)  voice;

 National Long-Distance services (NLD)  voice;

 Undersea cable systems (UCS);

 Internet Service Provider, offering connectivity, messaging, internet telephony; and

 Enterprise business providing valued added services.

Singapore-based CDPQ Private Equity Asia Pte Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian institutional fund CDPQ, which manages and serves more than 40 depositors comprising public and private pension and insurance funds in Quebec.

The combination envisages an acquisition of approximately 2% shareholding in the Target by the Acquirer along with certain additional rights.

API Holdings is a company incorporated in India and is the ultimate parent entity of the API Holdings group. API Holdings, either directly or through its subsidiaries, carries out various business activities inter alia including:

(a) wholesale and distribution of drugs (including pharmaceutical products, medical devices and over the counter drugs);

(b) provision of transportation services primarily focused on the pharmaceutical sector;

(c) owning technology and intellectual property for developing e-commerce platforms including marketplaces for facilitating the sale of pharmaceutical products, medical devices and OTC drugs;

(d) manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical, ayurvedic and nutraceutical products, medical devices, hygiene products, life-saving medicines, herbal products and food supplements;

(e) operating and providing an online application which provides a business to business (B2B) order management system for retailers and distributors of pharmaceutical products, medical devices and OTC drugs.
Past Generation Progressives

New Ways of Picking Mayors

Boston has had only three mayors since 1984. It might have as many as three this year.Mayor Marty Walsh is President Bidens pick to serve as Labor secretary. Assuming hes confirmed, hell be succeeded by City Council President Kim Janey, but the early favorite to win a full term in the fall is Michelle Wu, another member of the City Council.When Walsh was elected back in 2013, there was only one woman on the City Council. Now there are eight, with seven of the 13 councilors being persons of color. Id be very surprised if we had another white man as mayor of Boston, which is all weve ever had, says Boston University political scientist Katherine Levine Einstein.Therell be changes of the guard at city halls all across the country this year. With incumbents stepping down for term limits or other reasons, its guaranteed Cincinnati, Fort Worth, New York, Seattle, St. Louis and St. Petersburg will elect new mayors. Other major cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Minneapolis, New Orleans and San Antonio, will hold contests as well.In contrast with many other political posts, candidates running for mayor see it as a capstone to their careers, rather than a stepping stone to higher office, says Einstein, who helps run the Menino Survey of Mayors . A small number of them do have other ambitions, but for a lot of them, this job is the be-all and end-all," she says.The question is why anyone would want the job. Big-city budgets have been mangled by the pandemic. Downtowns are mostly ghost towns, and its a huge question mark whether office workers will return en masse. More immediately, cities are facing enormous challenges with housing and eviction, struggling transit systems and, in many places, rising crime and murder rates. Public safety has never been a more prominent issue among the electorate in the city of St. Louis than it is today, says Terry Jones, a political scientist at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL).Even as cities face new challenges, many candidates are running on pre-pandemic platforms, arguing that the accumulation of income and rising property values in cities over the past decade has not been widely shared. Concerns about equity and racial justice have become even more prominent following protests last year. Theres a lot more discussion of economic redistribution and racial justice than weve heard in past contests, Einstein says.That  along with demographic change  is what makes this years mayoral election in Boston different. Typically, the winner of a Bostons mayors race has not been a visionary or a big-picture thinker, but rather someone concerned with the nuts-and-bolts involved in running a city, says David Paleologos, a Suffolk University pollster.This year, the race is not about potholes and parking. Or, not as much.A lot of candidates in this field are going to want to talk about climate change and health care and bigger issues that are important to the global community, Paleologos says. Thats part of their genetic code.This year marks the passing of most, though not all, of a group of mayors first elected in 2013. Their efforts were not coordinated, but after taking office, new mayors of cities such as New York, Charlotte, Minneapolis and Seattle found that theyd run on similar progressive platforms.There was an awakening about progressive policymaking and the need for it to happen at the local level, says Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, who is seeking a third term this year.They were then at the vanguard of the Democratic Partys shift to the left. Several mayors collaborated with the Obama White House on issues such as minimum wage increases, early childhood education, paid sick leave requirements and My Brothers Keeper, the administrations initiative to address opportunity gaps faced by young men of color.Once Donald Trump was elected to the White House, it seemed some mayors hadnt moved left far or fast enough. When she was elected in 2013, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges was seen along with a younger, more diverse city council as part of a break from the old union-influenced Democratic politics of the city. She lost after a single term , with progressives believing she hadnt done enough to address income inequality or problems with policing.In Seattle  one of the nations most prosperous and fastest-growing cities in recent years  much of the highly-liberal electorate believes that the corporations that have brought wealth and jobs are also to blame for income inequality and housing problems, including homelessness. Mayor Jenny Durkan, who fought off a recall attempt last year, decided to call it quits after a single term. She was unable to satisfy a city council that wanted to tax major corporations or protesters who occupied a police-free area near downtown.Despite its winning streak as a city, Seattle hasnt re-elected a mayor since 2005.Over the course of eight years, you get to see how anyone, no matter what their politics, becomes the establishment, says Pittsburghs Peduto, who faces a challenge this year from his left. Its a natural progression, but you dont expect it when your record has been not only taking on the establishment but having a basis of left-of-center politics.Bill de Blasio, another Class of 2013 mayor, is term-limited this year. He saw himself as a national leader on progressive issues. Although he made longer strides towards economic redistribution than he sometimes gets credit for, he flamed out as a possible progressive hero both in his no-hope presidential run and with his handling of the pandemic and other issues at home Theres a large field running to succeed him, currently led by Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur who drew a following with his presidential run and call for universal basic income . Yang has the name recognition and also significant social media exposure, says Doug Muzzio, a political scientist at Baruch College. There are significant questions to ask about his candidacy, like, does he know where the mens room is in City Hall, does he know the neighborhoods.Other notable candidates include Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and city Comptroller Scott Stringer, along with Raymond McGuire, a former Citigroup executive who has corporate support but little name recognition. The candidates have until the June primary to elbow themselves to the top of the field. Its wide open, Muzzio says. No one has broken through except Yang, who polls better than anybody else.This will be the first New York mayoral election to be held under a ranked-choice voting system. Voters will rank candidates from most to least preferable. If no one receives a majority on the first ballot, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters' second choices are counted up. The process continues until a candidate earns a majority of the remaining ballots.Voters in the St. Louis mayoral primary next Tuesday will also have a novel way of voting. A ballot measure passed in November establishing use of a method known as approval voting in local elections. Fargo, N.D., is the only other city with approval voting. Residents will be able to vote for as many candidates as theyd like, but unlike ranked-choice voting each vote counts the same. The two candidates to receive the highest total will proceed to the general election in April.This is likely to change the racial dynamics of the vote in St. Louis. Under the old system, the winner of the Democratic primary was certain to win outright. Four years ago, Lyda Krewson, who is white, took 32 percent of the primary vote, which was enough to beat several Black candidates who split the remainder, including city Treasurer Tishaura Jones and Lewis Reed, president of the board of aldermen.Krewson opted not to seek a second term, but Jones and Reed are both running again. There hasnt been any recent public polling of the race, but observers expect they will finish ahead of Cara Spencer, an alderwoman who is white. Id be shocked if it isnt Jones and Reed, says John Messmer, a political scientist at St. Louis Community College.Whoever wins will have to confront the citys problems with crime. Last years homicide rate was the highest in 50 years , including a disturbing number of child homicides . More so even than the 1990s, the city is being devastated with news of the chaos in some of the neighborhoods, Messmer says. No matter where you live in the city, its inescapable.Jones, the UMSL professor, notes that St. Louis has an especially weak-mayor system, with more limited powers than nearly any other central-city mayor. Its a frustrating position, especially in a city with a weak tax base due to high levels of poverty and median household income of just $35,000.When she announced her decision not to run, Krewson noted that shes pushing 70. Her inability to get what she wanted from the board of aldermen or even pick her own cabinet, along with protesters who forced her temporarily out of her home last year, were doubtless factors as well.Bottom line: Its an incredibly, ridiculously difficult job for anyone, Messmer says.
Vietnams healthcare sector has taken on a number of policies to increase its attraction to both domestic and overseas private investors, thus enabling it to fulfill future goals.

Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Minister of Health, discussed with VIRs Bich Thuy the future orientations and action plans to realise this on the back of free trade agreements.

Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Minister of Health.

Last year was certainly a challenging one for the healthcare sector. How exactly did Vietnam go about controlling the biggest pandemic in decades?

COVID-19 has become an unprecedented challenge to public health, negatively affecting economies worldwide and all aspects of socioeconomic development.

There have been great pressures on the healthcare system and related services in the prevention and fight against the pandemic, especially before vaccines and specific treatment drugs were available. Requirements of new technologies in prevention and treatment were needed as well as protection of public health to ensure strong manpower for economic development, social security, and political stability.

Increasing capacity of the public health system was also required, as well as cooperation in research and production of a vaccine in a safe and effective manner.

Vietnam is one of the very few countries to have successfully contained the pandemic. Under the directions of the Party, the government, and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, the healthcare sector has actively worked with ministries and relevant agencies as well as cities and provinces on implementing strong measures and solutions with the principle of four on-site actions which proves its effectiveness in the fight.

Also in 2020, the sector implemented a telehealth scheme, opening a new period in diagnosis and treatment, helping locals get better access to quality services at grassroot facilities, and narrowing the gap in the number and skills of healthcare practitioners between central and grassroot units. Moreover, Vietnam was one of the first countries to research and manufacture quick test kits for the coronavirus, and has also made initial success in researching and testing Nano Covax - the first Vietnamese-made COVID-19 vaccine on humans.

What policies does the healthcare sector have to further ease administrative procedures and thus create a more favourable business environment for pharmaceutical and medical devices players?

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is actively working on measures to cut investment and business conditions, and administrative procedures in the sector in the 2021-2025 period. On December 31, the MoH issued Circular No.29/2020/TT-BYT amending, supplementing, and removing legal documents issued by the health minister, or jointly-issued ones. This circular amends some regulations of 11 other circulars enacted on management of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and HIV towards creating favourable conditions for enterprises which have been hit by COVID-19, while intensifying state management on quality of imports.

Along with digital transformation and IT application in healthcare, the circular allows businesses to make e-submission of documents and provide links to enable authorised agencies to make on search and post-check. This circular also abolished 28 other circulars which have invalid regulations and are no longer suitable with all the fields of the ministry.

According to estimates from the Vietnam Institute of Economics, Circular 29 will help enterprises save 2.4 million working days, and VND625 billion ($27.17 million) annually. This reflects the new management mode, making it ready to effectively respond to the unprecedented difficulties caused by the pandemic.

Despite more favourable policies, private and foreign investment into the healthcare sector are still lower than expected. What are the main solutions to be taken in order to increase its attraction?

In this development period, private and foreign investment is an inevitable trend and suitable with socioeconomic development. However, private domestic and foreign investment in the healthcare sector has remained lower than growth potential and social demands.

In order to increase its attraction to the private sector and foreign investors, thus helping ease overloads at public-run health facilities and financial burden from the state budget  as well as create more selections for people in diagnosis and treatment services  the sector will focus on several issues.

Firstly, in order to develop the private healthcare system, we need specific policies to encourage the private sector to invest, especially in non-profit services, because the field is not yet attractive to investors due to high risks and low profitability. Moreover, it needs supporting policies for private and foreign financiers for their investments.

Second is to create a healthy business environment in support policies and technology transfer among private and public healthcare facilities. The incentive policies such as tax, credits, and land should be built to encourage non-profit private healthcare models and facilitate investors to fully approach stimulus loan packages, especially for facilities with specific specialties, and advanced medical equipment.

Third is building a list of fields and projects that are given priority to investment in the upcoming development period, focusing on health facilities, preventive health, pharmacy, medical devices, training, food safety, grassroot healthcare facilities, IT, and medical environment management.

They have to be in line with the targets of the countrys socioeconomic development plan in the 2021-2025 period, with a vision towards 2030, as well as national master planning and master planning of sectors, regions, and provinces so as to create a motivation to spur investment in the healthcare sector.

Fourth is to renovate the investment structure and investment modes from the state budget, and strengthen the mobilisation of investment capital from different resources to serve the development of the healthcare system. Diversifying public-private partnership models and ensuring transparency, healthy competition, and fair treatment between the public and private sector in supplying health services is vital. We also must encourage organisations and private investors to fund health facilities (including in primary healthcare), focusing on the supply of high-end services, advanced technology, and customised services.

Lastly there is a need to rearrange the organisational structure and network of medical facilities in a streamlined direction to increase their efficiency and better global integration to harmonise private-public health development.

A number of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) like the one made with the EU, as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, are expected to increase market access to international investors. How will these open up opportunities in the healthcare sector?

Vietnams signing of FTAs have made impacts on five areas in the sector. First is the policy. New-generation FTAs play an important role in creating an open investment environment for domestic and international investors, encouraging domestic businesses to make changes and take initiatives in finding new ways to better integrate and compete with foreign businesses, and giving a push to domestic manufacturing to meet the requirements of the home market and exports to member countries of FTAs, as well as others worldwide.

Moreover, they also help Vietnam attract investment from more powerful investors, and multinational corporations in the region and worldwide in pharma production and business trading in Vietnam to meet local demands and for exports.

Second is to increase peoples access to drugs and national healthcare coverage. When local manufacturing develops, health facilities and locals have more selection of high-quality drugs and vaccines with high safety, efficacy, and reasonable prices, thus strengthening care and protecting peoples health, as well as increasing national healthcare coverage.

Third is development of local production. When Vietnam signs FTAs, competition from foreign rivals will prompt domestic Vietnamese counterparts to change their mindset, find new business governance, and apply new technology in production and business activities so as to join the global value chain.

In this context, businesses that are active and know how to grasp opportunities well will benefit from commitments related to trade in goods and services, incentive policies of member nations, and technology transfer from developed countries to develop domestic production on par with international norms and technical standards, thus promoting stable growth and increasing value.

On the contrary, businesses which fail to make changes to catch up with the trend may fall into recession, or even go bankrupt. FTAs are considered a filter, eliminating weak players and maintaining strong ones.

Fourth is job opportunities. Encouraging and attracting foreign investment creates a favourable business climate for foreign investors, and then creates more jobs for the locals and increases income for labourers. However, if labourers themselves fail to tap into the opportunity and make better adaptation, they will be not able to meet the high requirements about skills, knowledge, and others in the more professional working environment.

In addition, with FTAs, labourers have opportunities to select better jobs, thus possibly leading to movements to well-paid jobs (often in foreign-invested enterprises). This urges domestic businesses to have better policies to recruit and retain skilled labourers to serve local production and exports.

Finally is the impact on the environment and society. FTAs leverage foreign investment in Vietnam  however, the incentive policies should go in hand with strict rules on environmental protection (for example, the regulations on waste treatment in production) and social security (for example, network security or violations in advertisements causing negative impacts on consumers). Through these agreements, tariff barriers are gradually removed through a roadmap. VIR

By Bich Thuy

Vietnam's healthcare sector promising for private investment The rising demand for healthcare has made Vietnam a promising destination for domestic and foreign investors.
The metro area will see another day of showers Friday -- some of which may include hail -- then two mostly dry days to end February.

The National Weather Service said an unstable air mass over northwestern Oregon also brings a slight chance of thunderstorms along the foothills of the Cascades. The high will be near 48 degrees.

Winds will be gusty at times, and downed trees or limbs in Northwest Portland have caused traffic signals to go dark. As of 5:30 a.m., PGE was reporting about 7,000 customers out of power in Multnomah and Clackamas counties combined.

Snow levels will remain at about 2,500 to 3,500 feet throughout the day, dropping to 2,000 feet overnight. Both the Cascades and the Coast Range are likely to see snow through the evening. The Coast Range will see snow on the highest peaks, but not much along the roadways. A winter storm warning of robust snowfall remains in place in the Cascades through early Saturday.

Avalanche warning has been issued for the Mt Hood Zone. Triggering a slide is likely and will be big enough to bury or kill you. Avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain. Go to https://t.co/vqt3TEeFJl for more information. pic.twitter.com/IyurT0MNmi  NW Avalanche Center (@nwacus) February 26, 2021

Forecasters expect 3 to 8 inches of snow in the higher ridges of the Cascade foothills, 2 to 3 feet in the northern Cascades, and 1 to 2 feet in the Cascades of Lane County.

Rain and snow showers will gradually decrease Friday night through Saturday morning. A chance of showers is forecast through the morning, then Portland should see dry weather into Sunday. The high will be near 49 degrees Saturday under partly sunny skies.

Sunday will start out mostly cloudy, but dry. The high will be near 53 degrees, which is about average for this time of year. Another wet system is likely to move in by the evening, and Monday will likely be wet.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
If youre a plumber, please come to Texas. Thats the message from residents there as burst pipes and extreme supply shortages have beleaguered the Lone Star State following a deadly winter storm.

Heeding the call, Morristown resident Andrew Mitchell packed his family and tools in his truck, loaded up on about $2,000 of materials and drove 22 hours to Houston, where he immediately got to work.

Since arriving last Sunday, Mitchell, 31, has already served around 20 customers with a handful of others waiting their turn. Mitchell promises to charge a fair price, amid reports of price gouging, due to the extreme demand for local plumbers across the state.

I always ask a customer what do they think is fair, what do they have to spare, Mitchell told NJ Advance Media. I never try to take advantage of somebody.

Andrew Mitchell works on a customer's pipes.Courtesy of Kisha Pinnock

The need is so dire that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made an appeal to out-of-state plumbers like Mitchell, waiving requirements for expired license-holders and fees. Mitchell decided to lend a hand after learning of the grave conditions from his sister-in-law who lives in Houston and seeing plumber friends on Facebook making similar entreaties.

For 71-year-old Barbara Benson, Mitchells handiwork was a godsend, after she spent a week without water due to a burst pipe behind her dishwasher. She tried calling 14 different plumbers, was placed on weeks-long backlogs and said some were charging as much $2,000 just to diagnose the problem.

When Mitchell came over Sunday night, parts in tow, Benson could not have been more pleased.

For a woman living by herself, you can get scammed easily and I was just pleasantly surprised, Benson told NJ Advance Media. It was like somebodys watching out for me.

Isaiah Pinnock (left) and Andrew Mitchell (right) drove down to Texas from Morristown to fill the dire need for plumbers after a deadly winter storm.Courtesy of Kisha Pinnock

Though hes been in the field for the last 15 years, Mitchell just started his own company, Mitchells Plumbing & Heating, LLC, last summer. He graduated from a plumbing apprenticeship program in 2018 and passed the New Jersey Master Plumbing Exam the year after.

Along with his wife, Kisha Pinnock, Mitchell brought their 2-year-old son, Blake, and his apprentice and brother-in-law Isaiah Pinnock, who all piled in for the ride last weekend.

Initially, Kishas sister lined up customers for him, but now the referrals havent stopped rolling in.

Its been very, very hectic, Kisha told NJ Advance Media. Even last night, Andrew did not get in until 2 oclock in the morning, and he was still getting calls at 2 oclock in the morning calls just keep coming in and its people who really need help.

Andrew Mitchell works under a customer's sink.Courtesy of Kisha Pinnock

Almost all of the calls have been for burst pipes, after the record cold temperatures froze pipes across the state. Now, supplies are at a critical shortage, with barren shelves wiped clean of the necessary materials, making Mitchells sojourn down from New Jersey all the more beneficial.

And Mitchell doesnt plan for his cross-country trip to end anytime soon. Hes thinking of staying longer, sending his wife on a plane home, so she can drive down with even more supplies.

It gets him going when people dont have water, Isaiah told NJ Advance Media of his brother-in-law and mentor. Similar to if a chef  were to hear somebodys going hungry, it would be his main prerogative to get those people a nice plate of food.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Addis Ababa, Feb 26 : China and Ethiopia have agreed to boost cooperation in the technology field, according to the Chinese embassy in Ethiopia.

The agreement to boost cooperation in the technology field between the two countries was reached Wednesday during a discussion held between Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan and the Ethiopia Minister of Innovation and Technology Abraham Belay on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zhao and Belay had a warm discussion on cooperation in space technology, traditional medicine, development of industrial parks, development of electronic trading as well as modern real estate.

Zhao said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, China and Ethiopia have witnessed increasingly frequent high-level exchanges and enhanced political mutual trust.

Belay thanked China for its support to Ethiopia in various fields, especially supporting and laying the foundation for Ethiopia to launch its first satellite into space. He hoped to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges in relevant fields with China.

In December 2019, Ethiopia launched its first-ever satellite abbreviated as ETRSS-1 with support from the Chinese government.
Donnell stressed his record of talking to residents and walking the 4th Ward to talk to people. He also pointed to the redevelopment that brought in Spartan House restaurant, the recent expansion of uses in River Street Plaza, the opening of Endiro Coffees roasting facility and the Copley campus rehab as economic development in the ward he worked on.
The new HPV cervical screening was due to start last March. Covid hit and it was put on pause until early July when CervicalCheck resumed screening. Covid affected everything. We were cautious about sending out lots of screening invitations that might be ignored, says Dr John Price, colposcopy adviser with CervicalCheck.

By end of 2020, CervicalCheck had caught up with screening invites  in a typical year, they send out 270,000 and get an 80% response. We got 20% below that due to Covid, which we expected, says Dr Price. In the 2020 Covid period (March-December) 117,000 HPV screening tests were carried out in primary care.

HPV causes over 90% of cervical cancers. This link was discovered by German virologist Harald zur Hausen in the 1970s/early '80s  he later won a Nobel Prize for his work. International evidence finds HPV screening the best way of carrying out cervical screening. The programme took three years to develop in Ireland, and Dr Price says we learned from the experience of countries like Wales, Australia and the Netherlands.

Checking for high-risk HPV

Irish Family Planning Association medical director Dr Caitriona Henchion says  like anything new  HPV cervical screening takes explaining. Although women get an information sheet prior to coming for screening, quite often they arrive with no information. It can take quite a while to explain.

The big change is: HPV is now the primary test in cervical screening  the woman is checked first for any of the high-risk types of HPV. The big players are HPV 16 and 18  Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) says about 4.3% of women in the general population are estimated to have these strains at any given time  plus an additional panel of cervical cancer-causing strains. If HPV is found, the same sample is checked for abnormal cells.

And if these are found, the womans referred to hospital for colposcopy - a procedure to check for abnormal cervical cells - and treatment if deemed necessary.

If no HPVs found, theres no check for abnormal cells  because, without HPV, the risk of developing cervical cancer is very low.

With the new HPV test, if the womans HPV-positive but doesnt have abnormal cell changes, shell be called back for a further test the following year. If theyd only looked for abnormal cells, as in the past, the woman wouldve been put on a routine call-back interval of three to five years. But with the new screening, knowing she has HPV, which puts her at slightly higher risk of developing abnormal cell changes, shell be called back in a year, explains Dr Henchion.

But what of the woman who says I dont know how long Ive had HPV. Can I afford to wait a year  should I see a gynaecologist immediately?. ICGP director of womens health Dr Noirin OHerlihy says it takes a long time for cervical cancer to develop following initial HPV infection: In most cases, it takes 10 to 15 years for it to develop. And, points out Dr Henchion, if a woman still has no abnormal cell changes the following year  but is HPV-positive  shell then be referred for colposcopy.

In the old system (pre-March 2020), the smear test looked first for abnormal cells in the cervix. If found, the woman usually had colposcopy and treatment to remove these cells  followed by HPV screening to check treatment had worked. However, most abnormal cells return to normal by themselves  theres very little risk theyll develop into cancer if the woman doesnt have HPV, which meant some people had colposcopy and treatment when they mightnt have needed it.

Dr Henchion says HPV screenings a very welcome development. Cytology [smear testing] is a manual test  technicians look at all the slides. The chance of human errors always going to be there. The HPV test is a more automated system with less scope for error. Also, being HPV-negative, she says, is a better predictor of your risk of developing cervical cancer than detecting mildly abnormal cells.

HPV testing isnt a diagnostic test for cervical cancer. It measures risk of developing the disease. Like most screening tests its not perfect  some women will still develop cervical cancer despite regular screening. But HPV screening will detect 15% more cases of cervical cancer than smear testing did. With 20 women in every 1,000 screened having abnormal (pre-cancerous) cervical cells, HPV screening will pick up 18 of these 20, compared to 15 caught by smear testing. Traditional screening picked up 75% of cervical cancers. With HPV testing, were picking up 90%. Its not 100%  but its better, says Dr Price.

For women, the actual experience of HPV screening will feel no different to the traditional smear test. But women aged 30-44 will now be screened every five years, instead of every three. The same interval applies for women aged 45-65, while 25 to 29-year-old women will be screened every three years.

CervicalCheck has issued results for over 107,000 HPV screening tests taken in primary care between July, 2020 and end of January, 2021  HPV was detected in over 13,000 samples. Because HPVs a skin-to-skin virus, acquired during sexual contact, the peak time for new infections is the 20s, when most people start being sexually active. As people change partners in later life, it may also be detected then, says Dr Henchion.

Dr Price says at least 40% of women aged 25 and under will at some stage have HPV infection. One in four women up to the age of 25 is HPV-positive, while the proportion drops to 10% for women aged 35-50. For the vast majority of these women their own immune system clears it  they become HPV-negative within 18 months to two years.

Ongoing monitoring

In general, 14,000 women are referred annually for colposcopy  about 4,000 need treatment. HPV-positive women with abnormal cell changes will be assessed in the colposcopy clinic to see if changes are mild, moderate or severe. Mild changes may clear by themselves  the woman will be checked again after six to 12 months. If changes are moderate or severe, shell have treatment to remove the abnormal cells.

Six months after treating these cells, we re-test to see if the HPV has cleared  once its gone the likelihood of it returning is under five per cent, says Dr Price.

A HPV self-sampling study  women test themselves at home for HPV  started on a pilot basis in January in some areas of London. It might seem a good option for women too busy or embarrassed to visit their GP for screening, but a CervicalCheck spokesperson points out the sample can only be used to check for HPV  if the womans HPV-positive, shell need further screening by her doctor to check for abnormal cells. And the evidence isnt there yet that [self-sampling] is an accurate or cost-effective method.

CervicalChecks screening programme has reached close to 80% of eligible women in recent years, whereas international programmes currently using self-testing have target coverage of 60% or lower. The best studys from the Netherlands, where they tried to reach women who hadnt responded to their routine test invitations. They delivered home-testing kits and got 35% take-up, says Dr Price, adding that home-test kits havent yet been evaluated or recommended for use internationally.

When Dr Henchion phones women with news theyre HPV-positive  and particularly if theyve abnormal cell changes  theyre understandably a bit upset. Most people assume their tests going to be negative. They almost feel theyre finished once theyve been screened.

Her job, she says, is to change something that seems bad into something positive. We explain its a really good thing they came. They could have gone on and not had the test, but instead this has been detected at a really early, easy-to-treat stage. And we explain if they need to go to hospital/clinic they may not even need treatment. And if they do, treatments done as an out-patient and is very successful at preventing cervical cancer.

Emotional impact of testing

Dr Mairead OConnor is a research fellow at the School of Public Health, UCC, and a researcher with CERVIVA Consortium, which investigates HPV-associated diseases. In 2012/13  along with Professor Linda Sharp  she conducted in-depth, face-to-face interviews with 27 women in a colposcopy clinic at a Dublin maternity hospital. A pilot study (exa.mn/ImpactHPVtesting) looked at the emotional impact on women of undergoing HPV testing in the context of post-treatment for abnormal cell changes.

We found womens concerns about their abnormal cell change and their fears of developing cancer far outweighed concerns around HPV, says Dr OConnor.

She recalls one woman saying: I dont care whether its HPV or ABC, I just want to know if I have cancer. But some women did experience worry, fear and anxiety about being HPV-positive. A few were concerned about possible infidelity in the relationship  may be their partner had been unfaithful and thats how they caught HPV. Some felt shame and stigma  they hadnt told anyone about the diagnosis because they didnt want people to think less of them.

It gives insight into how best to communicate a positive HPV diagnosis to women, says Dr OConnor, citing also a 2007 UK study (exa.mn/HPVStigma) that found women who know theres a high prevalence of HPV in the population feel lower levels of stigma, shame or anxiety  while those who dont know its highly-prevalent, but do know its sexually-transmitted, are more likely to score high for stigma and shame.

Pointing out that CervicalCheck has done lots of training of GPs/practice nurses around discussing HPV with women, Dr OConnor says its about normalising HPV infection  most people get it at some point in their lives. Its also important to talk about HPV screening in the context of cervical screening, not in the context of STI. This minimises anxiety and worry around possibility of having a HPV infection.

Dr Price says when cervical cancers picked up through screening its almost always caught early, making it easier to treat, more curable. Unfortunately in Ireland, only half of cervical cancers are picked up through screening. With 80% of women attending for screening, Dr Price says the 50% of cervical cancers not caught by screening are in the 20% group that dont attend for testing. Theyre waiting til they have symptoms so their outcomes less good.

Cervical cancer incidence has reduced in Ireland over the past 12 years  to about half what it was pre-screening. We hope by changing to HPV screening itll come down even further, says Dr Price, adding that the Netherlands, which began HPV cervical screening in 2017, expects incidence of cervical cancer to reduce by 15% within five years.

Kim Hanly, founder of Cervical Cancer Awareness Ireland, has had cervical cancer. Shes pleased HPV cervical screening is now happening in Ireland. Its going to catch more pre-cancers and cancers. I would urge women to go.

While the third wave of Covid-19 means some GP practices/community clinics arent able to offer cervical screening appointments or are operating at reduced capacity, CervicalCheck recommends women keep in contact with their GP/clinic and re-book as soon as possible. Anyone worried about symptoms  for example, bleeding after sex or after menopause  should contact their GP immediately.

Visit exa.mn/HSEcervicalscreening

Cervical Cancer Awareness Ireland runs online support network online for women experiencing cervical abnormalities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

International HPV Awareness Day is on March 4: exa.mn/International-HPV-Awareness-Day

HPV positive

Offaly-based Niamh*, 25, had her first screening test with CervicalCheck last August. Mum to a five-year-old son, the care assistant tested HPV positive  and had abnormal glandular cells.

I was confused. Id had the HPV vaccine at school, so I thought Id be protected  but of course when I got the vaccine 10 years ago it didnt protect against as many HPV strains.

She went for colposcopy to investigate the abnormal cells. They took a biopsy and referred me for hysteroscopy [looks inside uterus]. I was sent to a multi-disciplinary team to see how best to treat the abnormal glandular cells.

Abnormal glandular cells arise inside the cervical canal and, for that reason, may not show up on a cytology sample. They are a pre-cancerous change and not cancer.

It was seven oclock of a December evening  I was Christmas shopping  when they rang to say theyd decided I should have LLETZ treatment [procedure to remove cervical tissue]. I had it five weeks ago and Im waiting for the results.

I didnt feel embarrassed about having HPV. Nearly everyone has it at some stage. I had no issue telling my partner. The abnormal cells worried me more. If HPV hadnt shown up, theyd have told me to come back in three to five years, so Im lucky. Its rare enough for abnormal glandular cells to come up in a screening. They said it was lucky it was picked up because it isnt always.



*Name changed.
It started when the longtime sheriff was arrested on more than a dozen charges of theft and abuse of power.

The 10-term sheriff who wears a cowboy hat, boots and shiny belt buckle was accused of stealing public money while claiming that he won hundreds of thousands of dollars from gambling across the state line. That bombshell news broke on Aug. 22, 2019, the morning Sheriff Mike Blakely was booked into his own jail.

Over the next 18 months, Blakely would become the first of a handful of Limestone County leaders to find themselves under scrutiny for corruption. Investigations ran from the sheriffs office to the courthouse, from the school system to the public library.

Limestone is still a rural county, a place just west of Huntsville where farmland and deer runs are suddenly sprouting subdivisions and chain stores, a place where the once-remote Old Greenbrier BBQ restaurant still fries catfish and hushpuppies just across the road from the $1.6 billion Mazda-Toyota plant rising atop old cotton fields. Today, semi-trucks chug by the restaurant, supplying construction crews ushering in jobs, industry and a modern Limestone County.

In fact, no Alabama county was growing faster than Limestone as of the most recent Census estimate. But there are challenges when the old ways of doing things collide with the new expectations of an evolving community.

Three months ago, a local judge pleaded guilty to stealing about $73,000 from a juvenile court fund and former legal clients.

The former chairman of the county commission was arrested on charges of attacking his political rivals with a fake Facebook account. The county commission alleged the local library misused funds.

The assistant director of the countys community corrections program was arrested and charged with soliciting sex from women in the program.

Halfway through last year, the FBI came to town to investigate the superintendent of the city school system in Athens, the countys seat.

In the county school system, a whistleblower accused officials of retaliating against him for reporting wrongdoing. And after the superintendent of the county school system took a job in Tennessee, questions emerged about his doctoral degree from an unaccredited school in Pakistan.

Just this week, both former superintendents and two other employees of the local school systems were indicted after a federal investigation into a yearslong $7 million virtual school scheme.

Headline after headline continues to appear out of Limestone County. What is going on?

Jess Brown, a retired political science professor at Athens State University and a longtime observer of Alabama politics, said as Huntsville growth spilled west, as Limestone County expanded, becoming home to more and more transplants, the expectations for governance also shifted. The new arrivals, he said, dont buy into a good ole boy system.

If you change the electorate, youre going to change the political culture, Brown said. And, boy, has that happened in Limestone County.

***

Situated along Alabamas northern border with Tennessee, Limestone County is home to just under 100,000 people. Its included in the Huntsville metro, the only major metro in the state thats growing. Limestone County grew faster than any other county in Alabama from 2018-19, rising 2.85 percent in a year, according to the most recently available census data.

Despite that growth  a nearly 20 percent population bump in the past decade  much of Limestone County retains its small-town traditions.

Its host each year to the Poke Sallet Follies and the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Each October Athens hosts a storytelling festival. Sit for a spell in our iconic red and white striped tent on the Courthouse Square in historic Athens, Alabama, and be ready to laugh and cry (or both at the same time!), says an advertisement for the most recent event.

The county is named for Limestone Creek, a Tennessee River tributary that flows over a bed of limestone. Its home to Alabamas only two-year university and a Saturn 1B rocket that towers over the state welcome center, about halfway between Birmingham and Nashville along Interstate 65.

Limestone County is also near the center of north Alabama, a region trying to fill the thousands of jobs that are pouring into the area without enough locals to fill them. The area needs a nationwide moonshot recruiting effort to attract people to fill the jobs, according to a labor market analysis. Another labor study in 2019 found that recent socio-political news events in Alabama have affected companies ability to attract talent nationally.

Of the new arrivals to Limestone County, most came from bigger cities in the state. But some moved in from outside Alabama.

***

Just a few hours after Blakely bonded out of his own jail on that Thursday morning more than 18 months ago, he was back to work as the top lawman in Limestone, while a sheriffs office spokesman promised the public that local law enforcement services would continue unabated.

A grand jury indictment is not a conviction, said the spokesman, Stephen Young, at a press conference that morning. As Sheriff Blakely once told me, You can indict a ham sandwich.

BACK AT WORK: Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely was back at work Thursday, hours after being indicted and booked on theft and ethics violations charges. Posted by WHNT News 19 on Thursday, August 22, 2019

Blakely faces charges of stealing from his campaign accounts, county funds and jail inmate money, and using his position to illegally acquire interest-free loans.

But Alabama doesnt have a law to remove elected public officials from their positions once indicted. Unless he is convicted at trial, Blakely gets to remain in office, where hes been for the past four decades.

When reached by AL.com, Blakely did not comment for this story.

During his nearly 40 years in office, Blakely has championed a small-town approach to the job. Hes accessible, even quick to personally return calls, but he also makes headlines with unconventional tactics.

Back in 1991, he was frustrated with overcrowding in his jail because of a backlog of state prisoners. So the sheriff drove south, to a prison near Montgomery, the state capital, and tied two inmates to a fence, refusing to return them to the Limestone County jail.

In the 1980s and early 90s, he also housed people accused of non-violent crimes in tents in the parking lot of his office to demonstrate that he needed a larger jail.

Five years ago, Blakely employed a cup of ice and a bottle of whiskey to convince an armed capital murder suspect to surrender during a standoff in a semi-truck.

A detailed leather saddle set on a stand is the centerpiece of Blakelys office in the sheriffs department, a couple miles east of the arena where he hosts a rodeo to raise money each year. The Limestone County Sheriffs Rodeo website calls it, The Largest Outdoor Rodeo East of the Mississippi and the Greatest Show on Dirt.

Even Blakelys politics call back to the way things used to be in small towns across north Alabama. Sheriff is a partisan, elected position. When Blakely first took office, Limestone voted for Jimmy Carter over Ronald Reagan. And while the balance of county voters switched parties in recent years, Blakely stood still. He remains a Democrat. And at 70 years old, he is still popular.

He was re-elected to a 10th term in 2018 with 57 percent of the vote. Thats despite a third of the countys voters casting straight-ticket ballots for Republicans  including Blakelys opponent, Eric Redd, an Army veteran who was endorsed by an Alabama gun rights group.

After winning that election to become the longest serving sheriff in the state, Blakely said he wouldnt run again in 2022.

But two months after he was indicted, the sheriff reversed course and said he plans to seek an 11th term. My mind changed on that a few, couple months back, Blakely said in a TV interview.

Blakely has detractors in the county, but when his office responded to his indictment in a public Facebook post on Aug. 22, 2019, the majority of comments offered prayers, praise or encouragement.

Sheriff is a good guy, wrote one local man, who surmised that those criticizing Blakely were people hed arrested. He has kept Limestone County safe for many years.

Innocent until proven guilty, one woman wrote. Mike has and is doing a great job.

Sheriff Mike Blakely has been indicted by a Limestone County grand jury, initiated by the Alabama State Attorney... Posted by Limestone County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, August 22, 2019

And county leaders have kept quiet publicly since the sheriffs indictment. They havent called for Blakelys resignation.

One county leader, commissioner Steve Ned Turner, co-owned a racehorse named Game Overtime with Blakely and a retired deputy. In 2019, about a week after the sheriff was indicted, Turner told AL.com he didnt think the business partnership was a conflict of interest.

***

It wasnt that way when other, less powerful leaders were accused of corruption in Limestone County.

In 2020, after Doug Patterson, then a 37-year-old district judge, was suspended from the bench and indicted on charges of theft, a state legislator who represents Limestone County called for his resignation.

When the library made headlines in the local newspaper in Athens, The News Courier, one county leader in 2019 hinted at concerns about whether the allegations of wrongdoing would make businesses think twice about coming to town.

Weve got (new industries) coming in and these people want to know about the library, Jason Black, a county commissioner, told the newspaper at the time. The last thing they want to hear is their money is not being spent appropriately.

Collin Daly is the chairman of the Limestone County Commission, making him the top-ranking official in county government. He was a target of a fake Facebook page allegedly created by Mark Yarbrough, the man Daly defeated in the 2018 election.

Daly dismissed questions about whether the numerous recent corruption cases could harm the countys reputation and economic prosperity.

We live in a great county and theres good people here, he said. We have a whole lot of good going on and its a good place to live and raise a family.

Like with anything, itll always be a little negative, he added. But well overcome it.

***

It remains to be seen what affect the corruption cases will have on Limestone County long term. Some of the court cases are stalled.

Mark Yarbrough, the former county commission chairman charged with criminal impersonation and harassment in the Facebook fiasco, doesnt have a trial date nearly a year after the arrest.

James Michael Hardaway, who was fired from the local community corrections program after being accused of sexual misconduct with women under his supervision, is also waiting for a trial date.

Trey Holladay, the former superintendent of Athens City Schools, was fired after the FBI raided his home.

Tom Sisk, the former county schools superintendent, resigned from his new job in Tennessee, after a local newspaper reported that his doctoral degree in numismatics  the study of coins and currency  came from Ashwood University, an unaccredited school based in Pakistan that offers life degrees in exchange for a few hundred dollars.

And on Tuesday, federal prosecutors alleged that both former superintendents conspired to get more state funding by pretending to enroll private school students in statewide public virtual schools run out of Athens and Limestone County school systems. Holladay is accused of creating fake report cards, making up student addresses, submitting falsified reports to the state department of education and receiving cash payments from the fraud. Sisk is accused of conspiracy in the scheme.

Mark Isley, the human resources director who said he blew the whistle on wrongdoing in Limestone County Schools, resigned and settled his lawsuit against the school system.

Patterson, the former judge, is serving a four-year prison sentence. He pleaded guilty to felony charges of using his position for personal gain, financial exploitation of the elderly and theft.

Doug Patterson, the former Limestone County district judge, was sentenced on Dec. 8, 2020 to four years in prison.

Sheriff Blakely unsuccessfully challenged the constitutionality of Alabamas ethics laws and then pleaded not guilty.

His trial was originally scheduled for March of last year, just before Alabama shut down because of COVID. But Blakely got sick, and his lawyers claimed  incorrectly  that the sheriff was being tested for the coronavirus. A day later, a doctor from the local hospital testified that Blakely wasnt being tested because he wasnt believed to have COVID-19.

Soon all jury trials were halted because of the pandemic.

In November of 2020, though the pandemic continued, prosecutors from the Alabama Attorney Generals Office urged specially appointed Judge N. Pride Tompkins to set a trial date for Blakely.

 Limestone County residents continue to live and work in a community in which their Sheriff stands accused of multiple felonies, the prosecutors wrote in a court filing. These people deserve a resolution on whether Defendant Blakely is guilty or innocent of the charges he faces.

Judge Tompkins set a trial for this March. But that was canceled this month when the judge recused from the case citing COVID concerns. The Alabama Supreme Court quickly appointed a new judge. But theres still no trial date.

Meanwhile Blakely remains in power, overseeing $9 million in county funds to operate his office and the local jail, and saddling up for the annual sheriffs rodeo to raise even more money. And Limestone County residents, old and new, wait to find out whether hes guilty of theft and corruption.

AL.com reporter Ramsey Archibald contributed to this story.

This story was updated on March 3, 2021 to correct Sheriff Mike Blakelys title in a photo caption.
Chipotle is lending Texas a hand after the devastating winter snowstorm last week.

On Thursday, the Denver, Colorado-based company announced in a news release it plans to donate nearly 250,000 pounds of produce to food banks across Texas. The restaurant chain said it will give the San Antonio Food Bank 67,000 pounds of mixed greens, which will provide almost 58,500 meals to the local community.

READ ALSO: Ellen applauds H-E-B's $1 million donation to Texas food banks in storm aftermath

Chipotle is also donating $50,000 to the Texas Farmer Winter Storm Relief Fund  a statewide relief effort for small, sustainable local farmers affected by the recent storm. The money will go toward storm recovery and damage repair for farms. Local residents can support Texas farmers by donating to the Relief Fund through its GoFundMe page.

To accomplish this, the chain said it teamed up with The Farmlink Project, which is a nonprofit grassroots movement founded by college students who connect farms with food banks to help eliminate food waste and feed those in need.

These efforts are coming to help Texas during a time when many are still scrambling to find food and water after the freezing temperatures created chaos in the state. The snow resulted in rolling power outages and a water shortage, as well as panic buying at local grocery stores.

With Chipotle stepping in, it will help limit the food scarcity in Texas. We stan it.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre

ANN ARBOR, MI  The University of Michigans Lecturers Employees Organization union has opened up member voting on a resolution to bring librarians, archivists and curators into its ranks.

This would include librarians, archivists and curators from all three UM campuses, which is intentional because they are all part of one university, according to Meredith Kahn, a librarian for gender and sexuality studies at UM in Ann Arbor.

If the vote is successful, both groups will look at how the relationship would work, with both groups having a lot in common, Kahn said.

Lecturers and LACs are all non-tenure track faculty, and we all do something that is central to the mission of the university, Kahn said. We both want better working conditions, we want better pay, we want more parity between the three campuses, we want to increase attention to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Those are all things we share, and I think I can speak for the members of the organizing committee for LAC: Were very excited by the prospect of joining LEO.

Kahn and the LAC bargaining unit have been working for several months on this process, but it started when the UM Board of Regents passed a resolution in June 2020 saying university employees no longer need formal elections to form recognized bargaining units.

The resolution involves a provision known as card check, which would enable workers to unionize if the majority of a group looking to bargain as a unit sign a card with their intent to collectively bargain.

That resolution was a game changer, Kahn said, and the LACs felt more comfortable going public because of LEOs governance structure, which allows for representation and engagement for people from different constituencies.

After hearing about the resolution, Kahn and a small group of LACs began talking about what that means for them. They connected with folks from LEO and the American Federation of Teachers, spending the summer learning how to organize, talking to colleagues and gauging interest.

On top of that, it simply took a lot of time to get the right amount of support and organization, Kahn said.

Once you go public, members who are folks of the organizing committee, were putting ourselves out there in a way that does expose us to some risk, and we want to be sure that we have the support of enough of our colleagues before we did that, Kahn said.

Across all three UM campuses, there are a little less than 250 LACs in the bargaining unit, Kahn said. Some of those people were previously members of UMs Graduate Employees Organization, which went on strike in September and issued several demands for the university, including more transparency in UMs COVID-19 plan, support for graduate student instructors to work remotely and childcare subsidies.

From COVID testing to cops, University of Michigan graduate students explain why theyre striking

Many LACs were paying attention to those strikes, partly because they were former members, but also because they care about what happens on campus, Kahn said. The strike showed LACs the impact that organizing can have, Kahn said.

I think we already have quite a bit that we share with lecturers and with organized labor more generally, Kahn said. What happened with the GEO strike this fall it provides an example of the ways in which organized labor can affect change.

If members vote in favor of the resolution to bring LACs into the union, the next step would be creating a model to incorporate LACs into LEO, LEO President Ian Robinson said

There would also be another vote for members to ratify a constitutional change, because theres no way that we can incorporate 250 new people into the union without changing its structure in some way that would have to be reflected in the constitution, Robinson said.

The university is aware of LACs organizing efforts and supports the fundamental right of its employees to form unions and bargain collectively, UM spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said.

The university remains neutral on the issue of union representation in any organizing efforts by university employees, Fitzgerald said.

Weekly meetings are being scheduled between the university and LEO as the union bargains for a new contract. LEOs current contract expires on May 20, Fitzgerald said, and Robinson said he believes there is a commitment from both parties to try to resolve the contract issues by the end of April.

Next steps for LACs and LEO will be announced March 4 after the initial vote has taken place.

READ MORE:

3 venomous spiders cause closure of University of Michigan library

Lung transplant recipient at University of Michigan gets COVID-19 from donor, dies two months later

Sports, bars, student groups among alternative factors landing University of Michigan top ranking in new report
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesLady Gaga is taking to social media with her pleas for the safe return of her two French bulldogs stolen earlier this week.

My beloved dogs Koji and Gustav were taken in Hollywood two nights ago, she wrote on Friday, along with photos of the dogs. My heart is sick and I am praying my family will be whole again with an act of kindness.

She reiterated her reward of $500,000 for their safe return, encouraging anyone with information to email KojiandGustav@gmail.com.

If you bought or found them unknowingly, the reward is the same, she added.

Gaga, who was reportedly in Italy filming a movie when the dognapping occurred Wednesday night, also tweeted her praise for her dog walker, Ryan Fischer, who was shot during the robbery and is currently in stable condition.

I continue to love you Ryan Fischer, you risked your life to fight for our family, she wrote. Youre forever a hero.

Fischer's family issued a statement not long after saying, "As you know, our beloved Ryan was the victim of a horrible, violent crime on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles. Thankfully, Ryan is receiving extraordinary care in the hospital right now and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery."

They thanked all the healthcare workers caring Ryan and added their thanks to Lady Gaga who they said has "shown nothing but non-stop love and concern for Ryan and our family right from the outset."

"Ryan loves [Gustav] and Koji as much as Lady Gaga does; so we join in her plea for their safe return," the family said, concluding, "Thank you very much for your interest and support. At this time we kindly ask that you respect our family's privacy as we are focused on Ryan's recovery."



By Andrea Tuccillo

Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
The centre is part of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). With the help of microscopy and artificial intelligence, the "E-Morph" test reliably identifies substances that can have oestrogen-like or even opposing effects, according to the research team's report in the specialist journal "Environment International". "E-Morph is a milestone on the way to, one day, replacing animal experiments currently required to detect hormone-like effects," says BfR President Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel.

Link to the specialist publication (ScienceDirect): https:/ / www. sciencedirect. com/ science/ article/ pii/ S0160412021000350

Link to the article in BfR2GO, the BfR science magazine: https:/ / www. bfr. bund. de/ cm/ 429/ 16_protection_of_laboratory_animals. pdf

The test is based on the observation that substances with an oestrogen-like effect can loosen the connection between cells in the mammary gland. This makes it easier for breast cancer cells to detach themselves from the tissue - a crucial step in the spreading (metastasis) of tumours. In the E-Morph test, a test substance is given to cultured human breast cancer cells. The cells are then examined to detect whether the cell contacts loosen as if under the influence of oestrogen. This effect is easy to observe under the microscope and can be evaluated fully automated using artificial intelligence. The robot-assisted test including evaluation is quick and enables many substances to be tested in short time. Potential future uses of the test include testing chemicals that have already been marketed as well as those that are about to be launched. The test can also be used to develop new drugs, improve diagnostic tests to detect breast cancer, and optimise therapies.

###

About the BfR

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the German federal government and German federal states ("Laender") on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

About Bf3R

The German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R) was founded in 2015 and is an integral part of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). It co-ordinates all activities nationwide with the goals of restricting animal experiments to only those which are considered essential, and guaranteeing the best possible protection for laboratory animals. Moreover, it intends to stimulate research activities and encourage scientific dialogue.

This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.
The companys guidance for FY2021 has been increased to 47,000-52,000 ounces at an AISC of $1,450 to A$1,600 per ounce.

( ) (OTCMKTS:ALKN) (FRA:AK7) has delivered a half-year profit after tax of A$38.8 million, primarily driven by a 90% increase in gold production at the Tomingley Gold Operations (TGO) in Central West NSW along with the successful demerger of Australian Strategic Minerals ( ).

Production for the period at TGO was 27,418 ounces of gold with all in sustaining costs of A$1,358 per ounce compared to the 14,427 ounces of gold produced in the December 2019 half-year.

Tomingley continues to perform well and is processing underground stope material with recovery as expected.

Cutback in the northeast of the Caloma pit is progressing ahead of schedule and the underground portal from the base of the Caloma pit has also been cut.

Underground ore feed is supplemented by low-grade stockpiles whenever capacity permits.

Tomingley extension project

An extensive exploration program focused on the immediate area to the south of the Tomingley mine has continued as part of the plan to source additional ore feed, either at surface or underground.

On the back of strong results from exploration and resource drilling to the immediate south of Tomingley at the Roswell and San Antonio deposits, Alkane is expediting the process to move to mine development.

The company has started the approval process for Roswell and San Antonio as consultation with regulators, landholders and other stakeholders needed for the Environmental Impact Statement continues.

Feasibility plans that include both open cut and underground mines at Roswell and San Antonio are expected to be finalised in the coming quarter once the San Antonio indicated resource is completed.

Regional exploration

During the quarter the exploration program, which focused on both increasing the drilling density within the Roswell and San Antonio prospects as well as testing strike and depth extensions, was completed.

At Roswell, drilling confirmed the continuity to the defined mineralisation and continued to highlight thick high-grade intersections.

A 30,000-metre follow-up drilling program at the Boda discovery northeast of TGO in the Northern Molong Volcanic Belt also continues with a second rig mobilised to the site.

Results have demonstrated a subvertical elliptical zone of significant gold-copper mineralisation indicative of a large, alkalic porphyry system.

Subsequent drilling, which is planned to target across the northwest structural zone will begin early next year.

Well-funded

On December 31, 2020, the companys cash, bullion, and listed investments totalled A$82.3 million, with A$33.3 million in cash, bullion on hand at a fair value of A$2.7 million and A$46.3 million of listed investments at market value.

Guidance for FY2021 has been increased to 47,000 to 52,000 ounces at an AISC of A$1,450 to A$1,600 per ounce.
Texas epidemiologists are optimistic after two studies published this week indicate that COVID-19 vaccines both reduce the severity of ones infection, and the likelihood that they can spread the virus to others.

In a New England Journal of Medicine article published Wednesday, researchers who studied vaccine recipients from one of Israels largest health care systems found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduced the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases by 94 percent in recipients who received both doses, while also driving a drop in the rate of severe illnesses and asymptomatic infections.

Another study, published in the British medical journal The Lancet, found an 85 percent cut in symptomatic COVID-19 cases within two to four weeks of vaccination. Infections overall, including asymptomatic patients, declined by 75 percent.

That means that once people were vaccinated, the virus was unable to roost in their body, said Richard Rupp, assistant director of the University of Texas - Medical Branchs Sealy Center for Vaccine Development.

If you dont test positive for it at all, you really cant give it to other people, Rupp said.

Its welcome news for millions who have been inoculated since governments began authorizing vaccines in November for emergency use.

NEW STATISTICS: In Harris County, 1 in 8 adults have received their first COVID vaccine

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What it means for transmission

Part of all of this is if you've got a lot of people who are immune either through prior infection, or through vaccine, the people who do get infected will be spreading less virus, said Dr. Charles Lerner, a San Antonio-based infectious diseases specialist. When you have less virus spewing out into the community, the number of people who will get clinically significant infections or asymptomatic infections is reduced.

The slice of the worlds population inoculated so far is not high enough to justify doing away with masks and social distancing, experts said. As of Wednesday, 3.1 million Texans  more than 10 percent  have received at least one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, and nearly 1.5 million have been fully immunized.

About 30 percent of cases are spread by asymptomatic people, researchers said. Public health officials could cut down on infection rates by immunizing people who may not otherwise know that theyre carrying the virus.

Scientists say transmission studies are underway; BioNTech estimated in December it could take as long as six more months.

Rupp, who is the principal investigator on Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trials at the Galveston medical school, runs a similar transmission and infection study to the Israeli studies out this week.

From what Israel is doing, it looks like the answer will be that we shouldn't see much virus at all on any of these swabs, he said.

The new studies follow other promising news from UTMB, which found that Pfizer and Modernas vaccines were effective against the South African and U.K. variants.

NEARING AUTHORIZATION: Here's what you need to know about the FDA-backed, one-shot COVID vaccine from Johnson & Johnson

Lerner, who sits on the Texas Medical Associations COVID-19 Task Force, is skeptical of equating the data to transmission rates. More scientists should review the studies, he said, before making a call on whether it actually lowers the chance of community spread.

I know it doesnt sound as promising and amazing as it really reduces transmission, Lerner said.

Last week, Pfizer submitted new data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration showing that its mRNA vaccine could be stored at normal vaccine refrigeration temperatures. If approved, it could bolster vaccination efforts by making the doses more accessible for physicians offices and small pharmacies that dont have ultra-cold freezers.

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com

twitter.com/gwendolynawu
The suspect, Yin Xiantang, has long pretended to be a military officer to practice frauds and has now been arrested by the Chinese police.

HAIKOU, Feb.26 -- The Public Security Bureau of Haikou City, South Chinas Hainan Province, successfully captured the suspect Yin Xiantangin January 2021, who had pretended to be a military officer to practice frauds for years.

According toinvestigation, the suspect Yin Xiantang has posed to be a senior officer of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and carried out variousfraud activities since 2004. He forged differentofficer certificates, military documents, seals, etc. andused the false military identity to deceive multiple victims on the grounds of introducing various projects, which had posed a bad influence on the image and reputation of the Chinese PLA.

The Haikou Public Security Bureau is currently soliciting clues about the suspect's crimes from the public, urging relevant victims or persons familiar with the matter to contact the public security organs and provide evidence of crimes to assist with the investigation.

The screenshot shows the notice of soliciting clues about Yin Xiantang's crimes issued by the Public Security Bureau of Haikou City, Hainan Province.
On 27 February, the Migration Service Committee of the Ministry of Interior jointly with the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law (KIBHR) , supported by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), are launching the second phase of reach-out visits as part of a joint country-wide identification campaign. The campaign will map statelessness and resolve it through confirmation of nationality or by documenting persons as stateless to provide them with legal status and eventual access to naturalization.

We appreciate the efforts of Kazakh authorities to identify and resolve cases of statelessness across the country. This identification campaign will enable thousands of people without a nationality, who have lived in Kazakhstan for years and consider it their home, to finally fully contribute to society, said Hans F. Schodder, UNHCR Representative for Central Asia.

February to March, the Migration Service Committee together with KIBHR will raise public awareness about statelessness, monitor the implementation of legislation, enhance activities to identify stateless persons and assist in resolving their situation in six regions of Kazakhstan.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice, KIBHR and the Legal Center for Womens Initiatives Sana Sezim first launched this statelesness identification campaign in Kazakhstan in October 2020. By end 2020, it had already identified around 3,000 stateless persons and provided them with legal assistance and counselling.

Since the launch of the global #IBelong Campaign to eradicate statelessness by 2024, the UN Refugee Agency has supported Kazakhstan to identify over 6,500 stateless persons, of which over 2,000 thus confirmed or acquired a nationality.

Statelessness affects millions of people around the world, often denying them access to papers, basic rights and services that citizens take for granted. COVID-19 has exacerbated the difficulties and injustice that stateless people face. Without legal identity many stateless people do not have access or are not included in essential health and protection services and social safety nets.

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(Alliance News) - Glenveagh Properties PLC on Friday said challenges associated with coronavirus hurt its performance in 2020, but it expects to benefit from long-term opportunities going forward.

The Irish homebuilder said total revenue declined by 19% in 2020 to EUR232 million, as number of units build fell by 17% year-on-year to 700.

Glenveagh Properties swung to loss of EUR15.7 million compared to EUR26.7 million profit reported the year prior.

Going forward, the company said it expects 1,150 completions 2021 despite restrictions on construction due to Covid-19. Demand for housing from its customers continues to be strong, Glenveagh Properties said, and market fundamentals are in the company's favour, more so now than in prior periods.

"I believe that the current challenges have broadened the long-term opportunity for the group, with the fall-off in land transactions and commencement activity within the industry in 2020 a signal of the continuing gap between supply and demand," said Chief Executive Stephen Garvey.

"Our well-capitalised platform which delivers across three business segments with access and affordability at the heart of our offering is best placed to help address this undersupply. And our ambition remains to scale the business to 3,000 units by 2024," added Garvey.

Glenveagh Properties shares were untraded in London on Friday, last quoted at EUR0.82 each.

By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Eminent scientists warn that key ecosystems around Australia and Antarctica are collapsing, and propose a three-step framework to combat irreversible global damage.

Their report, authored by 38 Australian, UK and US scientists from universities and government agencies, is published today in the international journal Global Change Biology. Researchers say I heralds a stark warning for ecosystem collapse worldwide, if action if not taken urgently.

Lead author, Dr Dana Bergstrom from the Australian Antarctic Division, said that the project emerged from a conference inspired by her ecological research in polar environments.

"I was seeing unbelievably rapid, widespread dieback in the alpine tundra of World Heritage-listed Macquarie Island and started wondering if this was happening elsewhere," Dr Bergstrom said.

"With my colleagues from the Australian Antarctic Division and the University of Queensland we organised a national conference and workshop on 'Ecological Surprises and Rapid Collapse of Ecosystems in a Changing World', with support from the Australian Academy of Sciences."

The resulting paper and extensive case studies examine the current state and recent trajectories of 19 marine and terrestrial ecosystems across all Australian states, spanning 58 of latitude from coral reefs to Antarctica. Findings include:

Ecosystem collapse (defined as potentially irreversible change to ecosystem structure, composition and function) is occurring now in 19 case studies. This conclusion is supported by empirical evidence, rather than modelled predictions.

No ecosystems have collapsed across their entire range, but for all case studies there is evidence of local collapse.

The 19 ecosystems include the Great Barrier Reef, mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Mediterranean forests and woodlands, the arid zone of central Australia, Shark Bay seagrass beds in Western Australia, Great Southern Reef kelp forests, Gondwanan conifer forests of Tasmania, Mountain Ash forest in Victoria, and moss beds of East Antarctica.

Drivers of ecosystem collapse are pressures from global climate change and regional human impacts, categorised as chronic 'presses' (eg. changes in temperature and precipitation, land clearing) or acute 'pulses' (eg. heatwaves, storms, fires and pollution after storms).

Michael Depledge CBE, Emeritus Professor at the University of Exeter and former Chief Scientific Advisor to the Environment Agency of England and Wales, said the research had particular significance following the UK Government commissioned Dasgupta Review , which recently highlighted the catastrophic economic damage associated with biodiversity loss.

Professor Depledge said: "Our paper is a further wake-up call that shows ecosystems are in varying states of collapse from the tropics to Antarctica. These findings from Australia are a stark warning of what is happening everywhere, and will continue without urgent action. The implications for human health and wellbeing are serious. Fortunately, as we show, by raising awareness, and anticipating risks there is still time to take action to address these changes.

"Our paper will hopefully increase awareness that our ecosystems are collapsing around us. We can already observe the damaging consequences for the health and wellbeing of some communities and anticipate threats to others. Taking stronger action now will avoid heaping further misery on a global population that is already bearing the scars of the global pandemic".

The paper recommends a new '3As' framework to guide decision-making about actions to combat irreversible damage:

Awareness of the importance of the ecosystem and the need for its protection; Anticipation of the risks from current and future pressures Action on reducing the pressures to avoid or lessen their impacts

Example:

Protecting pencil pines from fire in the Southwest Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area: by mapping vegetation values against fire sensitivity (to identify fire-prone Gondwanan conifer communities), maintaining an area specific awareness of the shifting causation of bushfires (increasing frequency of dry lightning strikes), and developing new action strategies to lessen the pressure of unregulated fire (installing sprinkler systems), conservation managers established and used Awareness and Anticipation to formulate positive Action.

The scientific team concluded that in the near future, even apparently resilient ecosystems are likely to suffer collapse as the intensity and frequency of pressures increase.

"Anticipating and preparing for future change is necessary for most ecosystems, unless we are willing to accept a high risk of loss," Dr Bergstrom said.

"Protecting the iconic ecosystems we have highlighted is not just for the animals and plants that live there. Our economic livelihoods, and therefore ultimately our survival, are intimately connected to the natural world."

###

About the University of Exeter Medical School

The University of Exeter Medical School is part of the University of Exeter's College of Medicine and Health. Our mission is to improve the health of the South West and beyond, through the development of high quality graduates and world-leading research that has international impact.

As part of a Russell Group university, we combine this world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction. Exeter has over 19,000 students and is ranked 12th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

The University of Exeter Medical School's Medicine course is in the top 10 in the Complete University Guide 2020.

The College's Medical Imaging programme is ranked in the top 5 in the Guardian Guide 2020 and the Complete University Guide 2020.

The University of Exeter entered the world top 20 for Biomedical and Health Sciences in the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2019, based on the percentage of publications ranked in the top 10 per cent most cited.

https:/ / medicine. exeter. ac. uk/

For further information:

Louise Vennells

Press and Media Manager

University of Exeter Medical School

+44 (0)1392 724927 or 07768 511866

l.vennells@exeter.ac.uk
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The incredible moment a thoughtful truck driver stopped to help a gigantic carpet python has been captured on camera.

The driver left his vehicle to supervise the oncoming traffic as the coastal carpet python slithered across the busy Queensland road.

The truck driver has been commended for his generous act of human kindness, after the image was posted to Facebook on Tuesday.

The kind truck driver supervised the oncoming traffic as the snake slithered across the busy Queensland road

In the photo the truck driver is wearing a high-visibility vest and holds his arms outstretched to attract the attention of oncoming traffic.

'Aussie of the year right there', one comment read.

'I tried that with a Koala last year and got road rage. Good on him', another said.

Many more Facebook users shared their dislike of snakes and described what they would have done in the truck drivers place.

'Run over the rotten thing', another encouraged.

'Chop off it's head with a shovel', another said.

Glenn 'Ozzie' Lawrence (left) and colleague Blake 'Ripcord' (right) are expert snake handlers

One commentator called the snake 'just a big speed bump' while another commented 'the only good snakes are dead ones'.

Expert snake handler Glenn 'Ozzie' Lawrence said the fear of snakes didn't just exist in Australia but exists globally, with the vilification of snakes in the media to blame.

When uneducated people absorb false or exaggerated stories about snake attacks or snake chases, this is when misconceptions are formed, Mr Lawrence said.

The snake handler receives multiple call-outs every day to residents who have stumbled across a snake in their home or backyard.

The coastal carpet python (pictured) is a non-venomous snake

Mr Lawrence said after a non venomous snake has been captured, he will try and make the resident feel comfortable with the snake.

'Yesterday I was called out to Jimboomba where a lady had found a green Common-Tree hatchling behind her bar fridge and was having a full blown anxiety attack.

Pictured: A green tree snake

'After I caught the snake I held it and it wrapped itself around my arm and I showed her it wasn't trying to bite me, and it wasn't all the things that she feared.

'By the time I left she was more understanding.'

Mr Lawrence said snake bites can only occur when people get within striking range of the reptile, which is 3-4 feet.

The snake handler said in his experience people have only been bitten by snakes if they've tried to relocate it themselves or accidentally stand on them.

Mr Lawrence said the coastal carpet python crossing the Queensland road would have had no foresight of the approaching vehicles.

'The snake was lucky enough to have that gentleman in the area, he's an absolute legend', the snake handler said.

The Media must help the fight against corruption by highlighting issues of alleged corrupt practices in order to promote good governance and business integrity.



An independent, pluralistic free press, with trained journalists who have unfettered access to information, was essential to effectively investigate corruption and raise public awareness on its impact.



Madam Awelana Addah, Programmes Manager of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), stated these at a capacity building workshop on Business Integrity Reporting, organised by GII for some selected journalists in Kumasi.



It formed part of GIIs on-going Multi-Stakeholder Business Integrity Forum (MSBIF) project, which is being funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.



The aim was to create a platform for private sector businesses, media practitioners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the public sector, to dialogue and find solutions to challenges relating to doing business in the country.



It was also to help improve the capacity in business integrity reporting to increase awareness of the impact of corruption on private sector businesses.



Madam Addah said business integrity was an indispensable element for sustainable long term business growth and national development.



There was therefore the need for the media to be informed and empowered to educate the public about the negative impact of corruption on economic development.



Madam Addah said the watchdog role of the media must be harnessed to enable them monitor and investigate issues of corruption to help promote transparency and accountability in all sectors.



Mr Kofi Adu-Domfeh, a Senior Journalist and Facilitator at the workshop, urged journalists to ensure that their stories were well investigated, adding that the stories they file should have a positive impact on society.



He called on Journalists to uphold integrity in every area of their practice and investigate stories sent by whistle blowers properly before publishing them.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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ANN ARBOR, MI - With more teachers and school staff expecting to return to the classroom soon, the Washtenaw County Health Department is getting assistance from health care providers to meet the demand for COVID-19 vaccinations.

While progress toward getting Washtenaw Countys teachers and school staff vaccinated has been slow due to limited supply, there are signs of progress, with the health department working with Michigan Medicine and IHA to vaccinate approximately 1,200 elementary school educators on Saturday, Feb 27.

All of those doses are allocated by the county health department, Spokeswoman Susan Ringler-Cerniglia said, with Michigan Medicine and IHA providing staff to help administer the COVID-19 vaccine during clinics at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center, Michigan Stadium and IHA.

This week, in particular, we had more doses than weve had in any week, so there was a bit of an increase that allowed us to go forward with being able to give it in a more collaborative way, Ringler-Cerniglia said.

The health departments strategy for allocating COVID-19 vaccine doses has not changed since it began receiving the vaccine from the state in January, Ringler-Cerniglia said.

The health department continues to work alongside local health systems and pharmacies to coordinate vaccination efforts, understand who they are vaccinating based on the states prioritization guidelines and address gaps to ensure all eligible individuals have access to vaccine, she said.

Vaccine supplies, on the other hand, are allocated through state or federal health authorities directly to each emergency provider, Ringler-Cerniglia said, noting the health department has not been given any indication this weeks vaccine allocation increase will continue in the weeks ahead.

We certainly hope thats a trend that continues, but the state has been very clear with us that theyll continue to allocate based on the guidance that theyve set up, she said.

The partnerships have allowed the Washtenaw Intermediate School District to offer vaccine appointments to all preK-2 school staff in the county, Spokeswoman Ashley Kryscynski said, as well as some upper elementary teachers and staff in grades 3-5. Invitations for that group are expected to be extended to all county school employees next week, she said.

Moving forward, Kryscynski said schools will have the option to be more flexible in how remaining school staff who need vaccination are invited to make an appointment, depending on local vaccine supplies. This will allow schools to meet the needs of their own in-person learning plans, she said.

Were optimistic that, as long as we see similar or increased vaccine allocations from the state, every school employee and contractor in Washtenaw County will have the opportunity to be vaccinated over the next few weeks through this partnership with WCHD, IHA and Michigan Medicine, as well as through St. Joes, Kryscynski said.

While the announced partnership between the health department and Michigan Medicine and IHA was instrumental in Ann Arbor Public Schools decision this week to begin transitioning to a hybrid learning format, partnerships in other parts of the county have allowed school districts to get appointments for teachers and staff.

St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea began partnering in late January with school districts in western Washtenaw County, including Chelsea School District, Dexter Community Schools and Manchester Community Schools, to vaccinate teachers.

Each week, based on the hospitals limited vaccine allotment, a portion of vaccine appointments are allocated to teachers. The hospital began with teachers age 65 and older and have since expanded to include all school staff 40 and older.

By Saturday, all Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester school district staff older than 40 will have been offered a vaccine appointment at St. Joes Chelsea, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System Spokesperson Laura Blodgett said, accounting for approximately 75% of school staff in those districts. The hospital has vaccinated nearly 350 staff members from those schools as of Feb. 24.

Were doing our best to prioritize the teachers and the staff to get them through as quickly as we can, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Chief Nursing Officer Cheryl Taylor said. We have good relationships with those school districts, so were trying to target the community in which we serve.

On the north side of the county, the health department is hosting a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic Monday, March 1, at Whitmore Lake Public Schools, where every employee of the district requesting the vaccine will have a dose available to them, Superintendent Tom DeKeyser said.

As of Feb. 24, 97,376 doses of vaccine have been administered in Washtenaw County between its various health systems. The Washtenaw County Health Department is responsible for administering 19,572 of those doses.

The health department estimates about 20,000 people are currently registered on its appointment request list. The department is prepared to administer 5,000 first and second doses the week of March 1, officials said.

READ MORE:

AAPS, Michigan Medicine vaccine partnership a game-changer in students return to classroom, officials say

Vaccination frustration: Washtenaw County has states lowest percentage of vaccinated teachers

20,000 Washtenaw County residents waiting for COVID vaccine appointment
Health (mean relative condition) of juvenile blue catfish for 16 weeks at 2 temperature levels and 4 salinity levels. Fish were healthier at higher temperatures except under the highest salinity level after week 8. Ribbons show 95% confidence bands. Credit: Vaskar Nepal.

A study by researchers at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science suggests that continued warming of Atlantic coastal waters may enhance the spread of invasive blue catfish within the Chesapeake Bay and other estuaries along the U.S. East Coast.

The research, by Drs. Vaskar Nepal and Mary Fabrizio of VIMS, appeared in a recent issue of PLOS ONE. It builds on an earlier study by the two authors showing that blue catfish can better tolerate salinity spikes than most freshwater fishes, and thus may be able to expand their range downstream into mainstem Chesapeake waters, and from there into new Bay tributaries and even Delaware Bay. "Blue cats" were introduced to tidal freshwater stretches of the James, York, and Rappahannock rivers during the 1970s and 1980s to enhance recreational fisheries. They feed on vegetation, mollusks, and fishes, often out-competing native species such as white catfish. Their continued spread thus concerns fisheries managers.

The pair conducted their latest study to investigate the combined, long-term effects of salinity and temperature on catfish health and behavior. Nepal, now a post-doctoral research associate at VIMS, says "By manipulating both factors, we were able to address an important knowledge gap and more closely simulate real-world conditions, where salinity and temperature can and do vary over a range of time scales." East Coast estuaries are warmer and typically saltier during summer; colder and fresher during winter and spring. Their heat and salt content can also vary on shorter time-scales during rainy spells, drought, heat waves, or cold snaps.

The researchers studied the combined effects of salinity and temperature by monitoring the health and behavior of 160 juvenile blue catfish divided among two duplicate sets of eight tanks, each set with four levels of salinity (1, 4, 7 or 10 practical salinity units) and two temperature levels (54 F or 72 F). The salinity treatments represent a range from largely fresh (1 psu) to moderately brackish (10 psu) waters, as found in many Bay tributaries. The temperatures are typical of Chesapeake Bay waters occupied by blue catfish during winter and spring. All tanks and fish were monitored inside the VIMS Seawater Research Laboratory for more than three months.

Mean consumption rates shown by juvenile blue catfish were higher at higher temperatures at all salinity levels. Rate is measured in grams/kilogram; error bars correspond to 95% confidence bands. Credit: Vaskar Nepal/VIMS.

Nepal and Fabrizio assessed how the eight salinity and temperature combinations affected the fish's growth, body condition, body composition, and food consumption. Their results show that warmer water temperature has a positive effect on the biology of blue catfish under salinity conditions often encountered in estuarine waters.

"At salinities up to 7 psu, mean growth rate, body condition, and consumption rates were all higher at 72 degrees than at 54 degrees," says Nepal. "We measured the highest growth and body condition at 72 degrees and 4 psu." Warmer, fresher watersas projected by climate models in the future Bay due to increased trapping of heat and enhanced precipitationwould thus appear to favor the spread and establishment of blue cats.

The average rate at which blue cats consumed their food did decline significantly at salinities greater than 9 psu. This was not unexpected, as that is the internal salinity of most freshwater fishes. When bathed in waters saltier than their own internal tissues, fish must expend considerable energy to prevent osmosis from driving bodily fluids into the surrounding water. That extra energy expenditure decreases the fish's overall health. In Nepal and Fabrizio's experiments, blue catfish held at 10 psu showed low consumption rates, slow growth, and low body condition.

Fabrizio, a professor and chair of the Fisheries Science Department at VIMS, says "Habitats with salinities higher than 9 psu likely will not support the full life-cycle of blue catfish, but the fish may use salinities up to 10 psu for foraging, dispersal, and even growth."

"Blue cats" were introduced to tidal freshwater stretches of the James, York, and Rappahannock rivers during the 1970s and 1980s to enhance recreational fisheries. They feed on vegetation, mollusks, and fishes, often out-competing native species such as white catfish. Their continued spread thus concerns fisheries managers. Credit: VIMS Trawl Survey.

"Many brackish habitats along the U.S. East Coast may thus be vulnerable to invasion by blue catfish," says Nepal, "particularly given increasing temperatures due to climate warming."

"Given these findings," he adds, "state and regional management agencies should pay close attention to habitats at these salinities, especially in areas that provide nursery habitat for native species of conservation concern."

Sea-level rise promises one bright spot for those concerned with the spread of blue catfish. "Our rising seas are projected to bring saltier waters farther up our estuaries and tributaries," says Nepal. "This salinity intrusion may serve to limit dispersal between tributaries and form discrete subpopulations of blue catfish that are only connected during periods of high freshwater flow."

Explore further Study shows invasive blue catfish can tolerate high salinities

More information: Vaskar Nepal et al, Sublethal effects of salinity and temperature on non-native blue catfish: Implications for establishment in Atlantic slope drainages, PLOS ONE (2020). Journal information: PLoS ONE Vaskar Nepal et al, Sublethal effects of salinity and temperature on non-native blue catfish: Implications for establishment in Atlantic slope drainages,(2020). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244392
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Milrem Robotics, the leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, will exhibit its Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle for the first time at Idex 2021.

The Type-X RCV is designed to support mechanized units and will become an intelligent wingman to main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. It will be capable of taking on the most dangerous tasks and positions, resulting in lower lethality risk.

The robotic combat vehicle can be fitted with a cannon up to 50 mm hence it will provide equal or overmatching firepower and tactical usage to a unit equipped with Infantry Fighting vehicles.

The Type-X provides means to breach enemy defensive positions with minimal risk to own troops. If a RCV is lost, its replacement will become purely a logistical nuance, however, lives will have been saved, said Kuldar Vaarsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

Milrem Robotics RCV will be equipped with intelligent functions such as follow-me, waypoint navigation and obstacle detection. Artificial Intelligence will also be part of the algorithms.

However, the true innovation will be Milrems totally new and innovative approach to allow remote controlled operations on higher speeds.

The vehicles maximum speed is 80 km/h on paved roads and 50 km/h off-road. The low weight of 12 tonnes of the Type-X and high power with efficient power management provide a superior terrain capability and its low height of 2.2 m and a rear engine provide low visual and heat signature.

To create the Type-X Milrem Robotics utilised its knowledge gained from developing its THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle, intended to support dismounted troops, that has been acquired by ten countries, including seven NATO members: France, Norway, the UK, Germany, Estonia, the Netherlands and the US.

Milrem Robotics is the European leading robotics and autonomous systems developer and the leader of iMUGS  a 32,6 MEUR project funded from the European Commissions European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) to develop a European standardised unmanned ground system.

The vehicle will be on display at John Cockerills stand no B18 in hall 12. -- Tradearabia News Service
Hyundai Motor has so far avoided a chip shortage that has plagued global automakers, largely maintaining its stockpile of chips last year and even accelerating purchases towards the end, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

The shortage has forced production cuts worldwide, including at Volkswagen and General Motors, prompting Germany and the United States to ramp up efforts to resolve the shortage.

Other than Japan's Toyota Motor, which said this month it had enough chip inventory to last it about four months, Hyundai and its sister firm Kia Corp are the only global automakers to have maintained a stockpile of low-tech chips that helped them keep up production.

If it doesn't ease soon, though, the shortage could hit Hyundai too, as tight capacity on factory floors starts pressuring production of even high-tech auto chips, said two of the people, who are familiar with the company's purchases.

The South Korean automaker kept buying chips even as rivals cut orders to reflect diminished demand because of the pandemic.

Analysts said past events that roiled Hyundai's supply chain and forced it to halt production have shaped this more conservative take on inventory, a departure from automakers' typical just-in-time approach.

"Like other automakers, Hyundai also planned to cut production at the beginning of the year because of COVID-19," said one of the people with direct knowledge of Hyundai's purchases.

"But procurement read the trend of the semiconductor industry cutting auto chips production and said, 'if we don't buy them as well, we'll be in trouble later on,'" said the person, referring to a rush of buying by gadget makers that sucked up most chipmaking capacity.

Chipmakers who supply auto companies outsource most of their production to contract manufacturers like Taiwan's TSMC , which analysts say often prioritise orders from electronics clients who account for nearly all their revenue.

Hyundai still bought fewer chips in 2020 than it did in 2019, said one of the sources with direct knowledge of auto chip production. But it sharply increased buying in the quarter that ended in December, the person said.

The people declined to be identified because they are not authorised to speak to media.

The fact that Hyundai's domestic market was relatively solid through the pandemic most likely influenced the company's plans, analysts said, as did its experiences with China and Japan.

Hyundai took lessons from a diplomatic spat with Japan in 2019 that affected supplies https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-japan-laborers-chip-analys-idUSKCN1UR3LZ of chemicals at South Korean chipmakers, and in early 2020, when the coronavirus was spreading in China, production was halted in Hyundai and Kia's plants because of shortages of a part from China.

A spokeswoman told Reuters Hyundai was collaborating with its suppliers to maintain stable production.

RISING CONCERN

Since Hyundai kept buying from chipmakers and global auto parts suppliers such as Bosch and Continental before the shortage worsened, they also managed to keep costs down.

"This has allowed Hyundai to first, secure auto chips, and second, buy them when they were cheaper," said Kim Jin-woo, analyst at Korea Investment & Securities.

Hyundai also has more local suppliers than rivals.

These suppliers - including Telechips, which contracts fabrication out to Samsung Electronics - are likely to prioritise Hyundai, from whom they get much of their revenue, analysts said.

One person with direct knowledge of Hyundai's purchasing decisions said the company has diversified suppliers for at least one chip since late last year.

In a statement on Thursday, Hyundai said it plans to halt operations at one South Korean factory for five days in March to adjust inventories of some models.

A union official told Reuters the company was trying to save chips by adjusting production of its weaker-selling Sonata model. Sonata in South Korea sold 67,440 units last year versus 145,463 units of Hyundai's most popular sedan Grandeur.

According to an internal document seen by Reuters, Hyundai expects the shortage to ease in the third quarter, and Kia said last month that since October it had been reviewing its supply chain to prevent production disruption.

"We would not say we are prepared for the next three to six months, but we could tell you that we are not seeing any immediate production disruption," Kia said on an earnings call last month.

Still, there is rising concern at Hyundai, two of the three people said. The company is checking inventory more frequently and trying to lock down supply contracts earlier, one of them said.

The union official said Hyundai had told the union this week that Hyundai "had secured a lot of chips" but that the situation was becoming "a bit difficult".

"Clients are trying to pull all they can, while suppliers are being strategic about which order they meet," said the source with direct knowledge of auto chip production. "It's going to get worse before it gets better."

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New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) in a press conference on Friday announced the polling dates for Tamil Nadu Assembly which will take place in one phase on April 6 .

Polls for 234 seats in Tamil Nadu will be a contest between the Congress-DMK and BJP-AIADMK alliance.

While, polling for 30 seats in the Union Territory of Puducherry will also be held on April 6 in one phase. The election results for both will be annuonced on May 2.

This is the first major set of elections to be held in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic after the Bihar election. The voting hours have been increased by an hour.

The poll panel held a crucial meeting on Wednesday to finalise the schedule for the upcoming poll to four states (West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala) and one Union Territory (Puducherry).

Similar to the Bihar polls, candidates for the election will also follow the guidelines while officials inside polling booths will wear masks, face shields, and gloves and use sanitisers.

The Election Commission on Friday announced the schedule for assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry. The counting of votes for all five assembly elections will take place on May 2 said the Election Commission (EC).

The terms of legislative assemblies of four states -- Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal -- are coming to an end in May and June.
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Married At First Sight Australia's Jules Robinson has revealed that she once played a hilarious prank on her husband Cameron Merchant involving her eyebrows.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, the reality star, 38, shared a throwback video of Cam's, 37, 'priceless' reaction after tricking him into thinking her new eyebrows were finished despite being covered in dye.

Jules and Cam were undoubtedly the loved-up success story of Married At First Sight Australia's sixth season. The show original aired Down Under in 2019 but has become a surprising hit in the UK recently.

Funny! Married At First Sight Australia's Jules Robinson has revealed that she once played a hilarious prank on her husband Cameron Merchant involving her eyebrows

Speaking to her 611K followers on Friday, the reality star shared a hilarious video from 2019 where she tricked her husband after getting her eyebrows feathered for the first time, saying: [It] still cracks me up' followed by crying laughing emojis.

The procedure, also known as microfeathering, uses a precise blade to cosmetic tattoo eyebrows into looking fuller.

Jules decided to FaceTime Cam when her eyebrows were smothered in dye, she penned: 'When you call and say you're finished.'

In a screenshot from their call at the time, Cam looked panicked as he put his hand to his head while Jules hilariously posed to the camera.

Prank: Taking to her Instagram Stories, the reality star, 38, shared a throwback video of Cam's, 37, 'priceless' reaction after tricking him into thinking her new eyebrows were finished despite being covered in dye

Happy days! Jules and Cameron met on season six of Nine's controversial social experiment, which was filmed in late 2018 and aired in Australia in early 2019, before hitting screens in the UK earlier this year and garnering a huge fan base (pictured at their official wedding)

Sharing more snaps from their FaceTime, Jules soon told her worried husband that it was a prank, to which he laughed at her joked with a 'face of relief'.

The reality star ended her video with a sweet selfie of the two, which she captioned: 'He likes them.'

Jules captioned the video from 2019 with: 'It's not that scary after all! Who else blames Pamela Anderson for their brows?! #90s #fashionfail

'I put together this igtv for those women who were like me. Wanting brows, but scared of it all going horribly wrong! and just afraid of the unknown. This video shows step by step what happens,and it wasn't scary at all #probrowtech.

Oops! Speaking to her 611K followers on Friday, the reality star shared a hilarious video from 2019 where she tricked her husband after getting her eyebrows feathered for the first time, saying: [It] still cracks me up' followed by crying laughing emojis

He's a fan! The reality star ended her video with a sweet selfie of the two, which she captioned: 'He likes them.'

'I strongly recommend calling someone half way through and saying your done!!. Cams face is priceless! @geegeebrows your amazing and so skilled! thank you !

'I know wake up with on point brows ! #feathertattoo #brows #doublebay #geegeebrows #lightbrownbrows #naturalkookingbrows #90sfashion.'

Jules had been discussing her eyebrows on her Instagram Story on Friday which led her to share her hilarious past prank.

She quipped: 'My husband just said to me, on his own accord, your eyebrows look really nice. Which is pretty big coming from him because he calls me Angry Bird all the time.

Eyebrow chat: Jules had been discussing her eyebrows on her Instagram Story on Friday which led her to share her hilarious past prank

'I just don't think men will ever understand the importance of good eyebrows but anyway...'

Jules then listed the treatments she has had on her eyebrows, calling them a 'game changer', and revealed she recently had them retouched.

Jules and Cameron were undoubtedly the loved-up success story of Married At First Sight Australia's sixth season.

And following the show's rip-roaring success in the UK after its original screening Down Under in 2019, the couple appeared on This Morning on Thursday to chat to mega-fan Holly Willoughby and her co-host Phillip Schofield.

Loved-up: Jules and Cameron appeared on Thursday's This Morning for an interview much to Holly Willoughby's delight

As the blonde beauty, 40, fangirled over the pair, Jules revealed that she had searched for love during her 14 years in the UK yet grew tired of relentlessly looking on dating apps before taking part in the series and meeting Cam.

Jules and Cameron met on season six of Nine's controversial social experiment, which was filmed in late 2018 and aired in Australia in early 2019, before hitting screens in the UK earlier this year and garnering a huge fan base.

After falling in love, the couple, who welcomed their son Oliver Chase in October, got engaged during the finale and later married for real in a legally binding ceremony, selling the broadcast rights to A Current Affair.
Pathology giant Sonic Healthcare has been brought in to help get the COVID-19 vaccine rollout back on track in aged care facilities in NSW and Queensland after delays and a bungle involving the original provider.

In Victoria, 25 vials of the vaccine were thrown away out of an abundance of caution after workers could not confirm refrigeration temperatures had been maintained while they were stored at a Werribee aged care facility.

Sonic Healthcare will assist the aged care vaccine rollout. Credit:Edwina Pickles

More than 90 aged care facilities have received 6500 COVID-19 vaccines since the broad rollout began on Monday, with a further 20 expected to have vaccines by the end of Friday.

It is well short of the 30,000 doses originally expected to be distributed to 240 facilities by the end of the week but Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Friday that target would be met by the middle of next week and the rollout would be back on track by the end of week two.

ALBANY  Dozens of state lawmakers peppered state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker with questions about New York's handling of the coronavirus pandemic during a much-anticipated budget hearing Thursday, and did not conceal their displeasure with the administration's handling of the illness in nursing homes.

"We are the only state in the nation which counted (fatalities in) nursing homes in a convoluted way," Schenectady Republican Sen. James Tedisco said, challenging Zucker and other members of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's administration to admit "your culpability in these deaths."

The administration has been mired in controversy over its handling of the virus in the long-term care facilities, with legislators for months demanding clarity on how an early Health Department directive might have fueled nursing home deaths and calling for data on how many nursing home residents died after being transferred to hospitals. The matter is currently being investigated by federal prosecutors.

Sen. Tom O'Mara, a Southern Tier Republican, asked Zucker whether he had been subpoenaed by either Democratic-led state legislative chamber, and if the Health Department has responded to a federal Department of Justice letter inquiring about nursing home deaths.

After Zucker declined to answer, citing legal concerns, O'Mara concluded by telling the commissioner he considered "virtually everything you said today to be totally without credibility."

But the scrutiny was not limited to nursing homes. Zucker faced challenges from lawmakers over how vaccinations have been distributed; a provision to allow out-of-state practitioners to provide telehealth services in New York; staffing and personal protective equipment shortages; Medicaid cuts and general cuts to providers for senior citizens, alcohol and substance abuse and mental health programs; and a legal immunity clause slipped into the state budget vote last year.

A January report from state Attorney General Letitia James on COVID-19 in nursing homes found that this blanket immunity policy may have incentivized those facilities to place profits over safety, Sen. Alessandra Biaggi told Zucker.

"Do you still support this article?" the Westchester Democrat asked.

Zucker initially took offense to the question, and dismissed the notion that health care workers would not provide appropriate care.

"You are not answering the question I asked you," Biaggi said. "It has nothing to do with health care professionals."

Zucker would only say that he had supported the decision at the time it was added to the budget almost a year ago.

The health commissioner's testimony was preceded by a conference call conducted by Steven M. Cohen, a longtime Cuomo advisor, former federal prosecutor and current chair of the Empire State Development Corp. Cohen repeated the administrations defense of its actions on nursing homes and insisted its slow response on data production was merely a sincere effort to provide the correct numbers.

It wasn't until James released her office's report revealing the Health Department had underreported the deaths of nursing home residents related to COVID-19 by as much as 50 percent that Zucker released some of that sought-after data. The agency's preliminary review of the data from March 1 to Jan. 19 showed 9,786 confirmed fatalities associated with residents in skilled nursing facilities. That figure includes 5,957 deaths within nursing homes and 3,829 in hospitals.

Cohen, who assisted in the state's pandemic response, and others in Cuomos administration have repeatedly conflated the newly launched investigation  by the FBI and the Eastern District U.S. Attorney's office  with inquiries that were begun by the Justice Department in August, under President Donald Trump's administration.

You have to understand how it has been politicized," Cohen said. "  I am not suggesting that we should not be looking in respect to nursing homes  but that doesnt change the fact that this situation was largely set up as part of a political process in a highly contested and high-stakes national campaign for president.

However, reporting by the Times Union and others has indicated that current investigations into nursing homes and the Cuomo administration are separate from the inquiries launched in August.

Cohen defended the Health Departments controversial March 25, 2020, policy that said nursing homes could not turn away COVID-positive patients. He said the order was and remains in line with Centers for Disease Control guidance, and that it was designed to prevent the hospital system from being overrun.

In the hearing, Zucker repeatedly cited his agency's July report that concluded the order played no significant role in the virus' spread in nursing homes.

"I know you said what you said back in July is still true today, but there have been a lot of reports that would seem to contradict that statement alone," Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said. "Is it still your assertion that the March 25 order  which the attorney general and Empire Center (for Public Policy) both concluded played a role in the spread and fatalities  ... did not have any effect?"

Zucker blamed community spread, whereby asymptomatic nursing home staff inadvertently brought the virus into nursing homes during a time when little was known about the virus.

"It is very clear that this administration  whether it's you, sir, or anybody else speaking on his behalf  will never acknowledge that you did anything wrong," Bronx Democratic Sen. Gustavo Rivera said.

Rivera also questioned New York's plans to use Medicaid "savings" to help close the state's general fund deficit along with offsetting the costs of increased enrollment in the program.

Rivera called that plan "bananas and frickin' crazy," echoing sentiments shared by other legislators who expressed concern about the cuts being imposed during a pandemic.

There are now roughly 7 million New Yorkers insured through Medicaid, yet New York has budgeted less money to cover those costs, said Manhattan Democratic Sen. Liz Krueger, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee.

"It's just an impossible scenario," Krueger said. "You can't provide health insurance for 7 million people on a lower cost than we started off on for 4 million people, and we shouldn't even be trying."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 05:58:00|Editor: huaxia

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by Mahmoud Darwesh

TRIPOLI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Libyan analysts believe that granting confidence to the new Government of National Unity is crucial to overcoming political differences, on which the parties agreed in Geneva weeks ago.

They showed worries that the delay in enabling the new government to replace the current UN-backed Government of National Accord would bring back political chaos, following months of dialogue that ended the war and selected a new executive authority.

"The House of Representatives (HoR) is delaying an extraordinary session to grant confidence to the Government of National Unity. This is a dangerous retreat and will have repercussions on the current temporary political stability," Faraj al-Daly, a Libyan political analyst, told Xinhua.

"The claim that the dispute among HoR members is over the city to host the confidence-granting session is an inaccurate description of the reality of the disagreement," al-Daly said.

A major disagreement emerged among HoR members over which city would host the session, as the cities of Ghadames, Sirte, and Sabratha are considered candidates.

"The deputies are divided into groups, and each group is trying to add its candidate to the government of Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who alluded to facing political pressures even before his government is approved," he added.

Newly-selected Dbeibah on Thursday presented the ministerial structure of his government to the HoR.

"The announcement of the names (of the cabinet) will be done as soon as the HoR session is held," he said, pointing out that his government would be "technocrat and professional" representing all Libyans.

Libyan political affairs expert Fatima al-Zaidi believes that Dbeibah's presentation of the government structure raised concern among the Libyans over pressure on him from the HoR.

"Dbeibah hinted more than once in his press conference that this stage is difficult and needs great concessions. His attempt to propose a cabinet representing all parts of Libya and his hope that the HoR will quickly grant it confidence are all messages that the new prime minister is under pressure from the HoR. This may threaten the approval of his government," she told Xinhua.

Al-Zaidi pointed out that some HoR members wish to gain a ministerial post for their relatives or even themselves in exchange for approving the new government.

"Some HoR members appeared in the media and said that some of their colleagues are putting pressure on Dbeibah, and they are explicitly asking for high positions in the new government for them, for people close to them, or for representatives of their cities in exchange for granting confidence to the government," she said.

The prime minister-designate has called on all the Libyan parties to make "painful concessions" to ease the suffering of the Libyans due to the political division in the country.

However, Miloud Al-Hajj, a Libyan university professor, believes that the dispute within the HoR can be overcome by adopting "the second option."

"When the new executive authority was selected by the members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), two methods were identified to grant confidence to the new government: the first is through the HoR within a specific period of time ending on March 19, and the second option is, in case the HoR fails to approve the government, the government is presented to the members of the LPDF, who can grant it without the need to resort to the HoR," Al-Hajj said.

The UN-sponsored LPDF has recently selected the new executive authority for the country, which was welcomed by all the Libyan parties.

The new authority's main task is to prepare the country for the upcoming general elections on Dec. 24, 2021, also agreed by the LPDF. Enditem
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 17:44:55|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Feb. 25, 2021 shows the plane carrying the first batch of China's COVID-19 vaccines to Argentina with prints saying "Happy New Year and Good Year of the Ox" both in Chinese and Spanish and a sign of Ox on the fuselage. Argentina received the first batch of vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm on Thursday night. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)

BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Argentina received its first batch of vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm on Thursday night.

Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers Santiago Cafiero was on hand to receive the shipment at the Ezeiza International Airport on the southern outskirts of the capital Buenos Aires.

Accompanying Cafiero were Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Sola and Health Minister Carla Vizzotti, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Zou Xiaoli.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Argentine counterpart, Alberto Fernandez, have reached an important consensus on cooperation in the development and use of vaccines, said Zou.

"This consensus has become a reality" thanks to the joint efforts of Argentina's foreign affairs and health ministries, Argentina's National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT) and the Sinopharm group, Zou told reporters at the airport.

The Chinese ambassador highlighted China-Argentina cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, including exchanges among medics regarding diagnosis and treatment experience, institutions' cooperation in vaccine clinical trials, as well as the acquisition and transportation of vaccines.

"The arrival of vaccines from China is a milestone in cooperation against the pandemic," said Zou. "As long as Argentina needs it, China is willing to continue providing various supplies against the pandemic, including vaccines."

"Vaccines are undoubtedly valuable, but more valuable than vaccines are unity and cooperation. Sino-Argentine cooperation against the pandemic fully proves this point," added the envoy.

China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation in bilateral and multilateral fields, jointly respond to challenges, share development opportunities and make greater contributions to the well-being of the two peoples and to world peace and prosperity, said Zou.

Also present at the event was President of Aerolineas Argentinas Pablo Ceriani, who told the press that "We are very happy about this flight to bring vaccines, which is a huge effort by the entire government, and by the Chinese government as well, for which we are very grateful."

The aircraft used to deliver the Chinese vaccines to Argentina also carried with it a greeting from China. In addition to its traditional light blue and white colors, it bore the legend "Happy New Year - Year of the Ox" on its fuselage, in both Spanish and Chinese, with the image of a red ox inside a golden circle.

Argentina registered its first case of COVID-19 on March 3, 2020 and has reported 2,093,645 cases with 51,795 deaths from the disease as of Thursday night. Enditem
NIA charges 9 Al-Qaeda operatives from Bengal, Kerala who were planning attacks on kafirs

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against 11 members of the Al-Qaeda module from West Bengal and Kerala.

The case was registered by the NIA based on information about an Al Qaeda inspired module operating in the states of West Bengal and Kerala under the leadership of Murshid Hasan.

The members of this module were in the advanced stage of a conspiracy to execute terrorist attacks in different parts of the country. In well synchronised raids conducted on last year in Kerala and Bengal, nine terrorists were arrested. Subsequently two more operatives were arrested from West Bengal.

NIA charges two for propagating violent Jihad in Kerala ISIS Omar Al Hindi case

Investigation revealed that Murshid Hasan was in touch with Al Qaeda handlers based in Pakistan and Bangladesh and had received instructions along with radical propaganda material through encrypted social media platforms from them.

Murshid Hasan along with his other associates conspired to radicalise and recruit more individuals into the Al Qaeda. They disseminated radical material through social media and encrypted chat platforms with an intention to radicalise and recruit others for establishing an Islamic State by waging violent jihad in India.

Investigation also revealed that the group members planned to attack individuals whom they consider Kafirs. The group members had conducted a series of conspiratorial meetings for raising funds for the purchase of arms and ammunitions/explosive materials, radicalising and recruiting more members and charting out the future course of action including establishing a Markaz ( a training centre for providing religious and weapons training to new recruits).

The accused persons were also in active communication with an arms dealer through their foreign based handlers and were planning to receive a consignment of sophisticated arms and ammunitions in New Delhi.

WHO chief lauds PM Modi | 'Hope others follow India' | Oneindia News

However, their nefarious plans were obviated by their timely arrest by NIA. The accused persons were planning to attack among others, an India based Bangladeshi blogger for his views expressed on social media.

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Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 16:01 [IST]
The U.S. House on Friday plans to take up President Joe Bidens coronavirus stimulus bill as lawmakers in both chambers discussed changes theyd like to make to the legislation. A vote could occur later in the day or early Saturday morning.

The measure is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House, though it remains to be seen how many Republicans will buck their party and support the bill even though it is favored by more than two-thirds of Americans in a Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month.

It would include $1,400 direct payments for individuals making up to $75,000 and $2,800 for couples making up to $150,000, plus $1,400 checks for dependents.

The checks would gradually phase out for individuals earning between $75,000 and $100,000 and for couples earning between $150,000 and $200,000. But some members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., are discussing lowering the thresholds for receiving direct payments.

Rep. Donald Norcross, though, said that the paycheck protection program loans didnt phase out for small businesses with higher revenues because they all needed help.

It sounds like its a lot of money and it is, but its about helping everyone, said Norcross, D-1st Dist., on a Zoom press conference to support the stimulus bill. Everybodys suffering in this and were all in this together.

And Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., speaking on the same Zoom call, said she had teamed up with another West Virginian, Republican Rep. David McKinley, in supporting the higher thresholds.

There are many challenges that families are facing right now, and our goal is to support them, Blunt Rochester said. We just want to get money into the hands of the people.

Manchin, who previously has called for more narrowly targeted payments, is key because Biden needs the votes of all 50 Senate Democrats to allow Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie and clear the bill. The measure is being considered under a procedure known as reconciliation that prevents a Senate filibuster and allows passage by majority vote.

But any effort to reduce the thresholds too much would run afoul of lawmakers from high-cost states like New Jersey, where a dollar buys a lot less than in, for example, West Virginia or Maine, where Republican U.S. Sen Susan Collins also said she favored less generous payments.

Were a higher cost state and our dollars dont go nearly as far as some of the other states, said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist.

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist., said the House provisions already had been discussed with the Biden administration and Senate Democrats.

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Every committee worked with the equivalent in the Senate and with the White House to try to come to a consensus, said Pallone, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Basically, this is all agreed on. There might be some changes around the edge but I dont think there will be many.

One thing that now likely wont be in the Senate bill is a $15 an hour federal minimum wage, matching what New Jerseys will become. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled Thursday that the provision as written could not be included under reconciliation.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the provision will remain in the House bill. House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary, she said.

The Senate could try to rewrite the section to try to pass muster, or seek to pass a separate bill if Democrats can get the 60 votes needed to override an expected Republican filibuster.

We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden respected the ruling and would work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty.

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Also Thursday, Gottheimer and Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-10th Dist., joined 10 other House Democrats in asking to exempt the first $10,200 of unemployment insurance from federal income taxes.

Americans are struggling nationwide and need money to pay for housing, food and medicine, Payne said. Many Americans are still looking for work and need our assistance to survive. We shouldnt be taking that money from them during this economic crisis.

While New Jerseyans dont pay state income taxes on their unemployment payments, they would owe federal taxes and could find themselves on the hook for thousands of dollars this year if they did not have taxes withheld.

There would be a huge surprise for people if suddenly a tax bill showed up when theyre already in dire straits, Gottheimer said. Its adding insult to injury.

Biden, meanwhile, made a pitch for the stimulus package Thursday at the virtual winter meeting of the National Governors Association.

We need to be more ambitious right now, Biden told the Republican and Democratic governors. The greatest risk from all the major economists, from Wall Street to overseas to the major think tanks, is that we dont do enough of what is needed; its when we do too little.

And at a telephone press conference held by the National Association of Counties, Republican officials objected to GOP members of Congress calling the proposed $350 billion in state and local aid a blue-state bailout.

Maybe our senators, even our members of the House, are not seeing those local government impacts, said counties association president Gary Moore, the Republican judge/executive of Boone County, Kentucky.

Officials said counties were on the front lines of the pandemic, funding health care workers, police officers and other first-responders, even as some governments struggled to plug budget gaps caused by a pandemic-induced drop in tax collections.

We think there may be a disconnect there, said Greg Puckett, a Republican commissioner from Mercer County, West Virginia. We have to have additional resources. If we dont, we simply cant solve the problems.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com.

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Bigg Boss 14 finalist Rakhi Sawant's mother Jaya Sawant is currently undergoing cancer treatment in Mumbai's hospital. When Rakhi Sawant was in the Bigg Boss house, she spoke to her mother through video call. At that time, it was revealed that she was admitted to the hospital for surgery. And now, Jaya Sawant's health condition is not so good, as she is undergoing chemotherapy.

Rakhi Sawant had shared a video with her mother, in which one can see the effects of chemotherapy on Jaya Sawant. The Main Hoon Na actress' mother thanked Salman Khan for supporting her daughter. After seeing her video, many TV celebs prayed for her speedy recovery. Amidst all, Rakhi's old friends and former Bigg Boss contestants Kashmera Shah and Sambhavna Seth recently met her ailing mother in the hospital. The photos of the trio outside the hospital went viral on social media.

After meeting Rakhi Sawant's mother, Sambhavna and Kashmera shared pictures with the controversial diva on Instagram and prayed for her mother's speedy recovery. Sambhavna Seth wrote, "We pray that You Recover soon Aunty @rakhisawant2511."

Kashmera Shah captioned the snap as, "I pray to God that he looks after your mom. All our prayers with you our favorite entertainer."

At the grand finale of Bigg Boss 14, Rakhi Sawant left the show by taking Rs 14 lakh. She said that she would use this money for her mother's treatment, as she is in a critical condition. While addressing the media, Rakhi had said that she had no balance in her bank account.

Bigg Boss 14 helped her revamp her career and made her popular amongst the masses. She is hoping that her mother would recover soon from the illness.

Also Read : Rakhi Sawant Shares Pictures Of Her Mother Who's Undergoing Chemotherapy; Kamya & Others Wish Speedy Recovery

Also Read : BB 14: Rakhi Sawant Doesn't Regret Leaving Finale With Rs 14 Lakh, Says She Needs Money For Mother's Surgery
Lanessa Chaplin is assistant director of the New York Civil Liberties Unions Education Policy Center.

Federal, state, and local officials can use the term environmental justice to sell a project, but the devil is always in the details.

In the seemingly settled debate over what will replace the I-81 viaduct that cuts through the heart of Syracuse, the term environmental justice has recently been thrown around quite a bit. The project is being billed by local and state officials as a way to bring environmental justice to an area of Syracuse that was devastated by the original construction of the highway more than 50 years ago.

But the hard truth about this project to replace the crumbling portion of I-81 is this: The largely Black and brown residents living in the shadow of the viaduct will bear the burden of this redevelopment. And if what the New York state Department of Transportation has proposed goes through unchanged, the residents in this community will be forced to live through five to seven years of construction with few protections. Childrens education will be disrupted and many residents may ultimately be displaced from their homes.

People in this community  which was just devastated by Covid-19  live in what the Environmental Protection Agency calls an environmental justice community. This means its residents have been historically ignored or left out of government decision-making processes and are now over-burdened by pollution and poverty.

Lanessa Chaplin, a lawyer for the NYCLU, speaks at SUNY-ESF about the Interstate 81 project.Teri Weaver | tweaver@syracuse.com

The original construction of I-81 more than 50 years ago destroyed a working-class Black neighborhood, and discriminatory housing practices  like redlining and exclusionary zoning  severely limited uprooted residents access to other neighborhoods. It is now the responsibility of public officials to ensure this does not happen again.

To that end, politicians are saying the right things. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh recently hailed the I-81 replacement project as a chance to right a historic wrong and promote environmental justice. I-81 is a near shovel ready project that will speed our recovery from the pandemic and promote environmental justice and job growth, Walsh tweeted last month.

The redevelopment of I-81 requires federal approval and funding before it gets underway.

That approval appears to be likely as Walsh tweeted he was very encouraged by his recent meeting with new Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in which they discussed I-81.

They see I-81 as a prime candidate for a demonstration on how to do federal transportation projects the right way, Walsh said about his meeting with the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor.

The messaging coming out of the White House has also been encouraging. Buttigieg recently put out a statement renewing this countrys commitment to equity by proclaiming, Black and brown neighborhoods have been disproportionately divided by highway projects or left isolated by the lack of adequate transit and transportation resources. In the Biden-Harris administration, we will make righting these wrongs an imperative.

President Joe Biden further touted his dedication to racial and environmental justice with the signing of two executive orders. These orders express the administrations commitment to undo the harms of environmental racism and to advance racial equity and support underserved communities.

But to truly live up to the rhetoric of these executive orders, the state must revisit the current redevelopment plan.

There is widespread agreement that, at a minimum, the viaduct must come down. The state DOTs preferred option to replace I-81 with a walkable community grid is a great step in the right direction. There is a real opportunity to improve the housing conditions, health, and economic and educational opportunities of the people who live near the viaduct. But making this project the catalyst for knitting back together a community the highway destroyed will take significant work.

It wont happen by merely tearing down I-81. In fact, the state DOTs current plan to replace the viaduct could actually further harm the people in the environmental justice community.

The plan threatens to spur massive gentrification, pushing thousands of people out of their homes. It also calls for putting a highway access ramp 250 feet from an elementary school  ignoring EPA recommendations and putting students health at further risk. And there are no safeguards in place to ensure that the economic growth produced by the jobs that flow from this project will go to people in the environmental justice community.

To ensure equitable and fair outcomes, these deficiencies must be fixed. Using buzzwords like environmental justice wont mean anything unless officials actions seek to repair injustice and fight racism.

In December, the NYCLU released a report that goes into great detail about what a just and equitable I-81 project would look like. The report is based in large part on specific feedback from people who live in the environmental justice community.

The report calls for the people in this community to have a meaningful say in what happens in their backyards. Improvements in health, housing, education, and economics will only happen if people in this community have control of their own futures and the resources to carry out their vision.

Related: Very encouraging: Walsh pitches I-81 project to Buttigiegs team

(Newser)  President Biden spoke to Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Thursday for the first time since taking officebut the conversation was overshadowed by the looming release of a US intelligence report expected to say the 85-year-old king's son ordered the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Biden read the report before speaking to the king, but the White House description of the call was "vague to the extreme" and did not mention Khashoggi or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the New York Times reports. The White House said Biden "affirmed the importance the United States places on universal human rights and the rule of law." The prince is widely seen as the country's de facto ruler, but the White House said Biden insisted on dealing only with the king, the Times notes.

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The White House said Biden also discussed the "longstanding partnership" between the US and Saudi Arabia and praised the kingdom for the recent release of women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul. The AP notes that Biden promised on the campaign trail to make the kingdom a "pariah" over the Khashoggi murder and the White House didn't explain why he took a milder tone with the king. Barbara Plett-Usher at the BBC describes the conversation as a "sensitive call at a sensitive time," noting that with the king in poor health, the 35-year-old crown prince could become the country's ruler in the very near future. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said Thursday that sanctions could accompany the release of the report, in a "day of reckoning, but one thats long overdue." (Read more Saudi Arabia stories.)
Washington: Saudi Arabias Crown Prince likely approved the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified US intelligence report. The finding could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable for a murder that drew widespread outrage in the US and abroad.

The public blaming of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amounted to an extraordinary rebuke and was likely to set the tone for the new administrations relationship with a country US President Joe Biden has criticised but which the White House also regards in some contexts as a strategic partner.

The US implicated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pictured, in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Credit:AP

The conclusion that the Prince approved a 2018 operation to kill or capture Khashoggi, a critic of his authoritarian consolidation of power, was based on what intelligence officials know about his role in decision-making inside the kingdom as well as the involvement of one of his key advisers, Saud al-Qahtani, and members of his protective detail, according to the report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released on Saturday AEDT. Officials also factored in the Princes past support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, the report said.

As Democrats in Congress clamoured for aggressive action, the US State Department responded by announcing visa restrictions on 76 Saudi individuals involved in threatening dissidents abroad.
Brazil's Bolsonaro to oust Petrobras CEO after fuel pricing spat FILE PHOTO: Roberto Castello Branco, CEO of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (PETROBRAS), speaks during a compliance event in Rio de Janeiro

By Gram Slattery, Sabrina Valle and Rodrigo Viga Gaier

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro moved to replace the head of state-run oil company Petrobras, naming a retired army general with no oil and gas experience as CEO after weeks of clashes with the current chief executive over fuel price hikes.

In a late Friday statement from the Mines and Energy Ministry, first shared on Bolsonaro's Facebook page, the government said it had decided to appoint former Defense Minister Joaquim Silva e Luna to run Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the firm is known formally.

Current CEO Roberto Castello Branco, backed by investors for his efforts to sell underperforming assets and cut debt, would be the second Petrobras leader in three years to fall over the political fallout from fuel pricing. In 2018, then-CEO Pedro Parente resigned when the government forced fuel prices lower in a concession to striking truckers.

Parente vowed to set domestic prices in line with global markets, breaking with a policy that made Petrobras sell fuel below international parity, triggering some $40 billion in losses from 2011 to 2014.

Similarly, Bolsonaro tangled with Castello Branco over his insistence on raising prices for diesel and other fuel as Brazil's currency weakened and global crude prices surged. Petrobras ADRs traded in New York slumped 8.9% in after-hours trading on Friday, adding to the day's drop of nearly 7% in its Brazil-listed preferred shares.

Petrobras has been raising fuel prices since a Feb. 5 Reuters report disclosed details of the company's price policy, which led analysts to downgrade its shares on concerns of possible political interference.

Castello Branco's ouster could force a broader shakeup at Petrobras, which has steered toward more market-friendly and less politically driven policies in recent years.

The company's senior management is considering resigning en masse to protest the CEO's replacement, three people close to the executives told Reuters on Friday evening.

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Petrobras said in a statement that it had received notice from the Mines and Energy Ministry about the proposed CEO change, adding that the ministry had requested an extraordinary shareholders' meeting.

The company's board of directors is to meet on Tuesday in a regularly scheduled session.

Most of the board has so far proven loyal to Castello Branco, although the majority are government appointed, which could create a messy transition.

Castello Branco, whose current mandate officially expires on March 20, was appointed to lead Petrobras when Bolsonaro took office at the start of 2019.

A University of Chicago-trained economist and ally of Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, he is a strong advocate of free-market policies and has previously rebuffed the president's complaints about prices.

But investors have been jittery about possible political interference since the oil producer confirmed it was selling fuel in Brazil below international prices for longer periods than previously disclosed, confirming a Reuters report.

The possible shakeup of senior management also puts in doubt one of the CEO's main goals: ending Petrobras' near monopoly in refining in Brazil, three source close to bidders said.

Silva e Luna, who has won frequent praise from Bolsonaro for his management of Brazil's massive Itaipu hydroelectric dam on the border with Paraguay and Argentina since 2019, is little known to investors.

He would be the third military figure to occupy a key energy post: the president of Petrobras' board and the nation's Mines and Energy minister are both admirals.

In April 2019, just months after Bolsonaro took office, the president demanded explanations for Petrobras' price hike, which was swiftly reversed. After company shares tumbled, Petrobras and the government assured investors that there would be no political interference in fuel pricing.

Tensions eased last year as crude prices tumbled, but truckers have renewed their complaints in recent months.

During a late Thursday announcement about lower fuel taxes, Bolsonaro made clear his dissatisfaction with Castello Branco, saying there would be changes at Petrobras "in coming days."

Analysts and investors were jarred by the quick succession of events on Thursday and Friday.

"It's a delicate situation, and it happened in such a disorganized way," said Edmar de Almeida, a professor specializing in energy at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Petrobras will complete 67 years in 2021 and will have its 39th CEO - or about one head every 18 months, said UBS analyst Luiz Carvalho.

The company's issues will persist as long as its controlling shareholder - the government - does not understand that the problem is not with the company's executives, but with the lack of a coherent strategy from above, he said.

"While the world is moving towards an energy transition with a cleaner energy mix, in Brazil we are discussing subsidies for diesel consumers," Carvalho said.

(Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier, Gram Slattery and Sabrina Valle; Additional reporting by Marta Nogueira and Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Brad Haynes, Christian Plumb, Daniel Wallis and William Mallard)
 Flash

Italy on Thursday reported 308 COVID-19 deaths, down from 318 on Wednesday and pushing to 96,974 the death toll since the pandemic outbreak.

The Ministry of Health also reported 19,886 new coronavirus cases, bringing total active infections to 396,143. The new infections were up from 16,424 new cases recorded on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, 12,853 COVID-19 patients recovered on Thursday, down from 14,599 recoveries on Wednesday and pushing overall recoveries to 2,375,318.

Of the total current infections, the vast majority or 375,718 people are isolated at home with mild or no symptoms, 18,257 are hospitalized with symptoms, and 2,168 are hospitalized in intensive care.

Among the overall fatalities, 332 are doctors who lost their lives while battling the new coronavirus, according to a running tally by the National Federation of Medical, Surgical and Orthodontists Boards (FNOMCeO, in its Italian acronym).

Restrictions remain in place

In a report to parliament on Wednesday, Health Minister Roberto Speranza warned lawmakers that restrictions must remain in place.

"In Europe, we are heading to the threshold of one infected person in every 10 inhabitants, and we are at one fatality per 530 inhabitants," Speranza said, adding that these numbers are a testament to "the strength and dangerousness of the virus we are fighting."

Speranza noted that the government led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi is at work on a new anti-coronavirus decree, which "will go into effect from March 6 to April 6."

This means Italians will not be able to travel across regional borders on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, which this year fall on April 4 and 5.

Easter weekend is the first springtime holiday of the year, and people traditionally take trips to the country, to the seaside, or to the mountains with family and friends.

On Thursday, agricultural union Coldiretti said in an analysis that "the expectation of new restrictive measures has put a stop to the travel plans of one in three Italians (32 percent)" over the Easter holiday.

"This is a heavy blow...for many of Italy's 24,000 agritourism venues, which have been hit hard by the COVID emergency and whose losses have reached 1.2 billion euros" since the start of the pandemic, Coldiretti stated.

In his report to parliament, Speranza made a case for sticking with the restrictions, saying: "we must limit the spread of the contagion until we are able to definitively contain COVID-19 and its variants with our vaccination campaign."

Since Italy launched the vaccination campaign in December, over 3.9 million people have been inoculated in the country of some 60 million inhabitants, according to the Ministry of Health.

The rollout speeded up on Monday, when the vaccination was extended to school teachers and staff. Italy is now inoculating an average of 100,000 people a day, the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, 255 candidate vaccines are being developed worldwide -- 73 of them are in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain, and the United States, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.
McConnell and Trump. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

McConnell said he would support Trump if he were the Republican Party's nominee in 2024.

The comment came days after he accused Trump of being "practically and morally responsible" for the Capitol insurrection.

"Absolutely," McConnell said when asked if he would back Trump again if he won the GOP nomination.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that he would back Donald Trump if he were the Republican Party's nominee for president again.

He made the comment during an appearance on Fox News' "Special Report" with Bret Baier. The Kentucky senator said he had several prospects in mind for the 2024 Republican nomination and added that he expected it to be a "wide open race and fun for you all to cover."

"If the president was the party's nominee, would you support him?" Baier asked.

"The nominee of the party? Absolutely," McConnell said.

Thursday's remarks came just days after McConnell accused the former president of "dereliction of duty" over the Capitol siege on January 6.

After voting to acquit Trump on February 13 following his Senate impeachment trial, McConnell said the mob of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol were "fed wild falsehoods by the most powerful man on earth because he was angry he'd lost an election."

"Former President Trump's actions that preceded the riot were a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty," he said, adding that "Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day."

McConnell explained his vote to acquit by saying that impeachment was not the right avenue to hold Trump responsible given that its punishment is removal from office, and Trump had already left office by then. He hinted, however, that Trump could face criminal prosecution for his actions.

"Impeachment was never meant to be the final forum for American justice," he said. "We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being held accountable by either one."

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TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's ministry of finance called a media report that the head of the country's largest pension fund had traveled to the Middle East and received a COVID-19 vaccination "very troubling".

Mark Machin, the 54-year-old chief executive of the C$475.7 billion ($377 billion) Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), received a Pfizer Inc vaccine shot after arriving in the United Arab Emirates with his partner this month, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

"While the CPPIB is an independent organization, this is very troubling," a spokeswoman for Canada's ministry of finance said. "The federal government has been clear with Canadians that now is not the time to travel abroad. We were not made aware of this travel."

CPPIB did not respond to multiple requests for comment by Reuters. Machin was appointed president and CEO in June 2016, according to the pension fund's website.

The CPPIB was established by an Act of Parliament in December 1997, but it is governed independently from the federal government. It manages Canada's national pension fund, invests on behalf of about 20 million Canadians and reports to a board of directors selected by Canada's minister of finance.

There is no specific ban on Canadians traveling abroad, but the federal and provincial governments have advised against overseas trips to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Canada trails behind many developed nations in its vaccination drive, with under 3% of the population inoculated so far. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has come under attack from opposition leaders and provincial premiers for the slow-burn roll out..

Some Canadian federal and provincial leaders have resigned in the past month after their overseas leisure trips sparked public outrage.

($1 = 1.2620 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Maiya Keidan; Editing by Stephen Coates)
DALLAS and ATLANTA, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Witherite Law Group announced today it has received a 2021 Top Workplaces USA Award, representing the firm as one of the top workplaces in the country. This is the inaugural year for the Top Workplaces USA Award. The program is run by Energage, an organization with a 14-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees across 54 markets for its regional Top Workplaces awards. Witherite Law Group has been named a regional top workplace in the Dallas market for the past six years. The firm also received distinctions for three cultural awards including communication, top leaders and innovation.

More than 1,100 brands participated in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners were chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey. Results are based on survey responses that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

"I couldn't be more proud of the culture all of our employees strive to build and maintain. It truly 'takes a village' to create an environment that employees recognize to be among the best, both regionally in DFW and now nationally. It not only speaks highly of each individual in our firm, but it also is reflective of the expertise and service we provide to our clients and community," said Amy Witherite, commercial truck accident lawyer and founder of Witherite Law Group.

"During this very challenging time, Top Workplaces has proven to be a beacon of light for organizations, as well as a sign of resiliency and strong business performance," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "Top Workplaces draw on real-time insights into what works best for their organization, so they can make informed decisions that have a positive impact on their people and their business."

ABOUT WITHERITE LAW GROUP

Witherite Law Group, is a plaintiff, personal injury law firm, specializing in serving and taking care of our clients by putting people first. Whether it's helping a client injured in a car or truck wreck, assisting a team member going through tough times or serving the members of our community, we go above and beyond to help people put the pieces of their lives back together. Our core values: People First; Unmatched Expertise; Integrity Always guide our team as we provide support to our clients, community and each other. We push ourselves to be the most professional and phenomenal place to work!

SOURCE Witherite Law Group
Mr Iain Walker, the United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Ghana, has commended the country for being the first in Africa to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, shipped via the COVAX Facility.



I was delighted to stand alongside the Minister-designate for Health as Ghana becomes the first country in Africa to take delivery of a vaccine donated through COVAX," he said.



Mr Walker said Ghana came second after India to receive the 600,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, placing the country at the forefront of vaccine efforts in Africa.



He said UK was proud to have provided 548 million for COVAX, which would help supply at least 1.3 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses for up to 92 countries this year, and lauded Ghana for the foresight.



"The UKs financial support early in the pandemic helped COVAX establish itself as a mechanism to champion equitable vaccine access for countries around the world," he said.



He said the 600,000 doses of the vaccine, which arrived in Accra on February 24, had undergone rigorous clinical trials and had been authorised for use by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana.



"Concerted international action is the only way for us to end the pandemic. We have a moral duty to make sure that no country is left behind in the fight against Covid-19. It is also a strategic necessity to make us less vulnerable to future waves and possible variants," the High Commissioner said.



"We have pledged up to 1.3bn of new UK aid to end the coronavirus pandemic as quickly as possible.



A statement issued by the Commission, copied to the Ghana News Agency, quoted Mr Dominic Raab, the UKs Foreign Secretary, as saying: Todays rollout of vaccines to the worlds most vulnerable countries is a huge step forward in ending this pandemic.



It said as one of the biggest donors to COVAX, the UK was ensuring that more than one billion vaccine doses would be sent to 92 countries to ensure no one was left behind.



We will only save lives and reduce the risk of future infections if we prevent the virus from spreading in the worlds developing countries, the statement said.



The statement quoted the WHO and GAVI as saying that: Today is a historic step towards our goal to ensuring equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.



It said the delivery was part of a series of arrivals that would continue in the coming days and weeks.

From the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, the UK had worked to support the people and Government of Ghana to respond to the pandemic, the statement said.



At the outset, six million pounds of UK Aid was re-purposed to support the Government and people of Ghana during the Covid-19 crisis, it said.



The support ranged from specialist expertise such as seconding a UK Emergency Medical Team Case Management Specialist to the WHO Ghana; funding of oxygen concentrators and drones to deliver Covid-19 tests and life-saving medical equipment.



It also helped the Ministry of Education during the closure of schools, where six million children were able to access distance learning through the Ghana Learning TV channel and 32,000 teachers trained to deliver remote learning.



"Our partnership with the Government of Ghana has seen over 6000 healthcare workers across Ghana trained to prevent infection and care for Covid-19 patients, the statement said.



Medical equipment provided to 326 healthcare facilities to support Covid-19 prevention and case management; and over 5.4m people provided with information to minimise infection risk."



COVAX is co-led by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, working in partnership with UNICEF and the World Bank, civil society organisations and the manufacturers.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video




Haiti - FLASH : Important seizures of weapons and ammunition





The General Customs Administration (AGD) informs that on Thursday February 25, 2021 around 10:30 am, at the customs of Cap-Haitien, the Customs officers accompanied by the Brigade against Drug Trafficking (BLTS) participated in the verification of a container brand: GVCU-526007-6 and registration number E-1405 from the United States, which according to initial information was exported by Marc Maxirene Benjamin to Metro Service, Fort-Liberte.



During this check, the agents were able to find goods prohibited by article 42-4C of the customs code :



Bullets seized :

5.56 mm (3347)

7.62 * 39mm (240)

223 Rem [wolf] (20)

Total: 3607



Firearms seized :

4 guns

Brand: Taurus (9 mm)

Models: TH9; G3; G3; G2C



Chargers seized :

7 9mm magazines

17 cartridges (3)

12 cartridges (2)

15 cartridges (2)



Other :

5 flash light (teaser)



A person was arrested, Droge Benjamin, a 37-year-old citizen who was handed over to the Police for appropriate action.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today announced it will host its 2021 Investor Day virtually on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, beginning at 8:30 am EDT.

Thomson Reuters' senior management team will deliver a series of presentations outlining the company's Change Program and how the program is designed to transition Thomson Reuters from a holding company to an operating company and from a content company to a content-driven technology company.

Registration for the webcast is now open and can be found on the Investor Relations section of the Thomson Reuters website. Additionally, an archive of the webcast will be available following the presentation.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the world's most global news service  Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.

CONTACTS

MEDIA

Andrew Green Senior Director, Corporate Affairs +1 347 659 4857 [email protected] INVESTORS Frank J. Golden Head of Investor Relations +1 332 219 1111 [email protected]

SOURCE Thomson Reuters

Related Links

http://tr.com


This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy.

A U.S. intelligence report that was unlawfully suppressed by the Trump administration but released Friday afternoon concludes that Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman likely ordered the capture or killing of Washington Post columnist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi. Now the world must ensure that the Saudi regime, and the crown prince in particular, are held accountable. This is a watershed moment, and how the Biden administration responds to this monstrous crime will tell us a great deal about the depth of its commitment to press freedom and human rights. Its also a test for Congress and for American business and civic leaders.

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Many of the details of the plot against Khashoggi came to light in the days immediately after the murder. Khashoggi had once been close to the Saudi ruling family but had fallen out of favor after writing articles criticizing the regime for, among other things, its refusal to tolerate dissent. After he went into exile in 2017, the regime monitored his activities closelyincluding with surveillance software installed clandestinely on other Saudi dissidents phones. In late 2018, senior Saudi officialsincluding the ambassador to the United States, the brother to the crown princelured Khashoggi to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, telling him they would provide him with a certificate he needed to marry his fiancee, a Turkish citizen. When he arrived, he was met by a fifteen-member special operations team that included a forensic doctor equipped with a bone saw. He was drugged, strangled to death, and dismemberedall of this captured on audio tape by Turkish intelligence.

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After first claiming that Khashoggi had left the embassy safely and of his own volition, Saudi officialsaided by President Donald Trumpthen laid the blame for the killing on rogue agents. But this story was totally implausible. The operation was meticulously planned and relied on resources that only the senior-most Saudi officials would have been able to supply. The crown princes covert-operations advisor, Saud al-Qahtani, met with the special operations team in advance of their mission. Many of the members of the team had previously worked closely with the crown prince. The CIA reportedly concluded just weeks after the killing that the crown prince could not have been unaware of the plot, and that he may well have authorized it personally. After an exhaustive investigation, Agnes Callamard, the United Nations special rapporteur for extrajudicial killing, reached essentially the same conclusion. Every expert she consulted found it inconceivable that an operation of this scale could be implemented without the crown prince being aware of it.

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Now we can read in black and white how the U.S. intelligence communitynot just the CIAreached this conclusion, too. The unclassified report does not add significant new facts to the public record. But by putting the U.S. intelligence community firmly behind the conclusion that the crown prince likely authorized the plot, it should force a reckoning. It is a reckoning in which the Biden administration, Congress, and American business and civic leaders all have a role to play.

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First, the Biden administration should disclose other key documents relating to Khashoggis murder. It should publish other intelligence reports about the case, including a report that was written by the CIA just a few weeks after the killing was carried out. (The Open Society Justice Initiative has sued for release of these documents.) It should also disclose whether U.S. intelligence agencies knew that the Saudi regime was planning to abduct or kill Khashoggi, and, if so, whether they made any effort to warn him of the threat, as U.S. law would have required them to do. (Our organizations sued for the release of these documents, and the Committee to Protect Journalists argued the case before the D.C. Circuit earlier this year.) If necessary, the documents could be redacted to protect sources and methods, but the intelligence agencies should not be permitted to rely on vague allusions to national security interests to withhold these documents categorically, given the singular brutality of this crime and its implications for press freedom. This is an instance in which the public interest in disclosure should be given decisive weight.

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Second, the administration should ban the crown prince from the United States under laws including the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorizes the president to deny entry to, and block the assets of, foreign nationals determined to be responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. (The Treasury Department has already sanctioned 17 Saudi nationals under the Act in connection with Khashoggis murder, and the State Department sanctioned most of these people, too, but the crown prince was conspicuously omitted from the lists.) Targeted sanctions would ensure that the Crown prince pays a personal pricewhich is important not simply as a matter of accountability but as a deterrent to other authoritarian leaders who might be tempted to try to eliminate their critics in the same way. [Update, Feb. 26, 2021: Just after this article was published, the State Department announced that it would impose visa restrictions on 76 Saudi nationals believed to have been engaged in threatening dissidents overseas, including but not limited to the Khashoggi killing, but it declined to sanction the Crown Prince.]

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Third, given the personal responsibility of the crown prince for the crime, the administration should extend and expand the freeze it has already instituted on arms sales to Saudi Arabia. It must send an unequivocal message that the United States will not supply weapons to military and security services whose leadership persecutes journalists and activists.

Fourth, Congress should hold hearings to consider what legal reforms are necessary to ensure that American courts can hold accountable those who persecute U.S.-based journalists and human rights activists. It should also consider what reforms are necessary to ensure that American courts can hold accountable the companies that supply persecutors with surveillance technology. A day before Khashoggis fateful visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto reported with a high degree of confidence that Saudi agents had used spyware supplied by an Israeli company, NSO Group, to infect the phone of Omar Abdulaziz, a Saudi dissident based in Canada who had been in regular contact with Khashoggi. The effect was to allow Saudi agents to control the phones cameras and microphones. Spyware manufacturers should be held responsible when their products are designed to be used, or foreseeably used, in these ways.

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Finally, American civic and business leaders must do their part. In the weeks after Khashoggis murder, many American business leaders withdrew from Davos in the Desert, the Saudi regimes signature annual conference. Most of those who stayed away in the weeks after the killing, however, returned to the conference this year. Indeed, the roster of American guests at this years event included not only some of the biggest names in finance but a prominent CNN journalist as well. The release of the intelligence report should prompt some soul-searching on the part of these and other business and civic leaders tempted to engage with the Saudi Arabia, and with the crown prince, as if the Khashoggi murder had never taken place. Engagement on these terms normalizes the grotesque and increases the likelihood that other journalists and dissidents will find themselves similarly targeted in the future.

The administration, Congress, and American business and civic leaders all have a role to play in holding the regime accountable. The Biden administration deserves credit for releasing the DNIs report, but press freedom will be an empty slogan unless the Saudi regime and the crown prince are made to pay a price for their lawless conduct.
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Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

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Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

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Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

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Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

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Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

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Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

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34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

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IIT Jammu and the Higher Education Department have signed an agreement to pave the way for improving the state of higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. It was signed at a meeting chaired by IIT Jammu Director Manoj Singh Gaur and Talat Parvez Rohella, commissioner secretary, Department of Higher Education.

The IIT is prepared to share the state-of-art research resources and infrastructure with the educational institutions in order to enhance the quality of research in the region, they said. The experts from IIT Jammu will enhance the knowledge base of the faculty and students on several fronts, including machine learning, big data, cloud computing.

The agreement is set to pave the way for improving the state of higher education in the UT, they added. The scope of the agreement includes academic, research, administrative, and consultancy collaborations.

They have agreed to work together on improving faculty excellence in degree colleges, faculty development programmes in various disciplines, such as engineering, science and humanities and social sciences for the existing faculty members, improving employment of the youth, knowledge sharing to improve the skill set of faculty members, they said.

They will collaborate to improve the skill set of the faculty members by offering numerous faculty development programmes around the year, equipping them with innovative teaching methods, research excellence in order to deliver quality education to the students.

Also read: Haryana schools to reopen for Classes 3 to 5 from February 24
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An advisory committee voted unanimously Friday to recommend authorizing a COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson for use in adults, paving the way for an expected Food and Drug Administration authorization within the next few days.

Johnson & Johnson agreed to provide 100 million doses of its single-shot vaccine in the U.S. by June, including 20 million by the end of March. Those doses will add to the 300 million doses Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna each have promised to deliver by the end of July.

The vaccine was shown to be 72% effective in a U.S. trial in which all ethnic, racial and age groups benefited about the same, and was shown to be 85% effective in preventing the most severe disease.

President Joe Biden called Johnson & Johnson's shot, which is expected to be authorized by the FDA as soon as Saturday, a "third, safe, effective vaccine."

Meanwhile, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned Friday about a "concerning" uptick in new COVID-19 cases in recent days, citing the spread of virus variants.

Biden urged Americans not to let their guards down.

"It's not the time to relax," Biden said. He added: "And for God's sake, wear your mask."

Also in the news:

The federal government has agreed to buy a 100,000 doses of a COVID-19 treatment by Eli Lilly, the company announced Friday. The drug, bamlanivimab, is a monoclonal antibody, meaning it mimics one of the natural antibodies the immune system uses to fight off the virus. The FDA authorized the drug late last year.

The federal government has supported 441 community vaccination centers in the U.S., including 171 that have been staffed with federal personnel, said Andy Slavitt, the White House senior adviser for COVID-19 response. Two new federal vaccinations sites were also announced Friday, in Chicago and Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Food and Drug Administration will allow Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine to be shipped and stored at freezers commonly found in pharmacies rather than the ultra-frigid ones initially required after data from the company showed the vaccine remains stable for up to two weeks in standard freezer temperatures. Thursday's decision will make it easier to distribute and administer the vaccine.

Story continues

A U.S. congressional committee has asked Canada to reevaluate its ban on cruises, which prohibits ships from sailing in Canadian waters until March 2022. Canada, meanwhile, authorized AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine in people 18 and over Friday.

Ivory Coast has become the second country in the world to receive a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from the global COVAX initiative. The first shipment was sent to Ghana on Wednesday.

A Senate official ruled Thursday that a $15 federal minimum wage provision cannot be added into the COVID-19 relief package. Senate Democrats are using reconciliation to approve the bill, bypassing filibuster rules that require 60 votes, but reconciliation also triggers rules that require provisions of the bill be tied directly to the budget. The House is poised to pass the relief package Friday.

Two U.S. Navy warships in the Middle East were returning to port in Bahrain as they've been hit COVID-19 outbreaks, officials said Friday. A dozen people on board the USS San Diego, which carries sailors and Marines, tested positive for COVID-19 while "several" were positive on the USS Philippine Sea, said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the 5th Fleet.

 Today's numbers: The U.S. has more than 28.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 508,900 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 113.2 million cases and 2.5 million deaths. More than 94.3 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the U.S. and about 70.4 million have been administered, according to the CDC.

 What we're reading: Doctors recommend patients schedule their mammogram before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, or space out the two appointments, after some women have been mistaking swollen lymph nodes for breast lumps.

USA TODAY is tracking COVID-19 news. Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates. Want more? Sign up for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter for updates to your inbox and join our Facebook group.

Allegations of vaccine waste, theft investigated in Tennessee

More investigative findings from the state of Tennessee revealed Friday that COVID-19 vaccine might have been stolen in Shelby County, children are believed to have been inappropriately vaccinated and more doses of COVID-19 were wasted than was previously thought.

The state learned of the child vaccinations and the alleged theft weeks after the incidents occurred, State Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said in a wide-ranging press conference Friday afternoon in which she detailed to reporters numerous instances of poor vaccine management and called the Shelby County Health Department a "low-accountability organization."

Piercey also described Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and county health officials as slow to report the problems to authorities and lacking candor in conversations with state officials.

The revelations were the latest in a string of vaccine management issues in Shelby County which have been made public this past week.

 Corinne S. Kennedy and Samuel Hardiman, Memphis Commercial Appeal

Cases in nursing homes drop 89%

New federal data offers a glimmer of hope in what has been the darkest and deadliest corner of the pandemic. The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths at America's nursing homes have dropped significantly since December as millions of vaccine doses have been shot into the arms of residents and staff.

The weekly rate of COVID-19 cases at nursing homes plummeted 89% from early December through the second week of February. By comparison, the nationwide case rate dropped 58% and remains higher than figures reported before late October.

The dramatic drop in cases at nursing homes, where nearly 130,000 residents and staff have died since the virus emerged in the U.S., raises optimism for brighter days ahead at nursing homes and in communities overall as more Americans get vaccinated, experts say.

 Ken Alltucker and Jayme Fraser

CDC director warns about 'concerning' case increase

After a several week decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned Friday about a "concerning" uptick in cases over the most recent days.

The most recent seven day average of daily new cases was over 66,000 and higher than the average on Wednesday, Walensky said citing CDC data.

The peak in early January was the highest seen in the pandemic, and though current averages are lower, they're still high, Walensky said. "Things are tenuous. Now is not the time to relax restrictions," she said, pointing to the spread of new variants of the coronavirus.

"We may now be seeing the beginning effects of these variants in the most recent data," she added.

NYC schools chancellor, who lost 11 family members to COVID-19, resigns

Richard Carranza, New York Citys Schools chancellor, said Friday he was stepping down from his role, citing the need for time to grieve his 11 family members and close friends who died from COVID-19.

"I feel that I can take that time now because of the place that we are in and the work that we have done together," he said.

The city's schools have largely been heralded for its reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Carranza said the system reopened safely for children of essential workers, distributed over half a million electronic devices for remote learning, and delivered 80 millions meals to its students.

"We have stabilized the system in a way no one thought possible," he added. "The light, my fellow New Yorkers, is truly at the end of the tunnel."

Carranza will be succeeded by Bronx Executive Superintendent Meisha Ross Porter, who will become the first Black woman to lead the nation's largest school district.

Mass shootings hit record high in pandemic year. Can vaccines bring peace in 2021?

Mass shootings jumped nearly 50% in 2020, due in large part to a pandemic year rife with crippling unemployment, violent protests and idle youth. With COVID-19 cases falling and vaccines rolling out, some criminologists hope a rebounding economy and reopened schools will drive down those numbers in 2021.

Early results are promising, says Mark Bryant, founder of the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, which tracks gun incident trends. In the first seven weeks of this year, there have been 63 mass shootings  defined as four or more people injured or killed in one incident  which if continued would show a drop from 2020, he said.

Im hoping last year proves to be the anomaly, Bryant said. The stresses caused by last year, from jobs to illness, were not just an urban thing or a rural thing. We saw bumps in towns in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as in Chicago and Philadelphia.

 Marco della Cava and Mike Stucka

Queen Elizabeth urges vaccines as UK to prioritize people 40 and over next

People ages 40 and over will be next in line for the vaccine in the U.K., the country's public health officials said. The BBC reported that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation opted for an age-based rollout to prevent a slowdown from a "more complex" occupation-based one.

Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth urged the public to get vaccinated, saying the process was quick and painless. Well, once youve had the vaccine you have a feeling of, you know, youre protected, which is, I think, very important, the Queen said Friday.

The 94-year-old monarch said she understood some might be hesitant but that "they ought to think about other people rather than themselves."

'We have to fight this together as one,' Joe Biden tells state governors

When Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee butted heads with Donald Trump last year over the prior administrations handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the then-president called Inslee a snake.

I may still be one, the governor said on Thursday with a chuckle when asked how things have changed under President Joe Biden. But Im a well-cared-for snake.

During the National Governors Association's winter meeting, held virtually Thursday, Biden called states the "laboratories of democracy" in a nod to their independence. But he emphasized that a national approach is needed on the pandemic and other issues because "so many of our challenges dont stop at our border of our states."

"We have to fight this together as one," Biden told the governors.

 Maureen Groppe and Courtney Subramanian

Contributing: Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID news: CDC warns of case increase; FDA to review J&J vaccine
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/26/2021 -- Stay up-to-date and exploit latest trends of Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market with latest edition released by AMA.

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Microsoft Corporation (United States),ActivTrak (United States),Ekran System Inc. (United States),Teramind Inc. (United States),Hubstaff (United States),Time Doctor, LLC (United States),VeriClock Inc. (Canada),NCH Software (Australia)



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- The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2014-2018) and forecast (2019-2025)

- The report covers in-detail insights about the competitor's overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies

- The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market

- The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and start-up's details that are actively working in the market

- The report provides plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenario



Get 10% - 25% Discount on The Report @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/request-discount/96525-global-employee-computer-monitoring-software-market



Key Points Covered in the Table of Content:

Chapter 1 to explain Introduction, market review, market risk and opportunities, market driving force, product scope of Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market;

Chapter 2 to inspect the leading manufacturers (Cost Structure, Raw Material) with sales Analysis, revenue Analysis, and price Analysis of Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market;

Chapter 3 to show the focused circumstance among the best producers, with deals, income, and Employee Computer Monitoring Software market share 2020;

Chapter 4 to display the regional analysis of Global Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market with revenue and sales of an industry, from 2020 to 2022;

Chapter 5, 6, 7 to analyze the key countries (United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan), with sales, revenue and market share in key regions;

Chapter 8 and 9 to exhibit International and Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis, Trade Type Analysis;

Chapter 10 and 11 to analyze the market by product type and application/end users (industry sales, share, and growth rate) from 2020 to 2026

Chapter 12 to show Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market forecast by regions, forecast by type and forecast by application with revenue and sales, from 2020 to 2025;

Chapter 13, 14 & 15 to specify Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source of Employee Computer Monitoring Software market buyers, merchants, dealers, sales channel.



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Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market research provides answers to the following key questions:

? What is the expected growth rate of the Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market?

? What will be the Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market size for the forecast period, 2020  2026?

? What are the main driving forces responsible for changing the Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market trajectory?

? Who are the big suppliers that dominate the Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market across different regions? Which are their wins to stay ahead in the competition?

? What are the Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market trends business owners can rely upon in the coming years?

? What are the threats and challenges expected to restrict the progress of the Employee Computer Monitoring Software Market across different countries?



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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks after arriving on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz on Thursday at sea. Austin told sailors that he hopes to avoid long ship deployments like the more than 10 months they just spent at sea as he wrestles with security threats from China in the Pacific and Iran in the Middle East.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks after arriving on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz on Thursday at sea. Austin told sailors that he hopes to avoid long ship deployments like the more than 10 months they just spent at sea as he wrestles with security threats from China in the Pacific and Iran in the Middle East.

"Virtual reality, or VR, is something that we have heard a lot about over the last few months - especially in response to Covid-19. It is becoming a big part of travel and tourism with many questions cropping up on what it looks like, how it works and, most importantly, how we can leverage it."
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INDIANAPOLIS  The Indiana Department of Health announced today that 963 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at state and private laboratories. That brings to 660,071 the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous days dashboard.



A total of 12,098 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 33 from the previous day. Another 433 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record.

Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard & Map

Todays dashboard includes historical tests from a lab that resulted in the addition of 663 previously tested individuals and 2,150 negative test results. To date, 3,106,426 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 3,100,111 on Thursday. A total of 7,942,952 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26, 2020.

To find testing sites around the state, click here.

Hoosiers age 60 and older, along with healthcare workers, long-term care residents, and first responders who are regularly called to the scene of an emergency to render medical assistance, are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

To schedule, visit https://ourshot.in.gov or call 211.

As of today, 963,225 Hoosiers have received the first dose of vaccine, and 531,962 are fully vaccinated.

The state and its partners are adding more locations for you to get vaccinated including select Meijer, Kroger, & Walmart pharmacies across the state.

Vigo Countys three Kroger locations are included.

All locations will show up on the state's vaccination website.

It's important to note Meijer and Kroger will have their own appointment sign-up areas on their websites.
Ernie Macdowell holds a candle during a vigil in Dalton in July 2019, as members of an American Legion motorcycle group honored victims of the deadly New Hampshire crash. The owners of the truck involved in the crash are facing charges of falsifying company records.
The Federal Aviation Administration is fining Boeing Co. $6.6 million in a move that will settle two cases that alleged senior managers at the North Charleston Dreamliner plant put "undue pressure" on safety workers.

Most of the penalty payment, $5.4 million, is for the planemaker's "failure to meet performance obligations" laid out in a 2015 settlement agreement with the FAA, according to a Feb. 25 statement from the agency.

In that 29-page document, terms were set to "improve and prioritize regulatory compliance" at Boeing, and the FAA was authorized to impose penalties if they weren't met in five years. Federal regulators said some managers "did not sufficiently prioritize compliance" and missed improvement targets.

I have reiterated to Boeings leadership time and again that the company must prioritize safety and regulatory compliance, and that the FAA will always put safety first in all its decisions," agency administrator Steve Dickson said in this week's statement.

Because of the terms set in the 2015 settlement, Boeing can't appeal the FAA's assessment of the penalty.

The $6.6 million fine also settles two separate probes that alleged issues with the oversight and safety inspections done on behalf of the FAA at Boeing's 787 plant in North Charleston.

Both cases detailed violations of the FAA's Organization Designation Authorization program, which allows Boeing to inspect its own aircraft and issue airworthiness certificates. The federal safety agency also accused managers at the South Carolina site of pressuring employees who worked on behalf of regulators.

Letters from the FAA that detailed the allegations said the pressure came from some of the most senior managers at the site.

In the documents, the agency accused managers in North Charleston of "harassing" safety workers to complete their inspections more quickly, berating their performance and threatening to replace them with other employees.

Managers also interfered with an airworthiness inspection of a 787-9 at the North Charleston campus, the FAA said.

Those allegations were spelled out by the FAA in August, and regulators proposed $1.25 million in civil penalties. Boeing is paying $1.21 million to settle the cases, according to the government.

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Boeing said in a statement that the FAA fine "fairly resolves previously announced civil penalty actions while accounting for ongoing safety, quality and compliance process improvements."

"We look forward to ongoing engagement with, and direction from, the FAA as we continuously improve safety and quality in our processes," it said.

This newly announced fine is a small sum compared to the $2.5 billion the Chicago-based company agreed to pay to avoid prosecution by the Justice Department for its handling of the 737 Max, the jet that was recertified to fly late last year after two deadly crashes and a 20-month worldwide grounding.

Though deliveries have resumed for the Max, the 787 program hasn't handed over a new aircraft since October as Boeing deals with widespread production issues with the widebody jet.

Dreamliners made in North Charleston and Everett, Wash., are being assessed for flaws which involve variances in flatness of the interior fuselage skin where parts of the jet's body are joined.

According to a Feb. 25 report from Reuters citing industry sources who were not identified, the cost of the 787 issues could "dwarf" this week's penalty.

Rework on affected jets could cost "hundreds of millions  if not billions  of dollars," the report says, and the fixes could take up to a month per aircraft.

During a Feb. 22 earnings call, CEO John Plueger of Air Lease Corp., a Boeing customer with 787s on order that have been delayed by the inspections, said problems with the Dreamliner seem to have "mushroomed." There have been "greater and greater levels of inspection going on," he said, and an end to the process is not yet in sight.

Boeing is consolidating the 787 program in March by halting assembly in Everett, leaving North Charleston the only plant that will build the Dreamliner.

Workers in Everett will continue to inspect 787s made in the Seattle area until all of the widebodies are delivered. North Charleston will balance its safety checks with a sharply reduced production rate of five planes per month in response to a steep drop in demand for new aircraft during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amazon Prime Video executive Aparna Purohit had filed for an anticipatory bail in the case associated with web series Tandav. However, on Thursday (February 25), Allahabad high court rejected the plea saying that the Hindi film industry's tendency of insulting Hindu gods could have disastrous consequences for India.

For the unversed, around 10 FIRS had been filed against the makers of Tandav all across the country for allegedly outraging religious feelings, and showing Hindu gods in poor light. Earlier on February 11, the court had granted protection from arrest to Aparna Purohit.

A single-judge bench of justice Siddharth observed, "Western filmmakers have refrained from ridiculing Lord Jesus or the Prophet but Hindi filmmakers have done this repeatedly and are still doing this most unabashedly with the Hindu Gods and Goddesses."

"This tendency on the part of the Hindi film industry is growing and if not curbed in time, it may have disastrous consequences for the Indian social, religious and communal order. There appears to be a design behind such acts on the part of the people who just give a disclaimer in all the films and depict things in the movies which are really religiously, socially and communally offensive in nature," the court added.

Purohit's lawyers said the series was a work of fiction and there was no intention to outrage religious feelings. However, the court said that the young generations have started believing what is shown in movies. "It destroys the basic concept of the survival of this country having tremendous diversity of all kinds as a united nation. Film industry in south has not indulged in such acts like the Hindi film industry," justice Siddharth added.

According to reports, charges for hurting religious sentiments are punishable under Sections 153A and 295 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) with a maximum jail term of three years.

Tandav currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video is a political thriller starring Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles.

ALSO READ: Tandav Controversy: Richa Chadha, Konkona Sen Sharma & Others Take A Dig At Apex Court's Ruling

ALSO READ: Tandav Controversy: Supreme Court Says Freedom Of Speech Is Not Absolute
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States regularly use administrative records, such as motor-vehicle data, in determining whether people have moved to prune their voter rolls. A Yale-led study of this process in Wisconsin shows that a significant percentage of registered voters are incorrectly identified as having changed addresses, potentially endangering their right to vote.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, found that at least 4% of people listed as suspected "movers" cast ballots in 2018 elections using addresses that were wrongly flagged as out of date. Minority voters were twice as likely as white voters to cast their ballot with their original address of registration after the state marked them as having moved, the study showed.

The findings suggest that states should more clearly communicate the processes they use to update voter-registration files and that a more robust effort is required to confirm whether individuals have moved before they are removed from the voter rolls, said Yale political scientist Gregory A. Huber, the study's lead author.

"The process of maintaining states' voter-registration files cries out for greater transparency," said Huber, the Forst Family Professor of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences. "Our work shows that significant numbers of people are at risk of being disenfranchised, particularly those from minority groups.

"Unfortunately, we don't know enough about the process used to prune voter rolls nationwide to understand why mistakes occur and how to prevent them."

Regularly updating voter rolls prevents registration files from becoming bloated with individuals who have died, moved away, or are otherwise no longer eligible to vote. When these rolls swell with ineligible voters, it raises concerns about potential fraud (although there is little evidence it causes unlawful voting, Huber says) and creates headaches for political campaigns, which rely on accurate registration records to reach potential voters.

Americans are not obligated to inform local election officials when they move to a new address, but federal law mandates that states identify changes in residence among registered voters. To better accomplish this task, 30 states, including Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia have formed the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a non-profit organization that assists them in improving the accuracy of their voter rolls.

ERIC uses various administrative records, including motor vehicle data, change of address information from the U.S. Postal Service, and the Social Security Administration's master death file, to flag registrations that are potentially out of date. It provides states a "movers list" of people who likely have changed residences. The states contact listed individuals, often by sending them postcards they can use to confirm their address. If people do not return the postcards, their registration can be inactivated, starting the process for removal.

Federal privacy protections and ERIC's agreements with member states prohibit the organization from disclosing who is marked as having moved and on what basis they were flagged as such, making it difficult to examine its process. However, after submitting a Wisconsin Freedom of Information Act request, Huber and his co-authors obtained special "movers poll books" from the state which list all people who were marked as suspected movers and who did not respond to the postcard notification. Individuals in the books who showed up to vote in 2018 signed their names in these books, providing evidence that they voted at addresses that had been flagged as invalid.

The researchers collected movers poll books from a representative sample of election wards and matched their contents against voting records for 2018 local, state, and federal elections. They found that at least 9,000 peopleabout 4% of those listed in the poll booksvoted in 2018 using the address of registration that ERIC had marked as invalid. Minority voters were twice as likely to be incorrectly identified as having moved.

The study likely undercounts the number of registered voters incorrectly listed as having moved, the researchers said, explaining that a significant number of people who did not respond to the postcard might have nonetheless renewed their voting registration before the poll books were published. In addition, the study examined low-turnout elections, making it likely that many people wrongly listed in the poll books weren't covered in the analysis because they didn't vote, Huber said.

The researchers are not suggesting that ERIC intentionally targeted minorities.

"There's no malice here," Huber said. "ERIC wants to help states, but relying on administrative records inevitably produces mistakes for any number of reasons. This makes the process used to validate having moved, such as mailed postcards, even more important. Without more information, we can't be certain why the process disparately affects minorities."

A potential reason for the disparity is that minorities are more likely than whites to live in apartment buildings and large households, which may increase the risk of errors in administrative records, the researchers suggest. In addition, residents of apartment buildings also may be less likely to confirm their address using the postcard since mail service can be spottier in multi-unit buildings than single-family homes.

Huber credits Wisconsin for taking steps to protect people's voting rights.

"The poll books are a great way to identify mistakes and prevent people from being disenfranchised," he said. "The state also has same day voter registration, which is another safety valve that doesn't exist in many states. We suggest that states expend more effort on contacting people at risk of losing their registration."

More information: Gregory A. Huber et al, The racial burden of voter list maintenance errors: Evidence from Wisconsin's supplemental movers poll books, Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances Gregory A. Huber et al, The racial burden of voter list maintenance errors: Evidence from Wisconsin's supplemental movers poll books,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe4498
By using every possible means to achieve its illegitimate and illegal goals in Africa, Iran has not been reluctant to support outlawed groups and militias in countries suffering from political and social instability. It has done this either with the aim of taking revenge on its opponents by striking their domestic interests or threatening their national security.

It has not stopped tempting or even forcing the governments of unstable countries to ally themselves with it and distance themselves from hostile countries, as well as trying to exploit their natural resources, sell industrial products in their markets and open them up to Iranian companies.

The latest example has taken the form of American and Israeli sources reporting that Iran has been activating sleeper cells in Africa in order to achieve its goal of revenge for the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard foreign operations official Qassem Al-Suleimani in an American strike and the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a former official of the Amad programme for producing nuclear weapons in Iran.

The report, published by the New York Times in mid-February, reveals that the Ethiopian intelligence service thwarted a major attack in the capital Addis Ababa at the beginning of the month by arresting a cell of 15 individuals targeting the United Arab Emirates Embassy in the city in addition to finding a cache of weapons and explosives.

US and Israeli officials said that Iran had orchestrated the operation and that its intelligence apparatus had activated a terrorist sleeper cell in Addis Ababa since last autumn, giving it orders to collect intelligence information about the US and Israel embassies there.

Israeli officials explained that at least three of the detained cell members might be real Iranian agents and that the remaining 12 are linked to the aforementioned network.

To find out who was behind the plot, according to The New York Times, the 16th element in the cell, named Ahmed Ismail and accused of being its leader, was arrested in Sweden in cooperation between African, Asian and European intelligence services, according to the Ethiopian authorities.

Director of African Intelligence at the Pentagon in the US Heidi Berg said that Iran was behind the 15 elements and that the so-called Ahmed Ismail was the mastermind of the failed plot, adding that the Ethiopian and Swedish authorities had cooperated in thwarting it.

American and Israeli sources interpreted the failed Iranian operation in Ethiopia as being part of an expanded campaign to search for easy targets in African countries in order to inflict heavy and painful losses in retaliation for the killing of Al-Suleimani and the assassination of Fakhrizadeh.

The National Intelligence and Security Service in Ethiopia also revealed that a second group of conspirators had been preparing to attack the Emirati Embassy in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, then confirmed by a Sudanese official.

A high-ranking US defence official linked the arrests in Addis Ababa and the failed Iranian plan to assassinate the US Ambassador to South Africa Lana Marks. The matter was published by the American magazine Politico last September.

Israeli officials said that the Iranian apparatus responsible for the failed attack on the Iranian opposition conference in France in June 2018 and for another conspiracy during the same year in Denmark was also responsible for orchestrating the failed operation in the Ethiopian capital.

Farzin Nadimi, an expert on Iranian military affairs at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think tank, said that Iran may wish to send a message to the new [American] administration that if it does not succeed in reaching a speedy agreement with the Iranian government on the Iranian nuclear programme, this is what they will face.

OTHER ATTEMPTS: The Ethiopian operation was not the only Iranian attempt of its kind, as the US Foreign Policy magazine reported in July last year, that Somalia had become a new arena for Iran to play a subversive role in the region.

It quoted senior Somali government officials to the effect that Tehrans interests in the Horn of Africa included establishing secret relations with the militant Al-Shabaab (Youth) group. It added that this relationship extended to targets outside Somalia, such as using such extremist groups to transfer weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen and to groups in other countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Mozambique, and the Central African Republic.

The magazine referred to attacks in 2019 and 2020 on US military bases in Somalia and northern Kenya and on a European Union military convoy in Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab carried out an attack in January 2020 on the Simba camp in northern Kenya, killing three Americans two days after the American raid in which Al-Suleimani and other leaders were killed.

It explained that Tehran had been able to attract extremist networks to work alongside it by providing money to recruit Somalis and expand its network of clients in the region. It quoted Somali officials as saying that the Iranian operations were led by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and enhanced by relations established by its affiliate the Al-Quds Force with extremist groups and criminal networks in Somalia.

The magazine added that Tehran was using its influence in Somalia to smuggle Iranian oil and sell it cheaply in Africa to avoid US sanctions. Somalia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2016 after it accused Tehran of interfering in its internal affairs and threatening its national security.

In June 2019, the British newspaper the Daily Telegraph quoted Western officials as saying that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had formed networks of sleeper cells to attack American and European targets such as embassies, foreign military bases and foreign employees in Africa under the supervision of the 400th Unit of the Al-Quds Force.

It quoted research reports saying that the Revolutionary Guard had sleeper cells in a number of Sub-Saharan African countries and that it could use them against Western interests and turn these countries into a battlefield against Irans regional and international enemies.

In April 2019, one such network was exposed in Chad and the Central African Republic, whose members had received training in camps run by Iran, according to British officials. Four years before, a network of two Iranians and others who had plotted bombings in Nairobi, Kenya, was also exposed.

Research-centre papers have reported that Iran is spending billions of dollars in Africa in the form of free social services such as hospitals, orphanages and religious schools in a bid to extend its control over an area thousands of kilometres away from it.

The means of pressure and blackmail used by Tehran have included spreading the Shiite doctrine in Islamic societies known for their adherence to the Sunni sect, such as Sudan and Nigeria. Some five years ago, Khartoum nearly had to close Iranian cultural centres in the country for this reason, and Abuja decided to ban the Shiite Islamic Movement loyal to Tehran in August 2019 after accusing it of being an enemy amid fears that Nigeria could become an arena of conflict between Sunnis and Shiites.

The office of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari declared that the reason for banning the movement was the control of militants who do not believe in peaceful protest but are inclined to violence to achieve their goals.

The Shiite Movement in Nigeria, founded nearly four decades ago, calls for the establishment of an Islamic state based on the Iranian model in Nigeria, and it has taken former Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini as a role model, swearing allegiance to him at the beginning of meetings and before its leader sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

The movement does not recognise the authority of the Nigerian government and considers that government officials, whether Christians or Muslims, are corrupt and illegal. It runs a network of schools and hospitals in the north of the country, where most Nigerian Muslims live, and many of its members hold important positions in the countrys army, police and intelligence.

Jacob Zen, an analyst at the Jamestown Research Foundation in the US, said that the Shiite Movement in Nigeria had lightly armed military brigades similar to those of the Lebanese Shia group Hizbullah in Lebanon and a newspaper that provided photographs of Khomeini and others at its headquarters and in its demonstrations.

The movement can mobilise tens of thousands of supporters at its rallies. The number of Shiites in Nigeria was negligible before the Iranian Islamic Revolution, when they constituted between five and 17 per cent of the total.

What confirmed Tehrans link with the Nigerian Movement was the outbreak of protests in Iran and elsewhere to demand the release of Zakzaky when he was arrested in Nigeria and Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis contact with his Nigerian counterpart following deaths in the 2015 protests.

Interventions by countries from outside Africa such as Iran to support extremist groups that create unrest and pursue violence and terrorism on the continent have prompted Egypts President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to demand that we deal decisively and collectively with states that sponsor terrorism.

He said at the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Africa in December 2019 that we will only be able to confront terrorism with collective action, and we must deal decisively with countries that support and sponsor terrorism. Terrorist groups will not have the ability to spread terror unless they are provided with material, military and moral support.

He also stressed that achieving sustainable development in Africa was required, as well as efforts to confront armed groups in Egypt and the Sub-Saharan African countries.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 25 February, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Here's an exclusive for you: Jane Loughrey never wanted to become a television reporter.

That revelation may come as a shock to viewers who have grown accustomed to seeing her face on TV night after night.

Indeed, the highly respected journalist is almost as recognisable as the UTV logo itself.

But as the north Belfast woman prepared to hang up her microphone for the final time after almost three decades, she told the Belfast Telegraph she had no burning desire to be on the telly.

I love my job and I love being a storyteller, but I never wanted to work in television, said Jane, who left UTVs City Quays studios for the final time as a staff member yesterday.

I actually thought radio would be more suitable for the sort of journalism I wanted to do. My family still thinks its hilarious that I ended up on television for nearly 30 years.

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Its a different world Jane is leaving now. When she started at UTV in 1992, the Troubles were raging, bombs and bullets were still killing people and there was little sign of ceasefires, let alone a peace process.

Newsrooms were still filled with plumes of cigarette smoke and the clattering of typewriters, while mobile phones had yet to become an essential tool of the trade. Even Google, the lifeblood of media now, didnt exist.

Everything has changed so much. We didnt have mobiles, we had bleepers. If your bleeper went, you had to find a phone box somewhere, said Jane (54).

And of course, there was no satnav either. It was a very different place back then.

It was the 4am graveyard shift that propelled a keen cub reporter in front of the camera.

I was brought into UTV to write bulletins, but these were the dark days of the Troubles, so although my shift was supposed to finish at lunchtime, I was invariably asked to stay on and cover whatever was happening, Jane said.

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I remember one day being asked to go to Armagh after a bomb went off. I was very hungry for news, so I was delighted for the opportunity. This was what I wanted to do.

Although very emotional about leaving, Jane is looking forward to spending time with her 13-year-old son, Matthew, and is excited about the future.

Leaving was a huge decision, but its the right one, she said.

My grandma has a great saying that a lady always knows when its time to leave, and I think its the right time for me to see what other challenges are out there.

Janes face became familiar down the years as she covered major stories, such as the Shankill and Omagh bombs, the Loughinisland massacre and the IRA ceasefire.

She also recalls some amazing times, such as when Bill Clinton visited Northern Ireland in 1995.

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That was a huge moment in the peace process, she said.

I was also outside Castle Buildings when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, and at Hillsborough Castle when Tony Blair famously said he felt the hand of history on his shoulder.

When the Queen visited UTV, I was actually asked to report on that story, which was strange  the Queen coming to my work.

I was in Guildhall Square when the Bloody Sunday Inquiry concluded. That was a big moment, particularly as my parents (Patrick and Alma, both in their 80s) come from Derry.

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Atrocities such as the 1993 Shankill bomb remain memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Ill never forget watching people frantically digging through the rubble with their hands, trying to free people who were dead or dying, Jane said.

I thought Id never see a worse sight in my life but, unfortunately, I did in 1998 after the Omagh bomb exploded. I wouldnt wish anybody to witness what I saw that day.

Rather than leaving home like Eamonn Holmes and many others for a career on national TV, Jane did it other way round, leaving London for Belfast.

The QUB psychology graduate did her training at the London College of Printing (now the London College of Communication), studying broadcast journalism.

Prior to that, she took a short course in print journalism that included a stint at Hello! magazine on a work placement.

My claim to fame is that I posted that weeks edition of Hello! to Princess Diana at Kensington Palace, she said.

It was a great experience, but it was the week the Berlin Wall came down. I was transfixed watching this historic event unfold. I knew then that I really wanted to be a news journalist.

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Janes Belfast brogue did her few favours back then.

It was difficult in London during the 1980s with my accent, she said.

These days, regional accents like Huw Edwards are almost sought after, but not back then.

I ended up working in Oxford. I did a freelance stint at a radio station in Cambridge. I got some freelance shifts with ITN and I read the news on Classic FM  that was hard work.

I would willingly work shifts back-to-back because I was a young journalist with rent to pay in London.

Everything changed, however, when two opportunities came up back at home.

I was interviewed by BBC NI and UTV on the same day, said the former past pupil of Dominican College, Fortwilliam.

It was UTV who offered me the job, so I grabbed it and, well, the rest is history.

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Unlike the Beeb, UTV has never found itself in the firing line over allegations of sexism or ageism, and neither was an issue for Jane during her career.

I have never been prevented from doing anything I wanted to do, she said.

UTV was a great place to work. Im very close to my family, but I really do feel that UTV has also been a family for the past 30 years.

She will miss working alongside colleagues including Tracey Magee and Niall Donnelly, the latter of whom she had an interesting experience with when out on a job in Ardoyne.

We were reporting on a volatile Tour of the North when one of the rioters threw a brick that struck me on the ankle, and I fell down, Jane said.

When I was lying in agony on the ground, the young fellow whod thrown the brick came over and said, Jane, Im really sorry... I meant to get a peeler.

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He offered to buy me a gravy chip before I was carted off to hospital in an ambulance. That could only happen in Northern Ireland.

In another report from a summer riot in Ardoyne, Jane and her cameraman got trapped in front of the police line.

I was pleading with a police officer when a woman, drinking straight from a bottle, yelled Let her through, she does the weather, she said.

I still laugh about that to this day. In the midst of all the terrifying things, there have been lighter moments. You need that.

Being under siege for days on end while reporting on the Drumcree protests didnt provide many laughs, but even in the darkest of days, Jane found that people were kind.

They opened their doors. It astounded me that so many people did that in the middle of their anguish, she explained.

The reporter has only ever wanted to be a conduit for the news, not the star of the show.

Ive always believed that its a reporters job to tell other peoples stories, not their own, she said.

My view has always been that I never want to become the story. Im there to tell somebody elses, and I would hope that history is kind to me.

Ive done so many types of stories over the past three decades, but I would like people to remember me and think that I was kind, that I listened, that Im fair and I told it as it was.

All the way through my career, that is what I hope I achieved.

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What is next for Jane, who has an older sister, Anne, and two younger siblings Stephen and Una? Consultancy work, lecturing or perhaps a book?

For now, she is looking forward to spending more time with her son because being a mother is the best job in the world.

Down the line, she would like to write a memoir, not just about poignant times in UTV, but also about the lighter moments, the fun Ive had with people over the last three decades and the laughs along the way.

Northern Ireland is a small place. I dont think theres a town or village that I havent been in, she said.

But dont think you have seen the last of Jane Loughrey.

As she said: I am not retiring. Im excited to see what the next chapter brings.
Thank you for reading!

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Bengaluru, Feb 26 : Karnataka is readying itself to wage a legal battle in the Supreme Court against Tamil Nadu's ambitious Cauvery-Vellaru-Vaigai-Gundar river linking project, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavaraj Bommai said here on Friday.

Last week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palaniswami had laid the foundation stone for the Rs 14,400 crore, 262 km river-linking project, which will divert 6,300 cubic feet of surplus water during floods and increase the groundwater levels in the state's southern districts to meet drinking water needs.

Addressing mediapersons after a series of meetings with legal experts and concerned officials along with Major and Medium Irrigation Minister Ramesh Jarakiholi here, Bommai asserted that Tamil Nadu's inter-linking river project is against the interests of Karnataka, and the state government will oppose it strongly in all fora.

"Tamil Nadu is trying to utilise surplus 45 Tmcft of water. This is against Karnataka's interest. As there is no legal provision to utilise this surplus water, hence Tamil Nadu's project itself is illegally conceived," he said.

He added that surplus water has not been shared between the states officially or legally, so taking up the project in such a situation is not right.

"This project is not in accordance with the Interstate River Water Disputes Act. According to the Act, surplus water should also be adjudicated and the tribunal has to decide on it. So this project is against the law. Therefore, this is a fit case to oppose in the apex court," Bommai said.

He alleged that it has been proved beyond doubt in many cases in the past that Tamil Nadu has been acting in a prejudiced manner for over 400 years.

Jarkiholi also asserted that Karnataka has decided to respond legally and politically to Tamil Nadu's river linking project.

Bommai further alleged that Tamil Nadu had started the Hogenakkal project without taking any permission, and now they have launched the Cauvery-Vellaru-Vaigai-Gundar linking project.

"Surplus water needs to be shared between the states, this is the fundamental principle. Whatever they are doing is against this principle, as they are indicating their claim over surplus water. We strongly oppose and condemn this and have decided to fight it legally," he said.

The minister further said that Tamil Nadu had objected when Karnataka sought allocation for a drinking water project for Bengaluru, besides opposing several projects in the Cauvery basin, including plans to modernise or repair a 300-400 year-old dam and carry out modernisation of canal projects that are in bad condition.

Rebutting both the opposition parties' allegations, Bommai said that there was no delay in taking action against the Tamil Nadu project. "Where is the question of going soft on Tamil Nadu? Protecting our state's interests is paramount for us. They may have elections or some other compulsions, but that cannot come in the way of protecting our interests. Opposition parties are levelling baseless allegations," he said.

Hotel quarantine ventilation and air flow represents the biggest single risk to COVID-19 seeping into the community after an investigation into the infection of a Perth security guard concluded the virus was likely airborne.

The man became infected with the UK strain of COVID-19 in late January after sitting in a corridor about three metres from the door of an isolating returned international traveller who had the virus.

WA Chief Health Officer Dr Andy Robertson. Credit:Hamish Hastie

The womans door was opened several times a day to provide supplies such as food.

An interim report into the transmission, released on Friday, called for an urgent review of ventilation and airflow in Perths quarantine hotels, highlighting that despite earlier concerns there had never been a formal assessment.
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has condemned an attack on a secondary school in northwest Nigeria on Friday in which several hundred girls are still missing
[Prime Minister] Nikol Pashinian is already in a situation where the people could achieve his resignation. But if they are talking about a direct overthrow of the government then our position is clear: we are against such steps, he said, according to the Anadolu news agency.

Turkey opposes any coups, including in Armenia, added Erdogan, who himself was nearly overthrown by Turkish army units in 2016.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made similar comments on Thursday.

It is unacceptable when the military demands the resignation of an elected government, he said. So we condemn the coup attempt in Armenia.

Erdogan and Cavusoglu clearly referred to an unprecedented statement by the Armenian militarys top bass that accused Pashinian of misrule and demanded his resignation. The statement also charged that Pashinian has put Armenia on the brink of collapse after the autumn war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The prime minister rejected the demand as a coup attempt. By contrast, Armenian opposition forces voiced support for the military.

Turkish leaders have rarely commented on domestic political developments in Armenia in the past.

Ankara shut down the Turkish-Armenian border in 1993 and has refused to establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan out of solidarity with Azerbaijan.

During the six-week Karabakh war stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire on November 10, Ankara supported the Azerbaijani army with weapons and expert advice. It also reportedly recruited thousands of Syrian mercenaries and sent them to fight on the Azerbaijani side.
The report " Post-harvest Treatment Market for Fruits & Vegetables by Type (Coatings, Cleaners, Fungicides, Ethylene Blockers, Sanitizers, and Sprout Inhibitors), Crop Type (Fruits and Vegetables), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", The post- harvest treatment market is projected to grow from USD 1.5 billion in 2019 to USD 2.3 billion by 2026, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast period. The growing trade of fruits and vegetables is one of the key factors driving the growth of the post-harvest treatment market.

The fruit segment is projected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period.

The fruit segment, by crop type, is projected to grow at the highest CAGR, in terms of value, during the forecast period. Fruits are highly perishable in nature and are required to be treated with post-harvest solutions to increase their shelf life for longer storage duration and easy transport of these products. Increasing application of natural flavors in the food and beverages industry is also encouraging the trade of fruits, which in turn, has led to a surge in demand for post-harvest treatment solutions in the major fruits and vegetable producing region such as Asia Pacific.

Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=256316169

By type, the coatings segment is estimated to account for the largest share in 2019 in the post-harvest treatment market.

Coatings are one of the methods to increase the shelf life of products and decrease the quality and quantity losses. They are mostly applied to fruits & vegetables during the packaging process for maintaining their softness, color, odor, and flavor. The development of edible coatings has made it easier for fruits and vegetable processors to use the produce without any concerns about their harmful effects. Edible coatings help to prevent unnecessary softening and ripening of fruits & vegetables. Coatings form an integral part of the post-harvest treatment process, as fruits & vegetables are stored for longer periods, thereby making it important to maintain their shelf life and quality.

Asia Pacific is projected to account for the largest share in the post-harvest treatment market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific dominated the post-harvest treatment market for the fruits and vegetables segments in 2018. Countries such as India and China are the key producers of fruits and vegetables, a majority of which are exported to North America and Europe. Since the Asia Pacific region is a developing region, post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables are witnessed on a large scale in its countries. Hence, the need for efficient post-harvest treatment mechanisms remains high, which is subsequently projected to drive the growth of the market.

Key players in the post-harvest treatment market include Decco (US), JBT (US), Pace International LLC (US), Xeda International (France), Agrofresh (US), Syngenta (Switzerland), FMC Corporation (US), Nufarm (Australia), Bayer (Germany), Citrosol (Spain), Fomesa Fruitech (Spain), Futureco Bioscience (Spain), Corteva Agriscience (US), BASF (Germany), Sensitech Inc (US), Post-Harvest Solutions (New Zealand ), Janssen PMP (Belgium), Colin Campbell Pty Ltd (Australia), Valent Biosciences (USA), and RPM International (US). These players have a broad industry coverage and strong operational and financial strength.

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Recent Developments:



In partnership with you, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana offers diversity and inclusion professional development training in the areas of implicit bias, stereotyping, and advocacy.Governor, we must guard against every blatant and abstract act, attitude or assertion that would lend itself to the normalcy or resurgence of racism in our culture  whenever, wherever, and by whomever it is demonstrated. While systemic racism is baked into American culture and politics, it will continue to grow and become uglier until it is stopped by those who have the voice to do so.
As the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the country last year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched an Emmy-winning daytime television show, using his daily briefings to channel the nation's grief, showcase how he was taking charge and share the secrets of his family's spaghetti dinners. He published a best-selling book about his leadership, saw his state approval numbers rise to 66% and repeatedly denied any interest in the next logical step: running for president.

Now, cases of covid-19 in his state are receding, and so are the glory days of Cuomo's third term as governor.

A former adviser has accused him of sexual harassment, fellow Democrats are publicly condemning what they describe as bullying backroom behavior, and federal investigators are probing the state's handling of nursing home data amid allegations that Cuomo's administration withheld the extent of deaths caused by the virus.

The sudden shift in fortunes for Cuomo, which has potentially clouded what looked to be an easy reelection campaign next year, comes as an abrupt turnabout for those who first encountered the governor during his daily news conferences. He was widely praised for offering the country the sort of strong leadership many saw missing from the White House under President Donald Trump. The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences gave him an Emmy for "his masterful use of television to inform and calm people around the world." He even welcomed the term "Cuomosexual" used by some of his online fans.

But for those steeped in New York politics, little is surprising about the recent turn of events, save perhaps how many people have publicly turned against the governor. The rough edges Cuomo once sold as an asset - "My natural instinct is to be aggressive," he wrote in his last book - are now emerging as a liability.

"This is not just an aggressive politician. This is someone who has a narrative, and if you do not publicly agree with that narrative, he will threaten you," said Monica Klein, a liberal activist who previously worked for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, a fierce rival of the governor. "What that means is dissent is silenced."

Aides to Cuomo have denied the sexual harassment allegation and defended his administration's handling of nursing home data.

"New Yorkers know it was the Governor who worked night and day to get them through the worst of this pandemic and, from the strongest gun safety laws in the nation to a $15 minimum wage and free college tuition, he has a nationally significant record of progressive accomplishments that Washington is trying to match," Rich Azzopardi, a senior adviser to Cuomo, said in a statement.

But public dissent is now spreading through New York political circles - and notably within Cuomo's own party - as a growing number of rising politicians calculate that they can succeed without the help of the governor's machine. Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Democrat, of Queens, who has been critical of Cuomo's handling of nursing home data, said the governor threatened to "destroy" him earlier this month if he did not retract his comments.

Cuomo's advisers denied Kim's description of the call, and Cuomo attacked the lawmaker personally, suggesting at a news conference that Kim had improperly raised money from small businesses in his district whose legislative priorities he supported.

Kim has denied any impropriety and repeated his account of the call from Cuomo during an appearance on ABC's "The View." Other Democrats, including de Blasio, spoke up to defend Kim and condemn Cuomo's conduct.

"The bullying is nothing new," de Blasio said in an appearance last week on MSNBC.

Several people close to the governor described him as privately frustrated - and wanting to punch back against his critics - even as his team tries to tamp down stories about the various crises. A number of lawmakers, advocates and other political strategists in New York spoke on the condition of anonymity Thursday out of fear of Cuomo and because the full scope of the nursing home investigation and the extent of the sexual harassment allegations are unclear.

"The governor's reaction has elevated this into a national story. Ron Kim gets on 'The View' and on CNN, and it's self-inflicted," a person close to the governor said. "We have to get those kinds of people back on the fringes."

A second adviser in touch with a number of Cuomo administration officials said: "People feel like they are under siege from all sides. Who knows what's coming next?"

The governor sees the nursing home problem as more of a political one than a legal one, according to two advisers. And Cuomo remains in fairly strong standing among Democrats in recent polls, and no clear primary challenger has emerged to take him on.

"If the vaccine keeps getting out there, and the weather gets warm and people go outside, and businesses start opening up and people feel good about it, he will get credit, and his numbers will go up," said Josh Vlasto, his former chief of staff.

Still, that task has been complicated by the sexual harassment claims of a former aide, Lindsey Boylan, a Democratic candidate for Manhattan borough president, who alleges that Cuomo suggested a game of strip poker once when she flew with him on a plane and kissed her on the mouth on another occasion without consent. She also produced an email from another Cuomo aide documenting that the governor said she looked like the "better looking sister" of someone he was rumored to have dated.

A Cuomo spokeswoman said in a statement Wednesday that "Ms. Boylan's claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false."

Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Democrat, of Queens has called for an independent investigation of the harassment claims. A group of former legislative staffers from Albany, who formed a working group to combat workplace harassment in politics, has echoed that call.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading Democrat in New York, called the sexual assault allegations "extraordinarily serious" and said in an interview with CBS on Thursday that they deserved to be investigated, along with the "nursing home situation that's unfolding."

The Democratic-led legislature is contemplating a removal of the broad emergency powers that Cuomo won at the start of the pandemic, after New York Attorney General Letitia James released a report last month that found the state had understated the nursing home deaths from covid-19 by nearly 50%. The state had previously not publicly accounted for the deaths of nursing home residents who were transferred to hospitals before dying, she reported.

A top aide to Cuomo, Melissa DeRosa, told state legislators this month that the full data had not been released after a request for it from the Justice Department and a fear that the Trump administration would politicize the numbers.

"Basically, we froze," said DeRosa, according to a transcript of her remarks to lawmakers.

Cuomo has privately defended DeRosa, who is viewed as his top aide and most fierce protector, and has told others she will remain in her job, according to two people close to Cuomo.

Steven Cohen, a former top aide and current ally, released a statement Thursday defending the Cuomo administration's handling of nursing homes amid the pandemic. He also defended the decision to not release the full mortality data out of concern that Trump would use it politically.

"Even a casual observer would be entitled to conclude that the motivation for the DOJ request was political and had all the hallmarks of 'a game of gotcha,' " Cohen wrote. He said the state had ultimately shared the requested information with the Justice Department.

The governor's advisers have said that the administration is cooperating with the federal investigation.

Cuomo had argued for months, including in his October book, that New York had performed better than 45 other states in its percentage of nursing home deaths - a claim that relied on numbers that Cuomo now admits were incomplete.

"I didn't hold back any information because I thought it was too difficult or frightening," Cuomo also wrote in his book, a claim that has now been called into question. "It's not my place to filter or edit the truth."

Those words could come back to haunt him in a reelection campaign. Several advisers said Cuomo was determined to write a book early in the pandemic, even as some expressed concern that cases would rise again this fall.

The governor said Feb. 15 that the delay in releasing the full nursing home death numbers had been "a mistake" that had created a "void" of public information.

In July, 72% approved of his handling of the pandemic, and that has dropped to 54% now, according to a Marist College poll this month. His overall approval rating has dropped to 49%, according to the poll. The polling was conducted before Boylan publicly detailed her sexual harassment claims against the governor.

The nursing home issue has clearly contributed to the drop, with 41%of New Yorkers in the poll saying he had done something unethical but not illegal in his handling of the issue. An additional 19% believed he had done something illegal.

"This is reverting back to his pre-pandemic numbers, back in the 40s, where he's been," said Lee Miringoff, who leads the college's polls. "His handling of the economy is right side up, his handling of the pandemic is right side up, and people still see him as a good leader. It's just the numbers have come precipitously down since his record numbers in July."

Cuomo remains in a relatively strong place inside the party, however, with about half of Democrats saying he deserves reelection and no clear primary rival. He has been moving to shore up support with African American leaders in Queens and Brooklyn, advisers said.

But the current damage-control effort is a far cry from the self-congratulatory tone Cuomo embraced last year. A poster his administration released in July - sold to voters for $11.50 including shipping - cast the spring hospitalization curve as an island mountain festooned with his own inspirational and comforting quotes.

"Wake up America! Forget the Politics, Get Smart," he quoted himself saying at the top of the poster.

Last year, in awarding Cuomo a special Emmy for his daily press briefings, the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences president, Bruce Paisner, said Cuomo's covid briefings "worked so well because he effectively created television shows, with characters, plotlines, and stories of success and failure."

Now that celebrity is turning against him. People magazine, which anointed him one of the sexiest men alive (over 50 category) in 2010, has been covering Boylan's claims. Even NBC's "Saturday Night Live" devoted its cold open on Saturday to mocking Cuomo's bullying behavior.

President Joe Biden, who had previously praised Cuomo's handling of the pandemic, has been silent as scandals have enveloped the governor. White House press secretary Jen Psaki repeatedly declined to say in an interview Sunday whether Biden still considered Cuomo "the gold standard," as Biden once referred to him.

"I'm not here to give new labels or names from the president," Psaki said on ABC News's "This Week."
DMS President Jim Racheff said of the milestone, Four decades of success is a great testament to the employees that have built DMS from a small, two-person startup into a leader in technology and information science services.

This month, Data Management Services, Inc., a BRMi company, is celebrating 40 years since its formation on February 23, 1981 in Frederick, Maryland. DMS President Jim Racheff said of the milestone, Four decades of success is a great testament to the employees that have built DMS from a small, two-person startup into a leader in technology and information science services.

According to Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick, DMS is a classic example of a tech startup which has built deep roots around the federal missions here in Frederick and is an inspiration to other entrepreneurs getting started today. Frederick is one of the best start-up locations in America as evidenced by the DMS experience. Kudos to DMS President Jim Racheff for his efforts.

Frederick is fortunate to have tech companies like DMS and their talented workforce here, and we wish them well as they celebrate 40 years of business, said Frederick Mayor Michael OConnor. We are proud of our unique blend of history and technology which has helped build an enviable quality of place for residents, businesses, and workers, he added.

Over the past 40 years of supporting biomedical researchers and public health organizations, DMS has developed a great depth of knowledge of their clients, organizations and culture and a deep appreciation for the import of biomedical and public-health missions. Racheff continued, Im tremendously proud of the significant contributions our employees have made to improving the health and well-being of people across the world. Weve been able to leverage our skills in technology management, software development, scientific programming, data analytics, biostatistics, and bioinformatics to empower our clients. Together, weve advanced science and improved public health.

DMS expertise, abilities and superior performance did not go unnoticed among their industry peers either. Mike Battle, BRMi Founder and CEO, explained, I became aware of DMS as we were looking for organizations to partner with that were committed to the health-research mission. Over time, it became clear to me that Jim had a terrific teamlike my ownthat can tackle complex problems and excel in service delivery. I realized that DMS health IT expertise and data analytics capabilities could combine with our program execution and automation core competencies. It would create a powerful new option for our government and commercial customers. The rest, as they say, is history! DMS became a wholly owned subsidiary of BRMi in December 2019. He continued, Im so pleased with the result. Jim, his team and the BRMi team are working closely together to integrate our capabilities to serve the needs of the National Cancer Institute and many others. Together, were expanding the potential to empower data scientists to help cure disease and relieve suffering.

Racheff and Battle will be at City Hall in Frederick on Wednesday, March 17 to receive certificates presented to DMS by city, county, and state officials, in recognition of the companys endurance and success. On behalf of the state of Maryland, we would like to congratulate DMS on its 40th anniversary, said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. We are proud to watch the team grow and succeed right here in Maryland. Thank you for your dedication to Frederick County over the years, and for your continued investment in the state.

Founded in 2004, BRMi is a privately held, minority-owned IT services company supporting both government and commercial customers. Its services include applications, business optimization, advisory, operations, and applied information sciences. The company has specific technology expertise in a number of areas, including intelligent automation.




Russia condemns Washington's airstrike on eastern Syria and sees it as an unacceptable violation of the international law, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Friday.

"The attack was launched on the territory of a sovereign nation, a United Nations member state. This is an unacceptable violation of the international law, it it necessary to ascertain whom they attacked," the source said.

Iran assists the Syrian army's fight against the Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia), the source stressed.

"They are there to help the legitimate government and the Syrian people fight terrorists," the source concluded.

The Pentagon said that the airstrike ended up destroying multiple facilities of Iran-backed militias. Washington added the strike was conducted in retaliation to recent attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq.

The strike was said to be conducted in retaliation for the 15 February rocket attack on the Erbil Air Base in Iraqi Kurdistan.

(SPUTNIK)
New Delhi:

The Chandigarh police has retrieved CCTV footage from five cameras on the route where a 29-year-old daughter of an IAS officer was allegedly chased down by Haryanas BJP chief Subhash Baralas son and the other man.

The victim had called up the police on Friday night complaining that two men were chasing her. Soon after the complaint, the police arrested the duo, Vikash Barala and Ashish Kumar under the charges of stalking a woman. Later, both were released.

A police official said, Chandigarh Police has retrieved footage of 5 CCTV cameras on the route capturing the chase of the victims vehicle by the alleged vehicle.

Chandigarh SSP Eish Singhal on Monday said that the police were in the process of taking CCTV footage wherein the girl was allegedly stalked.

ALSO READ | Stalking case: Don't turn the matter into media trial, Chandigarh SSP pleads press, refutes claims of political pressure

We have identified several CCTV cameras on the route taken by the accused and we are in the process of taking footage when their technical analysis is complete, we will let you know, Singhal had said.

However, he had also mentioned that six CCTV cameras were non-functional. I can brief about this only when the technical analysis is complete, he had said.

We are analysing every single camera on that road stretch. When technical analysis is complete, details will be put before you, he had added. Police had also rejected claims that it was under any kind of pressure.

The Chandigarh Police had also said it will not hesitate to add non-bailable provisions in the case if legal opinion is in its favour. Singhal had said they were investigating the matter with an open mind and were taking legal opinion on several issues pertaining to the case.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday condemned the alleged incident and said no attempt should be made to dilute charges against the accused.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ | Chandigarh stalking case: Girl and her father narrate their experience on Facebook while BJP defends the accused

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Following the reopening of Sasha market by Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday, trading activities have returned as both Yoruba and Hausa residents and traders in the community embraced peace.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that wholesale and retail trades were carried out in the market on Wednesday and those whose shops were not burnt accommodated their friends.

Mr Makinde at a meeting with the leaders of the two ethnic groups at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State announced the reopening of the popular market.

Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, I have heard what you said, and we will immediately reopen the Shasha market. They will bring (a) bulldozer to the market today.

When my brother governors visited Seriki Sasha palace, while we were walking around, I realised that both the people I saw at the Serikis place and those I met at Baales place were not happy because they have been deprived of doing their job, Mr Makinde said on Tuesday.

Backstory

This newspaper on February 14 reported how several lives were lost in a clash that ensued after a disagreement between a cart pusher and a stall owner at the market on Thursday, February 11.

The disagreement led to violence after a cobbler, Sakirudeen Adeola, who had his shed nearby, intervened on the side of the woman.

Mr Adeola was attacked by the cart pusher and he later died. His death led to riots that degenerated into an ethnic crisis between Hausa and Yorubas in the community in Akinyele Local Government Area, where the market is located.

In a bid to forestall lawlessness, Mr Makinde issued a statement the next day that the market be closed and also imposed a curfew in the community.

PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed how the violence produced remarkable stories of heroism and humanity, with some people of Yoruba descent shielding their Hausa neighbours from attacks and vice-versa.

Slow return

PREMIUM TIMES understands that while the market was not filled like it used to be in the past, trucks are fast returning with tomatoes, pepper, onions filled in them, traders told our reporter.

Those whose shops were not seriously razed and those with plank spaces accommodated their Hausa and Yoruba friends.

We are happy with the reopening of the market and we hope not to witness all that happened in the past again. Some people have returned and trading is ongoing, Kazeem Shoremekun, an onion seller said.

A Hausa trader in the market, Razaq Yusuf, said within 24 hours that the market was opened, buying and selling are fast returning to normal.

Normalcy has returned and we commend Governor Makinde for his decision to reopen the market. It is our belief that what transpired the last time wont happen again.

Some Hausa traders told this newspaper that some northern governors shared bags of rice and money to them through the Seriki Hausa in Shasha.

In his reaction, a Yoruba tomato seller, Muibat Alani, said he is happy that people were at the market again for trading activities weeks after closure.

We appreciate the Baale Shasha and others for the show of love to us. We are, however, hopeful that Governor Makinde will fulfil his promise of giving us money to return back to our previous standard. We also urge the governor to come and help clear all the debris in the destroyed places. We are currently using open spaces, we hope the shops are raised for usage again.

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With Assembly Elections slated to be held in four states in the coming months, the Election Commission of India (ECI) laid down the guidelines and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed during the polling and campaigning in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. Addressing a press briefing to announce the polling dates for the elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora announced that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will come into force right after the announcement of the voting dates. The Election Commission has assured that all provisions have been put in place to ensure fair and free elections.

READ | Nirav Modi Case:UK Court Rejects Cong Neta's Testimony, Says 'didn't Disclose Affiliation'

Here are the guidelines issued by the EC for the assembly elections:

Polling time has uniformly been increased by one hour.

Several processes and procedures have been made online in order to minimize person-to-person contact and prevent the congregation of a large number of people. However, that does not mean people cannot opt for offline procedures.

The number of persons accompanying the candidate for submission of nomination has been restricted to two. The number of vehicles is also restricted to two. Candidates can later on also seek electoral certificate digitally besides filling the nomination form and affidavit online.

Door-to-door campaigning has been restricted to five persons including the candidate. Roadshows are allowed subject to the convoy being broken up every five vehicles.

Ultimately, it is for the district magistrates or collectors and their police counterparts who have to finally make a decision from situation to situation but as I said broad guidelines are there.

Adequate CAPF deployment shall be ensured during elections. All critical and vulnerable polling stations have already been identified and an adequate number of CAPF will be deployed in such booths. Advanced teams are already been deployed in these states and UTs.

All poll officials will be vaccinated against COVID-19 before elections for five assemblies

There will be a committee of CEO, state police officer, and state CAPF coordinator to jointly work out the election security plan and ensure randomization of security personnel.

Webcasting arrangement in place at polling stations in a critical and vulnerable area

Model Code of Conduct to come into force immediately after the announcement of the election dates

Polling stations shall be equipped with sanitisers, masks, water and other necessary equipment to handle health emergencies. Volunteers will be deployed to assist senior citizens and COVID-affected voters.

READ | On 2nd Anniversary Of Balakot Airstrike; IAF & Modi Govt's Hammerblow To Terrorism Hailed

Polling dates announced

"A total of 824 assembly constituencies shall be going for polls during these elections. 18.68 crore electors will cast vote at 2.7 lakh polling stations in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry," CEC Arora informed on Friday. Polling for the Assam assembly will be held in 3 phases commencing from March 27 and the last phase being held on April 6. Voting for Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held on April 6. The results for all states will be announced on May 2. Elections in West Bengal will be held across 8 phases.

Bengal to see 8-phase elections. 1st phase of polling on Mar 27, second phase of polling on Apr 1, third phase of polling on Apr 6, fourth phase of polling on Apr 10, fifth phase of polling on Apr 17, sixth phase polling on Apr 22, seventh phase-Apr 26, final phase polling-Apr 29 pic.twitter.com/F5UQDcPUpW  ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2021

READ | Congress 'shocked' At India-Pakistan Joint Statement; Peddles Refuted Narrative On China

READ | Bharat Bandh: Commercial Markets To Remain Shut; Traders Protest Against Fuel Prices, GST
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Bulawayo Bureau

BULAWAYO is on the path to reclaiming its position as the country's industrial hub with the metropolitan province's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2,3 billion set to increase.

This follows Government's commitment to address the city's perennial water crisis as evidenced by the combined ground-breaking ceremony of the Gwayi-Shangani pipeline and commissioning of the Epping Forest water supply argumentation project in Nyamandlovu by President Mnangagwa yesterday.

Bulawayo has since 2019 been grappling with probably its worst water challenge in history largely due to the effects of climate change and depleting water levels at its supply dams located in Matabeleland South province. Epping Forest water project is one of the key water projects undertaken by Government to address critical water challenges in Bulawayo.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) drilled 20 boreholes at the Nyamandlovu Aquifer to augment water supply in Bulawayo. The project is part of key interventions, which will see Bulawayo regaining its status as the country's industrial hub.

Pumping water from Nyamandlovu aquifer boreholes is expected to ease Bulawayo's water crisis as the city will have an additional 10 megalitres (ML) a day.

Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube said Bulawayo is poised for industrial growth, which will subsequently see the metropolitan province move from lower middle income to upper middle income status by 2030.

"The National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP) will go a long way in building the provincial GDP in Matabeleland North and Bulawayo. Matabeleland North's GDP is the United States dollars equivalent of $1,2 billion and the income per capita is US$1 333. Bulawayo GDP is $2,3 billion United States dollars equivalent and per capita person is US$3 000, which is already lower middle income and needs to move to upper middle income which is past the US$3 500 mark," he said.

Prof Ncube said Bulawayo's industrial growth hinges on reliable water supply with the Gwayi-Shangani pipeline set to end Bulawayo water woes and boost the city's water supply to 450ML per day.

"As history shows this project was mooted as far back as 1912 with a variety of financing options having been pursued but without much success. However, during the last two years, the Second Republic is aggressively putting resources towards ensuring the delivery of the long-awaited project," he said.

Prof Ncube said consistent with the President's vision of transforming the economy into an upper middle-income society by 2030, the intervention by Government to address Bulawayo's water crisis buttresses the strategic plans under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) of closing the gap between supply and demand for water, including investments and basic sanitation requirements of citizens.

"Today's (yesterday's) event shows that there is tremendous progress already made under the first phase of the project. This provides ample evidence of the Second Republic's commitment under the astute leadership of President Mnangagwa to enhance water supply for the country."

The first phase of the Gwayi-Shangani dam project is earmarked for completion at the end of the year. Treasury allocated $4,5 billion for the completion of the project and a further $535 million for the development of detailed designs and procurement of local contractors for the pipeline and more funds are set to be channelled towards the project.

"As we embark on the development of the pipeline, it is also critical that other downstream projects including the envisaged agricultural greenbelt that will ensure effective utilisation of the water along the pipeline are concurrently initiated. This is the beginning of the last stage of our dream under NMZWP comprising the Gwayi-Shangani Dam and the pipeline," Prof Ncube said.

Government is funding 10 dam projects across the country which are being prioritised, among them the Gwayi-Shangani Dam targeted for completion this year together with Chivhu, Causeway in Marondera. Treasury allocated $150 million for Epping Forest and Rochester boreholes which are now pumping an additional 20ML of water to Bulawayo daily.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube said the ground breaking ceremony of Gwayi-Shangani pipeline and commissioning of the Epping Forest project triggers hope and signifies commitment by the Second Republic to permanently address the city's water challenges.

She said water is a key enabler of all economic activities hence Bulawayo will start attracting investment and regain to its former status of being Zimbabwe's industrial hub.

"We are confident that this new development will attract investment in Bulawayo in line with the desire by Government to transform the country into an upper middle-income economy by 2030. As Bulawayo Metropolitan Province we are indeed over joyed by the groundbreaking of the Gwayi-Shangani pipeline and the commissioning of the Epping Forest water augmentation project," she said.

"We are also excited by the commencement of the second phase of National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project signified by the groundbreaking ceremony. Gwayi-Shangani to Bulawayo pipeline triggers in us the people of Bulawayo so much hope and signifies commitment by the second Republic to permanently address the water challenges that the country's second largest city has perennially battled with."

The NMZWP was mooted in 1912 and it has been a pipeline dream, but President Mnangagwa has brought the project to fruition.

"On behalf of Bulawayo, I would like to thank the President for work you have done since assuming office to address the water challenges that have characterised the city. Most importantly, we are indebted to your administration for working tirelessly in the past year to address the water crisis in Bulawayo last year," said Minister Ncube.

"However, through support from the Government, Zinwa implemented the Rochester emergency water project which saw the rehabilitation and equipping of boreholes that pump up the water supply from Rochester to a daily of 10ML per day from an average of 3ML per day."

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Minister of Local Government and Urban Development July Moyo said Government is working on augmenting the pumping station in Mtshabezi as well as the uplifting pumps in Inyankuni. He said once those two are done Bulawayo will be able to receive more than 165ML of water per day, which is more than its daily consumption of 155ML.

"Bulawayo is now pumping 125ML from the existing dams. Together with Epping Forest and Rochester they will now be able to pump 145 ML of water per day with a shortfall of 10ML. This should therefore give investors an advantage to say Bulawayo is back on its feet," he said. The President last year deployed a team comprising 11 engineers to Bulawayo as part of efforts to solve the city's perennial water shortage.

"We assembled a team of 11 engineers drawn from various Government agencies. We agreed on a plan of action and the hanging fruits were Rochester in Nyamandlovu, which needed to be upgraded from 3ML to 10ML and that was done," said Minister Moyo.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said the two water projects are set to radically transform the water situation in Matabeleland North and Bulawayo. "The Gwayi-Shangani pipeline marks one step towards the realisation of the long awaited NMZWP. The ground water resources will help sustain livelihoods in the region and propel socio-economic development in the province in line with Vision 2030 and devolution agenda," he said.

Several Victorian schools have issued messages to parents in response to a deluge of sexual assault claims made by young women across the country who voiced their stories as part of a movement demanding better education around consent.

Private schools Xavier College and Geelong Grammar School wrote to their school communities this week after a petition started by Sydney woman Chanel Contos called for sexual consent to be taught in schools from a young age.

It saw hundreds of young women come forward with disturbing allegations of sexual assault and rape from their time as students or soon after, with many describing being forced to perform sex acts or being assaulted while intoxicated or passed out.

Chanel Contos, whose online petition calling on people to come forward with allegations of sexual assault is forcing schools to change.

Among those who anonymously recounted their stories were two students who said they previously attended Geelong Grammar, south-west of Melbourne.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
Ive signed up to attend the BEVNY 2021 (Business, Enology, Viticulture) Conference March 3-5, to be presented online with a new format this year. Each day there will be three two-hour sessions, first about the business of wine, then a winemaking (enology) session and finally a grape growing (viticulture) session. Here are just a few of the things well learn about: How to use technology to improve wine sales, best practices for operating in a COVID-19 environment, whether climate change will impact grape growing and winemaking in the Finger Lakes, and what new equipment and practices can help us make better wine. If you are interested in grape growing and winemaking, the program and registration information can be found on bevny.org.

With spring about three weeks away, we will start doing some bottling soon. We have several really nice barrel-aged red wines from 2018 that are ready to be bottled, and our rose from the 2020 harvest will be next in line after that. Bottling means ordering the bottles and closures (in our case we use corks), then preparing the wines, racking them into tanks ready for the bottling line.
Friday, February 26, 2021

The Michele Metta book, On the Trail of Clay Shaw: The Italian Undercover CIA and Mossad Station and the Assassination of JFK, has a section on the links between the Umbrella Man and Clay Shaw.

That section in his book is entitled, "The Umbrella Man and Skorzeny." (page 157)

What follows is Metta's train of thought - and I have enclosed the actual documents that he just quotes in his book. As I have earlier pointed out about this book, the translation from Italian to English is absolutely atrocious. Of course, even a good translation wouldn't make much sense either.

It all starts with the man seen in various films of November 22, 1963 holding an open umbrella.

Metta notes that (page 157):

"This too cryptic conduct gave reason to the assassination scholars Sprague and Cutler to make an analysis and reach the conclusion that this umbrella was used to fire a dart with a paralyzing agent at JFK to restrain his muscles and make him an immobile target far much easer to kill."

Here is a link to the Sprague and Cutler article from the June 1978 issue of Gallery Magazine..

Now, here is where it gets interesting.

A 1944 CIA document details a supposed plan by Otto Skorzeny to kill General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Skorzeny was a SS officer during World War II who was involved in several operations During the Battle of the Bulge, Skorzeny led Operation Greif in which German soldiers infiltrated Allied lines by wearing American uniforms.

Here is the CIA document:

What Metta finds interesting is that Skorzeny was to use "poisoned ammunition."

And so here is an except of an MI5 document relating to the interrogation of Skorzeny after the war:

You can search for MI5 documents here.

The salient point here is that the bullets were to be "intended for assassination."

But, here is another CIA report from 1963:

Skorzeny tested a "poison pistol" on inmates of a concentration camp.

Metta then quotes from the testimony of Charles Senseney, Department of Defense employee, formerly in the Special Operation Division at Ft. Detrick. He testified before the Church Committee during hearings held in September 1975 on "Unauthorized Storage of Toxic Agents."

Metta only quotes part of the testimony - "if you are using a lethal agent, it would probably kill." He left out the part about not giving it to the CIA.

But, what stands out for Metta is that the M-1 could be used in an umbrella:

Metta then goes to the testimony of Pierre Finck during the Clay Shaw trial . Finck said that they were told not to dissect the bullet track in Kennedy's neck. And so, Metta ties this all together:

"Pierre Finck failed the same way a 24th May, 19996, scrutiny before the Assassinations Records Review Board, and since we have now evidence of the support given by former Nazi criminals to the development of the experiments at Fort Detrick and Zapruder's film perfectly shows the wound in the neck was the very first to hit John Kennedy and that, effectively, from that moment on the president appears as completely paralyzed, this matter would certainly deserve a further investigation, also considering what exposed by Hearings of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research into the Project MK Ultra."

So Metta thinks we need a new investigation!

Metta then quotes from the report on MKULTRA:

"Under an agreement reached with the Army in 1952, the Special Operations Division (SOD) at Fort Detrick was to assist CIA in developing, testing, and maintaining biological agents and delivery systems. By this agreement, CIA acquired the knowledge, skill, and facilities of the Army to develop biological weapons suited for CIA use."

But, he leaves out the next paragraph:

Interesting that they were "unable to develop a similar incapacitant for humans."

You might be wondering what this all has to do with Clay Shaw. In fact, you might be wondering if any of this makes sense since, thanks to the HSCA, we know the identity of the Umbrella. His name was Louie Steven Witt, and he used his umbrella as a political protest against President Kennedy. The umbrella was a symbol of the appeasement of Chamberlain and JFK's father.

You can read Witt's testimony here.

Ok, back to Clay Shaw. Well, Metta maintains that there was some sort of connection between Otto Skorzeny and Giuseppe Pieche, who was an Italian General during World War II (and who continued to serve in Italian governments after the war). Metta maintains that Pieche was a member of the CMC - the World Trade Center in Rome - in which Clay Shaw was a Board Member. So, that's the link.

Does any of this make any sense?

By the way, when Clay Shaw joined the Board of Permindex/CMC, Pieche was not on the board.

He certainly could have joined later. But, the people who really managed Permindex/CMC were George Mantello and his son Enrico. In hundreds of letters in the Bloomfield Archive about Permindex/CMC, about 99% were written to the Mantellos and Hans Seligman, and just a handful to D'Amelio and Nagy. No other Board members were ever mentioned.

In fact, there is not one mention of Clay Shaw in the entire Louis Bloomfield Archives.
LONDON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ATFX, a global institutional broker and regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, have added a new dimension to their liquidity capabilities by partnering with a tier 1 Prime Broker. The collaboration is part of ATFX's business expansion strategy to offer direct market access to Institutional clients from the relationships they have with Tier 1 Bank and Non-Bank providers.

ATFX is a well-recognised FX/CFD broker with an international presence. The company transitioned into an institutional broker in 2019 after launching ATFX Connect, its Multi-Access professional trading platform. The platform serves as an automated trading venue, delivering a tailored liquidity solution to financial institutions including Hedge Funds, Asset Managers and Private Banks.

ATFX Expansion: Tier 1 Prime Broker partnership, Agency model

With the addition of a Tier 1 Prime Broker , ATFX have introduced an Agency Model account to accommodate institutional clients who wish to trade FX and Precious metals without having to post margin. The service has already attracted clients who can trade on tailored aggregated pricing streams and now have direct market access to multiple Tier 1 Bank and Non-Bank liquidity providers.

"The key to ATFX's success will be driven by the innovation of our experienced IT department and the continued first class customer service provided by our dedicated global team. ATFX is well-positioned as a long-term fintech partner to institutional clients and the launch of the AGENCY MODEL demonstrates our commitment to constantly deliver new products that fulfil the needs of our clients." said Wei Qiang Zhang, Managing Director of ATFX.

ATFX Connect upgraded to increase trading flexibility

ATFX have continued to develop their Institutional platform and have added several new order functions designed to give clients more options and flexibility when trading. ATFX Connect offers low latency, quick order entry and competitive pricing in a stable environment with a choice of Agency or Margin configuration.

ATFX Connect also provides a bridge solution for Margin clients via OZ giving them access to institutional liquidity in Spot FX, Precious metals and CFDs.

ATFX Connect to develop an in-house aggregator and bridge in 2021

Looking forward, ATFX UK will continue to build on its success in the institutional market by expanding into other European countries and global financial centres with a focus on the development of an in-house aggregator and bridge. ATFX's management is also determined to expand and grow its market share across established jurisdictions in Europe including the UK, the Middle East, South East Asia, and Latin America.

"The Agency model has further enhanced the reputation of ATFX within the Institutional market. With the addition of a Tier 1 Prime Broker, clients can now leverage our direct market access to trade on more competitive prices without having to post margin," said Marc Taylor, Institutional Sales at ATFX Connect.

About ATFX

ATFX is an award-winning FX/CFD broker with a global presence in London, Dubai, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, offering customer support in over 15 languages. With over 200 tradable financial assets, including forex, cryptocurrency, precious metals, energy, indices, and shares traded as CFDs, ATFX is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) in Cyprus, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Media Contact

Matthew Porter

Tel: (44) 020 3917 8705

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1445509/ATFX_Connect.jpg
Islamabad: Rival neighbours Pakistan and India have pledged to stop firing weapons across the border in disputed Kashmir, promising to adhere to a 2003 accord that has been largely ignored, officials from both sides said on Thursday.

If indeed implemented, the move would be a major step in defusing tensions in the highly militarised Himalayan region, and open a possibility for broader detente between the two nuclear-armed powers.

An Indian army convoy moves on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway in Indian-controlled Kashmir in September 2020. Credit:AP

Artillery, rockets and even small arms fire have been regularly exchanged between troops on opposite sides of the border, killing hundreds since the original ceasefire was signed.

This time the two militaries themselves are making vocal commitments, with senior generals reaching an understanding over a hotline on Wednesday, a joint statement said.
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Students of Gyeseong High School denounce Harvard Law School Professor Mark Ramseyer's paper on wartime sex slavery during a rally in Seoul behind statues symbolizing Korean and Chinese sex slaves, Thursday. Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



Criticism concerning Harvard Law School's Mitsubishi Professor Mark Ramseyer's paper depicting Japan's wartime sex slavery as "voluntary prostitution" is growing beyond Korea.



The reason for wider interest is partly because there were victims from countries other than Korea, and many scholars believe the paper did not properly reflect wartime sexual violence and human rights abuses. According to historians, more than 200,000 women, mostly Koreans, were forced to provide sex services in frontline brothels for Japanese soldiers from 1932 until the end of World War II, with dozens of the victims testifying that they were either deceived or coerced into sex slavery.



Lila Pilipina, an organization of Filipina survivors of wartime sex slavery, issued a statement recently opposing the assertions from Ramseyer's paper, "Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War," which is published in the March 2021 issue of the International Review of Law and Economics (IRLE).



"Ramseyer's paper is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to discredit the whole narrative of Japanese wartime military sexual slavery," the organization said on Facebook, Feb. 16.



"It sanitizes the horrors of military sexual servitude in a language that also makes the abuse of colonial conquest sound so clinical. It makes not even the slightest pretense of being a work of scientific value, peppered as it is with the author's own highly subjective interpretation of events."



The organization also claimed that the Japanese government has long been engaged in historical denial and revisionism, using dubious methods of historical research serving to obfuscate issues related to Japanese military expansionism and its abuses.



"With the Japanese government renewing its place in international military adventurism, as the junior partner to the U.S. in the strategic military alliance of the Asia-Pacific, such revisionism serves the purpose both of the Japanese government being able to deny its responsibility for past deeds, and also, of conveniently justifying Japan's return to the path of militarism and hegemonic wars," it added.



Five scholars studying Japanese history, led by Amy Stanley, a professor of History at Northwestern University, have sent a second open letter to the IRLE editor-in-chief, urging the journal to retract the article, due to Ramseyer's inaccurate and inappropriate citations.



"When we turned to Ramseyer's peer-reviewed article in the academic journal IRLE to evaluate its argument, what we found further alarmed us: distortion, misrepresentation, misdirection and omission of historical sources," the Feb. 24 letter said. The historians sent the first open letter on Feb. 18.



"Its inaccuracies are more than superficial errors; they completely undermine the article's claims. Indeed, if the sources were portrayed accurately, the argument would collapse. For this reason, we believe that the article should be retracted," it added.



Separately from the five scholars' letters, economists and historians across the world have signed the "Letter by Concerned Economists Regarding Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War in the International Review of Law and Economics." The letter gained nearly 2,000 signatories as of Friday afternoon, including Harvard University economics professor Eric Maskin, a 2007 Nobel laureate.



Fight for Justice, a Japanese civic group, said on Friday that it would hold an online seminar on March 14 to talk about the distortions of history put forth in Ramseyer's paper.



The group said discourses denying sex slavery, such as "comfort women are voluntary prostitutes," have been repeatedly asserted by Japanese historical revisionists since the late 1990s, and all of them have already been refuted by historical researchers. "Comfort women" is a translated Japanese euphemism for sex slaves.



The group also pointed out that Ramseyer's other treatise, to be published in the "Cambridge Handbook of Privatization" in August, describes Koreans living in Japan under colonial rule in a discriminatory fashion without proper evidence. In the paper, citing rumors, he depicted Koreans at the time of the post-earthquake chaos around Tokyo in 1923 as "gangs" that torched buildings, planted bombs, poisoned water supplies and murdered and raped people. These rumors were used at the time to justify mass murder of Koreans in the aftermath of the earthquake.


WASHINGTON - The Biden administration will impose no direct punishment on Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, despite the conclusion of a long-awaited intelligence report released Friday that he "approved" the operation, administration officials said.

"The relationship with Saudi Arabia is bigger than any one individual," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference. By making public the intelligence report - withheld by the Trump administration for two years - and taking other actions, President Joe Biden has moved toward a promised "recalibration" of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, he said.

But for many lawmakers, human rights activists and Saudi dissidents, it was not enough.

The crown prince "should suffer sanctions, including financial, travel and legal - and the Saudi government should suffer grave consequences as long as he remains in government," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., whose legislation in early 2019 mandated release of the report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Wyden was joined in those sentiments by a number of Democrats, although others spoke vaguely only of further "accountability." Few Republican lawmakers ventured a public opinion.

The Open Society Justice Initiative, which has been in court since early last year to force release of intelligence on the Khashoggi murder, said "the U.S. and other governments must take immediate measures to hold the Crown Prince and the Saudi government accountable for their flagrant disregard for the rule of law."

Senior administration officials sharply rejected suggestions that its decision not to sanction the crown prince was a continuation of President Donald Trump's cozy relationship with the Saudi rulers, and Mohammedin particular.

The United States, "as a matter of practice has not generally applied sanctions on the highest leadership" of countries with which it has diplomatic relations, said a senior administration official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House.

"Having looked at this extremely closely, over the last five weeks or so, really, the unanimous conclusion is that there's just another more effective means to dealing with these issues going forward," the official said.

Barring unforeseen palace upheaval, Mohammed, 35, the grandson of the kingdom's founder and heir to the throne currently occupied by his 85-year-old father, King Salman, will soon be the absolute ruler of a major U.S. regional security partner, officials noted. The crown prince already serves as de facto leader of the kingdom in place of his ailing father.

At the same time Biden has expressed displeasure with the repressive Saudi monarchy, he has called the kingdom an important regional partner, saying the United States will continue counterterrorism cooperation and defensive assistance against regional threats, including Iran.

But the White House delayed Biden's initial call with Salman until a month after the inauguration and made clear it did not want his son on the line. Neither side mentioned whether the Khashoggi issue was discussed on the call, which took place Thursday.

Sanctioning Mohammed would place him on a short list that includes North Korea's Kim Jong Un; Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko; Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela; Syria's Bashar Assad; and the late Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. It would be viewed in the kingdom as an enormous insult and make an ongoing relationship extremely difficult, if not impossible.

For the present, the administration has said it does not intend to deal with the crown prince in any capacity other than as Saudi defense minister, a position he also holds. He will not be extended an invitation to visit the United States any time soon.

In new measures announced Friday, the State Department imposed what it called "the Khashoggi ban," visa restrictions against anyone found to be "acting on behalf of a foreign government" and involved in "serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities." It said that 76 Saudi "individuals believed to have been engaged in threatening dissidents overseas, including but not limited to the Khashoggi killing," had already been listed.

The Treasury Department is also imposing sanctions on Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri, who served as a close aide to Mohammed as deputy chief of Saudi intelligence. He was fired from the post a few weeks after Khashoggi was killed and implicated by Saudi prosecutors in the murder plot. But the Trump administration, while sanctioning 17 other Saudi operatives, declined to list him, for reasons it never explained.

Responding to the released report, Saudi Arabia said that it "completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership." A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said the report contained "inaccurate information and conclusions."

But while it said "the Kingdom rejects any measure that infringes on its leadership, sovereignty, and the independence of its judicial system," the ministry also affirmed a "robust" and "thriving" partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The unclassified report, by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), confirmed classified conclusions reached by the CIA just weeks after the killing of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and contributing columnist for The Washington Post.

The two-page report said the intelligence community based its conclusions on the absolute control the crown prince, known as MBS, had over decision-making in the kingdom, his "support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi," and the participation in the operation of his senior aides and security officials.

"We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill" Khashoggi, the report said. "Since 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdom's security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Prince's authorization."

As part of his review of relations with Saudi Arabia, Biden has cited Saudi human rights violations and political repression, the prosecution of the Saudi-led war in Yemen and the Khashoggi killing. He has already stopped the U.S. sale of offensive weapons used in the war against Yemen's Houthi rebels and paused for review all other weapons purchases by the kingdom, the world's largest customer for U.S. defense goods.

Release of the report marks the end of a long process that began when Khashoggi, lured to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents, was drugged and dismembered by Saudi agents. His remains have never been found.

The CIA, based in part on intercepts of text messages and telephone calls, along with an audio recording of the actual killing, quickly contradicted the Saudi government's claims that the crown prince was not involved. After a classified briefing just weeks after Khashoggi's death, lawmakers said the evidence was irrefutable.

"If the crown prince went in front of a jury, he would be convicted in 30 minutes," then-Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told reporters.

But Trump, who had also been briefed, continued to insist there were no firm conclusions, asking, "Well, will anybody really know?"

Although his administration imposed sanctions on 17 Saudi officials with alleged direct involvement in the killing itself, Trump insisted that the U.S. security alliance and massive Saudi purchases of U.S. weaponry were more important than holding the top Saudi leadership accountable.

"We do have an ally, and I want to stick with an ally that in many ways has been very good," he told Fox News after hearing the intelligence evidence.

In the early 2019 measure introduced by Wyden, Congress demanded that the ODNI produce an unclassified report of U.S. intelligence conclusions, including names of involved Saudi officials at all levels, giving the administration 30 days to release it.

For the next two years, Trump ignored the law, while he and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the White House official in charge of the Saudi portfolio, continued to develop a close relationships with Mohammed.

Saudi Arabia, while convicting 11 intelligence agents of the murder in a closed-door trial - with five death sentences later commuted to 20 years - avoided directly addressing the CIA findings and instead raised Trump's skeptical public comments.

The crown prince, during a 2019 interview with "60 Minutes," pointed out that the United States had never released "an official statement" implicating him. "There isn't clear information or evidence that someone close to me did something," he said.

Asked about the reported CIA finding, he said, "If there is any such information that charges me, I hope it is brought forward publicly."

Last year, on the second anniversary of Khashoggi's murder, Biden said in a statement that, as president, he would "reassess our relationship with the Kingdom, end U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, and make sure America does not check its values at the door to sell arms or buy oil."

At her confirmation hearing last month, Biden's national intelligence director Avril Haines was asked whether she would release the ODNI report. She replied she would "follow the law."

- - -

The Washington Post's Anne Gearan and Karoun Demirjian in Washington, Kareem Fahim in Istanbul and Sarah Dadouch in Beirut contributed to this report.
The Minister for Children has refused to rule out a future state apology for residents of Direct Provision as he acknowledged the system didnt meet basic human rights.

Roderic OGorman made the comments on Friday as he unveiled the Governments White Paper to replace the centres with an international protection system by 2024.

Direct Provision began as a temporary measure for asylum seekers entering the country more than 20 years ago, and has been heavily criticised by organisations including the UN, Amnesty International and the Council of Europe in that time.

I'm very conscious that this system has not served children well up to this point Roderic O'Gorman

Asked on Friday if he would consider a state apology, similar to those granted to survivors of institutions such as mother and baby homes and the Magdalene Laundries, Mr OGorman said he was happy to engage with groups on the issue.

Mr OGorman said: Im very aware of the criticism of how Direct Provision has impacted on children in particular.

The Childrens Ombudsman has written some extremely critical reports.

On Wednesday, we presented this White Paper to the Childrens Ombudsman and to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and Im sure that they will all give their own views on the system.

He added: Im very conscious that this system has not served children well up to this point. As I say, Im happy to give consideration to the states wider statements in terms of the system over the last 20 years.

But my focus right now is actually creating this new system and ensuring that no more children and no more adults go through a system that doesnt meet their basic human rights.

People in Ireland want to see Direct Provision ended.



I am absolutely committed to dismantling the failed system and replacing it with a new model that is rooted in human rights.#EndingDirectProvision pic.twitter.com/2VyX02hQGn  Roderic OaGorman TD (@rodericogorman) February 26, 2021

Under the new proposals, the Government will adopt a two-phase approach.

Phase one will see asylum seekers accommodated in one of six reception and integration centres, set to be built around the country, for a four-month period.

During this phase, the guiding principle will be to encourage integration from day one.

Vulnerability assessments will be undertaken, English language training will be provided and applicants will be linked to employment services.

Phase two will see applicants moved to community accommodation, described as own door, self-contained houses or apartments for families to provide privacy, agency and independence.

Minister OGorman has estimated the cost at 175 million euro per year, with the first year costs coming in at 225 million euro.

In addition, capital expenditure costs for the development of the new system and accommodation centres have been estimated at between 449 and 670 million euro.

Mr OGorman said: In the context of the last 20 years, Direct Provision has cost the state over a billion euro. And what do we have for all that money?

We know that the Irish public are kind and compassionate, and as a people we want to extend a welcome, we want to extend shelter to people coming here seeking protection from war and from violence Roderic O'Gorman

We have no tangible assets in the system that everybody regards as not having delivered.

We have people whove gone through really, really difficult experiences. So, by investing this significant amount of capital spending, we will then have state assets which we can continue to use in the future as new.

Existing contracts for some existing Direct Provision centres may have to be extended before the system is wound down in 2024, the minister said.

Under the current programme, asylum seekers are given a weekly allowance of 38.80 euro for adults and 29.80 euro for children.

This is to be replaced with an international protection payment, in line with the supplementary social welfare payment, which starts at 112.70 euro for people aged 18 to 24, and 201 euro for people aged 25 and over.

It will be paid from my department and it will enable people to live independently in the community, Mr OGorman said.

There will also be an international protection child payment as well, paid similarly to the child benefit rate.

The new model will focus on integration from day one.



International Protection applicants will first be accommodated in a Reception & Integration Centre, where they can access necessary support services, including legal aid, healthcare, employment and English language support.  Roderic OaGorman TD (@rodericogorman) February 26, 2021

Mr OGorman said Direct Provision had too often failed to meet and failed to respect the basic dignities of people coming here to Ireland, seeking protection.

The system too often was hostile, too often resulted in isolation and it resulted in institutionalisation.

He added: We know that the Irish public are kind and compassionate, and as a people we want to extend a welcome, and we want to extend shelter to people coming here seeking protection from war and from violence.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said shortcomings of the Direct Provision system had been widely recognised.

He said publication of the White Paper signalled the Governments intention to create a more just society, grounded in respect, diversity, tolerance, inclusion and equality.

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The global Radar Sensor Market is anticipated to reach USD 44.4 billion by 2026 according to a new research published by Polaris Market Research. In 2017, the non-imaging radar sensor segment accounted for the highest Radar Sensor market share in terms of revenue. North America is expected to be the leading contributor to the global Radar Sensor market revenue in 2017.

The growing military expenditure in countries such as China, U.S, and others have resulted in radar sensor market growth. The advancements in technologies and increasing need for national security would further lead to radar sensor market growth. Increasing demand for high range and enhanced radar accuracy, along with stringent security regulations supplement the growth of radar sensors market. Growing adoption of radar sensors in developing nations provide growth opportunities for the market. Features of radar sensors such as increased discrimination accuracy, enhanced sustainability, greater detection ranges and high reliability are propelling the growth of global radar sensor market. Furthermore, viewing the real-time data with the help of Radar through interfaces such as internet is opportunistic for the market expansion. Increasing cases of road accidents and stringent vehicle safety regulations supplement the market growth. Increasing development of self-driving and autonomous vehicles provide growth opportunities for radar sensor industry.

Download Sample Copy : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/radar-sensor-market/request-for-sample

North America generated the highest Radar Sensor market share in terms of revenue in 2018, and is expected to lead the global Radar Sensor industry throughout the forecast period. The adoption of radar sensors is expected to increase significantly in this region owing to increasing need to offer safety and security. The increasing demand for surveillance and border monitoring also drives the radar sensor market across various countries. Market players in the global radar sensor industry are introducing highly efficient and low-cost radar sensors to cater to the growing consumer needs. These market players are also integrating advanced technologies to improve the radar systems to cater to wider audiences. Increasing safety concerns, growing military expenditure, and development of autonomous vehicles are factors encouraging market players to launch efficient radar sensors across the globe.

Leading global players are expanding their presence in developing nations of India, China, and Japan to tap the growth opportunities offered by these countries. For instance Continental AG, a German automotive manufacturer company on November 2017 incorporated their extensive, long standing expertise in vehicle surrounding sensors into fifth generation of short and long range radar sensors. This resulted in more accurate detection of smaller objects such as a lost spare wheel or an exhaust that has fallen off. Long range radar, has maximum range of 300 m and an opening angle of 60 depending on required performance. The series production of the same will start in 2019.

Do you have questions or special requirements? Ask our industry experts : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/radar-sensor-market/speak-to-analyst

The well-known companies profiled in the Radar Sensor market report include Delphi Automotive LLP, Autoliv Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, NXP Semiconductors N.V., Continental AG, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Denso Corporation, Infineon Technologies AG, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., and Smart Microwave Sensors GmbH. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other market leaders to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.

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Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio condemned insurrectionist who stormed and destroyed the Capitol but relished in members of the government 'fearing the people.'

In a Thursday interview with CNN, the chairman of Proud Boy refused to walk back a post he made moments after the Capitol riot that showed politicians hunched over as they hid from the fanatic Trump supporters.

'I'll celebrate the moment that the government fears the people,' Tarrio said. '[But] at that point I didn't have all the information that was coming in, why they were cowering.'

Enrique Tarrio refused to walk back a post he made moments after the Capitol riot that showed politicians hunched over as he condemned the members of the Proud Boys who stormed the Capitol

"I will celebrate the moment that the government does fear the people," says Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio in an exclusive interview with @sarasidnerCNN. https://t.co/qpyiPFl2Dc pic.twitter.com/Aasm74qm2R  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) February 26, 2021

'I condemn the actions. I don't think he should have done that,' Tarrio said of Dominic Pezzola, who broke a window at the Capitol. 'I think that it was completely wrong but the other seven individuals were trespassing'

Tarrio failed to show sympathy for the politicians, claiming their 'only worry in life is to be reelected.'

The Proud Boy leader was not in attendance for the rallies or riot on January 6, having been detained just days prior for burning a Black Lives Matter flag in Washington D.C. and having illegal rounds of ammunition on his person.

Tarrio condemned the actions of the various Proud Boy members who have been detained for their part in the riots, particularly Dominic Pezzola for using a police shield to break a Capitol door window. There were at least eight members who were charged that Tarrio knew, CNN reports.

'I don't believe that the election was stolen,' he said of the 2020 election, going against his longtime pal Roger Stone

The Proud Boy leader remarkably has access to Stone's phone, even on occasion helping him with his social media post

'I condemn the actions,' he said. 'I don't think he should have done that. I think that it was completely wrong but the other seven individuals were trespassing.

'I think they got caught up with the entire crowd and they made a poor decision to go in there.'

Many Trump supporters and Proud Boy flunkies in attendance for the storming of the Capitol did so under the belief that the election had been rigged and stolen.

Enrique Tarrio, the high-profile leader of the Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio is a high-profile figure who organizes and leads the right-wing Proud Boys. As Trump supporters challenged the Republican's election loss in often violent demonstrations, Tarrio stood out for his swagger as he led crowds of mostly white Proud Boys in a series of confrontations and street brawls in Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon, and elsewhere. The Proud Boys, founded in 2016, began as a group protesting political correctness and perceived constraints on masculinity. It grew into a group with distinctive colors of yellow and black that embraced street fighting. In September their profile soared when Trump called on them to 'Stand back and stand by.' Tarrio, based in Miami, became the national chairman of the group in 2018. In November and December, Tarrio led the Proud Boys through the streets of D.C. after Trumps loss. Video shows him on December 11 with a bullhorn in front of a large crowd. 'To the parasites both in Congress, and in that stolen White House,' he said. 'You want a war, you got one!' The crowd roared. The next day Tarrio burned the BLM banner. Advertisement

Tarrio, however, is not in the same boat. 'I don't believe that the election was stolen,' he said.

The sentiment is at stark opposition with that of longtime Trump loyalist Roger Stone, a pal of Tarrio's. Stone was seen in D.C. on the day of the riot but not at the Capitol. He has not been charged in connection to the riot.

The Proud Boy leader remarkably also revealed during his interview on CNN that he at one time had access to Stone's phone, even on occasion helping him with his social media post.

'A couple of times when I went to go see him, I would help him with a social media post and things like that,' Tarrio said.

Tarrio even had to testify in front of grand jury when Stone was on trial for lying to Congress during its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump would eventually commute his prison term before pardoning his pal on Dec. 23.

While on trial, Stone was said to have threatened the judge in the case by taking to Instagram and posting a photo of her with what appeared to be a target.

'I actually testified in front of a grand jury but that picture was brought up on a Google search,' Tarrio claimed. 'The cross hairs, its not a cross hair. It is actually the logo of the organization that wrote the article.'

He added: 'I had nothing to do with it.'

Tarrio repeatedly worked undercover for investigators after he was arrested in 2012 on fraud charges, according to a former prosecutor and a transcript of a 2014 federal court proceeding obtained by Reuters.

The records uncovered by Reuters are startling because they show that a leader of a far-right group now under intense scrutiny by law enforcement was previously an active collaborator with criminal investigators.

Tarrio, 36, in an interview with Reuters, denied working undercover or cooperating in cases against others. 'I don't know any of this,' he said, when asked about the transcript. 'I don't recall any of this.'

Law-enforcement officials and the court transcript contradict Tarrios denial.
Shanna Swan, Ph.D., author of Count Down, says endocrine-disrupting chemicals are causing decreased sperm counts, plunging testosterone levels and rising levels of erectile dysfunction.

Scientists are witnessing an alarming trend: Mens sperm counts are down, testosterone levels have plunged and erectile dysfunction is increasing. Male infertility is on the rise  and exposure to synthetic chemicals known as phthalates could be to blame, according to fertility scientist Shanna Swan, Ph.D., author of the new book, Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race.

Citing Swans book, the New York Post reported that the global fertility rate has dropped 50% between 1960 and 2016, with the U.S. birth rate 16% below where it needs to be to sustain the population.

Although girls are experiencing early puberty, and women are experiencing declining egg quality and more miscarriages, emerging science is shifting the focus toward men as more couples suffer from infertility.

Scientists report sperm counts have been dropping, infant boys are developing more genital abnormalities and mens problems with conception are on the rise. Erectile dysfunction is increasing and testosterone levels are decreasing 1% each year.

In 2017, Swan, one of the worlds leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologists, co-authored a meta-analysis that came to a staggering conclusion: The sperm count of average Western countries had fallen by 59% between 1973 and 2011.

Normal sperm counts range from 15 million sperm per milliliter to 200 million per milliliter. A rate below 15 million is considered low by the World Health Organization (WHO), but Swan argues that anything below 40 million creates challenges for reproduction. The average male is nearing that number at 47.1 million sperm per milliliter compared to his father who had an average of 99 million sperm per milliliter at the same age.

If you look at the curve on sperm count and project it forward  which is always risky  it reaches zero in 2045, meaning the median man would have essentially no viable sperm, Swan writes in her book.

Men are also experiencing lower testosterone levels. A 2006 study showed that a 65-year-old man in 2002 had testosterone levels 15% lower than a 65-year-old man in 1987. A 2020 study in the Urology Times Journal showed a similar drop with young adults and adolescents.

As a result, more men are getting prescriptions for testosterone replacement therapy, which increases testosterone levels but causes an even greater reduction in sperm count. Ninety percent of men can have their sperm counts drop to zero while theyre on it, according to Swan.

Sexual desire among men is also declining. Swan, who has studied infertility for more than 30 years, says men are seeking help for erectile dysfunction on average seven years earlier than they did in 2005, with 26% of men falling under the age of 40.

According to the New York Post, research shows an overall increase in genital abnormalities, including a higher rate of undescended testicles and unusually small penises. Growing numbers of sperm appear defective with some having two heads or wandering aimlessly instead of pursuing an egg.

Exposure to phthalates is a particular problem during pregnancy when fetuses are sexually differentiating in the first trimester, says Swan, and infants with greater exposure to phthalates during pregnancy are shown to have smaller penises.

Similar abnormalities have been observed in animals. Small penises are being reported in alligators, otters and minks. Polar bears have lower-than-normal testosterone levels, panthers are showing an increase in genital abnormalities, and fish, frogs and turtles are being born with both male and female organs.

Research points to endocrine-disrupting phthalates as likely cause

Swan and her colleagues say the problem could be caused by a class of endocrine disruptors known as phthalates, which mimic the bodys hormones.

Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. The chemicals are everywhere: plastics, shampoos, cosmetics, furniture, flame retardants, personal care products, pesticides, canned foods and even receipts.

In several studies over the last two decades, phthalates have been shown to disrupt male hormones like testosterone and to cause genital birth defects in male infants.

A 2018 systematic review published in Environmental International showed phthalates decreased testosterone and caused negative reproductive outcomes in men.

Flame retardants found in mattresses and foam furniture were linked to male infertility in a 2016 study published in the Reproductive Toxicology Journal, and chemicals in stain, water, fast-food packaging, paper plates, stain-resistant carpeting and other household items have been linked to a reduction in semen quality, testicular volume and penis length.

A 2017 U.S. study showed that 45 potentially harmful chemicals, including phthalates and flame retardants, were present in dust buildup in 90% of homes sampled, reported the New York Post.

Pesticides and herbicides have also been found to negatively affect male infertility. Atrazine, an herbicide used to prevent certain weeds from growing in corn, has been linked to lower sperm quality.

In her latest book, Swan writes:

The problem isnt that something is inherently wrong with the human body as it has evolved over time; its that chemicals in our environment and unhealthy lifestyle practices in our modern world are disrupting our hormonal balance, causing varying degrees of reproductive havoc that can foil fertility and lead to long-term health problems even after one has left the reproductive years.

The cumulative effect of endocrine disruptors affect multiple generations. Patrician Hunt, a reproductive geneticist at Washington State University, conducted experiments on mice. When infant mice were exposed to disruptive chemicals for a few days their testes as adults produced fewer sperm. The mice passed on this propensity to their offspring, and after three generations of exposure, one-fifth of male mice were infertile.

I find this particularly troubling, Professor Hunt told The New York Times. From the standpoint of human exposures, you could argue we are hitting the third generation just about now.

According to the Times, the Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Presidents Cancer Panel and WHO have all warned about endocrine disruptors, while Europe and Canada have moved to regulate them.

Expert recommendations to increase male fertility

Although more research, government regulation and corporate responsibility are needed, Swan offers practical suggestions to help men tip the scale:

Store food in glass containers and never microwave food in plastic.

Stop smoking and cut back on drinking. Cigarette smoke is associated with a lower sperm count and increased sperm defects, while more than seven drinks per week is harmful to sperm.

Buy organic to avoid pesticides and herbicides that interfere with male hormones, especially strawberries, spinach, kale, apples and grapes. Swan also recommends reducing full-fat dairy foods, which have been linked to greater sperm abnormalities and avoiding processed meats, which can harm the DNA of sperm.

Avoid saunas, binge watching TV and cut out stress, says Swan. A Danish study, Psychological stress and testicular function: a cross-sectional study of 1,215 Danish men, published in Fertility and Sterility Journal, showed that high levels of work stress resulted in a 38 percent lower sperm concentration. Men whove experienced two or more recent stressful life events  such as the death or serious illness of a close relative, divorce or serious relationship problems, moving, or a job change  were more likely to have below-normal sperm concentration, writes Swan.

Buy products labeled paraben-free and phthalate free and avoid skin-care products that are antibacterial, vinyl shower curtains, air fresheners, toxic household cleaners, and dust often to remove the build-up of chemicals, urges Swan.

We can no longer afford to behave as though its business as usual, Swan writes in her book. The time has come for us to stop playing Russian roulette with our reproductive capacities.
Vaccine clinics

 Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic: Farm Workers will have a vaccination site Friday through Sunday at the Yakima Convention Center. People should register by calling the Farm Workers Clinic at 509-248-3334.

 Astria Health vaccination clinics:

 9 to 4 p.m. Friday, or until supplies last, Radio KDNA in Granger. People should not bring family members as space is limited.

 9 to 4 p.m. Saturday, or until supplies last, at the main entrance of the Valley Mall in Union Gap.

Vaccines are available for Phase 1A and Phase 1B-Tier 1, which includes health care workers, first responders, long-term care center residents and staff, people over 65 and those 50 and over in multi-generational households.

Many other sites in the Yakima Valley have been taking appointments for first dose appointments this week, including Yakima Valley Memorial, the Swofford & Halma Clinic in Sunnyside, and Safeway and Rite-Aid pharmacies. For a full list, go to https://www.yakimacounty.us/2472/COVID-19-Vaccine

A2 Milk Co. has reacted to pressure on its sales in China, a key market for the New Zealand-based dairy and infant-formula business, and lowered its forecasts for annual sales.

In November, A2 Milk Co. had provided guidance for its full-year revenue to hit NZD1.8-1.9bn (US$1.31-1.39bn). Yesterday (25 February), alongside half-year financial results that included a slide in sales and profits, the company said it now expects annual revenue in the order of NZD1.4bn. In A2 Milk Co.s last full financial year, its sales were NZD1.73bn.

Part of A2 Milk Co.s guidance for investors is on EBITDA margin, which, in November, the company advised it expected to be 31% for the whole of its current financial year. The business said it now expects that margin metric to be 24-26%, excluding the costs of acquiring a controlling interest in Mataura Valley Milk (MVM), a New Zealand dairy business.

In A2 Milk Co.s stock-exchange filing yesterday, the company insisted it had confidence in the basic elements of its business but it indicated there remained pressure in two sales channels in China: the daigou channel, where traders outside China buy products for customers to be shipped back to the market; and cross-border e-commerce (CBEC).

Globally there continues to be unprecedented levels of uncertainty and volatility due to Covid-19, A2 Milk Co. said yesterday. The company remains confident in the underlying fundamentals of the business and will continue to invest behind the brand and in its capability to drive long-term growth.



However, the pace of recovery in the daigou/reseller channel and in the CBEC channel has been slower than previously anticipated and the company now expects revenue to be at the lower end of the previous guidance range. A lower EBITDA margin range is now expected due to lower revenue, higher brand investment, longer daigou/reseller support, movements in foreign currency and adverse channel mix relative to what was anticipated in December.

Nevertheless, A2 Milk Co. had a caveat on its revised outlook. The outlook for fiscal year 2021 assumes the actions being taken to re-activate the daigou/reseller channel deliver a significant improvement in quarter-on-quarter growth from 3Q21 to 4Q21.

In the first six months of the companys current financial year, revenue fell 16% to NZD677.4m, with its EBITDA down 32.2% at NZD178.5m. A2 Milk Co.s net profit after tax stood at NZD120m, versus NZD184.9m a year ago.

A2 Milk Co. pointed to a strong performance from its China-label infant nutrition business  where sales rose 45.2% to NZD213.1m  and a solid showing from its liquid milk operations in Australia.

FORMER Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo, arrested on Tuesday on charges of illegally parcelling out land in Harare and Zvimba, will spend another night in custody after his bail ruling was deferred to today.

Harare regional magistrate, Mr Stanford Mambanje indicated that he was still working on the submissions made during the bail application and expects to make the ruling today.

Chombo is facing fraud and five counts of criminal abuse of office charges.

His charges arose from the report by the Commission of Inquiry chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena into a swathe of illegal land transactions, allocations and development.

Mr Charles Muchemwa and Mr Ephraim Zinyandu, appearing for the State, opposed the granting of bail to Chombo saying he was likely to interfere with witnesses and could flee Zimbabwe.

They argued that Chombo was a man of high standing in the country and beyond the country's borders, expressing fears that he might go beyond the jurisdiction of the court.

The State argued that Chombo is a well-travelled man with connections outside the country, who might be sympathetic to him.

In opposing bail, the State claimed the former minister was still held in high esteem in the community and expressed fears that he will be able to interfere with witnesses because of the position he holds in society.

In his bail application, Chombo told the court that the Ignatius Chombo Housing Cooperative that he allegedly used to fleece homeseekers, did not exist.

He also denied owning the companies that the State alleges were allocated stands on State land.

Chombo told the court that he never instructed officials at Ministry of Local Government to sign any title deed as the State alleges, saying such signing was done as a result of a court order.

He said issues surrounding the Odar Farm were dealt with at the Constitutional Court while the Supreme Court made an order on Stoneridge Farm.

Professor Lovemore Madhuku, who is representing Chombo along Mr Tungamirai Muganhiri, applied that the same bail conditions that Chombo was granted at the High Court on other related charges, should be extended to his new charges.

He indicated that Chombo was prepared to deposit more title deeds as bail surety.

Prof Madhuku told the court that Chombo surrendered himself to the police, which was not consistent with a person harbouring intentions to evade trial.

Circumstances leading to his arrest are that between 2000 and 2015, when he was Minister of Local Government, Chombo allegedly caused homeseekers to deposit money into Ignatius Chombo Housing Cooperative's Agribank account for land development.

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It is alleged that Chombo promised to allocate the homeseekers stands on Kia Ora Farm under Zvimba Rural District Council.

Further allegations are that during the same period, he used his influence as minister and allocated to himself 125 commonage stands in Haydon Park and another five low density commonage stands in Philadelphia Farm in Harare. The stands were allegedly surrendered by Misheck Mangwende.

Chombo is also accused of allocating stands to companies he allegedly owns -- Comverol Enterprise (Pvt) Ltd, Cayford and Cavford (Pvt) Ltd in Carrick Creagh Farm in Harare -- without paying for the stands.

He also allegedly sold State land at Order Farm to Sensene Investments (Pvt) Limited and is alleged to have instructed officers at the Local Government Ministry to sign a Deed of Settlement for Stoneridge Farm for Phillip Chiyangwa's Pinnacle Holdings without Cabinet approval.

Chombo has been appearing in court for fraud and criminal abuse office cases.
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Quito, Feb 26 : Ecuador will receive two million doses of the CoronaVac vaccine from the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac for mass vaccination against Covid-19, after negotiations were finalized on Thursday, Ecuadoran Health Minister Juan Carlos Zevallos said.

"Sinovac is being incorporated ... Just this morning we received the approval with all the seals and legal approvals from the Chinese government and the company," Zevallos told a press conference, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

This "is very important because it will allow us to quickly reach the required percentages and help us tremendously to cover a higher percentage of the population," the minister said.

Of the two million doses, one million will arrive in March and the remaining in April, he said.

The nation has now secured 20 million doses of vaccines from vaccine manufacturers, the minister said. In addition to the two million CoronaVac doses, the country will receive six million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, five million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine and seven million doses from the COVAX Facility Initiative led by the World Health Organization.

Ecuador's pilot vaccination program, which kicked off on January 21, has so far inoculated health personnel in 55 hospitals and seniors in 19 nursing homes. The government's goal is to start mass vaccination of 60 per cent of the population, or nine million people, in March.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 18:55:59|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA. Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine central bank said on Friday the foreign portfolio investments for January 2021 yielded net inflows of 98 million U.S. dollars resulting from the 952 million U.S. dollars gross inflows and 854 million U.S. dollars gross outflows for the month.

"This is a reversal from the net outflows of 524 million U.S. dollars recorded in December 2020," the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a statement.

The BSP said 952 million U.S. dollars registered investments for January reflected a 12.2-percent decline (or 132 million U.S. dollars) compared to the 1.1 billion U.S. dollars recorded in December 2020.

The BSP said about 62.1 percent of investments registered were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities pertaining mainly to banks, holding firms, property companies, food, beverage, and tobacco companies, and transportation services firms.

The remaining 37.9 percent went to investments in peso government securities, the BSP said.

Outflows for the month (854 million U.S. dollars) were lower compared to the level recorded for December 2020 (1.6 billion U.S. dollars) by 46.9 percent (or by 754 million U.S. dollars), the BSP said.

Year-on-year, the BSP said registered investments were 23.0 percent lower than the 1.2 billion U.S. dollars level recorded in January 2020.

Similarly, the BSP said gross outflows were lower by 50.4 percent than the 1.7 billion U.S. dollars outflows recorded a year ago.

Furthermore, the BSP said the 98 million U.S. dollars net inflows is a reversal of the 486 million U.S. dollars net outflows recorded for the same period a year ago. Enditem
A 47-year-old New Jersey man has been indicted on two charges of attempted murder more than a year after authorities say he used his SUV to intentionally strike two men in the parking lot of the Bound Brook train station following an earlier altercation.

William D. Hoke and the two victims  a 31-year-old from Bloomfield and a 36-year-old Bound Brook resident were all at a nearby bar before Hoke hit them around 1:30 a.m on Dec. 20, 2019, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office said Thursday.

Hoke drove back and forth on East Main Street before entering lot 3 and hitting the pair, according to surveillance footage later collected by investigators, authorities said. The impact threw both men more than 10 feet into a parked car before Hoke drove away, authorities.

The Bound Brook man was treated and released from a nearby hospital while the Bloomfield man declined medical treatment.

A grand jury on Wednesday also indicted Hoke one count leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury, two counts endangering an injured victim and a weapons offense.

Hoke was found hours after allegedly hitting the men and taken into custody. A judge later denied a prosecutors motion asking Hoke to be held until trial. He was released on Jan. 3, 2020.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Somerset County Prosecutors Office at 908-231-7100 or Bound Brook police at 732-356-0800.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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The tourism sector will host the 10 millionth foreign visitor to Vietnam at the Phu Quoc international airport in the southern coastal province of Kien Giang on December 25.

The same day, a ceremony will take place to round off the 2016 National Tourism Year, which was designated to draw visitors to Phu Quoc island and the Mekong Delta region.

Experts said the tourism year is a key move in turning Kien Giang into a tourism hub in the Mekong Delta region with Phu Quoc island as a leading resort destination of Vietnam.

In 2016, more than 5.4 million tourists visited Kien Giang, increasing 24 percent year on year and exceeding the yearly quota by 9.5 percent. Of the figure, international arrivals grew 31.4 percent annually, 14 percent higher than initial plan.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the country expects to welcome over 10 million international arrivals and serve more than 62 million domestic travelers this year, with total revenue estimated at 400 trillion VND (18 billion USD).

On January 1, 2017, Vietnam will begin issuing e-visa for foreign tourists.

As such, the tourism sector has set goals of 11.5 million foreign visitors and revenue of 460 trillion VND (20.24 billion USD) in 2017.
Arlene Foster has defended meeting a representative group for loyalist paramilitaries over the Northern Ireland Protocol, insisting it is important to listen to communities voicing concern.

The First Minister outlined her rationale behind her meeting with the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) at an Executive media briefing yesterday.

The LCC represents groups including the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando.

Insisting it was "absolutely" appropriate for her attend the meeting she added: "And I will do so again, because it's important that all communities have a voice in the political process.

"I am absolutely a constitutional and political politician and therefore it is important that I listen to all voices in the loyalist and unionist community."

Mrs Foster, along with her deputy leader Nigel Dodds and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, discussed opposition to the protocol with the LCC. She said the conversations would continue.

"I was very pleased to meet with the LCC today and to hear their concerns from their community and listen to those shared concerns about the protocol, about the status of the United Kingdom, about the Belfast Agreement," she said.

The development comes amid growing anger among loyalists at new checks on goods arriving at ports here, with claims an economic wedge has been driven between NI and the rest of the UK which undermines the Union.

There was controversy last month after it emerged that NIO officials had met a delegation from the LCC that included several prominent loyalists.

Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon said the DUP had provided loyalist groups with political cover.

"There is no place for armed gangs who are involved in serious crimes including murder, drug dealing, racketeering, extortion, and who recently have been making threats of violence," she said. "What the public want to hear from the DUP and those in positions of leadership is to make it clear to the UVF, the UDA or whatever armed loyalist gang it is that they have no place in society or in our communities. No one should be giving cover to anyone involved in these activities."

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said both sides are committed to the "proper implementation" of the protocol.

Yesterday, Tory Brexiteers joined the DUP in calling on Boris Johnson to scrap the protocol. The European Research Group (ERG) published a report which concluded it had a "profound and negative effect". It said the UK Government should tell Brussels that it intends to pass a new law to "redress the trade diversion and societal pressures" created by the protocol.

ERG chairman Mark Francois said the protocol has to go or "we will not let matters rest there".

The Prime Minister's press secretary Allegra Stratton said there were "outstanding problems with the protocol" but "the discussions are ongoing".

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh said the ERG had voted for Mr Johnson's Brexit deal, including the protocol, but now wants to create further instability. "The ERG - and this cannot be stressed enough - voted for this," she said.

"This was the deal they demanded, for the Brexit they chose. Now they would rather tear things down, and provoke further instability, than show even a hint of responsibility."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP said the ERG report was "heavy on rhetoric but light on solutions".

"Tory MPs in the ERG who championed this kind of Brexit, and voted for the deal which included the protocol, are hardly in a position to make further demands now," he said.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There are times throughout the year when the fish just arent biting. There are also times when its just not safe to be out fishing, and the next few days easily qualify.

The warming temperatures are quickly melting Lake Eries ice cover, as well as the ice on many of the ponds and reservoirs around Ohio. It is imperative to stay off the ice right now and get ready for an open water bonanza as the waters warm in the coming weeks.

Dont take the risk of wading the steelhead trout streams, as well. There is some open river water on the Lake Erie tributaries, and lots of ice floes that can sweep fishermen off their feet. The cold water is more likely to chase trout back to Lake Erie, unlikely to return and feed until spring rains warm the waters a bit.

When the stocked ponds around the Cleveland Metroparks lose their ice cover, the waters will begin to warm, as well. That will trigger a feeding frenzy anglers wont want to miss.

Craig Lewis and some pals from Erie Outfitters in Sheffield Lake are very familiar with the annual transition period of bitter winter cold to a bit more balmy weather. With the local fishing on hold right now, to get a unique fishing fix Lewis called old friend Jim Chamberlain, who used to guide local anglers for steelhead trout.

Chamberlain, 42, for more than a decade has operated Fish with Jim Outfitters (fishwithjimoutfitters.com) in Mancelona, Mich. With a couple of young guides, he can now pick and choose from a number of lakes for the optimum ice angling experience.

Chamberlain sold us on a weekend trip to fish for cisco on the ice on Michigans Lake Charlevoix. Cisco are a member of the salmon family, and I thought it would be like fishing for Lake Erie yellow perch, said Lewis. Boy, was I wrong. Id never caught a cisco before, and could not believe how strong the big ones are. You have to take pliers and lock down the drag on your reel or theyll just take all of your line.

A 16-inch cisco is considered a trophy by Michigan officials. Lewis and his two friends caught about 40 of them over two days that ranged between 20 and 24 inches.

And they fought from the moment you hooked one on a jigging spoon in more than 100 feet off water, until you managed to get them to your hole in the ice, said Lewis. We ate a few of them for dinner each night, and they were delicious.

Cisco dont freeze well so some were smoked, a favorite method of fishermen.

Chamberlain said his location in the northern section of Michigans Lower Peninsula gives him a wide range of winter options.

You have to be aware of the effects of north or south winds, and a little snow or a lot of snow. Its a constantly changing landscape. You have to have the experience to know when youll have really good ice on certain bodies of water, and how the conditions will help or hinder the fishing. A bonus is that we can guide even more anglers in winter than we do during the summer trout and salmon seasons on our charter boat, said Chamberlain.

Chamberlain and his crew have shanties waiting for anglers on the ice, and ferry them from shore to the fishing areas in an Argo amphibious all-terrain vehicle. Trips on the ice are $150 per angler.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) yesterday inaugurated a modern training facility at a BDF unit.

The inauguration of the new facility also marks the BDFs anniversary, observed on February 5. Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Major-General Ghanim bin Ibrahim Al-Fadhala, was present.

The Assistant Chief of Staff toured the facilitys various sections. Military Works Director, Major-General Abdulaziz bin Fadhl Al-Buainain, and several senior BDF officers were present.
Statement by Ambassador Byrne Nason at UNSC Briefing on the Middle East

Statement

Thank you very much indeed Madam President.First, thank you Oren and Malak. Seeing you here in the Security Council today, listening to you both, reminds me in a powerful way of why we are here, what our purpose should be: to alleviate the human impact of conflict, and really frankly to waken up to the toll it takes on young people. You have a critical role in building peace, and in resolving the conflict that you live with. I have high hopes that in the future you will be real agents for preventing conflict too.

As an Irish woman I grew up on an island that was troubled. We learned the hard way that actually achieving and sustaining peace is indeed an intergenerational process. Including young people, as we recognised in several Council resolutions here on Youth, Peace and Security, builds better peace, it builds more sustainable peace, and that is true whether it is in Ireland or in the Middle East. So I want to thank you for what you said to us this morning.

We see youth engagement in political processes, including in the upcoming elections in Israel and Palestine, as really crucial.

We know that Palestinian youth are especially affected by occupation. Over half of the Palestinian population, we know also, is under the age of 29. Palestinian youth sadly remain disempowered and disenfranchised, with high unemployment rates and low political representation.

Ireland is a strong supporter of education for Palestinian youth, which we believe is crucial for Palestines own long-term economic viability. Ireland is proud of its longstanding support for UNRWAs delivery of services, including quality education, to Palestine refugees. We call on other donors, and on Council Members here today, to support UNRWAs vital work.

We also recognise the disproportionate impact of occupation on Palestinian women and girls, who face greater constraints in all areas of economic, social and political life. Ireland actively supports a range of initiatives focused on building Palestinian womens political participation and the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda more broadly. I have welcomed Palestinian women and girls to our deliberations here at the UN, and I can tell you they are powerful advocates for the role of women anywhere in the political process.

Madam President,

I want to thank our Special Representative Tor Wennesland for his briefing today.

Together with the European Union, Ireland strongly opposes illegal Israeli settlements. Settlements are a major obstacle to peace and undermine the viability of the two-State solution. A two-State solution which Ireland fully supports and as affirmed in Resolution 2334 of this Council.

Ireland is gravely concerned by the repeated demolition of Palestinian homes and other structures in Humsa Al-Bqaia and elsewhere. The rules of international humanitarian law prohibit the unnecessary destruction of private property, and Israel must immediately cease such practices.

Israel as the occupying power also has obligations under international humanitarian law to allow and facilitate full and unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in need. The destruction and confiscation of humanitarian aid is unacceptable and causes harm and suffering to ordinary Palestinians.

53 Palestinian schools across the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, are at risk of demolition. The rights of children to protection, safety, and well-being must be upheld at all times.

We recall that the Oslo Accords provided for gradual transfer of Area C to Palestinian jurisdiction. Current Israeli actions and trends make this transfer increasingly difficult to envisage and have a real impact on the prospects and lives of Palestinians, especially young Palestinians.

Persistent acts of violence as well as movement and access restrictions and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law damage trust between Israelis and Palestinians and within their own communities; making a peaceful settlement more difficult to achieve. Where accountability is absent, a climate for further human rights abuses is fostered. Breaking this cycle is integral to achieving a peaceful settlement.

Madam President,

Ireland congratulates the Government and people of Israel on its commendable achievements on the vaccination of its citizens. We urge Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure free and equitable access and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to Palestinians - in line with international law.

Ireland renews its call on Israel to end its illegal blockade on Gaza. For many young people in Gaza, their life has been defined and limited by the blockade. They live in a protracted humanitarian crisis. Ireland is also very concerned at the provisions announced earlier this month by the Gaza authorities allowing male guardians to restrict travel by unmarried women relatives. We oppose the curtailing of the rights of women and girls to move independently.

Ireland reiterates our support for the holding of elections in Palestine. We encourage the Palestinian factions in their efforts to ensure a free, fair and inclusive electoral process and we call on Israel to facilitate voting, particularly in East Jerusalem.

We encourage all efforts to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and of young people in those elections.

Finally, Ireland reiterates our willingness to assist Palestinians and Israelis in their efforts to reengage on the path to peace. We welcome the recent meeting of Quartet Envoys and the efforts of the Munich group. We echo Tor Wenneslands call for reinvigorated efforts by the Quartet and other international actors, including the League of Arab States and by members of the Council. Ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires ongoing sincere coherent engagement by the international community as a whole and by this Council in particular. We stand ready to play our part.

Thank you Madam President.

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Gov. John Bel Edwards' plan to boost teacher pay by $400 per year got a blistering reception Friday from teacher leaders.

"The governor is being so cheap with these raises that we cannot buy a tank of gas each pay period with his so-called raise," said Keith Courville, executive director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, one of three teacher organizations in the state.

"We keep falling behind," Courville said. "We have got to get better."

Tia Mills, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, said teachers were underwhelmed by the proposal.

"Many of them have already done the math," Mills said. "To them it is a slap in the face."

The LAE, like the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, is a longtime political ally of Edwards.

The governor's executive budget was unveiled Friday during a meeting of the powerful Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

The session begins April 12.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the committee that, while the increase would be smaller than in previous years, it would move the state toward reaching the regional average.

Asked about the criticism later in the day, Edwards told reporters he is required to submit a balanced budget amid limited dollars and that he remains committed to moving average teacher pay to the regional average.

Teachers in Louisiana were paid an average of $50,923 for the 2018-19 school year, the latest figures available.

The 16-state regional average was $54,930, a gap of $4,007. The gulf between Louisiana and regional average pay widened 74% between 2019 and 2020. Edwards has vowed to reach the regional average by the time his term ends in 2024.

As teacher pay gap widens between Louisiana and other states, educators say raises should be 'priority' The gap between average pay for teachers in Louisiana and the Southern regional average shot up by 74% in the past year, according to the late

The U.S. average is $58,540.

Edwards' $40 million pay plan would also include a $200 pay boost for support workers, which is cafeteria workers, school bus drivers and others.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers, in a note to members Thursday night, called the proposed $400 annual pay hike small.

"Being an educator is harder than ever," the message says. "This year, teacher morale has plummeted. If we don't work to address this now and show our teachers and school employees how much we value their service our schools will only continue to lose talented staff and our students will suffer."

Leaders of the group urged teachers to press the governor, the Legislature and the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to support a "significant and sustained" pay boost for teachers and other school employees.

The LFT did not spell out how much that should be.

+2 Why Louisiana teacher pay starts better than average, before plummeting; see state rank When it comes to pay, public school teachers in Louisiana are better than average at the start and then plummet in the rankings for the rest o

Courville said he favors a $4,000 per year raise for teachers.

The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

He also said pay hikes can be justified in the midst of a pandemic amid high unemployment numbers statewide and nationally.

"Teachers are frontline, essential workers," Courville said.

Mills said she also favors a $4,000 teacher pay increase, "that they are awarded for the hard work they have been doing."

Teachers in Louisiana last got a pay raise in 2019  $1,000 per year.

$500 teacher pay raises proposed by John Bel Edwards after criticism of initial plan In an about face, Gov. John Bel Edwards' office Thursday proposed a pay raise of about $500 for teachers, less than two weeks after the govern

Edwards proposed a $500 pay hike last year, but it was shelved after the coronavirus pandemic caused state revenue to plummet.

The governor said funds are available this time because of an injection of federal aid for Louisiana's Medicaid program.

The spending plan is for the financial year that begins July 1.

Under Edwards' spending plan, basic state aid for public schools would essentially be frozen, as it has been for most of the past decade.

Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, said he backs the $400 proposal.

Thats a hard one not to do, Cortez told reporters after Friday's budget presentation. I will be 100% for it.

The governor's proposal marks the start of a lengthy debate that is likely to last until the Legislature adjourns in June.

BESE will submit its own public school budget to the Legislature in the next few weeks.

In addition, the Minimum Foundation Program Task Force, which advises BESE, is set to meet on Tuesday at noon to debate the same issue.

The MFP is the complex formula used to allocate state aid for about 700,000 public school students.

Edwards' proposed spending would also boost pay for college faculty by an average of 4% and would the first of its kind in 13 years, according to higher education officials.

Average pay is 14th in the region for faculty at two-year schools and 15th for four-year colleges, the Louisiana Board of Regents said.

"Today's executive budget sends a clear message: education is critical to our success and now is the time to make strategic investments in our people," Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed said in a statement.

The governor's proposal also includes roughly the same funding for the Taylor Opportunity Program For Students  merit based  and Go Grants  needs based.

Those amounts are $12.2 million and $11 million respectively.

Capitol news bureau staff writers Mark Ballard and Sam Karlin contributed to this report
KYODO NEWS - Feb 26, 2021 - 19:59 | World, All

China said Friday it will suspend pineapple imports from Taiwan, a move the self-ruled island sees as a political retaliation in response to the island's independence-leaning government's refusal to toe Beijing's line.

China's General Administration of Customs announced the suspension of pineapple imports from Taiwan to the mainland starting March 1.

"The mainland's customs has intercepted quarantine pests among pineapples from Taiwan since 2020," spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council Ma Xiaoguang said.

Ma added that the decision was a normal biosafety precaution in line with China's laws, regulations and standards.

Describing China's decision as "not very friendly behavior," Presidential Office spokesman Chang Tun-han said on his Facebook page that the government decided to spend NT$1 billion (US$36 million) to offset the impact such as strengthening the promotion of pineapples at home and abroad.

Chien Shu-pei, spokeswoman of President Tsai Ing-wen's independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, described China's decision as "economic coercion" that leads people to question its "political motive."

Expressing regret, Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung told an emergency press conference that he found China's "unilateral" decision "surprising" and "unacceptable."

Chen said it not only creates trouble for both sides, but also violates rules of international trade, urging Chinese authorities to sit down and talk about the issue from the perspectives of science, professionalism and international trade.

He said Taiwan produces about 420,000 tons of pineapples annually. China is its largest market, buying more than 42,000 tons annually with a value of nearly NT$1.5 billion, Chen said.

Related coverage:

Biden trade pick vows to work with allies, cautious on return to TPP

Japan ground troops to get transport vessels amid China's rise

Taiwan envoy hails ongoing U.S. support, warns of China's coercion




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ISIS Bride Shamima Begum Not Allowed to Return to UK: Top Court

The UK Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Shamima Begum, who left the UK for Syria to join the ISIS terrorist group as a teenager, is not allowed to return and fight her citizenship case because she poses a security risk.

Begum, who has dual British-Bangladeshi citizenship, travelled to Syria at the age of 15, along with some other classmates, to join the so-called ISIS caliphate.

As the caliphate was being whittled down to its last survivors by U.S. and allied forces, she surfaced at a refugee camp in Syria, where she caught the interest of Western journalists.

A still taken from CCTV issued by the Metropolitan Police in London on Feb. 23, 2015, of 15-year-old Amira Abase (L), Kadiza Sultana, 16 (C), and Shamima Begum, 15, going through Gatwick Airport, south of London, before they caught their flight to Turkey on Feb. 17, 2015. (Metropolitan Police/AP Photo)

Her citizenship was revoked in 2019 by the Home Secretary following a series of interviews she gave from the refugee camp in which she expressed little remorse but said she wanted to return to the UK.

Her family appealed against the decision. Their legal team said that Begum must be allowed to return to the UK so that she can give evidence in person. The government resisted in the courts.

In July 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled that the only way in which she can have a fair and effective appeal  is to be permitted to come into the United Kingdom to pursue her appeal.

But the Supreme Court said on Friday that the five justices who heard the case unanimously allows the Secretary of States appeals and dismisses Ms Begums cross-appeal, meaning Begum will not be allowed back into the UK to fight her citizenship case, though she may continue to pursue the case elsewhere.

The Supreme Court said that the Court of Appeal was mistaken in believing that when an individuals right to have a fair hearing of an appeal came into conflict with the requirements of national security, her right to a fair hearing must prevail.

The top court said the right to a fair hearing does not trump all other considerations, such as the safety of the public. If a vital public interest makes it impossible for a case to be fairly heard, then the courts cannot ordinarily hear it.

The ruling said Begums legal appeal should be stayed until she is in a position to play an effective part in it without the safety of the public being compromised.

Prior to the ruling, Will Geddes, CEO of International Corporate Protection Group and a counter-terrorism expert, told NTD that the case is quite extraordinary because its result could have very serious repercussions in terms of other British nationals who have been operating and colluding with terrorist groups overseas, over and beyond ISIS, permitting them a pathway and access to return to the United Kingdom.

The risks that these returning jihadis and terrorists potentially present could be potentially quite extensive. It will also require a considerable amount of resource by the security services, even if they have turned their back on those previous ideals, he said in an interview on Thursday.

But some senior Conservative MPs have argued that Britain should not wash its hands of the 40 British citizens detained in camps for ISIS personnel in northern Syria.

According to The Telegraph, in a letter Thursday to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel, Andrew Mitchell, David Davis, Tom Tugendhat, and Tobias Ellwood warned that failure to take responsibility for them would necessarily create even more security risks for the UK in the future.

Jane Werrell of NTD and Simon Veazey contributed to this report.
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Michael Powells New York Times story on the Smith College nightmare provides a useful summary of the events. Powells story also links to the 35-page report commissioned by the college. The madness at the heart of the story has engulfed our country and our culture, as we saw in the riots of this past summer.

Tucker Carlson reviewed the Smith College story in a 12-minute segment of his FOX News show last night. FOX News has posted the text here. I have lifted the video from the Tucker Carlson Tonight Facebook page and embedded it below. It brings the story to life.

Thinking about the story, I am most struck by the villains and their victims. Among the villains: Smith College student Oumou Kanoute, Smith College president Kathleen McCartney (highlighted here by Steve Hayward), Smith College officials (as Powell refers to them), the American Civil Liberties Union and its Massachusetts chapter, the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN and other organs of the mainstream media.

On the other side of the equation are the victims of Kanoute and Smith College: a college cafeteria employee, two college janitors, a college security officer, and a college alum working in its residential life department (today the New York Post publishes her resignation letter). Their decency shines through.

Powell quotes college janitor Mark Patenaude: We used to joke, dont let a rich student report you, because if you do, youre gone. Generalized appropriately and reflecting the way we live now, that is the moral of the story. Mr. Patenaude also provides the money quote, so to speak: I dont know if I believe in white privilege. I believe in money privilege.

Where is Oumou Kanoute now? Ms. Kanoute apparently remains at large. Powell leaves this part of the story vague. I infer that she is immune from consequences and even from criticism. Mr. Patenaude to the contrary notwithstanding, Kanoutes immunity suggests to me that there are some things money cant buy.
Things have gotten so bad in America that a Super Bowl ad for Jeep featured Bruce Springsteen preaching reconciliation. The continuing aftermath of the 2020 election has exposed structural weaknesses in American democracy that left unchecked will continue to erode the foundations of our government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our democracy is at risk. Its time for the rising.

The hyper-partisanship that has been building in Washington for two decades and the exploitation by former President Donald Trump of the deep divisions in our political institutions have left our country with two different countries: one that accepts that the 2020 election was fair and one that continues to fiercely believe that the election was stolen.

According to a national poll by Fox News, 68 percent of Republicans believe the election was stolen from Trump. Among Trump voters, 77 percent think he actually won while 26 percent of independents and 10 percent of Democrats also hold the same belief.

But the political fracture between Republican and Democrat voters and the chasm that separates the Democrat and Republican parties started long before the 2020 election and will continue unless we find another way.

Division has been fueled for decades by acrimony and partisanship in Washington and the blue/red divide has been ever expanding as the number of wedge issues, and the exploitation of them to fuel the party bases, has steadily increased. The winner takes all attitude makes compromise impossible.

As a result, the serious problems that face our nation are kicked aside in favor of naked partisanship. Our government under the control of the duopoly consistently puts the acquisition and maintenance of political power ahead of resolving the issues that matter most to people and our shared quest to create opportunities and a better nation for our children.

Today, policy decisions are evaluated through the lens of will it play well with our base. Progress is measured not by how well a proposal has advanced the nation but how successful it is in advancing the party and the individual subservient politician. Representatives that challenge the party and party leaders pay the price. The chilling effect on members of Congress is so severe that they sometimes resemble a group of lemmings. The problem is they are taking our nation with them over the cliff.

Gaining and maintaining a majority is the focus of the Democrat and Republican parties and their fear of losing dominates every issue from gun violence to immigration to COVID-19 to climate change. Even the reaction to the insurrection at the Capitol was largely along party lines.

This dynamic creates intractability and gridlock in our government, impeding progress on the key issues that matter to people. Rather than paying the price for their dysfunction, the two parties are insulated from responsibility because they blame each other and then everyone takes sides  again.

More than ever, there are few compromises in Washington. There is the red platform and the blue platform to nearly every issue. Each of the parties imposes dogmatic discipline across an array of issues leaving individual legislators with no opportunity to mix and match and no chance to seek solutions on individual issues. Outcomes are achieved not by cooperative problem-solving but by the majority imposing its will  and the cycle continues.

To escape what one political scientist, Lee Drutman, has aptly described as our current two party doom loop, something new and disruptive is required. SAM (the Serve America Movement) is that different kind of political party. It does not define itself on the left/right ideological axis, but instead is a big tent party built around principles of good government.

SAM believes our elected representatives should be rewarded for their adherence to shared values of accountability, transparency, problem solving and electoral competition  values that are not defined in any way as red or blue, left or right. Through the SAM lens, public servants are challenged to serve their constituents, defined broadly, to solve our nations and our states significant issues, to restore faith in government, and to drive progress.

SAM believes that together we can fix Americas broken politics, but it will take new and different approaches. Einsteins definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Not only has our political downward spiral proved that rule, but our insanity continues to result in draconian impacts on Americans. We must break the cycle.

If you fiercely believe your party, whether Democrat or Republican, is always right, then SAM is not for you. But if you believe, as we do, that we have been taking sides for too long in America, that compromise is a virtue, and that our political process needs to be fixed, then consider SAMs approach to government, and join SAM.

Monte Frank, a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018, chairs SAM CT, an affiliate of SAM (Serve America Movement), consisting of current and former Democrats, Republicans, and independents who have come together with a common goal  to fix our broken politics in America. www.joinsamct.org
One80 Intermediaries has acquired Edward E. Hall and Company (EE Hall). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

One80 is a national wholesale broker, program manager, third-party administrator (TPA), warranty and lender-based insurance provider and insurance aggregator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. EE Hall is a New York-based managing general underwriter that specializes in property/casualty products that are designed for the retail vehicle industry.

Established in 1866, EE Hall has specialized in commercial insurance for the retail vehicle industry for more than 20 years. The company offers a range of coverages, underwriting, claims handling and access to multiple carriers. The family business is led by Michael and Mary Heagerty, who are third generation owners of EE Hall.

EE Hall designs, underwrites and distributes programs to auto, truck, motorcycle and recreational vehicle dealers, repair shops and truck leasing and rental companies. Products include a garage package policy which features auto liability, general liability, property, crime, errors and omissions, open lot, inland marine, garage keepers and cyber. EE Hall also offers risk purchasing group excess liability, workers compensation and employment practices liability.

One80 Intermediaries is a privately held, national firm with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. As an insurance wholesaler and program manager, the company offers placement services and binding authority for property/casualty, financial lines, personal lines, life insurance, medical stop loss, alternative risk, warranty, lender-based insurance, travel/accident and health risks. One80 serves commercial companies, non-profits, public entities and individuals.

Source: One80 Intermediaries

Topics Mergers New York

U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar, R-Midland, was joined this week by Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Georgia, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-California, in introducing the Broadening Online Opportunities through Simple Technologies (BOOST) Act in the House of Representatives.

The bipartisan rural broadband legislation allows rural homeowners and primary lessees to claim a $300 tax credit after purchasing a mobile hotspot they can use to connect to the Internet or a signal booster they can use to increase the speed of a slow connection.

The BOOST Act will help families connect to the Internet by creating their own Internet hotspots or by boosting the speed of a connection they already have, stated Moolenaar. This legislation empowers homeowners who have been waiting far too long for reliable Internet access in their area and makes Internet access more affordable. I am proud to have bipartisan support for this legislation.

Broadband access in rural America has long been lacking and the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated why broadband is a necessity in our current world, said Chairman Bishop. The BOOST Act will help rural Americans conduct business from home, do homework, and receive telemedicineall of which are even more important during the pandemic, but will be useful for many years to come.

Right now, those without reliable wired broadband face the threat of falling behind in school or at work. I am glad to introduce the BOOST Act to provide the tax credit these students, workers, and businesses need to more easily afford equipment to improve their wireless Internet signal, which can cost hundreds of dollars without the assistance this bill provides, said Congressman Panetta. This tax credit will help consumers on the Central Coast and nationwide better access Internet services in an important step forward in closing the digital divide.

The BOOST Act allows homeowners in rural areas to claim a $300 tax credit after purchasing a mobile hotspot. The credit is only available to homeowners who live in areas where they cannot connect to the Internet or their speeds do not meet the federal minimum requirements of 25 megabits per second for downloads and three megabits per second for uploads. A map of eligible areas is available here: https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/auction-904-preliminary-eligible-areas/

The credit is technology-neutral so it can be used by a homeowner to purchase the technology that works best for them. So one homeowner could claim the tax credit after buying a signal booster, while another could use it after purchasing equipment to receive Internet signal from a satellite.
Democrats hoping to increase the minimum wage in their COVID relief bill were handed a crushing defeat Thursday night. Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised that the increase was not allowed in budget reconciliation legislation, the process Democrats are using to bypass a Senate filibuster on their COVID relief bill.

MacDonoughs decision was short and to the point, according to a Senate source. In her view, the budgetary impact of a minimum wage increase was merely incidental to its nonbudgetary impact. That would make it a violation of the Byrd Rule, the statute with guardrails on what is and isnt allowed under reconciliation.

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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, as both chairman of the Budget Committee, which manages the reconciliation process, as well as the strongest advocate of a $15 minimum wage in the body, had worked to build a case to the parliamentarian that the increase would pass procedural muster. The Congressional Budget Office showed that it would increase the deficit by $54 billion over 10 years, which Sanders said demonstrated that increasing the minimum wage would have a direct and substantial impact on the federal budget. (It doesnt have to have a substantial deficit reduction impact.) He also requested and received a report from CBO comparing the minimum wage increases budgetary impact with that of a couple of items in Republicans 2017 tax cut bill, also passed through reconciliation: the zeroing-out of the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate penalty and the allowance of oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. CBO found that the minimum wage increases budgetary impact was more substantial than the others.

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None of that, however, satisfied MacDonough that the budgetary effect of increasing the minimum wage was more than an incidental byproduct of changing labor law.

We are deeply disappointed in this decision, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a brief statement after it was announced. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.

Democrats have a few options about how to proceed next.

They could try to restructure a wage boost under the tax codeincentives for small businesses to increase wages, penalties for large onesto fit within reconciliations tax and spending policy strictures. In a statement following the decision, Sanders said that he would pursue this plan B.

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In the coming days, I will be working with my colleagues in the Senate to move forward with an amendment to take tax deductions away from large, profitable corporations that dont pay workers at least $15 an hour and to provide small businesses with the incentives they need to raise wages, Sanders said. That amendment must be included in this reconciliation bill. While certainly better than nothing, this fallback would rely on firms behavior to get the job done.

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Procedurally, Senate Democrats could vote to overrule the parliamentarians advice and simply include the minimum wage increase in the bill. But the same Democrats who are opposed to eliminating the legislative filibusterArizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, President Joe Bidenare just as firmly opposed to that option, as it could set a precedent for the effective undoing of the filibuster. Democrats could also fire MacDonough and replace her with someone whos a little more go-with-the-flow on all these tedious rules issues. There is precedent for that.

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But Democrats most likely will not increase the minimum wage in their final COVID relief product. (The House, which is set to vote on its version of the relief package on Friday, still has a $15 minimum wage in its bill.) And so long as a few Democrats are committed to preserving the legislative filibuster, Democrats will have to horse-trade with Republicans if they ever want to achieve a (smaller) increase in the minimum wage. The parliamentarians decision may come as a relief to some Democratic senators who weresome publicly, more privatelyuncomfortable with a $15 minimum wage and its potential slashing of over a million jobs. The 27 million Americans who were set to see pay increases will be less relieved.
Posted Friday, February 26, 2021 9:02 am

OLYMPIA  After an emotional debate that highlighted and lamented America's sharp political divisions, the Washington Senate on Thursday voted to ban the open carry of firearms and other weapons, not just at the state Capitol campus, but at permitted demonstrations in public spaces across the state.

The passage of Senate Bill 5038 comes after months of intense protests around the state over the killing of people of color by law enforcement, as well as by demonstrators supportive of former President Donald Trump in the wake of his election defeat.

After a debate of more than an hour, the bill passed the Democratic-controlled chamber on a party-line vote, 28-20. It now heads to the House for consideration.

Much of Thursday's debate focused on the tension between the First Amendment's right to free speech and assembly, and the Second Amendment's right to bear arms.

"We know that neither the First nor the Second Amendment is absolute, we know that there have been restrictions, reasonable restrictions placed on each of them," said Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue and sponsor of the bill. "This is just another one."

One after one, Republicans rose to object, many arguing that the measure tramples on the Second Amendment and could put them in danger.

Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, cited the example of a woman who wants to carry a firearm for self-defense but can't get a concealed pistol permit due to a backlog.

"So you have to open carry in order to be able to go someplace," said Wilson. If that woman were going to a downtown business in Vancouver, Wilson added, she could find herself "within a short distance of a demonstration that just started."

Over the past year, as anger ratcheted up across the political spectrum, protesters and counterprotesters turned out heavily armed and at events and gatherings in Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Olympia and other places.

Armed demonstrators have sometimes left some people feeling fearful. In other cases, demonstrations have turned violent.

In Olympia, firearms have long been present at the Capitol for political symbolism, with gun-rights supporters rallying peacefully by the hundreds, sometimes by the thousands.

But that dynamic changed in December, when political clashes at or near the Capitol campus led to shots being fired during three different instances as demonstrators rallied in support of or against Trump. The shootings injured at least one person.

"These are not what we have considered normal times and we need to take action," said Sen. Sam Hunt, a Democrat from Olympia who voted for the bill. "Schools have gun-free zones and ... we can do the same thing in very limited instances, which this bill does."

Kuderer's bill bans the open carry of guns or other weapons at demonstrations at public spaces that have gotten permits from local, state or federal agencies, according to a legislative analysis of the bill.

The amended version of the bill as it passed defines a demonstration as a gathering of 15 or more people at an event in a public place where a permit has been issued by a government agency, or where local officials have designated as permitted by local officials.

The legislation provides an exemption for anyone controlling or possessing a firearm or weapon on private property that is owned or leased by that person.

If it ultimately becomes law, a violation would be a gross misdemeanor. Several GOP lawmakers, such as Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, noted protests in Seattle last year led to the city briefly allowing an autonomous zone to sprout up. Officials shut that zone down after two homicides in or around it.

King noted that such protests aren't given permits by officials.

"If you want to be fair about all of these things, let's talk about all of the demonstrations," said King. "Don't pick and choose.

"And talk about the ones where people were really hurt and businesses were destroyed," he added.

In another emotional speech, Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, talked about how his district was split pretty evenly on both sides of the issue.

But Hobbs, who is also a colonel in the Washington Army National Guard and who served in Iraq and Kosovo, described his time overseas as one reason he ultimately voted yes.

"When I was in Kosovo facing an angry Serbian mob, we nearly shot at these people," said Hobbs. "Because it's scary ... but we were disciplined."

"Because I guarantee if you're not disciplined enough in getting rocks thrown at you, when you have a firearm," Hobbs added later, "you're going to use that firearm."
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Today marks the 37th birthday of a Montgomery teen who disappeared 18 years ago, and authorities have increased the amount of reward money for information in the case.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers on Friday announced a reward of $5,000, up from $1,000, in the 2003 disappearance of LaQuanta Riley. That brings the total reward amount to $15,000.

Riley was 19 when she was last seen on Dec. 7, 2003. According to the missing persons website The Charlie Project, Riley left her Montgomery home in a dark green, four-door car, possibly a Ford Taurus or Chevrolet Caprice. The driver took Riley to her mothers home three miles away, where Riley asked for a jacket.

Her brother, who answered the door, asked who was driving the car. Riley told her brother the driver was a friend she met from around the neighborhood. She got back in the car and never returned home, and three days later her mother reported her missing. She left behind her purse and money.

Sometime between a few days and a few weeks after Rileys disappearance, her mother got a message on her telephone answering machine which she believes was from Riley. The message wasnt clear: the caller said either leave me alone or let me go home. A mans voice in the background said Rileys name, then the call disconnected. It has never been traced.

Riley graduated from Georgias Redan High School in 2002, where she was an honors student. She had gotten a full college scholarship and wanted to study criminal justice and have a career in forensic science.

Authorities have previously released an age-progressed photo of Riley at what she would look like at age 34. At the time of her disappearance, Rileys ears and tongue were pierced. She has a scar on her nose. She also has Rest in Peace Mesha tattooed on her left arm and LaQuanta tattooed on her right arm. Her nicknames are Quanna and Quanta. You can read more about her disappearance and see more photos here.

The City of Montgomery and the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office are each offering $5,000 as well.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Montgomery Police Department, Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) or via the P3-tips app.
A grand gathering is held to mark the country's accomplishments in poverty alleviation and honor its model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ending absolute poverty in the world's most populous country is nothing less than a history-making moment.

Alleviating poverty is a common and enduring challenge to humanity. China has a population of 1.4 billion and has used the past decades, since 2012 especially, to tackle the challenge with unparalleled efforts.

The result: bringing close to 100 million people out of poverty in eight years and a farewell to absolute poverty.

For the 100 million, the changes are real -- it is an ill man being able to afford treatment, a mother having a job, a family moving out of a ramshackle shelter, or a student no longer having to climb a cliff to go to school. Improved lives give these people hopes and dreams. Thursday's gathering to mark the country's complete victory in its fight against poverty evoked strong emotions in many who would agree the great struggle won attests to the nation's resolve, character, and strength.

The Communist Party of China (CPC), inspired by socialist ideals to eliminate poverty, improve people's livelihood, and realize common prosperity, has put poverty fight as a top policy goal. The CPC's efforts came from a simple and clear purpose -- to deliver real benefits to the people. The efforts are neither for scoring political points nor creating a battlefield to compete with other countries' systems or governance.

China set its poverty line at a per-capita annual income of 2,300 yuan at 2010 constant values, or 2.3 U.S. dollars in terms of purchasing power parity per person a day. This standard is higher than the World Bank's benchmark of 1.9 U.S. dollars per person per day. By 2020, a person making less than 4,000 yuan a year could be listed as impoverished.

Besides the numerical target, China ensured the impoverished people have "two assurances" (adequate food, adequate clothing) and "three guarantees" (access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and safe housing). The country has conducted the strictest assessment to ensure that the quality and standards of the poverty relief work are not compromised.

World Bank data say China contributed to 70 percent of worldwide poverty reduction in the last 40 years.

Over the last eight years, unabated attention and a sustained push from Chinese President Xi Jinping have ensured continued momentum. Under his leadership, efforts against poverty have been woven into every fabric of Chinese life, in which reducing poverty is a consensus and constant call to action.

Exploring wisdom and ways, China has accumulated a vast pool of experiences in battling poverty.

With almost surgical precision, the country established a targeted poverty-relief database and rolled out specific prescriptions to fight poverty for different people. With flexibility and ingenuity, farmers succeeded in experimenting with new cash crops or raising a new type of cattle. With mass mobilization, three million "first secretaries" and cadres were sent to villages to help stamp out poverty. Both public and private sectors undertook poverty-relief projects. With robust government funds, roads and bridges were built, and over 9.6 million people were relocated to more hospitable areas. Proper checks and supervision mechanisms made sure the results of poverty reduction can stand the test of time.

As an old saying in China goes, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." In addition to external assistance, China has fostered among the poor an awareness of escaping poverty through self-reliance. It has focused on improving their skills through training programs and providing them with jobs instead of giving grants. In this way, the poor have become more involved in poverty alleviation programs.

The victory over absolute poverty and regional poverty speaks volumes of the leadership of the CPC and the strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

China's poverty alleviation is a success, but far from a full stop. China remains the biggest developing country globally. It still faces problems caused by unbalanced and inadequate development. Eliminating absolute poverty is a new starting point. China has already made arrangements for consolidating the achievements in poverty alleviation and rural vitalization, including a five-year transition period during which major supportive policies and assistance for the poor will remain stable.

The world still has 700 million people living in extreme poverty with a yawning gap between the rich and the poor in many countries. China's victory comes as an encouraging sign. It has quickened the pace of global poverty reduction, therefore cementing confidence in the ultimate eradication of penury.

While striving to cure poverty at home, China has also actively supported the cause in other developing countries. It is committed to creating wealth and opportunities for people in other countries through aids and initiatives like the Belt and Road.

All roads lead to Rome. No country should blindly follow others' steps or take their development paths as the only viable one. But China's victory in poverty reduction has at least offered hope and provided a valuable reference to the world, especially the developing and least developed countries, given its holistic approach in planning and perseverance in implementation.

Looking ahead, China expects exchanges and mutual learning with the international society in the spirit of shared development and win-win cooperation. China also wants to ensure that the benefits of poverty reduction reach more people around the world.

China's victory in the fight against absolute poverty merely marks another beginning -- the beginning of more miracles yet to be worked, and a path toward an even brighter future.
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The Government has not exactly been fanning the flames of enthusiasm for well-deserved getaways this summer.

All we know for now is that until May 17 foreign travel for tourism is illegal and EU leaders agreed on Thursday to introduce vaccine passports by the summer. We are due a review on April 12, which hopefully will give us the green light, although thousands of us have been voting with our feet booking trips near and far. Quite right, too.

Read the small print, obviously, to make sure you will be refunded if disaster strikes again but we believe firmly that it's never too early to think about a holiday, not least because it gives us something to look forward to. And we all need that. So here is our guide to what to expect in some of our most popular destinations, with the likelihood of holidays marked out of five...

ALL GO IN GREECE

Ray of hope: We could head to Greek islands like Kefalonia, pictured, as Greece's tourism minister Haris Theoharis has said he is hoping for a 'semi-normal summer'

The Greeks love us and we love Greece. So much that four million Britons fly in each year. Dear old Greece already has forged a 'vaccine bubble' agreement with Israel and Cyprus, meaning those who have been vaccinated will be able to travel between the countries without needing to quarantine or be tested.

It is now keen to strike the same deal with the UK and welcome us in May. Greece is rolling out its vaccination programme at a rapid rate, from mega-facilities capable of inoculating up to 20,000 people a day. Parts of the country, including Athens, are in lockdown, with all restaurants, bars and hotels closed. However, restrictions are expected to lift in the spring. Face masks are mandatory in indoor spaces.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 826,370 (population 10.7 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: Greece's tourism minister Haris Theoharis is hoping for a 'semi-normal summer'. He says discussions are under way between Greece and the UK and hopes a 'vaccine passport' scheme could facilitate travel between the two countries. He added that the scheme would mean only unvaccinated tourists would need to be tested.

WHAT WE SAY: If we're going anywhere for sure this summer, it's to Greece. The country has fared better than most of its European neighbours during the pandemic, having registered 155,000 infections and a death toll of 5,700, and has introduced an impressive vaccination programme.

Self-catering

Luxury: Seven nights at three-bedroom Villa Anastasia (sleeping six) on Crete from 3,163 on June 22, including flights (gicthevillacollection.com).

Budget: Seven nights at Matina Aparthotel in Pefkos, Rhodes, from 532pp in July, including flights (jet2holidays.com).

VERDICT: 5/5.

FOGGY FOR FRANCE

The French government has said little about when it hopes to reopen to tourists. Pictured is the pretty town of Barjols in Provence

THESE ARE TESTING TIMES You cannot go through the NHS for Covid tests for travel abroad. Instead, you must buy a test A government taskforce is due to report on April 12. Only then will we know the exact rules for overseas travel regarding tests and jabs. If all goes to plan, we should be able to head off for foreign shores from May 17. Here's what seems likely ahead of the report ... Covid tests with a negative result, taken 72 hours before travel, will almost certainly be required for all those returning to the UK. Such tests are also likely to be needed before visiting most countries. Both these requirements are probable whether you have been vaccinated or not. It is still early days on international agreement on 'vaccine passports'. You cannot go through the NHS for Covid tests for travel abroad. Instead, you must buy a test, which will cost from around 100 to more than 200. For almost all countries you will need a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. Some will allow antigen tests. Check the rules of the country you are visiting on the 'entry requirements' section at gov.uk. Cross-check with the country's tourist website. To purchase a test, try Boots (boots.com/covid-19-testing) or Superdrug in conjunction with Melio Health (meliohealth.co.uk/products). Boots tests cost 120, with results in 48 hours. Superdrug tests cost 149, with results in two to three working days. In Turkey, the cost of a test is about 25. Why can't it be that cheap for us? Plenty of private clinics offer tests, but make sure that whichever one you use is approved by the UK Accreditation Service. Tests take about 15 minutes. Make sure that a 'fit to fly' certificate is included in the price. When returning to the UK, tour operators and travel agents should be able to help with booking tests 72 hours prior to travel. If you are travelling with stopovers on a long journey, you should get a test within three days of your final departure point to the UK. For details on return requirements, see 'Coronavirus testing before you return to England' at gov.uk or the equivalent pages at gov.wales, gov.scot and nidirect.gov.uk. Advertisement

With cultural venues shut, restaurants open only for takeaways and a strictly enforced 6pm curfew, many French residents have been crossing the border into Spain.

There are situations where residents can leave the house during curfew but they must have an attestation, a form filled in and signed by an employer, for instance.

Restaurants, bars, theatres and gyms have been closed since October last year and will reopen on April 6 at the earliest. However, beaches are open.

Nice, which has the highest rate in France, has gone into partial lockdown for the next two weeks.

The government may extend the lockdown to other areas, including Paris and Calais, where infections have surpassed 250 per 100,000 people. About 50 per cent of new cases in France are caused by the so-called British variant of the virus.

The slow pace of France's vaccination programme has been much criticised. However, the campaign has gained some momentum in recent weeks. And French President Emmanuel Macron is concerned that vaccine certificates would discriminate against those who have not been immunised, particularly young people.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 4.1 million (population 67 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: The borders are currently closed to anyone wishing to travel from the UK and the French government has said little about when it hopes to reopen to tourists.

WHAT WE SAY: Without much guidance, it's difficult right now to predict whether we will be able to holiday in the country this year.

Self-catering

Luxury: Seven nights at three-bedroom Villa Marie (sleeping six) in Provence from 4,048 in August (akvillas.com). British Airways flies to Marseilles.

Budget: A week at Residhome Nice Promenade from 316pp in September, including flights. (thomascook.com)

VERDICT: 2/5.

EYES ON ISRAEL

The world's leading country for vaccinations, Israel is a strong contender for a summer getaway.

Domestic tourism resumed this week, including the reopening of hotels, museums and theatres, for people who can show that they have had both their shots or have recovered from coronavirus, using a 'green pass' mobile app.

This is likely to become a requirement for international tourists once borders reopen.

Israel will move into the second phase of its exit plan on March 7 when restaurants and cafes, currently restricted to deliveries, reopen. The main airport could open on March 6 at the earliest.

Social distancing and facemasks are still required in most indoor social settings.

The country has struck a deal with Greece and Cyprus to allow restriction-free travel for vaccinated tourists.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 7.9 million (population 9 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: The Tourism Ministry has launched a new campaign, 'Bring Tourism Back to Israel', in which they expect to open up to international arrivals 'in the middle of 2021'.

WHAT WE SAY: The country's impressive vaccination programme makes it a good bet for a summer holiday.

Self-catering

Luxury: A week's stay in a four-bedroom villa (sleeping 12) in Tel Aviv is from 2,555 in July. Virgin Atlantic flies to the city. (airbnb.co.uk).

Budget: Seven nights in a three-bedroom beachfront apartment (sleeping eight) in Haifa is from 833 in July. (airbnb.co.uk)

VERDICT: 4/5.

COUNT ON CROATIA

The president of the Croatian Tourism Association has said he expects 'good numbers [of tourists] from the second half of May onwards'. Pictured is the popular Croatian city of Dubrovnik

Deals were plentiful in Croatia last year as the country enjoyed a busy summer. And competitive prices are expected to continue this summer, according to the president of the Croatian Tourism Association, Veljko Ostojic, who said tourism will 'start recovering in the second quarter'.

Masks are required indoors and outdoors where it is not possible to maintain a 1.5-metre social distance, with 55 fines for those who do not comply. Hotels and beaches remain open but restaurants are operating only for takeaways. Arrivals from the EU can visit unrestricted. However, anyone arriving from the UK, South Africa and Brazil needs to self-isolate for 14 days owing to the mutant strains. The country has begun its vaccination programme and aims to inoculate 50 per cent of the adult population by summer.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 194,267 (population 4 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: Veljko Ostojic said he expects 'good numbers [of tourists] from the second half of May onwards'. The Croatian National Tourist Board has launched a new campaign on social media 'Croatia Full of New Beginnings'.

WHAT WE SAY: Croatia's eagerness to welcome tourists and its comparably low infection rates make it a good bet for an affordable holiday in the sun.

Self-catering

Luxury: A week at six-bedroom Villa Pegasus (sleeping eight) near Split from 4,289 in June (croatianvillaholidays.com). Croatian Airlines flies to Split.

Budget: Seven nights at three-bedroom Villa Tempera in Istria (sleeping six) from 769 in September (myistria.com).

VERDICT: 4/5.

WAITING ON SPAIN

Spain is looking to introduce a vaccine passport scheme, with the Balearics - Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, pictured, and Menorca - seeking to become the first region to do so in May

Since coming out of one of the world's tightest national lockdowns last year, Spain has taken a more localised approach to restrictions and this is likely to continue as regions are expected to open up to tourism at different times.

The country is looking to introduce a vaccine passport scheme, with the Balearics  Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca  seeking to become the first region to do so in May. The Canary Islands, which has maintained the lowest infection rate of all regions in Spain throughout the pandemic, is expected to open up soon after. Spain's foreign secretary proposed that 'vaccine certificate holders could be exempt from taking a test'.

Bars and restaurants are slowly starting to open up in some regions of mainland Spain with social distancing measures in place. The country is vaccinating its residents at a slow rate, with recent problems over deliveries and distribution of vaccines hampering the campaign. Face masks are mandatory indoors.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 3.4 million (population 47 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: Spain's Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto believes that if the vaccination campaign goes to plan and herd immunity is achieved throughout the summer, 'it gives hope and certainty that the second semester of 2021 will be when the reactivation of the tourism sector' takes place.

WHAT WE SAY: Our best chances of visiting Spain this year will be from July onwards. Holidays before then could be tricky.

Self-catering

Luxury: Seven nights at five-bedroom Casa Grande Country House (sleeping ten) is from 7,656 in September. Wizz Air flies to Mallorca.

Budget: Six nights self-catering at Protur Aparthotel in Mallorca from 688pp in July, including flights. (tui.co.uk).

VERDICT: 3/5.

DOUBTS OVER ITALY

The prospect of holidaying in Italy this year remains unclear. The entire country is currently under a 10pm curfew. Pictured is Italy's breathtaking Amalfi Coast

SHOULD I BUY MY EUROS NOW? It's tricky to predict future currency movements  as we saw when the recently resurgent sterling dipped again earlier this week. 'We expect sterling to strengthen a little further over the next few months as the UK's vaccine rollout helps the economy recover faster than most expect,' says Adam Hoyes, of Capital Economics. 'Our current forecast is for the pound to rise only from 1.15 to 1.16 by the end of the year.' So if you are planning to travel abroad this summer, what should you do? Hedging your bets could be the answer. Buy some euros now while exchange rates are on the up and the rest nearer the time. This will protect against a fall in rate, but still allow you to take advantage if it goes any higher. Whatever you do, just don't wait until you are at the airport to buy your currency or you are sure to get stung. BY VICTORIA BISCHOFF, MONEY MAIL EDITOR Advertisement

Restrictions in 15 of Italy's 20 regions were eased earlier this month through its three-tier regional programme, enabling bars and restaurants to serve customers indoors. In Rome, the Colosseum and Vatican reopened for the first time in two months.

The entire country is under a 10pm curfew and its state of emergency has been extended until April 30, banning residents from crossing regional borders after a 10 per cent week-on-week rise in new cases.

Italy's National Federation of Travel and Tourism Industry is urging the government to launch a digital vaccination passport but the authorities have said little on the matter.

More than three million jabs have been administered but, like France, progress has been hampered by delayed deliveries. Italy's new Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, pledged last week to speed up the country's vaccination programme.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 3 million doses (5 per cent of population)

WHAT THEY SAY: Not a lot. Tourism minister Dario Franceschini says 'Italian tourism will return very quickly' after the pandemic.

WHAT WE SAY: The prospect of holidaying in Italy this year remains unclear. If you are desperate to visit, hold off for a few months before booking.

Self-catering

Luxury: A week at two-bedroom Casa Nerello (sleeping four) in Sicily from 5,139 in July, including flights (cvvillas.com, thinkingtraveller.com).

Budget: Seven nights at three-bedroom Villa Chiaraluce (sleeping six) in Puglia from 475pp (saving 20 per cent) in September, including flights. (dialaflight.com).

VERDICT: 3/5.

MAKE IT MONTENEGRO

Montenegro's new government removed all restrictions for overseas visitors in January  one of only a handful of nations across the globe to have done so.

The open invitation originally included British holidaymakers, until the Kent strain was discovered. Now a ban on Britons is in place, although this is likely to go by the summer.

The government wants to make the country 'corona-safe' to lure back holidaymakers, although there is a problem with vaccine supply. Masks must be worn in indoor and outdoor public places. Cinemas, theatres, cafes and bars are open but not nightclubs.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: No data as vaccine programme only began this week .

WHAT THEY SAY: The new foreign minister, Djordje Radulovic, states: 'Tourists can come from Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia  you name it  [and they] will be safe and sound in our country.'

WHAT WE SAY: Worth considering for a holiday in late May because visitors will be extremely welcome (visit-montenegro.com). The population is 622,000 and there are about 400 new Covid cases a day at the moment, so it appears a low-risk choice.

Self-catering

Luxury: A week at three-bedroom Villa Murgeza (sleeping eight) in the Bay of Kotor from 4,136 in July (oliverstravels.com). EasyJet flies to Tivat.

Budget: Seven nights at three-bedroom Serene (sleeping six) on the Lustica Peninsular is from 899 in May (jamesvillas.co.uk).

VERDICT: 4/5.

PORTUGUESE DILEMMA

The Portuguese tourist board is 'optimistic' about tourists returning to the country by July. Pictured is the incredible Praia do Camilo beach in the Algarve

Being a 'red list' country owing to its close ties with Brazil, where a new Covid variant was discovered in January, Portugal faces an uphill battle to convince tourists it will be ready for the summer.

However, so far there have been only a handful of Brazilian cases (seven at last count), while the British strain has been repeatedly recorded, and tourist officials are 'mystified' as to why Britain has added Portugal to the red list.

A state of emergency has been extended until March 16. Currently, restaurants and bars are only operating for take-aways and home deliveries. Museums are closed.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 752,317 (population: 10.2 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: Foreign affairs minister Augusto Santos Silva says flights between Portugal and Britain 'should be back in operation before the summer'. The tourist board is 'optimistic' about a tourist return by July (visitportugal.com).

WHAT WE SAY: Having closed its borders to Brazil, Portugal's 'red list' status is likely to be lifted in time for the summer season.

Self-catering

Luxury: A week at six-bedroom Villa Ophira (sleeping 12) in the Algarve is from 3,289 in May (villaselect.com/destinations/portugal/algarve/albufeira/villa-ophira). Wizz Air flies to Faro.

Budget: Seven nights at three-bedroom Villa Severino (sleeping six) in the Algarve is from 695 in June (solmarvillas.com).

VERDICT: 3/5.

GIVE TURKEY A WHIRL

Turkey's stunning Kalkan Beach. The country's culture and tourism minister predicts that the number of new daily cases of Covid in Turkey will drop below 1,000 by April when he believes tourism can begin again

... AND WHAT ABOUT CRUISING? Everything hangs on the Government changing its advice. If the April 12 review includes a green light for cruise ships, they could sail by the end of May. Meanwhile... Cruise lines are well-prepared. Passengers will need a negative Covid-19 test before, and sometimes during, the cruise, plus temperature checks on returning from shore. Several cruise lines, including Saga and Crystal, will require passengers to be fully vaccinated. Britain looks the safest bet for early summer sailings, with Argyll Cruising (argyllcruising.com) and Majestic Line (majesticline.co.uk) looking to restart from May if the Scottish government allows. Riviera Travel (rivieratravel.co.uk) is offering deals from July on eight-night itineraries including 'Scotland's Highlands & Islands' on MS Seaventure with prices from 1,999 pp. P&O Cruises have stopped selling cruises with departures before June 21. BY LESLEY BELLEW Advertisement

Restaurants and cafes will soon reopen in some parts of Turkey and hopes are high that this will be the start of a return to something like normal in time for the summer.

The country has been ahead of other countries in establishing temperature checks for both guests and staff at hotels, new hygiene standards and better ventilation systems, which are now compulsory for all hotels with more than 30 rooms as part of a strict national Safe Tourism initiative ~ (gototurkey.co.uk). Some hotels in Istanbul and other large cities have reopened.

Since mid-January Turkey has been rolling out as mass vaccination programme. More than seven million people have received jabs.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 7.98 million (population: 84.3 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: Culture and tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy predicts that the number of new daily cases of Covid will drop below 1,000 by April when he believes tourism can begin again.

WHAT WE SAY: Turkey looks like a strong contender for a summer getaway. A sign of this is that Tui, Britain's biggest tour operator, is offering deals with as much as 46 per cent off to tempt early bookers (tui.co.uk).

Self-catering

Luxury: Seven nights at one-bedroom Villa Sun (sleeping two) in Kalkan from 1,625 in June, including flights. (simpsontravel.com).

Budget: Seven nights at Sun City Apartments from 290pp in August, including flights (easyjet.com).

VERDICT: 4/5.

SAFE IN CYPRUS

A night-time curfew has been in place over the winter with only essential businesses operating, yet airports are being opened to all flights from Monday as Cyprus gears up for tourism this year.

A vetting system has been established with visitors from Category A countries (including Australia and Singapore) not having to take a Covid test on arrival, while Category B countries (including Germany and Greece) must.

Britain is a Category C country, with tourists banned for now, although this is likely to change in time for summer as Britons are key overseas visitors. Cyprus is the European Union leader in spot tests for Covid per person  it conducted 25,554 per 100,000 people in the February 15-21 period.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 56,791 (population 875,899).

WHAT THEY SAY: The health ministry is counting on rapid tests and ongoing vaccinations to make visits safe: 'Although the epidemiological situation shows steady progress, the situation remains fluid and easily reversible, and requires care to avert a deterioration.'

WHAT WE SAY: Cyprus has a well thought-out, cautious strategy and would make a safe choice for a holiday once we are allowed in.

Self-catering

Luxury: A week at four-bedroom Captain's Villa (sleeping eight) near Paphos from 3,794 in July (cyprus-villa-retreats.com). Jet2 flies to Paphos.

Budget: Seven nights at three-bedroom Lena Villas (sleeping six) in Polis from 344pp (saving 35 per cent) in May. (tui.co.uk).

VERDICT: 4/5.

BOLD IN BULGARIA

Easyjet announced this week that it will begin flights from the UK to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, pictured, this summer

From Monday restaurants will be allowed to reopen in Bulgaria  but only at half capacity and with premises closing at 11pm. Bars will also reopen, with 'organised tourism trips' allowed, while nightclubs are due back on April 1.

People working in tourism are also being given priority for vaccines in order to instill confidence among overseas visitors. With gyms, cinemas and shopping malls open since February 1, Bulgaria is making bold steps forward.

A sign of confidence in its strategy is that Easyjet announced this week that it will begin flights from the UK to Sunny Beach on the Black Sea in the summer. British visitors are currently banned until April 30.

TOTAL VACCINES ADMINISTERED: 188,512 (population 6.95 million).

WHAT THEY SAY: Prime Minister Boyko Borissov says that 'strictly observed measures that are at the same time the most liberal in Europe' will allow life to continue as normal and tourism to take place in the summer.

WHAT WE SAY: Could make a good-value getaway on one of the new Easyjet flights, but are relaxations coming in too quickly?

Self-catering

Luxury: Seven nights at six-bedroom Zlaten Breeze (sleeping 12) near Albena from 1,890 in August (villasinbulgaria.co.uk). Wizz Air flies to Albena.

Budget: A week at two-bedroom Villa Sequoia (sleeping five) near Golden Sands is from 571 in August (vrbo.com).

VERDICT: 4/5.

LONG HAUL OUTLOOK

Australia intends to have its entire population vaccinated before re-opening to tourists around 'this time next year'

President Joe Biden is reinstating Covid travel restrictions on non-U.S. travellers from Brazil, Ireland, the UK and 26 European nations, with South Africa to be added shortly. He is reversing an order made by Donald Trump to relax restrictions.

Meanwhile, in the Maldives, visitors must take a Covid test with a negative result 96 hours before departure (visitmaldives.com).

Britons who have had two vaccine jabs at least a fortnight before departure and have proof of this may visit the Seychelles (seychelles.travel).

Australia intends to have its entire population vaccinated before re-opening, which Tourism Minister Dan Tehan does not anticipate until around 'this time next year' (australia.com).

And South Africa looks unlikely for this summer due to its variant Covid strain (southafrica.net).
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The race is on for three lucky Staten Islanders. That would be Tyler Florences Great Food Truck Race: Alaska, a cooking trek to the tundra that debuts on Food Network Sunday, March 7 at 10 p.m.

During the pandemic, childhood friends Anthony Cucurullo of Great Kills, Dave Consiglio of Rossville and John Sullivan of Tottenville braved temps that hovered at zero to compete on the show. The setting proved a fitting scenario for a warming chili dish, Cucurcullos specialty. His name may be familiar to regional chili fans, by the way. For three years in a row Cucurcullo took top prize in numerous categories at Historic Richmond Towns regional Chili Fest throwdowns.

Cucurullo, Consiglio and Sullivan star in the first of a six-episode season where seven teams of aspiring food truck operators are each shown a brand new truck. In order to start the vehicle they first must find the keys to it  and those happen to be frozen in a 200-pound block of ice.

Get those keys! Metro Chili team members, from left to right, John Sullivan, Anthony Cucurullo and Dave Consiglio, as seen on The Great Food Truck Race, Season 14. (Courtesy of Food Network)Food Network

As Food Network explains in a promo, These teams are not just battling each other, they are battling the elements of this beautiful but treacherous region to avoid elimination and reach the end of the roads $50,000 grand prize.

In a recent interview with the Advance, Cucurullo offered no spoilers as to the outcome.

He did admit his awe. He said, It was amazing. It was an experience of a lifetime. We were shocked to hear where it was taking place. We never even thought we would be on the show but to find out we were going to Alaska? I had to tell my wife, Im going to Alaska! And my wife was like, What?

Cucurullo teased with a few details of the show. He shared, To get the keys for the truck we were on top of Flat Top mountain. It was so cold you couldnt see your breath. Then we had to sprint down the mountain, get back to the truck and start cooking.

He said working in the food truck was the most joyous part of host Tyler Florences production.

Cooking is what I love to do and cooking on the commercial truck  I was like a kid in a candy store, said Cucurullo.

We had two deep fryers, a flat-top griddle, a cooking range, a holding station....It was tight. I mean, three guys in the truck is tight. Its like working in a small restaurant. It was like doing a little dance around each other but we figured it all out, said Cucurullo.

He added, To prepare for the cold we bought a lot of thermal clothes. Living in New York we knew how to deal with the winter. There was one or two days that were zero or six degrees below.

The trio took two planes to Anchorage, Alaska in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. And that was a memorable journey in and of itself.

Sullivan said, The scariest part for me was flying. I do not like to fly and we flew for about nine hours each way.

LIVING THE FOOD LIFE

Cucurullo currently works in property management but dreams of owning a restaurant with Consiglio and Sullivan. Consiglio has made a career at Partners in Sound in production work. Sullivan is the general manager of Grand Oaks Country Club, which is currently winding back up for the return of catering halls on March 15.

The best part of the trip was competing on the show with two of my close friends. We made memories that we never forget. It was an experience of a lifetime and one that I will cherish forever, said Sullivan.

Consiglio said it was a thrill to meet and interact with other teams from all over the country while experiencing Alaskas beauty, a place he never thought hed visit. He reflected, The biggest challenge, in my opinion, was figuring out how to get people to visit our truck during a bitter Alaskan winter.

Cucurullo said the friends truly appreciated the city of Anchorage and its sweet community. Would he ever think of living on The Last Frontier?

I cant leave Staten Island! I have to live in New Jersey first, he joked about the traditional migration of a borough native.

I would definitely go back to Alaska for vacation. People were out and about. It was awesome. Who gets to say they went to Alaska and cook on a cooking show? We even met someone out there from Staten Island! said Cucurullo.

The Great Food Truck Race: Alaska premieres on Sunday. March 7 at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network and streams the same day on discovery+.
Facebook's 3 billion monthly active users, its mountain of money and its control over the flow of information all put the company on an equal footing with governments around the world  and, increasingly, it's getting into fights with them.

Why it matters: Facebook's power alarms governments fearful that the tech giant could tilt the political scales inside their borders, and regulators around the world are seeking ways to rein the company in.

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Driving the news: Facebook on Wednesday took the unprecedented step of banning the Myanmar military, which has recently seized power in a coup, from using its service.

The move follows years of criticism that the tech giant hasn't done enough to stop the military from using its platform to promote genocide against the nation's Rohingya Muslim minority population.

The ban puts Facebook "squarely on the side of the pro-democracy movement" in the country, per the New York Times.

In the past, the tech giant has generally tried to avoid intervening in politics in ways that could make it look like it was taking sides, instead embracing a broad advocacy of free expression.

As a for-profit company with operations around the globe, it's also committed to obeying the law under many different forms of government and legal systems. That has at times meant bowing to political pressure from global leaders.

In Turkey, a new report finds that Facebook's top execs adhered to a request from the government to block the page for a mostly Kurdish militia.

Yes, but: Facebook also challenges governments when it's unhappy with their actions.

In the U.S, the company's ban of President Donald Trump last month sparked global outcry from leaders worried that Facebook's move threatened free speech  and also could threaten their own power.

Facebook's conflicts with governments extend into the business sphere as well, as with its recent battle with Australia over that country's effort to extract payments from the company for its use of material provided by news publishers.

Hillary Clinton likened dealing with Facebook to "negotiating with a foreign power" last year in The Atlantic.

Our thought bubble: Facebook talks about its users as a "community" and assumes good intent among most of them around the world. But many experts now argue that the Facebook platform is instead a battlefield on which conflicting forces vie for the power to organize movements, target minority populations and enforce partisan standards of truth.

Story continues

Recent history is full of examples of leaders weaponizing Facebook's technology to maintain control, particularly in countries where democracy is under attack, like the Philippines.

Facebook has plenty of power to change that dynamic, as its move in Myanmar suggests.

But it faces limits if a government decides to simply pull the plug on the social network  or if Facebook itself decides that it can't operate under a nation's rules, as it did in China.

Be smart: Facebook would rather not be a player on the geopolitical stage  it sees conflicts with governments as distractions from growing its business and profits.

You can see this reluctance in Facebook's eagerness to dial back political content and its willingness to hand off tough political calls on content moderation to third parties, chiefly its new "Supreme Court"-like Oversight Board, which will soon rule on Facebook's Trump ban.

The bottom line: Facebook's action in Myanmar shows the company is willing, sometimes, to take a strong stand against a government that's harming its own people. We don't yet know how its intervention will change the story.

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Politicians are not, in general, renowned for honesty. Spin is universal and exaggeration goes with the territory. But actual lyingverifiable, damnable lying about an important public issueis relatively uncommon. Unless we are talking about Joe Biden.

During the campaign, Biden absurdly alleged that President Trump had mishandled the COVID epidemic, and therefore had murdered the several hundred thousand Americans who allegedly died from that disease. The theory was that if Trump had done something differentlyGod knows whatthe U.S. would have been the only country on Earth with zero Wuhan deaths. Reporters went along with Bidens fantasy.

Since his inauguration, Biden has continued his assault on his predecessor by claiming, repeatedly, that little was going on with regard to vaccinations until he took office, and that the Trump administration had no plan to effectuate vaccinations. This, too, is a damnable lie. Biden repeated it today:

Joe Biden repeats false claim that there was no vaccination plan from Trump administrationhttps://t.co/vTX8ioOPVh pic.twitter.com/3lhoOgIexI  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 25, 2021



Having had enough, the GOP responded via email:

Today, Biden again falsely claimed that they inherited a messfrom the previous administration, which left us with no real plan to vaccinate all Americans. Lets look at the facts. The Trump administrations Operation Warp Speed developed a vaccine in record breaking time and was already meeting Bidens goal of 100 million vaccines administered in 100 days before Biden took office. His own HHS nominee even debunked his claim. And take a look at the trendlines. As production was ramping up, more people were being vaccinated daily. Thats to be expected, especially as more people became eligible for vaccination. However, there was no change in the rate of increase after Biden took office. In fact, it has recently decreased. * Doses administered on January 20, 2021 (Inauguration Day): 1.5 million

* Doses administered on February 24, 2021: 1.4 million

Here is the chart:

Operation Warp Speed was President Trumps last and in some ways greatest gift to the American people. Not because COVID is a disease of unprecedented or even unusual virulence, but because shutdowns have devastated the lives of many millions of Americans, especially children. The fact that Joe Biden does not have the grace to acknowledge this, but rather continues to baldly defame his predecessor, is testimony to his low character.

There are a number of ways to look at Joe Biden, but my verdict is this: he is too stupid to be humble.
'End of the road': Episcopal Church officials react to losing $100M property dispute with breakaway diocese

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Officials in The Episcopal Church are reacting to the United States Supreme Court opting to not reverse a decision granting a breakaway diocese $100 million in church properties.

In a list of orders released Monday, the Supreme Court declined, without comment, to hear the combined cases of All Saints Episcopal Church v. Diocese of Fort Worth and The Episcopal Church et al. v. Diocese of Fort Worth.

As a result, an earlier decision from the Texas Supreme Court in favor of the breakaway Anglican diocese will be allowed to stand, with a lower court judge tasked with implementing it.

Bishop Scott Mayer of the Episcopal diocese said in a statement released earlier this week that while he was disappointed with the Supreme Court decision, we live in hope.

I ask for your prayers and urge us all to stay focused on the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and on our mission and ministries in the days ahead, stated Mayer.

In the wake of this decision we remain committed to preaching the gospel as we celebrate the sacraments, care for those in need, and strive for justice and peace.

The statement included a letter from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, head of The Episcopal Church, expressing his sorrow and disappointment that the Texas Supreme Court decision will stand.

We are today the Episcopal branch of that 1st century Jesus Movement. You, dear people of God, are those baptized and committed to this Jesus and his way of love today, Curry said.

This is nothing less than following Jesus in the work of Gods mission for the sake of the world. And what was true for them in the 1st century is true for us in the 21st.

Katie Sherrod, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worths communications director, told Episcopal News Service that eight congregations will be looking for new houses of worship due to the decision being allowed to stand.

They have found places to thrive, but they had to start over with nothing, said Sherrod, adding that when it came to the court case, this is effectively the end of the road.

In 2008, a majority of the Fort Worth diocesan leadership voted to leave The Episcopal Church due to differences stemming from the denominations increased acceptance of homosexuality.

The leadership opted to join the more theologically conservative Anglican Church in North America, with litigation ensuing over the dozens of church properties owned by the diocese.

In 2018, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals ruled in favor of The Episcopal Church, arguing that the national denomination rightfully held the ownership of the properties.

Individual members of a parish may decide to worship elsewhere; a majority of individual members of a parish or diocese may decide to do so, stated the ruling, in part.

But when they leave, they are no longer Episcopalians as identified by TEC; they become something else. And that something else is not entitled to retain property if that property, under the terms of the deed, is held in trust for a TEC-affiliated diocese or congregation.

However, in May 2020, Texas Supreme Court partially reversed the earlier ruling against the breakaway group, citing changes made to the dioceses constitution and canons in 1989.
DeSantis Touts His States COVID-19 Response at CPAC: Florida Got It Right

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis touted his states response to the COVID-19 pandemic after he did not issue sweeping lockdowns during the first day of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

Florida got right. The lockdown states got it wrong, DeSantis, a Republican, said at the Florida-based event on Friday morning, kicking off the three-day event that is slated to end Sunday.

Florida has lower COVID mortality per capita than the national average and lower than 27 other states  Florida got it right and the lockdown states got it wrong.Florida Gov @RonDeSantisFL at #CPAC2021 Newsletter sign up  https://t.co/W25WQ6ZEcJ pic.twitter.com/xWuBxpLuHO  NTD News (@news_ntd) February 26, 2021

Since the start of the pandemic last year, Florida did not issue economic lockdowns and did not place strict gathering limitsin contrast to states such as California, Michigan, or Pennsylvania. As a result, Florida has seen an influx of new residents who ostensibly are fleeing their home states due to the lockdown orders.

While DeSantis has been skewered by mainstream news outlets and some Democratic elected officials, both California and Florida have similar per capita rates of COVID-19 cases. Californiawhich has implemented numerous lockdowns since last summerhas about 8,900 cases per 100,000 people while Florida has 8,700 per 100,000 people. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has triggered significant at-home backlash over the states lockdown rules and school closures, with a recall petition that is circulating around the Golden State nearing the threshold.

CPAC moved the event from the District of Columbia to Florida amid the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. Speakers on Friday include Donald Trump Jr., Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), and more.

As some prominent Republicans are girding for more prominence in the party ahead of the 2024 presidential election, DeSantis is seen as a potential front-runner by some if former President Donald Trump doesnt run. Should Trump run again, he would be the presumptive front-runner and would likely face little GOP opposition.

We cannot, we will not, go back to the days of the failed Republican establishment of yesteryear, DeSantis said on Friday, adding: The question is: When the klieg lights get hot, when the Left comes after you, will you stay strong or will you fold?

He added: We reject open borders and instead support American sovereignty and the American worker. Building a movement on amnesty and cheap foreign labor is like building a house on a field of quicksand.

We look around in other parts of our country and in too many places we see schools closed, businesses shuttered and lives destroyed, DeSantis remarked, adding that while many other states implemented lockdown order during the pandemic, Florida lifted people up.
Ethiopian refugees fleeing clashes in the country's northern Tigray region, rest and cook meals near UNHCR's Hamdayet reception centre after crossing into Sudan.

The Biden administration reversed a policy that had linked foreign aid to Ethiopia to its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) hydropower project signaling a decided change in U.S. relations with Ethiopia, analysts say.

It is a fairly predictable move, as the Trump administration aid freeze had not achieved anything other than further antagonizing the Ethiopians, William Davison, International Crisis Groups senior analyst for Ethiopia told VOA. Former President Donald Trump cut $100 million in aid to Ethiopia in September 2020 saying it would be withheld until the country agreed to a deal following a mediation effort led by U.S. Treasury Department and the World Bank.

The relationship further deteriorated when Trump said Egypt would end up blowing up the dam during a conference call. This resulted in Ethiopias foreign minister summoning the U.S. ambassador in Addis Ababa and calling the comments an incitement of war between Ethiopia and Egypt.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the total amount of aid to Ethiopia affected by the pause was $270 million. He told reporters last week that the U.S. is reviewing the paused aid money to ensure it goes where it is needed most.

We are committed to providing life-saving assistance to those in need, and humanitarian assistance does remain exempt from the pause, Price said.

Price added that the U.S. will try to play a constructive role in ongoing discussions between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt over Nile River water usage issues.

We understand the GERD is a major issue for the three parties, he said. Were reviewing our GERD policy and assessing the role that we can play in facilitating a solution between those parties.

Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. Fitsum Arega celebrated the move, saying the GERD has the potential to provide electricity to 60 million people and lift them out of poverty.

GERD is fully financed by Ethiopians & it represents the Ethiopian renaissance! Fitsum wrote in a tweet. It is a sustainable socio-economic project replacing fossil fuels & reducing CO2 emissions. Itll significantly contribute to the economic & social devt of Ethiopia & the region. De-linking GERD is good!

Negotiations between the three Nile River countries hit an impasse over how quickly Ethiopia would fill the dams reservoir and what mechanisms would be put in place to stop the filling in the event of drought or water level drops.

Its certainly a stop-start process, and I think one of the dynamics that recurs is that the parties come together, and they stitch together something, which is more of a kind of political agreement than it is any sort of technical or legal agreement, analyst Davison said. And of course, when you have a political agreement that opens up whatever text theyve agreed on for different interpretations.

Egypt relies on the Nile for roughly 90 percent of its fresh water and is concerned that the dam and its reservoir, with a capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, will diminish its water supply. Egypt has warned that it could lose about 22 percent of its water flow making thousands of acres of farmland unusable.

In July, as negotiations were ongoing, Ethiopia began filling the dam leading to angry denunciations from Egyptian leaders.

Ethiopia has said it will fill the dam over four to seven years.

Mirette Mabrouk, director of the Egypt program at the Middle East Institute, said there is a disagreement between the parties over whether Ethiopia has the right to unilaterally begin filling the dam.

The very, very least one would expect that the negotiations would be over before Ethiopia started filling unilaterally, she said. Ethiopia has always said it has always maintained that it does not need the agreement of Egypt and Sudan to start filling. Thats directly contradicted by Egypt and Sudan, who say that the 2015 Declaration of Principles agreement signed by Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan specifically says that shouldnt have unilateral action on the filling.

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Mabrouk said tensions remain high between the countries, but she does not think a military confrontation is inevitable.

Nobody wants that kind of conflict, she said. But I do think that if Egypt and Sudan have their backs up against the wall, it may be a final option. But Egypt understands very, very well that any military option is really not going to be in anyones favor.

But the diplomatic efforts could move slowly.

There will be a pause in the talks, there will be some consultations, Davison added. But dont forget that there is a lot of pressure from the international community, not just the African Union, but also the EU and the U.S. and other stakeholders for the parties to stay at the negotiating table.

VOAs Cindy Saine contributed to the report.
By Park Jae-hyuk







Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn decided to return to management after an absence of seven years, the group said Friday.







The chairman was suspended from duty until Feb. 19 this year, after the Seoul High Court sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended for five years, in 2014 for professional negligence over illegally funding an affiliate, resulting in losses totaling 300 billion won ($266 million).







He will resume his duties as the group chairman next month, working as an executive of Hanwha Corp., Hanwha Solutions and Hanwha Engineering & Construction.







In particular, he will help Hanwha Corp. expand its presence in the global market and develop technologies for the aerospace and defense industry sectors. For Hanwha Solutions, he will make efforts for it to bolster its environmental energy business worldwide. He will also enable Hanwha E&C to form partnerships with global builders.







However, he will not resume his role on the board of directors, focusing more on discovering Hanwha's future growth engines and supporting the group's global businesses using his personal network.







"The chairman made the decision, considering the independent management systems of our group's affiliates and their efforts to continue developing autonomous and responsible management systems," a group official said.






The Ministry of Health will mobilize all public health facilities and medical students for a vaccination campaign that will use 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine this year, said the ministrys top official at a recent meeting.

It is the largest vaccination campaign ever in Vietnam

The Minister of Health held a meeting with related agencies to discuss plans to use 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine this year. Photo: Tran Minh

The Ministry of Health is working on scenarios to mobilize all units inside and outside the health sector to participate in the vaccination process, in order to speed up and ensure vaccination coverage. Vaccination will be offered at health facilities and mobile stations.

The Ministry of Health has also designed plans on vaccination training, procedures for organizing vaccination sites, vaccination sessions, handling post-vaccination reactions, post-vaccination monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of vaccines.

Regarding vaccine preservation, the Ministry of Health assessed that the cold storage system and the equipment to transport vaccines meet the requirements.

The Ministry of Health said that any vaccine cannot guarantee 100% safety, especially Covid-19 vaccine which has been developed in a short time. Therefore, the monitoring and evaluation of post-vaccination response should be done very closely.

The Ministry of Health has issued guidelines for post-vaccination assessment, so that people will not panic about post-vaccination reactions.

The Minister of Health said that in order to vaccinate the entire population, Vietnam needs 150 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine in 2021. To date, Vietnam will have 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, including 30 million supplied by COVAX and the remaining 30 million doses ordered by Vietnam.

On the morning of February 24, more than 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine ordered by Vietnam arrived at Tan Son Nhat airport. The vaccines will be used in the vaccination campaign that will start in early March, with top priority given to frontline medical workers.

The Ministry of Health is negotiating to buy vaccines from Pfizer (USA) and it is likely that Vietnam will have an additional 30 million doses from this source this year. The Ministry of Health plans to mobilize private finance sources to purchase this vaccine source.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long has also met with representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam regarding the licensing process, subjects for vaccination, and PR program for vaccination.

Vietnam is one of the first countries to have access to COVAX's vaccine source. The Minister of Health pledged that the it would immediately solve matters related to the procedure to ensure that COVAX's vaccine will be imported to Vietnam soon.

Regarding the prioritized subjects of vaccination, they agreed to comply with the Government's Resolution, ensuring fairness in access to vaccines.

Thuy Hanh
02/25/2021

Not even a global pandemic could slow the local impact of the JSU Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

According to the recent annual review released by the Alabama SBDC Network, JSU met or exceeded performance expectations in the following areas:

Goals for new business creation

Unique customers served

Jobs supported

The review also found, among other accomplishments, that client satisfaction at the center and advisor level have been consistently high. It also praised the center for maintaining a high level of client interaction despite changing to a work-from-home model during the early weeks of the pandemic.

In his letter to Dr. Steven McClung, dean of JSUs School of Business and Industry, Michael Brooks, associate director for the Alabama SBDC Network, praised the center for overcoming a year of unprecedented obstacles.

Given the significant disruption to both the center and the entrepreneurs/small business owners served by the SBDC, these are commendable accomplishments, Brooks wrote. The pandemic-induced shutdowns and abrupt pivot to a work-from-home model were certainly disruptive, but the statewide SBDC was able to continue operations at a fairly high level. When many business owners began to panic about the impact of the pandemic, they turned to their trusted SBDC advisors for assistance.

Dean McClung, in turn, gave credit to the center staff.

"It's a testament to the professionalism and concern for the people of Alabama that the SBDC team did such a great job under such difficult circumstances, McClung said. Ken Grissom and his team have once again proven that they are tops in the state when it comes to helping the people in our region of Alabama successfully start businesses. Lindsey Frey, Cassie Chandler, Mary Kirk, Anna Fang and everyone at the SBDC did remarkable work in 2020. We're privileged to have them as part of the School of Business and Industry."

The statewide Capital Access (CAP) team helped its clients secure almost $215 million in 2020. While this is a record number for the program, Brooks said it will be quietly celebrated as almost $115 million was derived from disaster relief money clients received as a result of CAP assistance.

Thanks to strong support from our centers, and the development of strong advisor-client relationships, Brooks said, the Alabama SBDC had one of the highest response rates out of all 62 SBDC programs nationwide.
Hollywood heavyweight Mark Wahlberg has been announced as the new face of Ladbrokes.

The 49-year-old American actor is fronting a new campaign for the betting company.

The campaign was filmed while Mark was in Australia in December, after the Ted star finished his two weeks of mandatory quarantine in Byron Bay.

Familiar face! Mark Wahlberg stars in a cheeky new campaign for Ladbrokes betting agency - which was filmed during his visit to Australia last year

In the ad Mark is dressed in a light suit and jumper and wears pink glasses.

News.com.au reports that he plays the alter ego 'Mike Iceberg'.

He whispers the words 'Ladbroke it' and laughs when a fire explodes in the background as he sits on a golf buggy.

Business trip: The campaign was filmed while Mark was in Australia in December, after the Ted star finished his two weeks of mandatory quarantine in Byron Bay

According to the publication, the campaign took five days to film.

After Mark touched down in Australia in December last year, he visited an F45 studio in Woolloomooloo, Sydney.

He has invested some of his own hard-earned cash into the fitness franchise.

Action packed! He whispers the words 'Ladbroke it' and laughs when a fire explodes in the background as he sits on a golf buggy

Mark also recently announced that he would be bringing his US burger chain Wahlburgers to Australia.

Earlier last month, Mark teased a temporary move Down Under after falling in love with the country during his recent business trip.

He told The Daily Telegraph that he's hoping to shoot a movie on the Gold Coast soon and that he wants to bring his family with him.

He's a fan: Mark also recently announced that he would be bringing his US burger chain Wahlburgers to Australia

'I'm looking forward to coming back,' he said.

'Hopefully I'll be able to move my family down to Australia for four to five months and make a movie on the Gold Coast and enjoy that beautiful country.'

Mark added that his wife, model Rhea Durham, 'would fall in love with Australia' if she visited.
The owner of a Yamhill County horse farm is facing a felony charge after investigators found the nearly 50 horses on her property were not being given adequate food or water.

Susan Swango, 82, is accused of one count of second-degree animal neglect, which is a felony because of how many animals she had. She is scheduled to appear in court March 24.

The Yamhill County Sheriffs Office said it received a report at the beginning of February that Silver Oaks Saddlebred, a farm in rural Carlton, had its water shut off for not paying its bills. The farms owner, Swango, had been the subject of previous animal neglect complaints, according to the agency.

The sheriffs office said deputies served Swango with a warrant Feb. 19 and found the horses did not have enough food and water. The animals were in concerning physical condition, according to the agency.

Deputies said Swango was getting water for the horses from a nearby creek, but the water was not enough for the animals.

The sheriffs office arranged for a donation of 2 tons of alfalfa hay, according to the agency. Swango accepted the alfalfa hay but turned down a donation of 1,000 gallons of water, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office, along with the Oregon Humane Society, served Swango a search warrant earlier this week.

Investigators and Sound Equine Options horse rescue personnel seized all 48 horses from the farm. The Oregon Humane Society also took seven cats from the property.

The sheriffs office said one of the horses died after it fell over while being moved to a trailer.

The agency also said Swango was subject to an investigation five months earlier, but investigators and a veterinarian who visited the property did not think there was enough evidence for an arrest or search warrant.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR
A report showing satellite images allegedly of mass graves holding hundreds bodies from a massacre in an ancient Ethiopian town that is home to the Ark of the Covenant has been released.

Eritrean soldiers fighting across the border in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region are believed to have killed hundreds of people in a massacre last year, that is likely a crime against humanity, Amnesty International said Friday.

The rights watchdog spoke to survivors of the atrocities and used satellite images to piece together the bloody events of last November in the ancient town of Axum.

The Amnesty report on what might be the deadliest massacre of Ethiopia's Tigray conflict describes the soldiers gunning down civilians as they fled, lining up men and shooting them in the back, rounding up 'hundreds, if not thousands' of men for beatings and refusing to allow those grieving to bury the dead.

'The evidence is compelling and points to a chilling conclusion. Ethiopian and Eritrean troops carried out multiple war crimes in their offensive to take control of Axum,' said Deprose Muchena of Amnesty International.

'Above and beyond that, Eritrean troops went on a rampage and systematically killed hundreds of civilians in cold blood, which appears to constitute crimes against humanity.

'This atrocity ranks among the worst documented so far in this conflict.'

Satellite imagery has been analysed by Amnesty International in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region to piece together the bloody events of last November in the ancient town of Axum. The above shows signs on newly disturbed earth near a church where many people are believed to have been buried after a massacre in November, 'likely a crime against humanity'

It was reported last week that up to 800 people are believed to have been killed in the fighting, news of which has only just emerged because the region has been cut off from outsiders.

Tigray has been the theatre of fighting since early November 2020, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced military operations against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), accusing them of attacking federal army camps.

He declared victory after pro-government troops took the regional capital Mekele in late November, though the TPLF vowed to fight on, and clashes have persisted in the region.

Thousands have been killed and millions put on the brink of starvation.

Tigray has been without internet and difficult to access since the start of the conflict, making claims and counter-claims of violence hard to confirm.

The presence of Eritrean troops in Ethiopia is widely documented but has been denied by Addis Ababa and Asmara.

Eritrea fought a brutal border war with Ethiopia in 1998-2000, back when the TPLF dominated Ethiopia's governing coalition.

Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 in large part for initiating a rapprochement with Eritrea, whose President Isaias Afwerki and the TPLF remain bitter enemies.

Amnesty said it had spoken to 41 survivors and witnesses of the violence who said that on November 19, 2020, Ethiopian and Eritrean military forces took control of Axum 'in a large-scale offensive, killing and displacing civilians with indiscriminate shelling and shooting.'

'In the nine days that followed, the Eritrean military engaged in widespread looting of civilian property and extrajudicial executions.'

The Ark of the Covenant (depicted above) is described in the Bible as an ornate wooden casket which houses stone tablets etched with the Ten Commandments. It is said to have been in the Axum church since the 1960s

Over a period of about 24 hours, 'Eritrean soldiers deliberately shot civilians on the street and carried out systematic house-to-house searches, extrajudicially executing men and boys,' the report says.

'The massacre was carried out in retaliation for an earlier attack by a small number of local militiamen, joined by local residents armed with sticks and stones.'

Witnesses said the Eritrean forces were easily identifiable, via their vehicles, language and unique ritual facial scars, while they also openly declared themselves as such.

The worst violence unfolded after a small group of pro-TPLF militiamen attacked the soldiers' base on 28 November and they retaliated, leaving the town strewn with bodies.

'The Eritrean soldiers came into the city and started killing randomly,' said a 22-year-old man who had wanted to bring food to the militia, who he described as young and barely knowing how to fight.

Residents told Amnesty that many victims in Axum carried no weapons and were running away from the soldiers when they were shot.

Tigray has been the theatre of fighting since early November 2020, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (pictured) announced military operations against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), accusing them of attacking federal army camps

Separate satellite imagery shows damage to the town of Gijet, roughly 60 miles away from Axum. Left: Red crosses relate to number of structures significantly damaged in deliberate fires. Right: Home structures destroyed by fire around Gijet

'I saw a lot of people dead on the street. Even my uncle's family. Six of his family members were killed. So many people were killed,' said a 21-year-old male resident.

The next day the soldiers allegedly shot at those trying to move the bodies, while carrying out house-to-house raids.

'The next day, they did not allow us to pick the dead. The Eritrean soldiers said you cannot bury the dead before our dead soldiers are buried,' one woman told Amnesty International.

With hospitals looted or health workers having fled, some witnesses said a number of people died from their wounds because of lack of care.

One man told Amnesty he saw soldiers line up six men and shoot them from behind in the street outside his house.

The organisation said it had collected the names of more than 240 of the victims, but could not independently verify the overall death toll. However, corroborating testimonies and evidence made it plausible that hundreds had died.

'Residents estimate that several hundred people were buried in the aftermath of the massacre, and they attended funerals at several churches where scores were buried,' said the report.

Ethnic violence over land and resources has been a persistent problem in Ethiopia under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who came to office in April 2018. Ethiopian forces and soldiers from neighbouring Eritrea have for months been fighting troops loyal to the former Tigrayan regional government

'Gathering the bodies and carrying out the funerals took days. Most of the dead appear to have been buried on 30 November, but witnesses said that people found many additional bodies in the days that followed,' the report said.

After obtaining permission from Ethiopian soldiers to bury the dead, witnesses said they feared the killings would resume any moment, even as they piled bodies onto horse-drawn carts and took them to churches for burial, at times in mass graves.

Satellite imagery showed signs of mass burials near two of the town's churches.

'As a matter of urgency, there must be a UN-led investigation into the grave violations in Axum. Those suspected of responsibility for war crimes or crimes against humanity must be prosecuted in fair trials and victims and their families must receive full reparation,' said Muchena.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) chief Daniel Bekele said Amnesty's findings should be taken 'very seriously'.

The EHRC said in a statement it is also looking into the massacre and while its investigation is not complete, preliminary findings 'indicate the killing of an, as yet, unknown number of civilians by Eritrean soldiers in the city of Axum.'

Elsewhere in the country, a shocking video filmed at the monastery of Debre Abay, south-west of Axum in the Tigray region, appears to show Ethiopian soldiers walking among the bodies of villagers

Last week, it was reported amid the alleged massacre, hundreds of worshippers armed with 'cobbles and sticks' rushed to protect the sacred Ark of the Covenant.

As skirmishes broke out between soldiers and rebel fighters in the holy city of Axum, in the Tigray region, worshippers rushed to defend the Church of St Mary of Zion.

A local university lecturer claimed to The Times that some people 'were killed' after running to 'support priests and others protecting the ark' at the church.

The ark is described in the Bible as an ornate wooden casket which houses stone tablets etched with the Ten Commandments. It is said to have been in the Axum church since the 1960s.

A shocking video filmed at the monastery of Debre Abay, south-west of Axum, appears to show the aftermath of a war crime carried out by Ethiopian soldiers.

They are seen joking and laughing as they walk among the bodies of villagers.

The fighting at the Church of St Mary of Zion, between Eritrean soldiers and rebel Tigrayan militia, saw up to 800 people killed.

The world's media has been largely cut off from the region since the fighting began.

What is happening in Ethiopia? Ethnic violence over land and resources has been a persistent problem in Ethiopia under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who came to office in April 2018. Ethiopian forces and soldiers from neighbouring Eritrea have for months been fighting troops loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), who formerly governed the region. Eritrea, which shares a border with the Tigray region, has long been an enemy of the TPLF. Ethiopia and Eritrea previously fought a two-decade border war which came to an end in 2018 when prime minister Ahmed made peace. It won him the Nobel Peace Prize. For months, Ethiopian and Eritrean forces have been battling troops loyal to the former Tigrayan regional government. In November, Ahmed declared victory over the TPLF after seizing Tigray's capital, Mekele. However, fighting has continued to rage between the two sides. Advertisement

Getu Mak, 32, a university lecturer told The Times: 'When people heard the shooting, they ran to the church to give support to the priests and others protecting the ark.

'Certainly some of them were killed for doing that.'

The defenders of the ark reportedly armed themselves with only 'cobbles and sticks', according to witnesses who spoke to the Belgium-based non-governmental Europe External Programme with Africa.

Getu added that worshippers were worried the ark would be taken from the church 'to Eritrea, to [Ethiopian capital] Addis Ababa' or may disappear entirely.

A day after the killings at the church, Eritrean forces reportedly went looking for people sympathetic to the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

Getu said there was 'no mercy' and even the young and old were targeted.

And the horrifying video filmed at Debre Abay monastery and posted on social media showed pools of blood and the ground strewn with dozens of bodies.

Groans could be heard from one seriously injured man who was seen on the floor, lying between corpses.

The soldiers could be seen laughing as they talked to each other following what appears to have been a mass execution.

Humanitarian organisations have previously warned of a hunger crisis on the scale of that which was scene in the 1980s.

The United Nations has said that 80 per cent of Tigray's population of six million is cut off from help.

However, Eritrea's government is rejecting as 'outrageous lies' reports of a massacre.

Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel criticised last Thursday's (February 18) story by the Associated Press on the massacre in Ethiopia's holy city of Axum in a series of Twitter posts last Friday (February 19).

'Relevant Ethiopian institutions had long ascertained the utter fallacy of the story,' he said.

Gebremeskel has not responded to AP questions throughout the months-long Tigray conflict.

Eritrea's government has not confirmed the presence of reportedly thousands of its soldiers in Tigray.

Witnesses from several communities in Tigray have accused them of widespread looting, killing and sexual assaults.

The Tigray region borders Eritrea, and witnesses have described seeing truckloads of loot pass through on their way toward the country.

An elderly woman who fled to the city of Axum in the Tigray region of Ethiopia to seek safety sits with her head bandaged after being wounded during an attack on the city, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. She later died of her wounds

Thursday's story cited witnesses as saying Eritrean soldiers attacked and killed civilians in the streets and churches of Axum, then blocked some people from burying the bodies.

Eritrea, one of the world's most secretive nations, has long been an enemy of the now-fugitive former leaders of the Tigray region, who dominated Ethiopia's government for nearly three decades.

During that time, Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a two-decade border war.

That conflict ended in 2018 when incoming Prime Minister Ahmed made peace with Eritrea, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.

Now some critics of the Tigray conflict accuse Ahmed of collaborating with long-time Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to target the region.

No one knows how many thousands of civilians have been killed.

The Ethiopian Red Cross this month warned that without improved humanitarian access to a region where 80 per cent of the population of 6 million is still unreachable, thousands of people could starve to death after a month.

Herbig-Haro objects are some of the rarer sights in the night sky, taking the form of thin spindly jets of matter floating among the surrounding gas and stars.

The two Herbig-Haro objects cataloged as HH46 and HH47, seen in this image taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, were spotted in the constellation of Vela (the Sails), at a distance of over 1,400 light-years from Earth. Prior to their discovery in 1977 by the American astronomer R. D. Schwartz, the exact mechanism by which these multi-colored objects formed was unknown.



It had been theorized that a Herbig-Haro object could be a type of reflection nebula - a nebula that does not emit light of its own, but shines because starlight is scattered or reflected off its dust cloud. Another theory suggested that it was a type of shock wave formed when winds emitted from a star interact with the surrounding matter.

The mystery was finally solved when a protostar, unseen in this image, was discovered at the center of the long jets of matter in HH46 and HH47. The outflows of matter, some 10 light-years across, were ejected from the newly born star and violently propelled outwards at speeds of over 93 miles (150 kilometers) per second. Upon reaching the surrounding gas, the collision created the bright shock waves seen here.



Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, B. Nisini Larger image

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One of Sen. Richard Shelbys lasting legacies as he heads into retirement in two years is the millions of dollars he helped bring home for Alabama projects.

Alabamas senior senator is also sitting on millions of dollars in both his campaign account and his leadership PAC, Defend America, and he has plenty of options on how to spend that money.

Shelby, a Republican who has represented Alabama in the Senate for nearly 35 years, has nearly $10 million in cash on hand in his Senate campaign account.

This money has more restrictions on it than the roughly $7 million in Defend America PAC, including that it cant be spent for personal use.

Personal use is generally defined as any use of funds in a campaign account of a present or former candidate to fulfill a commitment, obligation, or expense of any person that would exist irrespective of the candidates campaign or duties as a federal officeholder, said Federal Election Commission spokesman Myles Martin.

However, campaign funds may be used for several permissible non-campaign related expenses such as winding down costs of a federal officeholders office for a period of up to six months after he or she leaves office, charitable donations, or transfers to any political party committee (national, state, or local).

But Defend America PAC does not have to operate within those limitations.

The prohibition on personal use currently applies only to campaign committees and not other types of committees, including political action committees or political party committees, Martin said, adding that the FEC is suggesting Congress pass a law extending those prohibitions to all political committees.

The wide leeway granted to PACs is troublesome, according to Erin Chlopak, director of campaign strategy for the Campaign Legal Center, a campaign finance watchdog group.

Leadership PACs are a loophole  theyre intended to allow candidates to raise money to help other members or other candidates get elected, other politicians, but they are a frequent source for lavish spending, she said. The leadership PAC loophole, this is a real serious problem.

For instance, Chlopak noted, the leadership PAC organized by Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul spent less than 7 percent of its total spending toward contributions to other candidates or committees. In 2018, Pauls PAC spent more than $11,000 on restaurants in Italy and Malta and $4,500 on limo service in Rome.

However, sources familiar with Shelbys thinking said he wont use his PACs funds on hotel rooms, steakhouses and other luxuries, although thats legally allowed under FEC rules.

Shelby hasnt yet determined how hell go about emptying his campaign and PAC funds, a spokesman for the senator told AL.com.

While nothing has been finalized, Sen. Shelby and his campaign finance committee plan to discuss possible options related to these funds in the months ahead, the spokesman said.

Here are some ways Shelby could make use of his campaign money:

Donating to candidates for federal office

One of the allowed uses of campaign account money is to donate to candidates for federal office. Shelby could contribute to the candidate he prefers to succeed him in the Senate, but he cant unload all of his funds to that candidates bank account.

The current limit is $2,000, so he could spread that around to a few candidates, or Alabamas entire Republican congressional delegation. The FEC updates this limit every two years.

Contributing to national and state/local Republican Party committees

There are no limits to how much Shelby could donate to the Republican National Committee or Alabama or local party committees.

Donate to charity

Charitable donations are allowed under FEC rules.
Union boss John Setka has launched a furious attack on his rivals ahead of a landmark vote next week on whether the CFMMEU will split under new federal government laws.

As well as taking aim at his opponents within the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, the secretary of the unions construction and general division in Victoria has hit out at the Morrison government, Labors federal leadership and the ACTU.

John Setka is one of the first guest to appear on the Melbourne Calling podcast hosted by City of Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly. Credit:Benny Capp

But in a wide-ranging interview to be broadcast online this week, Mr Setka talked up his record as a unifier within the union and his dedication to the rights of members, while maintaining he was a champion for the growing number of women in the construction industry.

Mr Setka said he frequently told male construction workers to imagine how they would feel if their wife, mother, daughter or niece was treated poorly on a worksite.
WASHINGTON  Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia approved the assassination of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, according to an intelligence report that the Biden administration released on Friday that offered the world a reminder of the brutal killing.

An elite team of operatives helped carry out the killing, the report said. The team reported directly to Prince Mohammed, who cultivated a climate of fear that made it unlikely for aides to act without his consent, according to the report. It omitted the brutal details of Mr. Khashoggis death, including the dismemberment of his body with a bone saw after Saudi officials lured him to their consulate in Istanbul.

But the Biden administration took no direct action against Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, instead announcing travel and financial sanctions on other Saudis involved in the killing and on members of the elite unit of the Royal Guard who protect the crown prince. The administration concluded it could not risk a full rupture of its relationship with the kingdom, relied on by the United States to help contain Iran, to counter terrorist groups and to broker peaceful relations with Israel. Cutting off Saudi Arabia could also push its leaders toward China.

Lawmakers of both parties praised the release of the report, but some Democrats, including Representative Adam B. Schiff of California, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, spoke out in dismay that the administration stopped short of more severely punishing Prince Mohammed for the killing of Mr. Khashoggi, a legal permanent resident of Virginia who was critical of the Saudi government in columns he wrote for The Post.
The office has been limited in its mission by the orders narrow design: Until a new law goes into effect in April, prosecutors can only pursue cases that result in a death. The victim also has to have been unarmed.

In one case, prosecutors determined they were unable to move forward with an investigation when a man was shot by police after he struck and seriously injured an officer with a chair. The chair, prosecutors decided, qualified as a weapon.

The attorney generals office said that of the 43 cases it has taken on under the 2015 order, grand juries declined to return indictments against officers in three of the deaths, including Mr. Prudes. Of 12 open cases, two involve officers who have been indicted. The other 10 remain under investigation, the office said.

A spokeswoman for the attorney general, as well as supporters of New Yorks program, said the lack of charges and convictions belied the units other achievement: enhancing public trust by extracting these cases from the hands of local prosecutors who might be loath to prosecute the police  in essence, their partners in law enforcement.

The numbers alone do not account for the independence and transparency that is so critical and that we provide, said Delaney Kempner, a spokeswoman for Ms. James.

But to some members of the public  and those who have lost loved ones at the hands of the police  improved transparency provides little comfort.

The justice system doesnt give a damn about us, Joe Prude, Mr. Prudes brother, told The New York Times a day after the grand jury declined to charge anyone involved in his brothers death. Thats not built for anyone in the community; thats built for the police to keep slaughtering people.
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Thats how near the past was, Dennis realized.

I knew, wow, I have slaves in my family, and I would like to know who they are, he said. It was an amazing pastime for me. It kept my mind off the fact that I knew that Monday morning I would have to go back to school and get bullied again.

The search was not just for ancestors, but also for the stories they chose not to pass down because they were so traumatic. Genealogy, after all, is a study of forgetting  sometimes forced by circumstance, sometimes protective. Denniss great-uncle, John Sherman Merritt, said it had been very difficult to get information from his elders, especially the great-grandmother who had been born before Emancipation and grew up during Reconstruction.

She was a lady of very few words  yes, no, and that was basically it, Mr. Merritt said. Back then, our folks were really quiet about what happened. Nobody gave you a real answer about what happened, but Im sure she went through a lot.

Dennis taught himself on the fly, learning how to search for records from YouTube videos and the Riverfront Library in Yonkers. Through his searches he came across the work of a fifth cousin, Teresa Vega, a generation older, who was already engaged in a rigorous study of their ancestors from her apartment in Upper Manhattan. Ms. Vega, who lectures regularly about genealogy, felt he was too quick to draw unproven connections, not following the careful protocols of professional genealogists. She schooled him harshly when he made mistakes.

I didnt know how young he was, she said. I had to apologize. We talked it out. Were collaborators now.

His father, Dennis Sr., knew that there were family mysteries to be unraveled, though he had not tried to unlock them himself. Many of his relativesdont look like theyre of African descent, he said. Just visualizing our family, you can see that theres a relation to different ethnic groups.
In his view, politicians are only interested in Del Rio, where he has always lived, during campaign season. When theyre running for office is when we see them, he said, laughing. People fly over us. They never stop in.

Val Verde County, where the median household income is about $46,000 and where about 85 percent of the residents are Hispanic, has been politically fluid for decades. But after several presidential elections in which it turned out for the Democratic candidate, it flipped for Donald J. Trump in November. Mr. Martinez was among those who saw Mr. Trump as someone who listened  particularly on issues of immigration.

No other elected official, he said, has found a viable way to fix the immigration system in a way that feels sustainable for the city. We needed somebody, at least in our eyes, start to fight back against a deck thats stacked against us, he said. He has said some things that were maybe disagreeable to some people, but we always felt like he was fighting for us.

Over the last few weeks, the number of migrants entering Del Rio has risen, propelled by expectations of a friendlier reception by the Biden administration and by shifts in Mexican policy that make it harder for the United States to expel some of them.
(Natural News) The wholesale electricity prices in Texas are soaring as the cold snap drastically reduced the states power generating capacity. On Monday, spot electricity prices at the West hub surpassed the grids $9,000 per megawatt-hour cap, a staggering increase from the average price of $25 per megawatt-hour.

The surge is equivalent to the cost of charging a Tesla going up from around $18 to $900.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the nonprofit organization that operates the states power grid, attributed the price hike to a surge in electricity demand and many power generators going offline due to the extreme winter weather.

We are dealing with higher-than-normal generation outages due to frozen wind turbines and limited natural gas supplies available to generating units, ERCOT said in a statement.

Natural gas-fired power generation is the states leading source of power, with more than 45 percent share. Wind power generation contributes around 25 percent of Texas electricity, surpassing coal-fired generation last year for the first time ever.

Texas to see more rolling blackouts

Rolling blackouts are expected to continue as the states power grid remains overwhelmed. Since Monday, more than three million people have had to deal with power outages as generators and natural gas pipes froze. But the electricity, according to ERCOT, is not going to get stable any time soon.

The number of controlled outages we have to do remains high. We are optimistic that we will be able to reduce the number throughout the day, Dan Woodfin, ERCOTs Senior Director of System Operations, said on Tuesday.

The council said that 70 to 80 power plants were offline and 46,000 megawatts were lost as of Wednesday, CNET reported. Thermal energy  natural gas, coal and nuclear  made up 28,000 of those megawatts while wind and solar power made up the rest. One megawatt is enough to power around 200 homes a year.

The ability for gas generators to produce, particularly at full output, was affected by the freezing impact on the natural gas supply  So getting those resources back is the central solution to getting people their power back, ERCOT president and CEO Bill Magness said on Wednesday.

The dramatic plunge in the states power generation led to rolling blackouts statewide as ERCOT tried to keep a balance between the power supply and demand to prevent a catastrophic blackout. This caused rolling outages to last much longer than the council anticipated.

Texas also cannot import power from other states because it has its own independent power grid. This grid is not connected to the Eastern Interconnection and Western Interconnection grids covering the rest of the country.

Texas officials slam overreliance on renewables

Texas officials are blaming the states overreliance on renewable energy for the rolling outages. Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw tweeted on Tuesday: The reason for blackouts is complex, but in summary: Texas took too many lessons from [California], over-subsidized renewables, & pushed out baseload energy like natural gas.

Fellow GOP Rep. Ronny Jackson agrees, noting that the states dependence on renewables needs to be revisited immediately. (Related: Solar power costs up to 3x as much as fossil fuels, nuclear and wind power.)

In an interview with Houstons ABC-13 on Tuesday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said that the blackouts were due to power generators freezing up, which incapacitated the states ability to generate enough power. On top of that, he added, the natural gas flowing into those power generators froze up too.

But later that day, Abbott offered a different explanation for the blackouts. Our wind and solar got shut down, and they are collectively 10 percent of our power grid, and that thrust Texas into a situation where it was lacking power in a statewide basis, Abbott said during Sean Hannitys program on Fox News.

As a result, it shows fossil fuel is necessary for the state of Texas, he continued.

Learn more about the winter blackouts across the nation at PowerGrid.news.

Sources include:

OilPrice.com

CNET.com
Traditional Greek food is a centerpiece of Greek Festival, which normally draws crowds to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral along Bayou St. John each Memorial Day weekend. Now, the community behind that event is using different means to share their food and keep the tradition going.

In December, Greek Fest organizers held a drive-thru Winter Greek Feast for people to pick up pre-ordered packages of baked goods at the church. They have two more scheduled  Spring Greek Feast on March 20; and Greek Feast, a Tribute to Greek Fest, on May 29.

The Friday fish fry is back: find New Orleans-area churches continuing the tradition The Lenten fish fry is a tradition robustly upheld around the New Orleans area, and that continues in 2021 with some modifications and more dr

For the March event, home cooks and the teams that normally prepare festival specialties will serve take-and-bake portions of lamb shank and moussaka, plus Greek pizzas, soups, salads, wraps and dips, and the festival's signature assortment of desserts and baked goods.

The deadline for pre-orders for the March 20 drive-thru event is March 7. See menus and details at holytrinitycathedral.org.

It's another example of efforts to carry on some of the events that normally fill the local calendar through the challenges of the pandemic.

Vickie Catsulis, chairwoman of Spring Greek Feast, said the experience of the December event encouraged the church community to continue the format.

People were so grateful and so generous, she said. I think people are hungry for this, for the experience. We are too, we want to cook for people, and this offers a safe way to do it.

+2 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience set to return in June with 'traditional' events, new approaches The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience is making a comeback, with a slate of events planned for June, banking on the enduring appeal of wi

Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The Greek Feast in May will feature a broader array of traditional dishes. Catsulis said organizers are considering holding a full version of Greek Festival in November  with music and dancing, togas and ouzo - provided local protocols allow large gatherings by then.

The Greek Feast events, however, may continue as an annual part of the churchs event calendar, with different seasonal Greek foods showcased at each one.

It could be one of those things to come out of the pandemic, she said. If it works, we could keep doing it.

What: Spring Greek Feast

When: ordering deadline March 7; pickup March 20

Where: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd.

Details for Greek Feast, a Tribute to Greek Fest, on May 29, will be finalized at a later date.

+21 Crawfish gave New Orleans restaurants a pandemic lifeline. Can they repeat this season? The crowds that normally pack Frankie & Johnnys Restaurant for po-boys and beer between parades were missing this Carnival season. The wi

+8 Friday fish fry at New Orleans restaurants opens new ideas, starts with a timeless one Before there were Mardi Gras house floats, before there was even festing in place, New Orleans saw one tradition recast very early in the pa
Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, say goodbye to law and order Joe.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Government added 1.7million more people 'at serious risk' to the list last week

Hundreds of thousands of people asked to shield in England are being invited for a Covid-19 vaccine jab.

About 1.7million more people were added to the shielding list last week after experts identified additional adults at serious risk of the virus.

Some 600,000 of that group are now being invited to book a slot at a vaccination centre or pharmacy service, NHS England said.

The remainder have already had their jab in the first phase of the vaccination programme.

Letters are also arriving for about 445,000 people aged 64 who have not yet been vaccinated.

It comes as the number of people who had had their first dose hit 18,691,835 across 1,600 vaccination sites including hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies and vaccination centres.

The shielding list was almost doubled after scientists developed a new tool which assesses whether someone is at risk of severe disease or death.

Over 600,000 people asked to shield in England are being invited for a Covid-19 vaccine jab after they were added to the extremely vulnerable list following new research by scientists (stock photo)

It comes as the number of people who had had their first dose hit 18,691,835 across 1,600 vaccination sites including hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies and vaccination centres

1.7million people were added to the shielding list - doubling the total to almost four million - after experts developed a new tool which assesses whether someone is at risk of severe disease or death

The tool looks at multiple factors including age, ethnicity, body mass index, other health conditions and also postcode, which is indicative of levels of deprivation.

The predictive risk model was developed by researchers led by scientists at Oxford University.

People who are shielding are advised not to leave their homes - except for brief exercise or medical appointments - because they're at much higher risk of being hospitalised or dying if they catch the coronavirus.

Even shielders who have had their first dose of vaccine are being told to continue shielding until they have had their second shot and developed immunity from it, which happens after about three weeks after the injection.

But children who live with people who are vulnerable should still go to school when they reopen, providing they are not at risk themselves.

The additional 1.7million brought the number on the shielding list to almost four million.

Meanwhile, a further 10 vaccination sites, including Reading's Madejski stadium and a theatre in Basildon, come online this week.

People on the shielding list were among the first in line for Covid vaccines in the UK. (Pictured: Glasgow resident John Loch, 69, receives his jab at the NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital on February 10)

This was the original top nine priority groups for the Covid vaccines, set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)

WHY DID THE SHIELDING LIST HAVE TO BE EXPANDED? The Department of Health said it was expanding the shielding list after the Government's scientific advisers identified additional adults at serious risk of Covid-19 using a new algorithm. Oxford University scientists developed the model, known as QCOVID, which analyses a combination of risk factors based on patients' medical records. It looks at their age, weight, ethnicity and level of deprivation, as well as whether they take certain medications. Of the 1.7million new shielders, 900,000 have already been vaccinated because their age or underlying health conditions has already made them eligible. But health chiefs are now racing to vaccinate the 800,000 who were missed during the first wave of vaccinations. They will be targeted before the end of April. WHAT DOES THE TOOL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION? The following are some variables were examined to make the tool: Age

Ethnicity

Postcode

Smoking status

BMI

Drug use

Cancer

Respiratory disease, such as asthma

Kidney disease, such as renal failure

Liver disease, such as alcohol-related

Heart disease

Neurological conditions such as Epilepsy and cerebral palsy

Rare diseases

Diabetes

Medications that compromise the immune system, such as chemotherapy

Mental illness, such as psychosis

Fragility fracture

Learning disability

Conditions or treatments that predispose to infection, such as Lupus Advertisement

Those who receive letters can book online or call 119 free of charge anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

People can pick a slot at 100 vaccination centres or almost 200 pharmacy services.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, said: 'The NHS vaccination programme is the biggest in the health service's history and continues to go from strength to strength.

'Hard-working NHS staff have already protected more than 15 million of the most vulnerable people against Covid in a matter of weeks.

'However, if you have already been offered a jab, especially if you're aged 70 or over, but have not taken it up, it is not too late. Please come forward so the NHS can protect you against coronavirus immediately.'

Vaccine minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said: 'The vaccination programme continues to expand at pace, and I encourage everyone, regardless of your religion or background, to come forward and get your vaccine when it's your turn.

'Vaccines will protect you and those around you from this awful disease and are the best way out of this pandemic.'

It comes as new data suggests one in five adults in England aged under 70 have had their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Provisional figures from NHS England show that 16,337,561 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and February 24, including first and second doses.

An estimated 20.3 per cent of people aged 16 to 69 had received their first jab as of February 21. The estimates show little variation between the regions, ranging from 17.2 per cent in London to 22.3 per cent in north-west England.

Some 94 per cent of residents of older adult care homes in England eligible to have their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine had received the jab by February 21, NHS England said.

Residents are classed as eligible for the vaccine if they have not had Covid-19 in the previous 28 days.

The equivalent figure for staff of older care homes is 71.5 per cent.

But only 54.8 per cent of eligible staff at older care homes in London are estimated to have received their first jab.

Some 54.2 per cent of social care staff at younger adult care homes and domiciliary care providers and 53.9 per cent of staff at other settings including 'non-registered providers and local authority employed' had received their first jab, the data showed.

England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday that healthcare workers had a 'professional responsibility to take steps themselves to prevent them from being in a position where they could harm patients through infectious diseases they might have'.

Asked how he felt about people working in the NHS or in care homes who were refusing to have the vaccine, Prof Van-Tam said the vast majority were getting a jab.

He added: 'I agree with Professor (Chris) Whitty in that I think healthcare workers have always had a professional responsibility to take steps themselves to prevent them from being in a position where they could harm patients through infectious diseases they might have.

'That's been a very clear position on hepatitis B vaccine and performing invasive procedures, particularly surgery, for decades and decades.

'And so I think that's the professional standard that everybody ought to adhere to.

'Now, the other way of framing this is saying, if you're a consumer of healthcare, if you're a patient or a relative, would you prefer a healthcare worker to attend you or your relative if they have been vaccinated against Covid, or would you not really mind either way?'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on February 14 that everyone in England in the top four priority groups, including those aged 70 and over, had been offered the vaccine.

Family conversations in BAME households are key to ending vaccine hesitancy, research suggests

The problem of poor uptake of Covid vaccines in black, Asian and minority ethnic households could be tackled by family conversations, new research indicates.

Eight in 10 people from BAME backgrounds trust information about vaccines from family members more than Government and the media.

The British Red Cross, which commissioned an online survey, said the findings suggest family conversations could be key to tackling vaccine hesitancy among certain BAME groups.

Some 82 per cent of vaccine-hesitant people from BAME communities said they could be convinced to have a jab, with their main concerns ranging from side effects, speed of production and ingredients, the charity said.

It added that 81 per cent of BAME people polled said they would trust information from their family, which is higher than the Government (66 per cent) and mainstream media (50 per cent).

The vast majority of people from BAME backgrounds trust information about vaccines from family members more than Government and the media, new research indicates (stock photo)

It added that while people from BAME backgrounds were more than twice as likely to have spoken to friends and family about vaccine concerns (31 per cent, compared to the national average of 14 per cent), they were also much more likely to have seen or heard information encouraging them not to have the vaccine (62 per cent, compared to 42 per cent of the national sample).

'Outright rejection of the vaccine is far highest among respondents identifying as Black African, Black Caribbean or Pakistani,' the charity added.

But Indian (85 per cent) and Chinese (89 per cent) communities were just as likely to have already had or were planning to have the vaccine as the UK average (87 per cent), it said.

'The research strongly points towards people from BAME backgrounds not being approached as one homogenous group,' said the charity, adding that it was calling for a 'person-centred approach to communicating with individuals about the vaccine'.

England sprinter Eugene Ado-Dadzie, from Essex, said he changed his mind and decided to have a vaccine after talking it through with a cousin.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said figures suggest between 11 and 15 per cent of people in the UK are vaccine-hesitant and it 'skews toward the black and Afro-Caribbean community and other BAME communities'

The 29-year-old said: 'It's made me think about things I wasn't considering before, like how what I do will impact on those around me.

'I'm very much of the opinion that people need to do their own research, you shouldn't be influenced by scaremongering.

'Reach out to people who are in the know and make your own decision.

'I've gone from a no, to actually yeah I think I would take it.'

Professor Geeta Nargund, vice chair of the British Red Cross and a senior NHS consultant, said: 'Unfortunately, we know that people from BAME communities are far more likely to have received misinformation encouraging them not to have the vaccine.

'Critically, and especially for people from BAME communities, your family is also likely to play a big part in the decision to have the vaccine.

'When it comes to family, a key thing to remember is that by taking the vaccine, you are not only protecting yourself but also saving the lives of your loved ones.

'Having informed conversations about the vaccine is a kind thing to do, that saves lives'.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said figures suggest between 11 and 15 per cent of people in the UK are vaccine-hesitant and it 'skews toward the black and Afro-Caribbean community and other BAME communities'.

The British Red Cross said it had commissioned an online survey, conducted by Opinium, among a UK nationally representative sample between February 15 and 23.
In early December, Dr. Katy Stephenson was watching TV with her family and scrolling through Twitter when she saw a tweet that made her shout.

I said Oh, my God!' she recalled. Super loud. My kids jumped up. My husband looked over. He said, Whats wrong, whats wrong, is everything OK? I was like, No, no, its the opposite. Its amazing. This is amazing!'

Dr. Rochelle Walensky had just been tapped to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Stephenson is an infectious diseases specialist and vaccine scientist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. So the news had special meaning for her and the many jubilant colleagues tweeting their joy. Theyd been helping one another through the brutal pandemic year, she said, while feeling they had little to no help from the federal government.

It was so baffling, she said. It wasnt even just that we didnt know what the government was doing. It was that sometimes it felt like sabotage. Like the federal government was actively trying to mess things up.

But through it all, as the long months became a year, Walensky had been out front, Stephenson said, sticking to the science and telling the truth.

When Walensky stepped up to lead the CDC, she promised to keep telling the truth  even when its bad news. She told a JAMA Network podcast last month that shell welcome straight talk from the scientists at the CDC as well.

They have been diminished, she said. I think theyve been muzzled  that science hasnt been heard. This top-tier agency, world-renowned, hasnt really been appreciated over the last four years and really markedly over the last year, so I have to fix that.

Walensky, 51, has long been a doctor on a mission  first, to fight AIDS around the world, and now, to shore up the CDC and get the United States through the pandemic. Beyond unmuzzling her agencys staff, she vows to tackle many other challenges, pushing particularly hard on vaccine distribution and rebuilding the public health system.

Walenskys family has a tradition of service, including a grandfather who served in World War II and rose to be a brigadier general. And she likens the call she got from the Biden administration to a hospital alarm that goes off when a patient is in cardiac arrest.

I got called during a code, she told JAMA. And when you get called during a code, your job is to be there to help.

At Massachusetts General Hospital, where Walensky was the chief of infectious diseases, some of her many admirers now have T-shirts that read Answer the Code with her initials, RPW, beneath.

The shirts are part of an outpouring of affection in Boston biomedical circles and far beyond that greeted Walenskys appointment  including a flood of floral bouquets that her husband and three sons helped accept after word of her new job got out.

At one point, one of my sons said, You know, Dad, we should just open a florist shop at this point, said Dr. Loren Walensky, the CDC director's husband.

He studies and treats childrens blood cancers at Boston Childrens Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. And now he could be called the first gentleman of the CDC.

He calls Rochelle his Wonder Woman and still remembers when he first saw her 30 years ago, in the cafeteria of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where they were both students.

She stood out, he said. And one of the reasons why she stood out is because she stands tall. Rochelle is 6 feet tall.

She also had extraordinary energy and discipline, even then, he remembered: Most of us would roll out of bed and stumble into the lecture hall as our first activity of the day and, for Rochelle, she was already up and running and bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for hours before any of us ever saw the light of day.

After medical school, Rochelle Walensky trained in a hospital medical unit so tough it was compared to the Marines. It was the mid-90s, and the AIDS epidemic was raging. She saw many people die. And then, a few years later, she saw the advent of HIV treatments that could save patients  if those patients could get access to testing and care.

Loren Walensky recalls coming home one day to find her sitting at the kitchen table working on extremely complex math. She was starting to broaden her focus from patient care to bigger-picture questions about the increased equity in health care that more funding and optimal treatment choices could bring.

And it was like a switch went off, he said, and she just had this natural gift for this style of testing  whether if you did X, would Y happen, and if you did X with a little more money, then how would that affect Y? And all of these if-thens.

She started doing more research, including studies of ways to get more patients tested and treated for AIDS, even in the poorest countries. One of her most prominent papers calculated that HIV drugs had given American patients at least 3 million more years of life.

She worked with Dr. Ken Freedberg, a leading expert on how money is best spent in medicine.

You cant do everything, Freedberg said, and even if you could, you cant do everything at once. So what Rochelle is particularly good at is understanding data about treatments and public health and costs, and putting those three sets of data together to understand, Well, what do we do? And what do we do now?'

So, if Walensky had a Wonder Woman superpower, it was using data to inform decisions and save lives. That analytic skill has come in handy over the past year, as she has helped lead the pandemic response for her Boston hospital and for the state of Massachusetts.

She has weighed in often  and publicly  about coronavirus policy and medicine, speaking to journalists with a seemingly natural candor that has contrasted with the stiffer style of some federal officials. In April, when a huge surge of covid cases hit, she acknowledged the pain.

We are experiencing incredibly sad days, she said in a spring interview. But we sort of face every day with the hope and the vision that what we will be faced with, we can tackle.

And in November, she offered a sobering reality check from the front lines about current covid medical treatments: When I think about the armamentarium of true drugs that we have that benefit people with this disease, its pretty sparse, she said.

Walensky published research on key pandemic topics, such as college testing and antibody treatments. And she weighed in often publicly  on Twitter, in newspapers and on radio and TV. Asked on CNN whether the President Joe Biden's plan to get 100 million Americans vaccinated in 100 days could restore a sense of normalcy, she responded with characteristic bluntness  a quality that could cause trouble in these polarized times.

I told you Id tell you the truth, she said. I dont think were going to feel it then. I think were still going to have, after we vaccinate 100 million Americans, were going to have 200 million more that were going to need to vaccinate.

Walensky is facing a historic challenge and leading an agency for which shes never worked.

Already, shes fielded blowback for the new CDC guidance on when and how schools should reopen, and shes openly worried about new, more transmissible variants spreading nationwide.

Still, Boston colleagues said they have no doubt shell succeed in making the transition from leading an infectious diseases division of 300 staffers to a public health agency of about 13,000.

I would lie down in traffic for her, said Elizabeth Barks, the infectious diseases divisions administrative director at Mass General. And I think our entire division would lie down in traffic for her.

Leading and rebuilding the CDC in the midst of a pandemic will be difficult. But Barks and others who know Walensky well said shes clear-eyed and ready to dig in to meet the challenge; shell try a new approach if first attempts fall short.

Walensky brought a plaque from her desk in Boston to CDC headquarters in Atlanta. It reads: Hard things are hard.

This story is part of a partnership that includes WBUR, NPR and KHN.
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Cell C has repositioned, and they have a new strap line; "Change Your World", which is intended to not only inspire a renewed spirit of storytelling but also how the business operates and competes in a tough category...
Working at high-security laboratory of the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI). Credit: IVI

Prior to the emergence of new mutants of the coronavirus, such as the British variant B.1.1.7, the SARS-CoV-2 variant named D614G had already mutated from the original SARS-CoV-2 pathogen that triggered the pandemic. D614G has rapidly spread to become the most abundant variant worldwide and this D614G mutation remains in all the new emerging variants. An international team including researchers from Bern has now been able to demonstrate in both the laboratory and in animal models why the D614G variant was able to gain the upper hand over the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. "Our approach also allows us to characterize emerging mutations such as the British variant B.1.1.7 better and quicker," says Volker Thiel of the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), one of the four lead authors of the study. The findings are extremely important for assessing the risk of new mutants running rampant, as they show how a fitness advantage of virus variants can lead to higher transmission. First results were released earlier allowing for scientific discussion on what is known as a preprint server. The results of the study have now been published in full in Nature.

The D614G variant carries a mutation in the spike protein that makes it easier for the virus to dock onto human cells. The researchers at IVI and in David E. Wentworth's laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (USA) first demonstrated in human cell cultures from the upper respiratory tract, as well as from the nose, that the D614G variant binds more strongly and also replicates faster than the original virus. The increased replication of the D614G variant was also confirmed in vivo, in a new mouse model first described in this study. These experiments were also carried out at the IVI in Charaf Benarafa's group.

The new mutation clearly prevails

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 viruses can be studied better in other animals rather than mice. Hamsters and ferrets are well established in infection research and are especially suitable animal models. To compare the two variants, a mixture of equal parts of the original version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the D614G variant was applied into the nose of each animal under light anesthesia. After one day, experimentally infected animals were rehoused with another healthy sentinel animal of the same species, to evaluate the transmission of the two variants in direct competition with each other. The experiment was repeated with six pairs of animals in total. In virtually all sentinel animals, the proportion of transmitted SARS-CoV-2 viruses was massively dominated by the D614G variant early on. The differentiation of the variants was carried out using the latest sequencing technology and PCR techniques by Martin Beer's team at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, in Greifswald-Insel Riems (D). "Our study stands out because we were able to clearly discern the more efficient transmission of the mutated variant in direct comparison with the original variant," says Volker Thiel.

A fitness test for further mutations

This approach can even be used to test any single mutation or a specific combination of mutations that are present in a number of currently circulating viral variants. The IVI relies on a cloning technique developed in Bern a year ago, in which SARS-CoV-2 viruses can be exactly reproduced in the laboratory. The British virus, for example, is known to have not just one but often more than 14 mutations, eight of which occur in the spike protein. Thus, with the help of the cloning technique, any number of mutations of variants can be reproduced and used to compete against each other in the established cell cultures and animal models. The results show how single mutations affect the fitness and transmissibility of new variants. "Our testing strategy allows us to rapidly examine why other, newly emerging virus variants have become established," says Volker Thiel.

Similar research projects on infectious pathogens could also be carried out in the future at the newly established Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases and Immunity (MCIDI) at the University of Bern.

Explore further Mutation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein renders virus up to eight times more infectious

More information: Bin Zhou et al, SARS-CoV-2 spike D614G change enhances replication and transmission, Nature (2021). Journal information: Nature Bin Zhou et al, SARS-CoV-2 spike D614G change enhances replication and transmission,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03361-1
YouTube CPAC

UPDATE 9:42 a.m.

Canada's vaccine rollout received a significant boost Friday with the approval of a third COVID-19 inoculation, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced another partnership with an India-based institute that will deliver two million additional doses of the newly authorized jab to Canadians by the spring.

Trudeau spoke on Friday hours after Health Canada announced it had approved a COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.

The new partnership also means Canada will receive two million doses of the CoviShield vaccine, which is the same as AstraZeneca's product, through an agreement with Mississauga, Ont.'s Verity Pharmaceuticals and the Serum Institute of India.

Trudeau says the firstshipment of half a million of CoviShield doses will arrive by March.

Health Canada's chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma said in a briefing Friday that the CoviShield and AstraZeneca products are "for all intents and purposes" the same vaccine.

The difference is in where they are manufactured, she said, using the analogy of the same recipe made in two different kitchens.

The two million doses of CoviShield are in addition to the 20 million doses Canada already secured with AstraZeneca that will start arriving in the spring.

Trudeau said as vaccinations ramp up across the country, many provinces have expanded the number of health professions able to administer a COVID-19 vaccine, and he asked for dentists, midwives, pharmacy technicians and retired nurses to lend a hand in the rollout.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking with reporters from Parliament Hill Friday morning says Canada will get 6.5 million doses of various vaccines by the end of March. Trudeau also indicated that "tens of millions" more doses will be coming between April and June.

ORIGINAL 8:23 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discusses the federal governments response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He is joined by federal ministers Patty Hajdu (health), Anita Anand (public services and procurement), and Dominic LeBlanc (intergovernmental affairs), as well as Major-General Dany Fortin (vice president of logistics and operations at the Public Health Agency of Canada), Dr. Theresa Tam, Canadas chief public health officer, and Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer. They discuss Health Canadas authorization of the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the appointment of Oksana Markarova to the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States of America.

Congratulating Oksana Markarova on the appointment, the Head of State noted that her candidacy has three key advantages: patriotism, a high level of professionalism and a very positive perception in the United States.

"I am convinced that these three factors are the formula for success in strengthening the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States," Volodymyr Zelensky said, the press service of the Head of State informs.

The President stressed that the Ambassador should focus primarily on establishing an effective dialogue with the administration of the new President of the United States of America Joe Biden. It is also necessary to actively work with the US Congress, maintain a constant dialogue with legislators and strengthen bipartisan support for Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the importance of involving the United States in the Donbas settlement process, as well as in the efforts to de-occupy Crimea.

The President paid special attention to the need to strengthen the US sanctions against Russia, in particular as regards the Nord Stream 2 project.

Washington's support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic course is also fundamentally important, especially in the issue of adopting NATO's decision to provide Ukraine a MAP, the statement reads.

Also, according to the Head of State, one of the main tasks of the new Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States is to facilitate further support of the United States for the internal transformation of our state aimed to improve the welfare of Ukrainian citizens.

I am also confident that Oksana Markarova will set an example in the development of economic diplomacy: in attracting foreign direct investment in Ukraine, in promoting Ukrainian exports and defending the interests of Ukrainian business, which is a particularly important issue for all our diplomats and what I demand of them, the President emphasized.

As a reminder, Oksana Markarova served as the Minister of Finance of Ukraine from June 2018 to March 4, 2020.

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Taoiseach Micheal Martin at Government Buildings in Dublin, where he addressed the nation. Photo: Julien Behal Photography/PA Wire

Taoiseach Micheal Martin is facing growing anger within his own party over his handling of the pandemic.

After Fine Gael politicians hit out at the Taoiseach last night, Fianna Fail TDs have now criticised Mr Martin as public support for their party continued to plummet.

There was widespread frustration among Fianna Fail TDs when they gathered in the Convention Centre for Dail votes, after the latest opinion poll showed they had dropped three points to 14pc.

The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll showed Fine Gael was down five points but still at 30pc, while Sinn Fein was down one to 28pc.

Fianna Fail TDs believe they are feeling the brunt of the publics increasing anger over the continued lockdowns imposed by the Government.

Speaking on The Floating Voter podcast, Sligo-Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry accused Mr Martin of refusing to listen to his party members suggestions about Covid-19.

Mr MacSharry said if a Fianna Fail backbencher came up with a cure for cancer it would not be taken seriously by the party leader.

He insisted Mr Martin should step down when his term as Taoiseach comes to an end and announced his support for Jim OCallaghan in a leadership contest.

I think 12 years of a leader is enough, it needs to be refreshed and thats it. Its not personal, its business. Its good business to change it, he said.

Meanwhile, Kildare North TD James Lawless said the extension of the lockdown was largely predictable and he called on the Government to give people hope.

We need to deliver more successes and less bad news. Get the vaccines out and put to bed any more rows about what cohort goes first, he added.

A number of TDs and senators privately said they were disillusioned with the party and insisted change was needed sooner rather than later.

The mood in the party has plummeted and theres not a lot left to lose in getting rid of Micheal, one TD said.

If there was a vote between Micheal and Jim in the morning, Jim would win.

Another TD said it was scary how angry the public were towards Fianna Fail.

Anger is the new politics and we risk becoming hate figures, the TD said.

A Fianna Fail senator said: Micheal will step down after his time as Taoiseach and we will refresh then. Everyone knows thats the time frame.

We have to go for a younger leader. A woman would be an advantage but there is none with enough experience.

It will probably be Jim OCallaghan, who has made it obvious he is waiting in the wings.

Junior minister Sean Fleming said he could not remember a new Government facing a more difficult first year in office.

I can understand why the public mood has been reflected in the polls but we have to stick with the plan on Covid, Mr Fleming said.

The Taoiseachs spokesperson said Mr Martin took on board all criticism when making decisions. He added that the only poll that matters is the one at election time.

In the poll, Mr Martins personal satisfaction rating increased by three points to 42pc, but he was still 10 points behind Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, who was on 52pc despite dropping 13 points. It also showed 39pc of the public think Mr Martin has done a good job during the pandemic.
(CNN)  US officials in China have asked local authorities to refrain from subjecting US staff in the country to COVID-19 anal swabs, according to a US diplomat based in China.

On Thursday, China responded to a Vice News report which claimed that US diplomats in the country were complaining after having been administered the swab tests.

"The State Department never agreed to this kind of testing and protested directly to [China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs] when we learned that some staff were subject to it," a state department spokesperson told CNN in a statement on Thursday.

"We have received assurances from [the ministry] that this was in error and that diplomatic personnel are exempt from this testing requirement. We have instructed staff to decline this test if it is asked of them (as was done in the past)," the statement added.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was unaware of anal swab tests being administered.

"As far as I know, and I have also checked with my colleagues, China has never asked US diplomats in China to take anal swab tests," ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing on Thursday.

The US diplomatic source told CNN that US representatives in China have been "negotiating with the Chinese for a while" to avoid their staff being subjected to such tests.

Chinese state media have been reporting in the last few weeks that anal swab tests were being used in some cases. Some doctors and studies in China consider them more reliable than nasal or throat swab tests.

"Some asymptomatic patients or those with minor symptoms recover fast [from Covid-19], and it's possible that throat tests won't be effective for these people in three to five days," Li Tongzeng, an infectious disease doctor in China, told CNN.

"Researchers have shown that for some infected people, the duration time of positive nucleic results lasted longer on their excrement and anal swab test [samples] than those on the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, adding anal swab tests can improve the positive detection rate of the infected," he said.

It is unclear whether anal swabs are more efficient at detecting Covid-19.
Honestly, I was not expecting this, but Nicholas Kristof is right about school openings. This is from Fox News:

"Many Democrats seemed to be more suspicious of in-person schooling last summer when President Donald Trump called for it," he writes, adding, "We shouldnt let ourselves be driven by ideology rather than science."

Yes, a little too much Trump Derangement Syndrome on the Democrat side of the aisle.

I wonder when the teachers' union will call on the New York Times to cancel Kristof. After all, telling the truth can get you canceled in today's climate.

Many of us have seen Catholic schools or other private schools open and operate successfully in North Texas. Some of our public schools have also opened with no apparent damage to kids or teachers. In fact, I spoke with a father a couple days ago who told me that his kids can choose between "in person" and "virtual" in the local high school.

The real question is this: how much damage has the union done to its brand? The answer is significant. You are seeing more and more parents homeschooling or calling the private schools and negotiating the enrollment of their children. For example, a local friend who works for the Catholic schools told me that the phone is constantly ringing or parents asking for a spot this year.

Maybe Mr. Kristof can follow this article with one about how the media shot themselves in the foot by going anti-Trump 24/7.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: New York Times.
Kerala-based (SIB) has got Board approval to raise Rs 240 crore from HDFC Life, Kotak Mahindra Life, SBI Life and ICICI Lombard on a preferential basis. The Bank is also planning to raise another Rs 510 crore to support its Vision 2024, which will focus on 6Cs.

SIB reported a net loss of Rs 92 crore during the quarter ended December 2020, as compared to Rs 91 crore profit during the same period last year.

The banks CEO Murali Ramakrishnan, who took over in October 2020, said that the loss was largely due to four extraordinary events including provision on security receipts (SRs), cumulative interest reversal upfront provision and one time additional employee provision requirement on account of the Wage settlement which got finalised during the quarter which resulted in Rs 240 crore.

For me performance over the long run is important, not just in one or two quarters, said Ramakrishnan, who expects the bank to turn around during the first quarter of 2021-22.

He was appointed the banks CEO in October 2020 and will be the first from the private sector in SIB. His appointment comes at a time when the lender is looking at strengthening its retail book. Ramakrishnan was a key member in building the retail portfolio at ICICI Bank.

The lender's focus has been on improving the granularity of the loan book and the bank has been consciously increasing the mix of Retail, Agri, and MSME loans. It is targeting a Rs 71,000-72,000 crore deposit (retail) book by 2024.

SIBs corporate book is expected to come down to 15 per cent from the 24 per cent, as the bank is planning to focus on RAM (retail, agriculture and MSME). RAM contribution is expected to increase to 85 in the next three years as against 76 per cent now.

SIB's turnaround will be based on 6Cs, he says. These include Capital, CASA, Cost-to-income, Competency building, Customer focus, and Compliance. They will be backed by patience, perseverance and hardwork, he said.

By 2020-24, SIB targets a loan book of Rs 1 trillion (from Rs 63,000 crore as of December 2020) CASA mix of 35 per cent (28 per cent as of December 2020), and PCR of over 65 per cent (around 72 per cent including write-offs as of December 2020 NIM of 3.5 per cent).

In the medium term, the lender expects to see a marginal increase in GNPA by 2024. However SIB expects to contain at 4.9 per cent and NNPA at 1.5 per cent.

The bank aims to leverage its South India franchise and strengthen its presence in North and its NRI base. It is looking to re-organise its team, with a new vertical focusing on asset business.

While current growth trends remain muted due to Covid-19, the bank is optimistic about a revival in growth from the first quarter of 2021-22. Personal loans will likely grow at a faster rate, doubling in 2-3 years, aided by a benign base.

SIB has been delivering muted performance, with higher provisions and opex impacting earnings, while its margin profile remains modest. Business growth remains tepid, impacted by a challenging environment.
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The NPP General Secretary, John Boadu visited and mourn with the family of a hardworking party activist named Abdul Razak, popularly known as AA Razak in Tamale who died a day before after a short ailment on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.



He assisted the family to retrieve the mortal remains of the deceased from the morgue and giving him a befitting burial in line with Islamic customs.



Until his death, AA Razak was the Tamale Metro Director of NADMO and had been a close ally of the NPP Chief Scribe.



He presented an undisclosed sum of money to the bereaved family and assured them of his readiness to assist them in these trying times.



John Boadu was accompanied by some regional and constituency executives of the NPP in the Northern Region.



John Boadu also used the opportunity to join the Osafo Marfo-led Elections Review Committee to wrap up their rounds of the Northern Region.

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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Hyundai Motor Co.s recall of nearly 82,000 electric vehicles highlights how costly the shift to the industrys new frontier can be for automakers, both to their balance sheets and their brands.

The recall mostly affects Hyundais best-selling electric Kona crossover and stems from fire risks in battery cells produced in China by LG Energy Solution Co. It is expected to cost about 1 trillion won ($900 million) and will be reflected in fourth-quarter results, though the final figure will be based on negotiations with LG Energy, the South Korean automaker said Wednesday.

The figure equals nearly half of Hyundais 2020 net income and underscores the significant financial risks and potential brand damage that can arise following new EV rollouts," Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Steve Man and Joanna Chen wrote Thursday.

Government probes into issues such as battery fires can also lead to delays in model launches and hurt sales, Man and Chen said. Thats a looming risk" for others such as Tesla Inc., which was recently summoned by regulators in China over issues including battery fires and abnormal acceleration.

Globally, there have been 16 reported cases of Kona EVs catching fire, including in Canada and Australia in 2019, according to Yonhap News. The latest recall follows one announced in October involving more than 25,000 Kona EVs. That was also based on fire risk associated with LG Energy batteries. Over 5,700 Ioniq compact EVs and 305 Elec City buses are also being recalled this time.

Other entrants into the booming EV market have stumbled with safety issues, with Chinese upstarts Li Auto Inc. and Nio Inc. among those issuing call backs. Tesla has faced battery-fire problems, as have traditional automaker giants venturing into the EV arena, including Ford Motor Co., BMW AG and General Motors Co., which recalled about 70,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs due to fire risk stemming from batteries also made by LG Energy.

LG Energy said Wednesday it will work closely with Hyundai on the recall and that it will improve safety protocols around its manufacturing and quality-inspection processes.

Like many others, Hyundai is plowing resources and efforts into EVs. The company plans to spend 60 trillion won on this side of its business over the next five years, as well as develop autonomous and flying cars.

Hyundais swift action should at least help ensure demand for EVs wont take too much of a hit, while its decisiveness is a lesson for other automakers," said Kwon Soon-woo, an analyst at SK Securities Co. in Seoul.

With the shift to EVs in its early stages, mishaps cant be avoided," he said. Whats more important is to cut your losses quickly so that it wont damage your brand image. Once you lose that, its going to be a long struggle for any automaker to regain that confidence."

Hyundais shares were little changed Friday morning as they headed for a weekly gain of about 1.5%. Theyve doubled in value over the past 12 months.

Hyundai is conducting a major marketing campaign for its Ioniq 5, with pre-orders starting in South Korea on Thursday. The company aims to sell 70,000 of the vehicles this year and 100,000 in 2022, President Jaehoon Chang said this week. The Ioniq 6 sedan and Ioniq 7 sport-utility vehicle will also be added to its dedicated EV platform lineup.

SK Innovation Co. will be the primary battery supplier for the Ioniq models.

Hyundai wants to clamp down on any negatives from this recall by taking a pre-emptive move so it can focus on Ioniq 5," said Lee Han-joon, an analyst at KTB Securities Co. in Seoul. It can then fully focus on future EV models crucial to its success."

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NEW YORK and HOUSTON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In an expansion of its top-ranked biomedical education curricula, Weill Cornell Medicine is launching an additional site for graduate programs at Houston Methodist for the 2021-22 academic year. This new site, offered by the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences at Houston Methodist, exemplifies the culmination of a decade-long endeavor to establish a biomedical pedagogical presence in Houston and builds on the 16-year academic affiliation between the two academic medical institutions.

The Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, based in New York City, will offer doctorates at Houston Methodist in two areas of study: physiology, biophysics, and structural biology (PBSB), and in neuroscience. Applications to the PBSB program will be accepted in February 2021 for the fall semester. Initially, the program expects to enroll four students in each class, with plans to expand to eight students over five years. Applicants will undertake the same curriculum as students who complete the programs in New York City, and will complete their research studies in Houston, jointly mentored by Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences faculty located at both sites. Houston-based students will also have the opportunity to travel to New York City for retreats. They will receive Cornell's Doctor of Philosophy degreesthe first time Weill Cornell Medicine is awarding the degree outside of New York state.

"This partnership between Weill Cornell Medicine and Houston Methodist allows us to broaden and enrich existing collaborations in research, education and clinical care between our two institutions," said Dr. Barbara Hempstead, dean of the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and the O. Wayne Isom Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. "Bringing our top-ranked graduate program to Houston Methodist will expand faculty expertise within our graduate school, open up new avenues for faculty and student research collaboration and add greater diversity to our student body."

"Over the past 16 years, our academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medicine has resulted in many wonderful research collaborations," said Dr. Dirk Sostman, president of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute. "This new expansion will allow us more opportunities to recruit top faculty and continue making discoveries that will help our patients."

"One of Weill Cornell Medicine's enduring missions is to cultivate the next generation of outstanding scientists, whose fresh ideas and ingenuity can drive pivotal advances in science and medicine," said Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and provost of medical affairs of Cornell University. "Our new Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences site at Houston Methodist exemplifies that commitment."

The Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences provides professional scientific training for doctoral students, researchers in health policy and healthcare delivery, and aspiring physician assistants. The graduate school's New York City sitein partnership with the Sloan Kettering Instituteoffers more than a dozen doctoral and master's degree programs in a variety of disciplines including biochemistry, pharmacology, biophysics, immunology and microbiology, clinical epidemiology and health services research, and computational biology. Over 1,800 students have earned doctorates from the graduate school, with around 65 to 70 matriculating each year.

One of the United States' largest private, non-profit hospitals, Houston Methodist has produced cutting-edge medical discoveries, including the world's first multiple-organ transplant and gene therapy for prostatic cancer. The medical center is highly regarded for its biomedical engineering expertise and research facilities, which complement many of Weill Cornell Medicine's areas of strength. This includes its Translational Imaging Center and RNA Core, which develops cutting-edge RNA technologies for research and clinical use.

Weill Cornell Medicine Dean Emeritus Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, Jr. in 2004 forged an academic affiliation between the two institutions as a way to advance science and medicine and to bridge the nation's geographic regions. The partnership has flourished over the years; the institutions have collaborated on multiple clinical and biomedical research efforts, with many physicians and scientists at Houston Methodist retaining faculty appointments at Weill Cornell Medicine. Houston Methodist offers clinical clerkships to Weill Cornell Medical College students, and the two institutions have established a fellowship in biomedical ethics and a Mentored Clinical Research Training Program for early-career physicians at Houston Methodist. The inclusion of Houston Methodist as an additional site for doctoral programs, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Division of Workforce, Academic Affairs and Research, is the latest realization of the longstanding affiliation.

"Students will matriculate in Weill Cornell Medicine's rigorous, top-ranked graduate program while taking advantage of Houston Methodist's state-of-the-art facilities and technology, learning from and collaborating with world class faculty at both institutions," said Dr. Anjali Rajadhyaksha, associate dean of program development and a professor of neuroscience in pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine. "We look forward to welcoming our first class of Weill Cornell Medicine doctoral candidates at Houston Methodist."

Weill Cornell Medicine

Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to excellence in patient care, scientific discovery and the education of future physicians in New York City and around the world. The doctors and scientists of Weill Cornell Medicinefaculty from Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and Weill Cornell Physician Organizationare engaged in world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research that connect patients to the latest treatment innovations and prevention strategies. Located in the heart of the Upper East Side's scientific corridor, Weill Cornell Medicine's powerful network of collaborators extends to its parent university Cornell University; to Qatar, where Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar offers a Cornell University medical degree; and to programs in Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Weill Cornell Medicine faculty provide comprehensive patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Weill Cornell Medicine is also affiliated with Houston Methodist. For more information, visit weill.cornell.edu.

Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist is one of the nation's leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight locations - Houston Methodist Hospital (its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center), six community hospitals and one long-term acute care facility - throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist employs nearly 26,000 people and includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Houston Methodist provides clinical and translational research and education with a patient-centered approach, cultivating collaborative efforts around the world to advance laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients.

SOURCE Weill Cornell Medicine

Related Links

https://weill.cornell.edu/


His words, critics said, were reluctant and patronizing. Worse, they revealed a disturbing sentiment: that when a woman is raped, and unable to enlist the support of her colleagues to bring the perpetrator to justice, the blame lies not with the accused, or the victims superiors, but with her. As Ms. Higgins herself said in a statement released last week, The continued victim-blaming rhetoric by the Prime Minister is personally very distressing to me and countless other survivors.

Mr. Morrison and others have not expressly blamed Ms. Higgins for having become too inebriated on the night she says she was raped, or for what she wore that evening  such obvious victim blaming belongs in the past. But they insinuate that the fault lies with her, womens rights advocates say, by couching her allegations in terms of Ms. Higginss perception of the attack and her emotions in response to what followed.

As Jacqueline Maley wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald, It may not have been deliberate, but the persistent use of Higgins first name, and Morrisons comments about consulting his wife Jenny on how to handle the alleged rape, all gave the impression that this was a matter to do with Womens Feelings.

Womens Feelings, she explains, is a private emotional realm, tricky to navigate and best left to the ladies. It has little to do with male leaders, and nothing to do with important matters of state. The problem, she adds, with this characterization is that it minimizes what should be an obvious point: rape is a crime.

Part of the problem is cultural, experts say. Australia has a dearth of sex education, so it should be no surprise that Mr. Morrison, the leader of among the most male-dominated spaces in the country, cant fully comprehend issues of consent, or articulate an appropriately condemning response, they add.
The state is undertaking a new initiative called Save Our Seniors to help ensure homebound seniors across Texas are vaccinated.

A key part of our mission in the fight against COVID-19 is to vaccinate seniors and those who are most at risk, Governor Abbott said during a press conference, commending a model used in Corpus Christi. By implementing a similar model throughout the state, and with the support of the Texas National Guard, we will reach more homebound seniors in communities across Texas and provide them with these life-saving vaccines.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Pct. 4 Encore offering registration assistance for seniors seeking COVID vaccine

The initiative involves deploying more than 1,100 members of the Texas National Guard to help vaccinate homebound seniors, a news release from the Governors Office stated. Some of those will be helping vaccinate while some will work on identifying and registering the seniors in need. Up to 8,000 vaccines will be dedicated to this initiative the first week, which begins Monday.

Abbott also announced the state would be providing about $229 million in emergency food benefits in March as the pandemic continues.

Providing emergency SNAP benefits is critical to our states ongoing COVID-19 response because it ensures that Texas families can continue to put healthy meals on the table, Abbott said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: More than 60 Cy-Fair ISD campuses damaged by Winter Storm Uri

The release added that recipients would continue to receive a 15 percent increase to their total benefits monthly until June 2021, with that and the emergency allotment appearing in their accounts by March 31.

Around Cy-Fair, active cases continue to drop as vaccination efforts continue across the state. As of 4 p.m. Friday, 2,012 COVID-19 cases were active in the area, a drop of more than 600 active cases since the same time last Friday. That isnt as large of a drop as last week, which saw a drop in nearly 800 cases from the week before.

Deaths still increased slightly, rising to 149 deaths since the pandemic began last March.

Data was compiled using the ZIP codes in the Cypress Creek Mirrors coverage area: 77040, 77041, 77065, 77070, 77086, 77429 and 77433.

This week saw a sharper drop in 77433 than in 77429, which took the lead in active COVID cases with 405 active. Several ZIP codes now have less than 200 active cases, with 77041 having the lowest number with 144 active cases.

paul.wedding@hcnonline.com
The bill for lunch at Philippe restaurant with Erik Thomson. Credit:Karl Quinn In episode four, tensions between Easton and his budding pastry chef niece Diana, played by the terrific Natalie Abbott, come to a head over his insistence that the opening-night menu at the restaurant theyve launched in a farm shed should be a faithful reproduction of the one with which he won his Michelin star decades earlier (it includes, naturally, a creme brulee). She insists they need to move on, to tell their own stories. Its a battle between tradition and the kind of personal food journey MasterChef and its ilk have done so much to promote, and its denouement makes for one of the funniest scenes youll see on television this year. But on this day, Thomson never gets to eat his creme brulee; by the time weve finished our first two courses, he has to run off to another interview. Right now, Im kind of happy and a little bit tired because Ive been talking everything to death, he says. The last two years work has come out in the last six weeks. That work includes the colonial-era outback western The Furnace; a New Zealand thriller called Coming Home in the Dark; the Amazon reboot Back to the Rafters  the first images from which have just surfaced, ahead of its release later this year  and of course Aftertaste. Had things been different, Thomson would have spent much of the past six months gallivanting around the world in support of this impressive body of work: The Furnace premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, Aftertaste was invited to Berlin this month, and Coming Home in the Dark was at the (virtual) Sundance Film Festival in January.

Bannockburn rotisserie chicken Credit:Simon Schluter Its this last one that hurts most, and not only because hes a skier (the festival takes place in Park City, Utah, a former gold-mining town surrounded by glorious ski fields, with chairlifts that run right into the main street). Ive been to Venice, and Ive been to Berlin, but Sundance was always the one, he says. Its probably the coolest festival, its the American festival, its the place I would network better than anywhere else. And Im the lead in the film, and I would have got opportunities that Ive never had before in my life  and at my age and stage of career, you kind of go, I dont know how many more opportunities Im going to get. Does that mean you still have a lingering sense of wanting to have a crack at Hollywood? Well, the worlds opening up now, but you need to have contacts in LA, you need to have representation, the decision-makers are there, he says. Getting representation in the States opens you up to other opportunities and markets, and you never know, they might be looking for a new face to prop up a CSI: Tulsa or something.

However, he adds, hes not sure that would really be what he wants, because it comes with a whole lot of other stuff, like living in America. But I guess I want to make sure that Im being considered for those bigger opportunities. He knows though that uprooting the family would not be easy. When your kids are small, he jokes, it doesnt matter because theyre just another bag that cries and shits itself. But teenagers are a whole other matter. For season two of 800 Words, the whole family relocated to New Zealand but it was so disorienting for the kids that for season three, shot in 2017, he left them at home in Port Willunga, South Australia, and became a fly-in, fly-out worker for seven months.

I was working 70-hour weeks and getting on a plane at eight in the morning and flying to Adelaide for 24 hours and then heading back. I was exhausted, he recalls. It was shit on me, my health, my marriage. Everything was bad about it, you know? We got through it but The question of where home is remains a live one. Born in Inverness, Scotland, he moved to New Zealand aged seven, where he was taunted with nicknames like haggis, Jock, all that kind of racist shit. But when he starred in the BBC series The Luminaries a few years back and found himself labelled a Scottish actor in the UK press, he admits, I loved that  thats all I wanted to be. After a quarter of a century in Australia, hes made a career, a life and a home here. But with an ageing mother in New Zealand, he says, Id love to move back. Its the immigrants curse, he supposes, never quite knowing where you fit in. But for an actor, it can be a useful tool. With Melina Vidler in 800 Words. Credit:Seven Theres that sense of displacement, that sense of searching for who you are, he says. And I think there is a need to blend in. The irony is that being an actor you never blend in, because people look at you and go, thats the guy off 
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New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Congress on Friday demanded a judicial probe into the suicide of Independent MP from Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Mohan S. Delkar, who reportedly hanged himself at a Mumbai hotel on Monday, sending shockwaves in the national political circles.

Addressing a press conference here, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "He was fed up with the harassment of the Bharatiya Janata Party and chose to end his life. The Administrator of the Dadra & Nagar Haveli UT, Praful Patel, should be investigated and only a judicial enquiry can bring out the truth." The Congress leader said that Delkar had himself released a detailed video last year besides spoke in the Lok Sabha, wherein he highlighted the torture he allegedly underwent at the behest of the BJP.

"He had mentioned the names of some BJP leaders in the video. In his detailed suicide note, it is learnt that he named several BJP functionaries, including Praful Patel, who is a former Gujarat BJP Minister of State for Home and said to be very close to the RSS and BJP leadership," Khera said.

In Mumbai, a delegation of the state Congress led by spokesperson Sachin Sawant, Raju Waghmare, Vinay Khamkar and others held a video-conference with Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances and the alleged role of the BJP behind Delkar's tragic end.

Delkar, a seven-time Independent MP from Dadra & Nagar Haveli, was found hanging at a Mumbai hotel room on Monday morning.

The police prima facie suspect that tribal farmer and Bharatiya Navshakti Party leader Delkar, 58, committed suicide as a detailed suicide note running into several pages was recovered from the scene, said an official.

The body of Delkar was found by his driver when he attempted to enter his room but failed, and then informed the hotel staff.
The artists choose a favourite location and set to work, knowing they have a year to prepare for the show. With each participant the first $45,000 in sales goes to the AWC, while Defiance Gallery, which supplies the venue and helps organise the project, is donating all commissions. In brief, everybody gives freely of their time and expertise for a good cause.

On previous trips artists have been to three other AWC properties: Mornington in the Kimberley, Pungalina in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Newhaven on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. The program was similar on each occasion: scientists and field officers take the group on an extensive tour of the property, including an overview by helicopter. They talk about the animals and plants, and the challenges they face in preserving and restoring native species.

It seems like an age ago but in September 2019 I travelled with five artists and a film crew to Mount Zero Taravale in far north Queensland, a property owned by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). We spent a week in the bush preparing for an exhibition that has just opened at Defiance Gallery, Mary Place in Paddington. Its the fourth in a projected series of five shows, spread over a decade.

For the artists the rewards of these trips to the bush are spiritual rather than material. Some have described the week in a remote location as a life-changing experience. Nobody has come back feeling short-changed. Of the five mature campaigners on the Mount Zero trip there were four landscape painters  Tim Allen, David Collins, Peter Stevens and Mary Tonkin; and one sculptor, Alison Coates. What do these artists have in common, aside from a weeks bonding in the bush? Stylistically they are very different from each other but this has resulted in a display full of illuminating contrasts and complements.

David Collins is a lyrical abstractionist who draws inspiration from the landscape. Light is translated into surprisingly bold colour that leaves every brushstroke visible. Most artists will settle on a particular set of tones but Collins goes from the vivid green of Cycad Walk to the flaming red of Pre History, and the yellow of Casuarina Light. The strength of colour is offset by the gestural nature of his surfaces, and by a set of darker, more layered compositions.

David Collins, Cycad Gully, 2020 Credit:Defiance Gallery

Mary Tonkin is a purposeful painter who captures the small, flickering effects of sunlight as they filter through the leaves of the forest. Unlike Collins, who is remarkably open to each new sensation, Tonkin carries her palette in her head. She paints in autumnal colours  chiefly gold, ochre, lavender, grey-green and touches of red. In works such as Dawn citriodara, Mt. Zero Taravale, she brings us into the heart of the forest, surrounded by dense undergrowth. Sight lines are broken by twigs and grasses that cut across the tree trunks that soar upwards, out of the picture, towards a canopy we can only imagine. Firecrackers is a mass of thin, coloured streamers of grass that bunch and divide in all directions.

For Tim Allen a painting grows out of the fluent, expressive drawings he makes on the spot. Line plays a starring role, with colour used sparingly. These are very physical images, full of compressed energy and jagged forms. Allen never tries to cover the entire canvas, being content to let the part stand for the whole, leaving the last touches for the viewers imagination. In Puzzle Creek (light that blinds), the rocky outcrops that loom over a blue-green band of water are stained and splashed by shades suggesting earth and sunlight.
(Photo : Credits: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Naval Research Laboratory/Guillermo Stenborg and Brendan Gallagher) Parker Solar Probes WISPR instrument, short for Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe, detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow  light emitted by oxygen atoms high in the atmosphere that recombine into molecules in the nightside.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has finally released the stunning image captured by the space agency's Parker Solar Probe, and a spacecraft sent to study our host star.

Solar Probe Captures Venus

In a blog post published by NASA, the space agency explained the importance of the unique planet in our solar system, saying that it's vital for making sure the solar probe can fly further to the Sun and capture some details that our scientists are yet to uncover.

This happens through Venus' gravity, which helps bend the solar probe's orbit.

According to the astronomers behind the project, the solar probe will have to flyby Venus a total of seven times during the entire course of its seven-year mission to assist the spacecraft in studying solar winds and their dynamics closer to their source.

But besides that, the mission could also help scientists here on Earth learn more about Venus.

Indeed, the solar probe was able to capture a stunning image of the planet during its flyby in June 2020, showing off a new detail that scientists weren't aware of yet before.

Venus and Its Nightglow

Based on the blog post, the image was captured during Venus' third gravity assist that happened on July 11, 2020, which allowed the solar probe and the onboard Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe or WISPR to capture a photo of the planet's nightside.

The image was taken from 7,693 miles away.

According to The Insider, the image that the spacecraft beamed back to Earth included something they weren't expecting: a bright halo-like rim around the edge of the planet that could be what is known as nightglow.

This phenomenon happens when the oxygen atoms that exist in the atmosphere recombine with the molecules on the nightside of the planet.

The result gives the planet a stunning glow.

Moreover, the space probe could also capture the dark feature on the planet, which is the Aphrodite Terra and the highest region on Venus' surface.

The reason why it's darker than its surroundings is that it is cooler than its surroundings.

Is WISPR More Capable Than What's Previously Believed?

"WISPR is tailored and tested for visible light observations," said Angelos Vourlidas as per the blog post, the WISPR project scientist from the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. "We expected to see clouds, but the camera peered right through to the surface."

Furthermore, an astrophysicist and WISPR team member, Brian Wood, said that the onboard camera of the Parker Solar Probe was able to capture the thermal emission from the planet's surface, so it's rather similar to the images that have been captured by the Akatsuki spacecraft "at near-infrared wavelengths."

The unforeseen image captured by WISPR has the team measuring whether the onboard camera is sensitive to infrared light, and if it is, it would be able to provide the scientists with more opportunity to study the dust around our Sun and the inner solar system.

However, if not, the image might have captured Venus' signature features and might have revealed a previously unknown "window" through the Venusian atmosphere.

This article is published in Tech Times

Written by Nhx Tingson

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison to coordinate efforts in affirming that digital giants will pay publishers for content posted on their platforms. According to an official statement, the two PMs discussed on Monday a series of topics, including the need to oversee social media platforms.

Canada, Australia's Regulation of Online Platforms

According to Ottawa's statement, the two prime ministers discussed on February 22 the necessity to address online harm and have social media companies pay for journalism. The growing coordination between Canada and Australia in overseeing online platforms comes as Facebook reversed the news ban it introduced the previous week that prevented Australians from viewing and sharing news on its website.

The two countries are banding together to ensure tech giants' revenues are shared more fairly with the media and creators. According to an announcement from Facebook on Tuesday, the company would lift the ban as it negotiated with the Australian government on proposed legislation to order digital giants to pay for journalism.

According to a statement from the Canadian Prime Minister's office, "The prime ministers noted the growing cooperation between Canada and Australia on the regulation of online platforms. They agreed to continue coordinating efforts to address online harm and ensure the revenues of web giants are shared more fairly with creators and media," reported The Times of India.

The conversation was held on Monday. It came after Facebook barred Australian users from accessing news content on its website in response to a regulatory bill being considered in Australia's Parliament.

Also Read: Facebook to Face Major Seven-Figure Lawsuit to be Filed by Steven Crowder

The ban had effectively suspended news outlets from uploading content on the social media platform. It came after the News Media Bargaining Code passed both houses of parliament. The Bargaining Code is a bill that develops a framework for news companies to deal with a fair remuneration for their content posted on digital platforms, particularly on Facebook or Google.

The statement from Ottawa marks Canada's intent to act in accordance with Australia's footsteps. It also comes after Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault vowed the previous week to introduce legislation that would command tech giants to pay Canadian media companies for their content.

Facebook triggered alarm with its abrupt decision the previous week to bar news on its platform throughout Australia. This was after the House of Representatives passed the draft law, reported Canadian Manufacturing.

On Tuesday, the social media giant declared that it would remove the news ban following the move igniting outrage in Australia and the global scene.

According to Facebook Vice President Campbell Brown in a statement, "After further discussions with the Australian government, we have come to an agreement that will allow us to support the publishers we choose to, including small and local publishers," Campbell said. "Going forward, the government has clarified we will retain the ability to decide if news appears on Facebook so that we won't automatically be subject to a forced negotiation," reported The Epoch Times.

Related Article: Facebook Blocks News Content From Australia

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Kate Sommerfeld is the president of the Social Determinants of Health Institute for ProMedica, a mission-driven, not-for-profit, health care system based in Toledo, Ohio. ProMedica is the 15th largest hospital system in the country, serving communities in 28 states.

Kate is responsible for shaping and leading ProMedicas work in the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), including clinical integration, medical education and training, and strategic community initiatives. Under Kates leadership, the work of the SDOH Institute has grown in ways that have impacted thousands of lives in ProMedicas service area, while also positioning ProMedica as a clear industry-leader in SDOH.

From a clinical integration perspective, ProMedica and its payor arm, Paramount, are screening patients for 10 social determinants and connecting them to interventions like Food Clinics or Community Health Workers. Results are already beginning to show that connecting individuals to SDOH interventions can improve health outcomes and decrease cost and utilization.

ProMedica has also put a big stake in the ground around the $50 million place-based Ebeid Neighborhood Promise, an initiative serving local residents through financial coaching, job training, and access to a (ProMedica-run nonprofit) grocery store in an identified food desert. Even more broadly, ProMedica is leading in its commitment to Anchor Strategies  that is, using its resources to serve as an anchor and catalyst in the community. Under Kates leadership, ProMedica launched the Health Impact Fund with LISC in 2018, a $25M loan pool to drive economic development in low-income neighborhoods. The Institute is also driving housing development, engaging in local and inclusive hiring and purchasing, and catalyzing new growth for downtown Toledo.

Kate and the SDOH Institute is increasingly being recognized nationally for their innovative work. In 2018, ProMedicas Food as Medicine intervention was featured in the Wall Street Journal. In 2019, ProMedica won the Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. And in June of 2020 it was announced that ProMedica was the recipient of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary's Opportunity & Empowerment Award. ProMedica also leads among its peers, cofounding the Root Cause Coalition as well as the Healthcare Anchor Network.

Prior to joining ProMedica, Kate worked for various community-based and nonprofit organizations including in the United Way system leading both rural and urban change. Kate has Bachelors of Arts degrees in political science and child psychology from Purdue University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Bowling Green State University.
The government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday announced sanctions targeting the oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the head of Ukraines leading opposition party.

Medvedchuk, who has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, has played a major role in Ukrainian politics ever since the restoration of capitalism by the Stalinist bureaucracy in 1991. In contrast to the anti-Russian NATO-backed right-wing government of Zelensky, Medvedchuk has maintained close business and political contacts with the Russian oligarchy and is a personal friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2014, he was sanctioned by the US. Both he and his Opposition PlatformFor Life party favor reestablishing close ties with Moscow and ending the nearly seven-year-long war in eastern Ukraine.

Viktor Medvedchuk in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 10, 2020. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

At a briefing last Friday, Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraines secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, announced that Medvedchuks assets were also frozen and that Ukraines state security service (SBU) would be carrying out an investigation of Medvedchuks ownership of coal mines that are located in separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine. Danilov also accused Medvedchuk of financing terrorism.

In an indication of the deep geopolitical conflicts within the Ukrainian oligarchy, the government also announced that it would be taking over the PrykarpatZakhidtrans oil pipeline. The pipeline carries Russian oil to Europe and is reportedly owned by Medvedchuk through foreign intermediaries.

The sanctions against Medvedchuk are part of an ongoing crackdown by the Zelensky government against all political opposition as the country continues to suffer both medically and economically from the coronavirus pandemic.

On February 2, Zelensky took the unprecedented step of closing down three popular opposition-affiliated TV channels112, Newsone and ZIKon the grounds of national security. While the channels are officially owned by Taras Kozak, a member of the Ukrainian parliament and the Opposition PlatformFor Life party, the channels are reportedly financially owned by Medvedchuk. Both Kozak and Medvedchuk also had their personal planes banned from operating in Ukrainian airspace.

While Zelensky was elected in 2019 with an overwhelming 73 percent of the votea vote that above all represented a repudiation of the 2014 US and German-backed coupjust 19.8 percent of Ukrainians are willing to vote for him now, according to a January 26 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).

The same KIIS poll suggested that in a hypothetical parliamentary election the Medvedchuk-led Opposition PlatformFor Life party would win with 20.7 percent of the vote. Zelenskys own Servant of the People party, which came into power in July 2019, would garner just 11.2 percent, rendering it a fourth-place party with little chance to govern unless aligned with another party.

The Opposition PlatformFor Life party has been the largest but not the only political target of the Ukrainian government. On February 16, Ukraines SBU charged pro-Russian blogger and politician Anatoly Shariy with high treason and incitement of ethnic or racial hatred by spreading Russian propaganda in the media.

Shariy, who currently lives in Spain, is an extremely popular blogger in Ukraine. He has made a number of important investigative posts in recent years, uncovering far-right nationalism and anti-Semitism within the Ukrainian state as well as ongoing corruption. Shariys party also supports a negotiated settlement to end the war in eastern Ukraine, making his party a target of the far right. Several of its leading members have been attacked by right-wing thugs.

Seven years have now passed since the US- and EU-backed coup in 2014 that heavily relied on fascist forces and installed an aggressively pro-NATO section of the Ukrainian ruling class in Kiev. Like his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, the Zelensky government now appears headed towards collapse, endangering US foreign policy interests in the region.

In Washington, the possible return of a Moscow-friendly government to power in Kiev is viewed as militarily unacceptable, and the US has fully endorsed the sanctions against Medvedchuk. The US Embassys page noted on Saturday, The US supports efforts yesterday to counter Russias malign influence, in line with law, in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

By contrast, the Kremlin has made clear that Zelenskys crackdown against the pro-Russian political opposition has severely undermined the chance for a resolution of the war in Donbas, increasing the chance for an outbreak of full-out war between Ukraine and Russia.

The crisis of the Zelensky government and the embittered infighting within the countrys ruling class are fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, which has devastated both the countrys impoverished health system and economy.

More than 26,000 Ukrainians have officially died due to COVID-19. The countrys dilapidated hospitals and underfunded medical workers have been overwhelmed, often reusing essential PPE and medical supplies, including such basics as syringes.

The horrific conditions in Ukrainian hospitals and the enormous impact of the crisis on an already deeply impoverished population are a direct outcome of the restoration of capitalism, following the Stalinist dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Three decades later, Ukraine is the poorest country in Europe and the standing ground for dangerous military provocations and war preparations by the imperialist powers against Russia. Meanwhile, the EU and US have refused any meaningful help in getting the vaccine.

While the countrys wealthier EU allies have already had access to a vaccine, Ukraine is just this week receiving its first 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, despite begging both the United States and EU for access to the vaccine for months. Under these conditions, the vaccine distribution has become a focal point of conflicts over foreign policy within the ruling oligarchy.

Last fall, Medvedchuk met with Putin and obtained permission from the Russian president for Ukraine to receive Russias Sputnik V vaccine. More recently, he obtained a license for Biolik, a pharmaceutical company based in eastern Ukraine, to manufacture the vaccine in Ukraine.

While the Russian government undoubtedly views the distribution of Sputnik V within Ukraine as a chance to regain lost political influence in the region, the vaccine itself has proven effective. On February 2, the Lancet medical journal published third-stage results of Sputnik Vs clinical trials showing that it is one of the most effective and safest vaccines in the world. Despite the growing medical evidence of its efficacy, on February 10 the Zelensky government officially banned its use on Ukrainian territory, claiming that Sputnik V was part of a Russian information war targeting Ukraine.

The working class can only put an end to the social and economic catastrophe and the danger of war by intervening in the crisis on the basis of its own class interests, independent from all factions of the ruling oligarchy. This requires that the political lessons be drawn from the struggle of the Trotskyist movement for an internationalist socialist perspective in opposition to the nationalist betrayal of the October revolution of 1917 by Stalinism.
Prayut to get jab Sunday, Anutin to follow

THAILAND: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will get the first shot of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca on Sunday (Feb 28) while Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will receive the vaccine from Sinovac.

corruptionCoronavirushealth

By Bangkok Post

Friday 26 February 2021, 09:57AM

Quick shot in the arm: Nurses rehearse the COVID-19 vaccine administration process at Bang Khunthian Hospital for the Elderly before the inoculation programme kicks off nationwide on Monday. Photo: Apichart Jinakul.

Dr Sopon Mekthon, chairman of the governments sub-committee on COVID-19 vaccine management, said Gen Prayut and Mr Anutin were scheduled to be vaccinated at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute on Sunday. This follows the Department of Medical Sciences approving the release of the jabs and efficacy certificates for the vaccines from the companies, Dr Sopon said. Vaccination for priority groups in targeted provinces will start on Monday with details to be provided by the Department of Disease Control, he said.

Sources said doctors recommended that Gen Prayut be inoculated with the viral vector vaccine from AstraZeneca, while Mr Anutin and Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha would receive vaccines from Sinovac.

Mr Anutin yesterday told village health volunteers nationwide via teleconference that the arrival of 317,600 doses of vaccines from the two companies on Wednesday bodes well for Thailands success in combating COVID.

The vaccines are for Thais and those living in the country, Mr Anutin said, adding the first batch of vaccines are free of charge with the government paying for them and other management costs. Anyone who charges for the vaccine will face legal action, the minister said.

He said the 200,000 doses from Sinovac were delivered to Thailand under the terms agreed upon between Thailand and the company, while the delivery of 117,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine was the result of negotiations by National Vaccine Institute director Dr Nakorn Premsri, and permanent secretary for public health Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit.

The shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine came as a surprise since there had been no mention before of that make being imported. The delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine was a back-up plan in case the other company failed to come through, Mr Anutin said. Another 800,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine will arrive from China next month and 1 million more in April, he said.

The balance of vaccines for Thais in 2021 will be AstraZenecas, made locally by Siam Bioscience, with 26 million doses to be available from May to June and a further 35 million doses afterwards, he said.

Dr Nakorn said yesterday the arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine was ahead of schedule because the Public Health Ministry and the company shared a common goal of containing the second wave of the outbreak so Thailand would recover quickly from the crisis. The cooperation from AstraZeneca allowed Thailand quicker access to vaccines than the original schedule and the vaccines which were shipped to Thailand came from the companys global production line, and in line with its commitment to ensuring wide and equal access to COVID-19 vaccines, Dr Nakorn said.

The AstraZeneca vaccines that arrived in Thailand must receive a lot release certificate from the Department of Medical Sciences before distribution to priority groups designated by the Department of Disease Control, Dr Nakorn said.

He also said the AstraZeneca vaccine was the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive the Food and Drug Administrations conditional approval for emergency use on Jan 20. On Feb 15, the World Health Organisation also listed AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, enabling global access to the vaccine, Dr Nakorn added.

Thares Karasnairaviwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said more than 1.5 million village health volunteers were instructed to educate people about the COVID-19 vaccination. They were also told to find out the number of people in the priority groups which will get the vaccines and send the information to provincial communicable disease committees to work on the distribution of vaccines, Dr Thares said.
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Appellate court judges have reversed the conviction of a man sentenced to life in prison for strangling his girlfriend after finding an error in instructions given to the jury.

Carlos Ortiz, 55, was convicted of murder in the August 2016 killing of Rufina Castro, 51, following an argument at their Ewing home.

Ortiz smashed a beer bottle over the womans head, strangled her with a cellphone charging cord and hid her body before fleeing to a Belleville motel, authorities said. When he was arrested, Ortiz had Castros credit and debit cards, and some of her jewelry, authorities said.

Ortiz, who testified at his trial, didnt deny killing the woman, but claimed he acted in self-defense after Castro attacked him by throwing a bottle at him and trying to strangle him.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding him guilty of murder, assault, theft and weapons offenses.

In appealing his conviction, Ortiz argued that the jury should have been instructed that it could consider a charge of passion/provocation manslaughter in the killing.

Appellate court judges agreed, writing that Ortiz testified that Castro was the aggressor by throwing the bottle, jumping on the defendants back, striking a vulnerable area on his neck  he has metal plates in his neck  and choking him with phone cords.

Four elements must be met to prove passion/provocation manslaughter, the court noted: There must be adequate provocation, the defendant must not have had time to cool off between the provocation and the slaying, the defendant must have been actually impassioned by the provocation and the defendant must not have actually cooled off before the slaying.

Here, clear evidence existed in the record as to the elements of passion/provocation manslaughter and it was, therefore, clear error not to so charge the jury  That evidence objectively constituted provocation without an adequate cooling off period.

Not giving the jury the option of considering this lesser offense raises a reasonable doubt that the error led the jury to a result it otherwise might not have reached, the appellate panel wrote.

They reversed the murder conviction and remanded the case to the trial court for further proceedings.

Ortiz is currently housed in New Jersey State Prison.

As for what happens next in the case, a spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutors Office said officials are reviewing Fridays opinion and discussing options.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, on Friday reiterated Romania's interest in strengthening bilateral dialogue on security and defence issues with Poland, the most important strategic partner of Romania in the region, during a meeting with the head of the Polish National Security Bureau, Presidential Adviser Pawel Soloch, who is currently paying a visit to Romania.

"The head of the Romanian diplomacy reiterated Romania's interest in strengthening the bilateral dialogue on security and defence and to continue the close coordination with Poland, which is the most important strategic partner of our country in the region, under the NATO umbrella. The Romanian Foreign Minister voiced his interest in strengthening the regional formats initiated and supported by the two states, which have clear added value, such as the Bucharest 9 (B9) format, the two officials agreeing to continue the close coordination, in the next period, between Romania and Poland, in preparation for the NATO Summit due in June 2021, and further on, in the process of elaborating a new allied Strategic Concept," reads a press release sent to AGERPRES by the MAE.

According to the same source, the two dignitaries agreed to continue coordination on the Three Seas Initiative, and the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs recalled the need to further promote, together, the projects of common Romanian-Polish interest Rail-2-Sea and Via Carpathia, which are of a major importance both from an economic perspective for the development of the region, but also in terms of security and mobility on NATO's Eastern Flank."At the same time, they appreciated the trilateral format Romania-Poland-Turkey focusing security issues and the prospects for the continuation of the trialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers, in the first part of this year, in Bucharest. The two sides underscored the importance of continuing cooperation and coordination between Romania and Poland to strengthen NATO's role, unity and allied cohesion, as well as the transatlantic relationship. They also highlighted the increased attention paid to strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence stance and cohesion, especially on the entire Eastern Flank. The head of the Romanian diplomacy also mentioned in this context the steps already taken to set up a Euro-Atlantic Centre for Resilience, resilience being a growing topic of interest on NATO and EU agendas. In his turn, the head of the Polish National Security Bureau expressed Poland's support for this project of Romania and the intention to get involved in the activity of the Centre," the release also said.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Citing the need for more space, labor and sunshine, a Seattle-area manufacturer has chosen Albuquerque as its new base of operations.

Lancs Industries, which manufactures radiation shielding and radiation containment products, announced that it is expanding to New Mexico, and hiring more than 70 employers to work at its Northeast Albuquerque manufacturing center.

Albuquerque stands apart from the crowd as a leader for businesses looking to expand and grow, said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller in a prepared statement.

Lancs president Lewis Byrd told the Journal the company has been based in Kirkland, Washington, since it began operating in 1974 and will retain some operations there.

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However, he said, as the company looks to grow and expand into new markets, space was at a premium.

The Seattle area is wonderful, its been home for all these years, but we just needed more room, Byrd said.

Byrd said Lancs has long sold its products to government agencies and laboratories, including Los Alamos National Laboratories. However, the company has recently seen increased interest in its products from the health care and pharmaceutical industries. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Byrd said the company made face-masks and containment units for hospitals working with patients battling the virus.

Even once the pandemic abates, Byrd said he expects the industry to remain an important one, and said the company needed more space to accommodate those orders.

We found what we think is a great location, he said.

Working with local broker Jim Smith at CBRE, Lancs identified a 26,000-square-foot building at 1420 Mission NE. By comparison, Byrd said Lancs operated in a 17,000-square-foot building in Kirkland, which was broken up in a way that created less usable space.

Lancs received state funding through the Job Training Incentive Program in November and February, totaling about $290,000, according to the state Economic Development Department.

Byrd said the company is looking to grow to between 70 and 75 employees in Albuquerque. Of those, he said about 68 will likely be new, local hires.

Byrd said the company is currently renovating the building, and hopes to be operating out of the facility by March.

Were happy to be coming to the Land of Enchantment, and were optimistic that it will work out, he said.
(Newser)  A group of Russian diplomats and their families had to travel more than 34 hours just to get out of North Korea, a journey that ended on a hand-pushed cart. Most methods of international travel, including plane and train, have been blocked in North Korea due to the coronavirus pandemic. That meant that to reach the Russian border, the employees of Russia's North Korean Embassy and their children had to travel 32 hours by train, then two hours by bus from Pyongyang. That only got them within a half-mile of the border on Thursday, reports the BBC. They had to push themselves and all of their luggage the rest of the way on a manual-powered rail trolley. The embassy's third secretary Vladislav Sorokinwho was accompanied by his 3-year-old daughteracted as "engine," Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a Facebook post.

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It shared footage of Sorokin and another person pushing the trolley, laden with suitcases and boxes, across a bridge over the Tumen River, which serves as the only crossing point in the 11-mile-long North Korea-Russia terrestrial border. They cheered as they reached Russia. "Since the borders have been closed for more than a year and passenger traffic has been stopped, it took a long and difficult journey to get home," the ministry wrote, noting the group was then taken by bus to Vladivostok airport for a flight to their final destination. Many Western embassies have closed in North Korea over the past year with staff often having "to negotiate for weeks to arrange for special measures to allow them to depart," reports Reuters. The BBC notes diplomats from several countries were able to get out on a single flight to Vladivostok last March. (Read more North Korea stories.)
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At the best of times, half of all Canadians report that they have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. The stress of living through a pandemic is only making matters worse. Yet advice on insomnia seldom mentions a potential non-pharmacological sleep aid that's free and easily accessible to most people: sex, whether with a partner or alone.

After orgasm, levels of oxytocin and prolactin rise while levels of cortisol drop. Common sense suggests that raising the level of feel-good hormones in the body and reducing stress hormone levels is likely to help us sleep better. Yet data on sex and sleep is scarce, due partly to taboos and squeamishness.

Dr. Judith Davidson, a Queen's University clinical psychologist and sleep researcher, was surprised by the dearth of good quality research on sex and sleep when she wrote the second edition of her insomnia self-help book, Sink into Sleep.

"I really don't know why evidence is lacking," she says. "Perhaps the researchers in the sleep field and those in the sex field have not looked much beyond their respective academic borders. It has puzzled me."

So far, only one small study of 10 people has examined sleep after sexual activity using polysomnography the gold standard test for diagnosing sleep disorders, which measures brain waves, heart rate and other indicators. Published in 1985, the study concluded that masturbation had no significant impact on sleep.

But the study had major limitations beyond its small size. The researchers may have interrupted participants' sleepiness after masturbation by removing an anal temperature probe. What's more, the study compared sleep after masturbation and sleep after readinga known sleep inducerwhich may have blunted differences between intervention and control.

More recent research suggests that sex can reduce stress and help people with insomnia fall asleep and stay asleep. Although the evidence base is small and some studies lack objective measures, a 2016 review by University of Ottawa researchers concluded that sex is a "possible alternative or addition to other intervention strategies for insomnia."

It's a conclusion that many people appear to reach by themselves. A 2019 study of 778 people led by Dr. Michele Lastella of the Central Queensland University in Australia found that both men and women perceive that they fall asleep quicker and sleep better after orgasm with a partner or alone.

According to Lastella, the link is worth exploring given that many people have trouble sticking to the usual sleep hygiene advice. Setting a bedtime, exercising regularly, and avoiding screens all require discipline and long-term commitment to pay off. He says switching "screen time for playtime" may be an easier sell with more immediate results.

Overcoming barriers

Getting such advice into clinical guidelines is another matter. According to Dr. Charles Samuels, past president of the Canadian Sleep Society, "with so many taboos related to sex, opening that door is overwhelming."

Asked why sleep advice seldom mentions sex, Samuels cites clinical inertia given the other treatment options available and a lack of rigorous research.

"Sleep researchers pride themselves on high-quality, objective markers and sex research is difficult," Samuels says. However, he acknowledges that the next generation of clinicians and researchers may be more interested in tackling the topic.

According to Lastella, ethical issues often hamper studies that involve sex, video, and researchers entering a room where sex takes place. There are also logistical challenges, such as drawing blood samples to measure hormonal activity during and after orgasm without interrupting sleepiness.

Expensive portable polysomnography units could help address some of these issues by bringing the lab to the bedroom rather than the bedroom to the lab. But Lastella says that reducing the stigma surrounding sex and sleep remains a far bigger obstacle to overcome.

Dr. Caroline Pukall, director of the Sexual Research Lab at Queen's University, says that many of her patients already use masturbation as a sleep aid. "Patients often cite that it is part of their bedtime routine and that it's something that helps them to relax and fall asleep."

But while there are multiple sources of funding for sex research in Canada, Pukall says sex researchers still face an uphill battle to legitimize their field and secure ethics approval for studies. She has started giving educational talks to ethics review boards, which have often regarded sex research as a "frivolity nice to know but not need to know."

Dr. Stephanie Hart, a family physician with a focus in sexual medicine in Okotoks, Alberta, says such talks should start in medical school and residency.

She says that discussions about the importance of healthy sexuality notably lack in medical training. Instead, "the focus is on sexually transmitted infections and dysfunction." Within that framing, "sex is bad, dirty, even gross, so we don't talk about that. We don't bring it up because we are embarrassed, and then patients are embarrassed."

But a more sex-positive perspective is gaining traction. Hart has received multiple invitations to talk about sexuality at the University of Calgary, student groups and medical conferences. "I tell them if they can practice saying words like anal sex, masturbation and clitoris over and over until they stop blushing, then maybe we can have some hope that patients will be able to discuss this important part of their health."

Explore further Sleep disorders: Patients often underestimate their total sleep time

More information: Janice Hiller. Speculations on the links between feelings, emotions and sexual behavior: Are vasopressin and oxytocin involved?, Sexual and Relationship Therapy (2004). Janice Hiller. Speculations on the links between feelings, emotions and sexual behavior: Are vasopressin and oxytocin involved?,(2004). DOI: 10.1080/14681990412331297974
Centre releases record Rs125,218-cr towards food subsidy

The centre has released a record Rs125,217.62 crore towards food subsidy this year and Rs297,196.52 crore more will be released during this financial year to benefit all farmers.

The two states of Punjab and Haryana accounted for Rs116,653.96 crore and Rs24,841.56 crore, respectively, of the of total foodgrain subsidy, an official release stated.

Payments have been made through electronic mode as it avoids leakages and is being implemented long across the country since 2015-16, the release said, adding that online releases pre-dates farm laws and is not a replacement of the current APMC system. It only strengthens the mode of payments in more transparent ways.

These steps to ensure that amount due to farmers will go directly to them, the release pointed out, adding tht the government has no intention to eliminate Arthiyas in Punjab and Haryana and no directions have been issued to eliminate Arthiyas from the mandi system.

E-mode of MSP payment is already in force across India, Govt of India has been trying to ensure the same in Punjab and Haryana at least since2015-16.

Direct online payment to farmers predates the three farm laws. In Punjab, Payment of MSP was paid to the farmers through Arthiyas and in Haryana, FCI made Payment of MSP directly to farmers bank accounts through online mode, whereas state agencies made payment of MSP to the farmers partly through Arthiya and partly directly to farmers account through online mode as per option given by the farmers in e-Kharid portal.

The centre said it has regularly been pursuing with state govternments of Punjab and Haryana for ensuring direct online payment into farmers accounts since 2015-16.

However, both the state governments have been routinely approaching it for granting exemption/seeking time for implementation of direct online payment initiative. GoI has therefore, directed both state governments to ensure online payment to farmers through e-mode from upcoming season and that no further relaxation on this account will be accorded.

The state agencies have to also ensure the use of expenditure advance transfer module (EAT) of Public Financial Module System (PFMS) while making payment, as Mandated by the union finance ministry.

State governments will have to integrate their online payment system with PFMS. The online payment system shall necessarily have the feature of online registration of farmers and online payment to them as mandated by GOI.

Online procurement system ushers in transparency and convenience to the farmers through proper registration and monitoring of actual procurement. All states have also been encouraged to procure the produce of the farmers online.

Through e-procuring module deployed by procurement agencies, farmers get latest/updated information regarding MSP declared, nearest purchase centre, date on which the farmer has to bring his produce to the purchase centre etc. This has not only reduced the waiting period for delivery of stock by the farmers but also enabled delivery of stock as per the their convenience in the nearest mandi.

E-mode of payment ensure all value chain participants including farmers, Arhityas, Mandis etc, get their payments directly instead of getting paid through another value chain participant (eg, Arhitya paying the farmer). This ensures transparency and benefits for all. This is not a replacement of the current APMC system
(Newser)  The Food and Drug Administration made distribution of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine easier on Thursday by decreeing it can be stored in regular freezer temperatures after all. The agency had required the vaccine be kept at minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 112 degrees, the Hill reports. That was a major complication; many places, especially rural ones, don't have equipment that can do that. The FDA said the Pfizer product can safely be stored in "conventional temperatures commonly found in pharmaceutical freezers for a period of up to two weeks." An official said the change should "ease the burden of procuring ultra-low cold storage equipment for vaccination sites and should help to get vaccine to more sites."

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A study found last week that it was safe to keep the vaccine at normal freezer temperatures, and Pfizer requested the change. But the FDA didn't agree until Thursday. The vaccine usually is packed with dry ice in thermal containers when it reaches vaccination sites, per the Washington Post. In new guidance for health care providers, the FDA said it still prefers the vaccine be kept in ultra-cold storage but will permit storage in standard pharmaceutical freezers. The change does not apply to vials of vaccine that have thawed. The Moderna vaccine has never had to be stored at ultra-low temperatures, but freezer issues have still had an impact. A hospital in northern California had to use up 830 doses quickly when a freezer failed, and 1,900 doses were lost when a freezer in Boston was unplugged during cleaning. (Read more Pfizer stories.)
Anti-nuclear activist, MEP Grace OSullivan welcomes breakthrough, saying theres still a long way to go though.

Its over 75 years since the appalling news broke that the heavily-populated Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had been the victims of nuclear attack. These were the dramatic actions that earmarked the closing days of our second World War.

The impacts of the bombs, so sickeningly dubbed Little Boy and Fat Man, were ferocious.

The playful name tags belied the cruel efficiency with which those man-made harbingers of death undertook their assigned duty. In the immediate wake of the explosions over 200,000 people perished. Many others were left with horrific, life-changing injuries. Pictures of the gnarled flesh of people who suffered severe thermal burns are as disturbing today as they were then.

But that wasnt the end of the horror and while current survivors of the attacks dwindle as old-age takes its toll, the long-term damage has been multi-faceted and deep. Nuclear fallout, leukemia and other radiation-linked cancers, anaemia and ulcers have been rife. And thats saying nothing of the ongoing psychological impacts on a society, and of course, on the world. The earth most surely shifted on its axis on those bleak August days in 1945.

While Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only nuclear explosions unleashed in conflict, atmospheric and underground nuclear testing have had a massive impact on peoples lives and the environment in the intervening years. Nuclear weapons have been responsible for too many lives and too much long-term, irreparable ecological destruction.

And so it is that I welcome news on this most disturbing of topics in recent days.

The announcement last month (Jan 27th) that US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to extend whats known as the New START nuclear nonproliferation treaty, is good news following on from news released just days earlier, on January 22nd, that another international nuclear treaty, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) had entered into force.

I joined Greenpeace over thirty years ago and spent 20 years there as an activist working on environment and peace campaigns. Over my time with Greenpeace and ever since, I have campaigned against nuclear weapons. So (on that front at least) last week was a good news week for me.

TPNW is particularly significant as it prohibits the possession, development, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons. Its the first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty in more than two decades, and has been hailed as, in the words of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres an important step towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

It was initially approved by 122 nations at the 2017 UN General Assembly. By the end of October last year, thanks largely to massive efforts by civil society, NGOs such as Greenpeace and, in particular, the work of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the treaty received the 50 ratifications it needed to enter into force.

As an Irish woman, Im proud to say that Ireland played its part in the process that has led to the adoption of TPNW. It was no accident, and fittingly symbolic, that Ireland chose to deposit its ratification of the TPNW on August 06, 2020, a date that also marks the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.

The Department of Foreign Affairs stands over its commitments to achieving a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons. It is, the Department clearly states in publications on this topic an historic, long-standing priority for Ireland (that is) motivated by the immense human suffering which would arise from the detonation of a nuclear weapon, whether by miscalculation or design or accident.

Having seen first-hand some of the impacts on the ground in areas of the world where nuclear testing has taken place over the years I can attest to the suffering. Nowhere today is it more visible than in the Marshall Islands, where to this day the now-precarious Runit Dome, a massive concrete enclosure locals nickname The Tomb contains the equivalent of 35 Olympic sized swimming pools of radioactive debris. Its a disturbing sight to see and a sloppy attempt at containment, supposedly dealing with life-threatening waste from the 67 nuclear bombs the United States unleashed on the islands from 1946 to 58.

While recent developments are good news, there is a long way to go. Disarmament of nuclear weapons remains a high priority for the United Nations and in order to increase international security and safety on this issue it is vital that work continues.

Many countries with nuclear capacity have signed other key treaties, however the precarity around possession of weapons that have the potential to obliterate, means that entire cooperation is vital.

One such key treaty, The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is a significant agreement, whose origins are closely connected to Ireland (in 1958 Minister Frank Aiken introduced the Irish Resolutions at the UN, which eventually led to NPT). The NPT came into force in 1970, and while the United States is a signatory, four of the nine Nuclear Weapons States are not (Israel, India, Pakistan, North Korea).

At the risk of overloading this feature with acronyms, the other main treaty in this area is the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosions/ tests on Earth. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1996. To date, 184 states have signed and 168 states have ratified the CTBT. In order for it to enter force, however, 44 specified nuclear-capable states must ratify. Of these 44, India, Pakistan and North Korea have not signed, and only 36 countries have ratified.

We have a long way to go, but in recent days there have been enough positive break-throughs to give me a renewed sense of hope.
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-caps on Friday.







SMALL-CAP - WINNERS







RDI REIT PLC, up 33% at 121.40 pence, 12-month range 41.55p-127p. RDI REIT, a London and Johannesburg-listed real estate investment trust, reaches agreement with SOF-12 Cambridge BidCo, a newly formed company owned by London-listed Starwood European Real Estate Finance, regarding a cash offer for the entire issued share capital of RDI REIT worth around GBP467.9 million. RDI REIT's shares will be going for 121.35 pence each, representing a 33% premium to the closing price of 91.2p on Thursday in London. This values RDI's entire issued share capital at around GBP467.9 million. Starwood bought a 30% stake in RDI REIT in July last year. The shares already owned by Starwood will not be bought by its acquisition vehicle. Starwood European Real Estate Finance shares were down 0.2% at 89.40p.







Alfa Financial Software Holdings PLC, up 6.5% at 138.90p, 12-month range 51.9p-150.49p. The asset finance-focused software developer expects revenue recognition from a recently won contract to be GBP4 million, ahead of management's prior expectations. Back in October, it announced the winning of a five-year extension to a maintenance and licence subscription from an existing client. Initially, when the contract was announced Alfa expected to recognise at least 15% of its value in 2020. However, on further analysis, the company found that some of the revenue from the contract should be accelerated, due to no further work being needed to deliver the licence. This component, which reflects around 40% of the total contract value, will be recognised as a one-off amount on signing the contract for 2020.







Tullow Oil PLC, up 4.3% at 45.75p, 12-month range 7.17p-47.09p. The oil and gas company agrees with banks on a new debt capacity of USD1.7 billion, down from USD1.8 billion. The reduction reflects six months of production since the September 2020 redetermination and the sale of Equatorial Guinea and Dussafu assets to Panoro Energy. Based on the new debt limit, Tullow said it will have liquidity headroom of free cash and available debt facilities of USD900 million.







By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 18:45:11|Editor: huaxia

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SUVA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Fiji reported on Friday two new imported COVID-19 cases.

According to Fiji's Ministry of Health, the first case is a 22-year-old male who traveled to Fiji from Durban, South Africa, arriving in Nadi, Fiji's third-largest city from Auckland, New Zealand. He returned a positive result during routine quarantine testing while undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine in Nadi.

The second case is a 66-year-old female who traveled from Sacramento, the United States. She returned a weak positive result during routine quarantine testing while undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine in Nadi.

Both of them have been isolated at the Lautoka hospital, about 24 km north of Nadi.

Fiji has recorded 59 cases in total, with three active cases, 54 recoveries and two deaths since its first case was recorded on March 19 last year.

The last 41 cases have been international travel associated cases detected in border quarantine. It has been 314 days since the last case was detected outside border quarantine on April 18 last year.

A total of 30,118 laboratory tests have been conducted so far with a daily average of 198 tests per day over the last seven days.

Fiji still maintains a strict travel restriction for foreign visitors alongside a nationwide curfew effective from March 30 last year. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 05:53:44|Editor: huaxia

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OTTAWA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Canada's capital expenditures on non-residential construction and machinery and equipment are expected to increase 7 percent to 266.2 billion Canadian dollars in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.

The increase will come after a drop of 9.2 percent in 2020 largely due to the economic shock from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While capital spending on non-residential structures is expected to reach 175.2 billion Canadian dollars, up 7.5 percent from 2020 and surpassing the level in 2019, the 91 billion Canadian dollars anticipated for machinery and equipment falls short of fully offsetting the 13.4 percent decline reported in 2020.

Capital spending by public sector organizations is anticipated to increase by 9.3 percent, advancing on the 5.7 percent growth in 2020.

Investments in privately held non-residential tangible assets are expected to rise 5.6 percent in 2021, well short of compensating for the sizable 16.7 percent decline in 2020.

Of the 20 industrial sectors, 14 have indicated plans to increase their capital expenditures in 2021, compared with five in 2020 and 15 in 2019.

The transportation and warehousing sector is expected to lead the way for investment in Canada in 2020 and 2021, reinforcing its critical logistical role in the economy.

Capital spending is set to reach a record of 47.9 billion Canadian dollars in 2021, up 7.2 percent, following a gain of 4.9 percent in 2020 and a significant increase of 19.5 percent in 2019.

Capital spending in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector is set to increase to 32.9 billion Canadian dollars, up 5.2 percent in 2021, following a substantial decrease of 14.7 billion Canadian dollars, down 31.9 percent in 2020.

Significant reductions in capital spending occurred in 2020 with a decrease of 29.9 percent and are expected to continue down 26.6 percent in 2021 in the accommodation and food services sector, as it was directly affected by government public health restrictions against the COVID-19 pandemic.

One Canadian dollar is about 0.79 U.S. dollar. Enditem
An abandoned SUV containing 20 gelatin sticks was found outside business tycoon Mukesh Ambani's house in Mumbai on Thursday. The suspicious SUV, a Scorpio van, was spotted near the famous Antilia on Peddar road.

As per the latest development, the abandoned car, which was parked near the billionaire's house in south Mumbai, was reportedly stolen from the Vikroli area of the city sometime back.

The car's chassis number was damaged a bit but police managed to identify its real owner, the Mumbai Police said today.

"The vehicle was seized by Police. Offence registered under relevant sections of IPC and Explosive Substances Act. A letter was found in the vehicle but as an investigation is in the preliminary stage, can't share contents," the Mumbai Police PRO has said.

The vehicle apparently had a fake number plate. The registration number on the vehicle's number plate was the same as that of an SUV in Ambani's security detail, as per reports.

"20 gelatin sticks have been found inside the vehicle," a Mumbai Police officer who had visited the spot stated. Issuing a statement, the Mumbai Police PRO said that only gelatin sticks were found inside the car on Carmichael Road and not an assembled explosive device.

A suspicious vehicle was found on Carmichael Rd this evening under limits of Gamdevi Pstn. BDDS & other Police teams reached the spot immediately, examined & found some explosive material Gelatin inside. Its not an assembled explosive device. Further investigation is going on.  Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) February 25, 2021

As it aroused suspicion, the local police was alerted and teams of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) were also informed immediately.

Preliminary CCTV footage shows that the suspicious vehicle was parked near Antilia at around 1 am last night. Two vehicles can be seen in the footage -- a Scorpio and an Innova. The driver of the Scorpio parked the vehicle near Ambani's house and left in the other car.

According to police sources, a letter was found inside the vehicle but they did not disclose its contents.

Mumbai Crime Branch probing matter: Maha Home Minister

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh also confirmed the discovery of gelatin sticks inside a car near industrialist Ambani's residence and said that the Mumbai Crime Branch was investigating the matter.

"A Scorpio van with some gelatin was found at some distance from Mukesh Ambani's home in Mumbai. The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating it. The truth will come out," the Maharashtra Home Minister said.

                                      pic.twitter.com/UnKUflWbOB  ANIL DESHMUKH (@AnilDeshmukhNCP) February 25, 2021

Mumbai Police personnel deployed outside Ambani's house

Mumbai Police deployed its personnel outside industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house following explosive materials were found near his residence a day before.

"Police deploy police personnel across the city and are conducting searches. The vehicle has been seized for investigation. A letter has been found inside the suspicious vehicle," the Mumbai Police informed.

FIR registered against unidentified persons

An FIR has reportedly been lodged in connection with the seizure of a Scorpio van, which had explosive material inside it, from near Ambani's house in South Mumbai.

The FIR has been registered at the Gamdevi Police Station against unidentified persons, a Mumbai Police spokesperson informed news agency PTI.

Mumbai Police have registered the case under Indian Penal Code sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 465 (punishment for forgery), 473 (making or possessing counterfeit seal), 506(2) (criminal intimidation, if threat is to cause death or grievous hurt), 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), the spokesperson added.

Section four of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, (punishment for attempt to cause an explosion, or for making or keeping explosive with intent to endanger life or property) has also been included in the FIR, the official said, adding that the abandoned van has been seized.

The probe is currently being carried out by the Mumbai Crime Branch, though ATS officials are also investigating if there is any terror angle involved in the incident.

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The extra days tacked on to the Plainview Independent School Districts 2020-21 school year may not have to be made up.

Following a 5-0 vote of approval by the School Board Thursday night, the district submitted waivers to the Texas Education Agency that, if approved, could pardon the district from having to make up three days missed in October and the four school days missed in February due to inclement weather.

TEA requires districts to provide a minimum of 75,600 minutes of instruction each year. If days are missed due to health, safety, inclement weather or other reasons, districts can apply for TEA waivers to avoid having to extend their school year to make up the lost time.

The district took three unscheduled days off in October 2020 and encouraged students and staff to stay off campuses and enjoy a fall break while maintenance and custodial staff used those days to sanitize against COVID-19.

A month later, the board voted to make those days up through virtual instruction after the previously scheduled last day of school (May 21, 2021). The revisions extended the year to end with an early dismissal day on May 27 and a staff work day on May 28.

If a waiver is granted, we dont have to finish the year with virtual days, said Plainview Superintendent H.T. Sanchez Tuesday night. If its denied, there will be no change necessary to the already altered 2020-21 instruction calendar.

The criteria for the three days is medical circumstance, he added.

We believe theyll approve the cold weather one. This one might be a little tricky, Sanchez said.

Robin Salazar, director for assessment counseling and accountability services, told the Board TEA seems to be moving quickly on waivers related to last weeks winter storm. Other districts have reported a quick turnaround regarding their own requests. Its expected to take a little longer to hear back about the request regarding the missed days in October.

The Board approved the application for waivers in two separate motions  one for the time missed last week and one for the time in October. Board members Tyler James and Veronica Salazar were absent.

It was pointed out during the discussion that Salazar was in attendance with a laptop ready to submit the waivers as soon as they were acted on by the school board.

Ill let you know as soon as we get word on that, Sanchez told the Board.




ADELAIDE, AU, Feb 26, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - The leading Australian CRO for biotechs, and Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award winner, Avance Clinical continues to celebrate their strategic partnership with Medidata, and the accreditation of seven Medidata inhouse experts.The two organizations have been working together to deliver world-class clinical research services to Avance Clinical's biotech customers via the Medidata Rave Clinical Cloud.Avance Clinical, Chief Strategy Officer Ben Edwards said "We look forward to many more years working with Medidata as we continue to grow the business and support the development needs of our clients."Mr Edwin Ng, Senior Vice President, General Manager for Medidata APAC said, "We are pleased to be supporting Avance Clinical's exceptional growth in Australia. Avance Clinical accreditation signifies the importance of Medidata's portfolio of products in ensuring the success of our partners' programs, and our continued commitment to helping our partners streamline and enhance the clinical research process."Avance Clinical, Director Business Development Operations, Sandrien Louwaars said, "The Medidata Rave Clinical Cloud is a quality- and efficiency-focused unified platform that helps our biotech clients, and ensures data integrity, speed, and compliance across multisite and global studies."Our seven Avance Clinical accredited Medidata experts lead our efforts, and it makes a real difference for our clients having them inhouse rather than as external consultants."Contact us about your next study. https://www.avancecro.com/eclinical-solutions/About Avance Clinical - www.avancecro.comAustralia's Avance Clinical has more than 20-years of experience and is now one of Australia's leading Contract Research Organizations.Avance Clinical is committed to providing high-quality clinical research services with its highly-experienced team.The collective pool of knowledge and experience at Avance Clinical continually grows through the careful selection of experts who also demonstrate passion in their chosen field.Avance Clinical offers high-quality services in an established clinical trial ecosystem, that includes world-class Investigators and Sites able to access specialized patient groups.Other benefits include:1. The Government R&D grant means up to 43.5% rebate on clinical trial spend2. eClinical solutions - speed and continuity3. Site Initiation Visit (SIV) and Study Start achieved in 5 - 6 weeks4. No IND required for clinical trials5. Full GMP material is not mandated for Phase I clinical trials6. Established clinical trial environment with world-class Investigators and sites7. Established healthy subject databases and specialized patient populations8. Five independent Phase 1 facilities across Australia including hospital-based units for critical care9. Major hospitals with world-class infrastructures and dedicated Clinical Trial Units with a long track-record in FDA compliant research10. Seasonal studies: Northern hemisphere Sponsors can conduct their studies year-round by taking advantage of Australia's counter-flu and allergy seasonsAbout Medidata - www.medidata.comMedidata is leading the digital transformation of life sciences, creating hope for millions of patients. Medidata helps generate the evidence and insights to help pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostics companies, and academic researchers accelerate value, minimize risk, and optimize outcomes. More than one million registered users across 1,600+ customers and partners access the world's most-used platform for clinical development, commercial, and real-world data. Medidata, a Dassault Systemes company (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), is headquartered in New York City and has offices around the world to meet the needs of its customers. Discover more at www.medidata.com and follow us @Medidata, The Operating System for Life Sciences.Medidata is a registered trademark of Medidata Solutions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Systemes.About Dassault Systemes - www.3ds.comDassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative 3D virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual experience twins of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers push the boundaries of innovation, learning and production. Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 290,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass icon, the 3DS logo, CATIA, BIOVIA, GEOVIA, SOLIDWORKS, 3DVIA, ENOVIA, EXALEAD, NETVIBES, MEDIDATA, CENTRIC PLM, 3DEXCITE, SIMULIA, DELMIA, and IFWE are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a French "societe europeenne" (Versailles Commercial Register # B 322 306 440), or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.Media Contact:Chris Thompsonmedia@avancecro.comKoh Shu Meishumei.koh@omnicomprgroupSource: Avance ClinicalCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain will give a single vaccine dose to under 55-year-olds who have already been infected with COVID-19, the Health Ministry announced on Friday in the latest update of its national inoculation strategy.

"The duration of protective immunity to the virus after natural infection is unknown but studies show that administering a single dose to these individuals boosts protective immunity," the strategy update read.

France announced a similar policy earlier this month while Italian politicians are debating whether to follow that path.

Spain had already advised that people within that bracket who have no major health complications wait six months from their diagnosis before taking a vaccine.

As of Thursday, some 2.2 million people from priority groups such as nursing home residents and staff, people over 80 and frontline medics had received an injection. Some 1.2 million of those had received a full course of two shots.

Just over 2% of Spaniards offered a vaccination have refused, including people who declined for medical reasons.

After an intense third wave of infection, Spain's two-week incidence of the virus fell to 194 cases per 100,000 people on Friday, down from almost 900 cases at the end of January.

The infection tally rose by 8,341 cases on Friday to 3.19 million, while the death toll climbed by 329 to 69,142.

(Reporting by Nathan Allen; Additional reporting by Alistair Smout and Jessica Jones; Editing by Inti Landauro, Jonathan Oatis and Richard Chang)
Houston's Rep. Al Green had harsh words for his Republican colleagues trying to thwart passage of the Equality Act.

During a hearing in the House on Thursday, Green blasted GOP Rep. Jim Jordan and several others who were objecting to the bill's passage, which amends the 1965 Civil Rights Act to include federal protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

CRUZ'S TWEETS: Senator's latest social spat, explained

It ultimately passed the House, a massive win for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans who have long lived under the threat of state-protected discrimination.

Green brought up the roots of discrimination in the United States:

And still I rise, Mr. Speaker. You used God to enslave my foreparents. You used God to segregate me in schools. You used God to put me on the back of the bus. Have you no shame? God created every person in this room. Are you saying that God made a mistake? This is not about God. It's about men who choose to discriminate against other people because they have the power to do so. My record will not show that I voted against Mr. (David) Cicilline having his rights. My record will show that when I had the opportunity to deliver liberty and justice for all, I voted for rights for all.

Religious justification for discrimination has been practiced throughout U.S. history. The American Civil Liberties Union calls for the end of using religion to discriminate.

Several states have anti-discrimination laws that include protections for the LGBTQ community, although Texas is not one of them. Federal law currently has no protections for the LGBTQ Americans, which would be changed under President Joe Biden's signing of the bill.

Those protections would then supercede any state laws, meaning Texans would be afforded the same rights as everyone.

Ohio also has no LGBTQ protections, according to Sabrina Eaton of Cleveland.com. Jordan, an Ohio representative, opposed the bill.

"I don't think anyone uses God," Jordan said after Green's speech. "We've just cited what's in the legislation, which specifically says the Religious Freedom Restoration Act shall not provide a defense against what this bill is doing. That's all we've done."

Three Republicans voted to pass the bill, along with every Democrat. The bill will now be sent for the Senate's consideration.

On his first day in office, Biden signed an executive order mandating such protections and called on Congress to "secure these protections once and for all."
A pair of Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted Thursday's strikes on Iranian-backed militias in eastern Syria on the border with Iraq, the Pentagon confirmed.

In a briefing with reporters, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the fighters dropped seven guided munitions at a facility he described as a "terrorist entry control point."

Kirby said the location was known to be used by Iranian-aligned militias, including Kaiti'b Hezbollah and Kaiti'b Sayyid al-Shuhada. The bombings completely destroyed nine facilities, he said, adding that two others were partially destroyed and left unusable.

Read Next: Militia Official: US Strike in Syria Kills 1, Wounds Several

Kirby said the airstrikes, which President Joe Biden authorized Thursday morning, were defensive in nature and in response to recent rocket attacks targeting American and coalition personnel in Iraq, as well as to "ongoing threats" against them.

The airstrikes represent the first major military operation under the new Biden administration, according to Kirby.

He said the military has early details about casualties at the site of the attack, but declined to provide further information, citing a battle damage assessment that is still under way.

The U.K.-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory on Human Rights said Friday that 22 militia fighters were killed in the attack. The group also said a weapons shipment was struck by U.S. fighters, and more militia members were wounded.

The targets were struck to damage the groups and their ability to conduct future attacks, Kirby said, though he would not discuss specific intelligence assessments. But the airstrikes were also intended to "send a very clear signal" that the U.S. will act to protect its people, he said.

"As we made clear last night -- and I think through President Biden's order, he made clear -- the United States will act to protect American and coalition personnel, and our security interests in the region," Kirby said. "These targets were chosen carefully, very deliberately, and struck in exactly the same manner."

Some Democratic and Democratic-leaning lawmakers questioned the legality of the strikes and the basis for their authorization. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who has pushed to repeal and narrow the Authorizations for the Use of Military Force passed after 9/11 and before the Iraq War, demanded that lawmakers be fully briefed on the strikes.

"The American people deserve to hear the administration's rationale for these strikes and its legal justification for acting before coming to Congress," Kaine said in a statement Friday.

And Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont., said he is concerned the attack "puts our country on the path of continuing the Forever War instead of ending it."

"This is the same path we've been on for two decades," Sanders said Friday. "For far too long, administrations of both parties have interpreted their authorities in an extremely expansive way to continue military interventions across the Middle East region and elsewhere. This must end."

Kirby said the Biden administration notified congressional leaders before the strikes and had been briefing lawmakers and their staffs Friday. The administration will hold a full classified briefing early next week, he said.

Kirby cited Article 2 of the Constitution, which spells out the president's powers as commander in chief of the armed forces, as giving Biden "not only the authority, but the obligation to protect American forces in combat theaters and in military operations."

He also pointed to Article 51 of United Nations International Law, which gives nations the right to self-defense.

"This really was a defensive strike, meant to help protect in the future American forces and coalition partners, given what we knew those structures were used for, right there on the other side of that border, to provide throughput for these groups and their activities right there inside Iraq," Kirby said.

The Pentagon is confident those facilities were used by the groups that attacked Americans and coalition forces in recent rocket attacks in Irbil in northern Iraq, and on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, making them legitimate targets, he said.

He referred to the structures as having "housing capabilities." When asked whether weapons were destroyed in the strikes, he declined to comment before the damage assessment was finished.

Kirby also said the U.S. alerted Russian forces in the area shortly before the airstrikes, using a deconfliction line set up to ensure the rival nations do not accidentally strike one another's forces.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: Rockets Strike Near US base in Iraq, Killing 1, Wounding 8
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Officers of the Incheon International Airport Police patrol with an explosive detection dog in the immigration area of the airport in this November 2015 photo. Korea Times file



By Kim Rahn



A 12-year-old boy has been accused of uploading a YouTube clip threatening a terrorist attack at Incheon International Airport on March 1, the Independence Movement Day holiday here, according to Incheon International Airport Police, Friday.



The police said their international investigation had identified the person who posted the video: a boy who was born in Korea and is now living in the United States.



On Feb. 21, the boy allegedly posted a 10-second video clip on YouTube with the Korean title, "I'll carry out a terrorist attack against Incheon airport at 11 a.m. on March 1." The title of the clip was later changed to, "The reason why I like the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks," with photos and phrases urging people not to criticize Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, who led the Sept. 11 attacks.



The police launched an investigation two days after receiving a report about the clip. In cooperation with Google, which operates YouTube, they found out that the uploader was in the U.S. and identified the boy through login records and other information. The boy's YouTube channel has also been shut down.



The police are considering charging the boy with violating the aviation security law. "We are checking with the U.S. authorities whether we can bring the boy to Korea for investigation, but we expect it to be unlikely," a police official said.



Although the chances of this terrorist attack actually being made are almost zero, police decided to maintain an enhanced security alert at the airport for the time being.



BRIDGEPORT  A registered nurse who claims he was put out of work by the pandemic was charged after police said he threatened to shoot employees at a Stratford credit union.

Robert Farrington, 45, of Kossuth Street, was charged Thursday with threatening and three counts of second-degree breach of peace.

Stratford police said Farrington allegedly threatened to get a shotgun after he was told his account at the Sikorsky Credit Union was closed for inactivity.

Ive worked as a nurse for 20 years but Ive been unemployed until I can get a COVID shot, Farrington told Superior Court Judge Peter McShane through the bars of his cell in the lockup of the Golden Hill Street courthouse Friday.

State records confirmed Farrington has been a registered nurse since 2003.

The judge, while stating he found the allegations against Farrington to be serious, nonetheless agreed to release him on a promise to appear in court.

You are not to be within 1,000 yards of the Sikorsky Credit Union. If you go back, I will raise your bond and you will be back behind bars, the judge warned.

He continued the case to May 5.

According to Stratford police, shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to the Main Street branch of the credit union.

Police said the tellers told them a man later identified as Farrington had come into the bank and stated he wanted to close his account there.

When told his account had been closed for inactivity, police said Farrington became irate, complaining he had $5 left in the account. They said he walked to the door where he compared his height to the measurement markings on the door and then allegedly declared he was going to get a shotgun. He then walked out of the credit union.

Police said an alert was put out for Farrington and a short time later officers spotted him walking at the intersection of East Main Street and Wilcoxson Avenue.

Police said Farrington admitted that he may have mentioned getting a shotgun while in the credit union but told officers he is a jokester and has no guns.

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Special tribunals have been constituted under the Telangana Rights in Lands and Pattadar Passbooks Act, after abolishing all revenue courts. (Photo:DC)

Hyderabad: In a case relating to special tribunals set up by the Telangana government, in which collectors and additional collectors have been instructed by the government to dispose over 16,000 revenue cases pertaining to land ownership issues within twenty days, the Telangana High Court on Thursday wondered how would it be possible to a tribunal to adjudicate on so many pending cases solved in such a short time

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy was so curious on how it was possible for special tribunals constituted to try pending revenue cases, exercising a judicial function to adjudicate on property rights of citizens and make judgments within a fortnight when the same revenue cases have been pending before the same revenue authorities for years together.

Chief Justice Kohli, said sarcastically, if it can be proved how these tribunals can deal with thousands of cases in such a short time, then the judiciary of India would take a leaf from the book of Telangana, in disposing of pending cases.

The bench was dealing with a PIL filed by N. Srinivasa Rao, a practicing advocate from Bhadrachalam, as an aggrieved party to a decision of the specially-constituted tribunals, in not allowing parties or advocates to defend in cases pending before the tribunals.

He argued that it was a clear violation of the principle of natural justice, where every interested party had to be given a chance to put their contentions and be heard by decision-makers.

Kovutturi Pavan Kumar, counsel for the petitioner, said it was a violation of Article 300-A. He said cases were being disposed of in a hurry.

Special tribunals have been constituted under the Telangana Rights in Lands and Pattadar Passbooks Act, after abolishing all revenue courts. These tribunals were constituted to try around 16,000 cases, which were pending before those abolished revenues courts.

Collectors and additional collectors, as members of these tribunals, decide cases. But, reportedly, there were instructions to them to dispose of the cases within twenty days, and that no hearings could be conducted or no advocate or party be allowed to submit contentions in these cases.

When this aspect was questioned by the High Court on Thursday, and the state was asked to explain the reason for the undue haste, Advocate General B.S. Prasad sought a little time to get instructions from the government, on whether it had given such directions or not.

With that, the Court gave four days time to him and adjourned the case till March 2.

Would you like to see your product on H-E-B shelves? The H-E-B Quest for Texas Best 2021 is now accepting entries.

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Islamabad, Feb 27 : At least two people carrying fuel across the Pakistan-Iran border were killed in a shooting incident, prompting Iran to launch an immediate investigation into the matter after angry protests spread across its southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

Iran has stated that the Pakistani authorities handed over the body of at least one person, adding that they "are reviewing the incident".

While Iran maintains that the shooting incident occurred in Pakistan, Pakistani border security officials say that protests broke out on the Iranian side of the frontier after Iranian forces fired at the people involved in the illegal fuel trade.

In reaction to the incident, protestors stormed the Governor's office in southeastern Iran, setting a police car ablaze, and prompting security forces to use tear gar to disperse the crowd.

"Calm has returned to the province with the help of religious leaders," a provincial security official said.

Sistan-Baluchistan's population comprises of a Sunni Muslim majority, while Iran is a Shia Muslim state.

The United Nation High Commission for Human Rights has blamed Iran for its "persistent impunity for human rights violations in regions including Sistan-Baluchistan".

"In Iran, an apparently coordinated campaign has been targeting minority groups since December, including in Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan, and in the Kurdish provinces," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said.

"Mass arrests and enforced disappearances have been reported, as well as increasing numbers of executions, following deeply flawed processes," she added.
Gardai and Revenue have seized almost 2m worth of drugs and cash in separate operations in the capital.

In one bust detectives swooped on a drugs handover and seized 750,000 worth of cannabis and cash.

Separately Revenue recovered 1.2m of the drug during routine profiling at Dublin Port.

The operations are the latest major cannabis busts in the country over the past week.

On Thursday gardai searched four vehicles and four properties across Dublin, Meath and Louth.

It led to 36kg of cannabis along with 22,000 in cash being recovered.

Three men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were also arrested and are being held on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Those in custody are understood to be Polish nationals and detectives are inquiring if the drugs were being moved by a foreign crime gang based in north Dublin.

They are being held at Ashbourne and Ronanstown garda stations under drug-trafficking legislation.

They can be held for a period of up to seven days before they must either be charged or released pending a file to the DPP.

The operation was carried out by gardai attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), supported by Revenue Customs and the Garda Dog Unit.

Assistant Commissioner John ODriscoll, head of Organised and Serious Crime, said: The seizure of a significant quantity of illicit drugs and the arrest of three suspects demonstrates the value of ongoing positive working relationships forged by An Garda Siochana with partner agencies, in Ireland, with the Revenue Customs Service.

We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to tackle organised crime that impacts negatively on communities.

In a separate operation that day Revenue officers seized 55kg of herbal cannabis and two kilos of cannabis infused jelly sweets at Dublin Port.

The illegal drugs, recovered as part of a routine profiling operation, have a combined estimated value of 1.2m.

A Revenue spokesman said: With the assistance of detector dog James and Revenues mobile X-ray scanner, the drugs were discovered concealed in suitcases that were stored in the drivers cab of a commercial vehicle, which had disembarked a ferry from Holyhead.

An Irish man in his 50s was arrested by An Garda Siochana and investigations are ongoing, the spokesman added.
Lawmakers in Tennessee wanted to erect a statue to honor Dolly Parton, however she politely and humbly declined the proposal - and for good reason.

As one of the most popular Christian celebrities, Dolly Parton can be considered a national treasure for being a music legend, God Updates reported.

To honor her contribution to the country with her incredible music, a bill passed unanimously in her home state offered to make a statue for her in the Capitol building in Nashville.

The bill read:

"The state capitol commission, at regularly scheduled meetings, shall develop and implement a plan for the commissioning of a statue of Dolly Parton, to recognize her for all that she has contributed to this state."

The state's decision is a gesture that completely flattered the 75-year old music legend.

However, Dolly humbly asked the legislature to hold off their decision to do so and her reason is very admirable of her personality and of her faith as a Christian celebrity.

In all thoughtfulness and humility, Dolly took to Twitter to thank the Tennessee legislature for their bil. But as she said, now may not be the best time to put her on pedestal with all that is happening in the world. She wrote,

"Given all that is going on in the world, I don't think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time."

Dolly's humble way of declining such a flattering offer to mark her contribution shows how sensitive she is to what the world is going through right now. Turning down the offer can be tricky for some. But for Dolly, her usual tact and grace helped her handle the situation well.

Having a statue to her name is not something that is completely off the table for Dolly Parton. The initial timing may not feel right at the moment, but she's open to the option "somewhere down the road" or even after she's gone.

"I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I'm gone," Dolly said, "if you still feel I deserve it, then I'm certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean."

Before rising to fame as one of the most popular musicians of the 1960s, Dolly never forgot her humble beginnings.

Like most musicians during her time, Dolly literally came from nothing before making it big in the industry.

The Grammy Award winner for contemporary Christian music is one of the celebrities who is very vocal of her faith and belief in God. From charitable programs to scholarships and more, Dolly shrugs off praises with a humble remark that it's because she has been blessed to help others, adding that music was more a ministry for her than just a job.

"I've just felt like God was calling me into that. I've always felt like my music was more my ministry than a job. I just feel that this day and time, we need more people that are in a position to help to try to do something, if they can, to brighten the world a little bit. That's what I'm hoping to do now," she shared.

"I've been blessed in my life to become a celebrity. And when you're in a position to help, you should help."
Chennai: In order to put an end to the exploitation of elephants by temples and private owners for joyrides or as beasts of burden, the Madras High Court has sought a uniform policy. It states that all elephants, privately owned or temple owned, must come under the care of the Forest Department and any future private ownership of elephants must be completely prohibited.

The First Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy had passed the order in response to a petition of a devotee, who pointed out ill-treatment of elephants at the Srirangam temple.

Rangarajan Narasimhan, the petitioner had stated the plight of Andal, an elephant that had been separated from its mahout (primary caretaker of captive elephant) of nearly 27 years, as the mahout was removed from service without any notice. It also cites that Section 4(4) of TN Elephant Rules, which mentions that a captive elephant is to be maintained by the same mahout and cavady (mahouts assistant) for its entire lifespan, was flouted.

According to the petition, the original caretaker was appointed as a watchman in another temple, following which the elephant was handed over to a caretaker who had resorted to inhuman tactics to bring the elephant under his control. One of the very many ways is to drug the elephant with illegal substances it states. It is mentioned that though the said elephant is hardly aged 49, its condition is like an elephant aged 89, owing to the abuse.

The government and temple authorities guard the elephant as if she is a convict in jail, not allowing the public to have a look, in order to hide the sufferings of the elephant. No CCTV camera is available in a temple that earns over Rs.100Cr every year from devotees offerings, the petition cited. The petition adds that this is done on purpose to enable the cavady to beat up the elephant in order to tame her.

In its order, the first bench said, any kind of mistreatment of elephants and other animals must be dealt with promptly and as mercilessly as such persons deal with the animals.

It added that exploitation of animals for all purposes should be stopped except for limited government controlled exercises, say, horse-riding or camel-riding on the beach, but even those cannot be privately operated since the treatment of the animals cannot be checked or monitored.

The Court has provided eight weeks time for the Government to come up with a comprehensive policy and guidelines to be framed. It was also stated that experts could be consulted, rehabilitation of elephants lured away from forests may be taken up and measures be put in place to prevent further exploitation.

Live TV

* No sanctions on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -U.S.

* Crown Prince implicated by U.S. intelligence in killing (Adds U.S. State Department, Treasury announcements)

By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Biden administration announced sanctions and visa bans on Friday targeting Saudi Arabian citizens over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but stopped short of imposing sanctions on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman himself.

U.S. President Joe Biden's actions in the first weeks of his administration appear aimed at fulfilling campaign promises to realign Saudi ties after critics accused his predecessor, Donald Trump, of giving the Arab ally and major oil producer a pass on gross human rights violations.

A senior Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the approach aims to create a new launching-off point for ties with the kingdom without breaking a core relationship in the Middle East. Relations have been severely strained for years by the war in Yemen and the killing inside a Saudi consulate of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident who wrote columns for the Washington Post critical of the crown prince's policies.

Importantly, the decisions appear designed to preserve a working relationship with the crown prince, the kingdom's de facto leader, even though U.S. intelligence concluded that he approved the operation to capture or kill Khashoggi.

"The aim is a recalibration (in ties) - not a rupture. That's because of the important interests that we do share," the senior Biden administration official said.

The 59-year old Saudi journalist was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018 and killed by a team of operatives linked to the crown prince. They then dismembered his body. His remains have never been found.

The U.S. Treasury Department placed sanctions on the former deputy Saudi intelligence chief, Ahmed al-Asiri, and announced a sanctions designation on the Saudi Royal Guard's rapid intervention force, or RIF.

Story continues

The RIF was singled out in the declassified U.S. intelligence report for its role in Khashoggi's killing.

The move freezes any U.S. assets that the Saudi individuals held and generally bars Americans from dealing with them.

"Those involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi must be held accountable," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

The United States also announced visa restrictions against 76 Saudi citizens as part of a new policy aimed at nations that carry out activities against journalists and dissidents beyond their borders. Such activities include efforts to suppress, harass, surveil, threaten or harm them.

The visa ban will also be selectively applied to family members, officials said.

"As a matter of safety for all within our borders, perpetrators targeting perceived dissidents on behalf of any foreign government should not be permitted to reach American soil," Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement.

A second U.S. official noted that, although Saudi citizens were named in the first use of what the State Department called the "Khashoggi Ban" on visas, "it's really a new global tool."

Additionally, the U.S. State Department said it will start documenting in its annual human rights report any programs by Saudi Arabia and other countries that monitor, harass or target dissidents and journalists.

Riyadh eventually admitted that Khashoggi was killed in a rogue extradition operation gone wrong, but it denied any involvement by the crown prince. Five men given the death penalty for the murder had their sentences commuted to 20 years in prison after being forgiven by Khashoggis family.

Biden administration officials say the decisions on sanctions and visa bans will send a clear message about how the United States wants to see the future U.S.-Saudi relationship.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already held talks with the 35-year-old crown prince.

Asked about any debate about applying sanctions against the crown prince, the first U.S. official said that the United States has not generally applied sanctions "on the highest leadership of countries."

"We really (came to) the unanimous conclusion that there's just other, more effective means to dealing with these issues going forward," the official said.

Biden earlier this month declared a halt to U.S. support for a Saudi Arabia-led military campaign in Yemen, demanding that the more than six-year war, widely seen as a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, had to end.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; editing by Grant McCool)
The abundance of interesting sites in Callan would make an attractive heritage trail, a local councillor has proposed.



Cllr Joe Lyons has suggested the trail could start from the Cherryfield famine graveyard, south of the town, continue through the town past the former workhouse and St Marys Abbey, into the new walking path in the Moat Field, and on into Westcourt.

There are also other sites of interest that could be included.



The many historic sites in Callan would make the trail a good attraction for the town, Cllr Lyons said, at the recent meeting of Callan Thomastown municipal district councillors.

He asked that the local councillors have a comprehensive discussion on the plan at their next monthly meeting.



Heritage

Input will be sought from tourism and heritage experts in the county to inform the plan, councillors agreed.

Cllr Chap Cleere, chairman of the Callan Thomastown municipal district, said he would invite a representative from Trails Kilkenny to give a presentation to the councillors on heritage trail plans for the whole county.



Director of Services Mary Mulholland advised councillors that they should be very clear on what they want the trail to be.

Tourism

She also suggested inviting Martina Comerford from Kilkenny Tourism to a meeting of councillors.

Ms Mulholland said the councillors should have a good discussion about what they want at their next meeting.

Funding will have to be found for the trail, because good signage that will last will be costly, she added.



A heritage trail in Callan would be worthwhile, Ms Mulholland told councillors, and it has been identified as a goal in the town development plan. Cllr Matt Doran seconded the proposal, saying it would be great to see a heritage trail in the town.

A full discussion on the matter will be held at the next meeting of Callan Thomastown municipal district councillors, it was agreed.
Last summer and fall, as the general election approached, citizens across the country voiced concern about the prospect of voting in person. With COVID -19 spreading, many jurisdictions saw a need, even if only temporarily, to expand absentee and mail-in voting options so that people did not have to choose between exercising their constitutional right to vote and their health and safety. Missouri was one of the states that expanded voting options for that election.

Just as exercising the right to vote is central to our democracy, so is the right to provide oral testimony live at legislative hearings. In fact, the reason that hearings exist is so that members of the public who have a stake in the matter being considered, whether individuals or representatives of organizations, have an opportunity to state their case in favor of or against a piece of legislation. This is a pillar of our democracy.

As Jews, there are many political issues we care about. Historically, many of our organizations have been on the front lines at the Capitol, testifying on bills related to Israel, reproductive rights, health care access and more. Our Jewish teachings tell us that we must pursue justice, and one way we do so is by lobbying our legislators.

Right now, the Missouri Legislature is effectively denying Missourians the right to state their views at hearings by making them choose between showing up in person and risk getting the COVID-19 virus or not showing up at all. Only in person testimony is allowed in most cases. While on paper the Missouri House (but not the Missouri Senate) has a procedure to request remote testimony, it is not guaranteed but rather considered on a case-by-case basis with no guidelines provided as to what criteria matter. Practically speaking, because most hearings are announced only on 24 hours notice, the advance notice required for permission to testify remotely cannot be met.

Compounding this situation is that the Legislature voted earlier this year not to require masks at the Capitol. Hearings are taking place in small, closed hearing rooms where not everyone is wearing masks or social distancing.

Congress has been conducting much of its business, including hearings, using virtual testimony since last summer. The Missouri Legislature has the technology, including screens in all hearing rooms, to do the same.

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An additional issue that comes from not allowing virtual testimony is that legislators are able to hold hearings that are anything but. A few weeks ago, there was a hearing in the Missouri House that considered 11 bills at once. This could be done because hardly anyone was in attendance to speak on behalf or against any of these bills. They were summarily considered and the hearing concluded. This is not democracy.

While the option of submitting written testimony still exists, it does not have the power that oral, live testimony has in swaying elected officials. Anyone with experience advocating in Jefferson City will tell you that to have an impact, you need to testify live to get the full, undivided attention of legislators.

The issue of making the ability to testify safely accessible to our citizens is nonpartisan and affects all Missouri stakeholders. Last summer, an open letter was circulated by two organizations at opposite ends of the political spectrum chastising the Legislature for opening during COVID while at the same time limiting the ways that the public could interact with lawmakers while bills were being considered.

Those two groups, the ACLU of Missouri and Americans for Prosperity, supported the open letter because each understood that the First Amendment and the right of the people to petition their government are central to who we are as a nation.

Governing in the way that restricts how people can testify in a pandemic should not be allowed. Restricted government stifles speech, including the speech of the elected representatives sent to Jefferson City to serve and, most importantly, including the speech of Missouri constituents whose lives and livelihoods depend on the laws the Legislature creates.

As Jews we are called to speak out against this undemocratic practice. Contact your state representative and senator and demand that they support a change in rules so that their constituents can testify safely in real time on the issues that matter to them.

Gail Wechsler belongs to Central Reform Congregation and is a member of its Tikkun Olam Steering Committee. This article represents her personal views.
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Indians depend on Chinese manufacturing. Two-way trade stood at US$ 77.7 billion in 2020, more than with the United States. Modis autarchy has yielded no results. Border disputes could exacerbate divisions. Joe Biden is pushing for an anti-Chinese alliance.

New Delhi (AsiaNews)  China is India's top trading partner again, this despite attempts by the Modi government to reduce trade with its neighbour following repeated clashes between the two countries along their Himalayan border.

According to the latest data from Indias Ministry of Commerce, two-way trade between the two countries in 2020 reached US$ 77.7 billion, down from US$ 85.5 billion in 2019, but higher than India's trade with the United States (US$ 75.9 billion).

For strategic reasons, the Indian government announced plans for economic self-sufficiency to reduce dependence on foreign imports, especially from China.

Like in other countries, the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus pandemic has generated concerns about the security of international supply chains, which are dominated by the Chinese in manufacturing.

Over the past year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi banned hundreds of Chinese web applications as well as investments in key sectors such as technology, energy and infrastructure.

However, data show that the prime ministers autarchy did not reach the desired goals. India is still too dependent on importing household appliances, industrial machinery and telecommunications equipment from China.

Last year, Indias trade deficit with its northern neighbour stood at US$ 40 billion. Total imports from China reached US$ 58.7 billion, more than the sum of imports from the United States and the United Arab Emirates (Indias second and third trading partners).

India's exports to China grew to US$ 19 billion (+11 per cent over 2019).

According to media reports, Modi gave the green light to a dozen Chinese investments in manufacturing: both signs that economic decoupling from China is difficult to achieve, at least in the short term.

However, geopolitical factors might trump economic and trade considerations.

Delhi and Beijing recently reached an agreement to demobilise troops near the Pangong Tso glacial lake, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that divides Indias Ladakh region from Tibet.

Since last summer, soldiers from the two sides have fought each other  sustaining dead and wounded  at different points on the Himalayan border.

The two countries share a 3,488 km border in the impervious Himalayan region, over which they fought a brief but bloody war in 1962.

Delhi claims large sectors of Aksai Chin (which the Chinese received from Pakistan), whilst Beijing claims the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Analysts point out that the deal is a temporary. The Modi administration has repeatedly stated that India cannot ignore border issues in its relations with China.

Yesterday Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that bilateral relations between their countries have suffered a severe blow over the past year.

For Jaishankar, this is due to "provocative behaviour and unilateral attempts by the Chinese side to alter the status quo."

Then there is the Biden factor. To counter China's advance into the Indo-Pacific, the new US president wants to strengthen ties with regional allies and partners.

One of Washington's main goals is to give beef up the Quad, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, with India, Japan and Australia.

For China, this is the embryo of an Asian NATO; for Indians, it is a tool to counter the growth of Chinese influence.
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The koala retrovirus (KoRV) is a virus which, like other retroviruses such as HIV, inserts itself into the DNA of an infected cell. At some point in the past 50,000 years, KoRV has infected the egg or sperm cells of koalas, leading to offspring that carry the retrovirus in every cell in their body. The entire koala population of Queensland and New South Wales in Australia now carry copies of KoRV in their genome. All animals, including humans, have gone through similar "germ line" infections by retroviruses at some point in their evolutionary history and contain many ancient retroviruses in their genomes. These retroviruses have, over millions of years, mutated into degraded, inactive forms that are no longer harmful to the host. Since in most animal species this process occurred millions of years ago, the immediate health effects on the host at that time are unknown but it has been suspected for some time that the invasion of a genome by a retrovirus may have considerable detrimental health effects. The koala is at a very early stage of this process when the retrovirus is still active and these health effects can be studied.

Since retroviruses can cause cancer, it was thought that there is a link between KoRV and the high frequency of lymphoma, leukemia and other cancers in koalas from northern Australia. To investigate this link, scientists at the Leibniz-IZW sequenced DNA from wild koalas suffering from cancer. This allowed them to accurately detect the number of copies of KoRV in the koala genomes and identify the precise locations where the retrovirus had inserted its DNA. By comparing this information between healthy and tumour tissues in single koalas, and by comparing insertion sites between koala individuals, they found multiple links between KoRV and genes known to be involved in the kind of cancers to which koalas are prone.

"Each koala carries around 80 - 100 inherited copies of KoRV in its genome. The genomic locations of most of these are not shared between koalas, indicating a rapid expansion and accumulation of KoRV copies in the population. Each time a retrovirus copies and re-inserts itself into the genome, it causes a mutation, potentially disrupting gene expression, which could be detrimental to the host," says Prof Alex Greenwood, Head of Department of Wildlife Diseases at the Leibniz-IZW. This means that by frequently copying itself to new locations in the genome, KoRV is currently conferring a high mutational load on the koala population. Tumour tissues contain many new copies of KoRV, indicating that KoRV is more active in tumour cells. These copies generally were located close to genes associated with cancer. New KoRV insertions in tumour tissues affected the expression of genes in their vicinity. Such changes in gene expression associated with cancer can cause increased cell growth and proliferation, which leads to tumours. Although other factors may also contribute to cancer in koalas, the mutational burden from KoRV likely increases the frequency of cells becoming cancerous and may shorten the time for cancer to develop.

In one koala, a copy of KoRV was found that had incorporated an entire cancer-related gene from the koala genome into its DNA sequence. This greatly increased expression of this gene and most likely caused cancer in this particular koala. If this mutated virus is transmissible, it would be of grave concern for koala conservation efforts. Comparing the genomic location of KoRVs between koalas also suggests that KoRV may predispose related koalas to particular tumours, with koalas sharing KoRV insertions in specific cancer-related genes suffering from similar types of cancer which they can pass on to their offspring. Across all koalas studied, there were "hot spots" in the genome where KoRV frequently inserts itself. These hot spots were also located in proximity to genes associated with cancer. "In summary then, we find multiple links at the genomic level between cancer-related genes and KoRV, revealing ways in which KoRV underlies the high frequency of cancer in koalas," explains Gayle McEwen, scientist at the Leibniz-IZW.

The results highlight the detrimental health consequences that wildlife species can suffer following germline infection by retroviruses. Germline invasions have been repeatedly experienced during vertebrate evolution and have shaped vertebrate genomes, including the lineage leading to modern humans. These were most likely associated with severe detrimental health effects, which must be endured and overcome to ensure species survival. The scientists at the Leibniz-IZW have previously shown that old retroviruses present in the koala genome aid the rapid degradation of KoRV. The koala finds itself in a race to survive the effects of KoRV long enough for the virus to be degraded. Considering the many threats to koalas, it is a race they need to win.

###

Publication

McEwen GK, Alquezar-Planas DE, Dayaram A, Gillett A, Tarlinton R, Mongan N, Chappell KJ, Henning J, Tan M, Timms P, Young PR, Roca AL, Greenwood AD (2021): Retroviral integrations contribute to elevated host cancer rates during germline invasion. NAT COMM.

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-21612-7.

Contact

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.

Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17

10315 Berlin Germany

Alex D Greenwood

(greenwood@izw-berlin.de)

Head Department of Wildlife Diseases

Tel. +49 (0)30 51 68 255

Gayle K McEwen

(mcewen@izw-berlin.de)

Scientist

Tel. +49 (0)30 51 68 464

Steven Seet

(seet@izw-berlin.de)

Head Science Communication

Tel.: +49 (0)177 857 26 73
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

People who took statins to lower cholesterol were approximately 50% less likely to die if hospitalized for COVID-19, a study by physicians at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian has found.

"Our study is one of the larger studies confirming this hypothesis and the data lay the groundwork for future randomized clinical trials that are needed to confirm the benefit of statins in COVID-19," says Aakriti Gupta, MD, a cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and one of the co-lead authors of the study.

"If their beneficial effect bears out in randomized clinical trials, statins could potentially prove to be a low-cost and effective therapeutic strategy for COVID-19," adds co-lead author Mahesh V. Madhavan, MD, also a cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Why Look at Statins?

Gupta, Madhavan, and the study's leadership group are cardiologists who cared for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the spring and summer of 2020 when the first wave of the pandemic swept through New York City.

"We observed that patients who got very sick and required hospitalization had high rates of hyperinflammation and clotting," says Elaine Wan, MD, the Esther Aboodi Assistant Professor of Medicine in Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology and a cardiac electrophysiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, one of the study's senior authors.

"As cardiologists, statins naturally came to mind," Gupta says. "In addition to their well-known cholesterol-lowering effect, statins are known for their anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and immunomodulatory properties."

Study Analyzed Data from Electronic Health Records

Based on their observations, the authors looked at outcomes for 2,626 patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to a quaternary academic medical center in Manhattan during the first 18 weeks of the pandemic.

The researchers compared 648 patients who regularly used statins before developing COVID-19 to 648 patients who did not use statins. Patients in each group were matched so that there were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, or use of other medications at home.

50% Fewer Deaths among Statin Users

Among the statin users, 96 (14.8%) died in the hospital within 30 days of admission compared with 172 (26.5%) of patients who did not use statins.

When other differences among the patients were factored in, the researchers found that statin use was significantly associated with a 50% reduction in in-hospital mortality (within 30 days). Patients on statins also tended to have lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

Statin use was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in the use of invasive mechanical ventilation (18.6% in statin users vs. 21.9%), days on a ventilator (13.5 vs 12.8), or length of hospital stay (7 vs 7).

Comparison with Other Studies

Other studies and meta-analyses from China have also suggested a survival benefit from statins among COVID-19 patients. However, these results may not apply to patients in Western countries who generally have more cardiovascular disease.

The current study is one of the larger studies confirming the association. Smaller retrospective studies out of North America and Europe have found similar results.

Randomized Clinical Trials Needed

Although the study compared closely matched participants and adjusted for other variables, as a retrospective analysis, unknown factors could explain the results.

"Only randomized controlled clinical trials can evaluate the benefits of statins in COVID-19 patients," says senior author Sahil A. Parikh, MD, associate professor of medicine and a cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Several randomized trials are underway, including studies to determine if statins can prevent hospitalization in outpatients, and lower the risk of death when given to hospitalized patients.

One of the study's authors, Behnood Bikdeli, MD, a former cardiology fellow at Columbia now a fellow in vascular medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, is leading a randomized clinical trial looking at the impact of statins in hospitalized ICU patients in Iran.

Explore further Kidney problems more prevalent in NYC COVID-19 patients

More information: Aakriti Gupta et al, Association between antecedent statin use and decreased mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Aakriti Gupta et al, Association between antecedent statin use and decreased mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21553-1
ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Elizabethtown College has been named to the 2021 Transfer Honor Roll list by the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. PTK annually recognizes institutions for displaying excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative transfer pathways for community college transfer students.

"Our goal is to make the transfer process as seamless as possible and to provide pathways for all students, especially those who are transferring to Elizabethtown College from another institution," said John Champoli, Elizabethtown College Vice President for Enrollment Management. "It's fantastic to see that Etown is being recognized as an accessible destination for students to continue their education."

The prestigious recognition, which identifies Elizabethtown College as one of the most transfer-friendly schools in the nation, is determined by measuring an institution's admissions practices, cost of attendance, campus life, and recruitment practices. This year, PTK named just 150 colleges and universities to its 2021 Transfer Honor Roll.

Elizabethtown College already has established Dual Admissions Programs with several community colleges including Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Harford Community College (HCC), and Reading Area Community College (RACC). These articulation agreements create a smooth and accessible transfer process for students.

These programs allow for students to earn their associate degree at the participating institution and easily apply those credits toward earning an advanced degree at Etown. Discover more about these partnerships at Elizabethtown College.

Elizabethtown College, located in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a private institution offering more than 50 majors including health sciences, data analytics, public policy, technology, engineering, fine and performing arts, business, communications, education degrees and more. Discover etown.edu.

Contact:

Keri Straub

Executive Director of Marketing & Communications

Elizabethtown College

(717) 725-6907

[email protected]

SOURCE Elizabethtown College

Related Links

http://www.etown.edu


A restaurant in Quang Ninh Province has attracted lots of customers with their charcoal black bread.

Shop owner Tran Khac Tuan said he is happy that the bread was so warmly embraced and their orders quickly increased. Tuans shop sells 300 to 500 loaves daily.

It took us about a year to research the right recipe and four testings for the bread, Tuan said. Hanoi, Danang and HCM City have their own distinctive foods so we also want to make something for Quang Ninh.

The bread is made with bamboo charcoal powder and squid ink. Squid represents the coastal areas while charcoal is a symbol for the numerous coal mines in Quang Ninh. Tuan said they only use seafood for the toppings, including shrimp, squid and crab, as they hope to give everyone an affordable meal with seafood.

Each sandwich is sold for VND25,000 to VND45,000.

Thuy Trang, a customer in Hanoi, said that after hearing about the bread from her niece she had travelled to the shop to try the bread. Trang said both the look and the taste were very nice.

I was curious about how the bread looks and tastes in real life. I also bought five to six more loaves for my nieces and nephews, she said.

Source: Dtinews
The San Antonio Public Library, seeking to strike a balance between free expression and its core function of providing quiet places to read, study and check out materials, is considering a policy that would formally create a free expression area outside each of its 27 locations.

The system has had a policy since 2013 to have a designated expression zone at each branch. But the libraries have since seen increases in petition drives, people passing out literature and other activities protected by the First Amendment.

The library system's board of trustees met last week and delayed action on the issue until its April 28 meeting.

Jean Brady, the boards District 1 downtown-area representative, cautioned that designating a specific space for free expression can be controversial.

She mentioned a recent dust-up involving the transfer of a designated free speech zone in Alamo Plaza that led to concerns that people were not being able to speak freely at the Alamo. A master plan for the Alamo would relocate the area designated for free speech from the center of the plaza, in the heart of the mission and 1836 battle site, to an area a few hundred feet south.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio libraries, other facilities opening slowly in pandemic

Although the Alamo plan is on hold, Brady said the controversy created a huge issue at the Alamo that illustrates the challenges of trying to contain free expression to a defined location.

I really think we need to give this a lot of thought, because libraries are places of freedom of expression, she said.

Although the library system has scaled back to limited operations because of the pandemic, most locations are open for contact-free pickup and computers by appointment. The proposed policy could be in place whenever the libraries fully reopen.

Library officials didnt attribute the proposal to a specific event but said a board-approved policy would give guidance to staff and help the system strike the right balance.

The library system would post the free-expression locations on its website, with branch managers providing the first line that would carry this out, Cheryl Sheehan, public services administrator with the library system, told trustees.

This policy is a tool that balances the freedom of expression with the rights of patrons to access library buildings and library services without feeling impeded or harassed, said Library Director Ramiro Salazar, who issued a 2013 memo that initiated the current policy.

The proposed policy prohibits behavior that impedes access for patrons to library entrances; noise that disrupts regular library operations or special events; and any communication that is obscene, defamatory, incites violence or unlawful action, or consists of words or threats of physical harm.

Assistant City Attorney Stephen Whitworth said the proposal is essentially an extension of the librarys patron code of conduct, attempting in a rational way to regulate behavior outside library buildings.

Anytime you want to impose regulations on peoples liberty rights associated with access to the library, you would definitely want to have the highest power of the board weighing in, Whitworth told trustees.

On ExpressNews.com: Public library, Bexar BiblioTech offer free e-books

When libraries are used as polling sites, free speech activities could occur outside the free expression areas under the policy, as long as they comply with state law, which prohibits campaigning within 100 feet of a polling site.

Linda Nairn, the trustee representing District 10 on the Northeast Side, said branch locations in her district have little room to provide for First Amendment activity without affecting library patrons.

And I know that when there were some people who were trying to get petitions signed last year, and some people at the library coming felt like they were having to go through a gauntlet to get to the library, Nairn said.

shuddleston@express-news.net
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26) Like many other kids, Gregorio Villar III grew up watching a bunch of science fiction films.

The blockbuster hits "Star Trek," "Star Wars," and one of his favorites, the Will Smith-starrer "Independence Day," sparked his interest to someday work in space.

When he [Smith] goes into space and just sees the blanket of stars, he says that hes been waiting for this all his life, Villar said in an interview with CNN Philippines The Source, recalling a scene from the 1996 movie.

So growing up all these movies really inspired me to work in space. I was really good at math and I loved science, so thats what I kind of pursued throughout my career, he added.

Fast forward to today, Villar went on to fulfill his dream, landing a job at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration where he serves as an operations systems engineer for the agencys Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

He was also one of the Filipino-Americans who played a key role in the Mars 2020 mission, which recently saw the successful landing of the Perseverance rover on the red planet, as the head verification and validation engineer for the entry, descent, and landing phase of the project.

READ: How Filipino-American engineer helped in Perseverance rover's safe Mars landing

Journey to NASA

It wasnt always a smooth ride for Villar, however, as he recounted his fair share of challenges to achieve his goals.

Villar grew up in the US, but moved back to the Philippines when he was around 13 years old. He completed his secondary education at the Saint Louis University-Laboratory High School in Baguio City where he, admittedly, had to adjust being a new student.

It was quite an adjustment for me growing up mostly in the US. It was hard to adjust just being the new person, being the new kid, he said.

Villar then continued his education at the California State Polytechnic University Pomona, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physics.

It was challenging because in college, even though I thought I was good in math, I did get an 'F' in one of my classes, the engineer said. But you know I persevered out of that and retook the class and just kept going.

He also recalled applying for a physics program for graduate school, but did not get the results he was hoping for at the time.

And maybe that meant it just wasnt for me right? Maybe physics wasnt for me and that led me to engineering, he said.

And I did well in engineering, got my masters in astronautical engineering, and ended up working at NASA.

Whats next?

The safe and flawless landing of the Perseverance rover last week on Mars hogged headlines all over the world, with experts and scientists lauding the pivotal moment for NASA and the space exploration globally.

LOOK: New Mars image from rover landing site shows the red planet in high definition

For Villar, the work continues even after the stellar accomplishment.

Its been a long eight years on Perseverance but after that, theres a lot of missions that we still have to do, Villar said. Perseverance right now is gonna collect some samples, and we are studying on the next mission that will bring the samples back so maybe Ill work on that.

Villar likewise bared he has applied for the agencys astronaut program.

But I havent heard back yet and hopefully one day Ill be back about astronaut training, well see. But Im just mostly focusing on resting now that weve done this amazing thing.
Of course, many artists have wanted to go someplace else, and they simply can not or do not want to risk it. Its comfortability and personal responsibility all mixed together. And as the world begins to open up, more questions about what the industry can and should do will arise. How does one motivate a community that is too frightened, too angst-ridden, too nihilistic to think about the future of the music industry? Or an industry that has not had the privilege to travel and perform abroad?
Incorporating a green game plan can help businesses significantly reduce their impact on the environment.

The made-for-television educational program, Viewpoint, hosted by well-known dramatic actor Dennis Quaid, is gearing up with content creators to provide a segment featuring green strategies for businesses. The episode will highlight methods businesses can use to make more sustainable decisions alongside the top organizations making strides in the green business industry.

Having a green business is far more than boasting a PR-friendly label. With growing worries in regards to climate change, it benefits organizations to incorporate eco-friendly strategies to accommodate global warming concerns. There are several tactics companies can take to lessen their impact on the environment.

Businesses can make the workplace more environmentally friendly by switching to LED bulbs and moving to reusable cups and containers in place of conventional disposable options. Switching out items like printer paper and shipping boxes for ones made of recycled material can help cut down on company waste, too. Another green option is to reduce paper use. Many businesses can cut down on paper products by merely switching to digital alternatives, thus reducing the companys overall carbon footprint.

Incorporating a green game plan can help businesses significantly reduce their impact on the environment. Viewpoint is proud to highlight the organizations featuring these sustainable green methods in the upcoming episode that Dennis Quaid will introduce.

The television show, Viewpoint was created to educate television audiences. Anchoring the show is a team of widely talented individuals and developers. The segment has accepted several Telly awards throughout its tenure.


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'Marshall Plan for Moms' devalues motherhood, mother of 6 says

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A mother of six is speaking out against an effort to create a "Marshall Plan for Moms" by giving mothers $2,400 stimulus checks, arguing that it devalues motherhood and sends the wrong message.

Noelle Mering, co-author of the book, Theology of Home II: The Spiritual Art of Homemaking and co-creator of the Theology of Home ministry, explained her opposition to the Marshall Plan for Moms in an interview with The Christian Post.

The push to enact a Marshall Plan for Moms comes nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused millions of Americans to experience economic hardships.

In an op-ed published by The Hill in December, Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, called on the Biden administration to implement a "monthly, means-tested $2,400 monthly payment to the women who are the bedrock of our economy and our society." The monthly stimulus payments were just one part of Saujani's proposal, which she referred to as the Marshall Plan for Moms.

The term Marshall Plan refers to the post-World War II initiative spearheaded by the United States to rebuild war-ravaged Western Europe.

"Each day, about 45 million women in this country show up to a job where they regularly work overtime, are paid nothing, and get no time off. Their job title is mother. It's time to pay them for their labor," Saujani asserted.

The movement to create a Marshall Plan for Moms continued to gain popularity as 50 women penned a letter to President Joe Biden, which was published as an ad in The New York Times in January. Notable signatories included actresses Connie Britton, Eva Longoria, Alyssa Milano, Julianne Moore, Amy Schumer, Amber Tamblyn, Charlize Theron and Gabrielle Union.

"Moms are the bedrock of society. And we're tired of working for free," they wrote. Illustrating the need for a Marshall Plan for Moms, the women argued that "COVID has decimated so many of our careers. Two million of us have left the workforce, at a rate four times that of men in September alone. Millions more have been forced to cut back our hours or work around the clock to keep our jobs and be full-time caregivers."

The women asked Biden to address the "national crisis" and "establish a task force to create a Marshall Plan for Moms, implement a short-term monthly payment to moms depending on needs and resources, (and) pass long overdue policies like paid family leave, affordable childcare and pay equity." They concluded the letter by declaring: "It's time to put a dollar figure on our labor. Motherhood isn't a favor and it's not a luxury. It's a job."

Mering pushed back on the contention shared by Saujani and the other advocates for the Marshall Plan for Moms.

"While I think she is considering this to be some sort of elevation of the vocation of motherhood, it actually is devaluing it because if anything, to reduce it to something that is measurable and quantifiable, is to say that it's something that we would only do if we get something out of it. To the contrary, motherhood is ... an outpouring of love for people who are completely dependent upon you."

Mering also took issue with another idea expressed in The New York Times ad, which was that "we don't value what we get for free." According to Mering, "In reality, the things we value the most are the things that we do for free, the things that are gifts, the things that are done with ... generosity, without counting costs."

"There's some sort of irony in the fact that these movie stars, celebrities, Alyssa Milano, etc., are pushing this as a way to uplift motherhood. If they really wanted to uplift it, they could ... have spent their careers not being in movies that totally portrayed it as a sad, oppressive state in life. They could have done things in the culture if they really wanted to value motherhood. Certainly, Hollywood has done the exact opposite," she continued.

Mering described the Marshall Plan for Moms as the latest example of a "really radical feminist ideology" that "evaluates the good and wholeness of being a woman as being based on fighting oppression that home life enforces upon her" and a "presupposition that to stay at home is reflective of your state of being oppressed." She told CP that "I think it's reflective of the idea that we are valuable so far as we get a paycheck."

The mother of six acknowledged that while leaving the workforce "might be a negative in certain circumstances when that paycheck is really needed," in some cases, women have decided to voluntarily leave the workforce during the coronavirus pandemic. As they were "re-evaluating their lives."

She noted that many families also decided in favor of "leaving the city" and "trying to find something more simple," adding: "I don't think we can discount the idea that there are some people who have chosen this, to leave the workforce, out of a good that they're pursuing."

Advocates for the Marshall Plan for Moms have created a website where they elaborate on their "bold-360 plan to get women back to work." Their vision includes "direct payments to moms, who have had their paid labor in the workforce replaced by unseen, unpaid labor at home" as well as "retraining programs to ensure women can fill the jobs that will exist" and "plans to safely reopen schools 5 days a week."

Following the letter's publication in The New York Times, an additional letter appeared in The Washington Post signed by 50 men who support the Marshall Plan for Moms. Notable signatories included actors Don Cheadle and Colin Farrell, former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and universal basic income advocate Andrew Yang, "Top Chef" personality Tom Colicchio, athlete Steph Curry and former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

The Washington Post letter stressed the need to "create a new structure that works for women, that respects and values their labor."

Agreeing with Biden and Vice President Harris' characterization of the "crisis affecting moms" as a "national emergency," signatories noted that "women have been fighting for equality for centuries," adding "now is the time to finish that fight and rebuild our economy to finally value women's work."

Following the publication of the letters in two of the nation's largest newspapers, Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., introduced the Marshall Plan for Moms in the House of Representatives.

Cosponsored by 26 additional House Democrats, the bill stresses the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and calls for "a robust paid leave plan" that will enable parents to take leaves of absence when their children's school is closed for in-person learning, if they or a relative has coronavirus or if they want to take the vaccine.

The legislation also pushes for the implementation of other progressive policy proposals, such as raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. "United States employers and policymakers must prioritize addressing the economic cliff facing mothers and make permanent the aforementioned policies so that mothers are protected against any future economic calamities," the bill concluded.
WASHINGTON - As members of the Proud Boys arrived at the foot of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, they gathered as a unified front, donning bright orange beanies and tactical gear and carrying flags and megaphones used to lead chants that rippled through the roiling crowd.

Members of the all-male far-right group, which has a history of violence, posed for photos, displaying the "OK" hand gesture, which has become a "white power" sign, and moved through the crowd together.

Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio - who had been arrested and banned from Washington D.C. on charges related to the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a historically Black church - cheered on members in social media posts. The next day, he wrote a message to thousands of followers: "I am with you. We are all with you. You make this country great. Never stop fighting."

In the weeks since, this unified front has fractured and the very brand of the group has begun to corrode.

Experts who study far-right organizations warn that as members distance themselves from the group, the Proud Boys could metastasize into an increasingly violent organization led by those who have long jockeyed for control.

Cassie Miller, a senior research analyst with the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, said the political terrain is shifting in a way that could be friendlier to the organization's more extreme faction.

"One thing that was made apparent by the insurrection is there is this growing anti-democratic far-right bloc that is willing to use violence and force to push their views," she said. "We're seeing a shift back to what the Proud Boys have been practicing for a long time."

Federal investigators have accused the Proud Boys of leading the charge during the assault on the Capitol. One member, Dominic Pezzola, was filmed using a police shield to smash through a window and encouraging others to climb into the building.

Pezzola and other prominent members of the Proud Boys have been arrested and charged with a litany of federal crimes, including conspiracy charges that allege that the Proud Boys were at the forefront of planning much of the violence that transpired on Jan 6.

The Proud Boys have since instituted a moratorium on participating in or organizing protests. Tarrio has denied that the Proud Boys organized violence at the Capitol.

Late last month, court records surfaced from a 2012 fraud case that outlined how Tarrio had been a prolific cooperator with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies in South Florida. Jeffrey Feiler, Tarrio's defense attorney at the time, said that Tarrio had worked as an undercover informant in a case related to an immigrant-smuggling operation and that information he provided in another case enabled police to raid multiple marijuana grow houses.

Reports of Tarrio's past life sparked suspicion in the ranks, with some members denouncing him on social media, calling him "a rat" and demanding his removal as head of the organization.

On Feb. 3, the Canadian government designated the Proud Boys a terrorist organization. Bill Blair, Canada's public safety minister, said that "since 2018, we have seen an escalation toward violence in this group," adding that the Proud Boys were "hateful, intolerant and, as we've seen, they can be highly dangerous."

As controversies mount, at least four chapters have split from the national organization, announcing their disaffiliation on social media and encouraging other chapters to follow.

The Indiana chapter of the Proud Boys was first. The Alabama Proud Boys, the Oklahoma Proud Boys, the Missouri Proud Boys and the Las Vegas Proud Boys have since disaffiliated and denounced the national group.

"If other states follow this lead we can have a truly autonomous chapter that won't be liable for the mistakes of the next chairman or the next group of elders," Brien James, leader of the Indiana chapter and a member of the white nationalist Vinlanders Social Club, wrote to his followers on the Telegram app. "Don't talk about autonomy. Be autonomous."

The groups that disaffiliated from the national organization this month cited Tarrio as one of the reasons.

"It's going to be a lot more difficult for him to maintain control over the group, because a lot of them don't see him as a legitimate leader anymore," Miller said. "If you have been outed as having cooperated with the feds, you're essentially blacklisted in far-right circles."

Tarrio responded to the defections on Feb. 14, posting a statement on Telegram that rejected the idea that the group was "splintering," saying, "You will never be able to 'splinter' the bonds that have been created by men that have shared their joy, their sweat, their blood and their tears." The message went on to assert the group's staying power, saying: "Proud Boys are here forever. I suggest you start figuring that out."

For years, experts said, Tarrio has sought to legitimize the Proud Boys by encouraging increased involvement in mainstream politics and cozying up to former president Donald Trump. Tarrio joined the Latinos for Trump group, had a prominent seat at a 2019 Trump rally in Florida and posted photos to social media in December of himself at the White House. The Trump administration said Tarrio had taken a public tour and was not invited by, nor did he meet with, Trump.

Tarrio briefly ran for Congress as a Republican and began making branded clothing with Trump's now-famous line from a presidential debate when he was asked to denounce the Proud Boys and instead told them to "stand back and stand by."

"Standing down and standing by, sir," the group wrote on its social media accounts soon after.

Afterward, Tarrio said, the group's membership swelled. More than 700 Proud Boys attended a December presidential election protest in Washington that devolved into violence after dark. It was the largest number of the group's members to attend a protest in the nation's capital.

After the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, experts said, some members of the group that had followed Tarrio's lead in seeking to nudge the Proud Boys into mainstream politics may turn to the burgeoning far-right Patriot Party as a vehicle for political aspirations.

Richard Schwetz, president of the Lehigh Valley Proud Boys, shared in a chat group for supporters of the Patriot Party that he intends to run for Congress.

"The Proud Boys has become a dirty name and some of the Proud Boys' members are trying to distance themselves but they still need the infrastructure to set up and bring people over to these new groups and causes," said Rita Katz, executive director of SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors online extremism. "The Proud Boys are being watched, and they know that. As a result, many of them - including some looking to get into politics - are distancing themselves from the Proud Boys brand and organizing under different names."

As different factions of the group wrestle with what direction the Proud Boys should take, experts said, more extreme members and influences may push the group to double down on its violent roots.

Jared Holt, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank who monitors domestic extremism, said the impact the Proud Boys have on American society extends far beyond their in-person events and protests. The group has developed an expansive media operation that includes podcasts, social media accounts with tens of thousands of followers and YouTube shows.

Although infighting could hamper the group's ability to turn out hundreds of members to any single event - protests in the nation's capital, for example - it also allows members with increasingly radical views to access a large network of followers, Holt said.

"If people have hitched their wagons to the Proud Boys and now their local chapter decides to run off the rails and go in a more extreme direction, there will be at least some portion of that group that tags along with them," Holt said. "There's a risk that some of the groups that break off of the national organization - should they choose a more extreme approach - could use those broader sympathies within the Republican base to further extremist causes and radicalize more people within the Republican zeitgeist."

One of the Proud Boys' most popular Telegram channels, formally called "Proud Boys: Uncensored," recently changed its name to "Western Chauvinists" - one of the terms the group uses to define the organization, but one that Holt said carries a super-nationalist tone that puts the group "straight into neo-fascist third position."

Miller, of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said chatter among members of the Proud Boys on social media seems to indicate a growing disillusionment with electoral politics. Many thought Trump had turned his back on them after the insurrection, she said, and do not have faith in other Republican politicians.

She and other experts said that when and how the Proud Boys reemerge from the group's moratorium on events is likely to be telling of the shape the organization will take in the future.

"The thing you have to remember is the Proud Boys felt untouchable last year. But now, the government is coming after them and many of their members have been arrested," Katz said. "They feel betrayed and angry, and they're not going to suddenly become more moderate. They are just going to become angrier. What they do with that anger, how they try to get back the privilege they once had, we'll have to see."
No postal ballot facility for overseas Indian voters in five assembly polls

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Feb 26: Eligible overseas Indian voters will not get the facility of postal ballots in the five assembly elections to be held in March and April as the government wants the Election Commission to consult various stakeholders before the facility is rolled out.

Election 2021: Results on May 2nd | All you need to know | Oneindia News

Responding to a question on whether the facility of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) would be extended to overseas voters in the assembly elections to West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora replied in a negative.

"As far as NRI voters are concerned, the commission (EC) has sent a very empathetic and very positive note to the Law Ministry over a month-and-a-half back over finding a way out for that. The law ministry referred it to the Ministry of External Affairs. I spoke to the foreign secretary also. They have responded in detail and they have said we should have a broad spectrum meeting of the stakeholders," Arora said. He said the meeting could take place within a month.

Will approach polls with agenda of development and form govt in 4 states, Puducherry: BJP

Asked if the facility would be available in the five assembly polls, Arora said, "No." Arora was addressing a press conference to announce the dates of elections to the five assemblies. As of now, overseas Indians are free to cast their votes in constituencies they are registered.

Unofficial data with the Election Commission (EC) shows that only 10,000-12,000 overseas voters have exercised their franchise. The EC has proposed to the government to extend the ETPBS facility, so far available only to service voters, to eligible overseas Indian voters as well.

In a letter to the legislative secretary in the Law Ministry on November 27 last year, the commission said that with the successful execution of ETPBS in case of service voters, it is now "confident" that the facility can also be extended to the overseas electors.

"The commission is technically and administratively ready to extend this facility in general elections to legislative assemblies of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry," the poll panel had said.

The EC said it has been receiving several representations from the Indian diaspora residing abroad to facilitate voting through postal ballots since such overseas electors are not in a position to be present in their polling area as travelling to India for this purpose is a costly affair, and otherwise also, they cannot leave the country of their residence owing to specific compulsions of employment, education or other engagements.

"Due to protocols associated with COVID-19, the problem further gets compounded," the letter to the Law Ministry said. Voting for the five assembly elections will begin on March 27, with West Bengal having eight phases continuing till April 29, while counting of votes will be done on May 2, the Election Commission said.
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Shiv Kumar is president of Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan (MAS) and a co-accused in the case against Dalit labour rights activist Nodeep Kaur. He was arrested on January 16 and a medical report by Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh has now revealed that he has multiple injuries, including fracture in his left hand and right foot.

Suprakash Majumdar, Delhi

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New Delhi: The state is hell bent upon silencing the democratic voices of the oppressed masses by brutally torturing them, said Rajveer Kaur, sister of Nodeep Kaur after a medical report of Shiv Kumar by Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, came out on Thursday.

Shiv Kumar is the President of Mazdoor Adhikaar Sangathan (MAS) and a co-accused in the cases against Nodeep Kaur. The medical report, a copy of which lies with TwoCircles.net, notes that at least eight injuries were found on Shiv Kumars body with two fractures on the left and right feet that were caused by a blunt object/weapon.

The medical examination was conducted under the supervision of Dr Dasari Harish HOD, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at GMCH. The examination was conducted only after the court on February 19 had directed the Sonipat Jail to get Kumar examined at GMCH. This was after Shiv Kumars father Rajbir presented before the court that his son has been subjected to police torture.

According to the statement given by Shiv Kumar to the five-member medical team, Shiv was arrested on January 16 at around 2:30 pm by the C.I officers. Seven people arrested me and took him to the old Kacheri, Sonepat where I was assaulted by the C.I. officers, he had said.

Shiv also spoke about how he was tortured in captivity. According to his statement in the report, he said that both his feet were tied and the C.I. officers hit him on his soles. He was made to lie on the ground with both legs straight and a metal pipe was placed on his thigh and rolled over the thighs by two people. They also hit him on both hands and palms and also on the back of his head.

According to the report, Shiv says that he wasnt allowed to sleep for three days and the officer asked him questions and give names. When he failed to answer the questions, the officer tied him to a chair and poured water on his head, he said to the medical team.

The medical report mentions that the nails on the left thumb and index finger of Shiv Kumar shows bluish-black discolouration with tenderness and called it a gruesome injury along with the injury on the right foot.

The report also said that according to the X-ray reports there are two fractures on the left hand and the right foot with possible fractures on the left foot and right wrist.

The case is in the High Court right now and we have been telling this from the time Shiv was arrested that he is being tortured, said Advocate Harinder Singh, who is fighting Shiv Kumars case.

We have been demanding the release of the medical report at the time of his arrest, he said, adding, I dont want to comment on this much as this report is already in front of everybody.

Psychiatric evaluation in the medical report states that Shiv Kumar is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms. The report goes on to say that he appeared sad and distressed with occasional crying spells. He also showed symptoms of anxiety and is getting flashbacks of the brutality meted out to him.

SP Sonepat J.S. Randhawa did not respond to repeated calls from TwoCircles.net and also didnt respond to questions sent on text messages. However, SI Shamsher Singh from the Kundli police station denied the allegations, saying, We did not do anything. Whatever was done was done by the officials in the jail.

According to the police, Shiv was arrested on January 22 and was present in court on January 23. The family and the lawyer have alleged that they were not allowed to meet Shiv at the jail after trying numerous times.

On February 24, Rajbir, father of Shiv Kumar was allowed to meet him briefly. According to Rajbir, Shiv told him that he was arrested on January 16 by the C.I. officers near the KFC building at the Singhu border.

TwoCircles.net earlier reported on how Shiv Kumar sent a note from the jail to his father explaining how and when he was arrested.

Rajbir said that Shiv was kept in different Dharamshalas where he was tortured by the C.I. officers and was sent to the Kundli Police station on January 22.

The report said that all the injuries on Shivs body are two weeks old, which can prove the familys and colleagues allegation of unlawful arrest.

He looked really scared. I think he was in pain. Can you imagine what am I going through as a father, said Rajbir in a broken tone.

The next hearing in Shiv Kumar and Nodeep Kaur case is on March 16. We will file a bail plea for Shiv Kumar in the next couple of days, Advocate Harinder Singh said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday declared that China has scored a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty by lifting over 770 million people out of it in the last four decades, calling it another "miracle" created by the country that will go down in history.

Absolute poverty has been eradicated in the world's most populous country, Xi announced while addressing a gathering held in Beijing to mark the country's accomplishments in poverty alleviation and honour its model poverty fighters. China has a population of around 1.4 billion.

Xi said that all poor people in rural areas have been lifted out of poverty. With this, China has achieved the UN goal of poverty eradication 10 years ahead of the 2030 deadline, he claimed. Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty. All the 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 impoverished villages have been removed from the poverty list, he said.

Since the launch of the reform and opening up in the late 1970s, 770 million impoverished rural residents have shaken off poverty when calculated according to China's current poverty line, he claimed. China has contributed to more than 70 percent of global poverty reduction over the same period, Xi, also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), said. With such achievements, China has created another "miracle" that will "go down in history," he said.

Xi said since he assumed power, China has invested accumulative fiscal funds of nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (about $246 billion) into poverty alleviation over the past eight years. He said according to the World Bank's international poverty line, the number of Chinese people lifted out of poverty over the past 40 years accounts for more than 70 percent of the global total.

Complete eradication of poverty in China was the main goal announced by Xi when he came to power towards the end of 2012. At that time, China had about 100 million poor people, mostly living in remote areas. In his address on Thursday, Xi said that shaking off poverty is not the finish line, but the starting point of a new life and new endeavour.

Xi said the CPC has been working to improve people's livelihood since its foundation, and over 10 million poor people were lifted out of poverty on average each year since he took over power in 2012. He said some 25.68 million poor people in China from 7.9 million households have seen their dilapidated houses renovated since late 2012 Over 9.6 million Chinese people have been relocated from impoverished areas since late 2012, he said.

Also, 28 ethnic minority groups with relatively small populations have shaken off poverty collectively since late 2012, he said. "Improving lives in rural areas key to securing victory to build a moderately prosperous society by 2021," he said.

Also read: US senators asked to draft legislative package to 'outcompete' China, invest in India, NATO
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Geologists believe they have closed the case of what killed non-avian dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.

About 66 million years ago, the end-Cretaceous mass extinction eradicated roughly 75% of the animal and plant species on Earth, including whole groups like non-avian dinosaurs and ammonites.

In the geologic record, this extinction event is marked by a thin layer of clay with elevated concentrations of iridium  a metal that occurs in higher concentrations in meteorites but only in low concentrations in Earths crust.

First detected in Gubbio, Italy, and Caravaca, Spain, in the 1980s, the iridium layer was used to propose a large-scale impact of an extraterrestrial body as the cause for the end-Cretaceous extinction.

In the 1990s, high-energy deposits were identified around the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, culminating in the discovery of the 180- to 200-km-wide Chicxulub crater on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

In a new study, an international team of researchers found iridium in drill core recovered by IODP-ICDP Expedition 364 from the Chicxulub impact structure.

In the crater, the sediment layer deposited in the days to years after the strike is so thick that the scientists were able to precisely date the dust to a mere two decades after impact.

The circle is now finally complete, said Professor Steven Goderis, a researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

We are now at the level of coincidence that geologically doesnt happen without causation, said Professor Sean Gulick, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin.

It puts to bed any doubts that the iridium anomaly in the geologic layer is not related to the Chicxulub crater.

The highest concentrations of iridium were found within a 5-cm section of the rock core retrieved from the top of the Chicxulub craters peak ring.

In addition to iridium, the crater section showed elevated levels of other elements associated with asteroid material.

This asteroid was vaporized and ejected from the impact site at high speed, said Professor Joanna Morgan, a researcher at Imperial College London.

Iridium, and other asteroidal material, then circled the Earth above the stratosphere within a fast-moving dust cloud, and may have taken up to two decades to settle through the atmosphere and ocean before being deposited at the impact site.

We combined the results from four independent laboratories around the world to make sure we got this right, Professor Goderis said.

The findings appear in the journal Science Advances.

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Steven Goderis et al. 2021. Globally distributed iridium layer preserved within the Chicxulub impact structure. Science Advances 7 (9): eabe3647; doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abe3647
Bright Line Watch asked experts to rate the severity of the threats posed to democracy. More than 90 percent of the polled experts viewed the items that scored highest across the (ab)normality-and-importance dimensions as either a "moderate," "serious," or "grave" threat. Credit: Bright Line Watch

Both Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly favor politicians who support generous COVID-19 relief spending, yet remain deeply polarized over the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results and former President Donald Trump's second impeachment. Meanwhile, political experts find that the former president's actions and those taken by congressional supporters in the aftermath of the election represent serious departures from American democratic norms.

Those are among the most recent findings of Bright Line Watch, the political science research project cofounded by Gretchen Helmke, a professor of political science at the University of Rochester, and her colleagues at the University of Chicago and Dartmouth College. The watchdog group started regular surveys about the health of US democracy in February 2017.

Read Bright Line Watch's latest (February 2021) survey, "American democracy at the start of the Biden presidency."

The team found strong bipartisan support for a new COVID-19 relief package, with Republican voters favoring a hypothetical candidate who supports a $500 billion pandemic appropriation over one who opposes it by 11 points, independents by 12 points, and Democrats by 18 points.

COVID relief has proven to be extremely popular with supporters of both parties, says Bright Line Watch cofounder Brendan Nyhan, a professor of government at Dartmouth College. "We've seen Democrats and Republicans in Congress at times compete to provide more generous offers of aid and assistance. The public seems to largely agree that the government should provide more help given the economic circumstances Americans currently face."

Meanwhile, the legitimacy of the election result remains a polarizing issue: while 42 percent of Republican public policymakers expressed confidence in the integrity of the election results at the national level, only 22 percent of Republicans in the public sample felt the same way. To Helmke, the public's continued partisan view of the election is troubling.

"In a democracy people basically have to trust that the rules are fair and that if their party or their team loses, the stakes of that loss won't be intolerable, that in the future they'll be able to contest an election again, and that they'll have a chance of winning. That keeps everyone committed to democracy and to playing by the rules," Helmke says. "Once you break that faiththat elections actually determine who the winner ispeople's allegiance to democracy wanes."

While the latest survey provides a snapshot of the state of democracy in the early days of the new Biden administration, it's also a look in the rearview mirror. The Bright Line Watch team found that loyalties and antipathy toward the former presidentwhose Senate impeachment trial began immediately after the surveys were conductedcontinue to shape the views of citizens and government officials alike.

As a result, the "country still lives in the shadow of the Trump legacy," the team writes.

As they had done throughout the project, the group fielded two parallel surveysone to political experts and one to a representative sample of the US populationbetween January 28 and February 8.

Among the key findings in the survey of the public:

Partisan differences in confidence in the 2020 election and on legal and political accountability for former President Trump are profound. Democrats trust the election, support disqualifying Trump from holding future office, and believe he should face criminal prosecution. Republicans distrust the election results and favor moving on without consequences for Trump. Independents are split.

While there is cross-party consensus on government spending on pandemic relief, stark polarization over the certification of the presidential election and impeachment continues, with Republicans punishing Republican candidates for crossing the party line on either issue.

Among the key findings in the survey of political experts:

The experts overwhelmingly favor a set of reform proposals to expand voting participation, tighten campaign finance regulation, and modify how electoral districts are configured and votes are cast. They also favor abolishing the Senate filibuster and imposing term limits on Supreme Court justices. The only reform the experts reject is compulsory voting.

Experts rate the January 6 insurrection and President Trump's pressure on state-level officials to overturn the election as among the most abnormal and important events of the Trump presidency. They overwhelmingly regard these events and the votes by a majority of Republican lawmakers in Congress not to certify the presidential election results as grave or serious threats to American democracy.

Thinking of secession?

The specter of secession entered into the group's battery of questions after legislators at the local and state level started mentioning it publicly. For the first time Bright Line Watch asked its public sample about the prospect of breaking up the United States into more than one countrya genuinely radical proposition, the team acknowledges.

"Until recently, we would have regarded it as too marginal to include in a survey. But state legislators in Mississippi and Texas and state GOP leaders in Texas and Wyoming have openly advocated secession in recent months, prompting us to design two survey items to gauge perceptions of this idea," they write.

Notably, when presented with a proposal for their region to secede from the United States, almost one in three Americans polled (29 percent) is willing to entertain the prospect. Republicans (33 percent) support secession more than Democrats (21 percent); but Democrats are more amenable to secession than Republicans in areas where they tend to hold power.

Yet, the researchers caution against reading too much into that data: the results reflect initial reactions by respondents about an issue that they are very unlikely to have considered carefully, the team cautions.

Explore further Why does it matter if most Republican voters still think Biden lost?
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  A member of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) said vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers may negatively affect confidence of the public, causing more roadblocks in encouraging Filipinos to be vaccinated.

Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang, a sociologist and professor from the University of the Philippines Manila, told a briefing on Friday that reluctance of health workers to be inoculated against coronavirus could send the wrong signal to the general public.

We always look up to our healthcare workers for good examples of how to take better care of ourselves, so if our healthcare workers are reluctant to accept vaccination then that also sends a signal to the general public, she pointed out.

Castillo-Carandang said this as the country awaits the arrival of 600,000 doses of Chinas Sinovac vaccine that will be first administered to health workers in COVID-19 dedicated hospitals despite concerns on its efficacy.

Netizens have mixed opinions on the matter.

During a briefing, Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire announced that the countrys experts have agreed to recommend the use of the CoronaVac vaccine to health workers. Experts said it will be best for these workers to receive the vaccine to give them the protection they need, but they are also given the freedom to decide whether to take it or not.

You may not like the current brand available, but if you think that your risk is high at this point in time then you also have to think about how much worth is it for you to actually have the Sinovac vaccine, Castillo-Carandang said.

If they opt out, they will still be prioritized in the next batch of vaccines to arrive, which unfortunately is still unsure when to arrive, officials said.

Nurses groups agreed that receiving the Sinovac vaccine should be ones choice.

Maristela Abenojar, national president of Filipino Nurses United, said the decision to decline the vaccine should not be taken against these workers.

Meanwhile, Melbert Reyes, president of the Philippine Nurses Association, said it is better to have sure supply of vaccines than nothing at all, but quality vaccines should be prioritized.

Ang (The) bottom line, there is this need to be vaccinated as soon as possible, Reyes noted.
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Social activist and entrepreneur Emily Berning, President of Let Them Live, at the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 25, 2020. (The Epoch TImes)

Let Them Live Is There for Pregnant Moms Who Feel Abandoned: Entrepreneur and Pro-Life Activist

Emily Berning and her husband unwittingly started their business journey when they donated the last $1,200 in their bank account to a pregnant mom who was planning to have an abortion.

Berning, who is now president of a crowdfunding organization Let Them Live, told The Epoch Times Crossroads program on Feb. 25 that one of the most common reasons for women to have an abortion in the U.S. is financial hardship or poverty.

Weve found that 73 percent of women have abortions because of financial reason[s], which is a huge chunk, Berning said. So we realized those abortions are 100 percent preventable.

A 2016 study by the Guttmacher Institute supports Bernings claims that 75 percent of all abortions in the United States are the result of financial hardship facing the mother.

The reasons women give for having an abortion underscore their understanding of the economic impact unplanned childbearing would have on themselves and their families. Most abortion patients say that they cannot afford a child or another child, and most say that having a baby would interfere with their work, school, or ability to care for their other children, the study said.

Pro-abortion protestors attend a demonstration against a decision by Polands Constitutional Court on abortion law restriction Warsaw, Poland, on Oct. 23, 2020. (JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Berning explained that realising a huge number of abortions occurred as a direct result of something preventable made her see an opportunity to help give these women a choice. This led her and her husband to set up an organization that crowdfunds financial aid for expectant mothers.

And so really, thats where we come in with the financial support for women that are facing that abortion decision, so they dont have to make that choice, so that they can be a mother and take care of their finances, and make sure that they are stable and can take care of their family, she said.

We know that if we can crowdfund and we can put these stories out there that people will want to participate in saving lives from abortion. And so when somebody donates to Let Them Live, you know that youre saving a life from abortion, and you are going to see a child born because of your donation.

Berning noted that in shifting the focus of pro-life efforts to the mother, her organisation has found that many women choose to have their child instead of feeling trapped to choose the medical procedure.

We wanted to make sure that women dont feel like they need to choose between, you know, making their rent or paying their car payment and their unborn childs life, Berning said.

Berning noted that the organisations pro-women stance has also meant that many of those who have received assistance feel differently after they have come through a difficult time in their lives.

Were trying to tell women  you are capable of doing this, you are strong enough to do this, she said. And thats why I think this entire idea of abortion is so anti-woman and anti-feminism because women can do it. They are capable, they are strong. They dont have to make an abortion decision simply because of their circumstances.

Circumstances are so temporary, and abortion is so permanent.

Bernings approach has met with support from both pro-choice and pro-life activists, with Let Them Live becoming a bridge between the two sides.

In the last year, weve grown a lot, she said. Weve also grown in pro-choice supporters and donors. So we have people that are so-called pro-choice that support abortion but they support us because they see that its another choice, she said. I do think that we have a unique opportunity to kind of stop the crazy noise around the conversation of abortion, and put that aside so that we can all band together and help that woman that is facing that decision.

Let Them Live offers crowdfunded money to individual moms who find themselves without the financial support to progress with their pregnancy. Berning said the organization offers rent, car, groceries, and bill payments. They also have initiatives that offer help with education and financial counseling.

So many women are abandoned by their boyfriends or their husbands and nobody around them is able to help them and they just feel completely alone. We have an entire staff of pregnancy counselors that are dedicated to 24/7 support of our moms, so that women in these situations know that they are not alone even though everybody in their life has abandoned them, she told Crossroads.
India, Mauritius sign Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement

India on Tuesday signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with Mauritius, which is also the first trade agreement signed by India with an African nation.

The agreement is limited in scope, covering areas like trade in goods, rules of origin, trade in services, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, dispute settlement, movement of natural persons, telecom, financial services, customs procedures and cooperation in other areas.

Commerce secretary Anup Wadhawan and Ambassador Haymandoyal Dillum, secretary of foreign affairs, regional integration and international trade, Government of Mauritius signed the CECPA in Port Louis on Monday in the presence of Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth, and Indias external affairs minister S Jaishankar.

The CECPA provides for an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries. The agreement covers 310 export items for India, including food stuff and beverages (80 lines), agricultural products (25 lines), textile and textile articles (27 lines), base metals and articles thereof (32 lines), electricals and electronic item (13 lines), plastics and chemicals (20 lines), wood and articles thereof (15 lines), and others.

Mauritius will benefit from preferential market access into India for its 615 products, including frozen fish, speciality sugar, biscuits, fresh fruits, juices, mineral water, beer, alcoholic drinks, soaps, bags, medical and surgical equipment, and apparel.

As regards trade in services, Indian service providers will have access to around 115 sub-sectors from the 11 broad service sectors, such as professional services, computer related services, research and development, other business services, telecommunication, construction, distribution, education, environmental, financial, tourism and travel related, recreational, yoga, audio-visual services, and transport services.

India has offered around 95 sub-sectors from the 11 broad services sectors, including professional services, R&D, other business services, telecommunication, financial, distribution, higher education, environmental, health, tourism and travel related services, recreational services and transport services.

Both sides have also agreed to negotiate an Automatic Trigger Safeguard Mechanism (ATSM) for a limited number of highly sensitive products within two years of the signing of the agreement.

The agreement will come into force at an early date, an official release stated.
Bengaluru, Feb 27 : A 60-year-old accused allegedly committed suicide by jumping off from the balcony of his flat in Vidyaranyapura, in Northern Suburb of Bengaluru on Friday, the police said.

The police had arrested him in connection with a case pertaining to impersonation of a government official working with Bengaluru Development Authority. He was facing charges of duping several people by luring them to allot a site in Bengaluru. He was arrested on February 24 and court had granted police custody on February 25.

According to the police, the deceased is identified as Siddalingaswamy, Hanumantha Nagar resident.

An investigating officer told IANS that the deceased had led life of government official for the last several decades and even his wife and daughter had believed it for the last several decades.

"His primary job used to leave home like any other government servant and he used to wait in BDA premises for gullible investors. He used to impersonate as BDA official and gather information and collect money from them in lieu of allotment of new site or exchanging site on of BDA layouts," the police office said.

The police officer added his cover was blown when the Hanumantha Nagar police received a complaint against him about ten days ago.

"After his arrest, he had felt ashamed to show his face to his daughter and wife. As per the investigations, we took him to his flat to conduct detailed search operations. As soon as he saw his wife and daughter started crying and went towards his kitchen. Everyone was caught unawares, as he jumped off from his kitchen balcony. He dived head on as a result of this, he was brought dead by the hospital authorities," the police explained.

The police has recovered fake letterheads, stamp papers, seals and other materials that are needed to allot BDA sites'.

The police has registered a case and is investigating.
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Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry chose not to disclose that he had to discipline one of his top deputies following a sexual harassment complaint in an annual report that tracks sexual misconduct across state government and is required by state law.

Landrys Department of Justice, like all other state agencies, is legally obligated to reveal how many sexual harassment complaints it fields each year and whether they resulted in any disciplinary action. His report from 2020 was due Feb. 15.

In the report, Landry said the Department of Justice, with 609 employees, had one sexual harassment complaint last year  and the one complaint had not resulted in a finding of sexual harassment, discipline or corrective action.

That information contradicts what Landry has released publicly about misconduct involving the head of his offices criminal division, Pat Magee.

Magee, as The Advocate first reported, was investigated for misconduct first in December and then disciplined in January. On Thursday, Landrys office didnt deny that Magee was the subject of the one sexual harassment complaint Landry referenced in his state report.

Leading Louisiana good-government group slams AG Jeff Landry's lawsuit against reporter Attorney General Jeff Landrys lawsuit targeting a reporter for The Times-Picayune and The Advocate who filed a public-records request seeking

He was reprimanded for inappropriate behavior. The Justice Department cut Magees salary by $20,559 this year and is requiring him to go through mandatory training to develop his emotional intelligence, professionalism in the workplace, conflict management and leadership skills, according to documents released by Landrys office.

Yet Landry stated in his report to the state that his agency had 0 incidents of discipline or corrective action related to sexual harassment complaints in 2020.

In a statement Thursday, Landrys office said he omitted the disciplinary action against Magee because Magee wasnt found to have engaged in sexual harassment.

The independent investigation concluded that any allegations of sexual harassment were unfounded, wrote Dennis Cory, spokesman for the Department of Justice, in an email Thursday.

But the documents released about Magees misconduct do not rule out sexual harassment  and at times describe behavior that could be considered sexual misconduct under state law.

Attorney General Jeff Landry sues Advocate reporter over public-records request Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry on Friday sued a reporter for The Advocate and The Times-Picayune over a public-records request she fil

The Department of Justice concluded Magee has not engaged in requests for sexual favors, inappropriate workplace touching, nor sexual overtures, wrote Sandra Schober, deputy director of the Administrative Services Division at the Department of Justice.

But Magee had inappropriate conversations with colleagues as well as with third party affiliates of the LADOJ, Schober wrote. The inappropriate language included using profanity, sexual slang and unprofessional comments about the appearance of employees.

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Magees management style also includes outbursts, the use of profanity and frequent references to firing employees, she wrote. Though he may have considered himself to be joking around, it is reasonable to conclude that his behavior made others uncomfortable and was offensive.

Jill Craft, a Baton Rouge attorney who represents many people accusing government officials of sexual misconduct, said she is not personally familiar with Magees case, but the description of his behavior leaves the door open to sexual harassment violations.

Under state government policy, that can constitute sexual harassment depending on the nature of the comments he made, she said in an interview Thursday.

The Department of Justices own policy says that sexual harassment includes conduct that has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individuals work performance creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.

+2 Top deputy to AG Jeff Landry, subject of sexual harassment probe, suspended without pay A top deputy to Attorney General Jeff Landry returned to work Tuesday after an investigation that found he "engaged in inappropriate verbal co

Landrys office also lists humor and jokes about sex as well as graphic or degrading comments about an individual or his/her appearance as examples of sexual harassment in the agencys sexual misconduct policy.

The details of the allegations against Magee and what triggered the sanctions are still mostly unknown. Landry refuses to release more information. He is aggressively trying to block reporter Andrea Gallo, with The Advocate, from getting additional documents about Magee by suing her.

The state agency reports on sexual harassment are a fairly new requirement. They were part of a larger update to state government sexual harassment laws that occurred in 2018, after a top aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards was forced out of his job because of workplace sexual harassment allegations.

Starting in 2019, each state agency was required to develop its own sexual harassment policy. In 2020, each had to start submitting annual reports every February about how many sexual harassment complaints had occurred during the year; how many times sexual harassment was found to have taken place; and how many disciplinary or corrective actions were implemented as a result of those complaints. They were also required to report what percentage of their employees have completed the state mandated sexual harassment training.

About 98 percent of Department of Justice employees  599 of 609 people  completed the mandatory sexual harassment training, which only lasts an hour for most employees, in 2020, Landry wrote in his report.

Landry complied with the mandatory reporting requirements this year, but has resisted turning over information about sexual harassment complaints in the past. He refused to participate in an audit of sexual misconduct across state government ordered by state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, in 2019. The audit found that the state had paid $5.2 million to alleged victims of sexual harassment in state government from 2009 to 2018.

At the time, Landry said the governor was to blame for the new focus on sexual harassment and the accompanying audit.

Just because the Governor appointed a habitual sexual harasser as his Deputy Chief, it does not mean our office needs to spend countless hours and precious resources scouring employment records, Landry said at the time.

The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization based in Baton Rouge.
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CDC Launches Tool that Helps Americans Find COVID-19 Vaccines

The CDC is trying to make it easier for Americans to find available doses of the Coronavirus vaccine.

Getting an appointment to receive your COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is not easy. There are not enough doses to go around and scheduling at locations of available doses are hard to maneuver, making the path towards vaccination chaotic and confusing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with Boston Childrens Hospital and Castlight Health, has launched a new tool which allows Americans to search for COVID-19 vaccine providers with available stock.

The tool, which builds on the original VaccineFinder.org platform, will capture inventory data from vaccine providers around the country.

In most states, the initial launch is limited to certain providers who are getting their vaccines directly from the federal government. However, in Alaska, Indiana, Iowa and Tennessee, the tool shows all the vaccine providers  including hospitals, clinics, and public health vaccination sites.

"The idea is to show where COVID-19 vaccine providers [are] that are open to the public  how to contact them, how to book an appointment, and try to show the daily inventory status so people are clear where there's vaccine and where there isn't," says John Brownstein, the founder of VaccineFinder and Chief Information Officer at Boston Children's Hospital.

Browstrein said that he believes even more providers in more places are expected to join in the coming days and weeks.

This is not the first vaccine locator website. As the pool of eligible people has expended beyond health care workers and nursing home residents, many states and counties have developed lists or maps of their own to aid citizens in their search of a vaccine.

Those website generally showed which providers are administering shots. By contrast, VaccineFinder, doesnt require manual input from volunteers. It gathers stock information directly from health care providers, who are supposed to report their inventory every 24 hours.

Vaccines to protect against COVID-19 are now available in limited quantity in the United States. Eligibility requirements vary by state. Check with your local health department to see if you are eligible to get the vaccine.
RIO DE JANEIRO  Brazils COVID-19 death toll, which surpassed 250,000 on Thursday, is the worlds second-highest for the same reason its second wave has yet to fade: Prevention was never made a priority, experts say.

Since the pandemics start, Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro scoffed at the little flu and lambasted local leaders for imposing restrictions on activity; he said the economy must keep humming along to prevent worse hardship.

Even when he approved pandemic welfare payments for the poor, they werent announced as a means to keep people home. And Brazilians remain out and about as vaccination has started up  but rollout has proven far slower than was anticipated.

Brazil simply didnt have a response plan. Weve been through this for the last year and still we dont have a clear plan, a national plan, Miguel Lago, executive director of Brazils Institute for Health Policy Studies, which advises public health officials, told the Associated Press. Theres no plan, at all. And the same applies to vaccination.

Whereas other countries daily cases and deaths have fallen, Latin Americas largest nation is parked on an elevated plateau  a grim repeat of mid-2020. In each of the last five weeks, Brazil has averaged more than 1,000 daily deaths. Official data showed a confirmed death toll total of 251,498 on Thursday.

At least 12 Brazilian states are in the midst of a second wave even worse than the one faced in 2020, said Domingos Alves, an epidemiologist who has been tracking COVID-19 data.

This scenario is going to get worse, Alves told the AP, adding that the virus was spreading faster among the population. In Amazonas state, where the capital, Manaus, saw hospitals run out of oxygen last month, there have been more than 5,000 deaths in the first two months of the year, about as many as in all of 2020.

It is the most difficult moment that we have had since the confirmation of the first case, Carlos Lula, chair of the National Council of Health Secretaries, was quoted as saying Thursday by O Globo newspaper. We have never had so many states with so much difficulty at the same time.

Alves and other public health experts said the spread is exacerbated by authorities reluctance to follow recommendations from international health organizations to implement stricter restrictions.

It is up to governors and mayors to impose lockdowns or other restrictions to contain the virus. The states of Sao Paulo and Bahia recently introduced nighttime curfews, but experts say the moves are too late and insufficient.

They are not containment measures; they are palliative measures, always taken after the fact, said Alves, who is also an adjunct professor of social medicine at the University of Sao Paulo. Lockdown has become a curse word in Brazil.

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2021, file photo, a public funeral service worker helps to remove the body of Jose Bernardino Ferreira, 77, who died from complications related to COVID-19 in his home, in Manaus, Amazonas state. Brazils COVID-19 death toll, at nearly 250,000 on Thursday, Feb. 25, is the worlds second-highest for the same reason its second wave has yet to fade: Prevention was never made a priority. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros, File)AP

Miguel Nicolelis, a prominent Brazilian neuroscientist, warned in January that Brazil had to either enter lockdown or we wont be able to bury our dead in 2021. He had been advising northeastern states on how to combat COVID-19, but recently left his position, dissatisfied with their refusal to go into lockdown, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported.

Right now, Brazil is the largest open-air laboratory, where it is possible to observe the natural dynamics of the coronavirus without any effective containment measure, he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. Everyone will witness the epic devastation.

There are some exceptions, but they remain marginal and have failed to inspire a broader movement.

Sao Luis, the capital of northeastern Maranhao state, was the first Brazilian city to go into full lockdown last May. It was successful, notwithstanding Bolsonaros efforts to undermine the restrictions and sow doubt about their efficacy, according to the states governor, Flavio Dino.

It has been very difficult to manage distance and prevention measures, Dino said, adding that the first obstacle was an economic and social one, especially after the federal governments emergency pandemic aid program ended last year.

Lago noted that Bolsonaro rarely even comments on the pandemic anymore, and has effectively moved on to other priorities, including securing support in Congress for loosening gun control laws and passing economic reforms. His administration is seeking to reinstate some COVID-19 welfare payments, but for a smaller group of needy Brazilians.

The only preventative measure Bolsonaro consistently supported was the use of treatments like hydroxychloroquine, which showed no benefit in rigorous studies.

Bolsonaros administration has also adopted a hands-off approach regarding the vaccination campaign. It relied mostly on a deal to purchase a single vaccine, AstraZeneca, which has been slow in coming. The national immunization effort to date has relied mostly on Chinese-made CoronaVac shots secured by Sao Paulo state, though the federal government is now trying to buy others.

Brazils decades of experience with successful vaccination programs and its large nationwide public health care network led many experts to believe that immunization  even if it were to start with a delay  would be a relatively speedy affair. In previous campaigns, the nation of 210 million was able to vaccinate as many as 10 million people in a single day, health experts noted.

Five weeks after the first shot, Brazil has vaccinated only 3.6% of its population. That is more than double Argentina and Mexico, but less than one-fourth that of Chile, according to Our World in Data, an online research site that compares official government statistics.

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2021, file photo, family member watches as public funeral service workers remove the body of Amelia Dias Nascimento, 94, who died from complications related to COVID-19 in her home, in Manaus, Amazonas state. Brazils COVID-19 death toll, at nearly 250,000 on Thursday, Feb. 25, is the worlds second-highest for the same reason its second wave has yet to fade: Prevention was never made a priority. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros, File)AP

There is no way to be fast with a shortage of vaccines; that is the crucial point, said Carla Domingues, who for eight years coordinated Brazils national vaccination program, until leaving her position in 2019. Until there is greater supply, the speed will be slower, as you have to keep selecting who can be vaccinated.

Meantime, the virus continues to run rampant across Brazil, and take its toll.

In the Sao Paulo state city of Araraquara there have been more deaths so far this year than all of last year and intensive-care unit occupancy surpassed full capacity, with people on waiting lists to enter ICUs and get treatment. Local authorities responded Sunday by announcing a full lockdown  making Araraquara only the second city to impose such a restriction.

We never imagined we would reach this point, said Fabiana Araujo, a nurse and a coordinator of the citys committee to fight COVID-19. It was the only option.



Diane Jeantet of The Associated Press. AP writers David Biller contributed from Rio and Mauricio Savarese from Sao Paulo.
Philadelphia Announces Innovation Fund Pilot Projects

Harvard Kennedy School Lays Out Step-by-Step RFP Guides for Gov

Baltimore Names First Broadband and Digital Equity Director

Civic technologists have a new sweeping COVID-19 data platform, which can be found at global.health To be more specific, the project is an open-access epidemiological platform that can be used to track and predict the spread of infectious diseases, a group that, of course, includes COVID-19. Currently, the platform features a data set that includes detailed information on more than 5 million anonymized cases from more than 100 countries.The website  which is described on its home page as first of its kind, easy-to-use global data repository and visualization platform that enables open access to real-time epidemiological anonymized line-list data  was created with support from the philanthropic organizations, The Rockefeller Foundation and Google.org. On the research end, contributions to the platform were made by some of the worlds leading institutions, including Oxford, Harvard, Boston Childrens Hospital, Georgetown and more. As noted here , the project grew out of a single spreadsheet initially.The data on the site is aimed at helping epidemiologists model the trajectory of the virus and track its variants in a way that is potentially also useful in stemming future infectious diseases. Each of the records on the site can contain dozens of different data points about the individual case to which it refers. That might include demographics, travel history, testing dates, outcomes and more. Along with the relevant data sets, there are also data visualizations on the page, interactive maps and ways to filter information to make it more useful.Philadelphia has announced six new pilot projects that will receive grants from its Innovation Fund , which aims to improve government services and seed innovation throughout the city.This marks a significant year for the fund  which is managed by a group within the Office of Innovation and Technology, and supported by the Mayors Fund for Philadelphia  in that it welcomed its first private donation, receiving support as well from Verizon. All told, the fund had $70,000 to bestow upon grant applicants.Six departments within the city received awards this year, and they are Parks and Recreation, the Department of Prisons, the Department of Commerce, the Fire Department, and the Mayors Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service. The majority of the awards were for $10,000, and the work was wide-spanning and varied.Projects were largely related to the pandemic, and they included everything from an urban wood design competition to fire academy remote training to a new community engagement toolkit.Awarding Innovation Fund grants this year feels especially impactful, not just because we know how much this opportunity means to the departments receiving funding, but because its really uplifting to see that so many employees are still deeply invested in and excited about their work, said Eliza Pollack, director of innovation, in a press release . Government has been pulled in a lot of directions over the course of the pandemic, but the people who applied for Innovation Fund grants never stopped believing in the power of the public sector, and thats an important story to tell right now.The Harvard Kennedy School is poised to help facilitate better connections between the public sector and private-sector technologist via a new step-by-step RFP guide aimed at local governments.The resource is called Guidebook: Crafting a Results-Driven Request for Proposals (RFP) , and it is exactly what it sounds like. It is broken into eight modules that are intended to help department head-level managers, buyers, contract analysts and other procurement professionals. These modules include planning for your RFP, information gathering to inform your RFP, RFP writing, finalizing your RFP and activities to conduct once your RFP has been finished.Each module comes equipped with best practices and interactive sub-sections, part of which will help participants create written content that can be incorporated directly into RFP drafts. The RFP process has long been held up as an obstacle  or at least a tricky segment  when it comes to public and private cooperation.Baltimore has joined the small-but-growing number of cities with a full-time staffer dedicated to digital inclusion within city hall, doing so with the announcement of plans to hire a broadband and digital equity director.The announcement was made by Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, who noted in a release that this position will serve as Baltimore Citys primary representative for coordination with internal and external stakeholders focused on digital equity and broadband connectivity issues, while working to expand public access for Baltimore residents.While the name can at times vary, similar positions to this one do exist, albeit rarely. Boston and Detroit, as well as Philadelphia, all now have full-time stafferers heading up this work. Its also a position that has had its importance emphasized by a pandemic that has sent people into their homes, relying on technology to interact with health care, education and employment.
A former Fort Drum soldier has been sentenced to 15 months in prison over a womans death the Electric Zoo music festival in 2018.

The New York Post reports Lagaria Slaughter broke down during a remote sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court Thursday and apologized for supplying a fatal dose of the party drug Molly that caused 20-year-old Katherine Schlegal to overdose at the EDM fest on Randalls Island in New York.

I want the family and friends of the victim to know that the person I was back then is not who I am, but a selfish and inconsiderate child wrapped up in something I should not have been, Slaughter said.

Slaughter, who was a specialist in the U.S. Army before being kicked out after his arrest in 2019, was stationed at Fort Drum in 2018. He traveled from the Upstate New York military base to a NYC nightclub, where he arranged the sale of 57 molly tablets, or MDMA, to fellow Fort Drum soldier Tanner Howell to use with Schlegel and her friend.

Schlegel, a college student from New Cannan, Connecticut, overdosed and died two days later at a New York City hospital.

Our daughter was the most beautiful, loving, young lady you could ever know. She loved going to concerts. She loved music. She was not a regular drug user, Katherines mother Elena Schlegel said at the sentencing hearing.

Slaughter and Howell were charged in December 2019 after investigators found 10 capsules of molly, 55 doses of LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, a scale, and drug-packaging materials in Slaughters barracks at the Jefferson County base. Slaughter was accused of trafficking molly and LSD before and after the Electric Zoo festival, including offering to sell hundreds of capsule to service members at the Fort Drum base in the months following.

Slaughter said Thursday hes since been diagnosed with bipolar depression and struggles to cope with the events that had taken place. Since being relieved of duty, hes found work in a care home, according to the Post.

A judge ordered Slaughter to turn himself in at a federal prison facility in April.
Black people consistently receive messages from society that they are to be under suspicion for being violent criminals and that their bodies have no value and can be subjected to violence and violation at any time, the report stated. These racist messages can lead to negative self-perceptions and doubts about their value and place in the world, especially in young Black boys.
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Adding to the woes of cash-strapped Pakistan, the global terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced that it will be continue to be on its grey list. The Paris-based FATF cited "serious deficiencies" in checking and curbing terror financing, adding that Islamabad failed to act against UN-designated terrorists and their associates.

These UN-designated terrorists include India's most wanted terrorists like Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar, Lashkar-e-Toiba founder and Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed and LeT's operational commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

FATF President Marcus Pleyer said the deadline given to Pakistan already drew to an end and asked it to address these concerns "as quickly as possible".

Pleyer also said, "Pakistan will remain under increased monitoring as serious deficiencies remain related to terror financing. While Pakistan has taken important steps, there are 3 important points from 27 action points remaining to be acted upon."

He added Pakistani courts must give effective, decisive and proportionate punishment to those involved in terrorist activities.

The statement is important as it comes close on the heels of the Pakistani Supreme Court's acquittal of Omar Saeed Shaikh, the terrorist accused of American journalist Daniel Pearl's murder in 2002.

The decision to maintain the grey list status quo vis-a-vis Pakistan was taken after a proper review of its performance in complying with global commitments and standards in combating money laundering and terror funding.

Due to FATF's status quo on Pakistan, Islamabad is facing difficulties in getting financial aid from international institutions like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union.

Also read: Pakistan imposes more curbs on Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim to avoid FATF blacklisting

Also read: Pakistan to stay on terror financing 'grey list' till February 2021
Baldwinsville, NY  An argument over a keyed SUV led to Mondays deadly encounter between Lysander neighbors, which involved a stun gun, a contractor-grade shovel and a loaded ghost gun, witnesses told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.

What started as anger and suspicion over vandalism to a new Chevrolet Trailblazer ended with William Bill Delany, 44, dead, his 27-year-old son, Devon, shot in the midsection and the shooter, William Kratz, 44, jailed on an illegal gun charge.

An Onondaga County prosecutor said in court Thursday that he expects a grand jury to consider homicide charges against Kratz. But Kratzs lawyer maintained that his client fired in self defense.

What happened in those split seconds before William Kratz opened fire is up for debate, but the dispute escalated quickly.

Thats according to Devon Delany and his dads fiance, Jessica Dolan, who spoke to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard about the events that night leading up to the homicide.

Jessica Dolan and Bill Delany in a picture from the mid 2010s.

State police have said that a physical altercation happened just before the shooting.

Dolan said Devon Delany was verbally arguing with Kratz and his wife, Alicia, shortly after midnight in the driveway of the duplex at 2861 Cold Springs Road that both families shared. What started as an argument over the keyed SUV had turned into general insults going back and forth, she said.

During the argument, Bill Delany grabbed a shovel used on his contracting gigs and went to back up his son, Dolan said.

Near the end of the driveway, Alicia Kratz pointed a stun gun at both Delanys, Devon Delany said.

Bill Delany swung the shovel, apparently hitting Alicia Kratz in the face, authorities said.

William Kratz, holding a loaded handgun, fired it multiple times, hitting both Bill and Devon Delany, police and prosecutors said.

Dolan said she remained at the door to the house as the dispute unfolded. She had called 911 moments before hearing Devon yell: Hes got a gun! and hearing gunshots.

Afterward, both Bill and Devon Delany walked back to the house. But Bill Delany collapsed at the doorway, yelling: I cant breathe! Dolan said.

Dolan said her fiance grabbed her shoulder as he rolled around on the ground. When emergency responders arrived, he rolled himself onto the gurney. But he was dead by the time the ambulance reached Upstate University Hospital, Dolan said.

Bill Delany, obituary photo

Devon Delany was dazed at first by how quickly things had turned. I dont know what happened, he told Dolan. I think I just got shot.

At a bail hearing Thursday, prosecutor Joseph Coolican said that the gun William Kratz used had been purchased as a kit last year on his wifes credit card. Its a so-called ghost gun, meaning that it had no serial number and was not licensed to any owner.

The gunman had intervened in what had started as a verbal dispute, the prosecutor added.

At the time of the shooting, Kratz had a pending drunken driving charge and had admitted to varying drug use, Coolican said. Sometime in the past, Kratz had apparently tried to buy a gun in Ohio, but had been refused because he only had New York state identification, the prosecutor said.

Kratzs lawyer, Charles Keller, said that his client only fired the gun in defense of himself and his wife. He said that Kratzs wife had ended up with eight stitches, two black eyes and bruises from the encounter.

County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller ended up keeping Kratz jailed on bail recommended by prosecutors: $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. Keller indicated that Kratz didnt have the money to bail out.

A one-day conflict

Before Sunday, there had been no major problems between the families, Dolan said. There had been routine gripes, but nothing had ever escalated, she said.

The dispute started around 6 p.m. Sunday, after the mother of one of Devon Delanys children noticed that her Chevy Trailblazer SUV -- with only 1,000 miles on it -- had been keyed from front to back on the drivers side, Dolan said.

Dolan and Bill Delany immediately suspected the Kratzes might have been responsible, and went upstairs to confront them, Dolan said.

The Kratzes denied involvement. Devons ex-girlfriend called police. Baldwinsville police wrote a police report, but left without further action, Dolan said.

It seemed things had calmed down, Dolan said.

Devon Delany heard about the keyed SUV and came home to find out more. He spoke to his ex-girlfriend. Eventually, Dolan started getting ready for bed. Devon went to watch TV.

Around midnight, the Kratzes returned home. Thats when the dispute started again in the driveway. At the sound of a car horn blaring, Devon Delany went back outside, Dolan said.

Devon Delany and Alicia Kratz began yelling at each other in the driveway, Dolan said. As the argument escalated, Bill Delany went outside, too, carrying the shovel. Dolan stood in the doorway, calling 911.

Dolan couldnt see exactly what happened at the end of the darkened driveway. Devon Delany says it all happened so fast hes still trying to make sense of it.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
The following statement is being distributed by International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) student clubs at orientation activities marking the beginning of the university year in Australia and New Zealand.

The events of the past year have brought students and young people face to face with the brutal reality of capitalismthat your social rights, and your very lives, are to be sacrificed on the altar of profit for major corporations and the wealth of a tiny layer of billionaires.

In little over 12 months, the COVID-19 virus has infected more than 100 million people worldwide and killed nearly 2.5 million. Healthcare systems, crippled by decades of funding and staffing cuts, representing nothing less than a social counter-revolution, are unable to deal with the mounting crisis. In the name of protecting the economy, capitalist governments in every country have forced workplaces and schools to open against scientific advice. This murderous and anti-scientific policy of herd immunity has led to the catastrophe experienced by millions of people worldwide.

Comparable to the outbreak of World War I, the experiences of the past year represent a turning point in world history. The pandemic has acted as a trigger event, accelerating the breakdown of world capitalism, and heightening social, economic and geopolitical tensions.

The crisis exposes the refusal and the inability of capitalism and its political representatives to act in the interests of society. It has revealed a vast gulf between ordinary people and the ultra-wealthy minority.

COVID-19 has been used by the capitalist class as the pretext to intensify an assault on the working class, with pro-business restructuring being imposed everywhere.

While workers and their families are left in ruin and to mourn loved ones, the worlds billionaires have engorged themselves. Since the beginning of 2020, the wealth of the worlds richest 500 people has increased by approximately $1.8 trillion, to a total of $7.6 trillion. Combined, the wealth of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Tesla CEO Elon Musk grew by $217 billion in 2020.

This massive and growing social polarisation is most stark in the centre of world imperialism and the richest country on earth, the United States of America. The herd immunity policy has had devastating consequences for the American working class. With 4 percent of the worlds population, the US has almost one quarter of the total COVID-19 cases and nearly half a million deaths.

Despite the ongoing crisis, the administration of newly-elected Democratic President Joe Biden is continuing the same policies of his fascistic predecessor Donald Trump in forcing workplaces and schools to open, putting millions more lives in danger.

This program is incompatible with democracy. The ruling elite in the US, as everywhere, is acutely aware of the opposition in the working class to the drive to war and the indifference of governments to the suffering of millions amid the pandemic. Paralleling the 1930s, the capitalist class is again fomenting far-right and fascistic movements in preparation for a counter-offensive against the working class. This was most sharply expressed in Trumps attempted coup on January 6, involving a violent assault on the US Capitol aimed at overturning the 2020 presidential election result.

Overwhelming evidence proves this was a planned and coordinated insurrection with support from the highest levels of the US state and military-intelligence apparatuses. The battle cry of the fascist mob mobilised by Trump was opposition to any lockdowns or restrictions on business activities to curb the spread of the virus. There is a direct connection between the homicidal policies of the Trump administration, aimed at ensuring the fortunes of Wall Street and resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, and the turn to extreme right-wing authoritarian forms of rule.

Aiding and abetting Trump and his cronies at every turn, Biden and the Democrats spineless showing during his impeachment trial proves that they do not represent a genuine alternative to the threat of fascism in the US. The Democrats fear an independent movement of the working class more than they do the turn to fascist rule. There exists no constituency for the defence of democratic rights within the ruling class.

The turn to authoritarianism is not a purely American phenomenon but is part of a broader dictatorial push by the ruling elite in every country.

Opposition to fascism is inseparable from the development of a worldwide movement of the working class against capitalism and for socialism.

Bidens administration has not just continued the anti-social policies of Trump, but stepped up the drive to war. The main targets of US imperialism are China and Russia, which the US ruling elite sees as the primary threats to American capitalisms post-World War II hegemony.

The entire Australian political establishmentincluding the Liberal-Nationals, Labor and the Greenshas backed US aggression and placed Australia on the front lines of plans for a catastrophic war against China. In recent weeks, both Liberal-National Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor opposition leader Anthony Albanese have spoken in favour of the US-Australia alliance and called for stepped-up cooperation against Beijing. The war drive in Australia and New Zealand has been accompanied by a xenophobic and nationalist campaign, demonising Chinese nationals and international students.

The drive to war goes hand in hand with an assault on the democratic rights and social rights of the working class.

While the pandemic has not resulted in the same level of illness and death in Australia and New Zealand as elsewhere, the ruling elite has been no less ruthless in using COVID-19 as justification for a wholesale assault on the working class. Particularly at risk are the growing number of casual workers, many of whom are young people and students, forced to navigate the gig economy to pay for soaring education and living costs.

The offensive on jobs and conditions has been expressed in tens of thousands of sackings and restructures at university campuses, Australia Post, Telstra and in retail. With the complicity of Labor and the thoroughly corporatised trade unions, workers around Australia are confronted with mass unemployment and job insecurity. The unions in every industrial dispute act as a police force, straitjacketing workers into accepting the demands of companies and management.

The 350 workers at Coles Smeaton Grange warehouse, who have been locked out for three months, have experienced this first hand. In the face of determined opposition, the United Workers Union has worked hand in glove with Coles to try and force through the closure of the facility and the destruction of all or most of the jobs there.

The unions virtually ignore the plight of young workers, leaving them to fend for themselves against major international corporations in industries such as fast food and retail.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth and student wing of the world Trotskyist movement, is fighting to break workers free from the capitalist parties and their lackeys in the trade unions. The IYSSE fights to orient students and youth to the working class in a struggle for genuine socialist revolutionary politics.

This requires a struggle against pseudo-left parties like Socialist Alternative, Socialist Alliance and Solidarity. These organisations seek to channel workers and youth behind the unions and parties of big business, including Labor and the Greens. They represent the interests, not of workers, but of privileged sections of the upper-middle class that use identity politics, based on race, gender and sexual orientation, to advance their own selfish interests within the framework of capitalist society.

The IYSSE opposes all attempts to divide workers along national or identity lines. The fundamental division is class. Socialists fight for the unity of the international working classthe only revolutionary force that can take society forward through the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of world socialism. The IYSSE is the sole movement on campuses fighting to turn students and youth to the working class.

As Marxists, we are internationalists and revolutionists. None of the major problems confronting humanitywar, dictatorship, poverty, climate catastrophe and pandemiccan be resolved within the bounds of the outmoded capitalist nation-state system.

We base ourselves on the lessons of history. Our movement traces its origins back to Marx and Engels, the founders of scientific socialism, through the 1917 Russian Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, and Trotskys fight against the abandonment of socialist internationalism by the Stalinist bureaucracy in the Soviet Union.

To ensure a future free of war, poverty, fascism and climate catastrophe, students and young people must take up a struggle for revolutionary socialism today. The IYSSE is the only youth and student organisation fighting for this perspective. Join and build the IYSSE!
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has pledged his support for Donald Trump if he secures the Republican partys 2024 presidential nomination (Senate Television/AP)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he would absolutely support Donald Trump if he secures the Republican nomination in 2024 despite making his blistering attack on the former president only two weeks ago.

The Kentucky Republican told Fox News there was still a lot to happen between now and the next presidential election.

Ive got at least four members that I think are planning on running for president, plus governors and others, Mr McConnell said.

Theres no incumbent. Should be a wide open race.

But when directly asked if he would support Mr Trump again were he to win the nomination, Mr McConnell responded: The nominee of the party? Absolutely.

Expand Close Donald Trump was morally responsible for the January 6 insurrection, Mitch McConnell said only two weeks ago (Alex Brandon/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Donald Trump was morally responsible for the January 6 insurrection, Mitch McConnell said only two weeks ago (Alex Brandon/PA)

Mr McConnells remarks underscore an awkward balancing act he sought to maintain since Mr Trump lost the election, reflecting the reality that Mr McConnells own path back to power in the Senate hinges on enthusiasm from a party base that still ardently supports Mr Trump.

Mr McConnells comments precede an annual gathering of conservative activists that this year is expected to showcase Mr Trumps vice-like hold on the GOP base.

Mr Trump, along with most other leading 2024 presidential prospects, is set to address the Conservative Political Action Conference, which will be held in Orlando this year because of coronavirus restrictions. Mr McConnell, a regular at the annual conference, will not be on the programme following his condemnation of Mr Trump.

Soon after voting to acquit Mr Trump at his second impeachment trial on February 13, Mr McConnell delivered a scalding denunciation of Mr Trump from the Senate floor, calling him morally responsible for the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

In turn, an angry Mr Trump called Mr McConnell a dour, sullen and unsmiling political hack.

I don't know if (Donald Trump) will run in 2024 or not, but if he does, I'm pretty sure he will win the nomination Republican senator Mitt Romney

The 36-year Senate veteran had an expedient relationship with Mr Trump while he was in office. He made a habit of saying little about many of Mr Trumps outrageous comments.

But together they secured key Senate victories, such as the 2017 tax cuts and the confirmations of three Supreme Court justices and more than 200 other federal judges.

Their relationship soured after Mr Trumps denial of his November 3 defeat and relentless efforts to reverse the voters verdict with his baseless claims that Democrats fraudulently stole the election.

It deteriorated further last month, after Republicans lost Senate control with two Georgia run-off defeats they blamed on Mr Trump, followed by the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters.

On the day of the riot, Mr McConnell railed against thugs, mobs, or threats and described the attack as this failed insurrection.

Still, Mr McConnell likes to pride himself on playing the long game, which was the title of his 2016 memoir. And his comments on Thursday may yet prove prescient.

Recently, Republican Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, a long-time Trump opponent, predicted the former president would win the nomination if he ran again.

I dont know if hell run in 2024 or not, but if he does, Im pretty sure he will win the nomination, Mr Romney said during an online forum hosted by The New York Times.
Lithuanian MFA: Sanctions against Russia will continue until it stops its occupation of part of Ukraine

Lithuania will strive to maintain the sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation until it withdraws its armed forces and stops the illegal occupation of a part of the territory of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lithuanian state said.

"We will continue to consistently implement the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, and will seek to keep the EU and other international sanctions against the Russian Federation in place until Russia withdraws its military forces and ends the illegal occupation of a part of the territory of Ukraine," the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Lithuania said in its statement posted on Friday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania declares its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

"We strongly condemn the Russian military aggression against Ukraine that started seven years ago and still continues, and the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol in gross violation of international law. Today, bearing in mind the provisions of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 68/262, we urge the Russian Federation to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement reads.

The Foreign Ministry of Lithuania called on Russia to stop systematically violating human rights and suppressing fundamental freedoms in the illegally annexed Crimea, as well as to end the repression of human rights defenders, journalists, civil society members, especially the Crimean Tatars, and to lift the ban on the activities of the Mejlis, a self-governing body of the Crimean Tatars.

"We call for the release of all unlawfully imprisoned Ukrainian citizens. We also call on the Russian Federation to end the militarization of the Crimean Peninsula and to ensure unhindered and free passage of all ships through the Kerch Strait to and from the Azov Sea," the ministry said.
[February 26, 2021] Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. Announces 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: GPMT) ("GPMT," "Granite Point" or the "Company") today announced that it will hold its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders virtually on June 1, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. We believe that hosting a virtual annual meeting will make our annual meeting more accessible for all of our stockholders. Stockholders can attend the virtual annual meeting via the internet at http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GPMT2021. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2021, will be eligible to vote their shares and submit questions electronically in advance of and during the virtual annual meeting by using the16-digit control number included in the notice of internet availability of proxy materials, on their individual proxy card or on the voting instruction form accompanying the proxy materials to attend the annual meeting. We recommend that stockholders log in at least fifteen minutes before the meeting to ensure they are present when the meeting starts.



A replay of the meeting will be available for one year following the meeting date. To listen to a replay of the annual meeting, please visit http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GPMT2021. About Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. is a Maryland corporation focused on directly originating, investing in and managing senior floating rate commercial mortgage loans and other debt and debt-like commercial real estate investments. Granite Point is headquartered in New York, NY. Additional information is available at www.gpmtreit.com. Additional Information Stockholders of Granite Point and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the company at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Internet site at www.sec.gov or by directing requests to: Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., 3 Bryant Park, 24th floor, New York, NY 10036, telephone (212) 364-5500 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005560/en/

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The scene of the shooting incident on Eugene Street in The Coombe area of Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney

The investigation into the attempted murder of a teenage boy in the capital is being hampered because gardai have not been able to obtain statements from a number of people who are claiming that they have Covid-19 or are fearful of contracting the virus if they meet with officers.

A massive investigation is ongoing into the non-fatal shooting of the 17-year-old at Eugene Street in the south inner city shortly before 11pm on Wednesday.

Gardai have obtained a number of statements including from a taxi driver who had been flagged down by the victim just moments before he was shot three times however they are hoping to speak to a lot more people.

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There are people that gardai want to interview but they are refusing to make themselves available because they are saying they have Covid or are afraid of getting it. There has been no way of confirming these accounts so gardai will just have to wait to speak to them, a senior source said.

The 17-year-old boy is understood to be making a good recovery at St James Hospital where it is expected that he will be treated for a number of days. Gardai have still not spoken to him.

He was shot in the neck and leg and a bullet grazed his face in the attack in which up to six bullets from a handgun were fired at him.

The victim took to social media on Wednesday night where he posted a video of himself from his hospital bed.

With tubes coming from his nose. he taunted his attackers in the recording which has been widely distributed on social media.

Gardai have not made any arrests or carried out any searches yet in relation to the attempted murder of the boy.

One theory being probed is that a local criminal aged in his 20s may have targeted the teenager because he was jealous of the amount of money some of the teenagers friends are making from drug dealing.

While the shooting victim is known to gardai, he has no previous criminal convictions and has never appeared before the Childrens Court.

However sources say that he is on friendly terms with a dangerous grouping of south inner city thugs who run a drugs distribution network in the area.

Gardai were not aware of any threats against the teenager who is friendly with a group of notorious young street dealers who have links to the Kinahan cartel.

This mob had been using a number of sheds and stables in the Liberties area as a drug dealing headquarters before it was demolished by Dublin City Council last May.

Sources say they control street dealing in the Thomas, Francis and Meath Street areas of the south inner city which has brought them into conflict with other local gangs.

Detectives have been monitoring the activities of the ruthless thugs behind the drugs network for a number of years.

Gardai are appealing for information on the getaway car used in the murder bid, a Black Hyundai I30, with registration plate 07 TS 4838, which was found burned out on Greenville Avenue.

They are also appealing for anyone who was in the Eugene Street and Greenville Avenue locations between 10:30pm and 11:30pm on Wednesday to contact them and anyone who has camera footage including dash-cam and mobile phone footage from the locations at that time to come forward.
New Delhi: Amid reports of threats to some members of the Indian community in Canada over their support to Centre's new farm laws, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it has taken up the issue with Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and New Delhi and has requested them to take steps to ensure the safety of Indians.

Asked about the reports that some members of the Indian diaspora in Canada have received threats from Khalistani groups after they took out "tiranga" rallies in support of the farm laws, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "We have come across these reports of threat and intimidation to some members of the Indian community in Canada. These threats have come from some fringe elements in Canada."

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

"We have taken this up with Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and in Delhi. We have requested them to take steps to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in Canada," he added.

Srivastava said the Indian nationals are advised to report any such incident to the local Canadian police and also bring it to the immediate attention of the Indian High Commission in Ottawa as well as Indian consulates.

"I would also say, we have taken up with the Canadian authorities the issues concerning the safety and security of our missions and consulates and our diplomatic personnel in Canada," he said.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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A home surveillance camera captured the moment when Lady Gagas dog walker was shot in the chest and two of her French bulldogs were stolen in Los Angeles as he lay bleeding, asking for help.

According to the footage obtained by TMZ, Ryan Fischer was ambushed outside his home on West Hollywood's Sierra Bonita Avenue, as he was strolling with the pooches in tow around 9:40 pm on Wednesday.

A white Sedan pulled up alongside him, with two people climbing out of the back seat. Give it up! one of the attackers could be heard saying.

A struggle ensued, as Mr Fischer wrestled the attackers. No! Help me! He could be heard saying.

A single gunshot can be heard being fired at Mr Fischer. The attackers grabbed two of Gagas three dogs, Gustav and Koji and fled, leaving Mr Fischer lying on the sidewalk. Miss Asia, the third dog managed to escape the dognappers and can be seen running to Mr Fisher, who was lying on the ground.

Oh my God, help me! he can be heard screaming. Help me, Ive been shot!  Im bleeding out of my chest! Mr Fisher, who was shot in the chest, is expected to survive.

It is at the moment not clear if the dog walker was targeted because of his celebrity client, police told the Associated Press. The investigators are looking for two suspects. One has been described as a male dressed in a black hat and black hooded sweatshirt, while the gender of the second suspect is not known.

While the gunmen remain on the loose, Gaga has reportedly offered a reward of $500,000 reward for the return of her two dogs, no questions asked. An email address for tips, KojiandGustav@gmail.com, has been set up.

Gaga, who is regarded as one of the biggest pop stars in the world, is currently in Rome to film a movie. She has won 11 Grammy Awards and has starred in an Oscar award-winning film, A star is born, opposite Bradley Cooper.
The Epicenter K Group of Companies is opening a ceramic tile showroom at the Epicentr Ceramic Corporation plant in Kalynivka, Kyiv region.

"To demonstrate products with a range of more than 300 items, we are opening a new spacious showroom. Here, on an area of 1,400 square meters, our entire range of goods is presented. Such visualization should be visual and convenient for b2b customers," Deputy CEO of Epicentr Ceramic Corporation Yevhenia Smiyan told Interfax-Ukraine.

On the first floor of the showroom there are exposition zones by types of ceramic tiles, on the second - collections in ready-made interior solutions.

According to the company, in 2021 it is planned to produce 12 million square meters of ceramic tile. At the same time, the capacity of the plant in Kalynivka is 6 million square meters annually. Earlier last year, Epicenter K announced plans to increase capacity to 15 million square meters annually within two years.

The export share of Epicenter K ceramic tile in 2020 was 29%, the products are exported to 24 countries, the company said.

As reported, Epicenter K invested UAH 3 billion in the construction of the largest ceramic tile production plant with an area of 70,000 square meters in Kalynivka (Kyiv region). The facility is located on a 20 hectare site near the Kalynivka customs terminal and the warehouse complex of the Epicenter group.

Epicenter K LLC was founded in 2003 and opened the first hypermarket in Kyiv in December of the same year.

The charter capital of Epicenter K LLC is UAH 158.6 million.
WASHINGTON  On Feb. 10, five days before frigid temperatures left Texas in the dark for days, the states grid manager released its forecast for power demand, predicting it would spike to more than 70,000 megawatt hours that coming Sunday  an all-time record for Texas in winter.

The forecast from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, went little noticed among the general public. But for energy traders, who live and die by the surpluses and shortages of the market, the demand prediction was dangerously close to all the power that would be available in perfect conditions  let alone during the freakish cold snap meteorologists were predicting.

ERCOTs own forecast was showing major capacity deficiencies, said Adam Sinn, president of the electricity trading firm Aspire Commodities. How could ERCOT not see this coming? It was so obvious.

To what degree ERCOT missed the signs of the coming chaos, or just chose to stay quiet as the crisis approached remains unclear. But by the time the Feb. 10 forecast was released, ERCOTs options already were limited under the states deregulated electricity markets, in which power generators determine when they run and how they maintain their plants.

On HoustonChronicle.com: ERCOT was minutes from a black start that would have killed power, cell signals in Texas for weeks

In a system in which prices drive both production and planning, the roots of the crisis can be traced back to November, when ERCOT released its winter forecast. The grid manager predicted that seasonal power demand, or load, would peak at about 58,000 megawatts  far below the nearly 69,000 megawatts reached Sunday, Feb. 14, just before the system began to fail.

Had the forecast accounted for the possibility of more severe weather and projected, say, a peak demand of 65,000 megawatts in February  near the previous record  generators might have been better prepared to take advantage of higher prices in both the futures and real-time markets, said Aneesh Prabhu, an analyst with S&P Global Platts, an energy research firm.

Thats how supply and demand work, he said. No construct will help you mitigate risk when you miscalculate the load by 20 percent.

In the days leading up to winter storm, ERCOT made little public showing of the threat posed by the unusually cold temperatures beginning to sweep down from the north. On Tuesday, one day before Sinn and other traders took note of the alarming power forecast, ERCOT CEO Bill Magness briefed the grid operators board for less than a minute on the coming weather.

It looks like we will have a little bit of winter weather to contend with, he said, before moving on to discussing last years revenues.

But concern was starting to spread. At Vistra Energy, the power giant headquartered outside Dallas, executives reached out to ERCOT on the Wednesday before the storm hit. They warned that not enough was being done to protect the grid and alert the public about what was coming.

The warning signs were there, but the public was unaware of the gravity of the situation, which led to people being unable to respond and make the necessary adjustments for their families, the company said in a statement. The coordination and planning by authorities across the broader energy sector were seemingly disproportionate to the severity of the situation.

ERCOT has so far declined to comment on that criticism, but at a hearing this week, Magness said he believed there would be enough generation to get through the cold snap with short-lived rolling blackouts like those employed in previous winter storms.

What we were seeing at that time, we believed we could manage with rotating outages that were not extreme, he said.

More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com

In truth, with just days to prepare before much of Texas was plunged into single-digit temperatures, it might have been too late.

While often described as Texass grid operator, ERCOT is, by its own description, more an air traffic controller  coordinating the flow of electricity from generators to match the ever-changing need of customers. But it has no authority to tell power plants when to operate and how to prepare for inclement weather. It relies on the states wholesale power market to provide incentive.

Its not really ERCOTs job to warn the public. Its up to the government, said Barbara Clemenhage, a former ERCOT board member and a vice president with the consulting firm Customized Energy Solutions. Nobody wants to say out loud youre going to be in the dark, from a political perspective. You dont want to scare the public.

ERCOT put out its first advisory to generators that they should begin preparing for the coming weather on Monday, Feb. 8, advising them to insulate their equipment from the cold, including wrapping pipes and gauges in insulation and setting up wind breaks.

Over the course of the week, ERCOT steadily ramped up those warnings, enlisting power plants out for scheduled maintenance to come back online early and canceling maintenance on transmission lines, Magness testified at an ERCOT meeting this week.

By Sunday morning, the scale of the problem was coming into focus to public officials. ERCOT put out a notice asking the public to lower their thermostats to try and conserve power. Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency and went on television warning the public the state was about to endure cold weather unprecedented in Texas history.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas grid fails to weatherize, repeats mistake feds cited 10 years ago

Wind farms already were shutting down due to ice accumulation on their turbines blades. That was only the beginning, as temperatures across much of Texas plunged.

Shortly after 5 a.m. Monday, one of the states two nuclear power plants, the South Texas Project, lost a reactor and more than 1,300 megawatts of generating capacity when one of the lines feeding its water pumps froze up.

It quickly became clear that frozen power plants and wind turbines were only a fraction of the problem. The states natural gas system, upon which most of ERCOTs power supply depends, was also beginning to freeze up, as ice clogged wellheads lowered production and compressor stations that help move the gas through pipelines lost power.

Our biggest issue was fuel supply, said the employee of one power company, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal operations. At times, the pressure was so low in the pipelines the power plants couldnt run.

Over the morning, the amount of electricity on the power grid began to fall to dangerous levels, risking a disastrous grid shutdown that could take weeks to recover. Shortly after 1 a.m. Monday, ERCOT send out an emergency notice warning there may be a need to begin rotating outages.

Thirteen minutes later, the outages began.

Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

The fact we didnt go into a cascading outage is a miracle. There were times it was touch and go, said Clemenhage, the former ERCOT official. Its ERCOTs job to keep the planes in the air, and what they did frankly was pretty heroic. They dont control the weatherization of the units or the transmission system. They are given what they get.

Instead, ERCOT opted for curtailing power across the grid, leaving transmission utilities such as CenterPoint and Oncor to shut power to some neighborhoods while maintaining it for hospitals and businesses deemed critical.

ERCOT officials believed that generators would come back online in relatively short order, steadily increasing the power supply and reducing outages. Some plants did get back online, but continued shortages in the natural gas system, driven by worsening weather conditions, limited their ability to generate power.

The conventional wisdom through the weekend was that the cold would be very severe Monday and leak into Tuesday and then peter out, Prabhu said. But then it was Monday, and (ERCOT) realized the polar vortex was coming much further south than they anticipated.

By that point, much of the state was in darkness, leaving families to huddle together for warmth, waiting for the lights and their heating systems to come back online.

james.osborne@chron.com

Twitter.com/@osborneja

Losses on Victorias poker machines have risen above pre-pandemic levels following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, with gamblers blowing $239 million in January.

One of the states leading gambling experts says money laundering by criminals is likely to be at least partly behind the increased losses, which were $15 million more than those racked up in January 2020 before the pandemic shut down Victorias pokies for seven months.

Victorian gamblers lost $239 million on poker machines last month. Credit:Peter Braig

Campaigners are lobbying the state government to extend its royal commission into Crown casino to other pubs and clubs across the state, saying they pose almost as much of a serious crime risk as casinos, with small-time criminals more likely to use suburban or regional gaming venues to disguise the proceeds of their crimes.

The Andrews government announced the inquiry on Monday after a NSW government agency found that Crown was unfit to hold a licence for its giant new Barangaroo casino in central Sydney following an inquiry that uncovered numerous instances of criminality and money laundering linked to the company.
[February 26, 2021] iSYNERGY Recertified MS 1900:2014 Shariah-based QMS

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- I Synergy Group Limited (iSYNERGY) has successfully obtained the renewal of MS 1900:2014 Shariah-based Quality Management System (QMS) from SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd. This is an achievement after successfully going through the strict re-certification audit in November 2020. The final approval and consent from the Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) was obtained in January 2021. Obtaining the recertification is very significant to fortify relationship, confidence and trust from their digital entrepreneurs, potential business partners and the public. The initial MS 1900:2014 Shariah-based QMS certificate awarded to iSYNERGY was valid from 2018 until 2021. For years of validity, an annual surveillance audit was conducted before a recertification audit in the final year. The renewal of certification is only issued after a satisfactory recertification audit. The long and detailed journey of this certificate is testament of the necessary processes involved in obtaining this meaningful certification. iSYNERGY managed to sail through the entire process to obtain their MS 1900:2014 Shariah-based QMS certification and now recertified until 2024. iSYNERGY expresses their gratitude to SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd for their audit and thank SAC for their approval and consent after all the necessary and detailed due diligence. The certification, now valid until 11 January 2024 covers the provision of training and services for affiliate marketing marketer in Affiliate Junction partner program and provision of retail program, rewards and incentive. This scope entails the main businesses conducted by iSYNERGY. Community of business partners jubilate in this achievement and step forward confidently to offer their product and services to the community at large. iSYNERGY is one of the forerunners of digital innovation, envisioning to become a global digital innovation company to fulfil mission of contributing to society by creating value through digital innovation. The business is operatedin Malaysia via its operational subsidiary I Synergy International (M) Sdn Bhd (1062594-W).



Within the business(es) of iSYNERGY, Affiliate Junction (AJ) is a digital entrepreneurial platform. Equipped with a robust and advanced ecosystem, AJ envisions to become Asia's most rewarding affiliate marketing platform for digital entrepreneurship, fulfilling its mission of empowering people through affiliate marketing and digital entrepreneurship. Digital entrepreneurs of AJ can confidently promote offerings under the platform, namely MSS, Advertiser Offer, Advertiser Program, and upcoming Life Success Academy, to name a few. Whilst businesses are going through unpredictable challenges due to impacts from Covid-19, iSYNERGY strives to keep its business' qualities and standards in check to continue providing a service that can be trusted and excellent. In the wake of the pandemic in 2020, iSYNERGY allocated a RM30 million stimulus package to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and aspiring entrepreneurs as well as assisting the nation's adaptation to the 'new normal' and accelerating the digitisation process. "It has been a tough journey for iSYNERGY but we have worked so hard last year to ensure that our Shariah-based AJ partner program and other offerings continue to bring value to and receive support from fellow Malaysians. We are grateful and thankful to be recertified," said Dato' Mohammad Yazid bin Hj. Daud, iSYNERGY's Chief Executive Officer, confident that this certification from SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd clarifies the main businesses that iSYNERGY are involved in are in line with the Shariah provision that its scope entails, beyond any reasonable doubts. Patience and relentless effort during these unprecedented times are crucial. iSYNERGY is confident about its offered services and programs and wished to work with brands that have the same vision about their businesses.

About I Synergy Group Limited (ASX: IS3) I Synergy Group Limited (ASX:IS3) ("iSYNERGY") is a Malaysian grown company listed on Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). iSYNERGY provides digital innovation by building robust system with key technological advancement. To learn more, please visit: www.i-synergygroup.com or email enquiries to contact@i-synergygroup.com. About Affiliate Junction Affiliate Junction ("AJ") is a digital entrepreneurial platform developed by iSYNERGY. Affiliate marketer (digital entrepreneurs) promote programs (MSS, Advertiser Offer, Advertiser Program and upcoming Life Success Academy to name a few) by driving traffic and generating leads for advertisers through curated content, email, website, link share, landing pages and social media at the ease of their digital devices. Digital entrepreneurs are incentivised when a deal happens due to their efforts. Advertisers have access to a cost-effective marketing platform, paying only by performance to enhance brand awareness and increase sales revenue. To learn more, please visit: www.aj.my or email enquiries to clarify@aj.my. About MSS A flagship program of AJ, MSS universal retail loyalty program is a one-stop solution that combines marketing, loyalty and payment services for business owners while a multifunctional easy-to-use lifestyle companion app for users. To learn more, please visit: www.mss.co or email enquiries to contact@mss.co. SOURCE I Synergy International (M) Sdn Bhd

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Gandhinagar, Feb 26 : Delhi Chief Minister and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal, on Friday asked the people of Gujarat to give the AAP party a chance to form the local bodies in the upcoming polls on Sunday for Tehsil, district and municipality elections in Gujarat.

He said that in 5 years rule of AAP, the people will forget the 25 years of the BJP rule in Gujarat. Kejriwal was addressing a public rally in Surat, which was held after forming the opposition party in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in the recent elections held on the 21st.

AAP on Friday held the Kejriwal roadshow in Patel-dominant areas of Surat, where the streets were thronging with thousands of supporters. The roadshow received an overwhelming response from the public as well.

"The people of Gujarat were not stingy in showering their love on the BJP for 25 years, but what did they get? Even after 25 years, the farmers of Gujarat have to remain awake in the middle of the night to avail power in their farms. Even after 25 years, why are the farmers of Gujarat committing suicide? Why is the situation is so bad in government schools even after all these years? Why has the situation deteriorated in government health care facilities?" asked Kejriwal, while addressing the public.

"There was 10 hour power cut, when we came to power in Delhi. Now after 5 years, they have got 24 hours power. People get free power in Delhi, which is the eighth wonder of the world," said Kejriwal.

"If Kejriwal can do it in just five years, why can't the BJP do that in 25 years?" asked Kejriwal. In a style similar to that of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he asked the people of Gujarat, "Do you want free electricity?" The people roared YES.

"The schools were in a dilapidated condition, when we came to power in Delhi. Today our government schools are doing better than the private schools. We gave jobs to more than 10 lakh youth in 5 years. I ask how much employment has the BJP government provided in Gujarat?" asked Kejriwal.

Kejriwal asked the people of Gujarat to vote for the Aam Aadami Party. "Just give us 5 years in Gujarat and I assure you, you will forget the 25 years of BJP rule in the state. The day after tomorrow is the election for the rural local bodies as well as municipalities. Just as the Surat people have voted for the AAP, I ask the rural voters to please click the button of the broom (jhadu)," Kejriwal requested.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal told the newly elected representatives to be very careful of the BJP who will try to bribe them. "The BJP will try to bribe you, threaten you. Whatever they do, wherever you are, when you receive their call just do one thing. Inform it to your state president Gopal Italiya. Then we will tell you what to do," he advised.

"The BJP and the Congress are rattled. They do not fear you," he told the 27 recently elected corporators. "Nor do they fear the AAP Party, but they are dreaded by the 16 lakh people who voted you, who put their trust in you," Kejriwal added.

Advising the recently elected corporators he continued, "The people of Gujarat are looking towards not only the 27 of you who won, but also who lost from the AAP Party. Please don't lose the public trust they have put in you. Reaffirm their faith through your work. The 6 crore people of Gujarat will be keeping an eye on you," Kejriwal said.

"Keep yourself available for the public 24 by 7. Don't get arrogant or become proud, which is a natural human trait. If there is one thing that the public cannot tolerate, is an insult. Whoever comes to your doorstep, whether it be your office or home, welcome him or her, respect them. Even if someone knocks your door at two in the middle of the night, open your doors for him or her," added Kejriwal.

"It will be on the basis of the 27 of you that we will be reaching out to the 6 crore people of Gujarat in the coming days," Kejriwal told the new corporators.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 24 Colleges In Montana for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 70 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each institution is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 70 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 24 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-colleges-in-montana/

2021 Top Colleges In Montana featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Blackfeet Community College

Carroll College

Chief Dull Knife College

Dawson Community College

Flathead Valley Community College

Fort Peck Community College

Great Falls College Montana State University

Helena College University of Montana

Little Big Horn College

Miles Community College

Montana Bible College

Montana State University

Montana State University, Billings

Montana State University, Northern

Montana Tech

Pima Medical Institute

Rocky Mountain College

Salish Kootenai College

Stone Child College

University of Montana Western

University of Montana

University of Providence

Yellowstone Christian College

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
An Accra Circuit Court has ordered the prosecution to comply with its order of serving Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, aka Bulldog, accused of threatening President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a video recording, with disclosures.



When the matter was called, Hanson informed the Court that he had not been served with any witness statements or any processes.



The matter has been adjourned to March 12.



At the last sitting, the Court ordered the prosecution to serve Bulldog with disclosures to facilitate a case management conference.



Hanson, an artiste manager, is said to have said on a United Television (UTV) programme that, the President will not finish his tenure and that he will run away if he failed to pay customers of Menzgold their deposits.



Charged with offensive conduct, conducive to breach of the peace, Hanson pleaded not guilty and is on GH70,000.00 bail.



Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Simon Apiorsornu said on January 11, this year, the Police intercepted a video recording on United Television.



He said in the said video, the accused was seen and heard saying, The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will not finish his term in office and that he will run away if he failed to pay the deposits of Menzgold customers.



Prosecution said on January 12, this year, Hanson was handed over to the Police by the National Intelligence Bureau for further investigations.



According to the prosecution, during interrogation, Hanson admitted to have made such comments in the said video when same was played to him.



It said Hanson explained that during the show, an argument ensued among the guests on the programme and that he made the statement in jest and had no ill motive behind same.





Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video

Senator Eric Abetz (L) meets with Trade Minister Dan Tehan (R) to discuss CANZUK in Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 18, 2021. (Josh Byrne)

Support Grows Among Conservatives for CANZUK Alliance

Support is growing among conservative politicians to strengthen diplomatic ties between Australia and three of its closest alliesCanada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The proposed CANZUK alliance would introduce reciprocal migration, free trade, and foreign policy cooperation between these like-minded countries, which share bonds through their cultures, history, common-law legal system, respect for human rights, and Westminster-style political structures.

The idea of CANZUK is steadily gaining momentum, Australian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz told The Epoch Times. The Conservative Party of Canada has given its formal support for CANZUK, and in the UK, Conservatives for CANZUK now boasts 33 parliamentarians.

Abetz met with Trade Minister Dan Tehan on Feb. 18 to make the case for the idea. He is in the process of formalising a group of Australian parliamentarians in support of CANZUK, with 14 so far expressing their interest, he said.

James Skinner, the founder and chief executive of CANZUK International, told The Epoch Times, No other countries in the world are as like-minded or close as the four CANZUK nations.

The aspirational alliance is already fraternally connected by sharing the same Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. Each also participates in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which also includes the United States.

The policy idea was born out of a conservative conference in Halifax, Canada, in 2018, where it was almost unanimously adopted.

As the UK has left the European Union, Canada seeks to diversify its relationships outside the USA, and Australia seeks closer international cooperation to combat rising tensions with China, the time is right for these nations to form such an alliance, Skinner said.

In doing so, they will provide work, business and travel opportunities for citizens, promote economic growth through free trade, and enhance our national security and defence efforts by building on our existing ties through the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance, he said.

But Srdjan Vucetic, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, thinks that the concept has a slim chance of success.

The most obvious reason is geographic distance, which matters in trade and tourism as well as in defence. Geography alone makes CANZUK unrealistic, he wrote in an op-ed for the Globe and Mail on Jan. 28.

He argued that the idea doesnt play well outside of conservative circles, noting that it reflects how different political leaders engage with history.

When [Canadian Opposition Leader Erin OToole] got up before dawn to chat about CANZUK with like-minded politicians in Australia and the U.K. at one live-streamed event organised from London, he felt free to make a tired joke about the sun never setting on the British Empire, Vucetic wrote.

But talk to other Canadian leaders, and you will find them struggling to accept a geopolitical pact that smacks of Victorianand Edwardianera dreams of bringing the English-speaking peoples closer together, he wrote.

Despite that, both Skinner and Abetz are confident that CANZUK can and will be achieved, with each noting the high levels of support for the idea in all four countries.

A poll of 13,600 people in 2018 for CANZUK International found overwhelming support for free movement in all four nations, 82 percent of New Zealanders, 76 percent of Canadians, 73 percent of Australians and 68 percent of Britons, Abetz said.
Ted Cruz's colleagues mocked him over his ill-fated Cancun trip when he returned to work by posting memes in the Senate gym locker room which read 'Bienvenido de Nuevo, Ted'.

Cruz and his family flew to Cancun from Houston during the worst of the Texas energy crisis after a winter storm last week.

He was slammed for the decision and returned in disgrace but he has been unapologetic about it, blaming it on his daughters and claiming he was just being 'a good dad'.

This week, when he returned to Washington, he was trolled by other lawmakers who, according to NBC, printed memes from his trip and posted them in the Senate gym locker room.

Ted Cruz (pictured on Friday at CPAC) was trolled by fellow lawmakers who posted memes about his Cancun trip in the Senate gym locker room in Washington this week

The signs read 'Bienvenido de Nuevo, Ted,' which means 'Welcome back' in English.

Cruz, on Friday, brushed off the trip again as he arrived in Orlando for CPAC. He took to the stage and shamelessly joked: 'Orlando is awesome. It's not as nice as Cancun!'

He went on to denounce cancel culture, saying: 'This is the Rebel Alliance.

'Darth Vader and the emperor - and let's be clear, they're not your father - are terrified of the rebels that are here. And I'm telling ya, Gina Carano stands with us!'

'We believe in individuality - different people have different views. We are the not the Borg,' he said, referring to the villains in Star Trek.

'I may have committed a cardinal sin mixing Star Wars and Star Trek.'

Cruz was trolled relentlessly with memes after abandoning his home state to go to Cancun with his friends and family while millions in the state were still without power and water.

Heidi and her family appeared to be met by a security detail, but the senator was nowhere to be seen

Protesters have given dubbed the Texas senator 'Cancun Cruz' after his brief trip to Mexico on Wednesday

A mariachi band outside Ted Cruz's $2million home in Houston, Texas, on Sunday

It was an epic failure by ERCOT - the state's energy distributor - which neither prepared enough reserve energy before the storm hit, nor did it upgrade power plants to be able to withstand the frigid temperatures.

The combination resulted in them having to perform rolling blackouts across the state to try to preserve the electrical grid.

Millions were without heat, power or water during the coldest temperatures for more than one hundred years.

Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an investigation into ERCOT's failings.

Cruz claimed initially that his 10 and 12-year-old daughters asked to flee the cold temperatures.

Text messages then showed how his wife Heidi asked neighbors and friends who wanted to join them.

Cruz also invited along his college roommate.
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Now that Vice President Kamala Harris has permanently moved to Washington, DC, she has had to say goodbye to her former home.

The two-story San Francisco condominium was listed online with Anne Herrera of Sotheby's International Realty on February 8, according to a post on Zillow.

Just 10 days later, on February 18, the one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom apartment was placed under contract for $799,000 with an unknown buyer.

The selling price for the 1,069-square-foot loft is 63 percent higher than the $489,000 price Harris paid for the property back in 2004, the year she became San Francisco's District Attorney, the first black woman and South Asian woman to ever hold the position.

Vice President Kamala Harris' San Francisco condominium was listed online with Anne Herrera of Sotheby's International Realty on February 8. Pictured: A view of the living room, dining room and foyer of the apartment

Just 10 days later, on February 18, the one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom apartment was placed under contract for $799,000 by an unknown buyer. Pictured: The dining area

The selling price for the 1,069-square-foot loft is 63 percent higher than the $489,000 price Harris paid for the property back in 2004. Pictured; View of the foyer, Kitchen and living room

The main level has a living room and a dining room with high ceilings, a chef's kitchen with a gas stove (pictured), a home office alcove and a half bath

There is also an uncovered outdoor patio with room for a table and chairs (pictured) and an indoor fireplace

Harris purchased the home in 2004 when she became San Francisco's District Attorney, the first black woman South Asian woman to ever hold the position. Pictured: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris takes the stage before President-elect Biden addresses the nation after being declared winner of the 2020 Presidential Election, November 2020

The condo is located on the top floor of a boutique building in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, which is filled with plenty of upscale restaurants and nightclubs.

The main level has a living room and a dining room with high ceilings, a chef's kitchen with a gas stove, a home office alcove, a half bath, a patio and a fireplace.

On the second floor can be found a loft-style bedroom, a full bath and a walk-in-closet.

The home also boasts an in-unit washer and dryer, garage parking, a new roof and intercom system installed within the past two years.

Among the additions Harris has made since she moved in are floor to ceiling drapes, wall paper on the first floor and an air conditioner.

Records on Zillow indicate that the apartment building was built in 1998, and Harris is only the second person to have lived in the unit, buying it from the original owner in 2004.

Among the additions Harris has made since she moved in are floor to ceiling drapes, wall paper on the first floor and an air conditioner. Pictured: The living room with stairs leading to the upstairs bedroom

On the second floor can be found a loft-style bedroom (pictured), a full bath and a walk-in-closet

Records on Zillow indicate that the apartment building was built in 1998, and Harris is only the second person to have lived in the unit, buying it from the original owner in 2004

The apartment is estimated to cost about $3,700 per month including principal, mortgage insurance, property taxes, home insurance and other fees. Pictured: The walk-in closet and full bathroom

The home also boasts an in-unit washer and dryer, garage parking, a new roof and intercom system installed within the past two years. Pictured: The foyer and the home-office alcove

Harris moved from the apartment at Clara Street (above) to Blair House, across the street from the White House and the president's official guesthouse, while the Vice Presidential Residence at One Observatory Circle undergoes renovations

The Clara Street apartment is estimated to cost about $3,700 per month including principal, mortgage insurance, property taxes, home insurance and other fees.

Harris's temporary home is Blair House, across the street from the White House and the president's official guesthouse, while the Vice Presidential Residence at One Observatory Circle undergoes renovations.

Blair House, which is a brick-and-stucco home, boasts 119 rooms including 14 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, three formal dining rooms, a library, a gym and even a beauty salon.

But Harris also owns other homes, including a two-bedroom condo in Washington, DC, and a 3,500-square-foot house in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Harris paid $1,775,000 for the 1,700-square-foot condo in DC in 2017 and that it offers a 24-hour concierge, a heated rooftop pool and even a dog washing station.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles home, which has four bedrooms and five bathrooms, was purchased by her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff, for $2.7 million in 2012, two years before the duo married.
HOLYOKE  Two months after Mayor Alex B. Morse announced he would not seek reelection, he has been named town manager of Provincetown.

In an initial polling of the five members of the Select Board, four cited Morses experience and his focus on diversity and inclusion as the reason for their selection. The group then voted 5-0 to select Morse in a meeting Thursday.

Morse was selected over two other finalists, Jennifer Pinck, of Provincetown, who founded a construction management company, and Kevin Hepner, of Boston, a certified public accountant who has leadership experience in finance and administration.

Im thrilled and excited and honored by their vote and am looking forward to serving Provincetown, Morse said shortly after the chairman of the Select Board contacted him to offer the position.

The next step is negotiating a contract and determining his start date and salary and benefits. Interim Town Manager Charles Sumners contract expires at the end of March, but during the remote meeting of the Select Board he said he would be willing to continue for longer and to give time to work with Morse during the transition.

The position pays between $180,000 and $200,000 and has a housing allowance because of the high cost of renting or purchasing property, but the exact salary and starting date would be subject to negotiations.

Morse currently earns $85,000 as mayor of Holyoke, which has a population of about 40,000. Provincetown has a population of about 3,000 that swells to 80,000 in the summer.

Morse said he has already talked to City Council President Todd McGee, who by charter will become acting mayor until November elections, to make sure there is a smooth transition in Holyoke.

We have a great city staff and they will ensure the city continues to run smoothly, he said.

While excited about the new career opportunity, Morse called the move to a new community bittersweet.

Holyoke will always be my hometown and I appreciate the opportunities I have had here, he said.

Provincetown Select Board member Lise King said she was looking for a candidate capable of addressing issues such as income diversity, climate change, building a creative community and uniting the town.

I think Provincetown is at a turning point where we need the experience. I think he has enough experience he can reach out to the state or county to get things done, said Selectman Robert Anthony.

Morse will not be the first town manager with Western Massachusetts ties to serve as the town manager for Provincetown. David Panagore  who worked in Springfield for more than two years as the deputy director and then chief development officer of the Springfield Finance Control Board starting in 2006 as part of a state-mandated takeover of the citys operations  worked as town manager in Provincetown from 2015-19.

He left the position to become the chief administrative officer of the MBTA but still lives in Provincetown and serves on the finance committee.

Morse said he has been in touch with Panagore to get some insight into the job as he was applying for the position.

Since Panagore left, the town hired one town manager who resigned after six months, and two interim managers have followed.

During an hour-long interview with the five members of the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Morse said he would have not applied for the position in a generic suburb of Boston or even Western Massachusetts, but said he feels Provincetown is special.

Provincetown is a great fit, he said. For many folks like me and in our community, Provincetown has been a refuge and a special place in our lives and in our communitys history.

Morse, who was elected as mayor of Holyoke in 2011 when he was 22, is the citys first openly gay mayor. He said he has visited Provincetown many times and said he is excited about the unique challenges the town faces.

I want to pivot away from being a candidate but I want to do what I think Im good at after being mayor for 10 years, he said, adding he really just wants to govern and run a municipality.

Morse last year unsuccessfully tried to unseat U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, in a bruising primary campaign. He previously ran four successful campaigns for mayor.

In the interview, he brought up the allegations of inappropriate conduct toward college students while he was a part-time lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

In a very hyper-political environment accusations were leveled against me. This was one of the toughest moments for me personally and professionally, he said. It became very clear that it was a coordinated political attack against our campaign. Two investigations have made it unequivocally clear that there was no wrongdoing on my part, that there was no violation of any policies. The student chapter that leveled these accusations issued an apology.

He also talked about his philosophy of working collaboratively with department heads and members of the community and said differences of opinions can improve ideas.

Morse said he was interested in staying in Provincetown long-term and pointed to his 10-year tenure in Holyoke.
News Japanese Journalist Detained in Myanmar While Covering Protest

Riot police block the road in Yangon's Myaynigone Junction on Friday, following their crackdown on peaceful anti-regime protesters in which some arrests were made. / The Irrawaddy

Leaving Cert students will have to answer fewer question in the written papers this year.

More adjustments are being made to papers to reduce the load on candidates, who have suffered extended disruption to their education.

Students were previously advised that there would be greater choice between and within questions.

But new guidance on the exams and accredited grades process, released today, announces further changes.

It states that: In addition to the adjustment to the examinations previously communicated to schools, further adjustments will be made to the written papers.

These further adjustments will aim to reduce the load on students, leaving intact the general overall structure of the written examination papers.

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In the majority of cases these adjustments will involve reducing the number of questions that students will be required to answer.

The duration of the exams will remain the same as set out in the timetable, allowing students more time to read the paper and answer the questions.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) will issue further subject-by-subject guidance in relation to the adjustments in the week of March 22.

The changes are announced in A Guide to State Examinations and Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021, which has been published on the Gov.ie/leavingcertificate.

The oral exams  for those who are also sitting the written papers  are scheduled for between March 26 and April 15. They will be held in school outside of normal tuition time.

It is expected that the running of the orals will involve no more than five consecutive days in each school and may held before or after the normal school day, during the Easter holidays, or at weekends.

They will be conducted under exam conditions by a teacher/teachers in the school or a neighbouring school or another suitable qualified teacher and they will be paid by the SEC.

The orals will be recorded electronically and the recording will be sent to the SEC for marking

Due to Covid-related restrictions, practicals in Construction Studies Engineering are not taking place and nor is Performance Assessment in Physical Education.

In these subjects the proportion of marks normally allocated to these components will be reallocated to the project.

However, revised arrangements are being made for the Music practical performance, which is expected to take place over Easter. Engagement is ongoing with public health experts on this.

The exams start on June 9, and there will be no second opportunity to sit them for those who, for reason of illness, or bereavement, are unable to take them in June.

The 63,000 Leaving Cert candidates return to school next Monday and they will have about a week, from Monday March 8, to register their exam choices on an SEC Candidate Portal.

This is where they will opt in for the exams and/or to receive SEC Accredited Grades.

They will be asked to confirm their subjects and the level (higher/ordinary/foundation) at which they want to be assessed.

The portal will re-open in late April/early May to enable candidates to review their choices.

The accredited grades will be based on a teachers estimated mark for a student in respect of his/her likely performance in each subject, signed off by the school.

The estimated marks provided by schools will go through a process of standardisation , which will include the use of national data on performance in Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams of students in each subject, but not including last years calculated grades results.

The Leaving Cert data will not include the use of the historical performance of school by school data, the issue which caused major controversy in 2020. Data on the Junior Cycle performance of the Leaving Cert class of 2021, is likely to be used.

The document sets out guidance for teachers in how to arrive at a fair estimated mark and how to separate students who have very similar attainment levels by the tiniest of fractions.

In order to avoid awarding the same percentage mark to two students, they may include up to two decimal places - i.e. 83.22pc, 83.33pc.

Like last year, teachers are asked to draw on a variety of evidence of student attainment - including limited assessment up to May 14 - and to use their professional judgment in awarding estimated marks.

The guidance advises against over-assessment and says where it does take place, it should be set by the teacher, run for no more than an hour and there should be no more than three such tests up to May 14.

It specifically prohibits the use of statistical or algorithmic models, such as those offered by commercial companies and often associated with mocks. It says these must not be in the process of data analysis and review and the estimation of percentage marks.

Any efforts by parents or other to influence teachers marks will be treated very seriously  it will be covered by upcoming legislation. In order to minimise any such risk, the guidance advises schools against holding formal sixth year parent teacher meetings between March 1 and March 28.
SMITHFIELD, Va., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is expediting a truckload of protein donations to God's Pantry Foodbank, a Feeding America food bank in Lexington serving central and eastern Kentucky, to support ongoing recovery efforts following Winter Storm Uri.

The 37,000-pound donation of Smithfield products is part of the company's signature hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes, which supports disaster-relief efforts across the U.S. as part of its mission.

"One out of every six people in central and eastern Kentucky face food insecurity," said Michael Halligan, CEO for God's Pantry Food Bank. "Winter storms made it harder to access nutritious food for so many who were already experiencing hunger in the middle of a pandemic. We are relieved and grateful to receive these protein donations from Smithfield to assist us with keeping our communities nourished."

"Smithfield feels a great responsibility to support the communities where our employees live and work," said Jonathan Toms, charitable initiatives manager at Smithfield Foods. "Members of our Smithfield Family in Grayson and other local residents in the surrounding area reached out to make us aware of the significant need following Winter Storm Uri. We are grateful they did and that we are able to help alleviate hunger in the state during this difficult time."

To join Smithfield in its ongoing commitment to support Feeding America and disaster-relief efforts during the pandemic, visit: www.smithfieldfoods.com/goodfoodchallenge.

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. Our 40,000 U.S. team members and 14,000 European employees are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." and have made us one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including many industry firsts, such as our ambitious commitment to cut our carbon impact by 25 percent by 2025. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our neighbors in need. 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.

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Orica chief executive Alberto Calderon will step down from the $5 billion explosives manufacturer after six years in the role, as the company copes with the fallout of slower mining activity on its profits.

The worlds top supplier of commercial explosives on Friday said its earnings could face a first-half hit of up to $125 million (year-on-year) as Australia-China trade tensions and the pandemic reduced demand from customers in the mining industry.

Orica chief executive officer Alberto Calderon (pictured) will be replaced by Sanjeev Gandhi. Credit:Eamon Gallagher

Australias coal miners have been hit hard since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis last year slashed demand for the commodity and Beijing stepped up an unofficial ban on Australian cargoes of both thermal and metallurgical coal amid a diplomatic fallout.

Trade tension between Australia and China is ongoing and is impacting demand in Oricas higher-margin Australian thermal coal market, the company said in a statement.
Mexican authorities are investigating the death of one and hospitalization of another Polish citizen, both of whom were attacked on Mexican soil, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on February 24. Countrys Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, as reported by the Associated Press, confirmed that he has ordered a separate investigation into what he called the homicide and attempted homicide" of the two young Poles in Mexico.

While law enforcers were still probing into their cause of death, Polish media has linked the deaths with organ harvesting. Mexico has long been battling rampant crimes of organ procurement and trafficking.

According to a report by Onet. pl portal, the men, aged around 20, had internal organs removed after they arrived in Mexico earlier this month for work arranged by someone in Poland. While another remains hospitalized after slipping into coma. Updating on the same, Polands foreign ministry said that his condition was improving with time.

Read: Huge Gap In Demand, Supply Of Organs For Transplant In Country: AIIMS Chief

Read: Odisha Horror: 5-yr-old Victim's Kin Seek CBI Probe; Allege 'SIT Shielding True Culprit'

Five killed in organised crime

This comes as five people were fatally shot in an attack in central Mexico city, which is being linked to the organised crime by the police, Channels TV reported, citing the local security secretariat and local media reports. The shooting occurred at a town hall in Miguel Hidalgo, one of the most populous districts of Mexico city. An emergency alert was sounded to the local police, that arrived on the crime scene and found five people on the ground with gunshot wounds, according to the statement by Mexico city's secretary of public security. A probe has been ordered into the crime to ascertain the involvement of a cartel gunman.

Read: Historian With Far-right Past Resigns In Poland

Read: Thousands Take To The Streets In Poland To Protest Near-total Abortion Ban
President Joe Biden revoked seven of Trump's executive orders all at once on Wednesday, including "anarchist jurisdictions." The Biden administration revoked dozens of former President Donald Trump's executive orders after more than a month into his tenure.

Biden revoked several of Trump's executive orders

According to Business Insider via MSN, the President nixed a ban on several training restrictions, also known as the "Muslim ban," and a ban on transgender people to serve the military, among many actions.

The reversals done on Wednesday include the cancellation of a review described as "anarchist jurisdictions" and threatened to reverse federal funding. In September last year, Trump's executive order urged to review federal funding to cities "allowing anarchy, destruction, and violence." The three cities identified by the justice department were hotspots of racial injustice protests following the Goerge Floyd police killing.

After Biden's Wednesday order, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes expressed his gladness with the clearing of this executive order from the decks, the Associated Press reported.

"Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture," an executive order signed in the final weeks of Trump's presidency, was also reversed by President Biden.

Read also: Biden Reveals 3 Postal Service Board Nominees, Puts Pressure on Postmaster General

The order claimed that the "Federal Government has stopped building beautiful buildings" as numerous samples of modernist buildings were cited and were said to please "elite" architects rather than people. Meanwhile, a banking rules order in 2017 was overturned, reversing Dodds-Frank's reform aimed at ending bailouts for failed banks in the Obama-era after the 2008 financial crisis.

The memorandum added that architects must aim at "America's beloved landmark buildings" such as the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, the Department of the Treasury, and the Lincoln Memorial for inspiration.

Read also: Biden Had His First Defeat as President After Cabinet Nominee Receives Backlash

Biden's revocations aim to end complicated orders

The latest of Biden's revocations targeted massive issues, including former President Trump's executive order signed in his last months in office. In September, Trump issued a memorandum to determine municipal governments that authorize "anarchy, destruction, and violence" in American cities. The Justice Department identified New York City, Oregon, Portland, and Seattle as the cities that could cut federal funding.

The said cities filed a lawsuit to invalidate the designation and fight efforts of withholding federal fundings. Another order that was halted was Trump's "Ensuring Democratic Accountability in Agency Rulemaking," which was issued in his final days as president. The executive order called for the ability of federal agency employees' limitations to make regulatory decisions.

A 2018 executive order was also revoked, as per ABC4. The order urged agency heads across the government to review welfare programs, such as Medicaid, housing aid, and food stamps, and strengthen work requirements for specific recipients.

Read also: Is President Biden Set to Repeat the Obama Administration's Failures?

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REDDING, Calif. - Shasta County county moved into the red tier on Wednesday, which is good news for local businesses.

Starting today places like gyms and museums can open indoors at a limited capacity.

The Shasta Family YMCA started welcoming members back as soon as the county shifted back into the red tier on Wednesday.

But the YMCA is urging members to make reservations if they plan to come to the gym. It is also asking people to wear masks inside but not while working out, especially if its cardio.

We do have our sanitizing stations, said Robin Fator, the Development & Communications Manager at the Shasta Family YMCA. Anytime someone comes and uses equipment we do ask that you sanitize before and after.

Randy With of Redding said hes glad things are reopening but doesnt plan on hitting the gym just yet.

Not until I get my second shot, said With. I'll consider it after that. I got my first shot, my second shot comes in a couple more weeks.

The Shasta Family YMCA also expanded some of its services to its Eureka Way building to create more room for social distancing.

The YMCA is still offering virtual fitness classes if people are not comfortable returning to the gym in person.

Under the Blueprint for Safer Economy, gyms can re-open indoors at 10% capacity.

But its not just gyms, people can also start visiting museums again.

Several families returned to Turtle Bay Museum with smiling faces. They were excited to be able to go inside and check out the displays and exhibits.

Brady Jones and his family were some of those excited to be back inside the museum. But this was no ordinary visit for the Jones, especially for their young son Mason.

This is actually [Masons] first visit here, said Brady Jones. Things kind of started to shut down when he was born. This is actually his first experience to see all the fish, the ducks, and the wildlife. We're really excited that it's open.

We are so excited to be open, said Larinda Willard, the Chief Operating Officer for Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Just to have people inside our museum again and be able to see the exhibitions that we have and be able to enjoy that experience.

Turtle Bay is asking members to make reservations before heading down for a visit. They will take walk-ins if their capacity allows it.

Turtle Bay Museum can accommodate about 140 people.
THE Catholic bishops are planning a major synod which will bring all sections of the Irish Church together to look at the crisis of faith, address the need for reform and renewal, and respond to the legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bishop Paul Dempsey of Achonry and Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross announced the move at an online address The Synod on Synods by Jesuit theologian Fr Gerry OHanlon, hosted by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP).

Dr Dempsey, who is one of the newest and youngest members of the Irish hierarchy, revealed that he is part of a subcommittee of six bishops within the Irish Bishops Conference which is actually working towards a synod in the near future.

The group has already met with and received advice from Cardinal Mario Grech, a top Vatican prelate who is Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.

Dr Dempsey told the members of the ACP and other Catholic reform groups who took part in the webinar that as synod will not be an end in itself but plans to set out a way of being Church in Ireland.

Many Irish Catholics hope that a synod will reinvigorate the Irish Church and give its declining number of lay faithful a voice in any programme for renewal and change to make it fit for purpose in the 21st century.

Read More

The Irish synod is expected to be announced by the bishops after their next meeting, according to Dr Gavin.

Hopefully after the next bishops conference, we [will] begin that process of conversation, engagement and dialogue.

He appealed to people to respond to the bishops openness because he felt that a synod was the way forward.

However, Bishop Dempsey said: We just don't want it to end in a synod; it has to be something that continues in the life of the Irish Church.

In an indication that the synod will be inclusive rather than exclusive, he added: We are really conscious that this can't just be an in-house synod  that it has to reach out to the various groups within our Church, and indeed, our country at this time.

So please, God, we will walk together, and we will struggle maybe together to see where we might go as an Irish Church at this time.

In his address, Fr Gerry OHanlon spoke about the Synod of Bishops which Pope Francis has called for October 2022 in Rome and which has the theme, For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission.

Synodality, according to Fr OHanlon, is a key strategy of Pope Francis in making the Church ready to meet the challenges of contemporary times. The term is often used to describe the process of collaboration and discernment which brings together bishops, priests, religious and the laity.

According to Fr OHanlon, Pope Francis wants to develop a decentralised church giving more responsibility back to local churches and the laity.

He said that under Francis pontificate there was a sense of doors opening and that the Pope believed that what affects all should be treated by all, in other words, that those areas which affect the laity should have an input from the laity.

He acknowledged that there had been considerable resistance from people on the left of the Church to Francis approach as it was felt to be too slow, and from people on the right who see it as a Trojan horse. It is going to bring change inevitably, and they're afraid of that or they don't like that.

Read More




Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington, on Feb. 17, 2021. (Alex Brandon/File/AP Photo)

Militia Official: US Strike in Syria Kills 1, Wounds Several

BAGHDADA U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one of their militiamen and wounding a number of others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday.

The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The Iraqi militia official told The Associated Press that the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak of the attack. Syria war monitoring groups said the strikes hit trucks moving weapons to a base for Iranian-backed militias in Boukamal.

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington, shortly after the airstrikes which were carried out Thursday evening Eastern Standard Time.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Bidens decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq.

The United States has in the past targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a shipment of weapons that were being taken by trucks entering Syrian territories from Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin listens to a question as he speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington, on Feb. 19, 2021. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Austin said he was confident the United States had hit back at the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes, referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to President Joe Biden.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Austin said. We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. action was a proportionate military response taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel, Kirby said.

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada.

Further details were not immediately available.

Mary Ellen OConnell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.

The United Nations Charter makes absolutely clear that the use of military force on the territory of a foreign sovereign state is lawful only in response to an armed attack on the defending state for which the target state is responsible, she said. None of those elements is met in the Syria strike.

Biden administration officials condemned the Feb. 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack. He added that U.S. officials were not then able to give a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks.

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Alwiya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdads Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade. Iran-backed groups have splintered significantly since the U.S.-directed strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad more than a year ago. Both were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq.

Since their deaths, the militias have become increasingly unruly. Some analysts argue the armed groups have splintered as a tactic to claim attacks under different names to mask their involvement.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of Bidens inauguration.

The United States under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out multiple attacks in Iraq.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that culminated in the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Soleimani and brought Iraq to the brink of a proxy war.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the ISIS terrorist group.

By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Lolita C. Baldor, and Robert Burns
REDDING, Calif. - Redding Police Department is looking for a 25-year-old man, according to the Redding Police Department.

Tyler Carter, a transient, was last heard from on Feb. 11, police said.

Police said Carter is 6-foot, 180 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

According to police, Carter has a medical condition that causes seizures.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Redding Police Department at (530) 225-4200.
In this file photo the Boeing regional headquarters is seen amid the coronavirus pandemic on April 29, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia. The US aviation regulator announced February 25, 2021, it fined Boeing a total of $6.6 million, for a series of lapses in its regulatory and safety obligations. Most of the fine was imposed for failing to live up to a 2015 agreement to "improve and prioritize regulatory compliance."(Olivier DOULIERY / AFP)

Most of the penalties were imposed for failing to live up to a 2015 deal to "improve and prioritize regulatory compliance."

"Boeing failed to meet all of its obligations under the settlement agreement," Federal Aviation Administration head Steve Dickson said.

"I have reiterated to Boeing's leadership time and again that the company must prioritize safety and regulatory compliance, and that the FAA will always put safety first in all its decisions," Dickson said in the statement.

Though the amount was small for the global aerospace giant, it was the latest in a steady stream of negative news about Boeing, after its two deadly crashes of the 737 MAX -- which has only just returned to the skies -- and a recent scare involving a 777, although that was attributed to the Pratt & Whitney engine.

Of the total fines, $5.4 million stem from deferred penalties under the terms of the 2015 agreement because Boeing missed some of its improvement targets, and because some company managers did not sufficiently prioritize compliance with FAA regulations, the regulator said.

Boeing previously paid $12 million in civil penalties in that case.

The company also will pay $1.21 million to settle two enforcement cases in which management "exerted undue pressure or interfered with" an internal quality-control, including "in relation to an aircraft airworthiness inspection," the FAA said.

Boeing said in a statement: "We are strengthening our work processes and operations to ensure we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of safety and quality."

The FAA itself has been the subject of intense scrutiny, especially in its handling of the MAX certification in the wake of the tragic accidents that killed 346 people and led to the aircraft being grounded worldwide for 20 months.

The FAA came in for fresh criticism over its handling of the MAX in a report released Wednesday night by the Transportation Department's inspector general that found "weaknesses" in the certification process.

The report also said FAA engineers "continue to face challenges in balancing certification and oversight responsibilities" in dealing with Boeing.
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Juvenile Macular Degeneration Market China and India contribute to the growth of the market. On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa hold the least share of the market due to the low prevalence of macular degeneration in the region and limited availability of funds and availability of medical facilities. The Middle East has a huge share for the Juvenile Macular Degeneration Market due to the presence of well-developed countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. However, due to the presence of a huge opportunity for the development of the market, Africa region is expecting a healthy growth in near future. Global Juvenile Macular Degeneration (Stargardt Disease) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period 20172023.

Sample Report: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4935

Key Players in Global Juvenile Macular Degeneration Market Acucela Inc. (U.S.), Alkeus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (U.S.), Astellas Pharma Inc. (Japan), ProQR Therapeutics NV (Netherland), Sanofi (France), Bayer HealthCare (Germany), F. Hoffmann-La Roche (Switzerland), Copernicus Therapeutics Inc. (U.S.), Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA (U.S.), Iris Pharma (U.S.), Nemus Bioscience Inc (U.S.), Ophthotech Corp (U.S.), Iconic Therapeutics (U.S.), Adverum Biotechnologies (U.S.), PanOptica (U.S.), RXi Pharmaceuticals (U.S.), Neurotech Pharmaceuticals (U.S.)

The European juvenile macular degeneration market accounted for 32.7% market share in 2016. In Europe, Germany, the U.K, and France are the largest contributors to the market owing to the availability of funds for research, and extensive research and development activities in ophthalmology. The development of novel therapies and other treatment options for juvenile macular degeneration also fuel the growth of the market. The Middle East & Africa exhibit steady but positive growth owing to low technology penetration in developing regions of Africa, and increasing demand for diagnostics services in developing regions. In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates accounts for the largest market share for macular degeneration.

READ MORE @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/juvenile-macular-degeneration-market-4935

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By the latest accounts, Massachusetts has improved its standing nationally in distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Thursday night, 78% of doses shipped to the state have been distributed. Among states with populations of 5 million or more, Massachusetts ranks at the top for vaccine distribution per capita.

The state far better off than it was a month ago when fewer than half of the doses that came in were administered, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders told lawmakers during an oversight hearing Thursday afternoon. The biggest barrier, she said, is the limited federal supply.

But Sudders testimony came after hours of accounts from local public health experts, hospital executives, advocates and legislators who recounted confusing, abrupt changes in where hospital doses are going and who can administer the shots.

A Harvard professor recounted how an older Black patient, after initial distrust of the vaccine, decided in February to seek out a shot only to give up looking after multiple failed attempts. A nonprofit director begged for a vaccine provider to set up a site at or near her food distribution site, where a line of people trailed out the door. Several legislators recalled questions from constituents about the website crashing, difficulty getting to vaccine sites and other problems with the state rollout over the past several weeks.

While state officials showed up with prepared remarks, they struggled to answer questions about what improvements the state plans to make to the website, why states used private vendors instead of local boards of health to lead vaccinations and how the state measures equity in the rollout.

I feel like theres still a lot of unanswered questions, said Rep. Bill Driscoll, co-chair of the Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management. We didnt really get hard answers on some of the specifics we asked about, whether it was website appointments or other aspects of the rollout.

Driscoll, a Milton Democrat, said he hopes the accounts shared during Thursdays six-hour hearing could help the Baker administration reexamine its approach to vaccinations.

Should they continue to try and plug the leaks and fix it or is this a very real opportunity for a course correction that is sustainable and replicable from here on out? Because right now, to me its not sustainable, Driscoll said. People shouldnt have to be put through this every time tens of thousands of appointments get released.

Thursdays hearing revealed more questions than answers, said Sen. Jo Comerford, who co-chairs the committee with Driscoll. But she said grassroots providers gave strong testimony, including Gladys Vega of La Colaborativa in Chelsea. Vega walked out to the entrance of her food distribution site and showed the crowd of people waiting outside, calling on state leaders to coordinate with her on a vaccination site for her clients, who tend to be immigrants living in Chelsea and surrounding communities.

I think this first hearing set us on a productive path forward, Comerford said. It is our intention to be goal-oriented. It is our intention to deliver answers to our colleagues in the Legislature, to leadership  but we must be much more productive in order for us to see the real transformation we need.

In her testimony, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said other states appeared to move ahead on vaccine distribution because Massachusetts had several groups of people prioritized in Phase 1, including health care workers treating COVID-19 patients, first responders, prisoners and correctional officers.

Like Gov. Charlie Baker, Sudders also blamed a limited vaccine supply from the federal government, saying the smaller-than-expected shipments torpedoed the states original distribution plans.

We understand that there cannot be one channel for administration to achieve the goals of effectiveness, efficiency and equity, but there also cannot be unlimited channels, Sudders said, adding the state cant send vaccines to every community or pharmacy. This will not change with the anticipated approval of Johnson and Johnson. Until we have an unconstrained and vast supply of vaccine, we must maintain a streamlined and tightly managed distribution process.

The state has made gains in localizing vaccine distribution, beyond its work with community health centers: Nearly 300 affordable senior housing properties are hosting onsite vaccination clinics through the federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens, Sudders wrote in her prepared remarks. A coalition of state and local agencies have held information sessions with property owners and housing authorities and have issued guidance on how housing agencies can partner with vaccine providers to host vaccine clinics.

Like Baker noted in his testimony earlier in the day, Massachusetts is now one of the top states for vaccine distribution.

But other speakers highlighted where people have fallen through the cracks in the vaccine distribution process, which they described as inequitable.

Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, a Boston Democrat who co-chairs the Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion Committee, described the process as a raffle  one that tends to favor white, more affluent residents with resources and connections. Each hurdle, she added, is like a ticket each resident can collect.

Life expectancy over 75? Ticket. You know where to go to find information about vaccine sign-up? Ticket. Reliable internet connection? Ticket. Time to sit on the website for hours clicking through to find availability? Ticket. Chang-Diaz said.

Other advantages, or tickets include speaking English, having a car and a drivers license and having the ability to miss work to take a loved one to get the vaccine shot, Chang-Diaz said.

You could not find a more textbook case study of structural racism if you try, she said.

The ideal strategy for an equitable vaccine distribution is finding patients where they are, like the U.S. Census does, said Rep. Bud Williams, a Springfield Democrat and co-chair of the racial equity committee.

Its almost like going door-to-door to the senior centers, to the community centers, to the synagogues, to the churches, to the hospital ... especially in the Black and brown communities in front of the barber shops, Williams said.

Local boards of health were reaching out to homebound residents and coordinating vaccinations, but they unexpectedly had their vaccine allotments reduced. The state later told local health officials to form regional collaboratives if they hadnt already. Sudders said 68 municipalities that were having individual clinics were asked to consolidate into regional collaboratives to bridge gaps from one community to a neighboring one.

Sudders and Baker heralded collaboratives that had formed in Berkshire and Barnstable counties. But while Berkshire Countys regional health collaborative had existed for years, Barnstables regional effort was a rushed response to concerns that testing and vaccine initiatives from the state werent reaching residents on the Cape.

While Barnstable County has the second highest number of first doses administered, Cyr lamented that its in part because of a last-ditch effort from lawmakers and Cape health officials to fill the gaps in the states vaccine rollout, rather than the execution of long-term plans that might have previously existed.

Im proud of what were able to do in Barnstable County, but I wrote the collaborative on an email one night. I literally wrote it up. Thats not 20 years of planning, Cyr said, noting that it was a last-ditch effort, not a long-term plan the state endorsed like what other health agencies had prepared. Thats where I think we have to figure out what went wrong.

Related Content:


Brother and Sister , a painting by Zhang Xiagang from his most famous Bloodline Big Family series. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence, an exhibition now on at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life and identity of Chinese communities abroad.

The exhibition in Shenzhen until March 14 teams up 17 artists living in the Asia-Pacific, whose works on show reflect landscapes and social customs of different lands and the Chinese cultural traditions which have influenced generations of Chinese overseas.

Also on show is Brother and Sister, a painting by Zhang Xiagang from his most famous Bloodline: Big Family series. The work from He Xiangning Art Museum's collection stands as a prelude to the exhibition, opening a dialog on the cultural clashes, convergence and identity seeking.

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

Dispersion and Convergence , an exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum, examines the creation of overseas Chinese artists and their insights into the life of overseas Chinese communities. [For China Daily]

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
A former aide's allegations that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo subjected her to an unwanted kiss during years of sexual harassment have spurred calls for an investigation  and questions about who might meaningfully conduct one.

Within hours of Lindsey Boylan detailing her claims about the Democratic governor in an online post Wednesday, five Republican state senators urged New York's attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate. At least one Democratic state senator also has called for an inquiry.

Demands are also coming from some voices outside the state Capitol, including the prominent national anti-sexual-harassment organization Time's Up and an advocacy group launched by former New York legislative employees who experienced such harassment.

At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki fielded a question Thursday about Boylans allegations and responded that President Joe Biden has long said that anyone coming forward with sexual harassment claims should be treated with dignity and respect and deserves to be heard.

Cuomo called Boylan's allegations just not true when she first broached them without details in December. His office issued another denial Wednesday.

As the allegations prompt requests to investigate, they're also revealing the politics and complexities of potentially doing so, particularly given longstanding complaints that the state ethics commission isn't sufficiently independent.

What the state needs generally ... is a more independent office to investigate and prosecute misconduct in government, says Alan Rothstein, a member of the board of the good-government group Citizens Union. At the end of the day, you need a way to hold government officials accountable.

Here's a look at some possible avenues for an investigation, if one is undertaken:

THE ETHICS COMMISSION

New York launched the ethics agency, known as JCOPE, in 2011 after a string of corruption cases, scandals and complaints that a previous iteration was limp, unwieldy and prone to gridlock.

The agency has tackled sexual harassment claims in the past, finding that former Democratic Assembly Member Vito Lopez made unwanted sexual advances on female staffers. A legislative ethics committee eventually fined him $330,000.

But JCOPE has also come under criticism, including that it's too close to the governor, who appoints six of its 14 members. By law, undertaking an investigation into any governor would require a yes vote from two of his or her appointees.

In 2019, JCOPE didn't open an investigation into former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco's use of state resources. Percoco is currently in federal prison, convicted of accepting more than $300,000 from companies seeking to influence Cuomos administration.

The Republican senators seeking an investigation into Boylan's allegations called JCOPE just another extension of the governors control."

Democratic Sen. Liz Krueger sounded somewhat similar concerns, saying that all credible allegations of sexual harassment must be thoroughly and independently investigated but that JCOPE is "compromised and ineffective.

Evan Davis, former counsel to the late Gov. Mario Cuomo  the current governor's father  said a JCOPE investigation into Boylan's allegations would just be total farce, in terms of credibility."

If Andrew Cuomo's six appointees were to recuse themselves, the group could fall short of a quorum and be unable to act because there's currently a vacancy among the other eight members, Davis noted.

JCOPE spokesperson Walt McClure said Thursday he couldn't comment on any matter that is or might be under investigation.

THE LEGISLATURE

The only thing I can see that works now is if the Legislature were to hire an outside legal firm to do a thorough investigation, Davis said. That would be the only way to do this without politics.

The Legislatures Democratic leaders called Boylans allegations serious and disturbing but stopped short of suggesting an investigation. Inquiries were sent to their representatives Thursday about whether they supported one.

In theory, the Legislature could appoint a commission to conduct one, Rothstein said. But from the statehouse to the U.S. Capitol, such commissions can spark arguments over how much power one branch of government has to investigate another.

A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR

In a letter to Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James, the five Republican state senators asked for the immediate appointment of a special prosecutor.

If these allegations are true, the actions of the governor and his staff are not only grossly inappropriate  they are also potentially criminal in nature, wrote Sens. Patricia Ritchie, Pamela Helming, Alexis Weik, Susan Serino and Daphne Jordan.

Cuomo himself appointed a special prosecutor in 2018 to explore allegations that former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, abused four women during what were supposed to be romantic encounters. The special prosecutor ultimately didn't bring any charges.

The attorney general's Civil Rights Bureau sometimes looks into sexual harassment complaints itself if it sees evidence of "a pattern, practice or policy of sexual harassment affecting a significant number of people. Boylan accused Cuomo of pervasive harassment of female staffers.

James office said Thursday it has received the senators' letter and is reviewing it.

RIGHTS AGENCIES

The state Division of Human Resources, state Labor Department and federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission all can field sexual harassment complaints. But the timeframe for filing such complaints range from 180 days to a year; Boylan left her job in September 2018.

New York City's Human Rights Commission has a three-year window for filing sexual harassment claims. Boylan's narrative says the unwelcome kiss happened in Cuomo's New York City office and seems to place it in 2018 but doesn't specify a date.

Boylan, a former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor, declined to be interviewed.

___

Peltz reported from New York. Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak in New York and Jonathan Lemire in Washington contributed.
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DETROIT, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels is Segmented by Vessel Type (Type II, Type III, and Type IV), by Application Type (CNG Vehicles, Hydrogen Vehicles, and Gas Transport), by Vehicle Type (Light Vehicles, Medium & Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026.

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's epoxy resin market used in pressure vessels for alternative fuels and future possibilities for the forecast period 2021 to 2026. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed and comprehensive manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available as well as formulate growth strategies.

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels: Highlights from the Report

Epoxy resin is widely used for manufacturing composite pressure vessels for alternative fuels, due to its various benefits. epoxy resin provides extremely high strength to hollow cylindrical pressure vessels. Due to its flexibility, it also provides pressure vessels the capability to absorb the strain produced due to the pressurization of vessel walls in all directions. It holds the structural fiber in its position and is compatible with other reinforcing fibers including glass fiber and aramid fiber. It also contributes to the durability and chemical resistance of the pressure vessels.

Composite pressure vessels are fabricated through the filament winding process (both dry and wet) which offers a high degree of fiber orientation with high fiber loading. The process provides high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent uniformity. Carbon fiber combined with epoxy resin matrix offers high strength and weight advantages and is one of the preferred materials of choice for developing pressure vessels.

Impact of COVID-19

The global epoxy resin market in pressure vessels for alternative fuels grew continuously from 2015 to 2019 and was estimated to maintain its upward growth trajectory in 2020 as well. However, the rapid spread of the pandemic has drastically changed the entire market dynamics. The pandemic worsened the existing challenges of the automotive industry, weakened the industry sales to its lowest figure of the decade, which, in turn, affected the demand for epoxy resins in pressure vessels for alternative fuels.

Analogous to the projected recoveries in the industrial estimates for the automotive industry, the study of market recoveries in previous downturns (The Great Recession) and primary interviews across the supply chain, Stratview Research's estimates suggest that the market for epoxy resin in pressure vessels for alternative fuels is likely to start rebounding from 2021, followed by maintaining sequential growth till 2026, ultimately reaching the value of US$ 31.8 million by 2026.

Continuous rise in the demand for lightweight components in the automotive industry to achieve the fuel efficiency targets and growing focus of automakers towards alternative fuel options to reduce carbon footprint are the factors suggesting healthy long-term growth opportunities in the epoxy resin market in pressure vessels for alternative fuels once the aftermath of the pandemic ends.

Click Here and Run Through the TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/192/epoxy-resin-market-in-pressure-vessels.html

Based on the vessel type, type IV tank is likely to witness the fastest recovery in the market over the next five years, after being least hit in 2020 by the pandemic and so is the demand for epoxy resins in this vessel type. Type IV tank incorporates a greater amount of carbon epoxy composites and offers maximum weight savings as compared to other pressure vessel types. There is an increasing penetration of type IV tanks, particularly in mass transit buses and medium & heavy-duty vehicles. For medium & heavy-duty commercial vehicles, higher fuel density and lower mass of these vessels permit greater range and fuel efficiency, increased operational interval between refueling stops, and reduced maintenance cost.

Based on the application type, CNG vehicle alone accounted for more than 80% of the epoxy resin market in the pressure vessels for alternative fuels in 2019 and is expected to remain the largest application type over the next five years as well. Hydrogen vehicle currently generates a low demand for pressure vessels including epoxy resins, but it is plausible that there would be a spike in the production of hydrogen vehicles in the coming years as more than ten automakers have already released FCV demonstrators and test fleets.

Based on the vehicle type, light vehicle is likely to remain the most dominant segment of the market in the coming years. All the vehicle type segments are expected to log a massive decline in the rate (20%+ YoY in 2020) in the wake of the pandemic. After being severerly hit by the pandemic, the light vehicle segment is expected to rebound at the fastest pace in the coming years. Natural gas vehicles are less pollutant than gasoline or diesel-based vehicles, so there has been an increasing trend towards the usage of light vehicles powered with alternative fuels, such as CNG to curb carbon emissions.

Enquire Here for a Free Sample of the Detailed Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/192/epoxy-resin-market-in-pressure-vessels.htmlform

Despite being one of the worst-affected regions in 2020, Europe is projected to maintain its supremacy in the market over the next five years, driven by increased demand for alternative fuel vehicles incorporating composite pressure vessels. Major European automakers are launching new auto models with powertrains dependent on CNG to leverage the abundant shale gas resources. Majority of them are utilizing lightweight tanks to reduce vehicle's weight to achieve European carbon emission standards.

The global epoxy resin market in pressure vessels is highly consolidated with the presence of a few major global players including Aditya Birla Chemicals Ltd., Hexion Inc, Huntsman Corporation, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, Olin Corporation, and The 3M Company. All the major players of the market are well diversified and supplying epoxy resin for various applications. New product development and collaboration with pressure vessel manufacturers are some of the key strategies adopted by epoxy resin manufacturers to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the global epoxy resin market in pressure vessels for alternative fuels and has segmented the market in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the four ways in which the market is segmented:

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, by Vessel Type

Type II ( Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Type III (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Type IV (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, by Application Type

CNG Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Hydrogen Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Gas Transport (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, by Vehicle Type

Light Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Medium & Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles (M&HCV) (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, By Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA and Canada )

Europe (Country Analysis: France , Germany , Italy , Norway , the UK, and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China , Japan , Thailand , Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , Argentina , and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the composites and advanced materials industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Advanced-Materials.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research, and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.

Stratview Research has launched 'Composights', an online portal which offers free thought leadership reports, whitepapers, market report synopsis and much more for Composites and allied industries, worth US$ 20,000 every year.

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The U.S. launched airstrikes in eastern Syria Thursday night, marking the first public military operation of the Biden administration. President Joe Biden authorized the airstrikes on Iran-linked militias along the Syrian border with Iraq in response to recent attacks in Iraq on American and allied personnel. The Pentagon blames a recent attack on the Erbil airport in northern Iraq on Shia militants; t he Feb. 15 rocket attack killed a Filipino contractor and injured five Americans, including a Louisiana National Guard soldier and four other American contractors. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Awliya al Dam, or Guardian of the Blood, a little known group.

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The Pentagon said the American strikes, which took place at 2 a.m. Friday morning local time, successfully targeted a group of buildings at a border crossing used as an operational center for militia activity in neighboring Iraq. The Pentagon said the area was being used by two Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups, Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada. American officials emphasized that the strike was restrained and proportional, and largely meant to send a message as the Biden administration reengages with the Iranian regime on the nuclear deal that the U.S. reneged on during the Trump administration.

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The airstrike appears to be part of a U.S. message to Iran that it cannot improve its leverage in talks by attacking U.S. interests, the Washington Post notes. Some experts said the airstrike on Thursday signals a strategic middle ground that avoids further diplomatic strains with the Iraqi government, which assists the United States in the fight against the Islamic State and could view a strike in Iraq as a violation of its sovereignty.
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. - February 26, 2021 - A team of researchers from the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography and their collaborators have revealed that the abundant microbes living in ancient sediment below the seafloor are sustained primarily by chemicals created by the natural irradiation of water molecules.

The team discovered that the creation of these chemicals is amplified significantly by minerals in marine sediment. In contrast to the conventional view that life in sediment is fueled by products of photosynthesis, an ecosystem fueled by irradiation of water begins just meters below the seafloor in much of the open ocean. This radiation-fueled world is one of Earth's volumetrically largest ecosystems.

The research was published today in the journal Nature Communications.

"This work provides an important new perspective on the availability of resources that subsurface microbial communities can use to sustain themselves. This is fundamental to understand life on Earth and to constrain the habitability of other planetary bodies, such as Mars," said Justine Sauvage, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Gothenburg who conducted the research as a doctoral student at URI.

The process driving the research team's findings is radiolysis of water - the splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxidants as a result of being exposed to naturally occurring radiation. Steven D'Hondt, URI professor of oceanography and a co-author of the study, said the resulting molecules become the primary source of food and energy for the microbes living in the sediment.

"The marine sediment actually amplifies the production of these usable chemicals," he said. "If you have the same amount of irradiation in pure water and in wet sediment, you get a lot more hydrogen from wet sediment. The sediment makes the production of hydrogen much more effective."

Why the process is amplified in wet sediment is unclear, but D'Hondt speculates that minerals in the sediment may "behave like a semiconductor, making the process more efficient."

The discoveries resulted from a series of laboratory experiments conducted in the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center. Sauvage irradiated vials of wet sediment from various locations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, collected by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program and by U.S. research vessels. She compared the production of hydrogen to similarly irradiated vials of seawater and distilled water. The sediment amplified the results by as much as a factor of 30.

"This study is a unique combination of sophisticated laboratory experiments integrated into a global biological context," said co-author Arthur Spivack, URI professor of oceanography.

The implications of the findings are significant.

"If you can support life in subsurface marine sediment and other subsurface environments from natural radioactive splitting of water, then maybe you can support life the same way in other worlds," said D'Hondt. "Some of the same minerals are present on Mars, and as long as you have those wet catalytic minerals, you're going to have this process. If you can catalyze production of radiolytic chemicals at high rates in the wet Martian subsurface, you could potentially sustain life at the same levels that it's sustained in marine sediment."

Sauvage added, "This is especially relevant given that the Perseverance Rover has just landed on Mars, with its mission to collect Martian rocks and to characterize its habitable environments."

D'Hondt said the research team's findings also have implications for the nuclear industry, including for how nuclear waste is stored and how nuclear accidents are managed. "If you store nuclear waste in sediment or rock, it may generate hydrogen and oxidants faster than in pure water. That natural catalysis may make those storage systems more corrosive than is generally realized," he said.

The next steps for the research team will be to explore the effect of hydrogen production through radiolysis in other environments on Earth and beyond, including oceanic crust, continental crust and subsurface Mars. They also will seek to advance the understanding of how subsurface microbial communities live, interact and evolve when their primary energy source is derived from the natural radiolytic splitting of water.

###

This study was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The project is also affiliated with the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations.
The United States carried out airstrikes against facilities that, according to the Pentagon, belong to Iran-backed militia in Syria, Reuters reported, noting these were limited in scope.

At President (Joe) Bidens direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria, said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby as quoted by Reuters.

One U.S. official told Reuters that Biden was presented with several options for a response and the airstrikes were among the most limited on the list.

President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq, he added.

The airstrikes come in response to a rocket attack earlier this month in Erbil, Kurdistan, which killed one U.S. serviceman and five civilian contractors. The attack was claimed by a Iran-affiliated Iraqi group.

"The American occupation will not be safe from our strikes in any inch of the homeland, and even in Kurdistan, where we promise we will carry out other qualitative operations," the group, called The Guardians of the Blood Brigade, said in a statement after the attack.

At the time, the White House said it was outraged by the attack and press secretary Jen Psaki said the President "reserves the right to respond in the time and manner of our choosing."

As every act of violence in the Middle East, the airstrikes will likely move oil prices higher because it might affect negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding the U.S.s return to the Iran nuclear deal.

The U.S. has been careful to not lay the blame for the Erbil attacks on Iran, but tensions might yet spike after the retaliation, even though Iran has more to lose if the U.S. remains out of the nuclear deal.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

This article is old - Published: Friday, Feb 26th, 2021

North Wales Police have handed out 990 fines to people breaching lockdown restrictions since they came into force last March.

Officers on Wales and England have issued a total of 68,952 fixed penalty notices for breaches of Coronavirus restrictions up to 14 February.

The latest provisional figures released by the National Police Chiefs Council show that 26,277 fines were processed between the end of the last reporting period, 17 January, and 14 February.

The total issued in England is now 63,201 and 5,751 in Wales.





The total fixed penalty notices handed in North Wales increased by over 33 percent during the latest level 4 lockdown which began in December, with 331 handed out.

That includes three people from London being handed a fixed penalty notice after travelling to North Wales to try and take drone footage.

Three sightseers from Lancashire were reported for breaching the Covid regulations when they went to the Llandudno area last week to take in the views from the Little Orme.

A group of four people who travelled to Snowdonia to take promotional photos of a shoe brand were also reported for breaching Covid regulations on Sunday.

Chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, Martin Hewitt, said: We are still in a really dangerous stage of a pandemic which has killed more than 120,000 people.

Eleven months on and back into a national lockdown, the rules are really clear and so it is frustrating that we still have a small number of completely defiant and irresponsible people who have no regard for the safety of themselves or others.

GOVERNMENT has suspended the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) from participating in Covid-19 programmes, in an unprecedented move that may have far-reaching consequences in fighting the pandemic.

The Zimbabwe Independent gathered that Health and Child Care permanent secretary Jasper Chimedza, on Tuesday, ordered the international health partners to stop, forthwith, Covid-19 activities for the next three weeks.

A senior government official last night said Covid-19 vaccination was a sole responsibility of the government and cannot be outsourced to private operators or NGOs (non-governmental organisations).

Chimedza dropped the bombshell on the UN agencies when the teams were preparing to monitor the ongoing vaccination of health workers by government using Chinese-donated Sinopharm vaccines.

The Health and Child Care permanent secretary and the deputy minister, John Mangwiro could not comment yesterday, as they were said to be busy.

I am in a meeting; much tied up. Can you get in touch with me in about three or four hours, Mangwiro said. He did not answer subsequent phone calls.

It is understood that some programmes such as the WHO Covax vaccination plans will go ahead as planned since the government has already signed the memorandum of understanding.

The European Union office in Harare confirmed this in a tweet on Wednesday: Fabulous to see that the #Covax rollout has begun in Africa! #Zimbabwe will also very soon get 1,152 million doses under the Covax scheme, to which #TeamEurope is the biggest contributor.

The reasons for the suspension were not yet clear as the government is said to have failed to properly communicate its message to its long-time health partners.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa said: We are working very closely with all our partners. However, high level officials said the government was on its own after dumping WHO and Unicef.

All international partners in the health sector were suspended from participating in Covid-19-related programmes. They have not been doing anything since Tuesday, an official, who cannot be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said.

What happened is that teams from WHO, Unicef, Crown Agents, John Snow Inc (JSI) and others had gathered at WHO offices in Harare on Tuesday morning waiting to go for an assessment of the vaccination programme, but the government ordered the organisations to suspend such Covid-19 activities.

Another official added, According to what was communicated to us, these organisations can continue with other programmes but are not supposed to be involved in anything to do with Covid-19. This means we are as of now unable to train healthcare workers, support visits to health institutions, and PPE provision.

We were told to continue doing other programmes which have nothing to do with Covid-19. We await government directive on the way forward.

Unicef spokesperson James Maiden said the organisation will continue to play its role in partnering the government in sourcing for vaccines.

He said: Unicef continues to play a key role in the roll-out of vaccinations in Zimbabwe in partnership with the government and many other development partners.

Unicef is central to the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine globally through the Covax facility and in Zimbabwe is working with the government and other partners in preparing the country to receive and distribute vaccines.

This role includes preparation and technical support, procurement of the Covax vaccines and behavioural change communications, he added.

Maiden went on to say: Unicef is pivotal in supporting many areas of the overall Covid-19 national response pillars including coordination, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, case management, education, supply and logistics.

WHO country representative for Zimbabwe Alex Gasasira said they would also continue partnering with the government in the fight against Covid-19.

WHO continues to work with the government of Zimbabwe and all its institutions, including the Ministry of Health and Child Care in the national Covid-19 response effort, he said.

Unicef is facilitating supply of free Covid-19 vaccines in partnership with the European Union, Geneva-based organisation Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, which is a public-private global health partnership whose main aim is to enable access to immunisation in poor countries, the Global Fund for Health and other donors.

According to sources in the health sector, these initiatives could actually see Zimbabwe vaccinate its entire population for free before the end of the year.

Other affected organisations, which have been working closely with the government since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country in March last year include the Crown Agents Ltd, a non-profit international development corporation headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and has subsidiaries in the US and Japan.

As stated on its website, the organisation works in partnership with governments, institutions, donors, foundations, philanthropists and the private sector to tackle complex challenges, ranging from procuring and delivering PPEs and vaccines.

JSI is a US-based organisation, which has been helping the government in conducting public health research, technical and managerial assistance to public health programmes under WHO.

ZIMBABWE INDEPENDENT
Vaccination will start in early March, and 1.2 million more doses may be added to the programme in late March.

The Advisory Council for the Registration of Circulation of Drugs and Medicinal Ingredients under the Ministry of Health (MoH) has proposed that the Health Ministry approve the use of COVID-19 vaccines produced by Moderna Company of the US and JSC Generium Company of Russia, for urgent use in Vietnam.

Previously, in early February, the MoH officially approved the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine of the UK.

The first vaccine batch, comprising 117,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, arrived in Vietnam on February 24. The first to receive vaccine shots will be priority groups, including health workers, forces participating in COVID-19 prevention and control activities; diplomats, customs and immigration officers; army and police forces; teachers; people over 65 years old; those providing essential services in the fields of aviation, transportation, tourism, electricity and water services; people with chronic diseases; those wishing to go to work and study abroad; and residents in pandemic-hit areas in line with epidemiological indications.

Vaccination will start in early March, and 1.2 million more doses may be added to the programme in late March.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said the ministry will secure 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from different sources in 2021.

The MoH is making every effort to carry out the vaccination drive, which is the biggest ever in the country, towards ensuring the schedule and coverage of the programme, Long stressed.

Regarding domestic production of vaccine, the minister said all relevant stages are going as schedule.

Vietnam expects to produce vaccines by 2022, he added./.VNA
Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on Feb. 26.

Gunman on the loose in Red Bluff, store owner still shaken from what happened

Red Bluff police are continuing their search for an armed robbery suspect. Red Bluff High School and Bidwell Elementary were placed on lockdown near the scene. Police said the armed robbery happened at Sunnyside Market on Park Avenue. Investigators said they believe the suspect is a minor.

1 arrested in connection to robbery assault in Red Bluff

A Northern California woman is facing charges including robbery, conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon. The robbery assault happened in Red Bluff, in the 1700 block of Walnut Street. Police have arrested 23-year-old Casandra Acevedo. Police said the 18-year-old victim suffered minor injuries. Red Bluff police said they are still looking for a second suspect believed involved.

5 cars involved in a hit-and-run, 2 injuried

The hunt is on for a hit-and-run suspect who caused a five-car pile-up on North Market Street at Quartz Hill Road in Redding. Police said the driver of a white pick-up, rear-ended a car stopped at a light - triggering a chain reaction. The driver then took off, two people in two separate cars had minor injuries.

Biden set for consoler-in-chief visit to winter storm-battered Texas

Happening today, President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Houston, Texas to survey winter storm damage and recovery. More than seven million Texans are experiencing water disruptions; roughly 11,000 do not have power. President Biden is also set to visit a vaccine distribution center in the state.
I think we should build a nuclear plant by Ron Nirenbergs house.

That nugget came from a San Antonio mayoral candidate during a Tuesday night debate hosted by The Restoring Church. For the sake of our citys self-image, Id like to tell you that it was the weirdest moment of the mayoral debate, but Im not sure it was.

After all, the debate began with the organizers placing a huge poster of a masked and mittened Bernie Sanders on one of the candidate chairs, with a speech bubble over Sanders head that asked, Where Is Ron?

It ended with the candidates being asked whether theyd like to compete against Nirenberg in a salsa, two-step or break-dance contest.

Former Councilman Greg Brockhouse, Nirenbergs most serious challenger, put any doubts to rest on that final question: Im a child of the 80s: break-dance.

The Where Is Ron? poster was a huge hit with the debate crowd, which seemed to delight in any ridicule directed at the absent mayor.

Denise Gutierrez-Homer, an East Side businesswoman, contended that Nirenberg tried to buy off San Antonians  still reeling from last weeks freezing temperatures, power blackouts and loss of water  with tacos when he partnered last Saturday with local restaurants to pick up 1,000 lunch tabs.

Retired teacher Gary Allen, the same candidate who semi-jokingly recommended putting a nuclear reactor next to the mayors home, responded to a question from Restoring pastor Darryl Crain about how he would deal with the possibility of radicalized groups taking over the city.

Let me ask Bernie that question, Allen said, as he stuck his microphone in the direction of Sanders image.

The entire evening was a showcase for San Antonio social conservatives, who dont have much power in city elections, but make plenty of noise on the local political scene.

One of the recurring themes of the debate, most often voiced by Brockhouse, is that this is San Antonio, not San Francisco or Austin. When a debate question referenced some liberal action taken in another community, Brockhouse would basically say that it couldnt happen here, because, after all, it wouldnt align with our San Antonio values.

Its one of the fascinating elements of this city that social conservatives think they represent the majority view, regardless of how much evidence flies in the face of that theory.

In the Nov. 2020 presidential election, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden carried Bexar County by more than 18 percentage points over Republican incumbent Donald Trump.

In 2018, Democratic Senate candidate Beto ORourke carried the county by more than 20 percentage points over GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.

In addition, the mayors office and nine of the 10 San Antonio council seats are held by progressives or progressive-leaning individuals.

Crain, one of the two debate moderators, is not only an ardent Trump fan, but a firm believer in the conspiracy theory that Democrats stole the 2020 election with fraudulent mail ballots.

During a pro-Trump rally last Nov. 29, Crain told the crowd that something spiritual, something demonic had been attempted during the election and the Almighty was going to set things right.

God is about to do something in this nation that we have never seen before, Crain said.

Given this mindset, it was hardly surprising that several of the debate questions seemed geared more to social wedge issues than municipal government policies.

For some reason, candidates were asked for their take on a California state law that questioner Samuel Morales said has significantly lowered the penalties for adults who have sex with minors that are 10 years younger than the perpetrators. (In truth, the California law was an effort to create sentencing fairness for LGBTQ individuals.)

Well, this is definitely not California, Gutierrez-Homer said to appreciative whoops from the crowd.

The most frustrating part of the night was the way candidates distorted basic facts.

They took turns blaming Nirenberg for shutting down an entire city over the COVID-19 pandemic, when the mayor actually has no power to mandate restrictions that are in conflict with orders from Gov. Greg Abbott.

The candidates also blamed Nirenberg for last weeks blackouts, which were imposed on local utilities across Texas by the states grid operator. One candidate talked about the need for a border wall, something which has nothing to do with the mayors office.

Brockhouse tried to project a statesman-like aura, stressing the need for compassion for the homeless and vigilant containment of the pandemic, but arguing that these things should not be achieved by City Hall mandate.

In a crowd of extremists, its not all that hard to be the statesman.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
DAMASCUS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. strike in eastern Syria earlier on Friday proves that the U.S. foreign policy is still unchanged under the administration of Joe Biden, Syrian experts say.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. struck positions of Iran-backed militia groups in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour near the Iraqi border, killing 22 fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The strikes were the first to hit Syria under the U.S. new administration of Biden, who was thought to be different from former President Donald Trump in terms of dealing with the regional issues in the Middle East.

In the U.S., officials said the attack comes in response to the recent rocket attacks on U.S. forces in the region.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he was "confident" the targeted sites were used by the same Iranian-backed militias that had fired rockets at U.S. and coalition forces.

"The U.S. strike is a message to Damascus, Baghdad, and Tehran and I think mostly to Tehran," Maher Ihsan, a political expert, told Xinhua.

This strike is an obvious indicator that the new U.S. administration hasn't changed the traditional U.S. policy in dealing with the Middle East, he said.

Ihsan said that the strike was like a non-verbal statement by Biden about his stance toward what is happening in Syria, noting that the strike and its connotations don't bode well for Syria and the region.

"The strike is not a comfortable sign about the intentions of the new U.S. administration," he said.

Osama Danura, another political expert, agreed that the strike was a negative indicator at the beginning of the Biden administration.

"The strike supported the idea that the U.S. is still the same no matter who comes to the presidency. They have the same policy in using the military as an arm for their foreign policy," he told Xinhua.

Recently, there have been U.S. warnings to Iran, said Danura, noting that it's negative to see the response happening on Syrian soil.

"It seems like the Biden administration is following the steps of the previous administration in terms of the policy toward the Middle Eastern issues," he said.

For his side, Ghassan Youssef, a political expert, said the strike is an obvious message that the United States doesn't want to see an Iranian presence of influence in Syria like the previous administration.

"The U.S. wants to stress that it doesn't want Iran in Syria and doesn't want Iran to support Syria economically or militarily," he told Xinhua.

Ridding the world of malaria in the near future is a very ambitious goal. Efforts to achieve it have already been weakened by governments shifting resources from malaria control and elimination initiatives to the fight against Covid-19...
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the Khojaly memorial in Khatai district, Baku on the 29th anniversary of the bloody tragedy which entered the history of mankind in the 20th century as the Khojaly genocide.

President Aliyev put a wreath at the memorial and paid tribute to Khojaly victims.

First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and other officials put flowers at the monument.
The owner of a trophy building overlooking Danbury Municipal Airport is seeking $45 million for the property  more than 40 percent above the purchase price less than four years ago.

The sale price is something of a test on the appeal of offices at the outermost commuter orbit of New York City during the era of the coronavirus.

Lee Farm Corporate Park is home to the Connecticut half of IQVIAs dual headquarters office  the other is in Charlotte, N.C.  with the company among the largest employers based in Connecticut. IQVIA had about 1,000 employees in Danbury prior to the pandemic forcing remote working arrangements, according to city documents. The company reported 70,000 employees globally entering this year.

Also at Lee Farm is a Wells Fargo commercial finance unit that was formerly part of General Electrics Norwalk-based GE Capital division. And Regus operates an office suite center in the building, which totals about 215,000 square feet of space on five floors.

Jim Fagan, executive managing director in the Stamford office of commercial real estate brokerage Cushman & Wakefield, said it is a notable office sale listing because of Lee Farms 90-minute drive to Midtown Manhattan.

This may be a post-pandemic test case on whether or not the market will pay up for buildings, well occupied and well maintained, in the suburbs, Fagan said. If people are going to live further and further out from New York City, is this where they will live?

Lee Farm was completed in 1988, two years after the Danbury Fair mall it overlooks and near the tail end of Connecticuts heyday in suburban office park construction.

Now, Lee Farms ownership group is exploring whether it can similarly make hay on the building. Property records list the owner as a limited liability company called CT Property & Realty. The group purchased Lee Farm in October 2017 for $31.8 million, nearly double what Lee Farms previous owners, Summit Development and the Grossman Companies, paid for the complex.

CT Property & Realty lists its principal member as Amit Kort, a Florida resident and real estate owner in the New York City region who did not respond immediately Friday to an email for comment on the decision to put Lee Farm up for sale.

The Danbury market trailed only downtown Stamford last year for new leases and renewals, Cushman & Wakefield reported last month, capped by Nuvance Healths decision to move 500 New York employees to the Summit at Danbury complex. Summit purchased that property after the 2017 sale of Lee Farm and is redeveloping for a mix of uses including residential.

Includes prior reporting by Julia Perkins and Paul Schott.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Aveva, a global leader in engineering and industrial software, has signed partnership agreements with Egypt-based BASS and UAE-headquartered Peritus, to effectively deliver the companys flagship engineering portfolio to customers.

BASS will specifically meet the increased demands for Avevas solutions in Egypt while Peritus will cater to customers in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Both companies will build awareness for Avevas solid portfolio and strengthen the companys channel network and presence across the MEA region.

The MEA region is an important region for Aveva. We are investing heavily into our resources and channel network to be able to successfully expand our customer base and address the increasing demands for our pioneering solutions, said Dr Tariq Aslam, Head of MEA, Aveva. Some of the most important criteria that we look at while selecting partners, who can grow together with us, include market expertise, alignment of business values and customer-first approaches. Our newest partners, BASS and Peritus not only meet these requirements but also boast unique strengths that will play a key role in helping us to achieve digital business outcomes for our customers.

BASS is a global IT company providing quality software solutions across a broad spectrum of technologies and a well-recognised market player in the field of software development and custom development software projects.

Mohamed Abdel Salam, Managing Director of BASS said: Aveva bridges a genuine gap in the Egypt market and supports our business objective to be the digital partner of choice for our customers in their transformation goals. Our extensive channel partner network will also be able to leverage all the benefits that come with working with a global leader such as Aveva. We look forward to strengthening this relationship to create joint opportunities.

Peritus is dedicated to helping organisations in their journey towards digital transformation. The IT distributor helps companies to streamline processes, increase efficiency through innovation and modern technologies.

Muhammad Saleem, Director of Peritus said: We are excited to begin this collaboration with Aveva and assist our customers in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to take advantage of Avevas best-in-class portfolio as they fortify their digital journeys. We look forward to building this relationship and scaling it to new heights, together with our partner ecosystem.

Aveva provides innovative industrial software to transform complex industries such as Oil & Gas, Construction, Engineering, Marine, and Utilities. The companys integrated portfolio capability harnesses the power of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, mixed reality, advanced simulation and cloud computing. Avevas software solutions and platform enable the design and management of complex industrial assets like power plants, chemical plants, water treatment facilities and food and beverage manufacturers  deploying IIoT, big data and AI to digitally transform industries.

The Aveva Partner Network today boasts over 5,000 members providing opportunities for Alliances, Systems Integrators, Distributors, Solution Providers and Technology Partners to participate in the Aveva community. -- Tradearabia News Service
Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Presidential Advisor on Health, has advised the public to disregard misconceptions about the Covid-19 vaccination on social media.



He said the misconceptions, negative messages and videos in circulation were the creation of anti-vaccine campaigners, seeking to confuse the public for their own selfish interests.



It is never true that the COVID-19 vaccines have tracking devices in them, or when you take it you will not be able to give birth, neither is it true that they were developed to kill Africans.



Rather, like previous ones, the COVID-19 vaccine seeks to build an immunity and protect the public against contracting the virus, Dr Nsiah-Asare said.



He said this during a virtual "Roundtable Discussion on COVID-19 Vaccines: Misconceptions and the Way Forward, organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in Accra on Thursday.



He explained that vaccines had been with us for decades, including what had been used to eliminate the six childhood killer diseases.



Dr Nsiah-Asare said all COVID-19 vaccines that government was securing had passed the required internationally accepted rigorous clinical trials for human vaccination, hence their safety and efficacy were highly guaranteed.



He said there was a huge information and communication gap regarding the development of vaccines among Africans, including Ghanaians, which called for intensified public education to demystify the negative propaganda surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines.



That called for enlightening the populace about the current adoption of new technologies by the scientific community and pharmaceutical industry to achieve faster results without compromising on safety and efficacy.



Dr Nsiah-Asare said the available vaccines had proven to be effective and Ghana needed to break the coronavirus transmission chain through vaccination, which was certainly the surest way to quickly achieve the elimination of this global pandemic.



He said the immunisation centres and the process of vaccination would soon be announced through an aggressive media campaign to inform and educate the public on what to do, and where to seek advice, as well as hotline numbers to call should there be any challenges.



Dr Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, the Programme Manager for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), said the vaccination process would be done in three segments.



The first involves healthcare workers, frontline security personnel, persons with underlining health conditions, front line members of the executive, legislature and judiciary, as well as persons aged 60 and above.



The second segment would focus on essential service providers and other security agencies such as water and electricity suppliers, teachers, the media, farmers as well as the food value chain players among others, before reaching out to the entire public in the final segment.



He said Ghana would need over 42 million doses of the drugs to be able to reach out to its 20 million population target, with a double dose for each person.



Dr Amponsa-Achiano gave assurance of the availability of excess capacity of storage facilities, especially in the regional capitals, and that for the newly created regions and districts, plans were underway to ensure a pool chain storage.



Dr Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, a Pharmacist, in a presentation, explained how the global scientific and economic community zoomed into action right from the onset to develop a vaccine against the COVID-19 as a long-term solution, with the knowledge that interim measures such as restrictions of human movements could not be sustained over a lengthy period.



He said they took the financial risk to venture into developing the vaccines once the genetic sequence of the virus was ascertained.



Vaccine development in non-pandemic setting is a multi-year process. In pandemic situations the process can be effectively accelerated at risk of financial loss without sacrificing safety and efficacy, he said.



Dr Sarpong Asiedu said Ghana must work towards achieving a high Herd Immunity threshold of over 70 percent against wild viruses, and called for urgent discussions on the issue of vaccine hesitancy and nationalism in the context of national and global health security.



Dr Derrick Edem Akpalu, a Development Fellow at the CDD, said the delay in acceptance of vaccines had cost Africans so much, compared to what pertained in the developed countries.



He said a recent study, for instance, showed only 41.7 percent of Ghanaians accepting to take the COVID-19 vaccine, hence the need to close the information gap on clinical trials on vaccines for improved healthcare.



Ms Kathleen Addy, the Deputy Commissioner, National Commission for Civic Education, however, said her outfit had commenced a training programme, in partnership with institutions such as the Ghana Health Service and Ghana Medical Association, for all its directors countrywide.



This would equip them with the adequate information on the vaccination process and for effective rollout of the national COVID-19 immunisation campaign, she said.

Source: GNA









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PITTSBURGH, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2020 presidential election and its aftermath has prompted a two-part statewide journalism summit that will explore what the media can do to help the public spot disinformation and understand journalistic practices.

Six Pennsylvania journalism-based organizations have organized the summit, scheduled for two consecutive Tuesdays, March 9 and 16: The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania , Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association and its foundation, and Thomas Jefferson University's Communication Program.

The organizers believe U.S. democracy is in great peril if the country continues to operate with alternative sets of facts, something that culminated with the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and is evident in the continued fraud claims about the presidential election in Pennsylvania despite the failure of multiple lawsuits.

Both sessions  targeted to media managers, journalists, academics and other practitioners  will begin at noon and will include breakout sessions to react to the information provided, share projects and start a discussion on next steps. Sessions will last 90 minutes.

Topics to be explored include how the media's role can be explained to help the public better evaluate the information they read and see; what media across the state are doing already and can share; and how to hold Twitter, Facebook, and other social media responsible for information posted on their platforms.

A major component of the summit: The NewsGuard Pennsylvania Media Trust Project commissioned by the Lenfest Institute. It will examine the issue of trust and integrity for media coverage in and about Pennsylvania. The project will utilize trust ratings, new research and reporting from NewsGuard, data about social media engagement from NewsWhip, and resources collated from NewsGuard. The research will identify sources of misinformation and disinformation operating from Pennsylvania or being consumed by state residents and recommend best practices for Pennsylvania news organizations.

Lead speakers:

First session, March 9:

Led by Kathleen Carley , Ph.D., a professor in the School of Computer Science's Institute for Software Research and director of the Center for Informed Democracy and Social Cybersecurity, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The Center is a Knight-funded initiative launched in 2019 to study disinformation, hate speech and extremism online, how to detect them, how they spread, and how to counter their impact.

Second session, March 16:

NewsGuard 's CEO Gordon Crovitz (former Publisher of The Wall Street Journal) and NewsGuard general manager Matt Skibinski will release and report on the findings of NewsGuard Pennsylvania Media Trust Report and then lead a Q&A on remedies and best practices in addressing misinformation and distrust in media.

The summit is free, and registration is now available. Questions and more information: [email protected] .

PR Newswire is the official wire of The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.

Contact: Helen Fallon

[email protected]

412-466-0416 or 412-551-6832

SOURCE The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania

Related Links

http://www.westernpapressclub.org


Since Friday midnight, Russian mercenaries in Donbas once violated the ceasefire regime, with Ukrainian servicemen reported as not injured, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters said.

"As of 7:00 on February 26, the situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control. The Russian invaders recorded one ceasefire violation. For example, in the area of Pisky settlement, the enemy opened fire towards our positions from small arms ... There are no combat losses among our soldiers," the JFO headquarters said in its morning report on Facebook on Friday.

The JFO headquarters also stressed that over the past day, on February 25, 10 violations of the ceasefire regime were recorded in the area of the Joint Forces Operation.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Sen. Ted Cruz has decided to own it.

Appearing at the Conservative Political Action Conference, known as CPAC, just days after he was caught fleeing to Mexico for a vacation in the midst of a deadly snowstorm in Texas, Cruz tried to make light of his lapse in judgment.

I gotta say, Orlando is awesome, he said while opening his speech. Its not as nice as Cancun  but its nice!

Cruz, a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, had been roundly criticized by prominent Democrats for abandoning his constituents in a time of strife. But here, the moment made for a winning laugh line.

Much of Cruzs speech went this way, with the Texas senator, his voice at times sounding like a growl, entreating the left and the media to lighten up about many of the issues that have defined the U.S. in the past year.

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Shortly before Cruzs speech, CPAC organizers had been jeered by the audience when they paused the program to plead with them to wear their masks. Still, Cruz went ahead in making fun of pandemic-era rules like wearing masks in restaurants, and he also joked about the protests against police brutality that spread across major cities last summer, some becoming violent.

There had been no such demonstrations in Houston, he said, because lets be very clear: If there had been, they would have discovered what the people of Texas think about the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. The audience laughed.

Cruz, who had been scheduled to speak on the Bill of Rights, Liberty, and Cancel Culture, offered little by way of a positive vision for the future of the conservative movement. His speech reflected the general tenor of the event up to that point, with other speakers decrying the media and cancel culture, amplifying falsehoods about widespread voter fraud, and promising, above all, to fight.

But as Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida appeared to suggest, this was the future of the movement. In his brief remarks to kick off the conference Friday morning, DeSantis, another potential 2024 candidate, avowed that conservatives would never return to the failed Republican establishment of yesteryear.

Now, anyone can spout conservative rhetoric, DeSantis said. We can sit around and have academic debates about conservative policy.

But the question is, he added, When the Klieg lights get hot, when the left comes after you: Will you stay strong, or will you fold?

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Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state, and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota will anchor the lineup Saturday, and former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at 3:40 p.m. Sunday, his first public speech since he left office under the cloud of a second impeachment.

Though Trump may well tease that he remains interested in running in 2024, the list of other prominent speakers includes many who hope to become the partys standard-bearer: In addition to DeSantis and Cruz, they include Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Rick Scott of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri.

But who isnt speaking at CPAC this year is as telling as who is.

The most notable absence is former Vice President Mike Pence, who has kept a low profile since Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters called for his execution.

Also missing from the list is former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, another possible 2024 candidate, who served under Trump as ambassador to the United Nations and whose absence may signal an attempt to occupy a more moderate lane in the party in the years ahead.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 11:33:57|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health on Thursday reported 878 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, taking the national count to 156,112.

The ministry added that the COVID-19 death toll stood at 2,321, including five new fatalities recorded over the same period.

With 169 more recoveries from the disease registered, the nationwide tally reached 133,607, said the ministry.

Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation, is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic in Africa, after South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

The Ethiopian government recently started a campaign to encourage face mask wearing in public as part of COVID-19 precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus.

The east African nation has so far conducted 2,114,618 COVID-19 tests, including 6,212 new tests over the last 24 hours, said the ministry.

Testing in Ethiopia is among the highest in Africa, following South Africa and Morocco, according to recent figures from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Enditem
EUGENE, Ore. -- Lane County will become the owner of the Red Lion Hotel at 599 East Broadway in Eugene shortly after signing closing documents on Friday.

The hotel is being purchased as part of Project Turnkey and will be used to house Holiday Farm Fire survivors who are especially vulnerable to homelessness.

The Holiday Farm Fire devastated thousands of McKenzie area residents and left them with no place to live, said East Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch. Project Turnkey is an important part of our housing strategy for fire survivors. While people work to recover from the loss, we can provide the most vulnerable with a safe place to sleep and connections to other services.

The $5.5 million purchase is being paid for by state funds.

Homes for Good will provide the day-to-day operations for the temporary lodging program starting in March 2021. Homes for Good will support participants by connecting them to their long-term housing goals. On-site operations staff will provide 24-hour service for the residents including cleaning and janitorial services. In addition, staff will work with residents to connect them to available services to get into permanent housing.

Homes for Good has been an incredible partner, said Buch. Theyve really stepped up and found ways to support fire survivors through existing housing programs and by taking on this new location. Were also thankful for the support of Oregon Community Foundation throughout the Project Turnkey application process.

More information about how wildfire survivors will be selected for temporary housing at the Red Lion will be available in March.

Homes for Good will also begin to develop the scope of work to convert the hotel to Permanent Supportive Housing once there is no longer a need for temporary housing.

For more information about Holiday Farm Fire recovery resources, visit the McKenzie Rebuilds website.
Mark Machin, then-president and CEO, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, speaks at the 2019 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., April 29, 2019. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

CPP Boss Machin Quits After Overseas Trip for COVID Shot, Defying Government Advice

The head of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), Mark Machin, has resigned after travelling to the United Arab Emirates to be vaccinated against COVID-19, flouting Canadian governments travel advice and drawing criticism.

CPPIB, the countrys largest pension fund, on Friday named John Graham as chief executive officer, who is currently senior managing director and global head of credit investments.

While the CPPIB is an independent organization, we are very disappointed by this troubling situation and we support the swift action taken by the Board of Directors, said Kat Cuplinskas, press secretary for Canadas Ministry of Finance.

The Deputy Prime Minister spoke to the Chair of the Board of Directors today and made clear that Canadians place their trust in the CPPIB and expect it to be held to a higher standard, Cuplinskas told Reuters in an email.

Machin did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. He is the first CPPIB CEO to be forced to resign, a source told Reuters.

Machin sent an internal memo to CPPIB staff acknowledging that he took a personal trip and was in Dubai for a number of reasons, some of which were deeply personal, the source said.

Machin said the trip was supposed to be very private and that he was disappointed it had become the focus of expected criticism, according to the source.

Although there is no specific ban on Canadians travelling abroad, the federal and provincial governments have advised against overseas trips to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Canada trails behind many developed nations in its vaccination drive, with under 3 percent of the population inoculated so far. Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government has come under attack from opposition leaders and provincial premiers for the slow-burn roll out.

Machin, 54, received Pfizers vaccine shot after arriving in the UAE with his partner this month, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

According to the report, Machin has stayed on in the UAE and is due to receive his second dose in coming weeks.

The UAE says it provides COVID-19 vaccinations to residents and citizens only, free of charge, and requires a valid residency identification card to receive the shots. It was not immediately clear how Machin, a British national, secured the vaccine by travelling to Dubai.

Machin, an alumnus of Cambridge and Oxford Universities, joined CPPIB in March 2012 and was appointed as president and chief executive officer in 2016. He had a 20-year career at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. prior to joining the pension fund.

Machin rose steadily through the ranks during his two decades at Goldman Sachs Asia, running their capital markets, financing and investment banking businesses at various times. He ended his stint with the bank as vice-chairman of Asia based in Beijing.

Incoming CEO Graham has been with CPPIB for 10 years. Prior to that he was with Xerox Innovation Group for over nine years.

Graham holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a PhD from the University of Western Ontario.

Some Canadian federal and provincial leaders have resigned in the past month after their overseas leisure trips sparked public outrage.

By Noor Zainab Hussain and Maiya Keidan
James Corden has stolen a march on Oprah by airing his antics with Prince Harry days before the prime-time interview that enraged Buckingham Palace.

In a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out on an open-top bus, the Duke of Sussex - or 'Haz,' as Corden calls him - reveals he went from 'zero to sixty' with Meghan and how the pressures of living in London were 'destroying my mental health.'

With Oprah's Sussexes interview airing next weekend, Corden's exclusive with Harry is the latest coup in his career that has seen a meteoric rise to Hollywood A-lister after first finding fame as Essex lad Smithy in British sitcom Gavin and Stacey.

Like Oprah, Corden was a guest at the Sussexes wedding in 2018 and even compered at the reception, but with his latest interview he's stolen the thunder of the biggest name in the business.

Amid anticipation for what Meghan might tell Oprah, Corden elicited some bombshells of his own from the Duke, including the insistence that he 'never walked away' from the royal family and he did 'what any husband or father would do' by emigrating to Los Angeles.

James Corden video-calling Meghan Markle during his antics with Harry filmed in Los Angeles

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis

They video called Meghan, who in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the house, quipped 'I think we've done enough moving'

The 36-year-old said the move to California last year was about 'stepping back rather than stepping down' as he appeared on Corden's Late Late Show.

An off the leash Harry also revealed that he has had Zoom calls with the Queen, who sent Archie a waffle maker for Christmas, and describes his son as 'hysterical.'

He also says he knew Meghan was 'the one' after two dates.

But critics have questioned the timing of his TV appearance, released last night as the Queen gave a rare public statement encouraging all Britons to have the Covid-19 jab, with the Sussexes having another incendiary interview with Oprah in the can and due for broadcast on Sunday March 7.

Describing the couple's decision to quit royal life, Harry said: 'It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down.

'It was a really difficult environment, which I think a lot of people saw. So I did what any father or husband would do and thought: "How do I get my family out of here".

'But we never walked away and as far as I'm concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never walk away'.

Oprah, the biggest in the business, is set to interview Meghan and Harry on March 7

And while the interview was carried out before the Queen stripped the Sussexes of their royal patronages, Harry appears to know what was coming and says: 'My life is public service so wherever I am in the world it's going to be the same thing'.

The 17-minute film begins with Corden pulling up outside Harry's mansion in an open -top bus, which Harry admits he's never been on.

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash' and said it was his first time on an open-top bus because 'we're not really allowed to'.

Once settled in on the top deck, the Duke speaks about family life, revealing that son Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen gave the one-year-old a waffle maker for Christmas.

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.

But moments later the bus braked heavily and the dinner wagon holding the tea jolted into Prince Harry - who swore in shock - before he spat his drink out while laughing.

During a visit to the house that featured on 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Harry rapped the famous theme song, which was originally performed by Will Smith.

James Corden and his wife Julia Carey arrive at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018

Corden and his TV producer wife arrive at the wedding in Windsor in May 2018

Corden jokingly tried to convince him to buy the sprawling mansion before Harry went inside to use the bathroom.

They then video called Meghan, who in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the house, quipped 'I think we've done enough moving'.

She then asked 'Haz' how his tour of Los Angeles was going but he called Corden 'the worst tour guide in LA'.

Back on board the buss Harry addressed the controversy over The Crown's portrayal of his family's history and defended the Netflix regal drama, saying it does not 'pretend to be news'.

He said both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh can use Zoom and have seen Archie 'running around' in California.

In a segment for The Late Late Show, filmed before he and the Duchess of Sussex confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the royal family, Harry joined TV host Corden for a double-decker bus tour of Los Angeles.

Asked by Corden how he sees his life after lockdown, Harry, 36, said: 'My life is always going to be about public service and Meghan signed up to that.'

On the decision to walk away from the royal family, he said it 'was never walking away, it was stepping back rather than stepping down'.

He added that it was a 'really difficult environment' and criticised the press, saying it was 'destroying my mental health'.

Harry said he needed to move his family away but insisted: 'I will never walk away, I will always be contributing. My life is public service.'

The duke also spoke about his early relationship with Meghan, 39.

He said dating for him or any member of the royal family is 'flipped upside down', telling Corden that early dates take place at home and only when they are a couple do they venture out in public.

'We got to spend an enormous amount of time just the two of us,' he said of his early relationship with Meghan. 'There were no distractions, and that was great, it was an amazing thing. We went from zero to 60 in the first two months.'

In a segment filmed before he and wife Meghan confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the royal family, Harry joined the TV host for a double-decker bus tour of Los Angeles

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash'

Asked what a 'regular night in' for the couple is like, Harry said they may make Archie's tea, give him a bath and read him a book before he and Meghan spend time together.

He said they may watch game show Jeopardy! or something on Netflix.

Asked what he thinks about The Crown, Harry replied: 'They don't pretend to be news, it's fictional but it's loosely based on the truth.

'Of course it's not strictly accurate, but, loosely, it gives you a rough idea about what that lifestyle, what the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else, what can come from that.

'I am way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife or myself.'

He said The Crown is 'obviously fiction' whereas he has a 'real issue' with some of the stories written about him.

Harry joked that he would want Homeland star Damian Lewis to play him.

The segment opened with Corden telling the duke to pay the fare before jumping on the bus. Harry quipped: 'You know us royals - we don't carry cash.'

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.

During a visit to the house that featured in 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Harry rapped the famous theme song, which was originally performed by Will Smith.

Corden tried to convince him to buy the sprawling mansion before the duke went inside to use the bathroom.

The pair then video-called Meghan, who, in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the house, joked: 'I think we've done enough moving.'

She then asked 'Haz' how his tour of Los Angeles was going, and he said Corden was 'the worst tour guide in LA'.

Harry and a reluctant Corden also tackled an assault course, with the TV host complaining about getting dirty.

Oprah's interview with Meghan and Harry has been described as a 'make or break' for the Sussexes if they hope to become famous names in America.

And while a bidding war in Britain has erupted over rights to the show, many in the States are unaware of the royal couple and what they represent.

A producer who has worked with Oprah in the past told the Mail on Sunday: 'This is make or break for them.

'People in Britain assume they are famous here but the reality is they are not A-list stars in the same way Beyonce or even the Kardashians are.

'Most Americans have no idea what they stand for and what they actually do.

'Of course, we know Harry is Princess Diana's son but ask your average guy in the street and they likely have no clue about them beyond that.'
VA can now make $22.3B T4NG on-ramp awards

The Government Accountability Office has put the hammer down on several companies who were protesting their elimination from the on-ramp to get on the Veterans Affairs Department's $22.3 billion T4NG technology services contract vehicle.

GAO denied protests filed by eight companies, who argued they were unfairly eliminated from the competition for seats on the Transformation Twenty-One Total Technology Next Generation contract.

The VA has been using a phased approach to making awards under the on-ramp process, so it has been eliminating companies as it moves toward final awards.

As expected, several of the knocked out companies filed protests in November arguing their elimination was unfair.

GAO decision's have yet to be released but the results are part of the agency's public docket. There generally is a lag between the ruling itself and when the written decision is released as attorneys haggle over a public version.

But these denials, coupled with a U.S. Court of Federal Claims decision involving another protest, mean the VA is now free to move forward and make awards. All of those protests were resolved in GAO's favor. including the court case brought by Summit Technologies.

The companies whose protests have been denied by GAO are:

MicroHealth

Network Designs

NXTGen Solutions Joint Venture

Rev LLC

Blue Water Thinking

AcesFed

Trilogoy Federal

Veteran technology Partners III

Summit Technologies went to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The judges decision to reject Summit's claims of unfair elimination has been released, but Summits original complaint is still sealed.

The company claimed the VA applied criteria in its evaluation that was not part of the solicitation. The judge rejected that argument as well as others claiming unequal treatment. Very little wiggle room in that decision.

Once available, well look at the judge's ruling and GAO decisions as well.

But for now, well watch for how soon VA makes its on-ramp awards. It could be soon because VA was allowed to continue working on the awards.


Location: 6127-Carolina Waste TS



Job Title

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Primary Location

North Charleston, South Carolina

Employee Type

Employee

Job Description

Carolina Waste is currently hiring a Heavy Equipment Mechanic to join our team in North Charleston, SC.In this position you will primarily be working on our Heavy Equipment (CAT) and large Diesel Trucks. Heavy Equipment Mechanics interested in secure, steady employment in a family atmosphere are encouraged to apply. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Perform repairs and assigned preventative maintenance services.

Performs inspections, diagnosis, and repair of powertrain, electrical and hydraulic systems on heavy equipment, such as dozers, compactors, excavators, ADT's, etc.

Perform power washing on heavy equipment during routine preventative maintenance.

Complete required paperwork utilizing equipment maintenance software program associated with repairing equipment, documenting parts usage, and accounting for repair times.

Reviews and completes repairs identified on Daily Inspection Reports.

Conducts safety checks on vehicles and equipment.

Performs service calls for emergency breakdowns that may take place in the landfill.

Maintain a clean, safe work environment in compliance with corporate and OSHA standards.

Typical schedule is Monday-Friday and typically every other Saturday, or as needed. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT: Extensive physical activity. Requires strenuous physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects over 50 pounds.

Work environment may be indoors in a shop, or outdoors to repair equipment in the field.

Usually well-lighted and ventilated.

Sometimes necessary to work in awkward or tight positions and to handle greasy or dirty tools. These factors require following basic safety precautions. MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of two years' experience in heavy equipment maintenance and repair.

Must provide own personal tools.

Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.

Welding/fabrication experience a huge plus! Apply today and Connect with your Future! Waste Connections is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veterans)


The scene of the shooting incident on Eugene Street in The Coombe area of Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Gardai were last night still trying to establish a definitive motive for the shocking attempted murder of a 17-year-old boy.

But senior sources said that by far the most likely explanation is that it is linked to the lucrative local drugs trade.

The boy was shot in the face, upper body and in the arm just after he had hailed down a taxi on Eugene Street in Dublin's south inner city shortly before 11pm on Wednesday, a location a short distance from his home .

He remained in a serious condition in hospital last night but is expected to survive.

While the shooting victim is known to gardai, he has no previous criminal convictions and has never appeared before the Childrens Court.

However, sources say that he is on friendly terms with a dangerous south inner city grouping that runs a drugs distribution network in the area.

One line in the investigation is that the teenager, who will not turn 18 until October, may have been targeted in revenge for a slash attack that an older man who is well known to him carried out in recent weeks.

This is being looked at but it seems unlikely at this stage. This was a very targeted shooting  he was struck three times and up to six shots were fired from a handgun, a senior source said.

Gardai were not aware of any threats against the teenager, who remained in intensive care last night after emergency surgery at St Jamess Hospital.

Officers have not yet been able to speak to the teenager and say he is very lucky to be alive.

Specialist gardai were last night forensically examining the getaway car used in the attempted murder.

Gardai are appealing for information on a Black Hyundai i30, with registration plate 07 TS 4838, which was found burned out on Greenville Avenue.

They are also appealing for anyone who was in the Eugene Street and Greenville Avenue locations between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Wednesday to contact them. Anyone with camera footage from the locations at that time is also asked to come forward.

A prominent line in the investigation is his friendship with a group of notorious young street dealers who have links to the Kinahan cartel.

This mob had been using a number of sheds and stables in the Liberties area as a drug- dealing headquarters before it was demolished by Dublin City Council last May.

Sources say they control street dealing in the Thomas, Francis and Meath s treet areas of the south inner city, which has brought them into conflict with other local gangs.

Detectives have been monitoring the activities of the ruthless thugs behind the drugs network. These include an out-of-control teenager with very close links to Liam Brannigan (38), who was jailed for eight years last year for conspiring with Kinahan cartel murder plotters to assassinate Dublin man Gary Hanley.

A 28-year-old from Crumlin, who was arrested for a brutal attack on gardai last year, is also suspected of "controlling" the street-level drug distribution.

It previously emerged gardai have established that more than half a dozen boys aged between 10 and 12 are dealing crack cocaine, heroin and other substances for the ruthless mob who have been involved in numerous assaults.

Speaking about the shooting, one local resident said: I went out and I could see the boy crying for help.

"He was either getting into or out of a taxi when he was targeted. He was kind of leaning in the taxi."

"He was crying for help and I could see blood pouring from his face. It was frightening.

"He was very distressed and some local people had run to help him and were holding things up to where he was bleeding."
All the candidates went on to answer questions they received in advance from the League as well as from the community. Questions included their views on why the city hasnt filed a plan to raise its affordable housing stock from a little over 8% to the state-mandated 10% and how to reach that goal; whether their vision for the city included work toward diversity, equity and inclusion; whether the city should increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations and if so, whether that should be a city undertaking or a private business enterprise; and reactions to a recent consultant report recommending increases in the citys water and sewer rates.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Election Commission on Friday announced single-phase polling in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Assembly elections, three-phase polling in Assam, and eight phases in West Bengal.

Declaring the election schedule for the Assembly elections in the four states and a Union Territory, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said counting in all five elections will be held on May 2.

Elections to the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the 30-member Puducherry Assembly and the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held on April 6, while voting to elect the 140-member Assam Assembly will be held on March 27, April 1, and April 6.

West Bengal to go for elections in eight phases - on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26, and the final phase on April 29.

The Model Code of Conduct will come into force immediately, Arora said.

The CEC said that adequate Central paramilitary forces will be deployed during the elections. All sensitive, critical and vulnerable polling stations have been identified and an adequate number of CAPFs will be deployed there.

A total of 18.68 crore electors will cast their votes at 2.7 lakh polling stations in the four states and the UT.

Arora noted that the poll panel had successfully conducted elections "in the thick of the pandemic", starting with 18 Rajya Sabha seats. "After that, came the challenge of the Bihar elections, it was indeed a watershed moment for ECI. It proved to be a litmus test," he said.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

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UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

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China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

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Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

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Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

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Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

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Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

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Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

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Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

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Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
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2 1 of 2 Courtesy California Highway Patrol Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Courtesy California Highway Patrol Show More Show Less



A large sinkhole opened up on an Interstate 280 off-ramp in San Francisco Thursday afternoon, trapping at least one vehicle as chunks of asphalt crumbled into the abyss below.

California Highway Patrol officers closed off one lane of the ramp that leads to 6th Street in San Franciscos South Park neighborhood after the roadway began crumbling around 2:35 p.m., said CHP spokeman Mark Andrews.
Residents guess lantern riddles to celebrate the upcoming Chinese lantern festival, which falls on Feb. 26 this year, at a community in Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 25, 2021. (Photo by Hao Qunying/Xinhua)

2

1

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
The first instance of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in Austria was observed in the Ski resort Ischgl in early March 2020. Later, the virus spread across Austria and other countries in Northern Europe.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to gauge the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the population, as measured in the blood serum. They found that the seroprevalence in the adult population had increased to 45% by the end of April.

Subsequently, researchers sought to answer a couple of important questions, namely, how long does immunity last and what was the effect of this heightened immunity on virus transmission. To this end, a follow-up study (Ischgl - 2) was conducted in the first week of November 2020.

A new research paper released on the medRxiv* preprint server documents the findings of this follow-up study. Researchers document that T-cell and antibody responses could still be observed in most individuals, six and a half months after the first study and almost eight months after the first wave in Ischgl. They also found that the number of new COVID-19 cases reported from May to December was very low.

In terms of the sample size, the original study included 1,473 individuals, including 214 children. In the follow-up study, only 801 individuals from the original group could be included. Some individuals had to be excluded owing to inconsistent age, lack of questionnaire, or lack of blood samples. A total of 91 new individuals entered the follow-up study, including 12 children. Akismed, a web-based eCRF system, aided in the data collection exercise.

Lower incidence of new infections in Ischgl compared to low-prevalence villages. (a) Vertical solid line represents the second countrywide lockdown in autumn 2020, which took place in November 17 (a first and lighter lockdown took place on November 2). The control municipalities are Eben am Achensee, Ellmau, Fiss, Gerlos, Lermoos, Leutasch, Mayrhofen, Nauders, Neustift im Stubaital, Seefeld in Tirol, Serfaus, Solden, and Tux. (b) The figure displays results from regression equation (1). The plotted coefficients represent the weekly difference in the 7-day moving average of new cases between Ischgl and the control municipalities relative to the reference period (2nd week of September). The coefficient for each week is shown together with a 95%-confidence interval. The vertical solid line shows the second (strict) lockdown in Austria.

The methodology involved the analysis of EDTA-plasma using four immunoassays. ImmunomatTM, a fully automated 4-plate benchtop instrument, was used to screen the blood samples for anti-SARS-CoV-2-S1 protein Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) positivity using anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgA and IgG ELISA, respectively.

The threshold for considering the samples to be positive was set at 1.1 and the interpretation of these results with respect to the obtained optical density values was guided by the information provided by the manufacturer.

Values in the range of 0.8 - 1.1 in the IgG ELISA were considered positive and such borderline values were considered negative for the IgA ELISA. Researchers also tested each sample for the anti-SARS-CoV-2-N-protein IgG (anti-N IgG) with the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay. The anti-N IgG was considered positive for the relative light unit (RLU) values greater than 1.4.

Additional quantification of the anti-N IgG was performed using the ElecsysAnti-SARS-CoV-2, developed by Roche Diagnostics. The Roche assay provides a cut-off index where values greater than 1.0 are considered positive.

Lastly, a neutralizing antibody assay was also used to determine titers of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotyped with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The next steps were to define seroprevalence and serostatus of the samples, determine the avidity of SARS-CoV-2-specific anti-S igG, and analysis of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses.

Additional data on demographics was required. Means, medians, standard deviations, and interquartile ranges were calculated for continuous variables.

For categorical variables, numbers (percentages) were calculated. Cross-sectional seroprevalence was calculated in November for the whole sample.

For individuals whose data was available both for the baseline and follow-up studies, the seroprevalence was calculated. This concluded the data gathering phase, following which researchers performed statistical analysis using STATA 16.1 and GraphPad Prism version 8.2.0 and 9.

Some of the statistical techniques used by the researchers were ANOVA, non-parametric methods (Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test), Students t-test for paired samples, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, regression analysis, etc.

Researchers found that the levels of antibodies declined in the first 7-8 months after infection. However, the binding capacity of antibodies increased and/or T cell responses could still be detected in all but one individual.

The open question is how long does the immunity last for SARS-CoV-2? SARS-Cov-2 causes a more serious systemic infection than other human coronaviruses that cause the common cold. In the latter case, immunity is known to last 1-2 years but, in this case, the immunity could last longer.

This idea is supported by prior studies that document that the immune response to SARS-CoV-1 remains detectable for longer than 17 years.

The conclusion of this study that immunity may last for at least eight months is in line with the fact that reinfections are rare in the world (zero in Ischgl).

Researchers also documented that the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Ischgl was significantly lower than other comparable municipalities in Austria during the second wave in November.

The findings suggest that a 40-45% level of seropositivity may be sufficient to stop the virus's spread with some social distancing measures in place.

*Important Notice

medRxiv* publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Emmerdale star Claire King has claimed that cancer is 'nature's payback for mistreating the planet.'

The actress, 58, who plays Kim Tate on the soap, admitted the disease became a 'poignant' part of her life after her former co-star Leah Bracknell died following a battle with lung cancer in 2019

Claire added that Leah's death made her take stock of her own health and insisted people 'aren't doing themselves any good' with their treatment of the Earth.

Views: Emmerdale star Claire King has claimed that cancer is 'nature's payback for mistreating the planet' (pictured on the soap as Kim Tate)

In an interview with OK! magazine, Claire said: 'Cancer hits one in two, which is just horrendous. I think that's a lot to do with how we are treating the planet. We've mistreated the planet and this is nature's payback.

'We're not doing ourselves any good - says she who drinks and smokes - but we've all got to play our part in this and it becomes very poignant when you lose a good friend.'

The actress added that Leah, who played Kim's stepdaughter Zoe Tate on Emmerdale from 1989 to 2005, made her assess her own life when she passed away in September 2019.

Moving: The actress admitted the disease became a 'poignant' part of her life after her co-star Leah Bracknell died following a lengthy battle with lung cancer in 2019 (pictured in 2017)

Opinion: She added: 'I think that's a lot to do with how we are treating the planet. We've mistreated the planet and this is nature's payback'

She said: 'Everyone who knew her knew it was going to happen, it was just a matter of when. Unfortunately she's not the first of my friends and she won't be the last. And particularly now with this awful coronavirus, we've lost more people.'

Leah died in October 2019, three years after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, after fans helped her raise more than 50,000 to undergo groundbreaking treatment.

Zoe previously described how she had an 'attitude of gratitude' during her cancer battle.

She was often vocal about her cancer treatment, sharing her experiences in a blog and through interviews.

Tragic: Leah died in October 2019, three years after being diagnosed with lung cancer, after fans helped her raise more than 50,000 to undergo groundbreaking treatment

In the months leading up to her death she wrote 'The Cancer Rebel's Manifesto for Life' to 'reject the notion of being a victim'.

In it, she said: 'I rebel against the fear of cancer, against pity from others and myself, against being defined by cancer, and against being bullied by cancer.'

And in her final interview in August she said that she wouldn't 'let herself live in fear' adding that she was 'just going to have a good life.'

It comes after Claire admitted she's glad that the social distancing restrictions amid the pandemic have put a halt to onscreen intimacy as she feels she's too old for sex scenes.

She has told that she'll happily surrender the 'snoggy scenes' to her younger co-stars as she declared: ''l'll leave that to the youngsters nowadays.'

Pleased: It comes after Claire admitted she's glad that the social distancing restrictions amid the pandemic have put a halt to onscreen intimacy as she feels she's too old for sex scenes

Claire's character Kim recently struck up a romance with Will Taylor in the village, but any scenes of the couple getting physically close will not be seen as all the actors have to stay two-metres apart to meet regulations.

And Claire admitted that she's relieved that she won't have to film raunchy scenes as she did back in the day.

She told OK! magazine: 'The lack of on-screen intimacy is down to coronavirus and social distancing, as we are filming with the two-metre rule. But I must say, I'm kind of happy at my age not having to do bedroom scenes and snoggy scenes, you know what I mean?

'I'll leave that to the youngsters nowadays. I think people want to see young people doing it, not older people, if I judge it by Twitter or anything like that!

'It's just nice working with good professional people who you get on with and can have a bit of a banter with. I think I've kind of moved on from all that now.'
New Delhi:

The polls for three Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat have turned dramatic in an unprecedented way. While Upper House polls barely attract any attention, this one has grabbed eyeballs across the nation - right from horse trading allegations, MLAs trip to Bangalore and now to cross-voting.



These elections are unique in more than one way. It is the first time since 1996 that Gujarats Rajya Sabha seats are facing a contest. Four candidates are contesting three seats, two of these held by the BJP, which is keen to topple the Congress from the third.



While BJP chief Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani are fighting unopposed, the party has fielded Congress detractor Balwantsinh Rajput against Sonia Gandhi loyalist Ahmed Patel.



The result of the Balwantsinh Rajput vs Ahmed Patel is more crucial than just one RS seat:



Why winning Gujarat RS elections crucial for BJP?



# The high-octane drama leading up to and during the elections has made winning crucial to cement party president Amit Shah's reputation as a master strategist.



#It will be a big boost for the saffron party ahead of this years assembly election in the western state. The party has set a target of winning 150 seats in the 182-member assembly.



#After the polls, Shah will make his debut in Parliament as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

What is at stake for Congress leader Ahmed Patel?



#If in case Ahmed Patel losses his seat to RS it will be a major blow to Congress as he is a loyalist to party chief Sonia Gandhi.



#Congress victory will give a new voice to challenge the BJP Government at the Centre.



#A win will help Patel re-establish his credentials as a master strategist. It will also silence party snipers.



#The Congress will get a new lease of life in Gujarat, where it wants to capitalise on the absence of Narendra Modi to make a comeback. Gujarat is scheduled to go to polls in November and Patels victory in such a high profile contest will boost the morale of the party cadres.

Suggested read: LIVE coverage of Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections

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Almost a year after the COVID-19 pandemic started to upend life in New Jersey, scientists and researchers have managed the spectacular feat of creating highly effective vaccines which experts say will help end the outbreak.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, and are the only ones currently in circulation in the U.S. They are both mRNA vaccines and this is how they work.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine meets the requirement for Emergency Use Authorization, the FDA said Wednesday, and full approval could come within days.

But what are the key differences between the vaccines? And which one should you receive? Heres what you need to know about the different vaccines.

Is there a preferred vaccine?

If you are eligible for a vaccine, get it. It doesnt matter which one, experts say.

You know, Ive been telling literally anyone who will ask me, take whatever you can get, David Cennimo, an infectious disease specialist at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told NJ Advance Media.

All three vaccines are very effective in preventing COVID-19 from becoming severe or resulting in people becoming symptomatic, he said.

Scientists are waiting to see more data to see if the vaccines are effective in preventing asymptomatic infections, Cennimo said, which is why vaccinated people are still encouraged to wear masks.

Theres no way to choose a specific vaccine in New Jersey anyway. Some vaccination sites have only received one type of vaccine, while others have received both, but few sites let you know ahead of time what theyre offering.

The vaccine efficacy right now for both Pfizer and Moderna are pretty similar, said Stephanie Silvera, an epidemiologist and professor at Montclair State.

And so at this point the goal is to get as many people as possible vaccinated, she told NJ Advance Media. Theres not that much of a difference between the two.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations are given at Camden County College. Here, Camden County Public Health Nurse Margarita Camacho gives a vaccination.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The differences between the vaccines

The Pfizer vaccine is an mRNA vaccine that requires two doses given 21 days apart. It must be kept at ultra-cold storage temperatures, but not all vaccination sites have that type of storage.

It is 95% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections. The Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for people aged 16 and older. Pfizer also announced Thursday it has begun studying a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine as part of a strategy to guard against mutated versions of the coronavirus.

The Moderna vaccine is also an mRNA vaccine that requires two doses, but given 28 days apart. It doesnt require temperatures as cold as whats required for the Pfizer vaccine.

It is 94.1% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections. The Moderna vaccine is currently approved for people aged 18 and older.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single shot, which does not require ultra-cold storage, making it ideal for easier vaccinations, potentially at doctors offices and pharmacies. It can last for three months in a refrigerator, according to the Associated Press.

It is found to be 72% effective for trial participants in the U.S. preventing moderate and severe disease and 66% effective worldwide. The vaccine was 85% effective specifically against severe disease, J&J said.

People may be underestimating the value of the J&J shot, Cennimo said, since its one and done. Although its less effective against severe disease, no one died, Cennimo said. The J&J shot could also help quickly inoculate more people, instead of relying on mass vaccination sites.

You know in controlling this pandemic, having people not sick, not significantly sick is a very strong endpoint, he said.

Similarities between the vaccines

None of the vaccines can give you COVID-19, Cennimo said, or change your genetic material. They all have been highly effective in offering strong protection against severe COVID-19, according to the Associated Press.

Experts are clear that getting a vaccine is critical, regardless of the specific type.

Right now, its not vaccine against vaccine, its vaccine against virus, Dr. Nirav Shah, the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Associated Press.

The Associated Press and NJ Advance Media staff writers Karin Price Mueller and Matthew Stanmyre contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Global military spending, driven in part by Chinese naval expansion, reached record levels in 2020 despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing economic contraction, a British think-tank said.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said military spending reached $1.8 trillion last year - a 3.9% increase in real terms over figures for 2019.

The London-based think-tank said in its annual "Military Balance" publication that expenditure rose "despite the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent contraction in global economic output."

The United States remained the worlds largest defense spender in 2020, IISS said, accounting for 40% of $738 billion globally.

China, by comparison, accounted for 10.6% or $193.3 billion. Beijings military spending was the driving force behind growth in Asias overall defense expenditure, and accounted for 25% of the continents spending in 2020, AFP reported.

The IISS also highlighted Chinese military expansion and the significant growth of its naval fleet, a response driven in part by to Beijings ambitions in the South China Sea.

Total European defense spending grew by 2% in real terms in 2020, the IISS said.

Europes NATO members also continued increasing military expenditure. However, most NATO members are still far from the objective of devoting 2% of their GDP to defense by 2024. In 2020 only nine of the alliances European members met the target. "The commitment by key players to increase their defense budgets in 2021 and beyond signals an intention to avoid the cuts that followed the 200708 financial crisis," the report said referring to European nations like the UK, France, Germany and Italy.
Orica chief executive Alberto Calderon will step down from the $5 billion explosives manufacturer after six years in the role, as the company copes with the fallout of slower mining activity on its profits.

The worlds top supplier of commercial explosives on Friday said its earnings could face a first-half hit of up to $125 million (year-on-year) as Australia-China trade tensions and the pandemic reduced demand from customers in the mining industry.

Orica chief executive officer Alberto Calderon (pictured) will be replaced by Sanjeev Gandhi. Credit:Eamon Gallagher

Australias coal miners have been hit hard since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis last year slashed demand for the commodity and Beijing stepped up an unofficial ban on Australian cargoes of both thermal and metallurgical coal amid a diplomatic fallout.

Trade tension between Australia and China is ongoing and is impacting demand in Oricas higher-margin Australian thermal coal market, the company said in a statement.


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26) How did the Perseverance rover  the NASA spacecraft that safely and successfully landed on Mars  get its name?

The US space agency got help from students, according to a Filipino-American engineer who has been working for the red planet mission project.

In an interview with CNN Philippines on Friday, Gregorio Villar III, an Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) systems engineer for NASAs Mars 2020 mission, said the agency held a contest for elementary students to name the rover.

Students from around the world submitted essays proposing a name, and why they think that should be the name of the next Mars mission, Villar told The Source.

Villar explained that Perseverance was chosen due to its fitting name especially with the world grappling with the current coronavirus crisis.

Perseverance  it was such a fitting name especially during the pandemic where we all persevered to get this rover off of Earth and land it safely on Mars, he added.

After a 292.5 million-mile journey from Earth, NASAs Perseverance rover flawlessly landed on Mars last week in what experts and scientists labeled as a pivotal moment for the agency and space exploration. The Mars 2020 mission seeks to look for signs of potential life and collect samples of broken rock and soil.

Villar, who has been working for the space agency for over a decade now, said it was personally a surreal experience for him to see an actual rocket launch from Earth to the red planet.

RELATED: From sci-fi films to NASA: Fil-Am engineer recounts life hurdles, goals after role in Mars mission

He likewise underscored the importance of the recent photos and clips sent back to the agency headquarters.

Ive been working on this landing system for eight years and these videos, it can go underappreciated, the engineer said.

Weve never seen any footage like this ever in history So its really hard to tell you how big these videos and images are of the landing.
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SAN PEDRO EL ALTO, Mexico - The message blared from a pickup truck with a megaphone attached to the roof: Coronavirus vaccines had arrived in this tiny, Indigenous town in the hills of central Mexico.

Villagers stopped what they were doing to listen. How could San Pedro, where nothing ever seemed to happen, become one of the first places in Latin America to vaccinate its residents?

"I thought it must be a lie or a joke," said Ubaldo Sanchez, 61, who walked off his cornfield, confused and ecstatic, when his daughter ran up to him, shouting the news.

As debate rages around the world about who should be vaccinated first, Mexico has come up with its own unconventional approach - one with no apparent epidemiological foundation. The government of populist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who campaigned on the slogan "First, the poor," is prioritizing the country's poorest citizens, using the vaccine as a kind of reparation for years of marginalization.

Teachers in rural villages, some of the country's poorest farmers, elderly members of far-flung Indigenous communities: They will receive coronavirus vaccinations before almost any of Mexico's city-dwellers, who have endured the worst outbreaks. In many cases, the rural poor have been vaccinated even before the medical personnel in charge of administering the shots.

It's an approach that Lopez Obrador's supporters embrace - proof their president is on the right side of Mexico's profound class divide. But to many public health professionals, it is scientifically irrational, evidence that politics are distorting the vaccination drive. Most of the communities being prioritized have had relatively low coronavirus caseloads. Most are rural or semirural towns, where social distancing was never a challenge.

"This is a vision that has no basis in epidemiology," said Fernando Petersen Aranguren, the secretary of health in Jalisco state. "This has nothing to do with public health and doesn't focus on the need to break the chain of contagion."

Aranguren wanted to distribute doses in Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, where more than 71,000 people have been infected with the virus. But the federal government, which has near-total control over vaccine procurement and distribution, instead gave him a list of small towns and villages it told him to prioritize.

"Beginning in major cities with larger outbreaks would have allowed us to reduce our caseload much more effectively," Aranguren said.

This week in San Pedro el Alto, population 3,500, residents over 60 years old, many in colorful traditional dress, lined up outside the town's tiny public health outpost. Federico Hass, 63, a long white beard down to his chest, rolled up his sleeve for his shot.

"It's proof that, for our president, wealth doesn't matter. He's sending a message to everyone," he said. "This isn't like the United States. This isn't like Europe."

But in the government's rush to get doses to the poor, many of the nurses and doctors in charge of the vaccination program - including the ones that attended to Hass - had not yet been vaccinated themselves.

"It's scary to be here, so exposed, without getting the vaccine, but what can we do?" said Silvia Garcia, one of the nurses assigned to San Pedro. "We can't refuse to work."

Lopez Obrador has refused to be vaccinated until doses are made available in his Mexico City district. Critics have called the decision a theatrical show of humility. While waiting for the vaccine, Lopez Obrador contracted the virus in January. The country's coronavirus czar, Hugo Lopez-Gatell, fell sick this month.

Mexico has reported 2 million coronavirus cases and 182,000 deaths, both considered undercounts. The most severe outbreaks have been in large cities. Mexico City, according to one study, has suffered the worst urban outbreak in the world.

While some of the areas hit hardest have been working-class urban neighborhoods, Mexicans have watched the pandemic slice through the economic divide. Last month, Carlos Slim, Latin America's wealthiest man, was infected in Mexico City.

Mexico's government has provided little economic assistance to the country's poor during the pandemic, even as unemployment has surged. Yet Lopez Obrador's approval ratings, in several polls, remain over 60% - proof, some analysts say, of his political mastery.

Many of Lopez Obrador's followers come from the country's poorest communities, traditionally neglected by the country's political elite. They are fiercely loyal to the president, who frames his social policies as a historic effort at narrowing the nation's stark inequalities. Even a vaccination campaign is an opportunity to showcase his progressive bona fides.

The federal government has taken control of the vaccination program, choosing which municipalities are prioritized, deploying military units and dispatching doctors, nurses and federal officials as part of vaccination "brigades" in an extensive ground operation.

This month, the government released a list of 333 "highly marginalized" municipalities that would receive the first doses.

"We are merely starting in the most remote communities, where there are more needs and also where there is not enough health infrastructure to deal with covid cases," Lopez Obrador told reporters. He dismissed the idea that he was using vaccines for political ends: "It's offensive."

Twenty-four of the 333 municipalities, as well as San Pedro el Alto, are in Mexico state. Most are remote and rural - they lie along the winding, narrow roads that climb through the hills of the state. The municipality of San Felipe, where San Pedro is located, has seen 392 coronavirus cases out of a population of 121,000.

The state health department has questioned the federal government's approach there, too.

"Although we have been very respectful of the government's decision, in my opinion we should be prioritizing other subgroups of people at risk, like, for example, those with preexisting medical conditions and comorbidities, instead of focusing on geographical criteria," said Gabriel O'Shea, the state health minister.

Last month, the government began vaccinating thousands of teachers in Campeche, one of Mexico's poorest states. Health workers poured into the streets to protest the decision, complaining that many nurses and doctors had not yet been given their shots.

Next up are the teachers of Chiapas, Mexico's poorest state. Chiapas and Campeche both have midterm elections this year, considered a critical test for Lopez Obrador's Morena party - a link frequently drawn by critics.

In some countries, residents of small towns are expected to travel to the nearest urban center to be vaccinated. In Mexico, the opposite is happening: Some people have begun to drive from major cities to the tiny marginalized towns prioritized by the federal government. Some are being turned away. But in San Pedro el Alto this week, they were allowed in.

Carlos Vilachis, a merchant from Toluca, the state capital, traveled to several prioritized rural communities before he found a spot in San Pedro el Alto. He was grateful for the vaccine but criticized the approach that left him unable to get it in his city, one of the largest in the state.

"I understand and applaud they are giving it to those who have no access to medical services in these communities," he said. "But they should not disregard the big cities where there are a lot of more cases."

Public health analysts outside the government agree.

"The rationale is: 'We are doing it this way because it is time to make justice,' " said Xavier Tello, a health policy analyst in Mexico City. "The problem is that the government has not shown any evidence that supports the epidemiological calculus behind this decision. They have not shown any evidence of higher mortality rates in those places, and so they are wasting vaccines and diverting them from places where they are more needed."

Even in San Pedro, pride that the town had been chosen as a vaccination destination quickly devolved into anger. So many people had arrived from neighboring municipalities that health workers quickly ran out of doses.

On Tuesday morning, a few hundred people gathered in the central plaza. Many of them had traveled across the state the night before and slept on the ground in hope of securing a place in line. Soon, they were informed that there were no doses left for them.

Moises Garcia Sanchez, a retired lawyer wearing a cowboy hat, who had arrived at 4 a.m. from a nearby town, said he was furious and disappointed about making the trip after getting his hopes up.

"The president is supposed to help us and now they leave us out in the cold for nothing?" he said. "'First, the poor'? First the poor to step on, is what he really means. It's just a political slogan for him."

"Now, we will never be able to get the vaccine," he muttered angrily.
12:59 | Cusco (Cusco region), Feb. 25.









Benavente welcomed the Government measures, which authorize the reactivation of activities such as visits to museums and archaeological sites.









"We have been coordinating with the Government and implementing measures in the region to maintain a balance between sanitary control and economic reactivation," Benavente told RPP radio and TV station.





"Cusco is seeing encouraging figures concerning the pandemic and has started to witness a decline in the number of deaths and new COVID-19 cases. We hope this drop will continue," he added.





He went on to say that Cusco could not wait any longer and that the reopening of Machu Picchu and archaeological sites will be the main signal guiding the economic reactivation in the region.





"Cusco has instituted important health protocols to facilitate safe corridors for tourists. We need to embark on an aggressive, although gradual and responsible reactivation," the official pointed out.









The governor emphasized that the coronavirus pandemic's economic impact on Cusco is huge, adding that the region lost around S/5 billion (about US$1.36 billion) in revenues last year.





"We have to reactivate ourselves and look forward," he stressed.





Moreover, he reported that the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will reopen to visitors, too. Maintenance works were being carried out along the path in the meantime.





(END) MAO/RMB/MVB

The Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu Peru's main tourist attraction will reopen to tourists starting Monday, March 1, Cusco Region Governor Jean Paul Benavente confirmed on Thursday.Published: 2/25/2021
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THOUSANDS of nurses and other health workers in public hospitals, including major referral hospitals  Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe  are resisting to be vaccinated against Covid-19 using the Chinese donated Sinopharm doses.

There has been a raging debate over the efficacy of Sinopharm vaccine as government has failed to adequately communicate information about the vaccine which was handed over to Harare by Beijing a fortnight ago.

Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga was the first to volunteer to take the jab at Wilkins Hospital in Harare.

Health sector workers this week said they were hesitant to participate in the vaccination programme due to fears of side effects of the vaccine.

Sinopharm is said to have 76% efficacy rate and has been taken in many countries including Brazil, Egypt and United Arab Emirates, among other countries.

Vaccines manufactured by Western countries such as Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca have efficacy rates of over 80% while the Russian Sputnik V vaccine stands at 92%.

An investigation by the Zimbabwe Independent showed that nurses and other health officials at Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe hospitals were reluctant to take the jabs, citing lack of information about the vaccine.

Nurses who cannot be named for professional reasons said although the vaccination was voluntary, there was low uptake.

Workers are dreading the whole process. Its fear of the unknown because, you know, a lot of conspiracies have been going on about these vaccines. No one knows how this vaccine works; so there is serious scepticism. Hospital bosses tried to force workers to go, but in turn, we asked the officials to lead by example. They are also afraid to get the vaccine, a nurse at Sally Mugabe hospital said.

At Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, a few people participated in the first week of the vaccine roll out. There has been a lot of unverified information about the Sinopharm vaccine, sparking fears, as many shy away from the inoculation process. Government has prioritised frontline workers in the health sector in the first phase of the vaccination exercise.

Health and Child Care ministry spokesperson Donald Mujiri said they were still compiling figures of those who have been vaccinated.

I dont have the figures right now. We are expecting figures in the afternoon (yesterday), he said.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo confirmed the low participation of health workers.

I can confirm that people are afraid. However, vaccination is the way to go. The reports we receive show that there was a low turnout on Monday but it seems the number is increasing slowly. But as more information trickles in from government about the vaccine side effects and efficacy details, maybe things will change for the better, he said.

There is need for government to properly dispense information about vaccines because there is a lot of information on social media. Government has to publicise reliable information on all media platforms to build confidence among health workers and the general populace.

Dongo said government is supposed to consult health workers before rolling out the vaccines.

Early this week, the Health and Child Care ministry said 1 314 out of 46 000 health workers had taken the jabs.

There is fear among the people and the first phase has to work because this will then instill confidence. In government, there are 20 000 nurses and all health workers are over 46 000. If its true that 1 314 have taken the vaccine; what percentage is that? There is a problem. Government should clear the air about the vaccines. The messages should be dominant on all social media platforms so that we win the hearts of health workers and citizens. We are encouraging our people to get vaccinated, he said.

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association could not comment on the matter. Zimbabwe Independent


Circus Lioness Who Was Painfully Declawed Seemed Sure to Die, Until Rescuers Give Her a New Life

Sasha the lioness once lived a cruel life in captivity with a circus in Guatemala, where she was starved, beaten, overworked, and kept in a tiny cage.

When she and 5 other lions, and 12 tigers, were rescued by Animal Defenders International (ADI), veterinarians thought Sasha was facing certain death. But shes defied all of their predictions and is now recovering after a miraculous surgery.

Daily Mail reports that at the time of her rescue, Sasha was in horrific condition. Not only was she kept in a tiny cage for six years, fed scraps, and forced to perform three times a day, but her owners artlessly declawed her, causing significant injury to one of her paws.

By the time she was transported to ADIs wildlife sanctuary in South Africa, the 8-year-old lions leg was so badly injured, shed developed a debilitating limp. Her toe had been crushed, causing an infection that had developed into bone cancer. Veterinarians were sure she would lose her leg, and that she would eventually have to be put down.

But the possibility of surgery offered a sliver of hope for Sasha.

Experts attempted a groundbreaking procedure that removed about 3 inches (8 cm) of infected bone from Sashas leg. They replaced the missing bone with a titanium rod, support mesh, and medical cement to restimulate bone growth.

The four-hour surgery was an unprecedented success, much to the joy of rescuers.

ADI vice-president Tim Phillips shared that Sasha was pain-free after her surgery.

We thought she was doomed, he said. Shed have struggled if we couldnt save the leg.

Sasha is such a sweet personality but shes also a fighter, ADI president Jan Creamer added. She existed in an oppressive environment where every day was full of fear. It has been a long, tough road to get these lions and tigers to safety but it is wonderful to witness.

The organization posted an update on Facebook on Feb. 2.

Her toe had been crushed when the circus cut off her toes to stop her claws growing, it led to cancer in her leg, they wrote. Veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell fixed her leg with a titanium implant and also removed some tissue causing her to grow a mane. 8-year-old Sasha returned home from hospital two weeks ago. 

Sasha remains very cautious about putting weight on her leg, which is a good thing. This will be a slow process.

They added that she received a visit from her lifelong lion-friend, Kimba, who came to cheer her up after her surgery.

We are happily stunned and grateful at everyones response, ADI said, thanking all who donated to the lionesss surgery. We took a chance on a revolutionary operation, and you supported us and Sasha.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
SUZHOU, China, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. ("GCLSI" or "the Company") (Shenzhen:002506), a leading photovoltaics (PV) company in China, has successfully delivered an order of its G-Home Solar Kits to Enpal, Germany's cutting-edge solar energy solutions provider. This represents a major step forward in GCLSI's evolution in overseas markets, as it grows from a supplier of standard new energy equipment to a customized solutions service provider as well.

G-Home Solar Kit comprises GCL high efficiency modules and balance of system (BOS). As the system is pre-assembled, it simplifies installation and cuts installation time significantly. In September 2020, GCLSI signed a strategic agreement with Enpal to supply 5,000 G-Home Solar Kits. A German distributed energy company seeking to offer household new energy solutions, Enpal is an emerging force in the smart new energy industry.

"GCLSI is capturing the overall market direction with our products and services, and our current transformation reflects the important evolution that we are going through," said Thomas Zhang, CEO of GCLSI. "Boosted by our technological advantages as well as our in-depth focus on the German market, we are very pleased to complete this delivery to Enpal and will soon bring our G-Home Solar Kit product to the broader international market."

GCLSI's G-Home Solar Kit is a high-quality and one-stop solution for homeowners. Its adaptable and customizable kit is able to serve a variety of roofs, facilitating set-up and installation for different customers and needs. Adopting GCLSI's G-Home Solar Kit, with the capability to merge energy storage and home energy management systems (HEMS), enabling homeowners to capture solar energy throughout the night and serving as a smart, ecological energy solution.

GCLSI has intensified its focus on technology R&D in recent years, providing technical design services for different types and scales of PV power generation systems. It is able to leverage its complete industrial supply chain management system, offering customers the most optimal and suitable system and product solution. As it moves forward in its global expansion, GCLSI is committed to exploring broader prospects and providing even more solutions in the German clean energy market.

About GCLSI

GCL System Integration Technology Co. Ltd (002506.SZ) (GCLSI) is part of the GCL Group, a global energy conglomerate, China's largest non-state-owned Energy Company with a focus on new energy, clean energy, and related services. GCL System Integration currently has operations all over the world and has five-module production bases in mainland China and one in Vietnam, with a module capacity of 8GW, and an additional 4.3GW of high-efficiency cell capacity, making it a world-class module producer. For more information, please visit https://www.gclsi.com/.

SOURCE GCLSI

Related Links

https://www.gclsi.com/


LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Josh Venable, a longtime Michigan GOP operative and chief of staff to former U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, can trace the arc of the state's Republican Party clearly.

This was the state where to be Republican was defined by Gerald Ford and George Romney, Venable said, referring to the moderate former president and former governor.

Now, he said, it's defined by Mike Shirkey, the state Senate majority leader who was overheard calling the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot a hoax"; Meshawn Maddock, the new co-chair of the state party who backed former President Donald Trump's false claims of voter fraud; and the Proud Boys.

While the state has swung back to Democrats since Trump's narrow 2016 win, choosing President Joe Biden by more than 150,000 votes, Michigan's Republican Party has taken a hard right turn.

Its own Capitol in Lansing was the rallying point in April for armed Michigan Liberty Militia protesting pandemic restrictions, including some members who were later charged with plotting to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The rightward lurch has altered the GOPs image to one unrecognizable to its pragmatic 20th century standard-bearers, and the direction of the state party here could be an exemplar of other Midwestern battleground states.

The move to more hard-line, extreme views in Michigan came into clearer view Wednesday when it became known that Trump devotees, no longer content with the GOP as their political home, had filed a petition with the state elections board to form a new Patriot Party.

Decades in the making, and punctuated loudly by Trump's 2016 win, Michigan's drift from the GOP's center has prompted departures from traditional conservatives and retribution against moderates.

It's ominous for a party that suffered defeat statewide in 2018 and 2020 and where some Republicans worry it has cost the party credibility in a place long viewed as a bulwark of Midwestern common sense.

Story continues

The shift is rooted in a combination of economic dislocation caused by staggering job losses in the manufacturing sector and a cultural shift further to the right on issues like guns and abortion.

The state's economy was suffering even before the Great Recession, which only fomented working class discontent.

From 2000 to 2010, Michigan had shed more than a million jobs, more than any state, most of them in manufacturing. Many were in the automotive industry in larger metro areas. But single-factory small towns to the north also were flattened, as the North American Free Trade Agreement and the globalization it represented sparked losses that ballooned with the 2008 economic crash.

All these things were a catalyst, said Ken Sikkema, a former Michigan GOP Senate leader whose Grand Rapids district lost 5,000 jobs with three plant closures just before the 2008 crash.

This building resentment that people just didnt agree economically or culturally with the direction percolated and exploded," Sikkema said.

Traditional conservatives like Paul Mitchell and others were casualties. Mitchell, who retired from the U.S. House after two terms representing working-class eastern Michigan, later quit the GOP and assigned responsibility for the Jan. 6 riot to Trump, for whom he voted twice.

Michigan's two Republican congressional moderates, Fred Upton and Peter Meijer, have been censured by county party committees for voting to impeach Trump.

On Tuesday, the GOP committee in Cass County, Upton's home, sided with Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia over Upton, who voted with Democrats this month to strip Greene of her committee assignments for suggesting, among other debunked theories, that mass school shootings were false flags.

In their resolution, they stated that her comments have not been out of line with anyone elses comments,' Upton, a 34-year incumbent, posted on Twitter on Wednesday about the Cass County GOP. Really?

Meijer, elected last year, said the party will continue to lose supporters if they celebrate and encourage its hard-right elements.

If were strictly a litmus test party, were going to drum out some of the people we need to be able to win competitive elections, Meijer said.

Though the ascendance of the right in the party became starkly clear in the last year, there have been other signs of the direction Republicans were heading.

In 2012, outspoken social conservative state Rep. David Agema surprised party regulars by ousting longtime establishment Republican Saul Anuzis as national committeeman.

Former Gov. Rick Snyder, Gateway Inc.'s former CEO, fit the change theme of 2010, but his moves to tax pensions, expand Medicaid under the 2010 federal health care law and spend $617 million to bring Detroit out of bankruptcy drew a backlash.

Snyder, who campaigned against partisanship, all but ignored the political spadework of building the party as his predecessors had done. The resulting vacuum provided a stage for figures such as Maddock to seize.

Forces of nature take over at that point, and those forces were definitely tilting right, extreme far-right," said Venable, who was state Republican Party chief of staff in 2010.

The void ceded space to right-wing extremism and allowed a relationship with Republican leaders and Michigan's long-active militia to develop.

Maddock was a Trump delegate to the 2016 national GOP convention but took on a more prominent role in 2020 with the national Women for Trump Committee.

She helped organize the April protest in Lansing, where militia brandished rifles in the Capitol, and she later posted images from the event of Whitmer altered to resemble Adolf Hitler.

Maddock also helped organized Michigans 19-bus delegation to Washington last month to protest the 2020 election results. Though Maddock spoke at the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 5, she said she was absent from the deadly U.S. Capitol siege that followed Trump's speech on Jan. 6.

Nodding to the emerging right wing, Michigan GOP fundraiser Ron Weiser invited Maddock to share the ticket for his bid to become state party chair. Weiser was elected chair, and Maddock his No. 2, on Feb. 5.

All the while, Michigan's GOP leadership has for the first time in memory bestowed legitimacy on its state's militia, long relegated to the shadows.

Weeks after the April demonstration in Lansing, Shirkey, the state Senate majority leader, accepted an invitation to meet with militia leaders after they sought him out for calling some of the Capitol protesters jackasses.

Days later, Shirkey pressed a crowd of militia in Grand Rapids to remain vigilant.

We need you now more than ever to continue to train, he told the group in Grand Rapids, urging them "to stand up and test that assertion of authority by government.

The embrace of the militia reflects a jarring shift for these right-wing, paramilitary groups from the fringe to the center of the GOP power centers.

These people had always been marginalized, but youve got leaders in the party enabling their behavior now," said Mitchell, the retired former Republican congressman. It's a total pendulum swing.

___

Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.
A man is in custody after he called police Thursday night and reported that he fatally shot a drug-using house guest that morning who held him and his wife hostage for days in north Houston, officials said.

Tracy B. Miles, 46, faces a charge of felon in possession of a weapon in the incident that sent authorities to a corner market at 330 Rosamond Street about 11:30 p.m. Miles told police he had shot someone at a different location and explained the circumstances of the shooting, said Lt. E. Pavel of the Houston Police Department.

Police recovered a gun in the bathroom of the corner store where the suspect told them it would be, Pavel said.

Miles then took officers to his apartment on the 200 block of Rosamond Street where the shooting happened, Pavel said. Officers found a 34-year-old man dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside the apartment.

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Miles told authorities that the victim had been staying at his apartment for a few days, Pavel said. However, the guest allegedly started smoking meth and did not allow the man and his wife to leave their home, holding them at gunpoint.

The shooting happened Thursday morning when the guest again refused to let the couple leave their residence. It's unclear how the tenant obtained a gun.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene to "see exactly what occurred," Pavel said. The victim was not identified.

"Theres still a lot of questions obviously, since the shooting appears to have happened in the morning," Pavel said. "Our first question is, why did you wait so long?"

Miles has been convicted on a felony cocaine possession charge. No charges have been filed against him in the shooting.
Palestinian children wait to receive charity meals at al-Zaitoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, on Feb. 8, 2021. Samira Abu Amra, a Palestinian woman from al-Zaitoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza city, cooks a massive amount of food twice a week for the neighboring families in need. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Samira Abu Amra, a Palestinian woman from al-Zaitoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza city, cooks a massive amount of food twice a week for the neighboring families in need.

She came up with the idea after a benefactor from Kuwait donated her some money that she decided to share with neighbors by providing them with free food.

"The people here rarely eat meat because they cannot afford it, so I am trying to pamper them with delicious meals," the 48-year-old woman said, while holding a large spoon and stirring a potato soup.

Gaza is home to thousands of needy families that lack the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and housing.

On Mondays and Thursdays, dozens of children queue in front of Amra's house to enjoy her dishes.

Mohammed Ahmed, 12, gave an ear-to-ear grin when it was his turn to get the ration for his 10-member family.

"My father does not work and we do not have money to buy meat," the boy told Xinhua.

"We live in a forgotten area. No one remembers us herr. Only Samira does. She is a poor woman and knows our feelings," Ahmed said.

"I feel happy when I see the smiles on the children's faces when they take their food," Amra said, adding she knew "how it hurts when you cannot find food."

As one of the most densely populated areas in the world, the Gaza Strip has been under a tight Israeli blockade since the summer of 2007, when Hamas forcibly seized the Palestinian coastal enclave from the forces loyal to the Palestinian Authority.

The 2007 crisis also further severed Gaza's access to humanitarian assistance. In September 2020, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Palestinian Territory commented that Gaza was on the brink of being unliveable.

Amani Sayed, a mother in her 30s, expressed her happiness that she was able to feed her children with Amra's assistance.

"It is not easy to see your children (hungry) without food, but what can we do amid these unprecedented economic crises?" she lamented.

Sayed said her husband lost his job a year ago when the coronavirus started to spread in Gaza and the Hama authorities imposed lockdown on the enclave.

"In the past, my husband and I were able to keep our children afloat, but now everything has changed and the situation has deteriorated," she told Xinhua.

According to official Palestinian statistics and the World Bank, the unemployment rate in Gaza, which had reached 46 percent in early 2020, is among the highest in the world.

In addition, the poverty rate and the extreme poverty rate in Gaza have risen to 53 percent and 33.8 percent respectively, according to the latest statistics issued by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
A 20-year-old woman died on Thursday after she fell from an aurorickshaw following a scuffle with her boyfriend at the NH 24 flyover here.

The woman, who has been identified as Paramjeet Kaur, was admitted to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

During the course of initial enquiry, it was found that the deceased person and her boyfriend Hritik met at a park near the Ashram Chowk. According to the police, the two had an altercation when they were about to board an auto after another person named Siddharth, who also happened to be a boyfriend of Kaur, arrived at the spot.

Hritik then reportedly slapped Kaur several times after they boarded the auto enroute the woman's home at Kalyanpuri. The police said that when the auto reached the NH 24 flyover, Kaur reportedly fell from the vehicle, as told by Hritik and the auto driver, who has been identified as Shamshul Ali.

"Thereafter, both Hritik and Siddharth, who was coming after them, admitted Kaur to a hospital in Pandav Nagar and informed her parents. But the doctors at the hospital declared her dead. Legal action is being taken," said R.P. Meena, DCP, South East Delhi.
Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi is said to be 'missing' after a military junta moved her from house arrest to an undisclosed location as violent protests continue.

Suu Kyi, 75, had been detained under house arrest in the capital Naypyitaw since the coup on February 1 but has since been moved, the Myanmar Now website said earlier today, citing officials in her party.

The National League for Democracy sources said she was taken away six days ago, the website reported.

'We don't know where she's being kept anymore,' Myanmar Now quoted one senior NLD source as saying on condition of anonymity.

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, (pictured previously) had been detained under house arrest in the capital Naypyitaw since the coup on February 1 but has since been moved, the Myanmar Now website said earlier today, citing officials in her party

Khin Maung Zaw, a lawyer for Suu Kyi, had previously complained that he had been given no access ahead of a court appearance set for March 1.

'I need instructions from her on how to conduct our defence at the court... I'm concerned that there will be a loss of rights to access to justice and access to legal counsel,' he said.

Authorities immediately did not respond to a request for comment.

It comes as police attempted to disperse protesters in Myanmar's two biggest cities on Friday by firing stun grenades, rubber bullets and guns into the air in a crackdown on weeks of demonstrations that have challenged the army's bid to re-impose its rule.

At least one person was wounded in the protests in the main city of Yangon, a witness said.

Several people were also hurt in the second city of Mandalay where an emergency service worker said children were hurt there and media published pictures of two with minor injuries as well as of one man with a bloody leg wound.

It was not clear how they were hurt.

Police were not immediately available for comment.

It comes as police (pictured earlier today) attempted to disperse protesters in Myanmar's two biggest cities on Friday by firing stun grenades, rubber bullets and guns into the air

Several people were also hurt in the second city of Mandalay. Pictured: An injured protester is escorted as police tried to disperse a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay earlier today

The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the army seized power on February 1 and detained government leader Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership after the military complained of fraud in a November election her party won.

The election commission said the vote was fair.

There have been daily protests and strikes by democracy supporters for about three weeks, often drawing hundreds of thousands of people across the ethnically diverse country.

'One house let me in to hide,' a journalist told Reuters from the scene. 'I can't leave yet as the police are very near and firing into the air.'

Several people were detained, witnesses said, among them a Japanese journalist who was held briefly.

At least one person was wounded in the protests in the main city of Yangon (crowds pictured there earlier today), a witness said

Police also broke up protests in the capital, Naypyitaw (crowds pictured), the central town of Magwe and in the western hill town of Hakha, according to witnesses and social media posts

Police also broke up protests in the capital, Naypyitaw, the central town of Magwe and in the western hill town of Hakha, according to witnesses and social media posts.

Security forces have been more restrained than they were during earlier bouts of protest in the course of nearly half a century of military rule.

Military chief General Min Aung Hlaing says authorities were using minimal force.

Nevertheless, at least three protesters have died and the army says a policeman was also killed.

Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar's independence hero, spent nearly 15 years under house arrest under previous juntas.

Several people were detained (one pictured being escorted by police), witnesses said, among them a Japanese journalist who was held briefly

Security forces (riot police pictured in Yangon) have been more restrained than they were during earlier bouts of protest in the course of nearly half a century of military rule

She faces charges of illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios and of violating a natural disaster law by breaching coronavirus protocols.

Protesters say her party's election victory must be respected.

But the military replaced the election commission's top officials and its new chairman, citing fraud and voter-list errors, said on Friday the polls had been annulled, the Irrawaddy online media outlet reported.

The NLD said in a statement the ruling was an insult to voters and the military did not have the authority to appoint a new election commission.

The army has promised a new election but has not set a date.

A vote is not expected until after a one-year state of emergency the military imposed when it seized power.
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I recently returned from Northwest Territories, where Id been working as a physician for six months. Now, back in Nova Scotia, Im reflecting on what its been like to have worked in areas of Canada with relatively few cases of COVID-19.

A large part of my work is hospital medicine. As the name implies, a hospitalist is a doctor who cares for patients admitted to the hospital. Often, we work seven days in a row, with a few of those nights being on call. Hospitalists care for patients with a variety of conditions. Examples might be pneumonia, heart conditions, or a broken hip.

In addition to my work as a hospitalist during the pandemic, I was also able to witness the approaches of two separate Canadian public health departments. Just like they do in different U.S. states, laws in Canada vary across provinces. In two particular Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories, there happened to be more similarities than differences. Here are some approaches that have worked quite well in both regions.

First, both locations have a mandatory two-week isolation period, and it is taken seriously. This is similar to the 7-day isolation period that the CDC instructs U.S. citizens to return from international travel. Before traveling to Yellowknife, I had to submit a self-isolation plan, and my documents were checked upon arrival. Only essential workers were permitted in the territory. From the airport, I had to go directly to my hotel. My food was delivered to my door. Rule-breakers received fines in the thousands of dollars.

I have now completed my two weeks of self-isolation back in Nova Scotia, where the rules are very similar. At Halifax Stanfield International Airport, I had to give my email address. On a daily basis, I had to check-in online to report any symptoms. Northwest Territories had a comparable online check-in system.

In both places, testing is very accessible. Nova Scotia Infectious Disease leaders made headlines in recent months after opening pop-up test sites. A Halifax nightclub was converted to a test site one night for people who were out downtown.

In both Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories, public health leadership is strong. Dr. Kami Kandola and Dr. Robert Strang are examples of excellence as Chief Medical Officers of Health. They are role models. Their efforts strengthen trust and organization down to the levels of hospitals and communities. Early on in the pandemic, while working as a hospitalist in Antigonish, I witnessed the physicians, nurses, and staff working tirelessly and collectively to prepare for the unknown. In Yellowknife, my colleagues took the pandemic very seriously even though there were usually no cases. They went above and beyond to advocate for their patients.

In Yellowknife, an Indigenous elder taught me about the importance of traditional knowledge and the link between health and the land in his culture. Some Indigenous communities in the territory responded to the pandemic by building on traditional knowledge such as hunting and fishing. This would help ensure safe food supplies if the pandemic resulted in the halting of goods coming in. This intelligent approach is on the backdrop of a tragic history.

In 1928, a decade after the 1918 flu pandemic, the Hudson Bay Companys ship, the SS Distributor, brought supplies up the MacKenzie River. The company also brought a particularly deadly form of the flu, killing up to 15 percent of the territorys Indigenous population. The 1918 flu is estimated to have killed at least 3,200 Indigenous people in the United States. Indigenous communities across Canada and the United States have suffered greatly during previous pandemics. This is not forgotten in Canadas north, and it should not be forgotten elsewhere.

Days before departing from the Northwest Territories, I learned that Air Canada, Canadas largest airline, had stopped their passenger service to Yellowknife, so my flight was switched to another carrier. This meant my trip back to Nova Scotia took place over the course of three days. As I boarded my flight to Edmonton, Alberta, my sense of alertness was heightened. In Toronto, I didnt leave my hotel room. Once on the plane to Halifax, I didnt take my mask off the entire time, not even to take a sip of water. (I recognize that was likely overly strict. Given what we know so far, the risk of catching COVID-19 on an airplane is probably low). But I felt a strange sense of ease and safety when I looked out my airplane window to see my home province.

The excellent pandemic management in these two regions of Canada does not mean we remain unaffected. In both Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories, the hospitals have visitor restrictions. It is heart-wrenching when patients cannot see their loved ones in person, especially during their final hours. Non-urgent appointments and surgeries were postponed, and sometimes patients medical conditions worsened as a result. Many clinics have shifted to provide more virtual care. While this has some benefits, there are also many challenges.

According to the territorial government website, Northwest Territories had an increase in alcohol-related medical visits from May to July in 2020, compared with 2019. Despite low numbers of COVID-19 cases, anxiety and depression rates for Nova Scotians during the pandemic have been among the worst in the nation. Worsening mental health and substance use outcomes during the pandemic are something were seeing widely, including in the U.S.

Public health officials do not have an easy job. They are often the victims of bullying and even threats. A man from Alberta is being charged with threatening Dr. Kandola, for example. Dr. Strang has received personal threats as well.

Last march, Canada closed its entire border to the U.S. (excluding the movement of essential goods and some essential workers) for the first time in history. Prime Minister Trudeau has claimed that the Canada-U.S. border will not be reopened until the pandemic subsides globally.

With the United States leadership changing hands, I hope that the U.S. government and community members alike support public health officials and listen to the science. As we grapple with our losses and the general changes that our society and our world has faced this past year, I have been privileged to work in two regions of Canada where the public health leadership is strong, and so are the people.

Sarah Fraser is a family physician who can be reached at her self-titled site, Sarah Fraser MD. She is the author of Humanities Emergency.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The United States praised Tanzania on Friday for finally acknowledging the resurgence of COVID-19 after claiming for months it had defeated the pandemic through prayer. But the U.S. urged the country to share infection data and accept vaccines.

"It has become clear that the virus variant has arrived in Tanzania," U.S. Ambassador Donald Wright, who is also a doctor, said in a statement. "I've been encouraged by recent statements from the Ministry of Health acknowledging COVID-19 as a public health priority in Tanzania and urging citizens to take basic precautions."

Tanzania is one of Africa's most populous countries, with some 60 million people, and during its long COVID-19 denial the director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that if the continent isn't united, "it's doomed."

High-profile deaths this month in the East African nation, including that of the vice president of the semi-autonomous island region of Zanzibar, appeared to lead populist President John Magufuli to acknowledge publicly in the past week that COVID-19 was back.

For weeks, Tanzanians had seen a rise in death notices citing breathing difficulties and cases of what health workers called "pneumonia." But countries such as Oman reported Tanzanians arriving in their countries and testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, Tanzania's president openly questioned COVID-19 vaccines, without providing evidence. Tanzania is one of the very few countries in Africa that has not signed up for the global COVAX facility to provide vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. Now those vaccines have begun to arrive, in Ghana and Ivory Coast, with more on the way.

The U.S. ambassador's statement urges Tanzania to "convene its health experts and review the evidence on vaccines." He also notes "it is critical to collect and report information about testing and cases."

Tanzania last updated its number of infections last April. That number remains at 509.

Then the ambassador turned to aid: "Here in Tanzania, we dedicated $16.4 million to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic since the first confirmed case was diagnosed in March of 2020. The United States stands ready to ramp up our efforts and we are committed to working side by side with Tanzania to defeat COVID-19."

An embassy spokesman did not immediately respond to a question about whether further aid depends on Tanzania sharing pandemic data and embracing vaccines.

Tanzania, unlike other African countries, did not lock down during the pandemic and it has promoted that to tourists and others.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Tanzania's investment minister, Kitila Mkumbo, asserted that COVID-19 "has not been one of the major concerns of investors." He added that American investors "are waiting for the pandemic to slow down so movement can begin."

And the minister welcomed the Biden administration, saying he believed that the U.S. will once again "take global responsibility of supporting developing countries like Tanzania in many aspects, like health."

Explore further African nations still encouraged to use AstraZeneca vaccine

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Photo: Amnesty International

Gunmen abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria on Friday, police said, the latest in a series of mass kidnappings of students in the West African nation.

Police and the military have begun joint operations to rescue the girls after the attack at the Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe town, according to a police spokesman in Zamfara state, Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the number abducted.

One parent, Nasiru Abdullahi, told The Associated Press that his daughters, aged 10 and 13, are among the missing.

It is disappointing that even though the military have a strong presence near the school they were unable to protect the girls," he said. At this stage, we are only hoping on divine intervention."

Resident Musa Mustapha said the gunmen also attacked a nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from interfering while the gunmen spent several hours at the school. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

Several large groups of armed men operate in Zamfara state, described by the government as bandits, and are known to kidnap for money and for the release of their members from jail.

We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria, said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF representative in the country. This is a gross violation of childrens rights and a horrific experience for children to go through." He called for their immediate release.

Nigeria has seen several such attacks and kidnappings over the years, notably the mass abduction in April 2014 by jihadist group Boko Haram of 276 girls from the secondary school in Chibok in Borno state. More than a hundred of the girls are still missing.

Friday's attack came less than two weeks after gunmen abducted 42 people, including 27 students, from the Government Science College Kagara in Niger State. The students, teachers and family members are still being held.

In December, 344 students were abducted from the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina State. They were eventually released.

Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch, noted the recent abductions and tweeted that Strong action is required from the authorities to turn the tide & keep schools safe.

Amnesty International also condemned the appalling attack, warning in a statement that the girls abducted are in serious risk of being harmed.
TERAMO, FEB 26 - Italian police on Friday arrested a Carabiniere officer who allegedly pushed drugs in order to feed his own habit. The unnamed man was placed under house arrest at Castelnuovo Vomano near Teramo in Abruzzo. Police also arrested two other pushers who allegedly worked with the officer in distributing drugs. The Carabiniere came under suspicion in August last year for using drugs. An investigation subsequently established that he was also a pusher. He had a regular clientele he sold narcotics to, police said. He did so not for profit but to pay for his own drugs, they said. (ANSA).
China surprised Taiwan with a move to block pineapple imports, stepping up economic pressure on President Tsai Ing-wens administration as it continues to spar with Beijing.

China will suspend imports of Taiwanese pineapples from March 1 after finding pests in recent shipments, Chinas General Administration of Customs said in a statement on Friday. This move was a normal precaution to protect biosecurity and prevent the import of plant diseases, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office said separately.

The move took Taiwan officials by surprise, Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung told reporters in Taipei on Friday. Beijings claims were untrue" and 100% of exported pineapples had passed tougher inspections since last year, he said.

China has a history of using trade to help it achieve its policy goals. It imposed curbs on a string of Australian imports including coal, wine, beef and lobster as relations deteriorated after Canberra barred Huawei Technologies Co. from its 5G network and called for an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pineapples are an important source of income for farmers in central and southern Taiwan. Around 11% of pineapples harvested in Taiwan are sold overseas, almost entirely to China.

While agriculture accounts for less than 2% of Taiwans $710 billion technology-dominated economy, farmers and related sectors remain an important constituency in Taiwanese politics, especially in the south.

China has increasingly stepped up pressure on Tsai, whose party supports independence. Chinese military jets have made almost daily incursions into Taiwans air defense identification zone in recent months.

Chinas Communist Party asserts Taiwan is part of its territory, a claim Taiwans government rejects, viewing the islands as a de-facto independent nation.

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[February 26, 2021] Insight School of Oklahoma Now Accepting Enrollments for 2021-2022 School Year

Insight School of Oklahoma (ISOK), an online public charter school for students in grades 6-12, is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2021-2022 school year. ISOK provides students throughout the state with the opportunity to reach their academic goals, while planning for their future in an alternative education setting. ISOK combines online instruction with the support of state-licensed teachers to provide a personalized learning experience for its middle and high school students. Graduates earn a high school diploma, and those who come to ISOK can participate in the school's credit recovery program. ISOK teachers facilitate lessons during live, interactive online classes, and students can receive support through extended class sessions and with real-time help from teachers. The school offers students the opportunity to progress faster in subjects at which tey excel and spend more time on those where they need additional help.



"At ISOK, we believe that helping students reach their full potential requires a personalized approach to learning," said Head of School Jennifer Wilkinson. "We strive to provide all students with the support they need that places them on a path to success." ISOK teachers interact with students and parents via phone, email, web-based classrooms and online discussions to ensure families feel supported and students feel appropriately challenged as they work towards high school graduation.

Throughout the year, ISOK builds a community of online learners through weekly virtual assemblies, and the school's Social and Emotional Learning program ensures students are ready to learn and succeed after high school. ISOK is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2021-2022 school year. To learn more about the school and how to enroll, visit ok.insightschools.net. About Insight School of Oklahoma Insight School of Oklahoma (ISOK) is an alternative education online public charter school that serves students in grades 6-12 throughout the state of Oklahoma. ISOK is recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education as an alternative school and is authorized by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. ISOK is tuition-free and gives parents and families the choice to access the curriculum provided by K12, a Stride company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build their skills for the future. For more information, visit ok.insightschools.net. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005005/en/

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February is Black History Month and a time to celebrate the many significant and far reaching accomplishments of black Americans. Instead were endlessly bombarded by a vitriolic media, Hollywood, and academia with claims that America was founded on slavery. Christianity is rejected as "the white man's religion that justified slavery."

A historical review shines the light of truth on these false charges.

Slavery

Despite the assertion that America cornered the market on slavery, slavery has been a worldwide institution since the beginning of civilization. Thomas Sowell, renowned black economist and philosopher, provides insights about slavery in his book (chapter titled Twisted History).

Of all the tragic facts about the history of slavery, the most astonishing to an American today is that, although slavery was a worldwide institution for thousands of years, nowhere in the world was slavery a controversial issue prior to the 18th century. People of every race and color were enslaved  and enslaved others. White people were still being bought and sold as slaves in the Ottoman Empire, decades after American blacks were freed. Slavery was just not an issue, not even among intellectuals, much less among political leaders, until the 18th century  and then it was an issue only in Western civilization. Among those who turned against slavery in the 18th century were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and other American leaders. You could research all of the 18th century Africa or Asia or the Middle East without finding any comparable rejection of slavery there. But who is singled out for scathing criticism today? American leaders of the 18th century.

Sowell shows that it was 17th-century Christians who attacked slaverys immorality.

The New York Times 1619 Project, which has been pushed into more than 3,500 schools in all 50 states, claims that America was founded in 1619  not 1776 when the colonists declared their independence from Great Britain -- when a shipload of Africans kidnapped by the Portuguese arrived in the British colony of Virginia. Yet the first cargo was indentured servants -- not slaves -- though slave laws were later passed. Upon earning their freedom over a set number of years, they received land from the state.

Not only did whites own slaves but blacks as well. One of the first slave owners in Virginia was a freed black who had been enslaved in Angola and sold as an indentured servant. After earning his freedom and receiving land from the state, Anthony Johnson became a wealthy tobacco farmer with slaves.

Though the Virginia Legislature tried repeatedly to end the slave traffic by imposing prohibitive duties, Great Britain always vetoed their legislation. It was only after American Independence that the African slave trade was abolished by the U.S. Constitution in 1809.

America Was Not Founded on Slavery

America was never a major world leader in the African slave trade. Of the 12.7 million Africans sold into slavery from 1501-1875, 46 percent went to Portugal, 26 percent to England, 11 percent to France, 8 percent to Spain, 4 percent to the Dutch, and only 2.4 percent to the United States.

There are currently 40 million slaves worldwide -- three times more than the total number in the 400-year history of the transatlantic African slave trade. Of the nearly 200 nations in the world, 94 -- nearly 50% -- still have not criminalized slavery or the slave trade.

Contrary to the progressive propaganda that we are a racist nation, the United States is ranked as one of the top nations in the world for fighting slavery, the slave trade, and human trafficking.

American writer and ex-slave Frederick Douglass was convinced by abolitionists that the Constitution was pro-slavery. After examining the document himself, Douglass concluded that the Constitution was anti-slavery. He declared, I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. To the contrary, it will be found to contain principles and purposes entirely hostile to the existence of slavery.

Many critics wrongly assert that the United States Constitution was a pro-slavery document because of the three-fifths clause, claiming that blacks were only three-fifths of a person. Douglass understood that the clause referred to representation, not to the worth of a person regardless of color.

Black History Month is a time for us to celebrate the contributions of all Americans, especially those of black heritage, and their impact that has spanned generations and will continue to impact many more in the coming years.

The list is extensive of those blacks who have contributed to our countrys history, well beyond the colonial era and our nations Founding. Their contributions include the areas of politics, service in our wars, religion, business, judicial, education, medicine, and civil rights advocacy.

Progressives care not for the great contributions of blacks, choosing instead to insult and belittle them through the race card of victimization. Their real agenda is to divide and conquer for their ultimate Marxist take down.

Conservatives have the choice to remain silent or they can stand up and speak out with the truth about what life is really like under Marxism.

Carole Hornsby Haynes, Ph.D. is an education policy/curriculum consultant, historian, business owner, and classical pianist. www.drcarolehhaynes.com / chaynes777@protonmail.com
A Brooks High School teacher is out on bond after surrendering Wednesday on two counts of school employee engaging in a sex act with a student.

Ashton Alana McCluskey, a seventh-grade math teacher, was released on a $50,000 bond.

She was indicted by a grand jury.

This stems from a State Bureau of Investigations probe into the allegations.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton previously told WAAY 31 the case was referred to the State Bureau of Investigation because the student involved is a family member of an employee with the sheriff's office.

On Thursday, the Lauderdale County School System released this statement: The Lauderdale County School System cannot comment on matters involving an ongoing investigation. The system also cannot comment on personnel matters involving specific employees. Because this is a legal investigation, any questions should be directed to the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stayed on Baghramyan Avenue in front of the parliament building overnight February 25-26. The protesters set up tents on the street.

The Homeland Salvation Movement  the initiator of the demonstrations  said they will hold a rally outside the parliament building at 13:00, February 26.

Early in the morning the movements leader Vazgen Manukyan was seen visiting the venue of the demonstration.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Hilary Duff made a drastic change to her usual blonde locks last week as she gears up for her third baby.

The 33-year-old Younger star was seen putting her bump on display with her newly dyed blue tresses, while running errands in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Recently returning home from New York after wrapping the hit show, Duff leaned into the warmer southern California weather in a red caftan dress.

Pregnancy moves: Hilary Duff, 34, shows off her baby bump and dyed blue tresses while running errands in Los Angeles, as she gears up for the arrival of her third child in a month's time

The Disney vet exuded serious vacation vibes with her ensemble, as she strolled through a mall in the patterned frock and a tan fedora.

She slipped a pair of Givenchy sandals on her feet and carried an orange shoulder bag, pulling her mask down to her chin to take a sip from her Hydro Flask.

By her side was her eight-year-old son Luca who is soon to be a big brother to her third child  the second with husband Matthew Koma  in a month's time.

Upon returning home Duff showed off her very excited two-year-old daughter Banks playing in their backyard, seeming to have just gotten home from preschool.

Quality time: Currently a mother of two, she was seen spending some quality time with her only son Luca from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie (2010 - 2016)

Playtime: After a one-on-one day out with Luca she welcomed a very excited Banks, two, home from preschool as they played in the backyard

See ya soon! The actress posted a photo of her very pregnant stomach joking 'see you in a month feet'

Earlier Thursday she shared a photo of her belly, writing 'see you in a month feet,' as she continued to marvel at her changing body.

She has been living in her loungewear as of late due to extended time at home and the pregnancy, recently launching a new collaboration with the brand Smash + Tess.

Last week Hilary shared that her new blue hair was due in part to a desire for change amid her pregnancy, joking 'at least I didn't cut bangs!'

She continued to say 'I swear this doesn't mean I'm having a boy,' adding that they still don't know the sex of their baby which has been their plan from the beginning.

Feeling blue: Last week she shared that her new blue hair was due in part to a desire for change amid her pregnancy, joking 'at least I didn't cut bangs!'; February 19

Not a reveal: Speaking about her choice to go blue she clarified that it does not mean she is having a boy

After announcing her baby news in October she shared that no gender reveal party would be had because she found it inappropriate amid the pandemic.

She told People, 'the way we are creating some excitement within the family is to wait to find out the sex on the baby's birthday.'

A first for her after knowing both sexes of her previous children in advance, Duff also added that her family and friends are equal parts annoyed and excited to find out along with she and Koma in a month's time.
FLINT, Mich., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

The deadline to register for the Settlement is March 29, 2021.

To learn more, visit www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com

This notice explains a class action settlement in the Flint Water Cases. The notice applies to you if at any time during the period April 25, 2014 to November 16, 2020 ("Exposure Period"):

(1) you were exposed to water from the Flint Water Treatment Plant ("FWTP") and you were 18 years or older at any time when you were exposed; or

(2) you were 18 years or older at any time when you owned, rented, or lived in residential property served by the FWTP, or were legally liable for the payment for such water, during that time; or

(3) you owned or operated a business served by the FWTP, or were legally liable for the payment for such water, during that time.

What is the lawsuit about? The lawsuits assert that residents of Flint and others who used or were exposed to water from the FWTP between April 25, 2014 and November 16, 2020, suffered personal injury, property damage, economic loss, or any other type of damage or injury as a result of exposure to, use of, or being obligated to pay for, the contaminated water. The lawsuits claim that when the City of Flint switched to the Flint River as the source of water in 2014, the water was not treated correctly and that it caused pipes to corrode and release lead and other contaminants into the water. Plaintiffs allege that exposure to contaminated water received from the Flint Water Treatment Plant (located at 4500 Dort Highway, Flint, Michigan 48506), during the period April 25, 2014 to November 16, 2020, has caused a public health crisis.

Settling Defendants deny any and all alleged liability, wrongdoing, violations, and/or damages. The Court has not decided who is right.

Who is included? The Settlement Class includes all persons or entities who are or could be claiming personal injury, property damage, business economic loss, unjust enrichment, breach of contract, or seeking any other type of damage or relief. Specific details on the Settlement Class and Subclasses are available at www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com.

What does the Settlement provide? The value of the entire Settlement Program is approximately $641.25 million. The Settlement Fund is allocated among different categories. Please visit www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com to see how the Settlement Fund is allocated by category. If the settlement becomes final, Settlement Class Members who participate in the settlement or do nothing at all will release all their claims against the Settling Defendants. They will not be allowed to bring any lawsuit against the Settling Defendants related to Flint water or the Flint Water Cases.

What are your options? To make a claim for money from the class action Settlement Fund, you must first submit a valid Registration Form. You may file your Registration Form online or my mail. The deadline to file a Registration Form online is 11:59 pm PST on March 29, 2021. The postmark deadline to file a Registration Form by mail is March 29, 2021. Visit www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com now to file your online Registration Form or print one out to file by mail. Those that validly file a Registration Form will later be sent a Claim Form along with instructions about how to complete the Claim Form.

If you do not want to participate in this proposed class settlement and you want to keep the right to sue the Settling Defendants about the legal issues in this case, then you must take steps to get out of the settlement. This is called "opting out" of the Settlement Class. To opt out of the Settlement Class and not participate in the settlement, you must send a written request using the Opt Out Form provided at www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com. You must mail your completed Opt Out Form, postmarked by March 29, 2021. If you are a member of the Settlement Class and do not opt out, you give up the right to sue the Settling Defendants for any of the claims released by the settlement. If you are a Settlement Class Member (and do not exclude yourself from the Settlement Class), you can object to any part of the Settlement. The deadline to file an objection is March 29, 2021. For more information on how to Opt Out or Object, please visit www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com.

The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing, currently scheduled for July 12, 2021, to determine whether the Settlement Class can be certified and whether the settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable and should be finally approved, with judgment entered accordingly. The Court will also consider the application for an award of attorneys' fees and expense reimbursement. You are welcome to attend the hearing at your own expense, but you are not required to attend. You may also hire your own attorney, at your own expense, to appear or speak for you at the hearing. For more information, call 1-800-493-1754 or visit www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com.

SOURCE United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan

Related Links

http://www.OfficialFlintWaterSettlement.com


Kentucky Senator Rand Paul grilled President Joseph Biden, Jr.'s transgender Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary nominee with probing questions on sex change procedures he likened to genital mutilation.

The Blaze reported that Paul repeatedly asked the transgender nominee Dr. Rachel Levine, who was born Richard, because his questions were avoided and not answered.

"Biden nominee refuses to answer my question about whether the government should override a parent's consent to allow a minor to receive puberty blockers or surgical amputation of breasts or genitalia," Paul said on Twitter on Thursday with a link to YouTube on the matter.

The Blaze said Paul pressed the nominee on whether the government should override parental consent for minors with gender dysphoria, especially on matters of taking hormones and of pursuing surgery for sex change. He initially asked Levine if minors were capable of making life altering decisions such as an irreversible medical procedure as a sex change, which he said is genital mutilation.

"Genital mutilation has been nearly universally condemned," Paul began his argument during the Senate inquiry, "Genital mutilation is considered particularly egregious because, as the WHO notes, it is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children."

"Most genital mutilation is not typically performed by force, but as WHO notes, by social convention. Social norm. The social pressure to conform. To do what others do and have been doing as well as the need to be accepted socially and the fear of being rejected by the community," he raised.

Paul went on to say that "American culture" has normalized the "idea that minors can be given hormones to prevent their biological development of their secondary sexual characteristics."

He compared hormonal interruption of puberty to surgical mutilation that can "permanently alter and prevent secondary sexual characteristics". He cited a report by the American College of Pediatricians that said "80-95% of prepubertal children with gender dysphoria will experience resolution by late adolescence if not exposed to medical intervention and social affirmation".

After revealing that Levine supports "both allowing minors to be given hormone blockers to prevent them from going through puberty, as well as surgical destruction of a minor's genitalia", Paul asked levine if he believed that "minors are capable of making such a life-changing decision as changing one's sex".

"Transgender medicine is a very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care that have been developed and if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as the assistant secretary of health, I'll look forward to working with you and your office and coming to your office and discussing the particulars of the standards of care for transgender medicine," Levine said.

Levine responded the same when Paul asked a second time on whether the former supports the government intervening to override parental consent on the issue. He also cited a case in the UK where a woman had a sex change to appear male during her teenage years only to regret that decision now.

"What I am alarmed at is that you're not willing to say absolutely minors shouldn't be making decisions to amputate their breasts or to amputate their genitalia," Paul told Levine.

According to The Hill, Paul was criticized for his questioning of Levine, who is a pediatrician that previously served as the Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary. The Hill said other senators questioned Levine on public health issues such as mental health and COVID-19 while Paul zoned in on transgender treatment of minors.

"Rand Paul chose devotion to anti-LGBTQ extremist groups over substance and the health of our nation--and does not deserve to hold public office," remarked LGBTQ Victory Institute Executive Director Ruben Gonzales to The Hill.

"His remarks echo the talking points of the same organizations who said gay men deserved AIDS and that LGBTQ people should be criminalized. He explicitly attacked vulnerable trans youth for his own perceived political gain and it was a disgrace," Gonzales added. "Dr. Levine is an extremely qualified nominee whose experience can help America effectively tackle this pandemic, but he took this opportunity to give voice to hate groups instead."
The death has occurred of Vincent Miller

Pairc Mhuire, Newbridge, Kildare / Monasterevin, Kildare



Miller Vincent, Pairc Mhuire, Newbridge, & formerly of Old Grange, Monasterevin, 23rd February 2021 (peacefully) after a short illness at Tallaght Hospital. Sadly missed by his wife Ann, sons Ciaran, Daryl, Kevin, daughters-in-law, Aisling & Claire, grandchildren, Evan & Heidi, mother-in-law Mary, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces & nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Vincent Rest in Peace

A private Funeral Mass will take place due to Government advice and HSE restrictions on public gatherings. Removal from his residence by Anderson & Leahy Funeral Drectors on Friday morning to arrive at St. Conleths Parish Church Newbridge for 11 am Mass. Vincents funeral can be viewed on the parish webcam at https://www.newbridgeparish.ie . Burial afterwards in St. Conleths Cemetery. Newbridge.

Those who would have liked to attend but cannot due to current restrictions can leave their condolences below.

The death has occurred of Gerard Corcoran

Oak Road, Old Connell Drive, Newbridge, Kildare / Nurney, Kildare



Formerly of Nurney, Co. Kildare.

Peacefully at St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin. Husband of the late Margaret and brother of the late Pat. Sadly missed by his loving cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May Gerard Rest In Peace

Due to current government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please feel free to leave a message in the condolence page below. Removal on Saturday morning to arrive at St. Conleth's Parish Church, Newbridge for Requiem Mass at 11o'clock. Burial afterwards in St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge. Gerard's Funeral Mass will be lived streamed on :

https://www.newbridgeparish.ie/parish-church.

The death has occurred of Rev. Professor Enda McDonagh

Professor of Moral Theology, St. Patrick`s College, Maynooth, Kildare / Dublin / Mayo



Rev Professor Enda McDonagh, Professor of Moral Theology, St Patricks College, Maynooth (1958-1995) and late of Bekan, Co. Mayo, peacefully on February 24th 2021. Sadly missed by his loving brother Gerald, nephews Michael, Diarmuid, Sean, Cathal and Ronan, their wives Rebecca, Carolyn, Fiona and Lucia, grandnephews, grandnieces, extended family, friends, Archbishop Michael Neary and the priests of the Archdiocese of Tuam and the President Rev. Professor Michael Mullaney, staff and students of St. Patricks College, Maynooth.

Requiescat In Pace

Funeral Arrangements Later

The death has occurred of Ger Molloy

Walterstown, Nurney, Kildare



Suddenly at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. Sadly missed by his loving wife Imelda, daughter Nicola, son-in-law Damien, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, his forever friend Ellie, mother-in-law Berry, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May Ger Rest In Peace

In line with HSE and government advice, a private family funeral will take place. Removal on Saturday morning to arrive at Sacred Heart Church, Nurney for Requiem Mass at 11 o'clock. Burial afterwards in St. Brigid's Cemetery, Nurney. Ger's Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the following link :

http://seeitonline.ie

Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message for the family on the condolence page below. The family thank you for your cooperation, understanding and support during this sensitive time.

The death has occurred of Rufus Nosike

Ballacollig, Mountmellick, Laois / Allenwood, Kildare



Suddenly, Beloved husband of Maureen and father of Bethel.

Sadly missed by his loving wife and daughter. Much loved son of Bartholomio and Ireoma. Deeply regretted by sister Abigail, brothers Ebuka, Ejike, Issac, uncles, Peter, Ifeanyi and Chikwado, father-in-law, Joshua, mother-in-law, Florence, brother-in-law, Eric and his wife, Laureen, sisters-in-law, Emily, Abigail, Rachel and Deborah, his large circle of friends and relatives.

May Rufus Rest In Peace.

Due to government advice regarding public gatherings, a private funeral service will take place for family in Wellbrook Funeral Home, Allenwood on Saturday 27th February at 10am. Followed by burial in St. Corban's Cemetery, Naas. Those who would have liked to attend, but due to current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message in the 'Condolences' section below.

Zoom meeting connection code is as follows.

Meeting ID 89408563679

Passcode EbqK2N

The death has occurred of John Buggy

Chambers Park, Kilcock, Kildare / Leixlip, Kildare / Chapelizod, Dublin



Formerly of Chapelizod and Leixlip. Peacefully, after a short illness at home.

John, predeceased by his loving wife Maire, dear father of Jennifer, John (Jnr) and David. Sadly missed by his family, grandchildren Shannon, Abbie, Megan, Stephen and Sophie, Jennifers husband Derek and Davids partner Susan, sister Eva, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.

May He Rest In Peace

Due to government advice regarding public gatherings, a private Funeral Mass will take place for family. Those who would have liked to attend, but due to current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message for John's family in the 'Condolences' section below.

Funeral Mass for John at 10:00am on Friday in St. Coca's Church, Kilcock can be viewed on https://www.kilcockandnewtownparish.ie/webcam/, followed by burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Family flowers only, donations to a charity of your choice.

The death has occurred of Mary Cross

Prosperous, Kildare / Allenwood, Kildare



Cross (nee Moore), Mary, Prosperous and late of Allenwood, Co. Kildare, February 23rd 2021, peacefully at Naas Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, beloved wife of the late Pat, deeply regretted by her loving daughters Esther, Christina and Rita, loving son Patrick, son-in-law Paul, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers John and Martin, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest In Peace

Due to current government guidelines, a private funeral will take place for Mary. Those would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to the current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolence section below.

Mary's Funeral Service can be viewed on Friday morning at 11am by clicking on the following link

https://prosperousparish.net/w ebcam

The commital service at Newlands Cross can be viewed on Friday at 1pm at the following link

https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/newslands-cross-cemetery-crematorium

Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

The funeral cortege will be pausing at Corrachoill Park and Brookes Mill en route to the Church of Our Lady & St. Joseph, Prosperous, for 11am private Funeral Mass. Those who would like to line the route, may do so in a safe and socially distanced manner.

The death has occurred of Colette Bailey

Leixlip, Kildare / Harold's Cross, Dublin



BAILEY, Colette (Leixlip, Co. Kildare and formerly of Harolds Cross, Dublin 6) February 21st, 2021 (peacefully following a short illness) in the loving care of the staff at The Mater Hospital. Beloved wife of the late Gerard F. Curran and much loved mother of Amber Catherine and Aidan. Sadly missed by her loving son, daughter, sister Irene, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces Deborah, Victoria and Siofra, nephew Steven, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends.

May She Rest in Peace

A private funeral will take place due to government advice regarding public gatherings. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral; but due to current restrictions cannot, may join the online private Funeral Mass on Thursday February 25th at 11am by following this LINK.

Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.
Damali Mukhaye

The ministry of education has asked education institutions across the country to adhere to the recommended reopening dates as they prepare to reopen for their learners next week on March 1st in a staggered manner.

Speaking at state house Entebbe at the release of 2020 final semester examination results of Uganda nurses and midwives, the ministrys Permanent secretary Alex Kakooza says that continuing students studying Nursing and midwifery are all slated to report on March 1st while the first year students in this category will report on 15th March.

He says all institutions should adhere to the recommended reopening dates issued by the ministry of education and ensure that they observe standard operating procedures issued by government.

By Iain Marlow, Archana Chaudhary and Kari Lindberg

Indias huge capacity to make coronavirus vaccines is helping the country take on China in the battle to gain political influence across the developing world.

Competition among poorer nations to get cheap or free vaccines to fight the pandemic had given China a golden chance to strengthen ties in emerging markets it has been courting for years. And initially Beijing seemed in a strong position. It suppressed the domestic spread of Covid-19 last year and accelerated the production of shots.

At the same time, India was struggling to contain one of the worlds worst outbreaks of the virus, with nearly 100,000 cases a day, while a nationwide lockdown sent its economy into recession for the first time in 25 years.

But Chinese pharmaceutical companies have been reticent in sharing details of their pivotal vaccine trials crucial for building public trust around the world, and new domestic outbreaks reinforced the urgency of inoculating Chinas own 1.4 billion population, a task that could take years. Meanwhile, India sent millions of doses to neighboring Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, allowing them to begin vaccinations earlier than if they had waited for Chinese doses.

Read | India sent over 3.61 lakh coronavirus vaccine doses to various countries: MEA

Because of their gift, Sri Lanka has been able to start vaccination immediately, said Eran Wickramaratne, a Sri Lankan opposition lawmaker who received one of the Indian shots. Most Sri Lankans would be thankful for this.

So far, New Delhi has managed to ship nearly 6.8 million free vaccines around the world. China has pledged around 3.9 million, according to publicly available information compiled by Bloomberg, some of which have yet to arrive.

Beijing and New Delhi have long competed for influence in Asia, and tensions between the two have risen since the pandemic struck, including their most violent border clash in decades. India has banned hundreds of Chinese apps, including ByteDance Ltd.s TikTok, sought to attract investors away from China and boosted security ties with Japan, Australia and the U.S.

The rapid growth of Chinas economy -- now roughly five times the size of Indias -- has allowed Beijing to forge ties with poorer countries by loaning tens of billions under its Belt and Road Initiative.

But Covid has given India a diplomatic opportunity to pursue its aspirations of becoming a global power. Its pharmaceutical industry, especially the Serum Institute of India, had already made the South Asian nation the main supplier of essential medicines to the developing world. Now its allowing India to push back against Chinas growing influence.

A case in point is Myanmar, which has been rocked by a military coup and shares borders with both China and India. Beijing promised to send around 300,000 doses but has yet to deliver anything, while New Delhi quickly delivered 1.7 million shots.

Indian Vaccines

New Delhi recognized early on that Indian production capacity would be crucial to beating the pandemic, said Ashok Malik, a policy adviser to the Ministry of External Affairs. Last year, when Indian manufacturers were exporting the anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine -- hyped by then President Donald Trump -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was already talking to world leaders about providing vaccines, he said.

Not that India doesnt need doses itself. It too has more than a billion people to protect, and while China swiftly suppressed Covid-19, India was unable to prevent the virus from spreading rapidly.

Also Read | Wanted: More high-tech manufacturing space for a global vaccine push

New Delhi says its prioritizing its own population. But Indias ability to manufacture vaccines was always going to outstrip the nations ability to inoculate all of its own citizens. And the countrys leaders can now deploy those millions of surplus vaccines to win friends and influence abroad..

In Bangladesh, the process of vaccination has started and its going very well, at least in the cities, said Meghna Guhathakurta, who is set to get the Indian dose in Dhaka this month. She said her relatives in the Indian city of Kolkata havent been contacted and dont know when they will get vaccinated.

Even as the Covid death toll in India passed 156,000, compared to less than 5,000 official deaths in China, New Delhi promised it wouldnt engage in vaccine nationalism and block exports.

Its domestic vaccine producers were free to sell to richer nations, but the government promised to buy supplies for smaller countries, as well as its own citizens. Officials organized trips for foreign ambassadors to visit pharmaceutical hubs in Pune and Hyderabad, and assured neighbors in South Asia, the Indian Ocean and even distant Dominica and Barbados theyd get affordable vaccines and would receive initial shipments for free.

Since then, India has exported a total of more than 33 million shots -- three times as many doses as it has administered domestically, where the slow pace of vaccinations has prompted criticism and the new option for some of securing jabs at private clinics.

India, with all its problems, has been true to its word, Malik said.

Indias vaccine diplomacy has helped soothe some prickly relationships with neighbors in South Asia, where it has been fighting an increasingly sharp diplomatic battle with China, said Nicholas Thomas, an associate professor at the City University of Hong Kong, who has edited books on health challenges and foreign policy. New Delhi is pushing back.

Even on Chinas borders, Indian shots are showing up. Mongolias prime minister received one of 150,000 free doses delivered by India. On the other hand, Indonesias Joko Widodo, Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the president of Seychelles have taken Chinese vaccines.

Indias vaccine industry -- which is delivering shipments to both developing and developed economies -- has even helped ties with some industrialized nations suffering hold ups in deliveries of western doses. Canada, whose prime minister irked Modis administration by expressing support for protesting Indian farmers, asked the Serum Institute to expedite shipments.

Both the Indian-produced shots and the Chinese ones have been criticized for being potentially less effective than the vaccines of Pfizer Inc. and Moderna.

India is currently shipping Covishield, a locally-produced Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and exporting Bharat Biotech International Ltd.s home-grown Covaxin shots for clinical trials. Demand for Indian shots is expected to jump once Covaxin wins regulatory approvals, and Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddys Laboratories begins shipping the Russian vaccine Sputnik V. Chinas Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., Sinovac Biotech Ltd., CanSino Biologics Inc. and Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co. Ltd. have exported doses to countries including the UAE, Morocco, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and Brazil for clinical trials, and Beijing has promised to provide vaccine aid to more than a dozen other countries.

For developing nations hammered by the pandemic, being able to begin inoculations for high risk groups with cheap and plentiful shots that have a 60% or 70% efficacy rate in trials is better that having small amounts of a more expensive vaccine that may not be available for months.

People were a bit wary of the vaccines, as they came from India. Now the mistrust is largely gone, said Rashidul Mannan, after getting a dose of the Indian vaccine at a booth in Dhaka. I think people will look more positively to India now than before.

Developing nations will also have access to millions of shots from the Covax initiative, a program led by the World Health Organization designed to acquire doses for poorer countries. Covax aims to deliver nearly 150 million doses in the first quarter of 2021, and 2 billion by the end of the year.

Still, with western pharmaceutical firms largely focusing on rich nations struggling to contain their own outbreaks, many poorer countries will rely for at least part of their inoculation program on donations and purchases from China and India.

In pics | As Covid-19 pandemic surges, here are the top 15 countries that are leading the vaccination race

For China, free vaccines could help soften some of the ill will its generated through recent geopolitical spats, such as its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis pledge to donate 500,000 doses to the Philippines was scrutinized in a congressional inquiry in the Southeast Asian nation. The countrys vaccine procurement chief Carlito Galvez told lawmakers that Manila should set aside differences with Beijing on competing maritime claims, prompting shocked responses from an opposition lawmaker. Galvez later told the Senate: We will not compromise our stake.

One place where Chinas influence still dominates is Indias arch-rival Pakistan, recipient of some $70 billion of Chinese financing for infrastructure. Like Brazil, Pakistan gave Chinas vaccine makers the chance to carry out clinical trials they had been unable to complete at home when the number of domestic cases subsided. Pakistans health chief Faisal Sultan called it banking on an old relationship.

We lent a hand on the science part, making sure that we would have credible data for its efficacy, Sultan said in an interview.

China is also having success in Africa and Latin America -- major investment regions for Beijing. By early February, Beijing had sent vaccine aid to more than a dozen countries including Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.

In the end, the competition between China and India to provide vaccines, especially to nations where their strategic interests overlap, are likely to help not only those nations but the rest of the world.

China is facing formidable competition in its vaccine diplomacy, said Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. For countries on the receiving end, thats a good thing.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  A rural Tippecanoe County home sits in a pile of ashes.

Crews responded to a structure fire call around 3:30 Friday morning just outside of Pyrmont.

Buck Creek Fire Chief Nick Wagner told News 18 the home was occupied but all residents were able to make it out by the time crews arrived.

Rossville Fire, Sheffield Fire, and Battle Ground Fire all assisted with the call.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal is taking over the investigation as part of standard protocol.

Less than 50 miles away from one of the largest freshwater systems on Earth, groundwater is running out. Joliet is the latest city to give up on the deep aquifers, voting last month  in a decision officials called the most significant in the towns history  to tap into Lake Michigan water provided by Chicago.

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Australia has passed a new law that will force tech companies to pay publishers for news content, setting the stage for potential, similar action in other countries.

The new code, which the Australian parliament approved Thursday, "will ensure that news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate," Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in a statement.

The country's unprecedented new law had been hotly debated in recent months. Facebook and Google had opposed the initial version of the legislation, which would have allowed media outlets to bargain either individually or collectively with them  and to enter binding arbitration if the parties couldn't reach an agreement.

Facebook even shut down news pages in Australia last week in opposition to the legislation. But it said earlier this week that it would restore them after the country made some changes to the code, including a provision that "must take into account whether a digital platform has made a significant contribution to the sustainability of the Australian news industry through reaching commercial agreements with news media businesses."

Arbitration, meanwhile, will now only be used as a "last resort" following a period of "good faith" mediation.

Facebook said after those revisions were made that the new agreement would allow it to "support the publishers we choose to." It later revealed a deal with major Australian news company Seven West Media, with plans to sign more with other publishers.

Google, meanwhile, had already been trying to get ahead of the new legislation by announcing partnerships with media organizations in Australia, including Seven and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

The Australian government said that the code will be reviewed by the Treasury department after a year to "ensure it is delivering outcomes that are consistent with the Government's policy intent."

While Facebook has found a workaround to its problems in Australia, it's still forcefully defending its opposition to similar far-reaching measures.

"The events in Australia show the danger of camouflaging a bid for cash subsidies behind distortions about how the internet works," Nick Clegg, the company's vice president of global affairs, wrote in a blog post Wednesday.

Clegg, a former UK deputy prime minister, opened up about the company's decision to stop news sharing in the country in his statement, acknowledging that the move would "have felt abrupt and dramatic to many."

"It wasn't a decision taken lightly," he wrote, adding that the company had "been in discussions with the Australian government for three years trying to explain why this proposed law, unamended, was unworkable."

The company had no choice but to take swift action last week, he argued, "because it was legally necessary to do so before the new law came into force."

The showdown is set to continue. Similar case studies may soon emerge in other countries, with the United States and European Union facing growing pressure to adopt such measures. Canada's government has also said that it plans to introduce legislation in the coming months.

 Julia Horowitz contributed to this report.
XPhyto Therapeutics (CSE: XPHY- OTCQB: XPHYF) CEO Hugh Rogers joined Steve Darling from Proactive with news the company has received the first purchases of their 25 minute rapid PCR test which is being manufactured in Germany.

These tests will be used for regulatory approvals in a number of different markets. Rogers telling Proactive who big that order is and also that they have hired a very experienced sales team to take the lead on getting those test kits out to market.
Israel issues urgent ban on all seafood distribution after massive oil spill

by Uri Cohen

February 26,2021 | Source: themedialine

Israels Health Ministry late Wednesday evening issued an urgent decree banning the sale of all seafood fished in the Mediterranean Sea, as the country continues to assess the damages of last weeks massive oil spill.



According to the governments directive, no distribution or marketing of any Mediterranean seafood is allowed until further notice.



The order initially failed to specify if produce imported from other countries in the region would be approved for consumption, and on Thursday health officials issued a clarification, saying the ban only applied to marine animals fished in Israels Mediterranean shores.



Last week, approximately 160 km of Israels 190 km coastline was covered in thick black tar, causing severe damage to local plant and wildlife. The cause of the unprecedented environmental disaster is believed to have been an oil spill from a yet unidentified tanker.



A ministry spokesperson told The Media Line that while so far no evidence has shown any danger arising from fish consumption, out of an abundance of caution some samples have been sent to the Agriculture Ministrys lab for analysis, to rule out any presence of toxic particles.



The lab results are expected early next week.



Theyre forcing us into an economical disaster, on top of the environmental one, Sami Ali of Israels Fishermens Union told The Media Line. We still havent made it through the coronavirus crisis, because the government hasnt given us any support, and now were facing a new lethal measure.



All they give us is sanctions and limitations, how exactly are we supposed to make a living?



While the past years global pandemic has significantly hurt the fishing industry, not everyone in the business was affected by Wednesdays decision.



The majority of the fish sold in Israel today isnt from Israeli shores, Idi Israelovitch, owner of Idi, one of the nations most popular fish restaurants, told The Media Line. Most of what is served these days is brought in from Europe, Africa, Sri Lanka and of course Egypt. I dont know of any ban on imports from Egypt or Turkey.



The confusion mentioned by Idi forced Jerusalem to clarify its stance, allowing the shipment of foreign seafood from neighboring shores.



There was no contamination in Egypts sea, and in Turkey, its mostly fish farms so thats not affected by the spill anyway. We had a delivery arrive last night, he said. The ban is essentially on fishing, which doesnt happen all that much. So its not going to harm us too much.



David, owner of Davids Fish, one of the largest distributors in the Jerusalem area, believes the damage has already been done, regardless.



It hasnt done us any good. It causes panic among people that dont differentiate. They hear a ban on fish, theyre not going to start inquiring where its from, he told The Media Line.



I have people calling me all day, telling me theyre throwing out what I sold them. Any little thing causes a scare that can kill a small business.



David believes the whole thing will blow over in a couple of weeks. But why does the Health Ministry first issue an explosive statement and then starts thinking about the repercussions?



Others in the industry have complaints for the government as well.



Weve suffered for months, Idi insists, referring to the three consecutive nationwide closures imposed in Israel over the past year, which has led to nearly a hundred thousand businesses being shuttered for good. The government promised support cheques and grants, but most of us havent received anything.



Were a restaurant, Im used to hosting, to having guests, people, real plates. Not aluminum and carton takeaway boxes. But you do what you can to survive. Ive been luckier than others.



A week after the toxic refuse first hit its shores, Israel is still reeling from the massive tar contamination, the result of hundreds of tons of leaked oil.



Hundreds of sea turtles, crabs, fish, whales and seagulls are thought to have perished in the spill, the culprit of which is still being searched for by local and international authorities.



Parliaments Internal Affairs and Environment Committee will convene on Tuesday for an emergency session to discuss the necessary steps needed to cope with the disaster. The committee was barred from meeting until now because of the Likud partys objection, which was lifted on Thursday.



During election cycles, when Israels parliament is not in session, committees can only be convened with the approval of all parties.



Despite the thousands of volunteers combing the coastline for the past week, recovery efforts are expected to last several months, by which time the government hopes to provide at least some answers as to the events leading up to the unprecedented catastrophe.

 2001-2021. The Media Line Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Theme(s): Others.
Mash East Correspondent

Mashonaland East leading tobacco contracting company Voedsel is targeting to rake in US$75 million from tobacco sales.

Good rains received in various parts of the country have brightened prospects of improved tobacco yields for many farmers.

The Marondera-based tobacco auction floor is anticipating brisk business during this year's tobacco selling season.

Voedsel operations director Mr Tennyson Hwandi told The Herald recently that the company is expecting 25 million kilograms to go under the hammer at their auction floors this year from their 24 000 contracted farmers scattered across the country.

"With average auction sales of between US$2,70 to US$3 per kg, we are very much confident of reaching our projected targets this year, given the good rains received in the country so far," said Mr Hwandi.

He further revealed that the stability of the local currency will enhance the value of farmers' earnings.

"The prices of major inputs such as fertilizer were stable this year which made it easier for our farmers to access the commodity without hassles," he said.

Hwandi said preparations for the forthcoming tobacco season were now at an advanced stage.

"We are ready for the opening of the tobacco marketing season," he said. "Even if it starts next week, we prepared."

With some farmers already reaping their crop, the company said it was already disbursing funds to their contracted farmers to enable them to meet their labour costs.

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Small-scale farmers are getting between US$150 to US$600, while commercial farmers are getting as much as they require from the company, which they will repay after selling their crop.

"We are keen to improve earnings for our tobacco farmers," Mr Hwandi said. "We want our farmers to earn better returns to help them improve their livelihoods. We do not want our farmers to incur huge debts that will reduce them to perpetual beggars. We want to empower them to transform their lives."

Voedsel is a local company which has been involved in the tobacco value chain through contracting small-scale farmers in various provinces such as Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Mashonaland West.

Tobacco is a major cash-cow for Zimbabwe and it generates an average of US$1 billion annually, helping the country to import fuel, pharmaceuticals and other key industrial raw materials.
Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey today said keeping the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent is 'non-negotiable' as he signalled a split from the party's approach under Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Healey also said Labour's support for the NATO military alliance is 'unshakeable'.

Both issues were significant points of contention when Mr Corbyn was Labour leader despite the fact retaining the nuclear deterrent and backing NATO are both long-standing party policies.

The pledges were sometimes at odds with Mr Corbyn and his supporters, with the ex-leader having been a vocal opponent of nuclear weapons throughout his career, while in 2012 he called for NATO to be disbanded.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey today said Labour's support for the Trident nuclear deterrent is 'non-negotiable'

MPs voted in July 2016 to renew the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent. HMS Victorious is pictured off the west coast of Scotland in April 2013

Mr Corbyn's approach to defence and security issues when he was Labour leader prompted claims from critics that he was unpatriotic or had an anti-Western outlook.

Mr Healey said in a speech today that the 'the hardest doors to knock' at the last general election were those with Help for Heroes or British Legion stickers in the windows.

Speaking to the Royal United Services Institute think tank, he set out his party's future 'core principles' on defence so that voters, the military and the defence industry 'know where we, as Labour's new leadership, are coming from'.

He said: 'First, Labour's commitment to Nato is unshakeable. Second, Labour's support for the UK's nuclear deterrent is non-negotiable and we want to see Britain doing more to lead efforts to secure multilateral disarmament.

'Third, Labour's commitment to international law and the UN, to universal human rights and to the multilateral treaties and organisations that uphold them is unshakable.

'And fourth, Labour's determination to see British investment directed first to British industry is fundamental; it's fundamental not just to our thinking on defence, but on the kind of society we want to build.'

Parliament voted in July 2016 to renew the Trident nuclear deterrent but the issue caused a massive Labour split as Mr Corbyn voted against renewal despite it being party policy.

Then in April 2017 he suggested he would never use the deterrent and might scrap it if he became PM.

Mr Healey also used his speech to criticise what he claimed is a 17 billion 'black hole' in the defence budget as the Government carries out its integrated review of the military.

Support for Trident renewal and for NATO are long-standing Labour policies but they were points of contention during Jeremy Corbyn's time as party leader

He committed Labour to building four nuclear submarines at Barrow-in-Furness, adding that spending on defence in the UK is a 'force for good'.

He added: 'We cannot any longer go fudging and fumbling our way into the future, with major procurement projects at the mercy of the illusion that "something will turn up" to pay for them.

'We are the party of sovereign defence capability  we see the steel industry, the shipyards, and aerospace and materials industries as a national asset.

'We want to see a clear plan from Government to enhance these capabilities.

'We want to see, for the good of our country, as much as possible of our equipment designed and built here.'
Terrifying home security footage has captured the moment three men smashed their way into a home with a sledgehammer while carrying a tomahawk and an assault rifle.

CCTV vision showed the masked gang breaking down the front door of the Keilor East home in Melbourne's north-west on December 18.

Inside they threatened a father and pointed a gun to his wife's head before stealing $40,000 worth of possessions and the family's grey Audi sedan.

Police released the CCTV video of the break-in (a still is shown above), showing the gang breaking down the front door of the Keilor East home in Melbourne's north-west

The father told 9News he gave up what the attackers wanted to save his family and added he wants them 'to feel the consequences of their actions'.

'He was on his knees and they would wave the axe towards his head, they punched him right in front of my eyes,' his wife said.

'This was extremely vicious, extremely violent', Victorian police detective senior sargeant Daniel Jacuta said of the attack.

'I'm personally sickened and appalled by it and to be honest I don't know how anyone ever recovers from something like that.'

The same man who smashed down the front door with a sledgehammer pictured outside the home

One of the three attackers carried a semi-automatic assault rifle (seen here in a CCTV image) and pointed it at the mother's head in front of her 12 year old son - who cannot sleep after seeing the terrifying scene

The couple's two boys, aged eight and 12, were woken and traumatised by the attack.

The older boy saw one of the gang members point the semi-automatic rifle at his mother's head and cannot sleep because of it, 9News reported.

He is also receiving mental health counselling.

Victorian police issued a statement saying they wanted help finding three men.

One of the attackers was described by Victorian police as being of 'African appearance'

The family's grey Audi, registration AWH013 (pictured left) was stolen, and was seen traveling in a convoy with a white Dodge station wagon (similar to the one pictured at right)

'The first male was African in appearance, wearing a white face covering, navy Kathmandu hooded jacket and black Adidas pants with white stripes,' the police statement said.

'The second male was wearing a black and white Everest long sleeve top and black Adidas pants with white stripes.'

'The third male was wearing a puffer jacket.'

The attackers drove away in the family's grey Audi, bearing registration AWH013, which 'was last seen travelling in convoy with a white Dodge station wagon, believed to have been stolen in a separate incident.'

Police asked anyone with relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects were told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics theyre given. This week, he talks to Isabel Allende. The 78-year-old is the worlds most widely read Spanish-language author. Her books  including her 1982 bestselling debut, The House of the Spirits  have sold more than 65 million copies. Her latest novel is The Soul of a Woman.



Isabel Allende: The feminist movement is a revolution. Like every revolution, it starts with anger: you dont know where youre going. Theres no map. You just stumble along. Credit:Lori Barra

SEX

You once said, I was a feminist before the word was invented. What did you mean by that?

That I was a feminist before the word reached my family. In Chile, I lived in a very backward, authoritarian, Catholic, conservative society. My mother married the wrong man, was abandoned with three babies and had to go back to live with her father. She had no money, no privileges, no job. She was totally dependent, a charity case for her father and her brothers. I became enraged about her situation.

Whats your brand of feminism? The feminist movement is a revolution. Like every revolution, it starts with anger: you dont know where youre going. Theres no map. You just stumble along, making mistakes, finding yourself at crossroads and suffering a lot of backlash. So the movement evolves and changes. Until the patriarchy is replaced by a world in which men and women have equal [power] and masculine and feminine values have the same weight in society, we have a lot of work to do.
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Shocking footage has emerged of students at an elite private school hanging a black baby doll from a tree.

The video showed the Trinity College students, in north Adelaide, laughing during the sickening act last week.

The doll is seen dressed in a diaper and baby shirt as it had been given to the students during a parent training class.

String from a school hat is roped around the baby's neck while the student dangles it from the tree.

Two students at an elite private school have filmed themselves lynching a black baby doll before posting the clip on social media

The doll swings back and forth while the students laugh at the mock hanging.

Across the video is the caption, 'Surviving the day'.

Footage of the despicable act was uploaded to Snapchat where social media users were quick to brand it 'racist.'

Nick Hately, the headmaster of Trinity College, said he was 'appalled' by the footage.

But he told Daily Mail Australia an 'extensive investigation' of the incident which occurred last week found it was 'not racially motivated'.

'One of those dolls was black while the other was white,' he said.

The girls were given the task of caring for a doll for three days as part of a 'baby simulator' project.

'At the end of this rotation the simulators are turned off and several students thought it would be funny to film themselves deliberately mistreating the simulators,' Mr Hately said.

'They made videos of themselves smacking, banging the simulators on a table, swinging them around by the arms and tying them from their hats up a tree.

'In the age of social media sadly poor behaviour can have widespread implications.'

It is understood the girls were given the dolls as part of a parenting class at Trinity College in South Australia (pictured) - where students pay $6,930 a year to attend in Year 11 and 12

The pair were suspended for property damage and bringing the school into disrepute.

They sat out the remainder of last week as punishment and only returned to school in the past few days.

'Clearly the behaviour was appalling and juvenile and appropriate consequences, re-education and support were provided,' Mr Hately said.

The girls vehemently denied claims their actions were racially motivated but Mr Hately admitted some senior students have, understandably, had a hard time accepting this.

'We are providing opportunities for students to express any concerns to us. We take a strong stance against racism,' he said.
William Burns, nominee for Central Intelligence Agency director, testifies during his Senate Select Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing in Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 24, 2021. (Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images)

Founder of Chinese Front Group Spoke at CIA Nominees Think Tank Amid Beijing Propaganda Push

The founder of a front group for the Chinese Communist Party appeared at an event at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in May 2016, where he pushed a pro-Beijing argument regarding a decades-long stalemate over control of the South China Sea.

The speech, by Tung Chee-hwa, the founding chairman of the China-U.S. Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), was held more than 14 months after William Burns, President Joe Bidens nominee for CIA director, took over as president of the Carnegie Endowment.

The timing of Tungs visit to Carnegie would appear to conflict with Burns testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday that he cut ties between Carnegie and CUSEF not long after he took over as president of Carnegie in March 2015.

Tung, a billionaire who was formerly chief executive of Hong Kong, gave a speech at Carnegies headquarters in Washington, D.C. on May 11, 2016. The Daily Caller News Foundation has reported that CUSEF donated between $200,000 and $500,000 to Carnegie between 2015 and 2017.

During his Wednesday testimony, Burns downplayed Carnegies relationship with CUSEF, while acknowledging that the Hong Kong-based group was used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to sway public opinion and build influence.

He also acknowledged in response to written questions released before the confirmation hearing that the CCP uses CUSEF as part of a whole-of-government approachto try and influence political, economic, and cultural developments to benefit CCP interests.

Burns told Sen. Marco Rubio, who cited details reported this month by the DCNF, that he severed ties with CUSEF because he was increasingly worried about the expansion of Chinese influence operations.

He said that Carnegie subsequently launched an initiative to counter foreign influence operations, which focused on China and Russia.

Whether Tungs speech was coordinated with China is unknown, but he pushed an overtly pro-Beijing viewpoint during his speech at Carnegie, one of the most influential foreign policy think tanks in the world.

Tung spoke at length about the South China Sea, a geopolitical hotspot that has long been the center of a territorial dispute involving China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.

At the time, an international arbitration court in The Hague was deliberating rightful ownership of islands in the South China Sea.

The Chinese government waged a massive propaganda campaign in the West ahead of the arbitration courts decision, with Reuters and CNBC reporting in July 2016 that Beijing was in propaganda overdrive.

Tungs speech at Carnegie Endowment was held off the record, according to a notice at Carnegies website. Douglas Paal, a vice president at Carnegie, led a moderated discussion after the speech.

According to a transcript of Tungs prepared remarks posted at CUSEFs website, he called for peaceful dialogue between the U.S. and China, and portrayed China as a non-aggressor in the South China Sea.

I hope, from the above, you can appreciate that Chinas activities in the South China Sea have not been aggressive, nor assertive, but rather has been restrained, and aimed at promoting peace and common prosperity, read Tungs prepared remarks.

Tung asserted that Vietnam and the Philippines had acted aggressively throughout the decades-long standoff, while China has urged restraint.

Tung also asserted that international treaties provided definitive evidence supporting the legal position that the Spratly Islands, which are at the center of the dispute, actually belong to China.

He also praised the Chinese governments leaders, and asserted that China was modernizing her military is to act as a deterrent to foreign aggression against China.

The arbitration court in The Hague ruled against Beijing and for the Philippines in a decision on July 12, 2016. The court rebuked Chinas claim that it had a historical right to islands in the South China Sea. The Hague tribunal also said that China had caused irreparable harm to marine life, while putting ships from the Philippines in danger.

It is unclear if Burns attended Tungs speech. It is also unclear when Burns began cutting ties with CUSEF while at Carnegie, though the think tank maintained links to the Chinese group for at least two years after Burns took over as president.

Carnegies biography for Tung notes that he is founding chairman of CUSEF and vice chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, an advisory board for the Peoples Republic of China which is considered a central hub in the Communist Partys United Front system.

In May 2017, Tung visited the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center, which is Carnegies outpost in Beijing.

CUSEF donated between $100,000 and $250,000 to Carnegie in fiscal year 2015, and the same amount between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, according to an archived version of the think tanks website.

Chinese finance executive Zhang Yichin, who also serves on the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, joined Carnegie as a trustee in October 2016.

Yichin also gave between $750,000 and $1.5 million to Carnegie beginning in 2016. Burns praised Zhangs position on the board in a statement in 2016.

Overall, Burns was highly critical of the Chinese government during his testimony Wednesday, and agreed with Republicans that CUSEF functions as an influence agent for the Chinese Communist Party.

He called the Chinese government an adversarial authoritarian that has strengthened its capabilities to steal intellectual property, repress its own people, bully its neighbors, expand its global reach, and build influence in American society.

He also said that CCP diversifies its influence efforts by mobilizing and directing the activities of businesses, non-government organizations, and members of the Chinese expatriate community to transmit their views in multiple channels.

A spokesperson for Carnegie reiterated Burnss remarks at Wednesdays hearing, but did not address questions about when the think tank decided to cut ties with CUSEF.

As Ambassador Burns noted in yesterdays hearing, he inherited the engagement with CUSEF and ended it not long after he assumed his role as president of the Carnegie Endowment, the spokesperson said.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

By Chuck Ross

From The Daily Caller News Foundation
Then-President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing the White House to Joint Base Andrews en route to San Diego, Calif., on March 13, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Trump Endorses GOP Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas for Reelection

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday offered an endorsement of Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

Senator Jerry Moran is doing a terrific job for the wonderful people of Kansas. Strong on Military, Vets, the Border, and our Second Amendment, Jerry has my Complete and Total Endorsement for his re-election in 2022! Trump said in a statement released by his new Save America PAC.

Morans office did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) at a Senate hearing in Washington, on Feb. 23, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger-Pool/Getty Images)

Moran had voted to acquit Trump at the Senate impeachment trial earlier this month.

The Constitution does not clearly state whether a former president can be tried for impeachment by the Senate, but I believe the impeachment process is intended to be used for considering whether or not The President should be removed from office, Moran said in a statement on Feb. 13. Because former President Trump is no longer in office, I voted to acquit. Establishing the precedent that the Senate has jurisdiction to convict a former president would cause extreme damage to our country and the future of the presidency.

Moran condemned the violent actions of rioters who breached the Capitol on Jan. 6. He also criticized Trump for continuing to allege at the time that there was widespread fraud, calling Trumps action wrong.

The violence at the United States Capitol on January 6 was an attempt to subvert democracy, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Rioters and extremists sought to prevent Members of Congress and Vice President Pence from performing their constitutional obligation to affirm the results of an election, and President Trump was wrong to continue to spread allegations of widespread fraud and not immediately discourage the reprehensible and unpatriotic behavior, Moran said.

Trump in a video posted on Twitter on Jan. 6 called on Americans in Washington to go home in peace after news emerged that there was a breach at the Capitol building. His video message was blocked by social media companies, who accused the president of policy violations. On Jan. 7, both Trump and the White House separately issued statements that condemned the violence that took place on Capitol grounds.

The former president is set to make his first formal address since leaving office on Sunday in Orlando, Florida, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which begins on Friday. He is expected to express concerns about actions taken so far by President Joe Biden. Trump is also expected to lay out his vision for the future of the Republican Party and his America First agenda, and share about lessons learned in the 2020 election campaign.

Janita Kan contributed to this report.
South Dakota attorney general Jason Ravsnborg has admitted to reading a conspiracy theory about President Joe Biden moments before he fatally hit a man with his car.

During a filmed interview on Tuesday, investigators informed Mr Ravsnborg that they had examined his phone records and found that he logged into his email account at 10.20pm on 12 September 2020, just 10 minutes before he drove into and killed the 55-year-old Joseph Boever.

The investigators said that the disgraced attorney general then visited the Real Clear Politics website before reading an article about Mr Biden written by the former editor of The Washington Times, John Solomon, around a minute before the crash.

In recent years Mr Solomon has been accused of advancing conspiracy theories that have focused on alleged wrongdoing by the President and his son Hunter Biden, relating to his position on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

There is no evidence to support claims of corruption by Mr Biden or his son, but former President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Hunter and alleged that he used his fathers position for monetary gain.

Mr Trump was impeached by House Democrats in 2019 for threatening to withhold military aid to Ukraine, if the country did not investigate Hunters employment at the energy company. He was cleared by GOP allies in the Senate.

Media Matters researcher Timothy Johnson reported on Thursday that the article being read by Mr Ravsnborg prior to the crash was a piece by Mr Solomon published on Just the News focusing on unsubstantiated claims surrounding the then Democratic presidential candidate and his son.

You were on that up to about, were going to estimate, up to about a minute before the accident, you were on that. Do you remember any of these? the investigators asked the attorney general in reference to the article during the interview on Tuesday.

Well, I remember looking at it, Mr Ravnsborg told the investigators, adding: but thats when I set my phone down prior to [the accident].

Calls for Mr Ravnsborgs resignation have increased this week after investigators found the glasses of Mr Boever in his vehicle. He claims he thought he drove into a deer and didnt know it was a pedestrian until the next morning.

Recommended South Dakota House moves to impeach AG after fatal crash

Mr Ravnsborg was charged with three misdemeanor counts last week after the accident leading to the death of Mr Boever.

New evidence was released on Tuesday night, with investigators now saying that Mr Boever was hit with such force that his face came through the windshield of Mr Ravnsborgs vehicle.

I did not see those glasses until you showed them to me, Mr Ravnsborg claimed in the interview. The only way for them to get there is through the windshield, the law enforcement official responded to him, adding: His face was in your windshield, Jason. Think about that.

South Dakota lawmakers have now started an effort to remove Mr Ravnsborg from office. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem called for his resignation Tuesday, but so far Mr Ravnsborg has resisted.

Two articles of impeachment were filed Tuesday against the South Dakota attorney general, according to The Washington Post.

Mr Ravnsborg spokesman Mike Deaver told The Argus Leader that he will not resign despite the impeachment push.

Mr Deaver said: At no time has this issue impeded his ability to do the work of the office. Instead, he has handled some of the largest settlements and legislative issues the state has ever been through.

The articles were co-sponsored by the leaders of the two parties in the South Dakota House. Republican Majority Leader Kent Peterson said: This isnt about party or politics. Its about doing the right thing for South Dakota.

We must hold our elected leaders to a high standard. In this case, the Attorney General has failed to meet that standard, and we owe it to the people to bring these articles.

Democratic Minority Leader Jamie Smith added: The attorney general has lost the confidence of the people of South Dakota, and he should be removed from office for the betterment of the state.

The Independent has contacted Mr Ravnsborg for comment.
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New Delhi:

The Opposition on Tuesday jolted the Parliament by displaying two different 500 rupee notes issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

Alleging that it is the biggest scam of the century, the Congress said that the notes were of different sizes and designs. They displayed the images of two 500 rupee notes.

Senior leader of the Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad lashed out at the government saying they also ruled the country but never printed two kinds of notes. "We ruled, but we never printed two kinds of notes, one for the party and one for the government - there are two kinds of Rs. 500 notes and two kinds of Rs. 1,000 notes," he said.

ALSO READ: Congress is facing existential crisis, says Jairam Ramesh

On the contrary, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rubbished the claims accusing the grand-old party of making irresponsible statements. "There is no such provision where you flag any paper and say it's a Point of Order....irresponsible remarks are being made about the currency... Zero Hour is being misused," he said.

Another Congress leader, Kapil Sibal also targeted the government saying "Today we have discovered why the government took the demonetisation decision. The RBI (Reserve Bank of India) prints two kinds of notes in different sizes and designs."

Other opposition parties including Trinamool Congress also supported the Congress party. TMC leader Derek O'Brien backed them saying "Look at the notes. Mr Sibal has raised a serious issue."

However, the Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi raised questions on the source of the notes.

ALSO READ | Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls: Cong MLA Dharshi Khanpura cast his vote himself after EC officer denied his proxy voting request

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
"America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present"

By John Ghazvinian

Knopf.

688 pp. $37.50

- - -

The story of America's relations with Iran needs a re-examination. Why have these two nations nurtured such obsessive antagonism toward each other? Former journalist John Ghazvinian steps into the charged arena with a doorstop of a book that promises to answer the question. But after some brassy assertions in the preface, Ghazvinian's uneven and often tendentious account only compounds the confusion.

The relationship started well. There was mutual fascination. In "America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present," Ghazvinian describes some enchanting early encounters. The American Founding Fathers, rum dealers and missionaries were all drawn to Iran. This was not unusual. Wide-eyed Westerners were often intrigued by the Orient and its seemingly mysterious ways. Just as China, with its opulent palaces, porcelain and scholar-gentry, would dominate the landscape of Western imagination, Persia invited its own share of adventurers. The appeal was not only about profits and souls; the Americans also built schools and hospitals. And at the invitation of various Persian kings, American experts like Morgan Shuster and Arthur Millspaugh were dispatched to straighten out Iran's finances.

In the 19th century, however, Iran had the misfortune of being a pawn in the Great Game as Russia and Britain eyed its oil and warm-water ports. America stood alone, untainted by imperialism, a beacon of hope to many who looked for a counterweight to colonialists rampaging across the globe. As Ghazvinian acknowledges, Iran's leaders desperately wanted American leverage against their imperial tormentors. To entice Washington, they offered oil and commerce. Despite Iran's entreaties, the Americans, nestled between two great oceans and comfortable with their isolationist torpor, demurred.

After modest excursions into these early centuries of U.S.-Iran relations, the bulk of "America and Iran" deals with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his clerical successors. And it is here that the book essentially falls apart. Americans, in Ghazvinian's telling, morph from high-minded idealists to reckless Cold Warriors as the United States plays its own version of the Great Game, manipulating Iran's politics to its advantage. The author is quick to charge that the United States enabled the shah's dictatorship. The Cold War needed allies in critical regions of the world, and too many Americans turned a blind eye to the shah's misdeeds. The fact that most U.S. presidents who encountered the shah urged him to reform his politics and broaden his governing coalition is largely neglected.

Nor was the shah the one-dimensional despot depicted by Ghazvinian. He was a genuine modernizer who built cities, factories and universities and took land away from aristocrats to give to peasants. His undoing came because he refused to grant political rights to the large middle class that he himself created. The author's account is too much of a caricature to serve as a guide to a complex and contradictory personality.

As the book proceeds, there are curious choices. The momentous 1946 crisis, when the United States helped Iran rebuff Soviet attempts to saw off a large chunk of its territory, merits two pages. No matter how ingenious Iranian statesmen may have been, Joseph Stalin would not have disgorged his gains without President Harry Truman's muscle. Like so many analysts, the author chooses to skip this significant occasion to make room for a recounting of the 1953 coup that toppled the nationalist Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. Yet once more, an important event is scrubbed of all its complexity and presented in simplistic terms: CIA officer Kermit Roosevelt overthrows a prime minister who had the backing of a nation. Ghazvinian then takes his imprecise understanding of the coup and uses it to sanction the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in 1979 that led to the 444-day captivity of American diplomats. "Twenty-five years after a plot launched in the bowels of the U.S. embassy had crushed their national aspirations, it seemed, Iranians desperately needed something like this - a symbolic act that might even the score for the humiliation of 1953."

One of the more disappointing aspects of "America and Iran" is that it adds next to nothing to our understanding of Iran's revolution of 1979. This was one of the great populist revolts of the 20th century, and yet all the questions about it are ignored. Why did Iran have a revolution? Was the collapse of the monarchy inevitable? Could the shah have made adjustments to save his throne, and if so, when? How did an exiled cleric, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, come to dominate the revolutionary coalition? Even if the revolution was bound to be an Islamist one, did it have to result in a rigid theocracy? None of these questions are tackled in a meaningful way as the book merely recaps events familiar even to a casual reader.

The Islamic republic that the author describes bears little resemblance to the regime that has been in power for the past four decades. Iran's clerical rulers are depicted as well-meaning moderates whose sincere and persistent overtures to the United States have been rebuffed by presidents of both political parties. Israel looms large here as a malevolent actor that manipulated the benighted Americans into sharing its hostility toward Iran. And, in the author's telling, all along the Israelis knew better, for despite their fulminations, their private "assessment of Iran was that it was following a foreign policy surprisingly similar to that of the shah - one based on traditional, pragmatic imperatives of national interest and self-preservation." Here the ayatollahs' internationalism seems untouched by Islamist ideology. Iran's quest for the atomic bomb is explained away as a legitimate search for civilian nuclear energy. Ghazvinian similarly downplays Tehran's decades-long engagement in and funding of terrorism as nothing more than a cheap accusation by those wishing to prevent a reconciliation between Washington and Tehran. Hezbollah, Iran's most lethal protege, is, after all, just another liberation movement.

All these claims are familiar shibboleths long bandied about in progressive salons. There is simply nothing new here. Despite boastful claims of archival excavation, the author does not deeply engage the primary source material available in American repositories. On the Iranian side, there is a similar lack of engagement with real sources. This is a pity, as Persian statesmen and the clerical rulers have not lived unexamined lives. Memoirs and oral histories abound. The Islamic republic itself has released many of the shah's records, including the files of his secret police. A book that is supposed to bridge the gap in our understanding of Iran and America seems incurious about both nations' official records.

There is a need to better understand the tangled relations between Iran and the United States from their beginnings. Unfortunately, one has to look elsewhere.

- - -

Ray Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of "The Last Shah: America, Iran and the Fall of the Pahlavi Dynasty."
The one-shot coronavirus vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson provides strong protection against severe disease and death from COVID-19, and may reduce the spread of the virus by vaccinated people, according to new analyses posted online by the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday.

The vaccine had a 72% overall efficacy rate in the United States and 64% in South Africa, where a highly contagious variant emerged in the fall and is now driving most cases. The efficacy in South Africa was 7 points higher than earlier data released by the company.

The vaccine also showed 86% efficacy against severe forms of COVID-19 in the United States and 82% against severe disease in South Africa. That means that a vaccinated person has a far lower risk of being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19.

The analyses confirmed that Americans are likely to benefit soon from a third effective coronavirus vaccine developed in under a year, as demand for inoculations greatly outstrips supply. The FDA could authorize the vaccine as early as Saturday, depending on a vote of its vaccine advisory panel Friday after it discusses the newly released documents.

With a J&J vaccine, well be able to accelerate the vaccine rollout for our country and for the world, said Dan Barouch, a virus expert at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston who led much of the early research on the vaccine last year.

Johnson & Johnsons vaccine can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures for at least three months, making its distribution considerably easier than the authorized vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, which require two doses and must be stored at frigid temperatures.

But access to the new vaccine could be severely limited at first. Dr. Richard Nettles, vice president of U.S. medical affairs at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the drug development arm of Johnson & Johnson, told lawmakers Tuesday that nearly 4 million doses would be ready for shipment after the FDA authorizes the vaccine, far below the 12 million it had originally pledged to give the federal government by the end of February.

White House officials had an even lower estimate Tuesday, telling governors on a weekly call that around 2 million doses would be available next week, according to an administration official.

Nettles said Tuesday that a total of 20 million doses would be ready by the end of March. The company has a contract to deliver 100 million doses by the end of June.

Johnson and Johnsons vaccine has a lower efficacy rate than the vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, which are both around 95%.

But in South Africa, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is so far the clear winner. Novavaxs shot had an efficacy of 49% in South Africa. And a small trial in South Africa of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine found that it did not offer much protection at all. The negative results led the South African government to abandon its plan of giving 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to health care workers. Last week, the government started giving Johnson & Johnsons vaccines instead and has so far administered more than 32,000.

The newly released documents, which include the FDAs first technical analysis of the companys 45,000-person clinical trial, presented evidence that the vaccine was safe, with noticeably milder side effects than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and without any reports of severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.

The vaccines protection was consistent across Black, Hispanic and white volunteers, and also across different ages. The trial indicated a lower efficacy, of 42.3%, for people over 60 who had risk factors like heart disease or diabetes. But this figure came with a large amount of statistical uncertainty, the FDA noted.

Although several vaccines can protect people from getting sick with COVID-19, it is unclear whether the shots can also prevent people from getting infected and passing the virus to others, leading to a debate about how quickly society can return to normal after inoculations begin.

Modernas trial found some hints that vaccinated people were less likely to develop an infection without symptoms. And AstraZeneca found that its vaccine reduced asymptomatic infections by about half.

Johnson & Johnson looked for asymptomatic infections by checking for coronavirus antibodies 71 days after volunteers got a vaccine or a placebo. The new analyses estimate that the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 74% against asymptomatic infections. But that calculation was based on a relatively small number of volunteers, and the FDA noted There is uncertainty about the interpretation of these data, and definitive conclusions cannot be drawn at this time.

I think its going to add to the growing evidence that the vaccines really do prevent infection as well as prevent disease, Barouch said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Family and other connections in Longford will be delighted at the news that Andrea Feeney has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the State Examinations Commission.

Andrea lived and worked in Longford town some years ago when attached to the Department of Social Welfare.

Based in Athlone, where she was raised and attended school, Andrea also has strong Longford roots.

Her late grandfather, James Feeney, moved from Longford to Athlone many years ago, serving in the Army. James was the son of Joe Feeney who was a postman in Longford town for many years and also served in the National Army during the Civil War period and during the Second World War Emergency period.

James was the brother of the late Joseph Feeney of Teffia Park, a postman like his father, and of the late John Feeney who was employed in the Civil Service in Dublin, working as a Staff Officer in the Land Registry.

Andrea joined the Civil Service in 1991, following in the footsteps of her great-uncle John and of her father, also John.

She was assigned to the Department of Social Welfare in Dublin, before being transferred to the Longford Office in 1993. She served n the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in Limerick from 1995 and in he Department of Education in her native Athlone from 2001.

Since its establishment in 2003, Andrea has worked in the State Examinations Commission, also in Athlone, serving as Assistant Principal Officer, Principal Officer, Director and, since November 2020, Chief Executive Officer.

A graduate of the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School, Andrea is the daughter of John and Josephine Feeney of Retreat Park, Athlone, and is 48 years of age.

John also worked in the Department of Education, retiring some years ago as a Principal Officer. Andrea is married to Paul Kelly and they have two sons both attending secondary school in Athlone.
Theo Padnos

Theo Padnos Credit - Karen Demas

Remember ISIS?

How about al Qaeda?

It was not long ago (on the calendar, at least) that either name could summon, if not profound discomfort, at least a hint of the queasiness that swept over Theo Padnos as he sat in front of a TV in southwestern Syria the morning of Aug. 20, 2014. At the time, Padnos was a prisoner of al Qaeda, the terrorist group that commanded the attention of the entire world back when a radical religious ideology was considered the major threat to life as we know it. But that morning, Padnos watched in real time as Osama bin Ladens creation lost top billing.

In his new book Blindfold: A Memoir of Capture, Torture, and Enlightenment, the writer sets the scene: After almost two years in tiny cells, with occasional breaks for torture, the American journalist is enjoying a measure of freedom. Padnos had just spent days in in a Toyota Hilux with the burly head of al Qaeda in Syria, Abu Maria al-Qahtani, driving across the country at the head of a 60-vehicle convoy. Behind them were the oil fields al Qaeda had just lost to a rival millennialist terror group that had not even existed when Padnos was first taken captive: ISIS, or the Islamic State. Ahead of them was Syrias border with Israel, where Padnos is to be set free. A Gulf State had promised to pay a huge ransomPadnos says he was told 11 million Eurosin exchange for the American, and Abu Maria planned to be there. On the drive, the emir would stop to hand commanders fistfuls of cash from the shopping bag under Padnos jump seat.

He had sold me through Qatar, and he wanted to deliver the goods, Padnos says by phone from his home in Vermont. An honorable businessman. They paid, and he wanted to make sure that the product was delivered on time and in good condition.

In a villa near the border, Padnos finds himself holding the TV remote in a room where a half dozen Al Qaeda commanders are looking at their phones, idling the morning away playing video games. Only Padnos watches the big screen, and what he sees gives him pause. A young American man wearing orange is kneeling in the sand beside a man dressed like a ninja. The man holds a knife. American journalist James Foley killed in Syria, the screen reads.

Story continues

Padnos changes the channel. Then changes it again. No luck. Its on every station, and soon on the phones of his own captors, who spend the rest of the day alternately admiring the execution video and murmuring glumly among themselves. The world, they felt, had passed them by, Padnos writes. Their old colleagueshad made a hit video. It had transfixed the world.

Released as promised four days later, Padnos numbers himself among the hundreds of thousands of Americans whose lives were transformed by the Global War on Terror, which al Qaeda provoked with the attacks of 9/11. If its like has not been seen again, just wait, Padnos advises: They are adept, the terrorists are adept at coming up with some kind of performance, some kind of drama which will bring up our conflict with Islam.

The underlying anxiety between the two cultures is still there. We still dont understand them and they still dont understand us, he warns.

Padnos would know. Now 53, he has spent sizable chunks of his adult life not only in the Muslim world, but among young Arab men in thrall of conflict. His first book, Undercover Muslim, recounts his time in Yemen, where he learned Arabic amid disaffected young men preparing for jihad. As he recounts both in Blindfold and, in Theo Who Lived, the surprisingly light-spirited documentary about his captivity, he came to know his subjects a little too well. In one of the makeshift prisons where he was held, his neighbors were captured ISIS fighters. Other jails he shared with civilians who got crossways with the powers that be. One night he listened to a friendly old man slowly die alone in the next cell after a bout of torture.

Padnos understood his captors as thugs who believed they were something exalted. Our terror is a sacred thing, goes one of the hymns sung by fighters who told themselves that harsh enforcement of simple rules would hasten an apocalyptic confrontation with the West. The fighters drifted from group to group, which were headed by old friends: The al Qaeda chief who gave Padnos a lift across Syria had gone to school with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who founded ISIS and dubbed the territory it controlled a caliphate, or Sunni Muslim religious state. Padnos explains that labels mean little: Long before they declared a caliphate [in June 2014], long before Baghdadi got on the Internet and they overran Mosul, there was a functioning caliphate in the northwest corner of Syria. Already in 2012, people were living as if Baghdadi was the caliph. Its like an invisible thing, its psychological. There are no signs, there are no borders. No, youre coming into a state of mind. All the locals kind of know its there. But I didnt.

Padnos account of his capture may be the most excruciating reading in a book with a fair amount of torture. Intent on getting something published but disdainful of the journalistic pack clustered in a Turkish border town, he fell in with a couple of young Syrians who airily offered to take him into their country for a couple of days at no charge. Padnos was looking not for news but to see enough for a literary travelogue, a bit like Rebecca West in Yugoslavia, a bit like George Orwell in Down and Out in Paris and London. This, he writes, was the butterfly I had chased over the precipice.

At some cellular level, he knew he was placing his trust in the wrong people. As they stood facing the border they would sprint across, Padnos describes how a dread more powerful than any I had encountered during all previous voyages to Syria washed over me. I ignored it A few hours later, his new friends slapped handcuffs on him, and the beatings began.

The al Qaeda affiliate that held him, known as the al-Nusra Front, was the only Islamic army in Syria at the time, and was mostly focused on fighting the Syrian regime. One proof: It possessed only one orange jumpsuit (the uniform infamously worn by prisoners the U.S. held at Guantanamo), so when it came time to make hostage videos, Padnos and his fellow prisoners had to take turns climbing in and out of it.

What the al-Nusra Front did have was ties to Qatar, an immensely rich Gulf kingdom that, crucially, also plays host to a massive U.S. air base. On one level, that duality reflects the abiding tensions within many Muslim nations. On a more practical level, it gave Qatar incentive to cut a hostage deal that benefited both al Qaeda and at least one American family. The U.S. citizens known to held by ISISjournalists Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassigall met brutal ends. In fact, Foley spent time in the same cell Padnos had occupied maybe a month or so earlier, he realized, after comparing notes with Foleys roommate there, the French journalist Nicolas Henin.

Ifor, as Padnos assures us, whenIslamist terror makes its spectacular return, Blindfold will be a handy reference. A lot of it reads kind of like the literary travelogue he thought he might manage in a two-day jaunt across the border. Padnos is an engaging personality. At a key crossroads on the convoy across Syria, the prisoner was designated as traffic cop, and embraced the part to the honks and waves of the passing parade; when they werent beating him, even the jihadis seemed to like him.

I have discovered tranquil domesticity, the former hostage reports. It aint bad in Vermont with bike and dog and lovely Significant Other. I cook. I ride. I am finishing the novel I wrote in jail about a crazy right wing insurgency in America.
For Subscribers Why South Dakota county officials are shirking state-given water rights

Grant County could be the thirteenth county to repeal their drainage ordinance in the past decade.
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ZANU PF has dispatched a team to Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South as well as Masvingo provinces to investigate concerns raised by some members on the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections conducted in November last year.

The ruling party reintroduced the DCCs after disbanding them in 2012 when it was felt they had been hijacked by elements that wanted to manipulate the party structures to foment factionalism and disharmony.

Elections were held countrywide in all party administrative districts but there were complaints of alleged irregularities in some areas.

Some losing candidates and concerned party members raised their concerns to the National Election Directorate, challenging poll results and the voting process.

The party's Commissariat department has so far written to the concerned districts in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces indicating that a team will be on the ground to investigate the concerns.

A letter dated February 18 shows the team started its work in Masvingo on Monday and will be in Bulawayo on Saturday before going to Matabeleland South for two meetings in Umzingwane and Gwanda districts next Monday and Tuesday respectively. The team will then proceed to Matabeleland North on Wednesday for meetings between Thursday and Sunday next week.

"The commissariat department will be visiting the following areas to follow up on outstanding concerns that require investigations," read part of the letter seen by this publication.

The party's Matabeleland North provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo, who is also Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, confirmed that the team will be in the province next week.

"They are coming and they will be in Hwange where they will have meetings. I think the team will be headed by the National Commissar (Cde Victor Matemadanda) and will be joined by a team from the province," said Cde Moyo.

In Hwange, losing candidate Cde Reeds Dube told the party that there were some irregularities in the election after he lost to Cde Mathew Muleya. Two other candidates Cdes Jonathan Mathe and John Dix Ncube contested in the four men race for the Hwange DCC chairmanship.

In Gwanda, Politburo member Cde Abedinico Ncube who is also Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister called for a re-run arguing that less than a quarter of members voted due to logistical challenges.
Beyond barbecues and ceremonies: Recognizing Memorial Day

For many, Memorial Day weekend is about gathering with family and grilling or attending a parade. Some find a more personal way to honor the holiday.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25)  Four people were killed in Wednesday's controversial shootout between anti-drug operatives of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, authorities said Thursday.

Aside from the two policemen who were earlier confirmed dead, a PDEA agent and an informant were also killed, PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva told a media briefing.

He added that two other PDEA personnel who were critically injured are now stable. A total of three PDEA agents and another police officer were wounded in the shootout.

Some 17 uniformed personnel  10 policemen and seven PDEA agents were "directly involved" in the shooting incident, and are now "restricted" and being investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, PNP chief General Debold Sinas said.

Villanueva and Sinas said the joint board of inquiry is still trying to determine what really happened on Wednesday, when members of the Quezon City Police District and PDEA operatives exchanged fire near a fast-food restaurant parking lot outside Ever Gotesco Commonwealth at around 6 p.m.

Video footage obtained by CNN Philippines shows multiple gunshots fired, one after another.

Buy-bust operations

Both the PNP and PDEA said they were each conducting legitimate buy-bust operations, refusing to disclose the identities of their targets who remain at large.

"Live pa yung mga targets natin (Our targets are live) and we cannot divulge the names of the people," Villanueva said. It's unclear if the PNP and PDEA had the same targets and informants.

When asked why they conducted anti-drug operations near a mall, where there are many civilians, Villanueva said it was "a technique." He did not elaborate. Sinas for his part said it was "just incidental."

Villanueva disputed claims they lacked coordination, explaining that targets usually go by aliases in anti-drug operations.

Ongoing probe

Villanueva said all angles are being considered, including the possibility it was a setup planned by a drug syndicate.

"Pwedeng maging angle kasi nga nangyari na 'yan before (That's an angle because it happened before)," he said, adding that drug personalities may be going after PDEA because their shabu operations were taking a hit.

The anti-drug official also did not rule out the possibility there was sabotage, or that rogue personnel may have been involved.

The National Bureau of Investigation is conducting a parallel probe into what was earlier described by the National Capital Region Police Office as a "misencounter."

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, a former top cop, told CNN Philippines he believes it may be a case of poor coordination. He said the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which he chairs, will also look into the incident through a legislative inquiry next week.

READ: Duterte sad over PNP-PDEA 'misencounter,' wants fair probe on incident  Malacanang
Why Woke History Is Not the Answer

Wilfred Reilly

The United States may be the first country in history to tell a noble lie about its past that makes that past look worse, not better, than it actually was. For certain, the premodern history of the United States included a great deal of barbaric, uncivilized behavior: the conquest of Native American tribes, the enslavement of captured Africans, and the oppression of women, just for starters. But popular left-wing models of historical education, in the 1619 Project and Howard Zinn traditions, regularly make claims about further injustices and atrocities that are simply not based in reality: for example, that Americans fought the Revolutionary War to preserve slavery, or that African-Americans struggled largely alone for freedom. Almost universally, these pedagogies also ignore both the context within which Americas undisputed sins took placeessentially all nations allowed slavery or serfdom until recent centuriesand the unique goods that America gave the world. I reject such educational models, along with their most propagandistic right-wing alternatives. A coherent education in history and civics must involve studying ones society neither as blemish-free nor as virtually all warts, but rather comprehensively and honestlywarts and all.

No one denies the sins of the American past. African slavery obviously was one of the foundational facts of our national existence. More than 400,000 captured human beings were brought to our shores before the mid-1800s, and 40 million of their descendantsincluding melive here today. Both black and white Americans dwell largely on lands that once belonged to Native inhabitants: the great majority of this countrys land was taken from Native tribes during wars of conquest that were shockingly bloody on both sidesfeaturing the mass rape of noncombatants, red as well as white men scalped while still alive (some U.S. counties paid a bounty for Indian scalps), living captives tied to wagon wheels and set ablaze, and much more. Until the past century or so, only men would have been able to discuss much of this publicly: women could not legally vote until 1920, and the majority of women outside the upper classes could not read and write until after that time. Even beyond these widely acknowledged facts, many more injustices existed: the Irish were also abused here, as were the Chinese, the first Italian immigrants, and Jews.

However, the existence of these all-too-legitimate horrors has not stopped activist scholars from exaggeratingor making upother ones. Many primary claims of what might be termed the 1619 school of historical and civics education are simply not empirically accurate. My criticism here is not a matter of pointing out minor inaccuracies or misreading a few sentences here and there; rather, I find fault with the core arguments of a new woke worldview because they lack factual basis.

Perhaps the most notable example of this is the claim, made in the best-known 1619 Project essay, that the American Revolutionary War was fought to preserve human bondage. In her movement-launching essay, 1619 founder Nikole Hannah-Jones argues that preserving the institution of slavery was a/the primary reason the Founding Fathers launched the Revolutionary War against England. Not so. For one thing, England did not free the slaves in her overseas colonies until 1833some 57 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Every American schoolkid has heard, or used to hear, the true reasons for the wartaxation without representation, the Intolerable Acts, the Boston Massacre, disputes over French and Indian War debt, among othersand the general consensus among scholars is that this listing is reasonably accurate. Revolutionary War historians like Gordon Wood almost immediately condemned the 1619 Project, and the New York Times eventually issued a lukewarm correction/clarification to at least this section of it.

Another dubious claim, this one more sweeping, is that pre-1865 chattel slavery was a primary source of American wealth. In the same essay, Hannah-Jones claims that slavery is what built vast fortunes for white people North and South and specifically made New York City the financial capital of the world. Again, this is dubious or plain false. No one denies that slavery made slave-masters rich, as well as providing the start-up capital for such notable enterprises as Yale University. But medieval-style plantation agriculture built upon the backs of abused people who cannot read is not a very effective way to utilize land and make money.

In fact, economists such as Thomas Sowell have long argued that slavery actually retarded the economic development of the South. The entire region boasted only 9-10 percent of the U.S.s capital and skilled work force when the Civil War began in 1861, and this limitation was a major reason for the eventual defeat of the Confederacy. And consider the costs of the Civil War, which killed 620,000 Americans. It would be hard to argue that the United States turned a profit on a practice that led to the eventual death of 360,000 Union soldiersone man in blue for every nine slaves freed.

A third common, and incorrect, claim is that black people fought for the most part  alone to obtain their civil rights. It surely must sometimes have seemed that way to black Americans! But, the plain fact is that slaves and sharecroppers, almost by definition, rarely have the wherewithal to free themselves from bondage en masse. The Western world has seen just one successful slave revoltand it produced Haiti. Even Spartacus wound up crucified along the Appian Way. The simple reality is that black slaves were freed in the United States because of the efforts of a 91 percent white army commanded by a white president. Whatever Lincolns imperfections and hypocrisies, he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation, praised the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and gave the orders that broke the Confederacyas carried out by Generals Sherman and Grant. And as Frederick Douglass always insisted, Lincoln genuinely loathed slavery.

A century later, when the Civil Rights Act passed the Senate by a convincing 73-27 margin, 98 percent of the Senators sitting for that vote were of European Caucasian descent (the two outliers were Asian-American). The brilliant speeches of orators like Martin Luther King and John Lewis helped build a mass movement, but without the support of many white allies in highly placed political, military, and business positions, African-American civil rights would very likely never have come to be. In 1865 and in 1965, American citizens of all colors pitched in to make the country better.

A fourth faulty claim of woke scholarship is the virtual denial that any positive change has occurred in America. A key argument of 1619 partisans and of high-profile academics like Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo is that America is a systemically racist nation: that racism went underground rather than disappearing or declining following the 1960s social revolution, and that systems ranging from merit testing for collegiate admissions to criminal justice are shot through with subtle bigotry, institutional prejudice, white privilege, and so forth. The core argument here is that disparities in performance equal discriminationperiod. Kendi contends, for example, that only two possible explanations exist for a performance gap between racial groups: (1) that something is deeply and perhaps genetically wrong with the under-performing group, or (2) that the metric being used to test performance is inherently if subtly biased.

But Kendi omits a third explanation for such gaps: that some changeable cultural or situational factor varies between the groups, and that changing it would help close the gaps. As far back as 1995, U.S. government economist June ONeill and conservative researcher Dinesh DSouza noted that virtually the entire discrepancy in earned income between black and white men vanishes when methodological adjustments are made for basic variables like median age, whether or not individuals live in the South, and standardized test scores. (And one might even suspect that American test-score gaps themselves would close, with both blacks and whites catching up to the Asian-Americans who currently dominate among SAT high-scorers, if we adjusted for the variable of time spent actually studying for the test.)

Not only do these theories get a whole host of things wrong; they also tend to ignore context and counterpoints. For example, slavery was not invented in the United States or indeed in the modern Western world, though a surprising number of American high schoolers now believe that it was. Slavery was a regular feature of life in ancient Greece and Rome, with even such thinkers as Aristotle discussing the appropriate treatment of humans held as chattel. And people of color held slaves, too. The Barbary Slave Trade involved the sale of more than 2 million captured European mariners to Muslim and black slave masters in North Africa and the Middle Eastand actually inspired the shores of Tripoli line in the Marine Corps Hymn, as the United States once declared war on the Barbary Sultanates to stop powerful pirates from raiding our shipping and press-ganging Americans.

Any discussion of slavery that does not mention such episodes, or the Arabic/Muslim slave trade and the Zanj Wars, or Russian chattel serfdom, or for that matter how African captives got to those awful slave markets in the first place, is at best partial, if not dishonest. More specifically, pointing out that 12 million human beings were abducted from Africa and sold as slavesas several 1619 essays doborders on the misleading if it is not also noted that only 400,000 of these people ever came to the United States. (To her credit, Hannah-Jones does note these two factsbut not in the same place.) The other 11.6 million were sold to non-American masters in New Spain, Brazil, and the Caribbean, many of whom we would call people of color today. Its hard to see how America is solely implicated in this diverse demonstration of the human propensity for evil.

As important and problematic as woke theorists dislike of context is their tendency to ignore the many remarkable accomplishments of American society. Reading through a Howard Zinn textbook or the 1619 grade school curriculum, one might think that the defining historical features of America were slaveholding and conquest of North American indigenous tribes. Not quite! As we have seen, slavery was a virtually universal human practice until Western societies began the slow process of banning it globally in the early 18th century. Slavery lingers today in some isolated parts of the world. Conquest via battle was, if anything, more common: it was not banned by law until the Revised Geneva Conventions of 1954, and it was widely engaged in by populations of both white and Native American descent at the time of the Indian Wars.

Rather than these tawdry but commonplace failings, what actually makes the United States unique is our unparalleled string of glorious accomplishments. We did free the slaves here, and we eventually helped to liberate oppressed people globally. Barely 80 years after the bloody Civil War, Americans tipped the spear in the fight against Nazism, and nearly a half century later, our power and example helped bring down the Iron Curtain in Europe, liberating millions more. We broke the surly bonds of gravity and placed men on another celestial body in 1969, a feat that no society has matched since. The cure for polio and the Green Revolution technology that now feeds one-third or more of the world were developed here, among many other feats.

Impressionable young students hear little of this today, however. I suspect that far more high school students today could correctly identify the Black Panthers than the Wright Brothers, and this fact is no accident. Traditionally, propaganda has come from within a society and has been designed to portray that society as above reproach; a classic symbol of pro-U.S. propaganda from an earlier time would be, say, the Captain America comic. Times have changed. Now we face a new kind of propagandanot unrealistically positive but rather excessively and misleadingly negative. It is funded by forces opposed to core principles of traditional American governance. It teaches that we are far worse than we really are, or in fact have ever been.

When the 1619 Project says that Out of slavery grew nearly everything that has truly made America exceptional: its economic might, its industrial power, its electoral system, the problem is not that this statement is edgy and challenging or frightening to traditionalists or even immoralthe problem is that it is wildly false. Is Silicon Valley somehow a relic of historical slavery? Is mass, merit-based legal immigration? Is country music? The GDP of the United States increased 11,796 percent ($15 billion to $18.638 trillion) between 1865 and early 2020. How do long-ago racial abuses explain these advances?

The goal of a scholar or a teacher should be neither to present a blemish-free, false vision of a subject nor a virtually all-warts critical presentation. Rather, it should and must be to examine the realities of history accurately and honestlywarts and all. The goal should be, in other words, to tell the truth. Let us get back on the path of doing so.

From RealClearWire.

Wilfred Reilly, Ph.D., is an associate professor of political science at Kentucky State University and the author of Hate Crime Hoax and Taboo: Ten Facts You Cant Talk About. Follow him on Twitter @wil_da_beast630.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Paula R. Glover started as President of the Alliance to Save Energy in January 2021. A dynamic leader with more than 25 years of experience in the energy industry, Ms. Glover is the seventh president in the Alliances 43-year history. Ms. Glover previously served as President and CEO of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, a non-profit professional association whose focus is to ensure that African Americansand other minorities have input into the discussions and development of energy policy, regulations, and environmental issues. In this role, she was responsible for managing the national office, and providing strategic direction and leadership for the organization. Prior to this role, Ms. Glover served as AABEs Vice President of Operations and as the organizations Director of Communications. Ms. Glovers other experiences include 15 years in the energy industry for both electric and natural gas distribution companies. During that time, she built a stellar reputation working with state legislators and regulators in her roles as Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs. Ms. Glover commands a clear understanding of the consumer and community sides of thebusiness as well having held industry positions in Community Outreach and Economic Development. Ms. Glover is a seasoned non-Profit professional. Prior to her time at AABE, Ms. Glover was the Community Awareness Director for the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut where she was responsible for the organizations marketing, communications, community and government relations and public relations functions. In March 2014 Ms. Glover was appointed to the National Petroleum Council by U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz.Ms. Glover received her B.S. in Marketing Management from the University of Delaware. She is the recipient of the Bring It Home to Hartford Award; the Clarke Watson Chairmans Cup; the Award of Distinction by the Videographer Awards and the Platinum Achievement Award from the Cooperative Developmental Energy Program at Fort Valley State University. She is a 2003 graduate of Leadership New Haven and has contributed to an article on work life balance in Take Pride magazine.
New Delhi: In DNA on Friday, Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary analyses India's domestic politics and elections. The Election Commission today announced the dates for the assembly elections to West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Union Territory of Puducherry. The results will be announced on May 2 and our country is fully prepared for the outcome.

India is often called a nation of festivals because nearly a thousand festivals are celebrated every year. That is, every day people celebrate around three festivals and an election is one of these three festivals. India, on an average holds five to seven assembly elections every year. That is, in every four month people vote to form a government in their state.

As the EC announced the polling dates today for four states, West Bengal is the most important because at present the incumbent Mamata Banerjee-led government and BJP are locked in a direct fight. We try will try to understand the new twist in the country's politics with this competition and hopefully answer the question of who will win in these states.

If we add the total population of the four states and the union territory of Puducherry, then about 25 crore people will cast their votes in the elections. Which is about 19 per cent of the total population of India and the total number of voters is more than 18 crores.

Currently, there is TMC government in West Bengal led by Mamata Banerjee, BJP government in Assam led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Front in Kerala.

In Puducherry there was a Congress government but after it was reduced to a minority President's rule has been imposed.

If BJP wins in these states, it will expand the party in eastern and southern India and these states will become game changers for it in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Because these states have a total of 116 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Notably, all these states are non-Hindi speaking and BJP is often called the party of Hindi belt. Now if BJP establishes its dominance in these states then it will bring two major changes.

First, BJP will see an expansion in India in four directions - north, south, east, west. And secondly, it means BJP's roots will become stronger in national politics as well as in regional politics.

Also, if the results in these elections are in favor of BJP, then the role of these states will become important in the general elections of 2024.

Today many people will also have the question that who is winning in these elections? So we have prepared the answer for you.
Fernando Simon, the director of the Health Ministrys Coordination Center for Health Alerts, at a press conference on Thursday. Mariscal / EFE

The epidemiological curve in Spain has been on a downward trend for a month, with the number of new coronavirus cases continuing to fall. According to the latest Health Ministry report, released on Thursday evening, the 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants has now fallen to 206. Spain reached the peak of the third wave of the pandemic on January 26, when it reported a record-high number of new infections. This led the regions  which are responsible for managing the response to the pandemic as well as the Covid-19 vaccination drive  to introduce tough restrictions on social gatherings and mobility. One month on, the Health Ministry reported 9,568 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and added 345 deaths to the official toll. Although the curve of transmissions is on a downward trend, health authorities warned that Spain is still in a high-risk situation. We cannot relax [restrictions] more than necessary, said Fernando Simon, the director of the Health Ministrys Coordination Center for Health Alerts (CCAES), at a press conference to present the latest data on Thursday.

Simon explained that although the incidence rate is falling across Spain, it is doing so at different speeds. In 15 of Spains 19 territories (17 regions and the North African exclave cities of Ceuta and Melilla), the 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants has fallen below 250  the threshold considered by the Health Ministry to indicate a situation of extreme risk. And in two regions, it is even below 100: Extremadura (77) and the Balearic Islands (97). But the situation is very uneven and there are some territories, such as Melilla (431) and Madrid (321), where transmission rates are much higher than the national average.

Spain is progressing very well, but the fall is not homogenous. There are regions where the drop is sharp and there are others where the drop is more gradual Fernando Simon, director of the Health Ministrys Coordination Center for Health Alerts

However, the overall trend is positive in almost all of Spains regions. Only Catalonia reported a rise in its incidence rate, with the 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants at 219, up from 217 on Wednesday. This data point reflects the threat of a new spike in cases that has been hanging over the region and that forced the Catalan government to put the brakes on its plans to ease coronavirus restrictions. According to data from the regional government, the speed of the propagation of the virus, known as the R number  i.e. how many people a positive case infects on average  has been above one for the past two days. This is the limit that the health authorities have established to consider the pandemic under control.

Spain is progressing very well, but the fall is not homogenous. There are regions where the drop is sharp and there are others where the drop is more gradual. This has to make us reflect on measures [to control the spread of the coronavirus], said Simon. We dont believe we are in a good situation.

The main concern continues to be the pressure on hospitals. While admissions are falling, intensive care units (ICUs) are still under great strain. According to the latest report, nearly 30% of ICU beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients (3,123). The occupancy rate we are seeing now is still higher than what it was during the peak of the second wave, said Simon. This pressure means that the countrys hospitals may be overwhelmed if there is a new spike in infections. The healthcare system still does not have the capacity to react to an increase in cases. We have to be aware that the goal is to control transmission as much as possible, explained Simon.

More information How Chile vaccinated 16% of its population in just 21 days

Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 68,813 people have died after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to Thursdays report. This figure, however, does not include the thousands of victims who were not diagnosed during the first wave, meaning they were not included in the official count. According to the Health Ministry, there have been 875 Covid-19-related fatalities in the last seven days.

Womens Day march

With Womens Day approaching and the Easter holidays less than a month away, Simon called on the public to exercise caution, as these events are likely to lead to an increase in travel and crowds. The central governments delegate in Madrid, Jose Manuel Franco, announced on Wednesday that all events for Womens Day on March 8 where more than 500 attendees are expected will be suspended in accordance with the recommendations from the regional health department. Simon said the degree to which such a gathering could increase the spread of the coronavirus depended on the relationship between these 500 people. He explained: If they maintain safe distances and wear face masks, there will be fewer risks, but not none. Spain always has to be especially careful not to specify figures, but rather establish the quality of the relationship [between members of a social gathering].

The risks are associated with the way in which people relate to one another, he continued. And the way changes according to the reason for the gathering. Carrying a saint during an Easter parade is not the same as being at a protest with 500 people where people can spread out and maintain distances. If the right measures are maintained, the risks are reduced. That said, it is better to avoid large crowds of people.

Health Minister Carolina Darias also took a stand on Tuesday against Womens Day events. To be coherent with the call for responsibility that I have made, given that we are still in a situation of extreme risk, there is no place [for such events].

English version by Melissa Kitson.
GAZA - Tension was rising Friday in Gaza after a decision by UNRWA to reduce the amount of food given to the population due to serious budget issues the UN agency is experiencing this year.



Protests were held Sunday in Gaza City and in other cities on successive days.



UNRWA spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna said that 1.14 million people had the right to receive this food aid in Gaza.



However, as locals pointed out, the food packages have been reduced for families.



The US cut aid to UNRWA in 2018, have led to major difficulties for the UN agency.
It's been more than a month since Frank Coronado got covid-19, but the photographer from Oaxaca, Mexico, still gasps for air when he speaks sometimes. Although his illness didn't put him in the hospital, his case was severe enough that he worried about suffocating in his sleep.

Coronado's personal experience with the coronavirus has made the Oaxaca native sensitive to the pandemic situation in the state. As he watched case numbers continuing to rise, he also noticed more tourists defying widely practiced public-health protocols, like wearing face masks in public.

On Feb. 25, Coronado posted a plea to his 171,000 Instagram followers: "Dear travelers, you are welcome in Oaxaca, but you should ALWAYS wear a mask when you are in public places."

He wanted to publicly address the issue and encourage visitors to do better - particularly foreigners who travel from Oaxaca City into smaller rural villages, where artisans are even more vulnerable.

"I get mad because I already went through [covid-19] and know how bad it feels," Coronado says. "I don't want my people, the people of Oaxaca, to get sick."

Unlike many of the world's most-frequented tourism hot spots, Mexico never fully closed to foreign visitors. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said Americans should avoid all travel to Mexico because of a "very high level" of coronavirus, the country has remained one of the most popular destinations throughout the pandemic.

Still, Mexico tourism plummeted last spring as it did around the globe; according to the state government, Oaxaca recorded less than half of its 2019 visitor arrival numbers in 2020. Numbers picked up again last summer, but welcoming outsiders back as the pandemic continues to rage has been complicated.

While Oaxaca doesn't pull in nearly as many visitors as Mexican destinations such as Cancun, Acapulco or Mexico City, tourism is a significant part of its economy. Those who work in the industry have suffered.

Gabriel Sanchez, a Oaxaca native who started a private tour company 2 years ago, says the abrupt end of tourism last March was overwhelming. He survived on savings when visitors disappeared, and he watched as other guides were forced to take measures like selling their cars to make ends meet.

With business trickling back, Sanchez is elated. He took coronavirus prevention courses by the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) and guided his first tour again on Oct. 20. Now he follows precautions such as checking guests' temperatures, requiring face masks, social distancing and providing hand sanitizer. He also helps Americans get their mandatory coronavirus tests.

Most of his returning customers have complied with his safety protocols. But that's not the case with all of the tourists he sees around town, like the Americans who refused to wear a mask at the request of an ice cream vendor, or the people who regularly break coronavirus rules at Monte Alban, Oaxaca's most famous archaeological site.

"As soon as they go through the checkpoint, 30 steps after that, they take their masks off," Sanchez says. "And most of them are foreigners."

Beyond Monte Alban and Oaxaca City, Oaxaca's artisan culture is one of its strongest selling points. It's common for tourists to take day trips out to remote villages to see how the state's famed mezcal alcohol, and arts and crafts, are made. With little access to medical care, those communities have been particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. Many closed to outsiders to protect themselves, but some have started welcoming back visitors for income despite the risk involved.

Omar Alonso, who has run food and mezcal tours in Oaxaca for seven years, says visiting rural communities can be done safely with the small private groups he vets ahead of time. But he regularly runs into the kinds of tourists he fears.

For example, Alonso says he often sees maskless foreigners in the mountain town of San Jose Del Pacifico between Oaxaca City and the beach.

"If you are going through a town where there's locals and older people serving you food because that's what they do for a living, it's very frustrating because [foreigners] don't respect them," says Alonso, whose uncle died of covid-19. "I can tell you that yesterday, when we went to have lunch, out of the maybe 20 tourists that we saw walking around town, maybe two of them had a mask."

Vera Claire, a U.S. expat whose nonprofit Cosa Buena works with local Indigenous communities to preserve their artistic traditions, says she believes some tourists' perception of Mexico may be the problem.

"I think there's a stereotype of [Mexico] being a place with no rules, a place to have fun and relax and enjoy yourself," she says. She regularly receives messages on social media or emails from strangers asking for Oaxaca travel advice, noting that they need to get away and forget about their lives in the United States for a while, she says.

"That's a really dangerous narrative, of course, because they come here with that mentality that there's no rules," Claire says. "Those of us who are foreigners living here all have a responsibility of shedding light on the severity of the situation . . . Mexico is beautiful. It's a wonderful place to escape to. But the same thing is happening here."

The frequency of spotting maskless tourists in Oaxaca City is increasing despite the prevalence of signs encouraging masks and most locals complying with the practice, Claire says. It's unsettling, as the coronavirus seems to be encroaching on her community.

It's impossible to know exact case numbers in the area as testing is limited. But it was reported in January that hospitalizations in Oaxaca for covid-19 were rising rapidly, with 13 hospitals in the state at full capacity and facing a desperate oxygen tank shortage, a problem plaguing more than Oaxaca.

"The health-care system here is minimal at the best of times, especially for poor people who rely on the public health system," says Suzanne Barbezat, who runs the company Discover Oaxaca Tours with her husband, Benito Hernandez. "Having those resources used up, it's scary."

Travelers likely would behave differently if they knew about Oaxaca's hospital crisis, says Vicente Reyes, a Oaxaca native and president of social impact collective Hermano Maguey, which promotes an equitable agave ecosystem in the region.

"It's a dramatic situation and it's not something tourists are seeing," he says. "This is a harsh reality that doesn't show up on Instagram."

Reyes said he thinks the worst offenders are young tourists. He has watched them come from around the world to travel along a well-worn party circuit through Mexico City, Tulum and Oaxaca, attending huge, mask-free gatherings and putting locals at risk.

"It sends a really sad, de-motivating message to locals who are taking care of each other," Reyes says. "We are all trying to keep it together, and these guys are flying around the city, enjoying themselves and not taking care of us."

Many in Oaxaca City don't have the luxury of isolating from tourists - like Aurora Tostado, who owns the downtown coffee shop Marito & Moglie with her husband.

"People in Mexico, we have to get out of our homes to work. It's not like we can work remotely like most of the people in the U.S.," Tostado says.

The couple made adjustments to Marito & Moglie, moving more tables to an outside patio and encouraging customers to keep masks on and social distance. Insisting on safety protocols is something that makes her and her employees feel more comfortable at work, and something most guests appreciate - but Tostado notices others around town behaving as if the pandemic is over. "This is not Disneyland," she would like to tell them.

Like others in Oaxaca hospitality, Tostado says she benefits financially from tourists and is happy to welcome them back. She just hopes they will consider the chain reaction of their behavior as they enjoy the culture that makes her city special. Seeing travelers come to town to party doesn't bother her for the party itself. It's the party's ramifications.

"The same people are going to go have breakfast at the market, and the old lady that is working, because she has to work, is going to get infected because of their [choices]," Tostado says. "I would say, yes, come, the nice weather is here. But be responsible."

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The global magnetic sensor market size is expected to reach USD 4.68 billion by 2026 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report Magnetic Sensor Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report By Type (AMR, GMR TMR, Hall Effect, Others); By Technology (Low Field Sensor, Earth Field Sensor, Bias Magnetic Field Sensor); By Application (Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Industrial, Aerospace and Defense, Healthcare, Energy and Power, Others); By Regions, Segment Forecast, 2020  2026 gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.

In the market, there are many manufacturing companies imparting magnetic sensors that are utilized in many programs where high dependability & cost-optimized solutions are needed. In a current discovery, the board has allowed improving those sensors. The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) has observed that merging magnetic alloy layers with silver nanolayers will grow the sensitivity of magnetic. Being capable to utilize quite skinny films (magnetic sensor) is essential in applications like weapon detection, clinical devices, and records storage. Moreover, its main applications further consist of magnetic flux measuring & the direction in addition to the electricity of a magnetic field. These are mainly relevant within the sensors for android, navigation, commercial and scientific applications.

Get sample copy of this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/magnetic-sensors-market/request-for-sample

The upward push in the integration of a these sensor in the automobile industry permits contactless and wire-free measurement of mechanical quantities including the angle of rotation and angular speed. Governments encouragement to use eco-friendly vehicles and the increase of consumer electronics will growth the marketplace shares at some stage in the forecast period. Moreover, the advancement of small scale Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) for detecting and measuring magnetic fields is broadly speaking driving the marketplace in conjunction with the growth of patron electronics appliances. These sensors primarily based on MEMs perform with Lorentz Force which makes it work extra efficiently. However, the Stiff competition and price erosion of magnetic sensors are the main restrain factors for the manufacturers in the market during the forecast period. Also, the growth in manufacturing capabilities, quality products, and reduce the overall cost of production of the magnetic sensors are the main challenges for the manufacturers in the global market over the forecast period.

Based on region, the global industry has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2019, Asia-Pacific region dominated the market in terms of value and volume owing to high production of conventional and electric vehicles. Also, the Asia-Pacific is the largest producer of consumer electronics in the global market in 2019. Such factors are expected to raise the demand for the magnetic sensors in the region in the coming years.

In North America, the connected automobiles have gained large prominence as consumer buying behavior has commenced hinging on conversation skills presented by diverse car manufacturers. Miniature magnetic sensors assist in supplying such skills while maintaining fundamental functionalities of the automobile intact. Sensing additives in various use cases such as position sensing, flow charge detection, and velocity sensing are creating opportunities in the domestic region in the forecast period. The European marketplace is projected to preserve a steady growth fee over the forecast period. Hybrid motors, that are included with Hall Effect contemporary sensing in the power systems, are witnessing expanded adoption in Europe, which has greatly aided marketplace increase. Hybrid motors, that are included with Hall Effect present-day sensing inside the strength systems, are witnessing increased adoption in Europe, which has significantly aided market growth.

Complete Summary with TOC Available @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/magnetic-sensors-market

Allegro Microsystems, Inc., Alps Electric Co., Ltd, Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation, AMS AG, Baumer Ltd., Crocus Technology, Elmos Semiconductor AG, Honeywell International, Inc., iC-Haus, Infineon Technologies AG, Magnetic Sensors Corporation, Melexis Corporation, Memsic Corporation, Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG, Microsemi Corporation, MultiDimension Technology Co. Ltd, NVE Corporation, NXP Semiconductors, Robert Bosch GmbH, Rotary and Linear Motion Sensor (RLS), Sensitec GmbH, TDK Corporation and others are the key players in the global market. Product launch, merger & acquisition, and partnerships encompass key players strategies to preserve and capture the most important share of the global market.

Polaris Market Research has segmented the magnetic sensor market report on the basis of type, technology, application, and region

Magnetic Sensors Type Outlook (Volume  Million Units, Revenue  USD Billion, 2016  2026)

Hall Effect

AMR (Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive)

GMR (Giant Magneto-Resistance)

TMR (Tunnel Magneto-Resistance)

Others

Magnetic Sensors Technology Outlook (Volume  Million Units, Revenue  USD Billion, 2016  2026)

Low Field Sensor

Earth Field Sensor

Bias Magnetic Field Sensor

Magnetic Sensors Application Outlook (Volume  Million Units, Revenue  USD Billion, 2016  2026)

Automotive

Consumer Electronics

Industrial

Aerospace and Defense

Healthcare

Energy and Power

Others

Magnetic sensors Regional Outlook (Volume  Million Units, Revenue  USD Billion, 2016  2026)

North America U.S. Canada

Europe UK Germany France Italy

Asia Pacific India Japan China South Korea

Latin America Brazil Mexico

Middle East & Africa

Avail discount on this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/magnetic-sensors-market/request-for-discount-pricing

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide our customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities.

Contact us-

Polaris Market Research

Phone: 1-646-568-9980

Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com

Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- General John "Jay" Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, and Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, renowned astrophysicist and author, laid out the critical national imperatives for the United States Space Force at the Air Force Association's 2021 virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium Feb. 25.

"Ever since Sputnik, space has been recognized as a strategic asset, or rather a strategic location," deGrasse Tyson said. "So it's not a new thing. It's actually an old thing that is finally getting recognized in the way it needs to be in terms of the umbrella of national security."

Raymond, for his part, described the growing threats to U.S. and allied satellites from Russia and China, detailing in clear terms the kinds of space weapons they have and the debris now littering space as a result of past anti-satellite testing.

"Dr. deGrasse Tyson and Gen Raymond did an incredible job explaining why America needs a Space Force," said AFA President, retired Lt Gen Bruce "Orville" Wright. "These threats put not only U.S. national security satellites at risk, but also global timing, positioning, imaging, communications, and other kinds of satellites, as well. The world now depends on space. So just as sea lanes and air space must be protected, space must be protected, too."

To access more quality content from AFA's virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium, you can still register to view 40 speaker sessions and panel discussions and a host of other content. It's all available exclusively to registrants for the next 30 days.

Access the full video conversation from the symposium here.

About AFA: The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support our Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect our enduring Heritage.

SOURCE Air Force Association

Related Links

http://www.afa.org


Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects were told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics theyre given. This week, he talks to Isabel Allende. The 78-year-old is the worlds most widely read Spanish-language author. Her books  including her 1982 bestselling debut, The House of the Spirits  have sold more than 65 million copies. Her latest novel is The Soul of a Woman.



Isabel Allende: The feminist movement is a revolution. Like every revolution, it starts with anger: you dont know where youre going. Theres no map. You just stumble along. Credit:Lori Barra

SEX

You once said, I was a feminist before the word was invented. What did you mean by that?

That I was a feminist before the word reached my family. In Chile, I lived in a very backward, authoritarian, Catholic, conservative society. My mother married the wrong man, was abandoned with three babies and had to go back to live with her father. She had no money, no privileges, no job. She was totally dependent, a charity case for her father and her brothers. I became enraged about her situation.

Whats your brand of feminism? The feminist movement is a revolution. Like every revolution, it starts with anger: you dont know where youre going. Theres no map. You just stumble along, making mistakes, finding yourself at crossroads and suffering a lot of backlash. So the movement evolves and changes. Until the patriarchy is replaced by a world in which men and women have equal [power] and masculine and feminine values have the same weight in society, we have a lot of work to do.
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The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.
I look forward to serving my clients and the community under this fabulous brand.

TTR Sothebys International Realty is pleased to welcome back Donna Leanos to its Bethesda, Maryland brokerage office.

Regarded as one of the top real estate agents in the Washington Metropolitan Area, Leanos delivers over 25 years of experience to TTR Sothebys International Realty, including deep market expertise in the region's most desirable submarkets.

"I am thrilled to have received an incredibly warm welcome back to TTR Sotheby's International Realty," says Leanos.

"I look forward to serving my clients and the community under this fabulous brand."

A graduate of Georgetown University, Leanos prides herself on delivering exceptional service to a diverse spectrum of clients both in the Washington Metropolitan Area and beyond.

From institutional investors seeking large-scale commercial properties to first-time home buyers seeking their first single family home, Leanos draws on her strong technical background and business acumen as a distinct competitive edge.

In addition, as co-chair and contributor to the Georgetown House Tour and supporter of Georgetowns St. Johns Episcopal Church community outreach program, Leanos prides herself on her commitment to the communities in which she lives and serves.

We are so pleased to have Donna rejoin our firm, says Marcus Jaffe, Managing Broker of TTR Sothebys International Realtys Bethesda, Maryland brokerage office.

Donna is an exceptional talent, and it is a great compliment to have her in this office  she has an extraordinary set of skills, which is a great benefit to her clients.

After a short stint at real estate firm Compass, Leanos joins TTR Sothebys International Realty following its most successful year to date, with over $4 Billion in closed sales for the year ending 2020.

In addition, Leanos joins an elite cohort of the regions finest real estate professionals at TTR Sothebys International Realtys Bethesda, Maryland brokerage office.

Donna is a model agent for our growing firm, says Mark C. Lowham, CEO and Managing Partner at TTR Sothebys International Realty.

As one of the Washington regions most respected agents, Donna will offer clients and colleagues alike with the tools they need to navigate one of the countrys most competitive markets.

About TTR Sothebys International Realty

TTR Sothebys International Realty is regarded as one of the highest-performing real estate firms in the United States. With nine offices and over 500 real estate associates, our commitment to professional service, flawless integrity, and community leadership allowed us to capture more than $4 Billion in closed sales in 2020 while also serving as one of the Washington Metropolitan Areas foremost leaders in corporate philanthropy. To learn more, visit us at ttrsir.com.
According to the company, organic certification by a European agency for its premium SOP product opens premium markets across the globe that demand environmentally friendly inputs.

The halt will be in place until March 2 or when an announcement is released to the market.

( ) has been granted a trading halt by the ASX with a project development funding announcement pending.

The halt will remain in place until the beginning of regular trade on March 2, or when an announcement is released to the market, whichever occurs earliest.

APC has a market cap of approximately $96.8 million and shares last traded at 16.5 cents.

Since the end of the 2020 financial year shares have risen from 5.2 cents, reaching 20 cents earlier this month.

Organic certification

Recently, the companys K-Brite sulphate of potash (SOP) products were reviewed by European organic certification agency ECOCERT and classified as suitable for use in international organic farming in compliance with European regulations.

Organically certified K-Brite from the Lake Wells SOP Project (LSOP) in Western Australia will now be distributed through a take-or-pay offtake agreement with Helm AG through European jurisdictions where organic certification carries a premium.

Opens premium markets

According to managing director and CEO Matt Shackleton: Organic certification opens premium markets across the globe that demand environmentally friendly inputs.

Our distribution partners will be able to position K-Brite into these markets, targeting premium price points across the horticultural, viticultural and flower sectors, and high-value broad-acre crops.
Making comparisons between the number of visitors allowed to homes and other settings, such as restaurants and other regulated environments were not necessarily helpful, Mr Andrews said. Why can the restaurant be open but I cant have a big barbecue at home? Well, we know that every home is a much higher risk environment, he said. I know thats a bit counterintuitive because youre with people you know ... but thats exactly the issue, you dont keep the 1-metre distance, you dont necessarily have all the formality that comes in a restaurant or a bar or a cafe. In gyms, the density limit remains at one person per four square metres with classes limited to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors.

Loading Victorias State of Emergency will be extended until 11.59pm on March 15. The Premier said the concept of a new normal was very real as more workers would return to office buildings from Monday. That is very important in terms of retail trade, hospitality, food and beverage  that whole part of the economy, and not just for the CBD (as important as that is) but in lots of different suburban locations, as well as regional centres, he said. We were on the cusp of moving to that [75 per cent] setting when we had our most recent challenges, so Im very pleased, based on public health advice from the Chief Health Officer, were able to make those adjustments.

When the COVID-safe summer rules were announced in early December, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the rules represented the closest return to normal that could be done safely in the absence of widespread vaccine takeup. No international flights, but hopes for a closer to normal Anzac Day However, Victoria will not welcome international flights until new systems are in place to prevent another Holiday Inn-style outbreak of the highly contagious UK variant of the virus and other new strains. Weve got our doctors looking at this very closely  what can we do differently in the context of these new strains to minimise the chances of this getting out, Mr Andrews said.

Loading Im just not having flights land until Ive had that work done ... by experts in their field. Yet the Premier hopes an Anzac Day parade will go ahead this year. RSL Victoria earlier this month said the traditional Anzac Day march would be cancelled for the second year running because COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns for elderly veterans made it unmanageable. I want an Anzac Day parade, Mr Andrews said on Friday. One of the great honours and privileges of this job ... to lead that march, is an amazing privilege, an amazing privilege, one that I cherish every year.

To be at the dawn service and be in the official party at the dawn service is a deeply emotional and profound thing. I want an Anzac Day service that is as close to normal as possible, thats why were continuing to work with Anzac House and with other groups ... to try and get that. New Holiday Inn cases Friday marks the end of the 14-day incubation period for many close contacts of COVID-positive people infected during the Holiday Inn outbreak, which now stands at 24 cases. Under the governments current approach, secondary contacts  or contacts of contacts  are put into 14-day isolation once identified. Consequently, the close contacts of Fridays two cases have already been in isolation for 14 days, all but negating the threat to the wider community.

Mr Andrews said Fridays new cases were linked to a private function in Coburg, in Melbournes north, that was attended by an infected Holiday Inn worker. Both people have been isolating in hotel quarantine, away from their families. They pose no risk to public health more broadly ... It was obviously late in their 14-day period they have tested positive, Mr Andrews said. I will take this opportunity to thank the many thousands of people who over these last few weeks have been at home, isolating away from other members of the community. We thank them and absolutely acknowledge the sacrifice and the important contribution they have made to protect public health. It does speak to the fact [that with] this UK strain you can very late in that 14-day period become positive. It also speaks to why its so important to have that full 14-day [isolation] period, even in the last few days.

Victoria to pay NSW $34 million in quarantine costs Meanwhile, the Andrews government has confirmed it will pay $34.3 million to NSW to cover the cost of accommodating Victorians in hotel quarantine. We intend to reimburse NSW for the cost of providing quarantine for Victorian returned travellers, a government spokeswoman said. NSW has been hosting about 3000 returning Australians a week since last year, including when Victorias quarantine system was shut down from June until December.

The Queensland government is so far refusing to pay, insisting it will only transfer the $30 million it owes to NSW once the federal government approves its proposed pop-up quarantine hub near Toowoomba. Premier Daniel Andrews with (L-R) COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar, Health Minister Martin Foley and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. Credit:Chris Hopkins A total of 808 vaccine doses were administered in Victoria on Wednesday, up from 675 on Tuesday and 580 on Monday. South Australia has reopened its border to Melburnians, and Queensland will lift its travel restrictions on the city from 1am on Saturday. Professor Sutton indicated after the five-day lockdown that health officials realised its tracing and isolation model was sufficient to deal with outbreaks involving more infectious strains of the virus  indicating that if it was presented with a similar set of circumstances the government might not mandate another lockdown.
At Methodist Hospitals, we take any allegation of misconduct very seriously. Patient care, rights, privacy and safety are always our highest priority. Immediately upon being informed of the allegation, we notified the appropriate authorities and are fully cooperating with the local police departments investigation, hospital spokeswoman Linda Hadley said in a statement.

Sedalia Woman Arrested on Warrants, Drug Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CALLOWAY COUNTY - A traffic stop Thursday afternoon led to a Sedalia woman's arrest on drug charges.The Calloway County Sheriff's Office says a deputy pulled over a vehicle at 3:30 p.m. in the Lynn Grove community for a traffic violation.During the stop, the deputy reportedly found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on the driver, 35-year-old Tiffany Anderson.Anderson was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and various traffic violations. She was also served with a warrant from Fulton County for third-degree burglary and theft, and a warrant from Graves County for revocation of bond on a pending felony case.
The United States launched airstrikes in on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Biden's decision to attack in did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq.

I'm confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington. Speaking shortly after the airstrikes, he added, We're confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes," referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he recommended the action to Biden.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Austin said. "We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. action was a proportionate military response taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel," Kirby said. "At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern and Iraq.

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian- backed militant groups," including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada. The U.S. has blamed Kataib Hezbollah for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq in the past.

Further details were not immediately available.

Biden administration officials condemned the Feb. 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out.

Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack.

Right now, we're not able to give you a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks, what groups, and I'm not going to get into the tactical details of every bit of weaponry used here," Kirby said. "Let's let the investigations complete and conclude, and then when we have more to say, we will.

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of President Joe Biden's inauguration, though now Iran is pressing America to return to Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal.

The U.S. under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out the attacks. Tensions soared after a Washington-directed drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and powerful Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis last year.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that brought the country to the brink of a proxy war.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.

(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.)
Bernie Sanders vowed to push for an increased minimum wage to be included the COVID package after the Senate parliamentarian ruled the $15 per hour hike cannot be a part of the $1.9 trillion relief plan.

Sanders slammed the decision. He is one of many progressives pressuring Democratic leadership to find a way around the ruling so the wage increase can become law.

He said he'd propose an amendment that would pair the wage increase with a tax penalties on corporations that don't pay a higher minimum wage - a move that could change whether it meets the parliamentarian's criteria for inclusion.

'I will be working with my colleagues in the Senate to move forward with an amendment to take tax deductions away from large, profitable corporations that don't pay workers at least $15 an hour and to provide small businesses with the incentives they need to raise wages,' he said in a statement Thursday night.

'That amendment must be included in this reconciliation bill,' he added.

Senator Bernie Sanders vowed to push for an increased minimum wage to be included the COVID package

He said there is support to make a $15 minimum wage the law of thd land.

'I'm confident that we have a majority in the United States Senate including the Vice President that would vote to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour as part of President Biden's American Rescue Plan,' Sanders said.

'Yet because of the archaic and undemocratic rules of the Senate we are unable to move forward to end starvation wages in this country and raise the income of 32 million struggling Americans. That fight continues,' he said.

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough dealt a potentially lethal blow to Democrats' call for a $15 per hour wage when she ruled Thursday night that the provision was not compliant with the rules governing the budget process that Congress is using to pass the bill with simple majorities.

Democrats pushed to have the COVID relief bill passed through a process called reconciliation, which would keep the GOP from filibustering it and allow it to pass with a simple majority.

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough (pictured) dealt a huge blow to Democrats when she ruled their $15 minimu wage could not be included in the $1.9trillion COVID-19 relief bill

But, by invoking reconciliation, they also invoked what is called the 'Byrd rule' - which limits acceptable provisions in the reconciliation process to taxing and spending.

MacDonough, the Senate's nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, ruled the wage hike does not meet those standards.

Her ruling was not a surprise. Even President Joe Biden predicted the wage hike was likely not to meet the reconciliation requirements for inclusion.

But, given the opposition to the wage hike from some moderate Democrats and many Republicans, the COVID relief package was seen as the strongest chance for making it the law.

'I strongly disagree with tonight's decision by the Senate Parliamentarian,' Sanders said.

The Vermont senator pointed to a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office study out earlier this month that found the $15 wage proposal would cost jobs but would also lift nearly one million out of poverty.

Sanders and other progressives argued the findings showed a monetary impact, meaning the minimum wage hike could be included in the COVID relief plan.

'The CBO made it absolutely clear that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour had a substantial budgetary impact and should be allowed under reconciliation,' Sanders said Thursday night.

MacDonough's ruling already is causing fractions in the Democratic Party as progressives push for leadership to find away around her decision to get the wage increased passed.

Some liberals have argued that Vice President Kamala Harris, in her role as president of the Senate, can overrule the parliamentarian.

'I'm sorry - an unelected parliamentarian does not get to deprive 32 million Americans the raise they deserve,' Democratic Representative Ro Khanna wrote on Twitter. 'This is an advisory, not a ruling. VP Harris needs to disregard and rule a $15 minimum wage in order. We were elected to deliver for the people. It's time we do our job.'

But White House chief of staff Ron Klain said earlier this week that would not happen.

'Certainly, that's not something we would do,' he told MSNBC host Joy Reid. 'Were going to honor the rules of the Senate and work within that system to get this bill passed.'

And Rep. Ilham Omar of Minnesota took things a step further when she called for MacDonough to be fired.

'Replace the parliamentarian. What's a Democratic majority if we can't pass our priority bills? This is unacceptable,' she tweeted.

Odds of a wage hike passing on its own are low after Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said they opposed it.

Given the 50-50 breakdown on the Senate, Democrats need every one of their members to vote with them.

Republicans solidly oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs. They also oppose the overall relief bill, saying it's too expensive.

The House is set to vote on the $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan on Friday. Their version includes the $15 minimum wage hike.

'House Democrats believe that the minimum-wage hike is necessary,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. 'Therefore this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight for 15.'

Progressives are furious at Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough's ruling: Representative Ro Khanna called for Democratic leadership to overturn it while Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called for MacDonough to be fired

The House is set to vote on the $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan on Friday and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said their legislation would include the $15 minimum wage

The existing federal minimum wage, at $7.25 an hour, has not been changed since 2009.

The White House expressed its disappointment in MacDonough's ruling.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki released a statement saying: 'President Biden is disappointed in this outcome, as he proposed having the $15 minimum wage as part of the American Rescue Plan.

'He respects the parliamentarian's decision and the Senate's process. He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also voiced his frustration: 'We are deeply disappointed in this decision. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families.'

He vowed to find a way to make the wage hike law.

'The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.'
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. PACEs co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Armenia, Boriana Aberg (Sweden, EPP/CD) and Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland, SOC) have expressed their concern over the ongoing developments in Armenia.

We are extremely concerned by recent developments in Armenia. In particular, we found the statement issued yesterday by the office of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, calling for the resignation of a democratically-elected government, to be unacceptable.

We call upon all political forces and state actors to fully respect democratic principles and the Constitution of Armenia, and to take all necessary steps to immediately de-escalate the current situation, the PACE co-rapporteurs said.

Armenia is going through a very difficult phase in its recent history and  more than ever  needs calm, restraint, wisdom and unwavering support for democratic principles by all concerned in order to resolve the political crisis it is facing, they added.

On February 25 the General Staff of the Armenian Forces of Armenia issued a statement, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Cabinet.

In his turn Pashinyan commented on the statement, calling it as a military coup attempt. He invited all his supporters to the Republic Square to discuss the ongoing developments.
Anwar Al-Bunni has described Eyad al-Gharibs conviction in Germany as historic, writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

Human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni described a German courts decision to jail a former intelligence officer from the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria for four-and-a-half years in jail as historic.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Bunni said that the officer who was convicted for complicity in crimes against humanity still enjoys influence in the war-torn countrys ruling regime.

Prosecutors in Koblenz successfully argued that Eyad al-Gharib, 44, brought at least 30 protesters to a notorious Damascus prison to be tortured in 2011, while working for Syrias most powerful civilian intelligence agency, the General Intelligence Directorate (GID).

The four-and-a-half years prison sentence falls short of what prosecutors were seeking, which was a five-and-a-half-year jail term.

With nearly a decade passing since popular protests erupted in Syria, this marks the first verdict rendered in a case related to Damascus brutal and bloody oppression of freedom Arab Spring protestors.

Prosecutors alleged that Gharib had taken at least 30 anti-government protesters to a secret prison near Damascus known as al-Khatib, or Branch 251, to be tortured in September and October of 2011.

Another Syrian, Anwar Raslan, 58, remains on trial.

Both Gharib and Raslan fled Syrias civil war and got asylum in Germany, but were arrested in 2019.

Raslan is suspected of being involved in the torture of at least 4,000 people in 2011-12. He is charged with 58 counts of murder, as well as rape and sexual assault.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Latest metro homicide investigation . . .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in Blue Springs are investigating the shooting death of a man Friday afternoon. Officers were called to the 700 Block of Northwest Missouri 7 just before 3 p.m. Friday on a shooting, a police spokesperson said. When they arrived, Blue Springs police located the man suffering from a gunshot.
New Delhi:

An Army jawan got injured in yet another incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Baramullas Silikoot on Monday.The ceasefire violation took place along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said.

Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing towards an Indian post in the Uri sector, resulting in injuries to a jawan, an Army official said.

He said the injured soldier has been taken to the Army hospital here for treatment.

Further details of the incident are awaited, he added.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
That is 10 years earlier than the world's most populous country's plan to realize the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The achievement was made on the same year when the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates the centenary since its founding.

"This is the great glory for the Chinese people, the CPC and our nation!" Xi said at a gathering to mark the country's accomplishments in extreme poverty eradication and commend role models in that cause, hailing the achievement as "a miracle on earth that should be written into the history."

The event was held at the Great Hall of the People in capital Beijing Thursday morning.

Reform takes time, arduous work

The start was not easy.

While in his 30s, Xi was sent down to work in the early 1980's as a grassroots-level official in Zhengding County, northern Hebei Province in the country's call for large-scale poverty relief programs. There he started his reform experiments: rural land contracts. He then later became a secretary of the prefectural Party committee in Ningde, southeastern Fujian Province.

"I always felt a sense of unease," Xi recalled in his book "Up and Out of Poverty." "Poverty alleviation is an immense undertaking that requires the efforts of several generations."

Over the next two decades, he brought his dream of poverty elimination to the center of China's political life.

"Xi's reform is derived from his experience," said Shi Zhihong, a former deputy director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee. "He knew that the rigid old paths would lead nowhere, and reform was a must."

Since 2012, the Chinese president has gone down deep traveling to impoverished communities more than 50 times and learned about people's lives.

Tailored measures based on practical situations

Precision was a key to China's success. The strategy of targeted poverty alleviation was put forward by Xi in late 2013, who compared adopting indiscriminate approaches to "killing fleas with a hand-grenade."

Xi called it "the poverty eradication path featuring Chinese characteristics" in his Thursday speech. From household to household, the questions of who exactly needs help, who should provide help, how help should be rendered, and what standards and procedures should be adopted for exiting poverty were answered.

To take a step further, the central government has also sent millions of city officials to the frontline  going down to the poorest grassroots and work with individuals in difficult physical circumstances.

"So, again how can China eradicate absolute poverty? It's because of the ruling party's philosophy, the goal of common prosperity," Zheng Yongnian, dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, told CGTN.

Rural infrastructure, education and healthcare all improved. Official data shows over 9.6 million people moved out of their tiny mud-brick houses that may pose safety concerns. Some rural hospitals partnered with their metropolitan counterparts to offer high-quality medical services to rural residents.

"Illness-induced poverty is one of the toughest problems in rural areas," said Hu Yi, head of the public hospital in the county of Zhenxiong in Yunnan Province. "Now they don't have to travel far to get treated, not even for serious illness."

Rural revitalization: Consolidating the achievements

Beijing now aims for more on top of consolidating its already-reached results. It has set goals at achieving the basic modernization of agriculture and rural areas by 2035, and the grand goal of a strong agricultural industry, beautiful countryside and well-off farmers by 2050.

A term was raised: rural vitalization.

"To speed up the formation of a new development pattern of 'dual circulation' in which domestic and foreign markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay, it's imperative for agriculture, rural areas and farmers to play a stabilizing and supportive role in maintaining China's economic and social development," said Li Guoxiang, research fellow at the Rural Development Institute under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in a CGTN Opinion piece.

For those villages which agriculture products that are sold solely within their vicinity, their markets are wide now thanks to fast-developing e-commerce service.

Luo Huimin, a native from Wannian County of Jiangxi Province, analyzed the demands for agricultural products in cities and optimized the supply of agricultural products. He now opens chain stores delivering crops and oil for residents across the country  from Nanchang, provincial capital of Jiangxi, all the way to southern Guangdong Province.

With more than 90 people employed  all from Luo's hometown  they are now each receiving up to 15,000 yuan ($2,172) every month.

According to a survey among 3,378 migrant workers conducted in early 2019, more than 60 percent of respondents said they believe improving public resources such as health, education and infrastructure are convincing them to stay in the countryside or return from the coastal areas.

The difficulties in rural revitalization are no less than eradicating extreme poverty, Xi said in Thursday's speech. "But we'll maintain the hard-working momentum and continue to march forward!"

Original article: here.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYyX_i13bl8

SOURCE CGTN
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that he 'absolutely' would support Trump, days after he accused the former President of "dereliction of duty" over the Capitol siege.

McConnell said he would support Trump in the 2024 election

McConnell, who criticized former President Donald Trump less than two weeks ago over the deadly January 6 Capitol riot, said that if he were the GOP nominee in 2024, he would "absolutely" support Trump.

McConnell said he hopes to see a free Republican White House nominating race in 2024. But when asked if he would vote for him as a candidate, he expressed no hesitation in backing Trump. "The party nominee? Absolutely," McConnell told Fox News in an interview.

The Senate Minority Leader noted that a lot would still be happening between today to 2024, and he got at least four members who are planning on running for president, Reuters via MSN reported. "Should be a wide open race," he added.

Read also: Breaking News: Biden Orders to Launch US Airstrike Against Iranian-Backed Militia in Syria

Almost two months after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Trump is expected to talk about the possibility of a bid in 2024 as he talks to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. This week, after House of Representatives Republican Conference President Liz Cheney said she did not believe that he should play a role in the future of the party or the country, Trump's forthcoming appearance at CPAC led to Republican infighting in Congress. Meanwhile, Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Tom Cotton, Josh Hawley, and Ben Sasse have been floated as potential GOP presidential nominees.

Read also: Biden Revokes More of Trump's Executive Orders Including on Financial Regulations, Immigration

McConnell previously blamed Trump for the Capitol Riot

According to Daily Mail, the semi-endorsement comes when Trump is still in a public tiff with McConnell. The Minority Leader gave a floor speech on the day of the January 6 insurrection, telling senators not to contest the Electoral College outcome, as the winner was President Joe Biden.

Earlier this month, though McConnell voted for Trump's acquittal on the impeachment charges, he then took to the floor to lambast and keep the outgoing commander-in-chief accountable. "'It was obvious that only President Trump could end this," McConnell said.

McConnell justified his vote to acquit by saying that impeachment was not the best way to keep Trump accountable, provided that removal from office is his penalty. By then, Trump had already left office. He hinted, however, that for his actions, Trump could face criminal prosecution, as per the Insider.

Read also: What Life Awaits Anti-Trump Republicans Who Changed Their Registration Since the Capitol Riot

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In this interview with New Era's Paheja Siririka, the Namibia University of Science and Technology new vice chancellor Dr Erold Naomab shares his academic path and challenges faced by institutions of higher learning. He also addressed ways to tackle them, as well as what he envisions in terms of the future of the university in the next five years. The 44-year-old academic is the second vice chancellor of the institution, which he took over on 1 January 2021.

PS: Who is Erold Naomab?

EN: I was born and raised in the dusty streets of Omaruru with two siblings. At the age of nine, I lost my mother; as a result, there was no stable income at home. I had to mature very quickly - and at the age of eleven, I started doing odd jobs.

PS: Take me through your academic journey?

EN: I attended primary school at Ubasen and then at Paheye in Omaruru. For Junior Secondary school, I went to a rural school called Dibasen (Okombahe); thereafter, I matriculated from Paresis Secondary School in Otjiwarango. Despite changing schools often, I ranked as a top academic performer at every school I attended.

At the tertiary level, I missed one year of university post matriculation, due to a lack of funding.

During this period, I had my first official job at Social Impact Assessment and Policy Analysis Corporation (SIAPAC) Namibia, a private development consultancy firm.

I then went on to pursue four formal qualifications over a nine-year period, which included the following degrees: Bachelor of Science (UNAM); two Masters (Science - Unam, and Research in Strategic Resource Management, Nottingham Trent University, UK) and a Doctorate qualification (Science, Nottingham Trent University, UK). I also finished top of the class at all institutions of higher learning, local or international, that I attended.

PS: What is on top of your priorities now regarding the institution?

EN: Despite the financial challenges that we have been facing, I would like to see the Institution engaging in robust fundraising initiatives to tap into various income streams.

It is undisputable that NUST cannot function without government subsidies, but this must be cushioned by additional financial sustainability initiatives.

These efforts are geared towards generating income that could be used to offset budget reductions, invest in service improvement and contribute to student wellbeing, teaching and research excellence.

PS: What are the challenges the institution is facing and how are you planning on solving them?

EN: I strive to see to it that local talent at the university is advanced, and careers are managed in a way that they can excel in higher positions.

At the same time, a balance between local and international expertise must be upheld.

Additionally, I shall embark on robust growth initiatives, including research projects, develop two satellite campus, several technology parks in consultation with stakeholders and the industry. Given the above context, our vision is to become a premier technological university.

I believe our stakeholders are in consensus that NUST, by its mandate as a technological university, is at the forefront of the national agenda on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Society 5.0, and we shall diligently respond and comply.

PS: In terms of growth and leadership, where do you see the institution in the next five years?

EN: NUST is going through an exciting transition into a new era, and I am honoured and privileged to be part of this new journey.

In the next five years, the university will be guided by a strategic plan that focuses on creating a vibrant teaching and learning environment.

Furthermore, the plan maps our goals to drive research, as well as strengthening and building a strong stakeholder engagement to safeguard the university's professional and social relevance towards national development.

I shall embark on robust growth initiatives, including research projects, and develop two satellite campuses, several technology parks in consultation with stakeholders and the industry.

Given the above context, our vision is to become a premier technological university. I believe our stakeholders are in consensus that Nust, by its mandate as a technological university, is at the forefront of the national agenda on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Society 5.0 - and we shall diligently respond and comply.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Education 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.

PS: What are your thoughts and aspects of the students and quality of education at the institution at the moment?

EN: NUST will remain focused on ensuring that access to higher education is not a privilege but a right; hence, ensuring students from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to education - and this helps to change the course of poverty in their communities.

However, we must strike the necessary balance to offer quality education and maintain broad-based access to NUST's programmes and qualifications.

NUST is a reputable brand, with a clear student-centred focus. However, rightfully so, there is a growing demand in the higher education sector for higher standards and quality of service.

We are aware of the growing public discontent about below bar academic excellence, innate staff members who appear frustrated and demoralised, the slow pace of transformation, students demanding better returns and higher value for their investment, as well as students expecting that we honestly, objectively and with integrity give them what we promise in our prospectuses and curricula. NUST will comply not only to secure the future of our students but their employability.
A woman wearing a mask walks on a street in Paris, France, May 15, 2020.(Xinhua/Gao Jing)

"The disability following SARS-CoV-2 infection lingers on for months with severe social, economic, health and occupational consequences," warned the WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge.

COPENHAGEN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- As COVID-19 transmission rates seemingly decline across the European Region, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge expressed health concerns over "long-COVID" or "post-COVID" symptoms at a virtual press conference on Thursday.

"The disability following SARS-CoV-2 infection lingers on for months with severe social, economic, health and occupational consequences," said Kluge, who identified the issue as "a clear priority for WHO, and of the utmost importance."

According to Kluge, a total of 38 million infection cases had been registered in the European Region since the pandemic began, and "one in ten COVID-19 sufferers remain unwell after 12 weeks, and many for much longer."

"Yet stories of those who should have 'recovered', but whose lives were still affected by debilitating symptoms soon emerged. Regrettably, some were met with disbelief or lack of understanding," said Kluge.

A COVID-19 patient holds the hand of a medical worker to show his appreciation in an ICU ward of a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Francisco Avia/Xinhua)

Professor Martin McKee, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also speaking at the press conference, provided further insight into "post-COVID" symptoms.

McKee described them as "a varying combination of overlapping symptoms, including chest and muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and what patients describe as brain fog."

"Although many viral infections are self-limiting, making people feel unwell for only a few days before clearing up, others cause long-term problems. Early on, we realized that this new coronavirus was not just causing pneumonia. In some patients it was attacking many different body systems, such as the heart and blood vessels, the brain, and the kidneys," said McKee.

In response to the prevalence of the lingering after-effects of COVID-19, Kluge acknowledged that the WHO had earlier in the month "hosted a consultation on post-COVID-19 conditions, focusing on recognition, research and rehabilitation."

Medical workers treat a COVID-19 patient at a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, on Nov. 5, 2020. (Photo by Francisco Avia/Xinhua)

In addition, Kluge also confirmed that WHO Europe would soon be convening a conference with the chief medical officers of all 53 countries in the European Region to set out a regional strategy to tackle the issue.

"As we learn more, we need to make sure patients who have had suspected or confirmed COVID-19, who have persistent -- new or changing symptoms -- should have access to follow-up care. This is where primary health-care has a particularly strong role to play," said Kluge.

The regional director further emphasized the need for the region's medical authorities to seriously "listen and understand" the sufferers of post-COVID conditions, if they intended to tackle it successfully.

"I am calling upon you, countries and institutions in the European Region, to come together as part of an integrated research agenda, using harmonized data collection tools and study protocols. This will be key to maximize the impact of treatment and improve long-term outcomes for patients," said Kluge.
Gov. Kate Brown and state public health officials announced Friday that the next wave of Oregonians to start receiving COVID-19 vaccinations after seniors will be residents ages 45 and older who have underlying medical conditions, including cancer, Type 2 diabetes and obesity  but not smokers.

Officials say this group will be eligible no later than March 29. Farm workers, employees in food processing and people who are homeless also will be eligible at the same time.

By May 1, the state plans to open vaccinations to people with underlying medical conditions ages 16 to 44. Frontline workers such as grocery store employees, restaurant and bar staff, retail store employees, bus drivers, construction workers and government employees also will become eligible on that same date. But those workers must not be able to work from home and must have regular close contact with others outside their household as part of their jobs. The state says close contact means within six feet of the same person for longer than 15 minutes.

By June 1, the state plans to allow the general healthy population of Oregonians 45 and older to start vaccinations.

By July 1, anyone 16 or older should become eligible for the vaccines, officials say.

The new timelines provide welcomed clarity to about 3 million Oregonians who either have been unable to secure a shot or are waiting to become eligible for the vaccine. Only about 600,000 Oregonians have received at least one shot in the two months since vaccines became available, with an online booking system for Portland-area appointments overrun this week by seniors learning the hard way that eligibility does not necessarily mean swift access to shots.

Yes, youre hearing me correctly, an upbeat Brown said in a news conference Friday. Come summer, provided supplies from the federal government continue as planned, any Oregonian who wants the vaccine will be eligible to receive it.

And while that gives us all a reason to breathe a sigh of relief, it should also serve as a reminder that the finish line is in sight and we cannot let up, she added. New variants of this virus still threaten our communities.

Dave Baden, chief financial officer for the Oregon Health Authority, said he expects all seniors age 65 and older who want the vaccine to have received their first doses by late March -- allowing the state to open the floodgates in the following three months to an estimated 800,000 residents with underlying conditions and 980,000 frontline workers.

But Baden said he thinks the new timeline is conservative: He believes there will be enough vaccine coming to Oregon to give a first dose to every adult Oregonian by the end of May. Baden said state officials might move up the dates announced Friday thanks to dramatic increases in promised shipments from the federal government.

We think we could go faster, Baden said. But we want to assure that were setting targets today so at least someone can say, I can see when Im going to be eligible.

This Oregon Health Authority document shows who's next, starting March 26 as par of "Group 6."

Health Authority Director Patrick Allen described the big increases ahead in vaccine shipments, which not only are expected to include Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, but also the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that U.S. Food and Drug Administrator advisors recommended for emergency use authorization Friday.

Allen said Oregon received 111,000 first doses of vaccine this week, is expecting 120,000 first doses next week and could receive between 120,000 and 205,000 first doses per week later in the spring.

State officials said when it comes to who will get that vaccine, theyre leaving the definitions of underlying medical conditions up to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- with one exception.

The CDC recommends smokers be included in early vaccinations, but Oregon has excluded them. The decision to include or exclude smokers is controversial, with New Jersey and Mississippi making waves in mid-January by giving smokers an early green light for vaccinations. Many medical experts say thats purely based on science: A study published Jan. 25 in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Internal Medicine found heavy smokers are at greater risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19.

But Rachael Banks, director of the Health Authoritys Public Health Division, said under Oregons rules smokers might qualify for early vaccinations for other reasons, such as lung disease or heart disease.

State public health officials originally had said theyd also exclude people who are obese -- that is, have a body mass index of 30 or higher -- even though the CDC recommends this group be eligible for early vaccinations because obesity is an underlying condition. State officials initially had said theyd only allow people who are severely obese, with a body mass index of 40 or higher -- to start receiving vaccinations by March 29.

But Friday, Allen, the Health Authoritys director, said the state had been confused about what precisely the CDC recommends. It had mistakenly excluded people who are obese in its original announcement, he said.

It was our error, Allen said.

The states list of underlying conditions encompasses the following conditions: cancer that is currently active and compromising the immune system, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases, a weakened immune system from organ transplants, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart conditions that include heart failure, coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. The list also includes Down syndrome, although advocates for people with Down syndrome say they are already eligible. The list doesnt include high blood pressure.

Oregons list of frontline workers who will be eligible May 1 includes those in the following industries: community colleges, vocational and trade schools, universities, grocery and retail stores, restaurants, real estate, hotels, construction including contractors, energy extraction and delivery, gas stations, public transit, U.S. Postal Service, beverage manufacturing, other types of manufacturing including paper and computers, banking, child protective services, public health, news media, government, members of the Oregon Legislature and court staff as well as judges and attorneys.

An Oregon Health Authority document lists frontline workers who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations no later than May 1.

As it has done so far, the state will continue to allow Oregonians to self attest to their eligibility for vaccinations -- meaning a doctors note or proof of age or occupation arent required. Public health officials say requiring proof of eligibility could slow down the vaccination rollout.

During a meeting with state legislators earlier this week, Allen said he doesnt believe much line jumping is occurring, and he expressed gratitude.

There is always this kind of push and pull in how much do you do to prevent line jumping versus that slows you down and makes it so you cant vaccinate as much, Allen said. Weve sort of erred on the side of Lets get people through.

This story was updated Friday after state leaders said people with obesity -- and not just people with severe obesity -- will be made eligible for vaccinations starting March 29.

Coronavirus in Oregon: Latest news | Live map tracker |Text alerts | Newsletter

-- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 52F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 52F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
After Aam Aadmi Party's impressive gains in the Gujarat civic body polls, party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday reached Surat for a thanks-giving roadshow and interacted with the newly-elected corporators.

Congratulating the AAP workers, Kejriwal said: "Why has BJP been governing here for the last 25 years? It's not as if they are doing great. There are a lot of issues. Different parties come to power in states across the country but only one party is governing here."

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

He said that the Bharatiya Janata Party's long rein in the state is due to their "control on other parties".

"There is no one to tell them anything. They are doing whatever they want. For the first time, when there came someone to look the BJP in the eye, which is you all, people gave you respect," said Kejriwal.

The party leader further said that the big parties -- BJP and Congress -- have been left "perturbed" after the civic body polls.

"I have been listening to statements of BJP and Congress, over the past few days after the results. They are perturbed, a little scared. We have to understand that they are not scared of you or AAP. They are scared of people who voted for you," Kejriwal told the corporators.

'AAP breached the citadel'

After bagging 27 seats in the civic body polls, Kejriwal had thanked the people of Gujarat earlier this week and said that they have "rejected the centuries-old politics of Congress and chosen the Aam Aadmi Party as the main opposition party, which proves that they want politics of development and work in the state".

"The AAP has breached BJP's citadel in Surat after it bagged 27 seats in the municipal corporation. I would like to thank the people of Gujarat from the bottom of my heart. The people of Surat have handed over the responsibility to the Aam Aadmi Party as the main opposition party and rejected the 125-year old Congress," he said.

"I want to assure you, that every volunteer of ours will fulfil each of his responsibility with full honesty and dedication. Gujarat has introduced a phase of new politics, which is politics of honesty, politics of work, politics of improved schools and hospitals, and politics of 24x7 free electricity," he added.

Municipal by-elections in Delhi

Citing the example of Gujarat polls, Kejriwal said on Thursday that AAP is the only party that is challenging the BJP in the country.

He was speaking at a roadshow in Seelampur ahead of the municipal by-elections here on Sunday.

The by-poll on five municipal wards in Delhi is being contested by the AAP, the BJP and the Congress.

Seeking vote for his party candidate, Kejriwal said the Congress is drawing a "zero and it's useless to vote for it."

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Looking through the ironwork fence. Sweet Olive Cemetery, Baton Rouge's oldest Black burial ground, has suffered decades long disrepair at the historic site.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 11:29:00|Editor: huaxia

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WELLINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The value of total goods exports fell 10 percent in January 2021 from January 2020, to 4.2 billion NZ dollars (3.09 billion U.S. dollars), led by falls in dairy and meat, New Zealand's statistics department Stats NZ said on Friday.

"China was the only one of our top trading partners to see a rise in January," international trade manager Alasdair Allen said in a statement.

The fall in exports of 486 million NZ dollars was the largest year-on-year fall in exports since March of 2016, Allen said.

"The drop in dairy exports was partly due to a fall in quantity for whey products to one of New Zealand's top export trading markets, the United States. Exports of dairy were the largest fall for the U.S. in January 2021, specifically exports of whey," Allen said.

This is the fifth consecutive month where monthly dairy exports were lower than the corresponding month a year ago, he said. Enditem
A running Tom Cruise can be seen again soon, the new "Mission Impossible 7" photo conveyed.

Ahead of the release of the new "Mission: Impossible" installment, McQuarrie shared a never-before-seen photo on the film's set.

On Instagram, the director shared a photo of Cruise as Ethan Hunt, seemingly running through a subway. The character was also surrounded by smoke, hinting that Hunt will soon find himself in a thrilling running bout.

The sneak peek photo hinted that Hunt is out without his team again, and this could mean two things: whether Cruise's character will suffer more in the new flick or he will fail to save the world this time.

To recall, the core theme of "Mission Impossible - Fallout" was about teamwork. But the new photo also confirmed that Hunt will distance himself from everyone - especially from Julia - to save them from dangers in his life.

During the Empire Podcast's 400th episode, McQuarrie said that the upcoming "Mission: Impossible 7" will be full of mind-blowing stunts and scenes.

"We've figured out three obscene things that he's doing that I'm terrified of, it'll make the helicopter chase look like tinker toys," the director said, referring to the aerial stunt work by Cruise himself.

'Mission: Impossible 7' Updates

The new photo served as the first material to be released ever since the team resumed filming again after halting the production due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To recall, Cruise immediately became a hot topic when his COVID-19 rant to his crew went viral.

"Don't you ever do that again! I'm gonna fire you, alright?" the 55-year-old Hollywood megastar yelled at their staff.

Despite Cruise's rage, fans expressed their excitement about seeing him run again.

Originally, long-time fans of "Mission: Impossible" would enjoy a back-to-back film with "Mission: Impossible 8." However, Cruise still has to promote "Top Gun: Maverick," causing McQuarrie to delay the sequel's production.

The director already worked with Cruise in the previous installments including "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" and "Mission: Impossible Fallout." He also collaborated with the actor outside the franchise, having written and directed "Jack Reacher" and serving as a scriptwriter for "Edge of Tomorrow."

Aside from Cruise, the upcoming film also features Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Rebecca Ferguson, Shea Whigham, Esai Morales, Henry Czerny, Hayley Atwell, and Pom Klementieff, among others.

"Mission: Impossible 7" and "Mission: Impossible 8" will arrive in theaters on Nov. 19, 2021, and Nov. 4, 2022, respectively.

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
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THE INFORMATION IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A TAKEOVER OFFER OR AN OFFER OF SECURITIES.

Capitalised terms used in this Announcement, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as set out in the Circular.

26 February 2021

UK MORTGAGES LIMITED

(a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 60440) LEI 549300388LT7VTHCIT59

Circular to Shareholders and Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting relating to the Company's proposed tender offers

Following the result of a Shareholders' vote which was announced on 4 December 2020, the Board of UK Mortgages Limited (the "Company") is recommending for the Company to return in the region of 40,000,000 to Shareholders through proposed tender offers and associated share repurchases. The Company also recommends proposal for further tender offers.

The Board is therefore convening an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company to be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 23 March 2021 at the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY1 3QL in order to approve the proposal.

Introduction

On 4 December 2020 Shareholders voted in favour of the Company's proposals described in the November Circular to, among other things, (i) distribute the proceeds (net of expenses and future commitments)of the sale of Cornhill No. 6 and Malt Hill No. 2 through a tender offer (to be implemented by Numis, acting as principal) and the subsequent repurchase of Ordinary Shares from Numis by the Company.

On 8 February 2021 the Company announced that it had signed agreements to sell two buy-to-let mortgages portfolios financed by Cornhill No. 6 and Malt Hill No. 2, which subject to successful completion is expected to release capital enabling two tenders to be carried out in February (the "February Tender Offer") and May (the "May Tender Offer") respectively, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Circular.

The Company today announces that it proposes to return up in the region of 40,000,000 to Shareholders in two tranches, each by way of a tender offer and associated share repurchase. Having carried out a full review of the Company's liquid resources, future cash requirements, commitments and costs, the Board has concluded that the February Tender Offer will comprise a capital return of 20,000,000.

It is expected that the May Tender Offer will comprise a capital return in the region of 20,000,000. Details of the May Tender Offer will be provided at a later date by the Company by RIS announcement following the expected completion of the sale of Malt Hill No. 2 in May 2021.

The first return of capital, being the February Tender Offer, will take place by way of a tender offer and associated repurchase of up to 11.5 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares at a price of 75p per Ordinary Shares, which represents a 8.3 per cent. discount to the net asset value per Ordinary Share of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date.

The price per Ordinary Share under the May Tender Offer and any further Tender Offers will be announced by the Company by RIS announcement on or before the opening of the relevant Tender Offer and shall not be less than 75p per Ordinary Share.

The Tender Offers

Subject to approval by Shareholders at the Extraordinary General meeting, the Board intends that:

Returns of cash are to take the form of two tender offers (to be implemented by Numis, acting as principal) and subsequent repurchases of Ordinary Shares by the Company. Whilst the Company does not currently intend to make further tender offers after the May Tender Offer, it is seeking authority to do so, to provide the Company with that optionality going forward. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offers are set out in Part II of the Circular.

Under the February Tender Offer the Company is proposing to return 20,000,000 at 75p per Ordinary Share (being a 8.3 per cent. discount to the net asset value per Ordinary Share at the Latest Practicable Date). The maximum number of Ordinary Shares subject to Repurchase under the February Tender Offer will be 26,666,666, equivalent to 11.5 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company which, as at Latest Practicable Date.

Further details of the May Tender Offer, which will be carried out in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Tender Offers will be provided by the Company by RIS announcement on or before the opening of the May Tender Offer.

Shareholders whose names appear on the Register on the relevant Tender Record Date may apply to tender their Ordinary Shares for purchase by the Company at the relevant Tender Offer Price.

The number of Ordinary Shares to which the Tender Offers will apply

The number of Ordinary Shares subject to the February Tender Offer (and the associated Repurchase) is 26,666,666, which is calculated by dividing 20,000,000 by the Tender Offer Price and rounding down to the nearest whole number. This is 11.5 per cent. of all Ordinary Shares in issue as at the Latest Practicable Date, which represents the "Basic Entitlement" under the Tender Offer and each Qualifying Shareholder is entitled to tender a percentage of their holding equal to (or less than, if they so choose) the Basic Entitlement. By way of example, the Basic Entitlement of a Qualifying Shareholder with 100 Ordinary Shares would be 11 Ordinary Shares. Qualifying Shareholders will also be entitled to apply to tender Ordinary Shares above their Basic Entitlement, which, may be satisfied on a pro rata basis to the extent that other Qualifying Shareholders do not tender up to their respective Basic Entitlements.

The number of Ordinary Shares subject to further Tender Offers and the Basic Entitlements of Shareholders in relation to such Tender Offers will be calculated using the same methodology as is applied in respect of the February Tender Offer and will be notified to Shareholders in an RIS announcement on or before the opening of the relevant Tender Offer.

Benefits of the Tender Offers

The Board considers the Tender Offers and the subsequent Repurchases to be in the best interests of the Company and Shareholders as a whole and is, therefore, recommending that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution. However, the Board is not making any recommendation to Shareholders as to whether tendering Ordinary Shares under any Tender Offer is in their own individual best interests. Whether or not Qualifying Shareholders decide to tender all or any of their Ordinary Shares is a decision for individual Qualifying Shareholders.

Qualifying Shareholders should take into account their tax position when deciding whether or not to participate in the Tender Offers. A summary of material UK taxation considerations in connection with the Tender Offers is set out in Part III of the Circular. Qualifying Shareholders are advised to take independent advice in relation to the tax implications for them of selling Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Tender Offers.

The Board reserves the right not to proceed with any Tender Offer (and the subsequent Repurchase) if it concludes, at any time prior to the announcement of the results of the relevant Tender Offer, that the implementation of that Tender Offer (and the associated Repurchase) are no longer in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.

Extraordinary General Meeting

An extraordinary general meeting is being convened at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 23 March 2021 at the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY1 3QL to consider and, if thought fit, pass the Resolution, as set out in full in the Notice of General Meeting at the end of the Circular.

Recommendation

The Board considers the Proposal to be in the best interest of Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution to be proposed at the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Directors intend to vote in favour of the Resolution in respect of their holdings of Ordinary Shares amounting to 219,050 Ordinary Shares in aggregate (representing approximately 0.09 per cent. of the issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company, as at the Latest Practicable Date

Expected Timetable

Announcement of February Tender Offer 26 February 2021 February Tender Offer opens 26 February 2021 Latest time and date for receipt of Forms of Proxy 3.00 p.m. on 19 March 2021 Extraordinary General Meeting 3.00 p.m. on 23 March 2021 Latest time and date for receipt of Tender Forms and TTE Instructions in CREST from Shareholders in relation to the February Tender Offer 1.00 p.m. on 23 March 2021 February Tender Offer Record Date 6.00 p.m. on 23 March 2021 Announcement of the results of the General Meeting 23 March 2021 Announcement of the results of the February Tender Offer 24 March 2021 Cheques despatched and payments through CREST made and CREST accounts settled 31 March 2021 Balancing share certificates despatched week beginning 31 March 2021

Notes:

1. References to times above and in the Circular generally are to London time unless otherwise specified.

2. All times and dates in the expected timetable and in the Circular may be adjusted by the Company. Any changes to the timetable will be notified via an RIS.

Terms used and not defined in this announcement shall have the meaning given to them in the Circular.

Enquiries:

UK Mortgages Limited

Christopher Waldron (Chairman) 020 7260 1000

Numis Securities Limited, Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker

Hugh Jonathan 020 7260 1000

Nathan Brown

Important notice

This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or sell or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction. The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in, into or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

Numis Securities Limited ("Numis"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for UK Mortgages Limited and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than UK Mortgages Limited for providing the protections afforded to clients of Numis, nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to herein.

Forward looking statements

This announcement, oral statements made regarding the Proposal, and other information published by the Company may contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of The Company about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forwardlooking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Although The Company believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, The Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors. Neither The Company, nor any of its associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA), 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.

Publication on website and availability of hard copies

Copies can be downloaded from the Company's website:

https://twentyfouram.com/en/funds/uk-mortgages-fund/
President Joe Biden on Thursday directed U.S. military air strikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Pentagon said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq.

The strikes, which were first reported by Reuters, appeared to be limited in scope, potentially lowering the risk of escalation.

Biden's decision to strike only in Syria and not in Iraq, at least for now, also gives the Iraqi government some breathing room as it carries out its own investigation of a Feb. 15 attack that wounded Americans.

"At President (Joe) Bidens direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq," Kirby said.

He added that the strikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision to carry out the strikes was meant to send a signal that while the United States wanted to punish the militias, it did not want the situation to spiral into a bigger conflict.

The official added that Biden was presented with a range of options and one of the most limited responses was chosen.

It was not immediately clear what damage was caused and if there were any casualties from the U.S. strike.

Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the strikes were the right move.

"Responses like this are a necessary deterrent and remind Iran, its proxies, and our adversaries around the world that attacks on U.S. interests will not be tolerated," McCaul said.

Suzanne Maloney, of the Brookings Institution think tank, said the strikes showed the Biden administration could negotiate with Iran on the nuclear deal while pushing back against the militias it backed.

"Good move by... Biden (administration) demonstrating US can walk and chew gum at the same time," she said on Twitter.

The rocket attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq were carried out as Washington and Tehran are looking for a way to return to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

It was not clear how, or whether, the strike might affect U.S. efforts to coax Iran back into a negotiation about both sides resuming compliance with the agreement.

In the Feb. 15 attack, rockets hit the U.S. military base housed at Erbil International Airport in the Kurdish-run region, killing one non-American contractor and injuring a number of American contractors and a U.S. service member.

Another salvo struck a base hosting U.S. forces north of Baghdad days later, hurting at least one contractor.

Rockets hit Baghdads Green Zone on Monday, which houses the U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic missions.

Earlier this week, the Kata'ib Hezbollah group, one of the main Iran-aligned Iraqi militia groups, denied any role in the rocket attacks.

Some Western and Iraqi officials say the attacks, often claimed by little-known groups, are being carried out by militants with links to Kata'ib Hezbollah as a way for Iranian allies to harass U.S. forces without being held accountable.

Since late 2019, the United States has carried out high-profile strikes against the Kata'ib Hezbollah militia group in Iraq and Syria in response to sometimes deadly rocket attacks against U.S.-led forces.

Under the Trump administration, the escalatory back-and-forth stoked tensions, culminating in the U.S. killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory Iranian ballistic missile attack against U.S. forces in Iraq last year.
Last September, Remington filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and this notable American firearms manufacturer (established in 1816) was then recently sold off, although its firearms, according to what I have recently read, will still be manufactured. (Firearm manufacturing businesses changing hands seems to be a common occurrence these days.)

The Remington Model 870 pump-action shotgun first hit the market in 1950 and quickly became a favorite of American hunters (several million have been manufactured and sold).

I can remember pump 870s being in the hands of quite a few visiting pheasant hunters on our farm when I was a kid.

I handled and shot an 870 for the first time about 50 years ago. I had stopped to visit a friend, and he and his brothers were just getting ready to do a pigeon harvest at a neighbor's barn. This entailed flushing the birds out of the barn and shooting them on the wing with shotguns, later followed by a pigeon fry. Pigeons, by the way, make quite good table fare.

I was immediately loaned a 16-gauge Remington 870 equipped with a 30-inch full-choked barrel.

If a gun doesnt fit you well, you will never be able to hit much with it. I liked how the 870 felt in my hands and the way it shouldered. I was standing near the silo when a pair of pigeons careened overhead, and I dropped both with two shots from the fluid working pump.

Needless to say, folks, I was impressed, but not enough to go out and buy one right away. Remington 870 Wingmasters were a bit pricey for my wallet at the time, and I had shotguns of other makes I was quite satisfied with.

The Wingmasters high-gloss finish also put me off a bit, as Im not into pretty guns and much prefer that my shotguns blend in and not reflect like a mirror, especially in regard to hunting waterfowl, wild turkeys, varmints and whitetails.

There are many 870 variants, and the first Remington 870 Express hit the market in 1987. It was during this timeframe that I attended a local Ducks Unlimited banquet. One of the items on the raffle table was a 12-gauge 870 Express with a vent-ribbed 28-inch barrel and screw-in chokes.

All of my shotguns up to that point had fixed-chokes, and I liked the diversity being offered by the new (at that time) screw-in choke version. I was also very impressed with the Expresss low-luster finish and a dull, stained hardwood buttstock that, when scratched up in the brush, would only gain in character.

I tossed a couple tickets into the raffle bucket and automatically assumed that was the end of it, as I never seem to get drawn at such events.

But much to my surprise, my ticket was drawn for the 870 Express 12-gauge, and thus would begin my strong affection for this particular brand of shotgun. The firearms deer season was on the horizon, and the first game I bagged with it was an 11-point buck, using buckshot in extremely heavy cover.

Buckshot tends to be misunderstood a bit by some hunters who believe it is next to useless and pretty much a deer crippler. However, when properly applied in the dense environment it is intended for, buckshot can in fact be very effective. This is especially so when the range being fired can be measured in feet instead of yards and the shot is taken through a maze of twigs, branches and vines that would otherwise soak up or derail a solo slug.

A vent rib with a bead is not a hindrance at all in this up-close and personal atmosphere, where in fact it can be a quick-to-use asset.

I had picked up the bucks track at first light near a well-tended scrape in a grouse-infested, large thicket. His pungent rut-scent hung heavily in the still, moist air, and his large, deeply-sunk hoof prints in the damp, black muck were just filling in with glistening water.

I knew he was close, most likely bedded down, and it took me more than three hours to cover the next 100 yards as I still-hunted along his tracks, remaining motionless more than I moved. And when I moved, it was done with ever-slow, painstaking care for each and every step.

The last thing I needed to do was flush a grouse or break a twig at this point to alert the buck of my presence (when chickadees land and perch on your shoulders and gun barrel, you know you are moving just right).

I managed to be less than 15 yards from the buck when he finally sensed my presence and exploded up out of his well-concealed bed right in front of me. The 870 Express 12-gauge flew naturally to my shoulder and discharged in a fluid movement, and there was time for only one shot before the deer suddenly disappeared into the heavy cover.

With a well-grouped pattern of double-aught buckshot from a three-inch magnum shell on his ribcage, the buck didnt go far at all, as I soon heard him crash down in the brush. This was certainly a good omen for a new shotgun.

It wasnt long before I purchased a smoothbore, 20-inch slug barrel for my 870 Express, and with iron sights, it did a dandy job of putting slugs where they count. Actually, smoothbore slug shotguns are quite accurate and efficient in the hands of a shooter who knows his/her gun.

These shotguns do a marvelous job in the whitetail-hunting arena, where most deer are taken at well under 100 yards, and can even reach out a bit further as well. I can remember dropping a buck in a hayfield during a calm, windless evening, at a measured 125 yards, and was fully confident in making the shot.

I also eventually purchased a 20-gauge 870 Express that has a 26-inch vent-rib barrel and screw-in chokes. With an extra-full choke installed, it is one of my favorite turkey guns. I purchased a cantilever, 18 1/2-inch rifled slug barrel for it a few years ago (a real beauty of the Remington 870 shotgun system is the ease entailed in changing barrels) and topped it with a Bushnell electric red/green dot Trophy sight.

It turned out to be an efficient deer gun, for sure, using Remington Buck Hammer slugs. I wouldnt hesitate to use this combination for black bear hunting, either, because it packs a punch.

Before the rifled barrel, I simply put TruGlo turkey sights on this shotguns vent-rib, discovered it would place Foster-type slugs quite accurately at point of aim (while using an improved cylinder choke), and successfully took several deer with it.

Over a couple decades ago, I purchased a 28-gauge 870 Express with a 26-inch vent-rib barrel and a fixed modified choke. It quickly became my favorite pheasant gun because it is lightweight and thus possesses marvelously quick handling characteristics.

And, despite its diminutive size, the 28-gauge is still a hard hitter on tenacious roosters. It works for me, anyway, in the 870 Express. Needless to say, folks, using it also for rabbits, hares and squirrels is a no-brainer.

Speaking of rabbits, hares and squirrels, another ideal bore size is a .410 for this avenue. I guess my Remington Express collection wont be complete without a .410 in the wings, but it and the 28-gauge have had limited offerings in the past, so Ill have to wait and see what the future holds.

The beauty of the Remington 870 Express line of shotguns is that it comes in a variety of stock designs and barrel combinations (including youth styles) at an affordable price. Mechanically, it possesses all the fine internal qualities of the more expensive Wingmaster series (which are truly great and beautiful shotguns in their own right), only without all the extra frills.

The 870 is a working gun meant to take a beating (which my shotguns have been known to do) with no worries and keep on ticking. After more than 30 years of using Remington Express shotguns in the field, I can firmly attest that they work as advertised. When it comes to sharp-eyed waterfowl, wild turkeys, varmints, and deer, the low-matte finish and a dull buttstock of the 870 Express don't require any extra camouflage touch-ups, as it blends in quite nicely just the way it is.

For me, it is an extremely versatile, tough, and efficient shotgun which fills an important niche for American shooters.

Email Tom Lounsbury at tlounsburyoutdoors@gmail.com
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, tens of thousands of Americans have stepped up to address the needs of those reeling from the pandemic as well as record-breaking disasters across the country.

Americans experienced more billion-dollar disasters in 2020 than any other year on record, and for many, the pandemic compounded the trauma and financial strain of disasters: struggling families needed help quickly and faced more hurdles to recover, as increased anxiety exacerbated many health and mental health needs.

"The past year has taken an enormous toll on families, and that's why our trained volunteers are more critical to our mission than ever before," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Through our lifesaving work, people are coming forward to care for each other when help can't wait. During Red Cross Month in March, we honor this humanitarian spirit and ask you to join us by making a financial donation, giving blood, volunteering or taking a class to learn lifesaving skills."

In addition to responding to disasters, Red Cross volunteers are supporting local communities across the country as they distribute COVID-19 vaccines. Depending on local needs, our work may include setting up vaccination sites, collecting information from people being vaccinated, and providing water and snacks for medical staff and those waiting to be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Red Cross volunteers who are medical professionals may also be working with local authorities to help give vaccinations if their state licenses permit them to do so. Additionally, volunteers are helping to vaccinate U.S. service members on bases around the globe and are active in U.S. veterans' hospitals.

WHAT IS RED CROSS MONTH? For nearly 80 years, U.S. presidents have proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to recognize Americans participating in its lifesaving mission  one that is powered by a workforce that is made up of 90% volunteers.

2021 KICKS OFF WITH SEVERE WEATHER So far this year, Red Cross volunteers have provided emergency shelter, food and other assistance following disasters like tornadoes and February's record onslaught of winter storms, which blanketed some 70% of the continental U.S. with snow, ice and historically low temperatures. The severe winter weather forced the cancellation of Red Cross blood drives in more than 30 states, impacting more than 20,000 blood, platelet and convalescent plasma donations in February.

This spring, meteorologists are also predicting a potentially volatile severe weather season: For the third year in a row, April could be a very active month for storms in the Midwest and South, and the West could see early drought conditions and heat waves.

HOW TO HELP During our annual Giving Day on March 24, you can help ensure that families don't face emergencies alone, especially during the pandemic:

DONATE: Support our Disaster Relief efforts at redcross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a difference to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance.

Support our Disaster Relief efforts at redcross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a difference to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance. VOLUNTEER: Many people feel isolated during the pandemic. Support your own mental health and give back to others by connecting with communities in need through volunteering. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to see our most-needed positions, including virtual opportunities.

Many people feel isolated during the pandemic. Support your own mental health and give back to others by connecting with communities in need through volunteering. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to see our most-needed positions, including virtual opportunities. GIVE BLOOD : If you're healthy and feeling well  especially those with type O blood  please make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org. Your donation can make a lifesaving difference for a patient in need. As a thank you, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 15-26 will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

If you're healthy and feeling well  especially those with type O blood  please make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org. Your donation can make a lifesaving difference for a patient in need. As a thank you, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. LEARN LIFESAVING SKILLS: Sign up to take a CPR and first aid class, so you can be prepared for an emergency, at redcross.org/TakeAClass. Online options include our Psychological First Aid for COVID-19 course, which covers how to manage stress and support yourself and others.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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Jack Whitehall is known for making audiences laugh with anecdotes about his days at boarding school.

And the comedian, 32, shared a series of hysterical drawings of celebrity icons, including Liam Gallagher, Cindy Crawford, Katie Price, Tupac, Dwayne Johnson and John Lennon, from his time at the prestigious Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

'I think I should stick to comedy,' concluded Jack after flicking through his old sketchbook on Instagram on Thursday.

Jack Whitehall flicked through his old sketchbook on Instagram on Thursday to reveal hilarious childhood drawings of Liam Gallagher, Cindy Crawford, Katie Price and Tupac

The comedian shared the art work he'd discovered with his followers saying: 'Just found an old sketchbook from school. Very lol.'

Jack had covered the artefact with an intricate collage of various celebrity photos and animations, including Gwen Stefani and The Powerpuff Girls.

The book contained an eclectic collection of showbiz caricatures, which he went on to explore in detail.

'Warning the next picture is SO cringe,' Jack told his fans.

Don't look back in anger: 'I think I should stick to comedy,' concluded Jack after flicking through his old sketchbook filled with celebrity caricatures

Hilarious: The comedian shared the art work he'd discovered with his followers saying: 'Just found an old sketchbook from school. Very lol.'

'Remember I went to a boarding school in Wiltshire set up for sons of the clergy,' he said before revealing a sketch of the American rapper Tupac Shakur smoking.

Jack drew the artwork, titled 'dedicated to Tupac', while at Marlborough College, whose notable alumni also includes the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

'She's someone they like to talk about,' Jack told The Sun in July.

'I've been sending them a letter each year saying maybe now it's time to put me in the school prospectus or on the walls. I feel like I'm their dirty little secret,' he said.

Embarrassing: 'Warning the next picture is SO cringe,' Jack warned his fans before revealing a sketch of the American rapper Tupac Shakur smoking

It's surprising the prestigious school hasn't made more of Jack's time there, considering what he produced in art class.

'Obviously also drew this legend,' he wrote beneath the next stunning portrait of 'The Rock' Dwayne Johnson.

The comedian had sketched the actor in a pair of blacked-out shades next to a picture of a bull and his WWE catchphrase 'Know Your Role.'

He then revealed he'd hilariously combined two very different musicians, John Lennon and Craig David, on the next double page spread.

'Know Your Role': The comedian had sketched the actor in a pair of blacked-out shades next to a picture of a bull and his WWE catchphrase

'Two musical icons - Lennon and David. (Yeah I have no idea why?!,)' wrote the comedian in confusion at his younger self.

Jack had drawn the hitmakers with ginormous heads and tiny bodies, before signing 'To Jack, from John Lennon,' as though he had received an autograph from The Beatles star.

And it was clear the teenage school boy also had an interest in alluring female celebrities.

'I think I must have gone through puberty,' wrote Jack beneath his drawing of a bikini-clad Cindy Crawford.

'I have no idea why!?': Jack revealed he'd hilariously combined two very different musicians, John Lennon and Craig David, on a double page spread

The lustful artwork didn't stop there.

'Clearly quite horny drawing,' wrote Jack beneath his sketch of the glamour model Jordan, aka Katie Price, wearing a Union Jack patterned bra.

Amongst the musicians and the glamour models, Jack also noticed something that remind him of his father, Michael.

'This looks like a prototype poster for Travels with my Father,' he wrote beneath a sketch of a man smoking a cigar and drinking wine in a dressing gown.

Behind him, a butler with a uni-brow and a bow tie lurked menacingly near a cabinet of alcohol.

'I think I must have gone through puberty': It was clear the school boy also had an interest in alluring female celebrities from his drawing of Cindy Crawford in a bikini

'This looks like a prototype poster for Travels with my Father': Amongst the musicians and the glamour models, Jack also noticed something that remind him of his father, Michael

The father-son duo filmed their fourth season of Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father in the nick of time before the pandemic forced the world into lockdown.

Jack and his 80-year-old father faced various entertaining trials and tribulations as they travelled around Australia.

The trip Down Under proved fruitful for Jack as he met his now girlfriend, British model Roxy Horner, 29.

Amid a whirlwind romance, the couple moved in together during the first lockdown after just two weeks of dating.

Renalytix AI plc, an artificial intelligence-enabled in vitro diagnostics company, and the University of Utah, one of the top research institutions in the United States, today announced a partnership to improve kidney health and reduce the risk of kidney failure for large scale populations in the earliest stages of kidney disease.

The partnership intends to implement RenalytixAI's in vitro diagnostic platform, KidneyIntelX, in combination with a range of advanced clinical management solutions to optimize patient care and drive towards improved outcomes system-wide at University of Utah Health, which serves millions of patients in six states. KidneyIntelX is designed for the identification of adults with early-stage chronic kidney disease and diabetes who are at risk for progressive kidney function decline or kidney failure.

Core to this partnership is the implementation of care navigation and pharmacy programs, behavioral and health economic assessments, together with data-driven analytics. KidneyIntelX will be deployed directly into the electronic health records (EHR) system at University of Utah Health, enabling access to more than 1,700 clinicians for seamless test ordering and patient risk score reporting as part of the standard clinical workflow.

The RenalytixAI and University of Utah partnership was facilitated by the university's designated office for industry relations, The Partners for Innovation, Ventures, Outreach & Technology (PIVOT) Center.

"Working with RenalytixAI to improve kidney disease management yields the University of Utah new avenues to innovate approaches to translational research, health informatics, and clinical care," said John Inadomi, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine. "This partnership is exciting because it is so forward looking. It also demonstrates the value of having a resource like the PIVOT Center which is able to drive complicated relations for our exceptional health enterprise."

RenalytixAI is a unique and ideal partner to engage in a multi-dimensional collaboration like this, in real-time and at scale. The University of Utah's PIVOT Center is focused on catalyzing the innovation ecosystem in Utah by integrating technology commercialization, economic development and corporate engagement, and this partnership with RenalytixAI serves as a terrific example of how we've come together to do just that." Keith Marmer, Chief Innovation and Economic Engagement Officer, University of Utah

"University of Utah's clinical and translational expertise presents an ideal opportunity to interrupt the devastating and costly effects of progressive chronic kidney disease from its earliest stages to help prevent irreversible late-stage kidney disease and dialysis," said James McCullough, chief executive officer, RenalytixAI. "This partnership is enabling RenalytixAI to address a major health problem, help build the life sciences sector in Utah and show the economic value of such a robust public private collaboration. We look forward to being able to announce additional innovative partnerships of this type in the near future."

Integral to the partnership, RenalytixAI and the University of Utah are supporting continued research and development in: 1) understanding kidney disease progression and improving clinical management in underserved minority communities; 2) novel care delivery and treatment models in early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) across all populations; and 3) identifying genetic biomarkers for incorporation into KidneyIntelX and other machine learning-driven algorithms to enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of patients in the earliest disease stages. RenalytixAI will be providing financial support to the University of Utah over a five-year period in the form of sponsored research, software and education program development, and third-party resources in each of these critical areas.

"The growing partnership between RenalytixAI and the University of Utah is an ideal example of the great innovation possible within Utah's rich life sciences ecosystem," said Katelin Roberts, interim director of BioHive, a thriving collective of more than 1,100 companies representing the life science and healthcare innovation ecosystem of Utah's economy. "The entrepreneurial, can-do spirit of the partners, coupled with unique technology and research capacities, will potentially enable new advances in patient care and disease management throughout the state."

This partnership follows RenalytixAI's establishment of a new commercial laboratory in the University of Utah's Research Park in 2020 and demonstrates the continued growth of RenalytixAI's operations for the western United States. RenalytixAI intends to rapidly expand employees and infrastructure in the state and accelerate the availability of advanced precision medicine diagnostics for Utah diabetes and kidney disease patients.
Artificial 'brain' reveals why we can't always believe our eyes

A computer network closely modelled on part of the human brain is enabling new insights into the way our brains process moving images - and explains some perplexing optical illusions.

By using decades' worth of data from human motion perception studies, researchers have trained an artificial neural network to estimate the speed and direction of image sequences.

The new system, called MotionNet, is designed to closely match the motion-processing structures inside a human brain. This has allowed the researchers to explore features of human visual processing that cannot be directly measured in the brain.

Their study, published in the Journal of Vision, uses the artificial system to describe how space and time information is combined in our brain to produce our perceptions, or misperceptions, of moving images.

The brain can be easily fooled. For instance, if there's a black spot on the left of a screen, which fades while a black spot appears on the right, we will 'see' the spot moving from left to right - this is called 'phi' motion. But if the spot that appears on the right is white on a dark background, we 'see' the spot moving from right to left, in what is known as 'reverse-phi' motion."

The researchers reproduced reverse-phi motion in the MotionNet system, and found that it made the same mistakes in perception as a human brain - but unlike with a human brain, they could look closely at the artificial system to see why this was happening. They found that neurons are 'tuned' to the direction of movement, and in MotionNet, 'reverse-phi' was triggering neurons tuned to the direction opposite to the actual movement.

The artificial system also revealed new information about this common illusion: the speed of reverse-phi motion is affected by how far apart the dots are, in the reverse to what would be expected. Dots 'moving' at a constant speed appear to move faster if spaced a short distance apart, and more slowly if spaced a longer distance apart.

"We've known about reverse-phi motion for a long time, but the new model generated a completely new prediction about how we experience it, which no-one has ever looked at or tested before," said Dr Reuben Rideaux, a researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Psychology and first author of the study.

Humans are reasonably good at working out the speed and direction of a moving object just by looking at it. It's how we can catch a ball, estimate depth, or decide if it's safe to cross the road. We do this by processing the changing patterns of light into a perception of motion - but many aspects of how this happens are still not understood.

"It's very hard to directly measure what's going on inside the human brain when we perceive motion - even our best medical technology can't show us the entire system at work. With MotionNet we have complete access," said Rideaux.

Thinking things are moving at a different speed than they really are can sometimes have catastrophic consequences. For example, people tend to underestimate how fast they are driving in foggy conditions, because dimmer scenery appears to be moving past more slowly than it really is.

The researchers showed in a previous study that neurons in our brain are biased towards slow speeds, so when visibility is low they tend to guess that objects are moving more slowly than they actually are.

Revealing more about the reverse-phi illusion is just one example of the way that MotionNet is providing new insights into how we perceive motion. With confidence that the artificial system is solving visual problems in a very similar way to human brains, the researchers hope to fill in many gaps in current understanding of how this part of our brain works.

Predictions from MotionNet will need to be validated in biological experiments, but the researchers say that knowing which part of the brain to focus on will save a lot of time.

Rideaux and his study co-author Dr Andrew Welchman are part of Cambridge's Adaptive Brain Lab, where a team of researchers is examining the brain mechanisms underlying our ability to perceive the structure of the world around us.

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This story has been published on: 2021-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
ALBANY, N.Y.  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo started the year as one of the nations most powerful governors, a household name who was racing toward a potential fourth term in office.

Now, two months later, hes embroiled in two major scandals and facing a daily onslaught of questions about deaths in nursing homes, accusations of sexual impropriety and growing speculation that his political career may be in jeopardy.

"It appears he's earned himself a primary," said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a frequent critic of the governor and one of the names tossed around as a possible 2022 challenger.

New allegations arrived this week from a former aide, Lindsey Boylan, who says Cuomo kissed her without her consent, suggested a game of strip poker while on a business trip and made other inappropriate comments.

As the governor scrambled to deal with the fallout from that scandal, one of his top cabinet members was in a standoff Thursday with state lawmakers over the other: The revelation that his administration for months failed to report the deaths of thousands of nursing home patients who had been hospitalized with Covid-19.

That controversy mushroomed last week when Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Queens) said Cuomo called him and threatened to destroy his career over his nursing home criticism, drawing attention to Cuomos long history of hardball tactics some describe as bullying and abusive.

Cuomos growing body of detractors now encompasses Republicans, progressives, good government types and womens rights advocates, among others. To his critics, the two controversies are not unrelated.

Sexual harassment is a form of power abuse, and when you piece it it altogether the hidden but now public harassment and what weve already seen in broad daylight by Cuomo you can put together a profile of the kind of power abuser he really is, said Erica Vladimer, a former legislative staffer who accused her then-boss of sexual harassment and co-founded an advocacy group to address a culture of such behavior in Albany.

Story continues

Unlike questions over his policy decisions, friends and foes alike have called the new attacks on Cuomos character self-inflicted. His decision to call and berate Kim  and Kims decision to air it publicly  opened a floodgate for others with similar experiences, said New Yorks GOP chair Nick Langworthy, during a Thursday discussion the party hosted virtually with his counterpart in California.

Cuomo made a very big mistake in doing this because Assemblyman Kim took the age old advice on how to handle a bully, which was that he fought back, punched back, and in doing so, inspired many others to recount their own stories of inappropriate and abusive behavior by this governor, Langworthy said.

The allegations were enough to drive Cuomos Emmy-winning briefings off the air, at least for a day: The governor scrapped a virtual press conference that had been planned for Wednesday as an embattled administration and weary staff pivoted to a new sort of crisis almost exactly a year after the first Covid-19 case was found in the state.

For a governor who has been so much in the public eye over the last year, his silence in recent days has been conspicuous.

The moment requires something other than hiding back, but hes not there yet, said an administration official.

Cuomo is a self-proclaimed gearhead and fix-it guy, but a sexual misconduct allegation isnt something that can easily be shut down with a political machination or a pivot. The car broke down and Im going to get it going? Well, thats not the right metaphor [for now], the official said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, another frequent foe, on Thursday joined calls from both Republicans and fellow Democrats for an independent probe into the sexual harassment allegations.

"These allegations are really disturbing, he told reporters. We need a full and independent investigation. I want to emphasize the word 'independent' investigation  by some individual or entity that is not compromised, is not something that is dominated by the governors office, but an independent investigation, because this is just unacceptable.

Cuomos poll numbers have already suffered from the nursing home scandal. His job approval rating was down to 48 percent in a Marist poll released this week. Only 36 percent of registered voters said Cuomo deserves to be re-elected to a fourth term, while 58 percent said its time to elect someone else. That survey came out before Boylan published her harassment account.

Hes not dead yet, but hes taken a sizable hit. I think New Yorkers are paying attention in a way they havent before, said Republican consultant Jessica Proud.

Its hard to see the path out of this for him. Hes someone that will certainly dig his claws in, and I dont think he will resign of his own volition, she said. He will essentially be a non-functioning governor.

Any effort to take down Cuomo, however, will face its own obstacles. Despite mounting calls for an investigation into the harassment allegations, there is no clear roadmap for such a probe. Albanys main investigatory body, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, is largely controlled by the governor.

Some have called for an investigation by state Attorney General Tish James or special prosecutor she could appoint. She, too, has been a Cuomo ally, but has recently asserted her independence: It was her investigation that first revealed the state undercounted nursing home deaths by about 50 percent. The states top Republican lawmakers sent a letter Wednesday requesting an investigation into the harassment claims.

Its unclear what James might do, should she decide to engage. The office of New Yorks attorney general has wide jurisdiction to weigh in on state ethics matters, but those have historically been assumed on a situational basis. A spokesperson for James office said they are reviewing the letter from GOP lawmakers, but did not comment further.

Advocates for anti-harassment reforms are calling for a standing referral  either from the Legislature or the executive  giving the attorney general the power to investigate, issue reports and, where necessary, prosecute cases of sexual misconduct.

That would give more clarity for who should tackle this and any other civil or criminal investigations that might arise in the future, said Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham law professor and Cuomo critic who has run for both governor and attorney general on Democratic lines.

In Albany, sexual misconduct, silencing and retaliation has gone hand in hand with corruption, she said. People who are harassed in Albany repeatedly feel trapped because the places they might turn to complain are all deeply intertwined with power structures.

Obviously Ive been criticizing Andrew Cuomo for a long time, Teachout added. But this moment is different because of the level of national exposure.

If Cuomo follows through on his plans to run for re-election next year, no clear challenger has yet emerged.

The governor beat back primary challengers on his left in 2018 and 2014, and observers say that to have a shot next year, a rival Democrat would have to be able to make inroads among voters of color in New York City.

The only candidates who could beat him are people who could beat him in his base, said Democratic consultant Rebecca Katz, who worked on Cynthia Nixons 2018 campaign. New York City held very strong for Cuomo. And if any progressive challenger is going to come close to beating him, they have to beat him in New York City.

James and Williams are viewed as among the strongest potential challengers, but neither has said yet if they will run.

I am not focused on that," said Williams, who narrowly lost a bid for lieutenant governor against Cuomos No. 2, Kathy Hochul, in 2018.

Williams said the latest revelations about the governors tactics are not new nor surprising.

Theyve just been hidden in plain sight for so long, he told POLITICO. It has not gotten the exposure that was definitely warranted for many, many years. And if it had, New York state might just be in better shape.

Federal prosecutors are probing the Cuomo administrations handling of the pandemic in nursing homes. Cuomo has a friend in President Joe Biden, but the White House was not quick to leap to his defense on Thursday.

The president has been consistent in his position. When a person comes forward they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, their voice should be heard not silenced and any allegation should be reviewed, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday.

Asked if Biden stands by his past comments that Cuomo represents the gold standard in pandemic leadership, she demurred. The president spoke out and said positive things about a range of governors  Democrats and Republicans  who were stepping in when there was a vacuum of leadership at the federal level, she said. He made some positive comments about Gov. Cuomo and his role in New York at the time, as he did about a range of governors.

Steve Cohen, Cuomos former top aide and the current chair of Empire State Development, was among the few to publicly defend him Thursday.

He demands excellence, and he requires that those around him perform, Cohen said. His record of accomplishment speaks for itself, and getting the best out of people is what he wants.

I can tell you that I have never in my time working with ... Andrew Cuomo, I have never seen anything of the like of what Ms. Boylan has described. His conduct has always been...appropriate. Not that its always fun loving and a good time. But its always appropriate.

Bill Mahoney, Janaki Chadha and Nick Niedzwiadek contributed reporting.
Courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomos OfficeGov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a COVID-19 briefing Monday. State senators voted to pass 11 pieces of legislation to reform oversight and care at nursing homes as outrage grows over state COVID policies and reporting of virus deaths in nursing homes.

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Tigress Avni killed per court order: SC refuses contempt action

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Feb 26: The Supreme Court on Friday refused contempt action against Maharashtra forest officials for killing a tigress in 2018.

During the hearing conducted through video conferencing, the bench told Dogra that the state government in its reply has said that the decision to kill the man eating tigress was approved by this Court.

"We cannot say that the tigress was not a man eater and review the earlier decision of the court," the bench said, adding that if the villagers celebrated that they were relieved by the killing then how it can be taken note of by the authorities.

Dogra, appearing in person, said that correct facts were not put before the court.

The bench said that how it can look into the case, if the tigress was killed as per the proper procedures.

It said that officers have stated on oath that they did not celebrate after the killing of the tigress. The bench told Dogra, "Bring a better case to us. We cannot entertain this. Next time you come in advance so that we can help you. Either you withdraw it or we will dismiss it".

Dogra said she would withdraw the case.

The petitioner had approached the Supreme Court seeking contempt action against those linked to the killing of the tigress, also known then as Avni or T1.

The activist said Avni was not a man-eater.

Dogra said that she had herself visited the area and had reasons to believe that the tigress which was killed was not a man-eater.

On November 2, 2018, tigress 'Avni' or T1, as she was known officially, believed to have been responsible for the deaths of 13 people in Maharashtra in two years, was shot dead in Yavatmal district of the state.

SC notice to Maharashtra govt on plea claiming Avni was not man-eater

"Avni was shot dead by sharp-shooter Asgar Ali, son of famous sharp-shooter Nawab Shafat Ali, at compartment no 149 of Borati forest under the jurisdiction of the Ralegaon police station," a police official had said at that time.

The forest department has claimed that the six-year-old tigress T1, along with two of her nine-month-old cubs, have consumed 60 percent of a human corpse, which has led it to declare her a ''man-eater''.

On September 11, 2018, the top court had refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court decision and said the forest department would be bound by their own order to tranquillise her first and, in case of failure, shoot her.

"The cubs of T-1 tigress will be tranquillised and shifted to the Rescue centre. The efforts to tranquillise and capture T-1 tigress will be continued and if unsuccessful, it shall be eliminated by shooting to avoid any further loss of human life," the top court had said.

It had said Chief Conservator of Forests, Yavatmal is authorized to carry out the above order but "he shall not declare any prize or any similar incentive for the responsible person."
Tourists and local people may have no option but to view An Grianan of Aileach Fort from the N13, which runs through the nearby village of Burt, if the Office of Public Works (OPW) gets its way.

This was the fear expressed by Donegal Councillor Paul Canning (Fianna Fail) at February's Inishowen Municipal District meeting.

The OPW, which manages State heritage sites, proposed restricting the number of visitors allowed up to the iconic ring fort, in a new Conservation and Management drawn up for the site.

The plan sets out the implementation strategy and Action Plan for the conservation and protection of An Grianan of Aileach Fort.

According to Cllr Canning, the OPW is putting a lot of restrictions on the site, even down to what can be done in the car park.

He added: If everything in this conservation document is carried out, visitors might only be able to see An Grianan of Aileach Fort from the N13. I would like a conversation to be held with the OPW to tease out how restrictive these policies are going to be.

I do not want An Grianan of Aileach Fort to end up like Newgrange, where visitors cannot see it or get near it. We need an in-depth conversation with the OPW. We all attended the meeting regarding the Fort, the least the OPW could have done was come back with a draft document, so councillors could have had an input.

Agreeing with Cllr Canning, Cllr Jack Murray (Sinn Fein) said a meeting with the OPW was now a matter of priority.

Cllr Murray added: I would be concerned the OPW would limit numbers at An Grianan of Aileach Fort. We want to encourage visitors. No-one wants anything that would negatively impact on the site.

However, my mind still boggles at why OPW will not hire a tour guide to bring people to Grianan. Somebody there on a full time basis could welcome visitors and be a watchful pair of eyes over the site.

The OPW hires staff in sites in Donegal which attract as few as 5,000 visitors per year. An Grianan of Aileach Fort attracts upwards of 110,000 visitors per year. We need to seek a meeting with the OPW as a matter of urgency and put an end to these proposed restrictions. They are not acceptable to the local community at all, said Cllr Murray.






LafargeHolcim 4Q20 regional results see net sales of CHF5994m

26 February 2021

Group net sales for the 4Q20 totalled CHF5994m (US$6628m), down 8.1 per cent from CHF6521m in the 4Q19. In the 4Q20 LafargeHolcim recorded cement sales of 51.2Mt, slipping 0.5 per cent from 51.5Mt in the 4Q19. Aggregate sales decreased to 65.8Mt in the 4Q20, down 2.5 per cent from 67.5Mt in the 4Q19. Ready-mix sales reached 11.3Mm3 in the 4Q20, a decline of 2.4 per cent from 11.6Mm3 in the 4Q19. The company also reported on its results for the full-year 2020, which saw a 5.6 per cent decline in net sales.

The Asia-Pacific region returned net cement sales to external customers of CHF1489m in the 4Q20, down 7.7 per cent from CHF1613m in the 4Q19. Recurring EBIT totalled CHF349m in the 4Q20, a drop of 2.4 per cent from CHF358m in the 4Q19.

In Europe growth returned by the 4Q20, with volumes approaching 2019 levels. Pricing trends were strong overall though demand recovery was mixed, with western European countries rebounding most strongly, central Europe largely resilient and a comparatively softer performance from eastern European markets. The UK was more heavily impacted by strict lockdown measures as well as Brexit. Net sales to external customers totalled CHF1796m, down from CHF1834m in the 4Q19. Recurring EBIT totalled CHF242m, up 8.6 per cent from CHF223m in the 4Q19.

Latin America delivered an outstanding 2020 performance. Q4 volumes in all business segments were significantly ahead of last year, with cement demand growth in major markets for the year. Growth was driven by strong branded products sales in retail and distribution channels, resulting in another quarter of outstanding recurring EBIT margin improvement. The groups 4Q20 net sales to external customers reached CHF622m, down 3.9 per cent from CHF647m in the 4Q19. Recurring EBIT grew to CHF204m, an increase of 17.7 per cent from CHF173m in the 4Q19.

In the Middle East and Africa, resilient cement volumes were supported by strongly-branded products sales and good growth in Nigeria. The groups 4Q20 net sales of cement to external customers in the region totalled CHF569m, a decline of 20.2 per cent from CHF714m in the 4Q19. Recurring EBIT totalled CHF88m in the 4Q20, down 9.3 per cent from CHF96m in the 4Q19.

North America showed strong improvement in its recurring EBIT margin. Volumes recovered across all business segments in the 4Q in the region, supported by excellent execution of the 'Health, Cost & Cash' action plan and effective price management. This strong performance was partially offset by a slowdown in Canada West, which was affected by the decline in the oil and gas industry. Net cement sales to external customers totalled CHF1392m, down 10.6 per cent from CHF1557m in the 4Q19.

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In a speech to a special meeting of the European Council, held on Thursday and Friday via videoconference, Romania's President said that the vaccination certificate should be used for medical purposes.

"Regarding the vaccination certificates, the President of Romania called for a coordinated and uniform approach at the European level, arguing that the vaccination certificate should be used for medical purposes, and the process of identifying the technical elements contained in a European certificate will have to continue," the Romanian Presidential Administration said in a press statement released on Friday.

Discussions at the European Council focused on European Union (EU) coordination amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and health action, focusing on lessons learned from the current crisis, strengthening EU resilience in health and crisis management, in an attempt to create a Health Union, as well as international co-operation in the area. European leaders also discussed security and defence, with emphasis on EU co-operation and complementariness with international action, as well as on the Union's Southern Neighbourhood.In a statement adopted by the meeting, the EU leaders underlined the importance of conducting national vaccination campaigns under the best circumstances and maintaining the integrity of the EU's internal market. Particular attention was paid to strengthening the ability to identify new variants of the COVID-19 virus and adapting vaccines accordingly. The heads of State or government also exchanged views on the current situation and lessons learned from the pandemic to strengthen EU resilience in the area based on recent European Commission proposals on a Health Union and a pharmaceutical strategy.In his speech, Iohannis mentioned the conclusions that emerge as a result of the process of managing the COVID-19 pandemic since its inception a year ago. He praised the European Commission for its efforts to manage the pandemic, in terms of the purchase and distribution of vaccines, to secure the operation of the EU's internal market, to put forth initiatives to strengthen EU resilience in the area, such as the recent European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) Incubator for joint anticipation of COVID-19 variants.The Presidential Administration points out that, in connection with the vaccination process, Iohannis emphasised that, despite delays in the delivery of vaccines and different vaccination paces in the member states, developments are positive at European level, with vaccinations taking place as planned."On the other hand, President Klaus Iohannis pointed out that, at the EU level, it has not been possible for a common approach to some pandemic measures, such as restrictions, which differ significantly from one member state to another in terms of border control or ensuring the free movement of goods and persons."The Romanian head of state called for the operationalisation of the European vaccine donation mechanism to support third countries as soon as possible. He referenced Romania's unveiled support for Moldova, namely the donation of 200,000 doses of vaccine, noting that national legislation has been approved for the donation, at a first stage, of over 20,000 doses to neighbouring Moldova."President Klaus Iohannis emphasised that, in the event of possible future similar crises, the lessons learned from the current pandemic are very important, so the experience gained during this period must be put to good use. Given that the pandemic is global, while the powers in the field of healthcare are national, the President of Romania voiced support for the need to improve the European healthcare architecture in order to contribute to the consolidation of the European Union. In the same context, President Klaus Iohannis called for the improvement of existing bodies and mechanisms for better protection, prevention, preparedness and response at EU level in the event of dangers to human health," the Presidential Administration also shows.Another topic addressed by the EU leaders related to the EU's security and defence in a particular context marked by significant developments at European and global level that include a change in the US leadership, the completion of the process of the UK withdrawing from the European Union, launching some internal processes of strategic reflection on common defence and security policy.In the adopted statement, the European leaders say they are committed to cooperating closely with NATO, in full respect of the principles set out in the treaties and those agreed by the European Council, and to strengthening their partnerships with the UN and key regional partners, while looking forward to cooperating with the new United States administration on a strong and ambitious transatlantic agenda that includes a close dialogue on security and defence.According to the Presidential Administration, Iohannis pointed out that Romania remains committed to the EU's security and defence efforts to promote the EU's interests and values, as well as to strengthening its capacity to manage threats and challenges to security.The chief of state also underscored that Romania supports the implementation of the EU's initiatives in the field of security and defence, while ensuring full complementariness with NATO, which remains the foundation of collective defence for those EU member states that are NATO members as well.He voiced strong support for strengthening the political dialogue and further developing the EU-NATO strategic partnership, underscoring that the transatlantic relationship is essential to the security of the EU.Regarding the Strategic Compass process, President Iohannis mentioned that it was an opportunity to define and strengthen the EU's security and defence efforts.The chief of state argued that the forthcoming Conference on the Future of the EU should identify ways in which the EU can become stronger, including globally. He mentioned the need for the EU to have, in addition to a strong economy, a strong security and defence policy, as well as a strong foreign policy. He emphasised that the key component of the EU's action must be the unity of the EU as a source of its strength, both internally and externally.On the Southern Neighbourhood, the European leaders exchanged views on the European Commission's recent communication on a "New Agenda for the Mediterranean," which calls for a renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood states and meets the strategic goal of ensuring a stable, secure, democratic and prosperous neighbourhood of the EU.
Mr. Kirby said the American retaliation was meant to punish the perpetrators of the rocket attack but not to escalate hostilities with Iran, with which the Biden administration has sought to renew talks on a nuclear deal that President Donald J. Trump had shelved.

We have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq, Mr. Kirby said.

The attack on the Erbil airport was claimed by a little-known group called Awliya al Dam, or Guardian of the Blood, brigades. The group also claimed responsibility for two bombings against U.S. contractor convoys in August.

Little is known about the group, including whether it is backed by Iran or related to the organizations that used the facilities the American airstrikes targeted on Thursday. Some American officials contend that the group is merely a front for one of the better-known Shia militias.

Michael P. Mulroy, a former top Middle East policy official at the Pentagon, said the limited strikes appeared intended to signal that Irans use of militias as proxies would not allow them to avoid responsibility for attacking Americans. But the time and place of the attack also were significant.

The decision to strike in Syria instead of Iraq was likely to avoid causing issues for the Iraqi government, a key partner in the continuing efforts against ISIS, Mr. Mulroy said in an email. It was smart to strike in Syria and avoid the blowback in Iraq.

Mr. Biden had discussed the rocket attacks in a phone call on Tuesday with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi of Iraq. A White House statement afterward said that the two agreed that those responsible for such attacks must be held fully to account.
German car maker Volkswagen has said it made a better than expected post-tax profit of 8.8 billion euros (7.6bn) in 2020 despite the disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company said the rapid recovery of China, its largest single market, helped the bottom line, as did resilient demand for luxury cars.

The Wolfsburg-based car maker said that it had taken important strategic steps to accelerate its push into software and digital technologies and services.

The financial results now available are far better than originally expected and show what our company is capable of achieving, especially in a crisis Frank Witter

The company tripled its sales of electric vehicles to 422,000 ahead of stricter European Union limits on emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.

The earnings figure was off 37% from 2019. Sales revenue was down 11.8% at 222.9 billion euros (194bn) but fell less than the 16.4% drop in unit sales to 9.2 million vehicles.

More financial details are to be announced on March 16 at the companys annual news conference.

The financial results now available are far better than originally expected and show what our company is capable of achieving, especially in a crisis, chief financial officer Frank Witter said.

We intend to carry over the strong momentum from the significantly better second half into the current year, and the programmes for reducing our fixed costs and in procurement will make us more robust in the long term.
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With the current $150-a-fortnight COVID supplement due to end on March 31, the timetable for change was rapidly narrowing for the government ahead of this weeks decision and a single number instead became the major focus. When that single number was announced, the response from those on JobSeeker and those pressing for change was one of anger and sadness. Caryn Ryan was among them. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Nobody in Australia should have to be making choices between medication, bills and food. A lot of people are doing that now. Were supposed to be the lucky country, she says. Announcing the policy, which will cost the budget $9 billion over the next 3 years, Morrison likened the move to a contract between taxpayers and those who will receive the increased payment.

He noted the increase took the unemployment benefit back to about 41.2 per cent of the minimum wage - where it was towards the end of the Howard governments term in office. It is currently 37.5 per cent. Privately, the increase was seen by the Morrison government as the bare minimum that could be offered. When the proposal was put to the Coalition partyroom on Tuesday morning, there were several MPs worried about any increase at all in the dole. A series of MPs noted reports from their electorates of local businesses unable to find workers, warning the COVID supplement was so generous that people were turning away paid employment. Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash, Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston and Prime Minister Scott Morrison announce a permanent rise to JobSeeker. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It was an issue touched upon by Senator Ruston when the increase was announced, saying the government did not want people disincentivised to work.

As the economy is recovering, as the jobs market is improving, we need to make sure that we have got the right incentives for people to go back to work, she said. The Australian Industry Groups chief executive, Innes Willox, said the increase was on balance a sensible measure, noting that there had been a noticeable increase in regional employers complaining the supplement was effectively turning people off work. Loading Some employers are concerned that the increase in the base rate will act as a disincentive for some people to look for work, he said. Over the period when the COVID supplement has been paid, we have seen a rise in the number of employers expressing frustration at not being able to fill positions  even with unemployment at high levels. While increasing JobSeeker the government is also tightening some mutual obligation requirements for those on the payment. Even more contentiously, it is introducing a phone line so employers can report any person turning down suitable work.

That sparked fierce criticism from those who fear it could be used by employers to coerce vulnerable people into a job for fear of losing their JobSeeker payment. Even business groups were lukewarm to the idea, with both the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia saying it was unlikely to be used by employers. Doubts on the dole One of the nations most respected labour market economists, the University of Melbournes Jeff Borland, believes JobSeeker could be increased by $125 a week without having a negative impact on unemployment. Professor Borland, whose research helped inform the governments JobMaker program, said such an increase would still leave an unemployed worker on 54 per cent of the minimum wage. Ninety-nine of every 100 full-time jobs would have a better pay rate.

He said there were real risks the governments failure to deliver a sizeable increase in JobSeeker could lead to an actual increase in unemployment. Loading If you give people money so they can get new clothes or cover the transport costs to get to work or even attend a job interview, you can make a strong argument that you are increasing the chance of reducing the number of people on support, he says. Borland says if there was this huge group of people unwilling to work because of the COVID supplement, then that would have been obvious in the jobs market through 2020. Between February and May, there was an 876,000 drop in the number of people holding down a job, the largest collapse in employment on record.

Since May, there has been an 814,000 increase in people with a job, the largest and fastest increase on record. That covers the period when the original $550-a-fortnight COVID supplement was introduced. His research shows the flow of unemployed people into work has been virtually unchanged through the pandemic compared to the period between 2017 and 2019. So wheres the disincentive caused by the higher JobSeeker? There isnt any. Youve had the largest increase in employment ever and it happened while the unemployment benefit was $550 higher than normal, Borland says. The business complaints about the COVID supplement causing worker shortages, he notes, have largely come out of two sectors - agriculture and hospitality. These are both areas that have historically relied on migrants, international students or other types of visa holders, he said. These people arent in the country. The business model that so many of these employers have relied upon just isnt there any more.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics survey released on Friday tends to support his view. It found 8 per cent of businesses had increased their number of staff in February, largely in line with December (11 per cent) and January (10 per cent). But it is skewed towards medium-sized firms, with 26 per cent of these lifting staff numbers in February. Among small businesses, it was just 7 per cent. Cliff Fraser is on JobSeeker and says the $25-a-week increase wont even cover a tank of petrol. Cliff Fraser, 61, from the western Victoria town of Skipton, lost his job driving trucks interstate when he had a heart attack. He says the increase in the base rate is an insult.

Its going to do nothing  its not even a full tank of fuel, Fraser says. He found it particularly frustrating that the modest increase in the base rate was accompanied by a change in the income people can earn before their benefits are reduced. Loading During the pandemic, a person could earn up to $300 a fortnight and still receive the base JobSeeker payment. This will now be $150 a fortnight, an increase on pre-pandemic levels but still half the current level. I work two hours a day, I clean a primary school, and to be honest its barely worth doing now, Fraser says. I get paid $24.30 an hour and after the cost of running the car, because its a 60-kilometre round trip, it works out I am getting about $7.30 an hour after expenses ... When they bring in this reduction, lowering the threshold, I worked it out that I am probably working for an equivalent of $3.60 an hour.

He says the coronavirus supplement helped his household get on top of overdue bills and debts, such as electricity and phone accounts, but retaining the $150 supplement shouldve been the minimum the government provided. The government has effectively told Parliament the $50-a-fortnight increase is a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. But the Senate will hold its own inquiry. It was driven by the Australian Greens, with WA Senator Rachel Siewert - who has pressed for a higher unemployment benefit for years - arguing the governments proposal was shocking cruelty that would also do little for the economy. Among those pushing for change is the Australian Council of Social Services, whose chief executive officer Cassandra Goldie is frustrated the government has missed an opportunity to genuinely have the back of people.

We are urging the Parliament to improve this heartless legislation that condemns millions, including hundreds of thousands of children, to poverty, and deliver a permanent and adequate increase to these lifeline payments, she said. Loading One issue is the tighter mutual obligation requirements, including the employer phone line and increased auditing of job applications by those on JobSeeker. The government, after extensive consultation with more than 1400 people and organisations, started the process for a new employment services system in 2019. One of its key elements was a move to allow more flexibility and diversity around the activities job seekers are expected to carry out in return for financial support. An employer phoneline and increased auditing did not feature as part of that system.

Goldie says in return for a $3.57-a-day increase in JobSeeker, the government was flying in the face of its own policy. What the government has announced is exactly the opposite of what its own expert panel recommended, she says. The expert panel recommended that to fix mutual obligations we needed to build trust, be user-friendly and to take a human, personal approach to the individual circumstances of someone affected by unemployment by designing a plan that increases your chances of getting into employment. New headwind as supplement end looms While JobSeekers base rate will increase $50 a fortnight, those on the payment will still feel the sting of an income fall when the $150-a-fortnight COVID supplement disappears at the start of April.

The Grattan Institutes Brendan Coates says the overall reduction in financial support for those on JobSeeker could be a fresh economic headwind. Loading JobSeeker is one of the best forms of fiscal stimulus there is: unemployed people are likely to spend all or at least most of what they receive, he says. Cutting unemployment benefits by $50 a week will take about $5 billion out of the economy in the coming year. Thats likely to push the unemployment rate 0.1 to 0.15 per cent higher than if the current $75-a-week supplement were kept. And that means up to 40,000 fewer jobs, he adds. Coates also notes that by international standards even the increase in JobSeeker still means Australia is stingy when it comes to supporting those out of work.

Before this weeks increase, Australias unemployment benefit as a proportion of a countrys average wage after a month out of work ranked equal bottom of the worlds 34 richest nations. It sat alongside Greece, where the jobless rate is 16.7 per cent. The $50-a-fortnight increase takes Australia to 33 on the list. For those on the dole, including Karen Perkins from Sydneys Ashfield, it takes them back almost to square one. Karen Perkins was dismayed to find out the base rate will only increase by $25 a week. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Perkins says she has struggled on the unemployment payments to cover necessary items to get a job, including replacing her almost decade-old computer, which she has now managed to do due to the supplement.
By Gabriella Borter and Peter Szekely

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said on Friday he was stepping down as leader of the nation's largest school district, leaving at a time when city officials are scrambling to bring students back to classrooms safely.

Carranza, who was tapped by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2018 to run the district of nearly 1.1 million school children, said he would depart on March 15 to take "time to grieve" after losing several family members and friends to COVID-19.

De Blasio named Meisha Porter as Carranza's successor. Currently serving as executive superintendent in the city's Bronx borough, Porter will become the district's first Black female chancellor.

"This school system deserves a chancellor who 100% is taking up the helm and leading the charge to bringing everybody back in September," Carranza said at a news briefing on Friday.

New York City schools have oscillated between a hybrid learning model and all-remote learning since the fall.

The mayor shut down school buildings in mid-November due to an increasing COVID-19 infection rate and has gradually brought students back to classrooms, starting with the youngest students. Earlier this week, middle school students returned to school buildings, while all instruction for high school students remains virtual.

"The first thing I'm looking forward to is reopening high school, and focusing in on how we reopen schools fully in September," Porter told reporters on Friday.

Carranza is the second high-profile member of de Blasio's administration to depart in the midst of the health crisis in recent months, following the resignation of New York City Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot in August.

Carranza's departure coincides with his mounting disagreement with de Blasio over how to eliminate entrenched segregation in the city's schools, the New York Times reported.

Story continues

Carranza has voiced support for eliminating standardized tests for pre-school children's admission into gifted programs that historically have tended to favor admission for white and Asian students.

The city's school district is predominantly non-white, with Hispanic students making up 41%, followed by Blacks at 26%, Asians at 16% and whites at 15%. White and Asian-American students comprise about 75% of the citys gifted offerings, according to the Times.

De Blasio said on Friday that the city would announce plans to revamp admissions for its gifted student program admission for September under Chancellor Porter.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter and Peter Szekely; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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Marketing software giant Cision announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Brighton, UK-based digital consumer intelligence company Brandwatch.

The deal, which was pegged at $450 million, is expected to close sometime in 2021s second quarter.

Founded in 2007 by CEO Giles Palmer, Brandwatch is a subscription-based service that applies AI and machine learning to social media monitoring for a customer base of more than 2,200 brand and agency clients. The software company maintains 10 offices globally.

Cision in a statement said the acquisition would provide its customers with a broader range of consumer and media intelligence services, allowing them to devise more effective customer engagement strategies from PR to marketing and online customer engagement.
A set of American airstrikes targeting an Iraqi militia way station in Syria overnight was meant as a calibrated and proportionate response to rocket attacks on United States facilities this month which left one person dead.

But the strikes may have killed at least 22 people, according to a monitoring organisation, potentially prompting an unexpected blowback against the first military action ordered by president Joseph Biden.

The US early Friday launched half a dozen missiles on a Syrian site it described as depots used by Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayid al-Shuhada, two Iranian-backed Iraq militias it claimed were behind a deadly 15 February attack on an American base in northern Iraq and another 22 February attack on its embassy in Baghdad.

While the Pentagon described the airstrikes as a proportionate military response, the high reported death toll, if confirmed, could have unintended consequences both for the fragile Iraqi government of prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Washington-Baghdad relations.

None of those killed in the attack were Iranian, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a generally credible monitoring group based in London. So many deaths could prompt cries of revenge by the Iraqi militiamens comrades or extended families or tribes, possibly imperiling the moderate, pro-western Kadhimi government in Baghdad.

According to SOHR, the airstrikes unfolded early morning local time, targeting a weapons shipment crossing from Syria into Iraq near the border crossing that separates near the Iraqi town of al-Qaim. US officials told reporters the military dropped seven 500-pound bombs on a cluster of buildings along the Syrian-Iraqi border.

The airstrikes have left great human and material losses, said a report by SOHR, specifying the destruction of three trucks loaded with ammunition. A source told Reuters that 17 people were killed in the airstrike, while a militia member told the news agency that at least one person was killed.

The US said the attack was launched in conjunction with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners that may include the UK and France.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel, said the Pentagon statement. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq.

Iran provides financial, military and political support for powerful and often highly ideologically motivated Iraqi armed groups that are often rooted in similar strains of populist Shia Islamism as the leadership in Tehran. The groups, officially called Popular Mobilisation Forces, have grown more politically powerful since taking up a fighting role in the five-year war to dislodge Isis from Iraq and Syria.

Both Israel and the US have occasionally targeted the Iranian-backed militias, which extend Tehrans influence and power and are seen as a major threat by Arab autocracies aligned with the US.

Washington and Tehran are now seeking to re-engage in diplomacy and resurrect a deal curtailing Irans nuclear programme after four years of sour relations under president Donald Trump but have been hampered by mistrust.

Hours before the airstrikes, Mr Biden held his first phone call as president with Saudi King Salman, raising the issue of the Iranian aligned groups, according to readouts from both Riyadh and Washington.

Iran and Syrias foreign ministers conferred after the latest airstrikes and called on the west to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions regarding Syria, according to a website of the Iranian government.

Russia, which serves as a patron of the regime of Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and maintains a measure of control over its airspace, condemned the American airstrikes.

"We call for unconditional respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, said Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry. We reaffirm our rejection of any attempts to turn Syrian territory into an arena for settling geopolitical scores.

Russian forces on Thursday released a video showing their own forces in Syria launching an Iskander missile that then later allegedly struck a hospital in opposition-controlled territory, according to activists. The release of the video, from an earlier incident, was meant to counterclaims in Armenia that its Iskander missiles were ineffective.

Syria condemned the airstrikes and urged President Biden not to follow the law of the jungle.

Syria condemns in the strongest terms the US cowardly attack on areas in Deir al-Zor near the Syrian-Iraqi border, the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement.

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Every 2021 Mazda Vehicle Tested Earns 2021 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ AWARD







SEE ALSO: Complete List Of 2021 IIHS Safety Award Winners +VIDEO

WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 24, 2021)  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) today announced the winners of its highest award in safety, the 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+. All tested Mazda vehicles made the list for the second year in a row. These vehicles include the Mazda3 Sedan and Mazda3 Hatchback, Mazda6, CX-3, CX-30 (built after September 2020), CX-5 and CX-9.

To qualify for the 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, Mazda vehicles earned good ratings in each of the Institutes six crashworthiness evaluations: moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. Mazda vehicles also earned advanced or superior ratings for front crash prevention in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations and good or acceptable headlight ratings.

With safety a top priority for Mazda, we are proud to have every Mazda vehicle tested earn the coveted 2021 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. This accomplishment stems from our commitment to our owners, said Mazda North American Operations President Jeff Guyton. Our customers have come to expect Mazdas dedication to providing advanced safety technologies paired with dynamic styling, which give them a confident and more enjoyable driving experience.

Mazdas i-Activsense is an umbrella term covering a series of advanced safety technologies which make use of detection devices such as milliwave radars and cameras. They include active safety technologies that support safer driving by helping the driver to recognize potential hazards, and pre-crash safety technologies which help to avert collisions or reduce their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided. Mazdas i-Activsense advanced safety technologies include Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Smart Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Control, Adaptive Front-Lighting System, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

To learn more about Mazdas i-Activsense advanced safety technology, please visit the MazdaUSA.com website  https://www.mazdausa.com/why-mazda/safety.

The IIHS is an independent, non-governmental safety-testing organization, funded by the insurance industry. For more information, visit

SEE ALSO: Complete List Of 2021 IIHS Safety Award Winners +VIDEO

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
In Australia, for example, Google and the Victorian government have joined forces to bring information as to how crowded public transportation currently is, all in an attempt to help commuters travel safely to work and back home.For the time being, however, not all public transport is covered by the Google Maps update, but only trains. Still, according to a report , trams and buses could be added shortly as well.Google Maps thus displays live passenger data collected by RideSpace , a service thats already available for Australians since earlier this year. The platform rates trains from very quiet to very busy. Beginning this week, Google Maps displays the same information right within the app, thus making it more convenient for users to access it.Google has been working around the clock on bringing such updates to its apps. Last year, Google Maps also received a feature to indicate the busyness level of shops and other locations across the world. The purpose was pretty much the same: to help people avoid crowded places.Google Maps is currently the number one navigation app worldwide, and in addition to features aimed explicitly at cars, it also bundles walking and public transit directions. And given public transportation is covered in more regions across the world, Google Maps has become a valuable tool for daily commuters.This is why such updates perfectly make sense, though this new data is only available in Australia for now. On the other hand, dont be too surprised if similar updates go live in other regions of the world, especially in countries where the governments already have the necessary means to determine how crowded public transportation is in real-time.
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Pakistan said on Friday that it wants a peaceful resolution of all disputes with India, including the Kashmir issue, and the latest ceasefire agreement was in line with Islamabad's stated position.

In a significant move to ease tension, the militaries of India and Pakistan said on Thursday that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors.

Pakistan has always maintained that we want peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the internationally recognised dispute of There is no change in our principled position, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, the spokesman for Pakistan's Foreign Office, said during a press briefing.

As for the outstanding issues, including the dispute, there is no change in Pakistan's long held principled position, he added.

He said Pakistan has consistently underscored the need to observe the 2003 ceasefire understanding in letter and spirit for maintenance of peace along the LoC.

We have also maintained that escalation along the Line of Control is a threat to regional peace and security. Therefore, this development is very much in line with Pakistan's consistent position, he said.

The focus of the talks of DGMOs was de-escalation along the Line of Control as per the agreed mechanisms and understandings, he said.

The decision on the ceasefire, effective since Wednesday midnight, was taken at a meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.

The DGMOs held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact and reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a "free, frank and cordial atmosphere", a joint statement issued by the two countries said on Thursday.

Chaudhri claimed that there have been over 13,600 ceasefire violations by India since 2003 and in 2020 alone, there were 3,097 ceasefire violations resulting in 28 deaths and 257 injuries to the civilian population.

Regarding the Afghan Transit Trade, he said Pakistan believes that Afghan economy needs support and in that spirit it allows the export of Afghan goods to India under the Afghan Transit Trade.

Chaudhri also said that Pakistan reaffirmed its support to Sri Lanka in the field of defence by providing training and equipment and a new USD 50 million defence credit line facility to Sri Lanka was also announced.

Prime Minister Khan also announced 100 scholarships in the field of medicine as part of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme .

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Black and Brown parents told the Orleans Parish School Board at its meeting Thursday evening theyve experienced what they say is discriminatory and retaliatory behavior from school administrators after trying to address issues their children face at school.

We are often met with hostility and indifference, said Megaly Mejia, whose 12 year old attends school in Orleans Parish, through a translator. As parents, were left to be spectators of our own childrens futures.

About thirty parents are leading a push for the school board, along with NOLA Public Schools, to take stronger action to prevent future intimidation and retaliation, through advocacy group Our Voice Nuestra Voz (OVNV) But Taylor Castillo, OVNV program director, said organizers have talked to hundreds of parents about the campaign, named Protect Parent Voice, since the fall.

In its presentation, the group played a video of several New Orleans parents detailing their experience with retaliation, intimidation or a lack of response when contacting their childs school. OVNV has four full videos on its website of parents sharing their stories.

In one, a parent who identified as an undocumented immigrant said when she asked for one school to provide busses for her children, administrators told her no. She said after she asked the superintendent about it, the school called her the next morning and threatened to send immigration enforcement to her home. Eventually, the school provided bussing to all students, she said.

The director has yelled at me, insulted me, she said in the video. If it was a white person, you wouldnt be yelling at that person.

In another video, LaCherie Armour said after asking for a meeting with her sons principal and teachers to discuss his grades, her son started to face disciplinary action.

Between me asking for the meeting and actually having one, he received various write-ups for not paying attention in class, she said, frivolous write-ups that he was not receiving prior to me calling a meeting.

+7 For immigrant students, the coronavirus pandemic is making an already broken system impossible to navigate With its old system overwhelmed by skyrocketing numbers of immigrant children needing to learn English, Jefferson Parish public school officia

At the meeting, Armour told the board she took her son out of that school because she felt helpless. I never wanted to feel that way, she said. I never want any other parents to feel like theyre helpless.

Rochelle Odon, another parent organizer, said the group has talked with many parents with similar problems and believes the problem is more than a few isolated events. These are not just the experiences of a few parents but this is actually a systemic issue, she said.

School officials said the parish already requires a non-retaliation clause in its charter contracts but said they could look into taking further action to make sure schools are complying with that clause.

We have many policies and so forth on books to say we shall not discriminate, we shall not do these things, said District 7 Board Member Nolan Marshall, but yet we don't have a way of holding people accountable for their behavior. I look forward to solving this once and for all by putting in policy and by putting in accountability measures that we can enforce.

The presentation was a culmination of months of OVNV organizing parents and several weeks of contact with New Orleans school leaders. District 4 Board Member J.C. Romero invited the group to speak at the meeting, adding that he once had to navigate the Orleans Parish school system while learning English.

Yall really touched my heart and made me remember the experiences that I had back when I was first in the public school system in New Orleans, he said.

OVNV works with Black and Brown parents, including many immigrant families, in New Orleans to organize around education issues, as the Greater New Orleans area has seen a significant increase in its Hispanic population over the last two decades.

We know there are many parents who have lived through these experiences or similar experiences and yet are afraid to speak up, Mejia said.

+4 Meet the New Orleans group helping immigrant parents, students access language services in schools Access to language services is guaranteed by the federal government, but making sure its being applied in practice has been an uphill battle.
State Superintendent Encouraged that 97% of Traditional Public School Districts to Offer In-Person Instruction by March 1

State Superintendent Encouraged that 97% of Traditional Public School Districts to Offer In-Person Instruction by March 1

February 24, 2021

LANSING  State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice is encouraged by the news that Governor Gretchen Whitmer shared in a press conference today that 97 percent of traditional public school districts in Michigan will be providing some level of in-person learning to students by March 1.

With strong mitigation efforts, more educators and other citizens vaccinated daily, and the presence of antigen tests, our COVID numbers have flattened, said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. More and more districts are rightly re-opening as a result. While we need to remain vigilant, we also need to offer families in all districts at a minimum an in-person option for their children. In-person instruction is better for so many of our kids, socioemotionally and academically. Families deserve choices for their childrens education.

According to the February monthly report issued earlier this week by the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) at Michigan State University, researchers noted that of all Michigan school districts, including public school academies, 83 percent were planning to offer some form of in-person instruction in February. The 83 percent figure for February is up from 61 percent in January and 48 percent in December.

The report is a collaboration with the states Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) from data submitted monthly by local school districts across Michigan with the results posted on CEPIs Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan Dashboard.

The EPIC report shows that districts offering fully in-person instruction tend to be smaller than the state average, whereas districts offering hybrid instruction tend to be larger. The 65 percent of districts that planned to offer fully in-person schooling in February represent only 55 percent of Michigan K-12 students.

Having 83 percent of all local school districts offering some form of in-person instruction option in February, and 97 percent of traditional school districts by March 1, is encouraging.

We need to keep improving, until all families in all districts have an in-person option, Dr. Rice said. Theres nothing wrong with parents choosing to educate their children remotely this year, but all parents should have a choice for the education of their children.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Gov. Tim Walz proposed a $518 million capital investment package Monday that includes $150 million for rebuilding neighborhoods hit by unrest after the death of George Floyd last May and $43 million in security upgrades for the state Capitol complex, which has been ringed by fencing since last summers protests.

Walz visited a University of Minnesota health sciences building that the Legislature funded in 2017 to highlight how nearly half of his Local Jobs and Projects Plan, commonly known as a bonding bill, would support asset preservation projects at state agencies and higher education institutions statewide.

His proposal includes $490 million in borrowing plus $28 million in cash out of the states general fund. Its much smaller than a $1.9 billion package, the largest in state history, that lawmakers passed in October. But the Legislature usually passes its big bonding bills in even-numbered years. The budget is the top priority in odd-numbered years like this one, and Budget Commissioner Jim Showalter said the size is right on track with bonding bills approved in previous budget sessions.

The Democratic governor acknowledged at a news conference that funding to benefit Minneapolis and St. Paul has become contentious amid last summers upheaval and calls by some local officials to defund the police. He asked legislative leaders in a letter Monday to keep trying to reach a compromise on his proposed $35 million fund to bolster security during the trials of four former police officers charged in Floyds death, which the Democratic-controlled House rejected last Thursday. With the first trial just two weeks away, Walz told reporters hes not going to expend much more effort on that request.

Walz criticized Republican lawmakers who have been reluctant to approve more money for Minneapolis amid the ongoing dispute over the future of policing in the city. He said a whole bunch of small business owners were caught up in the looting and arson and deserve help.

Minnesotans are all in this together, he said, whether its relief after a tornado in Faribault, flooding in the Red River Valley or unrest in Minneapolis.

If we start going down that road and start Balkanizing how we do everything, then why would Minneapolis support money for a road up in Roseau, or whatever it might be? he said. And thats a dangerous place for a state and a nation to be in.

Walz said he didnt know full details of his Capitol security proposal, which came from an advisory committee led by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, but indicated it includes metal detectors. He said the plan was in the works well before Floyds death or the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, when there was also a peaceful pro-Trump rally at the statehouse.

The governor said the purpose is not to make a fortress out of the Capitol, but to make it safe for visitors and those that are working there.

Other highlights of the package include $100 million for affordable housing, $63 million and $57 million for addressing deferred maintenance in the separate Minnesota State and University of Minnesota higher education systems, respectively, and $10 million for Minnesotas share of design and environmental work for a second daily Amtrak train between St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago with stops in Red Wing and Winona.

Democratic Rep. Fue Lee, of Minneapolis, who chairs the House Capital Investment Committee, said in a statement that the governors proposal puts Minnesota on the right track when it comes to creating new jobs, investing in our communities, and keeping a focus on inclusion and equity.

Sen. Tom Bakk, of Cook, a former Democrat turned independent who chairs the same committee in the Republican-controlled Senate, was less committal, saying the budget and the coronavirus pandemic are the top priorities this year.

At the appropriate time, I am hopeful the legislature and the Governor will again come together to produce a bonding bill focused on the critical needs of Minnesotans, Bakk said in a statement.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : To make its presence felt in the Kerala Assembly, the BJP is all set to deploy more union ministers and senior leaders from other parts of the country in the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be visiting the state at the culmination of BJP's ongoing 'Vijaya Yatra' in the first week of March.

Giving a boost to BJP campaign in Kerala, where party has won only one assembly seat in 2016 polls, Metroman E. Sreedharan officially joined the party on Thursday in presence of Union Minister R.K. Singh and BJP Kerala Chief K. Surendran.

Polling for 140 seats Kerala Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 6.

BJP Kerala spokesperson Sandeep Vachaspati told IANS the party is fighting the assembly polls to form the government in the state for the first time with two third majorities in the state assembly.

"BJP has worked continuously among people and in Kerala assembly polls our party will surprise everyone. From the current strength of one MLA O. Rajagopal, the BJP is going to form the government in Kerala this year,a Vachaspati said.

On February 21, UP Chief Minister Adityanath flagged off the 'Vijaya Yatra' of Kerala BJP and Union Home Minister Shah will attend its culmination on March 7.

"Home Minister Amit Shahji will join the Kerala BJP workers on the culmination of Vijaya Yatra. Several senior national leaders and union ministers have participated in different legs of Yatra," Vachaspati said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to address election rallies. "The Prime Minister came to Kerala earlier this month and he will come again to address election rallies after announcements of dates for assembly polls. Number of rallies the Prime Minister will address will be decided later," he said.

Former Union Minister and Bihar Industry Minister Shahnawaz Hussain, union ministers R K Singh and V K Singh already visited the state.

"Union minister Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP Yuva Morcha national president and Lok Sabha Member Tejasvi Surya , party leader Khushbu Sundar will be coming to Kerala. Many other senior leaders from different parts of the country are also coming to Kerala to guide us with their experience," he said.

A senior BJP leader said that many senior leaders from other states will be sent to Kerala to oversee party poll preparedness.

"Experience of senior leaders and elected representatives of the party will be used in the Kerala Assembly election held on April 6," he said.
A heart-warming story of a poor couple who returned a lost handbag with billions of Vietnamese dong inside has been inspiring Vietnams netizens throughout the first week of the Lunar New Year festival, whhich ended last week.

Nguyen Van Long and his family live in a small house located within a close-knit community in Ward 1, Cao Lanh City, which is the capital of the Mekong Deltas Dong Thap Province.

For the three decades he has lived in Cao Lanh, Long has spent his mornings fishing in the nearby Dinh Trung River, hoping to reel enough fish for his family.

While fishing was a steadfast part of Longs daily routine, finding a billion Vietnamese dong was not. (VND1 billion = US$43,400)

That changed when he saw a woman drop her handbag near the river while he was fishing.

Unsure of what to do, Long picked up the bag and took it home.

I asked him whose handbag it was," Doan Thi Tam Em, Longs wife, recollected.

"He said he had picked it up on the way home and if no one came to ask for it, he would report it to authorities.

Long tried to contact the woman who dropped the bag, but his try was in vain.

I heard the bag drop, so I ran over and picked it up," Long explained.

"I tried to yell for the woman, but she was driving too fast.

A short while later, her younger brother came to my house to ask about the handbag.

"I asked him to describe the handbag and all the items inside, then I gave it back to him after verifying what he said.

Verifying what was in the bag was actually the first time Long realized its worth during the ordeal.

We hadnt even opened the bag to take a look, but did guess there might be something valuable inside," he recounted.

"It didnt really matter though because we had no intention of keeping any of it for ourselves.

"Were poor but were not greedy.

Perhaps being naturally inclined to return the bag is why the couple was caught off guard when local authorities later awarded them a certificate for the good deed.

A happy smile

Long and his wife have spent decades earned their living by filling large black bags with plastic waste and paper scraps they find on the streets.

The couple washes and sorts the garbage on their mezzanine, where it stays for two to three months until they have gathered enough to sell for VND1-1.5 million ($43-65).

That money, coupled with the VND2 million ($87) they earn by working at a nearby coffee shop, is barely enough to make ends meet.

Still, the couple says they are happy.

After all, they have healthy, well-behaved children who have supported them over the years with a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and even the house they live in.

Long said although he has always lived in genuine hardship, he feels fortunate enough to have well-mannered children.

I feel extremely satisfied with my life, Em said.

Aside from gifts from their children, Long and Ems house is filled with certificates of merit he has earned during the fifteen years he served in a local defense militia force.

His son also currently serves in the militia, and the two proudly claim they have never missed a shift.

Nguyen Van Long and his wife, Doan Thi Tam Em, sort their daily haul of recyclables on the mezzanine of their house. Photo: Ngoc Tai / Tuoi Tre

Putting themselves in others shoes

Longs house is currently covered in wedding decorations for his sons marriage, which was meant to take place on March 30, 2020, but was canceled because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He has yet to organize the wedding party for his son out of fear that the event might lead to an outbreak.

I had prepared 15 party tables and sent out the invitations," he told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

"The restaurant wanted to charge us for the cancelation, but I convinced them to sympathize with us.

I shared the vegetables that the restaurant had bought for the party with our neighbors when I visited to tell them about the cancelation."

Longs son, a worker in Ho Chi Minh City, has since rescheduled the wedding, but scrapped it once again amid fears of the virus resurgence.

Recovering her lost handbag felt like a miracle to Bui Ngoc Nhung According to Nhung, the handbag contained VND560 million ($24,300) in cash and several pieces of jewelry worth a combined VND1 billion ($43,400). In a letter to the couple, Pham Thien Nghia, chairman of the Dong Thap Peoples Committee, praised Nguyen Van Long for his good behavior. We deeply appreciate your kindness," Nghia wrote. "Despite the hardships in your life, you still chose to return VND1 billion in assets. Its greatly kind of you to return the bag to the owner and still feel happy to have done such a good deed.

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This is the moment a 65million superyacht smashed into a luxury Caribbean yacht club's pier, causing 'very significant' damage, after suffering a computer malfunction.

The 235ft-long turquoise-hulled vessel is owned by Capri Sun juice tycoon Hans Peter Wild, 79 - who is valued at 2billion, according to Forbes, but it is not yet clear whether he was on board at the time.

Footage shows the superyacht GO - which has a helipad, gym, steam room, swimming pool and its own hospital onboard - plough into a wooden jetty and concrete dock wall in Simpson Bay, St Maarten, on Wednesday.

In one video, an onlooker can be heard saying 'oh my God' over and over again. In another clip, a witness said: 'It's hitting concrete now. What's going on?'

It is not yet known how much it could cost to repair the vessel or the dock, but a manager for the yacht club suggested repairs could take months.

Footage showed the superyacht GO - which has a helipad, gym, steam room, swimming pool and its own hospital onboard - plough into a jetty and concrete dock wall in Simpson Bay, St Maarten, on Wednesday

The yacht's captain was trying to leave the Simpson Bay Lagoon from its berth at Ile de Sol Marina at 10.15am on Wednesday when the crash happened.

Sint Maarten Yacht Club's dock has been closed until further notice while the extent of the damage is assessed.

Yacht is owned by Capri Sun juice tycoon Hans Peter Wild, 79 - who is worth 2billion

A notice posted on its website on Wednesday read: 'As most of you will have heard by now, this morning an accident occurred with a mega yacht. They lost control over the vessel and hit the dock of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club.

'Nobody was injured and the damage is solely structural, however it is very significant. We are currently assessing the extend of the damage to make a plan to rebuild.'

It is not known if Mr Wild was onboard at the time of the crash but photographs show a large gouge in the side of the yacht, which had to be towed back to its berth at the marina.

It crashed into the dock twice after the computer malfunction, with the second time causing the most damage and leaving planks of wood strewn across what remained of the structure.

It is not known if Mr Wild was onboard at the time of the crash but photographs show a large gouge in the side of the yacht, which had to be towed back to its berth at the marina

It crashed into the dock twice after a computer malfunction, with the second time causing the most damage and leaving planks of wood strewn across what remained of the structure

Pictured before the crash. Built by Turquoise Yachts for Swiss businessman Mr Wild, the superyacht GO has a total guest capacity of 18 people and made its first run in March 2018

Sint Maarten Yacht Club General Manager Michele Korteweg told the Daily Herald: 'If the piles supporting the structure are still solid and stable, it should be easier to rebuild.

'If thats not the case we will have to replace the piles which could take months. But in the meantime, we will come up with a temporary solution in order to be operational as quick as possible, at least at the minimum to connect the wooden accessway to the concrete dock.'

Witnesses claimed the superyacht was entangled in the propeller of an old sailboat at sea when it was about to dock. Its rudder was locked and it hit the pier, they said.

Built by Turquoise Yachts for Swiss businessman Mr Wild, the superyacht GO has a total capacity of 18 guests and 19 crew and made its first run in March 2018.

A view from Clwyd Souths Member of Parliament

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 25th, 2021

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes writes



Its excellent news that more than 17.5 million people have now had their first vaccine dose in the UK: more than 1 in 3 adults. And Im pleased to hear that the UK Government wants to see rollout go further and faster in the coming weeks and plans to offer a vaccine to every adult by the end of July. Our NHS staff, Armed Forces servicepeople, volunteers and key workers all deserve tremendous praise for rolling out the vaccinations and for achieving such a high level of coverage so quickly.

Aside from the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Wales-wide lockdown, this month has held significant challenges for Clwyd South residents in other respects. On Saturday 23rd January, I made a series of socially distanced visits along with local County and Community Councillors to speak with residents in Pontfadog in the Ceiriog Valley, Bangor-on-Dee and New Broughton and see for myself the awful effects of flooding on homes. They told me about the dedication and kindness of the Emergency Services, Wrexham Council staff, Flood Wardens, Natural Resources Wales, the Police, their local Community and County Councillors, churches, schools, family and neighbours in coming to their rescue during and after the floods.

This month I also took part in a series of virtual events to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), including the Wrexham HMD event on Friday 22nd January organised by AVOW  the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham  and the UK Commemorative Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2021 on 27th January.

On 7th January 2021, I met Nancy Kelley, the Chief Executive of Stonewall, via Zoom to discuss the importance of LGBT-inclusive education so that every young person can feel accepted, included, and safe. As well as ending the damaging practice of conversion therapy both of which are vitally important to give every young person the best educational experience.

I also recently welcomed the announcement that Mondelez International, makers of Cadbury Dairy Milk, Belvita, Maynards Bassetts and OREO have announced plans to invest 15 million into the UK, at its Bournville site, which is supported by its factory in Chirk, where cocoa beans are processed and fresh milk is added. I welcome this investment and Im proud to see Chirk and Clwyd South contributing to the success of a much-loved British brand and the production of the nations favourite chocolate bar.

Finally, I was delighted to be elected as Chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Performing Arts Education and Training. This is a cause very close to my heart as an amateur musician and, before I became an MP, as Chairman of the Holroyd Community Theatre near Chirk, and as a Trustee of Mid Wales Opera and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. I also set up the charity Concertina  Music for the Elderly which provides live music in care homes and day centres across Wales and England. Covid-19 has impacted the performing arts and creative industries very seriously, so Im keen that we work as a group to examine the issues facing industry professionals at this critical time.

Ive recently started sending out a monthly e-newsletter so constituents can read more about my activities in Clwyd South and Westminster. If youd like to start receiving this monthly e-newsletter, you can sign up using the following link: www.simonbaynes.co.uk/sign-simons-e-newsletter.

As Clwyd Souths MP, I am always here to provide advice and support. If youre a Clwyd South constituent, you can contact me and my team at any time by email on simon.baynes.mp@parliament.uk. Please dont hesitate to get in touch if theres anything I can do to help you.



Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).
Aaron Spolin was the lead attorney on the client's case, and he was assisted by other attorneys at Spolin Law, including Caitlin Dukes, Matt Delgado (of counsel), and Jeremy Cutcher.

This case had already received significant media coverage for Judge Samuels' earlier decision to reject the DA's attempt to dismiss the gang enhancements. (See media coverage: Judge Opposes Gascon's Reforms, Los Angeles Daily News, 12/17/20. Gascon Blacklists Judge for Policy Noncompliance, Fox 11 Los Angeles, 12/16/20). The judge eventually gave in on the dismissal of the gang enhancements and then, yesterday, agreed to dismiss the entire case.

The client owes a great deal to his mother, who was an absolute fighter and never gave up on him. She had retained Spolin Law for her son's case and encouraged the firm's aggressive practice of filing extensive legal motions in court.

As attorney Jeremy Cutcher pointed out: "I've never seen a mother so involved in her adult-son's case. And in the end, she got what she was fighting for. It's wonderful to see."

To speak with Mr. Cutcher, Mr. Spolin, or any attorney at Spolin Law about your own case, call us at (866) 963-7561.

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www.spolinlaw.com

SOURCE Spolin Law P.C.

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The prosecution case in the Finnish war crimes trial of Gibril Massaquoi, currently holding sessions in Liberia, has struggled with inconsistencies in the testimonies of witnesses to events that happened as long as 20 years ago.

None of the witnesses who testified this week has been able to establish the exact year the events they described took place.

Mr Massaquoi became a part of the Liberia United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) from 1999 to 2003 after serving with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that waged war on Sierra Leone in 1991.

He is accused of the murder of civilians and other war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The inconsistencies in testimonies are a challenge for the prosecution team because there is no physical evidence and witness testimonies form the key part of the case.

But state prosecutor Tom Laitinen said he was confident that the consistency of the stories will override any inconsistencies in memories of dates and which faction Massaquoi was representing.

There is no question that their testimonies are genuine and they are telling us the best that they know, said Mr Laitinen.

But he conceded their memories of some aspects have been understandably faulty. I cannot remember fully what happened to me 10 years ago, and the time of the witnesses experience has taken long.

But in an interview defence lawyer Kaarle Gummerus said the inconsistencies undermined the case against his client. He also pointed to the witnesses repeated references to Mr Massaquoi as Angel Gabriel which prosecutors allege was one of Mr Massaquois aliases during the war.

Mr Gummerus said that mistaken identification could be because his client is not the person who committed the crimes.

The prosecution has not asked the witnesses to identify the Gibril Massaquoi who is on trial as the Angel Gabriel that they say committed the crimes.

In Thursdays proceedings, a fourth prosecution witness corroborated the testimony of previous witnesses that Angel Gabriel committed chilling crimes.

He was introducing himself always as, Angel Gabriel Massaquoi who can send people to God, and I remember him so well because he was the cause of my sisters death and myself was raped that I have scars on me today, said the witness, a woman, who was 16 at the time of the alleged crimes. The court has ordered journalists to conceal the identities of all witnesses in the trial to protect them from retaliation or intimidation.

The witness was composed as she told the court that she and her sister were looking for food in a store near Waterside when they were captured by rebels and taken to the old bridge where the fighters had their base.

They were carrying people under the bridge and doing wicked things to them, and what got my sister to be shot dead by Angel Gibril Massaquoi was because she refused to go under the bridge. Thats how he shot her and she died, the witness told the court.

The fifth witness in the trial also recalled how he and his brother had gone to Waterside to find food in a store where they had heard that people were looting. We remained there and a group of soldiers came and started to beat us, and in the process, they captured and took all of us to their base near the Waterside Old Bridge. When they carried us, we saw a man who was calling his own name Angel Gabriel Massaquoi, and he took my brother and some others out of the line and carried them under the bridge where he shot them dead on a claim that they were rebels, said the witness.

According to the witness, he escaped with others when Mr Massaquoi allegedly ordered his men to shoot, killing several people.

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I saw Massaquoi killing my brother and two other men, and he ordered his men to shoot. Thats how when they began shooting we ran away, he said.

Defence lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, asked what period of the Liberian war years the witness was accounting for, but like other witnesses, he could not remember when the events took place. It was from 2000 and 2003, he said.

A sixth prosecution witness said that he and his brother had also gone to Waterside where they heard people were looting food from a store. He said Mr Massaquoi and his rebels appeared in an agitated state.

We were arrested and I was tied. Two of my brothers, Romeo and Peter Johnson, were taken out and killed, but as Massaquois order reached me, I saw a friend from Nimba whom I knew and he begged for me. This is how I got free and was not killed, the witness said.

About 70 witnesses are expected to testify in the coming weeks.

This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.
Four Arrested On Graves County Drug, Gun Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

Numerous complaints of suspicious activity at a home on KY 2205 near Farmington led to a surveillance operation Thursday.

FARMINGTON - Four people were arrested in Graves County Thursday on various drug, theft and gun charges.

Police came in contact with four people, including 30-year-old Charles Ahlfield, who was wanted on charges related to a vehicle theft that occurred on January 30. He was arrested on charges of criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also served with arrest warrants out of Carlisle County and Logan County.

Deputies said a significant amount of drug evidence was seized including crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, approximately 100 syringes that had been used to inject methamphetamine, several sets of electronic scales, glass meth smoking pipes, a handgun, several dosage units of Xanax and a sawed of shotgun.

The other three suspects at the scene were arrested. Forty-year-old Jonathan Reed is charged with trafficking in meth, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Forty-year-old Angela Reed is charged with possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. And 34-year-old Amber Stoltenburg is charged with trafficking in meth, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.



All four were lodged in the Graves County Jail.
Ross Bradshaw has plenty of memories from the plaza at 118 Cambridge St. in Worcester. In the mornings, Bradshaws father used to take him and his sister to a since-closed cafe there.

Now, that plaza is home to New Dia, a cannabis shop Bradshaw is opening with sights set on giving back to the community, supporting small businesses and giving customers a new experience.

He would give us life lessons in that cafe, Bradshaw said of his father, getting teary-eyed with the memory. Who would have known, 20 years later me and him are here building a dispensary.

For Bradshaw, opening this dispensary has been an exercise in honoring equity, reflecting Worcesters culture and supporting the community.

Bradshaw is targeting March 1 as an opening date. Once open, New Dia will be the first economic empowerment cannabis shop to serve customers in Worcester. The program from the state Cannabis Control Commission was created to benefit people and communities disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition. Last year, Pure Oasis in Boston became the first economic empowerment business to open in the state.

New Dia plans to donate the first $5,000 of its sales to the South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, Bradshaw said.

Were dedicated to this community. Were dedicated to this cause. Were going to make sure that the first and last dollar we ever make goes to the community, said Bradshaw. One of the hardest parts of the last year was watching what happened in this community with COVID. The unemployment, people losing their jobs, the food insecurity over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Giving back is not even a question, Bradshaw continued. Its embedded in who we are. Its embedded in what we do.

Many of the dispensarys employees are from Main South and South Worcester, Bradshaw said, communities that felt the effects of the war on drugs. Right now, the dispensary has 15 employees. Bradshaw said he avoided using sites like Indeed to recruit, instead, using word of mouth and searching the community for individuals who believe in the New Dia mission.

The dispensary floor is wide and open, flanked by shelves and graphics to promote products. Bradshaw said he wanted to create something that strayed from the digital menu boards common at other dispensaries.

We really wanted folks to gravitate toward brands and gravitate toward whatever they feel is the right fit based on a product standpoint, Bradshaw said. Were looking to uplift other companies, smaller companies, as well.

One of the brands that will be featured on New Dia shelves is Freshly Baked, a veteran-, minority- and women-run microbusiness out of Taunton.

Bradshaw said he came up with the layout for the dispensary sketching on the back of an envelope. Instead of hiring a designer, architect or construction crew, he did most of the work with his father, Richard. Bradshaws sisters, Amanda and Chelsea, are also involved in the business.

A key part of Bradshaws vision was to make the space customizable. The shelving is adjustable so that brand promotions can evolve.

I literally wanted to create a playground for vendors to come and do their own thing, said Bradshaw.

The name New Dia has two meanings for Bradshaw. Dia is the Spanish for day, and Bradshaw felt new day would reflect how he wanted to deviate from the traditional markings of the cannabis industry. DIA is also an acronym for diversity in action, he noted.

It all circles back to helping the community, Bradshaw said, especially from the struggle brought by the pandemic.

These last couple months with the pandemic have just been so hard on this community, so hard on Black and brown communities here, Bradshaw said.

Not every business would give away its first profits after going through years of planning and a regulatory process.

I built this business to be able to do that and no one can tell me otherwise, Bradshaw said. I think that just sets the tone for us, our employees and what were truly about.

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Dhaka, Feb 26 (UNI) At least six people were killed and over 50 injured in a head-on collision between ENA Paribahan and London Express at Rashidpur on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway.

The tragic accident took place at Rashidpur of Dakshin Surma Police Station around 0800 hrs on Friday, the officer in charge of South Surma Police Station (OC) Monirul Islam said.

He said two high-speed buses of London Express (Dhaka Metro-B 15-316) leaving Dhaka and Dhaka-bound ENA Paribahan (Dhaka Metro B-14-6311) leaving Sylhet collided head-on. The front of both buses is dented.

Meanwhile, the police recovered the bodies of four persons at the spot and sent them to the morgue of MAG Osmani Medical College. Several injured passengers, including another body, were rushed to a hospital before police arrived on the scene.

Jasim Ahmed, a passenger on the London Express, said the bus driver was repeatedly overtaking on the way from Dhaka. He was also warned several times. But did not listen. Jasim said he was driving the bus very fast.

UNI MAZ RHK1034
Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) wants to change the vacation game by building the first commercial space station.

This week OAC unveiled new details about creating a Voyager Station with artificial gravity, with construction to begin by 2025, according to Jeff Spry with Space.com.

NASA PIONEER HONORED: 'Hidden Figure' legend to be honored in NASA ceremony

The manufacturing firm introduced the idea focused on the colonization of space in a Jan. 29 virtual event updating investors and marketing partners about the "rotating Voyager Station," Spry wrote.

The company has plans to include a "space hotel" in the rotating resort with working toilets, showers, along with innovative ways for jogging, according to Spry.

The resort's design serves up to 400 people with "24 integrated habitation modules 65 feet long and 40 feet wide", according to Spry. I see many space weddings being planned in the future.

"Designed by Gateway Foundation executive team member and lead architect Tim Alatorre, Voyager will become the biggest human-made structure in space," Spry said.

But first, the question many may ask is how is this even going to be possible?

"OAC needs to test both building a station in low Earth orbit and prove the viability of stable artificial gravity in space," Spry wrote.

"The company plans to construct a prototype gravity ring that will measure 200 feet (61 m) in diameter and will be engineered to spin up to create artificial gravity near Mars' level, which is about 40% that of Earth," according to Spry.

In addition, Alatorre said artificial gravity is the key to providing humans with the opportunity of living in space long-term."Microgravity is just brutal on our bodies," Alatorre said.

The gravity ring will also serve to aid in key research, according to OAC co-founder Jeff Greenblatt.

"Once installed in orbit, its assembly will take just three days. This structure will act as the companys test base for many of the technologies to be used to build Voyager Station," Greenblatt said.

Fast forward to the future, private companies and the government will be able to utilize the Voyager for space training missions as well as give entrepreneurs the chance to create and market tourist activities in the final frontier, according to Spry.

OAC's chief technology officer, Tom Spilker, may have painted the picture best of what you can expect aboard the futuristic Voyager.

"So anyone who can afford a space hotel can go on a private spacewalk, where the only thing between you and the universe is a faceplate."
The 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is currently underway.

There are three-days worth of speakers who are set to take part in the annual meeting, which this year sees conservative lawmakers, activities and Republican Party officials converge in Orlando, Florida.

It will culminate on Sunday with former President Donald Trumps first public speech since leaving office. Reports suggest he will announce a run for office in 2024.

Mike Pence, the former vice president, reportedly turned down an invitation to speak at CPAC, while the Republican senate minority leader Mitch McConnell reportedly received no invitation at all.

It follows recent criticism of Mr Trumps role in the 6 January insurrection on the US Capitol, and a behind-the-scenes power struggle among Republicans in Congress.

Read more: Follow live updates from CPAC 2021

In fact, many of the faces set to speak at CPAC are those who have recently publicly supported the former president, including Kevin McCarthy, the Republican house minority leader.

Heres a list of everyone due to speak at CPAC across the three days, and where you can watch it:

Friday

Florida governor Ron DeSantis

Senator Mike Lee

Former governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker

Senator James Lankford

Former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi

Senator Ted Cruz

Rep. Mo Brooks

Rep. Madison Cawthorn

Senator Tom Cotton

Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Rep. Matt Gaetz

Sen. Rick Scott

Sen. Josh Hawley

Donald Trump Jr.

Saturday

Texas attorney general Ken Paxton

Former acting director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Senator Bill Hagerty

Trade representative Robert Lighthizer

Rep. Devin Nunes

Senator Cynthia Lummis

Rep. Burgess Owens

Rep. Darrell Issa

Rep. Andy Biggs

Rep. Lauren Boebert

House minority leader Kevin McCarthy

South Dakota governor Kristi Noem

Sunday

Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee

Former National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow

Former US president Trump

How to watch CPAC online:

The speeches will be live streamed on Independent TV, and on the CPAC 2021 website under the Watch Live tab, while certain high profile speeches are expected to be carried on a number of US networks, such as Fox News and CNN, throughout the weekend.

In the US, live streaming is also available as part of a subscription to Fox News streaming service, Fox Nation, which has exclusive access to CPAC 2021.
Mrs Cheryl Adams, President of Voice of the Disabled (right) accepts cheque from Lion Cornelia Moses, President of Lions Club St. Vincent South.

The Voice of the Disabled, a locally based non-profit organization which advocates for persons with disAbilities, recently received some financial assistance from the Lions Club St. Vincent South.





On February 17, 2021, President of the Club, Lion Cornelia Moses, presented a cheque in the sum of $1,000.00 to Mrs. Cheryl Adams, President of the Voice of the Disabled. The assistance will go towards on-going renovations to the organizations building.





Lion Cornelia Moses stated that the Club was pleased to assist the Voice of the Disabled and hoped that the assistance will go a long way in helping the organization with its renovations project, as it continues with its advocacy work. Mrs. Cheryl Adams, President of the Voice of Disabled thanked the Club for its generous contribution.





And in related news, on January 30th, 2021, the Club distributed care packages to twelve (12) needy families in the community of Dickson. The distribution of care packages is an annual project made possible through the generous support of the Toronto SVG Support Group.





The Lions Club St. Vincent South has been in existence for forty-two (42) years. Its headquarters is situated in Enhams from which it delivers service in the areas of: Cancer Awareness; Diabetes and Eye Care; the Environment and Climate Change; Hunger and Homelessness; Youth and Sustainable Empowerment.
ALTON  Members of the Alton Police Department executed a drug related search warrant early Thursday morning that led to one arrest.

Multiple drug- and weapons-related felony charges were filed against Dane C. Tannler, 38, of the 300 block of Dry Street in Alton. His bail was set at $500,000. As of Friday afternoon he was in custody at the Alton Police Department.

According to Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido, just before 7 a.m. Thursday officers and members of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Special Response Team arrived at the house that was found to have been fortified.

Pulido said the warrant came as a result of the community informing them about possible drug activity at the residence. The narcotics unit began an investigation, which resulted in determining the house was being used for drug distribution.

I would like to thank our community for their continued support of information sharing as working together is vital, Pulido said

Tannler was charged with armed violence, being an armed habitual criminal, and unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, all Class X felonies; unlawful deliver of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, and unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, all Class 2 felonies; criminal fortification of a residence, a Class 3 felony; and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, both Class 4 felonies.

According to court documents, Tannler was armed with a stolen Springfield Armory XD9 9 mm handgun. He has prior convictions for residential burglary in 2008 and possession of weapons by a felon in 2003, both out of Madison County.

He allegedly also was found to be in possession of 400 to 900 grams of methamphetamine and less than 15 grams of both fentanyl and Alprazolam. He also allegedly had delivered less than five grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.

The charges state Tannler fortified his home with the intent to prevent the lawful entry of a law enforcement officer.
The radio message was conveyed in the brusque, demotic language of the British squaddie. Weve found a stiff on Mount Longdon, Sir. In the middle of a minefield. What do we do?

It was the body of an Argentine conscript, probably killed during the final, chaotic retreat into Port Stanley as British forces closed in, supported by intense artillery fire.

There had been no time for burial, or probably even for prayers as his comrades bolted for cover.

Little more than a boy, he wore no dog tag and carried no obvious identification. Just an abandoned unknown casualty of war.

On the other end of the line was Geoffrey Cardozo, then a young captain in the Dragoon Guards operating from a converted school in the Falklands capital.

The bitter war for control of the islands had finished a few weeks earlier and he been tasked with looking after welfare and discipline issues in the aftermath of victory.

Argentine prisoners collect the dead in the aftermath of the Battle of Mount Longdon in 1982

But as everyone else was at lunch that day, he decided he must respond to the call.

It was the beginning of a remarkable journey of detection and discovery that would lead to Cardozos nomination 39 years later for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

It would take him into political as well as actual minefields, see him forge a deep partnership with a man on the other side of the conflict and bring some closure to grieving Argentine mothers whose sons had been killed in action.

We were all soldiers, Cardozo says. We do the same job, laugh at the same jokes, know what its like to have a chum cop it next to you. English, Argentinian, theres no difference really.

Cardozos own forebears were of Portuguese origin, establishing themselves in the London tea trade from the 17th century.

When I left for the Falklands I got the most incredible hug from my mother. The sort of long, tight hug I hadnt really had from her since I was five or six years old. Nothing was said but I guess she knew full well there was a chance I might not come back.

I didnt think a lot of it at the time but it came back to me when I saw that first body on Longdon. He had a mother, too.

Armed with a grid reference, Cardozo interrupted a helicopter pilots cigarette break and a short time later he was being lowered into the minefield by rope.

Geoffrey Cardozo, pictured in 1982, brought closure to grieving Argentine mothers and earned a nomination for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize in the process

The Argentine army had buried explosive devices on most of the main approaches into Stanley, often in a haphazard way. Clearing them was a Herculean task, completed only late last year.

I got down and prodded around for a bit with one foot, to check it was safe. And there he was. A youngster 18 or 19 years of age. I had to be careful he didnt have any grenades ready to go off but then I saw his face.

The cold had preserved him so he seemed almost alive. And so young. I just thought of my mother. And his.

That was the moment Cardozo decided to take responsibility for gathering, recording, reburying and doing everything to give a name to every Argentine serviceman killed in action.

His commanding officer, Major-General David Thorne was immediately in favour and gave support. But it was gruelling work. They just kept on coming until there was a proverbial tsunami of dead bodies being found.

Some had simply been left in the open, or were discovered in recesses between crags. Others had been buried in shallow roadside graves. And there were mass graves in Stanley, mainly of soldiers killed by Vulcan bombers, naval gunfire or artillery barrages.

We knew we had to dig them up, give them a decent burial. But how and where?

The politics on both sides were toxic. The Islanders, understandably still deeply embittered by the invasion, didnt want a shrine to the enemy in or anywhere near their own cemeteries in Stanley.

Royal Marines guard Argentine prisoners during the Falklands War in 1982

The Argentine government didnt want them back, either. Although General Galtieri and most of his junta had been deposed, there was still a sense of deep national humiliation over the defeat.

A procession of coffins being unloaded at Buenos Aires would only serve to compound it  and emphasise the terrible human cost of that failed hubristic venture.

The idea of repatriating the fallen also raised hackles. As far as Argentina was concerned, the dead were already on home soil.

Returning them to the mainland, nationalists believed, could weaken their claim to sovereignty.

So having embarked in good faith on a humanitarian mission, Cardozo found himself in the middle of a diplomatic nightmare.

Eventually two things broke the impasse. First, Buenos Aires gave permission for their casualties to be exhumed where necessary and buried together on the Falklands. Secondly, a farm manager named Brook Hardcastle offered some land near the settlement of Darwin as a possible site for a cemetery.

Considering Hardcastle was under arrest throughout the conflict, it was a magnanimous gesture.

Darwin was an appropriate location, the site of the first real land engagement and a tranquil backwater with a raw, Hebridean beauty.

Things started to move quickly. Within two days a representative of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission flew out, inspected the site and approved it.

By mid-December 1982, Cardozo was back in London (having exchanged his muddy fatigues for a shirt and suit borrowed in a hurry from the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly) selecting potential undertakers and gravediggers from a list drawn up by the MoD.

And so it was that on February 19, 1983, 220 Argentine servicemen were formally laid to rest with military honours on a gentle peaty slope outside Darwin.

General Thorne attended, along with Cardozo and a detachment from the Royal Hampshires and Royal Engineers, who cleared and built the cemetery.

An Argentinean relative of a victim from the war attends to the grave of a fallen loved one

Led by the Vaticans representative on the Falklands, the ceremony was one of sombre reflection and deep respect. A volley of salute was fired over the graves by a ten-man firing party and the bugler sounded The Last Post.

This was one group of soldiers honouring another  in the knowledge that but for the grace of God, their positions may have easily been reversed.

The white crosses in grid formation brought to mind World War I cemeteries across France. The epitaph on 114 of those crosses was also eerily familiar  An Argentine soldier known unto God.

Cardozo had suggested those words, which for him had particular resonance. His grandfather had been badly wounded on the Western Front in the same 1915 engagement as Rudyard Kiplings son John, whose body was never found.

Kipling travelled to France in a fruitless search for news of his son, and his haunting poem My Boy Jack, though not directly about him, echoed the grief and incomprehension of all parents who had given their children to the wind and the tide.

More significantly, it was Kipling who came up with the inscription A British soldier known unto God, inscribed on the graves of those killed in the 1914-18 war but whose bodies were too badly mutilated or buried too deep in the Flanders or Somme mud to be identified. They were simply, the missing.

Cardozo was determined that those of his Argentine charges who could eventually be given a name, would be.

I was sure these boys would be claimed and exhumed in the near future, so I thought we must preserve them as best we could, he says.

Each body was laid out, wrapped in a white cotton shroud, then in three body bags inside one another and finally the coffin.

Crucially, Cardozo kept a meticulous log of everything about where each body had been found, where it now lay and everything that was known about it.

For the many who had not been wearing dog tags or other identification, any clues were pieced together from letters or other personal effects recovered through often gruesome searches of the remains.

His final report is a model of painstaking and detailed scholarship. But he still felt his job was only half-done.

When I was leaving the islands in a Hercules [aircraft] I first thought, Geoffrey, you did your best. Seconds later I realised that with half the bodies still unidentified, I hadnt done my job. It was as if Id been hit with a hammer.

Fast forward a quarter century. Cardozo had ended his military career a colonel, and was working for a veterans aid charity.

A fluent Spanish speaker, he was asked in 2008 if he would interpret for an Argentine veteran researching the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on those who fought in the Falklands.

It was almost divine serendipity.

Julio Aro had been a 19-year-old conscript during the conflict and a few weeks earlier had visited the Darwin cemetery in a bid to find the Julio I had left behind. He was shocked to find 122 crosses there (eight more had been interred since 1983) bearing no name.

He returned to Argentina and asked his mother how she would have felt if he were one of those unknown soldiers. She replied: I would have searched for you until the end of my life.

Aro determined to discover as many identities as he could. DNA testing was by now well-established, so if he could trace close relatives and persuade them to give DNA samples, the problem of identification could be solved.

It would involve exhumation, for which all sorts of permissions were required. But it was possible.

One might have thought tracing the families of missing servicemen to be a fairly straightforward business. Check the official list, locate the addresses and make contact.

Not in Argentina. If an official list existed, it was certainly not being made public. The war was still a painful memory and neither the government, military, or even human rights organisations wanted to know. These men and their families were being quietly airbrushed from memory for political convenience.

There was another major problem. Aro had no grid-map of the Darwin cemetery and no information about the occupants of individual graves. So even if he could obtain a DNA sample, checking it could involve digging up dozens of bodies at random. Would that really be acceptable?

Then, in perhaps the most extraordinary moment of this remarkable story, while Aro was detailing these seemingly unsurmountable difficulties, the man sitting next to him and translating his words was also the man who held most of the solutions.

In the airport terminal at Heathrow, Cardozo handed Aro a copy of all his research. He would later also give him a video of the 1983 Darwin funeral ceremony, to show the dignity and honour his fallen comrades had been accorded by the British military.

It was the catalyst Aro needed. He went on to set up an organisation whose English translation is Forget Me Not and with the invaluable help of journalist and former war correspondent Gaby Cociffi, he set about tracing families with new vigour.

Most were suspicious to begin with, as Gaby explains. People manage pain in different ways. These mothers felt they had been forgotten and that nobody cared much about them or their sons. So they wondered why we cared after all this time.

Some acted as if their sons were still alive, keeping their rooms the same, their bicycles, talking to them, even setting places for them at Christmas dinner. Maybe they didnt really want proof he was dead. Others felt they had cried so much and for so long, they couldnt cry any more.

But eventually most came around, in no small part because the 1983 video and Cardozos cemetery plan quashed conspiracy theories that the Darwin graveyard was a sham and that bodies had been unceremoniously dumped in mass graves.

In 2016 London and Buenos Aires sanctioned the Red Cross to carry out exhumations and DNA checks. In another twist, Gaby enlisted the help of Pink Floyds Roger Waters, whose own father was among the missing presumed dead at Anzio in World War II.

While on tour in Argentina he successfully lobbied then-president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to lend her support.

Cardozos assiduous record keeping and foresight in treble-wrapping the bodies made the job of identification infinitely easier than it would otherwise have been.

In 2017, when the Red Cross did finally disinter them, I was amazed to find that while the coffins had disintegrated, the bodies inside the three bags were almost intact.

Two years later, 89 relatives of the missing walked together along the pebbled path to Darwin cemetery to finally put names on their lost sons graves. Some stood weeping in silent remembrance, others spoke to their sons, brought gifts, told them all the family news theyd missed.

They arrived with such a leaden step but they left with their heads held high and perhaps with a new sense of pride, Cardozo says. They didnt want their children to die of course, but at least they now know how and where and that they died for their cause.

A further ceremony took place the following year and others are being planned for after the Covid emergency.

Just seven bodies are now still unidentified. Typically, Aro, Gaby and Cardozo, though pleased their work has produced such heart-warming results, believe it will be incomplete until every cross has been given a name.

The Nobel Peace Prize selection process is shrouded in secrecy, but its understood the final shortlist will be drawn up (by an unnamed panel) in the next month.

Choices are highly political and sometimes controversial. Cardozo is naturally thrilled by his nomination, but hes not holding his breath. He has his reward.

To see a mother put flowers on her sons grave for the first time 36 years after losing him is an incredible moment.

On the way out of the cemetery, one mum turned towards me with tears in her eyes, and I reached out to dry them, which she let me do.

There is no prize  including the Nobel Prize  which is greater than that.
.

The United States will ban entry of foreigners who threaten dissidents and will immediately restrict 76 Saudis over Jamal Khashoggi's brutal murder, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday

"We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," Blinken said in a statement.

Short link:


When you kind of look like Ted Cruz, you have to make the most of it.

Digital creator John Walsh watched Aidy Bryant skewer Ted Cruz on SNL last weekend and said to himself, "I look more like Ted Cruz."

Though that's not the bragging right it would seem, Walsh turned his gift/curse into a meme when he added latest bop from Disney+ to the mix.

RELATED: Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and more comedians blast Ted Cruz for Cancun vacation

Using "Wandavision's" "Agatha All Along" audio, Walsh showcased a ne'er-do-well Cruz coming back from his ill-advised Cancun trip, handing out Tostitos, guacamole and tequila, shimmying in a tank top and admitting to leaving his dog Snowflake at home.

"Since June, people have been saying that I look like Ted Cruz, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity to introduce a new character," Walsh said. "I'm watching videos out of Texas and he's giving out food, it looked a little staged, there's no cars in the background...I thought, shouldn't he be quarantining?"

The video came together as most TikToks do, over a couple of hours and with the help of some friends.

"We filmed it after a car birthday party," the New York-based Walsh said with a laugh. "I had everyone stay a few minutes later and forced them to sit in their car."

The 26-year-old's video has already amassed more than half a million views. He's gone viral before with a Trump video. After Trump was banned from tweeting Walsh said it felt like he lost his "scene partner."

READ MORE: Senator Ted Cruz gives explanation for Cancun trip as Texans froze

Still he's making the most of it, and creating short vignettes of pop culture meets parody. The Disney+ earworm helped.

"I don't even watch Wandavision, but it's huge on TikTok so you don't have to watch the show to know what's going on," he said. Meanwhile I'm still poring over show theory.

Walsh has been keeping tabs on Cruz for some time, as the Senator's antics have transcended politics into pop culture (yes, there's even a pinata).

"Unfortunately, I look like Ted Cruz, but I won't let that go to waste," Walsh said.

Jess Elizarraras is the managing editor for MySA. Find her at jess.elizarraras@mysa.com or follow her at @jesselizarraras.
For our beloved late night & early morning denizens of the discourse we share a glimpse of longtime hottie Kim keeping up with her product placement despite a recent divorce. Her commitment to an impressive foodie collage inspires us to share pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check-it . . .

Historic Local Sacrilege

Kansas City pauses plans for demolition of historic church after roof collapse KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City officials will decide the fate of a historic church building near Hyde Park. Many history buffs are worried it was on the track to being torn down. The city has pushed pause on tearing down the church-turned-workspace located at 36th and Walnut streets.

Kansas Criminal Class Thwart Payments For Workers

Kansas Department of Labor at odds with auditors over fraudulent pay-out amounts TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Department of Labor disagrees with the preliminary findings of a recent audit to determine an estimate on how much money the state paid out in fraudulent claims during 2020. The Legislative Post Audit Committee, a non-partisan arm of the Kansas Legislature, released its findings for the first part of its audit into the Department of Labor .

Show-Me Progressive Urban Vaxx Talking Points

Missouri town with 65 residents receives nearly 2,000 vaccines for reasons unknown A mass vaccination clinic in Leopold, MO operated on a first-come-first-serve basis yesterday due to overallocation. By 4:40 p.m. yesterday, 648 people had been vaccinated in a town of only 65. // Image courtesy of leopold.k12.mo.us Gov. Mike Parson allocated almost 2,000 vaccines for the clinic.

Skintight Without Kanye

Kim Kardashian Enjoys Stylish Night Out After Filing for Divorce Kim Kardashian made sure she stood out on her first night out as a single lady ... in a skintight dress ... and nothing on her ring finger. Kim -- along with her sister, Kourtney , gal palsLa La Anthony and Stephanie Shepherd and Jonathan Cheban for good measure -- hit up Matsuhisa in Bev Hills Tuesday night ...

The Fight Fails

Senate Parliamentarian Blocks $15 Minimum Wage Democrats hoping to increase the minimum wage in their COVID relief bill were handed a crushing defeat Thursday night. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised that the increase was not allowed in budget reconciliation legislation, the process Democrats are using to bypass a Senate filibuster on their COVID relief bill.

SENATOR MITCH PREPS FOR PREZ TRUMP PART DEUX!!!

McConnell says he'll 'absolutely' support Trump in 2024 if he's the GOP nominee Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday he would "absolutely" support former President Donald Trump if he became the GOP presidential nominee in 2024, a notable commitment following his recent blistering critiques of the former President.

Post-Insurrection

House Democrats brace for floor fights with raw post-riot emotions Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) said Democratic leaders must work "gingerly" to keep their members together on the floor, particularly on what he termed "messaging" bills that have little chance in the 50-50 Senate and already generate internal divisions. "It's odd, you know, when you're controlling both chambers and the White House and you're still doing messaging bills.

Signs Of The Times

Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed for hanging anti-trans sign outside office in escalation of debate over Equality Act Two members of Congress have taken the debate over the Equality Act out of the House chamber and into the hallway outside of their offices. After Rep. Marie Newman placed a transgender pride flag outside of her office, which is across from Rep.

Violent Crooks Suspected Of Snatching Lady Gagas Pooch

Gaga cops probe if dognapper shooting was 'political' after she sang for Biden INVESTIGATORS are probing whether the kidnapping of Lady Gaga's bulldogs was politically motivated because she sang at President Joe Biden's inauguration. FBI officials specialized in kidnapping and ransom cases are working with Los Angeles Police Department detectives, The Sun learned on Thursday.

Kansas City News Greatest

Honoring Cynthia Newsome: A living legend KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Cynthia Newsome came to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1997, and the city has been forever changed because of it. Immediately, the 41 Action News anchor started making an impact on screen and off. She created Awesome Ambitions, a high school, college and career readiness program for 8th through 12th grade girls in the Kansas City Public School District.

Barrio Life Lessons Retold

As America Grapples With Who Writes History, Kansas City Schools Add Classes To Tell Black And Latino Stories Jackie Madrigal's grandfather used to tell her stories about coming to Kansas City, Kansas, from a tiny town in Mexico, Tangancicuaro. "This was like Mexican Revolution, coming up on the railroads, which brought a lot of Mexican immigrants to Argentine in particular," said Madrigal, who teaches at Shawnee Mission North High School.

Friday Forecast

Partly sunny, high in upper 40s Friday Hide Transcript Show Transcript PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES DEVELOPING. SOME OF US WILL GET INTO THAT LATER ON TONIGHT. WE'LL SEE THE CHILE CONDITIONS AND DRY STUFF. SO BY FRIDAY MORNI STILL BELOW FREEZING AGAIN ABOUT THE THIRD DAY IN A ROW, I BELIEVE 25, MARYVILLE 28 IN MARSHALL 31 DEGREES I CLINTON 28 OUT IN OTTAWA IN 28 ALSO IN LAWRENCE.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for late night/early morning denizens of our blog community. We hope to have a bit more for the morning update. STAY TUNED!!!

The Jersey City school districts funding crisis continues to worsen.

The Jersey City Public Schools are set to lose $71 million in state aid for the 2021-2022 school year under Gov. Phil Murphys proposed state budget. The funding cut would be the largest of any district in New Jersey, marking the third year in a row that Jersey City holds that distinction.

The New Jersey Department of Education released state aid summaries on Thursday showing a net increase in education funding across the state, with 10 out of 13 public school districts in Hudson County getting aid bumps.

The schools in Bayonne and Kearny would see their share of state aid increase by more than 18% under the proposed budget, while the Secaucus school district is in line for a 23% increase. The Weehawken Public Schools, meanwhile, would face the second-largest cut in Hudson County, losing around 10% of its state aid from 2020-21. The Hoboken school district would endure a $420,000 cut, according to the aid summaries.

Since the state aid formula was overhauled in 2018, Jersey City has lost $86 million in state adjustment aid, including $55.3 million in 2020-21. The cuts, which are being phased in over seven years, are far from over, Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali said.

Ali said since the funding formula is based on property values, the district could see almost all of its funding from the state cut as property values continue to rise across the city.

I think by the time we get to next year and the following year, the projection basically on our end is that we are going to get wiped out (in state aid) by the end of the seven years, Ali said. We are talking 70 million this year, projecting 100 million next year  so it is a moving target. We actually dont know where we are going to end up here.

The Jersey City Public Schools, which educate about 30,000 students, was facing down an estimated $150 million budget shortfall last year, due in large part to the change in state funding. In response, the school board raised the school tax levy from $136 million to $189 million but also increased spending by nearly $100 million.

Ali said while the board will be forced to raise taxes again, the state needs to start recognizing the district cant keep asking taxpayers to cover losses in funding.

Using the local fair share formula  the states estimate of a districts ability to contribute funding toward its local schools  the Education Law Center estimates Jersey Citys school tax levy should be $522 million.

ELC and fellow school advocacy group, Jersey City Together, estimated the district was going to lose $83 million in state funding in 2021-22.

While we are relieved to see the reduction in state aid be less than anticipated, we still have a long way to go to fully fund our schools, Dr. Jyl Josephson and Meghan Howard Noveck, parent leaders of Jersey City Togethers education team, said in a joint statement.

This year, as we emerge from the pandemic, it will be critical for local and state officials to stop finger-pointing and work together to create a fully-funded budget for Jersey Citys children.

Ali said the question now is whether the city can verify the payroll tax  a 1% levy on businesses that was expected to alleviate the loss in state education funding. He added the district cant afford layoffs or budget cuts.

He said while it still needs to be discussed with the rest of the Board of Education, he doesnt expect the tax levy to go up as much as it did last year. He said additional funding from coronavirus relief and stabilization aid, which comes later in the year from the state, could help relieve some of the funding stress.

I dont think residents should expect a $70 million tax raise, Ali said. I think taxes will go up but my projection is that I dont think taxes will go up even as high as they did last year.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is ending long-term detention of families at two controversial South Texas facilities, rebranding them as reception centers, officials have told advocates and relief organizations.

Its a significant change at the two detention centers that activists have derided as baby jails. But the new policy falls short of their demands to close the facilities in Dilley and Karnes City.

ICE now will hold immigrants at the centers only long enough to administer COVID-19 tests and health screenings and to arrange for shelter and transportation, according to people who were on a Saturday phone call with immigration officials.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will no longer hold asylum screenings at the facilities, one of the biggest reasons families were kept in the centers for weeks or months at a time.

ICE officials said they were looking for somewhere other than the detention centers to quarantine immigrants who test positive for COVID-19, people on the call said.

Officials didnt say exactly when the process will begin or how long it will take to release families, said Griselda Barrera, the San Antonio office director for American Gateways, which provides legal orientation to families in the 830-bed Karnes County Family Residential Center.

The facilities are still going to be open, Barrera said. Theyre still going to be holding the families. The difference between the process in the past is that families are going to be released faster, and the priority will be to release the families and not detain them.

An ICE spokeswoman wouldnt confirm the details relayed by those on the call but said Thursday that there were 65 people in the Karnes City facility and 382 at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley. Together, the two facilities can hold around 3,200 immigrants.

Most stay there between 12 and 19 days, the spokeswoman said. Most recently, the Karnes County center was holding families that were going to be expelled from the country without being allowed to make asylum claims under COVID-19 protocols. In contrast, some of those who until recently were held in Dilley had been there for more than a year as they appealed deportation orders.

The Trump administration forced about 25,000 asylum-seekers in the last two years to wait in Mexico to see an immigration judge and expelled hundreds of thousands of people caught crossing the border illegally without letting them make asylum claims.

The changes at Dilley and Karnes City are part of an immigration overhaul by President Joe Biden. His administration has started to allow small groups of asylum-seekers through the border  including 27 who crossed Thursday into Brownsville  and it has tried to place a temporary moratorium on deportations. A federal judge has blocked the moratorium.

Manoj Govindaiah, director of litigation at RAICES, a nonprofit that represents immigrants, welcomed the news but said it was inappropriate to detain families for any length of time.

This change is a positive one, Govindaiah said. I dont want to suggest that its not, but its not enough, because Karnes is still a former prison.

Bidens changes have been criticized on the other side of the debate as encouraging immigrants to make the dangerous journey to the U.S., regardless of whether theyll be able to obtain legal status here.

Anytime when theres the perception of relaxed immigration policies or laws, it has a tendency to create influxes of people who believe they can come in with greater ease, said Julian Calderas, the former deputy field office director for ICE in San Antonio.

Under the family detention plan, after parents with children enter the U.S. and are screened at Dilley and Karnes City, theyll need access to transportation and shelter.

In the past, families have been taken to San Antonio International Airport or the downtown bus station. At times, mass releases have strained the resources of the city government and aid organizations trying to ensure that families arent left on the street overnight.

I think President Biden has a very difficult task, said J. Antonio Fernandez, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. I can tell you, if thousands of people come through San Antonio, Catholic Charities cannot do this alone.

Fernandez, who was also briefed on the changes, praised the decision to let families proceed with asylum claims and cut the time theyre held at the detention centers.

Barrera said ICE will also have to ensure that families understand if they need to check in with the agency or appear in court after theyre released.

A lot of times folks that leave the facilities arent aware of the next steps, so therefore theyre set up for failure, she said.

Saturdays phone call, which included city officials, was cast as a first step in coordinating releases under the new policy.

City of San Antonio officials would not agree to an interview for this story.

An ICE spokeswoman shared a written statement in response to questions.

Custody determinations are made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with U.S. law and DHS policy, the statement read, referring to the Department of Homeland Security. Individuals can be released from custody based on the facts and circumstances of their cases and may be placed in alternatives to detention, including release on recognizance or formal monitoring programs.

Immigration advocates say Biden isnt going far enough to break with the past. The recent opening of an Office of Refugee Resettlement facility in Carrizo Springs to hold unaccompanied immigrant children drew condemnation this week.

The 2,400-bed Dilley facility is the largest family detention center in the country. It was opened by the Obama administration in 2014 to hold a surge of Central American families who surrendered at the border and requested asylum.

Advocates said that by keeping them far from cities, ICE could prevent the families from having effective legal representation, dooming them to deportation. The center in Karnes City is the only similar family detention facility in the U.S.

Initially, families were held at the detention centers until their asylum cases were heard by an immigration judge. In 2015, a federal judge in California found that policy violated a landmark settlement determining the treatment of children in government custody. Afterward, most families were released within 20 days.

The changes announced by ICE will eliminate one of the biggest barriers to quickly releasing families: Credible fear interviews, the first step in the asylum process. Officials told advocates that those interviews will no longer be held at the Dilley and Karnes facilities, so families will no longer have to wait days or weeks to see an asylum officer. They didnt say if asylum-seeking families will undergo that screening somewhere else or proceed directly to immigration court.

Even after the judges 2015 ruling, some families were kept in detention for years until their immigration court proceedings were completed. That also will end, Barrera said.

Over the last year, COVID-19 outbreaks at the detention centers have increased demands from activists, and court orders, to release families. But the Trump administration continued to detain families, some for months.

In recent weeks, ICE unexpectedly released several families that had been in the Dilley center, said John Garland, pastor of the San Antonio Mennonite Church. One woman had been held for two years despite activists petitioning ICE to release her.

Everything we had tried to do failed, and all of a sudden she was released from the detention center, Garland said.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : India is negotiating with Bangladesh to take back 81 Rohingyas whose boat drifted into its territorial waters in mid-February.

Eight Rohingyas on that boat have already died and one has gone missing, possibly drowned in the Andaman sea.

"We are in discussions with the Government of Bangladesh to ensure their safe and secure repatriation," MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava has said.

However, a Bangladesh foreign ministry press release has made clear the country's unwillingness to take back the sea-stranded Rohingyas on ground that their boat is far away from the country's territorial waters.

But MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava has insisted that 47 of the boat's 90 occupants possessed identity cards issued to them by the UNHCR office in Bangladesh, which indicated clearly they were displaced Myanmar nationals and persons of concern to UNHCR registered by the Bangladesh government.

Speaking at a video briefing Srivastava had said that on February 11, the boat sailed from Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh carrying 64 women including 8 girls and 26 men including 5 boys.

"The engine of the boat failed on February 15 and since then it has been drifting. Due to the severe conditions, we understand that eight occupants have died and one of the occupants had been missing since February 15," Srivastava said.

"When we learnt of the boat in distress, we immediately dispatched two coast guard ships to provide food, water and medical assistance to the occupants. Seven of them were administered IV fluids," he added.

But Bangladesh does not seem inclined to take back these Rohingyas .

A press statement by Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MOFA) on Saturday said that the UN news release 'clearly specified the location of boat at Andaman Sea which lies to the southeast of Bay of Bengal, south of Myanmar, west of Thailand and east of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands.' The MOFA statement said: " The boat has been traced approx. 1700 km away from Bangladesh at a location which is approx 492 km from Myanmar, 363 km from Thailand, 281 km from Indonesia and 147 km from India. The location is far off the territorial water of Bangladesh and proximate to other littoral states." The statement however said that Bangladesh is respectful of its international obligations under the UNCLOS.

" On earlier occasions when other littoral countries of the region repeatedly denied access to the Rohingyas adrift on the sea, it was the Government of Bangladesh who came to the rescue of the people, who were found on our territorial water." "Other states, particularly those, on whose territorial water the vessel has been found, bear the primary responsibility and they should fulfill their obligation under international law and burden-sharing principle." So by implication, the Bangladesh foreign ministry seems to be putting the onus of rescue and relief for the Rohingyas on India.

But officials in Indian Andamans say it would only be fair for Bangladesh to take back the Rohingyas because they came from there.

They said the Indian coast guard was trying to repair the engine of the boat carrying the Rohingyas and giving them food, water and medical treatment .

" But this should be temporary. They should be sent back to where they came from and the Bangladeshi crew who were piloting the boat as part of a human trafficking gang should be punished," said an official in the Andamans.
How often do you hear the refrain I wouldnt put my mum/dad/aunty in a home. Its part of our psyche. Anyone who puts their relative in an aged care facility is heartless. The aged care royal commission report will provide more inflammatory material to feed into this pervasive trope. The terrible spate of deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened this perception. I would not let my mum be in some of these places, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews remarked.

Of course, there are terrible nursing homes, just like there are terrible pubs or terrible train stations. It is outrageous that these sub-standard facilities exist although government funding models seem to encourage them. Only 11 per cent of Australias 2700 aged care facilities are rated as providing a high quality of care, research commissioned by the royal commission found. Our spending on aged care is well below other developed countries and our government has consistently refused moves for more financial transparency.

It is inevitably women who end up caring for elderly relatives. Credit:AFR

But there are also good homes and they are not necessarily the expensive ones. I have visited many and some are modest but excellent. This area of service provision is often where religious organisations come into their own. Yes, there are lonely and depressed residents in all nursing homes but often this is a side-effect of dementia which, lets face it, is a depressing situation in which to be.

The bad reputation, earned and unearned, of our nursing homes matters to women  and might be one of the biggest feminist issues of our time.

Learn From the Best with 888poker's Chris Moorman's Top Beginner Poker Tips

February 26 2021 888poker

It's not every day that you get the chance to learn from an online poker legend. But 888poker Ambassador Chris Moorman certainly ranks as one.

Arguably the most successful online poker player in history, Moorman was the first player to reach $10 million in earnings and now sits with an eye-watering $16.6 million according to PocketFives.

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Learn from the Best

Chris recently took time out of his busy schedule to give 888poker players some advice on how to succeed in the world of online poker. Here are seven tips that he explains will lead to greater levels of success.

1. Strong Fundamentals Win the Money

Learning some basic poker maths and having a strong grasp of the basic fundamentals will likely result in long-term profits.

2. Manage Your Bankroll

Don't run the risk of going broke by taking too many big shots. Play a decent amount of lower buy-in events to help reduce variance.

3. Keep Your Emotions Under Control

Make sure you are in the right frame of mind to play in order to have any chance of winning consistently.

4. Study in Detail

As the author of Moorman's Book of Poker, Moorman is no stranger to studying. Read every single poker book you can get your hands on and don't be afraid to meet with poker friends to discuss poker strategy together.

Related: Brush Up on Your Omaha Skills with 888poker's Vivian Saliba

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

You're not going to get better overnight. Consider playing micro-stakes tournaments in order to develop good poker instincts before moving onwards and upwards.

6. Game Selection

Identify opponents and games where you are likely to have an edge over your opponents. The more we know about our opponents, the more we will know how to correct play against them.

7. Play to Win!

Chris says he's only ever had one goal when playing online poker tournaments - to win. Focus on your competitive spirit and give it everything you've got.

Head to the 888poker website to read the advice in full from Chris Moorman!

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London, England--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - Net Savings Link, Inc. (OTC Pink: NSAV), a cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital asset technology company, today announced that the Company has finalized an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation, which would prevent NSAV from enacting a reverse stock split. The amended articles are now on file with the state of Colorado and can be viewed by the public at the Colorado Secretary of State's website or by clicking on the link below. The Company believes this amendment should finally put an end to all rumors that NSAV will reverse split its shares.

https://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/ViewImage.do?masterFileId=20171168922&fileId=20211022901

NSAV further announced that no dilution of its shares is taking place and that the Company has reached its maximum in terms of its Authorized Shares.

Earlier this week, NSAV announced the appointment of LABS Group Limited (https://labsgroup.io) CEO, Yuen Wong, to the Company's Board of Directors effective immediately. LABS Group is the world's first end to end Blockchain powered real estate investment ecosystem and powered by the LABS ecosystem token through decentralized finance (DeFi) and governance.

Mr. Wong is also a Managing Partner at Bitmart Cryptocurrency Exchange (https://www.bitmart.com). BitMart is a premier global digital asset trading platform with over 2 million users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinMarketCap. Bitmart's platform supports over 220 cryptocurrencies and has a 24-hour trading volume of approximately $2 Billion. Bitmart offers low trading and withdrawal fees, is beginner-friendly, one of the securest platforms in the industry and its users can buy cryptocurrency with credit & debit cards, PayPal and bank transfers.

James Tilton, president of NSAV stated, "I am truly proud of our management and legal team for completing this Anti-Reverse Stock Split Amendment on time and at Warp Speed. Since becoming the CEO of the Company in 2016, I have continually stated that NSAV would not reverse split its shares and that is a promise that I have kept. Many CEO's have made that same pledge and the vast majority have gone back on their word and enacted a reverse split of their Company's shares and wiped out their shareholders. As the Company's senior officer, I realize the importance of keeping promises to our loyal NSAV shareholders and getting the job done correctly and on time. With this amendment, all of our loyal current and future shareholders can put their minds at ease."

For further information please contact NSAV at info@nsavholdinginc.com.

The NSAV corporate email address is info@nsavholdinginc.com.

The NSAV corporate website can be accessed at http://nsavholdinginc.com.

The NSAV Twitter account can be accessed at https://twitter.com/nsavtech.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Net Savings Link, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Net Savings Link, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Net Savings Link, Inc. or any other person.

Contact

Net Savings Link, Inc.

info@nsavholdinginc.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75565
USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told Democrats eager to see him removed from his position to get used to me during a meeting of the House Oversight Committee.

When asked by Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper if he planned to stick around or if he thought he would be replaced by a new appointee, Mr DeJoy pointed out that he was not actually a Trump appointee, but was selected by the USPS Board of Governors from a group of 200 candidates. He said he planned on staying in his position a long time.

The derided postmaster general made the comments while testifying at an oversight hearing concerning the financial state of the USPS.

Mr DeJoy said there was "no path to totally eliminating" the United States Postal Services' annual financial losses during the meeting.

Our dire financial trajectory, operational and network misalignment to mail trends, outdated pricing, infrastructure underinvestment, inadequate people engagement, and an insufficient growth strategy  all demand immediate action, Mr DeJoy said.

He addressed the committee on Wednesday, where provisions of the Postal Service Reform Act were being discussed, specifically the USPS's mandate to pre-fund retirement of its workers up to 75 years in advance.

The reform legislation is expected to save approximately $50bn for the USPS, with $35bn of those savings coming from the elimination of the pre-funding mandate.

However, Mr DeJoy said that the measure would not go far enough to stop the postal service from losing money, as the service - which was not established to be a profitable business - was projected to lose $160bn over the next 10 years.

Members of the committee suggested removing the pre-funding mandate and moving USPS retirees onto Medicare rather than relying on private health care options.

However, Postal Board chairman Ron Bloom told lawmakers that we cant just throw money at the problem. We must address the systemic issues plaguing its outdated model.

The pre-funding mandate - which is unprecedented in public or private institutions - accounts for 84 per cent of the USPS's annual losses.

Mr DeJoy said he is developing a reform plan that would include slower mail service - by eliminating first class mail - and raising prices, but that would ultimately result in a "sustainable" postal service.

The postmaster general, a supporter of Donald Trump, was selected to run the USPS in June by the bipartisan USPS Board of Governors, and immediately faced criticism for his ties both to the then-president and to logistics and shipping competitors to the USPS in the private sector.

Democrats accused Mr DeJoy of using restructuring at the postal service - like reducing hours and removing high-speed letter sorters - as a way of sabotaging the service ahead of the 2020 election, which saw an unprecedented number of mail-in votes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several lawmakers used the committee meeting to re-litigate the 2020 election and the events leading up to it.

Congressman Jody Hice, a Republican from Georgia, complained about Democrats' rhetoric following Mr DeJoy's hiring, saying their complaints that Mr DeJoy was a Republican donor set a dangerous precedent for future postmaster generals. He said Democrats painted Mr DeJoy as a "wrecking ball" bent on destroying the USPS.

Rep Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, used his time trying to lead Mr DeJoy into attacking Democrats, which resulted in the postmaster general telling him that he "did not want to participate."

Mr Jordan asked if Joe Biden was planning on removing Mr DeJoy, or if people were still calling for his firing. When Mr DeJoy said no, Mr Jordan then asked him why, and after several minutes of insistent questioning, the postmaster general gave the congressman said "because we had an election."

The congressman's ultimate point was that the fury over Mr DeJoy and the state of the post office was a political ploy by Democrats ahead of the election. He spent nearly no time addressing the actual monetary issues facing the service.

Congressman Gerry Connolly, a Democrat, indirectly accused Mr Jordan of gaslighting the room before turning his attention back to Mr DeJoy.

Later in the meeting, Mr DeJoy and Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib locked horns over a speed sorting machine. Ms Tlaib asked Mr DeJoy to look into why speed sorters in a Detroit USPS facility were not being used, and Mr DeJoy attempted to distance himself from the question.

Ms Tlaib cut in, frustrated, telling Mr DeJoy to "do his job," before asking if he would commit to looking into the issue. He said the USPS does not take taxpayer money - essentially a way of saying he has no obligation to examine the situation just because a member of Congress demands it - but said he would look into it for Ms Tlaib.
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Spains Anticapitalistas party, a petty-bourgeois Pabloite tendency that helped found the Left Populist Podemos party and left the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government last year, is seeking to suppress opposition to Podemos as mass youth protests erupt against the jailing of rapper Pablo Hasel.

The jailing of the 32-year old rapper by the PSOE-Podemos government for insulting the state and the Bourbon monarchy marks a milestone in the building of a police state. Hasel has now become the first musician imprisoned in Spain since the 1978 fall of the fascist regime set up by Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. Hasel, who faces further trumped up charges, could be jailed for up to 20 years.

Painting in defense of Pablo Hasel. (Image Credit: Twitter/VDefensa)

In this situation, Anticapitalistas is terrified that it may not be able to control growing social opposition to the government. It posted its main statement on Hasels incarceration, entitled Mobilising discontent, on the online newspaper Publico. Its authors, Anticapitalistas spokespeople Raul Camargo and Lorena Cabrerizo, paint a devastating picture of Podemos in power.

The protests, it states, are spontaneous, but they reflect the consciousness of a layer of youth who know that things are not going well. Freedom in this country is constantly under threat, and exercising it sometimes comes at a cost.  There is entirely legitimate dissatisfaction among the youth. High unemployment, a privileged, totally corrupt political class serving the interests of the economic elites, and the feeling that the future will be worse: this is the backdrop for the protests.

It warns that the opposition to Podemos is mounting on its left. Basically, what we are seeing are the first throes of a social crisis that will be very deep and that will undoubtedly have important political repercussions. The bid by the progressive government [i.e., the PSOE and Podemos] to avoid any kind of change is translating into increasing disaffection among the people on the left.

However, Hasels jailing is an exposure, not only of Podemos, but also of Anticapitalistas, which founded Podemos together with groups of Stalinist professors and army officers in 2014 and promoted it as a radical democratic party. In 2020, Podemos formed a coalition government with the PSOE, the Spanish bourgeoisies preferred party of rule in the post-Franco era. It argued that this nationalist, pro-capitalist strategy would block the rise of the far right and pave the way to prosperity.

Instead, Podemos has increasingly adopted the agenda of the fascist Vox party. PSOE Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has even hailed Vox for its statesmanship, as the PSOE ruthlessly forced millions of workers and children back to work and back to school amid the pandemic, which has left over 800,000 dead in Europe, and nearly 100,000 in Spain.

The PSOE-Podemos government has escalated the persecution of migrants and downplayed far-right coup threats from sections of the military. It is now working to shower corporations and banks with 140 billion in European Union bailouts.

The government routinely sends police to smash strikes against herd immunity policies and to monitor working class opposition on social media. Nine Catalan nationalist political prisoners remain in jail, charged with organising protests in 2017 that were peaceful. Last week, anti-riot police used live pellet ammunition on anti-police violence protesters in Linares, Jaen, leaving two protesters injured and soaked in blood.

Anticapitalistas, however, tries to maintain the pretense that Podemos is a progressive force. It states: Podemos tries to maintain a critical position on some issues (it is a credit to Podemos that, for now, they have not joined the criminalisation of the protests) but it lacks the social force to influence the future of the government. This contributes to their disengagement with the streets: being in the government under the command of the PSOE, as some of us have already warned, is not translating into achieving appreciable social improvements, however, they are losing credibility.

This is a lie. First, Podemos critical position on certain issues, like posturing in favour of the protesters, is the cynical role it plays on behalf of the political establishment. It is an attempt to limit social opposition by dressing up the current government in left colours. This worn out tactic, however, is increasingly hard to deploy after Podemos has supported so many reactionary measures.

Last week, Podemos parliamentary spokesperson Pablo Echenique tweeted: All my support to the young anti-fascists in the streets who are calling for justice and freedom of expression.

Echeniques empty posturing was contradicted by his fellow Podemos lawmaker, Communist Party of Spain (PCE) General Secretary Enrique Santiago, who defended the brutal police repression that led to hundreds of arrests and injuries. Santiago declared, The obligation of the SSFB [State Security Forces and Bodies] is to prevent a small demonstration from ending up in chaos, which is then used by the right wing.

In fact, police are increasingly viewed with disdain by masses of workers and youth, who rightly view them as Voxs auxiliary forcesattacking striking workers, migrants and youth, but treating affluent, far-right protesters opposed to lockdowns to stop the pandemic with kid gloves.

Second, the argument that Podemos lacks influence to make any change because they only have 35 lawmakers and four ministers in the government does not withstand scrutiny. It is Anticapitalistas alibi for the reactionary policies of Podemos.

In reality, Podemos has enormous leverage inside the government. As the PSOEs coalition partner, Podemos could threaten to leave the government and thus bring the government down at any moment. It has studiously avoided any suggestion that it might employ such a policy, however.

Underlying the cowardice of Podemos are basic class interests. Whatever their tactical differences with the PSOE, Podemos articulates the interests of an upper middle class milieu of academics, union bureaucrats, army officers and affluent professionals. What they fear more than anything else is that mobilising opposition from the left of the PSOE could provoke a social explosion threatening the interests of the capitalist oligarchy they defend. As a result, they have neither called protests against Hasels jailing nor threatened to leave the government.

Under certain conditions, of course, Podemos might eventually leave the government. Its deputy speaker of the Spanish parliament, Gloria Elizo, has been provided with a platform in the main media to criticize Podemos participation in government. She recently gave interviews to the right-wing dailies El Confidencial and El Espanol, where she complained that we have renounced being an alternative by entering into this government.

Elizo represents a faction close to the position of Anticapitalistas. However, Anticapitalistas so-called alternative to Iglesias line of entering government was always a fraud. It consisted in not formally joining the government, trying to avoid being exposed by its fascistic policies, but supporting it nonetheless in parliament to ensure the affairs of Spanish capitalism continue to function despite mounting social anger and political opposition in the working class. In the end, it was an attempt to not lose credibility in the eyes of the working class as quickly as would happen if Podemos joined the government.

Podemos departure, however, would not seek to oppose the PSOE from the left but to suppress social opposition with the support of the union bureaucracies. This is precisely what Anticapitalistas has sought to do since it left the PSOE-Podemos government last year.

As the WSWS warned in June, Anticapitalistas did not leave the PSOE-Podemos government because it opposed Podemos policies. Its statement even hailed the framework of the government, declaring: Of course, we will support all the gains made within this framework and we will fight together against the extreme right. It added that there is no doubt that we will find ourselves in many common struggles with the people of Podemos.

Analysing the statement, the WSWS warned that Anticapitalistas was being sent out of Podemos to serve as a paid agent of the Spanish capitalist state, intervening on social media and in protests and strikes hostile to Podemos to spy on and strangle them.

Nine months later, this warning has been fully vindicated. Camargo and Cabrerizo are supporting the protests in order to block an independent movement of the working class and tie youth to the PSOE and Podemos. They state, In short, we are facing an explosive situation. From the social and political left we need a strategy in the face of the new situation.  What we urgently need is to turn these impulses from the streets into an initiative and build an agenda of our own, which prevents the extreme right from being structurally on the offensive. This involves avoiding the isolation of the protests, expanding them and adding more and more social sectors.

The question is posed: What revolutionary perspectives are necessary for the emerging movement of the working class and youth? As class struggles mount internationally amid the ruling elites herd immunity policy during a pandemic which has already killed over 2.3 million people worldwide, a political leadership must be built in the working class that is irreconcilably opposed to pro-imperialist, petty-bourgeois groups like Anticapitalistas.

This also includes the politics of Hasel, a hodgepodge of Stalinism and Castroite guerrillaism. Hasel has defended Castroism, armed groups like ETA, Terra Lluire and the Red Brigades, and the Soviet bureaucracy, as well as the infamous assassin of Leon Trotsky, Ramon Mercader. The heirs of Stalinism in Spain, which played a treacherous role in suppressing the Spanish revolution in blood during the 1930s, are a fundamental part of the post-Francoite capitalist order. Hasel, it must be said, shares much of the outlook of forces in Podemos who have now condemned him to jail.

The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) defends Hasels freedom of expression but not his anti-Trotskyist politics.

The reactionary record of Anticapitalistas and Podemos underscores that the decisive strategic question today is building the ICFI as the revolutionary leadership in the working class. This requires building sections of the ICFI in Spain and internationally, based on the colossal political experiences embodied in its history, to wage an uncompromising struggle against groups like Anticapitalistas.

Callie doesnt feel comfortable going outside. The 3-year-old hovers close to her mother and ventures out into her familys small front courtyard, but only if the metal gate is locked.

Just around the corner and up the hill is where a notorious coyote bit and scratched her back, leg and buttocks on Feb. 17. It was the fourth attack by a wayward coyote that has bitten at least five people since July in the Moraga and Lafayette areas, prompting an all-out hunt by local, county, state and federal officials and rattling residents and hikers around the Lafayette Reservoir open space.

Shes beyond scared. Shes scared in the house and shes scared outside the house, mother Jackie B. told The Chronicle in an interview at their Moraga home, as Callie, wearing a blue princess dress, tugged on her leg. The mother wanted to use only her first name and last initial to protect her childs privacy, a request The Chronicle granted according to its source policy. She cant see the distinction between a coyote and a dog. And she wont believe me that a coyote cant open a door.

Authorities said they havent seen such repeated attacks before from an individual coyote, an animal known to shy away from human contact. Theyve posted coyote warning signs near the bite sites and notices on private property alerting passersby that animal traps have been set in the area. Theres a steady stream of trappers, hunters, wardens and police driving up and down nearby streets each morning  so far, the animal bites have happened mostly in the Campolindo neighborhood in the dawn hours and downtown Lafayette at night. In between is the Lafayette Reservoir and its 928 acres of open space, popular with hikers and joggers  and coyotes.

As of Thursday, the coyote, which has been linked to all the attacks by DNA, has avoided capture, said Patrick Foy, a California Fish and Wildlife captain.

Weve got a well-run operation going all day and night, Foy said by phone. We just cant seem to catch the coyote.

More than a dozen traps are set, and hunters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are driving along the Rim Trail, which circles the reservoir on ridgetops. On Wednesday, the Moraga Town Council received an update on the situation. A police lieutenant told them a 24-7 operation was in place.

We have open space right next to us, Police Chief Jon King told the council, and were going to have coyotes encroaching.

After Callies bite, some neighbors began walking their dogs holding shower curtain rods or whistles, stopping to exchange their stories of sightings from opposite sidewalks. Its been a busy thoroughfare during the pandemic as people exercise outside.

Two days after the attack on Callie, a young man walked out of a convenience store in downtown Lafayette  far away from any open space  and sat down in the parking lot. The coyote appeared and bit him in the left leg. When he stood up, the coyote ran off, Foy said.

NBC Bay Area spoke to 20-year-old John Stevenson, who said the animal bit him through his jeans and that when he pulled up his pants, he saw puncture wounds. He didnt see or hear the animal approach, but filmed it across the street after.

I just got bit by the same coyote thats biting everyone else, he told the station. Thats immediately what I thought.

That latest attack  which officials linked to the same animal by DNA  baffled officials because its so far from any open space and in a very busy section of Lafayette.

It has us scratching our heads, because its not in an area that coyotes are generally comfortable in, Foy said. He doesnt believe the animal is rabid, because witnesses report a healthy and strong coyote, and animals usually die fairly quickly after contracting rabies.

On Feb. 17 around 8:30 a.m., Jackie said she took her daughters on their daily morning walk through the neighborhood, but avoided the dirt trails nearby because they were muddy from recent rain.

Callie normally rides in the stroller, but that morning she decided to walk alongside her mother, who was pushing the empty carriage while holding her infant daughter in a BabyBjorn carrier.

They had just begun walking up a hill when Callie screamed. A coyote had grabbed her. Jackie called it an ambush.

It came quietly from behind and pounced, the mother recalled. I started swinging and waving my hands at it. It was a moment of shock, and I dont remember if I punched it or not.

The coyote stopped and backed off about 10 feet before charging again and backing up. It repeated the threats about 20 times, the mother said.

It was remarkable just how not scared it was, said Jackie, who runs by herself early in the mornings and frequently encounters coyotes that keep their distance. Nothing I could do would scare this coyote away.

She screamed as she held the stroller in one hand and a blanket in another and tried to corral her wailing daughter who wanted to run away. A neighbor heard the commotion, saw Jackie panicking through his home surveillance camera and came to help. Finally, the animal scampered off up the hill.

Callie had about four to five wounds. It was difficult to tell if they were bite or claw marks, Jackie said.

Police and firefighters responded, collected the girls flower dress and swabbed her wounds. The DNA matched the wanted coyote.

When her husband came home, Jackie struggled to tell him what happened. She was crying hysterically. At the hospital, doctors thoroughly cleaned the wounds and poked about 20 shots around each abrasion.

She wasnt talking at first, and then the first thing she said was, I wish you would take me to Disneyland, Jackie said. Then the second thing was, Mommy, can you please stop crying?

Since then, doctors have Callie on antibiotics as she fights an on-and-off fever. Three of her four rabies treatments are done, and each time the Oakland Childrens Hospital staff showers her with candies, necklaces and Otter Pops to help ease the discomfort. Her neighbors have also dropped off food and gifts for Callie.

But it has been difficult in the days since the attack. She will only sleep close to her mom, the walks have completely stopped and she doesnt want to play outside, even in her fenced backyard.

Were working on all that with her, and its a process, Jackie said.

On a recent early morning jog, Jackie passed a mom with an infant daughter walking in the neighborhood and stopped to advise her of the coyote attacks. In December, a man was bitten on the leg by this coyote while working out on the Campolindo High School track, a few blocks from the attack on Callie. Days later, a man was bitten behind a Lafayette grocery store. In July, the coyote bit a 2-year-old at a nearby park.

I dont think its safe for kids to be out alone at least in the early morning and late evening, Jackie said. It needs to be caught or it will keep on happening.

Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni
The private sector can help scale up Indias covid-19 vaccination drive by five times in the next 45 days but the process must be less cumbersome, industry leaders told Mint.

In the 40 days since the launch of the drive, 12.3 million frontline workers, such as healthcare professionals, have been vaccinated. However, with many states witnessing a new wave of infections, the involvement of private sector players has become an imperative, they said,

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

When the private sector gets extensively involved, we can ramp up the vaccination effort five to 10 times," Shobana Kamineni, vice chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said. We can do 50 million vaccinations in the next 45 days if the sites are ramped up and more people are encouraged to get vaccinated," she added.

On Wednesday, the Centre said the private sector will be allowed to join in the vaccination efforts. It also said that from 1 March senior citizens and people above 45 years with co-morbidities can get vaccinated at the existing 10,000 government fac-ilities and over 20,000 private hospitals.

Kamineni said Apollo can provide 2,000 sites and has identified 6,000-7,000 staff who can give the jabs. However, the existing processes, including the registration process on the Co-Win app, multiple levels of checks, and the controlled environment for vaccination, can slow down the process.

Many countries are vaccinating in car parks. If you have the guidelines, I dont see why you cant open up the drive-in safe sites, not necessarily hospitals," Kamineni said.

The private sector does not appear very confident about the Co-Win app. Reports from across India suggested sub-optimal performance of the software, with glitches ranging from duplication to missing names. We (CII) have offered the government help in scaling up the app," T.V, Narendran, chief executive and managing director, Tata Steel Ltd, and the president-designate of industry body CII, said. Second, people should be allowed to use Aadhaar cards to get vaccinated. It is a government ID and is in the system. Thats a way to scale up. Then, you dont overload the Co-Win app with too many people trying to log in."

Sudarshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt. Ltd, agreed. Covid vaccination should be like any other intramuscular vaccination. The process should be as simple as a walk-in, but since it is a new vaccine, there should be a provision for people to wait for half an hour to make sure there is no reaction," he said. If the process is made cumbersome with apps, too many entries, it will slow down the drive."

The more time India takes to vaccinate its population, the more the chances of the virus mutating, and the need for upgraded vaccines.

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WASHINGTON  The F.B.I. has pinpointed an assailant in its investigation into the death of Brian D. Sicknick, a Capitol Police officer who was injured while fending off the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol last month and later died, according to two law enforcement officials briefed on the inquiry.

The F.B.I. opened a homicide investigation into Officer Sicknicks death soon after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Investigators initially struggled to determine what had happened as he fought assailants. They soon began to suspect his death was related to an irritant, like mace or bear spray, that he had inhaled during the riot. Both officers and rioters were armed with such irritants during the attack.

In a significant breakthrough in the case, investigators have now pinpointed a person seen on video of the riot who attacked several officers with bear spray, including Officer Sicknick, according to the officials. And video evidence shows that the assailant discussed attacking officers with the bear spray beforehand, one of the officials said.

While investigators narrowed potential suspects seen in video footage to a single person this week, they have yet to identify the assailant by name.
The decision by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners to reinstate a convicted sex offenders license is reprehensible, Gov. Murphy said on Friday.

The state Board of Chiropractic Examiners reinstated the license Thursday after denying a motion by the attorney generals office to deny the license.

The attorney general is completely right on this. It is unacceptable and the folks who voted to reinstate this guy should hear this loud and clear. We will be looking very carefully and very soon at the makeup of that board, Murphy said at his coronavirus briefing on Friday.

All options are on the table, period, Murphy said. We will take action. I dont know what it will be, but we will take action.

The doctor, Bryan K. Bajakian, 61, practiced in Paramus before he was convicted on luring and firearms charges in 2008.

The five board members who were at the meeting, who are all chiropractors by trade, voted unanimously on the reinstatement. Members didnt explain their decision during the board meeting.

Reached by phone on Friday, board member Paul Lyons said, I have no comment, O.K.? If you listen to everything that was said, you realize why this happened.

Three board members, David Allen, Thomas Senatore and Brett Wartenberg, did not respond to request for comment. Board member Rosemary Calio said she was driving and couldnt talk when reached by phone.

In his opposition to the reinstatement, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal argued that the boards vote to give back the license was based on a flawed psychosexual report and said Bajakians victims and other stakeholders were not notified.

On Thursday, the attorney generals office said it would review the boards decision before determining whether it would take further action.

There is no way a dangerous, convicted child sexual predator should ever be allowed to work as a healthcare provider in our state, and certainly no way that a decision to re-license such an individual as a chiropractor should ever be made in secret, without the input of his victims or my office, Grewal said in November in a rare statement questioning a decision from one of New Jerseys independent licensing boards. We will do everything we can to prevent this Megans Law offender and others from returning to practice, Grewal added.

Late Friday, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg said they will introduce legislation to replace the current board with one that makes public safety a priority and has more public representation.

Giving a convicted sex offender the sanctioned permission to return to the practice is irresponsible and illogical. Bryan Bajakian is a predator who should be denied the opportunity to threaten anyone again, Sweeney said in a statement.

Weinberg said with the license reinstatement, the board has placed others, including the most vulnerable, in harms way.

The idea that the state board representing practicing chiropractors could vote unanimously to reinstate the license of a convicted sex offender is a horrific and dangerous move that defies all logic, and is a slap in the face to people everywhere who have faced the trauma of sexual misconduct, she said. There is no way a sexual predator should also be a licensed chiropractic examiner in New Jersey. If the board is going to reinstate this license, what, one might fairly ask will it take for a chiropractic license to be revoked?

During the Thursday meeting, Douglas Anton, representing Bajakian, called the proceeding a disgrace and told the board that the attorney generals action was to bully you and pressure you.

After the meeting, Anton said Bajakian was planning to get back to work immediately, he has three job offers and intends to someday open his own practice again.

Dr. Bajakian is happy that truth and the law prevailed and looks forward to serving his community as a chiropractor again, as he did for over 20 years, Anton said.

The reinstated license has temporary conditions including a prohibition on having contact with any patients under age 18 and its subject to probation for five years.

In light of the egregious facts of this case, we are disappointed that the Board of Chiropractic Examiners has allowed Bryan Bajakian to resume practice, and are reviewing the Boards decision, a spokeswoman for the attorney general said Thursday. The Attorney Generals Office is committed to rooting out sexual misconduct in all its forms, and has continuously called on the states professional licensing boards to take seriously their obligation to protect members of the public from sexual misconduct by licensees.

Bajakian was first accused in 2005 with trying to lure a child, according to a document from the Division of Consumer Affairs and the attorney generals office ordering him not to see patients younger than 18 without supervision.

In 2008, Bajakian pled guilty in Superior Court to two counts of luring or enticing a child and one firearms count, according to court and prison records, and the board document reinstating the license. The board temporarily suspended Bajakians license that year.

He was sentenced to five years and required to register as a sex offender under Megans Law and submit to lifetime parole, according to a consent order from the chiropractor board. The board revoked his license in 2010 after finding he engaged in sexual misconduct toward a patient with whom he communicated over the internet, that he engaged in conduct of a sexual nature over the internet that would impair or debauch six minors, and that he pled guilty to crimes involving moral turpitude, the reinstatement order said.

Bajakian went to prison again in 2016 on a Megans Law parole violation, according to a document released Thursday by the board. He was released from Southern State Correctional Facility in 2017, according to prison records.

The board denied his reinstatement request in 2018, but it voted unanimously on Oct. 24, 2019, to give the license back, Grewal said.

The motion filed by Grewals office in November said Bajakian engaged in sexual misconduct toward an underage patient.

Bajakian is listed as a registered sex offender in Florida, where the website says sex offense, other state (2 counts attempting to lure or entice a child).

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Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com.
Roy S. Gutterman is an associate professor and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.

Even though the 2020 election has been sufficiently settled for almost four months, now, and the results have been certified by legislatures and courts, it is still being fought  now in a series of defamation lawsuits.

The latest in these civil lawsuits came Monday when Dominion Voting Systems, one of the voting machine companies repeatedly targeted by former President Donald Trump and his allies, sued the My Pillow guy, Michael Lindell, for $1.3 billion in damages.

The other vote machine company, Smartmatic, has also filed its own defamation complaint against Fox News and some of its biggest news personalities, seeking $2.7 billion in damages.

Since January, Dominion and Smartmatic have filed four separate lawsuits against Trump lawyers Rudolph Giuliani and Sydney Powell as well as Lindell and Fox News. In more than 500 pages of fact-sensitive, detailed complaints, the two companies combined lawsuits seek more than $6 billion in damages.

The sheer volume of the complaints and the astronomical damage request certainly generated news headlines, maybe even some gasps from observers. Whether the companies each suffered harm from provably false and knowingly false statements will be determined through the legal process. Damages are always difficult to assess in defamation cases.

The centerpiece of these lawsuits will be the search for truth: whether statements accusing the two companies of rigging the election or employing faulty machinery were false, and whether those statements harmed the respective companies reputations. These cases are not only shining a spotlight on potentially inaccurate and harmful statements but the law of defamation itself.

Defamation is a civil action that allows a plaintiff to recover monetary damages for false, harmful statements published or otherwise spoken about that person.

Much of our understanding of civil litigation comes from local television commercials  those negligence lawyers offering to secure compensation for victims of some accident or malady. Though they are sometimes the butt of lawyer jokes, these lawyers, serve an important function in holding people and businesses accountable for irresponsible or negligent actions.

But defamation law is significantly different from other torts because of the implications on speech itself. In defamation cases, there are First Amendment implications with the underlying message at issue.

Defamation law came under the auspices of the First Amendment in a 1964 case, New York Times v. Sullivan, in which the newspaper challenged a $500,000 defamation award levied in a questionable jury verdict in Montgomery, Alabama, in the height of the national battle over civil rights. The dispute was over an advertisement published in the Times soliciting donations for the defense of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Montgomerys Public Safety Commissioner sued the paper for libel over minor factual inaccuracies in the ad. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled for the Times, establishing that public officials and later public figures need to prove the publisher knew the statements were false, or were reckless in publishing information they could have known was false, and published them anyway  a standard known as actual malice.

The Sullivan case was as much about civil rights as it was about free press or free speech rights. In a book about Times v. Sullivans roots in the civil rights movement, Ohio University professor Aimee Edmondson wrote, The layers of history found at the intersection of race, libel law, and journalism are much deeper and more complex than historians and other legal scholars generally assume.

Likewise, the current spate of election-related defamation suits may be the last legal dispute from the 2020 election.

Libel cases have been proxy fights for a range of controversial public issues including race relations, civil rights and domestic Red Scare politics. In recent years, the truth itself has become the centerpiece of a number of libel cases attempting to relitigate old cases by now focusing on calling someone a liar.

As much as the Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits seek to hold controversial and political speakers accountable for potentially false statements, there is no reason to rejoice. Case law can cut both ways. Using libel law to punish speakers because of their message is a dangerous, but common abuse of laws intended to protect an individuals reputation.

And, as these voting machine libel cases proceed, we will see how both sides apply the same case law. Already, Foxs motion to dismiss Smartmatics lawsuit invokes the First Amendment, free press values and the role of cable television in providing a forum for speakers and discussion of important public issues.

Fox makes some valid points about its role in the marketplace of ideas. But even with the First Amendment, there are many situations where statements should still be true. The truth can sometimes be elusive, and the Supreme Court has ruled that even some false information has value in fueling speech and debate.

While these cases will test the issue, it will be important to disengage the politics and focus on the facts, the truth and the harm. The courts will have their hands full with this one.

Also in Opinion: Antidote to Trumps big lie is endlessly repeating the truth (Commentary)
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top specialist on infectious diseases in the United States, said that two people who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) face minimal risk if they socialize together.

You can start getting together as individual people  even though the risk is not zero, the risk becomes extremely low when you have both parties vaccinated, Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNNs Chris Cuomo.

Fauci was speaking about situations where both people have received the maximum number of shots required, including two for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

My professional judgement is that when my daughter wants to come in here and she is doubly vaccinated, Im going to have her over to the house, and Im going to give her a big hug that I havent been able to do for a year.

VACCINE DEVELOPMENTS

The Pfizer shot soon may become more readily available. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday that it is allowing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be transported and stored at conventional temperatures, enabling the immunizations to be stored in standard freezers for up to two weeks.

Previously, the undiluted doses were required to be stored in ultra-low temperature freezers at between -112 and -76 degrees Fahrenheit, which created logistical issues during the push to inoculate the first groups eligible for the shot.

Last week, Pfizer said it was seeking approval from the FDA to have its vaccine stored at higher temperatures after data indicated the doses could be safely stored between -13 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 days.

Meanwhile, another vaccination may soon be available in the United States.

Johnson & Johnsons single-shot vaccine offers strong protection against the coronavirus (COVID-19) and meets the requirements for the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) emergency use authorization, according to an analysis from the agency.

The companys vaccine showed an overall efficacy against moderate to severe COVID-19 of 66% at least 14 days after vaccination across all geographic areas, said the FDA staff report created to brief the FDAs Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which will meet on Friday to discuss granting the shot emergency use authorization.

The vaccines level of protection varied by region, Johnson & Johnson said, with the shot registering 72% effectiveness in the United States and 64% in South Africa, where a highly-contagious variant is now rapidly spreading.
Both sides of the school reopening debate have it wrong. We shouldnt be debating whether schools are safe to reopen. Instead, we should ask whether in-person schooling is essential.

If it is  as people like US President Joe Biden insist  then we should treat schools as we do hospitals. That means doing everything possible to make them safer, starting with vaccinating teachers.

In the US, the Biden administration has said teachers should get priority for vaccinations, but leaves the decision up to the states. This is a mistake. If Bidens 100-day goal is to get most K-8 schools (the equivalent of Irish primary schools) open five days a week, he must make protecting teachers his top priority.

Lets face it, there wont be a consensus on whether schools can be safe from the coronavirus. Reports of low in-school transmission can be countered with arguments that schools lack the testing and tracing to account for cases.

Also, the same data can lead to different conclusions. As one of the public participants in the debate, I have come to see the conundrum and the error of both positions. Our dispute was not over the science, but the interpretation of it, because people have a differing tolerance of risk.

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Some might say that if the risk of contracting the coronavirus in school is no greater than getting it from the community, thats safe enough. Others would argue that because people can safely isolate at home, no amount of risk is acceptable. Any attempt to compromise and define whats safe would result in a goalpost that changes any time theres even one case of suspected in-school transmission.

To move forward, I believe we need a complete reframing. Stop asking whether schools are safe. Instead, acknowledge that in-person instruction is essential; then apply the principles we learned from other essential services to keep schools open.

There are children for whom in-person instruction has been essential throughout the pandemic, who depend on school for food, who have special needs that can be met only in school, and who lack the technology to engage in distance learning.

Many other children are facing significant consequences from not being in school, including increasing behavioural and cognitive deficits and mental health challenges. The need for parents to work is also a factor.

For millions of families around the world, the theoretical risk of contracting Covid is far outweighed by the real benefit of returning to school. Parents are choosing in-person school not because they think its safe, but because of how essential schooling is.

Hospitals had to keep operating not because they were safe but because they were essential. They barred visitors, strictly enforced mask-wearing and implemented many infection-control measures.

Because health-care workers bore the disproportionate burden of virus risk, they were prioritised to receive vaccines. No one said hospital operations had to close down until every doctor and nurse got vaccinated, but they were at the front of the line because of their risk and the recognition their work was essential.

We should be viewing school staff members the same way.
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(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Friday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







Motif Bio PLC - AIM-listed cash shell - Enters into a stock purchase agreement with Orange Avenue Technologies LLC, to which Orange has acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Motif Inc from Motif with immediate effect. Orange is wholly owned by John Palmer, president of Tamarack Associates Inc - the company which was engaged by Motif to facilitate the sale of iclaprim and other assets of Motif Inc in January 2020. Motif remains suspended from trading while the proposed transaction is being negotiated and advanced. "The transaction is an important step to prepare Motif to complete the reverse takeover. It also creates incentives for Orange to focus on the potential generation of value from iclaprim for Motif's shareholders, while allowing Motif to focus on completing the reverse takeover with a UK-based ADC discovery and development company," says President Jonathan Gold.







Applegreen PLC - operator of petrol stations and motorway stops in Ireland - Says European Commission grants approval for takeover by the Causeway Consortium Ltd. Cancellation of the Euronext Growth Market listing of Applegreen shares by the Irish Stock Exchange and cancellation of the AIM listing of Applegreen shares by the London Stock Exchange is expected to occur at 0700 GMT on March 11.







Seplat Petroleum Development Co PLC - Nigerian oil & gas company - Moves to to clarify position on the contents of "inaccurate media coverage". Says is current on its royalties to the Federal Government of Nigeria, with a record of increased royalties over a decade of successful production. Reference in the media coverage was made to the assets that are held by Seplat in joint venture partnership with the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Ltd. These assets are OMLs 4, 38 and 41. Notes that in 2018, Nigeria President and Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources approved the 20-year renewal of OMLs 4, 38 and 41 and Seplat satisfied all conditions for the license renewal, including full payment of USD25.9 million renewal bonus. Says OMLs 4, 38 and 41 are amongst various assets that continue to yield significant revenue for the Federal Government of Nigeria.







GLI Finance Ltd - AIM-listed alternative finance company - Appoints Liberum Capital Ltd to manage a share buyback programme, to purchase up to GBP1 million ZDP shares. Completion of tender offer is expected to take place in mid-April.







Cambria Africa PLC - Zimbabwe-focused investment company - Says it continues to expect financial 2020 net asset value as at August 31, to remain at or near the USD7.2 million level reported at the time of its interim results for February 29. Cambria's operating subsidiaries and divisions Tradanet, Millchem and Autopay continue to operate at near or above cash flow break-even levels. Company has been granted extension to publish annual report by no later than May 31.







DP Aircraft I Ltd - Guernsey-based aircraft leasing company - Updates regarding the loan arrangements for two Boeing 787-8 aircraft, LN-LNA and LN-LNB, leased to Torskefjorden Leasing. Notes announcement that banks providing loan finance in respect of assets declared an Event of Default under the relevant loan agreements with the company's two borrower subsidiaries. Torskefjorden Leasing is involved in leasing aircraft to Norwegian Air Shuttle's long-haul business. NAS lenders will take control of the process of disposing of the assets, with the proceeds of sale being applied in the first instance to pay off any outstanding amounts owed to the NAS lenders, and any balance remaining thereafter being remitted to the relevant subsidiaries of the company. "As previously noted, these developments impact solely upon the assets; they have no effect upon the company's arrangements in respect of the aircraft which it leases to Thai Airways; and there is no recourse by the NAS lenders to the company itself," DP Aircraft says.







Sopheon PLC- enterprise software provider - Says directors Barry Mence, Andy Michuda, Arif Karimjee, and Stuart Silcock sell a total of 1.1 million shares at 900 pence each in a placing for the purpose of estate planning and to improve the liquidity in the company's shares. Following the placing, Mence holds an 18% stake, Michuda has a 0.6% stake, Karimjee has 0.7% and Silcock has 3.4%.







Scotgold Resources Ltd - developer of gold project in Scotland - Lowers production guidance as a result of reduced operating hours and primary crusher remediation work. Now expects between 28,500 tonnes to 25,700 tonnes of ore processed, down from its previous guidance of between 31,500 tonnes to 28,400 tonnes. Adds gold production guidance is now between 7,900 ounces and 7,000 ounces from previous guidance of between 8,700 ounces to 7,800 ounces. Separately, says Richard Grey will step down from role of chief executive but will remain on as non-executive director. Grey will be succeeded by Phillip Day who most recently was Head of Technical and Operations at Pala Investments, an investment company focused on the mining sector. Chris Sangster, who was formerly the founding CEO also resigns.







Kropz PLC- South Africa-focused plant nutrient feed minerals developer - Inks new conditional convertible equity facility of up to USD5 million with major shareholder ARC Fund in addition to the USD40 million facility which ARC and the company entered into in May. Repayment of the facility will be in the form of conversion into shares at a conversion price of 4.202 pence each quarter. Kropz says it will use the facility to fund the ongoing work at its Hinda phosphate project in the Republic of the Congo, adding it expects to draw down USD2 million on March 10.







Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust PLC - UK lower mid-market management buyout investor - Secures regulatory approval for the injection of growth capital from a new majority investor into Hawksford, a provider of corporate, private client and fund services. Dunedin Enterprise will retain a 5% interest in Hawksford. At December-end Dunedin's in Hawksford was valued at GBP6.9 million. The company notes proceeds now received by Dunedin Enterprise from the transaction amount to GBP6.9 million, comprising capital of GBP6.3 million and income of GBP600,000.







Jadestone Energy Inc - Asia Pacific-focused oil & gas company - Forecasts average crude oil production for 2021 at between 11,500 barrels per day to 13,500 barrels per day assuming the successful drilling of H6 at Montara, two Skua well workovers and completion of its acquisition of a 69% operated interest in the Maari asset, offshore New Zealand at the end of the first half of the year. Commits to paying a dividend for the year.







Corero Network Security PLC- Uxbridge-based cybersecurity firm - Agrees new partnerships with Datacipher and CDM in the Asia Pacific region as well as CLA Direct in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its strategy for its Distributed Denial of Service defense solutions. "With the continued rise in DDoS attacks during 2020 and 2021, these resale partners and distributors recognise that many of their customers within the service and hosting provider space, along with Gaming, Financial Services and SaaS-based customers were in need of updating their network security requirements. Corero, with its leading-edge DDoS solution, will enable them to detect and mitigate a DDoS attack within seconds, not minutes, as some of their current solutions provide," the company says.







Warburg Pincus International LLC - New York-based private equity firm - Says GBP219 million takeover of roadside assistance firm AA PLC progresses, with court hearing scheduled for March 8.







AA PLC- roadside assistance provider - Says subsidiary to redeem outstanding GBP569.8 million 5.500% B2 notes ahead of takeover.







Marble Point Loan Financing Ltd - Guernsey-domiciled closed-ended investment company - Says net asset value per share in January was USD0.7342, up from USD0.5813 in October. Adds dividend yield on Jan 31 was 12.9%.







By Arvind Bhunjun; arvindbhunjun@alliancenews.com and Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has cautioned Kenyans against jumping on the Firirinda bandwagon without asking for consent from the songs creator.

The now-viral song was released more than 35 years ago by Dick Njoroge alias Munyonyi, who now depends on well-wishers for upkeep as he cannot sing anymore after he lost his voice.

The Kikuyu oldie re-emerged after Jeff Kuria, a presenter at vernacular radio station -Inooro Fm- shared it to his Facebook account. Kenyans have since been making videos dancing to the song in a viral challenge akin to the Jerusalema challenge.

In fact, Muranga, Kiambu and Nyeri County Assemblies recently erupted into the dance to celebrate the passing of the contentious BBI Bill.

Watch: Muranga, Kiambu County Assemblies Erupt into Firirinda After Passing BBI Bill

In a statement on Thursday, KECOBO warned that the viral challenge might turn out like the Jerusalema challenge, where record company Warner is demanding license fees for the use of the song in the videos.

Make sure you are not caught on the wrong side of the law with the current Firirinda craze. Get authority from the author if you want to make a derivative work of it.

Jerusalema craze now haunts many. Dont blindly fall for every craze. It may lead you into trouble with the law, warned KECOBO.

The copyright agency added: The law stipulates that the owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to control the distribution, reproduction and any derivative works.

If there's one thing we've learned from the COVID-19 lockdowns, it's that the mainstream media duped us time and again. Not surprisingly, trust in the Fourth Estate is at an all-time low.

According to Axios, nearly 60 percent of Americans agree with the statement that "journalists and reporters are purposely trying to mislead people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations."

From the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the pro-lockdown media propagated an apocalyptical narrative, dismissing any hope whatsoever  even though most people infected with the coronavirus eventually recovered.

For nearly a year, the media manically obsessed over cases, cases, cases  instead of highlighting more meaningful metrics, like hospitalization rates and the devastating consequences of lockdowns. Cases surged because testing increased. For example, days before Thanksgiving, the line from the Home Depot to the coronavirus testing site on Aurora Avenue North in Seattle, where I happen to live, extended nearly four blocks.

It bears repeating that the survival rate for those 69 and younger is 99.5 percent or better, inferring from the infection fatality ratio. The IFR is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the number of individuals who die of the disease among all infected individuals.

Incessantly, we were told to mask up and stay six feet apart. All the while, healthy people of all ages were urged to quarantine.

We now know that asymptomatic spread is still being weaponized to justify draconian lockdowns  even as a recent research study of nearly 10 million people in China reveals "not a single transmission of Coronavirus from a person without symptoms." This is big news. And yet, not a peep from the mainstream media.

Meanwhile, on the shuttering of nearly 100,000 businesses nationwide, job losses of up to 40 million, the erosion of our civil liberties, and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests with false positive rates as high as 60 percent, the media's silence was deafening.

And while social distancing might have helped to the stop the spread of COVID-19, it also led to dire repercussions among America's youths. In some areas of the country, suicide rates among kids aged 12 to 17 soared nearly 70 percent, according to the CDC. Again, the media downplayed the fallout from isolation and lockdowns  and still does.

In October, the media mostly ignored the Great Barrington Declaration in which infectious disease epidemiologists and public health scientists clamored for "focused protection"  a more compassionate approach to COVID-19, in contrast to locking everyone down. The least vulnerable were encouraged to resume life as normal, with more emphasis on protecting the elderly and the infirm.

"Current lockdown policies are producing devastating effects on short and long-term public health," read the group's website. "The results (to name a few) include lower childhood vaccination rates, worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings and deteriorating mental health  leading to greater excess mortality in years to come, with the working class and younger members of society carrying the heaviest burden. Keeping students out of school is a grave injustice."

After a year of lockdowns, millions of children  many seemingly used as pawns by teacher unions  are still being forced to learn via Zoom, even as they are at low risk of transmitting COVID-19. To his credit, Nicholas Kristof at The New York Times had the presence of mind recently to note this injustice in an opinion piece. "The blunt fact is that it is Democrats  including those who run the West Coast, from California through Oregon through Washington State  who have presided over one of the worst blows to education of disadvantaged Americans in history. The result: more dropout, less literacy and numeracy, widening race gaps, and long-term harm to some of our most marginalized youth."

And let's not forget how the media maligned the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as an early treatment for COVID-19 after President Trump revealed he was taking it prophylactically. Last spring, Fox News's Neil Cavuto ripped HCQ, even though the anti-malarial drug has been used effectively for seven decades by hundreds of millions of people worldwide since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1955.

"If you are in a risky population here and you are taking this as a preventative treatment to ward off the virus, or in a worst-case scenario, you are dealing with the virus and you are in this vulnerable population, it will kill you," Cavuto warned of HCQ. "I cannot stress enough. This will kill you."

Cavuto and others misspoke. Recently, we learned that the American Journal of Medicine (AJM) changed its tune on HCQ.

"When started earlier in the hospital course, for progressively longer durations and in outpatients, antimalarials may reduce the progression of disease, prevent hospitalization, and are associated with reduced mortality," reads an abstract from AJM.

And now, with some 500,000 Americans dead  from or with COVID-19  I wonder: how many lives could have been spared if members of the mainstream press were more committed to reporting the truth? Will they ever be held accountable for duping the public about lockdowns, HCQ, school closures, and other critical COVID-19-related matters?

If Cavuto is any indication, I suspect not.

Elizabeth M. Economou writes from Seattle.
One of the Anti-Maskers who Stormed Trader Joe's Said She Carries a Knife by Unmasking the Anti-Maskers

Thursday Feb 25th, 2021 5:16 PM

Staci Lares, who is one of the anti-mask protesters who stormed Trader Joe's in Santa Cruz on February 13, has stated that she carries a knife. "Mask nazis @ Tar J Know me & my knife now," Lares stated on social media in December, referring to a previous anti-mask protest she helped organize at a Trader Joe's in Santa Clara County. Lares' post about carrying a knife was made to David Rodriguez's Santa Cruz Voluntaryists Facebook group, where the protest at Trader Joe's in Santa Cruz was informally discussed and then organized among members. One of the Santa Cruz Voluntaryists asked on the group post for clarification if Lares carried a knife, and she responded, "sure do!"

Photo: Staci Lares at the anti-mask protest at Trader Joe's in Santa Cruz on February 13. (more photos below)



A video of the protest at Trader Joe's in Santa Cruz, which protesters call a "cash drop," went viral online. The video shows a group of a dozen or so mask-less participants ignoring the line of customers waiting to get into the store, and then storming past employees who were attempting to prevent their entry. The group successfully entered Trader Joe's, ignoring physical distancing norms and invading the close physical space of other customers who were wearing masks and attempting to shop safely. When "shopping," the anti-mask protesters each grabbed one or two random grocery products, then attempted to simply drop payment off at the check-out stand before leaving with the items.



One member of the Santa Cruz Voluntaryists expressed reserves about the tactics used at the protest at Trader Joe's. She said she had been speaking to local management at the Santa Cruz store, and they told her they were gong to begin allowing individuals to shop without masks, one at a time. In response, Lares said, "Might as well wear a yellow star," apparently referring to the Holocaust.



Lares, a resident of Santa Clara County, has participated in a number of these small cash drop protests organized at grocery stores in the South Bay area. She has partnered with the Freedom Angels to organize and promote repeated protests at the Health Department in Santa Clara County, as well as at the home of the Public Health Officer, Dr. Sara Cody. The Freedom Angels is a group of three women who organized the anti-vaccination protests in September of 2019 at the California State Capitol, and more recently the re-open California protests in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Lares has used the Santa Cruz Voluntaryists group to promote extensively her protests in Santa Clara County.



In Santa Cruz, Lares has regularly attended other anti-mask protests, including the "free hugs" events organized in front of the Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive.



In the name of "freedom," Lares uses the tactic of threatening legal action at her protests. She flashes legal documents at business employees and public officials to support a variety of legal theories. This tactic is characteristic of the sovereign citizen's movement, to which the Santa Cruz Voluntaryists have frequently been compared.
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SEATTLE (AP)  A judge has rejected a landlord group's challenge to several Seattle laws meant to protect renters from eviction once the coronavirus pandemic moratorium expires.

King County Superior Court Judge Johanna Bender on Wednesday found the laws, including Seattle's ban on winter evictions, largely constitutional, The Seattle Times reported. The Rental Housing Association of Washington sued in an effort to block the laws, arguing the regulations would gut their rights under state law.





. . .
A truck leaves leaves new checking facilities for goods arriving into Belfast Port from Great Britain (Niall Carson/PA)

There have been calls for an urgent Executive meeting on Friday night after DUP Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons ordered his officials to halt construction of permanent inspection facilities for post-Brexit checks.

Mr Lyons ordered a stop to the construction of inspection posts for checks on agri-food goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Ongoing Irish Sea trade checks, which are taking place at existing repurposed port buildings and other temporary facilities, will continue.

Mr Lyons's decision relates to ongoing work on new purpose-built inspection facilities at ports like Belfast and Larne.

He has also stopped further recruitment of inspection staff for the port facilities and ordered an end to charges levied at the ports on traders bringing goods from GB into Northern Ireland.

Three Executive ministers have formally requested an emergency Stormont executive meeting on Friday night in response to Mr Lyons's move.

Sinn Fein Finance Minster Conor Murphy, SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon and Justice Minister Naomi Long have penned the joint letter to executive colleagues requesting the urgent meeting.

The letter, seen by the PA news agency, states: "This controversial and cross cutting matter requires the Executive to meet as a matter of urgency."

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill noted Mr Lyons's predecessor and DUP colleague Edwin Poots had also attempted to halt construction last year but stepped back from that position due to the legal obligations attached to the Withdrawal Agreement.

She said on this occasion "his Permanent Secretary took forward the Executive's responsibilities".

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"The protocol is a consequence of Brexit. The DUP championed Brexit and must own the consequences. Business and society need certainty, not stunts," Ms O'Neill said.

Mrs Mallon accused the DUP minister of "using political office for divisive stunts" and said the decision could not be taken without Executive agreement.

A UK Government spokesman said it was "a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive" and "we remain in close contact with them".

Mr Lyons told the PA news agency: "I've just let executive colleagues know that today I instructed my department to halt work on a range of issues relating to work at the ports.

"This is in and around a number of areas, first of all further infrastructure, any further infrastructure builds; the additional recruitment of staff; and also the charging at the ports."

The decisions come amid the ongoing controversy over disruption caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol, which governs Irish Sea trade post-Brexit.

Unionists are angry at the protocol's requirement for checks on many goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

They claim it has driven an economic wedge between the region and Great Britain, and has undermined the Union as a result.

Mr Lyons said his move was in response to the "practical difficulties" caused by the Protocol.

He cited uncertainty over the movement of goods when grace periods currently limiting protocol bureaucracy end at the start of April.

He said: "We don't know what the movement of retail goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland is going to look like, we don't have the support in place through the digital assistance scheme yet either, and all of the SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) issues around the end of the grace period are just so uncertain and it's real nightmare for us and it's going to be causing us an awful lot of problems."

Mr Lyons said his officials have been warning him that the port control posts are unlikely to cope when the grace period exempting retail agri-food goods from EU export health certification ends on March 31.

He said supply chains into Northern Ireland were also unlikely to be able to hold up when the regulatory red tape increases in April.

"The risk to Northern food supply in those circumstances will remain high so there's a lot of practical difficulties with all of this and that's causing us a huge amount of uncertainty," he said.

The minister told PA there was need for the UK and EU to find "permanent solutions" to the issues caused by the protocol.

"It's a real concern to us heading towards the end of the grace period, so we need that certainty from the EU and the UK," he said.

The Agriculture Minister said the UK's Internal Market Act had compelled him to act with special regard to Northern Ireland's place within the UK's internal market.

Asked about his obligation to fulfil the UK's responsibilities under the Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Lyons insisted he was acting in a "reasonable and proportionate" manner in response to the uncertainty around the protocol.

He highlighted that the UK Government had acknowledged there were problems with the trading arrangements.

"I think this is a reasonable and proportionate step to take," he said.

Mr Lyons said the NI Protocol needed to go.

"My own point of view is I think the Protocol needs to be scrapped, it is not working," he said.

"The evidence we have so far shows it's not working and it's only going to get worse at the end of the grace period."
Containers of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived at Incheon International Airport, Friday. Starting Saturday, the first group of some 55,000 medical workers at hospitals for virus patients will receive the vaccine shots, which are part of the World Health Organization's global vaccine COVAX Facility project. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
by Sumon Corraya

The 53-year-old dissident intellectual had been in prison since May. He was arrested under the Digital Security Act for criticising the government on social media over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the privileged treatment received by some VIPs. University students take to the streets to demand justice and the release of cartoonist Kabir Kishore.

Dhaka (AsiaNews)  Dissident writer Mushtaq Ahmed passed away yesterday at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Dhaka a few days after suffering a heart attack in his cell at the Kashimpur High Security Prison.

At least, that is the official version released by the authorities; however, a doctor at the hospital claims Ahmed was already dead when he arrived at the hospital, after being he was removed from his prison cell.

Security forces arrested him last May and indicted him for violating the Digital Security Act after he criticised the Government of Bangladesh in a Facebook post.

In it, the intellectual complained that certain VIPs were getting special priority in COVID-19 treatment and that some doctors were not getting paid. The 53-year-old was also very critical of the government on a number of issues.

Police say Mushtaq Ahmed (pictured) was spreading false information and slander, via social media.

Mushtaq was brought dead at the hospital, said Dr Sharif, of the Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College Hospital. However, the exact cause of his death can be confirmed once the autopsy is done.

Calls for his release were made over the past few months. Shortly after his arrest in May, at least 300 prominent Bangladeshis issued a joint statement calling for his release, along with that of cartoonist Ahmed Kishore.

Yesterday evening, a group of students from Dhaka University protested his death, denouncing the government. Alik Mree was one of them.

Writer Mushtaq Ahmed died as a result of the Digital Security Act, said the young Christian, speaking to AsiaNews. This is why we are calling for the abolition of the law. We want an investigation" that sheds full light on the matter.

For many people, the writer's death is state murder, and Bangladeshi authorities have to answer for it

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists is also calling for an in-depth investigation into Mushtaq Ahmeds death in order for justice to be served.

Bangladeshi authorities, the group writes, should conduct a swift, transparent, and independent investigation into the death of writer and commentator Mushtaq Ahmed in custody, and should release jailed political cartoonist Kabir Kishore unconditionally and investigate claims that he was subjected to physical abuse in custody.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio reported 1,450 new coronavirus cases in K-12 students for the week of Feb. 15, and an increase of 510 staff cases.

Many schools have returned to in-person instruction, with all but 10 of the states public districts in a hybrid or 5-day in person plan as of Feb. 23, according to state data. The 10 districts still not resuming in-person instruction account for about 6.8% of the states students.

Schools who received vaccinations for teachers and staff promised to return to at least a hybrid format by Monday, though some including Cleveland will miss that deadline. Gov. Mike DeWine previously defined hybrid as each student having the opportunity to learn in person each week.

This weeks increases are slightly larger than the week of Feb. 8, which totaled 1,310 new student coronavirus cases and 456 new staff. Case numbers are reported from schools to local health departments and run from the previous Monday through Sunday. These cases are only reported for those participation in on-site instruction.

Weekly increase numbers for schools mirrored the states daily increases as both steadily dropped over the past several weeks. Total cases in K-12 students come to 38,898 and 22,056 in staff.

DeWine said that all but one school will be finished with first doses of the vaccine by Sunday. Some school staff have already been vaccinated with second doses. Benjamin Logan in Logan County, currently following full-time in-person instructions, will finish up first round doses next week.

A handful of schools will not meet the March 1 return deadline in the governors definition of hybrid learning, including both Cleveland and Akron. DeWine said on Thursday the state will continue working with districts and schools who will not return by that date, and he appreciates the efforts made to speed the process up.

Were very happy that this is going to happen, and were happy that its already happened for the great majority of students in Ohio, he said.
Michael Somare, a pivotal figure in Papua New Guineas independence and the South Pacific island nation's first prime minister, has died. He was 84.

Somare was Papua New Guinea s longest-serving leader after it became independent of Australia in 1975. He was prime minister for 17 years during four separate periods.

He died Friday after being diagnosed with a late-stage pancreatic cancer and admitted to a hospital on Feb. 19, his daughter Betha Somare said.

Sadly, pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers that are rarely detected early. We as a family had only two weeks to look for possible treatments for our father, she said.

Sir Michael was a loyal husband to our mother and great father first to her children, then grandchildren and great granddaughter. But we are endeared that many Papua New Guineans equally embraced Sir Michael as father and grandfather."

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said that Somare is unmatched by anyone who has come after him.

I appeal to our citizens and residents for a week of silence, peace and calm as we pay respect to this one person whom our country owes so much, Marape said. He is universally loved in our country, may his memory bind out nation still."

Cabinet will meet later Friday to announce details of a state funeral.

Somare was born on April 9, 1936, in the city of Rabaul in East New Britain, which was occupied by Japan during World War II. His earliest education was in a Japanese-run school in the village of Karau where he learned to read and write in Japanese.

He was raised the son of a police officer in the province of East Sepik, which he went on to represent in Parliament.

Ron May, emeritus fellow at the Australian National Universitys Department of Pacific Affairs and a Papua New Guinea expert, said Somare was one of the Pacifics most prominent and respected leaders.

Papua New Guinea made a smooth transition to independence in 1975, with Somare as prime minister, confounding those in Australia and elsewhere who had predicted political and economic collapse, May recently wrote. It remains one of a fairly small number of post-colonial states that have maintained an unbroken record of democracy.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Somare, who also held the title of Grand Chief, was a towering figure in the history of Papua New Guinea.

As a driving force in the development of Papua New Guineas national constitution, and the nations first and longest-serving prime minister, Sir Michael has an unparalleled place in the history of Papua New Guinea, Morrison said in a statement.

Sir Michael became a long-standing and respected friend of Australia, working alongside six Australian prime ministers, Morrison said.

On the 30th anniversary of Papuan New Guineas independence, Somare said he was generally pleased with his countrys progress.

Im happy about the way things have gone but, you know, we could have done better, he told Australians SBS network in 2005.

His last term as prime minister ended controversially in 2011 while he was in a Singapore hospital. Lawmaker Peter ONeill successfully moved a motion in Parliament that the post of the prime minister was vacant. ONeill was elected premier and clung to power despite the Supreme Court twice ruling against him until he was legitimately elected in 2012.

Somare is survived by his wife Veronica and children Bertha, Sana, Arthur, Michael and Dulciana.


The new album Ignorance marks a departure for Toronto-based musician Tamara Lindeman and her band, the Weather Station. They have been recording acoustic folk albums since 2008, but this is their first album to be released on an American label. Featuring piano, organ, drums, saxophone, percussion and string arrangements, the album features a much fuller sound than the bands previous efforts.

Ignorance is the product of a weird winter where I was obsessively reading about climate change, Lindeman, the bands songwriter, told the New York Times.The 36-year-old musician and former child actor added that she had grown up under the shadow of ecological crisis and that she was experiencing climate grief.

Tamara Lindeman, 2015 (Photo creditTabercil)

Lindemans decision to address climate change, one of the greatest dangers of our time, on her new album is a sign of honesty and artistic seriousness. One of arts crucial roles is to reflect social reality. Yet her approach apparently was not fully conscious. When I first was writing [this album], I wasnt even thinking that I was trying to write about [climate change]; it just was what I was writing about, Lindeman told National Public Radio. And I even thought, like, People wont hear this in the music, but I know where its coming from.

Lindemans candid assessment is accurate. On Ignorance, her lyrics are oblique enough that her theme is not always apparent to the listener. She uses images such as a bird lighting on the pavement and a world overwhelmed with snow, but they could be read as straightforward appreciations of natural beauty.

The subject, and Lindemans attitude toward it, becomes clearer in references to time running out and in expressions of futility. She is not alone in this latter attitude, and it may be legitimate to give it voice. But such a perspective tends to promote passivity or fatalism.

Robber, the albums opening song, is perhaps the most elliptical. A high-hat pattern introduces the crisp drumming and sustained piano chords that propel the song forward. Saxophone, organ, electric guitar and a string arrangement provide embellishment and create a distinctive setting for a vocal performance.

Lindemans singing style, however, is not suited to this accompaniment. Rather than forthright and commanding, her voice, though attractive, is quiet and thin. Her technique alternates between sighs, whispers, falsetto and her natural alto. She does not establish a strong vocal presence, and at times the band overwhelms her. An additional problem is the lack of a strong melody. The opening line, I never believed in the robber, provides a hook, but the rest of the melody resembles a meandering improvisation, even an afterthought.

The songs lyrics may be meant to appear intriguingly ambiguous, yet they fail to connect, partly because of the underdeveloped melody. Lines such as I figured everything he took was gone, and Nothing to do, nothing to be done, evince pessimism and resignation, which become recurring themes of the album.

Without having read Lindemans interview with the New York Times, one would not know that the song was inspired by an article about Exxon Mobil .It is notable that Lindeman never names the enemy in this song or any of the others. Although Robber is one of the albums stronger songs, it feels incompletely realized.

The Weather Station, Ignorance

To varying degrees, the rest of the album suffers from similar weaknesses. Tried to Tell You stands out for its simpler, more straightforward arrangement than the other songs. Its eighth-note pulse recalls the new wave of the 80s. Its melody is more developed, and Lindemans singing is more purposeful, though still comparatively gentle. Still, a mood of futility creeps in here too. Lindeman refers to the fragile idea that anything matters. Soon she sings, I feel as useless as a tree in a city park, / Standing as a symbol of what we have blown apart.

On Wear, the band plays more quietly and allows more space for Lindemans vocals to come forward. But even here, her voice sometimes gets lost in the mix. I tried to wear the world like some kind of garment, Lindeman sings. But this fanciful effort to commune with nature proves futile. It does not matter to the world if I embody it, she sighs. In these lines, and in Lindemans careful enunciation, one hears hints of self-seriousness.

These hints grow stronger in the slow, mournful Trust. Dim the lights and draw the curtains, / This is the end of love, Lindeman breathes. Despite the bands restrained and tasteful performance, the songs atmosphere of drama feels faintly contrived. Lindeman also makes the dubious confession, I wanted to bare my skin to the grass in generosity, which is perhaps a bit pretentious.

The musicians who support Lindeman provide much of the albums interest. The band often achieves a momentum that drives the songs forward. The disco-inflected drumming brings life to many of the songs, and the creative arrangements add color and a contemporary feel. Pizzicato guitar, fluttering saxophone and glowing organ add highlights and texture without becoming obtrusive.

Lindeman is a more affecting vocalist when she sings in her natural range, especially during the rare moments when she lets her guard down. The songs have more force when she is transformed momentarily from an ethereal presence into a woman of flesh and blood. The problem seems to be that she has not yet recognized that the style of singing that works alongside a fingerpicked guitar does not work atop a full band.

The perspective that Lindemans lyrics convey is that of an intelligent, sensitive person with good intentions and a guilty conscience. Her resignation and grief may result from a sense of being overwhelmed by the gravity of climate change. This is not a personal failing or individual weakness. It also expresses some of the current difficulties, after decades in which mass social struggle and oppositionwhich alone represent an answer to the current ecological disastershave been suppressed.

By addressing a serious global crisis, Lindeman has responded in her art to the world as it is, which is a positive step. The development of a more combative spirit, which also depends on processes and events outside her, would strengthen her art.
For the next two weeks, Pfister said the health department will receive more vaccine than anticipated, with a greater amount the week after. Next week, 4,800 doses were originally promised, but 6,400 are now anticipated. The following week, there will be 10,310 instead of 9,680, and the week after 12,300 are scheduled for delivery.
Brexit, COVID-19 and overseas competition are challenging fintech's future, and Britain should act to stay competitive for the sector, a government-backed review said on Friday. Britain's departure from the European Union has cut the sector's access to the world's biggest single market, making the UK less attractive for fintechs wanting to expand cross-border. The review headed by Ron Kalifa, former CEO of payments fintech Worldpay, sets out a "strategy and delivery model" that includes a new billion pound start-up fund and fast-tracking work visas for ...
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Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and partner institute Empa have started a joint research initiative called SynFuels. The goal is to develop a process for producing kerosene from carbond dioxide and green hydrogen. Over the next three years, the two Swiss research institutes will jointly search for practical ways of linking carbon dioxide and hydrogen to form longer-chain molecules and thus produce synthetic fuels. The Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH) is funding the SynFuels program with 6.2 million Swiss francs (US$6.9 million).

Aviation fuels are the fuels with the highest quality. If we can manage to produce them from renewable resources, then we will also be able to synthesise all other kinds of fuel. Thomas J. Schmidt, head of the Energy and Environment Division at PSI

For the foreseeable future, theres no way around kerosene in aviationbe it fossil-based or synthetically produced. Kerosene is a mixture of hydrocarbons with very precisely specified chemical and physical properties that must be strictly maintained to ensure the economy and safety of flight operations. A synthetic fuel must have the same properties.

A synthesis process that produces such fuels from renewable resources is thus highly sought after. Brigitte Buchmann, head of the Mobility, Energy, and Environment Department at Empa

Carbon dioxide and green hydrogen are the starting materials for the manufacturing process to be developed. The carbon dioxide comes from various sources, such as from biomass, directly from ambient air, or from industrial manufacturing processes such as cement production. The hydrogen required, in turn, is generated from water with the help of renewable electric power.

The liquid fuel will not be synthesized in a single step, but via one or more intermediates such as methane, carbon monoxide, methanol, ethylene, or dimethyl ether. During the course of the SynFuels initiative, the researchers want to determine the advantages these different production methods offer as well as the challenges they pose.

A special focus is being placed on achieving better selectivity in the synthesis of both intermediates and products. Analyses to determine the synthesized fuels ecological footprint, its potential contribution to greenhouse gas reduction in Switzerland, and the economic viability of the manufacturing process are also important parts of the project.

PSI is mainly building on its experience with the test platform ESI: Energy System Integration. ESI tests renewable energy alternatives in their complex interaction. PSI has been investigating the synthesis of renewable methane for a long time.

Empa, too, has been engaged with using renewable energy to produce fuels for some time. Switzerlands first hydrogen filling station was created as part of its mobility demonstrator, called move. In addition, the plant is currently being expanded to include a new methanation process.

The collaboration of our two institutions allows us to put more emphasis on liquid hydrocarbons. These are essential for mobility without fossil fuels  especially in the air or on the water. Brigitte Buchmann

Catalysts are the key to the success of the project. At Empa as well as at PSI, researchers are investigating various catalysts and processes that enable the stepwise conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons on the molecular level. The catalysts are being used in chemical as well as electrochemical processes.

The Swiss Light Source SLS will be an important aid in the SynFuels programme, Thomas J. Schmidt explains.

With measurements at SLS, we will precisely characterise the catalysts and the reactions carried out to understand which can deliver the best results. Thomas J. Schmidt

With this large research facility, the collaborators can gain insights into the reaction mechanisms and investigate, for example, how the catalysts change during their operation and how these changes affect the range of products.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The minor criminal court yesterday awarded a six-month prison term to a doctor charged with forging documents and cheating patients. The court also found him guilty of tarnishing the reputation of a public hospital in Bahrain.

The court also ordered to temporarily halt the punishments until the appeal deadline for a guarantee of BD500.

Court files say the doctor transferred patients from his clinic in a private hospital to Salmaniya Medical complex for performing surgeries in exchange for money.

Patients paid the doctor between BD1,000 and BD1,500 for performing surgeries, actually done free of cost by the Salmaniya Medical Complex.

Salmaniya Medical complex offers treatment free of cost to citizens and others during emergencies. Unaware of this and trusting the doctor, patients said they credited money to the doctors account.

Public prosecution opened an investigation upon receiving a report from the Office of Financial and Administrative Supervision into the incident. Investigators found that the accused took between BD1,000 to BD1,500 in exchange for forged receipts.

The accused set urgent appointments for the patients at the medical complex using his acquaintance.
guest column

This statement was provided to AllAfrica by five former American ambassadors, all career diplomats, who led U.S. representation in Ethiopia for 13 of the past 25 years. They call for the United States to intensify efforts to address Ethiopias conflicts and end humanitarian suffering in the Tigray region.

Since early November 2020, the province of Tigray in the far north of Ethiopia has been at war with the federal government. Death, destruction, looting, and rapes continue to occur.

There are numerous, credible reports of human rights abuses. At least 65,000 residents of Tigray fled as refugees to neighboring Sudan and much larger numbers of Tigrayans are now internally displaced. At least until recently, Tigray was off limits to the domestic and international press and visits by humanitarian aid organizations are still circumscribed.

While information about the situation in Tigray is incomplete and sometimes conflicting, there are reliable reports from visiting UN officials and others that conditions are extremely alarming. Some fields have reportedly been burned and food stocks, by all accounts, are in exceedingly short supply.

During a visit in early February to Mekelle, capital of Tigray, the executive director of the World Food Program, David Beasley, commended the central government and its partners for the emergency food that has reached 1.7 million people, adding, however, that another 2.5 to 3 million people in Tigray require emergency food assistance.

The office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on 24 February 2021 that 3.1 million people have received humanitarian aid. Nevertheless, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, said that in his forty years of assistance work he had rarely seen an aid response so impeded.

The situation has been exacerbated by the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray Region. Satellite photography clearly shows that two of the four Eritrean refugee camps that accommodated 95,000 Eritreans before the outbreak of conflict in Tigray have been destroyed, although it is not clear who is responsible for their destruction.

The most urgent requirement is unfettered access to Tigray Region by both domestic and international aid organizations. The European Union issued a statement in early February stating that humanitarian access needs to be guaranteed and humanitarian assistance allowed to reach all affected areas and people in Tigray, and border areas of Afar and Amhara regions. While the World Food Program recently received permission to distribute food in the vicinity of Mekelle, it is not allowed in most of the rest of Tigray Region.

The next priority is the departure from Tigray of all Eritrean troops. The United Nations, in collaboration with the African Union, should request to oversee this departure, offer to mediate an end to the conflict in Tigray, and, if necessary, establish a formal peacekeeping operation.

The central government should restore internet access to Tigray and allow representatives of the Ethiopian media to visit and report what they find. The Prime Ministers office stated on 24 February that it has granted access to international journalists from seven media agencies. We look forward to their reporting; this should help to dispel any misinformation now coming out of Tigray.

There needs to be an independent investigation of all the allegations of human rights abuses that have occurred in Ethiopia in recent months. This includes the initial November 3 attack on the Northern Command, the numerous reports of attacks on Tigrayans throughout Ethiopia, the massacre of mostly Amhara last November at Mai-Kadra in western Tigray, the civilian atrocity in Axum, and the unrelated killing of minority ethnic group members in Beni Shangul Region.

The Ethiopian government says it is taking steps to do so; a UN Commission of Inquiry might be best placed to conduct these investigations. The results should be followed by serious efforts to assign accountability and bring justice.

While these efforts are underway, a process needs to be established whereby the Abiy Ahmed government, all opposition political groups (including leaders now in jail), and representatives of civil society gather to discuss how Ethiopia can move forward before the next elections. And the Abiy government needs to distinguish between the leadership of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, which played the leading role in freeing Ethiopia in 1991 of the Marxist dictatorship, and its many followers. The organization may still have widespread support; alienation of the Tigrayan population would likely result in a long, brutal civil war.

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Ethiopia has served as an anchor of stability in the volatile Horn of Africa and it needs to continue in this role as instability there risks wider regional conflicts. Addis Ababa has a long history of close relations with Washington and a large and successful diaspora in the United States.

It is in the interest of the United States to do everything possible to encourage an outcome that results in ending the conflict in Tigray, improving relations among Ethiopias 85 different ethnic groups, and helping to ensure the unity and integrity of the Ethiopian state. From an American perspective, the balkanization of Ethiopia would be one of the worst possible outcomes.

Hon. David H. Shinn

Ambassador: July 1996-August 1999

Hon. Tibor P. Nagy

Ambassador: August 1999-July 2002

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs: July 2018-January 2021

Hon. Aurelia E. Brazeal

Ambassador: November 2002-September 2005

Hon. Vicki J. Huddleston

Charge dAffaires: September 2005-November 2006

Hon. Patricia M. Haslach

Ambassador: September 2013-August 2016
DULUTH, Minn. (AP)  A man who refused to surrender to Duluth police during a roughly 20-hour standoff is dead after shots were fired.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension called the incident an officer-involved shooting, but did not specify whether the man was killed by police fire. The standoff began at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday after police responded to a report of an assault and a man inside refused to surrender. Officers sent in a police dog, Luna, but the man began shooting and Luna was killed.

The Star Tribune reported that gunshots were heard before 5 p.m. Friday. The bureau tweeted shortly before 6 p.m. that the man was deceased.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 22:04:49|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A woman who left Britain as a teenager to join the Islamic State (IS) cannot return home, the Supreme Court in London ruled Friday.

Now aged 21, Shamima Begum wants to come back to Britain to challenge the decision by former British Home Secretary Sajid Javid to strip of her British citizenship for joining the IS militant group.

In a unanimous decision, five judges at the Supreme Court ruled that she cannot return to London to fight her citizenship case.

Begum and two other east London schoolgirls left Britain for Syria in February 2015 to join the IS. They married jihadi fighters and lived under IS rule. Currently Begum is in a camp controlled by armed guards in northern Syria.

Last July the British Court of Appeal ruled that the only fair way forward was to allow Begum into Britain as she could not effectively appeal against the citizenship decision from the camp in northern Syria.

The Supreme Court rejected the Court of Appeal's decision.

After the ruling, Javid said he strongly welcomed the court's decision, saying that "any restrictions of rights and freedoms faced by Begum were a direct result of her extreme actions."

However, the British human rights organisation Liberty said the ruling has set an extremely dangerous precedent.

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The RRF Foundation for Aging awarded a multidisciplinary team from The University of Texas at Arlington with more than $160,000 for a project that explores the impact of reminiscence therapy and the creation of digital memoirs on those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

Members of the research team include:

Noelle Fields and Ling Xu, both associate professors from the School of Social Work

Kathryn Daniel, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI)

Daisha Cipher, associate professor in CONHI

Brooke Troutman, scholarly communications librarian

The team received $163,480 for its two-year project, "Intergenerational connections: Reminiscence and digital storytelling to improve the social and emotional well-being of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia."

The project will pair UTA students with elderly dementia patients to encourage them to engage in a therapeutic dialogue about their childhood and other memories. The students will then create digital projects that reimagine or otherwise document these memories in one of many storytelling modes.

Xu said such dialogues are traditionally conducted by social workers or health care professionals, but a shortage of trained professionals provided a unique opportunity for UTA students.

Student organizations from a variety of disciplines across the UTA campus--including those from social work, nursing, liberal arts, engineering and kinesiology--wrote letters of support for the study and have agreed to work with us." Ling Xu, Associate Professors and Principal Investigator, School of Social Work, University of Texas

Xu and Fields are the principal investigators on the grant and have been collaborating on research projects since they joined UTA in 2013. They will oversee all aspects of the project, including recruiting and training UTA students to work with older adult participants and observing the impact of the reminiscence and digital storytelling program on homebound older adults with early-stage dementia.

Daniel has expertise in interprofessional education for graduate gerontology nurse practitioner programming and is currently collaborating with Xu on an interdisciplinary UTA team examining social isolation and loneliness in later life. Cipher is a health outcomes researcher and biostatistician whose research interests include statistical risk modeling and statistical instruction tools.

Troutman will assist UTA students in their digital storytelling interventions and archive the final creations using tools available at UTA Libraries. Digital storytelling is a technology that typically uses audio-visual clips combining text, images, music, photographs, voiceover narration and other audio.

The team hopes the use of reminiscence combined with an intergeneration approach and digital storytelling will help promote the improved social and emotional well-being of older adults. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Sainsburys and Argos staff are to receive a bonus in recognition of their work during the Covid-19 pandemic, the retailer said (Michael McHugh PA)

A retail trade union has hit out at a 20p pay increase offered to Sainsbury's staff for not going as far as what is offered by other retailers.

The Union for Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) said they're "disappointed" the 2021 increased pay offer of 9.50 per hour does not meet the 10 benchmark set out in unions New Deal for Workers campaign.

It's after the retailer said it will increase salaries for staff at its supermarkets and Argos stores and pay a bonus to frontline workers, the third since the pandemic started.

Sainsburys staff currently receive 9.30 an hour and Argos workers get 9 an hour under their parent company, but this will rise to 9.50 from March.

A one-off 3% annual bonus will also be paid, meaning a full-time worker will take home an extra 530.

It falls short of the 10 deal negotiated by the union, which has over 400,000 members, with the supermarket chain Morrisons to pay its staff the increased rate from April.

Within Usdaw's membership there are around 40,000 Sainsburys and Argos workers, the vast majority of whom have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the nation fed, the union said.

Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

Supermarkets have been one of the biggest winners during the global pandemic, remaining open throughout and enjoying strong sales as non-essential retailers, pubs, cafes and restaurants remain shut.

The union has called for an investment in the hourly rate on top of the plan to pay bonuses agreed to by Sainsbury's and Argos management because of the impact of irregular payments on those who are in receipt of in-work benefits.

Usdaw national officer Dave Gill said staff deserve much better this year. after facing increased abuse from customers and worries about catching Covid.

"As key workers delivering an essential service, they deserve much better than the additional 20p per hour on offer, particularly after only receiving a 1.3% increase last year," he said.

"The deal offers a higher increase for Argos workers of around 6%, which is welcome, but they also deserve better.

"Most Argos staff also worked throughout the pandemic, with many being redeployed into Sainsburys stores supporting the food retail side of the business."

Providing small bonuses will impact Universal Credit payments and working tax credits that many staff rely on, he added.

"Sainsburys should at least match the Usdaw/Morrisons deal and give their staff the proper pay rise they deserve."

In a statement, the retailer said Sainsburys is rewarding frontline colleagues with over 100m after forgoing business rates relief of 410 million in January.

The business expects to report at least 330m underlying profit before tax in the financial year to March 2021, in contrast to the 586m profit it made in the financial year to March 2020.

Clodagh Moriarty, Retail and Digital Director at Sainsburys said: "In the last 12 months our frontline colleagues have shown outstanding commitment to our customers. In recognition of everything they have achieved, we are giving them a pay rise, plus an additional one-off payment.

"I feel so proud and humbled by the dedication our colleagues have shown day in, day out and would like to thank everyone for the part they have played in helping to feed the nation throughout an extraordinary year," she added.
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election will be held in a single phase on April 6, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday. Tamil Nadu election result will be declared on May 2. The term of the state's 15th legislative assembly will end on May 24, 2021. Voting to take place for 234 seats in Tamil Nadu.



Since 1967, Tamil Nadu has been ruled by either the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Although both the parties have fought Assembly elections in alliance with other parties, the alliance parties were not part of the state government. Since then, everal new parties and third fronts have emerged, claiming to be a credible alternative to these parties.



The election for 234 seats in Tamil Nadu will be held in a single phase.

Tamil Nadu election 2021: Full schedule

-Date of issue of gazette notification: March 12

-Last date of nomination: March 19

-Scrutiny of nomination: March 20

-Last date of withdrawal of candidature: March 22

-Dates of polling: April 6

-Date of counting: May 2



election

The legislature has 234 seats. A party has to get 118 seats to form a government. Earlier, the election was held on May 16, 2016, where AIADMK under J. Jayalalithaa won the polls and became the first ruling party to be re-elected in Tamil Nadu, since 1984.

ABOUT TAMIL NADU ASSEMBLY

Since the legislature is unicameral, the terms Tamil Nadu Legislature and Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly are often confused but they are not the same. The Tamil Nadu Legislature is the legislative body while the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is a part of it and, along with the state Governor, constitutes the Tamil Nadu Legislature.

The Assembly consists of 234 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), elected from single-seat constituencies, with five years term, unless dissolved.



After the Indian Republic was established in 1950, the Madras Presidency became the Madras State and the earlier bicameral setup continued. The state was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969 and likewise. the assembly came to be called the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Since May 2016, Thiru P Dhanapal has been the Speaker of the Assembly.

ABOUT THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLY ELECTION

The election was organised and conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and was held in a single phase on May 16, 2016. The counting of votes was on May 19.

Around 65,500 polling stations in Tamil Nadu were setup. According to the ECI, 62.6 million people were eligible to vote in the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The voter turnout for the 232 constituencies on May 16 was 74.81 per cent.

Ahead of elections, ECI announced that 17 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu will have Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines attached along with EVMs.

Organizational problems are hampering Spains Covid-19 vaccination drive. While the country at one point was administering nearly all of the vaccines that were delivered, this is no longer the case. As more doses have arrived and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been integrated into the program, the difference between the number of jabs received and those administered has grown. Healthcare representatives say this is largely due to organizational problems. While the first phase of the vaccination drive targeted staff and residents in care homes, as well as frontline health workers, who are easy to locate and bring together, the next stage has been extended to essential workers under the age of 55 and people 80 years and over, which is presenting logistical challenges.

Although the regions  which are responsible for handling the response to the pandemic and the Covid vaccination drive  have launched this next phase at different speeds, the overall trend is clear. On February 2, Spain had administered 94% of all Covid doses it had received. This figure fell to 90% on February 9 and to 87% on February 23. Last week, it dropped again to 75%. The figures from last week are the most recent as Spain has not yet had time to administer the last shipment of Covid vaccines: 886,880 new doses, the largest delivery to date. It wont be known until next Tuesday whether Spains vaccination drive is slowing down or picking up after starting the inoculation of the next priority groups.

The difference between the number of doses delivered and those administered is greatest with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was approved after the candidates from Pfizer and Moderna. The Spanish Health Ministry decided to only use the AstraZeneca vaccine on people between the ages of 18 and 55, due to the lack of clinical evidence of its effectiveness in older demographics. This meant it needed to push forward a new priority group: essential workers, such as teachers, law-enforcement officers and firefighters, under the age of 55. On February 23 (the last day with comparable data), Spain had administered 95.5% of the doses from Pfizer, 70.8% from Moderna and just 33.7% from AstraZeneca.

According to Maria Jose Garcia, the spokesperson of the nursing union Satse, with the easiest part of the vaccination drive now over, more challenges are starting to appear. [Vaccinating] the residents [of care homes], who all live in the same place, and healthcare workers has been faster because they are easy to locate in the very centers where they are vaccinated. Now, with adults who need daily assistance but are not in care homes, and essential workers, it is more complicated. In the first case, for logistical reasons: you have to go to their homes, and in the second, for the sheer volume, she explains.

But the situation varies greatly in each of Spains 17 regions. Although there is a national strategy, some regional governments have decided to overlap different priority groups more than others, or change the order completely. In Madrid, for example, healthcare workers received the jab before many care home residents. And there are also differences with respect to the vaccination of essential workers. According to data from Satse, regions such as Castilla y Leon and Aragon have not begun to inoculate this priority group, while the Canary Islands have started the campaign with police officers, and Galicia with teachers. Other regions are vaccinating different groups of essential workers at the same time.

Complications

Launching the drive is a slow process, which may explain the delay in administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, and once it begins, it is also subject to complications. In Galicia, for example, the first day of the campaign to vaccinate essential workers was chaotic, according to some workers, with a shipment delay leading to large lines at hospitals. Unions also said that teachers showed up who did not have an appointment, while others were called to get the vaccine although they were over the age of 55.

The vaccination drive of essential workers in Spains Basque Country was also criticized. In a survey by the Basque Medical Union, 53.2% of respondents said it was terrible and 26.9% bad. Only 4.1% of the doctors surveyed had a positive opinion.

On Thursday, Madrid began vaccinating essential workers in the Wanda Metropolitano stadium and people 80 years and over in healthcare centers. But the process has been mired in confusion, with nursing and doctors unions complaining of improvisation and chaos. These unions say the region sent out an out-of-date list of patients to be vaccinated, which included the names of the deceased. Satse also says that the region continues to use syringes that cannot extract the sixth dose contained in each vial of the vaccine, meaning doses are continuing to go to waste.

Health workers administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to essential workers in Seville. PACO PUENTES / EL PAIS

In Castilla y Leon, the drive has been hampered by shipment delays, with Moderna delivering fewer doses than expected this week. And in Valencia, only 12% of the AstraZeneca doses have been administered. The region is vaccinating healthcare professionals who are not considered frontline workers, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, but has not yet begun inoculating teachers, who make up the largest group of essential workers under 55. A spokesperson from the regional health department said the drive was not behind schedule. Regions are being cautious to guarantee the second dose for all those who have been inoculated and this conditions the speed of the vaccination, they said. In Spain, 2.4% of the population has received the two doses of the Covid vaccine, one of the highest rates in the world. But studies have suggested it may be better to provide more of the population with the first dose as soon as possible.

On the other end of the spectrum is Andalusia, which says it is not setting aside AstraZeneca vaccines for the second dose, given that the second one does not need to be administered until 12 weeks after the first. The southern region will begin this week to vaccinate teachers over the age of 30, having started with those aged 55, and will continue in the order of descending age.

In countries such as Germany, many people have refused the AstraZeneca vaccine on the basis that it has been found to be less effective in clinical trials. But that does not appear to be a problem in Spain. The state secretary of health said Thursday that only 2% of people offered the Covid vaccine have refused it, and this figure includes individuals who could not take it for medical reasons.

In the next few weeks, more doses are set to arrive in Spain, and this will reveal whether the current organizational problems continue. While Garcia from Satse believes the main issue now is not staff shortages, this could become more of a challenge when there are larger deliveries of vaccines. Pablo Alda, from the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, says that while healthcare centers are able to administer the current doses delivered, this will not be the case when the number doubles, which will need to happen in the second and third quarter of the year if the government is to reach the goal of vaccinating 70% of the population by the end of summer. For this to be achieved, more than 2.1 million vaccines will need to be administered every week in the next six months. This number, however, is likely to be lower given that the vaccine by Janssen  which only requires one dose  is set to be approved by the European Union between March 8 and 12. It is not yet known, though, how many doses of this vaccine will be delivered to Spain.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
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London's Piccadilly Circus has long been famed for the constant streams of cars, buses, cyclists and pedestrians which navigate it every day.

Now a stunning photochrom image shows how, even in the 19th century, the interchange was extremely busy - but was thronged with horses and carriages and smartly dressed men and women instead of what we see today.

The colour photo - produced using a method invented in the 1880s - is among a collection showing Victorian London in all its splendour which has been released by the US Library of Congress.

Other images show London's other best-known sites, including the Albert Monument, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park Corner, the Tower of London and London Bridge.

A photo showing the Houses of Parliament's St Stephen's Hall displays the seat of Government in all its glory, complete with statues of prominent past Prime Ministers, including Robert Walpole and William Pitt.

The wonderful photochroms date from 1890 - when the British Empire stretched across the world and Queen Victoria was in the final years of her reign before her death in 1901.

By the turn of the century, London's population had grown to around 5,000,000 with one in five Brits living in the city - this was up from a population of around 1,000,000 in the year 1800.

Despite London's growing grandeur, the majority of the city's residents lived in poverty.

The photochrom was a popular technique to create postcards. Black and white negative images were transferred onto a lithographic printing plate and painted to add colour.

 Slide me  London's Piccadilly Circus has long been famed for the constant streams of cars, buses, cyclists and pedestrians which navigate it every day. Now a stunning photochrom image shows how, even in the 19th century, the interchange was extremely busy - but was thronged with horses and carriages and smartly dressed men and women instead of what we see today. The colour photo - produced using a method invented in the 1880s - is among a collection showing Victorian London in all its splendour which has been released by the US Library of Congress

 Slide me  The original stone-arched bridge which is seen in the photochrom image stood from 1831 until 1967, when it had to be replaced by the structure which stands today because it was sinking. It was subsequently bought by American entrepreneur Robert P. McCulloch, who shipped it to Lake Havasu City in Arizona, where it still stands today. In the 1890 scene, it is clear that, much like in modern times, the bridge was thronged with traffic and pedestrians

 Slide me  Tower Bridge is seen left in 1890 and right last year, during the coronavirus crisis. The structure itself, which was built between 1886 and 1894, remains largely as it was in the 19th century. The suspension bridge was designed by architect Sir Horace Jones. It was built both to provide a new river crossing to service the demands of the new commercial development in the East End of London and also to accommodate sailing ships needing to access the Pool of London

 Slide me  Trafalgar Square is named after Britain's naval victory over France and Spain in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The square was opened in 1844 and displays at its heart Nelson's Column, the tribute to the admiral Horatio Nelson who led Britain to victory and was also killed in the fighting. Above left it is seen in the 1890 photochrom image, and right earlier this month. The main elements of the square are today as they were in Victorian England

 Slide me  The Royal Courts of Justice, which meted out punishment to criminals in Victorian England as they do today, are seen left in the 1890 image released by the Library of Congress. The building was designed by George Edmund Street, who died before it was completed. It is built in the Victorian Gothic style and was opened by Queen Victoria in 1882. It is a Grade I listed building. The building itself today looks as it did more than 130 years ago, though it is now passed by streams of cars and buses, rather than horses and carriages

 Slide me  Hyde Park Corner is today one of the busiest parts of London. Six streets converge at the junction: Park Lane, Piccadilly, Constitution Hill, Grosvenor Place, Grosvenor Crescent and Knightsbridge. The area was designed by Decimus Burton with the intention of providing a grand approach to nearby Buckingham Palace. Visible in both the 1890 image and a more recent one is the Hyde Park Screen, complete with its columns and arches. Also on display in both pictures is Aspley House, the home of the first Duke of Wellington

 Slide me  The Royal Exchange is seen left in 1890 and right much more recently. It was founded in the 16th century by Sir Thomas Gresham. The building has twice been destroyed by fire and rebuilt. The building which stands in both images was designed in the 1840s. It was famously the home of the Lloyd's insurance market for nearly 150 years but now contains upmarket retailer Fortnum & Mason, as well as other luxury shops and office

 Slide me  The Thames Embankment (seen left in 1890 and right much more recently) was built in the mid 19th century to reclaim the marshy land next to the River Thames. It consists of both the Victoria Embankment (seen above) and Chelsea Embankment. The Victoria Embankment was started in 1862 and mainly designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette

 Slide me  The Albert Memorial, in Kensington Gardens, is one of London's most ornate landmarks which commemorates the death of Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert from typhoid in 1861. The monument stands opposite the Royal Albert Hall and was unveiled in 1872, 18 years before the picture on the left was taken. The display is officially titled the Prince Consort National Memorial and celebrates Prince Albert's passions and interests. He is seen holding the catalogue of the Great Exhibition, which was held in Hyde Park in 1851. He was the brains behind the project and helped to organise it

The 1890 photochrom image showing the Houses of Parliament's St Stephen's Hall displays the seat of Government in all its glory, complete with statues of prominent past Prime Ministers, including Robert Walpole and William Pitt

 Slide me  A stunning shot of a steamer ferry floating past Lambeth Palace is seen in the left-hand shot, taken in 1890. The modern similar view seen on the right shows how little the palace has changed, even as other buildings have sprung up around it. The palace is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and sits south-east of the Palace of Westminster

 Slide me  All change: London's famous street Cheapside has changed an enormous amount since the left-hand photochrom image was taken in 1890. Nearly all the buildings on both sides of the street have been torn down and replaced by shiny offices and apartments, complete with chain outlets below. The only element of the scene which still stands as it did in Victorian London is St Mary Le Bow Church. Visible in the left-hand image is a policeman in his smart buttoned-up uniform, as well as men in suits and hats and women in similarly smart attire

 Slide me  The Tower of London, built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, is a timeless symbol of London. Both the 1890 photochrom image and the right-hand 2020 photo show it as it has looked for hundreds of years. The castle was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952 - when the Kray twins spent time there. It now houses the Queen's Crown Jewels and, in ordinary times, is visited by hundreds of people every day

Westminster Abbey, which stands near Parliament in Westminster, is one of the UK's most famous churches. It is the traditional coronation and burial place for English and British monarchs. Queen Elizabeth II was crowned there in 1953. The photochrom image of the palace above was taken in 1890. Seen in the foreground is a well-dressed woman on a bench, while others stand outside the abbey's doors

 Slide me  Perhaps the most recognisable image of London across the world is the Palace of Westminster - the site of the two houses of Parliament. The building stands on the north bank of the River Thames. The first palace constructed on the site dates from the 11th century and Parliament has met there since the 13th century. The site has been ravaged by fire and the House of Commons had to be rebuilt after being bombed during the Second World War in 1941. However, in terms of appearance, little has changed from the left-hand 1890 photochrom scene, and right, last year

Kensington Gardens were once the private domain of Kensington Palace but are now part of the Royal Parks of London. They sit immediately to the west of Hyde Park. They, along with Green Park and St James's Park jointly form an enormous green space in the heart of London. The above photochrom image was taken in 1890
Peter Davis is chief of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol. The views in this column are Davis and do not necessarily represent those of the Beach Patrol, Galveston Park Board of Trustees or any other entity.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama is amending its execution procedures to allow a condemned inmate to have his spiritual advisor in the execution chamber.

The Alabama attorney general's office wrote in a Thursday court filing that the change is underway.

The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court sided with an Alabama inmate who had sought to have his pastor in the chamber to pray with him before the execution.

Related - Alabama cancels execution after court requires pastor

The state had previously argued that only prison staff should be allowed in the chamber and canceled the execution.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution Thursday renewing for one year its individual sanctions against Yemenis and adding the name of the director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Sanaa to the list.

The text, drafted by the United Kingdom, was adopted by 14 council members, with only Russia abstaining, according to diplomats.

The resolution renews until February 2022 the financial sanctions and travel bans imposed on certain Yemenis and extends until March 2022 the mandate of the group of experts charged with monitoring them.

The resolution stresses "the need for de-escalation across Yemen and a nationwide ceasefire." It condemns the fighting in northern Marib and the continued attacks by Huthi rebels on Saudi Arabia, calling for the "immediate cessation of attacks without preconditions."

The text also adds a name to the list of people sanctioned: Saleh Aida Aida Zabin, the head of the department of criminal investigation.

He "engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security and stability of Yemen, including violations of applicable international humanitarian law and human rights abuses," said the Security Council in the resolution.

"He has played a prominent role in a policy of intimidation and use of systematic arrest, detention, torture, sexual violence and rape against politically active women."

The Security Council also stressed the need for UN experts to have access as quickly as possible to the long-abandoned fuel tanker, the FSO Safer, off the coast of Hodeida in the west, an area under Huthi control.

The UN has been asking for more than two years to gain access to the ship, which threatens to cause a massive oil spill.

Their requests have so far been in vain.

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In 1967, the United Black Students was the first Black student organization to become formally recognized by Henry King Stanford, the University of Miamis third president. Today, dozens of groups exist at the University across multiple areas of interest and focus, connecting Black students to academic, professional, and social support systems that help them excel.

As Black History Month, also known as Black Awareness Month at the University of Miami, comes to a close, here are some student organizations that support and celebrate the Black student experience year-round.

100 Strong

The purpose of 100 Strong is to cultivate a culture of belonging by fostering academic, social, and professional development of students of color pursuing careers in health care. The group aims to provide tutoring and peer mentoring, serve the local community through a series of projects, and engage in activities that will nurture and strengthen the professional and leadership development of its members whilst advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the health care field.

Learn more about 100 Strong on Engage.

Above the Bar

Above the Bar is a multicultural organization for pre-law students to ensure their successful matriculation into law school. Its mission is to educate, elevate, and demonstrate ways to thrive with the tools, forum, and platform necessary to aid students as they prepare for law school and beyond. The group focuses on LSAT preparation, financial readiness, networking, and workshops to hone students strengths when applying to law school.

Jordan Farrell, president and founder of Above the Bar, is a junior studying criminology and political science. She started the association last year when she realized the University lacked one that supported minority students with aspirations to pursue law degrees.

Anyone interested in learning more about Above the Bar can visit its Engage page or follow the group on Instagram.

African Students Union

The African Students Union (ASU) at the University of Miami exists to raise cultural awareness and knowledge of the current issues that face Africa. The ASU strives to provide insight into the incredible cultural diversity throughout the African Diaspora.

The organization also acts as a representative for African students at the University. The ASU works to bring a sense of community and family by providing a home away from home for African students. The group aims to always connect and engage with and serve not only African students, but the entire University community.

Kikiloreoluwa Aderoju, a senior studying journalism and international studies, serves as ASU president.

ASU has provided spaces for me to be my truest self. It has also given me the chance to educate people about the culture in so many ways, spreading that joy to so many people over the years, she said. ASU has given me some of my best friends, mentors, and amazing opportunities, and for that I will always be grateful.

Students can get involved in many waysby joining the groups general body meetings or evenapplying to join its executive board.

Learn more about the African Students Union and how to attend a general body meeting via its Engage page . Follow ASU on Instagram for updates.

Black Student Athlete Alliance

Michelle Atherly, president and founder of the Black Student Athlete Alliance, was inspired by other student-athletes on other college campuses to create the first Black Student Athlete Alliance group at the University of Miami. The mission of the alliance is to create a strong unified community that supports and empowers Black student-athletes. Through education, conversation, and action, the group challenges the leaders of the University to support Black student-athletes outside of sports.

This Alliance seeks to build a safe space that is inclusive of gender, class, race, and sport in order to unify and educate. We have a vision of providing a safe space that brings the Black community together in pursuit of strengthening our ability to represent and serve the Miami community, said Atherly, a track and field graduate student-athlete.

Anyone interested in attending meetings can follow the alliances Instagram account and fill out the Google form located in the bio. Meetings are held biweekly, alternating between Mondays and Fridays.

Black Student Leadership Caucus

The Black Student Leadership Caucus offers the opportunity for Black student organizations and leaders to voice their opinions about campus programming, event planning, effective leadership, and role modeling. Eighteen student-group leaders participate as representatives on the Black Student Leadership Caucus. They work collaboratively to host events that promote dialogues among students and the campus community. Its goal is to create a holistic experience that focuses on academic, professional, and personal success for Black students.

Read more about the Black Student Leadership Caucus and the groups that are involved on the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website.

Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Led by senior Miles Pendleton, the Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an extension of the United States oldest and largest civil rights organization.

Pendleton, who quadruple majors in criminology, sociology, political science, and Africana studies said, As the University of Miamis branch, our mission is to inform students of issues affecting our minority communities and help ensure fairness and equity for all students, regardless of identity. We strive to implement initiatives to educate, stimulate, and mobilize our community while simultaneously bringing our diverse community's constituencies closer together.

He also shared that one of the many things that makes this organization different from others on campus is that it serves a representative body, only to the extent that it represents collaborated pursuits of equity.

While many identity-oriented affinity organizations conduct necessary work in furthering the voice, opportunity, and positive outcomes for their unique constituencies, the NAACP's identity is simply that of equity and progress. Initially founded by a group diverse across gender and racial lines, the NAACP intends to foster a diversified voice of advancement for all, said Pendleton.

The best way to participate and get in touch with the group is through Instagram @umiaminaacp.

We post announcements, events, and meeting information there, said Pendleton. Further, if there are ever any questions, please feel free to contact me at mrp151@miami.edu, and I would be happy to help.

Brothers Overcoming Negativity & Destruction

Brothers Overcoming Negativity & Destruction (BOND) is a group that promotes the social, academic, and professional well-being of Black and minority men on campus. Kai Anderson, a senior studying international finance and marketing, serves as president of BOND.

There are not that many places where Black men on campus can really come together, so we seek to facilitate that. In normal times, participation might be more hands on. But now, all getting involved really looks like is showing up to the events and making your voice heard, Anderson said.

Since BOND is a networking association at its core, Anderson encourages anyone interested to reach out to the group so it can connect and continue to build a stronger community.

I started to get to know a few of the older guys on campus who led the organization and realized they were really cool and had my best interest in mind by helping me navigate the college experience, he said. I also would not hold many of the leadership positions that I do in other organizations if I had not gotten my start through BOND.

Anyone interested in learning more about BOND can visit its Engage page or stay up-to-date on virtual meeting times by following the group on Instagram.

Caribbean Students Association

Charis Pitter, a junior studying political science and public administration, joined the Caribbean Students Association (CSA) during her first year. When she arrived at the University, Pitter was no stranger to the CSA. She grew up listening to anecdotes from her parents, aunts, and uncles about how they all met as members of the club in college.

The CSA is dedicated to raising awareness at the University, and in the surrounding community, of the cultural diversity of all Caribbean nations. The student group exists as a representation of that diversity. It hosts various social events throughout the year to educate others about the Caribbean.

Pitter, who now serves as the president of the CSA, said she cant imagine her college experience without the peers she met through the club.

Many of my closest friends now are those that I met through CSA my first year. [Our] executive board operates like a family, she said. I wouldnt have it any other way, and I cant imagine my college experience without this organization.

Most importantly, Pitter added, the CSA serves as a support system for Caribbean students on campus. Members of the CSA usually attend Caribbean celebrations together as a group.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Caribbean Students Association can visit its Engage page or follow the group on Instagram.

Gravity Magazine

Gravity Magazine is the University's first student magazine dedicated to celebrating Black voices, experiences, and creative essence. Founded in 2020 by Julian Crosby, a sophomore studying motion pictures, Gravity Magazines mission is to spread joy and peace in Black communities. Through multimedia projects, it aims to educate individuals across demographics about the broad and sweeping influence of Black culture. According to Crosby, as founder, he wanted to create a space for fellow Black students to make significant art contributions in a comfortable and accepting environment.

Through Gravity, I have been connected with the most enlightened creators I have ever met. I call them family now, Crosby said. We are bonded by our desire to establish a more accurate depiction of the Black experience in America, defined by our happiness over our trauma.

Students can get involved by following Gravity Magazine on Instagram.

Hairology

Hairology is the natural hair hub at the University of Miami. The purpose of Hairology is to educate the University community and spread awareness about the diverse array of hair textures and types. Hairology aims to promote the acceptance of all hair in society and inspire individual confidence.

You can follow Hairology on Instagram @umiami.hairology or join via Engage.

Hammond-Butler Gospel Choir

The Hammond-Butler Gospel Choir is the University of Miami's premier gospel choir. The choir performs all types of Christian music and seeks to encourage a spirit of worship as it ministers to the University and local community. In addition to the choir community, the organization connects members and the University community to historical and contemporary traditions of gospel choir music in the United States and abroad.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Hammond-Butler Gospel Choir can visit the groups Engage page, like the choir on Facebook , or follow it on Instagram.

Minority Association of Pre-Health Students

The members of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) aim to develop workable programs for the preparation of students entering health-related careers, sponsor programs for minority youth to encourage their entrance into health professions, and raise health career interests of African American, Hispanic American, Native American, and other minority/disadvantaged students.

To learn more about the organization, follow it on Instagram @umiamimaps.

National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. was founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune to lead, empower, and advocate for Black women, their families, and their communities. At the University, the association creates impactful leaders through mentorship, education, and service with the assistance of the accreditation, rich history, and national network from their headquarters.

To be a Black woman is to face the intersectionality of race and gender daily. What sets us apart from other organizations on campus is that we expand beyond being an empowerment group and place an emphasis on community, education, and service. Our founder, Mary McLeod Bethune, set the standard, and our chapter continues to carry on her legacy as a trailblazer in American history, said Jailah Williams, the founder and president of the Universitys chapter.

Learn more on Engage and follow the organization on Instagram @umiamincnw for updates.

National Society of Black Engineers

The National Society of Black Engineers was created to increase the amount of culturally responsible Black engineers who can excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

We organize events that give engineering students a multitude of different areas of engineering they can go into with their major and plan volunteer events to introduce minority students in our community to STEM fields, said Taylor Washington, a junior studying industrial engineering.

Students interested in the organization are able to join through Engage.

Planet Kreyol

Planet Kreyol is the Haitian student organization at the University of Miami, that has a mission to continually promote cultural awareness while servicing the community and preserving the ancestry of Haiti. The group hosts various events throughout the yearcooking workshops, church services, pageants, community outreach events, kompa dance classes, and Haitian spirit and cultural weeksto connect with the University community.

The association serves as a place for Haitian students to gather and act as a support system for each other.

Laura Francois, a junior studying public health and French, is currently the president of Planet Kreyol. Her desire to spread awareness about the different aspects of her Haitian culture and genuine love for learning inspired her to get involved with Planet Kreyol as a first-year student.

Planet Kreyol has taught me how to embrace myself and not be confined to the many negative stereotypes surrounding the Haitian population while inspiring others to do the same by spreading positivity and a strong sense of community, she said.

Learn more about Planet Kreyol on Engage or follow the group on Instagram .

The Culture

The Culture is UMTVs first and only show highlighting the Black experience on campus and worldwide. UMTV covers politics, sports, popular culture, current events, Miami news and more. This year, Jayda Graham and KiAnna Dorsey are executive producers of the show.

Our organization is rooted in telling Black stories and perspectives, said Graham, a motion pictures major. Whether they are unheard, happy, sad, or acts of injustice, we create a space for students to express their voices on these subjects, she said. Being a part of The Culture is more than being on camera, it is being part of a family. One that works together to support and help each other. Being a part of this show has been my home away from home. And my hope, as a producer, is to create that same home for members who want to join.

Winston Warrior, the groups adviser, is a double alumnus of the University. His passion for developing future communications professionals and leaders has compelled him to counsel this unique show.

I see them continuing to evolve and reflect what their student community wants to see, said Warrior. I think The Culture has a bright future. It's so necessary to be able to turn on your TV and see students who look like you.

Interested in joining? Email cultureumtv@gmail.com, or follow the show on Instagram @umtvculture.

United Black Students

United Black Students (UBS) was the first Black student organization to be founded on the Coral Gables Campus. The purpose of the organization is to enrich and provide the community with a source to experience Black culture and become more educated about Black heritage.

Our organization's founders and advocates were essential to shaping the university as it appears today. From organizing protests, letters, and forums to standing up for racial justice, United Black Students has been a pillar of the university community for decades, said Landon Coles, UBS president and Ronald A. Hammond Scholar majoring in political science in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Those interested in learning more about UBS are welcome to join its virtual general body meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. For inquiries, email UnitedBlackStudents@miami.edu. To keep up with the organization, follow it on social media @UMiamiUBS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And finally, join the group via engage.miami.edu to receive biweekly newsletters and other email updates.

Yellow Rose Society

The Yellow Rose Society recognizes a need for cohesion amongst women at the University of Miami. By focusing on peer education, community service and outreach, academic achievement, and leadership, the organization intends to bring about this unity through the efforts of its members and the entire student population.

Those interested in joining Yellow Rose Society should connect with president Kaylie Cohen via Engage.
Armenias prime minister has hit out at what he called an attempted coup after the militarys General Staff demanded he step down after months of protests sparked by the nations defeat in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan.

The General Staff issued a statement calling for the resignation of Nikol Pashinyan, signed by senior military officers, triggered by his decision earlier this week to oust the first deputy chief of the General Staff.

Mr Pashinyan described the statement as a military coup attempt and ordered the firing of the General Staffs chief. He urged the military to only listen to his orders and called on his supporters to goo into the streets to back him.

Meanwhile, throngs of opposition demonstrators swarmed the streets of the Armenian capital, chanting Nikol, you traitor! and Nikol, resign!

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan surrounded by his supporters (Tigran Mehrabyan/PAN Photo via AP)

Opposition supporters blocked the streets around Yerevan, paralysing traffic all around the city.

The developments came after Armenia saw a spike in demonstrations this week demanding Mr Pashinyan step down.

Protests calling for his resignation began immediately after he signed the November 10 peace deal that saw Azerbaijan reclaim control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

The Russia-brokered agreement ended 44 days of fierce fighting in which the Azerbaijani army routed Armenian forces.

Mr Pashinyan has defended the peace deal as a painful but necessary move to prevent Azerbaijan from overrunning the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Police block opposition demonstrators letting off flares (Karo Sahakyan/PAN Photo via AP)

Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but was under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. That war left Nagorno-Karabakh and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands.

Heavy fighting that erupted in late September marked the biggest escalation of the decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, killing more than 6,000 people on both sides.

Despite simmering public anger over the military defeat, Mr Pashinyan has manoeuvred to shore up his rule and the protests died down amid a cold winter, but the opposition demonstrations resumed this week, and the dispute between Mr Pashinyan and the military commanders has weakened his position.

He fired the deputy chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Tiran Khachatryan, earlier this week after he criticised the prime ministers claim that just 10% of Russia-supplied Iskander missiles that Armenia used in the conflict exploded on impact.

The General Staff responded on Thursday with a statement demanding Mr Pashinyans resignation and warned the government against trying to use force against demonstrators. Immediately after the statement, he fired the General Staff chief, Colonel General Onik Gasparyan.

Russia, worried about its ally plunging deeper into turmoil, has voiced concern about the tensions and emphasised that Armenia must sort out its problems itself.

Armenias prime minister has spoken of an attempted military coup (Hayk Baghdasaryan/PHOTOLURE via AP)

We are calling for calm and believe that the situation should remain in the constitutional field, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Mr Pashinyan and called for the preservation of calm and order in Armenia, Mr Peskov said.

Armenia has relied on Moscows financial and military support and hosts a Russian military base  ties that will keep the two nations closely allied regardless of the outcome of the political infighting.

And even though the peace deal is widely reviled in Armenia with many calling it a betrayal, it is unlikely to be revised  no matter who is in charge  following the fighting that demonstrated Azerbaijans overwhelming military edge.

The US embassy in Yerevan urged all parties in Armenia to exercise calm and restraint and to de-escalate tensions peacefully, without violence.

In Brussels, European Commission spokesman Peter Stano also called on rival sides to avoid any rhetoric or actions that could lead to further escalation.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 10:51:04|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON/RIYADH, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he would work to make U.S.-Saudi relations "as strong and transparent as possible."

Biden made the remarks in the first phone conversation with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud since Biden's inauguration.

The White House said in a statement that the two leaders discussed longstanding partnership and regional security, "including the renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United Nations and the United States" to end the war in Yemen.

The Saudi king said his country was keen to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen and to achieve security and development for the Yemeni people.

In their conversation, Biden affirmed that he "would work to make the bilateral relationship as strong and transparent as possible."

In his first foreign policy speech in early February, Biden announced an end to U.S. support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen, including relevant arms sales.

The White House also noted Washington would return to a "counterpart-to-counterpart" pattern in engaging with Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, received a call from U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last week. Enditem
Kelly also used his first speech to raise the unsung group of heroes who were, like him, parents and carers of children with disabilities. His son Trent, now 24, was born with Down syndrome and autism and has no speech. What does he do? Kelly has risen to public prominence most notably for his opposition to climate action and support for coal-fired power. Although he declared in his first speech to Parliament I consider myself an environmentalist, he may well be the only person who does. In 2018 he chaired the Coalitions backbench policy committee that effectively killed off the national energy guarantee because of its aim in part to cut emissions. Around the same time, Kelly was part of the Monash Forum group of MPs actively pushing for new coal-fired power stations. British television presenter Laura Tobin accused him on air of being a climate denier in January 2020, after he said people drawing a link between the summers horrific bushfires and climate change were just playing politics.

Hes also a prolific user of Facebook, frequently appearing in the top five in statistics of politicians with the most interactions on their posts. Or he was, until Facebook slapped him with a temporary ban last week for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. His outspokenness had caused growing agitation among Liberal colleagues, with one dubbing him the Pete Evans in the party room in reference to the anti-vaxxer celebrity chef. Days after this comment was reported, Kelly appeared on Evans podcast. Loading Kelly has vowed to resume his social media campaign to promote unproven coronavirus treatments, despite warnings from medical experts and the Australian Medical Association. This spruiking for alternative treatments led to Morrison reprimanding Kelly after a public clash with Labors Tanya Plibersek in the first sitting week of the year. But he insists hes on board with the government in urging Australians to have either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. I want to make sure theres no doubt: Im not an anti-vaxxer, he told this masthead.

What did he do this week? On Tuesday, Kelly blindsided Morrison and his colleagues by standing up in the party room meeting of all Liberal and National MPs and announcing he was quitting to sit as an independent. Loading He recalled an analogy Morrison is fond of using about New Zealands Americas Cup defence where the only consideration for the team was what would make the boat go faster. I acknowledge that some of my conduct over recent months has not helped the boat go fast, Kelly said in his resignation statement. He had decided that in order to continue to speak fearlessly and act in line with his conscience and principles, he had to resign as a member of the Liberal Party.

Of course, it would have also been playing on his mind that his preselection was yet again under threat. A number of challengers had emerged, including Kent Johns, who had prepared to run against Kelly twice before. Kelly has also been under pressure to sack his long-time adviser, Frank Zumbo, after reports about a restraining order made against him by a young woman. Morrison said Kelly had known for many years the Prime Minister didnt think he should be employing Zumbo. But Kelly is standing by his man. I would not be here without your friendship and advice, Kelly told Zumbo in Parliament back in 2010, and this week he again refused to sack him. Why is this important? The government has effectively lost its majority in the lower house - although it now has 76 MPs out of 151, one of that number, Tony Smith, is the Speaker and doesnt vote except in instances of a tie. There are actually 75 there and 75 here, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese pointed out helpfully during question time on Wednesday.
On the first day of vaccination campaign in Ukraine, 90 health workers were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Kyiv city, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

"In Kyiv, as in all regions of the country, vaccination against COVID-19 with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (Covishield) has started. The vaccine has been provided by the Ministry of Health. The capital has received 42,600 doses of the vaccine, Klitschko said at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to the mayor, on the first day of the vaccination campaign, 90 health workers received the vaccine. The work on immunization of Kyivs health workers is underway.

He reminded that Kyiv city prepared 15 mobile immunization teams. All health workers of mobile crews undergone special training.

As Ukrinform reported, vaccination against coronavirus began in Kyiv on Thursday, February 25. Head of the Oleksandrivska Clinical Hospital department Oleksiy Kutsenko became the first person in Kyiv to be vaccinated against coronavirus.

The capital received 42,600 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine from the Ministry of Health.
Patient complexity is on the rise(1) and surgeons need a high-quality material for hernia repair in complex patients (VHWG 2).(2)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Feb. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced that GORE SYNECOR Intraperitoneal Biomaterial is now available in Europe, Middle East and South Africa. The device was designed to address unmet needs in complex hernia repair, providing rapid vascularity3 and permanent strength with a low profile for single, effective hernia repair.

GORE SYNECOR Intraperitoneal Biomaterial is designed for ease of use during laparoscopic, robotic and open surgical procedures. The tri-layer hybrid material was first approved and launched in 2016 in the United States and received CE mark approval in June 2020.

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: Gore 3D PGA:TMC web scaffold generates high-quality tissue via rapid cellular infiltration. Vascularization is reported within seven days and tissue ingrowth within one month (data on file 2015; W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc; ). Mid-Layer: Macroporous knit of dense monofilament PTFE fibers designed with a fiber diameter similar to lightweight mesh but with the strength of heavyweight mesh.

Macroporous knit of dense monofilament PTFE fibers designed with a fiber diameter similar to lightweight mesh but with the strength of heavyweight mesh. Visceral surface: Non-porous PGA:TMC film provides intra-abdominal protection, minimizing the risk of adhesion formation to the material4 (data on file 2015; W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc; Flagstaff, AZ ).

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"I am very happy to see a new prosthetic material, with excellent clinical background and promising added-value in tissue integration under the new paradigm in minimally invasive abdominal wall reconstruction," said Dr. Salvador Morales-Conde, General Digestive Surgeon, Chief of Innovation Unit, Sevilla, Spain.

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1. Mathers CD, Loncar D. Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030. PLoS Medicine 2006;3(11):e442.

2. Ventral Hernia Working Group, Breuing K, Butler CE, et al. Incisional ventral hernias: review of the literature and recommendations regarding the grading and technique of repair. Surgery 2010;148(3):544-558.

3. Crawford N. Assessment of Vascularity via Micro CT in Various Patch Devices. Flagstaff, AZ: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc; 2016. [Final study report]. 2344TL.

4. Matthews BD. Absorbable and nonabsorbable barriers on prosthetic biomaterials for adhesion prevention after intraperitoneal placement of mesh. International Surgery 2005;90(3)Supplement:S30-S34.

Gore engineers medical devices that treat a range of cardiovascular and other health conditions. With more than 50 million medical devices implanted over the course of more than 45 years, Gore builds on its legacy of improving patient outcomes through research, education and quality initiatives. Product performance, ease of use and quality of service provide sustainable cost savings for physicians, hospitals and insurers. Gore is joined in service with clinicians and through this collaboration we are improving lives. goremedical.com

About Gore



W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments - from outer space to the world's highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With more than 11,000 Associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $3.8 billion. gore.com

Products listed may not be available in all markets.

GORE, GORE-TEX, Together, improving life, BIO-A, DUALMESH, SEAMGUARD, SYNECOR and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1440113/SYNECOR_Image_A4_courtesy.jpg

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New Delhi, Feb 26 : Three days after an eight-year-old girl was kidnapped from East Delhi's Kalyanpuri, her body was found on Friday in the sugarcane fields in a village near Modinagar, Ghaziabad. The Delhi police has arrested four persons for the kidnapping cum murder of the girl including her neighbour identified as Jhony alias Shiva.

According to police the girl was kidnapped from Kalyanpuri on Tuesday evening by Jhony and his accomplices and allegedly spirited away in a van. She was later taken to an undisclosed location as the family of the girl lodged a police complaint. The Delhi police registered a kidnapping case and formed teams to trace the suspects in the case.

"We have arrested the four accused in the kidnapping and murder case of Kalyanpuri. The accused are identified as Jhony, Naresh, Kailash and Tarun. The weapon of offence has been recovered" said Deepak Yadav, DCP East.

After the prime accused Jhony was seen luring the girl in a CCTV footage, the Delhi police arrested the accused which later led to the arrest of his three accomplices in the crime.

Police said Jhony is a driver by profession and had a theft case registered against him in 2002. Police is also verifying if he has a murder case registered against him in Uttar Pradesh.

After Jhony confessed to the murder of the victim, he was taken to Bhojpur near Ghaziabad's Modinagar in Uttar Pradesh after which the body of the girl was found in a sugarcane field near Tibra village where one of the relatives of the accused resides. Police sources said that the girl was killed with a blunt object.

The police said that no ransom call was made by the accused. Meanwhile, the relatives of the deceased staged a protest on NH-24 and Kalyanpuri police station and criticized Delhi police for failing to act in time and rescue the girl.
Three California counties have stopped giving coronavirus vaccines to a medical company accused of helping people cut the line.

'Concierge' health care provider One Medical allegedly offered COVID-19 shots to those connected with upper management, customers of its service and staff members who were not on the front lines.

Health officials from San Francisco, San Mateo or Alameda counties say they will no longer be sending immunizations to One Medical locations.

Additionally, the San Francisco health department has asked One Medical to return more than 1,600 doses of the shot, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.

One Medical has denied the allegations and claims that helping patents be vaccinated ahead of high-risk populations 'are in direct contradiction to our actual approach to vaccine administration.'

It comes on the heels of several anecdotal stories throughout the U.S. that also involve people skipping vaccine lines and confusion over who is responsible for enforcing eligibility.

San Francisco, San Mateo or Alameda counties are no longer sending COVID-19 vaccine doses to One Medical locations (above)

The 'concierge' health care provider is accused of allowing people to cut the line and receive jabs ahead of high-risk patients. Pictured: Yin You Chen, 75, receives the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Cristy Michel in Los Angeles, California, February 24

At the same time, many eligible healthcare workers who attempted to book appointments for the shots were waitlisted, while average daily vaccinations have plateaued at 1.2 million per day

One Medical, whose headquarters are based in San Francisco, has branded itself as a concierge health care provider.

Concierge medicine, also known as retainer medicine, is when a patient pays an annual fee or retainer and receives enhanced care, or more access to doctors, in return.

For an annual fee of $199, patients have easy access to scheduling appointments online and consulting doctors via telemedicine.

After going public in January 2020, shares of One Medical increased by 126 percent over the last 12 months, according to Market Watch.

Currently, the state allows people aged 65, health care workers and certain essential workers to received the vaccine.

But an NPR investigation found that California residents with company leadership - such as family and friends - were able to schedule vaccine appointments.

At least one executive of an organization that partners with One Medical also received an appointment while healthcare workers were waitlisted.

Examples of the 8 million Californians who've been vaccinated included people connected with One Medical upper management, customers of its service and staff members who were not on the front lines

One Medical has denied the allegations and says it did not allow ineligible residents to receive vaccines. Less than 14% of all Americans have received at least one dose

Additionally, customers of the concierge service who did not meet vaccine eligibility requirements were allowed to jump ahead of high-risk patients, NPR found.

All staff members of One Medical, including many of whom were not on the front lines, such as work-from-home administrative members, support staff and IT technicians, were also offered the shot.

Internal communications leaked to NPR show that multiple employees of One Medical were alarmed about the lack of adherence to state and local health department vaccine eligibility guidelines.

'It seems if you don't screen out those jumping the [queue], then many will jump in the line and push those that need the vaccine further behind, delaying a potentially life saving injection, one California doctor wrote to his colleagues.

'This could impact MANY members.'

Patients were even offered free trial memberships if they wanted to sign up for vaccinations.

'Why are young patients without health problems, on a trial membership...allowed to book and receive a covid vaccine while healthcare workers are being waitlisted?' one medical professional wrote in January, according to NPR.

'I just saw two appointments for such.'

It is unclear how many ineligible vaccine doses were given out, and One Medical declined to tell NPR how many total doses it had administered.

One Medical did not immediately return DailyMail.com's request for comment.

However, in a statement to Market Watch, the company denies that it helped ineligible patients cut the vaccine line.

'Any assertions that we broadly and knowingly disregard eligibility guidelines are in direct contradiction to our actual approach to vaccine administration,' the statement read.

'Recent media reporting about One Medical perpetuates dangerous public misconceptions about our COVID-19 vaccine protocols and, more importantly, has impugned our company values in our efforts to collaborate with health officials across the nation to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

'Although this type of reporting is disheartening to our team members who have worked tirelessly nights and weekends dealing with the complexities and challenges of the vaccine roll out, we remain committed to serving our communities and hope that this report does not impede our ability to continue doing this vital work,'

One Medical adds thats 96 percent of those vaccinated at its clinics had proof of eligibility while the remaining four percent 'were vaccinated in accordance with zero wastage protocols.'
The Northern Ireland-born director of public health in New Zealand has described the country's Covid-19 success as "humbling".

Dr Caroline McElnay, who grew up near Bushmills in Co Antrim, said she feels "blessed" that politicians in New Zealand "were very prepared to make some difficult decisions in the early days" of the pandemic as they moved to stamp out the virus.

New Zealand has followed a strict elimination strategy and has almost no restrictions in place, becoming the envy of many countries around the world as they have been ravaged by the brutal effects of Covid-19.

"We've really had very little significant transmission in New Zealand since last April," explained Dr McElnay, a former pupil of Coleraine High School.

While Northern Ireland has recorded 1,834 new cases over the past seven days, of which 281 were announced on Thursday, New Zealand is currently dealing with a cluster of 11 cases in Auckland.

"That makes life a bit busy at the moment," said Dr McElnay.

The Queen's University medical graduate said strict border controls, which include mandatory managed quarantine for all arrivals into the country, have been crucial in stopping Covid-19 from taking hold in New Zealand - but they are also preventing her from attending an upcoming family wedding in Northern Ireland.

"I was back in 2019 to see family, which was fantastic and I was meant to be back in 2020 for a family wedding but that didn't happen," she said.

"It was my nephew's wedding that was postponed and is now happening in April and sadly I won't be able to get to it. There's no restriction on me leaving the country, but it's the fact that if I go, I have to go into quarantine when I get back, there are no exceptions to quarantine."

Dr McElnay said the strict rules have allowed New Zealand to "stamp out" Covid-19 and remain largely clear of the virus: "We closed the borders, we required everybody to stay at home, we managed to wash out the infection that was here in the country and then when we managed to get out of lockdown, we didn't have community transmission, so for us keeping a really close containment on people returning from overseas is really critical to stopping any community cases because they are harder for us to contain.

"Effectively at the moment, we have no restrictions on peoples' movement within New Zealand, the only restrictions are people coming in at the border who are required to go into quarantine for 14 days and testing. That's been a critical part of our strategy."

Referring to the UK's limited managed quarantine policy, she continued: "We have certainly seen that those managed quarantine facilities do work, they do help you to contain."

Asked if it is too late to implement the same border rules as New Zealand, she said: "It could be, whilst your border closures or containment at the border will add an extra level of intervention, if you have got it circulating in your community then you need to deal with that.

"Stopping it, keeping it out, is the analogy we've used...so keep it out and stamp it out and that's what we're doing. It's actually really hard to stamp it out when you've got thousands of cases. Our strategy is a strategy that's a very traditional public health approach, but you can really only do it at an early stage and when your numbers are manageable.

"I think we had this realisation early on as we were going into lockdown that actually if we went into lockdown soon enough and hard enough we could potentially pull this off, but that was an act of faith. We knew we had to do something.

"We very quickly realised that the virus was moving faster than we could make decisions about which parts of the world we should be requiring self-isolation and so we very quickly went to 'let's close the borders'.

"You never quite think you're going to be the one who's in a job that's providing advice to government on really quite significant issues, you never really think that's going to be you but actually when it happens, you just have to get on and do it and every now and again, you have these little out of body moments.

"I've been very lucky, there has been a team of us and we've been really well supported, it's nice and very humbling to look back and see that actually it was a strategy that works, but we're were not sitting back twiddling our thumbs and resting on our laurels because we are very aware that Covid is raging out there in the rest of the world."
Video: Rep. Gaetz Speaks on Big Government at CPAC

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) spoke about big government at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, under the theme of the lefts assault on free people through collusion between government, Big Tech, and media.

From NTD News
A wind farm in Binh Thuan province (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - Investors from the UK were showing significant interest in investing in renewable energy projects in Vietnam, especially wind power, expecting the Vietnamese Government to introduce long-term support policies as well as simplification of procedures for project implementation.

British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward said at the UK  Vietnam Renewable Energy Dialogue on Wednesday that clean energy was becoming a global trend, adding that every 1 investment USD in clean energy would help generate from 3-8 USD.

The Vietnamese Government in 2015 approved the renewable energy development strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2050 which aimed to increase the percentage of renewable power from 35 percent in 2015 to 38 percent in 2020 and 43 percent in 2050.

The Government also introduced incentive policies to encourage the development of wind power, biomass energy, energy from waste and solar power.

Hoang Tien Dung, Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, said developing renewable energy was important in the context that sources for hydropower were being exhausted, thermopower was limited due to commitments to global climate change and gas-fired power had high production costs.

According to the draft national power development planning for 2021-30 period with a vision to 2045, Vietnam had large potential for renewable energy development which was estimated to amount up to 855GW, mostly solar power (434GW), and wind power (375GW). The potential for off-shore wind power was estimated at 158GW.

Off-shore power was attracting increasing interest from foreign organisations and investors, Nguyen Ninh Hai, Head of the Renewable Energy Department under the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, said.

Hai said that as off-shore wind power was a new thing to Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade was cooperating with some research organisations to have a comprehensive evaluation about the off-shore wind power development potental in the country.

Bui Vinh Thang, Director of Mainstream Renewable Power Vietnam, said that the Governments planning and policies played a very important role for renewable energy investors, especially in wind power and off-shore wind power.

Benjamin Dubas, a representative from Lightsource BP, said that renewable energy investors expected the transparency and stability of policies in the long term to invest in Vietnam, especially feed-in tariffs (FIT).

According to Dung, FIT pricing was applied to accelerate investment in renewable energy in the first stage in Vietnam but this mechanism would not be maintained for a long period and be replaced by competitive bidding when the technology development helped push down prices of solar and wind power.

He added that the national power development planning which was being completed would give priority to renewable energy on the basis of ensuring balance of power sources and the power transmission between regions.

The ministry expected to continue receiving support from the UK in renewable energy, especially off-shore wind power which the UK had experience in and Vietnam had large potential.

By the end of 2020, the total renewable energy output accounted for around 25 percent of the total output worth 69,000MW of the Vietnams power system. There were 148 solar power projects with a total capacity of more than 8,800MW, 100,000 rooftop solar power projects with a total capacity of 9,300MW, and 11 wind power projects with a total capacity of 511MW.
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Democrats had been holding out hope that they could pass a major minimum wage increase as part of the major coronavirus relief bill now working its way through Congress. But the all-important Senate parliamentarian dashed those ambitions on Thursday night when she ruled that the hike was not permitted under the rules of budget reconciliation, the byzantine legislative procedure Democrats are using to avoid a filibuster.

Now theyre resorting to a somewhat strained fallback plan: Lawmakers are promising to pass a tax hike on large companies that fail to pay their employees a living wage, thus forcing them to increase pay. A senior Democratic staffer told me that the bill was still being written and that key details are very much still up in the air. But Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden explained its gist in a statement on Friday. His proposal would impose a 5 percent penalty on a big corporations total payroll if any workers earn less than a certain amount. At the same time, it would offer smaller businesses new tax breaks as an incentive to raise wages.

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In short, Democrats are now talking about a Walmart tax and a mom-and-pop bonus. Big businesses get a stick; small businesses get some carrots.

It wont be possible to fully judge this specific proposal until Democrats release a more complete version. However, there are many reasons to be concerned about the basic idea. At best, enacting a minimum wage hike through the tax code would be a kludgey workaround. But when aimed narrowly at large companies, creating such a policy might actually be worse in some senses than doing nothing for the moment and continuing to fight for a normal minimum wage hike.

For those who have a long memory for short-lived pieces of stunt legislation, the new proposal might sound somewhat reminiscent of the old Stop BEZOS Act. Introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders back in 2018, the bill would have forced companies to reimburse the government for the cost if their employees used social safety net programs like Medicaid or food assistance. The notion was that the taxpayers shouldnt have to subsidize poverty wages at massive, profitable corporations like Amazon. The bill had obvious design flawsamong them, it almost certainly would have discouraged companies from hiring workers like single parents who might turn to the welfare state for help. But most people involved with the idea seemed to recognize that it was basically a messaging vehicle meant to exert public pressure on Jeff Bezos for his companys treatment of warehouse workers. In that respect, it was successful: Amazon later lifted its minimum wage to $15 an hour and is now strongly advocating for a national increase to that level. But its not clear anybody ever actually wanted the bill to become law.

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The tax Democrats are now contemplating seems like it would be a step up from Stop BEZOSbut not by much.

The first, most obvious problem is that any policy aimed mostly at large companies would do little to help the vast army of low-wage workers like waiters, motel maids, and nursing-home caretakers employed by small businesses. Fast food franchises are some of the countrys most important employers of minimum-wage labor, but because theyre owned independently, theyd presumably escape any tax that targets major corporations. (A Democratic Senate Finance aide confirmed for me that while conversations are ongoing, franchises would generally not be covered given their lower annual receipts). This is no small oversight. In 2019, more than half of Americans who made less than $15 per hour worked at firms with fewer than 500 employees, and more than one-third were at ones with fewer than 25, according to an analysis of census data that Evercore ISI economist Ernie Tedeschi ran at my request. (Those numbers exclude the self-employed, though including them doesnt change the picture much). Sure, wailing on Walmart might make for good politics. But it turns out that a minimum wage hike that doesnt reach Americas KFC franchises and nail salons is not going to be much of a minimum wage hike. And by the way, Walmart already pays $11 an hour minimum.

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Again, its not that Wyden completely ignores this issue. He does include those carrots to encourage small businesses to increase paybut they look a bit too small to make much difference. In his statement, the senator said he would provide small businesses that raise wages an income tax credit equal to 25 percent of wages, up to $10,000 per year per employer. To put that in perspective, $10,000 is less than it would cost to increase a single, full-time workers pay from $7.25 to $13 an hour. Thats not going to cause a local Chamber of Commerce type who owns a handful of McDonalds in Mississippi to suddenly jack up pay for his staff. Also, how will this subsidy work in states that have already passed higher minimum wages? Is the federal government going to subsidize the pay of Wendys workers in Texas, but not in New York or California?

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Another concern: If only large companies are forced to increase wages, it could lead even more of them to outsource jobs to small outside contractors, who would be permitted to pay their employees less. More companies would make like Silicon Valleys giants and hire contractors to man their cafeterias and clean their hallways, doubling down on the trend toward what Brandeis economist David Weil has called the fissured workplace. Wyden suggests his bill would try to prevent this sort of outsourcing. If a profitable mega corporation like Walmart fires a stores security guard and replaces him with a contractor who makes far less, my proposal would still require that Walmart pays a penalty, his statement said. The Finance Committee aide elaborated to me that the tax would cover all on-site workers in order to prevent companies from outsourcing their labor. But its unclear exactly how that provision would be enforced at this point, especially given how strained for resources the Internal Revenue Service currently is. The agency can barely manage to audit tax cheats these days; Were now going to ask it to police our labor laws, too?

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There is an obvious, sensible solution to some of these issues: Democrats shouldnt just aim the new tax at big businesses. Instead, they should apply it to all businesses, just like they would a real minimum wage. Its unclear why lawmakers arent going with that approach in the first place. Perhaps theyre afraid of being held politically responsible for increasing taxes on small businesses during a pandemic. But if so, that would be absurd; in the end, were talking about a minimum wage increase through a slightly different mechanism. The people who would be pissed about the tax would have been pissed about a normal wage hike. (When I asked the Senate Finance aide about this, I was told: An incentive for the smallest of small businesses and penalty for mega-corporations is the approach that we believe could gain political support, raise the wages of the largest number of workers, and comply with the rules.)

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Right now, these are just the obvious issues surrounding the Wyden plan. Its also possible there will be problems nobody is anticipating yet. As a number of economists have already pointed out, were talking about a brand new, untested tax scheme that could be difficult to enforce. It seems like these circumstances are ripe for unintended consequences.

Instead of rushing forward with something half-baked, Democrats might simply be better off waiting a bit. They could try to negotiate with Republicans to raise the actual minimum wage to something below $15. (Mitt Romney and Tom Cotton recently proposed a $10 minimum in return for concessions on immigration, which seemed a bit laughable but might at least be a starting point for negotiations). They could carefully design a comprehensive tax that applies to all businesses, like a real minimum wage. Or leadership could force a showdown with moderate members over the filibuster, and make them to choose between the 60-vote rule and a policy thats wildly popular with voters.

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What Democrats have now is a hastily thrown together idea that might not even help many of the fast food workers who kickstarted the entire Fight for $15 movement. Im sure many lawmakers might see it as just a temporary placeholder, something they can pass quickly just to show they are doing something for the working class. But it seems like theres a real danger that members of Congress would pass a proposal like this and then take it as an excuse to let the minimum wage fall off their agenda for the rest of the Biden administration, knowing that they at least forced Walmart to pay its associates a bit more. Better for Democrats to pause and take a breather now, so they can fight for a real minimum wage hike down the line.

Correction Feb. 27, 2021: This post originally misstated that just under half of all Americans who earn less than $15 an hour worked at firms with fewer than 500 employees, and just under a third worked at ones with fewer than 25. The correct figures are 55 percent and 37 percent, respectively. The graph has also been updated to reflect the correction as well.
New Delhi: The polling date for 30-seat assembly in Puducherry will be held on April 6, Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday in a press conference in New Delhi.

Of the 30 seats that will go to polls, 5 are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC). The counting of votes will be held on May 2, the commission said.

The V Naraynawamy-led Congress government in the Union Territory fell before completing its five-year term, the Chief Minister had to resign on February 22 ahead of a floor test in the 33-member House (including three nominated) following the resignations of five Congress and one Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) legislators.

In the 2016 Assembly polls, Congress had won 15 seats, All India NR Congress eight seats, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) got four seats, DMK walked away with two MLAs. BJP could not win any seats.

In the 2019 general elections, Dr Narayanasamy Kesavan of Congress won the single-seat from the Union Territory..

The Election Commission announced the schedule for assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry. The counting of votes for all five assembly elections will take place on May 2 said the Election Commission (EC).

The terms of legislative assemblies of four states -- Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal -- are coming to an end in May and June.
The Biden administration reopened an emergency shelter in Carrizo Springs, Texas, on Monday to house unaccompanied immigrant children who seek asylum. The administration is seeing increasing numbers of children at the southern border, raising the prospect of a new humanitarian crisis.

Here are questions and answers about why children are crossing the border alone, and what happens to them in government custody.

Who are the unaccompanied children crossing the border?

The children are migrants under 18 years old who cross the border without a parent or legal guardian. They range in age from toddlers to teenagers, the youngest often traveling with older siblings or other relatives, who are typically also under 18.

From October through January, more than 19,000 immigrant children, mostly from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, crossed the border illegally, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. U.S. facilities have been over capacity with children twice in the past decadein 2014 and 2019.

Why are they traveling to the U.S.?

Most of the immigrant children coming to the U.S. are trying to reunite with parents or other relatives already living here, according to immigration authorities and advocates. Migrants, especially those from Central America, tend to leave their countries because of a mix of extreme poverty, worsened by the pandemic, and persecution by gangs, advocates have said.

Like many other migrants, most of the children are likely to ask for asylum or some other protection in the U.S., according to immigration authorities and lawyers representing children.

Asylum is a legal protection that people can seek, if they are fleeing political, religious or other persecution in their home countries. Though crossing the border without permission is illegal, U.S. law allows foreigners to apply for asylum no matter how they entered the country. Most people who ask for asylum in the U.S. ultimately lose their cases, according to Justice Department data.

Migrants have been crossing the border illegally in increasing numbers since last summer for a range of reasons. Those include worsening economic conditions across Latin America brought on by the pandemic and a pair of hurricanes that hit Central America last summer. Smugglers have also been telling migrants that the Biden administration would be more lenient on illegal immigration than the Trump administration was, government officials said.

The Biden administration has said that while it is changing U.S. immigration policies, migrants shouldnt attempt to enter the country now.

Are children at the border treated differently from adults?

Under immigration law, the government cant deport children as quickly as it can adults and even families. Because there is a risk that children arriving at the border could have been trafficked or fled an abusive parent, they must be given a chance to apply for asylum or another form of protection that would allow them to stay permanently.

People who support more restrictive immigration policy say that the guarantee to be able to stay in the U.S., often for years, incentivizes parents to send children to cross the border in hopes that they stand a better chance of being admitted alone.

What happens once children cross the border?

Children crossing without adult relatives routinely surrender to a Border Patrol agent as soon as they spot one, according to Border Patrol officials.

Under a government directive during the Covid-19 pandemic, most families and single adults are quickly sent back to Mexico. Unaccompanied children are taken to Border Patrol stations, where they are given a brief medical screening. Border agents also work to identify the children and where they are from. Children trying to reunite with their families in the U.S. often carry slips of paper with contact names and numbers.

Under law, the Border Patrol can keep children in custody for up to 72 hours and then must transfer them to shelters around the country that are licensed to care for children. These shelters are operated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the ORR, housed under the Department of Health and Human Services.

When many children arrive at the border at once, many shelters may not have enough space for them, and they wait in Border Patrol stations. Cells in Border Patrol facilities arent designed to house children and often have only a bench and a toilet. Border Patrol agents also arent trained to care for children.

Where do the children go after they are moved to shelters?

The ORR finds and vets adult sponsors, typically a family member or family friend living in the U.S., who can take on the children for the duration of their time in the U.S. If a relative cant be located, children can be placed with other vetted sponsors, akin to a foster family. In rare cases, a child can be held in a government shelter until turning 18. Some children could then face deportation, while others could be released to continue their cases.

There is no limit on how long children can be held in government shelters. As of January, children were in ORR care for an average of 42 days, the agency said this week.

How is the pandemic affecting the governments facilities for children?

Normally, the ORR can accommodate up to 13,200 children at a time. Since the pandemic started, the office has imposed social-distancing requirements and reduced bed space by 40% at its shelters. Shelter space has nearly reached capacity.

Why did the government reopen the shelter in Carrizo Springs?

The Biden administration said it reopened the shelter to provide 700 beds for teenage migrants and reduce the time that they wait in Border Patrol custody, while the ORR seeks an open shelter bed.

The Biden administration also plans to reopen an emergency shelter in Homestead, Fla., called Biscayne, which ORR closed in 2019 following criticism of the treatment of children there. That shelter, formerly called Homestead, isnt expected to open before April.

What do advocates working with the immigrants say about the Carrizo Springs shelter reopening?

Immigration advocates criticized the emergency shelter because it isnt licensed to care for children, so it doesnt need to comply with the same standards of care. They said that under the Trump administration the government was too quick to rely on emergency, unlicensed facilities rather than opening licensed shelters. They also criticized the appearance of the shelter, which is a converted dormitory for oil workers surrounded by a chain-link fence.

What are the political ramifications for the Biden administration over the shelter reopening?

President Biden has faced criticism from Republicans and progressive Democrats for his plans to undo immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration and to provide a legalization pathway to immigrants already in the U.S. without a permanent legal status. The Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan Washington think tank, estimates that number of immigrants at 11 million.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) this week tweeted in reference to the reopening of the Carrizo Springs facility, This is not okay, never has been okay, never will be okayno matter the administration or party."

Mr. Bidens critics blame the recent uptick of immigration on his efforts to ease the Trump administrations restrictions. Stephen Miller, a former Trump administration senior adviser focused on immigration, said on Fox News on Wednesday, He came into office and announced thatyoung people who come into this country illegally are going to be resettled instead of returned."

These critics say the Trump restrictions shouldnt be rolled back.

What are some people referring to when they say children are being held in cages?

This discussion focuses on a Border Patrol processing center opened by the Obama administration in McAllen, Texas, during the 2014 child migrant crisis. That facility, also used by the Trump administration, had areas with chain-link fence walls to hold unaccompanied children, families and single adults. The facility didnt have beds, so anyone held there overnight slept on thin mats on the floor. The facility was closed in November for renovations.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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The corporate regulators lead investigator into the missing fraudster Melissa Caddick has written to investors to tell them their criminal investigation is over after police revealed a foot matching her DNA had been found.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigator Isabella Allen emailed investors on Friday saying in light of this mornings news regarding Ms Caddick that while the criminal investigation was at an end, their investigations into the financial dealings Ms Caddick and her company, Maliver Pty Ltd would continue.

Melissa Caddick had been missing for three months after the corporate regulator raided her home in a fraud investigation.

ASIC acknowledges that a number of investors were friends and family of Ms Caddick and had known her for a number of years. We wanted to take the time to share our condolences with you and let you know our thoughts are with you all, Ms Allen wrote.

The United States urges the Houthis to halt their advance on Marib - a region controlled by the legitimate government of Yemen  and return to the negotiating table. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that about one million Yemenis have sought refuge in Marib since the beginning of the war to escape Houthi violence. This assault will only increase the number of internally displaced persons and exacerbate the worlds worst humanitarian disaster.

If the Houthis are serious about a negotiated political solution, they must cease all military advances and refrain from other destabilizing and potentially lethal actions, including cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price in a statement. They must commit to constructively participate in the UN-led political process and engage seriously in the diplomatic effort led by U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking.

Special Envoy Lenderking pledged to pursue a dual-track approach to build international support to achieving a lasting political solution while bringing humanitarian relief to the Yemeni people:

The President and the Secretary have made very clear our commitment to prioritizing efforts to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis and to ensuring that humanitarian assistance and basic commodities reach the Yemeni people.

The United States is also prioritizing diplomacy, said Special Envoy Lenderking:

We maintain that a political solution that brings the parties together is the only way to bring lasting peace to Yemen, and lasting relief to the people of Yemen. Were working now to energize international diplomatic efforts with our Gulf partners, the United Nations, and others to create the right conditions for a ceasefire and to push the parties toward a negotiated settlement to end the war in Yemen.

The time to end this conflict is now, said spokesperson Price. There is no military solution.
GlobeNewswire

AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPU AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPU  AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics provide a generational performance leap of up to 1.5X, powering the next generation of premium gaming laptops from ASUS, HP, Lenovo, MSI and other leading OEMs   Open-source, cross-platform AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution leverages optimized spatial upscaling technology, delivering up to 2.5X higher performance than native resolution gaming in select titles  TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today at Computex 2021 AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) introduced several powerful new solutions that take high-performance gaming to new levels. Designed to bring world-class performance, incredible visual fidelity and immersive experiences to gaming laptops, the new AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics include the top-of-stack Radeon RX 6800M  the fastest AMD Radeon GPU for laptops1, delivering desktop-class performance2 to power ultra-high frame rate 1440p gaming anywhere. AMD also introduced the AMD Advantage Design Framework, the result of a multi-year collaboration between AMD and its global PC partners to deliver the next generation of premium, high-performance gaming laptops. Combining AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics, AMD Radeon Software and AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Mobile Processors with exclusive AMD smart technologies and other advanced system design characteristics, AMD Advantage systems are designed to deliver best-in-class gaming experiences. The first AMD Advantage laptops are expected to be available from leading OEMs beginning this month. In addition, AMD unveiled AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), a cutting-edge spatial upscaling technology designed to boost framerates up to 2.5X in select titles at 4K resolution3 and deliver a high-quality, high-resolution gaming experience. More than 10 game developers plan to integrate FSR into their top titles and game engines in 2021, with the first games supporting FSR expected to be available later this month. There have been incredible advances in gaming over the last several years, with powerful technologies allowing desktop PCs to deliver high-octane, beautifully complex and immersive worlds like never before, said Scott Herkelman, corporate vice president and general manager, Graphics Business Unit at AMD. Today were excited to bring the high-performance, energy-efficient AMD RDNA 2 architecture to next-generation laptops to unlock the same level of high-performance experiences and true-to-life visuals for mobile gamers. With AMD Advantage, gamers can be sure these next-gen laptops are designed, optimized and purpose-built for the best possible gaming experiences. AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series mobile graphics are built on breakthrough AMD RDNA 2 gaming architecture, delivering up to 1.5X higher performance4 or up to 43 percent lower power at the same performance level5 compared to AMD RDNA architecture. They also bring advanced technologies such as AMD Infinity Cache and DirectX Raytracing (DXR) to next-gen laptops. The AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPU is a graphics powerhouse, offering world-class 1440p/120 FPS performance6 with a powerful blend of raytracing, compute and traditional effects for true-to-life visuals. The AMD Radeon RX 6700M GPU offers 1440p/100FPS gaming performance7, next-level visuals and efficiency designed for the new generation of advanced gaming and content creation laptops. The AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU is designed to deliver high refresh rate 1080p/100FPS gaming8 for lightweight laptops. Radeon RX 6000M Series mobile graphics bring numerous game-changing features available to gamers on the go, including: AMD Infinity Cache  Up to 96MB of last-level data cache integrated on the GPU die reduces latency and power consumption to deliver higher gaming performance than traditional architectural designs.AMD Smart Access Memory  Unlocks higher performance for select AMD-powered laptops by providing AMD Ryzen processors with access to the entire high-speed AMD Radeon GDDR6 graphics memory.AMD SmartShift Technology  Dynamically shifts laptop power between AMD Ryzen Mobile Processors and AMD Radeon Graphics, providing an additional increase in gaming performance.AMD Radeon Chill  Power-saving feature that helps save battery by regulating frame rates based on in-game movements.AMD FidelityFX  Supported by more than 45 titles, AMD FidelityFX is an open-source toolkit of visual enhancement effects for game developers available through AMD GPUOpen. It includes a robust collection of rasterized lighting, shadow and reflection effects, as well as the new AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution technology, that can be integrated into the latest games with minimal performance overhead. ModelCompute Units & Ray AcceleratorsGDDR6Game Clock9 (MHz)Memory InterfaceInfinity CacheAMD Radeon RX 6800M 4012 GB2300Mhz @ 145W192-bit96 MBAMD Radeon RX 6700M3610 GB2300Mhz @ 135W160-bit80 MBAMD Radeon RX 6600M288 GB2177Mhz @ 100W128-bit 32 MB AMD Advantage Design Framework With the new AMD Advantage Design Framework, AMD and its global PC partners are redefining high-performance mobile gaming. AMD Advantage laptops combine AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics, AMD Radeon Software and AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Mobile Processors with exclusive AMD smart technologies, AMD FreeSync Premium-certified displays, fast NVME storage, optimal thermal designs, and other advanced system design characteristics. AMD Advantage laptops are designed to deliver best-in-class gaming experiences, providing new levels of performance and responsiveness. Enhancements from AMD SmartShift and AMD Smart Access Memory boost gaming performance on these systems. In addition, AMD Advantage laptops are optimized to deliver over 100FPS gaming in todays most visually demanding titles, all-day battery-powered video playback (10+ hrs.)10, 144Hz+ high-refresh rate, vividly bright (300+ nits) displays, and custom-tuned thermals for cool operation during continuous gameplay  all packed into sleek laptop designs. Several AMD Advantage gaming laptops are expected to be available in 2021. The ROG Strix G15/17 AMD Advantage Edition gaming laptops, featuring AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPUs, AMD Ryzen 5900HX Mobile Processors and AMD smart technologies, are expected to be available beginning in early June at Best Buy and other leading retailers. The OMEN 16 laptop, featuring AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPUs, AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Mobile Processors and AMD smart technologies, are expected to be available soon at JD.com. AMD Advantage laptops from Lenovo and MSI are expected to be available later this year. AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) offers broad support on more than 100 AMD processors and GPUs as well as competitor GPUs. FSR offers four quality settings allowing gamers to adjust the balance between image quality and performance based on their preferences, providing high-performance, visually stunning gaming experiences for even the most demanding visual features, including raytracing. FSR offers up to 2.5X higher performance in Performance mode than native resolution gaming in select titles. AMD has been a strong partner throughout the development of Godfall, providing players with stunning visuals and world-class performance to power this first-of-its-kind, looter-slasher, melee action-RPG, said Keith Lee, CEO of Counterplay Games. Now, with FidelityFX Super Resolution, AMD has delivered another amazing platform-agnostic feature thats easy for developers to implement and provides the Godfall community with higher performance at higher resolutions with all of the bells and whistles, including raytracing, cranked way up. FSR is an open-source solution based on industry standards, making it easy for developers to integrate the technology into new and existing titles. More information about FSR and supported titles will be announced on June 22. Learn more here. You can learn more about all of AMDs announcements at Computex 2021 through AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Sus keynote presentation here. Supporting Resources Learn more about the AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series mobile graphics hereLearn more about AMD Radeon RX 6000M-based laptops hereLearn more about AMD Advantage Design Framework hereLearn more about AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution hereBecome a fan of AMD on FacebookFollow AMD on Twitter About AMDFor 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies  the building blocks for gaming, immersive platforms and the datacenter. Hundreds of millions of consumers, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research facilities around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees around the world are focused on building great products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) website, blog, Facebook and Twitter pages. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) such as the features, functionality, performance, availability, timing and expected benefits of AMD RadeonTM RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics GPUs, the AMD Advantage Design Framework, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and AMD Radeon RX 6000M-based laptops, which are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as "would," "may," "expects," "believes," "plans," "intends," "projects" and other terms with similar meaning. Investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations, speak only as of the date of this press release and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Such statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond AMD's control, that could cause actual results and other future events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, without limitation, the following: Intel Corporations dominance of the microprocessor market and its aggressive business practices; global economic uncertainty; the loss of a significant customer; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMDs business, financial condition and results of operations; the competitive markets in which AMDs products are sold; quarterly and seasonal sales patterns; market conditions of the industries in which AMD products are sold; the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; AMD's ability to adequately protect its technology or other intellectual property; unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations; the ability of third party manufacturers to manufacture AMD's products on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive technologies; the availability of essential equipment, materials, substrates or manufacturing processes; expected manufacturing yields for AMDs products; AMD's ability to introduce products on a timely basis with features and performance levels that provide value to its customers; AMD's ability to generate revenue from its semi-custom SoC products; potential security vulnerabilities; potential IT outages, data loss, data breaches and cyber-attacks; uncertainties involving the ordering and shipment of AMDs products; AMDs reliance on third-party intellectual property to design and introduce new products in a timely manner; AMD's reliance on third-party companies for the design, manufacture and supply of motherboards, software and other computer platform components; AMD's reliance on Microsoft Corporation and other software vendors' support to design and develop software to run on AMDs products; AMDs reliance on third-party distributors and add-in-board partners; the impact of modification or interruption of AMDs internal business processes and information systems; compatibility of AMDs products with some or all industry-standard software and hardware; costs related to defective products; the efficiency of AMD's supply chain; AMD's ability to rely on third party supply-chain logistics functions; AMDs ability to effectively control the sales of its products on the gray market; the impact of government actions and regulations such as export administration regulations, tariffs and trade protection measures; AMDs ability to realize its deferred tax assets; potential tax liabilities; current and future claims and litigation; the impact of environmental laws, conflict minerals-related provisions and other laws or regulations; the impact of acquisitions, joint ventures and/or investments on AMD's business, including the announced acquisition of Xilinx, and the failure to integrate acquired businesses; AMDs ability to complete the Xilinx merger; the impact of the announcement and pendency of the Xilinx merger on AMDs business; the impact of any impairment of the combined companys assets on the combined companys financial position and results of operation; the restrictions imposed by agreements governing AMDs notes and the revolving credit facility; AMD's indebtedness; AMD's ability to generate sufficient cash to service its debt obligations or meet its working capital requirements; AMD's ability to repurchase its outstanding debt in the event of a change of control; AMD's ability to generate sufficient revenue and operating cash flow or obtain external financing for research and development or other strategic investments; political, legal, economic risks and natural disasters; future impairments of goodwill and technology license purchases; AMDs ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; AMDs stock price volatility; and worldwide political conditions. Investors are urged to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in AMDs Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to AMDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. 2021 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Advantage, FreeSync, Radeon, Ryzen, RDNA and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. DirectX is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the US and other jurisdictions. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only, and is subject to change without notice. Timelines, roadmaps, and/or product release dates shown in this Press Release are plans only and subject to change. Contact:George Millington AMD Communications(408) 547-7481 George.Millington@amd.com Laura GravesAMD Investor Relations(408) 749-5467 Laura.Graves@amd.com 1 Testing done by AMD performance labs April 12, 2021 on Asus ROG Strix-G713 equipped with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX (3.29GHz) CPU, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, Radeon RX 6800M graphics, Win10 Pro x64 19041.804, with AMD Smart Access Memory and SmartShift Technology enabled vs. Alienware Area 51m equipped with Intel i7-10700K CPU, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, Radeon RX 5700M graphics, Win 10 Pro x64 18363. Tested on the benchmarks: Time Spy Graphics Score, Fire Strike Graphics Score, 3DMark11 P Graphics Score. PC manufacturers may vary configurations yielding different results. Performance may vary. RX-656 2 Testing done by AMD performance labs May 12 2021, on RX 6800M in ASUS ROG Strix (driver: 20.50.02.05-210331a-365797E) with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, on Win10 Pro 64. Games tested: Battlefield V, F1 2010, Resident Evil Village, Apex Legends, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, DOTA 2, CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege. Performance may vary. RX-6653 Testing by AMD Performance Labs as of May 21, 2021, on the AMD Radeon 6900 XT, AMD Radeon 6800 XT, and AMD Radeon 6700 XT graphics cards with pre-release AMD Radeon Software 21.6.1 RC Prime 9 (21.20-210518a-367616E) driver, on a test system comprising of an AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM, ASRock X570 Taichi motherboard with BIOS version P3.61 at default settings, and Windows 10 Pro May 2020 Update (19041.508). Benchmark tests: Godfall, DX12, 3840x2160, Epic preset, Raytracing ON, FSR Game 2, DX12, 3840x2160, Ultra preset, Raytracing ON, and FSR Game 3, Vulkan, 3840x2160, Ultra preset, No Raytracing. Performance may vary and is dependent on the FSR Quality Mode selected. FSR requires developer integration and is available in select games only. RS-3644 Testing done by AMD performance labs April 9 2021, on 25 games at 1440p using the flagship AMD RDNA 2 mobile part versus the flagship AMD RDNA mobile part. Performance may vary. RX-6615 Testing done by AMD engineering labs April 6 2021, using 3DMark FireStrike, on AMD RDNA 2 mobile part 80W TGP at versus the AMD RDNA mobile part at 140W TGP. Performance may vary. RX-6626 Testing done by AMD performance labs May 12 2021, on RX 6800M in ASUS ROG Strix (driver: 20.50.02.05-210331a-365797E) with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, on Win10 Pro 64. Games tested: Battlefield V, F1 2010, Resident Evil Village, Apex Legends, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, DOTA 2, CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege. Performance may vary. RX-6657 Performance projection by AMD engineering. Engineering projections may not reflect the final performance results and are subject to change. RX-6708 Testing done by AMD performance labs May 17 2021, using 18 games, on RX 6600M in HP laptop (driver: 21.10.01.09-210331a-366029C-HP) with AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (3.3GHz), 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, on Win10 Pro 64. Performance may vary. RX-6719 Game clock is the expected GPU clock when running typical gaming applications, set to typical TGP (Total Graphics Power). Actual individual game clock results may vary. GD-14710 AMD defines All Day Battery Life as at least 8 hours of continuous battery life using a video playback test. Actual battery life will vary based on several factors, including, but not limited to: system configuration and software, settings, product use and age, and operating conditions. GD-173. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83d1c258-be49-440f-9226-9a60168b1749
Assembly election 2021 is scheduled to be held from March 27. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), election will be held in three phases from March 27. election result will be declared on May 2, 2021. Voting to take place for 126 seats in Assam.

Earlier, the Assembly election was held between April 4-11 in 2016, where Sarbananda Sonowal led-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was able to overthrow Indian National under Tarun Gogoi in the state.

This time, Opposition in Assam has declared a Grand Alliance with five parties to contest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state in the Assembly elections. All India United Democratic Front, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation, and the Anchalik Gana Marcha (AGM) are part of the alliance along with the

ABOUT ASSAM ASSEMBLY

According to the Government of India Act 1935, the Assembly was formed in 1937. This unicameral Assembly consists of 126 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), elected from single-seat constituencies, with five years term, unless dissolved. The current term will end on May 31, 2021.

Since January 2017, Hitendra Nath Goswami is the Speaker of the Assembly.

ABOUT THE PREVIOUS ELECTION

The previous election was held in two phases in 2016, on April 4 and 11, with an overall voter turnout of 84.72 per cent, which set a new record for the state. The vote counting was completed in May 2016 and Sonowal- was victorious.

The Election Commission of India announced that ten Assam assembly constituencies will have 2300 voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines attached along with electronic voting machines. There were 24,890 polling stations in the state, spread over 50 election districts.

A total number of 1,064 candidates contested the polls, of which 122 from INC, 89 from BJP, 74 from All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), 30 from Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), 13 from the Bodoland People's Front (BPF), 15 from Communist Party of India (CPI), 19 from Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), 205 others and 497 Independents.
Vaccine inequality: A new beginning or another missed opportunity?

Last year, four major opportunities to battle COVID-19 were missed. If vaccine inequality will prevail in the coming months, that would represent the fifth missed opportunity  with prohibitive human costs and economic damage.

Recently, I was virtually at the prestigious Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue (Vienna, Austria) and had a conversation with Ambassador Irene Giner-Reichl (for the video, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUcGG22B_YA ). The focus was on the missed opportunities and the future of the global pandemic future.

Recently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sharply criticized the wildly uneven and unfair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Addressing the Security Council, Guterres noted that just 10 countries have administered 75% of all vaccinations. Meanwhile, 130 countries had not received a single dose.

In two reports  The Tragedy of Missed Opportunities (April 2020) and The Tragedy of More Missed Opportunities (August 2020)  I documented four missed opportunities in the mobilization against the global pandemic last year.

Without vaccination equity, the ongoing year could represent the fifth missed opportunity and even more challenging long-term prospects.

Failure of early mobilization (January 2020)

The first opportunity emerged around the first recorded case (Dec 30, 2019), and the WHOs announcement of the international emergency (Jan 30, 2020). Then, the epicenter of the outbreak was still in Wuhan, Hubei.

After mid-January, China introduced social distancing and launched a historical quarantine, which soon began to flatten the curve. Mobilization was also initiated in Hong Kong, Singapore and regional proximity.

The Trump White House was informed about the virus on January 3, 2020, and the European CDC began its risk assessments only days later. But neither resulted in a phased mobilization.

United States had the institutions to battle the virus, but the Trump administration chose not to use them, presumably to protect the economy and the markets.

In Europe, many countries were willing to fight the virus, but lacked the common institutions needed for effective regional containment.

Ineffective and late mobilization (January-March 2020)

The second critical opportunity to contain the virus covers the 1st quarter of 2020. On March 10, the WHO declared it a pandemic. Although the epicenter had already moved to Europe and then to the U.S., full mobilization in both ensued only weeks after the pandemic warning - almost 3 months later than mobilization in proactive Asian locations.

Worse, until early February, most WHO members failed to provide WHO full country reports, which penalized international cooperation at a critical moment.

While complacency and inadequate preparedness contributed to shortages and challenges, sensational media coverage was high on hype, but short on facts. That caused an infodemic contributing in the West to anti-Chinese and anti-Asian hate crimes (which still prevail).

Even worse, many international observers began an odd battle against the WHO, its chief Dr Tedros and China in which effective containment was paving the way to the rebounding of the economy.

Failed mobilization (1st half of 2020)

In cumulative terms, the period of the third missed opportunity covers the first half of 2020. It could be dated from the WHOs pandemic declaration, yet broader responses in the U.S. and Europe only began around late March and early April.

As escalation continued in Europe, the COVID-19 epicenter moved from the West Coast to the East Coast in the U.S. while quarantines and lockdowns diffused worldwide.

It was only now that the social distancing measures first initiated in China in January were more fully introduced in the West, but with widespread enforcement failures.

As late mobilization proved less effective, the epidemic curve was not flattened, but fattened; in many countries for weeks, in some for months. As a result, soaring cases began to foster increasing numbers of new mutations.

In countries where quarantines and restrictions were initially shunned, particularly the UK and Sweden, the number of cases and deaths soared alarmingly.

Furthermore, outbreaks spread to poorer economies, particularly across South America, India and the rest of South and Southeast Asia, with weaker healthcare systems. Though the diffusion of the pandemic started in the 1st quarter, the quarantine escalation followed in the 2nd quarter.

Meanwhile, massive economic damage spread rapidly around the world.

Unwarranted and resource failures (year 2020)

In the course of the fourth missed opportunity, the outbreak epicenter stayed in or returned to the major advanced economies, particularly the United States and the Americas, several countries in Europe, and Japan.

In the US, the Trump administrations politicized and grossly ineffective mobilization resulted in new waves already in the summer. In Europe, institutional failures led to such waves in the fall.

Many failures were unwarranted in the sense that public health policies based on science and international multilateral cooperation could have avoided much of the damage.

Although many poor countries tried to fight the outbreak, most lacked adequate resources. In due time, these public health failures in the developing economies are likely to have adverse feedback effects elsewhere.

More importantly, due to limited testing and inadequate data, a great number of cases and deaths continue to go undetected in many economies, particularly in the poorer ones. As a result, official estimates downplay the true pandemic damage.

Thanks to these four major failures, the human costs of the pandemic have soared from 7,800 cases over a year ago to some 112 million; and deaths from about 260 to 2.5 million (see Figure). Of course, the number of real cases  as opposed to confirmed ones  is likely to be significantly higher.

Figure Human Costs of Four Missed Opportunities

Cumulative Confirmed Cases and Deaths

Source: WHO, WHO Europe, Difference Group

Vaccine inequality: Toward the fifth missed opportunity?

By early February, two months into the global rollout of coronavirus vaccines, 150 million doses of vaccines had been administered in fewer than 70 countries.

Early vaccine administration has favored only a few nations, which have hoarded 80% of the doses used so far. In contrast, 130 countries with 2.5 billion people have not administered a single dose.

The countries that have been favored the most in the early vaccine rollout have been mainly high-income economies, especially the G7 countries. The Biden administration is doing what it can to reverse the Trump administrations policy mistakes, but more than a year have been missed.

Due to the gross failure of multilateral cooperation, the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths is now far, far higher than initially anticipated. At the same time, the huge spread of the global pandemic has ensured a rapidly-rising number of mutations.

In recent months, new variants of the original virus, which may be more contagious and damaging, have been spotted in the UK, Brazil, South Africa, and the US. Worse, a recombination of the variants detected in the UK and California may have caused a wave of cases in Los Angeles.

With more than 112 million infected people verifiably creating antibodies against the virus, still other versions are likely to emerge that could evade the immune system, reinfect even recovered persons and become more widespread.

The longer the crisis lingers, the greater remains the probability for potentially malignant outcomes  and, by the same token, for new pandemic waves, new restrictions and lockdowns, more economic damage, lost years, even lost decades.

Only decisive multilateral action across political differences  including WHOs containment plan and UNs global vaccination plan - can try to overcome still another failure of multilateralism thats looming ahead.

Its time to do the math: These plans could cost a few billion dollars, whereas pandemic relief spending, according to Bank of America, amounted to $20 trillion already last August.

What on earth are we waiting for?

Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served at the India, China and America Institute (US), Shanghai Institute for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see http://www.differencegroup.net/

 2021 Copyright Dan Steinbock - All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Dan Steinbock Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Naver founder Lee Hae-jin speaking about his plan to enter American or European markets in the near future at the Naver Data Center "Gak" in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in July, 2020. Courtesy of Naver



By Kim Jae-heun



Local Internet giant Naver is accelerating its advancement in the global platform business in a partnership with SoftBank Group, the Japanese multinational conglomerate holding company, led by Masayoshi Son.



SoftBank, the largest shareholder of Yahoo Japan, said Wednesday during an extraordinary general meeting, that Line, a Japanese subsidiary of Naver, and itself will invest 50 percent each in shares to establish a joint venture named A Holdings. The venture will create a subsidiary, Z Holdings, under it to operate Line and Yahoo Japan starting from next month.



"The two companies will support the growth of Z Holdings' business though A Holdings. We will utilize our strength in each field to maximize the synergy we can create. SoftBank and Naver will strive to make a successful global company," SoftBank said.



When the two Internet companies combine, with their management integration expected to be complete in mid-March, over 100 million users are estimated to visit the platform on a monthly basis.



Based on the mobile messenger application, Line, Z Holdings will run various businesses, including advertising, games, fin-tech, artificial intelligence (AI) and e-commerce. Here, Naver wants to test its AI technology in the Japanese market.



Naver founder Lee Hae-jin was originally said to have taken the chairman position on A Holdings' board, but he yielded it to SoftBank Mobile CEO Ken Miyauchi. Lee and Miyauchi will then take co-representative director positions. Lee offered his Japanese partner the position of chairman of the board to ensure better cooperation between the two companies.



A Holding will focus on businesses that utilize AI technology mainly in Asian markets, which is expected to spark competition with Korean firms that wish to operate platform businesses in the same region.



For example, Woowa Brothers, recently been acquired by Delivery Hero, will clash with Naver in the food delivery business in Japan. Woowa Brothers launched its food delivery player, Food Neko, there last October, and is currently competing with Demae-can, which Naver acquired 60 percent of in early 2020.



Woowa Brothers experienced failure in the business in 2014, when it launched a food delivery service in collaboration with Line. Back then, the food delivery business was not at all that popular in Japan. However, with increasing demand for the service due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Woowa Bothers decided to re-enter the Japanese market last year.



Woowa Brothers plans to expand its business in Southeast Asia, where A Holdings hopes to run various businesses, including a food delivery service.



However, Naver has the edge over Woowa Brothers, as the mobile messenger application of its subsidiary, Line, is widely used across Asia.


Melbournes inner north is home to plenty of bars, but soon there will be one with a difference: non-alcoholic drinks.

The bar will open its doors in Brunswick East in April, specialising in craft beer, local wine and fancy cocktails  minus the hooch.

Stephen Lawrence with his fiance Diana Abelardo, owners of Brunswick Aces gin distillery, which will open a permanent non-alcoholic bar. Credit:Paul Jeffers

The founders of Brunswick Aces gin distillery, a non-alcoholic spirit maker, believe the establishment will be the first of its kind in Australia.

It is the latest sign of the growing trend towards sober living. Zero and low-alcohol beer are among the fastest-growing drink categories in Australia.
Clint Carifelle, 30, last seen at a home in Edmonton on Feb. 24, 2021, may be heading toward Saskatchewan. (Edmonton Police)

Dangerous Offender on the Run Could Be Heading to Saskatchewan, Edmonton Police Say

Edmonton police say a man identified as a dangerous offender is on the loose after removing his monitoring ankle bracelet.

Clint Carifelle, 30, was last seen around 119 Avenue and 101 Street on Wednesday night, the Edmonton Police Service said in a media release on Thursday.

Police say he could heading toward Saskatchewan.

Carifelle is roughly six-foot-three and 214 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and tattoos that cover his face. Police say he is known to cover his face tattoos with makeup.

Carifelle may be carrying weapons and should not be approached. Anyone who sees him should immediately report to 911.
Thousands urge Cadbury to drop ad featuring same-sex kiss ahead of Easter

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As Easter approaches, more than 30,000 people have signed a petition asking Cadbury Creme Eggs to remove an advertisement featuring a same-sex kiss.

The United Kingdom-based chocolatier Cadbury released an advertisement on Jan. 4 celebrating the 50th anniversary of its signature Creme Eggs, referring to the occasion as a golden goobilee.

The commercial, which runs for nearly a minute, demonstrates several ways to consume and prepare the chocolate eggs, highlighting lickers, bakers, eggsperts, dippers and discreaters.

A roughly six-second segment from the latter portion of the commercial, which targets sharers, has received significant blowback from social conservatives.

A recent advertisement for Cadburys Creme Eggs features a gay couple engaged in a highly-charged sexually provocative act, a petition launched by the socially conservative group CitizenGo explains.

In a show of affection, the couple uses their lips and tongue to exchange the contents of a creme egg; an image which many customers have complained is both disgusting and off-putting, the petition continued.

By choosing to feature a same-sex couple, Cadburys are clearly hoping to cause controversy and escape criticism, by claiming that any objections must be rooted in homophobia, but members of the LGBT community have also expressed their dislike of this campaign.

The petition, launched on Feb. 15, is addressed to Guy Parker, the U.K.s Advertising Standards Authority's chief executive, and Louise Stigant, the managing director of Cadbury UK.

The petition asks the ASA, which regulates commercials in the United Kingdom, to immediately withdraw the advert from mainstream circulation, citing the sexual objectification featured in the ad as a violation of the ASAs code of conduct.

The ASA has not hesitated in banning advertisements featuring sexual objectification in the past.

A 2017 advertisement for the shaving company Femfresh that zeroes in on scantily clad womens bikini lines as they danced suggestively was banned for its presentation in an overly-sexualised way that objectified women.

The CitizensGo petition contends that if the couple in the advertisement were heterosexual, the ad would likely be prohibited due to the sexually explicit and graphic nature of the kiss.

The petition accuses Cadbury of trying to cause gratuitous offence to members of the Christian community during the most important feast in their calendar and that the advertisement poses a danger to the impressionable minds of young children, a target audience of the chocolate company.

Cadburys know full-well that their product is enjoyed by children and deliberately market it at this demographic, making this campaign even more irresponsible, the campaign argues. Cadburys is traditionally a brand associated with families. Exposing children to sexualized content constitutes a form of grooming. It is well-known that children will often copy what they see on the screen.

A boycott was launched by the conservative group One Million Moms, well-known in the United States for its opposition to the promotion of homosexuality. The campaign urges Americans not to purchase Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Warning that Cadbury just might bring this ad to American television for your children to see, One Million Moms asserts that taking a stand now will send a strong signal that their eggs are cracked up.

So far, more than 30,000 people have signed on in support of the One Million Moms statement addressed to Cadbury, which takes issue with their social agenda to promote homosexuality.

Your latest ad offends me and many other Christians who celebrate Easter with reverence and respect, the letter crafted by the conservative group states. I wont be buying your products either. Im taking Cadbury Creme Eggs off my shopping list. Please stick to making chocolates and candies, not political and social statements.

In response to the criticism, Cadbury released a statement to Premier Christian News asserting that Cadbury has always been a progressive brand that spreads a message of inclusion, whether it is through products or brand campaigns.

The company expressed pride in its clip of a real life couple sharing a Cadbury Creme Egg featured in the advertisement, indicating that it has no intention of pulling the commercial any time soon.

This is not the first time Cadbury has faced criticism from Christians.

In 2017, the egg company removed the word Easter from promotions for its annual egg hunt for children and families, citing a desire to invite people from all faiths and none to enjoy our seasonal treats. The decision faced pushback from the Church of England and then-Prime Minister Theresa May.
On the same day reached the grim milestone of 250,000 deaths by COVID-19, the country's health ministry signed a deal with Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech for the purchase of 20 million doses of the Covaxin vaccine, which is yet to be approved by local regulators.

The administration of President Jair Bolsonaro said the first 8 million Covaxin shots, which will be made by Brazilian company Precisa Medicamentos, will arrive in March. A second batch of another 8 million doses is expected for April and in May, another 4 million doses will be available.

So far has vaccinated less than 4 per cent of its population of 210 million people, with some cities stopping immunization campaigns last week due to shortages.

Neither Precisa nor Bharat confirmed the deal or the delivery dates.

(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.)
UN says society needs to make huge changes

by SETH BORENSTEIN

February 26,2021 | Source: The Associated Press

Humans are making Earth a broken and increasingly unlivable planet through climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. So the world must make dramatic changes to society, economics and daily life, a new United Nations report says.



Unlike past U.N. reports that focused on one issue and avoided telling leaders actions to take, Thursdays report combines three intertwined environment crises and tells the world whats got to change. It calls for changing what governments tax, how nations value economic output, how power is generated, the way people get around, fish and farm, as well as what they eat.



Without natures help, we will not thrive or even survive, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises. Thus the 168-page report title is blunt: Making Peace With Nature. Our children and their children will inherit a world of extreme weather events, sea level rise, a drastic loss of plants and animals, food and water insecurity and increasing likelihood of future pandemics, said report lead author Sir Robert Watson, who has chaired past UN science reports on climate change and biodiversity loss.



The emergency is in fact more profound than we thought only a few years ago, said Watson, who has been a top level scientist in the U.S. and British governments.



This year is a make-it or break-it year indeed because the risk of things becoming irreversible is gaining ground every year, Guterres said. We are close to the point of no return. The report highlighted what report co-author Rachel Warren of the University of East Anglia called a litany of frightening statistics that hasnt really been brought together:



 Earth is on the way to an additional 3.5 degrees warming from now (1.9 degrees Celsius), far more than the international agreed upon goals in the Paris accord.



 About 9 million people a year die from pollution.



 About 1 million of Earths 8 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction.



 Up to 400 million tons of heavy metals, toxic sludge and other industrial waste are dumped into the worlds waters every year.



 More than 3 billion people are affected by land degradation, and only 15% of Earths wetlands remain intact.



 About 60% of fish stocks are fished at the maximum levels. There are more than 400 oxygen-depleted dead zones and marine plastics pollution has increased tenfold since 1980.



In the end it will hit us, said biologist Thomas Lovejoy, who was a scientific adviser to the report. Its not whats happening to elephants. Its not whats happening to climate or sea level rise. Its all going to impact us. The planets problems are so interconnected that they must be worked on together to be fixed right, Warren said. And many of the solutions, such as eliminating fossil fuel use, combat multiple problems including climate change and pollution, she said.



The report makes it clear that there is no time for linear thinking or tackling problems one at a time, said University of Michigan environment professor Rosina Bierbaum, who wasnt part of the work.



In another break, this report gives specific solutions that it says must be taken.



This report uses the word must 56 times and should 37 times. There should be 100 more because action is so crucial, said former U.N. climate chief Christiana Figueres, who wasnt part of the report.



Time has totally ran out. Thats why the word must is in there, Figueres said.



The report calls for an end to fossil fuel use and says governments should not tax labor or production, but rather use of resources that damages nature.



Governments are still playing more to exploit nature than to protect it, Guterres said. Globally, countries spend some 4 to 6 trillion dollars a year on subsidies that damage the environment. Scientists should inform leaders about environmental risks but their endorsement of specific public policies threatens to undermine the credibility of their science, said former Republican Rep. Bob Inglis, who founded the free market climate think tank RepublicEn.org.



The report also tells nations to value nature in addition to the gross domestic product when calculating how an economy is doing.



Getting there means changes by individuals, governments and business, but it doesnt have to involve sacrifice, said UN Environment Programme Director Inger Andersen.



Theres a country that has been on that path for 25 years: Costa Rica, Andersen said. Yes, these are difficult times, but more and leaders are stepping in.



Our children and their children will inherit a world of extreme weather events, sea level rise, a drastic loss of plants and animals, food and water insecurity and increasing likelihood of future pandemics.



 Sir Robert Watson, past UN Science Report Chair, British biochemist

 2021, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. (NWA Media)

Theme(s): Others.
Senators Aim to Cut Chinas Access to 10-Year Visas With New Bill

Five U.S. senators on Feb. 25 introduced legislation to revoke Beijings access to 10-year multi-entry visas, a policy they said has enabled Chinese abuses that pose national security risks.

The 10-year visa program, which was rolled out in 2014 during the Obama administration, grants citizens multiple short-term visits to the other country over a 10-year period.

But the Chinese regime has exploited the preferential policy to its advantage by sending agents to conduct espionage against the United States while escalating aggression elsewhere, the senators said.

In issuing these visas, the U.S. has welcomed the CCP [Chinese Communist Party], its intelligence agencies, and those they have co-opted with open arms, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said in a statement.

Titled the Visa Security Act, the bill (pdf) calls for the United States to revoke the privilege and revert back to the previous one year visa, unless the regime ceases its malign activitiesits military provocation towards Taiwan; oppression of Hongkongers, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetans; and hostage-taking of foreign citizens.

Until the Chinese Communist Party ends its systematic violations of human rights and religious freedom, the United States cannot remain complicit by offering 10-year multi-entry visas to Chinese nationals, said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The Visa Security Act will stop the revolving door the CCP has used for half a decade and instead demand accountability in the global human rights effort.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said the action is long overdue.

China should not be given special treatment that is out of step with our relationship, the abuses they are committing, and its malign activities in the U.S., he said.

The policy proposed in the bill would not affect applicants from Taiwan or Hong Kong.

Chinese espionage has drawn bipartisan concern in recent years.

Since launching the China Initiative in 2018 targeting Chinese state-sanctioned stealing of trade secrets, the Justice Department has prosecuted dozens of individuals linked back to China. In 2020 alone, U.S. prosecutors identified six people who hid their Chinese military ties in order to study in the United States. The arrests of undercover Chinese military officers led to over 1,000 such researchers leaving the United States, a senior Justice Department official said in December last year.

Chinese citizens wait to submit their visa applications at the US Embassy where blind rights activist Chen Guangcheng is believed to be hiding, in Beijing on May 2, 2012. (Mark Ralston/AFP/GettyImages)

Lawmakers have pressed for higher visa scrutiny, citing risks that Chinese state actors could take advantage of the visa program to transfer sensitive technology or data.

The Stop Chinas IP Theft Act reintroduced by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) in February called for denying visas to senior Chinese officials and military members, with the aim of preventing attempts of intellectual property theft.

A week earlier, Cottons office released a report with strategies for targeted decoupling from China recommending halting the 10-year visa program and blocking Chinese students from enrolling in sensitive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.

In December, the State Department under the Trump administration placed visa restrictions on CCP members and their immediate families who travel for business or tourism, slashing their maximum allowed stay from 10 years to one month. Officials said at the time that the rule change was in line with policies to protect our nation from the CCPs malign influence.

Informed of transfer on Feb 17; no problem with Punjab and Haryana HC, says Justice Muralidhar

Take call over tax relief for school vehicles: HC to Punjab govt

On attaining puberty, Muslim girl can marry anyone by law: High Court

Labour rights activist Naudeep Kaur released from prison after HC grants bail

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Karnal, Feb 26: Labour rights activist Naudeep Kaur released from prison after Punjab and Haryana High Court granted her bail earlier today in a case filed under attempt to murder and some other charges, more than six weeks after she was arrested in Haryana's Sonipat for allegedly gheraoing an industrial unit and demanding money from the company.

"The court accepted the bail application of Naudeep Kaur. She has been granted bail by the high court," her counsel Arshdeep Singh Cheema said.

In her bail plea, the 23-year-old activist had claimed to have been severely beaten up at a police station after she was arrested by the Sonipat police on January 12. The police have denied the charge as "baseless".

Kaur had also claimed that she was falsely arraigned as accused in an FIR lodged under various sections, including 307 (attempt to murder), of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The activist claimed she was targeted and falsely implicated in the case as she was successful in generating massive support for the ongoing farmers'' movement against the Centre''s three contentious farm laws.

Kaur is lodged in Haryana''s Karnal jail. She is a member of the Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan and a resident of Giadarh village in Punjab''s Muktsar district.

Labour rights activist Nodeep Kaur arrested for Delhi border protest, gets bail

On February 24, the high court had posted the hearing on her bail plea to Friday.

Earlier, a court in Sonipat had granted bail to Kaur in two separate cases of extortion.

Kaur''s family expressed happiness at the activist being granted bail.

Her sister Rajveer Kaur said that the family was happy that she would be released from jail. "She had to spend one-and-a-half months in jail...," Rajveer Kaur said.

Petroleum Minister: Fuel price will decrease by the end of winter | Oneindia News

Naudeep Kaur will walk out of jail once necessary legal formalities are completed.

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Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 21:00 [IST]

JSE listed logistics company Imperial recently announced it has acquired specialised warehousing and distribution management business, Parcelninja on 1 February 2021.

This acquisition supports Imperials strategic ambitions to accelerate its digital capabilities and expand its logistics services into last-mile distribution and ecommerce fulfilment.

In simple terms, Parcelninja makes it easy for Imperial to become a much bigger player in the South African ecommerce market.

To really understand the deal, you have to go back to 2013 when Justin Drennan, Ryan Drennan, and Terence Murphy started Parcelninja.

The founders were experienced entrepreneurs. They started WantItAll, helped grow Superbalist, and partnered with Makro to serve its ecommerce needs.

They were ready for a new challenge and launched Parcelninja which makes it possible for online shops to outsource most of their ecommerce needs.

With in-depth knowledge of the South African online shopping market, they knew what companies needed and how they can add value.

To make it easy to migrate to Parcelninja, they offer integration into existing ecommerce engines, smart product warehousing, picking and packing, courier services, and real-time reporting.

It was an instant hit. Many top online shops moved their logistics to Parcelninja, including Groupon, eBucks, and Superbalist.

Their rapid growth helped them to secure a R20-million investment from UK-based C5 Holdings. This money was used to expand their operations.

They upgraded their 450 square meter warehouse, which they started in 2013, to a new 3,600 square meter facility in 2016 to accommodate their growing client base.

Last year they moved into an even bigger warehouse  a 6,100 square meter building that supports twice the height expansion. This gives them much more capacity to grow.

Parcelninja now services 150 active customers and employs 115 people, which can grow to 130 during peak periods like Black Friday.

Parcelninjas picking activity has increased by around 400% over the last year, with revenue rising by 65%.

The companys expansion is partly a result of its route to market strategy which has resulted in an increase in FMCG clients. This includes distribution to spaza shops.

With such impressive growth, it raises the question as to why the shareholders decided to sell the company.

Parcelninja CEO Justin Drennan explained when they started the business, they always envisioned selling it to a larger logistics business that was looking for ecommerce fulfilment capabilities.

We were early to market, but always believed in the larger opportunity around e-commerce. With Covid-19, that accelerated the opportunity, he said.

Together with Imperial, we are able to scale the business much quicker, and really leverage our technology and skillset across the continent.

Parcelninja had several potential suitors over the years, but Drennan said Imperial was a logical fit.

Weve had an existing relationship with the Imperial team for a number of years and always saw an alignment of values and opportunities, he said.

The big question which most people have is  how much?

The value of the acquisition was not disclosed, but it is understood that it is one of the biggest ecommerce deals ever in South Africa.

Drennan did reveal that Parcelninja was valued on revenue and profitability multiples.

Non-active shareholders exited through the outright purchase of ecommerce fulfilment capabilities in February.

The good news for Parcelninja clients is that there will be no change in operations, processes, or management.

Synergies with Imperial will, however, be explored and introduced over time. This includes leveraging Imperials warehouse footprint for regional expansion in South Africa and beyond.

Now read: Big South African ecommerce deal with Imperial buying Parcelninja
Dundalk has by far the highest rate of empty commercial units in Louth.

The commercial vacancy rate in Louth increased by 0.3 percentage points (pp) to 14.6% in Q4 2020 according to the latest GeoView Commercial Property Report published by GeoDirectory and EY-DKM.

This was higher than the national average of 13.5%.

In Dundalk, the vacancy rate is 19.3%, the highest of any town in the county. Ardee (16.6%) had the lowest.

Louth accounted for 3.2% of the States total commercial stock of 211,677.

The findings of the report suggest that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the commercial property landscape in Ireland has not yet been fully realised.

However, key trends and indicators are beginning to emerge.

An increase in commercial vacancy rates was recorded in 19 counties in Q4 2020 when compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

This included every county in Munster, Ulster and Connacht. Of the five counties to record a decline, all were located in the Leinster region.

Previous GeoView Commercial Property Reports have highlighted a growing regional disparity in commercial occupancy rates and this trend appears to be accelerating.

The commercial vacancy rates in Connacht and Ulster were above the national average of 13.5%, while Munster was equal to the national average.

In comparison, Leinster (12.3%) and Leinster, excluding Dublin, (12.7%) recorded vacancy rates below the national average.

The seven counties with the highest commercial vacancy rates were all located along the west coast of Ireland, with almost one-in-five commercial properties vacant in Sligo (19.9%), the highest in the country.

With the exception of Kildare (14.4%), all counties in the Greater Dublin Area registered commercial vacancy rates lower than the national average, with Meath (10.1%) recording the lowest rate.

In the capital itself, the vacancy rate fell marginally by 0.1pp to 11.9%.

Using the classification of commercial property which are allocated a NACE code, GeoDirectory can provide an analysis of broad economic sectors to identify trends in property usage.

The data shows that in Q4 2020 there were 2,011 fewer Retail and Wholesale address points in Ireland when compared to the previous year. This represents a decline of 5.3%.

Looking specifically at the Accommodation and Food Services sector, GeoDirectory figures show that in Louth there was a total of 568 units classified in this sector in Q4 2020.

Kerry (24.3.%), Clare (20.6%), Donegal (19.3%), Leitrim (18.7%) and Mayo (17.9%) were the counties with the highest proportion of Accommodation and Food Service units, relative to the overall county commercial stock.

The latest GeoView Commercial Property Report has analysed the commercial vacancy rates in selected towns across the country.

The analysis has found that Ballybofey in Co. Donegal, at 29.2%, was the town with the highest commercial vacancy rate amongst 80 towns sampled, followed by Edenderry in Co. Offaly (27.5%) and Edgeworthstown in Co. Longford (26.9%).

Greystones in Co. Wicklow, at 7.2%, continued to have the lowest commercial vacancy rate across the 80 towns


After beating bone cancer, Hayley Arceneaux thinks rocketing into orbit on SpaceXs first private flight should be no problem at all.

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital announced the 29-year-old doctor's assistant will rocket into space later this year.

Arceneaux  a former patient at St. Jude  will become the youngest American in space, beating NASA record-holder Sally Ride by over two years.

She will travel with businessman Jared Isaacman, who is using the spaceflight he bought to raise money for charity. Two other yet-to-be-chosen space flyers will join them.

Arceneaux will be the first person to launch with a prosthesis - an artificial device that replaces a missing or injured part of the body.

When she was 10, Arceneaux had an operation at St. Jude to replace her knee and a piece of metal was put in her left leg. She still limps and has occasional leg pain. Limp is a term that means to walk slowly because of an injury.

Arceneaux has been cleared to fly by SpaceX and will serve as the crews medical officer.

My battle with cancer really prepared me for space travel, she recently told The Associated Press. It made me tough, and then also I think it really taught me to expect the unexpected and go along for the ride.

Arceneaux wants to show her young patients and other cancer survivors that the sky is not even the limit anymore.

Its going to mean so much to these kids to see a survivor in space she said.

Isaacman announced his space flight February 1, promising to raise $200 million for St. Jude. He will provide half of the amount himself. As the flights self-appointed commander, he offered one of the four seats aboard SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft to St. Jude.

The hospital chose Arceneaux from among its many workers who had once been patients. The idea was that one of them could represent the new generation, noted Rick Shadyac, president of St. Judes financing organization.

Arceneaux was at home in Memphis, Tennessee, when she got a surprising call in January. She was asked if she would represent St. Jude in space.

A lifelong space fan who loves adventures, Arceneaux has traveled widely and loves roller coasters.

Isaacman, who flies fighter airplanes for fun, considers her a perfect fit.

Its not all supposed to be about getting people excited to be astronauts someday, which is certainly cool, Isaacman, 38, said last week. Its also supposed to be about an inspiring message of what we can accomplish here on Earth.

Isaacman has two more people to choose, and he plans to announce them in March.

One will be a contest winner who donates to St. Jude. So far, more than $9 million has been raised for the hospital, Shadyac said. The other seat will go to a business owner who uses Isaacmans credit card-processing company.

The launch is planned for this fall at NASAs Kennedy Space Center, with the spacecraft orbiting Earth for two to four days.

Im John Russell.

Marcia Dunn reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

charity  n. an official organization that gives money, food or help to people in need

artificial  adj. not natural, but made by people

adventure  n. an exciting and sometimes dangerous experience

roller coaster  n. a ride at an amusement park which is like a small, open train with tracks that are high off the ground and that have sharp curves and steep hills

cool  adj. very fashionable, stylish, or appealing in a way that is generally approved of

inspiring  adj. causing people to want to do or create something or to lead better lives

accomplish  v. to succeed in doing (something)


OTTAWA : The Canadians of Indian origin protested on Thursday (local time) against the attacks by Khalistan supporters on Hindu minorities due to the ongoing farmers' protest in India.

"We are not against the farmers' protest but this agitation has actually turned into a Khalistani movement which is now targetting Hindu minorities in Canada," said a demonstrator outside the office of Jagmeet Singh, MP from Riding (seat) of Burnaby.

The protester further said, "We really expect our leaders to protect everyone without any discrimination".

Several of these protestors were seen carrying Canadian flags and protesting against these attacks.

India on Thursday requested the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and security of its citizens following reports that threats have been given by Khalistani groups to the Indian community in Canada after they held a "Tiranga Yatra rally" in support of farm laws.

"We have come across threats and intimidation of some members of the Indian community in Canada. These threats have come from certain fringe elements in Canada and we have taken this up with the Canadian authorities both in Ottawa and Delhi," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in a weekly briefing after a question on threats from the Khalistani groups to the Indian community.

"We have requested them to take steps to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in Canada. We advise Indian nationals to report any such incidents to the local Canadian police and also bring to the immediate attention of the High Commission of Ottawa and as well as our consulates there," the MEA spokesperson said.

Srivastava further informed that the Indian government has taken this issue with the Canadian authorities as it concerns the safety and security of our missions and Consulate and our diplomatic personnel in Canada.

Earlier this month, a group of Indian diaspora conducted a "Tiranga Yatra rally" in Vancouver from Strawberry Hill in Surrey to the Consulate General of India as a display of the strong bilateral relations between India and Canada.

The rally saw the participation of scores of people holding Indian and Canadian flags. Besides the huge crowd, around 350 cars took part in the yatra.

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It's A Sin star Nathaniel Curtis was pining for his pals from the Pink Palace on Friday as he shared a sweet snap with his co-stars.

The actor, who played Ash Mukherjee in the critically-acclaimed series, wrote he 'felt like s**t and just wanted them back' alongside a photo of his co-stars Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells and Lydia West.

It comes after fans took to social media to laud It's a Sin's final episode for 'shining a light' on the AIDS crisis, with many admitting they'd been moved to tears by the show's final scenes.

Sweet: It's A Sin's Nathaniel Curtis pined for his pals from the Pink Palace on Friday as he shared a snap with (L-R) Omari Douglas, Lydia West, Olly Alexander and Callum Scott Howells

Nathaniel shared a snap of the cast that appeared to have been taken during filming for the last scene of the series, which showed Olly's character Ritchie Tozer performing a monologue for his pals.

The scene was even more tragic given fans had seen Ritchie pass away after battling AIDs earlier in the episode, and Callum's character Colin 'Gladys Pugh' Morris-Jones had also succumbed to the disease several episodes before.

Nathaniel captioned the sweet image: 'Feel like pure sh*t just want them back.'

Praised: The actor played Ash Mukherjee in the critically-acclaimed series which depicted a group of friends living in London together at the height of the AIDS pandemic

Touching: It comes after fans took to social media to laud It's a Sin's final episode for 'shining a light' on the AIDS crisis

His post was soon flooded with responses from fans of the series, with one writing: 'Finished watching last night with a whisky and box of tissues. You were all brilliant. Tore my heart in half.'

Another added: 'Tremendous tremendous series - I don't think I've seen something that's mixed so many emotions - congratulations to all involved la.'

A third added: 'Just loved this programme - beautiful writing and beautiful acting. Absolutely broke my heart.'

Gushing: Nathaniel's post was soon flooded with responses from fans lauding the drama, with many admitting they were moved to tears by the final scenes

HIV TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTION You can get or transmit HIV only through specific activities, most commonly through sexual behaviors and needle or syringe use. The FDA has approved more than two dozen antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection. They're often broken into six groups because they work in different ways. Doctors recommend taking a combination or 'cocktail' of at least two of them. Called antiretroviral therapy, or ART, it can't cure HIV, but the medications can extend lifespans and reduce the risk of transmission. 1) Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) NRTIs force the virus to use faulty versions of building blocks so infected cells can't make more HIV. 2) Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) NNRTIs bind to a specific protein so the virus can't make copies of itself. 3) Protease Inhibitors (PIs) These drugs block a protein that infected cells need to put together new copies of the virus. 4) Fusion Inhibitors These drugs help block HIV from getting inside healthy cells in the first place. 5) CCR5 Antagonist This stops HIV before it gets inside a healthy cell, but in a different way than fusion inhibitors. It blocks a specific kind of 'hook' on the outside of certain cells so the virus can't plug in. 6) Integrase Inhibitors These stop HIV from making copies of itself by blocking a key protein that allows the virus to put its DNA into the healthy cell's DNA. Advertisement

'Watched it week by week, then watched the whole series again this week. One of those stories that just hits you and stays with you. It opens your eyes.

'Ash and Richie were such lovely characters, but ultimately heartbreaking. Best thing I've seen in years,' a viewer posted.

One fan lauded: 'Rewatched last night! What a truly beautiful show! I feel so ignorant that I didn't know this happened but I do now and I'll never forget! Ash and Ritchie stole my heart.'

A second penned: 'You have friends for life. How beautiful. The chemistry amongst you all made your characters all the more believable. It's a sin was quite simply a gift.'

Fans were moved to tears watching Ash's on-off romance with Ritchie, with the pair finally admitting their feelings for one another after the budding actor revealed he was dying of AIDS.

It's A Sin has already had 6.5 million views on All 4, making it the streaming service's biggest ever instant box set, third biggest series to date, and most binged new series ever.

The show has also been credited with boosting HIV awareness, with a sharp increase in numbers of the public taking tests.

A spokesperson for the Terrence Higgins Trust told MailOnline: 'There has been a surge in HIV test following the Its A Sin effect.

'This is the biggest ever National HIV Testing Week (1-7 Feb) with tests being ordered at a faster rate than weve ever seen before.

'On Monday we saw a x4 increase on a usual day or National HIV Testing Week to over 8,000.

As a result, the Public Health England has released 10,000 additional HIV self-sampling tests due to demand to make sure tests continue to be available.'

Last week, the programme's creator Russell T. Davies revealed that even the music legend Elton John had called the cast to voice his praise.

'He phoned them up to congratulate them. That's the man who's raised half a billion pounds for AIDS research, so that was the ultimate [compliment], I think. That was the ultimate reward,' said Russell.

Information about HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and how to maintain good sexual health can be found out at https://www.tht.org.uk


BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Austria's producer prices declined further in January, figures from Statistics Austria showed on Friday. The producer price index decreased 0.3 percent year-on-year in January, following a 1.0 percent fall in December. The easing in the pace of decline in producer prices was mainly due to rise in prices for intermediate goods by 0.5 percent. Prices for energy decreased 2.9 percent yearly in January. Meanwhile, prices for capital goods remained unchanged and consumer goods rose 0.2 percent. On a monthly basis, producer prices rose 0.9 percent in January, following a 0.4 percent increase in the preceding month. 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.




A Boeing 777 airliner on Friday made an emergency landing in Moscow with engine problems, the operating airline said, days after another model rained down engine debris over the United States.







State-owned Rossiya airline said the crew had registered the "incorrect operation of the engine control sensor" on a cargo flight from Hong Kong to Madrid and "decided to make an emergency landing in Moscow."







Online flight trackers confirmed the flight was carried out with a Boeing 777.







The airline said the unscheduled landing went ahead without incident and that no one was injured. The plane was due to continue its onward journey to Madrid after a delay of several hours, it added.







The incident came just days after Boeing confirmed that dozens of its 777 aircraft were grounded globally resulting from the engine of a United Airlines plane catching fire and scattering debris over a suburb of Denver, Colorado.







Rossiya told AFP later Friday that the Boeing 777 that made the emergency landing in Moscow was fitted with a different make of engine to the plane that shed engine parts in the United States last week.







The United Flight engine failure was a fresh blow for the beleaguered US aviation giant that was forced to ground another fleet of planes after a series of deadly crashes.







Malfunctions in engines are not uncommon and most airplanes are designed to be able to fly for several hours on one engine until crew identify and land at the nearest available airport.







Investigators have attributed the Denver incident to a fan blade that broke off soon after takeoff due to metal fatigue and apparently breached the engine cover, known as a cowling. (AFP)


VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / GREAT ATLANTIC RESOURCES CORP. (TSXV:GR) (the "Company" or "Great Atlantic") is pleased to announce it begun its maiden diamond drilling program at its Mascarene Property, located in southwest New Brunswick.

The current drilling program is being conducted in an area of anomalous rock and soil samples identified by the Company during 2020 and within the magnetic high trend. Rock samples collected by the Company during 2020 prospecting and trenching programs returned anomalous values for zinc and copper including bedrock samples of 7810 ppm zinc (0.781% Zn), 5800 ppm zinc (0.58% Zn), 806 ppm copper and 583 ppm copper and a float sample returning 1100 ppm copper. Some rock and soil samples from this area returned anomalous values for gold. The drilling program will be a minimum 600 meters with at least 3 holes to be completed.

The current drilling program is also testing within a broad northeast trending zone of magnetic high anomalies (identified during a 2001 government airborne magnetic survey). This zone of magnetic high anomalies extends through the entire Mascarene Property, including the east region where drilling is underway. Gold, silver, copper, nickel, cobalt and / or zinc mineralization is reported locally within and / or adjacent to this magnetic trend including two mineral occurrences with historic workings (Oliver Cameron Mine and Wheal Louisiana Mine occurrences) and within a small quarry referred to as the North Pit. Great Atlantic's management speculate this magnetic high trend to be associated with a buried mafic intrusion(s) and a possible target for mafic intrusive hosted copper-nickel-cobalt deposits.

The Mascarene Property covers an area of approximately 2,080 hectares. The property is located approximately 6 kilometers southwest of the town of Saint George. Access is excellent with paved provincial roads transecting the property and within close proximity of the property.

David Martin, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and VP Exploration for Great Atlantic, is responsible for the technical information contained in this News Release.

On Behalf of the board of directors

"Christopher R Anderson"

Mr. Christopher R. Anderson "Always be positive, strive for solutions, and never give up"

President CEO Director

604-488-3900 - Dir

Investor Relations:

Please call 604-488-3900

About Great Atlantic Resources Corp.: Great Atlantic Resources Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on the discovery and development of mineral assets in the resource-rich and sovereign risk-free realm of Atlantic Canada, one of the number one mining regions of the world. Great Atlantic is currently surging forward building the company utilizing a Project Generation model, with a special focus on the most critical elements on the planet that are prominent in Atlantic Canada, Antimony, Tungsten and Gold.

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.

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.

Great Atlantic Resource Corp

888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4

SOURCE: Great Atlantic Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632356/Great-Atlantic-Commences-Diamond-Drilling-at-Its-Copper-Cobalt-Nickel-Zinc-Gold-Mascarene-Property-Southern-New-Brunswick
U.S. hospitals are expected to lose billions again in 2021, leaving them in dire financial shape as the COVID-19 pandemic guts the industry for a second year.

Hospitals could lose $53 billion to $122 billion in revenue in 2021, between 4% and 10% of their total revenue, according to an analysis prepared by consulting firm Kaufman Hall & Associates for the American Hospital Association.

These revenue declines would come on top of $320 billion in lost revenue in 2020, said Rick Pollack, the hospital association's president and CEO.

The reasons? Hospitals are spending more to treat COVID-19 patients as well as maintain regular operations during the pandemic, Pollack said.

At the same time, drug expenses increased by 17% in 2020; labor by 14%; and supplies by 13%, the Kaufman Hall report says.

"All those expenses keep going up, and at least four dozen hospitals entered bankruptcy in 2020 according to data compiled by Bloomberg," Pollack said.

"This is of particular concern for rural hospitals," he added. "Nineteen rural hospitals closed in 2020, and 135 have closed since 2010. In many of these rural areas, residents lack other options for dependable care."

Labor costs have increased because hospitals have had to hire part-time contract workers to cover for employees exposed to COVID-19, said David Ramsey, president and CEO of the Charleston Area Medical Center and Health System in West Virginia.

"At one point, we had 250 employees who were either out with COVID, being tested for COVID or quarantined by the health department," Ramsey said.

Hospital employees, particularly nurses, are also burning out at alarming rates, said Judy Rich, president and CEO of the Tucson Medical Center in Arizona.

Nurse turnover has nearly doubled at Rich's hospital, rising to 17% in 2020 compared with 9% the year before.

"We have seen our staff, especially nursing costs, go up three times what they typically would cost us," she said. "A nurse who typically made $48 an hour, we are now having to pay $150 an hour to get enough nursing hours."

Rich said her hospital has invested in other innovative measures to improve the staff's quality of life and keep them at work.

"We started a school here, because our schools are not open yet. We are funding a school for [grades] K to 6 so our staff can come to work," she said. "We are trying everything we can to keep them encouraged, to give them the kinds of benefits that they need."

Hospitals have also taken a financial hit because people worried about contracting COVID-19 won't come in for needed care or elective procedures, Ramsey and Rich said.

"We typically see about 98,000 patients a year in our emergency department [ED]," Rich said. "Last year that was cut by 30%, but the people who are coming to the ED, rather than 20% being admitted to the hospital, we're now admitting 30% because they're sicker when they get here. Our length of stay in the hospital, typically about 4 days for each patient, is now closer to 5 to 5.2 days."

Ramsey noted that many patients remain uneasy about spending time in a health care setting.

"A lot of our patients are not comfortable coming back into the health care and ambulatory environment yet," he said. "They're concerned about: Does COVID still linger in the hospital environment, and can they perhaps contract it there?"

The nation's COVID-19 vaccination program is expected to help hospitals by reducing the number of severe cases and helping people feel safe to return to the hospital for other medical care, Kaufman Hall's report said.

Hospitals could also benefit from expanding the federal fund that has supported medical centers, clinics and other health professionals during the pandemic, Pollack said.

The American Hospital Association has asked Congress and the Biden administration to beef up the Provider Relief Fund by another $35 billion, he said. That money is not included in the $1.9 trillion relief bill advanced by President Joe Biden and up for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"It's red alert time for the Provider Relief Fund, which has kept so many hospitals and other providers afloat during this past year," Pollack said. "If Congress doesn't act soon, hospitals just aren't going to have the tools or resources to continue serving their patients in the midst of the pandemic."

More information: Read about the pandemic's effect on hospital revenues in the Read about the pandemic's effect on hospital revenues in the Kaufman Hall report

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
26 February 2021

Shareholder Changes its Name

JSC Acronagroservice holding 55% of PJSC Acron shares has changed its name to JSC Acron Group.

Media Contacts:

Sergey Dorofeev

Anastasia Gromova

Tatiana Smirnova

Public Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 777 08 65 (ext. 5196)

Investor Contacts:

Ilya Popov

Investor Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 745 77 45 (ext. 5252)

Background Information

Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and the Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It has a wholly owned transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic seaport terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron's subsidiary, North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP), holds mining leases and an exploration permit for ten parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe.

In 2019, the Group sold 7.6 million tonnes of main products to 78 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe and the United States as key markets.

In 2019, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 114,835 million (USD 1,774 million) and net profit of RUB 24,786 million (USD 383 million). Acron's shares are on the Level 1 quotation list of the Moscow Exchange and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs over 11,000 people.

For more information about Acron Group, please visitwww.acron.ru/en.
BUENOS AIRES  It wasnt exactly a sunken treasure.

But that apparently didnt stop a team of divers in Argentina from going to extraordinary lengths to pilfer 700 liters, or 185 gallons, of artisanal beer that had been left by three local breweries to age, attached to a sunken ship, on the ocean floor.

The owners of the three breweries in Mar del Plata, which had teamed up with a diving school for what they described as a first-of-its-kind monthslong experiment in deep-water beermaking, were left mystified, and heartbroken, upon discovering on Tuesday that the barrels were gone.

I started crying, said Carlos Brelles, who runs the Thalassa Diving School in Mar del Plata, a coastal city five miles from the sunken ship. Three or four people without morals destroyed the work of so many people who put in so much effort.

Mr. Brelles and the brewery owners said they have no clues that could shed light on the disappearance of the barrels, but they havent ruled out an act of sabotage. They asked prosecutors to open a criminal investigation.
FORT LAWN  A bottling, canning and distribution company believed to be affiliated with the Gallo wine empire wants to build a plant of more than 5 million square feet on a wooded, 630-acre tract on the edge of this tiny Chester County town where textile mills once flourished.

A spokeswoman for Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery said the Modesto, Calif.-based company has been reviewing its strategic options to meet global demand for its products, including exploring potential investment opportunities on the East Coast.

"Nothing is finalized at this stage, and we dont have specifics at this time," Natalie Hoch Henderson said.

Code-named "Project Magma," the project has been moving through the incentive phase at the county level, where Chester officials have given initial approval to a plan to allow the company to pay a set fee instead of property taxes, an arrangement commonly used throughout South Carolina to attract jobs.

The Post and Courier requested a resolution about the tax breaks, which was discussed during the open session of a public meeting earlier this month. The county required the newspaper to file a Freedom of Information Act request, which it said was forwarded to legal counsel Feb. 26.

The number of jobs and the investment amount for Project Magma have not been disclosed.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Columbia led by Sen. Luke Rankin of Horry County have filed a bill that would attract and benefit wineries in South Carolina. In a report published on onlineChester.com this week, Sen. Mike Fanning of Fairfield acknowledged the work and "due diligence" underway in Fort Lawn while stressing that the deal hasn't been finalized.

This could include the establishment of an industrial project that would bring significant investment and several hundred jobs over a period of time,'" said Fanning, whose co-sponsors of the winery bill include Sen. Hugh Leatherman of Florence. "The project would be internationally recognized, and considered to be an extremely clean operation with state-of-the-art production capabilities."

Plans filed by the S.C. Department of Commerce with the Army Corps of Engineers show a three-phased building approach with more than two dozen structures, with the largest containing 800,000 square feet of space.

Rail spurs will have to be built to tie into the Lancaster and Chester Railroad, which runs along S.C. Highway 9 on the north side of the property. Several rail lines also are slated on the interior of the property between the larger buildings for loading and unloading materials.

The property is behind two large textile plants once operated by the Springs family. They are now used for logistics and storage and employ a fraction of the workers who once toiled in the mills that proliferated throughout the Upstate. Most of them were mothballed as textile production moved to cheaper labor in foreign markets.

As part of the planned development, which touches the Catawba River, slightly more than an acre of freshwater wetlands and about 1 miles of tributaries that carry water away from Fort Lawn toward the river will have to be filled and rerouted.

Residents' reaction

One of the main tributaries that will be disturbed runs under U.S. Highway 21 adjacent to Sandra McLain's house, which sits directly across from the proposed plant site.

She's all for new jobs coming to the area, but not at the expense of being stuck with a view of the truck parking lot that's proposed across from her house and the prospect of flooding on her side of the road if the wetlands work is somehow botched.

"Having industry come into the area is a fabulous thing," she said. "People need to work. But we don't want a parking lot across the street from our front yard."

McLain forwarded her comments to the Army Corps of Engineers, which in February sent letters seeking public feedback from neighboring property owners. The federal permitting agency is involved because the project includes the realignment of streams and wetlands.

"There is nothing showing a buffer on the plans they sent us," McLain said from her front porch while staring at the site beyond her manicured yard. "Who wants to stand here and look at a parking lot? I want them to at least put in a 50-foot tree buffer over there."

Down the street from her house is Elmwood Cemetery, where generations of the town's residents are buried. It juts into the huge chunk of land being considered for the new plant, but it won't be disturbed.

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Instead, the plant site will be built around it. A parking lot for 152 truck trailers is proposed along the graveyard's northern edge where a stream now flows in the woods, while a couple of rail spurs will run behind the cemetery. A power substation could be built in one of two areas under consideration on the south side of Elmwood.

Most of the residents in the town that sprang up along a railroad don't work there.

Like Louise Case, who travels 20 miles north to Rock Hill for an office job; or Brandon Cooper, who drives about 15 minutes from the one-stoplight hamlet to do maintenance work at a nearby paper mill; or McLain, who leaves her tidy home in the tiny village of two restaurants, two gas stations and a roadside motel to go out of town for a building-materials job.

They all say a new industry would bring new opportunities.

"It would be good for the area and help with unemployment," Case, the office worker, said while picking up a few items at discount shop Dollar General, the closest thing to a grocery store in the town.

Cooper would like to see more businesses and employment options in the town.

"The closest jobs are in Lancaster and Rock Hill," he said.

Potential 'boom'

Dan Rogers of Rock Hill believes it would be an economic shot in the arm to Fort Lawn.

"A lot of people from the surrounding areas would come here," he said while overseeing a yard sale for charity on the edge of town limits.

At the nearly 50-year-old Wagon Wheel restaurant, located in the center of the small town, owner Bill Nixon isn't hurting for business. A steady stream of customers dine in and take out orders throughout the day.

But he realizes what the new industry could do to the town's economy as well.

"I can't wait," the apron-clad Nixon said while taking a break from preparing orders in the kitchen.

He pointed first to the construction workers who will be building the plant and then the employees who will be working there, all as potential customers.

"It's going to be a big deal," Nixon said. "It's going to be a positive, but we know they come to the little towns because they know they can find affordable labor."

John Rumford, the former mayor who served for 10 years and once worked in the Governor's Office, said the proposed winery would have "a tremendous impact" on the area.

"It would be a real boon," Rumford said. "If this comes to be, it will be a tremendous addition to employment in our area."

Mayor Carlton Martin, who took over about a year ago, also said a new industry would bring more jobs and revenue to the town as people eat in local restaurants and shop in its handful of stores, but he also said he was told to keep his mouth shut about the prospect.

"They told us a plant was coming and to not mention much about it," Martin said.

Brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo founded the winery in 1933, producing about 178,000 gallons the first year. In 1943, the company moved bottling operations to Modesto from Los Angeles.

Over the years, the company acquired or invested in other wineries and vineyards, and in 1984 launched the Bartles & Jaymes wine coolers. The firm is now said to be the largest family-owned winery in the U.S.
Zelensky removes Tupytsky from office of Constitutional Court judge from Feb 28 for one month  decree

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the removal of Head of the Constitutional Court Oleksandr Tupytsky from the position of a judge of the Constitutional Court from February 28 for one month.

Relevant decree No. 79/2021 was released on the website of the head of state.

"To remove Tupytsky Oleksandr Mykolaiovych from the post of judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine until February 28, 2021 for a period of one month," according to the text of the decree of February 26.

As reported, on October 27, 2020, the Constitutional Court recognized as unconstitutional a number of provisions of the Law on the Prevention of Corruption and criminal liability for declaring false information. This decision drew criticism from Ukraine's international partners and creditors.
MASON CITY, Iowa  Cerro Gordo County is getting extra doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

CG Public Health says it will get an additional 1,170 doses of vaccine, bringing the total number of shots to be given during the week of March 8 to 1,970.

We would like to thank the state and Governors office for the extra doses; we have been asking for more vaccine and our teams preparation for this is paying off, says Karen Crimmings, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Manager at CG Public Health.

The extra doses will be of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which has already been widely distributed across Iowa, including through some local pharmacies in Cerro Gordo County. The Pfizer vaccine requires a second dose 21 days after the first.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to get doses into arms and save lives, says Crimmings.

The additional vaccines will be distributed through Cerro Gordo Countys mass vaccination site and community partnerships.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed a bill repealing a long-dormant New Mexico abortion ban, delivering a victory to advocates who had pushed for years to scrap the law that criminalized abortion in most circumstances.

The Democratic governor, who said last year New Mexicos abortion ban would be gone as soon as there were enough votes in the Senate to pass a repeal measure, described the bills passage as a triumph over misinformation and fear-mongering.

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A woman has the right to make decisions about her own body, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. Anyone who seeks to violate bodily integrity, or to criminalize womanhood, is in the business of dehumanization.

The bill signed by the governor, Senate Bill 10, passed the Senate via a 25-17 vote on Feb. 11 and then cleared the House on a 40-30 vote about a week later.

It triggered passionate debate among lawmakers over female autonomy, unborn children and legal protections for medical providers.

Critics of the bill argued it would cause an exodus of New Mexico health care workers, as the targeted ban included a conscience clause that allowed doctors and nurses to decline to participate in an abortion procedure if they had moral objections.

Sen. Crystal Diamond, R-Elephant Butte, said the bills passage was a win for abortion providers  not for women.

With the stroke of her pen, the governor has weakened standards of care for women, stripped conscience protections for medical professionals and given the abortion industry unchecked power to operate under the radar in our state, Diamond said Friday.

But supporters pushed back against the claim, pointing out other medical conscience protections in state and federal law will remain in place. In addition, advocates that lobbied for the abortion ban to be removed from the states books over the last four years described the targeted statute as a remnant of a more sexist era.

Repealing antiquated laws to reflect the time and space we live in now was long overdue, said Nicole Martin, a co-founder of Indigenous Women Rising, a progressive group that worked with other groups to rally support for the repeal legislation.

1973 Roe v. Wade ruling

New Mexicos soon-to-be-repealed abortion law is largely unenforceable now because of the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

However, changes to the Supreme Courts makeup during the tenure of former President Donald Trump have raised questions about whether that ruling might be partially or fully overturned in the coming months.

Were it to be enforceable, the states statute would have made it a crime to end a womans pregnancy except in certain circumstances, such as rape and incest.

This years passage of the abortion ban repeal came after five Senate Democrats who had opposed the 2019 legislation were ousted in last years election cycle. Challengers in several of those races made abortion a top issue in their campaigns.

Just two Senate Democrats ended up voting against this years bill  Sens. Pete Campos of Las Vegas and George Munoz of Gallup.

With Lujan Grishams signature, the 1969 law will be officially removed from the states books June 18.

Equality for all, equal justice and equal treatment  thats the standard, Lujan Grisham said after signing the bill Friday. And Im proud to lead a state that today moved one step closer to that standard.

Pandemic relief signed

The governor also signed into law Friday a pandemic relief measure, House Bill 11, that authorizes $200 million in small business loans. Businesses that qualify for the program  in part by having no more than 75 employees  will be able to get up to $100,000 in funding.

The governor had until Saturday to act on both bills, which are just the second and third measures passed by the Legislature during the ongoing 60-day session.

A separate pandemic recovery bill providing $600 rebates to low-income workers and enacting a four-month tax holiday for restaurants and breweries is also on its way to Lujan Grishams desk for final approval after being approved Wednesday by the House.

In all, lawmakers have advanced bills authorizing about $400 million in state spending on pandemic relief initiatives during this years session, which ends March 20.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) walks to his office at the conclusion of former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 13, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

McConnell Says Hed Back Trump If He Wins 2024 Nomination

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Thursday that he would absolutely vote for former President Donald Trump if he became the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.

Theres a lot to happen between now and 24. Ive got at least four members that I think are planning on running for president, plus some governors or others. Should be a wide open race, McConnell said during an appearance on Fox News.

The nominee of the party? Absolutely! McConnell said when asked by Fox Newss Bret Baier whether he would back Trump if he wins the GOP nomination in 2024.

Trump hasnt yet officially raised the possibility of a 2024 presidential run. However, he is expected to lay out his vision for America and give his assessment of Biden administration policies during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, on Sundaythe last day of the conferenceaccording to his senior adviser Jason Miller.

His daughter-in-law and former senior adviser Lara Trump, however, indicated last week that he is probably interested in running for office in 2024.

He has told us to stay tuned and that this is not over for him, and he has indicated that he probably would be interested in running again in 2024, she told Fox News on Sunday, describing him as the head of the Republican Party.

He is really the person that everyone will continue to turn to, in order to help them get across the line, whether were talking about 2022 or beyond, she said. I think this man has changed politics, and he has changed our party, the Republican Party. There is no doubt about it.

Days before his daughter-in-laws comments, Trump told Newsmaxs Greg Kelly that it was too early to make such a decision on his political future.

Its too early to say but I see a lot of great polls out there, thats for sure, Trump said. We have tremendous support. I wont say yet but we have tremendous support and Im looking at poll numbers that are through the roof.

Im the only guy who gets impeached and my numbers go up, he added.

Others have expressed their optimism of a potential 2024 presidential run for Trump.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said Tuesday that he believes Trump would win GOP nomination if he ran for office again.

I think hed win the nomination, if he runs. I mean, a lot can happen between now and 2024, and Im not great at predicting, Romney said in an online discussion.

I dont really know what will happen there. But I look at the polls, and the polls show that among the names being floated as potential contenders in 2024, if you put President Trump in there among Republicans, he wins in a landslide.

Trump has, by far, the largest voice and a big impact in my party, Romney continued. I expect he will continue playing the role. I dont know if hell run in 2024 or not. But if he does, Im pretty sure he will win the nomination.

McConnells latest remarks drew criticism from fellow Republicans, due to his speech on the Senate floor just weeks ago, in which he accused Trump of being morally responsible for the breach of the U.S. Capitol building.

The former president in response called McConnell an unsmiling political hack who is weakening the Republican Party.

On Feb. 28, Trump, in his first public appearance since leaving office on Jan. 20, is expected to outline his concerns about the direction President Joe Biden is leading America since being sworn in. Biden has issued a flurry of executive orders to reverse Trump administration policies.

The former president will focus on issues such as the amnesty push for illegal immigrants, the halting of the border wall construction, and the blocking of the Keystone XL Pipeline, according to Miller.

Janita Kan contributed to this report.
Brussels, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :EU leaders warned Thursday that tight travel restrictions must remain as the bloc battles to get its troubled coronavirus vaccine roll-out back on track.

After a video summit in which the threat new, fast-spreading virus variants pose to the strategy was raised, EU chiefs told reporters that it would take months, not weeks, to build enough vaccine supplies.

"The epidemiological situation remains serious, and the new variants pose additional challenges," the 27 leaders said in a statement issued after a video summit.

"We must therefore uphold tight restrictions while stepping up efforts to accelerate the provision of vaccines." European Council chief Charles Michel warned: "We know that the next few weeks will continue to be difficult as far as vaccinations are concerned." But he added a note of optimism: "We do have the means, we have the resources, we have the capability to succeed over the next few months." - Variants spreading - European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, herself a medical doctor before turning to politics, said the B117 British variant of the virus is now present in all 27 EU member states.

"The South African variant is in 14 member states and the Brazilian variant in seven," she added, referring to highly infectious strains that have public health officials worried.

"So there is a lot of challenge ahead of us," she warned.

A shortfall in the number of vaccines delivered in the first quarter of the year -- after British-Swedish drugs giant AstraZeneca fell drastically short in its commitments -- has undermined Brussels' strategy.

Pharma executives, including AstraZeneca's Pascal Soriot, promised at a separate grilling from MEPs to do better as new production and new vaccines come online.

But in the meantime, EU capitals are under pressure to lift some of the lockdown and travel restrictions they have ratcheted up.

Some leaders want Europe to develop a so-called "green passport" to allow those who are already vaccinated to resume an ordinary life After the summit, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said there was broad support for the idea. But von der Leyen, and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, warned that it would take at least three months to design a scheme.

Merkel said that within that time many member states might have national vaccine cards and that these would become compatible "via a gateway at the European level" so that travelling with more information would be possible.

But she warned that this should not mean that those without vaccine passports would not be allowed to travel.

French President Emmanuel Macron said: "While not all of our populations have yet had access to the vaccine, which is administered on a voluntary basis and for the moment according to age criteria, such a document would not give vaccinated people special rights." Macron pointed out that vaccines were going first to the elderly and vulnerable and warned that he would not allow the young to be discriminated against in travel. "I'll never allow access to one country or another to depend on some certificate or other," he said.

- 'Confident' of hitting goal - Despite ongoing concerns that several countries are underprepared to give out the millions of jabs in the pipeline, von der Leyen stuck by her goal of having 70 percent of adults in the European Union fully vaccinated by mid-September.

"This is a goal that we're confident with," she told reporters.

She shared figures used in the summit showing that, by the end of June, the EU should have received nearly 600 million doses of various vaccines.

This would be enough for two jabs for all of the European Union's 255 million adults, should promised delivery schedules be confirmed.

So far, von der Leyen said, around 6.4 percent of the bloc's 450 million people have received at least one jab, "and if you subtract children and teenagers, it's eight percent of the adult population".

Brussels is also concerned the emergence of worrying variants could require retooled booster shots, which would in turn mean vaccine certificates would have to be constantly updated.

A dispute is also stewing over severe border restrictions put in place by several EU countries to curb virus variants, which the European Commission sees as disproportionate.

It has written warning letters to Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary and Sweden about their measures, giving them until late next week to respond.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Minnesotans are reacting to the new vaccine timeline announced by Governor Walz.

The plan was announced as Olmsted County marks the anniversary of the beginning of its COVID-19 response Friday.

KIMT spoke with Minnesota residents in Downtown Rochester who say there have been plenty of questions during the rollout of the vaccine, and it's nice to find answers with the state's new timeline.

"There's a lot of questions right now about everyone wondering when can they get theirs, and it's just nice like to have this detailed timeline of who can get it when," said Brandon Miosi. "Even if you're not someone who can get it in the next week or two, you know when. And it's just kind of comforting to know that."

With more details being revealed, others said they're hopeful the end of the pandemic is within sight.

"I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel, we just have to be patient," said Lee Partington.

KIMT spoke with Partington, an entertainer, as he was heading to an appointment to receive his first dose of vaccine. He says being vaccinated brings him one step closer to performing for the people he loves.

"They miss me, and I miss them, so we're going to get this job done today."
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

Courtney Cox re-enacts Friends dance with Ed Sheeran

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Conte and Raul turn down Real Madrid's offer

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

David Loria: Several football clubs interested in Tigran Barseghyan's services

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Turning off one protein may help prevent heart failure, research claims

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

PSG refer to Pochettino's possible resignation

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Cartoon: Kante carries Chelsea to the Champions League

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Experts are testing experimental drug for lupus

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

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Zidane speaks on reasons for leaving Real Madrid

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

Dangerous carcinogen found in 78 sunscreens

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Madonna's son stages fashion show in woman's dress

Tarzan series star dies in US plane crash at 58

Some COVID-19 patients experience up to 84 long-term symptoms

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

Argentina also out as Copa America co-host

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

Armenia national squad hold first training in Croatia

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

Thierry Henry returns to Belgium national team coaching staff

UEFA President to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus: Let all three play the Super League

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Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

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French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Five-time Grammy winner BJ Thomas dies in USA

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Roma offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan a two-year deal

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

De Bruyne suffers injury

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Prince Harry to receive small part of inheritance of his grandfather

Chelsea host drone show to celebrate their Champions League title

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet
UMC pushes back General Conference, will tackle homosexuality debate in 2022

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The United Methodist Church has again decided to postpone its next General Conference, which is expected to center on the debate over the denominations stance on homosexuality, to 2022.

Initially, the UMC General Conference was going to be held in May 2020, however, the novel coronavirus pandemic prompted the denomination to postpone it to 2021.

The UMC Commission on the General Conference released a statement Thursday announcing that the churchwide legislative meeting will be held Aug. 29  Sept. 6, 2022.

The General Conference location will be Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was the same city scheduled to originally host the legislative gathering in 2020 and then in 2021.

According to the Commissions announcement, they reached the decision to again postpone the General Conference for multiple reasons, including COVID-19, the expectation that the vaccine will not be widely available in 2021 in many countries, and ongoing travel complications stemming from lockdowns.

There were also concerns about making the 2021 General Conference at least partially virtual, with a Technology Study Team report concluding that that option was not viable.

In response, the UMC Council of Bishops released a statement calling for an online special session to take place on May 8, mainly to resolve the question of using paper ballots.

The exclusive use of paper ballots will allow for the fullest participation of delegates from across the denomination, explained COB President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey in the statement.

Full participation on the part of all elected delegates is a justice issue that must not be ignored or sacrificed. This is why the convened session online must be confined solely to gaining permission for the mailed in paper ballots.

In late May 2020, the UMC Commission announced that the 2020 General Conference would be pushed back to Aug. 29, 2021Sept. 7, 2021.

This was due to the pandemic, as the General Conference was scheduled to bring around 900 delegates to Minnesota at a time when in-person gatherings were limited to 250 people.

Last October, it was announced that, as part of the postponed legislative meeting, the Commission was going to look into possibly making the proceedings be partially virtual.

With the proper preparation and training, I believe a General Conference could be held virtually, Bishop Harvey told UM News in an interview at the time.

There are new technological developments every day that could make traversing the globe, languages and time zones possible.

The next General Conference is expected to tackle the debate over the denomination adhering to biblical teachings on homosexuality and banning the blessing of same-sex unions.

Although every General Conference has failed to change the UMC's position over the past few decades, the ongoing debate has led many to consider schism as a solution.
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Track 4A Power Plant runs with the newest GE combined-cycle gas power plant

The plant was safely constructed with the Taiwanese EPC partner, CTCI, and consists of two generating blocks, each equipped with the highly efficient gas turbine, a steam turbine, a generator, and a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) from GE. In addition, under the terms of a 21-year agreement, GE will provide services and digital solutions to improve asset visibility, reliability, and availability of the Track 4A plant  which will produce the equivalent electricity needed to power approximately three million homes in Malaysia.

We have a longstanding relationship with GE and we trust its HA technology will help us meet the increasing power demand and contribute to long-term energy security needs in Malaysia, said Dato Haji Nor Azman bin Mufti, chairman of SPG. We are proud to see how GE has adapted with hard work and efficiency to achieve the start of their first ever commercial operation for the 9HA.02 gas turbines despite the COVID-19 pandemic without compromising on health and safety.

The plant features two single-shaft generating blocks, each equipped with a 9HA.02 gas turbine and a STF-D650 steam turbine, driving a W88 generator, and, for the first time installed in an H-Class Plant, a GE Once Through HRSG delivering higher combined cycle efficiency. The plant is controlled by GEs Mark VIe integrated Plant Control System. Equipped with a single Operator Interface and common troubleshooting tools, plant personnel can operate the plant more efficiently and, when issues do arise, rapidly recover to improve overall plant availability.

GE 9HA.02 turbine, the most advanced combined-cycle gas power generation unit in the industry

GE will provide a full spectrum of digital solutions and plant improvement services, major inspections of the 9HA.02 gas turbines, along with technical advisory services. Overall plant performance will be monitored and enhanced with GE Digitals Predix Asset Performance Management software to help improve asset visibility, reliability, and availability while reducing operating and maintenance costs. In addition, data collected from sensors throughout the facility will be monitored and analysed 24/7 at GEs Monitoring & Diagnostics Center in Kuala Lumpur.

With more than 40 years of operation and the largest base of installed gas turbines in the country, GE is uniquely qualified to help meet the growing power demand in Malaysia, said Ramesh Singaram, president and CEO of GE Gas Power in Asia. Today marks a tremendous milestone for our HA fleet, as we celebrate the worlds first commercial operation of our flagship turbine here in Malaysia. We look forward to helping Southern Power Generation reap the benefits of our latest technology as well as combined services and digital solutions, helping to deliver more reliable and flexible power generation for the country.

By drawing on our rich experience in global power plant EPCs, CTCI and GE have proudly achieved more than 10 million safe man-hours on this project, a testament to the teams reliability. The two companies joint success also paved way to another recent partnership in late 2020, helping us win a multi-billion-dollar EPC contract for five combined cycle gas power units in Taiwan, said Michael Yang, chairman of CTCI Corporation.

GEs HA gas turbines are the worlds largest and the most efficient gas turbines with more than 100 units ordered by more than 48 customers across 20 countries. GEs second-generation H-class fleet has accumulated more than 850,000 (as of January 2021) operating hours of commercial experience. To further decrease carbon emissions utilising gas power, GEs H-Class gas turbine portfolio currently has the capability to burn up to 50 per cent by volume of hydrogen when blended with natural gas.
A coal company controlled by the family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice must pay $270,000 to a nonprofit land protection group and comply with selenium discharge limits under a settlement approved by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge David Faber approved the settlement Wednesday, two months after environmental groups filed the proposed agreement with Bluestone Coal Corp., the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported.

Last year Faber found the company liable for selenium discharges into waters near a McDowell County mine. High selenium concentrations can be toxic to humans and animals.

Under the agreement, Bluestone must provide quarterly progress reports on pollutant discharge monitoring to several environmental groups, which had sued under the federal Clean Water and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation acts.

The company also must pay a $30,000 federal fine and $270,000 to the West Virginia Land Trust to help finance development of a trail along the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River. Bluestone already has paid $414,500 for selenium violations from June 2018 to June 2020.

Bluestone had unsuccessfully sought to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that a 2016 agreement between Southern Coal Corp.  another company owned by the Justice family  and the federal Environmental Protection Agency precluded environmental groups from filing the selenium lawsuit.

The five-year-old agreement required Southern to undertake pollution control measures at mines in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

In 2015, Justice completed a $5 million buyback of Bluestone Coal from Russian company Mechel OAO. Just six years earlier, Justice had sold the same mines to Mechel for $436 million in cash in a deal that also off-loaded $132 million in debt. Mechel then laid off many of the mines workers.

Justice handed the company over to his children after he was elected governor in 2016.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Virginia Mining West Virginia
Students who stay at Trinity College, a residential college connected with the University of Melbourne, will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The vaccine is not mandatory in Australia but the colleges chief executive, Professor Ken Hinchcliff, said his priority was the safety and wellbeing of the Trinity College community.

Students who reside at Melbourne Universitys Trinity College will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Credit:Erin Jonasson

College staff will not be required to take the vaccine.

Trinity College is not mandating vaccination against COVID-19 for staff, however the situation is different for residential college students, who we require to sign a commitment to be vaccinated, should the college  acting on the best medical, scientific and legal advice  decide that this is necessary to ensure their health and safety, he said.
For the first time as US president, Joe Biden ordered a series of US military strikes in Syria on Thursday February 25, against sites used by two Iranian-backed militia groups in response to rocket attacks on American forces in the region in the past two weeks.



Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the strikes took place "at President Biden's direction" and were authorized not just to respond to recent attacks against American and coalition forces, but to deal with "ongoing threats to those personnel."



Kirby said that Biden conducted the strikes after consulting with US allies, including coalition partners. "Specifically the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian backed militant groups including Kait'ib Hezbollah and Kait'ib Sayyid al Shuhada," Kirbry said.



Joe Biden orders military air strikes in Syria against Iran backed militia



"The operation sends an unambiguous message; President Biden will act to protect American coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in both Eastern Syria and Iraq." The site is believed to be used as part of a weapons smuggling operation by the militias.



The decision to target the site in Syria was made from the "top down," a defense official said, and was not because of a specific recommendation from the military. The strikes come as US and Iran position themselves for negotiations about Iran's nuclear program, an already complicated fragile situation.













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Anyone who did not receive a warning during the 30-day period and then were subject to (automated speed enforcement tickets) for the first time will still receive a warning, Cabanban said in a statement. Those who received a warning during the 30-day period but the notice has not been sent out will be subject to the blackout period and will not receive a ticket for a repeat offense unless the original warning has been sent out at least two weeks before the next notice date.
WASHTENAW COUNTY  For the third time, the cases against Justen Watkins and co-defendent Alfred Gorman were delayed this week.

The cases were adjourned during a probable cause conference Thursday until March 25 following a bench conference between the prosecuting attorney, defense attorneys and Judge Cedric Simpson.

Simpson said the reason for the adjournment was that Watkins' attorney was removing himself from the case after pursuing other employment opportunities.

Gorman, 35, of Taylor and Watkins, 25, of Bad Axe are facing charges of gang membership, unlawful posting of a message and using computers to commit a crime, each felony charges.

The charges stem from an incident that reportedly occurred in Dexter in December 2019, when a family was allegedly terrorized in their home when the men used "intimidation tactics" on the premises and posted messages to other members of a white supremacist group known as The Base, targeting the home, according to a press release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Watkins was allegedly the self-proclaimed leader of the group, and Gorman is an alleged associate of Watkins and The Base. He is alleged to have assisted Watkins in the crimes. As a result, both cases have been linked together.

According to the release, on Dec. 11, 2019 around 11:30 p.m. the victims reportedly witnessed Watkins and Gorman around their home, shining a light and taking photos from the front porch of the home.

The photos were then uploaded to The Bases channel on the social media platform Telegram with the caption: The Base sends greetings to Daniel Harper of the Antifa podcast I Dont Speak German, the release reads.

According to the release, Watkins and Gorman intended to threaten and intimidate Harper, but mistakenly believed he resided at the victims home.

Watkins was reportedly using a home in Bad Axe as a recruitment center for The Base.

Watkins is also facing charges of drug possession out of Huron County. He is scheduled to appear in Huron County District Court for a probable cause conference on those charges March 11.

Both Watkins and Gorman are currently out on bond.

At the time of his arrest in October, Watkins' address was listed as Bad Axe. However, according to the paperwork filed on his charges in Huron County, he is listed as residing in Kinde.
Yosemite National Park is one of the most spectacular sights in California, filled with an expansive wilderness, granite cliffs taller than buildings and Sequoia trees, some of the largest living things on Earth. However, for just a few days every February, photographers flock to a small waterfall to watch water cascade down the cliffside right at sunset.

Horsetail Fall is a small waterfall, one that pales in comparison to Yosemite Falls, an iconic waterfall that is one of the biggest attractions in the park.

During dry winters, Horsetail Fall may peak as just a trickle down the eastern edge of El Capitan.

However, when the waterfall is flowing and the light from the setting sun shines from a specific angle, it can create a spectacular phenomenon known as a firefall.

The firefall can be seen only in mid- to late February when the light from the setting sun illuminates the cliff where Horsetail Fall is flowing, making it appear as if the waterfall is glowing orange, yellow or red as if it were on fire.

Weather conditions need to be perfect for people to witness the event  which happens for only a few minutes.

This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing, Yosemite National Park explained on its website. Even some haze or minor cloudiness can greatly diminish or eliminate the effect.

The ingredients for a firefall came together in 2021; however, not as many people were able to witness it due to visitation restrictions amid the pandemic. But those who were in the park between Feb. 20 and Feb. 24 were left in awe by the fiery scene.

AccuWeather reporter Emmy Victor was in Yosemite National Park on Thursday, Feb. 24, for the event, and almost all of the people she saw in the park had a camera and were there to see the firefall for themselves.

Everyone whos here had to make a reservation online because of COVID; they were trying to control the crowds," Victor reported. "Ive gotten the chance to talk with some people who have come from all over the state of California, as well as all throughout the country in order to experience this event, which only lasts 10 minutes."

Briana Amr, a California resident, was one of the people in the park on Thursday evening and was optimistic that she'd see the rare phenomenon after checking the weather.

I have a bunch of photographer friends that already have been capturing it, and it doesnt look like theres any clouds in the sky, so Im pretty sure were going to see it," Amr told AccuWeather.

It has been two years since the firefall last "ignited" on the cliffside of El Capitan. Following ideal conditions in 2019, dry conditions prevailed in 2020, and Horsetail Fall was non-existent come mid-February.

This natural phenomenon is reminiscent of the human-created firefall that took place in Yosemite National Park at times between 1872 and 1968.

Every afternoon, a fire would be lit atop Glacier Point that would eventually burn down to a pile of coals.

At 9 p.m., these glowing red ashes would be pushed off the cliffside, cascading thousands of feet into the valley below, resulting in an incredibly beautiful firefall for visitors in the park.

This event was discontinued early in 1968 as it was deemed an unnatural spectacle by the director of the National Park Service. Additionally, the large crowds that would gather on a nightly basis would cause traffic jams in the park before trampling through and damaging meadows to watch the light show from a unique perspective.

Folks who miss out on this years firefall will need to start planning for 2022 and hope that Mother Nature cooperates for the second year in a row.

Ample planning is needed, as well as patience. Photographers are encouraged to arrive early in the day to guarantee a spot in the best viewing locations.

On Feb. 22, 2019, over 2,000 visitors viewing Horsetail Fall gathered in areas mostly lacking adequate parking and other facilities, Yosemite National Park said. Visitors spilled onto riverbanks, increasing erosion and trampling vegetation. Some undeveloped areas became littered with trash, and the lack of restrooms resulted in unsanitary conditions.

But for those that go through the meticulous planning and have a bit of luck with the weather, the experience of seeing Yosemite's firefall is worth the effort.

Bob Saget's wife Kelly Rizzo has opened up about how they fell in love after he slid into her DMs, saying he was 'looking or a good Midwestern gal.'

The Eat Travel Rock TV host, 41, poked fun at their courtship on TikTok, admitting in a viral video that she never planned on responding to the comedian, 64, when he messaged her on Instagram.

In the clip, she reenacts a conversation she had with her friends, recalling how she told them: 'Guys, Bob Saget just slid into my DMs.'

Hilarious: Bob Saget's wife Kelly Rizzo poked fun at their courtship in a viral TikTok video, reenacting how she told her friends the comedian had slid into her DMs

Fate: Rizzo, 41, admitted that she never planned on messaging Saget, 64, back, but then she changed her mind

When they asked if she was going to message him back, she replied: 'Ummm no I don't think so...'

The video then ended with a slideshow of pictures of them together, including portraits from their 2018 wedding.

The TikTok has racked up more than two million views, and people had plenty of questions for Rizzo about how they fell in love.

'OK we need a story time. What did he say? How did he find you? I have so many questions,' one person asked, prompting Rizzo to share a follow-up clip.

'I think Bob was looking for a good Midwestern gal, a Chicago gal, like myself,' she explained. 'So he saw my Instagram and he's like, "Oh, it's not all selfies and bikinis, like she actually does stuff. She has this food show and travel show. She seems interesting."'

Happily ever after: The video then ended with a slideshow of pictures of them together

Going viral: The TikTok has racked up more than two million views, and people had plenty of questions for the Eat Travel Rock TV host about how they fell in love

But Saget didn't DM his future wife right away; instead, he sought out a mutual connection to find out more about her.

'So he did some due diligence,' she said. 'He called a friend of his who is also in media in Chicago, a radio host, and was like, "Hey, do you know this Kelly Rizzo girl. Is she a b***h?" And he's like, "No, she's really nice, actually, and, yeah, I know her."'

The food influencer once again reiterated that she didn't plan on getting involved with Saget, but then he asked her out on a date that she couldn't resist.

'His [friend's] fiancee reached out to me and said, "Bob Saget's going to DM you," and I was like, "Uhh, I don't know about that,"' she recalled.

Story time: In a follow-up clip, the food influencer explained that Saget came across her Instagram profile and asked a mutual friend about her before DMing her

Dream date: The Full House star asked her to go to one of his comedy shows and get burgers and lobster with him after, an offer she couldn't resist

Look of love: 'Then I was like, "Oh no, I kind of like him. And then we got married. And now it's been five years, and, yes, our house is very clean,' she joked

'But then he said this, he said: "Hey, want to come to a show of mine and then go out for some burgers and lobsters. And then I was like, "Okay, we could be friends."

'And then I was like, "Oh no, I kind of like him. And then we got married. And now it's been five years, and, yes, our house is very clean. And, no, being married to a comedian does not mean everything is always funny.'

The comment about their house being clean was a reference to his Full House character Danny Tanner being a neat-freak, and Saget couldn't resist firing back.

'What you talking about? I'm a slob and I'm always funny!!' he wrote in the comments.

'Awwwww... yes you're always funny,' Rizzo replied.

Meant to be: Rizzo and Saget (pictured on their honeymoon in Sicily, Italy) got married in Santa Monica, California, in 2018. They celebrated their two-year anniversary in October

Cute: Saget is also on TikTok and has a healthy sense of humor about his relationship with his food influencer wife

Before Saget met Kelly, he was married to Sherri Kramer from 1982 to 1997. They share three adult daughters: Aubrey, Lara, and Jennifer.

The couple, who celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary in October, got married at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California, in 2018 after meeting three years prior.

Saget is also on TikTok and has a healthy sense of humor about his relationship with his wife, who is 23 years his junior.

In his most recent video, he shared footage of himself looking forlorn while Rizzo was filming a food segment.

'When you meet a beautiful food influencer in your DMs and you marry her... and now I can't use my kitchen,' he joked.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill Friday, including a third round of stimulus checks worth $1,400 for most Americans.

The package, also known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP), is expected to pass the Democrat-led House by a near-party line vote. However, some changes may be made in the Senate, including blocking a proposed $15 minimum wage.

The Associated Press reports Republicans have opposed the package, claiming its too expensive and includes too many extras unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic, such as $1.5 million for a bridge in Upstate New York. Most details will likely remain, including direct payments worth $1,400 and additional unemployment assistance, but parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senates nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, said Thursday that the wage hike must be dropped from the relief legislation.

Democrats are pushing the ARP through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans, which would require an unattainable 60 votes to defeat. But those same rules prohibit provisions with only an incidental impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes; MacDonough said the minimum wage provision didnt pass the test, aides told the AP.

That means the Senate, divided 50-50 and only slightly controlled by Democrats with Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential tie-breaking vote, is unlikely to push the wage hike through.

Still, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised to pass the bill by March 14, when the current round of unemployment assistance and other coronavirus aid expires.

This is a once-in-a-century health and economic crisis, Schumer said Thursday. Republican leaders are reportedly maneuvering to get every single Republican member to oppose urgent, bold COVID relief. But make no mistakeWe will deliver the American Rescue Plan with overwhelming public support.

How much will I get?

House committees have approved giving the full $1,400 to individuals with incomes of up to $75,000 (phasing out until $100,000) and $2,800 for married couples earning up to $150,000 (phasing out until $200,000), similar to the first two rounds of stimulus checks. Roughly 85% of U.S. adults would be eligible for the full amount, based on your income from your most recent tax return.

Combined with the $600 stimulus checks approved by President Donald Trump in December, the package would mean $2,000 in direct payments to most Americans.

Parents would also receive $1,400 per dependent, instead of $600 in the first two rounds, and this third round of checks will include eligible adult dependents for the first time. The previous two rounds were limited to children under age 17, so parents with college-age students can expect even more money.

That means that a family of four could receive $5,600  in addition to the new Child Tax Credit.

Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee Richard Neal (D-Mass.) has proposed a child tax credit of $3,000 per child ages 6 to 17 and $3,600 for children under age 6. The credit, based on the taxpayers 2020 income, would normally be a lump sum on an individual or familys income tax return but will instead be delivered as a monthly payment from the IRS for $250 or $300, depending on the childs or childrens age, for a full year to help families affected by the pandemic.

The current child tax credit, from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, provides $2,000 per child under 17 for single filers with incomes of $200,000 or less and couples filing jointly with $400,000 of adjusted gross income or less.

When will I get my stimulus check?

Late March, most likely.

After the second round was approved and signed by Trump, payments started going out within days. The first round of checks took weeks to begin arriving, even via direct deposit, but millions will receive the third round quickly if they have already verified their information on the IRS Get My Payment site.

Congress aims to have the bill on Bidens desk by March 14, and delays are unlikely as Democrats can pass it in the Senate with a simple majority, bypassing a possible filibuster from Republicans.

That deadline means those with direct deposit could get their stimulus checks in late March and those who receive paper checks or debit cards would likely expect to receive their payments later in the spring.

What else is in the new coronavirus relief bill?

President Biden first proposed the $1.9 trillion relief package last month, including $400 in weekly unemployment benefits; $70 billion towards vaccination centers and Covid-19 testing; $130 billion to help schools reopen safely; $15 billion in small business grants; $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local and territorial governments; raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour (from the current rate of $7.25 an hour); reinstating paid sick leave; and $15 billion to help states subsidize child care for low-income families along with a $25 billion fund to help child care centers in danger of closing.

The first round of stimulus checks, which gave qualifying American adults a one-time direct payment of $1,200 plus $500 for each child under the age of 17, was part of Congress $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020. A second round of stimulus checks worth $1,200 was approved in the HEROES Act in May, but legislation stalled for months and the December package cuts those direct payments in half.

If you time your income tax filing just right, you could get a bigger stimulus check

Third stimulus check update: Progressives defend $1,400 payments as House prepares to vote
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Regulatory News:

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with the measures adopted by the French government to slow the spread of the virus, Elior Group's (Paris:ELIOR) Annual General Meeting that took place on February 26, 2021 (hereafter "the AGM") was held virtually, i.e. without the physical attendance of shareholders and other eligible attendees.

The AGM was streamed live on Elior Group's website1 and a recording of the webcast is now available on the website.

Although the AGM was held virtually, shareholders were invited to participate by submitting questions prior to the Meeting. All of the questions and answers will be published shortly on Elior Group's website1

The quorum amounted to 74,55 and 1 386 shareholders participated remotely or by correspondence.

During the AGM, the shareholders approved 23 out of the 24 resolutions proposed by Elior Group's Board of Directors, including

Approval of the parent company financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2020.

Approval of (i) the compensation and benefits paid during or awarded for the year ended September 30, 2020 to the Company's directors and officers and (ii) the compensation policy applicable to the directors and officers ( ex-ante and ex-post say on pay votes).

and say on pay votes). Authorization for the Board of Directors to carry out a share buyback program.

Authorizations for the Board of Directors to carry out capital increases for different purposes in accordance with the conditions provided for by law.

Amendments to the Company's bylaws to align them with French legislation, and amendment to Article 15 of the bylaws.

As recommended by the Board of Directors, the seventeenth resolution relating to the issuance of shares and/or other securities to members of an employee share ownership plan was not approved by the shareholders.

The detailed results of the votes can be found on Elior Group's website1

About Elior Group

Founded in 1991, Elior Group is one of the world's leading operators in contract catering and support services, and a benchmark player in the business industry, education, health welfare and leisure markets. With strong positions in 6 countries, the Group generated 3,967 million in revenue in fiscal 2019-2020.

Our 105,000 employees feed over 5 million people on a daily basis in 23,500 restaurants on three continents and offer services at 2,300 sites in France.

Innovation and social responsibility are at the core of the Group's business model. Elior Group has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2004 and reached GC Advanced Level in 2015.

To find out more, visit our website at http://www.eliorgroup.com

Follow us on Twitter (@Elior_Group)

1 www.eliorgroup.com (Finance Shareholders Annual Shareholders' Meeting 2021 Annual Shareholders' Meeting)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005272/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

Damien Rebourg damien.rebourg@eliorgroup.com +33 (0) 1 71 06 70 61

Marie Gesquiere marie.gesquiere@taddeo.fr +33 (0)6 26 48 97 98

Investor relations

Kimberly Stewart kimberly.stewart@eliorgroup.com +33 (0)1 71 06 70 13
(CNN)  At any other time, the imminent House passage of a gargantuan $1.9 trillion bill that addresses many of the foundational goals of a new presidency would be regarded as a smashing victory for a White House only six weeks into a first term.

Yet the extreme circumstances of a pandemic, an ex-President's impeachment trial and a partisan split over the contents of the legislation have so far tended to obscure the Covid relief plan's significance.

The bill, which the House of Representatives is expected to pass Friday with Democratic votes, has the symbolic weight and financial power to define what Biden hopes will be the post-pandemic period as it aims to quell the virus and trigger a rebound from the economic ruin in its wake. That remains true despite the Senate parliamentarian ruling Thursday that a provision raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour infringes the budgetary process known as reconciliation that Democrats plan to use to pass the package with a simple majority. The decision was a blow to progressives but could ease Democratic divisions over the package and make it easier to pass.

President Joe Biden told a bipartisan group of governors on Thursday that the economic toll of the pandemic is tearing through the country as brutally as the virus and that Washington had no choice to step up with the rescue package. "Instead of chasing Covid-19, (the bill) allows us to get ahead of it, with more testing supplies and vaccinations," Biden said.

The plan's mammoth size -- more than twice as big as the Great Recession stimulus plan that Biden managed in the Obama presidency and nearly half the cost of the annual federal budget -- hints at the enduring political shadow it will cast.

The measure is intended to significantly beef up the vaccine drive that will hopefully end the pandemic and to provide funds for remodeling schools to improve ventilation and social distancing to get millions of kids back into class. It would also use the power of government to alleviate short-term economic pain -- for instance by granting $19 billion to state and local governments to cover back rent and utility payments -- and on a more permanent basis, to share the benefits of the US economy more equally.

Proposed stimulus payments of up to $1,400 extra dollars to some Americans and extended unemployment benefits through August would deliver on fundamental promises that won Biden the presidency and made Trump a one-term president.

"It's about putting vaccinations in the arm, money in the pocket, children in the schools, workers in their jobs. It's what this country needs," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday.

A bill that is already defining the midterm elections

The measure won't survive in pristine form in the Senate, as the parliamentarian's ruling proved Thursday evening.

Yet even without the minimum wage provision, the legislation is already defining the politics running up to the midterm elections next year and beyond, and would enshrine those trends if Biden can navigate a narrow path for it through an evenly divided Senate with the likely help of the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Unwilling to hand the new President a big victory -- and partly to try to force a partisan vote to undercut Biden's popular impulse to work across the aisle -- Republicans in the House and Senate have been coming out strongly against the bill. Using its 2009 playbook, the GOP is attacking the legislation as a massive, liberal giveaway, apparently seeking to create a backlash similar to the Tea Party movement that helped it capture the House a decade ago. GOP lawmakers also argue that some of the money provided under previous stimulus packages signed by former President Donald Trump has not yet been used up so more spending is premature.

"Pelosi, (Senate Majority Leader Chuck) Schumer and Biden decided to use a pandemic to push forward a progressive wish-list items to reward political allies, friends and donors at the expense of the American working class," Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, the top Republican on the House Budget Committee, said this week.

Republicans are pointing out that not all of the money included in the plan is for emergency aid. They highlight, for instance, that some of the $130 billion reserved for education will flow over the next few years. But some of those funds are actually meant to forestall teacher layoffs next year that are a direct result of the pandemic that has devastated many state and local budgets.

Republicans are taking a gamble in opposing a bill that a majority of the public regards as necessary during the worst domestic crisis since World War II. If the legislation succeeds, Biden will use it to turn the tables on Republicans who are banking on the traditional President's first-term curse to help them seize back the House and the Senate in November 2022. And he might point out that Republicans who are accusing Democrats of overspending were happy enough to pass Covid relief plans -- and to balloon the deficit -- when a Republican was in the White House.

Still, should the pandemic and its economic detritus linger for many more months, forcing Biden to return to the Hill for another rescue plan, the GOP will be in a position to brand his most ambitious gambit a failure. And there are already signs that Republicans will use the scale of this rescue plan to argue there is no money left for other Biden priorities like tackling climate change.

Democratic splits

While clarifying the philosophical divide between the parties, the American Rescue Plan has also revealed the limits of Biden's aspirations to seek bipartisan solutions. White House talks with a group of 10 GOP senators who drew up a $600 billion counter-offer served mostly to emphasize the vast gap in perception over the size of the crisis between Republicans and Democrats.

They also revealed tensions that may become more significant in time between Republican senators and the White House. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, for instance, was outspoken in criticizing the role played by Biden's chief of staff Ron Klain.

The two-trillion-dollar megalith has also teased out splits within the Democratic Party  with some prominent progressives clashing with moderates like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who used the power of his swing vote in the chamber to highlight his own less ambitious $11 minimum wage plan.

There have also been signs of nervousness on the left of the Democratic Party over the extent of Biden's ambition. The President has yet to tip his hand on key elements of the measure that might be up for negotiation. The intervention by the Senate parliamentarian may make the bill simpler to pass since it will defuse a confrontation between Democrats over the minimum wage.

But the decision immediately set off a new debate in the party with progressives warning that the only way to pass a stand-alone bill on a minimum wage hike would be if Senate Democrats abolish the filibuster that effectively means major legislation needs 60 votes to pass in the 100-vote chamber. Such a move would set off a firestorm between Republicans and Democrats -- and could come back to haunt the current majority if Republicans take back control of the Senate and there is a Republican in the Oval Office.

Biden faces mid-March deadline

Delays in confirming some of the President's Cabinet members have also caused some skittishness over whether he is moving sufficiently quickly to maximize the apex of his power in his early months in office.

While Obama passed his economic rescue plan that eventually reached $800 billion in 2009, in early February, Biden isn't doing too badly by comparison with other predecessors. It took President George W. Bush until June of his first year in office to sign the $1.3 trillion tax cut that was the centerpiece of his first-term agenda. While President Bill Clinton signed a flurry of legislation in his first days in office, his big ticket economic plan, which passed without a single Republican vote and turned deficits into a surplus by the time he left office, wasn't enacted until August of his first year in office, in 1993.

Biden cannot afford to wait that long, not least because federal unemployment benefits are currently set to expire on March 14. An estimated 11 million people could eventually lose unemployment benefits if the bill doesn't pass. And another 730,000 Americans filed first-time jobless benefits last week, underscoring the total collapse of industries in the hospitality and travel sector, for example.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The House is set for a historic down payment on Biden's legacy."
One resident, Musa Mustapha, said the gunmen also attacked a nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from interfering while the gunmen spent several hours at the school. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

Several large groups of armed men operate in Zamfara state, described by the government as bandits, and are known to kidnap for money and for the release of their members from jail.

We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria, said Peter Hawkins, Unicef representative in the country. This is a gross violation of childrens rights and a horrific experience for children to go through. He called for their immediate release.

Nigeria has seen several such attacks and kidnappings over the years, notably the mass abduction in April 2014 by jihadist group Boko Haram of 276 girls from the secondary school in Chibok in Borno state. More than 100 of the girls are still missing.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 26, 2021 - 06:48 | All, World

President Joe Biden's trade representative pick Katherine Tai on Thursday vowed to work with U.S. allies to address what Washington views as China's unfair economic practices, but was cautious about an early return to a vast Pacific trade agreement the United States left four years ago.

Noting her past career as chief enforcer against China's unfair trade practices at the U.S. Trade Representative Office, Tai said at a Senate confirmation hearing that she knows the critical importance of having a "strategic and coherent plan for holding China accountable to its promises and effectively competing with its model of state-directed economics."

"And I know how important it is to build what the president has termed 'a united front of U.S. allies,'" she said.

Her remarks signal a desire to shift away from the previous administration's go-it-alone approach under Donald Trump, which critics say has alienated allies and undermined an effective global response to China.

Tai also said she will work to enforce the so-called U.S.-China phase one trade agreement, under which Beijing agreed to beef up purchases of U.S. products, strengthen intellectual property protections and address allegations of forced technology transfer.

"There are promises that China made that China needs to deliver on," the trade expert said before the Senate Committee on Finance, referring to the deal signed in January last year following a tit-for-tat tariff war between the world's two largest economies.

Tai, meanwhile, indicated cautiousness as to whether the United States should work toward a quick return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, from which Trump withdrew the country shortly after taking office in 2017 over concerns about potential U.S. job losses.

"Even today in 2021, the basic formula of TPP, which was to work with our partners with whom we have very important shared interests economically and strategically, and with the challenge of China in mind, is still a sound formula," she said, but added that "a lot has changed in the world in the past five or six years" since it was negotiated.

The TPP, originally signed by 12 Asia-Pacific countries in 2016, has widely been seen as a counterweight against China's growing economic clout in the region. Following the U.S. withdrawal, Japan and the other 10 remaining members including Australia moved to salvage most of the deal, now called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Biden, formerly vice president under Barack Obama who championed the TPP, suggested prior to his election as president that joining the CPTPP would require renegotiation in some areas.

The Biden administration has also indicated that its initial focus will be on investment in American competitiveness at home rather than negotiating any new trade deals.

Tai, born to Chinese parents who grew up in Taiwan, has been tapped by Biden to become the first Asian American and first woman of color to lead the USTR office. The post requires Senate confirmation.
Soldiers who are exposed to explosions on the battlefield are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's, scientists have found.

Shockwaves from blasts can damage the connections between neurons and the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory and social function.

People in close proximity to bombs can suffer brain damage but researchers say the new finding indicates people who appear unaffected may have sustained injuries which increase the risk of neurological impairment in later life.

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People in close proximity to bomb detonation can suffer brain damage but researchers say the new finding indicates people who appear unaffected can also develop neurological impairment

Study author Dr Frederick Gregory, at the United States Army Research Laboratory, said: 'Blasts can lead to debilitating neurological and psychological damage but the underlying injury mechanisms are not well understood.

'Understanding the molecular pathophysiology of blast-induced brain injury and potential impacts on long-term brain health is extremely important to understand in order to protect the lifelong health and well-being of our service members.'

Slices of hippocampus tissue from rats were collected and kept alive in culture dishes and exposed to blast waves produced by controlled military explosives.

Soldiers who are exposed to explosions on the battlefield are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's, scientists have found

Analysis of the brain samples revealed a breakdown of components which allow different parts of the brain to connect with each other.

Electrical activity produced by neurons was also 'sharply' diminished.

Co-author professor Ben Bahr at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke said: 'This finding may explain those many blast-exposed individuals returning from war zones with no detectable brain injury, but who still suffer from persistent neurological symptoms, including depression, headaches, irritability and memory problems.'

The blast waves affected healthy neurons with subtle synapse defects, which could be an early sign for brain disorders like dementia.

This could explain the increased risk of Alzheimer's among soldiers who do not have any visible brain damage, the researchers say.

Professor Bahr said: 'The mystery behind blast-induced neurological complications when traumatic damage is undetected may be rooted in distinct alterations to the tiny connections between neurons in the hippocampus.

'Early detection of this measurable deterioration could improve diagnosis and treatment of recurring neuropsychiatric impediments, and reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life.'

The findings were published in the journal Brain Pathology.
Dhaka, Feb 26 : Protests erupted in Dhaka after writer and blogger Mushtaq Ahmed, denied bail six times, died in Kashimpur jail.

Blaming the government for the death and demanded repeal of the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA), protesters threatened to lay siege to the Home Ministry on March 1.

Ahmed, 53, used to write under the pen name Michael Kumir Thakur and was critical on social media of the government's handling of the pandemic. His book "Kumir (crocodile) Chasher Diary" was published in November 2018, and he was working on another book.

However, he, along with cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore, were arrested under the DSA by the elite Rapid Action Battalion on May 6, 2020 allegedly for "spreading rumours and carrying out anti-government activities".

On February 23, Ahmed and cartoonist Kishore were brought to the cyber crimes tribunal for hearing where he was denied bail again. The judge directed the investigators to launch a "further probe" into the case and submit a report by March 23. Kishore's brother Ahsan Kabir had last seen the duo then.

The Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed a petition seeking three days' remand for Ahmed, just two days before his death in jail on Thursday.

Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique had set February 28 for the hearing of the petition and asked the authorities concerned to produce the duo before the court from prison, General Recording Officer Nizam Uddin told IANS on Friday.

Syed Bayezid, sub-inspector of Joydevpur Police Station in Gazipur, who prepared the inquest report said sores were found on the back of Ahmed. Also, reddish-black small spots were found on his right and left hands.

According to the forensics department of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College in Gazipur, the writer's autopsy report said there weren't any apparent signs of injuries on his body.

However, head of the hospital's forensic department Dr Shafi Mohaimen said that further details can be disclosed only after the autopsy report is submitted.

"He suddenly lost consciousness around 7.10 p.m. on Thursday. We immediately took him to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital. A doctor declared him dead at around 8.20 p.m.," Gias Uddin, acting superintendent of Kashimpur High Security Jail, told IANS on Friday.

According to the police, a case of unnatural death has been filed with Joydebpur police station. A police official said that he suspected that the wounds might have occurred while taking the body to the hospital.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said an investigation committee would be formed to look into the death of Mushtaq.

The deceased writer is survived by his wife Lipa Akhter and elderly parents in Lalmatia.

Quoting the family members of Mushtaq Ahmed, 'Rastrachinta Mancha' member Didarul Bhuiyan said on Friday afternoon that the body of the writer was handed over to his family from Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Hospital at about 12.30 p.m. after the postmortem.
[February 26, 2021] Florida cities are generating revenue with Passport's technology

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cities throughout the state of Florida are choosing transportation software leader, Passport, to streamline and manage vehicle interactions with their streets and sidewalks. Through the company's digital operating system, Passport clients across the region are regaining lost revenues from the pandemic by providing their communities with accessible, touchless payment options for parking. Like many cities across the Sunshine State, the City of St. Augustine welcomes millions of visitors each year to its historic attractions and sandy beaches. The City launched Passport's mobile payment application, Passport Parking, in early 2019 and experienced a rapid adoption of the app due to its convenience and ease of use. From the time of launch to 2020  amid the pandemic  the City saw an 84 percent increase in revenue. "Passport Parking has been a great addition for the City of St. Augustine by providing a cashless and contactless option especially during the current times," says City parking manager, Tara Bennie. "The convenience for the parker along with the ease of the backend system for our employees has been priceless!" The Town of Fort Myers Beach also offers Passport Parking to its residents as a cashless alternative to paying for parking with physical hardware. "The Town of Fort Myers Beach has phased out parking meters and is gradually removing pay stations to further encourage the use of mobilepayment technology," said Roger Hernstadt, Town Manager.



Another popular vacation destination in the state, the City of Key West, will be deploying the Passport Operating System to offer mobile pay parking, parking enforcement and digital permitting solutions. With more convenient options available to pay for and manage long and short term parking sessions, tourists and locals can enjoy a hassle-free, contactless parking experience and the City can more effectively manage its streets and sidewalks. City of Key West parking director, John Wilkins, explains that the City was initially only pursuing Passport's digital enforcement solution. "We quickly realized we were in need of a centralized solution rather than multiple vendors to manage our parking needs," said Wilkins. "Integrating everything under one roof with Passport enables us to increase compliance, drive revenue and offer our visitors and citizens more choice."

Earlier this year, Passport was recognized on the University of Florida's Gator 100 List , an annual award that celebrates the world's 100 fastest-growing Gator businesses. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, the University has implemented measures to ensure the health and safety of its campus. "We understand the hardships brought on by the pandemic and we are dedicated to helping communities rebuild through cost-effective solutions," says Passport director of municipal sales, Kelsey Owens. "Our partnerships throughout the state of Florida signify our commitment to reducing cities' operational complexities and addressing the diverse needs of their residents." About Passport

Passport sets cities in motion, helping to create more livable, equitable communities. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Passport is a transportation software company, delivering the operating system that enables cities to manage vehicle interactions with streets and sidewalks. With Passport, city leaders increase convenience, efficiency and compliance today and tomorrow. Trusted by more than 1,000 cities, universities and agencies, including Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Miami, Passport is one of the fastest-growing companies on the Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 lists, and was named to Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies for 2020. Media Contact:

Allison Guthrie

(818) 523-8581

passport@greenbrier.partners View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/florida-cities-are-generating-revenue-with-passports-technology-301236284.html SOURCE Passport

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HAMILTON, Miss. (WTVA) - The Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department received new appliances Thursday after a tornado destroyed its facility in 2019.

In April 2019, a deadly tornado tore through the small community in southern Monroe County killing one individual. The winds leveled the fire department.

The Hamilton Fire Department is in Hamilton, Mississippi. Date: Feb. 25, 2021

Atmos Vice President Mathew Davidson (left) joined Fire Chief Raymond Oliver (center) and Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley (second from right). Photo Date: Feb. 25, 2021 Atmos Vice President Mathew Davidson (left) joined Fire Chief Raymond Oliver (center) and Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley (second from right). Photo Date: Feb. 25, 2021

A tornado destroyed the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department in April 2019. A tornado destroyed the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department in April 2019. The Hamilton Fire Department is in Hamilton, Mississippi. Date: Feb. 25, 2021

Fire Chief Raymond Oliver said the storm damaged the department's five trucks. He said the recovery has been a struggle.

But the new building is still in need of equipment.

Atmos Energy, along with Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, donated new appliances, including a new water heater, a gas range and multiple space heaters.

Presley said he asked the energy company to help connect natural gas to the fire department.

"This was just an opportunity to give back to the community and an important part of the community of Hamilton," Atmos Vice President Mathew Davidson said.

"I'm hoping this will help not only our volunteers but our community; I hope our community is proud," Oliver added.

WASHINGTON  The United States on Thursday carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria against buildings belonging to what the Pentagon said were Iran-backed militias responsible for recent attacks against U.S. and allied personnel in Iraq.

President Joe Biden authorized the strikes in response to the rocketing in Iraq and to continuing threats to U.S. and coalition personnel there, said John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, who spoke with reporters traveling with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in California.

A rocket attack Feb. 15 on the airport in Irbil, in northern Iraq, killed a Filipino contractor with the U.S.-led military coalition and wounded six others, including a Louisiana National Guard soldier and four American contractors.

U.S. officials said the strikes were a relatively small, carefully calibrated military response: seven 500-pound bombs dropped on a small cluster of buildings at an unofficial crossing at the Syria-Iraq border used to smuggle across weapons and fighters.

The strikes were just over the border in Syria to avoid diplomatic blowback to the Iraqi government. The Pentagon offered up larger groups of targets but Biden approved a less aggressive option, U.S. officials said.

The American airstrikes Thursday specifically destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militia troops, including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Kirby said.

This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners, he added. The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel.

Kirby said the American retaliation was meant to punish the perpetrators of the rocket attack but not to escalate hostilities with Iran, with which the Biden administration has sought to renew talks on a nuclear deal that President Donald Trump had shelved.

We have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq, Kirby said.

The attack on the Irbil airport was claimed by a little-known group called Awliya al Dam, or Guardian of the Blood, brigades. The group also claimed responsibility for two bombings against U.S. contractor convoys in August.

Little is known about the group, including whether it is backed by Iran or related to the organizations that used the facilities the American airstrikes targeted Thursday. Some U.S. officials contend that the group is merely a front for one of the better-known Shia militias.

Michael Mulroy, a former top Middle East policy official at the Pentagon, said the limited strikes appeared intended to signal that Irans use of militias as proxies would not allow them to avoid responsibility for attacking Americans. But the time and place of the attack also were significant.

The decision to strike in Syria instead of Iraq was likely to avoid causing issues for the Iraqi government, a key partner in the continuing efforts against ISIS, Mulroy said in an email. It was smart to strike in Syria and avoid the blowback in Iraq.

Biden had discussed the rocket attacks in a phone call Tuesday with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi of Iraq. A White House statement afterward said that the two agreed that those responsible for such attacks must be held fully to account.

The retaliatory strikes, which took place about 6 p.m. Thursday in Washington, or 2 a.m. Friday in eastern Syria, had been in the works for several days as U.S. intelligence agencies worked to establish high confidence that the two Iraqi militias were responsible for the rocket attacks.

U.S. officials said the attack killed a handful of militia, but the Pentagon did not provide any detailed assessment of the damage.

Saberin News Telegram channel, which is affiliated with Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, reported one dead and several injured. It said the strikes targeted an empty building and another structure used by the militia. The bases were in an area between Al Qaem and Abu Kamal, near the Syria-Iraq border.

Biden authorized the strikes Thursday morning, as his defense secretary was at a hotel in San Diego, preparing to visit the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which was returning home from the Persian Gulf.

Austin expressed confidence that the facilities targeted were used by militia groups responsible for the attacks. Speaking to reporters aboard his plane Thursday evening, he said that the Biden administration had been deliberate in its approach.

We allowed and encouraged the Iraqis to investigate and develop intelligence, and it was very helpful to us in refining the target, he said.

The Biden administration has taken a more measured response to the rocket fusillade in Irbil than Trumps pitched campaign against Iran and past actions of its proxies in Iraq  one that often caught the Iraqi government in the crossfire.

Administration officials have said since the Irbil attack that the United States would respond to the strike at a time and place of its choosing.

Even so, the deliberateness of the new administrations approach has raised questions both in Washington and in Baghdad about where Bidens red lines are when it comes to responding to attacks from Iranian-backed militias that target Americans in Iraq.

The U.S. military has drawn down the number of its troops in Iraq to under 2,500 and has pulled out of several bases there over the past two years. It says Iraq no longer needs the help it did in the past to fight the Islamic State, although U.S. officials have acknowledged that militia attacks also factored into the decision to move troops to bases more easily defended.

Iran has made clear that it intends to retaliate further for the American drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020 that killed a top Iranian commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, and a senior Iraqi security official. Days after that strike, the Iranian government launched missile attacks against U.S. forces at the Ain al Assad air base in Iraqs Anbar province, wounding more than 100 troops.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Amazon's new headquarters is part of a larger trend to rethink office space as more community-focused culture center than a space where your desk is. Courtesy company

The future of office design is all about collaborative spaces and community. Just ask Amazon. Its new HQ2 designs focus on what you miss most when you're remote: people.

The plan for the $2.5 billion complex in Arlington, Virginia, features a spiral double-helix glass tower with two lushly landscaped pedestrian paths. There are also 2.5 acres of open public space that include a dog run, stores, daycare facilities, and restaurants. The designs can yield a wealth of ideas for businesses rethinking their own workplace for the post-Covid world.

"Design gives us the opportunity to transform and reshape the workplace into a healthier and more purposeful experience," says Robert Mankin, partner of NBBJ, the global architecture firm behind the plan, which was unveiled earlier this month. The complex, known as Amazon's second headquarters, includes three 22-story office buildings.

The goal is to bring people together in a flexible office space to foster the sharing of ideas, says John Schoettler, Amazon's vice president of global real estate and facilities. "Opening buildings and spaces for the entire neighborhood to benefit from and enjoy are a key piece of our inclusive and creative development," he says.

In the post-Covid future, many organizations will adopt a hybrid workforce model: Heads-down work will take place offsite, instead of in the office. More employees will work from home and come into the office for meetings, mentorship, connection, and learning from peers. To help make that happen, companies will want to offer more interactive spaces and social connection points to foster cultural connections, says Mankin.

Gone are the rows of desks and quiet, library-like open-office plans. Instead, the office is designed to foster interaction, focus on nature, and welcome the community. HQ2 is designed with these ideas in mind, says Mankin, whose firm also counts Microsoft, Google, and Samsung as clients. "It could have been an easy direction for Amazon to build an isolated campus, but that's not what we're doing here," he says. "It's actually a campus that allows the public to move freely through."

Given the pandemic's disruption to the workplace, now is a great time to rethink how your company uses its office and to create a plan to make a hybrid workforce work for you.

"This is a moment in time that will probably accelerate many things that we have been either thinking about or wishing for," says Carlos Martinez, principal at San Francisco-based architecture firm Gensler, which has designed for such companies as Etsy, Adidas, and Facebook.

Want to incorporate the future of office design into your own workplace? Consider the following three tips.

1. Encourage gathering.

Collaborative spaces are more than just desks placed together or a meeting room with well-stocked cupboards. An office layout should encourage spontaneous interactions among staff. You don't need a big budget to do so.

Think about putting comfortable seating near your kitchen or coffee station, so you can sit down to chat when you run into a co-worker. Or, create an open space where employees are in view, not cornered off by cubicle walls. Just as Amazon's HQ2 designs include retail space and outdoor-gathering spots, you can try opening up your lobby or a furnished outdoor area to the public, so that your community extends beyond your own employee head count.

2. Incorporate nature.

Maximize natural lighting whenever possible by removing furniture that may obstruct windows. Add plants and greenery, which can reduce stress. Help employees get outside, where creativity is often sparked, by adding paths and bike parking, so employees can walk or ride through the surrounding neighborhood on their way to work.

3. Design for flexibility.

Technology is changing workspaces rapidly, even year by year, so it's important to be flexible. Don't think that you can sign a 10-year lease and design a space that fits your needs for an entire decade.

Find a lease that can offer a shorter time commitment in case your needs change, Martinez says. Then make sure that what you build or purchase is absolutely essential. Whatever you create should support the behavior of your employees and your company's values.

Consider the storied tech companies starting in the founder's garage. "A garage as a psychology of space is one of the most adaptable spaces that exist," Martinez says. "Garages are blank boxes that allow you to modify things very quickly. You should create a space that gives you some of those elements."

In other words, let your office be your story, a collaborative space to project your culture and your aspirations. Everything else? That can get done at home.

TikTok and the African Union have partnered to place the spotlight on African content through a month-long campaign dubbed #IamAfrican in celebration of Africa Day on 25 May. The campaign calls on users to share their views on what makes them proudly African across various categories, including music.
It becomes possible to determine the crystal structure topology with the help of the program

Employees of the Samara Center for Theoretical Materials Science (SCTMS) of Samara Polytech have developed a free automated service for determining the topology TopCryst.Find_Topology. It allows to conduct complex analysis and classification of the crystal structure online. The program was recently registered with Rospatent.

"With the help of topological methods, chemists describe and predict the ways of chemical objects linking (atoms, molecules, clusters) into more complex architectures," explains the director of SCTMS, professor Vladislav Blatov. "The service TopCryst.Find_Topology, developed by us, is designed to help the scientific community in describing topological characteristics and classifying both predicted or newly synthesized substances, and those already known".

The procedure for determining the TopCryst topology includes the following fully automated stages of analysis: determination of chemical bonds in the crystal structure; relation of the structure to one of the chemical classes; determination of building units of the structure depending on its nature; simplifying the structure to a base net containing the associated centers of gravity of building units; computation of a set of topological indices defining the base net topology; determination of the base net topology based on the base of topological types (TTD collection), which is also being developed at SCTMS.

###

For reference:

(SCTMS) -

Samara Center for Theoretical Materials Science (SCTMS) was organized in 2013; the center has been operating on the basis of Samara Polytech since 2018. Among the directions of SCTMS work are the software development for new materials modeling and intelligent analysis of experimental data; development of a new generation of electronic databases for heuristic prediction of the physical properties of solids; development of an expert system for the effective search for materials with specified properties; organization of a computer center for solids calculation by quantum mechanical methods; organization of schools, workshops, seminars on theoretical materials science.

Samara Polytech as a flagship university offers a wide range of education and research programs and aims at development and transfer of high-quality and practically-oriented knowledge. The university has an established reputation in technical developments and focuses on quality education, scientific and pragmatic research, combining theory and practice in the leading regional businesses and enterprises. Education is conducted in 30 integrated groups of specialties and areas of training (about 200 degree programs including bachelor, master programs and 55 PhD programs) such as oil and gas, chemistry and petrochemistry, mechanics and energy, transportation, food production, defense, IT, mechanical and automotive engineering, engineering systems administration and automation, material science and metallurgy, biotechnology, industrial ecology, architecture, civil engineering and design, etc.
Since Wednesday afternoon, Facebook has blocked its users from sharing the World Socialist Web Site Perspective column, Washington Posts Wuhan Lab conspiracy theory stands exposed.

The censorship began less than 12 hours after the article was initially posted. At the time Facebook intervened, the article had been viewed 1,500 times.

Facebook notification that a WSWS article is censored because the company doesnt allow false information that has been repeatedly debunked.

Multiple readers confirmed that upon attempting to share the article, they received a message saying no one else can see your post because Facebook does not allow false information that has been repeatedly debunked, implying that the article contains misinformation about COVID-19. Some readers reported that immediately upon sharing the article, their Facebook accounts were suspended for three and, in some cases, seven days.

Absolutely nothing in the WSWS article was wrong, false or misleading. The article in question was based on the position of the World Health Organization, which has excluded investigation of a non-natural origin of COVID-19 on the grounds that there is no evidence to support the claim.

The WSWS article called attention to the backhanded concession by the Post in its February 22 editorial, which admitted that, despite the newspapers previous declarations that the man-made origins of the disease are a plausible scenario, no evidence has been made public to support this claim and called on the US government to release any information it has.

Given that the article is fully in compliance with Facebooks community guidelines, what motivated this act of censorship? There are two intersecting explanations.

It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that there was direct communication between the Washington Post and Facebook. The Post was no doubt angered by the exposure of its embarrassing climb-down.

But it is not just a matter of Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos wounded ego. The WSWS article undermined a narrative that is central to the foreign and domestic policy interests of the American ruling class: the claim that Beijing is to blame for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WSWS statement exposed very clearly, on the basis of an analysis of the Washington Post editorial itself, the fraudulent character of the Wuhan Lab narrative, a propaganda lie that is central to the campaign against China. The Biden administration has continued to push this lie that was promoted aggressively by Trump.

The irony is that the WSWS is being accused of precisely what we exposed, that is, false claims about the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. In stereotypical Orwellian fashion, the exposure of lies leads to charges of lying.

Throughout history, war has always been accompanied by both lies and censorship. The United States has made clear that its primary military objective is to prepare for great-power conflict, in particular with Russia and China, which implies the need to control and suppress any information that interferes with war-making operations.

Since 2016, a far-advanced regime of government censorship has been put into place in the United States. This censorship program is enforced by corporations like Google, Facebook and Twitter. But the impetus for the censorship regime comes from the highest levels of the state, using powerful technology to eviscerate what remains of First Amendment rights.

Facebook employs tens of thousands of people in its content moderation department. Speaking at a US Senate hearing in January 2018, Facebooks counterterrorism head Monica Bickert bragged that the company has hired tens of thousands of content moderators, many with military, intelligence or police backgrounds. She noted that Facebook boasts a dedicated counterterrorism team of former intelligence and law-enforcement officials.

The intersection of the military/intelligence apparatus and corporations is so complete that it is impossible to tell where one begins and the other ends.

The censorship regime is staggering in scale and capability. At the press of a button, any exposure of US militarism can be removed from circulation on the Internet. As soon as the state identifies an article, fact or statement it finds inconvenient, it sends instructions to Facebook and Google to suppress it. As Facebooks censorship demonstrates, action is to be taken not only against those who publish the material, but also those who read and distribute it.

Every act of censorship lays the groundwork for the next, creating the conditions for the suppression not just of social media, but of websites, email and other direct forms of communication. The threat is to all socialist, left-wing and progressive organizations, and there must be a common struggle to oppose it.

The most critical issue is to mobilize support in the working class, which, in the final analysis, is the central target of the attack. Access to information about COVID-19 is a matter of life and death. The working class needs to know the truth so it can arm itself in defense of workers lives.

The exposure of military propaganda is likewise a life-and-death issue. The US war in Iraq, which led to the deaths of more than one million people, was justified and prepared on the basis of lies. A war with China would have vastly more catastrophic consequences.

Facebooks decision to censor the WSWS article debunking Washington's false narrative on the origins of COVID-19 is a warning of just how far-reaching these war preparations are.
Mark Machin, President and CEO of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, speaks at a seminar on building a sustainable social security system in Beijing, China on Monday, Feb.20, 2017. Machin has resigned after admitting he was vaccinated for COVID-19 abroad. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canada Pension Plan Investment Board MANDATORY CREDIT
Planned Parenthood Profits Despite Government Lockdowns

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Liberty Counsel

Feb 25, 2021



WASHINGTON, Feb 25, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Despite churches and businesses that were forced to close due to governors' COVID executive orders, Planned Parenthood killed a record number 354,871 unborn babies via abortion during its 2019-2020 fiscal year. That is an increase of 9,199 compared to the previous year, according to its latest annual report.

Planned Parenthood performed an average of 972 abortions each day in the United States and brought in more than $1.64 billion in revenue. That means the revenues from one of the nation's most profitable "non-profits" outweighed expenses by $69.7 million.

Planned Parenthood's annual report also shows that prenatal services and adoption referrals were down again last year. Only 8,626 women received prenatal care which means there were more than 41 abortions at Planned Parenthood for every prenatal visit. Regarding adoption referrals, 2,667 women were referred in 2019. Therefore, Planned Parenthood took the lives of 133 unborn children for every mother they sent to an adoption agency.

Even though it is the largest abortion provider in America, Planned Parenthood's annual report claims that abortion is only three percent of the organization's "medical services" for the last fiscal year. However, Planned Parenthood arrives at this false statistic by dividing the number of children it aborted (354,871) for the year by the number of "services" the group provided (10.3 million). This means when a woman visits a Planned Parenthood facility to obtain an abortion, she is also given a pregnancy test, an STI test, a cancer screening and contraception. Therefore, the abortion procedure would be considered 20 percent of the "services" she received. Using this deceptive formula, the report manipulates the data to make it appear as if abortion is a tiny percent of its "services," though a much higher percentage of actual patients who visit Planned Parenthood facilities are there, first and foremost, to obtain an abortion.

To further increase its abortion income, Planned Parenthood is now using technology to directly reach patients as early and often as possible through PP Direct, their app to access birth control prescriptions and UTI treatment on the phone, and ROO, their sexual health chatbot, to give "non-judgmental, science-based information to teens."

Planned Parenthood has also now expanded telemedicine abortions to all 50 states despite the fact that the drug mifepristone/RU-486, which ends the life of the unborn child, has 19 pages of patient safety information with cautions and directions for those taking the drug. The FDA has documented at least 4,000 cases of serious adverse events, including more than 1,000 women who required hospitalization. As of December 31, 2018, there have been 24 reported deaths of women in the United States associated with mifepristone.

Regardless of the danger, the chemical abortion process is paired with a telemedicine platform in two ways: a physician can examine a patient via telemedicine, then issue a prescription for mifepristone and misoprostol to the patient to terminate the pregnancy; or a remote physician can examine a patient at a clinic, then issue instructions to clinic personnel to dispense the drugs from a locked cabinet that is remotely opened by the doctor.

In 2018, Planned Parenthood also expanded its services to provide "transgender" hormone therapy. Now more than 200 health centers in 31 states provide hormone therapy.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "It is a tragedy that churches and businesses were forced to close because of governors' discriminatory COVID orders, yet Planned Parenthood increased its profit from killing unborn children. This speaks loudly about the abortion giant's true primary mission."

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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DETROIT - Kenneth Chapman Sr. was hopeful as he navigated a hulking Detroit Public Schools van down the street, pulling up to a brick home. Out front, there were signs that the girl he was looking for lived inside. Amid the discarded plastic cups in the yard, there was a ball, and on the porch a small bike, painted fluorescent pink.

"Normally when I get to the house and I see toys or bikes, I think, 'OK, somebody's going to be here,' " Chapman said.

But when he knocked, no one appeared.

This was one of the two dozen stops Chapman, who works in the school system's Family and Community Engagement Office, would make, looking on this chilly day in late October for students who had been missing classes. Some of the children on the list had worrisome numbers of absences this early on in the school year. But there were 3,000 students the district could not account for at all.

School districts across the country that closed buildings in mid-March in response to the coronavirus pandemic handled the transition to remote learning with varying levels of success. During the disruption, schools lost track of students. Many students who were present in the classroom in early March could not be found online. And others who showed up in the spring haven't been seen since.

Even before the pandemic, districts had to track down children who had stopped showing up to school or had failed to appear for a new school year. They have strong incentives to find them; school funding is often allocated on a per-pupil basis. Sometimes it turns out students have moved and enrolled in other districts. Other times they can't be found and are removed from the rolls.

But this year, students have disappeared from classes in unprecedented numbers, forcing districts to rethink their approach to those who stop showing up. Many districts, cognizant of the damage that lost school time can cause, have employed extraordinary efforts to track down students to ensure that they are safe and have devices to learn. Others, like Detroit and Miami, have kept students on rosters even after they failed to show for an entire month. North Dakota began tracking attendance for all schools on a daily basis, and several schools used coronavirus aid to hire family liaisons to find missing students.

Several states have seen precipitous drops in public school enrollment this school year, and many have seen a rise in the number of students enrolled in private schools or being home-schooled. In addition, the children who would have started preschool or kindergarten in the fall are staying home in droves, as those grades are not mandatory in most states. But there's another category of students: those who were supposed to be in classes this year but still have not appeared.

In North Carolina, a state education official told state lawmakers that more than 10,000 students have not been accounted for. New Mexico is still searching for more than 12,000 students who were enrolled in public schools before the pandemic hit but never returned in the fall.

Katarina Sandoval, New Mexico's deputy secretary of academic engagement and student success, said that in previous years, the number of students who failed to come to school was so small that they did not even have a name for them. Many of them were high school dropouts.

But this year, the missing students come from all grades. The state organized an effort to reach out to families and enlisted the help of social service agencies to support those families who struggled to get their children to school.

A lot of these discrepancies stem from poor record-keeping systems. In many states, districts collect attendance individually and do not have a good way of sharing with one another. So a student who merely transferred may be marked as missing, and a student who cannot be found could be presumed to be in another district.

Detroit, which opened buildings in the fall for optional in-person instruction, had more than 900 students who did not enroll until after October, weeks into the school year. The district, which has long struggled with chronic absenteeism, launched an aggressive attendance initiative in 2019 backed by private foundations that allowed it to hire attendance officers for every school to keep tabs on children who did not show up.

During the pandemic, the district capitalized on the initiative, launching three door-to-door campaigns that sent staff and parent volunteers to the homes of students who have not been showing up to classes - either virtually or in person. In late January, the district was in the midst of its third campaign, with volunteers hitting the streets in 26-degree weather to check on students.

When school districts reach out to families, they often do so through text messages and robocalls, emails, Facebook posts and snail mail. It's communication that requires families to have a working cellphone, Internet access and a fixed address. That means families who move frequently, change cellphone numbers, or do not speak English can be left out of the loop and can be difficult to find.

Sacramento City Unified School District learned that lesson the hard way, when it lost touch with more than 1,600 students after closing in mid-March. None of them had responded to check-in calls from educators, and none of them logged on when virtual classes started a month later.

The district jumped into action, dispatching staff members to students' homes and setting up a food truck in the middle of large apartment complexes to draw out families and their children. If they found a student, they collected current contact information and ensured that the student had what was needed to log on. When that did not work, the district sought addresses from the state's food stamp program and from social service agencies. About three-quarters of the district's schoolchildren qualify for low-cost health insurance, food stamps or other social service programs.

By summer, just 845 students were missing. And by the start of the school year, only nine remained unreachable.

It is deeply worrisome for educators when they cannot account for where a young person is, or whether they are learning and safe. When school is in session and classes are face to face, teachers are better able to detect whether a schoolchild is being abused or neglected. Those check-ins are tougher when school is closed and children are no longer showing up for face-to-face instruction. Educators accounted for about a fifth of child abuse reports in 2018, according to federal data.

"There's just a whole layer of kids who have just disappeared," said Hailly T.N. Korman of the think tank Bellwether Education Partners, who is studying what she calls "the attendance crisis."

She is particularly concerned about children who come from low-income households, English-language learners, homeless students and migrant students, whose families may have been hit especially hard by the economic downturn: "It's been true for generations . . . that every one of society's unmet needs of children shows up at a classroom door.

"Now there's no classroom door to show up at."

"School has historically been the daily wellness check for a lot of kids," Korman said. "They don't have that anymore."

Like cities across the country, Detroit shut down its schools in mid-March as the pandemic tore through the community.

One of its victims was 5-year-old Skylar Herbert, the daughter of a police officer and a firefighter, and the first child to die of covid-19 in Michigan. Shortly thereafter, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, formed a task force to examine the pandemic's lopsided effects on communities of color. She dedicated the task force to Skylar, who was Black.

In the fall, the district reopened school buildings but gave parents the option of sending their children back or keeping them home and having them learn online. About a quarter of parents said they would send their children back. The rest either could not be reached or opted for virtual learning.

Last spring, after schools closed, the district endeavored to get a laptop with Internet embedded out to every one of the district's 50,000 students, raising $23 million in three weeks from Detroit-based companies to fund the effort. But many students never showed up to pick up a device - including nearly every child who remained missing deep into the school year. About 70% of the students on that list were also considered chronically absent before the pandemic.

Nikolai Vitti, the superintendent of Detroit Public Schools, said the number of students missing from classrooms is staggering. In the spring, only 10% of students were engaged with virtual learning, prompting the district to launch an aggressive campaign of door-to-door visits to ensure that families had devices and knew about when the district would open virtually. A month into the school year last fall, 8,000 students were still missing. About 5,000 of them joined the school year late.

"We've always had issues with absenteeism because of the impact of poverty," Vitti said. "But nothing like this."

That was true for Chena Castigliano, who has been raising three young children on her own since her husband, a drywall installer, was arrested and sent back to his native Mexico last year. Then came postpartum depression and eviction. She registered her school-age children, 5-year-old Emiliana and 6-year-old Emilio, for face-to-face classes in the fall, but they went only sporadically because she struggled to find them transportation. Things got worse when schools shut down in mid-November.

The children had to share a loaner device, and then she could not afford Internet. Because classes are still remote, the children have not attended since early December.

Not all families have "somebody to lean on," Castigliano said.

On that Friday, some of the families that Chapman encountered had easily resolvable issues that had kept students from virtual classrooms. One high school student had missed Oct. 7 because she had lost her laptop charger - but later recovered it. A boy's mother explained that he could not log on that day because of an enrollment issue at the school. Many times, Chapman said, students have not logged on because neither they nor their parents could figure out how. In those cases, he and the other staff dispatched to homes become de facto IT specialists.

But other times, the issues are greater. That same week, Chapman had arrived at a home where a cord snaked out the front door to an idling car. The family's power had been cut, and they were using electricity drawn from the car for the house. It was not uncommon, Chapman said, to come across a family whose children had stopped showing up because there was no electricity in the household.

The most worrisome cases are still the ones where a knock on the door yields no answer, or when the address belongs to an abandoned home.

The attendance crisis will have lifelong consequences for the students who are missing weeks or months of classes or who decide to leave school altogether.

"They might not come back at all. They might not finish high school," said Korman, the researcher. "They will struggle in the workforce. It will be difficult for them when they raise their own children."

"We're going to see the consequences of this for generations."
-Estimated economic impact of the wildfires in 2020, between $130 billion and $150 billion

-BKR 5000 First Model in New Line of Communications Technology Incorporating Multi-Band Products This Year

WEST MELBOURNE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American:BKTI) today announced it has won a strategic new customer. A wildland fire department in a major city in Texas, has signed an agreement for BK's new BKR 5000 Digital P-25 portable communications technology.

BK President Tim Vitou commented, "Wildfires are a public safety crisis taking a devastating toll on the United States, with an estimated economic impact last year of between $130 - $150 billion. BK is committed to doing its part by being positioned squarely in the public safety market and focused on technology and communications products that protect our public safety heroes and our communities. We are pleased to provide this major Texas city with our new BKR 5000 portable communications technology, the first model in a new line of technology incorporating multi-band products this year."

The BKR 5000 comes in three tiers allowing maximum flexibility and customization for the user's mission-critical needs and has been designed to meet the requirements of today's tough Public Safety communications environment. The BKR 5000 was designed and developed by the BK Technologies engineering team with extensive input from customers to incorporate the features and options needed by first responders.

A full line of accessories is available including intelligent battery and charging solutions, IP68 remote speaker microphones, and the popular BK wildland fire alkaline battery "clamshell". The new BKR 5000 is expected to be a platform that enhances BK's ability to address significant new vertical markets leading to expanded growth and market share.

About BK Technologies

BK Technologies Corporation is an American holding company deeply rooted in the public safety communications industry, with its operating subsidiary manufacturing high-specification communications equipment of unsurpassed reliability and value for use by public safety professionals and government agencies. BK Technologies is honored to serve these heroes with reliable equipment when every moment counts. The Company's common stock trades on the NYSE American market under the symbol "BKTI". Maintaining its headquarters in West Melbourne, Florida, BK Technologies can be contacted through its web site at www.bktechnologies.com or directly at 1-800-821-2900.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks, some of which have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, include, among others, the following: changes or advances in technology; the success of our land mobile radio product line; successful introduction of new products and technologies, including our ability to successfully develop and sell our anticipated new multiband product and other related products in the planned new BKR Series product line; competition in the land mobile radio industry; general economic and business conditions, including federal, state and local government budget deficits and spending limitations, any impact from a prolonged shutdown of the U.S. Government, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; the availability, terms and deployment of capital; reliance on contract manufacturers and suppliers; risks associated with fixed-price contracts; heavy reliance on sales to agencies of the U.S. Government and our ability to comply with the requirements of contracts, laws and regulations related to such sales; allocations by government agencies among multiple approved suppliers under existing agreements; our ability to comply with U.S. tax laws and utilize deferred tax assets; our ability to attract and retain executive officers, skilled workers and key personnel; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to identify potential candidates for, and consummate, acquisition, disposition or investment transactions, and risks incumbent to being a noncontrolling interest stockholder in a corporation; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the companies in which the Company holds investments; impact of our capital allocation strategy; risks related to maintaining our brand and reputation; impact of government regulation; rising health care costs; our business with manufacturers located in other countries, including changes in the U.S. Government and foreign governments' trade and tariff policies, as well as any further impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; our inventory and debt levels; protection of our intellectual property rights; fluctuation in our operating results and stock price; acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters and other catastrophic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; any infringement claims; data security breaches, cyber-attacks and other factors impacting our technology systems; availability of adequate insurance coverage; maintenance of our NYSE American listing; risks related to being a holding company; and the effect on our stock price and ability to raise equity capital of future sales of shares of our common stock. Certain of these factors and risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties, are stated in more detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:

Hayden IR

James Carbonara

james@haydenir.com

(646)-755-7412

SOURCE: BK Technologies Corporation

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Australia's major airlines have slashed ticket prices to as low as $39 for a one-way Sydney to Melbourne flight.

Qantas, Jetstar, Rex and Virgin Airlines have reduced their prices for domestic flights amid the vaccine rollout across the country.

Travellers can now fly on Rex airlines from Sydney to Melbourne for $49 and Virgin has dropped their price to match.

Australians can snatch up cheap domestic tickets as airlines drop prices amid fierce price war (pictured: stock of traveller at Sydney Domestic Airport)

Jetstar has one-way flights as low as $39 and travelling with Qantas will set flyers back $110.

Owner and manager of Time Flys travel agency said customers wee excited to get back in the sky and start travelling again.

'There's definitely a portion of the population that are just go getters and will take the deal wherever they can get it  but then there are others, where it doesn't matter how cheap they're being offered,' she told A Current Affair.

'There's lots heading up to Cairns, Port Douglass, Whitsundays are always popular. But there's a lot of talk about the outback and into remote places'.

Travellers are assured that in the event of a COVID related incident, their money will be returned for their flight (pictured: travellers at Sydney Domestic Airport)

A Qantas flight will set jet-setters back $110 for a one way ticket (pictured: stock image of Qantas plane)

Travellers are assured that in the event of a pandemic related incident, their money will be returned.

Rex airlines are offering customers full refunds if a COVID-related reason prevents travelling and Jetstar is offering credits for the same type of cancellations.

Qantas and Virgin airlines are also offering flight credits for cancellations.

Across Qantas, Rex and Virgin flights food will be provided, but customers will have to pay on board Jetstar.

But in terms of baggage, Qantas comes out on top with 10kg carry on and 23kg of check-in baggage available to customers.

Virgin and Rex only have 7kg carry on with 23kg check-in, and Jetstar customers have a complimentary 7kg carry on but must pay for check-in bags.
West Bengal will be held in eight phases from March 27, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday. West Bengal election result will be declared on May 2. The ruling Trinamool Congress led by has pitched this election as a contest between the people of Bengal and outsiders. Meanwhile, political pundits expect Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s meteoric rise in the state. However, it is yet to be seen what role the Left-Congress-Indian Secular Forum play in terms of bagging a share of the votes.





West Bengal election 2021: Full schedule

1st phase: March 27

2nd phase: April 1

3rd phase: April 6

4th phase: April 10

5th phase: April 17

6th phase: April 22

7th phase: April 26

8th phase: April 29

Counting on May 2

West Bengal 2021

The legislature has 294 seats. A party has to secure 148 seats to attain a majority.

In 2016, West Bengal elections were held between April 4 and May 5, where the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC), under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, was re-elected in Vidhan Sabha.

ABOUT WEST BENGAL ASSEMBLY

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly consists of 294 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), elected from single-seat constituencies, with five years term, unless dissolved. The current term will end on May 30, 2021.

Since May 2011, Biman Banerjee has been the Speaker of the Assembly.

ABOUT PREVIOUS WEST BENGAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

The previous election was held in six phases in 2016. The first phase was held in Maoist-affected areas on April 4 and April 11. The other phases were held on April 17, 21, 25, 30, and May 5.

The result was declared on May 19. won the election with 211 seats and also became the first ruling party to win without an ally since 1962 in West Bengal.

On March 5, released its candidate list the day elections were announced. released its list of 52 candidates on March 10. Other parties, such as CPI(M), CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), and All India Forward Bloc along with Indian National Congress released their respective candidate list in several rounds after consultations.

Since 2017, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the principal challenger to the in the state as both the Congress and the Left fared poorly in civic as well as panchayat polls.

While TMC won 22 Lok Sabha seats, the managed to get 18, the Congress two, and the Left failed to have any.
I know money cant buy you love, but wouldnt it be nice to have enough money to buy whatever else you want?

Im here to help you!

The most likely way to become rich is to try to get into a line of work thats hard to get into, particularly if the people in that profession are the ones setting the rules for entry.

For example, if you want to become rich, tech may be a less likely way than you suppose. In 2019, about 2.4 percent of software developers made it to the top one percent of earners. As the economist Jonathan Rothwell points out in his superb book, A Republic of Equals, as of 2015 there were nearly eight times as many software developers in this country as there were dentists, but nearly as many dentists in the top one percent as there were software developers.

The odds are also against you if you go into the STEM professions. Just about 2.2 percent of electrical engineers made it to the top one percent, just about 3.3 percent of chemical engineers did and about 0.8 percent of industrial engineers did. The arts arent so hot either. Even just among people who manage to make a living as an actor, a director or a producer, just about 2.1 percent made it to the tippy top.
Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would mandate state inspections after out-of-state owners purchase nursing homes, where the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic has exposed lapses in infection control, patient care and oversight.

Lawmakers said they decided to introduce the measure following a report in The Washington Post about Portopiccolo, a New Jersey-based investment home that acquired at least 20 nursing homes across the country even as the pandemic raged through its other facilities.

Employees of Portopiccolo-owned homes in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia told The Post that quality of care declined because of disruptions to staffing and supplies that followed the takeovers.

The legislation, which was discussed in committees in both the House of Delegates and state Senate this month, would require that state inspectors conduct unannounced visits three and six months after the purchases are made.

It is one of several bills lawmakers are weighing this session to improve conditions at long-term care facilities in Maryland, where 31,000 residents and staff have contracted coronavirus since March and nearly 3,500 have died.

About 45 percent of the state's covid-19 deaths have occurred at long-term care facilities - a share that is higher than 35 other states, according to federal data analyzed by the New York Times. Despite having less than half the number of long-term care facilities than Virginia, Maryland has reported more cases and fatalities in such facilities.

The legislative proposals would require Maryland to commit $100,000 yearly to programs that help seniors "age-in-place"; mandate adequate protective equipment and hazard pay for employees during an infectious outbreak; and ensure indoor visitation for family members or friends considered "essential caregivers."

State Sen. Pamela Beidle, D, who is spearheading the bill requiring inspections after changes in ownership, said The Post story made clear that Portopiccolo's eight acquisitions of Maryland nursing homes during the course of the pandemic were made with little government oversight.

The state health department said in December that it saw "no reason to change" its typical procedure of vetting such deals, which involves asking prospective owners to affirm that they have not been convicted of a felony within the past 10 years or penalized more than $10 million because of their ownership of nursing homes.

"In a lot of areas, the pandemic has highlighted need for more regulation," Beidle said. "This is one of them."

Del. Geraldine Valentino Smith, D, who is leading a matching bill in the House, said the uptick of private equity and investment firms entering the nursing home industry has created "economic incentives and models that do not always prioritize quality of care over profit."

The bill, she added, "is a small investment we can make now to put some quality measures in."

Portopiccolo has frequently described itself as a private equity firm, but removed that language from its website after inquiries from The Post in December.

A striking new study published in February by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that patients at nursing homes owned by private equity firms had an increased risk of death during their stay and the following 90 days.

The study also found that after private equity takeovers, overall quality of care ratings from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services declined, as did staffing hours at nursing homes. The use of anti-psychotic drugs increased, as did the amount billed for residents' care.

Valentino-Smith said lawmakers removed a requirement to inspect facilities one month after they are purchased by out-of-state companies after consultation with the Health Facilities Association of Maryland. The trade group argued that little can be learned about an operator in its first 30 days.

Joseph DeMattos, president of the association, said he is "actively working to support" the inspection bill's passage, even though he said that in his experience, most new operators invest significant amounts in the facilities they purchase.

Tina Hurley, who testified in support of the bill at a legislative hearing, said her mother Brenda Middleton has been "brushed off or ignored" by overstretched staff at Peak Healthcare at Denton, which was purchased by Portopiccolo in June 2020.

In sharing her account with The Post last year, Hurley said Middleton contracted the coronavirus after being asked to stay in the same room as another resident who had tested positive.

"I am here today because the big businesses that run my mom's facilities can do a lot better for my mother," she told the committee in Annapolis. "Even if covid wasn't happening. I ask you to please support the legislation."

The pandemic has stirred new interest in boosting oversight of long-term care facilities nationwide. In a recent letter, five leading nursing home experts urged the Biden administration to increase transparency of nursing home sales and bar operators with a poor track record from accumulating more properties.

Beidle said lawmakers in Annapolis are cautious about making regulations too stringent, fearing such changes could interested operators.

"We still want to keep the nursing homes open. We don't want them closing," she said.
South Dakota fired the first shot: a resolution opposing statehood for the residents of Washington, D.C.

It glided through committee - "incredibly smaller than any other state in geography," lawmakers declared. ". . . [T]he major economic activity is government."

By Feb. 1, it had passed both chambers of the Capitol in Pierre.

The response came from state legislatures from Rhode Island to Missouri: a barrage of resolutions supporting D.C. statehood.

In less than two months, lawmakers in at least eight states have taken formal steps to support or oppose D.C. becoming the 51st state, an unprecedented nationwide response to a once-fledgling movement now surging with momentum in Washington.

In February, Democratic lawmakers in at least five states - Maryland, Rhode Island, Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky - introduced pro-statehood resolutions, according to a count by The Washington Post using a database of bills compiled by Quorum.

GOP lawmakers in Arizona joined South Dakota in opposing statehood, while 43 Republican lawmakers in West Virginia wrote a letter asking their congressional representatives to oppose statehood legislation too.

The D.C. statehood bill sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's nonvoting delegate in Congress, will be the subject of a House Oversight Committee hearing on March 11.

The bill has enough support to pass the Democratic-majority House, as it did for the first time in a historic vote last June. But it's likely to face roadblocks in the narrowly divided Senate, where it needs 60 votes instead of 50 to pass because of the filibuster.

In her three decades leading the cause, Norton said, she has never seen such a flurry of action from so many states at once. She was even pleased to see the anti-statehood resolutions.

"The more that speak up, the better off we are," she said. "Why would states against statehood speak up? They see the handwriting on the wall: They see statehood coming."

Some of the lawmakers far from D.C. brought the resolutionson their own volition. But a 24-year-old D.C. statehood advocate, armed with a dizzying Excel spreadsheet, is responsible for others.

Noah Wills, president of Students for D.C. Statehood launched an initiative during the 2020 campaign cycle in which his group convinced more than 400 candidates for public office across the country to pledge support for statehood.

Last month, he started asking state lawmakers to bring the same compact to their legislatures - symbolic gestures that do not have the force of law.

Students in the group are rushing to reach as many of the nation's 7,383 state lawmakers as possible before the deadlines to file bills pass. Wills, a 2018 graduate of American University, is in touch with lawmakers of both parties in 25 states so far; in 15 of those states, he has found willing partners.

"They say, why does this affect my constituents?" he said. "I say, think about how different the country would look if D.C. had a voice in Congress for the past 200 years, the past two years or even the past two months."

But Wills said he was thrown off guard when resolutions opposing statehood started popping up in red-state legislatures. It made him want to "retaliate against the opposition," by bringing even more pro-statehood lawmakers on board, he said.

South Dakota State Sen. Jim Bolin, R, the sponsor of the state's resolution, said he fears the addition of two senators from D.C. would "dilute" South Dakota's power in Congress, since D.C.'s senators would most likely be Democrats.

The South Dakota congressional delegation largely shares his view: Rep. Dusty Johnson, R, filed a bill last month to retrocede the District of Colubia to Maryland.

Echoing congressional Republicans, Bolin also insisted in an interview that D.C.'s economy lacked "basic human economic activities" - an argument that has rankled critics and ignores the hundreds of thousands of residents who are teachers, health-care workers or first responders in the plurality-Black city.

"You look at every other one of the 50 states, whether it's farming in South Dakota, whether it's forestry in Oregon or Washington . . . all of them have basic industries that are common to human society and human economic activity," Bolin said. "The District of Columbia doesn't have any of those type of things."

South Dakota's population (about 892,000 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates) is only slightly larger than D.C.'s (712,000) - but Bolin said his concern island mass. "Rhode Island, our smallest geographical state, would be 18 times larger than the District of Columbia," he said.

Rhode Island, or at least Democratic lawmakers there, beg to differ.

State Rep. Rebecca Kislak said the inequity of D.C.'s situation has rankled her since she was a student at American University. When Students for D.C. Statehood reached out, she was happy to join thepro-statehood chorus.

"Geographic size shouldn't be the deciding factor in whether a state is a state," Kislak said. "It should be the people, and we shouldn't have residents of the United States unrepresented in Congress."

Even before Wills began his experiment, Maryland Del. Gabriel Acevero, D, was planning to file a resolution supporting D.C. statehood, as he has in the past. Acevero represents Montgomery County, which borders the District. Residents who live on his side of Western Avenue have voting rights in Congress, while those on the D.C. side don't.

In Missouri, Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, D, said it was D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's impassioned plea for statehood in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack that moved her to file a resolution in support. The day after the riot, Bowser, D, noted that the District's police and first responders were called to defend and protect a building in which they didn't have a vote or representation, and that she did not have the power to summon the National Guard.

The more the Missouri lawmaker dug into the history of the fight, the more disturbed she felt about it as a voting rights issue. She acknowledged her resolution will probably "not see the light of day" in the GOP-controlled chamber - but wanted to try anyway.

"I think most people, unfortunately, we're geared to only pay attention to the things that affect us," she said. "But as a voting rights advocate, I'm just appalled at the thought that people could be disenfranchised on a mass level."

The issue seems to be gaining traction in many places.

In New York, author Christian Cooper - the Black Central Park birder who famously had police called on him by a White woman after asking her to leash her dog - is making D.C. statehood a central tenet of his racial justice activism.

In an interview last week with 51 for 51, a statehood advocacy group, Cooper said what happens to D.C. residents is "10 times worse" than what happened to him in Central Park.

"That same racial bias has been playing out in Washington, D.C., year after year after year, where a majority Black and Brown population has no representation," he said.

The prospect of both D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood was a focal point in multiple GOP attack ads in the Georgia runoff elections last month, with supporters of Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue noting the loss of their seats would give Democrats control of the chamber, making statehood more likely.

Wills said Students for D.C. Statehood are devoting extra effort to working with state lawmakers in Arizona, West Virginia and Maine - three states whose moderate senators are expected to play an outsize role in the statehood fight.

So far, South Dakota is the only state to fully pass any type of statehood resolution. Arizona's anti-statehood bill passed through committee Feb. 18 on a 7-6 party-line vote.

During the hearing, one Republican suggested D.C. residents should just move away to get voting rights: "If they want representatives, move. That's what they made Mayflower for. With that I vote aye."

- - -

Quorum data contributed to this report. Quorum is a legislative and public affairs software company based in Washington.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- QBE North America is honored to have earned Insurance Business America's 5-Star Excellence Award for Workers' Compensation.

To determine 5-Star status, IBA surveyed thousands of brokers and program partners within its network. Throughout the 15-week research process, carriers were measured on the strength of their relationships with brokers and partners, ability to handle claims, underwriting expertise, loss control, and the strength of the individual products they provide.

"It's exciting to see our strong partnerships and focus on worker safety recognized," said Kris Hill, President of Alternative Markets at QBE North America. "Through our trusted relationships with our partners and our technology innovation, we work hard to offer meaningful Program solutions across a variety of niche markets. In Workers' Compensation, we recently leveraged AI technology via a mobile app to analyze videos of worker activities, such as stocking shelves, to identify and address stress points that could lead to injury. This solution is good for the customer and good for business."

Tom Fitzgerald, President of Specialty & Commercial at QBE North America, added, "The COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to worker health and safety, and we have been working very closely with our customers and broker partners to help them manage the evolving risk. These efforts could include providing guidance on reducing risks associated with new working arrangements, quickly reassessing coverage needs based on the fluctuating size of the workforce, and taking advantage of the latest technological advancements."

QBE North America writes Workers' Compensation both through its Alternative Markets business with its Program Administrator partners, and through its Specialty & Commercial business with its limited and preferred broker network.

About QBE

QBE North America is a global insurance leader focused on helping customers solve unique risks, so they can focus on what matters most. Part of QBE Insurance Group Limited, QBE North America reported Gross Written Premiums in 2020 of $4.8 billion. QBE Insurance Group's 2020 results can be found at www.qbe.com. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates out of 27 countries around the globe, with a presence in every key insurance market. The North America division, headquartered in New York, conducts business through its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. The actual terms and coverage for all lines of business are subject to the language of the policies as issued. QBE insurance companies are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best and "A+" by Standard & Poor's. Additional information can be found at www.qbe.com/us or follow QBE North America on Twitter.

SOURCE QBE North America
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5: The Equality Act, a bill that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans by listing sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds of employment discrimination under federal law.

U.S. Conference of Mayors President Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released the following statement in support of the Equality Act:

"Mayors across the country have long supported expanding protections for LGBTQ Americans, and today we applaud the House of Representatives on the passage of the Equality Act. It is beyond time that our country provide federal protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in all key areas of life, including employment, housing, education and public spaces.

"I also commend the bill's sponsor, Rhode Island Representative and former Mayor of Providence David Cicilline for continuing to champion these issues in Congress. He was a strong advocate for expanding protections when he was a member of the Conference, and his continued leadership serves as a beacon of hope as we move closer to living in a land where no one faces discrimination or injustice of any kind based on the color of their skin, who they are, or choose to love."

Aligned with policies adopted by the Conference that endorse federal law to direct nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans, the nation's mayors also sent a letter to every member of the House urging passage of H.R. 5 by a wide margin.

About the United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors

Related Links

www.usmayors.org


Security forces in Myanmar's largest city on Friday fired warning shots and beat truncheons against their shields while moving to disperse more than 1,000 anti- protesters.

The demonstrators had gathered in front of a popular shopping mall in Yangon, holding placards and chanting slogans denouncing the Feb. 1 even as the security presence increased and a water-cannon truck was brought to the area.

When around 50 riot police moved against the protesters, warning shots could be heard, and at least one demonstrator was held by officers. Security forces chased the protesters off the main road and continued to pursue them in the nearby lanes, as some ducked into houses to hide.

The confrontation underscored the rising tensions between a growing popular revolt and Myanmar's generals who toppled the elected government of in a takeover that shocked the community and reversed years of slow progress toward democracy.

On Thursday, supporters of Myanmar's junta attacked people protesting the military government, using slingshots, iron rods and knives to injure several of them. Photos and videos posted on social media showed groups attacking people in downtown Yangon as police stood by without intervening.

The violence erupted as hundreds marched in support of the They carried banners in English with the slogans We Stand With Our Defence Services and We Stand With State Administration Council, which is the official name of the junta.

Late Thursday, police turned out in force in Yangon's Tarmwe neighbourhood where they tried to clear the streets of residents protesting the military's appointment of a new administrator for one ward. Several arrests were made as people scattered in front of riot police who used flash bang grenades to disperse the crowd.

No pro-military rally appeared to be scheduled for Friday.

In Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, anti-coup protesters also took to the streets Friday.

They included a contingent of Buddhist nuns holding placards that read We Immediately Need Action by Force from US Army. Other demonstrators carried signs reading Free our leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Pray for Myanmar, and Reject Military Coup.

By midday, security forces had blocked the main road in downtown Mandalay to prevent the protesters from gathering.

Suu Kyi has not been seen since the coup. Around 50 of her supporters held a prayer Friday opposite her home in Yangon. The rambling mansion on University Avenue is where she spent many years under house arrest during previous military governments, and the residence has long had iconic status among her supporters.

Because of the situation, on this day of the full moon we are sending love to, and reciting Buddha's teachings for Mother Suu, President U Win Myint and all those unlawfully detained, said Hmuu Sitt yan Naing, who joined the prayer group.

It is believed Suu Kyi is currently being detained in the capital Naypyitaw. She is due to face a court on Monday on charges brought against her by the military junta that are widely seen as politically motivated.

Several Western countries have imposed or threatened sanctions against Myanmar's military. On Thursday, Britain announced further measures against members of the ruling junta for overseeing human rights violations since the coup.

Amid the outrage, Facebook also announced Thursday it would ban all accounts linked to the military as well as ads from military-controlled companies.

(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 University of Limerick is now funding high visibility Covid-19 Garda policing in light of increasing concerns about student gatherings in the private housing estates surrounding the university.

The Department of Public Health Mid West has recorded more than 220 cases associated with the current student outbreak in Limerick since January.

The majority of these cases have been recorded in the past two to three weeks.

Students will now face on the spot fines under new measures to help control the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Castletroy area including a fine of 500 for arranging a gathering, while 150 fines can be issued to anyone attending a house party.

Students will also face a 100 fine for leaving home without a reasonable excuse.

In an email to students, University of Limerick Interim President Professor Kerstin Mey said there was huge disappointment among both staff and students following a report from Drivetime yesterday evening which featured UL students openly admitting to mixing with other student households.

Ms Mey said the report reinforced "a growing public concern that our student body is acting irresponsibly and spreading the virus, despite the vast majority of you doing your best to abide by the current restrictions."

"So to the minority of you who still believe there is no harm in continuing to gather  you are endangering yourselves, your friends, your families, your community and your university."

"This is a highly infectious disease that has shattered millions of lives around the world. I know it is hard for you to live under almost constant public health restrictions  but COVID-19 does have an impact on young people and can indeed have devastating effects."

"We require you to abide by the restrictions and as a UL student to respect the community around you."

Pictured in Castletroy last year were University of Limerick Interim President Professor Kerstin Mey and Sgt. Kevin Balfe, Henry Street Garda Station. Picture: Alan Place

Professor May, who took to the streets with Gardai to try and enforce public health guidelines in off-campus housing estates around UL last year, also reminded students of the availability of free on-campus Covid-19 testing which is taking place on campus today, Friday and Saturday.

No symptoms are required to avail of a test and students can register with their student email.

"Please do not let your guard down," Prof Mey wrote to students, "We are still very much in the middle of this and, while there is pandemic fatigue, we need you all to abide by the public health restrictions."

Following the email, UL Student President Cian Quinlan took to Twitter to ask students to respect the fact that they share the community with individuals who are vulnerable, young, old and come from all walks of life.

"Ultimately, we reside temporarily in the community they call home. We must respect this, act now."
PLANS have been revealed to improve road safety and to enable the better movement of traffic in the centre of Rathkeale.

The draft proposals have been drawn up by the local authority to address a number of issues of concern at three separate locations in the town.

Briefing members of the Adare/Rathkeale Municipal District at a virtual meeting, Senior Executive Engineer Aidan Finn say the areas which will be targeted include Main Street, Bank Place, Well Lane and the New Line Road Junction to New Road.

Subject to further consultation, the proposed changes include a reduction of on-street parking spaces and the installation of additional disabled and loading bays.

A one-way traffic system may also be introduced if funding is secured for a proposed inner-relief road.

There would also be increased measures encouraging people to use an existing 45-space car park which is located near the town centre.

In response to a query from Cllr Adam Teskey, Mr Finn said he would be in favour of installing a new pedestrian crossing to facilitate those who are travelling to and from the local post office.

Councillors agreed to examine the plans and they hope discuss them at an in person meeting as soon as public health restrictions allow.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
No vote until illegal formations are disarmed and control over border is handed back to government.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, Deputy Chair of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group, Oleksiy Reznikov, has named a list of conditions under which elections in what now are temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions would become possible.

"If we don't demilitarize and disarm illegal armed groups and regain control of the border, there's no point in holding elections, because then there would be a 100% guarantee of a military armed conflict," Reznikov told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Council for the Development of Communities and Territories in Kyiv on February 25, an UNIAN correspondent reports.

"Expert conclusions show that holding elections after such situations [war] in young democracies should be done no earlier than in two years, and in established democracies  no earlier than in a year. The process of 'cooling off' should go through before elections can be held," he stressed.

According to Reznikov, local elections in de-occupied territories should be carried out in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and international standards.

"If the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which monitors any elections, wants to come and monitor the elections, they first send a so-called assessment mission, including security officers, and they issue an opinion, whether it is safe for the mission's observers to be there. The get a formal guarantee from the host government that it will ensure their safety. The Ukrainian government will never provide security guarantees if we don't control these territories, if we're not sure that public order is reinstated. These are the prerequisites. If all these conditions are met  and they definitely will one day we will be ready to hold elections there, as Ukraine," the deputy prime minister added.

Read alsoRussian General Kuzovlev promoted for his role in Donbas warAt the same time, Reznikov noted that he did not see the prospects for holding elections in the said parts of Donbas in the coming months.

"So far I see no [withdrawing] movement of the Russian armed forces toward the Russian-Ukrainian border," the official added.

Donbas reintegration: Background

On November 28, 2019, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said the Council had five scenarios on the table for the reintegration of the occupied Donbas.

On December 3, 2019, the President's Office approved the said five scenarios.

On December 7, 2019, the NSDC at a meeting behind closed doors approved one of the reintegration scenarios. Back then, the NSDC secretary stopped short of disclosing any details. Scripts have their "derivatives", Danilov said, adding that the final solution will depend on progress in Normandy Four talks.

On February 19, 2021, Danilov said the Council decided to revise the existing five scenarios.

"To our great regret, a sharp rise in ceasefire violations has been recorded recently, as well as intensified subversive efforts and sniper activity on the part of Russia's armed formations. Ukrainian military are being killed, and all this required an immediate response from the country's leadership," Danilov said.

Reporting by UNIAN
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The federal government has called for expressions of interest for the appointment of an asset manager for the new Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria.

The company, InfraCo, approved two weeks ago by President Muhammadu Buhari, was established with a startup funding of N1 trillion for the construction of critical infrastructure projects to help accelerate growth in the country.

Its funding is expected to grow to N15 trillion.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, the Africa Finance Corporation and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) on Friday called for proposals from qualified asset managers active in the infrastructure sector to manage the firm.

InfraCorp is a dedicated privately-managed infrastructure and industrial vehicle that will harness opportunities for Nigerias infrastructure development by originating, structuring, executing and managing end-to-end bankable projects in that space, the call statement said.

The successful asset manager will be responsible for establishing a general partner/Asset Manager organization, to perform the following main functions, amongst others specified in the detailed Request for Proposal (RfP):

Develop the consolidated business plan and financial model for InfraCorp and its subsidiaries; manage the day-to-day operations of the Asset Management business of InfraCorp; plan, lead and coordinate the promotion of InfraCorp and capital raising activities.

The manager will also provide end-to-end origination, execution, structuring, closing, portfolio management and exit/sell-down of investments; design the optimal capital structure of InfraCorp and its subsidiaries best suited to its investment objectives; and lead negotiations of guarantees for InfraCorp; and procurement of strong ratings from credible international ratings agencies.

All expressions of interest (EOIs) and/or any relevant questions must be submitted as soon as possible to InfraCorp@cbn.gov.ng by 12 noon Nigerian time on March 16.

Bloomberg reported that PricewaterhouseCoopers, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey and KPMG expressed interest in being transaction advisers on the deal, according to a source. Ukiri Lijadu and Co. and Kenna Partners were appointed legal advisers, the source said.
On Tuesday he shared his heartbreak after receiving the news his baby daughter Azaylia's leukaemia had returned.

And, on Friday afternoon, Ashley Cain, 30, took his little girl, six months, to hospital for an appointment and revealed there is now a 'new plan of action' amid her cancer battle.

Speaking on his Instagram Stories, the Ex On The Beach star told fans he'd update them on the situation 'when we get our heads around it,' before telling his tiny daughter: 'You've got this.'

New plan! On Friday, Ashley Cain, 30, took his daughter Azaylia, six months, to hospital for an appointment and revealed there is now a 'new plan of action' amid her cancer battle

Ashley documented their journey to hospital, with Azaylia looking adorable in her car seat, while he told her: 'Hello princess, off to hospital, aren't we?

'Big day today. Let's go champ. You look amazing by the way. You look absolutely beautiful.'

After their appointment, the father-of-one asked his little girl: 'Shall we go back home now baby? Shall we have a play? Do you wanna have a kiss? Have a cuddle? Yeh.'

Ashley then revealed: 'So, we've got a new plan of action now for Azaylia. It's gonna take a bit of time to get our heads around it...

You've got this! Speaking on his Instagram Stories, the star told fans he'd update them on the situation 'when we get our heads around it,' before telling his tiny daughter: 'You've got this'

Ashley documented their journey to hospital, with Azaylia looking adorable in her car seat, while he told her: 'Hello princess, off to hospital, aren't we?

Update: After her appointment, Ashley revealed: 'So, we've got a new plan of action now for Azaylia. It's gonna take a bit of time to get our heads around it...

Let's go champ! 'But, I'll update you guys as soon as we've had a chill-out, got our heads around it and we're ready to go for it' said the father-of-one

'But, I'll update you guys as soon as we've had a chill-out, got our heads around it and we're ready to go for it.'

Then, in a heartwarming moment, the reality star turned to his daughter and said: 'Let's go champ. Let's go champ. Likkle lion. Likkle lion. You've got this.'

Ashley was left in tears on Tuesday as he marked the moment his daughter Azaylia left hospital to go home for the first time in five months.

The reality star described it as a 'miracle blindsided by heartbreak' after doctors delivered the news her leukaemia had returned- just 10 minutes before the family were due to leave the children's ward.

Azaylia is battling a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia and had recently undergone a stem cell transplant.

Emotional: Ashley was left in tears on Tuesday as he marked the moment his daughter Azaylia left hospital to go home for the first time in five months

Sad: The star said it was a 'miracle blindsided by heartbreak' after doctors delivered the news her leukaemia had returned- just before the family were due to leave the children's ward

Devastating: 'We got urgently informed that Azaylia's leukaemia had returned. We crumbled and cancelled the celebration as we felt broken and numb to the core', Ashley wrote

Taking to Instagram, Ashley shared the moment of Azaylia 'ringing the bell' so he and his partner Safiyya Vorajee could finally take her home, with Azaylia continuing her treatment as an outpatient.

He penned: 'Today was supposed to be a day of unquestionable happiness. However, it turned out like most days on this journey; A miracle blindsided by heartbreak!

'We got told a few days ago that's Azaylia would be ringing the bell today and coming home with us, as a family to resume treatment 2 days per week as an outpatient.

Keeping positive: Ashley's partner Safiyya Vorajee also commented on Ashley's post saying that their 'special little girl' will 'beat this'

Poignant: Taking to Instagram, Ashley shared the moment of Azaylia 'ringing the bell' so he and his partner Safiyya could finally take her home

Proud dad: Ashley continued: 'Seeing her beautiful face telling us, the show must go on and us then realising how far our little girl has come and how much she deserves this moment'

'However, 10 minutes before the moment we have been praying for over the last 5 months...

'We got urgently informed that Azaylia's leukaemia had returned. We crumbled and cancelled the celebration as we felt broken and numb to the core before seeing her beautiful face telling us, the show must go on and us then realising how far our little girl has come and how much she deserves this moment.

'She has battled against the odds, she has overcome every obstacle in her path and she has done it all with remarkable spirit and the biggest smile on her face!

Touching: The moving video showed the corridor lined with nurses and doctors applauding the family as they prepared to go home

What are the symptoms of leukaemia in children? Fatigue and pale skin - this is because leukaemia can cause anaemia which makes a child feel weak, tired and light-headed. Infections and fever - children with leukaemia lack normal white blood cells which would normally help fight infection. Rash - children may have small, dark spots that look like common rashes if the leukemia cells spread to the skin Easy bruising or bleeding - this includes frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums and bleeding a lot from small cuts. Bone or joint pain - this is caused by a build up of leukaemia cells near the surface of the bone or inside the joint. Swelling of the abdomen - leukaemia cells may collect in the liver and spleen causing them to enlarge. Loss of appetite and weight loss - if the spleen and liver swell, they can press against the stomach causing loss of appetite. Swollen lymph nodes - some leukaemias spread to the lymph nodes causing them to swell. Source: American Cancer Society Advertisement

'For now we are enjoying precious moments at home until we return to hospital on Friday! Thank you for your support and please keep our beautiful daughter in your prayers!'

The moving video showed the corridor lined with nurses and doctors applauding the family as they prepared to go home.

Through tears Ashley said: 'I want to say thank you for all the care you've given us. For looking after her but also just the care for us has been amazing.

'We got some news today that Azaylia's leukaemia has come back but that just means that we stay positive and we get back to ring that second bell and get out of here.'

Fighter: 'She has battled against the odds, she has overcome every obstacle in her path and she has done it all with remarkable spirit and the biggest smile on her face!', Ashley wrote

Tough: The couple had faced an agonising two week wait to find out whether the stem cell transplant managed to clear out the leukaemia from her bone marrow

The couple had faced an agonising two week wait to find out whether the stem cell transplant managed to clear out the leukaemia from her bone marrow.

Ashley said he was devastated to learn Azaylia was at a higher risk of complications going into the transplant after her cancer returned, following two rounds of chemotherapy.

When Azaylia was diagnosed with leukaemia she had a soaring white cell count of 200, and also had tumours on her lungs, kidneys, and stomach.

Ashley revealed that a normal person's white cell count is five, while adults who are suffering from the blood cancer tend to have a white cell count of 40, so it was alarming that Azalyia's was so high.

The television personality explained that being told the news left him a 'broken man', and he claimed it was an 'absolute miracle' that she has been able to fight the cancer.

Through publicising Azaylia's battle, Ashley has helped the NHS get 80,000 people to sign up to become stem cell donors in just 48 hours after he appealed for help.

Saying that he was 'forever grateful' to the members of the public who had ordered test kits to be added to the stem cell register, Ashley claimed the charities usually get 30-40,000 people registering in a single year.

Ashley, who made his appeal to find a donor on social media, said he thought it was 'beautiful' how people could come together for a good cause in spite of negativity that is often prevalent online.


Media Release

Sydney, Feb 25, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Bendigo Telco ( NSX:BCT ) announced its interim results for the period ended 31st December 2020.Highlights- Net Profit After Tax for the period of $666,803- EPS of 8.6 cents- Revenue decreased 8.0% from prior year period to $15,531,703- EBITDA decreased 1.9% from prior year period to $2,219,309Bendigo Telco Board Chairman, Rob Hunt stated, "we have continued to produce solid results in a changing and challenging telco environment. Whilst our results reflect compressed revenues and margins from our legacy products, which are in line with our projections and market experiences, we remain convinced that by focusing on improving the accessibility and delivery of technology outcomes for our customers and communities, we will be able to position ourselves for future sustainable growth and creation of shareholder value.Mr. Hunt also commented on the need for the business to adapt to changing technology and telecommunications industry."The ongoing market and technology changes combined with the pandemic has forced us to refine our priorities, strategic approach and core operating model to ensure that we can continue to produce quality customer and community outcomes and shareholder value.""We have redefined our management and operational priorities so that we have a balanced approached across our key focus areas, ensuring the appropriate level of attention and growth opportunities are achieved and maintained."Mr. Hunt went on to explain the need for the Group to remain connected to its customers and communities."We are confident that we can foster the strong connection with our customers and communities and provide opportunities to generate growth whilst delivering improvements in business productivity and efficiency. We are convinced we can add value technically and strategically for both our customers and the communities we serve."100 Gig CityDuring the period, the Group completed the uplift of its core data network between Bendigo and Melbourne with ultra-high-speed, high-performance fibre-optic infrastructure.Mr. Hunt advised that "the commissioning of this 100Gbps connection combined with our existing infrastructure has enabled Bendigo to become a 'One Hundred Gigabit City'.This infrastructure will enable digital connectivity which will drive innovation, attract new business and support our regional economy.DividendThe Bendigo Telco Board has decided to declare an interim dividend for the period of 6c. "The Board is pleased with the progress and performance of the Group which is reflective in our decision to declare an interim dividend of 6c. The Group continues to look for investment opportunities which will enhance our prospects of success," Mr Hunt said.About Bendigo Telco Ltd

Founded in 2000, Bendigo Telco (NSX:BCT) was established by a group of prominent Bendigo based businesses who wanted better access to competitive pricing and telecommunications technology. These businesses identified the disadvantages (market failure) that they as regional businesses faced when compared with their metropolitan competitors. Early analysis identified the need to create a locally owned and focused organisation to improve the telecommunications services, in terms of price, priority, competition, and access to essential infrastructure.



Bendigo Telco has played a major role in addressing these shortcomings as well as promoting a more competitive and responsive telco market in all the communities that we now support. The company continues to provide a broad range of telecommunications services to enterprise, business, and consumer customers across these Australian markets.
The threat to the Biden administration transition persists, and federal authorities are "very closely" monitoring the run-up to the president's upcoming address to a joint session of Congress, a senior federal official said Friday.

Addressing the continuing risk posed by domestic extremists, the official's assessment comes a day after the acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman warned that militia groups that took part in the deadly Jan. 6 attack are seeking to "blow up the Capitol," possibly targeting President Joe Biden's address.

"We know that members of the militia groups that were present on Jan. 6 have stated their desire that they want to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible, with a direct nexus to the State of the Union," she said.

More: Acting Capitol police chief: No 'specific credible threat' before riot; officers unsure of lethal force authority

In the coming weeks, Biden is expected to give his first formal address to Congress  similar to a State of the Union address. The date of the speech has not yet been scheduled.

"We have been worried that domestic violent extremists would react, not only to the results of an election that they may not see as favorable, but the transition of a government that they may question," the federal official said.

FBI investigating domestic terror from every field office

On Friday, federal officials did not elaborate on any specific threat, but offered a daunting account of a growing overall domestic risk that in recent years has outstripped the threat of major violence posed by international groups.

The threats from racially and ethnically motivated extremists has been building for years, the officials said, adding that all 56 FBI field offices have active domestic terror investigations pending.

Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin, in a statement Friday, said said the investigation in the Jan. 6 attacks is continuing "at a speed and scale that is unprecedented."

Story continues

As of late Thursday, he said, more than 300 suspects had been charged and 280 have been arrested.

"The threat, of course, is bigger than any one event, no matter how horrific," Carlin said.

Carlin said federal authorities are bringing all available resources to bear against the threat, drawing parallels to the government's response to the 9/11 attacks.

"Success is not the prosecution of a violent extremist or terrorist after the fact when families have lost loved ones or are grieving," Carlin said. "But success is the disruption before violence occurs, and that always has to be the goal of our counterrorism work."

Contributing: Nicholas Wu

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden address to Congress watched for domestic extremist threat: feds
GOVERNMENT received a total of $7.37 billion from oil, gas and quarrying/mining companies in fiscal 2018, with the largest payment of $2 billion coming from majority State-owned National Gas Company (NGC).

However, for the period 2019 to 2020, unaudited figures indicate a declining trend in revenue.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Russian roulette. Futile. Useless.

Thats how some Express-News readers eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine described their efforts to secure an appointment through the Metropolitan Health District. The words lottery and gamble also came up at last weeks City Council meeting, where San Antonians pressed Metro Health to establish a one-stop registry for vaccine distribution.

This week, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency launched a pilot project in Dallas and Houston that expands access to vaccines in underserved areas  10,000 doses per day from three mass distribution sites in those communities  San Antonio remains the last major city in Texas to create a waitlist for COVID-19 vaccines.

On Wednesday, San Antonio announced a text-messaging option to notify residents when appointments open at vaccination sites run by Metro Health, University Health and WellMed  a step in the right direction. However, as Mayor Ron Nirenberg made clear: This service will not sign you up or add you to a waitlist.

This adds another layer of confusion to the citys scheduling system  one that has left front-line workers without vaccines and forced another to call a WellMed hotline 2,000 times to get an appointment. The city is basically treating vaccines like a 1990s radio station contest: Be the ninth caller for your free tickets. We cant do better than this?

Metro Healths website instructs residents to register for a vaccine by completing an online form and then calling 311 to finish the process. However, the form has been unavailable for weeks, and pressing 8 to ask 311 about COVID-19 services sends callers to busy-signal purgatory.

On ExpressNews.com: City launches text alert service for COVID-19 vaccine availability

Though a waitlist for San Antonio was tabled at last weeks council meeting  where San Antonios coronavirus czar, Colleen Bridger, said it wouldnt help the nervousness of people who cant get through to 311  it remains under review by the Community Health and Equity Committee, which hasnt announced a date for an upcoming discussion.

We dont understand this rationale. People are frantically calling hotlines and refreshing websites to try to get vaccinated. Why couldnt they be placed on a waitlist and then notified as appointments become available?

This isnt impossible. In Austin, Dallas and Houston, waitlists for COVID-19 vaccines began just weeks after Texas got its first shipment in December.

At least 300,000 people have signed up for appointments though Harris County Public Healths waitlist after it debuted nearly two months ago. Its system immediately issues an email confirming successful registration and eliminates duplicate requests, Martha Marquez, the departments public information officer, told us. Eligible residents later receive a time and location for a vaccine  a planning opportunity tremendously valuable to the 5 percent of Texas households without a car. In Bexar County, that figure was close to 9 percent before the pandemic.

Another reason for a waitlist? FEMA lists registration and check-in processes among its critical considerations for vaccine collaborations with local health departments, according to the agencys Community Vaccination Centers Playbook.

Local officials utilized their own registration systems or waitlists to identify individuals who were seeking vaccines in their communities, FEMA said in a statement to the Express-News regarding the Texas pilot project.

The eligible populations for vaccines include essential workers, people with a health condition that would worsen with COVID-19 infection and people over 65. Vaccinating grandparents is uniquely important in Bexar County, where 1 in 20 households are multigenerational. Seniors also make up 25 percent of the nations volunteer force  and after Texas experienced a crisis within a crisis with the recent deadly freeze, San Antonio could use all hands on deck.

Health leaders in our community  which many still regard as Military City, USA  should also realize theyre picking up the slack for the Veterans Affairs Department, which gives vaccines only to people 75 or older and who already receive care at the VA.

One adage  a closed mouth doesnt get fed  perfectly sums up our citys situation. There is no reason local officials cannot accomplish what other Texas metropolises achieved: an accessible and well-functioning central registry.

Instead, as local COVID-19 deaths surpassed 2,500 this week, Metro Health continues asking appointment-seekers to keep hitting redial.
RoschetzkyIstockPhoto/iStockBy MARLENE LENTHANG, ABC News



(HARRIS COUNTY, Texas) -- A $1 billion class-action lawsuit has been filed against Texas wholesale electricity retailer Griddy Energy for allegedly charging exorbitant prices during last week's historic storm that left millions powerless in the freezing cold.



The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Chambers County resident Lisa Khoury in Harris County on Monday, who claimed her electricity bill soared to $9,340 the week of the storm. According to the lawsuit, her average monthly bills typically range from $200 to $250.



She said Griddy automatically withdrew $1,200 from her bank account from Feb. 13 to 18 and her overall bill from Feb. 1 to 19 was $9,546. The lawsuit states that some customers had bills as high as $17,000.



The complaint accused the company of "overcharging" some 29,000 customers "knowing consumers would be harmed."



Khoury said she was hit with the charges even as she and her husband suffered "mostly without power" in their home from Feb. 17 to 18 when they hosted her parents and in-laws who are in their 80s during the storm.



She claimed that despite expressing concern over the withdrawals and subsequently bouncing checks, she never heard back from Griddy. She ultimately placed a stop payment on her bank account on Feb. 18.



In Texas residents can choose between two electricity bill options: A fixed plan, where their price stays at one rate regardless of market conditions, or a market rate plan, which can fluctuate based on how much electricity is used and the market price of electricity. Griddy offers the latter plan.



We charge (customers) the wholesale, real-time price of energy, which changes every 5 minutes. You effectively pay the same price as a retail energy provider or utility," Griddyy said in a statement. Griddy boasts on its website that this strategy ends up being cheaper for most customers.



Last week's storm pummeled the state's power grid and led to rolling blackouts. It also led Griddy's wholesale rate to soar to $9,000 per megawatt hour due to a shortage of supply and increased demand for power. Before the storm the rate was $50 per megawatt hour, the suit states.



In the build up to the storm Griddy advised its customers to switch to another provider with a fixed rate and told customers via its website that it was "seeking relief from utility regulators." But many were unable to change due to the impending weather.



The lawsuit seeks $1 billion in monetary relief for Khoury and "on behalf of all others similarly situated."



It also accuses Griddy of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and requests an injunction to stop the company from collecting payment for "excessive prices".



Khoury's attorney Derek Potts, of the Houston-based Potts Law Firm, told ABC News Griddy has 29,000 customers in Texas that the lawsuit could impact.



"What happened financially to all of the customers of Griddy both in terms of the exorbitant prices charged and the manner in that they were collected from peoples' bank accounts and credit cards literally in the middle of a catastrophe while many were without power, heat, and water, is clearly contrary to Texas laws in place to protect consumers," Potts said.



Griddy has not immediately responded to ABC News' request for comment, but dismissed the lawsuit as "meritless" to Reuters.



Griddy has cast blame on the Public Utility Commission for raising the wholesale market price of electricity in the crisis, saying the company didn't profit from the raised prices.



"We intend to fight this for, and alongside, our customers for equity and accountability  to reveal why such price increases were allowed to happen as millions of Texans went without power," Griddy said in a blog post.



Texas' embattled power grid operator the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is also facing lawsuits after more than 4 million customers lost power in the storm.



ERCOT's top board leaders announced Tuesday that they will step down amid outrage over the corporation's handling of the storm. Four board directors, including the chairwoman and vice chairman, submitted their resignations, which were effective as of Wednesday. A candidate for a board director position also said he was withdrawing his name from consideration. All five live outside of Texas, which only intensified scrutiny of ERCOT.



ABC News' Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


New Delhi: Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is perhaps one of the few models which are more popular than the company which makes it, that's the kind of affection the Bullet brand enjoys in Indian society.

Royal Enfield Bullet is the longest-running production motorcycle in the world and was launched in the year 1932. The bike recently got the updated BS6 engine and catalytic converter. It has received a price hike and the bike is starting at Rs. 1.30 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Chennai based motorcycle company has increased the prices by around Rs. 3,500 on all the variants of the Bullet 350 lineup.

Lets us take a look at the revised prices of the motorcycle:

Bullet 350 (Standard)- Rs. 1,30,228

Bullet 350 ES (Electric Start) - Rs. 1,46,152

The Bullet 350 (Standard) was priced at Rs. 1,27,094 and gets a price hike of Rs. 3,134. Bullet 350 ES (Electric Start) is pricier by Rs. 3,447. It was priced at Rs. 1,42,705.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 (Standard) is offered in Silver and Onyx Black colours. Bullet 350 ES (Electric Start) is offered in Jet Black, Regal Red and Royal Blue.

Black and Forest Green version of the Bullet 350 (Standard) Rs. 1,46, 152. This model gets a price hike of Rs. 3,447. It was priced at Rs. 1,42,705.

The bike was recently updated in early 2020 where it got an updated BS6 compliant engine. Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is powered by a 349cc single-cylinder engine that produces 19.1 bhp at 5250 rpm and 29Nm of peak torque at 4000rpm. The air-cooled engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The bike gets a catalytic converter at the exhaust header pipe in the BS6 update.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 gets 35mm telescopic forks at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear. The braking of the bike is taken care of by a 280mm disc at the front and a 153mm drum at the rear. The bike has a single-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The bike has retro look and gets all halogen bulbs light setup.

Live TV
On February 8, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the immediate U.S. re-engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council, or the UNHRC.

The United States remains committed to a foreign policy centered on democracy, human rights, and equality. Effective use of multilateral tools is an important element of that vision and, in that regard, President [Biden] has instructed the Department of State to re-engage immediately and robustly with the UN Human Rights Council, Secretary Blinken explained in a statement.

At the same time, Secretary Blinken acknowledged that the Human Rights Council is in need of reform to its agenda, membership, and focus, including applying a double standard to Israel. However, he noted, our withdrawal in June 2018 did nothing to encourage meaningful change, but instead created a vacuum of U.S. leadership, which countries with authoritarian agendas have attempted to use to their advantage.

The United States believes the best way to improve the workings of the UNHRC is to work from within, said Spokesperson Price:

When it performs as designed, the Council can be a powerful tool to promote fundamental freedoms, protect the rights of women, girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, and other marginalized communities  while promoting accountability for human rights violators around the world.

The process of re-engaging in the UNHRC is underway in Geneva, where the U.S. Mission already participated in a regular organizational meeting of the council and a Special Session on the situation in Burma.

For now, said spokesperson Price, that engagement will be as an observer, which will allow us to speak in the Council, participate in negotiations, and work with partners.

As Secretary Blinken emphasized, We strongly believe that when the United States engages constructively with the Council, in concert with our allies and friends, positive change is within reach.

MASON CITY, Iowa - Thursday Iowa Governor Reynolds gave an update on the state's COVID-19 vaccine strategy.

According to the Iowa Department of Health - some essential workers including food processing, manufacturing, and agricultural production staff are expected to be eligible next month - as well as people with disabilities.

KIMT reached out to one facility that will be directly impacted, 43 North Iowa, a non-profit that aims to help individuals with disabilities find a job and a place to live.

Executive Director, John Derryberry, tells KIMT a number of those they serve have been isolated over the last year - severely impacting their mental health.

He says the vaccine will give them an opportunity for a little more normalcy in their lives.

Them being vaccinated allows them to have peace of mind to re-engage in their community. And that's what we always want; community integration for people with disabilities. We don't want them to be left out."

He also says the facility has worked closely with CG Public Health on the vaccine rollout plan.

"It's not an easy thing to get this many people vaccinated, we feel good with what public health has told us. We're glad to hear there are more vaccines coming to north Iowa, Derryberry says.

He praises the social workers who have been working hard to make life better for the disabled during the pandemic.

After people with disabilities and those specific essential workers - Iowa officials say remaining priority groups and Iowans 16 years and older will be able to get the vaccine as supply increases.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The executive director and owner of New MexiCann Natural Medicine is now facing criminal charges for the October explosion that critically injured two employees.

Carlos Gonzales, 56, of Santa Fe was charged with two counts of felony negligent arson in Santa Fe Magistrate Court on Friday.

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The explosion last October was the second at the dispensary and manufacturing plant on San Mateo Lane in Santa Fe. Two people were also badly burned in an explosion there in 2015, leading the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue fines totaling $13,500 against the business. New MexiCanns license to manufacture cannabis-derived products was suspended, though its dispensaries in Santa Fe, Las Vegas and Taos have remained open.

A hearing on whether to permanently revoke its license is scheduled for March 10.

New Mexico Department of Health spokesman James Walton declined to comment about how the criminal charges could impact the license hearing. The New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce also declined comment for this story.

Gonzales is accused of altering the hot plate system used to extract THC from the cannabis plant at the facility. The two employees critically burned in October told investigators that neither of them received extraction training and each recalled Gonzales tampering with the extraction equipment before and after inspections.

Josh Alderete, who had burns covering 37% of his body from the explosion, told investigators Gonzales switched out the hot plates to an open loop system, which isnt approved by the state Department of Health.

In a closed loop extraction system, the only system approved by the Department of Health, there is no manual collection of ethanol alcohol, court documents explain. The alcohol is used in the extraction process to remove THC from marijuana.

The explosion occurred when workers were pouring the ethanol alcohol onto the hot plate, which was set at 500 degrees Fahrenheit  hotter than what the Department of Health allows.

The alcohol hit the hot plate, immediately igniting and catching Alderete and another worker on fire. With a closed loop system this wouldnt have occurred because the ethanol alcohol wouldnt have been handled in this way, court documents say.

Did we not learn from the last explosion? We cannot be skipping steps, this causes accidents, Alderete recalled telling Gonzales, charging documents say.

Josh Martinez, who also suffered burns in the incident, said the process was changed by Gonzales to push out more product. Both Alderete and Martinez recalled Gonzales saying, if it weighs it pays, according to court documents.

Mark Torres, special agent in charge for the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, said in a phone interview it was this decision to put production over safety that caused the explosion. He said the explosion was preventable.

Its unfortunate that this happened, and now that the findings are coming out, again, we believe that safety always has to be a paramount in lieu of production, Torres said.

Torres said he believes Alderete and Martinez are still recovering and out of work from their injuries.
Leading creative figure Kashiwa Sato opens show in Shanghai

By:Fan Yicheng, Cao Jun, Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-02-26 12:44

Uniqlo, 7-Eleven, and Nissin... Some Chinese people are familiar with the Japanese brands, but they may have no idea that the logos were created by one person: design master Kashiwa Sato. An exhibition of Kashiwa Sato kicked off in Shanghai on February 24, displaying selected content from the same exhibition running in Tokyo.

Kashiwa Sato attended the opening ceremony via video link. During his speech, he said, Shanghai is full of energy and is one of my favorite cities. I am honored to be able to hold an exhibition in Shanghai. He hopes everyone can understand the power and importance of creativity through this exhibition.

Chinas economy is developing rapidly, which will promote social development. It is my hope to work with Chinese counterparts to use design to contribute to social development, added Sato.



The exhibition was planned by Sato himself and covers his design achievements over the past three decades, from corporate logos, to kindergartens, museums and residential areas.

Visitors can also find a 1:30 scale model of what the same exhibition in Tokyo looks like.



According to the chief producer of the show, who used to work with Sato a few years ago and is now a partner of SAMURAI INC. in China, he hopes to bring Satos experience to China and use designs social impact to make peoples lives better.

The exhibition is ongoing at the No. 8 Creative Park Phase 4 and will run through May 10.

Story by Fan Yicheng, Cao Jun

Translated by Wu Qiong


Blackstone CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, left, and Korea Investment Corp. CEO Choi Hee-nam / Korea Times file



By Park Jae-hyuk



Blackstone Group reportedly hired a law firm recently to start the procedure of reopening its Seoul office by the end of this year, according to a media report and sources, Friday.



This came seven years after the U.S. private equity firm (PEF) closed its regional office here in 2014. Its local PR agency, Access Communications and Consulting, said Blackstone declined to comment on this matter.



Those familiar with the issue attributed Blackstone's highly probable return to Korea Investment Corp. (KIC) CEO Choi Hee-nam, who has made efforts to attract foreign financial companies to this country.



"He emphasized Korea's competitiveness in the alternative investment markets during a teleconference with Blackstone executives," one of the sources said.



After being appointed the ambassador for financial cooperation last November, the head of the nation's sovereign wealth fund told The Korea Times that he was making efforts to convince global asset management companies running their Asia headquarters in Hong Kong to open their regional offices here.



"Some of them have shown interest in the Korean market with its large size of accumulated assets," he said at that time. "Asset managers handling their investments in Korean businesses in Hong Kong will be enticed to enter the Korean market, if they discover more opportunities here."



Blackstone has conducted its investments in the Korean market through its Hong Kong office after the closure of its Seoul office.



Senior Managing Director Ed Huang, who serves as the head of Greater China and Korea for his firm's private equity group, and Managing Director Eugene Cook, who focuses on investments across North Asia, have been regarded as the key decision-makers in Hong Kong, regarding Blackstone's investments in Korean companies.



Domestic institutions that invested in Blackstone's funds have therefore complained of difficulties in communication with the PEF.



KIC is among major investors in Blackstone's funds, along with the National Pension Service. As the amount of assets under management of the Korean institutions has grown, Blackstone has been highly expected in recent years to reopen its Seoul office.



In particular, the sovereign wealth fund gives extra points to foreign asset management companies with regional offices here, when selecting companies to entrust with its assets. The Financial Services Commission has supported such efforts to create a financial hub vision and increase jobs.



During a press conference earlier this month, the KIC chief also hinted at lowering its reliance on Blackstone by managing its assets directly and cooperating with local institutions, if the National Assembly passes the revision bill on the KIC Act.



In response, Blackstone reportedly told institutional investors that it will increase its investments in Korean businesses and real estate, after opening its Seoul office.



It has stayed out of large-scale investments here for the past two years, after its acquisitions of stakes in wholesale pharmaceutical and medical device distributor Geo-Young from Anchor Equity Partners and Starfield Hanam from Taubman Centers in 2019.



However, the PEF is raising its second Asia-focused fund worth $5 billion, which is expected to be used for its investments in Korea, Japan, Australia, China and India.


ROME, N.Y.  A 52-year-old Oneida County corrections officer is accused of forcibly touching two young girls on separate occasions in 2020.

According to Oneida County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Derrick OMeara, the Child Advocacy Center received a report of abuse on Dec. 31, 2020, accusing Ronald Carollo of touching the intimate body parts of a 12-year-old girl in Rome in August of 2020.

Ronald Carollo Ronald Carollo

While looking into the case, investigators say they learned of a second incident where Carollo was accused of forcibly touching a 13-year-old girl, also in Rome, in December of 2020.

He was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 25, in the town of Whitestown, and charged with two counts of forcible touching and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors.

Police took Carollo into custody, where he was processed and released with appearance tickets. He will return to Rome City Court at a later date.

According to Sheriff Robert Maciol, Carollo was also immediately suspended without pay.

Orders of protection have been requested on behalf of the victims, and services have been offered to them through the Child Advocacy Center.
Australian police have found a foot belonging to 49-year-old businesswoman Melissa Caddick, who was missing since 13 November last year after the federal police had raided her home in connection with a case related to financial fraud.

Caddick, resident of a wealthy Sydney suburb, was allegedly a suspect in cases of fraud amounting to millions of dollars.

On 21 February, a group of people were walking along Bournda Beach, about 400 kilometres south of Sydney, when they located a running shoe containing human remains.

The local police had seized the shoe and the remains were sent for forensic examinations and a DNA test of the foot confirmed it to be of Caddick, reported BBC News.

The police are trying to ascertain the time and cause of the death, but ocean drift modelling showed it was possible that she entered the water near her home in Sydney.

New South Wales Polices assistant commissioner Mick Willing said it remains a mystery as to when and how she came into the water but stated that right now they cant rule out anything.

We have kept an open mind, however, given the circumstances of her disappearance... we have always considered the possibility that she may have taken her own life, said Mr Willing.

The police are conducting further searches around the Bournda beach area and along the NSW coastline.

He said her family has been informed about the discovery and they were obviously distressed.

According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic), she had committed fraud with over 60 people including family members and friends to the tune of about A$13m (7.3m).

In November 2020, Caddick was reported missing by her son and husband and since then there had been no trace of her. Her family believed that she had gone out for an early-morning run.

Till this discovery, there was no information about her even as the investigating authorities believed that she was alive.

According to recent news reports, investigation into financial misconduct, so far, have found that instead of investing funds from her investors, Caddick used to allegedly transfer money into her personal accounts and that she created several false documents.
Australian schools must start teaching teenage girls the importance of pleasure during sex and boys that the word 'no' isn't the only way to revoke consent, a leading sexologist says.

More than 2,000 young women have shared harrowing stories of sexual abuse at the hands of first boyfriends, male friends or older schoolboys in a viral petition demanding better sex education in schools.

What started as an Instagram poll targeting elite private Sydney schools has taken hold nationwide as victims come forward to advocate for an overhaul of outdated consent laws.

Jacqueline Hendriks, who runs Curtin University's sexology curriculum, said young people need to be taught how to have 'really positive, enjoyable sexual relationships' in school.

Chantel Contos, the 22-year-old former Kambala School student who first started the petition, was motivated by stories of teenagers who weren't aware they had been abused until it was too late

Jacqueline Hendriks, who runs Curtin University's sexology curriculum, said young people need to be taught how to have 'really positive, enjoyable sexual relationships' in school

The latest data conducted by La Trobe University in 2018 suggests 23 per cent of students in grades 10 to 12 (ages about 16 to 18) have had some form of unwanted sexual contact.

And yet, Australia's curriculum when teaching sex education still focuses on the potential outcomes of sex, like pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, and less on the events leading up to it.

'At the moment, schools can get away with doing the bare minimum,' Dr Hendriks said.

'We need to keep up with the times... Ideally, we want to teach young people to have really positive, enjoyable sexual relationships.'

Chantel Contos, the 22-year-old former Kambala School student who first started the petition, was motivated by stories of teenagers who weren't aware they had been abused until it was too late.

Ms Contos' petition went viral and has thousands of signatories - most of whom detailed their own shocking experiences of abuse

She said boys at that age often didn't even realise what they'd done was wrong, or considered sexual assault.

Instead, they would brag to friends about their sexual conquests while the young girls were left often feeling ashamed or worried rumours would spread that painted them in a negative light.

Neither party realised the potential legal ramifications of what had happened, because they often did not realise anything illegal had taken place.

Ms Contos believes earlier education in schools and at home would be beneficial for both boys and girls.

Consent itself should actually taught in an implicit way in classrooms from kindergarten right through to senior years, Dr Hendriks said.

Ms Contos believes earlier education in schools and at home would be beneficial for both boys and girls

How to introduce the concept of 'consent' at a developmental age Dr Hendriks says sex education is important at any age - as long as it is age appropriate. Children start learning about the human body during primary school, and by grades five and six, they should be entering early discussions about puberty, to align with changes happening to their own bodies. The next step, starting from early high school, is to begin discussing sex. But Dr Hendriks says it is never too early to learn the meaning of consent. KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR FOUR While students in this age group mightn't necessarily be using the word 'consent', they should be learning about the necessities of giving and gaining permission. A kindergartener might be taught that they must ask to use a toy if another student is already playing with it, or ask to borrow colouring in pencils. Similarly, students are taught they have the right to say no to these requests. If a child is enjoying playing with a certain toy, they do not have to grant permission to another child to use it simply because they asked nicely. As students get older in this age bracket, they are taught that it is okay to not want to hug or kiss a family member, that they can say no to certain requests among peers on the playground and that they have the autonomy to make their own choices. YEAR FIVE AND YEAR SIX The final stages of primary school are when students are generally given lessons on puberty, how our bodies change and a more thorough look at the differences in male and female anatomy. Students are more likely to ask questions about the human body and discussions around consent and choices become more practical. HIGH SCHOOL Dr Hendriks says high school students should be taught via a 'sex positive' education program which reminds them (at an age appropriate level) of all the benefits and 'positive' outcomes of sex. She said current curriculums tend to focus heavily on the negatives like sexually transmitted infections and early pregnancy, while not touching on why so many people have sex in the first place. Students 'want to learn more about relationships, falling in and out of love and moving on' instead of focusing wholly on the repercussions of the activity itself. Schools must also ensure they are being inclusive in their sex education, which is something that 'can be improved across the board' she says. In particular, classroom discussions still tend to be heteronormative, which mightn't be as beneficial for every person in the classroom. Advertisement

Children mightn't be taught the word itself, but they're told to ask permission to use another person's belongings, and taught that it is okay to say no to somebody - whether it be a family member or friend - if they'd like a hug or a kiss.

As students get older and health lessons skew more to the 'birds and the bees', Dr Hendriks explained it's important to make these conversations more explicit.

'Students need to be taught it's not simply a case of ''yes'' or ''no''. People must be actively and enthusiastically engaging for consent to be given,' she said.

'It's not just stumbling forward and into something and hoping the person doesn't say no.'

Among the 2,000 first hand experiences detailed by young women in the petition, many had startling similarities.

Hundreds of girls who attended Sydney private schools has claimed they were sexually assaulted and raped by private school boys. Pictured: Chanel Contos is calling for better sex education

Ms Contos said Kambala High School (pictured) gave her a 'great consent education but they gave it too late'

They detailed how boys their age - or a few years older - would pressure them into sex or force themselves on young girls who were blackout drunk at parties.

'I woke up in an ex-Cranbrook boy's bed with him on top of me and his friend lying next to me as they both took turns having sex with me. I was drunk and have no recollection of how I got there,' one young woman revealed.

'One night after a party we were hooking up, I made it really clear I didn't want to have sex yet (never had before) and woke up to him a few hours later on top of me. I bled for a few days after that. When ever I'd see him at parties after that he'd have a big smile on his face, come up and say hi like nothing happened,' another said.

Dr Hendriks said while there are no excuses for sexual assault, she does agree that some of the young boys discussed in the petition mightn't have realised they had commit a crime.

Chantel Contos' petition now has signatures from close to 7,000 former and current school students across Australia

RAPE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN AUSTRALIA - There were 374 juvenile sexual assault cases reported in NSW in 2020. - Chanel Contos gathered thousands of rape and sexual assault testimonies from private schoolgirls. - About 38 per cent of women aged 18 to 24 have experienced sexual harassment. - 66 per cent of 14-year-old boys have been exposed to sexual material within the last 12 months. - 72 per cent of children between 14 and 17 have been exposed to porn in the past six months. - About one in five Australian women have experienced sexual violence. - Only 28 per cent, or 14,994 cases, of alleged rape victims come forward in NSW. - Only three per cent of rapes reported to NSW Police in 2018/19 ended in a conviction. - About 346 cases were withdrawn. Source: ABS and NSW Police Advertisement

'I understand how some young males could get confused. If they're not seeing active consent on their television screens, or being taught it at home or at school, they might just assume their partner is into it because she hasn't verbalised anything,' she said.

'But now, all people need to understand that societies expectation is active consent, and they must check in to ensure consent.'

Dr Hendriks worried increased exposure to pornography could also be impacting behaviours and expectations.

'Pornography is a big issue. If they're not getting adequate information at school or at home, they're getting it from somewhere, and a lot of the time that's online.

'Studies show 80 to 90 per cent of pornography is really violent, aggressive, there is minimal communication let alone explicit consent. The safe sex practices like condoms aren't really prevalent and anal sex is quite popular.

'If that's what they're digesting online and that's what they think sex is, then they're more likely to try to be more aggressive or perform violent acts.'

The flip side to that, Dr Hendriks said, are the young men who actively avoid 'asking the question' because they think they're entitled to sex or see it as a 'conquest'.

Several schools prominently featured among the confessions - including $38-a-year Cranbrook School and The Scots College, have vowed to do better to teach their male students.

If this story has raised issues for you, please contact 1800 Respect 1800 737 732, Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 224 636, Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63

At least 1,500 former students have signed the petition or shared stories of their own alleged assaults. Pictured: Chantel Contos, who said she was forced to perform oral sex on a boy
MASON CITY, Iowa  A Cerro Gordo County man is pleading not guilty to charges in a Christmas chase.

Johnny Lee Hovenga Jr., 27 of Mason City, is accused of OWI-3rd or subsequent offense, operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent, eluding, and driving without a license.

Hovenga was arrested on December 25, 2020, after Mason City police say they tried to stop him driving the wrong way on a one-way road. Hovenga allegedly sped off and then tried to escape on foot in the area of 2nd Avenue NW and North Madison Avenue.

His trial is set to start on May 11.
A Royal Navy warship has monitored a Russian attack submarine as the vessel travelled through British waters.

Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Mersey tracked the surfaced submarine, RFS Rostov Na Donu, as it moved through the North Sea and the English Channel.

The Kilo-class diesel powered attack submarine was moving through on its journey from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean.

A navy spokesman said: 'Mersey reported on the movements of the Russian Black Sea Fleet submarine, so that Nato allies could track her progress as she continued her onward journey.'

Royal Navy warship HMS Mersey (pictured, gun onboard vessel) was monitoring Russian attack submarine RFS Rostov Na Donu (pictured)

The Kilo-class diesel powered attack submarine was moving through English waters on its journey from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean

The Portsmouth-based patrol ship (pictured) has been tasked with keeping watch on RFS Rostov Na Donu (pictured right in distance)

Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Mersey Armament: 1  Oerlikon 20 mm cannon 2  General purpose machine guns Range: 5,500 nmi (10,200 km) Speed: 20+ knots Size: 79.5 metres Crew: 50 Advertisement

Launched in 2003, HMS Mersey is one of the busiest ships in the Royal Navy Fleet, averaging 220 days at sea every year.

The patrol ship predominantly works on fishery protection missions, ensuring that fishing boats and trawlers stick to agreed quotas and regulations on behalf of the Marine Management Organisation.

Given her regular presence in home waters, Mersey is also frequently involved in monitoring the movements of foreign warships as they pass the UK.

The warship's operations are overseen by Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander William Edwards-Bannon.

He said: 'All of us in Mersey are very proud of the part we play, here in our home waters, in fulfilling the Royal Navy's role of protecting our nation's interests.

'No patrol is ever the same as the last and we have conducted a particularly varied range of missions recently, culminating with the tracking of this Russian submarine as it passes the UK.'

River-class offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey was also on duty when the Kilo-class submarine made the reverse journey in October last year, as it returned from operations in the Mediterranean back to the Baltic.

The submarine took a route through the North Sea and The Channel on its journey south

The warship's (pictured) operations are overseen by Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander William Edwards-Bannon

River-class offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey was also on duty when the Kilo-class submarine made the reverse journey in October last year

Launched in 2003, HMS Mersey is one of the busiest ships in the Royal Navy Fleet, averaging 220 days at sea every year and tracking the submarine (pictured) is one of its many missions, with others including fishery protection

Kilo-class attack submarine Armament: 6 x 21 in torpedo tubes 18 x torpedoes 4 x land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile and anti-submarine missile 24 x mines 8 x surface-to-air missiles Range: With snorkel: 6,0007,500 nmi (6,9008,600 mi) at 7 kn (8.1 mph) Submerged: 400 nmi (460 mi) at 3 kn (3.5 mph) Full run: 12.7 nmi (14.6 mi) at 21 kn (24 mph) Speed: Surfaced: 17 knots (20 mph) Submerged: 20 knots (23 mph) Size: 70.073.8 m Crew: 52 Advertisement

The navy spokesman said: 'This latest operation comes amid a busy time for the Royal Navy's patrol ships, with Mersey and her sister ships HMS Tyne and HMS Severn all on maritime security patrols in the seas around the UK.

'Royal Navy patrol ships are involved in a range of missions, including fishery protection, which has been their responsibility for many years, but also coordinating with the Joint Maritime Security Centre to share information relating to suspicious or dangerous activity at sea alongside the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and National Crime Agency.'

The submarine is not the first Russian vessel to be tracked through British waters in recent months.

The Royal Navy shadowed nine Russian warships around the UK towards the end of November in 2020.

The ships - which included a surfaced submarine, a destroyer and a patrol ship - were spotted in the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the west coast of Scotland.

Navy patrol ship HMS Severn shadowed Russian corvette Boikiy, while HMS Northumberland was seen watching Udaloy-class destroyer the Vice-Admiral Kulakov.

In July last year, a Russian submarine carrying land attack missiles was also intercepted in the Channel by two Royal Navy warships.

In response to the Russian incursions in waters around the UK, First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin said at the time: 'This is why the Royal Navy is at sea every day, protecting the UK and our interests.

'Even with the pressures of Covid, we remain at short notice to respond to threats both in home waters and around the world.

'Despite the increase in Russian activity, both on the surface and underwater, we are always ready to respond.'
UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2021) Russia and Sierra Leone signed a joint statement on No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations said in a statement.

"Today, Russia and Sierra Leone signed a joint statement on No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space," the statement said on Thursday.

The signing ceremony was held in the Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nation in New York and the document was signed by Russian Ambassador to the world body Vassily Nebenzia and head of the Sierra Leone diplomatic mission Alie Kabba.

"Joint statements on non placement of weapons in outer space represent the only means to ensure transparency and trust in this sphere," the mission said.

The signing of the statement contributes to ensuring equal and indivisible security for all as well as to enhancing the predictability and sustainability of countries' activities in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, the mission added.
(Natural News) For centuries, India, the second-most populated country in the world, has thrived with its organic patchwork of small farmers that provide clean, healthy, nutritious food to 1.3 billion people. Billionaire eugenicist Bill Gates, the World Bank, and other crony capitalist Western entities, however, want to change that.

Dr. Vandana Shiva, founder and president of Navdanya, Technology and Natural Resource Policy and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize, explained to RT during a recent interview that globalist power players are working overtime to replace Indias unaffiliated network of small-scale family farmers with a large chemical agriculture system, similar to the one that exists in the United States.

India has been a target of this type of transition since at least 1991, though tensions have risen over the past year to the point that Indian farmers are once again rising up in mass protest against Big Agriculture.

If you look at only the last six months, you wont understand whats going on because this started in 1991 when the World Bank put conditionalities having gotten us into debt for the Green Revolution, the chemical agriculture, the fertilizers, the damns, and $90 billion debt we had, Dr. Shiva stated.

And then they put structural adjustment, and there were elements in structural adjustment, they said, you have to remove all stockholding limits, you have to remove all price regulation, you have to get rid of the regulated markets which are run by corporatists of traders and farmers and governed by the regional governments, not by the centralized government.

You can watch the full interview below:

India is fighting against the globalists to preserve its soil and soul

As it should be everywhere in the world, India currently grows a diversity of crops in its many varied-climate regions. None of it is uniform, and Dr. Shiva says this model works for providing life-giving nutriment to the highest population and density of people anywhere in the world.

You cannot have one uniform pattern, Dr. Shiva says about Indias diverse agricultural systems.

But now not only do we have one uniform pattern for India, Mr. (Bill) Gates, my favorite person these days, says he wants One Gates Ag (Gates Ag One) for the whole world. So the World Bank put this package together and theres been resistance against this, but at the same time the WTO rules were leaked in 1991, and we knew what the globalizers and the corporations wanted. They wanted to patent seed, they wanted free trade in commodities, and they wanted pseudo-sanitary measures to shut down local food economies and promote junk food.

The result of all this, Dr. Shia says, is 30 years of political agitation and movement. Hundreds of thousands of farmers from different regions recognize that their lives and livelihoods are under attack by the West, so they are rising up together to stop it.

We were saying food is too precious to be left to trade driven by profits, says Dr. Shiva, a longtime activist herself. Its not a commodity. It is a livelihood for the farmers and a necessity for the rest.

At the end of the day, this is about fighting to save the soil and soul of India, Dr. Shiva emphasizes.

If the small farmers are no more, India is not a civilization that is India, she warns. They nourish the soul of this country. And that we have stayed small farmers in spite of the global powers wanting to grab the land and turn us into a large farm desert like the Midwest of the United States is because of this love for Mother Earth, this love for the soil, this love for India, and this pride in feeding this country. They take pride in feeding 1.3 billion. I can tell you the U.S. model cannot feed 1.3 billion.

More related news can be found at Food.news.

Sources for this article include:

GreatGameIndia.com

NavdanyaInternational.org

NaturalNews.com
New York, Feb 26 : President Joe Biden, who has ordered an end to his predecessor Donald Trump's ban on issuing green cards and work visas, is committed to ensuring that highly skilled workers can get permanent residence, according to his Spokesperson Jen Psaki.

Biden believes that it is important and long overdue "to modernise our immigration system, and that includes taking steps to help ensure that high-skilled workers can stay in the country and can go through the proper process to stay in the country", she said on Thursday.

"We're eager to work with Democrats and Republicans in Congress to get that done," she added while replying to a question about what he intended to do about those in the country legally but have to wait decades for permanent residentship or green card.

Two Democratic members of Congress introduced legislation last week that would have the effect of allowing more professional Indians on H1-B work visas to get green cards and cut their wait, which can stretch to several decades.

The bill introduced by Senator Bob Menendez and House of Representatives member Linda Sanchez seeks to remove the annual limits on green cards for each country, a measure that would benefit them.

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the Department will be normalising visa operations following Biden's orders ending the ban on issuing green cards and work visas.

"The Department of State is committed to serving the American people and to restoring our visa operations to normal as soon as possible, always prioritising the health and safety of our applicants, their loved ones, and our staff," he said.

Biden issued a proclamation on Wednesday ending the Trump restrictions on issuing green cards and work visas, dismissing Trump's claims the ban was meant to protect US interests.

Biden said that it does "not advance the interests of the US. To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here. It also harms industries in the United States that utilise talent from around the world".

Trump had claimed the ban, which after extensions was to expire at the end of next month, was meant to protect US workers in a labour market pummeled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Trump ban exempted some categories like spouses of citizens and workers needed in the fight against the pandemic.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
ADVERTISEMENT

The federal government says Nigerians will have the option to pay to own millions of solar panels it plans for 5 million homes as part of its Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).

The ESP was rolled out in 2020 in response to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

To own a solar unit, there will be the option of paying N4,000 monthly for three years. That translates to N144, 000 a unit.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Office of the Vice President on Thursday. It was not immediately clear what the other alternatives would be.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo called the programme a game-changer in terms of providing jobs and expanding the use of renewable energy in the country.

The off-grid project is financed by UBA, Sterling Bank, First Bank and Fidelity Bank and its implementation will be driven by the Rural Electrification Agency, REA.

The statement said Mr Osinbajo spoke about the initiative during a virtual engagement with stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Solar Power Naija Initiative on Thursday.

He was quoted to have said, Our Solar Home System was designed to be a game-changer in the renewable energy space, in other words, it is not just a programme to provide off-grid power alone, but one that creates opportunities for the development of the local capacities in the assembly, manufacture and even maintenance of equipment.

We have seen quite a bit of interest already from international and local players across the off-grid solar value chain, there is indeed a lot of interest that we are seeing, Mr Osinbajo said, according to the statement signed by his assistant, Laolu Akande.

The government hopes the plan will service 25 million Nigerians who are not connected to the national grid.

With regards to ownership, Mr Osinbajo said, Under the scheme, there is an option of outright ownership by beneficiaries possibly at a rough estimate of N4, 000 per month for a period of 3 years.

Also, there is the value addition to the economy in the area of job creation for at least 250, 000 persons and the ramping up of local content in solar equipment manufacturing systems installation and maintenance, it said.

The banks that are keyed into this have already shown a great deal of interest and leadership in this particular area and we commend them for what they have done so far. We hope that we will be able to work closely with them as we go ahead. And same with all of the assemblers, manufacturers of off-grid systems.

Mr Osinbajo called on commercial banks to support the federal governments move towards developing the local capacity for the entire solar energy sector.

As you know, the CBN is committed to this, and we hope that this partnership will be one that we will be able to leverage to achieve great things in the coming months.

Please leverage on the funding opportunities that have been offered and all of our internal people are willing to work to ensure that you succeed, he stated.

Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
EUGENE, Ore.  After nearly three months, Lane County transitioned from the extreme coronavirus risk category to the high-risk category on Friday, opening the door to limited indoor dining and other changes.

At Morning Glory Cafe on Willamette Street, owner Josh Aldersong said the change will allow the cafe to have up to 20 people inside. While its not a large amount, he said it will make significant difference.

It helps our business immensely. We get to be able to have the tables turning over and having outside seating through the winter months is very unusual for us. To be able to offer some space for inside seating is going to be great, Aldersong said.

Since the closure, the cafe has been offering outdoor dining and take-out, two alternatives that have been enough to keep revenue flowing.

Were feeling good. Theres always a little bit of nervousness that comes after these closures to make sure were ready for customers to be back, Aldersong said.

The cafe is asking customers who choose dine-in to limit their stay to 30 minutes once they receive their food.

Oregon's high risk level allows indoor dining at up to 25% capacity or a 50-person limit, whichever is smaller. It also allows gyms and fitness centers to allow up to 25% capacity or a 50-person limit.

According to Lane County Public Health, the shift to high risk reflects a trend of decreasing case counts and hard work from community members who are social distancing, masking and taking other precautions.

Officials said that residents should still exercise caution and seek to continue lowering the case count to pre-winter levels that were still much lower than the current weekly rate averaging from 30 to 50 cases.
Cloud Nothings have been a going concern for over a decade now. During that time, they have established themselves as a punk-pop band of the highest caliber. Between their debut, Turning On in 2010 (recently reissued to commemorate the anniversary of its first arrival) and 2018s Last Building Burning, they released a total of seven albums, including 2015s collaboration with Wavves, No Life for Me. They have been a one-label band, except for the Wavves release, working with Carpark Records. Those first six or seven albums were released almost every year, sometimes with a slightly longer gap between issues.

Then Covid happened, and as was the case for so many artists, everything changed. But for Dylan Baldi, the arrival of a global pandemic seems to have been the catalyst for, or perhaps its better to say, the crystallization of, a work ethic that has been breathtakingly prolific. The new Cloud Nothings album, The Shadow I Remember, was recorded just under the wire before Covids grip tightened on every aspect of our lives and was always planned for a release at this time. But once the lockdown happened, all other plans changed, and Baldi went into the kind of overdrive that might make you feel slightly inadequate if you were an aspiring artist or even just a regularly productive one.

A list of Dylan Baldi releases from 2020 includes, but is not necessarily limited to the following: a solo album entitled Enemy at Home; two Cloud Nothings albums, The Black Hole Understands and what you might consider its companion Life Is Only One Event; and two free jazz collaborations between Baldi and Cloud Nothings bandmate Jayson Gerycz, Blessed Repair and After Commodore Perry Service Plaza, both as the Baldi/Gerycz Duo. All of those 2002 releases were put out on Bandcamp. Also, Cloud Nothings released 27 live shows, also on Bandcamp. In other words, Dylan Baldi released 32 albums in 2020. And thats if you dont count the Bandcamp subscription service, which began in August 2020 and gets you four new songs a month, sort of like EPs. So all told, thats 37 discrete items released by Dylan Baldi and collaborators in the calendar year of 2020.

If that productivity alone werent astonishing enough, what is even more remarkable is both the quality control and the energy levels of those releases. The new material was consistently strong, albeit that Enemy At Home is effectively an album of demos. The two Cloud Nothings Bandcamp albums were an almost refreshing return to the bands very early days and what you might even call a slightly mellower sound (although some restless fans online inevitably clamored for the noisier energy of other parts of their oeuvre). The live shows were of a very high standard in terms of sound quality and song selection, not to mention the vitality of hearing the bands live evolution over the better part of a decade. All in all, 2020 was a phenomenal year for Dylan Baldi and Cloud Nothings, and he barely left his house.

And so you might be forgiven for feeling exhausted (just as you might forgive Baldi himself) before we even get to a consideration of what might be considered the official follow-up to 2018s Last Building Burning. But yet, The Shadow I Remember doesnt allow you to rest as a listener, even as Baldi doesnt allow himself to stay useless, as he once rather misleadingly pleaded on 2012s brilliant Attack on Memory. Because, and this is an important thing to say about Dylan Baldi and his band, Cloud Nothings are very good at what you might call misdirection.

This manifests itself in several ways, one of which is that you might think theyre a punk band, but they have hooks that songwriters in Swedish pop music factories would kill for. You might also think theyre a pop band, but theyll rip your head off with a visceral aural attack just when you were enjoying Dylans plaintive croon. You might look at them in photographs and think theyre a bunch of slackers, but then go right ahead and look at their discography and begin to compose your lengthy apology. In short, Cloud Nothings contain multitudes, and The Shadow I Remembercontains as many multitudes as you can shake a stick at. The only reason it might be difficult to say that this new album is their best is that theyre all equally good and all equally varied, and all equally vital.

So lets dig into this latest release, the bands ninth album. And speaking of misdirection, you might be forgiven for thinking that this is what you might call a Covid album as you listen to the lyrics of the opening track, Oslo, where Baldi begins, The world I know has gone away. But in fact, the album was recorded in early 2020 (in Chicago with Steve Albini, as they did for Attack on Memory in 2012) before we knew what we were in for, and so you have to pivot to another interpretation of this opening shot, or at least concede that more than one thing can be true at once (another thing Cloud Nothings force you to face up to). And sure enough, Oslo turns out to be a meditation on growing up, getting older, feeling adrift from the past but not fully connected to the present, and yet still wondering what the future holds  Am I older now, or is this just another age? Am I at the end, or will there be another change? These are, it turns out, part of the Cloud Nothings gestalt, existential meditations set against the backdrop of alternating and fused noise and melody.

In its way, Oslo is the archetypal Cloud Nothings song, not only because it will assault and seduce by turns, but also because the musical mood might not always match the lyrical tone, which is a delightfully bracing way to be off-balance. And whats more, Baldi and the band have this uncanny knack of making a song that feels massive and cinematic, shifting pace, changing the subject multiple times, screaming then purring, dropping in delicate little piano pieces, bashing you over the head with guitar, bass, and drums, but all in the space of what is rarely longer than three minutes. And that, sure enough, turns out to be the point. As Baldi himself said in the press release for the new album, Thats the goal  I want the three-minute song to be an epic. Thats the short version of the long-ass jam. And while there have been transcendent extended jams in the Cloud Nothings canon, notably No Future/No Past and Wasted Days from Attack on Memory, for example, most of the rest of their catalog demonstrates that you dont need eight minutes to make a song that feels like youve just watched an entire movie.

And so it is on Oslo and elsewhere on the album. While other bands would indeed stretch these kinds of things into extended rockist histrionics, Cloud Nothings are nothing if not economical, which adds to the intensity of the listening experience. What this also means is that your head will spin on the regular as you try to assimilate the fact that it feels as if theyve crammed three songs into one three-minute span, or in the case of Its Love, one of the albums later tracks, one minute and 32 seconds.

Its Love is a really remarkable slice of brilliance, as you wonder by turns if youre listening to The Who, or Nirvana, or Husker Du, until youre reminded by Baldis distinctive voice and an uncanny ear for a melody, that Cloud Nothings are nothing if not their own unique band. It does seem to be Nirvana and Kurt Cobain that one hears most often here, in terms of the primal vocal scream, the crushing drum sound, the wonderful surprise of coming across a beautiful melody in the midst of what previously seemed like noise therapy, and the twinned energies of brash self-confidence and genuine introspection and doubt, the twin impostors of the punk spirit. But if this reference point pops up more than once in various ways, its almost as if Baldi and company want you to know that they also know the lineage they are continuing with this project. The ghosts of rock screamers past can be heard here, not in a way that haunts, but rather in a way that acknowledges them and then says, hold my beer.

Between Oslo and closing track The Room It Was (about which more presently), we are treated to nine more songs, 11 in total, just over 30 minutes of music, which feels like a whole world of experience. There are two handfuls of three-minute epics, each of them Coleridgean flights of fancy that take you to places in your mind that you might never have dreamed of. They drop you back down gently to earth each time, bewildered and ecstatic as if you have had some extra-corporeal experience. And indeed, its an impressive gift that Baldi has for making you feel human, more than human and not infrequently kind of sad, all at once, as if he were some kind of musical psychotropic pharmacist, regulating your mood with exquisite precision over 30 perfectly paced minutes. Because this is, at its root, music of recognition as much as it is anything else. And this is Cloud Nothings greatest gift to us, that they provide us a mirror of our humanity, angry, joyful, self-hating, transcendent, prideful, ashamed, feeling that anything is possible but that all may also be lost, so that we both laugh and cry together, often simultaneously. Multitudes indeed, but without ever tipping over into bi-polarity or psychological or existential disorder. This is just how it is. It doesnt necessarily mean that were crazy.

The albums standout track might be its second song, the recently released single, Nothing Without You, which features the wonderful surprise of a guest vocal appearance by Ohmmes Macie Stewart. The track stands out partly because of the change of tone introduced by a female voice, but also because its a classic Cloud Nothings jam, at once fierce and tender, a full-frontal noise onslaught that breaks deftly into delicate melodic passages, a beautiful piano part, and the feeling of satisfaction that you thought you could only get from a live music experience. When this song ends, as is the case with so many here, you kind of want to make a whooping sound and hold your glass aloft as you notice that the exposed armpit might not be the freshest for your fellow audience members. In our current moment, reminders of personal hygiene might be well placed, but thats not really the point. The point of that kind of moment of recognition is that a music community still exists, even if still virtually for the time being.

And thats perhaps the real genius of The Shadow I Remember. It reminds you of what live music was like, and what it will be like again  its a defiant turn outward after so much turning inward these many months of our confinement. There are actually moments when the band almost mimic what they might imagine a crowd singalong used to sound like, as if to say, well see you soon and you can do that part, wont it be great? But for the moment, true to the previously established bona fides of their indomitable work ethic, they not only play all the instruments, they also play the part of the responsive audience, as in the background vocals of Am I Something, for example, where a drama of self-doubt is played out in the imagined realm of a band playing to a crowd of kindred self-doubting spirits.

A lyric like Am I something, do you see me, does anybody out there really need me? speaks both to the isolating self-doubt of the artist as it does to the alienating confinement of the listener, who can easily identify with such a question. In these times we might be forgiven for wondering if anyone is out there anymore and if we are of any real use. Cloud Nothings are here to remind us that were together before and we will be together again. Just imagine the feeling of solidarity you will get when you can all ask that question en masse, to each other, and be validated and affirmed by the answer of your very juxtaposition with like-minded fans, drunk on the euphoric camaraderie of being deafened and uplifted by the live music experience once again.

If we think of the experience of listening to The Shadow I Remember as the mimetic version of a live show we cannot yet attend, the closing track The Room It Was serves then as the encore, the room of the title serving as the venue for the imaginary gig we have been attending. And once again, the band provide their own contrapuntal energy, where Baldi finally intones the albums title, rasping the first part, The shadow, before more tenderly and wistfully singing the whole phrase, The shadow I remember, as if the shadow is itself a memory of how we used to commune, something that makes him both angry in his iteration of the first part of the phrase and poignant in its second utterance. Its a brilliant way to end the album, delivering the albums title, framed as the simultaneous sound of anger, pain, regret and hope. The room as it was and the room it will be once again, with all of us in it. Ok, so maybe this is their best album.
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I am honored for this opportunity to lead the distinctive intellectual community at the University of Chicago, a special place that was so transformative in my early education and guided me throughout my academic career, Alivisatos said in a statement. I look forward to partnering with members of our campus and South Side communities, who are so integral to the universitys role as a great research university in one of the worlds greatest cities.
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University of Washington and SFP release comprehensive new Fishery Improvement Projects database

by Brian Hagenbuch

February 26,2021 | Source: SeafoodSource

The Hilborn Lab at the University of Washington and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) have released an updated version of their Fishery Improvement Projects Database (FIP-DB). UW and SFP, which released the update on Wednesday, 24 February, are calling the database the worlds most comprehensive resource for current and historical information on fishery improvement projects (FIPs), with data from all the globes 249 FIPs.



Nicole Baker, a research scientist for the Hilborn Lab, said the database will function as a guide to help analyze and implement new FIP measures.



In order to build the scientific evidence needed to establish and improve FIPs, standardized and consistent analysis of FIP characteristics is critical. This database is a key starting point for researchers investigating the influence of external factors on FIP success. It provides the FIP community with consistent and accurate data to ensure effective FIP implementation and, ultimately, improvements on the water, Baker said.



The publicly available trove has time series data stretching back to 2003 and aims to provide extensive resources for academic research. It includes a complete listing of FIPs, along with progress indicators and FishSource scores. This latest version of the database includes graphic representations of key statistics of the various FIPs to make research easier for NGOs, governments, journalists, and others.



The last 20 years have seen the number of FIPs grow quickly around the world as strong fisheries management and sustainable harvests become an imperative for more seafood buyers and fishing companies. FIPs began in larger, more mature seafoods sectors, but have since spread to other regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where they have been implemented in artisanal fisheries as well.



The new database will provide a one-stop shop designed for quick and easy analysis that will allow researchers to pinpoint which fisheries have made the most significant advances and what major factors have contributed to those advances, SFP Global Policy Director Brad Spear said.



As FIPs continue to expand, it is important to learn from the past and implement FIPs in ways that ensure policy change and lasting success, Spear said.



Founded in 2006 to restore depleted fish stocks and reduce the negative impacts of fish and fish farming, SFP was an early proponent of FIPs. The UWs Hilborn Lab combines data analysis and field work on best practice management for healthy fisheries.



According to a press release from SFP and the Hilborn Lab, FIPs bring together players within the supply chain to work together to demand and leverage better management of marine resources by identifying environmental issues that need to be addressed, setting the priority actions that should be undertaken and overseeing the action plan adopted by the participants.

 2021 Diversified Communications. All rights reserved.

Theme(s): Others.
As one of our missions at Bhu is to honor and serve the needs of our community, I am moved to be working so closely with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank," said Laura Katleman, founder and CEO of Bhu Foods.

Bhu Foods, a San Diego-based superfood company, announced it will donate one percent of its profits to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Through product sales, Bhu Foods will contribute to the North County Food Bank chapters efforts to provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need in communities throughout San Diego County.

As one of our missions at Bhu is to honor and serve the needs of our community, I am moved to be working so closely with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank," said Laura Katleman, founder and CEO of Bhu Foods. The organization has an enormous impact on the San Diego Community, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.

While this signifies the beginning of a formal partnership between Bhu Foods and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, Bhu Foods team has supported the organizations mission and service population for several years.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bhu Foods for supporting the San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank chapter during this unprecedented public health crisis that has had a devastating impact on our community and local economy forcing tens of thousands of families to seek food assistance, said James Floros, president and CEO of Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and North County Food Bank.

With widespread business closures, record unemployment, and skyrocketing food insecurity, donations are critical to the Food Bank since we are currently feeding nearly 600,000 people per month due to the pandemic and soaring need. Bhu Foods generous donation of one percent of its sales proceeds will support our COVID-19 Response Programs that are feeding those in need in San Diego County.

On behalf of the Food Banks staff and family of volunteers, we extend our deepest gratitude to Bhu Foods for helping us provide food assistance to individuals, families and seniors facing food insecurity during this heightened time of need in our community.

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and its North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 43 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves, on average, 600,000 people per month in San Diego County due to soaring need caused by the pandemic. The Food Bank partners with nearly 500 nonprofit organizations to provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need in communities throughout San Diego County.

Bhu Foods honors the growing health needs of the community while safeguarding the environment and exceeding the expectations of its customers. From the beginning, Bhu Foods mission has been to make consumers lives happier and healthier by offering exceptional healthy, low sugar, high fiber and clean label products that are affordable for everyone. With transparency at its core, Bhu Foods ensures each product is organic, non-GMO project verified grain-free and gluten-free with no added sugar alcohols.

About Bhu Foods

Bhu Foods is a female-owned, superfood company shifting the health and consciousness paradigm by setting the example of what it means to be a conscious company. Founded in 2016 from the Sanskrit word meaning of the earth, Bhu Foods honors the planet by lovingly creating superfood alternatives to sugary snacks. Bhu Foods offers exceptional organic, low sugar, high fiber and clean-label products including protein bars, keto bites, protein cookies, vegan cookie dough and more. To learn more about Bhu Foods, visit http://www.bhufoods.com.

About the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. Through a combination of programs and partnerships with over 500 San Diego County nonprofit charities, the Food Bank acts as a central repository and distribution point for donated food. The Food Bank distributed 43 million pounds of food in the fiscal year 2019-2020 to individuals, families, and a network of nonprofit organizations that work to alleviate hunger throughout the county. Visit the Food Bank at: http://www.sandiegofoodbank.org
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) announcing the Assembly elections dates for polls in four states and a UT on Friday, February 26. These are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry. They will go to the polls in April-May. The polls in these states are being held after the Bihar assembly elections last year, in which BJP, along with JDU, formed the government. During the presser today, the Election Commission may also announce measures to be taken in the run-up to the polls in these states as coronavirus scare looms large in many cities.

Catch all the live updates of the ECI presser on BusinessToday.In live updates

5.41 pm: Assembly Election 2021 schedule: Full poll schedule

Counting Day: May 2

West Bengal - 8 phases

First Phase: March 27

Second Phase: April 1

Third Phase: April 6

Fourth Phase: April 10

Fifth Phase: April 17

Sixth Phase: April 22

Seventh Phase: April 26

Eight Phase: April 29

Tamil Nadu - Single Phase - April 6

Puducherry - Single Phase - April 6

Kerala - Single Phase - April 6

Assam - Three phases

First Phase: March 27

Second Phase: April 1

Third Phase: April 6

5.35 pm: Puducherry Assembly elections on April 6

Puducherry Assembly elections for 30 seats will be conducted on April 6, along with Kerala and Kerala.

5.29 pm: Bengal Assembly elections to be held in eight phases

First phase voting to be held in five districts on March 27

Second phase polling in 30 constituencies on April 1

Third phase voting on April 6

Fourth phase polling on April 10

Fifth phase voting on April 17

Sixth phase polling on April 22

5.27 pm: Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to be held on April 6.

5.25 pm: Assembly poll election results for all states to be out on May 2

5.22 pm: Kerala Assembly elections on April

All seats of the state's assembly will go to polls in a single phase on April 6.

5.19 pm: Assam elections to be held in three phases: CEC

Assam polls will be held in three phases, CEC Sunil Arora said. He added that the first phase will be held on March 27, date of counting is May 2.

5.16 pm: Parties to release their candidates' criminal records: CEC

All political parties will publish details of criminal antecedents of their candidates in the local newspaper, website, and channel, CEC Sunil Arora said.

5.13 pm: Model cod of conduct will come into effect with date announcement, says CEC

CEC Sunil Arora said that the model code of conduct will come into effect as soon as the election dates are announced.

5.08 pm: EC to send special, general, expenditure, and police observers to five assemblies

Police observers picked by the Election Commission comprise Vivek Dubey - Bengal, Deepak Mishra - Kerala, Dharmendra Kumar - Tamil Nadu.

Special expenditure observers include - Murli Kumar - Bengal, Madhumalati Balanrishnam - Tamil Nadu, Neema Nigam - Assam, Pushpendra Punia - Kerala.

5.03 pm: Assembly Elections 2021: Adequate police force deployment shall be ensured during elections

CEC Sunil Arora said that the sufficient Central Armed Police Forces' (CAPF) shall be ensured during elections. All critical, vulnerable voting booths identified.

4.59 pm: Postal ballot permitted only for sick, essential service employees, and senior citizens

The Election Commission has permitted the postal ballot only for sick, senior citizens, and essential service employees. CEC Sunil Arora said that the time for polling has been increased by one hour uniformly to make sure that people can cast their votes while maintaining social distancing at polling stations.

4.56 pm: Election Commission permits roadshows during poll campaign

CEC Sunil Arora said during the presser that the roadshows will be allowed during the canvassing by parties provided the convoy is broken after every five vehicles. However, the final decision will rest with the local CEO.

4.52 pm: COVID vaccination drive has contributed to positive poll environment, says CEC

CEC Sunil Arora said that the rollout of the inoculation drive has helped ensure a positive poll environment and has boosted the electorates' faith in the process.

4.47 pm: Assembly Election 2021 schedule: 86 crore electorate will vote for 834 assembly seats, says CEC

CEC Sunil Arora said that the upcoming state assembly elections will witness 86 crore electorate casting their votes at 2.7 lakh voting booths to elect representatives of 824 assembly seats.

4.41 pm: CEC pays tribute to coronavirus warrior

CEC Sunil Arora paid tributed to corona warriors. He added that the pandemic threw open a dilemma before the election bodies across democracies on how to manage the democratic rights of people alongside taking care of their health. Arora further stated that Bihar elections were a "litmus test" for the Election Commission, but the "electorate of the state reposed faith in us."

4.35 pm: India officially enters poll season

Will ensure safety during voting. challenge to hold polls amid COVID: CEC Sunil Arora.

4.32 pm: Election Comission's presser on five states' poll dates begins

4.30 pm: Congress press briefing on poll dates announcement at 5 pm

The Congress party will hold a presser at 5 pm, after the EC will announce the poll dates for five assembly elections in Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu.

4.26 pm: CEC reaches Vigyan Bhawan for media briefing

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, including EC team, has reached the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi for the presser.

4.18 PM: When & where to watch EC presser live?

You can catch all the live updates on BusinessToday.In. You can also tune into India Today or Aaj Tak TV channels. You can also log on to IndiaToday.in and aajtak.in. Besides, eci.gov.in/live will also broadcast the ECI press conference.

4.05 PM: Ahead of the EC press conference, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hikes daily wages.

I am pleased to announce a HIKE in the wages of daily wage workers under WB Urban Employment Scheme:



> To 202 per day from 144 earlier for unskilled labour



> To 303 from 172 earlier for semi-skilled



> 404 for skilled labour (new category introduced)



(1/2)  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 26, 2021

4.00 AM: Total Assembly seats

West Bengal: 294

Tamil Nadu: 234

Kerala: 140

Assam: 126

Puducherry: 30

3.50 PM: The decision to announce Assembly election dates came after a meeting of the ECI officials on Wednesday in which they finalised the dates for the elections. During the meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, the officials discussed the security deployment requirement, social distancing norms and details about the polling infrastructure in these states.

Also read: EC to announce poll dates for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bengal, Assam, Puducherry today
02/26/2021

Photo (c) Towfiqu Barbhuiya / EyeEm - Getty Images TikTok has agreed to pay $92 million to settle lawsuits claiming that it collected users personal data without their knowledge or permission, and then sold that data to advertisers.

NPR reports that the proposed settlement includes 89 million U.S. users, some as young as six years old. The settlement combines 21 privacy-centered class action lawsuits against TikTok.

TikTok was accused in the suits of violating users privacy in several ways, including by analyzing their faces to determine their ethnicity, gender, and age. The company was also accused of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, as well as privacy laws in Illinois and California.

The settlement, which would include nearly all U.S. users, is being described as one of the largest privacy-related payouts in history.

TikTok denies allegations

In a statement to various media outlets, TikTok said it disagreed with the allegations but has decided to settle the case anyway.

"We'd like to focus our efforts on building a safe and joyful experience for the TikTok community," a company spokesperson said.

As part of the settlement, TikTok has agreed to stop tracking biometric information and to stop transmitting user data overseas. Its also agreed to stop collecting data from users draft videos.

This is one of the largest settlements ever achieved in a consumer BIPA case, and one of the largest privacy class action settlements, Ekwan Rhow, a co-lead counsel for the lawsuit, said in a statement. It serves as a reminder to corporations that privacy matters, and they will be held accountable for violating consumers rights.

The settlement is still awaiting approval by the court system.
tvN's newest suspense drama "Vincenzo" made a successful start during its first and second episodes last 20th and 21st of February. A kind of series perfect to watch during weekend primetime. Song Joong Ki's return also made a great impact for the audience to watch the much-awaited project.

Big Boss is Out, Vincenzo Cassano is In!

In the last scene of the first episode of the drama "Vincenzo," lawyer Hong Cha Yong (Jeon Yeo Bin) gets to finally meet the new guy in town, the ever-gorgeous and not so calm Vincenzo Cassano. While in the middle of a fight between the Babel group, Vincenzo steps in to save the tenants of the building. With just a swift of hand, he was able to tear down one of the bosses of the Babel group, Hong Cha Yong was impressed by his actions. It must be an impressive stunt but the female lawyer is still in the stage of knowing Vincenzo and what is really his intention of saving the residents.

After their first encounter, Hong Cha Yong keeps on pestering Vincenzo and follows him wherever he goes. She even sits with him while eating tteokboki during dinner. But Hong Cha Yong found out that her father Hong Yoo Chan, who is also a lawyer like her made an alliance with Vincenzo in turning down Babel E&C, the company where Hong Cha Yong works as a representative lawyer.

During episode two, even though how pissed off Hong Cha Yong is to his father and Vincenzo, she still has a soft side and informs them in advance that Babel group will be demolishing the building any time soon. Because she can't be at peace, Hong Cha Yong went to his father's office to know if they already made a decision. But, she was surprised when there was a party happening in front of the building.

Lots of people were eating, dancing, and having fun. Until she saw Vincenzo looking handsome in a black suit and holding a glass of wine, everything around her went to a slow motion. The person who is clear to him was the man in front of him, Vincenzo Cassano. Smiling from ear to ear, impressed again by how he solved the problem professionally and creatively.

Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Bin Ended Up in a Police Station

Meanwhile, in the newly released stills for the upcoming episode three. Hong Cha Yong is inside the police station sitting and looking worried while being interrogated by the police. It looks like she was involved in an incident where she did not expect it would come along her way.

On the other hand, Vincenzo was also inside the police station as if he was the one interrogating the police. Will this be the chance for Hong Cha Yong to start a good connection with Vincenzo?

To know how their story will unfold, watch the next episodes of "Vincenzo" on Feb 27 and 28 at 9 in the evening.

What are you most excited about in the upcoming episode three of Vincenzo? Let us know in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Shai Collins
The most ego-driven battle being waged in the charged Israeli political arena is not taking place on the right, where Gideon Saar and Naftali Bennett, the respective leaders of the New Hope and Yamina parties, are going at each other tooth and nail. It is not even between them and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is busy trying to steal voters from his two challengers, as usual. The most furious battle is under way on the center left  not between a handful of small parties fighting for sufficient votes to get elected to the Knesset  but within just one party on that spectrum, Blue and White. The fight is between the former military chief of staff and current defense minister, Benny Gantz, and his close friends on the one hand and his former voters on the other.

The Blue and White party that Lt. Gen. (res.) Gantz formed just over two years ago once was good for 33 or more Knesset seats, which made it the sole viable alternative to Netanyahus Likud through three consecutive election campaigns, but polls now place it at the bottom of the heap. On a good day it is polling at four or five seats for the March 23 elections, and on a bad day it does not even cross the four-seat electoral threshold for the 120-seat Knesset.

Gantz, who split from Yesh Atid and its leader Yair Lapid in order to join the Netanyahu government in May 2020, has also now lost his most dependable ally, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who has decided not to run. Gantz is fighting for his political life, struggling with every breath he takes.

This time, his opponents are not Netanyahu, Netanyahus voters or the extreme right. Rather, those opposed to him are his deeply disappointed former voters and his former comrades in arms. Their fight is as bitter and emotional as only family feuds can be.

This week, some 130 former senior officers and officials who fought shoulder to shoulder alongside the decorated general throughout his military career petitioned him in a public ad to drop out of the race. Benny, enough. You tried everything, now put the country first, was the headline of the letter signed by his former commanders and subordinates, lieutenant generals, major generals and brigadier generals, former heads of the Israel Defense Forces (such as former Prime Minister Ehud Barak), top brass of the Mossad and Shin Bet.

We, your friends and those who love you  knew you as courageous. The time has come to make an important leadership decision and abandon this dangerous election, which will leave you below the electoral threshold, they wrote, explaining their concern that if Gantzs Blue and White fails to get at least 3.25% of the vote, the tens of thousands of ballots cast for the party will be wasted, weakening the prospects of the anyone-but-Netanyahu bloc.

The petition was designed to put the lame horse named Gantz out of his continued misery by preventing his defeat on election day. But it had the opposite effect. Feeling deeply betrayed, a furious Gantz went on the offensive, storming the bastions erected by his former brothers. I am keeping to the objective and continuing to charge forward, he said. Instead of helping or providing cover fire at the objective, they are shooting me in the back.

One of the letters signatories, Gen. (ret.) Neri Yarkoni, swept up in Gantzs military imagery, responded that there is no need to shoot him in the back. People should look him in the eye and shoot in the stomach. Reportedly, Gantz instructed aides to lodge a police complaint against Yarkoni, who later said that by no means was he calling for Gantz to be hurt in any way. Yarkoni apologized, saying he had made a mistake in taking the metaphor in the direction he did.

Be that as it may, the upcoming elections will be determined at the bottom, not the top. There is little doubt the Likud will remain the biggest Knesset party. Next in the polls is the centrist Yesh Atid, which has consistently failed to cross the 20-seat bar (while the Likud has been polling at 26-30 seats). Still, Lapid seems singularly untroubled. He knows that his best bet is for Netanyahu to head into the elections as the favorite and sure winner, rather than the other way round. Netanyahus ability to amass the equivalent votes of a 61-seat Knesset majority, which he has failed to achieve in three back-to-back elections, depends on one thing only: whether any of the small parties in the anyone-but-Netanyahu bloc fail to pass the threshold.

This is a particularly crucial question given that Netanyahu, with his political genius and national irresponsibility, has managed to prevent any loss of votes for his bloc. He did so by engineering a union between Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich, the radical right vanguard of religious Zionism, and the even more radical Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, a disciple of the late arch-racist Rabbi Meir Kahane. Netanyahus bloc, comprised of the ultra-right and ultra-Orthodox, has maximized its power. The situation on the other side is the exact opposite.

Now back to Gantz. Although the veteran left-wing Meretz party is also struggling in the polls on the edges of the electoral threshold, Blue and White is considered in even worse shape. The party is a relative newcomer, its voting base is brittle, it has lost most of its leaders and Gantzs friends and former supporters are deeply troubled by the insistence of the alternate prime minister to stick it out to the end.

Gantz is experiencing a vitriolic campaign on all fronts in recent weeks, especially on social media and on the part of his former partners. His promises notwithstanding, he has not hooked up with any other party in the anyone-but-Netanyahu bloc, stubbornly barricading himself in the ivory tower he has built for himself at the Defense Ministry, conveying ridiculous optimism. His sole advantage is financial. Israels election funding law is based on the number of Knesset seats parties have won  17 in Gantzs case (after Yesh Atid's seats are subtracted), a figure that now seems imaginary.

Blue and Whites rich kitty is a direct contrast to its poor showing, which is what prompted his former friends and voters to turn on him. For now, Gantz is adamant. He recognizes the relative frailty of the Labor Party under its newly elected leader Merav Michaeli and is directing his energies to luring veteran Labor voters to his party. He has been somewhat successful, so far. The latest polls place him above the electoral threshold, just. His position is still precarious.

When he entered politics in late 2018, Gantz did not generate great hopes. He is laid back, relatively honest, nonconfrontational, and well-intentioned  traits that have made him a target for the neighborhood political bullies. Gantz first surprised pundits when Blue and White turned into a monstrous voting machine threatening Netanyahus hold on power. The second surprise came when he folded and joined the Netanyahu government. His current refusal to bow out is handing pundits their third surprise.

The IDFs 20th chief-of-staff has grown a thick skin in recent months. He is scarred and hurting, but not broken. Netanyahu, he said in an angry Feb. 20 interview on Channel 12 television, dismantled my party and dismantled my family and stomped on my head, but he did not break my fighting spirit.

Gantz is motivated mainly by a desire for revenge against Netanyahu, and by one other small factor that could become very big indeed. According to an amendment to the Basic Law the government enacted 10 months ago in order to anchor the Netanyahu-Gantz power-sharing arrangement, Gantz was to automatically assume the premiership in November. Therefore, if he is elected to the Knesset next month and the results are once again inconclusive, he would remain defense minister and alternate prime minister while Israel prepares for its fifth consecutive elections. The Netanyahu-Gantz government would remain a transitional government and if fifth elections were held after November, Gantz would run as prime minister. Yes, such a crazy event  which could only happen in Israel  is a definite possibility on the 2021 calendar. As slim as this chance is, Gantz is not about to let it escape.

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Lamborghini has long been the brand to fly in the face of convention. Its cars are designed to get the heart racing and it has been a stalwart of the internal combustion engine (ICE) brigade...
ANN ARBOR, MI  Three venomous spiders found in the University of Michigans Shapiro Undergraduate Library led to the library being temporarily and mistakenly closed on Sunday and Monday.

Here is that headline and some more you might have missed this week.

3 venomous spiders cause closure of University of Michigan library

The University of Michigans Shapiro Undergraduate Library was temporarily closed after venomous spiders were found in the building.

Three Mediterranean recluse spiders were found in the librarys basement storage areas in late January, university spokeswoman Kim Broekhuizen said. The spiders were not in any public spaces, Broekhuizen said, and the library was closed on Sunday, Feb. 21, and Monday, Feb. 22.

In-person learning coming to Ann Arbor Public Schools in March

Ann Arbor Public Schools students will begin returning to the classroom in a hybrid learning format beginning March 25.

After a tumultuous meeting last week that left questions over whether most students would be able to attend in-person classes this year, or not, the Ann Arbor School Board, at its Wednesday, Feb. 24 meeting, showed clear-cut support for a return to hybrid learning.

AAPS, Michigan Medicine vaccine partnership a game-changer in students return to classroom, officials say

A partnership between Ann Arbor Public Schools and Michigan Medicine to quickly vaccinate teachers and staff will factor into the districts recommendation to return students to the classroom, officials said.

AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Swift and the districts school board announced the partnership with the health system on Tuesday, Feb. 23, a day before the school board is scheduled to meet to discuss plans to bring students back to in-person learning.

Washtenaw County prosecutor wont help ICE deport noncitizens

Effective immediately, a persons immigration status does not matter to the criminal justice system in Washtenaw County.

Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Wednesday, Feb. 24 that his office will not coordinate with federal immigration enforcement efforts, nor will it report noncitizen civilians, crime survivors, witnesses or defendants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), issuing a new policy directive on how his office will handle cases where previously a persons immigration status would be in question.

Lung transplant recipient at University of Michigan gets COVID-19 from donor, dies two months later

A woman who received a double lung transplant at the University of Michigan died two months later after contracting COVID-19 from the donors lungs, according to a study in the American Journal of Transplantation.

This is the first known case of donor-to-recipient transmission of COVID-19, according to Daniel Kaul, the studys author and professor of internal medicine at UM.

Judge dismisses several claims in Ann Arbor school principals lawsuit

Claims that an Ann Arbor Public Schools principals placement on leave was racially discriminatory have been dismissed from a lawsuit filed against the district and several of its administrators.

In a filing earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis dismissed several of the claims in the lawsuit filed by former Lawton Elementary Principal Shannon Blick, who alleges the district constructively terminated her in April 2019 when it forced her to take leave, in part because of her race.

10,000 gallons of sewage spill on Ann Arbors Main Street

Ann Arbor officials estimate 10,000 gallons of sewage spilled on Main Street and ultimately made its way into the Huron River.

The incident happened Monday, Feb. 22, while a contractor for the city was working on a sewer-lining project along Main Street near Madison Street and there was a bypass pumping failure, officials said.

71-year-old Ann Arbor Catholic parish expanding with social justice in mind

The St. Francis of Assisi Parish traces its roots in Ann Arbor back to 1950, and its grown to become one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the region.

The existing church building at 2250 E. Stadium Blvd., across from Tappan Middle School, was built in the late 1960s and has undergone multiple expansions over the decades.

New data shows racial disparities among those vaccinated for COVID-19 in Washtenaw County

A disproportionately small number of Black and Hispanic people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Washtenaw County, according to data from the Washtenaw County Health Department.

The data, shared by the health department on Tuesday, Feb. 23, is broken down by age, race/ethnicity and ZIP code. As of Feb. 17, 16.7% of Washtenaw County residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19, state data shows.

Citing First Amendment, judge dismisses charges against antiracist protesters in Chelsea

Impeding traffic charges have been dismissed against several of the protestors who participated in demonstrations last summer in the city of Chelsea.

Washtenaw County 14A-3 District Court Judge Anna Frushour declined to charge members of an antiracist activist group on impeding traffic violations, ruling that punishing the individuals would be in violation of the First Amendment of the United Sates Constitution.

Racial injustices fuel these Ann Arbor-area organizations to provide free minor car repairs

Free car repairs for minor maintenance issues are being provided at an upcoming event to help fight against racial injustices by law enforcement.

The free event is noon to 4 p.m. March 13, at Masjid Ibrahim, the Islamic Association of Ypsilanti, 315 S. Ford Blvd. In case of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled for March 14 at the same time and place.

It is the fifth in a series of Pull Over Prevention Clinics conducted since last August, when the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America, the Mutual Aid Network of Ypsilanti and Peace House Ypsilanti combined as a response to institutional racism and mass un-employment or under-employment, officials said.

We are struggling. Owners hope Ann Arbor Restaurant Week brings much-needed business

Heavily discounted meals tend to bring in traffic for Ann Arbor Restaurant Week.

But like many other events, it will look different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and indoor dining restrictions set at a 25% capacity. Some restaurants continue to offer outdoor seating, while others are focusing on carryout.

10-year-old Ypsilanti boy explores love of books and reading on new podcast

Joziah Jason wants to share his love of reading with the world, so he started a podcast dedicated to other bookworms.

The 10-year-old Ypsilanti boy, a fifth grader at South Arbor Charter Academy, launched R.E.A.D Books with Joziah, which stands for Read, Explore, Adore and Discuss three weeks ago. At six years old, Jason began participating in a program reading to barbers at Ypsilantis Fuller Cut, which gives kids $2 for engaging. Through the podcast, he reviews books, highlights his favorite parts and aims to inspire others to pick up a book.
Two teenagers accused of sharing pictures of Adolf Hitler and New Zealand mosque killer Brenton Tarrant on a far-right chat group have denied actively encouraging terrorist activities.

A 15-year-old boy is accused of setting up the group on Telegram, an encrypted chat platform, as well as possessing the 'Anarchy Cookbook Version 2000', a terrorist publication with instructions for making explosives devices.

The second boy, aged 16, who also cannot be named due to his age, is charged with disseminating terrorist publication 'White Resistance Manual' by sharing it via a link on the chat on August 28 2020.

Prosecutors claim the 15-year-old, who suffers from severe ADHD and autism, allegedly set up the chat where pictures of Hitler, left, and Brenton Tarrant, the Christchurch terrorist, right, were shared

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the material posted through the group allegedly encouraged a third schoolboy and member of that chat to prepare an act of terrorism.

Both teenagers appeared together in court and indicated not guilty pleas during the hearing.

Defending the 15-year-old, who suffers from severe ADHD and autism, Mark Luckett said: 'The position is, this case is no longer about sharing terrorist material, this case is now about actively encouraging terrorist activities.'

Adrian Lee, defending the 16-year-old, argued his client 'did not know and had no reason to believe that the 'White Resistance Manual' he shared in the group would encourage someone to prepare an act of terrorism.

Prosecutor Lee Ingham said: 'The new charge is against [the 15-year-old] only, as the organiser of the group's channels.

'It is still based on the same fact. This does meet the grave crime criteria.'

Charges related to distributing material through a far-right-wing extremist Telegram group

Chief Magistrate Goldspring directed he would retain jurisdiction of the case but warned the youths they could be sentenced at the Crown Court.

He said: 'I am going to retain jurisdiction, but very much on the decision that it may be that the appropriate place for sentence will be the Crown Court.'

The 16-year-old, from Kent, was bailed on condition he does not access the internet except for one internet-enabled device at home, does not access the internet on a third parties' internet or media device, does not access the internet at school unless supervised by a teacher, and observes a tagged curfew from 8 pm - 6 am.

The 15-year-old, from, South Derbyshire, was remanded in custody.

They will both appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 28 June for a three-day trial.
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Kisses From Italy Targets Boston for Growth

Florida Based Global Restaurant Brand Eyes Boston As Key Market for Expansion

February 26, 2021 // Franchising.com // BOSTON - Kisses From Italy Inc. (OTCQB:KITL), the U.S. based fast-casual and quick-service restaurant chain specializing in Italian delicacies with an All-American flair, has announced plans to expand through franchising in Boston.

Delighting guests for more than five years with amazing hospitality and delicious American staples with a blend of Italian heritage, Kisses From Italy has amassed a loyal following that has allowed the brand to expand.

With five locations open and in development in southern Florida, Italy, and soon, California, the brand has set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on Boston and other key regions throughout the United States and Canada.

This year has been challenging for us all in certain ways, but it also provided us with the time and bandwidth to develop a robust franchising strategy that will drive major growth opportunities for Kisses From Italy, said Claudio Ferri, Co-Founder, Co-CEO and CIO. We know that our concept is built for the future and we are more than ready to bring the Kisses From Italy experience to Boston with entrepreneurs who are passionate and eager to be a part of our family.

Founded by two childhood friends, Montreal natives Claudio Ferri and Michael Di Turi, Kisses From Italy began as a quick-service restaurant with Italian-American roots. Inspired by the delis and bakeries Di Turis grandfather owned in Italy in the 1950s, the Kisses From Italy concept boasts a traditional Italian charm paired with modern restaurant technology and service that doubles down on customer convenience. When customers visit a Kisses From Italy restaurant, what they see on the menu is what they getunique offerings that avoid processed foods and tasty, fresh and authentic meals.

A fusion of Italian heritage with American staples, the Kisses From Italy menu includes fresh sandwiches and panini off the grill, with an array of fresh steak, chicken and sausage or deli meats, that you can top with a choice of cheese, and a choice fifteen different types of fresh and marinated vegetables and toppings and a selection choice of sauces. The menu offerings also include Angus burgers, chicken wings, and other sides such as fries, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, lasagna, panzerotti and an assortment of cakes and deserts. Coffee and breakfast are served around the clock, making savory omelets, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and sweet pastry offerings available to guests any time of day. Kisses From Italys coffee selection includes high-quality brewed coffee and Italian roasted espresso among other beverages. Store hours cater to both night owls and early birds, starting the day at 9 a.m. and closing at 3 a.m. in some locations.

SOURCE Kisses from Italy Inc.

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PASDADENA, Calif., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Major Williams, a Republican candidate for California Governor, and his campaign team are preparing for a successful recall of current Governor Gavin Newsom. Voters have until March 17, 2021 to collect 1,459,709 signatures to trigger a recall election. Williams has been on the campaign trail meeting with voters from all parts of California and continues to ramp up campaign activity as the deadline approaches in preparation for a bid at the Governor's seat.

Major Williams, a Republican candidate for California Governor, and his campaign team is preparing for a successful recall of Gavin Newsom.

The Major for Governor campaign has seen tremendous growth over the past 12 months and Williams is one of the fastest rising Republican candidates on social media in California history. With more than 41,000 likes on Facebook, 21,000 followers on Twitter and a whopping 175,000 followers on Instagram, Major's popularity continues to rise. His popularity is a testament to the excitement residents feel in regards to his candidacy and ideals. In addition to this impressive momentum, every event Major Williams attends generates a large audience due to his presence and ability to rally and unify California voters.

Williams states, "We need someone in office that thinks differently in order to solve complex issues. I have the unique ability to walk into a room of a variety of ethnicities and political party affiliations and gain consensus through conversation."

The ability to bring together the masses, even those who have different backgrounds and ways of thinking, exhibits his value as a leader in California. Williams is a born leader with an entrepreneurial spirit that speaks to the American dream. His goal is to restore the essence of California and implement policies that improve the quality of life for all. He strives to bridge the gap between residents and lead them in a positive direction for a brighter future.

California citizens are frustrated with Newsom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and, as Williams stated on Fox and Friends, Newsom's "poor leadership."

Williams added that people are "unified by frustration" and that, "[Newsom] said he's going by the science, but he really isn't. It's hurtful to all Californians."

Major's campaign is a campaign of the people. The campaign stands for pro life, law enforcement, forest management, legal immigration, and the 2nd Amendment, while claiming to be anti mandatory vaccinations, overregulation, and defunding of the police.

About Major Williams: Major Williams is running for Governor of California. He and his wife founded Major Kicks for Kids, a non-profit organization that helps economically disadvantaged kids pursue their dreams, and he also runs the New California Governor Committee, which was created to vet and support gubernatorial candidates.

PRESS CONTACT

Campaign: Major Williams for Governor of California #1428025

Contact: Veronica Rodriguez

Email: [email protected]

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Major Williams for CA Governor

Major Williams, a Republican candidate for California Governor, and his campaign team is preparing for a successful recall of Gavin Newsom.

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Sara Ali Khan's social media handle is a delight for her fans. Her work life and personal life is well balanced. In her free time she is often spotted going on vacations with her mother Amrita Singh and brother Ibrahim Ali Khan. At the beginning of the new year she was seen spending quality time with her family at the Maldives as she took to social media to share some stunning pictures.

Recently she again shared a few images on social media where she is seen twinning with her mother in light green suits that had different kinds of embroidery.They were spotted paying a visit to the holy shrine - Ajmer Sharif. She captioned the image with - Jumma Mubarak. On the work front the actress has interesting films lined up - namely Atrangi re with Akshay Kumar and Dhanush, slated to release on 6th August this year.




Ready to face parliament, Nepal PM Oli in no mood to resign

International

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Kathmandu, Feb 25: Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will not resign immediately and implement the Supreme Court's verdict against him by facing Parliament that is due to convene within two weeks, an official representing the embattled premier said on Wednesday.

In a landmark ruling, a five-member constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher on Tuesday annulled the Oli government's "unconstitutional" decision to dissolve the 275-member lower house of Parliament. The court also ordered the government to summon the House session within the next 13 days.

Nepal raises objection to Biplab Deb's 'BJP expansion' remark

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 after President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP).

Oli's Press Advisor Surya Thapa said the prime minister, who turned 69 this week, intends to implement the verdict of the apex court after facing Parliament that is due to convene within two weeks.

"The Supreme Court's verdict is controversial, however, it should be accepted and implemented. Its effects will be seen in the future as the decision has not provided any solution to the political problems," Thapa said.

He claimed that the apex court's verdict will further fuel instability and pave way for power-play.

"The Prime Minister will face the House of Representatives to implement the verdict but will not tender his resignation as of now," Thapa was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times.

Oli's Chief Advisor Bishnu Rimal, mirroring Thapa's sentiments, said that all will have to accept the court's decision. "However, it provides no solution to existing political complications," Rimal said.

Thapa's reaction comes amid mounting pressure on the prime minister to step down following the court verdict.

A large section of the Nepalese media welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict that reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives. They hailed the decision, saying it has upheld democratic values and safeguarded the Constitution.

"By passing a judgment, the Supreme Court has once again stood by the people, and reestablished the notion of an independent judiciary," wrote The Kathmandu Post in its editorial."

"Now the House has been reinstated and the politics will return to Parliament, the problems are not yet over. There are too many players in the House with no one controlling the majority and the risk of the dirty game of horse-trading could start soon," the daily warned.

Naya Patrika daily termed the ruling a "defeat for an autocratic ruler" and a "victory for democracy and a challenge for the future."

"If both the factions of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) could utilise the opportunity created by the House reinstatement in a constructive way, it would benefit all the party, the cadres and leaders of the party as well as the entire nation," the Annapurna Post said in its editorial.

"One should use conscience so that the country would not plunge into another political crisis and confrontation," it said.

Meanwhile, Vice-president of the CPN Bamdev Gautam, who has so far maintained a balance between Oli and his rivals Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal, has urged the prime minister to step down.

China's strategy won't work with India | Army Chief Gen Naravane | Oneindia News

"As the court verdict has proven that the PM's step was unconstitutional, he must resign immediately," Gautam said.

Bhim Rawal, the Sudurpaschim in-charge of the Dahal-Nepal faction of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), has said on Wednesday Oli should apologise to the people.

"KP Sharma Oli should personally apologise to the nation for dissolving the parliament. If he resigns from the post of Prime Minister on moral grounds and asks for forgiveness from NCP, then only can the party become positive towards him," The Himalayan Times quoted Rawal as saying.

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Story first published: Thursday, February 25, 2021, 10:01 [IST]
She says this week has been inspiring. There was still hidden victim-blaming, deflecting the issue to alcohol, drugs and self-respect. We need to shift away from rape culture, where its normal to do these things and people are bystanders. It needs to be normal to call this out, Contos says. Loading Im so optimistic about the future. I think so many good things can come of this. Jess* was among the first women to submit her story on Friday. She was in year 11 when she passed out in a taxi and woke up in the bed of a man she knew had been a few years older than her at a neighbouring school. He was having sex with her. I pretended to be asleep until he was finished as I was too scared to move, she says. Shortly after I ran into his bathroom and vomited. His roommate found me naked next to the toilet and woke me up.

She and a colleague were discussing creepy men during a shift at a Bondi store years afterwards, when they realised both had been sexually assaulted by the same man. Jess later learnt he attempted to assault a third friend. This week has felt overwhelming. But even if schools were teaching more about consent thats a step in the right direction. Its getting people talking, she says. These conversations have often searched for a scapegoat. Some say parents need to take more responsibility, or blame parties, alcohol and porn. Others pointed to privilege, entitlement and single-sex environments as incubators of toxic behaviours and attitudes towards women. Theyve drawn links between the petitions content and the story playing out in Parliament House, in terms of both cause and effect. I pretended to be asleep until he was finished as I was too scared to move. Jess, who submitted a testimony to the petition Contos petition focused on better and earlier sex education in schools, amid a wider misogynistic and patriarchal culture. The former female and male students who signed feel betrayed; they say their schools did not equip them to recognise sexual assault or teach them enough about consent. Principals pointed to their existing initiatives  assemblies, pastoral care programs or annual workshops  as evidence of their efforts. But one principal says everyone could do more: girls schools, boys schools and parents.

The NSW curriculum, which all schools must follow, was revised in 2018 to more explicitly teach consent, starting with concepts like private parts and bodily autonomy in the early years. However, the curriculum relies on teachers willing to confront its material head-on. Principals and schools are able to pick and choose which parts they teach and dont teach, says Professor Kath Albury, who has researched young peoples sexual learning. Loading They can skip over anything that seems controversial and unpleasant. Some will decide its too hard for their teachers to do the work, so theyll hire a speaker who will do a three-hour presentation to everyone in an assembly and say theyve ticked the box. A NSW Education Standards Authority spokeswoman says it could take a while for the new syllabuses to generate change. We also recognise a cultural shift depends [on] strong leadership, both culturally and educationally, within the school, she says. Schools are up against external pressures, including a political and parent landscape which is often squeamish about sex. But principals were this week forced to admit their failings. Nicholas Sampson, the headmaster of Cranbrook  where former students were the subject of dozens of claims and several have been formally charged with sexual assault  acknowledged a pretty dark culture in his letter to parents on Monday. You will see a number of initiatives in this field unfold over the coming months, Sampson said.

Former police officer Brent Sanders addressed an assembly at The Scots College on Wednesday, and Parker spoke to Newingtons year 9 to 12 cohort about consent and pornography on Thursday. Year 8 was given a more age-appropriate version of the talk. We will educate the boys about consent in large groups and small, Parker told parents. Scots College and Cranbrook School at Bellevue Hill. Credit:Sydney Morning Herald Kincoppal-Rose Bay head Maureen Ryan said principals across Sydney were committed to working together for social change. Many of the principals have reached out to each other and we will be dealing with it in a united front, she wrote. St Catherines School has put its hand up to host parent seminars for the eastern suburbs community. Head of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW, Geoff Newcombe, says private schools would also work closely with the public and Catholic school sectors, as well as NSW Police. Sydney psychologist Jocelyn Brewer says the issue needs to be role modelled, discussed, called out and supported throughout high school. Booking a fly-in fly-out speaker that kids have no relationship with is not ideal. Being lectured in a one-off talk is not ideal. Its a Band-Aid on an amputation, she says. But there is also a view among principals that this cannot only be seen as a schools issue. It is a problem we all have to own, wrote SCEGGS Darlinghurst principal Jenny Allum. Schools have to be part of the solution. Parents have to be part of the solution. So too do governments, and the media, and all organisations.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says there are clearly cultural issues at some of these schools. I think it was encouraging that their principals have met those head on, she says. The challenge here is beyond the classroom and comes down to young people having the strength to stand up for their friends, do the right thing, look out for each other and for adults to set clear examples and expectations. There have been times when Ive heard about disgusting behaviour and not done anything about it. Cranbrook prefect Asher Learmonth In their emails, schools have asked parents to join them on this journey and start difficult conversations at home. Rose Cantali, a psychologist and president of the NSW Parents Council, says many were confronted by the weeks events. For a lot of them it has come as a shock: theyre traumatised and really sad they havent been able to help their child. Ive had parents calling up saying its happened to their children, theyre dealing with their own emotions. Some boys school parents and their sons, particularly those who fear they could be the subject of some of the allegations, were really worried about it, Cantali says. You have kids who are perpetrators who maybe dont know what theyve done is wrong... Its become a community problem. Online and within their friendship groups, young people are reckoning with the claims too. There were reports on social media of students snickering during assemblies, and men in their 20s mocking the petition at last weekends gatherings.

Loading Others - like the man who reached out to Kate - are starting to reflect. Amid the hundreds of womens testimonies, a handful of men expressed their regret about behaviour they walked past and accepted. Some are just beginning to understand that what they witnessed - or engaged in - was sexual assault. A speech given by Cranbrooks head prefect Asher Learmonth said the schools name had featured too heavily, once again, in the allegations. He urged his peers to avoid laughing or dismissing the topic. There have been times when Ive heard about disgusting behaviour and not done anything about it, times when Ive tolerated boys referring to women in derogatory ways, times when Ive stood by, he said. I do think there is a very specific and damaging attitude many of we boys have... Identify this sexist and reductive attitude within yourself, within the boys you go out with. Change the way you view women. Change it. Kate has watched men respond to the week with interest. Its not the relief I thought I would feel, she says. Maybe deep down theyre good people, but it will always play on the back of my mind  are they coming forward because theyre worried about the future of themselves, or the future of us? * Names have been changed to protect the identity of the women
Jordan Peeles reboot of The Twilight Zone has been axed after two seasons.

Jordan Peele, Simon Kinberg and the entire production team truly reimagined The Twilight Zone for the modern age, said Julie McNamara, Paramount Plus programming chief. They upheld the classic series legacy of socially conscious storytelling and pushed todays viewers to explore all new dimensions of thought-provoking and topical themes that we hope will resonate with audiences for years to come.

This reboot of the anthology series created by Rod Serling featured Peele as host, producer and narrator, with episodes featuring John Cho, Taissa Farmiga, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kumail Nanjiani, Chris ODowd, Seth Rogen and more.

It screened in Australia on 10 All Access.

Source: Variety

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A British-born woman who went to Syria as a schoolgirl to join Islamic State should not be allowed to return to Britain to challenge the government taking away her citizenship because she poses a security risk, the UK's Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

Shamima Begum left London in 2015 when she was 15 and went to Syria via Turkey with two schoolfriends where she married an IS fighter.

Begum, 21, who is being held in a detention camp in Syria, was stripped her of her British citizenship in 2019 but the Court of Appeal previously agreed she could only have a fair appeal of that decision if she were allowed back to Britain.

But the country's top court overturned that decision, meaning that although she can still pursue her appeal against the decision to take away her citizenship, she cannot do that in Britain.

The British government had argued that the intelligence agencies concluded those who aligned with Islamic State posed a serious current risk to national security.

"If a vital public interest - in this case, the safety of the public - makes it impossible for a case to be fairly heard, then the courts cannot ordinarily hear it," the Supreme Court judges concluded.

Begum's case has been the subject of a heated debate in Britain, pitting those who say she forsook her right to citizenship by travelling to join IS against those who argue she should not be left stateless but rather face trial in Britain.
While demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is surging amid scarce supply, stories are flying around about pharmacies, hospitals and mass vaccination sites passing out excess doses to people who just happen to be at the right place at the right time. There is also a lot of talk about waiting lists that vaccination sites use when they need to dispense doses at risk of expiring.

This is all based on the theory that some people aren't showing up for their appointments, or something goes wrong like a freezer breaks down, and there's a surplus of unclaimed vaccines that need to be administered before spoiling.

East Bay resident Ben Lindorfer got a tip from his partner that the Oakland Coliseum  where some 6,000 doses are being administered a day  pass out leftover vaccine at the end of the day to people who show up without appointments.

"I dont want it to get thrown out," Lindorfer said. "If theyre throwing it out and theres an opportunity for me to wait around, Im happy to wait around."

Lindorfer arrived at the walk-in checkpoint last Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and said he was told by a worker that they didn't have any extra vaccine.

A friend went 15 minutes later and was told to show up at 6 or 6:30 p.m. for leftover vaccine. Lindorfer went back at 7 p.m. and there were about a dozen people waiting for extra doses.

"A gentleman in a FEMA jacked said they had no leftover vaccine," Lindorfer said. "He said if they have any leftover, they throw it away."

(Editor's note: Cal OES spokesperson Brian Ferguson said the Oakland Coliseum is a zero-waste site.)

It's not surprising that people are following leads on unclaimed shots, as there have been multiple stories reported in the media about people scoring inadvertent vaccines. When a refrigerator broke at a Mendocino County hospital, 850 Pfizer doses that required cold storage were distributed from a church and health clinics on a first-come, first-serve basis in a matter of two hours. A public health care worker caught in the snow in Oregon walked from car to car giving drivers doses that would expire in six hours, the New York Times reported.

While these stories are true, the likelihood of picking up excess vaccine seems slim. It's especially unlikely if you're not currently eligible within California's prioritization framework that advises counties to give doses to health care workers, seniors ages 65 and over, and essential workers in education, food, agriculture or law enforcement.

The Oakland Coliseum vaccination site in Alameda County is managed by Cal OES, and spokesperson Brian Ferguson said any extra vaccine is distributed to eligible people through a "call list."

"We try to be thoughtful about allocating vaccines and track the number of shots well need in a given day. If were getting near the end of the day and we have extra, we have an on-call list of local folks who are eligible who can come over and get a shot. Were working through eligible community partners, health care workers, law enforcement agencies, teachers groups."

Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, the two major health care providers administering vaccines in the Bay Area, said the no-show rate for vaccines is extremely low, and sites are bending over backward to ensure no dose goes wasted.

"Generally, cancellations are filled pretty quickly, even on the same day," Kaiser said in a statement. "We monitor our doses closely and can call in members who are booked the next day or later to come in early."

"In cases where there are appointment cancellations or remaining vaccine at the end of the day, we contact scheduled patients to come in early," a statement from Sutter said.

SFGATE also reached out to all nine Bay Area counties to ask whether they ever have excess vaccine, pass out extra doses at vaccine sites or toss out unused vials. We also asked whether they keep waiting lists to expedite the distribution of excess vaccines at risk of expiring.

We heard back from all the counties, and here's what they said.

Alameda County

The county said it hasn't wasted a single dose or vial of vaccine at any county-operated sites.

"We monitor open vials and reconcile drawn doses approximately two hours prior to a POD closing down to ensure open vials dont go unused," county spokesperson Neetu Balram said in an email. "We have wait lists of those who have appointments coming up and who can respond quickly if we have doses left after our appointments. We do not vaccinate people out of tier."





Contra Costa County

The county said 2% of people with appointments don't show up. "When doses do become unexpectedly available, we have a policy that lays out a process for calling in people from our wait list," the county said. "We do not encourage people without appointments to gather near our clinics."

Marin County

Marin County said between 5% and 10% of people with vaccine appointments don't show up. The county said in a statement that they assume people don't show up because they didn't get a confirmation from PrepMod (the county's appointment system), got an appointment somewhere else, didn't meet the criteria but booked anyone hoping it would change by the date of the appointment, tested positive for COVID and delayed getting vaccinated, or had a family emergency.

"We track our no-show rate throughout the day to prevent those doses from being drawn in the first place," county spokesperson Laine Hendricks wrote in an email. "Again, in the rare event we do have left over doses, we try to work with nearby clinics or hospitals (e.g,. MarinHealth Medical Center) to ensure the doses are used appropriately."

The county said it doesn't keep a waiting list, but it does have a "vaccine interest form" that it can leverage if needed. Any resident can self-register and identify that they want to be vaccinated.

"While any member of the general public can sign-up, we only engage those eligible to receive the vaccine in accordance with our current vaccine prioritization," the county said. "The form allows us to target vulnerable populations or communities of color who have not yet been vaccinated."

Napa County

The county said it has few no-shows, and a process in place to manage any potential impacts of no-shows involving intentional one-at-a-time syringe draws during the last hour of our clinics. It hasn't reported any waste.

"We have a well-established county interest list used to prioritize vaccine appointments according to state guidance," county spokesperson Janet Upton wrote in an email. "For each clinic, we identify people from that list who do not yet have an appointment and ask them to be available should we have any overages."

San Francisco

The San Francisco Department of Health said it does not track cancellations at sites run by the large health care providers or at the neighborhood clinics.

"San Francisco healthcare providers, who distribute two-thirds of the vaccines in SF, and the Department of Public Health function on the basic guideline that there should be no waste of any vaccine," the COVID Command Center, which manages the city's pandemic response, said in a statement. "Therefore, people are required to have appointments and are asked to cancel in the event they cannot make it. All vaccinating sites run by different healthcare providers have different protocols but plan aggressively to ensure the vaccine is not wasted. Many vaccinating entities have a call list, of those who are eligible, that can be called to be vaccinated at the end of a day. Nearly 100% of vaccines received each week are allocated for use in the coming week."

San Mateo County

San Mateo County said it sees a rate of 4% to 9% of appointments that need to be canceled because of ineligibility, lack of need because the individual received the vaccine elsewhere, a no-show, or other issues.

"We have staff working continuously on the appointment list throughout the day of the clinic, to make sure that only eligible recipients are on it and are on track to arrive at the appointed time," Preston Merchant, a spokesperson for the county, wrote in a statement. "As part of this process, we also build waitlists of eligible recipients who can receive any unused doses at the end of the day. The waitlist is built from the targeted appointment list and is not open to the public. We dont accept additions to the waitlist or allow anyone to wait at a site in hopes of receiving vaccine at the end of the day."

Santa Clara County

The county said it has a no-show rate of about 10%. "This rate is consistent with what we see overall in healthcare," the county wrote in an email. "We expect that 10-15% of those who make appointments may miss them for one reason or another, and we build our system around that assumption so that no-shows do not result in either wasted or misallocated doses. This includes building a buffer by overbooking' appointments to account for it."

The county said waste is minimal; its most recent data as of Feb. 22 revealed that 506 doses out of 413,233 total doses administered were wasted, or 0.12%.



"Not all of these doses were expired doses; some may have been reported as wasted due to other reasons that include malfunctioning syringes or needles, problems when reconstituting, diluting, or drawing out doses, or other reasons," the county said.

The said it has procedures in place to guard against vaccine wastage in the rare instances where more doses are thawed than can be used on persons who show up for appointments.

Santa Clara County does not have a waiting list.

Solano County

Solano County said "an overwhelming majority of residents show up to their appointments."

At the end of vaccination events, if there is remaining vaccine, the county's Emergency Medical Services team transports it to a long-term care facility that has recently received new staff or residents, according to Jose Caballero, a spokesperson for the county.

The county keeps a waiting list that's "generated from the registration form when max capacity has been reached," Caballero said. "Only eligible residents can join the waitlist for our vaccination events."

The county asks that people without vaccine appointments who haven't been notified from the waiting list not show up at vaccine sites and events.

Sonoma County

Sonoma County said it isnt tracking the number of people who dont show up for vaccine appointments. "We do have some, but anecdotally it is not very many, and we understand that it is mostly due to people making multiple appointments and going with the one that is most convenient while forgetting to cancel the one they dont use," county spokesperson Matt Brown wrote in an email. "So, we are encouraging people to cancel appointments that they know they are not going to use in order to free up those appointments for others."

Brown said if a clinic has doses left over at the end of the day, it is put back in the refrigerator to use the next day or sent to other clinics that need a supply.

"Since our demand is high, there are rarely, if ever, cases of vaccine going unused after their expiration date. The only time we will have a need to use vaccine is if we have an opened vial at the end of the day," he said. "Unopened vials can be stored for later, but opened vials must be used that day. Vials contain five or six doses each. So, if we open a new vial for the last appointment of the day, then we will have at most five doses that we need to use. Some clinics have a list of eligible patients that can receive these, typically people who have appointments at a later time. We dont recommend showing up at a clinic in the hopes of getting an extra dose."
Investigators looking into the disappearance of Melissa Caddick held vital clues about her whereabouts just days after she vanished.

Ms Caddick's decomposed foot was discovered on Bournda Beach in Tathra, six hours south of Sydney, on Sunday February 21, and police on Friday confirmed DNA testing proved the remains belonged to the conwoman.

The 49-year-old financial planner vanished the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her luxury Dover Heights home, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on November 11.

Modelling by NSW Police marine rescue teams, taking tides and drift patterns into account, has explored the possibility that Ms Caddick entered the water in the Dover Heights area around November 12.

Remains of missing Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick (pictured) have been found, three months after she disappeared from her Dover Heights mansion

Her decomposed foot was found by campers 400km away from Dover Heights on Bournda Beach in Tathra

The modelling deemed it possible that her body could have drifted as far south as Bermagui, about one hour north of Bournda.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said the modelling was done in the wake of Ms Caddick's disappearance, as crews conducted extensive land, air and sea searches

'During the course of those searches, our marine area demand provided advice to investigators based on offshore drift modelling that raised the possibility that an object or a body that entered the water around the Dover Heights area could drift as far south as Bermagui,' he said on Friday.

Despite the evidence, investigators were only able to find Ms Caddick's partial remains when her foot and ASICS shoe washed up on a remote beach and were discovered by campers.

A police source told The Sunday Telegraph the modelling was completed days after Ms Caddick's disappearance but they were unable to find her due to a lack of further evidence.

The revelation comes after a NSW court approved an arrest warrant for Ms Caddick last week, The Australian reported.

Corporate watchdog ASIC made the application under the Corporations Act.

If Ms Caddick had been found alive, NSW police would have been able to arrest the high-flying financial fraudster.

Liquidators allege the self-styled financial adviser 'meticulously and systematically' deceived those who entrusted millions of investment dollars to her over seven years, then used the money to fund her lavish lifestyle.

Melissa Caddick (pictured) disappeared without a trace from her Sydney home on November 11

Ms Caddick was last seen at her $7 million Dover Heights home in Sydney's eastern suburbs on November 11 before vanishing early the next morning.

The foot and shoe matched the size and description of a shoe Ms Caddick was seen wearing during the execution of the ASIC search warrant of a home two days before she disappeared.

'Melissa's family were informed of the identification last night and are obviously distressed,' NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing told reporters on Friday.

'Police have always kept an open mind in relation to what the circumstances were for her disappearance, including the fact that Melissa may have taken her own life.'

Police are unsure how long the decomposed foot had been in the water as the search for more remains continues.

'I can say that exactly how Melissa came to enter the water is still a mystery,' Assistant Commissioner Willing said.

'The searches and ongoing investigation and will take all forms that we normally would.'

'We need to provide as many answers as we can to family and friends.'

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing (pictured on Friday) confirmed remains of the missing businesswoman have been found on the NSW far south coast. Also pictured is an exhausted looking Gretchen Atkins (left), the detective who has led the investigation

Campers found a decomposed foot and ASICS shoe washed up on Bournda Beach (pictured) on the NSW far south coast near Tathra

One of the investor victims ripped off by Ms Caddick reacted with shock when told by 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham.

Cheryl Kraft Reid entrusted almost $1million of her superannuation with Ms Caddick, whom she considered as a friend and last heard from two months prior to her disappearance.

'Wow, that's a sad tragic outcome for her son but its also just a sad tragic outcome for us because we just don't get closure,' Ms Kraft Reid told the radio program.

'Besides the news we're unlikely to see any return of that, it's pretty devastating.'

'It's not just the money, it's the consequences of what's happened to us and for the many years we've worked for zero returns because she decided to live an entitled and frivolous life.'

Ms Kraft Reid feels for Ms Caddick's teenage son.

'She's left a young man without a mother and that's the tragic part,' she added.

Other victims want to know where the rest of Ms Caddick's body was.

'Did she just cut her foot off?' one asked.

Police bodycam footage from the raid on Melissa Caddick's home in November was the last confirmed sighting of her before disappearing the next day

Melissa Caddick's husband Anthony Koletti (pictured left with Melissa) and her family were informed of the confirmation of her remains on Thursday night

Strike force detectives will continue to conduct inquiries  with the assistance of Missing Persons Registry  into the circumstances surrounding Ms Caddick's death.

This will include further searches around the Bournda Beach area and along the surrounding coastline.

Investigators will also prepare a report for the information of the NSW Coroner.

Gretchen Atkins, the Bondi police station detective who has led the investigation, looked exhausted watching assistant commissioner Willing's press conference on Friday morning.

Detective Inspector Atkins had personally briefed Melissa's devastated husband Anthony Koletti and teenage son about the discovery on Thursday night.

Understandably, they were 'devastated'.

A small group at the top of the NSW Police Force knew the mystery that has gripped Sydney had likely been solved on Sunday evening.

The search will continue for more of Melissa Caddick's remains. She's pictured with husband Anthony Koletti

The first sign was the shoe that campers had found, which matched the distinctive size and design of the Israeli ASICS jogger Caddick was wearing on November 11, when she was last seen at home during a raid by the corporate watchdog ASIC.

On Thursday evening, NSW Health Pathology confirmed the remains matched the DNA on Caddick's toothbrush.

The location of the discovery matched up with sea modelling performed by the NSW Police Force's marine command.

The modelling suggested if Caddick had plunged from Dover Heights on November 11, her remains could have washed as far as the southern tip of New South Wales.

Caddick's parents, Ted and Barbara, are said to be 'furious at ASIC', the corporate watchdog, for what has happened.

Ms Caddick vanished without a trace with her teenage son reportedly hearing the door 'click' about 5.30am on the morning of November 11.

She left her wallet, phone and keys behind and has made zero contact with anyone since.

Melissa Caddick was last seen at her Dover Heights home in Sydney's eastern suburbs on November 11. She's pictured with family on a ski trip

The 49-year-old Sydneysider is alleged to have stolen about $25million from investors in a pyramid scheme.

Australian Federal Police raided her home two days before she disappeared as part of an investigation by the corporate regulator ASIC.

ASIC seized a number of luxury items including jewellery and designer clothing from Caddick's $6.2million Dover Heights home on November 11, the day she was last seen

Earlier in the week, court-appointed liquidators pored over thousands of page of documents and interviewing family members, business associates and investors of the missing businesswoman, as they reconstructed her financial affairs and those of her business, Maliver Pty Ltd, over the past two months.

Investors 'were working on the basis that they trusted Melissa and that they could trust that she was going to invest their money prudently and diligently,' provisional liquidator Bruce Gleeson told reporters on Wednesday.

'Unfortunately that hasn't happened.'

A foot inside a shoe was found on a beach on the NSW south coast on Sunday, February 21, before DNA testing confirmed it belonged to the alleged conwoman

ASIC says its investigation into Ms Caddick and her company Maliver Pty Ltd, is continuing.

'ASIC's priority is to seek the return of funds to investors in the most efficient way possible,' a spokeswoman said on Friday.

ASIC will continue to work with the receivers and provisional liquidators to prepare for the Federal Court hearing listed on 7 and 8 April. ASIC's considers the hearing should go ahead as a priority to seek return of funds to investors.

'We will not be making any further comment at this time.'

For confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.

MUMBAI: Ace filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, who is currently shooting for his upcoming directorial 'Anek' in the North East region of the country, shared a post on Friday explaining that filming the movie has been a tough experience for him. The 'Thappad' director took to his Instagram handle and shared a selfie of him with a sunburnt face, which he explained was the result of the forthcoming film's extensive shoot.

Captioning the picture, he wrote, "When your face is burnt like this you are halfway through the filming. #ANEK. Toughest so far.

"'Anek', set to hit the big screens on September 17, marks Anubhav`s second collaboration with actor Ayushmann Khurrana after the critically-acclaimed 2019 film 'Article 15'.

Helmed by the 'Mulk' filmmaker, 'Anek' is being bankrolled by Anubhav and Bhushan Kumar under Benaras Media Works and T-Series.
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UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

Thierry Henry returns to Belgium national team coaching staff

UEFA President to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus: Let all three play the Super League

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Five-time Grammy winner BJ Thomas dies in USA

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Roma offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan a two-year deal

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

De Bruyne suffers injury

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Prince Harry to receive small part of inheritance of his grandfather

Chelsea host drone show to celebrate their Champions League title

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet
World-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School owned by the family of Saturday Kitchen's Rachel Allen has hit the headlines this week, after police shut down in-person classes during lockdown.

It is understood the institution in Shanagarry, County Cork, was conducting an in-person 12,000-a-head course for nine international students from the US, Holland and the UK, despite Ireland's strict coronavirus restrictions.

But it's not the first scandal to hit the nation's famous chef dynasty, with author Rachel facing devastation when her teenage son, Joshua, was jailed in 2020 for having nearly 19,000 worth of cannabis.

Meanwhile, in 2002, Rachel's father-in-law Tim Allen, co-founder of Ballymaloe, was convicted over child abuse images.

Dublin-native Rachel has been married to Tim and Darina Allen's son Isaac for 22 years, with the couple sharing three children together.

At the helm of the Ballymaloe business is Irish celebrity chef and best-selling author Darina, who has since defended running cookery classes during lockdown for a group of international students.

Gardai have launched an investigation into potential breaches of Covid-19 restrictions at the building and enquiries are continuing, according to the Irish Mirror.

Following the latest crisis, FEMAIL recalls the shocking history of the Ballymaloe Cookery School

World-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School owned by the family of Saturday Kitchen's Rachel Allen (pictured) has hit the headlines this week, after police shut down in-person classes during lockdown

It is understood the institution (above) in Shanagarry, County Cork, was conducting an in-person 12,000-a-head course for nine international students from the US, Holland and the UK, despite Ireland's strict coronavirus restrictions

Police investigate potential Covid breach following lockdown classes at Ballymaloe Cookery School

Gardai shut down a 12,000 course run by the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School during lockdown and are now examining whether the school broke Covid-19 regulations.

They were called to the premises, run be celebrity chef Darina, 72, on Monday after receiving a complaint from the public.

It is understood the school was conducting an in-person 12,000-a-head course for nine international students from the US, Holland and the UK, despite level 5 restrictions.

Under lockdown rules in Ireland there is a ban on all household visits, non-essential retail and schools are closed and there is a 5km limit on travel.

Ballymaloe management told the Breakingnews.ie that the classes had since been stopped following health and safety concerns.

But Darina has still defended running the classes, saying she felt a 'strong responsibility' towards the students who had arrived in Ireland in late December for two weeks of quarantine.

'They had travelled long distances. Some have taken three-month career breaks. We felt we had a duty of care to these students,' said the chef.

The students had reportedly booked residential places on Ballymaloes 12-week Certificate Course, due to start on January 4, but were left in limbo when a full level 5 lockdown was announced on December 30.

Darina explained that after their 14-day quarantine, the students agreed to enter a Ballymaloe bubble'.

She said Ballymaloe had done 'everything in line' with Ireland's coronavirus restrictions, adding that the school was different to other educational institutions because of its residential setting.

Saturday Kitchen star Rachel Allen's son was jailed for having nearly 19,000 of cannabis at the cookery school

But it's not the first scandal to hit the nation's famous chef dynasty, with author Rachel facing devastation when her teenage son, Joshua (pictured with Rachel), was jailed in 2020 for having nearly 19,000 worth of cannabis

In February 2020, the son of celebrity TV chef Rachel Allen was handed a 15 month jail sentence for having nearly 19,000 worth of cannabis at Ballymaloe Cookery School.

Joshua Allen, now 21, was handed the sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to the possession for sale or supply of the drug at the school in September 2018.

He was jailed for 15 months with the sentence backdated to November 8 when the teenage served three weeks in prison on remand.

Allen was given a total two and a half year prison sentence with the final 15 months suspended. He was brought to the court from Cuain Mhuire rehabilitation centre where he had been in treatment.

At the time, Judge Sean O'Donnabhain heard how the teenager had made a genuine effort to address his problems in the residential drugs addiction treatment centre.

It is understood the then 18-year-old had been under Garda surveillance for a considerable length of time when the drugs arrived at the cookery school from the US back in September 2018.

The package, which had been labelled 'clothing', was detected by Customs officers in the mailing centre in Portlaoise who then informed gardai of the suspicious package they'd found.

Joshua (pictured right, with his father Isaac Allen, left, in 2019) was handed a 15 month jail sentence for having nearly 19,000 worth of cannabis at Ballymaloe Cookery School

Allen signed for and opened the package at Ballymaloe Cookery School. He was arrested by gardai from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau during a raid on a home in County Cork.

The judge said at the time that there was 'a sad' background to the case as Allen has no qualifications after having left school aged 15.

In a statement released to the Irish Daily Mail, following his arrest, mother-of-three Rachel, said Joshua had made a 'huge mistake'.

She said: 'He has admitted his guilt immediately and co-operated fully with the gardai. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and when formally charged Joshua will be pleading guilty at the first opportunity.

'We are absolutely devastated at this turn of events. Our son is 18 years old, has never been in trouble with the gardai, and has made a huge mistake, which will have profound consequences for him.

'We do not in any way condone his actions. In fact, we utterly condemn them, but it is not for us to condemn him. We must now try to look after our son and our family, the best way we can.'

Joshua - the eldest son of cookbook author and TV personality Rachel - was given reviewable temporary release from prison after serving six months behind bars in June 2019.

Rachel Allen's father-in-law convicted over child abuse images

Meanwhile, in 2002, Rachel's father-in-law Tim Allen (pictured with his wife Darina), co-founder of Ballymaloe, was convicted over child abuse images

Allen was also forced to announce that he was stepping back from the cookery school, leaving his wife Darina (pictured), who he has now been married to for more than 50 years, to run the business

Rachel Allen's father-in-law, Tim Allen, who co-founded the Ballymaloe Cookery School, was arrested in May 2002, after he was caught with 1,000 child abuse images on his computer.

Allen, then aged 52, pleaded guilty to possession of the images before Judge Michael Patwell in Middleton District Court in 2003.

Judge Patwell ordered Allen to carry out 240 hours of community service and pay 40,000 to a charity working with street children in Calcutta

Allen was also forced to announce that he was stepping back from the cookery school, leaving his wife Darina, who he has now been married to for more than 50 years, to run the business.

Darina stood by her husband in the wake of the revelations, telling the Irish Times in 2003: 'You can love the sinner without loving the sin.'
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The daily outputs of the D1, the world's first purpose-built EV model co-developed by Didi Chuxing (DiDi) and BYD for ride-hailing service, currently reaches nearly 400 units, according to a local news report, posted by the WeChat account of Changasha Yuhua Economic Development Zone.

At BYD's manufacturing plant in Changsha, the D1s are rolling off the assembly line at the speed of 60 seconds per car, said the news channel.

D1; photo credit: DiDi



The Chinese ride-hailing giant and automaker unveiled the D1 in November 2020. It features short overhangs, a sliding door on the right side to free passengers from opening the door and potentially hitting cyclists and pedestrians. The vehicle also has a larger legroom space in the back than that of conventional cars.

The D1 allows the driver to take an order by merely pushing a button in the car, instead of clicking on his mobile phone. In addition, the customer-built model also enables passenger to adjust air conditioner via their mobile phones before the car's arrival.

Yang Jun, vice president of DiDi, called the D1 a data-driven car.

The D1 enables the data connection between automakers and the ride-hailing platform, achieving the combination of vehicles and online platform operation, he said.



The D1 is equipped with BYD's latest Blade Battery, which renders a maximum NEDC-rated range of 418km. Powering the vehicle is a permanent magnet synchronous motor that churns out up to 100kW.

Changsha's local authority announced on Dec. 25 2020 that the D1 cars had gone into production at BYD's Changsha manufacturing base. The vehicles would be put into operation in Changsha first and then be extended countrywide, targeting annual outputs of 100,000 units.
GlobeNewswire

 Keynote highlights companys growing momentum, strong and expanding set of partners, and breakthrough AMD technologies powering gaming, PCs and the data center  SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today at COMPUTEX 2021, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) showcased its latest computing and graphics technology innovations to accelerate the high-performance computing ecosystem, spanning gaming, PCs and the data center. AMD President and CEO Dr. Lisa Su unveiled the latest breakthrough in high-performance computing pioneered by AMD with new 3D chiplet technology; expanded adoption of AMD computing and graphics technologies in the automotive and mobile markets with industry leaders Tesla and Samsung; new AMD Ryzen processor offerings for enthusiasts and consumer PCs; leadership data center performance with the latest 3rd Gen AMD EPYC processors; and a full slate of new AMD graphics technologies for gamers. At Computex, we highlighted the growing adoption of our high-performance computing and graphics technologies as AMD continues setting the pace of innovation for the industry, said Dr. Su. With the launches of our new Ryzen and Radeon processors and the first wave of AMD Advantage notebooks, we continue expanding the ecosystem of leadership AMD products and technologies for gamers and enthusiasts. The next frontier of innovation in our industry is taking chip design into the third dimension. Our first application of 3D chiplet technology at Computex demonstrates our commitment to continue pushing the envelope in high-performance computing to significantly enhance user experiences. We are proud of the deep partnerships we have cultivated across the ecosystem to power the products and services that are essential to our daily lives. Accelerating Chiplet and Packaging InnovationAMD continues to build on its leadership IP and investments in leading manufacturing and packaging technologies with AMD 3D chiplet technology, a packaging breakthrough that combines AMDs innovative chiplet architecture with 3D stacking using an industry-leading hybrid bond approach that provides over 200 times the interconnect density of 2D chiplets and more than 15 times the density compared to existing 3D packaging solutions. Pioneered in close collaboration with TSMC, the industry-leading technology also consumes less energy1 than current 3D solutions and is the most flexible active-on-active silicon stacking technology in the world. AMD showed the first application of 3D chiplet technology at COMPUTEX 2021  a 3D vertical cache bonded to an AMD Ryzen 5000 Series processor prototype that is designed to deliver significant performance gains across a broad set of applications. AMD is on-track to begin production on future high-end computing products with 3D chiplets by the end of this year. [33:49-38:49] Bringing the AMD RDNA 2 Gaming Architecture to New MarketsAMD announced that it is bringing new gaming experiences to the automotive and mobile markets through its deep partnerships with industry leaders. The newly designed infotainment systems in the Tesla Model S and Model X are powered by an AMD Ryzen Embedded APU and an AMD RDNA 2 architecture-based GPU that enables AAA gaming. [11:19-12:02]AMD is partnering with Samsung on its next generation Exynos SoC, which will feature custom AMD RDNA 2 architecture-based graphics IP that brings raytracing and variable rate shading capabilities to flagship mobile devices. [12:08-12:40] AMD Radeon 6000M Series Mobile Graphics Powering Next-Gen Premium Gaming Laptops AMD introduced several powerful new solutions that take high-performance gaming to new levels. AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics: Designed to bring world-class performance, incredible visual fidelity and immersive experiences to gaming laptops, AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series GPUs harness the breakthrough AMD RDNA 2 gaming architecture to deliver up to 1.5X2 higher gaming performance than AMD RDNA architecture. [12:40-19:06]AMD Advantage Design Framework: A collaborative effort between AMD and its global PC partners to deliver the next generation of premium gaming laptops by combining high-performance AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics, AMD Radeon Software and AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Mobile Processors with exclusive AMD smart technologies and other advanced system design characteristics. The first AMD Advantage laptops are expected to be available from leading OEMs starting this month. [24:10-32:28]AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR): A cutting-edge spatial upscaling technology designed to boost framerates up to 2.5X in select titles to deliver a high-quality, high-resolution gaming experience. The open-source technology offers broad support on more than 100 AMD processors and GPUs, as well as competitor GPUs, and more than 10 game developers plan to integrate FSR into their top titles and game engines in 2021. [19:10-23:17] Expanding the AMD Ryzen Portfolio AMD expanded the Ryzen family of processors further into the desktop space with new options for commercial systems and enthusiasts. AMD Ryzen 5000G Series Desktop APUs: The Ryzen 7 5700G and the Ryzen 5 5600G bring the power of Zen 3 and integrated Radeon graphics performance together in a single chip and will be available to the DIY market later this year. [8:26-10:20]AMD Ryzen PRO 5000 Series Desktop Processors: The G- and GE-Series of desktop processors, also launching today, bring leadership performance and the most modern security features to business-ready, enterprise-grade systems. Solving Business Challenges with 3rd Gen AMD EPYC ProcessorsAMD showcased how its leadership 3rd Gen AMD EPYC processors and deep partnerships across the server ecosystem are enabling the digital services and experiences that billions of users rely on every day. With the introduction of 3rd Gen EPYC processors, AMD has more than doubled the number of available solutions compared to the previous generation processor, including leading solutions for hyper converged infrastructure, data management, data analytics and HPC that deliver outstanding performance, security features and value to customers. [2:45-5:00]In the first public competitive demonstration against the latest Intel Xeon Scalable processors using an e-commerce application, 3rd Gen EPYC processors delivered 50% more business transactions than the competitions most powerful two-socket system, while maintaining a comparable SLA3. [5:00-6:48]AMD EPYC processors currently hold 220 world records4 across cloud, enterprise and HPC workloads and applications. Supporting Resources Watch the keynoteLearn more about AMD Radeon 6000M Series GPUsLearn more about AMD AdvantageLearn more about AMD FidelityFX Super ResolutionLearn more about AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Desktop APUsBecome a fan of AMD on FacebookFollow AMD on Twitter About AMDFor more than 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies  the building blocks for gaming, immersive platforms and the data center. Hundreds of millions of consumers, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research facilities around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees around the world are focused on building great products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) website, blog, Facebook and Twitter pages. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, EPYC, Radeon, Ryzen and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Cautionary StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) such as the features, functionality, performance, availability, timing and expected benefits of AMD Radeon RX 6000M Series Mobile Graphics GPUs, the AMD Advantage Design Framework, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and AMD Radeon RX 6000M-based laptops, which are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as "would," "may," "expects," "believes," "plans," "intends," "projects" and other terms with similar meaning. Investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations, speak only as of the date of this press release and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Such statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond AMD's control, that could cause actual results and other future events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, without limitation, the following: Intel Corporations dominance of the microprocessor market and its aggressive business practices; global economic uncertainty; the loss of a significant customer; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMDs business, financial condition and results of operations; the competitive markets in which AMDs products are sold; quarterly and seasonal sales patterns; market conditions of the industries in which AMD products are sold; the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; AMD's ability to adequately protect its technology or other intellectual property; unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations; the ability of third party manufacturers to manufacture AMD's products on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive technologies; the availability of essential equipment, materials, substrates or manufacturing processes; expected manufacturing yields for AMDs products; AMD's ability to introduce products on a timely basis with features and performance levels that provide value to its customers; AMD's ability to generate revenue from its semi-custom SoC products; potential security vulnerabilities; potential IT outages, data loss, data breaches and cyber-attacks; uncertainties involving the ordering and shipment of AMDs products; AMDs reliance on third-party intellectual property to design and introduce new products in a timely manner; AMD's reliance on third-party companies for the design, manufacture and supply of motherboards, software and other computer platform components; AMD's reliance on Microsoft Corporation and other software vendors' support to design and develop software to run on AMDs products; AMDs reliance on third-party distributors and add-in-board partners; the impact of modification or interruption of AMDs internal business processes and information systems; compatibility of AMDs products with some or all industry-standard software and hardware; costs related to defective products; the efficiency of AMD's supply chain; AMD's ability to rely on third party supply-chain logistics functions; AMDs ability to effectively control the sales of its products on the gray market; the impact of government actions and regulations such as export administration regulations, tariffs and trade protection measures; AMDs ability to realize its deferred tax assets; potential tax liabilities; current and future claims and litigation; the impact of environmental laws, conflict minerals-related provisions and other laws or regulations; the impact of acquisitions, joint ventures and/or investments on AMD's business, including the announced acquisition of Xilinx, and the failure to integrate acquired businesses; AMDs ability to complete the Xilinx merger; the impact of the announcement and pendency of the Xilinx merger on AMDs business; the impact of any impairment of the combined companys assets on the combined companys financial position and results of operation; the restrictions imposed by agreements governing AMDs notes and the revolving credit facility; AMD's indebtedness; AMD's ability to generate sufficient cash to service its debt obligations or meet its working capital requirements; AMD's ability to repurchase its outstanding debt in the event of a change of control; AMD's ability to generate sufficient revenue and operating cash flow or obtain external financing for research and development or other strategic investments; political, legal, economic risks and natural disasters; future impairments of goodwill and technology license purchases; AMDs ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; AMDs stock price volatility; and worldwide political conditions. Investors are urged to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in AMDs Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to AMDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. 1 Based on AMD engineering internal analysis, May 20212 Testing done by AMD performance labs April 9 2021, on 25 games at 1440p using the flagship AMD RDNA 2 mobile part versus the flagship AMD RDNA mobile part using 20.50-210215n driver, AMD Ryzen 9, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz, Win10 Pro 64. Performance may vary. RX-6613 MLN-092: SPECjbb 2015-MultiJVM Critical comparison based on best performing systems published at www.spec.org as of 4/28/2021, 2x AMD EPYC 7763 scored 301,297 SPECjbb 2015-MultiJVM Critical-jOPS (359,067 max-jOPS, https://spec.org/jbb2015/results/res2021q1/jbb2015-20210224-00612.html) which has 50% higher critical server-side Java operations than the top Ice Lake 2x Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 that scored 201,334 critical-jOPS (258,368 max-jOPS, https://spec.org/jbb2015/results/res2021q2/jbb2015-20210324-00635.html). 2x AMD EPYC 7H12 scored 248,942 critical-jOPS (315,663 max-jOPS, http://spec.org/jbb2015/results/res2020q2/jbb2015-20200423-00550.html). SPEC and SPECjbb are registered trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. See www.spec.org for more information.4 EPYC-22: For a complete list of world records see https://www.amd.com/en/processors/epyc-world-records. Contact:Sarah Feller AMD Communications(512) 602-4333sarah.feller@amd.com Laura GravesAMD Investor Relations(408) 749-5467 Laura.Graves@amd.com
A Fort Hood, Texas, soldier and agent with Army Criminal Investigation Command has been charged with the 2018 murder of his wife.

Staff Sgt. Lesly J. Lindor is in pre-trial confinement, accused of killing 34-year-old Rachelle Lindor on Sept. 3, 2018, in Harker Heights, Texas, near the base, Army Criminal Investigation Command spokesman Christopher Grey said in a statement to Military.com.

Initially, the Harker Heights Police Department was the lead investigative agency, with CID agents assisting in the investigation, Grey said.

Read Next: Calls to Military Law Enforcement Reveal Racial Disparities, Army General Says

But during the investigation, CID agents "became suspicious of the cause and manner of death and continued an independent investigation into the death of the accused's spouse," he added.

Army Times reported that Lindor tried to acquire tetrodotoxin -- a neurotoxin found in puffer fish -- "for use as a weapon in the months prior to his wife's death."

Grey could not confirm that Lindor tried to acquire the neurotoxin or whether it was used in the murder but said that Lindor is also charged with attempting to violate the Federal Biological Weapons statute.

Fort Hood officials have also charged Lindor with stalking, failure to obey a lawful order, failure to obey a general regulation, dereliction of duty and obstruction of justice, Grey said.

Grey said he could not release the charge sheets against Lindor at this time.

Lindor was placed on administrative duty in October 2018 and assigned to a support unit, Grey said.

"He has not worked any CID investigations since October 2018," he added.

Lindor joined the Army in November 2010 and became an agent in 2017, Grey said.

"It is important to point out the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty," Grey noted.

The Fort Hood murder charge against Lindor is the latest example of violent crime at the Texas post. Over the past eight months, Hood has been in the national spotlight after the tragic death of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old 3rd Cavalry Regiment soldier who was allegedly murdered by fellow soldier, Spc. Aaron Robinson.

An independent review of Fort Hood's command climate following Guillen's murder resulted in former Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy relieving or suspending 14 leaders on the post.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: 'We All Feel Her Loss:' Fort Hood Commander Confirms Vanessa Guillen's Death
Dutch MPs say China committing genocide in Xinjiang

Activists and UN rights experts say at least one million Muslims are being detained in camps in Xinjiang. File image: Shutterstock

The Dutch parliament on Thursday passed a non-binding motion saying the treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority in China amounts to genocide, the first such move by a European country.



Activists and UN rights experts say at least one million Muslims are being detained in camps in Xinjiang. The activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations.



Beijing denies any human rights abuses in Xinjiang and says its camps provide vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.



"A genocide on the Uighur minority is occurring in China," the Dutch motion said, stopping short of directly saying that the Chinese government was responsible.



The Chinese Embassy in The Hague said on Thursday any suggestion of a genocide in Xinjiang was an "outright lie" and the Dutch parliament had "deliberately smeared China and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs."



Canada passed a resolution labelling China's treatment of the Uighurs genocide earlier this week.



The Dutch motion said that actions by the Chinese government such as "measures intended to prevent births" and "having punishment camps" fell under United Nations Resolution 260, generally known as the genocide convention.



Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party voted against the resolution.



Foreign Minister Stef Blok said the government did not want to use the term genocide, as the situation has not been declared as such by the United Nations or by an international court.



"The situation of the Uighurs is a cause of great concern", Blok told reporters after the motion was passed, adding that the Netherlands hoped to work with other nations on the matter.



The author of the motion, lawmaker Sjoerd Sjoerdsma of the centre-left D-66 Party, has separately proposed lobbying the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Winter Olympics away from Beijing.



"Recognising the atrocities that are taking place against the Uighurs in China for what they are, namely genocide, prevents the world from looking the other way and forces us into action," he told Reuters in an emailed response to questions.



In a statement on its website, the Chinese Embassy in The Hague said the Uighur population in Xinjiang has been growing in in recent years, enjoying a higher standard of living, and a longer life expectancy.



"How can you call this a genocide?" it said. "Xingjiang-related issues are never about human rights, ethnicity or religion, but about combating violent terrorism and succession."



China's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva accused Western powers on Wednesday of using the Uighur issue to meddle in China's internal affairs. (Reuters)
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A study by physiology researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso found that El Paso's stay-at-home ordinance due to the COVID-19 pandemic had positive effects on the health and well-being of the region's residents.

Despite a shutdown of gyms and movement restrictions on non-essential activities, residents increased their fitness activity and closely monitored their food and nutrition intake, said Cory M. Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor of kinesiology in UTEP's College of Health Sciences and the study's principal investigator.

More than 1,300 El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico, residents participated in Smith's COVID-19 Survival Survey during the month of September 2020. Questions focused on their personal changes in physical activity, nutritional habits, and changes in thoughts and attitudes toward common hygiene practices and emergency preparedness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the El Paso County's Work Safe, Stay Home order that went into effect March 24, 2020.

According to the data, 37% of participants said they improved their exercise practices by changing their exercise focus, exercising more and trying new fitness activities, and 15% said they increased their outdoor recreation activities. Forty-five percent of residents responded that they increased self-monitoring of their food intake.

We hypothesized that people were going to exercise less during the pandemic after gyms and fitness facilities were shut down. But when we began to evaluate the data, we found some hidden health benefits of the pandemic. People were exercising more and eating better. Hopefully, this data will give us a better understanding of how people react during a public health crisis and how we can better prepare for future public health emergencies." Cory M. Smith, Director, Human and Environmental Physiology Laboratory (HEPL), The University of Texas at El Paso

Smith attributed the study's positive health outcomes to people's increased awareness of the risk factors associated with COVID-19, a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Before El Paso implemented the stay-at-home order, 39% of participants reported a high level of concern for contracting COVID-19 compared with 50% of individuals who reported a low level of concern for catching coronavirus. Eleven percent indicated they were not concerned.

After the order went into effect, the number of respondents who had a high level of concern for contracting COVID-19 increased to 57%. Individuals who reported a low level of concern for the virus dropped to 39%, and 4% of participants reported no concern.

The survey revealed that residents who felt sick were more likely to stay home and not go to work, school, or social events after the stay-at-home order. In addition, the implementation of the Stay at Home Ordinance increased handwashing and sanitizing frequency in 92% of individuals.

Data on changes in employment, nutrition habits and physical activity are also included in the survey.

Smith planned to share the results with the City of El Paso. He said data could be used to improve community protocols to better enforce public safety guidelines in the event of a future pandemic.
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One idea is that these supermassive black holes grew from smaller, stellar-size black holes, in which case there should be black holes of intermediate masses  hundreds or thousands of suns worth  floating about, perhaps in the cores of smaller galaxies or galaxy fragments like NGC 6397. But so far these intermediate black holes are missing in action.

The cluster NGC 6397 is one of about 150 spherical clouds of ancient stars that orbit the Milky Way and perhaps predate its formation. It is 13 billion years old and contains about 250,000 stars, all of them old, small and dim. The brighter, heavier stars in the cluster long ago burned through their lives and met their fate as black holes or other products of stellar decay.

So the cluster is a likely candidate to harbor an intermediate-mass black hole. Indeed, earlier studies had suggested that a black hole of about 600 solar masses anchored the center of NGC 6397.

To investigate that idea, Dr. Mamon and his student turned to high-resolution observations of the motions of individual stars in the cluster, obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope and Gaia. The faster the stars were moving, the greater the gravitational force, and hence more mass, must be present to hold them in the cluster.

In all, 1,905 stars from the Gaia catalog and 7,209 stars from Hubble were appraised. As it turned out, they were indeed under the gravitational influence of an invisible mass. But rather than tightly circling a single dark point, the stars were moving every which way, suggesting that whatever dark mass was influencing them was not concentrated, but extended. There was no sign of a gargantuan black hole.

Our analysis indicated that the orbits of the stars are close to random throughout the globular cluster, rather than systematically circular or very elongated, Dr. Mamon said in an email.

The motions of those stars offered evidence of a dark mass equal to 1,800 suns spread across a region  a cloud within the cloud  about one-third of a light-year wide. Sharing that space are some 40,000 ordinary, luminous but very lightweight stars. According to models of stellar evolution, Dr. Mamon said, about two-thirds of this dark stuff would be black holes, with an average mass of 20 suns. The rest of the dark material would be remnants of dead stars, such as white dwarfs or neutron stars.
WASHINGTON - As members of the Proud Boys arrived at the foot of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, they gathered as a unified front, donning bright orange beanies and tactical gear and carrying flags and megaphones used to lead chants that rippled through the roiling crowd.

Members of the all-male far-right group, which has a history of violence, posed for photos, displaying the "OK" hand gesture, which has become a "white power" sign, and moved through the crowd together.

Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio - who had been arrested and banned from Washington D.C. on charges related to the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a historically Black church - cheered on members in social media posts. The next day, he wrote a message to thousands of followers: "I am with you. We are all with you. You make this country great. Never stop fighting."

In the weeks since, this unified front has fractured and the very brand of the group has begun to corrode.

Experts who study far-right organizations warn that as members distance themselves from the group, the Proud Boys could metastasize into an increasingly violent organization led by those who have long jockeyed for control.

Cassie Miller, a senior research analyst with the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, said the political terrain is shifting in a way that could be friendlier to the organization's more extreme faction.

"One thing that was made apparent by the insurrection is there is this growing anti-democratic far-right bloc that is willing to use violence and force to push their views," she said. "We're seeing a shift back to what the Proud Boys have been practicing for a long time."

Federal investigators have accused the Proud Boys of leading the charge during the assault on the Capitol. One member, Dominic Pezzola, was filmed using a police shield to smash through a window and encouraging others to climb into the building.

Pezzola and other prominent members of the Proud Boys have been arrested and charged with a litany of federal crimes, including conspiracy charges that allege that the Proud Boys were at the forefront of planning much of the violence that transpired on Jan 6.

The Proud Boys have since instituted a moratorium on participating in or organizing protests. Tarrio has denied that the Proud Boys organized violence at the Capitol.

Late last month, court records surfaced from a 2012 fraud case that outlined how Tarrio had been a prolific cooperator with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies in South Florida. Jeffrey Feiler, Tarrio's defense attorney at the time, said that Tarrio had worked as an undercover informant in a case related to an immigrant-smuggling operation and that information he provided in another case enabled police to raid multiple marijuana grow houses.

Reports of Tarrio's past life sparked suspicion in the ranks, with some members denouncing him on social media, calling him "a rat" and demanding his removal as head of the organization.

On Feb. 3, the Canadian government designated the Proud Boys a terrorist organization. Bill Blair, Canada's public safety minister, said that "since 2018, we have seen an escalation toward violence in this group," adding that the Proud Boys were "hateful, intolerant and, as we've seen, they can be highly dangerous."

As controversies mount, at least four chapters have split from the national organization, announcing their disaffiliation on social media and encouraging other chapters to follow.

The Indiana chapter of the Proud Boys was first. The Alabama Proud Boys, the Oklahoma Proud Boys, the Missouri Proud Boys and the Las Vegas Proud Boys have since disaffiliated and denounced the national group.

"If other states follow this lead we can have a truly autonomous chapter that won't be liable for the mistakes of the next chairman or the next group of elders," Brien James, leader of the Indiana chapter and a member of the white nationalist Vinlanders Social Club, wrote to his followers on the Telegram app. "Don't talk about autonomy. Be autonomous."

The groups that disaffiliated from the national organization this month cited Tarrio as one of the reasons.

"It's going to be a lot more difficult for him to maintain control over the group, because a lot of them don't see him as a legitimate leader anymore," Miller said. "If you have been outed as having cooperated with the feds, you're essentially blacklisted in far-right circles."

Tarrio responded to the defections on Feb. 14, posting a statement on Telegram that rejected the idea that the group was "splintering," saying, "You will never be able to 'splinter' the bonds that have been created by men that have shared their joy, their sweat, their blood and their tears." The message went on to assert the group's staying power, saying: "Proud Boys are here forever. I suggest you start figuring that out."

For years, experts said, Tarrio has sought to legitimize the Proud Boys by encouraging increased involvement in mainstream politics and cozying up to former president Donald Trump. Tarrio joined the Latinos for Trump group, had a prominent seat at a 2019 Trump rally in Florida and posted photos to social media in December of himself at the White House. The Trump administration said Tarrio had taken a public tour and was not invited by, nor did he meet with, Trump.

Tarrio briefly ran for Congress as a Republican and began making branded clothing with Trump's now-famous line from a presidential debate when he was asked to denounce the Proud Boys and instead told them to "stand back and stand by."

"Standing down and standing by, sir," the group wrote on its social media accounts soon after.

Afterward, Tarrio said, the group's membership swelled. More than 700 Proud Boys attended a December presidential election protest in Washington that devolved into violence after dark. It was the largest number of the group's members to attend a protest in the nation's capital.

After the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, experts said, some members of the group that had followed Tarrio's lead in seeking to nudge the Proud Boys into mainstream politics may turn to the burgeoning far-right Patriot Party as a vehicle for political aspirations.

Richard Schwetz, president of the Lehigh Valley Proud Boys, shared in a chat group for supporters of the Patriot Party that he intends to run for Congress.

"The Proud Boys has become a dirty name and some of the Proud Boys' members are trying to distance themselves but they still need the infrastructure to set up and bring people over to these new groups and causes," said Rita Katz, executive director of SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors online extremism. "The Proud Boys are being watched, and they know that. As a result, many of them - including some looking to get into politics - are distancing themselves from the Proud Boys brand and organizing under different names."

As different factions of the group wrestle with what direction the Proud Boys should take, experts said, more extreme members and influences may push the group to double down on its violent roots.

Jared Holt, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank who monitors domestic extremism, said the impact the Proud Boys have on American society extends far beyond their in-person events and protests. The group has developed an expansive media operation that includes podcasts, social media accounts with tens of thousands of followers and YouTube shows.

Although infighting could hamper the group's ability to turn out hundreds of members to any single event - protests in the nation's capital, for example - it also allows members with increasingly radical views to access a large network of followers, Holt said.

"If people have hitched their wagons to the Proud Boys and now their local chapter decides to run off the rails and go in a more extreme direction, there will be at least some portion of that group that tags along with them," Holt said. "There's a risk that some of the groups that break off of the national organization - should they choose a more extreme approach - could use those broader sympathies within the Republican base to further extremist causes and radicalize more people within the Republican zeitgeist."

One of the Proud Boys' most popular Telegram channels, formally called "Proud Boys: Uncensored," recently changed its name to "Western Chauvinists" - one of the terms the group uses to define the organization, but one that Holt said carries a super-nationalist tone that puts the group "straight into neo-fascist third position."

Miller, of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said chatter among members of the Proud Boys on social media seems to indicate a growing disillusionment with electoral politics. Many thought Trump had turned his back on them after the insurrection, she said, and do not have faith in other Republican politicians.

She and other experts said that when and how the Proud Boys reemerge from the group's moratorium on events is likely to be telling of the shape the organization will take in the future.

"The thing you have to remember is the Proud Boys felt untouchable last year. But now, the government is coming after them and many of their members have been arrested," Katz said. "They feel betrayed and angry, and they're not going to suddenly become more moderate. They are just going to become angrier. What they do with that anger, how they try to get back the privilege they once had, we'll have to see."
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Lucknow, Feb 25 (UNI) Walmart on Thursday launched a new Vriddhi e-Institute in Agra to provide small businesses in Uttar Pradesh access to skills and competencies to grow in a post-pandemic environment through online and offline channels such as Flipkarts marketplace and Walmarts international supply chain.







With the new e-Institute, Walmart is expanding its Vriddhi Supplier Development Program towards empowering 50,000 MSMEs across India for growth. The program provides MSMEs with specific training to leverage modern commerce and get ready for opportunities in Flipkarts eCommerce marketplace, the supply chain of Flipkart Wholesale and Walmarts global sourcing operations, as well as the open marketplace.



UP Minister for MSME, Investment & Export, Textile, NRI, Khadi and Gram Udyog Sidharthnath Singh, said , We welcome Walmarts initiative to expand the Vriddhi program to Agra and Uttar Pradesh. MSMEs from our state are recognized for their skilled craftsmanship, and for the variety of high-quality goods they offer in India and internationally. This program will not only boost the Make-in-India effort, it will also provide further impetus to our ODOP (One District One Product) program and MSMEs in growing their business aspirations and reach, including export-readiness, through digital pathways.



The first Vriddhi e-Institute, opened in Haryana in October 2020, serves MSMEs from the Panipat-Sonipat-Kundli region. Entrepreneurs there are now working through the multi-level training program, with some already onboarded to Flipkart to expand their digital capabilities and sell across India via Flipkart marketplace.







Leigh Hopkins, Executive vice president, International Strategy, Development and Asia Region, Walmart International, said: "Weve had encouraging results from our first e-Institute and strong interest from MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh. Walmart and Flipkart are helping artisans and entrepreneurs augment their Indian ingenuity with merchandising and logistics expertise and access to eCommerce customers across India and abroad. Growing MSME businesses creates employment opportunities in local communities and puts them at the heart of Make in India and Digital India programs.



Mr Adarsh Menon, Senior vice president and Head, Flipkart Wholesale, said: Flipkart is focused on enabling businesses to prosper by helping them sell their products across India. Through Walmart Vriddhi we will now enhance those efforts, as MSMEs and artisans get access to a world-class training that can empower them to meet their aspirations. The Vriddhi e-Institute in Agra will partner with MSMEs from Uttar Pradesh through interactive learning and advanced competency-based training, with personalized feedback and advice. The curriculum is tailored for the unique challenges and opportunities of local businesses and is offered in Hindi and English. In particular, the e-Institute will focus on empowering skilled artisans and entrepreneurs to expand markets for Agras prominent footwear manufacturing and stone carving sectors.







Vriddhi works with MSME entrepreneurs wherever they are in their business journey. Uttar Pradesh-based businesses can join the Vriddhi training program to pursue opportunities to sell on Flipkarts online consumer marketplace and through the nationwide Flipkart Wholesale ecosystem. As Walmart triples its exports from India to $10 billion annually by 2027, businesses with export ambitions can learn how to qualify as a Walmart Global Sourcing supplier, taking Make in India products to the world.



UNI MB GK 1810

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Our wind and our solar got shut down, and they were collectively more than 10 per cent of our power grid, and that thrust Texas into a situation where it was lacking power on a statewide basis, he told host Sean Hannity. It just shows that fossil fuel is necessary. He blamed the Green New Deal, a set of environmental policies championed by left-wing Democrats and partially embraced - though mostly not yet implemented - by the Biden administration. Tim Boyd, mayor of Colorado City - which is in fact a small Texas town - told his citizens that only the strong will survive and the weak will [perish] in a blog post. No one owes you [or] your family anything; nor is it the local governments responsibility to support you during trying times like this! he said. Sink or swim its your choice! The City and County, along with power providers or any other service owes you NOTHING! Im sick and tired of people looking for a damn handout. Whatever you make of Boyds view of government responsibility, it soon became clear that renewable energy did not cause the grid to fail.

In fact no single technology failed. Some windmills froze, but windmills provide only slightly more than 10 per cent of Texas power. Gas lines froze too and one unit of a nuclear power plant failed. All sources underperformed expectations, Daniel Cohan, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University in Houston told the New York Times days later. But far, far more than everything else combined were the shortfalls from natural gas. What is already clear is that Texas grid was unable to cope with the sort of extreme weather already becoming more common due to climate change. Further, that it was rendered more vulnerable to the storm because it has been islanded from the grids that serve groups of nearby states. This was the result of politics rather than engineering or climate change. The Lone Star state has always liked to go it alone, as Boyds comments above suggest. These various forces did not go unnoticed by Tony Wood, director of the energy program at the Grattan Institute.

Like Texas, Australia is vulnerable to a changing climate, though our grid is battered by heatwave and fire rather than Polar Vortex. And as in America commentary about how to harden the grid is often coloured by ideology over engineering, he says. Wood says when South Australia suffered a catastrophic loss of power in 2016, some antagonists and champions of renewable and fossil fuels selectively harvested facts to bolster their causes. In fact weather and technological factors combined to cause blackouts that the state was vulnerable to because back then its grid  like Texas  did not have strong links to outside energy sources. Grids are complex and the problems they face are complex, they face problems that dont have a single causal factor, he says.

A spokesperson for Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor says the events in Texas showed why the government needs to balance Australias record level of investment in intermittent renewables with new dispatchable generation like gas, pumped hydro, and, as we look to the future, hydrogen. Loading Dispatchable generation is what is needed to back up our system, put downward pressure on prices when demand is at its peak, the spokesperson says. Australias electricity network is often threatened when bushfires rage around transmission lines. The Black Summer bushfires last summer damaged power lines and forced outages for tens of thousands of households in the nations south-east and a desperate backburning and tree clearing operation narrowly avoided damage to the main interconnector linking the grid in Victoria and NSW. The Morrison government is investing $6 million in the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology to assess likely future climate change scenarios and identify long-term climate risks to the energy sector. Governments are also required to regularly update their emergency energy supply arrangements in case of extreme weather events.

Taylor is working with state governments to build high voltage transmission lines, which will link new renewable zones and hydroelectric dams which are being built across the country. More than 60 per cent of Australias ageing and increasingly expensive coal-fired capacity is set to be shut down over the next 20 years and likely replaced by cheaper renewable energy. NSW and Victoria have committed to deliver net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and are rolling out clean energy plans to guarantee renewable energy investors a minimum price for the energy they generate, based around a total of 14 renewable energy zones in regional areas supported by transmission links. Energy Minister Angus Taylor is working with state governments to build high voltage transmission lines, which will link new renewable zones and hydroelectric dams which are being built across the country. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Their plans have been welcomed by clean energy supporters but have caused concern among the largest energy companies and Taylor who, while still engaging on network infrastructure, has expressed concern that state policies risk fragmenting the national grid and deterring investment in new supply.

The federal government is largely leaving it to the market to determine where and when new large-scale electricity generation is developed. However, this week its independent adviser Infrastructure Australia called for a massive expansion of renewable energy zones across Victoria, NSW and Queensland, which it says should be supported with increased investment in dispatchable energy that includes batteries and large-scale pumped hydro. Loading Taylor has several initiatives at different stages of development. He wants to establish a $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund, to be operated by the Commonwealths green bank the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which could be used to support gas power and infrastructure projects deemed critical to the energy grid as well as batteries and pumped hydro. A bill to establish the fund was derailed last week by former Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce who lodged an amendment in Parliament to open the fund to coal projects, which caused Taylor to delay the bill. Taylor has also pledged to commission Commonwealth-owned Snowy Hydro to build a gas peaking plant to supply up to 1000 megawatts of dispatchable power into the grid.
Nation's experts will debate how to conduct fast research, save lives, and advance equity

On Wednesday, March 3, the University of Minnesota will host top national experts to debate how COVID-19 is changing the rules and conduct for research. This webinar on "Conducting Research in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ethics in an Emergency" will tackle huge issues, including:

How can research successfully include the Black, Indigenous, and other vulnerable populations who are being hit so hard by the pandemic? What steps will make research genuinely responsive to the needs of those communities?

How can health professionals simultaneously collect data ethically, try to save each patient's life, and allocate scarce medications? Most currently available treatments are not FDA-approved, and instead are available under Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs). Collecting data is essential, but so are saving lives and allocating medications ethically.

Should we always use randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to determine the safety and efficacy of proposed treatments? RCTs may be too slow in a pandemic. And do trials always need to be placebo-controlled?

How can vaccine research, including pediatric vaccine research and challenge trials, be conducted ethically?

Speakers and moderators include:

Christine Grady, MSN, PhD, Chief, Department of Bioethics; Head, Section on Human Subjects Research, NIH Clinical Center;

Stephen B. Thomas, PhD, Professor of Health Policy & Management, University of Maryland; Director of the Maryland Center for Health Equity; and Principal Investigator (with Dr. Sandra Quinn) for the NIH-NIMHD Center of Excellence in Race, Ethnicity & Health Disparities Research;

Abigail Echo-Hawk, MA, Director, Urban Indian Health Institute; Chief Research Officer, Seattle Indian Health Board;

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, Regents Professor; McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health; Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP), University of Minnesota;

Derek C. Angus, MD, MPH, FRCP, Chief Healthcare Innovation Officer, Distinguished Professor and Mitchell P. Fink Endowed Chair, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Health System; Section Editor, Caring for the Critically Ill, JAMA;

Arturo Casadevall, MD, PhD, Alfred & Jill Sommer Professor and Chair, Molecular Microbiology & Immunology; Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health;

Jason V. Baker, MD, MS, FIDSA, Chief, Infectious Diseases, Hennepin Healthcare; Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine & Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota;

Susan M. Wolf, JD, McKnight Presidential Professor of Law, Medicine & Public Policy; Faegre Baker Daniels Professor of Law; Professor of Medicine; Chair, Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences, University of Minnesota; co-lead, Minnesota COVID Ethics Collaborative (MCEC).

"These are vital conversations that will help chart a path forward for policy makers, researchers, ethicists, and anyone interested in how to address the biggest health challenge of our time," said Vice President for Research Christopher Cramer.

"The pandemic is a global emergency. How do we collect data on vaccines and treatments ASAP, while saving human lives, allocating scarce medications ethically, and - crucially - addressing the gigantic health disparities emerging? Any one of these is a challenge. We need to do all of them and under enormous pressure," said Consortium chair Susan M. Wolf.

###

The full Agenda, link to register, and more information is at: https:/ / consortium. umn. edu/ conference/ annual-research-ethics-day-conference-conducting-research-covid-19-pandemic-ethics-emergency . The webinar is part of the University of Minnesota's Research Ethics Week (March 1-5, 2021), when University colleges and departments focus on how to ensure research safety and integrity.

The event is presented by the Office of the Vice President for Research; Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences; Masonic Cancer Center; and Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota.
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An ice sculpture of mascots for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games on a street in Harbin, a city in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 28, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

US Has Not Made Final Decision on Participating in Olympics in China

WASHINGTONThe White House has not made a final decision on whether the United States will take part in the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, President Joe Bidens spokeswoman said on Thursday, even as some Republicans call for a boycott.

Republicans who have called either for a boycott or for the Olympics to be moved out of Beijing have cited a U.S. designation made under President Donald Trump that the Chinese government was perpetrating genocide against Uighur Muslims in its Xinjiang region.

Speaking to reporters about U.S. participation in the Beijing Olympics, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, There hasnt been a final decision made on that and, of course, we would look for guidance from the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Psaki on Feb. 3 had signaled that the United States had no plans to boycott the Beijing Olympics, saying at the time: Were not currently talking about changing our posture or our plans as it relates to the Beijing Olympics.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) said it had no comment on Psakis latest remarks, instead referring to a statement it issued on Feb. 3 opposing boycotts.

The USOPCs earlier statement said, We believe the more effective course of action is for the governments of the world and China to engage directly on human rights and geopolitical issues.

Human rights groups have urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take the Olympics out of China because of its treatment of Uighur Muslims along with other human rights concerns. China denies it commits human rights abuses.

The last U.S. Olympic boycott came in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter refused to send American athletes to the Moscow Olympics amid Cold War tensions surrounding the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, seen as a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, on Thursday became the latest politician in her party to call for a boycott. Haley wrote on Twitter: The United States should not glorify a country that is committing genocide against its own people and threatening the world.

By Jarrett Renshaw

The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
The 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference kicks off its first day of panels and speakers today at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, all leading up to former President Trumps speech Sunday in which he is expected to assert his continued control over the Republican Party.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to welcome conservatives to Orlando this morning with a speech entitled, Open for Business, followed by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott headlining an afternoon panel on The Way Forward: Unlocking Our Churches, Our Voices, and Our Social Media Accounts.

DeSantis and Scott are among many potential 2024 GOP presidential candidates set to speak at the event, including U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, another 2024 contender, is not listed as attending.

But Trump, despite his loss to President Biden and his second impeachment and acquittal for inciting the pro-Trump mob that attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, still looms over the event and the Republican Party.

Axios reported this week that Trump plans to declare that he is still the 2024 frontrunner, a contention that so far few Republicans have dared to counter.

The event was moved to Orlando after four decades in the Washington, D.C., area because coronavirus restrictions have closed the Maryland hotel where it has traditionally been held.

Both CPAC and the Hyatt vow that mask-wearing and social distancing will be strictly enforced. CPAC made headlines last year when a New Jersey doctor who attended and shook hands with multiple high-profile attendees tested positive for the coronavirus shortly afterward.

slemongello@orlandosentinel.com; swalker@orlandosentinel.com

___

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Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com

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New Orleans police have linked a 58-year-old man to three rapes, including one dating back to 2006 and another in 2008, officials said Thursday.

David Releford was first booked on Jan. 11 in connection with a third-degree rape reported in December 2019. Detectives said they obtained a sample of Relefords saliva and processed it to see if it matched any DNA collected from unsolved rape investigations. And the saliva sample implicated Releford in a third-degree rape case reported in December 2006 and a first-degree rape case reported in June 2008.

Officers booked Releford with the 2006 and 2008 cases on Thursday, according to police.

Police didnt immediately release details on any of the cases for which Releford has been arrested.

One of the definitions of first-degree rape under Louisiana law is forcing sexual intercourse on a victim whose resistance is overcome by force. It carries mandatory life imprisonment upon conviction.

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Meanwhile, one definition of third-degree rape is forcing sex on a victim who is too intoxicated to legally give consent.

Releford was out on $7,500 bail following his arrest last month. His bail on the counts for which he was jailed Thursday was set at $57,000.

Investigators asked anyone with information about Releford or any of the cases in which hes been arrested to call sex crimes detectives at (504) 658-5522.

+2 NOPD cop fired, sued after allegedly molesting underage rape victim he met on job A New Orleans police officer fired after being booked with molesting an underage rape victim he met on the job last year is facing a civil-rig
"I have never seen something like this in my life. People drinking dirty water like animals" says resident

A woman from Enkanini in Makhanda collects water from an old water air valve chamber. Residents say they have no choice but the use the murky water because the area has been without running water since last Thursday. Photo: Loyiso Dyongman

Enkanini residents in Makhanda are drinking water they collect from an old water air valve chamber.

Most residents have been without running water since Thursday last week.

The municipality has promised that water would be restored by Sunday.

Sebenzile Fatman of Enkanini in Makhanda is among hundreds of residents who say they have no choice but to drink water they collect daily from an old water air valve chamber.

"This water is dirty and you can even see how filthy it is around this structure ... These water outages have been going on for a long time but this is the worst one ever," he said.

Earlier this week, residents closed Albany Road with burning tyres because they had been without water since Thursday last week. Makana Municipality said the problem was caused by a blown gasket at the James Kleynhans Water Pump Station.

Gift of the Givers started delivering water to the affected areas but Enkanini residents complained that the Jojo tanks situated around the settlement ran dry soon after being replenished.

Fatman said that during previous water outages in the town, residents would only use the water from the chamber for laundry. But now, he said, they were forced to drink it. They boil the water first.

The chamber is situated about 500 metres from the houses on an open field in Mayfield. The top of the chamber is always opened and the water inside is murky, filled with bottles and debris.

We also met Nomfusi Apleni, 63, who was filling a bucket of water from the chamber. He said, "I have never seen something like this in my life. People drinking dirty water like animals. We don't even know if the water has human waste in it because this is not closed and kids play here."

Another resident, Siziwe Madlavu, said, "Each time when there is a water outage, we come here. We would use the water for laundry and other things but not for cooking and drinking. Now the outage has taken too long and we are forced to drink the water."

Ali Sablay of Gift of the Givers confirmed that they do refill the water tanks but often rely on the municipality to let them know when to replenish the tanks.

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When asked if they were aware that people were resorting to drink from the chamber, Gubevu Maduna, Makana Municipality Water and Sanitation manager, said, "It should be clear that this is not wastewater but fresh water from the reservoirs."

In a statement on Wednesday, the municipality promised that water will be restored fully by Sunday. The municipality said that residents stockpiling water had also contributed to the emptying of all the reservoirs.

"On Friday, we will be able to release water again," it said.

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Married to the head of the Guinness family, the Countess of Iveagh would appear to have it all.

Clare's husband, the Earl of Iveagh, has a reputed fortune of more than 900million, and she lives with their two teenage children at the magnificent Elveden Hall estate in Suffolk, where dramas including Netflix hit The Crown Eyes and the movie Eyes Wide Shut were filmed.

However, I can reveal that all is not well behind the scenes and Reading-born interior designer Clare, 46, has filed for divorce from the earl, Edward Guinness, after 20 years of marriage.

interior designer Clare, 46, has filed for divorce from the earl, Edward Guinness, after 20 years of marriage

Elveden Hall in Suffolk, where dramas including Netflix hit The Crown Eyes and the movie Eyes Wide Shut were filmed

'Clare and Ned were a great couple but she has been unhappy for several years and doesn't feel their marriage has been a priority for him for a long time,' a friend close to the couple tells me.

A person familiar with the running of the 22,500-acre Elveden Estate claims: 'His lordship is is often seen in the company of women. Word in the village is that he hosted one of them in the local pub.'

It could be one of Britain's largest-ever divorces. The 51-year-old earl's Elveden Hall constitutes the biggest farm in the country.

In Ireland, the Guinnesses are the closest thing to royalty and Ned, whose direct ancestor invented the stout in 1759, grew up at the family mansion, Farmleigh, in Dublin's Phoenix Park, which was sold to the Irish state for 18.9 million in 1999.

The Benjamin Iveagh library was separately donated to the state in return for a tax break of 3million in 2008.

Experts call it the world's best collection of old Irish bindings, and it includes first editions of Ulysses by James Joyce, Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift and works by Samuel Beckett.

The couple declined to comment.

Soldier, soldier, will you marry me, says Duke's son

Now this was never an option available to the 'Iron Duke': his descendant Lord Frederick Wellesley is to marry a fellow soldier.

I can disclose that the 9th Duke of Wellington's younger son has got engaged to a bomb disposal expert in the Royal Engineers, Captain Katie Lambert, 28.

'Fred signed up for action and adventure,' one of his friends tells me. 'He never thought he'd find love, too.'

Frederick Wellesley, the 9th Duke of Wellington's younger son, is engaged to bomb disposal expert in the Royal Engineers, Captain Katie Lambert

Lord Fred, 28, is the godson of Prince Charles and serves as a captain in the Blues and Royals while his fiancee spent a lively five months in Iraq, training their security forces.

As well as masterminding victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, the 1st Duke served twice as prime minister and invented the Wellington Boot.

Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, masterminded the victory over Napoleon and invented the Wellington boot

Don't cry for me greengrocers, but Andrew Lloyd Webber admits hes been left seeing red by his greens, or one in particular: kale. The leafy veg has been hailed as a so-called superfood.

But Lord Lloyd Webbers had his fill. Dont talk to me about kale, he booms. I mean, it is the most ridiculous thing. Its what you give to the horses.

When you see designer kale, I just think, give us a break.

Struggling to survive the pandemic, the West End has now been delivered another blow as the most powerful theatrical producer in the world, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, is quitting the capital.

I can disclose that the billionaire behind such hits as Les Miserables and Phantom Of The Opera is selling his 8 million white stucco house in Regents Park, designed by celebrated architect John Nash.

The Olivier Award winner, 74, who moved into the Grade II listed Tower House more than 30 years ago, will make the medieval Somerset priory he shares with his photographer partner, Michael Le Poer Trench, his permanent home. It is full of marvellous memories, and has been the London base for many of the musical theatres most legendary talents  and parties, Mackintosh says.

Lover not forever for Bond's girl

Daniel Craigs next James Bond film is the long-delayed No Time To Die.

For his actress daughter, Ella Loudon, the pandemic has proved to be more a case of no time to love.

Daniel Craig's actress daughter Ella Loudon, 28, has split from Calvin Klein model boyfriend Ben Hill

I hear the 28-year-old, whose mother is Daniels first wife, Scottish actress Fiona Loudon, has split from her long-term boyfriend, Calvin Klein model Ben Hill, 41.

The pandemic helped them see that, long term, they werent right for each other, a friend tells me.

Ella is now living with friends in New York and is focusing on her career.

Prince's Pitch put on hold

Short of friends at this difficult time, Prince Andrew has been assisted by one of billionaire Douglas Barrowmans companies. Barrowman is the husband of underwear tycoon Michelle Mone.

I can reveal that Pitch@ Palace, the Dragons Den-style project Andrew created that brokers deals between tech start-ups and wealthy investors, has handed over its administration to Arthur Lancaster, of Barrowmans Knox Group, during the pandemic.

A Pitch@Palace spokesman confirms: Knox House Trustees have been appointed as shareholder nominee for Pitch@Palace Global, a company wholly owned and controlled by the Duke of York. It is purely an administrative role with no financial, management or operational interest.

Pitch@Palace Global remains in a paused position, while its future direction and strategy are determined and while operations continue to be significantly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.

While some artists stagnate during lockdown, Gilbert & George have, typically, managed to find inspiration in the new normal.

The avant-garde duo are going ahead with their latest show despite the crisis. Called New Normal Pictures, it opens next Tuesday at White Cube Masons Yard in London.

Gilbert & George have found find inspiration in the new normal, which they say represents celebratory, crazed and super-modern collection of work

At first, fans will visit online only.

The pair say new normal represents a celebratory, crazed and super-modern collection of work.

(Very) modern manners

It shouldn't be too long before dinner parties can start again, but Fearne Cotton hopes guests will leave their phones at home.

The worst table manners are looking at phones, says the television presenter, 39. Its so rude. If youre at dinner with someone and youre chatting and theyre looking at their phone, it drives me mad. I cant bear it.

Its a bad habit and it makes me think, Are you bored? Are you bored of what Im saying? Do you want to be here? I find it really odd.

Cotton, whos married to Rolling Stone Ronnie Woods son Jesse, adds: It doesnt happen that often because I hang out with people that just want to sit and chat, but you do get it every now and again.

Best-selling author Kazuo Ishiguro is determined not to let winning the Nobel Prize for Literature go to his head.

I have to be careful to guard against genius syndrome, says Ishiguro, whose first novel in five years, Klara And The Sun, is published next week.

You win the Nobel and you think youre a genius at everything. And so suddenly your career goes really haywire.

The smart set's talking about...Vogue girl's new sparkle

Covered head-to-toe in Swarovski crystals this week for the brands dazzling new campaign, Britains trendiest model, Adwoa Aboah, is also enjoying a sparkling new addition to her love life.

I hear the Londoner, 28, has been swept  or, rather, rolled  off her feet by an American skater boy.

Adwoa Aboah was covered in Swarovski crystals this week for the brands new campaign

Model Adwoa is said to have fallen head over heels for Daniel Wheatley (pictured together from Instagram)

Adwoa, who appeared on the first Vogue cover of its new editor Edward Enninful, has fallen head over heels for Daniel Wheatley, 32, manager of U.S. skate shop Lakai, who at 6 ft 9 in towers over her 5 ft 8 in frame.

Ive always wanted to go out with a long-legged skater, says Adwoa, whose parents are fashion agent Camilla Lowther, cousin of the 8th Earl of Lonsdale, and model location scout Charles Aboah.

A pal confirms: They are dating. Adwoa has never been so happy.

Shes radiant. Shes spending a lot of time with him in California.
Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 26.02.21:

The situation in Armenia is still tense since Thursday.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces has earlier issued a statement in which the high-ranking military officials demanded the current government's resignation. Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan considered the move as an "attempt at a military coup." He has also submitted his proposal to dismiss Onik Gasparyan from the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces.

On Friday, the president has not yet signed the proposal but has launched a series of discussions to find a peaceful solution to the situation. Within this framework, Sarkissian held meetings with parliament's speaker Ararat Mirzoyan, as well as parliamentary factions and Armenia opposition representatives.

During the meeting with opposition, all the sides recorded the fact that Armenian interest comes first and that everyone will be guided by the advancement of the state interest. The president will reportedly express his views after the meetings.

Sarkissian also plans a meeting with Onik Gasparyan.

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev referred to the recent events in Armenia, calling them the internal affairs of the country.

He expressed hope that these events will not affect the implementation of the trilateral statement signed on November 9 last year on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has also noted that there will be no bilateral contacts with Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan following his provocative statements on Nagorno-Karabakh "although he was the initiator of our contacts."

The Azerbaijani leader also touched upon the issue of POWs' return following the Nagorno-Karabakh [Artsakh] war.

Aliyev said that Baku has returned all Armenian captives and only "terrorists and saboteurs" are still being held.

According to him, Baku has returned the POWs earlier than Armenia.

In the meantime, Armenia deputy PM Tigran Avinyan's office noted that Azerbaijan is trying to make captives issue a bargaining chip.

"Armenia has no saboteurs or terrorists anywhere," the office said in a statement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said events in Armenia do not yet affect the implementation of Nagorno-Karabakh agreements.

He noted that it is important to follow the path of implementing the agreements on Karabakh.

Peskov also commented on the discrepancy in press releases about Russian president Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan talks.

The website of the Armenian government said that President Putin expressed support for legitimate authorities of Armenia, while the Kremlin's message did not contain such a wording.

Peskov, in turn, noted that during the talks Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke in favor of resolving the situation in Armenia within the law.

A regular meeting of the working group will be held on Saturday in Moscow under the joint chairmanship of the deputy prime ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia.

According to Russian Deputy PM Alexei Overchuk, all parties have confirmed their participation.

While the world is discussing the internal political crisis in Armenia, Armenias top chess player Levon Aronian has issued a statement and confirmed the reports that he is leaving the country.

"After waiting for more than a year for the promises of the current government to be fulfilled, I realized that I had to make a breakthrough decision and leave my native country," he noted adding that all his attempts to stop the destructive decisions being made in the field of Armenian chess have failed.
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The Canadian Press

As COVID-19 vaccine supplies ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have begun planning to give second doses in the coming weeks. More than 23 million people across Canada have now had at least one dose of a vaccine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says by the summer, Canada will have enough vaccines so that every eligible resident will have gotten their first dose, and by September, it will have enough doses for everyone to be fully vaccinated. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that Canada turn toward the ultimate goal of fully immunizing the population, now that supplies of COVID-19 shots are increasing. The advisory panel said those at highest risk of dying or becoming severely ill should be prioritized for second shots, either after or alongside first doses for anyone else who is eligible for a vaccine. Since the novel coronavirus is still circulating in Canada, NACI is still recommending that the second dose be received up to four months after the first dose, in order to maximize the number of people who get at least one shot. Here's a list of the inoculation plans throughout Canada: Newfoundland and Labrador All people in the province aged 12 and older can now book an appointment for a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. So far 2.19 per cent (11,446) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Nova Scotia Appointments for an initial COVID-19 vaccine shot are now open to people 12 years of age and older. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for use in children aged 12 and up. The Moderna vaccine is only available for those 18 and older. Under the province's accelerated vaccine plan, someone who received their first dose of vaccine on March 22 and is due for a second dose on July 5 will now be able to reschedule their second appointment for as early as the week of June 20. The province has stopped the use of AstraZeneca's vaccine as a first dose. The Health Department says the decision was based on "an abundance of caution'' due to an observed increase in the rare blood-clotting condition linked to this vaccine. The department also says it will reschedule anyone who was to receive AstraZeneca to instead be inoculated with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna "in a timely manner." --- Prince Edward Island In Prince Edward Island, residents as young as 16 can book a COVID-19 vaccine. People 16 years and older who have certain underlying medical conditions, pregnant woman and eligible members of their household can also get a vaccine. So far 8.11 per cent (12,868) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- New Brunswick Residents in New Brunswick aged 12 to 17 are now eligible to book an appointment for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Officials also say residents 55 and older who received an Astra-Zenaca vaccine for the first dose at least eight weeks ago can now get a second dose of the vaccine with informed consent. So far 5.08 per cent (39,633) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Quebec In Quebec, all residents 12 and older can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. The province's health minister says Quebecers 12 to 17 years old will be fully vaccinated by the time they return to school in September. Quebec also says it will shorten the delay between first and second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to eight weeks from 16 weeks. The province says more than 5.8 million doses of vaccine have now been administered, with more than 58.1 per cent of the population having received at least one dose. --- Ontario All adults in Ontario can now book COVID-19 vaccine appointments. People turning 18 in 2021 can book Pfizer-BioNTech shots. Youth aged 12 and older can also book appointments across Ontario. They can book through the provincial online portal, call centre and through pharmacies offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the only shot authorized by Health Canada for use in youth aged 12 and older. Ontarians, meanwhile, are getting the option to shorten the interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses. Most people are being scheduled for doses four months apart, but officials say the new interval could be as short as 28 days. The plan will start with seniors aged 80 and older this week and the province will later offer second shots based on when people received their first. People will keep their original appointments if they dont re-book. The province aims to see all eligible Ontarians fully vaccinated by the end of September. Ontario is also resuming use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine but only as a second dose. Those who received the first dose of AstraZeneca between March 10 and March 19 during a pilot project at pharmacies and some doctor's offices in several Ontario communities will be first in line to receive their second dose. Ontario says more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered across the province. So far 4.68 per cent (687,894) of the population has been fully vaccinated --- Manitoba Manitoba is using the Pfizer vaccine for everyone aged 12 and up, and the Moderna vaccines for people aged 18 and up. These are available through a few channels including so-called supersites in larger communities. The province is also allowing anyone 40 and over to get an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through pharmacies and medical clinics, subject to availability. People 30-39 can get a shot if they have certain underlying health conditions such as chronic liver failure or severe obesity. The province has opened up second-dose appointments to all Indigenous people aged 12 and up, to people with certain medical conditions such as severe heart failure and Down syndrome, and anyone who received their first dose on or before March 29. Provincial health officials say they now expect 70 per cent of Manitobans aged 12 and older to get a dose by the end of June. So far 7.75 per cent (106,678) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Saskatchewan Saskatchewan says it reached the step two threshold of its reopening roadmap released last week, with over 70 per cent of residents age 30 and older having received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That means restrictions will begin to be relaxed June 20, which includes easing capacity limits on retail, personal care services, restaurants and bars, although they must still maintain physical distancing among occupants or have barriers in place. The rules also raise caps on private indoor gatherings to 15, while capacity limits jump to 150 for both public indoor gatherings and all outdoor assemblies, whether public or private. Premier Scott Moe says once 70 per cent of the entire adult population is vaccinated, Saskatchewan can move to the third step of its plan and remove almost all of the remaining public health orders. Saskatchewan residents aged 12 and older are now eligible to book their first COVID-19 vaccine appointment. A school immunization program for those aged 12 to 18 will be introduced in June, but eligible residents of that age can also be immunized at clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine. Anyone 85 and older or anyone who received their first vaccine dose before February 15 can now book their second dose. Anyone diagnosed with cancer and solid organ transplant recipients will be receiving a letter of eligibility in the mail which will allow them priority access to a second dose. There are drive-thru and walk-in vaccination clinics in communities across the province. The province says 6.60 per cent (77,767) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- Alberta Every Albertan aged 12 and older is now eligible for a vaccine. As of May 27, 60.3 per cent of Albertans over the age of 12 had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The milestone means the province's second stage of easing restrictions can begin on June 10. It is subject to hospitalizations being below 500 and trending downwards. Some of the restrictions that would be lifted include allowing outdoor gatherings  including weddings and funerals  with up to 20 people. Restaurants would be allowed to seat tables with up to six people, indoors or outdoors. Retail capacity would also increase, and gyms could open for solo or drop-in activities with three metres of distancing. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, has said people who are immunocompromised can book a second dose three or four weeks after their first shot. All other Albertans are eligible to get their second dose three to four months after the first. For the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the province lowered the minimum age to 30. They are, however, reserving the remaining supply for second doses when people are eligible. More than 250 pharmacies are offering immunizations. So far 8.82 per cent (388,200) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- British Columbia British Columbia is setting an end-of-summer target for everyone in the province to receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also announced a decrease in the time between the first and second dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, cutting the interval to eight weeks from 16 weeks. But the interval for people who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as a first dose and are waiting for their second AstraZeneca shot may take longer. Henry said the province is waiting for results from international data on AstraZeneca, including the effectiveness of mixing vaccine shots and ongoing concerns about rare blood clots. Henry said the rollout of second doses will be similar to the first dose, with those at the greatest risk at the top of the list. Seniors, Indigenous people and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable were to start getting their invitations to book a second shot by the end of May. The province will try to ensure that everyone gets the same vaccine they were first administered, but a shortage of the Moderna vaccine may mean people will have to substitute it for a Pfizer shot. Henry said the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has reviewed the evidence on using different vaccines and has updated the guidance, confirming that while it is preferable to have the same product, it's not always possible. Pfizer and Moderna are the same type of vaccines. Families can get vaccinated together in B.C. as the government allows youth between the ages of 12 and 17 to get their COVID-19 shot. The shots will be administered at community clinics instead of in schools based on feedback from families, with 310,000 children in B.C. eligible to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved for that age group. As of Friday, about 3.1 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines had been administered in B.C., which means about 63 per cent of those eligible have got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. So far 3.14 per cent (160,885) of the population has been fully vaccinated. --- Nunavut Chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson says Nunavut has placed an order for doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with the federal government to vaccinate people ages 12 to 17 in the territory. The Moderna vaccine is currently the only one available in Nunavut. Nunavut has opened vaccinations to anyone 18 and older. It is also offering shots to rotational workers coming from Southern Canada. In the territory, 36.44 per cent (14,113) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories is now offering vaccinations against COVID-19 to young people between 12 and 17. The territory, which has only been using the Moderna vaccine, recently exchanged some of that for doses of the Pfizer product, which Health Canada has now approved for anyone as young as 12. So far 51.74 per cent (23,344) of the territory's population has been fully vaccinated. --- Yukon The territory is now vaccinating children aged 12 to 17. The government says clinics in most communities will be held in schools, while those in Whitehorse can get their shot at the Coast High Country Inn Convention Centre. The children will be getting the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The territory says because of limited supply and stricter handling requirements, the vaccine will only be available for a short time. It says second doses for those 12 to 17 will start on June 23 and medical travel will be supported for youth who aren't able to make the clinic date in their community. The Moderna vaccine is available to adults 18 years of age and older. The government says 59.34 per cent (24,763) of the population has now been fully vaccinated. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2021. The Canadian Press
Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made a post on Facebook Friday morning, addressing two issues.

"I want to emphasize two facts:

By the decision of the government, as June 1, 2019, the net monthly salary of the servicemen of the Armenian army has increased ().

In the 2020 budget, the Ministry of Defense has been allocated 307 billion drams, which is 28% or 66 billion drams more than the actual figure in 2018, and about 4.5% more than the actual [figure] in 2017.

Since May 2018, the Republic of Armenia has acquired an unprecedented amount of weapons and ammunition compared to the foreseeable period.

The Armed Forces were complemented with air defense means, artillery means, anti-aircraft systems, firearms, ammunition, 310 units of automobile equipment.

By the way, our Ministry of Defense and the General Staff [of the Armed Forces] decided what to buy, the government provided the necessary funds," Pashinyan wrote in particular.

On Thursday morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement in which the high-ranking military officials demanded the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government. Pashinyan, however, considered the move as an "attempt at a military coup."

Tensions appeared to dissipate Friday between progressive Democrats and Gov. Ned Lamonts administration on what an adult-use marijuana bill should look like.

Criticism from minority Republicans indicated their steadfast opposition to full legalization, though the House Republican leader offered ideas for modifications. If Democrats can agree on how to craft a bill  something that has not happened in several tries over the last few years  they dont need any GOP votes to make it happen.

Three main issues remain to be worked out: Who exactly would receive licenses under the bill; how the revenue from adult-use legalization would be spent to undo past drug war harm in targeted communities; and how, exactly, past marijuana arrest records would be expunged.

Lamonts bill and a bill advanced by the legislatures Labor Committee remain works in progress.

State Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, the co-chairwoman of the Labor Committee, said during an extensive question-and-answer session with more than a dozen Lamont administration officials that she is satisfied that her bill, which emphasizes the ability of affected communities to get into a future retail-cannabis industry and rid themselves of the stigma of criminal records, will be considered in an eventual compromise bill.

The first four hours of the online hearing by the Judiciary Committee centered on Lamonts plan, which was included in his budget proposal. Revenue projections are modest, $33 million in fiscal 2023 with projections of about $95 million a year  in contrast to some in the industry who say Connecticut could reap more than $200 million a year.

Lamonts advisers said they are eager to incorporate Porters proposals and stressed that a task forces recommendations on social equity and business opportunities were not included in the legislation because of the late-January budget deadline.

What cannabis and the war on drugs has done to our communities is unconscionable, said Paul Mounds, Lamonts chief of staff, the point man in prolonged testimony. We have to take steps to not only right those wrongs, but take steps to make sure that individuals are not only among the marketplace, but are the marketplace. The war on cannabis did little to protect public health and safety. Instead it has caused significant injustices for many of our residents, especially people in our Black and brown communities.

State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the committee, said before the hearing that Lamonts bill is a source for discussion and compromise as lawmakers plan for adult use.

While Massachusetts voters approved a retail law after petitioning in a statewide referendum in 2016, Connecticut does not have such a popular mechanism short of a Constitutional amendment process. That might become a fallback position this year if the full legalization effort fails again in the General Assembly. The earliest such an amendment could reach Connecticut voters would be 2024.

I think the governors office has sought to bring folks together to further the conversation on equity, Stafstrom said. I think we all recognize the bill we are reviewing today will not be the same that passes the committee.

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said he is concerned that the issue of legalization debate seems to have shifted to the commercialization of cannabis.

I think this bill should be looking at the age of 25 if its going to be done, he said. Referring to the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, he said, I think we should have a conversation about setting the THC levels to something lower, to prevent all the societal ills were heard being testified. I think we should be limiting the products that are going to be offered.

Candelora suggested that the state lead in a different direction, compared to Massachusetts, California and Colorado. I think some of these states are going to find that they need to put the genie back in the bottle, he said, adding the so-called homegrown model that Vermont started out with seems to be more sensible.

Republican criticism of the bill was led by Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, ranking Republican on the committee. He complained that Lamont was not among the administrations experts in regulation, law enforcement and revenue, along with policy experts including Jonathan Harris, a former state senator and commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Harris oversaw the states nationally known medical marijuana program, which now serves more than 50,000 patients.

There is a representation from the administration that this is a working document, Fishbein said. So Im trying to figure out what parts are workable and what parts are not workable. Fishbein also criticized the Department of Public Health for not appearing with the governors team.

During questioning from Porter, Harris said the governors bill includes a $75,000 study on equity issues, including a new Cannabis Equity Commission. Harris stressed that the governor is eager to continue discussions on equity revisions, including business opportunities in affected neighborhoods.

The discussions will happen and there will be, Im sure, changes, Harris said.

I appreciate that, Porter replied.

Harris said that part of the discussion on equity for Black and brown communities is to lower the barriers for entry into the market, including so-called micro-cultivators, food-and-beverage developers and delivery services. Under the bill, the equity panel would focus on a wide range of opportunities and funding streams.

These are the details that will be fleshed out by the equity commission and will also be on the table in the legislative discussions, Harris said to Porter. This bill, 163 pages, presents a comprehensive market structure. There are other bills out there, as you know, that have maybe less market structure, but have more detail on equity. These bills are complementary and will be the basis of our discussion going forward.

I definitely agree with that statement and wholeheartedly look forward to working collectively because I believe that both bills have some really great stuff, including the governors bill, Porter replied.

The administration feels that the regulatory portion of this bill is the most-comprehensive regulatory bill for marijuana structure thats currently in the legislative process, Mounds said. This governor and this administration respects the deliberative process of the legislature. This is us putting forth a bill for the committee.

Mounds described the apparent gap between the governors bill and various levels of criticism from his fellow Democrats as chatter.

Republicans, however, were less conciliatory.

Sen. Dan Champagne, a retired police officer, criticized the whole concept. We have a major problem right now in the state of Connecticut, with drug use and stuff, Champagne said, stressing the need to put most future cannabis revenue into rehabilitation services, rather than the inner-city equity programming envisioned by Lamont and Porter.

As a father, I am petrified of what this will do to the teens, said Rep. Tom ODea, R-New Canaan.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT

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Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

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An investigation is underway after a man armed with a sledgehammer allegedly threatened to burn down a caravan in Limerick city overnight.

Up to 20 gardai including members of the armed Regional Support Unit responded to reports of a serious incident at Clonlong Halting Site, Southill around midnight.

A garda spokesperson said they responded to alleged reports of a man in the area with a sledgehammer in Southill. The Leader understands he was making threats to burn down his caravan.

"Upon arrival at the scene, gardai found no man as described present. No arrests were made and investigations are ongoing," said a garda spokesperson.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service were also called. One appliance was dispatched at 12.30am and returned to Mulgrave Street at 1am.
EDWARDSVILLE  Video footage captured at the home of a Sunset Hills Estates resident captured what appeared to be vehicle thefts in the neighborhood this week.

None of the thefts were warm-ups, but in all four cases, the keys were left in the unlocked vehicles, said Edwardsville Police Chief Jay Keeven Thursday. They all occurred between 3:30 and 5 a.m.

He said that a GMC Sierra pickup truck was recovered a short distance from where it was taken, in the 3000 block of Sunset Hills Boulevard South. Keeven said the truck does not have a manual transmission; he does not know why it was left behind.

The other three vehicles were taken from the 100 block of Club Centre Court, from apartments behind the MotoMart gas station  a Nissan Altima, a Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and 2010 Mazda, model unknown.

We have few leads, but one of the vehicles, the Altima, was crashed in North St. Louis Wednesday evening. The driver ran from police there and was not apprehended, he said. An Edwardsville officer was dispatched to the vehicle later in an attempt to get prints from the steering wheel, gear shift, radio knobs/buttons, drivers armrest and ancillary switches but it will take time to process the DNA, Keeven said.

We believe all vehicles were taken by the same group of individuals, who then returned to Missouri in the stolen vehicles, he said, adding that usually, a group like this steals a vehicle in Missouri then crosses the Mississippi looking for additional targets in Illinois, one for each passenger, before taking them all back to Missouri.

Keeven said when potential thieves find an unlocked vehicle, they rifle through the interior, looking for expensive sunglasses, loose change or bills, cell phones, tablet and laptop computers and guns. With more and more cars coming standard with keyless ignition, Keeven said they tap the brake pedal and push the Start button to see if the engine starts, meaning the owner left a key fob somewhere inside. They then take the vehicle and its contents.

The resident who posted to Next Door claims to have video surveillance of the alleged thieves. Keeven said his detectives indicated that they are unsure if the video provides enough detail as the four people wore hoodies, masks and other means of obscuring their identities.

Keeven wants to take this opportunity to again remind residents that if they leave vehicles parked outside not to leave valuables in their vehicles, to lock their vehicles and if the vehicle is garaged, lock the garage door and the door leading into their homes, too.

Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735
Welcome to New Zealand Rural Land Companys interim report for the period 11 September 2020 to 31 December 2020.

We successfully raised $75 million through our Initial Public Offering (IPO) in late 2020 and listed on the NZX Market. The support for our IPO was pleasing with both institutional and retail investors joining our register. With the IPO proceeds available to deploy, our focus is now on acquiring rural land in the New Zealand dairy sector.

Our manager, New Zealand Rural Land Management Limited Partnership, is progressing due diligence as expected on a number of dairy farms in the South Island for NZRLC. The manager has been working closely with several substantial operators undertaking due diligence investigations. It is important to remind investors that despite assets being identified as potential acquisitions prior to the IPO, extensive due diligence (e.g. irrigation reports, soil testing, etc), does take time due to the size of the assets we are looking to acquire. We anticipate being in a position to announce the terms of an acquisition in several weeks.

As was discussed in our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) our intention is to acquire rural land across various industry sectors over time. While our core, initial focus remains on acquiring dairy farms, we are having preliminary discussions with potential tenants and vendors in other sectors such as viticulture. This work will continue so that we are prepared to diversify into other sectors once we have established an asset base in the dairy sector.

Our intention remains to deploy all of the IPO proceeds towards acquiring rural land in the dairy sector with a conservative level of gearing. Before diversifying into other industry sectors we are likely to return to shareholders for additional capital through a pro-rata rights issue.

An advantage for NZRLC in implementing its rural land strategy is being a New Zealand investor and not requiring overseas investment approval to make acquisitions. This means that NZRLC must keep foreign ownership of its shares to less than 25%. At present our foreign ownership level is 22.12%. We actively monitor this ownership level and have tools in our constitution to ensure that we remain under this 25% level.

We would also like to remind shareholders the interim accounts attached to this announcement produced by BDO are unaudited. Our annual financial statements will be audited by PWC as is required by both the NZX listing rules and the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

We thank our shareholders for their support in our IPO and we look forward to advising you on our acquisitions in the near future.

Rob Campbell

Chair

Please see the links below for details:

Interim Report

Interim Report Commentary

Results Announcement Form

Source: New Zealand Rural Land Company Limited

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"Mel played a significant role in developing the business approach and office culture that in relatively short order propelled Katten to a place among the nation's top law firms, and for that, we cannot thank him enough," said Roger P. Furey, chairman of Katten, one of the youngest Am Law 100 firms.

"Mel was particularly dedicated to civic involvement and pro bono service," Furey said. "These beliefs formed the principles that continue to anchor and guide Katten today."

During a recent firmwide virtual meeting, Furey and other Katten leaders spoke highly of their namesake founding partner, recalling the firm's history and how Katten and Allan Muchin, currently of counsel; Michael Zavis, now retired; Melvin Pearl, now retired, and others organized the firm. Furey and Katten CEO Noah Heller thanked Katten for his many years of service. As a show of gratitude, the firm will make a donation to leukemia research, a cause Katten has long strongly supported in honor of his late daughter, Pamela.

The founding team established the law firm in Chicago in 1974 as Katten Muchin Zavis LLP, with 24 attorneys driven to approach the law with a commercial thrust. They reasoned that focusing on client business goals would help distinguish the firm. The founders went on to open offices in New York; Los Angeles; Washington, DC; and Charlotte and in 2002 to merge with Rosenman & Colin LLP, becoming Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Later, a London affiliate and Shanghai offices were opened. The newest office, in Dallas, launched in 2018 with seven attorneys and has since grown to more than 40 attorneys. Today, Katten has nearly 700 attorneys.

Of his 47 years with the firm, Katten said: "I enjoyed every day of my work with an ever-growing team of outstanding attorneys. As in any large organization, there were peaks and valleys. But ultimately, the hard work and unswerving focus of a few determined, entrepreneurial lawyers resulted in the life work of many and set the stage for success that I truly believe will continue."

Katten, who practiced law for 66 years, most recently served as senior counsel, having managed a legal practice that included transactional tax planning and assistance with corporate mergers and acquisitions and federal tax and criminal investigations. Before the global pandemic, he could be found having lunch with other attorneys in the Chicago office and stopping by the offices of attorneys and business professionals to discuss their work and provide guidance, when needed.

A dedicated philanthropist, Katten received the Adler & Sullivan Award from the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University for his lasting contributions to and continual support of the theater, a national historic landmark. To mark the day on which the award was given, the then-Chicago mayor proclaimed November 3, 2018, "Mel Katten Day" in Chicago.

Katten, who has been regularly named on the Crain's Chicago Business list of Who's Who in local business, has served on the board of directors for the Auditorium Theatre since 2002, spent 14 years as its chairman and now is chairman emeritus. He sits on the boards of the Chicago Loop Alliance and American Friends of Tel Aviv University.

Katten also is senior vice chairman of the board of trustees at Roosevelt University; a trustee of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Greater Illinois chapter; past chairman and now life trustee of the Better Government Association and chairman of its Civic Leadership Committee; past chairman of the Anti-Defamation League of Chicago; as well as general trustee of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, which promotes and recognizes local college students who exhibit the values of President Abraham Lincoln: excellence, service and honor.

Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit katten.com .

SOURCE Katten

Related Links

http://katten.com



THE WORLDS of art and agriculture combine in the first exhibition of 2021 at Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA).

Mary Burkes 26 paintings of her experience on five Limerick farms take centre stage in an exhibition of work called At Home On The Farm. The gallery staff are presently installing the show but it will only be available online at gallery.limerick.ie The exhibition opens this Thursday, February 25 and runs until May 2.

For four decades, Ms Burke has captured suburban Dublin scenes in oil pastels. These new works at LCGA represent a bold new departure - after 40 years of diligently documenting the urban and suburban, Ms Burke has made a radical shift in direction.

When LCGA invited her to work in the county, she found herself out in the farmyards where nature got a hold of her. The result is At Home on the Farm. The five Limerick farmers Ms Burke spent time with were Dan Browne, Thomastown, Effin; John MacNamara, Knockainey; June Danaher, Shanagolden; David Ryan, Lough Gur and Morgan Murphy, Glenbrohane.

Liz Kelly, creative producer public engagement with LCGA, said Ms Burke had never worked with farmers or spent time on farms before this but really took to the whole experience and each farmer was open and welcoming.

Her engagement with the individual farm families made an impact on Ms Burke and she speaks with genuine passion of them all.

Take for example John Macnamara and the quality of his grassland, she says.

Or, the wonderful treasure trove of curiosities that Morgan Murphy has amassed in his barns and outbuildings. It was impossible for me not to document and celebrate these things.

Ms Burke talks with equal enthusiasm about all the farms she visited - from Dan Brownes majestic barn and traditional farm buildings in Thomastown to June Danahers fine pedigree Limousin suckler calves in Shanagolden and David Ryans timeless lakeside farm at Lough Gur abutting a 15th century castle.

The exhibition depicts the facets of each farm that were most important to the individual farmers or that made a particular visual impact on her, such as the MacNamaras cows, milking parlour and grass pasture, which exemplify the core priorities of his working life.

In truth, I just wanted to capture the essence of their farms, said Ms Burke.

There's been a tendency in the past to romanticise the Irish landscape. I wanted to avoid that. These are working farms that are functional and lived-in. I wanted to convey a sense of the industrial farm infrastructure against the natural landscape.

Ms Burkes work enabled her to escape my bubble and to see how others live their lives  to document the truth of their existence. It brought home to me the sheer variety of life on this island. Its something Im eager to engage more with in future work.

For many, At Home On The Farm will resonate in a deeply personal way. LCGA director / curator Una McCarthy in welcoming this very special exhibition to the gallery, said her roots are semi-rural with most of her childhood spent at her maternal grandparents home in Feenagh.

However, I am a 'townie'. I have lived most of my life in an urban setting albeit with a deep understanding of the whims and demands of a farming life. It was wonderful to receive Marys proposal as it chimed with what I wanted to achieve in the Gallery where the rural and urban could meet in an exciting and relevant way. This objective has most definitely met with this exhibition, At Home on the Farm, which I hope will further a discussion on the cultural and social importance of farming in Irish society, said Ms McCarthy.

Following the exhibition opening on Thursday, an In Conversation event hosted by Manchan Magan will explore the exhibition with Ms Burke and Dr Niamh Nic Ghabhann, University of Limerick, via Zoom at 3pm on Saturday, February 27.

Also, from Thursday, a public engagement programme will be accessible via the Gallery website including virtual sound walks in the city; Talking Velvet, a farming poetry page; Full and Plenty, a webinar on the future of farming and food and #Choose to Challenge, an International Womens Day conversation with women farmers whose creative practices are integral to their farming lives.

Running in tandem with At Home On The Farm is Parrs Ireland: 40 Years of Photography, located upstairs in LCGA.

Since the late 1970s, British documentary photographer Martin Parr has been taking photographs in Ireland. Between 1980-1982 he lived in the West of Ireland embedding himself in its land and culture, capturing the area where he was based. Since then he has returned at regular intervals over the last three decades to continue this work. During that time, he captured the changing Ireland and created a series of images that present the effects of wealth and Americanisation on the country. At a pivotal time of social and cultural change these series range from the Texan inspired Bungalows of Co. Leitrim to the Country and Western dances in rural dance halls, showing an Ireland on the cusp of the Celtic Tiger era.

To date this expansive series of images made in Ireland over 40 years has not been exhibited in its entirety. In 2021 this will no longer be the case as LCGA working in partnership with Northern Narratives productions - opens a tour which will present all of Parrs works exploring a variety of themes and events of historical and social significance in Ireland.

See gallery.limerick.ie for more on At Home On The Farm and Parrs Ireland: 40 years of Photography.
THE warrant for a former vet wanted in the UK to face multiple charges of sexual activity with animals and of having extreme pornographic material is "fatally flawed" due to Brexit, his legal team have told the High Court today.

Oliver Lown (35), with an address at Main Road, Kesgrave, Suffolk, is wanted by authorities in the United Kingdom to face 12 offences, which also include making indecent images of children.

Barrister for Mr Lown, Kieran Kelly BL, told the High Court today while the warrant for Mr Lown was issued in December of last year, it was only endorsed by Irish courts in January of this year, after Brexit, and that his client's arrest was not until February.

Mr Kelly told Mr Justice Paul Burns that the EU arrest warrant system relating to the UK is, as of December 31, 2020, now underpinned by the provisional UK-EU Trade & Co-operation Agreement, which has an "opt-in" clause that Ireland has not yet signed up to, making the warrant for Mr Lown "fatally flawed".

The warrant states that 1,219 extreme pornographic images, of which 1,067 are unique, were recovered from the hard drive of Mr Lown's laptop as well as 3,512 extreme pornographic videos, of which 3,511 are unique.

Other images recovered include 66 category A indecent images of which 43 are unique, 36 category B indecent images of which 26 are unique and 33 category C indecent images of which 23 are unique.

The warrant also states that Mr Lown is charged with offences including sexual penetration by a person with a living animal, making indecent photographs of children and possessing extreme pornographic images involving an animal.

Mr Kelly also argues the warrant is also "fundamentally flawed" because it was issued by Ipswich Magistrate Courts but signed off on by a Crown Court judge, which he says does not satisfy the criteria of "total clarity and unambiguousness" regarding warrants.

He further argues that a supplemental part of the warrant was then filled out by a UK prosecutor and not the appropriate authority.

Mr Lown was arrested by detectives from the Gardas extradition unit earlier this month and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station following the endorsement of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by the police in Suffolk.

At a previous hearing, Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwan of the Garda Extradition Unit told Aoife Carroll BL, for the State, that he was on duty in Kilmacrenan in Co Donegal and called to an address at Gortnaskea, near Letterkenny, at 6.37pm on February 8, where he arrested Mr Lown on foot of the warrant and cautioned him.

Det-Sgt Kirwan said he introduced himself to Mr Lown and showed him his ID card.

He said Mr Lown agreed that his name was Oliver Lown and that one of the aliases he used was Ollie Fraser Henderson, while his place of birth was in Ipswich in the UK.

Outlining the offences facing Mr Lown, Det-Sgt Kirwan said the warrant relates to 12 offences relating to images found on a PC laptop on April 4, 2019 in Kesgrave in Suffolk.

The detective said he read the summary of offences contained in the warrant to the respondent and asked him whether he knew what they were about, which Mr Lown indicated he did.

The warrant said a PC Harvey, accompanied by a probation officer, attended a house on Main Street, Kesgrave, Suffolk, in the UK at 10.10am on April 4, 2019. They were informed by the occupants that their son, Mr Lown, lived in the annexe above their garage with another man.

The warrant also stated that the other man is a registered sex offender and the purpose of the visit was to ascertain where he [the sex offender] was residing since he had not notified an address as per the Sex Offender Requirements.

The warrant said PC Harvey located Mr Lown in the annexe and a situation then unfolded whereby Mr Lown threw a laptop in a pond to evade its inspection by police and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possessing extreme pornography.

Mr Lown was arrested on the same date for perverting the course of justice and possession of heroin.

The laptop was submitted to the Digital Forensic Unit and forensic examination was completed on the extracted hard drive, which included 1,067 extreme pornographic images and 3,511 extreme pornographic videos.

The warrant also states that police attended Burrell Road, Ipswich, on August 29, 2019, where Mr Lown was present.

He was arrested on suspicion of making, taking, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

He was also arrested on suspicion of Class B drugs. He was interviewed and responded "no comment" to all questions asked.

The warrant said police arranged to meet Mr Lown at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre on November 27, 2019. He did not attend, went missing and was circulated on the UK's Police National Computer as "wanted".

Today, Mr Justice Burns asked Mr Kelly to put his "intricate" submission in writing and said that the office of the Attorney General should be put on notice of anything arising from his submission that might be of interest to their office.

Mr Justice Burns adjourned the case to April 11 with Mr Kelly's submission to be completed by March 3.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in the world is twice as high as the global case count, TASS news agency calculated based on the data provided by governments, experts and the media.

Currently, about 227 million people have been vaccinated (about 2.9% of the global population), while 113.1 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to TASS calculations.

About 75% of all those vaccinated are residents of eight states: the US, China, the UK, India, Turkey, Israel, Brazil and the UAE.
Asked during the call about when large-scale concerts might resume in the U.S., Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino said, Every day we seem to have a new state or country talking about when theyll open up, so were feeling more optimistic than we were a month ago, he said. Lots of artists are calling, looking at how we start up in July, August, September. So for right now, we still believe well have enough open in the U.K., Australia, Canada and the U.S. to keep what we have on the books in amphitheaters booked for now. We might have certain states that might not be ready, but we have enough states and enough artists willing to play the open slots if we get to that level in the right markets.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told her G20 colleagues Friday that Washington is dropping a push for a controversial provision in a global digital tax, opening the door to an agreement

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told her G20 colleagues Friday that Washington is dropping a push for a controversial provision in a global digital tax, opening the door to an agreement.

The administration of former president Donald Trump had insisted on a so-called safe harbor clause in the OECD tax that effectively would have allowed big tech companies to comply voluntarily, blocking progress on a deal.

Yellen announced at the G20 finance ministers meeting that US officials "will engage robustly" in the talks and "is no longer advocating for 'safe harbor' implementation of Pillar 1," a Treasury official told AFP.
1SHIFT platform tracks shipping routes and offers real-time arrival estimates to save businesses money on detention fees

1SHIFT cold-chain sensors allow farmers to deliver their produce in mint condition by monitoring temperature and moisture levels in real-time

Majority-owned subsidiary uBuck Technologies based in the Cayman Islands, specializes in digital payments and wallets

What TechX Technologies does:

( ) ( ) - formerly known as Litelink Technologies Inc - is a dominant player in developing world-class enterprise platforms and digital wallets. It channels artificial intelligence, blockchain, and predictive analytics to solve outdated technology problems in the logistics and digital payment industries.

The Burnaby, British Columbia company operates its flagship 1SHIFT logistics platform, as a Software-as-a-Service solution, that enables brokers, shippers, and carriers to track shipments and settle payments in real-time.

The platform precisely tracks shipping routes and offers real-time arrival estimates. Integrating global positioning systems allows 1SHIFT to accurately detect longitude, latitude, ground speed and the direction in which trucks are heading. That level of certainty saves companies hundreds if not thousands of dollars in detention fees. With 1SHIFT, companies no longer have to ask: Wheres my stuff?

Predictive analytics helps shippers review historical pricing information, partner ratings, and current factors such as fuel prices, weather, and backhaul capacity to make informed pricing decisions. 1SHIFT also streamlines workflow within the partner ecosystem and uses blockchains immutable digital ledger in sectors like transportation where paperwork and tracking are especially complex.

Additionally, the 1SHIFT platform not only tracks shipping routes, but 1SHIFT cold-chain sensors allow farmers to deliver their produce in mint condition by monitoring temperature and moisture levels in real-time.

TechXs majority-owned subsidiary uBuck Technologies based in the Cayman Islands, specializes in digital payments and wallets. According to the company, uBUCK Pay is a multi-currency digital wallet for the unbanked and underbanked, while Streambucks is a multi-currency digital wallet built for gamers and streamers.

Users are able to load a prepaid debit card to make purchases online and offline at participating merchants. The uBuck platform also allows drivers to be reimbursed electronically within a day of submitting proof of delivery.

How is it doing:

TechX, then Litelink, started 2021 with a change of guard and its rebranding plans - which took effect from February 26.

Unveiling the name change on February 10, the company's chairman and CEO Peter Green said: "This rebranding strategy reflects the Company's vision for the future, and it's broader technology commitment and expertise in driving the innovations needed to shape the future of areas in digital technology solutions across cryptocurrency, blockchain, AI, IOT and cloud."

Telus veteran Peter Green was unveiled as the company's new CEO, on January 8. The group noted that Green has extensive leadership experience in both large corporations and small businesses in the cloud technologies, AI, mobile and telecommunications sector. He most recently served as president of business solutions at Canadian telecoms giant Telus.

Along with news of Green's appointment, the company also said it had elevated experienced executives Aleem Nathwani and Mike Devine to its board.

In connection with the management reshuffle, the group said it would proceed with a 2.5-to-1 share consolidation that was previously approved by shareholders in October. Following the consolidation, the company will see its shares reduce from just over 172 million to around 69 million.

It also announced plans to offer up to 10 million post-consolidation shares priced at C$0.10 each. The offering, completed on February 9, saw 10,050,000 common shares issued raising gross proceeds of C$1,005,000. The group said proceeds from the offering will be used by the company for future acquisitions and organic growth investments, including operations by subsidiaries and/or portfolio companies, working capital, and general corporate purposes.

The expansion plans started on January 14 when the company announced the acquisition of 3030 IoT, a company bringing smart sensors for the waste management sector to market, in a cash and stock deal. 3030 IoT will augment the company's 1SHIFT AI platform, providing waste management companies with ruggedized waste bin sensors and unparalleled container visibility. This lets companies know exactly when a bin is nearly full and in need of a pickup.

Then on January 27, the company revealed that it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to complete an equity investment in CatalX Exchange Inc - Canada's premier cryptocurrency exchange with over 40 Altcoins available for purchase on CatalX.io.

CatalX is a Canadian-based FINTRAC registered and compliant digital asset exchange platform that specializes in cryptocurrency trading, blockchain, and cybersecurity technology. It has developed a scalable and modularized platform with a trading engine that can scale to millions of users in real-time and cutting-edge cybersecurity system CyberSmoat, which is patent-pending.

The proposed equity investment will be satisfied through the issuance of 37,500,000 common shares in the company to CatalX and a cash payment to CatalX of C$500,000 -- which would result in the group having ownership and control over 19% of the outstanding share capital of CatalX.

The company pointed out that the proposed investment is not expected to constitute a fundamental change for the company, nor is it expected to result in a change of control.

Inflection points:

Integration of 3030 IoT smart sensors acquisition

Further acquisitions and expansion

Any strategy initiatives from new CEO

What the boss says:

In the January statement announcing his appointment, new CEO Peter Green said: 2021 marks an important inflection point in the company's advancement. The quality of our incoming personnel reflects our commitment to making continued investments in strong management teams coupled with strong emerging technologies that are disrupting multiple technology sectors poised for growth."

"The global pandemic has allowed for industries to innovate much quicker and adapt to the times, we will play an important role to facilitate investment growth in this process, Green added.

Now is the time for companies such as ours to flourish, with the right strategy and team in place. Moreover, I am eager to work with the talented team, we are committed to create value for our shareholders and will be keeping you current on our exciting road ahead."

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
Its a shame that a frivolous lawsuit complicated this process, which was already being considered by our on-site medical providers, he said. I hope next time we can have a conversation which does not fall on deaf ears prior to a headline-grabbing lawsuit being filed. That being said, Im happy to provide Ms. Finnigan with the necessary medical assistance she feared would be kept from her while in our facility.
VAUGHAN, ON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE: GFL) (TSX: GFL) ("GFL" or the "Company") today announced that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F, including the Company's audited consolidated financial statements (the "Financial Statements") for the year ended December 31, 2020 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) and with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The annual report is also available on the Investors page of the Company's website at https://investors.gflenv.com. Shareholders may receive a hard copy of the complete Financial Statements from the Company free of charge upon request by contacting GFL Investor Relations at [email protected].

About GFL Environmental

GFL, headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario, is the fourth largest diversified environmental services company in North America, providing a comprehensive line of non-hazardous solid waste management, infrastructure & soil remediation and liquid waste management services through its platform of facilities throughout Canada and in 27 states in the United States. Across its organization, GFL has a workforce of more than 15,000 employees.

Investor contact:

Patrick Dovigi

Founder and CEO

905-326-0101

SOURCE GFL Environmental Inc.

Related Links

http://www.gflenv.com


When Vietnam veteran Donald Snyder heard his local Department of Veterans Affairs hospital was offering coronavirus vaccines to vets 65 and older, he immediately called to make an appointment. But Snyder, who does not get health care through the VA because he does not meet its eligibility criteria, was turned down.

He was miffed.

"I understand the income [limits] to be eligible for veterans health care benefits, but the vaccine? The vaccine is free to all Americans; we paid for it with our tax dollars. There's no reason a veteran shouldn't be able to get it at the VA," Snyder said.

In Congress, lawmakers have heard similar thoughts from veterans and those who care for ill and at-risk former service members -- those who are not enrolled in VA health care and not able to get the vaccine from the VA.

Read Next: VA Is Asking DOJ for Help Getting Back GIBill.com After Losing Domain Rights

A few lawmakers are trying to do something about it.

"Getting vaccines into the arms of every person who wants one as soon as we can is key to finally getting us past this pandemic. In my mind, veterans should always be at the front of the line," said Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, in a release Wednesday.

"Your goal should be to vaccinate every single [veteran] assuming they are not going to object to getting the vaccine," Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, told Dr. Richard Stone, acting under secretary for health during a hearing Wednesday.

Bost and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., introduced legislation Wednesday that would allow the VA to vaccinate any veteran and some caregivers who requested a shot after all currently eligible veterans are offered one.

Currently, the department is working toward vaccinating 6 million regular users of VA health care. An additional 3.3 million veterans are enrolled in care and are inactive, and 9.2 million U.S. veterans do not have contact with the VA health system because they either haven't enrolled or are not eligible. Veterans must meet certain criteria to be eligible for care, including income thresholds and having a service-connected disability.

The VA is offering vaccines to caregivers enrolled in the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and has vaccinated 2,000 so far, according to Stone.

Takano and Bost's bill would allow any veteran to get their vaccine through the VA, as well as caregivers providing assistance to veterans in any VA home-based or long-term care program.

It also would allow the VA to provide vaccines to veterans living overseas who get care through the department's Foreign Medical Program.

"Our bill provides a critical fix to allow VA to expand who is eligible to receive a vaccine at its facilities -- opening up access to all veterans and their caregivers," Takano said.

The VA has consistently maintained that it cannot, by law, offer the vaccine to veterans not enrolled in VA health care or civilian caregivers, but Stone said the department "doesn't want to turn anybody away."

"We need some additional authorities to get to the rest of that population," he said.

He added that the department is doing what it can within the law to reach more veterans, including enrolling eligible vets who show up to vaccine clinics in VA health care and reaching out to veterans to encourage them to enroll in care. He said the department has contacted 8 million in the last few weeks alone.

"I share your desire to get the vaccine into as many people as we can," Stone told lawmakers.

As of Thursday, the VA had received nearly 2.5 million doses of the vaccine and administered 2.04 million to employees and eligible veterans, including 676,163 second doses. More than 1.16 million veterans have received their first dose, and a half-million have gotten their second, according to VA data.

Stone said the VA is receiving roughly 125,000 vaccine doses a week but expects 600,000 next week.

With a new vaccine on the horizon, made by Johnson & Johnson, "We will continue to see increases," he said. "The problem we're having with the amount will resolve itself over these next number of weeks."

More than 226,000 patients in the VA health care have been diagnosed with COVID-19; 10,367 have died, including 131 employees.

Lawmakers pledged to work quickly to get more doses to the VA and give it the authorization to vaccinate veterans outside the VA system.

"VA should not have to turn away any veteran who walks through its doors to get a COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they're enrolled in or eligible for other VA health care services," Takano said.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime

Related: This Female WWII Veteran Is Among the First Americans to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
By SAM OLUKOYA, The Associated Press

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  Gunmen abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria on Friday, police said, the latest in a series of mass kidnappings of students in the West African nation.

Police and the military have begun joint operations to rescue the girls after the attack at the Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe town, according to a police spokesman in Zamfara state, Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the number abducted.

One parent, Nasiru Abdullahi, told The Associated Press that his daughters, aged 10 and 13, are among the missing.

It is disappointing that even though the military have a strong presence near the school they were unable to protect the girls, he said. At this stage, we are only hoping on divine intervention.

Resident Musa Mustapha said the gunmen also attacked a nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from interfering while the gunmen spent several hours at the school. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

Several large groups of armed men operate in Zamfara state, described by the government as bandits, and are known to kidnap for money and for the release of their members from jail.

We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria, said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF representative in the country. This is a gross violation of childrens rights and a horrific experience for children to go through. He called for their immediate release.

Nigeria has seen several such attacks and kidnappings over the years, notably the mass abduction in April 2014 by jihadist group Boko Haram of 276 girls from the secondary school in Chibok in Borno state. More than a hundred of the girls are still missing.

Fridays attack came less than two weeks after gunmen abducted 42 people, including 27 students, from the Government Science College Kagara in Niger State. The students, teachers and family members are still being held.

An empty class room following an attack by gunmen at Government Science College, Kagara, Nigeria, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Gunmen have attacked a school in Nigeria's northcentral Niger State, killing at least one student and abducting more than 40 people including students and teachers, according to an official, teacher and a prefect. (AP Photo)AP

In December, 344 students were abducted from the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina State. They were eventually released.

Amnesty International also condemned the appalling attack, warning in a statement that the girls abducted are in serious risk of being harmed.

Teachers have been forced to flee to other states for protection, and many children have had to abandon their education amid frequent violent attacks in communities, Amnesty said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-25 03:56:35|Editor: huaxia

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CARACAS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government on Wednesday declared the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Caracas Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa persona non grata and gave her 72 hours to leave the country.

"We have presented Mrs. Isabel Brilhante, who in recent years was the head of the European Union delegation in Venezuela, with the declaration of persona 'non grata'," Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said.

"We are doing that because the circumstances demand it," he added, after meeting with Brilhante at the ministry's headquarters.

According to Arreaza, the decision comes after the EU issued "55 decisions, what in the European Union or in the U.S. they call sanctions," against Venezuela. Enditem
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The Daily Beast

Delil Souleiman/GettyAL-HASAKAH, SyriaWhen former President Donald Trump said U.S. troops would remain in Syria to keep the oil at the end of 2019, the Pentagon scrambled to deny it.American forces only stayed in Syria to comprehensively defeat ISIS, a spokesman explained; any military presence around the oil fields was purely part of the mission to overcome the so-called Islamic State.Two years later, the remnants of ISIS are diminished, but American troops are still on the ground, still helping to protect that oil.The official stance of the White House, the State Department and the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was thenand remains nowthat keeping the oil is not the reason American men and women are still stationed in one of the worlds most treacherous conflicts. U.S. forces and the coalition more broadly does not provide assistance to any private companies, employees or agents in seeking to develop oil resources NE Syria, a spokesperson said in March.But that is not the full story.The U.S. had come up with a simple if morally and legally dubious plan: help Americas Kurdish partners profit from local oil by keeping it out of the hands of the Assad regime or Islamist militias, and then helping to refine and sell it. These oil fields in the northeast were once part of the network from which ISIS drew a reported $1.5 million in daily revenue.The U.S. Soldiers Spending Thanksgiving Guarding Oil in SyriaAfter decades of claims that American administrations only cared about the Middle East because of its oil, officials knew the U.S. Army could not be seen to seize control of oil fields on Syrian territory and dictate who would profit from their riches. Several former and current U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that the United States sought to obscure the plandespite what Trump saideven though it was the oil strategy justifying a continued U.S. footprint in the countrys northeast.If the U.S. couldnt pull this off officially in public, they were going to need some help. Delta Crescent Energy, LLC., a company incorporated in 2019, was about to assume a centraland largely secretrole in American foreign policy.U.S. officials believed the tiny company from Delaware with offices in Texas could become the American equivalent of Russias powerful, private mercenary army, the Wagner Group, which is linked to President Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Wagner is notorious for intervening in areas where it might be politically advantageous to avoid official fingerprints. U.S. officials saw this newly established company as the Wagner Group used for good, not evilin the words of one senior Biden administration official who, like the more than a dozen former and current U.S. administration officials and officials in northeast Syria and northern Iraq, requested anonymity in order to discuss matters of national security. The Daily Beast also exclusively reviewed Deltas company license and its contract with a local oil partner.A plan to stay and protect Syrian oil had been in the works months before Trumps boast in October 2019. But American companies and individuals were prohibited by an Executive Order from the Treasury Department from operating in Syria due to sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.On April 8, 2020, Delta Crescent, was granted a one-year sanctions waiver in order to advise and assist a local oil company in northeast Syria, an area known locally as Rojava and controlled by the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).A former State Department official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, told The Daily Beast that U.S. officials had decided oil produced in northeast Syria did not really belong to Assad, who claims he was reelected president with 95 percent of the vote last week, because oil belongs to the people not the government.For every barrel the company helped export outside Syria, it would receive $1, according to the production-sharing agreement and the companys application to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The company who took on this enterprise was established by the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James P. Cain, a retired Delta Force officer Jim Reese, and John Dorrier, a former oil executive, at least two of whom donated to Republican party candidates. These three private American citizens suddenly had a huge role to play in one of the U.S.s thorniest foreign policy challenges; how to set up a peaceful and prosperous Kurdish bulwark against Assad.This is the shift we didnt make in Iraq in 2003, a senior U.S. official said. We didnt backfill and if we dont get that right well get the same exact result. If we dont work the commercial and economic angle, were going to lose this battle.That is a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of these three men.The lofty ambitions of Delta Crescent came to an abrupt end as the Biden administration decided on Friday not to extend the license for Delta Crescents work in Syria. Delta Crescent, officials told me, was the de facto plan for the U.S. in Syria. Now its unclear whether there is a plan at allthe decision to revoke the companys license may give Russian oil and gas companies the chance to move in. So, what went wrong?On the GroundOn the road between Rmelan and the nearby city of Qamishli there are imperfect and patched together oil refineries scattered among villages. Plumes of smoke rise in all directions, curling skyward in the region of Syria that boasts three-quarters of the countrys oil reserves.There are black, damp puddles on the ground around us. Workers lean against motorcycles weighted by canisters containing the product direct from the refineries.Rmelan is a town dominated by oil and where Delta maintained offices and ten employees. There are new housing developments under construction which would house future oil workers near existing dormitories and offices on the outskirts of a series of oil fields operated by Delta Crescents local partner, the Jazeera Oil Company.The first time I spoke with the founders about their progress, in late-February, they had just smuggled oil samples out of Syria as testing capabilities were lacking in the country. I traveled to Rojava in early March to find out how much further they had got.The vision for Delta Crescent to help local partners become financially independent, and to wrest control of the countrys oil sector from Assad, was going to be a bellwether that would help our national security objectives, a former U.S. official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast. Maher Joumaa Howair, Ahmad Abu Mohamad, and an unidentified oil refinery worker. Kenneth R. Rosen During a windswept and cool day one week in March, a group of men were waiting at the refineries for the latest truckloads of crude, which came around two in the afternoon. They were making light repairs to engines and smoking cigarettes near the refineries through which they processed 22 tons each day. Asked about the growth of production rates over the last year, Maher Howair said there was no sign of improvement at all. It has been the same, he said. No fewer or more trucks have come through. No expansion or retraction of the local industry. Their thirty hours of work here each week still consistently yield each man $11 a month.Delta Crescent staff were clearly itching to get to the next step. They said they were on the verge of finalizing contracts with exporters and said the company was waiting for a license to import digital oil well monitors which would arrive in Rojava in mid-April.The founders hoped that trucks with local crude, exported through contracts they negotiated would soon cross into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. They had already planned celebrations in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, once the trucks started moving. Dorrier told the Associated Press that the company had secured about $2 billion in contracts to sell Rojava oil to international buyers, but regional oil industry executives told The Daily Beast that was unlikely.American officials had waged a public relations campaign to say U.S. forces were not there for the oil. But roughly 900 troops remain in Syria today to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, an irreversible political solution to the Syrian conflict... and the removal of all Iranian-supported forces, a State Department spokesperson told The Daily Beast. They also have directions to defend their position, which so happened to include the operations of Delta Crescent.A former senior U.S. military official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast that the U.S. actively trained a force within the SDF for the task of protecting the fields where Delta Crescent operated. The Critical Petroleum Infrastructure teamas it is known to U.S. military officialsis composed of 200 fighters from the SDF. They now conduct joint patrols with U.S. forces who visit oil facilities three to five times a week to assess  defenses, according to the latest report from the DoDs Lead Inspector General.This military support had led to reestablishing some confidence between the U.S. and the SDF after Trumps shock 2019 withdrawal which led to more than 100 deaths during a Turkish invasion. The support has also allowed the Kurds to edge toward financial self-sustainment and furthering its capabilities to defend its territory by providing additional security which gave rise to a political apparatus and a stronger internal military. But it has not helped to sever Rojavas reliance on the regime by introducing new revenue streams.Two of the Delta Crescent founders who spoke to The Daily Beast felt they were making progress, but said the U.S. Government had not backed them by pressuring regional leaders in neighboring countries to work with them.There was then, and continues to be, a robust trade in non-sanctioned oil across Syrias borders, but the people of the region have not been getting a fair market price for their oil, because it has not been legal, Cain said.Trump Announces New Syria Plan: Blood for OilThe illegal trade was still booming when I arrived and underscores how arms length U.S. support for Delta Crescent made the companys mission to advise and assist impossible. The State Department had high hopes to establish a low level free movement of goods and people, a former official told me, but failed to go all-in. There was also talk of helping with mobile oil refineries and equipment which has not materialized.Since January, when Delta Crescent tried and failed to open an additional border crossing between Iraq and Syria at the town of al-Yarubiyah, officials within the SDF and the Biden administration had begun hemorrhaging their faith in Delta Crescent. Meanwhile, the Assad regime had led a successful propaganda campaign to convince Syrians that Americans are there to steal the nations oil. Few in Syriaeven among American alliesbelieved the U.S. was there for anything resembling assistance or support or that it wont commit yet another betrayal.In mid-May, as the license extension neared its end, Reese grew concerned that the company would not be granted a renewal. He worried U.S. officials believed Delta Crescent was a Trump-era holdover and wanted it gone.As I drove through Rojava, I often passed trucks chugging west and bearing license plates for regime-held territory like Damascus and Aleppo. Delta was supposed to have opened routes in the opposite direction. It never happened and the fruits of production in this Kurdish enclave are continuing to nourish Assads regime.Who are Delta Crescent?Five years ago, one of the founders of Delta, Ambassador Cain, learned that his son-in-law had been caught up in a terror attack at Brussels Airport in Belgium. With information scarce, Cain jumped on a flight with his daughter, Cameron.To help his daughter find her husband, Cain turned to a network of contacts hed established as a career diplomat. He called Jim Reese when it emerged that ISIS had claimed responsibility for the five suicide bombers, who had targeted the airport and subway.At the time, Reese owned TigerSwan, a company contracted by the Department of Defense to clear landmines near the city of Raqqa. He sent some of his ex-military contractors to Belgium to help. They would soon learn that two of the attackers had survived during the three-way coordinated bombing and that Cains son-in-law, Alexander Pinczowski, had died instantly, along with 31 others between the days series of attacks.Cain stayed involved in the case, later testifying at the trial of the surviving attackers.A couple of years later, Cain and Reese reconvened at a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. They were there to discuss a new venture. Within monthsin December 2018the two men were in Rojava scouting for possible business opportunities in war ravaged northern Syria.They were in the country when Trump made the shock announcement that he was pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, which would leave Americas Kurdish allies to fend for themselves against both Assad and Turkish President Erdogan. Cain was so moved by the betrayal that he published an op-ed in the Washington Post encouraging Trump to reconsider.Reese now says he proposed the idea of an oil company to Commander Mazloum Abdi while at the SDF headquarters in Ain-Issa during their visit. He says it was all his idea.Whats in it for me, at the end of the day, is Im a servant leader. Thats what drives Jim Reese. I was put on this world to help people who need assistance, Reese told The Daily Beast. Whether thats overseas, whether thats in the U.S., whether thats someone getting pushed around on the playground. If I see someone and I can help them thats: If not me, who?Not everyone believes that Americas keep the oil strategy was all down to a flash of inspiration from one man.Lahur Talabany, the intelligence chief who first introduced U.S. officials to the SDF, told The Daily Beast that the protection of oil assets had long been in the works as the reason for U.S. forces staying in northeast Syria.Mazloum was talking about this with the State Department and they reached out to us way before that, Talabany told The Daily Beast during a meeting at his office in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. The DoD was also asking if we could help them with a refinery to refine the fuel right there so we could bring in some companies. This was a year before the announcement of a U.S. troop drawdown.The intelligence apparatus of Talabanywho is also co-leader of Iraqi Kurdistans second-largest political partyplayed a key role in the assassination of Qassim Soleimani via a drone stroke in January 2020, according to a recent report in Yahoo News.Talabany denied involvement but maintains close relations with U.S. interests.A Series of Impossible PositionsDelta Crescent now found itself in a crucible; caught between hostile foreign governments, a vengeful Syrian regime and corrupt local forces.Did the plan to use a tiny private oil company to bring stability to the region ever stand a chance?One thing is clear, no one in Syria ever believed the Americans had a cohesive long-term strategy. The uncertainty created a game of ambiguity between all sides, said a U.S. official briefed on matters in the country.That hesitancy was exploited by Iranian and Russian forces in the region which arent living in an ambiguous policy environment, the official told me. Moscow and Tehran have backed their assets in Syria to act decisively.In direct opposition to U.S. interests, Russia has worked to protect the oil market for the Syrian regime, according to people in Rojava who work in the oil sector. They did that by providing security and logistical support to Hussam al-Qaterji, "the godfather of the regimes oil and wheat trade with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)," according to a Treasury Department sanctions notice. The city of Qamishli. Kenneth R. Rosen The Daily Beast tracked down one of Qaterjis oil truck drivers.He said Qaterji wasnt his only employer and that he used two trucks (one for wheat, one for oil), which meant people other than Assad were profiting off the oil in Rojava. His routes were once between Qamishli and through Deir al-Zour to regime territory, but now he goes west from Rojava to other regime-controlled areas, signaling a move away from Russian and Iranian forces.Without a formal severing of trade between the northeast and the regime in Damascus, U.S. officials said, Rojava will be beholden to Assad, a war criminal who will keep them subjugated.But the SDF and Rojava couldnt rely on the U.S., either.The center of gravity has shifted from building a security zone to building an economy, a conflict monitor familiar with international projects in the region told me. Rojava still relies on regime engineers and its refining capabilities for diesel, and gas for cooking, a trade which does not include exchange of much-needed cash for Rojava.Asked if Delta Crescents objectives were ever possible, the monitor added, Its a series of impossible positions.Aside from anti-American forces such as Russia and Iran, potential allies also failed to help the long-shot oil plan.When Delta Crescent sought to broker a new arrangement between the neighboring Kurdish regions, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq refused to renegotiate its illegal trade with Rojava. Mansour Barzani, the brother of the Kurdish prime minister and the cousin of the regional president, was working to undermine the Delta Crescent operation, according to conversations which have not been previously reported.According to those familiar with the negotiations, near the end of 2020, the Lanaz refinery controlled by Barzani, increased its capabilities to refine more of the poor-quality oil from Rojava. It paid roughly $19 per barrel for the oil and folded it into its pipeline heading for Turkey. But Barzani wanted 70 percent of the income from the Rojava oil. The Delta founders balked.Millions and millions of dollars are being made on a daily basis on that border, a KRG official familiar with the meeting told The Daily Beast.The KRG has made a turn towards authoritarianism in recent years. In August 2019, around the time the State Department was seeking to aid the oil industry in Rojava, a lawsuit was filed in the Royal Courts of Justice in London against the KRG and its Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, alleging a campaign of harassment which delayed the authorization of operational licenses for a company based in Iraqi Kurdistan called Dynasty Petroleum.Dynasty said it had refused to pay the bribes solicited by KRG officials. Barzanis office and the Hawrami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.The CEO of Dynasty spoke to The Daily Beast on a balcony overlooking the metropolitan sprawl of Sulaymaniyah, a view hemmed by the Zagros mountains and the Iraqi border with Iran.The courtyard below was outfitted with a shack and a gate, manned by one man armed with a Kalashnikov. On the day of our meeting, Hiwa Qaramani was confidently awaiting news about the outcome of the lawsuit: there was precedent for a favorable outcome against the KRG.His frustrations lay not only with the regional government. Even though he believed the KRG had played a role in hampering Delta Crescent and other potential international investment in Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria, he felt he had been even more crippled by American fickleness.Were ready to go invest in electricity, in oil refinery, in telecom, in everything, Qaramani told me, but he said he needed to know that the U.S. would remain steadfast.He had believed that Delta Crescent would be able to usher in new capital investment and break the stranglehold over regional monopolies but all he had seen in reality was a massive disconnect between what Delta Crescent was aiming to do and what the U.S. continued to say publicly.From America, theres no clear statement about the future of this area, he said. Theres always a risk, but the risk is way too high.Did They Even Want U.S. Help?Talabanythe Kurdish intel chiefcan see the value of what Delta Crescent attempted. If the Americans hadnt stayed for the oil, he said, the U.S. would have lost everything.But his view is increasingly rare.Those close to the SDF leadership say Mazloum and his aides were cautioning themselves against relying on U.S. support broadly, and Delta Crescent directly, as they remain uncertain whether either can help them achieve further autonomy from the Assad regime.In private, interested parties have also expressed frustration that the U.S. would grant a sanctions exemption to an American company, but not to Rojava as a whole.U.S. officials argue in Washington, D.C., that Assad no longer has the moral authority to control Rojava, but his regime has reclaimed much of its lost territory in an ongoing campaign which continues to kill and maim thousands.Syrias borders are controlled by various countries and groups, but within the state of Syria, the population is largely now loyal to the regime, whether by choice or not. Even within the Kurdish enclave of Rojava, many expect the regimes return.How the Biden administration plans to position itself in Syria, and whether it might support another economic initiative like Delta Crescent, remains unclear.Shaaban Suleiman, from the village of Gundek Sayid, told The Daily Beast that he thought the current governing body of Rojava would help him when Assad was driven out, but they made things even worse, he said.The oil doesnt benefit the people. It does not matter who comes or who goes. Whoever feeds me is welcome here, he said, noting that much of their oil product was still being sent to regime-held areas despite what the Americans had in mind.Ahmad Saeed, 46, who repairs diesel heaters in nearby Qamishli, said further American involvement would do more harm than good.They will pump oil and steal it amid this famine. They will not work in the interest of the country, he said. Nobody understands them, the Americans. They have been here for years, what has changed? When the Americans go somewhere, they work for their own interests, not the peoples.He blamed ongoing sanctions for the countrys failed economy, gesturing to a crowd swarming the entrance to a U.N. World Food Programme handout.You Americans are chasing us, it is impossible for us to relax, he said. What benefit did the Iraqi people get from you except destruction? What benefit did the Yemeni people or any other nation in the world get from you?Saeed massaged his grease-stained hands.They are all invading our country, he said. The country should belong to its people.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
A member of An Garda Siochana trying to clear lunchtime street drinkers from the steps outside a Cork church was verbally abused as a dirty Dub by one of the men.

Garda Alan Hurson said gardai at Watercourse Road garda station had received numerous complaints about people drinking outside the Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool.

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of 37-year-old Gavin Miller of Peacock Row, North Monastery Road, Cork, for being threatening and abusive and being drunk and a danger to himself or others.

As part of his role in community policing in the area, Garda Hurson went to the area before lunchtime on Monday, December 7, 2020, and encountered 10 men drinking outside the church.

Garda Hurson asked them to move on and not to drink in public and gave them time to leave. He said he would come back in 20 minutes. When he returned a few of them were still there, including Gavin Miller.

Miller called the guard a dirty Dub and added: You are just a f***ing eejit. Members of the public were present at the time.

Friends of Gavin Miller tried to get him to leave but he would not go and had to be arrested.

The accused failed to show up in Cork District Court yesterday and was convicted in his absence after Judge Olann Kelleher heard the evidence. I convict. Garda Hurson gave him every opportunity, the judge said.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the accused had eight previous convictions for being drunk and a danger and seven for engaging in threatening behaviour.

J-Hope, SUGA, Jungkook, Jimin, RM, V, and Jin of the K-pop boy band BTS visit the "Today" Show at Rockefeller Plaza on February 21, 2020 in New York City. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

A German radio host compared the Korean pop-group BTS to COVID-19.

He did so while commenting on the group's recent cover of Coldplay's "Fix You."

Both the host and station Bayern 3 have issued apologies after fans called the remarks racist.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

German radio host Matthias Matuschik made compared Korean septet BTS to COVID-19 during a radio broadcast on Bavarian station Bayern 3 on Thursday, describing the group as "some crappy virus that hopefully there will be a vaccine for soon as well," the Associated Press reported. Following intense online pressure, both Matuschik and Bayern 3 published apologies online, saying that his remarks were "unacceptable," but that Matuschik did not intend for them to be racist.

During the show, Matuschik commented on BTS' recent cover of Coldplay's "Fix You" during an MTV Unplugged special, calling it "blasphemy," per the Associated Press. In the process, he compared the group to COVID-19. The comparison to echoed the racist discrimination and harassment that people of Asian descent have faced over the course of the pandemic, which has led to a recent surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Matuschik, per the Associated Press, said during the program that "you can't accuse me of xenophobia only because this boyband is from South Korea... I have a car from South Korea, I have the coolest car around." He also said that in return for the Coldplay cover, BTS "will be vacationing in North Korea for the next 20 years."

Fans of the group and others decried his comments online, trending the hashtags #Bayern3Racist, #RacismBayern3, #RassismusBeiBayern3 ("Racism at Bavaria 3") to bring attention to them and call for an apology.

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Initially, Bayern 3 published a statement saying that Matuschik had a tendency to "express his opinion clearly, openly and unvarnished" and that it is a "hallmark" of the program, saying that while his exaggerated wording "hurt the feelings of many BTS fans" it was not his intent.

Story continues

"This is his personal opinion, regardless of the origin and cultural background of the band," the initial statement read, saying that Matuschik was involved in refugee aid and stood against right-wing extremism.

People criticized the statement online, with some using the hashtag #RacismIsNotAnOpinion and saying that the apology put the onus on fans rather than on Matuschik's comments themselves.

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Later, Matuschik and Bayern 3 both issued further apologies online, publishing statements in both German and English on the Bayern 3 website.

"I have given this a lot of thought over the past few hours and understand and accept that my words racially offended many of you, especially the Asian community. That was never my intention, but I realize that, in the end, what matters is only how words are perceived - not how they were intended," Matuschik said in the statement.

Bayern 3 said in its second statement that it was working through the issue with both Matuschik and the team in order to prevent similar events in the future."Bayern 3 also expressly and resolutely distances itself from any form of racism, exclusion, and discrimination," the statement reads.

BTS is comprised of seven members - RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook - who debuted under South Korean company Big Hit Entertainment in 2013. Since then, they've become one of the most successful musical acts worldwide.

This is not the first time that they have been subject to racist and xenophobic media commentary. In 2019, Australian television station Nine Network apologized following racist comments made about the band during a pop-culture broadcast. In early 2020, Howard Stern called out comments from "The Howard Stern Show" staff member Salvatore "Sal" Governale, who claimed that the members of BTS were carrying the coronavirus.

Criticism of Matuschik's comments, and Bayern 3's response, continue to unfold online in the wake of apologies many have found dissatisfying. In a recent op-ed for Teen Vogue, writer Jae-Ha Kim wrote that his words played into an "epidemic of hatred towards Asians, fueled by public figures like Matuschik, who almost always claim that they didn't mean it."

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More than 80 cases of the home-grown COVID-19 variant have been identified in patients across the tri-state area, including Connecticut and Westchester County.

The researchers also searched publicly available databases and found COVID-19 cases caused by B.1.526 and closely related strains are emerging predominantly in the northeastern United States, as suggested by other researchers in a study recently posted to bioRxiv."It's not just one cluster, which means the lineage is probably spreading widely through the region," says Anne-Catrin Uhlemann, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, who led the study with David Ho, MD, director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and the Clyde '56 and Helen Wu Professor of Medicine.The researchers started to look for key mutations found in variants of concern in the New York City region in January and have analyzed over 1,100 samples. "Initially, we thought we'd find a lot of the other known lineages," Uhlemann says. Though a couple variants, originally identified in South Africa and Brazil, were detected, "we didn't find the high numbers we expected. Instead we found high numbers of this home-grown lineage," she says.Similarities with other variants of concernThe impact of the new B.1.526 variant on transmissibility, disease severity, and risk of reinfection is not yet known.But the Columbia study shows that B.1.526 shares some worrying characteristics with B.1.351, a variant first identified in South Africa, and P.1., first identified in Brazil, that are less susceptible to some treatments and vaccines.Of prime concern is a change in one area of the virus's spike protein, called E484K, that is present in all three variants. The E484K mutation is believed to weaken the body's immune response to the virus.A recent study by Ho found antibodies from vaccinated people are less effective at neutralizing the B.1.351 virusand that the effect is primarily caused by the E484K mutation.The E484K mutation is also responsible, he found, for the drop in effectiveness of certain monoclonal antibody treatments against the B.1.351 variant.Variants with the E484K mutation may also cause reinfection in people who were infected previously with earlier variants of the virus. In the current report, one of the individuals infected with the new B.1.526 variant had a previously documented SARS-CoV-2 infection without the E484K mutation, and the researchers are currently working to determine the potential origins of this local lineage.What's next?In the coming weeks, the scientists plan to ramp up sequencing efforts to around 100 samples per day to continue surveillance of the new variants, including B.1.526."We are also finding many cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, originally identified in the U.K, and it's possible those cases will doublebut it's hard to know which variant will cause the biggest problem," Uhlemann says. "Increasing our genomic sequencing effort will help us better understand the impact of the new variant and keep our eyes open for new variants that may pop up in our area."The researchers also are working to culture the live variant to learn more about its vulnerability to vaccines and monoclonal antibody treatments, and its potential for reinfection."The rise of these variants shows that we may be chasing after SARS-CoV-2 for some time," Ho says. "Unfortunately, this pandemic may not go away so easily with the advent of the vaccines.""It's worrying that in the New York City region, case numbers don't seem to be declining as rapidly as in other areas of the country," Uhlemann says, "Physical distancing and masks will slow the spread of all variants, and we need to double down on those efforts."Source: Newswise


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By Julie Zhu and Yilei Sun HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Huawei plans to make electric vehicles under its own brand and could launch some models this year, four sources said, as the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker, battered by U.S. sanctions, explores a strategic shift. Huawei Technologies Co Ltd is in talks with state-owned Changan Automobile and other automakers to use their car plants to make its electric vehicles (EVs), according to two of the people familiar with the matter. Huawei is also in discussions with Beijing-backed BAIC ...
A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Prices of dwellings in housing companies 2021, April

Published: 26 February 2021

Favourable pace of dwelling transactions continued in January

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, prices of old dwellings in housing companies rose by 2.7 per cent in Greater Helsinki in January compared to the previous year. In the rest of the country prices fell by 0.6 per cent. Compared to December, prices went down by 1.5 per cent in Greater Helsinki and by 2.1 per cent in the rest of the country. In January, the number of transactions of old dwellings in housing companies made through real estate agents increased by seven per cent compared to one year ago.

Development of prices of old dwellings in housing companies by month 20152021M01, index 2015=100

Compared with the corresponding period of the year before, prices of old dwellings in housing companies rose in Southern Finland and fell in other major regions.

Development of prices of old dwellings in housing companies by month in major regions 20152021M01, index 2015=100

According to preliminary data, prices fell from January 2020 in Oulu and rose in other large towns. Year-on-year changes in prices of dwellings were more moderate in January than in the previous months in Helsinki, Espoo and Tampere. Compared with December, prices rose in Vantaa and fell in other large towns.

Development of prices of old dwellings in housing companies by month in large cities in 2015 to 2021M01, index 2015=100

Prices per square metre of old dwellings in housing companies, January 2021 1)

Area Price, EUR/m Index 2015=100 Monthly change, % Yearly change, % Whole country 2,173 103.6 -1.8 1.0 Greater Helsinki 3,907 114.6 -1.5 2.7 Rest of the country (whole country - Greater Helsinki) 1,667 94.0 -2.1 -0.6 Satellite municipalities 2) 2,214 96.3 -3.1 -2.3 Helsinki 4,563 119.4 -2.1 3.3 Espoo-Kauniainen 3,624 107.5 -1.7 0.5 Vantaa 2,708 106.1 1.5 3.7 Tampere 2,543 108.8 -4.8 1.8 Turku 2,277 118.3 -0.9 7.4 Oulu 1,710 97.5 -3.8 -2.9

1) Preliminary data2) Satellite municipalities = Hyvinkaa, Jarvenpaa, Kerava, Kirkkonummi, Nurmijarvi, Riihimaki, Sipoo, Tuusula and Vihti

The statistics on the prices of old dwellings in housing companies are based on the Tax Administration's data on dwellings (data on ownership of dwellings in housing companies). The numbers published from data on dwellings should not be used to assess the activeness of transactions in the latest periods. Due to the change in data, the numbers calculated from the Tax Administration's data on dwellings are not comparable with periods periods starting from the last quarter of 2019.

When the monthly statistics on prices of old dwellings in housing companies are published for the first time, they cover approximately 70 per cent of all transactions made in the latest statistical reference month. The monthly data become revised during the following months so that the final data for the year are published in the release concerning the first quarter of the following year. Further information about data revisions can be found in separate tables.

The numbers of old dwellings in housing companies sold through real estate agents are based on the data from the price monitoring service of the Central Federation of Finnish Real Estate Agencies. As a rule, these data do not become revised retrospectively.

Data on prices of dwellings in housing companies in different areas and by house type are available at stat.fi/til/ashi/tau_en.html. The tables also contain data on the prices per square metre at the municipal and postal code levels and on the numbers of transactions. If only a few transactions are known in the area, a couple of deviating cases may significantly affect the average price for an area and the price index. Instead of individual monthly and annual changes, the development of prices should be examined over a longer time period and not only for a particular point in time.

Source: Prices of dwellings in housing companies, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Petri Kettunen 029 551 3558, Elina Vuorio 029 551 3385, asuminen.hinnat@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

Publication in pdf-format (364.6 kB)

Updated 26.2.2021

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Prices of dwellings in housing companies [e-publication].

ISSN=2323-8801. January 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 1.6.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ashi/2021/01/ashi_2021_01_2021-02-26_tie_001_en.html
SOUTHLAKE, Texas and SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagship Aviation Services, a leading provider of airport services, is now headed to Denver International Airport (DEN). Flagship currently provides services for seven of the top ranked airports on the 2020 JD Power North America Airport Satisfaction StudySM.

Through a competitive process, Flagship was selected as the new janitorial contractor for DEN and will begin service on March 1, 2021. Flagship shares DEN's top priority of the safety and wellbeing of passengers and employees.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has changed passenger perceptions of air travel, the airport services landscape, and facilities services all over the world," said Don Toole, Senior VP of Sales. "Our PUREClean method allows DEN to flex their airport facility's scope of work (SOW) to meet COVID's ongoing challenges while also building trust with passengers."

Flagship is experienced at going above and beyond to enhance the passenger experience and keep employees safe. This includes delivering a healthy space for employees and passengers while safely navigating change and building passenger confidence with enhanced cleaning and disinfection.

Flagship will also install and monitor innovative technologies throughout DEN. With the help of their partner, TRAX Analytics, LLC, Flagship will implement digital solutions that help create a consistent experience and build passenger trust. This includes smart restroom technology and a robust inspection platform to provide better cleaning responses and the ability to reallocate resources quickly.

Starting in March, Flagship will begin their advanced training program, complete with social distancing, masks, sanitizer and all other necessary PPE. The Flagship frontline staff are trained to be Airport Ambassadors always in uniform, carrying their Airport ID and helping passengers feel safe and navigate through the airport.

"Effective virus protection has become essential at airports and within the aviation industry," said Kevin Barton, VP of Operations at Flagship, "Flagship Airport Ambassadors provide a clean, comfortable environment and present a responsive and positive outlook."

At DEN, Flagship will be implementing the PUREClean method, a four-step approach to protecting facilities now and well into the future. Flagship's comprehensive facilities services builds trust from the moment you enter the airport. Employees feel safe and passengers feel assured when they see consistent disinfection delivered by experienced and helpful Airport Ambassadors.

There are so many layers and players within the aviation platform, it helps partnering with an innovative and passenger-service focused company like Flagship.

Additional information on Flagship Aviation Services is available at www.flagshipinc.com/industries/aviation/.

Flagship Aviation Services is a subset of Flagship Facility Services.

Flagship revolutionized commercial cleaning services by emphasizing the importance of putting customers first. Flagship's reputation for high-quality janitorial services spread quickly. As Flagship's client portfolio grew, so too did their services portfolio. With operations in Culinary Services, Facility Services and Aviation Services, Flagship has over 5,000 employees dedicated to creating the best facility experience for customers. Flagship offers Integrated Facilities Management and combinations of facilities services, including janitorial, engineering, culinary and maintenance services, for large-scale companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. Why do some of the biggest names in aviation, high-tech and manufacturing work with Flagship? Find out at www.flagshipinc.com.

Media Contact:

Don Toole

(972) 574-9702 x325

[email protected]

SOURCE Flagship Facility Services

Related Links

http://www.flagshipinc.com


Eight decades of marriage for Boca Raton, Florida, Jewish couple Lou and Edith Bluefeld includes many years working on a successful family kosher catering business.

Through Bluefeld Caterers  The Orchid Touch, the family was responsible for koshering the White House kitchen during the announcement of the Camp David Accords in the late 1970s under President Jimmy Carter. They also catered President Richard Nixons inaugural ball and events for members of Congress.

While the Bluefelds celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on Feb. 23, this is also the year they both turn 100. Lou marked his centennial birthday on Jan. 9 , and Edith will for hers on Aug. 4.

Lou Bluefeld said the most important thing right now for the couple is that theyre both healthy.

Thats the big thing, he said. You need enough money to exist, but after that, it means nothing. The health is everything.

The couple met in Baltimore when they were 16. At 19, Lous mother asked him what his intentions were. He told his mother he didnt have the money to get married and she told him not to worry about it.

My mother was the one who really made the wedding arrangements, Lou Bluefeld said.

Shortly after the wedding on Feb. 23, 1941, Lou Bluefelds mother sadly died at the age of 51 in August of that year. Two years after the wedding, he went off to serve in World War II. Edith wrote to her husband every day of the three years he was in the military. After his service, the couple went on to have two children, a son and a daughter, and the family kosher catering business flourished.

Lou Bluefelds mother started the catering business in Baltimore in 1937, and he worked in the business all the time as a teen. He told Edith that if she wanted to see him, she would have to come work beside him in the business, so she did. She began as Lous secretary.

Many non-Jewish socialites in Baltimore used the catering business for their affairs, even though the food was kosher.

Story continues

That was a unique time, Lou Bluefeld said. Even though it was a kosher operation, we did any fine Italian wedding and any fine Greek wedding.

Lou Bluefeld continued, Good food is good food, but the idea was ours was not just food; it was also an event.

Food is a very important part of a wedding, but its only one part, he said. The music is also very important. The flowers are important. The clothes, the gowns are also important.

Lou Bluefeld added, We spent a lot of our time making the whole party, not just the catering, because we realized very early in our career that if the music was bad, it was an awful affair.

We were insistent on the music being done property, with music being played at the right time.

If people were eating dinner, we made sure the music was more or less background noise, he said. All the little things that no one ever though about, we made sure to think about.

Lou Bluefeld noted, Toward the end of our career, almost 50 percent of our operation was non-Jewish work, but it was all kosher.

The family sold the business in 1984. Edith Bluefeld commented about both her marriage to her husband and working alongside him.

It was a very enjoyable business, and I loved it, she said. Today, were both healthy. Weve had a beautiful life.

Since 1985, the Bluefelds have lived at Boca West Country Club. A lot of the couples friends in the community in which they live are people whose bar mitzvahs and weddings they catered. The couple have also been active volunteers there over the years.

Jack and Marilyn Pechter, longtime friends of the couple who also live in Boca West, hosted an anniversary dinner for the Bluefelds. Due to COVID-19, the celebrated was limited to 11 people.

Lou and Edith are a fabulous couple, said Matthew Linderman, president and COO of Boca West Country Club, in a news release. Whenever one sees them they have a gleam in their eye like they are on their honeymoon.

Lou Bluefeld said that throughout the marriage, the couple has never went to sleep angry with each other.

We certainly had our arguments like everyone else, but we never went to bed angry, he continued.

Lobsterman Catches Ultra-Rare Yellow Lobster, Dubbed Banana, Deemed 1 in 30 Million Catch

An extraordinary ocean discovery has spurred scientific inquiry after a lobsterman caught a yellow-hued lobster with a genetic mutation so rare, it only affects 1 in every 30 million lobsters.

Upon catching the rare crustacean, lobsterman Marley Babb donated it to the University of New Englands Marine Science Center in Biddeford.

The lobster was affectionately named Banana, after its striking coloration.

A rare yellow lobster has been caught off the coast of Maine and has been lovingly named Banana. (Courtesy of University of New England)

After working Wednesday, Marley insisted on driving Banana all the way down from Tenants Harbor to drop her off, Lindsay Forette, lab coordinator and chemical hygiene officer at the marine center, said in a statement on Feb. 5.

Researchers, including Forette and professor of Marine Sciences Markus Frederich, are now studying the specimen.

UNE has cultivated strong connections with lobstermen and Maine DMR, said Charles Tilburg, director of the School of Marine and Environmental Programs. It was through those connections that Markus learned about Banana and Lindsay was able to coordinate with Marley from there.

Researchers at UNE are studying the lobster to determine the reasons for its yellow shell. (Courtesy of University of New England)

Daily Mail reports that the yellow shell color is caused by a genetic condition called leucism, which causes an alteration in shell pigmentation. Leucistic lobsters are also called crystal lobsters, which can exhibit a wide array of shell color varieties, including patchy, pale yellow, or even white shells.

Now, in conjunction with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Hood College in Maryland, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources, scientists are studying the 1.5-pound (approx. 680-gram) lobster, as well as the reasons behind its fascinating yellow hue.

Banana will likely remain in captivity, as researchers say the yellow shell color makes it more vulnerable to predators.

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LONDON (Reuters) - British finance minister Rishi Sunak should use next week's budget statement to help boost the car industry's competitiveness, a trade industry body said on Friday, as production tumbled to its lowest January level since 2009.

Sunak is due to detail how he will further support the economy amid COVID-19 restrictions on March 3.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the furlough scheme that protects jobs should be extended, more support for training was needed and manufacturing investment should be encouraged through reform of the business rates tax.

"Next week's budget is the chancellor's (finance minister) opportunity to boost the industry by introducing measures that will support competitiveness, jobs and livelihoods," SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said.

"We need to secure our medium to long-term future by creating the conditions that will attract battery gigafactory investment and transform the supply chain."

Output in January fell by 27% year-on-year to 86,052 vehicles, hit by factors including dealership closures during a latest COVID-19 lockdown, international supply chain problems and the change in trading terms with the European Union.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by William Schomberg)

(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.)
Grace finally ousts Emily as the top name for baby girls in 2020, while Jack remains the number one name for baby boys.

Since 2017, Jack has been the top name for boys, with 597 children named as such last year. Grace on the other hand moved up from second place in 2019 to first in 2020, with 410 girls born with that name last year.

The boy names have remained pretty consistent, with James and Noah in second and third place respectively, the same as 2019. Daniel and Conor followed directly after, although in 2020 Daniel overtook Conor for the fourth spot.

There are some new additions in the top ten though, with more parents naming their boys Finn, Fionn and Harry.

Commenting on the top baby girl names for 2020, CSO statistician Carol Anne Hennessy said: Grace claims the top spot for girls for the first time, followed by Fiadh, Emily, Sophie and Ava.

Emily held top position for the girls for nine consecutive years (since 2011) until 2020 when it earned the bronze medal spot behind Grace and Fiadh.

Looking back in time, in 1970 John, Michael, Patrick, David and James were the names most favoured by parents of new-born baby boys. There were 193 male newborns named John in 2020, just over 7.3pc of the number of boys given the name John (2,629) in 1970.

Conversely, not one of the top five names for girls in 2020 appeared in the top 100 names a half century earlier. Mary, Catherine, Margaret, Ann and Sharon were the most popular names for baby daughters in 1970, with 1,896 baby girls named Mary in that year.

This year Ava also reclaimed its position in the top five names for girls in 2020, (coming in at number five) for the first time since 2016, when it was the third most popular name chosen for baby girls.

Discussing the statistics further, Ms Hennessy said: As is evident from the tables, over the years, girls are given a wider variety of names than boys with 4,624 girls names registered compared to 3,715 boys names.

Sonny was the only new entrant into the top 100 for boys in 2020, she said. The boys names with most growth in popularity in terms of rank between 2019 and 2020 were Rian rising most in popularity, jumping 33 places from 119th place to 86th place. Similarly, Eoghan moved 29 places from 108th place in 2019 to 79th in 2020. 

There were seven new entrants to the top 100 for girls: Penny, Luna, Cora, Fiadh (with a sineadh fada), Croia, Elsie and Paige. Croia has grown most in popularity, rising from 162nd place in 2019 to 95th in 2020, a jump of 67 places. Cora jumped in popularity from 127th place in 2019 to 90th place in 2020, a rise in 37 places.

Some less popular names for boys included Orion, Creed, Romeo, Klay and Seadna, while less popular girls names included Zaria, Vienna, Fodhla, Marlee and Roxie.

Its possible that there may have been some newborns whose names were influenced by the hit show Normal People. Due to confidentiality reasons, the CSO only includes names with three or more instances in the relevant year.

As such, for the last five years there have been no inclusions of the name Connell, but it was present in 2020, ranked 496th with six boys getting the name.

Similarly, there were six girls named Marianne in 2020, ranking it 544th. Although it wasnt included in 2019, statistics from 2018 actually put it higher at 474th place with 8 baby girls receiving the name.

Top 50 Boys Names

Jack James Noah Daniel Conor Finn Liam Fionn Harry Charlie Cillian Adam Darragh Luke Rian Oisin Michael Tadhg Thomas Sean Alex Patrick Jamie Cian Oliver John Bobby Dylan Leo Ryan Oscar Ben David Theo Mason Tommy Jacob Callum Matthew Alexander Alfie Max Tom Ollie Aaron Jake Ethan Donnacha Evan Benjamin

Top 50 Girls Names

By Jennifer Hiller and Gary McWilliams

(Reuters) - state lawmakers on Thursday dug into the causes and cast blame for deadly power blackouts that left millions shivering in the dark as frigid temperatures caught its grid operator and utilities ill-prepared for skyrocketing power demand.

Dual hearings in the state House and Senate are highlighting shortcomings by grid planners, electric utilities, natural gas suppliers, renewable energy and transmission operators that led to billions of dollars in damages and dozens of deaths.

Several power generators pointed an unstable electric grid forcing plants offline and the natural gas system failing to deliver supplies. One thing everyone agreed on: No one warned Texans that blackouts would last days, not hours.

"Who's at fault?" State Representative Todd Hunter demanded of utility executives. "I want to hear who's at fault. I want the public to know who screwed up."

"The entire energy sector failed Texas," said NRG Energy Inc Chief Executive Mauricio Gutierrez.

While executives pointed to broad failures, the biggest was the state's natural gas system, responsible for the largest share of power generation, said Curtis Morgan, CEO of Vistra Corp. is the country's biggest producer of natural gas, but without better ties between gas producers, pipelines and power plants, the state will face future cold weather outages.

"We just couldn't get the gas at the pressures we needed," said Morgan, who instructed employees to buy gas at any price but could not acquire enough to run plants.

The Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area was minutes from going offline, Morgan said.

"My faith has been shaken" in the state's power market, Morgan said. "It didn't work in this situation and in a big way."

At one point, 40% of its gas suppliers had cut it off despite firm purchase agreements, said Calpine CEO Thad Hill, which has a dozen natural gas plants in Texas.

Up to 48% of the state's power generation was offline at times last week and at least 32 people died, including an 11-year-old boy of hypothermia in an unheated mobile home.

"The impact of this disaster was not only financial," said State Representative Ana Hernandez, noting that some still cannot access food and water.

Utilities were ordered to cut power to prevent a larger catastrophe, Bill Magness, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's grid operator, said.

Six of ERCOT's 15 directors resigned this week and a nominee withdrew.

ERCOT did not warn residents that the state's power generation would not keep up with demand despite warnings the week prior from utilities, Morgan said.

"We did not give people a fighting chance," Morgan said.

Power providers, in turn, also did not warn customers that blackouts would last for days, Representative Eddie Lucio said.

"We could have spoken plainly with Texans and we didn't," Lucio said.

Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday said public anger was justified and blamed ERCOT, saying it should have acted faster to prevent generators from falling offline.

But Abbott "hand picks" members of the Public Utilities Commission that oversees ERCOT, Representative Rafael Anchia said.

RETAIL DEFAULTS AHEAD

Of the about 100 retail electric providers in Texas, a quarter are at risk of default on multimillion-dollar service charges levied by ERCOT. Some may sell customers to larger firms to cover costs, stifling retail competition, said Mark Foster, an attorney and former special counsel to the state's Public Utility Commission.

"They call it the blood week," Foster said. One of his clients, electricity marketer Young Energy LLC, faces a $19 million bill for services that cost $37,000 the prior month, he said. "There will be a significant decrease in competition for the consumer," he said.

Texas weekly power costs jumped to $50 billion from $5 billion because of higher electric and gas prices, even though more than 4 million people lost power, said Senator Nathan Johnson.

He asked where the money went.

ERCOT CEO Magness said he could not readily answer the question.

The "big missing money" is not at utilities, who paid historically high prices for natural gas on the open market when fixed supplies did not arrive, said Morgan.

"The gas business made a lot of money."

(Reporting by Jennifer Hiller and Gary McWilliams; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Lisa Shumaker)

(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.)
Among those continuing to push for her confirmation is Mr. Klain, who said on MSNBC Wednesday evening that the administration was fighting for Ms. Tanden and that she would get a White House job even if her nomination failed. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, told reporters on Thursday that the president nominated Neera Tanden because she is qualified, because she is experienced, because she has a record of working with people who agree and disagree with her.

Were continuing to fight for her confirmation, she said.

Mr. Biden raised eyebrows in some policy circles when he nominated Ms. Tanden last year, while two Senate seats in Georgia  and Senate control  were still undecided. Once Democrats won those elections, many in the administration saw Ms. Tanden as a strong pick to serve as budget director, both because of her wide experience in a range of policy areas and because of her personal story of being raised by an immigrant single mother who relied on food stamps and other government support at times in Ms. Tandens childhood.

Mr. Klain had pushed hard for the selection of Ms. Tanden, a longtime friend, even while some other aides worried that picking her would create a distraction and require the White House to expend political capital best used to pass the $1.9 trillion economic aid package that is Mr. Bidens first major legislative push.

White House officials believed the back-of-the-envelope math looked good for Ms. Tandens confirmation, even accounting for the concerns about her being seen as partisan and belligerent in social media posts  thousands of which she deleted after Mr. Bidens victory in November.

The White House did not have any promised Republican votes, but officials were hearing encouraging rumblings. Senator Mitt Romney of Utah had told mutual contacts he was inclined to give the president his pick, according to two people involved in the process.

Democrats close to the administration said Ms. Tanden had been expecting a level of Republican support similar to Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, who was confirmed with six Republicans joining all 50 Democrats in backing him. She won an endorsement this month from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a powerful business group.

But by Thursday afternoon, the fight to confirm Ms. Tanden had come down to whether Mr. Bidens team could scrounge up a single Republican to support her nomination. After Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, said he would not vote to confirm Ms. Tanden, only one option was left on the table: Ms. Murkowski. Even Mr. Romney said he could not support a nominee who has issued a thousand mean tweets.
Construction firm John Sisk & Son has underpinned its sustainability commitments with the appointment of Sinead Hickey as head of sustainability for Ireland and Europe.

Sinead previously held a global sustainability position at US medical devices and healthcare company Abbott. Her experience includes work on sustainability strategy development, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) assessments and social impact programmes.
Conservative Party MP Graham Brady, chair of the Conservative 1922 Committee of backbench MPs, leaves Downing Street in central London on March 11, 2019. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images)

CCP Virus Lockdown Interferes With Fundamental Human Rights: UK Conservative

The lockdown measures adopted to contain the CCP virus have interfered with fundamental human rights, a senior British Conservative politician told NTD.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs, welcomed the UK governments plan to take the country out of the ongoing national lockdown, calling it a step forward.

But he said the pace of the planned exit is slower than many of us would have liked and slower than the data would suggest is possible.

A commuter wears a face mask as he sits in a bus shelter with NHS signage promoting Stay Home, Save Lives in Chinatown, central London, on Jan. 8, 2021. (Tolga Akmen /AFP via Getty Images)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Feb. 22 set out his roadmap out of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus lockdown, which includes four stages with five weeks in between.

Under the government plan, COVID-19 restrictions on social contact will not be completely removed until June 21 at the earliest.

Brady said there is some frustration among Tory MPs, who would like to see more progress, more freedom given back to our constituents.

My most fundamental concern about the lockdown approach is that it has interfered with really fundamental human rights, he said, citing as an example rules which effectively prevent people from seeing their children or their grandchildren if they belong to another household.

Police officers arrest a protester during an anti-CCP virus lockdown demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London on Jan. 6, 2021. (Tolga Akmen / AFP via Getty Images)

These are intimate details of peoples family and private lives, he said, its not for government to get involved in that.

We ought to make sure that there is a constant vigilance that freedom is presumed to belong to the citizen, unless theres a compelling case for restricting it, he said.

Brady suggested that the actual data supports a faster pace of easing, because weve got both a rapidly falling level of COVID infection, and following on from that, rapid falls in hospital admissions and in deaths from COVID.

The case for a quicker exit from lockdown was further boosted by the great success of the rapid vaccine rollout, he said, which should reduce the risk of mortality from COVID by about 90 percent.

In an article published on Feb. 22, hours after the official roadmap out of lockdown was published, Brady wrote that the British government should never again be allowed to impose similar restrictions on civil rights.

Writing in The Telegraph, he said: Our freedoms have been taken away and they should be restored as quickly as can safely be done.

This massive lurch towards state power must be reversed and it must never happen again.

Reporting by Jane Werrell of NTD.
While the word apocalyptic has been widely used to describe the Covid pandemic, the etymology of the Greek word apokalypsis , Rachel Clarke points out, means not a catastrophe but an unveiling, a revelation. Working on the frontline as an NHS doctor, the revelations Clarke witnessed were of human decency, grief, confusion, fear and dedication. This beautifully written, propulsive snapshot of the turmoil of the first four months of 2020 shows how the British healthcare system rose to the demands of the moment even as the government dithered and then acted too late. It ends with an epilogue in August, when the worst seemed to be over and life had gone back to normal. But with the benefit of hindsight, we know that the worst is yet to come and that catastrophe may, in fact, be the right word.

Lets get over ourselves, its structural not personal, Claudia Rankine longs to shout at everyone, including herself. She is the only black person at a dinner party. When conversation about race gets too intense, someone changes the subject because it is making the white guests feel uncomfortable. This is one of many telling stories Rankine recounts in these bracing personal essays that give the reader a small taste of what white privilege and white fragility looks like from her point of view. From her ruminations on the tensions in her mixed marriage to faultiness in her friendships with whites, what this sorrowful and unsettling book brings home is the inescapableness of white supremacy in America and how it saturates in every aspect of life, even ones most intimate moments.

In My Past Life I was Cleopatra by Amal Awad

In My Past Life I was Cleopatra

Amal Awad, Murdoch Books, $32.99

Amal Awad describes herself as sceptical believer, a seeker with an open yet critical mind when it comes to all things New Age. In this playful, magical mystery tour through the marketplace of contemporary New Age practices and beliefs, she samples what is on offer from psychics, witches and purveyors of crystals to dragon guardians and Vedic meditation teachers. Although she is wary of the way New Age industries commodify the ineffable and exploit spiritual yearning, she wants to challenge the idea that all spiritual pursuit is hokum. While there is much in this smorgasbord that wont be to the average sceptics taste, there is substance amongst the froth. Awad argues that you choose your bliss depending on where you fall the woo woo scale, from woo-less to Out of this Woo-ld.
A group of Clark County organizations have written to local authorities condemning the killing of Jenoah Donald, an unarmed Black man fatally shot earlier this month by a deputy, and calling for a state and federal investigation of the Clark County Sheriffs Office.

Donald, 30, died Feb. 12 at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center after being on life support for several days. He had been shot in the head once, said Mark Lindquist, a lawyer for Donalds family.

The letter was signed by 13 groups, including the Vancouver branch of the NAACP and the family of Carlos Hunter, a 43-year-old Vancouver resident who was fatally shot by police during a drug trafficking investigation in 2019.

It calls for the Washington State Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the sheriffs offices pattern of disparate policing and deadly force.

Deputies stopped Donald, a Clark County resident, on Feb. 4 over a faulty tail light after they responded to a report of a suspected drug house and two cars circling the area in Hazel Dell, an unincorporated area of the county just north of west Vancouver.

Investigators said Deputy Sean Boyle fired twice when he and another deputy struggled to get Donald out of his Mercedes. Donald pulled Boyle into the car by grabbing his ballistics vest and turned on the car, according to the Vancouver Police Department, which is leading the investigation of the shooting.

Donalds death marks the sheriffs offices second killing of a Black man in less than four months and at least the third killing of a Black man by local law enforcement in less than two years, according to the letter.

The letter demands full investigations of the killings of Donald and Kevin Peterson  a Black man killed by Clark County deputies during an undercover drug sting in October  that are compliant with a Washington state law that requires independent investigations into the use of deadly force.

The investigation for Petersons case, led by the Southwest Washington Independent Investigation Response Team, has concluded and is being reviewed by the Pierce County Prosecutors Office to determine whether criminal charges will be issued.

The letter also calls for the criminal prosecution of those found guilty in connection to the killings and the immediate use of body and dashboard cameras for Clark County sheriffs deputies, which are not used by more than 60% of Washingtons law enforcement agencies.

-- Jaimie Ding

jding@oregonian.com; 503-221-4395; @j_dingdingding
JIM SILLARS is the former deputy leader of the Scottish National Party

Is the cause of independence damaged by what started out as the Salmond-Sturgeon clash?

Has it now become the cause of grave concern that two of our most important institutions, our parliament and the Government drawn from it, and the Crown Office, now lie under a dark cloud of suspicion of political corruption?

There can be no other answer but yes.

The SNP became the chosen instrument by many to take Scotland to independence, and as such gathered membership and parliamentary strength in recent years.

Fairly or not, the trust people put on the idea of independence is linked to their trust in the SNP.

Where trust was heavily invested was in its commitment to the ethical standards essential for a democracy to survive: honesty by those who have the power to be dishonest, restraint in the use of power by those in a position to abuse it, adhering to the codes of justice by those with the power to ignore them.

Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond at the SNP annual conference in Perth in November 2014

The principles that make democracy different from a one-party state.

The SNP I joined had those standards. Gordon Wilson, the then leader, was a man of rectitude. It could be argued that he, and those like me, in the days when the SNP mustered only three or four MPs, were never put to the test that comes with a large parliamentary party, holding the reins of government.

But I doubt if we would have failed to honour those standards.

The importance we place upon them is the reason why, shocked by a leadership that dispenses with them, 'old' members are resigning in droves.

Power is an elixir, and those who imbibe it need to keep the ethics and principles of democratic conduct always in mind, to prevent the adage of power corrupting becoming a reality and, inevitably, their downfall.

The SNP today is a disgrace. Bit by bit, the public and those who invested trust in it as the head of a great movement that would take us to independence, are seeing the truth revealed.

We have seen willing, in my view, to ruin a man's reputation by a leak to a newspaper; followed later by the most senior civil servant in the country declaring they had not lost 'the war' after a judicial review concluded the Government's handling of harassment claims against Mr Salmond were 'tainted by apparent bias'.

We have seen the chief executive of the governing party, the husband of the First Minister, appearing to support a police probe into Mr Salmond.

And we have also seen Mr Salmond's written evidence heavily redacted by the Crown Office.

Those of us who have a long, and I would claim honourable, record in fighting the cause of independence, and say that in all conscience we cannot vote for the SNP in May, are being called all sorts of names.

But the deplorable state the SNP is in is all the doing of the leadership. It is their egregious actions that have brought the party to the point that I and others cannot even contemplate holding our nose and voting for them.

This is a crisis for the independence movement caused by Sturgeon, Murrell and others in the top tiers of the party and government. There will be a cost in May.

But a cause that is damaged can be repaired. Independence is a noble cause. It has its roots deep in Scotland's history, and it is fuelled by political and economic forces that will bring it to success. Success later than hoped for, but it will come.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Albemarle Corp. (ALB), Thursday said it has agreed to sell its Fine Chemistry Services business to W.R. Grace & Co. for about $570 million. The transaction price consisting of $300 million in cash and the issuance to Albemarle of preferred equity of a W.R. Grace & Co. subsidiary having a value of $270 million. As part of the transaction, Grace will acquire Albemarle's operations in Tyrone, Pa., and South Haven, Mich. Albemarle's CEO Kent Masters said, 'This transaction reflects our ongoing commitment to actively and continuously refine our portfolio as we focus Albemarle on its core, growth-oriented business segments. Fine Chemistry Services is a profitable business, and we have confidence that Grace is positioned to help it thrive. I want to thank the strong operating team for their excellent performance and professionalism throughout the process.' The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021. 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.
Mumbai, Feb 26 : The Mumbai Police early on Friday registered an FIR and launched a massive manhunt to track the two persons who abandoned an SUV with 20 gelatin sticks near the landmark Antilia builidng, the home of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

The development came after the discovery of the SUV was found parked near a tree close to the Antilia building, the lavish multi-storied house of the Ambani family in south Mumbai on Thursday, rattling the country's political, corporate and security establishments.

The vehicle was discovered only at around 2 p.m. on Thursday by some alert persons in the vicinity, nearly 12 hours after it remained unattended, sparking off suspicions and triggering a chain of reactions.

The mystery vehicle, which has been seized by the police - bears a registration number similar to a vehicle which is part of the Ambani family's security detail and a letter was found from it, the contents of which are not yet known.

Mumbai Police Spokesperson, DCP S. Chaitanya said late on Thursday that the gelatin sticks recovered were "not an assembled explosive device" but the exact detail of the risk they posed would be known after a thorough probe.

Efforts are on to trace the two persons who parked the SUV there, from where they came, what were their motives, or who or what were their intended targets, etc, officials said.

State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, home and intelligence department top officers are monitoring the probe.

The FIR was registered at the Gamdevi Police Station invoking Indian Penal Code Sec. 286, 465, 473, 120(b), 506(2) pertaining to explosives, forgery, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation, and Sec. 4 of Explosives Substance Act for attempt to cause explosion, or for making or keeping it with intent to endanger life or property.

The Antilia building and the south Mumbai neighbourhood houses the who's who of the Indian corporate world, top politicians, official or private residences of various bigwigs, government officials, diplomats, people from the glamour industry and others.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
(Natural News) China has been spying on American computer systems for a decade through compromised chips supplied to one of Americas leading motherboard suppliers.

According to a Bloomberg report released on Friday, Feb. 12, chips supplied to Super Micro Computer Inc. (Supermicro) were compromised by the Chinese in an effort to spy on the U.S systems. It also stated that U.S. intelligence agencies were aware of this wide-reaching espionage program. But these agencies did not warn Supermicro or its customers, because they prioritized monitoring Chinas surveillance techniques in the hopes of developing countermeasures against them.

This was espionage on the board itself, said Mukuk Kumar, former chief security officer of Altera Corp. who said he received a warning about the spying in an unclassified briefing in 2015.

There was a chip on the board that was not supposed to be there that was calling home  not to Supermicro but to China.

Supermicro is the perfect illustration of how susceptible American companies are to potential nefarious tampering of any products they choose to have manufactured in China, Jay Tabb, a former senior Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official, told Bloomberg. Its an example of the worst-case scenario if you dont have complete supervision over where your devices are manufactured.

Chinese spying through Supermicro under investigation for nearly a decade

Chinas spying through computer products made by Supermicro has been under federal scrutiny for much of the past decade. This included a 2012 counterintelligence investigation by the FBI. Here agents started monitoring the communications of a small group of Supermicro workers, using warrants obtained under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA. (Related: Over 1,000 Chinese researchers have fled the US since federal crackdown on technological and economic espionage.)

Whether the probe is still ongoing, as well as what it found, is still unknown. But according to an adviser to two security firms that helped the FBI in its investigation, the Bureau had been enlisting private-sector help in analyzing Supermicro equipment that contained the added chips as recently as 2018.

Tabb declined to address specifics of the Bureaus probe, but he confirmed that it knew that the spying had been going on for some time.

The Chinese government has been doing this for a long time, and companies need to be aware that China is doing this, he said. And Silicon Valley in particular needs to quit pretending that this isnt happening.

What is known, is that neither Supermicro nor any of its employees have been implicated in the espionage. Former U.S. officials who provided information for the Bloomberg report emphasized that the company itself has not been the target of any counterintelligence operation.

Supermicro itself has stated that it has never been contacted by the U.S. government, or by any of our customers, about these alleged investigations. It claimed that the report was a mishmash of disparate and inaccurate allegations and that it drew farfetched conclusions.

The company noted that federal agencies, including those conducting investigations into the spying, are still buying Supermicro products.

Supermicro is an American success story and the security and integrity of our products is a top priority, the company said.

Bloomberg reported on espionage before

The new report is not the first time that Bloomberg has reported on alleged Chinese spying through Supermicros chips. The news outlet ran a similar report on it back in 2018. Back then, the outlet reported that Apple and Amazon had found the spy chips on Supermicro equipment that they had purchased.

Following that story, Apple, Amazon and Supermiacro publicly called for a retraction, while some government officials also disputed the article.

But with the new report, its clear that the prior story only captured part of a larger chain of events in which U.S. officials first suspected, then investigated and monitored Chinas spying through Supermicros products.

In early 2018, two security companies that I advise were briefed by the FBIs counterintelligence division investigating this discovery of added malicious chips on Supermicros motherboards, said Mike Janke, a former Navy SEAL who co-founded venture capital firm DataTribe. These two companies were subsequently involved in the government investigation, where they used advanced hardware forensics on the actual tampered Supermicro boards to validate the existence of the added malicious chips.

Following the Bloomberg report, other sources have also spoken out about the spying. Talking to The Register, an unnamed former executive at a major semiconductor company supported Bloombergs claim.

I have physically held evidence in my hands, he said with regard to the compromised hardware. I have seen it from multiple governments.

Follow CommunistChina.news for more on Chinas attempts to steal American technology.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Bloomberg.com

Assets.BWBX.io

TheRegister.com
GlobeNewswire

TORONTO, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuuhubb Inc. (Kuuhubb or the Company) (TSX- V: KUU), a mobile game development and publishing company targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences, has reported its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Companys unaudited consolidated financial statements as at, and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and related managements discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The Companys financial year end is June 30. The information contained in this news release is unaudited. Highlights for the Three and nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: Revenues of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, on a combined basis for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).Recolor recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021; with trailing twelve-month revenue of US$4,635,529. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor.The production and development of Kuuhubbs upcoming new flagship product Tiles & Tales has progressed well during this time period and is planned for commercial launch later this calendar year. CEOs Message: Jouni Keranen, CEO of Kuuhubb Inc., commented, During this quarter our cost cutting initiatives resulted in Recolor returning to stable profitability, while investment into our Match-3 engine and flagship product Tiles & Tales creates potential for future growth. The Recolor divestment process, while slower than anticipated, is ongoing and our main focus is on preparation of our flagship product Tiles & Tales for commercial launch later this year. Financial Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: The Company generated a total of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, combined revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).The Company recognized revenue of US$125,598 and US$515,547, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 from its continuing operations. This revenue was generated mainly from the subscriptions to, in-application sale of virtual goods from its My Hospital game and related advertising revenue.Recolor Oy recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company incurred cost of sales of US$141,712 and US$376,088, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 in its continuing operations. The cost of sales is predominantly related to the application marketplace (such as Apple App Store and Google Play) fees and other third-party direct costs.The Company incurred consulting and professional fees of US$192,178 and US$594,051, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. These fees were related to Kuuhubbs audit fees, general legal counsel and other professional services.The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$396,032 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$389,638 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$1,341;net interest and accretion expenses of US$5,053; The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$409,564 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$393,243 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$3,968;net interest and accretion expenses of US$12,353; On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$465,992 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$781,412 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$5,947;non-cash share-based compensation of US$102,334;net interest and accretion expenses of US$417,795; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$6,946;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$424;foreign exchange gain of US$203,286 On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$2,135,512 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$3,227,650 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$21,142;non-cash share-based compensation of US$373,138;net interest and accretion expenses of US$944,589; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$91,712;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$24,226;foreign exchange gain of US$130,793 (1) Classification of Recolor Oy as held for sale and discontinued operations As part of the efforts to meet the Companys obligations and build growth, the Company announced it is exploring multiple strategic alternatives, including the divestiture of Company-owned assets such as shares of Recolor Oy. This may be completed within twelve months and as such the associated assets and liabilities within Recolor Oy are presented as held for sale and the net income attributable as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise indicated, the analysis and discussions herein are based on the Companys continuing operations consisting of the Companys My Hospital operation. Exercise of Warrants and Private Placement: In February 2021, 2,200,000 warrants (representing all outstanding common share purchase warrants of the Company) were exercised at a price of CAD$0.10 per common share. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$173,242 (C$220,000) upon the exercises of all of the Companys outstanding warrants common share purchase warrants. In March 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 8,705,334 common shares of the Company at a price of CAD$0.09 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$618,602 (C$783,500). Exploration of Strategic Alternatives to Enhance Shareholder Value On September 30, 2020, the Company announced that it has been conducting a process to explore strategic alternatives, including the potential divestiture of certain Company-owned assets, including the sale of Recolor Oy within the next twelve months. To date, the Company has executed confidentiality agreements with several parties who expressed an interest in receiving information about Recolor Oy and its business in connection with a possible transaction. There can be no assurance that the strategic alternatives review process will result in any strategic change or outcome and the Company does not know the exact timetable for the conclusion of its review of strategic alternatives. There can be no certainty that any potential transaction will emerge from this process. The process may result in a variety of outcomes or no outcome at all, and there can be no assurance that the Company will pursue or execute any specific action or transaction. The Company continues to operate in the normal course during the on-going process. The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor and is in discussion with potential buyers. EBITDA - Non-IFRS Measure EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. We use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our businesses as they reflect their ongoing profitability. We believe certain investors and analysts use adjusted EBITDA to measure a companys ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the technology industry. We believe that certain investors and analysts also use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our business. The Company calculated EBITDA as set out on page 2 and 3 of this press release. EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently. Therefore, the term EBITDA is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. About Kuuhubb Kuuhubb is a publicly listed mobile game development and publishing company, targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences. Our Mission is to become a top player in the female mobile game space. We believe in empowering women by creating games and apps that will have our female audience relax, express and entertain themselves every day. Through our games and partnerships with select developers, we explore new lifestyle trends that can be converted into games and apps which will bring value to our users, employees, and shareholders. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kuuhubb has a global presence with a strong focus on U.S. and Asian markets. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information, including regarding the potential sale of Recolor OY and the planned launch of Tiles & Tales. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements relating to future revenue and development, growth of the Companys business) are forward looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other thing: risks related to the growth strategy of the Company; the possibility that results from the Companys growth plans will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the early stage of the Company's development; competition from companies in a number of industries; the ability of the Company to manage expansion and integrate acquisitions into its business, future business development of the Company; the ability of the Company to complete the sale of Recolor OY on terms which are economic or at all; the ability of the Company to complete the commercial development of its products; the ability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on its business segments, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Kuuhubb Inc.Jouni Keranen - CEOjouni@kuuhubb.comOffice: +358 40 590 0919 Bill Mitoulas Investor Relationsbill@kuuhubb.comOffice: +1 (416) 479-9547
-- While people in Xinjiang live in growing peace and security, some ill-minded Western politicians and fact-distorting journalists, some of whom have never set foot in China, are engineering a bizarre story of "genocide" in the region, including most recently Canada.

-- A spokesperson for China's top legislature condemned the Canadian parliament for passing the Xinjiang-related motion accusing China of genocide, saying it has seriously distorted facts and wantonly meddled in China's domestic affairs.

-- Westerners, including Americans, must update their views of today's China, a modern, progressive society following decades of reform and opening up, said Josh Selig, founder and president of China Bridge Content, a New York and Beijing-based content and consulting firm.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- While people in Xinjiang live in growing peace and security, some ill-minded Western politicians and fact-distorting journalists, some of whom have never set foot in China, are engineering a bizarre story of "genocide" in the region, including most recently Canada.

While the Chinese government and the Uygur people themselves have tried to shed light on what's happening on the ground, some in the West refuse to listen, adamant in their twisted beliefs of mass killings and rape, which are baseless fabrications.

They pass legislation, create fake news, and put aside all the ethics and values they claim to uphold, choosing instead to live in delusion.

"MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND MISCONCEPTIONS"

Veteran Canadian Chinese reporter Hu Xian has felt the urge to write a truth-telling story given her anger and shock at the groundless "genocide" accusations made by a few Western countries, including Canada, against China.

"I have travelled extensively in Xinjiang, I have many Uygur friends, and I feel I am in a better position to tell what is true with people's lives there than those who voted in (Canada's) House of Commons (on a Xinjiang-related motion)," Hu, editor-in-chief of Montreal-based Symbiosis International Media, said Wednesday in an article "Uygurs in My Eyes" published on her webpage.

Combo photo shows Memejan Gheni, a crab catcher, displaying his fresh catch on Sept. 14, 2020 (L) and carrying a bag of crabs off the boat on Sept. 16, 2020 (R) in Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bayingolin, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge)

Canada's parliament on Monday passed a non-binding motion accusing China of committing "genocide" in Xinjiang.

"The Uygur friends I know all feel very happy now. The cities and villages there are safe and secure, life is peaceful and full of hope," said Hu, who is originally from Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, Northern Xinjiang. Xibe, like Uygur, is among one of China's 56 ethnic groups.

Hu said that a friend sent her an article titled "What will Urumqi (the Xinjiang capital) look like in three years? Beyond your imagination! You won't regret living in the city."

"I can feel his excitement across the screen! Some people say that China has committed 'genocide' against the Uygurs? Nonsense!" said Hu, who shared the story on both her webpage and WeChat moments.

Children have fun on Dove Lane in Hotan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Sadat)

The so-called "genocide" accusation against China stemmed from a single source: a paper by German far-right ideologue Adrian Zenz in June 2020, according to an investigative report by the independent news website Grayzone.

Portrayed as a "China scholar" by Western media, Zenz is a far-right Christian fundamentalist currently serving as an analyst at the Jamestown Foundation, a neoconservative think tank in Washington.

"A careful review of Zenz's research shows that his assertion of genocide is contradicted by flagrant data abuse, fraudulent claims, cherry-picking of source material, and propagandistic misrepresentations," said the report.

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 21, 2021 shows a railway track snow removing machine in operation in Maytas windy area along the Karamay-Tacheng railway, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Zenz defamed the expansion of public healthcare services in Xinjiang as evidence of a genocide, said the report. For example, he pointed to a photograph of Uygur residents of rural regions of Xinjiang receiving a medical consultation at a free health clinic as part of an "effort to enforce the thorough implementation of increasing intrusive birth control efforts."

Zenz has also invented statistics and spun tales to justify his false conclusion, according to the report, which also criticized "mainstream Western outlets like the AP, BBC and CNN" for having "accepted Zenz's dubious research as absolute fact," with "their apparent zeal for escalation with China."

Westerners, including Americans, must update their views of today's China, a modern, progressive society following decades of reform and opening up, said Josh Selig, founder and president of China Bridge Content, a New York and Beijing-based content and consulting firm, in an interview with Xinhua.

Local women sell walnut products via live streaming at an e-commerce service center in Yecheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Ma Kai)

"I was seeing and hearing a lot of misunderstandings and misconceptions about China and for me, and for anybody who spent time in China, it's very sad to hear when people don't understand the real China," said Selig, who has received 12 Emmy Awards.

"They don't know what's really going on, and they get their information usually through social media or through some press outlets, but they don't have a full picture."

WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON

A spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, on Wednesday condemned the Canadian parliament for passing the Xinjiang-related motion accusing China of genocide, saying it has seriously distorted facts and wantonly meddled in China's domestic affairs.

Emin (2nd L), a resident of Uygur ethnic group, chats with his neighbors in Tacheng City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge)

Beijing refuted a similar groundless accusation made by the former U.S. administration of Donald Trump on Jan. 19, one day before president Joe Biden was inaugurated as the country's new president.

The claims were made against Xinjiang despite the State Department's Office of the Legal Advisor concluding after a review that there was no sufficient evidence to prove accusations of genocide, according to a recent report by Foreign Policy.

"The fact is, in the last four decades or so, the Uygur population in Xinjiang has more than doubled," said Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai in an interview with Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN in response to a question on Xinjiang. "From the year 2010 to 2018 alone, the Uygur population growth in Xinjiang was 25 percent, much higher than the average growth rate in the entire Xinjiang Region. These are facts."

Combo photo shows Tutigul Dawut, a local resident who has shaken off poverty by breeding pigeons, smiling at newly-hatched pigeons (L) and introducing her pigeon breeding business to a technician (R) in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

In the last few years, China has focused on two major tasks in Xinjiang -- eradication of terrorism and elimination of poverty, Cui said. "Now, for the last three to four years, there has been no single case of terrorist attack. So people have a much better sense of security and safety now."

Aerial photo taken on March 25, 2020 shows seeding machines working in the fields in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Sadat)

Some Western media outlets "bear an important responsibility in adding to the negativity excessively and unfortunately in U.S.-China ties," Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies, told Xinhua.

"It is unfortunate that a lot of very prestigious news organizations in the West on China are no longer news organizations, they have become advocacy organizations," said Gupta.

Gupta expressed hope that the Western media could "take a more responsible approach" and be "more factually accurate."

"I always tell people, you have to judge for yourself through personal experience," Selig said. "This is the only way to get rid of any misconceptions and any biases that might exist."
WASHINGTON: The United States carried out air strikes authorised by President Joe Biden against facilities belonging to Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria on Thursday, in response to rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq, the Pentagon said.

The strikes appeared limited in scope, potentially lowering the risk of escalation. It was not immediately clear what damage was caused.

Syria did not immediately comment, but state-owned Ekhbariya TV said the strikes were conducted at dawn against several targets near the Syrian-Iraqi border.

An Iraqi militia official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least one fighter had been killed and four others were wounded.

A medical source at a hospital in the area and several local sources told Reuters 17 people had been killed. That toll could not be independently confirmed.

Biden`s decision to strike only in Syria and not in Iraq, at least for now, gives Iraq`s government some breathing room as it investigates a Feb. 15 attack that wounded Americans.

"At President (Joe) Bidens direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted air strikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq."

He said the strikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kata`ib Hezbollah and Kata`ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

After the strikes, the Iranian and Syrian foreign ministers spoke and underlined "the need of the West to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions regarding Syria," Iranian government website Dolat.ir said.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision to carry out the strikes was meant as a signal that Washington wanted to punish the militias but did not want the situation to spiral into a bigger conflict.

The official said Biden was presented with a range of options and one of the more limited responses was chosen.

STRIKES "REMIND" IRAN

Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House of Representatives` foreign affairs committee, said the strikes "remind Iran, its proxies, and our adversaries around the world that attacks on US interests will not be tolerated."

Suzanne Maloney, of the Brookings Institution think tank, declared the strikes a "Good move" on Twitter, saying they showed the Biden administration could both negotiate with Iran on the nuclear deal and push back against the militias Tehran backed.

The rocket attacks on US positions in Iraq were carried out as Washington and Tehran seek a way to return to the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by former US President Donald Trump.

It was not clear how, or whether, the strike might affect US efforts to coax Iran back into a negotiation about both sides resuming compliance with the agreement.

In the Feb. 15 attack, rockets hit the US military base housed at Erbil International Airport in the Kurdish-run region, killing one non-American contractor and wounding a number of American contractors and a US service member.

Another salvo struck a base hosting US forces north of Baghdad days later, hurting at least one contractor.

Rockets on Monday hit Baghdads Green Zone, which houses the US Embassy and other diplomatic missions.

The Kata`ib Hezbollah group, one of the main Iran-aligned Iraqi militia groups, denied any role in the rocket attacks.

Some Western and Iraqi officials say the attacks, often claimed by little-known groups, are being carried out by militants with links to Kata`ib Hezbollah as a way for Iranian allies to harass US forces without being held accountable.

Since late 2019, the United States has carried out high-profile strikes against Kata`ib Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria in response to sometimes deadly rocket attacks against US-led forces.

During Trump`s presidency, tensions culminated in the US killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory Iranian ballistic missile attack against US forces in Iraq last year.
Boris Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds has been unveiled as Tatler's newest cover star.

The April issue of the society bible features a photo of Miss Symonds, 32, taken at the State Opening of Parliament in October 2019 that has been edited to make her skin look significantly smoother and brighter.

The magazine promises an explosive profile charting the 'rise and rise' of Miss Symonds, who is described as the 'most powerful woman in Britain'.

'Tatler asks: "Who is the real Carrie Symonds? Is she the scheming Lady Macbeth pulling the strings inside No 10 or a fun-loving friend, feminist and mother, who just wants to save the planet?",' a statement announcing the issue revealed.

COVER STAR: The April issue of the society bible features a photo of Miss Symonds, 32, taken at the State Opening of Parliament in October 2019 that has been edited to make her skin look significantly smoother and brighter

ORIGINAL: The photograph of Miss Symonds taken at the State Opening of Parliament in 2019

Speaking to the magazine, close friend and women's rights campaigner Nimco Ali said: 'She's fun and kind, and she wants the world to be a better and a safer place for women. Can someone tell me what's wrong with that?'

A poll conducted by the magazine revealed 69 per cent of British adults believe Miss Symonds 'influences decision-making at No 10'.

One in three young adults say they prefer Miss Symonds to Boris Johnson, with whom she shares nine-month-old son Wilfred.

It comes days after one of Miss Symonds's former colleagues claimed she has effectively become his Downing Street chief of staff.

Photography expert weigh in on the image Paul Reiffer, Commercial Photographer (www.paulreiffer.com), said: 'To be fair, not a lot has actually been done to the image other than smoothing and brightening her skin. 'The shape and structure of her face remain unchanged - with no extreme alterations such as we see when people are trying to drastically change their appearance. 'For the skin itself, there are several methods that people use, such as frequency separation in digital processing, which has the effect of smoothing out texture and blemishes, with a few heals done on some temporary bumps that we all have on our faces from time to time. The shadows under her eyes and on her nose have been softened, which is a standard process for many headshots. 'Her skin has been brightened, and the overall image saturated slightly to give it a boost (not just on her, but her hat and background too). Some contrast has been added through dodging and burning (lightening and darkening) certain sections. 'Theres a small shadow removal on her neck from where the light fell through her hair, but otherwise the image is just a fresher version of the original - and what Id often see coming out as the final product from a portrait shoot.' Advertisement

Miss Symonds's 'unelected and unaccountable' role in Government is 'damaging to democracy,' according to Nic Conner, who worked with Miss Symonds on the Brexit campaign.

He told the Daily Mail that he has no grudge against the former director of Tory communications and was not being sexist, but is concerned she is acting unconstitutionally as friends are hired and rivals fired inside No 10.

Mr Conner said: 'In light of my experience working with Carrie Symonds, I am deeply concerned that she should have any role in governing the country without authority or accountability.

'Anyone holding so much unelected power, and who cannot be removed, is not only unconstitutional but is damaging to British democracy.'

Mr Conner's comments came after the conservative think tank, the Bow Group  of which he is a research fellow  called for an independent inquiry into the role of Miss Symonds within government.

Bow Group chairman Ben Harris-Quinney added: 'No romantic partner of the PM has ever involved themselves to this degree. It's completely unjustifiable in a modern democracy, and calling me or the Bow Group sexist doesn't change that.'

The Bow Group wants an inquiry into Miss Symonds's alleged role in pushing out key Downing Street advisers. It also claims she was instrumental in appointing her close friend Nimco Ali as a Home Office adviser, and recruiting other allies to Downing Street.

Mr Harris-Quinney said: 'Failure to clarify Ms Symonds' position and authority, and to ensure that Ms Symonds is not and cannot take any action in governing the United Kingdom, potentially has huge hazards for the Government, the Conservative Party, and the nation. The public take a very dim view of cronyism, democracy in Britain is and must always be sacred, and no one should be involved in running our country without accountability to the people.'

The most prominent casualty of Miss Symond's alleged influence was Mr Johnson's right-hand man Dominic Cummings, who left in November after clashing with her.

Mr Cummings's ally, communications chief Lee Cain, soon followed him out of the door amid claims that Miss Symonds was calling the PM 20 times a day, and had been nicknamed 'Princess Nut Nut' by her detractors.

In their place, a new group has grown in Downing Street consisting of allies of Miss Symonds and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove.

A poll conducted by the magazine reveals 69 per cent of British adults believe Miss Symonds 'influences decision-making at No 10'. One in three young adults say they prefer Miss Symonds to Boris Johnson. Pictured, Miss Symonds with Boris Johnson in March 2020

These include her friends Henry Newman and Baroness Finn. Brexit negotiator Lord Frost, who was close to Mr Cummings, is thought to have tried to quit in protest at their arrival but was persuaded to stay and has been rewarded with a place in Cabinet. Fresh battles became public on Friday when Oliver Lewis, another Cummings supporter, resigned as head of the Union Unit.

It was claimed that he had been briefing against Mr Gove and had been forced out as a result. But in a weekend of briefing and counter-briefing, it was also claimed Mr Gove had masterminded Mr Lewiss departure over fears he was being sidelined by the PM.

Meanwhile Miss Symonds has been appointed head of communications at conservation charity the Aspinall Foundation, which is run by gambling tycoon Damian Aspinall. Earlier this month it was revealed that the organisation is being investigated by the Charity Commission amid concerns about what it calls financial management and wider governance.

A spokesman for Miss Symonds declined to comment on the allegations against her at the time they were originally published in the Daily Mail.

The April issue of Tatler is available on newsstands and via digital download on Thursday 4th March.
press release

Washington, DC  MSF, Oxfam, Partners In Health, Human Rights Watch, Public Citizen, MoveOn, Indivisible, Unions, Faith Groups, Citizens Trade Campaign, Health GAP, and More Urge U.S. Support for Waiver at March 1-2 WTO General Council

Today, U.S. consumer, faith, health, labor, human rights, development and other civil society groups urged the White House to support an emergency COVID-19 waiver of World Trade Organization (WTO) intellectual property rules, so that greater supplies of vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tests can be produced in as many places as possible as quickly as possible. The pandemic cannot be stopped anywhere unless vaccines, tests, and treatments are available everywhere, so variants that evade current vaccines do not develop.

At a press conference joined by Reps. Rosa DeLauro, (D-Conn.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), U.S. civil society leaders released a letter signed by hundreds of prominent U.S. organizations calling on the Biden administration to join more than 100 nations in support of the waiver. The Trump administration led a handful of countries opposed to the waiver at the WTO. At two recent WTO committee meetings, the new administration has not reversed the Trump era obstruction of the waiver.

The WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) requires countries to provide lengthy monopoly protections for medicines, tests, and technologies used to produce them. While there is production capacity in every region, WTO rules block the timely and unfettered access to the formulas and technology needed to boost manufacturing. Unless much greater volumes are made, many people in developing nations may not get COVID-19 vaccines until 2024. The unnecessary loss of life will be compounded by the loss of livelihoods for millions. According to an International Chamber of Commerce study, the world could face economic losses of more than $9 trillion under the scenario of wealthy nations being fully vaccinated by mid-2021, but poor countries largely shut out.

Statements from Participants:

U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Appropriations Committee chair

"The COVID-19 pandemic knows no borders and the need for vaccine development and dissemination across the globe is critically important. The TRIPS waiver raised by India and South Africa at the WTO would help the global community move forward in defeating the scourge of COVID-19 by making diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines available in developing countries. We must make vaccines available everywhere if we are going to defeat this virus anywhere. The U.S. has a moral imperative to act and support this waiver at the WTO, and I am hopeful that the Biden Administration will support this waiver to help our allies around the globe bring an end to this pandemic."

U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade chair

"As a global community, we must come together and use every tool at our disposal to stop this pandemic," Blumenauer said. "Unfortunately, we have seen intellectual property rules and corporate greed have disastrous impacts for public health during past epidemics, and we need to ensure that this doesn't happen again. Working to ensure that trade rules do not stunt the developing world's access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tests is a clear step. It's the right thing to do not only for our country, but for the entire world."

U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee chair

"I support the proposed TRIPS waiver because I support equitable vaccine distribution worldwide, because if vaccines aren't available everywhere, we won't be able to crush the virus anywhere. The new COVID-19 variants, which show more resistance to vaccines, prove that further delay in immunity around the world will lead to faster and stronger mutations. Equitable access is essential. Our globalized economy cannot recover if only parts of the world are vaccinated and have protection against the virus. We must make vaccines available everywhere if we are going to crush the virus anywhere."

Paul Farmer, Co-Founder, Partners In Health

"If we want to stop COVID-19 here, we have to stop it everywhere. The world does not have time to wait for the usual, slow, and unequal distribution of treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines. We can take a lesson from the global AIDS movements and make sure patent laws don't block access to lifesaving therapies for the poor. It's a similar story for vaccines, which in the case of covid19 we're so lucky to have and in such short order. Moderna has waived these rights and others should follow suit as we deploy one of the mainstays required to end this pandemic."

Sara Nelson, President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

"COVID does not have borders and neither should vaccine access. Flight Attendants know our jobs depend on a strong global network. We must work to ensure that people around the world have access to the vaccine in order to eradicate this virus. We cannot succeed as a global community without taking care of all people."

Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice

"We have learned over the past year that pandemics are communal struggles. We are all vulnerable, and we all can help control the virus. In our nation, over 500,000 people have died and millions have been infected. The U.S. government has invested over $13 billion in taxpayer funds to create vaccines, and other developed nations have invested as well. Now, we in these rich nations have an obligation to share with the global community. That is the only way to protect the vulnerable here and abroad. Both faith and pragmatics demand it. When we faithfully care for our neighbors, we pragmatically care for ourselves."

Yuanqiong Hu, Policy Co-coordinator, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Access Campaign

"Governments must not squander this historic opportunity and avoid repeating the painful lessons of the early years of the HIV/AIDS response. This proposal would give countries more ways to tackle the legal barriers to maximizing production and supply of medical products needed for COVID-19 treatment and prevention. Defending monopoly protection is the antithesis to the current call for COVID-19 medicines and vaccines to be treated as global public goods. In these unprecedented times, governments should act together in the interest of all people everywhere."

Akshaya Kumar, Director of Crisis Advocacy and Special Projects, Human Rights Watch

"Sharing the recipe for vaccines by pooling intellectual property and issuing global, open, and non-exclusive licenses could help scale up manufacturing and expand the number of vaccine doses made. This means instead of arguing about how to ration better we could be rationing less."

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Brook Baker, Health GAP Senior Policy Analyst & Northeastern University Professor of Law

"As an expert in intellectual property law and access to life-saving medicines, I can assure the Biden administration that IP barriers are real, and they're blocking millions of people around the world from accessing life-saving COVID-19 vaccines. By obstructing the TRIPS waiver proposal, President Biden is breaking his promise to share COVID-19 vaccine technologies with the world. His administration must support the TRIPS waiver and send a message to big pharma that it's unacceptable to write off the lives of 90% of people in low- and middle-income countries."

Arthur Stamoulis, Executive Director, Citizens Trade Campaign

"Supporting this waiver is an easy way for the Biden administration to start reestablishing the United States' standing within the international community, while also benefiting public health and economic recovery here at home. Trade rules cannot be a cudgel used to force countries into putting pharmaceutical company profits ahead of human life."

Lori Wallach, Director, Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch

"What is the possible upside of the U.S. blocking this WTO waiver supported by most countries given there is manufacturing capacity around the globe to greatly increase supplies of vaccines, tests, and treatments if formulas and technologies are shared? We are in a race against time with a pandemic that cannot be stopped unless vaccines, tests, and treatments are available everywhere because outbreaks anywhere spawn variants that can evade vaccines and/or are more infectious."

VIDEO: Press Conference
Photo: The Canadian Press

As COVID-19 vaccine supplies gradually ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have released details of who can expect to receive a shot in the coming weeks. Here's a list of their plans to date:

Newfoundland and Labrador

The province says it is in Phase 1 of its vaccine rollout. Health-care workers on the front lines of the pandemic, staff at long-term care homes, people of "advanced age" and adults in remote or isolated Indigenous communities have priority.

Chief medical health officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has said Phase 2 will begin in April if vaccine supply remains steady. The second phase prioritizes adults over 60 years old, beginning with those over 80, as well as Indigenous adults, first responders, rotational workers and adults in marginalized populations, such as those experiencing homelessness.

Adults between 16 and 59 years old will be vaccinated in the third phase of the rollout, and Fitzgerald has said she expects that to begin this summer.

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Nova Scotia

Health officials began expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines on Feb. 22, opening community clinics for people aged 80 years and older. Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, has said the province's plan is to open another 10 clinics in March for 48,000 people who will be mailed a letter informing them how to book an appointment.

Strang said the vaccination program will then expand to the next age group in descending order until everyone in the province is offered the chance to be immunized. The age groups will proceed in five-year blocks.

Future community clinics are to be held March 8 in Halifax, New Minas, Sydney and Truro; March 15 in Antigonish, Halifax and Yarmouth; and March 22 in Amherst, Bridgewater and Dartmouth.

The province began its vaccination campaign with residents of long-term care homes, those who work directly with patients, those who are 80 and older, and those who are at risk for other reasons including First Nations and African Nova Scotian communities.

Nova Scotia plans to have vaccine available to at least 75 per cent of the population by the end of September 2021.

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Prince Edward Island

The province says the first phase of its vaccination drive, currently slated to last until March, targets residents and staff of long-term and community care, as well as health-care workers with direct patient contact at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Those 80 and older, adults in Indigenous communities, and truck drivers and other rotational workers are also included.

The next phase, which is scheduled to begin in April, will target those above 70 and essential workers.

The province intends to make the vaccine available to everyone in late summer and fall.

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New Brunswick

The province is also focusing on vaccinating those living in long-term care homes, health-care workers with direct patient contact, adults in First Nations communities and older New Brunswickers in the first phase, which lasts until at least March.

The next phase is scheduled to begin in the spring and includes residents and staff of communal settings, other health-care workers including pharmacists, first responders and critical infrastructure employees.

The government website says once the vaccine supply is continuous and in large enough quantities, the entire population will be offered the shots.

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Quebec

The province's proposed order of priority for vaccination according to its website is those in residential and long-term care centres, workers in the health and social services network, followed by those in isolated and remote communities, people 80 years or older, and then the general population in 10-year increments.

Health officials launched an online and telephone system for vaccine registrations on Feb. 25 and will begin vaccinating people aged 85 years and older in Montreal on March 1. Officials said that while residents across the province aged 85 and older can register for a vaccine, priority will be given to people in the greater Montreal area, which has the highest active COVID-19 case count in Quebec.

On Feb. 26, officials opened registration for Montrealers as young as 80 years old. It has not yet been announced when the next age group can begin to register for vaccines.

The province says the vaccination of children and pregnant women will be determined based on future studies of vaccine safety and efficacy in those populations.

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Ontario

The province has mapped out a three-phase approach to its rollout. Phase 1, which is still ongoing, reserves shots for those in long-term care, high-risk retirement home residents, certain classes of health-care workers, and people who live in congregate care settings.

All Indigenous adults, people aged 80 and older and adults receiving chronic home care will be next in line. The province says it will begin vaccinations among the 80 and older age cohort starting the third week of March.

Vaccinations will begin for people 75 and older starting April 15. The province will then move to offer shots to those 70 and older starting May 1; 65 and older starting June 1; and 60 and older the first week of July.

Indigenous adults and patient-facing health-care workers will receive vaccinations as the province works through those age groups. The government is still finalizing the list of essential workers who will receive vaccinations in May if supply is available.

The province has not detailed when people younger than 60 can expect to be vaccinated.

Appointment bookings can be made online and by phone starting March 15 for those in eligible age cohorts.

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Manitoba

Manitoba is starting to vaccinate people in the general population. Appointments are now available for most people aged 95 and up, or 75 and up for First Nations people. Until now, vaccines have been directed to certain groups such as health-care workers and people in personal care homes. Health officials plan to reduce the age minimum, bit by bit, over the coming months. They say most people over 80, and First Nations individuals over 60, could be eligible in early March.

The province plans to have all personal care home residents vaccinated with two doses by the end of February, and has started sending team to other congregate living settings such as group homes and shelters.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the province's vaccine task force, say inoculations could be open to all adults in the province by August if new vaccines are approved and supplies are steady.

The plan does not include a separate category for essential workers  something that Reimer says will be considered as vaccine supplies increase.

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Saskatchewan

The province is still in the first phase of its vaccination rollout, which reserves doses for long-term care residents and staff, health-care workers at elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure, seniors over the age of 70 and anyone 50 or older living in a remote area. In all, nearly 400,000 doses are required to finish this stage.

The next phase will be focused on vaccinating the general population by age.

It hopes to begin its mass vaccination campaign by April, but there if there isnt enough supply that could be pushed back to June. Saskatchewan will begin immunizing the general population in 10-year increments, starting with those 60 to 69. Also included in this age group will be people living in emergency shelters, individuals with intellectual disabilities in care homes and people who are medically vulnerable.

Police, corrections staff and teachers are among the front-line workers not prioritized for early access to shots. The government says supply is scarce.

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Alberta

Some 230,000 people born in 1946 or earlier are now eligible to be immunized at 58 sites across the province. Appointments are being offered through an online portal and the 811 Health Link phone line.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro said Wednesday the website was temporarily overwhelmed when more than 150,000 people tried to get access to it. By mid-afternoon, 25,000 appointments had been booked.

He said all eligible seniors should have their first shots by the end of March.

The governments website says the province will be offering second shots of the COVID-19 vaccine within 42 days after initial doses are administered.

Initial immunization efforts have focused on long-term care residents and certain health-care professionals, with plans to expand vaccine offerings by the end of the month.

Provincial officials have said February will see seniors over 75, First Nations, Metis and people 65 and older living in a First Nations community start to receive their vaccines.

Work is underway to identify target populations for future phases of the provincial rollout.

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British Columbia

The first phase of B.C.'s immunization campaign launched in December and focused on health-care workers in hospitals, paramedics, residents and staff at long-term care homes, and remote Indigenous communities.

The second phase set to wrap up in March includes people aged 80 and above, Indigenous elders 65 and up, Indigenous communities that didn't receive vaccine in the first phase, as well as more health-care workers and vulnerable populations living and working in certain congregate settings.

The third phase of B.C.'s immunization campaign is set to start in April and last until June, reaching people between the ages of 60 and 79, along with those who are highly clinically vulnerable, such as cancer patients.

B.C.'s plan for the general population is based on age, with the oldest residents first in line.

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Nunavut

Nunavut's vaccination rollout is underway, with vaccine clinics for the general population scheduled or completed in all 25 communities.

In Iqaluit, Nunavut's capital, a general vaccination clinic is underway for priority populations, including staff and residents of shelters, people ages 60 years and up, staff and inmates and correctional facilities, first responders and front-line health-care staff.

Starting March 1, the vaccine clinic will be extended to all adults in Iqaluit ages 45 and up.

Nunavut still expects enough vaccines to immunize 75 per cent of its residents over the age of 18 by the end of March.

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Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories says it has vaccinated 42 per cent of its adult population since its vaccine rollout began in early January.

Vaccine clinics are either completed or underway in all 33 of the territory's communities. In Yellowknife, residents and staff in long-term care homes are being prioritized for the vaccine. Vaccination of Yellowknife's general population will begin in late March.

The N.W.T. still expects to receive enough vaccines to inoculate 75 per cent of its adult population by the end of March.

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Yukon

Yukon says it will receive enough vaccine to immunize 75 per cent of its adult population by the end of March.

Priority for vaccinations has been given to residents and staff in long-term care homes, group homes and shelters, as well as health-care workers and personal support workers. People over the age of 80 who are not living in long-term care, and those living in rural and remote communities, including Indigenous Peoples, are also on the priority list for shots.
San Antonio officials have used the wireless emergency alert system to trumpet a statewide mask mandate and warn against social gatherings ahead of holidays. Alerts were also sent about the risk of icy roads as the recent winter storm approached.

But the system was silent as power went out across the city  and again when a boil water notice was issued.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg acknowledged communication lines during the crisis broke down at every stage, from state regulators to CPS Energy to city officials to residents. He said the alert system would have been perfect for the situation, if local leaders had reliable info to share.

"The challenge is, if you don't have informed facts to put out there, it exacerbates the problem. That was our issue. There was no reliable information about what was occurring from a power standpoint to put out on an alert," Nirenberg said Friday.

READ ALSO: City launches text alert service for COVID-19 vaccine availability

The mayor was speaking with the Express-News Editorial Board, along with County Judge Nelson Wolff and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro.

Before the storm, state energy regulators told city officials to prepare for temperatures in the teens, icy roads and downed power lines. They suggested the state might have to dip into reserves of power during peak energy use, but did not warn of a massive power failure, Nirenberg recalled.

CPS Energy received little warning from state regulators as such routine cautions shifted to the highest levels of emergency warnings in about an hour. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has said the state's grid was minutes away from total failure as energy use spiked on Feb. 15.

The "extremely poor" state-to-local information channels drew most of Nirenberg's ire Friday, but he also noted that communication gaps between CPS Energy and city officials need to be addressed going forward. A city panel is examining San Antonio's preparations and response to the storm.

Express-News op-ed editor Ricardo Lopez Jr. asked the mayor why text alerts were not sent when the San Antonio Water System issued a boil water notice on Feb. 18.

"I'm a little pissed off about it myself because I found out about the boil water notice on TV as we were having our special council session," Nirenberg responded.

The city has put text alerts to use this week. On Wednesday, Nirenberg unveiled a new service that will notify users when appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccines become available at mass vaccination sites.

Residents who want to sign up for the service must text VACCINE to 55000 or VACUNA to 55000 to receive alerts in Spanish.

During the Editorial Board meeting, the mayor also said the city of San Antonio has retained legal counsel to protect residents from bearing the sky-high energy costs related to the storm. Passing costs along to rate payers would excuse "price-gouging profit-making at its worst," Nirenberg said.

mark.dunphy@express-news.net
IndianOil Corporation (IOC) will invest Rs 32,946 crore to increase capacity of its Panipat refinery to 25 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa). IOC told the BSE the board has approved of this expansion from the present 15 mmtpa, along with installation of Polypropylene Unit and Catalytic Dewaxing Unit.

The project could be commissioned by September 2024.

The capacity expansion will improve operational flexibility of the refinery to meet the domestic energy demand, and also enhance the petrochemicals intensity. The increased production of petrochemicals and value-added specialty products will not only improve margins but also de-risk the conventional fuel business, said IOCL.

The Panipat Refinery is IOCs seventh, and technically the most advanced public sector refinery complex of India.

It meets the demand for petroleum products in Haryana and the entire North-Western region, including Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.

This is the second large investment declared by IOC in 2021. On January 29, the board had cleared the setting up of a 9-mmtpa grassroot (greenfield or new) refinery at Cauvery Basin (Nagapattinam), Tamil Nadu. This will be set up by IOCs subsidiary Chennai Petroleum Corporation to meet the demand for petroleum products in the south.

The capex estimated for setting it up is Rs 29,361 crore.

Petroleum Minister is also batting for the expansion of IOCs Haldia Refinery.

In a statement issued on Friday, Pradhan said he wrote to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadanand Gowda, and Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (Independent Charge) and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking their personal intervention in leasing out 175 acre for undertaking expansion work.

In recent times when the refinery was required to construct new units for the Bharat Stage VI standards, this could only be partially accomplished by dismantling existing storage tanks. Some critical units remain to be constructed, for which additional land is required, Pradhan said.




An attack on a secondary school in northwest Nigeria on Friday in which several hundred girls are still missing has been condemned by the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF.

The agency's representative in the country, Peter Hawkins, urged the assailants to let the teenagers go immediately, after the latest in a recent spate of outrages perpetrated against youngsters, this time in Zamfara state.

"We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria," Mr. Hawkins said. "This is a gross violation of children's rights and a horrific experience for children to go through - one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being."

Way of life

Such incidents have become "a way of life" to many in Nigeria, Mr. Hawkins told UN News in an exclusive interview, recorded before Friday's development.

Bandits hoping to make quick cash by forcing the families and authorities to pay ransom money their hostages, often target institutions just out of reach of State control and usually in rural areas, he explained.

It comes after dozens of boys and teachers were taken from a college housing borders, in central Nigeria's Niger state last week; they have yet to be released.

Night assault

According to reports, Friday's incident attack happened in the middle of the night at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara state.

"We utterly condemn the attack and call on those responsible to release the girls immediately and for the government to take steps to ensure their safe release and the safety of all other schoolchildren in Nigeria", Mr. Hawkins said.

"Children should feel safe at home and at school at all times - and parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school in the morning."

After acknowledging the efforts of the Government of Nigeria to secure the release of kidnapped schoolchildren in Nigeria, the UNICEF official urged the authorities "to make schools safe".

Boko Haram threat

In addition to these armed gangs operating in Nigeria's northwest, north-central and northern states, Boko Haram extremists still control vast areas of the northeast.

Nearly seven years ago, Boko Haram - whose name is usually translated as "western education is forbidden" - took 276 girls from their school in Chibok in northeast Nigeria. Many of them remain missing.

Access to schooling is key

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Despite the dangers - and because of them - humanitarians believe that education should remain a priority for governments, who should also boost access to lessons for the most vulnerable.

Highlighting how progress is being made against the extremists in the former Boko Haram stronghold of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, UNICEF's Peter Hawkins happily described how "thousands of children, tens of thousands of children" have now returned to the classroom - something that not have been imagined during the extremists' insurgency, which began in 2009.

Miraculous change is possible

"If you went to Maidiguri in 2015-2016, there was nothing happening, no schools", he said. "If you go there now... there are traffic jams of KKs - the three-wheelers around the city transporting children... girls and boys. It's a miraculous change that has taken place."

Friday's school attack comes just over a week after a similar attack in Niger state on a school for boys. UNICEF is working with partners to confirm the exact number of kidnapped students, currently estimated to be more than 300.
Three families were knocked from their homes and three firefighters were injured in a two-alarm fire on Hague Street in Jersey City, city officials said.

Jersey City firefighters responded to 29 Hague St., a brick multi-family home between Summit Avenue and Paterson Plank Road, at 7:55 p.m. Thursday and found a fire in the attic space, city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said.

The fire, which went to a second alarm partly because 29 Hague is attached to a home on one side and close to a home on the other side, was placed under control at roughly 9:15 p.m. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation.

The three displaced families were assisted by the American Red Cross. Two captains and one firefighter were injured and taken to the Jersey City Medical Center, where they were treated and released.
Photo taken on Feb. 24, 2021 shows staff members unloading COVID-19 vaccines at the military airport of Boufarik, 40 km southeast of the capital Algiers, Algeria. A donation of Chinese Sinopharm coronavirus vaccines arrived in Algeria on Wednesday to help the North African nation combat the pandemic. (Xinhua)

ALGIERS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- A donation of Chinese Sinopharm coronavirus vaccines arrived in Algeria on Wednesday to help the North African nation combat the pandemic.

A military jet of the Algerian Air Force carrying the batch of vaccines landed in the evening at the Boufarik military airport.

Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Lianhe said that the donation is a demonstration of solidarity between China and Algeria.

"The two friendly countries have been helping each other overcome this pandemic since its outbreak, which constitutes a solidarity model to follow for the international community," he said.

Algerian Communication Minister Ammar Belhimer handed over a gratitude letter from the Algerian government to the Chinese government for the donation to Ambassador Li, saying "the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines come to sustain our vaccination campaign ... and protect the lives of our citizens."

China and Algeria have offered each other help in the fight against the pandemic. In February 2020, Algeria sent medical donations to China. China has also sent several batches of medical aid and experts to Algeria.
County embarks on 'a really big deal'  comp plan rewrite

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners last week selected a North Carolina-based consultant to guide development of a new comprehensive land-use plan, passing on the top-ranked firm a committee recommended and rejecting one commissioners endorsement of a different firm.

After the county released a request for proposals, seven firms responded: AECOM, Benchmark, Clarion, Design Workshop, Holland Consulting Planners, Houseal Lavigne and Stewart.

A selection committee reviewed all the proposals, interviewed the top three consultant firms, checked references, and recommended Houseal Lavigne of Chicago for the job. The other two were Clarion, based in Chapel Hill and Denver, Colorado, and Stewart, which has offices in Raleigh, Charlotte and Wilmington.

Asked last month why the selection committee chose Houseal Lavigne, Planning Director Autumn Radcliff cited the companys website savvy, outreach plans and proprietary mapping system tailored to comp plan projects.

They were going to provide all the public outreach materials, they were going to do community education, the branding, an interactive project website and also interactive web-based mapping that they have developed in house with their company, she said. They would host the website, provide workshop kits in English and Spanish, prepare an existing conditions memorandum and provide preliminary planning documents.

Commissioners delayed a decision in December and again last month when commissioners expressed misgivings about the Chicago-based firm and support for two firms with the most experience in North Carolina. Most of Houseal Lavignes experience was in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains.

I dont want to be Colorado, Illinois or Indiana, Commissioner Rebecca McCall said in December. I want to be North Carolina. I want to be Henderson County, North Carolina, and when we go see grandma down in Zirconia and ask her opinion, the people making those visits, those people are very important.

During the Board of Commissioners meeting last week, Commissioner David Hill made a motion to hire Stewart and then McCall made a motion to offer the contract to Clarion, which had done planning for the Oklawaha Greenway and also listed land-use jobs in Asheville and Black Mountain. Taking up Hills motion first, the board voted 4-1 for Stewart, with McCall voting no. Stewarts price of $145,000 was about the same as what other firms had quoted.



Commissioners want public buy-in



Based in Raleigh, Stewart has guided land-planning projects in the towns of Franklin, Waynesville, Cullowhee, Highlands, Harrisburg, Huntersville and Winterville and Jackson, Alamance, Guilford, Granville, Harnett and Pitt counties. In its response to the countys invitation to bid on the comp plan guidance, Stewart said it would build on the countys 1989 and 2005 land-use plans  the so-called 2020 plan  and proposed a three-phase plan of project initiation and analysis, visioning and plan development, and implementation and adoption.

Scorched at times in recent years by a roomful of homeowners who felt blindsided by rezoning requests, commissioners have emphasized community outreach and buy-in for a comp plan rewrite designed to guide growth for the next 25 years.

One of the most important things to me is that all the citizens get equal input in whatever we do, Commissioner Michael Edney said before the board delayed a hiring vote in December. A lot of our citizens are not on the internet and are not (social media) savvy. Planners need to stand out in front of Walmart and Ingles to gather input, he added. Grandma from Green River aint going to go out of her way (to offer input) and her opinion is just as valuable as anybody elses. As important as this is, we need to go to them when theyre not going to come to us.

In its community engagement pitch, Stewart said it would:

 Conduct leadership and stakeholder interviews.

 Form a diverse steering committee of elected and appointed leaders, business owners and other key stakeholders that would meet five times during the comp plan development.

 Conduct focus group workshops at key stages of the process.

 Hold design-oriented workshops and charettes to gather public input on issues, priorities and recommendations, to refine a vision for the community and gain support for recommendations.

 Host walkabouts to observe real physical opportunities and constraints and discuss solutions.

 Prepare a survey designed to reach a broad cross-section of the community and provide updates via social media.

 Host multi-media presentations and online public comment times, particularly as long as pandemic restrictions prevent in-person gatherings.

 Hold pop-up meetings where people are gathered  festivals, civic clubs, schools, senior events  to educate and solicit input.

 Host community open house meetings to present draft plans and gather feedback.

Stewart said its team would include a report on current land-use, develop a suitability map for residential and commercial development and open land and conservation and incorporate a study of transportation  including short- and long-range road projects and bike and pedestrian trails  public infrastructure and utilities, public health and equity, economic development, and parks, recreation, environment and open space into the draft plan.





When I-26 was a dead-end street

The day he was sworn in as chairman of the board, Bill Lapsley called a special meeting to outline the comp plan process and underscore its importance.

Im the immigrant of the group, he said as he introduced the topic.

A native of New Jersey and graduate of the University of Wyoming, Lapsley came to Hendersonville as assistant water director in his 20s and is the only elected commissioner who is not a native.

I was not raised here but Ive been here 46 years and Im trying to hold a little longer, he said. When I go back in my time here to the late 1970s, early 1980s, I-26 was a dead end street. It ended at Warrior Mountain. We were a little community at the end of the road with not a lot of things going on. I came in and I felt, This is a quaint little place, people are nice and theyve got all kinds of good things going for them.

But he soon recognized that an active core of leaders thought because Henderson County is so quaint and so nice we shouldnt grow, we should just stop right where were at. Thirty years ago, people opposed the widening of I-26. There was a very strong group of folks in our community that did not support any kind of growth and I found that to be a very concerning as a community member, he said. Youre either growing or youre shrinking.

The Chamber of Commerce and the original Committee of 100 led a counter-effort to build the growth attitude and do what we could to encourage economic development of the county, Lapsley said. To me that was a watershed moment in the community. The Committee of 100, the predecessor to the Partnership for Economic Development, identified manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and retirement as a four-legged structure to sustain economic growth.

The 2005 comp plan, the first zoning plan with teeth, was another watershed moment for the county but now that plan has run its course and proved numerous times to be outdated. Commissioners have felt the sting when they acted on rezoning requests that neighboring landowners thrashed as a threat to their quality of life.

We need to have a guide so when we make a decision about a new industry or a new agriculture thing or a tourism thing, we understand thats all part of where we see the county is going to be in the next 25 years, Lapsley said. Whats the use in having a plan if the public doesnt get behind it?

The county also should coordinate with the five incorporated cities, he added, a stab at unity that has often evaded local leaders.

If were truly going to have a county comprehensive plan weve got to include them. Weve got to make sure as best we can that theyre on board with it, Lapsley said. We need to be heading in the same direction. How bad would it be if the county wanted to go in one direction and the municipalities wanted to go completely opposite. The 2045 land-use plan will have a profound impact on the future living conditions for our county citizens. This is a big deal, a really big deal, from my perspective.


Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 77F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 77F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
In context: Earlier this week, we reported on some new developments in the Epic v. Apple legal battle. To recap, Apple recently asked Valve to provide it with sales data on 436 Steam games, to help it understand the markets Epic competes in. Valve initially refused to hand over the data due to how burdensome it would be to fulfill the demand, but now, a judge has ordered the company to comply.

This is unfortunate news for Valve. As the company explained in its original position statement, since it's a private firm, it is not obligated to store and disclose information to the same extent that a public company would. This means that Valve does not retain the sales data Apple asks for as part of its "ordinary course of business."

Valve said that, for every single game Apple requested data on, it would need to access multiple databases that it ordinarily doesn't, and collect "exhaustive" information on historical sales as well as every price change for the titles since 2015.

Judge Thomas Hixson, however, doesn't feel that this process will be particularly burdensome for Valve. Apparently, the company verbally described the process during a hearing, and it wasn't as complex as it made it seem in its position statement.

One of Valve's other key objections related to privacy. By giving its data to Apple, Valve claimed, it would be surrendering the competitive advantage the confidentiality provides. Hixson disagrees with this, too, however, noting that the protective order that is allegedly in place should be more than enough to prevent third parties from obtaining the data.

On the bright side, Hixson has thrown Valve a bone -- the company only needs to provide data on the requested games from the year 2017 and onward, not 2015 as Apple originally requested. The judge reasons that because the Epic Games Store didn't come about until 2018, data from any dates earlier than that would not be relevant to Apple's case.

You can read the Judge's full opinion here, but we've summarized his two core arguments above. We'll update you if Valve appeals the order, but assuming it doesn't, the company will have until March 8 to provide the documents Apple wants.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 01:30:00|Editor: huaxia

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Strictions on Wednesday in an effort to curb a recent rise in new COVID-19 infections officially dubbed the "third wave." Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said that the rules on face covering will be tightened, mandating the use of masks in public spaces starting on Saturday instead of the previously allowed alternatives, such as scarfs and visors. Also starting on Saturday, travelers from southern neighbours Slovakia and the Czech Republic will have to quarantine for ten days after arrival in Poland. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

WARSAW, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The average weekly level of infections in the "third wave" of the pandemic would amount to 10,000-12,000, Polish Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said on Friday.

"Currently, we have slightly more than 8,000 infections," said Niedzielski, adding there are grounds to believe that "the third wave should be a bit smaller."

The minister expected the pandemic to peak in the next three to four weeks.

However, he told Polish Radio One that this scenario may prove to be erroneous due to the appearance of new variants of the coronavirus. He referred to the Warmia-Masuria province, where "the dynamic increase in the incidence is caused by a mutation."

According to Niedzielski, tests have shown that the coronavirus variant first detected in Britain is responsible for more than 70 percent of infections in this province.

The government has announced new restrictions in an effort to curb the "third wave."

As of Saturday, the rules on face covering will be tightened, mandating the use of masks in public spaces instead of the previously allowed alternatives, such as scarfs and visors.

Also starting on Saturday, travelers from southern neighbours Slovakia and the Czech Republic will have to quarantine for ten days after arrival in Poland.

Over the course of this month, the daily infection rate has steadily climbed after a period of stability. A total of 11,539 new cases were confirmed on Friday, taking the tally to 1,684,788 since the start of the pandemic. To date, 43,353 Poles have lost their lives due to the coronavirus. Over 3.1 million Poles have already received at least one vaccine dose.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in some countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 255 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 73 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 13:37:49|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The All-China Women's Federation has decided to honor 310 women role models ahead of International Women's Day.

Among them, 10 women, including Chen Lan, a senior engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, were granted the title of national "pacemakers," a top honor.

A total of 199 organizations and groups were also honored for the outstanding performance of their female workers. Enditem

Managing Editor of Features

Lindsey Hollenbaugh is the managing editor of features for The Berkshire Eagle. A native of upstate New York, she has a journalism degree from Ithaca College. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband and son.
Looking for a spooky new page-turner next month? From Gothic fiction to dark fantasy, eerie supernatural tales, and psychological thrillers, these are some of the most-anticipated horror books coming out in March 2021.

Stephen King | Ida Mae Astute/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Later by Stephen King

Any new work by horror master Stephen King is sure to end up on a best books of 2021 list, and his upcoming paranormal suspense novel Later is no exception.

Later, which tells the story of a young boy whose single mother wants him to keep his supernatural powers a secret  while the NYPD would rather enlist his help to catch a murderer whos already died himself  has already drawn comparisons to It due to Kings uncanny ability to evoke the darker side of childhood.

RELATED: 10 Must-Read Nonfiction Books Coming Out in March 2021

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten

The Lost Village, authored by Camilla Sten (daughter of crime writer Viveca Sten), is already an international bestseller. Its been newly translated from its original Swedish by Alexandra Fleming.

Described as Midsommar meets The Blair Witch Project, the supernatural thriller follows a documentary filmmaker who returns to the village where nearly all of its residents  including her grandmothers family  mysteriously vanished in 1959. But once she and her crew arrive, they realize that they might not ever get to leave.

Cover reveal: I Would Haunt You if I Could, by @SeanBirnie. Art by Jana Heidersdorf. Design by @VinceHaig. Coming Spring 2021. pic.twitter.com/8hJmRVBP6V  Undertow Publications (@UndertowPubs) October 7, 2020

I Would Haunt You if I Could by Sean Padraic Birnie

Writer and photographer Sean Padraic Birnie has published work in literary journals like Shadows & Tall Trees and Black Static. His debut short story collection, I Would Haunt You If I Could, combines literary horror with body horror in a haunting set of genre-bending tales.

Want to be one of THE FIRST to get their hands on a GORGEOUS hardcover copy of CHILDREN OF CHICAGO by @cinapelayo! Reply, RT, or Fav by Wednesday at noon EST. Win and this book is yours! pic.twitter.com/V0X4ZgQjwc  Polis Books (@PolisBooks) February 22, 2021

Children of Chicago by Cynthia Pelayo

International Latino Book Award winner Cynthia Pelayos eerie reimagining of the Pied Piper fable, Children of Chicago, is one of the most-anticipated crime novels of 2021. A detective, haunted by the deal she made with her sisters murderer years ago, realizes the serial killer known as the Pied Piper has come back  this time, it seems, for her.

All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter

A.G. Slatters All the Murmuring Bones is a Gothic fantasy with a heavy dose of magic and myth. In this dark seaside fairytale, Miren OMalleys family has fallen by the wayside when it comes to the deal they struck long ago with the mer. They promised to sacrifice one child in each generation in exchange for protecting their ships. Now, Mirens grandmother wonders if her granddaughters life and freedom are worth the bargain.

Red Widow by Alma Katsu

Alma Katsu draws from her own experience as a longtime senior intelligence analyst for the CIA in her latest novel, Red Widow. A struggling CIA agent and an intelligence expert in the Russia Division, plagued by the stigma of her husbands mysterious death, discover a surprising connection  and a web of lies and secrets in the underbelly of the intelligence agency  in this fast-paced spy thriller.

Once upon a time Ella wished for more than her life as a lowly maid.

One night, Ellas wishes are answered. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide whether its one shes willing to pay

@JJAHarwood's delicious gothic publishes next month!https://t.co/zkftV4UJxp pic.twitter.com/5WdBAVxaIF  HarperVoyagerUK (@HarperVoyagerUK) February 22, 2021

RELATED: These 6 Contemporary Locked-Room Mystery Novels Will Keep You Guessing

The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood

JJA Harwood weaves an atmospheric, slow creep of a Gothic fairytale in The Shadow in the Glass, a dark Victorian retelling of Cinderella. Forced to endure harassment and abuse while working for her leering stepfather as a maid, Ella finds new hope in a fairy godmother who shows up to grant her seven wishes. But Ella soon learns that everything, even a wish, comes at a price.

I have a book coming out next month! We may be isolated right now, but at least we're not being stalked by eerie creatures wearing the faces of the missing and lost. Pre-order Our Last Echoes now: https://t.co/YKNU3m0rjw (Bookshop)https://t.co/7pke5YBY7X (Amazon) pic.twitter.com/KFIrhOwlON  Kate Alice Marshall / Kathleen Kimmel (@kmarshallarts) February 2, 2021

Our Last Echoes by Kate Alice Marshall

Well-known young adult and middle grade author Kate Alice Marshall returns with her latest YA novel, Our Last Echoes.

In this supernatural thriller, evocative of Riverdale and Twin Peaks, Sophia is summoned to the isolated island of Bitter Rock, where her mother disappeared 15 years ago. When she arrives, the flashbacks that have plagued her for years start to make a terrifying kind of sense.

My book, Goddess of Filth! A #Latinx novella about 5 Chicanas, possession, and power. Out March 2021 with @creaturelit



To celebrate I have donated to the @HorrorWriters Diversity Grant#Horror needs our stories#LatinxHeritageMonth

PREORDER here https://t.co/aF7AdNb7jH pic.twitter.com/sSIie5yWyq  V. Castro (@vlatinalondon) September 18, 2020

Goddess of Filth by V. Castro

V. Castro injects mythology and mysticism into dominant narratives about exorcism and possession in Goddess of Filth.

Five best friends conduct a seance, but their lighthearted fun turns a lot more serious when one of them, Fernanda, begins to chant in their Aztec ancestors language. A priest insists Fernandas increasingly erratic behavior can be chalked up to demonic possession, but her bruja Craft crew and a local professor arent so sure.

Enter for a chance to win @laurellizabeth's #TheGirlsAreAllSoNiceHere, a thrilling new novel for readers looking for a Mean-Girls-meets-Cruel-Intentions mashup, where a college reunion brings the past to light.



Open through 2/26, enter here : https://t.co/QiRD95ZzVM pic.twitter.com/2PlsAsWurZ  Simon & Schuster (@SimonBooks) February 22, 2021

The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

Laurie Elizabeth Flynns adult fiction debut, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, is a psychological thriller about the power and intensity of female friendship  and what can happen when it goes sideways.

Former best friends Amb and Sully know what they did back in college. But they never thought theyd have to pay for itthat is, until they start to get threatening messages in advance of their 10-year college reunion from a stranger demanding revenge.

FEAR ONLY THE TRUTH



It's not long until A Broken Darkness is released into the world and into your hands It's @premeesaurus' highly anticipated sequel to Beneath the Rising, named one of the best SFF book of the year by The Washington Post.



Pre-order: https://t.co/GrlVyFKwU0 pic.twitter.com/jP79VEKhHY  Rebellion Publishing (@RebellionPub) February 20, 2021

A Broken Darkness by Premee Mohamed

A Broken Darkness is the sequel to speculative fiction author Premee Mohameds popular dark fantasy horror novel, Beneath the Rising.

Nick Prasad is trying to put his life back together after he and his former best friend Johnny fought Them, the evil Ancient Ones intent on destroying the human species who were awakened and unleashed during Johnnys experiment gone wrong. His plans are derailed when They return, seemingly more powerful than ever.

The DOWN COMES THE NIGHT preorder campaign is live!



preorder from my local indie: https://t.co/vV4ivtqKTV



and receive:

 a signed copy

 an exclusive print (art by @NicoleDealArt)

 a set of 5 character cards (art to be revealed!)



they ship internationally! more info below pic.twitter.com/WaaNXeedW8  Allison Saft (@allisonhsaft) January 18, 2021

Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft

Allison Safts combines dark historical fantasy, all the hallmarks of the quintessential Gothic novel, and a compelling LGBT romance in Down Comes the Night.

Widely anticipated as one of the best YA books of 2021, this harrowing page-turner follows Wren, a healer whose recklessness with magic has damaged her reputation, and Hal, the Reaper of Cavendish, as they fight sinister forces in the isolated mansion of an eccentric lord.

They said I hurt that little girl. But they could never prove it



This is Ted. You'll meet him soon enough. Whether you'll trust him, is another question entirely.



Join us on Saturday to find out who else resides in #TheLastHouseOnNeedlessStreet



18th March | @Catrionaward pic.twitter.com/XR4eZdS9bD  Viper Books (@ViperBooks) February 22, 2021

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

Catriona Wards The Last House on Needless Street, which comes out in March for UK readers and in September for those in the U.S., combines the dread-drenched, dark psychological pull of Gillian Flynns Gone Girl with the conventions of classic literary horror. A misfit family of three  a man, a teenage girl, and a cat  lives together in a remote area of the Washington state woods. The presence of an unexpected new neighbor threatens to expose their shared secret.

Burning Girls and Other Stories by Veronica Schanoes

Fantasy author Veronica Schanoes has published speculative fiction on Tor.com and elsewhere. Schanoes upcoming short story collection, Burning Girls and Other Stories, has been named one of the most-anticipated books of 2021 on several must-read lists. The award-winning titular story lends a terrifying twist to conventional narratives about immigration, while another piece sees Emma Goldman having tea with the Baba Yaga.
It was certainly a case of scaling new heights both literally and figuratively. Firstly, the Ford Everest Sport has been revamped and now adds exclusive exterior styling, including eye-catching 20-inch wheels and sporty black finishes that make you stop and look again at the family oriented seven-seater SUV...
 "Merrick Garland, cannabis policy, and restorative justice" | Main | Split Washington Supreme Court rules states strict liability felony drug possession law violates due process 

February 25, 2021

"What If We Pay People to Stop Using Drugs?"

The question in the title of this post is the headline of this New Republic piece by Zachary Siegel. Its subheadline captures its themes: "Traditional treatments often take place in expensive facilities, demand total abstinence, and rely on punitive methods of control. A harm reduction model turns all of that on its head." Here is an excerpt (with links from the original):

In contingency management programs, a positive urine screen does not result in punishment the way it might in other treatment programs, especially when those are court mandated and using drugs can result in jail time. The only negative reinforcement in contingency management is that a positive urine screen means the reward cycle resets, along with the bonus count. You have to start over. People can come high, Mike Discepola, vice president of behavioral and substance use health at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, said. The whole idea of the program is to match a participants interest with their ability, Discepola explained. If someone is continually testing positive for stimulants, then treatment, counseling, and care are still available to them. If a participant tests positive, theyre encouraged to discuss why they used, and counselors try to motivate them to keep showing up and try again. No one gets turned away, and no one gets punished for using again. But thats exactly what conventional treatment, and the legal system, does. People who use drugs are often given an ultimatum to either comply with an abstinence-focused treatment program or go to jail. In Pennsylvania, one type of probation called addict supervision runs on a strict zero-tolerance approach where if participants test positive for drugs, or even miss a drug test, theyre detained and potentially given an even harsher sentence than the one they are hoping to avoid by agreeing to supervision in the first place. All this, mind you, for low-level drug arrests and minor offenses. Federal data from 2012 shows that 44 percent of men aged 19 to 49 who are on probation or parole could benefit from addiction treatment, but just over one-quarter actually get it. Even when they do, its hard to know if that treatment is truly grounded in compassionate health care or just punishment by another name.... Providing financial incentives is a common practice in health care and most of our regular lives. Employers offer their workers gym memberships and Fitbits to encourage certain behavior. If youve ever used points earned on a credit card or accumulated miles from traveling, thats an incentive, too.... Prevailing stigmas and stereotypes label people who use drugs as selfish, irresponsible, and criminal. Why pay them money? Arent they just going to buy more drugs? Attitudes against coddling people who use drugs are often deployed to prevent effective harm reduction interventions from being implemented. Rod Rosenstein, Trumps former deputy attorney general, argued against supervised consumption sites in The New York Times, saying the goal was to fight drug abuse, not subsidize it.

February 25, 2021 at 05:34 PM | Permalink

Comments

I think I have a great idea. Any Drug charged person, who is non-violent and in Prison, Federal or State. After 6 months- 2 years (depending on charge) should be able to post a "retainer" to go home and start their Supervised release. The retainer should be an amount depending on their sentence. If they violate, they lose that retainer (or whomever put it up for them) and cannot apply to do it again till another 2 years has past and they have gone through a program in Prison. Then the Retainer doubles if they choose to try again.

If they make it to their "off paper date" they are refunded the retainer, minus drug testing and Programs they are required to take. It would create more jobs, Cure Mass Incarceration, Keeps families together especially children who need their parent and inspire them to get their acts together.

I would be first to do this because I know my loved one would walk a very straight line. "Post Sentence Bonding" Not sure why the Gov. never can think outside the box, there are so many ways to help people, and weed out the ones who really have changed mentally and gotten their acts together, who deserve a chance. There is no reason someone should spend more than 4 years in prison for any kind of drug charge, it ruins their chances to get there lives together sitting in there for decades. How is someone supposed to get a job and their lives together after 15 years in prison? Impossible, hence the revolving door. Wake up lawmakers.

Posted by: Lisa Sciretta | Feb 25, 2021 10:11:49 PM

I agree, but hazard the issue of Hunter Biden. Big money but endless repeats of rehab.

Posted by: Brenda Rossini | Feb 26, 2021 8:22:11 AM

Brenda Rossini, thank you so much for the profound insight. A single individual, Hunter Biden, is both wealthy and experiences substance addition relapses on occasion. Thus, it clearly follows that the article and the underlying methodologies being discussedwhich don't mention him at all and have nothing to do with him or people in a comparable situationare hopelessly flawed and should be retracted and abandoned. How embarrassing to the author and researchers not to have thought of this sooner before expending all this time and effort on a new treatment approach. Good thing you brought this to everyone's attention before it really got out of hand. You're a modern-day savior.

Posted by: hardreaders | Feb 27, 2021 2:47:51 PM

This is an overly-simplistic view of addiction, which reflects a lack of insight about the disease of addiction. Addicts and alcoholics cannot control their behaviors and urges to use and consume alcohol and drugs. Offering them money to stop using assumes that they are rational decision-makers and are capable of controlling their own behaviors -- but they are not. Working in a criminal defense law firm, I have seen many heroin addicts who are charged with simple possession of heroin. I have asked the clients if they know anyone who has died from a heroin overdose. Without exception, all of the clients know a few or several people who have overdosed on heroin and died -- yet they continue to use themselves, despite knowing that it may kill them. Addicts and alcoholics are not rational people. Addiction is a disease of the mind, whose goal is to kill the addict. Using drugs is just one symptom of addiction. Addicts who are incarcerated in jail or prison, but don't get help, such as through A.A. or N.A., still engage in twisted, irrational thinking. Offering them money to abstain from using is not the answer.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Mar 1, 2021 12:45:43 PM

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The Oregon Supreme Court ruled Thursday that it will continue to allow juries to acquit people on nonunanimous verdicts.

The ruling comes after the U.S. Supreme Courts April 2020 decision that juries could no longer convict someone on a nonunanimous verdict. Washington County Circuit Judge Andrew Erwin later ordered that if nonunanimous convictions werent allowed, nonunanimous acquittals should also be barred.

Erwins order stemmed from the case of Tualatin resident Michael Stuart Ross, who was accused of murdering his mother in 2018. According to Oregon Supreme Court records, Erwin said that because of the April 2020 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Ramos v. Louisiana, he would instruct Ross jury that it needed to be unanimous in its conviction or acquittal.

But Ross disagreed with the judges interpretation of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and asked him to uphold the rule that allows jurors to acquit without a unanimous vote, according to state Supreme Court records.

Ross lawyer asked the state Supreme Court to address the issue, and the court sided Thursday with Ross determining that Ramos v. Louisiana did not address nonunanimous acquittals.

As such, the court will continue to allow them.

Aliza Kaplan, a Lewis & Clark Law School professor, said Thursdays decision doesnt change Oregon policy. But Kaplan said the U.S. Supreme Court ruling does have huge implications  especially for defendants of color who she said were disproportionately affected by the nonunanimous convictions rule.

Just imagine if youre a defendant and youre facing a trial, Kaplan said. Two people out of 12 can think the state didnt prove their case, they can think youre innocent, and it doesnt matter. As long as those 10 think youre guilty, youre getting locked up.

Kaplan said that after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against nonunanimous convictions, many people who were sentenced under the law have filed to have their convictions reversed.

As people start filing to have their cases reviewed under the Ramos decision, were seeing patterns of discrepancy in the races, Kaplan said. The majority of people that are filing are people of color  never mind the demographics of the county.

The judge in the Washington County case had previously made the argument that the nonunaminity rule could potentially harm jurors of color. State Supreme Court documents from Thursdays decision quoted a Washington County trial court representative who expressed confusion about why the nonunanimity rule should apply only to convictions.

This argument seems to suggest that the Court should uphold a systemically racist law so long as it is only used to discriminate against jurors of color when they vote to convict, the statement said. But it cannot be used to discriminate against jurors of color whose votes are acquittal.

Prior to Aprils U.S. Supreme Court decision, only two states allowed nonunanimous jury convictions: Oregon and Louisiana. The latter state stopped the practice in 2019.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and two of the states top education officials will visit a middle school Friday as they push to see more schools shift away from remote or hybrid learning.

Baker will be joined by Secretary of Education James Peyser, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley and Newburyport Mayor Donna D. Holaday in a tour of Nock-Molin Middle School in Newburyport, which offers in-person learning.

Students at the middle school participate in a pooled COVID-19 testing program.

While at the school, Baker, Peyser and Riley will speak to reporters. The press conference is scheduled to begin at 8:30 and can be watched via livestream below.

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PEOPLE across Cork are encouraged to dress up as their favourite Father Ted character this weekend in honour of the annual celebration of Irelands favourite sitcom.

Tedfest, which was first held in 2007, takes place annually around the 28 February to celebrate the spirit of Father Ted. The date for the event marks the anniversary of the death of Dermot Morgan and in 2016, the passing of Frank Kelly, who is best known for his role as Father Jack Hackett.

With the postponement of this years event, organisers have decided to mark the occasion with a new challenge to keep the spirit of Tedfest and Father Ted.

TedFest co-founder, Peter Phillips said:

This weekend is normally when we would be heading back to the island for TedFest so we wanted to do something to celebrate it."

On 28 February, the #TedfestCostumeChallenge will encourage people across Ireland to dress as their favourite character from the show - whether its Fr Jack, Ms Doyle, milkman Pat Mustard or Father Ted himself.

The challenge is sure to result in some hilarious scenes across Cork with participants encouraged to don their costume while on their daily Covid-19 compliant walk or run.

Those taking part are also encouraged to donate the price of a pint to a charity of their choice in honour of the weekend and to share an image of their costume online. Last year, the best costume at the festival dressed as a fully stocked lingerie department to mimic one of the iconic scenes from the show.

The annual Tedfest is usually held on Inis Mor which is transformed into the legendary Craggy Island for a weekend of high-jinks. Those taking part in the costume challenge can share their costume on social media with the hashtag #TedfestCostumeChallenge.

This years Tedfest will take place between the 14 and 17 October. Tickets are available at www.tedfest.org

A vast iceberg almost the size of Greater London has broken away from the Antarctic ice shelf near a British research station, the British Antarctic Survey said Friday.

The research body said the iceberg measuring 1,270 square kilometres (490 square miles) had broken off from the 150-metre-thick Brunt Ice Shelf in a process called "calving".

This came almost a decade after scientists first saw massive cracks had formed in the shelf.

A crack in the ice widened by several hundred metres on Friday morning before the iceberg broke off completely.

Britain's Halley VI Research Station monitors the state of the vast floating ice shelf daily.

"Our teams at BAS have been prepared for the calving of an iceberg from Brunt Ice Shelf for years," said BAS director Jane Francis.

The mobile research base relocated inland for safety reasons in 2016-2017 as cracks in the ice threatened to cut it off.

"That was a wise decision," commented Simon Garrod, BAS director of operations.

The glaciologists said the latest event is unlikely to affect the station's current location.

The base's 12-person team left earlier this month, as they leave the base uninhabited in winter due to the unpredictable conditions.

While they are away, data from GPS instruments at the site goes to a centre in Cambridge, eastern England, for analysis.

Icebergs naturally break off from Antarctica into the ocean in a process accelerated by climate change.

The BAS said in this case, there is "no evidence that climate change has played a significant role".

"Over coming weeks or months, the iceberg may move away; or it could run aground and remain close to Brunt Ice Shelf," said Francis.

The British Antarctic Survey is a world leader in environmental research in the region.

Explore further Is the Brunt Ice Shelf on the brink?

 2021 AFP
Ross River virus cases in Victoria are already more than double the average, prompting another warning from health authorities.

The state has had 448 cases of the mosquito-borne virus to February 25, according to Victoria's Executive Director for Communicable Disease Dr Bruce Bolam.

The Health Department said there would be around 200 in a typical year, although it ballooned to 2,000 in 2017 after spring floods.

A fact sheet published by NSW Health says the virus is spread by certain types of female mosquitoes when they feed on humans or animals.

It also stated that the virus cannot be passed from human to human.

The report said that infections will usually peak during the summer and autumn months.

Female mosquitoes pass the virus on to animals and humans

Most of the cases this summer have been in the Surf Coast, Bellarine and East Gippsland areas.

Betterhealth.vic.gov.au said Ross River virus tends to occur throughout times that encourage mosquito breeding, that includes heavy rainfall, floods and temperature.

Similar conditions in 2017 resulted in a boom in cases.

The virus can cause symptoms including joint pain and stiffness, headache, fever, rash and fatigue.

Health authorities warned late last year Ross River virus had been detected in regional areas.

The Victorian government recommended individuals: 'Reduce the number of potential mosquito breeding habitats around your home by ensuring no stagnant water is present.'

'Containers holding water should be emptied and washed regularly. Avoid mosquito-prone areas, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are more active and likely to bite.'

Dr Bolam said the early summer conditions, especially in coastal areas, had helped mosquito breeding.

'Everyone is encouraged to wear long, loose fitting clothes and use repellents containing picaridin or DEET on exposed skin,' he said.

'People should ensure that insect screens fitted to doors and windows around the home are in good condition.'
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) successfully developed all-round gripper* technology, enabling robots to hold objects of various shapes and stiffnesses. With the new technology, a single gripper can be used to handle different objects such as screwdrivers, bulbs, and coffee pots, and even food with delicate surfaces such as tofu, strawberries, and raw chicken. It is expected to expand applications in contact-free services such as household chores, cooking, serving, packaging, and manufacturing.

*Gripper: A device that enables robots to hold and handle objects, similar to a human hand.

The team led by Chanhun Park of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics under the Advanced Manufacturing Systems Research Division developed all-round grippers that facilitate contact-free services. Contact-free services require gripper technology for robots to freely handle objects regardless of object shape and material.

The all-round gripper was developed to hold objects of various shapes, sizes, and stiffnesses. The stiffness of the gripper surface in contact with the object is soft and fluffy enough to be similar to that of a tofu. This extremely low stiffness can inherently prevent damage to the object. In addition, only the area pressed by the object is selectively deformed, so the contact surface of the gripper can be deformed to perfectly match the target object contour, and this can help to realize firm grip.

"The soft structure technology allows the gripper surface to perfectly match target objects in extremely soft state using the honeycomb structure and stretchable mesh structure," said Sung-hyuk Song, senior researcher in charge of developing the gripper surface structure.

After the grabbing action, the gripper surface hardens, keeping the object stable in its grip. This feature allows it to safely hold objects, including those with fragile surfaces. The sense of stability provided by the gripper is such that users will feel as if it has been customized for the specific object.

The all-round gripper can hold a target object firmly instead of leaving it hanging unstably, so the gripper has the advantage of being able not only to transfer objects but also to perform complex tasks such as preparing a cocktail with a squeezed lemon, making chicken soup, and cooking a squid dish, none of which were possible to implement with existing grippers.

"Conventional grippers are applicable to only a few objects, but our all-round grippers can be applied to various objects of different shape and size, because the gripper's surface shape and rigidity can be transformed according to the target object. We hope the developed all-round gripper plays a key role in the advancement of contact-free services, where there is much need for innovation in gripper technology," said Chanhun Park, the head of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics.

###

The study was conducted as part of the project titled "Development of Highly Efficient and Safe Industrial Manipulator for Human-robot Collaboration."

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) is a non-profit government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its foundation in 1976, KIMM has been contributing to the economic growth of the nation by performing R&D on key technologies in machinery and materials, conducting reliability test evaluation, and commercializing developed products and technologies.

The research, backed by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), was conducted by KIMM. An article explaining the results of this research was published in the latest issue of IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, the top 1.6% (rank 1/64) international journal in the INSTRUMENTS & INSTRUMENTATION field (IF:7.515). (DOI: 10.1109/TIE.2020.3044811)
Senior Reporter

Schools that have hiked fees without approval, even when the institutions remain closed as part of efforts to fight the spread of Covid-19, should be censured.

This was said by chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, while presenting a report on the committee's assessment of preparedness of schools for the 2020 examinations following the outbreak of Covid-19.

Schools are required to seek permission from Government before increasing fees, but some have increased without requisite authority.

"The ministry has to deal with this issue urgently because it is unfair to parents, some of whom are not even working during this lockdown," she said.

Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the ministry should also devise a pro-rata formula for payment of fees.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said there was collaboration between the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Health and Child Care to set the stage for the resumption of classes.
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PITTSFIELD  The first trials since the pandemic hit could be held this coming week in Berkshire County  though on a limited basis, and not yet involving criminal defendants.

The Massachusetts Trial Court has summoned jurors for tentative sessions Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the main courtroom of the Berkshire Superior Court. Meantime, a search continues for alternative court locations that allow fuller operations during the pandemic.

For now, judicial proceedings will be limited, by order of the Supreme Judicial Court, to whats known as jury of 6 trials. A handful of these trials were held elsewhere in Massachusetts in January, with the proceedings then suspended so the court system could conduct a review.

Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington said that even as trials resume locally Monday, the state Trial Court is "moving forward with standing up (alternative) court space."

Brady list (copy) Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington says she welcomes the resumption of a limited number and kind of trials next week, nearly a year

"I'm happy with these developments. I'd love to be trying criminal cases. It does seem that we're making progress," she said.

Harrington said no criminal trials are yet in sight because defendants in Massachusetts have a right to have their cases decided by panels of 12 jurors. She said no defendants have opted for the smaller juries.

As of Friday, local prosecutors faced a backlog of 2,456 pending cases: 2,181 in district court, 74 in juvenile court and 201 in superior court, according to Andrew McKeever of the DA's office.

Jennifer Donahue, a spokeswoman for the Trial Court, said that if trials are not ready to move forward next week, jurors will be notified. The new sessions are set to run only through April, with the state considering next steps in the meantime to expand operations.

Last fall, the state reviewed the quality of indoor ventilation at all courthouses, including Berkshire Superior Court. That study, by Tighe & Bond, found that the 1871 Pittsfield buildings main courtroom could accommodate 35 people.

That report indicates that ventilation in the main courtroom is sufficient for juries of 6, Donahue said in an email, in response to questions. Though the space is served by a 59-year-old air-handling unit in the courts attic, it is said to be working well.

While very old and well beyond its useful life, the unit is in fair condition, appears to be well maintained and has updated electrical controls, the Tighe & Bond study said.

In the last few months, trial court officials have been looking for alternate locations for trials in Berkshire County, seeking physical spaces that allow people to gather indoors while also preventing risk of COVID-19 transmission to jurors or court workers. That search included, at one time, consideration of the shuttered Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough.

One site that was considered in Pittsfield, the field house at Berkshire Community College, may have been dropped because it is being used for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Donahue said the hunt for alternative trial venues continues, as the Trial Court works with the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. When secured, the off-site locations will be used for as long as they are needed and available, Donahue said.

The recruitment of these locations is not subject to normal procurement and bidding rules because its been determined to be an emergency, Donahue said.

Harrington said that for the time being, prosecutors are being asked to bring forward relatively straightforward criminal cases, when those resume, with a limited number of witnesses, including cases that do not require appearances by expert witnesses from outside Massachusetts who might be subject to quarantine upon arrival.

"They're looking for trials that can be conducted with those restrictions," she said of the Trial Court. Harrington said she is eager to determine trial dates. "So that victims in particular will know when the trial will occur. That's important to victims because the trial can be traumatic," she said.

Priority will also be given to criminal cases involving the use of violence and cases in which the defendant is in custody.

Aside from trials, courts have continued to operate in Berkshire County, except for periodic closings ordered from Boston due to COVID-19 concerns. Most court business has been held through video and telephone conferences. But buildings are generally open to the public and judges have been sitting for pre-trial proceedings and for bench trials without juries.
A grave digger working in a cemetery in Long Island died after he became trapped in a grave that collapsed on him.

Rodwin Allicock, 42, had been working inside the grave at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai Thursday when it collapsed around 8.30am, the Suffolk County Police shared in a press release.

Co-workers attempted to dig the Coram resident from inside the grave, which was more than seven feet deep.

Rodwin Allicock, 42, had been working inside the grave at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai Thursday when it collapsed on him at around 8.30am

Allicock was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Center.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident in addition to the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.

According to their website, the Washington Memorial Park cemetery has been in operation for more than half a century.

Authorities have not released any additional information.

According to their website, the Washington Memorial Park cemetery has been in operation for more than half a century.

The cemetery could not be reached for a comment.
N.C. ranks first in shots for those 65 and up

North Carolina ranks first in the nation for vaccinating the largest share of its 65 and older population at 49 percent, the Kaiser Family Foundation said.

The rate does not include those in long-term care facilities.

"Our goal is to administer vaccine quickly and equitably and I'm proud of the work our providers are doing to protect North Carolinas most vulnerable population, said Gov. Roy Cooper said in a news release distributed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Older adults are at high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. They make up the majority (83%) of deaths from COVID-19 in the state. Because of limited supply, states have to vaccinate people in phases. North Carolina began vaccinating adults 65 and older in mid-January.

Getting as many people as possible vaccinated quickly and equitably will also help stop the spread of COVID-19 variantsand get us back to the people and places we love, said DHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen said.

As of today, North Carolina has administered more than 1.4 million first doses of vaccine and more than 2.3 million total doses. Another tested, safe and effective vaccine may soon increase supply and get more people vaccinated quickly. A one-shot vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is currently being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration and could soon be authorized for use. Like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, it will help prevent COVID-19 and is extremely effective in preventing hospitalization and death with no serious safety concerns.

The state has also been recognized for the quality of its data. Bloomberg News scored North Carolina as best in the nation on vaccine race and ethnicity data quality, reporting the data for nearly 100 percent of people vaccinated in the state.

North Carolina has embedded equity in all aspects of vaccine operations, including how vaccine is allocated in the state. Vaccines are distributed to all 100 counties, with increases to counties with higher numbers of historically marginalized populations that are 65 and older. The state also sets aside a portion of its allocation to support events that increase access in underserved communities and engage historically marginalized populations.

These strategies are having an impact. For the past three weeks, more than 20 percent of first doses administered in the state have gone to North Carolinas Black/African American population. The Black/African Americans population is 22.2 percent of the states total population.

Although there has been some progress, more work is needed to reach the states Hispanic/Latinx population. For the week ending Feb. 21, 3.7 percent of first doses administered in the state went to our Hispanic/LatinX population, up from 1.8 percent for the week ending Jan. 17. The Hispanic/Latinx population is 9.8 percent of the states total population.

Visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov for accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines. To slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, continue to practice the 3 Ws - wear a mask, wait six feet apart and wash your hands.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 49 Physician Assistant Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 177 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 177 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 49 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Physician Assistant Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-physician-assistant-degree-programs/

2021 Physician Assistant Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

A.T. Still University

Arcadia University

Butler University

California Baptist University

Canisius College

City College of New York

Cornell University

DeSales University

Drexel University

Duke University

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Elon University

Emory University

Gannon University

George Washington University

James Madison University

King's College

Lock Haven University

Marquette University

Medical University of South Carolina

Mercer University

Midwestern University

Missouri State University

New York Institute Of Technology

Northeastern University

Northern Arizona University

Northwestern University

Nova Southeastern University

Oregon Health and Science University

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Quinnipiac University

Rosalind Franklin University

Rush University

Sacred Heart University

Saint Francis University

Seton Hall University

Shenandoah University

State University of New York, Stony Brook

Touro College and University System

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

University of Florida

University of Nebraska Medical Center

University of North Dakota

University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

University of Utah

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Yale University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Two people who moved here recently from Michigan pilfered a Gofundme account set up to defray funeral expenses for a friend who died last year in a car crash, Dunmore police charged.

Salvatore J. Poloso, 36, and his girlfriend, Kara M. Foley, 32, both of 1016 Village Drive, White Tail, face counts of theft, receiving stolen property and engaging in a criminal conspiracy, according to a pair of criminal complaints filed by Detective Michael Lydon.

On Jan. 22, Capt. Richard Barth met with Denise Edwards of Dunmore, who explained that her brother, Brian Keith Price, died in a car crash Sept. 29 in New Milford.

Foley reached out to her over social media shortly before the funeral to set up a charity campaign to help pay for the expenses. Edwards was leery  she did not know Foley that well  but agreed because she knew Foley and Poloso were friends of her brother.

The campaign raised $2,343.21 but the family never received the money, only explanations for why Foley could not pay it.

The bottom line is that I dont have the money, Foley told Edwards.

Edwards learned, however, that the money had already been deposited into Foleys bank account. Edwards spoke with Poloso on Nov. 7, who accused Edwards of being money hungry, according to police.

When I have some, Ill send it, he said, explaining he had mouths to feed and Christmas presents to buy.

Investigators reviewed documentation of withdrawals from the charity campaign. It totaled $2,338.21 taken over a period of 15 days in October.

The first withdrawal was for $290.10 on Oct. 5  the day Price was buried. Foley and Poloso attended the service.

Magisterial District Judge George E. Seig on Thursday jailed both at the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail, according to a court docket. They are scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 8.

Nicola Walker was pictured racing down the River Clyde in Glasgow on Thursday as she filmed scenes for her new crime drama Annika.

The Unforgotten actor, 50, looked tense as she steered the inflatable police boat, while playing a detective with Scotland's Marine Homicide Unit.

She wore full protective Helly Hansen sailing gear, complete with a red lifejacket while on set as she maneuvered the speedboat down the river.

Back at it: Unforgotten actress Nicola Walker was pictured racing down the River Clyde in Glasgow on Thursday as she filmed scenes for her new crime drama, Annika

Nicola stars as the titular character, Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, in the upcoming drama.

In the show, her specialist unit is tasked with investigating a number of mysterious deaths and unexplained murders off the coast of Scotland.

The Last Tango in Halifax star kept her face covered with a grey printed face mask before stepping on the boat as the camera started rolling.

As she sped down the Clyde, she wore her blonde bob loose as it whipped up around her face.

In character: The actor, 50, looked tense as she steered the inflatable boat, while playing Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, a detective with Scotland's Marine Homicide Unit

Protected: She wore full sailing gear, complete with a red lifejacket and kept her face covered with a grey printed face mask while on set as she maneuvered the speedboat down the river

In an interview with Graham Norton on Virgin Radio on Sunday morning, the actress revealed that she has been living on her own in a flat in Glasgow since the New Year.

She said: 'I was up here a bit before Christmas and Ive been up since January 4, actually, in my flat, on my own!'

The Olivier-award-winner joked that she has been living on her own for so long she was worried about speaking on radio.

She continued: 'I am a bit worried about speaking to anyone publicly at the moment because Ive been on my own for quite a while, Graham!

Work life: In an interview with Graham Norton on Virgin Radio on Sunday, the actress revealed that she has been living on her own in a flat in Glasgow since the New Year while filming

'They thought that maybe my family could come and visit me, but theyre in lockdown and Im in lockdown!'

The actress gave an insight into some of the filming locations in Scotland, sometimes filming in harsh winter conditions saying they were 'brutal and epic'.

She said: 'Weve been out on boats quite a lot and the weather has been very kind to us.

'Its been freezing, but the boat people have been laughing because the seas have been pretty flat actually so were having this sort of idyllic, glassy boat ride, when normally obviously it can chuck everything at you up here.'

Freezing: The actress gave an insight into some of the filming locations in Scotland, sometimes filming in harsh winter conditions calling them 'brutal and epic'

The series, which is based on the Radio 4 drama where she voiced the same character, follows Nicola as she manages her detective unit while they investigate the 'seemingly unfathomable' murders.

She also plays a mother to her 'brilliant yet complex' teenage daughter Morgan, played by Silvie Furneaux, and often breaks the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience in her investigations.

Nicola is joined by a star-studded cast, including Jamie Sives, Guilt, Katie Leung, The Nest, Ukweli Roach, Blindspot, and Kate Dickie, The Cry.

The six-part series is being shot in various locations around Glasgow until March 21, and will air on Alibi later this year.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 15:55:01|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China made remarkable progress in combating air pollution in 2020, the final year of the nation's three-year battle to bring back blue skies.

In July 2018, the country vowed to fight against air pollution in its three-year action plan, setting 2020 targets to improve major air quality indicators from their 2015 levels.

The "battle for blue skies" yielded encouraging results last year. The following are some highlights of China's achievements in this hard-fought battle.

-- China has achieved the goals of its three-year action plan released in 2018, as 87 percent of all days in 2020 across 337 major cities saw good air quality readings, up 5.8 percentage points from 2015.

-- Cities that failed to meet the national standards for average PM2.5 density saw their readings decline 28.8 percent between 2015 and 2020.

-- China's average PM2.5 density dropped to 33 micrograms per cubic meter in 2020, down 8.3 percent year on year.

-- The average density of PM10 and ozone (O3) fell 11.1 percent and 6.8 percent year on year, respectively, in 2020. It was the first time since 2015 that O3 density dropped.

-- After three years of continuous efforts, the average PM2.5 density in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas in autumn and winter fell 32.7 percent, while the number of heavy air pollution days plunged by 62 percent from 37.4 to 14.1.

-- The average density of PM2.5 in Beijing was 38 micrograms per cubic meter in 2020, a year-on-year decline of 9.5 percent and the lowest measurement since the data was first collected in 2013. Enditem

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Upstate New York was a hotbed in the 19th century for the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. Names like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Gerrit Smith are familiar. But there were also valiant figures from the region, white and Black, who fought for the end of slavery whose names have faded into history.

During this Black History Month, after searching through old newspapers and websites, we take a look back at some of Upstate New Yorks forgotten abolitionists.

***

New York newspaper publisher John P. Herrick once wrote that the life of Upstate abolitionist Calvin Fairbank reads something like a fairy tale.

It certainly does although, somehow, it seems his story has slipped through the cracks of history.

In 1893, The Illustrated Buffalo Express wrote that Fairbanks career was one of daring and suffering almost surpassing belief and the paper believed that when the final history of the abolition movement shall be written it will give him a place beside (William Lloyd) Garrison, (Elijah) Lovejoy and John Brown.

Father Fairbank has a history marked with so many thrilling events that it is almost incredible to those not acquainted with him, the New York World said in 1898.

He is believed to have helped with the escape of 47 slaves and endured two stints in Kentucky state prison for doing so. He was treated horribly but remained devoted to the cause of freedom and equality.

I hate slavery so intensely, and everything that supports it, that, with no other means than the ability to carry my valise from place to place  and be reviled for it  I will continue the fight thus, if no better way presents itself, he wrote in a letter to Garrisons anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator.

Fairbank was born in 1816 at Pike in what is now Wyoming County in western New York State.

He grew up during the Second Great Awakening and in an intensely religious family.

His life changed when, as a boy, he heard the experiences of two former slaves at a Methodist meeting in Rushford

In his 1890 memoir, Rev. Calvin Fairbank During Slavery Times: How He Fought the Good Fight to Prepare the Way, he recalled the moment and the change it made in him.

My heart wept, my anger was kindled, and antagonism to slavery was fixed upon me.

He told his father that when I get older, they shall not do that, and the resolve waxed stronger with my growth.

In 1837, he helped his first slave to escape, a young man from Virginia named Sam Johnson, who he met while piloting a raft on the Ohio River.

While on the same trip, he rescued eight others, including a family of seven.

Fairbank became an ordained Methodist minister and enrolled in Oberlin Collegiate Institute in Ohio, which had become a center for anti-slavery activity.

It was as a student, during a trip to Lexington, Kentucky in 1843, when he had the most extraordinary incident in my history.

ELIZA

A beautiful slave girl named Eliza, the daughter of a slave woman and her master, was being confined in the citys jail, waiting to be sold at auction.

Her plantations mistress, possibly intimidated by Elizas beauty, wanted her removed

Word of her impending sale sparked a great deal of attention. Male bidders, with bad intentions all, were streaming into Lexington for the auction.

Fairbank visited her cell and promised her that he would come up with a plan.

This drawing of Eliza, the young woman rescued by Calvin Fairbank in Lexington, Kentucky, is from the Jan. 29, 1893's "New York Press." New York Digital LibraryNew York Digital Library

He visited members of Cincinnatis abolitionist community, including Levi Coffin and Salmon P. Chase, and asked if they could give him money so he could purchase Eliza and set her free.

Fairbank returned to Lexington with the then amazing sum of $2,275.

I was invincible, he thought.

There were 2,000 people at the sale, representing the wealth, he wrote, from cities like Boston, New York, Washington, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.

And I was there and defied the powers of darkness to foil my purpose, Fairbank remembered. I felt confident of my ability to compete with any man whose only stimulus was lust and greed and rose above all thought of danger in the rescue of the hapless girl.

He became locked in a bidding war with a Frenchman, who Fairbank said an an evil gleam in his eye.

When asked by this character how high he planned to bid, Fairbank confidently replied, It is none of your business, sir; but understand that you cannot command money enough to take this girl.

When the gavel came down at $1,485, about $52,000 in todays money, Fairbank had won.

Youve got her damned cheap, sir, the auctioneer said. What are you going to do with her?

Free her, sir! Fairbank cried in an auction house full of slave owners.

He brought Eliza to Cincinnati and left her with the family of abolitionist journalist and publisher Gamaliel Bailey. She was educated and married into a prominent Cincinnati family.

IMPRISONED

According to the Washington D.C. Evening Star, the Eliza incident made Calvin Fairbank a marked man in the eyes of Kentucky slave holders.

Nevertheless, he returned to Lexington to help more slaves escape to the north.

He became interested in helping the family of Lewis Hayden, who would later represent Boston in the Massachusetts Legislature.

Lewis Hayden and his family were helped by abolitionist Calvin Fairbank in escaping slavery. After Hayden settled in Boston, he raised funds to help free Fairbank from a Kentucky prison where he was held after being arrested for helping more slaves to escape. Courtesy of WikipediaCourtesy of Wikipedia

Why do you want your freedom, Fairbank asked Hayden.

Because Im a man, was the answer.

Fairbank and abolitionist Delia Webster managed to get the Haydens, who were disguised as their servants or as white people, with veils and flour on their faces, to Ohio, where they would eventually escape to Canada.

But when Fairbank and Webster returned to Kentucky, they were arrested and charged with assisting runaway slaves.

He was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor at a Frankfort prison.

I was conveyed there on the 18th day of February 1845, my head shaven close, he wrote in his memoir, I dressed in stripes and put to sawing stones.

Residents of Wyoming County, friends in the abolitionist movement and Fairbanks own father lobbied Kentucky Governor John J. Crittenden to release him from prison.

In a beautiful irony, Lewis Hayden, who had settled in Boston, raised $650 to aid in granting his release. Hayden worked to gain the freedom of the man who had helped to free him.

After almost five years, Fairbank was given a pardon and released.

The old fire was still in him.

I made my way to Cincinnati, he wrote, and sought out my old comrades in the holy work for humanity against oppression.

He lectured throughout the North and met many of the most influential abolitionists, including Wendall Phillips, Gerrit Smith and Garrison.

In 1851, he married Mandana Tileston, who he affectionately nicknamed Dana.

That fall, Fairbank planned to return to Lexington, Kentucky, to retrieve his fathers body, who had died while trying to gain his sons release.

While in Cincinnati he learned of another woman who was destined for a Kentucky auction block. Her name was Tamar.

On Nov. 3, 1851, he managed to get her to Salem, Indiana but he was then kidnapped by Kentucky state marshals. He was arrested and made to stand trial again.

By then The Fugitive Slave Act had passed and the feeling against him was intense.

He was again sentenced to 15 years of hard labor but this time his treatment would be much harsher.

Captain Newton Craig was the prison warden and Fairbank said he was educated under pro-slavery influences and was constitutionally unfit to do me justice. It was thought Newton made a fortune by working prisoners nearly to death making hemp.

He wrote:

From daybreak until dawn, men worked as for life, knowing that when the next day dawned whoever fell behind felt the utmost of the strap. The howling of victims could be heard every minute of the day.

In a Jan. 29, 1893 profile of Upstate abolitionist Calvin Fairbank, the New York Press had this drawing showing some of the abuse he suffered as a prisoner in Kentucky. New York Digital LibraryNew York Digital Library

Fairbank was whipped almost daily. He figured in his memoir he endured a total of 35,105 stripes before his release at the personal request of President Abraham Lincoln in April 1864.

Now, you ask, how did you keep count? Well, I could count most of the time, - and the men in the shop always counted and when I failed to keep count, I asked the men. Then, I marked - posted; week-by-week, year-by-year the number of lashes I endured.

Three times during the Civil War he was threatened with hanging by invading Confederate soldiers.

Between the beatings and illness, when he was finally released, he weighed just 117 pounds, down from 180 when he was sentenced.

After his release, Fairbank again hit the lecture circuit and spoke in front the Lincoln family and the Presidents Cabinet.

After the war, he did missionary work in Richmond and New York City.

His health never totally recovered from the years of abuse he received in that Kentucky prison.

He died on Oct. 12, 1898 and is buried in a cemetery at Angelica, New York in Allegany County.

In its moving obituary, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle wrote the beautiful story of a noble life of Calvin Fairbank.

The slave had no better friend and advocate. Bravery such as he displayed is rewarded with the Victoria cross on other battlefields. He had a heart as brave as any heros that ever beat.

Fairbank will take his rightful place in the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum this autumn.

Black History Month

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Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-427-3958.
UK-based Faradion, a developer of sodium-ion battery technology (earlier post), and Phillips 66 have launched a new technical collaboration to develop lower-cost and higher-performing anode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Sodium-ion battery technology has an inherent advantage over other power-storage technologies because it uses low-cost materials that are sustainable and widely available. Carbon is the preferred anode material for the batteries and the collaboration is expected to leverage Phillips 66s experience developing specialty carbon materials and Faradions work as a leader in sodium-ion battery technology.

Our world-class research team is working on various energy production and storage technologies that could help meet the worlds growing energy needs while advancing a lower-carbon future. Were pleased to put some of our resources into play with Faradion as it works to bring game-changing technology to market using our high-performing anode materials. Ann Oglesby, Vice President, Energy Research & Innovation at Phillips 66

A diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company based in Houston, Phillips 66 has filed numerous patent applications on battery-related technology.

Faradions technology provides similar performance to conventional chemistries while avoiding use of expensive materials such as cobalt and replacing lithium with the more sustainable and abundant sodium while giving better safety and thermal stability.

Faradion prioritized developing high energy density cells to meet the demands of current and future applications. Prototype cells deliver energy density in excess of 140 Wh/kg, with a design performance of 155 Wh/kg in 10Ah pouch cells. Current cell designs can provide gravimetric and volumetric energy densities comparable to lithium-ion and greatly in excess of lead-acid batteries.





In 2015, Faradion demonstrated the worlds first sodium-ion battery powered vehicle when it launched an e-bike battery demonstrator in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering and Oxford University. (Earlier post.)

The companys comprehensive intellectual property portfolio comprises multiple patent families focusing on cell materials, cell infrastructure, pack design, safety and transportation.
More than 1 million acres of public land in California and other Western states will be preserved as undeveloped wilderness if long-stalled legislation thats back in play under the Biden administration can make it through Congress.

The ambitious bill, which combines eight previously introduced conservation initiatives, would provide pandemic-weary Californians with more redwood forests to explore in the north state, a 400-mile scenic trail to hike along the Central Coast and expanded national recreation areas to visit in Southern California.

Its historic, said Laura Navar, an outreach manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, which promotes the protection of parks and natural lands. We are all, especially in these times, looking to connect with these spaces.

The House passed the Democrat-sponsored bill on Friday, and President Biden has said he supports the package. The prospects remain less certain in the Senate, where Democrats hold the thinnest of majorities and Republicans have expressed concern about restrictions on oil drilling and other commercial activities. Past efforts to advance the initiatives, some of which date back decades, often faltered amid Republican opposition.

The land proposed for new protections is managed by the federal government and, for the most part, would not affect private property.

The legislation calls for safeguarding about 3 million acres, with roughly 1.3 million designated as wilderness, the most restrictive classification for federal land. In this tier, roadbuilding, logging and energy exploration are all prohibited. The bill also calls for more than 1,000 miles of rivers to be designated as wild and scenic, similarly barring development.

Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images 2017

In Northern California, under proposals by Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, more than 300,000 acres would receive protection, mostly in Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties. About 262,000 acres of that would be classified as wilderness.

The popular Trinity Alps Wilderness would be expanded under the new bill, and eight new wilderness areas would be established, including the Chinquapin Wilderness in Trinity County. This 26,890-acre area contains the largest groves of unprotected ancient forest in California.

The legislation also calls for studying the possibility of establishing a Bigfoot National Recreation Trail. The path would run 360 miles from the Mendocino National Forest through the Klamath Mountains to Redwood National Park, briefly crossing the state line into Oregon.

New visitor centers, providing recreation advice and history information to the public, also would be authorized for Weaverville (Trinity County) and Crescent City (Del Norte County).

The fact that were having a vote on this so early in this Congress shows the importance of public lands, Huffman said at a media event over Zoom on Thursday.

He called the outdoors a way of life for Northern Californians.

The Protecting Americas Wilderness and Public Lands Act does not allocate new funding. But the designations that come with it open the door for Congress to start sending money.

California Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, and Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, also contributed proposals to the legislative package.

COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California.

The authors outlined many benefits of their measures, from providing green space near urban areas to protecting wildlife to sequestering heat-trapping carbon pollution.

In Central California, about 288,000 acres of wilderness area would be established in the Carrizo Plain National Monument and the Los Padres National Forest under the bill. The 400-mile Condor Trial, which runs through the Los Padres National Forest from Los Angeles County to just south of Monterey County, would receive official trail designation.

In Southern California, the 191,000-acre Rim of the Valley Corridor would be added to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument would grow by 109,000 acres.

The legislation would make similar conservation moves in Washington, Colorado and Arizona, including heading off a bid to mine uranium near the Grand Canyon and drill for oil and gas in Colorados Thompson Divide.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander

Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 18:31:39|Editor: huaxia

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Argentine military personnel are on duty at a mobile field hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 25, 2021. The mobile field hospital, consisting of 13 trucks and donated by China, is expected to boost Argentina's medical capacity amid the ravaging pandemic. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)

BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A mobile field hospital, consisting of 13 trucks and donated by China, is expected to boost Argentina's medical capacity amid the ravaging pandemic.

Each of the 13 trucks corresponds to a different function of the mobile hospital, including an operating vehicle, a first aid vehicle, an X-ray diagnostic vehicle, a biochemical lab vehicle, a sterilization vehicle and an energy supply vehicle.

There are also a water supply vehicle, a kitchen vehicle, a washing machine vehicle, an oxygen generator vehicle, a shower vehicle, a restroom vehicle and a tent support vehicle.

Along with the mobile hospital, four patient tents, 90 VHF portable radios and 15 VHF backpack radios were also donated.

The mobile hospital will be operated by the Argentine Army's Health Department in consultation with the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Argentina's Defense Ministry said in a press release.

The handover ceremony was held Thursday at the Campo de Mayo Military Base in northwest Buenos Aires, with participation of Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers Santiago Cafiero, Defense Minister Agustin Rossi, Health Minister Carla Vizzotti and Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Zou Xiaoli.

Cafiero thanked China for "the backing and support" and praised the donation as an action of solidarity, which reflects "a cooperative world vision on the part of the Chinese government."

Rossi expressed "deep gratitude and enormous joy" for the donation, which "is extremely important for Argentina's health system and military health."

"Argentina didn't have a self-propelled, portable and mobile hospital. We are incorporating it into the military health system, and obviously it will be available for" the Health Ministry, Rossi added.

The minister emphasized that the "mobile capacity of the 13 modules in trucks will allow us to reach different parts of Argentina immediately and precisely."

Vizzotti stressed that the mobile hospital is "a key tool in providing answers" amid the current situation, adding that it arrives at "a very relevant moment. It is a very important example of what international collaboration means."

The donation is another milestone in the two countries' cooperation against COVID-19.

On Thursday night, Argentina received its first batch of vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm.

In addition, medical teams from both countries have had in-depth exchanges since the outbreak of the pandemic. Enditem
A woman wearing a protective face mask has her temperature checked during a COVID-19 vaccination simulation exercise in Manila, the Philippines, Jan. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

MANILA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 600,000 doses of the Sinovac-made vaccine CoronaVac donated by China are due to arrive in the Philippines on Sunday, the Chinese Embassy to Manila said on Thursday, marking the first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccines.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed. The donation of vaccines is another testament to the solidarity as well as the profound friendship and partnership between our two peoples and two countries," Huang Xilian, China's ambassador to the Philippines, said in his Facebook feed.

"I want to thank all those who have worked so hard to make this happen! I hope the vaccines will help kick off the Philippines' mass inoculation campaign to curb the pandemic and allow Filipinos' life to return to normal at the earliest."

Huang said the friendship and partnership between China and the Philippines "will continue to grow and prosper as we fight the pandemic hand in hand."

The Philippines has approved the emergency use of the Sinovac vaccines.

Philippines' Health Secretary Francisco Duque has vouched for the safety of Sinovac, saying its efficacy rate is 100 percent in preventing severe COVID-19 infection.

"Sinovac belongs to that group (of vaccines) that offers or provides 100 percent efficacy or effectiveness," Duque told Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting Wednesday night.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the government is finalizing the arrival ceremony at a military airbase in Manila.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told a news conference on Wednesday that Duterte is grateful for the Chinese donation and wants to personally witness the vaccine's delivery to show his "debt of gratitude" to China.

Roque said frontline health workers are on the priority list to get the vaccine.

The DOH said at least 14,791 health care workers had contracted COVID-19, and 82 died from the disease.

The DOH said it is still evaluating the details of the vaccines' allocation and rollout.

The Philippines now has 568,680 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 12,201 deaths.

The government aims to inoculate up to 70 million Filipinos this year. It is negotiating to buy 148 million vaccine doses from different pharmaceutical firms.
Krauter Mix GmbH has good reason to celebrate: 2019 is an important year for the producer of herbal raw materials, ranging from aniseed and coriander to chives and onions. The company will celebrate its 100th anniversary. On 1 April 1919, the family business was created when Christoph Mix Sr., the (great-)grandfather of today's owners, founded his own business to grow, process and sell medicinal plants in the German town of 

Major General Nguyen Van Vien, director of the Drug-related Crime Investigation Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, talks to the Vietnam Government Portal chinhphu.vn about the drug-related crime situation

and measures to mobilise resources to combat drug crimes.

Major General Nguyen Van Vien, director of the Drug-related Crime Investigation Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security. VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan

In 2020, the drug-related crime investigation police force directly conducted or co-ordinated with other authorities to investigate 24,548 drug-related criminal cases, arrested 36,404 drug offenders and seized more than 738kg of heroin, 3.4 tonnes and more than 2 million synthetic drug tablets, and about 255kg of marijuana. It saw year-on-year increases of 12.85 per cent in the number of cases and 9.15 per cent in the number of criminals.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected economic, political-diplomatic, cultural and social aspects of countries all over the world, including Vietnam, drug crimes have increased.

The authorities have cracked down on maritime drug trafficking cases, notably one led by a former South Korean police officer in July 2020. Could you elaborate on this?

There have been complex developments in maritime drug trafficking crimes. This is a route that has been used by international drug criminals to transport a very large amount of drugs.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has suspended some international air routes and road routes are also under tighter controls against COVID-19, drug trafficking at sea is becoming more complex.

Drug traffickers have constantly changed the way they work. They are led by Chinese Taiwanese or African citizens under the management of international drug crime organisations, which work with those from the drug hotspots like the Golden Triangle to establish the drug trafficking rings and transport drugs to Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.

The ringleaders are not involved directly in transporting the drugs. They manage and assign jobs into different steps to avoid being detected by the authorities. They establish import and export companies and rent warehouses in provinces in the central and southern regions of Vietnam to gather drugs, which are hidden in normal goods like electronic equipment. They then consign the goods for other logistics companies to conduct procedures to ship drugs to other countries. Therefore, it is difficult to expand the investigation and arrest the ringleaders who are foreigners.

To prevent maritime drug crimes, we are promoting communications so businesses and local people are better aware of how drug-related crimes work are more cautious and report criminals to the authorities.

We work with other forces like customs, border and coast guard to investigate and handle the crimes. We also work with the authorities of other countries in the region to share information and together handle criminal cases when needed.

The illicit use of drugs in bars, karaoke parlours and hotels seems to be on the rise. Is there any fundamental solution to prevent this?

In recent years, the illicit use of drugs, especially synthetic drugs, in bars, hostels and hotels has been complicated.

We have difficulties in preventing this, especially when the Penal Code removed Article 199, recognising narcotic users as patients, not criminals, making it challenging to manage, prevent and deter drug users.

In addition, drug users often rent luxury apartments or resort with good sound insulation. Landlords dont seem to care what tenants use their properties for and the tenants often use drugs in these rooms with layers of locked doors, making it difficult to detect and catch them red-handed.

Meanwhile, there are still overlaps in some legal documents related to this issue, which are also inconsistent with reality. The sanctions imposed on property owners where the violation occurs are still too lax to deter violations.

To prevent the illicit use of drugs, the Drug-related Investigation Police Department is working on a report to the Ministry of Public Security to propose the approval of the amended Drug Prevention and Control Law, which suggests additional charges for the illegal use of drugs. At the same time, it also works with competent authorities to handle difficulties in managing and treating drug addicts.

Communication work on the impacts of drugs needs also to be promoted. It is also essential to get a grip on the situation and promptly detect and handle drug hotspots.

It is crucial to assess the responsibilities of organisations or individuals, especially leaders in places where crime and drug evils take place in a complex, rampant and prolonged way that causes insecurity for local people.

We have witnessed the great sacrifices of police forces in combating drug crimes yet there are also some police officers who have been arrested and prosecuted for involvement in drug crimes or having their Peoples Police titles stripped due to their illegal use of drugs. What are the implications of these incidents?

The drug-related crime investigation police force works in a tough and challenging environment, their battlefield is often the dangerous mountainous areas. Drug criminals are becoming more audacious and fight fiercely when they are detected. Therefore, bloodshed and the sacrifice offered during peacetime by this force is heavier than any other forces. As many as 26 officials, officers and people have died in this combat.

Recently, however, there are some police officers who have tolerated, protected, covered up crimes and colluded with drug offenders. This not only enables the crimes but also erodes the trust of the people and adversely impacts the reputation and prestige of the peoples police force as a whole. These individuals will be punished strictly in accordance with the law.

To build a transparent and valiant drug investigation police force who are willing to face challenges, accept to sacrifice, have a strong will and do not fall into the bribery and manipulation of criminals, I think political and ideological education is crucial. The officers need to follow the six teachings that late President Ho Chi Minh has given the police force, considering this as the most important element in the process of building the police force.

In addition, it is also necessary to keep tabs on the cadres and officers to promptly detect and handle violations while giving praise to groups or individuals who have made excellent achievements in drug crime prevention and control.

What should we do to mobilise the resources and the strength of the whole political system and people to prevent drug-related crimes?

Promoting the strength of the whole political system and entire people in drug crime prevention and combat is one of the goals and tasks specified by the Politburo in Directive No 36-CT/TW on August 16, 2019, on enhancing the effectiveness of drug control work.

Especially amid the complex developments of drug crimes, we consider this the foundation to help to prevent and harness the development of drug crimes and evils in Vietnam.

To achieve this, firstly, the authorities need to closely implement Directive No 36, direct and inspect the implementation of drug crime prevention and control in organisations and agencies. This shouldnt be considered as the task of the public security sector alone.

In addition, it is essential to enhance communication work, disseminate information on the law, and raise the awareness and responsibility of people in drug-related crime prevention and control. We need to diversify content and forms of communication in accordance with localities, regions and subjects, especially pupils, students, workers and people from ethnic minority groups.

Sharing experience and successful models and praising those with excellent achievements in drug prevention and control are also important.

We also need to continue to enhance the capacities and virtues of public security forces, gain trust from the people and receive support from them in ensuring public security in general and controlling drug crimes in specific. VNS

Police raid three drug trafficking rings between Cambodia and Saigon Ho Chi Minh City police have coordinated with the Ministry of Public Security to raid three major drug trafficking networks between Cambodia and Vietnam, seizing 217 kg of drugs of all kinds.
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Katrina Wells, right, a medical assistant at Kaiser Permanente, gives a COVID-19 vaccine to Janet Pattison, left, at the Kaiser clinic in Loveland, Colorado Feb. 13, 2021. The Kaiser clinics around the state were holding an educator-focused vaccine drive, with hopes to vaccinate thousands of teachers over the course of the weekend. v
By Ju-min Park and Elaine Lies

TOKYO (Reuters) - Myanmar police released a Japanese freelance journalist on Friday after briefly detaining him during a protest in the commercial capital of Yangon, Radio Free Asia showed in a livestream on Facebook.

The arrest of Yuki Kitazumi, who runs a media production company in the city and used to be a journalist with the Nikkei business daily, was the first detention of a foreign reporter since the Feb. 1 military coup.

"Thanks very much to all my friends. I'm OK. I'm safe," said Kitazumi after leaving the police station in the city's Sanchaung district.

Earlier, Japan said one of its nationals in his 40s had been detained by Myanmar security police in Yangon, without giving details.

Police in Myanmar did not immediately return calls to seek comment.

Myanmar has been roiled by protests for weeks since the army seized power from elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and detained her and most of her government.

Kitazumi briefly became the second foreigner known to have been detained since the coup, after Australian academic Sean Turnell, an adviser to Suu Kyi on economic reforms, was arrested on Feb. 6. Turnell remains under arrest.

In 2007, another Japanese journalist covering protests in Myanmar, Kenji Nagai, was shot dead at point-blank range, when the army fired on protesters during Saffron Revolution protests led by Buddhist monks.

RAISING VOICES

Kitazumi's company produces video content, from news to movie trailers, and trains journalists with emphasis on free speech, his company says on its website.

His Myanmar colleague Linn Nyan Htun told Reuters Kitazumi writes political and business news for major Japanese media.

"When I listen to the young people taking part in the demonstrations, they say 'Yes, I'm scared, but if we don't raise our voices to say that we're scared, we'll have to live in fear our entire lives,'" Kitazumi said in a recent post on Facebook.

Story continues

Kitazumi is a member of the Kaigai Kakibito Club of Japanese journalists and interpreters working overseas.

In July, the club's blog carried an interview with Kitazumi in which he said he had also directed a short comedy film titled, "One bowl of Mohinga," a traditional breakfast dish in Myanmar.

Kitazumi has also had parts in movies in Myanmar, the blog said, posting a picture of him acting.

He told the blog he moved to Myanmar to cover the 2015 general elections, the country's first free polls in decades, won by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party in a landslide.

Kitazumi left the Nikkei in 2012 after having worked as a reporter from 2001, a representative of the paper said.

"Amidst the fear that this kind of thing is happening and this kind of thing could happen to them, people are raising their voices," said Kitazumi, posting a video of the arrest of a woman on Facebook.

"They're fighting today so that this kind of thing won't happen again, so they can live a future of peace."

(Writing by Poppy McPherson and Antoni Slodkowski; Reporting by Reuters staff and Kiyoshi Takenaka and Daniel Leussink in Tokyo; Editing by Nick Macfie and Clarence Fernandez)

When real estate agent Charles Goforth was reviewing paperwork for a home under contract in Westbury, he noticed something that didnt make sense to him. The title company said a $125 transfer fee  a mandatory fee sometimes charged by homeowners associations  was required for the sale to go through.

But Goforth owned investment properties in the neighborhood, located just outside of the loop in southwest Houston, and he knew there was no HOA. The closest the area had to an HOA was a civic club, which recruited local residents to beautify and improve the neighborhood.

I got thinking: Wait a second, Goforth said. Westbury Civic Club is a voluntary organization. They have no authority to be charging mandatory fees.

In Westbury, upwards of $30,000 is collected from homeowners every year in the form of fees when they sell or refinance a home  roughly one twelfth of its budget  according to association documents. The fees go toward neighborhood security, greenspace maintenance and payroll costs, among other expenses. But the neighborhood does not have legal authority to do so, according to property owners and a real estate attorney. Most of the neighborhood is a voluntary civic association, which has opt-in dues, as opposed to a homeowners association, which has mandatory fees.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Plan to convert Sharpstown association to HOA causing a lot of division

You cant force people to pay fees to a voluntary civic club, said Mitch Avila Katine, a partner at Katine Nechman McLaurin LLP practicing real estate law.

But homeowners who believe voluntary associations are illegally charging them fees have found themselves in a type of limbo. Mortgage lenders and title companies are unwilling to step in and determine whether a fee being asked for is legal, and will not close until associations are satisfied. Without an authority to appeal to, the only avenue left to homeowners is the courts, a process that would likely cost much more than the fee.

Goforth emailed Cindy Chapman, president of the Westbury Civic Club, about the fees, and she responded that they had been mandatory for decades, pointing to the civic clubs website, which lists a $125 fee when a home changes ownership and a $75 when a homeowner refinances.

Jennifer Edmondson, the civic clubs manager, said in an email to Goforth that the club is acting as a property owners association and has the right to charge a reasonable fee per Texas Property Code.

Chapman and the civic club did not respond to requests for comment.

I know theyre a large a association and they try to do a lot with the little they get, but right is right and wrong is wrong, Goforth said. And its deceiving to say the least that they try to get in the back door and charge us these mandatory fees.

When a home sells or is refinanced, explained Marcy Wolf, owner of Action Mortgage, the property must be checked for any liens  a type of debt backed by the home. A common source of liens are HOAs, which are able to charge mandatory fees and foreclose on a home if they arent paid.

Because of that, title companies reach out to HOAs to make sure there are no delinquent fees that would prevent the home from being purchased or refinanced, and the associations often charge a fee for the paperwork.

Its a fee for the HOA to verify that the homeowner has paid their fees on time, Wolf explained.

In Westbury, there were no mandatory fees for Goforth to fall behind on. The majority of the community  including the home his brokerage was selling  can choose on a year-to-year basis whether they want to pay dues. Only homes in two sections of Westbury, known as Parkwest 1 and 2  roughly from Willowbend Boulevard south to West Bellfort Avenue between Hillcroft Avenew and Atwell Drive  are required to be members of the civic club.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Behind in association dues? Your neighbors might foreclose

What it comes down to is whether or not its a mandatory association, said Eric Fontanot, president of Houston-based Patten Title Co., speaking generally about how title companies go about checking for liens and not about the Westbury Civic Association specifically. If its a voluntary association, then those fees are not mandatory.

If a group has the right to charge a mandatory fee on homeowners, Fontanot explained, it will say so in county property records. If its not filed in the property records, then it doesnt exist, he said. There is no recourse or obligation.

None of the property records posted on the Westbury Civic Associations website, including deed restrictions and bylaws, indicate mandatory fees are due outside Parkwest 1 and 2.

Few, however, have questioned the transfer and refinance fee over the years. Bob Underbrink did not  even after he first bought a home in Westbury and later refinanced it  until he saw a post about the fees on Nextdoor.

He checked his refinance paperwork from 2020, and saw the $75 charge.

Im not going to get to the point where Im going to fight someone for $75, he said. But  why?  It seems like they provide no value at all but are charging this fee from people.

rebecca.schuetz@chron.com;

twitter.com/raschuetz
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Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBy CONOR FINNEGAN, ABC News

(WASHINGTON) -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making his first "trip" as the top U.S. diplomat, the State Department said, although he's not really going anywhere.



With the Biden administration's coronavirus travel restrictions still in place, Blinken will hold meetings and attend cultural events with his Mexican and Canadian counterparts on Friday via video teleconference from Washington.



But the agency, keen to show that the new administration is actively working with U.S. allies, is launching a series of "virtual" trips with Blinken, where he will meet foreign leaders and local U.S. embassy staff, "visit" different cities and cultural sites, announce new policies or agreements and hold press conferences, just as he would on a real trip.



"We have designed this trip to resemble as close as we can a physical trip and we're doing the best we can to fulfill our diplomatic mission and to further our relationships with our close North American partners, given the reality in which we currently live," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday.



President Joe Biden held virtual meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday in a similar fashion, with the White House calling it his first "bilateral meetings" even as the two sides communicated through video teleconferencing.



While virtual meetings have become the norm, diplomacy often works best when there are in-person discussions.



"There is far more difficulty in creating connections, establishing relationships and feeling empathy -- and, therefore, greater difficulty in achieving diplomatic goals," according to Nicholas Hawton and Shahrokh Shakerian, diplomatic advisers for the International Committee of the Red Cross. "The 'coffee corridor connection' is lost. The discussions and connections made in the informal spaces around traditional diplomatic locations simply cannot be replicated."



That presents a challenge particularly for U.S.-Mexican relations, with tensions over trade, energy, migration and countering narcotrafficking.



The Biden administration has startled to dismantle former President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies, including forcing asylum seekers to remain in Mexico, which had created tensions with left-wing populist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known by his initials as AMLO.



But there are still issues with AMLO's energy policy, which U.S. critics said undermines the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement free trade agreement -- the modernized North American Free Trade Agreement. A bill before Mexico's congress would give the state-owned utility priority in feeding the national grid, marginalizing the renewable energy sector. That earned a warning from the Trump administration last month that Mexico must "live up to its USMCA obligations" or risk hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid, according to a letter from the Secretaries of State, Energy and Commerce obtained by ABC News.



It's unclear if the Biden administration shares those concerns. Acting assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung said the issue will be discussed "in the medium term and the long term because there are many aspects that we're hearing from the private sector about their concerns -- but this is where we encourage Mexico to listen to the stakeholders, to listen to the private sector companies and really provide that culture, the atmosphere of free investment and transparency so that companies will continue to invest in Mexico."



Countering narcotraffickers and enhancing security will also be a top issue, especially after Monday's arrest of Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of the notorious drug cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.



Last month, Mexican authorities dropped charges against former defense minister Salvador Cienfuegos, who had been arrested and charged with drug trafficking by the U.S. Despite an alleged promise to prosecute him at home, Cienfuegos was released, and Mexico's congress passed a law to limit foreign law enforcement operating in the country and strip their diplomatic immunity.



"We continue to have a very strong level of cooperation across all levels between the United States and Mexico," Chung told ABC News. "We're going to make sure we address those law enforcement issues together, and we're committed more than ever to utilizing every tool to address that."



During his "visit," Blinken will meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and Economy Secretary Tatiana Clouthier to discuss trade, migration, security and other issues.



He'll also see those migration issues "up close" by taking a virtual "tour" of Paso Del Norte, the port of entry between Ciudad Juarez in Mexico and El Paso, Texas, in the U.S.



While relations with Canada suffered under former President Donald Trump, who hit Canada with "national security tariffs," they seem to have easily rebounded under Biden. Trudeau praised their partnership on Tuesday, saying, "U.S. leadership has been sorely missed over the past years," in particular on climate change.



Blinken will meet again with Trudeau on Friday, along with his counterpart Foreign Minister Marc Garneau and other cabinet ministers. He'll also meet students and local leaders to discuss climate change and the Arctic, and see an Inuit cultural performance.



Climate change has emerged as a key issue between the two governments, with special envoy for climate change John Kerry holding his first high-level summit on Wednesday with Canada to commit to "ambitious" action and deepen both countries' commitments to reduce carbon emissions more quickly.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 19:04:12|Editor: huaxia

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KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's exports in January rose 6.6 percent from a year ago to 89.63 billion ringgit (about 22.13 billion U.S. dollars), driven by the increase in global demand notably for electrical and electronic (E&E) and rubber products as well as front-loading activities prior to the festive season.

The Malaysian International Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement today, higher exports were seen to China, the United States, Vietnam and Singapore.

Meanwhile, imports in January 2021 expanded by 1.3 percent year-on-year to 73.02 billion ringgit; total trade rose by 4.1 percent to 162.65 billion ringgit.

Manufactured goods which contributed to 88.5 percent of total exports, grew 11.7 percent year-on-year to 79.36 billion ringgit, supported mainly by higher exports of E&E products which was driven by rising demand for various electronic products notably in automotive industry, 5G network and smart devices.

"Exports of rubber products, especially rubber gloves, showed resilient performance, registering triple-digit growth for five consecutive months," said the ministry.

Exports of agriculture goods, however, decreased by 7.2 percent year-on-year to 5 billion ringgit, mainly due to lower exports of palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products.

Exports of mining goods also dropped by 31 percent year-on-year to 4.93 billion ringgit, mainly on lower exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude petroleum.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's exports to China expanded 26 percent to 13.11 billion ringgit in January, supported by higher exports of E&E products, iron and steel products as well as other manufactures especially solid-state storage devices (SSD).

Malaysia's imports from China also rose 5 percent year-on-year to 16.79 billion ringgit.

Malaysia's trade with China in January surged by 13.3 percent year-on-year to 29.9 billion ringgit, accounting for 18.4 percent of Malaysia's total trade. (1 U.S. dollar equals 4.05 ringgit) Enditem
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
The Daily Beast

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Photos Linkedin/FacebookThe daughter-in-law of British political and business titan Lord Michael Ashcroft was charged Monday with manslaughter by negligence in the shooting death of a top police officer in Belize.The arraignment of Jasmine Hartin, 38, comes three days after she was initially detainedafter being found spattered with blood on a dock where she and Superintendent Henry Jemmott had been socializing alone after curfew. police said.Jemmott, 42, was found dead in the water with a gunshot wound behind his ear. Police said the weapon used was his service pistol.According to local reports, Hartin suggested to responding officers that Jemmott might have been shot by a passing boat, then stopped cooperating with investigators while one of the countrys top lawyers was retained for her.After he was arraigned Monday night, bail was denied by the magistrate, though she can ask a higher court to release her, according to Belize TV news station Channel 7.UK Billionaires Daughter-in-Law Questioned in Belize Cops DeathBelize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that Hartin provided a statement but he declined to provide details of her account. We cannot say we have a clear understanding of what happened because we were not there, he said.The only two persons who could have said that is the deceased and Ms. Hartin. The deceased is dead. He cannot speak for himself. Dead man carries no tale. Ms. Hartin has given her version of what she said transpired.Hartin, a Canadian who lives in Belize, is the wife of Andrew Ashcroft, the youngest son of Lord Ashcroft. The elder Ashcroft is a billionaire known as a top donor to the U.K. Conservative Party who also has massive business interests in Belize and recently donated a fully equipped gym to the police department.Hartin, who reportedly has two children with the younger Ashcroft, was the director of lifestyle and experience at the Alaia Belize, a luxury resort developed by her husband.Jemmott had five children and was engaged. His family has been demanding answers about what happened on the pier and brushing aside any suggestions that he might have taken his own life.My brother loved life, he loved life. He had passion for his work. He did his work with integrity and that's the way he loved his family as well, his sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul told reporters.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 11:36:30|Editor: huaxia

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SYDNEY, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG)'s first prime minister Michael Somare has died at the age of 84, local newspaper Post Courier reported on Friday.

The founding father of PNG, who led the country to independence in September 1975, died on Friday morning in the national capital of Port Moresby after being diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer this February.

"Sadly, pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers that are rarely detected early. We as a family had only two weeks to look for possible treatments for our father," said a family statement.

"Sir Michael was a loyal husband to our mother and great father first to her children, then grandchildren and great-granddaughter. But we are endeared that many Papua New Guineans equally embraced Sir Michael as father and grandfather."

Born on April 9, 1936, Somare has been the longest-serving prime minister of 17 years in the country, and his political career spanned half a century from 1968 to 2017.

The PNG government has ordered all flags lowered to fly at half-mast to mourn the loss of Somare. The family said they would take Somare home to his final resting place in East Sepik Province. Enditem
In 1854, Abraham Lincoln was itching to get back into politics, but his party, the Whigs, were bitterly divided over an issue covered by a fig leaf when he served in the U.S. House just years earlier. The dispute dated to a fundamental contradiction between Americas most hallowed documents. It was so contentious that it would bring the Whigs to the breaking point and give rise to a new political group: the Republican Party.

An elephant has killed a zookeeper by hitting him around the head with its trunk before slamming him into the bars of a cage.

Joaquin Gutierrez Arnaiz, 44, was struck by a female elephant while cleaning its enclosure at the Cabarceno Natural Park near Santander, Spain.

It is thought the blow knocked the care taker backward and he hit his head against the pen's iron bars, the Cantabrian regional government has said.

He was rushed to hospital after being assisted by two colleagues but died around three hours later.

Tributes have since poured in for the animal handler with police now investigating his death.

Joaquin Gutierrez Arnaiz (pictured), 44, was struck by a female elephant while cleaning its enclosure at the Cabarceno Natural Park near Santander, Spain

Arnaiz had been on duty when he received a single strike from the elephant weighing more than four metric tones.

The elephant that struck him had a foot infection and is likely pregnant, according to a statement by tourism chief Javier Lopez Marcano.

Marcano, paying tribute to Joaquin who started working at Cabarceno in 2002, described him as one of its most veteran elephant keepers.

He added: 'We are deeply shocked. The loss of such a young and popular person has caused great pain.

'He was a great lover of elephants and his work.'

It has been described as the 'first fatal accident' of its kind in the park's 30-year history.

Police and Cantur, the regional tourism organisation that runs Cabarceno Natural Park, are now investigating the attack.

It is thought the blow knocked the care taker backward and he hit his head against the pen's iron bars (elephant enclosure at Cabarceno Natural Park pictured)

Arnaiz's bosses confirmed in a statement: 'A worker at the Cabarceno Natural Park has died after being hit by one of the elephants.

'The accident occurred at 8.30am on Tuesday outside the stables of the pachyderms as daily cleaning and release of the animals began.

'Joaquin Gutierrez Arnaiz, 44, was in an intermediate security corridor the elephants use to enter and exit their stables in an orderly fashion when he was hit by the elephant's trunk.

'The elephant is a female who was with her calf in one of the large yards. Joaquin hit his head against the enclosure railings as he fell.

'Two colleagues who were with him dialled 999 and Joaquin was transferred to hospital by ambulance. He died at 11.15am.

'Police and Civil Guard have been to the park and initiated an investigation to clarify the cause of the accident.

'Joaquin's death has caused great commotion among his colleagues and Cantur, the publicly-owned company which manages the park.

'This is the first fatal accident that has occurred at Cabarceno Natural Park in 30 years.'

Arnaiz had been on duty when he received a single strike from the elephant, which weighed more than four metric tones, while cleaning the enclosure (pictured) at the park

Cantabrian president Miguel Angel Revilla said: 'Nothing like this had ever happened. Joaquin was an extraordinary person. Rest in peace.'

Well-wisher Mery Bravo added: 'Rest in peace, What a tragedy.

'However experienced you are you can never lower your guard. Animals react out of fear or to protect their young. My condolences to Joaquin's family.'

Alberto Puche Hernandez said: 'Animals are unpredictable. I'm sure Joaquin enjoyed looking after them. This is a real tragedy. My sincerest condolences to his family.'

Friends and colleagues also paid tribute to Arnaiz in a midday ceremony at the park.

Cabarceno Natural Park, which acts as an international centre of reference in the reproduction and care of African elephants, is located in a former open-pit iron mine.

Cantur, the tourism company which manages it, is owned by the regional government of Cantabria.

The park is home to almost 120 animal species and its natural scenery includes gorges, lakes and rock formations (pictured)

The park is home to almost 120 animal species including wolves, tigers, lions and jaguars from five continents living in semi-captive conditions, including large enclosures where one or more species co-exist.

The natural scenery of the park includes gorges, lakes and rock formations.

The park collaborates in behavioural studies of the male African elephant via non-invasive methods to further understand the reason for high aggression shown by male elephants at certain times of the year.

It is also a member of the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquaria (IAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), which helps conserve, protect, and restore endangered species threatened by extinction.

Last September a female keeper was attacked by a 31-stone gorilla called Malabo at Madrid Zoo Aquarium.

The 46-year-old suffered a head injury, chest trauma with multiple fractures and and two broken arms.
Cruz Says Trumps Not Going Anywhere in Speech Against Cancel Culture

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) spoke out against cancel culture and conformity during a speech on Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)the largest annual conservative conference.

Cruz said the media desperately wants to see a Republican civil war, adding that what can unite the party is the defense of liberty. The Texas senator also made clear he believes former President Donald Trump will play a role when it comes to the future of Republican politics.

Donald Trump aint going anywhere, he said on stage. And the Republican party is not the party of the country clubs. It is the party of steel workers, construction workers, pipeline workers  the men and women with calluses on their hands.

Earlier this week two of the top Republicans in the House of Representatives disagreed about whether Trump should speak at the conference. Trump is expected to deliver remarks at CPAC on Feb. 28, his first public speech since leaving the White House.

There are a whole lot of voices in Washington who want to erase the last four years, Cruz said. They want to go back before when the government was by the lobbyists, for the lobbyists.

During his speech, Cruz often spoke out broadly against cancel culture and of conformity in the country.

The media here looks at the men and women gathered here as dangerous radicals, he said. This is the rebel alliance. And Vader and the emperor are terrified of the rebels who are here.

At one point Cruz criticized the misuse of political power amid the pandemic, namely the hard-hitting restrictions enacted in some states as he spoke out against the shutting down of churches. In recent times, the Supreme Court has issued decisions blocking politicians from enforcing tougher restrictions on attendance.

Cruz acknowledged that COVID-19 is a dangerous virus but also critiqued some of rules put into place. He pointed out how people have to wear masks before they enter into restaurants, but once they sit down everything is fine and they can take their masks off.

The left believes in conformity, he said. We believe free speech, religious worship, you can worship whoever you like  thats the beauty of freedom, the second amendment. The left hates the second amendment, they want people docile and compliant.

The senator urged everyone attending the conference to speak out for freedom and suggested there will be a political backlash against the Democrats in the coming years.

Mark my words: 2022 is going to be a fantastic election yearand so is 2024, he said.
In what could be a made-for-television movie, a man and a woman have been indicted in a nearly $60,000 heist from a downtown Birmingham bank.

The holdup, later determined to be staged, happened about 1 p.m. on Dec. 27, 2017. A man wearing a fedora  but no disguise  entered the Wells Fargo at the corner of 18th Street South and Third Avenue. He handed the teller a note and left on foot with a then-undisclosed amount of money.

Now, more than three years later, a federal grand jury has indicted Quiney Haroon Perdue, aka Quincey Perdue, and Mehvish Syed, on charges of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and theft/embezzlement. Other co-conspirators remain unnamed.

Federal court records made public this week detail what the FBI says actually happened that Wednesday afternoon.

The plot is believed to have been hatched about Dec. 20, 2017. Thats when a man, identified in records only as X.M. called Purdue, of Atlanta, and explained that his girlfriend, Syed, worked as a teller at a Wells Fargo branch in Birmingham and would assist Perdue in conducting a staged robbery.

On Christmas Day of that year, Perdue and another co-conspirator identified only as E.L. drove to Birmingham to meet with X.M. to plan the embezzlement. X.M. provided defendant Perdue with a description of defendant Syed and advised Perdue of the best date and time to perpetrate the crime, where to park his vehicle during the commission of the embezzlement and how to approach the bank in order to avoid bank surveillance cameras.

On Dec. 27, records state, Syed took steps to ensure she had a larger than normal amount of cash on hand by obtaining excessive amounts of funds from the banks vault and the ATM and putting that cash inside her teller drawer.

Perdue, according to charging documents, went to Syeds teller window where he placed a gym bag on the counter and handed Syed a demand note, as though he were carrying out a bank robbery.

Perdue left with $59,458 in cash and then rendezvoused with E.L. to split the money between themselves.

Syed, records state, was interviewed by the FBI on Jan. 3, 2018. In that interview, she told the FBI that she withdrew about $30,000 from the banks ATM and put the funds in her teller drawer because the ATM was not properly working. Federal authorities, however, said that was not the case and that she removed the money to have it available for the robbery planned later in the day.

The indictments against the pair were unsealed Wednesday. Perdue is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on unrelated charges. Syed, who lives out of state, is not yet in custody.

European parliamentarians deliberating on the human rights situation in Nigeria Thursday in Brussels heard stories of worsening abuses, an unattended climate crisis, a national gendered environment that under-privilege women, an absence of accountability on violations of religious freedom, and a choking ecosystem that constrains media freedom.

At a public hearing organised by the human rights committee of the EU parliament headed by Belgian politician, Marie Arena, Chidi Odinkalu, senior team manager at the Africa Programme of the Open Society Foundation and former Chairman of the Governing Council of Nigerias National Human Rights Commission, called attention to numerous instances of extra-judicial killings and violence in the country with the most recent being the extending farmer-herder clashes, the assault on young people during the EndSARS, and the Southern Kaduna killings.

A case of generational and hemispheric insecurities

Mr Odinkalu, lawyer and civil society leader, said the EndSARS protests of October 2020 which put the issues of insecurity, extra-judicial killings and security sector accountability in Nigeria [had] crystallized public disquiet over insecurity in the country and the failure of political, moral and institutional responses, adding that they also reflected what he characterized as generational and hemispheric (North vs. South) dichotomies in perceptions of insecurity in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, Mr Odinkalu argued, the distinction between extra-judicial killings and other killings has been collapsed by state incapacity, suggesting that impunity has attained a state policy status because, in his words, The State now explicitly or implicitly franchises or condones much of non-state atrocity with official advocacy on behalf of banditry.

Citing data from the Mass Atrocities Report, Mr Odinkalu said with 4556 citizens killed in the impunity of violence and 1,525 already in the first six weeks of 2021, it was time for the European Union to exercise its levers to hold Nigerias rulers accountable for abdicating on protecting their people, so they can fix their country.

Need for a Magnitsky legislation

He encouraged the European Union to enforce its Magnitsky legislation that will preclude Nigerias rulers, families, nominees, and extras from EU territory, amenities and systems. Magnitsky legislation refers to instruments offering governmental sanctions against foreign individuals who have committed human rights abuses or been involved in major corruption cases. Following the United States [in 2012], the European parliament passed its Magnitsky Resolution in March 2019 and the European Union passed the Act in December last year.

If you cant do anything, the activist academic baited the parliamentarians, please dont patronize Nigerians and #DoNoHarm, arguing that generalised sanctions may hurt the people but conditionality on EU budget support to Nigeria can be tightened, oversight improved and support to independent media, universities civil societies enhanced.

Time for gender responsive budgeting

Speaking on the themes of Violence Against Women and Girls; Access to Education and Economic Opportunities for Women and Girls; and Womens Political Representation, Abosede George-Ogan, who is Director of strategy, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and co-founder of the womens group, ElectHer, called on the EU parliamentarians to use their position of power and privilege to provide support in the need for gender disaggregated data to develop inclusive policies, programmes, and initiatives; as well as stronger institutions where gender is mainstreamed, and gender responsive budgeting is adopted.

Referencing a PREMIUM TIMES report on the sharp rise in the cases of violence against women and girls during the lockdown, when about 717 cases of rape, physical and spousal violence were recorded by the police, Ms Abosede-Ogan accepted that while modest progress had been acheived in terms of awareness, [and] having the legal frameworks and mechanisms for enforcement, the task now is to enforce the existing laws and ensure agencies of government carry out investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and ultimately justice.

Gender Quota to increase womens political representation

Disparities in educational enrolment between males (64 per cent) and females (37 per cent) especially at the university level result in limited access to high value economic opportunities for women. The disparities also affect the 60 per cent of women in rural areas who are mostly engaged in subsistence agriculture and whose lives and livelihoods have come under major threat with the farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria. These speak to the need for enhanced women representation in policy corridors, said Ms George-Ogan who insisted that We need a Gender Quota to increase womens political representation in Nigeria.

Vulnerable groups worst affected by Nigerias climate crisis

In his address, Akintunde Babatunde, the Manager of the Natural Resources and Extractive Programme at PTCIJ spoke about the interconnection of climate change and human rights within the Nigerian context saying climate change is already impacting the human rights situation in the country and that vulnerable groups are worst affected by these impacts.

He noted that the consequences of climate change have led to environmental degradation which poses huge threats to the security situation through conflict over resources. He further argued that the prolonged farmers-herders clashes, for instance, has shown the lack of capacity and willingness of the Nigerian government to put the issue to a stop.

He also spoke about the lack of shoreline protection in many coastal communities which puts these communities at the risk of flooding, while calling on the Nigerian government to improve the abilities of communities to cope with the changing climate needs and also educate the public on the realities of the climate crisis.

Accountability for abuses on the freedom of religion

The lack of accountability in cases of violations of religious freedom was the theme of Isa Sanusi, media manager at the Nigeria Office of Amnesty International. He spoke of repeated government incapacity to respond effectively in the direction of justice at every instance of abuses on the freedom of thought and religion of citizens, calling for the EU to lean in support of what appears to be an obvious vacancy.

The pivotal year of attack on media freedom

The dramatic though not unexpected re-emergence of a Nigeria Press Council Amendment Act of 2019, according to Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, in his statement to the parliamentarians, highlights the significance of 2019 as the pivotal year when all the recent bullying media freedom laws in the country sought a joyless wedlock with the relics of obnoxious laws from the past.

Look no further than the two Hate Speech Bills, [Mohammed Tahir Mongunos Hate Speech Prohibition Bill 2019 at the House of Representatives and Sabi Abdullahis Prohibition of Hate Speeches Bill, 2019, at the Senate]; then, the Muhammad Sani Musas Protection from Internet Falsehoods and Manipulations [alias Social Media] Bill 2019 and finally the Nigeria Press Council Amendment Act, Mr Olorunyomi said.

ALSO READ: PREMIUM TIMES publisher makes case for press freedom as he receives CPJ award

He said the Nigerian government ought to feel some discomfort that the independence address of the president in 2019 appeared to set the context to understand the hidden mind of the administration even when it famously espouses a public claim to supporting media freedom.

In 2019, in his National Day address, President Muhammadu Buhari said: Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media. Whilst we uphold the constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringes on the rights of other citizens or threatens to undermine our National Security, we will take firm and decisive action.

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Unhappy trophies for media abuses

Pointing to what he then described as, the odious cocktail of the Cyber Crimes Act; the Anti-Terrorism Act; the Social Media Bill; the Hate Speech Bills; the National Broadcasting Commission Act; the vestiges of criminal defamation statutes in the Criminal Crimes Act and the Penal Code Act; the Official Secrets Act; and the Obscene Publications Act, Mr Olorunyomi said, these unhappy trophies disprove all claims, in official quarters, that the media in the country is unchained.

The EU will do well, he pressed, to demand accountability from its Nigerian partners on their treaty obligations regarding media freedom and the rule of law. The EU should also tighten benchmarks in its assessment of partner relationship, and actively bring the voices of journalists and civil society actors to the policy table in its relationship with the government, the publisher said.
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday night had just finished reviewing 1.3 million square feet of new warehouse space proposed in the Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton areas.

Executive Director Becky Bradley was prepared to put it all in perspective.

Presenting the commissions 2020 annual report, Bradley announced that in six years -- 2015 through 2020 -- Lehigh and Northampton counties have seen over 42 million square feet of industrial/manufacturing and warehouse space proposed for development.

Considering the Lehigh Valley regions total industrial/warehouse space stands at about 100 million square feet, those 42 million square feet have nearly doubled the entire stock. In six years.

That to me is absolutely mind-blowing, she said during the commissions meeting carried via video-teleconference.

That 2015-20 total breaks down to approved projects totaling 3.3 million square feet of industrial/manufacturing and 26.7 million square feet of warehouse, in addition to projects proposed or not yet approved totaling 1.9 million of industrial/manufacturing and 10.3 million of warehouse. The following chart looks at the annual area of industrial/manufacturing and warehouse development from 2015 through 2020; click here to view it if its not displaying.

The newest warehouses reviewed Thursday night generated discussion among commission members about traffic concerns and who -- the developer or taxpayers -- should be on the hook for road improvements to handle the increased volume of trucks. (Commission Chairman Greg Zebrowski was complimentary of the Bethlehem plan, which reuses old industrial land once owned by the Bethlehem Steel Corp.)

The warehouses are:

160,000-square-foot warehouse proposed on 14.53 acres at Glover, Kuebler and Richmond roads in Forks Township.

326,630-square-foot warehouse on 20.75 acres between American Parkway, Airport Road, Lloyd Street and Irving Street on the border between Allentown and Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

833,280-square-foot warehouse at 3905 Commerce Center Blvd. in the Majestic Bethlehem Center, spanning the Bethlehem and Lower Saucon Township border.

The commission voted to approve technical reviews of the proposals to send to the municipalities. Those reviews can be found beginning on Page 12 of Thursdays commission agenda.

Residential development also continued at a strong pace in 2020, according to the planning commissions report for the year.

I think one of the interesting things here is that ... in 1989 -- one year alone, which was one of our biggest years for development, specifically housing development -- there were over 5,000 homes approved by local governments, Bradley said. Last year we had over -- so 2020, during a global pandemic -- we had over 5,000 new housing units proposed, and some of those are still going through the approvals process.

The residential numbers for 2020 were 5,159 homes proposed, including 2,459 apartments, 1,482 single-family detached homes and 794 townhouses.

It was really, really intense, with the volume of activity, Bradley told lehighvalleylive.com of 2020 development. And it has not slowed down, by the way.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commissions 2020 report is available below and at lvpc.org.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Modine has signed a definitive agreement with Schmid Metall, an affiliate of Rupert Fertinger, to sell a portion of the companys European air-cooled automotive business, including its manufacturing facility located in Kottingbrunn, Austria.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021, following receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

The sale will allow the company to avoid significant liabilities and future cash investments in the business.

This is an important step in our strategic exit of the automotive segment businesses, allowing us to further fuel and grow our remaining business, said Modine CEO, Neil Brinker.

We have been on a journey to become a diversified industrial company and this transaction will allow us to focus our resources on our remaining businesses that provide higher operating margins, lower capital intensity and greater free cash flow generation.



The announcement follows the earlier-revealed sale of the liquid-cooled automotive business to Dana. That transaction is also expected to close in the first half of 2021, following receipt of regulatory approvals.
TEL AVIV - The Jewish holiday of Purim will this year be celebrated without street parades and with a curfew from 8:30 PM to 5 AM from Friday to Sunday.



It will be prohibited to host parties or go farther than one kilometer from one's residence during those hours.



Local media reported that the police were unable to enforce government measures Thursday night. These measures do not apply to Arab areas.



The police made several arrests and fined those holding parties.



Special measures are in place in Jerusalem, where Purim will be held on Sunday.



As usual, border crossings have been closed for the holiday with the West Bank for security reasons.

Gregory W. Sandford, professor emeritus of history at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, who retired from active teaching in 2018 and previously served as a diplomat in the United States State Department, has completed his new book Our Life behind the Berlin Wall: A Memoir for Our American Daughters: a gripping and potent depiction of life in the German Democratic Republic during the late years of the Cold War.

Published by Page Publishing, Gregory W. Sandfords insightful tale is a depiction of the authors time in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) working at the United States Embassy in East Berlin. A large swath of the historical writing about the GDR looks at it from the macro level. This book supplements that substantial record with a history written from the micro level, detailing what it was like to live in that society with the advantages of both insider and outsider perspectives.

As a diplomat assigned to the United States Embassy in East Berlin, the author, Dr. Sandford, had sources of information inaccessible to most visitors from the West. Representing one of the four World War II Allied powers with occupation rights in Berlin, Dr. Sandford had first-hand experiences of the complexities of four-power control of that city. He also traveled freely within East Germany, speaking with GDR government officials, dissidents, and average citizens, including clergymen who shared their informed views on what was really going on in that society.

Framed as a personal record for his two daughters who were small children at the time, this thoughtful memoir describes Dr. Sandfords experiences and impressions of East Germany in its later years, from 1984 to 1987, and those of his family. With a powerful combination of anecdotes, narrative descriptions, and informed analysis, this book conveys the texture of life there both for the local citizens and for resident diplomats. Finally, this book recounts how Dr. Sandford and his East German contacts experienced the fall of the Wall and the transition to democracy in their individual ways.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Our Life Behind the Berlin Wall: A Memoir for Our American Daughters at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
The War Drama Follows C Company Through Sino-Indian War

On the other hand, China slowly starts deploying troops across the Indian borders. To prepare a counter plan, Major Suraj Singh is sent out on a mission to gather intelligence about the Chinese camps. Even with the information, the Indian government comes to the conclusion that the country is not ready for a war. However, after China manages to take control of an outpost, India chooses to adopt the forward policy and fights back.

Several small battles continue at the Himalayan borders. At one such battle, Major Suraj Singh conceals defeat and is forced to take a step back after facing an injury. The C Company also faces loss and have to return home to bear the defeat, but they wait their turn to earn back their dignity and honour their fallen soldiers during one of the biggest battles on Ladakh borders.

1962: The War In The Hills Is A 10-Part Series

Filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar has successfully managed to strike a balance between the story that follows the Sino-Indian War and the subplots of soldiers' lives in Rewari village. 1962: The War In The Hills is a slow-paced show with 10 long episodes, but it also brings a mix of romance, drama, thrill and some comic relief.

The makers have taken full fictional liberty to drive home the right emotions whether it is the Chinese officer you can't wait to get killed or the love triangle that keeps you hooked till the end. The background score and the soundtrack also adds a unique vibe to the show.

Abhay Deol's Web Series Is Now Streaming On Disney+ Hotstar VIP

Few things that hinder the immersive experience is the modern dialect, swearing, costumes and make-up, which didn't feel era-appropriate. The repetitive scenes and loop effects in the war sequences were quite evident as well, but some of the star performers make up for the loss.

Abhay Deol, Mahie Gill, Sumeet Vyas, Akash Thosar and Hemal Ingle enjoy the most screen time. Their characters as well as their journies are developed enough to keep the audience engaged, even if the end of the story isn't much of a mystery. Overall, 1962: The War In The Hills is more about the story than the production value of the show. Watching a talented cast is sure to evoke patriotic feelings and maybe even lead the audience to shed some tears.
OTTAWA  Manitobas northern chiefs are calling on Ottawa to add an Indigenous representative to the national committee that advises provinces about vaccines.

OTTAWA  Manitobas northern chiefs are calling on Ottawa to add an Indigenous representative to the national committee that advises provinces about vaccines.

"Decisions that affect Indigenous people should have the involvement of Indigenous people," Grand Chief Garrison Settee, who represents northern Manitoba chiefs, told reporters Thursday.

"Throughout our history and experience with government entities, many decisions, if not all decisions, were made with the exclusion of Indigenous expertise in that conversation."

A month ago, Settee wrote to Dr. Theresa Tam, Canadas chief public health officer, urging her to ensure Indigenous people get appointed to the national advisory committee on immunization.

The committee has scientists and medical experts who create eligibility criteria for COVID-19 and other vaccines, as well as guidance about their use, such as how long patients can safely wait for booster shots.

Online biographies for all 15 members of the committee make no reference to any of them being Indigenous.

The northern chiefs say Tam explained that groups can apply to have non-voting observers. Settee sent a response this week.

"The current structure does not appear to guarantee a specific and permanent First Nations health expert appointment that could provide the intimate knowledge of the challenges, strengths, disparities, and barriers faced by northern First Nations in Manitoba," Settee wrote.

"We want to be true partners."

He argued the head of his group's health branch, Dr. Barry Lavallee, could speak to the realities of northern and urban Indigenous people.

Settee told reporters he is pleased Manitoba has collaborated with First Nations on its COVID-19 immunization rollout.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said it could not provide a response to the chiefs' demands Thursday.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Olivia Munn recently thanked her following for aiding the NYPD in identifying and arresting the assailant who viciously assaulted her friend's mother outside a bakery in NYC.

And the actress, 40, revealed to her 2.7million Instagram followers on Thursday that the NYPD personally delivered 'egg tarts' to the 52-year-old Asian woman who had intended to purchase them on the day of her horrific attack.

'After being attacked waiting in line at a Queen's bakery, my friend's Chinese mother wasn't able to get the egg tarts she came for. So the detectives from the NYPD 109th Precinct brought her some,' explained Munn.

Acts of kindness: Olivia Munn revealed to her 2.7million Instagram followers on Thursday that the NYPD personally delivered 'egg tarts' to the 52-year-old Asian woman who had intended to purchase them on the day of her horrific attack last week

'I just...' she continued, followed by two tear-filled emojis. 'Thank you.'

Olivia learned of the NYPD's sweet gesture after reaching out to her friend and offering to 'help his mom with a doctor who could reduce the scar on her forehead from the attack.

'But like a typical Asian mom she didn't want anyone to fuss over her. But then [my friend] told me this and I wanted to share with you guys,' she concluded in her post's caption.

Olivia included several screenshots of her text exchange with her friend, named Sam Cheng, who noted that the officers also 'brought mandarins over for good luck for lunar new year.'

Moved: 'After being attacked waiting in line at a Queen's bakery, my friend's Chinese mother wasn't able to get the egg tarts she came for. So the detectives from the NYPD 109th Precinct brought her some,' explained Munn; Munn pictured in 2020

He praised the NYPD's Asian Crime Task Force for 'going above and beyond' for his mother who could not help but smile after she learned of the officers' acts of kindness towards her.

Sam also explained to Olivia that his mother 'doesn't want anything at all' from anyone because she 'hates being a victim,' despite the horrifying nature of her assault and the seemingly racial motivation behind it.

'She has given me an 'asian mom order' to not receive any gifts,' he added, to which Olivia replied: 'Yeah I thought you'd say that. My mom would be the same way.'

Cheng's mother was violently shoved to the ground on a New York City street on February 16 by a man, who was later identified as suspect Patrick Mateo.

The allegations: Patrick Mateo, from Queens, New York, was picked up by the New York Police Department on Thursday and charged with assault and harassment, according to TMZ

Mateo, was caught on video assaulting the unsuspecting woman, was arrested and charged with assault and harassment on February 18, according to TMZ.

The NYPD said the 52-year-old woman was outside a bakery on Roosevelt Avenue in the Flushing section of Queens around 2 p.m. Tuesday when the suspect got into a verbal dispute with her and pushed her.

The woman hit her head and was taken to the hospital, police said, and the public was being asked for help in finding the suspect. Munn took to social media to shine even more of a spotlight on the incident and ask for assistance in tracking down the then unidentified man.

She aided in the investigation by sharing the horrific video and screengrabs of the suspect with her Instagram following, encouraging them to help the NYPD identify him.

Using her platform: The X-Men: Apocalypse actress, whose mother is refugee from Vietnam, has been using her platform to speak out against anti-Asian violence in recent months; Olivia pictured in February

Uptick in attacks: 'You know, there've been so many attacks against the Asian community, especially the elders in our community. Over the past year, it's been an astronomical rise. I mean, just in New York alone, it's a 1,900% increase in just a year,' she lamented

'This is the guy you guys helped @nypd find and arrest,' Munn penned on Twitter, after Mateo's arrest. 'This is him attacking my friend's mom who is a petite 5-foot-3 Chinese woman. F**k this guy,' she added. 'The internet is undefeated. Thank you thank you thank you'

The X-Men: Apocalypse actress, whose mother is a refugee from Vietnam, has been using her platform to speak out against anti-Asian violence in recent months.

Speaking to People, along with her pal Sam Cheng, Olivia admitted that watching the video of Cheng's mother's assault was 'devastating.'

Conditioning: Munn also noted in her interview that elders in the Asian community 'have been conditioned to keep their head down, to take it on the chin, to keep going to be treated like second-class citizens'; Munn pictured in 2019

'You know, there've been so many attacks against the Asian community, especially the elders in our community. Over the past year, it's been an astronomical rise. I mean, just in New York alone, it's a 1,900% increase in just a year,' she lamented.

Munn also noted in her interview that elders in the Asian community 'have been conditioned to keep their head down, to take it on the chin, to keep going to be treated like second-class citizens.'

Olivia believes that this rampant underreporting 'prevents the full scope of the problem from being known,' before adding that Cheng's mother 'likely wouldn't have reported the assault' had it not been captured on film and turned into a viral manhunt.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting suicide following the 'sudden death' of a woman in Greater Manchester, after neighbours heard loud noises coming from the house.

Police were called to a home on Brookhouse Avenue, Farnworth, Bolton at around 2.30am on Sunday.

Paramedics also rushed to the scene but the 55-year-old woman was pronounced dead when they arrived. An investigation was launched by detectives.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting suicide following the 'sudden death' of a woman in Greater Manchester, after neighbours heard loud noises coming from the house.

Police were called to a home on Brookhouse Avenue, Farnworth, Bolton, at around 2.30am on Sunday

Crime scene investigators were seen going in and out of the home on Sunday morning

A 28-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of assisted suicide and has been released under investigation as enquiries continue.

Greater Manchester Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Crime scene investigators were seen going in and out of the home on Sunday morning.

A neighbour said: 'No one ever saw her to speak to. She had carers coming to the house every couple of hours up to 10pm every day.

'She would only ever go out for hospital appointments and would be taken in a wheelchair to the ambulance.

'On the night she died, I could here a lot of noise and shouting.

'She seemed to be in a lot of pain. The noise went on for quite a while.

'It is all terribly sad.'

Another neighbour, who saw the emergency crews arrive, said: 'I woke up about 4am and came downstairs and I saw an ambulance and two police cars.

'I didn't think much of it and went back to bed but when I woke up the police were still there.

'A little bit after I saw the forensics coming and going, they were taking pictures for a few minutes.'

A spokesperson for GMP said: 'Officers were called around 2.30am on Sunday 21 February 2021 to Brookhouse Avenue, Farnworth, to a report of the sudden death of a woman.

'Emergency services attended and a 55-year-old woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

'A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisted suicide and released under investigation pending further enquiries.

'Enquiries are ongoing to determine the cause of her death.'

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9908 quoting 391 of 21/02/21.
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Sally Beauty Supply Employs Manager Who Admits Racial Profiling & Signals Employees When African Americans Enter Store Tweet this

The store manager's bias was not limited just to customers. The manager assumed Anissa Brown was Hispanic; once she learned Brown was African American, Brown allegedly became a target for her prejudice. The manager would yell at and berate Brown to such an extent that customers and co-workers complained about the mistreatment. Brown also endured offensive comments, such as that she was "ghetto."

Sally Beauty Supply did not discipline or terminate the manager even after Brown contacted HR and a regional manager multiple times. During one HR meeting, the store manager, after being directly asked by HR personnel, allegedly admitted to racially profiling African Americans. Brown claims to have also discovered that the manager was previously fired from the company for similar behavior but was then re-hired.

Brown alleges that her work hours were reduced and that she was temporarily removed from the work schedule after reporting the manager's discriminatory actions. Brown seeks damages for discrimination and harassment, retaliation, constructive discharge, and emotional distress, as well as improved anti-discrimination training.

The case is Brown v. Sally Beauty Supply LLC, number 3:21-cv-01350 in the Northern District of California, and is assigned to Judge Donna Ryu. Brown is represented by Stephen Noel Ilg and George L. Lin of ILG Legal Office P.C (www.ilglegal.com).

SOURCE ILG Legal Office, PC

Related Links

http://www.ilglegal.com


SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - The HIRE Program, which stands for Hoosier initiative for re-entry, helps Indiana inmates find jobs before being released. These jobs can range from welders to cooks and everything in-between. "There's just a broad range of jobs. You've probably been somewhere in a store or restaurant and not even known that someone there is a second chance person. They're just like everyone else because they worked hard to get to where they're at," said Aaron Cooper, the Assistant Regional Director for the HIRE Program. After shutting down for a week at the beginning of the pandemic, the program changed the way they operate. "We basically turned into, I guess you would call it the next generation of what we would like to morph into. It happened over night and was tested all year long, we picked and chose what worked best, but we were forced to shift gears to continue to give the high service we give our client base," said Cooper.
Accusations against a federal cabinet minister have been referred to police after two senators received an anonymous letter on Friday with allegations of a decades-old rape.

Labor Senator Penny Wong and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young sent the claims to police soon after receiving the letter, which was attached to a statement from a woman who said she was raped.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told all MPs this week to report any criminal allegations to police without delay. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The documents contain an allegation of a violent, historical attack.

The claims came one day after Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw urged all federal politicians to tell police without delay if they learned of allegations of sexual assault and other criminal matters.
LAGOS, Nigeria - Gunmen abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria on Friday, police said, the latest in a series of mass kidnappings of students in the West African nation.

Some of the students that were not kidnapped from a Government Girls Junior Secondary School following an attack by gunmen in Jangebe, Nigeria, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Gunmen abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria on Friday, police said, the latest in a series of mass kidnappings of students in the West African nation.(AP Photo/ Ibrahim Mansur)

LAGOS, Nigeria - Gunmen abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria on Friday, police said, the latest in a series of mass kidnappings of students in the West African nation.

Police and the military have begun joint operations to rescue the girls after the attack at the Government Girls Junior Secondary School in Jangebe town, according to a police spokesman in Zamfara state, Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the number abducted.

One parent, Nasiru Abdullahi, told The Associated Press that his daughters, aged 10 and 13, are among the missing.

It is disappointing that even though the military have a strong presence near the school they were unable to protect the girls, he said. At this stage, we are only hoping on divine intervention.

Resident Musa Mustapha said the gunmen also attacked a nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from interfering while the gunmen spent several hours at the school. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

The empty class room of the Government Girls Junior Secondary School following an attack by gunmen in Jangebe, Nigeria, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Gunmen abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria on Friday, police said, the latest in a series of mass kidnappings of students in the West African nation. (AP Photo/ Ibrahim Mansur)

Several large groups of armed men operate in Zamfara state, described by the government as bandits, and are known to kidnap for money and to push for the release of their members from jail.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said Friday the governments primary objective is to get all the school hostages returned safe, alive and unharmed.

We will not succumb to blackmail by bandits and criminals who target innocent school students in the expectation of huge ransom payments, he said. Let bandits, kidnappers and terrorists not entertain any illusions that they are more powerful than the government. They shouldnt mistake our restraint for the humanitarian goals of protecting innocent lives as a weakness, or a sign of fear or irresolution.

He called on state governments to review their policy of making payments, in money or vehicles, to bandits.

Such a policy has the potential to backfire with disastrous consequences, Buhari said. He also said state and local governments must play their part by being proactive in improving security in and around schools.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the abductions and called for the girls' immediate and unconditional release and safe return to their families, calling attacks on schools a grave violation of human rights and the rights of children, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The U.N. chief reaffirmed U.N. support to Nigerias government and people in their fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime, Dujarric said, and urged Nigerian authorities to spare no effort in bringing those responsible for this crime to justice.

We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria, said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF representative in the country. This is a gross violation of childrens rights and a horrific experience for children to go through. He called for their immediate release.

Nigeria has seen several such attacks and kidnappings over the years, notably the mass abduction in April 2014 by jihadist group Boko Haram of 276 girls from the secondary school in Chibok in Borno state. More than a hundred of the girls are still missing.

Fridays attack came less than two weeks after gunmen abducted 42 people, including 27 students, from the Government Science College Kagara in Niger State. The students, teachers and family members are still being held.

In December, 344 students were abducted from the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina State. They were eventually released.

Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch, noted the recent abductions and tweeted that Strong action is required from the authorities to turn the tide & keep schools safe.

Amnesty International also condemned the appalling attack, warning in a statement that the girls abducted are in serious risk of being harmed.

Teachers have been forced to flee to other states for protection, and many children have had to abandon their education amid frequent violent attacks in communities, Amnesty said.

AP writer Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal contributed to this report.
Naomi Campbell has been strutting down runways for decades and aging in reverse while doing it. The supermodel and business mogul has expanded her footprint by opening orphanages in underserved countries and has even become a bona fide YouTuber.

However, to many people, Campbell will always simply be a diva who believes the world revolves around her  and who wont hesitate to throw a cell phone at someone, given the chance.

Naomi Campbell attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Naomi Campbell has been known for being a diva

From the early days of her career, Naomi Campbell has always been sure of herself and what she wants and isnt afraid to ask for it. To many people in the fashion industry and beyond, this wasnt a case of an accomplished model advocating for herself, but an angry Black woman making demands and bossing people around.

In 1993, Elite Model Management fired Campbell, saying that no amount of money or prestige could further justify the abuse they faced from her. In 2008, she was reportedly banned from British Airways for life after an altercation as a result of the airline losing her baggage.

Two years later, she was caught in the middle of a blood-diamond scandal when she received a handful of uncut stones from the former president of Liberia, who was later convicted on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. When she testified at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, she bluntly declared, This is an inconvenience for me.

Naomi Campbell attends the 2019 LACMA Art + Film Gala Presented By Gucci on November 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Naomi Campbells infamous phone incident

Theres one incident, however, that remains in both the public and Campbells minds.

In 2007, Campbell pled guilty to assaulting her maid by hitting her in the head with a cell phone. She agreed to take anger-management classes and serve a sentence of five days of community service, as well as pay for the victims hospital bills.

The incident became a prime example of celebrities behaving badly. Even Tyra Banks paid homage to the assault in a photoshoot on Americas Next Top Model where the contestants were asked to portray different model stereotypes, one of them being a model who throws their phone at their assistant.

British model Naomi Campbell walks the runway during the Kenneth Ize show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 on February 24, 2020 in Paris, France | Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images

RELATED: Ashley Graham and Naomi Campbell Both Got Rejected For This Coveted Magazine Cover; Campbell Said She Felt an Inferiority

Naomi Campbell regrets losing her temper

In hindsight, Campbell regrets her outburst and has more than learned her lesson. She discussed what happened in a 2013 interview with ELLE magazine.

Im never gonna get away from it. Its part of my history, she said of the assault. I was remorseful and regretful. Ive served. I did that time. And I never want to be in that position again.
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The Justice Department has charged about 275 people so far for their alleged involvement in the deadly US Capitol riots that occurred on 6 January, an official told CBS News.

This came after Americans watched supporters of Donald Trump storm the Capitol building with the intent to cause destruction and pressure lawmakers, including former Vice President Mike Pence, who they believed were not stopping a "fraudulent" presidential election.

Federal charges against the rioters include conspiracy, destruction of federal property, and even "terrorism" depending on the actions they allegedly displayed on 6 January.

A WUSA9 analysis has found that more than 60 of those charged for their alleged actions on that day have been granted taxpayer-funded representation appointed to them either through the federal public defender's office or private counsel appointed through the Criminal Justice Act so far.

The Criminal Justice Act, which was passed in 1964 by Congress, ensures that anyone charged with federal crimes will have access to legal representation, which falls in step with the 6th Amendment to the US Constitution.

Read more: Follow live updates from the Biden administration

But it then places the burden on taxpayers to foot the bill for these federal defendants' representation, which could cost in the millions.

When federal trials begin, defendants with less severe charges like loitering in the Capitol building could receive a maximum sentence of six months in prison if convicted. But some rioters could face up to 20 years behind bars if convicted for assault of a federal enforcement officer.

American taxpayers assisting in some defendants' legal bills came as they were already likely footing the bill of the destruction that was caused at the US Capitol, according to Reuters.

The cost to clean and repair the US Capitol remained unknown after rioters smashed windows, graffitied walls, and broke doors during the riots. Industry and policy sources told Reuters that the Architect of the Capitol, which maintains the buildings, grounds, and monuments of Capitol Hill, would likely fund the repairs to the building. These funds would come directly from what the agency receives from taxpayers.

The officials also noted that federal agencies do not have insurance.

"Taxpayers will be on the hook for repairs to the Capitol," Stephen Ellis, the president of the watchdog Taxpayers for Common Sense, told Reuters.

The Justice Department was still actively building its case against rioters based on the events that occurred on 6 January, and approximately 540 subjects were being investigated at to see if they participated in illegal activities.

"The scope and scale of this investigation in these cases are really unprecedented, not only in FBI history but probably DOJ history," Acting US Attorney Michael Sherwin said last month.
(Natural News) The main medical regulator of Switzerland has rejected the Oxford-AstraZeneca Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. According to the regulator, there is a lack of available trial data to prove that the vaccine is safe to use.

With regard to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the data submitted and analyzed so far are not yet sufficient to permit authorization, said the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (SwissMedic) in a statement released on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

To obtain more information about safety, efficacy and quality, additional data from new studies are needed.

The Human Medicines Expert Committee, an external and independent advisory panel that double-checks SwissMedics findings on medicines for human use, arrived at the same conclusion during a meeting on Tuesday.

The data currently available do not point to a positive decision regarding benefits and risks, said the panel. SwissMedic concluded its statement by demanding more data.

To obtain a conclusive assessment, the applicant will, among other things, have to submit additional efficacy data from a Phase III trial underway in North and South America, and these will have to be analyzed. As soon as the results have been received, a temporary authorization according to the rolling procedure could be issued at very short notice.

AstraZeneca responded by saying it will continue to share new data with SwissMedic as it becomes available, and will comply with every requirement to make sure its vaccine is approved.

AstraZeneca has now been granted a conditional marketing authorization or emergency use in close to 50 countries, spanning four continents, including most recently in the European Union, said the company in a statement. We are confident that our vaccine is effective, well-tolerated and can have a real impact on the pandemic.

Many in Switzerland expected the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to be approved, especially since it has already been given authorization for use in the United Kingdom where it was developed, and in the European Union. But health officials in several European countries have advised against its use, especially for older people. These countries include Poland, Sweden, Italy, Germany and France.

Meanwhile, other countries have set cut-off ages for people who wish to take the vaccine. For example, Ireland has set its cut-off age at 70, while Belgium has it at 55.

The European Medicines Agency said there is not enough data to provide a faithful estimate of the vaccines efficacy for people over the age of 55. Therefore, it cannot reliably justify its use for people over 55. (Related: Aussie scientists cast doubt on low-efficacy AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.)

Switzerland far behind its European neighbors in immunization

Despite Switzerland spending more on healthcare than any other country in Europe, Swiss officials are still concerned over the slow pace of their coronavirus vaccine rollout.

According to a guidance released in December 2020, the Swiss government plans to vaccinate at least six million people  or nearly three-quarters of the entire Swiss population  by summer of 2021. As of Jan. 31, the country has only administered around 315,000 doses (3.7 percent of the population) of the vaccines it has approved (BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna).

While this is marginally higher than the average for all 27 member-nations of the EU, it is only a fraction of the U.K.s 15 percent. It is also far less than Serbias, which has inoculated 6.8 percent of its population. Serbia is not a member of the EU and has less than a tenth of Switzerlands gross domestic product per capita.

The Swiss governments vaccine rollout plan is drastically behind schedule. Authorities will have to administer over 70,000 doses per day to meet its target. It is unlikely that the country will reach its goal, as it is dealing with a shortage of coronavirus vaccines. Authorities in the capital of Bern had to shut down immunization appointments over the weekend due to a lack of doses.

The governments vaccination plan has failed, said Marco Chiesa, leader of the countrys largest conservative party, the Swiss Peoples Party. We are not used to such unreliability.

According to Interior Minister Alain Berset, whose department oversees the procurement of vaccines, shortfalls in delivery are expected to be fixed by March. Berset added that the country will most likely miss its target of inoculating everybody over the age of 75 by the end of the month. However, Berset remains optimistic and said all adults will be vaccinated by the end of June.

Government officials are pinning the blame for this slow rollout on a lack of infrastructure. The country is not set up for the kind of swift decision-making required for vaccine procurement. Furthermore, the country did not provide any funding for vaccine development, which would have given it a bigger priority in terms of vaccine acquisition.

The EU supported the financing of production facilities and we didnt do that, said former health ministry official Andreas Faller.

A spokeswoman for the Swiss public health office said the country has no legal basis for investing in virus research or domestic vaccine production. The federal government doesnt do investment policy, she said.

Even if the country procures enough vaccines, it has to deal with a skeptical population. According to a survey conducted by the University of Zurich at the beginning of January, only around 50 percent of the population said they were willing to receive the coronavirus vaccine. A full one-third of the populace said they would refuse to take the vaccine.

Learn more about the dangers of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine by reading the latest articles at VaccineDamage.news.

Sources include:

FT.com

SwissMedic.ch 1

SwissMedic.ch 2

Politico.eu

Bloomberg.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 04:35:36|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Friday called for the immediate release of several hundred schoolgirls kidnapped from a secondary school in northwest Nigeria.

"The secretary-general strongly condemns the abduction of over 300 girls during an attack today on a secondary school in Zamfara State, Nigeria," said a statement issued by Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief.

"The secretary-general calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted children and for their safe return to their families. He reiterates that attacks on schools and other educational facilities constitute a grave violation of the rights of children and human rights more broadly. He stresses that schools must remain safe spaces for children to learn without fear of violence," the statement added.

"The secretary-general urges the Nigerian authorities to spare no efforts in bringing those responsible for this crime to justice," it said. "The secretary-general reaffirms the solidarity and support of the United Nations to the Government and people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime."

Peter Hawkins, representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the country, urged the assailants to let the teenagers go immediately.

"We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria," Hawkins said. "This is a gross violation of children's rights and a horrific experience for children to go through -- one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being."

The president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, tweeted, "I am shocked by today's kidnapping of 317 girls from their school in northwest Nigeria. This is the 3rd mass abduction of children since December in the country."

"No child anywhere should be afraid to go to school. I hope the girls are unharmed and will be freed soon," he wrote.

Scores of students were abducted by gunmen who stormed an all-girls school in Nigeria's northwestern state of Zamfara on early Friday, a local official said.

Abubakar Dauran, Zamfara state commissioner of security and home affairs, who confirmed the information to reporters in the state capital of Gusau, said the gunmen abducted the female students of the Government Girls' Secondary School at Jangebe town in the Talata Mafara local government area of the state. Enditem
MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ONE Sotheby's International Realty, the premier luxury real estate firm for Florida's East Coast, honored the brokerage's global network of agents who together achieved record success in 2020. The powerhouse brokerage marked a banner year  with an increase of more than 20% in sales volume year over year in markets spanning from Miami and Key Biscayne to Vero Beach and Cocoa Village.

"Our ONE family continues to deeply impress and inspire me, and I am thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments," said Mayi de la Vega, Founder & CEO of ONE Sotheby's International Realty. "Despite the challenges faced in 2020, our incredible team adapted, pushed boundaries and persevered for a remarkable year."

ONE Sotheby's International Realty's footprint continues to grow, with multiple acquisitions including Decorus Real Estate, Worldwide Group and Sea Turtle Real Estate. With a tradition of innovation, the brand also launched an award-winning website and new technology that empowered its expert agents to seamlessly serve their clients.

"We are proud to close out another tremendous year thanks to the dedication and exceptional talents of our team," said Daniel de la Vega, President of ONE Sotheby's International Realty. "Our agents are truly the backbone of the brand and we look forward to continued growth and success  while continuing to deliver a superior level of excellence year after year."

TOP PRODUCERS

Michael Martinez (#1) took home the title as ONE Sotheby's International Realty's top producer in 2020, with over $130 Million in sales volume and numerous record-breaking deals in Pinecrest and South Miami, followed by Dennis Carvajal (#2), Dave Settgast (#3), Sandra Tagliamonte (#4), Jorge Uribe (#5), Elena Bluntzer (#6), Susan Rindley (#7), Ralph Arias (#8), Jessica Adams (#9), and Jill Penman (#10).

Leading the top producing teams are The Abaunza Group (#1), The Reynolds Team (#2), The Waterfront Team (#3), The Coto Group (#4), The Baum Team (#5), The Chad Bishop Group (#6), Brigitte Lina Group (#7), and Duek Lara Group (#8).

Earning the top spots for small teams are Nestler Poletto Team (#1), The Kleer & Garcia-Diaz Team (#2), The Long and Smith Team (#3), The Thorpe Team (#4), Fisher & Aluma Team (#5), Joe & Jim Team (#6), ADLV Luxury Group (#7) Anna Sherrill Team (#8)., The Team (#9), and The Lewis Team (#10).

The Susan Gale Group was awarded the No. 1 spot in commercial sales followed by Manny Chamizo III. Anna Sherrill won the top spot in the development division and the top producing new recruits were Eddy Martinez and Roland Ortiz with the Worldwide Group followed by Karen Elmir with The Elmir Group, the Rose Harris Group, Celia Mussman & Esther Peart, and Sebastian Acosta.





See the full list here

About ONE Sotheby's International Realty

ONE Sotheby's International Realty is the premier source for luxury real estate and development opportunities along Florida's East Coast, with 19 offices spanning from Miami and Key Biscayne to Vero Beach and Cocoa Village. Since its inception in 2008, ONE Sotheby's International Realty has recruited nearly 1,000 of the world's most passionate and well-connected agents. For more than 250 years, the Sotheby's name has exemplified the promise of a life well lived, and ONE Sotheby's International Realty's direct affiliation with Sotheby's and Sotheby's International Realty has offered the company unparalleled, global reach  an attribute sellers reap the full benefit of as their homes receive prime exposure to a network of more than 24,000 associates in more than 75 countries and territories with more than 1000 offices.

The firm's development sales division represents some of the most successful and prestigious condo developments along the coast with a total inventory of over $3.5 billion. Offering committed professionals, backed by a global brand with a heritage of unsurpassed quality, value and trust, ONE Sotheby's International Realty is dedicated to giving extraordinary lives a home to thrive.

For more information about the Florida East Coast market or about working with ONE Sotheby's International Realty, please visit www.onesothebysrealty.com.

SOURCE ONE Sothebys International Realty
The US has welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan reaffirming their commitment to a ceasefire along the Line of Control, President Joe Biden's spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Thursday.

"This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia, which is in our shared interest and we encourage both the countries to keep building upon this progress," Psaki said during her daily briefing in Washington.

She said, "The US welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of ceasefire along the Line of Control starting February 25."

Asked whether Pakistan was doing enough to combat terrorism, Psaki did not give a direct reply.

She said, "We remain closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan. But in terms of an assessment of that, I would point you to the state department or the intelligence department."

The two neighbours' director generals of military operations (DGMO) announced the agreement reaffirming the ceasefire on Thursday.

Their joint statement said that after a "free, frank and cordial" assessment of the situation along the border, they agreed "in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders. The two DGMO agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence".
Tensions appeared to dissipate Friday between progressive Democrats and Gov. Ned Lamonts administration on what an adult-use marijuana bill should look like.

Criticism from minority Republicans indicated their steadfast opposition to full legalization, though the House Republican leader offered ideas for modifications. If Democrats can agree on how to craft a bill  something that has not happened in several tries over the last few years  they dont need any GOP votes to make it happen.

Three main issues remain to be worked out: Who exactly would receive licenses under the bill; how the revenue from adult-use legalization would be spent to undo past drug war harm in targeted communities; and how, exactly, past marijuana arrest records would be expunged.

Lamonts bill and a bill advanced by the legislatures Labor Committee remain works in progress.

State Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, the co-chairwoman of the Labor Committee, said during an extensive question-and-answer session with more than a dozen Lamont administration officials that she is satisfied that her bill, which emphasizes the ability of affected communities to get into a future retail-cannabis industry and rid themselves of the stigma of criminal records, will be considered in an eventual compromise bill.

The first four hours of the online hearing by the Judiciary Committee centered on Lamonts plan, which was included in his budget proposal. Revenue projections are modest, $33 million in fiscal 2023 with projections of about $95 million a year  in contrast to some in the industry who say Connecticut could reap more than $200 million a year.

Lamonts advisers said they are eager to incorporate Porters proposals and stressed that a task forces recommendations on social equity and business opportunities were not included in the legislation because of the late-January budget deadline.

What cannabis and the war on drugs has done to our communities is unconscionable, said Paul Mounds, Lamonts chief of staff, the point man in prolonged testimony. We have to take steps to not only right those wrongs, but take steps to make sure that individuals are not only among the marketplace, but are the marketplace. The war on cannabis did little to protect public health and safety. Instead it has caused significant injustices for many of our residents, especially people in our Black and brown communities.

State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the committee, said before the hearing that Lamonts bill is a source for discussion and compromise as lawmakers plan for adult use.

While Massachusetts voters approved a retail law after petitioning in a statewide referendum in 2016, Connecticut does not have such a popular mechanism short of a Constitutional amendment process. That might become a fallback position this year if the full legalization effort fails again in the General Assembly. The earliest such an amendment could reach Connecticut voters would be 2024.

I think the governors office has sought to bring folks together to further the conversation on equity, Stafstrom said. I think we all recognize the bill we are reviewing today will not be the same that passes the committee.

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said he is concerned that the issue of legalization debate seems to have shifted to the commercialization of cannabis.

I think this bill should be looking at the age of 25 if its going to be done, he said. Referring to the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, he said, I think we should have a conversation about setting the THC levels to something lower, to prevent all the societal ills were heard being testified. I think we should be limiting the products that are going to be offered.

Candelora suggested that the state lead in a different direction, compared to Massachusetts, California and Colorado. I think some of these states are going to find that they need to put the genie back in the bottle, he said, adding the so-called homegrown model that Vermont started out with seems to be more sensible.

Republican criticism of the bill was led by Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, ranking Republican on the committee. He complained that Lamont was not among the administrations experts in regulation, law enforcement and revenue, along with policy experts including Jonathan Harris, a former state senator and commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Harris oversaw the states nationally known medical marijuana program, which now serves more than 50,000 patients.

There is a representation from the administration that this is a working document, Fishbein said. So Im trying to figure out what parts are workable and what parts are not workable. Fishbein also criticized the Department of Public Health for not appearing with the governors team.

During questioning from Porter, Harris said the governors bill includes a $75,000 study on equity issues, including a new Cannabis Equity Commission. Harris stressed that the governor is eager to continue discussions on equity revisions, including business opportunities in affected neighborhoods.

The discussions will happen and there will be, Im sure, changes, Harris said.

I appreciate that, Porter replied.

Harris said that part of the discussion on equity for Black and brown communities is to lower the barriers for entry into the market, including so-called micro-cultivators, food-and-beverage developers and delivery services. Under the bill, the equity panel would focus on a wide range of opportunities and funding streams.

These are the details that will be fleshed out by the equity commission and will also be on the table in the legislative discussions, Harris said to Porter. This bill, 163 pages, presents a comprehensive market structure. There are other bills out there, as you know, that have maybe less market structure, but have more detail on equity. These bills are complementary and will be the basis of our discussion going forward.

I definitely agree with that statement and wholeheartedly look forward to working collectively because I believe that both bills have some really great stuff, including the governors bill, Porter replied.

The administration feels that the regulatory portion of this bill is the most-comprehensive regulatory bill for marijuana structure thats currently in the legislative process, Mounds said. This governor and this administration respects the deliberative process of the legislature. This is us putting forth a bill for the committee.

Mounds described the apparent gap between the governors bill and various levels of criticism from his fellow Democrats as chatter.

Republicans, however, were less conciliatory.

Sen. Dan Champagne, a retired police officer, criticized the whole concept. We have a major problem right now in the state of Connecticut, with drug use and stuff, Champagne said, stressing the need to put most future cannabis revenue into rehabilitation services, rather than the inner-city equity programming envisioned by Lamont and Porter.

As a father, I am petrified of what this will do to the teens, said Rep. Tom ODea, R-New Canaan.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
Turkeys quest for a military campaign to drive Kurdish militants out of the northern Iraqi region of Sinjar has refueled the Turkish-Iranian rivalry for influence in oil-rich Mosul, which many Turks see as a lost Ottoman legacy.

Earlier this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying that Tehran reject[s] the Turkish military presence in Syria and Iraq and consider[s] Ankara's policies toward Damascus and Baghdad to be wrong. In remarks to a Turkish news agency, an unnamed Iranian Foreign Ministry official denied Zarif had made the remarks, yet the rift between the two countries is showing on the ground.

While Turkey was targeting camps of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Gara mountains in northern Iraq in mid-February, the Popular Mobilization Units  an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia known also as Hashd al-Shabi  deployed three brigades to Sinjar, which lies to the west of Mosul along the Syrian border. Militia commanders made it clear the deployment was meant to counter Turkeys threat in the region.

Turkey cites the PKK presence in Sinjar as the cause for its concern, but its calculations go farther to Mosul. Iran, for its part, highlights the need to prevent the revival of the Islamic State, but it, too, has a broader calculus.

For many in Turkey, especially those on the right of the political spectrum, Mosul remains a lost homeland that slipped through Turkish fingers as the Ottoman Empire collapsed. Various governments have used the issue to spice up their regional policies over the years. Under the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Ankara has only fueled Arab suspicions by questioning the treaties that led to the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire and fixed Turkeys current borders.

The AKP has tended to view Mosul in the Ottoman administrative framework  that is, the Mosul Vilayet, comprised of the districts of Mosul, Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah. In other words, Sulaimaniyah, Erbil and Dohuk, the three regions that make Iraqi Kurdistan today, were part of the Ottoman Mosul province. Tellingly, the AKP has encouraged the Turkmens of Kirkuk and Tell Afar to collaborate with the Kurds. The underlying thinking of such perspectives  never declared politically but discussed hypothetically  holds that since Turkey has failed to prevent the emergence of an autonomous Kurdistan, then the entire historical Mosul Vilayet should become autonomous and Turkey should lie in wait for an opportunity to annex the region.

The Ottomans lost the Mosul Vilayet to the British in 1918 as the empire faced a disastrous defeat in World War I. In the 1920 manifesto of the ensuing Turkish liberation war, Mosul figured inside the targeted national borders. Eventually, Turkey relinquished its claim on Mosul under a 1926 treaty, but not without a price. Starting from 1934, 10% of Mosuls oil revenues would flow to Turkeys coffers over 25 years. That chapter was closed in 1986, when then-premier Turgut Ozal wrote off Iraqi arrears in a gesture to Saddam Hussein.

When the United States struck Iraq in 1991, Ozal was eager to back the campaign, driven by dreams of retrieving the Mosul Vilayet. Similar thoughts had stirred Prime Minister Adnan Menderes in 1958 as Iraq sought to unite with Jordan. Menderes sent intelligence operatives to Mosul and Kirkuk to test the waters, should Washington give the nod.

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the AKP sought to both expand Turkish influence in Iraq and curb that of Iran by boosting commercial ties with Iraqi Kurdistan and cultivating bonds with the Turkmens via the Iraqi Turkmen Front and with Sunni Arabs via figures such as former Mosul Governor Atheel al-Nujaifi. Friends of Turkey in Iraq would caution that Ankara was teaming up with the wrong partners, but their advice fell on deaf ears.

Ankaras Sunni patronage has badly damaged its reputation among other Iraqi groups since jihadi groups stepped up attacks on Shiite Turkmens, Christians, Yazidis and other minorities in 2006. In 2014, while locals were fleeing Mosul to escape IS, AKP leaders described IS militants as angry young men rebelling against Baghdads pro-Shiite sectarian policies. But soon, Turkeys own consulate in Mosul fell captive to IS as Ankara downplayed warnings over the IS advance. The jihadis held 49 people, including the consul, hostage for more than three months.

Meanwhile, the Turkmens, whom Ankara saw as a natural ally due to ethnic kinship, fragmented. Looking for protection, Shiite Turkmens strengthened their ties with Shiite Arabs, shifting to the Iranian axis.

In a bid to return to the play in Mosul, Turkish troops stationed at the Bashiqa camp near Mosul trained Nujaifis Hashd al-Watani militia in the hope that the faction would take part in the liberation of the city. Meanwhile, Ankara vehemently opposed PMU participation in the offensive. Pro-government news outlets called the PMU a Shiite terrorist group, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan argued that only Sunni Arabs, Turkmens and Sunni Kurds should stay in Mosul once the city was liberated. Ultimately, Ankaras objections fell flat, as did its plan to gain influence via Hashd al-Watani.

At present, Turkey is trying to return to Mosul via public entities involved in humanitarian work, but has yet to reopen its consulate, though it has rented a new building and named a consul-general. Baghdad has dragged its feet on approving the reopening, with parties hostile to Turkey apparently undermining the process. Coalition warplanes destroyed the old consulate building in a 2016 raid against IS militants occupying the compound. Currently, only a Turkish visa application center is open in Mosul, run by a company commissioned by Ankara.

In contrast, Iran has gained considerable influence in Mosul via its PMU allies, which have stayed in the city after its liberation. PMU forces, involving local Christian and Sunni groups, collaborated with the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS), a Yazidi militia created by the PKK, in the liberation of Sinjar.

A Turkmen source from Mosul observed to Al-Monitor that Shiite Turkmens, Yazidis and other minorities in the region value the role of the PMU. This attitude gives Iran room to increase its influence, while also pursuing economic projects.

For many in Turkey, the PMU-YBS link translates to an Iran-PKK link. Similarly, it nourishes concern in Erbil that Baghdad and Tehran are acquiescing to the PKK presence in Sinjar to prevent the peshmerga forces return to disputed territories.

From Irans perspective, local support lines increase the value of the Mosul-Sinjar route to the Iraqi-Syrian border. The Rabia border crossing to the north of Sinjar as well as a nearby unofficial one that IS used to cross to Syria are now controlled jointly by the PMU and the Iraqi military. On the Syrian side, both areas are controlled by the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, meaning that Iran does not have a free hand on the border at present. Anyway, it is investing for the future. The al-Qaim crossing in Anbar is currently Irans point of entry to Syria. Although Iran-linked groups hold sway in the area, the crossing is not considered convenient enough because it opens up to Sunni areas on both sides of the border.

The Mosul equilibrium is in Irans favor for now. Yet, Iran is still at the beginning of the road, on which Turkey got lost with a sectarian detour. Sunni anger with Shiite militias in Mosul is steadily brewing as ongoing power struggles, sectarian strife and corruption cripple the citys recovery.

Whether Ankara has learned a lesson from its mistakes remains to be seen. The Shiite Turkmens resentment with Turkey has yet to heal, while some Sunni leaders, to whom Ankara had an easy access, have come to collaborate with Iran or the Saudi-Emirati axis.

US interventions have occasionally curbed Iran, but the stumbling blocks for Turkey remain. Moreover, the scores from the US-Iran arm-wrestling are not always in US favor. Under the US-backed Sinjar deal that Erbil and Baghdad sealed in October, federal forces were supposed to replace the PMU and the YBS. Yet, the PMU has since reinforced its presence on the ground.

Sunnis in Mosul may be willing to cooperate with Turkey, but Ankara needs inclusive policies to overcome the Shiite barrier, as the failures of its hitherto policy show.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Virgin Galactic has postponed its next attempt to reach space from southern New Mexico until May to allow engineers to first fully correct technical problems that led to failure of the VSS Unitys last attempted spaceflight in December.

After extensive analysis, the company found that electromagnetic interference caused the spaceships onboard computer to reboot during its flight in December, triggering a safety mechanism that immediately shut down the rocket motor and forced the ships two pilots to abort the mission and glide back to Earth.

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The company is now testing and installing new components to eliminate electromagnetic interference before attempting another rocket-powered flight from Spaceport America, which could take about two months, Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier said during a year-end earnings call with investors Thursday.

As a result, the long-awaited Unity flight with company founder Sir Richard Branson on board wont happen until the summer. And launch of commercial service to fly paying passengers to space likely wont begin until early fall.

But the delays demonstrate the companys unwavering commitment to a safety-first culture, Colglazier told conference participants.

Had the December flight been successful, the company planned to conduct a second spaceflight with four crew members in the passenger cabin early this year, followed by Bransons flight in late March.

In fact, after determining the cause for Decembers aborted mission, engineers made technical adjustments to lower electromagnetic interference, encouraging the company to open a new flight window this month for another attempt to reach space.

But during pre-flight checks, engineers still detected elevated interference levels, prompting the company to make more modifications and evaluate and assess the changes on the ground before re-initiating test flights, said Mike Moses, president of Virgin Galactic space missions and safety.

Despite the delays, the company remains focused on upcoming flight tests and the potential for commercial launch in the coming months, Colglazier said.

Weve pushed the next flight test out by eight or nine weeks, but we remain on the same flight program as before, Colglazier said. Were on path for our next test flight in May, and then two more flights over the summer, with our first passenger-loaded flight by late summer or early fall. Were being prudent to first get the electromagnetic interference issue taken care of.

Meanwhile, the company is also pushing forward on many other fronts, Colglazier said. That includes a new stage in Virgin Galactics manufacturing plans to build more spaceships in preparation for commercial launch.

The companys second spaceship is already assembled and will be rolled out March 30 to begin ground testing, followed by glide tests and then rocket-powered test flights.

Assembly has also begun on a third craft. And the company is now designing next-generation Delta Class passenger ships that will be made with more efficient manufacturing processes based on engineering lessons from building the first ships. That will allow the new class of spacecraft to be built faster to scale up production for a fleet of spaceships.

The company will also make upgrades to the VMS mothership, which carries the Unity on its underbelly to about 50,000 feet, where the spacecraft breaks away and fires up its rocket motors to shoot to the edge of space at 50 miles up. And its begun planning to build more motherships alongside the new Delta Class passenger craft.

The company expects to eventually provide up to 400 passenger flights per day at Spaceport America and at other launch facilities that Virgin Galactic plans to build in other countries.

It will be a multiyear effort to get to 400 flights per day, Colglazier said.

The company is also adding new revenue-generating commercial services that will allow government agencies to fly multiple payloads to space with their own scientists and astronauts on board. That service includes real-world training for astronauts, starting with an initial contract already signed with the Italian Air Force for a first flight in late summer or early fall, Colglazier said.

The company hired two new engineers this month to lead Virgin Galactics transition from its previous status as largely a research-and-development company into an advanced manufacturing firm thats ready to scale-up production for global commercial service. Virgin Galactic announced the new appointments Thursday morning.

We expect them to lead and grow a world class engineering team to head our new spaceship development program, Colglazier said.

The ramp-up in manufacturing will require significant capital investment.

The company wont begin earning steady revenue until it launches commercial service. But its raised substantial private investment after going public on the New York Stock Exchange in fall 2019, placing it on firm financial footing to manage needed manufacturing expenses going forward, said Chief Financial Officer Jon Campagna.

Our balance sheet remains strong, Campagna said. We ended 2021 with $666 million in cash and cash equivalents.
Samsung has quietly unveiled the Galaxy A32 4G smartphone. The company has not disclosed the price and availability of the phone yet, reports Gizmochina.

Samsung Galaxy A32 4G comes with a 6.4-inch sAMOLED display with an Infinity-U cutout on the front. The smartphone comes with a Full HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. Samsung Galaxy A32 4G is also said to be the companys first phone in the A-series to come with the 90Hz refresh panel.

The phone comes in Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, and Awesome Violet colour options.

Samsung Galaxy A32 4G is first Samsung A series devices which launches with   .

-6.5" LCD with 

-5000mAh battery with 15 watt fast charging

-48MP rear

-13MP front

-Side FP

-Helio G85#SamsungA32 #SamsungGalaxyA32

Via: https://t.co/zdmkwUOMkp pic.twitter.com/2wHqyZAg77  Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) February 26, 2021

For performance, Samsung Galaxy A32 4G runs on an octa-core processor clocked at 2GHz. Samsung has not revealed the chip name, but reports suggest it is MediaTeks Helio G85 processor. The chipset is coupled with up to 8GB of RAM. The other two models have 4GB and 6GB of RAM. The phone also comes in 64GB/128GB storage options. There is also a microSD card ford expandable storage. A 5,000mAh battery powers the Galaxy A32 4G. The handset also ships with an 18W charger.

In the photography department, Samsung Galaxy A32 4G had a quad-camera setup on the back. The setup consists of a 64-megapixel primary sensor, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, 5-megapixel macro sensor, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

Vs Galaxy A32 5G

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is said to be the companys cheapest 5G smartphone. The handset has a 6.5-inch display with an LCD panel, HD+ resolution, and standard 60Hz refresh rate. The phone comes with a 48-megapixel primary sensor on the back. The other camera sensors on the phone are an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, 5-megapixel macro sensor, and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. For selfies, it comes with a 13-megapixel sensor.

The device comes in three RAM variants - 4GB, 6GB and 8GB. A 5000 mAh battery powers the phone. It also has 15W charging support. The phone also comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
[February 26, 2021] Experience Matters: iQ Academy of California - Los Angeles Now Accepting Enrollments for 2021-2022 School Year

After an academic year like no other, iQ Academy of California - Los Angeles (IQLA), a full-time online public-school academy serving students throughout the state, is welcoming students in grades K-12 to enroll for the 2021-2022 school year, starting March 2. IQLA is the state leader in providing safe, alternative education options, while giving your student a personalized experience and providing them with what they need to succeed. IQLA is tuition-free to all students who reside in California, staffed by state-licensed teachers, and is a state-authorized online public-school program accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. They offer a personalized approach to learning, delivering rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education, or who need some time for educational recovery. "One of the biggest things this pandemic showed us is that students, and parents, need consistency in their education," said Nick Secken, head of school. "Our world-class technology and student-focused curriculum will give your children a reliable advantage they need to succeed throughout high school, and beyond."



Students choose online school for a variety of reasons including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment, and the ability to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. IQLA's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style. IQLA is now accepting enrollments for the 2021-2022 school year. Families are encouraged to attend an online information session hosted by the school. More information, how to enroll, and a schedule of upcoming events can be found at https://losangeles.iqacademy.com/.

About iQ Academy of California - Los Angeles

iQ Academy of California - Los Angeles (IQLA) is a full-time online public charter school authorized by the Rowland Unified School District. IQLA is available to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who reside in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange (News - Alert) , San Bernardino and Ventura counties. California-credentialed teachers deliver lessons in an online classroom platform that provides families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build skills for their future. For more information about IQLA, visit losangeles.iqacademy.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005002/en/

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VIERA, Fla., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Volar Security, a Space Coast cybersecurity advisory firm that assists public and private businesses with IT security and compliance, announced today that it had been authorized as a CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO).

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a new information security compliance framework developed to help secure 300,000+ U.S. DoD contractors and subcontractor's systems and networks. By applying security practices and processes to contractor systems and organizations, the CMMC helps ensure the protection of Federal Contracting Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by reducing cybersecurity risk.

Volar Security will help government contractors working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) determine the required CMMC maturity level, become audit-ready, and maintain compliance post-certification. CMMC compliance services include pre-assessments, technical solutions, and policy and procedure guidance.

"We are proud and honored to take part in the CMMC ecosystem," says David Africano, Managing Principal & CISO, Volar Security. "With the designation as a CMMC RPO and also having team members who are Registered Practitioners (RP), Volar Security commits to the ongoing support of the CMMC-AB, its mission, and the security of our nation's Defense Industrial Base." He adds, "Our team has signed a code of ethical conduct and received training to provide our customers accurate and honest guidance on preparing for their required CMMC level."

As the CMMC implementation continues, companies who currently support the DoD should prepare to review what type of information they hold, assess how they align to the appropriate CMMC level, and find a partner to assist them in preparing for certification.

For more information contact David A. Africano at +1 (321) 384-3889 or email at [email protected]

SOURCE Volar Security

Related Links

https://www.volarsecurity.com


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Mayfield Teen Jailed After Foot Pursuit

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD - A Mayfield teen was arrested after a foot chase on Thursday.

The Mayfield Police Department said 19-year-old Kyler Farmer was observed near Food Giant on South 9th Street, and began to flee from officers. Farmer had an active warrant for his arrest out of Graves County.

Farmer fled on foot through various backyards and across multiple streets in an attempt to elude pursuing officers. Farmer was apprehended in the 200 block of West Hale Street.
Astronomers found a roaming comet taking a rest stop before possibly continuing its journey. The wayward object made a temporary stop near giant Jupiter. The icy visitor has plenty of company. It has settled near the family of captured asteroids known as Trojans that are co-orbiting the Sun alongside Jupiter. This is the first time a comet-like object has been spotted near the Trojan asteroid population. Hubble Space Telescope observations reveal the vagabond is showing signs of transitioning from a frigid asteroid-like body to an active comet, sprouting a long tail, outgassing jets of material, and enshrouding itself in a coma of dust and gas. CREDIT Credits: NASA, ESA, and B. Bolin (Caltech)

After traveling several billion miles toward the Sun, a wayward young comet-like object orbiting among the giant planets has found a temporary parking place along the way.

The object has settled near a family of captured ancient asteroids, called Trojans, that are orbiting the Sun alongside Jupiter. This is the first time a comet-like object has been spotted near the Trojan population.

The unexpected visitor belongs to a class of icy bodies found in space between Jupiter and Neptune. Called "Centaurs," they become active for the first time when heated as they approach the Sun, and dynamically transition into becoming more comet-like.

Visible-light snapshots by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope reveal that the vagabond object shows signs of comet activity, such as a tail, outgassing in the form of jets, and an enshrouding coma of dust and gas. Earlier observations by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope gave clues to the composition of the comet-like object and the gasses driving its activity.

"Only Hubble could detect active comet-like features this far away at such high detail, and the images clearly show these features, such as a roughly 400,000-mile-long broad tail and high-resolution features near the nucleus due to a coma and jets," said lead Hubble researcher Bryce Bolin of Caltech in Pasadena, California.

Describing the Centaur's capture as a rare event, Bolin added, "The visitor had to have come into the orbit of Jupiter at just the right trajectory to have this kind of configuration that gives it the appearance of sharing its orbit with the planet. We're investigating how it was captured by Jupiter and landed among the Trojans. But we think it could be related to the fact that it had a somewhat close encounter with Jupiter."

The team's paper appears in the February 11, 2021 issue of The Astronomical Journal.

The research team's computer simulations show that the icy object, called P/2019 LD2 (LD2), probably swung close to Jupiter about two years ago. The planet then gravitationally punted the wayward visitor to the Trojan asteroid group's co-orbital location, leading Jupiter by about 437 million miles.

Bucket Brigade

The nomadic object was discovered in early June 2019 by the University of Hawaii's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescopes located on the extinct volcanoes, one on Mauna Kea and one on Haleakala. Japanese amateur astronomer Seiichi Yoshida tipped off the Hubble team to possible comet activity. The astronomers then scanned archival data from the Zwicky Transient Facility, a wide-field survey conducted at Palomar Observatory in California, and realized that the object was clearly active in images from April 2019.

They followed up with observations from the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico, which also hinted at the activity. The team observed the comet using Spitzer just days before the observatory's retirement in January 2020, and identified gas and dust around the comet nucleus. These observations convinced the team to use Hubble to take a closer look. Aided by Hubble's sharp vision, the researchers identified the tail, coma structure and the size of the dust particles and their ejection velocity. These images helped them confirm that the features are due to relatively new comet-like activity.

Although LD2's location is surprising, Bolin wonders whether this pit stop could be a common pull-off for some sunward-bound comets. "This could be part of the pathway from our solar system through the Jupiter Trojans to the inner solar system," he said.

The unexpected guest probably will not stay among the asteroids for very long. Computer simulations show that it will have another close encounter with Jupiter in about another two years. The hefty planet will boot the comet from the system, and it will continue its journey to the inner solar system.

"The cool thing is that you're actually catching Jupiter flinging this object around and changing its orbital behavior and bringing it into the inner system," said team member Carey Lisse of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. "Jupiter controls what's going on with comets once they get into the inner system by altering their orbits."

The icy interloper is most likely one of the latest members of the so-called "bucket brigade" of comets to get kicked out of its frigid home in the Kuiper belt and into the giant planet region through interactions with another Kuiper belt object. Located beyond Neptune's orbit, the Kuiper belt is a haven of icy, leftover debris from our planets' construction 4.6 billion years ago, containing millions of objects, and occasionally these objects have near misses or collisions that drastically alter their orbits from the Kuiper belt inward into the giant planet region.

The bucket brigade of icy relics endure a bumpy ride during their journey sunward. They bounce gravitationally from one outer planet to the next in a game of celestial pinball before reaching the inner solar system, warming up as they come closer to the Sun. The researchers say the objects spend as much or even more time around the giant planets, gravitationally pulling on them--about 5 million years--than they do crossing into the inner system where we live.

"Inner system, 'short-period' comets break up about once a century," Lisse explained. "So, in order to maintain the number of local comets we see today, we think the bucket brigade has to deliver a new short-period comet about once every 100 years."

An Early Bloomer

Seeing outgassing activity on a comet 465 million miles away from the Sun (where the intensity of sunlight is 1/25th as strong as on Earth) surprised the researchers. "We were intrigued to see that the comet had just started to become active for the first time so far away from the Sun at distances where water ice is barely starting to sublimate," said Bolin.

Water remains frozen on a comet until it reaches about 200 million miles from the Sun, where heat from sunlight converts water ice to gas that escapes from the nucleus in the form of jets. So the activity signals that the tail might not be made of water. In fact, observations by Spitzer indicated the presence of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gas, which could be driving the creation of the tail and jets seen on the Jupiter-orbiting comet. These volatiles do not need much sunlight to heat their frozen form and convert them to gas.

Once the comet gets kicked out of Jupiter's orbit and continues its journey, it may meet up with the giant planet again. "Short-period comets like LD2 meet their fate by being thrown into the Sun and totally disintegrating, hitting a planet, or venturing too close to Jupiter once again and getting thrown out of the solar system, which is the usual fate," Lisse said. "Simulations show that in about 500,000 years, there's a 90% probability that this object will be ejected from the solar system and become an interstellar comet."

###

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, in Washington, D.C. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, managed the Spitzer mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C. Science operations were conducted at the Spitzer Science Center at IPAC at Caltech. Spitzer's entire science catalogue is available via the Spitzer data archive, housed at the Infrared Science Archive at IPAC. Spacecraft operations were based at Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado.

Credits: NASA, ESA, and B. Bolin (Caltech)

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 03:25:25|Editor: huaxia

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RABAT, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and Mali discussed here on Friday ways to foster military cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, said a statement by an official of the Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).

Inspector General of FAR Abdelfattah Louarak and Mali's Vice President Assimi Goita discussed the opportunities of bilateral military cooperation and how to encourage and broaden its prospects in various fields, the statement added.

Goita, who is on a working visit to Morocco along with a large military delegation, will visit Mohammed V Military Hospital in capital Rabat and the Royal Institute for Higher Military Education in northwestern city of Kenitra, it said.

The vice president held Thursday talks with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita on supporting the political transition in Mali. Enditem
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Those who wear glasses with a mask know how frustrating it can be to keep them from fogging up. You may even be tempted to remove them at times, just so you can see where youre going.

But when it comes to protection against COVID-19, a new study has found that wearing glasses may be worth the frustration.

According to a report by WKYC 3, multiple studies have shown that of the people who contract COVID-19, those who wear glasses at least eight hours a day make up a lesser percentage of that group than those who dont wear glasses.

The report cited Professor Yaneer Bar-Yam of The New England Complex Systems Institute who said: If something lands in your eye, it can go through a duct that goes down into your nose and thats how it might infect you.

WKYC 3 cited a study published this month in India, which looked at 304 COVID-19 patients. The author says about 40% of Indias adult population wears glasses, but only 19% of the people infected with coronavirus wore glasses. The conclusion reached by the researchers was that the risk of COVID-19 was about 2 to 3 times less in the spectacles wearing population than the population not wearing them.

WKYC 3 again cited Professor Bar-Yam, who said: Probably one of the main pieces is that the air particles will get deposited on your glasses as well as you might not touch your eyes a little bit, but its really important to know that this is in addition to wearing a mask.

Bar-Yam added that these results mirror a previous study he saw from China.

Researchers further warn that while its sometimes jokingly referred to as nerd immunity, spectacle wearers must understand that because there is space between the frames and your face, glasses are not a full-proof protection. Professor Bar-Yam agrees saying, Of course, wearing goggles is even better than wearing glasses, WKYC 3 cited.

So in light of that, heres yet another warning the report revealed: If COVID-19 particles are being blocked by your glasses, or other eye covering, it must be assumed that the virus may have settled on your glasses.

Professor Bar-Yam said this: You should definitely - if youre wearing glasses or goggles - you should wash them with soap after you use them, adding, If you go into a place where you might be exposed to virus particles.

Even if youre wearing glasses and a mask, the report reminded us of the ongoing warning health experts have been proclaiming since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. You still need to wash your hands regularly and social distance.
Irish people battling the lockdown blues would love a blast of Mediterranean sun, sea and, er  sangria sooner rather than later. EU Covid vaccine certificates  now being demanded by sunspots Greece, Spain, Malta, among others  might do that.

But not everybody sees these vac certs as a passport to early normality. As Taoiseach Micheal Martin joined EU leaders at an online summit yesterday, Ireland was among those arguing the measure is far too premature.

The idea of mandatory proof of vaccination is far from new. Countries in Africa, South America, and elsewhere require the vaccine passport as part of regular passport and visa checks. Diseases covered include smallpox, yellow fever and other delights.

A Covid-19 vaccine passport may help people get back to work and reopen tourism, and seems the way to go.

Greece, which has a quarter of its economy linked to tourism, has been pushing for an EU vaccine passport for over a month. And they have the backing of other sunspots.

But a bloc of northern EU states  notably Germany and France, and others, including Ireland  think not, or at least not yet.

They have four main reasons: health, social, political, privacy.

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Health is mainly the fear that vaccinated people can still infect others. It is widely accepted that vaccination gives huge anti-virus protection to the person receiving it. It remains unknown whether they could still be carriers and passive spreaders. The threat of new variants compounds this fear.

The social one is huge in countries badly struggling to get people vaccinated. The fear is that vaccine haves being able to travel, while vaccine have-nots  are grounded, will add to societal tensions caused by lockdowns. Most countries are prioritising older citizens for vaccines  a vaccine passport could be seen as discriminating against younger people.

The political element is a big-picture version of the social argument. The developed world has vaccine supply and logistics problems  but many poorer countries have literally no vaccines. Rich, vaccinated, citizens gadding about while unvaccinated citizens of poorer countries are stranded at home will add to international vaccine tensions.

The privacy issues are about who will hold an individuals health data and how secure it may be. It raises real questions about trust in the health industry and state authorities. Any EU vaccine passport must accord with EU data protection law.

But vaccine passports seem inevitable. The real question is when?

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has clearly said Brussels backs some form of vaccination proof.

Some of the sunspot  countries might go it alone. Greece is already talking about arrangements with Israel which has reopened business after an apparently successful vaccination campaign.

Athens may also similarly talk to the UK  a huge market for Greek holidays.

Moves are afoot by the international airlines to develop some sort of vaccine proof system as a requirement for would-be travellers.

US President Joe Biden has asked his officials to investigate the prospect. Surveys show travel-starved citizens  including Irish people  would go with the vaccination passport if it allowed them travel again soon.

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As much as finding new ways to do business will play a key role in South Africa's economic turnaround strategy, for the country to emerge from the years-long slump exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic it will need to further invest in its cornerstone industries...
Abhay Deol Talks About Hyper Nationalism In Cinema: It Has Been Done To Death And It's Counter-Productive

Actor Abhay Deol says his upcoming series "1962: The War In The Hills" aligns perfectly with his anti-war philosophy as it focuses more on individual stories rather than indulging in hyper nationalism.

Deol, known for films like "Socha Nahin Tha", "Dev D", "Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!" and "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara", believes that the idea of showing nationalism in cinema has been an over-used trope.

"It has been done to death and it's counter-productive. It's easy to be provocative in a nationalistic way, rile up people's feelings for their nation. That's a much easier route to take. It's obvious, easily recognisable.

"It's harder to stay away from that and try to find a philosophy behind it -- why do we fight and what is its impact?" he told PTI in a Zoom interview from Los Angeles.

Deol plays the lead role in Mahesh Manjrekar-directed series which is set against the backdrop of the 1962 India-China War.

The Disney+ Hotstar series narrates the story of 125 Indian Army personnel who fought with 3,000 Chinese soldiers.

Deol said he took up the series as it does not glamourises war.

"Most of the time, we glamourise winning a fight. But there's a compassion given to the other side as well, an empathy given to all mankind, than just saying we are better than you or we won.

"The show is a lot more about the individuals that fight, their families and the impact that has on their lives, communities."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhay Deol (@abhaydeol)

The 44-year-old actor believes that the show is topical because it takes a humanitarian stand rather than a machoistic approach towards wars.

"This is why art is given so much importance, because what cannot be said or taught through other subjects, art can do that. It speaks to your emotions. I hope it fulfils the need of the hour," he added.

Deol said he is prepared for varied reactions to the show as he is aware that people might have different takeaways from its story.

"A viewer might interpret it in a completely different way than what we put forward. That's why it's important to be clear in what you're saying. But then again, you don't know what the state of mind is, sometimes people choose to see what they want to see, not what is being shown."

There is more scrutiny on historical shows as people have varied opinion on how the country's past is shown.

Asked if he was apprehensive about taking up a historical show, Deol said it would be difficult to move forward if one tried to "please everybody".

"You're bound to offend someone. Some people go out looking to be offended, nothing can be done about that. The show is based on a battle that took place but the characters we have projected are fictional.

"Which is what art does. It'll take from reality and tweak it. It can't be far from the truth. But the story of our show is about humanity and hence it's extremely universal," the actor said.

"1962: The War in the Hills", also starring Annup Soni and Akash Thosar, started streaming on Disney+Hotstar from Friday.
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Beyond barbecues and ceremonies: Recognizing Memorial Day

For many, Memorial Day weekend is about gathering with family and grilling or attending a parade. Some find a more personal way to honor the holiday.
Reiterating calls for global immunization, US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, on January 25, said that advanced nations should work in unison not only to boost pandemic recovery but also help poor nations acquire COVID-19 vaccines. In a missive addressed to G20 finance leaders, Yellen emphasised that the first step to help the global economy bounce back was to stop the coronavirus from spreading with worldwide immunisation. "A rapid and truly global vaccination program is the strongest stimulus we can provide to the global economy," she said.

Yellen also called for multilateralism saying that "no one nation alone can declare victory over these crises. Many lower and middle-income nations have repeatedly blasted first-world countries for hogging COVID-19 vaccines. Their call has been echoed by global bodies like the WHO and IMF. Addressing the same, Yellen that it could lead to further loss of lives and delay the economic recovery.

'Time to go big'

She also warned against making the mistake of pulling back too soon on the stimulus which governments have been providing to shore up their economies, saying now is the time to "go big." She asked all the G-20 countries to follow the lead of the US and continue to aid their economies with substantial support. Doubling down on her stance, she said that while the country was in deep crisis, President Joe Biden's USD 1.9 trillion relief plan could generate enough growth to restore full employment by next year.

Read: Conte Addresses G-20 Leaders On Summit's Second Day

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Biden on January 14 had also unveiled the coronavirus package in a bid to end a crisis of deep human suffering by ramping up COVID-19 vaccines and boosting the financial help for those who are impacted with pandemics economic fallout. The legislative proposal of Biden will reportedly meet his goal of administering at least 100 million vaccines by the 100th day of his administration along with elevating his objective of reopening most schools by the spring. In the plan, Biden has proposed $1,400 checks for most Americans in addition to the $600 provided in the most recent COVID-19 bill. This would bring the total to $2,000 while also extending a temporary boost in unemployment benefits and a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures through September.

Read: EU Leaders Seek To Inject Energy Into Slow Vaccine Rollout

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Focus on marketing, destinations and sustainable travel at the global travel industrys largest think tank  ITB CSR DAY is now a Sustainable Tourism Track - Full programme details and tickets for the virtual show are available online now

BERLIN- More than 200 leading international speakers representing airlines, the hotel and cruise industries as well as organisers will talk about the future of the tourism industry  Focus on marketing, destinations and sustainable travel at the global travel industrys largest think tank  ITB CSR DAY is now a Sustainable Tourism Track - Full programme details and tickets for the virtual show are available online now

The global travel industrys largest think tank is also attracting leading opinion-formers and visionary minds to its virtual edition. In this challenging year, the programme of the ITB Berlin NOW Convention features experienced industry figures who will discuss their views on the industrys future with participants in the event. From 9 to 12 March 2021, under this years heading Rethink, Regenerate, Restart  Tourism for a Better Normal, more than 200 leading speakers from the international travel industry will be having their say. Among the more than 30 CEOs are Luuc Elzinga, CEO of Tiqets, Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Airlines, Travis Pittmann, co-founder and CEO of TourRadar, Merja Taipaleenmaki, CEO of Citynomadi Ltd, Jan Sadowsky, CEO of Green Tiny Houses, and Brad Weber, president and CEO of Gray Line Wordwide, to name but a few. Speakers from around the world from not- so-familiar brands and backgrounds will offer food for thought and an alternative focus with their commitment and clever ideas. Visitors to the virtual edition can choose between sessions on key topics such as destinations, sustainable travel, marketing and travel sales and will benefit from wide-ranging and constructive input on the latest developments in the travel industry. For exhibitors, trade visitors and the media, participation in the ITB Berlin NOW Convention is included in the price of a ticket. Full details of the programme of the ITB Berlin NOW Convention are available online.

On 9 March 2021 the speakers at the ITB Future Track will be casting their eyes to the future. Interviews with leading CEOs from every walk of the industry  including a morning keynote interview with Richard Holden, vice president, Product Management, Google  will give an up-to-the-minute and qualified view of the challenges the tourism industry is having to confront during the coronavirus pandemic. High-ranking representatives of Emirates, Air France KLM and Ryanair will have their say on the situation in the airline industry. The CEOs of the TUI Group and DER Touristik Group will each explain how tour operators can successfully emerge the crisis. Leading figures representing Hyatt, Accor and Deutsche Hospitality will outline solutions for the hotel industry. The CEOs of MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and TUI Cruises will talk about the trends and challenges in the cruise market. Representatives of the Lufthansa Group will talk about aviation topics concerning the international tourism industry.

Liisa Kokkarinen, Sustainable Arctic Destination, Sustainable Travel Finland manager, Visit Finland, will talk about the comprhensive steps Finland is undertaking to become a carbon-neutral destination by 2035. Nick Careen, senior vice president, Airport Passenger Cargo and Security (APCS) IATA, Harry Sommer, CEO NCL, the Hon. Harry Theoharis, tourism minister of Greece, Virginia Messina, managing director of the WTTC, and Jose Filipe Torres, CEO of Bloom Consulting will discuss the political conditions, industry initiatives and health situation needed to help restart business after Covid-19.

Concepts and strategies for restarting business

On 10 March 2021 leading speakers at the ITB Marketing & Distribution Track will talk about the major shifts in the package tour market. In a keynote interview Nathan Blecharzyk, co-founder of Airbnb, CSO and chairman, Airbnb China, will talk about the future of his company in the face of current shifts in the tourism industry. Fabian Eberle, director of CZP Chalet Zermatt Peak, Dr. med. Jeffry Mc Cutchan, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and anxiety researcher, Erik Nissen Johansen, creative director and founder of Stylt Trampoli AB, and Jenny Southan, editor and founder of Globetrender, will examine changing attitudes in the luxury travel market and how hotel concepts can take the customer desire for attention and personal safety into account.

Together with Miguel Flecha, a VR expert from Accenture, Mateusz Mierzwinski, CEO and founder of LocalBini, Vladimir Varnavskii, founder and CEO of Vresorts, and Olaf Schlieper, innovation manager of the German National Tourism Board, will examine how VR applications can be used to promote destinations and attractions. In reply to three questions in nine minutes, Max C. Luscher, CEO Central & Northern Europe B&B Hotels will present an outlook for the budget hotel industy.

Also on 10 March 2021, a number of sessions in partnership with the German Business Travel Association (VDR) will examine how business travel can be restarted in these times of the Covid-19 pandemic. After a welcome speech by VDR general manager Hans-Ingo Biehl, the Business Travel programme will kick off with a discussion under the heading Business Travel: REthink, REbuild, RElevance  the Future of Meetings & Events, which will look at the prospects for new business models, technology trends and their ramifications.

On 11 March 2021 at the ITB Destination Track, Matthias Beyer, managing director of mascontour GmbH, will explain why destination management must focus on resilience in the future. At the ITB Resilience Roundtable, Kenyas Minister of Tourism and Wildlife the Hon. Najib Balala, Gloria Guevara Manzo, president and CEO of the WTTC, Bosnia and Herzegovinas Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations the Hon. Stasa Kosarac, and Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, will talk about measures that have already been introduced, those being planned as well as their potential impact. Norbert Kettner, managing director of the Vienna Tourist Board and Miguel Angel Sanz Castedo, director general of Tourspain, will explain what has to be done to make sure tourism at a prime incoming destination like Vienna can successfully get back into gear. Participants in the discussion round including Otar Berishvili, Collective Development director of the Adjara Group, Nick Erkomaishvili, director and CEO of Explore Georgia, and John Wurderman, director of the Winery Peasants Tears, can find out more about Georgias vibrant culture, from the mountain peaks to the Black Sea coast. In an interview, Patrick Andrae, co-founder and CEO of HomeToGo, will explain why he expects the holiday apartment market will continue to boom this year. Laura Meyer, CEO of Hotelplan, will highlight new destination trends and the prospects for the major source markets.

On 12 March 2021 at the ITB Berlin MICE Track presented by the Association of Event Organisers (VDVO), leading MICE industry representatives will have their say. The focus of the MICE Track at the ITB Berlin NOW Convention will be on what the new normal will look like in the meetings and events industry. Bernd Fritzges, CEO of the VDVO and Daniel Steinbichler, CEO of weframe AG, will present the Push'21 initiative  the next step towards better meetings. The project not only aims to help overcome the challenges facing the events industry due to massive pandemic-related turnover losses, but to also positively shape ongoing digitalisation and the accompanying changes in event formats, for the future benefit of everyone in the market.

On 12 March 2021 at the ITB Sustainability Track, which this year replaces the ITB CSR-in-Tourism Day, the agenda will focus entirely on sustainable travel, climate protection and social responsibility. Roger Dow, president & CEO of USTravel, will look at the potential future impact of the US governments new climate policies and on the recovery and transformation of the travel industry. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has launched a comprehensive programme with the aim of creating a more resilient and sustainable tourism environment. The measures target 16 countries which have been particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus crisis and which represent important destinations for the German travel market. Following a welcome speech by Norbert Barthle, Parlamentiary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr. Anna Spenceley, an international tourism expert, Volker Adams, head of Policies/Foreign Tourism at the DRV, and Petra Thomas, managing director of forum anders reisen, will report on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in developing and threshold countries and the consequences for the German travel market.

In his keynote speech Jurgen May, managing director of 2bdifferent, will examine whether virtual events are generally more climate-friendly than in-person meetings and will explain the sustainability aspects that need to be taken into account. Euromonitors Sustainable Travel Index is the first sustainable travel and tourism ranking that lists 99 countries. Caroline Bremner, head of Travel Research Euromonitor, will present the leading destinations at an ITB Deep Dive Session. To obtain a list of the leading countries in the white paper directly after the lecture advance registration is required here. At an interactive panel discussion Prof. Dr. Harald Zeiss, chairman of Futouris, will invite visitors to the ITB Berlin NOW Convention to discuss what innovative strategies must be undertaken to make tourism more sustainable.

In addition to the ITB Sustainability Track, the Best Practice Responsible Tourism Track will also examine critical issues. A discussion will take place on the topic of racism and discrimination in the tourism industry with a view to finding solutions, as well as on how tourism concepts can be set up that actively involve local residents. In an interview, Portugals State Secretary for Tourism Rita Marques will talk about her countrys long-term recovery efforts and a climate event scheduled for May this year entitled A World for Travel - Evora Forum. The panel discussion organised by ITC SheTrades will talk about female empowerment and gender equality when society rebuilds after the coronavirus crisis. Other track highlights include the launch of the 2021 Social Entrepreneurship Competition, the TO DO Award, including the Human Rights Award presented by Studienkreis fur Tourismus und Entwicklung e.V., and the Celebrating Her Award of the International Institute for Peace (IIPT), which honours outstanding women in tourism.

Additional information on how to take part in ITB Berlin NOW and obtain tickets can be found here.

About ITB Berlin NOW and the ITB Berlin NOW Convention

ITB Berlin NOW will take place from Tuesday, 9 to Friday, 12 March for trade visitors only and as an entirely virtual event. ITB Berlin is the Worlds Leading Travel Trade Show. As part of ITB Berlin NOW, the ITB Berlin NOW Convention, the largest travel industry event of its kind, will also take place as a virtual event. The World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) is the co-host, Mascontour Track is the sponsor of the ITB Future Track, Google and Lufthansa are track sponsors of the ITB Marketing & Distribution Track, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is the ITB Sustainability Track partner, SIO AG is the track sponsor of the eTravel DATA TALKS and Studiosus is the session sponsor. For exhibitors, trade visitors and the media, participation in the ITB Berlin NOW Convention is included in the price of a ticket. Additional information is available at www.itb.com/now and from the ITB Social Media Newsroom.
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President Xi Jinping holds talks with France's President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, March 25, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested Thursday that China and France actively push for continuous progress in such areas of practical cooperation as energy, aviation and agricultural and food products, and foster new driving forces for bilateral cooperation.

In a telephone conversation with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, Xi also said the two countries should cement mutual trust, respect and accomodate in earnest each other's core interests and major concerns, and effectively implement their major cooperation agreements.

The two heads of state exchanged Spring Festival greetings and respectively sent best wishes to the people of the other country.

Recalling that he and Macron held five phone conversations in 2020, Xi pointed out that those exchanges have promoted the sound development of China-France relations, and noted that the consensuses they reached have been well implemented.

In the new year, the two sides should continue to make joint efforts in the spirit of the pioneering ox and strive for greater development of bilateral relations, he said, adding that China supports building Paris into an international financial center.

Taking note of Macron's strong call for strategic independence of the European Union (EU), Xi stressed that China believes a stronger Europe is conducive to the peace, stability and development of a multipolar world, and to boosting cooperation between the two major forces of China and the EU to jointly tackle various global challenges.

The two sides, he added, should work together to make good preparations for the series of important political events between China and the EU in the next stage.

Recalling that at the end of last year, China and the EU jointly announced the completion of China-EU investment agreement negotiations, Xi called for concerted efforts to put the agreement into effect at an early date.

Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries is part of the overall China-Europe cooperation, he pointed out, adding that China is ready to work with France to actively explore tripartite cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, so as to open up new space for China-EU cooperation.

Xi emphasized that as permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible major countries, China and France should continue to champion multilateralism, and inspire global efforts to uphold equity and justice, coordination and cooperation, as well as openness and inclusiveness, so as to make due contributions to achieving an early victory in humanity's fight against COVID-19 and promoting world peace and development.

China, he said, has offered COVID-19 vaccine aid to more than 50 developing countries, and stands ready to work with France to support the World Health Organization's role in international cooperation against the pandemic, and actively participate in the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator initiative and the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility.

Xi added that China has been fully implementing the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative, pushing for an agreement by all relevant parties on the initiative's extension, and urging multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors to take part.

China is glad to see France and other members of the international community increasing their involvement in Africa, and is willing to maintain communication with France, he said.

He also suggested that the two countries encourage more countries to carry out the Paris Agreement on dealing with climate change, and support each other in hosting the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 7th World Conservation Congress.

Macron, for his part, said he applauds the development of France-China relations and is willing to work with the Chinese side in an open and cooperative manner to strive for more progress in bilateral cooperation in important areas and actively promote exchanges and cooperation between the EU and China.

The French president said he hopes that the EU and China will make joint efforts for an early entry into force of the EU-China investment agreement.

France appreciates China's positive contribution to international cooperation against the pandemic, especially in helping other countries obtain vaccines in a faster pace, he said, adding that he hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in this regard.

Macron said France is ready to strengthen communication with China in international affairs, and looks forward to working with China to encourage the international community to roll out debt relief and suspension for Africa and help the continent achieve economic growth.

France also stands ready to continue its close cooperation with China in tackling global challenges such as climate change and public health, he said, adding that his country supports China in hosting the biodiversity conference.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on regional hotspot issues of common concern.
WASHINGTON - The Biden administration will impose no direct punishment on Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, despite the conclusion of a long-awaited intelligence report released Friday that he "approved" the operation, administration officials said.

"The relationship with Saudi Arabia is bigger than any one individual," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference. By making public the intelligence report - withheld by the Trump administration for two years - and taking other actions, President Joe Biden has moved toward a promised "recalibration" of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, he said.

But for many lawmakers, human rights activists and Saudi dissidents, it was not enough.

The crown prince "should suffer sanctions, including financial, travel and legal - and the Saudi government should suffer grave consequences as long as he remains in government," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., whose legislation in early 2019 mandated release of the report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Wyden was joined in those sentiments by a number of Democrats, although others spoke vaguely only of further "accountability." Few Republican lawmakers ventured a public opinion.

The Open Society Justice Initiative, which has been in court since early last year to force release of intelligence on the Khashoggi murder, said "the U.S. and other governments must take immediate measures to hold the Crown Prince and the Saudi government accountable for their flagrant disregard for the rule of law."

Senior administration officials sharply rejected suggestions that its decision not to sanction the crown prince was a continuation of President Donald Trump's cozy relationship with the Saudi rulers, and Mohammedin particular.

The United States, "as a matter of practice has not generally applied sanctions on the highest leadership" of countries with which it has diplomatic relations, said a senior administration official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House.

"Having looked at this extremely closely, over the last five weeks or so, really, the unanimous conclusion is that there's just another more effective means to dealing with these issues going forward," the official said.

Barring unforeseen palace upheaval, Mohammed, 35, the grandson of the kingdom's founder and heir to the throne currently occupied by his 85-year-old father, King Salman, will soon be the absolute ruler of a major U.S. regional security partner, officials noted. The crown prince already serves as de facto leader of the kingdom in place of his ailing father.

At the same time Biden has expressed displeasure with the repressive Saudi monarchy, he has called the kingdom an important regional partner, saying the United States will continue counterterrorism cooperation and defensive assistance against regional threats, including Iran.

But the White House delayed Biden's initial call with Salman until a month after the inauguration and made clear it did not want his son on the line. Neither side mentioned whether the Khashoggi issue was discussed on the call, which took place Thursday.

Sanctioning Mohammed would place him on a short list that includes North Korea's Kim Jong Un; Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko; Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela; Syria's Bashar Assad; and the late Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. It would be viewed in the kingdom as an enormous insult and make an ongoing relationship extremely difficult, if not impossible.

For the present, the administration has said it does not intend to deal with the crown prince in any capacity other than as Saudi defense minister, a position he also holds. He will not be extended an invitation to visit the United States any time soon.

In new measures announced Friday, the State Department imposed what it called "the Khashoggi ban," visa restrictions against anyone found to be "acting on behalf of a foreign government" and involved in "serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities." It said that 76 Saudi "individuals believed to have been engaged in threatening dissidents overseas, including but not limited to the Khashoggi killing," had already been listed.

The Treasury Department is also imposing sanctions on Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri, who served as a close aide to Mohammed as deputy chief of Saudi intelligence. He was fired from the post a few weeks after Khashoggi was killed and implicated by Saudi prosecutors in the murder plot. But the Trump administration, while sanctioning 17 other Saudi operatives, declined to list him, for reasons it never explained.

Responding to the released report, Saudi Arabia said that it "completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership." A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said the report contained "inaccurate information and conclusions."

But while it said "the Kingdom rejects any measure that infringes on its leadership, sovereignty, and the independence of its judicial system," the ministry also affirmed a "robust" and "thriving" partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The unclassified report, by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), confirmed classified conclusions reached by the CIA just weeks after the killing of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and contributing columnist for The Washington Post.

The two-page report said the intelligence community based its conclusions on the absolute control the crown prince, known as MBS, had over decision-making in the kingdom, his "support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi," and the participation in the operation of his senior aides and security officials.

"We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill" Khashoggi, the report said. "Since 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdom's security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Prince's authorization."

As part of his review of relations with Saudi Arabia, Biden has cited Saudi human rights violations and political repression, the prosecution of the Saudi-led war in Yemen and the Khashoggi killing. He has already stopped the U.S. sale of offensive weapons used in the war against Yemen's Houthi rebels and paused for review all other weapons purchases by the kingdom, the world's largest customer for U.S. defense goods.

Release of the report marks the end of a long process that began when Khashoggi, lured to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents, was drugged and dismembered by Saudi agents. His remains have never been found.

The CIA, based in part on intercepts of text messages and telephone calls, along with an audio recording of the actual killing, quickly contradicted the Saudi government's claims that the crown prince was not involved. After a classified briefing just weeks after Khashoggi's death, lawmakers said the evidence was irrefutable.

"If the crown prince went in front of a jury, he would be convicted in 30 minutes," then-Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told reporters.

But Trump, who had also been briefed, continued to insist there were no firm conclusions, asking, "Well, will anybody really know?"

Although his administration imposed sanctions on 17 Saudi officials with alleged direct involvement in the killing itself, Trump insisted that the U.S. security alliance and massive Saudi purchases of U.S. weaponry were more important than holding the top Saudi leadership accountable.

"We do have an ally, and I want to stick with an ally that in many ways has been very good," he told Fox News after hearing the intelligence evidence.

In the early 2019 measure introduced by Wyden, Congress demanded that the ODNI produce an unclassified report of U.S. intelligence conclusions, including names of involved Saudi officials at all levels, giving the administration 30 days to release it.

For the next two years, Trump ignored the law, while he and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the White House official in charge of the Saudi portfolio, continued to develop a close relationships with Mohammed.

Saudi Arabia, while convicting 11 intelligence agents of the murder in a closed-door trial - with five death sentences later commuted to 20 years - avoided directly addressing the CIA findings and instead raised Trump's skeptical public comments.

The crown prince, during a 2019 interview with "60 Minutes," pointed out that the United States had never released "an official statement" implicating him. "There isn't clear information or evidence that someone close to me did something," he said.

Asked about the reported CIA finding, he said, "If there is any such information that charges me, I hope it is brought forward publicly."

Last year, on the second anniversary of Khashoggi's murder, Biden said in a statement that, as president, he would "reassess our relationship with the Kingdom, end U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, and make sure America does not check its values at the door to sell arms or buy oil."

At her confirmation hearing last month, Biden's national intelligence director Avril Haines was asked whether she would release the ODNI report. She replied she would "follow the law."

- - -

The Washington Post's Anne Gearan and Karoun Demirjian in Washington, Kareem Fahim in Istanbul and Sarah Dadouch in Beirut contributed to this report.
Scents have the ability to evoke memories, from summers freshly mowed grass to a crackling, winter fire. And the right scent can not only make your home smell great but also make you feel good too. Now that youve been living in quarantine with your spouse, kids, and pets for the last year, your stress levels are most likely at an all-time high and your sanctuary might be smelling, well, less-than-pleasant. Sure, you can crack open a window, but it is the middle of winter after all. Or you can leave it to 128-year-old Japanese incense maker Kunjudo to fill your space with the scent of better days and a feeling of calm. Set fire to one of the brands beautiful HA KO paper incense leaves to deodorize a room and calm your mind. The six different leaves represent the various seasons with natural scents like green grass, agarwood, spicy jasmine, and citrus. The leaves can also be left unburned and used as potpourri that lasts for up to three months. Six different scented paper leaves come packaged in a wooden box that includes a felt mat and ceramic burning dish. $82, imogeneandwillie.com, or as single leaves for $6 at shop.cooperhewitt.org
A team of prosecutors tasked with checking the fairness of thousands of convictions obtained by the Bexar County District Attorneys Office has a new director.

Matthew Howard now is in charge of the Conviction Integrity Unit, District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales announced Thursday.

On ExpressNews.com: A second chance: Benavides victims speak out

Howard, 33, previously an assistant district attorney, joined the DAs office in 2013 and has worked with the CIU since 2015.

He replaces his former boss, Alison Dahlberg, who left to work for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin to pursue her first love of appellate work, Gonzales said during a Zoom news conference.

Howard will lead a unit of three attorneys, including himself, and a paralegal.

This division grades our paper to make sure these convictions have integrity, not just convictions obtained during our administration, but those that occurred before, Gonzales said. No division is as important as the Conviction Integrity Unit.

The division reviews convictions to make sure they were sound and based on solid evidence and testimony, not junk science or the questionable veracity of witnesses who might have been coerced.

Howard said it is a great feeling to be able to inspire confidence in the criminal justice system by righting wrongs.

On ExpressNews.com: Ex-San Antonio lawyer found guilty on all counts in sex trial

Our oath as prosecutors requires us to strive to root out manifest injustice at all stages of a criminal proceeding, and we have a duty to ensure that no innocent individual sits in prison for a crime they didnt commit, he said.

Gonzales pointed to several victories Howard has been a part of in his years with the CIU.

The highest-profile cases the CIU continues to investigate are the ones involving Mark Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer convicted in 2018 of human trafficking for forcing clients into having sex with him, threatening them with prison time if they did not.

On ExpressNews.com: Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex

In a three-week trial held in Floresville on a change of venue, testimony from six women established that Benavides, when he was representing them against prostitution and other charges, would force them to have sex with him in a downtown motel while being videotaped.

Investigators seized hundreds of videos from his home, which were shown only to the jury at trial. Benavides was sentenced to 80 years in prison.

The CIU, working with the Bexar County Public Defenders Office, has assisted Benavides victims in obtaining dismissals and expunctions of cases for which they were found guilty.

Both are still seeking potential victims of Benavides, who was known to not only harass his clients, but their female relatives as well, officials said.

Potential victims of Benavides are urged to call 210-335-0701.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
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Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's daughter Aaliyah took to Instagram on Friday to post screen shots of rape threats she has been receiving, among other derogatory comments, after she shared a photograph in lingerie recently. Image Source: IANS News

Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's daughter Aaliyah took to Instagram on Friday to post screen shots of rape threats she has been receiving, among other derogatory comments, after she shared a photograph in lingerie recently. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Feb 26 : Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's daughter Aaliyah took to Instagram on Friday to post screen shots of rape threats she has been receiving, among other derogatory comments, after she shared a photograph in lingerie recently.

"The past few weeks have been really hard on my mental health. Ever since I posted a photo of me in lingerie, I have been getting the most vile, degrading and disgusting comments, I have never felt more frightened than I have in the past few weeks to the point where I considered deleting my Instagram. I have tried to ignore the harassment and shrug it off but the truth is that we need to speak about it because these kinds of comments contribute to the rape culture that affects all women in India (and the rest of the world) in one way or the other.

"We seem to be a country that will hold candle marches for a woman after she's been sexually assaulted but won't protect a woman while she's alive. And the truth is that women in India grow up being sexualized their whole lives, I have grown up with these kinds of comments to the point where it culminated into me being sexually assaulted as a minor by a middle aged man. The double standard is that many of the people who have harassed me, along with many other women, are hypocrites. They love to pretend that they're on a moral high ground buy in reality, they are the ones promoting rape culture that exists," she wrote.

Aaliyah captioned her post saying: "TW: sexual assault, rape thank you @shaiwriting for helping me put my thoughts and feelings into words." In the past, Aaliyah has uploaded a video on her YouTube channel where she spoke about online harassment and bullying.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is reported mulling lifting the statewide COVID-19 restrictions such as masking, among others.

Breitbart said that the governor revealed he is considering stopping the coronavirus mask mandate and other restrictions, especially those imposed on businesses, during a news conference held in Corpus Christi, Texas last Thursday.

The governor was asked by one of the reporters present on when he intends to end the statewide mandate of wearing masks imposed last July, to which he replied that it was a "great question."

"We're working right now on evaluating when we're gonna be able to remove all statewide orders, and we will be making announcements about that pretty soon," Abbott responded.

According to Breitbart, the other statewide mandates included business restrictions imposed last fall for hospital regions where COVID-19 patients exceed 15% of the hospital capacity for seven days.

The governor, in the same press conference, also announced that they will be deploying more than 1,100 Texas National Guardsmen who will visit homebound seniors to get them vaccinated starting March 1. These pertain to seniors aged 65 and older who reside in isolated and rural areas of Texas.

"The good news is there's going to be a record amount of vaccines available across Texas this week with increasing numbers going forward, " Abbott announced. "We're going to have the capability to apply vaccines very, very quickly for our seniors as well as additional populations, so that we increasingly, week by week, will be increasing the immunity that Texans have."

Breitbart added that more than nine million Texans are eligible for the vaccine, which is scheduled to be given next to teachers and other essential workers once all the senior citizens aged 65 up are accomplished. Anyone with "pre-existing medical condition that puts them at higher risk for contracting a severe form of the virus" are also on the Texas Department of State Health Services' priority list for the vaccines.

Deployment of the National Guards, Breitbart said, aims to expand the mobile vaccination program of the Texas Division Emergency Management. The National Guards are segregated in teams who will be working with other organizations that will identify seniors who "do not have access to vaccination centers, clinics, and doctor's offices."

As of date, 4.6 million state residents of the 29 million population of Texas have been administered the vaccine with 40% of the 65-and-over population vaccinated and 1.5 million fully inoculated, Breitbart reported. Texas officials are aiming to administer 50% to the seniors by end of March.

The Texas Tribune said that's a total of 5.1% of Texans fully vaccinated as of February 23 and that experts say Texas is far from reaching herd immunity through vaccination.

"Hitting the 70% to 80% level that many estimate is needed would mean vaccinating some 22 million people, or nearly 100% of adults in the state, according to census numbers. The vaccines are currently not approved for children under 16, who make up about 23% of the population," The Texas Tribune highlighted in its report, adding that scientists do not yet know how well the vaccines actually prevent the virus from spreading. Preliminary research shows it does to some extent.
(Newser)  "I'm confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Thursday after the US launched airstrikes in Syria, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes, Biden's first military action, were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops. An Iraqi militia official told the AP the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. Syria war monitoring groups said the strikes hit trucks moving weapons to a base for Iranian-backed militias in Boukamal.

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The US has in the past targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting US personnel and interests in Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified. Defense Secretary Austin said he was "confident" the US had hit back at the "the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes," referring to the Feb. 15 rocket attack. Austin said he had recommended the action to Biden. "We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline," Austin said. "We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets."

(Read more Syria stories.)
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A resurgence of COVID-19 cases is hitting Somalia hard, with one of the world's most fragile health systems strained by the latest wave. Doctors and nurses at the Martini Hospital in Mogadishu, which provides the capital's only virus isolation centre, have continued work around the clock to try and save lives.

50 people have died in the past two and a half weeks, Martini hospital deputy director Sadaq Adan Hussein told The Associated Press during a visit. Sixty other patients admitted during the period have recovered. He believes it is due to a new variant of the virus. Somalia's virus infections have jumped from 4,784 to 6,549 this month alone, according to official data.

The government has banned public gatherings, citing the pandemic, but opposition presidential candidates and other critics of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed allege that the ban is instead meant to stifle their demonstrations calling on the president to step aside.

Another demonstration around the election delay was expected Friday in Mogadishu. The previous one last week was fired on by security forces. Adding to anxiety, some health workers believe Somalia's COVID-19 death toll is much higher than the official one of 218, saying it's in part because many people believe they will receive better care in private hospitals.

Somalia, like many countries across Africa, doesn't have an official system for tracking mortality data, and even the number of graveyards in Mogadishu is unknown. For months, many in Somalia took COVID-19 lightly as much of the world locked down. With the resurgence in cases, many Mogadishu residents are now wearing face masks and no longer shaking hands.

Official telephone and radio messages about coronavirus prevention have returned. Mosques, schools and markets are as active as before, however. But there is a growing sense of loss. At the Martini hospital's isolation ward, a 15-year-old boy, Mahad Mohamed Ibrahim, was grieving his mother.

"The coronavirus has come into the city," he said. "We need someone to stop it and give us medicine that would give us prevention. Now you see I am sad today as my mother died, and you will see many others whose parents will also die."

He called for vaccinations to be given to the community to help prevent further deaths. Somalia, like most African countries, has yet to see a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, though they also are expected to start arriving next month. So far it has reported 6,549 cases of coronavirus, with 218 deaths, according to the most recent data from Johns Hopkins University. However, like many countries across Africa, Somalia doesn't have an official system for tracking mortality data, and even the number of graveyards in Mogadishu is unknown.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
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Next month, an asteroid as large as the long Golden Gate Bridge will hurl past the planet. But, while this will be the largest and fastest asteroid to fly near our planet this year, there is no need to worry.

Asteroid 231937 (2001 FO32)

According to the data released by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the space rock, officially named 231937 (2001 FO32), is around 0.5 to 1 mile (0.8 to 1.7 kilometers) in diameter and will pass within 1.25 million miles (2 million kilometers) of Earth at 11:03 a.m. EST (1603 GMT) on March 21, near enough and big enough to be listed as 'potentially risky.'

NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies said that an asteroid is classified as 'potentially hazardous' when its orbit intersects with Earth's at a distance of no more than around 4.65 million miles (7.5 million km) and is greater than about 500 feet (140 meters) in diameter (CNEOS).

Related Article: Earth vs. Mars: How Similar Are They?

Asteroids

According to NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, tiny asteroids travel between the Earth and the moon many times a month. Their parts join and fall into the Earth's atmosphere nearly regularly (PDCO).

Rocky, airless traces left behind from our solar system's early development around 4.6 billion years ago are asteroids, also considered minor planets.

EarthySky Telescope

According to EarthSky, telescopes in New Mexico that are part of the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Study (LINEAR) program, a U.S. Air Force and NASA funded MIT Lincoln Laboratory program, found the asteroid in March 23, 2001.

Ever since observatories have monitored it. These observations were used by scientists to measure the orbit of the asteroid and determine how close the space rock will come to Earth as it whizzes at about 77,000 mph (124,000 km/h).

The estimated known count of asteroids is 1,063,331.

Much of this ancient space debris can be found within the main asteroid belt orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids vary in scale from Vesta to bodies that are smaller than 33 feet (10 meters) long, the largest at about 329 miles (530 kilometers) in diameter. The total mass of all the combined asteroids is smaller than that of the Earth's Moon.

For the next 100 years, no identified asteroid poses a major danger to Earth. According to NASA's PDCO, the latest greatest identified hazard is an asteroid named (410777) 2009 FD, which has a 1 in 714 (less than 0.2 percent) risk of striking Earth in 2185.

Some of the most known asteroids are:

1 Ceres

4 Vesta

2 Pallas

10 Hygiea

704 Interamnia

52 Europa

511 Davida

87 Sylvia

31 Euphrosyne

15 Eunomia

451 Patientia

624 Hektor

3 Juno

65 Cybele

16 Psyche

88 Thisbe

19 Fortuna

532 Herculina

48 Doris

45 Eugenia

7 Iris

423 Diotima

13 Egeria

41 Daphne

94 Aurora

107 Camilla

24 Themis

375 Ursula

702 Alauda

29 Amphitrite

121 Hermione

259 Aletheia

372 Palma

6 Hebe

120 Lachesis

9 Metis

128 Nemesis

According to NASA's PDCO, NASA is researching ways of deflecting asteroids that wind up on a collision course with Earth, such as using a flying satellite's gravity to eventually pull asteroids from their trajectory to a safe distance.

ALSO READ: Mars Dust Particles Equal to Lightning in Earth, Study Finds

For more space related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
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Ben Zigterman is a reporter covering business at The News-Gazette. His email is bzigterman@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@bzigterman).
The epidemiological situation in the European Union remains serious, and the community has decided to maintain tough restrictive measures, according to statement following the first day of the EU summit.

"We are determined to continue to work together and coordinate our action to tackle the pandemic and its consequences. The epidemiological situation remains serious, and the new variants pose additional challenges. We must therefore uphold tight restrictions while stepping up efforts to accelerate the provision of vaccines," the statement said.

According to the report, "non-essential travel needs to be restricted". "We welcome the adoption of the two Council recommendations on travel within, and into, the EU, according to which restrictions can be introduced in accordance with the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination and taking into account the specific situation of cross-border communities," the European Council said.

The EU pledged to speed up the issuance of permits for production and distribution of vaccines. "We need to urgently accelerate the authorization, production and distribution of vaccines, as well as vaccination," TASS cited the statement as saying.

The Council also supports "the additional efforts by the Commission to work with industry and Member States to increase the capacity of current vaccine production as well as to adjust vaccines to the new variants as necessary. We also support the Commissions ongoing efforts to accelerate the availability of raw materials, facilitate agreements between manufacturers across supply chains, scope existing facilities so as to help production scale-up in the EU and further the research and development efforts".

According to the statement, "Companies must ensure predictability of their vaccine production and respect contractual delivery deadlines. Transparency with regard to the overall efforts should be enhanced".

The inside man who played the role of victim in a $3.2 million hold-up from a Melbourne gold dealer has been jailed for five years and nine months.

Daniel Ede and Karl Kachami staged an armed robbery on April 27 last year when Kachami pointed a pistol at his friend Ede inside the Melbourne Gold Company and stole more than 25 kilograms of gold bullion, cash and jewellery.

The Melbourne Gold Company in the hours after the robbery. Credit:Justin McManus

Despite the impression Kachami was the bandit and Ede the victim, police established they were a team and arrested both within weeks of the heist. Kachami had posed as a delivery man in a high-visibility top, surgical mask and goggles.

County Court judge David Sexton on Friday described the charade as an audacious plan to steal what can only be described as a bounty of breath-taking proportions.
Ask Dr. Land: Should we still celebrate presidents' birthdays?

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Question: Is it still important to celebrate President Washington's and President Lincolns birthdays?

Before we put this years Presidents Month in our rear view mirror, we should underscore once again the greatness of the two presidents whose birthdays we celebrate each February. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are quite clearly the two greatest presidents yet produced by our nation. Washington, the nations first president, in large measure defined the office, perhaps most importantly by turning down the offer to become a monarch, and instead voluntarily retiring from public office after two full terms as president (1789-1797). With this extraordinary, virtually unprecedented surrender of political power, Washington bequeathed the nation its tradition of political restraint of executive power that has served American so well now for more than two centuries. King George III, when he heard Washington had stepped away from power after two presidential terms, is reported to have said then Washington is truly a great man.

Abraham Lincoln, the log cabin born, self-made, self-taught, son of the soil, came from a starkly different background than the aristocratic plantation owner George Washington. And yet each leader guided America through one of her first two great crises, the Revolutionary War (Washington) and the Civil War (Lincoln). Lincolns extreme suffering occasioned by the terrible brother-against-brother Civil War caused theologian Elton Trueblood to describe Lincoln as the theologian of American anguish.

In significant ways, President Lincoln used the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address to clarify, underscore and renew the promises of Americas Declaration of Independence in what historian Eric Foner has called The Second Founding (2019).

In his incomparable Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln declares that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and the government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth. The fact that in the year of our Lord 2021 various public officials in varied local school districts have taken it upon themselves to rip President Washingtons and President Lincolns names off of public schools because they dont meet some amorphous standard of wokeness is the equivalent of civil blasphemy.

Such actions make no sense unless ones purpose is to separate our young people from their nations past. The great novelist William Faulkner once observed, the past is never dead. Its not even past (Requiem for a Nun).

These heritage arsonists are attempting to prove Faulkner wrong and their goal is to eradicate these presidential pillars of our collective story from the present generation, thus depriving them of their priceless heritage as Americans.

As George Orwell reminded us in his dystopian novel 1984, those who control the past, control the future. It appears that the goal of these woke radicals is to erase or defame Americas history to its current generation of citizens as a preparation for building on the rubble they will have created a radically different kind of society with very different goals and aspirations.

I believe it is the duty of every American who cherishes our noble history of seeking to evermore fully live up to our nations founding promise of all men being created equal to seek to rescue our young people from these cultural vandals and preserve our priceless heritage from being diminished, defamed or destroyed. I invite you to join me in the battle for the heritage bequeathed to us by our Founding Fathers. May God grant us the grace to pass this heritage on, pristine and undiminished, in all its glory to the next generation.
(Newser)  Gunmen abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria on Friday, the latest in a series of mass kidnappings of students in the West African nation, per the AP. Police and the military have begun joint operations to rescue the girls after the attack at the Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe town, according to a police spokesman in Zamfara state. One parent, Nasiru Abdullahi, said his daughters, aged 10 and 13, are among the missing. "It is disappointing that even though the military have a strong presence near the school they were unable to protect the girls," he said. "At this stage, we are only hoping on divine intervention." Resident Musa Mustapha said the gunmen also attacked a nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from interfering while the gunmen spent several hours at the school. It was not immediately clear if there were casualties.

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Several large groups of armed men operate in Zamfara state and are known to kidnap for money and for the release of their members from jail. Nigeria has seen several such attacks over the years, notably the mass abduction in April 2014 by jihadist group Boko Haram of 276 girls from the secondary school in Chibok in Borno state. More than a hundred of the girls are still missing. Friday's attack came less than two weeks after gunmen abducted 42 people, including 27 students, from the Government Science College Kagara in Niger State. The students, teachers, and family members are still being held. In December, 344 students were abducted from the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina State but eventually released. Human rights groups have condemned the attack, with Anietie Ewang of Human Rights Watch noting "strong action is required from the authorities to turn the tide."

(Read more Nigeria stories.)
Lewis County Head Start will receive more than $1.4 million in federal funding to provide early education programs and childcare services for low-income families.

The funding is part of $15 million granted through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs in New York.

The Early Head Start and Head Start programs make high-quality early childhood education and care more accessible to children from low-income families, ensuring that all children have the opportunities they need to reach their full potential, said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Head Start and Early Head Start programs help children as young as infants to 5 years old by providing early education, health screenings, social and emotional health services, nutrition, social services and services for children with disabilities.

Albany and Rockland counties also received part of the $15 million in funding. Albany County Opportunity Inc. was awarded more than $5 million and Head Start of Rockland received more than $8.6 million.
The latest series of Married At First Sight Australia has just aired in the UK.

And while the shows sixth series was well received by fans, Mike Gunner risked angering the show's Irish following with a recent comment on social media.

The reality star, 45, said that he didn't know Ireland wasn't in the United Kingdom when thanking fans in the UK for their 'overwhelming support' for the series.

Uh oh! Mike Gunner risked angering the show's Irish following with a recent comment on social media

In the comments section of the post, which failed to mention Irish fans, one person wrote: 'Don't forget your Irish fans. Loved the show! You were great to watch.

However Mike shocked his followers when he replied, and said: 'Hang on, doesn't the UK include Ireland?'

Setting him straight, one person said: 'No... we are a completely different country.'

Another clarified: 'Only Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Ireland isn't.'

Oops: The reality star, 45, said that he didn't know Ireland wasn't in the United Kingdom when thanking fans in the UK for their 'overwhelming support' for the series

Don't forget us: In the comments section of the post, which failed to mention Irish fans, one person wrote: 'Don't forget your Irish fans. Loved the show! You were great to watch

Another said: 'The biggest insult you could give an Irish person. Anyway, just finished the show lol you cracked me up, going to miss it'

Another person wrote: 'Can of worms... can of worms...'

While another said: 'Ehhhhhh no.'

A different user said: 'You're a brave man saying that.'

Another said: 'The biggest insult you could give an Irish person. Anyway, just finished the show lol you cracked me up, going to miss it.'

Correction: Mike later appeased his Irish fans by amending his caption to include both the UK and Northern Ireland

Mike later appeased his Irish fans by amending his caption to include both the UK and Northern Ireland, while also appearing to mock the situation by including 'southern, eastern, western and central Ireland and any other part I've left out'.

He wrote: 'Thanks United Kingdom and Ireland- that includes Northern Ireland, southern, eastern, western and central Ireland and any other part I've left out- for your overwhelming support in the last two months.

'I've never seen so many thoughtful and courteous messages as I have from you guys. I appreciate the understanding that you showed through the journey.

'I may not be able to respond to all of you but please know that I appreciate your kindness #mafs #unitedkingdom.

Looking back: The star confessed that his home country gave him a 'really hard time,' while the 'English are really lovely,' as he detailed his experience with online trolls

It comes after Mike, who was matched with Heidi Latcha, revealed he has generally received a very warm and welcome response from those watching in the UK.

The star confessed that his home country gave him a 'really hard time,' while the 'English are really lovely,' as he detailed his experience with online trolls.

He said he feels the UK have a similar way of thinking to him and could appreciate his stance and opinions which were documented on the dating series.

Warm welcome: It comes after Mike, who was matched with Heidi Latcha, revealed he has generally received a very warm and welcome response from those watching in the UK

The electrician turned cosmetic tattoo artist confirmed that the contentious comment was made during the final evening after he had stated his final vows to Heidi and had reflected on their relationship during the TV experiment.

Mike and Heidi's passionate yet chequered romance had seen the couple lock horns on a number of occasions, with Heidi frequently left hurt by his words.

After facing many roadblocks during their relationship due to communication, or lack thereof, the pair decided to go their separate ways.

Despite receiving a general warm and positive reaction, Mike was criticised for failing to listen to Heidi and for allegedly shutting her down when she tried to broach emotional topics of discussion.

While reflecting on the experience with OK! Magazine, Mike said he was just being himself, but admitted that there were moments when he would 'flare up' at remarks made by other contestants on the show.

He has since moved on with Sonja Marcelline who he met on the dating app Bumble, and he confessed to the publication that things are 'going really well'.

Meanwhile, it is believed that Heidi is single.

Shares of (RailTel) listed at Rs 109 on the NSE on Friday, a premium of 16 per cent over its issue price of Rs 94 per share. Meanwhile, on the BSE, the scrip listed at Rs 104.60 per share.

The state-owned telecom infrastructure provider's IPO got bids 42 times more demand than the shares on offer. The offering for 61 million shares got bids for 2.6 billion. The institutional investor portion of the IPO was subscribed 65 times and the high-net-worth individual (HNI) portion was subscribed 73 times. The retail and employee categories were subscribed 17 times and 3.4 times, respectively.

This is the second public setor IPO this calendar year after Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC).

Analysts had advised against booking profit and exiting the stock in case of a listing at a premium as they believe the company is a long-term bet with good business prospects.

"Investors should wait and hold the stock as it is a good story. RailTel has good prospects and it will get business from Indian railways and private players in the future. I am positive on the company and investors can hold shares for the long-term," said Keshav Lahoti, equity research analyst at Angel Broking.

Astha Jain of Hem Securities had recommended booking partial profit in case of listing premium of 12 per cent or above but holding the remaining stock for the long-term on the back of positive industry dynamics and the edge RailTel holds over peers. READ MORE

Meanwhile, some analysts in their IPO coverage reported had flagged risks such as the company's dependence on the government projects and single-digit PAT CAGR of 7.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively from FY18 to FY20.

 Flash

India and Pakistan on Thursday jointly announced cease-fire along their international border, the Line of Control (LoC), and all other sectors, with effect from midnight of Wednesday to Thursday.

A joint statement issued by the Indian defence mentioned that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact.

"The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere. Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021," it said.

The statement further added that in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence.

Both sides also reiterated that the existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilized to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding, the statement said.
Two Winnipeg-linked teams of artists and architects are in the running to design a new national monument memorializing Canadas history of discrimination towards LGBTQ2+ peoples.

Two Winnipeg-linked teams of artists and architects are in the running to design a new national monument memorializing Canadas history of discrimination towards LGBTQ2+ peoples.

"For us, the ability to work with the other team members is actually what made it attractive," said visual artist Shawna Dempsey, who will work with longtime collaborator Lorri Millan on an all-Winnipeg team including architecture and landscape firm Public City and Albert McLeod, Indigenous and two-spirit adviser.

The team was long-familiar with each others work through "that Winnipeg thing," Dempsey said, and found common passions in the goals of the project.

In an email Thursday, Canadian Heritage said the Ottawa monument  scheduled to be unveiled in 2025  will memorialize "historic discrimination against LGBTQ2+ people in Canada, including those who suffered in the government of Canada-led LGBT Purge."

The central site, on the northeast side of Wellington Street near the Portage Bridge, should have capacity to host large gatherings, and quiet contemplation.

The LGBT Purge refers to a 1950-90 period when members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and federal public service were systemically harassed, discriminated against and often fired due to their sexuality, gender identity or gender expression.

"Its personal. We lived through this recent history that includes the purge, but also legal and social discrimination against queer people," Millan said. "The trauma is a part of our community and a part of our lives."

Winnipeg-based filmmaker/sculpture artist Noam Gonick said hes excited to be collaborating with Rebecca Belmore, New York architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Winnipegs HTFC Planning and Design on the project.

Gonick and Belmore (who hails from Lac Seul First Nation in Ontario) have been working together for 15 years.

Gonick dipped his feet into large-scale public art two years ago, designing Winnipegs "Bloody Saturday" commemoration of the 1919 General Strike.

Its still too early to say what the local proposals will look like; plans from the five shortlisted teams are due in August.

The final design, Canadian Heritage said, should educate visitors, commemorate the "profound social, physical and psychological impacts of discrimination the community has suffered"  and celebrate those who fought for equality and inspire change for the future.

"We dont want to make it seem as if this is all in the past. These are ongoing struggles," said Dempsey. "We want whatever it is we create to not only memorialize past injustices but inspire greater justice and inclusion for all peoples going forward."

Submissions will be judged by a jury of LGBT Purge survivors, experts in visual arts and architecture, and other key stakeholders. The public will also be invited to provide feedback before the winning design is chosen in late fall.

"I think its amazing that this monument is going to be constructed within sightlines of institutions that have, at times, been oppressive to queer peoples," Dempsey said. "With this monument we will become, in all of our diversity, an irrefutable presence  erased no longer, diminished no longer."

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jsrutgers
New Delhi:

Xiaomi may launch its Mi Note 3 phablet this month in China reported a Chinese website mydrivers.com.

The Mi Note 3 is expected to have a Qualcomm Snadragon 835 processor supported with 6 GB of RAM and the 5.7 inch display is rumored to be a QHD Super AMOLED panel made by Samsung.

The metal body phone comes with a finger sensor.

Xiaomis Mi Note 2 was launched last year but was not sold in India. Note 2 came with 5.7 inch amoled display supported with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and 6 GB RAM. The Phone had 22.5 megapixel camera with a f/20 aperture and 8 megapixel camera to click selfies.

According to the website Xiaomi is going to roll-out schedule of MIUI 9 and updates for Mi 6, Redmi Note 4X, Mi Max, Mi Max 2, Redmi 4X, Mi Mix, Mi Note 2, Mi 5, Mi 5s and 5s Plus, Mi 4s and 4c and Mi 5c this month.
AG Nessel Joins Fight in Support of States' Right to Enforce Laws Against 3D-printed 'Ghost Gun' Files

AG Nessel Joins Fight in Support of States' Right to Enforce Laws Against 3D-printed 'Ghost Gun' Files

Ryan Jarvi 517-599-2746 Attorney General

February 26, 2021

LANSING  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of attorneys general from around the nation in fighting a lawsuit that seeks to stop states from enforcing their laws against a company disseminating dangerous 3D-printed gun files on the internet.

In an amicus brief in Grewal v. Defense Distributed before the U.S. Supreme Court, the coalition seeks to protect states efforts to stop Defense Distributed from unlawfully publishing easily-downloadable internet files that provide instructions to build dangerous 3D-printed firearms, including assault weapons.

"Despite law enforcement efforts, Defense Distributed continues to recklessly, and illegally, make 3D-printed firearms easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection, Nessel said. These so-called 'ghost guns are unregistered and untraceable, making them especially dangerous. States must have the ability to enforce our own laws and use the tools at our disposal to fight back against these illegal efforts in order to protect our communities.

For years, Defense Distributed has attempted to widely disseminate internet files that give individuals the ability to manufacture unregistered and untraceable 3D-printed firearms that can be extremely difficult to detect, even with a metal detector. A number of state and local officials sent the company cease and desist letters ordering the company to stop breaking state laws. Defense Distributed then sued the officials in federal court in Texas, but ultimately only pursued its case against New Jerseys attorney general. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found that Texas courts had personal jurisdiction over New Jerseys attorney general, he petitioned the Supreme Court to take up the case.

In the amicus brief, the coalition argues that cease and desist letters are critical and cost-effective tools for enforcing state law, and, in the internet age, state and local officials increasingly must direct such letters out of their jurisdictions. Because out-of-state entities, like Defense Distributed, operate online and across state lines, state officials cannot protect their residents from violations of their own states laws by such entities without being able to send cease and desist letters out of state.

Additionally, the coalition argues that the Fifth Circuit failed to account for critical state-sovereignty and federalism considerations when it found that the Texas courts had personal jurisdiction over New Jersey  in violation of longstanding Supreme Court precedent set out in cases, such as World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson. Specifically, the federalism principles underpinning that precedent do not permit the recipient of a cease and desist letter from an out-of-state official to sue the official in the recipients home state when the letter was sent from the officials home state, and the official is simply enforcing his or her own states laws as applied to the recipients activities in the officials home state.

The coalition makes clear that permitting suits in such circumstances  as the Fifth Circuit did here  forces a state official to risk burdensome and expensive lawsuits in a foreign forum as the cost of protecting state residents from an entity that is reaching into the officials state and violating that states laws. Putting a state official to that choice undermines state sovereignty and harms the public interests of the officials state by chilling legitimate law enforcement efforts or else dramatically increasing the costs of those efforts, including by encouraging premature lawsuits against states in courts that lack expertise and a stake in the relevant states law.

The coalition asks the Supreme Court to review the Fifth Circuits decision, and ultimately order the dismissal of Defense Distributeds case in Texas for lack of personal jurisdiction.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in filing this amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia.
The Bank of England should steal a march on the rest of the world and develop a crypto-currency, a fintech entrepreneur has urged.

Ron Kalifa, former boss of payment processing company Worldpay, urged governors at the Bank to embrace the currencies rather than dismiss them as a dangerous fad. He said: 'Britain should get ahead on this. Why leave it to China?'

In a report on how to improve the UK's burgeoning fintech sector, he added: 'Individuals would be able to access central bank money.

Former WorldPay boss Ron Kalifa (pictured) urged bosses at the Bank of England to embrace cryptocurrencies rather than dismiss them as a dangerous fad

'The UK would be able to take advantage of its mature payment network, and build a more efficient and innovative structure on top of it. The UK would become the first jurisdiction to introduce this innovation.'

To date central banks have urged investors to avoid crypto-currencies. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey warned in September that 'they have no connection to money at all'.

But Kalifa disagrees and also urged the Bank to start regulating established coins like bitcoin.

He said: 'The UK has the potential to be a leading global centre for the issuance, clearing, settlement, trading and exchange of crypto and digital assets.

Consumers are likely to benefit if crypto firms become subject to enforceable regulatory standards.'

The report also recommended the London Stock Exchange tear up listing rules in order to attract more fintech firms.

Kalifa warned that the UK risked losing some of the most valuable tech companies to foreign exchanges unless changes are made immediately.

Over the past six years there have been 75 main market fintech listings worldwide  the UK has captured only five.

Kalifa said: 'With more than a third of UK fintechs surveyed in 2019 expected to undertake an IPO within the next five years, it is critical for the UK to bring the necessary reforms and capitalise on this momentum.'


Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

were holding their ground on Friday even as the rest of the market was painted red amid feeble global cues. At 11:50 AM, Nifty Pharma index was trading 0.2 per cent higher on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), compared with a 430-point or nearly 3 per cent cut in the Nifty50 index. In the intra-day trade, the Nifty Pharma index had gained 1.5 per cent on the NSE, and had hit a high of 12,322.

Among individual stocks, Lupin zoomed 3.4 per cent in the intra-day trade and hit a high of Rs 1,060, Sun Pharmaceuticals advanced 2 per cent, and Dr Reddy's Labs gained 1.7 per cent. Alkem Labs, Cadila Healthcare, Divis Labs, Cipla, and Aurobindo Pharma too rallied in the range of 1 per cent and 3 per cent.

So far in the calendar year 2021, the Nifty Pharma index has slipped 6 per cent on the NSE, as against a 7 per cent gain in the Nifty50 index, as investors booked profit post a stupendous rally in CY 2020 where the index zoomed 60 per cent at the bourses, compared with a 15 per cent rally in the frontline Nifty index.

Siddhant Khandekar, analyst at ICICI Securities opines that the sector remains in a consolidation mode after a sharp outperformance in calendar year 2020. That said, he remains positive on the sector from a long-term perspective as fundamentals remain strong going ahead.

PLI boost

On Wdnesday, February 24, Centre announced the contours of the second Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the pharmaceutical industry which covers pharmaceutical formulations and API/Intermediates. This follows the earlier that primarily covered API and intermediates where India is highly dependent on imports. Moreover, unlike the earlier scheme, this scheme is focused on incentivizing exports as almost two thirds of incremental sales from the scheme is likely to be for exports, as per the government.

Analysts at Nomura remain positive on the proposal and estimate the annual incentive in the range of Rs 3,800-4,300 crore in FY24-27. "While the scheme incentive is likely to be divided unequally among the players as it will depend on companies eventually selected under the scheme, we think most of the large listed players with strong manufacturing base and intent to expand will benefit. This includes Aurobindo, Dr Reddy's, Lupin, Cadila, Cipla and Sun Pharmam" it said in a report dated February 25.

The recently approved allocates 73 per cent of the incentive (Rs 11,000 crore out of Rs 15,000 crore) for players with Global Manufacturing Turnover of more than Rs 5,000 crore (FY20). The brokerage expects 15-20 companies to be eligible for this and estimate the total incentive at 4-5 per cent of these companies' FY20 Ebitda.

Earnings beat in Q3FY21

The December quarter earnings for the sector largely met the Streets elevated expectations with no major negative surprises (ex-Natco & Shilpa Medicare) even as the easing of supply disruptions resulted in a muted US & API performance across the board.

Analysts at JM Financials said that firms under their coerage posted a 9 per cent YoY growth in revenue with Ebitda and net profit witnessing 27 per cent and 50 per cent YoY growth, respectively. Seven of 12 companies in their coverage universe delivered a beat on estimates with Sun & Cipla witnessing the highest earnings upgrades. Domestic formulations (14 per cent YoY growth for our coverage universe vs. market growth of 6 per cent) and RoW (15 per cent YoY growth for our coverage universe) segments were the key growth drivers during the quarter.

While domestic outperformance in case of Cipla, Cadila & Jubilant continued to be partly driven by Covid-related opportunities, Sun & Alembic delivered market-beating growth despite no meaningful Covid contribution.

Going ahead, analysts at ICICI Securities expect costs related to promotional/marketing activities to come back to pre-Covid levels as the pandemic situation continues to ease out and MR activity normalises.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his government will take forward all suggestions and recommendations that the conference makes after deliberations and put them to best use.  PTI file photo

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has called upon town planners to come up with solutions for emerging challenges with a futuristic outlook, in accordance with sustainable development goals set up by the United Nations.

Inaugurating the 69th National Town and Country Planners Conference online at Vishakhapatnam on Friday, the CM said that he is looking forward to their recommendations on affordable housing for lower-income groups and reducing financial burden on the government owing to growing cost of land.

He expressed confidence that the three-day meet will come up with solutions pertinent to the state and country vis-a-vis the 17 sustainable goals set by the United Nations for 2030.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said the issue of increasing greenhouse gases is a matter of serious concern. Water management is another issue requiring comprehensive planning, as cities are growing in multiple directions. He stated that the government is looking forward to develop the coastal region, utilising the vast stretch of 974 km of seashore. Even Visakhapatnam will be one of the beneficiaries of an integrated coastal development plan, he stated.

The Chief Minister reiterated that his government will take forward all suggestions and recommendations that the conference makes after deliberations and put them to best use. The meeting, organised by the Institute of Town Planners of India, is being attended by town planners, academics, researchers and directors of institutes from across the country.
(Newser)  After the Senate parliamentarian dealt a potentially lethal blow Thursday to Democrats drive to hike the minimum wage, deciding that the cherished progressive goal must fall from a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill the party is trying to speed through Congress, the White House said President Biden will respect the decision. Biden was "disappointed" in the outcome but respected the parliamentarian's ruling, press secretary Jen Psaki said. The Senate has a long tradition of obeying the parliamentarian's decisions with few exceptions, a history that is revered by traditionalists like Biden, a 36-year Senate veteran, the AP reports. "He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty," Psaki said.

story continues below

Democrats are pushing the massive coronavirus relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate filibuster by Republicans, a tactic that Democrats would need an unattainable 60 votes to defeat. But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an "incidental" impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes, and aides say parliamentarian Elizabeth McDonough decided the minimum wage provision didn't pass that test. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, hailed the decision from the nonpartisan arbiter. He said it shows the special procedure that Democrats are using to protect the relief bill "cannot be used as a vehicle to pass major legislative changeby either partyon a simple majority vote."

(Read more minimum wage stories.)
The iconic Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away will be brought to the stage next year.

Running at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo from February, the piece will be the first ever stage version of the Oscar-winning film created by Hayao Miyazaki, originally titled Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. It follows a young girl, Chihiro, who is travelling to her new home with her parents before the three of them encounter a mysterious ancient location housing a plethora of mystical beings.

It will be adapted and directed by John Caird, who also adapted and co-directed Les Miserables when it first premiered at the Barbican.

The show will be led by Kanna Hashimoto (Kingdom) and Mone Kamishiraishi (Your Name), both taking on the role of Chihiro.

After its original run in Tokyo the show will tour to Osaka (April), Fukuoka (May), Sapporo (June) and Nagoya (June and July).

"We, Hayao and I, both liked John's vision. He is a person we can trust. I am looking forward to seeing Chihiro grow on stage under his direction," said Studio Ghibli's Toshio Suzuki, the film producer of Spirited Away. "I could tell how much he adores this story from his delighted face when I gave him a No-Face (Kaonashi) piggy-bank."

Previous Ghibli work adapted for the stage includes Princess Mononoke, which ran in 2013 at the New Diorama Theatre in London and at the AiiA Theatre in Tokyo.

Plans for any further international productions of Spirited Away have yet to be revealed.
Photo: The Canadian Press A helicopter flies past a mountain near McBride, B.C., on Saturday January 30, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Avalanche Canada has issued a warning for recreational backcountry users in British Columbia and Alberta, covering the North and South Rockies, the Lizard Range, Flathead and Waterton Lakes National Park.

The group says in a statement the warning is in effect Thursday through the coming weekend, and forecasters will reassess the situation on Monday to see if it should be extended into next week.

The statement says a persistent weak layer in the North Rockies has resulted in two recent deaths, and that unstable condition is also the suspected cause of a near-miss incident in the South Rockies, which resulted in very serious injuries.

It says the layer of concern is widespread throughout B.C., but it's most susceptible to human triggering in those regions.

Avalanche Canada is urging backcountry users to always check their regional avalanche forecasts and to pack essential rescue gear, including a transceiver, probe and shovel, and have the knowledge of how to use it.

Warning service manager Karl Klassen says the next wave of storms will increase the load on the persistent weak layers, making avalanches even easier to trigger.

"This string of fatal and serious incidents should be a wake-up call for all backcountry users, especially in the North and South Rockies," he says in the statement.

"This layer is deep enough that it's not easily seen, but large and destructive human-triggered avalanches are expected."
PARKE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - It will be a fantastic weekend to head on out to Turkey Run State Park in Parke County, Indiana. Turkey Run offers exciting views especially this time of the year. From icicle chandeliers to frozen waterfalls. The park has something for everyone.

In January and February, Turkey Run has offered guests an "Ice" Hike every Saturday. In January, the park did not see as much snow or freezing temperatures. However, February has had more wintry weather to give visitors a more wintry view.

With the recent cold snap in the Wabash Valley, many waterfalls have frozen over making way for beautiful structures. But with the warmer weather expected this weekend, the "Ice" Hike has turned into a normal hike.

Due to the pandemic, Turkey Run has had limited spots for each hike. And unfortunately, there are not any spots available for the guided hike this Saturday, February 26.

Interpretive Naturalist Aaron Douglass does say, however, all are welcome to come hike and there may still be some signs of winter in the park. "So you'd still be able to see some and you might be able to do it in short sleeves which is kind of unique. And in any of the canyons, they don't get a whole lot of light in there so there is still going to be some ice. It's just going to be disappearing quickly."

Even since there is not any space open for the guided hike Saturday, anyone can still come out to the park and enjoy the sights and warmer weather.

Douglass says the park has been very busy over the last week. Just be sure to bring your boots since trails will be muddy and come early.

For more information on upcoming events at Turkey Run State Park, you can visit www.in.gov/dnr/parklake.
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Medical Smart Textile Market is to rise at 9.5% CAGR by 2027, according to Global Medical Smart Textile Market Information by Technology (Smart Fabric Technology, Textile Sensors, Wearable Technology), Application (Surgery, Hygiene, Drug-Release System, Bio-Monitoring), End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, Others), and Region.

Medical Smart Textile Market Key Players Analyzed for this report:

Intelligent Clothing Ltd. (UK), Google Inc. (US), Interactivewear (Germany), Gentherm (US), Schoeller Textiles AG (Switzerland), Textronics, Inc. (US), Vista Medical Ltd. (Canada), International Fashion Machines (US), and Sensoria Inc. (US).

Get Free Sample Medical Smart Textile Market Report 2019at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1123

Market Overview:

According to the latest report published by Market Research Future (MRFR), the worldwide medical smart textile market is set to exhibit a CAGR of 9.5% over the forecast period of 2019-2027. The report utilizes available market data to offer a complete understanding of the medical smart textiles markets present scenario and the future state.

The medical smart textiles market has been segmented and presented in a detailed manner so that the readers can obtain a precise view of the market. The report also deals with the restraints and drivers likely to impact the market during the forecast period.

Improved scope for innovation in the healthcare sector along with the incorporation of smart devices into monitoring and tracking patients progress paves the way for higher demand of smart medical textile globally. Moreover, the burgeoning market for wearable devices can be expected to affect the global medical smart textile market positively.

Segmental Analysis

The worldwide medical smart textile market has been segmented based on application, end-user, and technology.

As per the application, the global medical smart textile market has been segmented into hygiene, surgery, therapy, drug release systems, wellness, and biomonitoring. Based on end use, the global medical smart textile market has been segmented into clinics, hospitals, and others. According to technology, the global medical smart textile market has been segmented into wearable and joining technology, textile sensors, and smart fabric technology.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global medical smart textile market has been segmented into Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

Presently, North America and South America collectively lead the global medical smart textiles market and can be expected to hold the lead over the forecast period. It can be attributed to the high level of technological competency in healthcare. In Americas, most of the market players are involved in constant technological developments in medical equipment for effortless monitoring, treatment, and diagnosis. Additionally, the increasing government aid aimed towards the wellbeing of the patient influences the medical smart textiles market positively.

Europe holds the second position in the global medical smart textile market. Like the Americas, the healthcare sector in Europe is actively focusing on innovation and technological advancements. The healthcare sector in Europe encourages productive research activities and innovation in the medical devices market that promises consistent progress of the medical smart textile market. Besides, the engagement of the market leaders in tactical collaborations and partnerships with the chemical industry plays is partly ushering in the development of novel medical smart textiles in Europe.

Asia-Pacific is viewed as a promising market for the global medical smart textile sector. This is owing to the growing incidence of diseases, wide-ranging need for innovative medical equipment, increasing application of know-how in the initial stages of diagnosis of conditions, and the increasing amount of healthcare centers. Additionally, the rising prevalence of aged population in the region contributes to further market development. India, Japan, and China are the key players in APAC. Asia-Pacific is expected to represent the fastest growing market for medical smart textiles goods during the forecast period.

The Middle East & Africa (MEA) region represents a relatively slimmer share of the global medical smart textile market, owing to the poor economic conditions and the stringent government policies.

List of Tables:

Table 1 Global Medical Smart Textile Market Industry Synopsis, 20182027

Table 2 Global Medical Smart Textile Market Estimates & Forecast, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 3 Global Medical Smart Textile Market, By Region, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 4 Global Medical Smart Textile Market, By Technology, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 6 Global Medical Smart Textile Market, By End-User, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 7 North America Medical Smart Textile Market, By Technology, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 9 North America Medical Smart Textile Market, By End-User, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 10 US Medical Smart Textile Market, By Technology, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 11 US Medical Smart Textile Market, By End-User, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 12 Canada Medical Smart Textile Market, By Technology, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 13 Canada Medical Smart Textile Market, By End-User, 20182027, (USD Million)

Table 14 South America Medical Smart Textile Market, By Technology, 20182027, (USD Million)

Continued

List of Figures:

Figure 1 Research Process

Figure 2 Segmentation For Global Medical Smart Textile Market

Figure 3 Market Dynamics For Global Medical Smart Textile Market

Figure 4 Global Medical Smart Textile Market Share, By Technology, 2017

Figure 5 Global Medical Smart Textile Market Share, By End-User, 2017

Figure 6 Global Medical Smart Textile Market Share, By Region, 2017

Figure 7 North America Medical Smart Textile Market Share, By Country, 2017

Figure 8 Europe Medical Smart Textile Share, By Country, 2017

Figure 9 Asia Pacific Medical Smart Textile Market Share, By Country, 2017

Figure 10 The Middle East & Africa Medical Smart Textile Market Share, By Country, 2017

Figure 11 Global Medical Smart Textile Market: Company Share Analysis, 2017 (%)

Figure 12 ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc: Key Financials

Figure 13 ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc: Segmental Revenue

Figure 14 ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc: Geographical Revenue

Figure 15 Google Inc: Key Financials

Figure 16 Google Inc: Segmental Revenue

Figure 17 Google Inc: Geographical Revenue

Figure 18 Intelligent Clothing Ltd: Key Financials

Figure 19 Intelligent Clothing Ltd: Segmental Revenue

Figure 20 Intelligent Clothing Ltd: Geographical Revenue

Figure 21 International Fashion Machines, Inc: Key Financials

Figure 22 International Fashion Machines, Inc: Segmental Revenue

Figure 23 International Fashion Machines, Inc: Geographical Revenue

Figure 24 Textronics, Inc: Key Financials

Continued

Browse More Information at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-smart-textile-market-1123

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
Feb. 25UPDATED: 5:40 p.m.

A Champaign County woman was found guilty Thursday afternoon of murder in the death of a missing Champaign County woman.

Valerie Rider, 52, was found guilty of murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse and three counts of possession of criminal tools. She was found not guilty of aggravated murder.

The jury went into deliberation around 11:15 a.m. on Thursday and delivered a verdict around 5:30.

Rider is scheduled to be sentenced on April 1.

EARLIER

The jury for the murder trial for a St. Paris woman charged in the death of a missing Champaign County woman is now deliberations.

Valerie Rider, 52, is on trial in Champaign County Common Pleas Court on charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse and three counts of possession of criminal tools, court records show.

The jury went into deliberation around 11:15 a.m. on Thursday.

The charges stem from the October death of Whitney Hostler, 25, who was reported missing on Oct. 1, 2020, after she had not been in contact with family or friends, and was last seen on Sept. 30, according to the Champaign County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office found Hostler's body in a wooded ravine near Kiser Lake Road. The investigation into Hostler's death led them to Valerie and Rodney Rider, who were arrested Oct. 2.

Day four of the trial started with closing arguments by Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Talebi, followed by Defense Attorney Gregory Harvey.

Talebi began by describing the offenses against Rider and how he believes the evidence proves those offenses. He said she "committed" and "admitted" to the offenses because of how and what she used to place Hostler's body in a duffle bag, and how she moved and disposed of her body. He said, "the evidence shows that's exactly what occurred."

On the charges of aggravated murder and murder, Talebi said Valerie Rider "purposely caused the death of Whitney" because he said it was "deliberate and intentional."

Story continues

Harvey started his closing argument with one question  Who killed Whitney? He said they found out how, where and what killed her, but that "it hinges on a who" killed her. He said he believes the evidence doesn't show that Rider committed the murder.

Harvey said in Rider's testimony at her own trial on Wednesday, she said that she was trying to deescalate the situation between her son Randy Rider and Hostler, and that she was just trying to stick up for her family.

Randy Rider and Hostler have a two-year old child together and had been living with his parents, according to his testimony.

Both her husband, Rodney Rider, and her son, Randy Rider, testified at the trial on Monday.

Rodney Rider is also charged in the same crime. He pleaded guilty in November to tampering with evidence, obstructing justice and possession of criminal tools, court records show. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8. He remains in the Tri-County Regional Jail with a $500,000 cash-only bond.

The case is being heard by Champaign County Common Pleas Court Judge Nick Selvaggio.
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In 2017, Michael Tubbs made history as the youngest and first Black mayor of Stockton, California, home to some three hundred thousand people and considered the most diverse city in America. A graduate of Stanford University, Tubbs began his political career on the city council of Stockton, his hometown; during his mayoral campaign, he received an endorsement from Barack Obamaand more than 70 percent of the vote. During his time in office, Tubbs set out to confront Stocktons poverty rate23 percentand alarmingly low levels of literacy, implementing progressive policies such as a universal basic income. By 2020, he was the focus of an HBO documentary, Stockton on My Mind, that highlighted his status as a rising star in the Democratic Party.

When it came time for reelection, many assumed that Tubbs, now thirty, would win in a landslide. So it came as a shock when, in November of last year, he lost by more than ten points. It was not simply a campaign failure, however: Tubbs was subjected to a targeted disinformation assault by a fake-news website known as the 209 Times. Named for the area code for Stockton, the 209 Times claims to be an independent community driven grassroots news source. In reality, it functions as a misinformation machine, trading on the relatively high levels of trust in local press outlets to spread lies and prey on voters racial biases.

The 209 Times may have succeeded in removing Tubbs from office, but his political career is not over. Recently, CJR caught up with him on The Kicker to discuss Stockton, disinformation, racism, and news deserts. This excerpt from the interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You recently tweeted, Stockton is the miners canary for the impact of disinformation, describing the 209 Times as an example of racism and disinfo that is able to thrive in news deserts. So Id like to open the floor for you to talk about news media coverage in Stockton, how it has changed over the years, and how this media landscape has allowed for disinformation to not only spread, but really thrive in your hometown.

So Stockton, California, is whats called a news desert. Even before the layoffs and the cuts, we had one newspaper: the Stockton Record. In addition to that, despite being the twelfth-largest city in the state, sixty-second largest in the country, we werent our own media market. So all of our digital, broadcast media was homed in Sacramento, so theyd have to drive an hour to Stockton to shoot things.

During my years as mayor, the Record had to lay off employees and stopped running as many articles. When the Record didnt have as much staff to cover things, and subscriptions declined, at the same time, this fake-news site went up. Even when I was on city council, that was the play, just attacking the Records credibility all the time. The Records corrupt, The Records elite, No one reads the Recordand using elected officials to do that and to just question the legitimacy of an imperfect but also the only local press that we had in the city. Then when I became mayor, and after the success of former president Trumps 2016 campaign utilizing social media and algorithms and weaponized information, these same folks got together and, in my first month as mayor, created whats now known as the 209 Times.

People saw 209 Times and thought, Well, its a news site. Why would anyone purposely and deliberately go out and deceive people? So a lot of people took it at face value, like this is just an alternative news site because the Record doesnt run as much, the Records not as quick, etc. And what we saw was that they started with just blatantly false articles, like articles that were literally lies and disinformation. It was really about weaponizing information and playing on peoples biases and racism.

The stories would all follow a similar thread. Either (a) Michael Tubbs was stealing money from the city, because Black people are criminalsand I think for a lot of people it played on their bias and orientation towards, Who are Black people really? And (b) the second one was, Michael Tubbs doesnt work, or Michael Tubbs is lazy, which is another racist tropethat Black people, particularly Black men, loiter, that theyre criminals, that they dont work, that theyre lazy. And (c) the third was, again, Michael Tubbs is just corrupt. Its just a corrupt administration. Theres no way he could win legitimately. He doesnt live in the city. Its corrupt, its corrupt; hes under investigation; hes corrupt. And for four years, leveraging social media and leveraging algorithms, they fed that poison.

And in the course of that, they just created a different reality. I left office with a thirteen-million-dollar surplus. We were named as the fourth most fiscally healthy city in this country. But for a lot of folks, it was, No, hes stealing money. Its just a different reality. And thats what I recognized, that no, this disinformation wasnt just about an election campaign, but indeed, it was a four-year campaign that only works in a news desert. It only works when the algorithm rewards racism and bigotry and bias. It only works when theres no check, theres no certification. We know that brain research tells us that we look for news that confirms our bias; we look for facts that confirm our bias. And that, if Im biased to be racist, or if Im biased to think that the government is corrupt, Ill find something, whether its the Epoch Times or the 209 Times or OAN or Fox News, thats going to create the reality.

So now its heartbreaking: if you look at even the governance in the city of Stockton, all the local races that the fake-news disinformation website endorsed in, those candidates won. And now we have an even more dysfunctional school board. Now we have a board of supervisors that wants to open the county up. Now we have leadership in city hall that doesnt even have a vision and arent able to articulate even a plan for how the city will rebound [from the pandemic]. And the folks who are most impacted are the most marginalized, the most economically disenfranchisedthe folks who have been suffering for a long time. So indeed, its incredibly heartbreaking.

And I would argue that, in addition to laws and policy, these bad actors have to be held accountable, at least in terms of FCC violations, political reform act violations, because they were a political enterprise that did not file any forms, that took money, admittedly, from politicians to do things for them, and masqueraded as a news site. And its bad for democracy; its bad for the city. And I think just given the success that it had in Stockton, Im worried that this malicious, this evil, this weird obsession of disinformation and misinformation will spread like wildfire, particularly in communities like Stockton.



Could you talk about any suggestions that you might have for social media companies to better manage the spread of disinformation?

I mean, I think we saw more action the past couple of months than weve seen in four years. And we know that part of it is, there has to be more transparency around who creates said news sites: Whats the budget of said page? How much are they spending on ads? And also, if its posing as news, particularly in the pandemicparticularly when we need people to trust science, to get their vaccinesthere has to be some sort of mechanism to report things that are fake. You know how they give you a check mark when youre an authentic person, like when youre a person with a certain profile and they give you a blue check of verificationit seems obvious that they should do the same thing for sites masquerading as news sites.

I think some of the stuff Twitter did with things that were brought to their attention and tagging things as false or disinformation, I think thats also necessary. That also seems like a no-brainer. I think that the organizing principles behind what were seeing are really about creating chaos and sowing division. I think whats missing is that people assume that, if its posted, if its been shared, that somebody has vetted it at some point on the food chain. And thats just not whats happening, and these social media companies have to be responsible for verifying what are real news sources and what are not real news sourcesand tagging things as disinformation when theyre disinformation. And being transparent around Who are these pages, whos funding them, whats their budget?



Motecuzoma Sanchez, the founder of the 209 Times, has said in interviews that he had a personal vendetta against you; he even said that he took credit for the fact that you werent reelected. And so, in looking at this, in talking about this campaign against you, could you give more specific examples of the lies that were spread?

I think the far-right groups that are funding this website deserve a lot of credit for being nefarious, and for manipulating emotions in people to create a desired result thats not really beneficial, I would argue, for the city. In terms of things that are posted, I mean, in October, before the election, they used another siteHollywood Unlocked, a page from a disgruntled Stockton resident who is now a Hollywood celebrity bloggerthat said that I had struck a deal with the governor to make the fairgrounds a regional homelessness center. It was just so bizarre and asinine, because the meeting they were citingwhen that was not even truly discussed, eitherI wasnt even there. I was literally not at the meeting where this plan was hatchedor any meetings, for that matterand that just spread like wildfire. And I spent three days to get the state to respond and say, This is not true. This is not true. This is a lie. This is actually fake. And that story dropped right around the time absentee ballots dropped. It was spread wildlyit was posted all over Nextdoor, etc.

But then, just throughout my time in office, there were just lies. I would use my campaign account to pay for travel conferences so the city wouldnt have to pay for it. And they would say, Tubbs is using taxpayer dollars to do all this travel. Or we would literally bring millions of dollars into the city, and they would say were stealing money from the city. Or they would lie and say I had a driver. I had an executive assistant, which the taxpayers approved, who would get reimbursed for his mileagewhich is kind of customary for any employer. If I had driven, I would have got the reimbursement for the same amount of money. So it was literally everythingjust lie after lie after lie. At some point, I think it just beat down the defense mechanisms for some people. And theyre like, All this cant be false. Like, Theres something about this that has to be true.

It was really about weaponizing information and playing on peoples biases and racism.



Could you talk about the amount of time and effort and energy that you had to put into combatting these lies, and how that may have taken a toll on you?

Well, honestly, I shouldve probably spent more time. But I think when youre busy governing and actually doing things in the midst of a global pandemic, in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests, theres only so much you can do. So I made the false assumption that reality was reality, and facts were facts, and that people would see the truth of the matter and it would be fine. That you might lose some votes, but people would know that all this cant be true. Im a Black guy, so if I was actually corruptand Im a Black guy whos calling for police reform, whos calling for a guaranteed incomeclearly, if Im doing all these things, I would be arrested. Like, no one with real power is particularly excited that Im the mayor calling for these things in such a clear and bold way. So we just thought that by using traditional media, by being on TV all the time, by writing a response to our newspaper whenever they wanted one myselfby going online and doing Instagram Lives and Facebook Lives so people could ask questionswe thought that would be enough, frankly.



Who do you think was most targeted by the spread of this disinformation in Stockton?

I think, in Stockton, because of our population, so much of the disinformation was focused on the Latino community. And we see that because they also have a 209 Times en espanol, like a Spanish disinformation page parroting the same garbage information.



Whats next? Do you plan on doing more work around media and politics? Is disinformation something you will continue to bring attention to?

One of the things Im really good at is kind of translating personal experience to policy. So, much like with universal basic income, much like with gang violence reduction work, much like our work with education access, Im now adding disinformation as a focus area. Its an area in which Im actively working to get expertise. I just dont see how a country as diverse and with as many challenges as the United States can really move forward if we allow disinformation to be unchecked.

Lets make sure were training our people how to think, in terms of being critical thinkers. And also make sure that were holding the bad actors accountable who would seek to divide us in a way that makes us weaker, that compromises our national security, that compromises the integrity of our elections, that compromises the type of community we live in. So I definitely see myself advocating for policy and really being a voice around the dangers of disinformation and also about the need for local pressthe need for a vibrant and free press thats local, that has trust, that has credibility, that can be as objective as possible and at least bring us to a shared understanding of what the facts are. And we may disagree on how these facts came to be. We can disagree about what to do about the facts. We see it with so many issuesfrom our gun issues to our issue with climate changetheres no way you could actually, in a democratic society, build the kind of coalition to make the changes necessary when folks live in fundamentally different realities. And I think disinformation has to be held to account, and social media companies have to be part of the solution as to how we bring communities together.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Akintunde Ahmad is a recent CJR Fellow and now an Ida B. Wells Fellow with Type Investigations. He is based in Oakland.

With rising pinching the pockets of its delivery partners, foodtech platform has put in place a revised pay structure for them which will now include a component of distance pay. It has also introduced a long-distance return pay which means for every long-distance order completed, its delivery partner would either receive another order within 15 minutes that would bring them back closer to their base working location or they will get an additional payout for travelling the extra distance.

CEO Deepinder Goyal said on Twitter that the company is not yet passing on this cost to customers.

We are committed to making the best place to work for our delivery partners. We understand how fuel price hikes can impact their earnings and have decided to factor in such developments in their pay structure. Both of these inclusions combined will increase their earnings by 7-8 per cent, said Mohit Sardana, COO, Food Delivery, Zomato. The company has already implemented the new structure in about 40 cities and will be rolling it out in other cities in the coming week.

The Tiger Global backed platform had faced criticism for being the worst performing digital platform on the Fairwork India Ratings last year with Goyal later tweeting that the company will try its best to improve the working conditions to perform better next year.

have been on the rise in India for over several days with petrol prices crossing Rs 100 per litre in Rajasthan.

On an average, a Zomato delivery partner travels anywhere between 100-120 km in a day, consuming 60-80 litres of fuel in a typical month, according to the company. The recent increase in prices amounts to an additional monthly spend of Rs 600-800 which is about 3 per cent of monthly income from his/her take-home income. It has 150,000 delivery partners in its fleet currently who earn Rs 20,000-25,000 monthly on an average.

Tencent-backed also has a plan under works to cushion the impact of fuel price rise on riders, according to sources. The startup has over 130,000 delivery partners on its platform currently.

My fuel cost has gone up by up to Rs 100 per day and it could end up hurting my income by Rs 2,500 per month, said a delivery partner who completes 15-20 orders per day in Bengaluru.
BRAG honors farmer, lifetime achievement, friends of growers

A longtime apple grower, an innovator in agritourism and two professionals who serve the apple industry were honored last week by the Blue Ridge Apple Growers (BRAG) during the annual Winter Apple School held virtually.

Each year BRAG honors the Apple Grower of the Year and Friend of the Apple Grower and presents a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mike Stepp, the second-generation owner of Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard in Edneyville, was named Apple Grower of the Year for innovative marketing that draws young schoolchildren, senior groups and tourists from all over to his family's U-pick orchard. Hillcrest founders J.H. and Yvonne Stepp started one of the first U-pick farms in Henderson County in 1972 and over the years the family has added an on-site bakery, wagon rides, apple cannons, jams and preserves and other farm goods and attractions. It was the second major award for Stepp and the Hillcrest family. Stepp was named Apple Farmer of the Year at the North Carolina Apple Festival in 2019.

The Blue Ridge Apple Growers gave its Lifetime Achievement Award to Alvin McCraw, another Edneyville grower, for his "long record of service and achievement to the apple industry in Henderson County" and for "keeping up a good business for many many years," said Terry Kelley, an apple specialist who is director of Henderson County's Cooperative Extension Service.

The apple growers association honored two people with the Friend of the Apple Grower Award. The recognition is presented to someone who is not a grower but who contributes to the success and welfare of the industry over a sustained period of time.

Elena Rogers, an area agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension, was recognized for her service to the industry in the area of food safety.

Charlie Clark, pesticide inspector in Western North Carolina for the N.C. Department of Agriculture, won for his service to the industry in helping growers to maintain their pesticide license certification and credits. Clark is known to schedule training growers need to remain pesticide-certified in the offseason and "is a great resource for the growers when they have questions about pesticides, safe and legal uses and protecting our beneficial insects," BRAG said.

New Delhi: Bharat Biotech on Friday announced that it will supply 20 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine 'Covaxin' to Brazil during the second and third quarters of the current year.

"The company is delighted to partner with Brazil in its battle against Covid-19 and aid its immunization program against the virus. It has signed an agreement for delivery of COVAXIN during Q2 (April to June) and Q3 (July to September) (of) 2021," the company said in a statement.

The press release said that it has signed an agreement with the Brazilian government for the supply of the indigenously developed vaccine.

Several countries around the world have expressed strong interest in Covaxin and the company was fully committed to ensuring supplies promptly and efficiently, the release added.

Earlier, Bharat Biotech had signed an agreement with Brazil-based Precisa Medicamentos for the supplies of Covaxin for the country's private markets.

In January, India had sent two million doses of Covishield vaccines to Brazil. Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India.

In response, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying "dhanyavaad" and had termed the vaccines as "sanjeevni booti" (the vaccine).

The South American country has reported the second-highest death toll from the COVID-19 in the world.
MUMBAI : The Burman family, the single-largest investor in Eveready Industries Ltd with a 20% stake, may become joint promoters of the battery maker along with the Khaitan family, two people familiar with the talks between the two groups said.

The shareholding of the Khaitan family plunged to just 4.5% from 44.1% over the past two years as lenders sold shares of Eveready pledged with them after the promoter group defaulted on payments.

The promoter group pledged their holdings in Eveready and tea producer McLeod Russel India Ltd to avail of loans and repay debts of McNally Bharat Engineering.

Last August, Evereadys shares, held by Williamson Magor (an Eveready promoter entity), were pledged with IndusInd Bank for securing the outstanding dues of Seajuli Developers and Finance Ltd, the borrower company. The bank invoked the pledge held in the Eveready shares for the recovery of its dues from Seajuli.

The dramatic decline in the promoter holdings in Eveready opened the dry-cell battery maker to the risk of a hostile takeover. As lenders invoked pledges, the Burman family, which runs Dabur Ltd, stepped in as a white knight to buy out the shares from the open market to avert such a possibility.

Burmans and Khaitans have an age-old relationship. If the Burmans and Khaitans become joint promoters and run the company together, a hostile takeover can be prevented. Thats why this is one of the options under consideration by both the parties," said one of the two people cited above on the condition of anonymity.

An Eveready spokesperson said the company does not comment on speculative news.

After a year of discussions between the Khaitans and the Burmans, the two families are considering an option to jointly control the group," the person said.

According to the market regulators takeover code, the Burmans will need to launch an open offer for Eveready shares if the family becomes a part of the promoter group.

The Burmans are open to buying more shares from the open market to increase their shareholding rather than buying the stake from the Khaitans. The Khaitans are keen to maintain their stake at the current levels and are averse to the idea of giving up control. Thats why the two families are considering the option of becoming joint promoters of Eveready," the person said.

As a part of the joint management control strategy, Eveready is likely to restructure its board and become a professionally run company, the person added.

Currently, both Evereadys managing director and the chairman are from the Khaitan family.

The company, post the creation of joint management control, may appoint the Burmans and the Khaitans as board members among others, along with a few new independent directors," said the first person.

A spokesperson for the Burman family said, We are the largest shareholder in Eveready with around 20% stake. However, neither do we have any board seat currently, nor have we sought a seat on the board of Eveready. Also, we are not currently contemplating any open offer."

Earlier, the Burman family was planning to boost its stake in Eveready, but called off the plan after the stock price surged in the past year.

The surge in share price is largely on hopes that there would be an open offer in which public shareholders will be able to tender their shares if there is a hostile takeover or if the Burmans become the promoters of Eveready.

The Burman family has been refraining from increasing its stake in Eveready due to the high stock price.

If the Burmans purchase Eveready shares from the market and increase their stake beyond 25%, a mandatory open offer will be triggered as per the takeover code under the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

If such an open offer is triggered, the Burmans will need to offer to buy at least a 26% additional stake from the public shareholders, almost at the prevailing market price.

In a 10 December report by The Telegraph, Mohit Burman, vice-chairman of Dabur India, said, (We will buy) at an appropriate pricenot at this price!"

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A pentagon report underscores disturbing examples of white supremacy inside the military ranks, which calls for changes in how the Defense Department screens a recruit for possible ties to domestic terrorism.

The report was sent to Congress last October, but it has not been made public until now. The said report was drafted last year before the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, which claimed the lives of five people, including a Capitol police officer.

It describes one case in which a Florida National Guards member, who was part of a neo-Nazi group, was bragging his ideology to his collegues, according to an NBC News report.

He was then asked if he was worried at all about being found by his mates or someone, now that he is in the U.S. military.

"I was 100% open about everything with the friends I made at training. They know about it all. They love me too cause I'm a funny guy," the guard membersman was reported to have answered the question.

The exchange was done in an extremist "Iron March" online forum in 2016. This is part of a database that the news site Ars Technica published in 2019.

There was a screenshot from the chat that appears in the Pentagon's report to the Congress, which examines efforts to prevent white supremacists from joining the military ranks.

The report warns that even a small number of extremists poses a threat to national security and the cohesion of the armed forces, noting murders, foiled terrorist plots, and other incidents connected to white supremacists in the ranks over the past decade.

Related story: Fact Check: Was AOC in the Capitol Building During the Riot?

Ties to the Military

Authorities estimated that 1 in 5 of those who have been charged criminally were either currently serving in the military or had once worn the uniform, according to a Military Times report.

Domestic extremists have flaunted ties to the U.S. military, seeking to claim the status, credibility, and effective tactical training that military service entails.

Top leaders in the military have committed to going after domestic extremists when discovered in the ranks, including militia groups, white supremacists, and those who advocate violence against the government.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon cannot say how many members in uniform may have ties to extremist ideologies that are both threat to the military and the whole nation as well.

The report also said that access to service members can increase success of the planned attacks, especially with those who have combat training and weapons expertise.

Meanwhile, military leaders noted that the effort to address the problem aggressively challenges the Constitution as it protects freedom of speech, as well as the law's prohibition to criminalize affiliations that may be identified as political in nature rather than a threat of harm the public.

Tougher enforcement is now under consideration at the highest levels of government, which includes a better review of incoming recruits, monitoring of social media for those in sensitive positions among others.

Related story: [Video] Security Camera Captures Suspect Leaving Pipe Bombs at U.S. Capitol on Night Before Riot
GREENVILLE  A former Greenville County Sheriff's deputy faces criminal charges that he injured and unlawfully arrested a man who claims he was simply an innocent bystander.

The former deputy, Ryan Gibson, was fired after an internal affairs investigation. The State Law Enforcement Division conducted its own investigation and on Feb. 26 announced his arrest.

The charges stem from a July 2020 encounter. Benny Jones said he was in front of his home watching deputies arrest another man but was then beaten by Gibson and arrested.

It isn't the first time internal affairs has investigated Gibson. In 2017, prosecutors cleared him of wrongdoing after he shot and killed Jason Mendez during a traffic stop and scuffle outside the Super Lodge and Economy Inn in Greenville.

In the case from last summer, SLED charged Gibson with third-degree assault and battery and two counts of misconduct.

Arrest warrants allege that on July 25, Gibson struck the victim "with his legs and hands" and "neglected to properly and faithfully discharge duties he was sworn to uphold when he affected an unlawful arrest while serving in his capacity as a public official."

Speaking to the media after SLED's announcement, Jones said he'd been witnessing the traffic stop and without explanation was arrested and beaten as his children watched. The subject of the traffic stop had run away, according to multiple media reports surrounding the arrest.

In a video posted on Facebook after Gibson's arrest, Jones said he feels fortunate that he had his cell phone video recording. Jones said "not all officers are bad" and hoped it all could be a learning experience.

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It should be a wake-up call for the officers," he said, "to let them know that just because you wear that badge you dont just control everything, and you still have to be accountable as a person and about your job."

Five days after Jones' arrest, community activist Traci Fant accompanied Jones to file a complaint against Gibson. The sheriff's office conducted an internal investigation and fired Gibson within the week.

While the incident was extremely unfortunate, I am very grateful for Ms. Fant and her activism by bringing this incident to our attention and communicating the proper methods for filing a grievance against a GCSO employee," Sheriff Hobart Lewis said in a statement following SLED's announcement.

Gibson was fired because he didn't report that he had used force, which is required under sheriff's office policy, and told internal affairs investigators that he "misspoke" when he claimed that Jones was reaching into the stopped car to pull out drugs, according to a report by The Greenville News citing documents it obtained regarding the investigation.

The announcement of Gibson's arrest comes the same week that two members of the Greenville City Council warned of what they see as a pattern of hostility among county deputies compared with city police officers.

The comments by council members Lillian Brock Flemming and Ken Gibson came just before the council voted to renew a mutual aid agreement between city police and the sheriff's department that allows each to operate within the others' boundaries in specific cases.

I know we need the agreement, Flemming said before the vote, but the hostility, leave it at the county.

Gibson said amendments to the police department's protocol for use of force following the summer protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd offered more protection to the public than the sheriff's office, which he said didn't update its policies.

Sheriff's Lt. Ryan Flood said deputies are guided by a use-of-force policy in line with its national accreditation and he said that the agency added a "duty to intervene clause" that requires officers to step in if they believe force is excessive.
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For many years, a 77-year-old woman has been going to every small alley and street corner in her neighborhood to collect scraps and sell banh my to get money for her piggy banks, which are kept to help the poor.

'Ma Cuc', or Mother Cuc

On a pre-Tet day, Cuc sat at her home and opened a book where she wrote down the names of poor people who needed help. After writing cards to invite poor people to come to get Tet gifts, she checked her bag once again to see if any money was left and put the money into the piggy banks on the table.

Ma Cuc, or Mother Cuc, is the name people in Ward 8, District 3, in HCM City give to Nguyen Thi Bach Cuc who has been collecting scraps and raising money for piggy banks for 40 years to help the needy.

Cuc said she is kindhearted and does a lot of charity work. When she began working for the wards women association, she decided to create piggy banks to save money for the poor by collecting scraps.

When I began collecting scraps, there were a lot of whispers and comments. People said I pretended to be poor but my children are successful. But I did not feel sad. I believed they would understand me, she recalled.

She said when her "back was still straight" she went to every small alley to collect scraps. Later, when her back became bent with age, she went to every house to ask for scraps.

For many years, a 77-year-old woman has been going to every small alley and street corner in her neighborhood to collect scraps and sell banh my to get money for her piggy banks, which are kept to help the poor.

Finally, locals realized the humanitarian significance of her work. They voluntarily bring scraps to her house and she classifies the scraps and sells them for money.

Cuc said she "fed the first pig" for one year. When she opened the piggy bank, she found VND50 million. The amount of money was sent to many agencies and organizations to distribute to the poor.

The woman, seeing people happy with her support, said she feels 10 years younger. And she vows to continue to raise money for the piggy banks. Because of health conditions, she can no longer go alone collecting scraps. So, decided to sell banh my.

She has a piggy bank on her vending cupboard with the words nuoi heo dat vi cong dong (raising piggy bank for the community), so that people can put money into it.

There are many kind people. They put money into the piggy bank. And students also donate money, she said.

Cuc cannot remember how many piggy banks she has raised so far and how many she has given to the poor. She is just sure that the needy can receive money.

Cuc has also been making every effort to convert certain troubled people in the locality.

There was a man near her house, a drug addict and a jailbird. The man told Cuc that he wanted to become a good man, but he could not because of alienation from society.

Cuc, hearing his story, decided that it would be better not to corner him.

At the trial, I asked for permission to meet him and give him some gifts. I told him to start his life again after leaving prison. When he was released, he came to meet me and promised to keep away from drugs. And now he has a job and lives well, she said.

N was another case. The man, paralyzed in one foot after being beaten, did not have a job and received no care. Cuc gave him money for medical treatment and daily meals. Feeling moved by Cucs kindness, N now is interested in and devoted to his work, and has volunteered to speak about the harmful effects of drugs.

Nguyen Son

The poor, as well as businesses, fall into 'black credit' trap The poor, who lack financial information and knowledge, are often hurt by black credit. But many businesspeople have also become victims.
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At least four out of five Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine doses delivered to the EU have remained unused, a Guardian investigation revealed. It further added, that the German chancellor Angela Merkel accepted the liability issues and vaccine acknowledgment problems. Meanwhile, the German state press cited the confidential European Commission documents, saying that the EU member states appeared to be 'less interested in BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna, and lived under the perception that the AstraZeneca/University of Oxford vaccines were far more inferior than the other two jabs.

EUs vaccination has also been slow-paced, and the bloc was hit with supply shortages that sent the EU Commission in panic mode, thereby relying on other strategies for containment of surge in COVID-19 infections.

Munich's Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, German public broadcasters NDR and WDR reported that only a few states across the EU were now relying on the messenger RNA vaccines and there were comparatively lesser state buyers. Several EU states were against the messenger RNA vaccines due to difficulty in maintenance of its storage temperature during the shipment.

EU members, furthermore, have grown very skeptical of mRNA usage in immunization of the larger population against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This comes despite the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was safe and effective for people over the age of 65, and for settings where variants have spread.

Even if there is a reduction in the possibility of these vaccines having a full impact in [their] protection capacity, there is no reason not to use the AstraZeneca vaccine to reduce the level of severe disease in a countrys population, chairman of the WHOs Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), Alejandro Cravioto said in a live-streamed address.

Read: PM On AstraZeneca Vaccine Approval In Australia

Read: Romania Starts 1st Round Of AstraZeneca Vaccination

EU AstraZeneca involved in endless rows

Despite WHOs confirmation, the EU and AstraZeneca have been involved in a row about glitches in jabs constrained production, the accusation of EU against AstraZeneca that shipment has been unfairly prioritized between EU and the UK amid a critical shortage last month, and over the efficacy of the vaccine among EU countries elderly high-risk population. Many EU nations, including Germany, Austria, France, and Italy restricted the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine among the elderly population, imposing limitations on anyone above the age of 55 as countries overhauled their vaccination plan.

French health officials in a statement alleged that there was still not enough data to rely on the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccines. Meanwhile, the European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune told French radio that the EU would be taking a lot of risks in its vaccination campaign. Health authorities across Sweden and Poland made similar announcements, restricting vaccine use Amon vulnerable older groups.

Belgiums health minister, meanwhile, told state press that the country will administer AstraZeneca only to people below the age of 55 over looming safety issues. Meanwhile, in a televised interview with the German broadcasters, chancellor Merkel hailed Russias Sputnik V vaccine, saying that the European countries were allowed to use from several jab options. "Every vaccine is welcome in the European Union", Merkel was quoted saying by British media outlets.

Read: First Shipment Of AstraZeneca Vaccines Arrive In South Korea

Read: ACD: African Countries Should Use The AstraZeneca Jabs

The inability to disagree or offer a dissenting opinion is holding people back in their careers and contributing to workplace accidents and business failures.

Thats according to Professor Connson Locke who lectures in the department of management at the London School of Economics.

In her new book, Making Your Voice Heard, to be published by Endeavour on March 4, she explores social psychology research and offers advice on how to have more influence in the workplace. She says groupthink has contributed to businesses making the wrong decisions  because those with the right answers had been too scared to speak up. She says the constructive expression of dissenting views and disagreement about the way work tasks are done can be healthy for an organisation. But personal conflict was not helpful.

We can disagree on this task but not take it personally, she said.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 26, 2021 - 23:53 | All, World, Japan

A Japanese freelance journalist in Myanmar said Friday he was detained by security forces while covering anti-coup protests in the country's largest city Yangon, but he was released hours later and he did not suffer any injuries.

Local media showed pictures of Yuki Kitazumi, with a camera around his neck, walking out of the gates of the Sanchaung township police station after 4 p.m. Kitazumi was detained around noon Friday.

The former reporter for the Tokyo-based Nikkei business daily who lives in Yangon, told a group of reporters and others outside the gate, "Thank you very much (and) for all of your friends who tried to help me....I'm OK, I'm safe."

He said that one of around six protesters still detained inside the station asked him to convey to friends and family waiting outside that they too were safe.

"I hope all the prisoners will be released, not only me," he said.

As for the reasons given for his detention, Kitazumi said in English, "They said they did not know I'm journalist. That is their explanation. But I had a helmet with sticker of the press, so I don't think their explanation is right."

Although the military has banned gatherings of five or more people, demonstrations are continuing in various places in the country.

State TV news said that 31 people were arrested in Yangon and 39 in the second-largest city Mandalay on Friday and that legal action would be taken against them. It said the protesters were violent and attacked riot police.

The security forces fired shots and tear gas to disperse protesters in Yangon.

Further raising tensions in the city, thousands of supporters of the military marched in the downtown on Thursday morning.

After locals banged pots and pans to register their displeasure with the apparently organized march, some of them were attacked by pro-military protesters with slingshots and stones.

During the series of demonstrations than began on Feb. 6, three protesters have been shot dead by security forces in the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay.

Related coverage:

Japanese journalist in Myanmar says held at police station, unhurt

Japan mulls halting new assistance projects in Myanmar after coup

Myanmar foreign minister visits Thailand, 1st visit abroad since coup
Spread of CCP Virus Is Mass Murder: China Expert Gordon Chang

Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, discussed the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) ambitions in biological warfare, human experimentation, and Bidens position on China in an interview with The Epoch Times Crossroads program.

Various reports have revealed that the Chinese military has been collecting genetic data from foreigners which could allow it to target specific DNA strands based on race.

[China] wants the DNA profiles of foreigners, because that gives them more information to be able to do what we just discussed, which are viruses that attack only certain ethnic or racial groups, Chang said. So the more data they collect, the more information they have to do this.

And by the way, China is also prohibiting the transfer of DNA profiles of Chinese out of the country. That gives the suggestion that theyre up to something sinister.

Many countries around the world run bioweapon research programs for defensive purposes, however, Chang says China deliberately pushed the CCP virus out of its borders.

He said it is still unknown whether the virus was actually a natural transfer from an animal or an accidental lab leak. However, the actions the CCP took were very clear.

China only announced that this was human-to-human transmissible on Jan. 20, Chang said. If China had said nothing about the contagiousness of the disease, that would have been grossly irresponsible. But we know that China lied about this. They tried to tell the world it was not contagious when they knew that it was.

They also pressured countries not to impose travel restrictions and quarantines on arrivals from China while they were locking down their own country.  That means [Xi Jinping] must have thought that this was going to be effective in sending this virus out of China.

Between lying about the contagiousness and enforcing strict domestic lockdowns while allowing international travel, Chang said there is only one conclusion to make.

China deliberately spread this disease beyond its borders, which means that all the people who have died outside China, thats murderous, because its 2.4 million people, Chang said. Thats mass murder.

Police officers stand guard outside Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan city, Hubei Province, China, on April 8, 2020. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

Chang also discussed Chinas human experimentation, as revealed by former Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, in modifying the human genome thereby creating a new race of super Chinese.

A Chinese researcher revealed in 2018 that a set of twin girls had successfully been born after he modified a key human gene. He claimed it was modified so the girls would become HIV resistant, however other experts claim it was to enhance intelligence.

It means one thingthey have no ethical bounds on this. This experiment on the twin girls raised outrage in the scientific community around the world because those types of experiments with human genome are considered unethical, he said. And so we know that anything goes in China.

When asked about his views on Bidens stance on the CCP, Chang said the Presidents views were outdated.

He has a sort of benign, fuzzy view of China, Chang said.

He criticized Biden for portraying to the American public the CCPs act of genocide against the Uyghurs as cultural norms, saying that this is not what an American president should do.

Chang hopes Biden will realize and understand the maliciousness of the Chinese regime.

Theyre not some competitor in the existing international system, Chang warned. Xi Jinping wants to replace that international system.
Goodyear has announced that, following a career spanning four decades at the company, Jon Bellissimo is to retire. His position as senior vice president of global operations and chief technology officer will be assumed by Christopher Helsel.

Helsel joined Goodyear in 1996 after graduating from Cleveland State University with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, and from the University of Akron with a masters degree in the same subject.

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Now 55, he has held his current role as senior vice president and chief technology officer since 2017. Helsel previously worked in leadership roles such as director of technology programs at Goodyears Luxembourg Innovation Center, and also as director of North America commercial and global off-highway technology.

In his newly appointed position, Helsel will lead development of technology and innovation, with a focus on the companys ever-growing area of new mobility.

Richard Kramer, chairman, CEO and president of Goodyear, commented, Chris Helsels broad range of experience leading product innovation, technology and product industrialization makes him ideal to lead Goodyears Global Operations and Technology organization. In addition, his willingness to promote new thinking and challenge the status quo will serve our technology and manufacturing efforts well as we take Goodyear into the next stage of leadership in a hyper-competitive industry.

At the same time, we deeply appreciate Jons vast contributions and leadership at Goodyear during his 43-year career. We all owe Jon a debt of gratitude for his relentless pursuit of quality, safety and results throughout his service to our company.
NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. is recalling about 21,400 blister packages of certain prescription medications citing the risk of poisoning to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The recall involves various medications, such as Imatinib Mesylate Tablets 100 mg and 400 mg; Pregabalin Capsules 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg; Sevelamer Carbonate Tablets 800 mg; as well as Tadalafil Tablets 5 mg and 20 mg. The products, manufactured in India, are prescription medications that were labeled and distributed by Dr. Reddy's for institutional use only. The name and strength of the medication, 'For Institutional Use only,' 'Rx Only,' lot number and expiration date are printed on the outside of the package as well as on the individual blister units. Beginning in 2018, Dr. Reddy's sold the recalled medications to wholesalers, who then distributed these to retail pharmacies. These medications could have been sold to consumers at retail pharmacies in the United States at prices varying based on quantities prescribed, health insurance terms, and other factors. According to the agency, the packaging of the products is not child resistant and can pose a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children. However, there were no reports of incidents or injuries to date. Consumers are urged to store the recalled medications in a safe location out of reach of children and contact the firm for a full refund. In similar incidents citing risk of poisoning to children, Phoenix, Arizona-based Scalpa Inc. in mid-January called back about 10,000 units of Scalpa Numb Maximum Strength Topical Anesthetic Cream. 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.
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(Natural News) With the new domestic war on terror quickly gaining steam, the Pentagon is anticipating a dystopian future in which the military is entirely ill-equipped for urban combat.

In a video entitled, Megacities: Urban Future, the Emerging Complexity that was shown at Joint Special Operations University, the Pentagon presented disturbing visuals of crowded urban sprawl marked by rioting and poverty. The narrator is heard somberly explaining that the military lacks the resources needed to handle such a scenario.

Megacities are, by definition, urban areas with a population of 10 million or more, and they have been a recent source of worry and research for the U.S. military, reported The Intercept, which obtained the video  you can watch it below  through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

A 2014 Army report, titled Megacities and the United States Army, warned that the Army is currently underprepared. Although the Army has a long history of urban fighting, it has never dealt with an environment so complex and beyond the scope of its resources.'

Another Army study declared that the U.S. Army is incapable of operating within the megacity.

What does the Pentagon know that it isnt telling America?

The gist of the film is that the future is bleak, especially for city dwellers. Cities of the future will be breeding grounds for organized crime, cybercrime, and the all-encompassing threat of terror, as Big Brother loves to call it.

Everyone from those who live in high-rise penthouses to those who dwell in subterranean labyrinths, as the video calls them, will be at increased danger because these areas will be difficult for the military to navigate  an admission that suggests the military is planning to occupy these cities at some point in the future.

Even our counterinsurgency doctrine, honed in the cities of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan, is inadequate to address the sheer scale of population in the future urban reality, the Pentagon warns.

We are facing environments that the masters of war never foresaw  We are facing a threat that requires us to redefine doctrine and the force in radically new and different ways.

Either the military-industrial complex is looking for another fear-driven excuse to up its funding, or fighting in the megacities really is something that the Pentagon knows is coming soon to a metropolis near you.

While certain tactical problems arise and become more pronounced the larger a city grows, these problems do not necessitate a whole new medium of combat as the Pentagon video implies.

Theres nothing wrong with getting our best military minds thinking about how to negate tactical deficiencies of the future, the video seems to call for more than just that, reports Tyler Rogoway for The Drive.

Keep in mind this Pentagon video was first leaked back in 2016. Nearly five years have passed and the breakdown of society is far more evident today than it was back then.

The U.S. military spends billions a year on training its forces for MOUT (military operations in urban terrain), Rogoway explains, noting that the military would have to invest a whole lot more cash into building mock megacities for future combat training.

As an alternative, the Pentagon could probably find some city blocks that are all but abandoned and adapt them for its training requirements. And besides, by the time there are megacities that really represent the threat the video plays them out to be, (if that ever truly occurs) virtual training will probably be up to the task of preparing our soldiers to do battle there successfully.

More of the latest news about the horrors that are soon to come with the new world order can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

TheDrive.com
Prince Harry on an open-top bus in Los Angeles for The Late Late Show. The Late Late Show with James Corden/CBS

Prince Harry said he didn't walk away from the royal family, he stepped back for his mental health.

Harry told James Corden that the British press was "toxic" and "destroying" his mental health.

"I need to get my family out of here," Harry recalled thinking.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Prince Harry said the reason he stepped back from royal duties was that the "toxic" behavior of the British press was "destroying" his mental health.

In a segment for "The Late Late Show," recorded before Buckingham Palace announced the couple would not resume their working roles in the royal family, Harry shared intimate details with fellow stateside Brit James Corden on an open-top bus tour of Los Angeles.

When asked by Corden if walking away from the royal family was the right thing to do for him and his family, the Duke of Sussex responded that "it was never walking away."

"It was stepping back rather than stepping down. It was a really difficult environment, as I think a lot of people saw. We all know what the British press can be like and it was destroying my mental health. I was like, 'this is toxic,'" he said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in January 2020. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/WPA Pool/Getty Images

In January 2020, the couple announced that they would step back from their roles as senior royals to become financially independent, and by March they had permanently relocated to California with their son Archie.

Harry explained to Corden that he felt he needed to "get [his] family out of there" and that this is "what any husband and what any father would do" in that environment.

Harry and Meghan Markle have previously been vocal about their mistreatment at the hands of the British tabloids. In 2019, Harry issued a statement outlining the "disturbing" ways Markle had been "vilified almost every day" by media outlets.

"I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces," his statement read. After details of a private letter Markle had sent to her father were published by the Mail on Sunday, she successfully took legal action against Associated Newspapers (ANL), the parent company of the newspaper.

Story continues

While the couple continues to carve their own path, Harry reassured Corden that they both remain committed to their wider duties as public figures: "I will never walk away, I will always be contributing. My life is public service so whenever I am in the world it's going to be the same thing."

The couple is also set to appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Sunday, March 7 for "intimate conversation," where they are expected to shed more light on this decision to step back from royal duties.

Read the original article on Insider
Smartphone maker Xiaomi on Thursday said it has roped in two more contract manufacturers, China's BYD and DBG, for smartphone manufacturing in India, besides hiring Radiant Appliances and Electronics in Telangana to add to its smart TV manufacturing capacity in the country.

Xiaomi started smartphone manufacturing in India five years ago and smart TV manufacturing about two years ago.

The DBG manufacturing facility is already operational in Haryana and the BYD facility in Tamil Nadu will be completed within the first half of this year, said Manu Kumar Jain, Managing Director, Xiaomi India.

Xiaomi already has three smartphone manufacturing plants in India in partnership with Foxconn and Flex spread across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

"With these two new smartphone manufacturing partners, we now have presence across northern and southern parts of the country," Jain told IANS.

"With the DBG factory going live we expect our production capacity to increase by about 20 per cent within this quarter. This factory went live two months ago. The BYD factory should be operational within the first half of this year and we expect the capacity to further increase," he said.

The Xiaomi India MD said that the new manufacturing facilities will help the biggest smartphone seller in the country to meet the "massive demand" and help the company stay protected in case of any future supply chain disruptions in situations like a pandemic or other such events.

He said that while over 99 per cent of its smartphones are already manufactured in India, majority of the smartphone components are also now locally manufactured in the country or locally sourced, including the PCBA (printed circuit board assembly, also called the mother-board), battery, sub-board and chargers, among other components.

These components are being manufactured by partners such as Sunny India, NVT, Salcomp, LY Tech and Sunvoda, among others.

"If you add all of this together then approximately 75 per cent of the phone is already covered from a value perspective," he said, adding that the company is also working with partners to manufacture the camera panel locally in India.

"Total number of people working in our smartphone factories as part of the Xiaomi family has gone up to 30,000."

As mentioned earlier, Xiaomi also added one new TV manufacturing partner, Radiant.

"We are now locally manufacturing 100 per cent of our TVs sold in India," Jain said.

Xiaomi started TV manufacturing in India in partnership with Dixon Technologies about two years ago.

About 1,000 people are working across these two factories, Xiaomi said.
Aussie Senator Decries Potential Vaccination Rule For Customers

An Australian senator has spoken out against new rules that could see employers be able to require customers to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus, by making it a condition of entry to their premises.

The new information for employers, issued by Safe Work Australia (SWA) on Feb. 19, came two days before the Australian government began to roll out its vaccination strategy across the country.

The information states that while it was unlikely that workplace health and safety laws will allow employers to ask customers or visitors for proof of vaccination, employers have been advised that they might still want to require it as a condition of entry to their premises.

Employers have been told that because public health experts havent recommended mandatory vaccinations, it is unlikely theyll need to require vaccination as a control measure to comply with health and safety rules.

But on Feb. 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated that, under the right public health conditions and on the advice of medical experts, this could happen.

Senator Malcolm Roberts in the Senate at Parliament House on July 4, 2019, in Canberra, Australia. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Australian Senator Malcolm Roberts believes this is a terrible infringement on a free society and, in a post on Twitter, called on Morrison to ensure it is not allowed.

In the specific case of the COVID-19 vaccine, [Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt] has been clear that in choosing to have this vaccine, you are participating in the worlds largest clinical trial, and there are no definitive answers yet around the longevity of protection this vaccine will afford us, a spokesperson for Roberts told The Epoch Times on Feb. 23.

Everyone needs to make their own informed choice around participating in this vaccination trial, and no business or government has the right to demand that its citizens prove they have had the vaccine, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson made it clear that, while it was important to ensure that vulnerable and at-risk individuals are kept safe, choosing to be vaccinated was a personal health care decision.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gives a press conference after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination at Castle Hill Medical Centre in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 21, 2021. (Mark Evans/Getty Images)

While launching the vaccine rollout, the prime minister said the Australian way was to make the vaccine non-mandatory.

But he noted that state and territory governments could use certain public health orders to make vaccinations mandatory for workers in some industries.

Morrison said that he and the state premiers and territory chief ministers had discussed the matter at the national cabinet and decided that making vaccinations mandatory was not anticipated, on the advice of medical experts, at this point.

But as with everything, you watch the information, you take the advice, you see how it progresses, and you make sensible decisions, he said.

If there were genuine health reasons, then state and territory jurisdictions would consider making the vaccines mandatory.
The spotting of American Avenger Air Defense Systems on the highway linking Iraq and Syria has fueled speculations regarding US move in the Levant warzone  kickstarting again the Endless Wars. At the time of this writing the US has already carried out military strikes in Syria.

Speculations are rife after a picture of trucks carrying Avenger short-range air defense systems on the Iraqi-Syrian border emerged.

The pictures that appeared on social media do not offer proof as to the exact location and date of the picture.

The picture reportedly showing Avenger short-range air defense systems was taken through the broken window of a passing vehicle, on a highway between the Iraqi city of Ramadi and the Syrian border.

The Avenger short-range air defense systems captured in Ramadi can engage in fixed-wing low-flying helicopters and aircraft and monitor drones.

With militants choosing explosive devices as their choice of weapon, this unmanned aircraft can overcome the threat.

The picture taken along the highway between Iraq and Syria raises a question regarding the final destination of the air defense system.

According to speculation, they may reach a forward base, facilitating operations of the US and other coalition forces who carry operations with cooperation from Kurdish groups.

It could either move to Deir Ez-Zor, Syrias northeastern governorate, or move to U.S garrison, the highly strategic area at At Tanf. The Pentagon reports the spread of 900 American troops along with various Syrian outposts.

Also known as AN/TWQ-1, Avenger is a turreted SHORAD (short-range air defense system). It has two launchers and effectively holds FIM-92Stinger missiles along with a machine gun (.50 caliber MP3).

Using the turret, forces can mount it on the back of the Humvee and emplace it atop structures or in fixed positions. The air defense system has a single operator who can use a laser range-finder, optical sight, and infrared camera to target threats.

Operators can cue Avenger using off-board sensors like AN/MPQ-64S Sentinel radar through a centralized fire direction center.

Avenger also has improved versions of Stinger missiles. It is optimized to use against small drones due to the addition of a radar proximity fuze and conformal antenna.

While speculations surrounding the Avengers started in January, it is the first time any evidence of bringing the new air defense detachment has come out.

At present, Avengers is the only vehicle-based SHORAD system used by the US military. Until now, only the National Guard units and US Marine Corps used the Avenger.

The pictures released have no clear markings, making it impossible to detect the unit/units the Avenger may belong to. The U.S military is in the process of acquiring a hi-tech drone system, including a new SHORAD to strengthen its defense system.

At the time of this writing the US has already carried out military strikes in Syria.

The news comes after GreatGameIndia reported on how the mainstream media was laying the groundwork for Joe Biden to increase American military presence in Iraq and the entire Levant warzone after the twin suicide bombings in Baghdad.

The Joe Biden administration has also scrapped its predecessors Afghan peace deal to pull all NATO forces out of Afghanistan. In January, the Pentagon had confirmed Trumps order to cut off US troop numbers in Afghanistan to 2500 troops in total.

The endless wars brought to a halt by the Donald trump administration by phasing out Operation Timber Sycamore may soon begin with the resurrection of ISIS, ofcourse with the tacit support of the CIA and Mi6.
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Zoom will roll out automatic closed captioning for all free accounts in the fall, according to a blog post from the company.

The video conferencing company will make the Live Transcription setting available to all Zoom users "to provide a platform that is accessible to all of the diverse communities we serve," it said.

Zoom users with free accounts who require the automatic closed captioning can receive the update upon request starting today, ahead of the broader release, by filling out a request form.

"Since we expect a high volume of requests, we appreciate your patience as we work to make automatic closed captioning available for all of our users," reads a statement by Jen Hill, Zoom's product marketing manager.

Live transcription has been available for paid accounts exclusively. The feature supports only the English language.

The live transcription feature allows hosts to enable captioning for participants as a person speaks in a meeting. The closed captioning can done by an integrated third-party closed captioning service or the host or an assigned meeting attendee for greater accuracy.

Background noise, volume and clarity of the speaker's voice, a speaker's proficiency with the English language and lexicons and dialects specific to a geography or community may affect the accuracy of the automated live transcription.

Microsoft Teams and Google Meet also provide free live captions for users. Teams offers transcriptions only in English, and Google Meet can caption English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish (Mexico and Spain).

Explore further Zoom adds accessibility features for video meetings

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Ancient Egyptians are known for the art of mummification that wrapped the dead in bandages in order to preserve their body for the afterlife and a new discovery reveals more tails of the ritual.

A 3,500-year-old medical papyrus was translated by the University of Copenhagen, which describes instructions on how to properly cover the dead person's face.

The manuscript, dubbed the Papyrus Louvre-Carlsberg, reads like a memory aid, suggesting the reader used it to remind them of different steps and processes while performing the embalming.

It shows a list of ingredients to create a remedy consisting of plant-based aromatic substances and binders that are cooked into a liquid, with which the embalmers coat a piece of red linen.

Egyptologist Sofie Schidt explained: The linens act like a protective cocoon of fragrant and anti-bacterial matter on the face and the process is repeated at four-day intervals.'

Although the papyrus only shares small details, it is the first time the procedure has been identified in history.

A 3,500-year-old medical papyrus was translated by the University of Copenhagen, which describes instructions on how to properly cover the dead person's face

'Egyptologists were therefore surprised to find a short manual on embalming in a medical text that is primarily concerned with herbal medicine and swellings of the skin,' the university said.

The manuscript full known manuscript is split in two with one half of the papyrus belonging to the Louvre Museum in Paris and the other half is part of the University of Copenhagen's Papyrus Carlsberg Collection  giving it the name Papyrus Louvre-Carlsberg.

There are several pieces missing, but based on an analysis experts believe the entire papyrus measured 19 feet long and dates back to 1450 BC, making it the oldest embalming texts by more than a thousand years.

The bulk of the papyrus, which is the second-longest medical papyrus surviving from ancient Egypt, deals with herbal medicine and skin illnesses.

It shows a list of ingredients to create a remedy consisting of plant-based aromatic substances and binders that are cooked into a liquid, with which the embalmers coat a piece of red linen and place on the dead person's face

It contains the earliest-known herbal treatise that provides descriptions of the appearance, habitat, uses and religious significance of a divine plant and its seed as well as a lengthy treatise on swellings of the skin, which are seen as illnesses sent forth by the lunar god Khonsu.

'One of the exciting new pieces of information the text provides us with concerns the procedure for embalming the dead person's face,' said Schidt.

'We get a list of ingredients for a remedy consisting largely of plant-based aromatic substances and binders that are cooked into a liquid, with which the embalmers coat a piece of red linen.'

'The red linen is then applied to the dead person's face in order to encase it in a protective cocoon of fragrant and anti-bacterial matter. This process was repeated at four-day intervals.'

Another interesting find in the Papyrus Louvre-Carlsberg manual is that the process is done in four-day intervals, which means embalmers actively worked on a mummy ever few days..

'A ritual procession of the mummy marked these days, celebrating the progress of restoring the deceased's corporeal integrity, amounting to 17 processions over the course of the embalming period,' Schidt said.

'In between the four-day intervals, the body was covered with cloth and overlaid with straw infused with aromatics to keep away insects and scavengers.'
A multiscale model of the complete SARS-CoV-2 virion has been developed for the first time using supercomputers. The model offers scientists the potential for new ways to exploit the virus's vulnerabilities. Exterior (L) and interior (R) views show the spike protein trimers (teal), glycosylation sites (black), membrane proteins (blue), and pentameric envelope ion channels (orange). Credit: Gregory Voth, University of Chicago.

The COVID-19 virus holds some mysteries. Scientists remain in the dark on aspects of how it fuses and enters the host cell; how it assembles itself; and how it buds off the host cell.

Computational modeling combined with experimental data provides insights into these behaviors. But modeling over meaningful timescales of the pandemic-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus has so far been limited to just its pieces like the spike protein, a target for the current round of vaccines.

A new multiscale coarse-grained model of the complete SARS-CoV-2 virion, its core genetic material and virion shell, has been developed for the first time using supercomputers. The model offers scientists the potential for new ways to exploit the virus's vulnerabilities.

"We wanted to understand how SARS-CoV-2 works holistically as a whole particle," said Gregory Voth, the Haig P. Papazian Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago. Voth is the corresponding author of the study that developed the first whole virus model, published November 2020 in the Biophysical Journal.

"We developed a bottom-up coarse-grained model," said Voth, "where we took information from atomistic-level molecular dynamics simulations and from experiments." He explained that a coarse-grained model resolves only groups of atoms, versus all-atom simulations, where every single atomic interaction is resolved. "If you do that well, which is always a challenge, you maintain the physics in the model."

The early results of the study show how the spike proteins on the surface of the virus move cooperatively.

"They don't move independently like a bunch of random, uncorrelated motions," Voth said. "They work together."

This cooperative motion of the spike proteins is informative of how the coronavirus explores and detects the ACE2 receptors of a potential host cell.

"The paper we published shows the beginnings of how the modes of motion in the spike proteins are correlated," Voth said. He added that the spikes are coupled to each other. When one protein moves another one also moves in response.

"The ultimate goal of the model would be, as a first step, to study the initial virion attractions and interactions with ACE2 receptors on cells and to understand the origins of that attraction and how those proteins work together to go on to the virus fusion process," Voth said.

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virion using LAMMPS for 10  106 CG time steps. Credit: Gregory Voth, University of Chicago.

Voth and his group have been developing coarse-grained modeling methods on viruses such as HIV and influenza for more than 20 years. They 'coarsen' the data to make it simpler and more computationally tractable, while staying true to the dynamics of the system.

"The benefit of the coarse-grained model is that it can be hundreds to thousands of times more computationally efficient than the all-atom model," Voth explained. The computational savings allowed the team to build a much larger model of the coronavirus than ever before, at longer time-scales than what has been done with all-atom models.

"What you're left with are the much slower, collective motions. The effects of the higher frequency, all-atom motions are folded into those interactions if you do it well. That's the idea of systematic coarse-graining."

The holistic model developed by Voth started with atomic models of the four main structural elements of the SARS-CoV-2 virion: the spike, membrane, nucleocapsid, and envelope proteins. These atomic models were then simulated and simplified to generate the complete course-grained model.

The all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the spike protein component of the virion system, about 1.7 million atoms, were generated by study co-author Rommie Amaro, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego.

"Their model basically ingests our data, and it can learn from the data that we have at these more detailed scales and then go beyond where we went," Amaro said. "This method that Voth has developed will allow us and others to simulate over the longer time scales that are needed to actually simulate the virus infecting a cell."

Amaro elaborated on the behavior observed from the coarse-grained simulations of the spike proteins.

"What he saw very clearly was the beginning of the dissociation of the S1 subunit of the spike. The whole top part of the spike peels off during fusion," Amaro said.

One of the first steps of viral fusion with the host cell is this dissociation, where it binds to the ACE2 receptor of the host cell.

"The larger S1 opening movements that they saw with this coarse-grained model was something we hadn't seen yet in the all-atom molecular dynamics, and in fact it would be very difficult for us to see," Amaro said. "It's a critical part of the function of this protein and the infection process with the host cell. That was an interesting finding."

Mode of motion of the SARS-CoV-2 virion along the highest-variance eigenmode, which corresponds to splaying motions in the S1-S2 domain of the spike protein. Credit: Gregory Voth, University of Chicago.

Voth and his team used the all-atom dynamical information on the open and closed states of the spike protein generated by the Amaro Lab on the Frontera supercomputer, as well as other data. The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Frontera system is operated by the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin.

"Frontera has shown how important it is for these studies of the virus, at multiple scales. It was critical at the atomic level to understand the underlying dynamics of the spike with all of its atoms. There's still a lot to learn there. But now this information can be used a second time to develop new methods that allow us to go out longer and farther, like the coarse-graining method," Amaro said.

"Frontera has been especially useful in providing the molecular dynamics data at the atomistic level for feeding into this model. It's very valuable," Voth said.

The Voth Group initially used the Midway2 computing cluster at the University of Chicago Research Computing Center to develop the coarse-grained model.

The membrane and envelope protein all-atom simulations were generated on the Anton 2 system. Operated by the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) with support from National Institutes of Health, Anton 2 is a special-purpose supercomputer for molecular dynamics simulations developed and provided without cost by D. E. Shaw Research.

"Frontera and Anton 2 provided the key molecular level input data into this model," Voth said.

"A really fantastic thing about Frontera and these types of methods is that we can give people much more accurate views of how these viruses are moving and carrying about their work," Amaro said.

"There are parts of the virus that are invisible even to experiment," she continued. "And through these types of methods that we use on Frontera, we can give scientists the first and important views into what these systems really look like with all of their complexity and how they're interacting with antibodies or drugs or with parts of the host cell."

The type of information that Frontera is giving researchers helps to understand the basic mechanisms of viral infection. It is also useful for the design of safer and better medicines to treat the disease and to prevent it, Amaro added.

Said Voth: "One thing that we're concerned about right now are the UK and the South African SARS-CoV-2 variants. Presumably, with a computational platform like we have developed here, we can rapidly assess those variances, which are changes of the amino acids. We can hopefully rather quickly understand the changes these mutations cause to the virus and then hopefully help in the design of new modified vaccines going forward."

Explore further Scientists create first computational model of entire virus responsible for COVID-19

More information: Alvin Yu et al, A multiscale coarse-grained model of the SARS-CoV-2 virion, Biophysical Journal (2020). Journal information: Biophysical Journal Alvin Yu et al, A multiscale coarse-grained model of the SARS-CoV-2 virion,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.048
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Fury erupted today after the Government confirmed police officers and teachers would not be bumped up the Covid vaccine priority list once the NHS has made its way through 32million people in the top nine priority groups.

Ministers announced they will continue with the age-based approach recommended by leading scientists, paving the way for everyone in their forties to be jabbed in April before the roll-out eventually reaches every remaining adult.

But police and teaching unions were outraged at being ignored in the next phase of the inoculation drive.

Metropolitan Police Federation chief Ken Marsh slammed the 'absurd' plan, calling it 'absolutely disgusting' and arguing that health officials 'don't give a damn about us'.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, also attacked the announcement, telling the BBC that prioritising teachers would 'reassure' them and 'minimise disruption to education caused by staff absence as a result of Covid'. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance (EYA), accused the Government of being 'lazy' in its decision not to prioritise key workers.

Ministers today confirmed they will follow the 'age-based rollout' recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). It means they will move a decade down at a time, rather than offering people jabs based on their job, ethnicity or whether they're obese.

The JCVI has said there is 'no scientific argument' for teachers or police to get the jab ahead of their peers because data shows they are not more likely to catch or die from the virus than others.

Trying to offer jabs to key workers such as teachers or police officers first 'would be more complex to deliver and may slow down the vaccine programme'. Matt Hancock will confirm the update at a 5pm Downing Street press conference tonight.

More than 18.7million people in the UK have already had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine and Boris Johnson said he aims to have reached everyone in the top nine priority groups by April 15. If this is achieved it will mean half of the population of Britain - and a group accounting for almost all Covid deaths - have been immunised.

The programme will then aim to offer a jab to every adult in the country by the end of July, roughly coinciding with the ambition to totally lift lockdown at the end of June.

JCVI bosses called for a campaign drive to target jabs at the most high-risk people in the remaining groups - namely men, ethnic minority groups, poorer communities and obese people - who are more likely than average to get seriously ill but not at high enough risk to be in separate priority groups.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid chief at the JCVI said in a briefing today that the vaccines being used in the UK 'are safe and work very well' as he urged all adults in Britain to be 'ready to join the queue' to get their jab.

It comes as official figures revealed today that England's coronavirus outbreak has halved in size in a fortnight - but the speed of decline may have started to level off.

Office for National Statistics experts estimated 373,700 people would test positive for the virus on any given day in the week to February 19. But separate data from a symptom-tracking app said daily Covid cases rose three per cent in a week to 9,545 over the seven days to February 21.

And No10's top scientific advisory panel SAGE estimated the R rate  the average number of people each Covid patient infects  is still at the lowest level since records began in June, staying between 0.6 and 0.9.

One leading scientist today urged Britons 'not to panic' over the results, however, because the key measures of hospitalisations and Covid deaths were still falling - and said No10 was still on track to lift restrictions 'sooner rather than later' as the UK is in a similar position to last May

Professor Wei Shen Lim (left), Covid chief at the JCVI - the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation - said there is 'no scientific argument' for teachers or police to get the jab ahead of their peers because data shows they are not more likely to catch or die from the virus than others. Metropolitan Police Federation chief Ken Marsh slammed the 'absurd' plan, calling it 'absolutely disgusting' and arguing that health officials 'don't give a damn about us'

No10's top scientific advisory panel SAGE estimated the R rate  the average number of people each Covid patient infects  is still at the lowest level since records began in June, staying between 0.6 and 0.9

POSITIVE ATTITUDES TO VACCINES IMPROVE IN UK Positive attitudes towards the coronavirus vaccine have increased, with nearly 95 per cent of adults saying they have either received the jab or would be likely to have it if offered, new data shows. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, published on Friday, show 94 per cent of adults surveyed between February 17 and 21 reported they had now either received the vaccine or would be very or fairly likely to have it if offered. This is up from 91 per cent the previous week and has risen from early December 2020 when around eight in 10 (78 per cent) adults indicated they would be likely to accept the vaccine if offered it. Of the adults who said they would be unlikely to have the vaccine or had decided not to have it, the most common reasons were being worried about long-term impacts on their health (43 per cent), being concerned about the side effects (37 per cent) and waiting to see how well it worked (34 per cent). Advertisement

In other coronavirus news today:

The Covid Symptom Study, which uses an app to track how many people are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, suggests cases have levelled off in the UK at about 9,500 per day and the outbreak isn't shrinking any more;

SAGE adviser Professor Calum Semple said that opening windows would be more effective at cutting transmission in schools than getting the children to wear masks;

People with long Covid are claiming that getting vaccinated is getting rid of their long-term symptoms - experts suggest it may 'reset' the immune system;

A Government report published overnight found that ethnic minority people may not be at fundamentally higher risk of dying of Covid-19, and that their increased danger may actually just be down to a bigger chance of catching the virus;

The NHS may offer Covid vaccines at night-time to Muslims during Ramadan because there are concerns some people may not take up the jab during fasting in the day.

Ken Marsh told the BBC today: 'This is not about pitting us against others. This is about being very clear and understanding we do a job no-one else does in this country.

'We cannot afford a two-metre parameter from people, we have to be in people's faces at times, we have to roll around with people at times.

'My colleagues are genuinely scared [about] not getting the vaccination [sooner]... It's absurd and I do not know what is going on.'

On the JCVI's claim that targeting occupations for a jab would slow and complicate the roll out, he said: 'I don't accept that at all. I think that's absolute nonsense.

'If you look at the amount of vaccinations we're talking about, it would be a minuscule amount.'

Geoff Barton also expressed his 'disappointment' about teachers being missed off the priority list, adding: 'The Government needs to make a policy decision on this matter having insisted that education is a national priority and having announced a 'big bang' return to the classroom in England.

'It must now back that up by providing a clear direction that education staff will be prioritised in the next phase of the programme.

'This is important not only in reassuring staff who it expects to work in busy and crowded environments, but also in terms of minimising disruption to education caused by staff absence as a result of Covid.'

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'The fact that it may have added some complexity to rollout is not a good enough reason not to prioritise the needs of committed professionals.

'A sick teacher is a teacher away from class which will mean further disruption to pupils' education and could well mean that they may need to be educated from home again.

'I am amazed by the continuing dedication of school teams. The Government has let them down at every turn.'

Mr Whiteman added that school staff often occupy 'confined and unventilated spaces' with only 'rudimentary PPE' (personal protective equipment).

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance (EYA), accused the Government of being 'lazy' in its decision not to prioritise frontline workers, including early years staff, with no option to stay home.

He said: 'It shows rhetoric about essential workers, is just that, rhetoric.

'If there was a genuine will to protect our educators, rather than just chasing top-line vaccine figures, I have no doubt it could be done just as quickly and efficiently as every other phase of the rollout to date.'

The anger came after Professor Wei Shen Lim strongly shot down any case for people's job types to be prioritised. He said: 'Vaccinations stop people from dying and the current strategy is to prioritise those who are more likely to have severe outcomes and die from Covid-19.

The Office for National Statistics found Covid cases had halved in a fortnight across England. It said 373,300 would be detected in any given day over the period to February 19

'The evidence is clear that the risk of hospitalisation and death increases with age.

'The vaccination programme is a huge success and continuing the age-based rollout will provide the greatest benefit in the shortest time, including to those in occupations at a higher risk of exposure.'

Ministers have faced calls to prioritise key workers, such as teachers and police officers, in the next phase of the inoculation drive.

But the JCVI's deputy chairman, Professor Anthony Harnden, this week argued there was no strong scientific argument to prioritise teachers next.

He told MPs that singling out professions could 'slow' and 'complicate' Britain's vaccine roll-out, leaving people who are more vulnerable to coronavirus unprotected for longer.

Professor Wei Shen Lim explained today that moving to an occupation-based rollout for the vaccination programme would be difficult as people's jobs are not well recorded in primary care records.

'If we went down the route of restructuring the programme by occupation we would run the risk of missing some people because not all occupations are well-documented and we don't know all the occupations that are at risk,' he said.

ZOE Covid Symptom Study app estimates show Covid cases have started to plateau in the UK after it said there were 9,545 new infections a day last week, a three per cent rise on the previous seven-day spell

SINGLE DOSE OF PFIZER JAB CUTS CORONAVIRUS INFECTION RATE IN NHS A single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine may block 75 per cent of symptomless infections, a study on NHS workers has suggested. Asymptomatic screening of staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge showed the number of people testing positive fell from 0.8 per cent to 0.2 per cent 12 days after their injection. The 'very impressive' findings are another sign that the UK's gamble to delay the second dose in a bid to get wider coverage quicker has paid off. Curbing symptomless infections is crucial to stopping outbreaks from growing unknowingly because people who do not feel ill are less likely to self-isolate. Numerous studies had indicated that a single injection of the Pfizer jab prevented severe illness and death but to what degree it blocked asymptomatic spread was unclear. Research has also suggested Oxford University's jab stops more than 60 per cent of asymptomatic cases. The study, led by Cambridge University, analysed thousands of weekly Covid tests at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in January. It found that 26 out of 3,252 swabs (0.8 per cent) from unvaccinated workers yielded a positive result, compared to four out of 1,989 (0.2 per cent) in staff 12 days or more after their vaccine. The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, also found asymptomatic infection was halved in those vaccinated for less than 12 days, suggesting immunity kicks in rapidly in many cases. Independent experts reacting to the pre-print hailed the findings, saying they signalled Britain was headed for a 'much brighter future'. Professor Jonathan Ball, a molecular virologist at the University of Nottingham, said: 'To see such a reduction in infection rates after a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine is very impressive and shows that vaccination truly does offer a way out of the current restrictions and a much brighter future. 'It will be important to understand whether the reduced risk of infection played out across all the exposure risk groups included in the study, but nonetheless, this is still excellent news.' Advertisement

'So, we might be able to identify some occupations that are at higher risk but there will be other people in other occupations that we may miss them.

'If we go down an age-based programme it is simpler and we are less likely to to miss people who are at risk themselves.'

Experts have broadly welcomed the commitment to sticking with an age-based programme.

Dr Peter English, an infectious disease doctor and former chair of the British Medical Association, said: 'Long experience with delivering vaccine programmes tells us that one of the most important criteria for success is the programme's simplicity.

'As soon as you introduce complexity, you risk a drop in uptake, or delays in implementing the programme.

'In the case of Covid-19, the strongest correlations with the risk of severe disease are age and certain pre-existing conditions.'

He said that it was true some jobs increased someone's risk of getting sick with Covid, but added: 'The problem here is that there are so many occupational groups that can reasonably claim to be at increased risk... We had similar problems during the 'fuel crisis' in the early 2000s. Asked to identify key workers, who should have priority for fuel, it soon became apparent that - after the first few days - so many people are 'key' that it was almost impossible to identify whom to prioritise; and it was complicated.'

He said: 'The decision will, no doubt, disappoint many; but - given the realities and practicalities of running a vaccination call and recall scheme - it is the approach most likely to vaccinate the largest number of people in the shortest time, which has to be our greatest priority at the moment.'

The decision did frustrate the charity Asthma UK, which believes people with mild forms of the lung condition should be bumped up the priority list. Only people with severe asthma have been classed as extremely vulnerable.

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: 'The decision not to prioritise all people with asthma, who are not already in group four and six, ignores the evidence that they are more at risk of going to hospital with Covid and more at risk from long Covid.

'There are thousands of people with asthma who will rightly feel anxious, angry and ignored by government.'

The original priority list was drawn up based on how vulnerable people are to falling seriously ill and dying with Covid.

NHS England bosses today confirmed invites are now getting handed to people aged 64 who have not yet been vaccinated.

NHS workers, care home residents and staff, adults with learning disabilities or over-16s with serious underlying health conditions are the only other people officially eligible for the jab.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Public Health England's head of immunisation, said: 'The age-based approach will ensure more people are protected more quickly.

'It is crucial that those at higher risk - including men and BAME communities - are encouraged to take the vaccine, and that local health systems are fully engaged and reaching out to underserved communities to ensure they can access the vaccine.'

A UK Government spokesperson, confirming that ministers would follow the advice of the JCVI, said: 'All four parts of the UK will follow the recommended approach, subject to the final advice given by the independent expert committee.

NIGHT JABS WILL BE OFFERED DURING RAMADAN TO AVOID UPTAKE DROP IN FAST Plans for a night-time vaccine drive during Ramadan are being drawn up by No10 amid fears uptake among Muslims could plummet during the religious period. Officials are concerned that vaccine hesitancy within ethnic minority groups could be even greater during the month-long fast, which lasts from April 12 to May 12. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from consuming food and drink from sunrise to sunset every day and some consider taking medication within those hours to be breaking the fast. However, the British Islamic Medical Association and the majority of Islamic scholars have said getting the Covid vaccine while fasting would be permissible. The Telegraph reports that Government sources hope to keep some immunisation centres open at night in case there are still some who don't feel comfortable getting a daytime jab. There will be added impetus to make sure uptake remains high among Muslims after a major report published today found Pakistani and Bangladeshi people have the highest Covid mortality rates of any ethnic groups in the UK. Latest estimates show approximately 75 per cent of South Asians over 70 have been vaccinated compared to 90 per cent of elderly white people. Rates are thought to be as low as 60 per cent among black Britons. It's thought that a lack of trust in Government, misinformation on social media and communication barriers are behind poorer uptake in the UK's minority groups. On April 12, when Ramadan starts, shops, gyms, beer gardens and self-catering holiday homes will reopen and on May 17 pubs and restaurants will get the green light. The PM has set the target of offering a jab to everyone aged over 50 by April 15. Advertisement

'The UK Government remains on course to meet its target to offer a vaccine to all those in the phase one priority groups by mid-April, and all adults by the end of July.'

The vaccine rollout has progressed well since it started in December and the NHS successfully hit its target of reaching 15million people in the groups of people at highest risk of severe Covid-19.

Next up will be the target of reaching everyone over 50 by April 15. Once all over-50s have been immunised that will have covered half of the UK's population.

Over-50s and the high risk groups account for around 98 per cent of all people who have died of coronavirus, statistics suggest, so the death rate should plummet once this first phase has been completed.

The second phase will then begin to vaccinate younger people, in order to protect them from the risk of severe Covid - even though it is small - and in the hope that immunising them will stop the virus from spreading.

Early studies and data show that the vaccines being used in the UK - made by pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and AstraZeneca - are working well in the real world.

A study of NHS workers has found that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine may stop three quarters of infections, even those mild enough not to cause any symptoms.

Swab test screening of staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge showed the number of people testing positive fell from 0.8 per cent to 0.2 per cent 12 days after people had had an injection.

The 'very impressive' findings are another sign that the UK's gamble to delay the second dose in a bid to get wider coverage quicker has paid off.

Curbing symptomless infections is crucial to stopping outbreaks from growing unknowingly because people who do not feel ill are less likely to self-isolate.

Numerous studies have indicated that a single injection of the Pfizer jab prevents severe illness and death but to what degree it blocked asymptomatic spread was unclear. Research has also suggested Oxford University's jab stops more than 60 per cent of asymptomatic cases.

The study, led by Cambridge University, analysed thousands of weekly Covid tests at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in January.

It found that 26 out of 3,252 swabs (0.8 per cent) from unvaccinated workers yielded a positive result, compared to four out of 1,989 (0.2 per cent) in staff 12 days or more after their vaccine.

The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, also found asymptomatic infection was halved in those vaccinated for less than 12 days, suggesting immunity kicks in rapidly in many cases.

Independent experts reacting to the pre-print hailed the findings, saying they signalled Britain was headed for a 'much brighter future'.

Professor Jonathan Ball, a molecular virologist at the University of Nottingham, said: 'To see such a reduction in infection rates after a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine is very impressive and shows that vaccination truly does offer a way out of the current restrictions and a much brighter future.

'It will be important to understand whether the reduced risk of infection played out across all the exposure risk groups included in the study, but nonetheless, this is still excellent news.'

And vaccines may also be powerful enough to stop long Covid, the longer lasting effects of coronavirus infection which have left hundreds of thousands of people feeling ill after they are supposed to have recovered.

Officials estimate about one in 10 Brits suffer from tiredness, headaches and fever months after beating the coronavirus, but a handful of sufferers given the jabs have told their doctors that they felt better after being inoculated against the disease, reports The Times.

Experts say this could be because the jabs 'reset' the immune system, or due to a 'psychological boost' from receiving the shots.

There have been calls for governments to take long Covid more seriously amid fears hundreds of thousands could be suffering from long-lasting side effects. A World Heath Organization official yesterday said the condition was 'real' and 'significant'.

Professor Ian Hall, who runs a long Covid clinic in Nottingham, said he has already been contacted by several patients who said their symptoms improved after getting their first dose.

He told the newspaper it was possible the effects were down to the vaccine giving them a 'psychological boost'.

NHS England statistics going up to February 21 show 15 areas of the country have vaccinated more than half of all residents. But as the country moved into the second stage of the rollout last Monday  moving down the age brackets from the current 65 to 69-year-olds group  the disparity in vaccine distribution across the country has come to light. Pictured: The top five and bottom five performing areas. Data is based on MailOnline's analysis of the NHS figures as well as Office for National Statistics population estimates for nearly 7,000 districts in England

Prisoners will NOT jump vaccine queue: Downing Street quashes rumour that inmates will get Covid jab ahead of other groups Prisoners will not be offered a coronavirus vaccine ahead of other groups, Downing Street has insisted. It was believed that local NHS health teams would be given the flexibility to go into jails and vaccinate inmates and staff - regardless of age. This could happen if they thought it was more efficient to vaccinate entire prison populations stuck in confined spaces rather than make repeat visits. But No 10 has now said this will not happen  though one Whitehall source questioned whether it would be possible for ministers to prevent it. 'The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) haven't made a specific recommendation on prisons,' the source said. The Prime Minister's official spokesman insisted there was no question of prisoners receiving the jab before other groups in society. 'That is obviously not the case and is not true,' the spokesman said. 'Prisoners won't be prioritised for vaccines. 'They are vaccinated at the same time as the general public in line with the JCVI prioritisation groups, no quicker than that.' Advertisement

But he added: 'I think, anecdotally, there is enough here to suggest there might be some interesting consequences of the vaccine, presumably altering the immunological balance, which is contributing to resolution of low-grade inflammation, which is making people feel better.

'I would not go as far as to say it proves a connection but science is based upon following up interesting observations.

Despite massive success and having one of the world's fastest progressing vaccine programmes, England's drive is subject to a massive postcode lottery, with some areas having already started dishing out Covid jabs to healthy people in their twenties.

BBC presenter Gary Lineker, 60, yesterday revealed he had received his first coronavirus vaccination, praising it as 'quick, painless, liberating and well organised'.

It means Lineker has got his jab early, with the NHS currently only vaccinating those aged 64 or over; the clinically vulnerable; people living or working in care homes; health and social care workers; and people eligible for carer's allowance.

MailOnline analysis of official vaccination figures yesterday laid bare the true extent of the postcode lottery.

Data revealed that some towns on the Isle of Wight and in Devon have inoculated nearly 20 times more people than an inner-city region of Sheffield.

London has given out the fewest doses to over-65s, with eight areas of the city falling in the bottom 10 parts of the country for rollout to the age group.

Bottom of the pile was Westminster (58.7 per cent), followed by West London (65.7 per cent), Tower Hamlets (66.1 per cent), Newham (70.3 per cent), City and Hackney (73.6 per cent), Barking and Dagenham (75.4 per cent) and Hammersmith and Fulham (75.6 per cent).

Top of the pack was Telford and Wrekin in Shropshire, which has vaccinated 97.7 per cent of all residents, followed by South Warwickshire (97.6 per cent) and Stafford (96.7 per cent).

Yarmouth and Freshwater in the Isle of Wight has given out the most first doses to all age groups, with 57.5 per cent of the villages having been given a jab.

This was followed by Sidmouth Town in Devon (57.33 per cent) and Felixstowe in Suffolk (54.74 per cent), with the vast majority of the other top ten areas being in the South East.

Meanwhile, inner city regions performed worst in vaccinating adults overall, with fewer than seven per cent receiving a first dose in parts of Leicester, Manchester, London, Leeds, Birmingham and Nottingham.
By GuoYuandan

The Chinese official media reported on February 25 that the Chinese naval taskforce held a joint maritime drill with the Singaporean Navy in waters near Singapore on February 24. The Ministry of National Defense of Singapore also announced the joint exercises in the international waters at the southern end of the South China Sea under the ongoing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic,aiming to enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship.

According to the news released by the Chinese side, China sent the guided-missile destroyer Guiyang (Hull 119) and the guided-missile frigate Zaozhuang (Hull 542) of the 36th Chinese naval escort taskforce to the drill. And the Singaporean side sent frigates RSS Intrepid and RSS Sovereignty to the drill. The drill mainly involves such subjects as communication exercises, formation movement, and joint search and rescue.

Regarding the significance of the China-Singapore joint naval drill, Snr. Capt. Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said that first of all, the joint drill lays a good foundation for further strengthening maritime security cooperation in the future. Second, the joint drill helps maintain regional security and stability.

According to Zhang, one of the important subjects involved in the drill is joint search and rescue, which is of practical significance. The South China Sea is an important international transportation channel with dense routes and many passing ships. Every year, there are 100,000 ships from various countries passing through the South China Sea. At the same time, the hydrology and weather of the South China Sea are relatively complicated, and marine geological hazards and accidents continue to occur.

The armed forces of all countries are responsible for maritime search and rescue. According to the Search and Rescue (SAR) zone designated by the International Maritime Organization, both China and Singapore bear the responsibility for maritime search and rescue in the South China Sea. In the event of a shipwreck in the South China Sea in the future, the two navies would be able to conduct maritime search and rescue to protect the peoples lives and property and maintain the safety of navigation in the South China Sea.

This joint drill comes after China and Singapore had participated in the China-ASEAN joint naval drills in October 2018 and April 2019. It demonstrates the aspiration and determination of both sides to jointly address risks and challenges, and safeguard regional peace and stability, said Zhang.

In recent years, the armed forces of two countries have also conducted a series of bilateral military cooperations and participated in multilateral military exercises.

When Singapore's frigate RSS Intrepid visited Zhanjiang, South Chinas port city in 2014, the two sides conducted basic technical training such as maritime communication exercises and formation movement. In 2015, China and Singapore held the first bilateral naval drill code-named "China-Singapore Cooperation - 2015". And at the end of May 2019, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Defense General Wei Fenghe visited Singapore and met with Singapore's Minister of Defense Ng Eng Hen. The two sides agreed to host the Singapore-China "Exercise Maritime Cooperation" in 2020.

Editor's note: This article is originally published on huanqiu.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
United Nations, Feb 26 : Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir have welcomed the joint statement by India and Pakistan reaffirming their commitment to upholding the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Guterres's Spokesperson Stephane Guterres said on Thursday, "The Secretary-General is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through established mechanisms. He hopes that this positive step will provide an opportunity for further dialogue." Asked if Guterres intended to talk to the leaders of the two countries about a dialogue, Dujarric said, "There's no plan that I'm aware of, but the Secretary-General is always available for (extending) his good offices between any Member States who would request it." Bozkir "wholeheartedly welcomes today's ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan", his Spokesperson Brenden Varma said.

"Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace through addressing each other's core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates the General Assembly's values," Varma said without explaining the Assembly's role.

If anything, the Assembly has been used by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his diplomats in a manner that could worsen the situation through their rhetoric but they have failed to get Assembly to take note of their cause.

The joint statement reaffirming the ceasefire was issued by the two neighbour's directors-general of military operations (DGSMO).

Their said that after a "free, frank and cordial" assessment of the situation along the border they agreed "In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 12:33:08|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's fixed-asset investment in the transport sector registered a rapid increase in January from a year earlier, an official said Friday.

In January, the sector's total fixed-asset investment soared 42.1 percent year on year to 191.2 billion yuan (about 29.5 billion U.S. dollars), Sun Wenjian, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Transport, told a press conference.

The figure climbed 13.8 percent from January 2019, Sun said.

Most of the transport investment went to road and waterway construction, which surged 52.3 percent from a year ago to 143.4 billion yuan in January, Sun added. Enditem
Yves here. The Biden Administration is showing its true colors. Not only does it bomb Syria, but it is not hiding that it is pleased that the proposed minimum wage increase to $15 is hitting obstacles, this one in the form of a bizarre ruling by the Senates parliamentarian. As many have pointed out, Kamala Harris could ignore this advice, but not surprisingly, she is pretending to be missing in action. It appears the only time she uses her power is to throw people in jail.

Now there are grounds for quibbling about the structure of the increase. $15 an hour is skimpy in pricey cities like New York, yet would represent a hefty increase in places like Alabama. Perhaps the phase-in could be more attenuated in states with low costs of living. But there is no denying that a minimum wage increase is long overdue.

By Jon Queally, staff writer at Common Dreams. Originally published at Common Dreams

Leading progressivesincluding Sen. Bernie Sanders and Reps. Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapalreacted with opposition and disbelief Thursday evening after Elizabeth MacDonough, the chief Senate parliamentarian, issued her belief and guidance that inclusion of a federal minimum wage increase in the pending Covid-19 relief package does not qualify for the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to be passed by the chamber with a simple majority.

This is an advisory, not a ruling. VP Harris needs to disregard and rule a $15 minimum wage in order. We were elected to deliver for the people. Its time we do our job.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)

I strongly disagree with tonights decision by the Senate Parliamentarian, said Sanders in a statement. Citing recent reviews by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) which showed the outsized impact that raising the wage would have on the federal budget, the Vermont lawmaker and current Senate Budget Committee chairmanwho has made raising the federal minimum a cornerstone of his presidential campaigns in both 2016 and 2020said the assessment wildly missed the mark.

The CBO made it absolutely clear that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour had a substantial budgetary impact and should be allowed under reconciliation, Sanders said. It is hard for me to understand how drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was considered to be consistent with the Byrd Rule, while increasing the minimum wage is not.

Sanders was far from alone in condemning the absurdity of the decision as well as the procedural system that empowers the parliamentarian with such authority. As Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) put it: Amazing that American democracy has landed in a place where some unheard of parliamentarian ends up deciding whether or not a law gets passed to give millions a raise. Simple question: are you on the side of structural reform in standing up to this system or for the status quo?

Im sorryan unelected parliamentarian does not get to deprive 32 million Americans the raise they deserve. This is an advisory, not a ruling. VP Harris needs to disregard and rule a $15 minimum wage in order. We were elected to deliver for the people. Its time we do our job. https://t.co/rraVhT5GV7  Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) February 26, 2021



According to Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, The ruling only makes it more clear that the Senate must reform its archaic rules, including reforming the filibuster to allow populist and necessary policies like the $15 minimum wage to pass with a majority of the Senate.

We must deliver, she added, on the promise we made to voters all across this country: that we would give 27 million workers a long-overdue raise and lift one million people out of poverty during this devastating economic crisis.

Warren Gunnels, one of Sanders top aides who has been working for weeks to present the policy and economic case for reconciliation to the parliamentarians office, agreed with other outside critics that the issued guidance was deeply flawed.

No doubt about it. https://t.co/AcV5QkShLE  Warren Gunnels (@GunnelsWarren) February 25, 2021



For his part, Sanders said he and other Democrats who ran on the promise of getting the minimum wage increased passed are not done fighting.

60 percent of the American people want to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, he said. The House of Representatives has voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The President of the United States wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Im confident that we have a majority in the United States Senate including the Vice President that would vote to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour as part of President Bidens American Rescue Plan. Yet because of the archaic and undemocratic rules of the Senate we are unable to move forward to end starvation wages in this country and raise the income of 32 million struggling Americans. That fight continues.

The ruling only makes it more clear that the Senate must reform its archaic rules, including reforming the filibuster to allow populist and necessary policies like the $15 minimum wage to pass with a majority of the Senate.



We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families, Schumer said in a statement. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.

Strikingly, CNN reported Thursday nightciting an unnamed official within the Biden administrationthat the White House was likely relieved, not upset, by the ruling. According to the outlet:

White House officials, cognizant of the potential math problem with Senate Democrats if the minimum wage increase were in the final package, had been counting on the provision being stripped, the administration official told CNN. While there had been discussions about what would occur if it werent, President Joe Bidens top advisers were fairly certain it would come outsomething Biden himself alluded to several times publicly.

While experts have repeatedly noted that Vice President Kamala Harris, who operates as President of the Senate and the deciding vote in the 50-50 divided chamber, has the power to override the guidance of the parliamentarian, the White House has made clear publicly their intention at this point is not to do thata position pilloried by progressives.

If @KamalaHarris accepts the opinion of the parliamentarian, shes taking action to help the GOP block a $15 minimum wage. If Harris ignores the parliamentarian, shes supporting a $15 minimum wage. This is her big moment, and theres no middle ground. https://t.co/7rubZmmTzU  David Sirota (@davidsirota) February 26, 2021



Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, responded to the development by also calling on Vice President Harris to step in to disregard or overrule the guidance.

Our Revolution strongly condemns this arbitrary finding that the $15 per hour minimum wage increase should not be considered under fast-track rules, Geevarghese said in a statement. The fact that the future of a desperately-needed policy, which is supported by the vast majority of Americans, is being dictated by an unelected congressional staffer is an unconscionable affront to our democracy.

Vice President Kamala Harris must fight for $15 like she promised on the campaign trail by overturning the Senate parliamentarian. Madam Vice President, there is no next time  #FightFor15 NOW! https://t.co/qNVSHrERXX  Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) February 26, 2021

Harris must fight for $15 like she promised on the campaign trail by overturning the Senate parliamentarian, he added. Madam Vice President, there is no next timefight for $15 NOW. Workers have been striking for $15 and a Union since 2013its way past time for our leaders in Congress and the White House to stand with workers.

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Indications emerged from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday that security operatives attempted to arrest a self-styled warlord, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered from sources close to Mr Igboho that the acclaimed activist was accosted by security operatives attached to Operation Burst while on his way to Lagos.

Mr Igboho did not respond to our correspondents calls and text messages seeking full details of what happened.

The states police spokesperson, Olugbenga Fadeyi, did also not respond to calls and text messages either.

But Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation and ally of Mr Igboho, confirmed the incident.

He said Mr Igboho was going to meet an elder statesman, Ayo Adebanjo, when the attempted arrest occurred.

Mr Fani-Kayode shared a short clip of the scene.

I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives & policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos.

I condemn this attempt to ambush and abduct him. It is not only reckless but also very dangerous. If the security agencies want to see him, all they need to do is to invite him to their offices. I am not aware of any crime that he has committed and I urge restraint on all sides.

Let me also send a warning to the FG (federal government) that Sunday Igboho is a hero to millions of Yorubas and either killing him or detaining him unlawfully would be the biggest mistake they could make. Building bridges, dialogue and peace is better than violence and war. A word is enough for the wise, he wrote on Twitter.

I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives & policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos. 1/ pic.twitter.com/tjyuKH58Bv  Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 26, 2021

Mr Igboho was in the news recently for issuing an eviction notice to Fulani herdsmen in South-West Nigeria, over reported cases of kidnappings and killings allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen.

Details later
Over 60 fighters were killed in clashes in Yemen Friday between Iran-backed Huthi rebels and government forces in the strategic northern province of Marib, government sources said

Dubai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :Over 60 fighters were killed in clashes in Yemen Friday between Iran-backed Huthi rebels and government forces in the strategic northern province of Marib, government sources said.

The dead included 27 pro-government forces and 34 Huthi rebels, a government source told AFP, adding it was the "most violent" day of clashes since fighting erupted earlier this month.

Seven weeks into his presidency, senile Joe Biden surprised many by calling in a Syria air strike.

It was puzzling, given that there seemed to be no immediate threat. And that's just for starters.

It was billed as a strike on pro-Iran militants stationed in the region, and in retaliation for an earlier strike of theirs against a U.S. installation. That seems a little eyebrow-raising, given Biden's eagerness to make nice with the mullahs. Even that explanation has skeptics who call the whole thing laughable.

There are also those who think Biden is finishing up what President Obama started. You know, for the legacy thing. Favor to a pal.

What's vivid is that questions are being raised about whether Joe really made the call.

First, note that his vice president, Kamala Harris, was kept out of the loop. According to a report citing a White House official, she's said to be steaming that nobody told her before it happened. And she's probably more steamed to learn that that news got out, advertising for everyone that her giggly round-heeled self is viewed, even in the Biden White House, as a lightweight.

But we already knew that.

What's also news is that on more than one occasion, she's publicly opposed attacking Syria. Here's her famous tweet everyone's retweeting, exposing her supposed (in this case) hypocrisy:

But there's reason to think that to the extent that she thinks about such things, she's against them. Here's her November statement to an Arab news outlet, the Arab American News, as reported by Middle East Memo:

Speaking about the broader Middle East, Harris said that in Syria a Biden-led administration "will once again stand with civil society and pro-democracy partners in Syria, and help advance a political settlement where the Syrian people have a voice".

And Joe has claimed he's against this stuff, too, as recently as Feb. 7:

He's made whole speeches about not bombing Syria, too:

Yet suddenly, he did it.

Jack Posobiec, who is getting all these scoops, suggests there might be a venal reason it's happening: special interests seeking to create a Turkey-to-Qatar pipeline...that runs through Syria:

That, given Biden's long familiarity with corruption and pocket-lining, wouldn't be surprising.

But it goes against what Joe has explicitly said, as well as his well known desire to suck up to Iran.

Biden, who is barely sentient, has other issues, too. Leftists in Congress are attempting to take away his nuclear codes, forcing him in wartime conditions to seek permission to use them from Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi. Not a vote of confidence, and more humiliating still, not tried against President Trump by his enemies  only by Democrats on their party leader.

With all these factors put together, it almost sounds as if someone other than Joe actually made the call.

Who was it? It was someone inside the Biden administration, to be sure. Maybe Lloyd Austin, his defense secretary focused on white supremacy in the military? Gonna say no  he's not interested in military matters, he's into social justice warrioring, although he also has ties to Raytheon, which makes the missiles. Call that somewhat possible.

But perhaps more than that, look to the only other people who could be calling the shots. Those are the former Obama officials: Susan Rice, Ron Klain, Jake Sullivan, et al. NPR notes that in the Biden cabinet, only four of its 16 officials (all non-white people) are new faces, all apparently brought in for racial "balance"; the other 12 (nearly all white) are Obama administration retreads. Former Obama eminence grise Valerie Jarrett publicly gave Biden her approval for his Cabinet "diversity." Nice doggie, you see.

And of those Obama backwashes, nearly all of them are within the national security establishment. Susan Rice, in addition, is the domestic affairs adviser, but her expertise is national security. Could it be that in all this, Obama is calling the shots?

Obama, recall, has always had contempt for Biden. He's never invited him to his private quarters in eight years of side-by-side working, and he tried to dissuade Biden from even running. During the primaries, he withheld his endorsement for Biden and privately told aides: "Don't underestimate Joe's ability to f--- things up."

Could Obama at least be seeding the decisions now flowing out of the White House? It seems like it  a strange unseen power controlling our national security while never showing his face. This is a little scary, given the kinds of consequences that can flow from overseas bombing runs on other sovereign states who also have allies. Is Obama the Mighty Integral that might be calling the shots as Biden declines mentally? He might be, because, sure enough, Biden is surrounded by his people.

The pathetic thing in all this is that Biden still thinks Obama loves him.

Image: U.S. Department of Defense, Flickr, public domain.
A farmer in Co Antrim has been fined 500 after his collie dog attacked and bit an 11-year-old girl

A farmer in Co Antrim has been fined 500 after his collie dog attacked and bit an 11-year-old girl.

Drew Strange (61), of Tildarg Road near Ballyclare, pleaded guilty to being in charge of the animal involved in the incident, which happened on July 22, 2019.

Yesterday, Ballymena Magistrates Court was told that at around 7.30pm the girl was walking with her friend - the defendant's daughter - towards the Strange farm.

A collie-type dog ran at her and jumped on her causing her to fall backwards.

The animal then bit her on the left arm, and as she ran away, prosecution lawyer Cathy Grant said, "the dog bit her on her left buttock."

The girl went to her own home and was taken to Antrim Area Hospital where she received staples and was "left with scarring" following the bites.

Ms Grant, appearing on behalf of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council who brought the prosecution, said: "Her parents advise that she has suffered anxiety and flashbacks as a result of the incident."

The court heard that when a council enforcement officer visited the farm the defendant said he had already had the dog "put to sleep" following the incident.

This was confirmed to the local authority by a vet.

In a letter to the council, the defendant "apologised" for the incident.

The prosecutor said they were not seeking a 'Disqualification Order'. She said it was a strict liability offence, which meant that either the keeper of a dog, or another person in charge of the dog, is liable.

Defence barrister Malcolm Irvine said it was acknowledged it was a "serious" incident that should not have happened.

Mr Irvine said the defendant, a married father of two teenage daughters, was a dairy farmer and had no previous criminal convictions.

Following the attack, Mr Irvine said the defendant "did what many in his position do not do".

"That is to say he immediately made arrangements to have the dog humanely destroyed with his own vet, notwithstanding the considerable anguish that caused to both himself and to his family," he said.

Mr Irvine said the defendant had entered a guilty plea and was fully insured, with the insurance company "looking after the civil side of things".

Mr Irvine said it was accepted the injuries "were nasty" and it was a "source of great regret" that the incident happened - especially as the girl was a neighbour and a "good friend of his daughter's".

District Judge Nigel Broderick told the defendant - who appeared at court via a video link from his solicitor's office - that it had been "a very unfortunate incident".

The judge added: "This young girl through no fault of her own has been left with some physical and emotional scars.

"If you had exercised perhaps more supervision of your dog then this incident may not have happened in the first place.

"Thankfully, the young girl will receive the relevant compensation through your insurance company."

The defendant was fined 500 and also ordered to pay court and professional costs of 144.

The investments of Epicenter K in its own development in all areas will amount to $2 billion in 2021-2022, director general of the group of companies Petro Mykhailyshyn has told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, the bulk of investments will be directed to the development of the trade network.

"The second [direction] in terms of capital intensity is the construction of our logistics, both warehouse [fulfillment centers] and transport. The next task is to increase the export share, improving the trade balance both in the agricultural sector and in the ceramic industry," he said.

He clarified that investments in ceramics factories in Kalynivka and Kalush will amount to $95.7 million, in elevators - $100 million.

"Also, fulfillment centers will appear in Lviv [we are already working on it], Khmelnytsky, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa. Everywhere, except for Kharkiv, there are already land plots," the expert said, noting that the implementation of the center project in Kalynivka, Kyiv region, depends on the decision on the allocation of a land plot with an area of 40 hectares next to the group's ceramic tile plant.

In addition, the group plans to invest in alternative energy, in particular, in placing solar panels on the roofs of Epicenter shopping centers and fulfillment centers.

"Since we have about 1.5 million square meters of roofs, which are empty from the point of view of energy efficiency, we want to start arranging solar panels there. We provide $100 million for this program. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank are ready to help us with cheap credit funds," the CEO said.

The company also intends to expand production of construction materials. According to Mykhailyshyn, the production of dry construction mixtures and aerated concrete will be organized on the site of the plant for production of cultivators previously acquired by Svarog West Group in Shepetivka (Khmelnytsky region).

Epicenter K LLC was established in 2003 and opened the first hypermarket in Kyiv in December of the same year.
Chennai, Feb 26 : Even before the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced that Tamil Nadu and Puduchery will go to the polls in a single phase on April 6, political parties here had already got into the election mode.

In Tamil Nadu, the DMK-led front is fighting a tough battle against the ruling AIADMK-led faction. The DMK, which has been out of power for the past 10 years, is in for a do-or-die battle, while the AIADMK is facing its internal issues following the expulsion of Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dinakaran from the party.

With Sasikala coming out of prison recently, the faction owing allegiance to her is in an upbeat mood. However, in a strong display of camaraderie, both Chief Minister E. Palaniswamy and Deputy Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam have openly distanced themselves from Sasikala and her family - famously known as the Mannargudi family.

With Panneerselvam and Sasikala belonging to the powerful Thevar community, a section of the confidants of Chief Minister Palaniswamy feels that Panneerselvam and Sasikala may bridge the differences and come together.

A resurgent BJP led by its dynamic leader Murugan, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste, is extending all support to the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. Sources in the BJP revealed that the party wants an unified AIADMK to fight the DMK and win Tamil Nadu. Palaniswamy is a Gounder and enjoys an excellent rapport with senior BJP leader C.P. Radhakrishnan, also from the community, who had won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat in 2019.

The DMK, on the other hand, has categorically told its alliance partner Congress that it has to satisfy itself with 22 seats and will not get even a single seat more. The Congress was expecting 45 seats and party leader and former Kerala CM Oomen Chandy, who was deputed by the Congress high command to discuss seat sharing with DMK supremo M.K. Stalin, had to return without any assurance on more seats.

Speaking to IANS over phone, Chandy said, "It's not the end of the road. We have staked claimed for a certain number of seats but the DMK is not willing to allow the same. We will continue with the discussions and come to a conclusion in a few days time." It is to be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Chennai thrice in the recent past and highlighted the central government projects that were allocated to Tamil Nadu. A battery of senior leaders led by Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman will be directly taking over the reins of the BJP campaign in the southern state.

Sources in the BJP said that the party will be staking claim for the Deputy Chief Minister's post if the AIADMK-led front of which the BJP is a part comes to power in the state.

It is also to be seen how the MNM of superstar Kamal Haasan fares in the elections. Kamal Haasan has already met megastar Rajinikanth, who has announced that he would not be contesting the elections.

In neighbouring Puducherry, the elections will see a vigorous Congress coming out against the BJP poaching its MLAs and allegedly spending "tonnes of money" to make the party MLAs cross over.

Former Chief Minister of Puduchery, V Narayanaswamy, told IANS, "The BJP government at the Centre has butchered democracy in Puduchery by toppling an elected, secular government using tonnes of money and central agencies. The people of the state will give a fitting reply to the anti-people, anti-democratic BJP in the April 6 elections".
The Lagos State government has finally kick-started a process that would see Titilayo Benson, a 38-year-old woman, regain her freedom after a convoluted legal process that had spanned ten years.

Even though she was not convicted, and with the court striking out her case, Mrs Benson spent, at least, six of the ten years behind bars.

The Ministry of Justice, in a statement Thursday, said Mrs Bensons continued stay in prison was no fault of theirs.

The attention of the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State has been drawn to the Special Report of February 21st, 2021 with the above headline by the PREMIUM TIMES in respect of the defendant, Titilayo Benson who was charged with the offence of Murder in Charge No. LD/92/13; between State vs. Titilayo Benson, the ministry wrote in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Kayode Oyekanmi.

Contrary to the allegations in the online publication, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions carried out all that was required to prosecute the matter but the defendant was never produced from Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre despite series of production warrants to appear at the High Court.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mrs Benson has been held in the Kirikiri facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services, without any pending charges against her.

She was first charged to Ebutte-Metta Magistrates Court in 2010 for causing the death of her friend, whom she engaged in a fight with.

Although the Magistrates Court had no jurisdiction over murder matters, she was remanded at Kirikiri prison where she stayed for several years before she was released on bail, and where she is still being held as at the time of this report.

A murder charge was filed against her at the Lagos State High Court in suit number LD/92/13, but she was never presented at the High Court, although she kept appearing before the magistrate.

The judge, Obayomi Taiwo, struck out the matter against Mrs Benson saying There is no indication that the defendant is in prison custody as she has never been produced since the information was filed in 2013. I, therefore, strike out this case for want of diligent prosecution.

Lagos responds to PREMIUM TIMES report

Reacting to PREMIUM TIMES publication, the Lagos Ministry of Justice said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on April 20, 2012, issued a legal advice after receiving the case file.

The defendant was charged to the High Court on the 22 March 2013 before Hon. Justice O. Taiwo for prosecution.

During the pendency of the matter, the defendant was represented in court by one C.K Emele on 2 November 2016 and 1 March 2017 by one O.E. Ashade, yet the defendant remain unproduced in court despite several production warrants issued to produce her, the ministry said.

The ministry said although lawyers represented Mrs Benson at the High Court, they had no interaction with her.

The ministry added that it is ready to explore plea and sentence bargain in the matter, given the gravity of the offence alleged against the defendant and the length of time spent in custody.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained a copy of the letter addressed to Francis Akinlotan, Mrs Bensons lawyer, through the office of the Lagos State Attorney-General.

We are mindful that the matter was struck out due to non-production of the defendant from custody and this Office has applied to re-list the matter.

However, considering your appeal to consider the release of your client based on time spent in custody, I am directed to inform you that the Hon. Attorney General is willing to concede to a plea and sentence bargain for the offence of manslaughter and time spent as a sentence, the letter partly read.

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Mr Akinlotan and Rose Obakpolor, the lawyers representing Mrs Benson, said she has agreed to the plea and sentence bargain and other processes will follow to ensure her release.
Damascus, Feb 26 : The Syrian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the US strikes that targeted positions in eastern Syria before Friday's daybreak, state news agency SANA reported.

The US strikes in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour near the Iraqi border killed 22 pro-Iran Iraqi fighters who were providing support for the Syrian government forces, according to the pro-rebel Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Xinhua news agency reported.

The attack undermines the international legitimacy in resolving the Syrian crisis and is part of the repeated aggression by the United States, Israel and Turkey on the sovereignty of Syria, the foreign ministry said.

Such attacks will only spread chaos, destroy the infrastructure in Syria, and play into the hands of the terrorist groups in Syria, it added.

The ministry accused Washington of supporting the Islamic State (IS) and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front in order for a pretext for the presence of US forces in Syria.

It also highlighted the Syrian government's determination to liberate all Syrian areas from the forces of occupation, including the areas controlled by the Kurdish militia in northeastern Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Villa Maria launches organic wine range EarthGarden

New Zealand winery Villa Maria has launched its first organic wine range, EarthGarden.

The new range is designed to meet a rising global demand for sustainable produce, and forms part of the winery's commitment to converting 100 per cent of its vineyards to be organically managed by 2030.

New Zealanders will be the first to get their hands on the EarthGarden range, which will be available online and in-store nationwide from 1 March. A UK launch will follow from late April.

The BioGro-certified range includes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Hawke's Bay Rose 2020, Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 and Hawke's Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019.

Matt Deller, Villa Maria's chief global sales and marketing officer, said: "The global organic wine market was forecasted last year by IWSR to grow 43 per cent by 2024, and New Zealands $2 billion wine industry is well positioned to capitalise on this trend."

Villa Maria viticulturalist Hannah Ternent said the winery plants wildflower seeds each year to encourage pollinators and help create a "flourishing eco-system", which in turn supports the growth of its vines.

She added: "We are highly motivated to further enhance the health of our soils and environment so we can continue to reap the rewards of beautiful fruit for years to come. EarthGarden perfectly encapsulates these principles and what we are striving to achieve."

Fiona Mottershaw, brand controller at Hatch Mansfield, said: "We are thrilled to be launching this significant new organic range from Villa Maria in 2021. With the environment an ever more pressing consideration in all of our minds, the time couldnt be more perfect to start showcasing the work that Villa Maria has been doing, for many years now, to put sustainability at the heart of the business."

Villa Maria sources all its packaging from within 22km of its Auckland estate, and its wine bottles are made in New Zealand with an average of 69 per cent recycled glass.

1 March 2021 - Bethany Whymark
Inaugural alumni blog contributors are (l to r) Emily Beaird Lansdell ('93), Katie Powell Bell ('08), Dr. Nick Darby ('11), and Dr. Cory Calendine ('96). If our alumni can identify with the journey of another, then we have created something of value, something worth sharing.

The Office of Alumni Engagement at Freed-Hardeman University is beginning a new blog series titled "Stories from Beyond the Tassel: An FHU Blog Series." Currently, Chris Ramey, director of alumni engagement, is assembling a stable of writers who will participate in the series. The first blog, written by Katie Powell Bell, a 2008 FHU graduate, will be released near the end of February.

Seeking to increase alumni engagement, Ramey has actively looked for ways to connect with the greater FHU community. Living through the past 12 months of a pandemic, he said, has taught me the value of connecting online. I understand the elements of touch and face-to-face interaction cannot be replicated, but if our alumni can identify with the journey of another, then we have created something of value, something worth sharing.

Unofficially, the series began last year with publication of a blog by Mandy Garrett Bates, a 2001 FHU alumna, in November 2020. "When we posted Mandy's article last year, I was ecstatic with the response it received. Alumni and others praised it and shared how they had personally connected to her role as the mom to a special needs child, Ramey said. I knew then we had to use the talent in the FHU alumni community to continue to share life experiences and allow for more connectivity."

Bell, her husband Taylor and their two children, Annie and Ollie, live in Jackson, Tennessee. She is vice president of publicity for the EPIC Agency in Nashville. A preachers daughter (Dr. David Powell of the FHU Bible faculty is her father.) and a preachers wife, she holds a bachelors degree in public relations from FHU and a masters degree from Lipscomb University.

Writers scheduled to contribute blogs in the coming months include the following: Dr. Cory Calendine, a 1996 FHU alumnus, a founding partner of the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee; Emily Beaird Lansdell, a 1993 FHU alumna, Columbia, Tennessee, director of marketing and communications for Highland Corporation; and Dr. Nicholas Darby, a 2011 FHU alumnus, a partner at Florence Medical Associates outpatient clinic in Florence, Alabama.

Calendine is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip replacement, partial and total knee replacement, arthroscopy and robotic-assisted joint surgery. A founding partner of the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, Calendine serves patients throughout the Nashville region as chief of orthopedic surgery for Williamson Medical Center. He and his wife Jennifer have two children, Avery and Caden.

Lansdell is a communications professional with more than 20 years writing and consulting experience, much of it spent in marketing and public relations for non-profit organizations including Christian education. She holds a baccalaureate degree from FHU and a Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Memphis. She and her husband Charlie have two sons, Canon and Rush.

A two-term FHU Student Government president, Darby earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from University of Alabama Birmingham. He also holds a Master of Science in human environmental sciences. He completed his residency at Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine where he was the chief resident. He and his wife, the former Andrea Chambers have a daughter, Vivian.

Blogs will be posted to FHU social media accounts and can be read any time at https://www.fhu.edu/blogs/alumni. Additional contributors will be announced in the coming months.



Ranchi, Feb 26 : A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service weapon in Jharkhand's Gumla district, police said on Friday.

Sompal Singh, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district allegedly shot himself with his AK 47 rifle on Thursday night. He was posted at the Bishunpur picket of Gumla district in September 2020.

Police said that Sompal returned to his duty 10 days after holiday. He also took part in his colleague's birthday celebration before going to his room on Thursday.

The body has been sent for postmortem and further probe is on to ascertain the exact cause of the death.
Schenectady, NY -- A Las Vegas man could spend time in federal prison after his 40-year vendetta against the New York State Gaming Commission ended with him mailing four separate letters containing suspicious white powder, according to federal prosecutors.

Instead of anthrax, the powders actually turned out to be a variety of household materials, including birdseed, dirt, hair, sugar and drywall, FBI agents wrote in court papers. But the letters could land Brent Carter, 73, in federal prison for up to five years.

The story begins four decades ago, when Carter says he was wrongfully suspended from horse racing for one month by the Commission. He blames the Commission for ruining his career in horse racing.

That anger has never abated, Carter told authorities. In September 2018, he called the Commission and said he wished the Las Vegas mass shooter a year earlier would have killed them, the FBI said. A month later, Carter called again, wishing Commission employees had been killed in the infamous Schoharie limousine crash, the FBI added.

Three times in 2019 and 2020, Carter is then accused of mailing suspicious packages with white powder, which required a hazardous materials response when received by the Commission.

When confronted with the fact his mailings were treated hazardous material, Carter told authorities in October 2020 that the Commission had been hazardous material to his life, an FBI agent wrote.

Carter later acknowledged that he hadnt thought through the impact of sending the garbage or junk, whatever I sent, the agent added.

But Carter still didnt stop, despite being confronted by the FBI, according to court papers.

On Jan. 28, Carter sent a fourth letter to the Commission with more white powder, the FBI agent wrote. This time, it was talcum powder.

Thats when Carter was arrested and charged with sending misleading information threatening injury or death by poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance.

Carter remains free in Nevada as the case proceeds in local federal court.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
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The Georgian Chief Prosecutors Office has stated earlier today that if the head of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Nika Melia posts bail, they will request his release from Tbilisi City Court.

Melia, who is charged with incitement to violence during the June protests in Tbilisi back in 2019, was arrested on February 23 for refusal to post bail.

The opposition parties which have been demanding repeat parliamentary elections since November 2020 have taken to the street again, demanding the release of Melia and repeat parliamentary elections.

The international community has urged political parties in the country to deescalate the situation and negotiate.

The Prosecutors Office said that Melia publicly violated his bail conditions in November 2019 and also publicly refused to post the additional 40,000GEL which was added to his initial, 30,000GEL bail for publicly removing a surveillance bracelet.

"If we increased the bail once again, it was very likely that Melia would have refused to pay it and, at the same time, the increase of bail once again would not be proportional for the disregard of the law," Agenda.ge cited the Prosecutors Office as saying.
VietBanks president has unexpectedly resigned and his position has been transferred to a former government official.

VietBank's chair of the board of directors Bui Xuan Khu

VietBank has announced that Duong Ngoc Hoa resigned from the post of chair of the board of directors on February 23 and the office has been taken by Bui Xuan Khu, who was Deputy Minister of Industry Trade.

Khu became a member of the banks board of directors in 2011 after he retired. Later, he acted as deputy chair of the board of directors until he was appointed president of the bank.

Khu is the next former high-ranking official to become a bank president. Le Thi Bang Tam, former Deputy Minister of Finance, is now president of HDBank and president of Vinamilk.

Tam joined Vinamilk in 2013 as an independent member of the board of directors. She has been president of the nations leading dairy producer since 2015 and president of HDBank since 2010. She is also a senior advisor to some foreign financial institutions.

A lot of former government officials became businessmen after their retirement. Tran Xuan Gia, former Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia, became the president of ACB in 2008-2012. Gia, together with a lot of former senior managers of the bank, including Ly Xuan Hai, Le Vu Ky and Trinh Kim Quang, were investigated in a case related to Nguyen Duc Kien, or Mogul Kien.

Kieu Huu Dung, former director of the Banks and Non-bank Credit Institutions Department, served as president of Sacombank in 2014-2017. He later became president of ACB Securities and president of Sacombank Securities.

The other officials included Pham Viet Muon, who was Vice Chairman of the Government Office, Cao Sy Kiem, former Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and Truong Van Phuoc, former head of SBVs Foreign Exchange Management Department.

Former Deputy Minister Bui Xuan Khu, who joined VietBank in 2011, also has a lot of business experience as he was general director of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Corporation (Vinatex), the largest garment producer in Vietnam, general director of Viet Tien Garment and deputy president of the Global Petroleum Investment JSC.

In mid-2019, VietBank put VBB shares into transactions on the bourse.

VietBank was established in December 2006 as a rural bank with charter capital of VND200 billion. Its founding shareholders have relations with Hoa Lam Group, ACB and Dieu Hien Company. The bank now has charter capital of VND4.19 trillion after five capital increases.

ACB has divested from VietBank, while Dieu Hien is no longer mentioned in documents and information about the bank. The shareholders from Hoa Lam Group still maintain their stake with Duong Ngoc Hoa as the representative. Duong Nhat Nguyen is now deputy chair of the bank.

V. Ha

Banks make huge profits, have prosperous Tet Overcoming a stormy year, commercial banks have reported huge profits for 2020. Bank share prices are standing firmly at high levels.
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WASHINGTON  Since September, when the U.S. Air Force disclosed that it had flown a full-scale demonstrator of its future fighter, the defense community has been hungry for more details about the Next Generation Air Dominance program. And Air Force leaders have been loathe to provide them.

Thats what made unprompted comments by Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly during a Feb. 26 roundtable with reporters so surprising.

During the event, none of the 20-something journalists gathered ventured to ask Kelly about the NGAD program. But as the session drew to a close, Kelly decided to share his thoughts anyway.

I for one am confident that the technology and the test points have developed to where NGAD technology will get fielded, he said.

And Im confident that the adversaries on the other end of this technology will suffer a very tough day, and tough week and tough war. What I dont know  and were working with our great partners  is if our nation will have the courage and the focus to field this capability before someone like the Chinese fields it and uses it against us.

Kelly declined to comment on how close the U.S. Air Force is to being able to field NGAD  typical of the mystery surrounding the program.

Much is still unknown about NGAD. Air Force leaders have been clear that its a family of systems that could include manned aircraft, drones or other advanced capabilities, not a traditional fighter in the mode of the F-16 or even the F-35.

But its unclear how many NGAD demonstrators have been created and which companies have manufactured them. Practically every detail about its performance is also classified.

Its a keen focus, a keen capability, Kelly said of NGAD. We just need to make sure we keep our narrative up and articulate the biggest benefit weve had as a nation  to have leading edge technology ensuring we have air superiority for the nation and the joint force.

Kellys comments may portend that the program is at a turning point where more funding is needed to accelerate its development and fielding timeline.

Lawmakers have been somewhat tepid to the program thus far, funding only $904 million of the Air Forces $1.044 billion request in fiscal year 2021. It previously received $905 million for the program in FY20.

In the FY21 defense policy bill, Congress also mandated that the Pentagons independent Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office conduct a study on Air Force and Navy future fighter programs, including on NGADs technological, cost, and business case.
President Zelensky met with Parliament Speaker Razumkov, PM Shmyhal, heads of parliamentary committees and gov't officials to discuss draft laws set to be heard in parliament next plenary week.

The Verkhovna Rada next week will consider a bill on reforming the judicial system, as well as a package of bills on the so-called "investment nannies".

President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Dmytro Razumkov, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, heads of parliamentary committees and government officials, the President's Office reports.

The meeting discussed bills that the Verkhovna Rada should consider next plenary week in the context of the implementation of Zelensky's campaign program.

Read alsoSternenko's verdict: Protesters in Kyiv announce new, indefinite rally to start on Feb 27In particular, the people's deputies are ready to consider a bill on reforming the country's judicial system. The relevant legislative initiatives were developed during a broad discussion with the involvement of civic society. Next week, the issue of reforming the judiciary will be additionally, and comprehensively, discussed at the next Ukraine 30 forum.

"The judicial system in its existing format has already proven irrelevant. Ukrainians don't trust the courts; this institution is too corrupt and too shaky. We must change this, because it is the changes in the judiciary that are key to a strong Ukraine, where the rights of every citizen are protected. This is also a step towards Ukraine's European integration," Zelensky said.

The block of economic legislative initiatives was also considered. The Verkhovna Rada will be asked to complete the voting for a package of bills to support investment projects involving significant funds (legislation on "investment nannies"). This package will help launch the project in full. The law will provide for state protection and legal assistance to foreign investors who will initiate investment projects starting from EUR 20 million.

Besides, the meeting participants discussed legislative initiatives in the field of ecology, including a bill to reduce the use of plastic bags and replace them with decomposable ones. Many large retail chains have already switched to bags made from environmentally friendly materials. The bill will encourage further transition from plastic toward environmentally friendly substitutes.

Reporting by UNIAN
Have You Seen This? Baby calmed by Imperial March
Scott Morrison has talked himself into a unique place of discomfort for a prime minister. He has become the middle-aged white bloke who must decide whether to defend Australian masculinity, or place it on trial.

The idea that a question so fundamental to our sense of self as a people would arise on his watch would have been absurd a fortnight ago. But it was inevitable once we learned that a young woman who worked for Morrisons government had been allegedly raped by a colleague in Parliament House. Inevitable because the Prime Ministers first instinct was to see the story of Brittany Higgins politically. He sensed the issue would be damaging for his government, and took the short cut of denial. He wanted the public to know he wasnt told by anyone in his office or his ministry before the news broke on February 15.

Illustration: Simon Letch Credit:The Sydney Morning Herald

He has taken that argument to the strangest place of all, where he says he is aware of rumours on the Labor side, as well as his own, but not the specific allegation of a violent crime against Higgins, committed just 50 metres from his own office. Once again, the Leader of the Opposition can come to this dispatch box, seek to state these matters and seek to pointscore on them, Morrison told Parliament on Wednesday. But the issue that is here is the issue that we all must address. These matters, as we know, are not confined to any one side of politics in this building.

That need to be blameless at all times echoes the self-sabotaging stand he took during the black summer of fires, when he said he didnt hold a hose, mate. He didnt start the fires, and it was the responsibility of the states to put them out.
WASHINGTON - The House moved toward a vote Friday on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, with Democrats pushing forward despite unified GOP opposition to the massive relief package aimed at stabilizing the economy and boosting coronavirus vaccinations and testing.

Biden's first major legislative package has the overwhelming support of House Democrats, who narrowly control the chamber. Republicans are expected to oppose the legislation en masse, ensuring a sharply partisan outcome just a month after Biden was inaugurated with calls for bipartisanship and unity.

The vote was expected late Friday night or early Saturday morning. House passage would send the legislation to the Senate, where bigger fights await.

The action in the House comes a day after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the $15 minimum wage in the legislation is not permitted under Senate rules. Nonetheless, House Democrats intend to pass the legislation with the $15 minimum wage included.

It is unclear how the issue will ultimately get resolved, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., pledged Friday that even if the Senate takes out the minimum wage increase - the No. 1 priority for many liberals - the House will "absolutely" pass the legislation and send it to Biden to sign.

"The sooner we pass the bill and it is signed, the sooner we can make the progress that this legislation is all about - saving the lives and the livelihood of the American people," Pelosi said at a news conference.

Beyond the minimum-wage increase, the sprawling relief bill would provide $1,400 stimulus payments to tens of millions of American households; extend enhanced federal unemployment benefits through August; provide $350 billion in aid to states, cities, U.S. territories and tribal governments; and boost funding for vaccine distribution and coronavirus testing - among myriad other measures, such as nutritional assistance, housing aid and money for schools.

Democrats hope to push the legislation through both chambers and get it signed into law by March 14, when enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire. It is uncertain whether disputes over the minimum wage or other issues could complicate that timeline, although Pelosi insisted Friday that the March 14 deadline would be met, adding: "I would like it well before that."

On Thursday night, the Senate's parliamentarian ruled the wage hike as written could not proceed under "reconciliation," the budgetary maneuver Democrats are using to pass the stimulus bill through the Senate without GOP votes.

Liberals erupted, with some even suggesting the nonpartisan parliamentarian should be fired, but Pelosi and other House leaders indicated Friday they're ready to move beyond the dispute and save the minimum wage fight for another day, while insisting they'd get it done one way or another.

As an alternative to the minimum-wage increase, Senate Democrats are exploring a tax hike on large corporations that do not pay a $15-an-hour minimum wage. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is considering a move to include the provision in the relief bill in the Senate, according to two Democratic aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal thinking. It was uncertain whether the proposal would prove viable or command enough support to advance.

The vote on the massive legislation neared as the economy has been showing some signs of progress. Personal income rose 10% in January, the Commerce Department reported Friday, thanks largely to the December stimulus package Congress passed. New claims for unemployment insurance fell sharply last week as coronavirus cases continues to decrease and vaccine distribution becomes more widespread.

Still, only slightly more than half the 20 million jobs lost during the pandemic have returned, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said the real unemployment rate is closer to 10%, meaning the economy has a long way to go to recover to its pre-pandemic levels.

Congressional Republicans have argued that Biden's stimulus is poorly targeted and too expensive, and that it includes measures unrelated to the pandemic. Congress approved some $4 trillion to fight the pandemic last year, including $900 billion in December, and Republicans said that is more than enough, especially in light of signs the economy is improving.

"This isn't a relief bill. It takes care of Democrats' political allies while it fails to deliver for American families," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Friday. "We already know what is the best stimulus plan out there: It is to fully reopen our economy. To do that, we need our economy to go back to work, back to school and back to health."

Democrats, however, argued that more assistance is sorely needed.

"Millions are going hungry, and even more don't know how they'll pay next month's rent," Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., testified Friday before the House Rules Committee. "Their pain is our pain, and we can't expect them to ride this out without our help. This landmark and lifesaving legislation is not a partisan wish list - it's an American wish list."

Ahead of the floor vote, Democrats and Republicans on the Rules Committee sparred angrily over the legislation, with Republicans complaining that they had been shut out of negotiations. Democrats argued that even if the legislation did not command support among Republicans in Congress, it was broadly supported by the public - and by many GOP mayors and some governors.

Biden made some efforts at bipartisan outreach after unveiling his proposal, including meeting with a group of 10 Senate Republicans who made a $618 billion counteroffer. He ultimately dismissed their ideas as too meager and made the decision to move forward without GOP support, repeatedly defending his proposal in recent days and challenging critics to tell him: "What would they have me cut?"

Republicans fumed over Democrats' go-it-alone approach, but Democrats countered that Republicans took the same tack when they controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House at the start of the Trump administration and pushed through an unpaid-for $1.5 trillion tax-cut bill.

House passage of the relief legislation appeared all but assured Friday, but the outlook is trickier in the Senate, where moderate Democrats have raised questions about a number of provisions, including the structure of the state and local aid. The Senate is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, so if Republicans remain opposed, Democrats can pass the legislation only if they stay united and Vice President Harris breaks the tie.

The "budget reconciliation" process allows legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote instead of the 60 votes usually required. But it also contains limitations, prohibiting certain measures that do not affect the federal budget in particular ways. The parliamentarian determined that the minimum wage did not pass that test.

If the Senate passes the bill without the minimum-wage increase and sends it back to the House, liberals will have to make peace with supporting it anyway. Raising the minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 an hour was some liberals' top priority in the bill, and they were irate over the parliamentarian's decision. Some called on Schumer to try to overturn it or move to eliminate the filibuster, the 60-vote threshold that protects minority rights in the Senate.

"Democrats are just going to have to make a choice about using, really going to the mat and really using every lever of power that we have to govern for the majority of the American people," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "In two years, I don't think we can go back to voters and say, 'Look, I know Republicans, Democrats, independents support this, we promised it, but because of an unelected parliamentarian who gave us a ruling, we couldn't do it.' "

The White House, however, has indicated that Biden intends to respect the parliamentarian's ruling. And Democrats do not have the votes to overrule the parliamentarian or eliminate the filibuster in the Senate anyway, because of opposition from at least two moderate Senate Democrats: West Virginia's Joe Manchin III and Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema.

- - -

The Washington Post's Paul Kane and Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report.

The minister says after 2014, Ukraine could no longer believe in any guarantees from Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says he expects decisions and steps from the United States that will prevent the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

Kuleba announced this during a panel discussion of the U.S.-headquartered Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) on the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.

The minister says that messages that come from President Joe Biden's administration regarding Nord Stream 2 are very reassuring.

"The messages we're hearing from the new Administration are very reassuring. They emphasize the continuity of the policy of non-acceptance of Nord Stream 2. I believe we need some more time to see whether the reassuring messages will be followed by equally reassuring decisions and steps to be taken," Kuleba said.

At the same time, the foreign minister said that in the end, the "very nature of Nord Stream 2 is very simple." "If it gets completed, there can be only one conclusion: the action taken was insufficient to prevent it from being completed," he said.

Kuleba noted that Nord Stream 2 is a "painful story" and he "hates being at odds" with German diplomats over this project.

"They have their national interests, we have ours. And we believe that Nord Stream 2 is undermining broad European security," he said, noting that this is not only about energy security. "I speak in a much broader sense," he added.

Yet, the minister said that after 2014 Ukraine could no longer believe in any guarantees from Russia, even if it promises to maintain gas transit through Ukraine to Europe after the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

"If Nord Stream 2 is completed, we will most probably receive an additional guarantee brokered by our European partners, a guarantee from Russia that it will continue to transit Russian gas through the Ukrainian pipeline for a couple of more years. The problem with it is that we cannot believe in any Russian guarantees since 2014," he said. "And the loss of transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will not only mean the loss of money paid for that transit  that's more or less that could be remedied, but it means that energy security of Ukraine will be weakened."

"The completion of Nord Stream 2 will eventually mean the end of the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, which will undermine the national security of my country," he said.

Nord Stream 2: Background

The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia's Ust-Lug and Germany's Greifswald. This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019.

The pipeline will be 1,220 km long. The project is being implemented by Russia's Gazprom in alliance with European companies  ENGIE, OMV, Royal Dutch Shell, Uniper, and Wintershall. Ukraine stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country, while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US$3 billion annually. The project is also highly criticized by the U.S., Poland, and the Baltic States.

On November 4, 2020, the media reported that U.S. Congress wanted to expand sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream.

On December 6, 2020, United States Charge d'Affaires to Germany Robin Quinville called on the EU and Germany to declare a moratorium on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

On December 9, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with expanded restrictions against the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

On December 11, 2020, the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline resumed.

On December 29, 2020, it became known that the House of Representatives overcame the then President Donald Trump's veto on the U.S. defense budget with sanctions on Nord Stream 2.

The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt works on Nord Stream 2, and is preparing broader sanctions against the Russian project in the coming weeks.

The U.S. Senate approved the U.S. defense budget for the fiscal year 2021, which provides for new sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2.

On January 7, 2021, a fund was established in Germany to support the completion of the Nord Stream 2 project.

On January 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of State notified European companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2 of the risk of imposing new sanctions.

On February 22, 2021, the United States imposed new sanctions on the Russian FORTUNA vessel building Nord Stream 2.

As of February 23, 2021, eighteen European companies at once refused to complete the construction of Nord Stream 2 over the U.S. sanctions.

Reporting by UNIAN
The Daily Beast

Delil Souleiman/GettyAL-HASAKAH, SyriaWhen former President Donald Trump said U.S. troops would remain in Syria to keep the oil at the end of 2019, the Pentagon scrambled to deny it.American forces only stayed in Syria to comprehensively defeat ISIS, a spokesman explained; any military presence around the oil fields was purely part of the mission to overcome the so-called Islamic State.Two years later, the remnants of ISIS are diminished, but American troops are still on the ground, still helping to protect that oil.The official stance of the White House, the State Department and the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was thenand remains nowthat keeping the oil is not the reason American men and women are still stationed in one of the worlds most treacherous conflicts. U.S. forces and the coalition more broadly does not provide assistance to any private companies, employees or agents in seeking to develop oil resources NE Syria, a spokesperson said in March.But that is not the full story.The U.S. had come up with a simple if morally and legally dubious plan: help Americas Kurdish partners profit from local oil by keeping it out of the hands of the Assad regime or Islamist militias, and then helping to refine and sell it. These oil fields in the northeast were once part of the network from which ISIS drew a reported $1.5 million in daily revenue.The U.S. Soldiers Spending Thanksgiving Guarding Oil in SyriaAfter decades of claims that American administrations only cared about the Middle East because of its oil, officials knew the U.S. Army could not be seen to seize control of oil fields on Syrian territory and dictate who would profit from their riches. Several former and current U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that the United States sought to obscure the plandespite what Trump saideven though it was the oil strategy justifying a continued U.S. footprint in the countrys northeast.If the U.S. couldnt pull this off officially in public, they were going to need some help. Delta Crescent Energy, LLC., a company incorporated in 2019, was about to assume a centraland largely secretrole in American foreign policy.U.S. officials believed the tiny company from Delaware with offices in Texas could become the American equivalent of Russias powerful, private mercenary army, the Wagner Group, which is linked to President Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Wagner is notorious for intervening in areas where it might be politically advantageous to avoid official fingerprints. U.S. officials saw this newly established company as the Wagner Group used for good, not evilin the words of one senior Biden administration official who, like the more than a dozen former and current U.S. administration officials and officials in northeast Syria and northern Iraq, requested anonymity in order to discuss matters of national security. The Daily Beast also exclusively reviewed Deltas company license and its contract with a local oil partner.A plan to stay and protect Syrian oil had been in the works months before Trumps boast in October 2019. But American companies and individuals were prohibited by an Executive Order from the Treasury Department from operating in Syria due to sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.On April 8, 2020, Delta Crescent, was granted a one-year sanctions waiver in order to advise and assist a local oil company in northeast Syria, an area known locally as Rojava and controlled by the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).A former State Department official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, told The Daily Beast that U.S. officials had decided oil produced in northeast Syria did not really belong to Assad, who claims he was reelected president with 95 percent of the vote last week, because oil belongs to the people not the government.For every barrel the company helped export outside Syria, it would receive $1, according to the production-sharing agreement and the companys application to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The company who took on this enterprise was established by the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James P. Cain, a retired Delta Force officer Jim Reese, and John Dorrier, a former oil executive, at least two of whom donated to Republican party candidates. These three private American citizens suddenly had a huge role to play in one of the U.S.s thorniest foreign policy challenges; how to set up a peaceful and prosperous Kurdish bulwark against Assad.This is the shift we didnt make in Iraq in 2003, a senior U.S. official said. We didnt backfill and if we dont get that right well get the same exact result. If we dont work the commercial and economic angle, were going to lose this battle.That is a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of these three men.The lofty ambitions of Delta Crescent came to an abrupt end as the Biden administration decided on Friday not to extend the license for Delta Crescents work in Syria. Delta Crescent, officials told me, was the de facto plan for the U.S. in Syria. Now its unclear whether there is a plan at allthe decision to revoke the companys license may give Russian oil and gas companies the chance to move in. So, what went wrong?On the GroundOn the road between Rmelan and the nearby city of Qamishli there are imperfect and patched together oil refineries scattered among villages. Plumes of smoke rise in all directions, curling skyward in the region of Syria that boasts three-quarters of the countrys oil reserves.There are black, damp puddles on the ground around us. Workers lean against motorcycles weighted by canisters containing the product direct from the refineries.Rmelan is a town dominated by oil and where Delta maintained offices and ten employees. There are new housing developments under construction which would house future oil workers near existing dormitories and offices on the outskirts of a series of oil fields operated by Delta Crescents local partner, the Jazeera Oil Company.The first time I spoke with the founders about their progress, in late-February, they had just smuggled oil samples out of Syria as testing capabilities were lacking in the country. I traveled to Rojava in early March to find out how much further they had got.The vision for Delta Crescent to help local partners become financially independent, and to wrest control of the countrys oil sector from Assad, was going to be a bellwether that would help our national security objectives, a former U.S. official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast. Maher Joumaa Howair, Ahmad Abu Mohamad, and an unidentified oil refinery worker. Kenneth R. Rosen During a windswept and cool day one week in March, a group of men were waiting at the refineries for the latest truckloads of crude, which came around two in the afternoon. They were making light repairs to engines and smoking cigarettes near the refineries through which they processed 22 tons each day. Asked about the growth of production rates over the last year, Maher Howair said there was no sign of improvement at all. It has been the same, he said. No fewer or more trucks have come through. No expansion or retraction of the local industry. Their thirty hours of work here each week still consistently yield each man $11 a month.Delta Crescent staff were clearly itching to get to the next step. They said they were on the verge of finalizing contracts with exporters and said the company was waiting for a license to import digital oil well monitors which would arrive in Rojava in mid-April.The founders hoped that trucks with local crude, exported through contracts they negotiated would soon cross into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. They had already planned celebrations in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, once the trucks started moving. Dorrier told the Associated Press that the company had secured about $2 billion in contracts to sell Rojava oil to international buyers, but regional oil industry executives told The Daily Beast that was unlikely.American officials had waged a public relations campaign to say U.S. forces were not there for the oil. But roughly 900 troops remain in Syria today to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, an irreversible political solution to the Syrian conflict... and the removal of all Iranian-supported forces, a State Department spokesperson told The Daily Beast. They also have directions to defend their position, which so happened to include the operations of Delta Crescent.A former senior U.S. military official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast that the U.S. actively trained a force within the SDF for the task of protecting the fields where Delta Crescent operated. The Critical Petroleum Infrastructure teamas it is known to U.S. military officialsis composed of 200 fighters from the SDF. They now conduct joint patrols with U.S. forces who visit oil facilities three to five times a week to assess  defenses, according to the latest report from the DoDs Lead Inspector General.This military support had led to reestablishing some confidence between the U.S. and the SDF after Trumps shock 2019 withdrawal which led to more than 100 deaths during a Turkish invasion. The support has also allowed the Kurds to edge toward financial self-sustainment and furthering its capabilities to defend its territory by providing additional security which gave rise to a political apparatus and a stronger internal military. But it has not helped to sever Rojavas reliance on the regime by introducing new revenue streams.Two of the Delta Crescent founders who spoke to The Daily Beast felt they were making progress, but said the U.S. Government had not backed them by pressuring regional leaders in neighboring countries to work with them.There was then, and continues to be, a robust trade in non-sanctioned oil across Syrias borders, but the people of the region have not been getting a fair market price for their oil, because it has not been legal, Cain said.Trump Announces New Syria Plan: Blood for OilThe illegal trade was still booming when I arrived and underscores how arms length U.S. support for Delta Crescent made the companys mission to advise and assist impossible. The State Department had high hopes to establish a low level free movement of goods and people, a former official told me, but failed to go all-in. There was also talk of helping with mobile oil refineries and equipment which has not materialized.Since January, when Delta Crescent tried and failed to open an additional border crossing between Iraq and Syria at the town of al-Yarubiyah, officials within the SDF and the Biden administration had begun hemorrhaging their faith in Delta Crescent. Meanwhile, the Assad regime had led a successful propaganda campaign to convince Syrians that Americans are there to steal the nations oil. Few in Syriaeven among American alliesbelieved the U.S. was there for anything resembling assistance or support or that it wont commit yet another betrayal.In mid-May, as the license extension neared its end, Reese grew concerned that the company would not be granted a renewal. He worried U.S. officials believed Delta Crescent was a Trump-era holdover and wanted it gone.As I drove through Rojava, I often passed trucks chugging west and bearing license plates for regime-held territory like Damascus and Aleppo. Delta was supposed to have opened routes in the opposite direction. It never happened and the fruits of production in this Kurdish enclave are continuing to nourish Assads regime.Who are Delta Crescent?Five years ago, one of the founders of Delta, Ambassador Cain, learned that his son-in-law had been caught up in a terror attack at Brussels Airport in Belgium. With information scarce, Cain jumped on a flight with his daughter, Cameron.To help his daughter find her husband, Cain turned to a network of contacts hed established as a career diplomat. He called Jim Reese when it emerged that ISIS had claimed responsibility for the five suicide bombers, who had targeted the airport and subway.At the time, Reese owned TigerSwan, a company contracted by the Department of Defense to clear landmines near the city of Raqqa. He sent some of his ex-military contractors to Belgium to help. They would soon learn that two of the attackers had survived during the three-way coordinated bombing and that Cains son-in-law, Alexander Pinczowski, had died instantly, along with 31 others between the days series of attacks.Cain stayed involved in the case, later testifying at the trial of the surviving attackers.A couple of years later, Cain and Reese reconvened at a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. They were there to discuss a new venture. Within monthsin December 2018the two men were in Rojava scouting for possible business opportunities in war ravaged northern Syria.They were in the country when Trump made the shock announcement that he was pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, which would leave Americas Kurdish allies to fend for themselves against both Assad and Turkish President Erdogan. Cain was so moved by the betrayal that he published an op-ed in the Washington Post encouraging Trump to reconsider.Reese now says he proposed the idea of an oil company to Commander Mazloum Abdi while at the SDF headquarters in Ain-Issa during their visit. He says it was all his idea.Whats in it for me, at the end of the day, is Im a servant leader. Thats what drives Jim Reese. I was put on this world to help people who need assistance, Reese told The Daily Beast. Whether thats overseas, whether thats in the U.S., whether thats someone getting pushed around on the playground. If I see someone and I can help them thats: If not me, who?Not everyone believes that Americas keep the oil strategy was all down to a flash of inspiration from one man.Lahur Talabany, the intelligence chief who first introduced U.S. officials to the SDF, told The Daily Beast that the protection of oil assets had long been in the works as the reason for U.S. forces staying in northeast Syria.Mazloum was talking about this with the State Department and they reached out to us way before that, Talabany told The Daily Beast during a meeting at his office in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. The DoD was also asking if we could help them with a refinery to refine the fuel right there so we could bring in some companies. This was a year before the announcement of a U.S. troop drawdown.The intelligence apparatus of Talabanywho is also co-leader of Iraqi Kurdistans second-largest political partyplayed a key role in the assassination of Qassim Soleimani via a drone stroke in January 2020, according to a recent report in Yahoo News.Talabany denied involvement but maintains close relations with U.S. interests.A Series of Impossible PositionsDelta Crescent now found itself in a crucible; caught between hostile foreign governments, a vengeful Syrian regime and corrupt local forces.Did the plan to use a tiny private oil company to bring stability to the region ever stand a chance?One thing is clear, no one in Syria ever believed the Americans had a cohesive long-term strategy. The uncertainty created a game of ambiguity between all sides, said a U.S. official briefed on matters in the country.That hesitancy was exploited by Iranian and Russian forces in the region which arent living in an ambiguous policy environment, the official told me. Moscow and Tehran have backed their assets in Syria to act decisively.In direct opposition to U.S. interests, Russia has worked to protect the oil market for the Syrian regime, according to people in Rojava who work in the oil sector. They did that by providing security and logistical support to Hussam al-Qaterji, "the godfather of the regimes oil and wheat trade with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)," according to a Treasury Department sanctions notice. The city of Qamishli. Kenneth R. Rosen The Daily Beast tracked down one of Qaterjis oil truck drivers.He said Qaterji wasnt his only employer and that he used two trucks (one for wheat, one for oil), which meant people other than Assad were profiting off the oil in Rojava. His routes were once between Qamishli and through Deir al-Zour to regime territory, but now he goes west from Rojava to other regime-controlled areas, signaling a move away from Russian and Iranian forces.Without a formal severing of trade between the northeast and the regime in Damascus, U.S. officials said, Rojava will be beholden to Assad, a war criminal who will keep them subjugated.But the SDF and Rojava couldnt rely on the U.S., either.The center of gravity has shifted from building a security zone to building an economy, a conflict monitor familiar with international projects in the region told me. Rojava still relies on regime engineers and its refining capabilities for diesel, and gas for cooking, a trade which does not include exchange of much-needed cash for Rojava.Asked if Delta Crescents objectives were ever possible, the monitor added, Its a series of impossible positions.Aside from anti-American forces such as Russia and Iran, potential allies also failed to help the long-shot oil plan.When Delta Crescent sought to broker a new arrangement between the neighboring Kurdish regions, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq refused to renegotiate its illegal trade with Rojava. Mansour Barzani, the brother of the Kurdish prime minister and the cousin of the regional president, was working to undermine the Delta Crescent operation, according to conversations which have not been previously reported.According to those familiar with the negotiations, near the end of 2020, the Lanaz refinery controlled by Barzani, increased its capabilities to refine more of the poor-quality oil from Rojava. It paid roughly $19 per barrel for the oil and folded it into its pipeline heading for Turkey. But Barzani wanted 70 percent of the income from the Rojava oil. The Delta founders balked.Millions and millions of dollars are being made on a daily basis on that border, a KRG official familiar with the meeting told The Daily Beast.The KRG has made a turn towards authoritarianism in recent years. In August 2019, around the time the State Department was seeking to aid the oil industry in Rojava, a lawsuit was filed in the Royal Courts of Justice in London against the KRG and its Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, alleging a campaign of harassment which delayed the authorization of operational licenses for a company based in Iraqi Kurdistan called Dynasty Petroleum.Dynasty said it had refused to pay the bribes solicited by KRG officials. Barzanis office and the Hawrami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.The CEO of Dynasty spoke to The Daily Beast on a balcony overlooking the metropolitan sprawl of Sulaymaniyah, a view hemmed by the Zagros mountains and the Iraqi border with Iran.The courtyard below was outfitted with a shack and a gate, manned by one man armed with a Kalashnikov. On the day of our meeting, Hiwa Qaramani was confidently awaiting news about the outcome of the lawsuit: there was precedent for a favorable outcome against the KRG.His frustrations lay not only with the regional government. Even though he believed the KRG had played a role in hampering Delta Crescent and other potential international investment in Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria, he felt he had been even more crippled by American fickleness.Were ready to go invest in electricity, in oil refinery, in telecom, in everything, Qaramani told me, but he said he needed to know that the U.S. would remain steadfast.He had believed that Delta Crescent would be able to usher in new capital investment and break the stranglehold over regional monopolies but all he had seen in reality was a massive disconnect between what Delta Crescent was aiming to do and what the U.S. continued to say publicly.From America, theres no clear statement about the future of this area, he said. Theres always a risk, but the risk is way too high.Did They Even Want U.S. Help?Talabanythe Kurdish intel chiefcan see the value of what Delta Crescent attempted. If the Americans hadnt stayed for the oil, he said, the U.S. would have lost everything.But his view is increasingly rare.Those close to the SDF leadership say Mazloum and his aides were cautioning themselves against relying on U.S. support broadly, and Delta Crescent directly, as they remain uncertain whether either can help them achieve further autonomy from the Assad regime.In private, interested parties have also expressed frustration that the U.S. would grant a sanctions exemption to an American company, but not to Rojava as a whole.U.S. officials argue in Washington, D.C., that Assad no longer has the moral authority to control Rojava, but his regime has reclaimed much of its lost territory in an ongoing campaign which continues to kill and maim thousands.Syrias borders are controlled by various countries and groups, but within the state of Syria, the population is largely now loyal to the regime, whether by choice or not. Even within the Kurdish enclave of Rojava, many expect the regimes return.How the Biden administration plans to position itself in Syria, and whether it might support another economic initiative like Delta Crescent, remains unclear.Shaaban Suleiman, from the village of Gundek Sayid, told The Daily Beast that he thought the current governing body of Rojava would help him when Assad was driven out, but they made things even worse, he said.The oil doesnt benefit the people. It does not matter who comes or who goes. Whoever feeds me is welcome here, he said, noting that much of their oil product was still being sent to regime-held areas despite what the Americans had in mind.Ahmad Saeed, 46, who repairs diesel heaters in nearby Qamishli, said further American involvement would do more harm than good.They will pump oil and steal it amid this famine. They will not work in the interest of the country, he said. Nobody understands them, the Americans. They have been here for years, what has changed? When the Americans go somewhere, they work for their own interests, not the peoples.He blamed ongoing sanctions for the countrys failed economy, gesturing to a crowd swarming the entrance to a U.N. World Food Programme handout.You Americans are chasing us, it is impossible for us to relax, he said. What benefit did the Iraqi people get from you except destruction? What benefit did the Yemeni people or any other nation in the world get from you?Saeed massaged his grease-stained hands.They are all invading our country, he said. The country should belong to its people.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
You can buy iPhone X models from Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy. Apple

You can no longer buy any iPhone X model in new condition, but you can buy them refurbished from Apple starting at $639.

You can also buy any version of the iPhone X used or refurbished from third-party sellers, like Best Buy or Amazon.

iPhone X prices vary based on seller, version, and condition, but it's always better to buy refurbished rather than used products.

Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

With the release of newer iPhones like the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, Apple has phased out sales of the iPhone X, which was originally released in 2017.

But, if you're in the market for an iPhone and don't want to drop major dollars on the newest versions, you can still purchase a refurbished or used iPhone X, XR, XS, or XS Max from Apple or other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

Here's everything you need to know about the iPhone X models, and how much they cost.

How much each iPhone X model costs

The iPhone X - like the XR, XS, and XS Max - is no longer sold in new condition by any retailer. But, you can buy it certified refurbished from Apple, which is the safest bet to guarantee the best condition.

However, if you prefer a cheaper option, the iPhone X is available refurbished or used from third-party sites.

Important: If you're buying directly from Apple, all models are fully unlocked, meaning they will work with any cellular carrier. On Amazon and Best Buy, you'll be able to buy the phones unlocked from any carrier, or from a specific carrier if you choose. Some other retailers may require you to register the device with your cell phone carrier. All prices listed below are for the unlocked versions.

iPhone X price

You can buy the iPhone X 256GB for $679 from Apple. You can also find iPhone X models will less storage starting at $299 on Amazon and $429 on Best Buy.









The iPhone X. Hollis Johnson

iPhone XR price

Story continues

You can't buy the iPhone XR from Apple, but you can find it on Amazon starting at $325 and on Best Buy starting at $409.

The iPhone XR. Getty Images

iPhone XS price

You can buy the iPhone XS starting at $639 from Apple, starting at $328 on Amazon, and for $530 from Best Buy.





The iPhone XS. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images







iPhone XS Max price

You can find the iPhone XS Max starting at $719 from Apple and starting at $445 on Amazon.





The iPhone XS Max. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider







The key differences between iPhone X models

Here's what each iPhone X model offers:





The iPhone X kicked off the iPhone redesign. It introduced the edge-to-edge display with almost no visible bezel, packing a 5.8-inch display with dual 12-megapixel cameras (both wide-angle and telephoto). It also replaced Touch ID with Face ID, creating the infamous notch - the screen is interrupted at the top with a cutout for various cameras and sensors.

The iPhone XR is intended to be a more affordable model in the iPhone X family. The display isn't quite as sophisticated; it doesn't feature an OLED display like all the other iPhone X models do.



It has a slightly larger display (6.1 inches) than the basic iPhone X, and comes in a variety of colors (blue, white, black, yellow, coral, and red) - though it lacks dual wide-angle and telephoto cameras.

The iPhone XS is a limited upgrade over the iPhone X; it has the same size screen as the original iPhone X as well as the same dual cameras. It boasts slightly better water resistance as well.

The iPhone XS Max is a supersized version of the iPhone XS, much like the way the iPhone 7 Plus is a bigger version of the iPhone 7. It has a 6.5-inch display, and a longer battery life thanks to a bigger battery in the larger frame.

'How much is the iPhone 11?': Everything you need to know about Apple's latest phone, including its standard price, trade-in prices, and new features'How much is the iPhone 11 Pro?': Everything you need to know about Apple's first 'Pro' phones, including their standard prices, trade-in prices, and new features'How much is the Apple Watch Series 5?': A breakdown of each model's price and new features'How much is the Apple Pencil?': A breakdown of Apple's advanced iPad styluses, including their prices and which iPads each works with

Read the original article on Business Insider
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After the Supreme Court overturned Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's decision to dissolve Parliament and directed that a meeting of the House of Representatives be convened by March 8, rival political parties are vying to form a new government. As a result the main opposition Congress party, which has 63 MPs, has taken the centre stage.

Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the Nepal Communist Party led by his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', also a co-chair of the ruling party.

Both factions of the Nepal Communist Party, led by Oli as well as Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal are in talks with the Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba.

While PM Oli is formulating a phased strategy, Dahal-Nepal supporters are not clear whether the fight against him is within his own party's parliamentary party.

The CPN (Maoist), which was given the mandate to run the government for five years with two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives, has split into two factions after three years due to infighting.

Both splinter groups in the CPN convened a meeting of their supporters on Wednesday to decide on the future course. Oli's rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', also a co-chair of the ruling party, has made it clear that he was in favour of Party's unity but it is not possible to support Oli. He has said, "Oli should resign after the verdict and that would be beneficial for party unity."

But Oli is adamant. He also had a meeting with his supporters on the same day and his aides say he would face the House rather than resign.

But political experts think that though reinstatement of Parliament has definitely been a rude shock to PM K P S Oli, his exit appears imminent by the time the House assembles by March 8 as directed by the Court.

"But the exit of Oli will not necessarily lead to political stability in Nepal," says Yuvraj Ghimere, the editor in Chief of Nepali paper Deshsanchar.com.

Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 after President Bidya Dev Bhandari dissolved the House of Representatives and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling party.

Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the Nepal Communist Party led by his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', also a co-chair of the ruling party. Oli repeatedly defended his move to dissolve the House, saying some leaders of his party were attempting to form a "parallel government".

Oli was leading the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist, and Prachanda represented the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist). Following the merger, the two leaders agreed that they would lead the government by turn, a promise that Oli did not honour at the end of his two-and-a-half years, thus sowing the seeds of separation.

Though the ruling party is not split legally, the Oli faction has 83 members, his rivals Prachanda-Madhav Nepal faction controls 90 seats in the reinstated parliament, while the Nepali Congress has 61 and the JSP 32 out of the 275 seats in the parliament. For a no-confidence motion to pass and to form a government, the number is 138.

But for that to happen, the Nepal Communist Party has to split legally first. With around 83 MPs on his side, Oli will need the support of 55 lawmakers to win the vote of confidence. And this is possible only if the Nepali Congress, which has 63 seats, supports him.

To get the magic number, Both factions of the Nepal Communist Party, led by Oli as well as Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal are in touch with the Nepal Congress Party led by Deuba, the four-time prime minister of the country, who is watching the situation.

According to leaders of The Nepal Congress Party leaders, both Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions have been offering prime ministership to Deuba, and many Congress leaders believe that given the party president's history, he is highly likely to take the bait.

"The role of Nepali Congress will be defined based on how Dahal and Nepal will take forward their party," said Congress leader Minendra Rija to the Kathmandu Post. "We have nothing to say in the change of the Parliamentary Party leader of the Nepal Communist Party. Yes, if the Nepal Communist Party splits and there is a situation, our party can consider its role in the formation of a new government."

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

--indianarrative/
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 20:54:21|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on Feb. 19, 2021 shows containers at the automatic dock of the Qingdao port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Photo by Zhang Jingang/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to exempt certain U.S. goods from additional tariffs until September this year, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Friday.

The country announced in February last year that 65 items from the United States would be excluded from the second round of tariff countermeasures against the U.S. Section 301 measures, effective from Feb. 28, 2020 to Feb. 27, 2021.

After the extension, the exemption will last until Sept. 16, 2021, the commission said in a statement. 
[February 26, 2021] Wisdom Capital Acquires ImagineSales, launches Wisdom CRM

- Aims to become No. 1 CRM brand in the world and revolutionize the CRM space NOIDA, India, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wisdom Capital, a Wisdom Group flagship company, has recently taken over a start-up, Imagine Sales - a customer relationship management (CRM) company, and launched Wisdom CRM. CRM is a massive industry and is likely to grow at double digit growth rates in the coming decade; however, it is very sporadically distributed in India. "The idea is to provide CRM software, cloud telephony, Artificial Intelligence(AI) enabled chatbots with voice command functionality, encrypted data transfer, Whatsapp messaging services, bulk emailing, social media embedded tools, and helpdesk services under one roof. It will be similar to an all-encompassing modern departmental store", said Founder and Group CEO, Deb Mukherjee. Wisdom Group was already in the process of developing CRM software under the flagship of its group IT company, Wisdom Tree Ventures with a brand name of 'Wisdom CRM'. Apart from the tangible assets, both sides have brought their intellectual worth on the table and hope to create value in the long run with the launch of the new product. Wisdom CRM was being developed with the eventual intention of penetrating and servicing the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector when an opportunity presented itself after the Covid-19 era. "The new indigenously developed product will align with the Make in India ideology of the Government of India. Our hope is to provide stiff competition to the foreignplayers in this industry", added Deb Mukherjee.



With this takeover, the newly formed entity is now a registered company by the name of Wisdom CRM Pvt. Ltd. The acquisition places Wisdom Group firmly in the CRM space. Among other sectors, Wisdom Group is primarily focused on presence in financial markets (Wisdom Capital), IT (Wisdom Tree Ventures), insurance (Wisdom Policy), and online gaming sectors (Wishgames11) with business interest in upcoming sectors as well. Wisdom Group has taken this step in order to grab its share of the CRM market and plans to compete with the likes of Salesforce, FreshSales, and other foreign competitors in the industry. The Group followed an inorganic route as it believes that the technical knowhow of ImagineSales will complement its business operations and market reach. ImagineSales has been operative in this field for the last few years and, seeking growth, saw this as a win-win strategy for both the companies. Existing clientele, technology, and call center operations are few of the attributes that ImagineSales brings on the table. The existing technology will be upgraded to the latest state of the art technological levels and will be ready for B2B clients in the near future.

'Wisdom CRM', a proprietary client relationship management system with embedded cloud telephony system will have an edge over other similar systems available in the market on account of specific state of the art technological features: telephony embedded CRM, visual journey builder, free trial capability, and competitive pricing. Also, for the first time in India, the newly launched Wisdom CRM will be AI powered. 'Yeti', the AI enabled assistant with voice command functionality, will be operative at all levels of the customer relationship funnel and will add value in tracking sales engagements, improving conversation rates, analyzing customer profiles, and ensuring seamless management of customer follow ups that will eventually help in yielding maximum profit. This will keep the team motivated by reminding the team to follow up dead or untapped leads. AI will also be helpful in data analysis, pattern recognition, and corrective measures required to streamline the processes. "Yeti has been designed to constantly remind the users about monthly sales targets, improve sales pitch, manage troubleshooting, and train in house users by analyzing call recordings and improve lead conversion rates", said Sudip Samaddar, CEO Wisdom CRM. Integration is another feature that will distinguish Wisdom CRM. Wisdom CRM can easily be integrated with several platforms and, as a result, will be able to simplify and fine tune the processes on a single platform. "We saw the opportunity to revolutionize the CRM market and grabbed it right on the spot. We believe that we are at the inflexion point in this industry which is showing signs of consolidation in the new few years, and we want to be part of that consolidation", said Bharat Bansal, Director, Wisdom CRM. "In India, the telecom rules are different from those in the US. India doesn't allow voice over IP. There is no telephony embedded CRM in India. All the major CRM companies in India provide telephony integrated CRM but not telephony embedded CRM. We fill that gap in India," said Manish Kumar, CTO, at Wisdom CRM. Wisdom CRM seems fairly poised to achieve a homerun in the CRM space as well. About Wisdom Group Wisdom Group is a diversified business entity with a presence in the financial services, Information Technology (IT), and interests in the Insurance sector and online gaming sectors.

For more details, please contact www.wisdomcapital.in

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Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions.

Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
President Moon Jae-in visited Busan for the first time this year to be briefed on the development of a so-called mega-city project there. But it does not take a genius to figure out that he went there to drum up voter support ahead of the mayoral by-election in April, bypassing the awkward constitutional requirement for the president to stay above the political fray. Moon was duly briefed on the progress of a new airport on Gadeok Island in Busan and boasted that it will become a "global logistics hub." Yet plans the government drew up to build a new airport in Gimhae near Busan have not even been scrapped, and no laws have been passed to authorize the Gadeok airport. The president was blatantly soliciting votes in exchange for building an airport. It has become clear that asking Moon to abide by any regulations is now meaningless.

Moon was accompanied by a huge entourage -- the ministers of finance, interior and safety, land, infrastructure and transport and oceans and fisheries, and the head of the ruling Minjoo Party. A day before Moon's trip, the Busan mayoral office, which is affiliated with the ruling party, remarked in passing that Gadeok Island is a key campaign pledge. So heavily is the president lobbying for the project that even the opposition party has meekly voiced support, just to avoid being left out.

Many lawmakers say a special bill the ruling party seeks to greenlight the new airport is unprecedented for its shoddiness. The bill was prepared in a rush and it lacks the most basic components of a proposal as it even does not even provide for a feasibility study. Even the ministries of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Strategy and Finance and Justice voiced reservations over legality and process. The new airport will cost taxpayers W28 trillion, but the plans are barely deserving of the name (US$1=W1,109).

Moon's underhand meddling in elections probably dates back as far as the Ulsan mayoral election in 2018. The president also visited Busan ahead of the general election last year and attended large publicity events. He has also been visiting other provincial cities where votes might be up for grabs and urging voters to apply for disaster-relief money even before the payouts were officially decided. More recently, Moon raised the possibility of a fifth round of disaster-relief payouts although the size of the fourth round has yet to be set. Moon must think what he is doing is nothing compared to his predecessors, one of whom -- Park Geun-hye -- has been given a two-year jail sentence for meddling in candidate selection, while another -- Roh Moo-hyun -- faced impeachment for saying that he believed the public will support the ruling party in the general election.

Yet the upcoming by-elections are taking place because mayors affiliated with the ruling party were undone by allegations of sexual harassment. As a result, taxpayers will have to foot the W80 billion the election is costing. It was Moon himself who created a party rule vowing not to field any candidates if a by-election was caused by wrongdoing by one of its members. But look at him now, scurrying around the country to drum up support for Minjoo Party candidates.



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The husband of Illinois Republican Rep. Mary Miller has acknowledged owning the pickup truck parked close to the Capitol on Jan. 6th with a sticker from the radical right Three Percenters group.

Illinois State Rep. Chris Miller acknowledged the truck belonged to him after it was first identified by an online group seeking to flush out people associated with the Capitol riot.

But he didn't acknowledge any knowledge about the far right group represented in the decal on his shiny gray Ford.

The husband of Rep. Mary Miller has acknowledged a truck identified at the Capitol the day of the Jan. 6th riots was his. It was identified with a decal of the far-right Three Percenters militia group

Army friend gave me decal. Thought it was a cool decal. Took it off because of negative pub, he wrote the DailyBeast when asked about it.

Miller said he 'didnt know anything about 3% till fake news started this fake story and read about them' and was never a member of the group.

There is no information that Miller participated in the Capitol riot.

The truck is parked in a prime location on the West Front of the Capitol, could be seen there in video the day of the riots. On-line sleuths identified the vehicle, which had a distinctive state government tag, after it appeared in CBS News footage.

An FBI affidavit with one of the charges filed against alleged rioters refers to Three Percenters as a 'radical militia group.'

The same truck can be seen parading for Chris Miller and Mary Miller

Illinois' newest member of Congress faced widespread public backlash after quoting Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler at a political rally in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Tuesday.Governor J.B. Pritzker, who is Jewish, minced no words when he condemned U.S. Rep. Mary Miller for saying that Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler got "one thing" right."Let me be clear: Hitler got nothing right," Pritzker said during a COVID-19 press update. "This reprehensible rhetoric has no place in our politics"

Rep. Miller, a first-term lawmaker, apologized after she was caught on video quoting Adolph Hitler just two days after being sworn in. Speaking at a 'Save the Republic' rally the day before Congress met to count the electoral votes, she said: 'Hitler was right on one thing: He said, "Whoever has the youth, has the future." Our children are being propagandized.

'I sincerely apologize for any harm my words caused and regret using a reference to one of the most evil dictators in history to illustrate the dangers that outside influences can have on our youth,' she said days afterward.

According to the Anti Defamation League, 'Three Percenters are part of the militia movement, which supports the idea of a small number of dedicated patriots protecting Americans from government tyranny, just as the patriots of the American Revolution protected early Americans from British tyranny.'

Founded in 2008, their name comes from the ahistorical claim that only 3 per cent of colonists fought in the Revolutionary War.

Following the Hitler remark but before the apology, Illinois Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky said: 'We cannot allow speakers to get up to crowds and preach things that are so detrimental to people of color or Jews or immigrants, and we've had enough of that.'

The same truck has been identified decked out in signs for both lawmakers campaign events and parades.

The truck in those images has an identical 'Herd Quitter' bumper sticker associated with a conservative cattleman's blog.

The Millers got Oval Office face time with President Trump in September, with the future congresswoman appearing to wear a Trump sign around her neck. In a ceremonial swearing-in photo posted on her official government website, her husband is wearing a Trump-Pence pin.

Asked abut the truck and whether Chris Miller took part in the demonstration or the riot in any way, a spokeswoman for Rep. Mary Miller's office responded: 'Congresswoman Miller has repeatedly stated that she joins her colleagues in condemning the violence that occurred on January 6. She and her family were in no way involved in the violent attacks and she continues to pray for the healing of our nation.'
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Microsoft founder Bill Gates has not invested in Bitcoin, he said in a live chat on the social network Clubhouse.



Mr Gates told host Andrew Sorkin that he preferred to invest in companies that make products, citing malaria and measles vaccines as examples.



The billionaire said he did not choose his investments on the basis of whether they would be worth more to others.



In an earlier interview, he had discussed Tesla founder Elon Musks enthusiasm for the virtual currency.



My general thought would be that if you have less money than Elon, you should probably watch out, he told Bloomberg.



Elon has tonnes of money and hes very sophisticated, so I dont worry that his Bitcoin will sort of randomly go up or down.



Bitcoins value jumped nearly 50% after Tesla revealed it had purchased $1.5bn of the currency and planned to accept it as payment, but it later dropped by 20%.



US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has described the currency as an extremely inefficient way of conducting transactions.



Bill Gates has long been skeptical about Bitcoin. In 2018 he said in an interview with CNBC that he would short it if he could. Short-selling, or shorting, refers to the practice of borrowing something (traditionally shares), selling them, waiting for the price to drop and then buying them back cheaper and returning them.

Source: BBC









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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Since banishing the coronavirus from workplaces will be a key to opening the economy  and keeping it open  some companies are considering whether to require their workers to be vaccinated. The chief executive of United Airlines has said he favors making the shots mandatory, and several cruise lines will ask their crews to be vaccinated before returning to work. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has said it is legal for companies to require their employees to get coronavirus vaccines. But these types of mandates are best imposed by governments, not by private companies.

Most vaccine mandates in the United States apply to children entering school. These rules, which vary from state to state, have long been the subject of fierce debate. Veterans of those battles know that immunization policy operates at the intersection of important values: Vaccines are medical treatments, symbols of science and progress, opportunities for community solidarity and objects of government power.

Given the U.S. governments failure to control the Covid-19 pandemic and the political polarization of public health policies, it may seem wise to allow private corporations to require coronavirus vaccines. After all, it is common for American bosses to manage or attempt to influence the health of their employees through workplace drug testing, company-funded tobacco cessation programs and discounts on gym memberships. Some hospitals and other employers already require their workers to be inoculated for the flu, for example.

But when a company demands that its employees should be vaccinated, this dictate expresses the private power of capital over individuals in ways we should be reluctant to accept. The mere fact that workers and employers are bound together by voluntary contracts doesnt give bosses license to make medical decisions for their employees. Its different when the government requires vaccinations, since mandates are typically introduced, removed or modified by democratically elected legislatures, lending legitimacy to public efforts to govern peoples immunization choices.
(Newser)  Mitch McConnell and former President Trump are not exactly BFFs, but the Senate minority leader told Fox News on Thursday he'd "absolutely" support the former POTUS were he to become the Republican presidential nominee in 2024. But, he added, "there's a lot to happen between now and '24. I've got at least four members, I think, that are planning on running for president, plus governors and others. There is no incumbent, [so it] should be a wide-open race and fun for you all to cover." Axios' Mike Allen has reported that when Trump speaks at CPAC on Sunday, he "plans to send the message that he is the Republicans' 'presumptive 2024 nominee' with a vise grip on the party's base," though he has not formally declared he will run.

story continues below

McConnell, of course, voted to acquit Trump at his latest impeachment trial but then accused the former president of being "practically and morally responsible for provoking the events" of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot; this is his first time speaking publicly about the former president since then. CNN calls his comments to Fox News "a notable commitment following his recent blistering critiques," and the Hill goes with "a remarkable about-face." But, the network notes, they also show how reluctant the GOP is to move on from Trump, given his continued popularity with a large portion of Republicans. "I'm pretty sure he will win the nomination" if he runs in 2024, Mitt Romney told the New York Times this week. (Read more Mitch McConnell stories.)
1 March 2021 marks the first anniversary of free public transport in Luxembourg, which remains the only country in the world to have taken this step.

According to the Ministry of Mobility, it is rather difficult to make a reliable assessment of the measure's effects, mainly due to the "exceptional situation".

Passengers using Luxembourg City's tramway are being counted electronically. On average, around 31,000 people travelled with the tram every day in February 2020.

Currently, this figure stands at around 38,000 passengers per day on average, and this despite the fact that the government is still encouraging companies to use telework. On some days, the number even jumps up to 42,000 passengers per day.

Since the end of last year, the tram also travels between Place de l'Etoile and the capital's railway station.

The Ministry's press release also specifies that the number of people travelling by train has dropped by 39% compared to the previous year.
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ALTON  The Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) is celebrating celebrates its 20th anniversary.

In 1998, Gateway Parks and Trail 2004  a group of local leaders and engaged citizens from across the greater St. Louis area  organized around an ambitious vision for a true regional system of public parks, trails, and outdoor spaces entitled the Clean Water, Safe Parks & Community Trails Initiative.

The group later released a report summarizing their findings after soliciting input from communities throughout the bi-state area. It called for the creation of two regional park and recreation districts, one in Missouri and the other in Illinois, with the aim of bringing communities together, improving the environment, and celebrating the regions rivers.

It was envisioned that both districts would operate under a shared framework and incorporate the objectives formed out of the Initiative, namely:

 Improving water quality

 Increasing park safety

 Proving community trails

 Improving, restoring, and expanding local parks

 Increasing public and disabled access

 Preserving wildlife habitat.

By July 1999, Illinois passed House Bill 702, the Metro East Park and Recreation Act. The legislation allowed the Illinois counties of Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Clinton, Monroe and Macoupin to opt-in and participate in the Metro East Park and Recreation District if approved by the voters in any such county.

In November 2000, voters in Madison and St. Clair counties approved Proposition C: Clean Water, Safe Parks & Community Trail Initiative, culminating in the formation of the Metro East Park and Creation District. Missouri voters would also approve a ballot measure that resulted in MEPRDs sister organization, the Great Rivers Greenway, or GRG.

The Metro East Park and Recreation District is funded by a one-tenth of one percent sales tax imposed in each participating county as authorized under the Metro East Park and Recreation Act. Half of the tax revenue collected by MEPRD is returned to the respective county and half is used by MEPRD to offer grant programs, sponsor outdoor events and do other activities.

MEPRD partners with other public entities and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations to improve parks, develop interconnecting trails and enrich recreational opportunities for public enjoyment.

According to MEPRDs calculations through February 2021, every dollar invested to date by the district has generated $4.70 by other funding sources for the planning, development and/or improvement of public parks and trails in Madison and St. Clair counties.

MEPRD has invested about $32.8M into the regions parks and trails for a total of 199 park and trail projects  40 of which remain ongoing  with a combined valuation that exceeds $153.2 million. The district estimates that 105 miles of the 215-plus miles of existing shared-use paths in Madison and St. Clair counties were developed and/or improved in part by MEPRD dollars.

MEPRD has had 63 unique project partners, including Madison County Transit, St. Clair County Transit, both counties, municipalities, park districts and nonprofits.

For more information, visit www.meprd.org.



A Huntsville police officer injured while answering a call is being rushed to the hospital.

HEMSIs Don Webster tells us the officers injuries are not life-threatening. The officer is being assessed by medical professionals.

We have reached out to Huntsville police for more information about the incident outside the Target on Carl T. Jones Drive.

Our crew at the scene is working to get more information.


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Aquiline Drones and Drone Volt partnered to open the first American-made drone production plant in Hartford, Conn during the pandemic. "The Aquiline Drones/Drone Volt consortium is nothing short of epic given the current state of our world. We have overcome the damaging effects of COVID by building an entire drone ecosystem and pushing the limits of technology development," Barry Alexander, Founder and Chairman of Aquiline Drones.

Starting a business at any time comes with its myriad of challenges. Add in a global health emergency and the obstacles become seemingly insurmountable. However, two visionary drone technology companies  Aquiline Drones (AD) and Drone Volt (DV) - had the ingenuity, fortitude, and entrepreneurial spirit to create an intercontinental partnership and open the first commercial drone manufacturing facility in Hartford, Connecticut.

"The Aquiline Drones/Drone Volt consortium is nothing short of epic given the current state of our world, said Barry Alexander, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Aquiline Drones. We have overcome the damaging effects of COVID by establishing ourselves as an escalating U.S. manufacturer in this burgeoning industry - building an entire drone ecosystem, pushing the limits of technology development, and delivering useful capabilities, previously imagined, but never before seen.

Alexander notes that this accomplishment is even more astounding given the fact that nearly 100,000 businesses have permanently shut down during the pandemic, according to Yelp.coms Local Economic Impact Report. The manufacturing sector in particular has been severely crippled.

Following the AD/DV 10% ownership swap in December, 2020, AD undertook the challenge of replicating the well-established, French-based DV manufacturing environment into its new Northeast, U.S. facility. Under normal circumstances, this plan would have required extensive technical and leadership repositioning to facilitate rapid skill and transfer of knowledge. In this case, however, COVID travel restrictions made it impossible for the French and American teams to travel and coordinate these processes in person.

Seamlessly, leaders at AD and DV stepped up to the challenges of the pandemic. Teams on both sides of the Atlantic quickly created a digital training environment with video connections allowing AD to see and emulate the French manufacturing process as it occurred - both recorded and in real-time. In addition to the meticulous information transfer process, highly technical training modules were recorded and digitized. As COVID-19 raged on across Europe and the U.S., virtual teams worked 24/7. Video technology became essential in executing supervisory and quality control tasks.

The result: AD and DV have exceeded extremely aggressive targets outlined in their business plan for current investors and shareholders. AD now has a team of twenty-five technicians working in its new 7,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, drone manufacturing and assembly lab and is now well underway to producing 1,000 American-made drones per month  the Spartacus HURRICANE and the Spartacus MAX. In the coming months, AD will double its employees to staff a second manufacturing shift.

By using teleconferencing techniques to rapidly test and transfer manufacturing capability, we were able to save a tremendous amount of time and money, adds Alexander.

Moving forward, AD and DV leaders will capitalize on the staggering demand for drones from commercial, military, and governmental markets  from the now opened-up U.S. and European (EU) markets. With joint domination of both the U.S. and 27-nation EU economy, the business consortium is positioned to become even more beneficial to investors and shareholders. Their continuous pursuit of streamlining and integrating will likely quadruple the ROI as they rocket into the cloud-connected drone future together.

Igniting the spark to build a new drone manufacturing ecosystem in the U.S. was The American Security Drone Act of 2019/2020, legislation co-authored by Connecticut Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. This development paves the way for U.S.-based drone manufacturers - such as AD - to enter a red-hot industry growing at 13.8% annually. According to the FAA, drones represent the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector.

"Growing data security concerns over foreign-manufactured technology, mainly from China, has created an immediate need for increased drone production capacity in the United States," said Alexander. With our assembly plant being physically located in the heart of Americas aerospace corridor, we are primed is in perfect harmony with our strategic goals.

On the horizon, AD and DV will conduct the first truly remote drone operations from across the Atlantic. DV operators on the ground in France will remotely control AD drones flying in the U.S. airspace through the worlds only drone-dedicated, hybrid cloud created by AD.

We are literally days away from this massive technology feat and are appreciative of the State of Connecticuts support and assistance in making our venture successful, concludes Alexander.

About Aquiline Drones

Aquiline Drones (AD) is an American drone and cloud solutions company located in the financial district of Hartford, Connecticut. Founded by highly experienced aviators, systems engineers, IT gurus, and business strategists, AD delivers a vertically integrated blend of products and services. Its ecosystem includes a hybrid aviation cloud with edge capabilities for commercial drones, US-based drone manufacturing, 'maintenance-repair-overhaul' services, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) solutions for large enterprises and governments.

Complimenting the company's technology is its superior line of Spartacus AI drone products, a robust UAS training academy, and the country's first 'drone-on-demand' service, enabling customers to order drone services through a proprietary mobile app. AD's full-spectrum of technological solutions are widely applicable across industries and environments for superior, real-time data processing, modeling, and insight. Visit http://www.aquilinedrones.com for more information.

About Drone Volt

Founded in 2011, Drone Volt is an international leader in the field of professional civilian drones and embedded artificial intelligence with operations in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, the United States, Switzerland and Indonesia. With its 3 brands, Drone Volt, Aerialtronics and Dandrone, the company is always developing more innovative solutions for the energy, construction, civil engineering and security industries for applications such as inspection, surveillance, surface treatment, thermography, search and rescue missions. Drone Volts customers include government administrations and industrial groups such as the French army, the French Ministry of Defense, Engie, Total, Bouygues ES, ADP, the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) and international government agencies. Drone Volt has been designated as an Innovative Enterprise by Bpifrance. Visit http://www.DroneVolt.com for more information.


The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) will host the leader of a 'Scientology-like' Japanese cult that claims to be able to cure coronavirus for $400 and whose founder has claimed that he is the reincarnation of an alien from Venus who created life on Earth.

The conference, an annual event hosted by the American Conservative Union, is scheduled to convene in Orlando for its three-day meeting beginning on Thursday.

One of its scheduled speakers is Hiroaki Jay Aeba, a Japanese conservative who is scheduled to address the conference on Friday at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.

Aeba is scheduled to speak right after Donald Trump Jr.

Hiroaki Jay Aeba is a Japanese conservative who is scheduled to address the CPAC conference on Friday at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. He is seen above at the 2019 CPAC event in National Harbor, Maryland

Aside from his political activities, Aeba is also a devotee of Happy Science, which is considered an extremist xenophobic cult that was founded by a former Wall Street trader, Ryuho Okawa, who claims to possess mystical powers

Happy Science followers are seen above in New York City's Times Square in March 2020 after the pandemic forced the state into lockdown. The group has claimed that it can provide 'spiritual vaccines' for $400 that would make people immune to COVID-19

According to the CPAC website, Aeba heads the Japanese Conservative Union, which he founded in 2015 as a counterpart to the American Conservative Union.

Aeba is likely to speak about the threats posed by North Korea and China.

Aside from his political activities, Aeba is also a devotee of Happy Science, which is considered an extremist xenophobic cult that was founded by a former Wall Street trader who claims to possess mystical powers.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Aeba and CPAC for comment.

Happy Science is a Japanese cult run by a man who claims to be the incarnation of multiple Gods while pretending to channel the psychic spirits of anyone from Quetzalcoatl to Bashar al-Assad to Natalie Portman, researcher Sarah Hightower told VICE News.

It was founded in 1986 by Ryuho Okawa, a former stockbroker who is regarded by his followers as the incarnation of El Cantare, a supreme being from Venus who created life on Earth millions of years ago.

Okawa, who rarely speaks to the press, has claimed to channel the spirits of famous people who are both dead and alive, including Natalie Portman, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Freddie Mercury.

Since its founding in 1986, Happy Science has amassed millions of followers worldwide. The image above shows a Happy Science monastery in Tokyo

Okawa has reportedly long sought to make Happy Science not just a spiritual-religious group but also a political movement. Aeba, who was a board member of Happy Science until 2015, is also the founder of its political wing, the Happiness Realization Party. Aeba is seen left with Kyoko Okawa, the wife of founder Ryuho Okawa, in May 2009

He would also claim to be in contact with dead religious and spiritual leaders including Jesus, Buddha, Moses, and Confucius.

The movement claims millions of followers worldwide who flock to tens of thousands of missionary outposts.

Okawa, whose movement was officially recognized as a religion in Japan in 1991, has reportedly earned a fortune. Happy Sciences annual revenues are estimated to be around $45million.

In prior speeches, Okawa has said that he believes the Japanese are a chosen people destined to destroy the United States and make China a slave.

In his book Nostradamus: Fearful Prophecies, Okawa asserts that only the Japanese Leviathan will survive the imminent end of the world after destroying the United States and the now-defunct Soviet Union.

In the 21st Century, there will be no enemies for Leviathan. It will slash throats of the old eagle and the exhausted red bear, and laugh at the aging Europe. It will use China as a slave and Korea as a prostitute.

Elsewhere in the book, he mocks American civilization, which produced nothing more than weapons, cars, Coca-Cola and hamburgers. . . .

Okawas ideas have been viewed as fascist or even reminiscent of Japans militarism of the 1930s, when the government portrayed its aggression in Asia as a co-prosperity sphere imposed by a nation born to rule.

Okawa, who never speaks to the press, has claimed to channel the spirits of famous people who are both dead and alive, including Natalie Portman, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Freddie Mercury. Mercury is seen left in July 1985. Jobs is seen right in June 2011

Born in 1956, Okawa studied law at Tokyo University.

He gave up his hope of becoming a lawyer or a government official after failing his exams and joined a major trading firm, he said in The Laws of the Sun, one of his bestsellers.

The turning point came in 1981, when a spirit spoke to him.

My hand which held the pencil started to move as if it had its own life, and wrote, Good news, good news. . . . When I asked who it was, it signed, Nikko, a Buddhist saint.

In 1986, he started the group on the advice of many other spirits, including Jesus Christ and Japans sun goddess, Okawa said.

I came here as more than the Messiah, he says in another book.

This universe, this world were based on my words and my teachings.

Happy Science is reportedly secretive and hostile to the news media. Its religion is structured around a pay-to-progress system of membership, similar to that of another controversial movement, Scientology.

After New York City went into lockdown last March due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of Happy Science followers were seen in a desolate Times Square warning of a doomsday scenario.

They spread the gospel through DVDs, CDs, and books filled with conspiracy theories about UFOs, lost continents, demonic warfare, and miracle cures for the coronavirus, according to The New York Times.

In recent years, Aeba has worked to expand the partys reach by forming an alliance with prominent conservative in the US, including former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and ACU chief Matt Schlapp. From left: Schlapp, LibertyWorks President Andrew Cooper, and Aeba at CPAC in February 2020 in Maryland

For a $400 fee, Happy Science offers spiritual vaccines in which would-be followers are blessed with a ritual prayer that would prevent infection while also curing those who have contracted the virus.

Okawa has reportedly long sought to make Happy Science not just a spiritual-religious group but also a political movement.

Aeba, who was a board member of Happy Science until 2015, is also the founder of its political wing, the Happiness Realization Party, whose stated goal is to increase Japans population by 300 million people and rapidly rearm itself to go to war with China and North Korea.

The party hasnt gained much of a foothold in Japan. In the 12 years of its existence, it has failed to win a single seat in parliament.

In recent years, Aeba has worked to expand the partys reach by forming an alliance with prominent conservative in the US, including former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and ACU chief Matt Schlapp.

The Republican Party has been criticized for its willingness to solicit support from groups that propagate various conspiracy theories, including QAnon, 'Pizzagate', and birtherism.

QAnon followers espouse an intertwined series of beliefs, based on anonymous web postings from 'Q,' who claims to have insider knowledge of the now-defunct Trump administration.

A core tenet of the conspiracy theory is that during his presidency, Trump was secretly fighting a cabal of child-sex predators that includes prominent Democrats, Hollywood elites and 'deep state' allies.

'Pizzagate' is a conspiracy theory which stemmed from a fake online report that a Washington, DC pizza restaurant was cover for a child sex trafficking ring run by prominent Democrats and Hollywood stars.

Birtherism is the belief that Obama faked his birth certificate and was actually born abroad.

****Reader discretion is advised****

A JUDGE has expressed concern at the number of cases involving serious domestic violence which are coming before the courts.

Judge Tom ODonnell made his comments as he jailed a 29-year-old man who had admitted breaching a Protection Order and assaulting his former partner at her home.

A number of assault cases, relating to domestic situations, have come before Limerick Circuit Court this month. All of the offences have occurred since the introduction of public health restrictions.

During a sentencing hearing, Garda Lisa ORegan said gardai were alerted to an incident at a house on the southside of the city on June 26, 2020.

She said the victim had previously been in a long-term relationship with the defendant who had been staying at her home due to a family bereavement.

He overstayed his welcome and he subjected her to a series of assaults, said John OSullivan BL, prosecuting.

Garda ORegan said the violence began at around 8pm when an argument broke out after the woman refused to pick the mans dirty clothes off the floor.

She said he accused her of turning their children against him and that he threw a rubbish bin at her injuring her elbow. The woman told gardai he kicked her legs from under her and placed his two hands around her neck and started squishing it until she couldnt breathe.

During her two-hour ordeal, the man took the womans phone, pushed her face into a cushion and held a knife against her neck.

The woman told gardai she thought she was going to die and that the violence only stopped when a relative called.

In a victim impact statement she said she and her former partner just dont get on when they are together but that she doesnt have any hard feelings.

In reference to his serious drug addiction she commented that she hopes he gets the help he needs.

Barrister Pat Whyms said his client was coming down off cocaine and that he went into a rage on the night.

He asked the court to note his admissions and guilty plea and he said he is doing well in prison.

Mr Whyms said the defendant wishes to apologise very profusely and that he greatly regrets it happened in front of the children.

Judge ODonnell said what happened was deeply worrying and he commented that a strong message needs to be sent out that such behaviour is not acceptable.

He noted the defendant is now drugs free and is a completely different person.

He imposed a three year prison sentence, suspending the final 12 months.

The judge directed that the name of the defendant not be published in order to protect the identity of the woman and their children.
Brianna and Aaron Ringle have a difficult choice to make on behalf of their son, who was recently diagnosed with a rare disease that can be triggered by a high fever.

Elan, 4, has PCDH19 Epilepsy, a rare syndrome that is especially uncommon in males. Brianna Ringle said a high fever could cause a seizure.

Although coronavirus vaccines are not available for children yet, the decision on whether to eventually get Elan vaccinated is weighing on the Ringles.

The vaccine could protect Elan from severe COVID-19 symptoms, like a fever, but the side effects caused by the body creating antibodies could leave him feverish as well.

We just dont know what the right answer is, Brianna Ringle said.

Related: Michigans 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases back above 1,000

Last year, the family was in Barbados where Aaron Ringle, 39, attends Ross University School of Medicine. They had sold their home and moved to Barbados in August 2019. Anything they didnt take was left in a storage unit in Michigan, Brianna said.

At the same time, the Ringles were investigating their sons health conditions.

Elan was a typical infant, his 35 year-old mother said. However, when she took Elan to his 9-month and 12-month checkups, concerns started to arise. He was not meeting communication milestones typical for his age.

As they began recognizing Elans struggles with language, he also started to become more energetic. The high energy made him what Brianna called a flight risk, which was scary, she said.

By the time he was 18 months old, Elan was enrolled in occupational and speech therapy. Brianna, who is Elans full-time caregiver, suspected he had autism, but Aaron wasnt convinced, she said.

None of our friends had a child like him, Brianna said. And we had nothing to go off of, like, he was just not doing neurotypical behaviors. So we were just kind of lost and unsure of things.

The Ringles didnt tell friends and family about suspecting autism for fear of stigma. They wanted to be sure, Aaron said.

I remember writing a message out to my closest girlfriends. I was in tears because I was so afraid that they would, I dont know, shun us for not having this normal child, Brianna said.

Elan was tested for autism and other conditions before the Ringles moved to Barbados. Briannas autism suspicions were confirmed last fall.

It was a relief. It was like, thank God, we can now get him signed up for more therapy services, because we just know in our heart that hes not going to be ready for kindergarten, Brianna said.

The testing revealed more than just autism, yielding a subsequent diagnosis of PCDH19, which Brianna said was an answer that beckoned so many more questions.

The family moved back to Michigan to make sure Elan could get all the treatment and care he needs.

Elan Ringle sits with his parents for a portrait in their front window Friday Feb. 24, 2020 in Pontiac. Nicole Hester/Mlive.com

PCDH19 is a gene expressed most commonly in females, so there are a lot of unknowns for what the condition could look like in Elan, said Dr. Danielle Nolan, Elans pediatric epileptologist.

Elan has never had a clinical seizure, but his brain has bursts of abnormal electrical activity which puts him at risk for one, Nolan said. A fever can alter brain chemistry, making it easier for those bursts of abnormal electricity to emerge as seizures, she said.

Nolan can only predict how Elans condition may progress based on other children with PCDH19, who are typically female. The onset of seizures in typical patients result in cluster seizures, in which multiple occur in a short period of time. Typically, these seizures are difficult to treat with medicine.

There is no guarantee thats how Elan would respond to a fever, but its just something that we know can happen with other children, Nolan said. So we just are always extra cautious with Elan.

For seizures in general, the more an individual has them, the more likely they will continue into a sort of snowball effect, Nolan said. More seizures could result in long term cognitive difficulties, such as trouble learning or aggression, for Elan.

In terms of Elan getting a vaccine when they are available, Nolan said the risk of having a fever does not outweigh the benefit of vaccination.

We do recommend taking the vaccine because the seizure is a short term thing, Nolan said. Whereas with some of these viruses, if you contract it it could cause long term problems.

For all families with children who have rare diseases, Nolan recommends speaking with a specialist first and considering the vaccine.

Elan Ringle sits with his parents for a portrait in their front window Friday Feb. 24, 2020 in Pontiac. Nicole Hester/Mlive.com

The Ringles are living with family in Oakland County after their unexpected return from Barbados. Their present concern is preparing for a seizure if Elan has one, Brianna said.

Another concern the Ringles have is preparing Elan for school because at this point, he isnt ready for Kindergarten, Brianna said. Under Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs, Elan can only attend therapy in place of school until he is 7 years old.

Were really pushing now, while hes young, to get him where he needs to be so he can attend school eventually, Brianna said. ... He needs to be ready by the time hes 7. Who knows, he might only be starting Kindergarten at that age, but its like kind of sink or swim at that point.

Right now, Elans parents are leaning toward getting him a coronavirus vaccination when it becomes available. Its a hard decision to face, Brianna said.

I feel like the lesser of two evils is that he gets the vaccine and has minimal symptoms, Brianna said.
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Lowell Mayor John Leahy is calling for the resignation of Robert Hoey from the citys school committee after he used an anti-Semitic slur to describe a former colleague on a live public access television program.

On Thursday, Leahy called for a special joint meeting of the Lowell School Committee and City Council to consider his motion for the immediate resignation of Hoey.

A video clip of a live episode of City Life, a show that airs on Lowell public access television, that was first reported by The Jewish Journal, shows Hoey using an anti-Semitic slur in describing the person who used to handle the budget.

We lost the k---, oh, I mean the Jewish guy, Hoey said. I hate to say it, but thats what people used to say behind his back.

According to the Boston Globe, after about eight minutes, Hoey offered an explanation of his use of the slur saying, I said a bad name, and I shouldnt say those nasty names about people.

The report said Hoey described himself on the television show as an Archie Bunker, a reference to the bigoted conservative character on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family.

So, I do say some crazy stuff, the Globe reported Hoey saying. I love when they say, Black lives matter. I like to say, How about Puerto Ricans? How about white guys? Do we matter?

In calling for the special joint meeting, Leahy did not provide a date for the session.

Kylie Jenner was spotted leaving Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills on Thursday afternoon.

The 23-year-old social media personality appeared to be enjoying the sunny California weather as she stepped out of the eatery and into her car.

The reality television star's BFF Stassie Karanikolaou was also present during the lunch trip as she wore a black top.

Taking it easy: Kylie Jenner was spotted leaving Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills on Thursday afternoon; her pal Stassie Baby can be seen on the other side of the car

Her look for work: She wore the same outfit outside her Holmby Hills mansion for an Instagram plug this week

Jenner was dressed in a multicolored crop top that exposed her toned tummy.

She also wore a pair of blue jeans that, while they featured a bit of extra legroom, managed to prominently show off her rear end.

The reality television personality tied off her look with a pair of white sneakers and a matching purse.

The socialite's gorgeous brunette hair fell downwards from underneath a fuzzy bucket hat onto her shoulders and chest during her lunch trip.

Staying comfortable: The reality television personality was dressed in a patterned crop top that allowed her to show off her toned tummy

Bottom choices: The social media figure also wore a pair of blue jeans that clung closely to her waist and showed off her rear end

Jenner wore a brown face mask to reduce the chance of being exposed to COVID-19 while stepping out in public.

After going about the rest of her day, the reality television star posted a duo of shots to her Instagram account to show off her freshly painted nails.

The Kylie Cosmetics founder had all of her tips done in a paisley pattern, although three different colors had been used on her fingers.

Jenner also wrote a short message in the post's caption, which read, 'there's nothing like a new set.'

New patterns: Later that night, Jenner posted a picture to her Instagram account to show off her freshly painted nails

The designer's lunch trip comes just days after she revealed that she had brought a new puppy named Kevin into her household.

Before she left her house, Jenner posted a set of photos to give her 217 million followers a better look at her new pup.

The socialite's first photo showed her holding Kevin while he curiously gazed into the lens of a camera.

Welcome to the family! Earlier this week, Jenner revealed that she had become the owner of a new dog named Kevin

The media figure wrote 'those puppy eyes' in the post's caption.

Jenner later shared a snap of her leaning against a wall at the famed Beverly Hills Hotel and looking off to the side while holding her new pup, whom she has referred to as her 'son.'.

The social media personality currently owns several other dogs, a few of which have their own Instagram accounts.
She's been going from strength to strength with her new boyfriend Liam Beaumont since starting to date last February.

And Charlotte Crosby has now revealed she's ready to take things to the next level and admitted she wants to have children by the 'end of this year'.

The reality star, 30, also said she'll be taking part in Geordie Shore's 10th anniversary reunion and has put on a stone during lockdown in a candid Instagram Q&A.

Motherhood: Charlotte Crosby has now revealed she wants to have children by the 'end of this year' in a candid Instagram Q&A

While answering questions from her 7million fans on Thursday night, Charlotte said that she's thinking about motherhood in 2021.

One fan asked: 'When do you want kids?', with Charlotte giving them a short reply and saying: 'End of this year.'

Elsewhere in her Stories post Charlotte revealed she's put on a stone in weight during lockdown, honestly telling her fans she's not been doing any workouts.

She then turned her attention to the Geordie Shore 10 year special replying to a question asking if she was 'yay or nay' for the reunion with a huge 'YAY' GIF.

Going strong: The reality star, 30, has been going from strength to strength with her new beau Liam Beaumont since starting to date last February

It had previously been reported by The Sun that Charlotte had left filming for the 10th anniversary special early as she was finding it tough to be away from Liam.

The show is said to be filming in Colombia so that the reality stars can still party amid the pandemic, however they will have to isolate for 20 days in order to film.

A source told the publication: She doesn't want to leave any of that [her businesses and Liam] for too long, so she's agreed to film for two weeks then return home, while the rest of the cast stay out for a month.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Geordie Shore for a comment.

Making plans: Charlotte told a fan that she'd like to 'have kids' by the end of 2021

Exciting: She also replied 'YAY' to being asked about the Geordie Shore reunion, suggesting she's taking part in the 10 year special

Charlotte met Liam in Dubai in February 2020 and the loved-up pair are said to have been introduced by their mutual friend DJ Christ Wright.

Liam, who is a content creator, and Charlotte are also thought to have moved in together amid the UK's lockdown restrictions last May.

Charlotte was previously dating from Celebs Go Dating star Joshua Ritchie, with the exes splitting in November of 2019 after she had moved from Newcastle to Bolton to be with him.

At the time, it was reported that Charlotte and Joshua had parted ways after two years amid claims he wasn't ready to settle down with her.

Honest: Charlotte told another fan she's been doing no workouts in lockdown and has put on a stone in weight

A source close to Charlotte told New! magazine: 'For a while Charlotte has wanted to get married and have kids, but Josh, being younger, doesn't have any interest in settling down.

'They both want completely different things because they're at different stages in their lives. That's what she really wants but Josh was adamant he isn't ready.'

They added that Charlotte felt the pressure to have children after her former Geordie Shore cast mates including Marnie Simpson and ex Gaz Beadle began having kids.

Loved-up: The beauty often shares cosy snaps with her content creator beau

Several former stars who no longer regularly appear on Geordie Shore are thought to have been asked back for the 10 year special, however not everyone has agreed.

It was recently reported that Gary Beadle has allegedly refused to take part as he's 'grown up and moved on'.

The reality star, 32, shot to fame alongside co-stars Vicky Pattison and Holly Hagan as well as on-off girlfriend Charlotte after the show launched in 2011 however he has since started a business and had two children with fiancee Emma McVey.

While MTV bosses are also thought to be talking to Scotty T about making a return for the show - years after he was axed when snaps of him snorting cocaine emerged.

It was claimed last week that MTV bosses in the UK would 'love' to have him back but the US team is worried as he's 'a loose cannon', reports The Sun.

Scotty found fame in 2012 when he joined the Geordie Shore cast for its fourth series but was reportedly suspended in May 2017 due to his hard-partying ways and then axed after pictures of him snorting cocaine emerged in December.

There has already been a special, Geordie Shore: Their Story, which aired in 2020 and saw a range of stars reflecting on their childhood journeys to life in the spotlight.

Holly Hagan, Sophie Kasaei, Marnie Simpson, Aaron Chalmers, Nathan Henry, Abbie Holborn and James Tindale also appeared on the spin-off.
The 649-page bilingual White Paper on the Business Environment in China , now in its 14th year, presents a highly-researched, exhaustively-cited account of the on-the-ground business environment in China. It involves analysis of over 100 main industries and the impact of regulatory changes and COVID-19 on each, as well as analysis of trade issues, China's 14th Five-Year-Plan, Biden administration plans, and many other hot topics. The project involved more than six months and a team of highly accomplished experts from both sides of the Pacific Ocean, including seven who hold doctoral degrees, as well as respected professors, senior business executives and legal and financial scholars.

The 148-page bilingual 2021 Special Report on the State of the Business in South China, in its 17th year, meanwhile, aggregates and quantitatively analyzes the experiences of the 208 companies who participated in the Chamber's annual State of Business study. It provides a meaningful context for this year's responses on the business environment and development trends in South China straight from the mouth of companies operating in the heart of it.

With 2020 being the first year in which China's economic size expanded beyond 100 trillion yuan (US$ 15.43 trillion), foreign markets continue to look at China for business opportunities in a post-pandemic world. Most companies reported positive overall returns on investment (ROI) in 2020 in China, which were higher than their global ROI.

Compared to the previous year, more companies believe that they will see improvement in US-China relations in 2021. Dr. Harley Seyedin, President of AmCham South China and the winner of 2017 Oslo Business for Peace Award (together with Elon Musk, Durreen Shahnaz and Murad Al-Katib), which is awarded by the Award Committee of Nobel Laureates in Peace and Economics, said "There is a general consensus within the business community that the Biden administration will view the US-China relation through a different looking glass. I predict a rather long honeymoon period within which the two sides will have an opportunity to examine their differences, evaluate what is important to each side and begin friendly and mutually respectful dialogue." Dr. Seyedin also said "I expect US and China to hit a reset button and very likely start a new era of cooperation which will benefit not just US and China but the entire globe."

Key takeaways of the 2021 White Paper on the Business Environment in China and the 2021 Special Report on the State of Business in South China:

94% of American companies see a bright prospect in China's market.

market. None of the companies surveyed showed willingness to leave China completely.

completely. China remains the top investment destination by more than half of the studied companies despite its decreasing attraction as a manufacturing base.

remains the top investment destination by more than half of the studied companies despite its decreasing attraction as a manufacturing base. An interesting finding of the 2021 Special Report is the direct connection between the reduced number of expatriate executives in China and the massive reduction in the number of very large planned reinvestments. While total dollar amount of budgeted reinvestments has held steady due to the increase in number of large, medium and small reinvestment projects (between 1 million and 250 million US dollars each), the number of very large foreign planned reinvestment projects involving 250 million US dollars or more each have reached the lowest levels in several years (a 4/5th reduction year on year for all foreign companies and nearly 3/4th for US companies). We predict that this will severely impact China's manufacturing output two to three years from now. The last time a similar situation happened was in 2016. Our 2017 study predicted the pre COVID-19 slowdown in China's economic growth in 2018 and 2019 (GDP growth dropped to 6.6% in 2018 and 6.1% in 2019).

Comparison of US and Foreign Companies' Budgeted Reinvestment in China (2020  2021) (US$250 million or larger individual projects per company) > US$250 million Budgeted Reinvestment in China in 2021 Budgeted Reinvestment in China in 2020 US Companies 6% 17% Other Foreign Companies 0% 17% Total All Foreign Companies 3% 17%

While a combination of factors including the coronavirus pandemic severely impacted the global economy in 2020, only a slight decrease in actual reinvestment in China was realized.

was realized. Factors including huge market potential, preferential policies and uncertainties of pandemic in other countries have whetted companies' interest to increase reinvestment in China or shift investment to China .

or shift investment to . 73% of American and 70% of Chinese companies studied plan to reinvest in China in 2021, while only 57% of participants from EU and others have reinvestment plans.

in 2021, while only 57% of participants from EU and others have reinvestment plans. Nearly half of the participating companies show confidence in employment expansion despite the fact that China's economic growth reached an all-time low in nearly three decades in 2020.

economic growth reached an all-time low in nearly three decades in 2020. The vast majority of companies still have expansion plans in China for the following three years.

for the following three years. Nevertheless, in view of the long-term impact brought by COVID-19, the proportion of companies expanding in China in the next three years hit a new low compared to the past five years.

in the next three years hit a new low compared to the past five years. Guangzhou is selected as the number one preferred investment destination in China , which remains unchanged for four consecutive years, followed by Shanghai , Shenzhen , and Beijing . Other cities including Dongguan , Chengdu , and Zhuhai are found to attract investors' interest.

is selected as the number one preferred investment destination in , which remains unchanged for four consecutive years, followed by , , and . Other cities including , , and Zhuhai are found to attract investors' interest. 2020 has witnessed a steady upswing in business environment in South China . However, companies report that rising operation and labor costs as well as, lack of qualified personnel are three serious challenges for development in South China .

. However, companies report that rising operation and labor costs as well as, lack of qualified personnel are three serious challenges for development in . An overwhelming majority of companies state that visa and travel restrictions have an adverse impact on their operation. Over 50% of them were affected by China's visa and travel restrictions while approximately 40% of them were influenced by American restrictions.

2021 is an important year for China as it is the starting point for its 14th Five-Year Plan. Therefore, "the Chamber encourages China to further open up to foreign investment. It implores the US and China to go back to the negotiation table and usher in a mutually beneficial relationship." said Dr. Harley Seyedin. He added, "by mid-February 2020 members of AmCham South China had already donated US$38 million in cash and US$1.05 million in PPEs and other supplies to Wuhan to help fight COVID-19. Their aim was to give others a chance to give their children a better life than they have had themselves and to protect them from the virus. We are proud of our members kindness in these difficult times."

About White Paper on the Business Environment in China and Special Report on the State of Business in South China

The White Paper on the Business Environment in China offers a summary of China's impressive accomplishments since China's "opening-up" and examines the key influences on the business environment in present-day China, such as national policy initiatives and the global economic crisis.

The Special Report on the State of Business in South China is a quantitative study of the business environment, conducted for consecutive years by AmCham South China. Each year, AmCham's member and non-member companies participate in AmCham's State of Business study, results of which will be garnered and edited into a separate publication.

Both documents may be downloaded free of charge from the chamber's website at www.amcham-southchina.org/amcham/static/publications/publications.jsp.

About the American Chamber of Commerce in South China

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Certified in 1995 by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. Over the past ten years, AmCham South China has hosted on average each year more than 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. AmCham South China is a fully-independent organization accredited by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions.

For additional information, please contact:

Ms. Yien Wu

Communication Manager

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China

Tel: 86-20-8335-1476 ext. 17

Fax: 86-20-8332-1642

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE American Chamber of Commerce in South China

Related Links

http://www.amcham-southchina.org


WASHINGTON  First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Meriden, the hometown of U.S. Secretary of Education nominee Miguel Cardona, on Wednesday, the White House announced Thursday night.

No other details about the First Ladys plans to visit were immediately available.

It isnt clear whether Cardona, who is still waiting to be confirmed by the Senate, will also be in Meriden for the visit. Jill Biden is a community college teacher who, like Cardona, holds a doctorate in education, so the visit could center on schools.

The White House has informed us of the visit and the governor is honored to host Dr. Biden for one of her first trips as First Lady, said Max Reiss, spokesman for the Gov. Ned Lamont.

Cardona was the Connecticut Commissioner of Education and the first Latino to hold that role. Growing up in a Puerto Rican family in Meriden, Cardona learned English in school and was the first in his family to go to college.

Cardona attended and spent over two decades of his education career at Meriden Public Schools, where he taught fourth grade. He rose to become the youngest principal in the state at age 28 and then became assistant superintendent.

In his confirmation hearing, Cardona pledged his top priority would be helping schools safely reopen for in-person learning during the pandemic.

On Feb. 11, a Senate committee voted 17-5 to advance the Cardonas nomination to the Senate floor. A full confirmation vote is expected by early next week.

emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson

Stephanie Hill is a freelance writer and a teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School in Huntington. She is also a lifelong resident of Lawrence County. She can be reached at hill992@zoominternet.net. Or you can check out her website, stephsimply.com.
Cameroon soldiers AFP

In a report published Friday, February 26, 2021, Human Rights Watch says it interviewed 20 women, ranging in age from 23 to 42, who said soldiers raped them during an attack in Ebam on March 1, 2020.

An attack by Cameroonian soldiers on March 1, 2020, has come to light in which soldiers raped at least 20 women, including four with disabilities, arrested 35 men, and killed one man, Human Rights Watch said. The attack on the village of Ebam in the South-West region was one of the worst by Cameroons army in recent years.

The report states that, The soldiers also burned one home, looted scores of properties, and severely beat the men they took to a military base. Based on information obtained by Human Rights Watch, there has been no effective investigation, and no one has been held accountable for the crimes.

Sexual violence and torture are heinous crimes that governments have an obligation to immediately, effectively, and independently investigate, and to bring those responsible to justice, said Ida Sawyer, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. One year on, survivors of the Ebam attack are desperate for justice and reparations, and they live with the disturbing knowledge that those who abused them are walking free and have faced no consequences.

Cameroons North-West and South-West regions have been rife with violence since late 2016, as armed separatists seek independence for the countrys minority Anglophone regions, Human Rights Watch recalls.

Human Rights Watch says it conducted telephone interviews between August 1 and January 5, 2021, with 20 rape survivors, four men who were arrested and beaten, four witnesses to the attack, two relatives of the man who was killed, a medical doctor who screened the rape survivors, two aid workers who helped the victims, and two United Nations officials with knowledge of the incident.

Human Rights Watch also reports that it consulted confidential reports by an international nongovernmental organization and the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, a Cameroonian rights group based in Buea, South-West region, which corroborated the findings.

Human Rights Watch shared its findings with senior officials at the Cameroonian Presidency in a January 13 letter, requesting answers to specific questions. Cameroonian officials have yet to respond, the report states.

Witnesses said that over 50 soldiers entered Ebam, in Manyu division, in the South-West region, at about 3 a.m. on March 1, 2020, on foot leaving their vehicles in the outskirts. They broke into almost all the 75 homes in the village, looting money and other items, and dragging men out. Some soldiers rounded up men in the village center, while others sexually assaulted the women, including four with disabilities, mostly in their homes, the report furthers.

Five masked soldiers entered my home, a 40-year-old woman told Human Rights Watch. It was dark, and I was alone. They searched the house and stole my phone and money. One of them abused me. He said: If you dont have sex with me, I will kill you! I was too afraid to say or do anything. After the rape, I ran into the bush where I spent two months. I am still upset and traumatized.

Human Rights Watch expounds that: Soldiers who conducted the abusive operation in Ebam on March 1, 2020, arrived there on vehicles, and parked them at the outskirts of the village, on the other side of the river shown in the picture.

Soldiers who conducted the abusive operation in Ebam on March 1, 2020 arrived there on vehicles, and parked them at the outskirts of the village, on the other side of the river shown in the picture.

None of the rape survivors interviewed could get post-rape medical care in the immediate aftermath of the attack due to a range of obstacles, including displacement, lack of medical facilities, the cost of travel to such facilities, the cost of medical care, and fear of stigma and rejection. Some had medical care, such as screening for sexually transmitted infections, for the first time only in late July and mid-August, or even later.

A doctor who screened the survivors in August said that women described symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress and depression: fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, and an inability to complete daily tasks. Rape survivors said they are struggling to rebuild their lives and provide for themselves and their families.

Witnesses said that at the end of the three-hour attack, soldiers took at least 36 men to a military base in Besongabang, about eight kilometers away, where the soldiers beat the men severely and repeatedly, amounting to torture. The soldiers detained the men at the base for a day then transferred them to the gendarmerie brigade in Mamfe, the main city in Manyu division.

The soldiers put us on a military truck and took us to their camp, a 25-year-old man said. My hands were tied behind my back. When we reached the camp, soldiers beat me up. They hit my legs very strongly; I still have scars.

Four of the men held at the military base in Besongabang said that soldiers removed 34-year-old Ojong Thomas Ebot from the cell where they were held, and that he never returned. They believed that the soldiers later killed Ojong in the forest surrounding Ebam.

Six other witnesses said that, at about 7 a.m. they saw a military truck coming back to Ebam and leaving shortly after. Residents discovered Ojongs body less than one hour later. Two of Ojongs relatives said they buried him the same day.

A 28-year-old student and family member said: They brought the body home. I saw three gunshot wounds on it: one in the head, which was the worst, one in the chest, one in the elbow. The head was almost destroyed. It was painful to see.

Human Rights Watch reviewed photographs showing the exact location where Ojong was buried in Ebam and corroborated them with accounts from family members and residents of the village.

Witnesses said that the military operation was a reprisal attack to punish civilians suspected of collaborating with and harboring armed separatist fighters. Soldiers who raped women also implied in their verbal abuse that they were carrying out the rapes in part as a form of punishment for any presumed affiliation with armed separatist fighters.

A 28-year-old woman who was raped and witnessed the attack told Human Rights Watch: The military asked me and other villagers: Where are you keeping the amba [separatists]? We said we did not know where the amba [separatists] were. So, they [the soldiers] said: The next time we come here, well shoot everyone if you dont show us the amba [separatists] now.

The Ebam attack occurred 16 days after soldiers in Ngarbuh, North-West region massacred 21 civilians, including a pregnant woman and 13 children, prompting a public outcry in Cameroon and beyond.

The attack has gone largely unreported for a year, due in part to the stigma and fear of reprisal which discourages survivors of sexual violence from speaking out about what they experienced. Underreporting by survivors also suggests that incidents of sexual violence by soldiers is probably much higher than the documented cases, Human Rights Watch said.

Human Rights Watch has documented widespread human rights violations by members of the Cameroonian security forces in the Anglophone regions since 2017, including torture and sexual violence. There has been little to no accountability for military abuses in the English-speaking regions over the past four years, and atrocities by members of national armed forces remain largely unpunished.

The Cameroonian government has legal obligations under international law to ensure that those responsible for sexual violence and other grave crimes such as murder, torture, and inhuman treatment are investigated and prosecuted. The government also has an obligation to provide reparations, such as compensation, livelihood support, or access to long-term medical and psychological health care for survivors of such attacks.

Cameroonian authorities should urgently conduct an independent investigation into the Ebam attack, with support from the United Nations and the African Union, and make its findings public, Sawyer said. Ensuring justice and reparations will be essential for deterring future attacks and helping survivors heal.
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From Redneck Shop to racial reconciliation

UofSC alum works to replace hate with hope

It was the spring of 2018 and Regan Freeman was studying in one of the cubicles deep inside Thomas Cooper Library when he stumbled upon a 60 Minutes story. Oprah Winfrey and attorney Bryan Stevenson were touring the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, a monument to the thousands of African Americans who were lynched in the 70 years following the Civil War.

Freeman watched the screen as Winfrey and Stevenson paused and looked up at one of the 800 weathered steel monuments, each representing a county in the United States where a racial terror lynching took place. Victims names are engraved on each column.

Eliza Cowen was lynched in Laurens County, South Carolina, read Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and the force behind creating the lynching memorial.

Freeman, a native of Clinton in Laurens County, admits to being dumbfounded.

Im a white guy. I spent 12 years in public school in Laurens County. Not a sliver of that was taught. There were dozens of people lynched in Laurens County, and it bothered me that nobody talked about it back home, says Freeman, who at the time was in his final semester as a political science major at the University of South Carolina. That darker part of history was never mentioned.

That moment and those words were a turning point in Freemans life. It inspired him to join a Laurens County minister and his congregation in a fight for equality and justice. Its a journey that has picked up momentum in recent months with the release of a movie documenting the history of racial strife in Laurens and coverage of the groups racial reconciliation work by national media outlets including CBS News and The Washington Post.

Delving into the past

That day in the University of South Carolina library, Freemans study session quickly morphed into an afternoon of research. He skipped his next class and spent three hours reading about his home countys history of racial violence.

The Rev. David Kennedy has spent his life fighting for civil rights and battling the beliefs of Laurens' Redneck Shop.

That reading led him to stories about the notorious Redneck Shop. Housed in the old segregated Echo Theater in downtown Laurens, the shop was known as the worlds only Klan museum, and sold white-nationalist and neo-Nazi paraphernalia. The shop had opened in 1996  the same year Freeman was born  and stayed open until 2012.

Freeman knew the story of the Redneck Shop in passing, but says he never understood the gravity, believing it was just a bunch of local kooks. But as he delved deeper into its history, he learned about the Rev. David Kennedy, pastor of the New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, who had spent his life fighting for civil rights and battling the beliefs of the Redneck Shops owners.

I went outside of T-Coop and I found the number for Rev. Kennedys church. I just called his church and he picked up. I told him, I just learned about this and Id love to talk to you. 

Why dont we have lunch tomorrow? was Kennedys response.

The next day, Freeman skipped another class and drove 60 miles up Interstate 26 from Columbia to Clinton, where he met the man who inspired him with his life story of faith, forgiveness and fights against injustice.

I told him weve got to do something to memorialize these people (who had been lynched). He didnt know me from Adam. We were talking and he looked me in the face  and Ill never forget this  he said, Do you want to help lead this?

Since then, its just been a man possessed.

Freeman, who earned his degree in political science from the College of Arts and Sciences with a minor in public relations from the College of Information and Communications in May 2018, put his plans for law school on hold. In January, he left his job working at a Columbia law firm and has devoted his life full-time to working with Kennedy and others in the community to turn a building that once was a headquarters for racial hatred into a center for reconciliation, remembrance and education.

The Echo Project is born

The old Echo Theater is being transformed from a Ku Klux Klan museum into a center for diversity and reconciliation.

The project started slowly; for awhile it was just a bunch of to-do lists in the notes app on Freemans phone. In the two years since, The Echo Project has grown into a movement that has raised more than a half-million dollars. Much of that funding has been donated since the release of Burden, a movie that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and now is available through streaming services and on DVD. It is based on the story of the Redneck Shop  how Kennedy, played by Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker, eventually helped and befriended one of the original shop owners, former Klansman Michael Burden Jr. When Burden was homeless and broke, Kennedy offered him a home, food and a place to worship. Burden sold Kennedy partial ownership of the Redneck Shop, which ignited a long legal battle before Kennedy and his New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church became the owners of the building when the shop closed in 2012.

The call to action at the end of the film, coupled with the racial reckoning around the country this summer after the death of George Floyd, have resulted in donations from all over the country and the world to the organizations Rehab Hate website.

There are more than 5,700 donations so far. Some are small  $25 or $50 from individuals with notes like in the name of unity, Bible verses and quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. Others are tens of thousands of dollars  contributions from corporations who want to help change the legacy of the Echo Theater.

The now-dilapidated theater, where Kennedy once watched movies from the segregated balcony, still holds remnants of its days as the Redneck Shop. The room is littered with KKK recruitment cards, while Klan robe order forms are tacked to the wall. One wall is covered with a 25-foot tall swastika mural from the days the building was used by the American Nazi Party.

Freeman, Kennedy and the Echo Projects advisory board are in the process of reviewing bids from some of the countrys top exhibit designers, with the plan to turn the building into a center for diversity and reconciliation; to create a memorial and a living community center.

Freeman, now the executive director of the Echo Project, acknowledges he is new to a battle Kennedy and others have been fighting their whole lives. He says the people who have lived this and fought this in Laurens County for a quarter century are the real heroes, and Im just thankful they let me be involved.

The South Carolina I want to live in reckons with its past and moves forward in a productive way. Regan Freeman, executive director, The Echo Project

To Kennedy, Freeman is a breath of fresh air. Hes young, hes energetic, he stays pumped up, Kennedy told CBS News.

But Freeman has also heard the talk and pushback from some in his hometown. Why are you bringing that back up again? Why would you display Klan artifacts? Rev. Kennedys argument, and I agree with him, is you have to tell the truth to reconcile. Racial reconciliation starts by telling the truth.

So this place, which Freeman calls the embodiment of evil, may be a Laurens County story, but its also a universal story.

You have this visceral space where you can understand the centuries-long struggle for justice and how this theater fits into that. Were taking this building from a Klan museum to a center for diversity and reconciliation. I get chills saying that, he says. But were not just going after the building in Laurens. Were talking about the universal message of standing against hatred, of choosing healing over hatred.

Harry Agnew has been friends with Kennedy for more than 25 years, and the two were on the same page about the need to transform the old Echo Theater building. He was with Kennedy at the 2018 lunch when they first met Freeman.

When Regan came along, he provided the enthusiasm to be the catalyst to put this together, Agnew says. A former member of the University of South Carolina Board of Visitors, Agnew now is vice president of the Echo Projects board of directors. Theres a lot of work to be done in South Carolina. Thats what this project is about."

As he works with others on the Echo Theater in his home county, Freeman says he thinks often about the historical marker at the foot of the historic Horseshoe at his alma mater, which says the university is a faithful index to the ambitions and fortunes of the state.

The Echo Project and what were fighting for is a manifestation of that. The South Carolina I want to live in reckons with its past and moves forward in a productive way. Lets let the Echo Project also be an index to the ambitions and fortunes of South Carolina, and let it help move the state forward.

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Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global waterproofing systems market is projected to reach a value of USD 82.29 Billion by 2027, according to recent analysis by Emergen Research. This growth of the market can be attributed to rising investments in the construction industry and the growing need for sustainability. Rising concerns regarding environmental awareness has resulted in increasing utilization of eco-friendly waterproofing membranes, which in turn, has been driving growth of the waterproofing systems market. The rising need to protect buildings against water infiltration, which can cause expensive and irreversible damage, is boosting demand for waterproofing systems.

Adoption of integral waterproofing across commercial sectors has also been increasing as integral waterproofing does not require a separate schedule for waterproofing activity. Increasing investments by government of various countries into infrastructure development, which includes bridges, roads, dams, and urban infrastructure, is expected to drive growth of the waterproofing systems market to a significant extent. Furthermore, concerns related to water seepage damaging metal components and electrical circuits in buildings, as well as potential and health hazards due to damp walls etc., is also boosting demand for and application of waterproofing systems.

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Key Highlights of Report

In January 2020, BASF SE launched an advanced waterproofing membrane in Asia called MasterSeal 730 UVS. Under the company's Master Builders Solutions brand, the company launched a new waterproofing membrane to extend the flexible waterproofing range.

The building structures segment accounted for largest market share of 39.5% in 2019. Increasing need to protect building structures against water infiltration has been resulting in increased utilization of waterproofing systems.

The commercial segment revenue is expected to expand at a rapid CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. Easy installation, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness of waterproofing systems are factors contributing to increasing adoption of these systems in the commercial sector.

The waterproofing membranes segment accounted for significantly high revenue share in the waterproofing systems market in 2019. The greater range of flexibility and affordability offered by waterproofing membranes is a factor driving high demand for these products in the global waterproofing systems market.

Revenue from the market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a rapid rate during the forecast period. Increasing purchasing power and continuous improvements in social living conditions of consumer has resulted in increasing demand for waterproofing systems for protection of commercial and residential buildings and structures in countries in the region.

Key players in the market include BASF SE, Fosroc, SIKA AG, Soprema Inc., GCP Applied Technologies, Mapei S.p.A., Carlisle Construction Materials LLC, Tremco, Pidilite Industries, and Bostik.

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Emergen Research has segmented the global waterproofing systems market on the basis of application, end-use, type, and region:

Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 20202027) Roofing & walls Waste & water management Building Structures Roadways Others

End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 20202027) Commercial Residential Industrial infrastructure development

Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 20202027) Waterproofing chemicals Waterproofing membranes Integral systems



Click to access the Report Study, Read key highlights of the Report and Look at Projected Trends: https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/waterproofing-systems-market

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 20202027) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France BENELUX Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan South Korea Rest of APAC Latin America Brazil Rest of LATAM Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Rest of MEA



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Spherical graphite market size was valued at USD 2,435.8 Million in 2019 and is forecasted to reach USD 9,598.8 Million by 2027 at a CAGR of 18.6%. The spherical graphite market is observing a double-digit growth attributed to its increasing usage in lithium-ion battery production.

Sodium dichromate market size was valued at USD 759.2 Million in 2019 and is forecasted to reach USD 1,242.4 Million by 2027 at a CAGR of 6.3%. The sodium dichromate market is observing high demand attributed to its increasing application in pigment, metal finishing, chromium compounds preparation, leather tanning, and wood preservative.

Acoustic insulation market size was valued at USD 12.94 Billion in 2019 and is forecasted to reach USD 19.64 Billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 5.3%. The acoustic insulation market is observing high demand attributed to its increasing application in building & construction, automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing.

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AB Ignitis grupe (hereinafter  the Company) informs that on 24 February 2021 the Supervisory Board of its subsidiary AB Ignitis gamyba approved the decision of the Management Board of AB Ignitis gamyba to approve the expansion plan of the Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Powerplant (hereinafter  Kruonis PSHP) and initiate the first stage of the development  a tender for technical consultation services.

In 2020 the technological feasibility study and the socioeconomic analysis of the 5th unit of Kruonis PSHP were carried out, which aimed to determine the possible variants to modernise the powerplant. During the technological feasibility study, several possible scenarios of Kruonis PSHP expansions were assessed  from the possibility to modernise the current unit, to the possibility to install a new 110225 MW hydropower unit. After assessing the needs of the energy distribution system operator and according to the recommendations of the socioeconomic analysis, it was decided that the most reasonable solution is to install a 110 MW hydropower synchronous unit. The conclusion of the socioeconomic analysis states that, should such hydropower unit be built, the public would benefit by more than EUR 150m in the long-term.

The first procurement will select the contractor, which will help AB Ignitis gamyba to prepare the technical requirements for the new unit. AB Ignitis gamyba notes that the approval of the business plan is not tantamount to the investment decision. AB Ignitis gamyba will decide on the investment into the expansion of Kruonis PSHP only after the results of the contractor procurement are received and after the assessment of the construction costs.

The expansion of Kruonis PSHP would contribute towards implementing the goals of the National Energy Independence Strategy (hereinafter  NEIS). It must be noted that NEIS stipulates that the synchronisation project of Lithuanias electricity system is a strategic priority for national security. The new hydropower unit in Kruonis PSHP is necessary in order to ensure the energy system demand of the state, to reduce the energy dependency on the imported electricity by retaining local, reliable and competitive electricity generation while increasing the internal energy generation capacity at the same time. The expansion of Kruonis PSHP is also set out in the key technical document presented by the Government for the preparation of synchronisation with the networks of Continental Europe.

According to the preliminary assessment, the 5th hydropower unit of Kruonis PSHP will commence operations in 2025.

For more information please contact:

Arturas Ketlerius

Head of Public Relations at Ignitis Group

arturas.ketlerius@ignitis.lt

+370 620 76076
WASHINGTON  President Biden has decided that the diplomatic cost of directly penalizing Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is too high, according to senior administration officials, despite a detailed American intelligence finding that he directly approved the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident and Washington Post columnist who was drugged and dismembered in October 2018.

The decision by Mr. Biden, who during the 2020 campaign called Saudi Arabia a pariah state with no redeeming social value, came after weeks of debate in which his newly formed national security team advised him that there was no way to formally bar the heir to the Saudi crown from entering the United States, or to weigh criminal charges against him, without breaching the relationship with one of Americas key Arab allies.

Officials said a consensus developed inside the White House that the cost of that breach, in Saudi cooperation on counterterrorism and in confronting Iran, was simply too high.

For Mr. Biden, the decision was a telling indication of how his more cautious instincts kicked in, as the responsibilities of managing a difficult ally led him to find ways other than going directly after Prince Mohammed to make Saudi Arabia pay a price.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
MOSCOW, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Boeing 777 plane flying from Hong Kong sought an emergency landing in Moscow due to engine issue, local media reported.
But around A.D. 1230, two or three thousand men, women and children flourished among those canyons and mesas, people we know today only by the taxonomic labels of Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont. Those inhabitants left behind a stunning array of mud-and-stone dwellings and panels of visionary rock art carved and painted on the cliffs, just waiting for latter-day vagabonds like me to discover.

Almost none of those sites has been excavated or restored by modern professional archaeologists or cordoned off for tourists to admire. Ive spent some of the most enraptured days of my life hiking far from the nearest road to come unexpectedly upon dwellings tucked into hidden alcoves or petroglyphs etched into the dark patina of vertical walls, which few moderns have ever seen. Like my fellow devotees, Ive taken home from those sites not even the tiniest potsherd as a souvenir, touched none of the fragile room walls so perfectly preserved you can still see the fingerprints of the builders grooved in the mortar. As a mountaineer, Im dazzled by the climbing prowess of the ancients, and Ive scared myself silly scrambling into high granaries and simply stared in awe at others I have no idea how to reach.

For decades, the Bears Ears was protected only by the light hand of Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service rangers. Fears of new oil and gas leases granted by federal officials after the downsizing did not come to pass. But the state of Utah did issue oil and gas leases on nearly 2,500 acres of state-owned land surrounded by the pre-Trump monument. And the century-old hobby of pothunters digging for black-market loot continued apace.

Into that vacuum, a horde of first-time campers, denied their usual vacations in Jamaica or the south of France, descended on the Bears Ears. They settled in with huge RVs and rode Jeeps, ATVs and trail bikes across the mesa tops, gouging new tracks and crushing the fragile cryptogamic soil. A Bureau of Land Management survey crew documented 25 miles of new incursions on Bears Ears land during the three-year hiatus  a significant portion of which was ruts blazed by tourist vehicles across land that had never before seen an impact heavier than the human footprint. This mob of recreationists left its ugly mark in human feces, new fire rings, and limbs hacked off living juniper and pinyon trees.

If the Bears Ears is my favorite place on earth, it has an even deeper significance for the members of what became the Inter-Tribal Coalition  Navajo, Ute Mountain Ute, Hopi, Uintah and Ouray Ute and Zuni  who started the push for the Bears Ears back in 2010, championing the first successful national monument spearheaded by Native Americans. Mark Maryboy, the 65-year-old Navajo activist who got the ball rolling, told me: Most tribes feel that North America is still theirs, that its been stolen from them by the government, by white people. We still worship in those lands. The Bears Ears is our church, our cathedral.
HOMEWOOD, Ala. (AP) - State regulators have suspended the alcohol license of a Birmingham-area bar over alleged violations of the state's pandemic health order.

A spokesman for Alabama's ABC Board says the action against Grocery Brewpub in Homewood is the first such state case under COVID-19 rules.

Photos shared recently on social media showed people packed into the nightspot.

Regulators accused the business of violating rules about face mask requirements, occupancy limits and social distancing.

A hearing is expected in April, and the owner of the bar says he looks forward to addressing the situation and providing a safe environment in the future.
The Austrian village of Mayrhofen in Zillertal is to be sealed off after 29 cases of the South African coronavirus mutation were discovered. (Getty)

A village in Austria is to be completely sealed off for at least a week after 29 cases of the South African COVID variant were found there.

Mayrhofen in Zillertal will only allow commuters in and out during the period it is sealed off, in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus strain.

Out of a population of 4,000 people, there are 42 cases of coronavirus  including at a kindergarten and a school.

At least one of the cases is suspected of being related to the South African variant, according to The Local.

Ischgl in Austria is thought to be 'ground zero' for the coronavirus pandemic in Austria. (AP)

The find is significant as the village lies in the Austrian state of Tyrol  where the Ischgl ski resort, thought to be the ground zero of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, is situated.

Thousands of tourists, including at least 180 Britons, caught coronavirus while staying there during the spring holidays in March last year, carrying it back to their home countries.

Watch: PM 'very confident' in COVID vaccines amid South African variant concerns

The tough new measures in Mayrhofen will mean anyone wanting to leave the village will have to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.

All residents will also be tested twice between Friday and Wednesday in an effort to stop a further outbreak.

Pupils will be force into remote learning while schools close and most shops will also be shut, aside from chemists and supermarkets.

Mask use will also be mandatory in defined public places throughout the Schwaz district.

The Local reports that there has been some pushback against mass testing after authorities asked those taking part to film themselves so their identities could be checked.

Read more

What you can and can't do under current lockdown rules

The Tyrol region has seen just 4,000 completed tests returned out of a total of 40,000 that were sent out.

The governor of Tyrol, Gunther Platter, has now called for people in the Schwaz area to be given priority for vaccines.

Story continues

Tyrol has seen 567 deaths from coronavirus, out of 47,168 cases. Total COVID deaths in Austria stand at 8,470.

Watch: What you can and can't do during England's third national lockdown
Enemy troops used proscribed 120mm mortars.

Seven members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have received shrapnel wounds, two more have sustained combat injuries, and another one has been injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast.

All the casualties were reported on Friday, February 26, by the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine with reference to the headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation.

Read alsoDonbas war update: Ukraine records 10 ceasefire violations on Feb 25

Russia-led forces used proscribed 120mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems and rifles near the village of Vodiane, a result of which, seven Ukrainian servicemen received shrapnel wounds, and two more sustained combat injuries.

"They were rushed to the hospital where they are being provided with the necessary medical care," it said.

The brigade's officials and the operational response team of the military law enforcement service are now working at the scene.

The IED incident occurred near the village of Nevelske. The injured soldier was hospitalized.

Enemy troops mounted attacks on Ukrainian positions near the village of Pisky, using 120mm and 82mm mortars, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms.

The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas.

Reporting by UNIAN
A group of students from a school for at-risk teens who brutally attacked two tradesmen acted out because they are 'broken babies', the college's director said.

About 10 Year 8 students were filmed running wild at the SMYL community college in Rockingham, south-west Perth, on Tuesday after the workers arrived to fix a burst fire hydrant.

The two men were subjected to verbal abuse after appearing on site, before the students surrounded the men and started throwing punches after trapping them in a corner.

The boys could be heard egging each other on with chants of 'bomb him, bomb that motherf**ker' and 'keep going' while the tradesmen desperately tried to fend for themselves.

SMYL Community College director Sam Gowegati said the incident was 'appalling' but the students were new to the school and were highly vulnerable.

The tradesmen were backed into a corner and surrounded by the students who started throwing punches just after lunchtime on Tuesday

'The reason these kids are sent here is because they're disengaged from mainstream education,' he told the West Australian.

'These kids are already vulnerable ... and they do do dumb stuff, that's why they're here, closed off in this area so we can manage that process.'

The college director said some students were 'volatile' and had already been suspended, meanwhile some teachers were afraid to come to work.

'We probably will have to expel some kids, but the reality is, if we expel them, no one else wants to take them,' Mr Gowegati said.

Some teachers told the publication they 'feared for their lives' and that physical attacks such as the incident on Tuesday were not uncommon.

A group of about 10 students at the SMYL Community College in Rockingham went on a wild rampage on Tuesday after two tradies arrived to fix damage to the school. Pictured, a student captured in footage posted online kicking the front windscreen of the tradies' work car

Police were eventually forced to intervene at the school on Tuesday at about 1.40pm.

In the footage, one student was seen smashing the front windscreen of one of tradesman's work vehicles after jumping on the bonnet amid cries of 'let's smash his car'.

Terrified students not involved in the attack ran for cover, locking themselves in classrooms and hiding under desks as the violence unfolded.

One of the workers is seen holding a student in a headlock while his colleague was being attacked.

Mr Gorwegati said they were reviewing their procedures as under college policy tradesmen were not usually on site during school hours.

The Education Department has confirmed they will help the college resolve the issue.

The college uses taxpayer funding to take in students that have been referred by public schools.

The school teaches children from Year 8 to 12.

Mr Gowegati said in a statement seen by Daily Mail Australia that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

'The safety of students and staff are of the utmost importance to the school and will be the primary consideration in our investigation of the incident. We have engaged an experienced and independent external investigator to lead this process,' he said.

'There are a lot of reasons why young people become disengaged from education, including anxiety, depression, learning difficulties and behavioural issues and the College identifies the reasons and works with each student to overcome them.'

As well as teachers and other education staff, the college employs a team of three clinical psychologists, 12 psychologists and 21 case workers to support approximately 420 students.

'Our aim is to provide students with the skills, experience and personal development they need to be able to participate in the workforce,' Mr Gowegati said.

'The school does not condone violence and has taken action to suspend the students until the investigation can be completed.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Independent Education Union of Australia for comment.
/

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a sex offender who was in the country illegally, authorities said.

The incident occurred Thursday morning near Encinal, where agents encountered a group of seven people walking through a remote ranch land area southwest of Encinal. All were determined to be immigrants who were in the country illegally.
Known mainly for her novels, Isabel Allende began her writing career as a journalist amidst women riding the first wave of feminism in the 1960s. In The Soul of a Woman (March 2), Allende meditates on what it means to be a woman, and a feminist, today.

To be safe, to be valued, to live in peace, to have their own resources, to be connected, to have control over their bodies and lives, and above all, to be loved. Allende sees how much progress has been made in these areas, and how far we still have to go, in this short but important work publishing just in time for Womens History Month.

Graeme Gibson, husband of Margaret Atwood and well-respected writer in his own right, passed away a little over a year ago. Atwood took on the work of editing and reissuing his beautifully illustrated, 15-year-old book, The Bedside Book of Birds: An Avian Miscellany (March 30). Gibson was an avid birdwatcher with a deep appreciation for the connection between humans and birds. This book lovingly collects works that illuminate that connection, from such writers as Darwin, Ovid, T.S. Eliot, Peter Matthiessen, and many others. With a new forward by Atwood, this beautiful book will surely delight fans of birds and words.
Bob Pixel, regarded as a leading light in modern photography is reported dead and news of his passing today, February 25,2021 has drawn many condolences from loved ones and family.



Trending Number 1 on Twitter the death of Bob Pixel real name Emmanuel Bobbie who has been described as a photography icon is certainly a big blow to the creative industry.



In a tweet by Voice cast, it said, Still waiting for confirmation because this is shocking but if your death is true, RIP. You were a photography icon and you truly left an impact, Bob Pixel.



In the words of Aberrant Maiai, I still cant believe the news about Bob Pixel.



Afia Akoto, Deputy Chief Executive at Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) posted this on her Facebook page. You served your country in your own way. Some of you deserve nothing less than a state honour



According to GH Ones presenter, Adwoa Amofa, One of the best to have ever done it in this industry. So sorry sir . Rest easy"



Even though the cause of his death is not known yet, family and friends have shared messages of condolence to the bereaved family.



Bob Pixel who is well known for capturing memorable images of celebrities, events, tourist sites and politicians left behind a wife and three children.





Profile of Bob Pixel



Emmanuel Bobbie working under the moniker Bob Pixel was a product of Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology (KNUST) where he earned a degree in Communication Design (2001).



With over 12 years under his belt as a professional photographer, Bob Pixel has worked with celebrities such as actress Yvonne Nelson, rapper M.anifest, actor and politician John Dumelo, Menaye Donkor-Muntari, actress Jackie Appiah and actor James Gardiner.



Some of the notable agencies and campaigns that Bob Pixel has worked with include UNICEF (Living with Refugees) Vodafone Ecobank, Emirates, GH Fan Milk, Guinness Gh, ABL, Samsung, Coca-Cola and many more.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Gurugram (Haryana) [India], February 26 (ANI/NewsVoir): We are in the midst of an unprecedented situation as the world and India grapples with the threat of COVID-19. As corporate citizens, we in industry must lend our meaningful support to contain this pandemic.

Such challenging circumstances indeed call for extraordinary measures. Egis in India has geared its value-chain to lend support to the Civil surgeon's office, Gurugram in its efforts to set up a COVID-19 IT center. Our Company is committed to support Government's efforts and play its part in fighting this pandemic with compassion and resilience.

Being Responsible is one of the core values of Egis. As a Responsible Company, the CSR Committee of Egis in India among other opportunities, chose to support Gurgaon healthcare authorities to set up the much needed IT center using the CSR contributions.

At Egis, employees are committed to supporting environmental, energy, digital and regional transition to help shape the world of tomorrow. We use our ability to innovate and to ingeniously turn ideas into concreate, operational and - above all - useful solutions to help benefit customers all over the world.

Egisis working towards the most important area's of contribution under the CSR policy for healthcare sector specially, after the pandemic COVID-19, contribution towards the improvisation in the healthcare sector has become a necessity and moral duty of every citizen of India.

Egis is present in India for around 25 years and has been actively associated with high profile projects that include 8 Mass Rapid Transit System (Metro) and Semi-High Speed Regional Rail Transit System around Delhi, Sustainable Development of 3 Smart Cities (Chandigarh, Bhubaneshwar and Ajmer), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Housing for All PMAY projects in Madhya Pradesh; Specialize High Rise Structure like Statue of Unity in Gujarat and Chatrapati Shivaji Memorial Statue in Mumbai, National Waterway and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust; Many Expressways, Mumbai Coastal Roads, National Highways, State Highways, Rural roads partnering 29 Indian States in various geographical areas; 3 Airports (Lucknow, Trichy and Pune), Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) of around 250 dams, one of the largest of its kind in India and many more prestigious projects.

"At Egis Group, we are focused on extending our community engagement and CSR support during the pandemic. We are pleased to partner with the (authorities) in setting up the COVID-19 IT center. Egis Group as a responsible corporate focuses on initiatives to make a difference, change lives and to create a better future," said Laurent Germain, Chief Executive Officer of Egis.

"We feel extremely humbled and privileged to be in a position to support in setting up the IT center, Civil Surgeon's office, Gurugram. The IT center will be beneficial for the authorities as well as for the patients in keeping record and other critical data related to COVID-19. We at Egis are committed to support all activities needed at this hour of global pandemic. I am sure Egis IT center will be helpful to the authorities in maintaining record and other important information during the pandemic. We are doing other initiatives under our CSR program to support the community wherever possible," said Sandeep Gulati, MD, Egis India.

"I am very happy that a well-known global company like Egis has decided to partner with us in serving the community. I am very hopeful that we will have a long association and together we can achieve great things in community development," said Virendra Yadav, CMO, Civil Hospital, Gurgaon.

A major international group in the construction engineering and mobility services sectors, Egis creates and operates intelligent infrastructure and buildings capable of responding to the climate emergency and addressing the major challenges of our time by helping to achieve more balanced, sustainable and resilient territorial development.

A 75 per cent-owned subsidiary of Caisse des Depots, with the remaining 25 per cent held by partner executives and employees, Egis places its multiple fields of expertise at the disposal of the community and makes cutting-edge innovation accessible to all projects throughout their lifecycle: consulting, engineering, operation.

Through its wide-ranging fields of activity, Egis is a central player in the collective organisation of society and the living environment of its inhabitants all over the world.

Information: EUR1.22 bn managed turnover in 2019 and 15,800 employees.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Andrea Shalal, Michael Nienaber and Leigh Thomas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told G20 officials that Washington had dropped the Trump administration's proposal to let some companies opt out of new global digital tax rules, U.S. and European officials said on Friday, raising hopes for an agreement by summer.

Nearly 140 countries have set a mid-2021 deadline to wrap up talks to modernize outdated rules on how much governments can tax cross-border commerce and set a global minimum corporate tax rate after negotiations nearly ground to a halt last year due to the U.S. proposal.

"Secretary Yellen announced that we will engage robustly to address both Pillars of the OECD project, and that the United States is no longer advocating for 'safe harbor' implementation of Pillar 1," a U.S. Treasury official said.

Already challenging multilateral talks to reform global taxation under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development stalled after former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin insisted on the contentious measure in late 2019.

Tax experts and finance officials around the world had warned that the U.S. proposal could have allowed big U.S. companies like Amazon, Alphabet's Google and Facebook to opt out of whatever was agreed internationally.

Yellen's statement to G20 finance ministers and central bankers was widely welcomed by European officials.

German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz described the U.S. move as a major breakthrough that could pave the way for a broader deal.

"My U.S. colleague Janet Yellen told G20 finance ministers today that the United States would participate, and that the new regulations for fair international taxation should be binding for all companies," he said in a statement after the meeting.

He said Yellen told the G20 officials that Washington also planned to reform U.S. minimum tax regulations in line with an OECD proposal for a global effective minimum tax.

Story continues

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, one of the most outspoken critics of the U.S. safe harbor proposal, echoed his praise.

"Finding an agreement by summer is within reach, especially now that the United States have confirmed they are dropping the safe harbor principle," Le Maire said after the meeting.

In a letter to G20 officials released Thursday, Yellen underscored the Biden administration's commitment to multilateral discussions on the global taxation issue, "overcoming disagreements, and finding workable solutions in a fair and judicious manner."

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington, Michael Nienaber in Berlin, Leigh Thomas in Paris and Jan Strupczewski in Brussels; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Andrea Ricci)
Remarks:

Notification from Kenya on the re-entry of 1KUNS-PF
Attendees will have the opportunity to get the latest updates and participate in Q & A with Havn Life's CEO Tim Moore

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / Havn Life Sciences Inc. (CSE:HAVN)(OTC PINK:HAVLF)(FSE:5NP) (the "Company" or "Havn Life"), a biotechnology company pursuing standardized extraction of psychoactive compounds and the development of natural healthcare products, announced today that it will host a webcast investor presentation on Wednesday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m. EST (11:00 a.m. PST).

During the webcast, CEO Tim Moore will lead a PowerPoint presentation that will cover key areas of Havn Life's business plan. He'll be outlining the company's road map for 2021, sharing significant updates on Havn Labs and Havn Retail, discussing the launch of the retail product line this year, as well as key partnerships and financing benchmarks for the coming quarter. The webcast is a unique opportunity for current and potential investors to have direct access to Havn Life's CEO through an interactive Q & A portal and find out more about the company and its milestones.

WHO: Tim Moore, Havn Life Sciences - CEO

WHEN: Wednesday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: To access to the webcast and ask questions during the live event, please pre-register using this link:

https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1429769&tp_key=deaceae0bb

An archived version of the webcast and presentation will be available using the same link or on the investor relations section of the Company's website.

On Behalf of The Board of Directors

Tim Moore

Chief Executive Officer

About Havn Life Sciences Inc.

Havn Life Sciences is a biotechnology company on a mission to unlock human potential using evidence-informed research. The Company is focused on standardized, quality-controlled extraction of psychoactive compounds from plants and fungi, and the development of natural health care products from non-regulated compounds. Learn more at: havnlife.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube

Contact:

Investor Relations: ir@havnlife.com, 604 687 7130

Media: savi@emergence-creative.com, 647 896-8078

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the contemplated completion of the Acquisition, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, nor that the Acquisition will be completed as contemplated, or at all. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press release

SOURCE: Havn Life Sciences Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632328/Havn-Life-Sciences-to-Host-Investor-Webcast-on-March-3-2021
STRASBOURG, France and PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynacure, a clinical-stage company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies to transform the lives of patients with rare diseases who have limited or no treatment options, today announced its recognition of Rare Disease Day 2021. Dynacure is helping to raise awareness of myotubular and centronuclear myopathies, or CNM, by publishing a series of stories from patients and families who have been affected by this group of rare and life-threatening disorders.

These CNM family stories can be accessed on Dynacure's website and feature families in both the United States and in Europe. Families discuss the often-complicated and delayed path to an accurate diagnosis, the struggles of caring for medically fragile young patients and the increased challenges brought by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Families also discuss finding joy in the simple things in life, the value of being connected to a broader CNM community and their hopes for the future.

"An important aspect of our work with the Myotubular and Centronuclear Myopathy community is to connect affected families with each other, and in doing so, we realize that we are not alone, we have much in common and that we are stronger together," said Dr. Holger Fischer, Founder and President of the ZNM - Zusammen Stark! e.V., a patient organization in Germany committed to supporting those with CNM, and added "It is important that we keep telling our stories as a way to raise awareness, to support each other and to celebrate the lives of those affected by CNM. These are our goals on Rare Disease Day and always."

"There is no better way to understand and appreciate any rare disease than through the stories of the patients, families and caregivers who are affected," said Dynacure Chief Executive Officer Stephane van Rooijen. "Rare Disease Day is an opportunity to listen to the stories from the rare disease community, and as an industry to acknowledge that there is great work ahead of us and potential to make a difference. I want to thank those in the myotubular and centronuclear myopathy community who have taken the time to share their stories with us. We hear you  message understood."

Myotubular and Centronuclear Myopathies are serious, rare, life-threatening disorders that affect skeletal muscles from birth. People with CNM begin experiencing muscle weakness at any time from birth to early adulthood and many patients die within the first 18 months of life. Patients who survive longer require intense medical management and nearly uninterrupted support, including permanent ventilation, brace with head support and feeding tubes. Myotubular and Centronuclear Myopathies affect an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 patients in the European Union, United States, Japan and Australia 1.

Rare Disease Day ( www.rarediseaseday.org ) was established by EURORDIS in 2008 and is held on the last day of February each year in an effort to build awareness of rare diseases and the impact they have on patients and their families. The theme for Rare Disease Day 2021 highlights the need to provide members of the rare disease community around the world with new opportunities to meet, share insights and support one another, and join together in efforts to educate and advocate. This year will mark the first all-digital Rare Disease Day involving interactive online events planned by hundreds of international advocacy, research and patient care organizations. Please visit Dynacure's website to read the CNM family stories.

About Dynacure

Dynacure is a clinical-stage company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies to transform the lives of patients with rare diseases who have limited or no treatment options. The Dynacure team leverages its proven track record in rare disease drug development to build a pipeline of novel drug candidates. Dynacure is developing DYN101, an investigational antisense product candidate designed to reduce the expression of dynamin 2 protein for the treatment of Myotubular and Centronuclear Myopathies, in strategic collaboration with Ionis Pharmaceuticals. Dynacure is also building a complementary research portfolio targeting other orphan disorders, including its DYN201 program for the treatment of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias (caused by mutations in the SPG11 gene).

Dynacure is headquartered in Strasbourg, France with a corporate office in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

For more information, please visit www.dynacure.com .

1. Neuromuscul Disord. 2018 Sep;28(9):766-777. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.06.012. Epub 2018 Jul

2. Nat Commun. 2017 Jun 7;8:15661. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15661.

3. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Oct 23;115(43):11066-11071. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1808170115. Epub 2018 Oct

4. (Cowling et al 2014 JCI)

SOURCE Dynacure

Related Links

https://www.dynacure.com


Phuket prepares for COVID-19 vaccine rollout

PHUKET: Medical personnel from the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) and Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday (Feb 25) held a practice session for vaccinating the public for COVID-19.

COVID-19Coronavirushealth

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 26 February 2021, 11:14AM

A practice session for deploying the COVID-19 vaccine was held at Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday (Feb 25). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong goes through the process of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at a practice session yesterday (Feb 25). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong speaks to the press at the practice session yesterday (Feb 25). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong goes through the process of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at a practice session yesterday (Feb 25). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong goes through the process of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at a practice session yesterday (Feb 25). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The rehearsal was held late yesterday afternoon at the Lan Muang Khao open area at Vachira hospital, which has been set up specifically for the vaccine rollout.

Present to oversee the procedures to be observed while administering vaccines was Dr Pitakpol Bunyamalik, an Inspector General from the Ministry of Public Health Region 11 office, which is responsible for the seven Upper Southern Thailand provinces, including Phuket.

Joining him from the Region 11 office was Dr Apichat Romsom.

Closely observing the procedures was Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong.

The government recognises the importance of the affected areas of the economy where the epidemic situation of COVID-19 must be stopped and has allocated the COVID-19 vaccine to Phuket Province to build herd immunity, restore the economy, return a smile to Thailand, Vice Governor Pichet said.

The Phuket provincial government has been informed that the first COVID-19 vaccine allocation of 4,000 doses is to arrive in early March 2021, the second and third installments, at 16,000 doses and 48,000 doses, are to arrive in April and May, he added.

We are preparing to COVID-19 mass vaccination to build confidence among the people that they will receive a quality, safe vaccine and to receive follow-up care after it has been administered, he said.

Vice Governor Pichet said the first to receive the vaccine in Phuket will be specific target groups.

Medical personnel and public health personnel will receive the vaccine first, followed by those who have front line interaction with the general public.

After that will be workers aged 18-59 years, and people with underlying diseases including chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. The candidates will be selected by doctors by using the hospital databases, Vice Governor Pichet explained.

Among those targetted to not receive the vaccine are patients with uncontrollable chronic diseases, he noted.

People with severe neurological conditions and pregnant women should be wary of taking the vaccine, as well as women who are breastfeeding and people with immunodeficiency, he said.

As practiced procedure by medical personnel who will administer the vaccine at the rehearsal yesterday, after being screening by having their body temperature taken, cleaning their hands with sanitiser and entering the service area, people receiving the vaccine are to follow the following steps:

Step 1 Register

Step 2 Have their weight and blood pressure recorded

Step 3 Pass the screening process: have their history and risk assessment recorded and sign a consent to receive the vaccine

Step 4 Wait for vaccination

Step 5 Vaccination

Step 6 Take a break and observe symptoms for 30 minutes. Scan the official Line account  (Doctor Ready)

Step 7 Pass a final check before receiving a document confirming vaccination

Follow-ups to confirm people determine whether people have experienced adverse reactions to the vaccine will be carried out after one day, seven days and 30 days after vaccination, Vice Governor Pichet said.

Appointments will be set for people to receive their second shot of the vaccine, with those receiving the Sinovac vaccine receiving their second shot 2-4 weeks after their first injection, and those receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine receiving their second shot 10-12 weeks after their first injection, he added.

At this time, we have no information on any other types of vaccine to arrive, so the vaccines administered should be only these two, he said.
A chicken dinner when you hoped for beef may just about sum up some people's disappointment in the Brexit deal and Northern Ireland Protocol.

Or how about Prince Harry's chicken pie instead of a pork and apple burger?

New requirements for export health certificates (EHCs) on chilled, processed meats coming from Britain may have caught out Hello Fresh, a US-owned company with a base in the UK that supplies meal kits to thousands of families here.

Companies bringing chilled, processed meats from Britain had been exempt from the EHCs, which are completed by a vet at a charge of around 150 a time, until Monday past.

The EHCs are required under EU law for maintaining its single market, which we remain inside under the protocol.

One Co Antrim Hello Fresh customer reported 13 meal substitutions being offered, with taboo meats replaced with chicken or a veggie option.

Soy and honey chicken was offered instead of a rogan josh-style beef curry.

The Prince Harry's chicken pie - which features a topping of sliced potato set off with some panko breadcrumbs - was the alternative to the pork and apple burger.

Instead of BBQ sausage skewers, the customer was offered sticky hoisin baked chicken thighs; and in lieu of herby burgers, some mango chicken wraps were proffered. Refried bean and halloumi tacos were the understudy for a pork stir-fry, while beef kofta kebabs were replaced with a chicken and mushroom stew.

The now unavailable meals all include processed raw meats such as beef, pork or lamb mince. But the raw, unprocessed chicken breast in Prince Harry's pie is not subject to the EHC requirement, and beef strips are also allowed.

Hello Fresh told the customer on Wednesday: "Due to constraints in delivering certain ingredients to your area, we have had to change certain recipes to ensure that your box will be accepted by customs for delivery to you.

"Despite our best efforts we were unable to find an alternate solution, but please rest assured that we are working around the clock with local authorities to find an acceptable solution as quickly as we can and will update all of our customers on our progress."

The woman and her family did not fancy the meal substitutions, so cancelled the order.

Hello Fresh told the Belfast Telegraph: "Like many food retailers and suppliers, we have experienced some disruption to our distribution into NI due to the new requirements.

"In order to ensure that our customers are impacted as little as possible we have sent some customers alternative recipes. We apologise for any inconvenience caused due to these ongoing issues."

A meeting was held this week of the Joint Committee, the UK-EU body set up to discuss the protocol.

However, no easing of the rules has yet been agreed. A grace period exempting all animal-based produce from EHCs expires in April, while after July chilled, processed meats won't be allowed at all. But Hello Fresh's difficulty could present an opening for local firms in the same field, such as Moo to You in Dundonald, which was set up last year.

According to Moo to You, UK home delivery firms like Hello Fresh supply more than 5,000 meal kits to households here. It added: "Moo to You is hoping to tap into this lucrative market by offering a local delivery service using local produce from local suppliers."
Warning: Content of video may be distrubing



An Iowa man is facing charges of animal neglect after a neighbor captured video of him dragging, kicking and allegedly throwing objects at his dog. He is now relinquishing his pet, according to new documents filed Thursday.

According to the documents, on Saturday Zac Brooks will give his dog to the breeder he got it from.

Brooks was seen on camera dragging his dog and allegedly throwing things at the pet.

Neighbors are upset Brooks is not facing harsher charges.

Local police said Brooks is charged with animal neglect, a simple misdemeanor, according to sister station KCCI.



"The Dallas County Attorney's Office advised that we could do animal neglect charges, but there was not enough there for abuse," said Waukee police Sgt. Mackenzie Sposeto.

On Wednesday, the Dallas County attorney filed a petition asking the court to hold a hearing to determine the threat the dog was in. As a result, the court asked Brooks to relinquish rights of the dog.

Previously, Sposeto said officers went to the townhome on Saturday to look over the dog after neighbors called with concerns.

"They let the dog out of the kennel dog ran around was wagging his tail, they actually sat down and checked the entire dog from head to tail," said Sposeto. "There's no signs of injuries, no trauma of any sort that they could see. He was greeting the owner and running around in circles. So they said, here's what we're going to ask of you. You are going to have to bring the dog inside: It is cold, and then make sure the dog has food and water."

"It's just not an ethical way to treat any living being. I really just want what's best for this dog," said neighbor Ben Lewis.

Lewis says he recorded the videos and called police after witnessing, according to him, weeks of Brooks' behavior.

"With the videos being as distressing as they were, I thought, you know, someone is going to have a say about this," said Lewis.

Several animal rights groups including the Animal Rescue League of Iowa are weighing in online and on social media after viewing the videos.

"The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is deeply disturbed by what we have seen in the videos, as well as what neighbors reported they have witnessed, and we join them in their immediate concern for this dog's welfare. What we have seen and heard is completely unacceptable and we believe it merits a full investigation into the dog's welfare and potential charges," said Tom Colvin, CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
While there is still plenty of potential new oil supply on the market, particularly from OPEC+, analysts remain very bullish and banks are beginning to talk about $100 oil.

In this week's Global Energy Alert, our research team delves into the role of natural gas in bringing peace to the Middle East. Sign up today to get breaking news, expert analysis, and trading tips.

Friday, February 26th, 2021

Oil prices took a breather on Friday after Brent traded just above $67 on Thursday. While downside risks remain, banks are now openly talking about the possibility of $100 oil at some point. OPEC+ still has the power to send oil prices down, but very few analysts are staking out overly bearish outlooks.

Texas scrutinizes blackouts. 5 members of ERCOT, the grid manager in Texas blamed for the historic outages last week, resigned on Wednesday. A sixth withdrew his application. Executives from Calpine Corp., Vistra Corp. (NYSE: VST), and NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) blamed natural gas-supply shortages

Texas gas production fell by half. Natural gas production in Texas collapsed by half during the freeze.

Traders betting on $100 oil. The open interest on $100 strike Dec 2022 calls has exploded higher since the turmoil in the Texas energy markets. $100 oil is still a gamble, but there is more interest in triple-digit oil prices than there has been in years.

Shells Deer Park refinery could take until April. Royal Dutch Shells (NYSE: RDS.A) Deer Park refinery in Texas could take until April to restart, following damage from the freeze across Texas.

Chinas shale boom over before it began. Despite Chinas natural resources and best efforts, the country has not been able to get its own shale boom off the ground, and a recent analysis by Reuters shows that what progress Beijing has made toward its own shale revolution could already be obsolete by the middle of this decade. Complex geology and failure to draw in more investors are projected to make the industrys expansion economically untenable.

Keystone XL death means more oil by rail. Cenovus Energy (TSE: CVE) and Imperial Oil (TSE: IMO) are moving more oil by rail, and Canadas oil-by-rail shipments have tripled since July. Analysts say without Keystone XL, more oil will hit the rails over the course of the 2020s to get heavy Canadian crude to Gulf Coast refiners.

Related Video: Goldman Calls $70 Oil in Q2, But Jet Fuel Is The Joker

Continental Resources sues BLM over delay in leases. Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) is suing the Bureau of Land Management over what it says is an illegally long wait for 50 applications for drilling on federal lands.

Venezuela and Iran swap jet fuel for gasoline. Venezuela and Iran, both sanctioned by the United States, are helping each other out. Venezuela is shipping jet fuel to Iran in the same tankers in which Iran delivers gasoline and spare parts for the refineries in Venezuela.

Chinas oil imports to slow. Chinas oil imports in the second quarter are expected toslow in the face of higher prices and refinery maintenance.

Occidental to lose $750 million on midstream. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) has seen its Permian production decline and now it has surplus unused midstream capacity, which could result in a midstream loss of around $750 million this year. Occidental has 800,000 bpd of contracted pipeline capacity, but only 485,000 bpd in Permian production, forcing the company to buy supply elsewhere.

Exxons reserves plunge by one-third. In an SEC filing, ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM)said its total oil and gas reserves fell by one-third to 15.2 billion barrels of oil. Most of the downgrade was concentrated in Canadas oil sands.

Exxon to sell North Sea assets. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) said it would sell upstream assets in the North Sea for $1 billion, although the company had originally hoped to obtain $2 billion.

OPEC+ considers modest production boost. OPEC+ will discuss a modest increase in oil production at next months meeting, sources told Reuters. The most likely number is an increase of 500,000 bpd beginning in April. At the same time, Saudi Arabias voluntary 1 mb/d cuts are set to expire.

Pioneer: U.S. shale no longer threat to OPEC. OPEC wont have to worry about U.S. shale growth anymore, according to Pioneer Natural Resources. Im confident that we can assume the Iranian barrels into the marketplace over time and then U.S. shale is no longer going to be a threat to OPEC and OPEC+, Scott Sheffield said.

Fracking banned in Delaware River basin. A regulatory agency governing water supplies in the Delaware River basin implemented a permanent ban on fracking in the region. The basin, which supplies drinking water to 13 million people in New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania, encompasses the northeastern tip of the Marcellus shale. A moratorium had been in place since 2010.

SEC to step up climate scrutiny. The acting chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission Allison Herren Lee said on Wednesday that the SEC would focus on climate disclosure in corporate filings. Now more than ever, investors are considering climate-related issues when making their investment decisions, Lee said in the statement. It is our responsibility to ensure that they have access to material information when planning for their financial future.

Shell: Global LNG demand to double by 2040. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) said that global LNG demand could double by 2040, with 75% of the growth concentrated in Asia. Related: Natural Gas Production Plunged 45% During The Texas Freeze

EOG hikes dividend 10%. EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) boosted its annual dividend on Thursday by 10% after posting better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. However, the companys share price fell 3% after the announcement, and analysts cited the fact that EOG plans a capex increase this year, even as production is expected to remain flat.

Pembina takes big write-down. Canada-based Pembina said that it can sadly no longer predict when it might be able to build Jordan Cove LNG, the only LNG project on the U.S. Pacific Coast still alive. Jordan Cove has suffered too many regulatory defeats. Pembina took a C$350 million write-down on the project.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Emily Ratajkowski was spotted covering her baby bump in a long coat while out in New York City on Friday.

The 29-year-old supermodel, who is expecting her firstborn child by her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard, was walking her dog Colombo.

She opted for a camel-colored trenchcoat over a black outfit, accessorizing with a large pair of dark sunglasses.

Scroll down for video

Out and about: Emily Ratajkowski was spotted covering her baby bump in a long coat while out in New York on Friday

Letting her luxurious hair down, she slipped into a burnt-orange leather pair of high-heeled boots for her latest outing.

Emily made sure to take the precaution of wearing a mask as he emerged from lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Her latest outing comes the day after she shared the cover of her upcoming book My Body... which has been billed as a 'personal exploration of feminism, sexuality, and power of men's treatment of women.'

'Thrilled to share the cover of MY BODY. Its surreal to pre-order my own book! Thank you to all who have shared, ordered and made me feel so supported today. Cant wait for you all to read these essays,' she said in her caption; the book is due out in 2022.

On the move: The 29-year-old supermodel, who is expecting her firstborn child by her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard, was walking her dog Colombo

Out and about: She opted for a camel-colored trenchcoat over a black outfit, accessorizing with a large pair of dark sunglasses

Careful: Emily made sure to take the precaution of wearing a mask as he emerged from lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

In another post she said: 'This is the cover of MY BOOK! Now available for pre-order. I dont think Ive ever been this excited to share something before. Link to pre-order and read a little about these essays in my bio.'

Last fall she shared: 'Thrilled and humbled to announce my book of essays entitled 'My Body' will be published by Metropolitan Books @macmillanusa @henryholtbooks.

'It's surreal to be working with an imprint that has published so many writers I admire (Noam Chomsky! Edward Snowden!) Now it's time to get to work!'

Details: Emily has said she's keen to raise her baby in a gender-neutral environment, because she doesn't want to 'force gender stereotypes' on her future child

Looking back: Emily admitted: 'It occurs to me that as a younger person I'd almost automatically imagined myself having a daughter'

The look: 'Thrilled to share the cover of MY BODY. Its surreal to pre-order my own book! Thank you to all who have shared, ordered and made me feel so supported today. Cant wait for you all to read these essays,' she said in her caption; the book is due out in 2022

Model, actress and now writer: In another post she said: 'This is the cover of MY BOOK! Now available for pre-order. I dont think Ive ever been this excited to share something before. Link to pre-order and read a little about these essays in my bio.' Seen last week

Metropolitan editor Sara Bershtel said in a statement: 'Emily Ratajkowski reveals herself to be devastatingly honest, nuanced, and strong - I'm not surprised that she thinks of herself first as a writer. I also admire how outspoken she is, how political, and how unafraid  what force she'll be!'

Meanwhile, the 30-year-old model-and-actress previously insisted she never wanted to be famous.

She said: 'I think, for me, the way I use my image and as a model and capitalize off of it has been very much about survival, rather than a representation of who I am.

'Modelling was an amazing way to make money and gain stability; fame came with that and it was a bizarre thing. Fame wasn't something I had really expected or really wanted - although deep down probably every 20 year old girl wants to be famous a little bit.

So much at once: Last fall she shared: 'Thrilled and humbled to announce my book of essays entitled 'My Body' will be published by Metropolitan Books @macmillanusa @henryholtbooks. This year she is expecting her first child

'I feel really good about the fact that everything I've ever put out has been highly curated. What you see online is not my whole life. I think that sometimes people think they know everything about me. 'Oh, we know all about your dog,' or 'We see your husband...' But that's not really who I am.

'It's a magazine or it's an editorial, you know? I'm proud of the fact that I protected myself and did the work of privately figuring out who the f*** I am.'

The book deal comes after the Gone Girl star and pal Amy Schumer were arrested in 2018 following protests over the possible appointment of Brett Kavanaugh - who has been accused of sexual assault - to the Supreme Court when they were picked up by police and taken into custody.

Last year she talked about her image: 'I feel really good about the fact that everything I've ever put out has been highly curated. What you see online is not my whole life. I think that sometimes people think they know everything about me. 'Oh, we know all about your dog,' or 'We see your husband...' But that's not really who I am'

Emily has said she's keen to raise her baby in a gender-neutral environment, because she doesn't want to 'force gender stereotypes' on her future child.

In an essay for Vogue in which she announced her pregnancy, she wrote: 'When my husband and I tell friends that I'm pregnant, their first question after 'Congratulations' is almost always "Do you know what you want?"

'We like to respond that we won't know the gender until our child is 18 and that they'll let us know then. Everyone laughs at this. There is a truth to our line, though, one that hints at possibilities that are much more complex than whatever genitalia our child might be born with: the truth that we ultimately have no idea who - rather than what - is growing inside my belly.

'Who will this person be? What kind of person will we become parents to? How will they change our lives and who we are? This is a wondrous and terrifying concept, one that renders us both helpless and humbled.'

Emily understands 'the desire' for people to know the 'gender of our foetus', and although she doesn't want to think about her child in terms of gender, she noted she has always wanted a daughter.

She added: 'I like the idea of forcing as few gender stereotypes on my child as possible. But no matter how progressive I may hope to be, I understand the desire to know the gender of our foetus; it feels like the first real opportunity to glimpse who they might be.

'It occurs to me that as a younger person I'd almost automatically imagined myself having a daughter. I remember playing as a child, holding baby dolls and picturing myself with a future best friend: something like the American Girl doll I owned, who had brown eyes and brown hair to mirror my own features, a smaller version of myself.'

Her baby shower: Last week friends surprised her with a baby showed for her little one

The model closed her essay by noting she has already learned so much from her baby, and is 'full of wonder' about what her future as a mother will hold.

She said: 'I used to use magical thinking whenever I wanted something to go a certain way. Now, though, I don't try to envision a pink or blue blanket in my arms. I'm too humbled to have any false notions of control. I'm completely and undeniably helpless when it comes to almost everything surrounding my pregnancy: how my body will change, who my child will be. But I'm surprisingly unbothered. Instead of feeling afraid, I feel a new sense of peace. I'm already learning from this person inside my body. I'm full of wonder.'

And this month she said she 'feels really lucky' to be pregnant.

She admits she 'never really understood' what it was like to make a family before she fell pregnant but she is really looking forward to expanding her family with her beau.

Speaking in a video to promote her new Kerastase Genesis range, she said: 'I've never really understood what it would be like to make a family and growing a family is an amazing eye opening experience and I feel really lucky. I don't know what motherhood is going to be like of course because this is my first time and everyone as such different experiences and perspectives. So, the best thing to do is just trust in the process and take each day at a time and then see where this ride takes me.'
Moses Ndhaye

Uganda has adopted the e-postal mailing address system as one of the ways to revitalise postal services in the country.

ICT and National Guidance minister Judith Nabakooba while launching the new system, said it will attract more people to own postal addresses, a legal requirement for any individual or group of people wishing to register a company.

The internet revolution has transformed the economics of postal services around the world and in the process the demand for postal mail has reduced, because using emails is a cheaper and quicker means of communication.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Associate in Psychology Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 194 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 194 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Associate in Psychology Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-associate-in-psychology-degree-programs/

2021 Associate in Psychology Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Allan Hancock College

Allen County Community College

Alvin Community College

Amarillo College

American River College

Anne Arundel Community College

Barton County Community College

Bergen Community College

Brookdale Community College

Bunker Hill Community College

Butler Community College

Casper College

Central Methodist University

Coastline Community College

Cochise County Community College District

College Of Alameda

College Of Marin

College Of Southern Nevada

College Of The Siskiyous

Colorado Christian University

Community College Of Philadelphia

Cuesta College

Delaware Community College

Drury University

Fisher College

Florida Institute Of Technology

Foothill College

Georgia Military College

Glendale Community College

Hillsborough Community College

Holmes Community College

Lansing Community College

Liberty University

Monterey Peninsula College

Navarro College

Northwest Iowa Community College

Odessa College

Palo Alto College

Regent University

Rose State College

Sacramento City College

San Joaquin Delta College

Sierra College

Sinclair Community College

Southwestern Assemblies Of God University

Truckee Meadows Community College

Tyler Junior College

Vincennes University

West Los Angeles College

West Valley College

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 184 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 184 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-marriage-and-family-therapy-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Abilene Christian University

Alliant International University

Amridge University

Antioch University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Bethel University

Brandman University

Brigham Young University

California Southern University

California State University, North Ridge

Campbellsville University

Capella University

Chapman University

Christian Theological Seminary

Drexel University

East Carolina University

Eisner Institute For Professional Studies

Fairfield University

Friends University

Grand Canyon University

Houston Baptist University

Indiana Wesleyan University

John Brown University

Lancaster Bible College

Lee University

Liberty University

Messiah College

Michigan State University

Mid-America Christian University

Northcentral University

Northwestern University

Nova Southeastern University

Palo Alto University

Pepperdine University

Pfeiffer University

Regent University

Regis University

Syracuse University

Texas Tech University

Touro University Worldwide

University of Florida

University of Louisiana, Monroe

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of Southern California

University of West Alabama

Walden University

Western Seminary

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 21:32:04|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes foreign people from all walks of life to visit and take a look at Xinjiang, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a press briefing when responding to a question on China inviting representatives from the EU and its member states to visit Xinjiang.

"In the past few years, more than 1,200 diplomats, journalists and religious figures from more than 100 countries have visited Xinjiang," said Wang, adding that through field visits, they have learned the actual situation in Xinjiang and held that what they have seen in Xinjiang is completely different from the reports of some Western media.

China welcomes diplomats from the EU and its member states to visit Xinjiang and has sent out multiple invitations, said Wang, adding that China tried its best to make thoughtful arrangements for them in accordance with their wishes and has shown the greatest sincerity and flexibility.

However, it is regrettable that the European side has kept delaying the visits and made some unreasonable demands including meeting with criminals sentenced for engaging in separatist activities, Wang said.

"It makes people feel that as long as China does not follow what the European side asked, they are not interested in visiting Xinjiang," said the spokesperson.

"This is obviously a provocative move that ignores Chinese law and interferes in China's judicial sovereignty," said Wang.

The door of Xinjiang is wide open, and China's invitation and sincerity remain unchanged; however, a visiting mission should not be an "investigative mission" based on the presumption of guilt, Wang noted. Enditem
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Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to Russia's Occupation of Crimea on February 26.

The United States authorities will never recognize Russia's purported annexation of the Crimean peninsula and will stand with Ukraine against Russia's aggressive acts.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced this in a statement on the seventh anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, which was posted on the White House website on February 26.

Read alsoZelensky: Crimea de-occupation common task for world community

"The United States does not and will never recognize Russia's purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russia's aggressive acts. We will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its abuses and aggression in Ukraine," the U.S. leader said in the statement.

"Seven years ago today, Russia violated international law, the norms by which modern countries engage one another, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbor Ukraine when it invaded Crimea. The United States continues to stand with Ukraine and its allies and partners today, as it has from the beginning of this conflict. On this somber anniversary, we reaffirm a simple truth: Crimea is Ukraine," he said.

According to the U.S. president, the United States still believes in the promise of Ukraine and supports all those working towards a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for their country.

"We will also continue to honor the courage and hope of the Revolution of Dignity, in which the Ukrainian people faced down sniper fire and enforcers in riot gear on the Maidan and demanded a new beginning for their country," he said.

Occupation of Crimea by Russia

Today Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to Russia's Occupation of Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the liberation of the peninsula is a joint task for the international community, which is to get united around the Crimean Platform.

Also, the Ukrainian leader signed a decree on measures aimed at ending the Russian occupation of Crimea and its reintegration into Ukraine.

Russia occupied Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had seized the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held amid the aggressive takeover on the issue of the peninsula's accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities claimed that 96.77% of the Crimean population had allegedly supported the move.

On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to the Russian Federation was signed off in the Kremlin.

Western powers never recognized the seizure of Crimea and imposed sanctions on Russia over aggression against Ukraine.

Reporting by UNIAN
A Canadian farmer has filmed himself grabbing a lynx by the scruff of the neck to chide the animal for the trail of blood and feathers it left in his chicken coop.

Chris Paulson, from British Columbia, said he interrupted the wild cat in the middle of its killing spree and tried to scare him off.

'I tried to scoot him out of there, but he was so focused on his prey. So I just reached down and picked him up like a house cat does with its kitten,' Paulson told CBC.

He then carried the 24 pound lynx over to the coop where he had killed two of the farmer's chickens.

'Let's go see the damage you did buddy,' Paulson says to the lynx as he growls back moodily. 'How many chickens did you get, eh, you got some of our new ones, not good is it.'

Paulson picked up the lynx by the scruff of the neck after finding it going after his birds. 'Let's go see the damage you did buddy,' Paulson says to the lynx as the cat growls moodily. 'How many chickens did you get, eh, you got some of our new ones, not good is it.'

A chicken carcass lies outside the front of the coop (left) and a trail of destruction inside (right)

The terrified chickens are heard clucking anxiously in the background as Paulson tells the cat: 'See how upset you made everyone, that's two - two of our new chickens.'

Despite the cat's jaws just inches away from Paulson's face, he says he wasn't worried when he was holding the animal by its neck.

'That's how their mothers subdue them when they're getting too rambunctious,' he told CBC. 'And they just go limp and submissive.'

While many farmers would have shot the lynx, Paulson said he put the cat in a dog kennel before transporting him away from his home in Decker Lake, west of Prince George, and releasing him back into the wild.

He even left the two chicken carcasses with the lynx, who the farmer's two children named 'Tuffnut,' because he thought the cat looked very thin.

It's not the first time Paulson's chickens have been killed by predators.

Last month, a great grey owl killed two of the birds.

Paulson videoed himself grabbing the lynx by the neck and carrying to to survey the aftermath

Paulson, his wife and two children, live on indigenous Wet'suwet'en territory where his family have lived for nearly a century.

'We're on a big cycle of nature here,' he said. 'There's a lot of food out there, but there's going to be a lot of predators as well.'

Jeff Palm, a local conservation officer, said he couldn't condone Paulson's grabbing of the lynx.

'We don't recommend handling a lynx with bare hands. You certainly might lose an arm,' Palm told CBC News. 'Lynx are wild cats and they can be ferocious.'

He added that it is technically illegal to capture wild animals and move them to a new location and could have resulted in a fine.
The Duke of Edinburgh will spend the weekend in hospital for an infection in what will become tomorrow his longest ever stay for treatment.

Buckingham Palace's last update on Prince Philip, 99, was on Tuesday and said he was 'comfortable' and 'responding' to medical help.

His son Prince Edward has also said this week Philip was 'a lot better' but 'looking forward to getting out' with the Royal Family were keeping their 'fingers crossed'.

The Earl of Wessex thanked well-wishers for their messages of support as it was announced on Tuesday that Philip would spend 'several days' more in hospital.

He was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell, and walked into the building unaided.

A royal source said today it did not expect to make any updates on the Duke until at least next week.

This is the longest amount of time he has spent in hospital since June 2013 when he had an exploratory operation on his abdomen.

Philip's 11th day in hospital came as his grandson Prince Harry was interviewed by James Corden on the Late Late Show in America.

The Duke of Edinburgh, pictured in July 2017, is remaining in hospital because of an infection

Police officers patrol outside King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, London, this morning

Prince Philip in 2013 after leaving hospital after 11 days following an abdomen operation

Police officers stand outside the hospital this morning where Prince Philip is being treated

He tells him of his choice to step away from work as a full-time Royal: 'It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down.'

At the time of Philip's admission to hospital, the palace did not disclose the reason, but then said this Tuesday he was being treated for an infection.

Edward, who said he had spoken to his father on the phone, suggested the Duke, who is known for his 'no fuss' attitude, was a little frustrated at remaining in hospital.

The palace said on Tuesday: 'The Duke of Edinburgh remains at King Edward VII's Hospital where he is receiving medical attention for an infection. He is comfortable and responding to treatment but is not expected to leave hospital for several days.'

Edward was asked about his father by Sky News' royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, while she was filming a separate interview with him his Bagshot Park home in Surrey.

He replied: 'He's a lot better, thank you very much indeed, and he's looking forward to getting out, which is the most positive thing, so we keep our fingers crossed.'

Police officers stand at the entrance to King Edward VII Hospital in London this morning

Police officers walk past the entrance to King Edward VII Hospital where Philip was admitted

Asked whether Philip, who turns 100 in June, was frustrated to be in hospital, Edward laughed and replied: 'Just a bit.

'I think that gets to all of us, and then you can only watch the clock so many times and the walls are only so interesting.

'We've had some brilliant and lovely messages from all sorts of people and we really appreciate that and so does he, I've been passing them on. It's fantastic, thank you.'

Philip was initially due to spend a few days under medical care for 'observation and rest', but last Friday it emerged he was likely to remain in hospital into this week.

The Queen keeps Prince Philip close to her heart: Monarch wears dazzling diamond flower brooch from their 1947 engagement as her husband spends his 11th day in hospital

BY STEPHANIE LINNING

The Queen kept Prince Philip close to her heart on Thursday as she donned the same six-petal diamond flower brooch she wore when the couple announced their engagement in 1947.

The monarch wore the glittering accessory on a video call with health leaders from Windsor Castle in which she made a historic intervention in the coronavirus vaccination drive, suggesting it is selfish not to have the jab.

The Queen, 94, looked resplendent in a coral ensemble and wore the Diamond Clematis Brooch proudly displayed on her chest.

The Queen kept Prince Philip close to her heart on Thursday as she donned the same six-petal diamond flower brooch she had worn when the couple announced their engagement in 1947

The brooch was gifted to the then Princess Elizabeth on her 21st birthday and she wore it just weeks later when she and her new fiance announced their engagement to the world

The Queen has worn the brooch, pictured, on a number of occasions over the years

The brooch was gifted to the then Princess Elizabeth on her 21st birthday and she wore it just weeks later when she and her new fiance announced their engagement to the world.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, is spending his twelfth day as a patient at King Edward VII Hospital in London. His condition is described as comfortable and responding to treatment.

The Queen has worn the brooch on a number of occasions over the years, including to the Epsom races in 2013 where Prince Philip was seen admiring the piece of jewellery. One of its most recent outings was to Ascot in 2019.

The Queen is known to be very deliberate in her choice of jewellery and accessories, making it likely that she wanted to send a message of support with this particular brooch.

In the video call with NHS officials in charge of the rollout, the Queen encouraged those with doubts to 'think about other people rather than themselves'.

The Queen wore the brooch to the Epsom races in 2013. Pictured with Prince Philip

The Queen also wore the brooch to the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh in 2014

The 94-year-old monarch said her jab last month 'didn't hurt at all' and had made her 'feel protected'. Likening Covid to a plague, she said it was remarkable how quickly the inoculation programme had been put into action, helping 'so many people'.

A senior royal source said: 'It is a passionately held belief that people need to get out there [and get vaccinated]  this is important.'

It is highly unusual for the sovereign to take such a firm public stand on contentious issues and her remarks will be seen as a victory for efforts to increase take-up.

An NHS vaccine chief said it was an 'incredibly important vote of confidence' in the programme.

More than 18million Britons  one in three adults  have had at least one jab. Another 448,962 were given first doses on Wednesday.

One of the most recent outings was to Ascot in October 2019

But officials are concerned that 'vaccine hesitancy' could still undermine the rollout and even slow down the easing of lockdown restrictions.

They estimate that around 15 per cent of the population will not take up the offer of a jab, with scepticism highest among the young and minority ethnic groups.

The NHS has been working with community leaders and church groups to try to alleviate some of these fears with seminars and Q&A sessions.

The Queen was speaking during a WebEx video call with the four 'senior responsible officers' leading the deployment of Covid-19 vaccination across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
BLM is projected by the Andrew Jackson statue during a march to demand the removal of monuments linked with white supremacy in New Orleans, Saturday, June 27, 2020. Protestors marched to the Edward Douglas White statue in front of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, the Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, monument and the statue of Andrew Jackson.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Thani Thongphakdi exchanged views on cooperation between the two countries and ministries, along with regional and international issues of shared concern, during their online talks on February 24.

Dung thanked the Thai government for facilitating flights bringing Vietnamese citizens home, and supporting those who are studying and living in Thailand.

He suggested Thailand limit trade barriers, exchange information about export-import regulations and procedures, and further support and closely cooperate with Vietnam in regional and international organisations and forums.

Thani congratulated Vietnam on the successful organisation of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and its outstanding performance of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020.

Thailand attaches importance to and has worked to continuously consolidate and strengthen the fine bilateral friendship, the official said.

Vietnam has become a model in the COVID-19 combat worldwide, he said, stressing that Thailand will continue its close coordination with Vietnam in fighting the pandemic and reviving supply chains, as well as in the efforts to access safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Thailand also backs initiatives put forth by Vietnam in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The two sides agreed to deepening the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand in an effective manner, increase the exchange of all-level visits, and maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Vietnam and Thailand will work together to organise activities celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, sign an action programme implementing the enhanced strategic partnership, and a cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries for 2021-2025.

They have also targeted a balanced trade and set a goal of US$20 billion in bilateral trade revenue a year in the coming time.

The two countries will continue their close collaboration within sub-regional cooperation frameworks, and in building the ASEAN Community, and accelerating the ratification and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea) issues, the officials shared the views that ASEAN needs to maintain its solidarity, common voice and centrality, while persistently pursuing agreed principles, and promoting the observance of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
India and China's foreign ministers have discussed further de-escalating tensions at a disputed border after a pullback of troops in response to a deadly clash last year, New Delhi and Beijing said Friday.

The nuclear-armed neighbours fought a border war in 1962 and last June their worst skirmish in decades left 20 Indian troops and four Chinese dead on the inhospitable frontier between Ladakh and Tibet, the Line of Actual Control.

Both sides have sent thousands of extra troops and military hardware to the area since the clash.

But India on Sunday said the two countries had completed a "disengagement" of troops and tanks from one part of the disputed zone around the high-altitude Pangong Tso lake, following nine rounds of military talks.

In a 75-minute call with counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said they "should now quickly resolve the remaining issues", according to his office.

"(Jaishankar) said that once disengagement is completed at all friction points, then the two sides could also look at broader de-escalation of troops in the area and work towards restoration of peace and tranquillity," a statement said.

Wang said the situation on the ground in the Pangong Tso lake area had "significantly eased", according to a report from China's official Xinhua news agency.

"The two sides must cherish the hard-won progress, jointly consolidate the achievements and maintain the momentum of consultation, so as to further ease the situation," he was quoted as saying.

Xinhua reported that Wang said the border issue "is not the whole story of China-India relations, and should be placed in a proper position in their relationship".

But he added that India "has vacillated and even moved backward over its policy on China, which has affected and disrupted bilateral pragmatic cooperation".

The two sides said they had agreed to establish a hotline, although one is already in place between senior military commanders.

stu-rox/axn
South Africa is a large country, and many people live far away from big cities.

One such person is Jeremy Pearson, who owns a farm in a remote valley in the Eastern Cape.

This farm did not have cellular reception, and fixed line services to the farm were no longer being serviced, meaning he needed to come up with a new solution to keep his family and employees connected.

A mobile tower is situated about 8km away from the top of a mountain which was blocking his signal.

From the top of this mountain, it is about 1.5km to his farmhouse.

How Inteto Connect helped

Inteto Connect worked with TeleRay CC, a partner based in Port Elizabeth, to assist Pearson get his farm connected to the mobile tower.

A Wilson amplifier was installed on the aforementioned mountain, and two LPDA-92 antennas were connected to the amplifier using low loss cable.

One of these antennas pointed towards the tower, while the other pointed down to the house.

The system was then powered using a solar panel and batteries to create an area of approximately 50m around Pearsons house where calls could be made and received.

However, due to the farmhouse having thick walls and a corrugated iron roof, the signal was not penetrating into the house.

This was solved by installing another amplifier inside the house with an LPDA-92 antenna pointing towards the installation on the mountain and a smaller omni-directional antenna transmitting the signal in the house.

Now Pearson has reliable signal in and around his farmhouse, ensuring he, his family, and his staff can all use voice and data to connect to the rest of the world.

Choosing the right antennas

Rayne Nell from TeleRay CC was a key player in this project and said that using the right hardware is key to completing such projects successfully.

When installing cellular boosters, I spend a lot of time on antenna selection, said Nell.

When you choose the right antenna, the rest is easy!

Nell used Poynting LPDA-92 antennas for this project and said these were key to the success of the operation.

A cellular booster can only perform as well as the antenna you choose and how well it is installed, said Nell.

If you need high gain antennas to solve a connectivity challenge, Poynting antennas are a great solution.

Please contact Inteto Connect at 0800 443 443 or [email protected] to solve your cellphone reception problems and click here for more information on their cellular boosters.
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Salihu Tanko, the media aide of Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Friday, said the All Progressive Congress (APC) has failed Nigerians over worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Tanko, last year, condemned President Muhammadu Buharis handling of critical issues affecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians while endorsing the #Endsars protest, which was raging across the country at the time.

An embarrassed Governor Ganduje, immediately after the remark, suspended Mr Tanko for two weeks.

Again on Friday, following the abductions of schoolboys in Kagara, Niger State and the latest abduction of schoolgirls in Zamfara, Mr Tanko took to social media to express his disappointment.

He said the APC government at all levels has failed to deliver on its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians.

In a series of tweets, Mr Tanko called on President Buhari to deal with the escalating insecurity or resign.

Clearly, we as APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do, which is to secure lives & properties.

Not a single day goes by without some sort of insecurity in this land. This is a shame! Deal with terrorists decisively or resign, he wrote on his verified Twitter handle, @dawisu.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how armed men attacked Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Friday morning.

Zailani Bappa, the spokesperson to the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, said the number of students kidnapped in the incident had not been ascertained.

He said the state government was working with security operatives to get the details and ensure the release of the kidnapped persons.

ANN ARBOR, MI - As an associate professor at the University of Michigan with some experience teaching in the hybrid format this year, Sara Soderstrom understands what public school teachers are going through in balancing remote and in-person learning.

Knowing the importance of the in-person experience, though, Soderstrom held off on sending her youngest son to an early kindergarten program this fall, deciding instead to wait a year to enroll him in kindergarten as progress toward teacher vaccinations and reducing community spread of COVID-19 continue.

That made Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice Swifts announcement of the districts intent to offer in-person learning five days a week in the fall, barring any unforeseen event, an encouraging development as she decides where to send her son next fall.

Knowing theres the commitment to the five-day in-person makes it easier to navigate those decisions within the Ann Arbor Public School system, Soderstrom said.

Much like Soderstrom, Ann Arbor parents who have been critical of the district for not offering clarity on its plans to offer in-person classes, both for this school year and next, were cautiously optimistic and leery of Swifts announcement.

Until I have a concrete plan and a date, I dont believe them, said parent Kristen Bodley, who has three young boys attending AAPS. I have backup plans.

She gave up on virtual learning for her kindergarten-aged son after one week, choosing to send him to a local private school that offered an in-person option - not an easy call, Bodley said, in a one-income household.

While her son thrived in that environment, her oldest son, who is in fourth grade, suffered in the remote learning offered at AAPS. Bodley said she wants more definitive plans from the district before she makes a decision on where to send both of her sons next school year.

I think parents definitely need a plan, she said. Thats what I would love to see, that theyre going to give a choice if you want to go back five days a week.

After submitting a widely circulated community letter asking that Ann Arbor Public Schools give parents and families notice by April 15 on its plans for school in the fall, Mark Flanner said Swifts announcement this week was a strong step in the right direction.

I am more optimistic about a return to full in-person schooling in the fall, though I continue to advocate for AAPS to define the criteria that would result in opening or not in the fall, so as to avoid any August surprises that further disrupt the lives of Ann Arbor families, Flanner said.

Parent Mike Shriberg, who also has been critical of the districts vagueness in establishing plans for in-person learning, found the intent to commit to five days of in-person classes in the fall heartening and game-changing.

This welcome announcement is key to attempting to restore trust that the Ann Arbor Public Schools will act in the best interests of our students and community, Shriberg said. It allows parents like me the ability to plan for our personal and professional lives while allowing our children a pathway back to some semblance of normalcy as well as improved mental health and education.

Lena Kauffman, one of the parent organizers of Ann Arbor Reasonable Return, said parents are concerned right now in making plans for the fall.

Many families are deciding if theyll alter their current arrangements of sending their children to private school or bring them back to AAPS, said Kauffman, who opted to send her two of her three children to private schools due to the district not offering an in-person option sooner.

Its a really difficult decision, Kauffman said. Do I trust what the district says when I have this experience of having believed them once in the beginning of the school year and having been disappointed in what was delivered? Its a hard thing, and I think its a place a lot of parents are in right now.

READ MORE:

Ann Arbor Public Schools hopeful return to in-person learning will help re-establish trust

Washtenaw County teachers finding more success getting vaccinated for COVID

In-person learning coming to Ann Arbor Public Schools in March
If you visit Miamis Design District, you may find yourself walking down a street surrounded by a colonnade that shields you from the strong tropical sun.

The shade is thanks to Carie Penabad and her partner Adib Cure, both professors at the University of Miami School of Architecture. The street was part of a public space project called Oak Plaza.

Since 2001, the couple run CURE & PENABAD Architecture and Urban Design. In their work, they consciously immerse themselves in the culture and urbanism of the place to allow that to inform the architecture, said Penabad.

Climate, the surrounding environment, fauna, and cultural mores all play a role in their urban design and construction.

One underlying theme of our work is a conscientious pursuit of an architecture of place. We immerse ourselves in the culture and in the urbanism of a place and then allow that to inform the architecture, said Penabad, who is also associate dean of research and director of the undergraduate program at the School of Architecture.

For years, the duo has been engaged in mapping informal cities in Barranquilla, Colombia. The areas had developed organically but had no formal planning maps or blueprints to help with design or construction. Every spring semester from 2008 through 2015, they took students on trips to Barranquilla to map 75 neighborhood blocks, talking to people to find out their needs and observing social interactions. The project also used drones for the mapping in association with Chris Mader and his team of data scientists from the University of Miami Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC).

The surveys we conducted went beyond architecture, said Penabad. We realized that they were helpful to a multitude of areas including showing which areas did not have running water or needed lights because of crime frequency. They even told us how many children lived in the block and whether they were vaccinated.

In some cases, the mapping work allowed residents the means to negotiate with the government for the purchase of land, noted Penabad.

The couple was recently awarded the 2021 Emerging Voices award from the Architectural League of New York. They were one of eight recipients based in North America.

Professors Carie Penabad and Adib Cure are gathering momentum in their creative professional practice with several prestigious awards celebrating their excellent work, said Rodolphe el-Khoury, dean of the School of Architecture. This particular honor is one of the most coveted recognitions in the field; it testifies to the value of recent achievements as well as to the great potential of things to come. I look forward to more sustainable and resilient built work from the talented duo!

The jury carefully weighed all elements of the submissions, identifying eight individuals and firms engaged in a robust architecture, imbued with inventive approaches to social, racial, and economic equity, material invention, and ecological benefits, stated Paul Lewis, a jury member and president of the Architectural League.

The duos entries for the contest included a school building they designed in Escuintla, Guatemala, to accommodate 200 students in five classrooms.

The project happened after years of visiting the areaa town along the southwestern coast of Guatemala, about 60 miles from Guatemala Cityto design and construct a corporate headquarters for a local sugar mill.

Every day we would pass by the school on our way to a nearby project site, said Penabad. The roof was in disrepair and the classrooms were dark, humid, and without cross ventilation.

Working alongside Yolanda Leal Toledo, a private donor and leader in educational initiatives throughout the country, and a local foundation, the couple decided to take on the project of designing and building one of the structures of Escuelita Buganvilia pro-bono. The result was a 3,200-square-foot, steel and concrete building, elevated from the ground and with an extended roof to protect the students from the rain. The windows provide cross ventilation and light and have screens to keep insects out. The materials used were similar to those used in surrounding structures, said Cure.

According to Cure, before starting the project, the couple spoke with students and teachers to determine their needs. In addition, they were careful not to disturb the many native trees surrounding the school. In designing the building, the partners followed the lessons they teach their students at the School of Architecture.

We believe that architecture has to be connected to place and context, he said. It was one of the most fulfilling projects we have done because we believe it was a positive contribution to the community.

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Stephen Fry has said he blames the director of Netflix's newest musical for James Corden's 'camp, podgy 1970s' performance as a gay man in The Prom.

Corden's portrayal of Barry Glickman in The Prom, and his subsequent Golden Globes nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy, sparked a backlash earlier this month as fans claimed he gave a stereotypical depiction of a gay man.

Fry, 63, has revealed that he believes the film's director Ryan Murphy is at fault for failing to tell talk show host Corden to 'dial it down'.

Fry told TravelGay: 'I don't want to add to the hate James Corden is receiving [for that role].

'I have to say in his defence that whatever performance ends up on film is the responsibility of the director. So Ryan Murphy is at fault there, not James.

Netflix's The Prom featuring Meryl Streep as Dee Dee Allen (left) and James Corden as Barry Glickman

'He should have said to dial it down and not to go for a camp, podgy 1970s figure.'

Corden's The Prom co-star Andrew Rannells, who is gay but plays a straight role in the movie, told Attitude magazine: 'Obviously, representation is very important, but what I feel that Ryan does so well is, you know, it's the best person for the job, quite frankly.

'In the same way that James can play the gay character, he's also given me an opportunity to play a straight character, which is not something I do all the time.'

The term 'gay face' has been used to describe Hollywood's use of heterosexual actors in LGBTQ+ roles.

Fry's comments come a week after It's A Sin writer Russell T Davies urged straight Hollywood stars to turn down gay roles in films and instead encourage producers to instead cast an LGBT actor.

Fry, 63, has revealed that he believes the blame lies with The Prom's director director Ryan Murphy for casting Corden

Davies, 57, said famous gay actors 'don't exist to lead blockbusters' and straight actors must 'step aside' to help them get more opportunities.

In the interview Fry praised Davis' decision to cast only homosexual actors for homosexual roles in his Channel 4 drama It's a Sin.

All the gay characters in the drama, which chronicles the lives and deaths of a group of friends in the 1980s AIDS epidemic, are played by LGBT actors.

Fry said 'there is something magically extra' about knowing the show's characters are 'young gay men'.

He continued: 'I think Russell was absolutely right. There is a sort of feeling as you watch it about how those boys could have been us.'

On relating to the drama - which chronicles the lives and deaths of a group of friends in the 1980s AIDS epidemic - the comedian said: 'There is something magically extra about knowing that the boys are themselves young gay men.'

Criticism: James Corden's nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy as gay character Barry Glickman in The Prom at the 2021 Golden Globes has sparked a backlash among the film's fans

'There is a sort of feeling as you watch it about how those boys could have been us': The drama chronicles the lives and deaths of friends in the 1980s AIDS epidemic (cast pictured)

Candid: Earlier this month, writer Russell, 57, urged Hollywood stars to turn down gay roles in films and instead encourage producers to instead cast an LGBT actor (pictured in 2019)

The media personality also discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health and dealing with body confidence issues in the age of social media, adding: 'I've tried to learn to forgive myself for days that aren't good.

'You know, there are days when I get up and I just can't bring myself to work or to make that phone call or wash that saucepan.

'There's a lot of glorifying of a certain type of body, which I've always hated. That kind of pressure [to be popular online] is horrific because I can remember, most people can, the feeling of being unpopular at school.
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NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Pfizer Inc. (PFE) said the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for its 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in adults 18 years of age and older. 'The epidemiology of pneumococcal serotypes causing disease has been changing due to the success of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines targeting pediatric and adult populations. In many countries across Europe and around the world, more than half of all cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in older adults are due to the 20 serotypes covered in 20vPnC, including seven serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, and 33F) that are not included in any currently licensed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine,' said Kathrin U. Jansen, Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research and Development, at Pfizer. The FDA has accepted for priority review the biologics license application of 20vPnC in adults 18 years of age and older, with a decision expected in June 2021. In June 2020 Pfizer had announced the initiation of two Phase III trials for 20vPnC evaluating the safety and efficacy of the investigational vaccine in infants. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.

The chair of a vitally important US congressional committee, the Democrats David Cicilline, said: Threatening to bring an entire country to its knees to agree to Facebooks terms is the ultimate admission of monopoly power. What does Cicillines committee do? It oversees US anti-monopoly law; the Democrats are itching to curb the monopoly power of the Big Tech firms in their respective specialisations. The whole point of the Australian regulatory effort is based on a finding by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that the US tech firms wield monopoly power, and that this power needs to be redressed by government action. The ACCC is part of the Treasurers portfolio, so that makes the digital media code Frydenbergs. The net result is that by Friday the code had passed Australias Parliament and become law; Facebook had switched its news flows to and from Australia back on; and hundreds of millions of dollars a year should start flowing from Google and Facebook into Australian media businesses, assuming they proceed to conclude the deals that are now signed or under contemplation. This action  this bully-boy action  that [Facebook has] undertaken in Australia will, I think, ignite a desire to go further amongst legislators around the world, said the chair of the digital policy committee in the British Parliament, Julian Knight. He called it one of the most idiotic but also deeply disturbing corporate moves of our lifetimes. The US, Canada, Britain, Germany, Spain, France and the European Union are among the governments that will now take account of the Australian outcome in setting their own rules.

In getting to this outcome, the Treasurer demonstrated four characteristics of Frydenbergs typical approach. First, he worked hard. No one questions his appetite for work. Loading Second, he negotiated shrewdly. In the end, he did concede points of detail to Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg, while keeping all the key features of the digital media code intact, as the ACCCs Rod Sims attested. Third, he made sure to promote his achievement widely. There is no sin here; this is politics. Fourth, he didnt invent the policy. It was the work of others. When Scott Morrison was treasurer, he initiated the ACCC inquiry that led ultimately to the code. Frydenberg was handed the brief, and he ran hard and successfully to prosecute it. Likewise, his first big piece of policy and political accomplishment was a brief handed to him by his then leader, Malcolm Turnbull. As energy minister, Frydenberg took charge of the process that led to the national energy guarantee, a serious effort to salvage a functional energy and emissions policy from the wreckage of the Liberals leadership strife.

It took great skill to negotiate the deal through a riven Liberal party room, and Frydenberg did it. It wasnt his fault that Tony Abbott decided to destroy it in the process of a new act of Liberal leadership wrecking to bring Turnbulls prime ministership to an end. And when the pandemic struck last year, the big policy responses were drafted by the Treasury. Thats not unusual  indeed, thats the way policy is supposed to work. Australia was a bit slow to act; other nations including New Zealand and Britain announced wages subsidies sooner. But Frydenberg ultimately did act boldly. The Treasury gave him a choice of three sums for the fortnightly wage subsidy: $1000, $1200 or $1500. He chose the biggest. It was an emergency, he said. Time to break the glass. The health responses were the indispensable front-rank defences against COVID-19. The economic response was the essential second rank. The Morrison government, with Frydenberg as its chief economic officer and with the energetic support of the Reserve Bank, can take credit for a successful national economic response to the pandemic. Some $240 billion in federal stimulus, buttressed by bank mortgage repayment freezes and more than $30 billion in early access to superannuation savings, did the trick. The inevitable recession was shallow and short and among the best emergency responses in the world.

Other big problems confront Frydenberg. Next week well see the report of the royal commission into aged care. The commission will demonstrate that the system is broken; it will present Frydenberg with a very big bill to fix it. Loading In the next few months he will have to decide whether to proceed with the scheduled increase in the superannuation guarantee levy from 9.5 to 10 per cent. Its already set in law. The increase is overwhelmingly popular with the people. But Frydenberg faces a hyperactive reactionary movement on his own backbench, determined to kill the rise. This will test Frydenberg. Should he please the electorate or appease his more feral colleagues? We saw his inclination this week with his decision on the new level of the dole  he announced that the daily base rate would increase from the pre-pandemic $40 a day to about $44. This is a level that will continue to consign many unemployed to poverty. The electorate was ready to accept a slightly less penurious level; even some of the more conservative elements of the system, including John Howard and the Reserve Bank, favoured something more liveable. But Frydenberg was guided decisively by the messages he was receiving from Coalition colleagues. One after another lined up to tell him tales of jobs going unfilled in their electorates. JobSeeker was obviously too generous already.

Frydenberg decided to side with the Liberal backbench. After all, its important for an aspiring prime minister to cultivate the support of his caucus colleagues. Loading Frydenberg makes no secret of his intention to be leader of the post-Morrison Liberal Party. On the current line-up, the contest would likely pit the centrist Frydenberg against the conservative Peter Dutton. Remember the Minister for Home Affairs? Hes still standing and with every intention of contesting the next election. Yes, Morrison defeated him for the leadership. But recall that it was a pretty close call with Morrisons 45 to Duttons 40. And once a senior politician has seen the vision splendid of his own ascension so close at hand, it doesnt easily evaporate. Of course, Morrison enjoys his job and is going nowhere. But a prime ministership can be a fickle thing, as the last decade demonstrated. Frydenberg is still relatively fresh in the job and, at 49, he has a great deal of time and energy yet. Will he be a great reformer, a Keating or Costello, whose boldness continued to deliver good economic outcomes for decades? Or a Wayne Swan, who spent big sums to get Australia through the global financial crisis but proved unable to rein in the spending when the crisis had passed?


Men of Ogun State Police Command, on Friday, arrested and detained the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Oludare Kadiri, for ...

Men of Ogun State Police Command, on Friday, arrested and detained the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Oludare Kadiri, for alleged assault during the revalidation exercise of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Kadiri, who represents Ijebu-North at the state assembly, was arrested after he allegedly led suspected hoodlums to invade the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, in Oru-Ijebu, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent gathered that Kadiri was being held at the Criminal Investigation Department at the Police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta for the offence.

The Deputy Speaker was also alleged to have led thugs to invade and vandalise the residence of a former State Legislator Adebiyi Odugbesan.

Kadiri was said to have accused the SSG and Adegbesan of hoarding the registration materials for the ongoing APC registration and revalidation exercise in the State.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed Kadiris arrest, saying he was being currently investigated.





Oyeyemi said, Some people reported him (Kadiri) to the police, accusing him of leading thugs to the house of a former lawmaker where they attacked him and vandalised his house.

Another person also reported that he led thugs to the residence of the SSG and also vandalised the SSGs house.

A Supervisory Councillor in his local government also reported that, he (Kadiri) forcibly seized the registration materials and when the police went there to recover the materials, this same man led about 20 men and assaulted the Supervisory Councillor in the presence of the police and also held the policemen hostage for almost two hours.

No body is above the law, anybody who runs foul of the law has to face the music, that is why he was arrested and is being investigated and he will be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

But, reacting to his arrest, Kadiri denied the allegations, which he said were orchestrated to tarnish his political image.

Speaking through one of his aides, on Friday evening, Kadiri fingered the SSG as the brain behind his arrest.

He also accused him of clandestinely orchestrating his impeachment as the deputy speaker of the state assembly.

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Just 10 countries account for three quarters of the 191 million COVID-19 vaccinations that were given through mid-February, a sign that the race to vaccinate the world is hardly on even footing. And if wealthy nations don't act quickly to ensure a more equitable allocation of vaccines, it's a race everyone could lose, says one Duke global health expert.

"If the rich world continues to hoard vaccines, the pandemic will drag on for perhaps as long as seven more years," writes Dr. Gavin Yamey, a professor of the practice of global health and director of the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at Duke.

Yamey offered the warning in a commentary published in the journal Nature. in which he urges wealthy nations to donate portions of the vaccines they have purchased to low- and middle-income countries that have been priced out of acquiring doses. In some 130 countries with a total population of 2.5 billion, not a single person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, he notes.

"There's a mantra in global health that an outbreak anywhere could lead to an outbreak everywhere, and that's why it's in our interest collectively as an international community to start sharing doses (and) to make sure we expand the global vaccine supply," Yamey said during a media briefing.

Global health organizations hoped to avoid vaccine hoarding by encouraging countries to purchase vaccines through COVAX, a global alliance established to share vaccine doses with poorer countries. But while nearly 190 countries have joined COVAX, about three dozen high-income countries also negotiated direct deals with vaccine manufacturers to secure doses for their own citizens.

Through these contracts, a handful of countries representing just 16 percent of the world's population have snapped up more than half of the available COVID-19 vaccines. While COVAX expects to purchase around 2 billion doses by the end of 2021, that's only enough to vaccinate about 20 percent of people in low- and middle-income countries.

"What I find disturbing is that I am likely to be offered vaccination ahead of a health worker or high-risk person in a low-income country or middle-income country. And that's not right, that's not fair," Yamey said.

Credit: Duke University School of Nursing

But beyond fairness, there are public health and economic risks to rich nations clearing the shelves of vaccines. Yamey says forcing COVAX to the end of the line will leave billions of people in poorer countries unprotected for a year or longer, allowing the virus to continue to spread and increasing the risk of new variants that could be more transmissible or deadly.

Such a situation could have devastating economic effects for both high- and low-income countries, Yamey says. He cites one study that estimates leaving poorer nations unprotected could cost the global economy around $9 trillion, with half of the losses coming in high-income countries.

Some countries that have arranged to buy large quantities of vaccines, such as the United Kingdom, have pledged to donate extra doses to COVAX once they complete vaccinating their citizens. But Yamey argues they need to move faster. He is calling for a tithing system, where countries would donate up to 10 percent of their doses even as they continue vaccinating their own populations.

"We need to stop thinking only of our own nation. We need to start thinking of ourselves as an interconnected global community," Yamey said. "As nations, we are like ships on an ocean, and we're going to rise and fall together."

Yamey and Duke colleague David McAdams have used game theory to demonstrate how countries could avoid turning vaccine acquisition into a zero-sum game. The researchers suggest that wealthy countries could use their purchasing power to structure agreements with vaccine manufacturers that increase overall production. When purchasing doses for their own citizens, for example, countries could require vaccine makers to share technology with manufacturers in other parts of the world.

Yamey says he is encouraged by recent actions such as the United States pledging $4 billion to help COVAX buy more doses for low- and middle-income countries. He also notes that Norway has announced it will donate doses to COVAX in parallel to its own vaccination campaign.

"Particularly when you look at past pandemics, we never had anything like a COVAX," he said. "I would still argue that COVAX is on course to do really spectacular things by the end of the year. Things are changing in very positive ways, but just not fast enough."

Explore further Covax: the global plan to share Covid vaccines

More information: Gavin Yamey. Rich countries should tithe their vaccines, Nature (2021). Journal information: Nature Gavin Yamey. Rich countries should tithe their vaccines,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-021-00470-9
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As China's ban on coal imports from Australia drags on, questions are rising about whether Beijing's political punishment of a major trading partner is worth the cost.

China has struggled with power shortages since the start of the winter heating season due to unusually cold weather, which strained coal supplies.

The crunch has been complicated by growing demand from economic recovery and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed domestic coal production and transport to power plants.

But the problems have not prevented China's government from pursuing a political agenda against Australia despite a free trade agreement between the two countries since 2015.

Although it had experienced customs clearance delays at Chinese ports as far back as 2018, Australia remained China's leading foreign coal supplier until the ban was officially confirmed last year.

In 2019, Australia accounted for some 57 percent of China's thermal coal imports and 40 percent of coking coal for steelmaking, the South China Morning Post said.

Despite electricity rationing in some areas, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) formalized its coal ban policy at a mid-December meeting with 10 power companies.

At the meeting, the top planning agency authorized the companies "to import coal without clearance restrictions, except for Australia," according to the Communist Party's tabloid Global Times.

Since then, Beijing has remained intent on punishing Australia for a long list of differences, ranging from its decision to bar Chinese telecom giants from developing its 5G networks to its support for investigating the origins of COVID-19.

In November, China issued a list of 14 grievances against Australia including investment restrictions and "siding with" the United States, the Daily Mail said.

A costly clash for Australia

The coal clash has been costly for Australia, which previously relied on China for about one-third of its foreign trade.

On Feb. 8, Bloomberg News reported that 61 bulk carriers loaded with Australian coal have been anchored outside Chinese ports waiting to unload with crews stranded for months at a time.

The standoff has also proved costly for China, but accounts differ as to how much.

On Feb. 10, The Wall Street Journal reported that "China's ban on Australian coal imports is intensifying a crisis in its coal market, which is battling surging prices, supply shortages, conflicting policy goals and a cold winter."

"China's coal war with Australia fuels shortage at home," the Journal's headline read.

But in an online column, China energy expert Philip Andrews-Speed argued that the exclusion of Australian coal is likely to be only a contributing factor in China's power problems.

"The issue of the embargo on Australian coal does not merit much attention in Chinese commentaries," said Andrews- Speed, a senior principal fellow at the National University of Singapore's Energy Studies Institute.

"This high quality coal accounts for just 3 percent of the coal used by Chinese power plants, though this share is higher in the richer coastal provinces," he said.

"The underlying problem is the unexpected soaring demand as China's economy has recovered, along with tighter environmental constraints," Andrews-Speed said by email.

Whatever the reasons, thermal coal prices have climbed 84 percent since mid-2020, the Journal reported, raising the related but separate issue of affordability.

"The ban on Australian coal imports has exacerbated this problem. Prices would have risen anyway, but not as much," Andrews-Speed said.

Orders of magnitude

Singling out the Australian coal ban as a factor may come down to orders of magnitude.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal as well as the leading importer.

While imports of nearly 304 million metric tons rose 1.3 percent last year, according to official figures, domestic production of 3.84 billion tons also increased 0.9 percent.

The proportions of China's massive production make it a far greater factor in the country's supplies.

It can be argued that any import curb may be influential in a supply crisis, but China's power strains seem to stem from transmission problems in a system with surplus generating capacity, making it less responsive to recovery- driven demand.

Reports suggest that China has also been trying to offset the loss of Australian coal by turning to other suppliers including Indonesia, South Africa, and Colombia.

The Global Times has highlighted new shipments of both coal and iron ore from Sierra Leone, calling them "a sign that does not bode well for Australia, as it shows how easily China could replace Australia with alternative import sources."

But the substitutions have not spared China from repercussions. Higher prices, longer distances, and quality problems have raised costs for power companies and the steel industry.

Impurities in South African coal and the logistics of Colombian supplies are seen as drawbacks for generators.

"That China has embraced thermal coal from both countries in recent months underscores just how unwilling it is to trade with one of its biggest coal suppliers: Australia," the South China Morning Post said.

Alternate sources more costly

Alternate sources of coking coal are also more costly.

"The mills are therefore paying a lot more for generally lesser quality coal ... putting immense pressure on their margins and profitability," The Sydney Morning Herald said.

China's choices on the embargo lead to questions that have yet to meet with obvious answers.

Are the costs to the power and steel industries so high that they could outweigh the government's interest in imposing sanctions on Australia? Or, are the costs still seen as manageable in the two key industries that benefit from government subsidies?

In November, China's Ministry of Commerce announced steep anti-dumping duties on Australian wine in a move that allowed it to easily offset the loss with imports from elsewhere.

The wine ban added to unofficial curbs on imports of Australian barley, sugar, logs, lobster, copper, and other commodities, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said.

But one possible answer to the question of affordability is that China's animus toward Australia has grown so strong that it will disrupt trade and investment ties regardless of cost.

That interpretation may be beyond the scope of economics, but it may have implications for China's other trading partners that take exception to its policies, its narrative of the pandemic origins, or its human rights practices.

Beijing may be willing to suffer the costs of continuing the embargo on Australian coal if it serves to warn other countries that their trade could be at risk if they differ over China's political concerns.

Earlier this month, a Bloomberg News report briefly raised hopes for a break in the coal ban after sources said China would allow some of the stranded coal carrying vessels to unload at Chinese ports. But the report suggested that the move was aimed only at relieving some of the foreign crews after months on board.

On Feb. 11, the Morning Post reported there was no indication that any of the Australian cargoes had received customs clearance.

The mixed decisions have given China the chance to show its humanitarian side while maintaining the threat of its trade sanctions at the same time.

As it stands, China appears prepared to continue its ban on Australian coal indefinitely, letting it serve as an affordable proxy for its political disputes with the West.
Army Sgt. Taylor Kneuven's call for improving the military's response to sexual assaults grew out of her own experience.

Kneuven, 28, says she was sexually assaulted by a noncommissioned officer in March 2020 while deployed supporting the Department of Homeland Security at the U.S.-Mexico border. She filed an unrestricted report, which was later joined by the alleged perpetrator's own company commander, who said she too had been sexually assaulted by him two weeks before.

The NCO initially claimed that he had been falsely accused, Kneuven said, but the complaint was backed up by an Article 15 fact-finding investigation and resulted in the NCO being issued a letter of reprimand from a general. Despite all that, a three-member Army administrative board decided to keep him in the service.

Kneuven was stunned.

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"You're talking about a commissioned officer of his own company and I -- two totally different formations [who went together to file the complaint against the NCO]," she said.

The eight-year Army veteran, now serving with an engineer battalion of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was one of 41 soldiers who responded to the XVIII Airborne Corps' request to the ranks for "feasible, tangible solutions to improve or revise the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Prevention [SHARP] program."

It's an initiative that follows an order given by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to the military services in late January: Prove your sexual assault prevention methods are working -- or show data and analysis on the ones that are not. It also bears the fingerprints of Lt. Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps.

Kurilla believed "SHARP is not working, the program's not working," said Col. Joe Buccino, a spokesman for the Corps. He had called for "something bold in nature" to deal with the problem of sexual assault, Buccino said.

Kneuven felt she had firsthand experience with at least one element of the dysfunction.

"My recommendation is on the way the justice system works when it comes to separating individuals found guilty of sex harassment or sexual assault," she told Military.com, referencing how her own complaint of sexual assault by a noncommissioned officer was handled.

Those chosen to serve on administrative boards deciding on separations "should not be people in the military. They should be a separate entity [of] experts at the law and justice to serve on these boards," she said.

The Army sergeant's story is chilling in that it closely mirrors that of an anguished Marine whose TikTok video surfaced last week and rattled the Pentagon.

The Marine charged that another service member had allegedly admitted to sexual misconduct against her but might still have a chance before an administrative board to remain in the Marine Corps.

Marine officials have since said the perpetrator in that case is facing separation from the service.

A sailor from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command carries a pair of shoes, painted teal to symbolize victims of sexual assault, as she participates in a Walk a Mile in Their Shoes command event on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, April 25, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo/Lisa Reese)

And Kneuven is far from alone in decrying problems with the Army's prevention system.

In interviews, she and several others, both officers and enlisted, cited their own experiences and frustrations, echoing numerous reports and studies from both the military and outside groups on the need for structural reform of the justice system to overcome perceived leadership failures and fix what is openly acknowledged as a broken prevention system.

The recommendations from the troops ranged from holding leaders more accountable for implementing the SHARP program to shoring up the Army's Criminal Investigation Command.

Out of 41 received recommendations, the seven deemed best by XVIII Airborne Corps panelists were announced Monday for action by the unit. In addition to Kneuven's and others described below, they include the following:

Challenging students at the top U.S. film schools to produce a 30-minute film to be used in SHARP training

Creating a system to track victim support and making leaders responsible for SHARP training

Changing which SHARP representatives are assigned to units, along with changes to manning within the Army's Criminal Investigation Command

Developing an Army or Department of Defense-wide digital app to host all support programs, base services and unit contacts related to sexual assault prevention and support

Creating a "Dragon Guardian" to empower junior leaders, and creating "SHARP ambassadors"

"[Kurilla] said elements of each of the soldiers' ideas will not only be implemented across the formation, but those ideas will be shared with the Department of the Army's SHARP Reconstruction Board," XVIII Corps officials said in a release.

Leaders Avoid Getting Involved

But Kneuven and others from the XVIII Corps said leaders tend to be indifferent to their complaints and recommendations, or too consumed with other responsibilities to give full attention to sexual assault and harassment.

Capt. Sara Ingrao, serving with the military police in the XVIII Airborne Corps, cited an incident that occurred while she was in Afghanistan in 2012-2013, escorting security transition teams and working with the Afghan police.

Ingrao said she left briefly on a break during a meeting to give an overview of operations to a colonel. When she returned, she found a sergeant major sitting in what had been her seat.

Ingrao said she told him, "Hey, sergeant major, you're sitting in my seat."

She says that he laughed, pointed to his crotch area and said, "You can sit here. This is a perfect seat for you."

"I can't believe this is happening," Ingrao said she thought. "I had this reverence for sergeant majors. Not one person, minus the other woman in the room who was my squad leader, said anything. Not one person said that was inappropriate. They just stared at me."

She said she filed a complaint; two days later, the sergeant major confronted her at a heliport.

"He demanded to know why I felt the need" to make a complaint, she said, adding that he claimed "it was just a joke" and told her she didn't belong in the Army if she couldn't take a joke.

"They moved him, he went somewhere else, and that's the last I heard of him," Ingrao told Military.com. "Nothing happened to this dude other than him getting moved."

Recommendations Based on Experience

Soldiers tended to mix the personal with their policy recommendations in their submissions for improvements to the SHARP program.

The XVIII Airborne Corps has about 92,000 soldiers at 14 locations, including some of the Army's most storied formations -- the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division and 10th Mountain Division.

Ingrao submitted detailed recommendations that centered on the need for leaders to get more involved in the oversight and administration of the SHARP program.

In her submission, Ingrao wrote that leaders have relied solely on subject matter experts to guide them "on what to do when an assault transpires and how to react to issues within their formation when they pop up."

"Stop doing 'SHARP stand-down days' and start doing 'Leadership Engagement in SHARP days,'" she said.

Headquarters, Headquarters Company, Medical Department Activity Bavaria, conducts its annual Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, Stand-Down Day at Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, April 18, 2019. (U.S. Army photo/Alain M. Polynice)

Sgt. 1st Class David Brand, an 18-year Army veteran now with the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, had a different approach, suggesting that the service should consider allowing anonymous tips to the SHARP program to put soldiers on alert for possible predators in the ranks.

The suggestion would raise privacy concerns, but Brand said, "If we don't try different ideas, we're not really doing anything."

Staff Sgt. Shameka Dudley, assigned to the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, was one of the seven whose recommendations were considered best by the XVIII Airborne Corps panelists.

She recommended creating virtual reality SHARP training in which soldiers would be put in the place of victims of sexual assault and harassment to give them perspective on what others may have experienced.

"It could be a more interactive method, as opposed to our normal training," said Dudley, a 10-year Army veteran. "The point is to create empathy across the force because that seems to be an issue [with some soldiers who tend to ignore or belittle the threat]."

The response to a victim can often be, "Well, they're just joking or you're taking it too seriously, and it's like there's no empathy," she said.

Early in her career, a friend was sexually assaulted when they were both going through Advanced Infantry Training, Dudley said.

"It was definitely an eye-opener, being a new soldier in the military and seeing that happen. It just completely blew my mind. You're taught in basic training that you protect your battle buddy," she added.

Her friend's assailant eventually was convicted and sent to jail at Fort Leavenworth, but she never completely recovered and chose to leave the Army, Dudley said.

A Rand Corp. report published Feb. 8 found that service members who survive a sexual assault are twice as likely as their peers to leave the military during the first 28 months after an attack.

"Sexual assault and sexual harassment are associated with a wide range of harms to individual service members, but this study highlights another negative impact of these crimes -- higher rates of attrition and associated harms to force readiness," Andrew Morral, lead author of the Rand report, said in a release.

The report was based on a Rand Military Workplace Study done in conjunction with the Defense Department.

More efforts such as that undertaken by the XVIII Airborne Corps to solicit recommendations from the ranks could go a long way in convincing junior soldiers that leaders are taking their concerns seriously, said Command Sgt. Maj. Phelicea Redd.

Doing so would change the atmosphere, she said.

Currently, junior soldiers "don't have really anybody to tell that to or anybody that would carry that forward to a decision maker," said Redd, 42, a 24-year veteran with two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division.

Redd said that she experienced sexual harassment as a young soldier. "We didn't have SHARP back then and, when I reported it to my squad leaders, that's as far as it went. If there was anything more, I wasn't aware of it as a junior soldier.

"I had a senior leader that was calling me at home, asking me to meet him at a hotel, telling me how he wanted to be with me," she said. "I let my squad leader know, 'Hey, this guy is calling me, harassing me, trying to get me to be with him, and I want it to stop. What do I do?'

"The squad leader said, 'That's just him, that's how he is,'" Redd said. But the calls did stop.

"I just assume the squad leader told him, 'Hey, stop calling her.'"

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

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Individuals who received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine could show proof of their completed vaccination to enter a facility. The second dose must have been administered between 14 and 90 days before the visit.

There are other key points in the state guidance, including a ban on visitation if a county's positivity rate is above 10%. For facilities that allow visitation, the number of visitors can't exceed 20% of the resident census.

The state will allow visitors in resident rooms or designated visiting areas at nursing homes. However, the guidance is clear that visitation in rooms should not be conducted unless the roommates are spouses.

Other Cayuga County nursing homes are preparing to allow visitors, but those plans haven't been finalized.

Matthew Chadderdon, a spokesman for Finger Lakes Center for Living, told The Citizen on Thursday that the COVID-19 response team at the nursing home and Auburn Community Hospital, which operates the facility, is reviewing the new guidance from the state Department of Health.
WASHINGTON - Darnita Lawrence is the kind of mom who likes to pop in and say hello to her toddler. For years, she could: Her 2 year-old son, and her 7-year-old daughter before him, went to day care at Southeast Children's Fund, one floor up from her office. She could drop off a juice box at lunch time or spend a few minutes watching them nap.

"It was the best thing ever," Lawrence said.

In Washington D.C., Southeast Children's Fund - and Sunshine Early Learning Center, its sister school - are storied institutions. Sunshine opened in 1968, when founder Frances J. Rollins turned an old bowling alley into a day care. The organization expanded to two other locations, serving more children than any other child-care network east of the Anacostia river, one of the poorest areas in the city.

Lawrence couldn't believe her luck. Living and working in Anacostia, where there are fewer child-care centers per capita than almost anywhere else in D.C., her situation sometimes felt too good to be true.

Then, suddenly, it was.

In September, six months into the pandemic, Lawrence got a call: Her branch was permanently closing its doors.

Day-care centers began closing almost as soon as the pandemic hit. Without kids in classrooms, they relied largely on government aid and contributions from parents. By the time relief funding from the Cares Act dried up in May, centers everywhere were struggling, said Rasheed A. Malik, a senior policy analyst for early childhood policy at the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan think tank. While there's no definitive data on how day-care centers have fared in the pandemic, Malik estimates that more than 20,000 facilities have closed permanently, based on a survey published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Tens of thousands more could close by the end of the year, he says.

The United States suffered from a chronic child care shortage long before the pandemic, with child care "deserts" dotted across the country, especially in low-income areas. As kids have stayed home this year, those deserts have grown, swallowing up many of the centers that, until now, had managed to defy the odds. The closures are a major problem for parents. Some are logging on from home, others have lost their jobs in the pandemic.

When they finally go back to work, where will they send their kids?

Most centers will struggle to bounce back when demand returns, permanently expanding child care deserts across the country, said Malik, who defines a "desert" as an area where there are three or more kids for every spot in a licensed child care center or in-home day care. To reopen, centers will have to find a new space, restart a lengthy certification process and try to hire back employees. If they reopen, it could take years.

Without accessible, affordable child care, Malik said, parents will keep their kids at home. Mothers and other female relatives will step in to fill the void. Nearly three million women have already left the labor force in the pandemic, many to care for children home from school or day care. Now women face a "downward spiral," he said.

"They won't have child care to get back into the workforce. And down and down we go."

Before the pandemic, 56 kids spent their days at Lawrence's branch of the Southeast Children's Fund, with approximately 50 more on the waiting list. When the center closed, Lawrence "got lucky," she said, securing a place for her son at a smaller center down the street. About half of the families sent their kids to a different branch of the organization. The other two locations - including Sunshine, the much larger flagship center - are both a seven-minute drive away, in the Washington Highlands neighborhood.

But soon those branches might have to close, too. Currently operating at 25 percent capacity, the centers are on "life support," along with many others like them, said Kathy Hollowell-Makle, the executive director at the D.C. Association for the Education of Young Children. There used to be 16 staff members working in Sunshine's infant and toddler wing. Now there are eight.

"You heard such good things about the other location," said Latisha Ibraheem, a teacher at Sunshine in Washington Highlands, who calls herself one of the "last ones standing." "You heard how great the staff was, how long they'd been there."

"Is this one next?" Ibraheem asked. "I think about that every day."

- - -

The music used to begin first thing in the morning. When you stepped into the lobby at Sunshine, you heard "pure joy," Ibraheem said: One teacher would be leading a singalong while another fired up the CD player, welcoming the children with some jazz or Afrobeats. It wasn't unusual to see people dancing before 8 a.m.

"You felt the children," said Denise Rogers, the director of Sunshine's Washington Highlands location. "The voices, the singing, even the cries - you could feel them in your bones when you walked through the door."

Now the room is empty, except for a few administrators. You can hear the whir of the printer, the soft hum of the central heating unit.

"It's so quiet," said Rogers, pointing out the empty classrooms. "It doesn't sound like children."

Sunshine has always operated on a relatively tight budget, said Rogers, even with all three centers at full capacity before the pandemic. Relying almost entirely on the child care vouchers that parents obtain through the Department of Human Services, she said, Sunshine made enough money to cover staff salaries and other essentials.

Centers like Sunshine, in low-income neighborhoods, had been able to survive with a "broad base of demand," said Malik. Child care centers are extraordinarily expensive to run. To comply with state regulations, they typically need to hire one teacher for every six to eight children older than 3, and one for every three or four infants and toddlers. There isn't much room to save money. Child care providers - disproportionately women of color - are already some of the lowest paid workers in the country.

"The way most child care centers operate, they have to be close to full enrollment to make ends meet," said Elizabeth Davis, a professor of economics at the University of Minnesota who focuses on child care. "Generally, these centers don't have a financial cushion."

That might surprise many parents, especially those who are paying full price. Day care costs an average of $9,589 per year for a child under 4, according to New America's Care Report. It's pricier in big cities: In D.C., the average cost of care for an infant is more than $24,000.

But even those hefty price tags aren't enough to fully offset the costs. In other high-income countries, child care is heavily subsidized, with parents responsible for only a small fraction of the total price. While states do offer limited subsidies to some low-income parents, the eligibility requirements are strict and the options are limited. Government-run programs, like Head Start and state-funded prekindergarten, focus mainly on kids older than 3, said Hollowell-Makle. Head Start's program for infants and toddlers is far smaller than its division for older kids.

"Child care deserts are a symptom of a decades-long neglect of public investment," said Malik.

Sunshine's Washington Highlands branch closed on March 16, along with almost everything else in the city. When it opened again in August, only 10 percent of students returned. Many parents have lost their child care vouchers in the pandemic, Rogers said, as they've lost jobs and struggled to find new work. Others are wary of the coronavirus, choosing to keep their kids at home, or with a friend or relative, where they'll be less exposed.

Many parents who have kept their kids at home still call the center, Rogers said: They're not quite ready to send their children back, but want to make sure their kids will have a spot when the time comes. Rogers always assures them: "When you're ready to come back, we'll be here for you."

The alternative is hard to think about. Sunshine is a "safe place" for the children who come here, said Ibraheem. Most of them live in the immediate area, a neighborhood with one of the highest crime rates in D.C. Inside the building, she said, you can hear gunshots and groups of people running. Police are often called to sit outside the building.

Rogers wonders what the kids are experiencing at home, she says: Are they safe? What are they eating? Are people talking to them? She can't control any of that, she says. At least when they're here, she says, she knows they're okay.

If a center like Sunshine had to close, some parents, many of whom are single mothers, would stop going to work, said Hollowell-Makle. Others would be forced to leave their children somewhere they rather wouldn't, she said - with a friend's high-schooler, maybe, or a relative who can't provide reliable care.

Rogers hopes it will never come to that. She has been sending staff out into the neighborhood, leaving Sunshine fliers on grocery store bulletin boards and in the subway.

"We want everyone to know we're open," she said. "We're here."

- - -

Estrellitas Montessori School has never had to advertise. Word spread about the family-run day care in D.C's Sixteenth Street Heights neighborhood. In January 2020, the school was at full capacity with 97 students enrolled.

There were 100 families on the waiting list.

Marilyn Medrano started Estrellitas in 2013 when she couldn't find bilingual English and Spanish child care for her children. Since then, Estrellitas has become one of the hottest tickets in D.C. day care. While there are plenty of other options in the area, parents still add their kids to the list as soon they find out they are pregnant, knowing there's next to no chance they'll get in.

Estrellitas is approximately 85% White, according to Medrano. Many students come from nearby Petworth, a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood just south of the school. Almost everyone pays out of pocket.

When the coronavirus hit, Estrellitas shut down. Medrano worried they might have to close permanently: With kids at home, not paying tuition, she wondered, how could she continue to pay her staff?

But then, a small group of parents reached out in late March, urging Medrano to ask for the money she needed.

Estrellitas received $80,000 from parents in April, enough to help Medrano pay her employees. The majority of parents agreed to pay at least 80% of their tuition - between $1,780 and $2,150 per month, depending on their child's age - until the school reopened, said Abigail Rybnicek, a parent who helped solicit parent contributions. Many continued to pay for care they weren't using even after the school reopened in June to ensure their child's spot when they felt ready to return. Some parents offered to pay even more than they had before the pandemic.

"There is so much these teachers do for us," said Rybnicek. "As a parent, I felt like the very least we could do is make sure they're not without a salary."

Rybnicek was proud, but not surprised, to see so much support for Estrellitas.

"Given the demographics, I think we knew that families would step up."

This kind of "privilege dependence" is rampant in American education, said Jess Calarco, a professor of sociology at Indiana University. Public schools have better results in wealthier areas because they rely on local tax dollars and cash from parent associations, she said: If students don't have something they need, parents will pay for it. The dynamic is even more pronounced at private child-care centers, which rely entirely on parents for funding, Calarco said.

Almost a year into the pandemic, many child care centers have scraped by on charity. Their success hinges on the financial welfare of the parents they serve, Calarco said. In wealthy areas, where parents are more likely to have kept their jobs and transitioned to remote work, centers will survive; in poorer areas, they might not.

"It will be affluent White women who continue to have access to care, and disproportionately low-income women of color who don't have access to the care they need," Calarco said.

Nearly a year into the pandemic, Estrellitas is operating at full capacity. Their enrollment never dwindled: When a family decided to stop paying tuition, Medrano says, there was a family eager to take their spot. Medrano expanded the space in the fall, paying rent for an additional four classrooms so the school could comply with social distancing requirements. Their waiting list is now even longer than it was before the pandemic, with 130 families hoping for a spot.

Medrano received a Paycheck Protection Program loan in late April, she said, which helped offset some of her costs. But that government relief was not nearly enough to sustain her school.

Without support from the parents, she said, "I would have had to close my doors."

- - -

May 7.

That's the date Rogers, the Sunshine director, has in her head. By May 7, she's decided, the classrooms will be full. There will be children playing hide and seek in the hallway and skipping to the bathroom. The billboard will bloom again with crayon landscapes and glitter glue.

Children will swarm around a strawberry shortcake, Rogers said, because May 7 is her birthday.

Once widespread vaccine distribution allows the United States to return to some semblance of normality, Malik says, employers, parents and lawmakers will have a brief window of time to get it right. Businesses need to quickly rehire everyone they laid off in the pandemic. As soon as those parents return to work, along with parents who have been working from home, he said, they need to put their kids back in day care. At the same time, he said, the government needs to pour money into child care centers.

"If you miss that window, my worry is that there will be increased long-term unemployment for these women," Malik said. Economic recovery will be "interrupted," he added, because parents have nowhere to send their kids.

For now, Rogers is taking it one week at a time.

"I always say to myself: 'This week I'm going to enroll three children,'" she said. She calls up parents from the pre-pandemic roster, hoping this is the week they'll agree to send their kids back.

Rogers is feeling good about May 7. It sounds like a date when things could be mostly back to normal, she said. At first she thought November, then January, then February, when D.C. public schools started offering in-person slots to students.

"I say May," she said. "May is on my mind."

She can't be sure they will make it to June.
Pictured: Richard Michetti using his phone during the Capitol riot

A man present at the Capitol riot was turned in by his ex-girlfriend after he called her a 'moron' in a text sent during the siege, recently unsealed court papers have revealed.

Richard Michetti, from Pennsylvania, sent several messages to the unnamed woman on January 6 - the day of the siege - as well as the night before, the documents allege.

Just after 2 p.m., Michetti texted the woman, saying: 'It's going down here we stormed the building they held us back with spray and teargas and paintballs.'

'Gotta stop the vote it's fraud this is our country' one of the texts read.

The New York Post reported that federal police said Michetti had also sent the woman two videos from the scene, which showed rioters inside the building as well as a 'large interior room' of the Capitol.

'If you can't see the election was stolen you're a moron. this is our country do you think we live like kings because no one sacrificed anything?' Michetti then texted.

Court documents state Michetti espoused conspiracy theories about voter fraud and left-wing protesters in subsequent messages to the woman.

'The vote was fraud and trump won but they won't audit the votes. We are patriots we are not revolutionaries the other side is revolutionaries they want to destroy this country and they say it openly,' the documents quote Michetti as texting.

A day after the riot, the woman promptly gave copies of the texts to the FBI, along with the photos and videos Michetti had sent her.

A man present at the Capitol riot was turned in by his ex-girlfriend after he called her a 'moron' in a text sent during the siege, recently unsealed court papers have revealed. Richard Michetti (circled), from Pennsylvania, sent several messages to the woman on January 6 - the day of the siege - as well as the night before, the documents allege

Federal police said Michetti (highlighted) also sent his ex-girlfriend two videos from the scene, which showed rioters inside the building as well as a 'large interior room' of the Capitol

When investigators returned to the woman with pictures purportedly showing Michetti standing among the crowds of rioters and inside the Capitol, she was able to identify him.

He was arrested in mid-February and charged with obstruction of justice among other crimes.

Michetti is one of more than 250 people facing charges in connection with the riots, according to NPR. He is reportedly due to appear in U.S. District Court in Washington by video on Monday.

Michetti is just one alleged rioter to have been turned in by an ex-partner.

Vanity Fair reported that Larry Rendall Brock Jr was arrested and charged last month with violent entry and disorderly conduct after his ex-wife contacted the FBI and told them that she recognised him in a picture.

Brock Jr was seen wearing tactical gear and carrying zip tie handcuffs on the Senate floor during the siege.

Riley June Williams was hit with charges including disorderly conduct on Capitol property with an intent to disturb a session of Congress, after her ex-boyfriend claimed to FBI that Williams had stolen Nancy Pelosi's laptop with intent to send the device to a friend in Russia.
The work of the Ukrainian-Emirati Coordinating Council will contribute to the further development and deepening of bilateral relations between the two states, Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office Andriy Yermak stated during an online meeting of the Ukrainian-Emirati Coordinating Council.

"I am pleased that during the pandemic we still managed to hold extremely effective and meaningful negotiations. I am even more pleased that we are holding the first constituent meeting of the Coordination Council less than two weeks after the visit. This is a confirmation of the great importance of our cooperation. I am confident that the work of this Council will become the basis for the implementation of the agreements already reached and will open new horizons of bilateral relations," Yermak said, the presidents press service reports.

He reminded that during the talks the leadership of the two countries identified the main areas of cooperation as food security, investment, military and technical cooperation, cooperation in the field of lending, IT and cybersecurity.

"In general, we expect an increase in the presence of Emirati companies in Ukraine. We believe that we have all the necessary conditions for this: state guarantees for large investors, transparent legislation, large enterprises ready for privatization," Yermak noted.

According to him, in particular, this concerns attracting investment from the UAE in sea and river ports, roads, railways and aviation. He also assured that Ukraine is ready to continue to be a guarantor of food security in the Emirates.

Head of the Emirati party at the Ukrainian-Emirati Coordination Council Mariam Al-Muhairi also noted the rapid start of the Councils work after the historic visit of the President of Ukraine to the UAE and wished everyone successful and fruitful work.

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Recent allegations that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed a former aide come on the heels of suggestions that his administration withheld data last year regarding COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes.
MANZINI  A highly anticipated dvuladvula for civil servants is seemingly nothing, but a mirage.

This is because the anticipated talks that were envisaged to begin for the 2021 salary review exercise will not take off as government is said to have pleaded insolvency.

The salary review was expected to commence this year following that of 2016, wherein civil servants were awarded between 14  32 per cent increments. In the last negotiations of the salary review, politicians and the Judiciary benefitted the most. They were awarded 32 per cent; despite that the country was facing a financial crunch.

The news that the salary review may not take off was relayed to public sector associations (PSAs) by the government negotiation team (GNT) during the joint negotiation forum (JNF), which was held virtually on Wednesday.

Appeals

An impeccable source within the trade unions said after the PSA leaders received the news that E85 million which was reserved for their members 2016 salary review appeals was used by government on COVID-19-related needs, they wanted to know how far the employer had gone in preparing for the 2021 salary review exercise.

The impeccable source said the response they received was that government did not have money for the exercise and as such, it would not be held, until the economic situation improved.

Worth noting is that government has been facing fiscal challenges dating back to 2017, which were inherited by the incumbent Cabinet. The challenges have since been exacerbated by the advent of the coronavirus of which has had segments of partial lockdowns limiting trade and in turn affecting the countrys revenue.

Meanwhile, another impeccable insider claimed that the PSA leaders were also told that even in the 2021/22 national budget, which would be delivered today by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, no money would be allocated for the exercise.

The Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP) President, Eric Ndlovu confirmed the matter. He said according to their analysis, government was postponing the salary review exercise.

The painful part is that it was postponing it indefinitely, Ndlovu said.

Again, the leader of SNAGAP said another agonising thing was that just like the E85 million for the 2016 salary review appeals, the issue of the 2021 salary review process was agreed upon during the 2016/17 JNF talks.

As such, he said as civil servants, the salary review process was their last hope as they did not get cost-of-living-adjustment (CoLA) for three consecutive financial years (2017/18/19/20). He highlighted that this was a double blow for the members who were supposed to be reimbursed using the E85 million for appealing their pay grades of the 2016 salary review. The president said as government accounting personnel, they were not classified as essential workers, but they reported for duty and civil servants always got their pay on time. He added that a lot of emaSwati would suffer as most families in the country were supported by civil servants, who would no longer have buying power.

Kubuhlungu (it is painful) because we will be literally living from hand to mouth, Ndlovu said. Also, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President, Mbongwa Dlamini, said according to their analysis, government was using COVID-19 as a scapegoat to deviate from its responsibilities and for its failure to deliver as expected.

It is clear that government does not take us seriously. It does not value us, the leader of the teachers union said.

His argument was that if government valued them, it would have concluded the 2016 salary review appeals during the 2017/18 negotiations as per the initial agreement they signed.

Furthermore, he said the issue of the 2021 salary review was among the agenda items in the 2020/21 JNF and on October 28, 2020, they agreed that in the following meeting, which was supposed to be held on November 8, 2020, they were supposed to finalise the timelines for the exercise and implementation of this salary review. However, the president of the teachers union said they never met as government used the COVID-19 as an excuse for not convening the JNF.

Even now, we believe that government only convened the round table because it wanted us to discuss the Performance Management System (PMS), Dlamini said. It is worth noting that the PMS was not discussed as PSAs argued that the JNF should stick to the agenda, which had two issues remaining; 2016 salary review appeals and quality public service delivery.

Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Service, Sipho Tsabedze, who doubles as the Chief Negotiator at the JNF, said the issue of 2021 salary review was introduced during their meeting on Wednesday.

This publication asked if the GNT indeed told the PSA leaders that government did not have money for the salary review and that it would not held it this year. However, the PS asked to end by saying the issue was only introduced during the meeting and it was yet to be discussed.

However, a well-placed source within government mentioned that the situation at hand did not allow government to carry on with the salary review this financial year. He added that even in the budget speech for 2021/22, there would be no allocation for the exercise.

Budget

Worth mentioning is the fact that, on Wednesday, SNAT Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini released a statement about the unions shadow budget, which was supported by the other unions under PSAs. In the shadow budget, the teachers unions secretary general said they were expecting the minister of Finance to set aside E2 billion for the 2021 salary review exercise.

Prior to the release of the shadow budget, PSAs said they believe that a clearly crafted salary review report was expected to double up the salaries of the least paid civil servants by pegging the entry level salary at E6 000. Currently, the least paid civil servant get about E3 000 per month.

It is worth noting that the Finance Minister in the neighbouring South Africa, Tito Mboweni, who delivered his budget speech on Wednesday, did not mention anything about civil servants salaries. However, public service workers in South Africa do not negotiate for salaries every year. Instead, they sometimes sign agreements which would cater for three years.

All eyes will be on the minister of Finance when he delivers his third budget speech today. In his second budget speech, the minister announced that government had set aside E277 million to cater for civil servants CoLA of three per cent. Eventually, they were awarded three per cent, plus a once-off payment of one per cent of their annual salaries.








Mounting pressure is being put on NJ Transit officials to name a new customer advocate, from riders to State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and from its own board of directors.

Weinberg, D-Bergen, who co-authored the NJ Transit reform law, wrote to Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti Friday, asking when a replacement will be hired for Stewart Mader, who quit the job five months ago on Oct. 5.

It is paramount that NJT fill this position, to the spirit of the law, as the Legislature cannot continue to serve as the sole advocate for New Jersey riders, Weinberg wrote. I would like to know if any applicants are under consideration by the NJT board, if the NJT board plans on interviewing candidates, and how the position is to be advertised.

Rail commuter Adam Reich also asked board members at a committee meeting on Friday for a hiring update and a timeline. The advocates position is needed to give passengers a voice in any service changes made as people start to return to workplaces as the coronavirus pandemic eases, he said.

I know theres a number of transit agencies currently changing their schedules, for example, (having) reduced service during the traditional peak periods and increasing it in the off peak, he said. It would be incredibly useful and helpful for the agency and riders to have the customer advocate position filled as a conduit for getting feedback and ensuring that process is done in an effective way.

Weinberg expressed dissatisfaction with how the customer advocates position functioned after Maders hiring in April 2019. Commuters also complained that Mader seemed to spend more time promoting the agency on social media than addressing their concerns and questions, especially during incidents that led to wide-spread delays.

Board members also asked for the status of the advocates position at Fridays commute meeting.

We were told the job description was being redefined, said Robert Gordon, board member and former state senator. This is something the reform law required. Id like an update on that.

Weinberg and State Senator Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, introduced legislation in June to spell out the advocates job description, give the person more independence from agency administration and stripping it of public relations functions. The Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill in December 2020. It is still waiting for a hearing in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

NJ Transit is continuing to examine the position in its entirety, including the responsibilities, qualifications of a replacement candidate, as well as where that position ultimately resides, said Stephen Schapiro, a state Department of Transportation spokesman, responding to Weinbergs letter.

Schapiro clarified about where that position should reside and said It means that we want to ensure that it will be independent of the day-to-day NJ Transit operations and accountable to the Board of Directors.

That is a provision of the Weinberg-Kean bill would distance the customer advocates office from NJ Transit administration, set it up in the DOT and make it answerable to NJ Transits board of directors.

The bill rewrote the job description, creating an office of the customer advocate, which answers to NJ Transits board of directors and brings commuter complaints and issues directly to them. The bill also gives the board the power to hire the advocate.

In turn, the advocate must hold commuter meetings at least on a monthly basis, report those findings and issues to the board and executive management.

The advocate would have the authority to represent the public interest about proposed fare increases, substantial service cuts and any other action the advocate determines affects NJ Transits customers. The advocate would be required to issue an annual report detailing that offices activities for the prior year.

A similar bill was introduced in the assembly on Jan. 29 and is waiting for a hearing by the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.

Some advocates interviewed by NJ Advance Media said NJ Transit commuters would be better served by an independent Inspector General, similar to Amtraks, which releases reports and audits to the public and Congress.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
LOS ANGELESAVN Media Network is pleased to announce the lineup for this weeks Friday Night Live on AVN Stars.

Charlotte Stokely will open the show with a one-hour live performance beginning at 6 p.m. PST today, Feb. 26; Karla Lane will take the stage at 7 and Nikki Delano will cap off the evening at 8.

Friday Night Live features top adult stars performing live shows that are free to watch for anyone with an AVN Stars account.

To join AVN Stars for free, visit stars.avn.com.

Built for adult entertainers, AVN Stars is a subscription-based community where creators can monetize their content without the worry of censorship, discrimination, shadow-banning or suspensions. Creators may charge a subscription fee or make their posts available for free.
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Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai and Nigel Skea walk into the State Courts in Singapore (AP)

A British citizen has been sentenced to two weeks in jail for breaking a coronavirus quarantine order in Singapore.

Nigel Skea is the first Briton to be jailed for flouting coronavirus rules in the city-state. He was also fined 1,000 Singapore dollars (533).

He left his room at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on three occasions last September and was not wearing a mask, according to court papers.

Expand Close Nigel Skea, right, was given two weeks in jail and fined 1,000 Singapore dollars (AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Nigel Skea, right, was given two weeks in jail and fined 1,000 Singapore dollars (AP)

On one of these occasions, he climbed an emergency stairwell and entered a room where his Singaporean fiancee, Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai, was staying. They spent nine hours together.

Skea, who pleaded guilty to two charges of flouting the rules, arrived at the State Courts on Friday with Eyamalai, whom he has since married.

Eyamalai pleaded guilty to one charge of aiding Skea. She was sentenced to a week in jail.

District judge Jasvender Kaur said the sentences were meant to send a clear message that restrictions should be followed.

Expand Close Nigel Skea, left, Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai, centre, and defence lawyer Dhillon Surinder Singh (AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Nigel Skea, left, Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai, centre, and defence lawyer Dhillon Surinder Singh (AP)

Most travellers have to stay in an assigned hotel room or at home for 14 days after arriving in Singapore under coronavirus quarantine rules.

They receive meals and regularly record their temperatures.

Every instance of non-compliance is a threat to public health, Judge Kaur said.

Skea and Eyamalai glanced at each other when the sentences were handed down.

Defence lawyer Dhillon Surinder Singh said his clients had mixed feelings about their sentences, but will not be launching an appeal.

They want to finish off this matter and he wants to go back home as soon as possible, Mr Singh told reporters.

The couple had faced a sentence of up to six years in jail and a fine of 10,000 Singapore dollars (5,340) on each charge.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Workers who refuse work because of workplace coronavirus concerns will soon be able to receive federal pandemic unemployment benefits, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday.

School employees and parents who lost work or pay because of closed schools, as well as workers who were laid off or had hours cut as a result of the coronavirus, will also be eligible for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, according to a Labor Department release.

The payments are not expected to be issued until late March, at earliest, as states need time to update their systems to accommodate the changes, according to a Labor Department news release.

But the Labor Department is instructing states that the expanded eligibility would apply retroactively, as if it was included from the start of the PUA program last spring. Workers who filed their initial Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claim after Dec. 27 can receive benefits for as far back as Dec. 6, the release stated.

The expanded eligibility, which comes in response to a directive from President Joe Biden, will only affect federal PUA claims, not traditional unemployment benefits, according to the release.

Its not yet clear how exactly how many Americans will be eligible for the expanded benefits, said Suzi Levine, principal deputy assistant secretary of labor for employment and training, during a teleconference with reporters.

Last June, Ohio halted traditional jobless benefits to workers who refused to return to work because of coronavirus concerns, with some exceptions.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which runs Ohios unemployment benefits program, is reviewing the federal changes, department spokesman Tom Betti said.

The announcement comes a day after the Labor Department issued a report finding that state unemployment agencies have paid more than $5.4 billion to potentially fraudulent jobless claims.

Applicants for the expanded federal assistance can self-certify that theyre eligible to receive benefits, though the federal guidance urges states to take additional steps to certify that applications are genuine.

Levine also noted that people who lie about being eligible, if caught, could be charged with perjury. However, the Labor Department has refused to say whether anyone who committed unemployment fraud in Ohio has been arrested or faced any sort of consequences.
(Photo : Sparrows News - Youtube Screenshot) Xiaomi has a long-standing point reputation for great budget smartphones, offering competitive specs and a premium design with an affordable price that everyone can cope with. However, the China-based company has reached its range as it branches out through its laptop lines in a form from its sister company Redmi.

Xiaomi has a long-standing point reputation for great budget smartphones, offering competitive specs and a premium design with an affordable price that everyone can cope with. However, the China-based company has reached its range as it branches out through its laptop lines from its sister company Redmi.

Xiaomi has released a series of laptops under the RedmiBook brand in recent years and seeks to provide a cheaper alternative from its competitors such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo. And with the recent release of the RedmiBook 14 & and 15 Pro, the company has another competitor in its eyes - Apple.

RedmiBook Pro 14 Specs, Features, and Price

Tech Advisor reports that the RedmiBook Pro 14 runs on Window 10 Home, along with Xiaomi's proprietary XiaoAi AI assistant and MIUI+ software for multitasking and file sharing between the laptop and a Xiaomi phone. The laptop features a 14-inch display with a 2.5k (2,560x1,600 pixels) display and 88.2 percent screen-to-body ratio.

The RedmiBook Pro 14 also includes 300 nits of brightness and supports DC dimming. The laptop is powered by the 11th-generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, coupled with Nvidia GeForce MX450 (2GB GDDR5) graphics and a 16GB of DDR4 dual-channel RAM. There is also 512GB of PCIe SSD storage as standard.

Xiaomi has included a full-sized three colors backlit keyboard with key travel of 1.3mm for the RedmiBook Pro 14. the laptop also has a trackpad and features a power button with an integrated fingerprint sensor.

The RedmiBook Pro 14 features Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, a USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4, USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. The laptop includes dual stereo speakers along with DTS Audio.

RedmiBook Pro 14 price starts at CNY 4,699 (roughly $727) for the Inter Core i5 + Intel Xe graphics variant. It will have a discounted price of CNY 4,499 (roughly $696) on its first-week sale. The laptop also comes with an Intel Core i5 + Nvidia Geforce MX450 graphics option at CNY 5,299 ($819) and an Intel Core i7 with Nvidia Geforce Mx450 variant (CNY 5,999/$928).

Also Read: Redmi K40 Series Specs, Features, and More: Same OLED With The Samsung S21 Ultra

The RedmiBook Pro 15 Specs, Features, and Price

TechRadar reports that the RedmiBook Pro 15 flaunts a 15-inch 3.2K display that brings 89.1 percent screen-to-body ratio and supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which is the icing on a cake. It is a 16:10 screen with 242ppi density and TUV Rhineland certified for low-light consumption. The laptop is made up of CNC material and weighs 1.46 kilograms.

The RedmiBook Pro 15 is powered by the 11thh Gen Tiger Lake H35 processor with Core i5, Core i7 variants with both Intel Xe integrated graphics or a dedicated 2GB Nvidia MX450 GPU. In terms of connectivity, the machine features Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, a USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 for charging and data transfer, a regular Type-C port, USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

A fingerprint scanner is embedded into the power button, and the RedmiBook Pro 15 is packed with a 70Whr battery with a100W fast charging Type-C power adapter. The laptop also has a full-sized three-color backlit keyboard but has a 1.5mm of key travel with MIUI+ feature that allows users to share content between Xiaomi phones and laptops seamlessly.

The price for the RedmiBook Pro 15 with Intel Core i5 + Intel Xe graphics iteration is at CNY 4,999 ($773), while the Core i5 and Core i7 + Nvidia GeForce Mx450 are at CNY 5.299 ($819) and CNY 5,999 ($928).

Note that 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 15" 2.5K display, and 11thh Gen CPUs are common across all the RedmiBook Pro variants. For a complete tally of specs, visit Xiaomi's site.

Related Article: Xiaomi MIUI 12.5 February Launch Confirmed: All Supported Device List, Features and MORE

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by: Luis Smith

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project will finance the military machine of Russia which continues its aggression against Ukraine.

Nord Stream 2 is not about economic cooperation. Its about supporting Russias military machine. This money will not be spent on the needs of the Russian people, this money will be spent on new tanks, missiles and artillery. And thousands of such units of weapons and equipment are currently deployed along our border and in the occupied territories, Mykyta Poturayev, head of the delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, said during the 20th Winter Meeting of the OSCE PA on Thursday.

The Ukrainian MP thanked his American colleagues for the sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and called on European colleagues to think about the aggressive nature of Putin's Russia.

In particular, he pointed out that Ukraine had shown political will for peace which is not observed on the Russian side.

We have shown our ability to find compromises, we have established new demilitarized zones, we have equipped new infrastructure for people coming from the occupied territories. What have we got in exchange? New losses. Snipers. Mines prohibited by international conventions and used by Russian troops and their proxies, he said.

The 20th Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is taking place on 24-26 February 2021 in a virtual format with the participation of about 270 parliamentarians, as well as high-ranking representatives of the OSCE participating states. The issue of Russias aggression against Ukraine and the temporary occupation of Crimea remains one of the main topics of speeches of members of parliaments of the OSCE participating states.

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First US raid in Syria under Biden kills 17

A member of the Hashed al-Shaabi group stands guard at the airport in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Seventeen members of the force are killed in the US raid at a Syria-Iraq border control point. File photo: AFP

The US military struck facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran-backed armed groups on Thursday, saying President Joe Biden's new administration was sending Tehran a message after recent rocket attacks on US troop locations in Iraq.



In its first military action against Iran-linked groups since Biden became president five weeks ago, the US Defence Department said it had carried out airstrikes at a Syria-Iraq border control point used by those groups, destroying "multiple facilities".



"At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilised by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," said spokesman John Kirby in a statement.



"These strikes were authorised in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," he said.



The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 17 people were killed after the strike hit three trucks loaded with munitions coming from Iraq near the Syrian city of Bukamal.



The group said all the dead were from Iraq's state-sponsored Hashed al-Shaabi force, the umbrella group over many small militias that have ties to Iran.



Kirby said the location was used by Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada, two armed Iraqi Shiite groups under Hashed al-Shaabi.



The US action followed three rocket attacks on facilities in Iraq used by United States and coalition forces fighting the Islamic State group.



One of those strikes, on a military complex in the Kurdish region's capital Arbil on February 15, killed a civilian and a foreign contractor working with coalition forces, and injured several US contractors and a soldier.



The attacks in Iraq laid down a challenge to the new Biden administration just as it opened a door to resumed negotiations with Tehran over its alleged nuclear weapons programme.



Last week, the administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies as it sought to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, left on the brink of collapse after the previous government of President Donald Trump withdrew from it.



But the administration has also made clear it would not brook "malign activities" in the region by Iran.



Although Kataeb Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for the attacks, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the powerful pro-Iranian organization was behind them.



"We're confident in the target we went after. We know what we hit," he told reporters on the plane flying to Washington after a tour of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier off the California coast.



"We are confident that the target was being used by the same Shia militia that conducted the strikes" against American interests in Iraq, he said.



Iran is believed to be searching for an opportunity to avenge the US assassination of top general Qasem Soleimani one year ago.



Soleimani, a senior officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was Tehran's key liaison to allied groups and figures in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere in the region.



He was killed in a US drone strike just as he arrived in Baghdad for meetings with top Iraqi officials.



State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday the US would "hold Iran responsible for the actions of its proxies that attack Americans" but would not "lash out" and risk destabilising Iraq.



Kirby called Thursday's strikes "proportionate" and said it "was conducted together with diplomatic measures," including consultation with US partners in the anti-IS coalition.



"The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel," he said.



"At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq," he added. (AFP)
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An aspiring rapper accused of plotting a terror attack has told a court he wanted to start a smoothie business called Healthily Wealthy.

Sahayb Abu, 27, told the Old Bailey he bought a trike which he planned on riding around London making cold drinks.

Jurors had already heard Sahayb unwittingly spoke with an undercover operative posing as an extremist with whom he discussed buying guns.

The officer infiltrated an allegedly extremist Telegram chat called Servants of the Unseen to which Sahayb belonged and told members there was a way to smuggle guns into the UK.

Sahayb Abu (pictured) said he dreamed of having a drinks business he planned on calling Healthily Wealthy

Abu, from Dagenham, East London, who denies ever considering or planning terrorist acts, said of his drinks dream: I wanted to have a blender in there and maybe an ice box with strawberry.

As well as working in shops, I wanted to go around London first thing in the morning.

People going off to work would say smoothies, theres a smoothie man standing somewhere in the road selling smoothies.

I cant murder, I cant do it, I cant have someones blood on my hands.

I cant be that man, Im no angel, Ive done wrong, Ive wronged people.

Sahayb (pictured) is alleged to have bought an 18inch gladiator-style sword, a combat vest, two balaclavas, fingerless gloves and a combat-style hat as he allegedly prepared his attack before his arrest last July

A picture of the knife Abu allegedly bought online. He has been accused of planning a terror attack during lockdown

Ive made my mum cry but to murder is a different story, were talking about taking a life unjustly I cant be that person.

He also denied actively keeping ghastly videos of terrorism or Isis.

Abu added: The reason why I would watch them was to get a glimpse of my two brothers, if they were in the videos.

I believed it was propaganda, to recruit people, people who have got nothing to live for.

They cant do that to me, I have got a future, I have got goals.

Jurors have heard the suspect was trying to launch a career as a parody drill rapper at the time of the alleged terrorist plot.

Abu has claimed he bought the weapons as props for his music videos.

I am a musician but I thought he wouldnt take me seriously if I said I was into my music, he told the court.

Abu and his brother Muhamed, 32, were arrested following an operation involving the Mets Counter Terrorism Command at their London addresses in July 2020.

Aspiring rapper Sahayb allegedly bought an 18-inch sword, knife and body armour in preparation for an attack before he was arrested last July.

His brother is accused of failing to tell authorities what he knew of the plan.

CCTV issued by the Metropolitan Police showing Abu and his brother Muhamed in a fast food restaurant

Earlier in the trial Sahayb claimed he founded charity Islamic Growth to provide irrigation for crops in Somalia and wanted to be a vegetable farmer.

But he first needed to become famous in order to earn money and attention for his cause and was planning to launch a parody rap act on Tik Tok.

Today the jury was told he and his brother fought like Liam and Noel Gallagher.

Sahayb Abu, of Dagenham in Essex, has denied preparation of terrorist acts and Muhamed Abu, from Norwood, south London, has pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism.

The trial continues.
The joint parliamentary Budget-Finance Committees cleared today the 2021 budget of the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) with 25 votes in favor and 17 abstentions, according to AGERPRES.

The budget proposal for MApN provides for 22,746,269,000 lei in budget appropriations, by 3.28 percent more than in 2020, and 40,007,322.000 lei in commitment appropriations, up 46.84 percent from the previous year.
Numerator Launches 'Sweet Treat Tracker'

In the US, consumer insight specialist Numerator has launched the Sweet Treat Tracker, which monitors omnichannel sales trends across the 'indulgence' category.



Formed through the merger of Market Track and its subsidiary InfoScout, and headquartered in Chicago, Numerator connects purchase data from its OmniPanel service with path data, to deliver a view of the consumer shopping and purchase experience. The new Sweet Treat Tracker monitors trends across the sales of items such as candy, bakery sweet goods, frozen desserts and ice cream, packaged cookies and snack cakes.



The tracker reports an index of year-on-year category sales, with data for the past thirteen months; monthly sales indices for the top treat categories year-on-year; and treat sales by channel, including purchases made online, at gas and convenience stores, and at drug stores. It is updated bi-weekly with year-to-date omnichannel sales data, and the online tracker also includes wine and liquor.



The firm, which is led by CEO Eric Belcher (pictured), is online at www.numerator.com .




A Foley tea bar recently made Yelps list of Top 100 Places to Eat in 2021, the only establishment in Alabama to do so.

The Copper Kettle Tea Bar on 106 North Chicago St. came in at number 66 on the list. The business posted a thank you to their patrons on their Facebook page last Thursday.

According to Yelp Mobile, a Facebook page by Yelp that is based in the city, The Copper Kettle Tea Bar offers soups, finger sandwiches, scones and more. The page also describes the tea bar as a darling tea room with a whimsical flair.

The establishment also serves a variety of hot and cold teas, as well as fruits and scones.

There is indoor and outdoor seating available.

The Copper Kettle Tea Bar is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Yelp determined the best places to eat by reaching out to people that used the app first for submissions. After that, their data science team analyzed those submissions and ranked them from number of ratings, volume of submissions and more.

Finally, Yelp used local Community Managers to help finalize all of the rankings, according to their website.

Yelps top place to eat in 2021 is Kelley Farm Kitchen in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
The Uvedoble restaurant in Malaga boosted the Cudeca Sunflower Appeal fund this week by donating 1,100 euros raised during a charity drive organised by the establishment's owner.

Guillermo Orellana, known to the locals as Willy, decided to donate one euro from every Spanish omelette that he sold in the restaurant since the campaign began last October.

Several restaurants have joined the initiative by donating one euro from selected dishes and the charity is calling on others to support the cause.

A spokesperson for Cudeca said, "Any help received is always more than welcome."

At least 27 asylum seekers who were forced to wait at a migrant border camp in Mexico as part of stringent immigration restrictions set by former President Donald Trump finally were able to enter the United States on Thursday.

Their arrival is part of a new policy introduced by President Joe Biden's administration that is driven to end the hardships endured by migrants in dangerous border towns.

The initial group had been living in the makeshift camp in Matamoros opposite Brownsville, Texas, the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration [IOM] said.

Some of the migrants have lived there for more than a year under the Trump administration's controversial Migrant Protection Protocols [MPP] or 'Remain in Mexico' program that required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. court hearings.

A volunteer (right) welcomes a group of 27 asylum seekers who were officially allowed to cross from a migrant camp in Mexico into the United States on Friday. The group was the first to cross the border entry point in Brownsville, Texas, as part President Joe Biden administration's unwinding of former President Donald Trump's Migrant Protection Protocols program

A Honduran mother holds her daughter after the child had her finger pricked for a rapid COVID-19 test on Friday in Brownsville, Texas, as a group of 27 asylum seekers from a migrant camp in Matamoros, Mexico, were allowed to enter the United States

However, the lagging process at times has tested the patience of some of the 70,000 asylum seekers who were placed in the program that was introduced in January 2019.

Salvadoran migrant Oscar Martinez, 25, drowned in the Rio Grande with his nearly two-year-old daughter, Angie Valeria Martinez, in June 2019 after the family had grown restless with the wait time for the court hearing.

The Martinez family had reached the Texas shoreline when the father sat his child on the sands so that he could return to the Mexican side of the river to help his wife, Tania Vanessa Avalos, cross to the U.S. She stepped into the river to follow her dad and was swept by the Rio Grande's current. Oscar Martinez jumped in to rescue her, but was overpowered by the rushing water.

A man and a child step out of a bus at a border entry point in Brownsville, Texas, where they applied for asylum on Friday

An immigrant and volunteers embrace after asylum seekers were officially allowed to cross from a migrant camp in Mexico

Honduran immigrants wait for results of rapid Covid-19 tests on Friday moments before they were cleared by U.S. Immigration authorities who reviewed their asylum requests at a border entry point in Brownsville, Texas

President Biden's immigration reform plan will gradually allow at least 26,000 MPP asylum seekers to await courts' decisions within the United States. As many as 125,000 migrants will be allowed to file asylum petitions during the fiscal year, a more than eight-fold increase after Trump slashed levels to historic lows.

Some migrants last week were permitted to cross a border entry point in San Ysidro, California. Another two entry points the Texas cities of El Paso and Brownsville, the latter which welcomed the 27 asylum seekers from the migrant camp.

While the Biden administration has extended a welcome hand to asylum seekers, it cautioned migrants to consider the health risks the could possibly exposed to if they show up at the border crossings in droves.

'It is important to underscore that this process will take time, that we are ensuring public health and safety, and that individuals should register virtually to determine if they are eligible for processing under this program,' said Alejandro N. Mayorkas, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, in a Friday news release.

'Physical presence at a port of entry is not the way to gain access to this phased effort, and people should not make the perilous journey to the border.'

Francisco Gallardo, who runs a migrant shelter in Matamoros and provides humanitarian aid at the camp, welcomed the news that the process had begun in Matamoros, but said it should have come sooner.

'It's good that they are doing it, but unfortunately coming late,' he said.

Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, greets some of the 27 asylum seekers at a bus station after they were allowed to cross from a migrant camp in Mexico into the United States on Friday

Immigrants receive meals from volunteers with the immigrant assistance group Team Brownsville after the 27 migrants were allowed to enter the United States from Mexico and applied for asylum on Friday

Freezing temperatures at the U.S.-Mexico border had made the Matamoros camp a priority, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday.

Migrants at the camp have struggled to ensure proper hygiene and to protect themselves from organized crime, in a state that is one of the most violent in Mexico.

'The camp was a space that had multiple risks for the migrants,' said Misael Hernandez, a researcher on migration issues at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte.

Mexico's migration institute did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Celebrate Recovery founder John Baker dies: 'The world lost a giant of a man'

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Pastor John Baker, founder of Celebrate Recovery  a global ministry born out of the heart of Rick Warrens Saddleback Church aimed at helping people recover from addiction and other hurts, habits, and hang-ups  has died.

The Celebrate Recovery National team shared the news of Bakers death in a social media statement Tuesday. The cause of death has not yet been announced.

There are times in life when words are totally inadequate in sharing how you feel, this morning is one of those days, the statement attributed to Celebrate Recovery National Director Mac Owen and his wife, Mary, states.

My dearest friend and brother has gone Home. John Baker co-founder of Celebrate Recovery made his way Home early this morning. To say this took us by surprise would be an understatement. John touched more people with the healing power and grace of Jesus Christ than anyone else that I have ever known personally and one of those lives was mine.

The team plans to share more details in the days to come, but asked supporters to keep Bakers wife and Celebrate Recovery co-founder, Cheryl Baker, in their prayers.

We will miss John more than words can express but it will only be for a short while and then we will see him again. See you soon my brother," the statement added.

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery ministry started in 1991 at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. The ministry was founded after Baker wrote Warren the now-famous, concise, 13-page, single-spaced letter outlining the vision God had given him for the program.

Today, 35,000 Celebrate Recovery groups meet around the world. The program has been implemented in churches, recovery houses, rescue missions, universities and prisons.

Baker, who authored several books on addiction and recovery, previously shared how his heart for others was birthed out of his own recovery story.

A functioning alcoholic with a failing marriage, he found freedom and recovery through Christ and Warrens ministry.

Although Baker initially found help with his addiction through Alcoholics Anonymous, he desired a Christian-based healing program. He presented a plan to Warren about starting a Christ-centered 12-step program through Saddleback Church, according to a frequently-asked-questions page.

All of us have several things in common. We love Christ, were willing to turn our lives over to Him, and were praying that we can begin to break the cycle of dysfunction for our families, Baker shared in an online testimony.

On Facebook, Saddleback Church leader Kay Warren said that the world lost a giant of a man today" and that her family lost a dear friend and brother in the Lord.

Thirty years ago John Baker turned the ruins of his life over to Jesus Christ and God transformed him from a driven businessman with an addiction to alcohol, a failing marriage and alienated children to a Christ-follower with a passion to help others with their hurts, habits and hang ups through the principles of recovery, she wrote.

More than 7 million men and women around the world have found hope, a new start, and the God who made them [through] the program he co-founded with his precious wife Cheryl and Rick - Celebrate Recovery. There is simply no way to put into words how I love John and will miss this kind, creative, brilliant and faithful man.

Our world lost a giant of a man today, and our family lost a dear friend and brother in the Lord. Thirty years ago John... Posted by Kay Warren on Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Celebrate Recovery International Director Richard Cobb said that Baker is a hero of the faith who gave many of us a fresh picture of how God can help with our brokenness.

He will continue to be an example to this forever family in so many ways, Cobb tweeted.

James Ackerman, president of the national evangelical prison ministry organization Prison Fellowship, said in a statement that the impact of Baker's "faithful obedience will go on for generations."

"Several years ago, I met John in his office in California. We had a great discussion and began a fruitful collaboration that continues to this day," Ackerman explained. "God simply put us together at the right time. Celebrate Recovery Inside is now a key component of the Prison Fellowship Academy, and Celebrate Recovery chapters in the community are key partners in the ministry of Angel Tree Christmas."

On social media, hundreds shared how Bakers program changed their lives.

Thank you, John Baker, for the difference you made in my life. You made a remarkable difference in countless lives across the face of the globe, for the glory of HIS kingdom. Prayers for your family, friends, and a great multitude of forever family, commented one supporter.

Wrote another: This man has done so much for the hurting people in this world, including me. I have to say I am in shock, but I know he is receiving his reward today in the presence of his King. I appreciate his heart and his obedience to Christ in founding Celebrate Recovery.
The scene in the Pitt Park area of east Belfast on February 2.

Three men have been arrested on Friday by police investigating a large gathering of loyalists in east Belfast earlier this month.

The men, two aged 53 and one aged 34 were arrested by detectives from from the PSNIs Criminal Investigation Branch and Paramilitary Crime Task Force on suspicion of terrorism and other related offences following a gathering of men in Pitt Park on February 2.

Police have linked the gathering off the Lower Newtownards Road to the east Belfast UVF.

Detective Chief Superintendent John McVea said: "Our investigation into the gathering at Pitt Park and activities linked to east Belfast UVF is continuing, and todays arrests were conducted under the Terrorism Act. Those arrested will now be questioned in Musgrave Street Serious Crime Suite.

"I would continue to appeal to anyone in the community who has information or footage regarding the incident or criminality in the area, to contact the police.

It follows a number of arrests in connection with the incident after four other men aged 33, 35, 46 and 54 arrested earlier this week were released on Thursday, with reports to be prepared for consideration by the Public Prosecution Service.

Searches have also been carried out in east Belfast and Newtownards.
Courtesy Beaumont PD

After the skeletal remains of a missing Beaumont woman were found near Vinton two weeks ago, the Beaumont Police Department has arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with the death.

Jonathan Paul Menard, of Beaumont, has been charged with tampering with evidence, with additional charges expected soon, according to BPD Public Information Officer Carol Riley.
Virtual Event

Travel Tech, the world's largest education-based travel technology conference series, is proud to announce its first event of the 2021 schedule: Travel Tech USA & Canada, taking place online from March 8-12, 2021. Travel Tech USA & Canada is brought to you by HS LATAM - supported by JLNPR, Revenue Hub and with the support of Knowledge Partner, ehotelier - and will feature expert speakers from top travel technology companies, including Expedia Group, Amadeus, Lybra, ReviewPro, The Hotels Network, Infor, BookOnlineNow, BuyZy, Asksuite, eRevMax, YieldPlanet, Amelia, HiJiffy, RM Academy, Hub OS, and many others.

Hotels can register for free for the event at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/1/x463mfm.

Travel Tech was founded as a passion project by HS LATAM - developer of state-of-the-art online distribution and competitor analysis solutions - at the beginning of the pandemic, to educate hotels about the importance of operational technology in supporting their current survival and, more importantly, to set hotels up for future success. Today, Travel Tech has partnered with other leading hospitality companies to expand the conference series globally and support even more hoteliers worldwide - including our first-ever North American event, on March 8-12, 2021, which will provide hoteliers in the US and Canada with region-specific educational resources and actionable strategies to move, more quickly, toward recovery.

North American hotels are facing a much more complex marketplace than many other regions, given the stringent lockdowns in Canada and the huge variations in pandemic response and regulation in different US states. For both countries, international travel has become almost impossible, due to border closures and governmental restrictions, so hotels can only rely on domestic travelers, even further shrinking the already depressed demand caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) "State of the Hotel Industry 2021" report, "half of U.S. hotel rooms are projected to remain empty in 2021;" the report concluded that "the impact of COVID-19 on the [American] travel industry so far has been nine times that of 9/11." The Canadian hospitality industry has also been hit very hard by the pandemic; according to a Statistics Canada release, "[t]he number of travellers to Canada from both the United States and overseas countries was down 92.9% in November [2020], compared with November 2019," which obviously has had a significantly negative impact on Canadian hotels.

"As vaccines are becoming more readily available worldwide, travelers are starting to plan their "revenge travel" trips and hotels need to take advantage of this slower period to prepare for the deluge of travelers that will come when borders open up again," said Vinicius Geraldo, CEO & Founder of Travel Tech. "As many hotels are currently operating with smaller staff and lower budgets, struggling to maintain guest satisfaction, technology is the best way to remain competitive, ensure a positive guest experience and move towards profitability. During Travel Tech USA & Canada, our industry experts will educate North American hoteliers about the different types of technology - and the recovery strategies - that can be leveraged to set themselves up for success, once borders open up and travel resumes, making attending this event an operational imperative for savvy hoteliers."

The Travel Tech USA & Canada conference is comprised of a daily Masterclass, a two-hour panel discussion featuring top tech executives on a specific topic, specifically related to North American tourism, each day. Masterclass session topics include:

March 8, 2021, 12pm EST - DIGITAL MARKETING: Who is the post-COVID guest and how does the online booking journey need to change to suit their needs?

March 9, 2021, 12pm EST- AI & GUEST COMMUNICATIONS: How can AI technologies improve your guest's travel experience, before, during and after your stay?

March 10, 2021, 12pm EST - REVENUE MANAGEMENT: What new RM strategies will help hotels reach financial recovery more quickly?

March 11, 2021, 12pm EST - OPERATIONS + TECH TRENDS: How can data help improve day-to-day operations?

March 12, 2021, 12pm EST - ONLINE SALES & DISTRIBUTION: What strategies should hoteliers use to manage both direct and indirect sales more effectively, now and post-COVID?

After each day's Masterclass, hoteliers will have the chance to learn about the top technological solutions available to improve their operational processes, and increase bookings and revenue, during the 25-minute, live-streamed Pitch Sessions. In the Pitch Sessions, leading hospitality technology companies will teach hoteliers how implementing their solutions could help them to reach profitability more quickly, and answer all of hotels' questions.

All hoteliers who attend the Masterclasses will receive a Certificate of Excellence from Travel Tech, to recognize the knowledge and expertise that they've been the recipient of during the 5 days of the event - an important recognition to add to your CV/resume or to share on your LinkedIn.

All hotels and/or travel technology companies are invited to attend the Travel Tech USA & Canada online conference, from March 8-12, 2021, to learn more about the benefits of investing in operational technology now, to establish a foundation for a stronger financial future tomorrow.

Register for all five days of the Travel Tech USA & Canada conference, plus the Pitch Sessions, for FREE at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/1/x463mfm. Spots are limited so register today!

Travel Tech 2021 - USA & Canada is organized by
On the seventh anniversary of Russia's occupation of Crimea, the United States Department of State calls on Moscow to return control of the peninsula to Ukraine, end its aggression in Donbas and release all political prisoners.

This was said in a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on February 25.

"We affirm the basic truth: Crimea is Ukraine... We call on Russia to immediately end its occupation of Crimea, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it unjustly holds, and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine. We likewise call on Russia to end its aggression in eastern Ukraine. U.S. sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression in eastern Ukraine and seizure of Crimea will remain in place unless and until Russia reverses course. The United States does not, and will never, recognize Russias purported annexation of Crimea," Blinken said.

According to him, the consequences of Russias occupation and militarization of the peninsula threaten stability throughout the world.

Blinken also recalled the systemic repressions against Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and members of other minority ethnic and religious groups in Crimea. Russian occupation authorities have raided mosques and homes, driven independent media off the peninsula, and handed down lengthy prison sentences to those who dare to speak out against the occupation

"The United States welcomes Ukraines new initiative, the Crimean Platform, and looks forward to continuing to work with Ukraine and our allies and partners to end Russias occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and aggression in eastern Ukraine," the secretary of state summed up.

As reported, Russia's planned armed aggression against Ukraine began on February 20, 2014 with a military operation by the Russian Armed Forces to seize part of Ukraine's territory - the Crimean peninsula. Subsequently, Russian regular troops and Russian-led militants occupied certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

ish
Image via YouTube

In a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Steve Harvey spoke about how he feels regarding his daughters relationship with Michael B. Jordan.

Recently, Jordan caught attention for his elaborate Valentines Day plans, which saw him rent out an aquarium just for him and Lori with a candlelit dinner. While the Family Feud host has said in the past he thinks Jordan seems like a good guy, he joked with Kimmel that the Creed star isnt quite as perfect as everyone thinks.

Well, first of all, lets be clear about something: he is a nice guy, yeah, but he is not the sexiest man alive to me, at all," he told Kimmel, responding to the fact Jordan was labeled 2020's Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine.

When asked who he thinks the sexiest man alive is, he didnt hesistate for one second. Me, he replied. All these people Im paying for, hell, if that aint sexy, what is? Ive never been attractive I knew that, thats why I had to come up with these damn jokes. But this kid, I like him, man.

As for his thoughts on Jordans Valentines Day plans? Yeah, well good luck homie, cause you know, Valentines come every year, he joked. So I dont know if you know this works or not, but I dont know how you gonna top that. But good luck partner. I mean, it was really nice what he did, you know, Im happy for him. Hes a great guy, I met his father and everything, but uhthat was a lot, that was a lot. I dont know where he going from from here, so hopefully, you know, maybe hell make Creed 4, 5, and 6.

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Regardless of his jokes, he still made it clear he approves of Loris relationship with Jordan, which he suggested he couldnt do for her previous boyfriends. Nothing, ever. Ever. Pure hatred, he deadpanned before a chuckle.

Watch the wide-ranging interview above.

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SEATTLE, WA  Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in Public Health for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 156 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 156 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each university.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the The Top Master's in Public Health. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-public-health/

2021 The Best Master's in Public Health featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

A.T. Still University

Arcadia University

Baylor University

Brown University

California State University, North Ridge

Colorado State University

Columbia University

Drexel University

Emory University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgia Southern University

Harvard University

Johns Hopkins University

Kent State University

Meharry Medical College

Missouri State University

New York University

Nova Southeastern University

Portland State University

San Diego State University

San Jose State University

State University of New York, Albany

Texas A & M University, College Station

Tulane University

University Of Alabama, Birmingham

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Irvine

University of Florida

University Of Illinois, Springfield

University of Iowa

University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota

University of Missouri

University of Montana

University of New England

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

University of North Dakota

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

University of Southern California

University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

University Of Texas, El Paso

University of Washington

University of West Florida

West Chester University

Western Kentucky University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Scoring stepdads stamp of approval! Its safe to say that Michael B. Jordan has made a good impression with his girlfriend Lori Harveys famous stepfather, Steve Harvey.

Read article

First of all, lets be clear about something. He is a nice guy, the Family Feud host, 64, said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, February 25.   I like him. Im pulling for him.

The Creed star, 34, and the model, 24, went Instagram official in early January after dating rumors swirled for months. At the time, Jordan posted two pics of the pair happily posing together. They then jetted off to the Caribbean for a quick getaway.

Earlier this month, Jordan went all out for the couples first Valentines Day together as he rented out an entire aquarium for her. He additionally arranged a lavish private dinner for the pair beneath one of the venues underwater tunnels.

Read article

Steve jokingly weighed in on Jordans efforts while speaking to host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday, saying, Yeah, well, good luck homie, cause Valentines come every year. So, I dont know if you know how this works or not, but I dont know how you gonna top that, but good luck partner.

Paul R Giunta/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Kristina Bumphrey/StarPix/Shutterstock Thaddaeus McAdams/Shutterstock

All jokes aside, the comedian still believes that Jordans gesture was really nice overall.

Im happy for him, he shared. Hes a great guy. I met his father and everything, but that was a lot. I dont know where hes going from here, so hopefully maybe hell make Creed 4, 5 and 6.

Read article

The Black Panther actor has previously opened up about his struggles with dating. My career is awesome. It is going great. Theres other places in my life that Im fking lacking at, he told GQ in 2018. Im very mature and advanced in a lot of areas of life. Dating may not be one of em. My personal life is not. I dont really know what dating is.

Due to Jordans level of celebrity, he admitted that hes found it challenging to date in the public eye.

How do you go anywhere normal, chill, just getting to know somebody that you just met, that you may not  may or may not  hit it off at all? That part of dating is tough, he explained to the magazine. Now, Im not saying options arent there. Im not saying that. But as far as, like, the nuance of dating, its just not the same. Im just going to keep trying to work on myself and build this empire.
MOSCOW  North Korea sealed its borders more than a year ago because of the pandemic, grounding flights and shutting its frontier with neighboring China and Russia.

This week, a few Russian diplomats found a way out.

Russias Foreign Ministry said on Friday that eight employees and family members at its embassy in North Korea had taken an unusual route  one that included a bus ride and a trip on a hand-pushed railcar  to reach and cross the countrys border with Russia.

The group included the embassys third secretary, Vladislav Sorokin, and his 3-year-old daughter, Varya, the ministry said on its official Facebook page. It posted a photograph showing three children sitting beside several large boxes and suitcases, with three adults pushing the railcar along the railroad tracks.

The ministry said the railcar had to be made specifically for the nearly mile-long trip, which included a bridge over the Tumannaya River.
IF you have absolutely no urgent or emergency need to be outdoors today, then remain at home.

Should you take a chance and decide to tempt fate, then it may most likely result in you being stopped and questioned by police officers and members of the Defence Force, or even find yourself charged and taken before a court.
Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a lecturer of the Central University in Accra, has rubbished Amnesty International's position on the closing of the LGBTQI office in Accra.



He described as 'nonsense' for Amnesty International to condemn the closure of the LGBTQI office.



The opening of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) office in Accra courted the anger of many Ghanaians.



The Police on Wednesday, February 24 stormed and locked down the office of the group at Ashongman Estate in Accra.



The Police is said to have picked intelligence that a five bedroom house suspected to be housing homosexuals had been opened at Ashongman Estate.



This led the Police to immediately raid the house.



Following the closure of the office, Amnesty International condemned the Police saying, "when the rights of individuals are clearly violated, then that becomes a serious issue of concern''.



''The circumstance under which the facility was invaded is what we consider to be a clear violation of the very laws that we all seek to uphold.



"The question we like to ask again is whether or not the individuals who were found in that particular facility were seen engaging in any act, if they were not then clearly its an issue of the security agencies engaging in an act that is not supported by our laws," Amnesty International stated.



Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah expressed disappointment in Amnesty International.



He wondered why the group would support an act that the entire nation frowns upon and the country's laws prohibit.



"Let us not entertain this foolishness . . . We're living in our country and have made laws to prohibit this thing. Why don't we say we have created Armed Robbers Association? Do you think if it were armed robbers who had formed an association and opened an office and made a sign board in addition, the CID would have slept on it?" he fumed.



Watch video below





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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MOSCOW -- Russia's prison authority has confirmed that opposition political leader Aleksei Navalny has been moved from the Moscow detention center where had been held since mid-January to another prison.



Aleksandr Kalashnikov, the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), did not specify on February 26 where the Kremlin critic was being taken, nor was it clear whether Navalny had arrived at the facility or if he was still on his way there to begin serving a 2 1/2 year sentence.



"He has been transferred to where he is supposed to be under the court ruling," Kalashnikov told reporters.



"I guarantee that there is no threat to his health, let alone his life," he added.



The Russian authorities typically do not provide information about the transfer of prisoners until after they reach their destination, which could be anywhere in the country.



The confirmation comes a day after Navalnys lawyer, Vadim Kobzev, said he had gone to the detention center where Navalny, 44, was being held, only to find he had been taken to an undisclosed location.



On February 2, a Moscow court changed a 3 1/2 year suspended sentence that was handed down to Navalny in 2014 to a custodial sentence after ruling that the anti-corruption crusader had violated the terms of the earlier court decision. After deducting time already served in custody, the court ruled that Navalny must spend 2 1/2 years behind bars.



Navalny was detained by Russian police in January immediately upon returning from Berlin, where he was recovering from what German investigators determined was a poisoning attempt using a Novichok-type nerve agent.

Russian authorities claimed that he violated the terms of his suspended sentence by not contacting corrections officials while he was receiving treatment in Germany.



Navalny fell ill in August 2020 while flying from Siberia to Moscow and, after emergency medical intervention in Omsk, he was medically evacuated to Germany, where he spent several months recovering.



He has blamed the incident on Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the open-source investigative organization Bellingcat has tied the poisoning to a team of Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives.

The Russian government has denied involvement in the poisoning and has refused to open a criminal investigation into the incident.



Navalny and his supporters have said the criminal cases filed against him, the poisoning attack, and other incidents of harassment are retribution for his political activity and his outspoken criticism of the Putin government.



Navalnys arrest and sentencing set off a wave of national protests that the authorities responded to forcefully, detaining more than 10,000 people in dozens of cities and filing administrative and criminal cases against many of them.

The European Union is in the process of considering fresh sanctions against Russia over the Navalny case and has criticized Moscow for ignoring a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights ordering that he be released immediately.



The United Nations said on February 26 that its human rights investigators will issue their findings from an investigation of Navalny's case at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 1.
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The U.S. House is set to vote on a COVID relief bill on Friday that will give eligible Americans a third stimulus check, for up to $1,400, as early as the second half of March, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

But even before the third round could be distributed, some Congress members are pushing for a fourth stimulus check, and more after that, with March marking a complete year of the pandemic and with Americans already struggling to get by.

Democrats argue for more stimulus checks

A letter signed by 50 U.S. Democratic leaders, including Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, encourages President Joe Biden's administration to issue fourth stimulus checks to help Americans cover critical needs amid the pandemic. The expected third round would assist Americans with the basics, just like the earlier two rounds of stimulus checks, Yahoo reported.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last April, the first $1,200 checks were mainly spent on household expenses such as food and rent. While others used a portion of the cash for investing and saving or other purposes, a bureau survey revealed. Some recipients went shopping for affordable life insurance, as those policies have seen an increase in demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rep. Omar tweeted in January that she would like to see the government offer $2,000 a month to carry families through the crisis. The letter does not specify a dollar figure for monthly transfers.

House Democrats urged the President to prioritize ongoing stimulus checks rather than one-time payments in his relief package, as per Diario US. Regular payments were urged to be sent to struggling Americans up until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Politico first reported that the letter does not specify the proposed recurring direct payments amount.

Read also: Stimulus Bill May Be Delayed Over Fury That Undocumented Immigrants Will Receive $1400 Checks

Will I still be eligible for the fourth stimulus check?

To assess your eligibility for a third check, the IRS will presumably use either your 2019 or 2020 tax return, and the same could happen for the fourth stimulus check.

CNET noted that the current version of Joe Biden's proposal changes the concept of a qualifying dependent to include adults of all ages, not just children 16 and under.

A statement on the IRS website reads: "In these two rounds of Economic Impact Payments, most individuals who've been eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit have already earned it in advance."

Read also: Democrats Plan Another $2 Trillion in Stimulus Spending, Set Aside Increasing Federal Debt

Will the fourth stimulus bill include unemployment benefit?

More than 18 million Americans are currently receiving jobless benefits that could grow to $400 a week soon. According to The Sun, it will go to the Senate after the House passes on the new bill on February 26. Along with Vice President Kamala Harris, there are 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans in the Senate. Due to both sides' equal representation, the Democrats cannot afford to lose one seat in the Senate.

By the first week of March, the bill will be debated in the Senate, enabling the legislature to be passed two weeks before unemployment benefits expire on March 14. These deadlines are not set, so if advances continue to be made, they are a starting point.

Read also: Third Stimulus Checks: Could Recent College Grads Receive a Payment?

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Mumbai, Feb 26 : Actress Monica Dogra made her mark with her Bollywood debut film, Kiran Rao's Dhobi Ghat, in 2011. However, despite a few other releases, she never really managed to find a foothold in the industry.

After being seen in a couple of films such as David (2013) and Teraa Surroor (2016), Monica will be back in action in the web series, The Married Woman.

On her part, Monica says she has never liked the way women are objectified in Bollywood films and has especially steered clear of dance numbers. "Item song is a no-no for me. I have said no many times. I am personally not interested in representing a woman as an object. I think we are so much more than that. I just wouldn't do an item song," she says.

Her upcoming series is an urban relationship drama showcasing the conditions levied on a woman by society. It is about women and the choices they make. Talking about the show, Monica says she was on board with the idea instantly, as the story really appealed to her.

"The initial meeting with the producers and the writers were brilliant. The way they described the characters excited me to play someone so dynamic and layered. The show is so relevant for today," she says.

Monica shares a kiss with co-star Riddhi Dogra in the show. Ask her if she feels the Indian audience will accept and appreciate such a plot, she says: "I don't go into something thinking whether people will accept it or not. I was aware of the obstacle. I think it is wisdom that teaches you to be aware of that." She continues: "Personally, I am someone who feels passionately about the transformative power of art. Art and artistes have the responsibility to be the change and inspire people. I did not have apprehensions, I was so excited to tell a story which was this honest knowing that there was no way that this story won't open people's hearts and transform the way they feel and view love, religion and politics." The series has been directed by Sahir Raza and will air on ALTBalaji and ZEE5.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Man injured in Pottsville crash

POTTSVILLE  Pottsville police investigated a crash that happened around 10 a.m. Monday in the 300 block of Peacock Street.

Police said Cpl. Renee Truscott determined that a Pottsville man, 82, was driving a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek west when he stopped and exited his vehicle to clean his windshield.

The mans car was left in neutral, instead of park as he thought, and began to drive east in reverse, dragging the man across the opposing lane and then running over his legs before coming to a stop with the assistance of Christopher Ebling, 48, of Schuylkill Haven.

The Pottsville man was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital by Schuylkill EMS, police said.

Woman to be cited for red light violationPOTTSVILLE  A crash that happened around 10:20 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Route 61 and East Norwegian Street was investigated by Pottsville police.

Patrolman Isaac Souchak determined that Jenna Ogden, 24, of Pottsville, drove through a steady red light and struck a vehicle driven by an Allentown woman, 43.

Pottsville firefighters removed the Allentown woman from her vehicle and she was taken to a hospital by Schuylkill EMS for treatment.

As a result of the crash, police said Ogden will be cited for a red light violation.

Man to be cited for crash in city

POTTSVILLE  Pottsville police investigated a crash that happened at the intersection of Route 61 and East Arch Street around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said Patrolman Timothy Youse determined Edwin Beck, 89, of Orwigsburg, was driving a 2005 Mercedes Benz north on Route 61 too fast for conditions when he lost control while approaching East Arch Street and struck the back of a 2021 Volvo tractor-trailer driven by a 24-year-old North Carolina woman, who was also driving north and stopped for a red light at the intersection.

No injuries were reported and Pottsville firefighters assisted.

As a result of the crash, police said Beck will be cited for driving too fast for conditions.

No injuries in crash on Interstate 81

LEBANON  A Gilberton man escaped injury when his vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 93.4 in Swatara Township, Lebanon County, around 10 a.m. Monday.

State police at Jonestown said Hunter Sowers, 21, of Middletown, was driving a 2019 Kia Optima north when he applied his brakes and slid into the back of a 2006 Ford F-350 driven by Christopher Pytko, 35, of Gilberton, who was stopped in traffic due to a prior crash.

Both drivers escaped injury and police said Sowers was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

Police investigating punctured tiresWICONISCO  State police at Lykens are investigating a criminal mischief incident that happened at 205 Walnut St. in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, around 7:35 p.m. Feb. 4.

Police said someone punctured the tires of a 2016 Ford F-150 owned by a Pine Grove teenager while it was parked in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700.

Police investigating

hit-and-run crash

LYKENS  A hit-and-run crash that happened on Main Street, Route 209, in this Dauphin County community around 11:20 a.m. Feb. 19 is being investigated by state police at Lykens.

Police said someone was driving south when they struck a legally parked vehicle on the southbound shoulder and fled the area.

Damage to the parked vehicle was listed as minor, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call troopers at 717-362-8700.

No injuries reported in Hamburg crashHAMBURG  State police at Hamburg investigated a two-vehicle crash that happened on State Street in this Berks County community around 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said Timothy Luckenbill, 37, of Hamburg, was driving a 1993 International Harvester truck east approaching a traffic light at Third Street when he ran into the back of a 2014 Ford Explorer driven by Michael Stalnecker, 55, of Pine Grove, who was stopped for a red traffic light at the intersection.

Both drivers and a passenger in the Stalnecker vehicle  Randy Kramer, 57, of Mohrsville  escaped injury, police said.

Man charged with incident at SheetzHALIFAX  A Tower City man was charged with DUI after an incident at Sheetz in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, around 9:50 a.m. Jan. 14.

Police said they were called to the area for a report of a person driving a 2013 BMW 328i erratically and hitting a post in the parking lot while parking.

At the scene, police said, they found Randy Reidler Jr., 41, under the influence with an open can of beer in the cup holder of the car.





South Korea's main airport operator will provide consulting for Poland's new airport project in the next three years, the transport ministry said Friday.







The Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) clinched a deal from Poland's Centralny Port Komunikacviny (CPK) to offer consulting services as a strategic adviser for the airport project in Warsaw, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.







The Polish government aims to turn the new airport into a leading transport hub in Eastern Europe with an annual capacity of 100 million passengers, it said.







South Korea beat Japan's Narita Airport in the consultant selection auction. (Yonhap)


Nursing students are getting a crash course on caring for people in this pandemic. WAAY 31 spoke with a nursing student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville about caring for and vaccinating patients while still taking classes.

Ryan Jones is graduating in May. He said his passion for health care is fueled by taking care of coronavirus patients and then helping to stop the spread by giving the vaccine to people.

I get to be part of the solution that is a global pandemic. Even though its a very small piece, it still is a piece of the solution," said Jones.

Jones said being a nursing student during the pandemic has shown him just how important nurses are.

People need good nurses right now. They need them," he said. "Family members need good nurses that can communicate whats happening well, like, empathetically."

He volunteers to give the coronavirus vaccine at the Morgan County Health Department. Jones said one of the first times he volunteered, a woman started crying to him after she got her first dose because she was so thankful.

Its such an emotional moment for her because she knows its getting better, but its also an emotional moment for me, because I get to do that for her," he said. "Because of the situation were in, and because of all the ugliness thats been behind us and were seeing the light, thats such a comforting thing.

In less than a year, Jones has experienced his clinicals being put online, working in a hospital's coronavirus unit, and now, he gets to give people the vaccine.

If you can handle being a nursing student during a pandemic, and if you can handle being a nurse during a pandemic, theres not much you cant handle, I would like to say," said Jones.

He said he's excited to graduate so he can work somewhere and relieve nurses of some of their workloads. Jones said this year has been an adjustment learning-wise, but he's gotten plenty of hands-on experience and can handle whatever is thrown his way.
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  Two more Norwalk residents have died with COVID-19, city officials reported Wednesday, along with along with 28 new cases.

I am sad to share news that two more of our residents have died from COVID-19, said Mayor Harry Rilling in his daily briefing. I offer my heartfelt condolences to their loved ones during this difficult time. While our case numbers are moving in the right direction, please remember it is not at zero. There is still transmission happening in Norwalk, and people can contract COVID-19, get sick, and in some cases die.
Bigg Boss Kannada 8 is gearing up for its grand premiere on February 28, Sunday. The 8th season of Bigg Boss Kannada which is once against hosted by Sudeep is expected to have some highly popular faces on its contestants' list. As always, the makers of Bigg Boss Kannada 8 have kept the contestants' list under the wraps.

However, few renowned celebs from the Kannada film and television industries, who were initially rumoured to be joining Bigg Boss Kannada 8, have now denied joining the Sudeep show. The confirmations from the actors have come out as a great disappointment for the fans, who were eagerly waiting to watch them in the popular show.

Here we present the list of Kannada celebs who denied joining Bigg Boss Kannada 8. Have a look...

Anirudh Jatkar

Earlier, it was rumoured that Anirudh Jatkar, the popular actor has quit his who Jothe Jotheyalli to join Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8. However, Anirudh took to his official Instagram page to slam the rumours, and confirmed that he is not joining the Sudeep show.

Vinaya Prasad

The veteran actress, who is a highly popular face in the South Indian film industry, was rumoured to be a part of Bigg Boss Kannada 8. However, Vinaya Prasad's daughter, actress Prathama Prasad cleared the air by confirming that her mother is not joining the popular show.

Hitha Chandrasekar

The popular actress-model was initially rumoured to be joining the Sudeep show. However, Hitha Chandrasekar denied the reports in a recent interaction with her followers on Instagram. Hitha stated that she cannot imagine entering Bigg Boss Kannada 8, as it is impossible for her to stay away from family and friends for so long.

Kavya Gowda

Initially, it was rumoured that Kavya Gowda is a part of the Bigg Boss Kannada Season 8. Even though the actress did not reacted to the reports, her elder sister Bhavya Gowda confirmed that Kavya is not entering the Sudeep show.

Vaishnavi

Interestingly, Vaishnavi was approached by the makers of Bigg Boss Kannada 8, to participate in the show. However, the actress rejected the offer, as she is busy with her upcoming film.

Also Read:

Bigg Boss Kannada 8 Grand Premiere: Start Date, TV Timings, Live Streaming And Contestant Details

Sudeep Opens Up About Bigg Boss Kannada 8, Reveals Huccha Venkat Could Have Won Season 3
Other aircraft have had major incidents: The midair engine explosion of a Southwest jet in 2018 caused the death of a passenger, Jennifer Riordan. (That plane, a Boeing 737, was equipped with an engine manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric and Frances Safran Aircraft Engines.) And then there were the two devastating crashes of Boeing 737 Max planes, which, combined, killed 346 people and caused the entire fleet to be grounded for nearly two years.

On Sunday, United, the only U.S. carrier whose 777s are powered by that particular Pratt & Whitney engine, ordered all of them thoroughly checked before they could fly again, while Boeing said that 128 of its 777 jetliners worldwide should be temporarily taken out of service. An initial investigation pointed to metal fatigue in the engines fan blades and the F.A.A. on Tuesday said Pratt & Whitney engines on Boeing 777s must be inspected before the planes return to the sky.

Statistically, commercial air travel has proved to be extremely safe, and episodes like the one seen over Colorado on Saturday are rare. But anxious fliers feeling an extra jolt of the jitters may now be asking how commercial airplanes are maintained and serviced, and how much they can learn about the planes they are assigned to fly on before they get onboard. Here are some answers.

How can I find out what kind of plane Ill be flying on, and can I switch?

Depending on the airline youre flying, determining the aircraft assigned to you is often as simple as taking a closer look at your reservation. Most airlines list this information right on their online booking page, near the flight details.

If you cant find it there, websites, including SeatGuru, which offers seating maps and customer reviews of most models of airplanes, and FlightRadar24, which lets visitors track any flight in real time, both make it easy to see the make and model of the aircraft assigned to any chosen flight.
MOSCOW, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The scientists of the National University of Science and Technology "MISIS" (NUST MISIS) being a part of an international team of researches managed to increase the capacity and extend the service life of lithium-ion batteries. According to the researchers, they have synthesized a new nanomaterial that can replace low-efficiency graphite used in lithium-ion batteries today. The results of the research are published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used for household appliances from smartphones to electric vehicles. The charge-discharge cycle in such battery is provided by the movement of lithium ions between two electrodes - from a negatively charged anode to a positively charged cathode.

The scope of application of lithium-ion batteries is constantly expanding, but at the same time, according to the scientists, their capacity is still limited by the properties of graphite - the main anode material. Scientists from NUST MISIS managed to obtain a new material for anodes that can provide a significant increase in capacity and extend battery service life.

"Porous nanostructured microspheres with the composition Cu0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4, that we have extracted, used as anode material provide three times higher capacity than the batteries existing on market. Besides, it allows to increase the number of charge-discharge cycles by 5 times compared to other promising alternatives to graphite. This improvement is achieved due to a synergistic effect with a combination of a special nanostructure and the composition of used elements," - Evgeny Kolesnikov, an assistant at the Department of Functional Nanosystems and High-Temperature Materials, NUST MISIS said.

The synthesis of the final material happens via one step process without intermediate stages due to the use of the spray-pyrolysis method. As the scientists explained, aqueous solution with ions of special metals is converted into fog with the help of ultrasound, and then water is evaporated at temperatures up to 1200  C with decomposition of the original metal salts. As the result, micron or submicron spheres with the porosity, that is required to operate in a lithium-ion system, are extracted.

Electrochemical studies of the material synthesized by NUST MISIS specialists were carried out by the scientists from the Seoul National University of Science and Technology (Republic of Korea), the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway), and the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (India).

The research team intends to continue researches for new even more efficient compositions of battery electrodes in the future.

Link: https://en.misis.ru/university/news/science/2021-02/7240/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/955872/NUST_MISIS_Logo.jpg
[February 26, 2021] GLOBAL TECH INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC. RETIRES GENEVA ROTH REMARK HOLDINGS, INC. CONVERTIBLE DEBT.

New York, New York, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ( GTII : OTCQB) Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. ( GTII  or Company), www.gtii-us.com a development stage company, focused on acquiring new and innovative technologies in diverse industries, after quotation on the OTCQB marketplace, and retaining International Monetary for capital formation and support of its investor relations efforts, today announced that it has retired its convertible debt.

GTII s President, Kathy Griffin, stated, GTII takes great pleasure in announcing the full repayment of the convertible debt facility previously entered into last November, 2020. Our Board and our project team are working tirelessly to execute the companys business plan. The company was accepted back onto the QB as of January, 2021, so this is a continuation of what we believe will be an exciting year. Frank Benintendo, Vice-Chair of the Board, expressed great confidence in management and the entire project team. He adde, This is the second important step in creating a sound financial structure as we go forward in 2021.



Please visit our page on OTC Markets for current market price . About Global Tech Industries Group, Inc.: GTII , a publicly traded company incorporated in the state of Nevada, is a development stage company, specializing in the pursuit of acquiring new and innovative technologies.

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Among other matters, the Company may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including but not limited to the risk that we will not be able to find and acquire businesses and assets that will enable us to become profitable. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Company's most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our development stage, noting that there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long term. New lines of business may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s), the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time. Blaine Riley  br@intlmonetary.com

International Monetary

620 Newport Center Drive, #1100

Newport Beach, CA 92660

949.200.4601 www.gtii-us.com

www.otcmarkets.com/stock/gtii



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
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DGAP-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): AGM/EGM

CPI PROPERTY GROUP - CONVENING NOTICE OF THE COMPANY'S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 31 March 2021



26.02.2021 / 19:39

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





CPI PROPERTY GROUP

Societe Anonyme

40, rue de la Vallee

L-2661 Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg B 102254

(the "Company")

CONVENING NOTICE

OF THE COMPANY'S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON 31 March 2021



Dear Shareholders,

You are invited to attend the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at the registered office of the Luxembourg notary public, Maitre Marc Loesch, at 36, rue Marie-Adelaide, L-2128 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, on 31 March 2021 at 11:00 CET , in the presence of such Luxembourg notary public, to discuss and to vote on the agenda indicated below.

The Meeting is convened in accordance with article 450-3 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies dated 10 August 1915, as amended from time to time (the "LCA") and article 3 of the law dated 24 May 2011 on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders in general meetings of listed companies, as amended from time to time, with the following points on the agenda:

AGENDA

1. Decision to decrease the corporate capital of the Company by the amount of EUR 64,165,817.60 by means of cancellation of 641,658,176 shares held in treasury by the Company, with allocation of the reduction proceeds to a reserve of the Company which will be available for distribution to the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the LCA. The purpose of this capital decrease is to cancel shares of the Company held in treasury by the Company.

2. Subject to approval of the point 1 of the agenda, decision to amend the articles of association of the Company to reflect point 1 above.

ATTENDING THE MEETING

In the context of the present sanitary situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with the law of 23 September 2020, implementing measures concerning the holding of meetings in companies and other legal entities, as amended (the "Law of 23 September 2020"), the board of directors of the Company has decided as a temporary measure to ensure both the safety of the participants to the Meeting and the business continuity of the Company during the pandemic to hold the Meeting remotely without physical presence of participants.

In accordance with the Law of 23 September 2020, the Company requires that (i) the Meeting be held without any participant attending in person, and (ii) shareholders and other participants participate to the meeting and exercise their rights exclusively by a vote in writing or by appointing a special attorney designated by the Company.

Therefore, in order to participate to the Meeting, shareholders must provide the Company with the following three items as explained in greater detail below: (i) Record Date Confirmation, (ii) Attendance and Proxy Form, and (iii) Proof of Shareholding.

Record Date Confirmation: This document shall be provided to the Company by a shareholder at the latest by 23:59 CET on the Record Date. The Record Date is 17 March 2021 (the "Record Date", i.e. the day falling fourteen (14) days before the date of the Meeting).

The Record Date Confirmation must be in writing and indicate that a shareholder holds the Company shares and wishes to participate in the Meeting. A template form of the Record Date Confirmation is available on the Company's website at www.cpi pg.com .

The Record Date Confirmation must be sent to the Company by post or electronic means so that it is received by the Company at the latest by 23:59 CET on the Record Date, i.e. 17 March 2021 , to:

CPI PROPERTY GROUP

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com

Attendance and Proxy Form: A template form is available on the Company's website at www.cpip g.com and is to be duly completed and signed by shareholders wishing to participate or be represented at the Meeting.

Proof of Shareholding: This document must indicate the shareholder's name and the number of Company shares held at 23:59 CET on the Record Date. The Proof of Shareholding shall be issued by the bank, the professional securities' depositary or the financial institution where the shares are on deposit. Please note that Proof of Shareholding is not necessary for those shareholders whose shares are still recorded as registered shares in the Company's shareholders register.

Shareholders wishing to participate to the Meeting must send the Attendance and Proxy Form together with the relevant Proof of Shareholding by post or electronic means so that they are received by the Company at the latest by noon (12:00 noon CET) on 26 March 2021 , to:

CPI PROPERTY GROUP

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com

Please note that only persons who are shareholders at the Record Date and have timely submitted their Record Date Confirmation, Attendance and Proxy Form, and Proof of Shareholding shall have the right to participate and vote in the Meeting.

Documentation and information: The following documents and information are available for the shareholders on our website: www.cpipg.com:

- the present convening notice;

- the total number of shares and the voting rights in the Company as at the date of this convening notice;

- the draft resolutions of the Meeting. Any draft resolution(s) submitted by shareholder(s) shall be added to the website as soon as possible after the Company has received them;

- the Record Date Confirmation template; and

- the Attendance and Proxy Form template.

The above documents may also be obtained by shareholders upon written request sent to the following postal address: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg.

Quorum Requirement: With respect to all items of the agenda, the Meeting shall not validly deliberate, unless at least one half of the corporate capital is represented and if the agenda of the meeting includes the statutory changes to be considered. In the event that such quorum condition is not fulfilled, a second meeting may be convened by publishing this convening notice in the Luxembourg official gazette (Recueil Electronique des Societes et Associations), a Luxembourg newspaper and in such media which may reasonably be expected to be relied upon for the effective dissemination of information to the public throughout the European Economic Area, and which are accessible rapidly and on a non-discriminatory basis, seventeen (17) days prior to the date of the reconvened meeting provided that (i) the first Meeting was properly convened; and (ii) the agenda for the reconvened Meeting does not include any new item.

The second meeting shall deliberate validly whatever the part of the corporate capital represented thereat.

At both meetings, resolutions, in order to be adopted, must be carried by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. Votes cast shall not include votes attaching to shares in which the shareholder has not taken part in the vote or has abstained or has returned a blank or invalid vote.

Right to add new items on the agenda : One or more shareholders together representing at least five per cent of the share capital has the right to (i) put one or more items on the agenda of the Meeting and (ii) table draft resolutions for items included or to be included on the agenda of the Meeting.

Such requests must:

- be in writing and sent to the Company by post (at the following address: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg) or electronic means (at the following email address: generalmeetings@cpipg.com ) and be accompanied by a justification or draft resolution to be adopted in the Meeting;

- include the postal or electronic address at which the Company may acknowledge receipt of the requests;

- be received by the Company at least twenty two (22) days before the date of the Meeting, i.e. 9 March 2021.

The Company shall acknowledge receipt of requests referred to above within (forty-eight) 48 hours from receipt. The Company shall prepare a revised agenda including such additional items on or before the fifteenth (15th) day before the date of the Meeting.

For further information, visit our website: www.cpipg. com .

If you need further assistance or information, please contact: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Tel: + 352 26 47 67 58; Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67; email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com.

Luxembourg, 26 February 2021

Yours faithfully,

The Board of Directors of the Company
With the Election Commission (EC) announcing eight-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal, senior leader Tariq Anwar alleged on Friday that the poll panel has tried to help the

Voting for the Assembly polls in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry will begin on March 27, with West Bengal to witness the maximum of eight phases of polling continuing till April 29, the EC announced on Friday. Counting of votes for the four states and Puducherry will be taken up on May 2.

The will be held in eight phases, up from seven the last time, beginning with polling for 30 seats on March 27, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said while announcing the poll schedule.

Asked about the eight-phase polls in West Bengal, Anwar said, "I believe it has been done deliberately and in a way, the EC has tried to help the "



"They (BJP) feel that it will help them, but it will not as far as I know about the people of Bengal. They are revolutionary in nature...they may deviate for some time but ultimately, Bengal is Bengal," he told PTI.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee also questioned the rationale behind announcing eight-phase polls in her state, saying she suspects that the dates were announced in accordance with the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a better management of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election campaign.

(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 Republican senators seeking an investigation into Boylan's allegations called JCOPE "just another extension of the governor's control."

Democratic Sen. Liz Krueger sounded somewhat similar concerns, saying that "all credible allegations of sexual harassment" must be thoroughly and independently investigated but that JCOPE is "compromised and ineffective."

Evan Davis, former counsel to the late Gov. Mario Cuomo  the current governor's father  said a JCOPE investigation into Boylan's allegations "would just be total farce, in terms of credibility."

If Andrew Cuomo's six appointees were to recuse themselves, the group could fall short of a quorum and be unable to act because there's currently a vacancy among the other eight members, Davis noted.

JCOPE spokesperson Walt McClure said Thursday he couldn't comment on any matter that is or might be under investigation.

THE LEGISLATURE

"The only thing I can see that works now is if the Legislature were to hire an outside legal firm to do a thorough investigation," Davis said. "That would be the only way to do this without politics."
Abraham Riesman was a comic book fan while growing up near Chicago. The sixth grade represented the beginning of my obsession of Marvel Comics, he said.

Riesmans interest was rekindled after his college years and he became a journalist, often writing about the comic book industry. His 2016 New York magazine article on legendary Marvel Comics head editor Stan Lee became a viral sensation.

Hes now taken a deeper look at Lee, known as a master innovator and marketer but also controversial due to creative disputes, business failures and questions about whether he was a victim of elder abuse late in life.

Hes a fascinating person who changed the course of pop culture, Riesman said of Lee, who died at age 95 in 2018.

Riesmans book True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee was recently published by Crown Publishing. It looks at Lees upbringing, career climb, fame, financial blunders, family interactions and final years.

The message of the book really is that there are no superheroes. Everyone is human, said Riesman, a 2008 Harvard graduate whos written for the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.

America likes to turn celebrities and successful people into larger-than-life figures without flaws, but the reality is more complicated, Riesman said.

Beginning in the late 1950s, Lee is credited with helping to create and launch Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Ant Man, Avengers, X-Men and Thor.

He brought a more naturalistic approach to superheroes, giving them emotions and problems that made them relatable to the audience. Each comic book issue included Lees cleverly written notes about Marvel staff and future story ideas.

He became the public face of Marvel and later became known for cameo appearances in Marvels big-budget films.

It made him an icon on a worldwide scale, said Riesman, who as a child waited in line to get Lees autograph at a comic convention in Illinois.

He remains a beloved figure by many people, (and he) had a tremendous impact on people personally, he said. They feel a deep personal connection to him.

On the other hand, he said, Lee did a lot of other things that people found hurtful and exploitative.

Riesman will give a virtual talk on his book for the Westport Library on Monday, March 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. The event is free to the public and people can register at westportlibrary.org.

Alex Giannini, the librarys associate program director, said hes closely followed Riesmans journalistic work and has been awaiting the new book.

The library presentation will enable participants to hear straight from (Riesman) the stories behind the story, Giannini said.

Riesman conducted about 150 interviews, gained access to private documents and looked through Lees personal archives at the University of Wyoming. He watched personal home movies, listened to audio recordings and scrutinized past Marvel comic books.

One question he investigated is whether Lee claimed and received too much credit for creating Marvel characters compared to the artists who illustrated them.

Riesman said Lee was an accomplished writer of dialogue and narration that was snappy and somewhat revolutionary, as well as a remarkable entrepreneur and salesman.

The book calls Lee one of the most lauded writers of the past century.

Lee also came up with the idea for a Marvel Shared Universe, where a connection exists between all characters and stories.

But Riesmans research found deception in the crediting process. There was no acknowlegement that the artists were actually writer-artists, he said, and they usually constructed the plot before Lee provided the specific verbiage.

The artists had more of a role, he said.

Who actually deserves credit for creating many well-known Marvel characters remains murky. We cant be certain what happened from 1961 to 1963, when most of these characters were developed, Riesman said. Its unclear and I think it will always be unclear.

Lee was surrounded by some questionable individuals outside of his Marvel role, which led to financial challenges and a private company stock scandal. In his final years, it was feared people took advantage of him to make money.

A lot of this is what happens when people become rich and famous, Riesman said. People want to exploit you.

The book highlights Lees relationship with his wife and their only child, who both had a penchant for living well. The daughter remained financially dependent on her parents as an adult.

Lee often acted embarrassed at making a living in the comic book business. From the very beginning, Stan was always looking to be more than he was born into, Riesman said.

Marvel movies didnt become phenomenally successful until after Lees direct involvement with the company, despite his many years in Hollywood trying to make that happen.

He wasnt the one who was able to do that, Riesman said.

Riesman, of Providence, R.I., now is working on a book about professional wrestling magnate Vince McMahon of Connecticut.

Riesman will speak about his book True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee on March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Westport Librarys virtual event. The talk is free. To register, visit westportlibrary.org .

Brad Durrell is a freelance writer.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Geely Auto's all-new smart electric vehicle (EV) company is expected to be located in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province, according to a local media, citing people with direct knowledge.

SEA; photo credit: Geely Holding



Geely will build a new electric EV company to compete head-on with other manufacturers of intelligent battery electric vehicles (BEVs), Li Shufu, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, said on Feb. 20 in an internal letter.

Mr. Li said the company has hammered out two Blue Geely initiatives and the establishment of the new EV venture is part of the one that focuses on smart BEVs. The other one is dedicated to the development of energy-saving and new energy vehicles (excluding BEVs).

Sources revealed that Geely's new EV venture may be named Lingling Technologies. It is said to operate all BEV brands of Geely Auto, involving Geometry's products, Lynk & Co's EV models based on the SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) and other SEA-based models.

As a standalone business unit, the new EV company will work on researching and updating the SEA-related technologies, and obtaining market data through various channels for the development of corresponding models, said the person.

In addition, the new venture will reportedly build an independent sales team and launch showrooms in downtown areas. To control prices and inventories, both direct sales and dealerships are adopted as sales channels.

In September 2020, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Anhui provincial government signed an agreement under which both parties would deepen collaboration focusing on automotive lightweight, electrification, connectivity and sharing.

Geely is considering various options, including the possible spin off of its EV-related business due to the rise of electrification, An Conghui, President and CEO of Geely Auto Group, said at an investors call on Feb. 24.
A peer who has spent nine years fighting to prove that his son was beaten to death by four police Kenyan officers spoke today of his desperate battle for justice.

Lord Nicholas Monson, 65, said both he and ex-wife Hilary are tortured by the fact that no one has been found responsible for the 28-year-old's death.

Alexander Monson was arrested at a Kenyan beach resort in May 2012 and died a day later in hospital having suffered a traumatic blow to the head.

The trial against four officers accused of his murder - which started two years ago - stalled again this week when the judge delayed by a month his decision on whether the case should even continue.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Lord Monson said: Alexanders mother Hilary is in agony. She is absolutely tortured and heart-broken. Like me, she is looking for some form of closure and peace.

A peer who has spent nine years fighting to prove that his son Alexander Monson (above) was beaten to death by four police Kenyan officers has told MailOnline of his desperate battle for justice

Alexander Monson was arrested at a Kenyan beach resort in May 2012 and died a day later in hospital having suffered a traumatic blow to the head

The trial against four officers (above) accused of his murder - which started two years ago - stalled again this week when the judge delayed by a month his decision on whether the case should even continue

Nothing will take away the pain of losing Alexander but the conclusion of the trial and the chance of gaining convictions will bring some closure.

But for the past nine years, the Kenyan justice system has not shown one iota of care or concern for his family.

The lack of a ruling by the judge this week has left us without justice for nine years.

Alexander Monson died in hospital in Mombasa on May 12, 2012.

The young aristocrat had been arrested the night before outside a nightclub in the beach resort of Diani where his mother Hilary lives, and taken to the police station.

Despite a post mortem concluding that he died after suffering a blow to the head the Kenyan police insisted he died from a drug overdose.

Lord Monson, the 12th Baron Monson, said: All through these years people have been trying to smear Alexander, claiming he died of a drug over dose and that he was an addict.

But I commissioned an independent post-mortem and it found no evidence of drugs.

It found dreadful injuries to his scrotum, defence wounds to his arms and that he had been smashed on the back of the head.

Alexander Monson died in hospital in Mombasa on May 12, 2012. The young aristocrat had been arrested the night before outside a nightclub in the beach resort of Diani where his mother Hilary lives, and taken to the police station

Despite a post mortem concluding that he died after suffering a blow to the head the Kenyan police insisted he died from a drug overdose. Pictured: With his sister Isabella

Lord Monson, the 12th Baron Monson, said: All through these years people have been trying to smear Alexander, claiming he died of a drug over dose and that he was an addict. But I commissioned an independent post-mortem and it found no evidence of drugs'

After years of campaigning by his parents, an inquest into Alexanders death was opened in 2015.

The inquest heard he had suffered internal bleeding on his brain and severe bruising which suggested he had been kicked in the groin.

In 2018 the inquest ruled that Alexander had died unlawfully and that the police officers killed him.

Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo said: His [Alexanders] death was not natural, neither was it due to drugs.

His life was cut short by police and therefore, the director of public prosecution should prosecute the officers mentioned.

In January 2019 four Kenyan police officers - Naftali Chege, Charles Wangombe Munyiri, Baraka Bulima and John Pamba  were put on trial for murder, accused of killing Alexander in custody.

But the trial was adjourned in March last year at the end of the prosecution case.

Lawyers for the police officers called for the case to be struck out claiming there was no case to answer against them.

They finally made their submissions in November last year.

Trial judge Mr Justice Erick Ogola was due to give his ruling on whether to continue the murder trial or abandon it due to lack of evidence on Thursday.

After years of campaigning by his parents, an inquest into Alexanders death was opened in 2015. In 2018 the inquest ruled that Alexander had died unlawfully and that the police officers killed him. Above: the police station where he was allegedly beaten

In January 2019 four Kenyan police officers - Naftali Chege, Charles Wangombe Munyiri, Baraka Bulima and John Pamba  were put on trial for murder, accused of killing Alexander in custody. Pictured: Alexander's mother Hilary at the trial

Trial judge Mr Justice Erick Ogola was due to give his ruling on whether to continue the murder trial or abandon it due to lack of evidence on Thursday. But he postponed for decision for a further month, compounding Alexanders parents misery

But he postponed for decision for a further month, compounding Alexanders parents misery.

Lord Monson said: 'I am exasperated by these endless delays but the fight for justice for Alexander will continue.

We need to keep highlighting this case and keep putting pressure on the Kenyan government.

That is the only way we will get a result. Im quite fired-up about this.

Hilary is ready to scatter his ashes. She still lives in Kenya. Its a tragedy for me but to see Hilary to suffer like this is heart-breaking.'

Lord Monson travelled to Kenya in 2012 in a bid to clear his son's reputation.

The peer said the police arrested him and accused him of terrorism after he was photographed outside the police station where his son was beaten.

The peer added: If I thought going out to Kenya again would help, Id go straight away. But the last time I went I was locked up myself for a few hours.

I posed for a photograph outside the police station where Alexander was taken and they didnt like that.

They accused me of being a terrorist and locked me up. Friends managed to get me out pretty quickly.

Lord Monson travelled to Kenya in 2012 in a bid to clear his son's reputation. The peer (pictured with his ex wife Hilary) said the police arrested him and accused him of terrorism after he was photographed outside the police station where his son was beaten

The high-profile case has become a litmus test of accountability for Kenyas security services.

Lord Monson claims that Kenya is not a safe country for young people and has urged parents not to let their children travel there.

He told MailOnline: The longer this drags on the more Kenya is mired in reputational damage and I cant see how that is good for the country.

Why should British people allow their children to go to Kenya during their gap years when these kinds of things can happen.

If the Kenyan government want British tourists to return they need to wrap this up.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family of 32-year-old Carlos Gutierrez, one of two workers killed Wednesday morning after reportedly being hit by a truck and falling into a hole at a construction site in Bostons Financial District.

The fundraiser for Gutierrezs family was started by Diana Perez, a close friend of the family. As of Friday morning the page had received $925 in donations of its $6,000 goal.

The money raised will go to his family that does not have enough funds to pay for funeral expenses, Perez wrote on the page. Thank you to all who donated, and God bless.

The other worker who died was identified by heartbroken family members as 27-year-old Jordan Romero, according to WHDH.

The workers bodies were found in a hole at the construction site near 190 High St. on Wednesday. First responders, including a technical rescue crew, were sent to the area around 8 a.m. after receiving a report of two pedestrians hit by a truck, public safety officials said at a press conference in the wake of the mens deaths.

A firefighter and an EMS paramedic were lowered into the hole to assess the situation, and Gutierrez and Romero were pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

This is a tragic incident for the victims, their families and their coworkers, Boston Police Superintendent-in-Chief Greg Long said at the press conference.

NBC Boston reported the workers were struck by a dump truck and fell into a trench. The GoFundMe set up for Gutierrezs family also said he was fatally struck by a truck and fell into a 20-foot hole to his death.

At the press conference Wednesday, though, authorities noted the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the trucks involvement, remain under investigation.

Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins office is leading the investigation into their deaths and the company that was operating at the construction site, Atlantic Coast Utilities. The prosecutors office is working with Boston police as well as personnel from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the investigation.

Rollins, who spoke at the press conference alongside Mayor Marty Walsh, said authorities have done this before unfortunately, pointing to the case of two Atlantic Drain employees killed on the job in Boston.

My office is here making sure these families know that we take this very seriously, the district attorney said about the workers deaths Wednesday. We are going to be in constant contact with our federal and local and state partners to get to the bottom of this for our families.

Walsh wrote over Twitter that authorities immediately suspended Atlantic Coast Utilities other permitted worksite in Boston. Until a thorough investigation is complete, the company wont be allowed to do construction work in the city, according to the mayor.

As a former laborer, the safety of our workers is of paramount importance to me, Walsh said. Im heartbroken that two hardworking people lost their lives so suddenly and tragically this morning, and we will work tirelessly to understand how this happened in order to create safer conditions in the future.

Authorities dont yet know if what occurred Wednesday morning was a crime, but they know its a tragedy, Rollins noted.

Related Content: 2 men killed after being hit by dump truck and falling into a trench in Bostons Financial District

After India and Pakistan announced their decision to stop cross-border firing from Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkr said he welcomes the agreement that demonstrates the values of UNGA.

"I wholeheartedly welcome today's ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace through addressing each others core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates UNGA values," said the Bozkr.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

Earlier in the day, the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres had also called the agreement a "positive step".

"The Secretary-general is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through the established mechanism. He hopes that this positive step would provide an opportunity for further dialogue," said Secretary General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Ceasefire agreement

On Thursday, India and Pakistan released a joint statement saying that they have held discussions regarding establishing a mechanism for hotline contact among both nations. Both sides also agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) starting from 25 February.

The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere," the statement said. In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each others core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence."

Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021," it added.

The latest development is seen as a thaw after years of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, Dawn newspaper said.

Both Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa recently offered India to resolve all issues through dialogue.

Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on the Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship.

The relationship dipped further after India's warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on 26 February, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

With inputs from agencies.





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DANBURY  The state has a new tax commissioner.

The state House approved former Mayor Mark Boughton to be head of the states Department of Revenue Services

Its an honor to be able to serve the residents of Connecticut, so I look forward to it, Boughton said.

Boughton has been serving as commissioner for about two months, but Wednesdays vote makes his position official.

After leading the city for about 20 years, Boughton resigned as Danburys mayor in mid-December when the governor nominated him for the position.

Gov. Ned Lamont reached across the aisle in picking Boughton, a Republican, who ran unsuccessfully three times for governor.

Boughton served an unprecedented 10 terms as mayor and had already decided not to run for an 11th term when Lamont offered him the job.

Boughton said he and the governor want to avoid raising taxes, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

We want to maximize the taxes that we have, make sure we collect everything that is owed to the state of Connecticut and make sure we do that with compassion given the challenges of COVID, he said.

He said he has been working on various initiatives, including an online tax filing system. The goal is eventually to move all filings online, he said.

The net result is that our residents will have a much easier time filing online, Boughton said.

Boughton still lives in Danbury and is leading a committee working on the proposed $90 million career academy that he had championed as mayor.
The electric-powered vehicle operates autonomously, but a driver still needs to sit behind the wheel as Spanish law doesn't allow self-driven vehicles yet

A new driverless electric bus has begun operating in the southern Spanish city of Malaga, in a project presented as a first in Europe.

The bus, which began running on Saturday, is equipped with sensors and cameras and links Malaga's port to the city centre on an eight-kilometre (five-mile) loop it does six times a day.

"The bus knows at all times where it is and what is around it," said Rafael Durban Carmona, who heads the southern division of Spanish transport company Avanza that leads the public-private consortium behind the project.

It can "interact with traffic lights," which are also equipped with sensors that alert the bus when they turn red, he told AFP.

The bus uses artificial intelligence to improve its "decisions" based on data recorded along the route.

The 12-metre (39-foot) vehicle, which looks like any other bus, can carry 60 passengers and was developed by Spanish firm Irizar.

Other driverless pilot projects already exist in Europe, but none of them involves a regular-size urban bus that runs on a normal street with other vehicles.

Despite the advanced technology, there is a driver at the wheel to take control if necessary since Spanish law does not currently allow vehicles to operate without a driver.

"We put it in automatic mode and it runs completely autonomously," explains Cristobal Maldonado, the driver.

The project received funding from the Spanish government and was coordinated with several universities.

Last month, Singapore launched a self-driving bus trial with passengers booking through an app and the bus taking them around Singapore's Science Park, a high-tech business hub, during off-peak hours.

China has also tested driverless taxis in several cities.

An Uber self-driving car hit and killed a woman crossing the street in the United States in 2018, in what is believed to be the first fatality involving an autonomous vehicle.

Lack of regulation and concerns over safety on the part of the general public are two factors often cited by experts that stand in the way of the development of driverless vehicles.

Explore further Singapore launches new self-driving bus trial

 2021 AFP

Several Victorian schools have issued messages to parents in response to a deluge of sexual assault claims made by young women across the country who voiced their stories as part of a movement demanding better education around consent.

Private schools Xavier College and Geelong Grammar School wrote to their school communities this week after a petition started by Sydney woman Chanel Contos called for sexual consent to be taught in schools from a young age.

It saw hundreds of young women come forward with disturbing allegations of sexual assault and rape from their time as students or soon after, with many describing being forced to perform sex acts or being assaulted while intoxicated or passed out.

Chanel Contos, whose online petition calling on people to come forward with allegations of sexual assault is forcing schools to change.

Among those who anonymously recounted their stories were two students who said they previously attended Geelong Grammar, south-west of Melbourne.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - Nano One Materials Corp. (TSXV: NNO) (OTC: NNOMF) (FSE: LBMB) ("Nano One"), a technology company with a patented and scalable industrial process for the production of low cost, high performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, today announced its M2CAM (metal to cathode active material) initiative. Nano One's patented One-Pot process has been successfully adapted for M2CAM, enabling cathode materials to be made direct from metal using nickel, manganese and cobalt metal powder feedstocks rather than metal sulfates or other salts.

Nano One is actively engaged in a number of discussions with large integrated miners to reduce environmental footprints and maximize upstream value in the global battery supply chain. Nano One's other collaborators include automotive OEMs with similar motivations to meet environmental targets by reducing waste, carbon emissions, logistics and costs.

Patents are pending for M2CAM and preliminary test results are showing battery capacity up to 5% higher than cathode materials currently made from metal salts. Nano One CTO Dr. Stephen Campbell will be presenting on Nickel and M2CAM at the BMO 30th Global Metals & Mining Conference on March 1, 2021.

This innovation addresses a growing ESG (environmental social governance) imperative to reduce cost, waste, energy and carbon footprint in the lithium-ion battery supply chain. Nano One's innovative one-pot process:

eliminates the need for costly and energy-intensive conversion of nickel, cobalt and manganese to sulfate, and lithium carbonate to hydroxide,

eliminates the shipment of large quantities of water and sulfur, lowering energy, emissions and costs of shipping by 4-5x,

eliminates the costly extra step of making precursor cathode active material (PCAM),

eliminates the economic and environmental cost of handling a waste stream of sulfur and water that is 4-5x larger than the cathode product stream,

combines feedstock conversion, precursor formation, lithiation and coating steps using carbon neutral chemistry in a patented one-pot process, and

forms durable single crystal cathode powders and protective coatings simultaneously.

Robert Morris, Nano One's Battery Metals Strategy Advisor and former Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing in Base Metals for Vale remarks, "Miners are compelled to reduce their carbon footprint, both from internal corporate ESG mandates and in meeting customer requirements, none more so than those in the battery supply chain. OEM's want 'clean nickel' and that refers to the mining, refining and logistics of getting the product to the place where it will be consumed. Metal producers should have an ESG and premium advantage over sulfate and other non-metal producers, if their nickel can be used directly in the production of cathode materials."





CAM Supply Chain - Image

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Miners and refiners use a costly and energy-intensive crystallization process to convert nickel, for example, into nickel sulfate (NiSO 4 .6H 2 O, 22% nickel, 78% waste) which weighs 4-5x more, before shipping to manufacturers. The metal sulfates are then mixed in a caustic process to form an intermediate precursor while generating 4-5x waste in sulfate and water. Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is then added to the precursor in a prolonged thermal process to form the cathode powders before the final protective coatings can be applied. This supply chain is long and complicated with energy, carbon emissions, environmental waste, complexity, cost, logistics, shipping, and margins added at each stage.





M2CAM Process - Image

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Nano One's patented One-Pot process forms durable single crystal cathode powders and protective coatings simultaneously and M2CAM enables these materials to be made directly from metal powders. Metal powders are one-fifth of the weight of metal sulfates, avoiding the added costs, energy and environmental impact of converting to sulfate and shipping and handling of waste. The One-Pot process is an aqueous process, using carbon neutral chemistry, that operates at room-temperature and atmospheric pressures, and it combines feedstock conversion, precursor formation, lithiation and coating steps into one reaction. This creates added value for metals and aligns Nano One with the environmental, sustainability and cost objectives of automotive companies, miners, investment communities and governmental infrastructure initiatives.

###

About Nano One:

Nano One Materials Corp ("Nano One" or "the Company") is developing patented technology for the low-cost production of high performance battery materials used in electric vehicles, energy storage, consumer electronics and next generation batteries. The processing technology addresses fundamental supply chain constraints by enabling wider raw materials specifications for use in lithium-ion batteries. The process can be configured for a range of different nanostructured materials and has the flexibility to shift with emerging and future battery market trends and a diverse range of other growth opportunities. The novel three-stage process uses equipment common to industry and Nano One has built a pilot plant to demonstrate high volume production and to optimize its technology across a range of materials. This pilot plant program is being funded with the assistance and support of the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP) a program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Nano One also receives financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). Nano One's mission is to establish its patented technology as a leading platform for the global production of a new generation of nanostructured composite materials. For more information, please visit www.nanoone.ca

Company Contact:

Paul Guedes

info@nanoone.ca

(604) 420-2041

Media Contact:

Lisa Nash

Antenna Group for Nano One

nanoone@antennagroup.com

(646) 883-4296

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the actual receipt of the grant monies, the execution of the Company's plans which are contingent on the receipt of such monies and the commercialization of the Company's technology and patents. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'intend', 'continue', 'estimate', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'ongoing', or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, 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, including: the completion of final documentation with SDTC and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. 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. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, 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 NEWS RELEASE

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75549
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) co-authored a study, published today in the journal Science, that details the sequencing of 64 full human genomes. This reference data includes individuals from around the world and better captures the genetic diversity of the human species. Among other applications, the work will enable population-specific studies on genetic predispositions to human diseases as well as the discovery of more complex forms of genetic variation.

Twenty years ago this month, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium announced the first draft of the human genome reference sequence. The Human Genome Project, as it was called, required 11 years of work and involved more than 1000 scientists from 40 countries. This reference, however, did not represent a single individual, but instead was a composite of humans that could not accurately capture the complexity of human genetic variation.

Building on this, scientists have conducted several sequencing projects over the last 20 years to identify and catalog genetic differences between an individual and the reference genome. Those differences usually focused on small single base changes and missed larger genetic alterations. Current technologies now are beginning to detect and characterize larger differences - called structural variants - such as insertions of new genetic material. Structural variants are more likely than smaller genetic differences to interfere with gene function.

The new finding in Science announced a new and significantly more comprehensive reference dataset that was obtained using a combination of advanced sequencing and mapping technologies. The new reference dataset reflects 64 assembled human genomes, representing 25 different human populations from across the globe. Importantly, each of the genomes was assembled without guidance from the first human genome composite. As a result, the new dataset better captures genetic differences from different human populations.

"We've entered a new era in genomics where whole human genomes can be sequenced with exciting new technologies that provide more substantial and accurate reads of the DNA bases," said study co-author Scott Devine, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine at UMSOM and faculty member of IGS. "This is allowing researchers to study areas of the genome that previously were not accessible but are relevant to human traits and diseases."

Institute of Genome Science (IGS)'s Genome Resource Center (GRC) was one of three sequencing centers, along with Jackson Labs and the University of Washington, that generated the data using a new sequencing technology that was developed recently by Pacific Biosciences. The GRC was one of only five early access centers that was asked to test the new platform.

Dr. Devine helped to lead the sequencing efforts for this study and also led the sub-group of authors who discovered the presence of "mobile elements" (i.e., pieces of DNA that can move around and get inserted into other areas of the genome). Other members of the Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are among the 65 co-authors. Luke Tallon, PhD, Scientific Director of the Genomic Resource Center, worked with Dr. Devine to generate one of the first human genome sequences on the Pacific Bioscences platform that was contributed to this study. Nelson Chuang, a graduate student in Dr. Devine's lab also contributed to the project.

"The landmark new research demonstrates a giant step forward in our understanding of the underpinnings of genetically-driven health conditions," said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, UM Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine. "This advance will hopefully fuel future studies aimed at understanding the impact of human genome variation on human diseases."

###

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 45 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs; and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has more than $563 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 student trainees, residents, and fellows. The combined School of Medicine and Medical System ("University of Maryland Medicine") has an annual budget of nearly $6 billion and an economic impact more than $15 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity, is an innovator in translational medicine, with 600 active patents and 24 start-up companies. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu

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Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson said she made a big mistake in the case of missing Princess Latifa Al Maktoum, who accused her father of holding her hostage.

Ms Robinson was photographed with the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler in Dubai, in 2018 during a lunch with its royal family.

Afterward, she described Princess Latifa as a troubled young woman.

However, a recent BBC Panorama obtained footage of video messages recorded by the princess where she said she was being kept as a hostage in a villa jail.

Read More

She escaped from Dubai in February 2018 but was forcibly returned the following month.

Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, MsRobinson, appeared on RTEs The Late Late Show tonight to set the record straight.

"I made a mistake. I let my heart lead my head. I went to help a friend. I was naive. I should have been more alert, Ms Robinson said.

She said its the biggest mistake shes made and that it's hurtful to realise how big of a mistake it was.

"Well that's all I can say and that's hurtful to me when I realise that I made a big mistake. I've made mistakes before and that's the biggest one. I hope I'll never be in that situation again.

The former President of Ireland was asked to attend the lunch by Princess Haya, Princess Latifas stepmother.

Ms Robinson said she now feels betrayed by her, someone she once called a good friend- highlighting the fact that she visited Princess Latifa as a favour for her stepmother.

According to Ms Robinson, she was told that Princess Latifa had bi-polar disorder.

Speaking tonight, she gave her apologies to the daughter of the Dubai ruler- and said she had no idea that Princess Latifa didnt know at the time of their meeting that she was the UN High Commissioner.

Ms Robinson said she believes if Princess Latifa knew this maybe she would have confided in her.

Host Ryan Tubridy said he was shocked that the former President of Ireland would title herself naive in this situation, as he believed it as the last thing for her to be.

When asked if she was embarrassed by the controversy, Ms Robinson said yes and admitted she worries it has tarnished her reputation.

"Its been awful, its been deeply hurtful and Im not trying to excuse it but its been very tough, she said.

"(Its been tough) in every sense, I care about my reputation, I care about my integrity.. to tell you the truth Im coming on the show and Im glad to have the opportunity to tell the story because I want the focus to be where it should be, on Latifa.

Princess Latifa has not been seen in public in more than two years, and the United Nations has asked the UAE for evidence that she is still alive.

Ms Robinson said she 100pc believes Latifa now and believes that she needs political support to be freed.

She also said she wants to know where Princess Shamsa, Latifas sister is.

"I've been in touch with Simon Coveney, and he has said we are on the (UN) Security Council now but even before that contact had been made with our ambassador in Geneva to support the High Commissioner, she said.

Amnesty International has urged the Irish Government to investigate Princess Latifas claims.

When asked if countries need to step in, Devin Kenny, who is Amnestys UAE researcher, said: Yes, clearly, the UK government especially and the US government, but also other governments in Europe, including the Irish government, have friendly relations with the UAE and sometimes personal friendly relations with Sheikh Mohammed.

There are strong relations between him and the British monarchy.

Mr Kenny said it was an absolute minimum that countries should be raising the issue of human rights in the UAE.
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Jerusalem: Israel has frozen its program to send COVID-19 vaccines abroad to buy international goodwill, Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, after the initiative came under legal scrutiny.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire for donating COVID-19 vaccines to foreign allies, while Palestinians complained that, as an occupying power, Israel should be supplying more to them.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan, which earlier this week reported that Israel would send small shipments to 19 countries, said Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit was seeking clarification about the program.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, meets Theodor Salzen, seated, the 4 millionth person to be vaccinated for the coronavirus in Israel. Credit:AP

An official in Netanyahus office said that after legal questions were raised, Netanyahus national security adviser had asked Mandelblit to give his opinion.
India: France, Australia discuss ways to enhance cooperation in Indo-Pacific

February 26,2021 | Source: Live Mint

France and Australia on Wednesday deliberated on ways to enhance trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. An India-France-Australia Trilateral Senior Officials' Meeting was held with the three sides taking stock of the progress made on the outcomes of the foreign secretary-level Trilateral Dialogue held in September last year, including on maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), blue economy, protection of marine global commons, combatting illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and cooperation in multilateral fora.



The Indian side was led by Sandeep Chakravorty, Joint Secretary (Europe West), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while the French side was led by Bertrand Lortholary, Director (Asia and Oceania). The Australian side was led by Gary Cowan, First Assistant Secretary (North and South Asia Division), and John Geering, First Assistant Secretary (Europe and Latin America Division). At the meeting, they discussed the next steps to be taken for furthering trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, the MEA said in a statement. The meeting comes amid China's growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, which has become a major talking point among leading global powers.


Almost a year since Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex officially stepped down as senior royals, the couples still settling into their new lives. They bought a mansion in Montecito, California, and have baby no. 2 on the way. Theyve also signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify. However, in choosing to leave behind life as working royals, Harrys lost an important part of his identity: his connection to the military.

Prince Harry is a military veteran

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Samir Hussein/WireImage

RELATED: This Is How Prince Harry Really Feels About His New Life in California

The Duke of Sussex began his military training in 2005. He became known as Officer Cadet Wales at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before joining the Blues and Royals as an Army officer in 2006. From there he had two tours in Afghanistan which presented unique security challenges. Ultimately, his specific whereabouts were kept secret. Harry spent 10 weeks in Afghanistan before his location got leaked and he had to be sent home for safety.

As he told The Guardian in 2013, Its very easy to forget about who I am when I am in the army. Everyones wearing the same uniform and doing the same kind of thing.

The Duke of Sussexs military service ended in 2015. Although he was no longer active in the military he never forgot about the experience or the people. Harry founded the Invictus Games and got involved with various organizations supporting military veterans and their families.

Prince Harrys honorary military titles keep him connected to his past

When Harry embarked on his current non-royal chapter he fought to keep his military titles. When he and Meghan stepped down he was Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington, and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command. But things didnt turn out as planned during negotiations with Queen Elizabeth II regarding he and Meghans exit deal.

Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasnt possible, Harry said during a January 2020 speech at a dinner for his Sentebale charity.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music | Karwai Tang/WireImage

RELATED: British Royal Family Missing 1 Quality Since Meghan Markles Departure, Author Says

Now a year later, Harrys being stripped of his honorary titles meaning he wont have his official connections to the military. A devastating blow, the Duke of Sussex has to start over in California and redefine his identity. No longer a senior working royal or an active member of the military, Harry has to figure out who he is without it.

Queen Elizabeth II is giving Prince Harrys honorary military titles to other royals



Buckingham Palace has made it clear Harry cant be half-in, half-out. As planned, the queen reviewed he and Meghans exit deal. On Feb. 19, 2021, the palace issued a statement confirming they wouldnt be returning to their previous lives as senior royals. As a result, Harry would be stripped of his honorary military titles and theyd be redistributed to other royals.

Martyn Compton, an Army friend of Harrys, spoke about it being a massive ordeal.

RELATED: Will Queen Elizabeth Give Prince Harrys Stripped Military Titles to Prince William?

He was very passionate about what hes done, Compton told ITVs Lorraine. It obviously served his time. So anyone that served time deserves what theyve got, you know? And to have that taken away  its going to be a massive ordeal for him. Its a big thing that hes done. And personally, its just  hopefully its worth it for him.
Ghana and Cote dIvoire have agreed to form a joint committee to find lasting solutions to repeated security challenges that confront cocoa farmers along the southern parts of their shared border.

The agreement was reached last Wednesday when Ghanaian officials hosted their Ivorian counterparts in a meeting at Half Assini in the Western Region to discuss the issue.



It is expected to help bring an end to repeated complaints by Ghanaian cocoa farmers that they are often accosted by irregular Ivorian para-military personnel when ferrying their harvests inland across the Tano River.



The farmers have reportedly been constant victims to the activities of the irregular Ivorian forces, who supposedly extort money from the farmers or seize their cocoa beans.



Delegation



The delegation from Ghana, led by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, included officials from the board; the former Minister of the Western Region, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah; members of the Regional Security Council, and border security agents.





On the other hand, the delegation from Cote dIvoire comprised the Deputy Director-General of Le Conseil Du Cafe-Cacao (CCC), Dr Koffi N'goran; their National Land Forces General; the country's Regional Minister for Agriculture, and other members of various security agencies.



It was agreed that the joint committee would, among other things, work with all stakeholders on both sides of the border to fashion out a lasting solution to the problem which had reportedly been a major concern for cocoa farmers in the area for decades.



Ending the trauma





Mr Aidoo, said the expected solution would help to end the decades of trauma that farmers had been subjected to.



"This is not a new problem, but it has been escalating of late, and for us in Ghana, we see it as a national security issue. So, the National Security Minister and the President have been made aware, and for the first time, major steps are being taken to stop the illegal activities and give the farmers peace," Mr Aidoo said.





He added that the team from Cote dIvoire admitted to being aware of the activities of the para-military personnel, as many Ivorian farmers had also reported similar encounters with them.



He said the officials from Cote dIvoire gave the assurance that in the immediate term, they would conduct a thorough clean-up of the border, and crackdown on the criminal elements".



"The Ghanaian Marine Police will also be conducting regular patrols of the Ghanaian side of the Tano River to check criminal activities," he added.

Source: Graphiconline.com









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Thomas Webster was carrying a large pole with the iconic scarlet and gold U.S. Marine Corps flag on the end when his image was caught on the body camera of a police officer dispatched to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Webster, a retired New York Police Department officer who served as a Marine infantry rifleman, was allegedly filmed berating the cop while holding the flag bearing the eagle, globe and anchor.

He's accused of calling the cop a "piece of sh--" and a communist before pushing a gate into the police officer's body. He then allegedly lifted the flagpole above his head and forcefully struck the metal barricade in front of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department officer.

"Webster then attempts to attack [the officer] by lunging toward him with the metal flagpole," a federal criminal complaint filed against the 54-year-old states. It accuses Webster of striking the police officer with the pole several times before the cop wrestled it away.

Photo allegedly shows Marine veteran Thomas Webster, a former infantry corporal and retired NYPD officer. Webster is accused of attacking a law enforcement officer with a pole displaying the Marine Corps flag. (Department of Justice)

As the officer retreated further behind the metal barricade, Webster broke past it, the complaint adds, and the Marine vet charged the police officer "with clenched fists."

"Webster ultimately lunges at [the police officer] and tackles him to the ground," the complaint states. "Webster's assault ... on the ground lasts approximately ten seconds."

When Webster surrendered to law enforcement this week, he joined a list of nearly three dozen people with military ties accused of participating in the violent January siege of the U.S. Capitol -- one of whom was shot dead inside the building.

Like Webster, many veterans accused of participating in the mob -- which has led to federal charges against more than 250 people, congressional hearings, and the second impeachment trial of President Donald Trump -- have ties to the Marine Corps. That's despite the service being the Defense Department's smallest branch, with the exception of the Space Force, which was created in 2019.

More than 40% of the 32 veterans arrested after the Capitol riot are affiliated with the Marines. Thirteen of them served in the Marine Corps, according to service records, and one shipped off to boot camp but was separated mid-training.

Marine Corps veterans were disproportionately represented among those arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Of the 32 veterans arrested, roughly 40%, or 14,served in the Marine Corps. The next-highest branch of service represented was the Army, with 10 veterans arrested. The Air Force and Navy each had two, and the National Guard three. (One of the National Guard members was previously a Marine.) (Source: Defense Department)

The Marine Corps did not respond to a request for comment about the number of suspects having ties to that service.

Jonathan Wong, a former Marine Corps infantry officer who now works as a policy researcher, said he believes there are cultural reasons for the trends seen in the Capitol arrests.

"Even before people started confirming there was a high proportion of veterans [in the Jan. 6 riots], I kind of had an inkling," he said.

As he watched the scene unfold in real time on the news, Wong said he began to mumble the military's oath of enlistment under his breath -- an oath that he said likely meant something entirely different to the veteran rioters and members of militia groups than it did to him.

"I think there are some things that are particular about the Marine Corps, in my experience, that may lead them to that," he said. "At its best, it's about serving a cause that's bigger than yourself and drawing from this deep well of history, and drawing from heroes in the past and heroes in the future. ... I can see how that search for meaning for many Marines afterward, particularly for infantrymen who might have different employment prospects, can lead them to identifying with a cause greater than themselves. Wanting to be a part of something, to serve some kind of struggle, it's baked into the Marine Corps."

The Army, the military's largest branch at nearly three times the size of the Marine Corps, has the next-biggest representation among the veterans arrested, with nine soldiers accused of participating. The Air Force and Navy each had two, and the National Guard three. (One of the National Guard members was previously a Marine.)

Service affiliations for three people who have been arrested were not immediately available, but court documents and local media reports claim they're veterans. Three soldiers -- two in the Army Reserve and one in the Virginia National Guard -- were still in uniform at the time of their arrests.

Veterans made up about 7% of the U.S. population in 2018, according to Census Bureau data. Of the 268 arrests made in connection to the Capitol breach, veterans so far represent about 13% of the total -- nearly twice their overall population across the country.

The Justice Department is still identifying and charging suspects daily, so it remains to be seen whether what appears to be a high rate of alleged veteran involvement in the riot holds steady. So far, the DOJ has focused on charging those who appeared to be leading the mob or were seen committing particularly visible acts during the riot, said Beth Bailey, director of the Center for Military, War and Society Studies at the University of Kansas.

Those with military ties might have put themselves at the front of the assault, she said, because of their tactical training or leadership experience. That would make them more visible during the investigation.

"We don't know yet whether military veterans are disproportionately part of this act of insurrection, or whether they were 'only' disproportionately represented in its most aggressive actions," said Bailey, a former West Point and Army War College fellow.

Of the veterans accused of participating in the mob, a dozen deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Half of those veterans -- including Ashli Babbitt, the former airman shot to death by a police officer in the Capitol -- deployed multiple times.

Two of the former soldiers who've been arrested, Joseph Randall Biggs and Joshua Lollar, have Purple Hearts. Biggs was a cannon crewmember who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Lollar was an infantryman who deployed to Iraq.

Nearly half of the veterans accused of participating in the mob served in infantry or artillery fields. Federal prosecutors claim some have ties to anti-government groups, such as the Oath Keepers.

The vast majority of veterans arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riots served in the infantry, military data shows (Source: Defense Department)

Jessica Watkins, who served in the Army infantry and is an alleged member of the Oath Keepers, is accused of holding a training course before the Capitol riot.

Bailey said the high rate of former infantry personnel allegedly being involved could be because some extremist groups actively recruit veterans -- particularly those who trained in ground combat jobs. Top military leaders are weighing whether troops transitioning out of the military need to be warned about the groups that could try to recruit them, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said this month.

The number of veterans believed to have been involved in the January riot "do demand that we ask why military veterans were acting in this fashion," Bailey said.

"Do appeals to patriotism, however warped in fact, resonate more powerfully with [some of] those who have served?" she asked.

Wong, the former infantry officer, noted that the powerful sense of bonding that emerges from the stressors and close-quarters nature of the infantry in particular can prove difficult for veterans after their time in the military is over. For the Marine Corps, the prominent message "once a Marine, always a Marine" may also suffer from lack of context when it comes to re-entering civilian life, he said.

"I feel like there's an underlying narrative in play there, particularly for the Marine Corps, which leverages narratives to get people to think in a certain way," he said. " ... I wonder if there's a way for the Marine Corps to craft a more vivid narrative about what it means to be a Marine after you've hung [the uniform] up."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @hopeseck.

Related: Veterans Used Their Military Training to Plot Violence in Capitol Riot, Feds Say
[February 25, 2021] Vivint Smart Home to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

Vivint Smart Home, Inc. (NYSE: VVNT), a leading end-to-end smart home platform company, today announced that it will present and host meetings with investors at the J.P. Morgan Global High Yield & Leveraged Finance Conference, Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, and the Deutsche Bank Media, Internet & Telecom Conference. Details for each event can be found as follows (times listed in EST):







J.P. Morgan Global High Yield & Leveraged Finance Conference Date: Monday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 3, 2021 Time: Presentation at 1:15 p.m. on Monday with 1x1 Meetings on Monday and Wednesday

Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Time: Fireside Chat at 3:30 p.m. with 1x1 Meetings Throughout the Day Deutsche Bank Media, Internet & Telecom Conference Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Time: Fireside Chat at 1:00 p.m. with 1x1 Meetings Throughout the Day To watch and listen to the live webcasts, please visit the Events section of Vivint's Investor Relations website at http://investors.vivint.com/. Replays will be archived on the same website following the call. About the Company Vivint is a leading smart home company in North America. Vivint delivers an integrated smart home system with in-home consultation, professional installation and support delivered by its Smart Home Pros, as well as 24-7 customer care and monitoring. Dedicated to redefining the home experience with intelligent products and services, Vivint serves approximately 1.7 million customers. For more information, visit https://www.vivint.com. Source (News - Alert) : Vivint Smart Home, Inc. VVNT-E View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006301/en/

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A final year student of the Nungua Kroma Two Junior High School (JHS) in Accra, together with 15 other men, on Monday, February 22, assaulted a teacher for punishing him over failure to do his homework.



The student, after he was punished, run home to call the 15 others, who stormed the school in a Sprinter Bus to attack the teacher, inflicting wounds on his face in the process.



The teacher, Mr Moses Onyameasem, was rescued by his colleagues and was rushed to the LEKMA Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.



After the attack, the mother of the student was also alleged to have besieged the school and rained insults on the teacher.



The development led to the closure of the school and others in the area.



Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Afia Tenge, the Head of Public Affairs Unit, Greater Accra Regional Police Command, said on Monday, February 22, at 1215 hours, the teacher, accompanied by Mr Roger Asempa, the Head Teacher, came to the Police Station with the teacher having head injury and wearing a blood-stained shirt.



The complainant reported that on the same day at about 1200 hours, a student in his class and 15 other young men from Nungua town came to the School in a bus and beat him up, hence the injury.



She said a medical form was issued to him to attend hospital whiles frantic efforts were ongoing to get the said student and his accomplices arrested.



DSP Tenge said a-day mobile patrol team had been provided with two men guards from the Assembly.



After the engagement, the teachers agreed to resume work next week Monday, March 1, 2021.

Source: GNA









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The Palestinian-Israeli settlement and the situation in Syria were among the topics discussed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Israeli Foreign Ministrys Director General Alon Ushpiz, the Russian foreign ministry said.

"The sides exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East with a focus on the situation in the Arab-Israeli settlement. The Russian side stressed its readiness along with other members of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators to continue efforts to promote sustainable peace process via direct dialogue between the Israeli and the Palestinians on the basis of internationally recognized law," the ministry said.

"When discussing the situation in Syria, the sides stressed the necessity of political and diplomatic settlement of it with due respect to Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity and extermination of the terrorist threat in that country in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254," TASS cited the ministry as saying.

The diplomats also discussed a number of current issues of the bilateral agenda in the context of mutual commitment to closer comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Israel, the ministry added.
NEW YORK (AP)  A New York prosecutor has obtained copies of Donald Trumps tax records after the Supreme Court this week rejected the former presidents last-ditch effort to prevent them from being handed over.

The Manhattan district attorneys office enforced a subpoena on Trumps accounting firm within hours of the Supreme Courts ruling on Monday and now has the documents in hand, a spokesperson for the office, Danny Frost, said Thursday.

District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. had been fighting for a year and a half for access to Trumps tax records for a criminal grand jury investigation into his business dealings. The documents are protected by grand jury secrecy rules and are not expected to be made public.

Vance, a Democrat, is conducting a wide-ranging investigation that includes an examination of whether Trump or his businesses lied about the value of assets to gain favorable loan terms and tax benefits. The district attorney is also scrutinizing hush-money payments paid to women on Trumps behalf.

Vances office issued a subpoena to Trumps accounting firm, Mazars USA, in August 2019 seeking eight years of his tax returns and related documents.

Trumps lawyers immediately went to court to block its enforcement, first arguing that he was immune from being investigated while president.

When the Supreme Court rejected that argument 7-2 last July, Trumps lawyers returned to a lower court and argued the subpoena was issued in bad faith, overly broad, might have been politically motivated and amounted to harassment. An appellate court rejected that argument and the Supreme Court on Monday declined to intervene.

In a three-word statement after the Supreme Court ruled on Monday, Vance said only: The work continues.

Trump has called Vances investigation a fishing expedition and a continuation of the witch hunt  the greatest witch hunt in history.

Vance is leading the investigation along with his general counsel, Carey Dunne, who made arguments on behalf of the office at various appellate court hearings. Vance recently hired former mafia prosecutor Mark Pomerantz as a special assistant district attorney to assist in the probe.

Vance, whose term expires at the end of the year, hasnt announced if he will seek reelection, leaving questions about who will lead any Trump-related prosecutions in the future.

Vances subpoena sought from Mazars USA not only the final versions of Trumps tax returns, but also draft versions of those returns and any and all statements of financial condition, annual statements, periodic financial reports, and independent auditors reports held by the company.

Mazars did not object to the subpoena and, in a statement at the time, said it would respect the legal process and fully comply with its legal obligations.

The Mazars subpoena also sought engagement agreements that define the accountants role in creating the tax returns and financial statements; source documents providing the accountants with raw financial data; and work papers and communications between the firm and Trump representatives.

Those would include communications showing how the raw data was analyzed and treated in the preparation of the records.

The New York Times separately obtained years of Trumps tax data and published stories last year detailing some of his finances, including that he paid just $750 in federal income tax in 2017 and no income tax in 11 of 18 years because of major losses.
She accused Republicans of following the lead of Senator Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin, who suggested this week that the pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6 had actually been a mostly peaceful crowd seeded with a few provocateurs, including members of a loosely affiliated group of far-left anti-fascism activists, known as antifa. (The F.B.I. has said there is no evidence that antifa supporters had participated in the Capitol rampage.)

He was taking a page out of the book of Senator Johnson, Ms. Pelosi said of Mr. McConnell. She added that the crucial aspect of devising the commission was to determine the scope of its work, dismissing the exact makeup of the panel as an easily negotiated detail.

I will do anything to have it be bipartisan, Ms. Pelosi said.

The independent, bipartisan National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States was eventually formed and lauded for its incisive report published in July 2004. But first, there were myriad obstacles to its creation.

It was hard, said Senator Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee at the time who backed the independent panel over objections from the George W. Bush administration. He wanted a deeper look even though his own committee had conducted a revealing joint review with its House counterpart. I thought it needed to be broader, Mr. Shelby said.

Ms. Pelosi, who was the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee at the time, was an early proponent of a special commission to fully investigate the attack. She argued that any congressional review would almost certainly be too narrow and that an inquiry by the same government that had failed to prevent the attack would lack public credibility. Her proposal was rejected by the Republican-led House under pressure from the Bush administration, which feared disclosures of intelligence lapses and other shortcomings that could cost their party politically.

Instead, Congress moved ahead with the joint inquiry by the House and Senate intelligence panels, which revealed a failure by the White House to heed warnings about a looming strike on the United States. But even those leading the inquiry believed an independent commission was needed to break free of congressional constraints.
China unveiled a new government body for the promotion of rural vitalization on Thursday as the world's most populous country declared an end to absolute poverty, shifting its policy focus to further boosting rural areas.

The new national administration for rural vitalization is the successor to the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, which focused on overseeing China's poverty alleviation efforts.

Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the ceremony for the debut.

The launch of the new administration is an important move to consolidate and expand the country's poverty alleviation results and guarantee a smooth transition into rural vitalization, Hu said.

He urged the administration to bear in mind its responsibilities, improve mechanisms to prevent people from falling back into poverty, and promote rural vitalization in an all-round way.

As the eradication of absolute poverty indicates a new starting point for China, the new administration will work to promote rural vitalization in areas that have shaken off poverty while consolidating poverty alleviation outcomes.

The debut of the new administration came after China's announcement of "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty, marking the transition of the country's policy priority from poverty alleviation to comprehensively promoting rural vitalization.

A grand gathering was also held in Beijing on Thursday to mark the country's accomplishments in poverty alleviation and to honor its model poverty fighters.

Official data shows that the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty over the past eight years. All of the 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 impoverished villages have been removed from the poverty list.

"China will make the comprehensive advancement of rural vitalization a major task in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said the country's "No. 1 central document" for 2021, which was unveiled on Sunday.

The document, a key indicator of policy priorities, said China will set a five-year transition period for counties that have shaken off poverty and gradually shift the policy focus from poverty alleviation toward comprehensively promoting rural vitalization.

The University of Virginia will loosen temporary restrictions on students following a sharp decline in recent coronavirus cases on campus, officials said Friday.

The school imposed limits on gatherings and other social activities earlier this month after a surge in cases. On Feb. 16, 229 cases were recorded during a single day.

Twenty-six incidents of the virus were recorded Wednesday, according to the most recent data made available by the university.

"We know this period has been really difficult, particularly for our students," officials said Friday in a message to the community. "But the sacrifices you've made over the past 10 days are making our community safer. We have demonstrated the ability to do the right things to limit the spread of the virus."

There will still be limits on students' activities. In-person gatherings will be capped at six people and students eating indoors will be restricted to groups of two, officials said.

Students, who previously were told not to gather except to attend classes, will be permitted to "resume normal activity, while observing all health and safety guidelines," university officials said. Recreational facilities and university libraries will reopen, with some restrictions, Saturday morning.

"These changes are good news, and a clear indication of how seriously members of our community, particularly our students, are taking the enhanced public health measures," officials said in the message. "However, it would be a mistake to interpret them as a sign that we are out of the woods."

Officials are asking students to stick to pods, or small groups of people who agree to socialize only with each other.

"Socializing with a small group of people and limiting contact with people outside that group reduces the spread of the virus," officials said in the message. "Bouncing from one group of six to another puts people in both groups at risk."

The university blamed widespread noncompliance of health and safety rules - such as inconsistent mask usage and big social gatherings - for the sudden uptick of cases. But some students want university administrators to share in the blame.

The student council is calling on officials to issue a written apology for "their failure to enforce their own covid-19 restrictions" after allowing sororities and fraternities to host in-person recruitment events the weekend before cases started to surge, reported the university's newspaper the Cavalier Daily.

The school has brought conduct cases against five fraternities, as well as individual students, for violating safety protocols this school year, Allen Groves, associate vice president and dean of students, said at a recent virtual town hall.

At the same virtual event, U-Va. President Jim Ryan said that "perhaps, we should have tried harder to discourage" the recruitment events. But he also indicated that the outbreak could not be traced to a single source - or even a few sources.

"Many of the cases that led to the spike started with minor lapses, like two or three people removing their masks to eat together in a dorm room or off-grounds residence," officials said Friday. "This virus exploits small mistakes."
A legal challenge by retailers and farmers to the states emergency workplace regulations for COVID-19  requiring employers to have prevention programs, provide protective equipment, test anyone who may have been exposed and provide paid leave to ailing employees  was emphatically rejected Thursday by a San Francisco judge.

In seeking to block regulations issued Nov. 30 by the state Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board under Gov. Gavin Newsom, the groups provided only claims that the rules were unnecessary and financially burdensome, along with a far-fetched argument that no emergency existed, said Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman.

Other than a handful of rulings by the Supreme Court and others easing states restrictions on in-person religious services, no court in the United States has interfered with rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and this court will not be the first, Schulman said. Lives are at stake.

The regulations were the states first overall protective measures for workers in the pandemic. Adopted by the board after a day-long public hearing in November, they are due to remain in effect through the end of September 2021. They apply to all employees except those already covered by special protective regulations for particularly vulnerable worksites as hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, and those working from home.

The rules require every employer to have a written coronavirus prevention program, including training, identification of hazards, social distancing, and provision of masks and other protective equipment.

Employees who have been exposed to the virus, or who have been in an exposed workplace, must be given tests at no cost. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must be given 10 to 14 days off, with pay, unless the employer can show that the employee was not exposed at work. Paid leave is also required for those who have been exposed to the virus at work.

Employers must take additional protective measures in any housing or transportation they provide to their workers. Businesses facing hardships that they consider unjustified can ask the state board to waive some of the restrictions.

Lawsuits were filed in December by business groups led by the National Retail Association, and by farming organizations led by the Western Growers Association. They argued that the board had no evidence that workplaces in California had been a vector for the spread of COVID, and contended the board should have submitted the rules to the public for months of comment, rather than adopting them as emergency measures shortly after the public hearing.

Schulman called those arguments fatuous. He said, The virus spreads anyplace where persons ... come into contact with one another.

By the time of the boards hearing, the judge said, California had recorded more than 1 million COVID cases and over 18,000 deaths. He said the board found that millions of employees faced potential exposure on the job and that there had been outbreaks in numerous workplaces, including food manufacturing, agriculture and warehouses.

Schulman said the paid leave was reasonably necessary to protect workplace safety, and mandatory testing for exposed workers was a justified measure to protect co-workers.

Noting the Sept. 30 expiration date, Schulman said, with any luck, as the vaccination effort picks up steam and the numbers of new cases continue to drop, California will be out of the woods and the rules can be modified or repealed.

But in the more than 60 days that the rules have been in effect, he said, there has been no evidence that even a single retailer has been subject to significant costs.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko




By Yi Whan-woo







The ASEAN-Korea Centre is offering comprehensive information on the tourism, history, culture, cuisine and other aspects of the 10 ASEAN member nations through both online and offline channels.







A Seoul-based organization tasked with ASEAN cooperation, the center posted videos related to Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand on its website under the campaign titled ASEAN Familiarization Tour (FamTour) 2020.







The campaign comes after the success of "2020 ASEAN Culture and Tourism Showcase: The Next ASEAN," a month-long campaign last November.







With K-pop star Kim Jun-su as narrator, FamTour introduces the tourist attractions of the three ASEAN member states.







"It is intended to allow the Korean public to experience ASEAN's travel destinations, while evoking joyful memories from their past trips," the center said in a press release.







Also part of the tourism campaign, the ASEAN Travel Webpage provides comprehensive information on ASEAN travel.







The information ranges from travel destinations to food, festivals, national holidays and history as well as feature articles on tourist sites and activities.







"The webpage provides a one-stop library service for those planning trips to ASEAN," the center said.







It also presented the 220-page "ASEAN Culture and Culinary Artbook," which tells stories about the food, travel, traditions, and local cultures through the words of the 10 ASEAN ambassadors in Korea and their spouses.







The book also includes pictures of the ambassadors' residences back home.







"The readers are invited to take a unique journey into ASEAN through the vivid photos and lively interviews," the center said.







ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary-General Lee Hyuk said the campaign will allow viewers and readers "to experience ASEAN in a whole new way."







He added, "In particular, I hope the photos, videos and stories offer some comfort to many Koreans who are longing to travel to Southeast Asia."


WASHINGTON - The House moved toward a vote Friday on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, with Democrats pushing forward despite unified GOP opposition to the massive relief package aimed at stabilizing the economy and boosting coronavirus vaccinations and testing.

Biden's first major legislative package has the overwhelming support of House Democrats, who narrowly control the chamber. Republicans are expected to oppose the legislation en masse, ensuring a sharply partisan outcome just a month after Biden was inaugurated with calls for bipartisanship and unity.

The vote was expected late Friday night or early Saturday morning. House passage would send the legislation to the Senate, where bigger fights await.

The action in the House comes a day after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the $15 minimum wage in the legislation is not permitted under Senate rules. Nonetheless, House Democrats intend to pass the legislation with the $15 minimum wage included.

It is unclear how the issue will ultimately get resolved, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., pledged Friday that even if the Senate takes out the minimum wage increase - the No. 1 priority for many liberals - the House will "absolutely" pass the legislation and send it to Biden to sign.

"The sooner we pass the bill and it is signed, the sooner we can make the progress that this legislation is all about - saving the lives and the livelihood of the American people," Pelosi said at a news conference.

Beyond the minimum-wage increase, the sprawling relief bill would provide $1,400 stimulus payments to tens of millions of American households; extend enhanced federal unemployment benefits through August; provide $350 billion in aid to states, cities, U.S. territories and tribal governments; and boost funding for vaccine distribution and coronavirus testing - among myriad other measures, such as nutritional assistance, housing aid and money for schools.

Democrats hope to push the legislation through both chambers and get it signed into law by March 14, when enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire. It is uncertain whether disputes over the minimum wage or other issues could complicate that timeline, although Pelosi insisted Friday that the March 14 deadline would be met, adding: "I would like it well before that."

On Thursday night, the Senate's parliamentarian ruled the wage hike as written could not proceed under "reconciliation," the budgetary maneuver Democrats are using to pass the stimulus bill through the Senate without GOP votes.

Liberals erupted, with some even suggesting the nonpartisan parliamentarian should be fired, but Pelosi and other House leaders indicated Friday they're ready to move beyond the dispute and save the minimum wage fight for another day, while insisting they'd get it done one way or another.

As an alternative to the minimum-wage increase, Senate Democrats are exploring a tax hike on large corporations that do not pay a $15-an-hour minimum wage. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is considering a move to include the provision in the relief bill in the Senate, according to two Democratic aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal thinking. It was uncertain whether the proposal would prove viable or command enough support to advance.

The vote on the massive legislation neared as the economy has been showing some signs of progress. Personal income rose 10% in January, the Commerce Department reported Friday, thanks largely to the December stimulus package Congress passed. New claims for unemployment insurance fell sharply last week as coronavirus cases continues to decrease and vaccine distribution becomes more widespread.

Still, only slightly more than half the 20 million jobs lost during the pandemic have returned, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said the real unemployment rate is closer to 10%, meaning the economy has a long way to go to recover to its pre-pandemic levels.

Congressional Republicans have argued that Biden's stimulus is poorly targeted and too expensive, and that it includes measures unrelated to the pandemic. Congress approved some $4 trillion to fight the pandemic last year, including $900 billion in December, and Republicans said that is more than enough, especially in light of signs the economy is improving.

"This isn't a relief bill. It takes care of Democrats' political allies while it fails to deliver for American families," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Friday. "We already know what is the best stimulus plan out there: It is to fully reopen our economy. To do that, we need our economy to go back to work, back to school and back to health."

Democrats, however, argued that more assistance is sorely needed.

"Millions are going hungry, and even more don't know how they'll pay next month's rent," Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., testified Friday before the House Rules Committee. "Their pain is our pain, and we can't expect them to ride this out without our help. This landmark and lifesaving legislation is not a partisan wish list - it's an American wish list."

Ahead of the floor vote, Democrats and Republicans on the Rules Committee sparred angrily over the legislation, with Republicans complaining that they had been shut out of negotiations. Democrats argued that even if the legislation did not command support among Republicans in Congress, it was broadly supported by the public - and by many GOP mayors and some governors.

Biden made some efforts at bipartisan outreach after unveiling his proposal, including meeting with a group of 10 Senate Republicans who made a $618 billion counteroffer. He ultimately dismissed their ideas as too meager and made the decision to move forward without GOP support, repeatedly defending his proposal in recent days and challenging critics to tell him: "What would they have me cut?"

Republicans fumed over Democrats' go-it-alone approach, but Democrats countered that Republicans took the same tack when they controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House at the start of the Trump administration and pushed through an unpaid-for $1.5 trillion tax-cut bill.

House passage of the relief legislation appeared all but assured Friday, but the outlook is trickier in the Senate, where moderate Democrats have raised questions about a number of provisions, including the structure of the state and local aid. The Senate is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, so if Republicans remain opposed, Democrats can pass the legislation only if they stay united and Vice President Harris breaks the tie.

The "budget reconciliation" process allows legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote instead of the 60 votes usually required. But it also contains limitations, prohibiting certain measures that do not affect the federal budget in particular ways. The parliamentarian determined that the minimum wage did not pass that test.

If the Senate passes the bill without the minimum-wage increase and sends it back to the House, liberals will have to make peace with supporting it anyway. Raising the minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 an hour was some liberals' top priority in the bill, and they were irate over the parliamentarian's decision. Some called on Schumer to try to overturn it or move to eliminate the filibuster, the 60-vote threshold that protects minority rights in the Senate.

"Democrats are just going to have to make a choice about using, really going to the mat and really using every lever of power that we have to govern for the majority of the American people," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "In two years, I don't think we can go back to voters and say, 'Look, I know Republicans, Democrats, independents support this, we promised it, but because of an unelected parliamentarian who gave us a ruling, we couldn't do it.' "

The White House, however, has indicated that Biden intends to respect the parliamentarian's ruling. And Democrats do not have the votes to overrule the parliamentarian or eliminate the filibuster in the Senate anyway, because of opposition from at least two moderate Senate Democrats: West Virginia's Joe Manchin III and Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema.

- - -

The Washington Post's Paul Kane and Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report.
Washington, DC, US (PANA)  The average annual cost of educating refugees is less than 5 percent of public education expenditure in developing nations hosting 85 percent of the worlds refugees, according to a joint World Bank  UN refugee agency - UNHCR - report released on Thursday
Extreme winter weather in Russia, at least more extreme than usual for Siberia, resulted in lower Russian oil production so far in February compared to January and lower than the countrys increased quota under the OPEC+ deal, Bloomberg reported on Friday, quoting data from the energy ministry it had seen.

Under the latest compromise OPEC+ agreement from January, Russia is boosting its oil production by 65,000 bpd in each in February and March. Together with Kazakhstan, Russia was the only OPEC+ producer allowed to increase its output, while the other members are keeping production flat and Saudi Arabia is unilaterally cutting an additional 1 million bpd to support the market rebalancing.

However, extreme cold, even for Russia, had producers reduce pipeline flows from some oilfields. This led to Russian oil production  including condensate, which is out of the OPEC+ deal  dropping by around 77,000 bpd between February 1 and 25, compared to the average for January, according to Bloombergs estimates of energy ministry data.

Without condensate production, crude oil production in Russia likely averaged 9.153 million bpd so far in Februarysome 30,000 bpd below the Russian quota under the OPEC+ deal, Bloomberg has projected.

In January, Russia was estimated to have stayed within its 125,000-bpd allowed production rise in January. According to Reuters estimates, Russian oil production rose last month, but the 120,000-bpd increase in production from December was lower than the 125,000-bpd additional allowed rise.

The OPEC+ group, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, is meeting next week to decide how the alliance will proceed with the supply management from April onwards. Saudi Arabia and Russia are reportedly once again at odds over oil production policies.

The oil market is balanced, and the current price of oil fully reflects this market situation, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said last week. At the same time, Saudi Arabias Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman was warning oil producers they would need to remain extremely cautious as uncertainty on the market is still very high.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
A desperate search has been launched to find a three-month-old baby boy named Buddy who was last seen a day ago.

Buddy vanished from Tocumwal, on the New South Wales-Victoria border at about 6pm on Thursday.

Investigators believe the baby boy, who is from the nearby town of Yarroweyah, is with his parents Cody Seymour and Sophie McGrath who are travelling in a white utility with a trad box attached to the back.

Investigators believe the baby boy, who is from the nearby town of Yarroweyah, is with his parents Cody Seymour and Sophie McGrath who are travelling in a white utility with a trad box attached to the back

It's believed the family frequent the Yarrawonga, Cobram, Barooga and Urana areas.

Victoria Police released photos of Buddy's parents and said they 'hold concerns' for the young child.

Mr Seymour is described as being 183cm tall with a solid build and brown hair.

Ms McGrath is 152cm tall and has a thin build with dark brown hair.

Anybody who sees Buddy or has information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police.
Menthol cigarettes helped lure about 10 million extra Americans into smoking over 38 years, with often deadly results, according to a new study.

Researchers also concluded that menthol cigarettes were responsible for 378,000 premature deaths in the United States during the study period 1980 to 2018. Their report appears in the journal Tobacco Control.

The findings suggest that menthol cigarettes "have had a significant detrimental impact on the public's health and could continue to pose a substantial health risk" to all age groups, the authors said in a journal news release. They were led by Thuy Le, from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Menthols, such as Newports and Kools, started to become widely used in the late 1950s and early 1960s. By creating a cooling sensation in the throat and airways, menthol reduces the irritation and harshness of cigarette smoke.

Because of this, it's believed that menthol cigarettes encourage young people to start smoking and make it harder for smokers to quit, the researchers said.

In order to assess the threat menthol cigarettes pose to Americans' health, Le and colleagues used a simulation model to determine how U.S. smoking would have been affected if menthols weren't available between 1980 and 2018.

They determined that the availability of menthol cigarettes slowed the fall in U.S. smoking rates by 2.6 percentage points. Without menthol cigarettes, the U.S. smoking rate would have fallen from just over 33% in 1980 to just over 11% in 2018. The actual rate in 2018 was nearly 14%.

The researchers also determined that menthol cigarettes were responsible for 10.1 million extra smokers (266,000 every year), 3 million cumulative years of life lost, and 378,000 premature deaths (9,900 every year) between 1980 and 2018.

In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was given the power to ban menthol in cigarettes, but hasn't done it. This study may help the FDA create regulations for menthol tobacco products, the researchers suggested.

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a guide for quitting smoking SOURCE: Tobacco Control, news release, Feb. 25, 2021 Journal information: Tobacco Control

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
LONDON  Shamima Begum, who as a schoolgirl left her London home to join the Islamic State in Syria in 2015, lost a series of appeals before Britains Supreme Court on Friday that could have allowed her to return home to fight the removal of her citizenship, a move that could affect other British citizens held in detention camps in Syria.

Ms. Begum, now 21, hoped to return to Britain to appeal a 2019 decision by the British government to strip her of her citizenship, a move that could render her stateless. A lower court ruled last year that Ms. Begum could only be granted a fair and effective appeal by returning to Britain, but on Friday, the Supreme Courts five judges unanimously denied her request to return.

The right to a fair hearing does not trump all other considerations, such as the safety of the public, said Robert Reed, a Supreme Court judge. If a vital public interest makes it impossible for a case to be fairly heard, then the courts cannot ordinarily hear it.

The ruling could have far-reaching implications for other Westerners associated with the terrorist group who have remained in detention camps in northeastern Syria. That includes about 15 other British women who have also been stripped of their citizenship. Some, like Ms. Begum, have pleaded with the authorities to repatriate them so they could be prosecuted at home.
The Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), under the Government of Goa, has called for applications in a prescribed format from eligible and interested candidates for filling Hundred (100) vacancies to the post of Staff Nurse, LDC, MTS, Pharmacists, etc. in IPHB through direct recruitment to be posted in Goa, India on a fulltime basis. The offline application process towards the same started on February 25, 2021 and closes on March 9, 2021.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Staff Nurse, LDC, MTS, Pharmacists, etc. posts in IPHB Organisation Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) Educational Qualification Passed Class 10/Matriculation/SSC; Class 12/Intermediate/HSC; possess a B.Sc/Masters Degree in Nursing; Diploma in Pharmacy; Bachelor of Science Experience Relevant years of experience in the concerned field Job Responsibilities null Skills Required null Job Location Goa Salary Scale In range of Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 44,900 per month as per the post Industry Govt. of Goa Application Start Date February 25, 2021 Application End Date March 9, 2021

IPHB Recruitment 2021: Age And Fees

Candidates interested in applying for IPHB Jobs 2021 through IPHB Recruitment 2021 must not have exceeded 45 years of age, with relaxation (upper age limit) reserved categories as specified in the IPHB Notification 2021.

For details regarding the application fee for IPHB Jobs 2021 through IPHB Recruitment 2021, refer to the official IPHB Notification 2021 given at the end of the article.

Also Read: AGCL Recruitment 2021 For 12 Management Trainees And Graduate Engineers Posts, Apply Online Before March 8

IPHB Recruitment 2021: Education And Experience

Desirous candidates applying for IPHB Jobs 2021 through IPHB Recruitment 2021 must have passed Class 10/Matriculation/SSC; Class 12/Intermediate/HSC; possess a B.Sc/Master's Degree in Nursing; Diploma in Pharmacy; Bachelor of Science from a recognised Board/University/Institution with relevant years of experience in the concerned field as detailed in the IPHB Notification 2021.

IPHB Recruitment 2021: Selection And Pay

The selection of candidates for IPHB Jobs 2021 through IPHB Recruitment 2021 will be done through Written examination and Document Verification as notified in the IPHB Notification 2021.

Candidates selected for IPHB Jobs 2021 through IPHB Recruitment 2021 will be paid emolument in range of Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 44,900 per month as per the post.

Also Read: ONGC Recruitment 2021 For Field Medical Officer And GDMO Posts, E-mail Applications Before March 11

IPHB Recruitment 2021: How To Apply

Candidates applying for IPHB Jobs 2021 through IPHB Recruitment 2021 must fill the application form in a prescribed format post-download from the IPHB website and submit their applications on or before March 9, 2021 to the "Director, Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim Goa" on or before March 9, 2021.

Download IPHB Recruitment 2021 PDF Application Form

Download IPHB Recruitment 2021 PDF Notification for Staff Nurse, LDC, MTS, Pharmacists, etc. posts
City Schools Going to Four In-Person Days March 8

By Bill Hughes

PADUCAH - Students who attend Paducah Public Schools will have the option to attend in-person for a four-day school week beginning March 8.The Paducah Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to make the change after reviewing surveys from parents and teachers, and the data regarding COVID-19 rates of infection in the region.The showed that 81% of parents and 63% of faculty and staff said "yes" to having students return to a four-day week for in-person students."For those that said 'no', I do not see this as our employees saying they don't want children at school," Shively noted. "I think there's a risk factor that people are thinking through with regard to themselves."Students who choose the in-person option will attend school four days per week. There will be one day of virtual learning per week. The board asked that parents be surveyed to determine whether it would be best to keep the virtual day on Wednesday or move it to Friday.Virtual students will continue to have the option to stay all-virtual.Dr. Shively reviewed data that showed a decline in COVID-19 rates of infection in the county, the combined percentage of positive COVID-19 tests for Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital and Baptist Health Paducah, and the latest incidence rate map for Kentucky, where the county is no longer in the "red" for average daily cases per 100,000.Shively also shared the results of the employee vaccination effort with the board, noting that 61% of faculty and staff had been fully vaccinated.Board Chairman Dr. Carl LeBuhn reflected on the COVID-19 data, and said he's encouraged by the percentage of employees who have been vaccinated. He acknowledged fears, noting a lot of people have been affected by COVID-19, and he thinks those fears are "real and justified.""I totally recognize the fear," LeBuhn said."There's nothing that we can do, I don't think, to completely mitigate risk or completely mitigate that fear. I think it's very important that we have a mechanism to listen to people's concerns moving forward and we just try and exhaust every possibility we can to correct that issue, or to fix that problem, or to make that as safe as possible."The board also elected to change the school calendar, making Friday, March 12 and Friday April 2 instructional days. This will make May 19 the last day of school for students.
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James Devaney/GC ImagesWhile Lady Gaga is distraught over the dognapping of two of her beloved French bulldogs, she's also upset that her dog walker and friend, Ryan Fischer, was shot while the robbery took place. But People confirms that Ryan seems to be doing O.K. in the hospital.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Jonathan Tippet told People that Ryan, who was shot once in the chest, is in stable condition, and added that he "believes he will" make a full recovery. Tippett also told People that there are two suspects, both between the ages of 20 and 25, both of whom are at large. Because Ryan himself was not robbed, Tippett believes the suspects were only after the dogs.

Meanwhile, a friend and former client of Ryan's, tells People that Ryan texted him from the hospital and told him he was "breathing on his own now."

The friend, Dr. Fred Pescatore, describes Fischer as an "amazing" person, adding, "There's nothing negative about that man." He says Ryan is "just amazing with dogs," explaining, "They're like his children. He's very in tune with the dogs' needs. He would do anything for them, anything."

"This man deserves recognition. He was the one that was shot," Pescatore adds. "He was the one protecting her dogs. And not enough people are focusing on that."

As previously reported, Gaga is offering a $500,000 for the return of the dogs. Anyone with information on the case can email KojiandGustav@gmail.com.

By Andrea Dresdale

Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
The police arrested the Black youths on a minor charge. But when deputies questioned two white women who had been on the train, the women accused the boys of raping them. Accounts differ, but the women were facing their own charges of vagrancy and illegal sexual activity stemming from an unrelated incident and apparently thought that by accusing the boys they could avoid being arrested themselves.

The defendants were all tried swiftly in separate trials in Scottsboro, a small city on the banks of Guntersville Lake in northeastern Alabama, and attracted widespread attention; by her account, Harper Lee later drew on the case as inspiration for To Kill a Mockingbird.

All-white juries in Scottsboro convicted each of the youths, and all but the youngest of the nine were sentenced to death. After appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the convictions, which led to more appeals, trials and retrials. Along the way, one of the white women, Ruby Bates, recanted her story, but the defendants remained behind bars.

The cases led to two landmark Supreme Court civil rights rulings  one that opened the door to allowing African Americans to serve on juries, the other ensuring that defendants had the right to adequate legal representation.

The sentences were eventually reduced or dropped entirely, and the defendants were freed; most of them had been incarcerated on and off for several years. But they were not declared innocent, and their names were not cleared.

Ms. Washington and others spent years planning how to honor them, and decided that the best way to tell their story would be through a museum. But they faced ardent objections.

A lot of people didnt want Scottsboro to be remembered for this tragedy, in both the Black and white communities but especially in the white, Ms. Tolliver said in an interview. It was pulling the scab off the wound.


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Washington: US President Joe Biden has directed military air strikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Department of Defence said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to recent rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq.

The strike near the Iraqi border was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasised its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Middle East threats persist. Bidens decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen US military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend US troops in Iraq.

US President Joe Biden. Credit:AP

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington. Speaking shortly after the air strikes, he added, Were confident that that target was being used by the same Shia [Shiite] militants that conducted the strikes, referring to a February 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to Biden.
A Major has today been dismissed from the Army for fraudulently pocketing 2,500 when he claimed his estranged wife and children were living with him in Germany.

Pristone Osabwa, 40, abused his allowances by keeping hold of a service family home despite never having lived there with his wife and three children.

The Major had falsely claimed his family were sharing the home with him while he served with the 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade in Germany.

Bulford Military Court heard Osabwa received a total of 2,527 in enhanced rates of overseas allowance and disturbance expenses between February and August 2019.

Osabwa, who had served for 11 years after moving to the UK from Kenya to join the Army, pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud on the day of his trial.

Judge Advocate General Alan Large today dismissed him from the service.

Pristone Osabwa (pictured outside court today), 40, abused his allowances by keeping hold of a service family home despite never having lived there with his wife and three children

Prosecutor Captain Sonny Lawson told the hearing Osabwa and his wife were already discussing divorce when he was posted to Germany in early 2019.

Regardless, he submitted an application for services family accommodation in February.

He said: 'He may have reasonably believed his wife and children were going to join him in Germany in due course.

'[But] he accepts now that by February 28, 2019 they were not residing with him in Germany at all.

'By that date there was no prospect of them joining him. [But] he didn't say anything, he didn't correct the error.'

Osabwa was first arrested in June 2019 and told of the investigation, but continued to claim overseas allowance fraudulently.

Bulford Military Court heard Osabwa, who served with the 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade, received a total of 2,527 in enhanced rates of overseas allowance and disturbance expenses

He then applied for enhanced disturbance allowance when he flew back to the UK in August.

Captain Lawson added that more than 1,500 of the total fraud was claimed after Osabwa knew he was being investigated.

Matthew Bolt, mitigating, said: 'The pressures of service, the pressures of regular postings, mainly abroad, have put a strain on his marriage.

'The marriage didn't end cleanly... it blew hot and cold. For Major Osabwa what that meant was there was always hope.

'This is a case of the heart being allowed to rule the head. He truly thought his wife and children would be joining him... He should have known it wasn't going to happen.'

Osabwa and his wife divorced in July 2020.

Mr Bolt said Osabwa could now be deported, adding: 'He came to this country from Kenya to serve the crown.

Judge Advocate General Alan Large today dismissed Osabwa (pictured) from service

'He has no British nationality and right to remain in this country [save for his army service].

'Dismissal for him means he will be homeless. It means contact with his children will become incredibly difficult.'

Dawn Grant, Maj Osabwa's ex-wife, provided a statement that read: 'Pristone is a wonderful devoted father to our children.

'He may have demonstrated poor judgement... but I believe he was doing his best to cope with everything he was dealing with in his personal life.

'His choices were based more on hope than reality.'

The judge said Osabwa was 'a man of impeccable character' but had to be dismissed due to his rank and the seriousness of his crimes.

He said: 'You have had a distinguished career in the army. It's a great sadness for us to see you here today.

'We are in no doubt that your offending is so serious that you must be dismissed from Her Majesty's Service.

'Had you admitted it at the outset and pleaded guilty, perhaps things might be different.'

Osabwa was also ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and to repay the 2,527.

iStock / Getty Images

En espanol | Young people getting started in their careers may be the poster children for college debt, but a growing percentage of older Americans are being bogged down by student loans.

Of the $1.6 trillion in student loan debt owed by Americans in 2020, people 50 and over accounted for about $340 billion, up from $47.3 billion in 2004, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Such financial obligations can put a damper on retirement savings, says Ben Reynolds, founder of Sure Dividend, a newsletter for long-term investors. People close to or in retirement who are unhindered with student loans don't have the burden of maintaining those monthly payments, freeing up more money for retirement accounts and investments, Reynolds says.

One way to relieve some of the burden is through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which lets borrowers who work in public sector jobs  such as government, public education and law enforcement  have their outstanding loans forgiven after they have made 10 years worth of payments. Here's what you need to know to take advantage of public service loan forgiveness.

Understanding the requirements

In order to receive student loan forgiveness, you're obligated to make 120 on-time qualifying payments, meaning the payment must be for the total monthly amount owed and paid within 15 days of the due date. Payments don't have to be consecutive; for example, you can pause payments via deferment or forbearance and still be eligible for forgiveness.

While you typically don't get credit for months you don't make a payment, that's not the case during the pandemic. To provide relief to borrowers during the COVID-19 crisis, student loan payments and interest have been suspended until Sept. 30. However, those months will count toward PSLF even if you don't pay a cent.

You'll also need to have an income-driven repayment plan  one in which your monthly payment is determined based on the amount of money you make. However, if some of your payments were not made under a qualifying plan, you may still be able to have your loans forgiven, thanks to an expansion of the program called the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, passed by Congress in 2018.
Myanmar citizens in Thailand protest in front of the Indonesian embassy in Bangkok, Feb. 23, 2021.

Neighboring countries are under pressure to take a stronger stance against the junta in Myanmar, a day after the foreign ministers of Indonesia and Thailand met in Bangkok with its top envoy.

Activists criticized the Indonesian government on social media for talking with representatives of the junta, saying that doing so gives legitimacy to the generals in Naypyidaw who toppled an elected government on Feb. 1.

ASEAN [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] is still missing in action, Malaysian MP Charles Santiago, the chairman of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, said Thursday in a statement about the trilateral meeting between the top diplomats at an international airport outside the Thai capital.

It is quite embarrassing that nearly a month since the coup, ASEAN Foreign Ministers have still not met to develop a coordinated response to a blatant violation of its Charter by the Myanmar military, Santiago said in a statement.

In the coups wake, mass protests against the power grab have taken place across Myanmar, with the military responding with violence. Government security forces have killed at least four people and injured dozens in trying to quell the civil disobedience movement.

ASEAN is in disarray and needs to get its act together, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in an interview with TRT World, a Turkish news channel.

Right now ASEAN doesnt have a center or a way to coordinate and ensure that the organization can speak with one voice, Robertson said.

Because of that, we are looking at a situation where everyone is looking to ASEAN to solve the problem because they can talk to Myanmar, but ASEAN is at sea on this issue.

ASEAN parliamentarian Santiago was unhappy with the outcome of Wednesdays meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her Myanmar and Thai counterparts, Wunna Maung Lwin and Don Pramudwinai.

Retno said afterwards that she told Naypyidaws top envoy that the the wishes of the Myanmar people must be heard, and called for an inclusive democratic transition process.

What does Indonesia mean when talking to restore an inclusive democratic transition in Myanmar? Santiago said.

There is only one thing to restore: that is the duly elected Parliament that was meant to convene on 1 February. That is what the Myanmar people want and tell the world and the junta everyday on the streets of Myanmar.

The envoy appointed by Myanmars junta also met Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha in a closed-door session in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Myanmar developments disastrous for region

For HRWs Robertson, the venue of the meeting of the three foreign ministers was telling.

The fact that Myanmars foreign minister is flying here [to Bangkok] shows that he understands that Prayuth in Thailand is in a similar situation to Myanmar a couple of years ago. Prayuth is a coup maker himself, Robertson said.

As army chief, Gen. Prayuth engineered a coup that overthrew the elected administration of Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014. Prayuth became prime minister after the coup and retained the post after a general election in 2019 that was widely viewed as rigged.

In fact, immediately after the coup in Naypyidaw in early February, Thailand, along with Vietnam and the Philippines, had said they would not interfere in Myanmars affairs. That line mirrored a core principle of the ASEAN bloc that says member-states will not interfere in each others domestic matters.

Manila later changed its tune and joined Indonesia and Malaysia in expressing concern about the situation in Myanmar.

Brunei, as the 2021 chair of ASEAN, held a virtual meeting with Myanmar officials to hear about the situation there. On Wednesday night, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Bruneian Foreign Minister II Dato Erywan Yusof, during which they discussed ASEANs essential role in resolving the crisis in Burma created by the militarys seizure of power, the State Department said.

Meanwhile in a joint open letter to ASEAN, dozens of Southeast Asian NGOs said that a fractured response by the regional bloc to the post-coup situation in Myanmar will not yield results, and nor will platitudes.

Recent developments in Myanmar are disastrous for its people, as well as the region as a whole. They create the potential for thousands of people to flee violence and persecution, as well as a volatile regional environment. We firmly believe that it is not only crucial, but also in ASEANs best interests, to take a strong stance on these urgent and worrying developments, the letter by 70 NGOs said.

Failure to do so risks further damaging ASEANs reputation as an effective regional body that can meaningfully contribute to a strong and viable community of nations.

As it is, Malaysia this week was criticized internationally for sending back more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals  in defiance of a court order to suspend the deportation  on Myanmar navy ships.

Rights activists and the United Nations refugee agency said that refugees and asylum seekers who risked facing persecution and violence in Myanmar were among those sent back.

The European Union said it had urged Malaysia to halt the deportation, and deeply regretted Malaysias action.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said the United States was concerned that Malaysia had sent back the Myanmar nationals in spite of a Malaysian court order barring their deportation and in light of ongoing unrest in Burma since the coup.

Stop acts of legitimizing the military regime

While a few analysts have commended Indonesia for taking the lead in pushing neighboring countries to get more involved in addressing the Myanmar coup, rights activists say even those efforts have been ham-fisted.

Earlier this week, Retno had to cancel her proposed trip to Myanmar after hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Indonesian embassy in Yangon to protest what they said would be a recognition of the military regime.

Still, Retno went ahead and met with her Myanmar counterpart in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Veronica Koman, an Indonesian human rights activist and lawyer, wondered why.

People from the grassroots to the U.N. to the World Council of Churches have urged Indonesia to meet face to face with pro-independence Papuan groups to resolve the conflict, but those calls were ignored, the activist tweeted, referring to Indonesias restive province of Papua.

Indonesia instead met with the Myanmar junta even though there were demonstrations in Myanmar and Thailand [against the meeting.]

A young activist from Myanmar said she and her fellow protestors were shocked that Retno met with a Myanmar military-appointed minister.

We totally condemn this action at this sensitive time. We want ASEAN governments to consult with stakeholders. ASEAN needs to stand with the people of Myanmar. Dont add to our burden, said Scarlett at a virtual press briefing organized by Indonesian human rights group KontraS, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development and Asia Justice and Rights.

We dont want to give legitimacy to the military government, stop engagement with the military engagement. You said you are concerned about the welfare and safety of people of Myanmar. Im not sure your engagement [with the military] is conveying your message, she said, addressing the Indonesian foreign minister.

For her part, Retno said Indonesia chose not to stand still.

To do nothing is not an option, Retno said in a statement after her meeting with the Myanmar envoy.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Thai PM Prayuth said that his meeting with the Myanmar minister did not amount to an endorsement of the military regime.

[We] did not endorse, did not endorse, I listened on behalf of Thailand, also on behalf of ASEAN, he told reporters when asked about the meeting.

On their political issues, we gave good wishes that they move towards democracy as quickly as possible. Each country has different problems.

Ahmad Syamsudin in Jakarta and Pimuk Rakkanam in Bangkok contributed to this report.

A Melbourne Uber driver who told an 18-year-old female passenger he could make her ride cheaper before he raped her in the back of his car has been jailed for five years.

Hafiz Babar, 32, pleaded guilty earlier this month after initially denying he raped the woman and repeatedly claiming his young victim had consented to sexual activity between the pair.

The woman, who was in her first year of university at the time, had been at a house party in Melbournes south-east in September 2018 when a friend ordered her an Uber to take her home.

Babar accepted the job and the woman sat in the back seat of the car.
Kano, Nigeria: Police have confirmed the abduction of 317 girls from their boarding school in north-western Nigeria, the second case of a mass school kidnapping in less than 10 days.

The children were taken by unidentified gunmen from their secondary school in the town of Jangebe, in Zamfara State, on Friday, the states police spokesperson Mohammed Shehu said.

It was the second such kidnapping in little over a week in a region increasingly targeted by militants and criminal gangs. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

One of the students left behind when armed men kidnapped 317 girls from a junior secondary school in Jangebe, Nigeria, on Friday. Credit:AP

Aid organisation Save the Children said it had received reports of up to 450 kidnapped schoolgirls, saying it was horrified about the incident.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 00:41:19|Editor: huaxia

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Zigani Saturnin (L), a student from Burkina Faso, checks crop growth in the field at an agricultural experimental base in Quzhou County, north China's Hebei Province, July 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

The Chinese president is keenly aware that poverty eradication is a common ideal of humanity. He thus has urged his country to play an increasingly proactive role in global efforts to reduce poverty.

Xi calls it "the bigger perspective."

by Xinhua writers Xia Yuanyi, Huang Yinjiazi

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose career has been closely associated with his country's war against poverty, declared on Thursday that China has scored a "complete victory."

The country has created a "China example" of poverty reduction and made great contributions to global poverty alleviation, Xi said when addressing a gathering marking the country's accomplishments in poverty eradication and commending role models in that cause.

During the race against impoverishment at home, the Chinese president is keenly aware that poverty eradication is a common ideal of humanity. He thus has urged his country to play an increasingly proactive role in global efforts to reduce poverty.

Xi calls it "the bigger perspective."

PEOPLE-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT

In the late 1960s, Xi, who was then less than 16 years of age, came to a small village on the loess plateau of northern Shaanxi Province and worked on the land there for seven years.

Back then, peasants had nothing to offer but sweat and toil in hopes of living better, but due to a severe scarcity of resources, that still seemed a pie in the sky for the rural impoverished.

That experience has built enduring momentum in Xi's devotion to the anti-poverty cause.

By the end of 2010, China's economy was about 6 trillion U.S. dollars, overtaking Japan as the world's second-largest economy, while there remained nearly 150 million people whose income was less than one dollar a day.

Children play outdoors at Manbansandui hamlet of Mannan Village in Menghai County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

When China's per capita GDP rose from 4,551 dollars in 2010 to 10,276 dollars in 2019 -- crossing the 10,000-dollar mark for the first time, Xi has repeatedly said "no single poor area or individual shall be left behind."

Over the past decade, the overarching goal of China's anti-poverty endeavor was to realize the Two Assurances and Three Guarantees -- to ensure the rural poor do not have to worry about food and clothing, and have access to compulsory education, basic medical services and safe housing.

"It is a basic requirement and core indicator in our poverty eradication effort that by 2020 we will succeed in delivering the Two Assurances and Three Guarantees for impoverished rural residents," Xi said during an inspection tour of southwest China's Chongqing municipality in April 2019.

"This is key to the success of the final stage of our fight against poverty," he said.

While the Chinese people are moving closer to realizing what has come to be known as the Chinese dream, hundreds of millions of people in other countries are still living in extreme poverty.

A child works to build a tent for his family at a displaced camp in Haradh District of Hajjah province, Yemen, March 3, 2020. (Photo by Mohammed Alwafi/Xinhua)

"We cannot but feel deep concern that more than 800 million still go to bed every day with an empty stomach," Xi said, addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at the UN headquarters in New York.

As a developing nation, China will share its development opportunities with other developing countries, Xi pledged on the same day at the High-level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation.

"China will closely link its development with the common growth of the developing world, connect the Chinese dream with the dream of all the people in the developing countries for a better life, and join hands with other developing countries to create a bright future for common progress," he said.

TARGETED POVERTY ALLEVIATION

In 2012, there were still nearly 100 million people living below the national poverty line -- 2300 yuan (about 356 dollars in the current value) or less per year, a new but tough period in China's anti-poverty war.

The idea of "targeted poverty alleviation" proves to be China's mighty weapon in its final push against poverty, which was first put forward by Xi during an inspection tour in 2013 to Shibadong, a Miao minority village in the central province of Hunan.

Despite its location deep in the mountains, Shibadong abounds in ethnic charm and ecological resources. Therefore, the villagers decided to bet their future on six major industries, including Miao embroidery and rural tourism.

In early 2017, all the 533 impoverished residents in the village were lifted out of poverty, while the net per capita income grew nearly ninefold between 2013 and 2019.

In 2018, Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith led a delegation to Shibadong to learn from its playbook of fighting poverty.

As Laos is striving to reduce poverty, the village's success has become a model for his country, Bounnhang wrote to Shibadong villagers in 2019.

Having blazed a poverty reduction path with Chinese characteristics, China, under Xi's guidance, is helping other developing countries transform their resource endowment into development advantages.

In 2000, Xi helped launch the pilot Juncao project to help improve the livelihood of the Papua New Guinea people, when he was the governor of southeast China's Fujian Province.

Emmanuel Ahimana, owner of a Rwandan company which applies Juncao technology to grow mushrooms, works at his workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Juncao, famed as "magic grass" and discovered by Chinese scientists, is an economical and environmentally friendly substitute for timber, which can be used as a substrate for growing mushrooms.

Eighteen years later, during Xi's visit to the Oceania country, the two countries signed another aid project using the grass technology. By 2023, the aid program is expected to lift 30,000 local people out of poverty.

At a UN meeting in 2019, former President of the General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces described Juncao as "emblematic of China's Belt and Road Initiative," which, according to the World Bank's estimates, could contribute to lifting 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty.

UPHILL BATTLE

Over the past eight years, China has lifted 98.99 million poor rural residents under the current poverty line out of poverty, with 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 poor villages removed from the poverty list, Xi said Thursday, hailing the country's achievement of eradicating absolute poverty as a miracle that shall "go down in history."

It was a hard-fought battle, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in late 2019, tore through China's economy.

Thanks to China's dual efforts to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 and stabilize economic and social development, its economy emerged as the only major economy to grow in 2020, with a 2.3-percent increase of GDP year on year, official data showed in mid-January.

Despite China's rebound, other emerging markets and developing economies, however, may trace diverging recovery paths, as the pandemic is still mauling many parts of the world, according to the World Economic Outlook Update released by the International Monetary Fund on Jan. 26.

The quest to end poverty has suffered its worst setback for the first time in a generation.

The COVID-19 crisis is forecast to pull 32 million people back into extreme poverty and efforts to rebuild the economies of the world's poorest nations post-pandemic will fall significantly short, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said in December.

A girl looks on as she boards a train to her home amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown on the outskirts of Agartala, the capital city of India's northeastern state of Tripura, May 17, 2020. (Str/Xinhua)

It called for swift, significant and substantial policy action.

In his special address at the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda in January, Xi said as a steadfast member of developing countries, China will further deepen South-South cooperation, and contribute to the endeavor of developing countries to eradicate poverty, ease debt burden, and achieve more growth.

At the G20 Riyadh Summit on Nov. 21, Xi said "we should keep our support for developing countries and help them overcome the hardships caused by the pandemic."

He pledged that China will increase the level of debt suspension and relief for countries facing particular difficulties and encourage its financial institutions to provide new financing support on a voluntary basis and according to market principles.

"Past a fallen ship, one thousand sail onward," Xi said, quoting a Chinese poem. "In that spirit, let us join hands to deliver a better life for our people and build a community with a shared future for mankind." 
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The White River weaves through the landscape near where the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would pass, south of Presho, S.D., on Oct. 13, 2014. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Rural Town Left Out of Money, Hope After Keystone XL Shutdown

This is part four of a series exploring the effects of President Joe Bidens cancellation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

PHILIP, S.D.Entire towns and communities along the route of the Keystone XL pipelineonce lively and prosperous due to the economic opportunity it broughthave been left out of money and out of hope after the project was scrapped by President Joe Biden on his first day in office.

One such town in rural South Dakota had invested heavily in their businesses in order to provide for an influx of workers the project had brought. Some businesses had even secured contracts with various companies working on the pipeline, but now have been left in deep debt and face a bleak future.

Residents of Philip, a small town with less than 900 people, knew that the construction and extra business was temporary, but also knew that the revenue it was to generate would have long-lasting effects on their economy.

Tricia Burns is the owner of a popular fitness center in Philip called Ignite Wellness Studio, a place many Keystone workers frequented. Bidens decision impacted her livelihood in three separate ways: first, her gym lost approximately $3,000 in recurring monthly income with the loss of membership alone; second, a ranch her family owned suffered a substantial loss due to the rise in energy and fuel costs; and third, she described a heart wrenching loss from not being able to see her newfound friends again, many of whom were pipeline workers forced to leave the town after being fired.

The devastation was so evident, Burns told The Epoch Times. Not just loss of their jobs but a bleak future of the trade they worked so hard for.

Philip, a small town in rural South Dakota. (Courtesy Eric Van Der Linden)

Tricia Burns at her fitness center. (Courtesy Tricia Burns)

We cried many tears as the pipeline workers came in to say goodbye to cancel their memberships, not knowing what their next move was but knowing Philip was no longer home she added.

Terry Cunha, a spokesperson for TC Energy Corp., told The Epoch Times in January that as a result of the presidential permit being revoked for Keystone XL, 1,000 unionized jobs will be lost in the coming weeks. Cunha did not respond when asked for more specific details about the job cuts.

Burns said her first reaction to Biden signing the executive order that cancelled the project on Jan. 20 was disbelief followed by anger. Then the sadness started to set in. Within 20 minutes of the presidents signature, workers had started cancelling their memberships.

Although she feels blessed to live in a community that supports its local businesses, Burns said the concern for their future is very real. This anxiety and fear has become almost a daily topic and sentiment among her family, friends, and community as she explained how the growth in rural agriculture-based towns like Philip is very minimal.

The Keystone XL pipeline was a huge project expected to generate $3.4 billion in U.S. GDP growth, including millions in state and local tax revenue, according to the U.S. Chamber Global Energy Institute.

Philip is mainly an agricultural and ranching community town with some manufacturing. (Courtesy Jennifer Henrie)

It would have generated millions of dollars of economic opportunity for South Dakotans.

Many towns like Philip are fading away, Burns said, as she described the Keystone XL Pipeline as an opportunity they will likely never see again in their lives.

I truly couldnt believe that an executive order could be signedone that would impact our entire nationwith little to no hesitation, in my opinion, she said.

Her indignation was shared by many in the local community.

Trickle-Down Losses

The town is described by Philip mayor Michael Vetter as an agricultural and ranching community with some manufacturing via Scotchman Industries, a manufacturer of metal fabrication equipment, with a small but solid group of small businesses. Unlike other towns in rural America, it is actually not dying, but sustaining, he said.

The mayor was left shell-shocked after the Keystone cancellation and wondered how a president even had the ability to shut down such a massive project that had already been approved and was well underway.

Every permit had been granted, all the red tape had been cut, and every obstacle had been cleared, Vetter told The Epoch Times.

I dont understand how one individual can arbitrarily stop a project. One person should not have that much power in America, he said.

Philip mayor Michael Vetter with his daughter Mallory. (Courtesy Michael Vetter)

There is now legislation aimed at revoking the presidential permit authority, which Biden used to shut down the pipeline.

Some businesses in Philip had secured contracts with companies working on the pipeline. In order to fulfil their commitments, some owners made sizable capital investments in machinery and infrastructure, according to Vetter.

The pipeline project provided an opportunity for many of the towns retail and service sector businesses to realize extra revenue. Since the town is sustaining and not growing, any chance of growth is welcome.

Now, the lost revenue denied to the towns small businesses has caused a trickle down affect to the community through lost sales tax, said Vetter.

The community will also lose a considerable amount of property tax paid by TC Energy for the life of the pipeline, he said. We knew the construction was temporary, but the revenue it would have generated for our small businesses would have had long-lasting effects.

Bidens executive order states that the KXL pipeline disserves the U.S. national interest, arguing that the country is facing a climate crisis. The Biden administration has made combating climate change a key part of its agenda and has often talked about creating renewable energy jobs and reducing emissions.

Over the past decade, the town has witnessed the project start and stop several times. Each time the project met an obstacle, it was at the discretion of a lone judge or the president himself, said Vetter. But it feels different this time around as there appears to be less hope in those pipeline workers who left the area.

The city of Philip will endure, we have the pioneer spirit in our blood, but lost opportunities like this make it just a little bit harder, he added.

Business owners in South Dakota arent backing down without a fight, and are increasingly making their voices heard. On Feb. 8, politicians hosted an hourlong roundtable with more than 20 business owners in the state whose livelihoods have been affected by the pipeline shutdown.

According to Burns, the cancellation of the pipeline sends a global message of instability in our nation and our economy. She herself has a message to the administration:

Take the time that this project and the people deserve, she said. Walk the streets, talk to the employees, talk to the landowners, talk to the business owners. Truly talk to the people who are in the trenches working on this project and are affected by the executive order.
Beirut, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :The US military has struck militias in eastern Syria, killing at least 22 fighters according to a war monitor, in what the Pentagon said was a message from the new administration after recent rocket attacks targeting US troops in Iraq.

In its first military action since Joe Biden became president five weeks ago, the Pentagon said it had carried out air strikes on Thursday at a Syria-Iraq border control point used by Iran-backed groups, destroying "multiple facilities".

"At President Biden's direction", the US raids targeted "infrastructure utilised by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria", spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"These strikes were authorised in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," he said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 22 fighters were killed when the strike hit three trucks loaded with munitions coming from Iraq near the Syrian border town of Albu Kamal.

Militia border posts were also destroyed, the war monitor said.
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SOUTHINGTON  Police say one person was seriously hurt in a crash on Queen Street late Thursday night.

Shortly before 11 p.m., officers, fire units and medics were dispatched to a one-car crash near the entrance to Kentucky Fried Chicken at 866 Queen St.
A British man has been jailed for two weeks for breaking Singapore's strict coroanvirus quarantine rules after he left his hotel room for a night with his fiancee.

Nigel Skea was also fined 1,000 Singapore Dollars (540) for the breach, while Singaporean Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai - now his wife - was jailed for a week for helping him.

The judge presiding over the case said 52-year-old Skea left his room in the luxury hotel three times on September 21 last year, despite Singapore requiring people to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine upon their arrival to the country.

Arguing on behalf of the couple, their defence said they had been overcome with emotions because they had not seen each other for a long time, and that Skea had travelled from London to propose.

But passing sentence, judge Jasvender Kaur said disruptions to relationships were inevitable during the pandemic, and the court must send a 'clear message' such violations could not be tolerated.

British national Nigel Skea (right) and wife Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai (walking behind him) arrive at the State Court in Singapore on February 26. Skea was jailed for two weeks and fined 1,000 Singapore Dollars, the equivalent of 540, while Eyamalai was hailed for a week

The couple said they had been overcome with emotions because they had not seen each other for a long time

Skea arrived in September from London to visit Eyamalai and was ordered to undergo a mandatory, two-week quarantine at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia hotel.

He texted Eyamalai, 39, details of where he was staying and she booked a separate room at the same hotel, 13 floors higher.

He then sneaked out of his room and walked up the emergency staircase to the 27th floor where Eyamalai, who was not under quarantine, opened the emergency exit door for him.

The pair spent the night together, but a security guard caught him the next morning as he tried to return to his own room.

He could not access his floor via the emergency staircase, so he had to walk down to the fourth floor, where he was spotted.

He was also not wearing a mask, another violation of virus rules. The couple, who were married in November, had pleaded guilty.

Their lawyer, Surinder Singh Dhillon, told reporters they would not appeal the sentences as 'they want to finish this matter, and he wants to go back home as soon as possible'.

According to the BBC, Skea did not react when the judge read out his sentence, but his now-wife gasped when she heard she would spend one week in prison.

Briton Skea Nigel and partner Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai arrive at the State Courts for a hearing after breaking coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine regulations in Singapore February 15, after breaking quarantine rules in September last year

Their lawyers reportedly cited a number of other cases, but the judge dismissed them saying that the couple had put hotel staff at risk.

She also said that it didn't matter that Skea had stayed within the hotel, saying that he had intentionally chosen to breach his quarantine order when he texted his fiancee at the time the moment he had arrived.

The defence argued that Skea had travelled to Singapore in order to propose, and that they were overcome with emotions after not seeing each other for a long time.

But the judge said this was not a mitigating factor, and that the need for restrictions to stop the spread of the pandemic outweighed their need to see each other, with disruptions to relationships an inevitable consequence to Covid measures.

Speaking after the ruling, their lawyers said the couple had mixed feelings about the result, but that they were pleased the sentences were less than what the prosecution had sought.

The lawyer added that Skea did not plan on appealing, and that he wants to 'finish the matter' and return to the UK and his work as soon as he can.

The judge presiding over the case said 52-year-old Skea left his room in the luxury hotel three times on September 21 last year, with Singapore requiring people to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine upon their arrival to the country. Pictured: The exterior of Singapore's state courts where the couple stood trial

Singapore requires most arrivals to undergo 14 days of quarantine at government-designated hotels. Quarantine violations can be penalised with a fine of up to S$10,000 or up to six months in jail, or both.

Authorities in the city-state have been uncompromising when it comes to those breaking virus rules.

The island nation has jailed and fined others for breaking COVID-19 rules, while some foreigners have also had their work permits revoked.

Singapore has been mildly affected by the pandemic, reporting nearly 60,000 cases with 29 deaths.
Clubhouses popularity continues to surge. We saw Facebooks CEO Mark Zuckerburg and Elon Musk speak about Bitcoin and various other topics. Now, Bill Gates, in a recent interview on the invite-only social audio media-based platform, has publicly said that he prefers Android over iOS due to some pre-installed software.

In his interview with CNBC and New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin, Bill Gates spoke about the happenings with Bitcoin, and how the pandemic has changed the world. He, also, briefly touched on the topic of Android versus iOS wherein he was asked what platform he prefers, and why. To this, he said:

I actually use an Android phone. Ill often play around with iPhones, but the one I carry around happens to be Android. Some of the Android manufacturers pre-install Microsoft software in a way that makes it easy for me. Theyre more flexible about how the software connects up with the operating system. So thats what I ended up getting used to. You know, a lot of my friends have iPhone, so theres no purity.

Paul Davison, Clubhouses co-founder was also in the room, and he said that the company is working on an Android version of the app, and is the companys top priority. Gates was also asked about his thoughts on Bitcoin, and the happenings with it. Gates said that he was worried about the environmental impact of the virtual currency, and said that he hasnt chosen to invest in any cryptocurrency.

Even though the interview was on Clubhouse, a recording of the full interview has been uploaded on YouTube. You can check out the full conversation here.

What are your thoughts on Bill Gates words? Which ecosystem do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below!
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The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) welcomes the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change adopted by the European Commission on 24 February 2021. The CoR regrets, however, that even though it enables the move from planning to action it still lacks concrete climate adaptation targets. The new strategy sets out how the European Union (EU) can adapt to the impacts of climate change. From 1980 to 2016, the total economic losses caused by extreme weather in Europe amounted to over EUR 436 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the need to build a healthier and safer environment for all. The CoR called for a new EU climate adaptation strategy in an opinion adopted at the December 2020 plenary session. 

Juan Espadas (ES/PES) , Mayor of Seville, Chair of the CoR's ENVE commission and the Green Deal Going Local working group, said: "Forests burning, floods destroying, droughts killing: so many people have been caught by climate disasters, which are becoming more frequent and intense. The climate crisis has extreme consequences and we must act now, as this is already our new normal. It is a global emergency, for which we need local solutions. The new climate adaptation strategy can help local and regional authorities to prepare and adapt to these extreme conditions and to strengthen our climate resilience. We welcome the proposal of European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans and are grateful for his recognition of the importance of local climate action."

Markku Markkula (FI/EPP) , Chair of Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region, said: "We are pleased to see that the European Commission has adopted a more ambitious EU Adaptation Strategy in line with our call to foster active subsidiarity and proportionality, recognising the crucial role that cities and regions play in climate adaptation. We now need to move action forward and substantially increase financing tools for local climate adaptation projects, scale up the replication of best practices Europe-wide and exploit the opportunities for innovation provided by data-based policy making." Markku Markkula is a former President of the CoR and the rapporteur of the climate adaptation opinion adopted in December 2020.

The CoR supports the European Commission objective to promote sustainable and resilient urban and rural development and channel financial resources to the local level, including in support of agriculture, the sector most vulnerable to climate change.

The EU's assembly of cities and regions is looking forward to cooperating with the European Commission on the new policy support facility that will provide direct technical assistance to local and regional authorities to develop and implement adaptation strategies and action plans in close cooperation with the Covenant of Mayors.

The involvement of local and regional authorities in the adaptation agenda setting will also be reinforced through key EU programmes such as the Urban Agenda , an EU initiative launched in May 2016 based on a multi-level working method between Member States, cities and the European Commission to stimulate growth, liveability and innovation in European cities.

The Committee supports the proposal for the revision of better regulation guidelines and the recognition of local climate adaptation as a crosscutting priority. The CoR also welcomes the emphasis that the new strategy places on mainstreaming climate adaptation policy and stresses that delivering on local climate action- one of the three priorities of the new climate adaptation strategy - is crucial to facilitate the move from planning to action.

The CoR backs the proposal for a Climate and Health Observatory and suggests an open dialogue to ensure it creates the basis for the inclusion of the health dimension in the European Green Deal , the EU's growth strategy to reach climate-neutrality by 2050.

The CoR supports further monitoring and data gathering as a key tool to target local and regional climate adaptation actions. Climate-ADAPT , the European platform for adaptation knowledge, is to be enhanced and expanded. Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service is to be drawn upon even further.

The Council is expected to agree to conclusions on the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in June 2021.



Following the announcement made by the European Commission and the CoR at the plenary session in October 2020 , direct cooperation between the EU and local and regional authorities has been strengthened by the creation of a Covenant of Mayors' territorial chamber, composed of 27 Members of the European Committee of the Regions who will be announced soon. The EU's assembly of cities and regions is now present at the Political Board of the Covenant of Mayors with the Mayor of Warsaw and former MEP Rafa Kazimierz Trzaskowski (PL/EPP).

The CoR recently launched the Green Deal Going Local working group to ensure that the EU's sustainable growth strategy and the COVID-19 recovery plans translate into direct funding for cities and regions to deliver the European Green Deal locally.

As part of its 'Building resilient communities' campaign, the CoR has launched an online compilation of 200 best practices from CoR members showing how cities and regions are already delivering the European Green Deal through concrete projects on climate adaptation and mitigation.

The new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change was announced in the Communication on the European Green Deal , following a 2018 evaluation of the 2013 Strategy and an open public consultation between May and August 2020.

Climate change is having wide-ranging impacts on ecosystems, economic sectors, human health and well-being in Europe. From 1980 to 2016, the total reported economic losses caused by weather and other climate-related extremes in Europe amounted to over EUR 436 billion , according to the European Commission.

Agriculture is the sector most vulnerable to climate change. In 2018 alone, agricultural damages amounted to some EUR 2 billion in France, EUR 1.4 billion in the Netherlands, and EUR 770 million in Germany. With global warming at 3C, droughts would happen twice as often and the absolute annual drought losses in Europe would increase to EUR 40 billion/year, with the most severe impacts in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Regions (EU SCIENCE HUB).

Contact:

David Crous

david.crous@cor.europa.eu

+32 (0) 470 88 10 37










US tin imports close to nil; premium surges to new high

Taiwan tin trade gets liquidity boost amid mounting interest

European demand outweighs supply, with London Metal Exchange stocks drawn down

Tin premiums in the United States increased by at least 35% over the past two weeks, bringing Tuesdays assessments to new record levels.This marks the fourth consecutive assessment period in which US tin premiums have reached their highest point in Fastmarkets records. Fastmarkets began pricing the delivered premium in 2003 and the in-warehouse premium in late 2016. The premiums first made Fastmarkets records on January 12

A rally has been under way since December 1, 2020, driven by short supply, strong demand and disrupted shipments of an entirely imported commodity. Sources also pointed to sellers rising costs - particularly ocean freight, plus financing a widening backwardation on the London Metal...
Marin Tomas/Getty Images

The US has the highest number of ultra-high net worth individuals.

You need $4.4 million in the US to be in the richest 1%, according to the 2021 Knight Frank Wealth Report.

Monaco had the highest barrier to entry, requiring $7.9 million to crack into the 1%.

Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

Curious to know what the cutoff is to be in the wealthiest 1%? The new annual Wealth Report from Knight Frank breaks the numbers down for the US and other countries around the world.

An individual in the US needs a net wealth of $4.4 million to be among the richest 1% in the world, according to the Knight Frank 2021 Wealth Report. Compared to the rest of the world, the US has the third-highest wealth threshold to break into the 1%.

However, the US has the highest number of what Knight Frank calls UHNWI residents - ultra-high net worth individuals. The real-estate consultancy firm defines a UHNWI resident as someone whose net wealth exceeds $30 million.

Switzerland has the second-highest wealth threshold, with a person needing $5.1 million to join the richest 1%.

Monaco - where the densest population of the super-rich reside according to Knight Frank- has the highest mark to hit for the 1%: $7.9 million.

The level of net wealth needed to join the top 1% in selected countries and territories ($US) Courtesy of Knight Frank

Others listed in the report included No. 4 Singapore at $2.9 million, positioning it as Asia's highest entry ahead of Hong Kong, which requires a net wealth of $2.8 million. The highest entry to the richest 1% for Latin America is Argentina at $360,000. South Africa has the highest wealth threshold out of any other country in Africa, at $180,000.

Countries with the lowest wealth thresholds to crack into the 1% include Indonesia, where a person needs $60,000, and Kenya, where a net wealth of $20,000 is needed for that status.

The report predicts that India's 1% threshold will almost double within the next five years and increase by about 70% for the Chinese Mainland from $850,000 in 2020.

Around 90% of respondents polled in the Knight Frank's Wealth Report Attitudes Survey said they see investment opportunities after the Coronavirus pandemic.

"We are entering a new economic cycle and the prospects for wealth creation and growth are huge," David Bailin, Chief Investment Officer at Citi Private Bank, told Knight Frank.

Read the original article on Business Insider
To effectively target terrorist organizations with the intent and capability to harm the United States, we do not need to station troops permanently in a country. Along with sticking to the agreement with the Taliban, we can further protect ourselves by making it unmistakably clear to the Taliban (and their Pakistani backers) that if they violate the agreement and allow transnational terrorists to operate from their soil against us, they will have to face overwhelming, punitive American force.

If the Taliban keep their part of the bargain, the United States should let the Afghan people decide the future of their country. The past two decades have taught us that a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan is also an acknowledgment that fixing Afghan politics and society while keeping the Taliban out is beyond our considerable abilities.

If President Biden decides to stay indefinitely in Afghanistan, it will adversely affect the peace process by signaling to the Afghan government that we will back it despite the heavy costs and despite its inability to confront the corruption and ineffectiveness that fuels the insurgency. It would embolden Kabul and reduce the chances of compromises to end the war.

It would lead the Taliban to question our trustworthiness and empower hard-line voices among the insurgents. And reneging on the withdrawal agreement or extending it without the Taliban agreeing to it will lead to escalation in violence and even more deaths.

The administration might be reluctant to withdraw for fear of getting blamed for the messiness that could ensue in post-withdrawal Afghanistan, but anything less than a full drawdown means that Afghanistan will become President Bidens war. He will have to own the predictably terrible consequences of continuing a war that cant be won.
Bellows Falls Union High School Principal Christopher Hodsden said the student population has been stable for the past five years. He said he has dropped one expensive proposal from last year -- to rebuild and repave the high school's driveway, which was estimated to cost about $1 million.
An Army AH-64 Apache helicopter on a training flight crashed at Fort Rucker, Alabama, on Thursday, injuring the two aviators onboard.

The crash occurred at approximately 3 p.m. at Hooper Stagefield near Rucker. The two aviators in the gunship did not suffer life-threatening injuries, Fort Rucker spokesman Jimmie Cummings Jr. told Military.com.

One aviator was released from the hospital Thursday evening, and the other will be released in a few days, he added.

Read Next: After Springing Fuel Leak in Heavy Seas, Navy Cruiser Heads Back to Norfolk Port

The Army classified the incident as an aviation mishap, without specifying the severity. But there was damage to the aircraft, according to a news release from Rucker.

WTVY.com had video footage of the aftermath of the crash that shows the Apache on its side and the tail section bent at a severe angle.

There were few details available about the circumstances of the crash, said Cummings, adding that it is not known "how high in the air" the Apache was flying when it went down.

The Army Safety Center at Rucker is investigating the incident, which follows two deadly UH-60 Black Hawk crashes earlier this year.

A Feb. 2 Black Hawk crash that killed three Idaho Army National Guard soldiers occurred about two weeks after a Jan. 20 Black Hawk crash killed three New York Guard pilots.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: A 'Disturbing Pattern' of Deadly Army Black Hawk Crashes Has Lawmakers Asking Questions
FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, file photo, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington. Kirby announced late Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, that the U.S. military conducted airstrikes against facilities in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said were used by Iran-backed militia groups, in response to recent attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq. Kirby said the action was authorized by President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) PHOTO:AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File

US Strike in Syria Kills 1, Wounds Several

By The Associated Press

BAGHDAD - A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one of their militiamen and wounding a number of others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday.

The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The Iraqi militia official told The Associated Press that the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak of the attack. Syria war monitoring groups said the strikes hit trucks moving weapons to a base for Iranian-backed militias in Boukamal.

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington, shortly after the airstrikes which were carried out Thursday evening Eastern Standard Time.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Bidens decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq.

The U.S. has in the past targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a shipment of weapons that were being taken by trucks entering Syrian territories from Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified.

Defense Secretary Austin said he was confident" the U.S. had hit back at the "the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes, referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to President Joe Biden.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Austin said. We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. action was a proportionate military response taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel, Kirby said.

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada.

Further details were not immediately available.

Mary Ellen OConnell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.

The United Nations Charter makes absolutely clear that the use of military force on the territory of a foreign sovereign state is lawful only in response to an armed attack on the defending state for which the target state is responsible, she said. None of those elements is met in the Syria strike.

Biden administration officials condemned the Feb. 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack. He added that U.S. officials were not then able to give a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks."

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Alwiya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdads Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade. Iran-backed groups have splintered significantly since the U.S.-directed strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad more than a year ago. Both were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq.

Since their deaths, the militias have become increasingly unruly. Some analysts argue the armed groups have splintered as a tactic to claim attacks under different names to mask their involvement.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of Bidens inauguration.

The U.S. under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out multiple attacks in Iraq.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that culminated in the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Soleimani and brought Iraq to the brink of a proxy war.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.
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Equality Act will force people to hide their faith, Sen. Lankford warns at CPAC

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At the Conservative Political Action Conference, a U.S. senator warned that the Equality Act would force people to hide their faith and accused one of President Joe Bidens cabinet nominees of working to manage the faith of Californians.

The first full day of CPAC, an annual gathering of conservative grassroots activists, took place Friday in Orlando, Florida. One of the speakers, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., addressed the topic of freedom of religion.

According to Lankford, You dont have to take off your faith when you leave your house. You dont have to take off your faith when you leave church. In fact, I would remind this group if you dont practice your faith every day, you really dont have a faith, you just have a religious hobby.

The in-group in our society doesnt get to define who can and cannot have faith, what their faith would look like in public or in private, he added. We dont have to submit to the in-crowds secular humanism, which he warned is already underway.

Lankford then cited Xavier Becerra, Bidens nominee to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services, as a supporter of this effort. Lankford described how the tenure of Becerra as attorney general of California was defined by hostility toward religious people who did not want to fund contraception and abortion-inducing drugs in their employer-sponsored healthcare plans.

He led the lawsuit against people of faith like Little Sisters of the Poor, forcing them to choose between shutting down their ministry to elderly poor or to violate their religious beliefs, Lankford said. He worked to manage the faith of Californians.

Lankford also cited the Equality Act, a controversial legislative package that passed the House of Representatives Thursday, as another example of the hostility to religion that is becoming commonplace among some government officials.

Although the Equality Act was billed as a necessary bill to enshrine protections for the LGBT community into law, Lankford warned that under the measure, people of faith cannot say you have faith.

As officials at the Alliance Defending Freedom explained in a recent webinar, the Equality Act contains a ban on sexual orientation and gender identity that could require religious employers to include in their healthcare plans things that they might object to like cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers for children and sex reassignment surgery, and perform other actions that might conflict with their religious beliefs.

In addition to warning about the potential confirmation of Becerra and the possible passage of the Equality Act, Lankford touted a recent U.S. Supreme Court victory for religious freedom.

A couple of years ago in Montana, a mom tried to utilize a state scholarship fund to send her daughters to a Christian school but the state of Montana has specific language in their Constitution that doesnt allow state funds to be used at a religious school, he recalled. After mentioning that the Supreme Court determined that as long as Montana maintained a scholarship program it could not exclude religious schools, Lankford lamented that despite the Supreme Court precedent, several states still have similar language in their state constitutions.

Contending that such language requires the states to discriminate against people of faith, Lankford explained that the language was known as the Blaine Amendment, named after the 1884 presidential candidate who spearheaded it, James Blaine, and written during a time of anti-Catholic fervor in our nation more than a century ago.

That language needs to go, Lankford declared. If youre a state legislator, clear that bigoted language out of your state constitution.

As his speech concluded, Lankford brought up the Abraham Accords, an agreement between the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to recognize the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace in the Middle East and around the world based on mutual understanding and coexistence, as well as respect for human dignity, freedom, including religious freedom.

Freedom is breaking out in the Middle East while the left is trying to shut it down in America, he remarked.

They cannot do that because we are Americans and we have the greatest Constitution in the world, he concluded. The right to have your faith and live your faith is a right. You have to make it a reality by actually living your faith.
Brazil health ministry signed a deal with Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech for the purchase of 20 million doses of the Covaxin vaccine. (AFP)

Sao Paulo: On the same day Brazil reached the grim milestone of 250,000 deaths by COVID-19, the country's health ministry signed a deal with Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech for the purchase of 20 million doses of the Covaxin vaccine, which is yet to be approved by local regulators.

The administration of President Jair Bolsonaro said the first 8 million Covaxin shots, which will be made by Brazilian company Precisa Medicamentos, will arrive in March. A second batch of another 8 million doses is expected for April and in May, another 4 million doses will be available.

So far Brazil has vaccinated less than 4 per cent of its population of 210 million people, with some cities stopping immunization campaigns last week due to shortages.

Neither Precisa nor Bharat confirmed the deal or the delivery dates.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  Filipino actress Chai Fonacier is joining international film stars Eva Green and Mark Strong in a psychological thriller by Irish director Lorcan Finnegan, according to an exclusive report.

Variety, in its online edition on Thursday, said Fonacier will portray the role of a Filipino caregiver to a fashion designer with a mysterious illness played by Green in the film "Nocebo." It said Fonacier's character will use "traditional folk healing" to reveal a truth that will shock doctors and even the character of Strong, who will play Green's husband.

The film is now in production in Ireland. "Nocebo" is also reported to be the first co-production between Ireland and the Philippines with Epic Media as the Filipino co-producers. Variety also said the Film Development Council of the Philippines is helping finance the film.

Fonacier, who is based in Cebu, is an award-winning actress who starred in films "Patay na si Hesus," where she won the Luna Award for Best Supporting Actress, "Respeto," "Pauwi Na," "Born Beautiful" and "Miss Bulalacao," where she bagged the Cinema One Originals Film Festival's Best Supporting Actress trophy.

Green, a former Bond girl, is a Golden Globe nominee for her role in the series "Penny Dreadful," while BAFTA-nominee Strong is most known for his portrayals in "1917" and "The Kingsman" movie franchise.
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New data from Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge suggests that a single dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine can reduce by four-fold the number of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections.

This implies that the vaccine could significantly reduce the risk of transmission of the virus from people who are asymptomatic, as well as protecting others from getting ill.

The study by a team at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) and the University of Cambridge analyzed results from thousands of COVID-19 tests carried out each week as part of its screening programs on hospital staff who showed no signs of infection.

Vaccination for health care workers on the CUH site began on 8 December 2020, with mass vaccination from 8 January 2021. During a two-week period between 18 and 31 January 2021, the team screened similar numbers of vaccinated and unvaccinated staff using around 4,400 PCR tests per week.

The results were then separated out to identify unvaccinated staff, and staff who had been vaccinated more than 12 days prior to testing (when protection against symptomatic infection is thought to occur).

The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, found that 26 out of 3,252 (080%) tests from unvaccinated healthcare workers were positive.

This compared to 13 out of 3,535 (0.37%) tests from healthcare workers less than 12 days post-vaccination and 4 out of 1,989 (020%) tests from healthcare workers at 12 days or more post-vaccination.

This suggests a four-fold decrease in the risk of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection amongst healthcare workers who have been vaccinated for more than 12 days (75 percent protection). The level of asymptomatic infection was also halved in those vaccinated for less than 12 days.

Dr Mike Weekes, an infectious disease specialist at CUH and the University of Cambridge's Department of Medicine, who led the study, said: "This is great news - the Pfizer vaccine not only provides protection against becoming ill from SARS-CoV-2 but also helps prevent infection, reducing the potential for the virus to be passed on to others.

"This will be welcome news as we begin to plot a roadmap out of the lockdown, but we have to remember that the vaccine doesn't give complete protection for everyone. We still need social distancing, masks, hand hygiene, and regular testing until the pandemic is under much better control."

Our findings show a dramatic reduction in the rate of positive screening tests among asymptomatic healthcare workers after a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This is fantastic news for both hospital staff and patients, who can be reassured that the current mass vaccination strategy is protecting against asymptomatic carriage of the virus in addition to symptomatic disease, thereby making hospitals even safer places to be." Dr Nick Jones, Study First Author and Infectious Diseases/Microbiology Registrar, Cambridge University Hospitals

Giles Wright, program director for the CUH Vaccination Hub said: "Throughout the pandemic so far, we have taken a systematic approach to keep our staff safe and well. The huge efforts of all those involved in the testing, tracing, and vaccination programs at CUH are making the plan a reality. We are very encouraged by the findings of our research. It gives further hope for the near future."

When the team included symptomatic healthcare workers, their analyses showed similar reductions. 56 out of 3,282 (171%) unvaccinated healthcare workers tested positive. This compared to 8 out of 1,997 (040%) healthcare workers at 12 or more days post-vaccination, a 43-fold reduction.

The researchers have released their data ahead of peer review because of the urgent need to share information relating to the pandemic.

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BALLSTON SPA  After a perceived takeover of the Working Families Party in Rensselaer County the same phenomenon appears to be happening in Saratoga County.

The party, known for its progressive politics meant to uplift the working poor, has 124 new members, boosting its ranks by nearly 30 percent to its current membership of 554 countywide, according to county Board of Elections data reviewed by the Times Union. Most of those who switched -- 73 of 124 -- came from the Republican Party and the now-defunct Independence Party of New York that often teamed with the GOP to cross-endorse the same candidates. The majority are also from Saratoga Springs.

See list here.

Saratoga County voters who switched to the Working Family Party Former party Voters Independence 39 Republican 34 Democratic 25 No Party 18 Green 3 Conservative 3 Libertarian 2 Total 124



While the WFP is still a tiny faction in a county with 174,372 voters, leadership at the WFP is concerned that a more conservative-leaning membership will push out progressive candidates in primaries.

We are concerned that the Machiavellian Republicans are trying to steal our party line like they are doing in Rensselaer, said Joe Seeman, a WFP volunteer who endorses Saratoga County candidates. They could force a primary with our endorsed candidate.

In Rensselaer County, the Times Union reported last month that the GOP is attempting to register supporters in the WFP to seize the ballot line to challenge the Working Families' endorsed candidate, Democrat Gwen Wright. Since November, the WFP in Rensselaer County has more than doubled in size to roughly 2,000 enrollees.

On Wednesday morning, the Saratoga County Republican Party chairman, Carl Zeilman, said that he was "not familiar" with the issue.

"Voters are free to enroll in a political party affiliation of their choosing," Zeilman said in a written statement.

The former Independence Party Chairman Eddie Miller did not respond to a Times Union request for comment on the migration.

Anita Thayer, the secretary of the Working Family Party-Capital District, said that the party has become a target because it has become more visible, getting more votes in November 2020 than it has before in its 20-year history. She also said that though it's a concern that more Republicans and Independence members could knock off the WFP's endorsed candidates in primaries, she doesn't see it as a widespread problem. The takeover of the ballot line, she said, is only a problem in counties where Republicans have less of a stronghold.

Seeman said that enrolled Republicans and Independence Party members dont share the WFP platform of reforms that includes racial justice, equity in education, supporting unions and protecting the environment. Seeman said that the party will fight to preserve their values.

Republicans will do anything to seize power, Seeman said. We will contact every member of the (WFP) party to get them to vote for our people. We are aware of it. We are dealing with and will do everything to fight it.
They ignore what is most important for our students  that is, increasing the quality of education  and instead force onto teachers a singular view for some of our countrys most-heavily debated topics.  As a Black Illinoisan who cares about the education of our children today, I am deeply concerned with these proposed standards. Even if well-intentioned, these standards impose one view of our culture and politics, Hoffman, who works for Empower Illinois, which focuses on providing tax credit scholarships for needy students to attend private schools, wrote in a Tribune guest op-ed.
Dr. Hasan Gokal decided to give away 10 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were on the verge of going to waste, in what he thought was the responsible decision. Everything that came next was "an absolute, complete utter shock," and "mind-blowingly unexpected," he told CBS News.

The Houston doctor worked as Texas' Harris County Public Health Department emergency response physician for the Office of Preparedness. He was also the medical director for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for the county.

In late December of last year, he was supervising a vaccination event for emergency workers  the county's first public vaccination event, he said. Within two weeks, he'd be fired and charged with theft for his actions that night.

As the event came to an end, one last person showed up for a shot. So, a new vial of the Moderna vaccine containing 11 doses was punctured to administer the vaccine, which activated the six-hour time limit for the 10 remaining doses.

The remaining 10 doses needed to be in arms within six hours or they would need to be thrown out, because they would have expired. Gokal said he was determined not to waste them. "This is a 5 million person county and we had the first 3,000 thousand doses. There was no room for throwing any of it out. Ever," he said. "When you have something so precious, life-saving, it would hurt you to throw it away."

Gokal said his first reaction was to offer the doses to the event's workers, but they had either already gotten inoculated or declined. Emergency workers had already left the site and the police officers there had either already gotten the vaccine or said they wanted to wait before taking it.

With no other options, Gokal called a Harris County public health official in charge of operations to share his plan to find 10 people and administer them the remaining doses. He said he was told to go for it.

Because the event was the first time Harris County began vaccinating the public, Gokal said there were no protocol from the county that he could've followed at that point: "They did not exist. This was new scenario ... You don't have a precedence of this," he said.

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Dr. Hasan Gokal, his wife and children. / Credit: Courtesy of Hasan Gokal

But he said there was guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services to always try to find eligible people in that tier when there are leftovers vaccine doses at the end of a shift. If you can't find anyone eligible, find someone willing and able to take it. The agency's message, Gokal said, was clear: "We don't want any doses wasted. Period."

"At that point, I start going through my phone list, thinking of who might" fall under the 1(b) category (people over 65 or with a health condition that increases risk of severe Covid-related illness) Dr. Gokal said.

He scrambled to find 10 people who met the state's vaccine requirements. Some were acquaintances; others, strangers. Among them were two women in their 70s. Two elderly women who are bed-bound. Their children in their 70s and who suffered from medical conditions also received the shot. A mother with a child who uses a ventilator, for whom catching the virus could've been a "death sentence," Gokal said.

After midnight, and with just 20 minutes before the vaccine expired, the last person set to receive it canceled. Gokal said he was faced with two options: throwing away the last dose, or administering it to his wife, who suffers from pulmonary sarcoidosis, a lung disease that leaves her short of breath and that can be fatal. Given her condition, she was eligible, the doctor said.

Gokal said he never intended or planned to give any of his family members the shot unless it was through the "appropriate channels"  but given the unusual circumstances, he gave the last dose to his wife.

He submitted the paperwork for the 10 people he vaccinated the next morning at work and was transparent about what had happened the day before with his colleagues and supervisor, he said. A week later, he was fired.

Human resources told him that he should have returned the remaining doses, he said, even if that meant they would have been thrown away. Gokal, who immigrated from Pakistan when he was 10, said human resources also questioned the lack of "equity" among the list of people he had inoculated  suggesting there were too many Indian names in the group.

The Harris County Public Health Office of Communications said the department was unable to comment on the Gokal case.

Two weeks after being terminated, the doctor found out he had been charged with theft and accused of breaking county protocols by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.

"He abused his position to place his friends and family in line in front of people who had gone through the lawful process to be there," Ogg said. She said a week had passed before "he told a fellow Harris County Public Health employee, who then reported him to supervisors."

A judge later dismissed the charges. The judge's ruling, which said "the affidavit is riddled with sloppiness and errors," noted the state didn't "sufficiently allege that the complainant had a greater right to possession of the vaccine than the defendant, who by affiant's own admission is 'the medical advisor for the COVID-19 response.'"

The district attorney still intends to pursue a case in front of a grand jury. Gokal's lawyers expect that to occur in the next two weeks. If indicted, he could face a year in prison.

Gokal's lawyer, Paul Doyle, said that when he requested copies of the written protocols and waiting list referred to in the complaint, a prosecutor told him there wasn't one, nor was there a written wait list.

In an email, Dane Schiller, the district attorney's director of communications, said the office could not comment on the case, but referred CBS News to the charging document.

Gokal said he gets tears to his eyes each time he recounts the moment he found out that charges had been filed against him.

The hardest thing he's had to deal with, he said, was to notice the fallout the situation had on his loved ones: His wife was struggling to sleep and her condition was deteriorating. His children now had difficulty focusing on their schoolwork: "It's just been devastating," he said.

"When I'm in the ER, when there's a question mark as to what the right thing to do is, human life always trumps any policy issue. No one ever questions that," said Gokal, who has a background is emergency medicine. Now, he says he's dealing with the repercussions for not wasting a vaccine in the midst of a pandemic.

Gokal said he hopes that his experience won't cause other doctors to lose their moral compass and to be dissuaded from doing "the right thing" when it comes to making decisions.

"It's unfortunate I was the first one on the scene with this type of a situation and not several down the line, when they were realizing this should happen every time," he said.

Earlier this month, both the Texas Medical Association and the Harris County Medical Society issued a statement which backed Gokal's actions.

"It is difficult to understand any justification for charging any well-intentioned physician in this situation with a criminal offense," the statement said.

Regardless of the outcome of the legal process, Gokal fears for his career.

The accusation "made Dr. Gokal look horrible worldwide," his lawyer said, and tarnished a career he's spent two decades building.

"Everybody read the initial story and the initial reaction was, 'These were vaccines for my parents, grandparents and frontline workers. How dare he steal these?'" Doyle said.

For now, Gokal spends his time volunteering at a charity health clinic.

"Given that the only alternative would be to throw the vaccines away, I wouldn't have done anything different," Gokal said. "I wouldn't be a good physician if I said I regretted doing that."

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New Delhi, Feb 26 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday saluted the valour of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on completion of two years of the Balakot air strike conducted in Pakistan on February 26 two years ago, in response to the terrorist attack in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir on February 14, 2019, On this day, the IAF had entered Pakistan and avenged the Pulwama terror attack by destroying the terror camps of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Shah on Friday tweeted, "Today in 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had responded to the Pulwama terror attack and reiterated the country's policy against terrorism in 'New India'. I remember the brave martyrs (army personnel) of Pulwama and salute the valour of the Air Force. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the security of the country and our soldiers is paramount." On February 14, a car packed with a large quantity of explosives had rammed into a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH). As a result, 42 CRPF personnel were martyred in this terrorist attack. Twelve days after this incident, the Indian Air Force conducted an airstrike in Pakistan's Balakot on the night of February 26 and destroyed terror camps.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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[February 26, 2021] Trust the Leader in Online School: Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Now Accepting Enrollments for 2021-2022 School Year

After an academic year like no other, Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA), a full-time online public-school academy serving K-12 students throughout the state, is welcoming students to enroll for the 2021-2022 school year, starting on March 2. "Students of all ages need consistency in their education and MVCA can provide them with what they need to succeed," said Randy Rodriquez, head of school. "There's no doubt this past school year has been challenging for everyone, but our technology and student-focused curriculum will give your children the advantage they need to be a leader at the next level." MVCA is tuition-free to all students who reside in Michigan, staffed by highly qualified state-licensed teachers, and is an authorized online public-school program of the Hazel Park School District. They offer a personalized approach to learning, deliveringrich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education.



Students choose online school for a variety of reasons including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment, family engagement, and the ability to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. MVCA's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style. MVCA is now accepting enrollments for the 2021-2022 school year. Families are encouraged to attend an online information sessions hosted by the school. More information, how to enroll, and a schedule of upcoming events can be found at https://mvca.k12.com/.

About Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA) is a full-time online public charter school that serves Michigan students in kindergarten through 12th grade. As part of the Michigan public school system, MVCA is tuition-free and provides families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build skills for their future. For more information visit mvca.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005001/en/

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Head of the Military Communications Division of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Colonel Artur Chatyan has joined the statement by the General Staff of the Armed Forces calling on Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to resign.

Yerevan.Today stated the names of the officers of the General Staff who hadnt joined the statement, and Colonel Chatyan was one of them. Colonel Chatyan told Yerevan.Today that he is currently under quarantine due to the coronavirus and that he would sign under the statement, if he knew about it.

The administration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement stating that the Prime Minister of Armenia and the Cabinet are no longer capable of adopting adequate decisions and that the army demands Nikol Pashinyans resignation.

After this statement was made, Nikol Pashinyan went live on Facebook and said he has signed the decree on dismissing Onik Gasparyan from the position of Chief of the General Staff, and the Staff of the President of Armenia confirmed the news that the President has received the recommendation, but has yet to sign it.

Only three officers of the General Staff havent joined the statement.
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DENVER  A legislative committee in Colorado has advanced a bill that would give recent and future victims of child sexual assault unlimited time to sue their abusers.

Lawmakers on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed the bill on Wednesday, The Colorado Sun reported. It will next head to the full Senate for debate.

Currently, victims of child sexual assault have six years after they turn 18 to sue. The legislation would eliminate that restriction.

A similar effort failed last year because of debates among lawmakers on whether and how to give victims an avenue to file lawsuits against their abusers years after the abuse happened. Several victims and advocacy groups were angered with the results.

The legislation would apply to people abused after Jan. 1, 2022, and people who are within the window of the statute of limitations by that date.

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Another measure seeks to give past child sex abuse victims an opportunity to sue their abusers and institutions that failed to intervene. That bill has not yet been scheduled for its first committee hearing.

Colorado is way behind on statute of limitation reform for survivors of child sexual abuse, said Democratic state Sen. Jessie Danielson, the prime sponsor of the proposals. These bills are the result of a decades-long struggle to bring some healing and justice to the survivor community. Its time that we get it done.

The companion bill is intended to give institutions the ability to right their wrongs in a way that the sponsors feel doesnt violate the Constitution.

There was always an appetite to try to address the decades-old, well-documented history of child sexual abuse and institutional cover up in Colorado, said Raana Simmons, spokesperson for the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The problem, I think, was just how do we do it.
A court in Ukraine has denied former Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin his complaint against a police interrogator who closed a criminal case involving incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden in September 2020, Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs has said.

"Criminal proceedings No. 62020000000000236 were closed on 23 September 2020 (a few months before the U.S. presidential election) due to a lack of corpus delicti. Applicant Viktor Shokin and his lawyers disagreed with this decision. They complained against a police interrogator. After reviewing the materials of the proceedings in detail, on February 25, 2021, the court issued its verdict: REJECT the complaint (case No. 757 / 42457/20-K)," the press service of the ministry said on Friday.

In this regard, the ministry reiterated that "the police have closed the case legally."

As reported, on February 27, Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigations registered a criminal proceeding over pressure on ex-Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin by Biden. The reason for the pressure was the investigation of serious crimes in the field of international corruption related to the activities of ex-Minister of Ecology of Ukraine Mykola Zlochevsky and the top managers of the Burisma company by the PGO. The case was opened under Part 2 of Article 343 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Lawyer of U.S. President Donald Trump, Rudolf Giuliani, in a number of interviews announced the interference of Biden in Ukrainian politics and participation in corruption cases. In particular, he claimed that Shokin was fired at the request of Biden  ostensibly for his knowledge of Burisma's ties with his son Hunter Biden.

On May 21, 2020, the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv ordered the PGO to enter information about Biden's possible interference in Shokin's activities when he ran the post of Prosecutor General of Ukraine in the unified database of pretrial investigations.

"Complaint of Oleksandr Teleshetsky [lawyer of Shokin] in the interests of PERSON_1 on the inaction of the Prosecutor General's Office, which is not entering information about the criminal offense in the unified database of pretrial investigations after receiving a statement of criminal offense is to be upheld," the court said in ruling No. 757/13 840/20-k signed by Judge Serhiy Vovk.

On December 3, 2020, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said that the case investigated by the National Police of Ukraine, in which Biden appeared in the context of alleged pressure on Shokin, was closed. "As far as I understand, one case, which was investigated by the National Police, was closed. And another [case] was not closed," Venediktova said.
(online)

Organiser: European Institutions

The European Commission released the new and more ambitious EU Climate Adaptation Strategy on 24 February, 2021. The Strategy complements the proposed European Climate Law and sets to foster adaptive capacity and socially-just transformations to climate-resilient society, fully adapted to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. During this event, members of adaptation and disaster risk reduction communities will discuss how to reach these goals and accelerate adaptation actions.

On behalf of the European Commission, DG CLIMA, the Foundation Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change organises a The event will mobilise the climate adaptation community and provide forum for reflecting on the role of science and innovation in general, and how climate adaptation community can contribute to meeting the goals of the Strategy.

When? 25 & 26 February

What? Three parallel community workshops from 14.00 to 16.00 CET on both days, and high-level policy panels from 16.15 to 18.00 CET on both days.

More information on the event and full agenda here. Registration to the event here.

The event will be recorded. Streams will be available on the European Commission YouTube channel.
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On February 26, Ukraine marks Day of Resistance to Occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has said Ukraine continues to consolidate international efforts to achieve the complete de-occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol and to bring Russia to justice for its crimes.

"On that day in 2014, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People organized a ten-thousand-strong rally in front of the Crimean Parliament building in Simferopol in protest against the intentions to tear Crimea away from Ukraine. Since then, February 26 has become for Ukraine a symbol of resistance to the occupation, which has already lasted for seven years," the ministry said in a comment on Resistance to Occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol Day on February 26.

"Russia seized Crimea by armed aggression and attempted its illegal annexation on the pretext of an unlawful and rigged referendum. By doing so, it grossly violated the basic principles of international law and undermined the European and global security system," the diplomats said.

Read alsoTurkey declares non-recognition of Crimea annexationRussia has been pursuing a criminal policy of colonization and assimilation of the peninsula from day one of the occupation, diplomats stress, adding that Russia "systemically violates international law and human rights, uses brutal repression against all those who have the courage to resist the occupation."

"The national, cultural, and religious rights of ethnic Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are being curtailed, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is being persecuted, the freedom of speech is suppressed and the independent media are destroyed," the comment says.

It is noted the occupiers purposefully persecute the indigenous people of the peninsula, the Crimean Tatars, who do not accept the occupation. Russia is trying to criminalize all dissidents, illegally detaining them and convicting them on trumped-up charges of "terrorism" and "extremism."

Back in 2016, Russia banned the Mejlis (the representative body of the Crimean Tatar people) and outlawed all its members. Despite the 2017 order of the UN International Court of Justice, the Mejlis remains banned.

Russia is also intensifying the militarization of Crimea. The peninsula, known as Ukraine's resort area before the occupation, has been transformed into a Russian military base, which poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to other countries in the region, including many NATO and EU-member states.

Read alsoU.S. welcomes Ukraine's initiative on Crimean Platform  Blinken"Ukraine is grateful to its allies and partners for their consistent and effective support in the struggle for the restoration of our country's territorial integrity. The international community should increase political and sanctions pressure on Russia to persuade it to liberate the occupied Ukrainian territories, release all political prisoners, and abide by the international court rulings," the reports says.

"Ukraine continues to consolidate international efforts to achieve the complete de-occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol and to bring Russia to justice for its crimes. To this end, Ukraine is creating a new international coordination format, the Crimea Platform, and calls on all partners to join it. Together, we will restore justice and stability through joint actions. Crimea is Ukraine," the ministry stressed.

Russian occupation of Crimea

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia.

On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin.

The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced.

Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began.

Reporting by UNIAN
Boyers Food Markets, and the grocery industry as a whole, saw a rise in sales for the first time in years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dean Walker, Boyers president and CEO, said industry sales had been flat for years with a rise of online shopping and reliance on eating out.

Last year was really the first year that the industry as a whole saw very positive sales gains because of the general increased demand, Walker said. We had to fill a need that people havent utilized for quite a while.

When restaurants shut down, Walker said people had to relearn how to cook at home.

About 35-40% of meals are typically eaten outside of the home, Walker said. As the restaurants shut down, that pushed a big demand into the grocery stores to fulfill more meals per day than what theyve had to do for years.

Walker said the initial surge, which he compared to a snow scare, slowed as restaurants reopened, but he expects people will continue to cook from home more.

Theres still going to be restrictions in place, and theres still a lot of fear amongst customers, Walker said earlier this month. I think there will be an increased demand as people see that its a lot cheaper to buy food and cook at home than it is to eat out five nights a week.

Stockpiling and strain

The grocery industry saw 13-15% sales growth last year. Walker said that growth shifted at different stages of the pandemic. In the beginning, customers were stockpiling essentials and pantry items, while fresh food sales were low. Later, when people started cooking more, fresh food sales increased.

Meat and seafood sales were strong all year, seeing surges after reports of meat shortages.

That demand creates the shortage, had people not decided that they needed to have a years supply of meat in their freezers and stockpile, Walker said. The stockpiling in the beginning put such a strain on the entire pipeline.

Walker said some products, like paper towels, are still in low supply from manufacturers, especially after the second wave of the pandemic.

We were finally getting back in business in September, October, and then the November surge hit, and they emptied stores again for several weeks, Walker said.

To cope, Walker said Boyers began ordering products, particularly holiday goods, in advance.

We faired better than a lot of our competitors, because as soon as products started to become available, we started overbuying and stockpiling our own inventory in stores, Walker said.

While inventory was down 40% in March and April, Walker said stores were stocked at a 25% overage in the fall. He said this helped maintain customer loyalty, as shoppers would go from store to store to find items in stock.

Enormous expenses

Despite the increased sales, the industry, where traditional profits are at a thin 1%, still struggled with increased operation costs during the pandemic.

While we were enjoying tremendous sales gains, we also had enormous expenses in supplies, sanitation and extra labor to have people standing at doors wiping down carts, Walker said.

Along with implementing safety measures, Walker said Boyers increased wages, gave out bonuses and hired around 15% more employees. Now, however, Walker said they are short staffed.

Its very hard to hire people, Walker said. Were going to blame a lot of that on unemployment subsidies. Its made it very difficult to hire people to work retail, to be in the public, potentially vulnerable.

Across 18 stores, Boyers has around 1,100 employees who work 26,000 hours per week. Walker said they received part of a $50 million grant for essential businesses in Pennsylvania to cover wages for six weeks, but he said it was not enough to make a big difference.

Online ordering spikes

Another area of expansion for Boyers was its online ordering services, in which customers can shop online and go to the store for curbside pickup. This service had been in place for a year prior to the pandemic, but it did not take off until last year.

Now were 300% over where we started, Walker said. Its a viable program to keep in place, so there are more people using it on a weekly basis than pre-pandemic. We do think thats here to stay.

Walker said stores went from one or two online orders a day to 50, which came with logistical challenges.

It was hard enough to get groceries on the shelf, besides take them back off the shelf and put them in a bag and check them out so that a customer could pick them up at the front door, Walker said. You couldnt charge for that either.

Walker said they have also looked into expanding delivery options. Currently they make some deliveries to older members of the community, but Walker said it would be difficult to expand without any added costs.

Along with online services, Walker said they introduced some automation during the pandemic, beginning with a salad machine to replace the open salad bar.

The safety of salad bars going forward and the labor crunch have certainly put a strain on that, Walker said. When we found that machine, we thought that was one of the coolest things weve ever seen. It is really effective, but it is really costly.

Walker said Boyers has lost a lot of business from the salad bar and other food service operations during the pandemic. However, the salad machine will have to make a lot of sales to make up for the investment.

The labor savings are little, because they still have to service the machine, Walker said.

Battling the big guys

Walker said they have not considered self checkout, as the stores are smaller and the customer base seems to prefer regular checkout. They are looking at an app that would allow customers to scan items as they shop and pay right away when they get to the checkout.

All of this is for a small company with limited IT resources to try to keep up, versus a Walmart that has an endless supply of resources, Walker said. Thats difficult. In order to stay in business, we have to do everything they do.

Despite the challenges, Walker said the company and its employees have handled the pandemic well. The company has had only had about 30-40 COVID-19 cases among employees, most of which were contracted outside the stores.

To us, thats the success story, because that was our goal all along, to keep our people safe, to keep our customers safe and still be here, Walker said, because we are essential.
Zimbabwe expects better cotton yields this year compared to last year on the back of good rains.

More farmers took up cotton production this year particularly in new areas as Cottco embarked on a drive to increase the coverage of the Presidential Cotton Inputs Scheme.

Under the scheme, the Government procures the inputs, which are then distributed through The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe. The package includes fertilisers, seed and chemicals.

The Government came up with the scheme to help revive production, which declined to 28 000 tonnes in 2015 on the back of subdued support to farmers in terms of funding.

Farmers abandoned cotton production citing poor prices. The Presidential Cotton Inputs Scheme saw production expanding since 2015, reaching 144 000 tonnes in 2018, but back to back droughts saw production declining in 2019 and 2020.

Speaking during field tours in Mutawatawa and Murehwa this week, Cottco managing director Mr Pious Manamike ,said prospects for better yields were bright this season.

"We have received good rains and this should help us to achieve better yields although in some areas production will be affected by excessive rains," said Mr Manamike who was accompanied by Uzumba Member of Parliament Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.

The purpose of field visits was to have an appreciation of the crop situation and interact with farmers to understand their concerns.

In the past Cottco used to hold regular interactive meetings with farmers but this has not been possible due to Covid-19.

The incessant rains have caused extreme wet conditions especially in Gokwe, making it difficult for the cotton plants to extract nutrients.

Leaching levels are severe and the rains are destroying the cotton plants at fruiting stage.

Mr Manamike said Cottco was expanding the coverage of the Presidential scheme so that many rural households could benefit. In view of climate change, he said the company adopted climate proofing measures about three years ago which include adopting hybrid seeds that need lesser water and have higher yields.

On average, yield potential of hybrid seeds is about 10 times higher compared with traditional open pollinated varieties.

Cottco came up with the moisture conservation tillage assistance programme. Conservation tillage is a generic term that covers systems that reduce loss of soil and water compared with conventional methods.

"All these measures are meant to ensure the production does not suffer," said Mr Manamike.

"We are much guided by Vision 2030 agenda that seeks to achieve an upper middle-income by 2030."

Turning to the outstanding payments, Mr Manamike assured farmers that they would receive their dues soon.

"The Government has made a commitment and all outstanding payments would be made," he said.

"So we encourage you not to despair. We are also putting in place measures to avoid challenges faced last season."

Mr Mudarikwa applauded the scheme, saying it had uplifted several households.

"I encourage farmers to expand cotton production so that you make your fair contribution to Vision 2030," he said while urging them to desist from side marketing practices.

Farmers expressed satisfaction with inputs distribution processes, but appealed for more chemicals in light of the excessive rains.

"I am quite happy . . . We got all the inputs and I am expecting between 50 and 60 bales from my four and half hectares," said Mr Pemberai Makunha who farms in Murehwa.

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"With more support, we can do much better. However, as we continue receiving the rains, we need more chemicals."

Another farmer Ms Emelina Jambwa (30), encouraged rural youth to take advantage of the Presidential Scheme to uplift their living standards.

Apart from participating in the primary production of cotton, Cottco is involved in ginning.

However, further value addition of processed raw cotton is limited because Zimbabwe's textile industry is not fully functional.

There is little uptake of lint by local spinners with the bulk of the commodity being exported.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has since indicated that it is developing strategies for value chains for different sub-sectors of the manufacturing industry including cotton as it looks at boosting production, lower imports and create jobs.
Tributes have been paid to the late Paddy and Willie Hennessy Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

THREE brothers nicknamed 'The Saints' who died in an horrific suspected double murder-suicide have been named locally as Willie (66), Paddy 'Pa' (60) and John (59) Hennessy from Corragorm, just outside Mitchelstown.

Two of the brothers were bludgeoned to death with an axe at the family farm in north Cork.

A third brother was recovered dead from the River Funshion outside Mitchelstown less than 1km from where his Toyota car was found parked near the church where the brothers usually worshipped following a massive Garda manhunt.

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Detectives fear that the double murder-suicide involving the Hennessy brothers was sparked by a dispute between the trio - described by locals as incredibly close over their lifetime - about the small 25 acre farm and the income derived from it against a background of health issues.

However, Gardai said they are baffled as to the precise motive involved.

Pa had only suffered a stroke before Christmas and was still recovering. It was the third tragedy to hit the family with a fourth brother, Jer, having died in tragic circumstances in January 2014.

The son of one of the brothers also died in tragic circumstances in May 2012.

The bodies of Paddy 'Pa' and Willie Hennessy were discovered at their Corragorm farm some 6km from Mitchelstown when a concerned relative went to the property amid concern for their welfare shortly after 11pm on Thursday night and alerted Gardai.

One brother was found with horrific head injuries lying in the farmyard.

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A second brother was found with similarly horrific injuries in a nearby farm shed. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third brother, John Hennessy, who lived at the property, was not present and his red Toyota Corolla van was missing.

Gardai at the scene between Mitchelstown and Kildorrery were supported by armed members of the Regional Support Unit (RSU).

Despite initial indications, Gardai said they are satisfied that no firearm was used in the tragedy.

Gardai conducted a massive manhunt for the third brother and his red Toyota was located parked near Killacluig Church - some 4km from the farmhouse - around 9am.

A massive search of the local countryside some 10km outside Mitchelstown was commenced to locate him with the search being supported by uniformed Gardai, Garda dog units and the Garda helicopter.

Shortly after 12 noon, Gardai spotted a body in the nearby River Funshion and it was later recovered by the Garda Water Unit.

Three scenes - the farmhouse, car park and river field - have been preserved and are undergoing examination by forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau.

Locum State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster visited the scene shortly after 1pm with all three bodies later being removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for post mortem examinations which will take place on Friday.

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Supt Liam Geraghty said Gardai were not looking for anyone else in relation to the tragedy.

More than 50 officers were deployed to the operation.

"Gardai have commenced a criminal investigation into a set of tragic incidents here in Mitchelstown. We are not looking for anyone else in relation to this matter at this time," he said.

Supt Geraghty said no weapon has been recovered as yet.

"Gardai will support the family through this personal tragedy for them. We will have to wait for post mortem results to determine the nature of the injuries but at this stage we do not anticipate that any firearm was involved."

Gardai appealed to anyone with information on the incidents to contact investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, Fermoy Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Locals expressed deep shock at the tragedy. Willie and John Hennessy lived together at the Corragorm farm while Pa lived in nearby Mitchelstown.

Liam O'Donnell was a neighbour of the three brothers and described them as "very quiet people, hard-working men and really great neighbours."

Mr O'Donnell said he was quite friendly with Willie Hennessy and used to regularly call to the house for a chat or a cup of tea.

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"They were very close. They were hard-working people all their lives. They were great neighbours and were three of the nicest men you could ever hope to meet," he said.

Pa's former employer, Michael Downey of JD Tyres, said he was "the salt of the earth."

"Paddy was such a hard-working man - and was a great colleague and a lovely fella," he said.

"He worked in the tyre business for most of his life - he worked for Suttons, Hanover and JD. You couldn't ask for a better person to have work alongside you. He was such a likeable man."

Another employee, who was too upset to give his name, worked alongside Paddy for 18 years and said he loved handball, music and his local community.

All three brothers were noted handball players in Mitchelstown in the 1970s and 80s.

The brothers also worked at fuel supplies, delivering firewood to homes throughout north Cork.

Former Cork East TD Kevin O'Keeffe, a neighbour of the brothers, said the family were very highly respected and were known for their hard work.

"It is beyond belief what happened. It is a total shock and no one knows what could have happened. Our hearts go out to the Hennessy family and their sister Breda," he said.

"They kept to themselves and were known locally as 'The Saints'. It is such a terrible thing for people here in Mitchelstown."

Councillor Frank Roche said the tragedy - coming so soon after the shocking murder-double suicide in Kanturk - raised serious issues about the supports being offered to people in rural Ireland.

"My phone is constantly ringing with people in rural areas pleading for help with stress, money worries or mental health issues," he said.

Fine Gael Councillor Kay Dawson lives near where the farmhouse is situated and described the brothers as genuine, quiet and gentle people, while speaking on RTE News at One.

You cant make anything of it because it just doesnt make sense.

"Normally when you listen to the news its someplace else, but this is our own community devastated by this tragedy this morning. I don't have the language to put the words on the sensation. Unbelievable I think is the best way to describe it.

Its a tight, close-knit community, a hard-working community and we are devastated, she continued.

They were salt of the earth, just got on with their daily lives.

They interacted well. They were genuine, quiet, gentle people. Its just unbelievable to wake up today to hear that they are no longer with us. I am stuck for words and I normally wouldnt be. Its a tragedy beyond belief and our understanding.

Councillor Dawson said the brothers were well known due to their timber business which they operated out of the farmhouse.

They would have been heavily engaged with lots of people, they travelled selling their timber. They were by no means isolated or remote, Ms Dawson said.

The remains of all three men will be transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for full post mortem examinations after The Office of the State Pathologist has examined the scenes.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article please contact Samaritans helpline 116 123 or Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247.
A trainee hairdresser who wrote to Boris Johnson offering to cut his hair has been thanked by Number 10 for his thoughtful offer.

Jack Jenkins, 19, of Thetford in Norfolk, struggled to practice cutting hair in lockdown and used a trunk full of plastic heads in the absence of models.

He wrote to the Prime Minister inviting him to be a hair model and said he was shocked to receive a reply.

The letter, from 10 Downing Street, said: The Prime Minister greatly appreciates your kind words of support and thoughtful offer to cut his hair.

I am sure once restrictions are lifted you will have no shortage of models to practice on.

Jack, who studies level two cutting and styling at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds, said of Mr Johnsons hair: He needs to smarten it up a little bit, but other than that he looks really smart.

He went on: Id probably just give it a cut round the sides then a trim on the top.

His mother Joanne Jenkins, 55, said Jack practiced cutting his cutting and styling techniques on her during lockdown, and also on his 54-year-old father Carl Jenkins at weekends when the tanker driver was not working.

She said Jack has a trunk full of plastic heads, and theyre looking a bit dishevelled as hes just practiced on the heads, instead of people.

Mrs Jenkins said a friend had suggested that they write the letter and it was really lovely to receive a response.

I know Boriss hair is, quite is great, she said.

Maybe he doesnt want it cut, I dont know, but Jack said: Hed be a great model though, wouldnt he?

I said: Yeah he would, lets write the letter.

Thats what we did. We never thought wed get a response but we did, so its brilliant.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 03:37:24|Editor: huaxia

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An elderly woman walks past a closed movie theater in San Mateo, California, the United States, Feb. 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Researchers found that the new variant B.1.526, first identified in New York, shares some worrying characteristics with B.1.351 and P.1. Several studies have suggested that those new variants are more resistant to some existing vaccines than earlier versions of the coronavirus.



WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 2,000 infection cases of coronavirus variants have been reported in the United States, according to the latest data of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Tuesday, the CDC had identified nearly 1,881 cases of the B.1.1.7, which was originally detected in Britain, in 45 states; 46 cases of B.1.351, which was first identified in South Africa, in 14 states; and five cases of the P.1 variant, initially detected in Brazil, in four states.

Modeling data suggest that B.1.1.7 could become the predominant variant in the United States in March, according to the CDC.

Meanwhile, a new coronavirus variant, known as B.1.526, is spreading in New York City, researchers said on Wednesday.

The new variant was first identified in samples collected in New York in November, and by mid-February represented about 12 percent of cases, according to researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

They found that B.1.526 shares some worrying characteristics with B.1.351 and P.1. Several studies have suggested that those new variants are more resistant to some existing vaccines than earlier versions of the coronavirus.

Michel Nussenzweig, an immunologist at The Rockefeller University, said he was more worried about the variant in New York than the one quickly spreading in California.

Members of the National Guard help motorists check at a COVID-19 vaccination site on the campus of California State University of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California, the United States, Feb. 22, 2021. (Xinhua)

The new variant detected in southern California, CAL.20C, caused a surge in local infections and is spreading through and beyond the United States, according to a research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It possesses mutations in its spike protein that appear to make it not only more transmissible but also helps it to evade antibodies generated by the COVID-19 vaccines, according to researchers.

American company Moderna, which makes one of the two authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, is set to launch a clinical trial of a new vaccine designed to combat B.1.351 variant, the company announced Wednesday.

Moderna said it has produced enough of its variant-specific candidate vaccine, called mRNA-1273.351, to begin testing it in people.

Key indicators of COVID-19 transmission in the United States continue to fall recently, but "it is too early to know if this is a turning point because new, more contagious variants are circulating in the country," Stanley Perlman, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa, told Xinhua.

"We hope that the vaccine rollout will outweigh the variants spread," Perlman said. 
Eight-phase West Bengal polls keeping in mind festivals, deployment of forces: Officials

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Feb 26: With the Election Commission (EC) facing flak from some quarters for announcing eight-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal, officials on Friday said the polling had to be spread out due to festivals, the movement of security forces and an increased number of polling stations keeping in mind the Covid protocols.

Election 2021: Results on May 2nd | All you need to know | Oneindia News

Responding to questions on the increased number of phases in West Bengal, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora said when the EC assesses the law-and-order situation, it is based on several factors.

"After all, the elections to West Bengal (Assembly) in 2016 were in seven phases. The Lok Sabha was in seven phases. So, seven to eight (phases) is not such a big deal because we also have to see the movement of forces, the current charges and counter-charges (by political parties).

"We have to kind of find a way out. That is why we are sending two expenditure observers to Tamil Nadu and two police observers to West Bengal," he explained. In the 2016 West Bengal Assembly polls, the entire process, starting from the date of announcement till the date of counting, was completed in 77 days. This time, the period has been compressed to 66 days.

EC has tried to help BJP: Congress leader on eight-phase polls in West Bengal

In the 2016 polls, there were 77,000 polling stations with 11,000 going to polls per phase. Due to distancing norms, the number of polling stations this time has gone up to 1.1 lakh. On an average, over 12,000 poling stations would go to polls in each of the eight phases. The total number of polling stations in West Bengal is 1,01,916, compared to 77,413 in 2016 -- an increase of 31.65 per cent.

Due to COVID norms, the number of voters per polling station has been restricted to 1,000 from 1,500, resulting in an increase in the number of polling stations. Two former chief election commissioners justified the move, saying the decision must have been based on an assessment of the law-and-order situation, while another CEC advocated a single-phase election given that rumours fly thick and fast in this age of social media.

Referring to the seven-phase voting in West Bengal in the 2016 Assembly polls, former CECs O P Rawat and N Gopalaswami noted that whenever the EC feels that there are enhanced security requirements based on ground realities, it takes such decisions.

Though he noted that the EC's decision must be based on its assessment of the law-and-order situation and availability of security forces, S Y Quraishi, who was the CEC from July 30, 2010 to June 10, 2012, said in the age of social media, wherein all kinds of rumours fly thick and fast during elections, there should be an attempt to shorten the duration and reduce the number of phases.

"Ideally, it should be a single-phase election," he added. The EC on Friday announced the poll schedule for five assemblies -- Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry -- with West Bengal to witness the maximum of eight phases of polling from March 27.
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Greenberg Traurig is advising Cyfrowy Polsat S.A. and Polkomtel sp. z o.o. (Polsat Group) which have concluded a conditional share sale agreement concerning a 99.99% stake in Polkomtel Infrastruktura sp. z o.o., a subsidiary of Polsat Group, with Cellnex Poland sp. z o.o., a subsidiary of Cellnex Telecom S.A., Europes leading operator of telecommunications infrastructure. The value of the transaction is over PLN 7 billion.

Polsat Group intends to enter a long-term partnership with Cellnex Telecom in order to accelerate the deployment of 5G technology in Poland. The partnership is based on the concept of active and passive infrastructure sharing, where the mobile network operator is predominantly interested in the end-user experience, while the infrastructure owner is responsible for delivering the ordered network capacity in the most cost-efficient manner. Polkomtel Infrastruktura is the owner of Polsat Groups passive and active access layers of mobile telecommunication infrastructure, consisting of approx. 7,000 sites, approx. 37,000 various systems on-air (incl. over 1 thousand 5G equipped systems) and a transmission network.

The deal is expected to be completed in Q4 2021. The agreed conditions precedent include, among others, obtaining consents required under the Polsat Groups financing documentation and obtaining antimonopoly clearance by Cellnex Poland from the President of the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. Once they are met, Polsat Group and Cellnex Telecom will sign a Master Services Agreement under which Polkomtel Infrastruktura will provide services for 25 years (subject to renewal for subsequent 15-year terms).

Polsat Groups simultaneous divestment of active and passive telecoms infrastructure is yet another market-defining transaction executed by our long-time Client with Greenberg Traurigs support. With uncertainty still present, the telecoms sector has already shown its resilience and strength in this new reality. The impact of this landmark transaction is much broader than its complex nature and unprecedented scale  it precisely displays the underlying potential of the entire infrastructure sector to serve as the catalyst for sustainable economic recovery. I believe an infrastructure driven recovery will also prove to be a key driver for other areas, such as e-commerce and renewable energy. Greenberg Traurig is a first mover in this process, said Jarosaw Grzesiak, Managing Partner of the Greenberg Traurig Warsaw Office.

Greenberg Traurig is providing comprehensive legal advice with respect to the transaction.

The transaction is led by Managing Partner Jarosaw Grzesiak, Partner Stephen Horvath, Partner Daniel Kaczorowski and Partner Micha Fereniec. They are supported by Local Partner Micha Bobrzynski and Local Partner Maciej Pietrzak along with Senior Associates Paulina Kimla-Kaczorowska, Marek Keczek and Agnieszka Stopinska. The due diligence team included Local Partner Justyna Szwech, Counsel Barbara Pancer, Senior Associates Tomasz Denko, Maja Gawrysiuk, Mateusz Koronkiewicz and Magdalena Bachleda-Ksiedzularz, and Associates Angelika Makar, Alicja Walerjan, Katarzyna Goljan, Iga Czerniak and Aleksander Kys.

Polsat Group is one of the largest Polish companies and a leading media and telecommunications group in the region. The Group provides its 5.6 million customers with access to 17.4 million services: mobile phone services, pay digital TV and the Internet. The Group includes the following companies and brands: Cyfrowy Polsat, Polkomtel, Telewizja Polsat, Netia, Interia and IPLA.

Cellnex Telecom is Europes leading operator of wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure with a portfolio of more than 128,000 sites, 75,000 of which are already in the portfolio, and the remainder are in the process of finalization or planned roll-outs by 2028. Cellnex operates in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Denmark and Sweden, and shortly in Poland.

Greenberg Traurig LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, multi-practice law firm with approximately 2200 attorneys serving clients from 40 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Greenberg Traurig Grzesiak sp.k. was named the 2019 and 2018 Most Innovative Law Firm of the Year Award for Poland by International Financial Law Review (IFLR) and the 2017 Law Firm of the Year in Poland by Chambers and Partners. The Warsaw office of Greenberg Traurig, LLP provides legal services to clients in Central Europe and beyond and consists of approximately 100 lawyers. Team members are regularly recognized as leaders in numerous practice areas. Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, IFLR1000 and EMEA Legal 500 consistently rank them among the top tiers the areas of Corporate/M&A, Capital Markets, Real Estate, Private Equity, Tax, Banking and Finance, Project Finance, Energy, Dispute Resolution and TMT.

For additional information, please visit http://www.gtlaw.com.
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Kathmandu, Februation 23

Nepals Supreme Court has reinstated the House of Representatives, the lower house of the bicameral parliament, by quashing a decision of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Concluding the two-month-long hearing, a constitutional bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana issued the verdict on Tuesday late afternoon.

The bench consisting of CJ Rana and justices Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Anil Kumar Sinha, Sapana Pradhan Malla, and Tej Bahadur KC has ordered the government to summon the House session within 13 days of today. It has been learned that all the justices were on the same page about the unconstitutionality of Olis decision.

The mandamus reads the order needs to be implemented immediately, adding the full text of the verdict will be published later.

The court was hearing 13 writ petitions filed against the decision. Although the hearing about the constitutionality of the decision made on December 20, 2020, had begun on December 25, the bench spent weeks to decide whether the five-member constitutional bench would hear it or a new extended full bench is formed. The actual debate on the legitimacy of the case had begun on January 17 only.

After the petitioners presented their arguments, the government attorneys and advocates hired by the defendants defended the decision since February 1. Then, five amicus curiae sent by the Nepal Bar Association also expressed their views until last week.
Ukrainians will be able to return from Israel on a special flight in early March - the Embassy

Ukrainian citizens, forced to stay in Israel, will be able to return home in early March on a special flight. The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel reported this at Facebook.

Ukraine and Israel have reached an agreement to hold a special flight Kyiv - Tel Aviv - Kyiv in early March, which will allow Ukrainian citizens who are forced to stay in Israel to return home. The exact date of the flight and the link by which all interested citizens of Ukraine will be able to purchase a ticket will be announced in the near future, - the statement says.

In addition, at the request of the Ukrainian side, Israel has included Kyiv in the list of 4 cities to which special flights will be sent for the repatriation of Israeli citizens.

We expect that the citizens of Ukraine will also have additional opportunities to take advantage of these flights, - the diplomatic mission said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the State Aviation Service and the Embassy were involved in the negotiation process.


FASTag: SC Asks Petitioner To Move to Delhi High Court To Challenge the Policy

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a plea against making FASTags mandatory for motor vehicles for purposes of renewal of fitness certificate and insurance by third party.

A bench headed by chief justice SA Bobde and comprising justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian asked the petitioner to approach the Delhi High Court in the matter.

Though advocate Dhruv Tamta, representing petitioner Rajesh Kumar, insisted that the matter is connected with a national policy, therefore, the top court should examine it, the bench said: "It's okay, we can have advantage of the High Court's opinion as well."

The plea argued that the government had introduced FASTags with the aim of electronic payment at toll plazas to enable smooth passage and ensure that long queues are not formed unnecessarily, eventually saving fuel, and as its utility is limited to the crossing of the toll plazas, the compulsion of having it for insurance and fitness certificate for the vehicle is not necessary.

The plea contended that fitness certificate and insurance of a vehicle operate on different footing in comparison with FASTags.

After a brief hearing in the matter, the top court, in its order, said: "Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner prays for withdrawal of this petition with liberty to approach the High Court of Delhi. Prayer is allowed. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn with the liberty aforesaid."

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
Vivek Murthy, nominated to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and to be Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. (Caroline Brehman/Pool via AP)
The Egyptian tourism ministry denied on Friday social media allegations that the iconic gold funerary mask of the boy-king Tutanakhamun had been allowed - outside of its showcase - to be photographed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Several artifacts of the Tutanakhamun collection have been transferred from Upper Egypts Luxor to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), set to be inaugurated this year in Giza.

The chosen pieces underwent restoration.

The mask is also among those pieces that are to be moved to the new museum, that is one of the largest worldwide, shortly before it is opened.

Director General of the Egyptian Museum in Cairos Al-Tahrir square Sabah Abdel-Razek affirmed that the showcase of the young kings mask has never been opened since it underwent restoration in 2015.

Abdel-Razek said the ministry has denied a large number of requests from professional photographers and foreign media to take photos of the mask outside of the showcase in exchange for large sums of money.

She affirmed that this kind of request is rejected in order to keep such unique and prominent pieces preserved.

The 3,300-year-old burial pharaonic mask was discovered in Tutankhamun's tomb along with other artifacts by British archaeologists in 1922, sparking worldwide interest in archaeology and ancient Egypt.

It was restored after the beard of the mask became detached during work on the relic's lighting in August 2014 and then was hastily re-attached with epoxy.

Short link:


Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the latest news on the protests in Yerevan for PM Nikol Pashinyan's resignation:

Protesters stormed Yerevan streets on Thursday evening, demanding the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Participants of the rally organized by the opposition set up tents on Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan and stayed there at night.

The situation has become tense after the Armenian army joint staff issued a statement noting that the army demands the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government. The statement was signed by the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, his deputies, heads of departments, and commanders of all corps.

The Armenian army has expressed its resolute protest over the dismissal of the First Deputy Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces General Staff.

At the suggestion of the PM, President Armen Sarkissian had dismissed Tiran Khachatryan, who had reportedly mocked PM's words about the alleged flaw of the Russia-made Iskander missile systems.

After this statement, Nikol Pashinyan made a Facebook post, noting that he had signed the necessary documents to dismiss Onik Gasparyan, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces.

The PM also urged his supporters to hold protests. He marched through the central streets of the capital, surrounded by police officers.

The Armenian president's office has issued a statement and noted that it had received a proposal from the Prime Minister of Armenia to dismiss Onik Gasparyan from the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces.

According to the constitution, the president has a three-day term to make a decision. Due to the need to ensure the normal functioning of state bodies, the president has so far had no fundamental objections to the appointment or dismissal of officials.

The presidential administration also reports that in the current situation, no one should try to involve the president in the political process. Any attempts to put pressure on the president are unacceptable.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held phone talks and discussed the situation in the republic, president's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted.

The telephone conversation took place at the initiative of the Armenian side.

However, there is a clear discrepancy in press releases following the leaders' phone talks posted on the websites of the leaders.

The PM's statement noted that Putin expressed support for the legitimate authorities of Armenia and expressed hope for the soonest normalization of the situation, which is not indicated in the Russian statement.

Thus, this is another advertising step on the part of the Armenian authorities.

The world is reflecting on the latest developments in Armenia.

NATO called on Armenia to resolve political differences in a peaceful and democratic way.

"Its important to avoid words or actions that could lead to further escalation," NATO spokesperson, Oana Lungescu tweeted.

The EU, in turn, noted that it is following the developments in Armenia very closely.

Political differences must be resolved peacefully and in strict accordance with the principles and processes of parliamentary democracy, the representative of the EU foreign policy service Peter Stano said.

The UN has expressed concern over events in Armenia and called on parties to restrain.

According to the organization's secretary general's official representative Stephane Dujarric, it is very important that all parties remain calm.

Meanwhile, Iran called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid violence.
Judas and the Black Messiah is based on the true story of FBI informant William ONeal and his role in the 1969 killing of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. It took years for the facts around Hamptons killing to become public, thanks to a vigorous government effort to cover them up. While the movie, directed by Shaka King from a screenplay he wrote with Will Berson, stays relatively faithful to history, it does take some liberties with the historical recordincluding by filling in some of its blanks. Heres whats real and whats invented.

Fred Hampton

Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya), the central figure in Judas and the Black Messiah, was only 21 when he was gunned down by police officers in a pre-dawn raid on his apartment. The film follows him from the time FBI informant William ONeal began infiltrating the Black Panthers late in 1968 through Hamptons killing about a year later on Dec. 4, 1969. Calling Hamptons political rise meteoric is an understatement. In 1965, he organized a chapter of the youth branch of the NAACP, leading a campaign for a public pool in Maywood. He became disillusioned with nonviolent protest after observing Martin Luther King Jr.s Chicago campaign, and when a 1967 rally he organized turned violent after the police tear-gassed the crowd, both local police and the FBI began surveilling him.

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In the summer of 1968, Hampton was accused of assaulting a Good Humor truck driver, stealing $71 worth of ice cream, and giving it to schoolchildren for free, a charge he denied. That fall, Hampton and Bobby Rush (played by Darrell Britt-Gibson in the movie) organized the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party. Thats right around the time the movie starts. The film doesnt get into the details of Hamptons criminal trial, but it does imply that it was a setup to get him off the streets. Thats a fair implication: After Hampton was convicted in May of 1969, the trial judge indicated that he planned to sentence Hampton to probationbut when Cook County States Attorney Edward Hanrahan held a press conference railing against the light sentence, the judge took his cue from Hanrahan and sentenced Hampton to two to five years instead.

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Hampton was in prison from May 27, 1969, until Aug. 13, when he was released on bond while the state supreme court considered his appeal. On the night of Aug. 14, he spoke at the Church of the Epiphany, a speech that was captured on film and forms a crucial scene in Judas and the Black Messiah. On Nov. 26, Hamptons appeal was denied. Before he returned to prison, however, he was shot to death by police in his apartment early in the morning of Dec. 4, as seen in the film.

There is no better way to get a sense of Hamptons personality than by checking out The Murder of Fred Hampton. The filmmakers behind the 1971 documentary set out to profile a rising political star, and they captured footage of Hamptons speeches and conversations from before his death.

William ONeal

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William ONeal (Lakeith Stanfield), the FBI informant who provided the information used to organize Fred Hamptons killing, kept an extremely low profile both before and after Hamptons death, but his character in the film is consistent with the known facts. Stanfield spoke with Slates Allegra Frank about preparing for the role with so little primary source material to draw from. ONeal gave only one interview about his time with the Panthers, to PBS for the second season of Eyes on the Prize, a documentary series about the civil rights movement. The series only used short clips from ONeals interview, but the University of Washington has a transcript of the full conversation, and Judas and the Black Messiah incorporates unused footage from the interview to give a fuller picture of ONeal.

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In ONeals telling, sometime in 1967, when he was 17 or 18 years old, he and a friend stole a car, drove it across state lines to Michigan, left their real names and addresses at a pool hall that required a sign-in sheet to play, then promptly crashed the car. Three months later, FBI agent Roy Mitchell contacted ONeal, told him he knew hed stolen the car, and offered him the opportunity to avoid prosecution by working as an informant. The 1973 Chicago Tribune article that revealed ONeal was an informant told the story a little differently: In their version, in 1968 a Chicago police officer pulled ONeal over in a stolen car, at which point he calmly told the arresting policeman that he was an FBI agent, and produced phony identification to prove it, which got him handed over to the feds. Judas and the Black Messiah basically follows the Tribunes version, with a flourish: The movie has ONeal using the fake FBI badge to steal the car in the first place, telling the owners the car had been reported stolen and then taking it himself.

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After ONeal agreed to work for Mitchell, he was asked to join the Black Panther Party and pass information about the Chicago chapters activities back to the FBI. The films characterization of ONeals time with the Panthers aligns with the memories of people who knew him in that context, and in retrospect, it seems likely he was acting not just as a spy but as a provocateur. Heres how attorney Jeffrey Haas, author of The Assassination of Fred Hampton, described learning in 1973 that ONeal was an informant:

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Like a lover who discovers betrayal, I reconsidered ONeals behavior in light of the new disclosure. It fit uncomfortably well. He always had money; he was constantly offering to chauffeur Fred and [Bobby] Rush and Deborah [Johnson] in his big car; he never attended political education classes and pushed actions over thought and politics; he advocated the most militaristic line; he often carried a gun; he was constantly suggesting other Panthers engage in criminal activities; he was at Freds apartment the night before the raid when everyone else had dinner. Then he left.

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ONeals aversion to politics and his tendency to push the Panthers toward violence are both shown in the film. The scene in the movie in which he shows up with a trunk full of C-4 is based on a real incident in which ONeal offered a satchel full of explosives to fellow Black Panther Louis Truelock and encouraged him to use them in a burglary. (In the movie, ONeal is shown to be wearing a wire, which may not have been the case in real life.) The real man seems to have pushed things even further than the films version: At one point, he tried to get the Panthers to install defense mechanisms in their Chicago headquarters that included nerve gas and an electric chair. The movie closes with a clip in which the real ONeal talks about letting history speak for me, before cutting to a black screen with white text:

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Eyes on the Prize 2 premiered on PBS January 15, 1990, Martin Luther King Day. Later that evening, William ONeal committed suicide.

This epilogue implies that ONeal killed himself after being faced with what hed done, but the chronology is wrong. ONeal did kill himself on Jan. 15, but it was at 2:30 in the morning, after spending the evening before hanging out with his uncle. Eyes on the Prize didnt air in Chicago until 9 that night. Eyes on the Prize 2 was also a series, not a feature, and the episode ONeal appears in, A Nation of Law? (196871), wouldnt air until more than a month later, on Feb. 19. If there was a connection between ONeals death and his betrayal of Fred Hampton, its not as straightforward as the films epilogue makes it out to be.

Deborah Johnson

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Deborah Johnson (Dominique Fishback), who today goes by the name Akua Njeri, is the character whose story is the hardest to compare with the historical record, since her most significant scenes tend to be unverifiable moments alone with Fred Hampton. She told PBS in an interview for Eyes on the Prize about introducing herself to Hampton after a speech he gave at Wright Junior College; according to a later interview, they discussed poetry. That incident is faithfully reproduced in the film, but as Fishback explained in an interview with Who What Wear, although she met Njeri during filming, the movies version of Johnson is primarily fictional, because Njeri has studiously kept personal details about her time with Hampton to herself, even in her out-of-print 1991 memoir, My Life With the Black Panther Party. (Fishback wrote the poem Johnson reads in the movie.)

COINTELPRO

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COINTELPRO, the FBIs secret effort to subvert and discredit disfavored political groups, including civil rights organizations and the Black Power movement, was just as vile in real life as it appears to be in Judas and the Black Messiah. An early scene shows J. Edgar Hoover (Martin Sheen) railing about the need to prevent the rise of a black messiah who could unite the left; his speech draws heavily from an infamous March 4, 1968, memo laying out the programs goals with regard to Black Nationalist-Hate Groups. Judas and the Black Messiah shows Hoover personally ordering Hamptons assassination. Theres no evidence this happened, but recently FOIAd memos reveal that Hoover was aware of the bureaus involvement in Hamptons death. Whats more, Hoovers office approved a bonus to Roy Mitchell six days after Hamptons murder, for your outstanding services in a matter of considerable interest to the FBI in the racial field.

Roy Mitchell

FBI agent Roy Mitchell (Jesse Plemons) really did become a sort of father figure to William ONeal, as seen in the movie. During his Eyes on the Prize interview, ONeal described their relationship like this:

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I had been to Mitchells home, I have held his child in my hands, in my arms when he was 1 years old. I have been through the offices of the FBI wearing sneakers and a dirty T-shirt with Mitchell. Ive rode around with him in his car during that time, three or four months after I became a Panther. Ive eaten at his table, at his dinner table. We had a very, at one point he was a role model for me, when I needed one. I mean, we had very few role models back then; we had Malcolm X, we had Martin Luther King, we had Muhammad Ali, and I had an FBI agent.

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The real Roy Mitchell worked on the FBIs investigation into the murders of civil rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, just as he claims in the film. He died in 2000.

The Crowns

The Crowns, the beret-wearing street gang Fred Hampton forms a tenuous alliance with, are a composite of different groups, but theyre primarily based on the Blackstone Rangers, a large Chicago-based gang that flirted with social activism in the 1960s. The films gang leader, Steel (Khris Davis), is modeled after Rangers leader Jeff Fort. In real life, the FBI attempted to engineer a feud between the Rangers and Panthers by sending Fort an anonymous letter warning him the Panthers wanted to kill him. Hampton did engineer a meeting between the Panthers and the Blackstone Rangers early in 1969, and the result was more or less the same as it was in the movie: The Panthers, who were not interested in helping the Rangers move drugs, didnt get access to the gangs territory or form an alliance, but tensions lessoned considerably. (Hampton had more success with the Black Disciples.)

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The film distorts one aspect in the interest of drama: Hampton meets with the Crowns in an abandoned, decrepit church building that seems to serve as their headquarters. The Blackstone Rangers were meeting at a church during this period, but it was the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, which was an active congregation (and still is). Its unclear if thats where Hampton met with Fort, but the church had partnered with the Rangers on some of their charitable and social service projects. For more on the Blackstone Rangers during the time Judas and the Black Messiah is set, check out the Atlantics two-part investigation into the gang from the spring of 1969.

The Rainbow Coalition

One of the reasons Fred Hampton was particularly threatening to the FBI was that he was able to successfully build coalitions between activist groups, even across racial lines. The Rainbow Coalitionthe name was later co-opted by Jesse Jacksonwas his most successful effort of that sort. The Black Panthers originally made contact with the Young Patriots Organization, a leftist group of white Southerners, by accident: A venue was double-booked and Black Panther Bob Lee ended up making the initial contact with the Young Patriots. That first meeting was captured on film and appears in the 1969 documentary American Revolution 2, a kaleidoscopic portrait of leftist organizing in Chicago in the late 1960s.

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In Judas and the Black Messiah, the Panthers first contact with the Young Patriots is a lot more dramatic: Fred Hampton (who wasnt actually at that first meeting) marches a group of Panthers into a Young Patriot meeting and, ignoring the giant Confederate flag on the wall, convinces the crowd that the two groups have a common interest. Bob Lee, played by Caleb Eberhardt, is shown as present at that meeting, but Hampton takes the lead. The third leg of the stool was the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican gang that was making the jump to political action. In the film, Hampton meets the Young Lords and their real-life leader Jose Cha Cha Jimenez (Nicholas Velez) outside the funeral of Manuel Ramos, a Young Lord who had been shot by an off-duty cop in May of 1969. Ramos killing was a locus of protest activity that spring, and one of the coalitions first joint actions was a protest demanding the arrest of James Lamb, the man who shot Ramos.

George Sams Jr.

Judas and the Black Messiah briefly touches on the May 1969 death of Alex Rackley, a member of the New Haven, Connecticut, chapter of the Black Panther Party who was tortured until he falsely confessed to being an FBI agent, given a show trial, then murdered. George Sams, one of the Panthers who organized the killing, managed to escape New Haven before the police caught him. Over the summer, while Sams was in the wind, the FBI responded to tips about his location by raiding Black Panther offices in at least six cities, including Chicago, without ever catching him. After Sams was finally tracked down in Canada that August, he turned states witness, claiming that party chairman Bobby Seale had ordered Rackleys killing. Eventually, Seale and New Haven chapter founder Ericka Huggins were tried for their supposed roles in the killing as part of what became known as the New Haven Black Panther trials, but their jury deadlocked and the case was dismissed.

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Sams summer-long flight across America and the raids that followed it, combined with his immediate decision to turn states witness, convinced many Panthers and their affiliates that he was an informer who was providing a pretext for FBI raids. Thats the version of events presented in Judas and the Black Messiah (and in Haas book), but it may not be true. In Paul Bass and Douglas W. Raes 2006 book about the killings, Murder in the Model City: The Black Panthers, Yale, and the Redemption of a Killer, the authors note that no hard evidence has surfaced showing that Sams worked for any branch of law enforcement, only the observation that Sams helped destroy the party with his actions, that he behaved like an agent provocateur, and that his actions resembled those of actual FBI plants in other party chapters. Sams has always denied the accusation.

Jimmy Palmer

Jimmy Palmer (Ashton Sanders), the Black Panther member shot by the police in a deli, is based on Larry Roberson, so much so that it was originally announced that Sanders character was named Larry Roberson. (At the time, the working title of the movie was Jesus Was My Homeboy.) In the movie, Palmer is shot by police who are harassing the patrons of a local deli, an incident that takes place more or less according to the accounts of Robersons shooting found in the Chicago Daily Defender and the Black Panthers own newspaper. On July 17, 1969, Roberson, returning from work with another Black Panther named Grady Moore, encountered two policemen interrogating a group of Black men about a burglary and got into an argument with the police over whether they were investigating or just harassing residents.

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Both the Black Panthers and the police officers claimed that the other party shot first, but whoever it was, the end result was that one police officer was hit in the shoulder and another grazed in the head while Roberson was shot in the abdomen. The police officers recovered; Roberson died Sept. 4 of his wounds. However, the police didnt cause Robersons death by transferring him from one hospital to another as they do with Jimmy Palmer in the movie. Roberson was taken to Cook County Hospital in July and died there in September, although the Black Panther newspaper alleged that he was harassed, threatened, and periodically beaten while a patient.

Shootout at the Black Panther Headquarters

Judas and the Black Messiah conflates two different incidents for the shootout at the Black Panther headquarters but primarily draws from a clash that happened on Aug. 1, 1969. In the film, the police are outside the Black Panther headquarters harassing people in broad daylight in retaliation for the Jimmy Palmer shooting and call for reinforcements after seeing fictional Black Panther Judy Harmon (Dominique Thorne) brandishing a shotgun in a second-story window. The police see a man with a gun on the roof (William ONeal, trying to escape the shootout), and the police open fire. After a lengthy gun battle, the Panthers surrender and are taken into custody.

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In real life, the August encounter happened around 1:30 in the morning, not the middle of the day. According to contemporary newspaper reports, police claimed to have seen two men with shotguns entering the building; on stopping to investigate, they claimed they were fired upon and called for backup. The Black Panthers claimed that the police had opened fire first. The gunfight lasted about 30 minutes and ended with the arrest of three male Black Panthers; five police officers were wounded. As seen in the film, the police reportedly set the headquarters on fire after the battle.

The movie also draws from a different raid at the Black Panther headquarters, which took place on Oct. 4, 1969. In that incident, police claimed to have seen a gunman with a shotgun on the roof of the building, charged in, and beat and arrested the Black Panthers inside. According to Jeffrey Haas, no one was actually on the roof when the police charged. Berson and King moved the mystery man on the roof detail to the August gunfight in order to make William ONeal accidentally responsible for the shootout. According to Jeffrey Haas, as one of the few Panthers with mechanical and carpentry skills, ONeal took charge of the repairs to the offices after the Oct. 4 raid, as seen in the film.

The Death of Spurgeon Jake Winters

Jake Winters (Algee Smith), a 19-year-old Black Panther killed in a shootout with the police after the raid on the Panther headquarters, was a real person, although his death didnt happen exactly the way it does in the movie. On screen, Winters, trying to figure out how Jimmy Palmer died, questions an unfriendly hospital orderly who calls the police. The cops then hunt him down and kill him on the grounds of an abandoned refinery, although two officers are killed in the ensuing shootout.

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In real life, on Nov. 14, 1969, Winters and another Black Panther named Lance Bell allegedly tried to ambush a Cook County correctional officer in an abandoned building. Police arrived, and a shootout ensued in which Winters and two police officers, Frank Rappaport and John Gilhooly, were killed. Winters was said to have been gunned down immediately after executing a wounded Rappaport with a point-blank shot to the head, as seen in the movie. The Black Panthers treated Winters as a martyr and named their medical clinic after him, as seen in the film, but there was no direct line of causation between the death of Jimmy Palmer/Larry Roberson and the death of Jake Winters as the film suggests.

The Assassination of Fred Hampton

The events surrounding the Dec. 4, 1969, deaths of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark are the most contested scenes in the entire movie, primarily because they were the subject of an extensive cover-up effort from the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County States Attorneys Office, and the FBI. Jeffrey Haas, who worked on the lawsuits that followed the killings, chronicles the slow process of uncovering the truth in The Assassination of Fred Hampton, and theres probably another whole movie to be made about the state and federal governments perfidy in the aftermath of Hamptons death. Although it was apparent within days that the physical evidence in Hamptons apartment bore no resemblance to the pitched gun battle States Attorney Edward Hanrahan was describing at press conferences, the FBIs involvement remained a secret until the Citizens Commission to Investigate the FBI burglarized a bureau field office on March 8, 1971, and leaked COINTELPRO files to newspapers. Similarly, William ONeal was not exposed as an informant until a Feb. 11, 1973, article in the Chicago Tribune, and it took years of litigation until enough of the truth had been dragged out that the government settled lawsuits from the survivors.

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The version of the story in Judas and the Black Messiah is reconstructed from the testimony of the Black Panthers who were there and later revelations about the governments involvement, but some of its facts are still disputed, and the movies depiction doesnt match the actual events in a few key regards. First of all, perhaps because it was never entirely clear which police officers fired which shotsespecially who fired the shots into Hamptons skullthe officers on the raid are all fictional. (One of them is named Sergeant Blart in the screenplay.) In real life, the squad included Sgt. Daniel Groth, who led the raid and lied to the press about what had happened, and James Gloves Davis, so nicknamed because of the leather gloves he would don before beating suspects. It was Groth who allegedly met with either ONeal or Mitchell on Dec. 2, where he was given ONeals sketch of the apartment, a key piece of evidence in eventually establishing FBI involvement.

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The main never-proven aspect of Hamptons death shown as fact in the film was whether ONeal drugged Hampton that night. The evidence makes this seem overwhelmingly likelyHampton fell asleep midsentence while talking to his family on the phone, the Panthers testified they were unable to wake him during the raid, and one autopsy showed barbiturates in Hamptons blood, though he did not use drugsbut ONeal never admitted to this, so the scene in which he is told to drug Hampton is an extrapolation.

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As for the raid itself, initially the police claimed that the Panthers had fired first and a lengthy shootout ensued, during which the police called for three separate cease-fires broken by gunfire from the Panthers. The ballistic evidence in the apartment, however, pointed unequivocally toward a scenario like the one we see on screen, in which the police opened fire from outside the door, sprayed the apartment with bullets indiscriminately, and executed Hampton with two point-blank shots to the head. Deborah Johnson testified and later told PBS that she heard an officer say, Well, hes good and dead now, as in the film, after the final two.

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The only shot fired by any of the Panthers was a shotgun blast from Mark Clark, and the low angle from which it hit the door suggests the gun went off as Clark fell to the floor after being hit. (In the movie, Clarks gun goes off right as he begins to fall, seemingly into the ceiling.) Theres one regard in which the police were a little less bloodthirsty than they appear to be in Judas and the Black Messiah: The film shows three officers spraying the living room wall with machine guns, but in reality only one officer, Groth, brought along a machine gun. (That any of the police brought a machine gun for what they claimed was the routine service of a search warrant is a whole other matter.) Besides a few details, though, Judas and the Black Messiah presents what happened in Hamptons apartment on the night he was killed, as far as anyone can reconstruct it from such limited information.

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The films final scene, showing Agent Mitchell giving William ONeal a bonus after the raid, is true, although that bonus did not include a free gas station. (ONeal did manage a gas station in Maywood, but it doesnt seem to have been a gift from the FBI.) The memos requesting authorization for ONeals bonus became crucial evidence showing a link between the FBI and the raid on Hamptons apartment, since they explicitly said that ONeals information had been used in the raid and demonstrated that the bureau considered it a success. ONeal ultimately got an extra $300 for his role in Hamptons death.
Last Saturday, the Socialist Equality Party held a well-attended public meeting to discuss how to take forward the struggle of the Coles Smeaton Grange warehouse workers in southwest Sydney and to consider the political issues confronting the working class. Over 80 people from all Australian states, including workers, students and youth, participated.

The full video of the meeting can be viewed below.

The meeting was held five days after the Smeaton Grange workers, who have been locked out for almost three months, voted down yet another attempt by the supermarket corporation and the United Workers Union (UWU) to impose a sellout enterprise bargaining agreement.

The back-room deal concocted by management and the union is designed to ensure the closure of the facility and the axing of up to 350 jobs. The workers, who have been isolated by the union and not provided any strike pay, have rejected virtually identical proposals six times.

The SEP meeting supported the courageous stand taken by the Smeaton Grange workers and discussed how to defeat the escalating assault on jobs and hard-won conditionsissues facing not just workers in warehouses but across all industries and internationally.

SEP National Secretary Cheryl Crisp chaired the event, which was addressed by Jim Franklin, a member of the recently-established Australia Post workers rank-and-file committee, and Oscar Grenfell, a SEP National Committee member and World Socialist Web Site journalist.

Crisp explained the political and economic context of the attack on the Smeaton Grange workers and its relationship to the attempts by governments and big business everywhere to impose the economic cost of the COVID-19 disaster on the working class.

Crisp warned that the mass sackings already imposed by major corporations, such as Virgin, Telstra and Qantas, were about to be stepped up. The end of federal government JobKeeper wage subsidies, rent moratoriums and limited social assistance would devastate the lives of tens of thousands of workers and their families.

Unless the attack on Coles workers was defeated, it will become a blueprint for the implementation of mass job cuts and increased casualisation of the workforce, leaving young people with little or no prospects for secure and permanent work.

Franklin read the resolution passed at the previous weeks inaugural meeting of the Australia Post rank-and-file committee calling for full working class support for the Smeaton Grange workers and a unified struggle across the logistics and warehousing industry in defence of jobs and conditions. The UWUs isolation of the Smeaton Grange workers and its collaboration with management, he said, was similar to that of the unions at Australia Post.

Employers everywhere use the pandemic to undertake far-reaching restructuring, Franklin said, and explained managements Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) to restructure Australia Post, via casualisation, job destruction and higher productivity. The unions, in close collaboration with the government and Australia Post management, had given a green light to all this, he said.

Postal workers, Franklin said, were starting to recognise that they cannot defend their conditions within the framework of the unions. This is why they were seeking new organisations of struggle, independent of the unions, management and the government.

Franklin concluded by calling on workers at Smeaton Grange to draw the same conclusions, build independent rank-and-file committees and join with us in this struggle. We will do everything we can to support and help you form such organisations.

Grenfell gave an overview of the Smeaton Grange dispute. He described how the company prepared for the lockout and detailed the role of the UWU in isolating the locked-out workers and attempting to impose an agreement to facilitate an orderly closure of the plant. The unions treachery and its refusal to provide strike pay, was a calculated exercise in blackmail.

Oscar Grenfell

Grenfell outlined Coles warehouse closure program, which would eliminate five distribution centres and destroy at least 2,200 jobs. Woolworths, Australias other major supermarket chain, also planned to close four warehouses and axe 1,300 jobs. Grenfell compared this to total closure of the car industry in Australia, negotiated and imposed by the unions, and its disastrous impact on working-class communities.

This experience, replicated in one industry after another, has important lessons for Coles and Woolworths workers, he said. A genuine struggle means a fight to defend all the jobs. This cannot be carried out at one warehouse. It requires a unified movement across the sector. But that in turn depends on the establishment of rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions.

Grenfell explained the democratic nature and political tasks of rank-and-file committees and the necessity for a socialist and internationalist perspective to advance this fight.

The reports provoked a series of questions, almost all relating to rank-and-file committeeshow they could be built; what should they do; what would be their legal status; and whether these committees should operate within the existing unions?

In their responses, Grenfell, Franklin and Crisp emphasised that the unions could not be reformed or transformed into genuine organisations of working-class struggle. What was required, all the speakers stressed, was that these rank-and-file organisations, democratically-controlled by the workers and representing their interests, should be linked to the fight for workers governments and for socialism.

We urge all WSWS readers to watch the entire meeting video, share it on social media, call workplace meetings to discuss these issues, and send us statements of support to the Smeaton Grange workers. The fact that questions on the character and tasks of rank-and-file committees dominated the discussion session is significant. It is an indication that serious workers and young people recognise that the political challenges ahead apply not just to the Smeaton Grange dispute but to workers across Australia and internationally.

But Alaska, Illinois, Alabama and Kansas have all improved the mental health questions they ask medical doctors in the last four years, with Illinois now simply asking, Do you now have any disease or condition that impairs or impaired your ability to perform the essential functions of your profession, including any disease or condition generally regarded as chronic by the medical community, i.e., (1) mental or emotional disease or condition; (2) alcohol or other substance abuse; (3) physical disease or condition? If yes, attach a detailed explanation including dates, names and addresses of treating physicians and/or counselors and nature of treatment.
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Nigerias electoral body, INEC, on Thursday fixed the Aba North/South Federal Constituency of Abia State bye-election for March 27.

The seat was declared vacant following the death of Ossy Prestige, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) lawmaker, on February 6 in Germany.

He was first elected in 2015 to represent his constituency at the House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 2019.

Schedule

In its schedule of activities released on Thursday, the commission fixed the conduct of primaries among political parties interested in the position between March 4 and 10 while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is at 6 p.m. on March 16.

Political parties fielding candidates for the bye-election should pay close attention to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the bye-election and conduct transparent and valid party primaries in line with the dictates of Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

We enjoin political parties to note that under section 31(8) of the Electoral Act, a political party which presents to the Commission the name of a candidate who does not meet the qualifications stipulated in the Constitution and the Electoral Act shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a maximum fine of N500, 000, the INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, warned in the statement.

The commissions latest announcement pegs the total number of bye-elections to be conducted by the INEC in the month of March at two.

A similar election has been slated for March 20, to fill the vacant seat for the Ekiti East State Constituency 1 of Ekiti State.

While Abia State is currently under the leadership of a Peoples Democratic Party governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, the Ekiti State is under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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A-level pupils will receive their examination grades on August 10 this year, with GCSE grades available two days later.

Education Minister Peter Weir confirmed the dates yesterday, with this year's grades to be decided by teacher assessments with all examinations cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

"Given the importance of A-level results for admission to universities, it is important that CCEA AS and A-level results are aligned with those from other jurisdictions to ensure that Northern Ireland pupils are not disadvantaged," said Mr Weir.

Both England and Wales have announced that pupils in those jurisdictions will receive results on the same dates.

Mr Weir added: "I appreciate that issuing GCSE results in the same week as AS and A-level results may provide challenges for both CCEA and for schools, but while far from perfect, I believe this decision will provide clarity and parity to all our students."

Under the Executive plan for pupils to return to schools, those in exam years 12-14 are due back in class on March 22, a week before the Easter holidays.
WASHINGTON - The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, file photo, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington. Kirby announced late Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, that the U.S. military conducted airstrikes against facilities in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said were used by Iran-backed militia groups, in response to recent attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq. Kirby said the action was authorized by President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON - The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Biden's decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq.

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington. Speaking shortly after the airstrikes, he added, Were confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes," referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he recommended the action to Biden.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Austin said. "We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

FILE - In this Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, file photo, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington. The U.S. military conducted airstrikes against facilities in eastern Syria, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, that the Pentagon said were used by Iran-backed militia groups, in response to recent attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq. Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. action was a proportionate military response taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel," Kirby said. "At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian- backed militant groups," including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada. The U.S. has blamed Kataib Hezbollah for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq in the past.

Further details were not immediately available.

Mary Ellen O'Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.

The United Nations Charter makes absolutely clear that the use of military force on the territory of a foreign sovereign state is lawful only in response to an armed attack on the defending state for which the target state is responsible, she said. None of those elements is met in the Syria strike.

Biden administration officials condemned the Feb. 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack.

Right now, were not able to give you a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks, what groups, and Im not going to get into the tactical details of every bit of weaponry used here," Kirby said. "Lets let the investigations complete and conclude, and then when we have more to say, we will.

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of President Joe Bidens inauguration, though now Iran is pressing America to return to Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal. The U.S. under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out the attacks. Tensions soared after a Washington-directed drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and powerful Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis last year.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that brought the country to the brink of a proxy war.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 26 : Shops and other business establishments across Odisha remained closed as the Odisha Traders' Association extended support to the Bharat Bandh on Friday.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) observed the 12-hour shutdown in protest against Goods and Services Tax (GST), hike in fuel price and e-way bill.

The impact of the strike was seen at various places in the state. Shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Balasore and Berhampur and other places.

However, essential services and vehicular movements have not been affected due to the shutdown.

Traders at some places also took out rallies in support of the Bandh.

"The government claims GST as a simple taxation process, but there are a lot of complications in it. We demand a review of the provisions for simplification of GST. We are also protesting fuel price hike and e-way bill," said Sudhakar Panda, general secretary of Odisha Traders' Association.

He said the bandh has remained peaceful and is successful.

The state government has asked district collectors to take preventive measures to maintain law and order and to ensure maintenance of essential services in districts in view of Bharat Bandh.
NIAC Applauds Reintroduction of the NO BAN Act

02/26/21

Press Release by National Iranian American Council (NIAC)

WASHINGTON - Ryan Costello, Policy Director of NIAC Action, issued the following statement after the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act, which would guard against any President issuing discriminatory immigration orders:

"President Biden fulfilled his promise to end the Muslim ban on day one, but Trumpism and xenophobia remain strong forces in American politics. Just as Biden wiped away the ban, a successor administration could reimpose it without further action. That is why Congress needs to pass the NO BAN Act quickly and send it to President Biden for his signature.

"The Iranian-American community has been targeted with bigotry for decades. Under Trump, that discrimination was institutionalized like never before. Iranian Americans were separated from their families and loved ones for four cruel years, solely on the basis of their heritage. 30,000 Iranians were denied visas solely as a result of the ban, more than any other nationality, while many more put their dreams on hold. Many citizens were even stopped at the border, deemed security threats because of their heritage and illegally detained by Trump's paranoid border patrol.

"Many Republicans once denounced the ban when Trump proposed it on the campaign trail, only to embrace or turn a blind eye to it when he won the White House. That was a choice, and a moral failure. Now, Trump is gone and Republicans again face a choice. They can work to pass the NO BAN Act and guard against xenophobia and bigotry, or again choose hate and work to undermine the fabric of our democracy.

"The House Judiciary Committee, Chairman Nadler, Rep. Lofgren, and Rep. Judy Chu deserve tremendous credit for re-introducing this vital bill that would guard against discriminatory immigration orders, as do the many allied civil rights and community groups who have fought the ban since day one. The Iranian-American community looks forward to Congress passing the NO BAN Act and sending it to President Biden for his signature."

Take Action:

Urge Your Representatives to Pass the NO BAN Act

About:



The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community. We accomplish our mission by supplying the resources, knowledge and tools to enable greater civic participation by Iranian Americans and informed decision making by lawmakers. (read more)

We need your help! The #NOBANAct has been reintroduced by @RepJudyChu, and we need members of Congress to sign on and support this bill to prevent future bans like the Travel Ban from happening again. Tell your representative to support the NO BAN Act now: https://t.co/ixPm9vUAXF  PAAIA (@paaia) February 25, 2021
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  Only the National Bureau of Investigation should probe the deadly shootout between the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement agents, the Palace said Friday, citing President Rodrigo Dutertes order.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the joint board of inquiry created by the Philippine National Police and PDEA should stop their investigation, and leave it to the NBI.

Tanging NBI lang po, sang-ayon sa ating Presidente, ang magtutuloy ng imbestigasyon," Roque said.

[Translation: Only the NBI, according to the President, will continue the investigation.]

Anti-drug operatives of the Quezon City Police District and PDEA exchanged fire on Wednesday near the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant outside the Ever Gotesco mall on Commonwealth Avenue. Four people were killed, including two police officers, one PDEA agent, and an informant.

PNP chief Debold Sinas and PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva on Thursday said their men were conducting legitimate buy-bust operations, but asked for more time to reveal what really transpired amid the ongoing investigation.

READ: Police coordinated operation with PDEA a day before shootout, documents show

Both agencies committed to abide by the Presidents latest order, which effectively dissolves their investigating panels. Meanwhile, NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said the agency has considered the controversial incident as a priority case.
[February 25, 2021] Haeggquist & Eck, LLP Is Investigating Claims Against SolarWinds Corporation's Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Haeggquist & Eck, LLP, a leading shareholder rights litigation firm, is investigating whether certain directors and officers of SolarWinds (News - Alert) Corporation ("SolarWinds") (NYSE:SWI) breached their fiduciary duties to SolarWinds and its shareholders. If you are a SolarWinds shareholder, you are encouraged to contact Amber Eck at Haeggquist & Eck for additional information. SolarWinds provides information technology ("IT") infrastructure management software products in the United States and internationally. Haeggquist & Eck is investigating whether members of SolarWinds's Board of Directors failed to manage SolarWinds in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to SolarWinds, and whether SolarWinds has suffered damages as a result. Securities fraud class action lawsuits have been filed against SolarWinds allegig it made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) since mid-2020, SolarWinds' Orion monitoring products had a vulnerability that allowed hackers to compromise the server upon which the products ran; (2) SolarWinds' update server had an easily accessible password of "solarwinds123"; (3) consequently, SolarWinds' customers, including the federal government, Microsoft (News - Alert) , Cisco, and Nvidia, would be vulnerable to hacks; (4) as a result, SolarWinds would suffer significant reputational harm; and (5) as a result, SolarWinds' statements about its business, operations and prospects were materially false and misleading.



On December 13, 2020, SolarWinds disclosed that its Orion monitoring products may have been implicated in alleged hacks of governmental email traffic by Russia. Then, on December 15, 2020, Reuters (News - Alert) published an article stating that, last year, security researcher Vinoth Kumar "alerted the company that anyone could access SolarWinds' update server by using the password 'solarwinds123.'" What You Can Do

If you are a SolarWinds shareholder, you may have legal claims against its directors and officers. If you have questions about your legal rights, please contact attorney Amber Eck at 619-342-8000 or e-mail her at ambere@haelaw.com. There is no cost or obligation to you. Haeggquist & Eck, LLP is a nationally recognized leader in shareholder rights law. The firm represents individual investors in shareholder derivative lawsuits, and members of the firm have helped shareholders recover more than $1 billion of value for themselves and the companies in which they have invested. This release constitutes attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006273/en/

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Position: Kevin Holland says NI is attracting investors across the world

An agency funded by a DUP minister's department has denied using advertising to "specifically" promote the Northern Ireland protocol to foreign investors.

An advertorial by economic development agency Invest NI in Forbes India this month highlights Northern Ireland's selling points to potential investors - including dual market access to the EU single market and Great Britain under the controversial NI Protocol.

The piece lauds NI as a "buzzing business destination" but does not use the word "protocol".

Instead, it states that "the recent trade agreement between the UK and EU has positioned NI as a unique global business destination".

It qualifies the benefits by adding that "in the event that this two-way benefit plays out, it will culminate in jobs and prosperity in the region".

Invest NI's chief Kevin Holland has said that Northern Ireland's position is drawing international investor interest.

But unionists - including the DUP, party of Economy Minister Diane Dodds, whose department funds Invest NI - want the protocol scrapped on the basis that it erodes trade links between GB and NI.

First Minister Arlene Foster said it had closed off opportunities from Brexit. "I think that the protocol has prevented us from being able to take up those opportunities, particularly with our largest market, the GB market, and caused no end of suffering for many small businesses."

But deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the protocol was staying and had to be made to work.

Invest NI told the Belfast Telegraph it is "not placing any advertorials to specifically promote NI's post-Brexit circumstances".

"Paid-for advertorials have always formed part of our wider promotion of NI trade and investment opportunities in key international markets," it said.

"Factual information on the dual market access forms part of that wider messaging, alongside messaging about people, place and our business-friendly environment."

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin, deputy chairperson of the economy committee, said she was pleased Invest NI was marketing the protocol's benefits.

"NI has real opportunities to be grasped through businesses here having open access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market," she said.

"However much most of us here hate Brexit, we do have the chance to create jobs, for example in the health and life sciences, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing sectors through dual market access.

"It would be absurd to ignore those advantages, or to get rid of them by junking the protocol.

"Even worse is for the Economy Minister to suggest to businesses considering investing here that the advantages we now have could be got rid of."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 10:29:02|Editor: huaxia

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China has achieved its poverty alleviation goal, with all of the country's nearly 100 million rural residents living below the current poverty line shaking off poverty after eight years of arduous efforts.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has fulfilled its historic promise of eradicating absolute poverty in the largest developing country on the planet.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has organized and launched a tough anti-poverty drive that is the largest in scale and strongest in intensity, and benefits the biggest number of people in human history.

The country has sent millions of people to villages as special commissioners for poverty relief and invested fiscal funds totaling nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (248 billion U.S. dollars) into poverty alleviation. More than 1,800 people have lost their lives in the country's fight against poverty.

When calculated in accordance with China's current poverty line, the country has lifted 770 million rural residents out of poverty since the beginning of reform and opening-up over 40 years ago, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global total based on the World Bank's international poverty line.

China has met the goal of ending poverty established in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

The elimination of absolute poverty in China is thanks to the CPC's strong leadership and determination, the people-centered philosophy of development, the institutional strength which can bring together the resources necessary to accomplish great tasks, as well as a series of creative and significant ideas and measures such as targeted poverty reduction, domestic and overseas observers have said.

Eliminating absolute poverty is a key contribution to accomplishing the CPC's first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, has set a solid foundation for its new journey of fully building a modern socialist country, and has created a "China example" for poverty reduction.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
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has raised USD 1.2 billion in a bond offering that saw strong investor interest, banking sources said on Friday.

Vedanta is looking to buy as many as 37.17 crore or 10 per cent of its India unit, at Rs 160 per share. At that price, the total consideration of the deal would be about Rs 5,948 crore (USD 814 million).

Sources said Finance II Plc, a subsidiary of London-based Vedanta Resources, had gone to the market for raising USD 1 billion.

It got USD 2.6 billion in offers from about 150 accounts, representing the largest oversubscription on a recent US dollar bond offering by the company.

The trade was well-received across geographies with APAC (Asia Pacific), EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Africa) and North America constituting 49 per cent, 30 per cent, and 21 per cent of the final allocation.

The strong interest from investors also helped the company upsize the transaction to USD 1.2 billion from an initial indication of USD 1 billion.

At the same time, the strong demand enabled the company to tighten pricing by 42.5 basis points during the book-building process, they said.

Having failed in its attempt to delist its Indian subsidiary Vedanta Ltd, parent firm last month announced an open offer to buy up to 10 per cent of its shares.

Vedanta stock closed at Rs 206.90 on the BSE, down 0.5 per cent over the previous day's closing.

In October last year, Vedanta Resources had failed to garner the required number of shares to delist its Indian arm at the offer price of Rs 87.5 apiece.

Thereafter, promoters had increased their stake from 50.14 per cent to 55.04 per cent through block deals totalling Rs 2,959 crore.

At the time of raising its stake in December 2020, Vedanta Resources had said the move was aimed at simplifying the group structure.

"This is in line with our stated strategic priority for simplifying the group structure to align the group's capital and operational structures, streamline the process of servicing the Group's financing obligations and improve a range of important credit metrics," it had said.

The simplification process - which has been underway for several years - has involved mergers of group and may involve other share acquisitions in accordance with applicable law, the company had 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.)

Organisers of parkrun have announced the free 5k Saturday morning events will restart in England on June 5.

The mass-participation runs, which were attracting more than 200,000 joggers nationwide each week, have not taken place in this country since March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the timetable for parkruns long-awaited return has now been set out, with plans to come back after step three of the Governments roadmap out of lockdown.

Parkrun organisers are hoping the Saturday morning 5k event can return on June 5

Parkrun chief executive Nick Pearson said: Excitingly, for the first time in six months, we now see a realistic timeframe for the return of 5k events in England.

Our 5k events need to all come back at the same time, with the definition of all probably being something north of 90 per cent.

This is due to the relatively large attendances, and significant opportunity for tourism, meaning that if only a subset of 5k events opened they would very likely be overwhelmed with unmanageable levels of attendance.

The nationwide event, that normally attracts 200,000 joggers each week, hopes to come back after Step Three of the UK Government's roadmap out of lockdown

Based on the published guidance, our 5k events could technically return from April 4. However, due to the other national restrictions in place, the expected level of infection at that time, and a number of our 5k events regularly exceeding 1,000 participants, we do not believe it would be appropriate for them to return this early.

We have determined that step three presents the most realistic time for our 5k events to reopen. At this stage, and with the return of other large gatherings at both indoor and outdoor events, we expect there will be a much greater confidence in, and support for 5k parkrun events returning.

The Sunday morning junior parkrun will also return on April 11.

Tom Williams, parkrun chief operation officer, added: Im not going to get carried away until were stood on the start line but there is a date and that really lifts your spirits.
MT. SHASTA, Calif.  Public health officials in Siskiyou County are preparing for another COVID-19 vaccination clinic, this time in Mt. Shasta. The clinic will be by appointment only.

Siskiyou County Public Health had its first vaccination clinic in January at the fairgrounds in Yreka, followed by a second dose clinic on February 12. The first clinic did not require appointments, and saw a major influx of people seeking to receive a vaccine, many of whom had to be turned away after 1,146 available doses were accounted for.

This clinic will be open to Phase 1a (Tiers 1-3) and Phase 1b (Tier 1). Under California's plan, this includes healthcare workers, people 65 and older, education and childcare workers, food and agricultural workers, and emergency services.

To get an appointment, people must live or work in Siskiyou County, and must not have a history of severe allergic reactions to any of the components in the Pfizer vaccine, such as polysorbate or Polyethylene glycol.

This clinic will be held on Thursday, March 4 at the Mt. Shasta Armory, 618 Everitt Memorial Highway. It will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Appointments can be made on the Siskiyou County Public Health page. The required paperwork can be downloaded and should be completed before the clinic. If you are unable to schedule an appointment online, call (530) 841-2134.
[February 26, 2021] Nexa Receptionists Appoints Eric Owen As The Brand's First Executive Vice President

PHOENIX, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexa Receptionists, a leading provider of virtual receptionist and business answering services for the professional, medical and home services industries, welcomes Eric Owen as its executive vice president. Owen previously served as the company's senior vice president of sales and brings more than 30 years of call center industry experience to the role. "Eric joined our company in 2019, deftly leading our sales division to excellent results," said Parker Davis, CEO of Nexa Receptionists. "His work in leadership positions within the business outsourcing marketfrom small businesses to Fortune 500 companiesmakes him the ideal candidate for Nexa's first executive vice president. I look forward to what our Nexa brand can achieve for our clients and employees under his leadership." "Since joining Nexa, I've been amazed by the qualit and experience of its people," said Owen. "Their commitment to our clients and to the success of the business is truly refreshing and unique. Having the opportunity to play a more direct part in leading this team through their personal and professional development was a major contributor in my decision to take on this role."



Before joining Nexa Receptionists, Owen was the senior vice president of client services for Alorica, a customer experience solutions provider, where he led a team responsible for approximately 5,000 call center agents across the United States, Latin America and the Philippines. In his first year at Nexathrough economic unknown and amid a global COVID-19 pandemiche helped guide the company to record-breaking sales numbers. "Since the beginning of 2020, our enterprise-wide revenues have increased almost three-fold," said Davis, adding: "Given this increased scale of our organization, it became mission-critical to appoint an experienced leader dedicated to our Nexa brand."

Throughout his career, Owen held leadership roles in sales, operations and client solutions, providing business support for major brands such as AT&T, Apple and DirectTV. As executive vice president at Nexa, he is leading the development of new product and service offerings for the brand's small and medium-sized business clients, while also creating opportunities for Nexa employees to advance their careers with fresh skills and experience. About Nexa Receptionists A Nexa Holdings brand, Nexa Receptionists (Nexa) is a leading provider of virtual receptionist and business answering services for the professional, medical and home services industries. Founded in 1982, the business is built on the foundation of strong customer experience and a commitment to innovation. (www.nexa.com) View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nexa-receptionists-appoints-eric-owen-as-the-brands-first-executive-vice-president-301236727.html SOURCE Nexa

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Pune:

Pune's suspended constant couple who lied about scaling Mount Everest have been dismissed from the police services. The couple Dinesh and Tarkeshwari Rathod had claimed to climb the world's highest mountain in May last year.

Pune Police had suspended the couple last year in November. Police had set a fact-finding committee to conduct an inquiry about the couple's claim of climbing Everest. The inquiry confirmed that the claims made by the two were bogus and fraudulent.

"The couple faked about the Everest ascent, morphed the photographs, shared misleading information and while doing this, brought disrepute to the Maharashtra police department and did not report to duty. Based on the inquiry, we dismissed the couple from the department and an order to this effect was issued on Saturday," Sahebrao Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police (admin) of Pune police, said.

The couple had been issued a show-cause notice in May this year and they were asked why they should not be dismissed from the services, he added.

Dinesh and Tarkeshwari, posted at Shivajinagar police headquarters in the city, had claimed on June 5 last year that they have become the first Indian couple to scale the Everest.

A group of local mountaineers had later claimed that couple was never at the summit and alleged that they had faked their expedition by morphing photographs, which showed them at the Everest peak.

In August (last year), the Nepal government had reportedly banned the entry of Dinesh and Tarkeshwari in Nepal for 10 years.

Following a complaint against the Rathods, an inquiry was ordered into the allegations and the city police had also written to the Nepal government to investigate the claim.

Surendra Shelke, one of the complainants and secretary of a city-based mountaineering association, had alleged that the couple had morphed the pictures and there were several discrepancies in the version given about the summit, which could prove the falseness of the claim.

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KAKINADA: Donkeys are illegally being slaughtered on the banks of Eluru Canal in West Godavari and the remains are being dumped in the canal, endangering public health.

Donkeys are named in the extinction list. Yet, hundreds of them across the country and in Andhra Pradesh are being slaughtered for meat. Belief is that donkey meat can cure respiratory and breathing problems and increase the sexual potential of humans.

According to sources, many donkey meat shops exist on the sly in Gunturu, Cherukupalli, Bapatla, Tadepalli, Vetapalem, Chirala in Guntur, Krishna and Prakasam districts. The sellers are bringing the donkeys from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan.

For the past two years, animal activists in Maharashtra are lodging complaints on illegal transport of donkeys. Some cases were filed.

Donkey meat is sold at Rs 600 per kilo. The meat sellers are buying the meat at Rs 15,000 to Rs.20,000 per donkey. Meat sellers say meat shops in Krishna, Guntur and Prakasm chose Eluru for selling the meat.

Animal rescue organisation secretary Gopal R. Surabathula said donkeys are being carried to Andhra Pradesh from other states. Nobody makes any effort to curb it, though there are so many check-posts along the way of its transportation. He lodged a complaint with the DGP Andhra Pradesh, seeking stoppage of illegal transportation and killing of donkeys. Sale of donkeys is rampant in several districts in the state, the complaint said.

He said that the survival of donkeys is at serious stake. It has almost vanished from the state while donkeys are illegally transported from other states. The food safety and standards authority of India and the ministry of health and family welfare issued a direction that the slaughtering of animals of any species other than the one listed, like Ovine, carpine etc, is not permissible under the FSS Act and Regulations.

Unscrupulous persons are carrying on the business of illegal slaughter in violation of the PCA Act 1960 and rules made thereunder. Such unlawful practices are also against the local municipal acts and rules and against the directions of the Supreme Court.

He requested the state police to stop the illegal transport, illegal slaughtering and illegal donkey meat sales and ensure strict punishment to the culprits. He also requested officials to punish the owners of goods vehicles and of lands who permit the illegal slaughtering of donkeys.

A group of Russian diplomats and their family members returned to Russia from North Korea on a hand-pushed rail trolley on Thursday because of COVID-19 restrictions in the country, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a Facebook post.

North Korea's leader and dictator Kim Jong-Un closed the country's borders to prevent the coronavirus from entering, with experts believing that he recognises the country's healthcare system would not be able to cope with a major outbreak.

'Since the borders have been closed for over a year and passenger traffic has been halted,' staff members of the Russian embassy in North Korea and their family members embarked on 'a long and difficult journey to get home,' the ministry said.

The group of eight people took a 32-hour train ride, followed by two hours on a bus.

A group of Russian diplomats and their family members (pictured) returned to Russia from North Korea on a hand-pushed rail trolley on Thursday because of COVID-19 restrictions

They then boarded a rail trolley and pushed themselves for around half a mile (around a kilometre) across the border into Russia.

A video posted by the ministry showed embassy staff with their children and suitcases on a trolley, cheering as two people pushed it across a railway bridge.

The Interfax news agency reported on Friday morning that the group later took a flight to Moscow from the far-eastern city of Vladivostok.

Popularised in the 1800s, the trolley shown in the video - also known as a handcart - is powered by passengers through the use of a pump action lever.

The Embassy posted pictures of third secretary Vladislav Sorokin pushing his family and luggage along the rail tracks, while wearing thick clothing against the cold.

The youngest of the group was Sorokin's 3-year-old daughter Varya, CNN said.

The Embassy posted pictures of third secretary Vladislav Sorokin pushing his family and luggage along the rail tracks, while wearing thick clothing against the cold (pictured)

Sorokin had to push the handcart for around 0.6 miles, part of which was over the Tumen River that separates Russia from North Korea.

Once they arrived in the isolated country, they were met by colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign affairs who accompanied them to the airport.

North Korea has claimed to be coronavirus-free, but has sealed its borders and halted passenger traffic with other countries.

Popularised in the 1800s, the trolley shown in the video - also known as a handcart - is powered by passengers through the use of a pump action lever

Outside experts are highly sceptical of the North's zero-virus case claim, with the only nations coronavirus free being a handful of small, isolated island nations.

The departure of the diplomats demonstrates the ever-shrinking expatriate community in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital.

Ex-pats are a valuable source of information inside the reclusive and secretive country.

But diplomats, aid workers and NGO staff inside North Korea are opting to leave, rather than risk being stuck inside its borders, which are strictly controlled.

Experts believe North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un closed the borders because he recognised the country's ill-equipped healthcare system would struggle to cope with the coronavirus

Foreigners that have chosen to stay have described an increasingly dire situation in the capital, with grocery stores running out of food and people losing their jobs, according to CNN who cited Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora.

North Korea severed all ties with the outside world in 2020 in an attempt to prevent coronavirus cases being brought into the country.

Experts believe North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un did so because he recognised the country's ill-equipped healthcare system would struggle to cope with the virus.

The tactic appears to have worked, with there being no indication that a major outbreak has taken place in the country.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fragrance Creators Association applauds the U.S. House of Representative's bipartisan passage of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which aims to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity with regard to employment, housing, and more. Continuing its leadership to advance equal opportunity for all, Fragrance Creators partnered with the National Association of Manufacturers to urge other industries to support affirmative, statutory non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans, both in the workplace and in the community. As a result, 50 trade associations wrote to congressional leadership in favor of the Equality Act.

Fragrance Creators Association

"We recognize the bipartisan support in Congress as well as vast, diverse support within industry on an important principle: ensuring equal opportunity for all Americans," said Farah K. Ahmed, President & CEO, Fragrance Creators. "Fragrance Creators is proud to take leadership in the industry, and we stand with the Biden Administration in its commitment to passage of the bill during its first 100 days."

"Fragrance Creators continues to exemplify responsible industry stewardship by leveraging its strong political and industry relationships to advance causes that are good for people, perfume and the planet," said Robert Weinstein, Ph.D., Chairman, Fragrance Creators Board of Directors, and President & CEO, Robertet USA.

On Feb. 19, 2021, the association released a statement in support of the reintroduction of the Equality Act, which it has publicly supported since 2019. Passed by the House of Representatives in 2019 with bipartisan support, the bill would amend several provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide key protections for LGBTQ Americans with regard to employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.

Fragrance Creators Association is the principal fragrance trade association. The organization represents the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. The association also represents interests along the fragrance value chain. Fragrance Creators' membership is diverse, including companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.orgfor people, perfume, and the planet.

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Lia Dangelico

[email protected]

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Friday marks the two years since India launched the Balakot Airstrike in a bid to take revenge against Pakistan-backed terror following the dastardly Pulwama terror attack. Now, residents of J&K's Nowshera who were witness to all that happened have recalled how India showed the world that it will not tolerate terrorism and the dogfight that had ensued the next day.

India had given a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pulwama Terror Attack as the Indian Air Force (IAF) had launched an airstrike aimed at terrorists across the Line of Control in Balakot. A day after the airstrike, Pakistan had tried to hit back by trying to enter the Indian territory with a full complement of US-made Pakistan Air Force F-16s entering airspace and targeting the IAF and army installations and camps, but the plan was foiled as India was prepared and drove the PAF squadron away, with both sides suffering the loss of one aircraft each.

In a high-altitude dogfight that ensued on February 27, 2019, Wing Commander Abhinandan used his close-combat R73 missile to shoot down a Pakistani F-16 but was captured by Pakistan Army after his own MiG-21 Bison was shot down immediately after. He spent days in Pakistan's custody but was released on March 1, 2019 by the Pakistan forces, as per the Geneva Convention agreement after tremendous pressure by the Indian government. He has been awarded the Vir Chakra on Independence Day by President Ram Nath Kovind, for his exemplary bravery.

The memories of the airstrike still remain fresh in the minds of the residents of the Nowshera Sector.

"I remember watching three to four jets came from our side, and three to four jets also flew in from Pakistan's side," said one of the residents, Subash Sharma. Another resident said named Parshotam Lal recalled, "The moment Pakistan tried to attack us, our captain Abhinandan opened fired at them, and when he fired, there were huge fireballs that came flying to the ground. And among those balls of flame, Captain Abhinandan came out using his parachute."

READ | BJP's RP Singh Slams Pak PM's Attack On Arnab; Adds 'Balakot Was In Offing Post-Pulwama'

READ | BJP Asks Rahul Gandhi If He Believes India's Abhinandan Ultimatum Now, As Pakistan Admits

Even today, Pakistan-backed terrorists continue to make attempts to cross-over and create instability in the valley. Though the Indian Army has been deployed in every nook and corner, Pakistan finds a way to push terrorists into the Indian territory. While the recent DGMO talks with Pakistan ended on a positive note, the civilians in the area remain wary of threats from Pakistan.

Bindu Chaudhary, another resident of Nowshera said, "We always felt that Pakistan never comes out of its mindset and again, they have made residents and civilians the target, and they tried to hit our city, and we, at the border are always prepared for the battle."

READ | Tejas LCA Superior To China-Pakistan's JF-17; Equipped For Balakot-type Strike: IAF Chief

READ | SUPER EXCLUSIVE: Listen To This Secret Source's Account Of What The Pakistan Army Did To Suppress The Truth Of The IAF's Balakot Air Strike
Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  The inter-agency task force on the government's COVID-19 response has approved the recommendation of health experts to allow the use of Chinese firm Sinovac's vaccine on health care workers.

"Just this morning, we presented to the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and we got the approval already," Department of Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media briefing on Friday. The IATF's decision will then be presented to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The IATF gave credence to the conclusion reached by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and the DOH's Technical Advisory Group that Sinovac's CoronaVac "will be beneficial for the health care workers," Vergeire said.

Early this week, the Food and Drug Administration granted Emergency Use Authorization to Sinovac, recommending its vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in clinically healthy individuals aged 18-59. FDA Director General Eric Domingo earlier said CoronaVac is not recommended for medical workers exposed to COVID-19 patients because it has a low efficacy rate of 50.4% for this group.

But Vergeire clarified that while clinical trials show lower efficacy in preventing mild symptoms, CoronaVac is still 100% effective against moderate and severe symptoms. This means it can effectively reduce morbidity and mortality  the main goal for prioritizing medical frontliners in the vaccination program, Vergeire said.

READ: FDA only 'flagged' 50% efficacy of Sinovac, but still safe for health workers, Vergeire says

Members of NITAG and TAG agreed health workers should be given the chance to decide for themselves whether they want to take CoronaVac, considering this will be the first to be rolled out in the country for public use.

Officials said the 600,000 doses of CoronaVac donated by the Chinese government will arrive in the country on Sunday, with health care workers getting priority.

Amid questions on its efficacy, Dr. Anna Ong-Lim of the DOH's TAG said the medical frontliners who will refuse to get inoculated with it will not lose their spot in the priority list. However, it's still unclear when the other vaccines will become available.

READ: Health workers' vaccine hesitancy may affect public confidence, says expert

"Asang-asa tayo ng darating na yung iba e (We were expecting too much that the others will arrive), Ong-Lim said, mentioning the vaccine made by US firm Pfizer. Delivery of Pfizer doses through the global COVAX facility was delayed by the lack of an indemnification agreement, which the government sent last week.

"Ang problema is medyo nagkakaroon talaga ng (The problem is there have been) issues about whether these vaccines will come and when they will come in," Ong-Lim said.

Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang, a member of NITAG, said the first batch of Sinovac vaccines need not undergo the Health Technology Assessment Council, an independent advisory body, since it's a donation. This means one less step before the much-awaited start of the vaccination program, which is expected next week.

CNN Philippines' Lara Tan contributed to this report.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) followed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) walk on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 10, 2021. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

Senators Introduce PROMISE Act Targeting Political Bias in Big Tech Companies

Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) on Feb. 24 introduced new legislation targeting political bias in big tech companies.

The PROMISE Act (pdf), which stands for Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social-media Environment Act, is designed to hold big tech companies accountable to their promises to not operate their social medial platforms with political bias, according to a news release from Sen Lees office.

Specifically, the act would require big tech companies to disclose their moderation policies to the public including: categories of information not permitted on their platform or subject to moderation, the process used in moderating content, and the notification process used to inform users of a moderation action taken as well as the reason for the decision.

The moderation policies must be in plain, easy to understand language and explain the information regarding the business practices of a covered entity with respect to the standards, processes, and policies of the covered entity on moderating information provided by a user or other information content provider.

The act also prohibits tech companies from making a deceptive policy statement that is misleading or likely to interfere with reasonable actions from users.

Violations of the PROMISE Act would result in penalties enacted by the Federal Trade Commission.

The billionaires who own our nations Big Tech companies have every right to be partisan political actors, Sen. Lee said.

They do not have the right to tell consumers that they will provide unbiased platforms, and then use those same platforms to discriminate against Americans with opposing religious, philosophical, or political viewpoints.

Tech firms are increasingly coming under tighter scrutiny worldwide.

Facebook faced a global backlash last week from publishers and politicians after it blocked news feeds in Australia in a dispute with the government over revenue-sharing.

Meanwhile, new laws proposed by Poland could implement massive fines for tech giants who censor users or remove posts for ideological reasons, the countrys Deputy Minister of Justice Sebastian Kaleta, told Fox News last week.

Under the new legislation, any platform that bans a user or removes posts for ideological reasons would face fines of $13.5 million unless the content is also illegal under Polish law. An arbitration committee will be set up to oversee disputes.

Hungary is also following Poland in the fight against social media censorship, with Justice Minister Judit Varga last month stating that Prime Minister Viktor Orbans government will not tolerate intrusions on free speech.

In his PROMISE ACT guide (pdf), Lee pointed to a number of instances where Twitter, Facebook, and Google had suspended accounts, deleted posts, or targeted conservatives or Republicans in recent months, including Twitter blocking two damaging exposes from the New York Post on Hunter Bidens dealings with Ukrainian and Chinese firms.

Twitter has labeled, filtered, or tagged as disputed countless tweets from conservative or Republican figures, while taking no action against their high-profile progressive or Democratic counterparts for similarly contentious claims, Lee wrote.
Opinion Article

26 February 2021

In Part 1 of our Hotel SEO series, we covered the importance of SEO for your hotel's website and what you need to do to organically rank 1st on Google for your hotel name.

However, there are more steps you should take to optimize your hotel website performance and rank higher for other important keywords or terms other than your hotel name.

This is what we call 'SEO Fairy Dust', actions that you can implement in addition to the fundamentals which will help your hotel website perform better and be found more easily with more than just your property name.

In this article, we address the topic of technical SEO and 5 simple yet effective actions that will have a direct impact on your hotel website's SEO and increase your traffic. The best part here is that these steps do not require you to be a coder or developer.

5 Technical Hotel SEO Tips to Optimize your Hotel Website

In order for your hotel website to rank 1st on Google for more than your property name, you need to consider the following ranking factors:

1. Choose the right permalinks for your Hotel Website

Photo: GuestCentric Systems

Permalink stands for 'permanent link' and every page of your website has a different one. It includes your domain followed by a slash and a word or phrase. For example: hoteldomain.xyz/activities. While you can't (and shouldn't) change your domain for each page, you are able to add the last word(s) of it, what shows after the '/', making this the specific address for a specific page.

The permalink should be kept simple and relevant because visitors use these URLs to visit your site and search engines use it to index them. According to accuranker, if you average 8 words or less after the '/' in your URL, there's a serious increase in page rank than if you have more. So remember, less is more when creating a permalink.

In addition, much like the keywords that you use across your website content, keywords in your permalinks help Google understand the content on your web page. It's very important to use a rich keyword in it. For example, if the page is about the activities in New York, use the phrase "/Activities in New York" in the permalink.

For example, let's say you're working on your rooms page, and you decide to call the page 'Dream'. Your permalink will then become your hotel website's domain name followed by "dream" - which may sound dreamy to you, but won't make much sense to online searchers or Google bots that crawl for relevant content to optimize or penalize your hotel website.

Above all else, you must always think about what your guests will search for, and not what you think will look or sound good.

2. Customize Your Meta titles & Meta descriptions

Photo: GuestCentric Systems

Meta titles are the singular line of text you see in Google's Search Engine Results, after the page name that you can customize. A Meta description is the text below your page title and URL, which serves as a short description of that page.

This again can be very helpful information to Google and to your visitors. This is why it's important to include relevant info in each meta title and description. The meta title should include the most important thing about the page and the meta description should summarise the content that the visitor will find when clicking on that link.

Remember, Google truncates text that runs over a certain character limit. To guarantee that your meta titles/descriptions show correctly in the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) and are effective, make sure the meta title is under 50 characters and meta description under 150 and above 70 characters.

If you're missing or have poorly written meta information for your pages, it can result in potential visitors not noticing your website in Google search.

3. Optimize your Headings

Photo: GuestCentric Systems

Headings help your website visitors and Google understand and organize your page content. In each page of your hotel website, you have different headings to guide your visitor, so they work as signposts defining which parts of your content are more or less important and how they're interconnected.

The different headings you have on each page should follow a hierarchy, starting in H1 and followed by H2, H3, etc to provide structured information to google bots as well so they can understand the most important information of each page.

According to SearchMetrics, 80% of first-page search results on Google use an H1 header, so it's very important to guarantee that each of your website pages has at least one H1 heading and that ideally should be your page title. Your page title should also contain your targeted keywords, meaning the most relevant words to your content.

After that, you should use an H2 subheading for less important content, followed by H3, H4, and so on. Only H1 should be used once per page, all the other headings can be used more than once and according to the relevance of each piece of content on that page.

4. Add Alt Text to Your Hotel Website Photos

Alt text stands for 'Alternative text' which is the text description of the images you use on your website. Using alt text helps Google to read and identify the image content, which not only provides relevance to your content but also helps your photos to rank higher in Google Images.

Make sure all of the images you use on your hotel website have Alt Text to guarantee your pictures show first in Google Images. This way, the best photos of your hotel will be the first on display and link to your hotel website.

It's extremely important to make sure your pictures show first in Google Images. This way, you will guarantee that the first images are yours and taken by a professional rather than someone who stayed and the hotel yet doesn't have a bright future in the photography business.

5. Customize your 404 error page message

Photo: GuestCentric Systems

The 404 Error happens when you're trying to access a page that no longer exists or cannot be found. This causes user frustration and website abandonment. To prevent this from happening and guarantee that your visitors still navigate through your website even if they have a wrong link, you need to create a custom 404 page.

This page should mention that the page they were trying to find no longer exists or it was moved and give them links to the most relevant pages on your website.

These links on your 404 page are very important because they give your visitors a way out of the error page without exiting your website.

6. Content Originality is Key

Photo: GuestCentric Systems

Last but not least, if we're talking about hotel website content, there's one very important premise: don't copy content from other websites to yours.

For example, let's say you are creating a page about the monuments around your hotel. The temptation to copy and paste from TripAdvisor might be real. However, if you do this your website can suffer in rankings and traffic losses because Google will identify this as duplicated content.

Google will then assess and acknowledge only one of them and it will not be yours. This is particularly true when competing against a website that has published the content for a longer time span, and therefore had more time to be crawled for content relevance.



Conclusion

In a sea of hundreds of factors, It's important to focus on what you can control. If you implement all these actions your position will improve over time and therefore your visibility and consequently, your website traffic will too.

SEO is a never-ending process that requires dedication, time, and knowledge because Google's ranking factors and its importance are always evolving and changing so it's crucial to be always on top of the latest trends and updates.
An elderly Gold Coast man is accused of murdering his wife at their house with a belt, before their daughter found her body.

The pairs daughter, who had visited the Varsity Lakes home on Thursday to check on the couple, found her mother, 82-year-old Robyn Beever, dead in the garage.

Emergency services were alerted and the womans husband, Max Beever, 82, was taken from the scene under police guard to the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Mr Beever will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, pending hospital clearance.
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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It was a fairly typical police wake. A suburban pub, open-neck shirts, stick-on name tags and a speech from the brass. The difference was that the man they came to eulogise was not yet horizontal. Being given up for dead is nothing new for Ron Fenton, for it was nearly 37 years ago police first planned his funeral. He was given hours to live when he was shot in the head, was touch and go when he broke 37 bones in a motorbike accident, came close to ending it at his own hand while in the depth of depression, was a couple of gasps away from drowning in a raging river and twice diagnosed with terminal cancer. Assistant Commissioner Mick Grainger (left), Ron Fenton and Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent. Credit:Nicole Oli Fentons life has been truly remarkable. But he is not ready for it to be told posthumously - not yet. At 65, he knows he is dying - the cancer has enveloped his liver, the chemo knocks him around and only morphine gives him enough relief to function.

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Yet this week he turned up, with nearly 200 friends and former colleagues, at a Point Cook pub to celebrate a life filled with tragedy, love and a steely resolve to survive. It was a living wake where the guest of honour was still about to enjoy the chat, the memories and the plates of sausage rolls. This is a chance for me to thank all the people who have helped me get through my life, he says. I have had an amazing life and feel blessed. Im humbled to see so many people here. I thought we couldnt fill a shoebox. From the moment Ron walked into the Police Academy in 1972 as a 16-year-old cadet he was a star and graduated in 1974 dux of the class. He was the youngest recruit to join Search and Rescue and dux of the sub officers course. And then he was shot. The gunman was Kai Matty Korhonen, a former army reservist trained to use high-powered weapons and mentally wired to use them. On November 21, 1984, armed with a military grade semi-automatic assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition, he ambushed security guard Peter Poole, who was sitting in his car. Shooter Kai Korhonen, then 21. Credit:John Renaud

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Sergeant Fenton and his partner Senior Constable Paul Gilbert headed to Fairbanks Road in Clayton and were second on the scene. It was pretty obvious he was dead, says Fenton. When police tried to stop Korhonens car at Ricketts Point, unaware he was a murderer, he blasted them with 20 shots, injuring one officer. Hes shooting the shit out of the car, one told D24, the forces communications centre. Fenton and Gilbert immediately responded to the call, knowing the offender was almost certainly Pooles killer. They went to a nearby park near his abandoned car, hoping to corral him away from houses. But Korhonen emerged from behind a fence and opened fire, hitting the police car 27 times. Fenton, the driver, opened the door to make a dash for cover. Illuminated by the internal light, he was shot in the back of the head with a military-grade bullet. The car was riddled, including eight bulletholes in the windscreen and seven in the drivers seat backrest. (The transport branch later sent Fenton a letter to say he was not liable for the damage.) The homicide report states both police were miraculously spared by chance. Gilbert, bloodied and blinded by shattered glass, huddled on the passenger seat floor and radioed D24.

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Police were ordered to remain stationary as we dont know that its safe to go in. Gilbert pleaded: Get an ambulance for my mate. I can hear him but I cant move. Ron Fenton with John Silvester. Credit:Nicole Oli Sometimes heroism arrives without a brass band. In the radio chatter there is a quiet voice, Sergeant Mick Romeril, who chooses to disobey the order: Were in a plain car and we might head up to the injured member and put him in the car. And they did just that. Two units with four officers went in to rescue the trapped police. Listen to the dramatic police audio Gilbert cradled his partners skull after they were dragged out. In the ambulance the paramedics said: Look, hes not going to make it.

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First paramedics doubted Fenton would make it to hospital, then his family was told he wouldnt last three days, then after nearly two weeks in a coma they were told he wouldnt recover his brain function. They were wrong. Gilbert, who was at the living wake, recalls the shooting, saying they took up a secure position but moved out to warn another unit to douse their lights. Paul Gilbert, Rons partner when they were under fire. Credit:Nicole Oli We were reversing back when all hell broke loose. Shot after shot went into the car. It was a nightmare. The car was full of smoke and I reached out and couldnt feel Ron. I couldnt see because of blood in my eyes. Gilbert remains amazed at Fentons recovery: The inner strength of the man remains an inspiration to me. Fenton left hospital with more than 30 pieces of shrapnel in his skull, told he would never return to even light police duties. Again, they were wrong. He became a respected Police Academy instructor and an inspiration to a generation of police.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio  Unconfirmed rumors abound of pharmacists and other health workers discarding precious doses of COVID-19 vaccines that are about to expire or giving them to a privileged few rather than eligible folks on long waiting lists.

The vaccines are in short supply, and the waiting lists are long. That much is well documented. But are the stories of vaccines going to waste or into ineligible arms true or just products of overactive imaginations?

Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer sought answers by reaching out to the Ohio Department of Health, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and some private providers of vaccines. Here is what we found:

Has the county or state received reports of vaccines going to waste?

The county board reported receiving no reports of pharmacies or another vaccine providers discarding unused doses.

Via email, Ohio Health Department spokeswoman Alicia Shoults left open the possibility of unused does being discarded by stating only that the department had received no reports of widespread avoidable vaccine waste other than incidents already reported.

Two such incidents  one in January in which 890 doses went to waste, and another in February in which residents at five nursing homes had to be revaccinated  were related to vaccines not being stored at the right temperature, not leftover doses.

Per state guidance, providers are to contact ODH if more than 20 doses are at risk of spoiling. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer have asked the state to provide records showing how often this has occurred. The department has yet to comply with the request.

Why would doses be left unused?

People who have signed up for an inoculation might cancel at the last minute or simply fail to show up. Also, the vaccine is stored in vials containing multiple doses, so providers might miscalculate the number of vials needed during a vaccination session.

Why would leftovers pose a problem?

Once opened or prepared for distribution, the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines must be used within six hours. Doses not used within the six hours cannot be returned to storage.

What should be done with leftovers?

Ohio Department of Health suggests, but does not require, that each Ohio provider  pharmacies, health departments, health clinics or others  have a backup recipient plan in place to administer doses before they expire.

Under such a backup plan, providers should first give leftover vaccine to people who are currently eligible. Today, that includes adults 65 and older, teachers or others in Phase 1A and 1B groups.

If such people cant be found in time, doses can be given to the general public, but with priority given to people with underlying medical conditions.

What kinds of backup plans are in place?

Some providers, including pharmacies such as Discount Drug Mart, use standby lists.

At every store, we build a list of folks we know are eligible who would be willing to swing by with relatively short notice to get vaccinated, said Jason Briscoe, director of pharmacy operations for the Ohio drug store chain. We will proactively call patients so they can get there comfortably before the vaccine expires.

Drug Mart also attempts to monitor vaccine appointments and usage throughout the day, so pharmacists know by mid-afternoon (rather than, say, 8 p.m.) whether doses will be left over that day, Briscoe said.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health has no standby list for its drive-through vaccination clinics at the county fairgrounds in Berea. But spokesman Kevin Brennan said the board does have a plan for avoiding waste.

We reduce the number of open lanes at the drive-throughs and decrease the volume of vaccine at each station an hour before the clinics end to assure that there is no waste, Brennan said.

In the rare event doses are left over, the numbers are small and the board then contacts nearby long-term care facilities, health-care providers, or EMS workers to find eligible recipients, Brennan said.

Would the state or county consider establishing a centralized standby list?

No, neither the state nor county are considering establishing a master list that could be tapped by multiple providers.

Said Brennan at the county board: Each provider is responsible for their own vaccine supply, so the idea of mixing all of the providers together on one wait list is not practical in terms of accountability, logistics and execution. As providers, we are best served looking after our own respective supplies.

Standby lists are best maintained and used by individual providers, Shoults said. The state is working on a centralized vaccine sign-up system, but thats aimed at scheduling regular appointments, not opportunities for obtaining leftover vaccine.

What options exist for people who want leftover doses?

People who want to be added to a standby list will have to contact individual providers.

Some Discount Drug Mart locations have been approached by so-called vaccine lurkers  people who hang around in the parking lot in hopes of there being an extra dose, Briscoe said. But he said he would not suggest that approach as a viable option, because it would only work in very limited circumstances.

First, there would have to be extra doses, he said. Second, we wouldve had to have exhausted our entire standby list of eligible people who werent able to stop by. If that were the event, and there was no one [eligible] in the store, then the person in the lot would be vaccinated.

Securing leftover vaccine also would be unlikely at MetroHealth, spokesman Mike Tobin said.

Broadly speaking, were not going to give it to a guy who shows up, waiting around, if we have a patient in the hospital who we know qualifies. Thats the advantage of [administering vaccine] in a clinical setting, Tobin said.

Is help available elsewhere?

Yes.

A Facebook group, Ohio Vaccine Hunters, provides a platform for sharing tips and leads for acquiring leftover doses.

And for those who need assistance booking regular vaccine appointments, two Northeast Ohioans -- dubbed the Vaccine Queens -- are assisting older adults find openings.
Barnacles are useful for marine forensics, according to research by UNSW Science. Credit: Shutterstock

A common barnacle could be used to help trace missing persons lost at sea, according to research by UNSW Science.

Researchers from the Centre for Marine Science and Innovation have developed an equation that can estimate the minimum time an object has spent drifting at sea by counting the number of Lepas anserifera attached to the object.

They also developed an equation which can help plot possible drift paths of a missing boat.

"We saw this opportunity that Lepas could possibly fill in this gap in that marine forensic process and possibly contribute (to finding missing people)," study lead author Thomas Mesaglio said.

The study, published in Marine Biology, looked at the ecology of the understudied Lepas, a genus of goose barnacles, which are abundantly found on flotsam all around the world.

Goose barnacles are unique as they only attach to floating objects, such as boats.

"This is why they're generally so difficult to study," Mr Mesaglio said. "You generally only interact with them after they've washed up on the beach. At that point, they're desiccated or dead."

The Centre for Marine Science and Innovation scientists monitored the abundance of other species of Lepas, and two amphipod species (crustaceans), on both fixed moorings and free-drifting debris over six months.

They also monitored other biofouling organisms such as crabs and sea slugs that were also settling on the mooring to understand how that community evolved over time.

New equation

They developed a new, invaluable equation from this information.

"Let's say a fisherman out on his boat goes missing, but we don't know exactly where or when his boat sank," Mr Mesaglio said.

"Two weeks later, debris from his boat washes up ashore. We can measure and count the Lepas (as well as counting those other amphipods if present) to give a minimum estimate for how long that debris was drifting.

"This would give us a smaller and more accurate time window of when he may have sunk, therefore also narrowing down the options for where he may have sunk."

The scientists found the average growth rate for Lepas anserifera was 1.05mm a day.

The researchers also discovered the fastest daily growth rate of Lepas anserifera was around 1.45mm a day, significantly greater than the original data of 1mm a day last recorded in the 1940s.

They also developed a new equation from oxygen isotope analyses of Lepas shells, which can estimate sea surface temperature history, and therefore help plot possible drift paths of a missing boat.

"We can conduct an isotopic analysis of the Lepas shells attached to a missing boat and reconstruct the sea surface temperature they experienced while attached to the debris," he said.

"We can then compare this to actual measurements of sea surface temperature (from satellites or moorings) from the broad area the missing fisherman could have been in, and try to match times and temperatures to understand the path the debris may have taken."

Study co-author Professor Iain Suthers said the new data can also be used to rule out debris that isn't related to the missing fisherman.

"Say some debris washes up, but we don't know if it's actually from the fisherman's boat, or another boat," Professor Suthers said.

"Given we know a maximum possible time since he launched the boat, we can then compare that with the size of any Lepas on the debris.

"If the Lepas are so big that the time required for them to grow to that length exceeds that maximum time he was missing then of course we can say the debris doesn't belong to his boat."

"Forensically useful'

Prof. Suthers said Lepas are forensically useful for flotsam that was adrift for one to three months.

"Unfortunately for crash investigators, the new, faster Lepas growth rates suggest that the large (36 mm) Lepas found on the missing Malaysian Airline flight MH370 wreckage at Reunion Island16 months after the aircraft was believed to have crashed in 2014were much younger than previously realized," he said.

"These Lepas probably settled on wreckage at least halfway across the Indian Ocean, and nowhere near the crash site."

Mr Mesaglio said the next steps in this research would be conduct further studies on a bigger sample size and in other oceanic regions, such as off the coast of Queensland and Western Australia.

He said it is crucial to understand biofouling community ecology and spatial distributions, so that scientists can track changes in these communities in the future.

"The exponential increase in plastics and other marine debris such as fishing nets in our oceans is creating more habitat and opportunities for biofouling taxa like Lepas to raft across oceans," Mr Mesaglio said.

"Disasters like the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami facilitated hundreds of marine invertebrate species rafting on debris from Japan all the way to the US coast."

Explore further Underwater crustaceans could solve missing plane mystery

More information: Thomas P. Mesaglio et al. The ecology of Lepas-based biofouling communities on moored and drifting objects, with applications for marine forensic science, Marine Biology (2021). Journal information: Marine Biology Thomas P. Mesaglio et al. The ecology of Lepas-based biofouling communities on moored and drifting objects, with applications for marine forensic science,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s00227-021-03822-1
SCHUYLERVILLE  Integrity, decency, a man of his word.

Those are just a few of the thoughts that come to mind when friends remember Edgar King, a native Saratoga County son and lifelong champion for the dairy industry who died on Sunday.

The former deputy commissioner of state Agriculture and Markets under governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo who was later elected supervisor for Northumberland, was 81. No cause of death was given.

"Ed was a man of absolute integrity and dignity," said Waterford Supervisor John Lawler. "His word was his bond. If you shook on something, that was better than a written contract."

Lawler said he learned a lot from King, especially about dairy farming and "not letting partisan politics influence decisions.

"He always acted in the best interest of the county," Lawler said.

King earned his political chops in Albany, serving 12 years at Ag and Markets, from 1976 to 1987, before running for office.

On Thursday, Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball recalled King as a tireless public servant, dedicated farmer and family man, and a true friend.

We follow in his footsteps every day as we continue his work to move New York agriculture forward, Ball said in a statement.

At the county level, he was a vocal Democratic voice in an otherwise Republican-controlled body before his retirement in 2004. (His father had been elected to the office in 1944.)

It was that outspokenness that first ushered the lifelong dairy farmer into office. He rallied the residents in Northumberland to oppose the county's plans for a landfill in the rural community. That led to his election and a long fight that enraged many Republicans around the county and especially at the GOP-controlled Board of Supervisors.

Edinburg Supervisor Jean Raymond remembers how hard King fought to keep out the landfill, a fight he eventually lost.

"He never let the fight get nasty," Raymond said. "He was always a gentleman, always polite, always friendly."

King also put in stints on the boards of Dairy Management, Inc., which oversaw the popular Got Milk? advertising campaign; the National Dairy Board, the board of the Dairylea cooperative, and the New England Dairy Promotion Board.

Following his retirement from public service, King remained active with King Brothers Dairy in Schuylerville, the fifth-generation family-run operation originally established by his grandfather in 1901. Today, his family farm is well-known locally for bottling and delivering fresh milk and scooping some of the best ice cream in the county, as rated by Saratoga.com,

"I'm so happy that Ed lived to see his sons convert the farm into a successful business," Raymond said.

He and his wife of 59 years, Carolyn, ran a bed and breakfast too, a venture which brought both of them great joy working together and meeting new folks who visited the Saratoga area, according to his obituary.

King embraced his role as an ever-cheerful" greeter and tour guide for friends and guests at the location. He also served as an elder and deacon at Bacon Hill Reformed Church, the site of his funeral on Friday.

In addition to Carolyn, King is survived by his four sons and their families, as well grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Lawler said that King will be missed.

"I respected and admired Ed," Lawler said. "It was an honor and a pleasure to work with him."
The world of unmanned aerial vehicles is also evolving fast. This week, the folks over at Kelley Aerospace have officially announced the Arrow, a UCAV concept they previously teased in December and that is now ready to be produced in Singapore. Kelley says 100 pre-orders have already been received for what it describes as a combat aircraft, explaining that customers were interested in the Arrows capabilities to perform air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.Indeed, the Arrow has been specifically developed to fit various scenarios and be ready for multiple types of operations. For example, it can either be controlled by someone from the ground or just take off autonomously. Furthermore, it can be part of a fleet of aircraft controlled by one manned airplane or just fly solo to conduct an operation from one end to another.The Arrow is designed to complement manned aircraft and be a force multiplier in the aerial battlefield, the company explains as per a recent report The aircraft uses a monocoque built from carbon fiber, so its rather lightweight, being able to fly more than 2,600nm with a maximum weight of 37,038 lbs (16,800 kg). It wont cost more than $16 million, but the base version can eventually drop to $9 million.Back in December, Kelley said it was looking to create no less than 250 new jobs specifically for the production of this new aircraft, explaining that its five-year goal is to get some 500 pilots ready to control its combat drones as part of a general aviation pilot academy.No specifics have been provided on the customers who preordered the supersonic drones. According to the cited source, the company is already testing two more prototypes as we speak in the United States and Sweden.
Police measures a cannabis tree found in a farm in Chu Se District of Gia Lai Province, February 25, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Oanh.

A farmer in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai is being investigated after he was found growing 230 cannabis trees in between corn stalks.

The 25 to 145-centimeter-high trees were discovered covering 800 of 4,630 square meters cultivated by Tran Hung, 38, in Chu Se District on Thursday afternoon.

Police also found a nursery where baby cannabis trees were being reared.

Hung said the nursery is owned by his grandmother and that he was assigned to manage it two years ago.

In late 2019, an acquaintance gave him cannabis seeds to grow as cattle feed, he said.

Police, having seized the entire cannabis crop, plan to expand their investigation.

Cannabis is on the list of narcotics forbidden in Vietnam.

Those growing cannabis on a small scale could be fined VND2-5 million ($86.16-215.40). Farmers found cultivating 500 to 3,000 plants could face jail terms of six months to three years, while those operating on a bigger scale could spend up to seven years in jail.
Padded jackets, headscarves and sturdy leather brogues have long been staple items of the Queen's off-duty wardrobe.

Now Her Majesty's countryside chic has made it onto the catwalk, having inspired Italian fashion house Max Mara's 70th anniversary 'platinum jubilee' show in Milan.

Presenting its autumn/winter 2021 collection via a virtual runway staged at the Trienalle design museum, models were decked out in heritage country style heavy tweed, fur coats, over-sized cardigans, calf-length kilts and Tattersall check in a nod to the royal, with a modern twist.

Headscarves were a prominent accessory, as were thick woolly socks and chunky leather shoes featuring prominent buckles - the kind of attire often sported by the Queen at Balmoral, Sandringham or the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The Queen's countryside chic has made it onto the catwalk, having inspired Italian fashion house Max Mara's 70th anniversary 'platinum jubilee' show in Milan (pictured)

Padded jackets, headscarves and sturdy brogues have long been staple items of the Queen's off-duty wardrobe (pictured in 1990 at the Royal Windsor Horse Show)

Max Mara's creative director Ian Griffiths chose the royal as his muse after spending last year's lockdown at home in Suffolk binge-watching The Crown.

Her favoured prints and choice of outerwear blend seamlessly with Max Mara's classic style, seen here in the form of khaki green cashmere trench coats (a re-working of its famous camel version), quilted gilets and capes.

According to Griffiths, this platinum jubilee collection of city-meets-outdoor wear was inspired by the monarch for today's self-made queens.

'Without disrespect to Her Majesty and all the images of her on formal occasions when she wears those brightly coloured matching clothes,' he told Vogue, 'I ended up saving all the images of her in her own time.

Max Mara's creative director Ian Griffiths chose the royal (pictured right in King's Lynn in December 2018) as his muse after spending last year's lockdown at home in Suffolk binge-watching The Crown

Presenting its autumn/winter 2021 collection via a virtual runway staged at the Trienalle design museum, models were decked out in heavy tweed, fur coats, over-sized cardigans, calf-length kilts and Tattersall check, all with a modern twist on their heritage country style

According to Griffiths, this platinum jubilee collection of city-meets-outdoor wear was inspired by the monarch for today's self-made queens

The Queen pictured left in a quilted jacket and silk headscarf at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2006, and right watching the cross country section of the carriage driving at the event in 2017

Griffiths said he wanted to channel the feeling of feeling completely at home in your clothes in the collection

To ensure his collection passed the Balmoral test, Griffiths told how he studied the dress codes of the British aristocracy (pictured: models wearing quilted capes and sturdy shoes)

'You can understand that this is what she likes to wear: a kilt and a wax jacket. It shows a woman whos completely at home in what shes wearing. I wanted to channel the feeling of feeling completely at home in your clothes.'

Some of the most memorable scenes in the latest series of The Crown take place at Balmoral, where Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is seen turning up with a completely impractical wardrobe consisting of dresses, suits and court heels.

By contrast, Lady Diana Spencer 'only packed outdoor shoes' and teamed them with knitwear and trousers.

To ensure his collection passed the Balmoral test, Griffiths told how he studied the dress codes of the British aristocracy - and took inspiration from the young Princess of Wales, who took ballet lessons at the Royal School round the corner from where he studied at the Royal College of Art.

Her Majesty's favoured prints and choice of outerwear blend seamlessly with Max Mara's classic style, seen here in the form of khaki green cashmere trench coats (a re-working of its famous camel version), quilted gilets and headscarves. Pictured: the Queen at Balmoral in May 2019

Models don patterned headscarves during the Max Mara Fall/Winter 2021-2022 show during Milan Fashion Week yesterday

'She would get out of her car at the same time the fashion students would go down to have coffee.

'Sometimes wed see her every day for a while, and shed say hello. She was lovely,' he told Vogue.

'We also had to send our sketches to Kensington Palace sometimes for her to look at, to see if she liked anything.

'She never took anything, but she loved fashion and fashion students so much. She was interested in what we were doing.'
Halyna Yanchenko, MP, Head of the Verkhovna Rada temporary ad-hoc Commission on Protection of Investors' Rights

February 24 marked the 5th anniversary of the creation by the Ukrainian government of the National Agency of Ukraine for finding, tracing and management of assets derived from corruption and other crimes (ARMA). This state body was founded as a part of the implementation of the action plan for visa liberalization between Ukraine and the EU, following the example of similar state bodies in European countries. However, something went wrong in the Ukrainian case. Instead of managing the criminals' arrested property, for some reason business and even affected parties in criminal proceedings have become victims of ARMA. And the National Agency itself has become an instrument of legal raiding and pressure on business.

Attacks on businesses

Here's how it works. Someone appreciated your apartment. He negotiates with a friendly prosecutor or an investigator from the most remote district center, the existence of which you may not even know. When a criminal proceeding is initiated, the prosecutor arrests your apartment and then, according to the law, your property will be transferred to ARMA.

The National agency sells your apartment within 30 days to an unknown shell-company. During continuous judicial proceedings, this company sells your apartment 5 more times to bona fide purchasers. And that's it. It is almost impossible to return such property to the owner.

Moreover, no one is protected from ARMA - neither a large foreign investor with a worldwide reputation, nor a Ukrainian businessman, nor an ordinary citizen.

Therefore, occasionally the actions of ARMA lead to international scandals, as in the situation with the French retailer Auchan. The land the investor bought for more than UAH 200 million had been outrageously taken away with the assistance of ARMA and some prosecutors of the Odessa region.

Afterwards ARMA quickly sold it for 20 times cheaper than its real value. The legality of ARMA's actions is being contested in the Supreme Court. However, the land plots have not been returned to the investor yet.

The second example, which Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada on Protection of Investors' Rights has encountered with, is the Bratsk Oil Press Plant located in Mykolaiv Oblast. When court made a decision in favor of the owners, the asset hadn't been returned for six months. As a result, the asset was returned not to the owner, but to the liquidator, who saved the property in the hands of people, determined by ARMA.

Ordinary citizens, even those who have suffered a lot in criminal proceedings, are not protected from the loss of their property due to the actions of ARMA. As, for example, the widow of a Danish businessman, owner of the IT company Ciklum. In 2019 her husband died and while the relatives of the deceased were organizing the funeral, the widow's inheritance in the form of an apartment in Kiev was seized from the widow.

Criminal proceedings were initiated upon the widow's appeal regarding an offence, therefore, the apartment was arrested and transferred to ARMA. For some reason, the National Agency decided to put up for auction material evidence of the criminal case, opened at the request of the widow. I think that any expert, international or Ukrainian, will not understand either the logic or the legal basis of such actions.

Such work of National Agency of Ukraine for finding, tracing and management of assets does not in any way correspond to the goals for which the agency was established and, in my opinion, just dishonors the state of Ukraine by such activity. Today we have to admit, ARMA has become an instrument of pressure on business and legal raiding. The state must urgently fix this.

Reload and reform of legislation

It requires legislative changes in the procedure of managing the arrested property and a full staff reboot of the National Agency. With these suggestions, I appealed to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In addition, in parliament, on February 23rd I registered a new package of legislative changes to restart ARMA. More than 70 people's deputies have become co-authors of these laws.

The package of bills includes amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (No. 5242) and amendments to the special law on the National Agency for Asset Management (No. 5141). They were created on the basis of the bill No. 3335-1 d. However, controversial provisions that previously caused a discussion in parliament were excluded from them. It has only those fundamental changes that I consider crucial to restore order in the work of ARMA, and, particularly, to protect bona fide property owners.

The first crucial change that is supported by representatives of all fractions in parliament:

ARMA must not sell property until a court verdict. Except for perishable goods and those for which the owner himself has provided written consent for their sale. In the same case of Auchan, the owner of the land plot, not being a criminal, found out that they were transferred to and sold by ARMA afterwards. And Auchan could not react to or influence it in any way. This amount of power ARMA has led to abuse and, therefore, should be limited.

Second change: property owners will be able to independently provide ARMA with a court decision canceling the arrest of their property. It is now the competence of either the prosecutor or the court, which in turn delays the process of returning the assets to the owner, often by months. If the owners of the Bratsk Oil Press Plant had the opportunity to provide ARMA with a court decision by themselves, they would be able to avoid losing their asset.

The third conceptual change: having decided to transfer the property to the management of ARMA, the court is obliged to clearly define the method of such management. That is, either to manage or to sell such property.

By the way, such an approach, when the method of property management is determined by the court, is used in most European countries. Today ARMA determines it independently based on its domestic rules, that is, manually at ARMA's own discretion. The Ukrainian experience has shown that such a scope of ARMA's powers leads to corruption risks, and therefore, it has to be revised.

***

ARMA should stop attacks on business, thereby spoiling the investment climate in the country, and instead begin to carry out its direct functions - to manage the seized property qualitatively. Both Ukrainian and foreign investors are waiting for that.

The personnel reboot of ARMA is as important as legislative changes. The ARMA has an interim management for over a year now. Therefore, the unlocking of the competition for the selection of a new, permanent head of ARMA, who will be fully accountable for his actions and the activities of the government body, will take place simultaneously with the enactment of amendments to the legislation. If we are talking about reload, then it should be total and absolute.
Hanoi, Hai Phong get green light for private funding to buy Covid-19 vaccines

A medic disinfects a container with AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine that arrived at HCMC's Tan Son Nhat International Airport on February 24, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

The government has given approval for Hanoi and Hai Phong to use private sources to fund their purchases of Covid-19 vaccines.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on Thursday that the Ministry of Health and Government Office should draw up specific guidelines for the purpose.

No details of how or from whom they will mobilize funds are known yet.

Vietnam plans to procure 150 million doses from British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca, global vaccine access mechanism Covax and domestic producers by 2022, the ministry has said.

The first batch of 117,600 doses from AstraZeneca was delivered on Wednesday.

Hanoi has decided it will provide free vaccination, and estimates it will need 15 million doses to vaccinate everyone above 18.

The northern port city Hai Phong plans to acquire more than two million doses.

DUBLIN, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Self-monitoring, Continuous), by End-use (Hospitals, Home Care, Diagnostic Centers), by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global blood glucose monitoring devices market size is expected to reach 19.6 billion by 2028. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2021 to 2028. The market growth is propelled by the rising diabetes prevalence worldwide and increasing geriatric population. Moreover, rising awareness about diabetes preventive care and new product launches are expected to boost market growth.



Blood glucose monitoring (BGM) devices are used to measure blood glucose levels in diabetes patients. These devices help in analyzing glucose level pattern as it provides continuous and real-time blood sugar reading. It also helps patients to decide the amount of food intake and dosage of insulin. Furthermore, factors such as sedentary lifestyle, consumption of junk food and alcohol, smoking, and surge in the need for safer and faster diagnosis are propelling the market growth.



Obesity is also one of the major factors in propelling the prevalence of diabetes. According to the WHO, over 650 million people were obese in 2016 and this number is expected to grow further during the forecast period. Additionally, the market is expected to witness a high growth rate during the forecast period due to the continuous efforts for diabetes control by government and healthcare organizations, such as the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Such organizations provide the required expertise and support diabetes awareness campaigns through a network of stakeholders and partners. Moreover, increasing health care funding is anticipated to propel the market growth.



Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Report Highlights

North America held the largest market share in 2020 owing to favorable reimbursement policies, local presence of key players, and supportive government initiatives.

held the largest market share in 2020 owing to favorable reimbursement policies, local presence of key players, and supportive government initiatives. Based on product, the self-monitoring devices segment held the largest market share in 2020 and is expected to grow at a significant pace over the forecast period. The testing strips segment of self-monitoring devices held the largest share of more than 40.0% in 2020 and is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period.

The continuous blood glucose monitoring devices segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.

By end-use, the home care segment is expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period.

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope

1.1 Research Methodology

1.2 Information Procurement

1.2.1 Purchased database

1.2.2 Internal database

1.2.3 Secondary sources

1.2.4 Primary research

1.2.5 Details of primary research

1.2.5.1 Data for primary interviews in North America

1.2.5.2 Data for primary interviews in Europe

1.2.5.3 Data for primary interviews in APAC

1.2.5.4 Data for primary interviews in Latin America

1.2.5.5 Data for primary interviews in MEA

1.3 Information or Data Analysis

1.3.1 Data analysis models

1.4 Market Formulation & Validation



Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Market Summary



Chapter 3 Market Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1 Market lineage outlook

3.1.1 Parent market outlook

3.1.2 Related/ancillary market outlook

3.2 Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping

3.3 User Perspective Analysis by Stage

3.3.1 Consumer behavior analysis

3.3.2 Market influencer analysis

3.4 List of Key End Users, by region, by product, by country

3.5 Regulatory Framework

3.5.1 Reimbursement framework

3.5.2 Standards & compliances

3.6 Market Dynamics

3.6.1 Market Driver Analysis

3.6.1.1 Rising geriatric population worldwide

3.6.1.2 Increasing number of diabetes patients

3.6.1.3 Increasing awareness about diabetes preventive care

3.7 Market Restraint Analysis

3.7.1 High cost of devices

3.7.2 Industry Challenges

3.8 Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices: Market Analysis Tools

3.8.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's

3.8.1.1 Supplier power

3.8.1.2 Buyer power

3.8.1.3 Substitution threat

3.8.1.4 Threat from new entrant (low)

3.8.1.5 Competitive rivalry

3.8.2 PESTEL Analysis

3.8.2.1 Political landscape

3.8.2.2 Environmental landscape

3.8.2.3 Social landscape

3.8.2.4 Technology landscape

3.8.2.5 Legal landscape

3.9 Major Deals & Strategic Alliances Analysis

3.9.1 Joint ventures

3.9.2 Mergers & acquisitions

3.9.3 Licensing & partnership

3.9.4 Technology collaborations

3.9.5 Strategic divestments

3.10 Market entry strategies



Chapter 4 Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis

4.1 Blood Glucose Monitoring devices: Product Analysis

4.2 Self-monitoring Devices

4.2.1 Self-monitoring devices market, by type, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

4.2.2 Blood glucose meters

4.2.2.1 Blood glucose meters market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

4.2.3 Testing strips

4.2.3.1 Testing strips market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

4.2.4 Lancets

4.2.4.1 Lancets market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

4.3 Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices

4.3.1 Continuous blood glucose monitoring devices market, by type, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

4.3.2 Sensors

4.3.2.1 Sensors market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

4.3.3 Transmitter and receiver

4.3.3.1 Transmitter and receiver market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

4.3.4 Insulin pumps

4.3.4.1 Insulin pumps market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)



Chapter 5 Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: End-use Estimates & Trend Analysis

5.1 Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: End-use Analysis

5.2 Hospitals

5.2.1 Hospitals blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

5.3 Home Care

5.3.1 Home care blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

5.4 Diagnostic centers

5.4.1 Diagnostic centers blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)



Chapter 6 Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis

6.1 Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Regional Movement Analysis

6.2 North America

6.2.1 North America blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.2.2 U.S.

6.2.2.1 U.S. blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.2.3 Canada

6.2.3.1 Canada blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3 Europe

6.3 Europe blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.1 U.K.

6.3.1.1 U.K. blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.2 Germany

6.3.2.1 Germany blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.3 France

6.3.3.1 France blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.4 Italy

6.3.4.1 Italy blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.5 Spain

6.3.5.1 Spain blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.6 Poland

6.3.6.1 Poland blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.7 Russia

6.3.7.1 Russia blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.8 Ukraine

6.3.8.1 Ukraine blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.9 Belarus

6.3.9.1 Belarus blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.3.10 Turkey

6.3.10.1 Turkey blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4 Asia Pacific

6.4.1 Asia Pacific blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4.2 Japan

6.4.2.1 Japan blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4.3 China

6.4.3.1 China blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4.4 South Korea

6.4.4.1 South Korea blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4.5 India

6.4.5.1 India blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4.6. Australia

6.4.6.1 Australia blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4.7. Kazakhstan

6.4.7.1 Kazakhstan blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.4.8. Uzbekistan

6.4.8.1 Uzbekistan blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.5 Latin America

6.5.1 Latin America blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.5.2 Brazil

6.5.2.1 Brazil blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.5.3 Mexico

6.5.3.1 Mexico blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.5.4 Argentina

6.5.4.1 Argentina blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.5.5 Colombia

6.5.5.1 Colombia blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.6. Middle East and Africa

6.6.1 Middle East and Africa blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.6.2 South Africa

6.6.2.1 South Africa blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.6.3 Saudi Arabia

6.6.3.1 Saudi Arabia blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)

6.6.4 UAE

6.6.4.1 UAE blood glucose monitoring devices market, 2016 - 2028 (USD Million)



Chapter 7 Company Profiles

7.1 Abbott Laboratories

7.1.1 Company Overview

7.1.2 Financial Performance

7.1.3 Product Benchmarking

7.1.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.2 Medtronic plc

7.2.1 Company Overview

7.2.2 Financial Performance

7.2.3 Product Benchmarking

7.2.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.3 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

7.3.1 Company Overview

7.3.2 Financial Performance

7.3.3 Product Benchmarking

7.3.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.4 Bayer AG

7.4.1 Company Overview

7.4.2 Financial Performance

7.4.3 Product Benchmarking

7.4.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.5 BD

7.5.1 Company Overview

7.5.2 Financial Performance

7.5.3 Product Benchmarking

7.5.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.6 Insulet Corporation

7.6.1 Company Overview

7.6.2 Financial Performance

7.6.3 Product Benchmarking

7.6.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.7 Dexcom, Inc.

7.7.1 Company Overview

7.7.2 Financial Performance

7.7.3 Product Benchmarking

7.7.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.8 Sanofi

7.8.1 Company Overview

7.8.2 Financial Performance

7.8.3 Product Benchmarking

7.8.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.9 Elly Lilly and Company

7.9.1 Company Overview

7.9.2 Financial Performance

7.9.3 Product Benchmarking

7.9.4 Strategic Initiatives

7.10 Novo Nordisk A/S

7.10.1 Company Overview

7.10.2 Financial Performance

7.10.3 Product Benchmarking

7.10.4 Strategic Initiatives



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rh0vmc

Media Contact:

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Have You Seen This? Baby calmed by Imperial March
Hatsun Agro Product rose 1.99% to Rs 726 after the company announced commercial production at its newly set up modern greenfield dairy processing plant in Solapur, Maharashtra.

The plant is the 19th manufacturing location for Hatsun Agro Products (HAP) that has a network of plants in four states of Tamil Nadu, AP, Telangana and Karnataka. The fully automated dairy plant is set up in 72 acres land at a cost of Rs 130 crore in Solapur district in Maharashtra. The plant has specialized imported equipments from Germany to process 6 lakh litres milk per day (LLPD).

The company will manufacture milk, curd, butter milk, chaas, lassi, yoghurt and shrikhand at the new plant. Hatsun Agro will market these products under brand names - 'Arokya' and 'Hatsun'. The total milk processing capacity of the company now stands at 52.50 LLPD across all the its manufacturing locations in 5 states.

The company further intends to expand its retail network through launch of more 'HAP Daily' outlets in various towns of Maharashtra & Goa.

Hatsun Agro Products' standalone net profit surged 141.4% to Rs 67.32 crore on 4.1% rise in net sales to Rs 1,394.59 crore in Q3 December 2020 over Q3 December 2019.

Hatsun Agro Product is a leading private sector dairy player in India. Its products are exported to 38 countries around the world.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fears: Joanne Stuart said shed be very disappointed if there were no 2021 holidays

Smaller travel operators in Northern Ireland will fold if sun-seekers cannot book holidays soon, it has been claimed. (Steve Parsons/PA)

Smaller travel operators in Northern Ireland will fold if sun-seekers cannot book holidays soon, it has been claimed.

Travel consultant David Coulter, based in Co Antrim, warned that smaller agencies simply could not survive another summer of disruption.

He was speaking after Michelle O'Neill warned that it is too early to start thinking about booking summer holidays.

The deputy First Minister was commenting on the fact that the number of holidays being snapped up in England had sky-rocketed by 600% in the wake of the Prime Minister's lockdown exit plan earlier this week.

The Sinn Fein deputy leader warned those looking forward to a week in the sun to remain cautious. "What Boris Johnson announces is obviously relevant to what happens in England," said Mrs O'Neill.

"It's not relevant in terms of our own plan. I don't think I could stand here today and say to people it's OK, go and book your holiday. You can't give them the comfort that would be required."

Mr Coulter said Ms O'Neill's comments would be hard to take by the wider travel agent industry here.

"I think one of the most annoying things for the industry is that politicians in Northern Ireland, the UK and elsewhere, just don't get how our industry works," he said. "We need these holidays to operate. A lot of people's jobs would be on the line, especially in the airlines too.

"I travelled a couple of times myself last year and being on a plane and seeing everything they had in place in terms of testing, wearing the masks, the sanitising - it was one of the safest places you could have been."

He said another summer of uncertainty would be "very damaging".

"I would imagine that the bigger operations could survive it but how the smaller operators would survive a second summer of no income ... obviously they would have bookings at the minute but if they're cancelled again, then I think we would see some smaller companies fold."

He accepted, however, that it is difficult for politicians to be clear when holidays can resume.

"I can understand where she's coming from. A lot of people day in, day out ask me when are holidays going to restart, and we don't know that," he added.

"A lot of people in England - I book a lot of people from England - who think because of what Boris said, May 17 is a restart date but there's no guarantee it is.

"I think people do want something to look forward to and we've seen a massive surge in bookings - but it is for the end of the year, and mostly for next year.

"So if someone was coming to me now to book a holiday for June I would be saying to them can you go a bit later in the year."

The Executive had indicated Monday was to be the key day for publishing the latest roadmap out of lockdown, but Ms O'Neill admitted that deadline may slip. "If it takes until Tuesday, so be it, as long as we get it right, I think it's more important," she said.

First Minister Arlene Foster said any plan will be revealed "early next week". Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance chief Dr Joanne Stuart said it would be "very disappointing" if holidays were cancelled for 2021.

"At the minute we're waiting for the Northern Ireland roadmap to be published and I think at this point we just have to wait and see what is in that," she said.

"And make sure there is clarity on the conditions that need to be in place at each stage to be reopened. Obviously the way with which the vaccination programme is going the way it is across the UK, it would be very disappointing if we aren't able to have holidays during the summer period."

Yesterday, the Department of Health said five more people in NI have died with coronavirus, bringing its total to 2,048 since the beginning of the pandemic.
New York, Feb 26 : The US condemns terrorists infiltrating the Line of Control (LoC) and expects Pakistan to play a "constructive role" in Kashmir, according to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.

"We have been very clear that we condemn the terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control," he said on Thursday at his daily briefing in Washington.

He said that the US welcomed the joint statement by military officials of India and Pakistan to observe the ceasefire along the LoC and added, "We encourage continued efforts to improve communication between the two sides and to reduce tensions and violence along the Line of Control." Acknowledging that Pakistan is an important partner of the US, he said that Washington will be paying close attention to it and urged Pakistan to play a constructive role Kashmir.

Pressed by a reporter if the Biden administration had played a "role in helping broker this new ceasefire agreement", Price discounted the suggestion of direct US involvement, saying, "When it comes to the US role, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern".

About Washington's relations with Islamabad, he said, "Pakistan is an important partner with whom we share many interests. We, as I said, have been clear in terms of this issue." He added, "Obviously, Pakistan has an important role to play when it comes to Afghanistan and what takes place across its other border. So clearly we will be paying close attention, and we urge the Pakistanis to play a constructive role in all of these areas of mutual interest, including in Afghanistan, including with Kashmir, including with our other shared interests." The two neighbours' directors general of military operations (DGSMO) announced the agreement reaffirming the ceasefire on Wednesday.

Their joint statement said that after a "free, frank and cordial" assessment of the situation along the border they agreed "In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence." Earlier, President Joe Biden's Spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the US welcomed the agreement as "a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia, which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress".

Asked whether Pakistan was doing enough to combat terrorism, Psaki did not give a direct reply.

She said, "We remain closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan. But in terms of an assessment of that I would point you to the State Department or the intelligence Department." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
A man who held five members of the board of management at a Longford town primary school hostage and committed an armed robbery has told the court of his addiction issues which began at the age of 14.

James Cranny, 14 Meadowcrest, Boyle, Co Roscommon, appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford District Court where he read out five letters of apology to the victims of his actions in August 2020.

The court heard that the man had consumed a significant amount of intoxicants before carrying out an armed robbery at the school, including a bottle of whiskey, 38 sleeping tablets, 40 valium tablets and heroine.

He then entered the school staff room and threatened all five present with a screwdriver, before making his escape with a quantity of cash. He was arrested by gardai a short time later but was too intoxicated to make a statement until the following morning.

Mr Cranny said that he could not recall how he got to the school but entered an early plea of guilt and, in response to the charges, stated that he wanted to waive his right to a book of evidence because "those people shouldn't have been put through that".

Judge Johnson told the court that he would be taking time to deliberate before sentencing Mr Cranny, to whom Mount Joy Prison has been a "second home".

"This was a very serious offence on a very vulnerable set of victims. The boards of management are the unsung heroes of our educstiijs system," he said.

"This is aggravated by the fact they were working in such difficult times to make the school safe. For them to be subjected to this violent act is appalling."

Mr Cranny will reappear
COVID-19 led to a 75% drop in passenger flights for American Airlines, flights that usually carry cargo.

To keep moving freight, American Airlines launched cargo-only routes for the first time in 36 years.

While passenger seats up top are empty, the cargo holds are full of everything from live animals to Legos and PPE.

Business Insider goes behind the scenes of the airline's largest cargo operation at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to see how crews have kept cargo moving.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Following is a transcript of the video.

Mark Matthews: This building, it's almost living and breathing.

Narrator: Every day, American Airlines loads up 715,000 pounds of cargo onto planes. And Dallas-Fort Worth is home to the airline's largest cargo operation. Live animals, food, PPE, and Legos end up on flights headed as far as Shanghai or Frankfurt. But getting the right cargo on the right plane in time for takeoff is no easy task. It takes a team of 220 people to haul and fit thousands of pounds of freight into planes.

Matthews: It's 100 miles an hour. There's no ramp-up. Immediately, you're drinking from a fire hose.

Narrator: That's Mark. He took us inside American's 171,000-square-foot cargo facility to see how crews keep cargo flying, even as COVID-19 halts air traffic around the globe. To keep moving freight, American Airlines launched cargo-only routes for the first time in 36 years. In 2020, the airline sent out 5,000 cargo-only flights across 39 new routes.

The massive cargo facility in Dallas is located here at the airport. It's broken down into inbound cargo here and outbound cargo here.

Matthews: This is where the magic happens.

Narrator: The outbound center handles shipments from trucks that will then be loaded onto planes. Some trucks come from as far as Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Matthews: This is the drop-off dock back in the back, and so that's where the shipments will come in.

Story continues

Narrator: Goods are unloaded and go right into the tracking system.

Matthews: That way the load planners can see how much freight we're planning for a departure. There's an army of forklifts, and we'll try to keep you safe while you're here. A lot of PPE, personal protective equipment, lately. Ventilators, latex gloves. Candy. Laffy Taffy. And this is from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Narrator: Just like passengers and their bags go through airport security, so does cargo.

Matthews: They come over here, and they go through screening. Every piece of cargo gets screened.

Narrator: Workers are looking for anything that doesn't belong. Once everything is screened, the goods are moved to their designated locations in the warehouse -- even animals. [barking] In 2019, American moved 40,000 animals.

Matthews: It's not unusual to see 100 live animals a day. We have one that's waiting anxiously for his owner to pick him up.

Worker: Little Joey.

Narrator: Fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers head over to one of these three fridges.

Matthews: This is our perishables cooler. Most of our fresh fruits and vegetables come from Mexico or Central America, sometimes from South America. Next week we have about 20,000 pounds of blackberries going to London.

Narrator: This area is for human remains.

Cherryl Fegurgur: We take care of our veterans. When they're fallen soldiers, that are very meaningful that we do ship.

Narrator: And, finally, any oversized cargo heads to this section. A few hours before departure time, the cargo is tugged to a build station.

Matthews: So, here we're seeing that they're building up freight for one of our outbound departures onto a PMC.

Narrator: Workers build up cargo on these aluminum pallets called PMCs.

Matthews: Using the expertise that he's developed over time, he's looking at each shipment and deciding what's the most efficient way that I can build this.

Narrator: But they can't build the freight any taller than 65 inches, so it can still fit through the airplane door.

Matthews: You never know if it's going to be raining in London when you get there, so we protect everything from the elements by wrapping it in plastic. So they'll have plastic on the bottom, they'll put plastic over the top, wrap those two together, and then put the cargo net over it to restrain everything.

Narrator: If it's food, flowers, or herbs, they're loaded into temperature-controlled containers.

Matthews: They have batteries that maintain the temperature inside the unit. It's like shipping a refrigerator.

Narrator: These bundles of cargo, once built, are called unit load devices, or ULDs. Each ULD goes to be weighed. A single container can't be over 3,500 pounds, but the pallets can hold even more weight. While it depends on weather, route, and if passengers are on board, a Boeing 777-300 can carry up to 125,000 pounds of cargo. Any more, and the plane could struggle to take off. So it takes a lot of knowledge of the weight and dimensions of every plane to get this right.

Matthews: A lot of expertise in building. Many of these guys have 40 years or more.

Narrator: Finally, the ULDs are loaded onto tugs and driven out to the plane.

Matthews: So, this is what we call the backyard. This is where we stage wide-body cargo that's ready to go to the aircraft, and so all of these lanes have a letter. In our system we can see what lane they're in, so that the drivers know what to go get and what to take to the aircraft. This is the London departure that we were watching them build the freight for earlier today. It's all right there, about to be loaded.

Narrator: On this Boeing 787, workers have three doors they can load cargo through. The front and aft, or back, doors are the biggest. The cargo is brought up to the height of the plane using a lift. The lift and the plane have rollers on the floor to easily move the heavy load.

Matthews: He controls the rollers from a control panel over here on the side of the aircraft.

Narrator: This is the hard part. It's like a game of Tetris, trying to figure out what combinations of containers and pallets will fit snugly. But a plan helps. Teams figure out where each ULD should go to best use the space and balance out the weight on the plane. After everything's in the right place...

Matthews: There's floor locks that come up, and they keep the cargo from shifting.

Narrator: Through the smaller door in the back... Matthews: Which we call the aft bulk...

Narrator: Workers load any bulk cargo. That's anything that's not built into a container or onto a pallet.

Matthews: That's typically where we're going to put live animals or really anything that is connecting to this flight.

Narrator: And all this has to happen quickly.

Roger Samways: Consumers' expectations, as far as delivery times, continue to increase, right? We want our goods faster.

Narrator: On average, workers have about an hour to load and lock all the ULDs and any free-loaded cargo before the plane takes off. And this whole process happens in reverse for incoming planes carrying cargo.

Matthews: The freight's off the aircraft. Our runner will come and pick it up and take it back to our cargo facility. From there, it goes through our breakdown process, where we take it all off of the PMCs and separate it based on airway bill number. And then, from there, we stage it in one of those locations that we saw earlier, so that whenever the customer arrives, we can load it on their vehicle. And we have four hours from the time the aircraft locks in until it's got to be ready for the customers to pick up.

Narrator: In 2019, airlines worldwide moved 122 million pounds of freight every day, but coronavirus made this work even harder. In 2020, airlines averaged only 101 million pounds daily. When passenger volume dropped 75% in April, the airline cut passenger routes that usually carry cargo. Fewer routes also meant fewer direct flights. That led to a lot more cargo connecting through Dallas.

Samways: It might have originated in Asia or Europe, you know, and it's passing on to Latin America. And that introduces a lot of additional complexity. You have to physically handle the freight a lot more often.

Narrator: But cargo still needs to be moved, even if the world has stopped traveling.

Samways: We live in a globalized world where not every country produces everything they need. From cellphones to laptops, to clothes, to food, relies on air-cargo transportation.

Narrator: But even with the introduction of cargo-only flights, the airline has still lost billions.

Samways: It's a drop in the ocean, but in no way does the additional cargo revenue that we're generating offset the 75% drop in passenger revenues that we've been seeing this year. No big surprise we're going to post losses next year.

Narrator: So until passenger traffic returns to normal, American plans to continue flying and packing these cargo-only flights.

Samways: The goal, obviously, ultimately, hopefully quickly, is for those aircraft to return to passenger service.

Matthews: Probably a theme going into next year will be that everything's fluid and we have to remain flexible.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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VICTORIA - Finance Minister Selina Robinson said she's encouraged by predictions that British Columbia's economy will rebound this year and next.

Selina Robinson listens to Premier John Horgan in Coquitlam, B.C., Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. Robinson, B.C's finance minister, says she's encouraged by predictions that British Columbia's economy will rebound this year and next. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VICTORIA - Finance Minister Selina Robinson said she's encouraged by predictions that British Columbia's economy will rebound this year and next.

Robinson heard Friday from economists on the province's Economic Forecast Council who estimate B.C. is on track for real GDP growth of 4.7 per cent this year and 4.3 per cent next year, before growth slows.

The same measurement for the provincial economy in 2020 shows a 5.1 per cent decline, the worst contraction since 1980.

"We can see the light at the end, but we're still in the tunnel," Robinson said in an interview after the hearing from the council.

The council of economists from major financial institutions and business associations warned that the strength of recovery depends heavily on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

Recovery is expected to escalate as the province reaches herd immunity and consumer activity increases, while work ramps up in areas like construction on resource projects.

All signs point to a strong recovery in the United States, which will also help boost B.C.'s rebound, several economists said during the session.

But Robinson also heard the recovery won't be felt evenly, with certain hard-hit industries and low-wage earners tending to suffer the greatest ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

Women, people of colour and those without more than a high school education have fared worse than others, Robinson heard.

At the same time, the skilled labour market is expected to tighten, suggesting good government policy could involve investment in training, education and financial support for those transitioning to new industries, she heard.

"Obviously, here we are 10 months out and there are some doing really well and others being completely left behind," Robinson said.

"What caught my attention was making sure that we're investing right now in people, but also into the future."

Online shopping will likely change retail in the long term, while struggling sectors like tourism may see a strong, if delayed, rebound thanks to pent-up demand for travel and leisure, Robinson heard.

The challenge will be to bridge the current situation to the time when there is herd immunity, while maintaining an active tourism sector, she said.

The minister said the next B.C. budget will focus on continuing to support British Columbians through the emergency of the pandemic while investing in the future.

The government will table its budget on April 20 after legislation passed in December allowed it to delay its introduction from the traditional date in February.

The B.C. government announced late last year that the deficit forecast had grown and the budget shortfall was expected to hit $13.6 billion this fiscal year.

The Finance Ministry predicted B.C.s economy would decline by 6.2 per cent in 2020, but growth was expected to rebound to three per cent in 2021.

Liberal finance critic Mike Bernier said the economic forecast report makes clear there is much more work in store for the New Democrat government on the road to economic recovery. It begins with fixing growing problems in their current support programs, he said in a statement.

The forecast council is doing important work looking ahead to the economic future of British Columbia, and that is certainly vital, but we cannot let the government forget about the here and now, Bernier said.

He accused the government of fumbling the provision of economic support at nearly every turn, from delayed pandemic pay to a botched rollout for small and medium-sized businesses.

Of the $300 million set aside for B.C. businesses at the beginning of the pandemic, only $21 million has been distributed, Bernier said.

"We need to see (Premier) John Horgan and his government take immediate steps to fix their ineffective programs and provide people with the relief they need to make it through this pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2021.
President Biden plans to hold his first conversation with the ailing Saudi monarch, King Salman this week. And while the call will be full of diplomatic pleasantries, officials say, the real purpose is for Mr. Biden to warn that the United States will soon declassify and publish an intelligence report about the killing of the dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The report will make public the American intelligence conclusions about the role of Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince and the de facto leader of the country, in Mr. Khashoggis death.

The White House would say little about the carefully sequenced set of events, other than that no conversation between the two men had yet been scheduled  though clearly one was in the works.

The presidents intention, as is the intention of this government, is to recalibrate our engagement with Saudi Arabia, Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, told reporters on Wednesday.

Joining the cannabis industry during the proposition 215 era, Mr Willis has been a cannabis advocate and voice in the cannabis community, actively supporting community-based organizations through donations and community service. He is fiercely dedicated to providing education that promotes the understanding and normalization of cannabis. Mr Willis also serves as a committee member on the California Statewide Cannabis & Hemp Joint Apprenticeship Committee which was established by the Governor of California to create hemp and cannabis employee training programs in post secondary institutions in the state.

"Hanu Labs is promoting diversity and inclusion in a profound way and our company is ensuring its Executive Management team represents the faces, minds, and voices of the cannabis space." said CEO Ricardo Willis. "It's imperative that businesses in the cannabis industry have equal representation in the corporate structure. "My goal at the beginning of my journey was to navigate the emerging corporate sector of cannabis, I had no issue with working from the ground level up to the C suite. I would say mission accomplished, but now the real work begins!"

Founder and former CEO Seibo Shen will move into the Chief Product Officer role to focus exclusively on new product development. "Hanu Labs, a pioneer in the cannabis vaporization space, was conceived on the basis of creativity, innovation and forward thinking" said Seibo Shen. "Ricardo's appointment speaks directly to our core values and commitment to remain an industry leader in all areas. Diversity is the mission to bring together creative minds of all different backgrounds."

About Hanu Labs

Hanu Labs (Hanu), a San Francisco Bay Area-based vaporizer company and developer of highly awarded Vapexhale and Hanu products, is a design-driven technology company focused on creating innovative and affordable vaporization products through human-centered product design and partnerships.

SOURCE Hanu Labs

Related Links

https://hanulabs.com


Ghana Catholic Bishops have condemned reports that they are instigating violence and hate against members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) community.



The Catholic Bishops' Conference say although they absolutely abhor the LGBTQI practices, they however do not subscribe to Ghanaians ill-treating them.



According to them, they advocate love for the homosexuals but their position is very clear on whether their acts should be accepted or not.



''Even though the declaration of the Bishops clearly states that the dignity of LGBTQI people should be respected because they are also children of God created in his image and likeness, the author(s) of the said response stated repeatedly that the Catholic Bishops were against LGBTQI people. What the church disapproves of are homosexual acts which she considers as intrinsically immoral. The inherent immorality of homosexual acts makes it impossible for the church to accept public advocacy and promotion of homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle. People with homosexual inclinations are subjects of the Churchs pastoral care as anybody else in the Church and outside of it.



''The long-held teaching of the Roman Catholic Church has been that while homosexual people,

i.e., those who have an erotic inclination towards others of the same sex, are to be loved and

respected and not discriminated against, homosexual acts are intrinsically immoral. It is for this

reason that the Church does not approve of unions between people of the same sex. Following

the example of Jesus himself who came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (cf. Luke

5:32 [NRSV]), the Church in her pastoral care is solicitous about the salvation of all Gods children

and endeavours to show them Gods love and mercy," they clarified.



The Bishops gave this response in a rejoinder to The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA).



Following an earlier declaration by the Catholic Bishops against the LGBTQI group, IDNOWA released a statement condemning the position of the Bishops.



At the beginning of lent, the GCBC should come up with a message of reflection and repentance for the people of faith. Instead, it instigates violence and hate crimes against LGBTI people by using words such as crusade against LGBTI in an affirmative way, Davis Mac-Iyalla, the Executive Director of IDNOWA stated.



The Bishops, in their rejoinder and copied to Peacefmonline.com, expressed disappointment in The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa over their statement saying ''the impression created by the response of IDNOWA that the Bishops are instigating violence against LGBTQI people is incorrect and therefore quite unfortunate''.



Read full statement below:









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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Delil Souleiman/GettyAL-HASAKAH, SyriaWhen former President Donald Trump said U.S. troops would remain in Syria to keep the oil at the end of 2019, the Pentagon scrambled to deny it.American forces only stayed in Syria to comprehensively defeat ISIS, a spokesman explained; any military presence around the oil fields was purely part of the mission to overcome the so-called Islamic State.Two years later, the remnants of ISIS are diminished, but American troops are still on the ground, still helping to protect that oil.The official stance of the White House, the State Department and the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was thenand remains nowthat keeping the oil is not the reason American men and women are still stationed in one of the worlds most treacherous conflicts. U.S. forces and the coalition more broadly does not provide assistance to any private companies, employees or agents in seeking to develop oil resources NE Syria, a spokesperson said in March.But that is not the full story.The U.S. had come up with a simple if morally and legally dubious plan: help Americas Kurdish partners profit from local oil by keeping it out of the hands of the Assad regime or Islamist militias, and then helping to refine and sell it. These oil fields in the northeast were once part of the network from which ISIS drew a reported $1.5 million in daily revenue.The U.S. Soldiers Spending Thanksgiving Guarding Oil in SyriaAfter decades of claims that American administrations only cared about the Middle East because of its oil, officials knew the U.S. Army could not be seen to seize control of oil fields on Syrian territory and dictate who would profit from their riches. Several former and current U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that the United States sought to obscure the plandespite what Trump saideven though it was the oil strategy justifying a continued U.S. footprint in the countrys northeast.If the U.S. couldnt pull this off officially in public, they were going to need some help. Delta Crescent Energy, LLC., a company incorporated in 2019, was about to assume a centraland largely secretrole in American foreign policy.U.S. officials believed the tiny company from Delaware with offices in Texas could become the American equivalent of Russias powerful, private mercenary army, the Wagner Group, which is linked to President Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Wagner is notorious for intervening in areas where it might be politically advantageous to avoid official fingerprints. U.S. officials saw this newly established company as the Wagner Group used for good, not evilin the words of one senior Biden administration official who, like the more than a dozen former and current U.S. administration officials and officials in northeast Syria and northern Iraq, requested anonymity in order to discuss matters of national security. The Daily Beast also exclusively reviewed Deltas company license and its contract with a local oil partner.A plan to stay and protect Syrian oil had been in the works months before Trumps boast in October 2019. But American companies and individuals were prohibited by an Executive Order from the Treasury Department from operating in Syria due to sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.On April 8, 2020, Delta Crescent, was granted a one-year sanctions waiver in order to advise and assist a local oil company in northeast Syria, an area known locally as Rojava and controlled by the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).A former State Department official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, told The Daily Beast that U.S. officials had decided oil produced in northeast Syria did not really belong to Assad, who claims he was reelected president with 95 percent of the vote last week, because oil belongs to the people not the government.For every barrel the company helped export outside Syria, it would receive $1, according to the production-sharing agreement and the companys application to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The company who took on this enterprise was established by the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James P. Cain, a retired Delta Force officer Jim Reese, and John Dorrier, a former oil executive, at least two of whom donated to Republican party candidates. These three private American citizens suddenly had a huge role to play in one of the U.S.s thorniest foreign policy challenges; how to set up a peaceful and prosperous Kurdish bulwark against Assad.This is the shift we didnt make in Iraq in 2003, a senior U.S. official said. We didnt backfill and if we dont get that right well get the same exact result. If we dont work the commercial and economic angle, were going to lose this battle.That is a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of these three men.The lofty ambitions of Delta Crescent came to an abrupt end as the Biden administration decided on Friday not to extend the license for Delta Crescents work in Syria. Delta Crescent, officials told me, was the de facto plan for the U.S. in Syria. Now its unclear whether there is a plan at allthe decision to revoke the companys license may give Russian oil and gas companies the chance to move in. So, what went wrong?On the GroundOn the road between Rmelan and the nearby city of Qamishli there are imperfect and patched together oil refineries scattered among villages. Plumes of smoke rise in all directions, curling skyward in the region of Syria that boasts three-quarters of the countrys oil reserves.There are black, damp puddles on the ground around us. Workers lean against motorcycles weighted by canisters containing the product direct from the refineries.Rmelan is a town dominated by oil and where Delta maintained offices and ten employees. There are new housing developments under construction which would house future oil workers near existing dormitories and offices on the outskirts of a series of oil fields operated by Delta Crescents local partner, the Jazeera Oil Company.The first time I spoke with the founders about their progress, in late-February, they had just smuggled oil samples out of Syria as testing capabilities were lacking in the country. I traveled to Rojava in early March to find out how much further they had got.The vision for Delta Crescent to help local partners become financially independent, and to wrest control of the countrys oil sector from Assad, was going to be a bellwether that would help our national security objectives, a former U.S. official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast. Maher Joumaa Howair, Ahmad Abu Mohamad, and an unidentified oil refinery worker. Kenneth R. Rosen During a windswept and cool day one week in March, a group of men were waiting at the refineries for the latest truckloads of crude, which came around two in the afternoon. They were making light repairs to engines and smoking cigarettes near the refineries through which they processed 22 tons each day. Asked about the growth of production rates over the last year, Maher Howair said there was no sign of improvement at all. It has been the same, he said. No fewer or more trucks have come through. No expansion or retraction of the local industry. Their thirty hours of work here each week still consistently yield each man $11 a month.Delta Crescent staff were clearly itching to get to the next step. They said they were on the verge of finalizing contracts with exporters and said the company was waiting for a license to import digital oil well monitors which would arrive in Rojava in mid-April.The founders hoped that trucks with local crude, exported through contracts they negotiated would soon cross into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. They had already planned celebrations in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, once the trucks started moving. Dorrier told the Associated Press that the company had secured about $2 billion in contracts to sell Rojava oil to international buyers, but regional oil industry executives told The Daily Beast that was unlikely.American officials had waged a public relations campaign to say U.S. forces were not there for the oil. But roughly 900 troops remain in Syria today to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, an irreversible political solution to the Syrian conflict... and the removal of all Iranian-supported forces, a State Department spokesperson told The Daily Beast. They also have directions to defend their position, which so happened to include the operations of Delta Crescent.A former senior U.S. military official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast that the U.S. actively trained a force within the SDF for the task of protecting the fields where Delta Crescent operated. The Critical Petroleum Infrastructure teamas it is known to U.S. military officialsis composed of 200 fighters from the SDF. They now conduct joint patrols with U.S. forces who visit oil facilities three to five times a week to assess  defenses, according to the latest report from the DoDs Lead Inspector General.This military support had led to reestablishing some confidence between the U.S. and the SDF after Trumps shock 2019 withdrawal which led to more than 100 deaths during a Turkish invasion. The support has also allowed the Kurds to edge toward financial self-sustainment and furthering its capabilities to defend its territory by providing additional security which gave rise to a political apparatus and a stronger internal military. But it has not helped to sever Rojavas reliance on the regime by introducing new revenue streams.Two of the Delta Crescent founders who spoke to The Daily Beast felt they were making progress, but said the U.S. Government had not backed them by pressuring regional leaders in neighboring countries to work with them.There was then, and continues to be, a robust trade in non-sanctioned oil across Syrias borders, but the people of the region have not been getting a fair market price for their oil, because it has not been legal, Cain said.Trump Announces New Syria Plan: Blood for OilThe illegal trade was still booming when I arrived and underscores how arms length U.S. support for Delta Crescent made the companys mission to advise and assist impossible. The State Department had high hopes to establish a low level free movement of goods and people, a former official told me, but failed to go all-in. There was also talk of helping with mobile oil refineries and equipment which has not materialized.Since January, when Delta Crescent tried and failed to open an additional border crossing between Iraq and Syria at the town of al-Yarubiyah, officials within the SDF and the Biden administration had begun hemorrhaging their faith in Delta Crescent. Meanwhile, the Assad regime had led a successful propaganda campaign to convince Syrians that Americans are there to steal the nations oil. Few in Syriaeven among American alliesbelieved the U.S. was there for anything resembling assistance or support or that it wont commit yet another betrayal.In mid-May, as the license extension neared its end, Reese grew concerned that the company would not be granted a renewal. He worried U.S. officials believed Delta Crescent was a Trump-era holdover and wanted it gone.As I drove through Rojava, I often passed trucks chugging west and bearing license plates for regime-held territory like Damascus and Aleppo. Delta was supposed to have opened routes in the opposite direction. It never happened and the fruits of production in this Kurdish enclave are continuing to nourish Assads regime.Who are Delta Crescent?Five years ago, one of the founders of Delta, Ambassador Cain, learned that his son-in-law had been caught up in a terror attack at Brussels Airport in Belgium. With information scarce, Cain jumped on a flight with his daughter, Cameron.To help his daughter find her husband, Cain turned to a network of contacts hed established as a career diplomat. He called Jim Reese when it emerged that ISIS had claimed responsibility for the five suicide bombers, who had targeted the airport and subway.At the time, Reese owned TigerSwan, a company contracted by the Department of Defense to clear landmines near the city of Raqqa. He sent some of his ex-military contractors to Belgium to help. They would soon learn that two of the attackers had survived during the three-way coordinated bombing and that Cains son-in-law, Alexander Pinczowski, had died instantly, along with 31 others between the days series of attacks.Cain stayed involved in the case, later testifying at the trial of the surviving attackers.A couple of years later, Cain and Reese reconvened at a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. They were there to discuss a new venture. Within monthsin December 2018the two men were in Rojava scouting for possible business opportunities in war ravaged northern Syria.They were in the country when Trump made the shock announcement that he was pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, which would leave Americas Kurdish allies to fend for themselves against both Assad and Turkish President Erdogan. Cain was so moved by the betrayal that he published an op-ed in the Washington Post encouraging Trump to reconsider.Reese now says he proposed the idea of an oil company to Commander Mazloum Abdi while at the SDF headquarters in Ain-Issa during their visit. He says it was all his idea.Whats in it for me, at the end of the day, is Im a servant leader. Thats what drives Jim Reese. I was put on this world to help people who need assistance, Reese told The Daily Beast. Whether thats overseas, whether thats in the U.S., whether thats someone getting pushed around on the playground. If I see someone and I can help them thats: If not me, who?Not everyone believes that Americas keep the oil strategy was all down to a flash of inspiration from one man.Lahur Talabany, the intelligence chief who first introduced U.S. officials to the SDF, told The Daily Beast that the protection of oil assets had long been in the works as the reason for U.S. forces staying in northeast Syria.Mazloum was talking about this with the State Department and they reached out to us way before that, Talabany told The Daily Beast during a meeting at his office in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. The DoD was also asking if we could help them with a refinery to refine the fuel right there so we could bring in some companies. This was a year before the announcement of a U.S. troop drawdown.The intelligence apparatus of Talabanywho is also co-leader of Iraqi Kurdistans second-largest political partyplayed a key role in the assassination of Qassim Soleimani via a drone stroke in January 2020, according to a recent report in Yahoo News.Talabany denied involvement but maintains close relations with U.S. interests.A Series of Impossible PositionsDelta Crescent now found itself in a crucible; caught between hostile foreign governments, a vengeful Syrian regime and corrupt local forces.Did the plan to use a tiny private oil company to bring stability to the region ever stand a chance?One thing is clear, no one in Syria ever believed the Americans had a cohesive long-term strategy. The uncertainty created a game of ambiguity between all sides, said a U.S. official briefed on matters in the country.That hesitancy was exploited by Iranian and Russian forces in the region which arent living in an ambiguous policy environment, the official told me. Moscow and Tehran have backed their assets in Syria to act decisively.In direct opposition to U.S. interests, Russia has worked to protect the oil market for the Syrian regime, according to people in Rojava who work in the oil sector. They did that by providing security and logistical support to Hussam al-Qaterji, "the godfather of the regimes oil and wheat trade with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)," according to a Treasury Department sanctions notice. The city of Qamishli. Kenneth R. Rosen The Daily Beast tracked down one of Qaterjis oil truck drivers.He said Qaterji wasnt his only employer and that he used two trucks (one for wheat, one for oil), which meant people other than Assad were profiting off the oil in Rojava. His routes were once between Qamishli and through Deir al-Zour to regime territory, but now he goes west from Rojava to other regime-controlled areas, signaling a move away from Russian and Iranian forces.Without a formal severing of trade between the northeast and the regime in Damascus, U.S. officials said, Rojava will be beholden to Assad, a war criminal who will keep them subjugated.But the SDF and Rojava couldnt rely on the U.S., either.The center of gravity has shifted from building a security zone to building an economy, a conflict monitor familiar with international projects in the region told me. Rojava still relies on regime engineers and its refining capabilities for diesel, and gas for cooking, a trade which does not include exchange of much-needed cash for Rojava.Asked if Delta Crescents objectives were ever possible, the monitor added, Its a series of impossible positions.Aside from anti-American forces such as Russia and Iran, potential allies also failed to help the long-shot oil plan.When Delta Crescent sought to broker a new arrangement between the neighboring Kurdish regions, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq refused to renegotiate its illegal trade with Rojava. Mansour Barzani, the brother of the Kurdish prime minister and the cousin of the regional president, was working to undermine the Delta Crescent operation, according to conversations which have not been previously reported.According to those familiar with the negotiations, near the end of 2020, the Lanaz refinery controlled by Barzani, increased its capabilities to refine more of the poor-quality oil from Rojava. It paid roughly $19 per barrel for the oil and folded it into its pipeline heading for Turkey. But Barzani wanted 70 percent of the income from the Rojava oil. The Delta founders balked.Millions and millions of dollars are being made on a daily basis on that border, a KRG official familiar with the meeting told The Daily Beast.The KRG has made a turn towards authoritarianism in recent years. In August 2019, around the time the State Department was seeking to aid the oil industry in Rojava, a lawsuit was filed in the Royal Courts of Justice in London against the KRG and its Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, alleging a campaign of harassment which delayed the authorization of operational licenses for a company based in Iraqi Kurdistan called Dynasty Petroleum.Dynasty said it had refused to pay the bribes solicited by KRG officials. Barzanis office and the Hawrami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.The CEO of Dynasty spoke to The Daily Beast on a balcony overlooking the metropolitan sprawl of Sulaymaniyah, a view hemmed by the Zagros mountains and the Iraqi border with Iran.The courtyard below was outfitted with a shack and a gate, manned by one man armed with a Kalashnikov. On the day of our meeting, Hiwa Qaramani was confidently awaiting news about the outcome of the lawsuit: there was precedent for a favorable outcome against the KRG.His frustrations lay not only with the regional government. Even though he believed the KRG had played a role in hampering Delta Crescent and other potential international investment in Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria, he felt he had been even more crippled by American fickleness.Were ready to go invest in electricity, in oil refinery, in telecom, in everything, Qaramani told me, but he said he needed to know that the U.S. would remain steadfast.He had believed that Delta Crescent would be able to usher in new capital investment and break the stranglehold over regional monopolies but all he had seen in reality was a massive disconnect between what Delta Crescent was aiming to do and what the U.S. continued to say publicly.From America, theres no clear statement about the future of this area, he said. Theres always a risk, but the risk is way too high.Did They Even Want U.S. Help?Talabanythe Kurdish intel chiefcan see the value of what Delta Crescent attempted. If the Americans hadnt stayed for the oil, he said, the U.S. would have lost everything.But his view is increasingly rare.Those close to the SDF leadership say Mazloum and his aides were cautioning themselves against relying on U.S. support broadly, and Delta Crescent directly, as they remain uncertain whether either can help them achieve further autonomy from the Assad regime.In private, interested parties have also expressed frustration that the U.S. would grant a sanctions exemption to an American company, but not to Rojava as a whole.U.S. officials argue in Washington, D.C., that Assad no longer has the moral authority to control Rojava, but his regime has reclaimed much of its lost territory in an ongoing campaign which continues to kill and maim thousands.Syrias borders are controlled by various countries and groups, but within the state of Syria, the population is largely now loyal to the regime, whether by choice or not. Even within the Kurdish enclave of Rojava, many expect the regimes return.How the Biden administration plans to position itself in Syria, and whether it might support another economic initiative like Delta Crescent, remains unclear.Shaaban Suleiman, from the village of Gundek Sayid, told The Daily Beast that he thought the current governing body of Rojava would help him when Assad was driven out, but they made things even worse, he said.The oil doesnt benefit the people. It does not matter who comes or who goes. Whoever feeds me is welcome here, he said, noting that much of their oil product was still being sent to regime-held areas despite what the Americans had in mind.Ahmad Saeed, 46, who repairs diesel heaters in nearby Qamishli, said further American involvement would do more harm than good.They will pump oil and steal it amid this famine. They will not work in the interest of the country, he said. Nobody understands them, the Americans. They have been here for years, what has changed? When the Americans go somewhere, they work for their own interests, not the peoples.He blamed ongoing sanctions for the countrys failed economy, gesturing to a crowd swarming the entrance to a U.N. World Food Programme handout.You Americans are chasing us, it is impossible for us to relax, he said. What benefit did the Iraqi people get from you except destruction? What benefit did the Yemeni people or any other nation in the world get from you?Saeed massaged his grease-stained hands.They are all invading our country, he said. The country should belong to its people.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Will not let the culprits get away, India tells Israel after blast outside embassy

Be it LAC or LoC, why NSA Ajit Doval gets top billing in national security planning

Its done: The 3.45 am call to NSA Doval after Balakot was hit and Operation Bandar was competed

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: On February 26 2019, the Indian Air Force hit a Jaish-e-Mohammad training facility in Balakot, Pakistan to avenge the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred.

In a daring pre-dawn operation the IAF took down the training facility that had been mapped by the intelligence years ago. Former officer with the Research and Analysis Wing, Amar Bhushan told OneIndia that while the facility had been mapped over one and half decades back, it required a strong leadership with guts to hit the facility.

It was at 3.45 am on February 26 2019 that the then Air Chief, B S Dhanoa made call on a special RAX number to National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval to inform that the IAF had successfully completed the operation. The NSA in turn immediately informed Prime Minister about the same.

300 terrorists died in Balakot airstrike: Former Pak Diplomat

Officials tell OneIndia that this operation was a highly guarded secret known to only a very few. The sensitivity was such, the officer also explained. The same was code named Operation Bandar to maintain utmost secrecy.

While there was no specific reason to chose this name, monkeys have had an important place in Indian culture. In the Ramayana, Lord Ram's most trusted lieutenant Lord Hanuman destroys the entire capital of Lanka.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had done a detailed assessment of both positives and negatives of the Balakot air strike. The report deals with various aspects of the strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp at Balakot, despite Pakistan being on very high alert.

One of the key aspects listed in the report is about the strategic surprise. It says that the strategic surprise was so complete that Pakistan scrambled its jets only after the Mirage-2000s delivered the weapons package and turned back.

Another major positive was the accuracy of the intelligence and the target selection. The proficiency and the skill of the pilots' part of the mission has been listed as top class and they would be rewarded for the same.

A hit at Balakot ensured JeM set aside plan for another Pulwama attack

The high level of secrecy maintained during the mission also finds a mention. 6,000 men and officers were involved in the operation and there was absolutely no leakage. Speaking more about the element of surprise, the IAF said that the Russian Su-30s flying towards the JeM's headquarters at Bahawalpur forced Pakistan to divert its resources and other capabilities in a separate sector.

During the strike, the IAF used Spice 200 precision guided munitions to hit the target. Five of the six designated targets were hit at the Jaish-e-Mohammad training facility in Balakot.

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Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 8:47 [IST]
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Heavy thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 2 to 3 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible..

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Heavy thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 2 to 3 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible.
Why cant Republicans quit the provably false claim that Donald Trump won the 2020 election? Its a bold-faced fabrication, easy to leave behind, and yet they refuse to let it go. I understand why the ex-president clings to iteverything about him demands that he be seen as a powerful awesome winner for all time. But what about people like Rep. Steve Scalise, who refused to concede the election results were valid just last weekend on ABCs This Week, or Justice Clarence Thomas, who devoted a lone unhinged dissent to that possibility in a Pennsylvania elections case on Monday? CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, is meetingin person, in Floridathis week, and it is devoting seven different panels to stolen elections, with titles like Other Culprits: Why Judges and Media Refused to Look at the Evidence or The Left Pulled Strings, Covered It Up, and Even Admits It or Protecting Elections Part VI: Failed States (PA, GA, NV, Oh My!)

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Why is the lie so sticky for so many? MSNBCs Marc Ambinder reminds us of one big reason to persist in the fiction: The lie serves the partys ultimate goal of suppressing the votes of likely Democrats. Its clear that while even Trumps own agencies determined that this election was the most secure in history, the record voter turnout in the midst of a pandemic means that the sustainability of the GOP as a political party now lies in constricting the franchise, including placing needless limits on mail-in voting. The laser focus of state-level Republican efforts right now is thus to limit voting rights. Ari Berman reported this week on a new analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice, showing that in the two months that constitute 2021 so far, 253 bills to restrict voting access have been introduced in 43 states, with Georgia serving as ground zero for experiments in restricting voting by mail, Sunday voting, and tweaking the Georgia runoff rules. Despite the fact that three recounts turned up no evidence of fraud in Georgia, the big lie with its reliance on false claims of rampant voter fraud remains the best way to ensure that the kind of people who vote for Democrats will be ever more challenged in their efforts to vote going forward. As Georgias Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, explained earlier this week, Many of these bills are reactionary to a three-month disinformation campaign that could have been prevented.

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But it doesnt stop at justifying vote suppression. The big lie does more than just work to preserve the hope of minority rule in future election cycles. And it does more than just tether the GOP to Donald Trump, which is clearly the path most of them have already chosen. The big lie also serves to cast doubt about the legitimacy of the Biden presidency, and the incredibly popular initiatives that are quickly being rolled out. So in addition to objecting to much-needed COVID-19 relief and other desperately needed measures, Republicans pressing the big lie serve to try to convince voters that the man who is currently governing in the public interest is a usurper who is only in office because of stolen votes. The crime, in this telling, is ongoing. The best way to persuade voters that they dont want economic and lifesaving health care relief most of them really need is to cast doubt on the person who is offering it to them. As long as Bidens efforts to correct for Trumps negligence and mishandling of the various crises succeed, stop the steal will continue to be the deflection and distraction of choice.

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And finally, the big lie is useful to Republicans who no longer wish to govern at all. So long as they can say, as Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley and Clarence Thomas and Steve Scalise all claim to be doing, that while they themselves have no idea whether the election was stolen, the voters are worried and thats all that matters, the big lie itself serves to repeat and amplify itself in ways that become truth in the minds of voters. If everyone keeps saying that everyone else keeps saying the election was probably stolen, it eventually leaves the meritless lawsuits, the multiple recounts, and the findings of experts in the dust. No matter that there are people facing multiple exigent crises at once, people who could be helped by legislators passing legislation. Why govern when you can foment and nourish a rolling crisis of faith in democracy instead?

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One of the paradoxical lessons of the 2020 elections was that even in the face of foreign interference, postal slowdowns, deliberate misinformation, and the possibility of an election meltdown of epic proportions, millions of Americans chose not simply to vote but to believe that votingeven if it meant long lines in a pandemicwas a rational act. Even as they doubted that the election could be administered fairly, record numbers of people voted as though it would. The big lie is the mirror image of that same problem. Voters are being trained to doubt voting until it appears an irrational act. Millions of Americans are being told, day in and day out, by cynical liars who have no proof and no substantiation, that voting is pointless and thatas we now hear repeated on a loopthe will of 74 (they say 75) million people was somehow thwarted by allowing Biden to become president. Those voters didnt just lose, we are hearing, somehow, their own valid votes were also canceled. This is the logic of the 174 Republicans who attempted to set aside the results of the Electoral College on Jan. 6. Its also, Im afraid, the logic of those who stormed the Capitol, many of whom, we have now discovered, didnt bother to vote before they attempted an insurrection. Elections, they are saying, no longer matter.

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The big lie, then, is not just nomenclature of those hellbent on restricting who can vote in the midterms and 2024. And its not just the language of the nihilism and denialism of those who want Joe Biden to fail and must feed the idea of his illegitimacy in order to do that. The big lie isnt just aimed at election reform or undermining Democrats. Its also aimed at elections themselves. It suggests, as do all seven of those CPAC panels, not just that people of color and poor people and young people in Detroit and Philadelphia cannot cast valid ballots, but also that elections themselves are rigged and fixed and that the courts and the media and state elections officials are all in on the tyranny. The endpoint, therefore, wont simply lie in making it more difficult to vote, and more challenging to govern. The endgame lies in convincing voters that democracy itself is pointless. The big lie isnt just an attempt to advantage Donald Trump in 2024 or Republican rule in the midterms. Its an attempt to seed and nurture the forces of tyranny and autocracy, in precisely the fashion most big lies are intended.
This graph shows that even the current vaccination rate will reduce the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 by at least 10% by March 1. Credit: Gabriel Anaya and Sarah Mulin, University at Buffalo

Western New York is already benefitting from COVID-19 vaccinations, according to new models developed by University at Buffalo data scientists.

Distribution problems including weather delays continue to prevent as robust a rollout of the vaccinations as many would prefer, but even the current slow rate of vaccinations in Western New York is cause for cautious optimism, say the UB scientists.

"I was surprised that the vaccine effect shows up so quickly in our models," said Peter Winkelstein, MD, executive director of UB's Institute for Healthcare Informatics and clinical professor of pediatrics in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB. He leads the UB team that has been modeling the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus since the start of the pandemic last March.

Like all models, the UB models rely on a number of assumptions, including that public health behaviors, such as masking, social distancing and hand hygiene, will continue at the same level, behaviors that Winkelstein said are "absolutely critical" to continuing to see these benefits.

There is reason for some optimism, he said, "so long as we don't take our foot off the gas and we continue to engage in all the safety and public health measures."

Epidemiological models of COVID-19 transmission developed by the UB data scientists have significantly expanded the parameters that such models typically reflect. The additional parameters range from behavioral factors to the level of vaccinations and potential scenarios that could result once new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus arrive.

While experts have warned that it could take longer than a year to vaccinate most people in Western New York, Winkelstein says there are factors to consider.

"Even though some estimates say it'll take 15 months to vaccinate everybody, that's not the critical number," he said. "The question is, how many people need to be vaccinated in order to have an effect on spread in the community?"

The hospital census is the endpoint

And surprisingly, it's already happening. While different endpoints can be used to demonstrate the effect of vaccinations, the UB models utilize the hospital censusthe number of patients who are sick enough to be hospitalized with COVID-19as the key endpoint.

The UB models show that even 2,000 vaccinations a day, the level achieved in Western New York by mid-February, was sufficient to reduce hospitalizations.

"From the vaccine trial data, it looks like most of the vaccinations come close to 100% in preventing hospitalizations. We use 90% as the endpoint, meaning 90% of those who get vaccinated do not progress to significant illness," Winkelstein said.

Another assumption that the models use is that the vaccines are 90% effective at preventing someone who's been vaccinated from being contagious. "The data are still preliminary on this, but there is good reason to believe that, too," he said. "So we think the vaccines are 90% effective in preventing disease and 90% effective in preventing transmission."

"The vaccine effect seems to occur early," he added. "You don't have to vaccinate everybody before you see a significant effect, even with the relatively slow rollout."

The UB models show that even if vaccinations continue at the rate of about 2,000 shots per day in Western New York, the result will be at least 10% fewer hospitalized patients by March 1 than without vaccinations.

A still higher rate of vaccinations, which, Winkelstein said, is expected, could reduce the number of hospitalized patients by early March by almost 20%.

At the same that the vaccinations are having an effect, Winkelstein conceded that the new variants, most prominently the B117 variant known as the UK variant, will begin to exert the opposite effect because of its increased transmissibility and the potential to cause more infections.

This graph shows that even the current vaccination rate will reduce the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 by at least 10% by March 1. (Source: Gabriel Anaya and Sarah Mulin, University at Buffalo)

The variant's effects

When will we know if a variant has arrived in Western New York?

"The first sign that a variant is affecting a community," Winkelstein said, "is when the positivity ratethe percentage of total COVID-19 tests that are positivestops declining and starts going back up again."

He noted that the surges that began last fall and that caused cases locally and nationally to increase are now over and cases are on the decline. "That is really good news," he said.

If that decline reverses, that will be evidence of one of the variants, he said. "Do I think the B117the UK variantor one of the other variants is coming," he asked. "Absolutely. And when it comes, will it affect us? Absolutely."

But the UB models also show a significant effect from vaccinations even once the variants arrive. To estimate that effect, the model assumed that the new variant will likely affect half of COVID-19 cases locally and will be 40% more transmissible than the original virus.

Even in that scenario, vaccines which are at least 50% effective against the variantand the data suggest that they are likely more effective than thatwill still reduce the impact on hospitalizations in Western New York.

The UB team has been doing presentations for the Erie County Department of Health on local transmission of the virus since last March. The team began with the the classic Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) epidemiological models and has continually revised them based on changes in the rates of transmission and factors affecting transmission.

Since last fall, the team made significant revisions to the models, dramatically expanding the parameters that the models reflect.

"We tuned the models for Western New York," said Winkelstein. "We've taken the classic SEIR models and dramatically expanded them to deal with COVID-19 and our community, and added modeling of face mask use, social distancing, vaccine effects and variant effects. We think that's unique."

The addition of the effects of vaccines and the virus' variants combine to make the UB models more sophisticated and significantly even more useful to the community.

Explore further COVID-19 variants emerging as vaccine rollout continues
An unlucky-in-love radio producer has revealed why finding love on a dating app is no longer something to be laughed at.

While once a cringeworthy source of embarrassment, 'perennially single' Jana Hocking believes meeting someone through an app is now socially acceptable because 'everybody is on them'.

The 35-year-old, who works at Sydney's Triple M station, says she currently uses two but would be on three if Raya - an exclusive dating app for the rich and famous that accepts just eight percent of applicants - allowed her to sign up.

Single radio producer Jana Hocking (pictured) says finding love on dating apps is now socially acceptable because 'everybody is on them'

Ms Hocking says she uses apps sporadically, jumping on for a week before becoming disillusioned after a string of bad dates and boring conversations, then logging off for two.

But despite the well-worn pitfalls, she insists there's plenty of 'diamonds in the rough' waiting to be discovered online.

In her weekly column for news.com.au, Ms Hocking recalled being stood up at the last minute by a Tinder date who said he was experiencing flu-like symptoms and needed to go for a Covid test.

Undeterred, she set about swiping and matched with a man who agreed to meet her for a drink at her local pub. They hit it off right away.

Ms Hocking (right, with a friend) says success in online dating hinges on taking the good with the bad

'Before you know it we've found ourselves seated at my favourite local with a vino in hand,' she wrote.

'I had very little expectations for this date, but within the hour we were laughing up a storm and having a jolly good time.'

Ms Hocking encouraged single women to persevere with dating apps because you never know when your future husband is 'just a swipe away'.

Her argument is supported by fact.

The Triple M producer (pictured) says more Aussies now meet online than in real life

A recent study by Monash University found babies born from online romances will soon overtake the number of children born to parents who met in real life.

The 'Future of Dating' report revealed Australians are more likely to swipe on apps such as Tinder, Hinge or Bumble than strike up conversation offline, with the majority of new couples now meeting through their phones.

Just over 30 percent meet this way, with another 17 percent being introduced through mutual friends, 16 percent meeting at work, six percent at school and five percent on other social media platforms.

Forecasts in the report project that more Australians will meet online than offline by 2040.
Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Taylor R. Bennett, 34, of 1129 Illinois Ave. was arrested at 1:50 p.m. Thursday on a Morgan County warrant accusing him of violating probation on a retail theft charge.

 Todd E. McDade, 32, of 819 W. College Ave., Apt. 3, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:39 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, having an expired drivers license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 Property was taken between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Thursday from a residence in the 800 block of Hoagland Boulevard.

Waverly Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Travis A Rider, 52, of 3515 E. Nortonville Road was cited at 11:42 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving while license is revoked.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer
Myanmar's permanent representative to the United Nations on Friday urged the international community to take the "strongest possible action" to end the junta's rule in the country

United Nations, United States, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :Myanmar's permanent representative to the United Nations on Friday urged the international community to take the "strongest possible action" to end the junta's rule in the country.

"We need... the strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people, and to restore the democracy," Kyaw Moe Tun told the UN General Assembly.

During a special meeting on Myanmar, the envoy called on all member states to issue public statements strongly condemning the coup.

He appealed for countries not to recognize the military regime or cooperate with it and asked them to demand that the junta respects last year's democratic elections.

Tun also urged nations to "take all stronger possible measures" to stop violent acts committed by security forces against peaceful demonstrators.

"We will continue to fight for a government, which is, of the people by the people, for the people," he said.

Earlier, the UN envoy to Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener said she "strongly condemns" recent steps by the junta including "unacceptable" use of lethal force, and called for the international community to press for a return to democracy.

"There is no justification for the military's actions, and we must continue to call for the reversal of this impermissible situation, exhausting all collective and bilateral channels to restore Myanmar's path on democratic reform," she told the General Assembly via video link.

The diplomat said she been blocked from visiting Myanmar by the military regime.

"It seems they want to continue making large-scale arrests. This is cruel and inhumane," she said.

"If there is any escalation in terms of military brutality -- and sadly as we have seen this before in Myanmar -- against people exercising their basic rights, let us act swiftly and collectively," Burgener added.
WASHINGTON  Saudi Arabia's crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, approved an operation "to capture or kill" Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, according to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report released Friday.

U.S. intelligence officials based their conclusion on several factors, including the direct involvement of a top Salman adviser in Khashoggi's murder and "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad," the report says.

"Since 2017, the crown prince has had absolute control of the Kingdom's security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the crown prince's authorization," says the four-page document released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Lawmakers said the long-anticipated report demands a forceful U.S. response  including possible penalties for the crown prince, who is known by his initials as MBS.

The U.S. intelligence community implicates Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman in the murder of a Washington Post columnist.

The highest levels of the Saudi government, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are culpable in the murder of journalist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi," said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

"The Biden administration will need to follow this attribution of responsibility with serious repercussions against all of the responsible parties it has identified, and also reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia," Schiff said.

The Biden administration signaled it would not take action directly against the crown prince. The State Department said it would use a "Khashoggi ban" to impose visa restrictions "on those who engage in extraterritorial attacks on journalists or activists."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the new visa restriction policy would apply to 76 Saudi individuals believed to have engaged in threatening dissidents overseas, including but not limited to the Khashoggi killing.

Story continues

The Treasury Department announced sanctions against Ahmed al-Asiri, a high-ranking Saudi military official who was fired from his position after Khashoggi's murder.

The crown prince was not targeted in Friday's actions  a decision Blinken defended as part of a strategy to preserve a pivotal U.S. alliance.

"The relationship with Saudi Arabia is bigger than any one individual," Blinkensaid at a news conference Friday. He reiterated U.S. support for the kingdom's ability to defend itself.

"And so what we've done by the actions that we've taken is really not to rupture the relationship but to recalibrate it," Blinken said.

He argued the release of the intelligence report was itself a significant step, shining a "bright light" on Khashoggi's murder. He said the Biden administration was conducting a review of weapons sales to ensure the United States stopped shipping offensive arms to the kingdom.

Blinken's remarks are likely to anger and disappoint lawmakers and human rights advocates.

A human rights group founded by Khashoggi called on President Joe Biden to slap steep penalties on Salman.

The Biden administration and other international governments should hold MBS accountable for Khashoggis murder by imposing on him the full range of sanctions, including asset freezes, the group, Democracy for the Arab World Now, said in a statement Friday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also should open a criminal investigation into the murder of a U.S. resident, as they have of other Americans executed abroad.

Lawmakers applauded Biden's initial steps, but they want a more sweeping overhaul of the U.S-Saudi alliance and direct action confronting Saudi Arabia over its human rights record.

Today the United States government finally acknowledged what the rest of the world has already known: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally approved the operation in which Saudi assassins brutally kidnapped, dismembered and murdered journalist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi," Sen. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Friday.

"I am hopeful it is only a first step and that the administration plans to take concrete measures holding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally responsible for his role in this heinous crime," Menendez, D-N.J., said.

The intelligence report was released one day after Biden spoke by phone with the crown prince's father, Saudi King Salman, billed as a routine conversation between heads of state as Biden begins his presidency. A White House summary of the conversation made no mention of the Khashoggi killing and said the men discussed the countries long-standing partnership.

A mural in Istanbul depicts slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside a Saudi consulate in the Turkish city.

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident who had been critical of the Saudi ruling family, was killed inside a Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018.

The crown prince denied he ordered Khashoggi's killing. Saudi officials acknowledged that operatives from the kingdom carried out the killing, but they portrayed it as a rogue operation gone awry.

In 2019, a court in Saudi Arabia sentenced five people to death for Khashoggi's slaying, but it placed no blame on the royal family. Critics called the Saudi proceedings a "mockery" and a whitewash.

The DNI report notes that a 15-member Saudi team that arrived in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018, included seven members of the crown prince's "elite personal protective detail, known as the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF). The RIF ... exists to defend the Crown Prince, answers only to him, and had directly participated in earlier dissident suppression operations in the Kingdom and abroad at the Crown Prince's direction."

"We judge that members of the RIF would not have participated in the operation against Khashoggi without  Salman's approval," the report says.

Intelligence officials noted that MBS viewed Khashoggi as a threat to the kingdom and supported silencing him.

"Although Saudi officials had pre-planned an unspecified operation against Khashoggi, we do not know how far in advance Saudi officials decided to harm him," the report says.

The Trump administration refused to release the unclassified report on Khashoggi's murder, even though it was mandated by Congress. President Donald Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, cultivated close ties with the royal family, and Salman in particular.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit June 29, 2019, in Osaka, Japan.

Trump refused to publicly condemn the Saudi leader's role in Khashoggi's death.

"It could very well be that the crown prince had knowledge of this tragic event  maybe he did and maybe he didnt!" Trump said in a statement nearly two months after the killing. "The world is a very dangerous place!"

During closed-door briefings, Trump's CIA Director Gina Haspel told members of Congress that the crown prince directed Khashoggi's killing. Friday's release is likely to fuel the debate over America's alliance with Saudi Arabia  and over MBS' future as Saudi Arabia's king-in-waiting.

In the wake of Khashoggi's killing, lawmakers in both parties pushed for a reassessment of the U.S.-Saudi alliance, voting to ban some weapons sales to the kingdom. Trump nixed those efforts, but Biden signaled a willingness to be more confrontational with the Saudis.

Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., who crafted the legislation mandating the DNI report, said he wanted "a clear statement by the U.S. government that (MBS) was responsible" as a form of accountability. The provision required the DNI to provide Congress with a list of all Saudi officials responsible for Khashoggi's death.

Malinowski said he hoped the report would spur a debate about the crown prince's leadership.

"This is about holding individuals accountable and sending a signal to the Saudi leadership that perhaps giving this one reckless individual absolute power for the next 50 years might not be the best idea, he said last year.

In 2019, a top United Nations expert on extrajudicial executions similarly found "credible evidence" that high-level officials in Saudi Arabia  including MBS  were involved in Khashoggi's death.

The U.N. investigation, led by special rapporteur Agnes Callamard, provided details, including snippets of conversation between Khashoggi and his Saudi killers. Callamard urged the U.S. government to open an FBI investigation into Khashoggi's slaying and pursue criminal prosecutions in the USA for those responsible, among other steps.

More: Why grisly UN report on Khashoggi murder will not change Trump policy toward Saudi Arabia

'Come with us': A year after Jamal Khashoggi's killing, Saudi Arabian crackdown persists

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mohammed bin Salman complicit in Jamal Khashoggi's murder, report says
Fiction

The Satapur Moonstone

By Sujata Massey

Credit:

The year is 1922 and our heroine, Perveen Mistry, is Bombays first female lawyer. She also happens to be a pretty good sleuth. This is Sujata Masseys second Perveen Mistry mystery  the first being A Murder at Malabar Hill, which came out a few years ago, and while I recommend reading that first, its by no means necessary. This time we travel with Perveen to Satapur Palace in the remote Sahyadri Mountains. She believes shes on a fact-finding mission to help resolve conflicts within a ruling family, but soon realises shes landed in a nest of saw-scaled vipers. Strange deaths, ancient vendettas and alleged curses abound.

Detective books set in the 20s are often compared with those by Agatha Christie, but a more apt match for this series would be the Phryne Fisher murder mysteries. Masseys story drips with period details and her feisty protagonist is quick to quip. Soap might smell of neem leaves, while long sleeves end in embroidered gold cuffs.

Perveens family money and connections open doors that would otherwise be shut to her due to her gender. She met her similarly headstrong friend Alice when she was studying at Oxford.
The U.S. military Thursday evening carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria, targeting facilities it said were being used by Iranian-backed militia groups.

In a statement, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that President Biden ordered the strikes, which destroyed several facilities at a border control point used by groups including Kait'ib Hezbollah and Kait'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

The statement described the airstrikes as "defensive."

Read Next: Rockets Strike Near US base in Iraq, Killing 1, Wounding 8

"These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," Kirby said in the statement. "This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners."

Kirby added that the strike mission "sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel."

"At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq."

The Air Force and Pentagon could not immediately provide more information on which aircraft carried out the airstrikes, and what facilities were targeted.

The strike follows rocket attacks in Iraq that have heightened tensions in the area.

A Feb. 15 rocket attack in Erbil in northern Iraq, near where U.S. forces are based, killed one civilian coalition contractor and wounded at least eight others, including an American service member.

And on Monday, three rockets were fired at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. That attack only caused minor property damage, however, and injured no one.

In briefings with reporters earlier this week, Kirby was hesitant to attribute responsibility for the attacks, and said the Iraqis were taking the lead on the investigation into them. But he noted that previous rocket attacks by Shia-backed militias on coalition and Iraqi facilities were conducted using weaponry from Iran.

"We take these attacks very seriously," Kirby said Monday. "If and when it's appropriate to respond, we'll do so at a time and a place and in a manner of our choosing, and certainly in consultation with our Iraqi partners."

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: Rockets Target US Embassy in Baghdad, No Casualties
Miss Bridgerton, he said, whipping his head around to face Daphne, would you care to dance?

There was no way Daphne could refuse. First of all, her mother was impaling her with her deadly I-Am-Your-Mother-Dont-You-Dare-Defy-Me gaze.

Secondly, the duke had clearly not given her brother, Anthony, the entire story of their meeting in the dimly lit hallway; to make a show of refusing to dance with him would certainly raise undue speculation. And finally, she kind of, sort of, just a little teeny bit actually wanted to dance with the duke.

Of course, the arrogant boor didnt even give her the chance to accept. Before she could manage an Id be delighted, or even a mere Yes, the duke had her halfway across the room.

Miss Bridgerton, he said, whipping his head around to face Daphne, would you care to dance?

They had made a full circle of the ballroom before Daphne asked: How much of our meeting did you reveal to my brothers? I saw you with them, you know.

Simon (the duke) only smiled.

What are you grinning about? she asked suspiciously.

I was merely marvelling at your restraint.

I beg your pardon?

He shrugged slightly. I hadnt thought you the most patient of ladies, he said, and here it took you a full three-and-a-half minutes before asking me about my conversation with your brothers.

Daphne fought a blush. The truth was, the duke was an accomplished dancer, and shed been enjoying the waltz too much even to think of conversation.

But since you asked, he said, mercifully sparing her from having to make a comment, all I told them was that I ran into you in the hall and that, given your colouring, I instantly recognised you as a Bridgerton and introduced myself.

Do you think they believed you?

Yes, he said softly, I rather think they did.

Not that we have anything to hide, she added quickly.

Daphne fought a blush. The truth was, the duke was an accomplished dancer, and shed been enjoying the waltz too much even to think of conversation

Of course not.

If there is any villain in this piece it is most certainly Nigel Berbrooke [Daphnes suitor].

Of course.

She chewed on her lower lip. Aside from our little escapade, have you been enjoying your evening?

Simons answer was so unequivocally in the negative that he actually snorted a laugh before saying it.

Oh, please, she scoffed. It cant have been that bad.

Oh, it can.

Certainly not as bad as mine.

You did look rather miserable with your mother and Macclesfield, he allowed.

How kind of you to point it out, she muttered.

But I still think my evening was worse.

Bridgerton on Netflix has captivated the nation and today Daily Mail readers will be able to download their own free audio book

Daphne laughed, a light musical sound that warmed Simons bones. What a sad pair we are, she said. Surely we can manage a conversation on a topic other than our respective terrible evenings.

Simon said nothing.

Daphne said nothing.

Well, I cant think of anything, he said.

Daphne laughed again, this time with more gaiety, and Simon once again found himself mesmerised by her smile.

I give in, she gasped. What has turned your evening into such a dreadful affair?

What or whom?

 Whom? she echoed, tilting her head as she looked at him.

This grows even more interesting.

I can think of any number of adjectives to describe all of the whoms I have had the pleasure of meeting this evening, but interesting is not one of them. Now, now, she chided, dont be rude. I did see you chatting with my brothers, after all.

He nodded gallantly, tightening his hand slightly at her waist as they swung around in a graceful arc. My apologies. The Bridgertons are, of course, excluded from my insults.

We are all relieved, Im sure.

Simon cracked a smile at her deadpan wit. I live to make Bridgertons happy.

Now that is a statement that may come back to haunt you, she chided. But in all seriousness, what has you in such a dither?

How shall I put this, he mused, so that I do not completely offend you?

Oh, go right ahead, she said blithely. I promise not to be offended.

Simon grinned wickedly. A statement that may come back to haunt you.

She blushed slightly. The colour was barely noticeable in the shadowy candlelight, but Simon had been watching her closely.

She didnt say anything, so he added: Very well, if you must know, I have been introduced to every single unmarried lady in the ballroom.

A strange snorting sound came from the vicinity of her mouth.

Simon had the sneaking suspicion that she was laughing at him.

I have also, he continued, been introduced to all their mothers.

She gurgled. She actually gurgled. Bad show, he scolded. Laughing at your dance partner.

Im sorry, she said, her lips tight from trying not to smile.

No, youre not.

All right, she admitted, Im not. But only because I have had to suffer the same torture for two years. Its difficult to summon too much pity for a mere evenings worth. Why dont you just find someone to marry and put yourself out of your misery?

She shot him a sharp look. Are you asking?

Simon felt the blood leave his face.

I thought not. She took one look at him and let out an impatient exhale. Oh, for goodness sake. You can start breathing now, your grace. I was only teasing.

Simon wanted to make some sort of dry, cutting and utterly ironic comment, but the truth was, she had so startled him that he couldnt utter a word.

To answer your question, she continued, her voice a touch more brittle, a lady must consider her options. There is Nigel, of course, but I think we must agree he is not a suitable candidate.

Simon shook his head.

Earlier this year there was Lord Chalmers.

Chalmers? He frowned. Isnt he . . . On the darker side of 60? Yes. And since I would some day like to have children, it seemed . . .

Some men that age can still sire brats, Simon pointed out.

It wasnt a risk I was prepared to take, she returned. Besides . . .

She shuddered slightly, a look of revulsion passing over her features. I didnt particularly care to have children with him.

Much to his annoyance, Simon found himself picturing Daphne in bed with the elderly Chalmers. It was a disgusting image, and it left him feeling faintly furious. Before Lord Chalmers, Daphne continued, thankfully interrupting his rather unpleasant thought process, there were two others, both just as repulsive.

Simon looked at her thoughtfully. Do you want to marry?

Well, of course. Her face registered her surprise. Doesnt everyone?

I dont.

She smiled condescendingly. You think you dont. All men think they dont. But you will.

No, he said emphatically. I will never marry.

She gaped at him. Something in the dukes tone of voice told her that he truly meant what he said. What about your title?

She gaped at him. Something in the dukes tone of voice told her that he truly meant what he said. What about your title?

Simon shrugged. What about it?

If you dont marry and sire an heir, it will expire. Or go to some beastly cousin.

That caused him to raise an amused brow.

And how do you know that my cousins are beastly?

All cousins who are next in line for a title are beastly. She cocked her head in a mischievous manner.

And this is information youve gleaned from your extensive knowledge of men? he teased.

She shot him a devastatingly superior grin. Of course. Simon was silent for a moment, and then asked: Is it worth it?

She looked bemused by his sudden change of subject. Is what worth it?

He let go of her hand just long enough to wave at the crowd. This. This endless parade of parties. Your mother nipping at your heels.

Daphne let out a surprised chuckle. I doubt shed appreciate the metaphor.

She fell silent for a moment, her eyes taking on a faraway look as she said, But yes, I suppose it is worth it. It has to be worth it.

Daphne snapped back to attention and looked back to his face, her dark eyes meltingly honest.

I want a husband. I want a family. Its not so silly when you think about it. Im fourth of eight children. All I know are large families. I shouldnt know how to exist outside of one.

He wanted her. He wanted her so desperately he was straining against his clothing, but he could never, ever so much as touch her. Because to do so would be to shatter every one of her dreams

Simon caught her gaze, his eyes burning hot and intense into hers. A warning bell sounded in his mind.

He wanted her. He wanted her so desperately he was straining against his clothing, but he could never, ever so much as touch her. Because to do so would be to shatter every one of her dreams, and rake or not, Simon wasnt certain he could live with himself if he did that. He would never marry, never sire a child, and that was all she wanted out of life. He might enjoy her company; he wasnt certain he could deny himself that. But he had to leave her untouched for another man.

Your grace? she asked quietly.

When he blinked, she smiled and said: You were woolgathering.

He inclined his head graciously. Merely pondering your words.

And did they meet with your approval?

Actually, I cant remember the last time I conversed with someone with such obvious good sense. He added in a slow voice: Its good to know what you want out of life.

Do you know what you want?

Ah, how to answer that. There were some things he knew he could not say. But it was so easy to talk to this girl. Something about her put his mind at ease, even as his body tingled with desire.

By all rights they should not have been having such a frank conversation so soon into an acquaintance, but somehow it just felt natural.

Finally, he just said: I made some decisions when I was younger. I try to live my life according to those vows.

She looked ravenously curious, but good manners prevented her from questioning him further.

My goodness, she said with a slightly forced smile, weve grown serious. And here I thought all we meant to debate was whose evening was less pleasant.

They were both trapped, Simon realised. Trapped by their societys conventions and expectations. And thats when an idea popped into his mind. A strange, wild, and appallingly wonderful idea.

And it was probably also a dangerous idea, since it would put him in her company for long periods of time, which would certainly leave him in a perpetual state of unfulfilled desire, but Simon valued his self-control above all else, and he was certain he could control his baser urges.

Wouldnt you like a respite? he asked.

A respite? she echoed bemusedly. I had hoped to ignore London society altogether, he explained, but Im finding that may prove to be impossible.

The music drew to a close, and Simon took her arm and guided her to the perimeter of the ballroom

The music drew to a close, and Simon took her arm and guided her to the perimeter of the ballroom. Their dance had deposited them on the opposite side of the room from Daphnes family, so they had time to continue their conversation as they walked slowly back to the Bridgertons.

What I was trying to say, he said, was that it appears I must attend a certain number of London events.

Hardly a fate worse than death.

He ignored her editorial.

You, I gather, must attend them as well.

She gave him a single regal nod.

Perhaps there is a way that I might be spared the attentions of the Featheringtons and the like, and at the same time, you might be spared the matchmaking efforts of your mother.

She looked at him intently. Go on.

We . . . he leaned forward, his eyes mesmerising hers, . . .will form an attachment.

Daphne said nothing. She just stared at him as if she were trying to decide if he were the rudest man on the face of the earth or simply mad in the head.

Not a true attachment, Simon said impatiently. Good God, what sort of man do you think I am?

Well, I was warned about your reputation, she pointed out.

Simon gave her a startled look. I dont believe I have ever been condescended to by a woman before. She shrugged. It was probably past time.

Do you know, Id thought that you were unmarried because your brothers had scared off all your suitors, but now I wonder if you did it all on your own.

Much to his surprise, she just laughed. No, she said, Im unmarried because everyone sees me as a friend. No one ever has any romantic interest in me.

Simon pondered her words, then realised that his plan could work to her benefit even more than hed originally imagined.

Here is my plan, he continued, his voice low and intense.

We shall pretend to have developed a tendre for each other. I wont have quite so many debutantes thrown in my direction because it will be perceived that I am no longer available. No it wont, Daphne replied. They wont believe youre unavailable until youre standing before the bishop, taking your vows.

The very thought made his stomach churn.

Nonsense, he said. It may take a bit of time, but Im sure I will eventually be able to convince society that I am not anyones candidate for marriage.

Except mine, Daphne pointed out.

Except yours, he agreed, but we will know that isnt true.

Of course, she murmured. Frankly, I do not believe this will work, but if youre convinced . . .

I am.

Well, then, what do I gain?

Daphne looked at Mrs Featherington, who looked like a bird of prey, and then at her brother, who looked as if he had swallowed a chicken bone

For one thing, your mother will stop dragging you from man to man if she thinks you have secured my interest. Rather conceited of you, Daphne mused, but true.

Simon ignored her gibe.

Secondly, he continued, men are always more interested in a woman if they think other men are interested.

Meaning?

Meaning, quite simply, and pardon my conceit . . . he shot her a sardonic look to show that he hadnt missed her earlier sarcasm, . . . but if the world thinks I intend to make you my duchess, all of those men who see you as nothing more than an affable friend will begin to view you in a new light.

Her lips pursed.

Meaning that once you throw me over, I shall have hordes of suitors at my beck and call?

Oh, I shall allow you to be the one to cry off, he said gallantly.

He noticed she didnt bother to thank him.

I still think Im gaining much more from this arrangement than you, she said.

He squeezed her arm slightly. Then youll do it?

Daphne looked at Mrs Featherington, who looked like a bird of prey, and then at her brother, who looked as if he had swallowed a chicken bone.

Shed seen those expressions dozens of times before  except on the faces of her own mother and some hapless potential suitor. Yes, she said, her voice firm. Yes, Ill do it.

Extracted from Bridgerton: The Duke And I by Julia Quinn Little, Brown, 8.99).  2000 Julie Cotler Pottinger. To order a copy for 7.91, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193 (valid until March 6). Free UK delivery on orders over 20.
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Forty years ago today, on 26 February 1981, Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo was sworn in as prime minister of Spain. Not an extraordinary day in politics, one might think, but only three days previously, when Calvo Sotelo's election was due to be confirmed in a second round of voting, there was an attempted coup d'etat by Lieutenant General Antonio Tejero and around 200 armed Civil Guard officers, who held everyone in the parliament building hostage for 18 hours. The attempted coup came to an end when the insurrectionists surrendered, following intervention by King Juan Carlos.

Calvo Sotelo was born into a prominent political and entrepreneurial family in Madrid on 14 April 1926. His uncle Jose, who had been a Minister of Finance in the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera, was assassinated in the run-up to the Spanish Civil War.

Leopoldo, who had a degree in civil engineering, had previously been the president of the national railway company Renfe, among other appointments. Following the death of Franco in 1975, he was appointed Minister of Trade in the first government of the monarchy, led by Carlos Arias Navarro, and went on to become Minister of Public Works when Adolfo Suarez was prime minister. He was also Minister for Relations with the European Economic Community from 1978 to 1980.

After Suarez resigned, Calvo Sotelo was proposed as candidate for prime minister. During his tenure, Spain became a member of NATO. On 27 August 1982 he dissolved the government and new elections took place on 28 October. His party, the UCD, suffered a major defeat by PSOE and Felipe Gonzalez became prime minister.

In 2002, King Juan Carlos gave Calvo Sotelo the hereditary title of Marquis de la Ria de Ribadeo and made him a Grandee of Spain to honour his service to the country. He died of natural causes at his home in Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, on 3 May 2008, aged 82.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a news briefing at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, on Feb. 9, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

White House on Andrew Cuomo Sexual Harassment: Any Allegation Should Be Reviewed

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday that President Joe Biden believes all sexual harassment allegations like the one against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should be reviewed and the accuser treated with respect.

Well, let me first say that the President has been consistent in his position. When a person comes forward, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect their voice should be heard not silenced, said Psaki. And any allegation should be reviewed.

Lindsey Boylan, who is running for Manhattan borough president and formerly worked for Cuomo, accused him of sexual harassment, saying the governor kissed her without her consent and asked her to play strip poker, in an account Wednesday.

On the same day, Cuomo press secretary Caitlin Girouard released a statement that reiterated the governors position. As we said before, Ms. Boylans claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false, Girouard said.

A reporter asked Psaki if the allegation would distract from Bidens meeting Thursday with the National Governor Association to discuss the pandemic response, of which Cuomo is the head.

Psaki defended Bidens past praise of Cuomo and his handling of the pandemic.

Governor Cuomo is also the governor of one of the largest states in the country that has been one of the hardest hit, with millions of people still suffering from an ongoing pandemic and an economic crisis, and our focus is to continue working with governors from across the country from a range of states, and how were helping people in their states. He also is still head of the National Governors Association, hence hes at the event today, said Psaki.

A congresswoman from New York State, Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) issued a statement about the alleged sexual harassment against Cuomo, blasting the governor and calling for his resignation.

I am publicly calling for an independent investigation into the serious allegations of pervasive workplace sexual harassment and verbal abuse by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The people of New York deserve a Governor who lives up to his own public statements on sexual harassment, said Stefanik.

Democrat state lawmakers from New York are also concerned with the allegations made by Boylan and are echoing the White House comments calling for an investigation.

I have read the reports, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, (D-Bronx) wrote in a statement. These are serious allegations. Harassment in the workplace of any kind should not be tolerated.

All credible allegations of sexual harassment must be taken seriously and given a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation, Sen. Liz Krueger, (D-Manhattan), said in a statement.
Take a Tour of All Creatures Country

All Creatures Great and Small charmed viewers with its pastoral setting in Britains Yorkshire Dales. Here, the shows production designer explains the eternal appeal of the regions landscapes.

Feb. 26, 2021

All Creatures Great and Small, a new adaptation of the James Herriot books, follows the gentle adventures of a veterinarian in Yorkshire, in northern England. Filmed in the same area, the first season  which ended Sunday and is available to stream at PBS.org and Amazon  was a pandemic-era hit thanks partly to the pastoral escapism it offered shut-in viewers. Here, Jacqueline Smith, the production designer, discusses the landscape and what it brings to the series. (As told to Jennifer Vineyard.)

Parts of Britain are extremely old, and some buildings and cottages look the same as they did hundreds of years ago; sometimes its a bit like living in a museum. Its retained that charm, especially in the Yorkshire Dales. Yorkshiremen always call this Gods own country. I grew up here, and people from Yorkshire often think that they would like to have independence from the rest of the country because they see it as a separate country in itself.
The Marshall County Board of Education awarded a bid at its last meeting to Boatner Construction Company, not to exceed $6.4 million.

The plan includes a renovation of part of the high and middle schools. The middle school is being used by primary school students.

The renovation will add to the front of both schools. It'll add classrooms, covered walkways and it will include storm shelter space for all students.

Brindlee Mountain primary school students were moved into the former middle school after the tornado destroyed their school. High school classes and labs that were in the middle had to be consolidated into just the high school.

The bid says $5 million of the project will come from insurance and the rest out of state bond.


Amid mass abstention, the February 14 Catalan regional elections saw the far-right Vox party enter the Catalan parliament, the first time an avowedly far-right party has done so since 1982. Vox took 11 seats and nearly 8 percent of the vote, making it the fourth-largest party in the legislature.

No party won anywhere near the 68 seats necessary for a majority. The Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC), the Catalan branch of the ruling Socialist Workers Party of Spain (PSOE), received the most votes of a single party. It took 33 of the 135 seats in the Catalan parliament, a significant increase on the 17 seats won in the 2017 elections.

Spains far-right Vox Party leader Santiago Abascal arrives for a campaign meeting in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The second and third parties were the pro-independence Catalan Republican Left (ERC) and Together for Catalonia (JxCat). The ERC took 33 seats, gaining one, and JxCat took 32 seats, losing two. The Catalan branch of Podemos, In Common We Can (ECP), maintained its eight seats.

Salvador llla, who led the PSC ticket, and Pere Aragones of the ERC have both announced plans to form a government in Catalonia. Aragones will seek an alliance with JxCat and the pro-independence, pseudo-left Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP), having ruled out any coalition with the PSC. He is considered most likely to be installed as the next regional president, thus leaving a Catalan-nationalist government in power in Barcelona.

It is the first vote held in Catalonia since 2017, when Spains right-wing Popular Party (PP) government called special elections after the October 1 Catalan independence referendum. In this election as in the 2017 elections, Madrids hopes to resolve the stand-off with the Catalan nationalists in their own favour backfired, however. The 2021 elections returned a narrow majority for the separatist parties, as before, but the PP vote collapsed.

In this years election, voter turnout fell to 51.3 percent, the lowest ever since the 1978 Transition to democracy with the end of the Franco regime. This compares to a turnout of 79.1 percent in 2017 elections, the highest on record.

While COVID-19 certainly impacted the vote, the record low turnout cannot be explained by the pandemic alone. There is widespread popular disillusionment with a false choice between reactionary nationalist parties, whose pro-austerity policies and separatist rhetoric is discredited among workers and youth, and pro-Madrid parties which have moved far to the right. Moreover, Catalan nationalist parties have backed Spains PSOE-Podemos government, even as it imposed austerity and brutally cracked down on protests in Catalonia.

A recent survey by the Catalan government-linked Centre for Opinion Studies (CEO) found that only 44.5 percent of Catalonias population supported Catalan independence. Despite the stability of the Catalan nationalists parliamentary delegation, the record low turnout meant that the total number of votes they received plummeted. ERC and JxCat went from nearly a million votes each in 2017 to around 600,000 and 570,000, respectively.

Only with the seats of the pseudo-left Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP), which increased its parliamentary representation from four to nine members, can separatist parties command a majority in the Catalan parliament. Pro-independence parties now hold 74 seats in the 135-seat parliament, an increase of four on 2017.

The Catalan-nationalist parties also failed to receive a majority of the popular vote: they collectively obtained 48 percent of ballots, only 0.5 percent more than in 2017. The PSC gained from this fall in support for the Catalan nationalists, increasing their vote by over 48,000.

So discredited are the Catalan nationalists that the PSCs Santiago Illa, who as health minister presided over the PSOE-Podemos governments disastrous response to the pandemicwhich has claimed around 68,000 lives in Spain according to underestimated official countswon the most votes. This was a vote by default, benefitting largely from opposition to Catalan nationalism. But Illas candidacy did not prevent Catalan nationalist parties from gaining a parliamentary majority.

The main beneficiary of the fall in support for the Catalan nationalists was Vox, which won 218,000 votes, and more seats than the right-wing Citizens party and the PP combined. Citizens performance was disastrous, losing nearly a million votes since the last election and falling from the single biggest party in the legislature to the second-smallest, with only six seats. They were beaten in the race to the bottom only by the PP, which won a mere three seats.

Vox ran best in tourist areas along the Tarragona coast, including small towns like Roda de Bera, Mont-roig del Camp, Cunit, Cambrils and Calafell, where it won over 12 percent of the vote. The pandemic has devastated these tourist destinations: small businesses reliant on holidaymakers saw their income almost completely dry up. Vox also won the most votes in two small municipalities, La Pobla de Mafumet (21.3 percent) and Vilamalla (22.5 percent), both traditional strongholds of anti-separatist sentiment, which saw mass abstention.

Responsibility for the surge in votes for Vox lies squarely with the PSOE-Podemos government and its regional affiliates, the PSC and ECP, who have shifted so far to the right that they have allowed Vox to present its policies as part of the mainstream. With tacit support from Podemos, the PSOE caretaker government of 2019 violently cracked down on mass protests in Catalonia against the jailing of Catalan nationalist politicians for organizing peaceful protests and the peaceful 2017 referendum on Catalan independence.

The PSOE-Podemos government has upheld the convictions of Catalan nationalist political prisoners throughout its time in office. A day after the Catalan elections, the governments Prosecutors Office ordered that jailed Catalan independence activists be returned to prison, only two weeks after the Catalan regional government freed them with semi-liberty status.

All the established parties carried out rotten right-wing electoral campaigns. Their chief characteristic was an almost complete absence of debate on the herd immunity policies pursued by the PSOE-Podemos government. There was barely a mention of the tens of thousands of lives lost to the pandemic, the hundreds of thousands more who have lost jobs and livelihoods, the millions infected with the virus, or the billions of euros handed to banks and big business in EU bailouts.

Vox dominated the stage with xenophobic, anti-migrant rants and a Stop Islamisation! campaign.

Significantly, during the campaign, Vox spokesperson Javier Ortega Smith declared Voxs willingness to back a minority PSOE government in Catalonia, stating: If you put me in the position of choosing between a government led by the PSOE and a government led by the coup-plotters [referring to the Catalan nationalists 2017 independence referendum] and separatists, if we have to choose between the bad and the worse, we would choose the bad.

It is always easier to recover the government of Catalonia with the socialists [of the PSOE] than with the separatists of the ERC. We will do everything in our power to support the investiture of a government which is not of separatists and coup-plotters, Ortega Smith stated.

Illa and the PSC, for the time being, have ruled out a coalition with Vox.

Whatever parliamentary alliance eventually emerges from the elections, neither the bankrupt pro-austerity and separatist policies of the Catalan nationalists nor the reactionary politics of the PSOE/PSC and Podemos/ECP will combat the far-right. The PSOE-Podemos government has acceded to virtually every demand placed on it by Voxfrom its refusal to implement lockdown measures to combat the pandemic to its brutal crackdown on refugees.

The way forward for the working class is to reject Catalan separatism and the pseudo-left and social-democratic parties alike. Workers in Catalonia must turn to their class brothers and sisters throughout Spain, and Europe as a whole, in a common struggle for the socialist transformation of society and the fight for the United Socialist States of Europe.
Of 582 total COVID-19 cases reported in Massachusetts schools in the last two weeks, Lincoln-Sudbury reported the highest number of student cases at 26, according to state data.

From Feb. 11 to 24, a period including February vacation, Massachusetts schools reported 373 student and 209 staff cases of the virus to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

That includes 367 student cases and 187 staff cases reported at local school districts, zero student cases and four staff cases at education collaboratives, and six student cases and 18 staff cases at approved special education schools, according to the report from DESE.

The report includes cases among students or staff members who tested positive within seven days of being inside a school building. The report is typically issued each Thursday, though last week was skipped because of school vacation.

The last time DESE released a COVID case report, on Feb. 11, there were 674 cases of the virus among 462 students and 212 staff members.

Acton-Boxborough had 17 student cases, Methuen had 16, New Bedford had 15 and Weymouth had 10. District staff cases were highest in New Bedford and Newton, both with seven. There were six staff cases each in Medford, Fall River, Waltham and Lynn.

Find numbers for your district or school in this searchable database. If youre having trouble accessing the database, click here.

DESE estimates there are 450,000 students and 75,000 staff members in public school buildings during the pandemic.

This week, DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said state officials want to start looking at taking hybrid and remote education off the table as coronavirus case counts continue to decrease statewide.

Ideally, the state wants elementary school students learning in person five days a week this April, Riley said, with older students returning to classrooms for traditional learning at a later date.

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The lockdown measures adopted to contain the CCP virus have interfered with fundamental human rights, a senior British Conservative politician told NTD.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs, welcomed the UK governments plan to take the country out of the ongoing national lockdown, calling it a step forward. But he said the pace of the planned exit is slower than many of us would have liked and slower than the data would suggest is possible.

Lung Transplant Can Transmit Virus

The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus can linger in the lungs even when swab tests of the back of the nose and throat are negative, doctors reported after unknowingly transplanting infected lungs into a patient who later died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus.

University of Michigan surgeons obtained the lungs from a deceased donor who had tested negative for the virus and had reportedly never been exposed to it. Soon afterward, the transplant recipient and one of the surgeons developed COVID-19.

Highlights of Relief Bill Advancing in Congress

The House is expected to pass a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package late Friday that includes $1,400 checks for most Americans and billions of dollars for schools, state and local governments, and businesses.

The legislation provides a rebate that amounts to $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000. The size of the check would shrink for those making slightly more with a hard cut-off at $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married couples.

2 US Navy Warships in Mideast Hit by Outbreaks

Two U.S. Navy warships operating in the Middle East have been struck by CCP virus outbreaks, authorities said Friday, with both returning to port in Bahrain.

A dozen troops aboard the USS San Diego, an amphibious transport dock, tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus, said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea also has confirmed several cases of COVID-19, she added.

Belgium Warns Daily Cases Again Rising

Belgian health authorities warned Friday that the number of confirmed CCP virus infections is rising, probably due in part to the fast-spreading variant first found in Britain.

Figures released Friday showed that 2,294 new confirmed cases are appearing on average daily, a rise of 24 percent over the previous 7-day period. However, the number of reported cases in care homes is dropping, and the COVID-19 death rate continues to decline.

Pelosi to Keep Minimum Wage Hike in Relief Bill Despite Parliamentarians Ruling

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other top Democrats are keeping a minimum wage hike in the latest COVID-19 relief package even though the Senates parliamentarian ruled Thursday that the raise should not be included in the bill.

The House plans on voting for the relief package, which mainly draws from a proposal President Joe Biden released before entering office, on Friday.

Pfizer Vaccine Reduces Transmission After 1 Dose: UK Study

A single dose of Pfizer and BioNtechs COVID-19 vaccine cuts the number of asymptomatic infections and could significantly reduce the risk of transmission of the virus, results of a UK study found on Friday.

Researchers analyzed results from thousands of COVID-19 tests carried out each week as part of hospital screenings of healthcare staff in Cambridge, eastern England.

UN Rights Chief Decries Violations in Chinas Xinjiang

United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Friday that China is restricting basic civil and political freedoms in the name of national security and CCP virus measures.

Bachelet told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that more than 600 people in Hong Kong are being investigated for taking part in protests. Reports about violations including arbitrary detention and forced labor in Chinas Xinjiang region need independent assessment, she said.

Alexander Zhang, Zachary Stieber, Reuters, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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For nearly two decades, the hilltop museum flanked by weeping willow trees showcased the military might of the Tigray region's ruling party, which dominated Ethiopian politics for decades.

Located in the regional capital Mekele, the Tigray Martyrs' Monument housed weaponry and battle plans from the party's early days as a guerrilla movement, along with sepia portraits of men and women who lost their lives during its rise to power.

These days the museum symbolises how far the party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), has fallen after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed deployed troops and warplanes to oust it late last year.

With pro-TPLF fighters long gone, Kalashnikov-toting federal forces have taken over the site, patrolling it with military trucks as Mekele residents look on in disgust.

"This is our pride, our history," tuktuk driver Daniel Girmay told AFP while drinking tea at a cafe across the street.

"I hate those soldiers so much I don't want to see their faces."

It is just one example of how Mekele, the former TPLF power base, has been transformed by the gruesome conflict still grinding on in northern Ethiopia.

Many of the city's schools are now camps for the displaced. Its paediatric wards teem with children nursing bullet and shrapnel wounds, some of whom have had limbs blown off.

Women walk the streets wearing black as news of dead relatives trickles in from rural areas that remain inaccessible.

Mekele natives worry their home may never regain its old charm.

"This was a fast-growing city, it was a very vibrant city. It was alive for 24 hours," said Dr Kibrom Gebreselassie, chief clinical director at Mekele's Ayder Referral Hospital.

"Now, as you can see, it is covered in a blanket of sadness."

- 'Hidden' toll -

Abiy, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, announced military operations against the TPLF in November, saying the move came in response to TPLF-orchestrated attacks on federal army camps in Mekele and elsewhere.

Story continues

The move came after years of soaring tensions between Abiy and the powerful TPLF which he had been accused of sidelining since his appointment in 2018.

Federal forces closed in on the city three weeks later, and some 26 civilians died as shells rained down on the city's streets, according to Ayder Referral's data.

That was only the beginning of Mekele's misery.

Since then a steady stream of war-wounded have arrived from parts of Tigray hit harder by the fighting, among them orphaned children with nowhere to go once they recover.

Abiy has told lawmakers no civilians died as federal forces entered Tigray's cities and towns, but survivors of shelling attacks say that's simply not true.

"The government is doing nothing while people are affected by the war," Halefom Gebremariam said through tears as doctors treated his 13-year-old son Nahom, who was struck by shrapnel in November, losing his right foot and vision in his right eye.

"Instead they are trying to hide these cases."

Patients at Ayder Referral have also included roughly 120 sexual violence survivors, some bringing ghastly reports of gang rape by soldiers from Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea.

Maize farmer Tekleberhan Gebregiorgis has watched the grim spectacle unfold from his hospital bed while being treated for a shrapnel wound in his left knee.

"I'm very sad. I'm supposed to be living my normal life at this moment," he told AFP.

"I am not an armed soldier or a militia fighter. I have also seen other injured civilians like me, and many others are dying. It's very hard for me to bear this."

- New leaders -

Across town, in the regional government headquarters, an Abiy-appointed caretaker administration is straining to win over a sceptical Tigrayan public.

Interim head Mulu Nega, a soft-spoken, bespectacled former higher education official, told AFP he knew Mekele residents had "mixed feelings" about his presence in the office formerly occupied by their toppled leaders.

"They want to have a government take over the governance activities in the region," he said.

"On the other hand, as we are not elected, they have also some doubts. That's natural."

Mulu said his priorities include reinstating security, repairing damaged infrastructure and laying the groundwork for as-yet-unscheduled elections in Tigray.

While he pointed to progress on tasks like filling civil servant posts, his detractors say securing popular legitimacy will be all but impossible.

Tzegazeab Kamsu of the Tigray opposition party Baytona said Tigrayans associated Mulu with a perceived war on civilians dressed up as a campaign against the TPLF.

"Who is dying? Not TPLF. Who is being raped? Not TPLF. Who is punished with starvation? Not TPLF," he said.

- 'Furious' and fearful -

Perhaps Mulu's biggest challenge will be to assert control over all of Tigray.

Large swathes of lowland territory in the west and south are controlled by special forces from neighbouring Amhara region.

Eritrean soldiers, meanwhile, are active in much of the mountainous north, their presence confirmed by aid workers and some officials even as it's denied by Addis Ababa and Asmara.

The soldiers have been accused of some of the conflict's most devastating massacres, including the deaths of hundreds in the town of Axum.

Asked if the Eritreans needed to go, Mulu told AFP: "Of course, it's very clear."

This view was widely shared at a secondary school down the road from the Tigray Martyrs' Monument, where displaced families from western Tigray now sleep on donated mattresses in classrooms and science labs, surrounded by what few possessions -- clothing, cooking utensils -- they managed to bring with them.

Mizan Kassa, an engineer from Humera, told AFP that non-Tigrayan forces' presence on Tigrayan soil "makes me furious."

Many of the displaced cited fear of these forces in explaining why, at least for now, they plan to stay in Mekele.

"At least here we are here among our people who are supporting us," said Tirhas Yibrah, another Humera native living at the school with her husband and three children.

rcb/fb/ach
Northern Ireland coffee chain Bob & Berts is one of the companies affected

Three Coleraine cafes due in court next month for placing furniture in a public place without a licence will not be prosecuted, the Belfast Telegraph understands.

While rules around such licences were relaxed and fees temporarily waived between July and September last year, representatives for the businesses were ordered to appear at the towns Magistrates Court on March 5.

However, independent councillor William McCandless said he had received assurances from council officers that the prosecution would not proceed.

On Monday, I was advised that three premises in town were to be prosecuted by the council for refusal to engage in the Licensing of Pavement Cafes Act, he explained.

The background to this Act is that pavement cafes are becoming more popular.

The Roads (NI) order 1993 states it is unlawful to block a road and that cafe, restaurant and bar owners must apply to their local councils to place tables and chairs on the pavements outside their premises.

Council officers come under pressure from members of the public who have disabilities or a visual impairment. These needs must be considered.

Across the area, council officers have been engaging with cafes to comply with the legislation. When I consulted with our chief executive in 2020, a deferment was placed on this from June until the end of December.

I appreciate that in the majority of cases there is a cost to the local business as it is advisable to consult with an architect to ensure legalities are observed.

This can cost up to 1,000. In these times of financial constraint, that is a heavy burden to consider.

I can assure everyone that our council officers are not unsympathetic to the commercial plight cafe owners face on the high street.

I can advise those concerned at this time that no legal action will be pursued by council.

In consultation with senior officers and the chief executive, I would strongly advocate that the implementation of the licensing is deferred until March 2022.

I would recommend our senior officers bring this motion forward to our environmental services committee in March, where it will hopefully be agreed at committee level and then ratified at the full council in April by all councillors. Hopefully, by that stage, we will be through the worst of this pandemic.

Further discussions will ensue with council officers and restaurants over this period.

In these unprecedented times of Covid-19 and the economic disaster that has befallen our high streets, we need to demonstrate sympathy and compassion to those who are holding on by their fingernails to keep their businesses afloat.

For the general public as well, many are enjoying a cuppa while they have their daily walk and appreciate the cafes being open.

It is our hope that as many businesses as possible will survive these trying times to enjoy better days ahead.

Bob & Berts, one of the companies affected, criticised the councils handling of the matter.

As a business, we are surprised that a local council would be so aggressive, given it was our position that we had complied with all regulations, a spokesperson said.

As its such a difficult and stressful time for business owners, I should be concentrating on saving 120 jobs whilst navigating a pandemic, not dealing with legal action by our local council.

They should be supporting businesses at a time like this, not looking to haul them before the courts.

It is my understanding that we had provided planners with all documentation. After reviewing their file, the council decided to withdraw all legal action.
LONDON - The UK has refused to authorize the re-entry of Shamima Begum, 20, to the UK to challenge the home secretary's decision to remove her British citizenship.



Begum had left the country in 2015 at age 15 with two of her peers to go to territory held by the Islamic State in Syria.



She later ended up in an IDP camp in northeastern Syria under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.



Friday's ruling by the Supreme Court overturns a decision issued in July in an appeals court that had upheld the appeal filed by her and her family.



Her British citizenship had been revoked in February 2019 by the home secretary at that time, Sajid Javid, under the Theresa May government.



Raised in London's Bethnal Green area, Begum was found in 2019 in a refugee camp where some reporters found her and where she allegedly gave birth to an infant that died of hardship in the camp.



She asked for the chance to return home through several interviews with the media. She also told of having been married with a Dutch national who joined ISIS, having seen the horrors of ISIS, having lost two children to malnutrition.



She initially said that she did not regret her decision but later "changed her mind".



Both the May government and its successor under Boris Johnson insisted on revoking her citizenship due to her being a "risk to national security", claiming that Begum could request Bangladeshi citizenship since her parents had been born there.



She had never been to Bangladesh, however, and this country also refuses to take her in.



The Supreme Court judge ruled that matters of national security are the remit of the home office and thus she could not come back to the UK to challenge the decision.
Our assembly is for those for whom the solutions offered by the two poles are illogical. This is what head of the executive body of Citizens Decision Party Suren Sahakyan told reporters before todays assembly at Mashtots Grove in Yerevan.

Our actions will, in their nature, be similar to various civic and political actions that have been successful in Armenia in the past. Our goal is to gather people for whom the mutually exclusive solutions offered by the two poles are illogical. After the assembly, citizens will return to politics, the streets and participate in political processes, Sahakyan stated.

According to Sahakyan, the fact that even the ruling party is incapable of gathering over 10,000 people for a rally attests to the fact that there is a lot of political apathy.

After the end of this initiative, we will see people coming out to the streets and defending their right to make decisions, Sahakyan added.

According to Sahakyan, the statement that the General Staff of the Armed Forces made, calling on Nikol Pashinyan to resign, cant even be considered an attempted military coup.

Thats not the way a military coup is organized. A statement on a military coup is made when there are tanks on the streets and the political authorities are paralyzed. I dont really see a danger of military coup because the army consists of soldiers, not army generals, and those soldiers need to receive an order to come out to the streets. Of course, there will be major political developments since this situation must be resolved, and the situation has remained the same for three months because nobody has offered a way out of it, Sahakyan added.
Russia's repression has left Crimean residents in a constant state of fear, unable to live their lives freely, the top diplomat said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said Russia's occupation and increasing militarization of the Crimean peninsula have implications far beyond Ukraine's borders, threatening the world's common security.

"The United States joins Ukraine in marking the seventh anniversary of Russia's invasion and seizure of Crimea  a brazen affront to the modern international order. We affirm this basic truth: Crimea is Ukraine," he said in a statement on February 25, as reported by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

"This occupation comes at significant human cost. Russian occupation authorities have sustained a brutal campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and members of other minority ethnic and religious groups in Crimea," Blinken said.

It is noted Russian occupation authorities have raided mosques and homes, driven independent media off the peninsula, and handed down lengthy prison sentences to those who dare to speak out against the occupation.

Read alsoU.S. welcomes Ukraine's initiative on Crimean Platform  BlinkenMoreover, Russia's repression has left Crimean residents in a constant state of fear, unable to live their lives freely.

Russian occupation of Crimea

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia.

On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin.

The West did not recognize the annexation, moving to introduce sanctions against Russia.

Read alsoUkraine continues to consolidate int'l efforts to achieve complete de-occupation of Crimea, Sevastopol  MFAUkraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date marking the start of the temporary occupation of Crimea.

Reporting by UNIAN
Yerevan: Armenias prime minister accused top military officers on Thursday (Friday AEDT) of attempting a coup after they demanded he step down, adding fuel to months of protests calling for his resignation following the countrys defeat in a conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has faced opposition calls to step down ever since he signed a November 10 peace deal that saw Azerbaijan reclaim control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas that had been held by Armenian forces for more than a quarter-century.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan waves to supporters during a rally. Credit:AP

The opposition protests gathered pace this week, and the feud with his top military commanders has weakened Pashinyans position, raising concerns about stability in the strategic South Caucasus region, where shipments of Azerbaijans Caspian crude oil pass through on their way to Western markets.

The immediate trigger for the latest tensions was Pashinyans decision earlier this week to oust the first deputy chief of the militarys General Staff that includes the armed forces top officers.
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25)  Legitimate children have the right to adopt their mothers surname, the Supreme Court ruled, as it cited the State's commitment to ensure gender equality.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen made this clear in a 15-page decision he penned, which was uploaded on the SC website on Monday. The high tribunal reversed rulings of the Court of Appeals and the Regional Trial Court of Zamboanga City, which both denied a request for a change of surname.

The petitioner, Anacleto B. Alanis III, appealed to be allowed to legally use his mothers maiden name Ballaho, saying it was what he has been using since childhood. The mother also single-handedly raised him and his siblings, the petitioner said.

According to the RTC, however, permitting him to drop his last name would be in violation of the Family Code and Civil Code, which provide that legitimate children shall principally use their fathers' surnames.

But in its pronouncement, the SC stressed that the fundamental equality of women and men is guaranteed by no less than the Constitution. It pointed to Article 2 Section 14, which it said "implies the State's positive duty to actively dismantle the existing patriarchy by addressing the culture that supports it."

The high court further noted that the Philippines is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Non-discrimination against women is also an emerging customary norm," it said. "Thus, the State has the duty to actively modify what is in its power to modify, to ensure that women are not discriminated."

It also called the RTCs application of the Article 364 of the Civil Code as incorrect, saying that while the provision states that legitimate children shall principally use the surname of the father, "principally" does not mean "exclusively."

"Accordingly, where the text of a law allows for an interpretation that treats women and men more equally, that is the correct interpretation," it said.
Flux Trends has teamed up with The Enrichment Project to put together an open session on 25 November 2020 for businesses, teams, entrepreneurs and leaders to help you overcome the inertia of postalgia in your organisation and your own life as a leader and look to the future with purpose. Special discount for Bizcommunity readers...
RIDGEFIELD  Since the last year has been tough for just about everybody, East Ridge Middle School art teacher Hillary Lewis had her eighth grade students participate in a unique and fun activity: creating an ERMS-based episode of The Simpsons.

Lewis had done a similar project years ago but she was inspired to do it again for another reason.

Given the stress of the past year and the unusual circumstances present in school, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to let loose and have fun while learning at the same time, she said.

The Simpsons ERMS Episode project was based on an artist study of the American cartoonist Matt Groening. Lewis asked her eighth grade students to list five staff members they would be interested in drawing a portrait of using Groenings Simpsons style. Once their lists was complete, she assigned each student a staff member. Lewis adapted the project and material to be accessible to all students whether they were present in class or remotely at home.

Before the project began, Lewis notified the entire staff to let them know that the students would be cartooning the staff for inspiration. Almost all of her colleagues agreed to participate.

As teachers, we have pretty thick skins and I'm lucky to work with people who have a really good sense of humor, she said.

A newsletter about the project listed some of the pieces, Principal Raneris scooter for her bum leg, Mr. Graces signature vest, Mr. Settanis Stress Free Zone.

The end result was fantastic, giving the school a morale boost after a difficult year.

It was so much fun to hear people laughing and see them enjoying the exhibit, Lewis said. I am so incredibly proud of the hard work my students put into this project and their bravery in stepping out of their comfort zones.

Lewis said cartooning is not an easy skill to master and walking the fine line of capturing the essence of a teacher her students see everyday is hard too, but the students showed out.

East Ridge Middle School principal Patricia Raneri said the project was the creative brain child of Lewis, who was able to successfully complete the project with their hybrid instructional model.

When the final results were posted you could hear laughter throughout the building, Raneri said. The staff loved it. We were very impressed with the students attention to detail and their interpretations.

They were very accurate, Raneri added with a laugh.
She revealed she was expecting her first child - a baby boy - with boyfriend and TOWIE co-star Tommy Mallett last year.

And Georgia Kousoulou and her beau were seen out in public for the first time since announcing the happy news, as they took their dog for a walk on Thursday.

The pregnant star, 29, showcased her blossoming baby bump in form-fitting gym gear as she stepped out with Tommy and their Pomeranian, Monkey.

Mama to be! Georgia Kousoulou and her beau were seen out in public for the first time since announcing the happy news, as they took their dog for a walk on Thursday

Georgia wore a vest underneath a black zip-up hoodie, which she wore with a pair of gym leggings and monochrome Nike trainers.

She wore her blonde ombre locks loose and opted for a no make-up look, as she showcased her radiant completion while out on the stroll.

Tommy, 28, mirrored his girlfriend's all black ensemble, as he sported a black T-shirt with a pair of tracksuit bottoms, trainers and a Gucci cap.

Family: The pregnant star, 29, showcased her blossoming baby bump in form-fitting gym gear as she stepped out with Tommy and their Pomeranian, Monkey

Casual: Georgia wore a vest underneath a black zip-up hoodie, which she wore with a pair of gym leggings and monochrome Nike trainers

Earlier this month Georgia and Tommy announced they were expecting a baby boy as they shared a heartwarming gender reveal video with fans.

In the video, Georgia addressed the viewers and said: 'Obviously we know what we're having but this is for you. Let's do a countdown.'

The couple, who are due to welcome their baby in May, did a countdown from ten before Tommy burst the balloon and they cheered and shared a kiss.

Georgia was cradling her beloved pet dog Monkey and told him: 'You're having a brother! You'll be best friends forever!'

Natural: She wore her blonde ombre locks loose and opted for a no make-up look, as she showcased her radiant completion while out on the stroll

Low-key: Tommy, 28, mirrored his girlfriend's all black ensemble, as he sported a black T-shirt with a pair of tracksuit bottoms, trainers and a Gucci cap

Alongside the post, she wrote: 'We ARE HAVING A ........ Thank you so much @bestdayeventsco for helping us create this!'

It comes after Georgia previously revealed the couple have already picked out a name for their son, stating: 'I literally have my baby name, I'm just praying that I don't go off of it by May.'

The TV star later confessed that while she's 'excited and nervous for the next journey of my life', she finds being pregnant in lockdown 'hard and lonely' - an experience she's set to expand on in the coming weeks.

Speaking in an Instagram Q&A, she said: 'I didn't think I was ready [to be a mother] and I still don't know if I am. Are we ever ready?

'I was super anxious during the first 12 weeks and to be fair, I've been super anxious the whole time. I know I'll be a really good mum and I'll try my best.'

It's a boy! Earlier this month Georgia and Tommy announced they were expecting a baby boy as they shared a heartwarming gender reveal video with fans

In the video, Georgia addressed the viewers and said: 'Obviously we know what we're having but this is for you. Let's do a countdown'

During the clip, the Dementia UK ambassador - who will return to TOWIE filming in March - also shared her plans to have 'two or three children with an age gap of two to three years' and said she aims to move into her new home by March.

Georgia and Tommy, who have been dating for over six years, have also bagged their own ITVBe spin-off series that will give fans the chance to watch them as they become parents for the first time.

Unlike some of the show's couples that have had their relationships plagued with drama, the duo have stood by each other and maintained a strong romance over the years.

Expecting: The couple, who are due to welcome their baby in May, did a countdown from ten before Tommy burst the balloon and they cheered and shared a kiss

Surprise! Georgia posted the sweet video on her Instagram page

Georgia supported Tommy through his battle with mental health in 2018, when the entrepreneur admitted to not being able to leave the house amid his toughest days.

While they are not yet engaged, they did discuss the prospect of getting married during the latest series of TOWIE.

Social media star Georgia said: 'God, I'm with you for the rest of my life, that's mental isn't it? Like we're actually going to be together forever, that's long.'

Tommy added: 'I come in handy sometimes George. I'm needed in other ways, kids, marriage, you're not going to get married by yourself, are you?' to which Georgia replied: 'No and I am happy about it.'

Cute: Georgia was cradling her beloved pet dog Monkey and told him: 'You're having a brother! You'll be best friends forever!'

Alongside the post, she wrote: 'We ARE HAVING A ........ Thank you so much @bestdayeventsco for helping us create this!'

Waitrose will redirect surplus food from its suppliers' farms to families in need as part of a new trial in collaboration with charity FareShare.

Farmers who supply the retailer will divert over five million surplus apples, carrots, mushrooms, sprouts and more to the food charity.

The trial aims to provide over one million meals for vulnerable households struggling to put food on the table through lockdown.

From 1 March to 30 June, Waitrose will be providing funds to FareShare to contribute to the distribution of surplus food, which will take away handling costs from farmers.

This includes diverting food surplus directly from the supermarket chain's own farm on the Leckford Estate, in Hampshire.

Waitrose will also provide families with one million eggs, from Stonegate, and almost 22 tonnes of British beef, donated by Dovecote Park.

James Bailey, executive director of Waitrose, said the retailer wanted to help tackle UK food poverty 'right from the farm'.

While farm surplus is put to good use, we must do everything in our power to divert any edible food we can to families that need them during this pandemic.

"As the only supermarket to own and run its own farm, we know how much pressure farmers are under to keep the nation fed, so its vital this burden and cost does not rest on their shoulders.

"This is why we will be funding all handling costs until the end of June to get food on the plates of those that need it most."

FareShare has pioneered smaller projects with farmers, growers and producers to stop food waste through the charity's Surplus with Purpose scheme.

Since the pandemic started, FareShare has had to double the amount of food it distributes to meet the rising demand.
GlobeNewswire

TORONTO, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuuhubb Inc. (Kuuhubb or the Company) (TSX- V: KUU), a mobile game development and publishing company targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences, has reported its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Companys unaudited consolidated financial statements as at, and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and related managements discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The Companys financial year end is June 30. The information contained in this news release is unaudited. Highlights for the Three and nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: Revenues of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, on a combined basis for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).Recolor recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021; with trailing twelve-month revenue of US$4,635,529. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor.The production and development of Kuuhubbs upcoming new flagship product Tiles & Tales has progressed well during this time period and is planned for commercial launch later this calendar year. CEOs Message: Jouni Keranen, CEO of Kuuhubb Inc., commented, During this quarter our cost cutting initiatives resulted in Recolor returning to stable profitability, while investment into our Match-3 engine and flagship product Tiles & Tales creates potential for future growth. The Recolor divestment process, while slower than anticipated, is ongoing and our main focus is on preparation of our flagship product Tiles & Tales for commercial launch later this year. Financial Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: The Company generated a total of US$1,207,400 and US$4,043,054, respectively, combined revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, from continuing and discontinued operations(1).The Company recognized revenue of US$125,598 and US$515,547, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 from its continuing operations. This revenue was generated mainly from the subscriptions to, in-application sale of virtual goods from its My Hospital game and related advertising revenue.Recolor Oy recognized revenue of US$1,081,802 and US$3,527,507, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. Recolor revenue was classified as part of the discontinued operations(1).The Company incurred cost of sales of US$141,712 and US$376,088, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 in its continuing operations. The cost of sales is predominantly related to the application marketplace (such as Apple App Store and Google Play) fees and other third-party direct costs.The Company incurred consulting and professional fees of US$192,178 and US$594,051, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. These fees were related to Kuuhubbs audit fees, general legal counsel and other professional services.The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$396,032 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$389,638 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$1,341;net interest and accretion expenses of US$5,053; The Companys subsidiary Recolor Oy showed EBITDA of US$409,564 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the net income before tax from discontinued operations of US$393,243 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$3,968;net interest and accretion expenses of US$12,353; On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$465,992 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$781,412 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$5,947;non-cash share-based compensation of US$102,334;net interest and accretion expenses of US$417,795; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$6,946;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$424;foreign exchange gain of US$203,286 On a combined basis, the Company showed EBITDA of negative US$2,135,512 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 by adjusting the combined net loss before tax of US$3,227,650 with the following items:Add back of: non-cash depreciation and amortization of US$21,142;non-cash share-based compensation of US$373,138;net interest and accretion expenses of US$944,589; and deduct: non-cash fair value change of loan receivable from Valiance UG of US$91,712;the fair value change of derivative liability of US$24,226;foreign exchange gain of US$130,793 (1) Classification of Recolor Oy as held for sale and discontinued operations As part of the efforts to meet the Companys obligations and build growth, the Company announced it is exploring multiple strategic alternatives, including the divestiture of Company-owned assets such as shares of Recolor Oy. This may be completed within twelve months and as such the associated assets and liabilities within Recolor Oy are presented as held for sale and the net income attributable as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise indicated, the analysis and discussions herein are based on the Companys continuing operations consisting of the Companys My Hospital operation. Exercise of Warrants and Private Placement: In February 2021, 2,200,000 warrants (representing all outstanding common share purchase warrants of the Company) were exercised at a price of CAD$0.10 per common share. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$173,242 (C$220,000) upon the exercises of all of the Companys outstanding warrants common share purchase warrants. In March 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 8,705,334 common shares of the Company at a price of CAD$0.09 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$618,602 (C$783,500). Exploration of Strategic Alternatives to Enhance Shareholder Value On September 30, 2020, the Company announced that it has been conducting a process to explore strategic alternatives, including the potential divestiture of certain Company-owned assets, including the sale of Recolor Oy within the next twelve months. To date, the Company has executed confidentiality agreements with several parties who expressed an interest in receiving information about Recolor Oy and its business in connection with a possible transaction. There can be no assurance that the strategic alternatives review process will result in any strategic change or outcome and the Company does not know the exact timetable for the conclusion of its review of strategic alternatives. There can be no certainty that any potential transaction will emerge from this process. The process may result in a variety of outcomes or no outcome at all, and there can be no assurance that the Company will pursue or execute any specific action or transaction. The Company continues to operate in the normal course during the on-going process. The Company continues its efforts to secure a purchaser for Recolor and is in discussion with potential buyers. EBITDA - Non-IFRS Measure EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. We use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our businesses as they reflect their ongoing profitability. We believe certain investors and analysts use adjusted EBITDA to measure a companys ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the technology industry. We believe that certain investors and analysts also use EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our business. The Company calculated EBITDA as set out on page 2 and 3 of this press release. EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently. Therefore, the term EBITDA is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. About Kuuhubb Kuuhubb is a publicly listed mobile game development and publishing company, targeting the female audience with bespoke mobile experiences. Our Mission is to become a top player in the female mobile game space. We believe in empowering women by creating games and apps that will have our female audience relax, express and entertain themselves every day. Through our games and partnerships with select developers, we explore new lifestyle trends that can be converted into games and apps which will bring value to our users, employees, and shareholders. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kuuhubb has a global presence with a strong focus on U.S. and Asian markets. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information, including regarding the potential sale of Recolor OY and the planned launch of Tiles & Tales. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements relating to future revenue and development, growth of the Companys business) are forward looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other thing: risks related to the growth strategy of the Company; the possibility that results from the Companys growth plans will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the early stage of the Company's development; competition from companies in a number of industries; the ability of the Company to manage expansion and integrate acquisitions into its business, future business development of the Company; the ability of the Company to complete the sale of Recolor OY on terms which are economic or at all; the ability of the Company to complete the commercial development of its products; the ability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on its business segments, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Kuuhubb Inc.Jouni Keranen - CEOjouni@kuuhubb.comOffice: +358 40 590 0919 Bill Mitoulas Investor Relationsbill@kuuhubb.comOffice: +1 (416) 479-9547
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In the English spring of 1827, Sarah Lacey, a 19-year-old stocking frame operator from the town of Thurmaston in Leicestershire, met George Conquest, a 21-year-old canal worker. His narrow boat was moored at a lock near the lanes and alleys where she roamed in the evenings. The result of their dalliance was a baby, Eliza, born the same year and registered as illegitimate. By then George, ignorant of the pregnancy, had moved on, but he was pursued by the parish overseer for maintenance of the child. In 1829 he was convicted of stealing a piece of hemp  probably to pay an order for the weekly maintenance of a shilling  and sentenced to transportation to Australia. Thirty years on, having survived the usual privations of convict life, George prospered as a free man with property and a brickmaking business in Melbourne. He returned to England, sought out Sarah and brought her back to Australia. They were never parted again. Sarah Lacey is the great-great-grandmother of Carmen Callil, 82, founder of the UKs Virago Press, publisher of renowned writers and an author herself. The story of Sarah and George and the rest of Callils polyglot Australian clan is the slender narrative thread of her latest book, Oh Happy Day, a damning account of class and poverty in 19th-century England and the brutal imperialist settlement of Australia. One of the points of my book is to make Australians aware of their own history; if they were, they wouldnt listen to people like Tony Abbott for a second. Her publishers had contracted her to write her memoirs: But I wrote this instead, she says cheerfully. Pity the poor publishers, anticipating a racy, gossipy tale of life and love among the London literati and getting this scholarly, forensically researched, implacably angry book in its place. Fuelling her wrath is what she sees as the resurgence of those 19th-century miseries and inequalities in present-day Britain. In an interview with the Financial Times last year, she said that she hated England and wished shed never moved there.

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I didnt really say that, she corrects me over a Zoom call from her home in Londons North Kensington, her Melbourne accent still discernible 60 years after stepping off the boat. I meant the country is a big disappointment to me. It started, she says, with the 2008 financial crash and, two years later, incoming Tory chancellor George Osbornes program of austerity. Like my ancestors, people here have suffered terribly; everything was cut back and the welfare state chopped into smithereens. I see it in my local area, in the doctors surgery, at food banks; people are miserable and it outrages me! Shes not alone, I suggest. Am I not? I feel alone. Why did we then elect [Prime Minister] Boris [Johnson]? Wouldnt you be disappointed in a country that elected that buffoon? The trouble with these men from Eton and Oxford is that they are educated but they are not intelligent. Why are they looked up to? I stopped wanting Australia to win the Ashes. That was the extent of my rage. Would she have been better off in Australia, I wonder, under the yoke of leaders like Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison. Yes, well, she retorts stoutly, one of the points of my book is to make Australians aware of their own history; if they were, they wouldnt listen to people like Tony Abbott for a second. But I do think that looking up to people is not something Australians were raised to do. Does she mean what I call the toff glaze that comes over Brits when confronted by someone posh? She guffaws: Yes, exactly! Whats that about? When Australia voted to keep the monarchy [in the 1999 republic referendum], thats when I became British. Wasnt that a bit perverse? She ignores me and sails on: The other thing I did was I stopped wanting Australia to win the Ashes. That was the extent of my rage. In 2017, the Queen appointed Callil to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature. How did that sit with her as an avowed republican? Fifty or 60 per cent of the time I regret taking it, she says, not at all sheepishly, but it is useful for getting things done.

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Loading Her Irish Catholic mother Lorraine, she says, was raised to believe in independence and the freedom of Ireland: She had nothing against the Queen but she never discussed her. Her father, Frederick, had emigrated from Lebanon along with her uncles  big bellowers and shouters, they took to Australia like ducks to water  and her grandmother, a Maronite mountain woman. Growing up in Melbourne, Callil saw Australia as the centre of the universe. Not a little dingle-dangle attached to England; that was just a small place we had to feed. Nonetheless, after convent school and university, Callil upped and left. I was due to get married, have babies  preferably four  and hold Tupperware parties. So, along with Germaine Greer  two years below her at the convent  Clive James and others hungry for a different life, she headed for Europe, living for two years in Italy  divine  before settling in England. The 60s and 70s were marvellous, she says, I loved it all. She hung out with what she once described as an Australian mafia: Libertarian anarchists; some of us were hippies but most were writers, journalists or in television. We lived well, worked and drank hard. Working for Ink, an offshoot of Oz magazine, awakened her to feminism: In my memory, she wrote in The Guardian in April 2008, the lovely men of the left  treated us [women] like fluttering Tinkerbells, good for making tea and providing sex. She started Virago in 1973, To break a silence, to make womens voices heard, to tell womens stories, my story and theirs. Virago Modern Classics  with its distinctive green livery  followed, bringing into the light neglected authors such as Antonia Frost, Rosamond Lehmann and Elizabeth Taylor. I wanted Australians to realise that pretty much all of us are descended from the rubble and rejects of other countries. In September last year, a BBC radio show called The Reunion brought together several of Viragos former staff. Why was she not among them? She frowns: How do you know I wasnt? Because I listened to it and you werent there. Oh. Well, three of us refused to do it because first, it was a naff idea, and second, I was the wrong sort of person to start Virago; the women I hired to help me were north London feminists, severe, judgmental. My life was torture; I was so disapproved of by them.

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I note they complained later that you were dictatorial and always talked about I rather than we. I certainly did because it was my idea. This makes me smile; I do love a straight-talking Australian. Oh, everyone here always says, Carmen, youre so direct. The problem is that Australians speak English; if we spoke Russian or Serbo-Croat it would all be fine. The title of her latest book, Oh Happy Day, refers to the fortunes of former convicts like George Conquest and his relatives who escaped the hunger and misery of England and prospered in Australia: I love the idea that the bricks made by all those Conquests are in so many of Melbournes buildings. Loading But as she notes in her epilogue, there remains the unhappy story: of the British paupers who perished on the voyage or under the lash; of the national shame of Aborigines still walking the long road to justice; of refugees languishing in detention centres like Manus Island. Her great friend, the writer David Malouf, was an early reader of her book: He doesnt agree with my view of Australia; he is less disappointed. And he said my epilogue would outrage a lot of Australians. But I wanted them to realise that pretty much all of us are descended from the rubble and rejects of other countries. My Irish ancestors were persecuted by the English, my Lebanese ancestors were persecuted by the Muslims, my English forbears were the starving poor of the Industrial Revolution.

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Young father in distress shoots himself inside Ohio church, planned to rededicate life to God

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A young father in mental distress and whose family say was also trying to rededicate his life to God, shot himself inside an Ohio church where he went to get help Monday night.

He tried to commit suicide, Jennifer LyAnn Prewitt, the mother of the distressed father, Vincent Veloz, 25, of Celina, told The Christian Post on Wednesday.

Deputies from the Darke County Sheriffs Office told WHIOTV7 that Veloz went to speak with Pastor Tim Pol of Greenville Baptist Church on Monday evening, but things took a tragic turn as Veloz spoke with the pastor.

He came to speak with me and the further we talked, the further I realized where the conversation was going and it wasnt a good thing, Pol said in the report.

Veloz got up during his conversation with Pol and took an AR-15 from his car in the parking lot, prompting Pol to rush members who were inside the church for a Bible study to safety, police said.

I was already trying to call the police at that point, I was out here on the steps here but when I saw that, I went back inside and got all the folks that were in here downstairs to barricade themselves and all that  at the same time speak with the police and try to work with him, Pol explained in the report.

Veloz went inside the front entrance of the church while keeping the gun pointed at himself and demanding that anyone from the church be removed, according to a release from the sheriffs office.

Crisis negotiators and the Darke County Sheriffs Office Special Response Team arrived at the church at approximately 6:15 p.m. and tried to get Veloz to surrender for about three hours before he shot himself, according to police.

Greenville Baptist Church remained closed on Wednesday and officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CP.

While she is not sure what triggered her sons suicidal behavior, Prewitt explained to CP that he was involved in a car accident on Feb. 16 after celebrating at a party for his 1-year-old daughter.

On the 16th, the day of his daughters party, he was in a car accident. He got a concussion. He was taken to . hospital where they treated him for a concussion, gave him some medicine. He did not work that night because he was obviously in pain. He had broken his nose and stuff, she said.

Prewitt said Veloz returned to work at Ayden Healthcare of Greenville, where she also works, on Sunday night and colleagues noticed he was acting strange.

He was acting very strange and different and the nurse sent him to a hospital in Greenville and the doctor there was very upset because the medicine that they gave him was not for concussions and the pain medicine he was given he was having an allergic reaction to it. Thats what was making him so out of whack, Prewitt said. So he came home that morning (Monday) and that afternoon is what he did at the church. I dont know if it had anything to do with the medicine, concussion, personal issues he was having; I have no idea yet.

A change.org petition which describes Veloz as hilarious, loving, and kind said that he was suffering from depression and needs therapy and not prison time for his actions. He is currently in critical condition at Dayton hospital and deputies have charged him with aggravated burglary for trespassing at the church with a deadly weapon. The case is still under investigation and Veloz might face additional charges.

Vincent was struggling. He became severely depressed, having to split time with his 1-year-old daughter, who is undeniably his whole entire world. He attempted to get help, tried selling his gun, seeking a therapist. But was unsuccessful. (Proof publicly on his Facebook) On February 22, 2021, He went to his church with his gun in his hand, crying and asking forgiveness, and attempted suicide. Anyone who knows Vincent knows he would NEVER hurt anyone. He was only a threat to himself. He was so deeply depressed, wrote the organizer of the petition Brittanee Schaupp.

Prewitt, who had four children, is praying that her youngest son doesnt end up in jail. Just two years ago, her oldest son killed himself in the Darke County jail.

My oldest son killed himself in the Darke County jail two years ago. So this is very tragic for our family, especially in that jail where his brother took his life. What is that going to do to his mental status? the distraught mother asked.

I believe that putting him in prison and giving him a felony, who is somebody who has a CNA, he wants to go to nursing school, I dont think thats going help him. I think thats going to make it even worse because he needs some in-patient therapy, she said.

She further explained that she wasn't sure if he was alive or dead for two hours after her son was airlifted to the hospital.

He had a breathing tube. They were asking him about a DNR. He put on a paper that he wanted to be a DNR. Why would you ask somebody that question that tried to kill themself? Hes not in his right state of mind to make that decision.

"This is a kid who just tried to kill himself and I guess supposedly he put on a paper that he didnt want anybody to know he was there. He didnt want anybody to know about his situation, so we cant even call the hospital because hes not on the roster and weve not been able to get any information on how hes doing, Prewitt said. I want to fight. I could not save my oldest boy, but I will do everything in my power to save my son.

Prewitt has publicly apologized to Pastor Pol for what her son did at the church and she has spoken with him as well.

I talked to him (pastor) yesterday and it was a wonderful conversation. He said that me, my son, we had no reason to apologize. Vincent was never a danger to them; he just was hurting and wanted to be there to do it (end his life), Prewitt said.

She noted that her son had attended the church for a while but had stopped after moving away to another town. Before the accident, she said, he was getting ready to recommit his life to God.

He had gone there for the longest time and he stopped because he moved to another town, and then that week he decided to take his 1-year-old daughter to get to meet everybody there and his whole plan was to start going there and getting back in with God and getting that support, she explained.

The family is seeking to raise funds on a GoFundMe campaign to get legal and medical help for the ailing father.
This undated photo provided by Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar shows Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. She was shot when detectives serving a no-knock warrant busted into her apartment on March 13, 2020. Taylor's boyfriend fired at the officers, believing they were being robbed. (Photo provided by Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar via AP) PHOTO:Photo provided by Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar via AP

KY Senate Passes Bill to Limit No-knock Warrants

By The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - A bill that would limit the use of no-knock warrants has passed the Kentucky Senate unanimously.It's the latest effort to reform law enforcement tactics after police fatally shot Breonna Taylor in her Louisville apartment last year.Under the bill, no-knock warrants would only be issued if there was clear and convincing evidence that the crime alleged is a crime that would qualify a person, if convicted, as a violent offender.The warrants would have to be executed between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.Taylor was killed during a botched drug raid that occurred after midnight.Police had a no-knock warrant but said they announced their presence.The measure now awaits House input.

While almost every other TV actor has lately been lamenting how social media following is dangerously becoming the sole paramater for getting work on the small screen, Ravi Dubey and Nia Sharma hope the bubble will bust soon Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Feb 26 : While almost every other TV actor has lately been lamenting how social media following is dangerously becoming the sole paramater for getting work on the small screen, Ravi Dubey and Nia Sharma hope the bubble will bust soon.

"I think this numbers game on social media is crap. I keep seeing that on audition alert groups, messages get circulated that casting directors are looking for actors with a certain numbers of followers on Instagram and Twitter. But we are not social media influencer, we are actors. Right now the creative space is facing the social media bubble," Ravi told IANS.

Nia added: "I think social media does not help in the life of an actor in terms of fetching work, as oppose to what people think. Social media has only enabled us to show our real side beyond what our audience watch us on screen. It is just an opportunity to interact with fans. If someone thinks that an actor can be cast based on how hot they look and the image they have posted, it is a disillusion. An actor should remain an actor based on the work experience they have, and the skill set they have." The two actors appear on Jamai 2.0 Season 2, which also features Vin Rana, Sudhanshu Pandey and Priya Banerjee along with Achint Kaur. The show streams on ZEE5.
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Nothing says celebration quite like champagne. The region that gives the drink its name makes a fascinating place to visit, with its corduroy-striped vineyards, endless miles of underground cellars and passageways (125 miles beneath Reims alone), and an intriguing past, dating back to Roman times.

Whether you want to focus on the fizz or add a side serving of history, we have the lowdown on which of the hundreds of champagne houses are best to visit, and how to make the most of Reims and Epernay, the champagne capitals, and their surroundings. So lets raise a glass to the end of lockdown  and plan that celebratory trip!

REIMS: ROYALTY, ROMANS AND MICHELIN STARS

Reims cathedral, where most of France's kings were crowned. It features Marc Chagall stained-glass windows

Lets be honest: youre here for the bubbles. But before you start sipping, get a shot of history at Reims cathedral, where most of Frances kings were crowned and which today features Marc Chagall stained-glass windows (look for the one featuring vines).

Post-coronation banquets were held in the Palace of Tau next door, home to the golden ceremonial chalice, ermine robes and Charlemagnes talisman, a rather gaudy necklace found when the emperors body was exhumed.

A 20-minute walk across town takes you to the Basilica St Remi, with its magnificently carved tomb of the saint who baptised Clovis, the first king of France, in about 496.

Now youve earned some fizz, so its convenient that Taittingers champagne house is just up the road, with some interesting history of its own. Here, chalk mines created by the Romans quarrying for building material in the 4th Century were used 900 years later by monks from the St-Nicaise Abbey to store wine.

Support bubbles: The Veuve Clicquot vineyard in Reims. Veuve Clicquot was named after the widow who in 1805 became the first woman to run a champagne house

Stepping back in time: The grand staircase at Pommery that leads to 11 miles of ancient cellars beneath Reims

Spot the staircase from the cellars to the sacristy, three abbey doors and a St Jean the Baptist statue in the crypt; underground passageways apparently lead to the basilica and the cathedral. Look for First World War graffiti on the walls  like other champagne cellars, it was used for shelter, and had a wartime hospital and school. A trio of big-name champagne houses near Taittinger are both historically important to the drink and offer excellent visitor experiences. Expect to pay 25 for a champagne tour, with one tasting (taittinger.com).

Veuve Clicquot was named after the widow who in 1805 became the first woman to run a champagne house. Their excellent tour lets you sniff the differences between the three grape varieties used in champagne (pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay) with the aid of aromas puffed into the air.

Vranken-Pommery was also run by a widow. On realising that we Brits prefer less sugar in our champers, Madame Pommery instructed her cellar master to make Pommery Nature, the first brut in the history of champagne, in 1874. The 11-mile underground labyrinth of cellars reached via a monumental staircase is decorated with underground chalk reliefs, portraying Bacchus, Roman god of agriculture, wine and fertility, and his cohorts.

More contemporary art is on show at Ruinart, one of the first champagne houses, dating from 1729, which invites a different artist every year to create works inspired by wine. Both its cellars and Pommerys are also in Gallo-Roman mines  the importance of Reims to the Romans can be seen from the ornate archway the Porte Mars on the Place de la Republique. Nearby indoor market Les Halles du Boulingrin has plenty of places to refuel. Try Le Bocal for seafood plates at about 8 each, or Les Caves du Boulingrin. If you would rather avoid tourist traps, head instead to the Cafe du Palais with its Art Deco ceiling and tuck into a croque monsieur with truffles (13).

A short walk away is the Continental Hotel, which not only serves good food in a restaurant with a cool metallic bar and impressive ceiling, but which has some seriously swish bedrooms from 140 (continental-hotel.fr).

A room at Les Crayeres, which has two Michelin stars and is within walking distance of Pommery, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart

For a blow-out break, book either LAssiette Champenoise or Les Crayeres  the former has three Michelin stars and the latter two. Its all contemporary cool at LAssiette, with rooms from 285, a ten-minute drive from the city centre (assiettechampenoise.com).

Les Crayeres is within walking distance of Pommery, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart. Rooms from 350 (lescrayeres.com).

A budget option is the modern, comfortable Hotel Campanile Reims Centre with doubles from 63 (reims-centre-cathedrale.campanile.com).

EPERNAY: TUNNELS, TRAINS AND HOT-AIR BALLOONS

Epernays Avenue de Champagne, which is a Unesco World Heritage Centre site. The half-mile strip is home to magnificent champagne houses

Once known as the Faubourg de la Folie (Suburb of Folly), Epernays Avenue de Champagne is now a Unesco World Heritage Centre site thanks to the magnificent champagne houses lining the half-mile strip. Its a whos who of famous labels, including Moet & Chandon, Perrier-Jouet and Martel, meaning you can indulge in the worlds poshest bar crawl.

Moet & Chandon is a good place to start for a classic cellar tour: it has 17 miles of underground cellars. Mercier includes a train ride through its 11 miles of galleries with chalk reliefs (look for the scantily clad statue of Miss Mercier holding a glass  scandalous at the time). Marvel at the ginormous oak barrel that took 24 oxen to pull to the 1889 International Exposition in Paris as part of Eugene Merciers publicity stunt. The following year, he offered trips above the city in a Mercier branded hot-air balloon; today, you can rise above Epernay in a captive balloon.

For something even more special, try the art of sabrage  cutting the head off a champagne bottle with a sabre  at the other end of the road from Mercier at Comtesse Lafond, which gives lessons along with tastings in the ornate chateau.

Theres no need to leave the Avenue de Champagne to eat or sleep. One of the best places is Les Suites du 33 at Champagne de Venoge, which has tastings with tapas in its attractive stables bar, a chateau to tour and four contemporary suites in the former guardians house. Doubles from 235 a night (champagnedevenoge.com).

The Hotel de Venoge on Avenue de Champagne in Epernay. It has tastings with tapas in its attractive stables bar, a chateau to tour and four contemporary suites in the former guardians house

Just around the corner from the avenue is C Comme, a gorgeous little champagne shop-cum-bar, with an atmospheric musty cellar and modern tasting room that spills out on to the pavement in the summer. Try four glasses for 26.60, accompanied by light bites such as champenoise pate with grapes (8.50).

For something more substantial, La Table Kobus on rue Dr Rousseau serves delicious food such as prawns with celery remoulade and truffles in a restaurant with ornate ceiling and modern furnishings. Two courses 30 to 33.

If youd rather stay outside town, family-run Voirin Jumel in the premier cru village of Cramant (champagne-voirin-jumel.com) not only sells delicious champagne for 18.50 a bottle but has pleasant (albeit small) B&B rooms from 54.

At the other end of the scale, Royal Champagne, in rolling vineyards just outside Epernay, has a 25m pool and spa, an excellent rooftop restaurant, and rooms from 485 (royalchampagne.com).

Tour its sister company, biodynamic producer Leclerc Briant, which uses a gold barrel and terracotta eggs to mature its wine. Some of its champagne bottles are matured for 15 months in the sea to add depth to the flavour.

MONTAGNE DE REIMS: BOUZY, DIZY, AND DOM PERIGNON

A vine romance: A vineyard in the Montagne de Reims fields

If youre travelling by car, be sure to explore the area between Epernay and Reims  the Montagne de Reims, skirted by vineyards, and delightfully named villages such as Dizy and Bouzy. Start where it all began in Hautvillers, the so-called Cradle of Champagne and one of Frances prettiest villages. It was in the hillside Abbey of Hautvillers that the 17th Century cellar master Dom Perignon supposedly called out to his fellow monks come quickly, I am tasting the stars on sampling his first fizz.

While he didnt invent it, he did refine its production, with the help of Dom Ruinart. Both their tombs are in the church.

For your own taste of the stars, look in on local producer G Tribault. Or small champagne producer La Chevalee will give you a glass of its Pierre Fedyk label when you check in to one of the four modern rooms in earthy tones.

One of the four rooms in earthy tones at small champagne producer La Chevalee, where you can enjoy a glass of its Pierre Fedyk label

Theres a pool and you can rent electric bikes to explore. B&B from 125 (champagne-fedyk-chambres-hotes-hautvillers.com). Be sure to visit the restaurant and shop Au 36, which serves plates of delicious local specialities alongside its champagne.

Rested and refuelled, discover some of the more unusual sites and activities in Champagne.

West of Hautvillers, a guided quad bike or buggy tour will whoosh you through a sea of vines and stop at the First World War memorial at Dormans and at the 82ft statue of the 11th Century Pope Urban II in his birthplace of Chatillon-sur-Marne. Climb up and peer out of the hole in his armpit (festi-vallee51.fr).

North-east of Hautvillers, a lighthouse, the Phare de Verzenay, presides over the vines some 186 miles from the ocean. Originally built as a publicity stunt by Joseph Goulet in 1909 to advertise his champagne, it offers a fantastic view from the top of its 101 steps. It was an observation post in the Second World War.

The Phare de Verzenay lighthouse, which presides over vines some 186 miles from the ocean. It offers a fantastic view from the top of its 101 steps

If a village walk round Verzenay sounds a bit tame, try the treetop activity course at the nearby forest of Verzy, then celebrate your survival at the slick Perching Bar, reached via a series of suspended bridges. Beautifully created around an old oak tree, it features hanging chairs with suspended champagne buckets by their side.

Make a lunchtime pitstop at Michelin-starred Le Grand Cerf in Villers-Allerand and enjoy a weekday lunch menu for 39, including farm chicken in champagne sauce (le-grand-cerf.fr). The same price will give you three delicious courses at the Chateau de Sacy served in a gold and black dining room with superb views across the vines to Reims, and elegant bedrooms from 250 (chateaudesacy-reims.fr).

If youd rather self-cater among the vines, Cottages Antoinette in Chigny-les-Roses has three stylish wooden cabins with beds on a mezzanine level.

The owner, Antoinette, has created a village tour taking in local producers that can be visited on foot. Theres a hot tub with vine views and walks in the forest behind. From 200 (cottagesantoinette.com).
The Department of Education has issued new guidance on phrases teachers should avoid as schools return (Danny Lawson/PA)

Teachers have been asked to avoid using terms like "catch up" or "missed work" to avoid creating "unnecessary pressure and anxiety" for pupils returning to school, the Department of Education has said.

New guidance has been issued ahead of some pupils returning to classrooms on March 8, advising teachers of the importance of language and the impact it can have on children when referring to time spent homeschooling.

"The 'catch-up' narrative can place unnecessary pressure and anxiety on children," the guidance said.

"Language is important and frequent references to 'missed work' or 'lost time' or 'catch up' will potentially increase pupil anxiety."

Schools have also been advised to be open to "recovery conversations" about experiences of the pandemic when pupils return.

"Children will want space to talk about their Covid-19 related experiences and ideas but they also will need time to think about other things and get away from the dominance of the Covid-19 outbreak," the guidance said.

"Teachers may wish to reaffirm how well children have managed during the period of remote learning. Pupils in Years 1-3 will have had a wide range of experiences during lockdown; school should be a place where they feel immediately welcome, experience togetherness and see the critical role they play," it continued.

Pupils in primaries one to three and those in pre-school will be the first to fully return to class, followed by pupils in years 12-14 on March 22.

Pupils in other years have not yet been given a date of when they will return to school.

It's along with guidance for primary schools on the curriculum which states that the long-term effect of the "current unprecedented disruption on learning is difficult to estimate".

"The department appreciates that children will have had very different home experiences during the period of remote learning," the department said.

Schools can adapt the curriculum to meet the needs and interests of pupils as they returned to class, they added, while supporting children to "reconnect socially, build positive relationships and engage enthusiastically with learning".

"The vision is for a balanced day where children are able to play, are ready to learn and feel able to re-connect."

"Whilst it is important not to underestimate the task facing schools, evidence indicates that missed knowledge content in itself is not likely to be a long-term problem for pupils," the document said.

An initial focus will be getting pupils used to routine, interacting with others and sustaining concentration again.

"One of most significant consequences of remote learning for children is the lack of social development that comes with being part of the school community," it said.

"Positive relationships are vital for child development.

"Children may have experienced variety of loss during the pandemic, including the loss of relationships with their peers.

"Many relationships that were thriving, may need to be invested in and restored."

The department has also advised that physical education (PE) and outdoor play should be "central" for pupils after many children had reduced physical activity when out of school.

"The department recommends that schools should provide children and young people with at least two hours of curricular PE each week and this recommendation has never been more important," the guidance said.

Separate advice on the practical and logistical arrangements for the reopening of schools would be provided at a future date, said the department.
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The Yaba College of Technology (Yaba Tech) says arrangements have been concluded for the conduct of its Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

It said the examination would now hold virtually from March 16 to 22.

The Deputy Registrar and Head of Corporate Affairs of the institution, Joe Ejiofor, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

He noted that the decision was reached after a meeting of the institutions admission committee.

According to him, the measure has become necessary in a bid to observe the Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety protocol as spelt out by the federal government.

He stated that the institution, however, remained shut, following a COVID-19 scare, while online lectures for its undergraduates were ongoing.

The admission committee have just met and the outcome is that the post UTME for candidates seeking admission have been fixed for next month, but will be held online.

As we all know the COVID-19 protocol is still very much obtainable and observed, hence the decision for the examination to be written and monitored online for 2020/2021 academic session.

We expect the concerned candidates to make the best use of this development and the time in between, to do the needful and get themselves ready for the Post UTME, he stated.

He disclosed that only those who performed credibly in the examination would be considered for placement in the college for the 2020/2021 academic session.

According to him, the institution will make use of candidates data made available during the UTME, to get necessary information across to enable them to hook up on the portal for the test.

(NAN)


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WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden's proposed $15-an-hour minimum wage increase cannot remain in his coronavirus relief bill as written, the Senate's parliamentarian said Thursday, imperiling a major Biden campaign promise and top priority for the Democratic Party's liberal wing.

The ruling could be a major setback for liberals hoping to use Biden's $1.9 trillion relief bill as the vehicle for their long-sought goal of raising the federal minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 an hour. And it could create divisions in the party as some push Democratic leaders for dramatic action to get around the parliamentarian's ruling.

Democrats had been anxiously awaiting the decision, but their next steps are not clear. Liberals are already pressuring Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., to challenge the ruling on the Senate floor, although the White House has dismissed that idea.

Schumer released a brief statement Thursday night vowing to fight on, without saying how.

"We are deeply disappointed in this decision. We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families," Schumer said. "The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality."

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement that Biden was "disappointed in this outcome" but "respects the parliamentarian's decision and the Senate's process."

"He will work with leaders in Congress to determine the best path forward, because no one in this country should work full time and live in poverty," Psaki said. "He urges Congress to move quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan."

The ruling was made by Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a nonpartisan official who is little known outside Washington but may command tremendous influence over certain elements of Biden's agenda. Her ruling pertains only to the Senate, where the legislation will move forward under complex rules that prohibit certain items that don't have a particular impact on the budget. MacDonough determined that, as written, the minimum wage increase did not pass that test -- an outcome that had been predicted by a number of Democrats, including Biden himself.

Despite her ruling, the House is preparing to vote Friday to pass the stimulus relief package with the $15 minimum wage included and send it to the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement on Thursday.

"House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary," Pelosi said. "Therefore this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight for 15."

Pelosi's decision to pass the $1.9 trillion relief bill with the minimum wage language intact means Schumer will face a potentially consequential decision. He could take out the minimum wage language before putting the bill on the Senate floor, or try to keep it in the bill -- whether by challenging the parliamentarian's ruling or trying to rewrite the provision in such a way that it could pass muster under the Senate's complicated rules.

Schumer has not said what he will do. Liberals are pushing him and the Biden administration to try to overrule the parliamentarian's decision, which Democrats could attempt to do on the Senate floor.

"We said we'd raise the wage. Now, we need to deliver," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on Twitter. "We must be prepared to use every tool in our toolbox to get this done, whether it's overruling the parliamentarian if necessary or finally ending the filibuster. Not delivering is not an option."

But White House chief of staff Ron Klain has publicly ruled out trying to overrule the parliamentarian, and Democrats would not likely command the necessary votes to succeed anyway, since at least one Senate Democrat - Sen. Joe Manchin III, W.Va. - has said he would not vote to overrule the parliamentarian.

The Senate is divided 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, so Democrats need unanimity in their ranks to pass Biden's coronavirus relief legislation and overcome procedural hurdles like the minimum wage ruling. They are pushing the legislation forward over unified GOP opposition under a procedure called "budget reconciliation" that allows them to prevail with a simple majority, instead of the 60 votes normally required - but also limits what can be included in the package, such as the minimum wage increase.

Manchin and a second Senate Democrat, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona had indicated opposition to including the minimum wage increase in Biden's covid relief bill anyway, so even if the parliamentarian had allowed the minimum wage increase, it's not clear the provision would have been able to advance. Nevertheless, liberals had been holding out hope of being able to keep all Democrats on board to approve the overall bill with the minimum wage included.

If the Senate sends the legislation back to the House without the minimum wage increase, liberals in that chamber will have to decide whether to vote for it anyway. The legislation does include many other items Democrats widely support, including an increased child tax credit, a new round of $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals, increased and expanded unemployment insurance, and hundreds of billions of dollars for cities and states, schools, vaccinations and testing.

The House has advanced stand-alone minimum wage increase bills in the past, but it's highly unlikely the Senate would agree to such legislation - at least not at the $15-an-hour level liberals support.

One possibility is to find compromise at a lower level - Manchin has endorsed $11 an hour - and then to try to get it in the bill in a different way, for example by crafting it more narrowly.

Several liberal Democrats said Thursday they need to do whatever it takes to raise the minimum wage - including eliminating the filibuster, the 60-vote rule that gives the minority party enormous sway in the Senate. Manchin and Sinema have said publicly they oppose taking that step.

"We still need to pass the minimum wage, and if that means getting rid of the filibuster, so be it," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

- - -

The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis contributed to this report.
A new Amnesty International report states that in late November, soldiers from Eritrea who had been fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia entered the city of Axum and "systemically killed hundreds of unarmed civilians" in a "massacre that may amount to a crime against humanity."

Amnesty International interviewed 41 witnesses and survivors for the report. There have long been tensions between the Ethiopian federal government and leaders in Tigray, and in early November, members of the national military began clashing with Tigrayan forces. The Ethiopian government denies that Eritrean soldiers are in the country, contradicting newly appointed members of Tigray's interim government. Eritrea's government has called The Associated Press' earlier reporting of the Axum massacre "outrageous lies."

Witnesses told Amnesty International that on Nov. 19, Ethiopian and Eritrean military forces took control of Axum after waging a large-scale offensive. Over the course of nine days, soldiers executed people and looted stores, hospitals, and homes. After a small group of local militia members attacked their base, the soldiers began opening fire in the streets and raiding homes.

The worst violence occurred on Nov. 28 and 29, before the annual Axum Tsion Mariam festival. Witnesses told Amnesty International unarmed civilians were shot as they ran from soldiers, and others were taken from their homes, lined up, and executed. Most of the victims were men. "All we could see on the streets were dead bodies and people crying," one witness said.

"The evidence is compelling and points to a chilling conclusion," said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's director for East and Southern Africa. "Ethiopian and Eritrean troops carried out multiple war crimes in their offensive to take control of Axum." Muchena added that this "atrocity ranks among the worst documented so far in this conflict. Besides the soaring death toll, Axum's residents were plunged into days of collective trauma and violence, mourning, and mass burials." Since fighting began in the region, Tigray has largely been cut off from the outside world, and Amnesty International is calling on the Ethiopian government to let in humanitarian workers, human rights groups, and journalists.

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I think we should build a nuclear plant by Ron Nirenbergs house.

That nugget came from a San Antonio mayoral candidate during a Tuesday night debate hosted by The Restoring Church. For the sake of our citys self-image, Id like to tell you that it was the weirdest moment of the mayoral debate, but Im not sure it was.

After all, the debate began with the organizers placing a huge poster of a masked and mittened Bernie Sanders on one of the candidate chairs, with a speech bubble over Sanders head that asked, Where Is Ron?

It ended with the candidates being asked whether theyd like to compete against Nirenberg in a salsa, two-step or break-dance contest.

Former Councilman Greg Brockhouse, Nirenbergs most serious challenger, put any doubts to rest on that final question: Im a child of the 80s: break-dance.

The Where Is Ron? poster was a huge hit with the debate crowd, which seemed to delight in any ridicule directed at the absent mayor.

Denise Gutierrez-Homer, an East Side businesswoman, contended that Nirenberg tried to buy off San Antonians  still reeling from last weeks freezing temperatures, power blackouts and loss of water  with tacos when he partnered last Saturday with local restaurants to pick up 1,000 lunch tabs.

Retired teacher Gary Allen, the same candidate who semi-jokingly recommended putting a nuclear reactor next to the mayors home, responded to a question from Restoring pastor Darryl Crain about how he would deal with the possibility of radicalized groups taking over the city.

Let me ask Bernie that question, Allen said, as he stuck his microphone in the direction of Sanders image.

The entire evening was a showcase for San Antonio social conservatives, who dont have much power in city elections, but make plenty of noise on the local political scene.

One of the recurring themes of the debate, most often voiced by Brockhouse, is that this is San Antonio, not San Francisco or Austin. When a debate question referenced some liberal action taken in another community, Brockhouse would basically say that it couldnt happen here, because, after all, it wouldnt align with our San Antonio values.

Its one of the fascinating elements of this city that social conservatives think they represent the majority view, regardless of how much evidence flies in the face of that theory.

In the Nov. 2020 presidential election, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden carried Bexar County by more than 18 percentage points over Republican incumbent Donald Trump.

In 2018, Democratic Senate candidate Beto ORourke carried the county by more than 20 percentage points over GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.

In addition, the mayors office and nine of the 10 San Antonio council seats are held by progressives or progressive-leaning individuals.

Crain, one of the two debate moderators, is not only an ardent Trump fan, but a firm believer in the conspiracy theory that Democrats stole the 2020 election with fraudulent mail ballots.

During a pro-Trump rally last Nov. 29, Crain told the crowd that something spiritual, something demonic had been attempted during the election and the Almighty was going to set things right.

God is about to do something in this nation that we have never seen before, Crain said.

Given this mindset, it was hardly surprising that several of the debate questions seemed geared more to social wedge issues than municipal government policies.

For some reason, candidates were asked for their take on a California state law that questioner Samuel Morales said has significantly lowered the penalties for adults who have sex with minors that are 10 years younger than the perpetrators. (In truth, the California law was an effort to create sentencing fairness for LGBTQ individuals.)

Well, this is definitely not California, Gutierrez-Homer said to appreciative whoops from the crowd.

The most frustrating part of the night was the way candidates distorted basic facts.

They took turns blaming Nirenberg for shutting down an entire city over the COVID-19 pandemic, when the mayor actually has no power to mandate restrictions that are in conflict with orders from Gov. Greg Abbott.

The candidates also blamed Nirenberg for last weeks blackouts, which were imposed on local utilities across Texas by the states grid operator. One candidate talked about the need for a border wall, something which has nothing to do with the mayors office.

Brockhouse tried to project a statesman-like aura, stressing the need for compassion for the homeless and vigilant containment of the pandemic, but arguing that these things should not be achieved by City Hall mandate.

In a crowd of extremists, its not all that hard to be the statesman.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Silvers

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - The United States is seeking the death penalty against the husband of a Fort Campbell soldier that died in an off-duty shooting in 2018.On Thursday, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett announced the United States has filed a Notice of Intent to seek the death penalty for Victor Everette Silvers in connection with the death of Brittney Niecol Silvers.Victor was indicted by a federal Grand Jury Tuesday on a charge first-degree murder. He is additionally being charged with attempted first-degree murder, domestic violence, violation of a protection order, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and two counts of the use/carry/discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.At the time of Brittney's death, she was assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion at Fort Campbell.On the Net:
A judge in Oregon has upheld Miss USAs policy banning trans women from competing in the beauty pageant, on the same day the Equality Act passed in the House of Representatives.

Anita Noelle Green was the first trans contestant for Miss Montana and was the titleholder for Miss Elite Earth Oregon 2019. But for the Miss USA pageant, she was deemed not good enough.

Green was banned from Miss USA on the basis that she is not a natural-born female. So she sued the competition in December 2019, claiming its gender identity discrimination violated Oregons public accommodations act, which says Oregonians have right to full and equal accommodations without any discrimination on account of race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

Greens legal team also argued her exclusion from Miss USA infringes on her first amendment rights to free speech and free association.

Watch: Demi Lovato Slams Gender Reveal Parties for Being Transphobic

However, district judge Michael Mosman sided with the pageant. He ruled Miss USA is an expressive organisation, rather than a commercial one, so it has a first amendment right to its message and isnt required to change it.

He made this ruling on the same day that the US House passed the Equality Act, which would prohibit any discrimination based on an individuals sexual orientation or gender identity.

Green told OregonLive in a statement that she was disappointed in the ruling, but her lawsuit drew attention to an important issue even if it wasnt ultimately successful.

This case brought awareness to an issue many people were and still are unaware of and that issue is that discrimination against transgender people is still actively happening in the private and public sector even within the pageant circuit, Green said.

Anita Noelle Green. (Instagram/Anita Noelle Green)

Miss USA claims it supports diversity and isnt anti-trans

John T Kaempf, who represented Miss USA, praised the ruling, saying his client is not anti-transgender, but it wants to be able to hold a pageant that is only for biological females.

Story continues

He told OregonLive after the ruling: Contrary to what people might think, my client, the pageant, is a supporter of diversity.

It believes there can be a Miss Black USA pageant, a Miss Native American pageant or a transgender pageant.

Greens lawyers argued she was excluded from participating in Miss USA because of an express discriminatory eligibility policy requiring contestants to be natural born female.

In the court documents, her lawyers argued: This policy, intentionally designed to exclude the specific class to which [Green] belongs  transgender females  is discriminatory because it denied [Green] the full and equal advantages and privileges of [Miss USAs] services in violation of Oregons public accommodations law.

Miss USAs motion to dismiss Greens discrimination claims said the pageants mission is geared towards natural-born women and including Greene would undermine its vision and mar its message of biological female empowerment.

Miss USAs legal team also continuously misgendered Green in their submissions. The court documents presented on behalf of the beauty pageant refer to Green as a biological male who identifies as female and a man who identifies as a woman.

Watch: Who Supported You When You Came Out? | Reality Check With Baga, Blu and Vinegar
Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the state. The directive comes afte...

Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the state.





The directive comes after more than 300 students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Talata-Mafara local government area of the state, were abducted by gunmen on Friday.

In a broadcast on Friday evening, Matawalle extended his sympathy to the families of the abducted girls, while assuring them of the commitment of the state government to ensure their speedy rescue.

I wish to assure everyone that we are wholly committed to ensuring a speedy rescue of our dear schoolgirls and reuniting them with their families. Since when I received the sad news, I have been making contacts with the security agencies and other relevant individuals and groups towards rescuing these girls, he said.





Currently, police helicopters and other search-and-rescue operatives have been deployed to the area. Members of the public, and most especially the parents and guardians, would be kept informed of developments with regard to this all-important mission.

As a father, I feel the pains of the parents and guardians of the abductees. My heart is with you at this moment and will always be with you throughout the rescue mission. I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the parents and guardians to exercise more patience and continue to pray for the success of the ongoing rescue mission.

As we are making efforts to strengthen security around our schools, I have directed the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools across the state.

Noting that the period was not the time to trade blame, Matawalle said the recent twist in the spate of banditry has necessitated the need for the adoption of a uniform strategy across all affected states.

Despite this seeming setback, my administration will ever remain focused on its strategy of disarmament. A single bullet in the hands of the non-state rogue elements could result in severe harm to the innocent. I am of the conviction that the large cache of assorted weapons recovered through the disarmament process has made Zamfara state safer, despite the recent unfortunate incidents, Matawalle said.

We can only defeat this formidable challenge through a united response. Politics or any other difference should not stand in the way of the fight against insecurity.

I appeal to the people of the state to remain calm and resist the evil machinations of those who would want to exploit the current situation to achieve political ends. I also call on people to be more security conscious and report any suspicious individual or activity to the relevant authorities.

While we remain appreciative of the efforts by the federal government in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the state, I wish to appeal for more support towards combating this challenge, most especially with the new trend the challenge is assuming.
In 2018, around a decade after his first feature, the Rwandan drama Munyurangabo, opened to rave reviews at Cannes, Lee Isaac Chung was this close to ditching the capricious life of an indie filmmaker for the presumably more comfortable life of a film professor. I was hitting 40, and I realized I needed to just move on in life and do something practical, he said.

Chung had already taken a position teaching screenwriting at the University of Utahs South Korean campus in Incheon, but he felt he had one last screenplay in him. I tried to put everything I could into that script, he said.

That supposedly final hurrah became Minari, a coming-of-age story inspired by Chungs experiences growing up the son of Korean-American immigrants in rural Arkansas during the 1980s. In the film, Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead) and the South Korean actress Yeri Han play an immigrant couple who, like Chungs own parents, moved to Arkansas to pursue the husbands starry-eyed dream of running his own vegetable farm; irrigation issues, marital strife and Grandma, newly arrived from Korea, soon follow.

After making movies in Rwanda, North Carolina and New York City, Chung may have achieved his biggest success to date by returning to the single-wide mobile home of his youth (14 feet across in the movie). We used to dream about the double-wide, he said.
A team of prosecutors tasked with checking the fairness of thousands of convictions obtained by the Bexar County District Attorneys Office has a new director.

Matthew Howard now is in charge of the Conviction Integrity Unit, District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales announced Thursday.

On ExpressNews.com: A second chance: Benavides victims speak out

Howard, 33, previously an assistant district attorney, joined the DAs office in 2013 and has worked with the CIU since 2015.

He replaces his former boss, Alison Dahlberg, who left to work for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin to pursue her first love of appellate work, Gonzales said during a Zoom news conference.

Howard will lead a unit of three attorneys, including himself, and a paralegal.

This division grades our paper to make sure these convictions have integrity, not just convictions obtained during our administration, but those that occurred before, Gonzales said. No division is as important as the Conviction Integrity Unit.

The division reviews convictions to make sure they were sound and based on solid evidence and testimony, not junk science or the questionable veracity of witnesses who might have been coerced.

Howard said it is a great feeling to be able to inspire confidence in the criminal justice system by righting wrongs.

On ExpressNews.com: Ex-San Antonio lawyer found guilty on all counts in sex trial

Our oath as prosecutors requires us to strive to root out manifest injustice at all stages of a criminal proceeding, and we have a duty to ensure that no innocent individual sits in prison for a crime they didnt commit, he said.

Gonzales pointed to several victories Howard has been a part of in his years with the CIU.

The highest-profile cases the CIU continues to investigate are the ones involving Mark Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer convicted in 2018 of human trafficking for forcing clients into having sex with him, threatening them with prison time if they did not.

On ExpressNews.com: Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex

In a three-week trial held in Floresville on a change of venue, testimony from six women established that Benavides, when he was representing them against prostitution and other charges, would force them to have sex with him in a downtown motel while being videotaped.

Investigators seized hundreds of videos from his home, which were shown only to the jury at trial. Benavides was sentenced to 80 years in prison.

The CIU, working with the Bexar County Public Defenders Office, has assisted Benavides victims in obtaining dismissals and expunctions of cases for which they were found guilty.

Both are still seeking potential victims of Benavides, who was known to not only harass his clients, but their female relatives as well, officials said.

Potential victims of Benavides are urged to call 210-335-0701.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863

Transparency: Mairead McGuinness said the proposal in no way seeks to modify fiscal rules. Photo: Delmi Alvarez/European Commission/Bloomberg

Ireland and a coalition of EU allies have failed in a bid to halt talks on a draft multinational tax plan.

The proposal, which would force large corporations to publish the tax they pay in each EU country, has been hamstrung by divisions since it was first proposed in 2016.

Ireland and its allies Cyprus, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta and Sweden lodged a complaint about the draft at a meeting of EU ministers on Thursday.

They said they have ongoing concerns about a move to use majority voting to agree it, removing the national veto on tax matters.

EU financial services chief Mairead McGuinness said the law concerns company accounts rather than tax, and so can be decided by majority voting under EU treaties.

The proposal is exclusively a transparency measure, which aims to restore citizens trust in the fairness of the tax system, she told EU ministers on Thursday. The proposal in no way seeks to modify the fiscal rules applicable to companies, nor to enforce fiscal rules at EU or national level.

The proposal is supported by at least 17 EU countries, including Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Austria. Germany's position is not yet clear.

Oxfam Ireland CEO Jim Clarken said it was really disappointing that Ireland voted against this basic tax transparency measure.

Read More

Danish business minister Simon Kollerup said on Thursday that it was about time large companies were taken to task over their tax affairs.

"Multinational companies have the resources to engage in aggressive tax planning and tax evasion. We need to create incentives for more responsible tax conduct.

But Ireland and its six allies, backed by Estonia and Croatia, fear that using majority voting in this case could set a precedent for future tax laws.

The minister of state for trade promotion, Robert Troy, told his EU counterparts on Thursday that rules for multinationals should be left to international tax experts, such as the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The rules, if agreed by MEPs, would apply to companies operating in the EU  even if headquartered abroad  with a consolidated global turnover of more than 750m.

Companies would have to make public information such as net turnover, pre-tax profits, accumulated earnings and tax paid in each EU country in which they operate.

Similar rules are already in place for banks and for oil, gas, mining and logging companies, and the OECD published non-binding standards in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to raise corporation tax from its current rate of 19pc when he unveils his budget next week.

Mr Sunaks budget will have to respond to a massive rise in Covid-related spending over the last year, and cope with an ongoing lockdown.

Officials working on the budget told the Financial Times that Mr Sunak will keep business taxes competitive with G7 allies such as the US, Canada, Germany and France.

US president Joe Biden has announced his intention to raise corporate tax from 21pc to 28pc.
Instead, state government is largely dedicated to propping up a broken retirement system, forcing dollars for the needy to compete with dollars for pensioners. The benefits promised are too expensive. Theyre more than what taxpayers are willing to prop up, which is why you saw the crash of the Pritzker tax amendment and an exodus of residents tired of being saddled with the states debts.

Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Accredited Certificate Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,202 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 1,202 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Accredited Certificate Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-accredited-certificate-programs/

2021 Accredited Certificate Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Arkansas State University

Baker University

Bismarck State College

Boston University

Bristol Community College

California Southern University

Champlain College

Charter Oak State College

Christian Brothers University

Coastal Pines Technical College

Coastline Community College

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Cornell University

Dakota State University

Dickinson State University

Duke University

Farmingdale State College

Ferris State University

Georgetown University

Georgia Northwestern Technical College

Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Harvard University

Johnson & Wales University

Keiser University

Lamar University

Louisiana State University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Michigan State University

Mississippi College

North Central Missouri College

Pamlico Community College

Penn Foster College

Regent University

Regis University

Rutgers University

Sam Houston State University

Santa Rosa Junior College

Shepherd University

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern Regional Technical College

Stanford University

University of New Mexico

University of Cincinnati

University Of Illinois, Springfield

University of Kansas

University of Notre Dame

University of Puget Sound

University of Washington

Washtenaw Community College

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Zillow is no longer just an online platform for browsing available homes or for creeping on the value of your neighbor's house. In recent years, the company has also begun actually buying, fixing up and selling homes itself through a new division called Zillow Offers  a major shift in its business model.

On Thursday, the company announced a new feature aimed at streamlining the process for homeowners considering selling to Zillow.

For certain homes, Zillow's "Zestimate"  the online estimate of the home's value  will now represent an initial cash offer from the company to buy the property. That could mean an even quicker timeline for homeowners looking to close a sale without going through the hassle of a formal listing, or a source of helpful data for would-be sellers who want to know how much money they'll have to buy their next house.

For Zillow, this new feature is just the latest step in transforming itself from a hub for online real estate data to what it's calling "Zillow 2.0," a one-stop-shop for home searching, buying and selling. Zillow also offers connections to nearby real estate agents, as well as home loans.

"This is all about taking those steps toward more of that one-click nirvana," COO Jeremy Wacksman told CNN Business. "(It's about) making the real estate transaction experience more seamless, more easy, more integrated."

Zillow Offers has been around since 2018 and is now available in 25 markets around the country, ranging from Tampa, Florida, to Fort Collins, Colorado. Typically, homeowners in those locations can submit a questionnaire and, in some cases, photos of their homes, and will receive an initial cash offer from Zillow within several days. With the new Zestimate cash offer feature, eligible homeowners can skip past that process.

From there, the transaction works the same as with other Zillow Offers  a Zillow employee inspects the home, provides a list of needed repairs and an adjusted final offer and the homeowner can pick a closing date. Zillow charges sellers a fee of about 7.5% on average.

Zestimate initial cash offers will be available in 23 markets to start. For a growing set of properties in those markets, Zillow has enough data on the home and others like it that it feels confident making the Zestimate its initial cash offer, Wacksman said. For example, if you live in a neighborhood where all of the homes are similar and many have recently been sold, Zillow would have an easier time determining an accurate Zestimate for your home.

The real estate world has sometimes criticized Zestimates and other online home value estimate tools for not representing the true market value of a property. But Zillow says its pricing algorithm is reliable. For homeowners who decline Zillow's cash offer, the difference between Zillow's offer and what they end up selling for is typically less than 1%, Wacksman said.

"Our goal is to make market value offers and get the Zestimate exactly right for what your home is worth," he said. "And then we take on the selling process if you don't want to do all that work yourself."

Zillow's home buying and selling business has grown rapidly since it was launched just over two years ago, but it's not yet profitable. In 2020, the segment brought in $1.7 billion in revenue, but posted a loss of more than $320 million. But Wacksman said the company is more focused on growing the business than turning a profit at this point, trying to scale it to where Zillow can cover fixed costs and grow profit margins on each home and the adjacent services, like mortgages.

"We're still in investment and growth mode," he said. "(Right now), we are attempting to break even on each unit ... we're trying to make market value offers for what it costs us to buy and sell homes."
This year should be decisive for the finalization of the free trade agreement between Ukraine and Turkey. Once it is signed, it will be easy to double trade turnover up to $10 billion.

This was discussed at the first meeting of the recently established Joint Ukraine-Turkey Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"We assume that this year should be decisive for the finalization of the [free trade] agreement. The Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry should become an important systemic informal element in the cooperation between Ukrainian and Turkish business which will ensure prompt communication between business circles, provide reliable and up-to-date information," said Yagmur Ahmet Guldere, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Ukraine.

The diplomat pointed out that the Ukraine-Turkey trade had reached $5 billion last year and there was a potential for its increase.

"Our goal is a turnover of $10 billion. The conclusion of the free trade agreement will allow achieving this figure easily," the Ambassador said.

He also stressed that 1 million Ukrainian citizens had visited Turkey last year despite the pandemic, being not only the result of the tourism sector activity but also a sign of Ukrainians commitment.

In his speech, Co-Chair of the Ukrainian side Serhiy Savchuk outlined the tasks of the Ukraine-Turkey Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including the collection of new ideas for trade, investment, and joint Ukraine-Turkey activities in various areas.

Co-Chair of the Turkish side Ozer Matl noted in his speech that the relations at the level of heads of state, at the level of business between the countries were built in a very positive and active way and continued to strengthen. According to him, construction is the most successful areas of bilateral cooperation so far.

ol
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The global commodity plastics market size is anticipated to reach $651.8 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period, according to a report published by Polaris Market Research. The report Commodity Plastics Market [By Product Type (PE, PP, PVC, PET, PS) By Application (Automotive, Consumer Goods, Electronics, Packaging, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles), By Regions & Segments Forecast, 2018  2026 provides an extensive analysis of present market dynamics and predicted future trends.

The market is anticipated to significantly witness a considerable growth during the forecast period on account of rapidly rising demand for high performance end-use products such as lightweight packaging materials. In addition, the improving economic parameters and improvised standards of living in emerging counties are likely to be the crucial drivers which have flourished the market growth.

Demand for commodity plastics has also grown on account of increase in the metal prices. The global plastic industry has been forced to focus on innovation concerning biodegradability of plastics as many nations have banned the use of plastics that is non-biodegradable. Also, light-weight electric vehicles have increasingly gained significance which in turn has further strengthened the demand for the electric vehicles.

Get sample copy of this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/commodity-plastics-market/request-for-sample

Commodity plastics indicate higher scope of applications across numerous end-use industries as these are supplied in bulk and have excellent chemical properties. In addition, these can be utilized for numerous applications such as packaging, garbage containers, photography, clothing, and magnetic tapes among many. These are also applied in industries such as consumer goods, automotive, manufacturing, packaging, electronics, construction, textiles, and pharmaceutical.

Based on product-type the market is bifurcated into Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and others. Among them, PE is the most extensively used and product-type with highest demand. This is due to its chemical & physical properties such as their simple structure, insensitivity to a majority of solvents, and high electrical resistance. Also, these bulk plastics are readily available and at lower costs.

On the basis of application, the market has been segmented into consumer goods, automotive, electronics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and others. Among all the application segments, packaging sector holds highest market share and is anticipated to remain same during the forecast period. The most crucial reason behind such dominance is the rapidly growing demand for such bulk plastics by the manufacturing industry for the production of high-end packaging products and plastic goods.

The Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the largest and fastest-growing regional player for the market This is mainly due to the rapidly increasing living standards of the growing middle-class. The middle-class population in the developing countries of this region are increasingly seeking for even higher standards of living, and are likely to spend heavily on electronic appliances, packaged goods, clothing automobile, other goods that make use of commodity plastics in some or the other way.

Competitive Landscape and Key Vendors

The global commodity plastics market is characterized by presence of numerous multinational and domestic players. Th industry is fairly concentrated in nature. Some of the established market players in the industry include Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Dow Chemicals, BASF SE, SABIC, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, INEOS, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Formosa Plastics Corporation, and LG Chem Ltd.

The established market players are actively involved in the increasing number of R&D activities in order to manufacture innovative plastic products. In addition, these players are also striving hard to enhance their existing product portfolio to stay equivalent to their level of competitors.

Browse for full research summary: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/commodity-plastics-market

Polaris Market Research has segmented the global commodity plastics market on the basis of product, application and region:

Commodity Plastics by Product Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2015  2026)

 Polyethylene (PE)

 Polypropylene (PP)

 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

 Polystyrene (PS)

 Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

 Others

Commodity Plastics by Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2015  2026)

 Automotive

 Consumer Goods

 Electronics

 Packaging

 Pharmaceuticals

 Textiles

 Others

Commodity Plastics by Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2015  2026)

 North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

 Europe

o Germany

o UK

o France

o Rest of Europe

 Asia-Pacific

o China

o India

o Japan

o Rest of Asia-Pacific

 Latin America

o Brazil

o Rest of Latin America

 Middle East and Africa

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

Avail discount on this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/commodity-plastics-market/request-for-discount-pricing

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide our customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities.

Contact us-

Polaris Market Research

Phone: 1-646-568-9980

Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com

Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com
MEXICO CITY  The number of monarch butterflies that showed up at their winter resting grounds in central Mexico decreased by about 26% this year, and four times as many trees were lost to illegal logging, drought and other causes, making 2020 a bad year for the butterflies.

The government commission for natural protected areas said the butterflies population covered only 5.2 acres in 2020, compared to 6.9 acres the previous year and about one-third of the 14.95 acres detected in 2018.

Because the monarchs cluster so densely in pine and fir trees, it is easier to count them by area rather than by individuals.

Gloria Tavera, the regional director of Mexicos Commission for National Protected Areas, blamed the drop on extreme climate conditions, the loss of milkweed habitat in the United States and Canada on which butterflies depend, and deforestation in the butterflies wintering grounds in Mexico.

Illegal logging in the monarchs wintering rounds rose to almost 33 acres, a huge increase from the 1 acre lost to logging last year.

Jorge Rickards of the WWF environmental group acknowledged the lost trees were a blow but said the logging is very localized in three or four of the mountain communities that make up the butterfly reserve.

In addition, wind storms, drought and the felling of trees that had fallen victim to pine beetles or disease caused the loss of another 17 acres in the reserve, bringing the total forest loss in 2020 to 51 acres. That compares to an overall loss of about 12.3 acres from all causes the previous year.

Tavera said the drought was affecting the butterflies themselves, as well as the pine and fir trees where they clump together for warmth.

The severe drought we are experiencing is having effects, Tavera said. All the forests in the reserve are under water stress, the forests are dry.

The butterflies are looking for water on the lower slopes, near the houses, she noted.

Tavera also expressed concern about the severe winter storms in Texas, which the butterflies will have to cross  and feed and lay their eggs  on their way back to their northern summer homes in the coming months.

This is a cause for worry, Tavera said, referring to whether the monarchs will find enough food and habitat after the winter freeze.

It was also a bad year for the mountain farming communities that depend for part of their income on tourists who visit the reserves. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, visits fell from around 490,000 last year, to just 80,000 in the 2020-2021 season.

Environmentalist and writer Homero Aridjis, who grew up around the reserve, said the decline in butterflies and rise in logging was not surprising, given the reduction in Mexican government funding for protected natural areas and environmental work.

While the reserves were closed to tourism during practically the whole [winter] season, the way was open for loggers, with no control, Aridjis said. The question is, can the monarch migration survive this environmental negligence?

The U.S. group Center for Food Safety called for the monarchs to be granted endangered species protection, noting the minimum population threshold needed to be out of the danger zone of extinction is six hectares.

It was unclear whether the drop in tourism income contributed to the increased logging. Rickards said there has long been pressure on the areas forests from people who want to open land for planting crops.

Felipe Martinez Meza, director of the butterfly reserve, said there have been attempts to plant orchards of avocados  hugely profitable crop for farmers in the area  in the buffer zones around the reserve.

The high mountain peaks where the butterflies clump in trees are probably a bit above the altitude where avocado trees like to grow, Martinez Meza said. But the buffer zones provide protection and support for the higher areas, and he said more must be done to combat the change in land use.

Frequently, illegal logging is carried out by outsiders or organized gangs, and not by the farm communities that technically own the land.

Millions of monarchs migrate from the U.S. and Canada each year to forests west of Mexicos capital. The butterflies hit a low of just 1.66 acres in 2013-2014.

Loss of habitat, especially the milkweed where the monarchs lay their eggs, pesticide and herbicide use, as well climate change, all pose threats to the species migration.

While there was plenty of bad news for the butterflies  very few showed up to some historic wintering sites like Sierra Chincua  there was the welcome news that a new wintering site was discovered nearby, in a mountaintop near the Lagunas de Zempoala protected area, near Mexico City.

Tavera said the wintering site had always been there but was so difficult to reach that it wasnt discovered until earlier this month.

Mark Stevenson of The Associated Press wrote this story.
The company received the patent for its anagrelide product during the period, as well as TGA approval for its ZolpiMist treatment for insomnia.

MedPharm has been contracted to optimise the oral formulation of Anagrelide

( ) (FRA:E4N) enjoyed a productive first half of FY21, securing TGA approval for its ZolpiMist insomnia treatment and receiving the patent for its anagrelide formation for the treatment of metastatic disease.

The company ended the period to December 31, 2020, well-funded with cash at bank of $5.5 million off the back of successful capital raises during the half year of $6.85 million to sophisticated and new investors.

These funds are being used to support ongoing research and the potential acquisition of new technologies in the fields of oncology and the central nervous system.

Medpharm to optimise anagrelide formulation

The company has this week contracted the services of MedPharm, which will perform formulation development work to assist in stabilising and optimising the oral spray formulation.

MedPharm is a world-leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) that focus on topical and transdermal product design and development services.

SUDA CEO and managing director Dr Michael Baker said: MedPharm has an excellent reputation for the development of transdermal products and we look forward to working together.

The companys patent for anagrelide was also granted during the period.

Oral spray development

During the six months prior to December 31, 2020, the company conducted an animal study at Covance Inc, UK, to test the hypothesis that an oral spray could provide a safer route of administration for anagrelide in treating metastatic disease in cancer patients by reducing exposure to the cardiostimulatory metabolite, 3-hydroxy anagrelide.

One of the formulations tested displayed a statistically significant increase in bioavailability over the capsule of 43%, with the same formulation showing an increase of only 28% in exposure to the cardiostimulatory metabolite relative to the capsule formulation.

According to Covance, this provides evidence that a proportion of the drug from this formulation reaches the bloodstream by crossing the lining of the cheek.

Once a pharmaceutical grade formulation is established, it will be assessed in formal pre-clinical toxicology studies prior to performing human trials.

As anagrelide has been approved and has been in clinical use for more than 20 years, a reduced toxicology package is expected, and the company expects this will reduce the timing and cost of this development stage.

ZolpiMist TGA approval

On July 29, 2020, SUDA announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had approved the registration of the ZolpiMist (zolpidem tartrate) product for the treatment of short-term insomnia in adults.

The approval includes a supplemental active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) supplier and the final product manufacturer, which allows SUDA to supply the product at a more competitive supply price.

The benefits of TGA approval are:

ZolpiMist is now included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and can be commercialised and supplied within Australia;

It demonstrates SUDAs compliance with good manufacturing practice and an ability to obtain regulatory approvals for its products; and

It assists the companys current partners, TEVA (covering Brazil, Chile and Mexico) and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Korea (covering South Korea), in their submissions in their respective territories with the amended API supplier and manufacturer.

Future focus

Looking forward, the company is continuing to identify suitable territories to create additional partnerships for distribution of the ZolpiMist product.

SUDA will also continue to work on its development partnerships with current partners, Cann Pharma for the development of their medical grade cannabis product and Strides Pharma for development of Sumatriptan into an oral spray for the treatment of migraine.

In addition, the company is continuing to work with Sanofi to finalise the feasibility study for one of Sanofis active ingredients.
8-phase polls in WB: 3 ex-CECs say EC's decision must have been based on law and order situation assessment

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Feb 26: As the EC''s decision to hold assembly elections in West Bengal in eight phases triggered sharp criticism from the state chief minister and others, two former chief election commissioners on Friday justified the move, saying that the decision must have been based on a law and order situation assessment while another CEC advocated single-phase election given that rumours fly thick and fast in this age of social media.

Election 2021: Results on May 2nd | All you need to know | Oneindia News

Referring to seven-phase voting in West Bengal during 2016 assembly polls, former CECs --O P Rawat and N Gopalaswami-- noted that whenever the EC feels there is enhanced security requirements based on ground realities, it takes these precautions.

Though he noted that the EC''s decision must be based on its assessment of the law and order situation and availability of security forces, S Y Quraishi, who was the CEC from July 30, 2010 to June 10, 2012, said in the age of social media wherein all kinds of rumours fly thick and fast during elections, there should be an attempt to reduce the duration and number of phases.

"Ideally, it should be a single-phase election," he added.

EC has tried to help BJP: Congress leader on eight-phase polls in West Bengal

The Election Commission on Friday announced the poll schedule for five assemblies --Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry-- with West Bengal to have the maximum eight phases from March 27.

Immediately after the announcement, TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the EC decision and said she suspects that the dates were announced as per the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for better management of the BJP''s poll campaign.

Senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar also attacked the EC, alleging that the poll panel has tried to help the BJP.

"I believe it has been done deliberately and in a way, the EC has tried to help the BJP. They (BJP) feel that it will help them, but it will not as far as I know about the people of Bengal. They are revolutionary in nature...they may deviate for some time but ultimately, Bengal is Bengal," Anwar said.

Justifying the poll panel''s decision, Rawat said,"the EC in its own wisdom might have felt this time it is more contentious and so more security measures required. Accordingly, it has decided to hold the elections in eight phases."

Rawat, who joined the poll panel in 2015 and retired as the CEC in December 2018, said, "whenever the Commission feels there is requirement of more security so that nobody faces any problem, it takes those precautions."

Asserting that it was for the EC, based on ground realities, to assess, Gopalaswami, who headed the poll panel from 30 June 2006 to 20 April 2009, said look at the number of polling stations (in West Bengal) which have been increased due to Covid (distancing norms), one will get the answer.

"You need forces. West Bengal is much bigger in size and needs a higher number of central forces. The total number of polling stations in West Bengal is 1,01,916 instead of 77,413 in 2016 polls -- an increase of 31.65 per cent. Due to COVID norms, the number of voters per polling station has been restricted to 1000 from 1500," he added.

Quraishi said the commission''s decision to hold the election in eight phases spread over a month must be based on its assessment of the law and order situation and availability of security forces.

"Bengal has the tradition of multi-phase elections," he said, adding that there is not much difference between seven and eight phases.

Quraishi, however, advocated holding elections in a single phase. "In the age of social media wherein all kinds of rumours fly thick and fast, there will be an attempt to reduce the duration of elections and number of phases. With more paramilitary forces being available ..., one hope as soon as possible the number of phases will be reduced. Ideally, it should be a single-phase election," he said.

The EC said the assembly polls in 294 constituencies in West Bengal will be held in eight phases between March 27 and April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2, along with that of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Polling in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will be held in one phase on April 6, while Assam will go to polls in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

Reacting to the EC''s decision, Banerjee said, "with all due respect to the Commission, I want to say that questions are being raised on why elections will be held in so many phases in Bengal while other states will be voting in one phase. If EC doesn''t provide justice to the people, where will the people go."

"I have information from my sources that the poll dates are similar to the ones BJP wanted. Have the dates been announced as per the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah? The PM and the home minister cannot misuse their power for the state elections," she claimed.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 22:35 [IST]
The head of Treasurys retirement income review has accused Paul Keating of being chief of a scare campaign against changes to the superannuation system that is tapping into peoples fears about their financial security in old age.

Mike Callaghan, a former Treasury deputy secretary and chief of staff to then-treasurer Peter Costello, chaired last years retirement income review, which found the 9.5 per cent super guarantee could be adequate if retirees more effectively used existing assets such as their home.

Retirement Income Review chair Mike Callaghan says tapping into home equity in retirement is a realistic option. Credit:Michel O'Sullivan

Mr Keating has warned the Coalition will destroy the super system if it bows to pressure to dump legislated rises in compulsory super to 12 per cent of wages and has said the suggestion retirees should use more of their home equity to fund their post-work years is essentially telling them to eat the house.

Speaking on a panel at an event hosted by the Council on the Ageing Australia on Friday, Mr Callaghan said: One of the sad things Ive seen since the release of the report is the continuation of trading off peoples fears and uncertainties to try and promote particular outcomes. I identify our former prime minister as being chief in doing that.
Winnipeg city council has narrowly approved exploring all options to create a supervised drug consumption site.

By a vote of nine in favour, including Mayor Brian Bowman, and six against, city council approved having the civic bureaucracy explore funding, partnership and implementation alternatives to establish "a low-barrier, supervised drug consumption site."

The motion doesn't commit council to adding one.

Coun. Sherri Rollins, a champion of the sites, argued they offer a clear way to prevent overdoses and save lives.

"Harm-reduction and the continuum of services like on-demand, safe consumption, absolutely, is a continuum that governments should be discussing, in particular, in Winnipeg," said Rollins.

At supervised consumption sites, people can consume illegal drugs under medical supervision.

Mayor Brian Bowman said he supports studying the issue to determine if evidence can prove that such a site would be effective. If that evidence is found, the mayor said he wouldnt stand in the way of one.

"I think when youre looking at a health issue, like addictions, I think you should be guided by data and by science," he said.

However, some councillors argued against the motion, saying it was a health issue that should be handled by the provincial government, while also fearing the sites could have unwanted side effects. Coun. Kevin Klein said higher levels of crime were reported in some Alberta neighbourhoods that had safe drug consumption sites, which he fears could be repeated in Winnipeg.

"There was more public use of drugs in that 250-metre radius (around the sites). Calgary police showed a significant increase in crime and drug crimes," said Klein.

While Calgary police did link increases in drug-related activity, violence and vehicle crimes in 2018 to a local safe injection site, health experts credited the same centre with preventing hundreds of overdoses during the same period.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

DALRRD Minister Thoko Didiza says as the legalisation and the commercialisation of cannabis remains at the forefront of public debate and on top of the agenda for policymakers globally, the plan will be presented to the National Economic Development and Labour Council by the end of May 2021...
New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Delhi Police on Friday informed the high court that the death of a farmer whose tractor overturned during the tractor rally on Republic Day was due to shock and hemorrhage as a result of head injury, and not due to any gunshot injury.

The police stated this in the status report filed in a petition moved by deceased Navreet Singh's grandfather seeking court-monitored SIT probe into the death. He asserted that Navreet Singh was allegedly shot by the policemen, due to which he lost control of the tractor.

Navreet Singh died on January 26 after his tractor overturned after ramming into police barricades during the tractor rally. The accident was captured on CCTV camera.

"As per the opinion of the panel of doctors which conducted the post-mortem, the cause of death is shock and hemorrhage as a result of ante-mortem head injury. The death is not due to any gunshot injury," the status report stated.

A panel of three doctors, namely Mohammad Zubair, Dashrath Singh and Manoj Kumar Shukla, conducted the post-mortem at 2 a.m. on January 27.

"The doctors did an X-ray before conducting the post-mortem. The X-Ray plates prima facie showed that there was no gunshot injury in the body of the deceased," the police told the court.

It is pertinent to mention here that the doctors who conducted the post-mortem were medical experts and there is no substantive ground to question their performance or duty, the police added.

The plea by Navreet Singh's grandfather Hardeep Singh had sought for a court appointed and monitored Special Investigation Team probe. It also sought the SIT to file periodic status reports to ensure time-bound, court-monitored investigation.

The petition said the forensic experts, who reviewed the description of injuries in the post-mortem report, independently opined that the injuries were consistent with firearm or gunshot wounds and could not have resulted from the tractor overturning.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
DIDCOT, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / Altus Strategies Plc (AIM: ALS)(TSX-V:ALTS)(OTCQX:ALTUF) announces that in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("DTRs"), the total issued share capital of the Company with voting rights is 70,097,601 Ordinary Shares of five pence par value each.

The Company does not hold any shares in treasury. This figure of 70,097,601 Ordinary Shares should be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the DTRs.

For further information you are invited to visit the Company's website www.altus-strategies.com or contact:

Altus Strategies Plc Steven Poulton, Chief Executive Tel:+44 (0) 1235 511 767 E: info@altus-strategies.com SP Angel (Nominated Adviser) Richard Morrison / Adam Cowl Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 SP Angel (Broker) Grant Barker / Richard Parlons Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0471 Yellow Jersey PR (Financial PR & IR) Georgia Colkin / Charles Goodwin / Henry Wilkinson Tel: +44 (0) 20 3004 9512 E: altus@yellowjerseypr.com

About Altus Strategies Plc

Altus Strategies (AIM: ALS, TSX-V: ALTS & OTCQX: ALTUF) is a mining royalty company generating a diversified and precious metal focused portfolio of assets. The Company's focus on Africa and differentiated approach, of generating royalties on its own discoveries as well as through financings and acquisitions with third parties, has attracted key institutional investor backing. The Company engages constructively with all stakeholders, working diligently to minimise its environmental impact and to promote positive economic and social outcomes in the communities where it operates. For further information, please visit www.altus-strategies.com.

TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Market Abuse Regulation Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 ("MAR") until the release of this announcement.

SOURCE: Altus Strategies Plc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632178/Total-Voting-Rights
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The state Environment Department has lost patience with the U.S. Department of Energy over what it says is a continuing pattern of delay and noncompliance with the cleanup of hazardous legacy waste at Los Alamos National Laboratory, posing a health risk to people in surrounding communities.

After a dispute resolution process broke down, the New Mexico Environment Department late Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit against the DOE in 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe. It claims that DOE has failed to meet objectives identified in compliance orders in 2005 and 2016 and has dragged its feet in cleaning up contamination left behind from decades of bomb-making and nuclear research.

It asks that a court-supervised process be conducted to resolve the issues.

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Were a state agency, and our patience is long, Environment Secretary James Kenney said in a phone interview. But our patience runs out quickly when theres an inability to meet promises.

DOE maintains that significant progress has been made since 2016, including addressing hexavalent chromium contamination in groundwater and the cleanup at several sites with elevated levels of soil contamination. It maintains that it completed all 16 compliance order milestones for fiscal year 2020.

DOE appreciates the constructive working relationship we have had for years with NMED that has resulted in significant cleanup progress at LANL since the establishment of the 2016 Compliance Order on Consent, DOE said in a statement. While the state has chosen to discontinue the ongoing discussions on 2021 milestones, we remain hopeful of working with the state to resolve any concerns that exist under the Compliance Order so we can continue this record of success in delivering results for the citizens of New Mexico.

But NMED doesnt see it as a record of success.

The lawsuit claims that DOE has failed to comply with the 2016 Consent Order that outlined a schedule for cleanup of legacy waste at LANL.

But compliance issues date back much further than that and environmental contamination has occurred there since the lab was founded in the 1940s as a secret facility tasked with developing the first atomic bomb.

The contamination has been there since the 1940s, so this has been an ongoing problem, said Stephanie Stringer, director of NMEDs Resource Protection Division.

An NMED news release listed nuclear weapons design and testing, chemical and materials science research and the research, development and fabrication of high explosives as historic operations that have generated waste streams for hazardous and radiological wastes at LANL. It says that over the years DOE has failed to meet required clean-up targets.

This ongoing failure means that hazardous and radioactive substances continue to exceed standards and pose health risks to adjacent communities, the lawsuit states.

It adds that groundwater contamination poses a long-term threat to drinking water sources, that tribal communities are unable to use their land as theyre accustomed to, and that economic and recreational activities are put at risk. It notes that the Parajito Plateau upon which the lab is built contains 19 major surface drainages and their tributaries.

The lawsuit demands that the 2016 Consent Order be terminated and a new order be negotiated through a court-supervised process. It calls for DOE to address the issues that came up during the dispute resolution process and a schedule be set for cleanup of legacy contamination.

The state also wants DOE to pay a $333,000 civil penalty for lack of compliance with the 2016 Consent Order.

According to the lawsuit, the Environment Department and DOE entered into dispute resolution last October, but the two sides could not come to agreement on several issues before the resolution process ended Jan. 22.

NMED wanted DOE to adhere to meeting milestones and targets for cleanup and deemed DOEs proposal to be inadequate due to a lack of substantive clean-up targets in upcoming years. When negotiations broke down, the department resorted to litigation.

NMED will vigorously pursue this matter to ensure timely clean-up of legacy contamination that New Mexicans deserve through a comprehensive, expeditious and enforceable clean-up plan at LANL, its news release states.

The lawsuit notes that Nuclear Watch New Mexico previously filed a lawsuit against the DOE over its non-compliance with the 2016 Consent Order.

Jay Coghlan, executive director of Nuclear Watch New Mexico, said in a statement that What New Mexicans really deserve (is) to have needed cleanup drive funding instead of the budget that DOE wants driving cleanup. We strongly salute the Environment Department for taking legal action against DOEs scheme of expanding dirty nuclear weapons production over cleanup.

NMED held a virtual community engagement meeting on Thursday to discuss topics related to the departments work at LANL.
New York City's Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced Friday he will step down, citing the coronavirus pandemic's personal toll on his family.

Carranza's departure came after frequent clashes with his boss, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, over the issue of entrenched segregation in the city's schools.

Carranza revealed he had lost several family members and friends to COVID-19, and needed 'time to grieve'.

He is the second high-profile member of de Blasio's administration to depart in the midst of the health crisis in recent months, following the resignation of New York City Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot in August.

He will be replaced by Bronx Executive Superintendent Meisha Ross Porter, who will become the first Black woman to lead the nation's largest public school district.

Carranza, who has spent three years on the job, briefly choked back tears at a news conference as he announced his decision to step down.

'I know the pandemic has not been easy for you or for any New Yorker,' he said. 'And make no mistake, I am a New Yorker - well not by birth, but by choice - a New Yorker who has lost 11 family and close childhood friends to this pandemic. And a New Yorker who, quite frankly, needs to take time to grieve.'

Richard Carranza is departing as NYC Schools Chancellor int he coming weeks

He said that he felt the city's public school system, with around 1 million students, was stable enough to handle a leadership change.

Carranza also shared more thoughts about the leadership change on Twitter.

'I came to New York City 3 years ago with a mission  to help the DOE reach its full potential, and to serve and lift up all of our @NYCschools children. And we have created so much important change together with all that I have. In March, I will be stepping down as Chancellor.

'.@NYCschools are the strongest schools Ive seen. They are home to the most powerful teaching I have seen in my 30+ years as an educator. Our teachers and school staff's equity-centered approach make our students feel seen, heard, and BELIEVED in.

'Our schools are where children can develop their dreams and then chase them, regardless of the language they speak, or the neighborhood they live in. The change weve created together will help lift up generations of children to come.

'To all my colleagues at @NYCschools: it is incredibly hard to say goodbye to you. You are the most dedicated and hardworking colleagues I have ever had the privilege of working with.

'We have stabilized the system in a way no one thought possible  the light is at the end of the tunnel. And I cant think of anyone who would be better to lead this work and serve as New York Citys next Chancellor than @MeishaPorter.

'It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your Chancellor and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.'

Since taking over the chancellor role in 2018, Carranza has led a push for the desegregating of schools in the city.

The New York Times reports Carranza and Mayor Bill de Blasio had a heated conversation about gifted and talented classes earlier in February, which nearly led to Carranza's resignation.

Carranza is in favor of eliminating an admissions exam that helps sort four-year-old children into those classes.

De Blasio is in favor of keeping that exam for at least the coming year, before changing the selection process next year.

Gifted and talented classes are dominated by White and Asian-American students, despite Black and Latino children making up 70 percent of the population of the district.

The test won't be offered this year in a rebuke of de Blasio, with a lottery system based primarily on teacher recommendations taking the exam's place.

Carranza frequently clashed with his boss, Mayor Bill de Blasio, during his tenure

De Blasio is tabbing Meisha Porter to take over for Carranza beginning on March 15

The mayor and Carranza once worked together on a similar plan to eliminate the admissions exam for gifted high schools.

That plan fell apart, however, when Carranza made comments that were viewed as anti-Asian-American, saying 'I just dont buy into the narrative that any one ethnic group owns admission to these schools.'

Most of Carranza's tenure has been defined by his public clashes with his boss, beginning just days after he began when he called de Blasio's school improvement plan 'fuzzy.'

The New York Times reported the $773 million plan was scrapped in February 2019 after poor results.

Just this week, Carranza suggested students should refuse standardized testing, which went against de Blasio's comments on the matter.

They did work together on the reopening policy of New York City schools, which has been fraught with challenges.

Schools were forced to close across the city as a new wave of coronavirus cases hit the city in November, which drew questions from the district's teachers.

By December, the school was able to welcome elementary school students back to the classroom and the same came true for middle school students just this week.

High school students, however, have remained out in the cold.

Reactions to Carranza's resignation have been mixed on social media.

'This is the best news this year,' said one Twitter user, who suggested Carranza was getting out ahead of a scandal.

'U left us divided like never before,' said another. 'U messed up SanFran, Houston, now NYC public schools. Never seen someone stuck out this hard and telling people u hit a homerun. Delusional.'

Prior to working in New York City, Carranza was the Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District during Hurricane Harvey.

Before that, he was the superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District for four years.

'We'll never forget that time you sowed doubt about our ability to reopen NYC schools on national television last summer - and then did nothing to reassure families that reopening could be safe this fall,' tweeted Karen Vaites.

Vaites posted that in response to comments Carranza made on CNN in July, where he said 'science is not on our side' regarding the reopening of schools in the fall.

'Thanks for all you did and tried to do,' a more appreciative Twitter user said. 'Many of us do appreciate the effort and will continue to do so. De Blasio fooled a lot of us, including yourself it looks like.'

'Thank you for what you have done to shift the conversation on segregation, racial justice, and most recently, the place of standardized testing in our schools,' said Sam Rosaldo.

Carranza's departure is the second by a senior cabinet member in recent months as de Blasio's term begins to wind down.

Dr. Oxiris Barbot resigned as Health Commissioner in August.

'I leave my post today with deep disappointment that during the most critical public health crisis in our lifetime, that the health departments incomparable disease control expertise was not used to the degree it could have been,' Barbot said in a resignation letter, which was obtained by The New York Times.

Carranza will be replaced by Porter on March 15.
You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite app including Alexa, Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit!

Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | Feb. 26, 2021

The Delaware River Basin Commission has permanently banned natural gas drilling and fracking near a crucial waterway in the Delaware River. Schools in Pennsylvania may delay their state exams until the fall. A former administrator at a Mt. Lebanon nursing home has been indicted on charges of health care fraud. Plus, one local creamery in all its cheesy glory is featured on an episode of Modern Marvels.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa, a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa.

Todays episode refers to the following articles:

If you enjoy Today in Pa, consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too.
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Kanye West's 2020 presidential campaign cost the rapper/fashion designer nearly $12.5million of his own money, according to a report released by the Federal Election Commission.



The celebrity/political outsider self-funded a majority of his run, which didn't begin until four-months before voting day, only raising $2million for outside contributors.

That lack of enthusiasm transferred to the ballot box where West, 43, earned 66,000 votes nationally - averaging out his final campaign costs at nearly $200 per vote.

The rapper's final finance docs come just days after confirmation of his divorce from Kim Kardashian, a split which some sources say was set into motion after West shared intimate details about the marriage during his July 4th campaign kick-off.

Hey big spender: Kanye West reportedly shelled out $12.5million of his own money to fund his 2020 presidential bid while only managing to raise around $2million from outside sources. He's seen in 2018 above

Reasons: The final numbers come after official news of his divorce from Kim Kardashian, a split which some sources say was set into motion after West shared intimate details about the marriage during his July 4th campaign kick-off (above)

All in all, West's campaign - which he ran under the banner of the Birthday Party, focusing his platform on Christian values, fiscal conservatism and criminal justice reform - ended with $1.3million in its coffers.

West's funds seem like mere pennies compared to now-President Joe Biden, who was able to raise more than $1billion while former President Donald Trump raised more than $811million.

The docs show that a majority of the West campaign's total $14,538,989.74 in funds went to pay for 'ballot access.'

Of the $7.5million shelled out, $1.28million was paid to Atlas Strategy Group, which is run by Republican strategist Gregg Keller, who reportedly was considered to lead Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

The investment didn't help the campaign make much headway, however.

In the end, the Jesus Walks rapper only made it onto the ballot in 12 states.

Other major campaign costs included legal fees, production for online videos he used to promote his campaign and 'Kanye 2020' apparel.

Accounting: West, 43, earned 66,000 votes nationally - averaging out his final campaign costs at nearly $200 per vote

Media matters: Though money went to produce promotional videos, Kanye's campaign opted against purchasing any television, radio or digital advertising, a category which dominates traditional campaign spending

Though money went to produce promotional videos, Kanye's campaign opted against purchasing any television, radio or digital advertising, a category which dominates traditional campaign spending.

A former West campaign insider speaking to People admitted funds could have been better spent, telling the magazine: 'I didn't see any Kanye ads, did you? ...If [West] had pushed and done a $10 million buy digitally, they could've actually made a difference in a few states.'

'Typically, [television and digital ads] combine for about 60-70 percent of a campaign's budget  minimum,' they added.

As the campaign headed into the home stretch, West infused more than $2.7million of his own money into their war chest.

Mismanaged: A former West campaign insider said if the rapper had 'pushed and done a $10 million buy digitally, they could've actually made a difference in a few states.' He's seen in March 2020 above

But that money failed to make it far during the final month leading to the election, according to the insider who told People the independent campaign 'overpaid on a lot of stuff.'

FEC docs show West's campaign shelled out $210,544 for a two-page ad in The New York Times and spent another $918,130 on campaign apparel on Election Day.

The source said West's lack of experience was a strong factor in his campaign's failure, saying: 'He isn't versed enough politically.'

'He figured that by doing it on his own, he could control his own media. But he has so much other stuff going on in his life that has nothing to do with politics that the distractions are there.'

'Final straw': West's presidential ambitions were reportedly a factor in the downfall of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, with an insider calling it the 'final straw'

Emotions: Any prior relationship tension was magnified when West kicked off his campaign on July 4th 2020 with an rambling rally where he revealed the couple considered aborting their first child - a breach of trust which insiders left Kim 'furious'

West's marriage to Kim Kardashian was reportedly strained before the campaign, but according to Calabasas insiders the 'final straw' was 'a combination of the Presidential run and his Twitter rants.'

Any prior relationship tension was magnified when West kicked off his campaign on July 4th 2020 with an rambling rally where he revealed the couple considered aborting their first child - a breach of trust which insiders left Kim 'furious.'

Around the same time Kanye also embarked on a series of Twitter tirades, accusing Kim of having tried to get him committed and insinuating that she was unfaithful.

Amid the public meltdowns Kim made a statement referring to her husband's bipolar disorder and pointing out 'that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor.'

But now that the couple are officially parting ways, the pain and chaos has reportedly ceased.

'There is no drama between Kim and Kanye. Kim is mostly just disappointed that they couldn't figure out how to stay married.'

The pair - who share kids North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one - are seeking joint custody and neither is disputing their prenuptial agreement, according to sources.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 19:52:46|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's success in poverty alleviation cannot be achieved without the "remarkable commitment" made by a "strong, command-down" government led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), a leading U.S. expert on China has said.

"China's poverty alleviation story is one of the great stories of the world. I believe future historians will look back to (it) as a defining feature of our age. Certainly, it is China's great achievement," Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Those who recognize China's unprecedented poverty-alleviation success must also "recognize its causal relationship" to China's system led by the CPC and a strong government, Kuhn said.

The expert believed that Chinese President Xi Jinping's leadership and commitment to poverty alleviation are one of the prime reasons for such an achievement.

It is a "remarkable commitment" that Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has made it clear that China cannot be a moderately prosperous society no matter how high China's national GDP per capita is, if any of its citizens continues to live in extreme poverty, Kuhn said.

"So you have the leadership of the country doing it, and then you have the party system and its organizational capacity, doing the implementation of the directives," he said.

The expert also said he was surprised by three things that are "critical" in terms of the CPC's implementation of poverty reduction goals.

One, every poor household -- tens of millions of people -- has its own dossier listing every family member; the dossier is updated monthly, he said.

Two, five levels of local Party secretaries -- provincial, municipal, county, township and village, are directly involved in coordinating and implementing poverty alleviation.

Three, young Party officials work directly with poor families and live two years in poor villages.

In Kuhn's view, there are some effective methods of poverty alleviation Chinese officials have employed, including creating sustainable micro-businesses, relocating villages, ecological compensation for those living in ecologically vulnerable areas and providing education, training and social security.

"While all political systems have trade-offs, without such robust authority of the CPC, it would not seem possible for China to reach its poverty-alleviation goals," Kuhn said. Enditem
QUESTIONS are being raised about the independence of a former Saskatchewan premier whose report into Manitoba mega-projects will be released Friday.

QUESTIONS are being raised about the independence of a former Saskatchewan premier whose report into Manitoba mega-projects will be released Friday.

Brad Wall, who was premier from 2007 to 2018, led the right-leaning Saskatchewan Party, and was even touted as a possible leadership contender for the federal Conservative party in 2019 when Andrew Scheer stepped down.

On Thursday, the NDP said Walls consulting work and ties to a Calgary firm, which registered to lobby the province, undermine his actual or perceived impartiality and his ability to conduct his role as head of the probe into Manitoba Hydro.

Wall dismissed the notion he has any real or perceived conflict of interest.

"There is no conflict of interest," Wall wrote in an email Thursday. "I look forward to presenting the report (Friday)."

In October 2018, the PC government ordered the $2.5-million economic review of Bipole III and the Keeyask generating station, two Hydro mega-projects that cost billions more than originally planned by the previous NDP government.

Wall took over as commissioner of the inquiry in November 2019, with the power to subpoena witnesses and produce documents.

He has also done consulting work for Calgary-based Avenue Living Asset Management, which has registered to lobby the Manitoba government on "housing and property management" matters, the NDP said.

Wall dismissed the NDPs point.

"If there were meetings between Avenue Living representatives and government of Manitoba offices, I was neither aware of them nor involved," he said.

The governments chief spokesman said the NDPs allegation that Wall has a conflict of interest is "an attempt to distract Manitobans and the media from their actions while in government."

"The yarn they are trying to spin is absurd, and is a waste of your time," Blake Robert, director of media relations and issue management, said in an email. An NDP MLA was also listed as a target of Avenue Living on the Manitoba Lobbyist Registry, Robert said, which the NDP failed to mention.

"I think the Opposition have also been alleging that I would be recommending the privatization of Manitoba Hydro," Wall said, dismissing the NDPs allegations.

"I understand the nature of opposition politics, but this allegation is also false," Wall said.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said Manitobans need to know Wall is neither impartial nor qualified to investigate Manitoba Hydro mega-projects.

"This is not some kind of fact-finding commission headed up by a judge, this is somebody with a very hard, partisan slant," Kinew said.

Walls main credentials  what got him hired by the Pallister government  were his attacks on the NDP in Saskatchewan, not his power-generation business savvy, Kinew charged.

"Manitobas way ahead of Saskatchewan in terms of what we need to do with a safe clean energy supply, so why do we have somebody from a province thats a laggard relative to Manitoba on the environmental front? It doesnt make sense to me," said Kinew.

"Hes just another guy out there whos scooping up contracts. He hasnt really left politics. Hes still operating in these circles."

Its not the first time Wall has had to defend his impartiality. Last year, Indigenous leaders expressed concerns that Walls employer, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, has represented both Hydro and the province in cases against First Nations and Metis groups. Indigenous leaders alleged a conflict of interest, which Wall  who is not a lawyer but is listed as a special adviser at the law firm  insisted doesnt exist.

In May, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, also known as Split Lake, led a blockade of the Keeyask site, over concerns Manitoba Hydro hadnt adequately consulted on a plan to fly in workers from outside the province during the COVID-19 pandemic. Osler successfully got an injunction on Hydros behalf, to have demonstrators arrested. The Crown corporation negotiated a peaceful resolution with the four bands involved in the project.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Stan Grant presents Mondays Four Corners story, Chairman for Life on Chinas President Xi Jinping.

I call him Chairman of everything, Chairman of everywhere, Chairman of everyone. China scholar

Chinas President Xi Jinping is a force to be reckoned with. As leader of the Communist colossus, he commands the worlds attention but who is Chinas strongman? How did he rise to power and what is his agenda?

No force can shake the status of our great motherland, and no force can stop the progress of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. President Xi Jinping

On Monday Four Corners delivers an insightful portrait of the Chinese president. Born into the privileged life of a princeling, banished to poverty in the countryside during a political purge, his early life formed and framed his views on power and control.

When he initially went out into the countryside he was scared, frightenedit both hardened him, it gave him a taste of the ups and downs of power. I think its one of the reasons hes so ruthless himself. Academic

His rise up the political ladder was propelled by party connections and an advantageous celebrity marriage. As he rose through the party ranks he carefully crafted his image. Today its a full-blown cult of personality featuring compulsory lessons in Xi Jinping Thought and a TV gameshow based on his personal history.

The moment he came into power it was pedal to the metal. He accelerated on all fronts to eliminate dissent, to eliminate rivals, to eliminate corruption. Academic

The program shows how Xi consolidated his grip on the leadership of the Communist Party through a combination of economic strength, populism, iron fist control, jailing of opponents and crushing dissent.

We are seeing a turning more towards authoritarianism under Xi Jinpingtheres increased concerns about human rights in China, as well in Hong Kong with regards to pro-democracy activists and legislators, and in Xinjiang with regards to what the Chinese Government has been doing to Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups. China academic

Central to President Xis leadership is his doctrine of The China Dream, an existential challenge to the existing world order.

The reality is that Xi Jinping and his colleagues believe themselves as the agents of history and the history that is about making China one of the great powers. China scholar

Its a vision of a Chinese state thats very strong, thats internationally respected, that can throw its weight around internationally if it needs to. Former China correspondent

China specialists warn that countries like Australia were too slow to understand the challenge posed by the rise of President Xi.

Its only now as some of the more insightful and longstanding China analysts have started to expose what Xi Jinping was saying way back at the end of 2012 and in 2013. They were starting to say, Oh. We were just so wrong about this man. Author

Prominent China scholars say that China has already fundamentally re-written the international rule book. The question is, how will the rest of the world respond?

Now we are dealing with this radically different view of the worldthis world we are moving into, there is no roadmapthere is no easy roadmap. UK academic

Monday 1st March at 8.30pm on ABC.

Related
CANBERRA : Facebook announced on Friday preliminary agreements with three Australian publishers, a day after the Parliament passed a law that would make the digital giants pay for news.

Facebook said letters of intent had been signed with independent news organisations Private Media, Schwartz Media and Solstice Media.

The commercial agreements are subject to the signing of full agreements within the next 60 days, a Facebook statement said.

These agreements will bring a new slate of premium journalism, including some previously paywalled content, to Facebook," the statement said.

Schwartz Media chief executive Rebecca Costello said the deal would help her company continue to produce independent journalism.

Its never been more important than it is now to have a plurality of voices in the Australian press," Costello said in the Facebook statement.

Private Media chief executive Will Hayward said the new deal built on an existing Facebook partnership.

The Parliament on Thursday passed the final amendments to the so-called News Media Bargaining Code agreed between Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday.

In return for the changes, Facebook agreed to lift a six-day-old ban on Australians accessing and sharing news. Access to Australian news sites did not appear to be fully restored until Friday.

Google, the only other digital giant targeted by the legislation, has already struck content licensing deals, or is close to deals, with some of Australias biggest news publishers including Rupert Murdochs News Corp. and Seven West Media.

Facebook Vice President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg on Wednesday took a veiled swipe at News Corp. in a social media post criticising Australias law, which is aimed at setting a fair price for the Australian journalism that the digital platforms display.

It is ironic that some of the biggest publishers that have long advocated for free markets and voluntary commercial undertakings now appear to be in favor of state sponsored price setting," the former British deputy prime minister wrote.

News Corp. Australia executive chairman Michael Miller said last week that his company had pay negotiations with Facebook.

Having been someone whos dealt with Facebook over the past months, we have some weeks where were getting good engagement and think were progressing and then you get silence. I think the door is still open," Miller told a Senate inquiry into Australian media diversity.

News Corp. owns most of Australias major newspapers and some analysts argue the U.S.-based international media empire is the driver for the conservative Australian government making Facebook and Google pay. News Corp. has announced a wide-ranging deal with Google covering operations in the United States and Britain as well as Australia.

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The end is in sight for direct provision centres in Laois with the publication of a plan to cease the practice of paying firms to house asylum seekers in former hotels and other communal buildings on a long term basis.

Instead, new arrival centres are planned during what is termed a four-month 'orientation' phase. At the end of this period applicants, people whose protection claims are still being processed will get their own room or own door accommodation in the community which they will have to rent.

There are a number of direct provision type facilities in Laois in Emo and Abbeyleix. The Emo centre has operated for more than a decade in a former hotel. The Abbeyleix centre is located in the former Hibernian Hotel. An emergency centre in Portarlington operated for a time in 2019 but has since closed.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman, has published a White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a new International Protection Support Service. His Department says this White Paper sets out a new Government policy to replace Direct Provision, which will be phased out over the next four years.

A statement said a new system for accommodation and supports for applicants for International Protection will be established. Minister O'Gorman is proposing a new system that would see people who are applying for protection will be helped to integrate into Ireland from day one, with health, housing, education, and employment supports at the core of the system.

A statement says that the new system will be grounded in the principles of "human rights, respect for diversity and respect for privacy and family". It is claimed that it is being designed to offer "greater support and greater autonomy to International Protection applicants". It will operate on a not-for-profit basis.

Under the new system, when people arrive in Ireland seeking International Protection, at Phase One they will stay in one of a number of new Reception and Integration Centres for no more than four months. It is claimed these centres will be newly built to a "high specification and will be operated by not-for-profit organisations on behalf of the State".

A statement says that during this orientation period, people will receive integration supports to help them adjust to living in Ireland. This will include English language tuition and employment activation supports

After their first four months in Ireland, people whose protection claims are still being processed will move to accommodation in the community. "This will be own-door or own-room accommodation, for which they will pay a means-tested rent," said a statement.

Applicants will be entitled to seek paid work after six months, and they will be encouraged and supported to do so. Integration supports will continue to be available to people who need them.

The transition to the new system will be led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Progress will be monitored by a Programme Board whose membership will include non-government stakeholders. It is envisaged that the new system will be fully operational by December 2024.

Publishing the White Paper, Minister OGorman said: As a Government, we committed to end Direct Provision and replace it with a new system that would be run on a not-for-profit basis and centred on human rights. Todays White Paper sets out how we are going to do that. Under the new system, people seeking International Protection in Ireland will be encouraged and supported to integrate from day one.

The accommodation will be own-door for families and provide the privacy and independence so many were not afforded over the past two decades. Single people will have own-room accommodation, ending the shared dormitory-styled rooms associated with the current system.

We have seen the huge groundswell of solidarity for people in the current Direct Provision system. Irish people want to be proud of the support offered to people who come here seeking protection. In making a home here, they strengthen and enrich our communities.

This is a new approach to supporting the needs of International Protection applicants in Ireland. It will be run on a not-for-profit basis, and in order to be truly transformative, it will rely on strong engagement and cooperation between the State and not-for-profit organisations. I am looking forward to creating new partnerships with non-governmental organisations as we begin the process of bringing this new system to fruition, said the Minister.

The leaders featured on this year's HRD Global 100 were selected for their outstanding commitment to their companies and people over the past 12 months

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- O.C. Tanner, the global leader in employee recognition and workplace culture, today announced that Meghan Stettler, a director at the O.C. Tanner Institute, has been named to the Human Resources Director (HRD) Global 100.

"I am honored to be featured alongside many industry powerhouses on HRD's Global 100 list," said Stettler. "In the wake of cascading challenges, the Institute team and I worked tirelessly to provide marketing-leading data and insights to deliver on the promise of O.C. Tanner in helping organizations and their people thrive during this critical time."

A division within O.C. Tanner, the O.C. Tanner Institute is a research and education team focused on delivering valuable insights that help people thrive at work. Its research on corporate culture, employee experience, and recognition inspires change and empowers organizations to intentionally create healthy, productive workplace cultures.

As a trusted voice and thought leader within the O.C. Tanner Institute, Meghan specializes in knitting together key sentiments and perspectives across the board to identify win-win strategies for workplace culture success. Throughout the pandemic, she has spoken to thousands of business leaders across the globe, from the Fortune 100 to small businesses alike, providing them with timely and strategic guidance as they continue to navigate the evolving workplace. As the world turned remote, Meghan leveraged her expertise as a former television and digital media journalist to reach online audiences, including presenting weekly pulse survey results on employee sentiment as the host of O.C. Tanner's special COVID-19 webinar series, delivering dozens of regional roundtable discussions and keynote speeches with major organizations, and producing and appearing in notable videos for the organization's 2021 Global Culture Report and Influence Greatness event.

"Here at O.C. Tanner, we take great care to create and support meaningful recognition moments for organizations across the globe, and it's only that much more meaningful to see it extended to one of our own team members," said David Sturt, executive vice president at O.C. Tanner. "Especially after a tumultuous year like 2020, we're incredibly proud to see Meghan's hard work act as a standard for the larger industry."

Now in its second year, and drawing from six markets  the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia-Pacific, and the U.K.  HRD's annual Global 100 celebrates the best and brightest individuals the HR sector has to offer. Leaders from these regions were selected based on factors such as industry visibility, thought leadership, professional accolades, national outreach, social media presence, content output, and organizational initiatives.

"As a global publication and organizer of HR industry events around the world, we are speaking with HR professionals every day. It makes us uniquely qualified to put together a list of the leaders who are actually making a difference in today's market," said HRD managing editor Emily Douglas. "The individuals recognized in this year's list demonstrated true leadership capabilities, skill in driving change, and an unending support through these most troubling of months. Meghan's thought leadership and exceptional delivery make her a standout in the HR industry in sharing global workplace culture research and timely insights that help organizations and their people deliver cultural and business outcomes to meet the demands of today and tomorrow."

You can view the complete HRD Global 100 list here: https://www.hcamag.com/au/news/special-reports/2021-hrd-global-100/244902 .

About O.C. Tanner

O.C. Tanner is the global leader in software and services that improve workplace culture by creating powerful employee experiences. Its Culture Cloud suite of applications and solutions  including recognition, service awards, wellbeing, leadership and celebrations  helps people thrive at work. O.C. Tanner provides these and other services for thousands of the most respected companies in the world. For more information visit octanner.com .

SOURCE O.C. Tanner

Related Links

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  The Agriculture Department said the recommendation revising tariffs for pork imports within the minimum access value (MAV) and those outside it also involves raising rates weeks after they are expected to take effect.

"Na-aprubahan ng Cabinet-level Committee on Tariff and Related Matters na ang taripa po na ire-recomenda kay President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the first 90 days ay ang taripa po ay 5% in quota and 15% outside the MAV quota," Agriculture Secretary William Dar told CNN Philippines' The Exchange with Rico Hizon.

[Translation: The Cabinet-level Committee on Tariff and Related Matters has approved the recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte which states that the tariff for (imports) in quota will be 5%, while it will be 15% outside the MAV quota.]

The DA wants to increase the country's pork supply to address its price crisis, with higher pork imports among its proposals. The agency wants the MAV to move up to over 404,000 metric tons from the current 54,000 MT. Imports within the MAV are slapped with 30% tariff, while a 40% import levy is placed on those beyond it.

"After 90 days, it will go higher. From 5% yung in quota, magiging 10% at yung MAV out quota ay magiging 20%," Dar said.

[Translation: From 5%, the tariff for in quota (imports) will increase to 10% while the rate for (imports) out of the MAV quota will move up to 20%.]

Pork supply has been taking a hit with affected provinces still reeling from the African Swine Fever, which led to hundreds of thousands of hogs being culled so far to curb the spread of the disease.

With this, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said a balance must be stricken between the plights of suffering local hog raisers, and bringing in tariff-free or almost zero-tariff pork imports to augment supply.

"We have to strike a healthy balance and it has to be temporary. Strategically, we have to support the industry," added Pangilinana former Presidential Adviser for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

"Over 60% of our hog farmers are backyard farmers. These are the 50 heads, 60 heads, 70 heads. Yan ang dapat tuunan ng pansin. Bigyan ng cash assistance, suportahan sa insurance sa halip na magpautang," Pangilinan added.

[Attention should be focused on them. Give them cash assistance, support them with insurance instead of giving them loans.]

Dar said the agency has also launched a repopulation program for both backyard and commercial hog raisers. Hundreds of millions of pesos have also been allocated for lending programs for them, he added.

The Agriculture chief also said the agency has been providing livelihood assistance as well to hog farmers affected by ASF outbreaks.
A Current Affair began broadcasting from its new studio home at Nine North Sydney this week.

As these exclusive photos show, the studio is much larger than the space used since November, and is shared with the Today show.

ACA Executive Producer, Fiona Dear, told TV Tonight, In our new North Sydney home in 2021, we have been fortunate to move A Current Affair into a modern, and more spacious studio.

It comes with a versatile video wall that can house a variety of graphics and vision, even viewer polls, and front and centre is a custom made set enabling Tracy to chat with several guests both in-studio and via links.

In the past, the smaller space wasnt an issue, but in these new times we love how the larger space enables us to showcase Australias best interviewer.

7pm Monday  Saturday on Nine.

Related
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a grand gathering to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

-- Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty.

-- Combined with poverty-reduction results since the late 1970s, China is responsible for over 70 percent of the global reduction in poverty over the period.

-- Xi said the country has blazed a poverty reduction trail and formed an anti-poverty theory with Chinese characteristics.

-- Xi demanded efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and initiate a dovetailing drive of "rural vitalization."

-- China on Thursday inaugurated a new cabinet body on promoting rural vitalization.

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday that China has secured a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said absolute poverty has been eradicated in the world's most populous country, home to over 1.4 billion people.

Xi made the announcement while addressing a grand gathering held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters.

With absolute poverty eliminated, China has created another "miracle" that will "go down in history," Xi said in a televised speech.

The high-profile event was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang and attended by other senior Party leaders Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng -- all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee -- and Vice President Wang Qishan.

A MIRACLE

Under Xi's leadership, China launched a monumental anti-poverty campaign on a scale unseen anywhere in the world.

Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty. All 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages have also been removed from the poverty list.

The country has met the poverty eradication target set out in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

Combined with poverty-reduction results since the late 1970s, China is responsible for over 70 percent of the global reduction in poverty over the period, World Bank statistics have shown.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged the success of China's anti-poverty campaign over the past few years, calling it "the most important contribution" to the global poverty reduction cause.

"No country has been able to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in such a short time," Xi said.

Xia Sen, former researcher of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, attends a grand gathering to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

At Thursday's gathering, Xi presented medals, certificates and plaques to role models from the country's anti-poverty fight. He also joined other Chinese leaders in presenting awards to individuals and groups for their outstanding achievements in the fight against penury.

The recipients include villagers, Party members dispatched to villages to fight poverty, grassroots officials and college researchers. Some of them were honored posthumously.

Shi Jintong, a village Party chief in central China's Hunan Province, accepted an award on behalf of his village. Shi's village -- Shibadong -- is where Xi, during a visit in 2013, put forward the "targeted poverty alleviation" strategy that was instrumental in the success of China's poverty eradication campaign.

"I feel so honored to meet the general secretary again, yet I am confident at the same time as we have accomplished the task of poverty eradication," Shi said.

But not all of China's anti-poverty champions lived to see this day.

Over the past eight years, more than 1,800 people died fighting poverty on the front lines.

Xi acknowledged these fallen heroes at Thursday's event, saying that their sacrifice and contributions "will never be forgotten by the Party, the people and the republic."

A grand gathering is held to mark the country's accomplishments in poverty alleviation and honor its model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

PARTY, PEOPLE, POOLING RESOURCES, PRECISION

Summarizing China's experience in conquering poverty, Xi said the country has blazed a poverty reduction trail and formed an anti-poverty theory with Chinese characteristics.

He underlined the role of Party leadership, which has provided a "political and organizational guarantee" for China's poverty alleviation efforts.

Poverty relief work has been led by the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC with its 90 million members. Party chiefs at all levels were required to assume the primary responsibility for achieving the campaign's ambitious targets. Over 3 million public sector officials were sent from cities and towns to villages to fight poverty "on the front lines."

Funds were channeled to assist the fight. Nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (about 246 billion U.S. dollars) of fiscal funds have been invested into poverty alleviation over the past eight years.

China also leveraged the political advantage of its socialist system, which can bring together the needed resources to accomplish great tasks. This enabled massive programs, such as those pairing up better-off provinces with others in need to tackle poverty.

The country's strategy of targeted poverty alleviation was also highlighted.

Xi said poverty eradication is an important embodiment of the Party's fundamental purpose of "whole-heartedly serving the people."

"Ending poverty, improving people's well-being and realizing common prosperity are the essential requirements of socialism," Xi said.

A grand gathering is held to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

RURAL VITALIZATION

Building on its victory in eradicating poverty, China is moving on to push for higher-level development in its rural areas.

Shaking off poverty is not the finish line, but the starting point of a new life and new endeavor, Xi said in the speech, demanding efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and initiate a dovetailing drive of "rural vitalization."

The rural vitalization strategy was proposed as a key move for the development of a modernized economy at the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017.

More detailed plans of the strategy were unveiled in the Party leadership's proposals for formulating an economic and social development plan for the 2021-2025 period and long-term goals through the year 2035.

China on Thursday inaugurated a new cabinet body on promoting rural vitalization, which was transformed from the State Council Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development.

In his speech, Xi said efforts must be made to prevent any large-scale relapse into poverty, and identifying solutions to problems concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers must be the top priority of the Party's work.

"China will attach greater importance to the pursuit of common prosperity," he said.
Amit the ongoing farmers' protest, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said that the central government can never make laws that will be harmful to agrarians.

"In a democracy, a government can never dare to make such a law that will harm farmers," Tomar said at Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2021 in Delhi on Thursday.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

Inviting farmers to participate in the fair, the minister had earlier tweeted: "If the farmers of the country are strong, then the village will be strong. If the village will be strong, then the agricultural sector will be prosperous. If the agricultural sector will be prosperous, then India will be prosperous. Only then will India be established as the best nation in the world in the coming tomorrow."

"I call upon the farmers of the country to explore the advantages of this new agricultural research along with government schemes, make agricultural sector atmanirbhar and make our country atmanirbhar," he added.

This comes as farmer leader Rakesh Tikait had on Tuesday announced plans for marching to the Parliament with 40 lakh tractors in order to intensify pressure on the central government to withdraw the three farm laws.

'Centre ready to resume talks'

Tomar on Thursday iterated that the government is ready to resume talks with the protesting farmers, given that the unions respond to its offer to put the three contentious farm laws on hold for 18 months and set up a joint committee to find solutions.

The government and unions have held 11 rounds of talks, the last being on 22 January, to break the deadlock and end the farmers' protest, but to no avail.

"The government is fully sensitive towards farmers. We have held several rounds of talks (with unions). We proposed many amendments as well as keeping the farm reform Acts on hold for 1.5 years and setting up a joint panel to find solutions. But, they have not responded to our proposals," Tomar said.

Since 26 November last year, farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital, against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Farmers support to Bharat Bandh

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), spearheading anti-farm laws protests at Delhi borders, appealed to farmers on Thursday to peacefully participate in a 'Bharat Bandh' called by transport and trade unions on Friday.

The Morcha, in a statement, said it supports the 'Bharat Bandh' called by transport and trade unions.

"We appeal to all farmers in the country to support all the 'Bharat Bandh' protesters peacefully and make the Bandh a success," it said.

Traders' body CAIT has said that all commercial markets across the country will remain closed on 26 February in view of its 'Bharat Bandh' call demanding a review of the provisions of the goods and services tax (GST) regime.

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Pennsylvania movie theaters ditch mask mandate

Three chain movie theaters have announced that masks are no longer mandatory for moviegoers who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
Leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church and self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri is relieved after the Malawian government reversed an earlier decision blocking his eight-year-old daughter from travelling to Kenya for treatment, his spokesman said on Friday.

Malawian Bushiri, who fled to his home country from South Africa, where he faces fraud and money laundering charges, has been anxious to get his ailing daughter, Israella, to Kenya, his spokesman Ephraim Nyondo told the African News Agency (ANA).

The major concern for prophet Shepherd Bushiri was to have the kid taken to Kenya for further medical attention. That was his major preoccupation. Now that the government has given a nod to that, he is very happy.

On Monday, he said the Malawian authorities had without any explanation blocked Bushiris daughter and her guardians from flying out in a chartered air ambulance last Friday.

ANA has seen a clearance letter, dated February 25 and issued and signed by Malawis Homeland Security Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda, allowing the trip to proceed. It said Israella Bushiri would be accompanied by Raphaella Bushiri who will donate bone marrow to the patient.

Guardians Esther Bushiri and Magdalena Ndiwila Zgambo have also been permitted to travel with the minor to provide care and support during the time of receiving medical (treatment) in Kenya.

The government of Malawi has no objection for the patient and the three guardians to travel abroad for medical attention, considering that there are no travel restrictions imposed on them by the government, Banda said in the letter, issued in the capital Lilongwe.

Asked if Bushiri - who fled with his wife, Mary, last year while on bail - considered returning to South Africa to clear his name, Nyondo said the charismatic preacher would not return until the Pretoria authorities made certain concessions.

(Bushiri) made certain requests to the South African government to review some of the things that he felt were unfair when he was seeking justice in that country. He talked about the prosecutors, who he had opened cases against, before they waged a war of taking him to court, arresting him and all that kind of stuff.

He called on the South African government to ensure that these people are recused from this case because as long as they are on the case, he will not get a fair trial. The South African government has not made any step towards achieving that. They have always concentrated on making sure he looks bad in the media.

If the South African government made serious concessions  I think we can begin to discuss a serious thing, Nyondo added.

African News Agency (ANA)
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Burma UK Sanctions Six More Myanmar Coup Leaders for Serious Rights Abuses

Police arrest an anti-regime protesters during a crackdown in Mandalay on Feb. 15. / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  The United Kingdom has announced further sanctions against six of Myanmars military coup leaders, including Senior General Min Aung Haling, for serious human rights violations since the Feb. 1 coup.

The five other military figures are members of the State Administration Council (SAC), secretary Lt Gen Aung Lin Dwe, joint secretary Lt Gen Ye Win Oo and members Gen Tin Aung San

Gen Maung Maung Kyaw and Lt Gen Moe Myint Tun.

By Thursday, at least six anti-regime protesters had been killed by the security forces since the coup. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 728 people have been detained or face arrest warrants with 666 still being held or in hiding.

Britain said the measures would stop the generals traveling to the UK and will prevent UK-based business dealings. London said it will temporarily suspend the promotion of trade with Myanmar.

The former colonial power said its Department for International Trade will work to ensure UK companies in Myanmar are not trading with military-owned businesses while protecting the important role that trade plays in poverty reduction and economic development.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the additional measures send a clear message to the military regime that those responsible for human rights violations will be held accountable.

Raab said the authorities must hand back control to the National League for Democracy, which won the November general election.

Britain has promised to work closely internationally to support democracy and freedom of expression in Myanmar.

Last week, the UK imposed sanctions on defense minister Gen Mya Tun O, home affairs minister Lt Gen Soe Htut and his deputy, Lt Gen Than Hlaing, for their role in serious rights violations following the coup.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Justice For Myanmar (JFM), have called on countries to impose sanctions on SAC members, their families and associated businesses.

JFM recently published a list of military-linked businesses to support international efforts to respond to human rights violations, which included companies owned by the son and daughter of coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.

On Thursday, 137 civil society organizations called on the United Nations Security Council and UN member states to impose an arms embargo on Myanmar in response to the coup and to deter the junta from committing further abuses.

You may also like these stories:

Two More Anti-Myanmar Regime Protesters Die in Mandalay

Myanmar Military-Appointed Administrators Rejected by Local People

Arrests, Detentions, Threat of Dismissal Fail to Stop Myanmars Civil Disobedience Movement
A halls of residence at Exeter University and a nearby care home were evacuated by police today after an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered by workmen.

Devon and Cornwall Police declared a major incident today when builders working on private land next to the university campus uncovered the bomb.

Around 200 students were evacuated by emergency services from one of the university halls of residence, alongside with a nearby care home and residents.

As many as 200 students were evacuated from a halls of residence at Exeter University today after an unexploded bomb was found near the campus. Pictured: Exeter University students take in the sunset this evening after hundreds were evacuated from their accomodation

The device itself has been described as around eight feet long and 27 inches across

A halls of residence at Exeter University and a nearby care home were evacuated by police today after an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered by workmen. Pictured: A police van blocks a road near the university campus earlier today

A 100m police cordon was then put in place and nearby roads have been closed to keep people at a safe distance from the device.

Royal navy UXB bomb disposal were called to the site where the bomb was found and are expected to remain until tomorrow.

The device itself has been described as around eight feet long and 27 inches across.

Police Inspector Sean Roper said the situation would take some time to resolve because of the size of the bomb which could not be disposed of like smaller devices.

A truck was seen near the location where the bomb was discovered on February 27

Devon and Cornwall Police declared a major incident today when builders working on private land next to the university campus uncovered the bomb

On their website, Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police were called to Glenthorne Road, Exeter at around 9.20am this morning following reports that a possible unexploded WW2 device has been located.

'A 100m cordon is currently in place and number of nearby properties are currently being evacuated.

'The cordon size may change in due course.

'University of Exeter staff are assisting with evacuating the nearby halls of residence.

On their website, Devon and Cornwall Police said that the Navy EOD had been called in to help deal with the bomb and advised people to avoid the area

'The Navy EOD are also on scene and the incident is ongoing.

'People are advised to avoid the area where possible.'

Around 100 buildings had been evacuated around the hilltop campus which overlooks the city of Exeter which suffered heavy German bombing in the Second World War.

An Indian labour rights activist whose arrest sparked global outrage was granted bail on Friday, days after her family and supporters alleged she was tortured in custody.

Nodeep Kaur, 25, was arrested last month during a protest by workers outside a factory on the outskirts of the Indian capital New Delhi.

Her arrest triggered a storm of criticism with supporters alleging she was sexually assaulted and tortured in custody.

Police have strongly denied the allegations and say Kaur attacked policemen with sticks.

Meena Harris, niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris, called for Kaur's release earlier this month, tweeting that she was "tortured & sexually assaulted in police custody".

Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi brought up Kaur's arrest in the British parliament, saying he was alarmed by the torture allegations.

Police have accused Kaur, who belongs to India's low-caste Dalit community, of unlawful assembly, attempted murder and extortion, according to reports in the Indian media.

Her sister Rajvir Kaur confirmed to AFP on Friday that she had won bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

"We also have to get her medically examined," she said.

Kaur had also been participating in an ongoing months-long farmers' protest against the Indian government's new free market farm laws, in what has emerged as a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The government has offered to suspend the laws for 18 months but farmers say they must be repealed.

The protests have invited international attention, with pop star Rihanna and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg tweeting their support for the farmers, drawing the ire of the government.

ash/abh/axn


A teenager, one of five charged with the murder of Carlow native Cian English in Australia last year, showed no concern for the victim after he died following a fall from a fourth-storey apartment balcony, a court has heard.

Lachlan Paul Soper-Lagas (18) has also been charged with armed robbery in company, deprivation of liberty, torture, stealing and entering dwelling with intent.

Details of what police will allege was serious and protracted torture by the accused were revealed at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Mr English, who was originally from Bullock Park, on the edge of Carlow Town, had been living with his parents Siobhan and Vinny and older brother Dylan in the eastern Brisbane suburb of Hawthorne.

The family left Ireland 16 years ago, first to the Caribbean where Cians father worked for Digicel and then settled in Brisbane in 2011.

Mr English suffered traumatic injuries when he fell from a fourth floor balcony at the View Pacific resort in Surfers Paradise at around 3.15am on Saturday, May 23 last year during an alleged robbery.

Four other accused Jason Ryan Knowles, 22, Hayden Paul Kratzmann, 20, along with two girls, who are minors re-appeared before Southport Magistrates Court and Childrens Court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody.

It is alleged Soper-Lagas threatened Mr English at knifepoint while two teenage girls in the apartment filmed the incident.

The teenage rappers grandparents offered their home as a six figure surety so he could be released on bail.

However, Crown prosecutor Danny Boyle opposed bail, saying there was a strong case against the accused.

He told the court video evidence captured the teenager threatening Mr English and he showed no concern for his welfare after the fall.

He (Soper-Lagas) failed to call emergency services or to go down and check the welfare of the deceased, Mr Boyle said.

He then goes on to steal property. He is then concerned about concealing his identity as he leaves the unit and takes the other defendants with him  they go on to commit a further offence in order to obtain drugs.

It can be looked at as being quite serious and protracted torture of the victims and making demands of them for their property.

The court was told Mr Soper-Lagas had been involved with drugs from a young age.

Justice Rafter granted bail, noting he had no criminal history and ordered him to undergo drug testing and rehabilitation.

Some of the bail conditions include reporting to police daily and wearing a GPS tracker.

The five accused are to re-appear before Southport Magistrates Court on March 23rd.
Rejecting the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calling for immediate release of AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case accused British Christian Michel, India on Friday said the conclusions drawn by the UN panel are based on limited information, biased allegations and an inaccurate understanding of its criminal justice system.

India also made it clear that the Working Group is not a judicial body, and therefore, its opinions are not legally binding on the member states.

AFP on Thursday reported that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) found that Michel, who has been held in India since December 2018 after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates, was being "detained arbitrarily".

Responding to queries over the report, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "We have seen selective leaks of the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning the case of Mr. Christian James Michel, even before its official release."



"At the outset we would like to make it clear that the Working Group is not a judicial body, and therefore, its opinions are not legally binding on the Member States," he said.

Srivastava said the Indian government provided timely information on this issue to the Working Group in June 2020, at their request.

"We regret that the conclusions drawn by the Working Group are based on limited information, biased allegations from an unidentified source and on an inaccurate understanding of India's criminal justice system," he asserted.

The extradition was done entirely in accordance with the provisions of the extradition treaty signed between two sovereign states, Srivastava said, adding that the arrest and subsequent custody were done as per the due process of law and cannot be considered arbitrary on any grounds.

"At no time was the accused denied his rights to legal counsel or a fair hearing. The fact that he has been able to approach courts on multiple occasions including the higher judiciary is itself proof of this," the Spokesperson said.

There have also been no restrictions on consular access by the authorities, he asserted.

Michel has been treated on par with other detainees and provided all facilities by the prison authorities as per rules, Srivastava said.

The Working Group should be aware that India has a robust grievance redressal mechanisms against allegations of violations of human rights in a vibrant and independent judiciary and a 'category A' Human Rights Commission compliant with the Paris Principles, he said.

Srivastava said the allegations which form the basis of the opinion rendered by the Working Group are contrary to facts.

"The Government of India therefore, rejects the opinion rendered by the Working Group," he said.

India, as a responsible member of the Human Rights Council, will continue to cooperate with the Working Group and provide it with the necessary information to the extent possible under Indian laws, to promote and protect human rights of all, the spokesperson said.

Michel is an accused in the VVIP chopper scam and has been in jail ever since he was brought on a special plane from Dubai after UAE authorities handed him over to the Indian government in December 2018.

(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.)
Bankruptcy filings for publicly traded companies jumped 70 percent in 2020 from the year before, as the pandemic and lockdowns wrought havoc on the economy, according to a new study.

In 2020, there were 110 bankruptcy filings by public companies, up from 64 the prior year, according to data from New Generation Research.

The share of billion-dollar public companies filing for bankruptcy was near an all-time high last year, led by the collapse of rental car company Hertz, which declared $25 billion in assets.

When private company filings are included into the billion-dollar tally, 2020 did set the record for all-time high, beating the prior record of 2009, according to the report.

The share of all billion-dollar companies filing for bankruptcy hit an all-time high in 2020

A person walks by a sign that reads, 'restaurant for lease' outside a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan in November. The restaurant industry was hard-hit but the pandemic

The hardest-hit sectors included real estate, with 1,230 bankruptcy filings, and restaurants, with 992 filings.

Though residential real estate sales boomed, with many fleeing cities for the suburbs, commercial real estate has hit hard, as many offices and businesses sat empty.

Construction was also hit hard, with many commercial projects put on hold, as was the oil and gas sector. Oil prices plunged during lockdown, leaving many energy firms unable to pay off high-interest loans.

Though the corporate data is grim, overall the number of bankruptcy filings for 2020 hit their lowest level since 1986, with personal filings dropping dramatically.

A flood of government support programs offset at least temporarily the full brunt of the coronavirus pandemic and a related recession, leading personal bankruptcies to drop, according to data from Epiq AACER.

The firm's compilation of bankruptcy cases showed the Chapter 11 filings used to reorganize larger businesses still jumped 29 percent in 2020 to 7,128, compared to 5,158 in 2019, a tally that included major retailers like J.C. Penney driven under by the biggest economic downturn in a century.

The hardest-hit sectors included real estate, with 1,230 bankruptcy filings, and restaurants, with 992 filings

The assets of bankrupt billion dollar companies in 2020 approached 2009's record level

But overall filings, including all personal and other business bankruptcies, for the year were 529,068, compared to nearly 800,000 annually in recent years, and triple that in 2010 at the end of the last recession.

The low level of personal bankruptcies has been one of the more perplexing dynamics of a pandemic era that has seen millions of jobs destroyed, record numbers of people collecting unemployment insurance, and small businesses forced to close to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Government unemployment insurance, business loans and other programs ended up replacing much of that lost income, pushing savings to record levels and keeping households and businesses afloat -- at least for now.

But Epiq AACER Senior Vice President Chris Kruse said in a press release he expects household and other non-commercial filings 'to grow substantially in the second half of 2021,' as government programs end and debts from the last few months come due.

Though many households used government stimulus or increased unemployment benefits to pay down debts, for example, others are wracking up obligation by delaying rent and mortgage payments.
South Dakota passes law requiring doctors to help babies born alive after abortion

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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed into law a bill that requires abortion providers to provide care for any baby that survives an abortion.

Known as House Bill 1051, Noem signed the legislation on Wednesday, which passed both houses of the state Legislature with overwhelming support.

The pro-life cause continues even after a child is born, and this bill will guarantee the right to life for every baby that is born alive, stated Noem on Wednesday.

We expect doctors to treat all children equally, even those born in horrific circumstances. Thats basic human decency.

Also known as An Act to maintain the life of any child born alive, HB 1051 states that the same means and medical skills and treatment provided to a child born during a delivery must be employed and provided to every child born alive immediately following an abortion or an attempted abortion.

This obligation applies to every physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion that results in a child being born alive, continued the legislation.

Such physician has a physician-patient relationship with that child under the laws of this state, with all of the duties that attend that relationship.

Introduced in January, HB 1051 passed the state House of Representatives in a vote of 59 to 8 and then passed the state Senate earlier this month in a vote of 32 to 3.

Critics of the legislation included the South Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued that the bill placed politicians between a person and their doctor.

If this bill becomes law, obstetricians and pediatricians would be forced to deviate from their best medical judgment and administer futile and painful treatment against the wishes of the parents, under the threat of civil litigation, stated the ACLU.

Numerous health care organizations, representing thousands of clinicians, oppose these bills including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Several state and federal legislators have recently sought to pass laws clarifying that medical providers must give proper medical treatment to babies who survive an abortion.

These efforts came in response to a controversial 2019 interview that pro-choice Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam gave to WTOP News, in which he appeared to endorse infanticide.

When discussing third-trimester abortions in an interview with WTOP, Northam gave the hypothetical example of a baby born with severe deformities or is not viable.

In this particular example, if a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered, the infant would be kept comfortable, said Northam to WTOP.

It would be resuscitated if thats what the mother and the family desired and then a discussion would ensue between the physician and the mother.

Last month, Kentucky had a similar born-alive protection law take effect when Gov. Andy Beshear refused to either sign or veto the legislation in question.

Im disappointed he didnt sign it, but Im grateful he didnt veto it, state Sen. Whitney Westerfield, sponsor of the legislation, told kentucky.com, adding, Ill take what I can get.
Now, with the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins horrifying the community and dominating Parliament, the pressure to act is impossible to withstand. But act how? What happens next is fundamental to the most basic objective for Potter, Higgins and others: stop it happening again. All the words in the world will be meaningless if Morrison does not manage three big tasks. First, changing the process. Second, changing the culture. Third, changing the people. The worst thing is just to get someone in to write a report  forget that, says Catharine Lumby, Professor of Media at the University of Sydney and a long-time gender adviser to the NRL on the treatment of women and sexual abuse. You know, the evidence is in. The way that you change cultures is you find out whats wrong, and you write a report, for sure. And then you implement education programs. And those programs have got to be evidence-based, ethics-based. They are not tick-the-box. Theyre not about telling people dos and donts. Theyre not shaming and blaming people.

Theyre about getting people to really sit through and look at scenarios and say: how would I do this differently? and what does that feel like for someone else? In other words, they are about retraining the Parliament. One immediate step is clear. Morrison promises an independent review to be set up by Finance Minister Simon Birmingham as soon as the week ahead but possibly the following week. Birmingham has consulted Labor, the Greens, independents and others about what the review needs to do. His office has spoken to women who have warned of bullying, harassment and worse. The leading candidate to run the review is Kate Jenkins, who has been the Commonwealths Sex Discrimination Commissioner for five years, but Morrison and Birmingham have not yet made this decision. The terms of reference have not been set but the scope will be broad. The review cannot be only about those who work in Parliament House. It has to include electorate officers, a point made clear by reports about harassment in the office of former Liberal MP Craig Kelly in south-western Sydney. It has to cover the behaviour of people who are constantly mixing with people around the country  travelling together, for instance.

Loading But the review is a mechanism, not an outcome. It is a crowbar to lift the lid on a dark pit in federal politics. Cleaning out that pit is the job of the countrys political leaders. This review should really be as wide-ranging as possible, says Kim Rubenstein, a professor at the University of Canberra and co-director of the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, a gender equality initiative. You could see some regulation from it, and obviously better human resources frameworks, but those things to me are straightforward. If we only leave it at that then were only dealing with the tip of the iceberg rather than with more fundamental issues. First, the process.

Many Australians are used to a workplace where the human resources department has a clear pathway for complaints and a regular cycle of training. That is because employers are changing. Company chiefs are being sacked for harassment or abuse, and others are responding to make sure it does not happen to them. But that is not the way Parliament works. There is no induction for political staff. There is not even one for ministers  except, perhaps, a dry policy brief from the department. The building is populated by people chosen for their personal and political loyalty  whether in government, opposition or on the crossbench. The number of ministerial advisers has swollen under both sides of politics from 155 in 1972 to 449 in 2019. This is a growing layer of government staff who live outside the usual rules of the public service. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The advisers who walk the blue carpet  the colour chosen for the ministerial wing of the building  may get an occasional email about personal conduct, but not much more. And there are more of them than ever. The number of ministerial advisers has swollen under both sides of politics from 155 in 1972 to 449 in 2019. This is a growing layer of government staff who live outside the usual rules of the public service. The staffer ranks include the ministerial advisers as well as others who work for any MP or Senator, whether they side with Labor or Liberal, Nationals or Greens. These workers are hired under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act, which makes them MOPS staff. They do not have the protections offered to public servants in federal departments and agencies. They are hired and fired at the whim of the politician, whether he or she is a backbencher or minister.

The MOPS system has been failing for years. Those who work in it admit it. Right now, someone who experiences sexual assault in a ministerial office has no independent avenue for complaint inside Parliament House. The complaint would go through the Department of Finance and end up on the ministers desk. In the end, the decision-maker is the politician in charge of the office. In a bullying case, for instance, the final decision may be up to the very person accused of bullying. When a man is accused of sexual harassment, the final decision may be up to the mans best mate, the elected MP. Morrison is yet to acknowledge this unique structural flaw. This is an issue that every workplace deals with, and we have to make workplaces safe, he told journalists one week ago. I have no doubt it occurs in the media, in media workplaces, offices in law professions or whatever it might be. Yes, it does. But even media companies have independent HR units for their staff. So do law firms. The MOPS workers do not have this protection. Second, the culture. Potter saw the way Parliament House works: lots of pressure, hordes of young workers, long hours. The pay is generous: a senior adviser can earn up to $200,000 a year; a principal adviser can earn up to $270,000. But they must submit to a system that gives total power to those at the top.

Its a culture of people who are put together in a very stressful, unusual situation with very little support around them, she says. Its an environment where predators can easily gain power over other people. And its a place that is very much a boys club. Its very much a culture where you dont talk about the guy who hit on you at Public [a bar in Canberra] or you dont talk about the MP who made you feel a little uncomfortable. If you talk about it, she says, your colleagues will assume you cant handle the work. And thats really sad, because were losing a lot of good women off the back of it. Changing that culture is not something that can be done by law alone, although an independent complaints process could bring real accountability. Lumby says all sides of politics will have to embed change into the culture. She uses the analogy of teaching kindergarten children the basic rules of consent when borrowing toys  not an outlandish comparison given the way so many advisers go directly from school to university and Parliament House. What needs to happen is ongoing embedment of what it means to people to communicate and treat people with respect in the workplace and kindness and decency, she says. That includes rules on consent.

Finally, the people. The House of Representatives has more women than ever, but women make up only 30.5 per cent of the chamber. The numbers are roughly equal in the Senate. Women make up 47 per cent of the Labor caucus but only 23 per cent of the Coalition party room. Rubenstein thinks the political workplace needs to confront wider questions such as the barriers to diversity in Parliament and the reasons why women, such as those with families, feel they have to leave. She is also exploring the concept of co-representation  the idea that two MPs might share an electorate, and therefore share a job. These are things that we really do need to think about and theyre not just academic ideas, theyre actually really important practical ideas that can lead to influencing cultural change, she says. Potter misses some things about working in politics, but the culture is not one of them.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

8:22 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the 6800 block of Eastman Avenue.

7:53 p.m.  Deputies responded to a vehicle crash in Warren Township.

4:13 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash causing injuries in the area of Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road.

1:37 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Business U.S.-10 and East Patrick Road.

1:21 p.m.  A deputy performed a wellbeing check on a 21-year-old Porter Township woman, who said she was fine, but did not want to stay at her residence any longer due to the illegal drug use that occurs here. A deputy gave the woman a ride to her mother's residence in Midland.

11:32 a.m.  Deputies were initiating follow-up on a stolen vehicle at a Homer Township residence. During the investigation, a 27-year-old Homer Township man was found to be in violation of his probation and arrested for the violation. The man was transported to the Midland County Jail.

10:46 a.m.  A deputy made contact with a 56 -year-old Geneva Township woman who reported she received a bank statement which showed that accounts were opened in her name. The woman was not out of any money but her identity was stolen. The deputy provided the woman with the contact information for the Federal Trade Commission. There are no suspects at this time.

2:45 a.m.  A 19-year-old Lee Township woman called 9-1-1 after a 21-year-old Porter Township woman showed up unannounced to her home. The 19-year-old woman requested that the other woman be formally escorted from her property, which deputies did.
The company said it has launched these new services in Western Canada in response to a 265% year-over-year surge in online sales in Manitoba during 2020

Delta 9 says these services provide a robust channel to communicate with consumers, understand their needs and preferences and drive consumer traffic digitally

Delta 9 Cannabis Inc ( ) ( ) (FRA:V5D1) reported that it has launched a province-wide delivery service in Saskatchewan, as well as same-day home delivery to the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan marketplace.

The company also said it has introduced an online order service for its stores in Calgary and Grande Prairie, Alberta, which will allow customers to reserve products from Delta 9 and have them ready for pick up within one hour.

Delta 9 has a distinct competitive advantage as online ordering and same day delivery services become more available at Delta 9 stores in Western Canada. These services provide a robust channel to communicate with consumers, understand their needs and preferences and drive consumer traffic digitally, Delta 9 Cannabis CEO John Arbuthnot said in a statement.

He added: Customers have responded very positively to our online services in Manitoba, we have experienced a major increase in the usage of our same-day delivery programs with online sales up 265% in 2020 over the previous year and with customer basket sizes almost double compared to in-store basket sizes.

As consumer trends continue toward online shopping, Delta 9 is fully prepared as a market leader with innovative online services.

The company also noted that its customers in Saskatchewan will receive direct email order updates from their chosen store.

Delta 9 Cannabis is a vertically-integrated cannabis company focused on bringing the highest quality cannabis products to market. The company sells cannabis products through its wholesale and retail sales channels and sells its cannabis 'Grow Pods' to other businesses.

The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical and recreational cannabis and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9 owns and operates a chain of retail stores under the Delta 9 Cannabis Store brand.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
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(Newser)  Lots of people made jokes about Ted Cruz's ill-advised trip to Cancun, and on Friday, Cruz joined them. I gotta say, Orlando is awesome! It's not as nice as Cancun, but it's nice, Cruz said at the opening of his speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference, per USA Today. (Video here.) The Florida city is hosting this year's conference. Other notable moments:

Masks: "Now they're saying, everybody can get immunized, we can have herd immunity everywhere, and we're going to wear masks for the next 300 years," said Cruz, per NBC News. "And by the way, not just one mask, two, three, four. You can't have too many masks. How much virtue do you want to signal? This is just dumb."

"Now they're saying, everybody can get immunized, we can have herd immunity everywhere, and we're going to wear masks for the next 300 years," said Cruz, per NBC News. "And by the way, not just one mask, two, three, four. You can't have too many masks. How much virtue do you want to signal? This is just dumb." Masks II: Cruz wasn't the only one with anti-mask sentiments. Attendees booed when organizers asked the crowd to wear masks in compliance with the rules of the hotel hosting the conference, reports Politico. Scattered shouts of "freedom!" also were heard.

story continues below

Back to Cruz: The Texas senator mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her fears during the Jan. 6 riot. After complaining that "socialists control the levers of government" at the moment, Cruz said, Bernie [Sanders] is wearing mittens and AOC is telling us she was murdered.'" He gave a shrill emphasis to the word "murdered," notes the Guardian.

The Texas senator mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her fears during the Jan. 6 riot. After complaining that "socialists control the levers of government" at the moment, Cruz said, Bernie [Sanders] is wearing mittens and AOC is telling us she was murdered.'" He gave a shrill emphasis to the word "murdered," notes the Guardian. On Boehner: Cruz mentioned that former House Speaker John Boehner told him to "go f--- yourself" in his audiobook. "You know yesterday, John Boehner made some news," said Cruz, per the Hill. "He suggested that I do something that was anatomically impossible. To which my response was, 'Whos John Boehner?'

(Read more Ted Cruz stories.)
[February 26, 2021] Newly Confirmed U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to Deliver Inaugural Address at CERAWeek by IHS Markit 2021

Newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm will deliver her inaugural energy address at CERAWeek by IHS (News - Alert) Markit 2021, to be held virtually March 1-5. Prior to leading the U.S. Department of Energy in the Biden Administration, Ms. Granholm served as the 47th governor of Michigan from 2003 to 2011 and previously served as the state's attorney general. She will join the world's energy industry leaders, experts, government officials and policymakers, as well as leaders from the technology, financial and industrial communities addressing this year's conference. "We are pleased to welcome Secretary Granholm among the distinguished speakers at CERAWeek 2021 for her opening address as the 16th U.S. Secretary of Energy," said Daniel Yergin, conference chair and vice chairman of IHS Markit. "Her unique insights on the future of U.S. energy policy will be a major and most timely addition to the critical discussions taking place at this year's conference." CERAWeek 2021: The New Map: Energy, Climate and Charting the Future will examine a new global map being shaped by dramatic shifts in energy and geopolitics-a map defined by changing policies, technology, alliances, geopolitics, and possibly collisions in global commerce and politics. Inspired by the new book, The New Map: Energy, Climate and the Clash of Nations by IHS Markit Vice Chairman and CERAWeek Chairman Daniel Yergin, the conference program will focus on key themes related to Energy Transition; Geopolitics, Economics and Markets; Investment and Financing; Technology and Innovation; Mobility and the Future Workforce. 2021 marks the 39th edition of the conference and is the first time that it will be an all-virtual event. The conference is produced by IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions. CERAWeek 2021 and the related Innovation Agora will feature more than 245 speakers from 29 countries. Speakers will include (partial list): John F. Kerry - specal presidential envoy for climate, United States

Bill Gates (News - Alert) - co-chair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and founder, Breakthrough Energy

Amin Nasser - president and CEO, Saudi Aramco

Bernard Looney - group chief executive, BP

Ben van Beurden - CEO, Royal Dutch Shell

Patrick Pouyanne - chairman and CEO, TOTAL SE

Ryan Lance - chairman and CEO, ConocoPhillips

Vicki Hollub - president and CEO, Occidental Petroleum

Mike Wirth - chairman of the board and CEO, Chevron (News - Alert)

H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo - secretary general, OPEC

Gina McCarthy - national climate advisor, The White House

Hon. Joe Manchin - chairman, U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator, State of West Virginia

Hon. Daniel Sullivan - U.S. Senator, State of Alaska

Lynn J. Good - chairman, president and CEO, Duke Energy (News - Alert)

Hon. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan - minister of petroleum and natural gas and minister of steel, Government of India

Noubar Afeyan - co-founder and chairman, Moderna

Pratima Rangarajan - CEO, OGCI Climate Investments

Hon. Tina Bru, minister of petroleum and energy, Norway

Hon. Sylvester Turner - mayor, City of Houston

S.M. Vaidya - chairman, Indian Oil Corporation

Susan Hockfield - president emerita and professor of neuroscience, MIT (News - Alert)

Walter Isaacson - author and professor of history, Tulane University

Allison Herren Lee - acting chair, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Sunita Narain - director general, Centre for Science and Environment

Ben Fowke - chairman of the board, president and CEO, Xcel Energy

Nick Akins - chairman, president and CEO, AEP

Ignacio S. Galan - chairman and CEO, Iberdrola S.A.

Daren Woods - chairman and CEO, Exxon Mobil Corporation

Hon. Kathy Castor - U.S. Representative, 14 Congressional District, State of Florida



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Pennsylvania movie theaters ditch mask mandate

Three chain movie theaters have announced that masks are no longer mandatory for moviegoers who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
A notorious priest will likely die in jail after being sentenced for historic child sex abuse - as the lifting of a gag order allows the media to report his crimes for the first time.

Defrocked Catholic priest Patrick Holmes, 87, has been jailed for five and a half years for molesting children in the late 1960's at churches in Perth, Western Australia.

The 87-year-old was also jailed in 2014 for three years over historical child sex crimes relating to two young girls that occurred in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

One of Western Australia's most notorious priests Patrick Holmes (pictured) will likely die in jail after abusing children over decades, as the lifting of a gag order lets the media report his crimes

Suppression orders which prevented his case from being publicised in the media lapsed three weeks after his sentencing was announced.

Holmes molested a seven-year-old altar boy in the pews of the Holy Name Church in Carlisle in the late 1960s, reported The West Australian.

Another woman was only five when she was abused in the back room of the church, and received a Holy Card when she walked away.

He also abused her in the confessional box before preparing for Holy Communion and preyed on her twin sister in the late 1960s and 70s.

When Holmes moved parishes to St Aloysius Church in Shenton Park, he gave two girls sweets, encouraged them to do hand stands and cartwheels and touched them inappropriately as they played.

'You used your position as a priest and abused the position of trust you were placed in to take advantage of those vulnerable children and I find that aggravating,' Judge Gary Massey said.

The judge said the former priest's old age did not much mitigate his sentence because he had spent 50 years in the community while his victims suffered.

'I consider in this case your advanced age is of only limited mitigation ... because you've had more than 50 years in the community since the commission of the first offences, whereas the victims have had to live with the consequences of your offending for all that period.'

The defrocked Catholic priest will be jailed for five and a half years for molesting children in the late 1960's at two churches - including the Holy Name Church (pictured) - in Perth

Defence lawyer Seamus Rafferty said 'sexual repression' was a factor in Holmes' conduct and said the church was to blame for that repression, not the victims.

'If you're going to do this to men, as far as the concept of chastity is concerned, then there is always a significant risk that that level of repression will then turn into the type of conduct,' he told the court.

The judge said impact statements from the victims showed the crimes had affected them their entire lives, and said they were entitled to be safe in a church.

Holmes will be eligible for parole in three years.

If this story has raised issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800 RESPECT
Kanpur : , Feb 26 (IANS) After bird flu hit the avians, now the canines in Kanpur are reportedly affected by a deadly virus called Parvo.

Eight dogs have reportedly died in Kanpur due to the deadly Parvo virus.

The post mortem of two of the eight dead dogs, has revealed that their intestines had decayed and the dogs had vomited blood before their death.

Parvo is a highly contagious virus. It causes an infectious gastrointestinal (GI) illness in puppies and young dogs, and without treatment, it is potentially deadly. What makes the virus so dangerous is the ease with which it is spread through the canine population.

The infected dogs belong to the Kyontara village in Bhitargaon block. In the same village, scores of crows had been found dead a few weeks ago.

A team of veterinary experts that is visiting the village to know about the behavioural changes in the infected dogs, said that the virus mainly affects the intestines.

Veterinarian Sarvendra Sachan said that Parvo virus does not affect bigger animals but proves fatal for canines.

Another veterinarian in the team, O.P. Varma said that dogs should be given the required vaccine within three months of birth to protect them from the virus.
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A student of the University of Ibadan who was kidnapped on his fathers farm on Monday has been released, the police have said.

Odetunde Emmanuel, 24, was abducted around 5 p.m. while working at his fathers poultry in Oke Odan, Apete area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the release of the victim to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ibadan.

Mr Fadeyi said the victim was released by his abductors on Thursday and had been reunited with his family.

He said the release of the victim would not stop police investigation into the case, adding that they were still on the trail of the abductors.

Ransom?

However, a member of the family, who declined to be mentioned because he is not authorised to speak, also confirmed the release of the victim. He said he was released around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday at Iseyin town, Oke-Ogun area of the state.

The family source did not disclose whether ransom was paid to secure the release of the victim.

The kidnappers had demanded for N100 million ransom for the release of the victim. (NAN)
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 following statement was unanimously adopted by the newly-formed Rank-and-File Committee for Safe Education in Turkey.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has begun to gradually open schools as of February 15. It is intensifying this policy as of March 1, endangering the health of children, teachers and of society as a whole as the pandemic rages.

We, as teachers, students and parents from various cities across Turkey, have created a Rank-and-File Committee for Safe Education to unite and mobilise widespread social opposition to school reopenings, in-person education, and face-to-face exams before the pandemic is brought under control.

Doctors of the Istanbul Medical Chamber stand in homage to Dr. M. Mustafa Kartal who died of COVID-19, December 11, 2020, Istanbul. [Credit: Istanbul Medical Chamber]

This deadly policy, implemented by the government without any serious objections from opposition parties or trade unions, can only be stopped by the independent intervention of the working class and youth before it causes another disaster as before. This means taking action to stop the school openings.

The gradual reopening of schools for in-person education last September undeniably contributed to the spread of COVID-19 and the resulting disaster in November-December in Turkey, which has nearly 18 million students and about 1 million teachers in K-12 schools.

Turkey saw over 30,000 cases and more than 250 deaths per day in the November-December period. Due to limited restrictions, including suspending face-to-face education, implemented at the end of November, the number of daily cases fell to around 5,000. The official daily death toll also fell to around 70.

However, the government is now lifting even these limited measures and re-opening schools to face-to-face education. Moreover, these steps are taken as the daily official number of cases again exceeds 9,000, virus variants thought to be more contagious and more resistant to vaccines spread across Turkey, and scientists warn of a third wave in March. But in March of last year, after the Health Ministry announced that the first COVID-19 case was detected in Turkey, schools were closed to in-person education and continued remotely.

It is now indisputable that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 2.5 million people globally, including 28,000 in Turkey, can only be brought under control with full lockdown measures and widespread vaccination internationally. This means closing all non-essential workplaces and schools, with widespread testing and contact tracing, and full compensation to all affected workers and small businesses.

The unprecedented catastrophe of the pandemic is fundamentally a social and political, not simply a medical, question. The necessary technology and medical expertise to contain the virus and ensure workers safety exists. However, under capitalism everything is subordinated to the profit interests of the corporate and financial elite.

The science is clear: school closures are critical to containing COVID-19. The overwhelming preponderance of scientific evidence shows that closing schools, together with other vital social distancing measures, reduces the spread of COVID-19. Reopening schools means performing a medical experiment on children.

However, despite a year of painful experiences and scientific facts, schools are reopening not only in Turkey, but internationally. Behind the opening of schools stand not the educational, social and emotional needs of children, but the interests of the ruling class. It is absurd to suggest that politicians who have spent their entire careers in slashing school funding and privatizing education care about childrens basic needs.

In Turkey, and internationally, they have but one purpose in reopening schools for in-person education: to get children out of their homes so their parents can be sent back to work to produce profits for the corporations.

This is clearly seen from the decision of the Higher Education Council (YOK) not to reopen most of the university branches to face-to-face education.

YOK has conveyed to universities the decision that only applied sciences such as medicine can be done face-to-face and that theoretical training should be done remotely. In its decision, the YOK referred to advice given by the Health Ministry, which declared: The increase in the number of cases in our country in the last 3 weeks requires more careful attention. It should not be forgotten that face-to-face education in higher education institutions may cause significant mobility, apart from the current conditions.

Nonetheless, the diametrically opposed decisions taken for university and pre-university students reveals that schools are to be used as nurseries for young children so their parents can be forced to go to work.

The governments concern is not education: it has not allocated additional resources for safe education since the pandemic began a year ago. If education was the governments true concern, thousands of new schools could be built in a year, hundreds of thousands of unassigned teachers could be employed, and classroom environments for up to 15 children could be created. However, hundreds of thousands of students have been deprived of remote education due to the states failure to provide the necessary materials for it.

In this process, social resources have been transferred to a handful of rich people. The largest conglomerates in Turkey increased their profits by more than 100 percent, and banks made huge profits in one year of the pandemic. In the same period, large sections of the population were forced to work in dangerous conditions. Millions were forced to take unpaid leave or unemployment. In small businesses, many have lost all their incomes.

While the ruling class seized the pandemic as an opportunity to escalate its social attack on the working class, teachers working in private schools were particularly heavily affected. Throughout the pandemic, a significant portion of private school teachers who continued to work either remotely or face-to-face full-time were forced to live on short-time work allowances equal to two-thirds of their salary.

Large sections of the public are aware that school reopenings under these conditions will cause hundreds of thousands of people to become infected and thousands to die. The fact that 90 percent of 251 people who participated in our one-day survey on Twitter said, Do not open schools to face-to-face education before the pandemic is brought under control reflected the widespread opposition among the public. Again on Twitter, teachers have been campaigning for weeks with the hashtags Dont open schools and Schools are dangerous and they have received the support of many scientists.

Moreover, the campaign of high school students against holding exams face-to-face in schools in March is particularly striking. High school students and their supporters, who have recently opposed this deadly policy on Twitter using various hashtags, have posted more than almost 1 million tweets every day.

While the hashtag #TurkishStudentsLivesMatter was used over 3 million times in the latest campaign, Egyptian students responded with the hashtag #EgyptianStudentsLivesMatter. Students messages of mutual support and solidarity are of great importance. This is a striking example of the joint struggle of the workers and youth of the two countries against the deadly response to the pandemic, defying the mutual hostility of the Turkish and Egyptian governments, rooted in the conflicting interests of their ruling classes.

We are in solidarity with school strikes and protests that have erupted in Poland, Greece, France, Germany and the US against the school reopenings in unsafe conditions. These struggles show the way forward for educators and students in Turkey. What we need is a school strike as part of an international general strike to defend the public health and needs of the people.

The pandemic is global, and its solution can only be global. In this context, we emphasize our solidarity with rank-and-file safety committees in the US, Germany, Britain, Sri Lanka and Australia, which fight against the reopening of schools to face-to-face education during the pandemic. Our struggles are the same.

The unions will not organise and mobilise this widespread social opposition today, as they have done since the pandemic began. While some unions openly support the school reopenings, some do nothing to stop it.

Taking urgent measures to prevent further death and suffering depends on the independent intervention of the working class and youth, including educators, from all establishment parties and trade unions. Instead of transferring billions to the corporations, their large fortunes must be expropriated and the following demands must be implemented:

 For the immediate closure of all public and private schools! This is non-negotiable. It is impossible to safely open schools during a raging pandemic. The loss of life and permanent physical and emotional damage to children who spread the disease to teachers, parents and grandparents dwarfs any disruption caused by online learning.

 Resources for teachers, schools and online learning! New schools and day-care centres should be opened in each neighbourhood to ensure safe conditions, without the use of buses or public transportation, and all unassigned education workers should be immediately employed as permanent staff. Until these measures are taken, all teachers and students must be provided with good computers and high-speed internet access free of charge, to ensure quality online teaching. Households need comprehensive financial and social support during the pandemic.

 Everyone has the right to access public and scientific education. The subordination of education to capitalist profit must be stopped and all private schools nationalised. Private school teachers and other teachers employed on contract should be hired as permanent staff, and all teachers basic wages should be increased.

 The imposition of flexible working conditions on remote education should end, teachers working hours should be strictly followed, and overtime should be worked on a voluntary basis and paid. The attempt to put cameras in classrooms permanently under the pretext of the pandemic is a violation of basic democratic rights. They must be withdrawn immediately.

 In order to combat the psychological damage the pandemic causes in children and all of society, psychological counsellors should be employed and easily accessible by everyone, free of charge.

 Full income protection to all parents and caregivers who stay home with their children! The money handed over to the rich must be used to provide full income to those who cannot work because they must stay home with their children. At the same time, the policy of imposing unpaid leave of about 1.400 lira (US$200) per month on hundreds of thousands of workers should end. All unemployed people should be provided with full income support.

 No loss of income for educators who choose to stay home! Teachers and education workers who refuse to work in unsafe conditions must be provided with full income and benefits for the duration of the pandemic, not fined or penalised.

 For free speech and the protection of whistle-blowers! Those who speak out against unsafe working conditionswhether in schools, factories, warehouses, hospitals or officesmust be defended against victimisation by employers or state officials. All workers who have been victimised must be rehired with back pay.

 For a vaccination campaign! Currently, the number of people vaccinated with two doses in Turkey is only 1.5 million (less than 2 percent). However, it is not possible to contain the pandemic without vaccinating the majority of the population. Resources should be used to promptly make millions of vaccines available, and private hospitals nationalised due to this public health emergency. Hundreds of thousands of health workers should also be employed immediately.

 For regular, comprehensive tests of pupils and teachers! Regular testing of children, youth and staff is vital for public health. This also applies to all factories and workplaces where a risk arises. Only in this way can immediate quarantine measures be taken and the spread of the virus limited.

 Halt all non-essential production! Until the pandemic is contained, only key industries such as food production, medical care and logistics should remain open. Workers in those industries must be provided with the most advanced safety measures to prevent infection. All non-essential workers and laid-off workers as well as affected small business owners must be provided with full compensation and access to free health care.

 The schools must remain closed until the threat to public health is over and rank-and-file safety committees, working in conjunction with trusted scientists and public health experts, can certify the safety of children, teachers and school employees.

 Before any school reopens, all ventilation systems must be modernised, janitorial and nursing staff must be hired, and class sizes must be permanently reduced to no more than 15 students.

 No exam pressure and learning stress during the pandemic! While the pandemic rages, regular exams are not possible. The decision on alternative grading and exams must be made by the students as a whole.

Our demands are based not on what the corporations and the politicians claim is affordable, but what is necessary to protect the lives and well-being of children, educators and the entire working class. Our aim is to mobilise the working class as an independent social force against the insecure reopening of schools and for the defence of public education.

We call on all educators, parents and students who support this initiative to contact us, to establish rank-and-file committees for safe education and to expand this struggle, which is vital for public health.
DETROIT  Border Patrol agents rescued an elderly woman who fell into freezing water in Monroe County.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Feb. 25, when an agent on patrol at the Pointe Moulliee State Game Area boat launch noticed an older female stumble into freezing cold water due to high winds.

According to a news release, the agent immediately ran over to the female and entered the freezing water where he was able to carry the woman to safety.

The female suffered severe injuries to her head and face because of the fall. She was placed her in a warm vehicle while the agent attended an older gentleman who attempted to exit his vehicle and also fell on the boat ramp due to high winds.

I cant tell you how proud I am of our agent who without hesitation risked his safety to enter the freezing water and saved the life of a complete stranger, said Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison. We remain committed to the protection of our country and communities in which we live and serve.

Brownstown Township Police Department and Brownstown Fire and Rescue arrived on scene to assist and transport the injured woman to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

Responding Brownstown Fire and Rescue noted that if the agent had not been there to immediately respond, the subjects condition would have been extremely dire.

In fiscal year 2020, U.S. Border Patrol agents nationwide conducted 5,071 life-saving rescues in a wide variety of circumstances, according to a news release.
London: Britains Prince Harry has said he stepped back from his royal duties because the toxic British press had been destroying his mental health, adding he had not walked away from public service.

Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queens grandson and his US wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, had made a final split with the royal family, and would not be returning as working members and would lose their patronages.

Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, sent shockwaves through the monarchy in January 2020 when they announced their intention to step back from royal duties and embark on a new life across the Atlantic.

It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down, there was a really difficult environment as I think a lot of people saw, Harry said in an interview with James Corden, host of the Late Late Show in the US.
New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Additional Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday that above normal temperatures are prevailing in parts of North-West and Eastern India.

ADG Anand Sharma told the media that the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Western Madhya Pradesh are experencing above normal temperatures.

He further said that Delhi experienced 8-degree Celsius above normal temperature on Thursday with the maximum temperature reaching 33.2-degree Celsius.

Sharma told the media that regions around Delhi and in North-West India are experiencing 5-6-degree more temperature than normal. He added that the trend is expected to continue.

Due to Western disturbances, slight fall in temperature is expected in the region on March 1 and March 2.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Iskander tactical missile systems were not used during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russias Defense Ministry reported.

"According to objective and reliable data confirmed by the live monitoring and recording system, none of the missile systems of this type was used during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh," TASS cited the ministry as saying.

The entire ammunition load of these missiles is stored at the depots of the Armenian Armed Forces, the ministry stressed.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was misled over the use of Iskander missile systems in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russias top brass elaborated.

"To all appearances, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Nikol Pashinyan was misled and, as a result, he used inaccurate information," the ministry said.
Donald Trump Jr. Says Trump Is Still the Future of the Republican Party

Donald Trump Jr. asserted that his father, former President Donald Trump, is still the future of the GOP ahead of his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this weekend.

If youre reading the room and youre intelligent, you realize that Donald Trump is still the future of the Republican Party, Trump Jr. said on Fox News. Those people who are being displaced by illegals, those people who are being swept aside by the Democrat Party, who has just flagrantly ignored them for decades, Donald Trump is all over that, he added.

Trump Jr. is scheduled to speak at CPAC on Friday, while the former president will give a speech on Sunday.

The former commander-in-chief has not yet indicated whether he would run for president in 2024. Trump was impeached and later acquitted by the Senate earlier this month, triggering a schism between Republicans who either voted to impeach or convict and those who did not.

Since the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, a number of corporations severed ties with Republicans. The younger Trump argued that it may ultimately be a positive development because it shows the GOP represents working-class Americans, rather than Democratswho have for decades attempted to cast themselves as the party representing the working class and unions.

The Republican Party isnt going to be bound to those corporate interests anymore, he argued in the Fox interview. So I love that they are making that link and breaking it, because we need more of that and we need candidates and people who will go to bat, who will go to war and fight for the American working class and make sure we put them first.

Trump added that its unprecedented in history for it to be considered controversial for leaders of a nation to put their people first. He added: Why is it now, and how do the Democrats get away with making America last as opposed to first?

A number of opinion polls in recent weeks suggest that Trump is still viewed highly by Republican voters, with one survey showing that up to 70 percent of Republicans would consider joining a Trump-backed political party.

Since the Jan. 6 incident, Trump was de-platformed by Big Tech firms, including Twitterhis once-favored social media platformand has delivered messages to supporters and the media mainly via email. Should he run again for president, its not clear if he would attempt to join an alternative social media website and app like Parler or start his own.
Sylvia Quayle, 34, from Cherry Hills near Denver was murdered in August 1981

DNA recovered from a can of Vanilla Coke has been used track down an alleged murder suspect 40 years later.

Sylvia Quayle, 34, from Cherry Hills, Colorado near Denver, was brutally sexually assaulted and killed in August 1981.

Her killing was thought to have been solved in 1983 after Ottis Elwood Toole confessed to the murder.

He was formally charged with first-degree murder but ten years later, authorities began to question the confession Toole made and the charges were dropped in 1993.

DNA testing showed that Toole's DNA did not match genetic material that was believed to have been left at the scene by the killer.

In 2000, DNA that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation had on file was then submitted to the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

The sample that was sent was left unidentified until January 29 when it was finally matched to 62-year-old David Dwayne Anderson of Nebraska.

The breakthrough came after Cherry Hills Village Police Department (CHVPD) began working with United Data Connect, a genetic genealogy company that specializes in forensic science.

A match was finally found in May 2020 with David Anderson, 62, of Nebraska. He is pictured here in a mugshot from the 1980

A DNA analyst working at the small police force contacted the forensics firm and a meeting was held with the company founder Mitch Morrissey.

'There's a young DNA analyst, she used worked to work in Denver, and she said Mitch, if you have a slot I worked on a case, we worked with Colorado Bureau of Investigation(CBI), it's a homicide down in Cherry Hills and if you would contact Detective Lenny Abeyta, I'm sure he would love your help,' said Morrissey recalling the conversation to 9News.

In May 2020, United Data Connect found there was a potential match after samples from the 1981 crime scene matched two public DNA databases, including GED Match and Family Tree DNA.

Then on January 22, an investigator from United Data Connect Investigator traveled to Cozad, a town of about 3,800 people in west-central Nebraska, to secretly collect DNA from Anderson.

Anderson, pictured during his arrest on February 10. He was identified as a suspect after DNA from a Vanilla Coke can he was drank matched that found at the scene of Quayle's murder

Two bags of trash were retrieved from the apartment complex dumpster where Anderson lived.

Aside from mail and bills there were a number of items suitable for DNA testing including a water bottle, rum bottle and a Vanilla Coke can.

A week later on January 29, lab results yielded a match that saw DNA from the Vanilla Coke can matching multiple items that were found at Quyale's crime scene.

Anderson was arrested earlier this month on February 10 in Nebraska. He faces two counts of first-degree murder.

He'll be prosecuted under 1981 laws which means if her convicted of a first-degree murder he would be eligible for parole in 20 years. Current laws do not allow for parole.

Quayle, pictured, was sexually assaulted and killed likely by someone who broke into her home either late in the early morning hours of August 4th 1981. Phone lines to her home had been cut and a bathroom window screen had been removed. She was found dead the following morning

CBI records detail how Anderson had been arrested multiple times between 1976 and 1988 and had even done prison time in Colorado.

He was arrested twice on burglary charges 1981 including one incident two months after Quayle's murder.

Jefferson County sheriff's deputies arrested Anderson on a burglary charge he was sentenced to three years in state prison.

Several more arrests occurred in the 1980s mainly on burglary and trespassing charges.

'It's been a journey, and then getting to know Jo, and understanding, being a little sister and what Sylvia meant to her, it's been a little breathtaking,' said CHVPD Chief Michelle Tovrea who announced news of the arrest together with Quayle's sister and brother-in-law.

'It's been a journey, and then getting to know Jo, and understanding, being a little sister and what Sylvia meant to her, it's been a little breathtaking,' said CHVPD Chief Michelle Tovrea, pictured center, who announced news of the arrest

A DNA analyst working at the small police force contacted the forensics firm and a meeting was held with the company founder Mitch Morrissey who assisted in DNA analysis

'Sylvia's sister and family had the quote "Beauty seen is never lost" etched onto her grave marker a very fitting reminder of the beautiful person she was.'

It's believed Quayle was sexually assaulted and killed likely by someone who broke into her home either late in the early morning hours of August 4th 1981.

Phone lines to her home had been cut and a bathroom window screen had been removed.

Quayle spoke to her younger sister around 11pm on August 3 but was dead by the following morning when her father found her naked body on the living room floor of her home, at 8am.

Investigators told how her hands were covered in blood and that she had broken fingernails and 'visible red marks' on her neck 'consistent with the shape of fingers.'

The coroner found Quayle had been stabbed multiple times in the chest and shot in the head.

Mugshots of David Dwayne Anderson of Nebraska are pictured with about 40 years between them

Her cause of death was listed as blood loss due to the wounds that pierced her heart and lungs with a gunshot wound listed as a secondary cause of death.

'To meet, Sylvia's family today means a lot to me,' said Morrisey. 'When I read this case and I realized that her father found her in the condition that I know she was in. The way that she was left after being brutalized, and killed, I can't imagine as a father myself of a young woman about this age to have a morning like that.'

Although Quayle's parents are no longer alive and Chief Tovrea said the woman had a very close relationship with them.

'She loved her little sister very much,' said Tovrea.'She had a wonderful loving relationship with her parents and had coffee with them every morning. They missed her deeply.'
Posted Thursday, February 25, 2021 12:25 pm

A divided Washington Supreme Court has struck down as unconstitutional a longstanding law that made it a felony to possess illegal drugs even if you didnt know you had them.

The court used the 2016 arrest of a Spokane woman, Shannon Blake, to revisit Washingtons strict-liability drug possession law, which the Legislature adopted in the 1950s. The court has reviewed and upheld that law, often referred to as simple possession, at least twice since then. It concluded both times that the Legislature intended to make any illegal drug possession a felony, regardless of the suspects knowledge or intent.

On Thursday, a majority of the justices decided that the strict-liability standard is unconstitutional. They said the harsh penalties and stigma that come with a felony conviction violate due-process guarantees in instances where the individuals possession of the drugs sprang from unintentional or innocent, passive conduct.

The court has never addressed the underlying constitutionality of the law, under which individuals who unwittingly found themselves in possession of illegal drugs could be convicted of a felony and sent to prison for up to five years.

The Legislature has also allowed the law to go unchanged, embracing prior Supreme Court decisions that the current court believes were wrong.

Legislative acquiescence has locked our old interpretation [of the law] into that drug possession statute, the majority wrote. But that interpretation makes that statute criminalize innocent and passive possession, even by a defendant who does not know, and has no reason to know, that drugs lay hidden within something that they possess.

State legislatures have the police power to criminalize and punish much conduct, but that power is limited by the due-process clauses of the state and federal constitutions, noted Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud, writing for a five-member majority.

Attaching the harsh penalties of felony conviction, lengthy imprisonment, stigma, and the many collateral consequences that accompany every felony drug conviction to entirely innocent and passive conduct exceeds the legislatures powers, McCloud wrote.

McCloud was joined by Justices Mary Yu, Raquel Montoya-Lewis, G. Helen Whitener and Chief Justice Stephen Gonzalez.

In a dissent, Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson argued that the states justices have long recognized that mere possession of illegal drugs is a crime, and that the issue of whether intent should be an element of the crime was a decision to be left to the Legislature. Johnson was joined by justices Susan Owens and Barbara Madsen.

Justice Debra Stephens concurred with the majority in throwing out the conviction of Blake and agreed that previous court decisions upholding strict-liability possession were off base. She argued, however, that the statute has an implied intent element that the majority has chosen to ignore. She declined to join the majority in finding the law unconstitutional.

The case involved the arrest of Blake on an unrelated theft charge in Spokane in 2016. After being taken into custody, police searched her and found a small bindle of methamphetamine in the coin pocket of her jeans, and charged her with felony drug possession under a law that was enacted in 1953.

Blake argued that the jeans had been bought secondhand by a friend who had given them to her just two days earlier. She offered a defense of unwitting possession during a bench trial, but it was rejected. The Court of Appeals upheld her conviction.

The majority joined McCloud in noting that Washington is the last state in the nation to enforce a statute that continues to criminalize this innocent nonconduct.
TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Animal Alliance of Canada, along with allied organizations, has yet again hired lawyer, Peter Copeland, to compose a letter opposing wildlife-killing contests in Ontario.

The letter urges Minister John Yakabuski to ensure that his ministrys own regulations are enforced. This is regarding a coyote-killing contest sponsored by a hunting supply store in Belleville. That contest offers rewards, or gains to those who bring in the dead bodies of the largest coyotes, and the smallest.

Such contests, according to Section 11 of Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1997 are illegal, as its prohibited to hunt or trap for gain.

The legislation prohibits:

"Hunting or trapping for gain:

11 (1) Except with the authorization of the Minister, a person shall not,

(a) hunt for hire, gain or the expectation of gain;

(b) hire, employ or induce another person to hunt for gain;

(c) trap for hire, gain or the expectation of gain;

(d) hire, employ or induce another person to trap for gain; or

(e) pay or accept a bounty."

Mr. Copeland states in his letter: The purpose and effect of these provisions is to prohibit providing or receiving financial incentives to hunt and trap. Mr. Copeland argues that by offering substantial cash payouts and goods for the killing of the largest coyotes, participants are being induced to hunt for gain. Contest participants themselves are hunting for the expectation of gain. As well, the prizes and payouts may constitute prohibited bounties on large animals, as they are financial incentives to kill a targeted group of animals.

Liz White, Director of Animal Alliance of Canada states: It should not be necessary for animal advocacy organizations to monitor the actions of hunting proponents to make sure they are following Ontarios regulations. Its the responsibility of the Ministry to enforce conservation regulations without bias toward those who hunt and fish. The ministry exists to serve all Ontarians.

White said that this is not the first time that Animal Alliance of Canada has needed to take action to stop wildlife-killing contests. During a previous wildlife-killing contest in Ontario, we hired Mr. Copeland to assess the legality of such contests as they relate to Ontarios regulations, White said. We sent that letter to the minister of the day and the contest was shut down. Now another contest has been allowed to take place without enforcement action by the ministry.

Peter Copelands letter was written on behalf of Animal Alliance of Canada, Coyote Watch Canada, Earthroots and Zoocheck.

Liz White, Director, Animal Alliance of Canada

c) 416-809-4371

liz@animalalliance.ca






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Villagers harvest fresh peppers at Qinggangba Village, Tangtou Township in Sinan County of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China, the world's most populous country, on Thursday declared that it has eliminated absolute poverty.

The feat means China has solved absolute poverty, which has existed for thousands of years. The nation's people have now realized their long-cherished wish for ample food and clothing as well as comfortable housing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China has scored a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty and accomplished the arduous task of eliminating absolute poverty, hailing the achievement as another miracle of mankind that will "go down in history."

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the announcement while addressing a grand gathering held in Beijing to mark the country's poverty alleviation accomplishments and award model poverty fighters.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has organized and launched a tough anti-poverty drive that is the largest in scale and strongest in intensity, and benefits the biggest number of people in human history. Under the current standard, the country has lifted all 98.99 million of its rural poor out of poverty, or an average of over 10 million each year, which is equivalent to the population of a medium-sized country.

Wang Jincai is a farmer from the Miao ethnic group in Pangru Village of the Ziyun Miao-Bouyei Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

"We didn't have enough to eat and lived in an old wooden house with holes everywhere. You could see the stars when you sat inside," he recalled. His family bid farewell to poverty in 2020 and now lives in a new house equipped with running water.

Over the past eight years, Xi has presided over seven central poverty alleviation work symposiums, conducted more than 50 investigations into poverty alleviation work, and visited all of China's 14 contiguous impoverished areas. The country has sent over 3 million people to villages as special commissioners for poverty relief and invested fiscal funds totaling nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (248 billion U.S. dollars) into poverty alleviation. More than 1,800 people have lost their lives in the country's fight against poverty.

Yang Yalin, Party chief of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, said that the key to success in poverty alleviation is to firmly rely on the leadership of the CPC. "No matter how hard a nut is, we are resolved to crack it with the concerted efforts of cadres and the masses," he said.

When calculated in accordance with China's current poverty line, the country has lifted 770 million rural residents out of poverty since the beginning of reform and opening-up over 40 years ago, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global total based on the World Bank's international poverty line.

China has met the goal of ending poverty established in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

The elimination of absolute poverty in China is thanks to the CPC's strong leadership and determination, the people-centered philosophy of development, the institutional strength which can bring together the resources necessary to accomplish great tasks, as well as a series of creative and significant ideas and measures such as targeted poverty reduction, domestic and overseas observers have said.

Eliminating absolute poverty is a key contribution to accomplishing the CPC's first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, has set a solid foundation for its new journey of fully building a modern socialist country, and has created a "China example" for poverty reduction.

Senegalese scholar Ibrahima Niang said China's achievement in alleviating extreme poverty is exemplary, and its experience will contribute to the development of African countries.

Despite the accomplishment, the income levels of people who have recently shaken off poverty are relatively low.

As Xi said at the gathering, shaking off poverty is not the finish line, but the starting point of a new life and a new endeavor, and further efforts will be made to integrate the work of consolidating poverty alleviation achievements with rural vitalization.
GULFPORT, Mississippi -- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College recently unveiled its new Immersive Media Performing Arts Center (iMPAC) on its Harrison County campus.

The new venue will host performances, events, conferences and meetings and will, according to the school, be the premier performance facility on the coast and a training ground for live performance professionals.

The center will also become the new home for the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, which signed an agreement with MGCCC to use iMPAC at its home. The orchestra is now is its 59th year of entertaining the Mississippi coast.

The new facility is one of three Innovation Locations at MGCCC campuses, including the Hospitality Resort Management Center at the Harrison County Campus and the Estuarine Education Center at the Jackson County Campus. These locations provide coastal residents and students the opportunity to experience a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities.

The opening of iMPAC is something our entire college family has anticipated since the beginning of construction, said Cedric Bradley, vice president of the Harrison County Campus. We are looking forward to the many wonderful performances and events that will enhance learning for our students and provide opportunities for cultural, educational, and professional events for both students and our communities.

Pascagoula-Gautier school district honored with Governors Award

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Pascagoula-Gautier School District was among those recently announced as winners of Governors Awards for 2021.

The awards are presented annually for Mississippis top school-community partnerships. The PGSD received the highest honor -- the Governors Award of Distinction -- for its partnerships in Crisis Response and Pathways programs.

The innovative projects receiving recognition represent schools and districts across Mississippi. Schools in Mississippi are partnering with businesses, non profits, service clubs, religious organizations and individuals to make a positive difference for students.

Partnerships which addressed the unique needs arising from the pandemic were also recognized with Pandemic Partnership Response Awards. Award winners will be recognized with a virtual event March 26.

MGCCC instructor honored state Humanities Council award

GAUTIER, Mississippi -- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College instructor Jennifer Moffett of Ocean Springs was recently honored with the Humanities Teacher Award, presented each year by the Mississippi Humanities Council to one instructor at each of the states institutions of higher learning.

Moffett teaches composition, literature, and creative writing. In 2019, she was selected to represent MGCCC at the annual Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) program in Jackson.

The Humanities Teacher Awards recognize the contributions of humanities faculty in the fields of English, History, Music, Art, and Philosophy. Nominations are made by the college or university president, vice president, or dean of instruction. Each award recipient is required to prepare and deliver a public lecture.

Moffett presented her public lecture, Novel Communities: Constructing Community through Narrative in the Creative Writing Classroom, on Feb. 22 at MGCCCs Gautier campus.

It is a meaningful way to connect with a diverse range of readers on a universal level, she said. In addition, I discussed introducing students to the various career opportunities as future writers. It is an important responsibility, as many students are just learning how to connect their talents and interests with a fulfilling job.

She said she utilizes her personal experiences working as a writer in television, magazines, literary journals, and traditional publishing to show students the many career paths available in writing and the practical ways to pursue those paths using their community college education as the starting point.

I love introducing students to stories and techniques that spark their passion for writing creatively, she said. I cant think of a better calling than helping students find their voices as future writers.

Turkish President Erdogan appears to be reconsidering his decision to let Turkish-U.S. relations deteriorate. The last week has been instructive. First Erdogan acknowledged the deterioration in relations with America and then characterized the Turkish-U.S. strategic relationship as vital. That statement alone was a backdown from his accusations in mid-February that America was supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Erdogan made the outrageous accusation after PKK guerrillas in northern Iraq murdered 13 Turkish hostages. The U.S. does not support the PKK. The U.S. labels the PKK a terrorist organization. The PKK is a terrorist organization. The U.S. does support Syrian Kurdish militias fighting ISIL in Syria. That support infuriates Erdogan, though many observers think his fury is theatrics for his Turkish Islamist supporters. Why? Some of the American logistical support for Syrian Kurds is believed to flow through Turkey. As it is, Turkey invests in northern Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan. Who really aids the PKK? Iran. And Turkish intelligence knows it. (Austin Bay)

February 24, 2021: The U.S. once again urged Turkey to halt its acquisition of more Russian S-400 surface to air missiles and get rid of the S-400 battery it has already purchased. The American appeal came after Turkey announced it is talking to Russia about buying a second S-400 SAM battery. Turkey acquired the first S-400 battery in 2019 after deciding it wouldnt buy an upgraded U.S. Patriot SAM system. The U.S. agreed to sell the system but refused to share technology. The Pentagon contends deploying the S-400 opens an intelligence window on NATO air operations. The U.S. removed Turkey from the NATO F-35 program after Turkey acquired its first S-400 battery.

February 23, 2021: Is Erdogan in domestic political trouble? In the last two decades Erdogans AKP (Justice and Development Party) has won every national election. But two recent polls show support for his government alliance is well below support for the opposition coalition. Erdogan has had to confront the spate of protests at Bosporus (Bogazici) University that followed his decision to appoint a non-academic AKP official as president of what is regarded aa Turkeys top public university. The protests began in January and continue. After police, supposedly on Erdogans order, attacked protesting students with tear gas and riot batons, the protests spread. First throughout Istanbul then to other cities around Turkey.

February 19, 2021: Turkeys fiscal and currency crisis continues. The value of the Turkish lira has fallen since Erdogan removed Turkeys central bank director last fall. The resignation of Turkeys finance minister, Berat Albayrak, also helped. For the record, Albayrak is Erdogans son-in-law. Two professional economic administrators replaced them.

February 16, 2021: A new buzz term describing Turkeys geo-political operations is making the rounds: Bayraktar Diplomacy. The Bayraktar TB1 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, or drone) designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft is rated as a high endurance platform  it can stay aloft a long time. But the buzz term refers to small footprint Turkish intervention operations that rely on intensive surveillance by drones and other intelligence sources. In a Bayraktar intervention, Turkish-supported forces (often Syrian Arab mercenaries) deploy a mix of light infantry weapons, anti-tank guided missiles and anti-materiel heavy sniper rifles (think 12.7mm/50 caliber). Occasionally they will have mortar and light artillery support. A Bayraktar can also carry and use two laser guided missiles. This weapon and personnel mix is inexpensive, compared to deploying conventional ground forces. Turkish advisers also train local personnel. Turkeys support for Libyas GNA (Government of National Accord) is an example of Bayraktar Diplomacy. (Austin Bay)

February 15, 2021: Iran confirmed that Turkey had arrested an Iranian citizen earlier this month but denied the individual was a diplomat.

February 14, 2021: Turkey confirmed that 15 Turkish sailors kidnapped by pirates operating in West Africa (Gulf of Guinea) have returned to Turkey. The men were kidnapped January 23 after pirates attacked their container ship. One sailor, an Azeri, was killed in the attack. The seamen reported the pirates held them in a jungle camp in Nigeria for three weeks.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported that PKK terrorists in northern Iraq murdered 13 Turkish hostages. Turkish Army soldiers and paramilitary policemen were among those slain. The executions took place in a cave in northern Iraq. Many of the hostages had been held since 2015. The Defense Ministry also announced it will begin a new anti-PKK operation in northern Iraq later this week.

February 13, 2021: Turkish diplomats are once again discussing reviving relations with Israel. Talk of Turkish-Israeli rapprochement has cropped up four or five times in the last three years but it didnt happen. In May 2018 Israel and Turkey expelled each others ambassador. The Turks objected to an Israeli operation that killed several dozen Palestinians in Gaza. Turkey also objected to the U.S. decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. President Erdogan has portrayed himself as a protector of Palestinians. At one time Turkey and Israel were functionally allies, particular in defense technology and sharing intelligence. Dont expect a rapid thaw. But Turkish media note that Israels El Al airline now flies a route to Istanbul. The Tel Aviv-Istanbul route was suspended for ten years. Turkish and Israeli media both credit the Abraham Accords (Israeli-Arab rapprochement) with nudging Turkey.

February 12, 2021: Turkey accused Greece of slandering Turkey at a meeting in Athens that included representatives from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Bahrain and Cyprus. The meeting, named the Philia (Friendship) Forum, was called to address economic and security issues in the eastern Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf and Europe. There was a special focus on the Balkans. Turkey contends Greece is trying to create an alliance whose goal is denying Turkey its economic rights in the Mediterranean. Greece and Turkey have disputes over maritime boundaries and offshore resource rights. The deep issue is divided Cyprus where the Turkish Army and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) have been deployed since 1974.

Turkeys government news agency reported an Iranian consular official had been arrested in Istanbul. The suspect is believed to be connected to the November 2019 assassination of Masoud Molavi, an Iranian dissident leader. Molavi was murdered in Turkey.

February 10, 2021: Despite the political friction, the U.S. and Turkey are conducting a joint naval exercise in the Black Sea this week. Two U.S. Navy destroyers are participating in the exercise.

President Erdogan announced Turkey will begin a space program that will include missions to the Moon. The space program will demonstrate that Turkey now has an expanded regional and global role. The first Moon mission could occur as early as 2023, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic.

February 9, 2021: The diplomatic rumor mill indicated Turkey might dispose of the S-400 it has purchased if the U.S. ends support for Kurdish YPG militias in Syria.

February 7, 2021: Turkish security forces arrested four protest leaders at Bosporus University. The demonstrators accuse Erdogans government of politically encroaching on their academic institution.

February 6, 2021: Turkey will soon launch the first of four Milgem-class corvettes built for the Pakistan Navy. Pakistan plans to take delivery of the first ship sometime in 2023. The second corvette will be built in Turkey but the third and fourth ships will be built in Pakistan. The ships will have 16 vertical launch cells.

February 5, 2021: The new American government announced that the 2019 ban on Turkey acquiring F-35 stealth fighters will continue. The U.S. decided to drop Turkey form the F-35 consortium after Turkey purchased Russian S-400 surface to air missiles. The U.S. military maintains the S-400 is not operationally compatible with the F-35.

February 4, 2021: Senior members of the ruling AKP called student protestors at Bosporus University terrorists. An opposition leader pointed out that the AKP now calls any political critic a terrorist.

The United States reiterated that the U.S. had no involvement in Turkeys 2016 coup attempt. President Erdogan routinely suggests the U.S. was behind the coup. The fact is, the U.S. quickly condemned the coup.

February 3, 2021: Azerbaijan denied media reports that Turkey is establishing three military bases in its territory. The media reports implied the bases were a payoff for Turkeys support of Azerbaijan during its 2020 war with Armenia. Turkeys assistance was seen as an example of Erdogans neo-Ottoman political policies which seek to support Turkic nations in central Asia and former Ottoman territories.

February 2, 2021: Senior Turkish and U.S. diplomats and military advisers held a telephonic discussion about issues confronting Turkey and the U.S. Syria, Libya, the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, and Nagorno-Karabakh were included in the discussion.

February 1, 2021: Turkey and Azerbaijan began a large-scale joint military exercise in eastern Anatolia (Turkey) near the border with Armenia. The exercise, centered on the city of Kars, will last until February 12.

January 30, 2021: A joint Turkish-Russian observation center created to monitor the Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh began operations inside Azerbaijan.
In a landmark divorce ruling, a Chinese court ordered a man to pay thousands of dollars to his ex-wife, as compensation for housework performed during their five-year marriage.

According to court papers, the man, identified only as Chen, filed from divorce from his wife, Wang, last year, after a five-year marriage. Although reluctant to grant him the divorce at first, the woman later requested that he compensate her for all the work she did as a full-time housewife during their marriage, adding that he had not participated in raising their child and barely cared about or participated in any kind of domestic chores. Recently, a Beijing family court ruled in the womans favor, sparking a heated debate in China.

Photo: klimkin/Pixabay

Wang had demanded restitution equivalent to $24,700 from her husband, but the court determined that she was only entitled to financial compensation equivalent to $7,700. Beijings Fangshan District Court ordered Chen to make a one-off payment of 50,000 yuan, as well as pay his ex-wife 2,000 yuan monthly alimony.

The landmark ruling was made possible by Chinas new civil code, which came into effect last years, and which states that a spouse is entitled to seek compensation in a divorce, if they consider that they bear more responsibility in raising children, assisting their partner or caring for elderly relatives. Before, divorcing couples could only split tangible property, and housework constitutes intangible property value.

The ruling sparked a heated debate on Chinese social media, with most people expressing their outrage at the small payout the woman received for five years of housework. Others said that the case should serve as a warning to other women not to give up on their hopes and aspirations and become housewives, while a few said that this was one of the reasons people nowadays are reluctant to get married.

Photo: Anton/Unsplash

Im a bit speechless, the work of a full-time housewife is being underestimated. In Beijing, hiring a nanny for a year costs more than 50,000 yuan, someone commented.

Ladies, remember to always be independent. Dont give up work after marriage, give yourself your own way out, another person wrote.

Feng Miao, the judge who presided over this controversial court case, told China National Radio that he expects more similar cases to be filed in the near future, adding that judges still need time and experience in estimating the right amount of money in compensation for intangible assets.
A woman was cut in the face Thursday morning on a bus, in all probability because she was wearing a FreeSZFE face mask as a sign of solidarity with students and instructors who have protested against the transfer of control of the theatre and film arts university SZFE to a foundation.

Telex asked Budapest Police about the assault and received the following answer:



Following verbal sparring a man  presumably with a knife  injured the face of a woman on bus No. 151 stationed at Szent Imre ter in the 21st District of Budapest at 7.40 a.m. on February 25, 2021. The passenger was hospitalised by paramedics and, based on initial information, she sustained light injuries. The assumed perpetrator fled the scene.



Police caught the suspect within a few hours.



Mayor Gergely Karacsony described the attack as a cowardly and despicable act, adding No difference of opinion can serve as a motive for violence.



He said the assailant apparently wanted to cut the mask off the womans face.





MTI Photo for illustration purposes: Marton Monus
Determined to refute a childhood of media consumption that solely validated impossibly narrow Western beauty standards, debut author Joanna Ho told PW she set out to write a picture book that celebrated not only the physical beauty of Asian eyes, but also the power we have to create change in the world. After years of writing and revising, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners illustrated by Dung Ho (HarperCollins), released this past January, sold 8,000 print copies in its first week, and has sold more than 21,000 print copies to date, per NPD BookScan. We spoke with Ho and her editor, Clarissa Wong, about the book, its publication process, and the teams future.

Pregnant with her daughter while penning the initial draft, Ho sought to craft a story inspiring children to embrace their own features, despite societal pressures. I wanted readers to recognize their own ability to disrupt and dismantle systems that perpetuate oppressive narratives, she explained. They have the power to create their own kingdoms of the future.

Ho continued, I spent a lot of time trying to think of a way to describe Asian eyes without using the words or phrases that have historically been used to denigrate us. The titular phrase came to me one night when I was snuggling my two-year-old son to sleep. She decided to convey the protagonists internal change by eschewing a more traditional narrative arc. Ultimately, this isnt just a story about physical appearances, but a story of how appearances are passed down and what they can represent: family, history, culture, relationships, love.

When asked what drew her to the manuscript, Wong said, To put it simply, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a book I wished I had growing up, deeming it her dream picture book. Identifying Asian eyes as an evident mark of our othernessone that subjected her to a fair share of microaggressions while growing up Asian American in a mostly white suburbWong said that she didnt reach self-acceptance of her eyes until her early 20s. But could you imagine if Id spent that energy elsewhere or grew up knowing that my eyes are beautiful from the very get-go? She marveled at being able to hand this book to her son: It means so much to me.

The book is accessible for all audiences, though, Wong stressed, as it fosters an acceptance of other definitions of what it means to be beautiful. With the growing number of anti-Asian hate crimes, books like this are more important than ever.

As for the acquisition process, Wong called the decision an easy one. After reading it for the first time, I knew I had to be the editor for it, she said. Personally, it was one of the books I acquired the quickest, from it hitting my inbox to bringing it to acquisition and making an offer. Wong also mentioned her gratitude for books like Hair Love and many more for paving the way, commending the wave of picture books that celebrate their characters ethnic and cultural individualities.

Ho, for her part, said she feels so incredibly fortunate that the book landed with Wong. I knew from her first email that she deeply understood and championed the story and its themes, she said, praising Wongs amazing ability to see the story I was trying to tell and how to revise it to match the vision.

Wong stated, While talking to Joanna about why she wrote this book, one of the words that stuck out to me was revolutionary. It was something about how the simple act of recognizing your own beauty and power, despite not fitting into western ideals, is revolutionary.

Ho added, When we talked over revisions, she pushed me to include those ideas in the story. Her feedback inspired the last few pages, and I cant imagine the book without them now!

Wong said they made sure to weave the storys themes into Dung Hos gorgeous art as well, especially with the phoenix. The phoenix is an important icon in Chinese culture and is typically female, which felt right given all the strong female characters in the story, Wong explained. However, the phoenix also represents rebirth. This book felt like rebirth in so many ways, but especially in us recognizing our eyes are worthy and beautifuligniting a revolution.



Fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners will be pleased to know that a companion is on the horizon: Eyes That Speak to the Stars, about a boy who looks toward his father, grandfather, and little brother to discover self-love for his own eyes, is scheduled for winter 2022. It was a true delight to collaborate with Joanna and Dung Ho again, Wong said, revealing that this book [takes] on the microaggressions many Asian Americans experience more head-on.

She concluded by elucidating the books imagery: Since Eyes That Kiss in the Corners had a phoenix, it felt only right to feature a dragon in Eyes That Speak to the Stars. Dragons are also important icons in Chinese culture, usually the phoenixs companion. These two are truly book siblings in the best possible ways. And the cover! Wait til you see the cover.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illus. by Dung Ho. HarperCollins, $17.99 Jan. ISBN 978-0-06-291562-7
Qantas Announces Plans to Resume International Flights by End of October

The new start date lines up with the Australia's vaccine rollout projections.

Qantas is looking to resume international flights by Oct. 31  including to the U.S  four months later than the airline originally planned.

Qantas will resume flights to 22 of 25 destinations it served before the pandemic, including Los Angeles, London, Singapore, and Johannesburg. Certain cities  like New York and Osaka  won't resume immediately but will be accessible with codeshare flights.

The new start date lines up with the country's vaccine rollout projections however, the airline doesn't expect to see international service at full capacity until 2024.

"Capacity will be lower than pre-COVID levels, with frequencies and aircraft type deployed on each route in line with the projected recovery of international flying," the airline said in a statement on Thursday. "The Group remains in close consultation with the Federal Government around the reopening of international borders and will keep customers updated if further adjustments are required."

To help get international travel off the ground, Qantas said it was "assessing the use of digital health pass apps," including trailing both the CommonPass and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass on their repatriation flights. Each of these apps have been proposed as potential vaccine passports to help jumpstart travel worldwide.

The move also follows Air New Zealand's plans to test out the IATA Travel Pass on flights between Auckland and Sydney.

While Qantas was forced to put its international plans on hold for the past year (and flew popular flights to nowhere over major sights like Sydney Harbor, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Australian outback), the airline hasn't given up on its plans to launch the world's longest flight from London to Sydney.

In the meantime, Australia said it doesn't have plans to exempt vaccinated travelers from the country's hotel quarantine requirement.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
John Murphy, Killasonna, Granard, Longford

The death occurred, peacefully in England, on Monday, February 1 of John Murphy, Sheffield, England, and formerly of Killasonna, Granard, Longford. Sadly missed and always remembered by his brothers and sisters Martha, Patrick, Mel, Eileen and Maureen, his good friends Julie and Christopher, and all his relations and friends. May He Rest In Peace.

Funeral Mass on Sunday, February 28 at St Marys Church, Granard at 2pm followed by christian burial in Granardkille new cemetery. All covid 19 regulations will be adhered to. Messages of sympathy may be expressed through the RIP.ie condolences. Johns Funeral Mass can be viewed on this link https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-marys-church-granard

Cornelius (Con) O'Sullivan, Monkstown, Dublin / Limerick / Longford



The death occurred, peacefully, in the wonderful care of the staff in the Aclare Nursing Home, Dun Laoghaire, on Thursday, February 25 of Cornelius (Con, Our Man in Havana) OSullivan, Monkstown, Co Dublin and formerly of Limerick and Longford. Predeceased by his dear twin sister Grace, brother Tim and sister Marie. Very sadly missed by his beloved daughter Asta and her mother Veeva, brother Paul, nephews Emmett, Paul, David and Paddy, nieces Erin and Emily, cousin Michelle, extended family, his best friend Max, neighbours and friends in Ireland and Cuba. Descanse en Paz (May he rest in Peace).

Due to the current government restrictions, a family funeral will take place privately, but can be viewed online on Tuesday, March 2 at 10am using the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/153499 . Messages in lieu of attendance can be left in the Condolences section on RIP.ie.

Lisa Moran, Pearse View, Longford Town, Longford / Edgeworthstown, Longford



The death occurred, peacefully, in the presence of her family and in loving care of the staff of the I.C.U. Mullingar Regional Hospital, on Sunday, February 21 of Lisa Moran, Pearse View, Longford and formerly of Killsallagh, Edgeworthstown. Sadly missed by her loving partner Patrick and son James, her parents Seamus and Moira, brother Damian, sister Paula, grandmother Kathleen, Damian's partner Madeleine, Paula's partner Gary, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends and neighbours. Rest in Peace.

Lisa's funeral cortege will leave her mother's residence at Killsallagh, Edgeworthstown, at 11.40am on Friday, February 26 to arrive at St. Mary's Church, Edgeworthstown, for funeral Mass at 12 noon. Cremation afterwards in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan. Funeral Mass will be streamed live on https://churchtv.ie/edgeworthstown.html

Given the current exceptional circumstances and in accordance with government guidelines and social distancing protocols, and to protect the welfare of everyone dear to Lisa and her family, her funeral service will be restricted to family only. Those who would have liked to attend but are unable to, may leave a personal message for Lisa's family in the condolences section below.

The family appreciates your support and sympathy at this time. Donations if desired in lieu of flowers to Diabetes Ireland at https://www.diabetes.ie/

Brigid Catherine Gordon (nee Connaughton), Kilmovee, Mayo / Newtowncashel, Longford / Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon



The death occurred, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, February 7 of Brigid Catherine Gordon (nee Connaughton), Oldfield Road, London and formerly Elfeet, Newtowncashel, Co Longford. Sadly missed but remembered with love by her husband Andy, daughters Louise, Brenda and Hannah, granddaughter Evie, brothers Gerry, Pat and Fr. Vincent (Ardagh), extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. May She Rest in Peace.

Catherine will be removed from The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Monday (March 1, 2021) at 11.30am to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 12noon followed by interment in Naomh Mobhi cemetery. However, in line with Government and H.S.E advice regarding public gatherings, a small private funeral will be held. The Gordon family would ask that over the coming days, everyone who knew her would take some time to light a candle or say a prayer in her memory.

For those who would have liked to attend the Mass but cannot due to the current restrictions, Funeral Mass can be viewed here  Kilmovee Parish church webcam or via Facebook. Family flowers only, please.

The Gordon family understands and appreciates that people would like to offer their condolences, we would suggest you use the private on-line condolence page https://www.sharkeyfuneraldirectors.ie/bgordon

In keeping with HSE, NPHET and Public Health guidelines, attendance at funerals is limited. Please respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time. If you would like to pay your respects along the way, please join the static Guards of Honour as the funeral cortege makes its way. Please ensure you maintain the recommended social distancing at all times keeping to the 2-metre apart guideline.

Sue Lynch (nee Gilroy), Lacken Cross, Ballinagh, Cavan



The death occurred, peacefully at Wexford General Hospital with her three girls by her side, on Wednesday, February 24 of Sue Lynch (nee Gilroy), Lacken Cross, Ballinagh, Cavan. Beloved wife of the late Mel and loving and much loved mother of Jackie, Sharon and Aoife. Sue will be sadly missed by her heart broken daughters, sons-in-law, Colm and John, Aoife's partner Cormac, her beloved grandchildren Eoin, Sean, Amy, Diarmuid and Liam, her brother, Sean, sisters Rose, Patricia, Bernie, Gabrielle and Geraldine, sisters-in-law, Bernadette, and Lily, her brother-in-law, P.J. nieces,nephews and her wonderful neighbours and friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Sue will arrive home to her beloved Lacken on Thursday, February 25. Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 27 at 12 noon in St. Michael's Church, Potahee, Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only please. Those who wish to leave a message for Sue's family may do so on the condolence link on RIP.ie. In keeping with government guidelines Sue Funeral Mass will be family only please. and will streamed live on https://vimeo.com/516424573

Ray Harwood, London and formerly Main Street, Ballinagh, Cavan



The death occurred, peacefully in the loving care of his Family and the staff at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, on Wednesday, February 24 of Ray Harwood, London and formerly Main Street, Ballinagh, Co Cavan. Predeceased by his beloved father Jim, brother Barry and his nephew Kevin. Will be very sadly missed by his loving Mother Esther, sisters Mar and Clare, brothers Jim and Niall, sisters-in-law Mary and Deirdre, brother-in-law John, nephews, nieces, grandnephew and grandnieces, all his family circle and many friends. May he rest in peace.

The Funeral cortege will travel via Ballinagh on Friday, February 26, turning right to Crossdoney and then continue to St Patricks Church, Drumcor arriving for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Due to Government restrictions regarding public gatherings and the real threat of Covid 19, Rays Funeral Mass will be celebrated privately with his Family of 10 people.

The Harwood Family are very grateful for your cooperation and support at this sensitive time. Please leave your personal messages on the condolence page on RIP.ie. House strictly private please.

If you wish to have a death notice published on www.longfordleader.ie you can email it to newsroom@longfordleader.ie

And if you wish to submit an obituary for publication in the Longford Leader, you can submit it along with a photograph of the deceased to newsroom@longfordleader.ie

To sign up for the FREE Longford Leader daily newsletter CLICK HERE or on the image below;
February 26, 2021

After U.S. Attack In Syrian Iran Demonstrates Its Escalation Dominance

Last night the U.S. escalated the situation in Iraq by bombing Iraqi government security forces at the Iraqi-Syrian border station near Abu-Kamal/Al-Qaim. One Iraqi soldier, a Sunni, was killed. Other sources claim that as many as 22 were killed.

The Pentagon spinmasters and their stenographers in the media use Orwellian language to justify the crime. The official press release says:

U.S. Conducts Defensive Precision Strike Feb. 25, 2021 (Attributable to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby) At President Bidens direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria. These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel. Specifically, the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kaitib Hezbollah (KH) and Kaitib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS). This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with Coalition partners. The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq.

The last attack on U.S. units in Iraq happened on February 15 against a U.S. position in Erbil, Iraq. Some three small rockets were fired by an unknown group of provocateurs.

To call an attack with seven 500 pound bombs on a border station guarded by official Iraqi security forces against ISIS attacks hundreds of miles away from Erbil "defensive" and "in response" is of course ridiculous.

Kataeb Hizbullah al-Iraq (not related to Hizbullah in Lebanon) and KSS are under command of the Iraqi prime minister. They were founded with help from Iran in 2014 to fight against ISIS. Since 2018 they are regular Iraqi forces paid and equipped by the Iraqi government, not by Iran. This attack will escalate the situation in Iraq. More attacks against U.S. and other foreign units there are now assured.

Together with the deliberate steps to make a return to the nuclear deal with Iran more complicate this attack can be seen as a deliberate escalation against the 'resistance axis' of Iran, Syria, Hizbullah in Lebanon and their supporters.

The Biden administration has yet to learn the lesson the Trump learned when he tired to provoke Iran and its allies. It is the resistance that has escalation dominance in the Middle East. It can control the pace of further steps up the escalation ladder. It is willing to step up higher than the U.S. It knows how to use that ability.

Here is proof for that:

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian @manniefabian - 14:34 UTC  26 Feb 2021 An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing in the Gulf of Oman Friday. The crew and vessel were safe. The explosion forced the vessel, reported to be the Helios Ray, to head to the nearest port.

AP has details:

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion forced the vessel to head to the nearest port. The site of the blast, the Gulf of Oman, saw a series of explosions in 2019 that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran against the backdrop of steeply rising threats between former President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders. Tehran denied the accusations, which came after Trump abandoned Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and reimposed harsh sanctions on the country.

...

Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 0600 GMT Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz. It still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker. A United Nations ship database identified the vessels owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday. Abraham Ungar, 74, who goes by Rami, is the founder of Ray Shipping Ltd., and is known as one of the richest men in Israel.

The dimwits in Biden's National Security Council seem to think that they can push Iran around and press it for "concessions". It is exactly the other way around. Iran and its allied forces can hit well selected targets like the Israeli ship, Saudi oil installation or U.S. bases in the Middle East with precision and at a time that fits their schedule. The U.S. has no ability to prevent such strikes nor can it respond in kind without risking a wider war that it has no chance to win.

Biden can return to the nuclear deal by lifting the sanctions on Iran. Or he can attempt to escalate further to get his additional "concessions". Those efforts will not only be costly for the U.S. and its allies as Iran can and will response in kind but also futile.

It's his choice to make.

Posted by b on February 26, 2021 at 15:57 UTC | Permalink

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The Iraqi military on Friday denied exchanging information with the United States regarding targeting certain locations inside Syria, the state news agency reported, after Washington launched air strikes against Iran-backed militias

The military said that Iraq's cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition was limited to fighting Islamic State.

Short link:


The death of missing Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick remains under investigation after her foot and ASICS shoe were found washed up on a remote beach by campers more than three months after she disappeared.

The decomposed foot was discovered on Bournda Beach in Tathra, south of Sydney's CBD, on Sunday February 21 and police on Friday confirmed DNA testing proved the remains belonged to the conwoman.

But the mystery that has gripped the nation remains in the spotlight as police have not yet been able to piece together Ms Caddick's final moments, how she died and where the rest of her body is.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said Ms Caddick's case was 'absolutely not at all' closed and extensive investigations will be ongoing.

Ms Caddick vanished the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her luxury Dover Heights home, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on November 11.

Melissa Caddick's foot and shoe were found washed up on a beach on the NSW south coast. She's pictured with husband Anthony Koletti

The decomposed foot was found by campers 400km away from Dover Heights in Sydney on Bournda Beach in Tathra

A floral tribute is seen outside Ms Caddick's home after it was confirmed her remains had been found

Court-appointed liquidators allege she 'meticulously and systematically' deceived investors who handed millions of dollars to her over seven years, then used the money to fund her extravagant lifestyle.

Assistant Commissioner Willing said Ms Caddick's family were informed of the identification on Thursday night and are 'obviously distressed'.

Officers have not yet been able to confirm how long the shoe had been in the water.

'It remains a mystery as to when and how she came into the water and, again, that will be subject of ongoing investigations,' Assistant Commissioner Willing said.

Investigators have not ruled out foul play but suspect the 49-year-old financial planner may have died by suicide.

'Given the circumstances of the disappearance (and) the fact that she left personal belongings behind, we've always considered the possibility that she might have taken her own life,' Assistant Commissioner Willing said.

'However, a definitive decision in relation to the manner, time and cause of death is a matter for the coroner.'

Modelling by police marine rescue teams, taking tides and drift patterns into account, has been conducted around the possibility of Ms Caddick entering the water in Sydney's Dover Heights area on or about November 12.

Campers found the remains washed up on Bournda Beach (pictured) on the NSW far south coast near Tathra

A man delivers flowers to Ms Caddick's family after news broke that her partial remains had been located

Analysis of the foot - found inside a shoe - will help investigators determine when she died.

'It was decomposed so obviously it had been in the water for some time,' Assistant Commissioner Willing said.

Police will continue to search for Ms Caddick's remains around the location of the foot at Bournda Beach, south of Tathra.

Ms Caddick's alleged victims responded to the announcement her foot was found on Friday.

Cheryl Kraft Reid entrusted almost $1million of her superannuation with Ms Caddick, whom she considered as a friend and last heard from two months prior to her disappearance.

'Wow, that's a sad tragic outcome for her son but its also just a sad tragic outcome for us because we just don't get closure,' Ms Kraft Reid told 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham.

'Besides the news we're unlikely to see any return of that, it's pretty devastating.'

Melissa Caddick's husband Anthony Koletti (pictured left with Melissa) and her family were informed of the confirmation of her remains on Thursday night

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing (pictured on Friday) confirmed remains of the missing businesswoman have been found on the NSW far south coast. Also pictured is an exhausted looking Gretchen Atkins (left), the detective who has led the investigation

'It's not just the money, it's the consequences of what's happened to us and for the many years we've worked for zero returns because she decided to live an entitled and frivolous life.'

Ms Kraft Reid feels for Ms Caddick's teenage son.

'She's left a young man without a mother and that's the tragic part,' she added.

Other victims want to know where the rest of Ms Caddick's body was - and suggest she could still be on the run.

'Did she just cut her foot off?' One asked.

Assistant Commissioner Willing said Ms Caddick's case is one of the most high-profile missing person investigations he has seen in the 30 years he has been in the police force.

'There are understandably people out there who are very distressed about her alleged actions,' he said.

'And the circumstances where she disappeared have been intriguing and it remains a mystery in terms of how she came into the water.'

Melissa Caddick (pictured) disappeared without a trace from her Sydney home on November 11

Liquidators appointed to deal with Ms Caddick's affairs on Wednesday said they were unable to find a single example of a legitimate investment in the name of the investor.

Instead, Ms Caddick mixed 'many, many millions' of investors' funds in company bank accounts and her own personal accounts.

She then used the money to fund an 'extravagant lifestyle' and property purchases, according to provisional liquidator Bruce Gleeson.

Ms Caddick provided investors with hundreds of documents on Commonwealth Bank and CommSec letterheads suggesting their investments were doing well.

But really the account numbers on the documents either did not exist or were not associated with the actual investor.

Investors were deceived from the very start, as her company Maliver Pty Ltd did not hold a financial services licence as claimed.

Ms Caddick (right) is pictured with her husband Anthony Koletti (left)

Ms Caddick's husband and son from Friday won't be paid living and legal expenses out of her assets.

The matter is back in the Federal Court in April, when Mr Gleeson and his partner will ask to be appointed as ongoing liquidators so they can start realising Maliver's 'limited' assets.

Assistant Commissioner Willing said the police were working alongside ASIC on the matter.

For confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.
President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his government will not succumb to blackmail by bandits following the latest abduction of students in Northern Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how 317 schoolgirls were kidnapped by armed bandits from the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State, Friday morning.

The Zamfara kidnap occurred about 10 days after 40 students, staff members and their family members were kidnapped from a secondary school in Niger State. The victims of the Niger kidnap were yet to be released at the time of this report.

In his reaction, President Buhari described the Zamfara kidnap as inhumane and totally unacceptable, the presidents spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said in a statement.

In an apparent criticism of the Zamfara governments amnesty programme for repentant bandits, Mr Buhari appealed to state governments to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles, warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously.

Many communities in states in northern Nigeria suffer from attacks by armed bandits, adding to the worsening security situation across the country.

Read the full statement by Mr Shehu below.

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the latest abduction of hundreds of students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara State as inhumane and totally unacceptable, sending out a strong warning to bandits and their sponsors.

Reacting to the incident on Friday, President Buhari said that this administration will not succumb to blackmail by bandits who target innocent school students in the expectations of huge ransom payments.

According to the President, no criminal group can be too strong to be defeated by the government, adding that, the only thing standing between our security forces and the bandits are the rules of engagement.

We have the capacity to deploy massive force against the bandits in the villages where they operate, but our limitation is the fear of heavy casualties of innocent villagers and hostages who might be used as human shields by the bandits, he said, stressing that our primary objective is to get the hostages safe, alive and unharmed.

President Buhari noted that a hostage crisis is a complex situation that requires maximum patience in order to protect the victims from physical harm or even brutal death at the hands of their captors.

He warned the bandits: Let them not entertain any illusions that they are more powerful than the government. They shouldnt mistake our restraint for the humanitarian goals of protecting innocent lives as a weakness or a sign of fear or irresolution.

The President appealed to state governments to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles, warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously.

He also advised states and local governments to be more proactive by improving security around schools and their surroundings.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

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The operation was authorized by President Biden.

The United States has conducted a defensive precision strike against infrastructure in eastern Syria.

"At President Biden's direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria. These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement posted by the U.S. Department of Defense on February 25.

Read alsoRussian wars in Ukraine, Syria showed how to bully EU  media

Specifically, the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kait'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kait'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).

"This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with Coalition partners. The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq," the statement said.

Politico said the strike was ordered by President Joe Biden. It was an airstrike on a structure connected to an Iran-backed militia in Syria, following three separate rocket attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq. The strike was designed to damage the militia group's ability to conduct future attacks.

Other related news reports

Reporting by UNIAN
(Natural News) I dont know why anyone would want to live in Chicago at this point. According to the latest estimate that I could find, over 117,000 gang members currently live in the city, and there is so much violence that it regularly makes headlines all over the globe. Some of the wealthy areas of Chicago still look nice, but many communities have been transformed into something straight out of a war zone. Large churches, hospitals and factories that were once so beautiful are now rotting and decaying all over the city, and a vibrant open air drug market scares customers away from local businesses. Sadly, the truth is that the entire country is going down the exact same path that Chicago has gone.

(Article by Michael Snyder republished from TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com)

Coming into last year, Chicago was known as one of the murder capitals of the world, but nobody expected the murder rate to spike by more than 50% in 2020

Chicago police also released the final crime number for 2020 Friday which showed that shootings and murders jumped up by more than 50% in 2020. In 2020, there were 769 murders, up considerably compared to the 495 murders tallied in 2019. As for shootings, the city logged 3,261 last year, a big jump from 2,140 shootings in 2019. The number of shooting victims climbed to 4,033 in 2020, up from 2,598 in 2019.

But even though last year was so horrific, some officials are expressing optimism about the future.

For example, Dr. Faran Bokhari believes that the COVID vaccine is going to make a tremendous difference

I think our savior is going to be the COVID vaccination, Dr. Faran Bokhari, Chief of Trauma at Cook County Hospital. I think people are so tired of being indoors and not being able to do what they usually do.

Yes, gang members and drug addicts will feel so much better about life and will become a lot less violent once they are vaccinated and can get out into the streets a lot more.

Good luck with all that.

State Representative Marcus Evans has a different strategy in mind. He believes that banning Grand Theft Auto will solve this crisis

Its no secret that crime is out of control in Illinois and one lawmaker has a solution. In response to an increase in carjackings in Chicago, State Representative Marcus Evans Jr. wants a law passed making it illegal for retailers to sell violent video games to minors. Grand Theft Auto is not mentioned in the bill but Evans pointed to that specific game during a press conference on Monday.

Meanwhile, people continue to flee the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois at a staggering pace.

In fact, the exodus that we witnessed in 2020 is being described as historic

Illinois recorded a seventh straight year of population loss from July 2019 to July 2020, but the years drop was historic  79,487 residents, the most since World War II and the second largest of any state in raw numbers or percentage of population. Larger declines year over year have also caused Illinois to suffer the largest raw decline in population, and second largest on a percentage basis since 2010, shedding 253,015 people  triple any other states losses.

I can understand why so many residents are leaving for greener pastures, but other major cities are also seeing dramatic spikes in crime too.

One study that was recently released found that murder rates in 34 major U.S. cities rose by an average of 30 percent last year

THE HOMICIDE RATE across 34 American cities increased by 30% on average during 2020, according to experts, as the U.S. reeled from the coronavirus pandemic and widespread protests against police brutality. The newly released report from the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice found that homicides rose in 29 of the 34 cities studied and that the three largest cities in the sample  New York, Los Angeles and Chicago  accounted for 40% of the additional homicide victims in 2020.

At this point, nearly all of our big cities are becoming unsafe.

If you want to avoid all of the violence, you could try moving to a small town, but that might not work either.

For example, the small town of Chickasha, Oklahoma sounds like it would be a nice place to live, but look at what just happened there

A repeat felon has confessed to killing his neighbor, cutting out her heart and feeding it to his family before murdering his uncle and a four-year-old girl, Oklahoma authorities say. Lawrence Paul Anderson, 42, allegedly stabbed the neighbor, Andrea Lynn Blankenship, to death at her home in Chickasha on February 9.

Unfortunately, the truth is that our entire society is in the process of melting down all around us, and this process is only going to accelerate during the very difficult years ahead.

The worse economic conditions become, the more desperate people are going to get, and right now more businesses are shutting down with each passing day.

For instance, we just learned that Frys Electronics will be permanently shutting down all of their stores

Consumer electronics retailer Frys Electronics is going out of business after nearly 36 years. Frys has made the difficult decision to shut down its operations and close its business permanently as a result of changes in the retail industry and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company said in a statement on its website. The company said it has begun the wind-down process as of Wednesday and has stopped its normal operations.

As I have discussed in numerous recent articles, poverty is exploding all over America and this economic downturn is hitting those at the bottom of the economic food chain particularly hard.

As this economic crisis grows, those at the bottom of the economic food chain will increasingly be venturing into wealthy neighborhoods to take our their frustrations.

Those with a Robin Hood mentality will try to claim that there is justice in taking from the rich and giving to the poor, but in reality it will just be a way to justify the rampant lawlessness in our streets.

The rioting, looting and violence that we have seen so far is just the beginning.

Much worse is coming, and it wont be too long before the entire country looks like the streets in the worst parts of Chicago.

Read more at: TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com and Collapse.news.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A Catholic school teacher who called into question the death of George Floyd while she was speaking with students has been placed on administrative leave, according to reports.

WCMH Channel 4 reports that the Catholic Diocese of Columbus released a statement saying that Deborah DelPrince, a theology teacher at Bishop Ready High School, made unsupported personal assertions and opinions in regard to Floyds death. Floyd, 46, died in May 2020 after a Milwaukee police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest.

According to the New York Times, a medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by a combination of the officers use of force, the presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Floyds system, and his underlying health conditions. Former police officer Derek Chauvin is scheduled to go on trial next month on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with Floyds death. Three other officers also are facing charges in connection with Floyds death.

WBNS Channel 10 reports that during a virtual class Wednesday, a student showed a photo of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James wearing a T-shirt that says I cant breathe. WBNS reports the photo likely was from 2014 and in reference to the death of Eric Garner while in police custody in New York.

The photo led to a discussion of Floyds death. In a video from the class discussion, DelPrince reportedly says that its not necessarily true that Floyd was unable to breathe. When a student asks if she was disputing the manner of Floyds death, DelPrince answers, Yes, it is disputed.

WCMH reports the conversation continues:

By who? the student asks.

The tape, DelPrince says.

Did the medical examiner  the student says, but then hedges. Nevermind, because Im going to say something thats gonna get me in trouble.

In its statement, the Diocese says DelPrinces comments reflected extremely poor judgment. The statement says DelPrince will remain on leave as the Diocese conducts its investigation.
The day-long 'Bharat Vyapar Bandh' called by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) evoked a lukewarm response with most shops and commercial establishments open through the day.

The traders' body, however, claimed that shopkeepers supported its nationwide business shutdown call to protest against issues related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and "unethical business practices of foreign e-commerce companies".

Delhi: Various markets in the national capital were open on Friday during the Bandh with many saying that despite supporting the cause, they did not want to suffer another day of losses. However, CAIT in a statement said the shutdown was a "grand success" as more than 8 crore small businesses belonging to about 40,000 trade associations across the country kept their shutters down and no trading activity took place in any commercial market.

Brijesh Goyal, president of the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), said most of the markets in Delhi were open but the association extended its support to the nationwide business shutdown. "Around 98 per cent markets, hotels, restaurants and industrial areas were open except in some parts of Chawri Bazaar and Karol Bagh. However, they have extended their support. We also held a protest at Kashmiri Gate around 12.30 pm," Goyal said.

Although various market bodies said they support the cause for the Bandh, they could not shut down their shops or outlets due to multiple reasons. The Bandh was not enforced at Connaught Place market. "We are completely in support of the cause. However, it was not practically feasible to enforce the 'Bandh' in the market this time. The traders are already reeling under the losses they incurred during the lockdown and they have a heavy burden of rents. We completely support the cause and feel the demands are right," said Atul Bhargava, President, New Delhi Traders Association.

Echoing similar views, Sanjeev Mehra, President, Khan Market Association, said the issue is very genuine but the traders are already suffering and did not want to add another day of losses. So they did not participate in the Bandh.

Odisha: Traders across Odisha downed shutters and commercial vehicles remained off the roads in the state in solidarity with the nationwide 12-hour shutdown on Friday. The Bandh was observed for demanding simplification of the GST procedure and the e-way bill mechanism, among other issues. Around 20 lakh shops and business establishments were closed throughout the state, and there was no report of any untoward incident till the afternoon. The impact of the shutdown was felt in several places, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Balasore and Berhampur.

Madhya Pradesh: The business remained unaffected in Madhya Pradesh's business capital Indore. According to local traders, businesses had already incurred losses due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown and they didn't want to down their shutters. The nationwide shutdown impacted other parts of Madhya Pradesh barring Indore, where political reasons and pressure made the difference, CAIT district president Mohammed Peethawala said.

"We have been registering our opposition over the GST's anomalies for a long. But we are not in support of a Bandh on this issue right now," said Ramesh Khandelwal, President of Ahilya Chambers of Commerce and Industries. Traders have suffered heavy losses due to the coronavirus outbreak since last year and they don't want to incur more damages by participating in the Bandh, he said.

Punjab and Haryana: Businesses remained unaffected in Punjab and Haryana on Friday during the "Bharat Vyapar Bandh" called by trader unions, with many saying though they supported the cause, they could not afford to down shutters. In Punjab's Hoshiarpur, Amritsar and Tarn Taran, shops and commercial establishments remained functional as usual and the impact of the bandh was not seen.

All markets in Amritsar, including the cycle markets at Railway Road, Ram Bagh area, cloth market inside the walled city and even the wholesale and retail medicine markets, were operational. Manish Arora, who runs a blanket and shawl business in the walled city area of Amritsar, said he saw no impact of any kind due to the bandh call.

Some market associations in the city, however, said though they supported the cause of the bandh, they could not afford to shut shop as they were already reeling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no impact of the bandh in Haryana's Ambala and Kurukshetra as well. All major commercial centres and markets remained open. The sarafa (jewellery) market, grain market, wholesale cloth market and other commercial institutions in Ambala functioned as usual.
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Russia and the US are both funding the Syrian Democratic Forces, writes Baladi News.

It is well known that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cooperate with the Russian forces in the east of the Euphrates and other parts of northern Syria. However, the SDF is considered a main ally of the US.

Since the beginning of the year, the US has sent about 14 military convoys to the SDF-controlled areas in northern and eastern Syria. In conjunction with that, Russia sent reinforcements to the same areas to maintain de-escalation in the region, taking advantage of the tension between the regime, the SDF, and the Turkish forces.

A Kurdish news site revealed the escalation of the crisis between the SDF and the Russian forces in northern and eastern Syria.

Basnews quoted an unidentified Kurdish source as saying that after the Russian forces withdrew from the observation points in the towns of Ayn Issa and Tell Tamer, a meeting took place between Russian officers and soldiers from the SDF about the recent tension between the two sides.

The source added that during the meeting, the Russian officers asked the SDF not to launch attacks on the Turkish army and opposition factions from locations close to the Russian observation points because this would expose Russian soldiers to danger in Ayn Issa and Tell Tamer.

The Russian forces have asked the SDF to hand over some of the villages around the Russian observation points in the contact areas with the Turkish army, to the Syrian regime forces, and to withdraw to the south of the M4 international highway, to calm the tension in the areas of contact with Turkey, the source added.

According to the source, the SDF will not yield to blackmail and Russian dictates by handing over the areas of contact with the Turkish side  including the town of Ayn Issa and its villages  to the regime and withdrawing south of the M4 international highway.

Moreover, the SDF rejected the Russian request to build military bases in the border areas with Turkey, especially in the vicinity of the border triangle, east of the city of Qamishli between the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Turkey, and Syria.

The researcher at the Asharq Center for Studies, Saad al-Shari, said that the relationship between SDF forces and the Russian forces is merely a field relationship. He explained in his interview with Baladi News that the Turkish army and the Syrian National Army (SNA) factions launched the Peace Spring Operation against the SDF following a Turkish-US understanding, which prompted the SDF to seek the help of the regime and Russia. Russia then quickly entered the area, deployed forces to the east of the Euphrates, and began preparing the airport to become a military base. According to Shari, this is how a field relationship began between the two sides, an alternative to the political relationship in which Russia attempted to play a mediating role with the regime.

The Syrian researcher added that the relationship between the US and the SDF is based on fighting terrorism. This was confirmed by the recent statements in which Washington declared its commitment to fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) and it not be responsible for protecting the SDF oil.

He added that the SDF is trying to divide the area east of the Euphrates between the two forces. Moreover, US forces have been concentrating their bases east of Hassakeh and Qamishli all the way to the Euphrates River in Deir-ez-Zor, while the Russian forces are deployed close to the demarcation lines with the Turkish Peace Spring Operation area. He said that the eastern Euphrates region is emblematic of the conflict in Syria as most countries interfering in Syrian affairs can be found there, despite it being too small a region to accommodate all foreign powers  from the US, Russia, Turkey, and France.

Ibrahim al-Habash, editor-in-chief of the Al-Khabour website, which covers news from the northeastern region of Syria, believes that the relationship between the SDF and Russia extends beyond east of the Euphrates  where Russia protects the areas of control of SDF north of Aleppo and maintains a channel of communication with the regime, keeping the neighborhoods under SDF control in Aleppo safe.

Habash said that Russia contributed to stopping Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria against the SDF. Additionally, Russia has been conducting patrols in the region to ensure the collapse of the agreement to suspend Operation Peace Spring and calm Turkish concerns. This is why SDF forces are keen to continue cooperating with Russia, especially since the US has stressed, on more than one occasion, that its support for the SDF is linked to the war on ISIS. The SDF finds this concerning as they would not want to put all of their eggs in one basket. Habash added that a good, normal relationship with Russia means that the SDF could secure its way back into the arms of the regime, which supported and financed the SDF against the Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions, even before the emergence of ISIS and the formation of the global coalition to defeat it.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.

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Latest research finds that Facebook is the most cost-effective channel on average for SMBs, Microsoft is the most responsive channel for increasing ad spend, whilst Google maintains their place as the industry leader with their high reach and low-cost offering...

International online advertising platform Adzooma has teamed up with Cambridge University for a new piece of research that reveals how businesses can maximise their online ad spend.The project, which was undertaken by MBA students who had previously worked with the likes of Amazon and Barclays, focused on how to select the best marketing channel, getting content strategy right and how to optimise landing pages to succeed in 2021.Robert Wass, director and co-founder of Adzooma said: At a time when online advertising is more important than ever, we jumped at the opportunity to work on a project that promised to offer SMBs insights into how to get the most from their ad spend. Having already enabled free access to our Adzooma platform for all businesses last year, we thought that this was a great way to help further by collaborating with one of the worlds top educational institutions.Adzooma is well placed to gain a more holistic view across all ad platforms given that we have access to thousands of accounts and work with the largest global industry companies including; Facebook, Google and Microsoft. Very few companies in the marketplace has the ability to compare such data, or the skill set to undertake a study, which makes this entirely unique.The three-pronged approach used by the students allowed them to look at customer behaviour along with key parts of the decision-making process. This included delving into how the imagery and language used in ads impacted click-through rates, as well as measuring whether the quality of the landing page was an important consideration when it came to conversions.In addition, they looked at whether the choice of platform (e.g. Google, Facebook or Microsoft) would affect the conversion rate  with often surprising results.The study found that very few of Adzoomas SMB customers took advantage of multiple marketing channels with Google being the most popular advertising network. However, the data revealed that Facebook was the most cost-effective channel on average, given that increasing spend will actually have the biggest impact on impressions, while Microsoft proved most responsive for increasing ad spend.It was concluded that when choosing between Google and Facebook to advertise your business, on average Facebook would be the best bet. For those SMBs debating between Google and Microsoft, in this scenario Google was suggested due to its high reach and low cost. But employing Google, Facebook and Microsoft into your strategy is advised to best leverage each networks unique advantage.Additionally, Bing was more attractive to the over 45 age group, with a third of them having a household income of $100,000, whilst Microsoft Advertising was the best medium for targeting a more professional and affluent audience.When comparing all the data in relation to how website conversions were impacted by quality of images, use of HTTPS, page speed, etc. there was vast room for improvement for 95% of the businesses sampled, given that only 5% of websites achieved a perfect score.Interestingly, users of different advertising platforms responded differently to the sentiment within advertising copy. This meant that on Google Ads negative sentiment proved most popular with a 6.5% click-through rate (CTR), compared to 5.7% for neutral and positive copy, while on Microsoft Ads, negative sentiments 3.3% CTR lagged behind both positive (4.2%) and neutral (3.6%).The Cambridge University team reported back that the breadth of industries and countries that Adzoomas customer base operates within enabled them to create findings and analysis that were relatable for businesses anywhere in the world, not just a single country. They also found that SMBs with Google and Microsoft ad accounts connected to the Adzooma platform saw a much higher CTR than the industry average  6% v 1.91% and 3.7% v 2.83% respectively.Srishti Warman, one of the University of Cambridge team who took part in the study, added: We were thrilled to team up with Adzooma for this piece of research and we hope these findings will help to inform the decisions that all marketers make in 2021.In short, we are providing the mantras for the businesses to improve their conversion rate. This research will empower those who are technically capable to make such changes to their marketing campaigns like avoiding deprecated APIs, not logging browser errors to console, displaying images with correct aspect ratios, background and foreground colours to have a sufficient contrast ratio, amongst other things."

In a column published Wednesday in the New York Times titled, School Closures Have Failed Americas Children, leading Opinion writer Nicholas Kristof deepened the propaganda campaign to reopen schools everywhere in the United States.

Kristofs article is a dishonest and anti-scientific condemnation of the limited school closures that were implemented largely by Democratic politicians in the fall. In line with the Biden administrations demand that the majority of K-8 schools reopen by the end of April, these policies are being reversed everywhere, but evidently not fast enough for Kristof, the Times, and their backers on Wall Street.

Pre-kindergarten teacher Sarah McCarthy works with a student at Dawes Elementary in Chicago.(Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, Pool, File)

Best known as the Times leading proponent of humanitarian military interventions, Kristof is often tagged to pen columns to justify the crimes of American imperialism. These have included most prominently the neocolonial invasions of Iraq, Libya and Syria during the Bush and Obama administrations, as well as the broader war preparations against both Russia and China. He is a thoroughgoing opportunist, who eagerly serves the interests of the financial oligarchy.

This is his third Times column published in the past six months advocating school reopenings, each of which included an endorsement of Trump for spearheading this policy. The reopening of schools is a strategic imperative for the ruling class motivated solely by the need to compel parents to return to unsafe workplaces to produce corporate profits, which Trump expressed most fervently throughout the fall.

In a September 2 article titled, Remote learning is often an oxymoron, Kristof wrote, I fear that Trumps hyperbolic embrace of reopening schools has led Democrats to be instinctively wary. This was followed by another piece on November 18, 2020 titled, When Trump Was Right and Many Democrats Wrong, in which Kristof claimed, Some things are true even though President Trump says them. Trump has been demanding for months that schools reopen, and on that he seems to have been largely right.

In his latest column, he begins, Flags are flying at half-staff across the United States to commemorate the half-million American lives lost to the coronavirus. But theres another tragedy we havent adequately confronted: Millions of American school children will soon have missed a year of in-person instruction, and we may have inflicted permanent damage on some of them, and on our country.

This false equivalency between mass deaths from COVID-19 over the past year and learning losses for children downplays the immense suffering that has befallen the working class and blurs the reality that the entire crisis is a product of the capitalist response to the pandemic.

Kristof complains, The educational losses are disproportionately the fault of Democratic governors and mayors who too often let schools stay closed even as bars opened.

In denouncing the limited half-measures imposed by Democrats, he fails to ask: What would have been the alternative? If all schools had reopened, there would have been an even greater surge of COVID-19 cases, leading to further suffering and death, thus deepening the social catastrophe of the pandemic. This is the danger now confronting the global population as the Biden administration and governments around the world press to reopen schools.

Kristof cites statistics on the deficiencies of remote learning without explaining their underlying cause in the deliberate sabotage and underfunding of these services by both big business parties. He paints a fairy tale portrait of American schools as nurturing and enlightening places, glossing over the fact that public education has been systematically defunded and hollowed out by both parties for decades.

The entire premise that Kristof and the Times care about students is a fraud. Aside from braying for schools to reopen amid a raging pandemic, his previous articles on education fervently backed the right-wing education policies pursued under Obama, including the promotion of charter schools and the mass firings of teachers.

Instead of calling for an improvement in remote learning through the provision of state-of-the-art technologies to every student and the hiring of tens of thousands of teachers, Kristof presents the false conclusion that the only way to address learning loss is by sending kids back into the schools. He asks thoughtlessly, What are the risks of opening schools?

In answering this, he invokes the politically motivated guidelines recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a limited study from Tulane University, and a non-peer-reviewed and clearly flawed paper published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The BMJ paper contains a disclaimer stating that it was Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed, and that the lead author, Sarah Lewis, has campaigned for schools to be reopened during the pandemic.

Based on these dubious sources, Kristof concludes that teachers generally dont seem at greater risk than people in other occupations, and adds that teachers who want to wait to reopen schools until they and their students are vaccinated are guilty of an abdication of responsibility to Americas children.

Contrary to Kristofs ignorant and biased presentation, numerous peer-reviewed studies have proven that children contract and transmit COVID-19 and that schools are major vectors for the spread of the pandemic. These include the following:

A study conducted in Montreal published last month found that infections in children between the ages 10 to 19 preceded the increase in cases among adults aged 30 to 49. This means that infected children were infecting their parents, not the reverse.





A large-scale study which involved the contact tracing of hundreds of thousands of people in India published November 6 in the journal Science proved that children spread the virus among themselves and adults.





A rigorous recent study published in Science, which analyzed various government interventions to contain the pandemic in 41 countries, determined that the closure of schools and universities was the second most effective measure after limiting gatherings to 10 people or less.

In addition to these studies, there are the basic facts that over 3.1 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 in the US, while the COVID Monitor has tracked over 650,000 cases among students and staff at K-12 schools across the country.

The present state of the pandemicin which more infectious, lethal and vaccine-resistant variants of SARS-CoV-2 are spreading largely undetected throughout the USmakes all the more criminal the nostrums of Kristof.

In the same issue of the Times in which carried Kristofs article, the paper also ran an article on a new variant of the virus homegrown in New York City and another which detailed a new study on the impacts of acute COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

The latter article notes that the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), analyzed 1,116 cases of young people who were treated at 66 hospitals in 31 states.  The researchers found that young people with the inflammatory syndrome were significantly more likely to have had no underlying medical conditions than those with acute Covid. Still, more than a third of patients with acute Covid had no previous medical condition.

The study makes clear that the long-term impacts of the virus on children remain unknown. Dr. Adrienne Randolph, the senior author of the study and a pediatric critical care specialist at Boston Childrens Hospital, told the Times, We cant say 100 percent for sure that everythings going to be normal long-term for children infected with the virus.

The purpose of Kristofs article, which undoubtedly arose out of discussions with the Biden administration and representatives of the ruling class, is to pollute popular consciousness and pressure local Democrats tasked with enforcing the homicidal policy of reopening schools.

Following the deal reached to reopen schools in Chicago, major Democrat-led districts across the countryincluding in Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Detroit, Baltimore, Memphis and othersare conducting secret negotiations with local teachers unions to reopen schools as quickly as possible. On Thursday, middle school students returned to classrooms in New York City, the largest school district in the country.

In pressing to reopen schools at the most dangerous phase of the pandemic, Kristof is extending the propaganda campaign initiated by his fellow Times reporter Thomas Friedman, who coined the phrase the cure cant be worse than the disease. This became the motto of the Trump administration, which ruthlessly pursued a strategy of developing herd immunity without vaccines. In ideologically justifying such policieswhich have deepened under BidenFriedman, Kristof and the Times bear enormous responsibility for the devastation wrought by the pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, the World Socialist Web Site has consistently opposed the ruling class campaign to reopen schools and nonessential workplaces before the pandemic is contained, policies which have been spearheaded by the Times, the Wall Street Journal and the rest of the corporate media. We have exposed the politically motivated CDC guidelines, brought forward the most rigorous scientific studies on the pandemic, and advanced a socialist program to guide the working class in its struggle to save lives.
Forensic police are examining human remains that were found on a beach on the NSW South Coast on Friday evening, five days after a foot belonging to missing Sydney woman Melissa Caddick was found on a beach 160 kilometres further south.

A spokeswoman for NSW Police said the newly found remains were not being linked to Ms Caddick at this stage. They were located at Mollymook beach, three hours south of Sydney, about 6.30pm on Friday.

Human remains were discovered at Mollymook beach on Friday evening. Credit:Alamy

Officers from South Coast police district were called to the scene and the remains are being forensically examined, the spokeswoman said.

Witness Craig ODonnell described the remains as discoloured and peculiar.
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The report " Carotenoids Market by Type (Astaxanthin, Beta-Carotene, Lutein, Lycopene, Canthaxanthin, and Zeaxanthin), Application (Feed, Food & Beverages, Dietary Supplements, Cosmetics, and Pharmaceuticals), Source, Formulation, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026 ", The carotenoids market is projected to grow from USD 1.5 billion in 2019 to USD 2.0 billion by 2026, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period. The major factors driving the growth of the carotenoids market includes the growing use of carotenoids in preventive healthcare and as a food colorant in the feed industry.

By application, the feed segment is estimated to account for the largest market share in 2019 in the carotenoids market

Carotenoids are extensively used in animal nutrition products due to their coloring properties and are incorporated in feed to pigment the egg yolks, broiler skin, fishes, and crustaceans. These also help in increasing the immunity and improving the health of livestock by enhancing the quality of nutrition. The fertility of cattle, swine, and horses can be improved by feeding beta-carotene, whereas astaxanthin and canthaxanthin help in improving the growth of salmons and larval fishes.

Download PDF Brochure:

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The beadlet segment in the carotenoids market is estimated to dominate the market in 2019

On the basis of formulation, the beadlet segment is estimated to dominate the carotenoids market in 2019. Carotenoid beadlets are free-flowing spherical particles developed from spray drying technology. They are usually packed in an aluminum foil bag and stored in a cool and dry place away from direct light, oxygen, and heat. Some of the other major benefits of using beadlet formulations include increased stability, cold water dispersion, and enhanced of shelf life.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the carotenoids market during the forecast period. This is due to the growing application of carotenoids in the health supplements, as they are rich in protein, vitamin, iron, manganese, and antioxidants, which help in preventing cardiovascular diseases and maintaining weight. Asia Pacific offers profitable growth opportunities to manufacturers and suppliers of carotenoids as the processing of carotenoids is cheaper in this region and witnesses a high demand in this region.

The prominent vendors in the carotenoids market includes Koninklijke DSM (Netherlands), BASF (Germany), Chr. Hansen (Denmark), Kemin Industries (US), Lycored Limited (Israel), Cyanotech Corporation (US), Fuji Chemical Industry Co Ltd. (Japan), Novus International (US), DDW The Color House (US), Dohler Group (Germany), Allied Biotech Corporation (Taiwan), EID Parry (India), Farbest Brands (US), Excelvite Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia), AlgaTechnologies Ltd. (Israel), Zhejiang NHU Co. Ltd (China), Dynadis SARL (France), Deinove SAS (France), Vidya Europe SAS (France), and Divi's Laboratories (India).

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Recent Developments:
A judge has been urged to sentence a Winnipeg woman to eight years in prison in a case that has changed the way courts are to deal with offenders guilty of sex crimes against children.

A judge has been urged to sentence a Winnipeg woman to eight years in prison in a case that has changed the way courts are to deal with offenders guilty of sex crimes against children.

The woman  who is to be sentenced Friday  previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual interference involving her then-one-year-old son and four-year-old daughter, crimes committed at the behest of a man she had just met on a dating website.

That man, Justyn Friesen, was sentenced in 2017 to six years in prison.

His sentence was reduced on appeal to 4 1/2 years, but restored by the Supreme Court of Canada, who, in reasons released last year, said sentences for child sex offenders should increase as societys understanding of the great harm inflicted on children deepens.

"Courts are justified in departing from dated precedents that do not reflect societys current awareness of the impact of sexual violence on children in imposing a fit sentence," the court said.

The then-31-year-old woman connected with Friesen on a dating website June 29, 2016, and quickly arranged to meet at her home for sex, Crown attorney Mike Himmelman told court at a sentencing hearing last week.

After Friesen left, the woman  who court heard is cognitively challenged, with an IQ of 65  noticed her laptop was missing and immediately called him. Friesen denied taking the computer, but offered to help get it back if she agreed to "kinky stuff."

When the woman invited Friesen back to her home two days later, she agreed to his request she perform a sex act on her toddler son.

Two weeks later, the woman and Friesen were having sex while a friend babysat her children in another part of the home. Friesen told the woman to bring her daughter to the bedroom so he could sexually abuse her.

The girls screams, captured on a recording on the womans cellphone, awakened her friend, who interrupted the assault and ordered Friesen out of the house.

The woman can be heard on the recording apologizing to Friesen as her friend yells at him and threatens to call police.

"Her initial thoughts were not for the welfare of the child," Himmelman said. "There is no sense she was intimidated or scared of Mr. Friesen, but in fact wanted to please him."

According to a pre-sentence report prepared for court, the woman has shown "little insight into her role in this horrific set of crimes," Himmelman said.

"Instead, she seems intent on painting a picture of herself as a victim."

The Supreme Courts decision signals a "significant shift" in how offenders who victimize children should be sentenced, Himmelman said.

"The focus, in our reading of (the decision) should be on the harm caused to the children, not on the offender," he said. "For this offence and this offender, a significant custodial term is the only appropriate sentence."

Defence lawyer Ed Murphy urged Justice Doug Abra to sentence the woman to no more than three years in prison, arguing her reduced cognitive abilities left her vulnerable.

Murphy said the woman only went along with the abuse of her daughter after Friesen threatened to blackmail her with a cellphone recording of the previous assault on her son. Court heard Friesen pleaded guilty to extortion for doing just that.

The woman found an unexpected defender in Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard, who provided a letter of support alleging the woman was "forced and manipulated into the acts she was accused of," and urging the court to sentence her to no more time in jail.

Reached by phone Thursday, Gerrard said he first met the woman when she approached him for help on an unrelated issue in 2015. He said he wrote the letter at a time when the woman was between lawyers and exploring the option of withdrawing her guilty pleas.

"Go back 70 years, and someone with an IQ like this might be in an institution for life," he said. "I see her as being the victim. She should be supported How do we as a society protect someone who has low intelligence, who doesnt appreciate the implications of their actions? I think its an issue we as a society have to face."

The woman told court last week she looks forward to a day she can see her children again.

"In the past, I have let people use me and take advantage of me," she said. "I wish I was stronger and able to protect myself and my children from the man who put us in danger I am a different person now than I was in 2016, when my eyes werent opened."

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 22:21:06|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Clinton Kibuuka is a performing artist whose talent was nurtured in one of the notorious slums in Uganda's capital city Kampala.

Kibuuka, 24, had a tumultuous childhood. He was the sixth child out of the 12 children his parents had.

Kibuuka told Xinhua in a recent interview that his parents could barely fend for them due to the abject poverty that the family faced.

"We had a big family and my daddy had two wives, whereby he barely provided for us enough food and school fees," he said.

Kibuuka's life was full of uncertainty as his father stopped paying his school fees in primary level, and his mother took up the responsibility of looking after the big family.

Kibuuka later got an Irish sponsor who managed to pay his school dues up to secondary level two.

Sometimes Kibuuka and his siblings depended on food handouts from neighbors in the shanty Kosovo slum in Lungujja, Kampala.

He would go on the streets with his colleagues to pickpocket. Consumption of drugs was a common occurrence.

"My colleagues and I would be arrested and later released by police because we were underage," Kibuuka said.

As a child, Kibuuka had passion for acrobatics, circus and gymnastics. In his primary school, Kibuuka loved performances.

"Ever since my primary level (elementary school), I always watched shows staged in schools although then I was still an amateur. I always admired those acrobatics groups that visited schools performing," he said.

Kibuuka used to watch acrobatic and gymnastic shows on television in the makeshift video halls in the community.

In middle school, Kibuuka dropped out of school because his parents could not afford to pay tuition fees.

This did not stop him from nurturing his talent which would later in life be his career.

"I developed the passion to try and become one of the best acrobatic and gymnastics champions in the country," Kibuuka said. He embarked on a vigorous training schedule.

He said two years of training brought out the best of him as he embarked on performances abroad.

"I managed to travel to countries like China, Egypt, and Eritrea and even shared the stage with my counterparts in those countries. I got more exposure and even learnt lots of skills," Kibuuka said.

With this experience, Kibuuka started teaching gymnastics and physical education in local schools.

"It was interesting to share skills with young people," he said.

Before long, Kibuuka decided to go back to his slum roots to skill the underprivileged children in the community.

"I discovered that many street children are living in this area -- Lungujja-Kosovo, which is a swampy area, inhabited by a very poor community," Kibuuka said.

Children in this community would spend most of their time looking for scrapped metals, old plastic bottles on rubbish pits to sell and get money, said Kibuuka. "That is how I came up with an idea of creating an academy, which could help these street and ghetto children to learn arts skills for a social change."

The school, Bwengula Art Academy, started on a slow pace but later picked up with many street children opting to enlist.

"At first I was training alone, but I got more street children joining me and the number started growing. You know children always want to adapt to new ideas," he said, noting that the academy now has more than 70 street children. "I have helped these young children who had gone astray after running from their homes and joining the streets. Some of them had been participating in stealing women's bags and even money on the streets, whereas others engaged in robbery."

At his academy, discipline is one of the key elements instilled in the children who trained up to four times a week. As the children are engaged in rehearsing most of the time, they deviate from repeating their odd habits. Some of the children in the academy have been able to win scholarships which have enabled them to continue studying after dropping out, according to Kibuuka.

"We want to enlist more street children to see that they carry on their passion. At the end of the day some of them will realize that the skills they acquired helps them in future to survive," Kibuuka said.

"I came here when I was an amateur, but now I can act and perform very well in acrobatics and gymnastics," said Cliff Senfuma, one of the academy's beneficiaries.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has curtailed the progress of the academy as some of the goodwill people have stopped donating funds, Kibuuka said.

He appealed to the government and civil society organizations to come to the rescue of the academy because it imparts skills to most vulnerable children in the society. Enditem
Starting from the upcoming spring semester, primary and middle schools across China will restrict the use of cellphones by students in class, and communicate with parents to help raise public awareness around the issue, according to a press conference held by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Tuesday.

The move aims to tackle the harmful side effects of cellphone overuse among teenagers, which include vision problems, poor posture and internet addiction disorders.

On Jan. 15, the MOE issued a circular that set the tone for nationwide management efforts on the issue. In addition to banning phone use in class, the circular suggests students do not bring cellphones into schools unless completely necessary. Schools will be required to help students get in touch with their parents via other means during school days.

Teachers are also not allowed to assign homework via cellphones or require students to finish their homework using cellphones, the circular said.

Both schools and parents should join hands to let students be fully aware of the serious harm of excessive cellphone use and internet addiction, said MOE official Lyu Yugang at the press conference.

Lyu suggested that parents make a timetable with their children on cellphone use at home, and explore more diversity in their home environment, so that children can make better use of their time by reading, exercising, and doing other activities. Lyu also called for parents to take responsibility and act as good role models for their children by firstly not being addicted to cellphones themselves.

The policy has given rise to a heated discussion on social media as many agree that it can help students better concentrate in class, and create more opportunities for them to talk, play sports, and focus more on real human contact with their peers in school.

Others believe that the bans can help improve childrens eye health, and address the issue of nearsightedness among the younger generation.

Statistics from the National Health Commission showed that the rate of myopia among teenagers reached 53.6% in 2018. And the MOE found the figure had further increased over last year, as children spent significantly more time using electronic screens for remote learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, there are also concerns as to whether the policy will cut children off from the outside world. Many suggest schools and local education authorities take flexible measures during the implementation process, and teach children how to use cellphones and access information on the internet in more practical ways.

The bans on students use of cellphones in class is also stipulated in Chinas newly revised Law on the Protection of Minors, which will take effect on June 1, 2021.
End-to-end encryption would make Facebook a 'honeypot' and a 'superplatform' for paedophiles, according to one official at the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Rob Jones, director of threat leadership at NCA, criticised the social network for its plans to introduce the security standard to both Facebook Messenger and Instagram, which Facebook also owns.

End-to-end encryption ensures only the two participants of a chat stream can read messages, and no one in between  not even the company that owns the service.

Jones called end-to-end encryption  which is already used on Facebook-owned WhatsApp  a 'high-risk experiment' and a 'disaster for child safety and law enforcement'.

He said the communications system puts the 'pursuit of profit above the safety of the people on their platform, particularly children'.

There is even a 'very real risk' that more child sex offenders could move to Facebook if end-to-end encryption is installed on the platform, according to Jones.

He also revealed that the NCA had received just under 24,000 child abuse tip-offs from Facebook and Instagram last year, but only 308 from WhatsApp.

The figures suggest that more criminals go undetected on WhatsApp because it features end-to-end encryption.

End-to-end encryption 'poses an existential threat to child protection', a senior National Crime Agency (NCA) official has claimed

WHAT IS END-TO-END ENCRYPTION? End-to-end encryption ensures only the two participants of a chat can read messages, and no one in between  not even the company that owns the service. End-to-end encryption is intended to prevent data being read or secretly modified when it is in transit between the two parties. The cryptographic keys needed to access the service are automatically provided only to the two people in each conversation. In decrypted form, messages are accessible by a third party  which makes them interceptable by governments for law enforcement reasons. Facebook-owned WhatsApp is already encrypted, and now Mark Zuckerberg is looking to do the same with Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct. Advertisement

Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg announced plans for end-to-end encryption on Messenger and its wider family of apps (including Instagram) in spring 2019  but the change has been heavily delayed and is still yet to be enforced.

Facebook wouldn't comment on Friday regarding when exactly it plans to bring end-to-end encryption to Messenger and Instagram, describing it as a 'long-term project'.

Its plan has since attracted criticism from the likes of Home Secretary Priti Patel and Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Southworth, head of Britain's squad of anti-terrorist, as well children's charity NSPCC.

NCA has also long been highly critical about the proposed move.

'There is a stark difference between a platform that refers content and a platform that can't,' Jones told the Times.

'If the end-to-end model is based on WhatsApp, I'm worried. It feels like a high-risk experiment.

'The lights go out and you're effectively guessing what's going on in that platform.'

Up to now, Facebook has been 'a huge help' to lawful investigations and child safeguarding, Jones said.

In 2019, Facebook made 15.8 million global referrals of child sex abuse material.

'But their plans will create a haven for child sex offenders to congregate to target children,' Jones added.

'It's not too late for Facebook to change their mind.'

Facebook built end-to-end encryption into WhatsApp after the company acquired it for about $19 billion in 2014.

WhatsApp has consistently and proudly reiterated its commitment to end-to-end encryption.

'Strong encryption is a necessity in modern life,' WhatsApp says. 'We will not compromise on security because that would make people less safe.'

The 'unbreakable digital lock' keeps the contents of messages secure and viewable to no-one except the sender and the recipient.

Despite being much touted by WhatsApp as a leading security standard for online messaging, it means company staff can't identify child sex offences in the form of messages and video sent between the abuser and the victim.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (pictured). Facebook-owned WhatsApp already has end-to-end encryption, but Zuckerberg wants to introduce it to its wider family of apps, which also includes Messenger and Instagram

WHEN WILL END-TO-END ENCRYPTION ARRIVE ON FACEBOOK? In spring 2019, Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to introduce end-to-end encryption to Facebook and its other platforms (apart from WhatsApp, which already has it). In a blog post, Zuckerberg called the feature 'an important tool in developing a privacy-focused social network'. 'Encryption is decentralizing - it limits services like ours from seeing the content flowing through them and makes it much harder for anyone else to access your information,' he said. Two years later, however, there is no sign of the change being implemented. Facebook later revealed that encrypting messenger by default will take years. The last word was from Jon Millican, Facebook's software engineer for Messenger privacy, in January 2020. 'I'll be honest right now and say we're still in a place of having more questions than answers,' Millican said. 'While we have made progress in the planning, it turns out that adding end-to-end encryption to an existing system is incredibly challenging and involves fundamentally rethinking almost everything.' Opposition from Facebook shareholder activists may account for the long delay. A Facebook spokesperson told MailOnline that the company hasn't 'shared a timetable' for a rollout but described is as a 'long-term project'. Advertisement

On WhatsApp, whether or not the abuser is caught relies on tip-offs stemming from the child being abused.

Facebook, meanwhile, relies on a combination of algorithms and staff people to detect illegal activity  such as sexual abuse of minors.

But introducing end-to-end encryption to Facebook Messenger and Instagram, which also has an in-built messaging stream, will shut these detection methods out.

Speaking at a virtual press earlier this month, Jones pointed out that the proposed move 'poses an existential threat to child protection' and appears to put profits ahead of the safety of its users.

Jones said that Facebook's 'balance between business objectives and public protection is wrong'.

'They appear to be putting profit, and the pursuit of profit, above the safety of the people on their platform, particularly children.'

His comments followed the sentencing of prolific paedophile David Wilson, 36, at Ipswich Crown Court for 96 child sex abuse offences on February 10.

Wilson used fake social media profiles to pose as girls and get young boys to send him indecent images, and he approached up to 5,000 boys online.

Andy Burrows, NSPCC head of child safety online policy, said: 'Wilson's prolonged campaign of sexual abuse was exposed following a large-scale investigation by the NCA.

'If it wasn't for the evidence provided by Facebook this would not have been possible and many more children could have been exploited.

'Despite this case highlighting the importance of tech companies being able to detect and disrupt abuse on their sites, Facebook still wants to proceed with end-to-end encryption which could prevent its moderators from uncovering prolific abuse.'

In 2020, Facebook also sent 12 million CyberTips to the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, which receives industry referrals before disseminating them to law enforcement agencies to investigate.

Jones said Facebook has 'invoked tooling on their network which detects these images' and refers them to law enforcement, which he called 'great'.

But end-to-end encryption 'effectively locks them out of their own network and locks them out of their own product and the material that's on that network' he added.

WhatsApp has consistently and proudly reiterated its commitment to end-to-end encryption

'What it creates is a private space where people like Wilson can masquerade as children, engage with children, groom them and potentially develop either coercive control of that individual and get them to abuse themselves and send images to them, or to meet them in the real world and abuse them directly themselves.'

The NCA is asking to 'maintain a position where Facebook can access their own material and report unlawful abuse of children online to the NCA and to international law enforcement'.

A Facebook company spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Child exploitation and grooming have no place on our platforms.

'Facebook has led the industry in developing new ways to prevent, detect, and respond to abuse and we will continue to work with law enforcement to combat criminal activity.

'End-to-end encryption is already the leading technology used by many services to keep people safe online and we will continue to invest in finding more ways to detect and fight these heinous crimes.'

'WhatsApp already bans around 300,000 accounts each month suspected of sharing child exploitative imagery, and has increased the amount of reports provided to child safety authorities with further technology developments.'

In his 2019 blog post announcing plans to bring end-to-end encryption to Facebook, Zuckerberg said there was a balance to be found between privacy from end-to-end encryption and protecting people.

He said he'd spoken with dissidents who told him that encryption is 'the reason they are free, or even alive'.

'On balance, I believe working towards implementing end-to-end encryption for all private communications is the right thing to do,' Zuckerberg wrote.
Pennsylvania movie theaters ditch mask mandate

Three chain movie theaters have announced that masks are no longer mandatory for moviegoers who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
Need a crash course on how to sell a house? A new show, "One Week To Sell," will help you seal the deal, fast.

On this new Discovery+ show, New Yorkbased designer Taylor Spellman travels to homes that have been stuck on the market for months. She then makes a few changes on a modest budget to prove you don't need tons of time or cash to reel in buyers.

In the latest episode, "Love Lack to Love Shack," Spellman heads to Mount Vernon, NY, to check out a 1,000-square-foot home that's been on the market for five months. The owner recently lowered the asking price from $440,000 to $399,000, but this 1959 home is still dated and unattractive.

Spellman has $14,000 and only four days to repaint, redesign, and reimagine this home. Here's what she does, which might inspire some surprising changes around your own abode, too.

Curb appeal: Nail your home's first impression

This house needed some curb appeal. Discovery+

When Spellman first sees this house, she knows that she's going to need to do some serious work on the exterior. There are weeds all over the front lawn and lots of overgrown hedges, and the house itself has no personality.

"Currently, the curb appeal is doing nothing other than preventing a sale, Spellman says. "It is so important to have the person feel super excited the moment they approach the house, and right now, that is making the buyer walk in the other direction."

With some flower boxes and shutters, this house gets a lot of charm. Discovery+

She buys some shutters and flower boxes for less than $200 to give the house a more welcoming look. Then she asks her design team to help clear out the weeds and plant some more polished greenery.

"Life brings more life, so the power of a live plant is so important," Spellman says of the additions to the yard. "It makes people happy, it makes people envision themselves in the space, and I know that when we do this, its going to make the sale."

Between the new window decorations and the cleaned-up front yard, Spellman's fixes are very easy for any homeowner. She proves that it takes only a few days to give an unsightly house some serious curb appeal.

Hide your trash cans

Before: This space was trash can storage. Discovery+

Before Spellman steps inside for the first time, she notices trash cans right by the front door and strongly disapproves.

"Garbage cans out front is a little touch and go, Spellman says.

She has the cans relocated and turns this entry space into a beautiful porch. She does this cheaply by adding some potted plants and a bench she bought from a thrift store, upholstered with some left-over fabric.

After: With a bench and some greenery, this becomes an adorable sitting space. Discovery+

"This is a great way to have a brand-new item," Spellman says of her DIY bench. "And on top of it, [it makes] that space feel very usable, when at first it wasnt.

Got dark, dated cabinets? Double down with dark paint

With some new accessories, this kitchen doesn't look so bad. Discovery+

Inside the house, Spellman finds a very dark, dated kitchen. While most designers would paint the cabinets or rip them out in favor of new, lighter ones, Spellman doesn't have that in her budget. So she decides to simply leave the cabinets the way they are.

She dresses up the kitchen with a modern glass table and colorful chairs, but otherwise she leaves this old kitchen the way she found it. In fact, she decides to lean in to the dark design by using a similar dark brown in the living room.

But don't worrythere's a method to her madness.

This dark-color wall complements the dark kitchen. Discovery+

"All the kitchen cabinets are dark brown, and frankly, most buyers are going to be turned off by it," she explains. "But when I introduced the brown color in the living room, it suddenly makes the kitchen feel not so bad."

As it turns out, she's right.

If the living room had been bright and white, it would have made the kitchen feel especially dark. However, with the warm chocolate brown carried through the living space, a dark kitchen doesn't feel out of place. It's a cheap way to make a dated kitchen seem more attractive to a buyer.

No budget for hardwood floors? Try new carpet

Before: Buyers weren't interested in this spooky living room. Discovery+

When Spellman first tours the house, she's horrified by the carpeting in the living room. It's ugly and dirty.

"My first instinct is, This rug has to go. I can already feel that I'm ready to sneeze, Spellman says.

After: This carpet might not be a popular choice, but it's better than the alternative. Discovery+

However, while replacing the carpet with durable and beautiful hardwood floors would be ideal, Spellman doesn't have the budget for it. Instead, she installs some new, off-white carpet, spending just $1,700. It's not going to be ideal for every buyer, but this carpet is relatively inexpensive and it looks much better than the old floor.

Can't afford carpet? Paint the floors for a cool look

Before: This green carpet had to go. Discovery+

While Spellman chooses to recarpet the living room, she doesn't have the budget to do the same in the bedroom, even though she knows the ugly green carpet needs to be replaced. She finds some old linoleum under the green carpet and decides to paint it white, with a unique herringbone pattern in blue.

After: This bedroom looks much brighter with the painted floor. Discovery+

"This painted floor is going to take you right out into this beautiful outdoor space. It's going to draw the eye out and add visual interest," Spellman says when describing her vision.

While it takes time to tape down the herringbone design with painter's tape, the paint itself costs very little. The new floor makes this room look unique, and the design does, in fact, bring the eye out to the connecting deck.

Black paint on the deck can look modern

Before: This red color needs to be changed. Discovery+

While a deck can make for a great bonus space, Spellman knows that even a large deck will fail to entice buyers if it doesn't look great.

This is a huge selling point for a buyer," Spellman says when she sees the deck, which is attached to the master bedroom. "And currently it looks sad and red and not inviting.

So she has the deck painted black to look cleaner and more modern. Plus, with a more muted color, the beautiful greenery outside stands out. The paint and labor for this deck cost $1,529, so it's not the cheapest fix in this project, but it'll surely help this house find a buyer.

After: This darker color looks more modern. Discovery+

Four days and $14,000 later, Spellman is finished with this project and the house is transformedand it translates to a swift sale. It just goes to prove that a few minor improvements is all you need to turn a house around.

The post 'One Week To Sell' Reveals the Surprising Eyesore Sitting in Front of Your House appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
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The United States on Friday for the first time publicly accused Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of approving the gruesome murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but stopped short of targeting the powerful heir apparent.

The prince, who is de facto ruler of the US ally and oil provider, "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," said an intelligence report newly declassified by President Joe Biden's administration.

The report said that given Prince Mohammed's influence, it was "highly unlikely" that the 2018 murder could have taken place without his green light. The killing also fit a pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad."

Khashoggi, a US resident and critic of Prince Mohammed who wrote for The Washington Post, was lured to Istanbul's Saudi consulate in October 2018, then killed and cut into pieces.

The Treasury Department announced it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official as well as the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit the report said "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him."

Biden said Friday that "we are going to hold (Saudi Arabia) accountable for human rights abuses. This report has been sitting there, the last administration wouldn't even release it... it is outrageous what happened."

But the United States stopped short of directly targeting the 35-year-old crown prince, known by his initials MBS.

In honor of the slain writer, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" that will ban entry into the United States of foreigners who threaten dissidents or harass reporters and their families and immediately placed 76 Saudis on the blacklist.

"We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," Blinken said in a statement.

Story continues

- Not seeking 'rupture' -

Blinken, questioned by reporters, said "this is bigger than any one person," explaining Biden was trying "not to rupture the relationship, but to recalibrate to be more in line with our interests and our values."

An advocacy group founded by Khashoggi, Democracy for the Arab World Now, called on the president to impose sanctions on Prince Mohammed -- with a number of lawmakers from Biden's Democratic Party also pushing for more action.

"We must also ensure that there are real consequences for individuals like MBS; if not, autocrats around the world will get the message that impunity is the rule," said Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Saudi foreign ministry in a statement denounced the "negative, false and unacceptable assessment" and rejected "any measure that infringes upon its leadership."

The Saudi government, which initially said it had no information on Khashoggi, says it accepts responsibility for the killing but casts it as a rogue operation that did not involve the prince.

Biden's decision to release the report -- first completed under Donald Trump -- was a sharp departure from his predecessor, who had vowed to keep working with Saudi Arabia due to the kingdom's lavish purchases of US weapons and shared hostility toward Iran.

Biden spoke late Thursday with 85-year-old King Salman after the White House made clear he had no intention of speaking to the crown prince, who by contrast had formed a friendship with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

- Fatal consulate appointment -

A veteran Saudi journalist who had gone into self-exile, Khashoggi was told by Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States to go to the kingdom's Istanbul consulate if he wanted to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage to a Turkish woman, Hatice Cengiz.

Within minutes of entering the building on October 2, 2018, the 59-year-old was strangled and his body dismembered by a 15-member team allegedly sent from Riyadh under the direction of a top aide to Prince Mohammed, Saud al-Qahtani.

The intelligence report said seven of the 15 Saudis came from the Rapid Intervention Force, which it said had earlier acted to suppress dissent in the kingdom and abroad.

The Central Intelligence Agency had quickly concluded that Prince Mohammed ordered the assassination but Trump refused to release the report.

A US official said it was "obviously reality" that the new administration will still have to deal with the prince, who is also defense minister, on issues including oil, Iran and Yemen, where Biden has cut support for Saudi's devastating offensive.

Few observers of Saudi Arabia believe the murder could have taken place without the knowledge of Prince Mohammed, a calculating strongman who has jailed critics and locked up competing factions in the royal family.

bur-sms-sct/jh/bgs/mtp
TEL AVIV  The bear hug between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu and their governments was a partnership like no other the two countries had seen. For four years, Israel was Washingtons favorite foreign-policy arena and Jerusalem its best friend, and the brash new American approach to the Middle East dominated Israels national-security discourse and its politics.

Far less understood was one of the key underpinnings of that relationship: the intricate symbiosis between evangelical Christians in the United States and religious Jewish settlers in the West Bank. In a new documentary, Til Kingdom Come, the Israeli filmmaker Maya Zinshtein delves into this unholy alliance, as she calls it, showing how the settlers reap enormous political support and raise money from evangelicals, who, she argues, directly and indirectly subsidize the settlers steady takeover of the West Bank, which the Palestinians want for a future state. In return, evangelicals edge closer to fulfilling the prophecy many adhere to that the second coming of Christ cannot happen without the return of diaspora Jews to the Holy Land.

That vision doesnt end well for the Jews: They must accept Jesus or be massacred and condemned to hell. But the film shows Christian Zionists and right-wing Israelis agreeing to disagree about the End of Days while cooperating, and even exploiting one another, in the here and now  and making the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians more difficult to resolve.
Working from home can sometimes feel like another world  but for Sanjeev Gupta this is literally true.

The professor is helping operate Nasa's Mars Perseverance roverfrom his one-bed flat above a south London hair salon.

Were it not for the lockdown, the British geologist would be alongside other scientists at Nasa's mission control in Pasadena, California. Instead, in a space-oddity, he is involved in controlling the robot explorer on the surface of the Red Planet from his sparse but tastefully furnished apartment in Lewisham.

Prof Sanjeev Gupta, pictured, is helping operate the Nasa Mars Perseverance rover from above a south London hair salon

Prof Gupta, who is a geologist, is part of the team to decide where the Perseverance rover should dig for samples in an effort to determine whether there was life on Mars

Hundreds of millions around the world watched Perseverance touch down on Mars just over a week ago, after its seven-month journey through space.

Prof Gupta, 55, a geology expert at London's Imperial College, is one of the leading scientists on the project to bring rock samples back from the planet and discover whether it could support life billions of years ago.

Over the coming weeks, he and colleagues will begin mapping out tasks for the rover, directing it to spots to drill for samples to be transported back to Earth in 2027 by a separate UK-backed project.

He said: 'I should be at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, in a series of offices each one about three times bigger than this lounge, full of hundreds of scientists and engineers with their heads buried in laptops surrounded by large screens.

'Nasa's headquarters is certainly a far cry from a one-bedroom flat.'

Many of the scientists associated with the massive project are being forced to work from home because of the ongoing pandemic

Prof Gupta, a PhD from Oxford University's St Cross College, has rented the apartment so his wife and children can enjoy undisturbed sleep in the nearby family home while he works through the night with his colleagues in the United States

He added: 'The teenage son of a friend of mine asked me if I could order the rover to do a wheelie for him. I told him, 'Not with my motoring skills'.' Many of the 400 scientists on the 3billion life-on-Mars mission are working from home because of travel restrictions.

Prof Gupta, a PhD from Oxford University's St Cross College, has rented the apartment so his wife and children can enjoy undisturbed sleep in the nearby family home while he works through the night.

A Mars day is 40 minutes longer than a day on Earth, and the team is working round the clock, 'so it is like being permanently jet-lagged', he said.

He followed the landing on February 18 from his Lewisham nerve centre using five computers  two Apple Macs, an iPad and two other screens for Zoom-style meetings with fellow scientists.

According to Prof Gupta, a day on Mars is 40 minutes longer than on earth

Pictured: An aerial view of the NASA JPL, Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the foothills above Pasadena, California

'Perseverance landed in Jezero Crater, which is a really good spot, I think, because it is an ancient lake formed by a meteorite impact billions of years ago,' said Prof Gupta. 'We can see an ancient river valley, and deltas. Obviously there is no water there now, but we will test if there was water in the past.

'Basically I and the team have meetings every day and talk about what experiments we will want it to do, where to collect the samples from.

'It will be a few weeks before it turns a wheel. Then it will be able to move up to hundreds of metres in a day and will travel tens of kilometres from its current spot. We are looking to where to direct it to exciting-looking rock formations, and the way it will get there.'

Prof Gupta, who has previously mapped the sea floor in the English Channel using sonar, added: 'Data comes from satellites orbiting Mars and it all depends on their positioning when they can deliver the data.

'Our working patterns are all over the place. It takes 11 minutes for the signals to get back from Mars, because it's around 150 million miles away.

'Yet due to the pandemic, I cannot be where I am supposed to be  in California, a mere 5,500 miles from here.

'Still, it's a lovely little flat, even if it isn't the typical image of one of the nerve centres of space exploration.'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  Philippine exports under the European Unions Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) will continue enjoying zero tariffs upon entry to the United Kingdom even after its exit from the trading bloc, the Trade Department confirmed Friday.

In a statement, the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau said the Philippines is also covered by the UKs own GSP Enhanced Framework, the counterpart of EU GSP+ which adopts the same market access and benefits it provides.

This means Manila will keep receiving zero tariffs on two-thirds of its product lines, which include footwear and food items like bananas, tuna, and pineapple.

The Philippines considers the United Kingdom as one of its major trading partners, said Trade Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman. We appreciate the inclusion of our country in the UK GSP and we are looking forward to resuming trade under this system.

The UK left the EU in end-January 2020, with both entities agreeing that new trade and travel rules shall take effect January this year.

Exporters must fill out a GSP Form A and submit a Certificate of Origin to qualify for UK GSP benefits, added the DTI.

The United Kingdom was 17th among the Philippines top trading partners, while it ranked 18th among its export markets last year.

Manilas exports to London reached $404 million in 2020, down 20% from the year prior with coronavirus pandemic crippling trade chains across the world. Semiconductors and integrated circuits topped Philippine export products to the UK along with pulp from waste paper and tuna.

The EU in September pushed for trade sanctions against the Philippines over its "rapidly deteriorating human rights" situation. The union's parliament adopted a resolution seeking to commence the procedure for the temporary withdrawal of the GSP+ granted to the country.

RELATED: VP Robredo: 200,000 jobs at stake if EU pushes trade sanctions vs PH over human rights issues
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A patient has written a heart-warming letter to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, complimenting all staff at the Citys Esselen Street Clinic in Hillbrow for rendering quality healthcare services.







Not used to Batho Pele principles, Ntswaki Mbalu became a keyboard warrior after she visited the City-run health facility recently for medical attention.



Ntswakis experience turned to be a heartening story of ordinary people who discover a shared humanity.

Ntswakis experience turned to be a heartening story of ordinary people who discover a shared humanity.





She writes that following her retrenchment during the lockdown, her medical aid ceased, compelling her to consult a public health institution for healthcare services.

I was at pains trying to accept that I will have to use public healthcare services, she told the minister, adding that she had had a negative encounter with nurses at the same clinic 15 years ago and was dreading a repeat.

She describes her experience this time around as a genuine miracle.

I was overwhelmed at the level of improvement and warmth extended to me from [the] security, booking clerk, admin section, blood room, nursing sisters, Drs and all, Ntswaki wrote in her letter to Minister Mkhize.





She complimented everyone at the clinic for being inexpressibly empathetic, to the point that I cant wait each time for my next appointment.





Whats even more amazing about this poignant tale is that Ntswaki first sent the complimentary email directly to the Minister, who then forwarded it to Lucretia Moshigo, a senior official in his office, carbon copying several others. The email is then circulated to district officials in Gauteng, including Irene Kok, who sent it to their colleague, Mogeru Morewane.





It is Mogeru, a Chief Director of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Health District, who sends the letter to Dorothy Diale, the Citys Deputy Director for District Health Systems and Mathibe Monyamane, Region Fs Manager for Clinics, carbon copying Baski Desai, the Citys Director of Public Health.





The district is very proud to have members that are so dedicated, Mogeru writes, requesting the appreciation letter be sent to all personnel at the clinic to uplift their morale.





What followed on is heartening, as Mathibe emails the letter to a host of his colleagues, about 34 of them, with an accompanying message.





In these challenging times, it takes exceptional people to deliver the kind of service you and your team have rendered. Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your team for the exceptional work you do daily.

The healthcare practitioners Ntswaki dealt directly with are Nolwazi Makhubo (Enrolled Nursing Assistant); Richard Ndzhinga (General Worker); Patricia Ngcobo (Health Promoter); Nombom Qgiba (Operational Manager); Tshepo Moremane (Admin Assistant); Gigi Dladla (Enrolled Nurse) and David Mageleketa (Security Officer).





Ntswaki signs off her letter by writing: Big Up To All Staff. Keep shining that Nightingale Light for all of us.







Written by Lesego Lala
HARRISBURG  During a federal confirmation hearing Thursday, former Health Secretary Rachel Levine was questioned about the ongoing data discrepancies in Pennsylvanias public reports on nursing home coronavirus deaths and cases.

Levine, who was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as assistant health secretary, oversaw the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the first year of the pandemic, which has killed thousands of people in long-term care facilities.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Levine had assured her that Pennsylvania had accurately reported deaths in these homes, unlike New York, where the attorney general found that the Cuomo administration had undercounted fatalities by the thousands.

But Collins questioned that claim, citing Spotlight PA reporting from September 2020 that found weekly reports released by the state health department were consistently missing death and case data for more than 100 of the states 693 nursing homes.

In her response, Levine pointed to lags in the states electronic death reporting system, or EDRS, and said slow uploads to that system explained why data outlining cases and deaths in nursing homes appeared incomplete.

That is not what reporting by Spotlight PA has revealed.

The state first started releasing weekly reports with cumulative data on resident deaths, resident cases and staff cases for each nursing facility in May. That disclosure came after weeks of pressure from advocacy groups representing nursing home residents and families.

Officials initially resisted releasing facility-by-facility data, citing a decadesold law that prohibits the release of disease records by state or local authorities.

The first facility-level reports released by the state in May were filled with errors that took several days to correct. Those early reports were supplemented with data from PA-NEDSS, the states disease reporting system, which collects data from health care systems and labs.

More recent versions of the reports contain data that is self-reported by nursing homes directly to the state Health Department using other software portals  not the electronic death reporting system as stated by Levine during the confirmation hearing.

By September, more than six months since the first COVID-19 case in Pennsylvania, problems with the data had not been corrected. With many facilities still closed to visitors, advocates for nursing home residents and families said that there were few ways for families to know what was going on inside facilities and to monitor outbreaks.

In a June 18 letter, the Health Department said nursing home administrators could face daily fines or prison time if they did not comply with reporting requirements. But in September, the Health Department did not respond to questions about whether any state penalties had been issued.

Facilities contacted by Spotlight PA in the fall said that they were meeting reporting requirements but could not explain why their data was not included in the states weekly reports. Others were frustrated that they reported their data correctly, but it still showed up with errors in the public-facing reports.

These problems do not appear to have been corrected in the most recent reports, which are posted to the state Department of Health website.

A Feb. 17 report lists 139 facilities that are reporting no data. Data is missing for 145 facilities in the Feb. 23 report.

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The remains of a missing South Carolina woman have been found in a wooded area, more than two years after her disappearance, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Falon Michelle Cooksey, a mother of two, went missing on June 11, 2018, according to her cousin, Jamie Cooksey.

Authorities told the family that Falon's bones were found in Gaffney. Her family said that's in the area where they believed she was last seen.

She was going through a tough time, but she was with some friends and had been in Blacksburg," Jamie Cooksey said.

Jamie said Falon went to Gaffney with some friends who said she just walked away from a motel and they didn't know where she went.

For almost three years, it was 'where is she? Is she OK? Is she not? Just, where is she?'" Jamie Cooksey said. "Now that we know where she is, its 'what happened?' Thats what we want answered the most. 'Was it an accident? Was it not an accident? Did someone do this to her?' Those are the questions now her family wants answered.

Sheriff Steve Mueller said his office found Falon's remains after receiving a tip. He noted that the tipster had been in a wooded area and seen skeletal remains. Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said positive identification was made through dental records.

"We will continue to work in the coroner's office to have a forensic exam of the skeletal remains, but at this time it is our belief that she died at her own hands," said Dennis Fowler, Cherokee County Coroner.

Mueller addressed rumors and lies that were spread on social media and to law enforcement about Falon's disappearance.

"Create cruel and unusual punishment for those family members that received false information, false rumors, and the countless hours that investigators in two states had to run down that we knew from the beginning probably was not credible," Mueller said. "But we had a duty and an obligation to run those facts down to make sure they were not credible."

Deputies said investigators searched properties in five South Carolina counties, more than 10 wells, farms, ponds and the Broad River.
https://flv1.gmw.cn/soby/sobey/20210227/1614399839607_High.mp4

Spring Festival was celebrated all over the world over past two weeks. Not only Chinese people but also many foreigners have participated in various cultural activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Those who are keen to traditional Chinese culture still try to do something to celebrate the special Spring Festival despite that the world is being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight guests from the U.S., the UK, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, etc., shared their views and experiences of this special Spring Festival.

[ Editor: WXL]
Note from Professor Elena Albarran: At MUDEC, students of "World History since 1945" have been studying youth travel in Europe in historical perspective, literally and figuratively retracing the footsteps of sojourners in the region since World War II. Each week, as they learn more about the global forces that have transformed Europe in the twentieth century, they reflect on their own travels in historical context.

As a companion to the course, students are reading Richard I. Jobs historical monograph Backpack Ambassadors: How Youth Travel Integrated Europe (2017), and Johny Pitts travelogue Afropean: Notes from Black Europe (2019) as guideposts to orient their own travel reflections, as they consider the unique global circumstances that shape their experiences, and begin to see themselves as part of a longer historical trajectory of human mobility and migration.

Last weeks prompt asked students to think about social spaces for intercultural interaction, and how COVID and other factors have had an impact on peer socialization and exchange.

by MUDEC student Ethan Kopp

This weekend was the first time I got the backpacking experience. In truth, I did not live out of my backpack for more than one night, and my group and I ended up staying in a very nice Airbnb in the evening. However, whether it was from carrying the weight of the backpack itself or my enormous European traveling expectations from sources like family and Backpack Ambassadors, the collective physical and metaphorical mass forced me to consider my role as a European traveler.

For those who had come before me, such as those mentioned in Backpack Ambassadors, a book about youth travel in post-World War II Europe, their travel was purposeful. The book says that as the young traveled following the war, their valuable intercultural experiences helped them heal old wounds and form new bonds of camaraderie, resulting in a new pan-European identity.

As an American, especially one from a mostly homogeneous suburb and university, these cross-cultural experiences were exactly what I was looking for when I came to Europe. The book describes hostels as a den of these exchanges. The text enumerates how hostels became a host to young people of limited means, who want to meet foreign people (Jobs, Chapter 1).

While Airbnbs and hotel rooms might be comfortable, the opportunity for intercultural interaction is checked at the door. In the world of COVID restrictions, it is significantly more challenging for one to have valuable cross-cultural connections. However, while hostels may be closed, for now, other sources of intercultural connections touched on by Backpack Ambassadors have certainly been visible in this past weekends travels.

The main area that I noticed to be a good place for social interaction is on public transportation. Luxembourg has free public transport, and I have taken advantage of that fact, using it to move across the country. However, likely a result of that nonexistent cost and the COVID pandemic, there is certainly no direct route to most of the places we have traveled.

However, the lack of this direct route is perhaps what makes me the most optimistic for unique cross-cultural experiences. Much like the varied transportation methods the backpackers were forced to take immediately after the war, such as hitchhiking, the constant exchanging of buses and trains provides a unique opportunity of proximity that is almost unrecognizable in the COVID era. As commuters, tourists, and others jam into public trains, buses, and trams; a unique opportunity is provided for intercultural socialization.

The shared proximity of hostels might not be available in todays world, yet it can still be found in Luxembourg. I noticed this proximity this past weekend when I felt more comfortable practicing my non-existent French language skills with a commuter. Though our conversation was short and switched to English because of my poor language skills, I still valued it as a unique experience I would otherwise not have had in Oxford, OH.

Despite this optimism, one issue I see today is the divisiveness of the world around me. In Backpack Ambassadors, travel was encouraged by France and West Germany's governments to create cross-cultural connections. This encouragement was in response to the hostility bred by centuries of Franco-German aggression. Therefore, the two governments needed a way to create longstanding peace. Through thoughtful discussions and youth camps, bonds were formed, and two countries who were bitter enemies became close partners in the pursuit of pan-Europeanism.

While we have technologies today that help bring us closer despite the distance, like social media, it also increases divisiveness. Everywhere I have traveled, I have noticed every tourist using their phone constantly. I am not guilt-free of this, knowing that I use it for comfort from the knowledge that home is just a text away. Yet, I believe that to have authentic and valuable cross-cultural connections, that comfort must go.

Finally, another division I have noticed is with COVID restrictions closing borders and pitting countries against each other to contain cases. These measures are valuable and necessary in fighting the pandemic yet have created a system of rigid borders entirely alien for the Schengen zone. This circumstance is undoubtedly a cause of anxiety for me that the pandemics response will have long-lasting ramifications for European unity.
A Sydney actor found guilty of killing a home invader with a samurai sword is performing lines and faking his teary apology, prosecutors say as sentencing looms.

Blake Davis, 31, was in December found guilty of the manslaughter of Jett McKee who he struck in the head with the sword after the ice-fuelled intruder fled his Forest Lodge unit in Sydney's inner west, on August 10, 2018.

Davis' girlfriend Hannah Quinn, 26, was also convicted of being an accessory after the fact to Mr McKee's manslaughter.

Blake Davis and Hannah Quinn leave during a break in proceedings at the NSW Supreme Court in Darlinghurst, in Sydney, Friday, February 26

Mr McKee (pictured) was struck on the head with a samurai sword after fleeing Davis' apartment

Speaking in court on Friday, Davis apologised to Mr McKee's family and friends, saying he would have done so earlier if his bail conditions had allowed him to contact them.

'I will never comprehend the pain you have gone through,' Davis said.

'I don't expect you to accept my apology.'

But Mr McKee's family wasn't buying his apology, saying he was feigning remorse to reduce his sentence.

In a victim impact statement, McKee's partner Avril Bowers told of her struggle to give birth to and raise their son after his death.

'When you took Jett's life, you didn't just end his existence, you robbed his son of a father (and) myself of a partner.

'(But) throughout this long and drawn-out ordeal, you have shockingly and disturbingly portrayed yourself as victims.

'I feel that you have used every tactic at your disposal to vindicate yourself while vilifying Jett.'

McKee's parents both told the court they'd never recover from their son's violent killing.

'It was effortless to love him and cataclysmic to lose him,' mother Lynn said.

'It is like being permanently winded, devoid of hope.'

Had Davis felt any remorse, it should have been evident before now, McKee's family says.

Davis did not convince the crown prosecutor Chris Taylor either.

The court heard Davis used a samurai sword on display in his home to deal a fatal blow to Mr McKee before wrapping it in some plastic near his unit

The scene (pictured above) following the death of Jett McKee in 2018 in the Sydney suburb Forest Lodge

The Sydney actor told the court he'd been suicidal since the 2018 killing, and lived in fear.

'My only intention was to save Hannah,' he said.

'My intention was never to harm this person or take his life.'

Citing his acting training, Mr Taylor accused Davis of performing.

'Did that course involved learning a script and learning how to deliver it? That's what you've done here today isn't it?'

'There's no script for real life Mr Crown... It is just my truth of evidence,' Davis countered.

'The evidence that you've given is not genuine evidence in many regards ... it is simply the recitation of what Your Honour might want to hear to better your position?' Mr Taylor said.

'No,' Davis responded.

Mr Taylor suggested Davis could not remember if he intended to strike McKee on the head if he could not recall the attack.

He was lying about one or the other, and lying about his remorse.

'You're lying here today ... to assist your purpose,' he argued.

Justice Natalie Adams will sentence Davis and Quinn at a later date.

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"Judas and the Black Messiah" was an excellent movie.

So excellent I'll probably never watch it again.

I think there's a collection of movies that I can only give one watch"Fruitvale Station," "The Secret Life of Bees," "The Lovely Bones." The list goes on, and Judas and the Black Messiah has just been added.

A STUDY IN UGLINESS: 'Malcom & Marie' approaches toxic relationships in the worst way

I want to note that its taken me days to form thoughts in my mind about how I felt about this movie. I've been in a deep state of love/hate. The film, in my opinion, largely represents itself as the new testament proverb, "What shall a man profit if he loses his soul?"

Judas and the Black Messiah opens with the FBI informant, Bill O'neal in his PBS special, "Eyes on the Prize 2," where he talks about his experience infiltrating the Black Panther Party and what he will tell his son when the time comes.

Via Youtube

Despite the movies multiple storylines, another overarching theme I found in the film was that J. Edgar Hoover was quite literally despicable, and viewed the Black Panther Partymen and women who united to have free healthcare programs and offered free meals to childrenas one of the largest threats in America. A threat so large, that the only way to stop the movement, was death.

Interestingly enough, the movie foreshadows itself early on in the film. Stanfield, playing O'neal, walks into a bar impersonating an FBI agent with the intent to steal someone's car. Before he's able to get away with it, a man in the bar says, "Man what's the FBI doing looking for a stolen car anyway? Ran out of people to assassinate?"

In fact, before we're even introduced to Fred Hampton, the movie is filled with significant one-liners that add to the greatness of the film, like "a badge is scarier than a gun."

Daniel Kaluuya plays the role of a young fiery Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party. His role is focused on the latter years of Hampton's life, as he was only 21 when he was killed in 1969 by Chicago police in a raid orchestrated by the FBI.

Via Glen Wilson / Warner Bros.

Kaluuya does an excellent job embodying the role of Hampton. "The Chairman," as his comrades affectionately called him, had a real knack for public speaking, and it shows in the film. O'neal even mentions that Hampton's charisma is so strong, that Fred "could sell salt to a snail."

The beauty in Kaluuya playing Hampton is that we're able to see his unifying spirit. Despite the landscape of Chicago at the time, he was able to bring together so many different groups of people: The Chicago Crowns, The Disciples, the Puerto Rican community, and even white southern migrants.

Somewhere down the line, you can see that the guilt is eating O'neal alive, once he realizes what's going to happen to Fred.

Via Warner Bros.

Quite honestly, there aren't many (if any) flaws that I can immediately pick up on in the film, I think my biggest gripe with Judas and the Black Messiah is although it's important for generations to come to know important stories such as Fred Hampton and Huey P. Newton, I would to see more of their accomplishments and leadership work glorified, versus an FBI informant's mission to have a man assassinated by the FBI.

The film struck a very ugly cord for me. I left the movie feeling very conflicted. Despite the American government committing conspicuous, heinous acts, the journey of a Black man aiding the FBI in taking another Black man down was very disheartening as a Black woman. But, it's history.

I will commend Lakeith Stanfield for his role in the film as O'neal, the titular Judas, but he went on to admit that he had to seek therapy after playing such a reprehensible role.

Via Warner Bros.

All in all, the film delivers exactly what it's supposed to. It's a cinematic masterpiece, that can only be watched once.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved an operation to capture or kill dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was murdered in 2018, according to a declassified US intelligence assessment released on Friday in a manner choreographed to limit damage to US-Saudi ties

Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post, was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.

Riyadh has denied any involvement by the crown prince.

"We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in the report posted on its website.

"We base this assessment on the Crown Prince's control of decision-making in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman's protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi," it added.

In declassifying the report, US President Joe Biden reversed his predecessor Donald Trump's refusal to release it in defiance of a 2019 law, reflecting a new US willingness to challenge the kingdom on issues from human rights to the war in Yemen.

However, Biden is treading a fine line to preserve ties with the kingdom as he seeks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with its regional rival Iran and to address other challenges including fighting Islamist extremism and advancing Arab-Israeli ties.

Washington choreographed events to soften the blow, with Biden on Thursday speaking with the crown prince's 85-year-old father, King Salman, in a call in which both sides said they reaffirmed their decades-old alliance and pledged cooperation.

The declassified intelligence, prepared by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, echoed a classified version of a report on Khashoggi's murder that Trump shared with members of Congress in late 2018.

Trump's rejection of demands by lawmakers and human rights groups to release a declassified version at the time reflected a desire to preserve cooperation with Riyadh amid rising tensions with Iran and to promote US arms sales to the kingdom.

Biden's new director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, has committed to complying with a 2019 defense bill that required her office to release within 30 days a declassified report on Khashoggi's murder.

The 59-year old Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist living in self-imposed exile in Virginia who wrote opinion pieces for the Washington Post critical of the policies of the crown prince  known to some in the West as MbS.

He was lured on Oct. 2, 2018, to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul with a promise of a document that he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. A team of operatives killed him there and dismembered his body. His remains have not been found.

Riyadh admitted that Khashoggi was killed in what it called a "rogue" extradition operation gone wrong.

Twenty-one men were arrested in the killing and five senior officials, including the deputy intelligence chief, Ahmad Asiri, and Saud al-Qahtani, a senior MbS aide, were sacked.

In January 2019, 11 people were put on trial behind closed doors. Five were given death sentences, which were commuted to 20 years in prison after they were forgiven by Khashoggis family, while three others were given jail terms.

Asiri was tried but acquitted "due to insufficient evidence," the prosecution said, while Qahtani was investigated but not charged.

As part of Biden's rebalancing of ties with Saudi Arabia, he will only communicate with King Salman, the White House has said, a move that may allow Washington to put some distance between itself and the crown prince, aged 35.

That will restore protocol broken by Trump and his son-in-law and top aide, Jared Kushner, who maintained a direct channel to the crown prince.

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Namibia and Botswana yesterday reaffirmed their initial plans to jointly set up a multi-billion-dollar pipeline that would draw water from the Atlantic Ocean that will be shared as desalinated water by both countries.

In mid-2016, President Hage Geingob revealed during a function held at State House that the two governments were in discussions to pump desalinated water from the Atlantic Ocean through a pipeline that will stretch to Botswana. At the time, Geingob had said it is a regional project that will be commissioned between the Namibian and Botswana governments to tap water from the sea.

In the same year, Namibia and Botswana signed a boundary treaty that affirmed that both countries were looking into the possibility of investing in a desalination plant.

The signed treaty will jointly govern the use of the shared water resources between the two countries along three rivers, namely, the Kwando, Linyanti and Chobe.

Both Namibia and Botswana are semi-arid countries that face regular water crises that threaten the livelihoods of their citizens.

Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi, who jetted into the country yesterday for a one-day working visit, held a closed-door meeting with Geingob where together with their delegations also discussed modalities on sharing seawater.

Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said the meeting focused on the possibilities that exist between the two countries as water-stressed countries, especially Botswana which is landlocked.

"The possibilities of desalination are still on the cards.

"So the discussion focused on how Namibia can assist Botswana through the ocean sustainably to meet the needs of Botswana and Namibia," Hengari indicated.

Asked when this dream would be realised as plans for the desalination project have been at the government's door for so long, he defended the process, saying projects of this nature take time to complete.

"These are big projects and they take time. Feasibility studies in the context of Namibia have been made with regard to desalination. Those findings will be shared at an appropriate time," he said.

"The relevant committees will study the possibilities of financial outlays and whatever is needed to require making this dream of strengthened cooperation between Namibia and Botswana a reality.

"That is the President's articulated visions, ideas, and these ideas will be carried out by a technical team."

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Water affairs minister Calle Schlettwein, who also attended the closed-door meeting with Masisi and Geingob, said discussions were a continuation of both countries' cooperation.

"It was just a continuation of our cooperation. Nothing was decided. It was just a working meeting where the desalination project and other cooperation were discussed. We were tasked to use the technical details that have been in existence to work out further details. There is nothing concrete for now," Schlettwein told New Era in an interview yesterday.

Hengari said both countries share a very long border and both presidents share a special friendship that allows them to strengthen cooperation in various areas.

Equally, he noted, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to a level of Bi-National Commission and that implies strengthened political and economic cooperation.

"Visits of this nature will be frequent for the two heads of state to respond positively to the agenda of development.

"In the meeting, President Geingob informed his counterpart that as neighbours, the two countries should share aspirations and must have dreams," Hengari stated.
TheCOVID-19 vaccination sessions will not be held this Saturday and Sundayin view ofthe Co-Win digital platformtransitioning from Co-Win 1.0 to Co-Win 2.0 as Indiagears up to inoculate peopleabove 60 years and those over 45 years with comorbidities against the infection from March 1.

All states and UTs have been already informed about this transition,the Union Health Ministry said.

TheCo-Winsoftware was created for real-time monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine delivery.

The nationwide COVID-19 inoculation drive tovaccinate healthcare workerswas launched on January16 by the prime minister. Vaccination of frontlineworkers started onFebruary 2.

"The country wide vaccination exercise is being exponentially expanded to include those above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with co-morbidities, fromMarch 1.

"On this Saturday and Sunday (Feb 27 and 28), theCo-Windigital platform will be transitioning fromCo-Win1.0 toCo-Win2.0. In view of this, COVID-19 vaccination sessions will not be scheduled during these two days. The states and UTs have been already informed about this transition," the ministry said.

According to official sources eligiblebeneficiaries would be able to register themselves on the Co-Win platform from Monday itself after the transition.

There will also be a walk-in provision for beneficiaries to get themselves registered at the session site itself to get vaccinated.

Everyone above 60 years of age and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to get COVID-19 vaccine from March 1 for free at government facilities and for a charge at many private hospitals, the government said on Wednesday.

"Eligible beneficiaries would be able to register themselves on the Co-Win platform from March 1 itself.There will also be a walk-in provision for the beneficiaries to get themselves registered at the nearby session site to getvaccinated," said R S Sharma, Chairman of Empowered Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Administration.

He said thenew version of the Co-Win platform will be GPSenabled and beneficiaries will have theoption to choose the inoculation session sites both at the government and private facilities.For those who would walk in,there will be volunteers to help those who are not tech-savvy to get registered.

One will also have the option to get inoculated in a state different from the one he or she is a resident of.

People aged above 45 will have to upload and provide a medical certificate mentioning their comorbid conditions.The government is yet to specify the conditions which be included in the over-45 age group with comorbidities.

"The Co-Win will be able to take registrationsand appointments frommultipleapplications includingArogya Setu or any other application such as a common service app," Sharma said.

One will justhave to register in withthemobile number and receive an OTP with which his or her account will be created. One can get their family members also registered on the account.

The second phase of the world's largest vaccination drive will start from Monday in which anybody above 60 years, that may not be less than 10 crore people in the country, and 45 years plus with co-morbidities will be given vaccines in 10,000 government medical facilities and also over 20,000 private hospitals, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday.

"Whoever goes to the government centre will be administered vaccine free of cost. Indian government will pay for them. The government will purchase the necessary doses and will send them to all the states," Javadekar said.

Those who want to get vaccination from private hospitals will have to pay, but the amount will be decided by the health ministry within the next three-four days as they are in discussions with manufacturers as well as hospitals, he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Newser)  In assessing the state of the pandemic in the US, the Christian Science Monitor finds that something new is emerging around the country: "a sense of cautious optimism." That's mostly because of a sharp decline in cases in recent weeks, though there's plenty of potential trouble on the horizon as wellincluding signs that the decline in cases has stopped and fears of what the New York Times calls a "fourth wave." Coverage:

The decline: The US saw about 250,000 new cases a day in early January, and the figure had dropped to about 54,000 in late February, per the CSM. The Times notes a 35% drop in cases this month, plus a 31% decline in hospitalizations. Deaths were dropping as well, though not as fast (16%), with 3,210 recorded on Wednesday.

The US saw about 250,000 new cases a day in early January, and the figure had dropped to about 54,000 in late February, per the CSM. The Times notes a 35% drop in cases this month, plus a 31% decline in hospitalizations. Deaths were dropping as well, though not as fast (16%), with 3,210 recorded on Wednesday. Which means? Those stats lead Apoorva Mandavilli of the Times to write: "Is this it, then? Is this the beginning of the end? After a year of being pummeled by grim statistics and scolded for wanting human contact, many Americans feel a long-promised deliverance is at hand." Mandavilli interviewed 21 scientists, and most thought the worst was behind us. "This summer, they said, life may begin to seem normal again."

story continues below

A big qualifier: In his New York Times newsletter, David Leonhardt calls attention to a potentially troubling trend: The number of new cases has stopped declining in the US and the world in recent days. Jim Edwards of Insider also takes note. "Big question: Are the new fast-moving variants (UK, CA, and NY) moving faster than the vaccines?" he wonders.

In his New York Times newsletter, David Leonhardt calls attention to a potentially troubling trend: The number of new cases has stopped declining in the US and the world in recent days. Jim Edwards of Insider also takes note. "Big question: Are the new fast-moving variants (UK, CA, and NY) moving faster than the vaccines?" he wonders. Fourth wave: Those fast-emerging variants are a big reason why most of the scientists interviewed by Mandavilli predict a "fourth wave" of the virus. "We're essentially facing a pandemic within a pandemic," says Adam Kucharski of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. However, they stressed that the wave can be prevented or at least muted if Americansand American officialsdon't get complacent about the usual safety protocols.

Those fast-emerging variants are a big reason why most of the scientists interviewed by Mandavilli predict a "fourth wave" of the virus. "We're essentially facing a pandemic within a pandemic," says Adam Kucharski of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. However, they stressed that the wave can be prevented or at least muted if Americansand American officialsdon't get complacent about the usual safety protocols. Another good sign: Weekly COVID cases in US nursing homes have dropped a staggering 89% since December because of vaccinations, reports USA Today. That outpaces the national decline by a wide margin.

Weekly COVID cases in US nursing homes have dropped a staggering 89% since December because of vaccinations, reports USA Today. That outpaces the national decline by a wide margin. Summing up: "Just hang in there a little bit longer," Dr. Ashleigh Tuite of the University of Toronto tells the Times. "There's a lot of optimism and hope, but I think we need to be prepared for the fact that the next several months are likely to continue to be difficult." Or as Raemecca Evans, who lost her restaurant job in Cincinnati because of the pandemic, puts it to the CSM: "I mean, it's gotten better." But "it's kind of touch-and-go, to me."

(Read more coronavirus stories.)
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An estate agent has penned a brutally honest sales pitch for the 'worst house on the street,' a run-down, $69,000, two-bedroom Florida home with an 'ominous energy.'

Philippa Main's listing for the property in Zephyrhills, outside of Tampa, has gone viral for its unsparing description of the leaking roof, creaking floor and terrible draft which whistles through the bungalow.

Photos of the property reveal bare plumbing in what may have once been a kitchen, graffiti on the walls, a crooked chimney, gaping holes in the ceiling, smashed windows and a crumbling foundation.

'Here it is, literally the worst house on the street,' is how Main opens her advert as she jokes that 'if you're looking for a house that screams "I've got bizarre and ominous energy!" then honey stop the car because you've found it right here conveniently located off of US-301 in North Zephyrhills.'

She says that the seller 'has done the hard work' in cleaning up the half-acre property.

'It only took seven dumpsters,' she adds.

The property off the US-301 in North Zephyrhills, outside Tampa, Florida, which the estate agent has very candidly described as having a 'bizarre and ominous energy' as she hopes to flog it for $69,000

The kitchen area of the property. In her advert Main wrote: 'The roof leaks, the floor creaks, and there's a terrible draft, but this home is a very open concept. And by that we mean the inside is open to the outside because several of the windows are broken'

A boarded up window in the bathroom where the toilet is surrounded by barren wooden walls and cracked linoleum floor

What was perhaps once the kitchen of the property shows bare walls where appliances, counters and cupboards have been ripped out

The back door of the property shows off broken windows, pieces of the walls falling off and a shaky-looking foundation. Main wrote: 'Now I know you've heard of a detached garage, but have you ever heard of a detached foundation?! Because that's what you'll find here in the large bonus room at the right of the home.'

One of the relatively cleaner-looking rooms in the property showing a wallpaper with nature scenes and a mismatched linoleum floor with some of the tiles missing or removed

A large expanse of ceiling is missing from this room. Main wrote: 'Have you ever watched HGTV and thought, 'I could do that!'? If so, pack up your tape measure and start Googling how to identify a load-bearing wall because it's time to put your money where your mouth is!'

'Have you ever watched HGTV and thought, 'I could do that!'? If so, pack up your tape measure and start Googling how to identify a load-bearing wall because it's time to put your money where your mouth is!

'The roof leaks, the floor creaks, and there's a terrible draft, but this home is a very open concept. And by that we mean the inside is open to the outside because several of the windows are broken.'

Main, who studied public relations at Florida State University, has since commented on the hilarious listing.

'I always try to be as interesting as possible,' she told Digg. 'But most sellers want me to stick to the more traditional kind of description, so the creativity can only go so far for my typical clients.'

In her advert she wrote: 'There is a large, sunny window in the kitchen... and absolutely nothing else - a wonderful feature for someone interested in a bright reading space (and ordering take out for every meal).

'Now I know you've heard of a detached garage, but have you ever heard of a detached foundation?! Because that's what you'll find here in the large bonus room at the right of the home. And if you're looking for a house that screams "I've got bizarre and ominous energy!" then honey stop the car because you've found it right here conveniently located off of US-301 in North Zephyrhills.

The bathroom in the home, with the tub surrounded by dirty grime which snakes its way up the walls

The dishevelled rear of the property shows the white boards of the exterior covered in moss and grime and windows without a pane

The realtor wrote: 'What else can be say about this one-of-a-kind opportunity? It's not in a flood zone and will be conveyed with clear title! But we don't have a survey and the seller has never seen the property, so buyers are strongly encouraged to do their own due diligence.'

The driveway to the property where garbage appears to have blown in off the street

The half-acre property comes with some land, although it does not appear that a lawn mower has graced it for some time

Main wrote of the property: 'If you're not interested in crying yourself to sleep every night while you rehab this home, might we suggest tearing it down and building a brand new one in its place? The neighbors would likely thank you'

'If you need a place to stage your next post-apocalyptic zombie movie, this is it (the covered porch has really good "rest here on your way to the safe zone" vibes). And whether you like to turn up the heat or keep it cool, it won't matter here because there is no HVAC system.

'Oh and don't forget about the brick chimney that perfectly epitomizes how we all feel after 2020 - about to collapse and going nowhere (literally, there is no fireplace inside the house).

'What else can be say about this one-of-a-kind opportunity? It's not in a flood zone and will be conveyed with clear title! But we don't have a survey and the seller has never seen the property, so buyers are strongly encouraged to do their own due diligence.

'And if you're not interested in crying yourself to sleep every night while you rehab this home, might we suggest tearing it down and building a brand new one in its place? The neighbors would likely thank you.'
The U.S. leader says his country will never recognize Russia's purported annexation of Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is grateful to U.S. President Joe Biden for his stance on Ukraine's Crimea.

"Grateful to Joe Biden for a strong message: Crimea is Ukraine! That's what a real strategic partnership is for," Zelensky tweeted on February 26.

"Ukrainians highly value the U.S. support: from territorial integrity to strengthening defense capabilities & implementing reforms. United we stand  divided we fall," he said.

Biden earlier announced that the United States does not and will never recognize Russia's purported annexation of the peninsula. "We will stand with Ukraine against Russia's aggressive acts. We will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its abuses and aggression in Ukraine," the U.S. leader said in a statement.

Read alsoBiden on 7th anniversary: U.S. will never recognize Russia's purported annexation of Crimea

Occupation of Crimea by Russia

Ukraine on February 26 marks the Day of Resistance to Russia's Occupation of Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the liberation of the peninsula is a joint task for the international community, which is to get united around the Crimean Platform.

Also, the Ukrainian leader signed a decree on measures aimed at ending the Russian occupation of Crimea and its reintegration into Ukraine.

Russia occupied Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had seized the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held amid the aggressive takeover on the issue of the peninsula's accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities claimed that 96.77% of the Crimean population had allegedly supported the move.

On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to the Russian Federation was signed off in the Kremlin.

Western powers never recognized the seizure of Crimea and imposed sanctions on Russia over aggression against Ukraine.

Reporting by UNIAN
Israel has now vaccinated half its population against Covid-19, another milestone on the way to subduing the pandemic.

More than 4.6 million people have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, according to Health Ministry data released Friday. With nearly 8% of the country having recovered from the disease and likely developing some resistance to reinfection, that could bring Israel closer to herd immunity.

Michael Saylor, the chief executive of the business intelligence software firm MicroStrategy, believes deeply in Bitcoin and has urged other companies to shift their corporate cash into the cryptocurrency. Thats what MicroStrategy has been doing, in a bigger way than the others that have put Bitcoin on their balance sheets, the DealBook newsletter reports.

On Wednesday, MicroStrategy announced a $1 billion Bitcoin purchase, bringing its total spending on the cryptocurrency to more than $2 billion since the summer. MicroStrategy remains focused on two corporate strategies, Mr. Saylor said in a statement: expanding its software business and acquiring and holding Bitcoin. The companys finance chief, Phong Le, said Bitcoin investments complemented the software business by enhancing awareness of our brand and providing opportunities to secure new customers.

Bitcoins price is currently double the average cost that MicroStrategy paid for them, implying a gain of nearly $2.5 billion. Before it started buying Bitcoin in August, MicroStrategys market capitalization was just over $1 billion. It is now nearly $8 billion, with its Bitcoin holdings overshadowing its software business.

Its amazing that a board of directors allowed this, said Marc Lichtenfeld, a financial adviser, citing Bitcoins extreme volatility and its tenuous link to the companys software business. Buying crypto in enormous amounts as a marketing tool will not affect the fundamental prospects of MicroStrategys business by adding to its earnings and cash flow, he noted.
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WASHINGTON  U.S. health advisers endorsed a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson on Friday, putting the nation on the cusp of adding an easier-to-use option to fight the pandemic.

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to quickly follow the recommendation and make J&Js shot the third vaccine authorized for emergency use in the U.S. Vaccinations are picking up speed, but new supplies are urgently needed to stay ahead of a mutating virus that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.

After daylong discussions, the FDA panelists voted unanimously that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for adults. If the FDA agrees, shipments of a few million doses could begin as early as Monday.

More than 47 million people in the U.S., or 14 percent of the population, have received at least one shot of the two-dose vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which FDA authorized in December. But the pace of vaccinations has been strained by limited supplies and delays due to winter storms.

While early J&J supplies will be small, the company has said it can deliver 20 million doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.

J&Js vaccine protects against the worst effects of COVID-19 after one shot, and it can be stored up to three months at refrigerator temperatures, making it easier to handle than the previous vaccines, which must be frozen.

One challenge in rolling out the new vaccine will be explaining how protective the J&J shot is after the astounding success of the first U.S. vaccines.

The two-dose Pfizer and Moderna shots were found to be about 95 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19. The numbers from J&Js study are not that high, but it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. One dose of the J&J vaccine was 85 percent protective against the most severe COVID-19. After adding in moderate cases, the total effectiveness dropped to about 66 percent.

Some experts fear that lower number could feed public perceptions that J&Js shot is a second-tier vaccine. But the difference in protection reflects when and where J&J conducted its studies.

J&Js vaccine was tested in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa at a time when more contagious mutated versions of the virus were spreading. That wasnt the case last fall, when Pfizer and Moderna were wrapping up testing, and its not clear if their numbers would hold against the most worrisome of those variants.

Importantly, the FDA reported this week that, just like its predecessors, the J&J shot offers strong protection against the worst outcomes, hospitalization and death.

While J&J is seeking FDA authorization for its single-dose version, the company is also studying whether a second dose boosts protection.

Panel member Dr. Paul Offit warned that launching a two-dose version of the vaccine down the road might cause problems.

You can see where that would be confusing to people thinking, Maybe I didnt get what I needed, said Offit, a vaccine expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Its a messaging challenge.

J&J representatives said they chose to begin with the single shot because the World Health Organization and other experts agreed it would be a faster, more effective tool in an emergency.

Cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically since their January peak that followed the winter holidays. But public health officials warned that those gains may be stalling as more variants take root in the U.S.

We may be done with the virus, but clearly the virus is not done with us, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said, speaking at the White House on Friday. She noted that new COVID-19 cases have increased over the past few days.

While its too early to tell if the trend will last, Walensky said adding a third vaccine will help protect more people faster. More vaccines are in the pipeline.

On Sunday, a CDC panel is expected to meet to recommend how to best prioritize use of the J&J vaccine.

Other parts of the world already are facing which-is-best challenges. Italys main teachers union recently protested when the government decided to reserve Pfizer and Moderna shots for the elderly and designate AstraZenecas vaccine for younger, at-risk workers. AstraZenecas vaccine was deemed to be about 70% effective in testing. Canada became the latest country Friday to allow use of AstraZenecas vaccine.

AP reporters Carla K. Johnson and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


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A FATHER of five who raped his partner's six-month-old baby niece and subjected her to a violent and degrading sexual assault has been jailed for 16 years.

The Tipperary man (59) recorded himself abusing the baby and also secretly recorded four other girls when they used the bathroom.

Sentencing the man today, Mr Justice Alexander Owens of the Central Criminal Court said that while it was open to him to impose a life sentence on the man, he considered a very long custodial sentence would be more proportionate.

He handed down a sentence of 18 years but suspended the final two years on a number of conditions.

The man cannot be named in order to protect the identities of the victims.

The offending took place over the course of seven months up to August 2019.

A local detective previously told Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, that an envelope was delivered anonymously to a Garda station on August 14, 2019, which contained an SD or memory card and a handwritten note.

The handwritten note outlined that the memory card contained a clip of an infant being sexually abused by the accused man and asked gardai to arrest "this monster".

The court heard that the accused man was in a relationship with a woman since 2012 and the couple would mind her nieces from time to time in the defendant's flat.

The woman told gardai that she would occasionally leave the man alone with the young children if she was going to the shops and said she was unaware of events that had taken place. She said the accused had a "pattern" of checking whether the toilet was clean before the children used it.

The man pleaded guilty last year to two counts of oral rape, one count of attempted oral rape and five counts of sexual assault of the then six-month-old baby.

He also pleaded guilty to five counts of production of images of extreme child abuse of the baby and the four older children. He further pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of images of child abuse at his home on dates from February to August 2019.

In an emotional victim impact statement, one mother said she was introduced to the accused man seven years ago and welcomed him into their family home.

She said she could not believe that the man had done "such horrific things" to her daughters and was grateful that they are young enough to move on with their lives.

She said she no longer leaves her children with anyone and knows that she will have to explain to them what happened some day. "He is a monster and is where he should be today," she said.

Another mother told the court in her statement that she had trusted the accused and thought he had her children's best interests at heart. "In my worst nightmare I could never have imagined it.

Colman Cody SC, defending, said that the level of criminality was impossible to comprehend and the aggravating factors included the disparity in ages between his client and the victims as well as the breach of trust. In mitigation, Mr Cody said his client became addicted to cocaine and it had become a destabilising factor in his life. He said his client accepted that he would receive a serious custodial sentence for the offences.
[February 26, 2021] Desktop Metal, Inc. Announces Redemption of Public Warrants

Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE: DM), ("Desktop Metal" or "the Company"), a leader in mass production and turnkey additive manufacturing solutions, today announced that the Company will redeem all of its outstanding warrants (the "Public Warrants") to purchase shares of the Company's Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock"), that were issued under the Warrant Agreement, dated March 14, 2019 (the "Warrant Agreement"), by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"), as part of the units sold in the Company's initial public offering (the "IPO") and that remain outstanding at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on March 29, 2021 (the "Redemption Date") for a redemption price of $0.01 per Public Warrant (the "Redemption Price"). Warrants to purchase Common Stock that were issued under the Warrant Agreement in a private placement simultaneously with the IPO and that are still held by the initial holders thereof or their permitted transferees are not subject to this redemption. Under the terms of the Warrant Agreement, Desktop Metal is entitled to redeem all of the outstanding Public Warrants if the last sales price of the Common Stock is at least $18.00 per share on each of twenty trading days within any thirty-day trading period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which a notice of redemption is given. At the direction of the Company, the Warrant Agent has delivered a notice of redemption to each of the registered holders of the outstanding Public Warrants. The Public Warrants may be exercised by the holders thereof until 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date to purchase fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock underlying such warrants, at the exercise price of $11.50 per share. Any Public Warrants that remain unexercised at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date will be void and no longer exercisable, and the holders of those Public Warrants will be entitled to receive only the redemption price of $0.01 per warrant. Ric Fulop, Desktop Metal's CEO and co-founder, said, "We are pleased to streamline our capital structure following the close of our business combination and enhance our cash position by eliminating the Public Warrants. More than 75 percent of our public warrants have been exercised to date, bolstering our cash balance and providing us with significant financial flexibility to invest in both organic growth initiatives and pursue inorganic business opportunities in line with our strategy to own prnters, parts, and materials that address Additive Manufacturing 2.0 applications across an array of verticals."



None of the Company, its board of directors or employees has made or is making any representation or recommendation to any holder of the Public Warrants as to whether to exercise or refrain from exercising any Public Warrants. The shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants have been registered by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are covered by a registration statement filed on Form S-1 with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 333-251653). The SEC (News - Alert) maintains an Internet website that contains a copy of this prospectus. The address of that site is www.sec.gov. Alternatively, a copy of the prospectus from the Desktop Metal investor relations website may be obtained at https://ir.desktopmetal.com.

Questions concerning redemption and exercise of the Public Warrants can be directed to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004, Attention: Compliance Department, telephone number (212) 509-4000. No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any offer of any of the Company's securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Desktop Metal, Inc. Desktop Metal, Inc., based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is accelerating the transformation of manufacturing with end-to-end 3D printing solutions. Founded in 2015 by leaders in advanced manufacturing, metallurgy, and robotics, the company is addressing the unmet challenges of speed, cost, and quality to make 3D printing an essential tool for engineers and manufacturers around the world. Desktop Metal was selected as one of the world's 30 most promising Technology Pioneers by the World Economic Forum; named to MIT (News - Alert) Technology Review's list of 50 Smartest Companies; and recognized among the most important innovations in engineering in Popular Science's "Best of What's New." For more information, visit www.desktopmetal.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statement generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks, uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005297/en/

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Venezuela has expelled Isabel Brilhante, the European Unions ambassador to Caracas, giving her 72 hours to leave the country, its foreign minister Jorge Arreaza told reporters on February 23. Declaring her persona non grata, he clarified that the decision was taken in retaliation to EU sanctions on 19 top Venezuelan officials.

Read: Venezuela Begins COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

Read: Venezuela: Supreme Court Says National Assembly Failed To Name Rectors As Crisis Escalates

President Nicolas Maduro says he democratically won the 2019 Presidential vote, however, opposition parties, thousands of Venezuelans, the EU, the US and several other Latin America states deny it. In December last year, the countrys opposition-led by Juan Guaido quit the parliament in protest. Taking the opportunity, Maduro gained total control of the legislative body.

The undemocratic move attracted the ire of the European bloc, which then, expanded its list of sanctions adding 19 Venezuelan officials for "undermining democracy" and human rights abuses. As of now, 55 members of Maduro's regime have been targeted by asset freezes and travel bans by the bloc.

Read:Venezuela Extends Lockdown Till May 13 Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Read: Venezuela: Supreme Court Says National Assembly Failed To Name Rectors As Crisis Escalates

Presidential crisis

In January 2019, opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the acting president of the country. Gaido is recognised as the legitimate president by thousands of Venezuelans as well as the US and other western powers. On the other hand, Nicholas Maduro, who was sworn in for the second term in 2019, continues to claim to be constitutional president of the South American nation. Despite attempts by Guaido to get the military to switch their allegiance to him, the armed forces have remained largely loyal to President Maduro, whose socialist party has also got a firm grip on the electoral body and the supreme court, international media reported.

Meanwhile, a scornful report by the United Nations (UN) has revealed that international pressure campaign on Venezuela undertaken by the US, UK and the EU has devastated the nation. The report was composed following a 12 day trip in the country by Alina Douhan, Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures who urged the western nations to lift the catastrophic sanctions. Sanctions were first imposed against Venezuela in 2005 and have been severely strengthened since 2015, with the most severe ones being imposed by the United States.
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AT about 8pm last Sunday, the strains of Amhrain na bh Fiann rang out across the valley from the townland of Garrylaurence, near Clonmult in East Cork. Three of us stood in silence with, as the line from The Soldiers Song says, the starry heavens oer us.

It was like a Christmas scene  all around the rolling countryside lights winked from windows of houses and farm buildings. Unlike the previous few nights, it was mild as I chatted to Christy OSullivan and Jim Ronayne. We stood by the magnificent limestone sculpture created by Sheedys of Midleton to commemorate the Battle of Clonmult.

Darkness had descended but we were not without light. The glow from the 14 little candles laid out on the limestone plinth gave us enough light to see each other.

Last Sunday was February 21  a century to the day since the 12 cold bodies of those killed here the previous day were taken by Crown Forces to Victoria Barracks in Cork.

I thought of the awful and bloody task undertaken by five local women on the evening of the killings. The Mulcahy sisters, Agnes, Ellen and Hannah, along with National Teachers Lena Allen and Mary Cashell, laid out the lifeless bodies of the 12 IRA volunteers. Imagine the scene they encountered? Young men lying in their own blood, many shot through the head at close range.

The women washed them and bandaged the fatal wounds. After the fighting had ended the Crown Forces made off with their prisoners and left 12 brave men on the ground with their blood oozing into the clay.

You know, sometimes people, mostly nameless pen-pushers or so-called keyboard warriors, criticise me for always writing about auld history. Their attitude is a bit like that of Henry Ford, who declared history is bunk. They want to forget about the past as though it didnt happen or wasnt important.

Well, as long as I can talk or write Ill promote and praise history. It is our story.

I recall about 40 years ago reading of a group or movement known as Holocaust Deniers  Hitler never caused the deaths of Jews, they declared, the Concentration Camps never existed  they were only mythically created by the Allies to discredit Hitler!

Well, lads, when I visited Dachau Concentration camp a few years back, I thought of those anti-history fanatics. Its a bit like that with Irish history  a lot of it isnt pretty but it happened and theres no point in denying it.

In Clonmult last Sunday night, I recalled the local people coming to that very site after the bodies of the slain were taken away. They gathered congealed blood and other bodily tissue blown to smithereens by gunfire the day before and placed the material in glass jars. Later on, these jars were buried with the Volunteers remains in the Republican plot in Midleton cemetery.

On Saturday at 5.15pm, I went up to our local church. At the same time in churches all over East Cork one or two people gathered. As a remembrance of the Clonmult dead it was agreed to toll church bells at 5.30pm.

The fourteen members of the flying column who lost their lives as a result of the Battle of Clonmult. Front, from left: Donal Dennehy, Liam Ahern, David Desmond and Maurice Moore*. Middle, from left: James Glavin, John Joe Joyce, James Ahern and Michael Desmond. Back, from left: Richard Hegarty, Jeremiah Ahern, Christopher O'Sullivan, Joseph Morrissey, Michael Hallahan, and Patrick O'Sullivan*. *Captured at Clonmult and later executed after a trial by Military Court. This composite photograph was created in 1921, very soon after the battle, by John Hallahan of Midleton, brother of Michael.

With our Sacristan, I counted down the seconds from 19 minutes past. Three bells rang out for Richard Hegarty of Garryvoe, then a silence. One, two, three for Jeremiah Ahern of Midleton, then a silence. Christopher OSullivan, Midleton  one, two three; a silent pause. The bell tolled thrice for Joseph Morrissey, born in Carlow, but working in Castlemartyr in 1921, then a silent pause. One, two, three; the bell rang out across the countryside for Michael Hallahan of Midleton. James Glavin of Cobh, one, two, three and then a silence again. John Joe Joyce of Midleton was the seventh victim for whom the bell tolled, silence again. The second Cobh man shot in Clonmult was James Aherne  one, two, three, a reverential hush. Michel Desmond of Midleton  one of two brothers slain, three bells and quietness again. Donal Dennehy from the town of Midleton, a h-aon, a do, a thri, sshhh. One bell, two and then a third for Liam Aherne of Midleton, silence and then the Bartlemy bell tolled again and again and again for David Desmond.

I lit candles for them before I went home to do the evening farm work. It was close to 6pm as we milked the cows  I could imagine at that very hour 100 years before the petrol being thrown on the thatched roof in Clonmult. Soon it was a blazing inferno. Those inside had no choice but to surrender.

Little did they think, as they came out, hands over their heads, that seven would be lined up by a stone outhouse wall and shot dead  Paddy Higgins was shot in the mouth but miraculously survived.

Imagine later on that fateful Sunday when their comrades OHurley, OConnell, Whelan and Ahern went back to Clonmult. The smoke was still rising from the burnt out farmhouse. The women had laid out the 12 bodies side by side with a canvas sheet over their faces. Paddy Whelan recalled removing the sheet and heartbreakingly calling out the names of his dead comrades, what a pitiful and anguishing sight.

As I travelled home from Clonmult on Sunday, so many thoughts were swirling round in my head. The two Desmond brothers, Michael and David, to die together there in Garrylaurence. Back in 1834, in the Battle of Gortroe in the Tithe War, 14 men died from bullet wounds and among the slain were brothers John and Michael Collins. Just five years before Clonmult, in Dublin in 1916, the Pearse brothers, Padraig and Willie, were both shot dead by a firing squad in the stone-breakers yard. The words written by Padraig Pearse seemed apt, thinking of Mrs Desmond after Clonmult and Mrs Collins in 1834, and Mrs Pearse herself:

I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge

My two strong sons that I have seen go out

To break their strength and die, they and a few,

In bloody protest for a glorious thing,

They shall be spoken of among their people,

The generations shall remember them,

And call them blessed;

But I will speak their names to my own heart

In the long nights;

The little names that were familiar once

Round my dead hearth.

Lord, thou art hard on mothers:

We suffer in their coming and their going;

And tho I grudge them not, I weary, weary

Of the long sorrow  And yet I have my joy:

My sons were faithful, and they fought.

Major commemorations had been planned for Clonmult last weekend but sadly, because of Covid all had to be cancelled. In fairness, the local committee had done Trojan work for two years. A magnificent calendar/ journal was produced and many articles were written as well as podcasts and a virtual ceremony on Facebook.

Some may say Clonmult would never have happened IF the Volunteers hadnt stayed there so long, IF they had an escape route planned, but theres no point in blaming anyone and saying if this or if that thats a futile exercise.

My grandmother used to say if ifs and ands were kettles and pans thered be no need for tinkers, or as Phil Coulter wrote whats done is done and whats won is won. Sure, if Dermott Mac Murrough hadnt invited the Normans to Ireland... but he did and the rest is history so read all about it!

On Sunday night, we three chatted for a long while in Clonmult, reflecting on those brave men gone before us who gave their life-blood for Ireland on that hallowed spot. The 14 little candles that lit up the darkness represented the 12 killed on the day and Maurice Moore and Patrick OSullivan executed in April, 1921.

I love history and I must say I cried a lot last weekend, in sorrow at the slaughter and in pride also at the bravery and heroism of those who died at Clonmult. They died for Ireland and they died for us.

Sworn to be free,

No more our ancient sire land

Shall shelter the despot or the slave.

Tonight we man the gap of danger

In Erins cause, come woe or weal

Mid cannons roar and rifles peal,

Well chant a soldiers song

In valley green, on towering crag,

Our fathers fought before us,

And conquered neath the same old flag

Thats proudly floating oer us.

Were children of a fighting race,

That never yet has known disgrace,

And as we march, the foe to face, Well chant a soldiers song
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ROCHESTER, Minn. - A witness to a crash that killed 18-year-old Erika Cruz told authorities that the suspect vehicle was driving really fast and revving its engine Tuesday prior to a deadly two-vehicle collision.

Sterling Haukom, 34, of Rochester, is facing charges of criminal vehicular homicide in connection to the crash.

Haukom allegedly was very animated and talking loudly in the moments after the crash, documents state.

He told authorities that he was the driver of the truck and he had killed the 18-year-old.

Haukom smelled of alcohol and his eyes were glassy and his speech was slurred.

A candlelight vigil for Cruz will be held Sunday night at Lincoln K-8 Choice Elementary.
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The owner of a chain of pharmacies has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining payments from the HSEs Primary Care Reimbursement Service.

The scheme is responsible for making payments to healthcare professionals, like GPs, dentists and pharmacists, for the free or reduced costs services they provide to the public.

John Corr (55), of Vergemount Hall, Clonskeagh, Dublin appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday morning, charged with 20 counts of deception, contrary to section six of the Theft and Fraud Act, 2001

He had been sent forward for trial from Dublin District Court, where the court heard he is accused of deception of the HSE scheme of various sums ranging from 7 to 220 at Corrs pharmacies in Clarehall and Clonshaugh in Dublin, and its branches at Clogherhead, Blackbull and Mell, in Drogheda, Co Louth.

Before Judge Elma Sheahan he pleaded guilty to plea to dishonestly inducing the HSE scheme to make an reimbursement in the amount of 769.14. The offence took place at Corrs Pharmacy, Mell, Drogheda, Co Louth on July 28, 2016.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had previously directed trial on indictment. Kieran Kelly BL, for the DPP told the court on Thursday that the guilty plea is accepted without prejudice to further pleas being required on remaining charges.

Corr was remanded on continuing bail to April 19 next for sentence.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (the "Company" or "Calibre") announces that President and CEO Russell Ball is stepping down from his executive position and as a Director of the Company for personal reasons effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. Ball for his contributions to Calibre over the past three years and wishes him well in his future endeavours. The Company's current Senior VP & Chief Operating Officer, Darren Hall has been appointed President & Chief Executive Officer and Director of Calibre effective immediately.



Blayne Johnson, Chairman of Calibre stated: "The Board of Directors of Calibre is very pleased to welcome Darren Hall to his new role as President, CEO and Director of the Company. Darren is an experienced mining professional who was involved in the acquisition of Calibre's Libertad and Limon gold mines in 2019. He is the originator of Calibre's "Hub and Spoke" operating strategy which has resulted in a 30% increase in our forecast gold production in 2021 to 170,000 to 180,000 ozs. Darren was instrumental in increasing the market cap of our previous company Newmarket Gold from $150 million to when Newmarket merged with Kirkland Lake Gold in a $1.0 billion transaction in 2016. Darren has a deep understanding of Calibre's business and growth strategy and will continue his strong record of leadership and achievement as President and CEO of the Company."

Darren Hall has over 30 years of leadership experience in the mining industry with a track record of increasing production, reducing costs, and promoting health, safety, and business excellence. Darren joined Calibre as Senior VP & COO in 2019 concurrently with Calibre's acquisition of the Limon and Libertad gold mines in Nicaragua. Prior to joining Calibre, Darren was COO of Newmarket Gold and was responsible for maintaining a strong foundation of quality gold production from three mines including the high-grade Fosterville gold mine, yielding record results. Prior to Newmarket Gold, Mr. Hall worked for Newmont Mining Corporation where he held roles of increasing leadership and responsibility throughout the organization for almost 30 years.

Qualified Person

Darren Hall, MAusIMM, President & Chief Executive Officer of Calibre Mining Corp is a "qualified person" as set out under NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Blayne Johnson"

Blayne Johnson, Chairman

For further information, please contact:

Ryan King

Vice President, Corporate Development & IR

T: (604) 628-1012

E: calibre@calibremining.com

W: www.calibremining.com

About Calibre Mining Corp.

Calibre Mining is a Canadian-listed gold mining and exploration company with two 100%-owned operating gold mines in Nicaragua. The Company is focused on sustainable operating performance and a disciplined approach to growth.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are 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 Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Calibre's control. For a listing of risk factors applicable to the Company, please refer to Calibre's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2019, available on www.sedar.com. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Calibre's forward-looking statements.

Calibre's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. Calibre does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
She loves to share pictures from her holidays abroad during the pandemic as she dreams of sunnier climes.

And Elizabeth Hurley, 55, was at it once again on Thursday as she shared a throwback snap of herself in a plunging red swimsuit in the Maldives a year ago.

Looking red hot, the actress had a big smile on her face in the one-piece, which had a string detail going across the cleavage.

Sensational: Elizabeth Hurley, 55, showed off her incredible curves in a plunging red hot swimsuit in a throwback Instagram snap shared on Thursday

No doubt Elizabeth is looking forward to travel again at some point, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his roadmap to ease the UK out of lockdown.

Elizabeth shared another glam swimwear snap on social media on Sunday with another glam white triangle bikini.

She looked stunning in the white bikini from her swimwear line which featured a plunging neckline and padding to support her ample cleavage.

Wow! Elizabeth Hurley, 55, showcased her age-defying beauty in a white triangle bikini from her swimwear line on a beach in the Maldives in a throwback picture

The model let her chestnut tresses fall in loose waves over her shoulders as she posed on the white sand.

Elizabeth flashed a smile for the camera as she drew attention to her eyes by wearing a smoky palette of eyeshadow.

The Austin Powers star has been pining for warmer climes, and earlier this month went on a 'pretend holiday', sharing bikini snaps via throwback pictures.

Green with envy: The actress, 55, highlighted her toned physique in a lime green bikini as she sipped on glass of champagne in another sizzling snap

In one shot, the actress highlighted her toned physique in a lime green bikini as she sipped on glass of champagne.

She relaxed on a dock next to palm trees and blue waters wearing just a bikini and a pair of sunglasses.

In another throwback pic from the Maldives, Elizabeth covered her svelte figure in a white crochet beach cover up which she wore over a matching white bikini.

Stunning: She showed off her incredible physique in a snap of her in a bikini and white croquet cover up which she shared with fans on social media

The star posed up a storm but kept her accessories minimal, only carrying a gold bag and a pair of sunglasses and opting for a fresh-faced look.

Last month, Elizabeth kicked off her 'pretend holiday' posted a bikini snap, writing: 'Im so fed up with being at home, Im pretending Im away and am living vicariously through my camera roll for the next 10 days.'

Following dozens of bikini shots, to complete the series, she posed for a glam Instagram snap outside in the snow 'back in Herefordshire'.

Posing in a teal sparkling evening gown with a daring thigh split, her look featured a statement buckled belt, long sleeves and a leopard print design on the inside of the skirt.

Elizabeth opted to leave her chestnut locks falling around her shoulders in waves, paired with smoky eye shadow and rose gloss to highlight her pretty features.

She captioned the post: 'Oooooh.... its heavenly to be back in Herefordshire #letitsnow'
London, Feb 27 : British Queen Elizabeth II on Friday urged those who are hesitant to take the coronavirus vaccine jab to "think about other people".

The Queen, 94, who had the jab in January, made the remarks during a video call with health leaders delivering the coronavirus vaccine across Britain, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Once you've had the vaccine you have a feeling of, you know, you're protected, which is, I think, very important," she said.

"As far as I could make out it was quite harmless. It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from people who have been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine. And the jab -- it didn't hurt at all," she added.

The Queen's remarks came after research showed that certain communities in Britain, especially some black and ethnic minority groups, reportedly remain hesitant to take the vaccine.

"I think the other thing is, that it is obviously difficult for people if they've never had a vaccine... But they ought to think about other people rather than themselves," she said.

Another 9,985 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,154,562, according to official figures released Thursday.

The country also reported another 323 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain stood at 122,070. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The latest figures were revealed as more than 18.6 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his long-anticipated "roadmap" exiting the lockdown.

Schools in England will reopen from March 8 as first part of the four-step plan, which Johnson said was designed to be "cautious but irreversible".

Johnson said he is "very optimistic" that all coronavirus restrictions in England will be removed by June 21.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
A prolific North Korean state-sponsored hacking group has been tied to a new ongoing espionage campaign aimed at exfiltrating sensitive information from organizations in the defense industry.

Attributing the attacks with high confidence to the Lazarus Group, the new findings from Kaspersky signal an expansion of the APT actor's tactics by going beyond the usual gamut of financially-motivated crimes to fund the cash-strapped regime.

This broadening of its strategic interests happened in early 2020 by leveraging a tool called ThreatNeedle, researchers Vyacheslav Kopeytsev and Seongsu Park said in a Thursday write-up.

At a high level, the campaign takes advantage of a multi-step approach that begins with a carefully crafted spear-phishing attack leading eventually to the attackers gaining remote control over the devices.

ThreatNeedle is delivered to targets via COVID-themed emails with malicious Microsoft Word attachments as initial infection vectors that, when opened, run a macro containing malicious code designed to download and execute additional payloads on the infected system.

The next-stage malware functions by embedding its malicious capabilities inside a Windows backdoor that offers features for initial reconnaissance and deploying malware for lateral movement and data exfiltration.

"Once installed, ThreatNeedle is able to obtain full control of the victim's device, meaning it can do everything from manipulating files to executing received commands," Kaspersky security researchers said.

Kaspersky found overlaps between ThreatNeedle and another malware family called Manuscrypt that has been used by Lazarus Group in previous hacking campaigns against the cryptocurrency and mobile games industries, besides uncovering connections with other Lazarus clusters such as AppleJeus, DeathNote, and Bookcode.

Interestingly, Manuscrypt was also deployed in a Lazarus Group operation last month, which involved targeting the cybersecurity community with opportunities to collaborate on vulnerability research, only to infect victims with malware that could cause the theft of exploits developed by the researchers for possibly undisclosed vulnerabilities, thereby using them to stage further attacks on vulnerable targets of their choice.

Perhaps the most concerning of the development is a technique adopted by the attackers to bypass network segmentation protections in an unnamed enterprise network by "gaining access to an internal router machine and configuring it as a proxy server, allowing them to exfiltrate stolen data from the intranet network to their remote server."

The cybersecurity firm said organizations in more than a dozen countries have been affected to date.

At least one of the spear-phishing emails referenced in the report is written in Russian, while another message came with a malicious file attachment named "Boeing_AERO_GS.docx," possibly implying a U.S. target.

Earlier this month, three North Korean hackers associated with the military intelligence division of North Korea were indicted by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly taking part in a criminal conspiracy that attempted to extort $1.3 billion in cryptocurrency and cash from banks and other organizations around the world.

"In recent years, the Lazarus group has focused on attacking financial institutions around the world," the researchers concluded. "However, beginning in early 2020, they focused on aggressively attacking the defense industry."

"While Lazarus has also previously utilized the ThreatNeedle malware used in this attack when targeting cryptocurrency businesses, it is currently being actively used in cyberespionage attacks."
With the current $150-a-fortnight COVID supplement due to end on March 31, the timetable for change was rapidly narrowing for the government ahead of this weeks decision and a single number instead became the major focus. When that single number was announced, the response from those on JobSeeker and those pressing for change was one of anger and sadness. Caryn Ryan was among them. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Nobody in Australia should have to be making choices between medication, bills and food. A lot of people are doing that now. Were supposed to be the lucky country, she says. Announcing the policy, which will cost the budget $9 billion over the next 3 years, Morrison likened the move to a contract between taxpayers and those who will receive the increased payment.

He noted the increase took the unemployment benefit back to about 41.2 per cent of the minimum wage - where it was towards the end of the Howard governments term in office. It is currently 37.5 per cent. Privately, the increase was seen by the Morrison government as the bare minimum that could be offered. When the proposal was put to the Coalition partyroom on Tuesday morning, there were several MPs worried about any increase at all in the dole. A series of MPs noted reports from their electorates of local businesses unable to find workers, warning the COVID supplement was so generous that people were turning away paid employment. Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash, Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston and Prime Minister Scott Morrison announce a permanent rise to JobSeeker. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It was an issue touched upon by Senator Ruston when the increase was announced, saying the government did not want people disincentivised to work.

As the economy is recovering, as the jobs market is improving, we need to make sure that we have got the right incentives for people to go back to work, she said. The Australian Industry Groups chief executive, Innes Willox, said the increase was on balance a sensible measure, noting that there had been a noticeable increase in regional employers complaining the supplement was effectively turning people off work. Loading Some employers are concerned that the increase in the base rate will act as a disincentive for some people to look for work, he said. Over the period when the COVID supplement has been paid, we have seen a rise in the number of employers expressing frustration at not being able to fill positions  even with unemployment at high levels. While increasing JobSeeker the government is also tightening some mutual obligation requirements for those on the payment. Even more contentiously, it is introducing a phone line so employers can report any person turning down suitable work.

That sparked fierce criticism from those who fear it could be used by employers to coerce vulnerable people into a job for fear of losing their JobSeeker payment. Even business groups were lukewarm to the idea, with both the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia saying it was unlikely to be used by employers. Doubts on the dole One of the nations most respected labour market economists, the University of Melbournes Jeff Borland, believes JobSeeker could be increased by $125 a week without having a negative impact on unemployment. Professor Borland, whose research helped inform the governments JobMaker program, said such an increase would still leave an unemployed worker on 54 per cent of the minimum wage. Ninety-nine of every 100 full-time jobs would have a better pay rate.

He said there were real risks the governments failure to deliver a sizeable increase in JobSeeker could lead to an actual increase in unemployment. Loading If you give people money so they can get new clothes or cover the transport costs to get to work or even attend a job interview, you can make a strong argument that you are increasing the chance of reducing the number of people on support, he says. Borland says if there was this huge group of people unwilling to work because of the COVID supplement, then that would have been obvious in the jobs market through 2020. Between February and May, there was an 876,000 drop in the number of people holding down a job, the largest collapse in employment on record.

Since May, there has been an 814,000 increase in people with a job, the largest and fastest increase on record. That covers the period when the original $550-a-fortnight COVID supplement was introduced. His research shows the flow of unemployed people into work has been virtually unchanged through the pandemic compared to the period between 2017 and 2019. So wheres the disincentive caused by the higher JobSeeker? There isnt any. Youve had the largest increase in employment ever and it happened while the unemployment benefit was $550 higher than normal, Borland says. The business complaints about the COVID supplement causing worker shortages, he notes, have largely come out of two sectors - agriculture and hospitality. These are both areas that have historically relied on migrants, international students or other types of visa holders, he said. These people arent in the country. The business model that so many of these employers have relied upon just isnt there any more.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics survey released on Friday tends to support his view. It found 8 per cent of businesses had increased their number of staff in February, largely in line with December (11 per cent) and January (10 per cent). But it is skewed towards medium-sized firms, with 26 per cent of these lifting staff numbers in February. Among small businesses, it was just 7 per cent. Cliff Fraser is on JobSeeker and says the $25-a-week increase wont even cover a tank of petrol. Cliff Fraser, 61, from the western Victoria town of Skipton, lost his job driving trucks interstate when he had a heart attack. He says the increase in the base rate is an insult.

Its going to do nothing  its not even a full tank of fuel, Fraser says. He found it particularly frustrating that the modest increase in the base rate was accompanied by a change in the income people can earn before their benefits are reduced. Loading During the pandemic, a person could earn up to $300 a fortnight and still receive the base JobSeeker payment. This will now be $150 a fortnight, an increase on pre-pandemic levels but still half the current level. I work two hours a day, I clean a primary school, and to be honest its barely worth doing now, Fraser says. I get paid $24.30 an hour and after the cost of running the car, because its a 60-kilometre round trip, it works out I am getting about $7.30 an hour after expenses ... When they bring in this reduction, lowering the threshold, I worked it out that I am probably working for an equivalent of $3.60 an hour.

He says the coronavirus supplement helped his household get on top of overdue bills and debts, such as electricity and phone accounts, but retaining the $150 supplement shouldve been the minimum the government provided. The government has effectively told Parliament the $50-a-fortnight increase is a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. But the Senate will hold its own inquiry. It was driven by the Australian Greens, with WA Senator Rachel Siewert - who has pressed for a higher unemployment benefit for years - arguing the governments proposal was shocking cruelty that would also do little for the economy. Among those pushing for change is the Australian Council of Social Services, whose chief executive officer Cassandra Goldie is frustrated the government has missed an opportunity to genuinely have the back of people.

We are urging the Parliament to improve this heartless legislation that condemns millions, including hundreds of thousands of children, to poverty, and deliver a permanent and adequate increase to these lifeline payments, she said. Loading One issue is the tighter mutual obligation requirements, including the employer phone line and increased auditing of job applications by those on JobSeeker. The government, after extensive consultation with more than 1400 people and organisations, started the process for a new employment services system in 2019. One of its key elements was a move to allow more flexibility and diversity around the activities job seekers are expected to carry out in return for financial support. An employer phoneline and increased auditing did not feature as part of that system.

Goldie says in return for a $3.57-a-day increase in JobSeeker, the government was flying in the face of its own policy. What the government has announced is exactly the opposite of what its own expert panel recommended, she says. The expert panel recommended that to fix mutual obligations we needed to build trust, be user-friendly and to take a human, personal approach to the individual circumstances of someone affected by unemployment by designing a plan that increases your chances of getting into employment. New headwind as supplement end looms While JobSeekers base rate will increase $50 a fortnight, those on the payment will still feel the sting of an income fall when the $150-a-fortnight COVID supplement disappears at the start of April.

The Grattan Institutes Brendan Coates says the overall reduction in financial support for those on JobSeeker could be a fresh economic headwind. Loading JobSeeker is one of the best forms of fiscal stimulus there is: unemployed people are likely to spend all or at least most of what they receive, he says. Cutting unemployment benefits by $50 a week will take about $5 billion out of the economy in the coming year. Thats likely to push the unemployment rate 0.1 to 0.15 per cent higher than if the current $75-a-week supplement were kept. And that means up to 40,000 fewer jobs, he adds. Coates also notes that by international standards even the increase in JobSeeker still means Australia is stingy when it comes to supporting those out of work.

Before this weeks increase, Australias unemployment benefit as a proportion of a countrys average wage after a month out of work ranked equal bottom of the worlds 34 richest nations. It sat alongside Greece, where the jobless rate is 16.7 per cent. The $50-a-fortnight increase takes Australia to 33 on the list. For those on the dole, including Karen Perkins from Sydneys Ashfield, it takes them back almost to square one. Karen Perkins was dismayed to find out the base rate will only increase by $25 a week. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Perkins says she has struggled on the unemployment payments to cover necessary items to get a job, including replacing her almost decade-old computer, which she has now managed to do due to the supplement.
It's been a good couple of days for Derry company Elemental Software.

Earlier this week, the firm, which uses technology to promote the use of social prescribing, announced an Invest NI-supported investment of 1.2million to develop its business and create eight new jobs.

Now, it's been revealed that Elemental Software has won a prestigious competition.

Out of over 330 applicants, it has been named a winner in the Tech Nation Rising Stars 3.0 which celebrates innovative, scaling tech companies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The awards process has a number of stages  the selection of the top 100, top 20 and finally the top 10, and Elemental has been named in that final listing, featuring as a winner.

Founded by Derry entrepreneurs Jennifer Neff and Leeann Monk-Ozgul, Elemental Software provides the technical infrastructure and expertise for the social prescribing model of care to be established, grown and its impact measured.

It currently helps to connect over 75,000 people across the UK and Ireland into vital support and activities in their local community that have a positive impact on their lives.

Ms Jennifer Neff said: Winning Rising Stars really shows all the hard work, determination, and all the passion that goes into Elemental, especially during this past year.

Throughout, our focus has remained on our primary mission, halting health inequalities whilst keeping our business going during the pandemic.

We have seen a dramatic increase in the adoption of Elemental across the UK and Ireland and as a result we've created more jobs and are empowering more people."

Mrs Monk-Ozgul said the increase in the number of social prescriptions being made since COVID-19 has underlined the social prescribing model of cares vital role in helping thousands of people cope with the added impact of the pandemic.

We've an exciting R&D roadmap that is helping Elemental to maintain our relevance, stay ahead of market trends and expand into new geographical markets and sectors.

Gary Davidson, Investment Lead @ Tech Nation, said: It brings me so much joy to see Elemental be crowned as a Tech Nation Rising Star winner. Its a real testament to the teams ambition to scale and I cant wait to see what the future holds for them.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
Experts agree Californias 2018 net neutrality law will likely become enforceable after a judge on Tuesday rejected the telecom industrys argument for a preliminary injunction, but many questions remain about how the battle over the Internet might play out on the local and national level.Tuesdays decision from U.S. District Judge John Mendez has given momentum to a movement that has aimed to restore net neutrality through state laws ever since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2017 repealed policies that allowed the FCC to regulate Internet service providers (ISPs).Why shouldnt a court be concerned if there is no regulation over ISPs? Mendez said during Tuesdays hearing, according to The Hollywood Reporter Technically, it wouldnt be impossible for Californias law to face an injunction if the opponents to the law appeal Mendezs ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and win favor in that context. However, Matt Wood, vice president of policy and general counsel for Free Press, said a successful appeal looks unlikely considering the strong logic that Mendez used in his ruling.Wood added that its possible the cable and phone companies that oppose net neutrality could let Californias legislation take effect and instead prepare for a trial against the law.But what might happen on the local level in California if the law indeed becomes enforceable? Ernesto Falcon, senior legislative counsel for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), said he thinks there could be some pretty high-profile litigation. One thing that makes California's law unique is its emphasis on zero rating, which EFF defines as exempting particular data from counting against a users data cap. Californias law forbids zero rating.Outside of those potential legal fireworks, Wood said Californias law would give a forum to local complaints, which may or may not translate to violations. Because the FCC hasnt made transparency a requirement for broadband companies, everyday individuals or researchers have had to test for net neutrality themselves, so its difficult to predict what may transpire under an enforceable state law.We dont know what theyve been doing to the traffic behind the scenes because we havent had a perfect view into it, Wood explained.One possibility is that the very threat of the law will keep companies on their best behavior. This type of scenario, where the status quo is quiet, would be a fine result, from Woods standpoint.Leonard Kleinrock, one of the fathers of the Internet, told thethat net neutrality will drive innovation. Part of Kleinrock's view is that consumers are "deeply aware of, and subject to, opaque, confusing and unsettling variations to their Internet speeds." With a regulatory framework, companies would be compelled to advance their services."They will be far more motivated to innovate in ways that advance technology to provide better service at lower prices," Kleinrock reasoned. "Furthermore, it will encourage competition in that marketplace, which encourages further innovation."Outside of litigation that may come down the road, Falcon thinks Californias law has important implications based on the fundamental questions it raises about states rights. The law was able to win bipartisan support in part because local firefighters claimed they had experienced throttling, which is when an ISP intentionally slows down a users Internet service, while fighting wildfires.Does the state have the authority to discipline that conduct? Does it have the ability to ban that effect? Falcon said.Kentaro Toyama, a W.K. Kellogg Professor of Community Information at the University of Michigan, has a different view on the laws significance. While he considers this weeks news a victory for net neutrality advocates, he still questions whether net neutrality is defined well enough.The reality is that there is no natural definition of net neutrality, because digital networks are artificial products designed by people, Toyoma wrote in an email. Bandwidth costs money  in infrastructure, energy, and maintenance. The question then becomes, who should pay for it, at what rates, and at what increments? Were so used to unlimited data plans that we think a fixed cost should get us unlimited access to everything at the same speed, but is it really fair that someone who downloads 100GB of data a month should pay the same as someone who only downloads 1GB? Yet, under many conceptions of net neutrality, thats the expectation.From Toyomas perspective, we would have a fairer Internet if we were charged whatever best approximates the relative cost of bandwidth consumed. In practice, this would mean that downloading a film from another continent would cost more than reading an email from ones neighbor. The key is making sure prices are reasonable and that companies arent able to carve out unfair advantages.As it is, big Internet companies are constantly jockeying for advantage online through strategic placement of data centers and network pipes, Toyoma continued in his email. That competition skews the Internet, well beyond the reach of common conceptions of net neutrality. If we want an Internet thats fair, we have to start with a clear notion of fairness first, and then implement that in policy and infrastructure. The problem with net neutrality is that it confuses the status quo with what is fair, even though considerable unfairness might already be embedded in the status quo.Falcon said ISPs are fighting a losing battle, as the notion that ISPs should be unregulated is becoming more unpopular, especially given the connectivity struggles that many have endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer and fewer people believe the Internet is a private luxury. As such, Californias legislation represents the most comprehensive state effort to address an issue that can affect people in their daily lives.It spells out more of the details and the kinds of practices that would be of concern to the regulators  and Internet users, too, for that matter, Wood said.
OSLO, Norway, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Asetek is pleased to invite investors, analysts, media and other stakeholders to its Capital Markets Update (CMU) and Q4 2020 earnings presentation on Thursday 4 March 2021.

The CMU presentation will be given in English by CEO Andre Sloth Eriksen, COO John Hamill, CFO Peter Dam Madsen and VP & General Manager Jim Carlton, and will be published as a webcast with accompanying slides.

The CMU will provide an update on Asetek's strategy, markets, operations, financial development and outlook. Asetek's recent investments in IP, software and hardware as part of developing the Asetek SimpSorts product offering will also be discussed at the event.

Participation is possible via webcast and conference call. The event will last for approximately two hours and will include a Q&A session at the end. Questions to the management can be submitted in writing via the webcast window during the event or by phone via the conference call during the Q&A session at the end of the event.

Event details

Date: 4 March 2021

Time: 10:00-12:00 CET

Webcast details

Please join Asetek Capital Markets Update and Q&A online via this link: https://streams.eventcdn.net/asetek/2020q4/

Please note, that if you follow the webcast via the above URL, you will experience a 30 second delay. The web page works best in an updated browser - Chrome is recommended.

Conference call details

Please dial one of the following numbers to join the conference call and to ask questions during the Q&A session:

Denmark: +45 7872 3251 Germany: +49 692 222 391 65 United States: +1 833 823 0589 Norway: +47 2396 3688 United Kingdom: +44 333 300 9270

For further information, please contact:

Peter Dam Madsen, Chief Financial Officer

Mobile: +45 20807200

[email protected]

About Asetek:

Asetek, the creator of the all-in-one liquid cooler, is the global leader for liquid cooling solutions for high performance gaming and enthusiast PCs, and environmentally aware data centers. Founded in 2000, Asetek is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in China, Taiwan and the United States. Asetek is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ASTK.OL).

www.asetek.com

Asetek A/S

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DK-9220 Aalborg East

Denmark

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/asetek/r/invitation-to-asetek-s-capital-markets-update-on-thursday-4-march,c3296460

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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th February, 2021) Saudi Arabia has strongly refuted the information about the alleged role of the kingdom's leadership in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi presented in the report of the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Foreign Ministry said.

On Friday, the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence published a declassified report saying that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman had approved an operation to assassinate Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018.

"The Ministry notes that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions," the SPA state-run news agency reported on late Friday citing the Foreign Ministry.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the kingdom has already convicted and sentenced those responsible for the death of Khashoggi.

"It is truly unfortunate that this report, with its unjustified and inaccurate conclusions, is issued while the Kingdom had clearly denounced this heinous crime, and the Kingdom's leadership took the necessary steps to ensure that such a tragedy never takes place again. The Kingdom rejects any measure that infringes upon its leadership, sovereignty, and the independence of its judicial system," SPA added.
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As COVID-19 transmission rates seemingly decline across the European Region, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge expressed health concerns over "long-COVID" or "post-COVID" symptoms at a virtual press conference on Thursday.

"The disability following SARS-CoV-2 infection lingers on for months with severe social, economic, health and occupational consequences," said Kluge, who identified the issue as "a clear priority for WHO, and of the utmost importance."

According to Kluge, a total of 38 million infection cases had been registered in the European Region since the pandemic began, and "one in ten COVID-19 sufferers remain unwell after 12 weeks, and many for much longer."

"Yet stories of those who should have 'recovered', but whose lives were still affected by debilitating symptoms soon emerged. Regrettably, some were met with disbelief or lack of understanding," said Kluge.

Professor Martin McKee, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also speaking at the press conference, provided further insight into "post-COVID" symptoms.

McKee described them as "a varying combination of overlapping symptoms, including chest and muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and what patients describe as brain fog."

"Although many viral infections are self-limiting, making people feel unwell for only a few days before clearing up, others cause long-term problems. Early on, we realized that this new coronavirus was not just causing pneumonia. In some patients it was attacking many different body systems, such as the heart and blood vessels, the brain, and the kidneys," said McKee.

In response to the prevalence of the lingering after-effects of COVID-19, Kluge acknowledged that the WHO had earlier in the month "hosted a consultation on post-COVID-19 conditions, focusing on recognition, research and rehabilitation."

In addition, Kluge also confirmed that WHO Europe would soon be convening a conference with the chief medical officers of all 53 countries in the European Region to set out a regional strategy to tackle the issue.

"As we learn more, we need to make sure patients who have had suspected or confirmed COVID-19, who have persistent -- new or changing symptoms -- should have access to follow-up care. This is where primary health-care has a particularly strong role to play," said Kluge.

The regional director further emphasized the need for the region's medical authorities to seriously "listen and understand" the sufferers of post-COVID conditions, if they intended to tackle it successfully.

"I am calling upon you, countries and institutions in the European Region, to come together as part of an integrated research agenda, using harmonized data collection tools and study protocols. This will be key to maximize the impact of treatment and improve long-term outcomes for patients," said Kluge.
Maggie Cheng could stand to watch the video only once.

Ive never cried like that before, Ms. Cheng said, describing her reaction to security footage that showed her mother being shoved to the ground last week on a crowded street in Flushing, Queens. To see my mother get thrown like that, she looks like a feather. She looks like a rag doll.

The attack on Ms. Chengs mother, which was highlighted by celebrities and gained widespread attention on social media, was one of four against Asian-American women in New York City that day. Taken together, they stoked fears that the wave of racism and violence that has targeted Asian-Americans during the pandemic was surging again in New York. Those concerns intensified after a man of Asian descent was stabbed Thursday night near Chinatown.

The number of hate crimes with Asian-American victims reported to the New York Police Department jumped to 28 in 2020, from just three the previous year, though activists and police officials say many additional incidents were not classified as hate crimes or went unreported.

Asian-Americans are grappling with the anxiety, fear and anger brought on by the attacks, which activists and elected officials say were fueled early in the pandemic by former President Donald J. Trump, who frequently used racist language to refer to the coronavirus.
 Flash

China and Ethiopia have agreed to boost cooperation in the technology field, according to the Chinese embassy in Ethiopia on Thursday.

The agreement to boost cooperation in the technology field between the two countries was reached Wednesday during a discussion held between Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan and the Ethiopia Minister of Innovation and Technology Abraham Belay.

Zhao and Belay had a warm discussion on coopeartion in space technology, traditional medicine, development of industrial parks, development of electronic trading as well as modern real estate.

Zhao said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, China and Ethiopia have witnessed increasingly frequent high-level exchanges and enhanced political mutual trust.

Belay thanked China for its support to Ethiopia in various fields, especially supporting and laying the foundation for Ethiopia to launch its first satellite into space. He hoped to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges in relevant fields with China.

In December 2019, Ethiopia launched its first ever satellite abbreviated as ETRSS-1 with support from the Chinese government.
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In a trail of observations that began with Trump's campaign in 2015 and peaked during the last year of his life, the late Rush Limbaugh, as he was in and out of the studio battling cancer, was on a path to the previously unthinkable. He was ready to let go of the ideology he'd spent three decades promoting  Reaganite conservatism  and replace it with right-wing populism. Specifically, the right-wing populism of the just-defeated Republican president. Why?

Limbaugh, the self-proclaimed "mayor of Realville," was constantly trying to see around corners. What he saw was a political movement that offered more staying power and strength against the left than the ideological one he'd been associated with since 1988. That calculus wasn't based on election outcomes. It was informed by the first Republican voter realignment to occur since Reagan's election. Here is how Limbaugh described it in the days after Trump's Republican convention speech on the White House South Lawn last year:

Now, what emerged was the new Trump Republican Party. And it's a fascinating change. It's the party of the little guy. It's the party of working America, not politicians, not elitist think-tank denizens. It is literally the party of working Americans.

Limbaugh never missed the chance to rib what might be called Cruise Ship Conservatism. As an entertainer with a massive following, he found it ridiculous that other media personalities would cultivate the small-time celebrity role. But "elitist think-tank denizens" was a stand-in for the country club set, too. With a small-town upbringing and blue-collar audience, Limbaugh relished the idea of his being "the party of the little guy."

Limbaugh realized that right-wing populism was more appealing than conservatism to the little guy. This was a counterintuitive conclusion for a movement conservative like him to reach. The Reagan coalition was heavy on union members and other disillusioned Democrats. But for all its success through the 1980s, it didn't survive the end of the Cold War, something Limbaugh would rue for the rest of his life. He even took it personally. This was his response just six weeks ago to one of the many listeners who called in to credit him with the listener's political conversion:

You know, I'm not gonna sit here and deny that. But, folks, I gotta tell you, there's a large part of me that feels like I have failed in such a major way, in a political sense. I've had 30 years here to try to convince people, to try to persuade people, to try to encourage people to think  critically think  on their own, to realize the difference between conservatism and liberalism, the difference between the Republican Party and the Democrat party as it relates to conservative versus liberal.

This was a lament not that conservatism has lost to liberalism, but that most people weren't voting by ideology in the first place. He recognized over the Obama and Trump years that voters are situationally rather than ideologically oriented. Along the way, in a conversation with me in April 2016 for his Limbaugh Letter, he recounted a lunch with Ted Cruz ahead of that year's Republican presidential race. Limbaugh warned the conservative hopeful that most of his own 25-million-member audience didn't even identify with the conservative movement.

My message in conversation with Limbaugh was that conservatives could use Trump's success to achieve big ideas, a thought that was considered unconventional at a moment when many Republican leaders dreamed of sabotaging Trump's nomination. But even that prediction proved shortsighted. Trump would remake the GOP. By 2020, it had changed from a conservative party to a right-wing populist party.

Is the difference between conservatism and right-wing populism really more than just nuance, or the presence of Trump? After all, conservatism won with a populist coalition under Reagan. And much of Trump's agenda from tax cuts to deregulation to judicial nominations came straight from the conservative playbook.

A look under the surface of these outcomes shows fundamental differences. Using my mentor the late Jeff Bell's definition of populism as "optimism about people's ability to make decisions about their lives" (from his 1992 book Populism and Elitism), it's clear that a reckoning was coming once the foundations of postwar American politics collapsed.

Conservatism demands an allegiance to institutions rather than to a public. For powerful conservatives, it could be whatever institution they called home, whether that was the U.S. Senate or a magazine that took subscribers on cruises. Limbaugh, like Trump, was never part of an institution that needed to be conserved. Each owed his platform to massive consumer followings that presaged the rise of digital media. Eventually, those and all the other followings that formed the public superseded institutions in politics.

Until that happened, elitism, which Bell defined as essentially the opposite of populism  "optimism about the decision-making ability of one or more elites, acting on behalf of other people"  had not yet outlived its usefulness. Cold War presidents were on average several years older and better credentialed than their predecessors. Public trust in the media was strong. White-collar bosses often lacked college degrees like their employees. The economic power of any one set of elites was limited in pre-internet times by regional geography. Elites and ordinary people related relatively well with one another.

Limbaugh came of age politically under the three-legged stool conservatism that Reagan had cultivated out of postWorld War II America. It was a challenge to the liberal-moderate consensus on economics, social issues, and foreign policy of the earlier Cold War years that was itself the reaction of both parties to the four presidential elections won by FDR. Postwar conservatism called for an ideological change of American positions on various issues, not class-based change.

Conservatism won the Cold War but struggled to find traction in peacetime. The 1990s conservatism that Limbaugh is closely associated with is now most remembered as an effective check on Bill Clinton. George W. Bush was re-elected during wartime in 2004 as a legacy conservative, but Reagan revivalism was finished off by the 2008 financial crisis. So was the political momentum of elitism.

Bell lamented two decades after the publication of Populism and Elitism that the book had mainstreamed the concept of elitism in American politics but not populism. He only had to wait a few more years for vindication in 2016.

What changed? Was it when management jobs finally ran out for the uneducated? Was it when the technology revolution consolidated corporate power after manufacturing jobs has been offshored? Or was it when broadband internet allowed voters to instantly scrutinize politicians, and smartphones enabled them to become informed by one another rather than just by media elites? Former CIA analyst Martin Gurri in his book's title calls this technologically-driven redistribution of elite and populist power The Revolt of the Public.

Suddenly, a Republican frontrunner was winning primaries in rich and poor ZIP codes alike by trampling on the reputation of every party leader who had come in Reagan's path. A party that had a tradition of giving its presidential nomination to the previous runner-up and been respected for its conservative institutional pedigree was now up for grabs.

What would Limbaugh do?

Contrary to popular framing, Limbaugh and Trump were not friends before 2016. Limbaugh's decision to back Trump's hostile takeover was the result of methodical analysis. His radio program in the Trump years became a search for the political movement that respected conservatism while acknowledging that it was essentially over as we knew it. As Limbaugh said on that show after Trump's 2020 convention speech:

You know the old concept of conservatism might have gone into the chasm, too, 'cause it's time to maybe rethink how conservatism's existence is going to evolve and how conservatives mature into whatever this new party is.

Limbaugh had forever demanded, especially after Republicans lost presidential elections, that the party accommodate conservatives, not the other way around. Yet there he was, saying conservatives had to "mature" into their party. But it wasn't the party establishment he was referring to this time; it was a "new party" of the same name but changing voters  blue-collar but also multiracial, nationalist, and consumerist.

Unlike the white professional class that underpinned the post-Reagan Republican coalitions, these voters weren't deluged by left-wing programming in offices or college classrooms. Their detachment from the four institutions most captured by the left  corporate America, academia, mainstream media, and mainline Protestantism  made them valuable holdouts to the critical theory version of liberalism sweeping the culture in 2020. They were more likely to be anchored on the right wing of populist appeals than the left wing.

If this was true, it had the makings of a durable Republican realignment that could outlast even its standard-bearer president.

Limbaugh claimed that he knew the left better than anybody. It seems likely he concluded that liberalism with its ambition to politicize everything could not be contained by conservatism. It was not a fair fight. Conservative critics have said Limbaugh became darker in the Obama and Trump years. In the moments when that was actually true, it was a recognition of this reality that they didn't have.

Limbaugh also knew there are many more conservative voters than liberal voters, even though conservatives sometimes voted for liberal candidates because they voted situationally rather than ideologically. Right-wing populism held the potential to turn latent conservatism into reliable Republican voting.

The only way Limbaugh complained about his terminal illness during the last year was that it threatened doing what he loved every day  demystifying politics for his audience. That role must fall to others now. But Limbaugh left behind enough clarity to see beyond the horizon  to see how far a realignment from conservatism to right-wing populism could take this new Republican Party.

Rich Danker is a former conservative operative.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A Northfield man is facing multiple federal charges, accused of sending drug-infused letters to inmates at federal prison in South Carolina.

Frank Gordon III, 64, of Northfield, appeared in court Thursday on charges of conspiracy to provide and possess prohibited objects in federal prison; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues; two counts of distribution of a controlled substance; and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance analogue.

Shawn Gilreath, 45, a prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institute in Edgefield, S.C., is facing the same charges, according to prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

Gordon pleaded not guilty on Thursday and was released on a $20,000 bond. Gilreath will make his first court appearance on March 23.

Court documents say Gordon occasionally would male drug-infused letters to Gilreath at the prison in Edgefield in exchange for payments. The letters were laced with drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, documents show. The payments usually were for hundreds of dollars.

The letters could be broken down into smaller pieces and ingested or distributed to other inmates, court documents show. Gordon is accused of mailing several of the letters to Gilreath and other inmates between March and December of 2020.

Investigators seized the letters and found they were infused with drugs. The letters had a return address for Gordons residence in Northfield, documents show.

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One of the most attractive features for visitors to Lam Binh district in the northern province of Tuyen Quang is the unique cuisine and specialties of the upland area.

At Nam Dip homestay in Lang Can commune, tourists are treated with an authentic traditional meal of Tay ethnic group, prepared by the host. Notably, the food is not served in bowls and dishes as usual but in bamboo trays covered with green banana leaves.

According to young man Chau Thanh Nga, the owner of Tai Ngao homestay, one of indispensable dishes in a local meal is salad of the don vegetable.

Growing in the forest, don is a plant of the fern family. The cook first boils the vegetable in water to eliminate its slime, and then seasons it with sweet and sour spices and adds some ground peanuts on top.

Other highlights of the meals are grilled pig, which is seasoned with fermented rice and doi indigenous seeds, and boiled duck, which is dipped into a sauce made from a broth of sliced Vietnamese coriander, salt, pepper and chili powder.

This is in addition to bamboo shoots stuffed with minced pork and green onions, and eggs fried with the hoi vegetable. In Vietnamese, hoi means smelly. True to its name, the fresh hoi vegetable is foul but the smell disappears and it tastes delicious after being cooked. The vegetable is also an effective medication to protect the kidneys and the excretory system.

Signature dishes in the Tay ethnic community also include buffalo skin stirred with fermented bamboo shoots, and grilled bong fish, which is served with rice paper, fish sauce, vegetables and herbs.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has proposed the establishment of a network of Ramsar sites and wetland reserves around Vietnam.

The Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap (Photo: VNA)

A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by UNESCO that came into force in 1975.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan said creating such a network would contribute to promoting the implementation of the Ramsar Conventions mission in Vietnam and on a global scale.

According to the Vietnam Environment Administration, Vietnam has nine recognised Ramsar sites and has set up many wetlands with high biodiversity value.

The country joined the Ramsar Convention in 1989, becoming the second of 50 countries around the world and the first in Southeast Asia to do so.

It has promoted the nomination of Ramsar sites and successfully implemented a number of activities on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

However, the management of Ramsar sites in the country still faces difficulties, and the Ramsar Conventions objectives and strategic plans on conservation and the sound use of wetlands have not been fully and promptly implemented, resulting in the threat of biodiversity reduction at these sites.

The reason for such limitations is that Ramsar sites tend to be located in natural reserves belonging to the special-use forest system, so have not been managed in line with regulations generally applied for wetlands.

For example, the Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Deltas Dong Thap province is managed in line with regulations for special-use forests, so that forest fires can be controlled by preserving water. This, though, has undermined the biodiversity of the site.

There are still no links or sharing of information and experience on the management, conservation, and sound use of wetlands between management boards of Vietnams Ramsar sites and international partners.

Nhan said the establishment of a network of Ramsar sites and wetland reserves in Vietnam will also help their management boards promote links and the sharing of information and experience and improve management efficiency.

The network is expected to bring together scientists, managers, communities, and stakeholders in promoting the conservation and sound use of wetland resources in Vietnam, in particular improving management efficiency over Ramsar sites and mobilising stakeholders to participate in the management, conservation, and sustainable use of wetland resources./. VNA
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
(@FahadShabbir)

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been transferred from a Moscow jail to an unknown location, his aides said Thursday, suggesting he may be beginning a prison sentence condemned as politically motivated

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Feb, 2021 ) :Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been transferred from a Moscow jail to an unknown location, his aides said Thursday, suggesting he may be beginning a prison sentence condemned as politically motivated.

President Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponent was sentenced to more than two years in a penal colony this month for breaching his parole terms while recovering in Germany from a poisoning attack.

Navalny lawyer Olga Mikhailova said the defence team did not know where Navalny was being taken but suggested he could be transferred to a penal colony.

"They didn't tell anyone where he is being sent," Mikhailova told AFP.

Navalny's right-hand man Leonid Volkov said the opposition politician's family has not been informed of his whereabouts, expressing concern over lack of transparency.

Navalny spent months recovering in Germany from the attack with nerve agent Novichok that saw him fall ill on a flight in Siberia in August. Russia has denied involvement.

His arrest on return to Moscow in mid-January sparked massive protests across the country.

More than 10,000 people were detained, with many of Navalny's allies now under house arrest.

His team has said they will stage fresh demonstrations later this year.

Last week Navalny was also convicted of defamation for calling a World War II veteran a "traitor" for appearing in a pro-Kremlin video and ordered to pay a fine of 850,000 rubles ($11,500).

Supporters of the opposition politician say the criminal cases against him are a pretext to silence his corruption exposes and quash his political ambitions.
You are here: Business

The city of Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian province, is slated to host the first China Cross-border E-commerce Trade Fair from March 18 to 20, local authorities said Thursday.

The trade fair, with an exhibition area of 72,000 square meters, will mark the presence of more than 2,000 suppliers, 33 cross-border e-commerce platforms and over 200 service providers, according to the city government.

Authorities also plan to hold more than 30 activities during the event.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has delayed a shipment of coronavirus vaccines to Estonia for a week, Estonian Minster of Health and Labor Tanel Kiik said on Thursday

HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th February, 2021) Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has delayed a shipment of coronavirus vaccines to Estonia for a week, Estonian Minster of Health and Labor Tanel Kiik said on Thursday.

"This week AstraZeneca should have delivered 25,000 doses of vaccine to our country, then the amount was reduced to 16,000, and now, according to the latest update, there will be no shipment of vaccines at all this week, it will arrive next week," Kiik told the press.

There are currently no vaccine manufacturers who can keep up with delivery schedules, the minister said.

In total, Estonia so far received 97,110 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, 10,800 doses from Moderna, and 33,600 from AstraZeneca.

The vaccine rollout in Estonia started on December 27. As of February 25, the Estonian Health Ministry reported that 68,629 people had the first shot, 28,351 out of them are fully vaccinated.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, chairing the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, expresses concern over the human rights situation in Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia, and calls on the Russian Federation to fully comply with international standards.

He made the corresponding statement on Friday in connection with the seventh anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and the beginning of the military conflict in eastern Ukraine.

"The Committee of Ministers remains concerned that the human rights situation in the Crimean peninsula has significantly deteriorated since the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation. Bearing in mind the decision by the European Court of Human Rights of 14 January 2021 regarding Crimea, I call on Russia to fully comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights standards, including by granting unimpeded access to regional and international human rights monitoring mechanisms, as well as non-governmental human rights organizations, to Crimea and Sevastopol," the statement reads.

In addition, Maas, in his capacity as President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, recalled the Committee's condemnation of the illegal annexation, which constitutes a violation of international law, and to reaffirm its unequivocal and unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

"In this respect, I would like to also underline the need to fully implement the Minsk agreements and the Paris summit [Normandy Four] conclusions in order to end the military conflict in Donbas," he added.

Florida teen Graham Ivan Clark, 18, is weighing a plea deal in the Twitter hack case

A Florida teen accused of masterminding the hijacking of dozens of celebrity Twitter accounts has been offered a plea deal that offers 'youthful offender' sentencing consideration, his attorney said.

Graham Ivan Clark has been held in a Tampa jail in lieu of a $750,000 bail since his arrest in July, and turned 18 behind bars. He faces 30 felony charges that are being prosecuted in state court.

At a hearing on Wednesday, Clark's attorney David Weisbrod said he would need time to determine whether to accept a plea deal offered by prosecutors, but did not reveal the terms of the proposed deal, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

In Florida, defendants under the age of 21 may qualify for youthful offender status. Clark was charged in state court because the state law also allows minors to be prosecuted for financial crimes more easily than in the federal system.

Clark was not present for the pre-trial hearing this week, which took place by video conference. The next hearing in his case is set for March 16.

The scheme commandeered Twitter accounts of prominent politicians, celebrities and technology moguls and scammed people around the globe out of more than $180,000

The Florida teen is accused of conspiring with Nima Fazeli, 22, of Orlando, Florida, and Mason Sheppard, 19, of Bognor Regis, UK, were also charged for their alleged roles in the hack in California federal court.

The July 15 breach, the biggest in Twitter history, compromised the accounts of celebrities including President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Kanye West, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mike Bloomberg, Warren Buffett, Floyd Mayweather and Kim Kardashian.

Messages were posted from the famous accounts telling followers to send Bitcoin payments to email addresses, swindling more than $180,000 out of unsuspecting victims in the process.

Prosecutors say that Clark gained access to Twitter accounts and to the internal controls of Twitter by compromising a Twitter employee, and then used Fazeli and Sheppard as his minions to sell access to accounts.

Court papers suggest Fazeli and Sheppard only got involved in the scheme on a hacking chatroom after Clark dangled the possibility of taking over Twitter handles of short names such as @anxious and @foreign.

From there, that scam appears to have evolved into the full-scale hijacking of high-profile accounts.

Mason Sheppard, 19, of Bognor Regis, UK, (pictured) and Nima Fazeli, 22, of Orlando, Florida, were also charged in relation to the hack in California federal court last week

Chat logs obtained by investigators show 'Kirk' and 'Rolex' discussing the plan

How the hacker's 'sloppy' work covering their tracks made them easy to track The FBI were able to track down three hackers who pulled off the largest Twitter breach in history because they were 'extremely sloppy' with how they moved their Bitcoin transactions around. Authorities were able to obtain data about the Bitcoin addresses involved in the hack by analyzing blockchain - a ledger that records cryptocurrency transactions. They then traced the addresses to Coinbase - a digital currency exchange that stores Bitcoin. Both Fazeli and Sheppard had registered and verified their Coinbase accounts with their real driver's licences, according to ZNET. Fazeli also used his home IP address, meaning investigators were able to easily trace his location. Furthermore, the alleged hackers did not move around the Bitcoin funds they received in a bid to throw detectives off the trail. Such an act is known as 'tumbling', and is the digital equivalent of money laundering. Cybersecurity expert Jake Williams told The Associated Press that their efforts were 'sloppy'. Twitter has officially stated that the hacker - purported to be Clark- gained access to a company dashboard that manages accounts on July 15. He did this by using social engineering and spear-phishing smartphones to obtain credentials from 'a small number' of Twitter employees to break in to the internal systems. From there, the hackers targeted 130 accounts. They managed to tweet their bogus tweet from 45 prolific accounts. They also accessed the direct message inboxes of 36 others, and download the Twitter data from seven separate accounts. Advertisement

A hacker who identified himself as 'Kirk', believed to be Clark, claimed to be a Twitter employee and said he could 'reset, swap and control any Twitter account at will' in exchange for cybercurrency payments, according to the papers.

The documents do not specify Kirk's real identity but say he is a teen being prosecuted in the Tampa area.

Twitter has said the hacker gained access to a company dashboard that manages user accounts by using social engineering and spear-phishing smartphones to obtain credentials from 'a small number' of Twitter employees 'to gain access to our internal systems.'

Spear-phishing uses email or other messaging to deceive people into sharing access credentials.

The hack is said to have begun with a message on Discord, a chat platform used by gamers, from user Kirk#5270, who wrote: 'I work for Twitter. I can claim any name, let me know if you're trying to work.'

Another user, who went by the names of Ever so anxious#0001 and Chaewon, then lined up buyers for Twitter handles including an offer of $5,000 for the handle @xx.

A third, Rolex#0373, then joined in, offering sought-after account names for $2,500 upwards.

Fazeli is thought to be Rolex, Sheppard is Chaewon.

A total of 130 accounts were targeted in what marked one of the most high-profile security breaches in recent years.

Bogus tweets were sent from the accounts of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg and a number of tech billionaires including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Celebrities Kanye West and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, were also hacked.

The tweets offered to send $2,000 for every $1,000 sent to an anonymous Bitcoin address.

The fraudulent posts managed to draw in more than $180,000 worth of Bitcoin before Twitter shut it down by deleting the posts and shutting off access for broad swaths of users.

Twitter confirmed that 130 accounts were breached, including 45 where passwords and logins were reset and tweets sent.

Personal data was also downloaded from eight unverified accounts.

A report in October from the New York Department of Financial Services slammed Twitter for security lapses that allowed teenagers to breach the service in a relatively 'simple' attack.

'That Twitter was vulnerable to an unsophisticated attack shows that self-regulation is not the answer,' said Linda Lacewell, the financial services superintendent.

Twitter has acknowledged that some employees were duped into sharing account credentials prior to the hack.
These destinations such as Nam Du Island, Long Lanh Pass, Ly Son Island  are not only suitable for discovering but also for relaxing in Vietnam. Lets learn more about those places with http://www.evivatour.com.

1. Nam Du Island (Kien Giang):

Like other islands, Nam Du welcomes visitors with white sand, blue sea and cheap seafood. This island has many beaches, but the most prominent and beautiful is Da Den (Black Stone) beach. This beautiful beach has multi-color stone with many different patterns.

2. Long Lanh Pass (Lam Dong):

Long Lanh Pass which is also known as Omega Pass located in Lac Duong. This Pass is also the road connecting Da Lat and Nha Trang. Every moment of the day, the pass has different images. Best time for exploring the pass is from 5  6:30, when the white for covering entirely the pass, making it looks real and illusory at the same time.

3. Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai):

Ly Son Island which also known as Garlic Island attracts tourists with blue from the sky, from the garlic fields, blue sea and coconut trees. At this place, you will observe the beauty that other islands do not have.

4. Van Phong Bay (Nha Trang):

As one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Van Phong Bay captivating visitors with white sand, blue sea and colorful world of corals and marine life.

5. Co To (Quang Ninh):

Co To beach paradise welcomes visitors with blue sea, white sand and feast of fresh and cheap seafood. The place is still neglected and wild although it has been known for quite some time.
At least three Texas lawmakers are calling for the states top utility regulator to step down after a lackluster legislative performance about last weeks deadly outages.

Public Utility Commission chair DeAnn Walker came under heated questioning in both chambers over the states power grid failure, which left millions in the state without power and water for days.

Walker, an appointee of Gov. Greg Abbott who previously worked in his office, frustrated lawmakers as she deflected questions or did not have answers as to why her regulatory agency did not do more to prevent the outage, or at least communicate the problems with the states grid more effectively to the public during the deadly winter storm.

It was the same sort of criticism that has been leveled for a week at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the states power grid and is overseen by the utility commission. Seven board members have resigned from the nonprofit since the outages, and its top executive, Bill Magness, has been scrambling to do damage control while lawmakers search for where to direct blame.

As legislative hearings dragged on late Thursday night, Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, said hed seen enough from both Walker and Magness to prove they could not remain in their jobs.

More Information BLAME ALL AROUND Five key points that emerged this week about the Texas grid failures. Lawmakers will not stop at ERCOT: Seven of the 15 board members resigned from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which was under fire for a week before the hearings. Gov. Greg Abbott has called publicly for an 'overhaul' of ERCOT, the nonprofit that manages the state grid. Lawmakers are now increasing their scrutiny of the Public Utility Commission, whose leaders are appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Power companies suggest market reform: The state of Texas caps the wholesale price of electricity at $9,000 per megawatt hour, which last week the Public Utility Commission approved during peak demand. Curtis Morgan, president and CEO of Vistra Energy, one of the state's largest power providers, said having a cap that high disincentivizes generators from producing enough energy to meet demand until prices rise. He added that the state's 15 percent reserve margin could be higher. Two kinds of winterization: Texas lawmakers have long known of the need to winterize Texas power plants, roughly a third of which went offline during the disaster last week. Natural gas shortages caused by frozen wellheads and power disruption were the biggest reported hindrance for power plants, though similar failures were also seen in nuclear, wind, solar and coal energy sources. Natural gas distribution needs electricity: About half of the gas pipelines use electricity for their pumps, but many were not listed as essential services and have said their power was cut off, creating more gas supply problems for power plants. Top state officials had 5-day notice: On Feb. 10, five days before the blackouts began, ERCOT warned that demand for power would spike at 70,000 megawatt hours that coming Sunday, an all-time record. "The warning signs were there, but the public was unaware of the gravity of the situation," Vistra Energy suggested in a statement earlier this week that ERCOT's early advisory should have spurred greater planning and coordination by state officials. - Taylor Goldenstein, Jeremy Blackman and James Osborne See More Collapse

The PUC Commissioners & ERCOT CEO should swiftly resign, he tweeted. A necessary step so we and our constituents can be confident the right leadership is in place to ensure this never happens again in Texas.

FAILURES OF POWER: Critics say Abbott appointees gutted enforcement of Texas power grid rules

On Friday, state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, filed legislation that would make the utility commissioners elected positions, according to KUT.

Walker was appointed to chair the commission in 2017 and her term is already set to expire in September. She served as a senior regulatory adviser to Abbott previously, and before that worked for CenterPoint Energy. Walker also sits on the ERCOT board.

Her publicly listed salary is $201,000, while at ERCOT Magness earned more than $900,000 in 2019, according to the groups tax filing that year. Throughout the hearings, lawmakers have been much less critical of Magness and of Railroad Commission Chairwoman Christi Craddick, who regulates the states natural gas industry.

Early on, Walker had insisted that the agencys power to control ERCOT was limited.

Yet in the House, Rep. Rafael Anchia, a Dallas Democrat and a lawyer by trade, countered by reading aloud state laws that establish the utility commissions authority and its supervision of ERCOT. The utility commission can even remove and replace ERCOT if it so chooses.

Walker had contradicted ERCOT chief Magness when she said: I know that I dont have total and complete oversight of the government-affiliated nonprofit.

By the time Anchia was done with his questions, however, he had Walker turning her words on herself, agreeing that the agency did have total oversight of ERCOT.

During a particularly poignant part of the questioning, Anchia asked whether Walker believed that the public deserved an apology from the utility commission. Walker paused.

The fact that youre hesitating is astonishing, Anchia said. Its astonishing. No further questions.

Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, also presented Walker with a statute that contradicted statements shed made earlier in the day, when she claimed she could not speak with fellow members of the commission in advance of the outages for fear of violating the states Open Meetings Act.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Darby pointed out that the utility commission has the ability by law to call a meeting with just one hours notice during an emergency. Walker said she wasnt aware. Darby was incredulous.

Dont you think its your job to know that? Dont you see thats a failing of your responsibilities as a public utility commissioner? he said.

The calls for Walkers resignation were swiftly adding up by Thursday night, among them was Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco.

PUC Chair (at least) must resign, he said in a tweet. I have zero confidence after todays hearings; and by the line of questioning of my colleagues, I believe most if not all agree with me.

At the end of the night, Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Corpus Christi, asked Walker if the governor had asked for her resignation, but she said he had not.

During Anchias questioning, Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, put it simply, tweeting: Resign, please.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
Title: Metro Mage Games First Kickstarter is out now  a set of Magic: The Gathering compatible counters

Sub-head: Metro Mage, a community of game designers in NYC, has successfully funded their first Kickstarter: Magic: The Gathering Compatible Counters, a versatile, cheap, high quality set of counters designed to enhance the TCG gameplay experience.

Body: Metro Mage Games, an open community of New York City game designers and enthusiasts, has launched their first Kickstarter campaign this month with the hope of creating a unique accessory for the Magic: The Gathering (MTG) trading card game community.

After years of playing Standard, Limited, EDH MTG formats, Metro Mage Games saw an opportunity when they realized that playing Magic is always more enjoyable with high quality accessories. Their set of counters helps you build the immersive experience all Magic players love.

Thanks to months of iteration and polish they have successfully crowdfunded over $3,000 in the first 2 weeks of their campaign (300% of their target funding of $1,000) and will begin manufacturing the counters in the coming weeks, shipping them out to backers around July or August.

Here are some key features of the campaign if you are a Magic player and are looking to accessorize your collection:

Each set of counters comes with 45 pieces for only $10.

Each set contains 10 double sided +1/+1 counters, 10 double sided Poison counters, and 15 Ikoria Ability counters (you can find more details on how versatile these double-sided counters are on the campaign page, link below).

All shipping to the US is 100% free and included in your pledge. Global shipping will cost you an additional $7.

The campaign is making use of Kickstarters new in-house Add-on system giving backers access to accessories like a cloth carrying pouch or set of counters specific to just what backers need, such as sets of only +1/+1, Poison, or full sets of just one type of Ikoria counter.

The counters are durable and have undergone a rigorous scratch test (you can find a video of this test on the campaign page, link below).

US based game stores have the option to back the campaign for larger numbers of sets at a reduced price with free carrying pouches included.

All backer shipping materials are made using 100% recyclable/recycled materials, to reduce the campaigns effect on the environment.

If youre interested in this campaign and want more information you can follow this link: https://bit.ly/3qt8GQE and check out Metro Mage on the social media sites below:

Instagram (where they host MTG card giveaways)

Discord (where they help with game design and Kickstarter campaigns)

Meetup.com (where they host board game design workshops)

Wordpress (where they blog about Kickstarter and game design)

Twitter (where they comment on silly tweets from other people)

Facebook (where they promote the rest of our platforms)
Veteran journalist Gao Yu, executive deputy editor at Caixin Media, posted an open letter at the start of the year, in which she gives voice to a sense of despair over the failure of the liberal elite to influence the direction of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the past three decades. The letter was quickly deleted by government censors, but is translated here by RFA:



Today I took out an old cell phone that has been hanging around gathering dust for the past six months. Not for a trip down memory lane, but to message my thanks to some of the people -- both friends and strangers -- who helped us [while reporting on the early stages of the pandemic] in Wuhan. I wish them a happy Year of the Ox.



On it was a photo taken at around 4.00 a.m. on Jan. 23, 2020 in the basement parking lot of the Wuhan Grand Mercure, at the start of the battle to defend our city.



After I got back from Wuhan, friends would ask me, particularly when people were accusing us of aiding and abetting [anti-China forces], whether the price I had paid was worth it, given my previous comments about not wanting to pay that price for nothing.



Speaking for myself alone, I can say that it was worth it, but people need to figure out where they stand. As the song says, "the south wall was hit, but nobody remembers that story now."



Out of a tragic national disaster, we have fashioned hymns of praise and glory. Any lessons we could have learned have been ignored. And only a handful of people, it seems, are still asking questions.



And while those still capable of critical thought harm nobody but themselves, the ranks of the self-confidence brigade [supporting CCP leader Xi Jinping's 'victory' over the coronavirus] continue to grow.



As a counterpoint to the foolishness of Westerners, the scars left by this disaster are being covered up with medals of honor.



Anyone still willing to expose these scars is surrounded and targeted by our proud keyboard warriors on Weibo.



As Du Junfei once wrote: "The truth has disappeared, but illusions live on, like a patient whose doctor has died."



Here, on the last day of 2020, I will cross a red line and say this: the past 30 years of liberal political effort have been in vain.



Increasingly, the people we have been trying to liberate from fear and persecution are actually the people who hate us the most. They hate us even more than their own oppressors.



So we have failed. Nevertheless, I remain a positive pessimist. As we move back into dark times, I won't be clinging on to memories of sunlit days.



When things go dark, you light a fire.



We don't keep going because we still have hope for the good things of this world: we avoid falling into despair by simply keeping going.



Anything that's worth having is worth hanging on for; it's worth the wait.



The last time we were in this dark year of the horoscope was 1960. That generation had to wait 18 years [before the darkness lifted with the coming of the reform era in 1979]. The time before that was in 1900, when our ancestors had to wait another 11 years [for the fall of the Qing Dynasty].



So tomorrow, we start again from year one. We wait. Those 30 years are gone, along with our youth. What is there left to fear?



Where there is faith and love, there is also hope.



May you always have loved ones around you to bid you goodnight, as we keep going, as we wait. May your journey along this difficult road not be too lonely.



I wish you health and happiness in 2021.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
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Saudi Arabias crown prince, Muhammad bin Salman, has been implicated in a new classified U.S. intelligence report on the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The report finds that Muhammad bin Salman was responsible, saying he approved the operation to capture or kill Mr Khashoggi.

The findings could escalate pressure on the Biden administration in the U.S. to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for a murder that drew bipartisan and international outrage.

We assess that Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the reports executive summary states.

The assessment released Friday by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence was based on intelligence on Mr Salmans control of decision-making in the Kingdom.

Since 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdoms security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Princes authorization, the report said.

It added that the 15-person Saudi team that arrived in Istanbul in October 2018 when Mr Khashoggi was killed included members associated with the Saudi Center for Studies and Media Affairs (CSMARC) at the Royal Court, led by Saud al-Qahtani, a close adviser to the prince.

The team also included seven members of Muhammad bin Salmans elite personal protective detail, known as the Rapid Intervention Force.

The crown prince viewed Mr Khashoggi as a threat to the Kingdom and broadly supported using violent measures if necessary to silence him, the report added

Although Saudi officials had pre-planned an unspecified operation against Khashoggi we do not know how far in advance Saudi officials decided to harm him, the report concluded.

Saudi Arabia had repeatedly denied that the crown prince authorised the murder of Mr Khashoggi who was resident in the U.S. and was a columnist for the Washington Post.

Mr Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi embassy in Turkey. His body was never found and is believed to have been dismembered and dumped in a secret place by the Saudi killer squad.
Kolkata, Feb 26 : The race for the top six spots in the I-League is set to go right down to the wire with three teams still in the running to secure a place in Group A of Phase 2, which has two vacant spots.

Aizawl FC are currently in seventh place with 12 points, three ahead of Sudeva Delhi FC in eighth place, with one match remaining in the first phase, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Real Kashmir FC and Gokulam Kerala FC have all secured berths in the top six, thanks to an unassailable points advantage.

Additionally, RoundGlass Punjab FC are also through to the top six as they hold a three-point lead over Aizawl and have a better head-to-head record over the Mizo side courtesy of a 1-0 win on January 9.

In the bottom half, Indian Arrows, NEROCA FC, Chennai City FC, and Sudeva Delhi FC cannot enter the top six as they are behind Mohammedan SC in sixth place by four points or more.

Thus, it is a race between three sides -- TRAU FC, Mohammedan SC, and Aizawl FC -- for the fifth and sixth spots on the points table going into Round 11. With all three teams in action one after the other on Sunday, the tussle promises to be an enthralling one.

In the first match, Mohammedan Sporting (13 points) take on an unbeaten Real Kashmir at 2 pm, with the Black Panthers behind TRAU (13 points) by virtue of an inferior goal difference (their match ended in a 2-2 draw, hence they cannot be separated on head-to-head).

Next, TRAU will face Sudeva Delhi FC in Kalyani at 4 pm, followed by a 7 pm kick-off when Aizawl FC will cross swords against Chennai City FC, a clash between two former champions.

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?? Ahora | El titular del @Minsa_Peru entrega formalmente a la presidenta de la PCM, @VBermudezV, el informe con los resultados de la comision sectorial que investigo la aplicacion de vacunas contra la #COVID?19 fuera del ensayo clinico. pic.twitter.com/FiN3ExIOYS
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CHICO, Calif.  Enloe Medical Center nurse, Jacqueline Winters-Hall has received this year's Outstanding Community Advocate Award, announced Catalyst Domestic Violence Services.

The award was created to honor local community members and activists who are committed to violence prevention in Butte County, along with demonstrating a commitment to Catalyst values.

Winters-Hall is a longtime advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. She has worked at Enloe Medical Center as a forensic nurse examiner for over 12 years.

She is also currently Enloes Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner coordinator. Catalyst said she has shown a commitment to consistent and effective trauma-informed service delivery.

Catalyst said she was instrumental in getting Butte County into the pilot project for rapid DNA service and helped start the county sexual assault response team.

Both of these accomplishments demonstrate her sense of personal responsibility and professionalism, said Catalyst.

The award was given to Winters-Hall at a ceremony on Thursday at Enloe Park.
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Uber is available in these cities from today

Uber India lays off 600 people, a quarter of its workforce in the country

Commuters in Delhi-NCR face problems as section of Ola, Uber drivers go on strike

Uber, Amazon Pay partner to install safety screens in 40,000 Uber Autos in 7 cities

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Feb 26: Ride hailing platform Uber on Friday said it has partnered with Amazon Pay for installing plastic screens in 40,000 Uber Autos across seven cities in the country. The move is aimed at enhancing the safety of riders and drivers, and will cover seven Indian cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Jaipur, a statement said.

In October 2020, in a global first, Amazon Pay and Uber had announced an association for allowing Uber riders to make contactless, cashless payments using Amazon Pay.

As a part of the expansion of this partnership, riders on Uber's platform who now pay through Amazon Pay will be eligible for a cashback up to 50 per cent for every ride, the statement further said.

"This partnership will further boost the growth of Uber Auto in seven critical markets as rides become more affordable and commuters can e-hail an Auto from the safety and comfort of their homes," it added.

Commuters in Delhi-NCR face problems as section of Ola, Uber drivers go on strike

Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia, said the company continues to take all possible precautions including setting up safety screens and enabling digital payment options on the app to ensure both riders and drivers feel safer during the "new normal".

"We believe that this association further strengthens our commitment to safety and encourages people to move around the city hassle-free," he added.

Petroleum Minister: Fuel price will decrease by the end of winter | Oneindia News

Amazon Pay CEO Mahendra Nerurkar said the company has witnessed multifold growth in adoption of contactless payments last year.

"As more Indians resume their daily commute, we remain committed to make their experience safer, convenient and rewarding," he added.
Gunmen have abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria in the latest mass kidnapping of students in the West African nation, police said on Friday.

Police and the military have begun joint operations to rescue the children after the nighttime attack at the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe town, Mohammed Shehu, a police spokesman said.

Nasiru Abdullahi, a parent, told The Associated Press that his daughters, aged 10 and 13, are among the missing.

'It is disappointing that even though the military have a strong presence near the school they were unable to protect the girls,' he said.

'At this stage, we are only hoping on divine intervention.'

This is the second such incident in just over a week in Nigeria's north, which has seen a surge of activity by armed groups. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Gunmen have abducted 317 girls from a boarding school in northern Nigeria in the latest mass kidnapping of students in the West African nation, police said on Friday. Pictured: A man stands next to empty beds in the dormitory at the Government Girls Secondary School

Police and the military have begun joint operations to rescue the children after the nighttime attack at the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe town, Mohammed Shehu, a police spokesman said. Pictured: The school's deserted dormitory following the attack

'There's information that they were moved to a neighbouring forest, and we are tracing and exercising caution and care,' Zamfara police commissioner Abutu Yaro told a news conference.

He did not say whether those possibly moved to the forest included all of them.

Zamfara's information commissioner, Sulaiman Tanau Anka, told Reuters news agency that the assailants stormed in firing sporadically during the 1 a.m. raid.

'Information available to me said they came with vehicles and moved the students, they also moved some on foot,' he said.

Musa Mustapha, a resident of Jangebe town, said the gunmen had also attacked a nearby military camp checkpoint, preventing soldiers from intervening and allowing the gunmen to spend several hours at the school.

Jangebe town seethed with anger over the abduction, said a government official who was part of the delegation to the community.

Young men hurled rocks at journalists driving through the town, injuring a cameraman, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

'The situation at Jangebe community is tense as people mobilised to block security operatives, journalists and government officials from getting access to the main town,' he said.

Parents also had no faith in authorities to return their kidnapped girls, said Mohammed Usman Jangebe, the father of one abductee, by phone.

Jangebe town seethed with anger over the abduction, said a government official who was part of the delegation to the community. Pictured: Parents and relatives arrive at the school compound in search of children kidnapped by the bandits on Friday morning

'We are going to rescue our children, since the government isn't ready to give them protection,' he said.

'All of us that have had our children abducted have agreed to follow them into the forest. We will not listen to anyone now until we rescue our children,' Jangebe said, before ending the call.

Several large armed groups are known to operate in Zamfara state, where the school is located.

The groups, described by the government as bandits, kidnap people for money and as leverage to negotiate the release of their members from jail.

While school kidnappings were first carried out by jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, the tactic has now been adopted by other militants in the northwest whose agenda is unclear.

Teachers have been forced to flee to other states for protection, and many children have had to abandon their education amid frequent violent attacks in communities, according to Amnesty International.

The United Nations called Friday's attack 'a gross violation of children's rights' and called for the immediate release of the girls.

'We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria,' Peter Hawkins, the Unicef representative in the country, said.

'This is a gross violation of children's rights and a horrific experience for children to go through'.

Amnesty also condemned the 'appalling attack,' warning in a statement that 'the girls abducted are in serious risk of being harmed'.

Nigeria has seen several such attacks and kidnappings in recent years, most notably the mass abduction in April 2014 of 276 girls from a secondary school in Chibok by Boko Haram. More than a hundred of the girls are still missing.

The school is located in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara state, which had been plagued by lawlessness as various armed groups heap pressure on security forces. Friday's kidnapping is the second such incident in northern Nigeria in just over a week

Some families are now frightened to send their children to school amid the rise in kidnapping by armed groups. Pictured: Uniforms hang in the deserted school dormitory from which the girls were taken

Friday's attack came less than two weeks after gunmen abducted 42 people, including 27 students, from the Government Science College Kagara in Niger State.

The students, teachers and family members are still being held.

In December, 344 students were abducted from the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, while he was visiting the region.

They were eventually released after negotiations with government officials.

Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch, noted the recent abductions and tweeted that 'strong action is required from the authorities to turn the tide & keep schools safe.'

Ikemesit Effiong, head of research at Lagos-based risk consultancy SBM Intelligence, said many northern governors were keen to pay to avoid protracted hostage situations attracting international outrage, which in turn gave an incentive for more abductions. The government denies paying kidnappers.

'When you have these mass abductions now and you see victims are released relatively quickly, unlike Chibok, the one thing that has changed is money,' Effiong said.

President Buhari replaced his long-standing military chiefs earlier this month amid the worsening violence.
A New Jersey man charged in last months deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol bragged to friends and shared photos on Facebook about taking part in the insurrection and claimed he pissed in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to federal charging documents unsealed Thursday.

James Douglas Rahm, of Atlantic City, was charged earlier this month with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, impeding the orderly conduct of government business or official functions, and obstruction of Congress though violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol ground.

Several surveillance images from inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 show Rahm among large groups who entered the building, federal authorities said in a complaint. A video posted by Rahm inside doesnt show his face but his voice is audible, according to court documents.

Were in. Were taking our (expletive) house back, Rahm said, according to authorities. Were here. Time to find some brass and kick some frickin ass.

Rahm also posted since-deleted photos of himself outside the U.S. Capitol and exchanged messages with Facebook friends who commented on the social media platform.

In one post, a person wrote to Rahm, Get back inside. Give Pelosi a kiss. Rham then responded, Pissed in her office.

When someone asked Rahm if he was OK, he replied, Shields and pepper spray never hurt anyone, did they? Home alive. History made. I walked right through Pelosis office. I should have (defecated) on her chair.

Federal investigators were alerted five days after the Capitol attack by a member of the public with access to Rahms online postings, according to authorities. Three people in total provided the investigators with photos and videos of Rahm, authorities said.

In one photo, Rahm is seen wearing a grey Trump knitted winter hat, a dark hooded sweatshirt inside of a green and black Harley Davidson motorcycle jacket, blue jeans and tan work shoes.

James Douglas Rahm, of Atlantic City, faces four charges in the deadly Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021. Federal authorities say he boasted to friends on Facebook about breaching the Capitol and claimed to have "pissed" in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. Authorities say images of Rahm outside the Capitol were matched to security footage inside.U.S. Attorney's Office

That photo matched surveillance images captured inside the Capitol, authorities said.

In other posts obtained by federal investigators, Rahm, who goes by his middle name Doug online, allegedly gave his account of the attack.

Yes do not believe the media there were no anarchist no antifa just patriots trying to take our country back. Yes I was there the pepper spray is just wearing off, Rahm said in the online posts, according to authorities.

We the people tried to take our house back now they will blame it on Trump. Disgusting anti-Americans, Rahm wrote, according to authorities.

Rahm has since been released on bail, according to court records.

James Douglas Rahm, of Atlantic City, faces four charges in the deadly Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021. Federal authorities say he boasted to friends on Facebook about breaching the Capitol and claimed to have "pissed" in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. Authorities say images of Rahm outside the Capitol were matched to security footage inside.U.S. Attorney's Office

Rahms case was initially filed in the federal Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and as are all charged with Capitol attack crimes, the case will be transferred to Washington, D.C. for prosecution.

No lawyer is listed for Rahm in the scarce court records of the case, and the public defender who represented him in court after his arrest told NJ Advance Media it was a five-minute appearance and they never spoke. Online records show a James Douglas Rahm has homes in Atlantic City and Philadelphia, is registered as a builder. Messages on telephone numbers for Rahm were not immediately returned.

Eleven New Jersey residents have been charged in connection with the attempted insurrection.

Five people died as a result of the riots at the U.S. Capitol when supporters of now former President Donald Trump attempted to stop Congress from certifying the results of the November election. Among the dead was a U.S. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick, who grew up in South River.

Congress returned to session that evening and finished what is normally a routine process. No evidence of widespread election fraud had been found.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Kevin Shea contributed to this report.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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SCRANTON  The line of cars extended far down Providence Road, shortly before 9 a.m. Friday, corralled and directed by nearby police officers and cones.

Mike Ruane was ready for a busy morning.

Standing by a white canvas tent toward the back of a parking lot at Scranton High School, Ruane, pharmacist at the Prescription Center on Adams Avenue, said he and his staff were set to dispense 320 doses of Modernas COVID-19 vaccine.

Those in line in their cars, trucks and SUVs were waiting for their second dose of the vaccine; they received their first dose during a drive-thru clinic Ruanes pharmacy held Jan. 29.

Injecting the vaccine into arms, however, is the easy part, Ruane said. Securing the doses is much harder.

Between all of us, weve easily dedicated hundreds of hours over the last four weeks, specifically to this event, Ruane said. But like I said, this is the easy part: administering the vaccine. The hard part is all the legwork before and after.

As of Friday, 2,226,004 vaccine doses had been administered in Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Health, including 59,899 in Lackawanna County.

However, just a small fraction  about 5%  of the states more than 12.7 million residents are fully inoculated against the coronavirus, according to state data. The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines each require two doses to work.

The Prescription Center received a shipment last month of more than 300 doses of Modernas vaccine and opened a clinic for the thousands of people on their waiting list. It filled up fast and, with the coordination of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, held a drive-thru clinic Jan. 29.

The demand for vaccines, however, far outpaces the available supply. Getting another shipment is a challenge. Ruanes shipment of 320 doses to administer second shots to those who received their first Jan. 29 just arrived Wednesday.

Other planned mass vaccination clinics have had to delay because the state Health Department cannot provide enough second doses in time. Hometown Health Care of NEPA in Covington Twp. delayed a clinic originally scheduled today at North Pocono High School until March 13.

Normally, the second Moderna dose is given 28 days after the first, but federal guidelines allow for that window to stretch to 42 days.

When Ruanes shipment came Wednesday, the pharmacy began sending out automated phone calls, emails and text messages to remind those who got their first dose Jan. 29 to come back Friday. Ruane said 99% responded they could make it. It was a priority. If they made plans, they canceled them.

People are saying, in a way, that they feel like they have their lives back after getting the vaccine, Ruane said. Theyve been in isolation.

Though the task ahead sometimes feels insurmountable, Ruane said he and his staff feel they are making a difference.

The line of cars steadily moved as pharmacy staff approached windows, handed out vaccination cards and directed patients to roll up their sleeve.

Good morning, said one woman to the driver of an SUV as it approached the tent. Are you ready?

The driver, Robert Flynn, 62, of Scranton, pulled up his shirt sleeve to reveal a tattoo of the Philadelphia Eagles logo.

Go birds, the woman said as she plunged the needle into the top of his arm.
A decade ago, after an Arctic cold spell knocked out power and left millions of Texans shivering in the dark, the Public Utility Commissions enforcement apparatus swung into action. Their aim: punish the companies that had promised but failed to deliver electricity in an emergency.

Specialists contracted by the state agency worked with an enforcement team the utility commission created four years earlier. More recently, it had added lawyers whose only job was to pursue wrong-doing. The energy companies eventually paid fines and settlements totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars for failing to prepare for the extreme weather.

Two weeks ago, history repeated. Millions of residents were left without power and water in below-freezing temperatures. The damage far exceeded the 2011 storm. Nearly a third of the grids power plants went offline. Dozens of deaths have been attributed to the event, with a full accounting yet to come.

But the enforcement tools that worked to hold companies accountable for the 2011 failures had been removed under Gov. Greg Abbotts appointees on the utility commission. Hearst Newspapers reported last week that commissioners in November cut ties with the Texas Reliability Entity  the specialists hired  leaving state regulators without an external independent reliability monitor.

Four months before that, the governors commissioners had also disbanded the Oversight & Enforcement Division. The head attorney was told he no longer had a job; nine other team members were reassigned throughout the utility commission.

Several pending cases were dropped. According to commission records, by the end of 2020 the number of enforcement cases had fallen 40 percent.

Critics and former employees say the division was cut precisely because it was working  the states most recent move in a 25-year campaign to pare down oversight to favor energy companies and their largest customers, starting when Texas began deregulating its electric market in the 1990s.

FAILURES OF POWER: Days ahead of deadly blackouts, the warning signs were there

Both the commission and the governors office disputed that getting rid of Oversight & Enforcement as a separate department diminished the commissions watchdog function. Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze said enforcement cases now received more legal and administrative support in a department with 19 attorneys instead of five. The decline in cases was proof the targets of enforcement actions had been brought into compliance, she said.

Agency spokesman Andrew Barlow added that some dropped cases were not viable or involved minor violations and that any assertion that our emphasis on oversight and enforcement was diminished by this streamlining is unfounded. He said the Texas Reliability Entitys specialized monitoring and oversight duties are being redistributed among commission attorneys in consultation with subject matter experts at the Energy Reliability Council of Texas  ERCOT  the organization responsible for managing the states power grid.

Still, as furious residents and politicians begin determining which energy industry players to hold accountable for the deadly storm  and how  utility regulation experts said the moves portrayed an agency focused on cost containment to the detriment of oversight.

How you choose to structure an organization says a lot about what you think is important, said Beth Garza, who as ERCOTs Independent Market Monitor from 2014 to 2019 kept an eye out for electricity market manipulation. Shedding the Texas RE and the standalone Oversight & Enforcement Division tells the industry the utility commission may not be as interested in enforcement, she said.

RELATED: Lawmakers take aim at Public Utilities Commission

While acknowledging the states electric grid would have faced stiff challenges from last weeks historic storm no matter how many layers of oversight and enforcement were in place, former utility commission enforcement attorney Joshua Walters said removing those tools could hobble the agencys efforts to pursue those responsible for the latest grid failings.

The utility commission would have had something to respond and say, Hey, we have the Texas RE, hey, we have the Oversight and Enforcement Division, we're going to unleash them on the industry and make sure justice is served, said Walters, who worked at the utility commission from 2012 to 2017.

Without them, This event just really demonstrates that they really bit themselves in the butt pretty good.

Muzzled and eviscerated

The shrinking of regulatory layers designed to protect Texas energy consumers in recent months is only the latest example of a larger trend by state lawmakers to fund utility market oversight at bare minimum levels.

Over the past decade, the number of customers served by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas has ballooned to 26 million, its figures show. Last year the utility commission received nearly 7,000 electric service complaints -- nearly double what it did in 2017, according to annual enforcement reports.

Despite the growth, last September, when the Public Utility Commission submitted its new budget request to legislators, it noted that its operational funding for electric and telecommunications regulation had barely budged over the past two decades. The agencys employee cap was higher in 2003 than in 2021, according to the document.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Operating on such a stingy budget over the last 18 years demonstrates the agencys commitment to financial stewardship, the commissioners concluded.

Others read a different message. Over the past 20 years the enforcement division has been muzzled and eviscerated as part of a series of governor-required budget cuts, said Tom Smitty Smith, a long-time Texas utility watchdog.

Even when the agency sought to enhance its enforcement efforts, legislators have often balked. In 2011 and again in 2013, when regulators recommended raising utility commissions maximum fine from $25,000 to $100,000, lawmakers declined.

Despite reports in the wake of power-disrupting freezes in 1989, 2011 and 2014 recommending companies better winter-proof their equipment, legislators decided to keep weatherization standards only as guidelines. Last week, Abbott finally signaled it might be time to make such rules mandatory.

That was my only job

Ensuring compliance protects customers, the electric markets, and the reliability of the grid, and promotes quality of service to all Texans who rely on regulated electric, water, sewer, or telecommunications services, the utility commission wrote in its 2021 biennial report. Yet state law doesnt require the agency to maintain an enforcement division.

In recent months it became clear the agencys enforcement team was needed for other functions mandated in statute, such as routine rate cases. Last September, the utility commissioners told lawmakers they had reorganized the enforcement division to better align the agencys staffing with anticipated workloads, such as rate regulation duties.

For utility commission enforcers, it was back to the future. Before the Oversight & Enforcement Division fielded its own team of full-time attorneys, lawyers from the agencys general legal services department juggled investigations and prosecutions in between their other required tasks, those who worked there at the time recalled.

Every once in a while, someone would come in and drop an enforcement matter on your desk, which you were supposed to do between rates cases and other things, said Susan Stith, an attorney who worked at the utility commission through 2013.

Having a separate division dedicated only to pursuing and punishing wrongdoing, thinking as prosecutors and not rate-reviewers, made a huge difference, former employees said - just by its nature by being a standalone, with that the only task you are meant to do is oversee and enforce, said Walters. As soon as you get away from that type of structure, you're going to lose focus on enforcement. I mean, that was my only job.

Stith recalled one case with particular pride -- the agencys pursuit of CPS Energy for failing to deliver electricity it promised to the grid during the states last disruptive freeze event, in 2011. In light of the big chill two weeks ago, the case seems eerily familiar.

May lead utilities to roll the dice

In early February 2011, ERCOT initiated rolling blackouts across the state as numerous power generators failed in the intense cold. CPS had promised to deliver 96 megawatts of electricity in the event of an emergency outage, according to court documents. But when ERCOT called on the company to deliver it at 4:26 a.m. on February 2, it was only able to generate half of what it promised within the contractual time limit.

The investigation first fell to the utility commissions Texas Reliability Entity monitors, who informed CPS of the violation but couldnt reach any settlement, documents show. It was turned over to utility commissions enforcement team, which, following its investigation, recommended CPS pay the maximum fine of $25,000.

CPS Energy claimed the cold weather had caused an unforeseeable equipment failure, so it wasnt liable for not being able to deliver the electricity. In response, a Texas RE expert pointed out the company had several days notice of the severe weather and so should have been ready. He also noted some of the companys other generators had begun failing earlier, but it still hadnt called in enough staff to help fire up the emergency units.

The administrative law judge deciding the case agreed. CPSs failure to contribute its promised emergency electricity contributed to the deterioration of the Grid on that morning, which ultimately led to ERCOT shedding load (i.e. ordering rolling blackouts) to avoid a total system collapse, he wrote.

For utility commission enforcers, the legal win was bigger than the fine. Because of the decision, another company that also hadnt delivered promised energy during the storm, Luminant, agreed to a much larger settlement, Stith said.

Since 2011, Luminant has joined other generators, electric transmission firms and state agencies to take measures to better prepare for future extreme weather, the company, which did not admit fault, said in a statement at the time.

Having both a dedicated enforcement division, as well as the technical expertise of Texas RE analysts, was crucial, Stith said. Theres no way we have that case without the report from Texas RE and its expert witness to testify. And if you didnt have a separate division dedicated to that, you dont bring the case.

Now, without either I think that it may lead utilities to think that they can roll the dice a little bit more and get away with less winterization and preparation, Stith said. Because they don't feel like they are going to be penalized.

Last week, as Texas warmed out of its deep freeze, the Public Utility Commission met to decide how to move forward after the storm. One item the three commissioners agreed on was the need for a thorough investigation to determine what went wrong.

Chairman DeAnn Walker, who faced withering questions from angry lawmakers at hearings on Thursday, had pushed to cut ties with the Texas RE and disband the special enforcement division. She conceded that conducting the deep, technical analysis required could be difficult.

I don't know that we have the staffto be able to do a complete investigation, like it probably needs to be done, she said. We may want to think about if we want to look into hiring a third party to help us with this.

eric.dexheimer@chron.com

jay.root@chron.com
Judge J. Campbell Barker of the Eastern District of Texas, sided with plaintiffs who challenged the CDCs eviction moratorium on Constitutional grounds. Weve embedded the opinion for Terkel v. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the end of this post. Even though some will be inclined to dismiss the ruling as politically-motivated (Barker was a Trump nominee), recall that it was the Trump Administration that first launched the eviction freeze. It initially ran through December 31, and covered tenants who gave their landlord a declaration attesting that the made less than $100,000 a year, had suffered a large hit to their income, were seeking assistance and would pay as much rent as they could. The Biden Administration planned to extend the moratorium to the end of March.

Bear in mind that the eviction halt dumped the cost of keeping coronavirus-whacked workers housed on landlords, rather than having the government provide income or rental subsidies.

Before we turn to the reasoning of the ruling, keep in mind that Judge Barker did not issue an injunction against the CDCs moratorium, since the CDC apparently made noises at trial that theyd withdraw the moratorium if they lost. However, Barker told the plaintiffs they could come back and seek an injunction if the CDC didnt play nice. There is no indication yet as to whether the Administration will appeal.

Constitutional law is often a slippery area of jurisprudence, but this short ruling is well argued. The Administration declared that its authority to impose the moratorium resided in the Commerce Clause: To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes and the Necessary and Proper Clause.

The obstacle for the defendants is that the Commerce Clause has been found to cover interstate commerce, and instrastate commerce to the extent that it also impacts interstate commerce. For instance, in 2005, in Gonzales v. Raich, the Supreme Court upheld Federal regulation of within-state marijuana production, since having some states permit marijuana farming and sales would clearly lead to sales in neighboring states.

The ruling on which Barker relied most heavily was United States v. Lopez, a 1995 Supreme Court decision challenging a prosecution under the Gun Free School Zones Act of 1990. The defense argued that the Federal government lacked the authority to regulate guns at local schools, while the Department of Justice argued that it fell under the Commerce Clause, since violent crime in schools would affect the economy generally. The Supreme Court sided against the government, using three tests, as cited here:

(1) the use of the channels of interstate commerce; (2) the instrumentalities of interstate commerce, or persons or things in interstate commerce; and (3) those activities having a substantial relation to interstate commerce, . . . i.e., those activities that substantially affect interstate commerce.

Dirt law has long been reserved to the states and looking at those tests, you can see why. Both sides agreed to argue whether the moratorium met the substantially affects standard. The court had to determine if enough information has been presented for it to conclude this test had been satisfied. There are then at least four subordinate considerations, per a 2000 Supreme Court decision, United States v. Morrison:

(1) the economic character of the intrastate activity; (2) whether the regulation contains a jurisdictional element that may establish whether the enact-ment is in pursuance of Congress regulation of interstate commerce; (3) any congressional findings regarding the effect of the regulated activity on commerce among the States; and (4) a attenuation in the link between the regulated intra-state activity and commerce among the States

Judge Barker made a pretty conventional real estate is local, buildings dont move across state lines contention. But he also pointed out that the substantial effects test is to be applied solely to the regulated activity, which here is eviction. The CDC moratorium made a point of not impairing the landlords economic claims: the tenants still owed any un/underpaid rent. Judge Barker found that the two cases that the government cited didnt support its contention that eviction affected commerce to the required Constitutional standard. The Supreme Court in Lopez had already rejected everything is connected, so everything affects interstate commerce type arguments. The fact that coronavirus crosses state lines does not even begin to make an explicit connection to how stopping evictions would have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.

The government was only able to make general claims, of the sort that reducing homelessness will keep people out of shelters, which can spread Covid and 15% of the people who change residence go across state lines. Judge Barker retorted that public health falls under state and local policing powers, so the arguments about shelters or other health hazards didnt establish Federal authority. On top of that, the CDC order was not devised to limit disease spread to other states:

The order applies without regard to a tenants infection with, prior exposure to, or vaccination against COVID-19. It applies without regard to whether an evicted tenant would move to a new city, much less a new State.

As for the 15%, not only was the data not specific to evictions, but even if it were, even higher levels moved across state lines as the result of marriage and divorce, yet that condition didnt result in Federal government being able to circumvent the states in family law matters.

It didnt help that government had to admit that its claims about its Constitutional power would empower eviction moratoriums for any reason, including its beliefs about fairness.

Barkers key point:

The federal government cannot say that it has ever before invoked its power over interstate commerce to impose a residential eviction moratorium. It did not do so during the deadly Spanish Flu pandemic.. Nor did it invoke such a power during the exigencies of the Great Depression. The federal government has not claimed such a power at any point during our Nations history until last year. The absence of an historical analog here calls to mind the Supreme Courts instruction that [p]erhaps the most telling indication of [a] severe constitutional problem . . . is the lack of historical precedent.  Similarly, the Necessary and Proper Clause inquiry asks whether a challenged law is a modest addition to a set of federal . . . statutes that have existed for many decades or reasonably extended [a] longstanding [] system. Here, no historical practice of analogous federal regulation has been cited.

Needless to say, this decision affects many struggling households. Some states like New York have established eviction freezes; so have cities like New York and Seattle. But plenty of others are at risk. From CNN:

An estimated 10 million renters were behind on their rent and at risk of eviction in the middle of January, according to a Census Bureau survey. And an estimated 16 million renters had little to no confidence they could pay their rent in February.

Mind you, I am not saying that this ruling wont be overturned on appeal. The government may file a much more cogent legal argument. But dont let anyone tell you this decision is cray cray. Real estate and police powers, and public health is deemed to be part of police powers, have been repeatedly found to fall outside the Federal purview. I dont see that the government made a strong case as to why not. And with the stimulus bill already having a rough go in Congress, its not as if the Administration could now add meaningful subsidies for renters at this late date.
NASHVILLE --- That time of year has rolled around again. The new 2021-22 Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses are now on sale, with over one million licenses expected to be purchased in the coming year. All current yearly Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses expire Sunday, Feb. 28.

Licenses are available online anytime at www.GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, on the TWRA On the Go App, or at one of more than 700 license agents across the state. You can now select to auto-renew your license and never worry about your license expiring again. Customers can also purchase a new design of the collectors card for any annual license. The new waterproof, durable card features a choice of a bull elk or a crappie.

If you like wildlife of any kind, you should thank a hunter or fisherman. Without them, the state would not have the abundance of fish and wildlife that Tennesseans enjoy.

Hunters and anglers have been funding Tennessees and the nations wildlife conservation for more than 100 years through license purchases. One-hundred percent of hunting and fishing license fees go to support wildlife conservation in Tennessee. Whats more, a license purchase returns taxes paid on firearms, archery equipment, fishing gear and boat fuel to Tennessee at a rate of up to $40 per year so a license purchase is a great investment. This successful funding system is the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration program which is the largest driver of wildlife conservation nationwide.

---TWRA---
Indian banks' loans rose 6.6% in the two weeks to Feb. 12 from a year earlier, while deposits rose 11.8%, the Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement showed on Friday. Outstanding loans fell 10.44 billion rupees ($141.30 million) to 107.04 trillion rupees in the two weeks to Feb. 12. Non-food credit rose 107.78 billion rupees to 106.28 trillion rupees, while food credit fell 118.22 billion rupees to 752.87 billion rupees. Bank deposits fell 166.91 billion rupees to 147.81 trillion rupees in the two weeks to Feb. 12. Source text: ...

After moving into a massive, $25.8 million Beverly Park compound, the pop star Justin Bieber and his wife, the model Hailey Baldwin, have officially sold their smallerbut still very spiffyspot in Beverly Hills, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The listing came on the market about a year after they had picked up the property in 2019, for $8.5 million. An $8 million deal on the home closed last weekso the hit-maker took a hit.

The couple had originally placed the home on the market for $9 million in the fall of 2020. It reportedly sold fully furnished.

Real estate 'changes'

After settling down and buying the gorgeous traditional, which dates to the 1930s and is known as The Tropics, Bieber and Baldwin quickly desired some changes when it came to their real estate choices.

Bieber announced to his Instagram followers his intention to unload the property, and in the fall of 2020, placed it on the market with a $9 million price tag.

I think I wanna sell my home in Beverly Hills who wants it," the Grammy winner teased to his followers.

On another post, he added, Ill sell it with all the furniture. MAKE AN OFFER.

While Bieber and Baldwin decamped to a deluxe estate in an exclusive area, the place they left behind is also very upscale. In fact, it's next door to the compound owned by the billionaire founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos.

Bieber's Beverly Hills home realtor.com

Indoor-outdoor space realtor.com

Kitchen with marble counters realtor.com

Wine cellar and bar realtor.com

Outdoor space realtor.com

With 6,132 square feet of living space, the residence, which was completely redone, comes with five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

The stylish layout features white oak floors, custom built-ins, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Steel-case windows and doors open up to the property grounds.

___

Watch: Kelly Clarkson's Massive 'Farmhouse' Gets a Price Cutto $8.9M

___

The interior offers a living room, great room, office, theater, and a wine cellar with a bar. The sleek chefs kitchen includes white oak cabinets, a marble island, and Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances.

A master suite features vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, bathroom, and custom closet.

Surrounded by tall, lush greenery, the backyard boasts an infinity pool, a water feature, barbecue, and a cabana with a fireplace.

Meanwhile, the furnishings that come with the place are pitch-perfect with the interior design.

Beverly Park pad

Beverly Park compound realtor.com

The couple didnt go far, and they scored a deal in the process. They upgraded to a much bigger property on 2.5 acres with almost double the square footage, at 11,000 square feet.

Amenities include a large living room, library, dining room, eat-in kitchen, and adjacent family room. The spread also features a home theater, wine cellar, and gym.

The sprawling grounds sport an infinity pool, sport court, lawns, a koi pond, and barbecue with pizza oven.

On and off the market since 2018, the posh property was once the most expensive new listing on realtor.com, at $42 million.

Following an initial lack of interest, the place received an interior refresh and the price was dropped to almost half the original ask. The couple appreciated the huge discount when they snapped up the gated property for $25.8 million.

Now that the deal is done on their initial foray in Beverly Hills, the couple can fully move on.

Joshua Altman with Douglas Elliman represented the seller. Steven Schaefer with Newmark Residential repped the buyer.

The post Justin Bieber Takes a Loss, Sells Beverly Hills Home for $8M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Posted Thursday, February 25, 2021 6:28 pm

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler has been censured by the Clark County Republican Party (CCRP) due to her vote for the impeachment of former president Donald Trump.

During a meeting of Republican precinct committee officers Feb. 23, the party voted close to unanimously to censure Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, withdrawing financial support for the congresswoman unless the party can be convinced otherwise during a future meeting. The resolution censuring Herrera Beutler took issue with the process of impeachment, stating that there were no formal hearings held, no quantifiable evidence presented, no witnesses sworn to give testimony, and no right to cross-examine the accusers.

The resolution stated that numerous Republicans in Clark County, the Third Congressional District, Washington state, and the United States had indicated they would no longer actively participate in the Republican Party, including precinct committee officer roles and financial contributions to campaigns, as long as Herrera Beutler is still in office.

With the passing of the resolution, the party will withhold any future political funding and support of all resources for Herrera Beutler unless the CCRP decides otherwise following an in-person explanation from the congresswoman during the partys May meeting.

Herrera Beutler was one of 10 House Republicans to vote in favor of impeachment, which was brought forth following the storming of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6 by supporters of the president.

The President of the United States incited a riot aiming to halt the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next, Herrera Beutler wrote in a social media post explaining her decision, noting five had died during the Capitol unrest. People everywhere watched in disbelief as the center of American democracy was assaulted.

The President's offenses, in my reading of the Constitution, were impeachable based on the indisputable evidence we already have, Herrera Beutler wrote.

The decision to censure Herrera Beutler was proposed by precinct committee officer Carolyn Crain. She said she had volunteered on Herrera Beutlers first campaign for Congress in 2010, and Ive stood by her all these years up until her impeachment vote.

She violated my trust, and it broke my heart, Crain said. I will not be dragged off this street without a Congressperson who will make sure that this deplorable, nondomestic terrorist has somebody in her corner.

In this resolution, we will be giving her more opportunity to address her accusers than she gave our president, Crain said.

No one spoke against the censure resolution, with those at the meeting laughing after CCRP Chair Joel Mattila asked if there were any nays. Only a handful of individuals were against the resolution by voice vote on the resolution.

The resolution also resolves that the CCRP will work with Republican Party chapters in other Third Congressional District counties, including Cowlitz, Lewis and south Thurston counties, among others, to vet and select a conservative Republican candidate to run in the 2022 race. Two such potential candidates were present at the party meeting, Joe Kent and Heidi St. John.

The party had previously denounced the frivolous impeachment of President Trump based on false pretenses and without due process, solely to further political agendas in a declaration made in January praising Trumps accomplishments in office. It stated that Herrera Beutlers vote directly violates our values of standing for truth and justice, adding her vote pushed fear-based narratives that were not representative of the Clark County Republican Party.

The Clark County Republican Women have also made a statement that was more direct than what the overall county GOP leadership provided at the time.

If you cast this vote to impeach, you will never receive our support or votes again at any time in the future, the statement read. Additionally, we will do everything in our power as the largest Republican Women's organization in Washington state to recruit and elect a conservative candidate who will represent our values.
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Alexandra Newman White and Joel Benzion Kuzniecky met in September 2014 on their first day at Fordham Law school in New York. They were randomly assigned seats next to each other in a property law class. They were both in Section 5.

A couple of weeks later, when she spotted him on a crowded Union Square subway platform around 7:30 a.m., she walked over.

Hey, youre in my class, she said, and then did most of the talking as they headed northbound to class.

He was the shy and mysterious kid who knew the answers to every question when cold called on, said Ms. White, 28, who graduated from Northwestern and is now a law clerk for Lori S. Sattler, a justice for the New York County Supreme Court in the first judicial district of New York.

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The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
File

On Thursday, to the surprise of nobody, the Central government told the Delhi High Court it is not in favour of allowing same-sex marriages in India. It was not surprising as the government has maintained even after the abolishing of Section 377 which made same-sex relations a crime that such couples will not be allowed to legally marry in India. Read more

Nodeep Kaur Gets Bail After 47 Days Since Arrest

BCCL

Navdeep Kaur, also known as Nodeep Kaur, is a 23-year-old Dalit activist and who was arrested on January 12 after a demonstration in front of metal-cutting firm Sharan Elecmech in Haryana's Kundli Industrial Area, has now been granted bail. The cluster where she was protesting is close to the Singhu border, where thousands of farmers' have been protesting Centre's contentious farm laws. Read more



Tigress Avni Killed On Court Orders, Says SC

Twitter

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to take action on a contempt plea filed against Maharashtra government officials for the killing of Avni, an adult tigress, reported Bar and Bench. The bench observed that the tigress was killed on the courts order, and allowed wildlife researcher Sangeet Dogra to withdraw her petition. The elusive tigress Avni or T1 was being hunted for allegedly killing and devouring 13 humans in the Pandharkawada- Ralegaon forests of Yavatmal district. Read more

Massive Explosives Recovery From Train In Kerala

ANI

According to a senior RPF official, explosives including 117 gelatin sticks and 350 detonators were found hidden beneath the seat of Ramani, a native of Tiruvannamalai, travelling from Chennai to Thalassery in Kannur district by the Chennai-Mangaluru superfast train. According to local media, the woman had initially denied knowledge about the bag, but later admitted she was going to Thalassery and was carrying the explosives to be used during the digging of wells. Read more

Bird That Wasn't Seen In 170 Years Reappears In Indonesia's Borneo

BCCL

Nature is shrouded in mysteries and even after all the explorations that humans have conducted over the years it continues to hold some secrets, that leave us at times surprised. In one such pleasant surprise a bird that was for well over one and a half-century, feared to have gone extinct has been rediscovered. The Black-browed Babbler was spotted in a rain forest in Borneo, Indonesia for the first time in over 170 years. Read more




World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appreciated India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "supporting vaccine equity." The WHO chief added he hoped that other countries should follow India's lead.

Tedros tweeted, "Thanks, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting vaccine equity. Your commitment to COVAX and sharing COVID-19 vaccine doses is helping 60+ countries start vaccinating their health workers and other priority groups. I hope other countries will follow your example."





Thanks YY & Prime Minister @narendramodi for supporting #VaccinEquity. Your commitment to #COVAX and sharing #COVID19 vaccine doses is helping 60+ countries start vaccinating their #healthworkers and other priority groups. I hope other countries will follow your example. a Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 25, 2021

Tedros took note of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts at supporting the global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO D-G had tweeted, "Thank you, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your continued support to the global COVID-19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods."

India has provided 361.94 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine to various countries. Out of these, 67.5 lakh have been provided as grant assistance whereas 294.44 lakh have been supplied on a commercial basis, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

India has supplied vaccines as gifts to countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Dominican Republic, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. India has supplied vaccines on a commercial basis to Africa, Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Myanmar, South Africa, and the UAE.

Besides this, locally-made vaccines have been administered to all members of the diplomatic corps and their families based in the country, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

With agency inputs; by Mehak Agarwal

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine: Brazil to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin

Also read: PLI for pharmaceuticals: 11 drug makers to produce bulk drugs under scheme
"Brunswick businesses have been highly impacted by COVID. We are hoping that both the micro-grant and the gift card initiative will give them a little relief. - Carmen Hilton, Brunswick Main Street Manager

Brunswick Main Streets Micro-Grant program received a major boost thanks to the Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative (MDSERI) administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Established in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this Micro-Grant is available to the states designated Main Street Maryland communities and aims to support those downtown businesses impacted by state-mandated closures, reduced foot traffic, and higher operating expenses. No match component or repayment is required of businesses. The first round of micro-grant funding, $11,000 in total, was distributed in 2020.

The MDSERI grant award gives the BMS Micro-Grant program an additional $114,082.75, allowing Brunswick Main Street to offer a second, even larger round, of funding. Funds will be divided equally among all applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and dispersed to awardees as soon as grant monies are received. The remaining $20,132.25 of the MDSERI award will be used to launch a downtown gift card program which will support downtown businesses through encouraging the community to shop local.

Carmen Hilton, Brunswicks Main Street Manager, thanks Governor Hogan, the Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative, and the DHCD for administering the grant. Brunswick businesses have been highly impacted by COVID. We are hoping that both the micro-grant and the gift card initiative will give them a little relief.

The award may be used for rent payments, mortgage payments, utilities, regular overhead costs, PPE, sanitation supplies/costs, technology necessary for continuity of operations and/or adapting business operations to respond to changes due to COVID-19 restrictions, and capital improvements needed to address COVID-19 restrictions/precautions.

Chairman of the Brunswick Main Street Board, Juliet Martorana, who wrote the MDSERI grant application, stresses, Whatever Brunswick Main Street can do to advocate for our downtown businesses, we will. Our mission is their health and the vitality of our historic city center.

The Micro-Grant application and eligibility requirements can be found at http://www.brunswickmainstreet.org

Brunswick Main Street is part of Main Street America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that supports communities in their efforts to revitalize struggling downtowns while retaining their unique, historic characters. Dedicated to the economic success of its downtown, Brunswick Main Street, created in 2004, works to show residents, visitors, and new businesses why Downtown Brunswick is a great place to live, work, shop, and play. To learn more about Brunswick Main Street and how you can get involved go to http://www.brunswickmainstreet.org.
Indian Air Force's (IAF) mission to bomb a terrorist hideout in Balakot, Pakistan, was codenamed 'Operation Bandar'. It's been two years since IAF conducted the Balakot Air Strike in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on February 14, 2019, to avenge the deadly Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

'Operation Bandar' was planned under utmost secrecy and most of the details were only known to the top planners, defence sources have revealed. The operation was so secret that the then Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa had made a classified telephonic call to Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser, about the success of the attack.

"Bandar Mara Gaya (the monkey has been killed)," ACM Dhanoa said in Hindi during his short call to NSA Doval, reported Hindustan Times. While Dhanoa made a similar call to then defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Research and Analysis Wing chief Anil Dhasmana. Doval also informed PM Modi about the success.

India termed the Balakot Air Strike an "intelligence-led, non-military, preemptive" operation, which targetted a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp run in Balakot. However, India didn't officially revealed that the Balakot airstrike was seen as a response to the Pulwama suicide attack.

Following a thumbs up from PM Modi, IAF's 12 Mirage-2000 fighter jets, along with some Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs, carried out the attack in the heart of Pakistan and destroyed the JeM camp before dawn on February 26, 2019. Flying in three separate formations, the IAF jets crossed the LoC and dropped Israeli-made Spice 2000 bombs on the terror facility in JeM terror camp with precision-guided missiles without getting detected by the Pakistani radars.

'Operation Bandar' capped days of rising tensions between India and Pakistan. It also pushed Delhi and Islamabad to the brink of an armed conflict with the Pakistan Air Force attempting retaliatory strikes on February 27, 2019. The IAF scrambled its fighter jets in response, leading to a rare dogfight between Indian and Pakistani jets.

Also Read: PLI for pharmaceuticals: 11 drug makers to produce bulk drugs under scheme

Also Read: FATF retains Pakistan in 'grey list' over terror funding, money laundering charges

Also Read: People over 45 yrs with co-morbidities will need doctor's certificate for COVID-19 vaccine
We commemorate memory of thousands of people who bravely protested Russia's disgraceful land-grab from Ukraine  UK Ambassador

On the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons said that she honors the memory of thousands of people who protested against the seizure of Ukrainian lands by the Russian Federation.

"Today Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea & Sevastopol. We commemorate the 1000s of people who bravely protested Russia's disgraceful land-grab from Ukraine, including those killed, injured and prosecuted for daring to say that CrimeaIsUkraine," Simmons wrote on her Twitter account on Friday.

In its turn, the Swiss embassy stressed that the country's position regarding the annexation of Crimea remains unchanged.

"Switzerland's position remains unwavering: The annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation constitutes an act contravening international law and the principle of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in particular. CrimeaIsUkraine," the Embassy said on Twitter.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are not only life-threatening at the time of the event, but they can also lead to secondary complications and loss of function in sensory and motor systems. Researchers at the University of Kentucky recently published a unique study focusing on SCIs in eNeuro. It is unique because it is the first to look at how genotype and sex differences in the human population may impact the response to treatment strategies for SCIs, for which there are currently no FDA-approved therapeutics.

Although many studies have previously examined treatment strategies that are effective at restoring function after experimental SCI, there is currently a lack of successful translation of these strategies from animal models to the SCI population. This led to the group's hypothesis that there may be factors in the human population, such as sex and genetic background which alter individuals' ability to respond positively to treatments.

Lydia Strattan, a graduate student in the UK Department of Neuroscience, says to address this they utilized spinally injured male and female mice that express the human APOE gene. "There are three versions of this gene and one version, known as e4, is infamous for being closely associated with the development of Alzheimer's Disease and negative outcomes after traumatic brain injury. However, APOE's impact on recovery after SCI has remained understudied. Therefore, we examined how the different variants of APOE influence the response to a promising therapeutic strategy known as intermittent hypoxia, which is currently in clinical trials for improving respiratory function after SCI. We found that both APOE genotype and sex impacted the manner in which spinally injured mice respond to intermittent hypoxia treatment."

Ultimately the study found that females who express the e4 allele of APOE have a negative response to intermittent hypoxia, indicating that treatment strategies may not be equally effective or beneficial for all individuals. This phenomenon could contribute to the historical difficulty of translating SCI therapeutics from the bench to the bedside.

When therapeutics are being tested pre-clinically, they are typically evaluated for efficacy in a very homogenous animal population. For example, rodent studies of SCI are often conducted in either males or femalesnot bothwith similar genetic backgrounds. Since the data from this new study shows that both sex and APOE genotype can influence how individuals respond to treatment strategies, they hope it emphasizes the importance of considering the diversity of the human population when developing treatments pre-clinically.

"Our results could help pave the way for personalized medicine in SCI and enhance the translational potential of treatments that improve functional recovery and, consequently, quality of life for injured individuals," Stratton says.

In addition to Strattan, several other researchers from the University of Kentucky contributed to the study including Daimen Britsch, Chris Calulot, Rachel Maggard, Erin Abner, Lance Johnson, and Warren Alilain. Their collaboration represented several groups including the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and the Department of Physiology.

The team believes the big takeaway from their work is that SCIs are highly variable injuries and the people who are living with SCIs are each unique individuals. Due to this they believe it is important to not only consider the type of injury, but also the sex and genetic background of the individuals when testing treatment strategies pre-clinically.

More information: Lydia E. Strattan et al. Novel influences of sex and APOE genotype on spinal plasticity and recovery of function after spinal cord injury, eNeuro (2021). Lydia E. Strattan et al. Novel influences of sex and APOE genotype on spinal plasticity and recovery of function after spinal cord injury,(2021). DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0464-20.2021
One of three men who demonstrated how not to commit a bank robbery has also proven he knows how to fumble an appeal of a criminal conviction.

Stanley Riddics ineptitude was outlined in an opinion by state Superior Court Senior Judge Eugene B. Strassburger III denying Riddics appeal of the 7- to 14-year prison term the Maryland man is serving for the poorly executed hold-up of a York County bank.

Stanley Riddic

Things did not go right for Riddic from the start.

York Area Regional Police responding to the September 2015 robbery located the robbers rented getaway car almost immediately and boxed it in. Riddic and his accomplices were found crouched down between the cars seats, covered in ink from the exploding dye pack the tellers had included with the cash.

Police said Riddic, now 36, asked them to extend his apology to the tellers.

Riddic was tried in absentia when he didnt show up for his May 2017 trial. County President judge Maria Musti Cook went ahead with the trial after authorities were unable to verify Riddics claim that he didnt appear because he was injured in a car crash.

The state judges denied Riddics self-filed appeal after Strassburger discounted what he called Riddics vague claims that his attorney was ineffective.

In fact, Strassburger found the appeal to be quite a mess. It was devoid of any factual references, the state judge wrote, and contained a jumbled recitation of the law.

Riddics single-sentence arguments fail to provide any meaningful discussion or reasoned development of his issues, Strassburger wrote. As we will not develop (Riddics) arguments for him, we deem these issues to be waived.

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The fresh Labour Code is burdening foreign employers in Vietnam with new insurance payments for part-time employees.

Advanced labour code dismaying foreign employers. -- Illustration photo

As soon as the new law came into force in early January, a great number of employers, especially foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), displayed their dissatisfaction with Article 32.3 which stipulated that part-time employees shall be entitled to receive rights and obligations equal to those of full-time employees, including in equal opportunities, safety, and hygienic working environments.

In other words, employers have to fulfil insurance fees for part-time employees, said Mai Duc Thien, deputy director-general of the Department of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

Speaking at a workshop about the Labour Code last month, hundreds of FIEs voiced that the total cost they pay for labourers has now increased greatly as a result of the changes. Those include the on-year growing minimum wage, subsidies, and health and social insurance, among others.

Thus, paying insurance for part-time labourers will increase the cost burden for FIEs in Vietnam, said Tran Nguyen Trung, director at Japanese-backed recruitment consultants I-GLOCAI.

Early this month, Hoang Xuan Hiep, a member of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association and owner of a garment facility employing dozens of part-time workers, said that the cost for businesses will be higher if paying insurance for labourers who work fewer hours than full-time labourers.

Increasing costs are seen as inappropriate at this time as many businesses like us are struggling to cope with COVID-19, said Hiep.

Vietnamese labour costs have been a concern for many businesses, especially FIEs, despite the nations perceived advantage of low-cost labour. Speaking at a webinar about the law last month, Thiet Nguyen, director of Management Consulting at PwC, said that the minimum wage in Vietnam has constantly increased over the years. In the 2006-2015 period, the sum grew as much as four times. Annually, the wage on average increases by 6-10 per cent.

Nguyen added that one of the things businesses need to be aware of is the high insurance contribution. Employers currently pay 21.5 per cent of labourers social insurance, much higher than other regional countries such as Malaysias 13 per cent, the Philippines 10 per cent, Indonesia at 8 per cent, and Thailand at 5 per cent, he said.

Working part-time roles is very popular in Vietnam. Over the years, a large number of FIEs such as Lotte, McDonalds, KFC, and Shopee have constantly recruited part-time employees, reflecting the high demand for such positions. Data published by job listing site vn.indeed.com showed that the monthly number of available part-time positions on their site was at around 30,000. According to the MoLISA, as of mid-2020, part-time workers occupy 8.5 per cent of the total labour force in Vietnam.

The main beneficiaries of such part-time jobs are students and those who have yet to find full-time roles. Most of them may also be unfamiliar with their rights in regards to insurance or labour contracts.

They hire me for serving drinks for about four hours per day with the wage of VND30,000 ($1.30) per hour, said Nguyen Thi My, a 21-year-old student at Hanoi University who is working at a cafe. That is basically all the information I have about my current job.

Sam Luong, a former student at the Foreign Trade University, also shared, I worked as a teacher at an English language centre for nearly two years. During that time, I never signed any labour contract or received any rights similar to full-time jobs.

Luong said that most people she knows who are working part-time assume that the jobs are temporary, so they do not care too much about rights or benefits. And most employers, of course, always do their best to cut costs. If part-time workers like us were entitled to more insurance benefits, our job-related risks would be reduced significantly, she added.

Commenting on the change in the new law, Colin Blackwell, chairman of the HR Committee at the Vietnam Business Forum, said that improving local labourers rights and benefits on par with international standards is necessary. However, in some cases, those might lower the ability of employers because the businesses are already struggling to ensure appropriate human resources in Vietnam.

The biggest problem with finding quality staff in Vietnam are educational certificates. Companies currently have to spend too much time trying to retrain people, Blackwell said.

The amended Labour Code, which was approved last year, officially came into force in January 2021. Its adjustments are a step towards complying with international labour standards particularly as the country more deeply joins the global economy as noted by the International Labour Organization. In comparison with the previous versions, the latest code has some improvements, especially terms stipulating the role of labourers in the modern economy where remote work and freelancers have become popular. Pointedly, an employment contract in the form of electronic data conformable with electronic transaction laws shall have the same value as that of a physical contract, following the laws Article 14. The Labour Code also has some adjustments in working hours of employees. While the working hour limit remains the same at 48 hours per week, the new law states that normal working hours cannot exceed eight hours a day or 48 hours per week. Notwithstanding, if the employer and employee agree on an overtime deal, the overtime cannot surpass 12 hours a day, 40 hours a month, and 200 hours a year. For industries such as textile and clothing, footwear, and electronics in which seasonal orders during certain times of the year require an extensive workload, an overtime cap of 300 hours has been specified. Additionally, employees will be able to immediately terminate a contract for mistreatment, pregnancy, or if the employer fails to pay salary on time.

VIR

NA adopts revised Labour Code, adding holiday and allowing independent unions The National Assembly (NA) yesterday morning voted on the amended labour code with changes to the national holidays and labour practices, after months of heated debate among workers, employers and experts.
In a webinar hosted by the BroadReach Group, global and African health experts came together to share challenges and solutions around mass Covid-19 immunisation across Africa.

Three ways to access vaccines

The WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi) Gavi Covax initiative, the fastest route, pooled demand to accelerate manufacturing and ensured enough supply for 20% of Africas population

The African Unions Africa Vaccine Allocation Task Team (Avatt) which was securing 670-million doses for Africa

Countries bilateral agreements with vaccine manufacturers

South African programme

Herd immunity

The major challenges for 2021 includes inequitable Covid-19 vaccine distribution between rich and poor, different viral variants, and vaccine hesitancy, says Dr Tim Mastro, chief science officer at FHI 360.Massive advances in vaccine science over the past year offered hope, but the global community needed to learn from its mistakes with inequitable HIV care access 20 years ago, as well as the advances made in ever-evolving annual influenza vaccinations.If we do things right with research and investment for Covid vaccines, we could have greatly improved vaccines down the road. One vision would be that we have universal vaccines for all coronaviruses and flus - thats something vaccine science can deliver," he says.Responding to international research findings that only three out of four people were willing to be vaccinated, FHI 360 developed a simple three-step guide to help health authorities win public trust for their vaccine programmes.There were three ways in which African countries could access vaccines, says Dr Phionah Atuhebwe, a public health specialist and new vaccination medical officer with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Region.Atuhebwe said equitable distribution, national regulations, population targeting and vaccine hesitancy were the four greatest barriers to vaccine distribution and acceptance in Africa. Countries had to explore emergency use authorisation avenues, and adopt detailed national vaccine deployment plans which included details such as their target populations, vaccination schedules, chains of command, provisions for special import permits and indemnity agreements with manufacturers, so that they could do crucial micro-planning.The South African National Department of Health is in talks with all the major vaccine providers, and its advisory committee was reviewing the efficacy and practicalities of all vaccines in the context of the SA variant and other factors such as HIV prevalence, says the department's deputy director-general Dr Anban Pillay.The government had national committees for vaccine selection, rollout, distribution, administration and communications, and consulted with stakeholders in the private and public sectors, associations of professionals, labour unions and civil society.The South African government prioritised choosing vaccines that would be effective against the South African variant and prevent hospitalisations and mortality. His department also prioritised communicating with the public in non-science language to increase vaccine trust and acceptance.Pillay is adamant about the importance of electronic data management to monitor supply, vaccine uptake and coverage, and adverse events - a vital tool that was not available during previous pandemics.Dr Ernest Darkoh, co-founder of BroadReach, Schwab Foundation board member says achieving herd immunity quickly was a massive logistical feat that required pragmatic micro-planning. This entailed proper cold chain and storage management, ensuring that vaccines were handled and prepared timeously and correctly, that staff arrived early enough to prepare vaccines before patients arrived, that patients arrived on schedule, that syringes were safely disposed of, and that proper electronic records were kept along every step of the process so that rollouts could be managed well on the macro and micro levels.The Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC) target of 780-million vaccinations over the next 12 months would require 3.5-million doses a day for a single dose, or seven-million a day for a double dose. A vast number of factors have to go right for that to work.We need countries to urgently invest in integrated digital and data solutions early on, and not when they are already in crisis mode, in the worst heat of the fire. Paper causes major issues.Essentially, were not developing all of these things just for Covid - we need it for all diseases. We need a global control tower approach. Dont make COVID another vertical disease program, use it as an opportunity to improve all major healthcare systems for the future.
A NATIONAL school principal has told of how "utter fear and trepidation" consumed her after a masked raider held a screwdriver to her throat during an armed robbery at a Co Longford school last year.

Orla Egan told a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court this afternoon of the moments which led up to an incident at St Joseph's National School, Dublin Road, Longford on August 27, 2020.

Ms Egan said she had called a meeting of the school's board of management in a bid to devise a Covid-19 response plan to the ongoing public health emergency.

James Cranny (38), Meadow Crest, Boyle, Co Roscommon pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery, attempted robbery and the production of a screwdriver.

"I didn't know what he was going to do next," said Ms Egan, as it was also revealed the accused was in the possession of a pair of "Utter fear and trepidation engulfed me. Mr Cranny had the capacity to inflict serious injury."

The court also heard victim impact statements from three other members of the board including from local solicitor and board chairman Frank Gearty.

The court heard Mr Gearty had a total of 135 taken from him on the evening in question after Mr Cranny stormed into the building shouting: "This is not a joke, I want 800."

A further 100 was taken from fellow board member Beatrice Shanley who said she had struggled to move on from the events of August 27 last.

"I can never erase the horror of our principal's face as she realised what was happening" she said.

Mr Cranny, who has over 140 previous convictions, read out letters of apology to each of his alleged victims, including local priest Fr James McKiernan.

"I will forever regret and I am sorry for what I done," he said. "I never meant to harm anybody. I wish it didn't happen. I just hope in the future you will be able to move on with your lives."

Senior Counsel for the defence, Dara Foynes said her client was someone who had endured a "wretched" life and had been in and out of prison most of his adult life.

"His second home has been Mountjoy Prison," she said, adding Mr Cranny was "out of it" having consumed almost 80 sleeping and valium tablets before he was found sitting on a wall moments after the incident.

Judge Keenan Johnson described the incident as an "appalling" act against a vulnerable set of volunteers who are the "unsung heroes" of the State's education system.

Mr Cranny was remanded in custody until next Thursday, March 4 when sentencing is expected to be finalised.


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As the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the country last year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched an Emmy-winning daytime television show, using his daily briefings to channel the nation's grief, showcase how he was taking charge and share the secrets of his family's spaghetti dinners. He published a best-selling book about his leadership, saw his state approval numbers rise to 66% and repeatedly denied any interest in the next logical step: running for president.

Now, cases of covid-19 in his state are receding, and so are the glory days of Cuomo's third term as governor.

A former adviser has accused him of sexual harassment, fellow Democrats are publicly condemning what they describe as bullying backroom behavior, and federal investigators are probing the state's handling of nursing home data amid allegations that Cuomo's administration withheld the extent of deaths caused by the virus.

The sudden shift in fortunes for Cuomo, which has potentially clouded what looked to be an easy reelection campaign next year, comes as an abrupt turnabout for those who first encountered the governor during his daily news conferences. He was widely praised for offering the country the sort of strong leadership many saw missing from the White House under President Donald Trump. The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences gave him an Emmy for "his masterful use of television to inform and calm people around the world." He even welcomed the term "Cuomosexual" used by some of his online fans.

But for those steeped in New York politics, little is surprising about the recent turn of events, save perhaps how many people have publicly turned against the governor. The rough edges Cuomo once sold as an asset - "My natural instinct is to be aggressive," he wrote in his last book - are now emerging as a liability.

"This is not just an aggressive politician. This is someone who has a narrative, and if you do not publicly agree with that narrative, he will threaten you," said Monica Klein, a liberal activist who previously worked for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, a fierce rival of the governor. "What that means is dissent is silenced."

Aides to Cuomo have denied the sexual harassment allegation and defended his administration's handling of nursing home data.

"New Yorkers know it was the Governor who worked night and day to get them through the worst of this pandemic and, from the strongest gun safety laws in the nation to a $15 minimum wage and free college tuition, he has a nationally significant record of progressive accomplishments that Washington is trying to match," Rich Azzopardi, a senior adviser to Cuomo, said in a statement.

But public dissent is now spreading through New York political circles - and notably within Cuomo's own party - as a growing number of rising politicians calculate that they can succeed without the help of the governor's machine. Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Democrat, of Queens, who has been critical of Cuomo's handling of nursing home data, said the governor threatened to "destroy" him earlier this month if he did not retract his comments.

Cuomo's advisers denied Kim's description of the call, and Cuomo attacked the lawmaker personally, suggesting at a news conference that Kim had improperly raised money from small businesses in his district whose legislative priorities he supported.

Kim has denied any impropriety and repeated his account of the call from Cuomo during an appearance on ABC's "The View." Other Democrats, including de Blasio, spoke up to defend Kim and condemn Cuomo's conduct.

"The bullying is nothing new," de Blasio said in an appearance last week on MSNBC.

Several people close to the governor described him as privately frustrated - and wanting to punch back against his critics - even as his team tries to tamp down stories about the various crises. A number of lawmakers, advocates and other political strategists in New York spoke on the condition of anonymity Thursday out of fear of Cuomo and because the full scope of the nursing home investigation and the extent of the sexual harassment allegations are unclear.

"The governor's reaction has elevated this into a national story. Ron Kim gets on 'The View' and on CNN, and it's self-inflicted," a person close to the governor said. "We have to get those kinds of people back on the fringes."

A second adviser in touch with a number of Cuomo administration officials said: "People feel like they are under siege from all sides. Who knows what's coming next?"

The governor sees the nursing home problem as more of a political one than a legal one, according to two advisers. And Cuomo remains in fairly strong standing among Democrats in recent polls, and no clear primary challenger has emerged to take him on.

"If the vaccine keeps getting out there, and the weather gets warm and people go outside, and businesses start opening up and people feel good about it, he will get credit, and his numbers will go up," said Josh Vlasto, his former chief of staff.

Still, that task has been complicated by the sexual harassment claims of a former aide, Lindsey Boylan, a Democratic candidate for Manhattan borough president, who alleges that Cuomo suggested a game of strip poker once when she flew with him on a plane and kissed her on the mouth on another occasion without consent. She also produced an email from another Cuomo aide documenting that the governor said she looked like the "better looking sister" of someone he was rumored to have dated.

A Cuomo spokeswoman said in a statement Wednesday that "Ms. Boylan's claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false."

Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Democrat, of Queens has called for an independent investigation of the harassment claims. A group of former legislative staffers from Albany, who formed a working group to combat workplace harassment in politics, has echoed that call.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading Democrat in New York, called the sexual assault allegations "extraordinarily serious" and said in an interview with CBS on Thursday that they deserved to be investigated, along with the "nursing home situation that's unfolding."

The Democratic-led legislature is contemplating a removal of the broad emergency powers that Cuomo won at the start of the pandemic, after New York Attorney General Letitia James released a report last month that found the state had understated the nursing home deaths from covid-19 by nearly 50%. The state had previously not publicly accounted for the deaths of nursing home residents who were transferred to hospitals before dying, she reported.

A top aide to Cuomo, Melissa DeRosa, told state legislators this month that the full data had not been released after a request for it from the Justice Department and a fear that the Trump administration would politicize the numbers.

"Basically, we froze," said DeRosa, according to a transcript of her remarks to lawmakers.

Cuomo has privately defended DeRosa, who is viewed as his top aide and most fierce protector, and has told others she will remain in her job, according to two people close to Cuomo.

Steven Cohen, a former top aide and current ally, released a statement Thursday defending the Cuomo administration's handling of nursing homes amid the pandemic. He also defended the decision to not release the full mortality data out of concern that Trump would use it politically.

"Even a casual observer would be entitled to conclude that the motivation for the DOJ request was political and had all the hallmarks of 'a game of gotcha,' " Cohen wrote. He said the state had ultimately shared the requested information with the Justice Department.

The governor's advisers have said that the administration is cooperating with the federal investigation.

Cuomo had argued for months, including in his October book, that New York had performed better than 45 other states in its percentage of nursing home deaths - a claim that relied on numbers that Cuomo now admits were incomplete.

"I didn't hold back any information because I thought it was too difficult or frightening," Cuomo also wrote in his book, a claim that has now been called into question. "It's not my place to filter or edit the truth."

Those words could come back to haunt him in a reelection campaign. Several advisers said Cuomo was determined to write a book early in the pandemic, even as some expressed concern that cases would rise again this fall.

The governor said Feb. 15 that the delay in releasing the full nursing home death numbers had been "a mistake" that had created a "void" of public information.

In July, 72% approved of his handling of the pandemic, and that has dropped to 54% now, according to a Marist College poll this month. His overall approval rating has dropped to 49%, according to the poll. The polling was conducted before Boylan publicly detailed her sexual harassment claims against the governor.

The nursing home issue has clearly contributed to the drop, with 41%of New Yorkers in the poll saying he had done something unethical but not illegal in his handling of the issue. An additional 19% believed he had done something illegal.

"This is reverting back to his pre-pandemic numbers, back in the 40s, where he's been," said Lee Miringoff, who leads the college's polls. "His handling of the economy is right side up, his handling of the pandemic is right side up, and people still see him as a good leader. It's just the numbers have come precipitously down since his record numbers in July."

Cuomo remains in a relatively strong place inside the party, however, with about half of Democrats saying he deserves reelection and no clear primary rival. He has been moving to shore up support with African American leaders in Queens and Brooklyn, advisers said.

But the current damage-control effort is a far cry from the self-congratulatory tone Cuomo embraced last year. A poster his administration released in July - sold to voters for $11.50 including shipping - cast the spring hospitalization curve as an island mountain festooned with his own inspirational and comforting quotes.

"Wake up America! Forget the Politics, Get Smart," he quoted himself saying at the top of the poster.

Last year, in awarding Cuomo a special Emmy for his daily press briefings, the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences president, Bruce Paisner, said Cuomo's covid briefings "worked so well because he effectively created television shows, with characters, plotlines, and stories of success and failure."

Now that celebrity is turning against him. People magazine, which anointed him one of the sexiest men alive (over 50 category) in 2010, has been covering Boylan's claims. Even NBC's "Saturday Night Live" devoted its cold open on Saturday to mocking Cuomo's bullying behavior.

President Joe Biden, who had previously praised Cuomo's handling of the pandemic, has been silent as scandals have enveloped the governor. White House press secretary Jen Psaki repeatedly declined to say in an interview Sunday whether Biden still considered Cuomo "the gold standard," as Biden once referred to him.

"I'm not here to give new labels or names from the president," Psaki said on ABC News's "This Week."
When spectacular mountain views are available, nearby homes almost always feature an abundance of windows to soak in the vistas.

However, this property in Montana heads in a completely opposite direction. These four homes have no windows at allthey're completely underground.

The quartet of below-ground homes sit beneath 10.6 acres in Paradise Valley near Emigrant, MT, just north of Yellowstone National Park.

Listed for $1.75 million, the earth-sheltered homes were originally built as fallout shelters. They offer all the amenities a comfortable residence requiresalbeit with curved walls.

Views of Montana Theresa Lunn

Entrances Theresa Lunn

Entrance Theresa Lunn

Three of out of the four homes measure in at about 2,500 square feet, and each features multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces.

The fourth home is significantly larger, with space to accommodate a crowd looking for a real escape.

The largest one has several bunk rooms, so you could have more than a couple people in there, says the listing agent, Theresa Lunn.

Each boasts a basement for food and supplies storage and to house all of the mechanicals.

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Watch: Live Outside the Box in This Cool Cubic Condo

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The earth keeps the houses at a constant 50 to 55 degrees and to increase the temperature as needed, each home is equipped with its own HVAC and ventilation system.

It never feels musty in there with the air circulation system. It always smells fresh, Lunn says.

Exterior Theresa Lunn

Kitchen Theresa Lunn

Kitchen Theresa Lunn

Game room Theresa Lunn

Bedroom Theresa Lunn

Each home comes with its own kitchen, complete with appliances.

Once youre in there, theyre comfortable. Its just like youre in a house, Lunn explains. You walk down hallways, but then you just you walk into a kitchen that you think is your mom's kitchena great area, bedrooms, very nice bathrooms.

One house features a pool table in the rec room.

The current owner is a builder and is willing to sweeten the deal for a buyer who might be interested in buying the land and the underground homes.

He would put a very nice [above-ground] home for an extra $240,000 onto the list price. Underneath the house, it would have a discrete entrance into shelter No. 4, Lunn explains. The additional house has not been built. He is offering that as a buyer package, if someone wanted that."

Hallway Theresa Lunn

Bedroom Theresa Lunn

Interior Theresa Lunn

The Paradise Valley area is known for its outdoor activities.

It's arguably one of the most beautiful places in the U.S., for sure. It's a huge mecca for fly fishermen, Lunn says, adding hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and horseback riding are also popular.

Its a great spot for vacation rentals, Lunn says, adding that renting an underground home could offer a unique allure for guests. If you bought this, you could live in it and still rent it out. It's also a great retreat possibility.

Bathroom Theresa Lunn

Storage Theresa Lunn

Entrance Theresa Lunn

Lunn says buyers have shown an interest in the propertyranging from those in search of a sustainable property, to folks who desire the ultimate in protection.

The agent says she doesnt like to use the term "preppers," because of the negative connotations attached to the term. But she acknowledges that that is basically what people do when they store supplies in underground bunkers.

If our great-grandparents didnt prep, none of us would be here, she says. Its just being prepared.

Mechanicals Theresa Lunn

Mechanicals Theresa Lunn

Mechanicals Theresa Lunn

Mechanicals Theresa Lunn

The homes are currently attached to the electrical grid, but could be unhooked if a buyer decided to rely on the property's own generators for power.

As in the case of most fallout shelters, the entrance to each home is through a thick door. Upon entry, the hallway takes a turn at a right angle.

Any bunker worth its salt has to have those 90-degree turns, because nuclear and chemical material can't go around [corners], Lunn explains. That's really one of those tips of the trade for guys that are building bunkers.

Lunn stresses these are regular homes where people would be very comfortable living or vacationing.

"[Theyre not] some kind of freaky, end-of-the-world, zombie-apocalypse whatever. There is a lot of need for this type of property."

Hallway Theresa Lunn

Entrance Theresa Lunn

Kitchen Theresa Lunn

Bedroom Theresa Lunn

Storage Theresa Lunn

The post Underground Compound of 4 Fallout Shelters in Montana Awaits Buyer To Burrow In appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Some 37 vaccination centres are to be set up around the country (PA)

The boss of the Health Service Executive said staff are working night and day to ensure mass vaccination centres are ready for the surge in vaccine supplies.

Paul Reid said there are currently 6,500 people trained in the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

A national recruitment campaign is currently under way to bring in more staff ahead of a significant ramp-up in vaccines.

The HSE chief executive said the rollout is based on supply, and that every vaccine is being delivered.

Vaccines teach your immune system how to protect you from diseases. A #COVID19 vaccine will offer you protection from COVID-19.aFor factual, expert information you can trust, visit: ahttps://t.co/fCS9k9xnGl

a

#CovidVaccine #HoldFirm pic.twitter.com/AtkgCTUj6o  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) February 26, 2021

Around 100,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines are expected to be delivered this week  its highest to date.

The Department of Health said that plans are being put in place to vaccinate one million people a month from April.

We have put a lot of preparation plans in place, both in terms of the various locations that we have and the significant recruitment campaign, Mr Reid told RTE.

The Government aims to have administered first doses to 40% of people over the age of 18 by the end of April, 64% by the end of May and up to 82% of adults by the end of June.

Some 37 vaccination centres are to be set up around the country, with an aim of having one in every county.

As of February 22nd, 359,616 doses of #COVID19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:



a226,291 people have received their first dose

a133,325 people have received their second dose  Department of Health (@roinnslainte) February 25, 2021

Mr Reid said on Friday that there has been a ramping up of resources to get the vaccination centres ready.

We have seen the use of vaccination centres, like the use of the Helix last week in DCU with more than 1,000 vaccinations by 100 GPs.

Up to 5,000 people are being vaccinated a day in these centres.

We have been working night and day to put these preparations in place, this is a great motivator for us in the healthcare teams and staff who are working on something really positive  everyone has galvanised behind this.

To date, we are in an exciting place in vaccinating the over-70s.

People have made huge sacrifices, particularly since December and we don't want to lose the progress we have made Paul Reid, HSE

Mr Reid also urged the public to continue following the Level 5 restrictions.

People have made huge sacrifices, particularly since December and we dont want to lose the progress we have made, he added.

All the indicators are going at the right direction, but it is still at a high base.

Mr Reid said that one in four close contacts are testing positive for Covid-19.

There are currently 574 patients in hospital with Covid-19, with 136 people in ICU.

Meanwhile, Dr Cillian De Gascun, director of the UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, said that the B1525 variant found in Nigeria is of concern.

One case of the variant has been found in the east of Ireland and is associated with travel, Dr De Gascun told RTE.

We know that this variant B1525 accounts for just over 20% of cases in Nigeria, thats based on the publicly available sequence data, and I think it is probably slightly different to the variants we have become used to over the last few weeks.

Theres a couple of things when we look at in a new variant  we know it is a mutation of concern as its got changes in its spike protein that may have an impact on vaccine effectiveness.

In contrast to variants reported in the UK, South Africa and Brazil, this one hasnt yet become dominant in Nigeria or anywhere, so it doesnt appear to be more transmissible but we are concerned based on the fact that it has those changes that might have an impact on vaccine response.




"What I have always been clear about and thought is that when the moment comes, and it has come, I would be free. This is the battle I have fought throughout this time. It is not that I want to die or make statements justifying death but, on the contrary, continue until the last chapter of my life, with the way I think, with the way I develop, as I have always done, taking my own decisions," she told RPP radio and TV station.





Estrada who has an irreversible terminal disease that keeps her in bed with artificial respiration demands authorities to allow her make use of assisted dying, given that it is impossible for her to have a dignified life.





This desire was fulfilled by the Ombudsman's Office, through a protective action, which made its first pronouncement on Thursday.





"I feel that a great door has been opened for me (...) that I am being told 'you are the owner of your body, of your decisions, of your life.' The fact of recognizing that I have a right over my life is a great achievement. There are many people who are still unable to understand it, who say 'well, if she wants to die, let her die;' but they did not understand that it is a right," she added.





The Eleventh Constitutional Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice of Lima ordered the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) to respect Estrada's decision to end her life through the technical procedure of euthanasia, with the assistance of a doctor who would administer a drug (orally or intravenously) or perform a medical procedure to that end.





The court stipulates that Article 112 of the current Criminal Code shall not be applied in the case of Ana Estrada, so those who assist her throughout the process will not be prosecuted as long as it is practiced in an institutional manner and subject to the control of legality and during the time and opportunity stated by her, as she cannot do it herself.





(END) DOP/SRE/RMB/MVB

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Activist Ana Estrada said she feels free, owner of her body and rights, after been informed of the decision of the Eleventh Constitutional Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice of Lima, which ordered the Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) to respect her decision to end her life through the technical procedure of euthanasia Publicado: 25/2/2021
On Monday, West Virginias upper legislative chamber passed a bill which changes state law, outlawing work stoppages and other collective action by public employees. The measure threatens that participation in a concerted work stoppage can be used to terminate workers.

The bill is not just retribution for the massive statewide strikes of 201819, but is aimed at intimidating workers, and particularly educators, who are becoming increasingly radicalized and opposed to the deadly reopening of schools and nonessential workplaces. The passage of the bill directly followed the announcement by Republican Governor Jim Justice that schools will fully reopen for in-person instruction starting next month.

Striking West Virginia teachers in 2018 (WSWS Media)

While public work stoppages in West Virginia have been forbidden based upon interpretations of previous court rulings, Senate Bill 11, passed by a margin of 2112, would make such actions illegal by definition. The bill, which has yet to go to the state House of Delegates for ratification, declares: Public employees in West Virginia have no right, statutory or otherwise, to engage in collective bargaining, mediation or arbitration, and any work stoppage or strike by public employees is hereby declared unlawful.

The bill targets teachers specifically, cynically claiming that a work stoppage in education poses a serious disruption to the thorough and efficient system of free schools, guaranteed to the children of West Virginia by section one, article XII of the Constitution of West Virginia. The bill was introduced on the three-year anniversary of the massive West Virginia teacher strike that erupted in 2018 .

The bill attacks a local superintendents right to close schools in anticipation of a work stoppage. This is a response to events in the 2018 teachers strike, when superintendents closed classes as teachers walked out, in many cases supporting their demands. It also bans extracurricular activities during a strike, in an attempt to pit students and parents against educators.

Most significantly, the bill forbids alternate instruction methods, such as allowing teachers to work remotely, a clear response to educators widespread refusal to report for class in-person as the pandemic has raged on.

A related bill, House Bill 2536, would require county board[s] to withhold pay of assigned employees when school [is] closed temporarily due to concerted work stoppage or strike.

The raft of anti-teacher legislation is part of a one-two punch in the ruling class drive toward a full economic reopening in the state of West Virginia. It follows Governor Justices demand last week that all pre-K-through 8th grade classes reopen for daily in-person instruction by March. Last Friday, Justice declared that the governors mansion would loosen pandemic-related restrictions related to indoor dining, public gatherings and other protocols immediately.

On Tuesday, one day after the state senate passed SB 11, the state Board of Education (BoE) held a special meeting to unanimously ratify the governors plan to return pre-K through 8th grade students to in-person classes no later than March 3. The BoE cited the politically-driven Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance published this month which declares that students may study in-person at any level of viral transmission.

The states top coronavirus official, Dr. Clay Marsh, claimed that school transmission was not closely tied to community transmission rates, deceitfully calling schools among the safest places for our children.

The policy acknowledges that high school students transmit the virus at rates similar to adults, and allows grades 912 [to] remain with blended instruction if the infection rate in the community is high. Schools with widespread family requests to remain online must apply for waivers from the ordinance. Meanwhile, the plan grudgingly allows schools tasked with educating students both online and in-person to request a four-day week to allow a single day to plan online curricula.

As of Wednesday, the state of West Virginia has recorded over 130,000 COVID-19 cases and 2,285 deaths. While community spread has lowered significantly since last month, when 54 out of the 55 state counties were designated in the red tier with high positivity rates, it is highly doubtful that case loads will remain stable with a full in-person reopening, given that the new and more transmissible variants of COVID-19 are spreading throughout the region.

The intervention of the West Virginia state legislature is a direct response to the growth of working class opposition to the reopening of in-person classes throughout the United States and internationally in the midst of the pandemic. The broadside against the West Virginia teachers is clearly a measure of the capitalists nervousness that any let-up in the bipartisan drive to reopen the economy may provoke an onslaught of pent-up opposition which threatens to break free of the trade union bureaucracies vice grip and ignite a broad-based movement of the entire working class.

It comes in the aftermath of a near-strike in Chicago earlier this month and the ongoing mass opposition of Philadelphia and Los Angeles teachers to the resumption of in-person learning.

West Virginia teachers have been preemptively singled out due to their heroic nine-day strike in 2018 in defiance of a back-to-work order, as well as a subsequent strike against the privatizing of education in 2019. The 2018 strike, which was launched despite opposition from the state teachers unions, ignited an international wave of opposition from teachers and school workers on several continents in response to decades of reactionary policies meant to dismantle public education and attacks on the working class more broadly.

The West Virginia senators, who sanctimoniously claim that striking teachers are depriving students of an education, are only continuing the general corporate and political onslaught against the working population, even as they stuff their pockets with the money slashed from school budgets and gutted work safety programs .

For their part, the West Virginia Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia have failed to mobilize educators against the return to deadly workplaces, just as they forced through a betrayal of the demands for full funding of health care in 2018 and allowed the opening of charter schools.

Instead of mobilizing the strength of the working class to demand all-remote learning until the pandemic is contained, the unions have filed a series of legal maneuvers, restraining orders and the like, which have done nothing to prevent the governor and state BoE from returning educators to the classroom.

As with all expressions of working class opposition, the union worked to isolate and strangle these struggles while selling false promises that the election of teacher candidates or Democrats would defend them.

On Monday, this fantasy was refuted when Amy Nichole Grady, a Republican state senator and former teacherwho had recently won election over the notoriously right-wing and anti-teacher senator Mitch Carmichaelsupported SB 11 and voted to outlaw teachers right to strike.

In order to advance a struggle against the homicidal reopening of schools, teachers should join and build the network of rank-and-file safety committees, independent of the pro-corporate trade unions and the Democrats and Republicans.

These committees have been established in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Chicago, New York City, Alabama, Texas, California and a growing number of cities and states across the US and internationally. They fight to link the struggles of educators with all other workers in order to shut down all schools and nonessential workplaces, while demanding the provision of full economic support to all workers affected. This must be coupled with expanded resources to fight the pandemic and provide high quality aid to families sheltering at home. Sign up today to take up this struggle !
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I saw a lot of people dead on the street, says Ayana*, a 21-year-old resident of Axum, a small town in Ethiopias northern Tigray region.

Ayana managed to flee when state troops and government-backed forces fighting in the Tigray war descended on Axum in November last year.

But hundreds of other locals were not so fortunate. Even my uncles family, Ayana adds. Six of his family members were killed. So many people were killed.

With phone lines cut and journalists banned from setting foot in Tigray, the atrocities occurred largely in the shadows.

Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for making peace with neighbouring Eritrea, had announced the fighting while the rest of the world focused on the US election.

He has repeatedly denied the presence of foreign troops in Ethiopia or that they are being used against his own people. He also claims no civilians were killed. But evidence to the contrary is growing as communication with the region slowly resumes.

The killings left Axum's streets and cobblestone plazas strewn with bodies. "All we could see on the streets were dead bodies and people crying," said one man, who had fled the town but returned after the shooting stopped.

Among the dead were Christians who had raced to The Church of St Mary of Zion, where worshippers believe the Ark of the Covenant  a wooden casket which is said to have been built to hold Moses's Ten Commandments  is housed.

The mass killings came just before the annual celebration of Aksum Tsion Mariam, a major Ethiopian Orthodox Christian festival on 30 November, compounding the trauma by casting a pall over an annual event that draws many pilgrims and tourists to the sacred city.

On 19 November, Ethiopian and Eritrean military forces took control of Axum in a large-scale offensive.

According to witnesses spoken to by Amnesty International, the Eritrean troops unleashed the worst of the violence on 28 to 29 November.

The onslaught came directly after a small band of pro-Tigray Peoples Liberation Front militiamen attacked the soldiers' base on Mai Koho mountain on the morning of 28 November.

The militiamen were armed with rifles and supported by residents brandishing improvised weapons  including sticks, knives and stones. One man, who wanted to bring food to the militia, said Eritrean troops fired at random.

The Eritrean soldiers were trained but the young residents didnt even know how to shoot...a lot of the [local] fighters started running away and dropped their weapons," he says.

"The Eritrean soldiers came into the city and started killing randomly, he adds.

Other witnesses said they could easily identify the Eritrean forces. They drove vehicles with Eritrean registration plates, wore distinctive camouflage and footwear used by the Eritrean army, and spoke Arabic or a dialect of Tigrinya not spoken in Ethiopia.

Some bore the ritual facial scars of the Ben Amir, an ethnic group absent from Ethiopia. Others also made no secret of their identity, openly telling residents they were Eritrean.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 28 May 2021 Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accompanied by his dog Peanut welcomes European Council President Charles Michel at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece REUTERS World news in pictures 27 May 2021 A man waits to receive a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, in the rooms of the Claudia Comte exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Castello di Rivoli near Turin AFP/Getty World news in pictures 26 May 2021 A girl, with her face painted with the colours of the opposition flag, looks on during a demonstration against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and presidential elections, in the opposition-held Idlib, Syria Reuters World news in pictures 25 May 2021 A Buddhist monk climbs atop a giant statue of Buddha, to wash and decorate on the eve of Buddha Purnima, a holiday traditionally celebrated for Buddha's birthday also known as Vesak celebrations, in Bhopal AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 May 2021 Lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo cuts through Buhene north of Goma, Congo AP World news in pictures 23 May 2021 Cyclists at the start of the 15th stage of the Giro dItalia, a 147km race between Grado and Gorizia AFP/Getty World news in pictures 22 May 2021 Swiss Guards take their position prior to the arrival of the European Commission President at San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican for a private audience with the Pope AFP/Getty World news in pictures 21 May 2021 A dog that has been trained to sniff out the coronavirus disease, screens a sweat sample at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters World news in pictures 20 May 2021 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr in action during a F1 practice session at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo Reuters World news in pictures 18 May 2021 Horse-drawn carriages drive through the mudflats near Cuxhaven, northern Germany dpa via AP World news in pictures 17 May 2021 Kanoya Onishi in action during the Cycling BMX Free Style of Tokyo 2020 Olympics test event at Ariake Urban Sports Park in Japan EPA World news in pictures 16 May 2021 Rescuers carry Suzy Eshkuntana, 6, as they pull her from the rubble of a building at the site of Israeli air strikes, in Gaza City Reuters World news in pictures 15 May 2021 A ball of fire erupts from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city AFP/Getty World news in pictures 14 May 2021 Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers inside the Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh AP World news in pictures 13 May 2021 Muslim girls ride on a mini train after attending the Eid Al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 May 2021 Israeli artillery fire as the escalation continues between Israeli army and Hamas at the Gaza Border EPA World news in pictures 11 May 2021 Maya Nakanishi competes in the womens long jump - T64 category during a para-athletics test event for the 2020 Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo AFP/Getty World news in pictures 10 May 2021 A Palestinian man helps a wounded fellow protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israels takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War AFP/Getty World news in pictures 9 May 2021 Falconer Giovanna Piccolo performs with her Eurasian eagle-owl at 'Roma World' theme park, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Rome Reuters World news in pictures 8 May 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) is introduced as a starter against the St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena. USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 6 May 2021 Buddhist monks and believers attend a lantern parade in celebration of the upcoming birthday of Buddha at a temple in Seoul, South Korea Reuters World news in pictures 5 May 2021 Russian MiG-29 jet fighters of the Strizhi (Swifts) and Su-30SM jet fighters of the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic teams fly in formation over the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin in Moscow during a flypast rehearsal for the WWII Victory Parade AFP/Getty World news in pictures 4 May 2021 An elevated metro line collapsed in the Mexican capital on Monday, leaving at least 23 people dead and dozens injured as a train came plunging down, authorities said AFP/Getty World news in pictures 3 May 2021 Lightning bolts strike buildings during a thunderstorm in Bangkok AFP/Getty World news in pictures 2 May 2021 Samaritan worshippers arrive to take part in a Passover ceremony on top of Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus AFP/Getty World news in pictures 1 May 2021 A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign as May Day Protest turn violent near Place de la Republique in Paris, France Getty World news in pictures 30 April 2021 A demonstrator from the Rio de Paz human rights activist group digs a symbolic grave in front of rows of bags symbolising bodybags on Copacabana beach, during a protest against the Brazilian governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in Rio de Janeiro AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 April 2021 An aerial picture shows dead carp fish flushed to the shores of al-Qaraoun reservoir in Lebanons Western Beqaa District in the countrys east. Tonnes of fish have washed up dead on the shoreline of the highly polluted artificial reservoir in eastern Lebanon in recent days AFP/Getty World news in pictures 28 April 2021 Health workers wearing PPE attends to coronavirus patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care centre in New Delhi AFP/Getty World news in pictures 27 April 2021 The full moon, known as the Super Pink Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City, Reuters World news in pictures 26 April 2021 Balinese people lay wreaths with names of the crew on board the sunk Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala during a prayer at the sea near Labuhan Lalang, Bali, Indonesia EPA World news in pictures 25 April 2021 An Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshipper walks around the Edicule, the place believed to be where Jesus Christ was buried, during Palm Sunday celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 April 2021 Fans of Wuhan Three Towns FC cheer for their team during the 1st round match Wuhan Three Towns FC and Beijing Institute of Technology FC during Chinese Football League One in Wuhan, China Getty World news in pictures 23 April 2021 A girl prays in front of the Dome of the Rock, in the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalems Old City, on the second Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, as coronavirus restrictions ease around the country, in Jerusalem Reuters World news in pictures 22 April 2021 People walk through the art work 'THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS' by Yayoi Kusama, during the press preview of a retrospective exhibition of the Japanese artist at the Martin Gropius Bau museum in Berlin, Germany AP World news in pictures 21 April 2021 Hungary's Sara Peter competes in the Women's floor qualifications during European Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the St Jakobshalle, in Basel AFP/Getty World news in pictures 20 April 2021 South Korea university students gets their heads shaved during a protest against Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, in front of the Japanese embassy, in Seoul Reuters World news in pictures 19 April 2021 A spectator wearing a football jersey of Argentina's forward Lionel Messi attends the ATP Barcelona Open tennis tournament singles match between Japan's Kei Nishikori and Argentina's Guido Pella at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona AFP/Getty World news in pictures 18 April 2021 People raise their fist during a demonstration near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota AFP/Getty World news in pictures 17 April 2021 Security personnel stand guard outside a polling station during the 5th phase of West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections in Kolkata AFP/Getty World news in pictures 16 April 2021 Palestinians take part in the first Friday prayers of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty World news in pictures 15 April 2021 A firefighter inspects the site of a car bomb attack in Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 14 April 2021 This picture shows the 100 days countdown till the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games displayed on the illuminated Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo on April 14, 2021 AFP/Getty World news in pictures 13 April 2021 This photo taken and received courtesy of an anonymous source shows Buddhist monks gesturing while taking part in a demonstration with protesters against the military coup in Mandalay during the Myanmar New Year festival of Thingyan AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 April 2021 An Indian holi man during the Kumbh Mela royal bath (Sacred Hindu Pilgrimage) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Thousands of pilgrims are gathering and taking holy dip in Kumbh Mela that is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which occurs after every twelve years and rotates among four locations EPA World news in pictures 11 April 2021 Nasa released images of of sand dunes on Mars captured using infrared reflections NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU World news in pictures 10 April 2021 People watch devotees pulling a chariot in Biska Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal AP World news in pictures 9 April 2021 Maintenance workers clean the monument of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in Moscow on April 9, 2021. - Sixty years ago Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, marking it a new chapter in the history of space exploration. AFP/Getty World news in pictures 8 April 2021 Protesters hold a banner and burning red flares during a demonstration of called by unions of healthcare and social workers in support of their sector and to demand a bonus in their pay in Paris AFP/Getty World news in pictures 7 April 2021 Protesters laying on the street near the Election Commission office in Kolkata during a demonstration demanding the halt of the ongoing state legislative election and campaign rallies amidst the rising number of Covid-19 cases AFP/Getty

Survivors and witnesses told Amnesty Eritrean forces deliberately and wantonly shot at civilians from about 4pm onwards on 28 November. According to residents, the victims carried no weapons and many were running away from the soldiers when they were shot.

One man who hid in an unfinished building said he saw a group of six Eritrean soldiers kill a neighbour with a vehicle-mounted heavy machine-gun on the street near the Mana Hotel.

He was standing. I think he was confused," the man recalls. "They were probably around 10 metres from him. They shot him in the head.

Witnesses said that on 29 November Eritrean soldiers shot at anyone who tried to move the bodies of those killed.

The soldiers also continued to carry out house-to-house raids, hunting down and killing adult men, as well as some teenage boys and a smaller number of women.

One man said he watched through his window and saw six men killed in the street outside his house on 29 November. He said the soldiers lined them up and shot from behind, using a light-machine gun to kill several at a time with a single bullet.

Interviewees named scores of people they knew who were killed, and Amnesty has collected the names of more than 240 of the victims.

The organisation was unable to independently verify the overall death toll, but consistent witness testimonies and corroborating evidence make it plausible that hundreds of residents were killed.

Most of the burials took place on 30 November, but the process of collecting and burying the bodies lasted several days.

Many residents said they volunteered to move the bodies on carts, in batches of five to ten at a time - one said he transported 45 bodies. Residents estimate that several hundred people were buried in the aftermath of the massacre, and they attended funerals at several churches where scores were buried.

Last week, a local deacon  who chose not to be named as he remains in Axum and helped with burials  put the death toll at 800.

Hundreds were buried at the largest funeral, held at the complex that includes the Arbaetu Ensessa church and the Axum Tsion St Mariam Church.

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's director for East and Southern Africa, accused Ethiopian and Eritrean troops of war crimes and called for a United Nations-led investigation

"The evidence is compelling and points to a chilling conclusion. Ethiopian and Eritrean troops carried out multiple war crimes in their offensive to take control of Axum," he said.

"Eritrean troops went on a rampage and systematically killed hundreds of civilians in cold blood, which appears to constitute crimes against humanity."

Prime minister Ahmed accuses Tigrays regional forces, whose leaders dominated Ethiopia for nearly three decades before he took office, of attacking the Ethiopian military.

Tigrays leaders called it self-defence after months of tensions.

While the world clamours for access to Tigray to investigate suspected atrocities on all sides and deliver aid to millions of hungry people, the prime minister has rejected outside interference.

He declared victory in late November and said no civilians had been killed. His government denies the presence of thousands of soldiers from Eritrea, long an enemy of the Tigray leaders.

Meanwhile, the killing is said to be continuing. A local deacon said he helped to bury three people last week.

*Names have been changed
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is denying allegations from a former aide who accused him of sexual harassment, including an unwanted kiss, in a Medium post on Wednesday.

Lindsey Boylan alleged that in 2018, the Democratic governor kissed her on the lips following a one-on-one briefing in his New York City office.

'As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips,' Boylan wrote, describing the encounter. 'I was in shock, but I kept walking.' Boylan first accused the governor of sexual harassment in a Twitter thread in December.

'As we said before, Ms. Boylan's claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false,' Caitlin Girouard, the governor's press secretary, said in a statement on Wednesday.

In that same statement, the office also issued a denial from four current and former staffers about a specific interaction on a flight wherein Boylan says the governor suggested they play strip poker. The four staffers, who flew with Cuomo and Boylan, said that this never happened.

Cuomo also firmly denied the allegations in a press conference in December when Boylan first made them.

CNN has not been able to corroborate the allegations, and when asked for further comment, Boylan replied that she was letting her Medium post speak for itself.

The post, however, has set off another series of bad headlines for the Cuomo administration.

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, released a statement on Wednesday calling the accusation 'disturbing.'

'This is deeply disturbing. Clearly there is no place for this type of behavior in the workplace or anywhere else,' Stewart-Cousins wrote.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, when asked about the sexual harassment allegations, said that every person who comes forward with allegations deserves to have 'their voice heard' and confirmed that Cuomo will be in attendance at the Governor's Association meeting at the White House Thursday.

'The President has been consistent in his position. When a person comes forward -- they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Their voice should be heard, not silenced. And any allegation should be reviewed,' Psaki said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called for a 'full and independent investigation' into the allegations. Cuomo and de Blasio have a years-long history of animosity, mostly centered on who has authority to do what in New York City, including serious topics like power over the subways and funding for key programs.

'Look, these allegations are really disturbing, let's be clear about that, they're really disturbing,' he said, adding, 'We got to take this seriously.'

'When a woman comes forward with this kind of very specific allegation, they have to be taken seriously,' de Blasio said.

Cuomo, who had enjoyed sky-high popularity and national recognition for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic last spring, is now facing growing criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in his state regarding his administration's handling of nursing home death data. CNN has reported he has been pleading with lawmakers for support and has even been accused of threatening political retribution against Democrats who have criticized him in an aggressive effort to contain political fallout from the revelations.

CNN has also reported that the US Attorney's office in Brooklyn, along with the FBI, are scrutinizing the handling of some of the data surrounding Covid-19 deaths in long-term care facilities in New York. The inquiry was described as preliminary, and it was not clear whether authorities are looking at the governor himself or members of his administration.

Boylan is currently running for Manhattan borough president. She unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Jerry Nadler in a Democratic primary in 2020.
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Azerbaijan's main goal is that this bloody crime will never be repeated, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said, answering journalists' questions at a press conference for local and foreign media on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza reported.

Ilham Aliyev noted that many international organizations have expressed their attitude to this bloody event, and work will continue in this direction. He recalled that at the time of the genocide, Azerbaijan was almost under an information blockade, there were no modern opportunities. "Especially if we take into account that in those years Azerbaijan did not have such great opportunities in the international arena. In return, the Armenian lobby was active and spread false and distorted information about the war and its events. There were some misconceptions in the international community," the head of state said.

Azerbaijan had to make great efforts to eliminate these ideas and refute them. "We have been consistently carrying out this activity in recent years. As a state, as I mentioned, as public organizations. Of course, I would like to note the activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation among public organizations. Various events were held in many countries under the slogan "Justice for Khojaly". Today, there is enough information about the Khojaly tragedy in the world. Our main goal is that this bloody crime will never be forgotten. This should never be repeated in Azerbaijan or in the world," he noted.

"May Azerbaijan never fall into the helplessness of the early 1990s. May Azerbaijan always be able to protect itself and its citizens," Ilham Aliyev stressed.

The head of the state noted the repetition of those steps was observed in the Second Karabakh War: "When bombing Ganja, Tartar, Aghdam, and other cities, the Armenian leadership said that Azerbaijan did it itself. However, the shelling of ballistic missiles was monitored by the satellite. The major powers, especially the co-chair countries of the Minsk Group, were watching the whole scene. Ballistic missiles were launched from the territory of Armenia."

By committing the Khojaly genocide, Armenia, in fact, wanted to break the will of the Azerbaijani people, he added. "And it is no coincidence, answering this question in an interview with foreign journalists, the Armenian leaders, war criminals proudly noted that Armenia had committed this war crime against the civilian population, so that the Azerbaijani people saw that the Armenian leadership could raise its hand against the civilian population. We avenged the victims of Khojaly on the battlefield. In the second Karabakh war, which lasted 44 days, having defeated the Armenian army and liberated our historical lands from the invaders, we also avenged the victims of Khojaly," Aliyev said.

"We will return to Khojaly. There is no other way. And the Armenian side must understand this," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev concluded.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of the Netherlands has adopted on February 25 two pro-Armenian motions: the one is the motion submitted by MP Joel Voordewind (ChristenUnie), which calls on the Dutch government explicitly to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The other motion by MP Martijn van Helvert relates to the need of the return of Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, President of the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) Mato Hakhverdian told Armenpress, stating that the Dutch-Armenians welcome the adoption of these two motions and thank for such a position.

The motions were adopted by the majority of votes. Only the pro-Turkish faction (3 MPs) voted against. Joel Voordewind urged the government to announce how it is going to implement the provisions of the motion adopted by the large number of MPs, Hakhverdian said.

This very broad support for the motion shows that for too long there has been great dissatisfaction in the Parliament how the successive governments have dealt with the Armenian Genocide. FAON, the 24 April Committee and all Armenians are thankful to Joel Voordewind and also to the many other MPs, who were committed to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide for many years. Many of them showed their commitment by being present at 24 april commemorations, at Genocide monuments, concerts, such as the Armenian Genocide Centennial commemoration concert in the Grote Kerk in the Hague. FAON is grateful to them all.

FAON is also thanking the members of Recommending Committee of 24 April Committee for their support for years. The motion's message is that a clear language is needed to resolve precarious issues in the future. The FAON considers this idea especially important, given the current situation, in which Genocide Watch warned of a new genocide during the war in Nagorno Karabakh, and after the war both Turkey and Azerbaijan are aggressive towards Armenia. The failure to identify and recognize historical events as genocide can be considered as the wrong signal. The FAON assumes that the government will not disregard this very clear statement of the Parliament and will implement it. In earlier motions (2015, 2018), the Parliament explicitly recognized the Armenian Genocide, after the Dutch Parliament had already recognized it in 2004 in the motion by MP Rouvoet adopted unanimously, which appeals to the government to expressly and continuously raise the recognition of the Armenian Genocide during the bilateral and EU dialogue with Turkey.

With the new motion, the Parliament announces that it can no longer agree with the government's current approach. As it is known, other Christian minorities, such as Assyrians, Arameans and Pontic Greeks, were also victims of the Armenian Genocide. In the same way as for Dutch people with an Armenian background, also for people with these backgrounds, the government's failure to recognize the genocide has always been painful, FAON said in a statement.
















Comebacks is a series about businesses that have made dramatic turnarounds during the pandemic, in partnership with Slates Thrilling Tales of Modern Capitalism podcast.

Last spring, as the coronavirus accelerated its spread around the globe and schools and businesses shuttered, private jet companies saw a sudden flurry of activity. People who could afford it were scrambling to get home before lockdown orders went into effect. You remember how crazy the commercial airports were at that time, said Justin Crabbe, CEO of the plane-chattering platform Jettly. So everybody was resorting to private.

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And then: almost nothing. Just like the rest of the aviation sector, the private plane industry hit a wall shortly after the initial rush. From May to around December, Jettlys business dove by about 40 percent, according to Crabbe. For Magellan Jets, a flight-chartering company based out of Boston, revenue dipped by 90 percent during parts of the spring, with business travel almost entirely disappearing. Theres a great quote by Warren Buffett that you find out whos swimming naked when the tide goes out, said Anthony Tivnan, the president of Magellan. And the tide was certainly out in April, May, June.*

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At Victor, a charter broker headquartered in London, the spring drop was so precipitous that the company had to furlough a large number of staff and rely on a skeleton crew. There was quite a lot of panic, said co-CEO Toby Edwards. From a European standpoint, April was really, really flat.

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But nearly a year later, private plane companies arent living in the same locked down world that the rest of us still inhabit. For one thing, their nadir was never as low as commercial airlines. (CNBC reported that by June 2020 private flights overall were running at up to 70 percent of 2019 levels, while commercial traffic was still all the way down at 15 to 17 percent.) And now? Crabbe says Jettly has even more business than it had in 2019. Historically, the company received about 3,000 to 5,000 requests for flights each month; over the past 30 days, its gotten 8,000. The uptick began around January, which Crabbe partly attributes to people being more comfortable with travel as the vaccine began to roll out. Its been a U-shaped recovery, he said. Its likely that it will take years for the rest of the airline industry, which suffered a 70 percent hit in 2020, to recover.

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More evidence that the private-jet set dont live like the rest of us: Victors recovery began even earlier, in May 2020. By July, business was booming. Last summer was the busiest summer weve ever had as a company, said Edwards, describing the boom in midpandemic summer vacationing. That period of real uncertainty in April was forgotten quite quickly. Victors business is currently at 90 percent of 2019 levels, and the company is no longer furloughing staff.

Many Americans may not feel comfortable flying commercial, but some of those who would normally fly first or business class are willing to pay more to get on a small private jet and avoid close contact with other passengers. Many of them are elderly or have underlying health conditions. Ive been in aviation for 20 years, and I have never seen so many first-time flyers come in to work with Magellan, Tivnan said. Even the process of moving through the airport and boarding a flight is less risky for travelers who can afford it. McKinsey estimated that passengers go through 700 points of contact with other people and objects in the process of flying commercial, but only 20 to 30 while flying private. Indeed, passengers on private flights have their own separate terminals and expedited security processes. This luxury treatment is quite a bit more expensive for solo travelers than first class, but bringing along family can make it a better deal. Crabbe said youll often see someone renting a light jet at $15,000 for three hours of travel from New York to Florida. If that customer can fill the plane by bringing five other people along, it goes down to $2,500 per person. When you fill the aircraft, it really does make sense and it gets very, very close to first-class commercial, he said of the pricing. When you dont fill it, the economics dont work.

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Private aviation companies have had to reorient some of their operations to cater to this pandemic-focused demographic. In the past, when Magellan had more corporate clients, efficiency was more of a selling point; chief executives that didnt have their own corporate jets could save time by flying more directly to their destinations than a commercial flight might allow. Now, the company is focusing more on cleanliness as the main draw, emphasizing its investments in PPE and sanitization procedures. Pre-pandemic, the value proposition was from a productivity level and business perspective, said Tivnan. The narrative has really switched to a safety and health perspective.

Theres been quite a bit of that traveling for the vaccine.  Jettly CEO Justin Crabbe

These companies have also had to do some handholding to make sure that customers know how to get to the separate private terminal and understand how their itineraries work. A common detail that gets lost in translation is the switch from miles to hours. A lot of folks could tell you how many miles they flew on commercial, because thats how its usually recorded, said Tivnan. Because Magellan and most other private aviation companies rely on hours for their pay schemes, it can be difficult for first-time flyers to get a sense for how much theyll need to use a plane.

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Private jets have also found a niche in providing well-heeled clientele with access to coronavirus treatments and precautions. People have reportedly been taking private jets to travel outside their home state to another location where the vaccine is available to them. Florida and Arizona have been popular vaccine destinations for out-of-towners. Private jet companies arent shy about this opportunity. Theres a large portion of our ultra-high-net-worth clients that have special relationships with people that can allow them access to the vaccine, said Crabbe. Theres been quite a bit of that traveling for the vaccine. The Los Angeles Times also reported that movie studios have been looking into leasing private jets to transport test samples to speed up turnaround times for their actors and crews. Studios have also been more willing to transport actors to film shoots in private jets, when in normal times they would often opt to fly even stars on commercial planes.

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Private aviation companies are optimistic theyll be able to retain many of these new customers even after the vaccine becomes widely available. Edwards thinks that people who began using Victors services for shorter trips of about one to three hours are more likely to stay. I suspect those that have flown for the first time privately long haul, especially for repatriation, were one-off flights, he said. Crabbe is even more bullish about the lasting appeal of private aviation. Typically when you go private, you stay private. Its very difficult to go back, he said. Im quite confident that 80 percent of new customers will continue to fly private.

The United States is deeply concerned about the escalating crackdown by the government of President Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua. The regimes actions under the so-called Foreign Agents Law forced the recent closure of two bastions of free expression: the Nicaragua chapter of PEN International, a writers organization, and the Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation, a civil society group.

Foundation adviser Cristiana Chamorro called the new law unconstitutional and monstrous. In a virtual news conference, she said, It is very difficult to continue operating under a law like this whose objective is to suffocate civil society, and independent and free voices that this regime cannot tolerate.

The ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front passed the Foreign Agents Law in October and recently declared February 5 as the deadline to register. The law requires people and organizations receiving funds from outside Nicaragua to register as foreign agents with the Interior Ministry and provide an accounting of their income and expenditures to the government, or face fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of their property.

These developments further suffocate Nicaraguan civil society and take the country further away from free and fair elections in November, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price in a statement. Ortega is driving Nicaragua toward dictatorship. This will further isolate his regime from the global community.

PEN International President Jennifer Clement warned against the legislation when it was first being considered. The trials, persecution and attacks against journalists and media critical of the Nicaraguan government, she said, prove that the countrys authorities act systematically to restrict the right to freedom of expression.

Respect for rights must be a priority for the state, said Ms. Clement. We urge Nicaraguas government to stop criminalizing independent voices.

The United States is committed to supporting the Nicaraguan people and their demand for democracy. We are focused on empowering civil society and improving respect for human rights, said State Department spokesperson Price. We urge President Ortega to change course now.
The Supreme Court on Friday said it cannot allow sexual harassment cases to be swept under the carpet.

The top court made this observation during a hearing of a plea by a former district judge from Madhya Pradesh challenging disciplinary proceedings agianst him initiated by the Madhya Pradesh High Court following sexual harassment allegations made by a junior judicial officer.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and also comprising Justice A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian said: "We cannot allow sexual harassment cases to be swept under the carpet like this."

The bench asked the judge to withdraw the petition challenging the disciplinary proceedings.

The Chief Justice told the petitioner's counsel, senior advocate R. Balasubramanian, "You are walking on a very thin line you can fall any time. You may have a chance in the inquiry you may acquit. But today as the matter stands you are already convicted."

After a detailed hearing in the matter, the top court said it will pass a short order dealing with petitioner's contention and then dismiss the petition. However, petitioner's counsel asked the court to allow him to withdraw the petition with the liberty to participate in the inquiry.

On February 16, the Supreme Court made sharp observations on the conduct of a district judge from Madhya Pradesh, who sent offensive and inappropriate messages to a junior officer and justified this conduct as mere "flirting".

Senior advocate Ravindra Shrivastava along with advocate Arjun Garg, representing Madhya Pradesh High Court, read out several WhatsApp messages sent by the District Judge to junior lady officer. Shrivastava said he is a senior judicial officer; hence his conduct should have been more appropriate with the lady officer.

The top court had noted: "WhatsApp messages are quite offensive and improper. For a judge this conduct with junior officer-not acceptable."

The bench queried that if they have some understanding with each other is it good to go ahead? However, the bench added that the petitioner has already learnt a lesson and pointed at a settlement between the parties.

Shrivastava replied that the woman officer wanted a settlement, but the High Court Committee probing this matter did not accept it.

He added the petitioner has admitted that he was flirting with the lady. "What kind of judicial officer is this? We don't understand," added Shrivastava. At this stage, the Chief Justice said it agrees with Shrivastava's submissions.
They were arrested in January for organizing and taking part in the July primary. A repeat of the Jimmy Lai case is feared. The group includes Benny Tai, strategist of the electoral campaign. Accused of "wanting to win the election". Chinese university students union banned.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Democracy activists arrested in January for subversion under the national security law will have to report to the police on February 28 to check their bail terms. The convocation, reported by the activists involved, comes a month earlier than the date previously established following their release on January 8th.

It also follows after this weeks High Court rejection of the bail request by democracy activist and media mogul Jimmy Lai, who remains in prison. The group now anticipate a pre-trial detention and being immediately sent back to trial.

The 53 Democrats are being charged with trying to secure 35 or more seats on the anti-government front in the September elections (later postponed). It would thus have had the numbers to block the approval of the budget law and force Carrie Lam - head of the executive - to resign. In July, all those arrested had taken part or had contributed to the organization of the democratic primaries to compete in the imminent renewal of the Legco.

Among those who will have to appear before the police is the jurist Benny Tai, the architect of the Democratic primaries and of the "35-plus" strategy, who should have guaranteed the opposition a majority in the Legco for the first time since his return of the city under Chinese sovereignty. Three of the 53 arrested are already in prison: Wu Chi-wai, former president of the Democratic Party, and political activists Joshua Wong Chi-fung and Tam Tak-chi.

The direction taken by the city authorities is that of ever greater repression. Yesterday, the Chinese University of Hong Kong announced that it was terminating relations with the Student Union, whose new leaders are accused of making "false" statements that threatened national security. The university has made it clear that students who incite illegal behaviour will be suspended or expelled

Out in a rural stretch of Texas northwest of Houston, Waller County was born of plantations, cotton fields and slavery. More than a century ago, state lawmakers planted there the state's first public college where Black students could pursue higher education.

Since its founding as the Alta Vista Agriculture & Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth, tens of thousands of students, most of them Black, have passed through the school now named Prairie View A&M University.

NO CHANGE: Black Texas college students across Texas pressure universities to 'dismantle white supremacy'

And for much of that time  long after equal voting rights became the law of the land  the countys predominantly white power structure has thrown up hurdles to keep those Black students from voting, or to limit their ability to wield meaningful political influence at the ballot box.

Year after year, decade after decade, the students of Prairie View A&M have fought back, striving to realize the full and fair value of their franchise.

Three generations of Jayla Allens family have been caught up in that struggle.

When her grandfather was a student in the 1970s, Waller County systematically prevented Black students from registering to vote.

When her parents attended in the mid-1980s, the countys majority white leadership divided the campus among several county precincts, forestalling the students from voting as a bloc in ways that could disrupt the local balance of power.

When her older sister was there in the early 2000s, the local district attorney flagrantly threatened to prosecute Prairie View A&M students who voted in Waller County, erroneously claiming they werent legitimate residents.

And after Jayla Allen herself arrived on campus in the fall of 2017, she and other students faced a more subtle, but still substantial, hurdle as the county limited their access to polling places during early voting while making it relatively easier in other, whiter parts of the county.

The barriers students faced evolved over the years, but a pattern emerged. As one hurdle was removed  sometimes after federal courts stepped in  another followed, a new link devised to lengthen the chain of disenfranchisement. The county over time employed the full range of tools in the voter suppression lineup, excluding, intimidating and marginalizing the students of Prairie View A&M.

Jayla Allen graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2019 with a degree in political science. She is working through a service program in local schools for students who are low income and at risk of dropping out. Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune

"The picture thats been painted is very clear, and that is that Prairie View A&M, the second-oldest historically Black university in the country, is continuously having to fight for voting rights for its Black and brown students, Allen said. Were still fighting for equal voting rights but also to see that these Black students in a majority white county with majority white elected officials are being accounted for.

Like students before her, Allens chapter in the struggle meant looking to the federal courts for help. She became the lead plaintiff in what has become a drawn-out lawsuit alleging that Waller County violated the constitutional rights and federal protections for Black voters by setting up a lopsided schedule that offered students fewer opportunities to vote early than the countys white residents.

The ongoing legal case, set in a place with a dark history of discrimination, is playing out at the onset of a modern reckoning over racism and its byproducts, including voter suppression.

To this day, officials in Waller contend the litigation over the 2018 early voting schedule is not a continuation of past suppression tactics. They balk at todays Waller County being painted with too broad a brush based on a history in which current leaders say they played no part.

Although he grew up in the region, County Judge Carbett Trey Duhon didnt arrive in Waller County until 2005, when his family bought a 10-acre plot on the northern end of the county and he opened his law practice in the area.

Since taking the helm of the county in 2015, hes come to realize how the countys decisions today are tormented by its past. But he rejects the notion that theres any overlap and argues county leadership has actually moved to expand access for students during his tenure.

I dont have any connection to the history of Waller County, Duhon said at an October 2020 trial in the current legal case. I understand the history. I understand the perception is there, but when do you actually get out from under that cloud so that  youre recognized for doing the right thing?

But to Allen and some Black residents, the links between past and present appear evident. Although progress may come, in Waller County it comes slowly.

Frank Jackson knows that arc of history well. Raised in the farming community of Luling, he wasnt allowed to learn with white children until the local high school was integrated, many years after the U.S. Supreme Court declared school segregation unconstitutional.

He moved to Waller County to attend school and would go on to be elected a Waller County commissioner and then mayor of the city of Prairie View for 14 years. But he graduated from Prairie View A&M in 1973 without ever being allowed to vote. Decades later, he would mentor Allen as she pushed back on the county.

One of the things that Ive come to realize is that culture changes slowly, said Jackson, a longtime administrator for Prairie View A&M. You can change public policy overnight, take a vote administratively by the Legislature, but the culture that it affects changes very, very slowly. Its like turning a ship.

Roots in Reconstruction

Prairie View A&Ms history is interwoven with the nations twin struggles over injustice and power. Students today attend classes on the grounds of what was the Alta Vista plantation, where hundreds of people were once enslaved.

The Texas Legislature established the public college in 1876 through the efforts of state Rep. William Holland of Wharton County and state Sen. Matthew Gaines of Washington County. Both men were born to mothers held as slaves, and they served in the Texas Legislature during the brief span of Reconstruction when numerous Black Texans were elected to public office. Thirteen years after the passage of the 13th Amendment, the first class of just eight students started at Alta Vista Agriculture & Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth.

Prairie View A&M traces its roots to Reconstruction, when state lawmakers established the first public college where Black students in Texas could pursue higher education. First: Students of what was then known as the Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College posed for a 1917 yearbook photo. Second: Students were photographed on campus in the schools 1949 yearbook. Credit: Courtesy of Prairie View A&M University

The college was founded soon after Waller County itself was established. Initially, the majority of the countys residents were Black, but white people would methodically work for decades to keep Black residents at the margins. There was the White Mans Party. Lynchings. Poll taxes. The Ku Klux Klan.

Local efforts to neutralize Black voting power found support at the state Capitol, where the Texas Legislature in 1923 enacted laws limiting primary elections to white voters. Shortly after Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965 to level access to voting, the Legislature reciprocated with a requirement that voters reregister every year  a response to the loss of poll taxes to suppress turnout among voters of color.

The early resistance to allowing Prairie View A&M students to vote, and the legal fights that ensued, began playing out shortly after the 26th Amendment was ratified in 1971, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 and expanding the possible electorate in places with universities, like Waller County.

In the 1970s, the county began targeting Black students in a more tailored fashion. In order to register, they were required to fill out a questionnaire proving they were bona fide county residents. For years, legions of students were either forced to prove their residency in administrative county hearings that hardly ever went their way or shut out of elections entirely.

The students barred from voting then were contemporaries of Allens late grandfather, Fred Allen Jr. By the time students and the U.S. Department of Justice successfully overturned the questionnaire in the courts, Fred Allen completed two masters degrees at Prairie View A&M  the first in guidance and counseling, the second in educational administration.

Fred Allen Jr., right, completed two masters degrees from Prairie View A&M University in the 1970s, when Waller County systematically prevented Black students like him from registering to vote. Credit: Courtesy of Jayla Allen

The lawsuit over Waller Countys registration questionnaire eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1979 affirmed it was unconstitutional, in effect guaranteeing the rights of students across the country to vote where they attend college. The decision came down a year after the elder Allen completed his studies and returned to Dallas to pursue a long career in education.

The Supreme Courts ruling vanquished Waller Countys illegal questionnaire, but the fight for Prairie View A&Ms students was far from over.

For the next four decades, they would repeatedly be forced to battle the countys elected officials for access to the ballot box. As county officials came and went, the echoes of voter suppression sounded through succeeding generations of Jayla Allens family.

In the 1980s, while Allens father studied business administration and her mom social work at the university, the county diluted the voting strength of Prairie View A&M students by carving up the student body among various precincts. By the 1990s, in part because of the U.S. Department of Justice's intervention, students were able to vote together. But the Justice Department would have to step in again in 2002 after the county drew up a redistricting plan that federal officials found would harm voters of color.

In 1992  just before a runoff election featuring two Black candidates, including Jackson, who was taking on a white 16-year incumbent  the county district attorney attempted to prosecute more than a dozen Prairie View A&M students for voter fraud. Amid student protests and national scrutiny, the charges were later dropped.

Prairie View A&M students have rallied for decades against Waller Countys actions on voting. In 1992, they protested the county district attorneys attempts to prosecute more than a dozen Prairie View A&M students for voter fraud. Credit: Courtesy of Prairie View A&M University

Just little over a decade later, a different district attorney, Oliver Kitzman, published an open letter in a local newspaper advising the countys election administrator that Prairie View A&M students were not automatically presumed to be county residents. In defiance of the Supreme Courts 1979 ruling, the letter included a threat to prosecute illegal voters who cast ballots in Waller but didnt meet the district attorneys residency interpretation.

Allen remembers learning about the threat from her older sister, who attended Prairie View A&M at the time. It fueled her realization that students face what she called a generational disparity when it comes to who is welcome to vote in Waller County.

When Kitzmans incendiary letter was published, students turned to the countys past and began to understand the threat as another link in the countys long chain of efforts to keep them from voting.

After we received the letter, we started digging. Thats when the history came to us, Brian Rowland, who was a Prairie View A&M student at the time, would later testify at an October 2020 trial in the latest voting rights lawsuit.

Rowland was one of four students who, along with the local chapter of the NAACP, sued Kitzman in 2004 after the district attorney stood by his threat even though the Texas secretary of state and the state attorney general each indicated he was wrong, and the U.S. Justice Department opened an investigation into his actions.

You had students who were indicted  maybe less than 10 years ago. So it was real. It wasnt just the threat of you could, Rowland, by then a member of the Prairie View City Council, said at trial. You had examples of how real students at Prairie View were indicted and had to be bonded out. Now, it later got dropped, but if youre a student, I mean who would want to go through that experience just to vote?

The case was ultimately settled with an apology and affirmation of students voting rights from Kitzman. Kitzman, who served as a district judge before his stint as district attorney, resigned later that year to care for his wife who was terminally ill, according to his obituary; he died last month.

In the lead-up to the 2008 presidential election, students would again need help from federal officials to protect their right to register to vote. That year, the Justice Department sued Waller County over its rejection of voter registration applications  most from Prairie View A&M students.

Then, Texas was still subject to the Voting Rights Acts oversight rules, which required the state and local governments to prove that changes they made to election procedures would not harm voters of color. In a consent decree to settle the case, Waller County officials admitted they had rejected the applications using new practices that had never been cleared by federal officials. The settlement required the county to justify each registration rejection through 2012.

Ahead of that years presidential primaries, the Justice Department also stepped in after county officials planned to drastically limit early voting, reducing half a dozen sites around the county down to one single location  a roughly two-hour walk for students without cars.

Over the next few years, the voting pendulum would seem to swing the students way as they secured expanded access to voting, beginning with the creation of a long-sought-after election day polling place on campus in 2013.

But their gains were repeatedly weighed down by appeals to the county commissioners court to reconsider proposals that diminished opportunity for students.

From left, Jeremy Butler and Odaro Adu outside of the Willie A. Tempton Student Center at Prairie View A&M University in 2016. Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

Students in line for early voting at the Willie A. Tempton Student Center at Prairie View A&M University on November 2, 2016. Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

After fighting against an early voting plan that limited their opportunity to vote, Prairie View A&M students won an early voting site on campus in 2016. First: Jeremy Butler, left, and Odaro Adu held a sign outside of the Willie A. Tempton Student Center at Prairie View A&M University in 2016. Last: Students waited in line for early voting at the student center in 2016.

Ahead of the 2016 primaries, the commissioners court initially approved a plan that drastically limited early voting to just two locations for the entire county. The county courthouse, 6 to 7 miles from campus, was selected for voters living on the northern end of the rural county thats shaped like a backwards seven. The second polling location was to be placed on the countys southern end in a town more than 20 miles from campus.

The commissioners retreated from that plan after local outcry.

I dont believe for one minute that anybody intentionally tried to prevent the students from voting, and I believe that you all know that in your hearts, County Commissioner Jeron Barnett, the only Black official on the court whose precinct included the university, said at the time.

Backed by the universitys vow to address lingering questions about access for non-students, the Prairie View A&M community continued to push for early voting on campus. As people lined up to cast their ballots at the student center on campus, it seemed momentarily that momentum was on their side.

In her grandfathers footsteps

In reality, student access to voting remained far from secure when Jayla Allen arrived at Prairie View the next year.

Allen originally traced out a path that split from the familys ties to Prairie View A&M, considering attending other historically Black colleges or universities like Howard University in Washington, D.C., or Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. But after her grandfather died the year before she finished high school, she felt drawn to the school he had attended decades earlier.

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It would take just a year for her to inherit the legacy that comes with being a Black college student in Waller County.

In the fall of 2018, Allen and other students realized the countys early voting schedule left Prairie View residents with far fewer days and hours for voting than other population centers in the county, and zero opportunity to vote in the city during the first half of the early voting period.

Waller County is a Republican stronghold where no official elected countywide is Black. Its 55,000 residents sprawl across rural flatlands and small cities. Although white people are no longer in the majority, they still make up the largest racial group. The countys population is roughly 43% white, 31% Hispanic and 24% Black.

In the town of Prairie View, the vast majority of residents are Black, and many of them are also college students. The university reached its highest enrollment  roughly 9,500 students  the semester of the early voting schedule dispute.

At a commissioners court meeting five days before the start of voting in 2018, Duhon, the county judge, acknowledged the early voting schedule wasnt fair to students. Prairie View had five days of early voting. In two of the three other towns that serve as population hubs, with many more white residents than Prairie View, early voting would run during all 12 days of the early voting period. In the third town, early voting would be available for 11 days.

I do think there is an inequity, Duhon said, going over the early voting hours in other areas.

Despite that acknowledgement, students left the meeting with no more access than they had when they piled into the county courthouse to protest the schedule.

Over the course of just an hour of discussion, the commissioners vacillated between suggesting additional voting hours at alternative sites  some miles away from the university  and shooting down the prospect of any additional days of voting altogether. Students took turns at a podium explaining they needed a nearby polling site not just because of convenience but out of necessity as they balanced classes, extracurricular demands like work schedules and lack of transportation.

The one thing those in the room seemed to agree on was that matters involving early voting had in recent years become a perennial fight. Each time, the court signed off on a proposal put together by the county election administrator and the party chairs. Each time, students were left out of the drafting process.

If were tired of hearing that same broken record, then we have to be the people that come to common grounds to be willing to fix that issue, Kendric Jones, then a student at the university and a City Council member for Prairie View, told the court.

Brizjon Wilright, left, and Kendric Jones held signs outside the Willie A. Tempton Student Center at Prairie View A&M to encourage other students to vote in 2016. Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

But the five-member court waffled and ultimately voted to make no changes; Duhons and Barnetts votes were recorded as nays.

Days after the meeting, Allen and other students sued the county. The countys actions had denied student voters  most of them Black  an equal opportunity to vote compared with the countys non-Black and non-student voters in a continuation of Waller Countys decades-long pattern of unconstitutional racial and age-based discrimination against Prairie View A&M students, the lawsuit alleged. They asked a federal judge to order the county to set up an early voting site on campus that would offer weekend hours.

Its an untattered line from pre-1960 to the present to what they tried to do to these students at this institution and this Black city in a majority white, older county, said Leah Aden, the deputy director of litigation for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the students. There are just some people who cant get it right.

In an emergency meeting two days later, the commissioners court voted to extend hours on the three days the student center was previously scheduled to host voting during the second week of early voting. And in a city without public transportation and where many students dont have cars, the court added five hours of weekend voting at Prairie View City Hall  a two-and-a-half-mile walk one way from some student housing.

To cast their ballots during the first week of early voting in 2018, students organized volunteer carpooling to run their peers to the county courthouse in Hempstead. Prairie View A&M President Ruth Simmons also chartered a bus for students looking to vote that first week, paying for it out of pocket.

Youre creating barriers that only certain people who look a certain way and of a certain background are having to jump over, Allen said in a recent interview. The rest of the county arent jumping over those. Its always been the students of Prairie View. Its not that we wanted a polling location sat in our lap; we just wanted fair and equal access to one with the appropriate days and hours.

When the election came and went, the county unsuccessfully sought to have the lawsuit dismissed. In a filing with the court, the countys lawyers argued neither the U.S. Constitution nor the Voting Rights Act guaranteed parity of early voting hours. And although they described the students goal to increase early voting hours on campus as laudable, they suggested the effort should be pursued through active and timely participation in the political process, not a lawsuit.

But the students pressed forward with their lawsuit, hoping to protect their access in future elections. They asked for expansive relief from the court, including parity or at least adequate early voting hours across the county and a requirement that the county ensure that a representative for the students was part of the process of setting future schedules. And perhaps most notably, the students wanted the court to pull the county back into federal guardianship of its voting decisions to ensure they didnt harm voters based on race  an extraordinary measure thats hardly been invoked since the U.S. Supreme Courts 2013 ruling that freed jurisdictions with a history of discrimination from federal oversight.

At trial last fall, Duhon cast the commissioners courts 2018 decisions as a balancing act to provide early voting access to everyone in the county to the best of our ability. In fact, hed point out, it had been the local chair of the Democratic Party who asked to push early voting at Prairie View to the second week, noting concerns that voting would conflict with homecoming events. (Duhon declined to comment for this story, citing the ongoing litigation.)

He reasoned that because the student center on campus was frequented by students  some passing through multiple times a day  hosting early voting there for two or three days affords them multiple opportunities to cast their ballots.

So any suggestion that we are trying to take away or disenfranchise or put any impediment in the way of these students being able to vote, its simply not true. Its offensive to me, Duhon testified.

During his testimony, he invoked the commissioners courts role in establishing early voting on campus in 2016  a point he also made at the 2018 commissioners court meeting when he argued the court had a record of expanding the voting rights of students.

Over the course of nearly two weeks, the trial would pingpong back and forth between the days in which Black residents of Waller County werent allowed to vote at all and the 2020 presidential election, for which early voting began before closing arguments wrapped up.

To the plaintiffs, the early voting schedule for last years general election underscored why federal intervention was once again necessary in Waller County  it offered no early voting on campus.

In 2019, the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature passed a broadly crafted law that banned the use of temporary polling places  like the one used to bring a few days of early voting to the Prairie View A&M campus  that didnt run for the entirety of the early voting period. Waller County, like many counties across the state, was forced to either shutter early voting places it couldnt run for the usual two-week period or find the money, equipment and staff to make them permanent.

Faced with that choice, the county opted to reduce early voting to four sites, placing one in each commissioners precinct. In Precinct 3, which encompasses the university campus, the Waller County Community Center was selected.

In court, Aden, the students lawyer, argued that the county has been on notice since 2013 that the community center, on the far end of the universitys footprint, is not as easily accessible to students who lack transportation or who cant make the 2-mile walk round trip on foot from student housing on campus.

Jones, the student and council member, had reiterated that point at the 2018 commissioners court meeting during which Duhon asked him as a student and as a student leader whether the community center was accessible to students.

What is accessible to you guys is not actually accessible to us, Jones replied. Testifying for the plaintiffs at trial, Jones explained that early voting at the community center, which was hardly known to students, wasnt an equal replacement for the polling site that used to be housed at the student center, a hub of campus life.

Through closing remarks, county representatives and their lawyer indicated that the students were not seeking equitable access but preferential access over the community, including residents who have to travel longer distances to vote.

You know, I understand the students want it to be right there, Duhon said at trial. Its convenient. I dont fault them for asking for it, but I also cannot give them what nobody else in this county gets within reason.

To Priscilla Barbour, the demarcation sketched by the county between the community and the students amounts to a false choice.

Barbour is a former president of Prairie View A&Ms student government association and was at the forefront of the effort to bring voting to campus in 2013. Like other alumni, shes fluent in the countys history and the manner in which Black residents were deprived of their humanity and then long relegated to second-class citizenship. While testifying during the trial, she apologized for becoming emotional as she tried to draw the line from that treatment to the present day in which students are denied as an equal part of the community.

[Waller County] was the last standing place of the Confederacy in the state of Texas, and the place that once enslaved Black people now educates them to become the top engineers, nurses, attorneys, architects, teachers in the country, Barbour said.

Whether they are there for four years or 40 years, they deserve equal access to the polls, she said. It should not be a battle every time that they request it.

The arc bends slowly

The students didnt get early voting access they sought in time for the 2020 election, but some change came to Waller County in November.

Barnett, the Precinct 3 commissioner who represented the university and opposed expanded early voting on campus, lost his seat. He was replaced by Jones, the student and Prairie View City Council member who in 2018 petitioned the commissioners court to reconsider the early voting schedule.

Prairie View Mayor David Allen didnt run for reelection. He was replaced by Rowland, the City Council member and onetime plaintiff in the lawsuit against the district attorney who threatened to prosecute students voting in Waller County.

Its a glimpse of the sort of reconfiguration of Waller County government Duhon laid out in an interview with The Washington Post in 2019, describing some residents political perception of students: I think theres always been this fear that if all the students voted, and they voted in a certain way, they could take over the county.

Allen has since graduated from Prairie View A&M with a degree in political science. She continues to draw inspiration from her grandfather, who put his two masters degrees from Prairie View A&M to good use over the 32 years he spent in Dallas schools as a teacher, coach and administrator.

Prairie View A&M University graduate Jayla Allen holds her graduation stole, which was embroidered to include her late grandfathers name. Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune

She remembers him as a man of service and community, recounting the stories she heard at his wake from former students who recalled how he went above and beyond to serve as a father figure to many and a fierce advocate for all.

Now back in Dallas, Allen is working through a service program in local schools for students who are low income and at risk of dropping out. Shes also waiting to hear back from law schools to which shes applied.

She still has a foot in Waller County, taking up advocacy and organizing work on campus to make way for the sort of change students helped push through in November. But those outcomes shouldnt be mistaken for progress, Allen argues.

Despite some of their well-established ties, Prairie View A&M students today still lack what they didnt have in the 1970s  roots in the community and the regard that comes from that as a full constituent. Students come to Waller County seeking an education, and most move on after a few years to pursue their careers.

Until county officials truly account for students in their decision-making, any election wins are merely a temporary indication that students are doing the work to overcome the hurdles theyre still forced to face, Allen said.

Yes, that encompasses access to voting, she said, but its also about being appraised equally as citizens and members of the community.

I think its very interesting how you have such a huge population that lives in this county, yet when decisions about how many days or hours are made, those students or representatives of those students are not at the table, Allen said. Our voices are not being heard. Were not being thought of.

The question of whether the county offered students less opportunity in 2018 remains unresolved, with a ruling from U.S. District Judge Charles R. Eskridge still pending. At the trials closure, the judge requested that the parties try mediation, citing what he described as a breakdown in communication that led to the filing of the lawsuit.

His instructions came during a relatively rare closing statement in which he offered a somber view of the matter before him. Eskridge invoked a question that had come to mind throughout testimony from a 1997 opinion penned by the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg  whose death, he noted, came just before the start of the trial: Is this conflict really necessary?

If a settlement wasnt reached, Eskridge said, it was unlikely there would be any satisfaction no matter who prevailed; the discord between the county and the students would likely remain intact.

I will rule, but there will still be this distance and distrust between the sides, Eskridge said. And it may actually make things worse after the ruling than before.

An agreement to settle the case ultimately was not reached. The students and the officials of Waller County await Eskridges ruling.

Disclosure: Prairie View A&M University and the Texas secretary of state have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Travellers from another 13 countries must now undergo a mandatory 14-day period of self-quarantine upon arrival in Ireland, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced this evening.

The countries  all in south and central America  are deemed to be at high-risk of Covid-19 infection.

They include: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The move comes as the Government is poised to bring in mandatory quarantine in a designated facility for anyone entering the country.

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But in the meantime, Mr Donnelly is urging everyone to avoid all non-essential travel due to the risk of Covid-19 infection, especially from highly transmissible new variants of the virus.

The Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel at this time and a range of measures is in place to reinforce this policy. If you travel to Ireland from any of the high-risk countries, you must complete a full 14-day quarantine period," he said.

This applies to all passengers from designated states, regardless of nationality and the aim of this measure is to protect the population from challenges posed by new variants of concern.

I brought legislation to the Dail this week to bring in mandatory quarantine in a designated facility. Once the bill has passed through all stages in the Oireachtas, it will be referred to the President for his consideration. Subject to the bill becoming law, it is the Governments intention to commence the operation of mandatory quarantine facilities as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, he said a National Oversight Group for Variants of Concern (VOCS) has been established to monitor and advise public health officials over the challenges posed by the new variants.

The new list of so-called red list countries joins the previous list, including: Angola, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Rwanda, Seychelles, Suriname, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare has disclosed that President Akufo-Addo will be the first Ghanaian to receive the COVID-19 vaccine that arrived in the country on Wednesday, February 24.



President Akufo-Addo will be the first to be vaccinated. This is to assure Ghanaians that the vaccine ie safe and any other reactions like headache, dizziness or pains are all usual with every vaccination, he said.



Mame Yaa Aboagye, Deputy Communications Director of the NPP, commended President Akufo-Addo for showing such an exemplary leadership skill.



To her, this act of President Akufo-Addo has proven that indeed he is a good leader and therefore needs every support from Ghanaians to avail themselves to be vaccinated.



Mame Yaa Aboagye also lauded the President for his hard work and efforts to safeguard the citizenry since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic.



''Let's continue to pray for President Akufo-Addo, let's continue to support him since he has proven to be a great leader," she added.

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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LAS VEGAS and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAAT LIFESTYLE & WELLNESS LTD. (CSE: TAAT) (OTCQB: TOBAF) (FRANKFURT: 2TP2) (the Company or TAAT) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) dated February 24, 2021 with Christina Lake Cannabis Corp. (CLC) (CSE: CLC) to develop and distribute TAAT for the Canadian market. The MOU grants CLC exclusive rights to develop and distribute TAAT in Canada for a two-year renewable term, and provides for budgets, schedules, and contributions of both parties for each stage of product development to be agreed upon by way of written agreements to set out specific stipulations for each stage. After launching TAAT in Ohio in Q4 2020 as well as its U.S. online store on February 17, 2021, the Company has captured the interest of numerous smokers aged 21+ in the United States who are now smoking TAAT as opposed to traditional tobacco cigarettes. The Company selected Ohio as its initial market for several strategic reasons, with a principal criterion being the states ideal population size for an early-stage product launch (i.e., large enough to build meaningful market share, small enough to contain). Beginning this week, a major CPG sales agency is rolling TAAT out to wholesaler, distributor, and retailer accounts in an effort to expand the current footprint of TAAT. Based on the sustained success of TAAT in Ohio and online, the Company has elected to pursue a potential expansion into the Canadian tobacco industry, which is valued at approximately CAD $19.1 billion1.



As a Licensed Producer under the Cannabis Act in Canada, CLC is permitted to procure hemp biomass from third-party growers, produce the Beyond Tobacco base material, manufacture TAAT as a finished product, and distribute TAAT through authorized wholesale and retail channels across Canada. The Canadian population has a nearly identical smoking incidence rate to the United States at approximately 15%2, which suggests that a sizeable segment of legal-aged smokers exists who could prefer TAAT over their regular brand of tobacco cigarettes. Additionally, the lower price point of TAAT could prove appealing to legal-aged Canadian smokers due to the relatively high price of tobacco cigarettes in Canada (as high as CAD $139.83 / USD $110.82 for a 200-stick carton in Manitoba3). Moreover, when the Company launched its U.S. online store earlier this month, more than 16% of users who visited were from Canada, despite no marketing of the product having been conducted outside of the United States.

To view Picture 1 accompanying this release please visit:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0602b81d-607f-44f9-a82f-12178c15f2fe

The Company has partnered with CLC on an exclusive basis to develop and distribute TAAT in Canada (population 37.59 million), where considerable interest from smokers aged 21+ already exists for TAAT despite no product marketing having been conducted outside of the United States

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR or the Investor Relations section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

To develop TAAT for the Company in Canada, CLC intends to source high quality and toxin-free biomass which is suited to the ideal composition of the Beyond Tobacco base material. CLC has already identified multiple local growers who can supply these raw materials for this purpose.

TAAT Chief Executive Officer Setti Coscarella commented, We are very pleased to have partnered with CLC, giving us the opportunity to bring TAAT to legal-aged smokers in Canada, many of whom have shown great enthusiasm about the product. During my time in the tobacco industry, it was widely known that Canada was an exceptionally complex region in which to do business because of challenging regulations. Likewise, for products such as TAAT which utilize hemp, the licensing requirements frequently represent a barrier to entry, often requiring products to be made or distributed through a Licensed Producer such as CLC. We have contemplated several international markets to which TAAT could expand first, and I believe that Canada is the ideal play based on the existing interest we already have from legal-aged smokers across Canada, a positive relationship with CLC to develop and distribute the product on our behalf, and a marketplace where the affordable price point of TAAT adds to its value proposition as a better choice.

Sources

1 - https://www.statista.com/statistics/488752/forecasted-market-value-of-the-tobacco-industry-canada/

2 - https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-info/lung-statistics/smoking-and-tobacco-statistics

3 - https://www.statista.com/statistics/449041/price-of-200-cigarettes-by-region-canada/

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

TAAT LIFESTYLE & WELLNESS LTD.

Setti Coscarella

Setti Coscarella, CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

TAAT Investor Relations

1-833-TAAT-USA (1-833-822-8872)

investor@taatusa.com

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSES REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER.

About TAAT Lifestyle & Wellness Ltd.

The Company has developed TAAT, which is a tobacco-free and nicotine-free alternative to traditional cigarettes offered in "Original", "Smooth", and "Menthol" varieties. TAAT's base material is Beyond Tobacco, a proprietary blend which undergoes a patent-pending refinement technique causing its scent and taste to resemble tobacco. Under executive leadership with "Big Tobacco" pedigree, TAAT was launched first in the United States in Q4 2020 as the Company seeks to position itself in the $814 billion1 global tobacco industry.

For more information, please visit http://taatglobal.com .

References

1 British American Tobacco - The Global Market

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the potential launch of Beyond Tobacco, in addition to the following: Potential outcomes from the Companys planned expansion into Canada through its partnership with CLC. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) changes to the growth and size of the tobacco markets; and (iii) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The statements in this news release have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As each individual is different, the benefits, if any, of taking the Companys products will vary from person to person. No claims or guarantees can be made as to the effects of the Companys products on an individuals health and well-being. The Companys products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This news release may contain trademarked names of third-party entities (or their respective offerings with trademarked names) typically in reference to (i) relationships had by the Company with such third-party entities as referred to in this release and/or (ii) client/vendor/service provider parties whose relationship with the Company is/are referred to in this release. All rights to such trademarks are reserved by their respective owners or licensees.

Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms

Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by TAAT Lifestyle & Wellness Ltd. can be found under the Company's profile on http://sedar.com .




Thursday marked the first day of vaccinations in nine select CVS locations across the State of Alabama.

That morning, Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris emphasized the importance of the locations of these sites.

SVI rankings for Lawrence County, Alabama (between 0-1): Overall - 0.4858 (low to moderate level of vulnerability)

Socioeconomic theme - 0.7861 (high level of vulnerability)

Household Composition/Disability theme - 0.5135 (moderate to high level of vulnerability)

Minority/Language theme - 0.3457 (low to moderate level of vulnerability)

Housing/Transportation theme - 0.1436 (low level of vulnerability)

"We contacted CVS and asked for a call and we told them we would like to put them in our high SVI counties. And we were really pleased that they were excited to do that. They were very cooperative," Harris said.

The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a CDC tool that uses data from the U.S. Census to determine which counties are more at risk during a major impact event, like a hurricane or a pandemic.

For instance, 2016 data from the SVI showed that Lawrence County has an overall rank of 0.4858 on a scale of 0-1. Harris said it's crucial that these populations

"Our most vulnerable counties typically are very rural and actually are typically very small. They don't have really large populations," Harris said.

"What we are making sure that we do is that we go out of our way to recruit additional providers in those communities to make sure that there's other places where people can get the vaccine."

CVS echoed a similar sentiment on Thursday. Pharmacist Meg Sanders said reception from those communities that they're trying to reach has been positive so far.

"They're happy to have this here. And as we continue to get more allocation of vaccine, we hope to continue to spread to other communities that are within that demographic and that need our assistance. So, we're here to support them when we have the available resources to do so," Sanders said.

However, the reach of the vaccines in Moulton went beyond the target demographic of local rural and minority communities. At least one Huntsville resident was able to make a vaccine appointment on Thursday.

Sanders said they would have to check and see what CVS as a company is doing to ensure that vaccines reach those intended when the specific sites were chosen.

Some who got the vaccine on Thursday, like educator Melcha Satchel, said he wasn't bothered by the idea of someone from Huntsville getting the vaccination in Moulton.

"If it's here in this area, I can't blame somebody that's willing to drive because if you say 'north Alabama,' that's still going from here all the way over to the state line. So, if they're willing to drive over here to get it, I don't have a problem with that. It's serving its purpose," Satchel said.

The Colbert County High School principal received his first vaccine dose on Thursday. He said rather than trying to prevent people from outside Lawrence County from getting the vaccine, Satchel said he would rather see a larger effort to educate those within the county that there is more vaccine in their community.

"That's what I would like to see. For me, I would load up in my car and go anywhere to get the vaccination," Satchel said.

CVS recieves about 11,700 doses of the Pfizer vaccine each week. Sanders said to check their website regularly since there's no set timeframe for when new vaccine appointments become available.

As of 11:30 p.m. Thursday night, the locations in Bayou la Batre, Greensboro and Moulton were fully booked for appointments.
26 February 2021



IamFire plc

AQSE: FIRE

("IamFire" or the "company")

Audited Final Results to 30 April 2020

Further to the announcement of February 2021,the Company is pleased to announce its audited results to 30 April 2020.

There are no changes to the CEO Stragegic Review, and save for a minor adjustment to the Statement of Cash Flows, there are no changes to the audited financial results since the announcement of the unaudted preliminary results of 17 February 2021, quoted below.

The Audited results will be uploaded to the company's website shortly at, https://iamfireplc.com





ChiefExecutive Officer's statement and Group Strategic Report

Strategic Report

for the year ended 30 April 2020



REVIEW OF BUSINESS

The key themes for IamFire plc for the year ended 30th April 2020 have been restoration and review, with the investments that were held being disposed of as part of this restoration. I am pleased to report that since leading the restructure and recapitalisation of what was "Karoo Energy plc" in October 2019 that IamFire plc is restored and recharged with investments that position the company and our shareholders in major investment thesis.

The consistent message that I have made to both shareholders and the broader market is that IamFire plc will operate as a lean, aggressive and efficient investment vehicle that will not entertain capital finance unless the Board and I have reviewed a comprehensive strategy that enables the company to create value for the company and our shareholders.

In March 2019, the predecessor company, Karoo Energy plc notified the market that the company had not been successful in graduating to the LSE: AIM market. The company had in the process of seeking admission assumed trade creditors totalling 295,857. Karoo Energy plc, appointed a insolvency practitioner in mid-2019 to structure and enter an informal creditors voluntary agreement (CVA). The company received acceptance from those participating creditors in September 2019. The terms of the CVA saw the participating creditors receive 10% of the sums due upon execution of the CVA and a further 35% of the sums due in the event that the company successfully raised 2,000,000 (in aggregate) by way of equity and/or debt over the period of 18 months following the date of the implementation of the settlement arrangements entered in September 2019.

For the year ending 30th April 2020, the company was in advanced review of a number of value accretive investment opportunities. The company did not materially invest capital nor acquire investment positions via non-cash consideration.

The Board and I focused instead on creating critical internal protocols that would influence our review and identification processes when considering investment opportunities.

This internal review resulted in the formation of two investment divisions and principles that the company will rely on moving forward when analysing investment proposals.

1. High Growth Investment Division (HG)

The HG division focuses on companies that have reached a critical point of growth and need to access specialised capital investment, public market exits or trade sales. IamFire plc will look to opportunities globally where companies have robust balance sheets, strong growth profile's and management teams that require no disruption.

2. Asset Augmentation Investment Division (AA)

The AA division has been designed to look at distressed asset situations that IamFire plc can seek to augment through a broad-restructure, recapitalisation and through the injection of Management & Directors.

The formation of these divisions and principles represent the foundations for which we ultimately finalise our investment categorisation and decisions.

POST YEAR END REVIEW

On 25 June 2020 the company successfully completed an equity finance to raise gross proceeds before expenses of, 500,000. The financing was supported by existing shareholders, Ultra High Net Worth's, Family Offices & Institutional Investors. The collective support including that of the Directors was a brilliant sign of the reception received in conjunction with the turnaround that began in October 2019. The placing was conducted at a price of, 2.5p (0.025) resulting in the issue of 20,000,000 shares. The placing shares included attaching investor warrants on a 2 for 1 basis and a replacement provision. The placee's in aggregate received 40,000,000 warrants with a strike price of 10p and a life to expiry of 3-years from the admission of the placing shares. In the event the subscriber elects to exercise their warrants in full on or prior to expiry, the subscriber shall be granted replacement warrants on 1 for 1 basis with a strike price of 15p and a life to expiry of 3-years from grant of the replacement warrant. In the event all 40,000,000 warrants at 10p were to be exercised on or prior to expiry, the company would issue a further 40,000,000 warrants with a strike price of 15p and a life to expiry of 3 years.

In a step to complement the existing Board, Mr Marc T Bamber was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of IamFire plc on 1st July 2020. Marc is a highly experienced global corporate financier with over 20-years' experience in the Hedge Fund Sector, Capital Markets, Private & Institutional Investments; Investor Communication & Marketing. Marc was a core member of the multiple award winning RAB Special Situations Fund that delivered net returns of 50x to investors with circa.US$2.8Bn in Assets Under Management (AUM).

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement.

ENQUIRIES:

Company



IamFire plc

Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi (Director)

Telephone:020 3778 0755

Corporate Adviser

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Guy Miller / Mark Anwyl

Telephone: 020 7220 9795





Statement of Profit or Loss

for the year ended 30 April 2020

2020 2019 as restated   CONTINUING OPERATIONS Revenue - - Other income 254,913 30,311 Administrative expenses (138,205) (671,487) OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS) 116,708 (641,176) Finance costs - (7,000) Finance income 8 10 PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX 116,716 (648,166) Income tax - - PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE YEAR 116,716 (648,166) Earnings per share expressed in pence per share: Basic 1.62 -31.66 Diluted 1.62 -31.66





Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 30 April 2020

2020 2019 as restated   PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE YEAR 116,716 (648,166) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - - TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 116,716 (648,166)





Statement of Financial Position

30 April 2020

2020 2019 as restated   ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Trade and other receivables 29,852 19,645 Cash and cash equivalents 1,079 1,234 30,931 20,879 TOTAL ASSETS 30,931 20,879 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Called up share capital 526,733 511,837 Share premium 2,344,890 2,231,786 Retained earnings (3,061,096) (3,177,812) TOTAL EQUITY (189,473) (434,189) LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 220,404 455,068 TOTAL LIABILITIES 220,404 455,068 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 30,931 20,879





Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 30 April 2020

Called up share Retained Share Total capital earnings premium equity     Balance at 1 May 2018 511,837 (2,529,646) 2,231,786 213,977 Changes in equity Loss for the year - (648,166) - (648,166) Total comprehensive income - (648,166) - (648,166) Balance at 30 April 2019 511,837 (3,177,812) 2,231,786 (434,189) Balance at 1 May 2019 as previously stated 511,837 (3,087,450) 2,231,786 (343,827) Prior year adjustment (note 9) - (90,362) - (90,362) Balance at 1 May 2019 as restated 511,837 (3,177,812) 2,231,786 (434,189) Profit for the year - 116,716 - 116,716 Total comprehensive income - 116,716 - 116,716 Issue of share capital 14,896 - 113,104 128,000 Balance at 30 April 2020 526,733 (3,061,096) 2,344,890 (189,473)





Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 30 April 2020
New Delhi: All commercial markets across the country will remain closed across the country on Friday (February 26, 2021) in view of the Bharat Bandh called by the Indian traders' bodies in protest against GST, fuel price hike, E-Way Bill. The Indian traders' body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced that all commercial markets across the country will remain closed on February 26.

In a statement, the CAIT said that over 8 crore traders belonging to more than 40,000 trade associations across the country will observe the `Bharat Vyapar Bandh` to protest against some of the "draconian, arbitrary and critical" amendments made recently in GST rules.

Traders across the country are demanding a review of the provisions of the goods and services tax (GST) regime. According to reports, over 40,000 traders' associations across the country will support the Bandh. All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) will also support CAIT's Bharat Bandh call and hold a 'Chakka Jam' on Friday.

Nearly 40, 000 trade associations, which represent eight crore traders of the country, have extended support to the Bharat Bandh call given by the CAIT. The CAIT said in a release that the traders will stage dharnas (protests) at as many as 1,500 places across the nation on February 26, demanding the Centre, state governments and the GST Council to keep in abeyance the "draconian" provisions of GST.

What are the key demands?

The CAIT also called for a review of the GST system and its tax slabs to simplify and rationalise it for easier compliance by traders. CAIT Secretary-General Praveen Khandelwal said it is also talking to the government on this issue, adding that All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) will also support CAIT's Bharat Bandh call and hold a 'Chakka Jam' on February 26.

"All commercial markets across the country will remain closed and protest dharnas will be organised in different cities of all states," Khandelwal said adding that along with CAIT, over 40,000 traders' associations across the country will support the Bandh.

Khandelwal observed that voluntary compliance is the key to a successful GST regime, as it will encourage more people to join the indirect tax system, increase tax base and boost revenue.

Who all are supporting today's Bharat Vyapar Bandh

According to reports, over 40,000 traders' associations across the country will support the Bandh. All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) will also support CAIT's Bharat Bandh call and hold a 'Chakka Jam' on February 26.

The AITWA has also urged the government to abolish E-Way Bill and track vehicles by using Fast-Tag connectivity to E-Invoice and to scrap the penalty on transporters for any time-based compliance target of transit and make diesel prices uniform across the country.

Why mixed response to Bharat Bandh is expected?

However, a mixed response is expected to the 'Bharat Vyapar Bandh' as several traders' bodies are split over joining the nationwide shutdown call to protest against the issues related to GST and e-commerce. However, representatives from other traders' bodies like the Federation of All India Vyapar Mandal and the Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal said that they have not extended support to the Bandh, as per PTI.

Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal Delhi General Secretary Rakesh Yadav said it has not extended support to the Bandh and has submitted a memorandum on the GST-related issues to the government.

Almost 950 amendments have been made so far to GST rules in the past four years, he said, adding that the issues related to glitches in the GST portal and the continuous increase in compliance burden are the major lacunae in the tax regime.

Live TV
On Feb. 12, falling COVID-19 cases led Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to allow restaurants across the Portland area to reopen indoor dining at a 25% capacity. Many chose not to, with some restaurant owners deciding to wait and see if infection rates continued to trend downwards before calling in their furloughed staff.

Meanwhile, Clackamas and Washington counties moved into the moderate risk category as of Friday, so restaurants can open indoor dining at 50% maximum occupancy.

This week brings news that several notable Portland restaurants and bars are ready to emerge from their winter hibernation, some with limited indoor seating, others just for takeout. Among the big names? Portlands oldest steakhouse, best beer bar and most beloved fried-chicken dive.

Ringside Steakhouse, the 75-year-old institution that caused traffic jams last year selling frozen steaks from its parking lot at 2165 W. Burnside St., is already taking reservations for indoor dining, Wednesday-Sunday, with takeout service on hold until March 3. Guests are required to wear masks when leaving their table or interacting with staff members at close range.

Reel-M-Inn, a 27-year-old dive bar known for its pressure-fried chicken and jojos, has been in hibernation since November. But there have been recent signs of life at the old red stucco space, 2430 S.E. Division St. The bar staff isnt ready to resume indoor dining, but the Broaster will be bubbling starting Saturday, with outdoor seating available for those who want to pair their bird with a brew. Check out the menu on Instagram, then text your name, order, preferred pickup time and date to 503-701-3812, or drop by in person and see if any chicken is available.

Belmont Station, the beloved Southeast Portland beer bar and bottle shop housed since 2007 in a brick building at 4500 S.E. Stark St., will reopen its beer cafe for outdoor and limited indoor service seven days a week starting Monday. Ordering is at the bar, seating will be first-come first-served, masks are required when not seated and guests are asked to bus their own tables. Minors are not permitted and payment is limited to credit cards at this time.

 Michael Russell, mrussell@oregonian.com, @tdmrussell

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Friday stressed that China and the European Union (EU) are partners rather than rivals, and the cooperation between the two sides is far greater than any competition.

China wishes to work together with the EU to safeguard and develop a multilateral trading system, the ministry said via a press release in response to a trade policy document released by the European Commission on Feb. 18.

China appreciates that the EU will continue to advocate multilateralism and a rules-based international order, support trade policies that feature openness and engagement, and attach importance to economic and trade relations with China as always, as stated in the document, said the statement.

However, it must be pointed out that the EU's claim that China pursues "a distinct state-capitalist model," which "poses increasing challenges for the established global economic governance system," is not true, the ministry said.

It is also groundless to say that a key driver of the crisis the World Trade Organization (WTO) faces is that China's accession to the organization has not led to its transformation into a market economy.

China firmly rejects such claims and accusations, said the ministry.

China has been building a socialist market economy in an all-round way, letting the market play a decisive role in resource allocation and giving full play to the role of the government.

History has shown that the country's economic governance system contributes Chinese wisdom to global economic governance, said the press release.

The ministry said China has always been an active participant, firm supporter and important contributor to the WTO. The root causes of the current WTO crisis are unilateralism and protectionism.

At a time when the WTO faces serious challenges, China and the EU should work together to safeguard the authority and representativeness of the multilateral trading system, and strengthen solidarity and enhance trust among WTO members, said the commerce ministry.

According to the document, the EU will adopt stricter restrictions in foreign investment screening, export control, public procurement and foreign subsidies.

China hopes that the EU will increase its policy transparency, maintain fairness, justice and non-discrimination, and avoid hindering normal international trade and investment, the ministry said, adding that different social systems and economic models should not prevent the two sides from carrying out mutually beneficial cooperation.

China is ready to work with the EU to strengthen dialogue, deepen cooperation and properly handle differences to push for the steady and long-term development of China-EU economic and trade relations.

China hopes that the EU will continue to adhere to free trade and multilateralism, work with China to oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and facilitate the recovery of the world economy at the earliest possible date, said the ministry. Enditem

[ Editor: SRQ ]
Mexico`s Foreign Minister and The US Secretary of State, hold a virtual meeting about the growing migration crisis in Central America.

By James Blears

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin are sharing cyberspace on Friday in an attempt to tackle a worsening hemispheric problem. The aim is to work out a plan to halt the waves of Central American Caravans, mostly originating in Honduras from crossing over into neighbouring Guatemala and then on to Mexico, in the quest to reach US territory. One of the main ways in which this could be achieved is by creating home grown jobs, but it would need a major and sustained economic stimulus plus impetus from Washington.

The previous Trump Administration threatened loss of aid and sanctions against Nations within the Americas, who failed to significantly tighten up and clamp down against the Caravans, who`s numbers increase the more ground they cover.

Mexico, which had initially allowed them unhindered access and even provided temporary camps and shelters for them, especially in the Capital Mexico City, then changed tack, trying to hold them off at the border. Even prior to this, the Guatemalan Authorities attempted to impose their own buffers.

Many undocumented migrants have decided to flee their homelands due to a scarcity of job opportunities, but also because of threats to their children from street gangs plus other strands of organized crime. The young people are ordered to join these ranks or face death. The illicit narcotics trade and more recently the Covid 19 Pandemic has greatly worsened the dire plight of these poverty stricken people, who often trust the Church, but seldom have confidence in their own Governments.

Many would be migrants have been offered the opportunity to stay and settle in Mexico, which in turn, needs help from further North in order to maintain and extend this generous helping hand.

Sinn Fein TD for Louth and East Meath Imelda Munster has called on Failte Ireland to consider extending the Outdoor Dining grant scheme to include urban centres and towns in Louth and border regions, saying that it was a huge disappointed that the border region has been completely excluded.

The grant is part of a number of supports that Failte Ireland has brought on board for businesses in the industry that were not eligible for previous grant aid, such as the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS).

The grant will provide assistance with outdoor infrastructure to accommodate outdoor dining, and will be managed through local authorities.

The scheme reportedly covers Dublin, Kilkenny, Killarney, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Cork and Athlone.

Teachta Munster said:The supports announced for 2021 are welcome, and Id like to commend Failte Ireland on their work in providing assistance to the tourism sector during this extremely difficult time.

While I welcome that the Minister is finally providing grant aid and other supports for tourism businesses that were not entitled to the supports made available last year, such as the CRSS, it is clear that some gaps remain.

One of these is the glaring omission of the border region in terms of the Outdoor Dining grant, and this must be amended.

We all know that the border and midlands regions require additional supports and development when it comes to tourism.

"This is even more pressing during the current crisis.

Tourism has completely collapsed, and we need to ensure that we support the industry in every way we can ahead of this years season when we all hope to be in a position to holiday in Ireland.

I have written to Failte Ireland asking them to explain why the border region was not included, and have asked them to reconsider this, and ensure that urban centres in the border region can avail of this funding.

Louth is home to Irelands two largest towns, and tourism funding should reflect this fact.

We want to encourage people to visit our towns this year, and the provision of ample outdoor dining space is central to that.

In recent years Drogheda has proved to be a fantastic tourism destination, which was abundantly clear when we successfully hosted the Fleadh Cheoil twice in the last few years.

"The county has plenty to offer in terms of beautiful coastal towns, and incredible historical features and history and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to Louth this year.




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Kadine Christie, the writer of this weeks Modern Love essay, didnt have to look far to find her life partner. In fact, she would end up marrying the first boy she ever met. Just before Ms. Christie entered the world, her mother was befriended by a fellow expecting mother in the maternity ward of a small hospital in Jamaica. As each supported the other through difficult deliveries, neither could have known that their son and a daughter would eventually have three kids of their own.
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Arnel Joseph (shown in January 2021) escaped from a prison in the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince during a riot on Thursday. He was killed by police on Friday

One of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders was shot dead by police on Friday after a deadly 24 hours which began with a prison riot.

Arnel Joseph, escaped from a prison in the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince during a riot on Thursday.

In the midst of the violence, seven prisoners and the prison director were killed.

Witnesses told The Associated Press they saw men from the outside shooting into the prison, at the guards.

The spokesman for the national police, Gary Desrosiers, told Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste that about 40 prisoners were re-captured after the riot at the Croix-des-Bouquets Civil Prison.

It is not known how many prisoners escaped.

On Friday, police found Joseph and killed him as he tried to evade them on a motorcycle.

Before his arrest, Joseph was the most-wanted gang leader in Haiti.

Recaptured inmates are escorted by police back to the Croix-des-Bouquets Civil Prison after an attempted breakout, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021

Recaptured inmates are led by police outside the Croix-des-Bouquets Civil Prison after an attempted breakout, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Social media photos show some of the men who attacked the prison (left) and some of the prisoners after they escaped (right) on Thursday

Haiti's prime minister, Joseph Jouthe, told Le Nouvelliste that authorities have retaken control of the prison, which was also the site of a major prison break in 2014, during which hundreds of prisoners escaped.

Division inspector Paul Hector Joseph was among those killed.

Joseph was awaiting trial on charges of rape, homicide and illegal weapons possession.

He was arrested in 2019 after a months-long manhunt.

Photographs on Thursday showed some of the recaptured prisoners being dragged back to the prison with ropes around their waists.

Police patrol outside the Croix-des-Bouquets prison after a prison break, near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 25 February 2021

An inmate is recaptured outside the Croix-des-Bouquets Civil Prison after an attempted breakout, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021

Some prisoners captured alive are held in a truck by the Croix-des-Bouquets prison from where they escaped and where several people were killed, in Croix-des-Bouquets, suburb of the Haitian capital, on February 25, 2021

The body of a dead inmate lies on the pavement by the Croix-des-Bouquets prison from where many prisoners escaped and where several people were killed, in Croix-des-Bouquets, suburb of the Haitian capital, on February 25, 2021

Joseph is shown being led back to jail in January after escaping then
M3 Center for Hospitality Turns to Tech to Support Visiting Scholar Program

By Rich Shopes

TAMPA (February 11, 2021) -- The University of South Floridas School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is helping international scholars connect with students to enhance their knowledge and career prospects.

Travel delays sparked by COVID 19 prompted many universities to rethink their visiting scholar programs, causing delays in collaborative research. But the schools M3 Center for Hospitality Technology and Innovation is using specialized software and online technologies to connect graduate students and faculty members with international scholars, advancing valuable research to help hospitality professionals worldwide.

By using technology and staying flexible and open to alternative research methods we are able to collaborate effectively with our international partners, benefitting not only those researchers but also our faculty and students here on campus, said Cihan Cobanoglu, a professor and director of the M3 Center. This has been a boon to our educational and research mission.

Cobanoglu calls the effort the Virtual Visiting Scholar Program.

A part of the Muma College of Business at the universitys Sarasota-Manatee campus, the M3 Center collaborates year-round with visiting scholars, exploring issues that effect hospitality professionals worldwide.

To sustain its research goals during the pandemic, the center turned to online meetings, email, document sharing and software like SmartPLS, which provides statistical testing of causational relationships, and Amazon mTurk and Qualtrics, which provide access to talent for survey collection and analysis.

The centers high-tech solution is helping scholars as they seek to continue their work assisting the hospitality industry. And while theres no substitute for face-to-face collaboration, they say the workaround is helping them move forward in their research.

So far, its working out well, said Seden Dogan, an assistant professor of tourism at Ondokuz Mayis University in Samsun, Turkey. Even though I am in another country, Im able to access Qualtrics to create data collection tools, Amazon mTurk to collect data, and USFs document library to access thousands of documented resources.

It also gives me a chance to collaborate with M3 Center team members, in particular Dr. Cobanoglu and Dr. Faizan Ali.

Dogan isnt new to USF. She visited the Sarasota-Manatee campus in October 2019 to undertake a post-doctoral research project. She quickly became known around campus, assisting other researchers and auditing graduate-level classes.

Dogans research focuses on emerging technologies, including robotics and drones, and their potential application in hospitality. Returning to Turkey in the winter, she had every intention of rejoining her research partners in spring 2020 to finish her work. However, as the pandemic took hold, triggering travel delays, she turned to Cobanoglu, Ali and others at the center to explore technological options.

The shift online hasnt been without hiccups. Connectivity and scheduling issues sometimes arose. Theres an eight-hour time difference between Turkey and the U.S., Dogan said. Arranging an online meeting can be difficult in terms of the time difference, but we always found a way to manage.

Plus, the benefits of continued access to data and the centers researchers outweigh the disadvantages of working long distance. Certainly, Dogan cant complain about the result: Over the past year, she has published an article with Ali and three other international scholars as well as a conference paper and three book chapters with Cobanoglu.

Additionally, she has two textbooks, two book chapters, six journal articles and another conference paper at various stages of development. She also serves on several thesis committees to assist graduate students such as Abraham Terrah, whos researching high-tech hotel room amenities.

Other virtual visiting scholars include Rab-Nawaz Lodhi, an associate professor of management at the University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, and recent USF masters graduate Ken Edwards of Tristar Hotels.

Edwards is helping the center create a certificate program in hotel management along with online classroom materials to assist students at USF and elsewhere.

Lodhi, meanwhile, is helping Ali and several graduate students complete their research projects while also serving as a guest editor at the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, an SSCI-indexed journal published by the M3 Center.

So far, I am impressed at how well the program is working out, Cobanoglu said. We are in constant communication with each other, and were able to review documents at any time without problem.

Theres no substitute for working side-by-side, but at least this program allows us to continue conducting valuable research to contribute to the health and vibrancy of the hospitality industry, he said. Im very pleased with what weve been able to accomplish.
A reclusive gamer has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly bashed a woman with a sledgehammer in a luxury five-star hotel.

Matthew Donaldson, 41, was arrested in dense bushland in Lapstone in the lower Blue Mountains at 4.45pm on Thursday.

Detectives have now released a photo of a handgun they found nearby after returning to the remote area on Friday.

Police allege that two days earlier Donaldson attacked a woman, 26, inside the Primus Hotel on Pitt Street in Sydney's CBD.

Matthew Donaldson, 41, (pictured) has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking a woman with a sledgehammer

Matthew Donaldson, 41, was arrested in dense bushland in Lapstone in the lower Blue Mountains at about 4.45pn on Thursday (pictured)

Investigators later returned to bushland at Lapstone with Donaldson where a firearm was found on Friday (pictured)

Donaldson allegedly struck the Belarus national with a sledgehammer, leaving her with serious facial and head injuries.

Emergency crews rushed to the Primus Hotel about 11pm on Tuesday night and took her to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

Police carried out a search warrant at a unit on Rodgers Street, Kingswood on Wednesday and seized knives, ammunition and other weapons.

The 41-year-old was taken to Springwood Police Station before being transferred to hospital for treatment.

Matthew Donaldson (pictured) allegedly attacked a 26-year-old woman inside a room in the Primus Hotel in the Sydney CBD

Donaldson (pictured, middle) has been charged with five offences, including causing wounding or grievous bodily harm to a person with the intent to murder

Investigators on Friday went back to the bushland alongside Donaldson and recovered a firearm.

Donaldson has been charged with five offences, including causing wounding or grievous bodily harm to a person with the intent to murder.

Other charges include wounding a person with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a loaded firearm in a public place and without a permit.

Donaldson was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.
Police in Bangladesh on Friday baton charged and fired tear gas at hundreds of students demonstrating in the capital after a prominent writer and government critic died in jail.

At least 10 people suffered minor injuries in the clashes with police, a witness said, amid growing demands for an independent investigation into the death of Mushtaq Ahmed.

An AFP correspondent saw police lashing out with batons and firing tear gas rounds at students calling for "justice" near Dhaka University.

Ahmed was detained in May under a tough digital security act that opponents say undermines freedom of speech after he criticised the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 53-year-old, a crocodile farmer as well as a writer, was charged with spreading rumours and conducting "anti-state activities" on Facebook.

Jail authorities said Ahmed died on Thursday after passing out at a high-security jail outside of Dhaka.

He had not been suffering from a major illness, according to prison chief Mohammad Ghiasuddin.

Ahmed's lawyer demanded an independent inquiry into the death.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has also called for "a swift, transparent, and independent investigation".

Ahmed's prosecution under the Digital Security Act was an example of the "worst form of repression", said Saad Hammadi of Amnesty International.

"No one should have to die solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression," he added.

Around 2,000 cases have been filed under the law since it was enacted in 2018, according to Amnesty.

Many leading editors and senior journalists have been targeted for prosecution under the law.

sa/tw/oho
Feb. 26The Missouri western women pushed one of the nation's best with its season on the line, though No. 5 Fort Hays State proved to be too much in a 77-69 win Thursday at MWSU Fieldhouse.

Missouri Western (6-15) is eliminated from the MIAA Tournament with the loss and will end its season with Saturday's finale against Nebraska-Kearney.

Offense was on display for both teams early as the Griffons assisted on three of their first four baskets, going ahead 9-7 after a jumper and 3-pointer from Mary Fultz.

Fort Hays went ahead with an 8-2 run to end the first, leading 25-19.

A 5-0 run by Logan Hughes tied the game at 31 midway through the second quarter, though a Jessie Sallach jumper put Fort Hays State ahead for good. The Tigers' lead at the half was 39-37.

A Jaden Hobbs 3-pointer to end the third quarter gave FHSU a 60-52 cushion. The lead reached 12 early in the fourth and ballooned to as much as 18.

Brionna Budgetts scored 10 as part of a 14-2 Western run to claw back within six in the closing minutes.

Mychaell Gray led Western with 15 points. Hughes scored 12 off the bench, while Asia McCoy added 10 points and five rebounds.

Camille Evans stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Western shot 53% from the field and finished with 16 assists.

Whitney Randall led Fort Hays with 29 points.

Western will honor seniors Kyra Hogan, Simone Rodney and Miranda Stephens for Senior Night at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Callie doesnt feel comfortable going outside. The 3-year-old hovers close to her mother and ventures out into her familys small front courtyard, but only if the metal gate is locked.

Just around the corner and up the hill is where a notorious coyote bit and scratched her back, leg and buttocks on Feb. 17. It was the fourth attack by a wayward coyote that has bitten at least five people since July in the Moraga and Lafayette areas, prompting an all-out hunt by local, county, state and federal officials and rattling residents and hikers around the Lafayette Reservoir open space.

Shes beyond scared. Shes scared in the house and shes scared outside the house, mother Jackie B. told The Chronicle in an interview at their Moraga home, as Callie, wearing a blue princess dress, tugged on her leg. The mother wanted to use only her first name and last initial to protect her childs privacy, a request The Chronicle granted according to its source policy. She cant see the distinction between a coyote and a dog. And she wont believe me that a coyote cant open a door.

Authorities said they havent seen such repeated attacks before from an individual coyote, an animal known to shy away from human contact. Theyve posted coyote warning signs near the bite sites and notices on private property alerting passersby that animal traps have been set in the area. Theres a steady stream of trappers, hunters, wardens and police driving up and down nearby streets each morning  so far, the animal bites have happened mostly in the Campolindo neighborhood in the dawn hours and downtown Lafayette at night. In between is the Lafayette Reservoir and its 928 acres of open space, popular with hikers and joggers  and coyotes.

As of Thursday, the coyote, which has been linked to all the attacks by DNA, has avoided capture, said Patrick Foy, a California Fish and Wildlife captain.

Weve got a well-run operation going all day and night, Foy said by phone. We just cant seem to catch the coyote.

More than a dozen traps are set, and hunters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are driving along the Rim Trail, which circles the reservoir on ridgetops. On Wednesday, the Moraga Town Council received an update on the situation. A police lieutenant told them a 24-7 operation was in place.

We have open space right next to us, Police Chief Jon King told the council, and were going to have coyotes encroaching.

After Callies bite, some neighbors began walking their dogs holding shower curtain rods or whistles, stopping to exchange their stories of sightings from opposite sidewalks. Its been a busy thoroughfare during the pandemic as people exercise outside.

Two days after the attack on Callie, a young man walked out of a convenience store in downtown Lafayette  far away from any open space  and sat down in the parking lot. The coyote appeared and bit him in the left leg. When he stood up, the coyote ran off, Foy said.

NBC Bay Area spoke to 20-year-old John Stevenson, who said the animal bit him through his jeans and that when he pulled up his pants, he saw puncture wounds. He didnt see or hear the animal approach, but filmed it across the street after.

I just got bit by the same coyote thats biting everyone else, he told the station. Thats immediately what I thought.

That latest attack  which officials linked to the same animal by DNA  baffled officials because its so far from any open space and in a very busy section of Lafayette.

It has us scratching our heads, because its not in an area that coyotes are generally comfortable in, Foy said. He doesnt believe the animal is rabid, because witnesses report a healthy and strong coyote, and animals usually die fairly quickly after contracting rabies.

On Feb. 17 around 8:30 a.m., Jackie said she took her daughters on their daily morning walk through the neighborhood, but avoided the dirt trails nearby because they were muddy from recent rain.

Callie normally rides in the stroller, but that morning she decided to walk alongside her mother, who was pushing the empty carriage while holding her infant daughter in a BabyBjorn carrier.

They had just begun walking up a hill when Callie screamed. A coyote had grabbed her. Jackie called it an ambush.

It came quietly from behind and pounced, the mother recalled. I started swinging and waving my hands at it. It was a moment of shock, and I dont remember if I punched it or not.

The coyote stopped and backed off about 10 feet before charging again and backing up. It repeated the threats about 20 times, the mother said.

It was remarkable just how not scared it was, said Jackie, who runs by herself early in the mornings and frequently encounters coyotes that keep their distance. Nothing I could do would scare this coyote away.

She screamed as she held the stroller in one hand and a blanket in another and tried to corral her wailing daughter who wanted to run away. A neighbor heard the commotion, saw Jackie panicking through his home surveillance camera and came to help. Finally, the animal scampered off up the hill.

Callie had about four to five wounds. It was difficult to tell if they were bite or claw marks, Jackie said.

Police and firefighters responded, collected the girls flower dress and swabbed her wounds. The DNA matched the wanted coyote.

When her husband came home, Jackie struggled to tell him what happened. She was crying hysterically. At the hospital, doctors thoroughly cleaned the wounds and poked about 20 shots around each abrasion.

She wasnt talking at first, and then the first thing she said was, I wish you would take me to Disneyland, Jackie said. Then the second thing was, Mommy, can you please stop crying?

Since then, doctors have Callie on antibiotics as she fights an on-and-off fever. Three of her four rabies treatments are done, and each time the Oakland Childrens Hospital staff showers her with candies, necklaces and Otter Pops to help ease the discomfort. Her neighbors have also dropped off food and gifts for Callie.

But it has been difficult in the days since the attack. She will only sleep close to her mom, the walks have completely stopped and she doesnt want to play outside, even in her fenced backyard.

Were working on all that with her, and its a process, Jackie said.

On a recent early morning jog, Jackie passed a mom with an infant daughter walking in the neighborhood and stopped to advise her of the coyote attacks. In December, a man was bitten on the leg by this coyote while working out on the Campolindo High School track, a few blocks from the attack on Callie. Days later, a man was bitten behind a Lafayette grocery store. In July, the coyote bit a 2-year-old at a nearby park.

I dont think its safe for kids to be out alone at least in the early morning and late evening, Jackie said. It needs to be caught or it will keep on happening.

Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni
Its a Monday afternoon on a cold day in January last year and a steady stream of visitors wander in and out of room 43 at the National Gallery in London. They are here to see one thing: Vincent van Goghs Sunflowers.

To get here, theyve hung a left at room 44, bypassing its Manets and Monets, and shuffled up to the 1888 masterpiece and raised their phone to click a photo and collect an anecdote. Seen it. Tick, says one young woman with a flick of a finger to her bored-looking boyfriend.

Vincent Van Goghs all-yellow Sunflowers (1888), which is one of the two originals he painted in Arles. Credit:Image courtesy the National Gallery, London

The click and move on, that bugs me, sighs Christopher Riopelle, the gallerys Neil Westreich curator of post-1800 paintings. Its this weird notion that we dont have to experience anything in the now. We take a picture and then, at some point later that never arrives, we experience it then.

We are sitting in front of Thomas Gainsboroughs Conard Wood, near Sudbury, Suffolk - a moody rural scene with a couple of donkeys - thats the complete opposite of the dazzling Sunflowers, which is so crowded weve had to move away to talk.
Pakistan and India have agreed to immediately end military hostilities in the disputed area of Kashmir. The two nations promised Thursday to honor a 2003 truce to reduce tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals.

In a joint statement, top military commanders said they had discussed in a cordial atmosphere the situation along the Line of Control that splits Kashmir.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but both countries claim the whole territory. It has been the cause of two of the three wars between the countries since both gained independence from Britain in 1947.

A statement released by Pakistans army said the two nations had agreed to observe all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LOC.

It also said that in the interest of peace, the two sides had agreed to discuss each others main concerns in an effort to prevent further violence.

Indian and Pakistani military commanders also agreed on the need to use existing arrangements between the two sides to settle any problems that may arise, the statement said.

Thursdays communication between the two militaries -- through an established hotline -- came after months of worsening relations between Pakistan and India.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi called the understanding an important step toward peace in the area. He added that while the agreement can be a good beginning, it also requires India to demonstrate sincerity.

South Asia experts in India welcomed the move.

"Its a good development and should have happened a long time ago, said Amit Baruah. He is editor of The Hindu newspaper in Delhi.

India and Pakistan may not see eye-to-eye, but contact is always good for the sake of the people living on either side of the Line of Control, Baruah told VOA.

The two countries agreed to the 2003 Kashmir ceasefire at a time when the world worried that hostilities over Kashmir could grow into a nuclear conflict.

However, small military conflicts at the border have become common in recent years. Each side has accused the other of truce violations. Both countries say the violence has caused hundreds of casualties to security forces and civilians.

India has long accused Pakistan of arming Muslim separatists fighting Indian rule in Kashmir. Pakistan denies the charges. It says Indian security forces have committed atrocities against Kashmiris.

Indias Hindustan Times newspaper said the new agreement was the result of secret talks between Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart, Moeed Yusuf.

Tensions have increased sharply since August 2019. At that time, India canceled Kashmirs constitutional right to limited self-rule in the part of Kashmir it controls. It split the area into two new territories and enforced tough new security and communications rules in the majority Muslim area.

Pakistans government saw the move as a violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution that recognizes Kashmir as a disputed territory. Its relationship with India worsened as it demanded that the action be changed.

India said the move was part of efforts aimed at improving security and bringing economic growth to Kashmir.

Im Susan Shand.

VOAs Ayaz Gul reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

rival  n. someone or something that is competing with another person or thing

cordial  adj. friendly and polite

arrangement  n. plans for how something will happen

hotline  n. a direct telephone line in constant operation in order to carry out immediate communication

sincerity  n. being honest and saying or showing what you really feel or believe

atrocity  n. a very cruel or terrible action

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MBABANE  As of this past Monday, Eswatini was one of the few countries to appear on the European Unions grey list in terms of tax cooperation.

This grey list is comprised of countries that have made sufficient commitments to implement tax good governance principles but are not yet fully compliant. Botswana, Eswatini, and Thailand are in the grey list, while Morocco, Namibia, and Saint Lucia have been promoted off all lists, having met their commitments.

Jurisdictions

Following the review, the grey list is now made up of nine jurisdictions from an initial list of 34. Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Eswatini, Jamaica, Jordan, Maldives, Thailand and Turkey are in the grey list.

The grey list, also called the watch list includes countries whose commitments in terms of tax compliance are considered insufficient by the European Union, but their implementation is closely monitored.

First launched in 2017, the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes is part of the EUs external tax strategy and aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote good tax governance in the world.

Meanwhile, as of February 22, the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes encompassed 12 countries; namely, American Samoa, Anguilla, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, US Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Seychelles, and the newest entry, Dominica.

The reason for the listing is because these countries have failed to engage in a constructive dialogue with the EU on tax governance or have not met their commitments to the EU regarding tax transparency, fair taxation, or implementation of international tax standards.

To avoid tax blacklisting, countries must also receive a largely compliant rating from the Global Forum concerning the exchange of information on request.

Blacklisted jurisdictions face higher scrutiny, loss of access to EU funds and damage to their reputations.

Barbados was on the EU blacklist since October 2020 after receiving a partially compliant rating from the Global Forum. The Global Forum has recently granted Barbados a supplementary review. Therefore, as of 22 February, Barbados has been removed from the blacklist and placed on the second step of the podium, the so-called gray list.

Commitments

Australia, Jordan, and the Maldives benefit from an extension to the deadline to comply with their commitments.

Turkeys status has been discussed: actually, Turkey is expected to solve all open issues in terms of the exchange of information with all Member States by May 31, 2021, reads the EU report.

Member States are encouraged to take specific measures against non-cooperative jurisdictions both in tax-related issues and non-tax areas. The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes is said to be a tool to tackle tax fraud or evasion; illegal non-payment or under payment of tax. It is also meant to curb tax avoidance; use of legal means to minimise tax liability and money laundering. By identifying these countries at EU level, member states can act together to put pressure for reform.

Cooperation

The aim is not to name and shame countries, but to encourage positive change in their tax legislation and practices, through cooperation.

Jurisdictions that do not yet comply with all international tax standards but have committed to reform are included in a state of play document (Annex). Once a jurisdiction meets all its commitments, it is removed from the annex.

Sanctions include applying a withholding tax at a higher rate on payments such as interest, royalties, service fee or remuneration, when these payments are treated as received in blacklisted jurisdictions. By the end of this year, an overview of sanctions applied by member States will take place.

Attempts to get comments from the Ministry of Finance on the latest review and attempts the country was doing to improve the rating were fruitless at the time of compiling this report.






Georgian prosecutors have charged three people for an attack on investigative television journalist Vakho Sanaia, who believes his assailants targeted him over his work.

The Interior Ministry said on February 26 that the suspects, who are said to have been drinking before the attack, were charged with violence committed by a group against two or more individuals.

Sanaia says he and a relative were returning from the airport in Tbilisi at night when they were approached by the three suspects in "an aggressive manner" after their car broke down.

"They were directly aggressive toward me as a representative of the media," he said.

"They started provoking me, started swearing at us, at TV Pirveli, they were aggressive toward media in general," he added, blaming general anti-media "propaganda" pushed by the ruling Georgia Dream party against outlets critical of the government.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili condemned the attack saying "the response from the state will be adequate and the perpetrators will be held accountable with the full severity of the law."

Georgia has been rocked by political turmoil in recent months amid repeated opposition claims that fall elections were rigged even though international observers said the October 31, 2020 vote, which triggered protests, was broadly free and fair.

The election campaign itself was marred by violent attacks against at least five journalists during clashes between pro-government and pro-opposition activists.

Opposition activists gathered on February 26 outside parliament demanding fresh elections and the release of all political prisoners, a reference to a raid on the headquarters of a major opposition party this week and the arrest of the partys leader, Nika Melia.

Melia was arrested over allegations that he incited violence at protests nearly two years ago. He has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.

International rights group Amnesty International called the heavy use of force to take Melia into custody before a court has heard his appeal against pretrial detention a troubling indicator.

The South Caucasus country is ranked 60th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2020 World Press Freedom Index.
U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra BeaufortBy LUIS MARTINEZ, ABC News

(WASHINGTON) -- Two U.S. Navy ships deployed to the Middle East are experiencing coronavirus outbreaks and have arrived in Bahrain to isolate infected crew members, the Navy said in a statement Friday morning.



The amphibious transport ship USS San Diego has gone into port in Bahrain after 12 service members tested positive for the virus, the Navy's Fifth Fleet said.



The cruiser USS Philippine Sea was at sea when it was discovered that several sailors aboard had also been exposed to the virus and were considered to be "persons under investigation."



The cruiser has since arrived in Bahrain, where those sailors tested positive for COVID-19, a Fifth Fleet spokesperson told ABC News Friday.



"Sailors with positive cases and close contacts have been isolated on the ship, and the ship remains in a restricted COVID bubble at the pier," said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich.



"U.S. 5th Fleet took immediate actions to identify, isolate, test and treat affected Sailors and Marines aboard two ships," the Navy said in its initial statement.



"Medical health professionals are conducting a thorough contact investigation to determine the source of COVID-19 aboard the ships and whether any other personnel may have been exposed," it added.



The sailors aboard the USS San Diego have been isolated aboard the ship, and the ship itself is "in a restricted COVID bubble."



The recent exposures aboard the two ships at sea come a week after three sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt tested positive for the virus while it was deployed to the Pacific Ocean.



A previous large-scale coronavirus outbreak aboard that ship in 2020 ultimately infected a quarter of the 5,000 sailors on board. As a result, the Navy imposed strict mitigation procedures for ship crews at sea and two-week quarantines for those preparing to deploy.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
As restaurants provide in-person dining options, some local establishments are facing a shortage of employees, despite reaching out to former employees with offers to return to work.

Lynda Robinson with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency explained employers are able to report an employees refusal of work through their Michigan Web Account Manager or through the UIA web portal. Those who claim unemployment benefits are required to notify UIA if and why they refused work during their bi-weekly certification.

The agency will investigate and issue a determination as to whether the claimant remains entitled to unemployment benefits. If the claimant is not entitled to benefits, he or she may have to pay back benefits already received and will not be eligible for benefits going forward. Both claimants and employers have the right to protest and appeal the agencys determination, Robinson said.

Jimmy Johns in Midland is one restaurant that's feeling the effects of a staff deficiency. Manager David Black explained the restaurant reduced its number of employees when the pandemic hit last March. Very few employees have returned when they were rehiring later in the year; and he could not give a reason why they did not return. As a result, the Midland location has had shortened business hours and has a difficult time keeping up with deliveries, said Black. The sub shop has shortened its hours to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though it will be open until 7 p.m. starting next week.

Were not seeing a high turnout of applicants coming in, Black said.

Jimmy Johns currently has 15 employees, including a few high school students who could work earlier hours because they are able to take Zoom classes. Black explained the restaurant typically sees more employee turnout in the summer months.

Were always taking applications. We could always use some more delivery drivers, Black said.

Sheril Tarrant, director of business services and community development at Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! has heard similar feedback from area restaurants that are willing to rehire employees and are facing worker shortages.

Its pretty much across the board, Tarrant said.

While restaurants determine how many employees to hire to keep up with the business flow, Tarrant reported there is a change in the atmosphere in regard to employees comfort levels of going back to work. While many were hesitant at first, now that group is about evenly mixed with those who are willing to return to work. People are calling to schedule appointments with career managers and begin their job search.

In the restaurant industry, theyve done so much to make sure people are comfortable since day one, Tarrant said.

Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is hosting a resume drop-off specifically for the area restaurant industry from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 4. Applicants can drop off a copy of their resume, select which positions and restaurants they wish to apply for. The office staff will make copies of the resumes and deliver them on behalf of the applicants. As of Friday morning, 50 restaurants in the region are participating including nine in Midland: Pizza Sams, Subway, Jersey Mikes Subs, Jimmy Johns, Laskos, Culvers, Cottage Inn Pizza, Good Times Pizza, ONE Eighteen (The H Hotel) and Applebees.

If a job seeker wants to drop off their resume before 12-2 p.m. on March 4, they can do so during normal business hours Monday-Thursday next week by simply using the provided envelopes in our Service Center Entrance and dropping it in the drop box, said Tarrant. Were trying to think outside the box to help.

Any employer who is interested in participating can contact Tarrant at sherilt@michiganworks.com or call 989-754-1144 x210.
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Uncertainty around the future of the Northern Ireland protocol has seen the construction of purpose-built inspection facilities at ports halted.

There will still be checks on agricultural and food products, but these will be carried out in existing buildings that have been repurposed for the post-Brexit task, the country's agriculture minister has said.

Gordon Lyons of the DUP said that recruitment of inspection staff for the new port facilities at places like Belfast and Larne had been stopped, and charges levied on traders bringing goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland were also shelved.

Mr Lyons said his decision was based on "practical difficulties" caused by the protocol, which came as part of the UK's trade deal with the EU.

The agreement struck saw trade checks enacted on products travelling between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, however these regulatory and customs checks were moved to the Irish Sea to avoid a border on the island of Ireland.

A grace period has been in place since 31 December, but there has still been disruption on transporting supermarket goods and this could intensify when it ends on 1 April.

Mr Lyons said: "I've just let executive colleagues know that today I instructed my department to halt work on a range of issues relating to work at the ports.

"This is in and around a number of areas, first of all further infrastructure, any further infrastructure builds; the additional recruitment of staff; and also the charging at the ports."

Other members of the Northern Ireland executive, which is made up of several political parties, have called for an emergency meeting.

It comes as unionist politicians called on the UK government to take unilateral action over the protocol.

Unionists are unhappy about the checks that need to take place on goods travelling between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, saying it drives an economic wedge between the regions.

Story continues

Mr Lyons said: "We don't know what the movement of retail goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland is going to look like, we don't have the support in place through the digital assistance scheme yet either, and all of the SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) issues around the end of the grace period are just so uncertain and it's real nightmare for us and it's going to be causing us an awful lot of problems."

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) has called for an emergency meeting of the Northern Ireland national executive to discuss the matter.

SDLP deputy leader and Northern Ireland's infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon said: "I have requested an urgent meeting of the Executive this evening to address the unilateral action taken by Minister Gordon Lyons.

"This is a five party executive facing two significant crises - a global pandemic and the impact of Brexit.

"We should be taking decisions together in the substantial common interests of the people we represent - not using political office for divisive stunts.

"This decision is controversial, cross-cutting and cannot be put into effect without executive agreement."

Michelle O'Neill, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister and a member of Sinn Fein, tweeted: "Previously, when the former department of agriculture, environment and rural affairs minister took a similar stance, his permanent secretary took forward the executives responsibilities.

"The protocol is a consequence of Brexit. The DUP championed Brexit & must own the consequences. Business and society need certainty, not stunts."

Analysis: This is more of a political move than a practical one

By David Blevins, senior Ireland correspondent

The battle over the Northern Ireland protocol is escalating but right now, this is more about political pressure than practicalities.

The checks required on agri-food products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain have not been halted, well not yet anyway.

They have been conducted in temporary facilities at ports since the end of the transition period on New Year's Eve.

But the DUP, which holds the agriculture portfolio, has been under pressure from other Unionist parties for enabling those checks.

Arlene Foster's party has now upped the ante by halting the construction of permanent posts and the hiring of inspectors.

The DUP wants Boris Johnson to invoke Article 16 of the withdrawal agreement, to effectively overwrite the Northern Ireland protocol.

The move comes four weeks after the EU threatened to invoke Article 16 "in error" over the distribution of vaccines.
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.
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Frankly, if something happened, this person deserves to have an answer and for someone to contact them and say what happened as a result of the complaint, Mosser said. People need to know we are moving forward and its not being swept under the rug.
KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary and COMSTECH Coordinator-General, called on Ambassador of Cuba Zener J. Caro Gonzalez at his residence.

The ambassador welcomed Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary who was also accompanied by Dr. STK Naim, former Adviser COMSTECH, and Abdul Haleem Asghar, former Joint Scientific Advisor Ministry of Science and Technology.

While having a meeting with Pakistani officials, the ambassador showed keen interest in the imports of textile goods and surgical instruments from Pakistan and exports of pharmaceuticals from Cuba, according to the Spokesman of the ICCBS, said a statement on Friday.

Showing his sentiments for Pakistan, he said, "I have great love and affection for Pakistan and its people, as I have an old association with the country.

I also led a rescue team after 2005 earth quack in Pakistan, and spent more than 9 months in northern areas." He informed the meeting that the development of the Covid-19 vaccine in Cuba was under phase-III clinical trials. Hopefully, it would be available shortly, he mentioned.

Prof Iqbal Choudhary informed the Cuban ambassador about the activities and future programs of COMSTECH and shared the areas of mutual interests.

He also gave a brief introduction of ICCBS -University of Karachi, and its contribution to the promotion of science and research in the country.

The Ambassador has shown keen interest in sustainable collaboration in research, development, production, and technology transfer of technology of bio-pharmaceuticals.
Nguyen Duc Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Duong province (third from left) received the VND20 billion donation from the representative of An Phat Holdings

The donation was presented by Pham Van Tuan, acting deputy CEO of An Phat Holdings, and was received by Nguyen Duong Thai, Chairman of Hai Duong People's Committee and head of the National Assembly delegation of Hai Duong as well as COVID-19 Disease Control and Prevention; Nguyen Duc Tuan, Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; and Pham Manh Cuong, director of the Hai Duong Department of Health. Recipients expressed their appreciation to the Board of Directors and employees of the group.

This VND20 billion support ($869,570) was the largest contribution by An Phat Holdings to a province to fight against COVID-19.

This VND20 billion support ($869,570) was the largest contribution by An Phat Holdings to a province to fight against COVID-19.

At the event Pham Van Tuan shared, Due to the urgent need for vaccination, helping to set the mind of Hai Duong residents at ease and the province to contain COVID-19, not only An Phat Holdings but all individuals and businesses want to contribute. We are willing to contribute human and material resources to help Hai Duong overcome this difficult period.

Hai Duong is the key production area of An Phat Holdings with a system of 10 manufacturing plants and company head offices with about 3,500 labourers. Therefore, the Board of Directors and more than 5,000 employees of the whole group are willing to share the provinces difficulties at any time.

Nguyen Duong Thai, Chairman of Hai Duong People's Committee (third from left) expressing appreciation for the support of An Phat Holdings

Aside with community support activities, An Phat Holdings have strictly adhered to pandemic prevention measures across all of the groups production plants and office spaces, and conducted COVID-19 testing for all employees.

Earlier, on February 1 and 17, the company had donated VND11.35 billion ($493,480) in cash and in kind including diverse essential goods to the provinces management authorities. Thus, in February alone, An Phat Holdings have donated a total of VND31.35 billion ($1.36 million) to assist the government and the people of the province in fighting COVID-19.

Simultaneously, the company has teamed up with the Youth Union of Hai Duong as well as diverse individuals and organisations to launch a programme to boost the consumption of farm produce from Hai Duong, the epicentre of the current COVID-19 resurgence.

Earlier, in early 2020 when COVID-19 broke out in Hanoi, An Phat Holdings had donated compostable products to 300 residents and soldiers on quarantine duty in the Truc Bach area and donated 5,000 medical masks and hand sanitisers to the Vietnamese Embassy in the US.
RTHK: Tokyo schools quiz children whose hair isn't black

Nearly half of Tokyo high schools ask students with hair that is wavy or not black to submit certificates confirming that their hair is not artificially altered, public broadcaster NHK has reported.

Of 177 high schools run by the Tokyo Metropolitan government, 79 ask for these certificates signed by parents, NHK said on Thursday, citing information the Japanese Communist Party obtained from the metropolitan government.

In Japan, many schools have strict rules about hair colour, accessories, make-up and uniforms, including the length of skirts for girls.

Tokyo's board of education told NHK that the hair certificates are not compulsory.

However, the broadcaster said only five of the 79 schools make it clear in writing that students aren't required to submit the certificates. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-02-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Brits on Telly Get Silly with Oregon Coast Exploding Whale Song | Video

Published 02/23/21 at 7:26 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Portland, Oregon)  This isnt the first time someone has penned a tune goofing on the legendary exploding whale on the central Oregon coast, and it certainly wont be the last. But it is perhaps the most prominent moment of musical exposure the states most famous comedic incident has received.

With renowned, often strangely-deadpan British comedian Jimmy Carr at the helm, one comedy / game show in Britain featured a wildly wacky tune tune about the whale, written and performed by the Brett Domino Trio. Domino (actually Rob J Madin of Chesterfield) made another appearance on the February 18 edition of 8 Out of Ten Cats Does Countdown, announcing he was working on an entire West End musical about the Exploding Whale. It was one of many lines for laughs, of course, and the perfect setup to this whimsical, truly silly take on what took place in Florence, Oregon in 1970.

One of the trio members interjects the crack: bits of it went into the car park, and the audience erupts.

Carr chuckles at the whole intro with his famous laugh, and the song starts off with the riotously funny line As bad days go, this is off the scale - that perfect, understated humor the U.K. is known for.

The song goes on: "Nothing can go wrong ---- I'm just strapping a whale to a half-ton bomb --- It'll be like Christmas Day --- Raining beautiful snowflakes of the decomposing carcass of a dead sperm whale."

See the video here: the Exploding Whale bit starts at 31 mins.

You can see it below but you have to physically move the video to the 31-minute mark.

Cetacean is another word for whale Dominos song continues to great laughs.

Not a single use of the original description from KATUs reporter, which was amusing on its own. This is a fresh take.

Once again, Florence, Oregon has made the international spotlight  at least across the pond.

Its not the first time Brits have latched onto the tale, either. A small town in England last year used it as a teachable lesson in social distancing dynamics. That included listen to the experts and something to the effect of maybe stay inside instead of going out and doing something ridiculous.

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is itself is a kooky hybrid of two other Brit shows, 8 Out of 10 Cats and another called Countdown.

Marking the anniversary of the Exploding Whale has become a huge thing every year since the 90s, and the central Oregon coast town itself got in on the act in recent years. There is now an official Exploding Whale Park in Florence, though its about a mile from the actual site. Theres a BnB thats an Airstream trailer called Exploding Whale Camp in town as well.

See other coverage below:

Oregon Coast Hotels for this - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours





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Before Exploding Whale, Legend of Oregon Coast's Imploding Whale Also in Florence, if true the man 'was bound to the blubber beyond all bearable boundaries'



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Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva and Head of the Agency of Diplomatic Advisers to the President of Switzerland Terence Billeter discussed in a phone call preparations for the Ukraine Reform Conference to be held in Switzerland in 2022.

This was reported by the press service of the President's Office on February 25.

The interlocutors discussed topical issues of bilateral relations and the implementation of agreements reached as a result of the official visit of President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga to Ukraine in July 2020.

Zhovkva praised the implementation of the Swiss Cooperation Program for 2020-2023, thanked for the technical and humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine, and outlined promising areas for cooperation between the two countries.

The parties agreed to continue work on preparations for the Ukraine Reform Conference to be held in Switzerland in 2022.

The deputy head of the President's Office also spoke about the security situation in Donbas and stressed the importance of Ukraine's cooperation with international partners to restore peace in the region.

In turn, Terence Billeter assured of the unwavering position of the Swiss Confederation in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The interlocutors also discussed cooperation in counteracting the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of Ukraine's transport infrastructure, and the implementation of joint projects, in particular in the field of rail transportation.

As Ukrinform reported, on February 23, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian President's Office Ihor Zhovkva and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine Ki-Chang Kwon discussed the exchange of high-level visits and the strengthening of the investment component of bilateral cooperation.

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Copenhagen, Feb 26 : As Covid-19 transmission rates seemingly decline across the European Region, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge expressed health concerns over "long-Covid" or "post-Covid" symptoms at a virtual press conference on Thursday.

"The disability following SARS-CoV-2 infection lingers on for months with severe social, economic, health and occupational consequences," said Kluge, who identified the issue as "a clear priority for WHO, and of the utmost importance." According to Kluge, a total of 38 million infection cases had been registered in the European Region since the pandemic began, and "one in ten Covid-19 sufferers remain unwell after 12 weeks, and many for much longer", the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Yet stories of those who should have 'recovered', but whose lives were still affected by debilitating symptoms soon emerged. Regrettably, some were met with disbelief or lack of understanding," said Kluge.

Professor Martin McKee, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also speaking at the press conference, provided further insight into "post-Covid" symptoms.

McKee described them as "a varying combination of overlapping symptoms, including chest and muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and what patients describe as brain fog." "Although many viral infections are self-limiting, making people feel unwell for only a few days before clearing up, others cause long-term problems. Early on, we realized that this new coronavirus was not just causing pneumonia. In some patients it was attacking many different body systems, such as the heart and blood vessels, the brain, and the kidneys," said McKee.

In response to the prevalence of the lingering after-effects of Covid-19, Kluge acknowledged that the WHO had earlier in the month "hosted a consultation on post-Covid-19 conditions, focusing on recognition, research and rehabilitation." In addition, Kluge also confirmed that WHO Europe would soon be convening a conference with the chief medical officers of all 53 countries in the European Region to set out a regional strategy to tackle the issue.

"As we learn more, we need to make sure patients who have had suspected or confirmed Covid-19, who have persistent -- new or changing symptoms -- should have access to follow-up care. This is where primary health-care has a particularly strong role to play," said Kluge.

The regional director further emphasised the need for the region's medical authorities to seriously "listen and understand" the sufferers of post-Covid conditions, if they intended to tackle it successfully.

"I am calling upon you, countries and institutions in the European Region, to come together as part of an integrated research agenda, using harmonised data collection tools and study protocols. This will be key to maximize the impact of treatment and improve long-term outcomes for patients," said Kluge.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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Several Woodlands Township directors again lashed out in irritation and frustration over federal CARES Act funds distribution from Montgomery County as directors allege inappropriate distribution of the millions in relief money.

Township board chairman Gordy Bunch and director John Anthony Brown both had critical comments at the Wednesday meeting, with Bunch stating the money is not the countys, and Brown calling the allocation a slap in the face.

Board member Bruce Rieser was more pointed, claiming the county, just hijacked the funds intended for local communities.

Despite the continued protestations, Jason Millsaps, the chief of staff for county Judge Mark Keough, reiterated Friday that the county acted property and within federal guidelines.

The Woodlands Township incurred expenses due to COVID-19 that were reimbursed, Millsaps said in an email. To make claims that the Commissioners Court or Judge Keough are violating congressional rules is flat wrong and void of any working knowledge of how the CARES act was written and administered.

Millsaps also said Keough stands by his previous comments that the county followed all federal procedures.

The issue has been at the forefront of township leaders since May 2020 when members of the board worried about not getting any funds from Montgomery County. By December, the township had received $715,000 from Harris County and $244,000 from Montgomery County.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Woodlands leaders lobby for more CARES Act funds

The township made two requests for fund reimbursements to Montgomery County totaling $6.1 million, however the township only received slightly more than the $244,000.

Montgomery County received $105 million from the CARES Act to cope with COVID-19 pandemic issues. Township officials had debated the issue for months and had expected varying totals of reimbursement from both Harris and Montgomery counties.

Seeking assistance

Since receiving the funds, township officials have lobbied U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady for assistance with the issue as well written a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott seeking his help. Because no action has resulted, township leaders had Finance Director Monique Sharp investigate how CARES Act funds were distributed by a range of other governmental entities in Texas.

In her analysis of both cities and counties  almost all had used the same formula to distribute the federal funds, with a $55 per capita model utilized. One county had an alternate per capita repayment method due to low population issues in many communities.

In Montgomery County, Sharp said, officials did not follow the same formula that other cities and counties did and made their own system which resulted in The Woodlands getting $5.8 million less than expected.

Millsaps said county officials had legally reviewed their model and noted that under an FAQ document issued by the Department of Treasury related to the CARES Act, A Fund Recipient (Montgomery County) is not required to transfer any funds to smaller jurisdictions within the county.

Page 2 of Section 5 (states) Montgomery County is allowed to transfer funds to the smaller jurisdictions but it must comply with Section 601 (d) of the Social Security Act. The transfer may not be used for anything other than direct cost associated with COVID-19 response, Millsaps said. The Woodlands like all other entities within the county submitted their direct cost to the county for auditing and were reimbursed in accordance with the CARES Act.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Woodlands board addresses COVID-19 related expenses in July meeting

In regard to claims from township officials that Montgomery County was not following the same process other cities and counties in the state are, he said the state of Texas is not complying with the federal guidelines.

The state is the one not following the congressional mandate by refusing to allocate any funds to smaller jurisdictions within Montgomery County. As previously mentioned the state withheld 55 percent of the per capita share of funds allocated to Montgomery County with the county receiving the remaining 45 percent, he said in an email. The state should distribute 45 percent of its share to local governments with the state with less than 500,000 population. Texas has refused to do this for jurisdictions within recipient counties and that is not the intent of the CARES Act.

Bunch said Montgomery Countys distribution model for the funds was different than every other entity in Texas and was just wrong.

I am not going to stop fighting for our community. The money is not the countys, Bunch said. There are clear treasury guidelines they did not follow. It is wrong. It is not their money and they are acting like it is.

jeff.forward@chron.com
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  The Las Cruces Public Schools superintendent was struck and killed while walking her dogs in a northern Las Cruces neighborhood Thursday evening, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News.

The newspaper said relatives confirmed that the woman killed was Karen Trujillo.

Trujillo, 50, was a longtime educator and researcher who served briefly as the states public education secretary. She was elected to the Dona Ana County Commission in November 2018, but resigned that position shortly thereafter to become education secretary.

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The Las Cruces Police Department has not released the name of the victim. An LCPD spokesman said both dogs were seriously injured and were being treated by a veterinarian.

Jessica Sanders, who met Trujillo when Sanders was named the 2019 New Mexico teacher of the year, called Trujillo an outstanding woman, educator, and educational leader.

She was a true New Mexican down to earth, friendly, compassionate, welcoming, she said, adding that Trujillos husband was a coach and the couple loved kids and teachers and often invited teams to eat at their house.

She saw that investing in teachers was investing in students, Sanders said.

 LCPS was lucky to have her. The educational community will miss her.

She said she is praying for Trujillos husband and family.

The crash

LCPD said police responded to the crash around 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the 1200 block of Edgewood, north of Elks and Main, according to a post on the agencys Facebook page. Officers learned a minivan was traveling west on Edgewood when it struck the woman, who was walking her dogs.

The driver of the minivan remained on scene and has been cooperative with police, the post states.

Police say the victim was taken to MountainView Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead soon after.

Las Cruces police will not publicly release or confirm the name of the victim until her family has been given the opportunity to notify relatives and close friends, the post states.

LCPD is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call police at 575-526-0795.

Trujillo was hired as superintendent of the Las Cruces district on Feb. 4, 2020. Prior to that, she had served as state education secretary, having been appointed to the post by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in January 2019. But Trujillos tenure as the states top education official was short lived. She was fired from the post six months later, with a spokesman for the governor citing communication and leadership issues.

Trujillo was a former classroom teacher and longtime researcher who at one time served as the director of the Alliance for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at New Mexico State University. She also had served as NMSUs interim associate dean for research and research faculty.

She had also been a math teacher at Alma D Arte Charter High School in Las Cruces, a history teacher at Cobre High School in Bayard and a math teacher at Las Cruces High. Her education career also included stints as a principal, an adjunct professor and a community college instructor.

She had three children and was married to Ben Trujillo.
The department spokesman, Ned Price, said late on Thursday that the United States is very closely monitoring political developments in Armenia.

We urge all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid any escalatory or violent actions, Price told a daily news briefing in Washington. We remind all parties of the bedrock democratic principle that states armed forces should not intervene in domestic politics.

The United States has been a steadfast supporter of the development of democratic processes and institutions in Armenia. We continue to support Armenias democracy and its sovereignty, and we urge its leaders to resolve their differences peacefully while respecting the rule of law, Armenias democracy, and its institutions, he said.

The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan issued a similar statement earlier on Thursday amid mounting political tensions in the country.

In an unprecedented statement, the Armenian militarys top brass demanded the resignation of Pashinian and his government, accusing them of putting Armenia on the brink of destruction after the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinian rejected the demand as an attempt to stage a military coup.

Price made clear that the militarys actions have so far not met Washingtons definition of a coup detat.

As you know, the Department of State has a process to determine whether a coup has transpired  Of course, there has been no such determination in this case, he said.

Unlike Pashinian, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian did not describe the militarys demands as a coup attempt. Also, Sarkissian was in no rush to sack the chief of the armys General Staff, Onik Gasparian, and planned on Friday to meet the latter as part of his efforts to de-escalate the political situation.
[February 26, 2021] BlackNorth Initiative's Dahabo Ahmed-Omer Earns Inaugural Business Changemakers Award From the Globe and Mail's Report on Business

Executive Director of The BlackNorth Initiative, Dahabo Ahmed-Omer is one of the inaugural recipients of the Globe and Mail's Report on Business Changemakers for 2021. The Changemakers award is a new editorial award that identifies and raises the profile of the most innovative emerging leaders in Canada-people whose work is transforming the way business is done and celebrating 50 emerging leaders transforming business today. "Dahabo has the rare ability to eloquently and disarmingly address what exactly needs to be done for the Black community right now, as well as in the long term. She draws our team and partners forward with her passion and positivity," said Wes Hall, Founder and Chairman of The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism and the BlackNorth Initiative. "Dahabo's entire career has been dedicated to fighting anti-Black racism, and she brings that same level of dedication and passion to the cause here at the BlackNorth Initiative. We are happy to see such a prestigious publication like the Globe and Mail recognizing her contributions to Corporate Canada and Black Canadians." The award was particularly poignant for Ms. Ahmed-Omer, an accomplished policy advisor and human rights advocate who has made it her life's work to represent those without a voice. Among the many other organizations of which she has been a part of Ms. Ahmed-Omer has played an instrumental leadership role in the Ottawa Mayor's taskforce combatting anti-Black racism. Ms. Ahmed-Omer was a lead researcher for Justice for Abdirahman for its submission to the Justice Tulloch Independent Police Oversight Review and street check review. She has also played an integral role in the roll out of the new Ottawa Police Service's recruitment strategy, as well as being a lead member of Black Agenda Noir. Her crucial role in the Nyansapo Wisdom, which promotes equity and inclusion for African, Caribbean, Black Canadians (ACBC) students in education, has seen her make deputations at the School Board to address series challenges children and teens of African descent are facing within the Ottawa school Board.



Ms. Ahmed-Omer's non-profit work includes Chair of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Black Canadians, Co-Founder of the Justice for Abdirahman Coalition and Director of Operations for the Somali Centre for Family Services, where she attracted community support, built strategic alliances, and led diverse teams. Ms. Ahmed-Omer is also regularly sought after by media outlets and conference organizers for her expertise on the challenges faced by Black Canadians. In 2019, she was named one of the 100 most influential people of African descent under age 40, an international award in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. Report on Business solicited nominations for the Changemakers award in late 2020. Winners were selected by The Globe and Mail's award-winning editorial team based on their ideas, accomplishments, and impact, and determined by their nominations, subsequent interviews and reference checks.

"As the Canadian economy recovers from the pandemic, many people are seeking ways to make business more sustainable, inclusive, innovative and fair," says James Cowan, editor of Report on Business magazine. "The 50 Changemakers on our inaugural list serve as inspiration and instruction for any business leader seeking to effect meaningful change." Editorial coverage of all 2021 Changemakers can be found in the March 2021 issue of Report on Business magazine, distributed with The Globe and Mail on Saturday, February 27th, and online now at tgam.ca/Changemakers. About The Globe and Mail The Globe and Mail is Canada's foremost news media company, leading the national discussion and causing policy change through brave and independent journalism since 1844. With our award-winning coverage of business, politics and national affairs, The Globe and Mail newspaper reaches 5.9 million readers every week in our print or digital formats, and Report on Business magazine reaches 2.1 million readers in print and digital every issue. Our investment in innovative data science means that as the world continues to change, so does The Globe. The Globe and Mail is owned by Woodbridge, the investment arm of the Thomson (News - Alert) family. About the BlackNorth Initiative The BlackNorth Initiative was created by The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism to combat anti-Black systemic racism in Corporate Canada. The initiative challenges senior Canadian business leaders to commit their companies to specific actions and targets designed to end anti-Black systemic racism and create opportunities for all of those in the underrepresented BIPOC community. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005427/en/

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 22:23:02|Editor: huaxia

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Tourists enjoy light installations and lantern shows at the Fuzi (Confucius) Temple scenic area to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2021. The Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, fell on Friday this year. It features family reunions, feasts and various cultural activities. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
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Over 300 girls have been kidnapped by gunmen in a new attack on a school in Jangebe, Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria. This was reported by a teacher from the institute although the police have not yet confirmed the kidnapping.

"We understand that over 300 girls have disappeared after counting the remaining female students," said the teacher at Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe.

The father of two students from the school said he received a phone call about the incident: "I'm going to Jangebe. I received a phone call in which I was informed that armed gangs broke into the school and took away some students", he said.

Last week, 42 people were abducted from a school in the Nigerian state of Niger, in western Nigeria.

In December, over 300 boys were kidnapped from an institution in Kankara, Katsina state, and released after a series of negotiations with government officials.

(Unioneonline / vl)
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian ministry of emergency situations reports that some roads are closed or difficult to pass across the Republic due to weather conditions.

The ministry told Armenpress that the roads leading to the Amberd Fortress and Lake Kari in Aragatsotn province are closed.

The Vardenyats Pass is difficult to pass for trailer trucks.

The Georgian side reports that the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles.

Drivers are urged to use snow tires.



Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan








BENTONVILLE (dpa-AFX) - Walmart Inc. has launched a nationwide drive to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates by reaching out to more residents in vulnerable communities. The retail giant will organize a series of community events at 43 locations in 18 states to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.



Walmart said it plans to continue these new events over the next several weeks as vaccine allocations allow. These event locations include drive-thru locations in Walmart parking lots, in-store and across several offsite locations in partnership with community organizations.



These community organizations include Casa del Inmigrante/Immigrant Home Foundation, a nonprofit serving immigrants in Las Vegas, Nevada; the Indianapolis Urban League in Indiana; and Jackson Housing Authority and Wishrock at the Golden Key Envision Center in Jackson, Mississippi.



The new events are part of Walmart's expanded role within the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and supplements Walmart's ongoing vaccination program at more than 1,400 pharmacies nationwide in 35 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., through federal and state efforts.



While administering the vaccines, Walmart will primarily focus on reaching as many people as possible to enable reopening efforts, and to ensure equitable vaccine distribution across the communities it serves. It will focus on medically underserved neighborhoods.



Walmart said vaccine supply and eligibility will vary based on allocation as well as state and local guidelines. Eligible customers can schedule a vaccine appointment at Walmart through its digital scheduler at walmart.com/COVIDvaccine.



Earlier in the month, Walmart began administering COVID-19 vaccines through pharmacies at select Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs under the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Walmart is a federal retail pharmacy partner in 22 states.



The retailer is in a position to safely and easily reach customers as about 150 million customers are already shopping for household and health care essentials at their stores.



The company has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and states taking into account the population density, customer demographics, infection rates and availability of local health care resources among other factors to identify many of the participating locations.



The company is already at the heart of many rural and underserved communities as ninety percent of the country lives within 10 miles of a Walmart. It is partnering with CDC and states to move as quickly as possible to help administer vaccines to eligible populations in participating states.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

WALMART-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
My hope is that future generations will forever have the opportunity to experience Venetian creations in the same way. It is truly the city of endless discovery, and we must work to ensure these layers of history are not lost to time.

After decades of crafting opulent and culturally-driven hospitality experiences as the former EVP of Design for Wynn Hotels and Resorts, renowned designer Roger Thomas has expanded his love of historical art and architectural details to include the conservation and restoration of Venetian culture. Thomas, now a part-time Venice resident and longtime supporter of the foundations work to protect the citys cultural legacy, has been appointed to the Italian Board of Directors of Venetian Heritage and will continue his work as a staunch advocate for the organizations efforts.

With offices in Venice and New York City, Venetian Heritage is an international non-profit organization of like-minded individuals dedicated to safeguarding the rich cultural history in Venice and surrounding areas once encompassed by the Venetian Republic. The group strives to increase awareness of the environmental and economical threats the city faces through exhibitions, lectures and educational outreach, and directly supports the restoration of important artworks and architectural spaces of historical significance throughout Venice.

I first came to Venice 40 years ago and was, in a word, gobsmacked, remarks Roger Thomas. He continues, Id traveled quite extensively through my work, but had never seen a more exquisitely decorative, layered or romantic city and was at once bewitched. Since then, it has been an endless source of inspiration for my own work, and I am honored to continue my work with Venetian Heritage as a board member. My hope is that future generations will forever have the opportunity to experience Venetian creations in the same way. It is truly the city of endless discovery, and we must work to ensure these layers of history are not lost to time.

Roger has been a tireless supporter of the work we do and a most passionate and vocal advocate for Venetian culture. We are thrilled to have him join our board of directors, says Valentina Marini Clarelli Nasi, President of Fondazione Venetian Heritage.

Thomas preexisting support of Venetian Heritage encompasses a series of collaborations, including the restoration of the painting LIndovina, by Giovan Battista Piazzetta, and Luca Giordanos seventeenth-century painting The Deposition of Christ, both commissioned in partnership with Patti and David Schwartz. Additional collaborations include the current restoration of Giovanni Bellinis famed San Giobbe Altarpiece, a fifteen-century masterpiece once originally displayed in the church of San Giobbe in Venice. All three pieces are housed in the collection at the Gallerie dellAccademia.

About Roger Thomas

Roger Thomas, one of the worlds most influential interior designers, is the Executive Vice President Emeritus of Design and Development for Wynn Hotels and Resorts and the Founder of The Roger Thomas Collection. Through a long partnership with resort impresario Steve Wynn, he was the visionary behind iconic Wynn properties that helped shape modern Las Vegas, offering guests a new, unique hospitality experience all its own.

Thomas has been elected five times to the Architectural Digest AD100, and joined the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2015. Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy. He received a BFA in Art History from Tufts University and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and an honorary Masters Degree from the Interior Design Institute.

About Venetian Heritage

Venetian Heritage is an international non-profit organization with offices in Venice and New York. It operates within the framework of the International Private Committees Joint Programme for the Safeguarding of Venice. Venetian Heritage supports cultural projects through conservations, exhibitions, publications, conferences, academic study and research, with the aim of making the world more aware of the immense legacy of the art of Venice both in Italy and in those areas once part of the Republic of Venice.

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At least 79 killed in prison riots in Ecuador as gangs battle for control, officials say

At least 79 inmates have died in riots at four prisons across Ecuador, authorities said.

Gen. Edmundo Moncayo, head of Ecuador's prison system, known by its Spanish acronym SNAI, told reporters that the violence erupted Tuesday between rival drug gangs trying "to seize the criminal leadership of the detention centers." He said the clashes were precipitated by a break in leadership of a prominent local gang called Los Choneros. The leader of Los Choneros was assassinated in December at a shopping mall in the port city of Manta in Manabi province.

PHOTO: Tear gas rises from parts of Turi jail where an inmate riot broke out in Cuenca, Ecuador, Feb. 23, 2021. (Marcelo Suquilanda/AP)

Moncayo said a search for weapons was carried out at a large prison in the port city of Guayaquil in Guayas province on Monday. Officials were tipped off by Ecuador's national police force that inmates had two firearms smuggled to them by a guard and were planning to kill Los Choneros leaders. That search sparked a series of coordinated mutinies in various prisons the following morning and it was not until the afternoon that authorities regained control, according to Moncayo.

MORE: 20 inmates killed during prison riot in Madagascar, officials say

Videos recorded by inmates and shared on social media showed mutilated bodies in the aftermath of the bloodbath.

PHOTO: Soldier stand guard outside a prison where inmates were killed during a riot in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Feb. 23, 2021. (Vicente Gaibor del Pino/Reuters)

As of Wednesday, 31 people had died at that prison in Guayaquil while six others had died at another prison in the same city. Thirty-four had died at a prison in the southern city of Cuenca in Azuay province and eight had died in the central city of Latacunga in Cotopaxi province, according to a statement from SNAI.

PHOTO: A woman reacts outside a prison where inmates were killed during a riot that the government described as a concerted action by criminal organizations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Feb. 23, 2021. (Vicente Gaibor del Pino/Reuters)

Moncayo plans to present a strategy to the Constitutional Court of Ecuador for preventing such violence from happening within the country's prisons, an official at the Ecuadorian Ministry of Interior told ABC News.

MORE: 'El Chapo's' wife arrested on drug trafficking charges, DOJ announces

The official said there were just 52 criminal deaths registered in Ecuador's prison system last year.

Story continues

An investigation into the deadly riots is ongoing and special units are carrying out operations, the official told ABC News.

Family of inmates have gathered outside the prisons as they await to hear whether their loved ones are safe.

At least 79 killed in prison riots in Ecuador as gangs battle for control, officials say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
World NGO Day is observed all over the world on 27 February. The goal of the day is to raise awareness about the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector. This day is celebrated every year to encourage citizens around the world and to work dedicatedly for good work. NGOs are also known as non-governmental organizations or non-profit organizations that face many challenges in today's society. NGOs play an important role in various fields like education, culture, science or development, etc. The purpose of celebrating this day is to motivate and encourage citizens to engage with NGOs for the betterment of society.

In 2010, World NGO Day was officially recognized by the member countries of the IX Baltic Sea NGO Forum Council of the Baltic Sea Territories in Lithuania. The member countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Norway, and Sweden. On February 27, 2014, World NGO Day was celebrated for the first time in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. Hundreds of NGO, UN, UNESCO, and European Union international leaders gathered at the ceremony held in Helsinki.

The objectives of celebrating World NGO Day are: -

- To highlight the efforts and successes of NGOs from all areas.

- To understand the role of non-governmental organizations in society, to show what the NGO is doing for our society at local, national, and international levels.

- To provide a platform for NGOs to discuss issues that hamper their work as well as share their knowledge and experiences.

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Australia is officially in the box seat to secure the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed it would enter into exclusive discussions with organisers of a very advanced south-east Queensland bid.

IOC president Thomas Bach said the bodys executive had accepted the recommendation of its Future Hosts Commission to install Brisbane as a non-binding preferred candidate. Bach stressed it was not a final decision and the matter had been the subject of intensive debate before being finalised.

The move means the IOC will now engage in detailed and targeted discussions with Brisbane organisers and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) over coming months. If all of the conditions are met, Australia will in just over a decade be hosting its third Olympics, with a final call to be made as early as July ahead of Tokyo 2021.

Its a momentous development for Australian sport, while the speed at which Brisbanes bid has progressed has surprised many not privy to the background machinations. However, the Future Host Commission made it clear Australia was seen as a very safe pair of hands amid global uncertainty and had offered lofty praise for the detail of the Queensland presentation.
Ive just scratched the surface of reforms our state needs to become, once again, an attractive destination for taxpayers and businesses, instead of the toxic environment that companies and individuals are abandoning in record numbers. Welch will need buy-in from fellow Democrats Don Harmon, the Senate president, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to adopt these and other measures. And it would be nice to have the support of minority GOP leaders Jim Durkin and Dan McConchie. But this is the new speakers moment.
By Sara Cline, Associated Press/Report for America

PORTLAND  Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday extended Oregons declaration of a state of emergency until May 2 as confirmed COVID-19 cases drop but hundreds of new cases continue to be reported daily.

Throughout the pandemic, Oregonians have made smart choices that have protected our families and loved ones, Brown said. Our infection and mortality rates have consistently remained some of the lowest in the country. And, for the first time, COVID-19 critical care units are seeing fewer and fewer patients.

The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday reported 553 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the state total to 154,554. The states death toll is 2,204.

The agencys weekly COVID-19 report, which was released Wednesday, shows a sharp decreases in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the previous week.

The health authority reported a 35% decrease in cases and a 42% decrease in hospitalization.

The emergency declaration is the legal underpinning for the executive orders the governor has issued, including her orders surrounding reopening Oregon, childcare, schools and higher education operations. Extending the state of emergency declaration allows those orders to stay in effect. The governor reviews and reevaluates each of her emergency orders every 60 days.

Brown first declared an emergency declaration in March, when there were 14 known COVID-19 cases in the state.

As we vaccinate thousands of Oregonians each day and reopen more school buildings and businesses as safely as possible, now is not the time to let up our guard. New, more infectious COVID-19 variants are circulating in the United States, including several confirmed cases in Oregon.

Oregon Republican senators refused to show up to Thursdays floor session, objecting to the governors COVID-19 restrictions and handling of reopening schools, vaccine rollout and economic recovery.

In a statement from Senate Republicans, the lawmakers said, Despite declining case counts, today you extended your emergency declaration, squeezing Oregonians even more. The Legislature cannot do its work to help Oregonians recover when people cannot go back to work because of orders requiring small businesses to stay closed.

As case counts have improved, the governor announced that 16 counties, including Marion County where the Capitol is, will be moving to lower risk levels  allowing increased capacity for indoor dining and gyms. The new risk levels go into effect Friday.

Five counties  Benton, Coos, Douglas, Jefferson and Josephine  remain in the extreme risk level, which bans indoor dining.

For the second time in a row, we are seeing great progress in stopping the spread of COVID-19 across Oregon and saving lives, Brown said.

The Oregon Health Authority also reported that 22,841 new doses of the COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry.

A cumulative total of 881,206 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to Oregonians.

This week, vaccine eligibility opened up to people 70 and older. Beginning Monday, people who are 65 or older will be eligible for vaccines.
Saudi Arabia's crown prince likely approved an operation to kill or capture a US-based journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified US intelligence report released Friday that could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable for a murder that drew bipartisan and outrage.

The central conclusion of the report was widely expected given that intelligence officials were said to have reached it soon after the brutal October 2, 2018, murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's authoritarian consolidation of power.

Still, since the finding had not been officially released until now, the public assignment of responsibility amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the ambitious 35-year-old crown prince and was likely to set the tone for the new administration's relationship with a country President Joe Biden has criticised but which the White House also regards in some contexts as a strategic partner.

The report was released one day after a later-than-usual courtesy call from Biden to Saudi King Salman, though a White House summary of the conversation made no mention of the killing and said instead that the men had discussed the countries' longstanding partnership.

The kingdom's state-run Saudi Press Agency similarly did not mention Khashoggi's killing in its report about the call, rather focusing on regional issues such as Iran and the ongoing war in Yemen.

Khashoggi had visited the Saudi consulate in Turkey planning to pick up documents needed for his wedding. Once inside, he died at the hands of more than a dozen Saudi security and intelligence officials and who had assembled ahead of his arrival..

Surveillance cameras had tracked his route and those of his alleged killers in Istanbul in the hours leading up to his killing.

A Turkish bug planted at the consulate reportedly captured the sound of a forensic saw, operated by a Saudi colonel who was also a forensics expert, dismembering Khashoggi's body within an hour of his entering the building. The whereabouts of his remains remain unknown.

The prince said in 2019 he took full responsibility for the killing since it happened on his watch, but denied ordering it. Saudi officials have said Khashoggi's killing was the work of rogue Saudi security and intelligence officials. Saudi Arabian courts last year announced they had sentenced eight Saudi nationals to prison in Khashoggi's killing. They were not identified.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi, Feb 26 : No vaccination will take place on Saturday and Sunday as the Centre will enable transition of CoWIN app from version 1.0 to 2.0 ahead of the commencement of vaccination from March 1 for people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with comorbidities, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

"On this Saturday and Sunday (27th and 28th Feb), the Co-Win digital platform will be transitioning from Co-Win1.0 to Co-Win 2.0. In view of this, COVID 19 Vaccination sessions will not be scheduled during these two days. The States and UTs have been already informed about this transition," the ministry added.

As per the officials, the inoculation drive will be driven by CoWIN 2.0 which the government's plans to launch the next by Sunday. The eligible population of those over 60 years and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to self-register on the app.

However, multiple channels will be available for beneficiaries for registration apart from CoWIN. The officials said that options on Aarogya Setu and Walk-in registration will also be made available to the beneficiaries.

The officials also informed that the beneficiaries will have an option of choosing the date and location of their nearest vaccination site, as well an option to choose between public-run or private-run centres.

Besides, an option to update age and a digital certificate will be given to beneficiaries after the first dose of vaccination.

The vaccination will be provided free of cost at the government facilities while it will be chargeable at the private entities. Around 10,000 government's and over 20,000 private vaccination centres will be roped in to carry the immunization drive across the country.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Loship, an ecommerce-focused logistics startup in Vietnam, on Friday morning announced it has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn.

Tallinn participated in Loships Series C funding through his investment vehicle MetaPlanet Holdings.

The investment comes four months after the one-hour-delivery e-commerce startup secured capital in a bridge round led by Vulpes Investment Management.

This capital injection marks Loship as the first portfolio company of MetaPlanet in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

According to Loship CEO Nguyen Hoang Trung, the fresh capital will be spent on expanding the firms delivery network, human resource, technology, and market.

A huge portion of the funding will be poured into upgrading our app and developing technologies in Loship, Trung said in the company's announcement.

In addition, we will also ramp up our marketing strategies to cement Loships presence in the domestic market."

It didnt take me very long to realize Loship was on to something, Loship quoted Tallinn as saying in its announcement.

MetaPlanet is planning to pay more attention to the rapidly growing economies in Southeast Asia. So Im delighted to be off to a strong start in Vietnam by adding Loship as our first portfolio company there.

Founded in 2017, the startup traces its roots to Lozi, a review app that allowed users to find food, beverages, and coffee shops.

It was then transitioned into a delivery services platform.

Loship has closed its series A and B rounds from investors such as South Koreas Smilegate Investment, Hana Financial Group, DTNI, and Golden Gate Ventures.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

February Design Month-Consulate Webinar Series Celebrating Irish Women in Design. View events here.

Event

Four events in the month of February focused on Irish Women in Design from Arts in the 1870s to Architecture today. You can view the recorded events here.

In recognition of St Brigid, Ireland's only female patron saint who was not only an early advocate for peace and women's rights and a powerful Abbess, she also founded a school of art; we dedicated the month of February to the celebrating the creativity of Irish women. You can review the events here.

Feb 4 - 'Leading the Way' - 150 Years of Creative Women in the Arts. This talk with Curator of the O'Brien Art Collection Marty Fahey looks at over 100 years of Irish women painters, artisans, sculptures, writers, fashion and interior designers with a number of special musical guests including Liz Carroll, Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, and Joanie Madden. View here.

Feb 11 - 'Crafting the Future' - Women in Irish design today looks how Irish designers work crafting their future careers in partnership with the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland showcasing the work of Seliena Coyle and Annemarie Reinhold. Nora Gainer Head of Civic Relations & Partnerships at the Art Institute of Chicago moderates this event. View here.

Feb 18 - 'Designing Global Spaces' - this event is in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center and their 'Architecture Talks' series. Special guests are Irelands 2020 Pritzker Prize winning Grafton Architects Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell, who give wonderful insights to the influences shaping their global designs from London to Lima, moderated by Dirk Denison of Dirk Denison Architects and Illinois Institute of Technology.

Feb 25 - 'Shaping A Better World' - the Consulate Webinar Series closes with a look at the historic contribution of labour rights activist and Cork immigrant Mary Harris/"Mother Jones", who dedicated her life to shaping and designing a more just society - a commission of very special artwork to hang in the Consulate. Speakers include author, Mother Jones expert and Associate Professor of History at Northern Illinois University, Rosemary Feurer and Artist, Lindsay Hand whose inspiring art of Mother Jones captures the true spirt of the Cork woman. View here.

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After more than a month of plunging coronavirus cases nationally, the numbers have started to flatten and even creep back up, prompting a grim warning from U.S. public health leaders Friday to remain cautious in the coming weeks.

The situation was brighter in California and the Bay Area, where cases and hospitalizations continue to fall and counties have begun easing public health restrictions. And the grim national briefing was offset Friday afternoon by a key federal advisory group recommending the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency authorization. The Food and Drug Administration was expected to grant authorization as early as Friday night.

Taken together, the national, state and local reports underscored the precarious state of the pandemic even as vaccinations ramp up.

The latest data suggests these declines may be stalling, potentially leveling off at still a very high number, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a White House briefing Friday morning. We at CDC consider this a very concerning risk in the trajectory,

She cautioned that a more transmissible variant of the virus first detected in Britain, along with emerging variants in New York and California that also appear to spread more easily, may become dominant in the country by mid-March and could already be causing the recent upticks.

We may now be seeing the beginning effects of these variants in the most recent data, Walensky said. She added that things are tenuous with the pandemic, and stressed caution reopening the economy. The current numbers remain higher than peaks hit last summer and spring.

Now is not the time to relax restrictions, Walensky said.

Despite the concerning trends nationwide, California is making gains against the coronavirus. Cases are continuing to decline, though at a somewhat less aggressive pace than earlier in the month. The state has reported about 5,500 cases a day this week, down about 20% from the previous week. Bay Area cases are down 16%, to about 770 cases a day this week. Nationally, cases have climbed above 70,000 a day over the past three days, an uptick from several days in the 55,000 to 65,000 range.

California counties are beginning to open up parts of the economy and loosen some restrictions. Indoor dining has resumed in San Mateo and Marin counties in the Bay Area, and San Francisco and Santa Clara County officials have said they expect to enter the less restrictive red tier next week and plan to reopen indoor restaurants then.

Forty-seven of the states 58 counties  accounting for 96% of the population  are in the most restrictive purple tier. Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a briefing Friday that eight more counties likely would move to the less restrictive red tier next week.

This is happening very, very quickly, Newsom said. Its a point of real optimism. We really are seeing that bright light at the end of the tunnel because of all of your hard work.

San Francisco public health officials said in a statement Friday that they would continue to closely monitor cases as they reopen parts of the economy, and that they expected some increases in numbers as more activities resume. Santa Clara County officials said the benefits of partially reopening outweigh the risks at this point, with cases continuing to decrease. They, too, said they would closely watch case and hospitalization numbers.

Dr. George Rutherford, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said that with case counts and other metrics still improving after the long winter surge, some reopening in the Bay Area is acceptable.

What the state is proposing seems to be prudent and the Bay Area public health departments are going with it, he said, noting three main factors are making people comfortable with the slow reopening: the vaccine, continued social distancing and mask-wearing, and naturally acquired immunity in hard-hit communities.

But despite the encouraging drop in cases, Rutherford echoed Walenskys comments and said Californians should not relax too much and let down their guard.

Vaccines are a miracle, but theyre a slow-moving miracle. Were not going to be out of the woods until we get all of the population vaccinated, he said. Until then and even for a little while after that, we need to follow the public health guidance around masks and social distancing.

Dr. John Swartzberg, an infectious disease expert at UC Berkeley, took an even more cautious tone. He noted that the seven-day average for new coronavirus cases in the Bay Area appears to have leveled off over the past few days, a potentially worrisome sign that the recent drop-offs are over and cases are stabilizing at a high rate.

Im not going to say its of concern, but its something we need to keep our eye on, he said. Counties base their plans to reopen on two weeks of data, which is part of the states strategy to ensure that cases are trending in the right direction, so if this (leveling off) continues its going to make them pause and it should make them pause, Swartzberg said.

Swartzberg also emphasized the importance of this next month in terms of making significant headway against the virus. He advised that more people get vaccinated before counties reopen further, especially with variants that appear to be more infectious now circulating widely. More than half of cases in most California counties are now caused by a new homegrown variant, according to recent studies.

Were in a race with the variants. We want to get as many people vaccinated as possible so the variants cant have a major effect in terms of the cases of people getting infected, Swartzberg said. Thats why the health departments should just try to keep the lid on things for another month. The vaccines going to be pretty available to everyone in April.

On Friday, state officials said they are working to consolidate vaccinations under a single state system. Starting Monday, vaccine eligibility will be the same across all counties, said Yolanda Richardson, secretary of government operations. That means teachers, for instance, will be eligible to get vaccinated in all counties, she said.

Throughout the month of March, the state will try to make MyTurn, the state online portal and phone appointment signup system, to be the one front door for people to book vaccination appointments, officials said.

Also starting Monday, California will offer counties a three-week preview of the number of vaccine doses they can expect, Newsom said. He anticipated a boost in supply pending federal authorization of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine  potentially more than 380,000 doses as early as next week.

There is bright light at the end of the tunnel, Newsom said.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Catherine Ho contributed to this report.

Aidin Vaziri and Meghan Bobrowsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com meghan.bobrowsky@sfchronicle.com
AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Dutch retail sales declined for the second straight month in January, data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics showed Friday. Retail turnover declined 5.9 percent yearly in January, following a 3.2 percent fall in December. Turnover in food stores grew 8.6 percent yearly in January, while non-food stores decreased 37.7 percent. Online turnover surged 92.1 percent. Sales in the non-food sector declined due to the measures taken against the spread of the corona virus, the agency said. On an unadjusted basis, retail turnover declined 7.8 percent in January. 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.
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property

Bern, 26.02.2021 - How well are Swiss SMEs informed and supported when they have questions about protecting their IP? A study has concluded that the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) performs well, together with other points of contact for SMEs  known as intermediaries. However, the authors also see potential for improvement.

Switzerland is a country of inventors. Start-ups and SMEs reinforce this reputation with their innovations and creative achievements. Intellectual property and its protection is a key piece of the puzzle for a company on the path to success. It is only when a SME knows how to manage their intellectual assets and how to protect their own innovations that they are able to make strategic and groundbreaking decisions for the company.

Study examines services offered

If innovative and creative SMEs have a question about protecting their intellectual property (IP), they generally turn to institutions they are familiar with such as regional innovation funding agencies or cantonal chambers of commerce. This also includes Innosuisse, Venturelab and patent attorneys. These intermediaries advise SMEs intending to apply for trade marks, patents and designs and therefore act as the interface between the enterprises and the IPI. The IPI, the authority responsible for the registration of IP rights, also offers services which inform innovators about the IP rights system. But how helpful are these services? The IPI commissioned a study to find out.

Satisfied SMEs and intermediaries

According to the authors of the study, intermediaries and SMEs are generally satisfied with the IP services landscape. One of the intermediaries' main needs is information on intellectual property - either for themselves or for SMEs. For the mediating authorities, it is equally important to have a contact person to whom they can refer SMEs for their IP needs. Intermediaries who receive IP-related enquiries from SMEs usually refer them to the IPI.

With regard to the services provided by the IPI, the assisted patent search services perform particularly well. "It is easily accessible and offers advantages for both researchers and SMEs as well as intermediaries," the study found. SMEs' knowledge of intellectual property continues to vary but the study says that the level of knowledge has improved. Patents, trade marks, trade secrets, IP strategy and IP in collaborations are listed as the most important topics. The study found that all types of intermediaries are being called upon and that the IPI is known by SMEs.

Planned expansion of services / potential for improvement

Those surveyed identified room for improvement in various areas. In terms of collaborations, there is potential for closer and/or new collaborations between the IPI and the SME intermediaries in certain cases. The IPI's existing information services are valued. The wish was expressed for more activity on social media, in particular LinkedIn and YouTube. In addition, there is a strong need for information on the topic of IP strategy. The IPI has therefore drafted a checklist, which is an initial help for SMEs and start-ups drafting an IP strategy. The IPI also offers a checklist for the licensing of IP rights. It is also recommended that the IPI step up communication about IP and innovation on digital channels and modernise the provision of basic information and services.

About the IPI

The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) is the federal centre of competence for patents, trade marks, geographical indications, design and copyright. Individuals and companies can register their inventions and creations with the IPI to protect them from being copied. In addition to this, the IPI informs the public about the IP rights system of protection. It also fulfils a political mandate in all areas of intellectual property in that it prepares legislation, advises the federal authorities, and represents Switzerland within international organisations and vis-a-vis other countries.

Address for enquiries

Hansueli Stamm, Chief Economist, T +41 31 377 77 77

Publisher

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property

http://www.ige.ch





Pennsylvania movie theaters ditch mask mandate

Three chain movie theaters have announced that masks are no longer mandatory for moviegoers who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
DETROIT - Detroits long-awaited RoboCop statue, which has been 11 years in the making, is finally just about complete minus a few finishing touches. Its ready to serve and protect, but does not yet have a permanent spot to patrol in the city where the 1987 movie took place.

Standing more than 11 feet tall and weighing a whopping 2 and a half tons, the construction of this bronze statue was lead by Giorgio Gikas of Venus Bronze Works. The company is known for maintaining, restoring and repairing historic statues from Detroit and all over the country.

The idea for the statue happened around 11 years ago after someone on Twitter pointed out that Philadelphia had a Rocky statue and one of RoboCop would be a great ambassador for Detroit. The Twitter user tagged then-Mayor Dave Bing, who tweeted back saying there were no plans for a RoboCop statue.

Thats when Brandon Walley, a filmmaker, and Jerry Paffendorf, co-founder and CEO of Loveland Technologies, created a Kickstarter campaign which raised more than $67,000. So, why did it take so long to complete?

We had to contact MGM who owns the likeness of RoboCop. It became a really long process, Walley told MLive. We had to get the exact model made. That model had to be blown up to over a 10-foot mold. That happened in Vancouver, and Idaho. That took years as well. The owner of Venus Bronze Works went through a cancer scare. That was two more years.

It had been announced the statue would be proudly displayed at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit, but that wont be happening now, according to a statement from the Science Center.

Due to unprecedented pressures from the coronavirus pandemic, resources must now be entirely focused on our core mission of serving Michigans students and families.

Moving the statue and constructing its foundation will likely cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, according to Gekas. But once its placed in its permanent location, wherever that may be, it should hold up well to the elements.

The bronze is welded to the stainless steel base and the infrastructure ties the pelvis and legs into metal shafts which come up and go into phalanges through the bottom, explained Jay Jurma of Venus Bronze Works. There are also phalanges on the bottom of the disc which will connect to lead pipes so when its installed with a crane, it will drop into holes on whatever base its on which will be filled with epoxy. That will keep it from moving around as the weather changes and the ground freezes.

The statue was built to be a friendly neighborhood RoboCop. You wont see it carrying a gun.

It was determined not to make the statue with him holding a weapon, added Jurman. The idea was that he would be in an inviting and approachable gesture as opposed to being armed and threatening.

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Flying Syringes is a phrase that is used to refer to a proposed project funded by Bill Gates to create genetically modified mosquitoes that inject vaccines into people when they bite them.

In 2008, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded $100,000 to Hiroyuki Matsuoka of Jichi Medical University in Japan to do research on genetically modified mosquitoes.

Hiroyuki Matsuoka at Jichi Medical University in Japan thinks it may be possible to turn mosquitoes that normally transmit disease into flying syringes, so that when they bite humans they deliver vaccines.

Professor Hiroyuki Matsuoka will attempt to design a mosquito that can produce and secrete a malaria vaccine protein into a hosts skin. The hope is that such mosquitoes could deliver protective vaccines against other infectious diseases as well.

If Matsuoka proves that his idea has merit, he will be eligible for an additional $1 million of funding. The Washington Post referred to flying syringes as a bold idea.

Infact, Bill Gates once did actually released a swarm of mosquitoes on unsuspecting crowd at a TED conference in 2009.

Theres no reason only poor people should have the experience, Bill Gates said, before adding that the mosquitoes were not infectious.

Bill Gates is also funding a project which aims to deliver an invisible quantum tattoo hidden in the coronavirus vaccine for storing your vaccination history.

The researchers showed that their new dye, which consists of nanocrystals called quantum dots, can remain for at least five years under the skin, where it emits near-infrared light that can be detected by a specially equipped smartphone.

However, according to a peer reviewed study published in a respected journal by the worlds most authoritative vaccine scientists, Bill Gates DTP vaccine killed 10 times more African girls than the disease itself.

On the other hand we learned last year based on an intercepted human intelligence report that Bill Gates offered $10 million bribe for a forced vaccination program for Coronavirus to the Nigerian House of Representatives.

Indians should beware that the British led GAVI has managed to infiltrate Indias healthcare policy-making thereby gaining a strategic position to dictate Indias response to coronavirus.

While the UK is GAVIs largest funder, its implementation follows what is known as the Gates approach. Known as the Vaccine Cartel or Pharma Cartel by critics, its vaccines have been accused of causing atleast 38 million premature deaths worldwide.

Even the so called Swadeshi Indian COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN maker Bharat Biotech was backed since its inception by Bill Gates and the international pharma lobby.

Bill Gates agenda in India and his obsession with vaccines was exposed last year in a lengthy piece by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former American President John F. Kennedy.
Vibrators come in many shapes and sizes, so experiment to find the one that fits you best. Arne Trautmann / EyeE/Getty Images

Vibrators come in many shapes, sizes, and levels of intensity, so it's important to experiment.

To maximize your pleasure, start slow, use lube, clean it regularly, and keep an open mind.

Vibrators can be used alone or with a partner to add something fun to your sex life.

Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.

A vibrator is a device that helps to provide sexual stimulation either alone or with a partner.

"Vibrators help us navigate our sexual hot spots more easily, and sometimes more efficiently. They often make having an orgasm easier, faster, and even more intense," says Sherry Ross, MD, an OB-GYN and women's health expert in Santa Monica, California, who co-hosts the show Lady Parts with Sarah Hyland.

Here's what you need to know about the different types of vibrators and how you can get started with using them.

Types of vibrators and how to use them safely

There are several different types of vibrators.

Many offer different speed and intensity settings, and some even offer different rhythms that you can control with a remote or an app on your phone.

Most vibrators can be used either solo or with a partner. Some are specifically made to be most enjoyed with a partner.

Types of vibrators:

Clitoral vibrators: These are external vibrators that are designed to stimulate the external body of the clitoris. They include wand vibrators, bullet vibrators, and even direct clitoral stimulators, which use air pressure to mimic the suction of oral sex. The clitoris has thousands of nerve endings, making it an extremely sensitive organ, so start out slow and see what intensity works for you. If you're exceptionally sensitive, you can try keeping your underwear on to absorb some of the intensity. Since cotton underwear may cause chafing, try silk or satin underwear.

Amazon Waterproof Powerful Massager Comfy Mate/Amazon

Internal vibrators (or G-spot vibrators): The G-spot is an erogenous zone located roughly one or two inches inside the vagina, on the front wall (toward the belly button). It can be difficult to reach because of the way it's positioned, so G-spot vibrators are internal vibrators that are typically designed with a slight curve to help you target this area. If you think you might require lubricant, check the instructions that accompany the device to see which types of lubricant are compatible with it; water-based options usually work best with most rubber and silicon devices.

Story continues

Dame Arc G-Spot Vibrator Dame

Combination vibrators: Combination vibrators are designed to simultaneously stimulate a vagina internally and a vulva externally. Rabbit vibrators are a common type of combination vibrator; they often look like rabbits because they have one prong to stimulate the clitoris and another to stimulate the G-spot. You might have to experiment with different sizes and positions, to ensure that you're able to hit both spots simultaneously.

Better Love Lily Rabbit Elle Paradis

Anal vibrators: Anal vibrators are internal vibrators designed with a wide or flared base, so that they don't go too far inside and to keep the entire toy from entering your colon, which can be harmful and often requires a doctor visit for removal. Anal vibrators come in all shapes and sizes. Some merely vibrate while others use some pretty cool technology to thump as if mimicking the motion of penetration.

Tip: You can choose to do an enema before inserting an anal toy if you want to avoid a mess, or use the vibrator only after you've had a bowel movement. You may also want to keep towels or wipes handy, just in case. Lubrication is recommended before you attempt inserting the vibrator, since the anus doesn't produce its own fluid. The same vibrator shouldn't be used on a vagina or in a mouth unless it has been cleaned thoroughly, as that can lead to bacterial or yeast infections.

Doris Love Egg Whale vibrator by Emojibator. Emojibator

Prostate vibrators: The prostate is a small internal gland located between the penis and the rectum. Prostate stimulation is often very intense for folks. It can be stimulated via the anus, so prostate vibrators often need to be inserted anally. Like G-spot vibrators, prostate vibrators are also curved, to help you target the prostate gland. You should follow the same care and precautionary measures as you would with an anal vibrator.

Dame Arc G-Spot Vibrator Dame Arc G-Spot Vibrator

Penis vibrators: Penis vibrators include vibrating penis rings and penis head vibrators. Try to use pliable silicone ones since they are flexible and easy to take off. Metal or plastic ones on the other hand could feel constricting or get stuck and require surgery to be removed. If you do get stuck, try applying ice, or use lotion or soap to try and slip it off. There are also vibrating penis sleeves that allow for full penis vibration along with manual stroking or sucking sensations. Some sleeves require full erections while others do not.

Svakom Tammy Cock Ring Svakom

How to maximize your pleasure when using a vibrator

These are some tips to keep in mind, to help ensure that your experience is safe, comfortable and pleasurable. "You want to make sure the vibrator does not cause any trauma to any of your body parts," says Ross.

Tips for using a vibrator for the first time

Start slow: "Find a vibrator that looks easy to use and is not too complicated," says Ross. A wand vibrator might be an easy place to start. Since vibrators can deliver intense stimulation, start slowly and progress gradually, giving your body time to adjust.

Use lube: Whether you're by yourself, or with a partner, use lubricant and try foreplay to help prepare your body, especially before you use an internal vibrator, to avoid getting hurt.

Explore different things: "Experiment and explore what suits your needs the best when selecting a vibrator. There are many options out there so read the purchaser's reviews, if possible, so you can get a head start," says Ross. Be patient - even if one kind doesn't work for you, it doesn't mean that others won't.

Opt for a non-porous material: Avoid vibrators that are made of absorbent, spongy, or porous materials since they trap dirt and bacteria, increasing the risk of yeast, bacterial, or urinary tract infections, says Ross. She recommends opting for vibrators made of high-quality non-porous materials, to minimize your chances of an infection. High-quality silicone toys or glass or metal toys might be a good place to start.

Keep it clean: "Always wash your vibrator with warm water and soap after and in between using it," says Ross. Since vibrators are electronic devices, it may not be safe to immerse them completely in water; read the instructions accompanying your device for detailed cleaning instructions. Some toys even come with their own cleaning solutions!

Use waterproof vibrators in the shower: Avoid taking a vibrator into the bath or shower with you unless you're absolutely sure it's waterproof. If the packaging doesn't say anything about it being waterproof, assume it isn't, to be on the safer side.

Insider's takeaway

If you're interested in up-ing your masturbation game or you want to add something extra to your sex-life, a vibrator can be a great tool for you and your partner. There are several types of vibrators for you to choose from, depending on your preferences and sexual needs.

"Embrace your sexuality and enjoy using whatever type of sex toy turns you on," says Ross.

Important: Visit a sex positive sex toy store or website for recommendations and ideas for use like non profit The Pleasure Project.

If you're using one for the first time, pick an easy-to-use one, made of a non-porous material, and start slowly, exploring what works best for your body. Use lubricant, if you think you might need it, and make it a point to wash the vibrator with soap and water after each use.

4 ways to lower your sex drive and maintain a healthy relationshipHow often couples should have sex, according to 3 sex therapists10 benefits of a healthy sex life and how to talk about sex with your partnerHow to practice tantric sex: a slow, meditative form of intimacy that can improve relationships, according to sex therapists

Read the original article on Insider

National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug presides over a plenary session of the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. The Assembly passed a resolution to condemn Myanmar's military coup during the session. Courtesy of National Assembly



By Jung Da-min



The National Assembly condemned Myanmar's military coup and urged the release of the country's leaders, who have been detained since the military took power in early February.



The resolution, passed during a plenary session Friday with bipartisan support from Assembly members, defined the military coup in Myanmar as a "serious act of defiance against democracy" and called for the restoration of democracy.



"Today's Myanmar, which formed a democratic government in 2015, sprouted from the noble sacrifices of numerous citizens who fought for democracy and reached a new turning point in history when the democratic government won a landslide victory in the 2020 general election," the resolution read.



"At this watershed moment, Myanmar's military has once again used violence to shatter hopes for democracy and threatened the lives of the people, brutally blocking democracy from reaching full fruition after 50 years of struggle, and seriously challenging it."



The resolution urges the immediate release of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto leader, as well as all politicians and individuals detained during the coup, including President Win Myint and other members of Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).



It also calls for ensuring the safety of 3,500 Koreans in the country, urging an immediate halt to the use of violence against innocent citizens.



"The resolution holds significance in that the ruling and opposition parties of Korea spoke in one voice to call for the restoration of democratic order and the protection of human rights in Myanmar," according to a press release issued by the Assembly.



"The National Assembly will send the resolution to the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Myanmar, and remain committed to close cooperation with the international community for the restoration of constitutional order and democracy in Myanmar."



The NLD won two consecutive general elections  one in 2015 and another in 2020  with the civilian government led by Suu Kyi gaining momentum to pursue democratization by amending the country's Constitution, which was created by the military in 2008.



But the military's commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing, claimed widespread fraud in the outcome of the 2020 general election and declared a year-long state of emergency, after occupying the country's capital Nay Pyi Taw.


UP eases covid restrictions: Shops allowed to open on weekdays in districts with less than 600 active cases

UP govt orders rapid antigen tests for Air Passengers from Maharashtra, Kerala

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Lucknow, Feb 26: The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday directed officials to conduct rapid antigen tests for all people arriving into the state from Maharashtra and Kerala at airports, a senior official said.

"Antigen tests of all those coming in from Maharashra and Kerala should be done at airports. Those found positive should remain at home isolation and RT-PCR should be conducted on those having symptoms by taking their samples," Additional Chief Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad said in an order issued here.

He said that those found negative in RT-PCR test should also remain in home quarantine for a week. The order also stated that those coming from rail and bus routes should also be monitored and tested accordingly.

During a meeting earlier in the morning, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stressed upon focussed testing of COVID-19 pointing out that the testing work has an important role in breaking the chain of coronavirus infection.

Pay less for your flight if you travel without check-in baggage

He also said that it should be ensured that there are no less than 1.25 lakh tests conducted per day in the state.

The CM further said that extra vigilance should be taken in UP in view of the increase in cases in some outside states.

In UP, he stressed that arrangements should be made to ensure contact tracing and quarantine of people coming from outside states.

He also said that an effective system should be maintained for prevention and treatment of coronavirus cases.

The Integrated Command and Control Centre established in the districts should be actively operated, he underlined while adding that people should be constantly made aware about protecting themselves from the virus.

Petroleum Minister: Fuel price will decrease by the end of winter | Oneindia News

He has also issued instructions that people should be made aware through the use of public address systems along with various media in this work.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 23:28 [IST]
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
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Celebrating Inspiring Leadership During Black History Month

After earning his PhD at Purdue, Dean Reed served on the faculty and in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

In recognition of Black History Month, Purdue Veterinary Medicine is highlighting the career of a college leader who also has served in national leadership positions, always with a passion for enhancing the diversity of the veterinary profession  our very own Dean Willie Reed. Since earning his DVM degree at Tuskegee University, he has persistently pursued his dream of becoming a veterinarian while expanding opportunities for others from diverse backgrounds to do the same.

Born in Mobile, Ala., Dean Reed spent his childhood in a nearby small town. Living in a rural community, Dean Reed grew up around many animals. He also excelled in science classes, which helped foster his interest in studying veterinary medicine. His commitment to the field solidified when his high school vocational agriculture teacher said veterinary medicine would be a good fit for him. However, getting into a good program was difficult as there were less than 20 veterinary schools in the entire nation at the time. Moreover, the entire county that he grew up in only had one veterinarian.

Additionally, in an era of desegregation, times were challenging and opportunities were limited for Black students, but thankfully Dean Reed was blessed with a supportive family who aided him during every step of his journey. He remembers how his grandmother taught him first grade on the front porch of her house and his father was a strong supporter of his interest in studying veterinary medicine. Dean Reed recalled that his father even said that he likely would have studied veterinary medicine himself if the opportunity had been available at the time. With the blessing of a supportive family, Dean Reed set off in 1972 for Tuskegee University, one of the nations Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU).

That adventure proved to be one small step toward future giant leaps. Dreams do come true, but they are built on the foundation of hard work and determination, Dean Reed shared.

Describing his Tuskegee education as excellent, Dean Reed said he found that a multitude of different opportunities were available. During his summers, he took advantage of a chance to study comparative laboratory animal pathology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham as well as at a pharmaceutical company in Kalamazoo, Mich. While in Kalamazoo, Dean Reed met Dr. Doris Hughes, the first Black woman to earn a Purdue DVM degree. Dr. Hughes and her husband were both Purdue graduates, and encouraged Dean Reed to complete his PhD at Purdue. He took their advice and in 1982, with his newly minted PhD degree in hand, he joined the Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, first serving as an assistant professor of mammalian pathology and later as associate professor of avian pathology and as chief of avian disease diagnostic services in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Dean Reed makes a point to personally congratulate students, staff and faculty who complete the Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program presented through Purdue Universitys Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine.

More change came in 1990 when Dean Reed left Purdue to join the Michigan State University faculty as a full professor and director of the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, now known as the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. During his time at MSU, he also became chairperson of the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation. While serving in these positions, he helped create one of the largest pathology training programs in the country and opportunities for minorities, eventually growing the number of Black pathology graduates by 40%. Under his leadership, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine constructed the largest and one of the most comprehensive veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the country performing over 600,000 tests per year.

Dean Reeds career continued to reach new heights leading to a signature moment in 2006, when he was contacted about an opening for a new dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. He immediately accepted the invitation to apply.

As Dean Reed recalled, My mind was flooded with memories of the very special, palpable feeling of family that characterizes the community of Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff, and students. The chance to return to the Purdue campus and lead this team was especially compelling. I accepted the appointment effective in January 2007, and began the most exciting and rewarding time of my career.

Dean Reed explained that one of his favorite aspects of the College of Veterinary Medicine is the friendly and hardworking atmosphere that the staff and faculty members create. He is thankful for the supportive environment they have helped foster, which he counts as a factor even in his own success, in a way that is reminiscent of how his own supportive family helped him succeed when he was a child. When you like the people you work with, work doesnt feel like work, Dean Reed emphasized.

Dean Willie Reed was awarded an honorary degree by the Royal Veterinary College of the University of London in 2018 for his leadership contributions to diversity and inclusion in the veterinary profession. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Veterinary College)

When asked what advice he has for current students studying veterinary medicine, Dean Reed advised that any university students should seek to get involved on their campuses and make connections, which will come in handy later in life. Reflecting on his own experience, Dean Reed said he likely never would have become Dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine if he had not met Dr. Hughes in Kalamazoo. Furthermore, he said he probably would not have had the job opportunity in Kalamazoo had he not been recommended for it by one of his favorite professors at Tuskegee University.

With more than 30 years of experience in academia, not only has Dean Reed led the College of Veterinary Medicine, he also has played an influential role in the veterinary profession nationally. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and charter diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, Dean Reed has been heavily involved in the veterinary community and as a leader in organized and academic veterinary medicine, serving as president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, president of the American Association of Avian Pathologists, and chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Research. In 2018, Dean Reed received an honorary degree from the Royal Veterinary College of the University of London for his leadership at Purdue in expanding opportunities for minority students.

A role model for role models, Dean Reed epitomizes the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, both in terms of pursuing his own dream, and helping others pursue theirs.

Writer(s): Jonathan Martz, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 18:38:50|Editor: huaxia

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VIENTIANE, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Health has urged officials at quarantine centers across the country to take greater part in monitoring of the quarantined to make sure they complete their mandatory 14-day quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If officials see anyone escaping the quarantine centers, they must inform the relevant authorities immediately, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Lao Ministry of Health Sisavath Soutthaniraxay told a press conference on Friday.

A total of 2,046 people has been held in quarantine at 28 accommodation centers across the country, said Sisavath.

All people at quarantine centers must have their temperature checked every day.

As of Friday, Laos has tested 112,613 suspected cases with 45 testing positive, and 42 patients have recovered.

Laos detected its first two COVID-19 cases on March 24 last year. Enditem
IN the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.

May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
The success of Wonder Woman left people across the world in shock. It gave kids a rare female icon, and Gal Gadot was their new favourite actress.

But that wouldn't have been possible had she not bagged the iconic role in 2016 superhero film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, directed by Zack Snyder.

Twitter

Gadot was almost on the verge of giving up acting before this film happened. She didn't reveal the exact reason why she made that decision, but she and her fans are glad the Synder directorial happened.

AFP

Sharing a black and white picture, Gadot shared how she was case for the role of Wonder Woman in Dec 2013.

"This photo was taken by Zack Snyder on the day I did the camera test for Batman vs Superman with Ben. I came to LA for 30 hours while shooting a movie in Tel Aviv. But I wanted the role of Wonder Woman so much that it was worth the trip. Ill forever be grateful to Zack for casting me and believing that I could bring Diana to life.

"I had no idea what the future would hold back when this picture was taken - seeing it makes me very nostalgic. It's also proof that everything happens for a reason. I was on the verge of giving up acting... and then this happened."

Twitter

Gal Gadot will next be seen in Zack Snyder's Justice League.


Contraband is an issue that didnt go away for Pennsylvanias Department of Corrections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, two correction officers were sickened at SCI Dallas after mail, purportedly from the court system, was found to have K2, referred to as Spice, on it. K2 is sometimes called synthetic marijuana, because it contains a synthetic compound chemically similar to the THC found in marijuana.

The officers required treatment at an outside hospital, Secretary John Wetzel said.

For more than a year, attorneys sending legal mail to inmates needed a control number issued in advance by the department to qualified senders. Starting March 1, any legal or privileged mail from the court system will need a control number as well.

While we face the challenge of mitigating COVID-19 in our prison system, we must still contend with drugs, substance use disorder and the security threats caused by contraband, Wetzel said.

Regular mail can be sent to a state prison inmate by anyone, without a control number, using the departments Smart Communications address. More information can be found here.

In-person visits were halted in March 2020 at state prisons due to COVID-19, and replaced with video visitation.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
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It's tragic and sad but also a Kansas City tradition that deadly local violence increases as the weather warms up.

This winter we've seen an arctic chill that barely managed to cool local tempers and right now the homicide count mostly matches last year's historic total.

Accordingly, we share this local crime roundup with more info on car crime threats, court cases and vital work betwixt community & police . . .

Kansas City Car Crime Surges

Thefts Of Catalytic Converters Up Four-Fold in Kansas City In The Last Year Catalytic converter thefts in Kansas City have increased more than four-fold since 2019 and the problem is getting worse. "We have seen a dramatic increase from 2019 to 2020 and we are on track to see an even bigger increase in 2021," said Dawn Jones, a detective with the Kansas City Police Department.

Church Vandals Busted

CAUGHT IN THE ACT: Police conduct surveillance at KC church that was target of vandalism, make arrest KANSAS CITY, MO -- Wednesday night, Kansas City police conducted surveillance from inside a church that has repeatedly been the target of vandalism for months. Church members are hopeful the destruction and their worries have finally come to an end thanks to an arrest.

Mandatory Hard Time Ordered For Kansas City Meth Man

KC man heading to federal prison after guilty plea for pound of meth found after police chase A Kansas City, Missouri man punched an automatic ticket for a minimum of 15 years in federal prison with a guilty plea related to a 2020 police chase and crash. Authorities said Michael Allen Dicks Jr., 31, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possessing methamphetamine to distribute, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Tragic Local Case Contd

Man charged in Blue Springs child abuse case makes court appearance KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A Blue Springs man charged with first-degree felony endangering the welfare of a child and felony second-degree abuse made an appearance in court on Thursday. Bryan Snow was charged after police found his girlfriend stuck in a bathtub sitting in inches of human waste.

Families Cope With Kansas City Opioid Crisis Worsening

Mourning moms join KC police in warning families of fentanyl-laced pain pills KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in the Kansas City metro say it's a teenage trend that needs to end. The Kansas City Police Department warned parents Thursday it's seeing higher numbers of young people overdosing on prescription pain medicine laced with fentanyl. The department said the pills are made to look like Percoset or oxycodone [...]

Kansas G-Man Steps Down

U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister steps down TOPEKA - As requested by the Biden Administration of all presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorneys, United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, Stephen R. McAllister, is resigning his position, effective Feb. 28. McAllister sent his resignation letter to the President earlier this week, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the United States and Kansas in the U.S.

Wife Shares Life Lessons

Woman works to help other first responders after husband's death A Kansas City woman is using her personal tragedy to make things better for first responders and front-line workers."For 30 years, he left the house every day with a badge and a gun," said Kim Colegrove.Colegrove's husband, David, retired after decades in law enforcement.

Justice For Vernece

Charges filed in case of KC woman who disappeared in 2018 CASS COUNTY, Mo. - Charges have been filed in the case of a Kansas City woman who vanished in 2018. Kenneth B. Wilson Jr., 32, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Vernece Brown, 18. Brown was last seen on Valentine's Day 2018.

Cold Case Update

KC family searches for justice following loved one's death KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Missouri, family still is searching for answers after their loved one was shot and killed while at home with his grandchildren. "Still to this day, I ask God why did it happen to him," Rhonda Garcia said of her husband, Paul Garcia, who died last summer.

New Player Confronts STL Protest Hot Mess

Special prosecutor picked for case against St. Louis couple A former U.S. attorney and circuit judge was appointed Wednesday as special prosecutor in the case against a St. Louis couple who waved guns at racial injustice protesters last summer.Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer chose Richard Callahan to prosecute Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who have pleaded not guilty to unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering.

Johnson County Copes With More Mental Distress

Mental health training helps Overland Park officer save woman's life OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A dramatic rescue from Tuesday afternoon saw a police officer save a woman's life. Mental health professionals in Johnson County point to it as evidence that law enforcement officers need specialized crisis intervention training. Overland Park Police Officer Brett Ussary is trained to handle calls that involve people who intend to harm themselves.

Kansas City Contemplates Policy For Confrontation

KC-area pastors, police come together to discuss use of force KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some faith-based leaders in the Kansas City metro recently received firsthand experience in the world of policing and the use of force. Ahead of a seminar for law enforcement and nearly 40 religious leaders hosted by the Lenexa Police Department in early February, two pastors participated in simulated training exercises that were shown and discussed at the event.

Developing . . .
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HOUSTON  President Joe Biden heard firsthand from Texans clobbered by this months brutal winter weather on Friday and pledged to stick with them for the long haul as he made his first trip to a major disaster area since he took office.

Biden was briefed by emergency officials and thanked workers for doing Gods work. He promised the federal government will be there for Texans as they try to recover, not just from the historic storm but also the public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

When a crisis hits our states, like the one that hit Texas, its not a Republican or Democrat thats hurting, Biden said. Its our fellow Americans that are hurting and its our job to help everyone in need.

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With tens of thousands of Houston area residents without safe water, local officials told Biden that many are still struggling. While he was briefed, first lady Jill Biden joined an assembly line of volunteers packing boxes of quick oats, juice, and other food at the Houston Food Bank, where he arrived later.

The presidents first stop was the Harris County Emergency Operations Center for a briefing from acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton and state and local emergency management officials.

Texas was hit particularly hard by the Valentines weekend storm that battered multiple states. Unusually frigid conditions led to widespread power outages and frozen pipes that burst and flooded homes. Millions of residents lost heat and running water.

At least 40 people in Texas died as a result of the storm and, although the weather has returned to more normal temperatures, more than 1 million residents are still under orders to boil water before drinking it.

The president has made very clear to us that in crises like this, it is our duty to organize prompt and competent federal support to American citizens, and we have to ensure that bureaucracy and politics do not stand in the way, said Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, who accompanied Biden to Houston.

Biden was joined for much of his visit by Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. John Cornyn, both Republicans, four Democratic Houston-area members of Congress and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

The president also stopped by a mass coronavirus vaccination center at NRG Stadium that is run by the federal government. Biden on Thursday commemorated the 50 millionth COVID-19 vaccination since he took office, halfway toward his goal of 100 million shots by his 100th day in office. That celebration followed a moment of silence to mark the passage earlier this week of 500,000 U.S. deaths blamed on the disease.

Democrat Biden suggested that he and Republicans Abbott and Cornyn could find common cause in getting Americans vaccinated as quickly as possible.

We disagree on plenty of things, Biden said. Theres nothing wrong with that, but there are plenty of things we can work on together. And one of them is represented right here today, the effort to speed up vaccinations.

Texas other U.S. senator, Ted Cruz, an ally of former President Donald Trump and one of a handful of GOP lawmakers who had objected to Congress certifying Bidens victory, was in Florida Friday addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Cruz, who has been criticized for taking his family to Cancun, Mexico, while millions of Texans shivered in unheated homes, later said the trip was a mistake, but he made light of the controversy on Friday. Orlando is awesome, he said to laughs and hoots. Its not as nice as Cancun. Buts nice.

At the peak of the storm, more than 1.4 million residents were without power and 3.5 million were under boil-water notices in Houstons Harris County, the nations third largest county.

Post-storm debate in Texas has centered on the state maintaining its own electrical grid and its lack of better storm preparation, including weatherization of key infrastructure. Some state officials initially blamed the blackouts on renewable energy even though Texas relies heavily on oil and gas.

In Washington, Bidens climate adviser said the deadly winter storm was a wake-up call for the United States to build energy systems that can withstand extreme weather linked to climate change.

We need systems of energy that are reliable and resilient, Gina McCarthy said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The White House said Bidens purpose in visiting was to support, not scold.

Biden was bent on asking Texans what do you need, how can I help you more, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. And what can we get more for you from the federal government.

Biden has declared a major disaster in Texas and asked federal agencies to identify additional resources to aid the recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent emergency generators, bottled water, ready-to-eat meals and blankets.

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said in an interview that he didnt know what more the federal government could do to help because the failures were at the state level. But Henry, a Republican who is the highest county official in the suburban Houston county, said that if Biden thinks its important to visit, then come on down.

Biden wanted to make the trip last week, but said at the time that he held back because he didnt want his presence and entourage to detract from the recovery effort.

Houston also was the destination for Trumps first presidential visit to a disaster area in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding that August.



Associated Press writers Juan Lozano in Houston, Aamer Madhani in Chicago, and Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed reporting.
For Subscribers Why South Dakota county officials are shirking state-given water rights

Grant County could be the thirteenth county to repeal their drainage ordinance in the past decade.
A sleezy Uber driver who raped a tipsy teenager after a night out with friends cruelly claimed she had been a willing participant.

Hafiz Muhammad Farid Babar, 32, repeatedly lied to police about what he had done to his 18-year old victim, whom he had raped in the back of his car in September, 2018.

Babar had offered to take the teenager home from a Hughesdale house party at a discounted price if she had sex with him.

Hafiz Muhammad Farid Babar, 32, repeatedly lied to police about what he had done to his 18-year old victim

Hafiz Muhammad Farid Babar had picked the vulnerable teenager up to take her home when he pounced

'Do you want the ride for cheaper, if you do something for me,' he said.

The teenager had earlier been helped into Babar's car by a thoughtful friend, who had called her an Uber to take her back to her East Bentleigh home - 14 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD.

'No, its fine I don't care about having to pay for the ride,' the teen told him.

Her worst nightmares came to fruition when Babar pulled over the car and jumped into the back seat next to her.

Again he made the indecent proposal, but this time he did not take no for an answer.

He raped the woman before she managed to escape his vile clutches and ran to a nearby house whose occupants promptly called the police.

The tearful teen told her rescuers 'a creepy guy was touching me'.

When police caught up with Babar, he denied the allegations and claimed his occupant had been the lustful aggressor.

The Pakistani-born driver, whom had aspirations of studying in Australia to start his own business, told detectives his victim had jumped in the front seat and put the hard word on him.

He claimed they had kissed before he accepted her invitation to jump in the back and have sex.

Babar concocted a graphic tale about his lustful, teen passenger, whom had supposedly asked him for a condom while straddling him.

'No please, we are off, this is not working,' he claimed to have told the teenager.

The desperate creep maintained his lies all the way into court where he made his victim endure a preliminary trial hearing which saw her undergo cross examination by his barrister.

County Court of Victoria Judge Chris Ryan once claimed a child sex offender had not been 'made of steel'. He sentenced Babas on Friday

It was only when DNA evidence finding Babar was one billion times more likely to have been the teenager's perpetrator than anyone else on the planet did he change his story.

During a pre-sentence hearing at the County Court of Victoria, Babar's victim broke down in tears as she delivered her victim impact statement.

The court heard she had been plagued with memories of being raped for the past two-and-a-half years.

She had been in her first year of university when Babar turned her life upside down.

Now all she felt was 'fear and shame' and spent days on end crying in her room, reliving an 'endless loop of the assault'.

The woman, who said her pain was compounded by her grilling at court, said she still found it hard to leave home and struggled to cope every day.

Babar pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victroia to once charge of rape this month and was sentenced by County Court Judge Christopher Ryan to five years in jail, with a non-parole period of just three years.

Judge Ryan is the same judge that in 2016 suggested a 32-year old Children's Court security guard would have found it hard to resist a 'worldly' 14-year-old he had raped after meeting her at court.

He claimed Franco Abad, who was also aged 32 at the time, as 'not being made of steel' before sentencing him to a two-year good behaviour bond.

On Friday, Judge Ryan said he accepted Babar had since shown remorse and that jail would be tough for him.

He told the court Babar maintained the support of his family and wife back in Pakistan, which he would likely be deported back to on his release.

Babar has already spent 698 days in immigration detention.
The QAnon Shaman who became infamous as one of the faces of the US Capitol riots has accused former President Donald Trump of 'grooming' Americans as he attempts to gain his release from prison.

Jake Angeli, also known as Jacob Chansley, was one of the most recognizable members of the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6 that left five dead, as he was shirtless with a painted face and a furry horned hat.

He was part of a new motion filed by his attorney Albert Watkins on Thursday.

In the motion, Watkins points blame at Trump for the conspiratorial fever that has swept the United States.

'For years during the Trump administration, the President honed and routinely utilized his mass communication means to effectively groom millions of Americans with respect to his policies, protocols, beliefs and overwhelming fixation on all matters conspiratorial,' the motion states, according to Newsweek.

The QAnon Shaman as he's come to be known is putting the Capitol riot on Donald Trump

In a legal briefing, Jacob Chansley said Trump used 'mass communication means to effectively groom millions of Americans'

'Months before the 2020 Presidential election, former President Trump heightened his public propaganda such as to alarm, alert, and amass his supporters and cause them to be concerned about an inevitable voter fraud being perpetrated upon the United States of America and, in turn, theft of our nation, loss of our democracy, and the seating of a falsely/fraudulently elected individual other than former President Trump.'

Chansley was a Trump loyalist and a previous pro-Trump rally attendee, but he has turned against the former president as legal proceedings have continued.

On February 8, Chansley issued an apology and said he was 'deeply disappointed in former President Trump,' despite seeking a pardon from the outgoing president just weeks earlier.

Chansley is currently in a Virginia prison, awaiting next steps in his legal case

A previous court filing obtained by Law & Crime suggest the lack of a pardon is when Chansley turned on Trump.

'After the defendant noted former president Trump's pardoning of his friends and colleagues and Lil Wayne, the defendant was compelled to reconcile his prior faith in Trump,' the filing reads.

The filing was part of a bail motion, which outlined Chansley's lack of criminal history and revealed he tried to testify at Trump's impeachment trial twice.

Ultimately, no witnesses were called in Trump's trial, where he was acquitted largely along party lines.

Chansley has been in jail for nearly two months and has expressed regret for entering the Capitol.

Chansley has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of civil disorder and obstructing an official proceeding, plus four other misdemeanor charges.

He has feuded with the jail system about serving him organic food as part of his belief in Shamanism.

The jail was eventually forced to meet his organic food needs, but he was moved to another prison in Virginia after they were unable to continue doing so.

The latest filing said Chansley was 'grateful' for the organic food, but 'the Defendant has experienced significant digestive tract issues for which medical consultation has been sought,' an argument for his release.

Another argument being made for Chansley's release is that 'faith precludes him' from receiving the coronavirus vaccine, giving him both a medical and religious reason to be freed, despite not having an underlying condition that could make COVID-19 more dangerous.

Chansley (in a courtroom sketch) is arguing for his release on religious and medical grounds

Chansley has said he is 'deeply disappointed in former President Trump,' despite seeking a pardon from the outgoing president just weeks earlier.

Chansley's developing legal case comes as Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin announced Friday that over 300 people have been charged in the riot at the Capitol.

More than 280 people have been arrested in connection with the insurrection, which Carlin said was the brunt of his first briefing as Acting Deputy Attorney.

'We must return to an America where no one fears violence for who they are or what they believe,' Carlin said on Friday, according to ABC7Chicago.
Underworld figure Mick Gatto has lost his defamation case against the ABC after a Supreme Court judge dismissed the proceedings and found in favour of the national broadcaster.

Mr Gatto sued the ABC over a 2019 online article that reported an allegation he had threatened to kill barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo after learning she was providing information to police. The report also contained details of evidence that alleged he was implicated in one of Melbournes gangland murders.

Mick Gatto in 2019. Credit:Jason South

Mr Gatto gave evidence in a trial last year and said he had launched the defamation proceedings because he believed the ABC had crossed a line by publishing an article that contained suggestions he was a murderer, hitman and one of the most violent men in Australia.

But Supreme Court Justice Andrew Keogh on Friday found in favour of the ABC and dismissed Mr Gattos case.
The first early signals have emerged that vaccination is leading to a fall in Covid-19 cases among nursing home residents and health staff, it was announced today.

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said in the week to February 14 there were 482 cases in residential centres and this fell to 91 last week.

He said the fall in Covid-19 among hospital staff is quite significant  peaking at 1,000 cases in early January.

This dropped to 91 last week and the current level of cases is down to 50.

He said: That is a very severe drop and it is very difficult to attribute to the fall in community transmission alone.

He added: The most likely explanation is that we are now seeing an early vaccine effect.

Dr Henry also said experts are working on revising the visiting policy at nursing homes and he hopes visiting can resume in a safe incremental way: "We are just coming out of serious surge in cases and the timing of this is important.

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Referring to the fall in cases linked to vaccine he said there is good evidence from Israel and Scotland about the impact vaccination is having on cases of the virus.

What we are seeing here now are early signals which, based on international experience, we can increasingly be confident and translate into robust evidence.

That shows that in the week ending February 14 there were 482 lab reported cases in residential care setting and in the week ending February 22 there were 91.

Thats a big drop and while some may be due to community transmission falling it is very tempting, not just from optimism bias, to say there is the beginnings of a vaccination effect.

He also referred to the latest study from the United States showing an 80pc drop in deaths in nursing homes with the roll out of vaccination programmes.

He said this supports the strategy of prioritisation of groups by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

When you get it out to a high impact area you see a big impact in what really matters- illness, hospitalisation and death.

While the population are understandably impatient about getting the vaccines this highlights the impact of getting it out to high risk groups, he added.

The number of nursing home staff who are out of work has fallen to 350 from a high of more than 1,000.

However, there have been problems in getting the vaccine to some patients aged 85 and older in the community.

Some GPs have warned of problems in getting deliveries of vaccines for patients aged 85 and older.

In some cases the correct number of deliveries of vaccines did not arrive while other practices got too many.

Up to the end of last week 14,614 people aged 85 and older got the vaccine.

HSE chief Paul Reid said work is now underway to address these problems.

In some cases GPs have not been able to buddy up with other doctors in rural areas.

Groups with underlying illness who were moved up the priority list for vaccination will know in a week or two when they will get the jab,

He said he was concerned at the high level of movement across society including people going to work, in transit and moving between households.

He warned there could be a significant risk to the healthcare system if people were to lose focus at this stage.

The HSE hopes to deliver around 100,000 vaccines this week and 359,559 vaccine doses were administered up to February 22.

So far 226,000 people have had one dose and 133,325 are fully vaccinated.

Figures show that there has been an increase in positivity levels among close contacts of infected people and in one case a person found to have the virus had 38 contacts.

Meanwhile the latest correspondence to Government from the National Public Health Emergency Team said that normal life may yet be some time away and impact of vaccination is uncertain.

The letter written in advance of the Governments new Covid plan said the long term future of this virus is unknown and reaching herd immunity from vaccination alone is unlikely.

It would need to cover all adults not alone in Ireland but globally and it would also need to be effective in stopping the virus passing from one person to another.

The correspondence also highlighted the potential impact of new variants of the virus which could mean it is circulation in future years.

It emphasises the need for a strong public health response here as well be testing and surveillance to find out what forms of the virus are circulating.

The infrastructure of the health service including deficits in the workforce need to be addressed.
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First UK ETS auction will take place on May 19

ICE UK Allowance (UKA) Futures and Daily Futures launching

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses and provider of mortgage technology, data and listings services, today announced the publication of the auction calendar for the UK's new Emissions Trading Scheme ("ETS") with the first auction due to commence on May 19, 2021, subject to regulatory approval.

ICE was appointed to host emissions auctions on behalf of the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) following the announcement from the UK Government and Devolved Administrations in December 2020 of the planned launch of a UK ETS to replace the UK's participation in the EU ETS.

ICE plans to launch ICE UK Allowance (UKA) Futures contracts on May 19, 2021, coinciding with the launch of the first auction, with UKA Daily Futures following on May 21, 2021, subject to regulatory approval. ICE UKA Futures will trade on ICE Futures Europe and clear at ICE Clear Europe alongside ICE's global environmental complex, including European Union Allowances (EUA), California Carbon Allowances (CCAs) and California Carbon Offsets (CCOs).

"The publication of our ambitious UK Emissions Trading Scheme's auction calendar is another crucial step towards our target of eliminating our contribution to climate change by 2050," said UK Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan. "Our scheme is even more ambitious than the EU system it replaces and today's publication will give businesses and operators clarity over this year's supply of emissions allowances, enabling them to plan ahead, build back greener and better prepare for the transition to a low-carbon economy".

"We are excited about the addition of a new carbon market and believe the UK ETS will be pivotal in supporting the climate ambitions of the four governments of the UK", said Gordon Bennett, Managing Director of Utility Markets at ICE. "UK emissions have fallen 41% since 1990, more than any other major developed country and this has been driven by the UK's leadership in promoting market-based mechanisms to support climate goals. There is an enormous opportunity for cap and trade programs to take an even greater role in supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement, whether it is increasing their sector coverage or encouraging international linking."

ICE offers customers access to the largest and most liquid environmental markets in the world. More than 14 gigatonnes of carbon trades on ICE annually, which is equivalent to approximately 40% of the world's total annual emissions footprint based on current estimates.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange(NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company and provider of marketplace infrastructure, data services and technology solutions to a broad range of customers including financial institutions, corporations and government entities. We operate regulated marketplaces, including the New York Stock Exchange, for the listing, trading and clearing of a broad array of derivatives contracts and financial securities across major asset classes. Our comprehensive data services offering supports the trading, investment, risk management and connectivity needs of customers around the world and across asset classes. As a leading technology provider for the U.S. residential mortgage industry, ICE Mortgage Technology provides the technology and infrastructure to transform and digitize U.S. residential mortgages, from application and loan origination through to final settlement.

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading "Key Information Documents (KIDS)."

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on February 4, 2021.

ICE- CORP

Source: Intercontinental Exchange

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005343/en/

Contacts:

ICE Media Contact:

Rebecca Mitchell

Rebecca.Mitchell@theice.com

+44 7951 057 351



ICE Investor Contact:

Warren Gardiner

Warren.Gardiner@theice.com

770-835-0114
Accusations against a federal cabinet minister have been referred to police after two senators received an anonymous letter on Friday with allegations of a decades-old rape.

Labor Senator Penny Wong and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young sent the claims to police soon after receiving the letter, which was attached to a statement from a woman who said she was raped.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told all MPs this week to report any criminal allegations to police without delay. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The documents contain an allegation of a violent, historical attack.

The claims came one day after Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw urged all federal politicians to tell police without delay if they learned of allegations of sexual assault and other criminal matters.
Welcome to Texas, Mr. President. We wish you were visiting under better circumstances.

We wish we could greet you with a swagger rather than a limp, with a self-assured tip of the Stetson rather than a plea for disaster aid, a glass of sweet tea rather than bitter tears.

The trauma is too fresh after last weeks catastrophic power failure in freezing temperatures that brought our proud state to its knees. You often talk about the empty kitchen chair left for family members who have passed away due to COVID-19.

There are empty chairs all over Texas today, Mr. President. So many dozens and we are still counting and learning their names.

We are glad youre meeting with Gov. Greg Abbott despite political differences, glad youre making good on your promise to fight as hard for Americans who voted against you as those who voted for you. My administration will be there every step of the way with you, you told our governor Thursday afternoon, adding that all of us affected by the outages, whether Democrat or Republican, are fellow Americans.

Right now, Texas needs your help in expanding the federal disaster declaration youve already signed to include the 54 more counties Abbott has asked you to include, so aid can flow to local governments and individuals who need it. We also need your ear on this visit  and your heart.

Every tragic story from last week hurts to hear. But we ask you to keep in mind one family in particular, the Nguyens in Sugar Land, who have endured a lifetime of pain in a matter of days.

You would have liked Olivia Nguyen, age 11. The Chronicles Alejandro Serrano reports that she was up on the most recent election, history, law and was so empathetic to others that each year she baked cinnamon rolls for Santa because she figured the old man might be sick of cookies.

Her 8-year-old brother Edison loved making art and recently learned to ride a bike. The littlest, 5-year-old Colette, a dog lover like you, Mr. President, dutifully fed the familys golden doodle puppy, and spent time just petting him and telling him about her day. Their grandmother, Loan Le, a refugee from Vietnam, did everything she could to help, showing her love in many ways, including keeping every last scrap of the kids artwork.

On one of the coldest nights of the storm, the family huddled around the fireplace to keep warm without power. At 2 a.m., after everyone had gone to bed, firefighters found their red brick home engulfed in flames.

The childrens mother, Jackie Nguyen, reportedly had to be restrained by a first responder to keep her from going back into the house. She ended up in the hospital, being treated for smoke inhalation and burns, and is recovering.

All three of her children, along with her mother, died.

You feel like youre drowning and you feel like you just cant breathe, Jackie Nguyen told the Chronicle.

Mr. President, we know you can relate. The mother expressed gratitude to people across the Houston region for embracing her and helping financially during this time. Thats the spirit of Houston, a city often asked to endure more than its fair share of tragedy, loss and devastation but that also seems to have more than its fare share of strength, love and resilience to keep going.

The devastating power outage that took so many lives and caused untold billions of dollars in losses to homeowners and businesses across the state was no doubt a profound and unforgivable failure in government. Officials knew about vulnerabilities in our electric grid and failed to correct them.

Also unforgivable are the politicians in recent days who have tried to mine Texans misery for partisan advantage, pointing fingers at wind turbines, at private industry, at a little-known nonprofit grid manager  anyone to deflect blame from themselves, the lawmakers and other elected officials who created a weak power system that favors deregulation over reliability.

Some continued their misleading rhetoric in daylong hearings Thursday in the Texas House and Senate, but thankfully, there were lawmakers who had the decency to shut them down and remind them of their mission: to ask questions, get answers and make sure last weeks deadly power failure never happens again.

Mr. President, we ask you to afford the same pragmatism and decency to this red state even though most folks here voted for the other guy in November.

Texas, a fiercely independent state that has long held up its Lone Ranger power grid as a symbol of our dogged self-reliance, is not boastful today.

This is the largest train wreck in the history of deregulated electricity, state Sen. Brandon Creighton said in one of the legislative hearings Thursday. The train wrecks have a good case for defamation.

In Creightons district alone, 75-year-old Vietnam veteran Carrol Anderson died in his pickup truck looking for his last backup oxygen tank after his power went out and in another family, 11-year-old Cristian Pavon died in his bed in a house without heat, hours after playing in his first snow.

Last week wasnt a train wreck. It was a deadly debacle  one preventable and long foretold, which only compounds the pain.

Texas is hurting, Mr. President. We thank you for putting politics aside and doing your job and we humbly request your help in speeding federal aid to our state, to rebuild our homes, our businesses, our economy, our lives  once again.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars statement at a session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the need to respect the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and national sovereignty while addressing human rights violations is more a message to the world to refrain from criticising Indias human rights record than an affirmation of the countrys sovereignty.

The ministers words were obviously directed at other countries and organisations outside India at a time when Indias human rights record is increasingly coming under scrutiny. He also said that violation of and gaps in implementation of human rights should be addressed in a fair and just manner, with objectivity, non-selectivity and transparency. The UNHRC has itself focussed attention on such issues, which would not have been to the governments liking. Last week, special rapporteurs of the UNHRC had voiced concern that the constitutional changes made in Jammu and Kashmir could undermine minorities rights.

There is a deterioration of the human rights situation in India in the past few years. That is clear from the increasing attacks on the rights of minorities and on critics of the government, arrests and incarceration of people without following the due process, enactment and enforcement of draconian laws and other undemocratic measures. An atmosphere is even sought to be created in which words like human rights are considered bad and their advocates are mocked as human rights-wallahs and even dubbed "anti-nationals.

Jaishankar was making the same wrong point when he said that critics of Indias human rights violations are disrespecting the countrys sovereignty. Sovereignty cannot be used as a shield to deflect criticism. The very fact that there is a Universal Declaration of Human Rights and there are various UN conventions on them shows that countries cannot consider the human rights situation in their territory as solely their internal matter. India has itself expressed concern in the past over human rights violations in other countries.

Jaishankar also said that terrorism is the most serious threat to humanity as it violates the right to life. While this is right, terrorism should not also be used as an excuse to deny or violate human rights. Very often, terrorism rises and grows from violation of human rights. Actions and decisions of the government and the laws of the country should conform to the best and universal standards. The claim of "sovereign prerogative is a poor defence for flaws in them.

Jaishankar also said that India has an inclusive and pluralistic society and a vibrant democracy and the Constitution has enshrined basic human rights as fundamental rights. But the ministers case becomes weak when inclusiveness and pluralism come under strain and Constitutional principles are disregarded. It would then be difficult to stop the world from talking.
Cannes Lions and its official representative in South Africa, Ster-Kinekor recently announced this year's jury. With only one month to go until two years' worth of Lion-winning work is awarded, we touched base with some of the local jury members for a preview of what to expect. Next up, Lufuno Mavhungu...
DANBURY  With coronavirus cases declining and the vaccine on the horizon for an increased number of people, the school district is exploring expansion of in-person learning.

Its unlikely that all Danbury students will return to the buildings five days a week anytime soon, Superintendent Sal Pascarella said.

I don't think we can have a pure system, not with the growth we have in Danbury, he said. There will probably be some mixing and matching, a creative solution.

But some special education students with the greatest needs will attend school four days a week beginning next week and the following week.

The district is working out bringing some students in on Wednesdays, which under the hybrid model has been a distance-learning day for all, he said.

Extending the in-person learning day is another idea, if the district can serve lunch safely to unmasked students at the large middle and high schools, Pascarella said.

Starting Monday, some special education students in the elementary schools will attend four days a week, said Kelly Truchsess, director of pupil personnel services. These students require more in-person instruction, she said.

Those special education students in grades six through 12 will return four days a week beginning March 8.

Im hopeful that this will be a first step in potentially bringing more students in more often, Truchsess said.

Several parents urged the district to expand its hybrid model, arguing their children have struggled with distance learning.

Between our hybrid schedule, quarantines and snow days, these kids are barely back on any real level to have the impact we need, one mother of three school-aged children wrote to the school board in a comment read during Wednesdays meeting

About one-third of students have opted to stay on distance learning full-time, but more students may want to return if there is more in-person learning, Pascarella said. That could be a problem because the district could not accommodate everyone, he said.

It puts us in the danger zone, he said.

COVID-19 declines

But with the decline in COVID-19 rates in Danbury, its time for the district that was on full distance learning until mid-January to provide more in-person learning, Pascarella said.

We should look at this differently, he said.

Danburys COVID-19 rate has steadily declined, with the city averaging 23.7 new daily cases per 100,000 people over a 14-day period, said Kara Prunty, acting health director. The positivity rate averages 4.6 percent over 14 days.

We are in a better place than we were a few weeks ago, even, she said.

Contact tracing and quarantining those exposed in school has been very effective, she said.

The city is participating in a statewide program to monitor traces of the virus in wastewater, which is an indicator of what cases could be like in the coming weeks, Prunty said.

That also shows a downward trend of the virus being shed in the wastewater, so all around our indicators are looking a lot better, she said.

The vaccine, which educators will be eligible for beginning Monday, will also make staff safer, Pascarella said.

Challenges compared to other districts

Danbury is studying best practices from other districts  mainly locally, but even in Boston, which has been bringing students back in waves, Pascarella said.

New Milford, which has been on hybrid, plans to bring pre-kindergarten to second-grade students into school full-time beginning Monday, with grades three through five returning March 15.

Newtown, New Fairfield, and Easton, Redding and Region 9 are open fully in-person.

Bethel and Brookfield are open fully in-person for K-8, but their high schools are on hybrid. At Bethel High School, students alternate attending on Wednesdays.

Danburys COVID-19 rates are similar to neighboring towns, but its schools face overcrowding challenges the suburban districts do not.

The district is revisiting its classroom layouts to see whether more students could fit in a room. But 228 classrooms cannot achieve either three or six feet of separation between desks, Pascarella said.

Danbury has the largest high school in the state, so lunch would be a challenge, he said. The in-person school day ends before lunch, when students take grab-bag meals home.

We have to figure out a way of doing it there safely, Pascarella said.

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur (CNN Philippines, February 26)  Vice Mayor Restituto Calonge of Mabuhay town, Zamboanga Sibugay and another individual were shot dead by an unidentified gunman, local police said on Friday.

The incident happened around 3 p.m. near the municipal hall in the town's Barangay Poblacion. Police said another individual was shot and rushed to the hospital.

The vice mayor was near the Mabuhay Municipal Hall having a conversation with the two other victims when the assailant approached and fired at them.

The gunman later fled on a motorcycle described by witnesses as a black Honda XRM125. Hot pursuit operations are ongoing, and nearby police stations were directed to monitor checkpoints.
RED BLUFF, Calif. - The suspect who Red Bluff Police say is a minor went into the Sunny Side Market, the owner says he pulled out his gun, pointed it at her face and demanded money.

"Seeing all the cops going through lit up our neighborhood."

Neighbors like Michelle Hasse say things like this don't normally happen in Red Bluff.

"It just shows that people are getting desperate," she said.

"I was really scared like terrified, I was laying down," said Ryan Nunez, a Red Bluff High School student. "I didn't wanna get hurt or anything."

Red Bluff High School and Bidwell Elementary School were both put on lockdown because of just how close they were to where the robbery took place.

"I was scared it was a long lockdown too," said Jordan Bryant, another Red Bluff student.

"It was like 30 min, thank God they did," said Emanuel Bustos standing outside of the market with the other students. "Because you never know what that guy would've done."

"Then we heard a guy actually had a gun here," said Bryant.

A map that shows you just how close the schools and store are, everything is within just a few blocks of each other.

"Helicopters and stuff a lot of policemen outside," he said recollecting about what happened.

"We came here and spoke to the lady and she said she's fine, no one was injured," said Bustos. "Thank God you know?"

The store owner did not want to go on camera, but she told us the suspect wanted money.

He couldn't get the register open, so she says he ran with stolen lighters.

We reached out to Red Bluff Police several times, but no officials responded to our calls.

The store owner did capture security footage of the robbery. She showed it to us on her phone, but did not want to share it because he's still out there.

Red Bluff PD did not provide us with a description beyond the clothes he was wearing, but say he was wearing all black clothes at the time of the robbery.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-25 04:07:08|Editor: huaxia

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A woman wearing a face mask holds a cat along the Vistula river in Warsaw, Poland, Feb. 25, 2021. The Polish government has announced new restrictions in an effort to curb a recent rise in new COVID-19 infections officially dubbed the "third wave." Over the course of this month, the daily infection rate has steadily climbed after a period of stability. A total of 12,146 new cases were confirmed on Wednesday, taking the tally to 1,661,190 since the start of the pandemic. To date, 42,808 Poles have lost their lives due to the coronavirus. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

WARSAW, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Polish government announced new restrictions on Wednesday in an effort to curb a recent rise in new COVID-19 infections officially dubbed the "third wave."

Over the course of this month, the daily infection rate has steadily climbed after a period of stability. A total of 12,146 new cases were confirmed on Wednesday, taking the tally to 1,661,190 since the start of the pandemic. To date, 42,808 Poles have lost their lives due to the coronavirus.

Over 2.8 million Poles have already received at least one vaccine dose, which is currently administered to healthcare workers and people older than 65.

At the start of the month, daily figures were stable at between 2,500 and 5,000 positive tests.

"Today's results show the third wave is accelerating," Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said at a press conference, adding that the dynamics are starting to be a cause for concern and the numbers are increasing.

Niedzielski said that the rules on face covering will be tightened, mandating the use of masks in public spaces starting on Saturday instead of the previously allowed alternatives, such as scarfs and visors.

Also starting on Saturday, travelers from southern neighbours Slovakia and the Czech Republic will have to quarantine for ten days after arrival in Poland.

One of Poland's 16 provinces, Warmia-Masuria in the northeast of the country, will introduce additional lockdown measures due to a particularly steep rise in the number of cases there, including the closure of malls and cinemas and a return to remote learning for schoolchildren aged six to eight.

Older students in the province and the rest of the country have already been taking classes from home since Oct. 26, 2020.

Earlier plans to reopen schools for these groups in March have been shelved for now. The most recent projections put this date closer to April.

"We determined that it could be possible for high school students to return to school as early as the beginning of March," Niedzielski said in an interview with public broadcaster TVP on Monday. "But the situation has worsened over the last two weeks."

"I would still not rule out a return to school in March or April, as we think the peak of this wave will be slightly lower than in November."

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in some countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 255 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 73 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Tuesday. Enditem
Since Vietnams timber exports are on the rise, securing supply chains for raw materials is crucial. Photo: Le Toan

By the end of 2020, Nguyen Trong Hieu and seven other production households representing the Lien Ha handicraft village in Hanois Dan Phuong district had been supplying the market mostly with beds and wardrobes, mainly to furniture store Tan Vinh Cuu JSC (Tavico) in the southern province of Dong Nai.

Hieu told VIR, We are gradually creating links between production households in Lien Ha and furniture manufacturers in the south to promote and sell our products.

However, as long as the southern market remains unfamiliar with traditional handicraft products from the north, Lien Ha can certainly not sell its products immediately. The advantages of its craftsmanship or the use of proper and high-quality materials cannot offset the cost of transporting from Hanoi to Dong Nai.

The important factor for these products is to have a unique design, but we cannot always achieve it, Hieu explained.

The emergence of Lien Ha villages products at Tavico has attracted the attention of other manufacturers, contributing to creating new awareness for traditional craft villages about the legal use of timber. This association process can help craft villages build brand names and values through activities that capture market trends, the importance of designs, and the demand of domestic consumers.

Weak links

There are already several link models between craft villages and manufacturers in Vietnam, some of which were born when they realised that such cooperation would foster survival to withstand the pandemic, even before taking sustainable development into account. However, these models are still very new, focusing on a few timber suppliers and not meant for export, which would benefit the entire value chain the most.

Vietnam has a weak and inactive link system when it comes to wood billets and other raw materials, said Tran Thien, director of Thanh Hoa Co., Ltd.

According to Thien, the stages within the chain, from afforestation over processing to sales, are not defined. Vietnams timber industry, of which 95 per cent are private enterprises, is still completely swimming by itself and lacks supportive policies from the government.

Thanh Hoa, based in Ho Chi Minh City, supplies timber to nearly 70 furniture manufacturers and witnessed the breakdown of existing timber supply chains. After nearly 10 years of sticking to three projects between businesses and growers in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, Thien had to give up the plan to develop sustainable material areas, as the loss amounted to nearly VND5 billion ($217,000), with more than 3,000 cubic metres of raw materials in stock.

In principle, the signing and implementation of contracts between raw material suppliers and furniture manufacturers must comply with the provisions of the law on economic contracts. Thien mentioned a painful situation as the implementation of contractual commitments is a weakness of many timber enterprises.

The rights belong to the buyers and owners of the large processing companies, and they never give up their interests to be equal with the primary processors or the 1.1 million forest planters, Thien said.

Vietnamese manufacturers of timber products meant for export have just experienced 2020 and made it through the year mostly thanks to a sharp increase in customers during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the internal report of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association reaffirmed the importance of sustainable raw material supplies.

COVID-19 has disrupted the supply chains of timber from China, making it difficult for manufacturers that depend on this supply. Timber flows sourced from some of Vietnams main sources, such as Nigeria, were stopped because the governments of these countries ceased exporting and importing goods at the time of the outbreaks.

Timber suppliers in Vietnam currently only import enough goods for signed orders and did not sign new ones, especially with the African market out of fear that COVID-19 would hit again and continue to disrupt supply chains and cause risks to their businesses.

More than a year after the pandemic began, the export of wooden furniture in Vietnam continues to suffer under its negative impacts, also including afforestation households, primary processors, and importers of raw materials. For example, the output of the Tay Coc sawmill in the northern province of Phu Thos Doan Hung district has decreased by more than 60 per cent compared to 2019.

According to Nguyen Van Thai, owner of the sawmill, the price of timber has decreased sharply, and inventories remain fully stocked, so Tay Coc can only produce in moderation. In Doan Hung, the price of materials like round acacia timber has decreased by VND100,000 ($4.30) per tonne compared to before the pandemic. In particular, the price of wood chips has fallen sharply, from over VND800,000 ($35) per tonne to below VND700,000 ($30).

Thai said that these lower prices had a direct negative impact on afforestation households.

Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has more than once mentioned the deepening imbalance within the local timber industry. The north-central and central regions are lacking factories and industrial zones for the timber industry, while manufacturers are mainly located in the southern and eastern provinces. This, he argued, leads to low material purchases from farmers and does not speed up afforestation  the fundamental solution for Vietnams timber exports to develop sustainably.

Ambitious goals

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shows that in 2020, the export value of forest products reached about $13.17 billion, exceeding the plan for last year by 5.4 per cent and representing an increase of 16.4 per cent compared to 2019, in which the export of timber and related products was estimated at $12.8 billion. But to achieve such figures, businesses had to spend about $2.58 billion on imports of timber and materials, up 11 per cent from 2019.

Exports of timber and products thereof are set to reach around $20 billion by 2025  an ambitious goal, especially when considering that so far Vietnam has not identified opportunities to increase its share in the global market and raw material chains.

Now that COVID-19 is also back in Vietnam, the situation once again shows the importance of the domestic market as a platform for the timber industry. Vo Quang Ha, chairman of Tavico said, This opportunity should be used to balance the interests of the different players in the timber industry.

With these conditions, Ha found that many timber exporters also had plans to bring their products to the domestic market but faced many difficulties because they could not find suitable distribution channels and open shops for sale. Because of the high cost of premises, the resulting product prices would only lead to a loss of competitive advantages. In addition, the quantity of orders from domestic retailers is small and cannot relate to mass production.

Current development policies for the timber industry still focus on export processing but may require a more balanced policy to enable links in the chains to develop together. According to Ha, the timber industry should be divided into four chains that specify where the timber goes to.

If the policy continues to focus on export, it will only take care of a quarter of the development target. But if the state makes policies suitable to the characteristics of each chain, it will help the whole industry to grow more sustainably, Ha said.

Dr. To Xuan Phuc, an expert at Forest Trends, said that Vietnam needs a strategy for sustainable development of the industry, clearly defining product lines and strategic markets. Only then can the country accurately prepare the local timber industry for the global map.

Phuc also said that this period could be an opportunity for the Vietnamese timber industry to build new chains, with the government playing a leading role in creating priority conditions for businesses to participate in the supply of legal timber products, especially those derived from planted forests by households, which are preliminarily processed through household sawmills located in plantation areas.

The Vietnamese government can also apply a public procurement policy to domestically produced products and introduce legal tender rules to encourage businesses and promote markets, Phuc suggested.

Such an incentive, he believed, would help form links and domestic supply chains between businesses, processors, and reforestation households to serve the public procurement market, which is not small at all.


Fig. 1 Overview of Gamma Knife Therapy



Fig. 2 Plan Flow with Conventional Method vs. New technology

TOKYO, Feb 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories, Ltd. in collaboration with researchers at the University of Toronto (U of T) today announced the development of a technology for dramatically streamlining the creation of radiation treatment plans for Gamma Knife(1) radiosurgery, leveraging Fujitsu's quantum-inspired computing technology, the Digital Annealer, which rapidly solves combinatorial optimization problems.Gamma Knife radiation therapies are used to treat illnesses including brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations. The process of creating treatment plans using conventional methods is often laborious and time-consuming, and doctors must spend time making painstaking and detailed adjustments to determine how much radiation should be administered to a target while minimizing dose to surrounding tissue. With the newly developed technology, however, medical professionals can create treatment plans in roughly one minute, maintaining the same level of accuracy as conventional methods, while simultaneously calculating a huge number of possible combination patterns of where and how much dose to deliver with the Digital Annealer.By easing the burden on medical professionals in creating fast and accurate treatment plans, the new technology frees them to devote more time and energy to ensuring patients receive the most effective and humane care possible. Going forward, Fujitsu Laboratories and U of T researchers will continue to test the effectiveness of this technology based on additional patient data, and ultimately develop technologies that actively contribute to improvement of medical science and society at large.BackgroundGamma Knife surgery is used to treat brain tumors and other conditions because of its relative non-invasiveness and highly precise method of delivery of radiation. By using 192 different sources of gamma radiation aimed at different points, the dose to the affected area can be maximized while the dose to the surrounding healthy organs is kept very low. Parameters including position, shape, and dose of radiation must be considered to achieve optimal dosage to the affected area. However, the number of potential combination patterns is enormous, and in current medical practice, doctors generate treatment plans by manually repeating parameter adjustments based on their previous experience. This process can take about 1.5 to 3 hours to generate a plan that meets the patient's individual needs, placing a heavy burden on medical professionals.While the physician is preparing the treatment plan, the patient may also need to wait, frequently with a frame fixed to their head to limit movement, which may cause some physical discomfort. It is also necessary to secure medical personnel to help to prepare patients for treatment and make sure the frame remains in place.Recent years have witnessed the emergence of new tools to help ease this process--for instance, software that automates the generation of treatment plans. In the field, however, it often remains the case that the generated plan still requires clinicians to manually modify and adjust the plans.Since 2017, Fujitsu and U of T have been collaborating in a strategic partnership centered on research relating to quantum computing. With this latest initiative, the parties have collaborated in the development of technology to help apply the use of the Digital Annealer for the generation of treatment plans for Gamma Knife therapies. Researchers at U of T and its medical institutions studied and developed methods to translate the Gamma Knife optimization to combinatorial optimization, a format understandable by the Digital Annealer technology developed by Fujitsu.About the Newly Developed TechnologyU of T researchers, through their methods and the use of Digital Annealer technology by Fujitsu, has developed the following technology to generate treatment plans at high speed while maintaining the same accuracy as treatment plans created by experienced doctors.1. Using the physical properties of the human body (Dose Profile), the shot shape during gamma irradiation is modeled.In the past, shots (Concentrated area of gamma rays) formed by multiple gamma rays were assumed to be perfectly spherical during the shot position determination process. However, it has been found that the sphere is not necessarily perfect due to the influence of moisture in the human body. The newly developed technology determines the position of shots utilizing shot shapes reflecting the physical characteristics of gamma rays in the human body. This can contribute to the generation of more accurate treatment plans.2. Optimization of radiation parameters using the Digital AnnealerIn the past, during shot position determination process, multiple gamma ray radiation positions (Position of the shot) were determined sequentially; the position of the first shot was determined and the position of the second shot was determined after that so as to include the remaining part of the affected tissue as much as possible. However, this may not result to the optimal number of shots or positions. By contrast, the Digital Annealer allows users to search for the positions of all shots simultaneously at the beginning, resulting in a more accurate overall optimized treatment plan. It is also possible to obtain an optimized solution for the parameters of the radiation shape, enabling the rapid generation of a treatment plan that optimizes dosage for each patient.In a study of 49 cases of auditory nerve tumors, U of T researchers compared the newly developed technology against the conventional method. Referring to an index of radiation delivery accuracy, it was found that the developed technology was as accurate as manual planning. Additionally, while it took 1.5 to 3 hours to manually generate a plan, it was possible to reduce this to about 2 minutes with the newly developed technology.By supporting plan generation with the newly developed technology, the time required for Gamma Knife treatment, as well as the burden on patients and medical professionals can be drastically reduced. Reduction of personnel costs for hospitals can also be expected.Future PlansGoing forward, Fujitsu Laboratories and U of T researchers will continue to verify the effectiveness of this technology based on data from more patients, and will continue to develop technologies that offer the potential to contribute to medical science and society at large. Future potential projects include shortening the time required for Gamma Knife treatment processes themselves rather than the treatment plans, or applying this technology to other radiotherapy methods.(1) Gamma Knife therapyA noninvasive stereotactic radiation device that delivers gamma rays to the affected area. It is used mainly to treat the head, including brain tumors and cerebrovascular malformations. GAMMA KNIFE is a trademark or registered trademark of ELEKTA AB (PUBL) in the United States and other countries.About Fujitsu LaboratoriesFounded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. is one of the premier research centers in the world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Next-generation Services, Computer Servers, Networks, Electronic Devices and Advanced Materials. For more information, please see: http://www.fujitsu.com/jp/group/labs/en/.About the University of TorontoFounded in 1827, the University of Toronto has evolved into Canada's leading institution of learning, discovery and knowledge creation. We are proud to be one of the world's top research-intensive universities, driven to invent and innovate. The university offers 700 programs of study at its three campuses in the Greater Toronto Area and has full affiliations with nine teaching and research hospitals. For more information, visit utoronto.ca.Source: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
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The scandal engulfing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has continued to develop since the release of New York Attorney General Letitia James report that the state government had undercounted nursing home deaths from COVID-19 by 50 percent and the admission by a top Cuomo aide that requests from state lawmakers for information were not fulfilled for months on end because of fears that the information was going to be used against us by the Trump administration.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference, May 27, 2020, at the National Press Club in Washington (Credit: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The FBI and the Department of Justice have begun a preliminary investigation to see if there was criminal wrongdoing in the misrepresentation of nursing home deaths, according to NBC. Since the revelation on February 11 that the legislature was denied information under the Trump administration, legislators, most prominently Assemblyman Ron Kim, have claimed that Cuomo has politically threatened them if they refuse to recant their criticism of Cuomos handling of the pandemic.

Over 15,000 New York nursing home residents have died from COVID-19, a third of whom were not counted in prior state Department of Health data. A factor which likely contributed to these deaths was that, from March to May of 2020, nursing homes and group homes for the developmentally or intellectually disabled were required to accept residents despite a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19, and that testing was not required.

After this came to light thanks to Attorney General James report, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa told state Democrats that the state froze in providing information to them after the federal government initiated an investigation last year. Since then, Kim and other Democrats have criticized Cuomo, calling for his investigation or even impeachment, and have made moves to removing his emergency powers.

Kim has said that Cuomo called him and warned him: You have not seen my wrath. I have been biting my tongue for months. According to Kim, Cuomo was yelling and at one point threatened, You will be destroyed. Cuomos office has denied that he used specific threatening language.

Three state legislators anonymously relayed to CNN that they were aware of outreach from the governor in which he clearly suggested or explicitly threatened political retaliation if they did not stand by him, according to the news channel. Like Kim, they apparently were asked to either retract critical remarks against Cuomo or issue statements in his defense, with multiple legislators reportedly receiving draft language from Cuomo aides.

Cuomo decided to spend time during a coronavirus news conference attacking Kim, who has over the past few years begun to portray himself as on the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, saying he has had a long and hostile relationship with the assemblyman.

Kim has become Cuomos most prominent critic since the alleged threats, writing opinion pieces for the New York Post and the Guardian and agreeing to interviews with Jacobin, Business Insider and others, where he has called for Cuomo to be investigated for mishandling the pandemic in nursing homes.

Fox News and other right-wing media have focused intensely on the scandal surrounding Cuomo, and right-wing senators have grabbed on as well, with Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley and other Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee issuing a statement asking its Democratic chairman, Richard Durbin, to convene hearings into the issue.

None of these reactionaries have demanded an investigation into the Trump administrations handling of the pandemic, which involved then-President Donald Trump downplaying the pandemic for months even though he knew the seriousness of the disease. Nor have they focused attention on the role of Republican governors, like Ron DeSantis in Florida, who have barred even the establishment of statewide mask mandates.

Significantly, most of the attention has been on the state governments cover-up of the death toll in nursing homes, not on the deaths themselves, or on Cuomos sponsoring legislation that immunized nursing home ownersmostly big corporate chainsfrom legal liability for the deaths. This is revealing, because in terms of actual deaths, New York state is only one of many where nursing homes became virtual death traps for the elderly.

Cuomos critics, both left and right, have generally avoided this issue, because it shows all to clearly the bipartisan character of the herd immunity policy adopted by corporate politicians of both parties, who have allowed COVID-19 to kill more than half a million people in the United States.

US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the pseudo-left Democratic Socialists of America, issued a statement calling for a full investigation and for our states return to co-equal governance, a reference to the state legislatures efforts to revoke Cuomos emergency powers early. Ocasio-Cortez, however, has not used her Twitter account, which has a significant following, to comment on the nursing homes crisis (or even to circulate her statement).

Cuomo faces reelection next year, and faced a primary challenger in 2018 that secured a third of the vote. It is possible that sections of the Democratic Party could try to dump Cuomo before the general election, given the widespread perception of Cuomos falling star, after the efforts by liberals and the mainstream press in 2020 to promote him as an effective spokesman on coronavirus in contrast to Trump.

On Monday, the New York Times the main Democratic Party mouthpiecepublished a lengthy article headlined, Uprising Grows Over Cuomos Bullying and Brutalist Political Theater which detailed longstanding allegations of the governors aggressive and sometimes unsettling behavior, many anonymous.

If Cuomo is guilty of bullying and even threatening political rivals, that crime pales by comparison to what he has done to the people of New York state, where 1.6 million have fallen victim to coronavirus and nearly 48,000 have died. The Times  report and the media focus on Cuomos individual wrongdoing is aimed at creating the conditions for replacing Cuomo with another big business politician, Democrat or Republican.

This would neither fundamentally alter the notoriously corrupt politics of New York state nor the sacrifice of lives to corporate profit. What is needed is for the working class to intervene independently with a socialist program to bring the pandemic under control and hold all of the social murderers accountable.
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We are looking for a storeman with an OSH forklift license. You will need to be physically for as the job is about 70% forklift...



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Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis blasted Gov. Andrew Cuomo for being a 'hypocrite,' referring to a 2018 tweet that the New York governor made about Justice Brett Kavanaugh's sexual assault allegations.

In an essay published to Medium Wednesday, Lindsey Boylan - who worked as a special advisor to Cuomo in 2018 - charged that the Governor asked her to play strip poker and kissed on the lips without her permission. Cuomo has denied the allegations.

That same year, Cuomo took to Twitter to slam ask why the future justice had not taken a polygraph test while noting that Christine Blasey Ford - one of the women who had sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh - had done one.

'Here is one basic fact that badly hurts Judge Kavanaugh: Why won't he take a polygraph? Dr. Ford did,' Cuomo said in the Sep. 27 tweet in 2018. 'President Trump: You can and should ask him to take the test.'

Appearing on America's Newsroom Thursday, Malliotakis called Cuomo a hypocrite for his position at the time and declared that 'he absolutely should' take a lie-detector test.

'The governor, he's a hypocrite, it is rules for thee but not for me,' Mallitokais said. 'These new allegations just make it more difficult for the governor to continue.'

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Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) called Cuomo a hypocrite and declared that 'he absolutely should' take a lie-detector test

In an essay published to Medium Wednesday, Lindsey Boylan - who worked as a special advisor to Cuomo in 2018 - charged that the Governor asked her to play strip poker and kissed on the lips without her permission

In 2018, Cuomo made numerous remarks condemning Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the sexual assault allegations against him

The sentiment was shared by The View's Meghan McCain who lambasted Cuomo, calling him a 'pervert' and chastising the silence from other networks and prominent Democrats.

McCain also made reference to Cuomo's comment on Kavanaugh as she slammed the longtime politician.

'By his own metric 'believe all women' he is a pervert who has harassed women, and he should resign immediately,' the conservative host said before turning her attention to the silence she felt was coming from prominent figures on the left.

The View's Meghan McCain also lambasted Cuomo, calling him a 'pervert' and chastising the silence from other networks and prominent Democrats

'The silence of so many people in the media and so many Democratic politicians, like Kirsten Gillibrand who has been at the forefront of all sexual harassment cases and the #MeToo movement, she hasn't said anything today,' McCain said about the New York senator, who did share her own comment about the allegations on Thursday.

'So apparently, if you are Governor Cuomo and your brother is the host of a big CNN show, and you're a Democrat, then he has a complete double standard.'

Mainstream TV networks ABC, NBC and CBS similarly did not report on their allegations in their news bulletins Wednesday night. CNN reported on the allegations Thursday.

McCain later added: 'We can't live in a country and a time where Democrats say believe all women, except if your politics don't align.'

'By his own metric 'believe all women' he is a pervert who has harassed women, and he should resign immediately,' the conservative host said

The other women on The View also called for their to be an investigation into the 'credible' allegations against Cuomo, with host Joy Behar sharing that she believed Democrats would act if it was shown the allegations were true.

The other women on The View also called for their to be an investigation into the 'credible' allegations against Cuomo, with host Joy Behar sharing that she believed Democrats would act if it was shown the allegations were true.

'That is what Democrats do,' she asserted, noting the swift actions Democrats took with Al Franken when women came forward about him.

Behar also highlighted the allegations and investigations surrounding Rep. Jim Jordan, Justice Kavanaugh and even former President Donald Trump.

Whoopi Goldberg also expressed optimism that New York Attorney General Letitia James would act accordingly concerning a possible investigation into Cuomo.

Tina Tchen, CEO of MeToo, released a statement calling for an investigation into the allegations against the New York Governor

'We have a capable AG who does not seem to care what side of the aisle you are on if you are demonstrating bad behavior,' Goldberg said. James is currently reviewing a letter from state republicans looking into launching an independent investigating into Cuomo, the New York Post reports.

On Thursday, the #MeToo movement board released a statement calling for an investigation into the allegations against the New York Governor. Notable celebs like Eva Longoria and Ashley Judd sit on the board of the group.

'Allegations of inappropriate behavior in any workplace are deeply troubling and should be addressed,' Tina Tchen, president and CEO of TIME'S UP Foundation, said in a statement.

'We call on the Cuomo administration to conduct a full and independent investigation into these claims immediately.'

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is calling for an independent investigation into claims New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed a former aide.

In an essay published to Medium Wednesday, Lindsey Boylan - who worked as a special advisor to Cuomo in 2018 - charged that the Governor asked her to play strip poker and kissed on the lips without her permission.

The allegations have been vigorously denied by Cuomo, but de Blasio told reporters during a press conference Thursday that they should be examined more thoroughly.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is calling for an independent investigations into claims New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed a former aide

'These allegations are really disturbing. Let's be clear about that, they're really disturbing. We have to, as New Yorkers, we got to take this seriously. When a woman comes forward with this kind of very specific allegations, they have to be taken seriously,' de Blasio stated.

'We need a full and independent investigation, I want to emphasize the word 'independent,' investigation by some individual or entity that is not compromised, is not dominated by the governor's office, but an independent investigation,' he continued.

'This kind of behavior, if it's true, is unacceptable in any public servant, in anybody. So we've got to get the truth about this.'

Meanwhile, New York state's two senators were also questioned about the allegations, with a spokesperson for Chuck Schumer stating: 'He has said many times that sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated, and that any credible allegation should be thoroughly investigated.'

Boylan had already alleged in tweets in December last year that Cuomo 'abused his power' and sexually harassed her for years

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was also asked about the allegations on Thursday, noting that she hadn't read up on the allegations but supported both Boylan and Cuomo speaking 'their truth.'

'I have not read her allegations or her posts or Medium posts. But as I said, everyone has a right to be able to come forward, speak their truth and be heard. And that's true for her and it's also true for Governor Cuomo,' Gillibrand said Thursday, according to a tweet posted by Huffington Post's Igor Bobic.

Gillibrand has been known for her fierce condemning of politicians on both sides when they've had sexual assault allegations. She was notably one of the first and most prominent Democrats to call for Al Franken's resignation.

The Democrat senator also demanded President Trump 'resign' after he was accused of sexual assault.

In 2018, she called allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh 'disqualifying'.

Sen. Kristen Gillibrand was also asked about the allegations on Thursday and said that she had not read the allegations but supported both speaking their truth

A spokesperson for Chuck Schumer stated: 'He has said many times that sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated, and that any credible allegation should be thoroughly investigated'

Meanwhile, the Democratic party's other prominent women have remained mostly silent about the bombshell allegations.

Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have not yet released statements regarding the claims despite fashioning themselves as champion of women.

Fox News reports that representatives for Harris, Pelosi and Clinton failed to respond to their request for comment.

Meanwhile, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - who recently revealed she had been a victim of sexual assault - has been similarly quiet. She has been vocal, however, in calls to investigate Cuomo for his handling of the pandemic in relation to nursing homes.

No comment? Vice President Kamala Harris has not made a statement on the claims. At one point, the incoming Biden-Harris Administration were reportedly considering Cuomo for the role of Attorney General. Harris is pictured with Boylan in a photo taken several years ago

Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have not released statements regarding the claims

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - who recently revealed she had been a victim of sexual assault - was similarly quiet

Clinton and Cuomo have long been friends. The pair are pictured together in 2016

However, actress and activist Rose McGown has spoken out in defense of Boylan and, like de Blasio, she is demanding an independent investigation.

'I completely stand by Lindsey Boylan. Its truth leaks from every word on the screen that she wrote. She, none of us, should endure what she endured,' McGowan told Fox News.

'If they're doing it to her, what are they doing to constituents? What is he going to do to what he considers the little people? It's monstrous.'

She continued: 'I would like to see an honest investigation. I would like that position of power to be filled by somebody who is not dangerous and a bully and intimidating and threatening because that's what sexual harassment is. It's power abuse. It's trying to make the little person feel small.'

Actress and activist Rose McGown has spoken out in defense of Boylan and, like de Blasio, she is demanding an independent investigation

In Wednesday's Medium post Boylan claimed she was taking a plane ride with Cuomo in 2017 when he asked her to play strip poker.

'I should have been shocked by the Governor's crude comment, but I wasn't.'

She further alleged that during a one-on-one briefing with the Governor to update him on economic and infrastructure projects he kissed her without permission.

'We were in his New York City office on Third Avenue. As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips. I was in shock, but I kept walking.

'I had complained to friends that the Governor would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs,' she wrote.

Boylan had already alleged in tweets in December last year that Cuomo 'abused his power' and sexually harassed her for years.

Cuomo's press secretary Caitlin Girouard issued a statement Wednesday saying Boylan's latest allegations are untrue.

'As we said before, Ms. Boylan's claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false,' she stated.

NY Democrat Assemblyman Ron Kim has come out in support of Boylan. He tweeted support after she went public with her sexual assault allegations

The accusation comes as Cuomo is under increasing pressure over his handling of COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes. He signed a March order that allowed nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients back to their facilities.

Earlier this month, Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo's secretary, unleashed a political firestorm when she admitted to state Democrats that the administration had deliberately hid data on the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

At least 15,000 people living in long-term care facilities have died of COVID-19, nearly double the number Cuomo had initially disclosed. Cuomo says his office was always honest about the figures but that it came down to differences in categorization.

Days after DeRosa's revelation, NY Democrat Assemblyman Ron Kim claimed that the Governor made threats as part of an effort to get him to 'cover up' for DeRosa's admission.

'The Governor called for about ten minutes, it seemed like one hour,' Kim told CNN last week.

Kim claimed that the Governor made threats as part of an effort to get him to 'cover up' for his staffers admission about inaccuracies in the number of nursing home deaths

He accused Cuomo of 'berating' him in order to pressure him 'to issue a statement that invalidated what I heard. He asked me to lie to cover up for his staff.'

Kim said the phone call left his family traumatized.

Kim has now come out in support of Boylan, who tweeted after she went public with her sexual assault allegations.

'Cuomo is a coward who has abused his powers. His pattern of abuse and harassment toward his aides, journalists, lawmakers, and critiques is despicable. As a lawmaker, I have the duty to hold him accountable. I will not stand down. I will stand with Lindsey Boylan,' Kim wrote.

Fox News star Janice Dean appeared at a rally held by Kim on Wednesday

Meanwhile, he held a rally about Cuomo's nursing home scandal on Wednesday, with Fox News star Janice Dean taking to the microphone.

Dean has been a vocal critic of Cuomo's after both of her in-laws died from COVID in nursing homes.

'A lot of news agencies, news companies, think that this is breaking news,' she said. 'We have been shouting from the rooftops for ten months!'

'And I have yet to hear this governor say, in front of a microphone, I am sorry for your loss. That would have been a good start.'
this would've hit better if the patient was a Jehovah's Witness. they're pretty famous about not accepting any blood transplants and the like.

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Just blood transfusions though; they can accept everything other than that.



Source: My JW mom.

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really? i have a lot of questions as to why a blood transfusion is more blasphemous than an organ transplant but i'm not gonna think about it too hard. but i suppose it could still work? there are levels to JW's too right? Like there are levels of fundie Christians so a super JW could justify never doing any transplant at all.



basically, this was a very easy hole to write yourself out of!

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Scrubs had an episode like that. I turned it up real loud for my mom lol.

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I remember a greys episode with that lol

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Gross. They should absolutely apologize for that.

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A whole lot of ignorant and antisemitic people wrote, read, reread, and approved this, even those people filming and editing didn't oppose this enough. Fuck all of them.





These same people will turn around and run their mouths about space lasers

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Is the characters religion important to any other part of the storyline, if not then it was pointless to make their reasoning regarding their religion. Seems you could have easily just done this without including religion.

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i mean, the description is in this post. it says the plot is that he refuses to take the transplant because he's religious (and i'm assuming makes the doctor characters delve into the ethics of forcing treatment on someone who doesn't want it for religious grounds yada yada). i'm sure it was probably done offensively though.

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I guess I was wondering if religion and religious beliefs play a bigger role in the series instead of just this one off character but realized I think Im asking too much from a formula medical drama.

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i think they were trying to get a "moral dilemma" episode for most medical dramas. AKA: this patient needs a this specific lifesaving procedure/drug/etc but won't take it because [insert reason here] and the treating doctor usually goes through the angst of not being able save a life that was right in reach. Or they convince the patient and happy ending or they give them the procedure/drug anyways and have to deal with the legal fallout.





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Yiiiikkeeess

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This show has the worst writing.

I watched the 1st and said nope, I'm not that panoramic depressed.

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Considering every hospital based TV drama and comedy has done a Jehovah's Witness storyline involving blood transfusions, I bet they thought they were being really clever changing it up like this. Like, how did no one do research into how factual this is? It's not even a thing.



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The main reason I stopped watching this show was because the storylines were badly written. That was before this Jewish storyline. Yikes.

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I could tell from the trailer lol- glad I never bothered

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also: a show about nurses and not one is Filipino? The inaccuracies, I didn't even bother.

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This is like the time the girl didn't want the valve transplant from a pig on Grey's Anatomy. If you're going to write a story about an Orthodox Jew, you need input from one. A writer of Jewish descent doesn't cut it because lots of cultural Jews are unaware.

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Lol you basically need several Orthodox rabbis because even two of them may not agree. It looks from the picture like the characters are Haredi Jews, aka ultra-orthodox. That's a very different set of beliefs than Orthodox Judaism, and even within the ultra-Orthodox communities, there is a lot of division (Mayim Bialik is Modern Orthodox for example). The Variety article doesn't elaborate on that. The ultra-Orthodox community definitely has some problems, but these require a nuanced discussion. Misrepresenting their beliefs and portraying them as looking down with disgust on women, non-Jews and Arabs is not it.

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would a Haredi name their child Israel is my question. I've heard that a not insignificant number of Haredis were opposed to the establishment of the State.

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That was a weird episode too bc she was a minor, and her parents were not orthodox, and were like shes really into religion lately! nothing we can do about her decision tho \_()_/ despite again being her parents.



The writers wanted to teach Alex a lesson about patient empathy and going the extra mile but they def could have used a different use case lol.

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Any original show made by global (the Canadian network its from) has always been trash- I saw the trailer and was like nope

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Its funny, because my simple brain automatically associates Canadian shows as being super progressive, as they always seemed leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the western world in that regard. When I was first reading this post, I was legit in my head thinking "But it's Canadian, how?" lol





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Was Rookie Blue on Global, because I always liked it / may not have remembered if it was problematic?

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Rookie blue started out ok but o ended up hate watching it to the end lmao



Edited at 2021-02-27 08:38 pm (UTC)

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That was really ignorant of them. Did nobody think of doing research?



Jews are number one target of hate crimes in US



This is surprising to me. Idk if I believe this

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Yeah, I have a hard time believing most hate crimes aren't committed against African Americans.



Maybe it has something to do with the reporting/charging, as I imagine most race related violence towards black people, is not reported as such.

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Black people have the most victims of hate crimes while Jewish people have the second highest number. However, Jews make a smaller part of the US population (2% vs 13%), so they are more likely to be victims. Depends on how you interpret FBI numbers: https://ucr.fbi.gov/hate-crime/2019/tables/table-1.xls Black people have the most victims of hate crimes while Jewish people have the second highest number. However, Jews make a smaller part of the US population (2% vs 13%), so they are more likely to be victims.

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...why do you automatically doubt it?

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Did they confuse ultra orthodox Jewish people with Christian scientists??

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I got nothing to contribute except for is that teriyaki sixnine? lol

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They shouldve cancelled this show in the first place for not having any Filipino nurses

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Really would like this narrative of religious people turning down medical services and advise to end. I know we saw a lot of Christians talking about God and Covid and Jesus saves!!! but that is not at all indicative of most religious people. As soon as I read this characters name is Israel my jaw dropped. So intentionally ignorant.

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Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC (55) is a retired Army captain

Q You suffered such deep trauma as a teenager that it has impacted your long-term memory. Tell me about the murder of your uncle Samuel.

A My father, William but known as Bob, was in the Ulster Rifles. When I was 10, he left the military and we moved back from England to Edgarstown, a working class area of Portadown. I'm the youngest of three brothers and three sisters. I'd no idea what the Troubles were about but shortly after we came back to Northern Ireland my brother and uncle came to the door and told my mother that her brother Samuel had been murdered. I remember watching my mother wailing and falling to her knees and not understanding what was going on but realising my mother had been touched by this awful crime.

Q What were the circumstances of his murder?

A Lost Lives says Uncle Samuel (Johnston) might have been a member of the UDA. The Cain archive has him down as a civilian murdered by Irish republicans. I'm not inclined to chase it down. I just remember it having an imprint on my family. It's not something I want to carry forward with any form of bitterness.

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Whatsapp Doug Beattie MC UUP MLA for Upper Bann - Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX

Q Worse followed with the death of your mother, Eve, at 42 from lung cancer. You were just 14.

A The two years leading up to that were awful... watching the pillar of the family slowly degrade as the cancer took hold. My routine changed completely. I'd walk to Portadown Tech, then rush back home to sit with my mother again. By this stage she was hallucinating. I remember the day she passed very clearly. I arrived home and went straight up to say hello to mum. She was lying there, her eyes only half-open and her breathing very laboured. Twenty minutes later dad came home, went straight up the stairs, then shouted someone get a doctor. He sat down beside her, took her hand and she passed away. My father William (known as Bob) was now in the UDR, he'd seen a lot in his life, but I can still picture his ashen face. I now have an issue with my long term memory. I think some of the traumatic things that happened in my younger life prevent me from remembering other things. That memory of my dad's face is really strong but I really don't have a single memory of having dinner with my mother or of Christmas dinner with my family. I've lost them all.

Q How did your father cope as a single parent?

A When mum died, he was lost. He turned to alcohol and he turned to his memories of his wife, the music they'd listened to, the movies they'd watched. By that stage I was the only child left in the house and dad wanted to share his memories so I became the person he did that with. I'd do a full day's schooling, come home and make dinner for dad coming in from work. Then dad would drink and at 2am he'd wake me up to listen to the music that he'd listened to with mum. It had an incredibly detrimental effect on me and my schooling. I'm not blaming my father. He really struggled to cope. And I was just trying to survive.

Q Shockingly, you shot a friend in the head with your father's gun.

A It's a harrowing story and difficult to speak about. It may also be causing the memory loss. It was a case of a young teenage boy messing about. I remember it vividly, in very slow motion, but can't remember what happened before or after. I thought 'have I killed Raymond?' The gun went off in my hand, the bullet went through the back of his mouth, blood started to come out immediately. I'd never been around guns before. I was looking at pure horror. There's embarrassment too which hasn't gone away. Raymond was hospitalised. He's still a friend and we talk about it. He hasn't any huge physical scarring but that's not to say he's not mentally scarred and that's my fault.

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Q But it proved something of an epiphany for you.

A I'd injured someone badly. I'd let down my family. My life kind of collapsed. I had to make my father proud of me again, to get life back on track. My father had been proud when my brothers joined the Army. I didn't want to join the military but if I did I'd make my father proud. I'm talking to you as an MLA but I've no educational qualifications, not a single O or A level.

Q What was it like being a 16-year old recruit?

A I was a Paddy. Me and another lad were terribly abused because we were the only young men from Northern Ireland. There were horrific beatings. Some instructors had been in the Troubles in the Seventies; there was bitterness from being in the conflict. I tried to explain that my father was an Army veteran, my two brothers were in the Army but it didn't matter. There was a lot of anger. As Irishmen, we were the Muslims of our time in many ways.

Q A year later, you're guarding Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hess, at Spandau Prison in Berlin.

A You weren't allowed to talk to him and you weren't allowed to look at him. You stood in your tower and were told your job was to look outwards not inwards. I never got a sense (of him) other than desolation and loneliness. He was the only person in the prison.

Q You served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq and then three tours of Afghanistan from 2006-11. It was in Afghanistan where you first killed a person in 2006, in face-to-face combat. What was that like?

A You do something and everything floods your mind but it's the blink of an eye because you have to keep on doing what you're doing. It's later when you think about what you have done, the huge steps that you've taken, that Everest you've just climbed. I can still see his face. He was firing at me and undoubtedly he would have killed me, if he'd had the chance, and I'm not sure if he'd have reflected on that. It's important to retain your humanity, to think this was an awful thing that I had to do but I did have to do it.

Q Do you still think about it or do you compartmentalise it?

A When I'm standing fighting in Afghanistan I can't imagine myself walking about Tesco's and when I'm walking about Tesco's I can't imagine myself fighting in Afghanistan. They're two different worlds. You have to understand the circumstances and context behind what you did. Many people get away by saying I'm a soldier, that's what I do and maybe there's a degree of bravado about that. But I was older, already a father, so looked at things differently. For my own sanity it was better I dissected them. I don't think of it every waking moment, but there are things that invade my consciousness, when I least expect it.

Q Being awarded the Military Cross must have been a great honour.

A I feel immensely proud but a degree of shame comes with it too. It's a huge privilege to have been recommended and to have been presented with it by Her Majesty the Queen. But the shame comes in being treated as some kind of hero, a term I'd never use. I'm very conscious of all those who never came home, who were injured, who are still suffering. Nobody is saying to them here's your shiny medal. I wear the medal for lots of people I fought alongside including Major Shahrukh, an Afghan who became a great friend and was killed on the last day of the battle in Helmand Province for which I was awarded the Military Cross. He was the bravest, noblest man I've known. I regret taking lives but that's what wars are about. But I also have the Queen's Commendation for Bravery, for saving the lives of enemy soldiers. I'm kind of more proud of that in many ways than I am of the Military Cross. They don't compare in stature but it shows that I was doing the right thing.

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Q What toll did your Army career have on family life?

A I was away when my daughter Leigh and son Luke were born. I missed the deaths of both of my wife's parents. I wasn't there to support her and that has a detrimental effect on relationships. I spent so much time away from home during crises, birthdays, illnesses. I came back on R&R in 2008 and was dropped off outside my house. It was pitch black and I walked up to the window and looked inside. Everyone was calm, warm, watching TV. I knew as soon as I knocked the door that life would suddenly change again for them. Briefly I considered walking away, that it wasn't fair of me to disrupt this family again.

Q They must have worried constantly.

A I knew I wasn't in danger all the time but your family is waiting for that knock at the door the whole time. In 2011 in Checkpoint SABAT I was talking to my wife on the satellite telephone, telling her not to worry, when three rocket propelled grenades were fired at me. When I met the Queen to receive the Military Cross, she knew my wife had thought that I was sitting behind a desk in Kandahar, and believed that the damage to my face and hand was because I'd tripped over a computer lead as opposed to fighting a 15-day battle. She wanted to know what my wife said when she found out the truth. Meeting Her Majesty was wonderful but daunting. Just before it, I started thinking about that Mr Bean sketch where he headbutts the Queen and kept telling myself for goodness sake, don't do that!

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Q Have you post traumatic stress disorder?

A I can go from sadness to deep sadness to feeling depressed and directionless to very tearful. Some of that relates to what I did in the military and some to what I did in the early years of my life. I don't want to be labelled as a person with PTSD disorder although I've no doubt a doctor would diagnose me with it. I just don't want to be in that space. My coping mechanism is to fight it on my terms.

Q Your grandson, Cameron, died suddenly aged 15 months. What would have been his sixth birthday this week was clearly a difficult day.

A We've never had an answer why he died and that's difficult. For my daughter, her husband and their other two boys, I think how even with all of the experience I've got in life, I couldn't protect them against this awful loss. They have to deal with that. I have to deal with the fact that I let them down. I also think of another little girl, Shabia, who was six years old. I held her in my arms in Afghanistan as her life ebbed away. I see her face every single day. (Shabia was fatally injured by a coalition mortar bomb).

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Q Are you religious?

A Two elections ago a rumour went round that I was an atheist but that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm not a fan of organised religion. I don't stand on a platform of being a Protestant or a Catholic. That I'm Church of Ireland is neither here nor there. My religion is borne out of incidents like sleeping in a half dug grave in an Afghan graveyard, thinking I have to leave here and praying to God that I would get away safely and then that happening. My faith is very personal, very deep.

Q What's your greatest failing?

A I've many. There's that feeling you never have enough, of always striving to do something else, and not realising the aftermath you leave behind. I joined the military to make my father proud but then it became something about me and I didn't realise my home life was suffering because of it. I don't suffer fools gladly. And instead of trying to articulate myself better, I'm quick to lose my temper  people on Twitter realise that.

Q And strength?

A I'm extremely loyal to my family, friends, political party, to the ideals that I think are right and to the people of Northern Ireland.

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Q What are you afraid of?

A We all struggle sometimes... I find it easy to talk to a room of 2,000 people but difficult to be understood in a room of five people.

Q Talking of which, unionism is facing challenges. What should it do?

A It's an incredibly difficult time. Because of shortism  short-term thinking  we're in a worse place than we should be. Not many in unionism understand what strategic thinking is, everything is a tactical battle. Unionism needs to reach out to people, to bring people with us from the LGBT, BAME and nationalist communities but the parties inadvertently push Catholics away. It's not deliberate but we give off a sense that we're not open. I now have Stephen McCarthy, who was a councillor and had a Falls Road, Catholic background, working in my office. When he didn't get selected as a councillor again I went out looking for him and he's doing a fantastic job alongside Kate Evans.

Q Sum up your identity.

A I'm an Irishman, and some will say Doug, you need to put the 'northern' in front of that. Of course I'm British as well, and a Unionist. My identity of being Irish is made up of many different things  the shamrock, Guinness, Gaelic games, St Patrick's Day but also God Save the Queen, the Sash, the Orange Order, Ulster rugby. All of these things are part of me.

Q What do you think of Prince Harry

APrince Harry served his country with distinction and should be commended. He has also done a great deal to support injured veterans. He has decided to take a different route away from royal duties and he should not be vilified for doing so but neither should he retain the privileges associated with someone in royal service.

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Q Do you still miss your mum?

A When she was ill, mum would bang a blackthorn stick on her bedroom floor when she wanted something. At her wake, back in the house, suddenly we heard the thump, thump, thump of her stick. Dad started up the stairs before he caught himself on. I can't explain it, but it brought a sense of ease, the sense that we had lost someone but they weren't gone.

Q Did you won your dad's approval?

A Dad lived into his 70s, moved house, worked as a school caretaker. I'd come back with my young family to visit him and we would have a Chinese takeaway and a pint of Guinness. He was a man of his generation, he never hugged me. Two days before he died from throat cancer when he could no longer speak, he handed me a little black book. In it he'd written I'm really proud of you. He was never able to say it but I have no doubt he was.
With the vast body of works credited to Kukah exhibiting his intellectual prowess, it is perhaps not surprising that he is near-perfect in distinguishing between the state and the church. And while he has a very close relationship with both, he ensures he knows where the line is to be drawn such that the church does not intrude into politics and the state does not interfere in the church.

provide for those who grieve in Zion  to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.  Isaiah 61:3 NIVUK

I.

Please, dont tell me that you have not heard about the synergy between the church and the state! But you know the difference between God and Mammon? Not yet! What about peace and war? Evil and good? You probably always have a readymade answer: Material gains, political gains, control of the people politically through the church. Whatever form the answer takes you, it would most definitely be the variants of the Yoruba maxim, Eree ki laja n ba ekun se? Losely translated: What friendship exists between the dog and the tiger? The dog or tiger here is unknown, but while the church and its stewards are often associated with spirituality, purity, and redemption, the state, politics, and its major actors are often associated with dirt, blood, corruption, cunningness, evil, and death. In short, while the church would lay claim to light, the state would be forced to settle for darkness. Like the dog and the tiger, the church and the state are located in the space of tension. As far back as the 14th century, the greatest philosopher of that era, Ibn Khaldun, warned clerics to be careful of politicians, unless both can guarantee good governance. The binary opposition between good and evil guided Ibn Khalduns stance.

Debates on the relationship between the church and the state did not start in Nigeria, and is indeed an old idea in Africa. It predates the medieval period. This was an era of rampant conflicts of interest, authorities, autonomy, etc., between the state and the church. Many great philosophers tried to propose theories aimed at the ultimate solution, but in creating balance, Thomas Aquinas edged out predecessor thinkers when he asserted that the church should have no business within political or secular activities of the state. In the same manner, the state should not interfere in ecclesiastical matters related to the church.

II.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  James 1:27.

From several indications, it is not an ideal or a common phenomenon. Still, there is someone who does it better, if not greater. He combines both admirably well and emerges from it with respect intact from all and sundry, against all odds of the strong Nigerian ethnoreligious dichotomy. His name is Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. This doesnt mean he is washed clean from controversies, as palm oil sometimes spills on his white garment. You can hardly be in the limelight, especially in the Nigerian clime, without one wahala (trouble) or another. Father Kukah, with his exceptional stint, has been no exception  last December, he was soaked in the juice of ijogbon, (double trouble), thrown into obee gbona (hot soup), pelted with stones carved out of Aso Rock, and tormented by the affliction of oro oran (verbal violence). Only that he, without doubt, has done admirably well to manage a relatively smooth relationship between the state and the church, even if not always satisfactorily. And this is why I can proudly call him my friend  for his love of Nigeria and Nigerians  with all its complications and provocations.

Bishop Kukah isnt just excellent and admirable as a public figure; he is equally a very great man. We share a lot in common. His quest for development, good governance, social justice, and the pursuit of scholarship, ranks very high among people with a selfless passion for humanity. You could say it is this desire and passion that led him into entanglements with political affairs. Of course, as the saying goes, if you want to make a change, you would need to wield power. Kukah does not contest political positions nor court power; neither does he refuse to contribute or reject the calls to serve in public capacities, which affords him the chance to effect change, no matter how little.

More interestingly, another striking thing about Kukah, which you can say perhaps could have engineered our friendship, is his love for scholarship. Kukah is one of the finest writers I know. He sends his draft essays to me to read, and he is forever appreciative of my comments. We once co-authored a book, and we have a plan to co-author yet another. The creative imaginations that come with him narrating non-fictitious experiences make his works and writing powerfully beautiful to read. I ask him how he does that, a porridge-style format, combining within a page, profound ideas and the most delightful sentences with elevating stories.

He has contributed massively to Nigerian humanitarian development, principally with his involvement with the Ogoni in the Niger-Delta, a story he is still currently telling in a book-length manuscript that has been my privilege to read. Having directly and semi-directly served virtually all presidents of Nigeria in the Fourth Republic, Kukah perhaps has a book in vogue on leadership and the limitations of Nigerias Fourth Republic leaders. With his experience and craft, it would be great to examine one of the pertinent problems of development in Nigeria, just as it is across Africa: the leadership deficit.

Similarly, through accounts of his sterling contributions to public service, some of which he already chronicled, future generations could gain insight into some of the controversial periods since the return of democracy in 1999, and likewise, the process of democratising institutions, bringing justice and development to minority groups in the country. Indeed, he is a verifiable authority to analyse on the basis of authentic personal experiences and not mere conjectures or theoretical frameworks, along with the gap between policy drafting, adoption, and implementation. This is especially the case having served in many committees, such as the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission (1999-2001); as Secretary for the National Political Reform Conference in 2005, after which he was hijacked by President Obasanjo  who he reckons with as a good friend  to serve as the presidential facilitator for the Ogoni-Shell Reconciliation. Trust my friend, he did not stop his job at just facilitating a reconciliation to ensure peace for the government, he encouraged further clean-up of Ogoniland, which he brought in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to oversee, thus invoking a credible additional international outlook to the process. During the short tenure of President YarAdua, he functioned in the committee that looked into electoral reforms as set up by the Federal Government. As an academic, apparently, the intellectual production of Bishop Kukahs active years in public service vis-a-vis his and the committees contributions, the problems existent, factors responsible, problems solved, problems unsolved, factors inhibiting. etc. would make for a much-needed first narrator, eye-witness account for peace and conflicts studies in Nigeria and Africa at-large. Beyond his credibility as one who was thoroughly part of several processes with the subject matter, he also similarly collected relevant degrees: A masters in Peace Studies from Bradford University in the United Kingdom (1980), and a Ph.D. in Oriental and African Studies from London in 1990.

Combine his religious dispositions, teachings on peace and unity across ethnic groups, religions, and every other form of differences and discrimination with his vast educational prowess and contributions to peace and democratic development in Nigeria, and you have Bishop Kukah. Considering his unsolicited direct access to power, especially during President Obasanjos tenure, one would have naturally expected pecuniary material gains for Kukah. Not him! Rather, he has earned the respect of many for his selfless contribution to the development of Nigerias nascent democracy; he is selfless to the point of using his own personal funding for some of these projects, to the point of risking his life in a very hostile environment amidst enmity, and criticism from anti-democracy and anti-development elements in the country. Bishop Kukah is that very rare personality with whom you can boldly say that this world would have been a better place if everyone was like him. His intelligence, diligence, commitment, humility, conflict management, and diplomatic skills make him one who is sorely needed and is lacking in several leadership positions across the country.

III.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Matthew 10:28.

How about his audacity? Despite serving directly an Obasanjo, who cemented his place in Nigeria history as the feared Ebora Owu for being very commanding, assertive, and authoritative, Kukah didnt hesitate to speak up to his boss when wrong; and of course, not without his exceptionally benign demeanour. Most recently, he condemned Buharis nepotism, risking the wrath of the North where he has lived all his life, barring his education outside the country or when on assignments. Perhaps, it is Kukahs religiously inclined belief that only the body can be killed, not the soul or faith in the Lord; or, in the words of the Reformer Martin Luther, not the truth. In this regard, protecting him means no harm could come to him. Whatever gave him the courage, Kukah hasnt hesitated to speak when needed, while he shies from the limelight when not required. He is well-known for his brutal honesty and blunt comments, remarks, responses to posers or situations requiring them. The oft used Sir John Dalberg-Actons maxim, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, perhaps undoubtedly fails the application test when Kukah is concerned. Impressive!

Beyond the aforementioned, Kukah is a scholar par excellence with several publications in books, journals, articles, rejoinders, paper presentations and even research works bordering on religion, politics, democracy, power, and social justice, which add to the body of knowledge production in and about politics in Nigeria. This is a rare feat for a cleric! With the vast body of works credited to Kukah exhibiting his intellectual prowess, it is perhaps not surprising that he is near-perfect in distinguishing between the state and the church. And while he has a very close relationship with both, he ensures he knows where the line is to be drawn such that the church does not intrude into politics and the state does not interfere in the church.

Kukahs brilliance at serving both without one interfering in the other and his life conduct, serves to exemplify him as a man of his very teachings. It also means he can stand the test of fire, water, and wind and still have his white linen as clear as crystal; untainted. His respect and integrity remain intact. His guiding principle was divined centuries before he came to this sinful world, and this should be his epitaph:

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But whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  1 John 3:17.

God dwells in Bishop Kukah because he cares about his brother, Chukwu; his sister, Ayesha; his uncle, Ogundipe; and his cousin, Bello. Hassan loves Muslims  the signal message of his name. Matthew loves Christians  the caring message of his name. Kukah loves the worshippers of African indigenous religions  that is the message of his nativity. Call him the love of God, the epithet of his epitaph.

Please join us for a conversation with Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto, on:

Sunday, March 7:

5:00 PM Nigeria

4:00 PM GMT

10:00 AM Austin CST

Register and Watch HERE.

Toyin Falola is professor of History at The University of Texas at Austin.
(Newser)  With the door shut on raising the federal minimum wage through the COVID-19 relief bill, Democrats are looking for another route. Instead of mandating a $15 hourly wage, Sen. Ron Wyden suggests going at it another way: penalizing large corporations whose employees don't make a certain amount. The companies would be hit with a 5% tax penalty on their payrolls to start, the Hill reports, and the penalty could go up in time. Employers would not be able to get around the penalty by outsourcing, the Oregon Democrat said. "If a profitable mega corporation like Walmart fires a store's security guard and replaces him with a contractor who makes far less, my proposal would still require that Walmart pays a penalty," he said. The Senate parliamentarian blocked including the increase in President Biden's $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package.

story continues below

Wyden said he thinks his "Plan B" approach would avoid violating Senate rules. Sen. Bernie Sanders is working with him, per CNBC, and said he wants "an amendment to take tax deductions away from large, profitable corporations that dont pay workers at least $15 an hour and to provide small businesses with the incentives they need to raise wages." A pair of Republicans offered their own plan, per USA Today: Sens. Mitt Romney and Tom Cotton called for setting the minimum wage at $10 and requiring businesses to vet new hires, in a crackdown against undocumented immigrants. An aide said Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer is considering adding Wyden's plan to the relief bill. "We couldnt get in the front door or the back door," Wyden said, "so well try to go through the window." (Read more minimum wage stories.)
As concerns grow that new coronavirus variants could blunt the protective effects of vaccines, Pfizer and BioNTech said on Thursday that they planned to test a third booster shot as well as update their original vaccine.

Laboratory experiments have found that the levels of antibodies neutralized by the Pfizer-BioNTech shot was reduced against a variant first identified in South Africa, which could hint at reduced efficacy. But there is no evidence yet from clinical trials there suggesting that the vaccine does not offer strong protection.

We are taking multiple steps to act decisively and be ready in case a strain becomes resistant to the protection afforded by the vaccine, Dr. Albert Bourla, the chief executive of Pfizer, said in a statement.

One study will look at what kind of protection is given when people receive a third shot about six to 12 months after the initial two-dose regimen. In addition, the companies said they were speaking to regulators about testing an adapted version of the vaccine that would protect against the variant from South Africa, known as B.1.351.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2021) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah addressed regional security and spoke about Gulf unity during a phone conversation on Thursday, State Department spokesperson Ned price said in a readout.

"The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed regional security and Gulf unity, and Secretary Blinken welcomed Kuwait's mediating role in the region," Price said.

Price added that Blinken also expressed to al-Sabah and the people of Kuwait the best wishes on "the 30th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation from Saddam Hussein's invasion and occupation, as well as on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Kuwait's independence.

"

Kuwait, along with the US, has spearheaded efforts to settle the conflict that has been ongoing since June 2017, when four nations  Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE - cut ties with Qatar, accusing the state of backing terrorism, while others later downgraded ties with Doha and imposed a total blockade of the country.

Doha has rejected all accusations of backing terrorism, saying that the actions directed against the country are motivated by envy of its economic success and a desire to limit its sovereignty.
Monday

Job-Search Survival Workshop:

Online workshop hosted by Sugar Creek Baptist Church. March 1 and 2, 5:45-8:30 p.m. Day one: Social and Learning Styles, Networking, Mindset for Job Search, Job-Search Process Flow. Day two: Accomplishment Resume, Interviewing, Hiring - Managers Perspective and Building Your Own Action Plan. The workshop is free and open to the public. Registration: https://sugarcreek.net/event/job-search/. Information: E-mail jobhelp@sugarcreek.net or call 281-242-2858, ext. 1083.

Tuesday

The Art of Marketing Yourself to Recruiters:

Free online class hosted by JS101. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration: JS101.org/workshops.

Advanced Legal Research:

Online class hosted by Fort Bend County Law Library. 10-11 a.m. Free. Registration: fortbend.lib.tx.us or call 281-341-3718.

Wednesday

Are You a Fit, Resume Creation 101:

Free online class hosted by JS101. 10 a.m.-noon. Registration: JS101.org/workshops.

Your Future is Now:

SCORE webinar designed to provide insight and help alleviate stress of the unknown for soon-to-be graduates. 10 a.m.-noon. Registration: www.houston.score.org.

Thursday

LinkedIn, Profile Set-up:

Free online class hosted by JS101. 10 a.m.-noon. Registration: JS101.org/workshops.

LinkedIn Influencer, Part 1:

Free online class hosted by JS101. 2-4 p.m. Registration: JS101.org/workshops.

Basics of Lexis Advance:

Online class for legal professionals hosted by Fort Bend County Law Library. 10-11 a.m. Free. Registration: fortbend.lib.tx.us or call 281-341-3718.

Friday

The 7 Habits of Job Search:

Free online class hosted by JS101. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration: JS101.org/workshops.

2021 Rise to the Top:

Virtual event hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership. Noon-1 p.m. The Partnership's Women's Business Alliance will host conversations from outstanding women executives discussing the challenges and triumphs of succeeding in today's business world. Registration: www.houston.org/events.

katherine.feser@chron.com

twitter.com/kfeser
The United States praised Tanzania on Friday for finally acknowledging the resurgence of COVID-19 after claiming for months it had defeated the pandemic through prayer. But the U.S. urged the country to share infection data and accept vaccines.

It has become clear that the virus variant has arrived in Tanzania, U.S. Ambassador Donald Wright, who is also a doctor, said in a statement. Ive been encouraged by recent statements from the Ministry of Health acknowledging COVID-19 as a public health priority in Tanzania and urging citizens to take basic precautions.

Tanzania is one of Africas most populous countries, with some 60 million people, and during its long COVID-19 denial the director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that if the continent isnt united, its doomed.

High-profile deaths this month in the East African nation, including that of the vice president of the semi-autonomous island region of Zanzibar, appeared to lead populist President John Magufuli to acknowledge publicly in the past week that COVID-19 was back.

For weeks, Tanzanians had seen a rise in death notices citing breathing difficulties and cases of what health workers called pneumonia. But countries such as Oman reported Tanzanians arriving in their countries and testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, Tanzania's president openly questioned COVID-19 vaccines, without providing evidence. Tanzania is one of the very few countries in Africa that has not signed up for the global COVAX facility to provide vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. Now those vaccines have begun to arrive, in Ghana and Ivory Coast, with more on the way.

The U.S. ambassadors statement urges Tanzania to convene its health experts and review the evidence on vaccines. He also notes it is critical to collect and report information about testing and cases.

Tanzania last updated its number of infections last April. That number remains at 509.

Then the ambassador turned to aid: Here in Tanzania, we dedicated $16.4 million to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic since the first confirmed case was diagnosed in March of 2020. The United States stands ready to ramp up our efforts and we are committed to working side by side with Tanzania to defeat COVID-19.

An embassy spokesman did not immediately respond to a question about whether further aid depends on Tanzania sharing pandemic data and embracing vaccines.

Tanzania, unlike other African countries, did not lock down during the pandemic and it has promoted that to tourists and others.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Tanzania's investment minister, Kitila Mkumbo, asserted that COVID-19 has not been one of the major concerns of investors." He added that American investors "are waiting for the pandemic to slow down so movement can begin.

And the minister welcomed the Biden administration, saying he believed that the U.S. will once again take global responsibility of supporting developing countries like Tanzania in many aspects, like health.

Image: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)

New Delhi, Feb 26 : Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Railways and Commerce and Industry on Friday held a meeting with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and told him that Centre will soon release Rs 4,800 crore of food subsidy.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the procurement operations for the Central Pool including quantity to be procured is based on the MoU signed between Food Corporation of India and Chhattisgarh government.

Acceptane of 40 lakh MT of surplus rice in Chhattisgarh during 2020-21 was also discussed in the meeting.

As per the MoU, if any state gives bonus/financial incentive in direct or indirect form, over and above the MSP and if the overall procurement of the state is in excess of the total allocation to the state made by Union government under TPDS/Other Welfare Schemes, such excess quantity will be treated outside the Central Pool and will not be taken over by FCI.

On the issue of shortage of gunny bags, Union government has already permitted state government to utilize used jute bags for procurement of paddy as well as delivery of rice for the Central Pool stocks to be consumed within the state for PDS/OWS.

This permission was given in the month of October 2020, right at the inception of KMS 20-21.
[February 25, 2021] Asia Pacific records USD11.6 billion in fintech investment, with China's fintech sector showing maturity, finds KPMG analysis

HONG KONG, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fintech companies in Asia Pacific attracted USD11.6 billion across 565 deals from venture capital, private equity and M&A in 2020, compared to USD 16.8 billion in 2019, reaching a six-year low, as the pandemic saw a decline in investment into emerging markets like Southeast Asia, particularly in the second half of the year. Global fintech funding was USD105 billion in 2020, the third highest fintech investment on record despite a significant drop compared to USD165 billion in 2019, according to KPMG's Pulse of Fintech H2'20 report. Total fintech investment in China was soft in 2020, at USD1.6 billion, a decline from USD4.8 billion in 2019. It reflects the significant maturity of China's fintech sector, particularly in the payments space which is dominated by a small number of tech giants. After Gojek raised USD3 billion in Q1'20, the increasing uncertainty created by the pandemic drove a large amount of investment away from emerging markets like Southeast Asia, particularly in the second half of the year. Nevertheless, the payments space showed the most regional resilience. After the global pandemic brought many deals to a halt in H1'20, H2'20 reversed the trend as investors and fintechs learned to do business in a new environment. In H2'20, Australia-based eNett was acquired by US-based WEX for USD577 million, Australia-based Judo Bank raised USD209 million, South Korea-based Toss raised USD177 million, and India-based Razorpay raised USD 100 million. Andrew Huang, Partner and Fintech Leader, KPMG China says: "In China, we are seeing growth in a number of emerging fintech sectors, including blockchain, regtech and wealth management. One big change we have seen in 2020 has been the focus of these fintechs, wih many now focusing their efforts on empowering traditional financial institutions rather than providing direct to consumer products."



Insurtech continued to gain traction among investors in China. In H2'20, Shuidi, a crowdfunding platform which focuses on medical expenses, raised two rounds of funding totaling USD380 million. Digital transformation of the insurance industry is being driven by the PRC government, insurance companies and technology companies alike. As a result, insurance service providers are likely to see structural reform continue, with more emphasis placed on innovative ways to prevent risks. As mainland China forged ahead with real-world testing of its central bank digital currency, other countries began to evaluate their options, including the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, that together set out a framework and requirements for offering central bank digital currencies.

Barnaby Robson, Partner, Deal Advisory, KPMG China says: "Pandemic-era accelerated growth and loose monetary policy has driven up stock-market valuations for tech companies. Shareholders of privately owned fintech groups recognize there is a window to list at excellent valuations, and we expect significant IPO activity in 2021/22." Incumbent banks in Mainland China made significant investments internally in 2020 in order to transform their digital capabilities. Several also continued to set up subsidiaries in order to build their capabilities and provide B2B digital banking services to smaller institutions. In Hong Kong, a majority of the eight digital banks licensed in the city launched services over the course of 2020; while their impact will take time to understand, they have already driven incumbent banks in Hong Kong to up their game in terms of apps, user interface, products and services. The technology IPO market was also robust in 2020, while unicorn fintechs are increasingly considering IPOs given the recent successes and valuations achieved by unicorn companies. About KPMG China KPMG member firms and their affiliates operating in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR are collectively referred to as "KPMG China." KPMG China is based in 27 offices across 25 cities with around 12,000 partners and staff in Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. Working collaboratively across all these offices, KPMG China can deploy experienced professionals efficiently, wherever our clients are located. KPMG is a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 146 countries and territories and in FY20 had close to 227,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients. In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in mainland China. KPMG was also the first among the Big Four in mainland China to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership, as of 1 August 2012. Additionally, the Hong Kong firm can trace its origins to 1945. This early commitment to this market, together with an unwavering focus on quality, has been the foundation for accumulated industry experience, and is reflected in KPMG's appointment for multidisciplinary services (including audit, tax and advisory) by some of China's most prestigious companies. SOURCE KPMG China

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The national database on population, and a citizen ID card issuance and management system made debut on February 25 in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the launch of the national database on population (Photo: VNA)

These two systems, developed and implemented by the Ministry of Public Security, reflect the Governments determination to shift from paper-based to electronic document management.

The national database on population is the most important among the six national databases to help form an e-Government, a digital society and digital economy.

Meanwhile, the project on citizen ID card production, issuance and management was approved by the Government last September. The Ministry of Public Security expects to issue chip-based ID cards for 50 million citizens by July 1 this year.

Under the Law on Citizen Identification in 2014, people from 14 years of age can obtain an ID card, which is then renewed when they turn 25, 40, and 60 years of age.

More than 29,000 citizens have obtained new ID cards to date, including 1,369 delegates to the 13th National Party Congress.

Prime Minister visits the Ministry of Public Security's digital map unit (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hailed efforts made by the Ministry of Public Security to carry out the two systems simultaneously, helping save over 1 trillion VND (43.38 million USD) for the State, while still ensuring the efficiency and progress as targeted.

He also appreciated the active participation of ministries, sectors and localities, contractors and IT companies to complete the databases.

The Government leader stressed that amid the strong development of the fourth Industrial Revolution, the reform of national governance in the direction of digital transformation and science and technology application is an inevitable trend, which will create a momentum for all socio-economic activities towards the prosperous development of Vietnam.

The strong development of the digital era will help Vietnam integrate more deeply into the world economy, boost the shifting of the growth model, economic restructuring, and improve social productivity and competitiveness.

The Government leader asked the Ministry of Public Security to continue completing the two systems so as to ensure accurate, transparent and uniform data and ensure database safety and security.

The ministry was also requested to coordinate closely with relevant ministries and sectors to speed up the connectivity among ministries, sectors and localities to contribute to the building the e-Government and digital Government towards the building of a digital economy and digital society./. VNA
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A new type of housing modification can reduce malaria incidence among children by around 40-50%, according to an international team of researchers. The intervention uses window screening, together with PVC tubes fitted with insecticide-laced screens and installed under the eaves of homes, as a novel method of killing malaria mosquitoes as they attempt to enter the house. By combining a physical barrier plus an insecticide, the housing modification both blocks and kills mosquitoes, thereby protecting not only the people living inside, but also the community at-large. The findings appear today (Feb. 25) in The Lancet.

"Eighty percent of malaria transmission happens at night when people are in their homes," said Matthew Thomas, an academic affiliate in entomology at Penn State, who led the research. "Insecticide-treated bed nets have been shown to reduce malaria and are probably one of the most important public health tools in sub-Saharan Africa. But they need to be replaced every three years and many people don't have access to them, or don't use them properly. In this study, we essentially elevated the concept of an insecticide-treated bed net to the level of the house. We demonstrate that turning the house itself into a 'lure and kill' device significantly reduces incidence of malaria infection among children, even in areas where malaria-carrying mosquitoes are highly resistant to the insecticides that are most commonly used on bed nets."

Thomas, also the director of the York Environmental Sustainability Institute at the University of York, and his colleagues evaluated a type of lethal house lure in which screening was added to windows and doors, and pieces of PVC pipe (typically 8-10 per house) were inserted into the eaves of the house where the wall joins the roof. These ventilation tubes were, in turn, fitted with screened inserts laced with insecticides, creating a novel targeted insecticide delivery system called the In2Care EaveTube. The team's goal was to determine if this combination of screening plus EaveTubes (referred to as, SET) would reduce exposure to malaria mosquitoes and, thereby, reduce clinical malaria incidence over two years in children ages 6 months to 10 years living in central Cote d'Ivoire.

"Malaria is the leading cause of death among children under five years of age and of pregnant women in Cote d'Ivoire," said co-author Raphael N'Guessan, a medical entomologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine with an affiliation at Institut Pierre Richet in Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire, whose family home lies within one of the villages that the team studied. "For example, diagnostic tests conducted in random subsets of children before we began the trial indicated that in some of the study villages more than 90% had signs of malaria parasite infection, though many without symptoms. The lowest rate of infection we observed in a single village was about 45%."

The project's study area included 40 villages in central Cote d'Ivoire. Twenty of the villages were part of the treatment arm in which all eligible households were offered SET. The other 20 villages were used as the control arm and received no house modification. Households in both study arms were offered insecticide-treated bed nets as a baseline intervention.

"Many traditional house designs in Africa have open eaves, and studies have shown that closing the eaves can reduce indoor mosquito abundance, yet it also decreases household ventilation," said Eleanore Sternberg, a research associate at Penn State while the study was conducted and now a program manager at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. "The EaveTube design blocks mosquitoes from entering, but still allows for air to pass through."

Sternberg, one of the lead authors on the paper, explained that each tube contains a removable insecticide-treated screened insert with electrostatically charged netting that can hold powder formulations of insecticides. The team used the pyrethroid insecticide beta-cyfluthrin in its study.

"Mosquitoes are drawn into the EaveTubes by heat and odor cues emanating from the occupants inside the house," she said, "and even brief contact with the insecticide-treated insert can result in death."

She added that a benefit to placing insecticides in tubes in the eaves of the house is that it removes the insecticides from the proximity of the householders.

The researchers measured the epidemiological impact of SET by regular screening for malaria in a cohort of 50 randomly selected children in each of the villages, for a total of 1,300 and 1,260 children in the control and intervention arms, respectively. At the initial enrollment visit, all cohort children received a three-day course of an antimalarial medicine to clear any existing malaria parasite infection. A second round of parasite clearance took place one year later. If at any point during the study, a child tested positive for malaria, he or she was treated with an antimalarial medicine.

"We found an overall reduction in incidence of clinical malaria of 38% in the intervention arm, and in villages where SET coverage was above 70% (13 out of the 20 in the intervention arm), risk of malaria infection was 47% lower than in control village clusters," said Jackie Cook, associate professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the other lead author on the paper. "Even in villages with less than 70% coverage, there still appeared to be some benefit compared to control villages."

The team measured the entomological impact of SET using a protocol, called Human Landing Catches, in which volunteers sat with their legs uncovered, trapping any mosquitoes that landed on their legs in glass tubes plugged with cotton. Captures were done indoors and outdoors in a subset of randomly selected houses in each village across the two years of the study, yielding hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes. Technicians brought the mosquitoes back to the laboratory to identify the species and inspect the mosquitoes for the presence of malaria parasites.

"We found that mean indoor mosquito density was substantially reduced in the intervention arm compared to the control arm," said Thomas. "In addition, there was some evidence of a reduction in mean outdoor mosquito density. Reducing the density of infectious mosquitoes is important for reducing malaria transmission. With SET, not only do people within the house gain some protection, but because you've killed the mosquitoes that enter the tubes, they can't then go on to bite your neighbor. So, you get two actions: you get personal protection, and you get community protection."

At the end of the trial, the researchers conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to measure the incremental economic and financial cost per malaria case averted by the SET intervention compared to the control arm.

"Rapid economic and population growth in sub-Saharan Africa means that millions of new houses will be built in the coming decades and millions more existing houses are being retrofitted with new roofs and other features," said Eve Worrall, health economist and senior lecturer at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. "Our economic analysis suggests SET is an attractive option for improving population health in Cote d'Ivoire and is similar in cost-effectiveness to other core vector control interventions used across sub-Saharan Africa."

Sternberg, who managed the project and lived in Cote d'Ivoire for the duration, said that the multidisciplinary project, comprising epidemiologists, entomologists, social scientists and economists, would not have been possible without the efforts of around 50 Ivorian project staff -- including scientists, technicians, medical personnel and even drivers -- and nearly 900 volunteers from the study villages.

"This project was an opportunity to interact with some extraordinary people to do something that we hope will make a difference in the world," she said. "That's why we did the work."

###

Other authors on the paper include Ludovic P. Ahoua Alou, Serge Brice Assi, Alphonsine A. Koffi, Carine J. Aoura, Rosine Z. Wolie, Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire. Rosine Z. Wolie is also affiliated with the Universite Felix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. Welbeck A. Oumbouke is with the Innovative Vector Control Consortium and is also affiliated with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Author Dimi T. Doudou is from the Universite Alassane Ouattara, Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire, and author Immo Kleinschmidt is affiliated with both the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

In2Care is a private limited company registered and based in the Netherlands, founded and privately owned by a team of entrepreneurs with expertise in medical entomology, healthcare product development and marketing in developing countries.

This research was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with a grant to Penn State.
FILE PHOTO: Mark Machin, President and CEO, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, speaks at the 2019 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills

By Noor Zainab Hussain and Maiya Keidan

(Reuters) - The head of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), Mark Machin, has resigned after his trip to the United Arab Emirates for vaccination against COVID-19 flouted Canadian government's travel advice and drew criticism.

CPPIB on Friday named John Graham, currently senior managing director and global head of credit investments, as the new chief executive officer of the country's largest pension fund.

Machin, 54, becomes the second senior Canadian corporate executive to resign after attempting to jump vaccine queue, underscoring the frustration among some about the country's slow vaccine roll out.

"It was a complete lapse of moral judgment which risked undermining people's trust both in government policy and the stewardship of their public pension provision," said David Wheeler, a former business professor at York University, adding that "clearly he had to go immediately".

Machin received Pfizer's vaccine shot after arriving in the UAE with his partner this month, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, adding he had stayed on in the UAE and was due to receive his second dose in coming weeks.

"We are very disappointed by this troubling situation and we support the swift action taken by the Board of Directors," Kat Cuplinskas, press secretary for Canada's ministry of finance.

CPPIB, which manages C$475.7 billion ($377 billion), is governed independently from the federal government but it reports to a board of directors selected by Canada's minister of finance. It manages Canada's national pension fund and invests on behalf of about 20 million Canadians.

Machin did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Machin, after discussions with the Board, agreed the most appropriate step was to tender his resignation, Michel Leduc, senior managing director and head of public affairs and communications said in a statement to Reuters.

Story continues

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Machin sent an internal memo to CPPIB staff acknowledging that he took a personal trip and was in Dubai for a number of reasons, some of which were "deeply personal", the source said.

Machin also said in the memo that the trip was supposed to be "very private" and that he was disappointed it had become the focus of "expected criticism", according to the source.

Although there is no specific ban on Canadians traveling abroad, the federal and provincial governments have advised against overseas trips to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Canada trails behind many developed nations in its vaccination drive, with under 3% of the population inoculated so far.

The UAE says it provides COVID-19 vaccinations to residents and citizens only, free of charge, and requires a valid residency identification card to receive the shots. It was not immediately clear how Machin, a British national, secured the vaccine by traveling to Dubai.

Machin worked with Goldman Sachs for 20 years before joining CPPIB in March 2012. He was appointed as president and CEO in 2016.

Under Machin, CPPIB reported net return of 3.1% for the year ended March 31, 2020, down from 8.9% a year earlier. Machin was paid C$5.4 million ($4.25 million) in 2020, according to CCPIB's annual report.

Incoming CEO Graham has been with CPPIB for 10 years. Prior to that he was with Xerox Innovation Group for over nine years.

Some Canadian federal and provincial leaders have resigned in the past month after their overseas leisure trips sparked public outrage. https://reut.rs/3qZvDLh

Last Month, Great Canadian Gaming Corp CEO Rod Baker resigned after he and his wife were charged with traveling to northern Canada and misleading authorities in order to receive the vaccine.

($1 = 1.2699 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru and Maiya Keidan in Toronto; Writing by Denny Thomas; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Marguerita Choy)
DHAKA, Bangladesh  A Bangladeshi writer who was detained for nearly a year over social media posts that were critical of the countrys government has died in jail, officials and family members said on Friday, raising alarms about the countrys crackdown on dissent.

The writer, Mushtaq Ahmed, was among 11 people charged early last year over the spread of social media content, including cartoons, that alleged mismanagement and corruption in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas response to the pandemic.

His case was brought under Bangladeshs Digital Security Act, a 2018 law that gives the government wide-ranging powers to search, fine and arrest anyone who violates its vague tenets, including violating the solidarity, financial activities, security, defense, religious values or public discipline of the country.

Critics say it has been used to stifle dissent. The Asian Human Rights Commission said it had documented the arrest of 138 people last year  journalists, students and political activists  for criticizing Ms. Hasinas government.
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Chinas issues with trade and human rights have, for far too long, been seen as part of the price of doing business in the country. The countrys systemic persecution of the Uyghur minorities has, however, made it harder to look away.

As stark images of people being lined up to board trains to so-called re-education camps and horrifying stories of persecution were published, the free worlds focus shifted to the province of Xinjiang and its links to global supply chains.

The potential impact on the solar manufacturing industry was not immediately apparent. Xinjiang is a key manufacturing center for polysilicon, a material used to make crystalline-silicon solar panels. Analysts estimate that about 65% of the countrys silicon manufacturing capacity is located in the region, which is also one of the most polluted provinces in the country, thanks to its heavy reliance on coal. With China accounting for over 70% of the worlds supply of polysilicon, the potential impact on solar installations worldwide began to draw attention.

Recent media coverage tied some of the worlds largest polysilicon producers and panel manufacturers, including at least two US-listed Chinese companies, to the use of forced labor in Xinjiang. Hard evidence is difficult to come by because of the Chinese governments efforts to hinder access to the region for auditors and journalists.

The circumstantial evidence is hard to ignore. In its reports, a major Chinese silicon producer notes that it benefits from cheap electricity supplied by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), an organization sanctioned by the US for human rights abuses. The same silicon producer supplies semiconductor materials to large Chinese photovoltaic producers, which in turn export their products to the US. Similarly, another manufacturer reportedly works with so-called vocational schools in Xinjiang, a term used by the Chinese government to describe its internment camps for Uyghurs.

Despite vocal denials, there is no verifiable evidence that Chinas solar manufacturers, which have long benefited from state subsidies, did not indirectly benefit from the government policy known as Xinjiang Aid.

And while the US solar industry has committed to ensuring that solar panels imported into the US will not have components that originate in Xinjiang, experience has shown this to be easier said than done. Chinese companies in various industries reportedly use a simple workaround to circumvent safeguard tariffs: they route unlabeled products to a third country exempt from import tariffs, where they are labeled to show their origin as that country, and then exported.

The solar industry is not immune to this behavior. In 2019, customs authorities in Germany acted on the relabeling of solar panels, prosecuting representatives of Chinese manufacturers for circumventing the European Unions safeguard tariffs by showing Chinese-made products to have originated in Taiwan and India. The US solar industry simply does not have the resources to guarantee that the rules are not circumvented similarly.

Whats more is that efforts to audit supply chains in China are unreliable thanks to opaque supply chains, lack of access, and the widespread corruption associated with factory audits in the country.

Unfortunately, the issue and the US solar industrys lack of room to maneuver around it, highlights the risk of Americas over-reliance on China for photovoltaic panels. Its a dependence that is not lost on the virtual cartel of solar manufacturers tied to China. The China Photovoltaic Association, which includes solar manufacturers that export panels to the US, has warned that continued scrutiny and potential action on forced labor will disrupt the global industry and supply chain and will harm the interests of companies and consumers, including that of the US

The over-reliance on China to supply cheap solar panels comes at a price thats not always reflected on the bottom line but is becoming increasingly apparent thanks to the media spotlight on Xinjiang. Its a price that may include needing to look the other way on the environmental and social costs of manufacturing in China that may not be obvious when those panels are installed in solar projects.

Deeping our reliance on Chinese-made solar only diminishes what leverage the US has. The more reliant we are on Chinese-made solar and the more urgent the fight against the climate crisis becomes, the less likely we are to have the power to effect change and preserve the inherent good that the solar industry delivers, each day, every day. Quite simply, we need to ensure that in building back better, we build solar responsibly.

Mark Widmar is the CEO of First Solar, Inc., the only American company among the worlds largest solar manufacturers.

DETROIT  Michigans flagship city is home to the best Riverwalk in America, according to USA Today readers.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy announced Friday that the Detroit Riverwalk has been named Best Riverwalk in the 2021 USA TODAY 10Best Readers Choice Awards contest.

Readers selected the scenic walk along the Detroit River over similar attractions across the United States, including the famous San Antonio Riverwalk, Wilmington Riverwalk, Chicago Riverwalk and the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia.

The Detroit Riverfront is a very special place for our city and we are honored by this recognition, said Matt Cullen, board chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. We have a tremendous year ahead and will continue to set the bar even higher as we finish up the East Riverfront and move to the west.

RELATED: USA Today lists one Michigan riverwalk among the top in the country

The Detroit Riverfront attracts 3.5 million visitors annually and has remained open every day during the coronavirus pandemic. Since March, use of the Detroit Riverwalk has increased 20 percent and the Dequindre Cut usage has increased by 40 percent.

The riverfront redevelopment in Detroit, a city with 14 miles of shoreline along the Detroit River, is one of the citys most exciting initiatives, USA Today noted. The East Riverfront of the Detroit International RiverWalk stretches from (the former site of) Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park and includes several parks, restaurants, splash parks and natural areas.

Nominees for USA TODAY 10Best Readers Choice Awards were selected by10Best editors along with a panel of urban planning experts. There were 20 Riverwalks across the country in the competition.

Every great city has a place where the entire community comes together, said Mark Wallace, president and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. Detroiters love their riverfront, and we are incredibly proud to be recognized and celebrated on a national level.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has invested more than $200 million in the revitalization of the Detroit Riverfront, which in turn has generated more than $2 billion in public and private investment.

READ MORE:

City in Michigan ranked the No. 1 coolest place in U.S. with lowest cost of living
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said he would back former President Donald Trump if he wins the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

"Well, there's a lot to happen between now and '24. I've got at least four members that I think are planning to run for president, plus some governors and others. There's no incumbent, a wide-open race, and should be fun for you all to cover," McConnell said in an interview with Fox News.

When asked if he would support the former president if he wins the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, McConnell noted: "Absolutely."

This statement came days after Trump lambasted McConnell for his statement condemning the former president's behavior during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6.

NBC News reported that McConnell earlier said there is no question that Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the Capitol riot.

"The people who stormed this building [Capitol] believed that they were acting upon the wishes and instructions of their president," McConnell noted.

Read also: House GOP Questions Pelosi on Capitol Riot Security Failures

Does McConnell Really Support Trump?

During the Fox interview, Politico said that McConnell stopped short of offering his immediate support for Trump as he stressed that numerous other Republicans also hinted that they would run for the presidency.

Politico also noted that McConnell signaled his desire to move on from the 2020 elections and focus on retaking the House and Senate in 2022.

CBS News noted that Trump shared his thoughts about McConnell before the Senator announced support to him as a 2022 Republican presidential candidate. According to Trump, it was a mistake to support the Kentucky Republican in his reelection as he calls McConnell a "dour sullen and unsmiling political hack."

Forbes also reported that Trump also claimed credits for the Kentucky senator's 2020 reelection victory.

McConnell on Trump's Acquittance

According to an ABC6 report, McConnell explained that he voted to acquit Trump because the Senate has no jurisdiction over a former president.

McConnell has remained loyal to Trump during the former president's days in the office, even gaining the impression as the two most powerful members of the Republican party.

But Trump said he regrets that when "McConnell 'begged' for my strong support and endorsement before the great people of Kentucky in the 2020 election, I gave it to him."

"He (McConnell) went from one point down to 20 points up, and won. How quickly he forgets. Without my endorsement, McConnell would have lost, and lost badly," the former president added in his statement.

Politico further noted that Trump also blasted McConnell, saying that the Senate Minority leader weakens the Republican party.

Forbes reported that shortly after McConnell expressed his support to Trump if he wins the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Trump endorsed Senator Jerry Moran of Kansan and vowed to back primary challengers who "espouse Making America great Again."

Politico shared that McConnell pointed out that there was no Civil War" within the party, and it remained competitive with the Democrats in razor-thin majorities in House and Senate.

Politico added that Trump's running for the presidency in 2024 remains to hover over the party, as the former president retains his popularity among Republican voters.

Related article: 4 People Die in Chaotic Capitol Riot, Including a Woman Fatally Shot by Police

WATCH: 2024 Republican presidential nominee: 'Donald Trump or someone from Trump-wing' from SKY News Australia


Gurugram, Feb 26 : A thief dug a 5-feet long and 4-feet deep tunnel and barged into a Canara bank branch in Lakhuwas village in Sohna block in the early hours on Thursday, however his heist attempt failed as he could not open the safe of the bank, the police said on Friday.

The incident came to light on Thursday morning when the employees found the opening of the tunnel after entering the bank and informed the police about it.

The police said that the tunnel was dug from the back side of the bank and the entire incident was captured in the CCTV camera installed inside the bank.

"The thief entered into the branch but could not open the safe despite efforts, so the cash remained safe. He was forced to fled the spot as the bank alarms started hooting," Preet Pal Sangwan, ACP (crime) said, adding that the police is trying to identify the thief on the basis of the CCTV footage.

The bank employees told the police that this tunnel was dug to the record room.

"A thief was seen walking in the record room. He entered the record room of the bank from the tunnel at around 3.15 a.m. However, the thief did not find the cash there and returned," said a bank employee on requesting anonymity.

"A case has been registered against an unknown person at the Sohna City police station on a complaint by the bank management and the further investigation has been started," Sangwan said.
Pathology giant Sonic Healthcare has been brought in to help get the COVID-19 vaccine rollout back on track in aged care facilities in NSW and Queensland after delays and a bungle involving the original provider.

In Victoria, 25 vials of the vaccine were thrown away out of an abundance of caution after workers could not confirm refrigeration temperatures had been maintained while they were stored at a Werribee aged care facility.

Sonic Healthcare will assist the aged care vaccine rollout. Credit:Edwina Pickles

More than 90 aged care facilities have received 6500 COVID-19 vaccines since the broad rollout began on Monday, with a further 20 expected to have vaccines by the end of Friday.

It is well short of the 30,000 doses originally expected to be distributed to 240 facilities by the end of the week but Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Friday that target would be met by the middle of next week and the rollout would be back on track by the end of week two.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 11:59:43|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. military had conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria.

"At President (Joe) Biden's direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," the Pentagon said in a statement.

"These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," it said, adding the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups.

The Pentagon called the operation a "proportionate military response" carried out after consultations with coalition partners.

"The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq," the Pentagon said in the statement.

Two rockets landed in the heavily fortified Green Zone in the center of Iraq's capital Baghdad on Monday evening. The attack caused no casualties and was claimed by none.

The Green Zone is where the U.S. embassy is located, and U.S. property together with military bases housing U.S. troops is a frequent target of mortar and rocket attacks.

On Feb. 15, a rocket strike targeted coalition forces near the Erbil International Airport in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, which houses a U.S.-led coalition military base.

The attack killed one civilian contractor and injured several members of the U.S.-led coalition, including one American service member and several American contractors, according to a statement issued that day by the U.S. State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said then that Washington was "outraged" by the attack.

Iran denied any ties with the Feb. 15 attack as well as any other attacks.

Thursday's airstrikes also came at a time when the Biden administration, which reportedly plans to bring the United States back to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that the Donald Trump administration pulled out of, said it was ready to engage in negotiations with Iran over the nuclear issue. Enditem
Credit: BirdingASIA

A team of researchers from Indonesia and Singapore has found evidence of the continued existence of a bird long thought extinct. In their paper published in the journal BirdingASIA, the team describes the history of the bird, why it was thought to be extinct and how it was found in Borneo.

Back sometime between 1843 and 1848 a bird now called the black-browed babbler was captured by naturalist Carl A.L.M. Schwaner. Records of the find are sketchy, but it appeared the bird had been captured on the island of Java. That finding was the one and only piece of evidence of the bird's existenceit is currently labeled as "data deficient" in ornithology texts. The bird was put into storage, and for the next 170 years, there were no further reports of its existence. Over time, the bird and its history became known as "the biggest enigma in Indonesian ornithology." Most in the field assumed it had gone extinct. Then, last year, a pair of researchers, Muhammad Rizky Fauzan and Muhammad Suranto captured a bird that they could not identify on the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. They took pictures of it and sent them to colleagues, then released the bird.

As the team conducted research on the bird in the pictures, it soon became clear that its description matched that of the bird in storage in the Netherlands. A closer look confirmed that it was indeed the same speciesa living black-browed babbler.

The bird was caught in Kalimantan, near the center of the island of Borneo, and its discovery proves the bird was only thought to be extinct because people were looking for it in the wrong place. Its existence also raises the question of how many of its species are living in Borneo, and whether it is at risk.

The researchers would very much like to travel to the region where the bird was found, but the pandemic has restricted travel to the island. They plan to conduct an excursion as soon as it is feasible. In the meantime, they will be making updates to ornithology texts, not only to delist the black-browed babbler as extinct, but to provide more details about its physical features.

Explore further Wintering bird communities track climate change faster than breeding communities in Europe and North America

More information: Missing for 170 yearsthe rediscovery of black-browed babbler Malacocincla perspicillata on Borneo. BirdingASIA, 34, 13-14.

 2021 Science X Network
It was maybe a month later when Im reflecting on it that I realize that what he was doing was grilling me on the test to see if I had cheated because his premise was that African Americans  back then Negroes  were inferior to whites. He wanted to know how I got an A- on his test, Smith said.
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Market Domination LLC will get us more leads for the business and help us build customer loyalty and retention

Gary Heldt announced today that he has entered into a Marketing Services Agreement with Market Domination LLC to develop a growth strategy for using books as marketing tools to attract more leads to his business.

Gary Heldt has more than 30 years of experience providing business owners and individual clients with a wide range of accounting and consulting services. Prior to opening his own firm, Gary worked in accounting at several companies and non-profit organizations.

Market Domination LLC was founded by Seth Greene, a eight-time best-selling author and the only three-time nominee for Marketer of the Year by the prestigious NO BS Insiders Circle, the largest marketing group of its kind in the world. Greene co-hosts the Sharkpreneur Podcast with Kevin Harrington, one of the original Sharks on Shark Tank. He has shared the stage at marketing conferences with Steve Forbes, John Mackey of Whole Foods, Dan Kennedy, Dave Dee, and many other visionaries.

This agreement with Market Domination LLC gives us a distinct advantage over our competitors, said Gary Heldt, Market Domination LLC will get us more leads for the business and help us build customer loyalty and retention.

About Market Domination LLC:

Market Domination LLC, located in Williamsville, NY, has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing direct response market firms in the U.S. The companys products and services include podcast production, lead generation, and relationship retention.

For more information, please visit marketdominationllc.com

About Gary Heldt:

Gary D. Heldt, Jr., CPA is the owner of Small Business Advisors in Gambrills, Maryland, serving clients in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. He has more than 30 years of experience providing business owners and individual clients with a wide range of accounting and consulting services. Prior to opening his own firm, Gary worked in accounting at several companies and non-profit organizations.

While Gary earned the designation of Certified Tax Planner, tax preparation is just a small part of what he does. He says if you only prepare taxes, youre just recording a clients history. Gary wants his clients to think of him as his business partner. He believes in helping his clients write their tax future, by making their business stronger and advancing themselves financially.

Gary is also the co-founder of a charity named For the Kids which assists families of seriously ill children and helped form a local business referral group which has helped countless business owners and professionals.

For more information, please visit https://www.sbadvisors.cc/.

Contact:

Bruce Corris, President BMD Publishing

A Division of Market Domination LLC

bruce@marketdominationllc.com

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Matt Gaetz on Friday launched a fresh attack on Liz Cheney, saying she would have been booed off the stage if she attended the annual gathering of conservatives at the CPAC conference.

Gaetz, a top ally of former President Donald Trump, used his remarks at the gathering to take several swipes - both at members of his own party and at Democrats.

He opened with a dig at Cheney, whom Gaetz unsuccessfully tried to get removed from the House GOP leadership after she supported Trump's second impeachment. Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans to support the impeachment article and survived at attempt by House conservatives to oust her from her number three leadership position.

'I haven't gotten that good a warm welcome since I was in Wyoming,' Gaetz told the cheering crowd. Shortly after Cheney's vote, Gaetz traveled to Wyoming to hold a rally against her.

'If Liz Cheney were on this stage today she'd get booed off of it,' he told the crowd. 'What does that say? The leadership of our party is not found in Washington, DC. You are the energy. We are America,' he noted.

Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida used his speech to take several swipes - both at members of his own party and at Democrats

Rep. Liz Cheney has been under fire from conservatives since she was one of 10 House Republicans to vote for Donald Trump's second impeachment

Cheney has kept up her role as naysayer against Trump, beating the drum against his influence in the party. The former president has vowed vengeance on those who defied him, saying he would help their opponents in primaries.

Trump's MAGA supporters, many of whom were at CPAC, are expected to play an outside role in the GOP primaries next year.

Trump will address CPAC on Sunday in his first post-White House appearance.

Gaetz, in his remarks, also attacked New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo over reports that Cuomo's administration covered up the number of COVID deaths in nursing homes in the state.

'They're stripping granny out of the COVID ward at the hospital and tossing her into the nursing home  just enough time for her to infect everybody and go back to the hospital so that deaths can be recategorized for politics,' he said.

He also brought up the Mr. Potatohead controversy. The doll has been labeled gender neutral by its manufacturer.

'Look out Mr. Potatohead you are next. Now he's going by Mr. Potatox. To me the whole the concept of the Mr. Potatohead was you could move the parts around. Mr. Potatohead was America's first transgender doll and even he got cancelled,' he said.

And, the Florida native praised his home state.

'Florida is like an amazing woman. Adventurous, beautiful, mostly sunny, sometimes a little crazy, and always here to encourage and support success,' he said. 'By contrast, New York is like a bad ex-husband  mean, won't let you go out to dinner; you're less safe, financially spiraling downward, and they may kill your grandparents!'

CPAC, four-day conservative gathering, was moved from suburban Maryland to Florida in part because of the Sunshine State's more relaxed rules on public gatherings during the COVID pandemic.

'That state decided to cancel us because it wasn't safe,' CPAC host Matt Schlapp said in his opening remarks of the decision to move the conference from Maryland.

'And I said I'll be damned if I'm the first chairman in 20 years not to have CPAC,' he added to thundering applause.

Many Trump supporters regularly refuse to don face masks. His campaign rallies were notable for the packed crowds and bare faces.

And when organizers of CPAC asked attendees to mask up on Friday, in compliance with the state rules, they were booed in return.

American Conservative Union executive director Dan Schneider and CPAC deputy director Carly Patrick took to the stage to make the request on Friday morning.

'I know this might sound like a little bit of a downer, but we also believe in property rights, and this is a private hotel,' Schneider said. 'And we believe in the rule of law, so we need to comply with the laws of this county that we're in. But a private hotel, just like your house, gets to set its own rules.'

Patrick added that 'we are in a private facility, and we do want to be respectful of the ordinances that they have as their private property. So please, everyone: When you're in the ballroom, when you're seated, you should still be wearing a mask.'

'No,' the crowd yelled back. 'Freedom.'

Most attendees didn't wear the face coverings, arguing the government cannot make them. And several speakers at the event touted personal freedom.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who opened Friday's session, didn't mention the face mask issue in his brief remarks.

Conservatives are gathered in Orlando for annual CPAC conference

Many in the crowd did not wear face masks and several booed when organizers asked them to put them on in compliance with state rules

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opened Friday's session - most speakers are fervent Trump supporters

But he did tout his state's handling of the coronavirus crisis. Florida has reported 1,892,301 cases since the pandemic began.

'Florida's leading on the issues that matter to conservatives,' DeSantis said. 'We don't spout hollow rhetoric. We take decisive action.'

'Florida got it right and the lockdown states got it wrong,' he noted.


Cathy Tyson has spoken out about why she turned her back on Hollywood.

Aged just 21, the actress, now 55, garnered critical acclaim for her role as a prostitute in the 1986 film Mona Lisa and scooped Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.

Cathy went on to star in the hugely successful 90s ITV drama series Band Of Gold, but said she decided to turn down roles during the height of her fame because she didn't want to be typecast as an actress.

Her story: Cathy Tyson has spoken out about why she turned her back on Hollywood (pictured in 2015)

In an interview with The Mirror, Cathy said: 'In my early career I felt I should turn down roles. Thats what my activism involved, especially at the beginning.

'I also had to turn down Kevin Spacey, when he pleaded with me to do The Iceman Cometh. But it was to play another prostitute.'

Cathy continued: 'I was getting lots of offers to do auditions in Hollywood. But I just thought, "Im not a capitalist and this is the land of it. I dont want to live here because of all that it stands for".'

Aged just 21, the actress, now 55, garnered critical acclaim for her role as a prostitute in the 1986 film Mona Lisa. Here she is pictured in Band Of Gold in 1995

The actress said she found the brights light of Hollywood 'too much' and found it overwhelming being such a young age in the industry, with hints dropped by agents that she needed to lose weight.

She previously told MailOnline: 'I turned down several auditions which was silly but I was frightened when people told me to lose weight because I was already skinny.

'I thought, "I want people to judge what's coming out of my mouth rather than what I look like. I've got a brain."'

Career: Cathy went on to star in the hugely successful 90s ITV drama series Band Of Gold (pictured L-R Geraldine James, Barbara Dickson, Cathy and Samantha Morton)

Her career was temporarily stalled by the birth of her son Jack in 1988.

But by then her marriage to Craig Charles was crumbling and they divorced in 1989 when Jack was still a baby.

More than three decades later, Cathy said she would jump at the opportunity to star in a Hollywood film, and added the industry is a 'great place for an artist to be right now'.

The actress is now starring in ITV detective drama series McDonald & Dodds, with the first episode set to premiere on Sunday.

The cast also include Martin Kemp, Patsy Kensit and Rupert Grave.
When educator Heather Fagan (left), 41, was growing up Catholic, she and her writer mother, Di, 69, would read at Mass. Later, after Heather converted to Islam, the once-close pair were at odds  until Di had an epiphany of her own.

Heather and Di Fagan: If Id stopped coming to visit, Mum would have said, See? Islams taken her away from me. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

DI: Heather is the eldest of my four kids. She was my responsible, reliable girl. Still is. When she was 10, Id leave her in charge; she was a little mother. I just always expected her to be like me and follow the same path.

We lived on Sydneys north shore and Heather went to a private Catholic school. I also taught in a Catholic school. As a teenager, Heather was different: she wasnt interested in make-up or clothes. She cut her hair short and used to go out with her wallet pinned to her shirt because she couldnt be bothered taking a purse. She didnt care what other people thought. Everyone loved her because she was just herself.

When she was 28, she became interested in Islam. I thought, Fine, she can be Muslim. No ones going to know. But once she started wearing the headscarf, I thought, Oh no.
China's cross-border e-commerce made new highs in 2020. According to customs statistics, the country's cross-border e-commerce import and export volume surged 31.1 percent to 1.69 trillion yuan ($261 billion), and the total exports transacted on e-commerce platforms rose 40.1 percent to 1.12 trillion yuan.

"Our export volume through e-commerce channels reached 1.3 billion yuan last year, and is expected to hit 1.6 billion yuan in 2021," said an executive from a foreign trade company in east China's Zhejiang Province. The company joined cross-border e-commerce business in 2014, and started exporting commodities on cross-border e-commerce platforms four years later. It maintained a rapid annual growth of over 50 percent in recent years.

At present, as global consumers are resorting to online consumption, proactively or passively, cross-border e-commerce platforms rise as an important channel for consumers to purchase from.

Impacted by COVID-19, overseas consumers are seeing a surging demand for "made in China" products, including electronic products and daily necessities. According to customs statistics, China's export of products related to "stay-at-home" economy, such as laptops, grew 8.2 percent to 2.51 trillion yuan last year.

The number of international flights dropped sharply after the pandemic, which posed serious threats for cross-border e-commerce, for example, delivery turning slow, cost going up and rising exchanges and returns. In addition, customs clearance was also a huge barrier.

Under such circumstances, the Chinese government issued a series of favorable policies. Last year, China enhanced cooperation with e-commerce businesses from 22 countries along the Silk Road, and the State Council approved the establishment of 46 integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce, expanding the total number to 105.

Besides, the country also added "9710" and "9810" trade methods, which refer to either direct export of goods from domestic businesses to overseas businesses by cross-border logistics based on their mutual deals over a cross-border e-commerce platform, or the export of goods by a domestic company to its overseas warehouse, from which the goods will be delivered to overseas buyers based on their deals over a cross-border e-commerce platform.

Currently, favorable policies to facilitate multiple industrial chains, including cross-border payment, e-commerce platforms and logistics are being rolled out in many integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce across China.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digitalization of the foreign trade sector, and technological innovation is empowering export. For instance, online exhibitions, audio and video conferences, as well as smart translation, customs declaration, logistics and tax rebate services have been launched by Alibaba.com under Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba to bring closer buyers and sellers from different countries.

"We must ensure that we on one hand help businesses precisely grab orders, and on the other hand maintain smooth operation of international shipping, cross-border payment and other links," said Zhang Kuo, Alibaba.com's general manager.

The constant development of cross-border e-commerce is sending more and more Chinese commodities to overseas destinations and upgrading the demand of global consumers.

Amazon recently issued a report summarizing the development of China's cross-border e-commerce in the past year. It said the business is going towards the following five trends in China: more diverse locations and types of sellers, accelerated global deployment, enhanced awareness of branding, speeded innovation and upgraded responding capability.

China's cross-border e-commerce and sellers have turned from extensive development to intensive growth, said Cindy Tai, Head of Amazon Global Selling Asia. She said the sector is a pillar of China's foreign trade, and is growing into a new normal from a new business.
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
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Thanks to some transparency about how the Governors Office spends discretionary funds, we recently learned Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham used taxpayer money to buy almost $13,500 of goods and services over a six-month period in 2020. If we hadnt been under a travel quarantine and a five-person limit on gatherings, that would have made sense  under normal conditions the governor entertains folks interested in investing in New Mexico.

In fact $13,500 would be a bargain.

But we were in the midst of a pandemic. And as tens of thousands of New Mexicans were denied not only holiday get-togethers but funerals, as they struggled to sign up for unemployment, their tax dollars were being used for tuna steaks, Wagyu beef, liquor and dry cleaning. A governors spokesman says some of the $6,500-plus grocery bill fed the governors Cabinet and staff at long meetings during the second half of 2020.

And that begs the question, instead of purchasing high-end gourmet food, why not feed those attendees by supporting our struggling local restaurants that had curbside service?

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, one of the receipts showed the Governors Office spent more than $200 during one trip in September to Sams Club, buying at least five bottles of tequila, two bottles of vodka, two bottles of merlot, a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of gin. Spokesman Tripp Stelnicki said the liquor was bought by a staffer for a holiday party that never took place and so it was never opened.

September seems awfully early to be buying beverages for a Thanksgiving or Christmas party.

Add these purchases to the tone-deaf pay raises for eight members of the governors inner circle last year that ranged from 8% to 21%, including a $19,000 raise for her communications director.

The silver lining to this story is that we know about the expenses, thanks to a bill that took effect in 2019 that changed the way the governors taxpayer-funded expense account is distributed and overseen. The change was in response to Pizzagate, when former Gov. Susana Martinez used discretionary funds to throw a raucous holiday party at a Santa Fe hotel and spa that drew police after bottles were reportedly tossed over a balcony.

The state Legislature appropriates money for each governor to spend on functions, events or items that promote the state. And again, $13,000 in six months is a small number compared to most years. But ordering gourmet grub and gallons of booze while tens of thousands of New Mexicans were unemployed was simply arrogant and out of touch. Doing it with tax funds while the states unemployment coffers were emptied was just plain wrong.

Its a self-inflicted wound to a reputation one wouldnt expect from a career public servant, former county commissioner, state Cabinet secretary and member of Congress  especially in a year in which this pandemic has killed more than 3,600 New Mexicans, put 140,000 others out of work and greatly stressed essential workers.

Over the past 11 months, the governor has held lengthy news conferences on a regular basis to provide updates, urge New Mexicans to follow safety protocols and thank them for making sacrifices as we all battle this deadly enemy. She often says we are all in this together.

But thats a hard message to sell when she is enjoying taxpayer-purchased Japanese beef and classic Canadian whisky while many New Mexicans are just trying to keep their families fed.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
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In March 2019, Nipsey Hussle was brutally murdered in South L.A. I remember knowing immediately that he would be transported to the hospital where I work. I knew to expect lingering paparazzi and news when I got to the hospital. I knew to expect buzz in the air, the aftermath of a critical and high-profile trauma. What I didn't expect were the comments.

"This gangbanger was killed by the streets."

"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."

"What do they expect?"

Candles are lit during a memorial service to honor Eritrean American rapper, Nipsey Hussle, on April 6, 2019 in Addis Ababa. He died March 31, 2019 after a shooting in Los Angeles near a clothing store he owned. (Michael Tewelde/AFP via Getty Images)

How To Participate Since June 2020, we've asked for your stories about how race and ethnicity shape your life and and published as many of these stories as we can. We call this year-long effort Race in LA. Click here for more information and details on how to participate.

I was shocked, and I was hurt. These were my co-workers, my friends, and they were acting like the death of this Black man had no effect on me.

I looked around and I saw the pain of his death in the eyes of every Black patient that I treated that night. We felt the loss of another young Black man with a promising future to gun violence. Our hearts were broken, but it was just another trauma to most of the hospital staff. That's when I realized that my race was inconsequential, they did not see me as a Black woman who has been repeatedly traumatized by the murder of Black men by police and gun violence. Or, as a Black woman who loves Black men and has Black brothers, a Black father and will one day bear Black sons. I wasn't Black at all. I was just a nurse.

A (BLACK) NURSE

Last March, Los Angeles shut down in the first of multiple failed attempts to control the spread of the coronavirus. At the same time, the rest of the country was experiencing the reality of life as a non-white person in the "land of the free." When protests, riots, counter protests turned violent, news outlets covered them ad nauseum. Every time I entered a room where people were talking about police brutality, or the latest video of a so-called Karen attacking a Black person for existing in a way that was offensive, the air was tense, thick with unspoken words.

My interactions with patients went from my inquiry of their chief complaint, to them asking me how I was doing "with everything." "Everything" depended on who was asking. With my Black patients, there was an understanding that this had been our story for so long that we had all but given up on the idea of change, knowing that protests didn't promise that. With non-Black people of color, there was solidarity, an exchange of looks, as if to say, "I see you."

Most of the time, I was able to frame conversations within the context of the virus and not race, telling patients that we were doing our best, trying to be the heroes they kept calling us. But I was dying inside. I had spent my whole life avoiding difficult conversations in the workplace, keeping everything superficial because, to be honest, nobody understands what it means to be Black in America, unless they are Black in America. It was easier to find solace in my job, easier to be just a nurse, than to be a Black nurse.

(LEFT) ER nurse Adwoa Blankson-Wood pictured near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, wearing scrubs and a surgical mask; By October, Blankson-Wood was required to don an N-95 mask, protective goggles, a head covering and full PPE to interact with patients. (Photos courtesy Adwoa Blankson-Wood)

I was doing a good job faking it at work until patients whose clothes reeked of pepper spray and who had rubber bullet wounds began filling the ER. The conversation between some LAPD officers, EMTs and hospital staff turned to, "What do these people want?" I retreated to my section, knowing that even asking this question meant that they had missed the point of the protests altogether. It wasn't until I walked in on a conversation and heard someone I loved and respected say that I saw red.

"The difference is that white people don't riot for no reason and Black people do."

I responded, "Yes the f*** they do. Look what the f*** happened when the Eagles won the Superbowl! They call you 'rowdy,' and they call us 'criminals.'"

There was a long pause...

I looked out at this sea of faces and realized that my own wasn't reflected there. As bad as these onlookers felt, no one UNDERSTOOD what was happening. I told them that the conversation was inappropriate, and we had work to do. I walked away and went to the ambulance bay to cry.

"HOW ARE YOU?"

Over the past year, "How are you?" has become a loaded question. Pre-pandemic, it was one that we asked with no real expectation of an honest and substantive answer. Now, over a year into the most deadly health crisis in our lifetimes, we put the emphasis on the "are." We sometimes add the slight turn of the head, and direct eye contact, causing people to burst into tears as they actually take a second to search for the answer to what used to be the most innocuous of questions.

MORE FROM OUR RACE IN LA SERIES

As a nurse, I ask this question at least a hundred times a shift, usually looking for a specific answer: a change in condition, improvement of symptoms. It's how I gauge how my patients are doing, and how I check in with them. In May, George Floyd's killing rocked the world. Trauma that I was intimately familiar with, of watching someone die, was exposed. I remember seeing him become incontinent and knowing that those base neural functions fail when your brain is nearing death. I cried for him. I cried for myself. I cried for my father, my brothers, my partner, my future sons. Then I dried my tears, hugged my brother a little longer before I left, and I went to work. Even through all of this, the pandemic was still raging, and the world still needed me to be a nurse.

I have always been able to connect well with people. I recognize that the average person is having an awful day if they end up in the ER. There's a tone of voice, body language and vocabulary that I naturally possess which helps me calm patients. Then there are the times that someone comes up to me and says, "Adwoa, can you come do that thing you do?" Sounds like the beginning of a sexual harassment lawsuit right? It's not, but it IS what my coworkers say to me when they want me to use my Blackness as a means to connect with a patient, usually an angry Black one.

Nurses and health care workers attend a Black Lives Matter rally in front of Bellevue Hospital on June 4, 2020, in New York City. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)

I have experienced a range of emotions around these requests: anger, disgust and remorse. it almost always depends on the person requesting and why. The person asking must first realize that they're asking me as a Black woman, not as a nurse, because if any nurse could do it, they wouldn't have outsourced it to me. Secondly, they must realize that they are asking me to use the most sacred and precious part of my shared experience and identity to connect with this patient. And lastly, they must understand that I may very likely say no.

I am grateful for the dialogue that I've been able to have with my friends, my therapist and for my physical health. I'm grateful for the awareness that the past year has brought to Black lives, racial and socioeconomic injustices and gender inequality. I am annoyed by those who don't believe that we as Black health care workers experience racism. But it's on par with the feeling that nobody really understands what it means to be Black in America, unless they are Black in America.

* * *

This is for George Floyd, Ahmad Aubery, Elijah Mclain, Sandra Bland, Rashard Brooks, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Stephon Clark, Botham Jean, Philando Castille, Alton Sterling, Freddie Gray and countless others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adwoa Blankson-Wood is the daughter of proud Ghanaian immigrants and was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. She attended Grambling State University, a historically Black college, which inspired a deeper appreciation of the Black American experience along with her Ghanaian American upbringing. She is a devoted aunt, sister, daughter and member of The Century City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Adwoa is passionate about her work as a registered nurse. In her free time, she enjoys community outreach, spending time with family and curling up with a book. She is overjoyed to share her experience here.
Our wind and our solar got shut down, and they were collectively more than 10 per cent of our power grid, and that thrust Texas into a situation where it was lacking power on a statewide basis, he told host Sean Hannity. It just shows that fossil fuel is necessary. He blamed the Green New Deal, a set of environmental policies championed by left-wing Democrats and partially embraced - though mostly not yet implemented - by the Biden administration. Tim Boyd, mayor of Colorado City - which is in fact a small Texas town - told his citizens that only the strong will survive and the weak will [perish] in a blog post. No one owes you [or] your family anything; nor is it the local governments responsibility to support you during trying times like this! he said. Sink or swim its your choice! The City and County, along with power providers or any other service owes you NOTHING! Im sick and tired of people looking for a damn handout. Whatever you make of Boyds view of government responsibility, it soon became clear that renewable energy did not cause the grid to fail.

In fact no single technology failed. Some windmills froze, but windmills provide only slightly more than 10 per cent of Texas power. Gas lines froze too and one unit of a nuclear power plant failed. All sources underperformed expectations, Daniel Cohan, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University in Houston told the New York Times days later. But far, far more than everything else combined were the shortfalls from natural gas. What is already clear is that Texas grid was unable to cope with the sort of extreme weather already becoming more common due to climate change. Further, that it was rendered more vulnerable to the storm because it has been islanded from the grids that serve groups of nearby states. This was the result of politics rather than engineering or climate change. The Lone Star state has always liked to go it alone, as Boyds comments above suggest. These various forces did not go unnoticed by Tony Wood, director of the energy program at the Grattan Institute.

Like Texas, Australia is vulnerable to a changing climate, though our grid is battered by heatwave and fire rather than Polar Vortex. And as in America commentary about how to harden the grid is often coloured by ideology over engineering, he says. Wood says when South Australia suffered a catastrophic loss of power in 2016, some antagonists and champions of renewable and fossil fuels selectively harvested facts to bolster their causes. In fact weather and technological factors combined to cause blackouts that the state was vulnerable to because back then its grid  like Texas  did not have strong links to outside energy sources. Grids are complex and the problems they face are complex, they face problems that dont have a single causal factor, he says.

A spokesperson for Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor says the events in Texas showed why the government needs to balance Australias record level of investment in intermittent renewables with new dispatchable generation like gas, pumped hydro, and, as we look to the future, hydrogen. Loading Dispatchable generation is what is needed to back up our system, put downward pressure on prices when demand is at its peak, the spokesperson says. Australias electricity network is often threatened when bushfires rage around transmission lines. The Black Summer bushfires last summer damaged power lines and forced outages for tens of thousands of households in the nations south-east and a desperate backburning and tree clearing operation narrowly avoided damage to the main interconnector linking the grid in Victoria and NSW. The Morrison government is investing $6 million in the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology to assess likely future climate change scenarios and identify long-term climate risks to the energy sector. Governments are also required to regularly update their emergency energy supply arrangements in case of extreme weather events.

Taylor is working with state governments to build high voltage transmission lines, which will link new renewable zones and hydroelectric dams which are being built across the country. More than 60 per cent of Australias ageing and increasingly expensive coal-fired capacity is set to be shut down over the next 20 years and likely replaced by cheaper renewable energy. NSW and Victoria have committed to deliver net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and are rolling out clean energy plans to guarantee renewable energy investors a minimum price for the energy they generate, based around a total of 14 renewable energy zones in regional areas supported by transmission links. Energy Minister Angus Taylor is working with state governments to build high voltage transmission lines, which will link new renewable zones and hydroelectric dams which are being built across the country. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Their plans have been welcomed by clean energy supporters but have caused concern among the largest energy companies and Taylor who, while still engaging on network infrastructure, has expressed concern that state policies risk fragmenting the national grid and deterring investment in new supply.

The federal government is largely leaving it to the market to determine where and when new large-scale electricity generation is developed. However, this week its independent adviser Infrastructure Australia called for a massive expansion of renewable energy zones across Victoria, NSW and Queensland, which it says should be supported with increased investment in dispatchable energy that includes batteries and large-scale pumped hydro. Loading Taylor has several initiatives at different stages of development. He wants to establish a $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund, to be operated by the Commonwealths green bank the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which could be used to support gas power and infrastructure projects deemed critical to the energy grid as well as batteries and pumped hydro. A bill to establish the fund was derailed last week by former Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce who lodged an amendment in Parliament to open the fund to coal projects, which caused Taylor to delay the bill. Taylor has also pledged to commission Commonwealth-owned Snowy Hydro to build a gas peaking plant to supply up to 1000 megawatts of dispatchable power into the grid.

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Bob Owen, Staff-photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Mayor Ron Nirenberg had a brief, but to the point response for Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday after Abbott recently said during a Corpus Christi news conference that Texas leaders are evaluating when the state-wide mask mandate may be lifted.

Many across the state were shocked Abbott would encourage talks of ending the mandate while virus numbers are yet again increasing daily as more Texans venture outside their homes post-storm to receive testing.
Altona Energy Plc - Change of Name and Result of AGM

26 February 2021

ALTONA RARE EARTHS PLC

("Altona" or "the Company")

CHANGE OF NAME

&

RESULT OF AGM

Altona (AQSE: ANR.PL), a mining exploration company with a focus on Rare Earth Elements mining projects in Africa, is pleased to announce that at its Annual General Meeting, held earlier today, all resolutions were passed.

One of the resolutions was to change the name of the Company from that of Altona Energy Plc to Altona Rare Earths Plc, to better reflect the change in the Company's new strategy. Shareholders should take note of the new name and that it may take some time for all the news and data platforms used by investors to make this change to their systems.

The Company is in the process of creating a new website, under a new domain name which it will launch towards the end of March.

-ends-

For further information, please visit www.altonaenergy.com or contact:

Altona Rare Earths Plc

Christian Taylor-Wilkinson, Chief Executive +44 (0) 7795 168 157

Martin Wood, Non-Executive Chairman +44 (0) 7880 787 080

Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Ltd (AQSE Corporate Adviser )

Jon Isaacs / Nick Michaels +44 (0) 20 3772 0021

Company Information

Altona is a mining exploration company focused on the evaluation, rapid development and extraction of Rare Earth Element (REE) metals in Africa.

The Company was admitted to trading on AIM on 10 March 2005 and was subsequently admitted to Aquis Stock Exchange on 1 February 2019. A copy of its Admission documents dated 4 March 2005 can be accessed on its website, www.altonaenergy.com. This website is where items can be inspected under Rule 75 of the Aquis Rules for Issuers.
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Rep. Scalise Releases Timeline of Cuomos Nursing Home Death Toll Cover-Up

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) on Thursday ramped up his criticism of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomos handling of the nursing home COVID-19 deaths, alleging Cuomo lied about the death toll and releasing a timeline of the alleged cover-up.

The facts are simple: Governor Cuomo issued an order sending thousands of contagious COVID-19 positive patients into nursing homes and then he lied about the death toll, Scalise said in a statement.

The COVID-related nursing home deaths have been a flashpoint for criticism against Cuomo, who faced public outcry over a controversial March 25, 2020, directivesubsequently reversed in May, 2020essentially prohibiting nursing home operators from refusing to accept residents even if they tested positive for COVID-19.

No resident shall be denied readmission or admission to a nursing home solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19, the order stated.

Under the order, if hospital staff determined residents were medically stable, nursing homes were prohibited from requiring that the patient be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission. Experts warned at the time that the order would lead to a surge in COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

Scalise said in the timeline that, on May 10, 2020, Cuomo quietly rescinds the March 25th directive and removes it from New Yorks public website.

Cuomos new order, issued in May, required hospitals to keep elderly COVID-19 patients until a negative test was confirmed or move them to another state-run facility that wasnt a nursing home.

Scalise, who is also a ranking member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, said that Cuomos March 25, 2020, order endangered the lives of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of nursing home patients and caused unimaginable grief for their families and loved ones.

New Yorks COVID-19 nursing home death toll numbers soared by thousands following a disclosure released on Feb. 10 that was prompted by a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) application by the Empire Center think tank.

Those revelations increased the known death toll from about 9,000 to almost 15,000making clear that the pandemics toll on long-term care residents was much worse than the Cuomo administration previously portrayed it to be, the Empire Center said in a statement.

The Republican congressmans timeline also highlights a number of occasions on which Cuomos administration ignored requests for data around COVID-19 deaths in New Yorks nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The most recent is on Feb. 19, according to Scalise, when Select Subcommittee Republicans sent a letter to Cuomo, again requesting communications and data about his lethal order, after his top aide admitted to hiding the true nursing home data from the U.S. Congress, the New York State Legislature, and possibly the Department of Justice for the purposes of avoiding accountability and prosecution.

Governor Cuomo ignored this request, Scalise wrote.

Scalises reference to a top aide admitting to hiding the true nursing home data presumably pertains to Cuomos secretary Melissa DeRosa suggesting on a recent conference call with state legislators that the Cuomo administration withheld how many nursing home residents died from COVID-19 because they feared the numbers would be used against us by prosecutors. At the time, the Justice Department was probing nursing home deaths in four states, including New York.

Another notable milestone in the timeline is July 6, 2020, when the New York State Department of Health issued what Scalise described as a sham report that was reviewed and edited by staff of Governor Cuomo absolving him of all blame and instead blaming the front-line health workers for bringing COVID-19 into nursing homes.

The report (pdf) Scalise referred to in his timeline corroborated Cuomos insistence that it was not his March 25, 2020, directive that exacerbated the spread of COVID-19 in New Yorks long-term care facilities, but rather infected nursing home staff. Cuomo has repeatedly rejected links between the since-repealed March 2020 policy and the thousands of nursing home deaths in the state.

New York Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said at a press conference following the release of the report that admission policies were not a significant factor in virus-related nursing home deaths, and called attempts to blame the fatalities on the March 2020 executive order a false narrative.

Scalises timeline concludes with a Feb. 24 entry indicating a bipartisan effort to issue subpoenas that would compel Cuomos testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding his controversial order.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Cuomos office for comment.
The list of assets of ex-owner of PrivatBank Ihor Kolomoisky outside Ukraine and Russia, confirmed by him under oath in January 2018, with an estimated value of approximately GBP 1 million or more (non-U/R asset list) ran to 18 pages, Judge Trower said on February 21, 2021 during the hearing initiated by PrivatBank over one of the assets.

According to the published decision, the asset disclosures made by Kolomoisky relating to his assets outside Ukraineand Russia initially took the form of an asset list provided early January 2018, which described 40 assets.

The updated list was prepared in six columns headed respectively: Asset Description, Trading/Non-trading, Location, Detail, Estimated Value (USD) and Encumbrance (if any).

"A significant number of these assets were Mr Kolomoisky's interests in companies located in a number of different jurisdictions. The reference to Trading/Non-trading was a relevant detail because the freezing order as varied did not prohibit dealings or disposals in the ordinary and proper course of business, nor did it require notification to Hogan Lovells [lawyers of PrivatBank] of dealings or disposals in the ordinary and proper course of business by any trading company," the judge said.

He also reminded that the list of these assets under worldwide freezing order is confidential information.

According to the judge, apart from Mr Kolomoisky's interests in the companies identified in the updated asset list, the other main types of asset were claims against third parties described variously as a debt or a chose in action.

According to the document, at various points during the course of 2018, Mr Kolomoisky produced further updates to the non-U/R asset list. The judge said that Mr Kolomoisky has directed his attention to addressing queries from the Bank regarding his asset disclosures and the use has made some 89 notifications to Hogan Lovells since the freezing order was originally granted, and has sought consent in order to proceed with certain transactions on in excess of 120 occasions.

The February trial involved investments of about $50 million by the former owner of PrivatBank in bitcoin mining involving Kolomoisky's Georgian Manganese LLC and Vartsikhe 2005 LLC, an investment placed by way of oral agreement with Mr Aleksi Kuchukhidze with a right to receive the lesser value of 50,000 Bitcoin or $1 billion in January 2021. However, according to the document, the Bitcoin mining operations only took place for 17 months. Production of Bitcoin stopped in September 2019, at which stage a total of 3,533.3 Bitcoin had been mined. After payment of expenses and reimbursement to GM of the original investment, the current balance was approximately 800 to 1,000 Bitcoin of which Mr Kolomoisky was entitled to 90% (at the current exchange rate it is about $46,400).

The bank issued an application for an order that Mr Kolomoisky attend to be cross examined before a High Court judge in relation to his assets, but Judge Trauer denied it.

During the hearings, the Bank also expressed concern that Kolomoisky did not disclose its assets or that their description contains differences, in particular with regard to receivables, trading/non-trading classification and ownership structure. In relation to all three of these categories, it may be the case that the bank will wish to formulate further focused interrogatories in relation to the terms and incidents of these debts which are justified as a necessary basis for their preservation, but that is not the focus of the application today. Judge Trower said that it could be done at some stage in the future.
MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the devasting winter storms across many communities in the U.S., Mars, Incorporated announced a donation of nearly $500,000 in cash and in-kind donations, inclusive of a $100,000 donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Grant F. Reid, CEO of Mars said: "We're grateful that our Mars Associates are safe following the recent destructive and dangerous storms. But, many of them, their families and friends have been impacted along with millions of others We're thankful for partner organizations like the American Red Cross that are bringing additional resources and relief to communities, people and pets, and we're proud to play a part in supporting that work."

Mars has more than 60,000 Associates in the U.S. and presence in 49 states. In addition to the $100,000 American Red Cross donation, Mars Wrigley, Mars Food, Mars Petcare and Royal Canin will make in-kind product donations to help people and pets. As an extension of Mars Petcare, the Pedigree Foundation is supporting impacted pets and animal welfare organizations with $25,000 in disaster relief grants. Mars Veterinary Health practices including Banfield Pet Hospital, BluePearl and VCA Animal Hospitals are providing a range of support in local communities across Texas. In addition, the Banfield Foundation and VCA Charities are donating medical supplies, funding veterinary relief teams and the transport of impacted pets.

Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley North America, said: "Our Associates, consumers and customers have been impacted by these storms and we want to do our part to provide support to the communities where we live and work. We're pleased to partner with great organizations like the American Red Cross, which are on the ground working to assist those most impacted by the storms."

American Red Cross Disaster Relief supports disasters big and small and countless other crises. Mars and the Red Cross have a long-standing relationship, including a worldwide partnership with the Mars Wrigley Foundation, which began in 1989.

"Millions of people  with the majority in Texas  have been left without power, heat and in some cases, water due to winter storms bringing extreme cold, heavy snow and ice to a broad swath of the country," said Don Herring, Chief Development Officer at the American Red Cross. "Thanks to the commitment of partners like Mars, the Red Cross is able to work around the clock with partners on the ground to make sure people have a safe and warm place to stay, ready-to-eat meals and comfort."

About Mars, Incorporated

For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.

Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including DOVE, EXTRA, M&M's, MILKY WAY, SNICKERS, TWIX, ORBIT, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, SKITTLES, BEN'S ORIGINAL, WHISKAS, COCOAVIA, and 5; and take care of half of the world's pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals, BluePearl, Linnaeus, Pet Partners, and VCA.

We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles  Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom  inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.mars.com


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The new season of Married At First Sight returned to screens on Monday with a new cast of unlucky-in-love singles.

And while the Channel Nine dating show is proving to be a ratings hit, many viewers are wondering whether the weddings are real.

It's been confirmed the singletons do actually wed someone they've never met, but the marriages are not legally binding.

Are the Married At First Sight Australia weddings for real? All details about the law surrounding the nuptials explained. Pictured Joanne Todd and James Susler

The Australian Marriage Act requires couples to notify the court one month and one day ahead of tying the knot.

However couples meet each other just moments before saying 'I do' and take part in a commitment ceremony, where they promise to try and make the marriage work.

At the end of the experiment, the contestants decide whether they want to continue their relationship or call it quits.

Not legal: It can be confirmed the singletons do actually wed someone they've never met, but the marriages are not legally binding. Pictured Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson

Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant are the only pair to have made things official after meeting and falling in love on the 2019 season of the show.

The couple tied the knot in a televised wedding back in November 2019,months after filming ended.

Jules and Cam also welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Oliver, in October 2020.

Process: The Australian Marriage Act requires couples to notify the court one month and one day ahead of tying the knot. However couples meet each other just moments before saying 'I do' and take part in a commitment ceremony, where they promise to try and make the marriage work

While marriages on MAFS Australia aren't real, the weddings on the UK version of the show are legal.

According to Heart, the couples each sign a marriage licence immediately after the ceremony.

However precautions are taken and the contestants are required to sign a prenuptial agreement.

In brief: The promised major overhaul of Anthem has been officially cancelled a year later by BioWare. We may never know exactly why EA decided to pull the plug, but this will free up the developer team to work on the next Mass Effect and Dragon Age titles.

We had already heard that EA would soon decide the future of its overhyped and not-so-successful third-person shooter/RPG. Many Anthem fans held hopes of a No Man's Sky-style overhaul, but while that was previously the plan, it looks like it just wasn't meant to be.

When Anthem arrived two years ago, it was riddled with technical issues and didn't manage to live up to the hype EA had created around it. Still, some players gave it a chance, hoping that all of the issues would gradually be solved through continuous patches and content updates. For once, it wasn't EA's fault that development on a game it published went so wrong. While BioWare acknowledged the problem, its subsequent promise that it would magically solve everything by going back to the drawing board turned out to be all smoke and mirrors.

The studio has now officially stopped development on Anthem Next, which will undoubtedly leave some fans more than unsatisfied. Executive producer Christian Dailey explained that 2020 was a hard year and working from home has had an impact on the productivity of the team. This made it unfeasible for the undersized team of 30 developers to work on a complete remaster of Anthem while also maintaining the current game.

BioWare will keep Anthem servers alive for the foreseeable future, even if it means players will have to accept it as-is, warts and all. Dailey says that moving forward, the studio will be "laser-focused" on delivering the next Dragon Age and Mass Effect titles -- including the remastered Legendary Edition -- as well as pushing "quality updates" for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Overall, it looks like BioWare is yet again scrapping development on a game that it failed to launch in good shape, which is becoming a worrying trend. Let's hope the studio can redeem itself with its next release.
KATY, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / Neutra Corp. (OTC PINK:NTRR) ("Neutra" or "the Company") is considering a move into the medical and recreational cannabis arena as states relax their prohibitions against the substance. Neutra notes that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy this week signed a bill that legalizes recreational cannabis use for adults, completing a three-year legislative journey. Fifteen states have now fully legalized cannabis use, opening a large potential market for CBD companies like Neutra and its subsidiary VIVIS.

"This is a natural, logical step for our company as we continue to grow," said Neutra CEO Sydney Jim. "Just eight states of 50 now don't allow for any use, even medicinal, so attitudes towards cannabis have dramatically changed. There's tremendous market potential, and more people will want to try cannabis-based CBD products once legal barriers and penalties have been removed. It's definitely worth exploring."

All of Neutra's executive management team and most of its operational staff have extensive backgrounds in multiple medicinal cannabis verticals. This experience includes cultivation and production, corporate structure, accounting, distribution, and more.

As of February 2021, several large, populous states have fully legalized cannabis for both recreational and medicinal use, and decriminalized its possession and sale. These include the aforementioned New Jersey plus California, Washington and Illinois. New York and Ohio permit medicinal marijuana and have decriminalized possession, but do not allow recreational use. Others, such as Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania allow for some sort of medicinal use (such as CBD oils, in Texas' case), but ban recreational cannabis and have not decriminalized it.

Industry watchers expect New York, Virginia and New Mexico to be among the next states to legalize all cannabis use.

About Neutra Corp.

Neutra Corp. (OTC PINK:NTRR) is an early-stage research and development company with a focus on bringing modern healthy living solutions to a multibillion-dollar market. Cutting-edge technologies within the nutraceuticals, food and drug, and environmental purification sectors are creating a new kind of world culture-one where in which consumers are demanding access to products that promote health and stave off potential health dangers. One of the nutraceutical sub-markets is the new thriving hemp-based CBD market, in which the Company intends to participate. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.NeutraInc.com.

NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information 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, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Neutra Contact:

Sydney Jim

888-433-4033

info@neutrainc.com

SOURCE: Neutra Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632351/NeutraLooking-Into-Medical-and-Recreational-Cannabis-Market-as-Legislative-Outlook-Improves
The National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine says that a cyberattack on the System of Electronic Interaction of Executive Bodies may be linked to the hacker spy group Gamaredon (Russia).

According to the National Security and Defense Council, the cyberattack using document management systems was carried out through the electronic document management system ASKOD. The attack involved 14 domains of the .ru segment and the IP address "188.225.37.128".

"The cyberattack can be linked to one of the hacker spy groups from the Russian Federation, Pterodo/Gamaredon," the National Security and Defense Council said in a statement. The NCCC of the National Security and Defense Council recommends blocking the firewall if possible and monitoring the following IP address ranges that are commonly used by this group: "176.53.162.0 - 176.53.163.255", "188.225.24.0 - 188.225.27.255", "188.225.44.0 - 188.225.47.255", "188.225.78.0 - 188.225.78.255", "188.225.79.0 - 188.225.79.255", "2.59.40.0 - 2.59.41.255", "2.59.42.0 - 2.59.43.255", "92.53.124.0 - 92.53.125.255", "185.231.153.0 - 185.231.153.255", "5.252.192.0 - 5.252.195.255", "141.8.195.0 - 141.8.195.255", "91.210.170.0 - 91.210.170.255", "5.23.52.0 - 5.23.52.255".

Earlier, the National Cyber Coordination Centre under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine recorded attempts to distribute harmful documents through the System of electronic interaction of executive authorities. The purpose of the attack was the mass contamination of information resources of government agencies, because this system provides the flow of documents in most government agencies.
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The driver who knocked a police officer into a canal in Lagos State has been charged with attempted murder and remanded in prison.

Sunday Okodo, 38, was arraigned before a mobile court in Oshodi on Thursday on a six-count charge, including driving against traffic and attempted murder.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Okodo knocked a police officer, David Zapania, into a canal along International Airport Road in Lagos while trying to evade arrest by law enforcement agents for driving against traffic.

The incident, which happened on Wednesday has attracted attention beyond Lagos. The policeman was rescued and rushed to a hospital where he was treated.

Giving an update on the incident, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson said the charges pressed against the suspect are:

1. Driving against traffic ( one way)

2. Resisting arrest

3. Reckless and dangerous driving

4.Driving with invalid drivers license

5. Assaulting a police officer

6. Attempted murder

Mr Adejobi said the suspect was remanded at the Badagary Correctional Centre, with no option of bail, till March 26.

The police spokesperson said charges will also be pressed against the erring driver in another court.

Similarly, in a statement, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), said the driver has been remanded with no bail condition attached.

The agency said the police officer knocked into a canal is attached to the LASTMA Headquarters Enforcement Unit.

The suspect has been arraigned and slammed with a six-count charge that includes: driving against traffic (one way), resisting arrest, reckless and dangerous driving, driving without a valid drivers licence, assaulting a police officer and attempted murder, Olajide Oduyoye, the General Manager of LASTMA, said.

He added that the suspect was not allowed to take plea on the attempted murder charge because the court has no jurisdiction on this. He would, therefore, be charged separately at the high court at a later date.
Armenia's prime minister accused top military officers of attempting a coup after they demanded he step down.

It added fuel to months of protests calling for Nikol Pashinyan's resignation following the countrys defeat the conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Mr Pashinyan has faced opposition calls to step down ever since he signed a peace deal that November 10 saw Azerbaijan reclaim control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas that had been held by Armenian forces for more than 25 years.

Opposition protests gathered pace this week and the feud with his top military commanders has weakened Mr Pashinyans position, raising concerns about stability in the strategic South Caucasus region, where shipments of Azerbaijans Caspian crude oil pass through on their way to western markets.

The immediate trigger for the latest tensions was Mr Pashinyans decision earlier this week to oust the first deputy chief of the militarys General Staff that includes the armed forces top officers.

Read More

In response, the General Staff called for the prime minister's resignation, but he reinforced his actions by ordering that the chief of the General Staff be dismissed.

After denouncing the militarys statement as a coup attempt, Mr Pashinyan led his supporters at a rally in the capital.

I became the prime minister not on my own will, but because people decided so, he shouted to the crowd of more than 20,000 people in Republic Square. Let people demand my resignation or shoot me in the square.

He warned the latest developments have led to an explosive situation, which is fraught with unpredictable consequences.

In nearby Freedom Square, more than 20,000 opposition supporters held a parallel rally, and some vowed to stay until Mr Pashinyan stepped down. Demonstrators paralysed traffic across Yerevan, chanting Nikol, you traitor! and Nikol, resign!

There were scuffles in the streets between the sides, but the rival demonstrations later in the day went on in different parts of the capital.

The crisis has its roots in Armenias humiliating defeat in heavy fighting with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh that erupted in late September and lasted 44 days. An agreement ended the conflict in which the Azerbaijani army routed Armenian forces  but only after more than 6,000 people died on both sides.
AMG

SUV

PHEV

Things have started to stabilize again, but the British automaker wont survive too long if Stroll doesnt do a hell of a good job as executive chairman. His main helper is Tobias Moers, the man who headed Mercedes-from October 2013 and August 2020. Both men know that Aston Martin needs to sell more vehicles to stay afloat, which is why the DBX will soon be available in two new derivatives, according to Autocar Speaking to the cited publication, Moers confirmed them for the 3rd quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2022. He didnt go into detail, but we already know that Aston Martin is considering a coupe-option and a seven-seat layout for the interior. This information comes courtesy of industrial designer Marek Reichman , the automakers chief creative officer.The big news, however, is that a plug-in hybrid with a reasonable electric range is in the works. The DBXwill arrive by 2024 according to the cited publication, most likely in the first half of 2023 as a 2024 model.Still, one has to ask himself what kind of powertrain the ultra-luxury sport utility vehicle will use. Considering that Aston Martin Lagonda relies on Mercedes-AMG for V8 powerplants, I guess the answer is pretty obvious.The S-Class 580 e doesnt fit the bill because it features a six-cylinder engine. If you ask me, the V8-centric system in the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 73 e will be used for the most fuel-efficient DBX of them all. This bad boy offers up to 816 PS (805 horsepower), which is more than adequate for elevating the otherwise dull DBX to the super-SUV realm.
Coronavirus could become a "disease of poverty" like tuberculosis and rickets if more is not done to support people on low incomes take time off work to self-isolate, a group of influential scientists have warned.

The latest report by Independent Sage admonishes health secretary Matt Hancock for suggesting that it "was a personal responsibility to behave in the right way" to avoid the disease.

This approach, they suggest, implies "that disease outcomes are due to individual choices rather than known structural factors, such as access to healthy food, housing and built environments that increase exposure and vulnerability to disease".

The government has so far resisted calls to provide significant support to people who need to self-isolated. The UK has one of the lowest rates of sick pay in Europe and existing extra measures to help people stay at home are only accessible to a small proportion of those asked to do so.

Professor Deenan Pillay of University College London, who sits on Independent SAGE said: With regard to this moving towards becoming a disease of poverty, previous examples such as TB which depend on factors including overcrowding and poor nutrition provide models for what COVID could like in future unless issues associated with deprivation are comprehensively addressed.

The groups report criticises the fact that there was no mention of inequality in the governments Covid-10 response Spring 2021 plan.

It suggests the state should provide adequare financial, practical, and if required, extra accomodation to support self-isolation.

On top of this, the report recommends stepping up workplace protection, investing in vaccine uptake in deprived areas, and increased long-term investment in local public health teams in deprived areas.

Unless active measures are taken, the current association between areas with higher deprivation and proportions of ethnic minority groups and higher rates of, and harm from, COVID will become more pronounced as variation in vaccination uptake rates increases with decreasing age of vaccine recipients, the report says.

Another member of Independent Sage, Doctor Zubaida Haque said: At every turn the governments strategy, or lack thereof, throughout this pandemic has failed to protect the most disadvantaged in society and sadly this Roadmap will only exacerbate the problem.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters UK news in pictures 19 April 2021 Women enjoy sunny weather in Greenwich, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain, Reuters UK news in pictures 18 April 2021 Stephen Maguire (right) of Scotland interacts with Jamie Jones of Wales during day 2 of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield PA UK news in pictures 17 April 2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburghs coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard arrives by Landrover Defender at St Georges Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Getty Images UK news in pictures 16 April 2021 Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, checks the teeth of "Dentosaurus" during a visit to the Thornliebank Dental Care centre in Glasgow, as she campaigns ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 April 2021 Myanmar's former ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn, outside his residence in north west London. The ambassador has been barred from entering the Myanmar embassy in Mayfair after he was removed from office PA UK news in pictures 14 April 2021 People take part in coronavirus surge testing on Clapham Common, south London. Thousands of residents have queued up to take coronavirus tests at additional facilities set up after new cases of the South African variant were found in two south London boroughs. 44 confirmed cases of the variant have been found in Lambeth and Wandsworth, with a further 30 probable cases identified PA UK news in pictures 13 April 2021 The core of the Milky Way becomes visible in the early hours of Tuesday morning as it moves over Bamburgh Lighthouse at stag Rock in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 12 April 2021 Rebecca Richardson (left) and Genevieve Florence, members of the Aquabatix synchronised swimming team, during a practice session in the swimming pool at Clissold Leisure Centre in north London, which has reopened to the public. Many facilities have reopened in the latest easing of lockdown include pubs and restaurants who can serve outside, non-essential shops, indoor gyms and swimming pools, nail salons and hairdressers, outdoor amusements and zoos PA UK news in pictures 11 April 2021 A pub staff pins up a sign announcing the reopening of the Fox on the Hill pub on Denmark Hill in London EPA UK news in pictures 10 April 2021 The Death Gun Salute is fired by the Honourable Artillery Company to mark the passing of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the The Tower of London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 9 April 2021 A man arrives to lay a bunch of flowers outside Buckingham Palace in central London after the announcement of the death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. - Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip, who recently spent more than a month in hospital and underwent a heart procedure, died on April 9, Buckingham Palace announced. He was 99. AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 8 April 2021 Cousin Pascal ridden by James King clears the chair on their way to winning the 4:05 Pool via REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 April 2021 Deliveroo riders from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain outside Deliveroo headquarters in London, as they go on strike in a dispute for fair pay, safety protections and basic workers rights PA

"While we welcome a phased approach out of restrictions, we are disappointed with the wholly inadequate funding for supported self-isolation.

"The absence of mitigation measures to ensure Covid-safe environments in work, schools and public places and insufficient extra resources for the most deprived areas will of course, continue Covids journey towards being a disease of poverty. We need a virus-suppression strategy which brings cases down and keeps them down. But we also need a strategy which leaves no one behind.
Dr. Duffys significant research experience in the field of VOCs brings valuable scientific knowledge to the team. She will be an essential asset to our science team. said Dr. John McKeon, CEO.

Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) announced today the appointment of Dr. Emer Duffy as Science Lead.

As Science Lead Dr. Duffy will be responsible for leading ASLs science team. She will coordinate the companys research activities, update and develop the certification standards and oversee ASLs scientific testing and consultancy work.

Dr. Duffy has significant scientific expertise. She holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Tasmania, Australia. She also holds a BSc (Hons) in analytical science from Dublin City University, and a BS in chemistry from the University of Kansas, USA.

Prior to joining ASL, Emer worked at Dublin City University where she led a successful Horizon 2020 research project that developed sensors for measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. She also developed non-invasive approaches to study VOCs in human skin and was a frequent invited speaker on the topic at educational workshops and conferences, including the Gordon Research Conference on Skin Barrier Function.

Emer has won several prestigious awards and fellowships during her career, including a Marie Skodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship and the Irish Research Council Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Award. She currently serves on the management committee of the COST Action Indoor Air Pollution Network.

Emers depth of knowledge and extensive research on indoor air and VOCs means that she is ideal addition to ASL who are industry leaders in this field. Her appointment comes at a time when it has become apparent that good indoor air quality is paramount to health and wellbeing.

Dr. Duffys significant research experience in the field of VOCs brings valuable scientific knowledge to the team. She will be an essential asset to our science team. said Dr. John McKeon, CEO. I am delighted to welcome her to the team and I am looking forward to working with her. Her appointment comes at a time when good indoor air quality hot topic.

Dr. Duffy said "I am delighted to be joining such an innovative company as ASL, particularly at this exciting time in the companys journey. Im looking forward to working with the team to build on their success and to drive growth in the scientific area for ASL."

About Allergy Standards

Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) mantra is design thinking and an innovation for healthier indoor air for the allergy aware consumer. As an independent, international certification company, it creates meaningful scientific standards for testing a wide range of products and services to determine their impact on improving indoor air quality. ASLs intellectual property portfolio includes unique testing protocols and suitability specifications for products to be CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly. ASLs mission is to improve lives by empowering people create the healthiest possible indoor environment through science, education and innovation. Our vision is a world where all ER visits caused by exposure to avoidable indoor allergens are eliminated.

http://www.allergystandards.com/


remaining of

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Like many of her co-workers at a Livonia nursing home, Sonya Glass was hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine in January.

I was a little bit on the fence about it, she said. But then I sat and had a real long debate with myself.

I thought, well, the first line of defense has to start with me. I have two small children at home. I dont want to risk potentially bringing (the virus) home to them. So I stepped up and decided to go ahead and get vaccinated.

It turned out that Glass was in the minority among her colleagues, most of whom opted out of the facilitys initial vaccination clinic, she said.

That vaccine hesitancy isnt unique to Glasss workplace. Across Michigan and the rest of the country, nursing-home workers have been among the first to be offered the vaccine -- and among the quickest to turn it down.

In the first round of vaccination clinics held at Michigan skilled nursing facilities in December and January, only 43% of staff and residents eligible for shots actually agreed to be immunized, not quite 39,000 of the 90,000 staff and residents who were eligible.

Participation rates seem to be improving. After a second round of vaccination clinics at those sites, another 9,600 were immunized, increasing the participation rate to 54%.

Still, vaccine hesitancy -- primarily among staff -- remains a huge challenge, one that has considerably slowed the rollout of a federal vaccination program for long-term care facilities, which have been especially vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. Deaths linked to those facilities account for 36% of Michigans COVID-19 deaths.

In Michigan, the long-term care vaccination program targets more than 400,000 residents and staff at 4,400 skilled nursing centers, assisted living facilities and adult foster homes. Walgreens, CVS and Managed Health Care Associates have been assigned facilities and are contracted to hold three vaccination clinics at each.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reserved 499,200 vaccine doses for the program, 20% of the states allotment to date. Yet as of Sunday, Feb. 21, only 220,000 doses -- or 44% of the available supply -- have been administered. Considering that some participants have already gotten their second shot, that means more than half of those eligible for the program have declined to be immunized.

Neither MDHHS nor the Health Care Association of Michigan, the organization that represents nursing-home operators, have a breakdown of vaccination rates of employees compared to residents. But anecdotal reports indicate nursing-home residents have been much more open to vaccination than workers, said Melissa Samuel, who heads the HCAM.

I dont have specific numbers, but residents are taking it at a much higher rate -- not surprising, since their age makes them much more vulnerable to the virus, Samuel said.

Andrea Acevedo, president of SEIU Healthcare Michigan, the union with the largest representation of workers at long-term care facilities, said her organization is well aware of hesitancy among their members and is working hard to address it.

Were worried that residents are getting vaccinated at a high percentage but not staff, Acevedo said. If workers dont volunteer to be vaccinated, who is going to take care of these residents when the workers continue to fall ill with COVID-19? Thats our huge concern.

She also worries that low vaccination rates could push nursing-home operators to require the vaccine for staff.

You dont want to be in a situation where you potentially make a vaccine mandatory, she said. Then youll have folks who just quit. So you want a win-win situation, where workers feel comfortable enough that they want to be vaccinated voluntarily.

But Acevedo also understands why nursing-home staffers are hesitant.

These are workers whove seen the brunt of the pandemic, she said. They seen a lot of death, and some actually have become ill with COVID. So its a scary place for workers to be right now, and the anxiety regarding this vaccine is very much in the forefront.

Acevedo said that many nursing-home workers worry that employers pushing the vaccine dont have workers best interests in mind, and many also worry that the medical establishment may be using them as guinea pigs.

Im sorry, but in a lot of ways, workers have not felt supported by their employers from the beginning of the pandemic, when personal protective equipment and tests were in short supply, Acevedo said. So there was a breakdown in trust right there.

To counteract that skepticism, Acevedo said, the union has been actively reaching out to members through social media and other means to address their concerns and get their questions answered.

Its really about education, Acevedo said. Its the key because you have to debunk what the social media scares are, and really get down to the science of this vaccine and how it does protect workers on the frontline of this pandemic.

Misinformation and misconceptions about the vaccine have made many people wary, Glass said.

Most peoples hesitance is that (the vaccine) was developed so quick, she said. Everybodys been like, oh, it seems too soon to know whether the vaccine is really safe.

A lot of people are skeptical because they hear different things, Glass added. Theyre under the impression that theyre actually giving up the coronavirus and so they back off, because theyre like, Oh, no. I dont want them to give me COVID. If I havent contracted it by now, for sure I dont want them giving it to me. "

Perhaps the most powerful message comes from the power of example, Acevedo and Glass said. As workers see colleagues get vaccinated without problems and see how it can lift the fear of contracting COVID-19, they become more willing to participate. Acevedo posted a video online of herself getting vaccinated and has urged others to offer testimonials on social media.

Talking to people who have gotten vaccinated helps, Glass said, adding that shes had a number of co-workers ask her about her experience with the vaccine, and some workers who declined vaccines during the initial clinic held at her facility signed up for the second clinic four weeks later.

But Acevedo worries that by the time many nursing-home staff warm to the idea of vaccinations, the vaccination clinics at long-term care facilities will be done.

We need to look at the long term because there really isnt a mechanism to vaccinate workers who want to get vaccinated later this spring or summer, she said. Theres not a plan for that. If in August, 50% of workers say, OK, Im ready, we have to have a plan in place.

The vaccination rates among her members are not where I would like it to be, Acevedo said. So thats why Im really advocating and trying to create a plan and be on the forefront of how we create successful going forward.

I really feel by the summertime, more workers are going to feel more comfort enough to be vaccinated, and we need to make sure its accessible.

Read more on MLive:

Grocery store workers were once front line heroes, now they cant get a vaccine

For Michigans older population, navigating vaccination options is complicated

Dont fall for this this COVID-19 vaccine phone scam making the rounds in Michigan

Unchecked national security wont stop Americas long-standing domestic terrorism threat
The Petitioner in the 2020 election Petition trial says a run-off is required since no candidate in the December 7 polls obtained 50 percent valid votes cast.



The case of the Petitioner is simply that, in addition to fundamental constitutional infractions committed by the Electoral Commission chairperson, who was the returning officer of the Presidential Election, the figures announced in the declaration she herself made on December 9, 2020, no candidate got more than 50 percent of the valid votes cast and, as a constitutional consequence, a run-off election would be required.



These were contained in former President John Dramani Mahama, the petitioners closing address filed by his lawyers at the Supreme Court.



Mr Mahama argued that the evidence from the terms of the declaration and the consideration that the EC Chairperson said were the basis of the declaration she was making, led to the conclusion that Nana could only be credited with 49.625 percent of the votes at the time.



Mr Mahama said The fact that Petitioner is not indicating in this Petition what he or the other candidates should have obtained compared to numbers declared by the EC, cannot lead to a conclusion that the declaration by the EC Boss is constitutional.



According to Mr Mahama his own figures are not relevant to determining whether that claim is well-founded or not.



Mr Mahama invited the court to take judicial notice of the fact that, ahead of the December 7, 2020 elections, political parties were urged not to seek to announce results based on figures they had collated but to wait the official declaration of the EC Boss as the returning officer for the Presidential Election.



He explained that the EC under provisions of Articles 43-54, 56 (7), 63 and 65 of the Constitution and CI 127 is charged with the conduct of the Elections.



Mr Mahama said the starkly untenable nature of the claim that the petitioner should have put towards his own figures is put in sharp relief when it is recalled that, by virtue of Article 64 (1) of the Constitution, any citizen of Ghana can present a petition challenging the validity of the election of the president.



A citizen, in bringing such a challenge, would not be required to indicate the exact number of votes that candidates ought to have obtained. Being a candidate does not change qualification for bringing such a Petition and cannot require more than any other citizen.



He recalled that No one is asking Nana Addo either to bring his figures or the number of votes he and other candidates got, nor has Nana put forward his figures in this petition as that would have no relevance in the court before the court.



Accordingly, the Petitioner discharged the burden of proof that was on him.



The Petitioner avers that the unsigned press statement was not only correcting the alleged wrong total valid votes cast figures announced by Mrs Jean Mensa in her declaration on December 9, 2020.



It also went on, explicably, to adjust the votes obtained by candidates Mahama and Akuffo-Addo as declared for them on December 9, 2020. Votes of other candidates were also adjusted.



All this, the Petitioner said was done outside the framework provided by CI 127 and particularly, without the involvement of the agents of the candidates, contrary to the requirement of Articles 49 (2) and (3) of the Constitution and Regulation 44 (10) of CI127.



Paragraph 29-30 of the amended Petition are very clear on how the Press Release issued on December 10, 2020 compounds the lack of transparency, fairness and candour of the 1st Respondent (EC) in the ever-changing figures, the Petitioner said.



The Petitioner said the figure in the purported correction as to the total valid votes cast was itself repudiated by first Respondent (EC) by the time the answer to the Petition was filed on January 9, 2021.



It defied logic that the 1st respondent (EC) issued a correction on 10th December 2020 to a figure which is now claimed to have been the actual figure purported on Form 13 on December 9, 2020.



Mr Mahama said in the midst of changing figures of total valid votes cast as well as votes of individual candidates, it simply cannot be said that the overall results on Form 13 were not affected, especially when the figures claimed to have been form 13 are different from figures in the correction on December 10 2020.



He contended that there were discrepancies in figures provided for candidates of other parties and the material increase of Akuffo-Addo whiles at the same time materially reducing the votes of the Petitioner clearly requires explanation.



Mr Mahama said fundamentally, there was no evidence from the EC on the basis of which any of its contradictory claims could be accepted as the truth.



Petitioner held that attempt to effect a correction by an unsigned press release is wholly untenable.



According to the Petitioner the testimony of the three witnesses for the Petitioner showed clearly not only the breach of the duty to be fair and candid under Article 23 of the Constitution but also the lack of due process in terms Article 296 of the Constitution.



Petitioner submitted that when matters of breaches of the Constitution or of Statute arose before a court there was urgency about addressing those breaches.



Mr Mahama said the conduct of the EC Chairperson in sending the agents of a major candidate who should have been present in the resolution of the outstanding issues leading to the declaration and immediately going ahead to make the declaration without even the required steps under the Regulation 44(10) were self-evidently unreasonable.

Source: GNA









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NHLANGANO  Some Lavumisa shops were yesterday fined for selling expired goods to members of the public.

This was a discovery made by officers from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, jointly with the police and Shiselweni Regional Secretary Zwakele Dlamini during a raid of non-complying shops in the town.

It was noted that shops were getting lax in complying with the COVID-19 regulations in the Shiselweni Region and 23 were arrested for breaching the regulations along with those who were selling expired goods.

The compliance team was on the ground arresting non-complying members of the public, together with shop owners as they raided Lavumisa town.

non-compliance

It was noted that most of the non-compliance came from the shops, firms and salons.

It was stated that the firms were, last week, warned against non-compliance and yesterday, some were eventually arrested.

The shops that were found to have been selling expired foods were over 15 while others were arrested for non-compliance.

The goods are estimated to be over E20 000 combined.

Most of excuses given by the shop owners were that they were not aware that the food items had expired.

One of them stated that this was due to slow business and it would skip their mind to check if the goods could still be sold.

It was further established that in Nhlangano on Wednesday, about 52 people were arrested for not wearing masks in a days operation.

The people included those in the public transport sector and in private vehicles who were more than one inside the vehicle.

Worth mentioning is that even those who had not covered their noses were considered as not wearing a mask.

When sought for comment, Dlamini confirmed the figures. He stated that they were worried about the fact that people had been buying expired goods.

confiscated

We confiscated the food items and charged the shop owners, he said.

Dlamini emphasised that the people were fully aware of what they were expected to do except that they chose to do it only when they saw the police.

He stated that they would continuously arrests all non-complying citizens.
New Delhi:

A probe has been instigated by Datenwada authorities into a recent incident in which Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers allegedly molested girls studying at a state-run residential school during a cultural programme held ahead of Raksha Bandhan in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada district.

Dantewada Collector Saurabh Kumar told the media, On August 1, three girls complained to the hostel warden that they were searched by CRPF jawans in the pretext of frisking. We have initiated a probe and an FIR under Protection of Children and Sexual Offences (POSCO) has been lodged at Kuakonda police station."

According to police the incident allegedly took place on July 31 during a Raksha Bandhan programme organised by the CRPF troopers at a residential school at Palnar village under Kuakonda Police station jurisdiction.

The Dantewada collector informed the media that he along with the district superintendent of police and CRPF deputy inspector general spoke to the victims and other girls in presence of a woman officer and the school warden.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh: Police arrest Maoist commander carrying cash reward of Rs 1 lakh

The girls told us that they were physically searched by a CRPF jawan when they were returning from toilet, added Kumar.

He further added that a five-member team has been formed to probe the allegations.

The five-member probing committee includes Dantewada zila panchayat chief executive officer, Dantewada additional superintendent of police, sub-divisional magistrate, district education officer and a tehsildar.

The district collector also told the media that they are in regular contact with CRPF officials.

CRPF is also investigating the matter at its level, added Kumar.

Also Read: Naxals allegedly vandalise 1000-year-old idol of Lord Ganesha in Chhattisgarh

However, local activists have accused the administration of trying to cover up the issue.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Soni Sori told the PTI that she was not allowed to talk to the girls inside the hostel campus.

Girls who study in the school and stay in the nearby village told me that some security personnel followed the girls to the toilet, where they molested them, said Sori.

CRPF is deployed in the Chhattisgarh to tackle Left-wing extremism. Dantewada is part of the CPI-Maoist red corridor. The district has witnessed the worst of the attacks against the joint security forces engaged in anti-insurgency operation.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
RSA is set to be split into two parts after the takeover (Victoria Jones/PA)

RSA Insurance saw its profit contract in its final full year before the UK giant is split up by its new owners.

The business said that pre-tax profit had dropped by 2% to 483 million, due to costs associated with Covid  restructuring among other things.

In what is likely to be its last set of full year results, RSA recorded a 3% fall to 6.2 billion in net written premiums  the money that the company gets for selling insurance.

Underlying profit before tax rose 15% to 718 million, it added.

Underwriting profits are sharply up to new record levels and return on tangible equity has risen above our target range Chief executive Stephen Hester

Chief executive Stephen Hester said: We are pleased to report excellent results for RSA in 2020. Underwriting profits are sharply up to new record levels and return on tangible equity has risen above our target range.

He added: The Group paid out some 4.6bn in normal claims whilst also providing for over 250m in Covid-19-specific claims, together with offering a range of other customer support measures.

But shares remained unmoved, with the prospect of an already-approved takeover deal hanging above the company.

Last month investors voted in favour of the 7.2 billion bid from Intact, a Canadian insurance firm, and Denmarks Tryg.

The two bidders have agreed to split up RSAs business between them, separating the Scandinavian part of the firm from the UK and Canada wing.

For some investors RSAs results are going to feel like a formality. The takeover bid has been approved by shareholders, the board is enthusiastic and the deal looks set to complete soon, said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst William Ryder.

However, wed encourage investors not to count their chickens before theyve hatched  the deal could still hit a snag and fail to go through. So its still important to keep an eye on RSAs business performance.

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A photographer has travelled the world capturing families alongside their beloved animals in a stunning album that includes alpacas posing alongside pigs, cats and dogs sitting on laps, and chickens perched on tractors.

Tasha Hall, from British Columbia, calls them her 'Farmily portraits' in which she assembles parents and children, along with all the animals on the homestead for photos set against stunning backdrops, including mountain ranges, lakes and snowy forests.

She first got the idea in Christmas 2014, when she decided she wanted to take a special picture which would feature all of the family - not just the people.

Since then Hall has travelled all over the US and even journeyed to Africa to take photos of families and their farms, including every animal 'from the largest horse, to the smallest guinea pig.'

A 'Farmily portrait' taken by Canadian photographer Tasha Hall featuring alpacas, pigs, a horse, chickens, cats and dogs on a homestead in the United States. She took her first 'farmily' photo in 2014, when she wanted a special Christmas picture with her family, and since then her concept has grown into a business

A mother and father with their two boys, and a menagerie of farm animals including dogs, cats, cows, geese and chickens at Wild Woods Farm

Four children sit on a bale of high surrounded by the family alpacas, goats, sheep, dogs, a horse, a few cats and a dog. Hall said: 'I started creating these images because I wanted to create a full farm portrait of our own farm. To me, all of our animals are also our family, and having a portrait of all of us together was something I really wanted to create.

A stunning image of Hall and her family shows their animals gathered around a digger as a goose flies across the snow-filled British Columbia woodland. Hall has travelled all over the US and even journeyed to Africa to take photos of families and their farms, including every animal 'from the largest horse, to the smallest guinea pig.'

A family gathered by a lake with dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and with a boat full of children in the background

A couple gathered with their two horses, five dogs, four baby goats, two ducks and two chickens in front of a stunning mountain range

A red-painted barn with a little boy and his dalmatian posing with horses, donkeys, goats, two cats and a peackock perched on a fence

Photographer Tasha Hall has travelled all over the US and even visited Africa to photograph 'farmily portraits'

Hall said: 'I started creating these images because I wanted to create a full farm portrait of our own farm. To me, all of our animals are also our family, and having a portrait of all of us together was something I really wanted to create.

'After I had figured out how to make it happen, and shared it online, people started messaging me to see if I could create something like that for their farm too. I started practicing on other farms, and slowly my business was born.

'The images themselves take some time to create. We spend most of a full day at a farm, spending time with our clients and their animals.

'The "set" is created, and then we start photographing the animals. Sometimes we do one animal at a time, sometimes more, depending on how well behaved they are.

A couple sit on a digger beside their horses, dogs, cats and two geese who are seen squawking at each other in foreground on either side of the image

Children sitting on a tractor surrounded by pigs, sheep, chickens, goats and even a peackock

Tasha Hall's animals gathered around and inside a stable at her farm in British Columbia, Canada

Hall said: 'The images themselves take some time to create. We spend most of a full day at a farm, spending time with our clients and their animals. The "set" is created, and then we start photographing the animals. Sometimes we do one animal at a time, sometimes more, depending on how well behaved they are.'

We take our time and work on getting the very best portrait of each animal. Once I get home, the real magic begins as I put it all together to create one final portrait.

'You always see family portraits on the walls of people's homes, but for me, the family doesn't stop with the people.

'What about all of our furred and feathered "Farmily" members? They are just as much a part of the family as any human component, so I decided to change the way people look at family portraits! I travel the country photographing full "Farmily" portraits. We include everybody from the largest horse, to the smallest guinea pig, mouse, or snake.

'The last four years have seen us travelling all over the place, visiting farms, and meeting some of the most wonderful people and animals! Most of our work has been in BC and Alberta so far, but we have also been to Tanzania, Africa, and created two wonderful "Farmily" images there as well. We are starting to book farm tours in the USA and other parts of the world as well, so the sky's the limit!'

A couple sitting under a stable surrounded by horses, dogs, cats and lots of chickens

A host of farm animals in photography by Hall. She said: 'The last four years have seen us travelling all over the place, visiting farms, and meeting some of the most wonderful people and animals! Most of our work has been in BC and Alberta so far, but we have also been to Tanzania, Africa, and created two wonderful "Farmily" images there as well. We are starting to book farm tours in the USA and other parts of the world as well, so the sky's the limit!'
Titular del @MINCETUR: Hemos visto que existe una leve desaceleracion en el numero de contagios y en la cifra de fallecidos, lo cual guarda relacion con las medidas adoptadas las semanas anteriores. La idea es no perder el terreno ganado y, para esto, debemos seguir cuidandonos. pic.twitter.com/OYPkoV9mQB
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security in the region amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion in the Gulf of Oman forced the vessel to head to the nearest port.

The incident recalled the summer of 2019, when the same site saw a series of suspected attacks that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran, which Tehran denied. Meanwhile, as President Joe Biden tries to revive nuclear negotiations with Iran, he ordered overnight airstrikes on facilities in Syria belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group.

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Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, identified the stricken vessel as the MV Helios Ray, a Bahamian-flagged roll-on, roll-off vehicle cargo ship. Another private security official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, similarly identified the ship as the Helios Ray.

Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 0600 GMT Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz. It was coming from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker.

Israels Channel 13, in an unsourced report, said the assessment in Israel is that Iran was behind the blast. Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Iranian government did not comment on the blast Friday.

The blast comes as Tehran increasingly breaches its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers to create leverage over Washington. Iran is seeking to pressure Biden to grant the sanctions relief it received under the deal that former President Donald Trump abandoned nearly three years ago.

Iran also has blamed Israel for a recent series of attacks, including a mysterious explosion last summer that destroyed an advanced centrifuge assembly plant at its Natanz nuclear facility and the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a top Iranian scientist who founded the Islamic Republics military nuclear program two decades ago.

Capt. Ranjith Raja of the data firm Refinitiv told the AP that the Israeli-owned vessel had left the Persian Gulf Thursday bound for Singapore. On Friday at 0230 GMT, the vessel stopped for at least nine hours east of a main Omani port before making a 360-degree turn and sailing toward Dubai, likely for damage assessment and repairs, he said.

The vessel came loaded with cargo from Europe. It discharged vehicles at several ports in the region, Raja added, including in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with its last port of call at Dammam.

While details of the explosion remained unclear, two American defense officials told the AP that the ship had sustained two holes on its port side and two holes on its starboard side just above the waterline in the blast. The officials said it remained unclear what caused the holes. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss unreleased information on the incidents.

A United Nations ship database identified the vessels owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday.

Abraham Ungar, 74, who goes by Rami, is the founder of Ray Shipping Ltd., and is known as one of the richest men in Israel. He made his fortune in shipping and construction.

According to the Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy, where Ungar provides support and maritime training, he owns dozens of car-carrying ships and employs thousands of engineers.

The U.S. Navys Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it was aware and monitoring the situation. The U.S. Maritime Administration, an agency of the Transportation Department, issued a warning to commercial shippers early Saturday acknowledging the explosion and urging ships to exercise caution when transiting the Gulf of Oman.

While the circumstances of the explosion remain unclear, Dryad Global said it was very possible the blast stemmed from asymmetric activity by Iranian military.

As Iran seeks to pressure the United States to lift sanctions, the country may seek to exercise forceful diplomacy through military means, Dryad reported.

In the tense summer of 2019, the U.S. military blamed Iran for explosions on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the worlds most strategic shipping lanes. The U.S. also had attributed a series of other suspected attacks to Iran, including the use of limpet mines  designed to be attached magnetically to a ships hull  to cripple four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah.

Since the killing of Fakhrizadeh, the Iranian nuclear scientist, last November, Israeli officials have raised alarms about potential Iranian retaliation, including through its regional proxies like Lebanons Hezbollah and Yemens Houthi rebels.

Over the years, Iran has been linked to attacks on Israeli and Jewish civilian targets in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Israel has not commented on its alleged role in the scientists killing.

Fridays incident also follows normalization deals between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain. The agreements, met with scathing criticism from Iran, solidified an emerging regional alliance against the Islamic Republic.

__

Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report.
The United Kingdom commemorates those who bravely protested Russias seizure of Ukrainian Crimea.

Today Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea & Sevastopol. We commemorate the 1000s of people who bravely protested Russias disgraceful land-grab from Ukraine, including those killed, injured and prosecuted for daring to say that #CrimeaIsUkraine, British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons tweeted on the occasion of the Day of Resistance to Russias Occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol.

Today Ukraine  marks the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea & Sevastopol. We commemorate the 1000s of people who bravely protested Russias disgraceful land-grab from Ukraine, including those killed, injured and prosecuted for daring to say that #CrimeaIsUkraine  Melinda Simmons (@MelSimmonsFCDO) February 26, 2021

On February 26, Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to Russias Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

On February 26, 2014, a mass rally organized by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people took place in front of the Crimean Parliament building in Simferopol to protest against the intentions to annex Crimea from Ukraine. Since then, February 26 has become a symbol of Ukraine's resistance to occupation, which has been lasting already for seven years.

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The global electric two-wheeler market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period according to a new report by Polaris Market Research. Electric two-wheelers include electric bicycles, electric scooters, electric motorcycles, and others, which are powered through an electric power source. Electric two-wheelers are lightweight, compact, easy to handle, and highly fuel efficient. A small engineering company based in Austria, Johammer, has developed a futuristic electric cruiser, Johammer J1. This bike is equipped with a 2.4-inch digital display attached to its rear-view mirrors, which displays speed, revs, and warnings. It offers a top speed of 75 mph with acceleration of 62 mph in 8 seconds. The bike is designed with motor and controller integrated into the rear wheel to enhance shock absorbance.

Complete Summary with TOC Available @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-two-wheeler-market

The demand for electric two-wheelers has increased over the years owing to depletion of traditional fuel sources and growing environmental concerns. The growing awareness regarding environmental pollution caused by vehicles run on traditional fuels, and development of public charging infrastructure has increased the adoption of electric two-wheelers. Governments are introducing stringent regulations regarding vehicular emissions, supporting the market growth. Governments across the world have introduced several laws and regulations to monitor vehicular emission. These regulations have mandated two-wheeler manufacturers to use advanced technologies to combat high emission levels in vehicles.

The report provides an extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market trends and growth prospects of the Global Electric Two-Wheeler Market, 2017-2026. This report comprises a detailed geographic distribution of the market across North America, Europe, APAC and South America, and MEA. North America is further segmented into U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Europe is divided into Germany, UK, Italy, France, and Rest of Europe. Asia-Pacific is bifurcated into China, India, Japan, and Rest of Asia-Pacific.

Get sample copy of this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-two-wheeler-market/request-for-sample

Asia-Pacific generated the highest revenue in 2017 owing to increasing awareness regarding environment, and growing vehicular population in this region. The increasing resource depletion, and development of public charging infrastructure have resulted in increasing adoption of electric two-wheelers in the region.

The global electric Two-Wheeler market is characterized by the presence of well-diversified international and small and medium-sized vendors. These companies are consistently launching new products to enhance their offerings in the market. With the advancement of technologies, companies are innovating and introducing new customized products to cater the growing needs of the customers. Leading companies are also acquiring other companies, and enhancing their product offerings to improve their market reach. Acquisitions enable key players to increase their market potential in terms of geographic expansion and expansion of customer base. The leading companies profiled in the report include Zhejiang Luyuan Electric Vehicle, Yadea Technology Group, Zero Motorcycles, Energica Motor company, Sanyang Industry, Alta Motors, Guangzhou Camqi Electric Vehicle, Yobykes, Ampere Vehicles, and Jiangsu Xinri E-Vehicle Co. Ltd.

Make Inquiry about this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-two-wheeler-market/inquire-before-buying

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world.

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All of a sudden, here it is the end of February, and there is no State of the Union (SOTU) address scheduled for President Biden. That's odd because last month, Biden promised what sounds exactly like a SOTU:

"Next month, in my first appearance before a joint session of Congress, I will lay out my 'Build Back Better' recovery plan," he said. "It will make historic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, innovation, and research and development in clean energy."

The AP and PBS both got wind that the address was to be given on February 23 in and said so in posts that are now deep-sixed:

But on February 16, Jen Psaki denied such a plan in a press conference:

[W]hen asked about the timing, his press secretary Jen Psaki said there had never been a plan for him to address a joint session this month. "We don't know where the Feb. 23 date came from. It's a great mystery," she said during the regular daily briefing. "I've not Nancy Drewed that one out today, but it was never planned to be in February, and we don't have a date for a joint session at this point," Psaki said, comparing herself to the popular character in a series of children's books who solves mysteries.

It is only tradition that a president address a joint session of Congress early in the year to fulfill the constitutional requirement (Article II, Section 3) that a POTUS "shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient[.]"

Jimmy Carter, a failed one-term president, actually skipped his in the year of his inauguration, missing an opportunity to lay out his plan for the presidency and the nation, with blanket television coverage, plus plenty of pomp and circumstance. And look what happened to him.

Yet Biden's handlers seem to have pulled the plug on the man the late Rush Limbaugh mocked as "Plugs" because of his hair transplants to forestall a receding hairline. The lickspittle media are rushing in with "fact checks" to assure the nation that there is no requirement or deadline for a SOTU speech. But it is awkward, especially considering the rising doubts about Biden's mental and physical state. Nick Arama of RedState expressed the view of many:

Let's face it. There's a big problem with having Joe try to deliver a ninety-minute speech at 9:00 p.m. at night without a teleprompter in front of Congress. He has trouble just making it through basic remarks before media for a few minutes, much less a speech of that length. They must be wracking their brains to figure out how they're going to pull it off. As we previously reported, Biden hasn't even had a solo press conference with the media yet. By this time, both Barack Obama and Donald Trump had done solo pressers.

The excuse dredged up yesterday for missing SOTU is...you guessed it...the January 6 Capitol incursion, which the left wants to make the defining moment of the century:

The Capitol Police is keeping its security posture high in response to intelligence that indicates some extremists who joined the Jan. 6 insurrection have discussed plans to attack the building during the State of the Union, Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman revealed Thursday. The chatter among extremists about trying to blow up the Capitol during the still-unscheduled presidential address, Pittman said, has prompted the Capitol Police to maintain the elevated presence it has kept since last month's riot. Any decrease in the police's posture, she said, would come after the threat passes and other gaps identified in the aftermath of the Capitol siege are resolved.

While she didn't precisely blame the de-scheduling of the SOTU on "chatter among extremists," that is the logical conclusion, and it is an embarrassing one, especially considering the thousands of National Guard troops still occupying the nation's capital.

Democrats know that Biden is not all there. That's why a bunch of them want to take away the power for him to launch a nuclear strike. Just yesterday, he had to be reminded by Kamala, at a COVID event, not to go wandering up to people without wearing a mask:

Kamala reminds Biden to put on his mask



Weekend at Joeys pic.twitter.com/YBhYO7euls  Jewish Deplorable (@TrumpJew2) February 25, 2021

Check out the look he gets from Fauci for going off-script on mask.



Twitter video screen grab (cropped).
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During a typical year, Muskegon doubles down on celebrating St. Patricks Day, with a variety of activities held on or around March 17. Theres usually a parade, an Irish music party, a Shamrock 5k, and drink and food specials at restaurants and bars all over town. This year, Muskegon had to get creative with their St. Patricks celebration. Theyve put out the call to all to bring your very own shanty downtown, and enjoy the very best the area has to offer, safely, with an event thats been dubbed Shamrockin In Your Shanty.

Over the past year, Muskegon has demonstrated time and time again what weve known for years, said Michael Brower, co-founder of Pigeon Hill Brewing Company, one of the participating downtown businesses. That we take care of our own and we like to have fun. In the case of Shantyville, this is an event that highlights both: a way to have fun, support local businesses, and still take care of each other by doing it in a safe way.

The event, which is being organized by JCI Greater Muskegon and the Muskegon Downtown Development Authority, will be held downtown Muskegon on March 13, from noon to 5pm. Guests are invited to register their shanty, which could really be any form of tent, ice shanty, or temporary enclosed structure, and then have it set up in the downtown Muskegon social district during the posted times. This special area allows you to purchase adult beverages and then enjoy them any where in this area, including on March 13, in your shanty. Its recommended that you dress warmly, bring a blanket, and a chair, to truly enjoy this set up.

Muskegon Mayor Stephen Gawron is excited for this upcoming chance for his constituents to gather together in a safe manner. Muskegon folks love to break bread together, or heft a draught, he said. Weve missed our shared tables and community living rooms. So we got creative to make a safe space, to safely gather, to smile across the way and blow a neighborly kiss.

No outside beverages are allowed for this event, the goal is to not just garner community engagement, but to support the locally owned businesses in Muskegon. After you register your shanty, youll receive an email letting you know where you can set up the day of the event. You can request to be placed next to another shanty if you wish. Only six people per shanty, please.

I think this event is going to be a good chance for us to showcase our new downtown social district to the public, said Eric Hoffman, co-founder of Unruly Brewing Company, another participating business. It was already getting pretty cold outside when it was first started and many people do not even realize we have this set up downtown.

The event is free, and there are eight participating restaurants or bars you can order from, including local breweries, a distillery, and and even the home to Michigans Best Chili. You can see the full list if you scroll below.

People enjoy the idea of being able to stroll freely up and down the street between businesses while enjoying their favorite beverages, said Hoffman This is a pretty unique concept that not many cities have available.

Unruly Brewing will have live Celtic music starting at 2pm.

I am excited to see what kind of fun creative things people will be doing with their shanty set ups, said Hoffman. We have always embraced having fun St. Patricks Day celebrations at Unruly Brewing and this gives everyone an opportunity to have fun, yet remain comfortable while still adhering to some standard social distancing guidelines.

A Pigeon Hill company sign on display inside the Pigeon Hill Taproom in downtown Muskegon, Michigan on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Alison Zywicki | azywicki@mlive.com

Shamrockin In Your Shanty

March 13, Saturday

12pm to 5pm

Downtown Muskegon

Facebook Event Page

The event is free, but you must reserve a spot. You can register to reserve your shanty spot here. Only six people per shanty please. You can request to be placed next to another shanty group. Theyll then tell you where you can set up your shanty. All shanties must be packed up and gone by 5pm.

Youll be able to order and enjoy drinks from these fine Muskegon establishments:

18th Amendment Spirits

350 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI

Burl & Sprig

500 W Western Ave Suite 300, Muskegon, MI

The Culinary Institute of Michigan- Courses Restaurant

336 W Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI

Dr. Rolfs Barbecue

477 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI

Pigeon Hill Brewing Company

500 W Western Ave #1, Muskegon, MI

Topshelf Liqour Bar and Pizza

500 Western Ave, Muskegon, MI

Unruly Brewing Company

360 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI

Walkers Restaurant at The Delta by Marriott

939 3rd St, Muskegon, MI

Dr. Rolf's BBQ in downtown Muskegon was picked by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman as Michigan's Best Chili in November of 2019. They serve three distinct chilis: red, white and green.John Gonzalez

More Muskegon stories:

How to spend a Michigans Best Day in Muskegon

18th Amendment opens with old speakeasy feel

Dr. Rolfs Barbecue in Muskegon is home to Michigans Best Chili

Local Eats: Pigeon Hill Brewing

Rum-centric distillery bringing vacation drinks to Muskegon

Local Eats: Walkers Restaurant
It seems that former pageant queen Shanna Moakler is walking back the shade the threw at her ex Travis Barker and his new relationship with Kourtney Kardashian.

The 45-year-old, who previously took some thinly veiled digs at the romance, changed her tune about the pair while speaking with Us Weekly in a report published on Friday.

Moakler now says shes 'super happy' for her former husband and the reality star, swearing she has 'no ill will toward anybody.'

Good vibes; Shanna Moakler, who previously took some thinly veiled digs at ex Travis Barker dating Kourtney Kardashian, changed her tune about the pair while speaking with Us Weekly

'As long as she's great to my kids and they're both happy, I'm happy for them,' Shanna said of Kourtney and Travis. 'I absolutely am super happy for them. I have no ill will toward anybody.'

The blonde beauty's comments seem to fly in the face of her subtle shade over the pair, however, it appears that she has come to accept the relationship.

'I think they've been friends for a really long time,' Moakler continued. 'My kids seem to really like her, and they all seem [to be] in a good place, and I'm in a good place, so it's good!'

Barker and Shanna were married for four years before divorcing in 2008, and has stepdaughter Atiana, 21, Alabama, 15, and Landon, 17, with his ex.

'As long as she's great to my kids and they're both happy, I'm happy for them,' Shanna said of Kourtney and Travis. 'I absolutely am super happy for them. I have no ill will toward anybody.'

Meanwhile, Kourtney shares sons Mason, 11, and Reign, six and daughter Penelope, eight, with her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick.

Rumors began swirling early in 2021 that the Blink 182 star had developed a romantic interest in the eldest Kardashian sibling.

Barker and Kardashian were spotted out several times on seemingly romantic dates and later confirmed their relationship with a hand-holding Instagram snap.

'I think they've been friends for a really long time,' Moakler said of Kardashian. 'My kids seem to really like her, and they all seem [to be] in a good place, and I'm in a good place, so it's good!'

Moakler took some swipes at the couple online, at one point posting to her Instagram story: 'Stop complaining about your life. There are people out there dating your ex.'

She also included a winking emoji and the crying laughing emoji alongside the quote which was originally posted by f***ologyofficial.

It's not the first time she's acknowledged her ex as last month she liked and then deleted a comment on one of her posts.

Family: Barker and Shanna were married for four years before divorcing in 2008, and has stepdaughter Atiana, 21, Alabama, 15, and Landon, 17, with his ex

One fan wrote: 'Shhhhiiiii that broad don't got nothin' on you. Travis downgraded big time,' which she appeared to agree with before the comment went missing.

Kourtney and Travis' romantic relationship was confirmed last month, but the pair have been friends for a while as he lives near her in Calabasas, Calif.

'He's liked her for a long time and she just got more open to the idea. He's a good guy and a really great dad,' a source told PEOPLE.

Shade: Kourtney and Travis went Instagram official recently and Shanna shared several thinly veiled swipes at the couple, specifically Kourtney, on social media

'Her family and friends all really like him. Their kids all get along too, which is sweet.'

Kourtney's new love affair has left some Keeping Up With the Kardashians fans scratching their heads as a preview for the upcoming season seemed to suggest that things could heat back up with Scott.

In the clip, Disick offers to marry Kourtney on the spot then adds that they will eventually wed and have a good life - despite the fact that he is currently dating Amelia Hamlin.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported four new deaths from COVID-19 in the past two weeks, but officials say the outlook for getting more vaccine doses looks hopeful.

Testing has resumed after last weeks severe winter storm and 404 new cases of the virus were reported Thursday, up from 371 on Wednesday. There were 494 people in the hospital with coronavirus  five fewer patients  although the number in intensive care rose by four, to 194.

The deaths were two Hispanic women, both in their 90s; a Black man in his 30s; and a white woman in her 90s.

Health officials are hoping the Food and Drug Administration will soon allow emergency use of a vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson administered in a single dose.

On ExpressNews.com: City announces text alert service on vaccine availability

That means wed have a third vaccine to battle against COVID, Rita Espinoza, chief epidemiologist with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, said earlier this week. That would help build immunity of the community and hopefully continue to damper the effects that COVID is having on individuals.

Thatll certainly help the entire community, Commissioner Justin Rodriguez agreed at the daily briefing Thursday.

The two vaccines already approved, produced by Pfizer and Moderna, are given in two doses up to six weeks apart. A committee advising the FDA could issue a recommendation Friday on a third vaccine.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the city isnt asking the state and federal government for a specific brand but hopes to secure any vaccine they can give to us.

The mayor noted Thursday the city expects to get more Pfizer vaccine, possibly 10,000 doses, early next week.

Vaccination sites have reopened since last weeks snowstorm and 3,510 vaccinations were given at the Alamdome on Thursday. University Health also is administering up to 3,000 doses daily at Wonderland of the Americas Mall.

On ExpressNews.com: Get the latest update on coronavirus and a tracking map of U.S. cases

Meanwhile, operators with WellMed are taking calls for appointments from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with slots still open, at 833-968-1745. WellMed is operating vaccination clinics at the Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Activity Center and Alicia Trevino Lopez One-Stop Center.

Also, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System will provide up to 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine to veterans enrolled in the system Saturday at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. VA representatives are contacting veterans for appointments. For information, call 210-617-5300.

People currently eligible for vaccination are those 65 and older, pregnant women and all adults with certain medical conditions.

A new text alert system provides updates when new appointments are available for vaccinations administered by University Health, WellMed and the citys Metro Health. Text VACCINE, or VACUNA for updates in Spanish, to 55000.

Residents seeking information about the virus in English or Spanish can reach Metro Healths COVID-19 hotline by calling 311 and selecting option 8. The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon on weekends.

shuddleston@express-news.net
1. Roads. The citys roads are a mess. Significant resources are needed to fix them.

2. Public safety. The crime rate is too high. Police pay and resources come first.

3. More city programs. The city must invest more in city programs and services.

4. Comprehensive plan. The city needs to focus on rebuilding and rebranding.

5. Cut city spending. City officials must get serious about trimming the budget.

Vote

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Flagler alumna, now staff and soon-to-be-graduate student says, 'Yes!' to playing piano

As a Spanish and graphic design double major, Michelle Henning never thought playing piano would be her "In" for graduate school. However, what's become an all-too-familiar refrain of the "Caring faculty" at Flagler, has continued to ring true, especially for this 2018 graduate.

In 2019 it was a newly-created position meant just for her. She had already graduated but said Yes! to returning to Flagler after a brief stint at a local design firm. She began by simply playing for a few music classes, rehearsals and the occasional one-off need. Then finally Music Director and Associate Professor of Theater Arts Kip Taisey was able to offer an official position as Staff Accompanist.

Michelles sister had attended Flagler which was her introduction to the campus experience offered at Flagler. Like most, she fell in love with the city and the school and said she could easily See myself being really happy here. A typical Flagler student, she had many interests coming in but ultimately decided on double majoring in graphic design and Spanish, As a challenge.

In settling into life in college though, she found herself wandering back to her old hobby of playing the piano, which she began learning from her father before she could read. She eventually decided to take her experience with high school jazz band and liturgical piano playing to Professor Taisey for an audition as a rehearsal pianist.

He had me sight read the most difficult piece in the musical while he sang along, she recalled.

She was hired and began work immediately on The Spitfire Grill Spring 2016 musical. It wasnt just the piano playing that garnered recognition, but her can-do attitude when she agreed to pick up the accordion again, which she had only played casually, for the same show. In only a weekend she picked up enough to get through the show and blew everyone away so much, she was asked to perform again for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She went on to play the piano for all these shows, the Flagler College choir, cabarets, applied voice courses, auditioned choirs and student-directed shows.

Managing a 19-20-hour course load made all the practice and performance time difficult to squeeze in, but she made it work and said that by saying Yes! as often as she possibly could, it opened doors for her that otherwise might not have ever opened.

I have had a very bad habit of taking on way too much at a time but its because I get myself involved in things I really love doing. In all honesty, the hours I spent at rehearsal and playing for classes and shows were a welcome distraction from my demanding course load, she recalled.

One of those doors that opened for her is a chance to go to graduate school to study collaborative piano at the University of North Dakota. Professor Taisey worked at that school prior to Flagler and was able to provide her advice on school, but most importantly, a glowing recommendation.

Michelle has been a part of the musical theatre and music programs as long as I have. She quickly understood her role and adapted as needed. She has grown tremendously as a musician, and I believe will one day make an insightful teacher, said Professor Taisey.

Said Michelle: My role as accompanist at Flagler is the sole reason I am able to study piano at the graduate level. Having degrees in graphic design and Spanish, I think graduate level music programs would have laughed at me for applying if not for the professional experience and caring network acquired through my time at Flagler.

She now awaits her financial offers and outline of course offerings and position details. In the meantime, shes helping Professor Taisey by looking for her replacement as Staff Accompanist.

Professor Taisey said, She has been my right arm, anticipating my needs before I even make a request. Her sweat equity has played a major role in the development of the music program. She will be missed, but I am excited for her next adventure, and to see where she lands.

If there are any senior students or recent graduates who may be interested, you can say Yes! like Michelle did and perhaps open new doors for yourself. Below she lists important hard and soft skills that you should have in order to be a good fit for the Staff Accompanist position.

NECESSARY SKILLS:

Sight-reading

NICE-BUT-NOT-NECESSARY SKILLS:

Playing open score

Playing-by-ear

Background playing many styles including jazz, musical theatre, chamber/opera, pop

Basic ability on percussion instruments

SOFT SKILLS:

Personable

Collaborative

Easy-going, even (and especially) under pressure

Highly adaptable

Understanding

Flexible

Generous (with time, knowledge, kindness)

Passionate

Not easily frazzled

Dedicated to Flaglers music initiatives/actively excited about music at Flagler

Quick learner, willing to think outside the box and make-do

Tagged As

The list of in-demand actors in Hollywood is growing, but no one can beat Keanu Reeves for years now.

Since 1984, Reeves has been expanding his empire by starring in a number of award-winning films. Although he will be reaching his 60s soon, companies still contact him to lead a sequel or a new movie.

Amid all the offers, a new rumor suggested that he received an offer to play Kraven the Hunter on a "Spider-Man" flick.

While the news should be taken with a grain of salt, an artist offered a glimpse of how badass he looks like if he would play the role.

On Instagram, user @houseofmat transformed the 56-year-old actor into the world's greatest hunter.

In the photo, Reeves does not don his usual shoulder-length hair. Instead, he flaunts a bald look - shorter than the buzz cut he got last year for "The Matrix 4."

"Don't shoot the messenger :) News from @comicbook I wanted to create a different #kraventhehunter style. Far away from original," the artist captioned the post.

The bald version of the villain also bore scars he sustained from years of hunting.

Before Reeves, there had also been rumors that several actors were also approached to play the role.

According to a post on 4Chan, Marvel Studios reportedly plans to cast Henry Cavill or Jason Momoa. But since there is no news about Kraven the Hunter's involvement in the newly-titled, "Spider-Man: No Way Home," fans cannot expect to see the character soon.

Who is Kraven the Hunter?

In the comics, Kraven targets Spider-Man as his ultimate target. The hunter also serves as a marksman and combatant who becomes one of the friendly neighborhood's iconic foes.

With that said, allowing Reeves to play Kraven would be smooth-sailing since he is already familiar with action scenes.

For now, the actor's schedule will not allow him to take on any roles. It is worth noting that "The Matrix 4" already wrapped up its filming. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, they moved "The Matrix 4" release date to April 2022 before moving it back again in December 2021.

Aside from Kraven the Hunter, there is also a rumor about DC trying to cast the actor back for the sequel of "Constantine."

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee endorsed Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine on Friday, with panel members framing the shot as a crucial third option to vaccinate millions of Americans.

The vote clears the way for the agency to authorize the vaccine's use in the coming days. The FDA "will rapidly work toward finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization," its top vaccine regulator, Peter Marks, and acting commissioner, Janet Woodcock, said in a statement shortly after the vote. "The agency has also notified our federal partners involved in vaccine allocation and distribution so they can execute their plans for timely vaccine distribution."

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine appears broadly effective against the virus and is especially good at preventing severe cases, according to data presented by the company and FDA staff at the meeting. And because the vaccine is given as a single dose and is easy to ship, it presents an appealing profile for public health officials struggling to vaccinate hard-to-reach or skeptical populations  groups of people increasingly in the sights of state leaders launching outreach efforts.

We need vaccines that are effective and well-tolerated. And importantly, ones that are simple to deploy, said Gregory Poland, director of the Mayo Clinics vaccine research group, who spoke at the meeting as part of J&Js presentation.

The FDA panel, known as the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, voted 22-0 in favor of authorizing the shot. FDA is not bound by the group's recommendations but often follows them.

"We have all seen the news about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today," President Joe Biden said Friday night while touring a vaccination site in Houston, Texas, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "The third safe effective vaccine, and it's out. They have approved it today," he added, although the FDA is not expected to authorize the vaccine until the weekend, and full approval could take months or even years.

Story continues

But questions remain about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine's efficacy in older people with some common health problems.

The company's limited data on how well the vaccine protects people over 60 years old with risk factors  conditions such as obesity, heart problems and diabetes  suggests the shot may be only about 42 percent effective in that group. Both FDA and the manufacturer say that the sparse data could skew those results and the shot could turn out to be more effective after additional data is collected.

There are also concerns about blood clots in people who received the vaccine, though most of them had prior health conditions. J&J insists there is no tie to the shot, but FDA said it is worth monitoring how often blood clots occur in the broader population to get solid answers about what happened for those people, including a 25-year-old with no prior medical conditions.

Those questions could set the vaccine up for more limited use than its predecessors from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Both those vaccines  based on messenger RNA technology  are cleared for adults of all ages, without serious concerns about side effects.

The J&J vaccine uses a different technique that relies on an adenovirus modified to pump out harmless copies of the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to latch onto cells.

Data in 193,000 people who have received other J&J vaccines made with the same technology  such as an approved Ebola shot  suggests that it should be safe in seniors, pregnant women and people with conditions like HIV/AIDS, said Johan Van Hoof, global therapeutic head for these types of vaccines at J&Js pharmaceutical unit Janssen, at the FDA meeting.

Vaccine experts and health care providers insist that the J&J shot could take a key role in curbing Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths. While the vaccine is less effective than its authorized peers at broadly preventing infection  and significantly less effective against B.1.351, the variant first found in South Africa  it is extremely effective at curbing severe illness.

J&J executives are keen to emphasize this advantage.

It's all about the fear of getting really sick and getting sick enough potentially to seek medical attention, and to the point where one might need to go to the hospital or even die, said Mathai Mammen, Janssens global research and development head, on an investor call in January. Success against severe illness is by far the most important feature from a public health standpoint.

Experts on the FDA panel largely appear to agree that this is a key benefit  to the point that it could even been considered a primary goal, or endpoint, in vaccine trials along with the current goal to prove broader protection.

All the vaccines seem to be equally effective at preventing very severe disease, intensive care needs and death. Has FDA considered that perhaps a different endpoint should be considered in terms of granting an [emergency use authorization] in the future? asked Cody Meissner, a panel member and director of pediatric diseases at Tufts University School of Medicine. An FDA representative said the agencys expectations had not changed.

The public health advantages of J&Js shot also took center stage in the first hours of the meeting.

This one dose regimen offers important logistical and practical advantages for mass vaccination campaigns. It can lead to the ability to reach both individual and herd immunity more quickly, said Poland, who presented in the companys session. Essentially, it simplifies the process. People only have to make one appointment for their complete vaccination.

But the shot also presents a complex messaging challenge for federal and state health officials who worry that the public will forgo the less broadly effective J&J vaccine for a chance at the Pfizer or Moderna shots.

"That, I think, is not a good idea. I think people should get vaccinated, said Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, on NBCs The Today Show Thursday. Take the vaccine. This is a race ... between the virus and getting vaccines into people. The longer one waits, not getting vaccinated, the better chance the virus has to get a variant or a mutation.

Members of the advisory committee also voiced concerns about consumer confusion. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at the University of Pennsylvania, asked J&J representatives about ongoing studies testing two shots  rather than one  in volunteers and possibly people from the placebo arm who want vaccinations.

You can see where that would be confusing for people who could think they did not get the full regimen, said Offit. Its a messaging challenge.

Still, state and local public health officials have expressed optimism about the coming J&J shot, which FDA is likely to authorize in a matter of days. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said this week that the third option could supercharge mass vaccination efforts: Its single dose, easier refrigeration standards, he told reporters.

"In this environment, whatever you can get, get," said acting committee chair Antony Monto, an epidemiologist at University of Michigan.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday protested against the rising fuel prices by pulling an auto-rickshaw with a rope in Thiruvananthapuram.

Tharoor took to the streets in his constituency and led hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers. The Congress MP symbolically pulled a three-wheeler with a rope to express protest against the soaring petrol and diesel prices.

Symbolically pulled an auto-rickshaw in Thiruvananthapuram to protest extortionate fuel taxes & the failure of both Central & State governments to reduce their share of the loot. Over a hundred autos joined the protest under the auspices of @INTUCnational pic.twitter.com/e0D0M29Ffj  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 26, 2021

Tharoor, while addressing the drivers, said, "Where the burden of fuel tax is proving unsustainable for the 'aam aadmi'. It`s unconscionable that Indians pay 260 per cent tax on their fuel while Americans, for instance, pay 20 per cent. Fuel taxes affect all other prices.

Later he tweeted, "Symbolically pulled an auto-rickshaw in Thiruvananthapuram to protest extortionate fuel taxes & the failure of both Central & State governments to reduce their share of the loot. Over a hundred autos joined the protest under the auspices of INTUC..."

Live TV
A group of Russian diplomats and their families was forced to take extreme measures to get out of North Korea, topping a 32-hour train and bus journey off Thursday by pushing a self-propelled train trolley the last half-mile to the Russian border. Video of the group of eight, including some children, riding with their luggage atop the open-air train car shot around the internet. Since the borders have been closed for more than a year and the passenger communication has been stopped, its been a long and difficult way to get home, Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in a Facebook post.

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The group of Russians had been stationed in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang as part of the countrys diplomatic mission; Russia is one of the few nations with a remaining presence in the closed-off state. With few options to get out of the country after North Korea closed its borders completely last year due to the pandemic, halting movement both in and out, the Russian delegation embarked on an arduous journey up through the north of the country to the Russian border. They needed to prepare the cart in advance, put it on rails, place the luggage, seat the children and then set off.  They had to push the whole assembly by rail for more than a kilometer, the Russian Foreign Ministry said of the journey.

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The final leg of the trip included pushing the self-propelled handcart across a bridge traversing the Tumen River, which forms the border between the two countries. The group was greeted by Russian officials at the Siberian border crossing and taken to Vladivostok in the far east of the country.
The Biden administration notified Israel in advance about the airstrike against an Iranian-backed Shiite militia base on the Syrian-Iraqi border Thursday evening, Israeli officials told me.

Why it matters: The airstrike was the first overt military action by the U.S. in the Middle East since Biden assumed office, and one that Israeli officials see as a positive signal about the new administration's posture toward Iran.

Driving the news: The U.S. notification to Israel took place Thursday morning ET in talks between working-level officials at the Pentagon and the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Israeli officials told me it was a standard update that occurs every time a U.S. military operation can influence Israel and vice versa.

Behind the scenes: The strike came several weeks after a missile attack on a U.S. base in Erbil in northern Iraq. The U.S. retaliation was delayed mainly in order to coordinate it with the Iraqi government and avoid creating a crisis with Iraq.

In recent weeks, Israeli officials were concerned by growing provocations by Iran and its proxies both in Yemen and in Iraq.

The Israelis shared their concerns with the Biden administration. Israeli officials told me they expected that Biden would respond.

What they're saying: "The Iranians didnt realize that Biden is not Obama, and that if they will continue down this road of miscalculation they will eventually get hit," an Israeli official told me.

Between the lines: A year ago, a group of experts from the Center for New American Security led by former Obama administration official Ilan Goldenberg published a paper called "Countering Iran in the Gray Zone."

They spoke to numerous Israeli defense officials to determine what the U.S. can learn from the Israeli military campaign against Iranian entrenchment in Syria, which the Israelis call the "Campaign Between Wars," or MABAM in Hebrew.

The bottom line of the report was that the U.S. should examine whether it could adopt this Israeli policy. It stressed that targeted strikes against Iran or other adversaries in the Middle East would not definitely lead to a wide escalation, as many in the U.S. defense establishment fear.

Whats next: It's unclear if the strike was a one-off event or whether it will turn into a doctrine, but it's an attempt by Biden to send Iran an early message that he is not afraid to use force to retaliate against attacks on U.S. forces in the region. It also indicates his wish to return to the 2015 nuclear deal will not deter him from using military force when needed.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Keriwal, who in Surat to take part in a roadshow to celebrate the party's success in the municipal corporation elections in the state, advised the newly elected party councillors to set up offices and get ready to work for the people.

Before the roadshow, Kejriwal held a meeting with party leaders and workers and congratulated them for their win in the municipal elections in Surat. Addressing a gathering, Kejriwal said that by giving 27 seats to AAP, the people have sent out a message that they have taken to AAP as an alternative for the development of the city.

"The BJP is in power in Gujarat for the last 25 years, but now the youth of Gujarat want to ask the BJP, how many jobs have you provided in the last 25 years? People do not need politics, they need jobs and employment. They need schools, colleges, hospitals, roads and development. We only know how to work for the people," Kejriwal said.

He asked the AAP councillors to appeal to the youth to quit asking for jobs from the government and enter politics instead.

"The election results and the strength of the people here today make me believe that Gujarat is going to witness a miracle. The Congress has been completely wiped out. There are some good leaders in the Congress. We appeal to them to leave the party and join the AAP. We also appeal to all the patriotic people in the BJP to join us," Kejriwal said.

He said that since the time the results were declared, the leaders of the BJP and Congress are both scared and furious.

"What we need to understand is that they are neither scared by you nor by the AAP. They are scared of the 16 lakh people who have shown their trust in you. The whole of Gujarat is looking at you," he said.

To encourage the party workers, Kejriwal recalled AAP's struggles before coming to power in Delhi, saying the party had originated from the Anna movement.

"We fought on the streets and were sent to jail. We have faced water cannons and lathi-charge during the Anna movement. People supported us because they had faith in us. God gave us a chance to rule Delhi for just 49 days. But within those days, we did remarkable work with the help of the people of Delhi," Kejriwal said.

Later in the day, Kejriwal participated in a roadshow organised by AAP leaders in the state. During the raodshow, Kejriwal recounted the development works done under the AAP-led Delhi government in the last six years.

"People in Delhi used to face 10 hours of power cuts. In just five years, people get electricity for 24 hours. In Delhi, 75 per cent of the people get electricity for free," he said.

Kejriwal also asked the ruling BJP in Gujarat that if AAP can provide electricity in Delhi in just five years, why can't the BJP provide free electricity in 25 years? "When AAP come to power in Delhi, the government schools were in a very bad shape and the parents were not ready to send their children to the government-run schools. Today, the Delhi government schools are competing with the private schools," he said.

Kejriwal also thanked the people of Gujarat for giving the party unprecedented support in its maiden municipal elections in the state.

"Give us five years in Gujarat, and you will forget BJP's 25-year rule," Kejriwal added.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
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Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

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Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

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Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

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Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

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Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

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Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
Have You Seen This? Baby calmed by Imperial March

We have water that probably is the envy of the rest of the world, Injerd said. As long as we use it sensibly, and I think especially pay attention to what we do with it after we use it, in terms of how its treated and released, this is a region that should never, ever, ever have water quantity problems.
WE are now reading that the Minister of Sport has come out with a statement regarding our participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

As with the usual run-of-the-mill political type, the statement vacillates, kicks the can down the road and seeks to avoid the issue. Let us be clear on what the situation is regarding these Olympics.
A woman has died after a car collided with a train at Wynnum West, in Brisbanes east, on Friday afternoon.

Paramedics were called to the scene to treat a 32-year-old woman for critical injuries after the train and car crashed about 1.40pm at the railway crossing where Lindum and North roads intersect.

But police said the woman, who was the sole occupant of the car driving along Lindum Road, could not be revived.

The car, a small red hatchback, is believed to have travelled onto the crossing around the boom gates.
Overseeing the city

The New York City Council is about to have a tumultuous year.

With three current vacancies and 30 term-limited members, the 51-seat New York City Council is about to see a whole new slate of lawmakers. But before trying to understand the significance of this years City Council races, its probably important to understand how the council works and what council members do.

To begin, the council acts as the citys lawmaking body and keeps the mayor, as well as various city agencies, in check. The council has three main responsibilities: passing legislation, reviewing and adopting the city budget, and regulating land use.

The process of passing legislation begins with a member of the council filing a bill with the councils clerk. Bills are introduced to the council in what is known as a stated meeting  a recurring meeting that happens every two weeks  where the bill is assigned to the appropriate committee to be debated and possibly amended. At the same time a public hearing will be scheduled to provide the committee with testimony and insights that may affect the bill language. The committee then meets to vote on the final version of the bill before it is sent to the full council for a final debate and vote. If a majority  26 council members  vote in favor of the bill, it is passed and sent to the mayor to either be signed into law or vetoed. Should the mayor veto a bill, the council has 30 days to override the veto, so long as two-thirds of the council, or at least 34 members, vote for it.

The citys fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 in the following year. There are five main steps involved in preparing and executing the budget. First, the mayor proposes a budget, which the council then assesses to see if it meets the citys needs. The council then holds public hearings to gain insights from lawmakers, advocates and residents to identify what, if anything else, must be included and addressed in the budget. The council submits its recommendations to the mayor based on what its members think are the citys most important issues and monetary needs. After receiving the councils response, the mayor creates an adjusted budget. The new budget proposal is then debated by the council, and it comes to a final agreement with the mayor  sealed by the traditional handshake between the mayor and the council speaker.

The council is responsible for regulating how land is used across the city, including zoning, city land and public spaces, landmarks, and sidewalk cafes. There are several committees and subcommittees dedicated to land use. The city charter even stipulates that there must always be a land use committee (in addition to a finance committee), which makes it special compared to the other committees. The council even has architects, city planners and administrators to assist its land use committees.

The council is also in charge of providing oversight for city agencies, which it does, in large part, through its many, many committees  I really cannot overstate how many committees there are. It is in these various committees that deep dives into city practices and programs are performed on a wide array of subjects.

By the numbers

City Council

51: City Council districts

2: The number of full terms a council member can serve  with special exceptions  and each term lasts for four years

38: The number of standing council committees

125: The number of laws that were passed by the council and enacted in 2020

The 2020 impact

What is the council focused on now?

The council was faced with two major crises last year: the COVID-19 pandemic and the protests against systemic racism and police brutality. This year, it has been addressing those two issues by focusing on COVID-19 relief and police reforms.

The coronavirus pandemic has turned the councils attention to healing the citys economy, while making sure that its COVID-19 rates decrease and eligible residents are able to secure a vaccine. Since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began in December, the council has been focused on making the distribution of the medicine as equitable as possible. Residents continue having issues making appointments and the data shows that residents in the ZIP codes hardest hit by COVID-19 are being vaccinated at lower rates. Members of the council have also been advocating for better ways to test for new COVID-19 variants. And since the council has a big say in how the city allocates its money during the budget process, the council will play an important role in how COVID-19 relief is allocated in the coming year.

The issue of systemic racism led the council to propose a sweeping New York City Police Department reform package in January, aimed at creating greater police accountability.

Power Players

Who runs this town?

Mayor Bill de Blasio: In order for legislation introduced by the City Council to become a law, Hizzoner needs to sign it. However, if the mayor ends up vetoing a proposal, the council can still pass it with a two-thirds majority vote.

In order for legislation introduced by the City Council to become a law, Hizzoner needs to sign it. However, if the mayor ends up vetoing a proposal, the council can still pass it with a two-thirds majority vote. Corey Johnson: As City Council speaker, Johnson leads the council and was elected by his peers. The speaker is in charge of setting the agenda, helping to negotiate the budget and passing legislation.

As City Council speaker, Johnson leads the council and was elected by his peers. The speaker is in charge of setting the agenda, helping to negotiate the budget and passing legislation. Laurie Cumbo: As the councils majority leader, Cumbo represents the largest political party in the council, which if you hadnt already guessed, is the Democratic Party.

As the councils majority leader, Cumbo represents the largest political party in the council, which if you hadnt already guessed, is the Democratic Party. Steven Matteo: Similarly, as the councils minority leader, Matteo represents the smallest political party in the council, which is the Republican Party.

Similarly, as the councils minority leader, Matteo represents the smallest political party in the council, which is the Republican Party. Daniel Dromm: Chair of the Committee on Finance, Dromm, alongside several other council members, is charged with overseeing all things finance, from the citys Department of Finance to the development of the budget.

Chair of the Committee on Finance, Dromm, alongside several other council members, is charged with overseeing all things finance, from the citys Department of Finance to the development of the budget. Rafael Salamanca Jr.: Chair of the Land Use Committee, Salamanca oversees the City Planning Commission, Department of City Planning, Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Three is the loneliest number

What do the councils Republicans do?

Republicans have typically not had much of a presence on the council  and with just three current Republican members, Matteo, Joseph Borelli and Eric Ulrich  the party still doesnt. While this may seem significant, the council doesnt operate as a partisan house like the state Legislature or Congress, and party affiliation isnt that important, especially considering the wide range of political views among its Democratic members. As minority leader, Matteo sits on the Finance Committee, in addition to the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Elections, and the Committee on Standards and Ethics, which he chairs. So its hard to say that council Republicans are entirely powerless.
IF you have absolutely no urgent or emergency need to be outdoors today, then remain at home.

Should you take a chance and decide to tempt fate, then it may most likely result in you being stopped and questioned by police officers and members of the Defence Force, or even find yourself charged and taken before a court.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Feb, 2021) Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, has received Tomas Kopecny, Deputy Minister for Industrial Cooperation in the Czech Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces and the accompanying delegation.

The meeting, which took place at Al Bowardi's office at IDEX, was attended by Matar Salem Ali Al Dhaheri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Defence along with a number of senior officers and ministry officials.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged talks about the existing friendship and cooperation relations between the UAE and the Czech Republic, especially in defence sector.

Al Bowardi said that the IDEX is an opportunity to meet and communicate with partners to strengthen strategic relations, as the event attracts major international companies that manufacture military and security defence systems.

For his part, the Czech official highlighted his country's interest in boosting bilateral relations, especially in military fields, hailing the organisation level of the event despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

VMED Group deputy director general Ngo Thanh Son (left) with Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long

With the global health crisis making negative impacts on countries and economies worldwide over the past 12 months, the health sector has nevertheless made great strides, creating breakthroughs in IT application to increase connectivity and digitalisation of services, and development of the telehealth platforms in Vietnam.

The Telehealth Development Scheme, introduced by the Ministry of Health (MoH) last year, is one such initiative marking a new milestone in the countrys digital transformation journey by bringing about better healthcare access to locals nationwide.

With effective directions and strong determination from the government and MoH, as well as support and accompaniment of hospitals and med-tech businesses, with VMED Group being among the pioneers, the scheme is expected to further contribute to increasing the value of the health sector.

With the vision to partner with the health sector on this path, VMED Group chairman Pham Quang Huy emphasised, By pioneering supplying medical technology solutions to develop smart healthcare in Vietnam, VMED Group not only reaffirms its leading position but, even more importantly, is also realising its mission for a healthier and happier community.

Huy said that the group will continue to deploy more intensive telehealth solutions for even more health facilities across the country. Moreover, it also eyes investment in potential startups in the medical IT segment, seeing great opportunities in offering consultancy and connecting them with mentors and investment funds. Meanwhile, VMED Group will also strive to become an active member of the medical IT community.

With strong enthusiasm, internal strength, and trust from the government and locals, VMED Group expects a continuation on the digital transformation path for Vietnams health sector.

After introducing a pilot last year, the project to connect more than 1,000 health centres to provide telehealth in Vietnam was inaugurated last September and will cover the 2020-2025 period.
A saison for teamwork

Pleasure House Brewing: In a time when many small businesses are struggling, Charles Drew Stephenson 92, Laura Papp 18 and their colleagues have grown Pleasure House Brewing into a thriving business. Courtesy photo Photo - of - Hide Caption

Drew Stephenson 92 and Laura Papp 18 combined forces to get Pleasure House Brewing through the pandemic

Sometimes, small things come together perfectly to change your life in the best possible way.

For Charles Drew Stephenson 92, it was when his brother-in-law randomly gave him a homebrewing kit for Christmas, starting him on a brand-new career path in the brewing industry.

For Laura Papp 18, it was when wearing a William & Mary sweatshirt to a yoga class in Stephensons brewery led her to a full-time job she loves.

Stephenson is the owner and head brewer of Pleasure House Brewing in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where Papp now works as an assistant brewer, cicerone-certified beer server and social media manager. In a time when many small businesses are struggling, Stephenson, Papp and their colleagues have grown Pleasure House Brewing into a thriving business.

At the risk of sounding dramatic, Drew Stephensons generosity and faith in me (and our mutual education), saved my life this year, says Papp. He not only was the reason my bills and student loans were paid but provided me with a small-business family who would ultimately support me throughout the toughest year of my life.

Papp, who was a kinesiology and health sciences major, was working at a state park in February 2020 when a friend invited her to a yoga class at Pleasure House Brewing. Papp had been to the brewery before as a customer and decided to give the yoga class a try. Afterward, she introduced herself to Stephenson and inquired if he had some work in the brewery available to supplement her day job. She didnt know he was an alumnus until he remarked on her William & Mary sweatshirt and they struck up a conversation.

Just a month later, Papp, like so many Americans, was laid off from her job due to the pandemic. Stephenson hired her full time.

I knew a bit about craft beer, but theres a whole side to the industry that I didnt know all that much about, but he had a lot of faith in me that I could figure it out. I learned a lot along the way, says Papp.

Pleasure House Brewing is fairly small, with just six full-time and a few part-time staff members, so Papp had a chance to do a little bit of everything.

She was interested in selling beer behind the bar, but I had a theory that, coming from William & Mary, she was quite adaptable, intelligent, curious, and thats proven true. She helps do everything from brewing beer to cleaning tanks, and she has a remarkable aptitude for social media and was able to take that over for us, Stephenson says.

Papp joined at a particularly difficult time for Pleasure House Brewing. They had just moved into a new, larger space, not knowing that the pandemic was about to shut everything down.

It was a harrowing time period, says Stephenson, but its been really heartening to see people making a point to buy local, just to give us a chance to survive. Were also quite fortunate because if we hadnt left our previous space, we wouldnt have been able to do the outdoor seating or food trucks we have now that allow us to stay open during the pandemic.

Like Papp, Stephenson didnt originally intend to work in the brewing industry. A history major at William & Mary, he took Russian and Chinese to prepare to work for the CIA. He lived in China for a year, but at the time, the Clinton administration reduced hiring into the Defense Department. He became a high school history teacher and taught in Virginia for 20 years, before deciding it was time for a change. He started Pleasure House Brewing in October 2014 and made his homebrewing hobby into his full-time work.

Like I used to tell my students, the one thing I was always grateful for and impressed by at William & Mary was that everyone who went there and was successful was fascinated by learning, always thinking and trying to learn new things, says Stevenson.

Pleasure House Brewing makes a wide variety of beers, 15 at a time, and usually only about three of them are hop-forward. In the past five years, theyve made more than 260 distinct beers  their February 2021 selection included beers like Shark Tears (a kettle-soured Gose) and Day Pirate (a Belgian strong golden ale). They also sell locally roasted coffee, host a variety of (now socially distanced) events and are trying to create a pub-like atmosphere thats locally focused.

My goal from the get-go, and perhaps this comes from my being a history teacher, was to create a place where beer was a vehicle for community  the way that Colonial taverns were the center of social life and news, he says. Our regulars say it feels like home.

While a student at William & Mary, Papp studied abroad in England, and she says Pleasure House Brewings community reminds her of the local pubs she visited there  but with a bright, laid-back Virginia Beach feeling.

Craft beer can be intimidating, but Drew makes beer that youve never heard of or tried before really accessible, she says.

At William & Mary, she found that community pub at the College Delly, or if she wanted a quieter place to talk with friends over cheese fries, the very back table of Pauls  a place where Stephenson also spent time with his friends as a student 20 years prior, and it hasnt changed, he says.

Papp came to William & Mary as a transfer student. She initially found the transition challenging and was grateful for the orientation experience that helped her find her fit at the university. She became an orientation leader to help others feel that sense of belonging at William & Mary as well  experiences that helped develop the people skills she uses at the brewery every day.

Meeting other students who transferred, as well as those who started as freshmen, helped me see not only that I had made the right choice for myself, but that there was enough room at William & Mary for everybody, no matter their background, she says. Ive tried to keep that open-mindedness as I go into adulthood. Already since graduation, my path has taken me in many directions, and I try to learn as much as I can and be along for the ride.

Next, Papp and Stephenson are preparing for whatever the pandemic throws their way: Theyre bottling as much as they can in case Virginia resumes to-go alcohol sales only, exploring small-scale delivery, developing a podcast and exploring the use of Facebook Live for beer tastings. At the moment, their beers are only available at the brewery.

I cant emphasize enough how much help Laura has been in taking what weve tried to do with our atmosphere and our community and spreading it on the internet to engage new people, says Stephenson.

Both have found that the brewery has connected them with other alumni, sparking connections they didnt expect.

We were honored to be part of the alumni beer tent at Homecoming in 2019, and prior to that, I didnt know just how many alumni are owners, brewers, distributors or otherwise in the industry, said Stephenson.

Just from working at the brewery and striking up conversations with people, I have met alumni I wouldnt have otherwise. Its been great to talk to people who went to school here from all over, Papp says. People have who have shared the traditions of William & Mary have an immediate bond.

Thank you for reading!

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Digital sales, QR codes, Grubhub delivery and drive-thru booths at the New York State Fairgrounds.

The creativity of local Girl Scouts this year is proving the importance of thinking outside the box of cookies.

Last years iconic cookie program was cut short in March when lockdowns began and COVID-19 reared up in CNY, leaving troops with excess cookie stock that needed to be sold. Trying to handle the situation safely and effectively, Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways organized with community partners, which are local businesses and organizations that serve as a space to sell cookies, either on their shelves or out front via drive-through booths.

These partnerships have become a key component of cookie sales this year, helping the council stay on track to reach its goal of 1.5 million boxes.

The funds raised remain local and are allocated to the council for programming and property upkeep and to troops for trips, summer camp, badge work, and community service.

Each troop decides its own sales plan and method, with options to take part in virtual sales, drive-through booths, and Grubhub delivery services.

Senior Director of Marketing & Communications of GSNYPENN Jaime Alvarez explained that the girls have been involved throughout the whole process, as is the way of the Girl Scouts.

What better way to teach girls to be leaders than to face a challenge and think about ways to pivot, overcome, and adapt to make things work, said Alvarez.

GSNYPENN troops in Oswego County pivoted their 2021 cookie program sales strategy due to the pandemic and are using the... Posted by Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Inc. on Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Digital sales instead of door-to-door

Each Girl Scout has a digital cookie link that can be shared to place online orders, but it wasnt until this year that these links were utilized to their full potential.

In lieu of their time-honored door-to-door cookie sales, some scouts have created door hangers with a personalized QR code linking to their digital sales profile.

Instead of going to the door, ringing the doorbell, and asking people what cookies they would like to buy, we went around taping up QR codes to my neighbors doors, said Junior Girl Scout Tabitha Stechschulte. I just think its easier and will take less time because with that time you can sell even more cookies.

Additionally, many girls are holding digital booths with their friends and families to talk about the cookies over FaceTime or Zoom and take orders virtually.

Troop leader, cookie coordinator, and mom Kayleigh Stevens thinks that virtual booths help to spread the word more than traditional booths may have in the past. With their virtual profiles, the girls are able to include photos and videos explaining the skills they are learning, their goals, and how to purchase the cookies.

Grubhub signs on to deliver

You can add Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Trefoils to your Grubhub order, thanks to a partnership between the food delivery app and the Girl Scouts of America.

This national collaboration and has made its way to locations in the Syracuse area. Locations include Auburn, Binghamton, Canandaigua, Cicero, Fayetteville, Ithaca, Syracuse, Utica, and more.

Stechschultes mom and troop leader, Jennifer Erzen, expressed that she is glad that the girls are able to be out in the community and back with their friends while packing the orders.

We were there Sunday night for Valentines Day and it was really slow, but my daughter and I were there with her friend Kay and her mom, said Erzen. Granted, we werent selling a lot of cookies, but it was great for the four of us to be able to just hang out and play some card games.

Kay Rudolph, Tabitha Stechschulte and Sona Trikha smile at the drive-thru station at the New York State Fairgrounds.

A different kind of drive-thru

Drive-thru booths are a new addition to the GSNYPENN cookie scene, allowing Girl Scouts to continue participating in cookie booths while being able to follow proper COVID-19 precautions.

The booths allow for the girls to be safe while also enjoying their experience and learning from it.

For many of the girls, this social experience marks a change of pace from day-to-day life in a pandemic.

I feel like its a bit of a relief to see people other than my family because theyre basically the only people Ive been in direct contact with for the past year, said Stechschulte.

Stevens has noticed the girls in her troop of Brownies becoming more comfortable and confident throughout the process of working drive-thru booths in Central Square.

My daughter wore a Thin Mint costume at the drive-thru booth. She was so eager about it; she asked every single customer that came up if they wanted a high five or a fist bump from a cookie. Usually shes not that outgoing, said Stevens. I had another girl who is usually a talkative girl, but not full-force, and shes really come out of her shell as well at these booths.

Cookie Finder allows customers to enter their zip code to locate community drive-thru booths for contactless sales.

One popular drive-thru spot: the New York State Fairgrounds. Weekends through March 21, the booth outside the Tractor Supply Co. Exhibit Center will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Credit and debit cards are preferred, but cash will be accepted.

Boxes can also be purchased to donate to Meals on Wheels recipients and local first responders.

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PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund (NYSE: ASGI) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund, today announced that it paid on February 26, 2021, a distribution of US $0.1083 per share to all shareholders of record as of February 19, 2021 (ex-dividend date February 18, 2021). As announced on August 31, 2020, the Fund will pay a fixed monthly distribution at an annualized rate of 6.5% on the initial public offering price of $20.00 for the 12 months ending September 30, 2021.

Your Fund's distribution policy is to provide investors with a stable monthly distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

Under U.S. tax rules applicable to the Fund, the amount and character of distributable income for each fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related Rules, the Fund may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the Rules adopted thereunder. The table has been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The table includes estimated amounts and percentages for this distribution and for the cumulative distributions relating to fiscal year to date (10/01/2020 - 01/31/2021), from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated composition of the distributions may vary from month to month because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.



Estimated Amounts of Current Monthly Distribution per share ($) Estimated Amounts of Current Monthly Distribution per share (%) Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per share ($) Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per share (%) Net Investment Income $0.0173 16% $0.0866 16% Net Realized Short-

Term Capital Gains* $0.0368 34% $0.1841 34% Net Realized Long-

Term Capital Gains - - - - Return of Capital $0.0542 50% $0.2708 50% Total (per common

share) $0.1083 100% $0.5415 100%

*includes currency gains

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2021 will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides information regarding the Fund's total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Fund's annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ended 01/31/20211,2 8.65% Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV as of the Fiscal Period Ended 01/31/20213 6.12% Fiscal Year to Date (10/1/2020 to 01/31/2021) Cumulative Total Return on NAV1 11.84% Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV2 2.04%

1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through January 31, 2021. 3 Based on the Fund's NAV as of January 31, 2021.

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2010, the Fund may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Fund during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Fund, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the terms of the distribution policy. The final determination of the source of all distributions will be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. The Fund's Board of Directors has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Ltd., Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The 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 NAV of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact [email protected]

aberdeenasgi.com

SOURCE Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Cloudy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 41F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy with light rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 41F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
The chair of a vitally important US congressional committee, the Democrats David Cicilline, said: Threatening to bring an entire country to its knees to agree to Facebooks terms is the ultimate admission of monopoly power. What does Cicillines committee do? It oversees US anti-monopoly law; the Democrats are itching to curb the monopoly power of the Big Tech firms in their respective specialisations. The whole point of the Australian regulatory effort is based on a finding by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that the US tech firms wield monopoly power, and that this power needs to be redressed by government action. The ACCC is part of the Treasurers portfolio, so that makes the digital media code Frydenbergs. The net result is that by Friday the code had passed Australias Parliament and become law; Facebook had switched its news flows to and from Australia back on; and hundreds of millions of dollars a year should start flowing from Google and Facebook into Australian media businesses, assuming they proceed to conclude the deals that are now signed or under contemplation. This action  this bully-boy action  that [Facebook has] undertaken in Australia will, I think, ignite a desire to go further amongst legislators around the world, said the chair of the digital policy committee in the British Parliament, Julian Knight. He called it one of the most idiotic but also deeply disturbing corporate moves of our lifetimes. The US, Canada, Britain, Germany, Spain, France and the European Union are among the governments that will now take account of the Australian outcome in setting their own rules.

In getting to this outcome, the Treasurer demonstrated four characteristics of Frydenbergs typical approach. First, he worked hard. No one questions his appetite for work. Loading Second, he negotiated shrewdly. In the end, he did concede points of detail to Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg, while keeping all the key features of the digital media code intact, as the ACCCs Rod Sims attested. Third, he made sure to promote his achievement widely. There is no sin here; this is politics. Fourth, he didnt invent the policy. It was the work of others. When Scott Morrison was treasurer, he initiated the ACCC inquiry that led ultimately to the code. Frydenberg was handed the brief, and he ran hard and successfully to prosecute it. Likewise, his first big piece of policy and political accomplishment was a brief handed to him by his then leader, Malcolm Turnbull. As energy minister, Frydenberg took charge of the process that led to the national energy guarantee, a serious effort to salvage a functional energy and emissions policy from the wreckage of the Liberals leadership strife.

It took great skill to negotiate the deal through a riven Liberal party room, and Frydenberg did it. It wasnt his fault that Tony Abbott decided to destroy it in the process of a new act of Liberal leadership wrecking to bring Turnbulls prime ministership to an end. And when the pandemic struck last year, the big policy responses were drafted by the Treasury. Thats not unusual  indeed, thats the way policy is supposed to work. Australia was a bit slow to act; other nations including New Zealand and Britain announced wages subsidies sooner. But Frydenberg ultimately did act boldly. The Treasury gave him a choice of three sums for the fortnightly wage subsidy: $1000, $1200 or $1500. He chose the biggest. It was an emergency, he said. Time to break the glass. The health responses were the indispensable front-rank defences against COVID-19. The economic response was the essential second rank. The Morrison government, with Frydenberg as its chief economic officer and with the energetic support of the Reserve Bank, can take credit for a successful national economic response to the pandemic. Some $240 billion in federal stimulus, buttressed by bank mortgage repayment freezes and more than $30 billion in early access to superannuation savings, did the trick. The inevitable recession was shallow and short and among the best emergency responses in the world.

Other big problems confront Frydenberg. Next week well see the report of the royal commission into aged care. The commission will demonstrate that the system is broken; it will present Frydenberg with a very big bill to fix it. Loading In the next few months he will have to decide whether to proceed with the scheduled increase in the superannuation guarantee levy from 9.5 to 10 per cent. Its already set in law. The increase is overwhelmingly popular with the people. But Frydenberg faces a hyperactive reactionary movement on his own backbench, determined to kill the rise. This will test Frydenberg. Should he please the electorate or appease his more feral colleagues? We saw his inclination this week with his decision on the new level of the dole  he announced that the daily base rate would increase from the pre-pandemic $40 a day to about $44. This is a level that will continue to consign many unemployed to poverty. The electorate was ready to accept a slightly less penurious level; even some of the more conservative elements of the system, including John Howard and the Reserve Bank, favoured something more liveable. But Frydenberg was guided decisively by the messages he was receiving from Coalition colleagues. One after another lined up to tell him tales of jobs going unfilled in their electorates. JobSeeker was obviously too generous already.

Frydenberg decided to side with the Liberal backbench. After all, its important for an aspiring prime minister to cultivate the support of his caucus colleagues. Loading Frydenberg makes no secret of his intention to be leader of the post-Morrison Liberal Party. On the current line-up, the contest would likely pit the centrist Frydenberg against the conservative Peter Dutton. Remember the Minister for Home Affairs? Hes still standing and with every intention of contesting the next election. Yes, Morrison defeated him for the leadership. But recall that it was a pretty close call with Morrisons 45 to Duttons 40. And once a senior politician has seen the vision splendid of his own ascension so close at hand, it doesnt easily evaporate. Of course, Morrison enjoys his job and is going nowhere. But a prime ministership can be a fickle thing, as the last decade demonstrated. Frydenberg is still relatively fresh in the job and, at 49, he has a great deal of time and energy yet. Will he be a great reformer, a Keating or Costello, whose boldness continued to deliver good economic outcomes for decades? Or a Wayne Swan, who spent big sums to get Australia through the global financial crisis but proved unable to rein in the spending when the crisis had passed?
Hope rising Kamala Harris seems to have that trait of whatever it takes in her professional career [February 13] given she has now reached the position of Vice-President of the US. Who knows? She could become president any time during the next four years given President Bidens age. But does she have his talent for reaching out across the aisle to get the Democratic agenda through both Houses at Capitol Hill? This is where her lack of experience in Washington politics could be exposed. Mukul Desai Hunters Hill, NSW

Someone was a little disappointed about the lack of feline questions in The Quiz. Credit:@samdspence

Send us a picture or Instagram one of Good Weekend in your life, using the hashtag #goodweekendmag. We choose one each week to publish here and in print.

In the line of beauty

Dear Amanda Hooton [February 13], I shall turn 90 this July and have all the wrinkles to prove it. But do I fret? Not a bit, because 90 is the new 80, maybe even the new 70! So cheers to all the happy old chooks.

Myra Fisher

Brighton East, Vic

Loading

How sad that todays gorgeous young women feel the need to be airbrushed to perfection. True female beauty lies with the much older woman, her story sad or joyful mapped facially, her eyes a window to a real life.

Margaret Skeen

Point Lonsdale, Vic

Australians spend $1 billion per year on cosmetic treatments. Considering we also spend about $25 billion per year on gambling, I would say that those industry players are getting the biggest injections.

Gudrun Stylianou

Bega, NSW

Dicey Topics

Kiruna Stamell [February 6] mentioned a UK government service for people with disability called Access to Work. The Australian governments own JobAccess provides information and advice on disability employment. Importantly, it also funds workplace modifications so that its easy for employers to hire or retain people with disability in jobs. As Ms Stamell pointed out, if you take out the cost, you are more likely to see the value in employing people with disability. The more people who are aware of JobAccess, the better.

Linda Collard

MedHealth Sydney, NSW
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Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
February 26 : Government of India is out with new guidelines for OTT platforms and its faced with mixed response. Some film personalities such as Ekta Kapoor, Prasoon Joshi, filmmaker Nila Madhab Pand and more have welcomed it, some have voiced their concerns.

Ekta Kapoor took to her social media and welcomes the guideline; she tweeted, Heartening to see the new guidelines that provide a level playing field for digital news media and OTT platforms. #ResponsibleFreedom

Heartening to see the new guidelines that provide a level playing field for digital news media and OTT platforms. #ResponsibleFreedom  Ekta Kapoor (@ektarkapoor) February 25, 2021

CBFC chairperson and lyricist Prasoon Joshi said responsible and accountable mechanisms will only bring in more quality and maturity in a commercial creative industry. Measures taken for a level playing field and empowering consumers would provide clarity for content creators of emerging platforms, Joshi tweeted.

Measures taken for a level playing field and empowering consumers would provide clarity for content creators of emerging platforms. Responsible and accountable mechanisms will only bring in more quality and maturity in a commercial creative industry. @PrakashJavdekar @rsprasad  Prasoon Joshi (@prasoonjoshi_) February 25, 2021

Director Nila Madhab Panda, known for films like I am Kalam and Kadvi Hawa, said digital media must be used responsibly. Freedom comes with responsibility, digital media can do a lot of good if used correctly, great decision by the government, @PrakashJavdekar Sir @rsprasad sir, also giving a forum for users grievances is the correct way ahead. #ResponsibleFreedom #OTTGuidelines

Freedom comes with responsibility, digital media can do a lot of good if used correctly, great decision by the government, @PrakashJavdekar Sir @rsprasad sir, also giving a forum for users grievances is the correct way ahead #ResponsibleFreedom #OTTGuidelines pic.twitter.com/iBrBh5c3dv  Nila Madhab PANDA   (@nilamadhabpanda) February 25, 2021

The government has issued a code of ethics and a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism that would be applicable for OTT platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar, news publishers, and digital media.

Seeking to establish a soft-touch regulatory framework, the government said OTT platforms would have to self-classify the content into five age-based categories  U (Universal), U/A 7+ (years), U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult).

The streamers have been self-regulating their content as per Indian laws until recently but some of the shows have stirred controversy, most recently Amazon Prime Videos show Tandav, which was accused of hurting religious sentiments.

A scene in the show led to multiple FIRs on directors, actors, and the India head of the platform, prompting the streamer to chop the scenes from the political drama.

Other shows that have angered a section of people include Netflixs Leila and A Suitable Boy and Amazons Paatal Lok.
A youth group has called on a former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to run for the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the ruling party

Samuel Alamoh, the director-general of the group known as Tinubulate Nigeria Agenda (TINA), made the call at the inaugural press conference of the organisation in Abuja on Friday.

The group also presented a dummy cheque of N10 million to demonstrate their commitment to support Mr Tinubu if he presents himself to run for the election.

Mr Alamoh said that as a group craving for the consolidation of our democracy and yearning for a prosperous Nigeria come 2023, they are fully ready to mobilise for Tinubu.

Our group has concluded plans to present the cheque to Tinubu for the purchase of the expression of interest and nomination forms to run for the presidency, when the party commences the sales of the forms.

Though Asiwaju Tinubu has millions of supporters, followers who are always ready to come together to pay for his nomination form, our members, supporters, well-wishers and followers across Nigeria believe in shared responsibility.

That is why we have to pool our meagre resources together for this noble course, if he formally declares his interest to be chosen as candidate of our great party, APC, for the coming presidential election in 2023.

Mr Alamoh described TINA as a group of reputable Nigerians, young professionals in diverse fields with passion and commitment to drive togetherness, love and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

He said the group members were convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Tinubu possesses all the qualities, competence, capabilities, capacities and experiences needed to actualise the Nigeria the citizens dream of.

Mr Alamoh also expressed the groups confidence in Tinubu to lead a government with comprehensive policies that encompass monumental infrastructural and human development with unprecedented economic growth.

This support group was founded in line and in support of consolidating President Muhammadu Buharis achievements in all sectors of the Nigerian economy and democratic development.

As good citizens committed to the progress, unity and stability of Nigeria, it is our inalienable right to throw our weight and give our unrelenting support to any individual capable of bringing about good, exemplary, responsive and progressive leadership.

Tinubu transformational leadership acumen, outstanding, managerial skills and futuristic orientation stand him out among all.

We are convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that he possesses all the qualities, capacities, and experiences needed to actualize the Nigeria of our dream and aspirations of the citizens.

We are not unaware that the task is onerous and enormous; it demands the collective efforts of all Nigerians of good conscience, love and passion for a progressive and prosperous Nigeria.

He said that as a group, they recognised the need to partner with eminent Nigerians willing to identity with Tinubu come 2023, saying they are already consulting and gathering support for the great course they strongly believe in.

Mr Alamoh said the group was preparing to inaugurate its zonal chapters in all the six geopolitical zones by March, followed by the inauguration of state chapters.

(NAN)

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Robyn McCall is out to uncover the truth about the death of a community activist in a new episode of The Equalizer, airing Sunday, Feb. 28 on CBS. In the shows fourth episode, Queen Latifahs character discovers a connection between the activists apparent suicide and his protests over real estate development.

Robyn McCall investigates a staged suicide in a new episode of The Equalizer

RELATED: The Equalizer: 6 Years Before Starring in New CBS Series, Queen Latifah Interviewed Denzel Washington About Playing Robert McCall

In episode 4 of The Equalizer, titled It Takes a Village, McCall is called on to investigate the murder of activist Malcom King (Marcus Callender). Kings apparent suicide was actually staged, and as the ex-CIA agent looks into the case, she discovers a connection between his murder and his protests about local real estate development.

In a sneak peek for the episode, her former handler William Bishop (Chris Noth) asks McCall why she cares so much about Kings murder.

Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall in episode 4 of The Equalizer | Barbara Nitke/CBS 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Why is this so important to you? You dont even know this Malcolm guy, he says.

McCall responds by asking him if he remembers Zurich. As she reminds Bishop, during her time in the CIA, he and McCall were involved in an extraction. She insisted on going back to rescue the ambassadors son, despite the risks involved. He would have got killed if we didnt. I didnt know him either, but it was the right thing to do, she says.

I used to think you were a sucker for doing that, Bishop replies, before agreeing to help McCall get to the bottom of who really killed King by going undercover at a black-tie event.

Delilah gets a hands-on civics lesson

Also in the upcoming episode, McCalls daughter Delilah (Laya DeLeon Hayes) gets a real-life lesson in civics when she decides to try to get the city to deal with a pothole in the neighborhood.

Delilah  who is taking driving lessons  blames the unrepaired street for her recent accident. See, I told you, there are at least seven other accident claims about that pothole, she tells her mother in the sneak peek.

Jayson Wesley as Kenya and Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall in episode 4 of The Equalizer | Barbara Nitke/CBS 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

RELATED: The Equalizer: Does Queen Latifah Do All of Her Stunts?

McCall and Aunt Vi (Lorraine Toussaint) encourage Delilah to do something about it rather than just complaining about the pothole. But as seen in another teaser for the episode, it seems like the teenager gets a tough lesson in government indifference. She lands a meeting with the city manager. But he tells her theres a list of complaints a mile long and to get in line.

Its pointless, the frustrated Delilah declares.

The Equalizer Episode 4 airs Sunday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Episodes are also available to stream on CBS All Access.

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The US military launched an airstrike against an Iranian-backed paramilitary base in Syria on Thursday. Multiple targets were attacked by an airstrike that President Biden approved.

Biden ordered US airstrike against Syria

A top US official told Fox News that the strike was a defensive tactic intended to stop and prevent possible rocket attacks by the militia group that recently struck Baghdad and Erbil.

According to Marine Corps Times, US troops attacked a border checkpoint in eastern Syria used by Iranian-backed militant groups about 6 PM East Standard Time Thursday afternoon. The Pentagon press secretary confirmed to reporters that the US airstrike was in revenge for recent missile attacks on US bases in Iraq and coalition forces and civilians, including wounded an American service member and killed a civilian contractor.

Read also: China Celebrates the 'Human Miracle,' Claims of Ending Extreme Poverty Among 100 Million Chinese

The attacks, ordered by President Joe Biden, "destroyed numerous installations," said John Kirby, used by forces like Kat'ib Hezbollah and Kat'ib Sayyid Lal'shuhada. "This proportionate military response was carried out in accordance with diplomatic initiatives, including coordination with coalition allies," Kirby said.

"The operation sends a strong message: President Biden will intervene to defend the workers of the American alliance. Around the same time, we have worked deliberately to de-escalate the overall situation in East Syria and Iraq."

On February 15, three 107 mm rockets targeted the Iraqi airbase in Irbil, where US troops are stationed, killing one U.S.-led coalition contractor and wounding US service members and others, Iraqi security officials, raising concerns of fresh warfare, coalition officials announced.

Read also: Biden Revokes More of Trump's Executive Orders Including on Financial Regulations, Immigration

The airstrike attacked buildings in the eastern Syrian town of Al Bukamal belonging to Kataib Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias that have conducted rocket attacks in Iraq in the past, the US official said. Another official identified the airstrike as hitting the area through which the smuggling took place, as per ABC News.

The Pentagon did not blame the attack on Iranian-backed militias, even though forensic information retrieved shortly after the attack pointed to ties with Iranian-backed militias that had carried out similar attacks in the past.

Press Secretary of the White House Jen Psaki said last week that the US "reserves the right to respond in the time and manner of our discretion" to the attack. This article is developing and is going to be updated.

Read also: Biden Had His First Defeat as President After Cabinet Nominee Receives Backlash

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the political crisis in Armenia with the country's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday, the Kremlin said.

Putin urged Armenia to maintain order and peace in the country, and resolve the situation under the law, it said in a statement.

He also called on the opposing sides to exercise restraint, it added.

Earlier today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia follows the recent developments in Armenia with "concern," but considers the military's demand for the prime minister's resignation "Armenia's internal affair."

In a separate statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone talk with his Armenian counterpart Ara Ayvazyan.

"The Russian side stressed that it considers the situation as an internal matter of Armenia, and hopes for its peaceful settlement," the statement said.

The Armenian military on Thursday called for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Onik Gasparyan, the chief of General Staff of the Armenian army, along with other senior commanders released a statement calling for Pashinyan to step down.

Pashinyan blasted the military's call as a coup attempt, and urged his supporters to take to the streets to resist. He later announced the dismissal of the chief of General Staff on Facebook.
CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Chicago's Board of Trustees has named Paul Alivisatos as the University's 14th president.

An accomplished leader in higher education and a world-renowned scientist, Alivisatos, 61, is currently executive vice chancellor and provost at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a professor and the Samsung Distinguished Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research in the Department of Chemistry and the former director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Following an extensive international search, Alivisatos was elected president at a meeting of the University's Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 and will assume his role on Sept. 1. He will succeed Robert J. Zimmer, who has served as president since 2006. Zimmer will transition into a new role as chancellor of the University on Sept. 1.

"Throughout his distinguished academic career, Paul has demonstrated the skills and imagination needed to be an inspirational leader, confront the challenges of our time and guide the University of Chicago during a period of enormous opportunity," said Joseph Neubauer, MBA'65, chair of the University's Board of Trustees, who led the search for a new president. "He has the vision to further elevate the University's eminence, uphold its rich traditions and enduring values, and make an impact on higher education and the lives of University students, faculty and staff, as well as enrich the South Side community."

A native of Chicago, Alivisatos is also a University of Chicago alumnus, having received his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1981. Alivisatos will become only the second University of Chicago graduate to serve as University president in its 130-year history. Edward H. Levi, who attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, the undergraduate College and the Law School, led the University from 1968 to 1975.

"I am honored for this opportunity to lead the distinctive intellectual community at the University of Chicago, a special place that was so transformative in my early education and guided me throughout my academic career," Alivisatos said. "I look forward to partnering with members of our campus and South Side communities, who are so integral to the University's role as a great research university in one of the world's greatest cities."

As Berkeley's executive vice chancellor and provost, Alivisatos has been responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and improvement of campus academic programs and policies. Since taking the role in 2017, he supported new initiatives to increase diversity in the undergraduate and graduate student body and achieve greater faculty and leadership diversity. He also has been deeply engaged in issues of free speech and social justice. Alivisatos spearheaded efforts to transform undergraduate educationleading a campus-wide initiative that created immersive learning projects and discovery experiences for students, while starting a series of forums that promoted mentoring between faculty and graduate students. During his tenure, Berkeley also launched a new division focused on data science, creating opportunities for students in the humanities and the social sciences to join the fast-growing field.

"I can think of no one better suited for this extraordinary opportunity, and no one who will be harder for us to replace," said Carol Christ, chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley. "Paul has been an extraordinary partner; a tireless, visionary leader; a friend; and a true champion for Berkeley's mission, values and academic excellence."

Alivisatos oversees a significant development portfolio as provost. Annual giving to Berkeley exceeded $1 billion in 2020, with Alivisatos stewarding more than $450 million in gifts from 2016 to 2020. As director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory from 2009 to 2016, Alivisatos guided the U.S. Department of Energy lab through a period of transformational change, creating new programs in biosciences, renewable energy and entrepreneurship. From 2016 to 2017, he served as Berkeley's vice chancellor for research, fostering greater interdisciplinary faculty research and strengthening opportunities for undergraduate research.

A preeminent scientist and entrepreneur, Alivisatos has made pioneering research breakthroughs in nanomaterials. His inventions are widely used in biomedicine and QLED TV displays, and his scientific advances have yielded more than 50 patents. He also founded two prominent nanotechnology companies: Nanosys, Inc. and Quantum Dot Corp. (now part of Thermo Fisher).

"The University of Chicago is characterized by a distinctive approach to our work of research, education, and impact, and we share ambitious aspirations for the future," Zimmer said. "Paul Alivisatos is superbly equipped to serve as president of the University in a way that honors its legacy while building upon it for the next generation of scholars and students. This outstanding choice will serve the University community and our partners locally and around the world well in the coming years. I have known Paul in our professional capacities, and I have found him to be an extraordinary scholar and academic leader. I look forward with great enthusiasm to working with him in my new position as chancellor of the University."

In his nearly 15-year tenure as president, Zimmer increased the University's eminence and helped raise its status among the world's top research universities. As chancellor, Zimmer will focus on high-level strategic initiatives, stewardship of key relationships and high-level fundraising.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, Alivisatos will serve as the chief executive of the University and a member of the Board of Trustees. The president is charged with driving excellence and impact across multiple aspects of the University and engaging a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, both locally and internationally, to define the vision for the University.

The Trustee Search Committee and Faculty Advisory Committee received recommendations and feedback from the University community and friends of the University as part of the presidential search process. The Trustee Search Committee worked closely with the Faculty Advisory Committee over the past six months to conduct a broad international search. The Faculty Advisory Committee also conducted dozens of listening sessions with members of the University community, including faculty, students, alumni, staff and former University presidents. Members of the Trustee Search Committee participated in several of these meetings, in which our community shared their insights on the opportunities and challenges facing the University.

Prof. Robert Rosner, who chaired the Faculty Advisory Committee, said: "In Paul Alivisatos, we believe we have found a collaborative and inspiring leader who is deeply committed to excellence, including our support for the high ambitions of faculty, students and other members of the University community. The committee believes he will be an outstanding partner, with a deep commitment to rigorous academic inquiry and innovative approaches to interdisciplinary scholarship, research and education."

Among his more than 25 awards and honors, Alivisatos has received the National Medal of Science, the Wolf Prize in Chemistry and the Priestley Medal. It also was announced this week that Alivisatos will share the prestigious international BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.

After receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago, Alivisatos earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1986. Alivisatos joined the Berkeley faculty in 1988 as an assistant professor, was appointed associate professor in 1993 and professor in 1995.

Alivisatos is married to Nicole Alivisatos, a retired chemist and former editor of the journal Nano Letters.

SOURCE University of Chicago
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early giving way to steady, occasionally heavy rain after midnight. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Locally heavier rainfall possible.
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office denies sexual harassment claims by former staffer

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The office of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is disputing the claims of a former staffer who said that the governor sexually harassed her and possibly others.

Former staff member Lindsay Boylan posted an essay on Medium Wednesday outlining allegations of sexual harassment by Cuomo.

These allegations include a reported plane trip in October 2017 in which she claims Cuomo sat very close to her and made a crude remark toward her. She also claimed there was another instance in which he kissed her on the lips.

Cuomo has created a culture within his administration where sexual harassment and bullying is so pervasive that it is not only condoned but expected, wrote Boylan.

His inappropriate behavior toward women was an affirmation that he liked you, that you must be doing something right. He used intimidation to silence his critics. And if you dared to speak up, you would face consequences.

In a statement from Cuomo Press Secretary Caitlin Girouard released Wednesday, the governor disputed Boylans claim about the plane trip. The statement reiterated that Boylan's claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false."

In Ms. Boylan's latest blog post, she opens up with a story about a plane trip in October 2017  [however,] there was no flight where Lindsey was alone with the Governor, a single press aide, and a NYS Trooper, noted the statement.

The statement did not specifically address other accusations by Boylan, including the claim that Cuomo would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs or that he once gave her an unwanted kiss on the lips.

Cuomo firmly denied Boylan's allegations in a press conference in December.

There is a part of me that will never forgive myself for being a victim for so long, for trying to ignore behavior that I knew was wrong. The Governor exploited my weaknesses, my desire to do good work and to be respected, wrote Boylan.

It was all so normalized  particularly by Melissa DeRosa and other top women around him  that only now do I realize how insidious his abuse was.

Boylan also claimed that two women reached out to her with their own experiences since she first posted her allegations to Twitter last December.

One described how she lived in constant fear, scared of what would happen to her if she rejected the Governors advances, she continued.

The other said she was instructed by the Governor to warn staff members who upset him that their jobs could be at risk. Both told me they are too afraid to speak out.

The Boylan essay comes as some have called on Cuomo to resign due to both the allegations of harassment and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Governor Cuomo has earned his title as Worst Governor in America, and now every New Yorker knows that he is a criminal sexual predator, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said in a statement. On December 14th, I was one of the first and one of the only elected officials in New York State to call for an investigation into Governor Cuomo's sexual harassment of Ms. Boylan. It is an inexcusable disgrace that almost every other elected official in New York State quietly brushed this serious and credible allegation under the rug.

Stefanik said that much of the media in the state either ignored this matter or chose to report the sexist character and professional smears of Ms. Boylan by Governor Cuomo's taxpayer-funded staff.

I have served in Congress during the height of the #MeToo movement leading to resignations and retirements of my colleagues, Stefanik added. Sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the workplace is not a political issue, it is about right and wrong. Governor Cuomo must immediately resign. And any elected official who does not immediately call for his resignation is complicit in allowing a sexual predator to continue leading the great state of New York."

Karen Hinton, a former press secretary for Cuomo when he served as Secretary for Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, wrote in an op-ed Wednesday that Cuomo is a "bully" who exercises "total control" and made disparaging remarks about her.

"[Cuomo had] given me a job in 1995 and then worked to undermine me in it. Day to day, he made me feel as if I were no good at my job and thus totally dependent on him to keep it. In Cuomo's worldhe would never admit this even to himselfworking for him is like a 1950s version of marriage," Hinton wrote.

"He always, always, always comes first. Everyone and everything elseyour actual spouse, your children, your own career goalsis secondary. Your focus 24 hours a day is on him."

Cuomo came under fire by critics last year after the controversial decision to place COVID-19 positive individuals in nursing homes, possibly resulting in many deaths among the elderly.

Additionally, the New York Times reported earlier this month that several state health officials resigned amid disagreements with Cuomos handling of the pandemic and vaccine rollout. According to the newspaper, Cuomo urged health officials to match their health guidelines with his announcements.

This month, Cuomos top aide apologized to Democratic lawmakers for withholding the state's numbers on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, alleging the numbers were withheld in fear that they would be used against us by federal prosecutors during the Trump administration.

The revelation drew pushback from Democratic lawmakers, with one calling Cuomos actions a betrayal of trust.


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Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Cartoon: Kante carries Chelsea to the Champions League

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Experts are testing experimental drug for lupus

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Money decides everything! TOP 5 richest movie characters

Zidane speaks on reasons for leaving Real Madrid

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

Dangerous carcinogen found in 78 sunscreens

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Madonna's son stages fashion show in woman's dress

Tarzan series star dies in US plane crash at 58

Some COVID-19 patients experience up to 84 long-term symptoms

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

Argentina also out as Copa America co-host

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

Armenia national squad hold first training in Croatia

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

Thierry Henry returns to Belgium national team coaching staff

UEFA President to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus: Let all three play the Super League

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Five-time Grammy winner BJ Thomas dies in USA

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Roma offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan a two-year deal

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

De Bruyne suffers injury

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Prince Harry to receive small part of inheritance of his grandfather

Chelsea host drone show to celebrate their Champions League title

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

New Delhi: South Korean technology giant Samsung is going to launch a smartphone with the name Galaxy A32 in India. Samsung has confirmed the news in a press release. The company has not declared the exact date and time for the official launch of Samsung Galaxy A32.

Samsung has launched the 4G variant of Galaxy A32 in Russia. The 4/64GB variant is priced at RUB 19,900 (Rs. 19,706 approx). The 4/128GB model is priced at RUB 21,990 (Rs.21,500). The phone is expected to go on sale in March 2021.

Samsung Galaxy A32

Samsung Galaxy A32 will be offered in 4G and 5G models. The specifications are not identical for both these variants. Samsung Galaxy A32 4G is powered by MediaTek's Helio G80 SoC.

Samsung Galaxy A32 gets a 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED screen with an Infinity-U notch. The display supports a refresh rate of 90Hz. The screen has a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen density has 270ppi.

The smartphone runs on Samsung's One UI 3.0 which is based on Android 11.

The smartphone gets a quad-camera setup. There is a main sensor of 64 MP with an aperture of f/1.8. 26mm (wide), PDAF. There is an ultra-wide 8MP lens with an aperture of f/2.2 123, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12m. There is a macro lens of 5MP and a depth sensor of 2MP. There is a front camera of 20MP with an aperture of f/2.2.

The smartphone is available in 4/64GB, 4/128GB, 6/128GB, 8/128GB storage options. It has support for SD cards to increase the storage externally.

Samsung Galaxy A32 will get a 5000mAh battery with support for fast-charging. There is a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
The Holiday Guru is always on hand to answer your questions.

This week he helps a reader claim a refund from Brittany Ferries, provides advice on post-Brexit travel - and more.

Q. Last year we booked a holiday to Spain, sailing with Brittany Ferries so we could take our caravan. But due to lockdown, we postponed until September. I then suffered a minor stroke, so we postponed again until this May. However, I am 82 and worried about my health, and we have now sold our caravan. If we cancel the ferries, we will lose 1,138. Can you help?

Michael White, via email.

Pitch perfect: Brittany Ferries has refunded a caravanning reader's ticket after he couldn't sail to Spain

A. Brittany Ferries' cancellation policy usually depends on the type of ticket you bought: economy, standard or flexi. See brittanyferries.co.uk/information/faqs/booking-information/ferry-ticket-types. However, 'in view of all the circumstances' it has agreed to provide you with a full refund.

Where lockdown makes travel impossible, Brittany Ferries will contact passengers 'as soon as possible' to offer a refund or the chance to amend the booking.

Q. When returning to the UK from the Canary Islands, what kind of negative Covid test do you need to have: a PCR or an antigen one?

Lorraine Howard, via email.

A. PCR and antigen tests are both acceptable, as with returning from all countries.

Q. When someone has had their second jab, why not have a passport stamp confirming this? Surely then we could travel?

Colleen Smith, via email.

A. This is a neat idea, but the big problem with Covid 'vaccine passports' is that they will need international agreement. When/if they are agreed, however, perhaps such certificates could be handed out after the second jab. This is something for Nadhim Zahawi, the Vaccines Minister, to consider.

A reader asks: When someone has had their second jab, why not have a passport stamp confirming this? Surely then we could travel?

On this subject, Israel, Greece and Cyprus have already set up their own system to allow vaccinated citizens from the three countries to travel freely across borders.

The Seychelles, Georgia, Estonia and Romania have also relaxed travel restrictions for citizens from any country with proof of vaccination.

Q. I have a holiday home in Spain, but also do a lot of motorbike touring in Europe. This year we were planning to go to Romania, returning via Croatia. I understand the new 90-day limit does not cover these two countries. How will this work?

Mark Williams, via email.

Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania (pictured) are not full Schengen Area members

A. The post-Brexit rule allows a total of 90 days' visa-free travel for tourism within the Schengen Area of the European Union in any 180-day period.

However, days spent in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania are not subtracted from this allowance, as these countries are not full Schengen Area members.

Q. I've booked a world cruise for next year, but I don't want to go if there are restrictions such as masks, social distancing, no self-service buffet and so on. Can I claim my deposit back?

Mrs Jackie Morgan, via email.

A. You need to check the terms and conditions of your booking. If there is a strict policy, the company will regard your decision not to go as a 'disinclination to travel' and you will lose your deposit. Your case highlights the need now, more than ever, to read the small print before booking any holiday. See 'Your flexible travel friends' at dailymail.co.uk.

Q. Can you tell us how to count the days of arrival and departure into/from the Schengen Area? For instance, does the day of departure from Spain count as a day in the area?

Mr and Mrs K. Weeks, via email.

A. Every single day is counted as part of the 90-day rule. If you are in doubt over a day, it is best to assume that it is included as there are fines for transgressions. See gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

If you need advice, the Holiday Guru is here to answer your questions. Email us at holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk
A Liberal MP who worked as a medical researcher cried on television recalling her father's battle with dementia - and explained why she supported euthanasia.

Dr Katie Allen, the first-term federal Member for Higgins in Melbourne, struggled to maintain her composure describing the final years of Bill Stephens, who was also a doctor.

Asked about her views on euthanasia Dr Allen, a former pediatrician and medical researcher, emotionally described her father's battle with dementia.

'Having watched my father descend into dementia - he was a doctor himself - and he knew what was ahead,' she told the ABC's Q+A program on Monday night.

A Liberal MP who worked as a medical researcher cried on television recalling her father's battle with dementia - and explained why she supported euthanasia

Dr Katie Allen, the first-term federal Member for Higgins in Melbourne, struggled to maintain her composure describing the final years of Bill Stephens, who was also a doctor

'And he couldn't speak for the last year of his life, he couldn't walk, his only words that were left were, "Thank you" and it's a terrible disease, it's a terrible disease.'

Dr Allen, whose father died in January 2014 less than a month after turning 80, voiced her support for Victoria's voluntary euthanasia laws, despite sharp divisions among her federal Liberal colleagues in Melbourne.

'To be able to have the choice and the control, the voluntary assisted dying laws in Victoria have been, I have to say, well-handled and we need to have this sort of conversation,' she said.

The late Dr Stephens in 1964 established the first coronary and intensive care services at Albury in southern New South Wales.

Despite having a young family and raising four children, he also wrote a thesis on cardiovascular risk factors in returned Vietnam War veterans.

Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying laws came into effect in June 2019, making it Australia's first state to introduce euthanasia.

Labor Premier Daniel Andrews's government in 2017 legislated to allow someone to be permitted assisted suicide if they had an incurable disease, only six months to live, were of sound mind and had obtained the opinion of two doctors.

The Northern Territory legalised euthanasia in July 1996, becoming the first jurisdiction in the world to do so after retiring Country Liberal Party chief minister Marshall Perron had, a year earlier, introduced a private member's bill.

Asked about her views on euthanasia Dr Allen, a former pediatrician and medical researcher, emotionally described her father's battle with dementia

This was overturned in 1997 when Dr Allen's federal Liberal colleague Kevin Andrews, a socially conservative Melbourne-based MP, successfully moved a private members bill.

Both the Victorian and NT euthanasia laws were introduced after a conscience vote in Parliament, with differing views within both major parties.

Western Australia's euthanasia laws are due to come into effect in mid-2021.

Queensland has an inquiry into voluntary assisted dying.

Legislative attempts to introduce euthanasia have been narrowly defeated in New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia.

The Biden administration released a declassified report by U.S. intelligence Friday that concludes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman 'approved' the operation that killed Jamal Khashoggi  but took no action against the crown prince himself.

Despite the unequivocal conclusions of the assessment, the administration stopped short of imposing any diplomatic or economic sanctions on the heir to the throne of the influential ally.

In a policy announcement that followed the release of the intelligence assessment, the Treasury Department said it would sanction Saudi individuals and the crown prince's Rapid Intervention Force, but not the crown prince.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement stating the world was 'horrified' by Khashoggi's killing, and announcing a new 'Khashoggi ban' visa restriction on people linked to 'counter-dissident activities.'

He said the government has taken action against 76 individuals, but did not identify Khashoggi.

The assessment, which is dated Feb. 11th and says it was declassified Thursday, cites the 'control' MBS holds over the security apparatus in the kingdom, where he is considered the most powerful figure.

A declassified intelligence report from the Biden administration names Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the man who approved the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi

Although fellow Democrats welcomed Biden's release of the summary findings, some called for his administration to do more against the 35-year old crown prince.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said after the release of the assessment: 'Im not happy with the lack of accountability for MBS.'

'He ordered it and President Trump knew it,' Kaine told CNN.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who authored the law requiring the report be released, said: 'There should be personal consequences for MBS  he should suffer sanctions, including financial, travel and legal  and the Saudi government should suffer grave consequences as long as he remains in the government,' Politico reported. 'There is considerably more to declassify here.'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called out MBS by name in a statement, but stopped short of criticizing the Biden administration.

'The chilling report from the Intelligence Community confirms what the world has long known: that Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered at the direction of top Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. This heinous event is an affront to the rule of law and to the most basic understanding of human rights,' she said.

The United States government must re-evaluate and recalibrate the relationship with Saudi Arabia, given the findings of this report, which are part of a disturbing pattern of human rights abuses from the Kingdom,' she continued.

She said the Congress 'stands with President Biden in promoting transparency relating to human rights abuses' and backed visa denials for 'human rights abusers.'

Tweeted House Intelligence chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.): 'The highest levels of the Saudi government, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are responsible for the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi. There must be accountability, and we will continue to press for it.'

He told CNN Friday: 'Its discordant to say the least that you go after those that follow the orders to kill someone, but not the person who gave the orders.' He called for 'shunning the crown prince and going after assets of the crown prince that may have been used in this operation.'

Pentagon spokesman Admiral John Kirby indicated that direct consultation with MBS would continue at a lower level, following a contact between MBS and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

'I believe that will, yes,' he told the network. 'Its not uncommon that top leadership of nations are not themselves personally under sanction for actions like this,' he explained.

According to the report by the Director of National Intelligence: 'We assess that Saudi Arabia's crown prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.'

'We base this assessment on the Crown Prince's control of decision making in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Slaman's protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi,' it reads.

The report points to the crown prince's 'absolute control of the Kindom's security and intelligence organizations,' in a kingdom where his authority is already well established.

The failure to penalize the crown prince drew criticism from some senior Democrats.

Biden's security team spent weeks hashing out the issue and settling on a response.

Advisors told the New York Times a 'consensus' emerged that the risk of a rupture in the relationship, which is required on counterterrorism and other matters, was too high.

The U.S. has worked with the Saudis and other Sunni majority nations in an effort to contain Iran  whose proxy forces were the target of the U.S. military strike launched in Syria Thursday. Fifteen of the Sept. 11th hijackers including Osama bin Laden were from Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. counts on the Saudis to keep pressure on anti-American forces in their own homeland. The Kingdom is second to the U.S. in oil production.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the administration actions 'only a first step,' and mentioned additional actions on arms sales to the Saudis and Magnitsky Act sanctions.

The release of the report does not provide any information on looming political decisions  including whether to impose U.S. sanctions on a critical powerbroker of a strategic ally.

Although the four-page assessment provide no new facts to the crime, elements of which were captured on video and recordings that brought public attention to the sensational killing, it contains several statements about where power lies and the direct connections to the crown prince.

Khashoggi was a dissident and Washington Post columnist who was murdered in 2018

This video grab made on October 10, 2018 from CCTV footage obtained from Turkish news agency DHA shows Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi (R) arriving at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 - Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, vanished on October 2 after entering the consulate to obtain official documents ahead of his marriage to his Turkish fiancee

President Donald Trump, flanked by White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, meets with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman maintains 'absolute control of the Kindom's security and intelligence organizations,' according to the assessment

It says the crown prince has absolute control of the Kingdoms security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Princes authorization.

It cites 'the crown prince's control of decision-making in the kingdom.'

It says the 15-member hit squad that traveled to Istanbul included officials who worked for, or were associated with, the Saudi Center for Studies and Media Affairs (CSMARC) at the Royal Court. It says the group is led by Saud al-Qahtani, a close advisor to MBS, who claimed publicly in mid 2018 that he did not make decisions without his approval.

It also included members of his elite personal detail  the Rapid Intervention Force. It exists to defend the Crown Prince, answers only to him, and had directly participated in earlier dissident suppression operations in the Kingdom and abroad and the Crown Princes direction.

The assessment lists 21 people who it said U.S. intelligence had 'high confidence' participated in, 'ordered,' or were 'otherwise complicit in or responsible' for Khashoggi's death.

It states that 'we do not know' whether they knew in advance it would result in his death.

The office of the Director of National Intelligence released a declassified report on the killing of Jamal Khashoggi that identified the crown prince approved the killing

Its release ads another chapter to the horrific killing of Khashoggi in 2018, and poses a challenge to U.S. relations with a strategic ally, major arms purchaser, and oil power.

It was declassified by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.

The Treasury Department announced it was slapping sanctions on Ahmad Hassan Mohammed al Asiri, the former Deputy Head of Saudi Arabias General Intelligence Presidency.

A Treasury release, which does not mention MBS, said Asiri 'was assigned to murder journalist Khashogg' and that 'Asiri himself was the ringleader of the operation and coordinated with Saud al-Qahtani to organize and dispatch the 15-man team to murder and dismember Khashoggi on October 2, 2018 inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkey.'

President Joe Biden this week spoke with Saudi Arabia's King Salman, 85, who the White House noted was his counterpart. The Trump administration had extensive contacts with MBS.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who is traveling with Biden, declined to say whether Biden brought up the killing, which was not mentioned in an official readout of their conversation.

'I don't have more to read out from the call' she said. She said that 'broadly' the president and officials 'at every level' have raised human rights concerns.

'Let me first say that we've been clear at every level that our intention is to recalibrate the relationship and this will be a different relationship with the Saudi government,' she said.

Congress ordered the report to be released, although the Trump administration did not do so. She declined to say if any further actions would occur, saying only to 'stay tuned.'

Asked if Biden had any concerns about MBS being in the succession, she responded: 'This is for the, the government of Saudi Arabia to determine the path forward on their future leadership. I will say that the President has been clear, and we've been clear by our actions that we're going to recalibrate the relationship, including ensuring that engagement happens counterpart to counterpart.'

The crown prince has denied involvement in the October 2018 murder of Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident who wrote columns critical of MBS. MBS did accept responsibility for the assassination as the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. And Riyadh eventually admitted that Khashoggi was killed in an 'rogue' extradition operation gone wrong.

Five men were given the death penalty for the journalist's murder but had their sentences commuted to 20 years in prison after being forgiven by Khashoggi's family.

Khashoggi fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 to live in self-imposed exile. He was writing columns critical of the Saudi government - including of both King Salman and MBS - for The Washington Post when he was killed.

In October 2018, Khashoggi visited the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, to pick up the paperwork required for his marriage to a Turkish citizen. He was never seen leaving.

Inside Saudi Arabia following the release of the assessment, the top trending tweet was 'We are all Mohammed bin Salman.'
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There is a new era of space exploration being ushered in as the long-held government monopoly on space travel shifts to private companies.

The Washington Post reports that the shift redefines not only who owns the vehicles that carry people to space, but also the very nature of what an astronaut is and who gets to be one.

According to the report, the four astronauts scheduled to fly aboard a SpaceX mission by the end of the year have no space experience but are rather private citizens: a billionaire whos funding the mission; a health care provider; a random selection who gets a seat through a sweepstakes; and the winner of a competition.

In fact, the report explains that NASAs role in the mission is little more than a bystander. The agency doesnt own or operate the rocket that will send the astronauts into space or the capsule theyll stay in as they orbit Earth, nor will it have a say in selecting, training or outfitting the astronauts. All that will be done by Elon Musks SpaceX.

The report further explains that neither NASA nor any other government account will fund the flight. Instead, the aforementioned billionaire, Jared Isaacman, has set it up as a fundraiser for St. Judes Research Hospital in order to finance it while also leveraging it as a promotional device for his business, Shift4Shop.

NASAs unrivaled supremacy in human spaceflight is now being challenged.

The shift comes as NASA confronts some of the largest changes it has seen since its founding in 1958, the same year that the Soviet Union challenged the United States world standing via its surprise launch of the first Sputnik into orbit. Now, The Washington Post reports it is NASAs unrivaled primacy in human spaceflight that is under challenge.

Although both NASA and space enthusiasts alike see huge benefits in this shiftwhich has initiated a new era of space exploration that will create a more capable and efficient space industrythe report explains that the changing dynamic has also left NASA, the decades-long pacesetter for the American space project, with an uncertain role. NASAs Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel warns the development could have consequences for years to come, the report noted.

The Washington Post cites that the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, which said in its annual report released last month regarding the growth of companies like SpaceX that there is tremendous upside potential which is accompanied by equally tremendous challenges for managing the risk of human space exploration.

NASA will need to make some strategically critical decisions.

The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel added that NASA leadership in human space exploration is still preeminent, but the agencys role is evolving with critical implications for how risk and safety will be managed.

So far, as the Washington Post further states, NASA has done well as it shifts from principally executing its programs and missions to commercially acquiring significant key elements and services, the ASAP said. But, as the agency continues to evolve it added, NASA must make some strategically critical decisions, based on deliberate and thorough consideration, that are necessary because of their momentous consequences for the future of human space exploration and, in particular, for the management of the attendant risks.

READ MORE:
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Associate in Business Administration Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 188 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 188 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Associate in Business Administration Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-associate-in-business-administration-degree-programs/

2021 Associate in Business Administration Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Albany Technical College

Alexandria Technical & Community College

Amarillo College

Atlantic Cape Community College

Averett University

Barton County Community College

Bay State College

Belhaven University

Bladen Community College

Broward College

Bryan College

California Coast University

Campbellsville University

Central Community College

Cerro Coso Community College

Chaminade University, Honolulu

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clovis Community College

Cochise College

College of Central Florida

College of Southern Idaho

College of Southern Maryland

Colorado Christian University

Concordia University, Wisconsin

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

Crown College

Delgado Community College

Des Moines Area Community College

Drury University

Eastern Oklahoma State College

Endicott College

Excelsior College

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida State College, Jacksonville

Genesee Community College

Grantham University

Indiana Wesleyan University

Lake Superior College

Liberty University

Luna Community College

Northeast Community College

Pennsylvania State University

Saint Leo University

Southern Maine Community College

Southern New Hampshire University

SUNY Corning Community College

Thomas Edison State University

Toccoa Falls College

University of Toledo

Washtenaw Community College

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
There are many misconceptions about becoming a Body20 franchise owner, the main one being that you need to be an expert in the health and fitness industry. Let's debunk some myths surrounding this role, explore tips for success and find out what makes the perfect Body20 owner...
Tens of thousands of undocumented workers would be given access to visas letting them earn proper wages in the regular economy under a scheme that has won the backing of a group of Nationals MPs determined to fix a shortfall of fruit and vegetable pickers.

Academic estimates put the number of undocumented migrants in Australia between 50,000 and 100,000, with many working on farms where they earn as little as $3 an hour while farms paying award wages struggle to find enough workers because border closures have slashed the number of backpackers here.

Legitimate operators are facing a worker shortage. Credit:Justin McManus

Nationals MPs Anne Webster, Pat Conaghan, Sam McMahon and Damian Drum have all endorsed the plan, described as either an amnesty or visa status resolution for undocumented migrants, to fix both problems at the same time.

Swan Hill stone fruit grower Ian McAlister needs 20 more workers to complete his harvest at full capacity but has had to turn away prospective staff who do not have the proper papers. He suspects many other operators across industries from hospitality to tourism are not so scrupulous. Nonetheless, some of Mr McAlisters fruit has rotted on the ground.
Ahmad Abubakar narrowly escaped being killed on his farm in Madaka, near Kagara, in 2020. The retired secondary school teacher resides in Kagara, the headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, where 42 persons, including 27 schoolboys, were abducted from Government Science College on February 17.

The year before Mr Abubakars encounter with bandits, they had killed his younger brother along the Kaduna-Kagara road.

They rode on bikes and I was just on my farm. I hid somewhere and saw the bandits pass close to where I was hiding. I was shaking, the septuagenarian told our reporter.

The bandits stole his farm produce and rode away.

Mr Abubakar said his younger brother was kidnapped in a neighbouring village to Kagara the previous year. The bandits demanded a ransom of N5 million but later reduced it to N500,000 when they realized the family had no such money. Still, the family could not raise the reduced ransom on time.

Where would I get the money? They kept calling me, Mr Abubakar recalled.

A few days later, another victim who had secured his own release told Mr Abubakar that the bandits had killed his brother.

He said they chained his legs to a tree and shot him, Mr Abubakar said.

Spotlight

Kagara and its adjoining villages have been under the siege of bandits for more than two years. However, it was the kidnapping of the schoolboys that brought the ordeals and sorrow of the community to national attention.

In that incident at the public secondary school on the outskirts of Kagara town, bandits abducted 42 persons, including the 27 students, three staff members and 12 members of their families.

The bandits raided two of the five hostels in the school, Barde and Lafene halls, to ferret out the students, in the process killing one of them, Benjamin Habilah.

The incident drew swift condemnations, including from the United Nations which described attacks on schools and other educational facilities as abhorrent and unacceptable. It also urged the Nigerian government to spare no effort in rescuing those abducted and holding to account those responsible for this act.

The state and federal governments have said they were negotiating the release of the abducted persons with the bandits.

A familiar terrain

Kidnapping for ransom has become rampant in many parts of Nigeria.

A report published in May by SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence said between 2011 and 2020, Nigerians paid at least $18.34 million (7 billion) in ransoms to kidnappers.

In Niger and many other states in North-central and North-west Nigeria, bandits kill and kidnap at will despite the efforts of security agencies to check the menace.

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Residents of Kagara said they had lost count of kidnapping incidents in the area.

They said on some days, people would leave their houses at night to avoid the risk of abduction. But even taking such precautions did not often guarantee safety.

Killing, kidnapping spree

A day before the attack on Government Science College, bandits killed the district head of Kushirki, a town about 20 kilometres from Kagara. Musa Kwabe, a Kagara leader who is also a younger brother to the deceased, said one person was yet to be accounted for in that incident.

He was killed around 3 a.m., not far from his residence, inside the bush, Mr Kwabe told our reporter on Saturday. One of our brothers, Mai Wada, was also taken away and up till now, the bandits are asking us for ransom.

This newspaper reported how the district head of Madaka, Zakariyau Idris, two of children and three other persons were also kidnapped in December 2019.

The bandits asked their families to pay N4 million as ransom, and it was not negotiable.

They were there for four weeks before the 4 million was paid and they were released, an official had told PREMIUM TIMES in August, 2020.

Nearly a year after the 2019 attack, the district head was kidnapped for a second time.

A former council chairman and relation, Muhammad Hussein, said the bandits killed the district head on December 21, 2020. Mr Hussein said the family had raised the N850,000 the bandits demanded as ransom before they got to know he had been murdered.

We demanded to speak with him before paying the money. That was when we realised that he had been killed. We had contributed N850,000. But someone told us that he had been killed so we told them to put us through to him but they did not. That was why we did not later pay the money.

The household of the murdered district head relocated to Minna, the state capital, after the incident, Mr Hussein added.

Another district head, Abdulhamid Danyaro of Gumna (Yakila), is yet to be released, two months after his abductors collected a ransom of N3 million for his release.

Mr Danyaro was abducted on December 10, 2020. Those familiar with his case told PREMIUM TIMES that those who took the ransom to the kidnappers were harassed and beaten but allowed to return home empty-handed.

It is uncertain whether Mr Danyaro is still alive or has been killed by his abductors.

Empty health facility

The impact of the menace of banditry on Kagara and its environs is easy to notice even for a visitor.

With no obstruction at the security post and at the partially opened gate, one would have thought the hospital was open to patients any time of the day. But nobody was found in the facility that sunny afternoon.

They have not been around for weeks, a dark-skinned woman wearing a multi-coloured scarf told our reporter.

Ruth, as she later identified herself, sells food outside the hospital. According to her, the management and staff abandoned the hospital because of recurring attacks and kidnapping for ransom by bandits in the community.

Before they fled the facility weeks before PREMIUM TIMES visit, the health workers only attended to out-patients for security reasons.

For more than two months now, they only treated you but they could not admit you because of bandits, Ms Ruth said.

She, however, added that the health workers may resume work the following week.

For the 30 minutes our reporter spent in the facility, no one appeared to notice his presence. Some of the offices, including the record section where the files are kept, were opened. The dust on the files and equipment indicated it had been a while any activity last took place there.

According to Mr Hussein, the community now depends on primary healthcare centres in the area. For any serious health complaint, however, a patient has to travel through the unsafe routes to Minna, he said.

Economic, academic activities grounded

The incessant attacks have taken a toll on the economy of the agrarian community. Many farmers have abandoned their farms as bandits stole or destroyed their produce.

Many farmers have not cultivated crops because of the issue. To harvest has become a problem. This local government area is proud of farming but now, it is difficult for farmers. We dont know when next we can go to farm, Abdullahi Balarabe, a commercial farmer, said.

Yunusa Acha, a resident who sells agro-chemicals, said his business has been badly affected by the security crisis.

It is when people go to farms that they can buy agro-chemicals, he said.

Those who took the risk of going to farm could not harvest. Their produce has been burnt. Now, when bandits come to your place and they dont get anything, they burn the house.

The only commercial bank in the community was shut down since September 2, 2020 when it was raided by bandits who carted away the cash they found in the vaults.

The robbery lasted about 12 hours, between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. before the bandits withdrew to their hideouts in adjoining forests, Vanguard newspaper had reported.

Mr Kwabe said the banks security officer was killed in the incident. More would have died but thank God, the manager acted fast. He had told them to close early that day, he said.

Also, many schools in the community have not opened for more than a year due to the security situation and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our children have not gone to school for more than a year. More than eleven schools, both primary and secondary schools, are closed, Salihu Danladi, a resident of Kagara, told our reporter.

Confidence in local vigilantes

However, many of the residents interviewed said the situation would have been worse without the heroic efforts of local vigilantes.

Some of these bandits are from Zamfara and other states. They work with some of our people and it is easier for the vigilantes to know their hideouts, compared to the police and other security agencies, Mr Kwabe said.

Aside from that, the community leader said the people have lost confidence in the police, alleging complicity of some officers in the banditry.

All these while, no bandits have been arrested. Instead, they arrest the vigilantes. Once they kill bandits, it becomes a problem. It is as if they are there to protect the bandits and not the people.

He urged the government to empower and support the vigilantes.

Our people do not have guns while these people are using AK-47. Before the vigilante can think of loading his gun again, these bandits have fired several shots, Mr Kwabe said.

He also condemned the negotiations by the government with bandits and the demand for an amnesty for them made by Abubakar Gumi, an Islamic scholar. Mr Gumi has been mediating between the government and the bandits for the release of those kidnapped in Kagara.

There should be another way to negotiate with the bandits  the way the government dealt with the Niger-Delta (militants). There must be a process. These bandits should be allowed to go through the process so that the kind of drugs and the kind of things they do They should be rehabilitated before being integrated back into the society, Mr Gumi said recently.

Mr Balarabe, the commercial farmer, called for devolution of power to give local authorities control over security outfits.

The DPO (divisional police officer) is waiting for the area commander. The area commander is receiving orders from the commissioner of police who acts on the orders of the IG (Inspector General of Police). Let there be decentralisation of the system, where you are not waiting for Abuja to talk, Mr Balarabe said.

But according to the Executive Director of Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Abideen Olasupo, what is needed is synergy between local vigilante and the security forces.

There cant be banditry in a community without the connivance or intelligence report of local people. So there is a need to activate the local vigilantes and empower people, especially traditional and religious institutions, to work together.

He said fighting banditry needs a holistic approach and neighbouring states should also be on alert.

Mr Olasupo also kicked against the demands for amnesty for bandits.

Police efforts

When PREMIUM TIMES visited the police station in Kagara, the most senior officer on duty refused to speak. He directed our reporter to the spokesperson of the police in the state command headquarters.

But our reporter saw a fleet of new motorcycles, which Abdullahi, one of the officers who spoke with our reporter unofficially, said were brought to the community to aid the activities of the police.

More will also be sent to the town, he added.

PREMIUM TIMES also observed the deployment of officers to different parts of the town.

When contacted for his reaction, Abiodun Wasiu, the spokesperson of the police in Niger State, referred our reporter to a statement from the police headquarters in Abuja.

In the statement signed by Frank Mba, the police spokesperson, the Inspector-General of Police ordered the deployment of additional tactical, intelligence and investigative assets of the Force, including four (4) units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) attached to Operation Puff Adder II, one (1) Unit of Police Special Forces, personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and operatives from the Force Intelligence Bureau and the Force Criminal Investigations Department.

Also, one police aerial surveillance helicopter was deployed.

The Police component of the search and rescue operation is being coordinated by the Commissioner of Police, Niger State who is effectively harnessing all the deployed resources and working in sync with the Military and other law enforcement agents in ensuring an intelligence-driven, focused and result-oriented ground and aerial surveillance in the rescue operations and to bring the perpetrators to book.

The Inspector General of Police, while calling for calm, has enjoined members of the community to provide the Force and the security community with useful, relevant and timely information that can assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations, the statement read.
First Cases of UK Strain of Coronavirus Detected in Algeria  Pasteur Institute

CAIRO, February 26 (Sputnik) The first two cases of the UK strain of the coronavirus have been detected in Algeria, the Health Ministry's Pasteur Institute said.

On February 19, two cases of the UK strain of the coronavirus were detected via PCR tests, the institute said on Thursday in a statement, obtained by Sputnik.

One of the patients has arrived from France to visit the funeral of his father while the other one has been hospitalized in the northern Algerian city of Cheraga.
Police use of stop and search risks losing the trust of the black community, a damning report by the official watchdog has warned as the number of black murder victims in Britain has hit a 20-year high.

HM Inspectorate of Police said police forces are still unable to explain a 'disproportionate' use of the controversial powers to search for drugs on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people.

The report, published today by HMI Wendy Williams, said the use of the tactic was causing 'far-reaching and long lasting' damage to community relations - especially when no drugs were typically found.

She also warned that the damage could outweigh any benefits and urged police forces to consider whether a focus on tackling drug possession with stop and search was an effective use of the powers.

The report came as official figures found that 105 black people were murdered in the year to March 2020, with half aged under 24 and the homicide rate for black people five times that of white people, in the highest toll since 2002.

The report came as official figures showed that 105 black people were murdered in the year to March 2020, the highest number since 2002. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said half were aged under 24, with the homicide rate for black people five times that of white people

HM Inspectorate of Police said forces are still unable to explain a 'disproportionate' use of powers on BAME people. Pictured, a policeman in Liverpool using stop and search

Police use of stop and search fell as murder rate rose - after Theresa May condemned 'discriminatory' tactics Official figures show the number of stop and searches fell from 1.2 million in 2010/11 to 280,000 in 2017/18, before increasing to 558,973 in 2019/20. At the same time, the homicide rate for black victims has risen from 29.5 per million in the three years to March 2014 to 49.5 in the three years to March 2020. The murder rate in England and Wales rose after 2014, when then Home Secretary Theresa May stopped stop and search on grounds the tactic was 'discriminatory' against ethnic minorities. Though police forces have stepped up use of the tactic in the past two years, there has been a decline following the killing of George Floyd in the US last May and the Black Lives Matter protests that followed. Ken Marsh, chair of the Met Police Federation, said 'there's a clear correlation', adding: 'When Theresa May condemned stop and search and we stopped doing it, what happened? A rise in murders and knife crime went through the roof.' In London alone, the number of stops and searches by Metropolitan Police officers has fallen by 51 per cent from 43,938 in May 2020 to 21,243 in January. The tactics have been defended by Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House, who said stop and search was being targeted 'where the problem lies'. He argued that inevitably meant an ethnic imbalance because 'young black men are dying on the streets of London and are being stabbed on the streets of London and, candidly, are also stabbing on the streets of London.' Officers have now lost confidence in the use of stop and search. Earlier this month, Met Superintendent Simon Rotherham told the Telegraph: 'It's very interesting to see that the numbers of black people being searched, reduced over the summer considerably. Was that a result of Black Lives Matter, I don't know. He added: 'The thing that has been really evident for us over the last few years is just how fragile officer confidence is around stop and search. 'It's a discretionary power. You don't have to do it, no one can make you do it. If you don't think you've got grounds to search then you shouldn't be doing it.' Advertisement

Police chiefs blame the murder rate rise on a surge in knife crime caused by cuts to officer numbers and a decline in stop and searches after 2014.

The number of knife crime offences has doubled in the past six years, rising by six per cent in the year before the first Covid-19 lockdown to more than 50,000.

The murder rate in England and Wales rose six years ago, when then Home Secretary Theresa May stopped stop and search on grounds the tactic was 'discriminatory' against ethnic minorities.

Though police forces have stepped up use of the tactic in the past two years, there has been a decline following the killing of George Floyd in the US last May and the Black Lives Matter protests that followed globally.

In London alone, the number of stop and searches by Scotland Yard has fallen by 51 per cent from 43,938 in May 2020 to 21,243 in January this year.

The tactics have been defended by Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House, who said stop and search was being targeted 'where the problem lies'.

He told the Telegraph that meant an ethnic imbalance because 'young black men are dying on the streets of London and are being stabbed on the streets of London and, candidly, are also stabbing on the streets of London'.

However, Ms Williams in her report today said that there needed to be a 'national debate' on the use of the tactic.

She said one in 10 arrests from stop and search were for public order offences after nothing was found, which could 'cause or reinforce negative attitudes' toward the police and damage community relations.

Ms Williams said: 'Unfair use of powers can be counterproductive if it leads people to think it is acceptable to not comply with the law.

'It may also make people unwilling to report when they are the victim of crime or come forward as witnesses.

'The police must be able to show the public that their use of these powers is fair, lawful and appropriate, or they risk losing the trust of the communities they serve.'

She went on: 'Forces should reflect on the findings of this report. They should analyse their data and either explain, with evidence, the reasons for disproportionality, or take demonstrable action to address it.

'The police service must be able to show the public evidence that their use of the powers is fair, lawful and appropriate, or risk losing the trust of the communities they serve.'

The report also said that data from 2019/20 shows ethnic minority people were over four times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, and that black people specifically were nearly nine times more likely.

It said: 'Over 35 years on from the introduction of stop and search legislation, no force fully understands the impact of the use of these powers.

'Disproportionality persists and no force can satisfactorily explain why.'

Data from the same time period found black people were about 5.7 times more likely to have force used on them than white people, with figures showing they were more than nine times as likely to have Tasers drawn on them.

The report reveals black people were also eight times more likely to be handcuffed while compliant and three times more likely to have a spit and bite guard used on them than white people, for reasons the inspectorate said are 'unclear'.

HMI Wendy Williams (left) warned police use of stop and search risks losing the trust of the black community. Pictured right, Home Secretary Priti Patel

Knife crime offences DOUBLE in just six years to go above 50,000 for first time, newly published 2020 figures show Knife crime offences have doubled in just six years to go above 50,000 for the first time since records began, newly-published figures lay bare. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that offences involving knives or sharp instruments rose by six per cent from 47,388 to 50,019 in England and Wales in the year before the first Covid-19 lockdown was imposed. Of these offences, 22,012 (44 per cent) were for assault with injury or assault with intent to cause serious harm, and 21,961 (44 per cent) were used in a robbery. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that offences involving knives or sharp instruments rose from 47,388 to 50,019 in England and Wales However, NHS hospitals in England reported an eight per cent fall in admissions for assault by a sharp object between April 2019 and March 2020. The ONS also found that homicides have risen seven per cent to 695 offences including the Grays lorry incident with 39 homicide victims in the same period. Recent figures also show that knife crime soared by 25 per cent after the first lockdown was eased last summer and have sparked concerns of an 'eruption' of violence once current Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that violent crime was likely to 'rebound' after the shutdown, following the murder of aspiring lawyer Sven Badzak, 22, who was stabbed to death in North London. Policing Minister Kit Malthouse told the Times: 'We are working closely with the police and others to stop this senseless bloodshed, particularly as Covid restrictions are eased over coming months.' Advertisement

Brandishing the use of these powers as 'unfair', the watchdog warned this risks further reducing public trust in the police and could lead to more black and ethnic minority people being drawn into the criminal justice system, as well as disrupt their education and family lives and reduce their work opportunities.

'It feeds perceptions among the public and police about black people and crime, and may also influence how the police allocate and deploy resources,' Ms Williams said in the report.

While improvements were made in 2018/19 in monitoring stop and search, the report states too many police forces still do not analyse and monitor enough information and data 'to understand fully how fairly and effectively the powers are used'.

Inspectors found the most common reason given for the use of stop and search is due to suspected drug possession 'rather than supply', which it said indicates that 'efforts are not being effectively focused on force priorities'.

It cited one such priority as county lines, the criminal network of gangs that use a dedicated mobile phone line to distribute drugs, usually from an urban area to a smaller town.

'Forces often cite county lines as a reason for stop and search, but to be most effective, policing tactics to address this need to target drugs supply more effectively,' Ms Williams said in her report.

The inspectorate is calling on police leaders to consider whether focusing stop and search on tackling drug possession is an effective use of these powers.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) welcomed the report and said the use of stop and search powers 'within certain communities has long been a cause for concern'.

IOPC director general Michael Lockwood said: 'Only by understanding the causes of this disproportionality - and helping officers to understand fully how their use of stop and search and use of force impacts on those most affected - can we start to make the changes that are needed.

'The report highlights the fundamental shift we need to see in the culture of policing in being open and accountable when concerns are raised.'

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said it is developing plans to address the disproportionality in the use of stop and search and to 'explain it and take action to reduce it wherever possible'.

NPCC's lead for stop and search, deputy assistant commissioner Amanda Pearson, said the police body will 'consider the recommendation around the best approaches to tackling drug crime'.

She added: 'We hold the power of stop and search on behalf of the public so it is vital our communities have confidence in the way it is used and that officers have the confidence to use it effectively and appropriately.'

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said stop and search saved lives after it helped remove 11,000 dangerous weapons from UK streets last year.

He added that young black men are disproportionately more likely to be the victims of knife crime.

'We are committed to ensuring that stop and search is conducted lawfully, and that safeguards, including training, guidance, and body worn video, are in place to help ensure it is used effectively, and that nobody is stopped solely on the basis of their skin colour,' Mr Malthouse said.

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As a filmmaker, Barbara Hall is used to rejection and things not going her way.

When she was approached about doing a documentary about Loretta Lynn, she knew it was a long shot.

Turns out she was pleasantly surprised.

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I do thank my lucky stars that it was a quick yes,  she says of the country legends willingness to do the documentary. Shes 88 years old, and COVID is around. If I were her, I would be saying no to everything. But Loretta has spunk and doesnt shy away from anything.

Hall spent months with Lynn.

The end result is Loretta Lynn: My Story in My Words, which premieres at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, on New Mexico PBS Channel 5.1. It will be rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, on Channel 9.1 and again at 1 a.m. Thursday, March 4 on Channel 5.1.

Over the time spent with the country legend, Hall learned many things, including that Lynn doesnt have a chip on her shoulder.

Shes grateful for the career she has, Hall says. You have to remember that Loretta started her career with four kids and seven years of marriage under her belt. Her goal was to make it and she used her work ethic to her advantage.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Lynn writing her classic song Coal Miners Daughter.

The song sparked a book and a feature film.

Like so many other songs written by Lynn, the lyrics told the story of her life and spoke to women who struggled to make ends meet.

Hall says the documentary takes viewers back to the time when Lynn hit the airwaves and follows her rise to record-breaking artist, topping the charts with her feisty female anthems, including You Aint Woman Enough, Dont Come Home A-Drinkin (With Lovin on Your Mind) and Fist City.

Using archival and new audio interviews and classic performances, the documentary lets Lynn tell the story of her own remarkable life.

I wanted to hear Loretta talking about herself, Hall says. Of course, finding the balance of her telling stories and combining that with her music was difficult. We had to pick the real gems so that the audience would get a good sense of her life.

Hall is in awe of Lynns life.

She says Lynn taught herself guitar and guided herself to a successful career during a time when women had barriers in front of them.

It surprised me to see how much she loved her husband, Hall says. To stay put and focus on the good stuff and forgive the bad stuff and make a life with him. She did that. He did push her career, though he was a bit of a wanderer. But she made the conscious choice to make it work with him. She was also able to keep her family intact despite of all that she was dealing with professionally and personally. Its hard to keep a marriage and family together, but she did it. When I was filming, all her kids were there, hanging out with her. It was refreshing to see.

Lynn is also celebrating another milestone in 2021.

She will release her 50th studio album  excluding her 10 studio duet collaborations with Conway Twitty  Still Woman Enough, which celebrates women in country music, on March 19.

Lynn is also one of the most awarded musicians of all time. She has been inducted into more music Halls of Fame than any female recording artist, including The Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was the first woman to be named the Country Music Associations Entertainer of the Year in 1972. Lynn received Kennedy Center Honors in 2003 and a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. In 2015, she was named recipient of Billboards inaugural Women in Music Legend Award. Lynn has won four Grammy Awards (including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010) and sold more than 45 million records worldwide.

ON TV

Loretta Lynn: My Story in My Words, premieres at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, on New Mexico PBS Channel 5.1. It will be rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, on Channel 9.1 and again at 1 a.m. Thursday, March 4, on Channel 5.1.

The Daily Beast

Delil Souleiman/GettyAL-HASAKAH, SyriaWhen former President Donald Trump said U.S. troops would remain in Syria to keep the oil at the end of 2019, the Pentagon scrambled to deny it.American forces only stayed in Syria to comprehensively defeat ISIS, a spokesman explained; any military presence around the oil fields was purely part of the mission to overcome the so-called Islamic State.Two years later, the remnants of ISIS are diminished, but American troops are still on the ground, still helping to protect that oil.The official stance of the White House, the State Department and the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was thenand remains nowthat keeping the oil is not the reason American men and women are still stationed in one of the worlds most treacherous conflicts. U.S. forces and the coalition more broadly does not provide assistance to any private companies, employees or agents in seeking to develop oil resources NE Syria, a spokesperson said in March.But that is not the full story.The U.S. had come up with a simple if morally and legally dubious plan: help Americas Kurdish partners profit from local oil by keeping it out of the hands of the Assad regime or Islamist militias, and then helping to refine and sell it. These oil fields in the northeast were once part of the network from which ISIS drew a reported $1.5 million in daily revenue.The U.S. Soldiers Spending Thanksgiving Guarding Oil in SyriaAfter decades of claims that American administrations only cared about the Middle East because of its oil, officials knew the U.S. Army could not be seen to seize control of oil fields on Syrian territory and dictate who would profit from their riches. Several former and current U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that the United States sought to obscure the plandespite what Trump saideven though it was the oil strategy justifying a continued U.S. footprint in the countrys northeast.If the U.S. couldnt pull this off officially in public, they were going to need some help. Delta Crescent Energy, LLC., a company incorporated in 2019, was about to assume a centraland largely secretrole in American foreign policy.U.S. officials believed the tiny company from Delaware with offices in Texas could become the American equivalent of Russias powerful, private mercenary army, the Wagner Group, which is linked to President Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Wagner is notorious for intervening in areas where it might be politically advantageous to avoid official fingerprints. U.S. officials saw this newly established company as the Wagner Group used for good, not evilin the words of one senior Biden administration official who, like the more than a dozen former and current U.S. administration officials and officials in northeast Syria and northern Iraq, requested anonymity in order to discuss matters of national security. The Daily Beast also exclusively reviewed Deltas company license and its contract with a local oil partner.A plan to stay and protect Syrian oil had been in the works months before Trumps boast in October 2019. But American companies and individuals were prohibited by an Executive Order from the Treasury Department from operating in Syria due to sanctions on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.On April 8, 2020, Delta Crescent, was granted a one-year sanctions waiver in order to advise and assist a local oil company in northeast Syria, an area known locally as Rojava and controlled by the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).A former State Department official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, told The Daily Beast that U.S. officials had decided oil produced in northeast Syria did not really belong to Assad, who claims he was reelected president with 95 percent of the vote last week, because oil belongs to the people not the government.For every barrel the company helped export outside Syria, it would receive $1, according to the production-sharing agreement and the companys application to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The company who took on this enterprise was established by the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James P. Cain, a retired Delta Force officer Jim Reese, and John Dorrier, a former oil executive, at least two of whom donated to Republican party candidates. These three private American citizens suddenly had a huge role to play in one of the U.S.s thorniest foreign policy challenges; how to set up a peaceful and prosperous Kurdish bulwark against Assad.This is the shift we didnt make in Iraq in 2003, a senior U.S. official said. We didnt backfill and if we dont get that right well get the same exact result. If we dont work the commercial and economic angle, were going to lose this battle.That is a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of these three men.The lofty ambitions of Delta Crescent came to an abrupt end as the Biden administration decided on Friday not to extend the license for Delta Crescents work in Syria. Delta Crescent, officials told me, was the de facto plan for the U.S. in Syria. Now its unclear whether there is a plan at allthe decision to revoke the companys license may give Russian oil and gas companies the chance to move in. So, what went wrong?On the GroundOn the road between Rmelan and the nearby city of Qamishli there are imperfect and patched together oil refineries scattered among villages. Plumes of smoke rise in all directions, curling skyward in the region of Syria that boasts three-quarters of the countrys oil reserves.There are black, damp puddles on the ground around us. Workers lean against motorcycles weighted by canisters containing the product direct from the refineries.Rmelan is a town dominated by oil and where Delta maintained offices and ten employees. There are new housing developments under construction which would house future oil workers near existing dormitories and offices on the outskirts of a series of oil fields operated by Delta Crescents local partner, the Jazeera Oil Company.The first time I spoke with the founders about their progress, in late-February, they had just smuggled oil samples out of Syria as testing capabilities were lacking in the country. I traveled to Rojava in early March to find out how much further they had got.The vision for Delta Crescent to help local partners become financially independent, and to wrest control of the countrys oil sector from Assad, was going to be a bellwether that would help our national security objectives, a former U.S. official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast. Maher Joumaa Howair, Ahmad Abu Mohamad, and an unidentified oil refinery worker. Kenneth R. Rosen During a windswept and cool day one week in March, a group of men were waiting at the refineries for the latest truckloads of crude, which came around two in the afternoon. They were making light repairs to engines and smoking cigarettes near the refineries through which they processed 22 tons each day. Asked about the growth of production rates over the last year, Maher Howair said there was no sign of improvement at all. It has been the same, he said. No fewer or more trucks have come through. No expansion or retraction of the local industry. Their thirty hours of work here each week still consistently yield each man $11 a month.Delta Crescent staff were clearly itching to get to the next step. They said they were on the verge of finalizing contracts with exporters and said the company was waiting for a license to import digital oil well monitors which would arrive in Rojava in mid-April.The founders hoped that trucks with local crude, exported through contracts they negotiated would soon cross into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. They had already planned celebrations in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, once the trucks started moving. Dorrier told the Associated Press that the company had secured about $2 billion in contracts to sell Rojava oil to international buyers, but regional oil industry executives told The Daily Beast that was unlikely.American officials had waged a public relations campaign to say U.S. forces were not there for the oil. But roughly 900 troops remain in Syria today to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, an irreversible political solution to the Syrian conflict... and the removal of all Iranian-supported forces, a State Department spokesperson told The Daily Beast. They also have directions to defend their position, which so happened to include the operations of Delta Crescent.A former senior U.S. military official who worked in the region told The Daily Beast that the U.S. actively trained a force within the SDF for the task of protecting the fields where Delta Crescent operated. The Critical Petroleum Infrastructure teamas it is known to U.S. military officialsis composed of 200 fighters from the SDF. They now conduct joint patrols with U.S. forces who visit oil facilities three to five times a week to assess  defenses, according to the latest report from the DoDs Lead Inspector General.This military support had led to reestablishing some confidence between the U.S. and the SDF after Trumps shock 2019 withdrawal which led to more than 100 deaths during a Turkish invasion. The support has also allowed the Kurds to edge toward financial self-sustainment and furthering its capabilities to defend its territory by providing additional security which gave rise to a political apparatus and a stronger internal military. But it has not helped to sever Rojavas reliance on the regime by introducing new revenue streams.Two of the Delta Crescent founders who spoke to The Daily Beast felt they were making progress, but said the U.S. Government had not backed them by pressuring regional leaders in neighboring countries to work with them.There was then, and continues to be, a robust trade in non-sanctioned oil across Syrias borders, but the people of the region have not been getting a fair market price for their oil, because it has not been legal, Cain said.Trump Announces New Syria Plan: Blood for OilThe illegal trade was still booming when I arrived and underscores how arms length U.S. support for Delta Crescent made the companys mission to advise and assist impossible. The State Department had high hopes to establish a low level free movement of goods and people, a former official told me, but failed to go all-in. There was also talk of helping with mobile oil refineries and equipment which has not materialized.Since January, when Delta Crescent tried and failed to open an additional border crossing between Iraq and Syria at the town of al-Yarubiyah, officials within the SDF and the Biden administration had begun hemorrhaging their faith in Delta Crescent. Meanwhile, the Assad regime had led a successful propaganda campaign to convince Syrians that Americans are there to steal the nations oil. Few in Syriaeven among American alliesbelieved the U.S. was there for anything resembling assistance or support or that it wont commit yet another betrayal.In mid-May, as the license extension neared its end, Reese grew concerned that the company would not be granted a renewal. He worried U.S. officials believed Delta Crescent was a Trump-era holdover and wanted it gone.As I drove through Rojava, I often passed trucks chugging west and bearing license plates for regime-held territory like Damascus and Aleppo. Delta was supposed to have opened routes in the opposite direction. It never happened and the fruits of production in this Kurdish enclave are continuing to nourish Assads regime.Who are Delta Crescent?Five years ago, one of the founders of Delta, Ambassador Cain, learned that his son-in-law had been caught up in a terror attack at Brussels Airport in Belgium. With information scarce, Cain jumped on a flight with his daughter, Cameron.To help his daughter find her husband, Cain turned to a network of contacts hed established as a career diplomat. He called Jim Reese when it emerged that ISIS had claimed responsibility for the five suicide bombers, who had targeted the airport and subway.At the time, Reese owned TigerSwan, a company contracted by the Department of Defense to clear landmines near the city of Raqqa. He sent some of his ex-military contractors to Belgium to help. They would soon learn that two of the attackers had survived during the three-way coordinated bombing and that Cains son-in-law, Alexander Pinczowski, had died instantly, along with 31 others between the days series of attacks.Cain stayed involved in the case, later testifying at the trial of the surviving attackers.A couple of years later, Cain and Reese reconvened at a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. They were there to discuss a new venture. Within monthsin December 2018the two men were in Rojava scouting for possible business opportunities in war ravaged northern Syria.They were in the country when Trump made the shock announcement that he was pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, which would leave Americas Kurdish allies to fend for themselves against both Assad and Turkish President Erdogan. Cain was so moved by the betrayal that he published an op-ed in the Washington Post encouraging Trump to reconsider.Reese now says he proposed the idea of an oil company to Commander Mazloum Abdi while at the SDF headquarters in Ain-Issa during their visit. He says it was all his idea.Whats in it for me, at the end of the day, is Im a servant leader. Thats what drives Jim Reese. I was put on this world to help people who need assistance, Reese told The Daily Beast. Whether thats overseas, whether thats in the U.S., whether thats someone getting pushed around on the playground. If I see someone and I can help them thats: If not me, who?Not everyone believes that Americas keep the oil strategy was all down to a flash of inspiration from one man.Lahur Talabany, the intelligence chief who first introduced U.S. officials to the SDF, told The Daily Beast that the protection of oil assets had long been in the works as the reason for U.S. forces staying in northeast Syria.Mazloum was talking about this with the State Department and they reached out to us way before that, Talabany told The Daily Beast during a meeting at his office in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. The DoD was also asking if we could help them with a refinery to refine the fuel right there so we could bring in some companies. This was a year before the announcement of a U.S. troop drawdown.The intelligence apparatus of Talabanywho is also co-leader of Iraqi Kurdistans second-largest political partyplayed a key role in the assassination of Qassim Soleimani via a drone stroke in January 2020, according to a recent report in Yahoo News.Talabany denied involvement but maintains close relations with U.S. interests.A Series of Impossible PositionsDelta Crescent now found itself in a crucible; caught between hostile foreign governments, a vengeful Syrian regime and corrupt local forces.Did the plan to use a tiny private oil company to bring stability to the region ever stand a chance?One thing is clear, no one in Syria ever believed the Americans had a cohesive long-term strategy. The uncertainty created a game of ambiguity between all sides, said a U.S. official briefed on matters in the country.That hesitancy was exploited by Iranian and Russian forces in the region which arent living in an ambiguous policy environment, the official told me. Moscow and Tehran have backed their assets in Syria to act decisively.In direct opposition to U.S. interests, Russia has worked to protect the oil market for the Syrian regime, according to people in Rojava who work in the oil sector. They did that by providing security and logistical support to Hussam al-Qaterji, "the godfather of the regimes oil and wheat trade with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)," according to a Treasury Department sanctions notice. The city of Qamishli. Kenneth R. Rosen The Daily Beast tracked down one of Qaterjis oil truck drivers.He said Qaterji wasnt his only employer and that he used two trucks (one for wheat, one for oil), which meant people other than Assad were profiting off the oil in Rojava. His routes were once between Qamishli and through Deir al-Zour to regime territory, but now he goes west from Rojava to other regime-controlled areas, signaling a move away from Russian and Iranian forces.Without a formal severing of trade between the northeast and the regime in Damascus, U.S. officials said, Rojava will be beholden to Assad, a war criminal who will keep them subjugated.But the SDF and Rojava couldnt rely on the U.S., either.The center of gravity has shifted from building a security zone to building an economy, a conflict monitor familiar with international projects in the region told me. Rojava still relies on regime engineers and its refining capabilities for diesel, and gas for cooking, a trade which does not include exchange of much-needed cash for Rojava.Asked if Delta Crescents objectives were ever possible, the monitor added, Its a series of impossible positions.Aside from anti-American forces such as Russia and Iran, potential allies also failed to help the long-shot oil plan.When Delta Crescent sought to broker a new arrangement between the neighboring Kurdish regions, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq refused to renegotiate its illegal trade with Rojava. Mansour Barzani, the brother of the Kurdish prime minister and the cousin of the regional president, was working to undermine the Delta Crescent operation, according to conversations which have not been previously reported.According to those familiar with the negotiations, near the end of 2020, the Lanaz refinery controlled by Barzani, increased its capabilities to refine more of the poor-quality oil from Rojava. It paid roughly $19 per barrel for the oil and folded it into its pipeline heading for Turkey. But Barzani wanted 70 percent of the income from the Rojava oil. The Delta founders balked.Millions and millions of dollars are being made on a daily basis on that border, a KRG official familiar with the meeting told The Daily Beast.The KRG has made a turn towards authoritarianism in recent years. In August 2019, around the time the State Department was seeking to aid the oil industry in Rojava, a lawsuit was filed in the Royal Courts of Justice in London against the KRG and its Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti Hawrami, alleging a campaign of harassment which delayed the authorization of operational licenses for a company based in Iraqi Kurdistan called Dynasty Petroleum.Dynasty said it had refused to pay the bribes solicited by KRG officials. Barzanis office and the Hawrami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.The CEO of Dynasty spoke to The Daily Beast on a balcony overlooking the metropolitan sprawl of Sulaymaniyah, a view hemmed by the Zagros mountains and the Iraqi border with Iran.The courtyard below was outfitted with a shack and a gate, manned by one man armed with a Kalashnikov. On the day of our meeting, Hiwa Qaramani was confidently awaiting news about the outcome of the lawsuit: there was precedent for a favorable outcome against the KRG.His frustrations lay not only with the regional government. Even though he believed the KRG had played a role in hampering Delta Crescent and other potential international investment in Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria, he felt he had been even more crippled by American fickleness.Were ready to go invest in electricity, in oil refinery, in telecom, in everything, Qaramani told me, but he said he needed to know that the U.S. would remain steadfast.He had believed that Delta Crescent would be able to usher in new capital investment and break the stranglehold over regional monopolies but all he had seen in reality was a massive disconnect between what Delta Crescent was aiming to do and what the U.S. continued to say publicly.From America, theres no clear statement about the future of this area, he said. Theres always a risk, but the risk is way too high.Did They Even Want U.S. Help?Talabanythe Kurdish intel chiefcan see the value of what Delta Crescent attempted. If the Americans hadnt stayed for the oil, he said, the U.S. would have lost everything.But his view is increasingly rare.Those close to the SDF leadership say Mazloum and his aides were cautioning themselves against relying on U.S. support broadly, and Delta Crescent directly, as they remain uncertain whether either can help them achieve further autonomy from the Assad regime.In private, interested parties have also expressed frustration that the U.S. would grant a sanctions exemption to an American company, but not to Rojava as a whole.U.S. officials argue in Washington, D.C., that Assad no longer has the moral authority to control Rojava, but his regime has reclaimed much of its lost territory in an ongoing campaign which continues to kill and maim thousands.Syrias borders are controlled by various countries and groups, but within the state of Syria, the population is largely now loyal to the regime, whether by choice or not. Even within the Kurdish enclave of Rojava, many expect the regimes return.How the Biden administration plans to position itself in Syria, and whether it might support another economic initiative like Delta Crescent, remains unclear.Shaaban Suleiman, from the village of Gundek Sayid, told The Daily Beast that he thought the current governing body of Rojava would help him when Assad was driven out, but they made things even worse, he said.The oil doesnt benefit the people. It does not matter who comes or who goes. Whoever feeds me is welcome here, he said, noting that much of their oil product was still being sent to regime-held areas despite what the Americans had in mind.Ahmad Saeed, 46, who repairs diesel heaters in nearby Qamishli, said further American involvement would do more harm than good.They will pump oil and steal it amid this famine. They will not work in the interest of the country, he said. Nobody understands them, the Americans. They have been here for years, what has changed? When the Americans go somewhere, they work for their own interests, not the peoples.He blamed ongoing sanctions for the countrys failed economy, gesturing to a crowd swarming the entrance to a U.N. World Food Programme handout.You Americans are chasing us, it is impossible for us to relax, he said. What benefit did the Iraqi people get from you except destruction? What benefit did the Yemeni people or any other nation in the world get from you?Saeed massaged his grease-stained hands.They are all invading our country, he said. The country should belong to its people.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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London, Feb 26 : Queen Elizabeth II has urged the citizens to "think about other people" and get a Covid dose when they are offered one.

The monarch, 94, and the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, received their first doses of the vaccine in January, the BBC reported.

In a video call with health leaders delivering the Covid vaccine across the UK, the Queen was asked about her experience of having the jab.

She smiled as she replied: "Well, as far as I can make out it was quite harmless." "It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from people who have been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine." She added: "It didn't hurt at all." The monarch said she understood getting a jab could be a "difficult" experience for some people but urged everyone to "think about other people rather than themselves".

Emily Lawson, who is leading the vaccine deployment programme for the NHS in England, said the Queen's comments about her vaccine experience were an "incredibly important vote of confidence in the programme".

"We just want to make sure we create the conditions where everybody feels able to take up the offer of a vaccination when they're called," she said.

"And Her Majesty offering her view on that is a huge boost to our confidence and I hope to confidence more broadly in the programme." The Queen also said the speed of the UK's vaccination rollout had been "remarkable" so far.

Speaking to the four officials overseeing the programme in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, she added: "Keep up the good work." More than 18 million people have had a first vaccine dose - equivalent to one in three adults in the UK.

The vaccine rollout has entered its next phase, after everyone in the top four priority groups was offered a jab. Many areas are now offering vaccine appointments to over-60s, adult carers of disabled people and younger adults in care homes.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 06:10:06|Editor: huaxia

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RABAT, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Morocco on Friday urged Libyan political parties to accelerate the formation of a new government to lead Libya during the transition phase.

"The establishment of a new government will clarify the vision on the Libyan political path," Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita told the press after his meeting in capital Rabat with visiting Speaker of the Libyan eastern-based House of Representatives Aguila Saleh.

"Libyans need a government in which all regions and political orientations are represented so as to manage this transition phase," he said.

Bourita added that he had talks with Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, the newly-selected prime minister of Libya, to whom he assured Morocco's willingness to help Libyans achieve unity and preserve the country's integrity.

For his part, Saleh said that the Libyan House of Representatives seeks to form "a small interim government that must represent the various Libyan regions" in order to overcome the differences.

"We want the government to meet the needs of the Libyan people who suffer shortages of food, medicine and liquidity," Saleh added.

In October 2020, the Libyan parties signed a permanent cease-fire agreement that ended the war between the eastern-based army and the UN-backed government in and around the capital Tripoli, which lasted more than a year.

The UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum recently selected a new executive authority for the country, of which main tasks include preparing for the upcoming general elections on Dec. 24, 2021 as agreed. Enditem
A teenage camper who found Melissa Caddick's shoe on a beach almost threw it in the bin before seeing there were bones inside.

Caddick vanished a day after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission confronted her during a raid at her luxury Dover Heights home in Sydney's eastern suburbs on November 11.

Human remains washed up on a beach on the New South Wales South Coast on Sunday - which were later matched to Melissa Caddick's DNA from her toothbrush.

Just one bouquet of flowers was pictured sitting at her parents' home after being delivered by well-wishers on Friday.

Caddick stood accused of a huge alleged fraud in which she swindled at least $20million from clients who included friends and family.

A group of three teenage campers were at Bournda National Park near Tathra on Sunday when one of them found the shoe lying on the sand.

A photo of the shoe that washed up on the New South Wales South Coast containing Caddick's dismembered foot

During the raid of her Dover Heights home by ASIC, Caddick allegedly demanded answers on how she was to abide by a court order freezing her assets. There is no suggestion ASIC acted improperly

When he turned the shoe upside down as he went to throw it out, he discovered there were human remains inside.

Police later used footage from the raid of her home - which had featured vision of her feet - to help identify her as the shoe's owner.

On Friday, flowers were delivered to Barbara Grimley's home at Edgecliff after the news broke that her daughter's remains had been found.

Grimley is Caddick's maiden name.

One well-wisher could be seen delivering an arrangement of flowers to the property, but only a single bouquet was already propped up against the gate.

Caddick's parents Barbara and Ted are said to be 'furious at ASIC', the corporate watchdog, for what has happened.

Flowers addressed to Barbara Grimley were delivered to her home at Edgecliff on Friday following the news her daughter's remains had been identified

Only a single bouquet of flowers could be seen propped up against the gate of her parents' property

Caddick disappeared without warning on November 12 and despite multiple sightings reported to police, there were no confirmed reports of her whereabouts - until this week.

At 2pm on Sunday a dismembered foot was found by three teenagers when it washed up in a running shoe at Bournda National Park near Tathra. 9News reported one of the teenagers only found the foot when he went to throw it in the bin.

In a sworn statement tendered at the Federal Court, and recently made public, ASIC investigator Isabella Allen alleges Caddick hit her with a barrage of questions when authorities raided her $6.2million Dover Heights mansion on November 11.

Caddick allegedly demanded answers on how she was to abide by a court order freezing her assets.

Her decomposed foot was found by campers 400km away from Dover Heights on Bournda Beach in Tathra

Those questions includes: When would she have to appear in court? Where would she drop off her passports? Did one order mean she couldn't use her credit cards, because she used them for all transactions?

Caddick also asked how quickly she had to write up a description of her assets and liabilities, and 'how am I supposed to do that when you have taken my computers?' she allegedly said.

The investigator replied: 'I am unable to answer that question and it may be best that you speak to a lawyer. Do you have a lawyer?'

Police bodycam footage from the raid on Melissa Caddick's home in November was the last confirmed sighting of her before disappearing the next day

It is believed ASIC had been investigating her for three months before the raid.

Investigators were looking into Caddick's disappearance held vital clues about her whereabouts just days after she vanished.

Modelling by NSW Police marine rescue teams, taking tides and drift patterns into account, has explored the possibility that Ms Caddick entered the water in the Dover Heights area around November 12.

Melissa Caddick (pictured) disappeared without a trace from her Sydney home on November 11

Melissa Caddick's husband Anthony Koletti (right) with her brother Adam Grimley during their only press conference about her disappearance

Meanwhile on Wednesday it was made clear the investigation into the mission millions would continue.

"ASIC's priority is to seek the return of funds to investors in the most efficient way possible," an ASIC spokesperson said.

"Following the announcement ... that the remains of Ms Melissa Caddick have been identified, ASIC notes that its investigation into Ms Caddick and her company, Maliver Pty Ltd, is continuing."
Oklahoma state senator wants ban on critical race theory in public schools

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Branding the idea as divisive, Republican Oklahoma state Sen. Shane Jett is pushing to ban critical race theory from being taught in public schools.

"Instead of teaching equality and harmony and celebrating our progress in American history, this experiment in freedom, they are instead telling children to forget that. The very foundation of the American government is flawed, is racist. And if you're white, you are by definition a racist and you don't even know it. And if you're a person of color, then you are oppressed and you've been victimized. And it's by the other side of the classroom who are white, they have done it and their ancestors," Jett said of proponents of critical race theory in a recent interview with Blaze media.

Critical race theory is a framework through which some scholars seek to understand how victims of systemic racism are affected by cultural perceptions of race and how they are able to represent themselves to counter prejudice. Scholarship on the theory traces racism in America through the legacy of slavery, the civil rights movement and recent events.

Jett is hoping to ban CRT in Oklahoma public schools with his Senate Bill 803, which has yet to get a hearing in the Senate Education Committee, because he believes critical race theory is literally teaching animosity."

"The bill basically says you can no longer do this. You cannot abuse public school kids at taxpayers' expense and try to get them to distrust each other, distrust American history, and then completely rewrite our history," he said.

Critical race theory has been a major issue of contention in the evangelical and political arena in recent years.

Last September, former President Donald Trump banned the idea from being taught at federal agencies after calling it offensive and anti-American, but President Joe Biden reversed the move last month.

The theory has also split churches along racial lines in the Southern Baptist Convention  the nations largest Protestant denomination  prompting an exodus of some high-profile black congregations from the SBC in recent months.

While admitting that the theory is not in-line with SBC doctrine, SBC President J.D. Greear recently noted that the debate around CRT is an important discussion that has revealed the need for a deeper reckoning on race in the church.

Let me state this very clearly, as clearly as I can, critical race theory is an important discussion and I am all for, as I hope you would be, robust theological discussion about it. For something as important as what biblical justice looks like in the world today, we need careful, robust, Bibles open, on our knees discussion. But we should mourn when closet racists and neo confederates feel more at home in our churches than do many of our people of color, Greear said.

Shannon Fleck, executive director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches who found Jetts bill offensive, told Oklahoma News 4 that: Every single second for our black, indigenous people of color in our state and nation is about race; race is an active issue.

Its offensive to all people in Oklahoma that conversations about racism are so divisive that they shouldnt be happening. Thats the opposite of how to solve problems in our country and in our state, Fleck asserted.
Police in Spain and France have joined forces to bring down a drug lord on the Costa del Sol who is believed to be behind the most active drug trafficking network in north-western France.

He was captured in the south of Spain despite a daring attempt to escape across the rooftops of a luxury residential development in Marbella during Operation 'Morbier' which was coordinated by Europol and involved Spains Guardia Civil and the French Gendarmerie.

Recovered items from the raids. / SUR

The investigation started at the beginning of last year when French police discovered the existence of the network dedicated to introducing large amounts of hashish from Morocco through Spain.

Guardia Civil surveillance on the Costa del Sol led officers to an address where the alleged gang leader was staying during his trips - a luxury penthouse in the Oasis de Marbella luxury residential estate.

At the end of January, a coordinated operation was carried out between the authorities of the two countries to dismantle the gang. The leader of the organisation was in Spain at the time, and a Guardia Civil operation involving an elite team from the Rapid Action Group were deployed to the luxury development in Marbella.

Despite trying to flee across the rooftops the alleged drug lord was captured by the Spanish police and handed over to their French colleagues.

As a result of police raids in both countries six people of a French nationality were arrested, 590 kilogrammes of hashish resin packed in bales, a firearm, five vehicles (two reported as stolen) and 24,000 euros in cash were recovered.
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CrackerClips/iStockBy JASMINE BROWN, HALEY YAMADA and RACHEL HUMPHRIES, ABC News

(AUSTIN, Texas) -- During a legislative hearing on Thursday, lawmakers expressed their outrage toward the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) after more than four million Texas customers were left without electricity and heat during a deadly cold snap this month.



Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the energy agency, which manages 90% of the states power grid, is responsible for the devastation that resulted from the blackout. He said that it did not take the winter storm seriously.



They downplayed the severity of it, at the same time telling me and the public that they were fully prepared for it, Abbott said at the hearing. Texas suffered last week in ways they shouldnt have to suffer.



ERCOT claimed that the scale of forced blackouts, the largest in Texas history, prevented an even larger energy failure.



We came dangerously close to losing the entire electric system, ERCOT CEO Bill Magness said. Id say [ERCOT] worked from keeping us from going into a blackout that we'd still be in today, that's why we did it.



According to ERCOT officials in an emergency board meeting Wednesday, the state was just four minutes and 37 seconds away from a complete blackout that could have left Texas without energy for weeks. ABC News has reached out to ERCOT for comment.



Although, for some Texans like Tim Hammond, it wasnt enough. The church he manages in Arlington, Texas, completely flooded after its pipes burst. He said that theyre focused on healing.



I hope that lessons will be learned from this whole experience, Hammond told ABC News. The shock is gone, and we just have to pick up the pieces and move on, we dont have a choice.



State officials said many people died from carbon monoxide poisoning after some used cars or generators to keep warm during the massive power outage, ABC News reported Monday.



President Joe Biden is scheduled to fly to Texas on Friday in his first visit to the state since the major disaster.



Gov. Abbott said that he wants to make sure something like this never happens again. He called for the winterization of the power grid to be both mandated and fully funded.



Never again can we allow power to go out, he said.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
As health care workers in the U.S. began lining up for their first coronavirus vaccines on Dec. 14, Esmeralda Campos-Loredo was already fighting for oxygen.

The 49-year-old nursing assistant and mother of two started having breathing problems just days earlier. By the time the first of her co-workers were getting shots, she was shivering in a tent in the parking lot of a Los Angeles hospital because no medical beds were available. When she gasped for air, she had to wait all day for relief due to a critical shortage of oxygen tanks.

Campos-Laredo died of Covid on Dec. 18, one of at least 400 health workers identified by The Guardian/KHN's Lost on the Frontline investigation who have died since the vaccine became available in mid-December, narrowly missing the protection that might have saved their lives.

"I told her to hang in there, because they are releasing the vaccine," said her daughter Joana Campos. "But it was just a little too late."

In California, which became the epicenter of the national coronavirus surge following Thanksgiving, 40% of all health care worker deaths came after the vaccine was being distributed to medical staff members.

An analysis of The Guardian-KHNs Lost on the Frontline database indicates that at least 1 in 8 health workers lost in the pandemic died after the vaccine became available. Unlike California, many states do not require a thorough reporting of the deaths of nurses, doctors, first responders and other medical staff members. The analysis did not include federally reported deaths in which the name was not released and may be missing numerous recent deaths that have not yet been detected by The Guardian and KHN.

The vaccine is now widely available to health care workers around the country and since mid-January, and Covid-19 cases have been trending downward in the United States.

Sasha Cuttler, a nurse in San Francisco, has been gathering health care data for one of California's nursing unions. Cuttler was alarmed and disheartened to see the number of deaths still surging weeks after the vaccination became widely available. "We can prevent this. We just need the means to do it," said Cuttler, who noted that, nearly a year into the pandemic, some hospitals still lack adequate protective gear and proper staffing. "We don't want to be health care heroes and martyrs. We want a safe workplace."

Stockton nurse Barbara Clayborne became sick the same week her colleagues started receiving their first doses of the vaccine.

The 22-year staff member and union activist at St. Josephs Medical Center had picketed last summer to demand more help for the beleaguered nurses treating Covid patients.

Though she worked on what was considered a relatively low-risk postpartum care unit, she was advocating for her colleagues in the intensive care unit, many of whom were overwhelmed by the number of patients they were responsible for.

"We know what it's like to work a full 12-hour shift and not be able to drink water or sit down or go to the bathroom," Clayborne told the Stockton Record in August. "It's been chaos."

In mid-December, Clayborne, who had asthma, became ill in mid-December. She had been exposed to a patient who hadn't yet been diagnosed with Covid, said her daughter Ariel Bryant. Clayborne died on Jan. 8.

"She was the best mom and grandmother  and she was a great role model for me," said Bryant, who herself became a nurse. Bryant works in an intensive care unit in Southern California  as the same type of nurse her mother fought so hard to protect.

If the vaccine had come just a few days earlier, it might have saved Tennessee fire chief Ronald "Ronnie" Spitzer and his department's dispatcher, Timothy Phillips.

Spitzer and his crew from the Rocky Top Fire Department were called to a medical emergency on Dec. 11 but weren't told until later that the patient had tested positive for Covid. Both Spitzer, 65, and the firefighter who accompanied him came down with the virus. A few days later, Phillips became ill as well.

Spitzer, a 47-year firefighting veteran, was already hospitalized when his co-workers got their first doses of the vaccine in January, according to Police Chief Jim Shetterly. He died on Jan. 13, and Phillips, 54, died a few days later.

The state of Tennessee does not publish statistics on health care worker deaths, but 10 of the 22 Tennessee health care worker deaths identified by the Guardian/KHN occurred since the vaccine rollout in December.

Shetterly said his town of 1,800 has been shattered by the losses. "Everyone knows everyone here. It's tragic when it hits the nation. But, when it's in your town, it really hits home," he said.

Gerald Brogan, director of nursing practice for National Nurses United, said many hospitals hadn't done adequate planning to be ready for the recent surges, which put exhausted health care workers at extra risk.

"When there are more patients in, there's more chaos in the hospitals and it's harder for workers to be safe," he said. During the recent surge, "we had nurses breaking down because of the influx of patients and the emotional and physical toll that took on workers."

Even once all health care workers are vaccinated, he said, health care administrators would need to remain vigilant on worker safety.

He said that surge preparations, extra safety equipment, contingency staffing plans and facilities like negative-pressure rooms to stop disease from spreading around hospitals should be a regular part of preparing for potential future pandemics.

KHN reporters Shoshana Dubnow and Christina Jewett contributed to this report.

This story is part of "Lost on the Frontline," an ongoing project from The Guardian and Kaiser Health News that aims to document the lives of health care workers in the U.S. who die from Covid-19, and to investigate why so many are victims of the disease. If you have a colleague or loved one we should include, please share their story.
Senior Court Reporter

MDC-Alliance youth activist and former Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) secretary-general Makomborero Haruzivishe will today know his fate when a Harare magistrate makes a ruling on his default enquiry after being issued with warrants of arrest for failing to attend court since last year.

Haruzivishe was arrested last year for participating in illegal demonstrations in Harare along with other activists including legislator Joana Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova, Obey Sithole among other opposition activists.

Yesterday Haruzivishe, who was being represented by lawyer Mr Obey Shava, appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Mrs Vongai Guwuriro to explain why he failed to appear in court for his routine remand since last year.

He was on bail pending trial for participating in a public gathering with intent to cause public violence and violating the Covid-19 national lockdown regulations.

Through his lawyer, Haruzivishe told the court that he attended court, but was turned away by the police who said the court were following the practice direction issued by Chief Justice Luke Malaba and was waiting to be summoned back in court.

But it was the attention-seeking MDC-A and zinasu activists led by Joana Mamombe, who sought heighten the situation outside the courthouse when they addressed journalists issuing all manner of threats against the Government, judicial officers and the police. Reading a prepared statement, Mamommbe denigrated the law enforcement agents and called for the resignation of Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.

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Mamombe made unverified claims that there were over 1 500 human rights abuses, 187 assaults, seven extra-judicial killings and 35 abductions reports made against police last year.

It is not clear what Mamombe and her crew sought to achieve by acting in a manner that sought to intimidate officers of the law in a case in which Haruzvisishe on his own volition is said to have absconded court.

Haruzivishe was recently arrested on allegations of forcing his way together with others, into Impala Motor Spares and detaining employees, whom they accused of causing the arrest of their colleague Takudzwa Ngadziore last year.

He is charged with kidnapping, participating in a gathering with intent to commit public violence, and of breaching peace.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  Property developer Megaworld Corp. sealed a transport hub interconnection deal with the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) for its township in Binan, Laguna.

In a statement on Friday, Megaworld said the agreement, which was signed through its transport terminals arm Township Transport Terminal Inc. (T31), will connect the Southwoods City Transport Hub in Binan, Laguna with the PITX.

Megaworld's T31 operates transport terminal in Southwoods City, Eastwood City, McKinley Hill, and Iloilo Business Park.

According to Megaworld, the partnership will "improve the delivery of terminal services to PUV operators and benefit thousands of commuters heading south from Metro Manila and vice versa."

"Megaworld currently has 26 townships all over the country. And we have a growing community, people who live and work there. That is why it is important to us to create seamless accessibility and mobility to and from our townships," Kevin L. Tan, Megaworld chief strategic officer, was quoted as saying in the statement.

"It is very important and very strategic to be able to create linkages between the various Megaworld townships, especially in Luzon, to the PITX," he added.

The PITXthe first integrated and multimodal terminal in the southwestern part of Metro Manilaserves as a transfer point for provincial buses from Cavite, Batangas, and in-city modes of transportation.

Its operation was halted in March of last year amid the Luzon-wide quarantine. Partial operations began after three months when the government eased quarantine restrictions.
Chambers Ireland and Irish Water announce a new partnership by calling on Tipperary businesses to get involved in Irish Waters Water Stewardship Programme, which includes taking the Water Conservation Pledge, carrying out free Online Water Conservation Training and finally enrolling to become a Certified Water Steward.

Water is a critically important resource, fundamental to both homes and businesses. But it's also a limited resource with water shortages becoming a global reality. Protecting our precious water is becoming as important as reducing our energy use with water now ranked as the third greatest risk to global growth in the next 10 years according to the World Economic Forum.

Irish business uses circa 510 million litres of water every day in Ireland (the equivalent of 10 times the amount needed to supply a city the size of Limerick), which is why supporting businesses to become more sustainable in how they use water is critical to safeguarding our supplies for the future. Chambers Ireland will work with Irish Water to raise awareness of the Three Steps to Sustainable Water Management, to support businesses to lower water consumption and reduce operating costs while protecting the environment.

Yvonne Harris, Irish Water Head of Customer Operations, said: Safeguarding our precious water resources is a top priority for Irish Water. For that reason we are delighted to launch this water stewardship partnership with Chambers Ireland. Conserving water not only helps protect your local supply  it can also protect the environment, boost your reputation, and reduce your bills.

Small changes such as identifying water waste on site, setting a baseline for water use, raising awareness amongst staff and customers, or upgrading to water efficient devices can help to save water and money.

Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland CEO said: Chambers Ireland encourages Irish businesses to move to sustainable water management. Irish Waters Water Stewardship Programme provides an opportunity to improve your green credentials by taking the water conservation pledge and online training to support your business to use water sustainably, in a way that benefits people and the environment.

There are many business benefits to taking the water conservation pledge and developing a sustainable water management strategy, including reducing the risk of your business being impacted by limited availability or quality of water, reputational gains and improving relationships with stakeholders and with your supply chain, as well as ultimately cost savings.

Irish Water is delivering the Certified Water Steward Programme in partnership with the Lean & Green Skillnet and Central Solutions. Welcoming the initiative, Ken Stockil, Director of Programme Delivery said, This innovative programme has been made possible thanks to the funding from Irish Water, Skillnet Ireland, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and is a clear demonstration of Irelands growing reputation and leadership actions on water stewardship and climate action.

Irish Waters innovative and world-leading Certified Water Stewardship Training is the final step of three steps Irish Water has developed to support all types of businesses move to sustainable water management. The programme has been running for two years and has trained over 320 Certified Water Stewards to date. 70% of the businesses who took part are introducing Annual Water Stewardship Targets on foot of the programme and have produced 825 new water conservation projects. Three graduating sites have certified to International Water Stewardship Standards.

Businesses can find out more information on the Water Conservation for business hub at www.water.ie.
A witnesses who testified during the murder trial of Charles Harrelson is suing a Spotify podcast for defamation and fraudulent inducement after she says her interview was manipulated to suggest she was somehow involved in a scheme to send Harrelson to prison, court documents show.

The convicted murderer, who is the father of actor Woody Harrelson, was found guilty in the 1979 shooting death of U.S. District Judge John H. Wood Jr. outside of his San Antonio-area home. Chrysanthe Parker testified during the trial that she bumped into Harrelson outside of Wood's Alamo Heights townhouse around the time of the incident.

Parker, a former Texas attorney, was interviewed for the sixth episode of the "Son of a Hitman" podcast, which is produced and hosted by Jason Cavanagh to discuss her part in the trial. The title of the 10-part podcast is "An Unusual Witness" and was released in April 2020.

On Thursday, she filed a lawsuit against Spotify, Cavanagh and High Five Content, a production company that helped produce the podcast.

The lawsuits says the podcast only used 5 minutes of her 90-minute interview and portrays her as "a very unusual witness who was complicit in a scheme to convict Harrelson with fabricated evidence, supposedly obtained through her hypnosis." The lawsuit goes on to say the podcast injured Parker's reputation.

She is now a certified healthcare professional with more than 20 years of experience, working as a treating practitioner, clinical researcher and a medical educator in the field of PTSD. She is often used as an expert witness in court.

According to the lawsuit, she has lost work since the podcast aired. Although her testimony was not a key piece of evidence during the trial, the lawsuit says Cavanagh described her as the star witness.

According to a previous Express-News article, the trial drew a lot of attention partly because Wood was the first federal judge to be assassinated in the country. A drug trafficker named Jamiel Jimmy Chagra paid Harrelson $250,000 to kill the judge because he feared he was about to receive a maximum sentence in another trial. A jury convicted Harrelson, who was then sentenced to two life terms in prison.

He later died in a Colorado prison in 2007 after two unsuccessful appeals and a failed attempt at escaping.

Harrelson's other sons Brett and Jordan teamed up with Cavanagh to create the podcast.

In the lawsuit, Parker said she wouldn't have agreed to the interview if she had known the Harrelson brothers were involved in the project as "she would have accurately predicted that any interview she gave would be twisted to give the impression Charles Harrelson had been railroaded by the federal government and that her eyewitness testimony was unreliable."

The lawsuit goes on to say the podcast makes false claims about the trial and likened it the "reality TV style of 'Tiger King'" rather than journalism.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
Renewable energy ally and fossil fuel foe Jennifer Granholm was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday to lead the Department of Energy by a 64/35 vote.

The former Governor of Michigan will serve as Bidens Secretary of Energy and will no doubt back Bidens play to support his green agenda, which eyes a shift to clean energy in the United States by 2050.

Granholm has opposed the Keystone XL pipeline, which President Biden wasted no time in canceling. She also opposed the Dakota Access pipeline, which had to bite and claw its way into operation, and a supporter of clean energy in general.

Granholm is a perfect fit for President Bidens ambitious clean energy initiatives, and has garnered the support of climate activists.

She is, however, no friend to the oil and gas industries.

According to Granholm, pipelines facilitate the generation of fossil fuels, and We ought to be doing everything we possibly can to keep fossil fuel energy in the ground and developing the renewable side," Granholm said back in 2016 when the battle over the Dakota Access Pipeline was at its peak.

Granholm also supports mining for critical minerals needed for EV batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines here In the United States.

Granholm served as governor of Michigan between 2003 and 2011, during which time she helped the auto industry tackle the financial crisis, with help from then-Vice President Biden. Granholm also co-chaired Hillary Clinton's transition team in 2016, Axios recalls, when she declared her support for decarbonizing the economy, and was appointed to the Board of Directors of ChargePoint, the worlds largest EV charging network.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Amelia Hamlin is being accused of 'blackfishing' after sharing a slew of ultra bronzed self-portraits to her Instagram page on Thursday.

The girlfriend of Scott Disick, 19, took to her Instagram Story to deny the claims left in the comment section of her post, while noting that she tans 'very easily' due to her Italian heritage.

'im receiving a lot of comments in regards to my latest photo,' began Hamlin, who has since disabled comments on her post.

Controversial? Amelia Hamlin is being accused of 'blackfishing' after sharing a slew of ultra bronzed self-portraits to her Instagram page on Thursday

'I am being told that I am "black fishing" -- thank you for educating me on this topic,' she continued, before citing a recent vacation to Miami she took with beau Scott as the reason for her deeper complexion.

'I recently went on a vacation to the sun, and with my Italian heritage I tan very easily.

'there is no self tanner involved. or intention of looking darker than my own natural skin color,' Amelia insisted.

According to the reality star, she was just having fun with her look and had no intention of causing such an uproar online.

Denied: The girlfriend of Scott Disick, 19, took to her Instagram Story to deny the claims left in the comment section of her post, while noting that she tans 'very easily' due to her Italian heritage

Dramatically different: Amelia's dramatically bronzed photos come just 10 days after she uploaded a stunning snapshot to her Instagram to showed her sporting a much more realistic skin tone; Amelia pictured on February 15

'I had a lot of fun creating this look with no malice intention or offense,' concluded the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin.

The photos in question showed the brunette beauty modeling a pair of skintight pleather pants and a rust toned top featuring strategic cutouts on the chest.

Amelia wore her brunette hair in a sleek braid that flowed down her back.

With her hair out of the way, Hamlin was able to draw all attention to her enviably pouty lips and chiseled cheekbones, which appeared to be sculpted with a generous amount of bronzer.

NOT facing the music: 'im receiving a lot of comments in regards to my latest photo,' began Hamlin, who has since disabled comments on her post

All for fun: 'I had a lot of fun creating this look with no malice intention or offense,' concluded the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin

The pale pink lip gloss on her pout only accentuated the deep nature of her 'tan' as she posed for one shot with her lengthy braid in hand.

As for jewelry, the model fastened a pair of dramatic hoops to her ears as she layered two chains around her neck.

She also decked out her wrists in coordinating silver bangles.

'whiplash got me like.....' captioned Hamlin, referencing to whip-like nature of her braid.

The difference is clear: Although it is clear that Hamlin can achieve an enviable tan, the tone of the tan in the earlier shot - in comparison to Thursday's photo - understandably raised some eyebrows; Amelia pictured

Amelia's dramatically bronzed photos come just 10 days after she uploaded a stunning snapshot to her Instagram to showed her sporting a much more realistic skin tone.

Although it is clear that Hamlin can achieve an enviable tan, the tone of the tan in the earlier shot - in comparison to Thursday's photo - understandably raised some eyebrows.

Amelia and Scott, who were first romantically linked after they were spotted arriving to Kendall Jenner's Halloween party together in October, recently enjoyed getaway to Miami, Florida.

The Talentless founder, who is 37-years-old, and his teen girlfriend enjoyed some bonding time with his three children, sons Mason, 11, and Reign, six, and daughter Penelope, eight, during the leisurely trip.

Vacation glow? 'I am being told that I am "black fishing" -- thank you for educating me on this topic,' she continued, before citing a recent vacation to Miami she took with beau Scott as the reason for her deeper complexion; Amelia and Scott pictured on February 14

Lovebirds: Amelia and Scott, who were first romantically linked after they were spotted arriving to Kendall Jenner's Halloween party together in October, recently enjoyed getaway to Miami, Florida; Scott and Amelia pictured on February 14

Scott shares his three-children with his ex Kourtney Kardashian whom he was involved with off and on from 2006 until 2015.

The former couple met each other at the Mexican home of Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis and their ups and downs were filmed for Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Before Amelia, Scott had a three-year relationship with Lionel Richie's daughter Sofia, who would take joint trips with Scott, Kourtney and the children.

Fresh meat: Before Amelia, Scott had a three-year relationship with Lionel Richie's daughter Sofia, who would take joint trips with Scott, Kourtney and the children; Sofia and Amelia pictured in February 2020

Scott and Sofia first split in May after the reality star's brief stint at a rehab facility in Colorado in late April.

Despite seeming ending their romance, the pair reunited during a Fourth Of July outing, which led to several other more incognito hangouts.

By August numerous outlets reported that Scott and Sofia were done 'for good,' with each of them reentering the dating scene by September.
State-owned (IOC) on Friday said it will invest Rs 32,946 crore to expand its at Panipat in Haryana to 25 million tonnes per annum capacity and set up chemical units.

The expansion will be completed by September 2024, the firm said in a filing to the stock exchanges.

Panipat refinery currently has a capacity to turn 15 million tonnes per annum of crude oil into value-added fuels such as petrol, diesel, and ATF.

Besides expanding the oil refining capacity, the company also plans to set up a polypropylene unit and a catalytic dewaxing unit.

Polypropylene is used in packaging, plastic parts for various industries including the automotive industry, special devices like living hinges, and textiles.

Catalytic dewaxing is used in base oil production.

"The capacity expansion would improve the operational flexibility of the refinery to meet the domestic energy demand and would also enhance the petrochemicals intensity," IOC said.

The firm, which is the largest oil refiner and fuel marketer in the country, said the increased production of petrochemicals and value-added speciality products would not only improve the margins but also de-risk the conventional fuel business of the company.

IOC owns and operates nine of the country's nearly two-dozen refineries. The total capacity under its operations is 70.1 million tonnes per annum.

It also owns 31,232 out of 74,951 petrol pumps in the country.

The board of the company at its meeting on Friday "accorded its approval for capital investment for capacity expansion of Panipat refinery from 15 million tonnes per annum to 25 million tonnes along with the installation of polypropylene unit and a catalytic dewaxing unit at an estimated cost of Rs 32,946 crore," IOC 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.)
Punjab State Dear 100+ monthly lottery: House wife from Amritsar wins Rs 1 crore

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: A housewife from Amritsar has won the first prize in a lottery worth  1 crore from a ticket that cost her  100.

As per a statement from the state government, the lucky winner, Renu Chauhan, on Thursday submitted the ticket and required documents to the State Lotteries Department for encashment of her prize, ANI reported.

Expressing elation for the godsend amount, Ms Chauhan said that the blessing has come as a huge relief to her middle-class family, news agency ANI also said.

"My husband runs a cloth shop in Amritsar and this bumper prize money will be a great help so that our family can lead a smooth life," she said.

The results of the Punjab State Dear 100 + monthly lottery were announced in a draw on February 11, an official spokesperson from the Punjab State Lotteries Department informed.

"Renu, the winner of Ticket D-12228, has submitted the documents today and the prize money will be credited to the winner''s account soon," the official said, according to the ANI report.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 10:44 [IST]

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Test your New Mexico vino knowledge by taking the Wine & Where quiz.

The New Mexico Tourism Department created the quiz to celebrate and bring awareness to the New Mexico wine industry and its long history of grape growing and vinification.

We thought, how fun would it be to create a quiz that highlights the wine country in New Mexico and also kind of helps our partners share a little bit more about their wine and what they have to offer within this region? said Brianna Gallegos, media relations coordinator for the New Mexico Tourism Department. And I think a lot of people dont necessarily understand that New Mexico is the oldest wine country in the United States, so it was a huge advantage for us.  We thought it would be a fun, engaging tool and a way where we can share all the assets we have.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Luna Rossa Winery, Wines of the San Juan, Vivac Winery, Milagro Vineyards & Winery, Las Nueve Ninas Winery and Enchantment Vineyards are participating in the quiz. It is an interactive tool that helps quiz takers find the New Mexico wine and region that suits their personality. The quiz can be accessed at newmexico.org/wine-and-where. Those who participate in the quiz are encouraged to share their results via social media channels as well as follow and tag the Tourism Department on Instagram @newmexicotrue and Twitter @newmexico with the hashtag #NewMexicoTRUE, according to the news release.

The interactive pairing tool prompts you to select from categories such as flavor, comfort zone and travel vibe and gives your ideal pairing of New Mexicos finest wines and destinations. All of the wines featured in the quiz, including Montepulciano, Rose of Dolcetto, Vino de Secondino  Capulin, are available for purchase online, according to a Tourism Department news release.

There are 42 wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms listed on the Tourism Departments website, newmexico.org.

This is a fun and engaging way for us to elevate New Mexicos grape growers and wineries at a time when local businesses need support, New Mexico Tourism Secretary Jen Paul Schroer states in the news release. Due to the pandemic, many winegrowers have been unable to showcase and sell their product through events, so this is an interactive way we can share the heritage of New Mexicos viticulture and encourage folks to buy New Mexico True.

New Mexico viticulture dates back to 1629. In the four centuries since New Mexicos first plantings, local grape growers have experimented with vitis vinifera and French hybrids in search of the perfect marriage of climate, soil and terrain, according to the news release. The state offers a diverse array of non-traditional varieties honoring traditional heritage planted in high-desert elevations ranging from 3,300 to 6,000 feet above sea level. More information on New Mexicos wine history can be found at newmexico.org/blog/post/a-true-insiders-guide-to-new-mexico-wine-americas-first-wine-country.

The Tourism Department is hoping to include more New Mexico wineries in its Wine & Where quiz. Interested wineries can email industry.relations@state.nm.us.>href=http://industry.rel>industry.relations@state.nm.us.

Within the quiz itself, so there is one wine from each region, Gallegos said. We have a total of six wines in that quiz. But we are open to adding more wines if any wineries do want to get involved. Were always open to having that conversation and collaborating with our partners. But to start off, because this was kind of a quicker turnaround, we have picked one wine from each region, and there are six different regions in New Mexico that we identify within the Tourism Department.

Wineries that the Tourism Department has spoken with have been supportive of the quiz.

They were really grateful, Gallegos said. So I dont know if every single winery knows that they are a part of the quiz because we didnt mention it to every single winery. But I do hope that this will increase their sales, especially now that we cannot host festivals and wine tasting events that these wineries are used to hosting on a regular year prior to COVID. So I hope this can help them.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : While inaugurating two major road projects of the National Highway Authority of India in Haridwar via video conferencing on Friday, Union Education Minister and Haridwar Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said these projects will boost development in the area.

The projects inaugurated include the Muzaffarnagar-Haridwar section under NH-58, Chhutmalpur-Ganeshpur of NH-72A and four laning of Roorkee-Chhutmalpur-Gagalheri under AH-73 at a cost of around Rs 5,000 crore. Along with this, a total of 170-km-long construction work is involved. Apart from this, construction of a 80-km long road covering Almora, Pauri-Garhwal and Rudraprayag worth Rs 400 crore was also inaugurated.

He said these projects will not only help reduce travel time, but also be environmentally sustainable. "The travel time between Muzaffarnagar to Haridwar will reduce by 90 minutes. Apart from this, the 2.5 km elevated section and 1.6 km bypass will help in traffic management during Kumbh Mela and Kanwar Yatra," the Union Minister said.

Nishank said that since almost all the black spots have been rectified, accidents on the highway will come down.

Ambulance and patrol teams have been deployed on the entire highway section to help the travellers in any emergency while advanced highway traffic management systems including five cameras, variable message display systems and an emergency connectivity system have also been installed.

The Union Minister shared information about the initiative launched by the Education Department under which technical institutes including IITs, NITs and other engineering colleges approved by AICTE across the country have associated with the NHAI to adopt the adjoining areas around the NH for technical advancement.

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways (Retd) Gen V K Singh, Union Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying Sanjeev Balyan, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, several ministers from Uttarakhand and Members of Parliament also attended the video conference.
Apple Car might be developed by a potential manufacturing partner, which is BMW. Apple Incorporated is considering BMW AG to be one of its strong partners to develop its most-awaited first Apple electric vehicle.



Sanford C Bernstein, a popular Apple analyst, was the one to confirm this info. According to Bloomberg's latest report, the car industry was baffled when rumors confirmed that the tech giant manufacturer, which is well-known for its advanced gadgets such as iPhone and MacBook, also wants to enter the car industry by releasing its first electric car.

The popular iPhone maker also announced that its project had regained momentum since it has new hires and is currently coordinating with other potential partners. These include Hyundai Motor Co., which is the first one that entered the scene. However, BMW was also included in the previous potential Apple manufacturing partners.

"In our view, BMW would be the ideal partner for Apple," said Arndt Ellinghorst and Toni Sacconaghi, popular Apple analysts, via Bloomberg.

"Both companies have a leading innovation claim, superior brand equity and design, and are excellent in global manufacturing and value chain management," they added.

Will BMW join the Apple Car project?

Previously, Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive officer, was allegedly visiting BMW's Munich headquarters. Rumors claimed that senior Apple executives traveled to the German luxury-car maker's Leipzig factory to study how the quirky i3 electric hatchback is made.

Also Read: Ford to Transition Into All-Electric Car Company in 2030 By Removing ALL Gasoline-Powered Vehicles

On the other hand, Harald Krueger, the previous CEO of BMW, confirmed that the car manufacturer talked with Apple and other international IT firms in an interview. However, he said that it was about vehicle connectivity.

These speculations only show that BMW could really be one of Apple's manufacturing partners. If it is true, the public could expect a more advanced and high-end Apple car in the future.

Foxconn will also develop its EV?

Previously, Ford and General Motors announced that they also want to manufacture their electric vehicles and become a full-electric car manufacturer. Aside from these companies, other non-vehicle manufacturers want to enter the EV industry.

CNET confirmed that Foxconn, an iPhone supplier, is currently partnering with Fisker to developed its electric car. If you want to know more about Foxconn's Project Personal Electric Automotive Revolution or Project PEAR, all you need to do is click here.

For more news updates about Apple and its upcoming electric car, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Porsche's New E-Fuel Allegedly as Clean as Tesla's EV Tech: Exec Claims It Cuts 85% of Carbon Emissions

This article is owned by TechTimes.

Written by: Giuliano de Leon

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

When the COVID-19 virus stormed in nearly a year ago, not everyone was affected equally. People of color and other minority groups were the most vulnerable to an inadequate and unfair health care system, a system with cracks in its foundation rooted in racism that was exposed by the quake of a global pandemic.

Like many other organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Jewish Coalition on Racial Equity recognizes racism as a public health issue and pledges to take immediate action to address inequities. As a retired physician and member of the organization, I join their call to action, knowing we can do better.

There is a lack of access to medical care, a delayed response to needed care, not enough Black doctors and an absence of minority presence in clinical trials. Not being taken seriously or receiving substandard care is a common experience for people of color. I recall a conversation in which I was told, You have to be half dead before they will see you in the emergency room.

In focusing on racism as a public health problem, I reflected upon opinion letters recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine and revisited my own experiences caring for children.

I found that those who wrote letters expressed frustrations similar to mine. The physicians and public health experts felt a sense of responsibility for inequities in our health care system.

The authors of one letter wrote that now is the time for change:

ADVERTISEMENT

We  a Black medical student, a white medical anthropologist, a Black trauma surgeon and a white clinician educator acknowledge that we are a part of medical institutions that have too often failed minority communities, and we wish for this moment of reckoning to be an inflection point in that history.

I was struck by another comment, both telling and sad: Medicine is a mirror for the racial injustice in our society; it is a field riddled with racial disparities in everything from research funding to patient care, to life expectancy.

Black physicians also can personally experience the pain of racism. One doctor wrote:

It still stings me every time a patient hands me their food tray, assuming I am a member of the cleaning staff rather than their physician, or comments on my skill with spoken English, ignorant of the fact that it is my first language.

To be specific, a fundamental problem of our health care system is structural racism or the ways in which societies foster discrimination through mutual reinforcing systems. In other words, conditions such as unemployment, food insecurity, housing stability, household income and health insurance rates create an environment that has negative effects on health.

As physicians, we must acknowledge that racism is deeply ingrained in our society and culture, informing unconscious judgment and implicit biases, even among the most well-intentioned clinicians. At this level, we need to fight to mitigate bias in caring for minority groups.

The work has begun as physicians gather to discuss possible biases that might be considered racist. As a matter of training, much can be done in curriculum, lectures and patient rounds to recognize and encourage the sensitivity expected when treating patients of color.

We should also be encouraging and supporting more people of color to pursue careers in medicine; most medical care for African Americans is delivered by a mostly white health care professionals.

As a physician specializing in childhood asthma, I have taken care of hundreds of African American children and, over time, became familiar with the daily burden of just living that parents had to endure. These children have higher rates of asthma, complications from asthma and mortality. Families face adverse social and economic issues that interfere with providing care for many of these children.

Looking at the system as it exists, we must admit that inequalities in health, health care access and quality of care are ingrained in the U.S. health care system and work to eliminate them.

There are some steps we can take to begin to address this complex problem.

Heres one: Let your elected officials know how you feel. Ask you legislators to support Missouri House Concurrent Resolution 14, which urges specific actions to address the economic and public health crisis caused by systemic racism and greatly magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

To learn more about the issue of racial disparities in access to health care, I invite you to join me March 10 for The Great Divide: Race in Our Region. This program will examine racism as a public health issue and how and why we must work to expand access to health care in our region. Registration is available at JCRCSTL.org.

Without addressing racism and attending to the cracks in the structure of our medical system, health disparities will continue. The time to action is now because if not now, when?

Gordon Bloomberg is a retired pediatrician and professor of pediatrics emeritus at the Washington University School of Medicine. He is a member of the Policy/Advocacy Committee of the JCRCs Jewish Coalition on Racial Equity.
For Subscribers Why South Dakota county officials are shirking state-given water rights

Grant County could be the thirteenth county to repeal their drainage ordinance in the past decade.
The teacher's aide who was caught masturbating during an 8th grade Zoom class won't be charged because it is not a crime in the state of Maryland.

Marc Shack has been put on administrate leave after footage was shared online of him engaging in the private act at the end of a history class Monday.

Schack - an assistant for special education students at Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg - insists that he it was an accident.

He told The Bethesda Magazine: 'I thought I was logged out when class was over. I had no clue that Zoom was still on. Why would I do that? That's my job. I had no clue that Zoom was on. I mean, that's just crazy behavior.'

He said: 'I'm only human. It was my bad.

'I'm not a pervert or anything like that, you know. You gotta believe me on that I thought I was in the privacy of my own home. I had no clue.'

Officials launched an investigation but no charges are being brought because the act 'did not rise to the level of an offense under Maryland law,' according to a Montgomery County Police spokesman.

Marc Shack, pictured, has been put on administrate leave after footage was shared online of him engaging in the private act at the end of a history class Monday

Schack is an assistant for special education students at Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg, pictured. He said: 'I'm only human. It was my bad'

District spokeswoman Gboyinde Onijala said in a statement: 'Per our procedures, we do not release the names of staff members that are under investigation.

'Local authorities were informed and are investigating as well.'

The school's principal, Alana Murray, wrote to parents to confirm a staff member had had 'engaged in inappropriate behavior.'

She added: 'We ask that any student who may have this video posted on social media platforms take down the content and refrain from sharing with other students.'

Montgomery County police are 'aware of a video by MCPS and we're investigating,' a spokesman said Wednesday. No charges have been filed.

The footage show Schack, who has worked for the Montgomery County Public Schools for 21 years, looking at his screen.

He then stands up and begins to masturbate while his name remains as the host of the zoom class. The link is soon taken over by another name.

Schack, who is also a children's performer, told Fox5: 'It was not done intentionally. I had no clue that I was on video. I don't know what else to say. I just found out today.

'I'm pretty disturbed about the whole situation. I didn't do anything intentionally, not malicious. I meant no harm because I didn't even know I was on the recording.

'I'm a good guy, you know. I was just in privacy of my own home and I didn't mean any ill will. I didn't do anything on purpose.'

Montgomery County police are 'aware of a video by MCPS and we're investigating,' a spokesman said Wednesday. No charges have been filed

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PALISADES, N.Y., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Business Infusion Inc. the San Diego internet marketing firm has been selected to be the marketing arm of History Publishing Company's Profit-Sharing Plan for authors. The announcement was made this morning to its authors by HPC Publisher Don Bracken.

History Publishing Company's Profit -Sharing Plan for Authors is the unique plan that provides authors with the largest royalty in the publishing industry. Participating authors receive a 40 per cent royalty up from the industry standard of 10 per cent.

Business Infusion Inc.

"The purpose of the Profit-Sharing Plan," said Bracken "is to provide the success -driven author with a means to find that success. The publishing industry is flooded with titles and more pouring into it each day," Bracken said, adding "Google estimates that between 600,000-1,000,000 books are published annually."

The profit-sharing program is designed for authors who are determined to have their book find a substantial readership in the crowded marketplace. Business Infusion has been engaged by History Publishing to take the HPC author above that overwhelming crowd and through the Internet to a realistic market for his or her book.

The leadership at Business Infusion is experienced in ways that HPC expects, will bring significant exposure to its author's new books. CEO Ruth Ann Reese is a seasoned multi-dimensional executive with broad experience in digital marketing strategies. President Heather Huddleston has broad experience in media arts, graphic design, and CRM implementation. "They, and their team, are well equipped to bring awareness to the new books and authors of HPC," said Bracken

"The team members at Business Infusion are honored to be selected as a partner with History Publishing Company in this unprecedented profit- sharing program," says CEO Reese. "This partnership may well add a new dimension to traditional book publishing," added Bracken.

The HPC profit-sharing program is open to existing authors at HPC who would like to upgrade from the traditional status.

Media Contact

Don Bracken

845-359-1765

[email protected]

Business Infusion Inc known for its internet marketing skills, graphic design, and website development is run by C-Level management executives who excel in transforming real world business objectives into positive internet results

Ruth Ann Reese and Heather Huddleston

SOURCE History Publishing Company LLC
In the last 20 years, there has been an increased call for companies and corporates to behave in a socially, economically and environmentally way to foster a culture of sustainability. Across the globe, we have seen boards put a greater emphasis on sustainability...
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On the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasizes that Ukraine continues to work to de-occupy the peninsula and bring the occupying country - Russia - to justice, including by creating the Crimean platform.

On 26 February, Ukraine marks the Day of Resistance to Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.

"Ukraine continues to consolidate international efforts to achieve the complete de-occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol and to bring Russia to justice for its crimes. To this end, Ukraine is creating a new international coordination format, the Crimea Platform, and calls on all partners to join it. Together, we will restore justice and stability through joint actions. Crimea is Ukraine," a comment made by the Foreign Ministry on the occasion of the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea says.

The MFA stressed that Russia seized Crimea by armed aggression and attempted its illegal annexation on the pretext of an unlawful and rigged referendum. "By doing so, it grossly violated the basic principles of international law and undermined the European and global security system."

"Russia has been pursuing a criminal policy of colonization and assimilation of the peninsula from day one of the occupation. It systemically violates international law and human rights, uses brutal repression against all those, who have the courage to resist the occupation. The national, cultural, and religious rights of ethnic Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are being curtailed, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is being persecuted, the freedom of speech is suppressed and the independent media are destroyed," the MFA said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry added that the occupation authorities are purposefully persecuting the Crimean Tatars, the indigenous people of the peninsula, who do not accept the occupation.

"Russia is trying to criminalize all dissidents, illegally detaining them and convicting them on trumped-up charges of 'terrorism' and 'extremism.' Back in 2016, Russia banned the Mejlis (the representative body of the Crimean Tatar people) and outlawed all its members. Despite the 2017 order of the UN International Court of Justice, the Mejlis remains banned," the comment says.

The ministry also said that Russia is also intensifying the militarization of Crimea. "The peninsula, known as Ukraine's resort area before the occupation, has been transformed into a Russian military base, which poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to other countries in the region, including many NATO and EU-member states."

Ukraine is grateful to allies and partners for consistent and effective support in the struggle to restore territorial integrity.

"The international community should increase political and sanctions pressure on Russia to persuade it to liberate the occupied Ukrainian territories, release all political prisoners, and abide by the international court rulings," the MFA said.

On February 26, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. On this day, in Simferopol, a mass rally organized by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people took place outside the building of the Crimean parliament against the intentions to tear off Crimea from Ukraine. Since then, for Ukraine, February 26 has become a symbol of resistance to the occupation, which has been going on for seven years.
The Fourth International is the World Party of Socialist Revolution. It was founded by Leon Trotsky in 1938 to carry forward the fight for Marxism in opposition to the Stalinist degeneration of the Soviet Union and the Communist (Third) International.

Trotsky had founded the Left Opposition in 1923 to oppose the usurpation of power by a nationalist bureaucracy headed by Joseph Stalin and defend the program of socialist internationalism that had animated the Russian Revolution in 1917. In 1933, with the coming to power of the Nazis, facilitated by the disastrous policies of Stalinism, Trotsky called for the formation of a new (Fourth) International.

In the decades after its founding, revisionist tendencies repeatedly emerged inside the Fourth International, advocating in one form or another the abandonment of its orientation to building a revolutionary party in the working class, and calling instead for an orientation to one or another petty-bourgeois, Stalinist, Social Democratic or bourgeois-nationalist tendency.

The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) was established on November 23, 1953, following a split in the Fourth International between the orthodox Trotskyists, led by James P. Cannon, a founder of the Trotskyist movement in the United States, and an opportunist faction led by Michel Pablo and Ernest Mandel. The ICFI, which publishes the World Socialist Web Site, has upheld the principles of Marxism and is today the sole representative of revolutionary socialism in the world.

On this page, readers will find links to essays, books and topics on the history of the Fourth International. We also encourage our readers to explore the works available in our Library.
Omuthiya  Being isolated in hostel facilities for long periods has seemingly caused mental and anxiety issues for Oshikoto learners who have contracted Covid-19. Learners at Uukule Secondary School say they become mentally exhausted and anxious while in isolation. The Oshikoto region has seen over 400 learners testing positive for Covid-19, leading to the suspension of classes at Uukule and Ekulo secondary schools.

Uukule principal Emily Angula said learners are bored as the only thing they do is eat and sleep while in isolation in their respective dormitories.

"Our learners are getting tired of sleeping, and it has become boring for them. Hence, we are hoping that the situation improves soon, so that lessons can resume. We are also fearing the worst in their performance, because the longer we take the bigger the workload," said Angula.

With the closure of the school, Angula is concerned about the workload and pressure that will be exerted on learners when teaching and learning resume.

"Teachers will have to double their efforts to cover all contents in a short period of time, thus this means learners will be under pressure to master everything at once, which is not healthy," emphasised Angula.

The principal further said grade 12 learners who were due to start lessons this week were told to stay at home to avoid congestion at school.

Another teacher at the school, who declined to be named, said the situation is not as critical as is being portrayed. The teacher was hopeful that health authorities would do everything in their power to get the situation under control to enable contact learning to resume.

Meanwhile, learners at Ekulo raised concerns about their mental state and school performance. "We are really tired. It is better they let us go home, we cannot start learning, because it serves no point as we sleep the whole day," the learners told New Era.

"In fact, we still get mixed up with other learners during eating time and share ablution facilities. Therefore, we feel classes should resume, as the cases might still increase, irrespective."

Not far from them, was another group, who were clearing the school grounds. The learners demanded to be provided with hand sanitiser and masks.

They also demanded more ablution facilities while they pleaded for the authorities to reopen the school for classes to continue.

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"We have gotten used to this now, we panicked before, but all we want now is to learn as we endured a lot last year. We have thus seen the effects of the closures on our performance," the learners stressed.

Despite a significant number of pupils testing positive in the region, Oshikoto health director Joshua Nghipangelwa said most cases were asymptomatic and no learners have been admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

Psychosocial support

Meanwhile, health deputy minister Esther Muinjangue says Covid-19 causes depression and anxiety among learners, hence she encouraged that more psychosocial support be provided to pupils.

Muinjangue added that everyone is still trying to cope and learn how to manage and live with the new virus. The highly trained social worker further said counselling among learners is needed to minimise trauma.

"When Covid-19 starts affecting people that you know, it gets worse, as opposed to when it is far from you. It is even severe for learners who are enclosed because they might be overcome by fear and anxiety. This state therefore affects concentration," she said.

Moreover, the deputy minister said, she was aware of the shortage of social workers in the country, thus making it difficult to provide counselling to all learners and patients affected by Covid-19. "I therefore encourage life skill teachers to be actively involved," she added.

By launching an airstrike against Iran-backed militia groups in Syria on Friday morning, Joe Biden became, by my count, the eighth president in a row to order a military strike in the Middle East or North Africaa run dating back to Jimmy Carters ill-fated Iran hostage rescue attempt. Hes also the third in a row after Barack Obama and Donald Trump to come to office pledging to extricate the U.S. from costly Middle East conflicts and concentrate on other foreign policy priorities. He may find it similarly difficult to do so.

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The strikethe first ordered by Biden, anywhere in the worldkilled one person and injured several others. Administration officials said it was a response to recent militia attacks in Iraq, in particular a Feb. 15 rocket attack on the airport in Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which killed a civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was confident that the U.S. had hit back against the same Shiite militiaKataib Hezbollahthat carried out the strike in Erbil, though the group has denied responsibility.

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Its not quite clear what the legal basis was for the strike. The Trump administration dubiously argued that previous strikes against Kataib Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies were justified under the 2001 post-9/11 authorization for the use of military force against terrorism and the 2002 authorization for military force in Iraqwhich would be a pretty thin legal basis for an attack on an Iranian-backed militia in Syria two decades later. The Pentagon and the White House National Security Council have not responded to requests for clarification.

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The Biden team has made it very clear that they want to avoid getting bogged down in the Middle East. A recent Politico story quoted one Biden adviser saying the region is not in the top three of its foreign policy priorities, which are the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere. Biden has ended U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen and is reviewing arms sales to the Gulf, and he waited a month before calling any leader in the region. His first major foreign policy speech notably did not include the words Israel, Palestinian, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, al-Qaida, or Islam. The Pentagon is currently conducting a review of U.S. overseas military commitments, and all indications are that it will conclude that the Middle East is not the strategic priority it used to be.

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The urge to deprioritize makes sense. U.S. military interventions in the region since 9/11 have been long, costlyin lives and moneyand only seem to produce more violence. Americas emergence as a major energy producerand, hopefully, an impending shift away from fossil fuelshas reduced the importance of the regions oil reserves. As attacks by groups like ISIS and al-Qaida in the West have declined in recent years, so has the U.S. public concern about jihadi terrorism, which was strikingly absent as a major issue during the 2020 campaign. These days, the most pressing violent extremist threat is much closer to home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus shortsighted efforts to turn Israel into a partisan issue in the U.S. mean were likely to hear a lot less about it when Democrats are in office, and Biden has not suggested he has any ambitions of forging an ultimate deal for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

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Still, the regions conflicts have already occupied, and will continue to occupy, more of Bidens attention than he would probably like. Efforts to resuscitate the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have proved to be as tricky as many feared, with Iran continuing to edge away from the deals restrictions on its nuclear program. If the U.S. now gets into a tit-for-tat cycle of retaliation with Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, it will only further complicate those efforts.

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But its not easy for the U.S. to simply walk away. Today also saw the release of the intelligence communitys report on the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, which concludes that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination. Biden has spoken with the crown princes father, King Salman, in an effort to soften the blow, but theres sure to be more fallout. Biden will also soon face an unenviable decision on Afghanistan (not a Middle Eastern country, though U.S. engagements in the two regions are very much linked) between keeping U.S. troops deployed beyond the current May 1 withdrawal deadline or allowing the country to be overrun by the Taliban. The Obama administrations withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011 and then Obamas decision to order troops back to the country in 2014 after the emergence of ISIS are no doubt weighing on the presidents mind.

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The strike on Friday was a perfect example of how U.S. involvement in regional conflicts is perpetuated. Both Iran and the U.S. seem to be trying to establish some credibility as they inch toward resuming talks on the nuclear deal, though more violence risks derailing the process entirely. Iran stepped up its use of proxy attacks against U.S. interests and allies following Trumps withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018 and the ensuing maximum pressure sanctions campaign the administration waged against the regime, which nearly led to an all-out war at the beginning of last year.

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But, of course, this story doesnt start with Trump. Iran-backed Shiite militias attained their current level of influence after the emergence of ISIS, when Iraqs military collapsed, and fought alongside U.S. forces against the group. Before that, the militias waged a bloody insurgency against U.S. troops after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. You can take the story back furtherto the 90s, the 80s, the 50sif you really want to.

It can seem at times like the real U.S. strategic priority in the Middle East is cleaning up the messes left behind by previous strategic priorities. The cycles not over yet.
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Bright Armenia faction of parliament: No corridor through the country should be provided to Azerbaijan

Analyst: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan gave self-confessed testimony

Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Updated voters list is posted on Armenia central election commission website

Armenia authorities provide considerable amount of subsidies ahead of snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices on the rise

MP explains his not being on Bright Armenia Party electoral list

UK new flagship set to be named after the late Prince Philip

US man who said he shot neighbor over loud music found guilty of attempted murder

Lamborghini company to be sold for $11.5bn?

China spacecraft docks with future space station

Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

French citizen to face trial in Iran on spaying charges

Over 60 children in UK undergo surgery due to TikTok challenge

Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

Iran ready to help improve the defense capability of Syria

Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

Armenia reports COVID-19 new 81 cases: 4 people die

EU countries invite US to issue joint statement against Russia

2 people die in Armenia road accident

Nigeria: Students taken hostage a month ago are released

61 quakes recorded in Congo per day

Syrian MFA: EU lost credibility due to blind obedience to US policy

Armenia ex-minister of emergency situations hospitalized with heart attack

Mher Grigoryan: Clarification of border points is possible only after withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia

Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

4 people killed in Afghanistani bus attack

Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

Kocharyan: I have to ask people how it happened that overwhelming majority elected this leader

Armen Gevorgyan presents 'Armenia' bloc program: We offer the concept of a working country

Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
HiCare, Indias leading provider for residential and commercial pest management solutions, has awarded all their digital duties to Code7:Tech.

Following the mandate, the Code7:Tech team will take charge of the brand building, digital development and customer engagement strategies for the company and ensure their brand awareness and visibility transpires in a positive parabolic manner.

For HiCare, Code7:Tech will look over all Key Performance Indicators and optimize HiCares Digital campaigns for SEO as well as SEM along with improving their Social Media content accordingly. This association will also see to it that an omnichannel media output strategy is created and implemented creatively thereby improving consumer engagement for the brand on social media and otherwise.

Code7:Tech is a marketing agency focused on providing digital and technical solutions. They offer SEO, SEM, SMO and SMM services. At Code7:tech, they excel at developing customised, user friendly web, desktop and mobile applications to suit your brand voice. They are mission-driven to design impressive applications that cater to your business needs.

HiCare a leading hygiene brand that specializes in pest control, home cleaning, bird netting and disinfection. With a legacy of 3 decades of experience, they are trusted by 30 lakh families and 300+ corporates. They look at the environment as their responsibility and that's why they are India's only pest control company that works on the international hygiene standards. HiCare uses government approved innovative and safe chemicals that makes them India's most trusted pest control service provider. They also have expertise to deliver safe and delightful experience to customers every time through their 247 digital presence.

Saad Merchant, co-founder, Code7:Tech commented, As one of the only brands to take up Digitisation in the otherwise unorganised sector of Pest Control businesses in India, HiCare stands out owing to their Professional approach and Trend-setting attitude. It is a great opportunity for us to partner up with them. Our creative communications and digital expertise will help optimise and improve the brands marketing. Were excited to be awarded their creative and digital mandate and we will work towards building the brand presence even stronger.

Pinakin Shah, Chief Digital Officer, HiCare Services Pvt. Ltd commented, In our journey to strengthen and enhance our digitally driven pest control company we cannot imagine a better partner than CODE7, they match up to the energy and persistently growing attitude. We look forward to creating an impeccable hygiene and pest service brand, together.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce that Shyla Cooks and Karl Palmquist have been selected as the 2021 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award (EPPLA) recipients. The EPPLA recognizes graduate students in the biological sciences who are demonstrating an interest and aptitude for working at the intersection of science and policy.

Shyla Cooks is a master's student in bioscience and health policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas. After serving in the United States Navy for four years, she worked as a 7th and 8th grade science teacher for two years under the Teach for America program, which is dedicated to addressing educational inequities in low-income areas. She continues to teach science at the School of Science and Technology--a charter school in Houston, Texas--while enrolled in full-time coursework. Cooks is active in her professional community as a member of the Rice Science Policy Network, the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, and Leadership for Educational Equity--a Washington, DC-based nonprofit leadership development organization dedicated to ending educational inequity. She also started her own small business, Poppie Seeds Veggie Eats, to not only cater healthy foods but also educate people in her community about the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle. Cooks earned her BS in biology from the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas.

Karl Palmquist is a doctoral student at the Rockefeller University in New York City, New York, studying biology with a focus on cellular biomechanics. As the Anderson Graduate Fellow, Palmquist studies how multicellular systems display emergent behaviors and self-organize during embryonic development--a topic with implications for our understanding of evolution and diseases like cancer. Outside of the laboratory, he is involved in several environmental and grassroots organizations focused on communicating science to the public and influencing policy decisions. Palmquist has actively participated in science education and outreach efforts at the American Museum of Natural History as well as in the Rockefeller University science outreach community, RockEDU. He has garnered science policy experience with the New York City group of the Sierra Club, where he co-chairs the Executive Committee and chairs the Plastic Pollution Committee. Palmquist earned his bachelor of arts degree in biology and chemistry from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

Cooks sees this award as an opportunity to meaningfully engage at the intersection of science and policy. "As an advocate for the incorporation of science in the policymaking process, winning this award is an essential step towards building awareness in my community," she said. "It is critical for scientific understanding to be at the forefront of many political decisions. Scientific research plays an integral role in the advancement of our society."

Palmquist applied for the EPPLA to further develop his science policy and communications toolkit. "My experiences with educating non-scientists about the intersections of human health and environmental issues have shown me the impact that clear and effective science communication can have on swaying public opinion," he said. "Scientists are trained to use critical thinking to analyze facts and consider possible explanations and outcomes. This is not only useful when studying specific research questions, but these skills are also broadly applicable when trying to support and develop public policies. The most important thing that scientists can offer when engaging with policymakers is the constant reminder that evidence should be used to inform decisions."

The EPPLA program is in its eighteenth year of recognizing graduate student achievement. "AIBS is proud to recognize graduate student leaders from around the nation who have demonstrated tremendous potential in science policy," said Scott Glisson, AIBS Chief Executive Officer. "Karl and Shyla join an accomplished group of past EPPLA winners who are playing an important role in bridging the communication gap between scientists and policymakers."

Cooks and Palmquist will participate in an online science communications training program and meet with their members of Congress as part of the 2021 AIBS Virtual Advocacy Event this April. They will also have the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, to participate in a future in-person advocacy event, when it becomes feasible. In addition, they will receive a one-year subscription to the scientific journal BioScience.

AIBS is also recognizing two additional outstanding leaders with an Honorable Mention award. Talia Henkle is a PhD candidate in immunology and molecular genetics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. William Makoto Ota is working toward a PhD in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology at the University of California, Riverside.

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AIBS is the national organization dedicated to promoting informed decision-making that advances the biological sciences for the benefit of science and society. The EPPLA program is one way that AIBS builds the capacity of the scientific community to promote sound decision-making.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
For Subscribers Why South Dakota county officials are shirking state-given water rights

Grant County could be the thirteenth county to repeal their drainage ordinance in the past decade.
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Mumbai, Feb 26 : Actor Anupam Kher on Friday expressed that he is honoured and humbled to receive a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his latest book titled Your Best Day Is Today.

"Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi ji ! Thank you for this beautiful, generous and full of warmth letter to me about my book #YourBestDayIsToday. It really touched my heart! I feel honoured and humbled that you actually took the time out to go through my book. You are an amazingly inspirational leader! With you as our PM I am confident that India will be the #JagatGuru of the world very soon! May you continue to lead us for years. My mother, your biggest admirer sends her blessings! Thank you once again sir! Your letter is my treasure!" Anupam Kher wrote in an Instagram post.

The actor also shared the letter signed by the Prime Minister and addressed to him. The letter has been sent by the Prime Minister after he read Kher's book.

The letter reads: "Shri Anupam Kher Ji, "I was delighted to receive your book 'Your Best Day Is Today'. It is a timely book given the recent developments over the past year.

"Right at the beginning of the book, I read that the title of the book is a phrase that your mother used to tell you everyday as a child. The wisdom of your mother, Smt. Dulari Ji, in filling such positivity and spirit of purpose in her child each day has clearly paid off in your achievements.

"It is clear that it was the same spirit that helped her as well as your family to overcome the moments of crisis that the pandemic brought into your lives.

"Individuals and families with such fortitude make up our nation. This is why we have been able to put up a united and resolute fight against Covid-19 and the disruption induced by it.

"Your book also reminds me of something I wrote in Exam Warriors. A mantra I gave to my young friends was that the 'present' is God's greatest present.

"It is interesting that you have analysed the 'new normal' that we could see in the post-covid world from many angles. Whatever the structure of this 'new normal', I am positive that the role of India and Indians in the future of our planet will only become more and more crucial. This is where the call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat originates from.

"While that may be the global picture, one thing that shines through your book is the warmth of personal relationships and their importance. Especially in a time of churn and crisis, there is no greater strength than the love and trust of people around us.

"Your book is a message to humanity to be ever prepared for any challenge that life throws at us, to adopt a positive outlook and stay firmly rooted in the present.

"Heartiest congratulations for this compilation of your innermost thoughts and experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. I wish your book all success and hope that readers enjoy reading it.

"Please convey my greetings and respect to your mother Smt. Dulari Ji.

"Best wishes for the good health and well being of all the members of the Kher family." Kher published his first book The Best Thing About You Is You! in 2011, and his biographical work, Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly, in 2019. He wrote Your Best Day Is Today! last year, accounting his experiences during the Covid pandemic.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Its a strange sensation as a journalist, picking a side in a debate, forming a self-righteous (and not particularly controversial) stand and then conducting further research only to realize  that you were the villain in this movie all along.

That was the feeling I had yesterday, upon learning that The Chronicle, your compass for living in the city and my beloved employer of 21 years, once tried to hasten the extinction of the cable car system. (The cable cars have been sidelined for nearly a year during the current pandemic, and news broke last week that a reopening may be far in the future.)

We were not the obvious villain in the 1947-48 controversy, the first of two 20th century near-death experiences for the beloved transit system, which first opened in 1873. San Francisco Mayor Roger Lapham wins that title on a sound bite technicality, starting the fight with a public demand to junk the cable cars.

But for pure weaseliness, The Chronicle is in contention; a sort of Grand Moff Tarkin to Laphams Darth Vader.

The cable cars appeared to be in their death throes when Lapham made his proclamation on Jan. 27, 1947, three years after the city and Muni had taken over the formerly private Powell Street lines. A big chunk of the citys once-sprawling cable car system  including cable cars on Fillmore and Castro streets  had been eliminated in the previous six years, leaving a fraction of its 23 lines intact. The mayor centered his argument around the systems need for an expensive overhaul, and small accidents that had cost the city $87,000 the previous year (about $1 million in 2021 dollars).

The fact remains that the sentimentalists do not have to pay the bills and do not have to run the risk of being charged with criminal negligence in the very possible event a cable breaks and a car gets loose on one of our steep hills, Lapham said.

The Chronicle 1947

That quote, in an inconspicuous eight-paragraph Chronicle article, would follow Lapham to his grave and beyond. But The Chronicles campaign, which started the next day, has mostly been forgotten.

The huge bold-and-all-caps front page headline was worthy of a war declaration or moon landing:

CABLE CARS ON WAY OUT;

CITY ORDERS SUPER-BUSES

In a piece of editorial sensationalism disguised as a news story, Robert de Roos wrote a premature eulogy for the system.

City-operated cable cars, chronically ill for many years, finally are dying, his story started. Their death will be a lingering bell-ringing sort of a thing, but they are surely dead.

The Chronicle 1947

The second half of the article championed the so-called super-buses, portraying them as futuristic city saviors with physics-defying superpowers.

These machines have two engines, with an automatic gear shaft, de Roos wrote. The new buses are so heavy they squeegee a dry track for themselves on the wettest of pavement.  The buses will travel about twice as fast as the cables and will carry twice as many fares.

In the days that followed, there were more fantastic tales of the super-bus, the decrepit state of the track and fantasies of runaway cars killing unsuspecting citizens. The Chronicle seemingly stacked the opinion pages with anti-cable-car letters.

It is time San Francisco abandoned its Rip Van Winkleism, San Francisco resident DeWitt C. Treat wrote in a letter. New York, London and other big cities long ago recognized that surface train transportation has no place in metropolitan areas.  Sentimentalism about cable cars must give way to realism if we are to get out of our transportation mess.

Meanwhile, the anti-cable-car forces built near-unanimous political and media support, including the Board of Supervisors and at least three newspapers. Even the San Francisco Convention and Tourism Bureau, who should have been laying their bodies down on the tracks to stop the change, caved to Laphams plan.

We recognize the value of the cable cars as tourist attractions, bureau President W. Lansing Rothschild said. But we sympathize with Mayor Lapham and his problems in seeking better transportation.

Gary Fong / The Chronicle 1982

Then a hero emerged.

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

As explained in a column by former Chronicle librarian Bill Van Niekerken, 51-year-old Friedel Klussmann, already a regular in the society pages, formed A Citizens Committee to Save the Cable Cars, persuading the Board of Supervisors to put transportation measure Proposition 10 on the November 1947 ballot. The measure would keep the cars under Muni and Public Utilities Commission stewardship, ensuring their survival.

After that passed overwhelmingly, Klussmann fought to move the dying California Street line under Muni stewardship, and supported a second fight to save the cable cars, a $10 million fundraising effort led by Mayor Dianne Feinstein in 1982. The Chronicle enthusiastically supported the 1982 efforts, and in 2018 and 2019 sponsored decorated cable cars for the Christmas season.

Steve Ringman / The Chronicle 1982

Klussmann, who died in 1986, would no doubt side with Chronicle columnist Heather Knight, who called last week for a quick-as-possible return of cable cars to city streets. The Chronicles anti-cable-car role was revealed during research for a pro-cable car Total SF podcast episode co-hosted by Knight.

Muni head Jeffrey Tumlin pledged that cable cars will return at an unspecified date, while floating the possibility of a revenue measure in 2022 to close budget deficits. An organized anti-cable-car effort in 2021 has not emerged.

While other anti-cable-car forces softened their stance in 1947, The Chronicle remained steadfast opponents until the end, gently mocking the growing pro-cable-car forces that could no longer be ignored in coverage. Meanwhile, reporting revealed the super-buses to be mere mortals; it would cost the city a fortune to rip up slippery brick streets so the buses wouldnt slide down the steep Powell Street grades that cable cars had negotiated for decades.

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle 2018

When San Franciscans voted overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the cable cars  169,464 to 51,107  the newspaper responded cynically.

It was a victory of sentiment over cost sheets and the opinions of transportation engineers, The Chronicle reported.

But the article did give Klussmann the final word.

It is wonderful to know, she said, that San Franciscans appreciate their famous, efficient and safe cable cars.

Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicles culture critic. Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @PeterHartlaub
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 21:19:01|Editor: huaxia

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ROME, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China, the only major economy to recover in 2020, will likely remain the European Union (EU)'s largest trading partner in 2021, a scholar based in Rome has recently said.

The year of "2020 was a singular year for EU-China relations," Silvia Menegazzi, a sinologist and professor of international relations at Rome's LUISS University, told Xinhua.

China surpassed the United States to become the EU's top trading partner last year, as the bloc's imports from China throughout 2020 grew by 5.6 percent year-on-year to 383.5 billion euros (about 465 billion U.S. dollars) and exports grew by 2.2 percent to 202.5 billion euros (about 246 billion U.S. dollars), according to the EU's statistical service Eurostat.

The year of 2020 also marked the 45th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic ties, and witnessed the completion of the EU-China investment agreement negotiations, she said.

From the European perspective, the goal of the agreement is to improve market access for European firms in China, Menegazzi said, adding that "from this point, the benefits for the EU are clear."

In the future, how the pandemic-induced economic crisis evolves will play a key role in EU-China trade relations, according to Menegazzi.

She predicted that China "will likely remain the EU's largest partner in 2021 because the other major actor -- the United States -- has suffered severe repercussions because of the pandemic."

According to Eurostat, in 2020, the EU's "trade with the United States recorded a significant drop in both imports (-13.2 percent) and exports (-8.2 percent)." Enditem
HOLYOKE  With Mayor Alex B. Morse named as Provincetowns next town manager, City Councilors Mike Sullivan and Joseph M. McGiverin are looking to avoid a wasteful special election to finish his term.

Sullivan, a potential mayoral candidate, filed a home rule petition on the issue with the city clerks office Friday. The City Council likely will take it up at its Tuesday regular session.

McGiverin, as City Council president in 1991, served as acting mayor after then-Mayor Martin J. Dunn won a state Senate seat. A special election was called in June of that year, with William Bill Hamilton the winner. Hamilton went on to win a full term several months later.

Sullivan estimated a special election this year would cost the city of Holyoke over $100,000.

At the moment, trash is piling up on driveways across the city because we cant afford to staff our Department of Public Works property, Sullivan said in a statement. The last thing we need is to waste $100,000 on a special election this summer when we have a regularly scheduled election this fall.

If the home rule petition is approved by the City Council, the citys Beacon Hill delegation would file the petition with the state Legislature for approval.

City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee said the city of Boston recently filed a home rule petition to avoid a special election to finish the term of its mayor, Martin Walsh, who has been nominated by President Joe Biden as labor secretary. The Boston City Council and state Legislature approved. Boston will proceed with a regular September primary and November general election.

Murphy McGee said the Holyoke petition could include a clause saying that the November general election winner would be sworn in immediately, rather than waiting until January.

Choosing a new mayor at the polls would require two elections  one to narrow the field of candidates to two and the second to decide the race. So far two candidates, Rebecca Lisi and Devin Sheehan, have announced campaigns, while Sullivan and others consider running.

Murphy McGee stressed she wants to avoid four elections in one year  the two special elections, a primary and the general. She estimated the cost of the two special elections at $75,000 to $100,000, including mailing out ballots, setting up polling stations, and adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. She also said she was concerned about poll workers and voters health and safety during the pandemic.

City Council President Todd McGee, the city clerks husband, likely would become acting mayor once Morse leaves office. McGee was expected to speak with the mayor and release a statement before Tuesdays council meeting.

Morse must still negotiate his contract with Provincetown before announcing the end of his tenure in Holyoke. If Morse were to leave July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, the home rule petition would become moot, with the September primary only two months away.

HALIFAX, NS - February 26, 2021 (Investorideas.com Newswire and Miningsectorstocks.com report) Fortune Bay Corp. (TSXV:FOR, Frankfurt: 5QN) ("Fortune Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received a drilling permit for its Goldfields Project ("Goldfields" or the "Project") located in northern Saskatchewan (see Figure 1). The Company has commenced mobilization for a Phase 1 drilling program.

Highlights of the Planned Phase 1 Drill Program:

Approximately 5,000 metres of core drilling is planned in 15 holes.

Drilling will be focused on expanding the mineral resources at the Box and Athona deposits through step-out drilling from high gold grades which remain open.

Dale Verran, CEO for Fortune Bay, commented, "We are pleased to have commenced mobilization for our Phase 1 drilling program at Goldfields immediately following receipt of a drilling permit. Our technical team has undertaken an extensive review of the historical data and has developed targets and a drilling plan with the potential to expand the historical mineral resources at both Box and Athona. The last drilling campaign at Goldfields was completed in 2011 and we look forward to reviving exploration on the Project equipped with an improved geological understanding of the deposits."

Planned Phase 1 Drilling Program

As announced on October 13, 2020 the Company has identified drill targets at both the Box and Athona deposits (see Figures 2 and 3). A Phase 1 drilling program has been developed to commence testing these targets through step-out drilling from high gold grades which remain open. The primary objective of the drilling program is to expand the historical mineral resources beyond the extents of the historical mineral resource estimates and current drilling coverage. Recent completion of mineralization models for the deposits, based on structural studies, has facilitated planning of the location and orientation of the initial drill holes.

Box Deposit

At Box, step-out drilling is planned both along strike and down-dip of the higher-grade drill intercepts in both Zone A and B, with the objective of establishing continuity of high grades. Drill hole orientation, to the east at a shallow drilling angle, has been designed to optimize drilling efficiency by obtaining significant internal coverage of the Box Mine Granite and intersecting the interpreted mineralized vein-sets at high-angles.

Athona Deposit

At Athona South, planned drilling includes confirmatory drilling to verify the 1930's historical results, infill drilling to establish continuity with mineralization to the north, and step-out drilling to the south.

Summary of Drill Targets (announced October 13, 2020)

Box Deposit

The Box deposit remains open, specifically at depth where meaningful grades and thicknesses have been intersected both outside the boundary of the historical mineral resource estimate, and below the depth of the previous open pit defined in the historical 2011 Pre-Feasibility Study for Box.

Two priority higher-grade zones have been identified for drill targeting and resource expansion, Box Zone A and Box Zone B (Figure 2). Highlight gold results from historical drilling completed along these Zones outside of the boundaries of the 2011 mineral resource estimate include: Box Zone A: 05 g/t over 6.00 m (drill hole B07-294) contained within 47.70 m at 2.68 g/t



8.35 g/t over 9.00 m (drill hole B07-292) contained within 49.79 m at 2.10 g/t

6.34 g/t over 6.00 m (drill hole B11-315) contained within 25.00 m at 2.04 g/t

5.16 g/t over 12.00 m and 4.65 g/t over 3.00 m (drill hole B11-316) contained within 72.00 m at 1.39 g/t

Box Zone B: 72 g/t over 3.59 m (drill hole B95-219) contained within 45.59 m at 1.02 g/t

4.97 g/t over 6.00 m (drill hole B95-228) contained within 47.15 m at 1.05 g/t

Drill intersections are from exploration holes with spacings varying from 10 to 110 metres, approximate 45 metre average.

The higher-grade intersections are interpreted to potentially represent vein-sets within a plunging extension of the Box Mine Granite.

Athona Deposit

The Athona deposit remains open to the south, beyond the extents of the mineral resources and reserves that were defined in the historical 2011 pre-feasibility study.

The Athona Mine Granite that hosts the gold mineralization extends southwards to and beyond the historical Number 2 shaft, where limited drill holes confirm the presence of significant gold mineralization.

Athona South has been selected as a priority zone for resource expansion (Figure 3). Underground and surface drilling in this area was carried out in the period 1935 to 1939. Gold samples from these holes were collected on an approximate 1.5 m spacing, however in certain instances only composited results for longer intervals are available. Selected highlight historical gold results from Athona South include: 00 g/t over 48.80 m and 3.00 g/t over 30.80 m (drill hole 23) 00 g/t over 65.80 m and 1.00 g/t over 58.50 m (drill hole 34) 00 g/t over 68.90 m and 3.26 g/t over 6.10 m contained in 10.70 m at 2.21 g/t (drill hole U-10)



Data Verification and Qualified Person

The historical drill results contained within this news release have not been verified and there is a risk that any future confirmation work and exploration may produce results that substantially differ from the historical results. The Company considers these drilling results relevant to assess the mineralization and economic potential of the property. For historical drill holes 23 and 34 at the Athona deposit, only composited results are available in the historical dataset. These composited grades may reflect highly anomalous results in individual samples and should not be interpreted to imply that mineralization is continuous throughout the interval.

The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dale Verran, M.Sc., P.Geo., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Verran is an employee of Fortune Bay and is not independent of the Company under NI 43-101.

About Goldfields

The 100% owned Goldfields Project is the Company's most advanced asset located in northern Saskatchewan, approximately 13 kilometres from Uranium City, for which a historical Pre-Feasibility Study ("2011 PFS") was completed in October 2011 in accordance with NI 43-101. The 2011 PFS envisaged open-pit mining of the Box and Athona gold deposits, located two kilometres apart, over 13 years with estimated gold recoveries of 91% and 89% respectively, processed at a shared mill facility with a capacity of 5,000 tonnes per day. Economic highlights from the 2011 PFS include an NPV (at a 5% discount rate) of CAD$144.3 million (pre-tax) and a 19.6% IRR (pre-tax) using a base case of CAD$1,250/oz of gold (exchange rate CAD$ = 0.96 USD$). Total capital costs were estimated at CAD$159.2 million including a 13.7% contingency. Mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates for the 2011 PFS (Box and Athona deposits) included; 1.02 million ounces of gold (22.3 million tonnes at 1.4 g/t Au) in proven and probable reserves, 1.03 million ounces of gold (20.9 million tonnes at 1.5 g/t Au) in measured and indicated resources (included in the proven and probable reserves), and 0.23 million ounces of gold (4.6 million tonnes at 1.5 g/t Au) in inferred resources. The Project is endowed with established infrastructure including existing roads, powerline, and nearby facilities and an airport at Uranium City. The Project has a history of gold production (64,000 oz Au produced between 1939 to 1942), numerous exploration drilling campaigns (~80,000 metres of drilling in ~675 drill holes) and various mining studies (including a 2007 Feasibility Study for the Box deposit for GLR Resources Inc. that was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101). The Box open-pit mine and mill development is permitted having received Ministerial approval under the Environmental Assessment Act in May 2008. The 10,300 hectare Goldfields property presents numerous exploration opportunities, including the potential to expand the Box and Athona deposits and discover additional resources at several other gold prospects and occurrences.

About Fortune Bay

Fortune Bay Corp. (TSXV:FOR) is a gold-focused exploration and development company with 100% ownership in two advanced gold projects in Canada, Saskatchewan (Goldfields Project) and Mexico, Chiapas (Ixhuatan Project), both with exploration and development potential. The Company has a goal of building a mid-tier gold exploration and development Company through the advancement of its existing projects and the strategic acquisition of new projects to create a pipeline of growth opportunities. The Company's corporate strategy is driven by a Board and Management team with a proven track record of discovery, project development and value creation. Further information on Fortune Bay and its assets can be found on the Company's website at www.fortunebaycorp.com or by contacting us as info@fortunebaycorp.com or by telephone at 902-334-1919.

On behalf of Fortune Bay Corp.

"Dale Verran"

Chief Executive Officer

902-334-1919

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Fortune Bay Corp. ("Fortune Bay" or the "Company") cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Fortune Bay's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to metal prices, changes in planned work resulting from weather, COVID-19 restrictions, logistical, technical or other factors, the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of Fortune Bay's mineral properties, uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and other tests, the possibility that required permits may not be obtained in a timely manner or at all, risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions, the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in work programs, the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from the exploration operations, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations and the lack of availability of necessary capital, which may not be available to Fortune Bay, acceptable to it or at all. Fortune Bay is subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Fortune Bay undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Fortune Bay does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable securities legislation. For more information on Fortune Bay, readers should refer to Fortune Bay's website at www.fortunebaycorp.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Historical Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates and Historical Results

A Pre-Feasibility Study (the "2011 PFS Technical Report"), with an effective date of October 6, 2011, was completed for the Goldfields Project by March Consulting Associates Inc. in cooperation with Wardrop (now Tetra Tech), Dan Mackie Associates (DMA) and EHA Engineering Ltd. The mineral resources and mineral reserves were classified according to the CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves: Definitions and Guidelines, November 2005 ("CIM 2005") and incorporated, by reference, into National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The 2011 PFS Technical Report was issued to Brigus Gold Corp. ("Brigus"), and subsequently re-issued to successor company, Fortune Bay on March 13, 2014. The full 2011 PFS Technical Report is filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Brigus's issuer profile. The reader is cautioned that a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the mineral resources and mineral reserves stated in the 2011 PFS Technical Report as current resources and reserves. Fortune Bay is not treating this historical estimate as current mineral resources or reserves. While this estimate was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM 2005 in effect at the time, there is no guarantee that it would be consistent with current standards and it should not be regarded as such. Fortune Bay has not undertaken any independent verification of the data upon which the historical estimates are based. The historical estimate is considered relevant to assess the mineralization and economic potential of the property.

Historical results, including drilling results, have not been verified and there is a risk that any future confirmation work and exploration may produce results that substantially differ from the historical results. The Company considers these drilling results relevant to assess the mineralization and economic potential of the property.

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Fortune Bay Corp is an annual featured mining company on InvestorIdeas. Please read our full disclaimer and disclosure regarding specific compensation

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Figure 1: Goldfields Project infrastructure and location map.

Figure 2: Box Deposit Drill Target Zones A and B.
The terrorism trial of the man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda can be held in the country, a judge has ruled.

The judge rejected Paul Rusesabaginas argument that a court in Rwanda cannot try him because he is no longer a citizen.

Rusesabaginas lawyer Gatera Gashabana said his client will appeal against the decision about jurisdiction and present further arguments. We cannot go ahead with the hearing of the case without having our objection heard, he said.

Rusesabagina has argued he is a Belgian citizen who was kidnapped and taken to Rwanda, a country he left in 1996. The judge, however, said the court does not find it relevant to talk about how he was detained.

Expand Close Paul Rusesabagina speaks to lawyers as he attends a court hearing in Kigali (Muhizi Olivier/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Paul Rusesabagina speaks to lawyers as he attends a court hearing in Kigali (Muhizi Olivier/AP)

Rusesabagina disappeared during a visit to Dubai in August and appeared days later in Rwanda in handcuffs, accused of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform, which has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks.

He faces nine charges including the formation of an irregular armed group; membership in a terrorist group; financing terrorism; and murder, abduction and armed robbery as an act of terrorism. If convicted, he could face more than 20 years in prison.

His family says Rusesabagina, praised for saving ethnic Tutsis during Rwandas 1994 genocide and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, has no chance of a fair trial because of his outspoken criticism of long-time Rwandan President Paul Kagame and human rights abuses. They fear he might die from poor health behind bars.

Rusesabagina is credited with saving more than 1,000 people by sheltering them at the hotel he managed during the genocide in which more than 800,000 Tutsis and Hutus who tried to protect them were killed. Rwandas government has long asserted that Rusesabaginas role was exaggerated.

The US State Department on Thursday said it has engaged with Rwandas government at the highest levels about the case of Rusesabagina, a US permanent resident.

Expand Close Paul Rusesabagina can be tried in Rwanda, a judge ruled (Muhizi Olivier/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Paul Rusesabagina can be tried in Rwanda, a judge ruled (Muhizi Olivier/AP)

The court on Friday found that both Rwanda and Belgium have the jurisdiction to try him, but there is no justification for his trial to be moved from Rwanda to Belgium as he requested.

The prosecution has argued that Rusesabagina is Rwandan by origin and that local laws allow the prosecution of non-nationals who commit crimes on Rwandan soil.

The court gave his lawyer until Wednesday, when court resumes, to submit any new objections. The court will rule on them next Friday.

The court also heard that some of Rusesabaginas co-accused were brought from neighbouring DR Congo to Rwanda without an extradition process.

Mr Kagame, in an interview with CNN that aired this month, asserted that Rusesabagina is a citizen who had done something terribly wrong.

The president added it was important that he and his co-accused receive a fair trial.


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With the continuing pandemic further short-circuiting the global economy, businesses and consumers are finding more convenient ways of paying their dwindling financial resources. The pandemic jump-started a shift to online buying. That, in turn, helped to accelerate the adoption of digital, contactless, and invisible payments.

This new cashless concept and the related back-end changes by banks to adopt real-time payments (RTP) are becoming increasingly popular; and have set into motion the potential for a ripple effect throughout the e-commerce ecosystem.

While it was already underway prior to the pandemic, the worldwide shift to digital payments has been accelerated by the crisis. The global digital payments market grew by nearly 24 percent in 2020 to US$4.9 trillion, according to the research data analyzed and published by Finnish financial website Sijoitusrahastot.

That report shows the global digital payments market grew by 21 percent YoY in transaction value last year. It projects that the market's total transaction value will grow by 23.7 percent to reach $4.93 trillion. The number of users is also set to increase by 10.1 percent to reach $3.47 billion.

As a result of the growing digital payment infrastructure brought on by COVID-19, payments will continue to clear and settle fast in 2021 and become more embedded in businesses. This will make the process of initiating payments faster and easier for end customers, predicted Scott Johnson, head of product at Western Union Business Solutions.

"In the not-so-distant future, everyday Internet of Things (IoT) devices will become the new payment portal, making it possible for smart appliances and wearables to complete purchases. As technology becomes more sophisticated, and society continues to bring smart devices into their homes, these 'invisible payments' will become more mainstream, while physical payment methods become relics of the past," according to Igal Rotem, CEO of smart payments provider Credorax.

Money Revolution

During the last year, consumers have had to adjust from paying with e-wallets in stores to making automatic payments through apps. Now consumers can add the experience of other payment infrastructures positioned to set a new standard, noted Vince Graziani, Boston-based CEO of IDEX Biometrics.

The growing use of contactless payments is morphing with other forms of digital payments to contribute to a radical move to a cashless economy. Another aspect to consider is the role that real-time payments bring to the overall approach to the developing digital money system.

Contactless payment refers to the backroom realities banks engage within the money payment system. It provides a secure method for consumers to purchase products or services using a debit, credit, smartcard, or another payment device. The exchange corridor involves using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and near-field communication (NFC).

Consumers pay by tapping a payment card or other device near a point-of-sale terminal that runs contactless payment technology. This payment method is also called "tap and go."

A related technology is working its way into the money payment fray. The impetus for this is that it's even more hidden than the contactless payment method. The credit for this goes to the ubiquitous use of IoT devices that can become a shopper's primary payment portal, requiring little interaction with vendors.

"Ultimately, contactless or invisible payments will culminate in the consolidation of players within the digital payments industry. This will include the decline of smaller players," Graziani told the E-Commerce Times.

Before COVID-19 struck, nearly half of U.S. consumers were unaware of the term contactless payments. But now, the vast majority of American shoppers expect and demand touch-free payment options for a safe and secure experience, he noted.

Technology Underway

A big part of the consumer adoption process for these new payment methods are shoppers' familiarity with biometric fingerprint technology, according to Graziani.

IDEX Biometrics fingerprint sensors and biometric solutions are used in touch-free smart cards and devices.

"Most people understand the concept of biometric fingerprint payment technology because they are used to unlocking their phones and authenticating payment apps. The technology is available now and is already embedded in our everyday lives for identity verification," he explained.

Fingerprint biometrics will be integral to the future of digital identity. It is already priced for a mass market, he added.

The U.S. was largely viewed as lagging behind in digital payment technology. A silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic is that overall contactless usage in the U.S. has grown 150 percent YoY as of May 2020, according to Visa. The World Health Organization encouraged societies to go cashless. So contactless and emerging technologies are garnering rapid adoption -- especially in North America, noted Graziani.

According to Forbes, the U.S. mobile payment market -- currently only sixth in the world -- has increased 41 percent and is worth more than $98 billion.

Payment Nirvana

Some in the digital payments industry see these new biometric payment options as an all-in-one money consolidation system. This includes gadgets connected to the IoT network, which makes it possible for smart appliances and wearables to complete purchases as well.

Transactions are handled by third-party or branded mobile apps that conceal bank details. All it takes to pay is the press of a finger on a button in an app.

This process resembles a one-click purchase transaction. The difference is it happens in a physical environment where the phone becomes a one-stop checkout counter.

The driver of the adoption of this technology is directly tied to the chain of trust to expand fingerprint biometrics. This approach works for things like payments in mass transit, entrance to events like stadiums, health care records, voter identification, or access to IoT devices, Graziani explained.

He sees biometric fingerprint technology as essential for the new cashless payment industry. It is hygienic, secure, and protects individual privacy. Security is another built-in benefit.

The data for biometric fingerprints is only stored on the consumer's payment card or app. This avoids potential abuses from cloud security holes, making it potentially hack proof.

"Eventually, I envision that biometric fingerprint technology will drive the convergence of digital identity and authentication with applications in healthcare, IT, and myriad of other industries that are dependent on digital technology," said Graziani.

Why Banks Back RTP

The back end that runs the way banks handle the actual transfer of funds to cover digital payments is being upgraded. One solution for real-time payments seems to have the edge and is ready to go mainstream this year, according to Dimitri Dadiomov, cofounder & CEO of Modern Treasury.

"The Federal Reserve's competing real-time payment railway, FedNow, will not deploy until 2023 or 2024. When it does, companies will have two real-time, bank-connected, choices -- which should lead to increased service and competitive costs," he told the E-Commerce Times.

This diagram illustrates a completed payment over the FedNow Service in its simplest form. The process is designed to take place within seconds.

Dadiomov sees five reasons RTP will go mainstream this year. Perhaps the most pressing reason as far as banks are concerned is it will fend off efforts by Mastercard and Visa to enable their own non-card faster payments system.

Another key reason is the pandemic has hastened the adoption of many things digital, including payments. This has created an increased expectation of immediacy.

A third reason is a need for vendors and businesses to have speedy payments to meet the pace of transactions and keep a close watch on cash. This is especially critical given pandemic pressures on many SMBs, he noted.

Fourth, real-time payments include details about the transaction along with the transaction, so books can be immediately reconciled. This process can help take the cost and hassles out of accounting.

The fifth reason for banks to support RTP is to gain the benefits of upgrading technology. Companies want to cut cost and time out of all business processes.

"The current ACH system was designed in the 1970s and is ripe for updating," said Dadiomov.

Digital Payment Adoption

Security remains a primary concern by both vendors and consumers, noted Graziani. The onus is on financial services providers and retailers to protect consumers during the payment transaction process.

"Even small mom and pop [establishments] like ice cream stands in rural areas have moved away from cash-only businesses and have embraced digital payment options like Square," he said.

Payment systems that require biometric authentication will eliminate existing fraud by signatures being forged, PINs being cracked, or online accounts being hacked. Fingerprints are virtually impossible to replicate.

"I fully expect that the U.S. will become a mostly cashless society within a year due to COVID, as opposed to the three-to-five-year timeline before the pandemic," predicted Graziani.

How Biometric Security Works

Biometric fingerprint payment cards provide end-to-end encryption. This process secures the user's card and data, according to Graziani.

A fingerprint biometric card allows users to authenticate their ID by touching their finger to the card's sensor while holding it over the contactless card machine. Shoppers only have to hold their own cards over the PoS system.

The entire transaction process is free of public PIN pads or checkout counters. This makes it no different from how consumers currently use contactless payments cards.

"This touch-free payment technology provides the consumer with the convenience of contactless, or a mobile payment, but with far greater security, as the card is personally tied to the owner," he explained.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.


LONDON  It seemed like a windfall in the campaign to vaccinate the world.

President Joe Biden last week announced $4 billion for a humanitarian program called COVAX  short for Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access plan  which aims to fairly distribute vaccines between rich countries and the developing world.

But in more than a dozen interviews, current and former officials involved with COVAX and experts with detailed knowledge of the plan suggest Biden's mountains of cash and rhetorical support will not address the real reasons behind the dire state of global vaccine inequality.

COVAX's efforts have been throttled not by a lack of money but a lack of supply. And so far the limited doses that are being made have mostly gone to the U.S. and other rich countries.

As it stands, parts of Africa, South America and Asia will not achieve widespread immunization until 2023 at the earliest, according to a recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit research group.

In a deeply unfair fight, COVAX has struggled to compete with its own largest donors  wealthy nationalistic governments whose ruthless tactics rarely match their altruistic rhetoric.

Some critics say Biden is repeating some of the same moves: pledging money and words to COVAX, but with the other hand grabbing the scarce supplies that it desperately needs.

"There is a sense that we've made some progress, from the U.S. giving no vaccines at all to it giving $4 billion  but that doesn't go far enough," Sharifah Sekalala, an associate professor of global health law at England's University of Warwick, said. "We need to reframe this entire discussion. What will help Americans the most is not vaccinating every American first."

The selfish reason to share

Seeing an oncoming wave of vaccine nationalism last year, the world's leading humanitarian groups responded by founding COVAX, a partnership among the World Health Organization, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.

Story continues

The project's main aim is to supply doses to 20 percent of people in 92 low- and middle-income countries, whose population totals some 3.6 billion. But nine months after the partnership was formed, that dream has so far failed to materialize.

While the rollout in the U.S. has been troubled, there has still been about 20 vaccinations per 100 people so far. COVAX is months behind, with more than 100 of the world's poorest countries having yet to administer a single dose.

COVAX did finally begin its rollout this week, with Ghana becoming the first country Wednesday to receive 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine. And officials remain optimistic they will soon start closing the gap. But many experts are skeptical it will hit its target of delivering 1.8 billion vaccinations to low-and-middle-income countries this year.

In a pandemic that's killed 2.5 million and infected 50 times that number, not vaccinating people across the globe promptly will leave them vulnerable. But even from a selfish perspective, inoculating the globe has benefits for wealthy countries.

Even immunized Americans could be infected by new variants that will inevitably mutate where the virus is allowed to flourish. Sharing would also save money, costing $25 billion but preventing a $119 billion hole in the global economy, according to the RAND Corporation, a research organization.

"This is going to be a huge public health problem in a few months unless it is corrected and corrected quickly," Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, the deputy director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said. "It is quite bizarre for a young person in one part of the world to be getting the vaccine, while a front-line health worker in Africa is still waiting."

'Money is irrelevant'

Both the moral case and the self-interested case for vaccinating the world were behind Biden's $4 billion pledge.

"We think that it is vital to take a role in beating the pandemic globally, and to really put U.S. leadership out there to do this," a senior administration official said.

COVAX officials are reluctant to call out Biden directly for channeling so many vaccination resources to Americans. His attempts to revive American multilateralism have been mostly welcomed, particularly after then-President Donald Trump moved to leave the WHO and was the only Western leader to ignore COVAX.

But some of the new administration's policies are the same ones that COVAX officials blame for fueling the inequality we see today. That's because the central problem here is not about money at all, but supply.

COVAX could have all the cash in the world, but so few vaccine vials are being made that the shots are not available to buy. Those that have trickled out of the spigot have mostly been snapped up by rich countries first  and in this sense, Biden's White House is little different.

Image: The AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India is unloaded at Mumbai airport this week as part of the COVAX rollout. (INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP - Getty Images)

While pledging billions to COVAX, Biden with another pen stroke has secured yet another 200 million doses for the American people, part of his plan to offer everyone a shot by July.

Without naming names, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday that rich countries had actually prevented COVAX from accessing its own supply.

"If there are no vaccines to buy, money is irrelevant," he said.

One long-term solution might be to waive intellectual property rights, so vaccines can be produced around the world. So far, that has been resisted by wealthy countries and most large pharmaceutical companies.

A shorter-term fix would be for rich nations to donate shots they've already stockpiled. But the White House says it only plans to do this after every American has been offered one. That goes against the express pleas of COVAX and other experts, who want the sharing to start as soon as rich countries have immunized priority groups.

Sharing immediately is not only "the right thing to do from a humanitarian perspective, it is in the interest of rich countries to stop transmission everywhere," said Dr. Tom Kenyon, a former director of the CDC's Center for Global Health and the former CDC director for Ethiopia, now chief health officer at Project HOPE, an international global health organization.

Ultimately, rich nations need to stop implying that they are sharing doses out of charity, and recognize it is a fundamental part of their obligations as members of COVAX, according to Sekalala at the University of Warwick.

"It cannot be that you vaccinate everybody in your own country and then you go to COVAX as an afterthought if you have anything left over," she said.

The White House did not respond to NBC News' request for a response to these criticisms.

'Overly idealistic'

COVAX's initial vision was that everyone would use the program to buy vaccines: Rich nations would donate cash to ramp up research and manufacturing, and rich and poor nations would divvy up shots fairly at the end.

"It was perhaps overly idealistic and ambitious," said Charles Clift, a former WHO and British government official specializing in getting medicines to developing countries.

In reality, COVAX had to settle for a messy, hybrid system. Rich countries still donated money. But they had already started striking their own bilateral side deals with drugmakers. Essentially COVAX found itself competing against its own most powerful donors. It was never a fair fight.

"It was very clear that the win-win option was a global solution," WHO Assistant Secretary-General Dr. Bruce Aylward told NBC News. "But national interests played a big part in the decisions going other ways."

Compare COVAX's dizzying challenges with the America-first approach of the Trump administration, the effects of which still linger.

Before the first Covid-19 death on American soil in February, Trump's Operation Warp Speed program was striking deals with pharmaceutical companies. It pumped $12 billion into research and domestic manufacturing, taking huge risks in the hope one vaccine candidate would work.

This investment came with strings attached: The U.S. expected to be served first.

Image: The first batch of AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccines arrives in Accra, Ghana, this week as part of the COVAX program. (Francis Kokoroko / Reuters)

Later in the year, the White House worked hand-in-glove with the Food and Drug Administration to approve these vaccines faster than almost anywhere else.

Given the political pressures, "vaccine nationalism is at the same time ethically indefensible and probably politically inevitable," said Justine Landegger, a senior vaccine consultant at Resolve to Save Lives, which is working with African countries to prepare for their rollouts.

By contrast, COVAX took months to raise enough cash to enter negotiations with drugmakers. And even then, it had to act as a go-between for dozens of nations, always keeping one eye on value for money.

It was essentially saying: "'I understand that you can sell these vaccines for three times their price, but I actually want a discount and I want a lot of them,'" said Achal Prabhala, coordinator of the AccessIBSA project, which campaigns for global access to medicines. "You could imagine what an amazingly tempting business proposition that is."

Though the process faced by the U.S. and others was far from simple, COVAX had to grind its way through a far more complex web of regulatory systems and indemnity agreements on national and multilateral levels.

Aylward at the WHO recalls seeing the deals struck by rich countries and thinking, "Wow, you are paying three four times as much  these countries were desperate."

Variants and misplaced snobbery

One looming potential flaw in COVAX's short-term rollout is that it depends largely on just the one vaccine developed by British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

One study has suggested this vaccine offers slightly less protection against a new variant identified in South Africa. Data is limited, and there's no evidence the vaccine is any less effective at stopping serious illness. But almost immediately South Africa and neighboring Eswatini halted its deployment.

Officials involved in the deployment say they have no plans to significantly modify their strategy, however.

Some also believe COVAX should have expanded its horizons.

Chinese and Russian vaccines were initially met with skepticism in much of the West due to a lack of data transparency. But studies suggest they may be just as safe and effective as the best Western shots.

Image: An Emirates Airlines Boing 777 plane carrying a vaccine shipment at Dubai International Airport earlier this month. (Karim Shaib / AFP - Getty Images file)

"We started with quite a high degree of snobbery about non-Western countries lacking our regulatory scrutiny," said Danny Altmann, an immunology professor at Imperial College London. "In fact, the majority of these vaccines have been safe, efficacious and should all be in the toolkit."

COVAX has been working to add Chinese vaccines to its portfolio, Aylward at the WHO said, but it's taken longer because China's drugmakers aren't as familiar with COVAX's approvals process.

Some COVAX countries, including Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia and Ukraine, have already taken matters into their own hands, striking their own side deals with Beijing, according to Airfinity, a pharmaceuticals analytics company.

"It is frustrating because every time one country is making a bilateral deal, the neighboring countries may say, 'OK, maybe I should also do a bilateral deal,'" said Benjamin Schreiber, the lead COVAX coordinator at UNICEF, tasked with deploying these shots globally.

In contrast to Western vaccine nationalism, China opted for vaccine diplomacy  exporting more shots than it's deploying at home. It's also ahead on sharing, donating 10 million vaccines through COVAX itself.

'Like you've ordered a big cake'

Senior COVAX officials remain bullish about hitting their 1.8 billion vaccine target this year, covering 3.3 percent of those populations. However, top supply chain analysts are skeptical.

"We don't buy it," said Andrea Taylor, assistant director of Duke Global Health Innovation Center, an authority on Covid-19 vaccine supply data.

The forecast assumes COVAX will be able to obtain almost every dose made this year by the Serum Institute of India, the world's biggest vaccine supplier by volume. But that manufacturer has signed deals with almost a dozen other countries, too.

"It may be they know things about their supply chain that we don't know," Taylor said. "But in terms of data that we do have access to, I don't think their forecast for 2021 is realistic at all."

Image: Ultracold freezers in Bogota, Colombia, that will house COVAX vaccines made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca. (Sebastian Barros / NurPhoto via Getty Images file)

In any case, the officials running COVAX are more eager to talk about the bigger picture.

They point out that without the program, the situation would be much grimmer for the world's most vulnerable.

"It's like you've ordered a big cake, and you look on your plate but nothing has arrived," said Schreiber at UNICEF. "But it's cooking, and the cake will come out, hopefully soon. And hopefully nobody will fall as the cake is coming from the kitchen to the table."

Nothing like this has ever been attempted before, they say. And even after its sluggish and troubled start, vaccinating poor countries 12 months after the pandemic was declared looks like lightspeed when compared with any other global immunization program in history.

Most of all, Aylward at the WHO believes that initiatives like COVAX have dramatically shifted people's expectations about what is ethically acceptable. Global access to medicine has always been deeply unfair  but this is the first time he's seen such widespread calls for change in the way vital medicines and treatments are distributed.

"I've spent 30 years in international public health and disease eradication and I have never seen this," he said. "The world is changing. It's changing before our eyes, and that is fantastic. Because once you get there, you can't go back."
Asylum seekers from different countries are trying to enter the United States, searching for a fresh start and new life. However, the previous administrations are skeptical about letting them in. Now that the Biden administration leads the United States, a Honduran immigrant leaves church sanctuary after three and a half years, as the Immigrations Customs Enforcement or ICE pledges not to deport him.

According to Huff Post, Alex Garcia from Honduras, a father of five, was slated for removal from the United States in 2017, the first year of the Former President Donald Trump's administration. The Christ Church United Church of Christ, situated in the St. Louis suburb of Maplewood, offered him sanctuary days before his deportation, according to Huff Post.

Read also: Biden Admin to Allow 25,000 Asylum-Seekers Waiting in Mexico to Enter U.S.

The Decision

News Chain noted that Sara John from St. Louis Interfaith Committee on Latin America shared that Garcia's decision of leaving the sanctuary came after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's declaration that the agency will not pursue his removal from the United States. News Chain also mentioned how Garcia told a cheering crowd of about a hundred people his story of being separated from his family for about 1,252 days, expressing his gratitude for their support to him and his family.

According to World News Era, President Joe Biden has signed several executive orders on his first week as president regarding immigration issues that undo his predecessor's policies. However, several Republican members in Congress are pushing legal challenges. World News Era also mentioned Myrna Orozco from the Church World Service, noting that there are 33 immigrants inside the churches across the United States, heeding that the number should continue to decline.

Huff Post shared that Garcia said upon his exit that there is still so much work that has to be done as he expresses his resolve in fighting for permanent protection. Huff Post notes that Maplewood spilled their emotion as Garcia bade farewell. At the same time, Mayor Greenberg said that even though he cannot grant Garcia citizenship, Greenberg will make him an honorary of Maplewood.

Other people who left the sanctuary

News Chain noted three more immigrants who have left or emerged from the sanctuary, such as a 55-year-old El Salvador Native, Jose Chichas, from a church-owned house in North Carolina on January 22. News Chain added that a 65-year-old Pakistani left the Michigan Church this month and Edith Espinal, a Mexican native that left Ohio church after more than three years. News Chain points out that these people left the sanctuary after President Biden took his office.

World News Era mentioned that Garcia's exit followed the United States Representative Cori Bush - a St. Louis Democrat - announced her sponsorship of a private bill seeking permanent residency for Garcia. World News Era furthered that Bush said that ICE promised not to deport Garcia and that they will not stop to ensure that the agency will keep their promise.

Related article: Biden Administration Receives Backlash After Reopening Migrant Facility for Children



WATCH: Alex Garcia walks free after nearly 4 years of living in sanctuary at Maplewood church from KDSK News
New Delhi:

In a fresh turn of events, the Shia Central Waqf Board of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that a mosque could be built in a Muslim-dominated area at a reasonable distance from the disputed site in Ayodhya.



The Board also told the apex court in an affidavit that the Babri Masjid site was its property and only it was entitled to hold negotiations for an amicable settlement of the dispute.



The 30-page affidavit assumes significance as it has been filed within few days of the apex court agreeing to fast track the hearing on a batch of appeals challenging the Allahabad High Court verdict on the land dispute in the case.



The Waqf Board has sought time from the top court for setting up of a committee for exploring an amicable resolution of the vexatious issue.Assailing the stand of the Sunni Central Waqf Board, it said, ...since Babri Masjid was a Shia Waqf Board property, Shia Central Waqf Board UP alone is entitled to negotiate and arrive at a peaceful settlement with other remaining stakeholders.

Read | VHP starts stockpiling stones for Ram temple in Ayodhya, says construction to start within a year



Answering respondent (Shia Board) is also of the view that, to bring quietus, masjid can be located in a Muslim-dominated area at a reasonable distance from the most revered place of birth of Maryada Purshottam Sri Ram, the affidavit said.



The Shia Board is one of the parties in the pending appeals in the apex court.



Recently, a three-judge bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer has been constituted by Chief Justice J S Khehar to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case from August 11.



The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had in 2010 ruled a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres area at the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid site in Ayodhya.



The three-judge bench of the high court, by a 2:1 majority, had said the land be partitioned equally among three partiesthe Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.



On July 21, a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar had said that it would soon take a decision to list the matter for early hearing.



The courts remark had come on a plea of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy who sought urgent listing and hearing of the matter.

Read | Will build a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya within ambit of Constitution: UP min



Swamy had said the main appeals against the Allahabad High Court order are pending for the last seven years in the apex court and these required urgent hearing.



He had also said that a separate petition had earlier been filed by him seeking enforcement of his right to worship without much hassle at the site.



The BJP leader had told the court that he has been allowed by the apex court to intervene in the matter and is seeking expeditious disposal of the cases.

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By Josh Moyer, Centre Daily Times (TNS)

With State Pattys Day fast approaching, Penn State and the State College Borough have teamed up to tackle the annual drinking event  and ensure that Saturday doesnt lead to a superspreader event.

Despite fewer students at University Park this semester, the borough plans to provide a substantial police presence similar to past State Pattys Days. And students who are cited off-campus for any reason will also be reported to Penn States Office of Student Conduct, where they could face disciplinary action.

We do not want to bog down our health care system and we dont want to further our risks here locally, so we just need everyone to keep their eye on the prize, borough spokesperson Doug Shontz said. Stay resilient in your efforts to eliminate this virus locally because the vaccines are coming  but theyre coming slowly.

Added Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs: We must all do our part to keep our community safe from both COVID-19 and the recklessness associated with this troublesome annual event.

State Pattys Day first started in 2007 when St. Patricks Day fell on spring break, and students decided to celebrate the holiday a little earlier. That tradition stuck and, although its not as widespread as it once was, it still poses potentially significant issues this weekend  both because of alcohol-related incidents and because of gatherings despite COVID-19.

Last year, before Centre County experienced its first case of the coronavirus, 124 crimes were reported during State Pattys Day weekend. This week, the countys COVID-19 positivity rate has risen to 7% based on seven-day averages, compared with 4.6% a little more than a week ago.

Were at a place where were better than where we were, but theres still a fair amount of risk out there, said Dr. David Rubin, a pandemic modeling expert at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. And if you have big, concentrated gatherings, you potentially are going to see some bounce-back from that.

The borough plans to focus much of its energy on off-campus parties and unlawful gatherings with more than 10 people.

There are plenty of other preventative steps being taken, too: Some police officers will patrol in uniform, while others will be in plain clothes. Some rental property owners have agreed to have extra staff patrolling apartment hallways. And students and visitors can still be fined $300, both on and off campus, for violating a COVID-19-related ordinance that compels mask-wearing and forbids large gatherings.

Students and residents who venture into downtown bars Saturday should also notice a few changes. The Downtown State College Improvement District has recommended shots not be served Saturday to curb irresponsible drinking, and its also asked local bars not to open early for the same reason.

A majority of downtown businesses are still capped at 25% capacity because theyve chosen not to self-certify, said Rob Schmidt, the organizations executive director. And, per state law, alcohol can only be consumed on-site as part of a meal and cannot be served past 11 p.m.

We prefer the event not happen, Schmidt said. But, if its going to happen, those are the guidelines wed like our legally-owned establishments to follow.

A return to a more normal Happy Valley might be just around the corner, with news earlier this month that 600 million vaccines should be ready by July. (Even President Eric Barron anticipated a full return to in-person instruction in the fall.) But the concern is that a slip-up now might make that road a little tougher, or at least put more strain on a health care system thats constantly on alert.

Dr. Nirmal Joshi, chief medical officer at Mount Nittany Health, noted that the hospital is experiencing its lowest hospitalization numbers since mid-November.

While this is very promising, he said, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent in our consistent practicing of COVID safety measures, including the avoidance of large gatherings. We remind everyone in the community to please continue to wear your masks, practice social distancing and frequently wash hands.

More:

I dont really care what I eat: Teens loss of smell, taste lasts long after COVID-19 | Nancy Eshelman

Flu all but disappears in U.S. this winter as people take precautions against coronavirus

States can delay, change school standardized tests but not cancel them, feds say
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Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
CPAC: CloutHub CEO announces plans to create 'Faith Hub' on social media platform

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The CEO of an alternative social media site announced plans to create a Faith Hub on his platform to allow people to discuss their faith freely without fear of censorship.

Jeff Brain was invited to speak at the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference Friday to discuss his platform CloutHub, an alternative to establishment social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.

He began his speech by listing the names of people who have been banned and deplatformed from social media. Brain interacted with the audience, asking how many who were gathered at the conference had experienced censorship on social media or had their followers reduced.

After accusing the establishment social media platforms of working to limit what we see in order to impose their values on us, Brain described CloutHub as an all-in-one, convenient platform that enables you to do everything you want on one platform. According to Brain, CloutHub has the ability to create groups and send private messages like Facebook, be a public forum like Twitter, and a video sharing service like YouTube.

In addition to outlining the existing features of CloutHub, Brain highlighted some of his future plans for the social media platform. He discussed plans to create a Civic Hub that would enable users to communicate directly with their elected representatives as well as a Faith Hub that will enable users to share and grow your faith.

Referring to his platform as much more than an alternative to Twitter, Brain contrasted CloutHub with the other social media sites: We promote thought and debate, we dont police it. We protect your privacy, we dont sell it.

Were redefining social media, he said. We are using the power of social media to bring people back together and enable them to connect, collaborate and influence the issues that impact your lives, your communities, your freedoms, society and our country.

Were the first-ever social media platform specifically created for engagement on the civic, social and political issues that you care about, he continued. We need to be on platforms where we can actually engage, organize, mobilize and advocate for the issues that are important to us.

We give individuals and organizations the tools they need to successfully engage, to hold leaders and our decision-makers accountable for their behavior and their decisions that they make and return power to we the people, to reclaim control over our lives, our social media, and our government.

Brain listed former national security adviser Michael Flynn, radio talk show host David Webb, journalist John Solomon, actor Kevin Sorbo and Paula White, a spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump, as CloutHub ambassadors who are actively engaged in helping grow our platform.

I would encourage you, if you support free speech and believe that social media should become a force for good and a place where we can organize and take action, not just do, but take action and solve problems again. I encourage you to join us in the front lines of this revolution, Brain added. He told members of the crowd to pull out your phone right now and join CloutHub.

Additionally, he urged the crowd to Download our app to ensure that you wont be the next victim of cancel culture. Make CloutHub your platform for civic engagement, debate and organizing with other freedom-loving Americans.

Help us create a new future for social media that empowers we the people to reclaim control of our lives and our country, he concluded.

Brains speech comes more than a month-and-a-half after Facebook banned then-President Donald Trump from the platform indefinitely and Twitter permanently banned his account, alleging that his social media comments encouraged the riot at the U.S. Capitol that took place on Jan. 6.

Another alternative to the establishment social media platforms, Parler, was quickly embraced by conservatives and supporters of the former president but it was taken offline shortly thereafter. More than a month later, Parler was back online.
The Indian government announced a set of guidelines and rules that social media platforms and OTT services such as Netflix, Prime Video and others will have to follow. The rules are officially known as Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 and will be enforced to moderate content on various platforms. The government listed how it will enforce these rules in detail which you can check out in detail here.

And now, we also know the rules that need to be followed in detail, thanks to a PDF of the order shared by Medianama. Here are some of the key rules that digital media platforms will have to adhere to:

OTT Platforms

 pexels/cottonbro

Streaming services will have to start self-regulating and censor content according to a code.

Every show on the platform will now have to provide an age certification for content U (for all ages), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (adult).

OTT platforms will now also have to offer a parental lock system to keep children away from mature content rated above U/A 13+.

Social Media Platforms

 Reuters

Social Media companies will also have to appoint a nodal officer beside a grievance officer that can be contacted by law enforcement. The person has to be available at all times and can be contacted directly to address objectionable content.

Every social media platform will have to publish a monthly report that will contain information about the number of complaints received and resolved.

Social Media Platforms will also bear the responsibility of tracking the originator of objectionable content. This rule is also extended to applications such as WhatsApp and Signal which means instant-messaging apps may have to discontinue end-to-end encryption in the country.

Social Media platforms will have to remove offensive content within 36 hours after a court order has been issued.

Each platform should also have a voluntary verification program where users can be verified through a mobile number.

The government also plans to introduce regulations for digital news publishers where the government has proposed a three-tier mechanism. Publishers will also have a self-regulation code by publishers, an oversight mechanism and a regulatory body of publishers. The rules for digital news outlets are still at an early stage.
Starting Monday, last call will no longer come early for South Carolinians.

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster is terminating statewide restrictions related to the sale of alcohol and mass gatherings effective Monday.

Restaurants may resume normal alcohol sales as licensed by the S.C. Department of Revenue. Prior to this, they had to stop serving at 11 p.m. due to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Additionally, S.C. Department of Commerce approval for events involving more than 250 people will no longer be required.

With the spread of the virus consistently decreasing across the country and more of the most vulnerable South Carolinians being vaccinated every day, I believe these targeted and limited safety measures are no longer necessary, McMaster said in a statement Friday. The virus is still among us, and we all must continue to make responsible decisions to take care of ourselves and our loved ones, but those decisions are for South Carolinians to make.

While approval will no longer be required by the Department of Commerce, it is still recommended that organizers of large gatherings utilize safety guidelines through social distancing and mask-wearing.

The lifting of these restrictions does not impact McMaster's separate order that requires face coverings to be worn inside state government offices, buildings and facilities, as well as requires that restaurants require employees, customers, patrons, suppliers, vendors, and other visitors wear face coverings.

Also, the City of Aiken's mask mandate in public places remains in effect.

South Carolina health authorities confirmed 26 COVID-19 cases in Aiken County on Friday.

Friday's case count pushes Aiken County over 12,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started. Aiken County has now recorded 12,014 cases, with 167 coronavirus-related deaths. The county reached the 11,000 case threshold on Feb. 3.

Aiken County also has reported a total of 3,600 probable COVID-19 cases and 35 probable coronavirus-related deaths.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed a total of 1,086 cases and 27 deaths across the state Friday.

The data reported Friday is for the date of Feb. 24.

As of Feb. 26, South Carolina has received 1,183,410 total doses of COVID-19 vaccine and has administered 865,230. There are currently 513,440 vaccine appointments scheduled throughout the state.

A total of 21,731 COVID-19 vaccines, which includes first and second doses, have been administered in Aiken County.

In neighboring Barnwell and Edgefield counties, nine and 11 virus cases were confirmed, respectively, on Friday.

According to DHEC's acute hospital bed occupancy report, Aiken County hospitals are at 85.2% occupancy. There are 132 beds occupied, while there are 23 beds open. Across the entire state, there are 916 COVID-19 patients hospitalized.

The total number of individual test results reported to DHEC statewide Friday was 32,875, and the percent positive was 5.1%.

The total number of cases statewide is now 441,697, with 71,598 probable cases, 7,528 confirmed deaths and 949 probable deaths.
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NEW MILFORD  After seeing so many people having a tough time due to the coronavirus pandemic, Carrie Lee Bunblasky, acting owner of Tasty Waves Frozen Yogurt & Bagel Cafe on Main Street, had an idea of how to help. She set up a community kindness initiative, where her store offers free baked goods every day to anyone who comes in  no questions asked.

I initially came up with the idea because we wanted to somehow support our community during this crazy time, said Lee Bunblasky, of New Milford, who along with her husband Jeremy, has two children, ages 7 and 2. We know that so many people are struggling during this pandemic, both financially and emotionally.

While the original idea was to feed those who are hungry, cold or cant afford the items, she soon realized everyone needs a little help now and then  maybe they're just having a bad day and need a little joy. Were using this to spread kindness and recognize people.

The store is giving out everything from coffee to bagels with cream cheese and pastries, she said.

Bunblasky first posted the initiative on Facebook in January, and it was shared more than 70 times and had 13,000 views, she said.

While the initiative first began as a way to help anyone, it has since morphed into something else, Bunblasky said. Starting this month, the store is now honoring first responders.

We've given bagels and coffee to the snow removal crews after a large snowstorm, she said. We also had a day where we recognized mental health workers after we were given a donation from someone that had a loved one pass from suicide.

Teachers were also honored.

When they come in, they tell us their stories, Bunblasky said. I had one mental health worker from a womens shelter thank us. She said that people in their profession are so often underpaid and underappreciated and that it felt really special to be acknowledged.

New products

Like other businesses, Tasty Waves had a rough year in 2020. It originally sold self-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt, with 12 handles with different flavors of frozen yogurt, said Bunblasky. But due to the pandemic, it was no longer possible to serve customers that way.

It wasnt working. I realized last summer, theres no way to stay open through winter. We would have to reinvent ourselves, she said.

To stay afloat, the store began selling bread and coffee items, which Bunblasky credits to saving the business.

We've recently started a bagel shop here selling Bagelman Bagels, pastries from a variety of bakeries direct from New York City, and coffee, Bunblasky said, adding most of her business now comes from those items.

While the store still also sells soft serve ice cream, it plans to reopen the frozen yogurt component in the spring.

Bunblasky said she plans to keep the community kindness initiative going indefinitely, as well as continue to honor first responders.

Im happy that we can provide a little joy and thank these people that are so vital to our community, she said.

For more on Tasty Waves, visit Tasty Waves Frozen Yogurt & Bagel Cafe New Milford, CT 06776 - Menu, 65 Reviews and Photos - Restaurantji

sfox@milfordmirror.com
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by National Press Club President Lisa Nicole Matthews and National Press Club Journalism Institute President Angela Greiling Keane on the release by the United States government of a long-awaited report on the murder of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi:

Ever since his gruesome murder in October 2018, we have called for justice for Jamal Khashoggi. While it has taken far too long to come to public light, we are encouraged by the transparency of the report released today detailing the role of Saudi Arabia as a state sponsor of this murder and implicating Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a central figure in the murder plot.

Several important principles are at stake in this case:

State actors may not be allowed to unjustly detain and, in this case, murder journalists to silence them.

The US government must stand up for US journalists even when they are endangered on foreign soil. (Mr. Khashoggi lived in Virginia and was an employee of The Washington Post.)

and was an employee of The Washington Post.) For a democracy to function, it is crucial that the public know the facts, even if they are damning to our allies.

In Bob Woodward's book, Rage, about President Trump, the former President describes discouraging Congress from investigating the involvement of the Saudi government in Khashoggi's murder. We urge Congress to use this report as the basis for hearings.

On November 28, 2018 just two months after the murder of Mr. Khashoggi the National Press Club recognized him with the John Aubuchon Award, our highest honor for press freedom. Fred Ryan, publisher of The Washington Post attended to speak and accept the honor for Khashoggi's family. In Ryan's remarks, he pointed toward the day when the U.S. government would release a full report on the brutal murder of his employee, Mr. Khashoggi. That day has finally arrived.

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club's non-profit affiliate, 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.

PRESS CONTACT: Lindsay Underwood for the National Press Club; [email protected], (202) 662-7561

SOURCE National Press Club

Related Links

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 20:48:52|Editor: huaxia

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RIYADH, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Saudi-led coalition involved in a war in Yemen intercepted on Friday two bomb-laden drones launched by Houthi militia toward the kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Coalition Spokesperson Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki said that the first attack was targeting Saudi border city Khamis Mushait, while the second drone was launched toward the kingdom's southern region.

He renewed the coalition's accusation against Houthis of systematically and deliberately targeting civilians and civilian sites.

He stressed that the coalition would implement all necessary operational procedures to safeguard civilians and civilian sites in accordance with the customary International Humanitarian Law.

The coalition will complete in March its sixth year of war in Yemen against the Houthi militia in support of the government of the Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Enditem
New Delhi, Feb 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that there is a great appreciation and respect for the Indian medical professionals, scientists and pharma professionals.

Addresses 33rd Convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Modi said, "India is producing medicines and vaccines for the world. In Covid 19, India is having one of the lowest death rates and highest recovery rates in the world.

"The Indian health ecosystem is being seen with new eyes, new respect and new credibility. Learnings from this pandemic can help us fight other diseases like TB as well," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the government was transforming the entire medical education and health sector and the National Medical Commission will rationalise the norms to set up new medical colleges, bring greater transparency and improve the quality and availability of Human Resources in this sector.

"During the last six years, MBBS seats increased by more than 30,000, which is a rise of more than 50 per cent from 2014. The number of PG seats increased by 24,000, which is a rise of around 80 per cent from 2014. In 2014, there were six AIIMS in the country but in the last six years 15 more AIIMS have been sanctioned across the country," he said.

The Prime Minister announced that the government has permitted the establishment of 11 new medical colleges in those districts in Tamil Nadu which do not have a medical college.

"For these medical colleges, the Union government would give more than Rs 2,000 crore. PM Aatmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana announced in the Budget would boost the capacities of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare for detection and cure of new and emerging diseases," Modi said.

He said 'to be serious and to look serious' are two different things and requested the students to keep their sense of humour intact.

The Prime Minister advised the students to focus on their health and fitness as they take care of the nation's health. He gave a call to the students to rise above self-interest and said doing so will make them fearless.

More than 21,000 candidates were conferred with Degrees and Diplomas in the Convocation. Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit was present on the occasion.

Addressing the students, Modi expressed happiness to witness that more than 70 per cent of the candidates receiving Degrees and Diplomas were women.

"It is always special to see women leading from the front in any field. When this happens it is a moment of pride and a moment of joy," the Prime Minister said.

He said the success of the students and the institution would have made the great MGR (MG Ramachandran) very happy. Modi recalled that MGR's governance was full of compassion towards the poor and the subjects of healthcare, education and empowerment of women were dear to him.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
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She loves an excuse to dress up in fashionable ensembles.

And Daisy Lowe celebrated the arrival of the weekend and the spring-like weather in an Instagram post on Friday wearing a 90s-inspired outfit.

The model, 32, posed seductively in the doorway of her house, wearing a see-through black cami and cheetah-print skirt with a thigh-high slit.

Want to come in for tea?: Daisy Lowe posed seductively in the doorway of her house for an Instagram post on Friday in a black cami and cheetah-print skirt with a thigh-high slit

Daisy looked effortlessly stylish as she leaned on one hip in the picture, showcasing her enviable curves.

She wore her hair down with her signature fringe swept over her face and '90s inspired make-up'.

Captioning the shot, Daisy wrote: 'Its FRIDAY! And the sun is OUT!

'So I thought Id put some 90s inspired make up on & have a play in my new @wheelsanddollbaby pin up dream skirt (thank you dearest @the_tiah ) want to come in for tea?'

Weekend fun: The model, 32, celebrated the arrival of the weekend and the good weather in the caption, writing: 'Its FRIDAY! And the sun is OUT!

The fashion model celebrated Valentine's Day earlier this month - but she didn't spend it with current boyfriend Jordan Saul.

Daisy had good company in the form of her beloved pet dog Monty as she posted two new social media updates to mark the special occasion.

She pictured herself reclining on an appropriately coloured pink sofa alongside the 12-year old pooch, with whom she is permanently attached.

Wearing nothing more than a cropped wool cardigan and matching micro-shorts from Ashley Williams London, Daisy showed off her body as she stretched out next to the dozing Monty, who had been dressed in a matching body warmer.

Don't mind us: The beauty celebrated Valentine's Day earlier this month by posing on a pink sofa while wearing a cropped wool cardigan and matching micro-short

Captioning the images, she wrote: 'Happy Valentines from me & my matching scoop... 12th valentines together and counting.... sending you all the love this lockdown valentines can possibly squeeze into each and every one of you.

'I hope youre having a gorgeous day celebrating love in all its forms. I love celebrating love everyday, but it is rather lovely having a dedicated day for it too.' (sic)

Daisy and boyfriend Jordan's romance was first revealed when they were spotted putting on a PDA-fest in a north London park in July 2020.

An avid traveller, estate agent Jordan documents his various international adventures on social media, including regular stops in South Africa and plenty of ski trips.

A source previously told The Sun: 'Theyre enjoying spending time together while they have time off.

'Shes not in any rush to put a label on anything, theyre just taking things easy.'

Earlier this month, the model shared a selfie with her boyfriend as she took part in an Instagram challenge after a fan asked for a photo of 'you and your partner'.
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Menthol cigarettes helped recruit an estimated extra 10 million US smokers between 1980 and 2018, reveals the first study of its kind, published online in the journal Tobacco Control.

And these products were responsible for 378,000 premature deaths and a cumulative total of 3 million years of life lost during this period, estimate the researchers.

Menthol cigarettes were first created in 1926 but only started to become widely used between 1957 and 1962.

Because menthol produces a cooling sensation in the throat and airways, so curbing the irritation and harshness of cigarette smoke, mentholated cigarettes are thought to encourage young people to start smoking as well as make it harder for smokers to quit.

The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act gave the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to ban menthol in cigarettes, but this power hasn't yet been exercised.

As no study to date has quantified the other damage that menthol cigarettes have wrought among US smokers, the researchers sought to estimate the numbers of excess smokers and lives lost due to menthol cigarettes between 1980 and 2018 in the US.

They did this, using a well-established simulation model of smoking prevalence and health effects (the Mendez-Warner model), to reproduce the observed smoking rates and associated deaths between 1980 and 2018, drawing on data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Using the same model, these estimates were then recast, as if menthol cigarettes hadn't been on the market during that period, and both sets of estimates were compared to try and quantify the public health harms attributable to menthol cigarettes between 1980 and 2018.

The calculations indicated that the availability of menthol cigarettes had slowed the fall in smoking prevalence by 2.6 percentage points. It would have fallen from just over 33% in 1980 to just over 11% in 2018, instead of which it was nearly 14% in 2018.

The calculations also indicated that menthol cigarettes had been responsible for 10.1 million extra smokers (266,000 every year), 3 million cumulative years of life lost, and 378,000 premature deaths (9900 every year) between 1980 and 2018.

This study was designed to produce estimates for the US general public, so may not be more widely applicable, caution the researchers.

But they suggest that their findings "indicate that these products have had a significant detrimental impact on the public's health and could continue to pose a substantial health risk," write the researchers, adding that the harms affect all age groups.

The findings may help the FDA to devise potential regulations for mentholated tobacco products, they suggest.

###

External peer review? Yes

Evidence type: Modelling study

Subjects: People
HCL Technologies announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, HCL America has approved the proposal for issuance of USD denominated fixed rate, senior unsecured notes aggregating to an amount not exceeding USD 500 million (Notes) in accordance with the offer documents. The Notes are backed by a corporate guarantee of the Company. The net proceeds of the Notes are intended to be utilized for refinancing the existing debts and for general corporate purpose of the Issuer and other affiliates of the Issuer outside India. The Notes are proposed to be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.

The Board of Directors of the Company in its meeting held on 25 February 2021, has granted its approval to unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest and any additional amount payable in respect of the Notes, as and when the same shall become due and payable (Guarantee). The Guarantee is subject to the aggregate liability of the Company not exceeding USD 525 million, (105 % of the principal amount of the Notes).

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First lady Jill Biden shared how having a nightly dinner date with President Joe Biden, although their busy schedules make them a better couple.

Jill Biden makes time with the President despite busy schedules

Jill revealed at a special episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show" that she and President Joe Biden were so busy, ut they kept dinner together with no phones. "We just sit and talk for awhile, and he has to go back to work into the night and I'm grading papers," she said.

In addition, the Bidens still make sure to have dinner with their children on Sunday night, ET Online on MSN reported. A daughter, 39-year-old Ashley, is shared by the president and first lady, while the president is also the father of Hunter, 51, and Naomi as well as Beau, who died in1972 and 2015, respectively.



@YouTube

During the conversation with Kelly Clarkson, the first lady also touched on how she fought to find faith after Beau died due to cancer. Jill said about losing Beau when he was 45 years old that she prayed so hard every day, hoping that he would live. "I felt like he was such a special person and that God would let him live. I just prayed and prayed."

She continued adding that "it was just not meant to be." Besides, it was hard for her to keep her faith as she strongly believed in prayer that Beau could make it, she said.

Jill continued that it was almost six years ago and that she was in church one day, and a lady walked up to her and said, "Jill, I want to be your partner in prayer." The two would have phone calls where they would talk together without knowing what it meant, and they talk on a weekly basis with each other up to this day. She expressed that it was what helped her find her faith again. "I felt like that was a gift she gave me."

Read also: Emma Watson Allegedly Steps Back From Acting Career, Focusing on Rumored Fiance

Jill Biden gave personal advice to Kelly Clarkson

Some wise advice on getting through a traumatic divorce from none other than the First Lady of the United States has been given to Kelly Clarkson. As a guest on Kelly's self-titled talk show, Jill Biden appeared where the pair shared a deep heart-to-heart talk about relationships and recovery from broken unions, as per Mirror via MSN.

In June of last year, Kelly, 38, filed for divorce from her seven-year husband, Brandon Blackstock, after deciding she needed to end their marriage. First Lady Jill offered a piece of personal advice as Kelly Clarkson seeks advice on the best way to heal from ill-fated marriage, especially now that Clarkson will co-parent her two children with Blackstock. Elsewhere, when co-parenting their two children, daughter River, six, and four-year-old son Remington, Clarkson commented on her own marriage to Brandon as she now directs her way through the divorce.

Read also: Larry King Omits His Widow from His Secret Will; Shawn King to Contest

Jill Biden blames herself for her divorce from her first husband

After her first partner's divorce, First Lady Jill Biden admits she felt like a 'failure,' saying she figured there was something 'wrong with her' because she couldn't make the relationship work.

For her first solo television interview as First Lady, the 69-year-old sat down with popstar and daytime host Kelly Clarkson. She discussed the breakdown of her marriage to Bill Stevenson, which ended after five years in 1975.

But while the professor acknowledged that she blamed the divorce on herself, she said she did not know her second spouse, Joe, until after the break-up, despite her ex-husband telling DailyMail.com that the two had an affair that eventually ended his life.

Read also: Peter Weber, Kelley Flanagan: Fans Strongly Predict They Will Get Back Together

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.


El ministro Oscar Ugarte felicito el trabajo realizado por la Comision Sectorial investigadora y agradecio que se haya cumplido el plazo de diez dias en que se comprometio entregar la informacion. pic.twitter.com/QPwEnwaBVf
 Flash

Another 9,985 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,154,562, according to official figures released Thursday.

The country also reported another 323 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 122,070. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The latest figures were revealed as more than 18.6 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine.

Earlier Thursday, Britain's COVID-19 alert level was downgraded as the threat of the National Health System (NHS) being overwhelmed declined.

Britain's chief medical officers said Thursday that the coronavirus alert level should move from Five to Four, which means that transmission is now "high or rising exponentially".

Previously, at level Five, there was "a risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed".

England is currently under the third national lockdown since outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
Dr. Peter Hotez, the co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, spoke on CNBC's "The News with Shepard Smith," and said that the United States public should not become complacent because of decreasing COVID-19 cases. This is especially amid new reports of a new variant, B.1.526, becoming prevalent in New York.

COVID-19 Cases Dropping

According to Hotez, we are celebrating because the numbers are going down. However, he is saying that we are in the eye of the hurricane and the next forthcoming big wave will occur, reported CNBC. The U.S. is witnessing a large decline in new novel coronavirus cases.

The Caveat

However, there is a significant caveat. A CNN assessment of data from Johns Hopkins University indicated that the U.S. is witnessing a 29 percent decline in new coronavirus cases than the previous week. It is the steepest one-week decline the U.S. has seen in the course of the pandemic. But it is unclear exactly how much of the decline could be attributed to the winter weather that has prevailed in the nation. This forced officials to close testing sites, which affects the collection of essential data.

As COVID-19 cases plummet and inoculations total 1.7 million Americans per day and rising, health experts are increasingly striking a new tone in their pandemic evaluations: hope.

According to Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, he could be wrong, but he does not think the United States will be seeing a big fourth surge. He believes we have seen the worst of the pandemic, reported Anchorage Daily News.

Also Read: House Democrats Reveal a $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill That Includes Minimum Wage Increase

According to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins data, average daily cases of COVID-19 in the nation have dropped an estimated 57 percent. Several states, however, are not seeing as sharp of a decline.

Many states affected by winter storms are witnessing large declines in new cases this week, per Johns Hopkins data. These include Texas, where cases are down 56 percent compared to the previous week. According to the COVID Tracking Project on Thursday, it had been unable to update the daily number of tests conducted in Texas for four days due to the winter weather, reported ABC 7.

Numerous epidemiologists and other scientists, while still vigilant, stated they feel increasingly hopeful that the rest of 2021 will not replay last year's nightmare. Experts remarked the arrival of spring would possibly aid the ongoing steep decline in COVID-19 cases. The warmer weather enables people to spend more time outdoors and creates a less suitable environment for the virus.

Vermont is merely down 22 percent in average daily cases. New York is down an estimated 45 percent, Oregon down nearly 47 percent, and Florida is down 48 percent in average daily cases. Hotez singled Florida out for the spread of a highly transmissible COVID-19 variant in the state that was first detected in the United Kingdom.

According to Hotez on Wednesday, it intrigues him and not necessarily in a good way regarding Florida, Ten percent of the virus isolates coming out of Florida is that B.117 variant that came out of the UK.

Related Article: COVID-19 Pandemic Could Be 'Mostly Gone' by April, According to John Hopkins

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ms. Porter, a native New Yorker, is the first Department of Education official in decades to be promoted to the role of chancellor. Still, it is unclear how long she will stay in the job. A new mayor will take office in January, and new administrations have consistently preferred to pick their own senior cabinet members.

Image Meisha Porter will become chancellor next month. Credit... New York City Department of Education

I know the pandemic has not been easy for you, or for any New Yorker. And make no mistake: I am a New Yorker  while not by birth, by choice. A New Yorker who has lost 11 family and close childhood friends to this pandemic, Mr. Carranza said during a news conference on Friday, fighting back tears. And a New Yorker who quite frankly needs to take time to grieve.

Mr. Carranza will be leaving one of the most influential education jobs in America just 10 months before the end of Mr. de Blasios second and final term. In his relatively brief tenure, he was not able to usher through major desegregation policy, despite his bold declarations, and the school system does not look considerably different than it did when he took over.

He struggled to find political allies in a city he did not know well, and it sometimes showed that he was getting to know one of the most complicated bureaucracies in the country in real time. Though he tried to use his outsider status as a way to point out harsh truths about inequities in the system, that effort sometimes alienated him from public school families.
WE are now reading that the Minister of Sport has come out with a statement regarding our participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

As with the usual run-of-the-mill political type, the statement vacillates, kicks the can down the road and seeks to avoid the issue. Let us be clear on what the situation is regarding these Olympics.
UP eases covid restrictions: Shops allowed to open on weekdays in districts with less than 600 active cases

UP: Three arrested for setting ablaze BA second-year student after a failed rape attempt

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Shahjahanpur (UP), Feb 26: Three people were arrested on Friday on the basis of a statement by a college student, who was found severely burnt and lying naked along a national highway here, police said.

The BA second-year student of a college run by the Mumukshu Ashram of former Union minister Swami Chinmayanand said in a statement before a magistrate that three people tried to rape her in a field near Rai Kheda village on Monday. When they did not succeed, they poured kerosene and set her on fire, she alleged.

On the basis of the statement recorded at a hospital in Lucknow where the woman is undergoing treatment, four people, including a female friend who had allegedly sent her to the field, were arrested from different places in the district on Friday morning, Superintendent of Police (SP) S Anand told news persons. All four have refused any involvement, the SP said, adding that investigations were underway.

In her statement before the magistrate, the victim said that a woman friend of hers had sent her to meet the friend's cousin and a male classmate at an orchard near Rai Kheda village, saying she would be joining them soon, the SP said. She left the college through a broken boundary wall instead of going through the main gate, where her father was waiting for her.

The victim's father used to bring her to the college once a week or a fortnight and wait outside till classes ended.

UP: Set on fire after failed gangrape attempt, says college student who was found naked with severe burns

The classmate she was supposed to meet and another student followed her to the orchard, the SP said, adding that they tried to rape her there but as she resisted, they doused her with kerosene and set her ablaze.

The victim has alleged that her woman friend had on numerous occasions tried to get her to talk to other male students in the class and once to the cousin on a video call, which she refused, the police said.

All four people named by the victim have been arrested, the SP said, adding that four teams are working the case. The Mumukshu Ashram was at the centre of a controversy in 2019 after a female student of a law college run by it accused Chinmayanand of sexual assault.

Petroleum Minister: Fuel price will decrease by the end of winter | Oneindia News

However, the student later withdrew her charges, and Chinmayanand, who was arrested in the case in September 2019, was released on bail.

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Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 22:27 [IST]
Douglas County, Nebraska, has agreed to pay $120,00 to settle a lawsuit by the family of a woman who died while waiting nearly an hour for rescuers to find her Omaha home after she called 911.

The Douglas County Board voted to approve the settlement with the family of 54-year-old Cristine Herek, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

The wrongful-death lawsuit accused 911 personnel of not taking Hereks call seriously and of being negligent in failing to find her in time to save her life. Herek called 911 from her home on May 17, 2017, to say she couldnt breathe because of her asthma, but mistakenly gave the dispatcher her work address. First responders couldnt find her at the work address and calls to her cell number went unanswered.

By the time officials tracked her to her home  which was just a block away from a fire station  officers found her dead on her front porch.

Topics Lawsuits Nebraska
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Washington: Saudi Arabias Crown Prince likely approved the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified US intelligence report. The finding could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable for a murder that drew widespread outrage in the US and abroad.

The public blaming of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amounted to an extraordinary rebuke and was likely to set the tone for the new administrations relationship with a country US President Joe Biden has criticised but which the White House also regards in some contexts as a strategic partner.

The US implicated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pictured, in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Credit:AP

The conclusion that the Prince approved a 2018 operation to kill or capture Khashoggi, a critic of his authoritarian consolidation of power, was based on what intelligence officials know about his role in decision-making inside the kingdom as well as the involvement of one of his key advisers, Saud al-Qahtani, and members of his protective detail, according to the report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released on Saturday AEDT. Officials also factored in the Princes past support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, the report said.

As Democrats in Congress clamoured for aggressive action, the US State Department responded by announcing visa restrictions on 76 Saudi individuals involved in threatening dissidents abroad.
Around 2,000 bus drivers at RATP Dev in London took part in three days of strike action this week, fighting company demands to slash pay and conditions and introduce zero hours contracts. The company is acting as a trojan horse for an agenda prepared by bus operators across the capital, backed by Transport for London (TfL).

Drivers picketing at Edgware garage (credit: James Rossi)

Support for this weeks strikes from February 22-24 was solid, with most services at RATP Dev garagescovering 12 percent of the bus network in Londonground to a halt. At one of the largest garages, Park Royal, just five buses were operational driven by agency staff who had been drafted in. At Edgware, only five drivers reported for duty on Monday, with a high strike turnout reported at Fulwell, Epsom and Shepherds Bush.

There were sizable picket lines, with drivers volunteering for strike duty and standing up to intimidation. At Park Royal, management called police to try and move pickets on, despite their adherence to social distancing regulations and anti-strike laws limiting the number of pickets at any one time.

Home-made placards expressed the class sentiments underlying the action, comparing the millions of pounds forked out to directors and managers in pay and share dividends to the 7 pence an hour offered to bus drivers. Drivers across London took to social media, supporting the strikes and calling for united action.

This is in sharp contrast to the grovelling line of Unite, which has pleaded with the company to withdraw its insulting pay offer and enter negotiations.

At Go North West in Manchester, where around 400 drivers are set to strike next week against the imposition of fire and rehire contracts, Unite has begged the company to return to the negotiating table to discuss its alternative plan, including a pay freeze and major cost cutting at bus drivers expense.

RATP Dev is seeking an end to guaranteed minimum hours per workday, a bid that dovetails with London-wide plans for Remote Sign On (RSO) and shift flexibility by all the bus companies. A driver from London United told WSWS, Remote sign-on devices have already been trialled at London United and GoAhead. They are claiming it is a first bus check device, but its remote sign-in via the back door.

A driver at Hounslow Heath said the new devices were introduced without warning some time before Christmas, We had no say, the company just took us inand that was that. We are still signing on at the garage, but we have to use the phone to do all our safety checks and sign-in on the bus too. When we first started with the phones, there were 17 checks, but recently three more were added, so its also being used to increase our workload.

Unite has blocked joint industrial action, treating the three subsidiariesLondon United, London Sovereign and Quality Lineas separate disputes. Drivers at Sovereign were only involved in the first day of action, Quality Line on days one and two, with only London United out for the entire three days. Unite has not even advanced the demand for pay parity for Quality Line drivers who receive 2.50 an hour less than their counterparts at RATPs other two subsidiaries.

The most obvious outcome of Unites divide and rule tactics was Metrolines announcement that it would run additional buses to break the strike at London United and Sovereign. Metrolines claim that it wanted to prevent heavy loading of passengers during the pandemic is sickening hypocrisy. The company has institutionalized the flouting of social distancing, instructing its drivers to ignore all distancing protocols in relation to carrying children to and from school. The company is responsible for the majority of driver deaths in London from COVID-19.

Drivers at Metroline vented their anger on social media over the companys tactics in seeking to pit them against their brothers and sisters at RATP, with many refusing to run the additional services. Unite issued no condemnation of the companys strike breaking activities or call for solidarity.

Unite defends the entire framework erected via the carve-up and privatisation of the bus and rail network, opposing any united challenge against the UK and foreign based transnationals with whom it enjoys a close partnership.

Last October, Unite vetoed a 97 percent strike mandate by Metroline drivers against Remote Sign On, citing company threats of legal action. RSO will facilitates the tendering process between companies, allowing them to compete for routes on a wider basis around the capital. It means drivers do not sign on at garages and must meet their buses at distant locations. It will lead to an 8 percent reduction in wages as they are not paid for travelling time. Bus routes 139 and 238 at Cricklewood garage have already been announced for RSO by Metroline, which is in negotiations with Unite over the details. This confirms what a sideshow the unions re-ballot for strike action is over the issue.

Three more days of industrial action are set for March 3,5 and 6. Yesterday, a Unite spokesperson refused to confirm whether these strike dates were confirmed, or which companies would strike. Unite refused to confirm whether negotiations would take place before next Wednesday with RATP Dev.

The first industrial action on the bus network nationally was greeted by a virtual news blackout as corporate media outlets devoted themselves to promoting the Conservative governments road map for lifting the lockdown. The fact that bus driversofficially venerated as key workersface the imposition of pay cuts, inferior terms and conditions and fire and rehire contracts refutes the narrative that we are all in it together.

New Remote Sign On devices being trialled at London United

The key question in defeating the onslaught of the companies is overcoming Unites role in dissipating drivers action and dividing them along company lines.

Any fight against the dictates of the bus companies is automatically a political struggle against the Tory government and its backers in the Labour Party and trade unions, which have conducted a vast transfer of wealth upwards through the bailout of the corporations while presiding over one of the highest per capita death tolls from COVID-19 in the world.

As Go North West drivers in Manchester prepare to strike on February 28 against fire and rehire contracts, bus workers must oppose the segregation of their struggles and establish rank-and-file committees to coordinate the fight to defend their safety and livelihoods.

It is essential that RATP drivers oppose attempts to derail their dispute through the promotion of nationalism, with the company singled out for being French-owned. Bus workers owe no allegiance to UK-owned bus companies that are no less profit greedy and hostile to workersas the experience of Go North West in Manchester demonstrates.

The pandemic and the offensive against workers rights knows no national borders. A humane response to the health crisis and a counter-offensive against the pandemic billionaires who are setting a new benchmark for exploitation means closing ranks against attempts to pit workers against one another and unifying their struggles on an international basis.
A housewife from Amritsar, Punjab, won a whopping Rs 1 crore in a lottery from a ticket that cost her Rs 100.

In what can be considered as a case of pure luck, Renu Chauhan won the amount as the grand prize of the Punjab State Dear 100+ monthly lottery.

The results of the lottery were announced on February 11, in which Chauhan won the prize money. According to a statement by the Punjab government, she submitted the ticket and necessary documents to the State Lotteries Department for encashment of her prize.

Also Read: GST lottery scheme: Are you ready to win Rs 1 crore?

"Renu, the winner of D-12228, has submitted the documents today, and the prize money will be credited to the winner's account soon," an official from the department told ANI.

Expressing her jubilation, Chauhan said it is not only a godsend win but has come as a huge relief to her middle-class family.

"My husband runs a cloth shop in Amritsar and this bumper prize money will be a great help so that our family can lead a smooth life," she told the news agency.

In a similar case of the windfall gain, a poor labourer from the Murshidabad district of West Bengal won ?1 crore in a lottery in March last year.

Also Read: H-1B visa enrolment for 2022 to start on Mar 9, lottery results out by Mar 31
When a string of high-profile crimes rattled Oakland Chinatown in February, city leaders descended on the neighborhood, decrying hate and professing support for victims.

Mayor Libby Schaaf pledged to fast-track grants for security cameras. Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong assigned an officer to be a liaison to the Chinese-speaking community. For a couple weeks, Armstrongs command staff seemed to constantly pop up in the area, always trailed by news media.

The one thing they didnt promise was more police. And in a town where budgets are tight and residents are questioning the whole law enforcement paradigm, adding officers is anything but easy.

So many stores around here are boarding up their windows, said Calvin Tong, owner of the Sweet Booth, a boba shop in Pacific Renaissance Plaza. Standing behind the counter on Feb. 16, he pointed to stores that were swathed in wood panels, including the Bank of America next door.

Volunteers in blue vests wandered through the plaza that afternoon, hoping the display of uniforms would provide a sense of order. The lunch crowds had thinned out; the courtyard benches were mostly empty. A shopkeeper at an herb store blocked the doorway with racks of spices and dried fish. Across the street, at a popular banh mi sandwich shop, workers left money in the tip jar in case anyone tried to steal it.

If they get an empty jar, theyll give me trouble, owner Anh Nguyen said with a wan smile.

Stephen Lam / The Chronicle

At a time when so many things in society are fraying, Oakland Chinatown became a focal point, besieged by crimes of opportunity that seemed loosely related to the pandemic and the depressed economy. A few were caught on surveillance videos that went viral in early February. One showed an elderly man walking down Harrison Street when an assailant came up from behind and pushed him to the pavement. In another, a man grabbed money from the hands of a shopper at a store counter.

Crime has gripped this retail district before. Thieves occasionally target the neighborhood because many older adults tend to carry cash, said Carl Chan, president of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. But the recent series of attacks provoked an unusually strong reaction, fueled by two historical moments  a national reckoning over hate crimes against Asian Americans and a local battle over whether to slash the police budget.

In Oakland, we became the epicenter of almost everything, Chan said.

Social media complicated the situation by allowing the videos to loop over and over again, raw and unmediated. Within days, actors Daniel Dae Kim and Daniel Wu offered a $25,000 reward for information about the attacker who pushed the man on Harrison Street, seeing the incident as a symptom of systemic racism. The politics heated up in Oakland, where Chan and fellow Chamber of Commerce members called for better and more consistent policing. Other activists touted social programs  instead of law enforcement  as the key to public safety.

Defund feels like a bit of a confusing message sometimes, but really the conversation is, How do we have more resources ... to go into secure housing, and good jobs, and health care, and mental health? asked Alvina Wong, campaign and organizing director at the Asian Pacific Environmental Network. The group helped organize rallies to promote peace over the Lunar New Year, a holiday traditionally marked by large gatherings and street bazaars.

As the spotlight intensified, city officials found themselves in an awkward position. The administration had cut some police services in December, part of a citywide effort to patch a $62 million budget hole. Among the casualties were foot patrols in Chinatown, which caused such an outcry that Schaaf and Armstrong quickly dedicated two officers to work with non-English-speaking residents in Chinatown and nearby Fruitvale.

Stephen Lam / The Chronicle

Eyes also turned to Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, whose district includes Chinatown. A committed progressive, she pressed, unsuccessfully, for deeper police cuts when the council approved its budget in June. Bas co-chairs the citys Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, which aims to halve the police budget and shift the money toward social services.

Its a challenging moment, certainly, with the crime that has been happening during this pandemic, the council president said. But I think its also a moment where we can come together and be creative. She argued that communities are safer when the city invests in business districts, parks and other infrastructure, rather than adding police officers.

Some business owners see it differently.

Of course we want more police, said Sasha Leung, owner of a dress shop in Pacific Renaissance Plaza. She closes two hours early, at 4 p.m., in part because business dropped during the pandemic, but also to avoid being alone after dark.

Others, such as Police Commission Chair Regina Jackson, cautioned the city to distribute police equitably, rather than pushing resources toward areas that draw the most media attention. Jackson is also president of the East Oakland Youth Development Center, in a neighborhood scarred by crime and poverty  where many residents feel the city isnt listening.

I like where Chief Armstrong is going in terms of the liaison role, Jackson said. We just need a few more of them.

Yet even as its thrust to the center of a citywide policy debate, Chinatown seems wounded by the wave of attacks in February, on top of months of economic stagnation. Storefronts are boarded up. Many shops have red Save Chinatown posters in their windows, each with a logo depicting the Year of the Ox, alongside police phone numbers to report assaults or robberies. Surveillance cameras hang from buildings.

Business owners raised more than $85,000 to hire private armed security guards to patrol Chinatown for the next few weeks, supplementing a strained police force and the volunteer teams of blue-vested ambassadors. Such community-driven safety measures have historical antecedents, Chan said.

He remembered a similar effort in 2010, after two teenagers beat an older Chinese man to death in front of the Fox Theater in Uptown. Less than three months later, Oakland laid off 80 police officeers  including one of two foot patrol officers in Chinatown  to cope with a widening budget deficit. Feeling embattled, merchants installed surveillance cameras throughout the district. Volunteer ambassadors cruised the sidewalks.

Chans voice breaks when he recalls the events of 2010. For months, he helped the family of the 59-year-old beating victim, Tian Sheng Yu, navigate an unfamiliar court system. In the ensuing years, Chan kept lobbying for community safety. Whenever a protest got out of hand downtown, leaving windows shattered in Chinatown, Chan stood before a scrum of TV cameras and begged the city for more protection.

He is wary of the movement to strip funding from the Police Department.

Ive talked to many organizations, businesses, and residents in Chinatown, and asked the same question  Is it OK for us to request the help of the police? he said. So far, the answer is Yes.

San Francisco Chronicle staff photographer Stephen Lam contributed to this report.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
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(Newser)  The jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been moved from a Moscow prison to an undisclosed location, according to aides, who think he may have been sent to a prison camp. Navalny lawyer Vadim Kobzev arrived at the Moscow prison to meet with his client but was told he wasnt there, the BBC reports. "They didn't tell anyone where he is being sent," Navalny lawyer Olga Mikhailova tells AFP, which reports the anti-corruption activist's family is also in the dark. Human rights activist Eva Merkacheva believes Navalny has been taken to a penal colony. "There are just no other options," she says, per the BBC. She adds the move could violate the law, which apparently requires that Navalny serve out his sentence near the capital.

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With credit for time served, Navalny was sentenced to serve more than two years in prison last month after officials accused him of breaking the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence for embezzlement. Navalny notes he was unable to check in with prison officials because he was in a coma in Germany, recovering from a nerve agent poisoning linked to Russia's Federal Security Service. Many world leaders say the case is politically motivated. European Union leaders called for Navalny's immediate release on Thursday, per Reuters. European Council President Charles Michel said "foreign ministers reached a political agreement to impose restrictive measures against those responsible for his arrest and sentencing." (President Biden has also spoken out.)
Jose Luis Mares III (pictured) was charged with attempted murder, assault causing great bodily injury, domestic violence, false imprisonment and parole violation

A 23-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly attacking his wife during an argument at Coronado Beach before beating her, attempting to throw her into the ocean and burying her alive in the sand.

Jose Luis Mares III, from San Diego, California, was arrested shortly after 9pm on Wednesday after his wife phoned 911 to report that he had just tried to kill her on the beach.

Officers responded and found the badly-injured woman on the sidewalk who was then taken to a trauma center in San Diego.

The suspect, who was a parolee previously convicted for carjacking and burglary, was later located hiding in the backyard of a nearby home.

He was arrested and charged with attempted murder, assault causing great bodily injury, domestic violence, false imprisonment and parole violation.

The victim told investigators that she and her husband had arrived at the beach earlier in the evening but soon got into an argument.

She claims Mares became enraged before assaulting her and trying to drag her into the surf along the waterfront.

He is said to have then took her toward a lifeguard tower and tried burying her alive in the sand.

'She said there was a hole in the ground and the hole had previously been there from probably kids digging it during the day.

The 23-year-old allegedly attacked his wife during an argument at Coronado Beach (police pictured at the scene) before beating her, attempting to throw her into the ocean and burying her alive in a hole in the sand

'But during the struggle, she said he threw her in that hole when he began putting sand on top of her,' Detective Ryan Brennan with the Coronado Police Department told Fox5.

The victim also told police that her husband had repeatedly kicked her but had suddenly stopped and ran away.

'We don't know what scared him away. Perhaps it was someone walking by,' Brennan added.

Mares was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion attempted murder, assault causing great bodily injury, domestic violence, false imprisonment and parole violation.

He is being held without bail pending arraignment which is scheduled for March 5.

Mares was a parolee previously convicted for carjacking and burglary, according to the California Department of Corrections.


Scott Gets 40 Years in Murray Double-Murder Case

By Tim Brockwell

MURRAY - A man charged in a 2019 Murray double-murder case has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.Shannon Scott accepted a plea deal Thursday in Calloway County Circuit Court and was sentenced to 40 years on two counts of murder, one year for animal cruelty, and one year for unauthorized use of a vehicle.Commonwealth's Attorney Dennis Foust told West Kentucky Star the sentences will run concurrently, for a total of 40 years. Scott will be eligible for parole after serving half of that sentence.Since Scott has already served about two years in jail, he will be eligible for parole in just 18 years. Foust said he thinks it's unlikely that will happen."We would be surprised, if not very disappointed if the Parole Board were to ever parole Mr. Scott." Foust said.Scott is guilty of killing 37-year-old Tera Todd, 77-year-old Evelyn Scott and her dog at Todds home in Murray on Feb. 7, 2019. Police said he stabbed Todd several times, then slit Evelyn Scott's throat and strangled her small dog.
They have starred together in several films, including The Good German and The Monuments Men.

And George Clooney praised Cate Blanchett on Friday as 'easily the best actress of her generation' at the virtual G'Day USA American Australian Association Arts Gala.

Blanchett, 51, received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony, and 59-year-old Clooney was asked to say a few words about her.

Big fan: George Clooney praised Cate Blanchett on Friday as 'easily the best actress of her generation' at the virtual G'Day USA American Australian Association Arts Gala

'I have to tell you what an honour it is to talk about someone of her calibre,' he said.

'I've worked with her as a director, I've worked with her as an actor, and when I say calibre I'm not just talking about her obvious talent as an actress.'

Clooney continued: 'She's easily the best actress of her generation. She is a consummate professional. She solves all the problems on set all the time.'

Honoured: Blanchett, 51, received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony, and 59-year-old Clooney was asked to say a few words about her

Co-stars: The twp actors have starred together in several films, including The Good German (pictured) and The Monuments Men

The Descendants star also recognised Blanchett's humanitarian work with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, over the years.

'More than that, is how she solves problems in the rest of the world,' he added.

'It's what she does in trying to bring justice and hope to all the people who don't have justice and don't have hope.'

Artist: The annual event was hosted by David Campbell this year and featured performances by Delta Goodrem (pictured) and Guy Sebastian

Famous faces: Several Australian A-listers made appearances, including Hugh Jackman (right) and Deborra-lee Furness (left)

While accepting her award, Blanchett acknowledged the amount of talent that can be found Down Under.

'Australia is such an extraordinary country with a plethora of talent both in front and behind the camera,' she said.

Author Liane Moriarty also received the Excellence in Literature award, and actor Aaron Pedersen received the Excellence in Television award.

The annual event was hosted by David Campbell this year, and featured virtual performances by Delta Goodrem and Guy Sebastian.

Several Australian A-listers made appearances, including Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman, Deborra-lee Furness, Naomi Watts and Elle Macpherson.
Sify.com Movies Reviews Tamil Sanga Thalaivan

Sanga Thailavan review: An average film

The film is an adaptation of the novel Thariyudan

Source: SIFY By: MOVIEBUZZ Critic's Rating: 2.5/5 Friday 26 February 2021

Movie Title Sanga Thailavan review: An average film Director Manimaran

Star Cast Samuthirakani, Karunas, Sunnu Lakshmi, Marimuthu, Junior Ballaya

Sanga Thalaivan is the film adaptation of the novel Thariyudan. The problem is that the director fails to pack the content of the novel within a two-hour film. The editing is shoddy and we get the feel that several scenes were chopped off to speed up the proceedings.

Rangan (Karunas) is an innocent worker of a power loom factory owned by his greedy kin (Marimuthu). When Rangan's colleague loses her hand in a scary accident in the factory, he meets the union leader (Samuthirakani) and asks him to intervene in the issue and fetch her a decent financial settlement.

Rangan also tells the leader to not reveal that he is the one who brought the issue to him. While Rangan doesn't like communism and protests, slowly he gets attracted by the ideologies due to the suppression he faced from all corners. Now, Rangan becomes a member of the local workers union. As the leader goes to jail in the Goondas act, Rangan spearheads the new protest. Can the innocent Rangan replace the Sanga Thalaivan?

The film's core message is laudable and some scenes would be an eye-opener for people who don't know about the pain and suffering of the workers in the power loom factory. Karunas is the actual hero of the film and Samuthirakani only acts as the catalyst to kindle him. While the performance of Karunas is a revelation, Samuthirakani's role is a tailor-made one for him so there is nothing much to rave about.

Ramya comes in a few scenes and has performed well in her limited role. Marimuthu, Sunnu Lakshmi, and Junior Ballaya have done their parts well. As pointed out earlier in the review, the idea is interesting and some of the scenes have worked well but can we declare Sanga Thalaivan, a perfect film?

No, there is coherency in the film and after a point, it turns out to be a communist propaganda movie. The film's director Manimaran seems to have struggled to adapt the novel to the big screen and unfortunately it's quite evident.

Verdict: Average
EC has tried to help BJP: Congress leader on eight-phase polls in West Bengal

India

pti-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Feb 26: With the Election Commission (EC) announcing eight-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal, senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar alleged on Friday that the poll panel has tried to help the BJP.

Election 2021: Results on May 2nd | All you need to know | Oneindia News

Voting for the Assembly polls in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry will begin on March 27, with West Bengal to witness the maximum of eight phases of polling continuing till April 29, the EC announced on Friday.

Counting of votes for the four states and Puducherry will be taken up on May 2. The West Bengal Assembly polls will be held in eight phases, up from seven the last time, beginning with polling for 30 seats on March 27, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said while announcing the poll schedule.

'Are poll dates announced as per suggestions of PM Modi, Shah?': Mamata questions 8-phase elections

Asked about the eight-phase polls in West Bengal, Anwar said, "I believe it has been done deliberately and in a way, the EC has tried to help the BJP." "They (BJP) feel that it will help them, but it will not as far as I know about the people of Bengal. They are revolutionary in nature...they may deviate for some time but ultimately, Bengal is Bengal," he told PTI.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee also questioned the rationale behind announcing eight-phase polls in her state, saying she suspects that the dates were announced in accordance with the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a better management of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election campaign.
BEIJING, Feb. 26 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :The All-China Women's Federation has decided to honor 310 women role models ahead of International Women's Day.

Among them, 10 women, including Chen Lan, a senior engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, were granted the title of national "pacemakers," a top honor.

A total of 199 organizations and groups were also honored for the outstanding performance of their female workers.

If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
WOLCOTT  Hundreds of bags of heroin mixed with fentanyl and two guns were seized during a roadside arrest this week, according to police.

Around 11 a.m. Wednesday, police received several 911 calls about a man and woman having an altercation outside a car in the area of 1500 Wolcott Road.

Officers arrived to find a man  later identified as Aseim King  and a woman who said they were arguing and were looking for a cellphone that had been thrown from their car as they were driving on Wolcott Road, police said.

An officer discovered King, 25, had an active warrant from Waterbury police on charges of criminal attempt at first-degree assault and other offenses. The bond on the warrant was $500,000.

During the check, the officer also found that King, a Waterbury resident, was the subject of an active no-contact protective order. The woman with him was the protected person, police said.

As officers were taking King into custody, they found a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband with its serial number removed, police said. Police said in his vehicle, officers found another gun, 370 bags of heroin combined with fentanyl and over 4 ounces of marijuana packaged for sale.

King was taken to police headquarters and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a large capacity firearm magazine, altering/removing identifying marks of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm with a threaded barrel capable of accepting a silencer, illegal possession of narcotics, illegal possession of narcotics with the intent to sell, illegal possession of more than 4 ounces of marijuana, illegal possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, illegal possession of narcotics in a school zone, second-degree breach of peace and violation of a protective order. He was held on a $250,000 bond. In court on Thursday, Waterbury police served their active warrant.
Government agency allows alternative service for objector based on nonreligious reasons



The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) made an unprecedented decision Wednesday, allowing a man in his 30s, accused of refusing to fulfill his mandatory military service over his beliefs in nonviolence and pacifism, to engage in alternative service. The decision is significant in that it is the first time the government has recognized the conscientious objection of military duty for nonreligious reasons and permitted the alternative option.



Freedom of conscience is a basic requirement for maintaining human dignity and the foundations of democracy. We believe that such freedom should be protected by all means and welcome this decision as it stresses the need to respect the voices of minorities as well as diversity. It is in line with the verdicts of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court in 2018, which recognized the conscientious objection of military service.



The man, identified by his surname Oh, refused to submit himself for military conscription in April 2018, due to his conviction of not wanting to hurt other people under any circumstances, which runs counter to the military service mission of focusing on the knowledge and skills of killing others effectively. Given this conviction, he wanted to take an alternative option other than joining the military.



The MMA also accepted a request by another man for the option of an alternative to the reserve forces training, after completing his military duty as a researcher. In Korea, able-bodied young males must serve in the military and do another eight years of reserve forces training after completing active duty.



Following the implementation of the law on alternative options in June last year, 2,052 people have applied for some other form of mandatory service, 944 applications of which were accepted, including 942 from a certain religious sect. The recent decision is meaningful as it shows that conscientious objection is also possible when based on diverse beliefs, without being restricted to a certain religious affiliation.



There have been concerns that more people will attempt to exploit the alternative option system as a way to avoid military duty. So, the MMA has taken measures to determine more appropriately real conscientious objectors. However, more attention and support is needed so that the alternative option system can take root, while respecting the views of minorities and individual convictions.



Despite this recent decision, there are some negative opinions about conscientious objectors. Many still believe in the importance of the military service to cope with the pressing need for tighter security in this divided nation, coupled with the need for the mandatory military service rule to apply fairly to everyone.



Yet, permitting conscientious objection is more precious than just doing a favor to those who are allowed the option of alternative service. It means acknowledging a minority opinion in our society and respecting the dignity and values of more people. We urge the government to more widely expand the scope of conscientious objection and offer more alternatives to military service, so that the objectors can make more diverse contributions to society.


Madeline Neville tried her best to avoid catching COVID-19 while attending Temple University in Philadelphia.

In late October, she was visiting her parents near Scranton, Pennsylvania, when she learned one of her roommates had been exposed to the virus.

Madeline panicked, realizing that if the coronavirus had been passed along to her, then everyone she was around could be in jeopardy of catching it. She canceled plans to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday and pledged to stay in her bedroom with a mask on.

"I was mostly worried about exposing my parents," she said.

Madeline developed a dry cough and lost her sense of taste and smell. She returned to Philadelphia, where she's a junior, and got tested for COVID-19. She had it.

Madeline seemed to get lucky. She never even had a fever.

"It was no worse than a cold," she said. "By the time my quarantine was over, my symptoms were gone and even sense of taste and smell came back."

Three weeks later, she returned home for Thanksgiving break and was out walking her mini goldendoodle, Sadie, when she found herself unusually short of breath.

"Honestly, I thought I was just out of shape," she said, blaming it on her inactivity since getting sick.

The day after Thanksgiving, her shortness of breath was joined by chest pain. When it got worse overnight, she went to an urgent care clinic, fearing she could be developing post-COVID-19 pneumonia. She tested negative for the flu and COVID-19 and was given medication for suspected pneumonia.

Madeline slept all day. Now came the high fever she'd avoided before. The next day, she felt worse.

"I woke up and the pain was excruciating," she said. "I was weak and couldn't catch my breath."

Although Madeline had outgrown seeing a pediatrician, the doctor was a family friend. He dropped off a pulse oximeter, advising her to go to the ER if her oxygen level fell below 93%. Hours later, it registered 90%. Madeline wanted to shower before going to the hospital, but needed the help of her mother, Christine Neville.

"She couldn't hold her arms up to wash her hair," Christine said. "At that point, I started to panic because I realized, 'She's really not OK.'"

Initial testing showed fluid in Madeline's lungs. A doctor told Madeline that could be pneumonia, but it "looked peculiar." No beds were available at that hospital, so she was transferred.

For the next three days, Madeline was treated for pneumonia. She wasn't improving. The following day, she passed out during an attempted blood draw.

"I came to and there were 16 people in my room," she said. "It was terrifying."

Christine was terrified, too. COVID-19 restrictions prevented her from being at the hospital. Madeline had been giving her updates, but then no news arrived for several hours. She called the nurse and learned that Madeline was in intensive care being treated for heart failure.

"I immediately wanted to throw up," Christine said. "My kid was sicker than she'd ever been in her life and I couldn't be there."

Soon Madeline needed more specialized care. As she was being readied to go by helicopter to a Philadelphia hospital, Christine was allowed to spend time with her daughter, who was swollen and struggling.

"She was really gasping to get air," Christine said.

Doctors gave Madeline diuretics to drain the fluid that had collected around her heart. Within three days, she'd lost 30 pounds of fluid and doctors were able to take her off supplemental oxygen.

"I could move and breath again," Madeline said. "I just felt so much better."

Doctors told Madeline that she had viral myocarditis, an inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall caused by COVID-19. They explained it was one of the rare cases where a virus causes the immune system to overreact.

"The immune system freaks out and it's like all 'code red' inside your body," she said.

Nine days after going to the ER, she checked out of the hospital and headed back to her parents' house. While recovering, she was frustrated by social media downplaying COVID-19 risks, especially for young people. So, she shared her experience.

Her post drew around 300 comments and was shared more than 1,900 times, spurring several media stories. She also heard from others who'd endured experiences like hers. She found comfort in being part of a club that none of them ever wanted to join.

"It's just nice to have someone who has had a similar experience," she said.

Christine said the entire ordeal taught her more about her daughter.

"I knew she was a great kid," Christine said, "but this really showed me how much of a warrior she is."

In January, Madeline returned to her Philadelphia apartment in time for the new semester.

She continues to recover and still gets fatigued if she does too much. She's walks for about 30 minutes a few times a week to rebuild her stamina.

"At first, just going up the stairs would mean I'd need an hour nap," she said.

Madeline keeps in contact with her cardiologist and has medication to help her heart recover. She tries to avoid sodium and eat healthy and is careful to get plenty of rest. Her doctors aren't sure what the long-term effects will be and recommended she avoid becoming pregnant for at least five years.

Although her reaction was rare, Madeline, now 21, said she hopes others take seriously the risks of COVID-19.

"Take extra precautions and listen to your health provider," she said. "I was a 20-year-old who almost died."

Explore further NASA sees a weaker Tropical Storm Madeline passing south of Hawaii's Big Island

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
The number of foreign criminals deported from Britain plummeted by 34 per cent to a record low last year.

Just 3,374 were booted out  a third fewer than 2019 and the lowest figure for a decade.

The Home Office struggled amid Covid-related travel restrictions.

But numbers have been falling for four years from a peak of more than 6,400 in 2016.

Ministers have faced widespread opposition over deportations to some countries, such as a controversial charter flight to Jamaica in December.

The number of foreign criminals deported from Britain plummeted by 34 per cent to a record low last year. Just 3,374 were booted out  a third fewer than 2019 and the lowest figure for a decade. (File photo)

The Home Office struggled amid Covid-related travel restrictions. But numbers have been falling for four years from a peak of more than 6,400 in 2016. (File image of Heathrow Airport)

Data published by the Home Office yesterday showed the 3,374 total last year was the lowest since records began in 2009.

Just over 2,300 were European Union nationals.

Immigration minister Chris Philp said the UK asylum system was 'broken'. adding: 'We are working as fast as possible to fix it.'

Broader figures, also published yesterday, show a decline in all types of removals, including failed asylum seekers and immigration offenders.

The number of enforced returns was down 42 per cent to 4,353 last year - the ninth in a row to see a decline.

By comparison, there were more than 21,000 enforced returns in 2004.

Immigration minister Chris Philp (above) said the UK asylum system was 'broken'. adding: 'We are working as fast as possible to fix it'

The largest number of enforced returns was to Romania (909), followed by Albania (636), Poland (402) and Brazil (377).

Voluntary returns also plummeted last year with just 6,677 taking place - compared with more than 13,000 in the previous 12 months and a peak of almost 32,000 in 2013.

The largest groups by nationality to take up voluntary return were Indians with 1,084 followed by Brazilians, with 604.

The figures break down the deported foreigners according to the risk they posed to the public.

They show the number of 'highest harm' criminals to be removed was 1,325, down 37 per cent year-on-year.

Others ranked 'high harm' was down by almost half to 1,195.

Ministers have revealed they will 'streamline' the asylum appeals system in a bid to prevent foreign nationals submitting late legal challenges in order to stay in the UK.

Some attempts at deportation have to be abandoned when criminals lodge new claims in the final moments before being removed.

For example, they make new allegations that they will face torture or ill-treatment in their home country, that they are victims of human trafficking or modern slavery, or that they are gay and will face discrimination.
election will be held in a single phase on April 6, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday. Puducherry election result will be declared on May 2.





Puducherry election 2021: Full schedule

-Date of issue of gazette notification: March 12

-Last date of nomination: March 19

-Scrutiny of nomination: March 20

-Last date of withdrawal of candidature: March 22

-Dates of polling: April 6

-Date of counting: May 2

election 2021

Puducherry is a Union Territory (UT), which has a legislative assembly. The UT has an elected chief minister and a nominated Lieutenant Governor (L-G).

Until February 22, Velu Narayanasamy served as the 10th chief minister of the UT and former IPS officer and leader Kiran Bedi as the Leutentent governor. The Governor of Telangana, Tamilisai Soundararajan, was given the additional charge of the UT after Bedi was removed from the post.

The assembly has 33 seats in total. Out of these 33, three are nominated and the rest are directly elected. The majority mark is 16 to form the government.



Poducherry was a French territory until 1954. The UT is surrounded by Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The French influence is still intact. The most spoken language is Tamil which is native to almost 88% of the population. It is followed by Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu, and Hindi. The major religions in the state are Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. The UT was named after the largest district which is Poducherry. The other 3 districts are Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe.

Congress, which will be looking to clinch power in the UT again, will be fighting the election in alliance with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The alliance also has some smaller parties, including the Left parties.

Meanwhile, the is in alliance with All India N R Congress, DMKs rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and other smaller parties.



Actor- politician Kamal Hassan and his party Makkal Needhi Maiam will also be contesting in the elections.

A Tamil Nationalist Party, Naam Tamilar Katchi, is also in the fray.

The office of the national security adviser (NSA) has expressed its fear with the deployment of 5th Generation (5G) technology in the country.



Bala Fakandu, director of communications in NSA who appeared before the senate committee on communications on Thursday February 25, said they are concerned about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the 5G network equipment, which according to him might expose Nigeria to "eavesdropping, tracking, cyber-attacks, military and industrial espionage and other malicious activities by foreign actors."



Fakandu also asked the ministry of communications and digital economy to carry them along in the formulation of the policy that would guide the use of 5G in the country.



He said;



We are concerned about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the 5G network equipment.



That is one of the key concerns we have and this will make the infrastructure highly susceptible to eavesdropping, tracking, cyber-attacks, military and industrial espionage and other malicious activities by foreign actors.



We understand these are things that will be put in place particularly in the policy the minister has talked about.



I need to emphasise it so that the stakeholders in the telecommunications industry will understand where we are coming from because the national security concerns is the concern of the office of the national security adviser and of the president as well.

Source: LIB









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WASHINGTON  Saudi Arabias crown prince likely approved an operation to kill or capture a U.S.-based journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report released Friday that could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable for a murder that drew bipartisan and international outrage.

The central conclusion of the report was widely expected given that intelligence officials were said to have reached it soon after the brutal Oct. 2, 2018, murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans authoritarian consolidation of power.

Still, since the finding had not been officially released until now, the public assignment of responsibility amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the ambitious 35-year-old crown prince and was likely to set the tone for the new administrations relationship with a country President Joe Biden has criticized but which the White House also regards in some contexts as a strategic partner.

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2015 file photo, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi speaks during a news conference in Manama, Bahrain. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File)AP

The report was released one day after a later-than-usual courtesy call from Biden to Saudi King Salman, though a White House summary of the conversation made no mention of the killing and said instead that the men had discussed the countries longstanding partnership. The kingdoms state-run Saudi Press Agency similarly did not mention Khashoggis killing in its report about the call, rather focusing on regional issues such as Iran and the ongoing war in Yemen.

Khashoggi had visited the Saudi consulate in Turkey planning to pick up documents needed for his wedding. Once inside, he died at the hands of more than a dozen Saudi security and intelligence officials and others who had assembled ahead of his arrival..

Surveillance cameras had tracked his route and those of his alleged killers in Istanbul in the hours leading up to his killing.

A Turkish bug planted at the consulate reportedly captured the sound of a forensic saw, operated by a Saudi colonel who was also a forensics expert, dismembering Khashoggis body within an hour of his entering the building. The whereabouts of his remains remain unknown.

The prince said in 2019 he took full responsibility for the killing since it happened on his watch, but denied ordering it. Saudi officials have said Khashoggis killing was the work of rogue Saudi security and intelligence officials. Saudi Arabian courts last year announced they had sentenced eight Saudi nationals to prison in Khashoggis killing. They were not identified.
.

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on an elite Saudi unit as well as a former intelligence official over their role in the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi

The Treasury Department said it would block assets and criminalize transactions with the Rapid Intervention Force, which a declassified intelligence report said was answerable to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as former intelligence official Ahmad Hassan Mohammed al-Asiri.

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[February 25, 2021] LUS Fiber Awarded Major Federal Grant for Broadband Expansion into Rural Acadiana

LAFAYETTE, La., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $3.1 million grant to LUS Fiber  Lafayette, Louisiana's fiber system  in partnership with Acadiana Planning Commission (APC) for the development and construction of broadband infrastructure into rural southwest Louisiana. LUS Fiber Awarded Federal Grant from Economic Development Administration for Broadband Expansion into South Louisiana "In a post-COVID economy, the challenge to bring reliable broadband to Acadiana's rural communities has become as important as the delivery of other basic utilities. The capacity to upload, download and live stream, sometimes simultaneously while others in the office or home are doing the same thing, has strong implications on Acadiana's rural economic survival. Decisions that we make today about broadband expansion will determine which of Acadiana's towns will survive in the future. Those left behind in broadband delivery will be just that  left behind." Monique Boulet, CEO of the Acadiana Planning Commission. The Acadiana Planning Commission serves the public sector with planning and implementation of Community, Watershed, Transportation, and Economic development throughout the Acadiana region. The APC serves as the technical staff for Acadiana's regional planning commission, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, th Louisiana Watershed Initiative Region 5, and the Opportunity Zone Invest Acadiana initiative.



"This is definitely a win/win for Lafayette and surrounding communities," shares Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory. "It's a great opportunity for LUS Fiber to deliver services to areas that either don't have access at all or their options are very limited; and the increased revenue will be great for our community, as it means expanded infrastructure for our city and parish so that more and more homes and businesses can have access to fast, reliable broadband and the opportunities that come with it." Since its inception, LUS Fiber has been committed to the growth and prosperity of the Acadiana region, becoming an industry leader and constructing a fiber optic system which delivers the fastest home internet in the U.S. as well as the nation's first gigabit peer-to-peer intranet. Not only does LUS Fiber's network ensure that residents have access to the robust connectivity of high-quality, high-speed fiber broadband for communication, online learning, telehealth, managing business in a digital economy, and more, but it also increases the strength and stability of the Lafayette market and surrounding areas through the revenue it brings to the city and by driving other providers to be more competitive.

It is this very same commitment that motivates LUS Fiber to expand its fiber optic network to areas in the Acadiana region without access to fiber broadband internet service. In partnership with APC, LUS Fiber applied for and was awarded the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) grant from the EDA, enabled by the CARES Act. The EDA plays a critical role in facilitating regional economic development in communities across the nation. Grants under these programs are designed to leverage existing local assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance innovation and creative approaches to accelerate economic prosperity and long-term, sustainable growth in distressed communities. These programs are only available to public or non-profit entities, which makes LUS Fiber an ideal partner for APC in this groundbreaking and forward-thinking endeavor. "Fiber is truly the fundamental network technology for the 21st century, providing the needed underlying infrastructure to ensure residents and businesses have access to reliable, future-proof internet. This is an initiative I've sought for years knowing it would have a substantially positive economic impact in our area," says Iberia Parish President, Larry Richard. The EDA grant will fund the expansion of LUS Fiber's certified all-fiber network through additional portions of Lafayette Parish, St. Martin Parish, and Iberia Parish. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2021 and is expected to be completed within two years. About LUS Fiber

LUS Fiber operates one of the nation's largest municipal fiber-to-the-home networks utilizing the only technology capable of delivering symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gigabits per second to the end user. LUS Fiber's mission is to create tomorrow's essential broadband infrastructure while advancing today's internet and telecommunications services. To contact LUS Fiber, call 99-FIBER (993-4237), or visit www.lusfiber.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lus-fiber-awarded-major-federal-grant-for-broadband-expansion-into-rural-acadiana-301236154.html SOURCE LUS Fiber

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AVL adds flights to D.C., Boston, Chicago

Citing increasing interest in travel to the Asheville area, American Airlines and Asheville Regional Airport announced launching new daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as new Saturday service to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago OHare International Airport (ORD) in time for summer.

Service to DCA begins June 3 and will operate through Sept. 7. Flights to BOS and ORD begin June 5 and will operate through Nov. 6 and Sept. 4, respectively. All flights will be operated on regional aircraft equipped with 76 seats in a two-cabin configuration.

With the addition of these new routes, American will operate a record of 12 peak day flights at AVL.

American continues to show significant commitment to the western North Carolina market, AVL Executive Director Lew Bleiweis said. It is exciting to welcome these new routes this summer, which are great new options for travelers. The connectivity American offers is very important to the quality air service available at AVL, and I thank them for their amazing partnership.

As more customers look for opportunities to get away and explore the great outdoors, American is eager to expand travel options to the Asheville region, said Brian Znotins, vice president of Network Schedule and Planning for American. In-airport and on board, our team has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their travels while offering more flexibility and choice than ever before.
Takealot CEO Kim Reid and CFO Gary Altini are planning to step down as executives at the online retailer following a transition phase.

During a transition phase, Reid will serve as Group CEO of the Takealot Group and will become chairman of the group during the course of 2021.

Takealot said the search for a new Group CEO is underway and when the right person is found to succeed Reid, this will be announced.

The appointment of the new Group CEO will reflect the companys commitment to transformation, Takealot said.

Once chairman, Reid will work closely with the Group CEO and Naspers on Takealots next phase, stepping back from day-to-day operations to focus on initiatives that will deliver future value for the group.

Another development is the creation of a new Group CFO position, which will be responsible for all financial matters across the Takealot Group.

Altini will take up this role initially, but as he is planning to step down in July the process to find his successor has kicked off.

In addition to the new Group CEO and CFO positions, the company is also creating a new CEO position to lead the Takealot business.

Frederik Zietsman, who currently heads up the retail and marketplace portfolio in Takealot, will be appointed to this role.

He will report directly to the Group CEO who will work with the leaders of Takealot, Superbalist, and Mr D Food to build on these well-established platforms.

Reid played a key role in starting Takealot in partnership with US-based investment firm Tiger Global Management.

While taking a break from corporate life, Tiger Global Management approached Reid with a co-investment opportunity in the South African ecommerce market.

They joined forces to acquire Take2, an online retail company started by seven investors in Cape Town in 2002.

Takealot.com was officially launched in June 2011, and Reid served as chief executive since inception.

Gary Altini joined the business in October 2010 and as CFO is responsible for the financial side of the business.

He also runs the day-to-day operations relating to customer payment mechanisms, risk management, reporting and compliance.

Under Reid and Altinis leadership, Takealot grew into the leading ecommerce retailer in South Africa and one of the largest, most innovative ecommerce retailers on the African continent.

During their tenure, Takealot opened warehouses in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town and pickup points across South Africa.

In 2014, Takealot acquired Mr Delivery which gave the business ownership over its own logistics network.

The same year saw the successful acquisition of Superbalist.com and culminated in the announcement that Naspers-owned Kalahari.com would be merging businesses with Takealot.

The merger was successfully completed on 1 May 2015 when all Kalahari customer accounts were successfully transferred to Takealot.

Beginning in early 2018, Naspers increased its investment in Takealot to 96%.

Today Takealot is South Africas largest ecommerce retailer with over 2,000 employees.

MyBroadband contacted Takealot for comment, but the company said it will only release a statement about the issue at a later stage.
Moscow, Feb 26 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that his country is faced with foreign pressure in the form of a continued "policy of containment" aimed at provoking internal instability, weakening the economy and interfering in the country's internal affairs.

Amid a growing number of international threats such as terrorism and cybercrime, Russia is also confronted with "a consistent and highly aggressive policy" aimed at disrupting the country's development, and "creating problems along our external perimeter and contour, provoking internal instability, undermining the values that unite Russian society," the president warned during his meeting with the Federal Security Service (FSB) Board, the Xinhua news reported on Thursday.

This foreign pressure, the president said, is not of a healthy competitive nature but rather part of a series of direct actions aimed at forcing Russia to succumb to external control.

Alongside blatant "aggressive rhetoric," groundless claims, and conspiracy-theory-like accusations used in foreign targeted information campaigns against Russia, direct actions such as economic sanctions and the disruption of large international projects are destabilising the economy.

In this context, the president thanked the FSB for providing timely information concerning planned external "provocations." "Our partners are also interested in directly interfering in the public and political affairs of Russia, in its democratic procedures, and of course, special services' tools are being used against us," the president added.

Indicating the futility of this kind of policy towards Russia, Putin emphasised that the country will always protect its sovereignty and national interests, ensure the security of its citizens and protect the rights of the people to decide their future.
Tallinn, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Feb, 2021 ) :The spread of Covid in Estonia is reaching critical proportions, a top health official warned on Friday, as the government tightened restrictions to fight one of Europe's highest per capita contagion rates.

Estonia's infection rate is currently running at 887.75 per 100,000 inhabitants on a 7-day average and the pace is growing fast, officials said.

"The situation is highly critical," Ullar Lanno, head of Estonia's Health board, told reporters.

Lanno said hospitals were working at the limits of their capacity and planned vaccination centres may have to be used as Covid-19 wards instead.

The Baltic state's government also on Friday approved additional restrictions in a bid to stem the infection rate that will be phased in next week.

Church services will be banned and theatres and museums will be closed, while outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed only between 6 am and 9 pm.

University students, as well as most schoolchildren, will distance learn until March 28.

"Until the spread of the virus has calmed down and while there aren't enough vaccinated people, we will have to continue making the effort together and following the rules we've agreed upon," Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said.

Estonia, an EU member state of 1.3 million people, was largely spared during the first and second waves of the pandemic that have swept through the rest of Europe but has struggled during the current third wave.
Update: Huntsville City Schools had originally planned to purchase the Clements Baptist Church in Blossomwood with plans to relocate the offices there, but there were concerns from homeowners claiming there would be major issues with traffic and parking.

We learned Thursday night that the district entered into an agreement with a third party who will purchase the church instead.

Huntsville City Schools issued the following statement:

The Huntsville City Board of Education voted to enter into an assignment of purchase and sale agreement with 15 & Counting LLC to assume the purchase of the Clements Baptist Church property. The vote occurred during the regularly scheduled board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.

The entity will assume the sale of the church property, which effectively ends the district's agreement and turns over the boards contract.

HCS Superintendent Christie Finley stated the district was recently presented with alternative options related to the church location and central office during her ongoing discussions with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. Among the discussions are tentative plans for the board to eventually relocate the central office to a location in North Huntsville. These new opportunities present improved options for the school district.

Finley and board members expressed their excitement about the possible move, and their discussion touched on how welcoming residents of North Huntsville have been.

The board previously shared tentative plans to eventually relocate the districts central office after renovating the church property located at the intersection of McClung Avenue and Owens Drive. The board was in the process of working through the due diligence period related to the property, and the sale was never fully completed.

The district will share plans related to the new central office when plans are finalized.

Original story:

The Huntsville City Council laid out a multimillion dollar redevelopment plan for 14 acres in North Huntsville.

It includes a new, mixed-use project that would include office, medical, retail and hospitality space.

The city's role in the development would include purchasing the site off of North Memorial Parkway and Max Luther Drive for $3.5 million, demolition and site clearing, and entering into a public-private partnership to develop.

The plan would also move Huntsville's city school board central offices to the development.

The city would contribute $1 million for construction of a new central office.

This development plan comes days after community backlash over the school systems plans to buy a church building and relocate the central office to McClung Avenue.

It's not clear what will happen to the school district's plan to purchase the church building for $2.7 million.
Hope has risen for the return of nursing home visits within weeks after robust evidence emerged that vaccines are leading to a significant drop in infections and deaths among residents.

However, the ongoing threat from mutated versions of the virus was also highlighted after it was reported a case of a B1525 variant, which could be more infectious and potentially impact on vaccines, was detected here.

Public health officials are investigating the origin of the case, which has previously been found in the UK and Nigeria, and whether it was linked to recent travel.

Professor Philip Nolan, who tracks the spread of coronavirus, provided the first robust evidence that vaccines are protecting nursing homes from infections and death after being in the frontline of risk during the pandemic.

He said in the past fortnight there had been a very small number of cases in long-term care homes  less than 200 last week compared with 1,250 case at the end of January.

It has been sudden and sharp, he said, and this is also seen among nursing home staff. Although the vaccination regimen is not complete, you begin to see some protection three weeks from the first dose.

Deaths from the virus are also decreasing more rapidly in long-term care homes than in the community.

There are also signs of vaccine protection in healthcare workers, among whom infections have also fallen.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn confirmed the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) was to receive guidance from an expert group on March 11 outlining how nursing home visits could best be done safely.

He said the visits would be done on a slow and phased basis.

It is unclear what the guidance will involve but under previous relaxation of rules residents of nursing homes and other care facilities were able to have one visit by one person per week.

Several nursing homes still have outbreaks of the virus and public health officials will be cautious in the beginning.

Earlier, HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said there would need to be a dividend for residents.

We have to be mindful we are coming out of a January surge which saw 1,000 deaths, one-third of which happened in residential settings so people would not forgive us if we rushed into this, he said.

There were 58,414 people vaccinated in long-term residential care homes up to last Monday and 3,600 more will get another dose next week which should complete the vaccination programme there.

Referring to the fall in cases linked to vaccination, he said there is good evidence from Israel and Scotland about the impact vaccination is having on infections. What we are seeing here now are early signals which, based on international experience, we can increasingly be confident and translate into robust evidence, Dr Henry said.

Meanwhile, a further 35 deaths from the virus were reported yesterday and 613 more cases.

Prof Nolan said even though progress in the fall of the virus was slower the progress is still there.

The incidence is falling among all age groups except for the 19-24-year-olds and there is a persistence of disease among the over-85s.

There has been an increase in close contacts of people infected with the virus but this is largely due to the more infectious UK variant which now accounts for 91pc of cases and is more infectious.

It is also influencing the R number which is around 0.6 to 0.9 compared with 0.65 to 0.85 last week.

Dr Glynn said the reopening of schools was a signal of hope but he said uncertainties meant no timetable could be set to lift lockdown restrictions. There was a responsibility not to give false hope, he insisted.

If we keep numbers down, we will be in a much brighter place by the end of March. The impact of the new variant will be monitored over the coming weeks.

It emerged yesterday that several GPs, including rural doctors, are having problems getting deliveries of the Covid-19 vaccine, which is leading to delays for many patients aged 85 and over who in some instances have had clinics cancelled.

Some had not received expected deliveries and other doctors got too little or too much.

Up to last week 14,614 people aged 85 and older had been given the inoculation.

HSE chief Paul Reid said work was under way to address the problems and said the timeline to have all over-70s vaccinated by mid-May would not be affected.

Nationally up to Monday, 226,291 people had received their first dose and 133,325 were fully inoculated.

The threat from new variants remains and four more cases of the South African variant have been detected bringing the total to 15.

Three cases of the Brazilian variant were detected last week and none have been found since.

Dr Cillian de Gascun of the Virus Reference Laboratory said around 15pc of cases of the virus now undergo more detailed investigation to find out if they are one of these variants of concern.
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This month's Marketing Masterminds are Danny Pinch, executive creative director of digital at the King James Group, and Jean Scheltema, head of marketing and communications at Wesgro. They discuss the 'One Day in Cape Town and the Western Cape' campaign.

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Opposition politician Sahar Hawija has accused Iran, Russia and Turkey of validating the Syrian regime, reports North Press.

On Wednesday, the Syrian opposition figure and politician, Sahar Hawija said that the Astana countries (Russia, Iran, Turkey) have provided indirect support to the Syrian regime to gain legitimacy and enhance its presence in the international arena.

The inability of the international powers and the Syrian opposition to implementing the UN Resolution 2254 doomed the political and constitutional process to fail, Hawija added.

Hawijas speech came after the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, met with the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Faisal Mekdad, on February 22.

She pointed out that following the Astana talks, Pedersen went to Damascus to negotiate with the Syrian government on a timetable and to speed up the work of the Constitutional Committee.

However, the response of the Syrian government came quickly, which refused external interference in the work of the committee and demanded Pedersen to adhere to his role as a facilitator of the work of the committee, Hawija noted.

The role assigned to Pedersen did not prevent the Syrian regime from sending conditional messages that include lifting economic sanctions, condemning the Turkish occupation, and fighting terrorism, according to Hawija.

Since its inception, the basis that the Constitutional Committee was built on is to stop working with the existing constitution and consider it invalid, because its mission is to draft a new constitution for a new Syria, and that the constitution must establish new political institutions.

However, the Constitutional Committee started from the recognition of the legitimacy of the regime, according to Hawija.

She stated that after recognizing its legitimacy, the regime started stalling in order to gain more time to achieve political gains and prolong its presence, headed by holding presidential elections.

Russia is seeking compromises; this is what the Astana meetings concluded and obtained Turkeys approval, but after settling the issues of northeastern Syria and Idleb region.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
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Secession, subversion and collusion defined Beijings political perception of Hong Kong for a decade. Now, the harbour city state conquered, China is using those terms to remake the city in its own image and purge dissent from childrens imaginations.

The national security laws that brought an end to 18 months of protest over Beijings rising influence are being weaponised to enforce the loyalty of children, their parents, and the rest of Hong Kongs citizens.

Hong Kong citizens on the border, with Chinas Shenzhen in the background. Credit:AP

As time progresses, the concept of national security is not only confined to political security, territorial security and military security, Hong Kongs secretary of education told teachers in an internal memo this week. But may also encompass economic security, cultural security, social security, technological security, cyber security and ecological security.

On Thursday, there was a mystery $HK8 billion ($1.4 billion) for national security revealed in Hong Kongs budget - equivalent to half its new coronavirus stimulus package. In Beijing next week thousands of National Peoples Congress delegates are expected to pass laws that will stop non-patriots for running for office.
Ft. Campbell Troops Deploying to Aid Vaccinations

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FORT CAMPBELL - Soldiers from Fort Campbell are being deployed to help with COVID-19 vaccination efforts.The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will deploy about 130 Soldiers to Orlando, Florida, to support the whole-of-government vaccination effort.The base Office of Public Affairs says the soldiers are projected to deploy on Friday.The 101st Airborne Soldiers are part of the U.S. Armys larger effort to support FEMA vaccination centers.
Birmingham Alabama City Guide

John Devolle

Food & Wine Photo Editor Dan Bailey is an artist and musician who transplanted to Alabama in 2018 after two decades in New York City. He is still mostly a vegetarian, though life in the South has expanded his culinary curiosity. He has embraced his new home with such fervor, his colleagues consider him Birmingham's unofficial ambassador. Here are his favorite weekend spots to see, shop, and dine in the Magic City. (Just don't call it "B'ham.") Melanie Hansche

The Three-Stop Breakfast

I drink my coffee straight-up black, so it has to be good quality. Nobody in Birmingham does it better than Domestique Coffee. You can hit up either of its two cafes or the roastery. At home, I grind Domestique Single Origin Haiti beans to jump-start my mornings.

For a relaxed weekend brunch, I head to The Essential in downtown Birmingham, a lovely spot with patio seating and views of the cobblestone street on historic Morris Avenue.

For a pastry-on-the-run, I stop by The Essential's sister bakery, Bandit Patisserie, for a delicious "Cardi B," a riff on a cardamom bun.

Getting Those Steps In

I walk off a big breakfast at Vulcan Park, which has a stunning view ofdowntown Birmingham from high atop Red Mountain.

The park features the world's largest cast-iron sculpture, of the ancient god Vulcan, who watches over our city from atop a 124-foot-high pedestal. (He's sort of like our local Statue of Liberty.) You can stroll through the park for free, and with a $6 ticket, you can ascend to the observation tower for an even more breathtaking view. Another great spot is Ruffner Mountain, which is absolutely beautiful, with glorious overlooks, historic mining sites, and an educational nature center. For more of an urban stroll, I often take in parts of the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail that winds through downtown and includes historic sites such as Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church.

Story continues

Shop Small, Shop Local

An essential stop is The Market at Pepper Place, a farmers market with the freshest produce and a variety of vendors, every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Unity Market in the Highland Park neighborhood is also excellent for a super diverse and inclusive range of vendors. It reopens this month; details about the weekly schedule can be found on Instagram.

There is nothing more unique than a gift of original artwork, and Studio By The Tracks has the most incredible selection of paintings, drawings, limited-edition prints, T-shirts, and more. The studio supports local artists on the autism spectrum; every artist receives a 60% commission on the sale of their artwork.

For grown-up gifts, I visit Golden Age Wine, an absolute treasure for natural-wine enthusiasts, whether you're a connoisseur or just curious.

Sending You to Sleep

For my close friends, I have a secret list of the best Airbnbs in town, and I also recommend the Elyton Hotel. Be sure to experience at least one sunset from the hotel's rooftop cocktail bar, even if you are not staying there as a guest.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 14:05:08|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement can help African economies better withstand the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, an expert has said.

"The COVID-19 tremor to commodity-dependent African economies has incalculable bearings," Costantinos Bt. Costantinos, professor of public policy at Addis Ababa University, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The pandemic has resulted in a sharp drop in trade and investment in African economies, and a demand slump associated with lockdowns in Asian countries as well as members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, noted Costantinos, also former economic advisor to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

It has also led to a supply shock across Africa, which has seriously impacted the continent's overall economy, he added.

"Effective implementation of the newly minted continental free trade area can strengthen regional value chains, reduce susceptibility to external shocks, revolutionize the digital transition, and build buoyancy against imminent catastrophes," he said.

The AfCFTA agreement entered into force on May 30, 2019, a year and one month after it was signed. According to the UN, the agreement has the potential to boost intra-Africa trade by more than 52 percent as of 2022.

Trading under the AfCFTA began on Jan. 1, 2021 following a postponement last year due to the pandemic. The agreement has been signed by 54 out of the 55 members, leaving Eritrea as the sole outsider to date.

Meanwhile, Costantinos said that "Africa and the rest of the world can learn from recent China's experience in economic revitalization in many ways."

"Despite the grim assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic tremor, China is one of the very few countries to have its economy grow in 2020 by 2.3 percent," he noted, adding that China's elimination of absolute poverty is a plus for its economy. Enditem
Freddy Vaca, President Talent Solutions Being recognized among the Staffing 100 is an honor, especially following a year that challenged every aspect of how we work internally and with our customers. Pinnacle today is stronger than ever, and I want to commend our team for their adaptability, resourcefulness, and determination

Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions, has published its tenth annual list of North American staffing leaders, honoring 100 notable individuals who are elevating the industry and advancing the workforce solutions ecosystem through their accomplishments. The 2021 Staffing 100 North America list is sponsored by Indeed.

An acknowledgment of exceptional leadership, commitment and resilience, this years Staffing 100 list recognizes a group of professionals who in unprecedented times are unwavering in the support they have shown for their businesses, teams, talent, and clients. The CEOs, entrepreneurs, technologists, operational experts, workforce specialists, innovators and more who comprise the list are doing what it takes to ensure success for the industry through their business practices, processes, philosophies, and people-first mindsets.

Congratulations to the 2021 Staffing 100 North America honorees. These leaders have displayed tremendous skill and resourcefulness amidst the uncertainty and volatility of the past year, meeting the moment with grace and agility, said Subadhra Sriram, Editor & Publisher, Media Products, SIA. From the deployment of healthcare workers to needed allyship at a time when diversity matters most to launching new solutions, these leaders are helping the industry to reach greater heights.

Being recognized among the Staffing 100 is an honor, especially following a year that challenged every aspect of how we work internally and with our customers. Pinnacle today is stronger than ever, and I want to commend our team for their adaptability, resourcefulness, and determination, said Freddy Vaca, President of Pinnacle Groups Talent Solutions division. As we look forward, we are doubling down on our investments in people and technology as we find new ways to continue providing outstanding service to our customers.

Freddy is a forward-thinking leader who has dedicated his career to this industry and embodies the exceptional leadership, commitment, and resilience that this years list honors, said Nina Vaca, Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Group. His energy and contributions can be seen both in his corporate leadership and his advocacy in the community. On behalf of the entire Pinnacle family globally, we congratulate Freddy on this prestigious recognition.

About Pinnacle Group

Pinnacle Group is a leading provider of workforce solutions headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1996, Pinnacle Groups core services include talent acquisition and management, managed services (MSP), payrolling/IC compliance, and online talent communities. With an unwavering commitment to client service and a specialty in analytics and emerging technologies, Pinnacle Group provides transformational outcomes to primarily Fortune 500 clients and other large buyers of contingent workforce solutions. Its Progata Talent Platform utilizes machine learning (ML) and proprietary algorithms to help match talent with opportunity and maximize utilization rates. Pinnacle Group is consistently named one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., and was named the fastest-growing women-owned/led company in the country by the Women Presidents Organization in both 2015 and 2018. For more information, visit pinnacle1.com.
Last year, Michael Tubbs was the focus of an HBO documentary, Stockton on My Mind, that followed his experience trying to reinvent the Central Valley, California, city as its first Black mayor. Within a few months, howeverand with his campaign for reelection coming upTubbs found himself subjected to a targeted disinformation effort from a fake-news website called the 209 Times. Named for the Stockton area code, the 209 Times claims to be an independent community driven grassroots news source. In reality it has functioned as a misinformation machine, trading on relatively high levels of trust in local press outlets in order to play on voters racial biases and, in the run-up to November, to spread lies about Tubbs. On Election Day, he was unseated.

Tubbs joins us today on The Kicker, speaking with CJR contributor Akintunde Ahmad about disinformation, news deserts, racism, and what hes up to now.

SHOW NOTES:

Michael Tubbs on disinformation, racism, and news deserts, Akintunde Ahmad, CJR

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Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Akintunde Ahmad is a recent CJR Fellow and now an Ida B. Wells Fellow with Type Investigations. He is based in Oakland.
Torben Minko, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnams (EuroCham) Medical Devices and Diagnostics Sector Committee

Healthcare is among the sectors said to be less impacted by the global health crisis in 2020. How did members of EuroChams Medical Devices and Diagnostics Sector Committee (MDDSC) play during the year?

Expectations for 2020 were high. However, in a world where normal business operations have been altered because of COVID-19, growth in the entire global economy is under threat. This affects medical device companies in the same way, globally and in Vietnam.

We highly value all proactive, transparent, and effective efforts made by the government in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. The actions have been successful and recognised internationally.

Since the first outbreak in Vietnam, MDDSC members have ensured a stable supply and import of sustainable, innovative and high-quality healthcare products to meet the demands of effectively preventing and fighting against the pandemic as well as treatment activities.

At that critical moment, we made a practical contribution, donating test kits to detect COVID-19 worth $25,000 to support the government.

We understand that medical device and diagnostic sectors are considered systemically important for the countrys healthcare infrastructure. In the coming time, those efforts will be continued and enhanced even further.

Domestic and foreign-invested enterprises here have looked into new business models to stand firm and develop. Have you seen any similar moves among MDDSC member companies?

Vietnams healthcare infrastructure has developed rapidly in recent years, thanks to the significant efforts of the Vietnamese authorities to improve public infrastructure across the country and to open the market to private healthcare providers.

The related double-digit growth of the medical devices and diagnostics market has stimulated multinational corporations to better serve the market through investments in a solid local network of partners.

This has involved the set-up of representative offices or, very often, the creation of local branches employing and training highly-qualified Vietnamese experts. It has also created opportunities for some of the multinationals to establish local production to serve the market with high-quality healthcare products.

The Vietnamese government, especially the Ministry of Health, has made a number of legal changes in a move to further facilitate business activities. Are they yet good enough for EuroCham members, and what other changes should Vietnam focus on in this regard?

Continuous improvements in regulations are the key to access innovations for the healthcare community, as well as an increase in pre-sales and post-sales service levels to healthcare providers. Decrees on medical device management, which have been largely aligned to international standards, are only some examples and significant milestones for the improvement of the regulatory landscape.

Consistent implementation will foster a more efficient and quality-oriented supply of medical devices and diagnostics solutions in Vietnam for the benefit of patients. A number of issues still need to be addressed in order to stay on the path to a state-of-the-art healthcare system, giving efficient access to innovative and high-quality healthcare to all citizens. We will continue working with regulators on improving the regulatory and legal framework. Our four cornerstones for 2021 will be digital transformation; remote care access for patients and looking at infrastructure, reimbursement, and capability building; policy framework for value-based procurement to provide top access to high-quality medical devices; and training for healthcare providers and professionals.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has been in effect for around six months. Have you seen any movements among MDDSC members to tap into its benefits, and what other investment activity trends do you foresee?

We welcome the opportunities created by the agreement. It comes with further improvements of regulatory standards, exchanging information on customs requirements, investing in the modernisation of customs procedures, and ensuring transparency. New market access opportunities will be created to become long-term partners across Vietnam. Our mission is to engage with governments, regulators, healthcare providers, and many others in order to advocate good practice, promote high industry standards, and help develop policies which will shape the future of healthcare in Vietnam. This will enable timely access to sustainable, innovative, and high-quality healthcare for all.

The MDDSC, which consists of 26 global groups responsible for the majority of the medical device and diagnostic market, is happy to work with respective departments for the benefit of Vietnamese patients.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 06:00:23|Editor: huaxia

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LJUBLJANA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia has detected its first case of the coronavirus variant initially discovered in South Africa, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said here on Friday.

Poklukar told a news conference that the person from the area of Maribor in the northeast of the country has recently returned from Africa.

The minister noted that the infected person had been vaccinated against the coronavirus before traveling there.

"Epidemiologists have traced all highly risks contacts, and four persons have been referred to get tested and ten persons have been sent into quarantine. Two persons who returned from Africa with the first one have fallen ill," Poklukar said.

Since all highly risky contacts have been identified and sent into quarantine, no additional measures were required at this point, noted Poklukar.

"Today's case shows that the epidemic is not over yet," said the minister, urging people to abide by basic sanitary measures.

Slovenia on Friday reported 912 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 188,676, according to the National Institute of Public Health.

To date, Slovenia has also confirmed 35 cases of the new coronavirus variant initially identified in the UK.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in many countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 255 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 73 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to the latest information released by the World Health Organization. Enditem
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By Elizabeth Piper and Kate Holton

LONDON (Reuters) - Scotland's former first minister Alex Salmond accused the nation's government on Friday of acting illegally and lacking leadership in a bitter row with his successor that threatens to damage the Scottish independence movement.

The feud between Salmond and his successor Nicola Sturgeon, has reached fever pitch in recent weeks, pitting the former friends against each other in a sparring match that could eventually put pressure on her to resign.

Sturgeon has denied his accusations.

First Minister Sturgeon and her bid for a second independence referendum have been riding high in opinion polls, with many praising her handling of Scotland's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Support has fallen back, although a majority still back a second referendum.

Salmond, who was cleared of committing multiple sex offences against women last year, said the handling of his case by the Scottish government had shown a failure of leadership, accusing politicians of being too close to the judiciary.

"The government acted illegally, but somehow nobody's to blame," Salmond told an inquiry into the government's handling of the case.

"Collectively these events shine a light on a government whose actions are no longer true to the principles of openness, accountability and transparency, which are the core principles on which this Scottish parliament was founded."

He added: "Some consequences should follow from unlawful conduct."

Salmond was once Sturgeon's mentor and the two of them formed a powerful partnership that made the Scottish National Party a dominant force in Scotland and took them close to winning an independence referendum in 2014, when Scots voted 55%-45% to remain in the United Kingdom.

But the allegations of sexual harassment against Salmond in 2018, which he has denied, drove a wedge between them, and resulted in the SNP becoming fractured, which could dent the party's predicted victory in a local election in May.

Story continues

The row stems from Sturgeon's handling of the government's response to the case against Salmond and whether she misled parliament over the details of what and when she knew of the allegations against her predecessor.

Friday's inquiry is looking at the government and its handling of the case. Salmond described the government as having been "found to have ... acted unlawfully, unfairly and tainted by apparent bias".

On Thursday, Sturgeon told Scotland's parliament that she would answer fully to the inquiry and accused opposition politicians of siding with Salmond and sacrificing their principles on the "altar of the ego of one man".

Sturgeon wants a strong showing for her party in May's election to hand her a mandate to hold a second referendum on independence - something British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will not approve.

Asked about the Salmond case, a spokesman for the British premier told reporters: "His focus and the focus of politicians through the UK should be on fighting the pandemic, working together to defeat COVID and building back better."

Scots voted against independence in a referendum in 2014 but with Britain's subsequent departure from the European Union, the movement has gained fresh momentum since Scotland wanted to stay in the bloc.

(Additional reporting by Costas Pitas and Michael Holden; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Giles Elgood)
Zanu PF has expressed confidence that it will surpass the five million votes it is targeting ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections as the opposition continues to crumble in the face of defections.

The ruling party's national political commissar Cde Victor Matemadanda said the latest defection to Zanu PF by MDC stalwarts Lillian Timveos and Blessing Chebundo was a sign that the party was headed for a landslide victory in future polls.

Speaking here yesterday after leading senior ruling party officials in Masvingo in being vaccinated against Covid-19, Cde Matemadanda noted that the defection by Timveos and Chebundo signalled that an increasing number of Zimbabweans were beginning to develop faith in President Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 agenda.

Timveos and Chebundo were on Wednesday welcomed by President Mnangagwa, his deputy Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and party national chair Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at State House.

The two former opposition stalwarts said they were tired of being part of the bandwagon that opposed merely for the sake of it.

Cde Matemadanda said the ruling party was excited by the gradual peeling of the MDC edifice.

"I don't call those defections, but its people who are coming back home (to Zanu PF), it is like people who are coming back from the diaspora," he said.

"We are excited as Zanu PF by their home coming, this (defection) will show people in the wilderness that home is best and home is home," said Cde Matemadanda.

Loss of confidence in the opposition has positioned Zanu PF to continue growing its brand and reach across the local political landscape a scenario that will see the party continuing to win elections.

According to Cde Matemadanda the writing has been on the wall for some time that Zanu PF is the only game in town.

"This latest defection means we are on course to surpassing the five million target of votes in 2023.The writing is on the wall and we are saying those who remain outside should come home to Zanu PF."

Cde Matemadanda noted that well-thinking Zimbabweans like Timveos and Chebundo had seen the light.

The new dispensation under President Mnangagwa, he said, had brought a breath of fresh air shepherding the nation to focus on national development in line with Vision 2030.

"We have a listening President, a listening leadership, people were seeing as if things were difficult before, but now we have a new dispensation and it requires everyone's support," said Cde Matemadanda.

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"If you take a look at Vision 2030, it is not about Zanu PF, it's not about individuals, it is about the totality of our people who should be catapulted higher up into a middle income population. These people include everybody even housemaids and herdsmen."

Turning to the Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccine Cde Matemadanda reminded Zimbabweans that it was their lives that were at stake from the novel virus wreaking havoc across the globe.

He urged Zimbabweans irrespective of political affiliation to be inoculated saying social media-generated myths about the Sinopharm vaccine was part of a wider global stage power play between world super powers. He noted that the ensuing trade war between the West led by the US and China on the other side had led to creation of media messages to discredit Sinopharm vaccine.

He said the US and its allies in their quest for international hegemony wanted to discredit vaccines from China in support of theirs as world powers scramble to dominate supply of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei called for direct dialogue with the Biden administration Thursday, as it looks to turn around dwindling sales depressed by U.S. sanctions on the company.

Speaking to Yahoo Finance Live, Huawei USAs Chief Security Officer Andy Purdy expressed optimism that President Joe Biden will ease export controls on Huawei in the best interest of the United States.

We're hoping that the Biden administration rather than bundling all the various issues together and using them for geopolitical negotiation with China, will look at individuals separately, such as the ability of American companies to sell to Huawei, at least $12 billion a year, which is about 40,000 jobs, Purdy said.

Huawei has seen revenue growth slow sharply since the U.S. Department of Commerce placed the firm on a trade blacklist in 2019 on national security concerns, banning it from buying American components. The Trump administration doubled down on export controls last year, barring Huawei and its suppliers from using American technology and software.

The companys consumer business group, which includes its smartphones, has taken the biggest hit, with shipments falling nearly 43% in the last quarter, according to research from IDC. While competitors Samsung Electronics, Apple, and Xiaomi all gained market share, Huawei fell to fifth place, behind its two biggest Chinese rivals.

Declines stemming from U.S. export controls prompted the company to sell its low-end Honor devices arm last year, but Purdy disputed reports that the company was considering parting with its smartphone making business altogether.

We've been hurt very significantly in terms of the mobile devices, but we're taking a very long term approach, and it's helping us prioritize which products are most important, Purdy said. We are committed to this space. And even if we take a hit for a few more years, we are going to be in this space.

Andy Purdy, chief security officer at Huawei Technologies USA, is interviewed on "Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street" program on the Fox Business Network, in New York, Thursday, June 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

So far, the Biden administration has given no indication it plans to take a softer approach on Huawei. During her Senate confirmation hearing, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she would review the policy on the company, but also added that she had no reason to believe that entities on those lists should not be there.

Story continues

I would use the full toolkit at my disposal to the fullest extent possible to protect Americans and our network from Chinese interference or any kind of back-door influence, Raimondo said.

'Doing the best we can'

Purdy said Huawei has not reached out to the administration so far. It plans to make the case that the company can help the U.S. address key risks including supply chain vulnerabilities and cybersecurity.

Before the administration can even decide that for the benefit of American workers, they're going to allow companies to sell to us, I think we're gonna see a number of actions like we've seen recently such as the executive order President Biden issued to help promote the semiconductor industry to help promote a more stable supply chain, Purdy said. As the United States raises the bar, I think we'll see the approach that this administration takes for multilateralism working closely with allies.

Even as the company holds out hope for a thawing of relations with the U.S., it is looking for ways to generate additional profit and simplify product lines. Founder Ren Zhengfei reportedly called on employees to sharpen their focus and dare to abandon some countries, some customers, some products and some scenarios, according to Chinese media outlet Caixin, and the South China Morning Post.

The company is also in talks to make electric vehicles under its own brand, with a launch scheduled for as early as this year, according to Reuters.

"We're doing the best we can," Purdy said. "In the end, we're going to succeed but it's, it's a very difficult process and we don't know the milestones for the future and how we're going to fare.

Akiko Fujita is an anchor and reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @AkikoFujita
Delhi Chief Minister and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal, on Friday asked the people of Gujarat to give the AAP party a chance to form the local bodies in the upcoming polls on Sunday for Tehsil, district and municipality elections in Gujarat.

He said that in 5 years rule of AAP, the people will forget the 25 years of the BJP rule in Gujarat. Kejriwal was addressing a public rally in Surat, which was held after forming the opposition party in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in the recent elections held on the 21st.

AAP on Friday held the Kejriwal roadshow in Patel-dominant areas of Surat, where the streets were thronging with thousands of supporters. The roadshow received an overwhelming response from the public as well.

"The people of Gujarat were not stingy in showering their love on the BJP for 25 years, but what did they get? Even after 25 years, the farmers of Gujarat have to remain awake in the middle of the night to avail power in their farms. Even after 25 years, why are the farmers of Gujarat committing suicide? Why is the situation is so bad in government schools even after all these years? Why has the situation deteriorated in government health care facilities?" asked Kejriwal, while addressing the public.

"There was 10 hour power cut, when we came to power in Delhi. Now after 5 years, they have got 24 hours power. People get free power in Delhi, which is the eighth wonder of the world," said Kejriwal.

"If Kejriwal can do it in just five years, why can't the BJP do that in 25 years?" asked Kejriwal. In a style similar to that of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he asked the people of Gujarat, "Do you want free electricity?" The people roared YES.

"The schools were in a dilapidated condition, when we came to power in Delhi. Today our government schools are doing better than the private schools. We gave jobs to more than 10 lakh youth in 5 years. I ask how much employment has the BJP government provided in Gujarat?" asked Kejriwal.

Kejriwal asked the people of Gujarat to vote for the Aam Aadami Party. "Just give us 5 years in Gujarat and I assure you, you will forget the 25 years of BJP rule in the state. The day after tomorrow is the election for the rural local bodies as well as municipalities. Just as the Surat people have voted for the AAP, I ask the rural voters to please click the button of the broom (jhadu)," Kejriwal requested.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal told the newly elected representatives to be very careful of the BJP who will try to bribe them. "The BJP will try to bribe you, threaten you. Whatever they do, wherever you are, when you receive their call just do one thing. Inform it to your state president Gopal Italiya. Then we will tell you what to do," he advised.

"The BJP and the Congress are rattled. They do not fear you," he told the 27 recently elected corporators. "Nor do they fear the AAP Party, but they are dreaded by the 16 lakh people who voted you, who put their trust in you," Kejriwal added.

Advising the recently elected corporators he continued, "The people of Gujarat are looking towards not only the 27 of you who won, but also who lost from the AAP Party. Please don't lose the public trust they have put in you. Reaffirm their faith through your work. The 6 crore people of Gujarat will be keeping an eye on you," Kejriwal said.

"Keep yourself available for the public 24 by 7. Don't get arrogant or become proud, which is a natural human trait. If there is one thing that the public cannot tolerate, is an insult. Whoever comes to your doorstep, whether it be your office or home, welcome him or her, respect them. Even if someone knocks your door at two in the middle of the night, open your doors for him or her," added Kejriwal.

"It will be on the basis of the 27 of you that we will be reaching out to the 6 crore people of Gujarat in the coming days," Kejriwal told the new corporators.
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A New Jersey teenager has pleaded guilty to conspiring with a white supremacist hate group to threaten and intimidate Black and Jewish Americans by vandalizing minority-owned properties throughout the country in September 2019, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced.

Richard Tobin, 19, of Brooklawn, pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to an information charging him with conspiracy against the rights of minority citizens.

He faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Tobins sentencing is scheduled for June 28.

Tobin came onto federal authorities radar after a string of synagogues in the Midwest were vandalized in September 2019.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators discovered that Tobin  from his Brooklawn home  allegedly directed members of The Base, a white racially motivated violent extremist group to vandalize minority-owned properties through online platforms.

He told them to post propaganda flyers and to break windows and slash tires belonging to African Americans and Jewish Americans, authorities said.

Americans should never have to fear racist, anti-semitic or any other form of bias-motivated violence, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said in a statement. This defendant encouraged hateful acts of violence against individuals and their houses of worship, based solely on their religion or the color of their skin.

A co-conspirator, Yousef Omar Barasneh, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights in federal court in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, for his role in vandalizing a synagogue in Wisconsin, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Federal authorities described Tobin, who worked as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown before being arrested, as a white supremacist who is triggered by the state of the country.

When federal authorities interviewed Tobin in October, he told them he was in a more violent phase of his life.

He recalled a time when he was outside the Menlo Park Mall in Edison enraged by the number of African Americans around, authorities said. He had a machete in his car and wanted to let loose with it, according to the criminal complaint.

Tobin repeatedly described wanting to do something drastically violent and to go out in a blaze of glory, according to the criminal complaint.

Tobin was originally ordered detained by a federal judge. He was released from pre-trial detention in April amid the coronavirus pandemic and placed on home confinement, however, judges have ruled to allow him to attend family gatherings and parties while his case proceeded, according to court documents.

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Repairs on the chunk of Scenic Highway 1 near Big Sur that crumbled into the Pacific Ocean after a rainstorm last month are expected to be completed early this summer, Caltrans officials said.

But the announcement came with a warning: Any additional storms on the tail end of Californias rainy season could delay repairs.

A torrential storm dumped several inches of rain over the area on Jan. 28, causing debris from the Dolan Fire burn scar to wash out a 150-foot portion of the highway, about 15 miles south of the center of Big Sur and about 30 miles north of the Monterey-San Luis Obsipo County line.

Crews will work seven days a week during daylight hours, with longer shifts possible later in the project. The repairs are expected to cost $11.5 million. Papich Construction of Arroyo Grade is the contractor.

The repairs, which involve moving tens of thousands of cubic yards of material, Caltrans said, will begin March 1, and involve filling the V-shaped gap left in the highway and constructing a new road on top. Repairs will also include improvements to the main drainage system at nearby Rat Creek, which crews hope will prevent future washouts.

The work is expected to be completed by early summer, officials said, but they did not provide a more specific timeline.

Highway 1 is an iconic roadway that connects travelers with small businesses on the Central Coast, and were focused on restoring travel on this section by early summer, Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin said in a statement.

While this years washout did not leave hundreds of residents trapped like previous slides, it still caused headaches for residents south of the portion of missing highway. Trips north for essential services will take hours longer than usual for some residents.

About 5 miles of Highway 1 will stay closed to all traffic during repairs, officials said.

Michael Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: michael.williams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michaeldamianw


MILLS TWP, MI  A residential fire in rural Ogemaw County has claimed the lives of two children.

At 8:02 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, sheriffs deputies responded to a reported fire at a trailer home 1867 First Oak St. in Mills Township.

Our initial call was that everybody did not get out of the home, said Sheriff Brian D. Gilbert. We responded and saw two adults severely burnt from trying to get their children out.

The 40-year-old father and 32-year-old mother managed to get three of their children out of the residence. A 5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter did not survive.

They were located in their bedroom once the fire was extinguished, Gilbert said.

The mother and father were flown by separate helicopters to Hurley Medical Center in Flint. Their three surviving children  ages 13, 11, and 8 months  were taken to Hurley by ambulance for treatment of their injuries, the sheriff said.

Several fire departments responded to the scene, including Mills Township, Richland Logan, West Branch, and Moffatt Township. Ogemaw County EMS also responded.

The fire has left the residence a total loss, Gilbert said. The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit is examining the cause of the fire, though Gilbert said there is nothing suspicious about what sparked it.

Gilbert described the incident as a tragedy.

Were pulling everybody together, he said. Its touched a lot of hearts, I can tell you.

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Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet
Mika Salo has hit reverse gear after revealing details of Ferrari's secret engine legality agreement with the FIA.

The former Ferrari driver and current FIA steward raised eyebrows this week by suggesting that Ferrari's customers had to use less fuel than their rivals last year as punishment for the affair.

"I don't know if they will have a new engine for 2021, but Alfa Romeo will at least now get all of the power in order to use their full potential. They were not allowed to last year because of Ferrari," he had been quoted as saying.

Salo says his widely-reported words were "misunderstood".

"What I said in an interview a couple of days ago has been misunderstood," he is now quoted by the Finnish broadcaster MTV.

"I would like to clarify that I am not aware of the (details of the) agreement between the FIA and Ferrari. We only talked about what has already been in the media.

"It was a stupid joke and just a conversation between two guys," Salo insisted.

"All I can say is that I have no idea what any of the agreements are. And even if I did know something, I wouldn't talk about it out like that," he added.

(GMM)
The perpetrators of a 1992 massacre by Armenian forces in the town of Khojaly in Nagorno-Karabakh which left over 600 people dead should be punished, the head of the World Azerbaijani Congress said Wednesday. Asif Kurban said in a statement that Armenian armed forces, terrorist groups and the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Soviet Army committed an unprecedented genocide against civilians by violating all international legal norms and human rights.

Anadolu Agency reports that Kurban said 613 people were killed and 87 were left disabled: The images that were taken at that time and the stories of the survivors of the massacre show that there was a real genocide in Khojaly. Also, a document presented by 30 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe signed on April 26, 2001, the report prepared by the Memorial Human Rights Organization on Khojaly and the reply letter of UN Human Rights Organization President Holly Cartner to the Armenian representative in 1997 prove that the Armenians committed genocide in Khojaly.

Underlining that the parliaments of 15 countries and 16 state assemblies in the US recognized the genocide, he called on all parliaments to do the same.

"The 'modern' world of the 21st century is still silent and ignoring the Khojaly massacre, he said, adding Armenia violated its obligation to prevent genocide and the actions of its perpetrators since it had effective control over those who carried out the actions in Khojaly.

As the World Azerbaijani Congress, we consider what was done in Khojaly a violation of many conventions such as the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, it said, demanding that the perpetrators be punished.

It said the failure to ensure that those responsible for the Khojaly genocide are held accountable before the law will pave the way for new genocides that may be committed by Armenians in the future.

Nagorno-Karabakh

On Feb. 26, 1992, with the Soviet Union just dissolved, Armenian forces took over the town of Khojaly in occupied Karabakh after battering it using heavy artillery and tanks, assisted by infantry.

The massacre is seen as one of the bloodiest atrocities by Armenian forces against Azerbaijani civilians in the Upper Karabakh region, which was liberated by Azerbaijan forces last fall after decades of occupation.

The two-hour Armenian offensive on Khojaly killed 613 Azerbaijani citizens  including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly people  and seriously injured 487 others, according to Azerbaijani figures.

Some 150 of the 1,275 Azerbaijanis that the Armenians captured during the massacre remain missing. In the massacre, eight families were completely wiped out, while 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both parents.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, and ended with a Russian-brokered truce six weeks later.

Baku liberated several strategic cities and nearly 300 of its settlements and villages from the Armenian occupation during this time.

Before this, about 20% of Azerbaijan's territory had been under illegal Armenian occupation for nearly three decades.
BUS Eireann is to reinstate its service to an estate on Limericks southside following a backlash.

At the start of this year, the semi-state provider increased its frequency on the 303 line  connecting Moyross and Southill via the city centre  to every 15 minutes.

While it also announced plans to extend the route to the Old Cork Road and the Georgian Village, there was anger after it emerged that Carew Park was no longer being served.

However, following a campaign by metropolitan district leader Sarah Kiely and her Fine Gael colleague Kieran ODonnell, who chairs the Oireachtas transport committee, the bus company has confirmed it will once more serve the vast estate.

In a letter, its chief executive Stephen Kent said having reviewed all feedback and following talks with the National Transport Authority, buses will once again call around Carew Park.

It is proposed that services operating outbound from the city centre to the new terminus at Georgian Village will be re-routed via Carew Park serving all stops in the estate. Inbound services to the city centre will depart from the Georgian Village via O'Malley Park and serve Carew Park via the stops in Rathbane Terrace, he confirmed.

There will also be new bus stops at the top of Roches Street in-bound to the city, and close to the junction of Upper Gerald Griffin Street and Sexton Street. New bus stops will be built close to the junction of Childers Road and the connecting road to the N20 to provide a direct link for shoppers to the Roxboro Shopping Centre.

And following concerns at access for students to city centre schools, a small number of trips will operate a revised route to serve Sexton Street directly, the chief executive added.

There is no timeframe on the changes, but they are expected happen soon, said Cllr Kiely, who received the confirmation this morning.

She added: This is what makes this job worthwhile. This kind of positivity will help the community. We need to get serious about transport in Limerick city. We need to make sure communities are connected, that children and young people are connected to education. If we dont do this, we are at nothing. We can come up with all the transport strategies we like, but if we dont address the basic needs of the community, we might as well give in.

Bus service to Carew Park is being restored  School service also being restored  I have worked tirelessly on this... Posted by Cllr Sarah Kiely - Limerick City East on Friday, 26 February 2021

I met a lady in Tesco yesterday who told me she hadnt gone into the city centre since the bus was taken away from Carew Park. She could not afford a taxi, she doesnt feel safe in a taxi. This is vital for our city centre as well, added the Limerick City East councillor.

A number of other people had campaigned for the restoration of the link to Carew Park, including the new chief executive of the LEDP Niall OCallaghan.

5 things you need to know Monday

News
Throughout February, Tampa Bay Times reporters and photographers have been committed to sharing Black History Month stories.

Weve uncovered untold stories, from the latest updates on Black cemetery news to the harrowing tale of a hidden St. Petersburg lynching. Weve also profiled individuals making history today, like the leader of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum and the Gibbs High graduate who just reached the highest rank at Americas most prestigious ballet.

Check out these stories and more below.

Telling Black histories

History of a St. Petersburg lynching was hidden. Not anymore.

In 1914, John Evans was attacked by an angry mob and killed before a jury or judge weighed in.

An engraved metal plate commemorating where he was lynched ended up in a file drawer at the citys Historic Preservation Office. No one seems to know who placed it or when.

This month, with help from community groups, a new memorial was erected to recognize a dark chapter in St. Petersburgs past.

Meet the Black Floridians behind these Tampa Bay landmarks

They brought change around Florida. Now their names are on streets and landmarks around Tampa Bay.

Read the stories of a fearless female stunt pilot, a man who helped bring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Tampa, a formerly enslaved woman-turned-business owner, and more.

Tampa Bay civil rights leader knows, 50 years later, that he was targeted by FBI

The FBI surveilled Askia Muhammad Aquil  then known as Otha Favors  as part of its Counterintelligence Program of domestic organizations. His only crime, he said, was being Black and a vocal leader in the civil rights movement. So, I was harassed.

Is St. Pete really that progressive? A familiar face says maybe not.

Terri Lipsey Scott is everywhere  holding events, raising money for a $20 million African American museum. When it comes to racial equity, the executive director of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum says the city could be doing more.

Story continues

Uncovering and remembering Black cemeteries

Historic marker honors Black cemetery erased during construction of MacDill

Port Tampa Cemetery disappeared when the base was constructed in the late 1930s. The headstones were removed, but the graves remain under still-undeveloped land that is part of the base near the corner of Interbay Boulevard and Manhattan Avenue.

Grave markers found at the former site of a Black cemetery in Clearwater

It was previously believed that only unmarked graves were left behind when the cemetery was moved in 1954. Caskets are there, the archaeologists said, but that is not all they found.

Hillsborough School District unveils proposed memorial to lost Ridgewood Cemetery

The District showed proposed renderings of a walkable memorial to honor those buried in Ridgewood Cemetery for the indigent and unknown  and to ensure it will neither be forgotten nor lost again. The presentation came 15 months after it was announced that at least 145 unmarked graves belonging to Ridgewood were on Tampas King High campus.

Black history and the arts

Pinellas native reaches highest rank at Americas most prestigious ballet

Gibbs High alum Calvin Royal III is now a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre in New York. He is the second Black man to attain the rank of principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre, and the first in decades.

Art provides a rare glimpse at Tampas historic Black neighborhoods

Karl Moseleys drawings depict what life was like in the Scrub and Garrison neighborhoods in the 1930s. They are now more than artwork. They are history lessons for Tampas long-gone pioneering Black neighborhoods.

Get the Regarding Race newsletter Want to read up on more race-related content like this in the Tampa Bay region and beyond? Sign up for the free Regarding Race newsletter to get more stories and join the discussion.
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Oliver Dowden has told Facebook its decision to temporarily pull the plug on newsfeeds in Australia was a 'nuclear option' that must not be repeated in the UK.

The Culture Secretary met with the social media giant's communications chief, Sir Nick Clegg, last night to express the Government's concerns at the firm's actions.

Mr Dowden warned Sir Nick that ministers 'won't shy away from intervening to protect the interests of the public' if needed as the Government develops measures to improve competition in the digital market.

Facebook sparked a furious row with the Australian government after it banned news posts on its platform over a proposed law that would force tech giants to pay for journalism.

Facebook eventually reversed the move after politicians agreed to revise the law but the firm's ability to switch off content for millions of users has prompted growing concern around the world.

Oliver Dowden has told Facebook its decision to temporarily pull the plug on newsfeeds in Australia was a 'nuclear option' that must not be repeated in the UK

Facebook sparked a furious row with the Australian government in recent weeks after it banned news posts on its platform over a proposed law that would force tech giants to pay for journalism.

Mr Dowden said Facebook's actions 'strengthened' his view that digital markets are not functioning properly.

'I am relieved Facebook has switched newsfeeds back on in Australia,' Mr Dowden said following the meeting.

'Turning the tap off on news in a global pandemic was a concerning move which looked like Facebook was putting its bottom line above the public interest.

'I put these concerns to Facebook and set out our interest in levelling the playing field to enable proper commercial relationships to be formed. We must avoid such nuclear options being taken again.'

Mr Dowden made clear to Sir Nick during their meeting that the UK Government has not ruled out any options regarding its planned pro-competition regime for digital markets.

The Culture Secretary intends to bring up the matter during the UK's G7 Summit in June, when world leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US and the EU will convene in Carbis Bay, Cornwall.

As well as a meeting with Sir Nick, who joined Facebook as vice president for global affairs and communications in October 2018, Mr Dowden spoke to his Australian counterpart, Paul Fletcher, minister for communications.

Speaking about UK efforts, Mr Dowden continued: 'We are working on a pro-competition regime which will benefit not just news publishers, but also consumers and other businesses affected by the market dominance of a small number of big platforms.

'Tech titans have become the gatekeepers of online knowledge and the custodians of virtual public squares, and the Government won't shy away from intervening to protect the interests of the public when it needs to.

The Culture Secretary met with the social media giant's communications chief, Sir Nick Clegg, last night to express the Government's concerns at the firm's actions

'Here in the UK, we are taking action by building a coherent and comprehensive approach to digital regulation.

'Whether through our pro-competition regime enforced by the new Digital Markets Unit or through our upcoming Online Safety Bill, we are aiming to bring in fairer rules of the road.

'We will hold these companies to account and bridge the gap between what they say they do and what happens in practice.

'We will prevent these firms from exploiting their dominance to the detriment of people and the businesses that rely on them.'

A Facebook company spokesman said: 'We had a constructive call to discuss the changes Australia made to its legislation, and why we believed the previous proposals were unworkable and ignored the value publishers get from posting their content on Facebook.

'Nick strongly agreed with the Secretary of State's assertion that the government's general preference is for companies to enter freely into proper commercial relationships with each other.

'This is exactly what Facebook has been able to do in the UK, striking commercial deals with almost every major publisher. In the UK we are now paying tens of millions of pounds to national and local outlets to be part of our dedicated tab for news which we launched last month.'
Tim McDonough has been the mayor of Hope Township for 30 years. He says truck traffic on the small county roads, and especially through the quaint historic village at the township center, has been an issue for him since Day 1.

There are near-misses every day, he said. Its going to result in a catastrophe.

But the tractor-trailer traffic through tiny Hope may soon stop. The Warren County commissioners recently approved weight limits that would bar vehicles over 13 tons from using the county routes through the central village on their way to or from Interstate 80 and points south.

The restrictions would apply to parts of County Routes 519 and 521 between State Route 46 and I-80.

Hope Township's town center is a historic and beautiful part of Warren County. Last night's approval is the result of years of hard work by town officials and residents alike. Approval is still need by the State and surrounding towns to make this official but I am optimistic! https://t.co/HgYwQt3zt1  James Kern III (@JamesRKernIII) February 26, 2021

The commissioners plan, if approved by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, would redirect large vehicles to use Route 46, which directly connects with I-80 eight miles west of the Hope exit. McDonough and Commissioner Director James Kern III both said state and federal roads are more appropriate for truck traffic.

(Cant see the map? Click here.)

Though they described the traffic issue as an immediate problem, it appeared destined to worsen as warehouse developments are proposed around Warren County.

That includes one particularly large plan by the Jaindl Land Co. for more than 2 million total square feet of warehouse space in White Township, approximately 10 miles south on Route 519, roughly equidistant between Interstates 80 and 78. An attorney for Jaindl did not return a request for comment about the weight limits and what effect they might have on the warehouse plan.

McDonough and Kern both said their primary concern was not warehouses but the safety of residents and the historic village. The community dates back to the 1760s, when it was settled as a Moravian religious community, and some of the early stone buildings still stand.

This is not a warehouse issue, McDonough said. This is a simple, preserving-quality-of-life, preserving-the-historic-quality-of-Hope issue.

John McKernon, of Harmony Township, holds a sign at the intersection of Route 46 and Route 519 during a June 2020 demonstration against the Jaidl Land Co. warehouse proposal.Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

Where the weight restrictions apply

Under the county commissioners plan, the 13-ton vehicle weight limit would apply to:

County Route 519 northbound from Route 46 in White Township to the intersection with County Routes 521 and 609 in the center of Hope village.

County Route 521 in both directions between the Route 519/Route 609 intersection and the intersection of Millbrook Road (County Route 611) just north of the village.

County Route 521 southbound between I-80 Interchange 12 and Millbrook Road (CR 611).

The alternate route for large vehicles is Route 46 between County Route 519 and I-80 Exit 4 interchange for Columbia.

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Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
WASHINGTON - The acting chief of the U.S. Capitol Police warned lawmakers Thursday that militia members involved in the Jan. 6 riot "want to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible" during President Joe Biden's first congressional address.

The stark warning about another potential threat to Congress - which has not been corroborated by other law enforcement agencies - comes as a date for Biden's first address on Capitol Hill has not been set. New presidents typically deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress in February.

Acting chief Yogananda Pittman told lawmakers that there was "a direct nexus" between the threats and a Biden speech.

She cited that intelligence to explain why National Guard members who were deployed and the tall security barriers that were erected around the Capitol after the insurrection have not yet been removed.

"Based on that information, we think that it's prudent that Capitol Police maintain its enhanced and robust security posture until we address those vulnerabilities going forward," Pittman said in comments Thursday before a House Appropriations subcommittee.

It was not clear whether other agencies have also identified threats expected during Biden's first congressional address.

In a statement, the FBI said it is "working with our partners to gather and share intelligence regarding major events, including the upcoming Presidential Address to a Joint Session of Congress. We are always on alert for any potential threats."

The bureau is regularly tipped to online chatter about threats, and officials have said it is difficult to separate that which is aspirational from that which poses real concern.

In the run-up to Biden's inauguration, for example, the FBI privately warned law enforcement agencies that far-right extremists had discussed posing as National Guard members in Washington, and that others have reviewed maps of vulnerable spots in the city. Officials took aggressive measures to secure the Capitol, and ultimately the day passed without incident.

But officials are eager to show they are taking threats seriously, particularly because lawmakers from both parties havecriticizedthe Capitol Police and the FBI for not responding to indications of possible violence before the Jan. 6 riot. An internal Capitol Police intelligence report three days before the siege warned "Congress itself" could be the target of violence, and an FBI office in Virginia warned one day before that demonstrators were prepared for "war."

Pittman insisted Thursday there was "no credible threat" in the available intelligence that rioters would actually break into the Capitol. As a result, she said, the police "were not prepared" for the demonstration to turn into an angry mob.

And she said that "well in excess" of 10,000 people came onto the Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6 insurrection, and that about 800 entered the building - the first time an official has provided an estimate of the size of the crowd that broke through the Capitol's perimeter.

"To stop a mob of tens of thousands requires more than a police force, it requires physical infrastructure or a regiment of soldiers," Pittman said. "We know that some of those temporary enhancements are not popular, but these are necessary in the short term."

Lawmakers, especially those in the GOP, are growing antsy over the continued presence of soldiers and barriers at the Capitol, which Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., the top Republican on the Appropriations subcommittee hosting Thursday's hearing, said is costing $2 million per week to maintain.

Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., described the reinforcements as "stark visual sadness" and likened the current Capitol environment to "working in a minimum security prison."

In the Senate, Rules Committee ranking member Roy Blunt, R-Mo., also said Thursday that "there are ways to achieve the safety we need here without the fortresslike sense at the Capitol right now, and hopefully you get there sooner rather than later."

This was the first week that current and former officials responsible for the response to the short-lived insurrection testified in public before congressional committees, the opening acts of what is likely to be a long-term effort to document the failings that led to the violence and avoid a similar calamity in the future.

So far, those hearings have failed to resolve even basic questions about what transpired, such as when the Capitol Police chief requested approval for backup from the National Guard.

Former Capitol Police chief Steven A. Sund and former House sergeant-at-arms Paul Irving, both of whom resigned following the riot, clashed over some details of the timeline that day. Sund claimed he had requested help from the National Guard two days before the riot and again as soon as the pro-Trump demonstrators broke through the outdoor security perimeter, requesting the Guard by 1:09 p.m. that day.

Irving told lawmakers he was on the floor of the House at that time and did not remember getting a call from Sund until nearly 1:30 p.m., when Sund told him he might be requesting the Guard be activated.

On Thursday, Pittman partially backed up Sund's account, reading from his cellphone records that she said showed that he repeatedly contacted Irving, starting at 12:58 p.m. that day.

- - -

The Washington Post's Matt Zapotosky, Mike DeBonis and Ashley Parker contributed to this report.
Hospitals have gained in recent years thanks to improved facilities and more strategic partnerships

Nipro Pharma Corporation  Japans biggest prescription drug contract manufacturer  has nearly completed procedures to increase investment capital by about $270 million to enlarge its facility at Saigon High-tech Park (SHTP) in Ho Chi Minh City so as to increase production volume.

The procedure completion is expected in the next few weeks, thus increasing Nipro Pharmas total investment there to $570 million, a SHTP representative told VIR. Nipro has performed well since it began investment in the park in 2016.

Nipro Pharma is among the Japanese investors which have strong interest in Vietnams healthcare sector. Many more are expanding to and in Vietnam, according to the Japan External Trade Organization.

Together with Japan, South Korea and the EU also have more sights set on the lucrative local market.

Positive signals

The healthcare sector has welcomed new investment inflows in recent times, especially in 2020 when a number of new projects were announced despite pandemic restrictions. Late last year, a consortium led by Singaporean sovereign fund GIC acquired a minority stake in Vietnam-based private hospital operator Vinmec, part of Vingroup, for $203.1 million.

The year also witnessed VinaCapital using $26.7 million to acquire 30 per cent stake in Thu Cuc International General Hospital; and British Real Capital Londons launch of the $156 million Hong Anh Medical Campus project in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to foreign investment, new domestic private capital flows into the sector were also reported during the year. Last January the southern province of Tra Vinh licensed the high-tech pharma project from TV Pharma with initial investment of VND650 billion ($28.26 million). A few months later, the Van Phuc-Saigon Hospital and Hoan My General Hospital projects were also kicked off. Elsewhere, the Long An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, a public-private partnership (PPP) with Technical World Group being the investors, was put into operation.

The hospital segment is among the most attractive to international financiers and domestic ventures. Since 2015 when the government issued a policy on encouraging private investment in the health sector, over 200 private-run hospitals and more than 35,000 private-owned clinics were built nationwide.

Together with newly-built facilities, existing hospitals are advancing digitalisation projects to cash in on the unmet demands for high-quality services among Vietnamese who were spending an estimated $2 billion on overseas treatment every year before the pandemic.

In addition to infrastructure advances, the trend of focusing on social business programmes has been reinforced by recent moves among multinational corporations like Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, GSK, and AstraZeneca. The moves are in anticipation of a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases thanks to an ageing population.

For example, AstraZeneca Vietnam in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and three specialised associations has launched a communications campaign to improve community awareness in asthma management.

Similarly, late last year the Vietnam Medical Association and Roche Vietnam signed a strategic partnership to implement a scheme on improving access to innovative therapies for high-risk breast cancer patients until 2025.

Also last year, GSK Pte., Ltd. in Vietnam signed an MoU with the MoH to fight against antimicrobial resistance in Vietnam, with the deal lasting until 2023.

Despite the growing interest, the quality of such initiatives has yet to satisfy the demand. According to the Vietnam 2035 Report by the World Bank and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, total spending on healthcare in the local market makes up about 5.8 per cent of the countrys GDP, among the highest rates in the region.

New motivations

Like other sectors in Vietnam, the healthcare sector faces a mismatch between the demand for investment and the fiscal space available to meet such demand. In 2016, it was estimated that the public healthcare network would need infrastructure investment of VND176 trillion ($8 billion) for the 20162020 period. Since 2010, the government has only allocated and met around two-thirds of capital demand for that period.

Therefore, the government sees private resources as critical to filling that gap, with government master plans for facility investment explicitly directing the MoH and hospitals to mobilise funding from the private sector.

Despite the sectors importance, private investment in healthcare remains low due to shortcomings including a lack of a legal framework for PPP investment. However, the Law on Public-Private Partnership Investment, which took effect from January, will open the room for private investment in healthcare.

According to a VIR source, the government is gathering ideas from ministries and central agencies for the draft decree guiding the implementation of the law so that it is expected to be issued in the next few days, becoming the key piece of legislation governing PPP transactions in the country.

Under the law, health remains one of the priority sectors for PPP investment. Moreover, some legal concerns among investors are being solved. Specifically, Vietnam will, for the first time, apply revenue risk allocation for related initiatives.

Investors of such projects will be also ensured the right to access and use land and other public assets. Additionally, PPP businesses will enjoy incentives in tax, land use fee, land lease fee, and will be more in line with the prevailing rules on tax, land, and investment.

In addition to the Law on Public-Private Partnership Investment, the new Law on Investment and the new Law on Enterprises are expected to further facilitate capital flows into healthcare.

Moreover, it is projected that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement will bring more investment opportunities to EU-based pharma businesses in Vietnam and stiffening market competition. The landmark agreement will open the Vietnamese market in fields that businesses have been seeking particular solutions to for years, such as intellectual property rights, direct pharmaceuticals imports, and tenders, among others.

A representative of the MoH said, Vietnams health sector is working on a number of tasks to achieve its goals. The sector always encourages private investment to join.

Barriers remain

According to the World Banks PPP for Health in Vietnam  Issues and Options publication, the application of such partnerships in the health sector is still limited despite several facilitators such as the promotion of private investment into healthcare activities, deepening of hospital autonomy, the expansion of universal health insurance coverage, and the development of healthcare credits.

Thus far, a long wish list of 63 projects remains in the health PPP project pipeline. This high number is indicative of ineffective PPP project screening criteria rather than high potential, and only a small percentage of these projects are expected to reach implementation.

Most health PPP projects are proposed and developed at the sub-national level, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, and focus on hospital infrastructure and services rather than on preventive and primary healthcare. They are oriented towards higher-income groups in urban areas rather than disadvantaged groups in rural areas. The proposed health PPP pipeline, therefore, raises serious questions about equity and efficiency in public sector health service delivery.

Furthermore, PPPs have not been embedded in health policies and related regulations, hampering the use of PPPs to expand infrastructure and improve services in the sector. Stakeholders have far greater motivation and incentives to engage in healthcare projects using the joint venture models that were made possible through private investment attraction policy rather than the more complicated and prolonged PPP route.

In the current context, the World Bank experts said that health PPP models and contracts should be adopted with caution. The asset-heavy, service-light PPP models, such as equipment and facility PPPs, seem to be the most feasible options. Meanwhile small-scale asset-light, service-heavy models such as specialised services and integrated PPPs at the primary healthcare level may be suitable for selected projects for which the private sector has a competitive advantage.

Vietnam, however, does not yet seem to be ready for a fully integrated hospital PPP model because of various barriers in the existing regulatory framework as well as the capacity mismatch between the public and private sectors.

Experts recommend that the MoH should develop a circular guiding the screening, preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health PPP projects.
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Armenia national security finds about 1 kg of opium, detains Iran citizen driver and 2 others

182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex

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Lawyer: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan grossly abuses administrative resources during Lori Province visit

UN urges to investigate escalation of violence in Colombia

Malaysia to open mega-centers for vaccination against coronavirus

Police find  5 million in cash in London apartment

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Iranian Central Bank governor dismissed

Armenian opposition: The one who liberated Artsakh will not go to debates with the one who sold it

Iranian energy ministry: Iraq to allocate $ 125 million of frozen funds for vaccines

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Artsakh

Iran and Iraq to intensify cooperation and are ready for joint investment projects

Armenia ex-PM says at least 2 more secret documents signed but not published yet

Indonesia frees Iranian tanker 4 months later

Mortar shelling in Afghanistan kills at least 10 civilians

Fire breaks out at West Virginia oil refinery in US

Second President of Armenia meets with residents of Ararat province

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Armenian acting PM invites ex-presidents for debates

European Parliament head proposes to strengthen sanctions on Russia

UK PM gets married in London

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Suspicious deal: Whether there was profit from buying DNA IDs?

Armenia ex-president says current authorities are trying to blame Russia for defeat in war

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Robert Kocharyan: This war could not have happened, it was a consequence of the policy of the authorities

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Biden's administration proposed to leave unchanged amount of financial support to Armenia

US Embassy in Baku calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian POWs

Luxembourg MFA calls on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners

Russia peacekeepers climb to Armenia Gegharkunik Province village positions

Biden strongly condemns manifestations of antisemitism in US

Iran intensifies its diplomacy amid Armenia-Azerbaijan border tensions
Refugees from the Central Africa Republic have just collected NFIs at a UNHCR distribution center in Yakoma, northern DRC, and are walking back to the homes of the Congolese families hosting them.  UNHCR/Helene Caux

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has today launched a US$164 million appeal to provide life-saving assistance and protection to nearly 1.5 million uprooted Central Africans, including 210,000 who fled a new bout of violence related to the December 2020 presidential elections. With no end in sight to the violence fueling the displacement crisis, nearly one third of the Central African Republic (CAR)s population of 4.7 million have been forced to flee.

Since the new crisis erupted, some 100,000 people have been displaced inside CAR, while neighbouring Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo have received 111,000 new arrivals. Refugees continue to cross every day.

Many new arrivals are reporting grave human rights abuses inside CAR. Our colleagues in Gore, Chad, are caring for a 26-year-old refugee mother who was beaten and raped by a rebel with her six-month-old baby at her side after fleeing her home in Maroukounde. She is now pregnant as a result of the assault and is receiving medical and psychosocial support from our teams.

To enable UNHCRs targeted and timely protection and assistance to the displaced Central Africans and their hosts, and to ensure our support to governments and other partners, we require urgent financial contributions. Unless funding is swiftly made available, we will be forced to reduce or halt vital assistance, even as the needs are rising.

The appeal includes:

US$35.2 million to address the ongoing protection crisis and to help us support the most vulnerable children and families, to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and for monitoring, registration, and documentation.

US$13.7 million to supply shelter and essential relief to the displaced living in dire conditions inside CAR and in neighbouring countries, and who now depend on the generosity of local host communities.

US$27.8 million for health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, needed to prevent the spread of disease. These needs are compounded by the looming threat of COVID-19.

Despite our limited resources, we have scaled up border and protection monitoring to proactively identify and address the most pressing needs of displaced Central Africans. We are registering and supporting survivors of sexual violence and mitigating the risk of further gender-based violence.

We are also working to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infections by building and equipping quarantine centres and areas for treatment and isolation, as well as by testing, distributing masks, raising awareness on COVID-19 prevention and social distancing, and by improving water, sanitation and health resources.

Funds for UNHCRs humanitarian response to support displaced Central Africans are already critically low and under severe pressure due to the rising needs of both refugees and the host communities. We are urgently appealing to the international community to mobilize resources to protect and assist the displaced Central Africans and their hosts.

More information on the CAR crisis and UNHCR Appeal: https://reporting.unhcr.org/node/30262

For more information on this topic, please contact:
In the latest challenge to Europes open borders, the French government announced stricter border checks this week between Germany and the eastern Moselle region of France, one of several areas experiencing a spike in Covid-19 cases and where the authorities are contemplating tightening local restrictions.

It is the most recent effort by a European Union member nation to control the viruss spread by resurrecting national border checkpoints long absent from the bloc, one of whose fundamental pillars is the free movement of people.

Starting on Monday, nearly all those wanting to cross the border will have to present a negative coronavirus test from the past 72 hours before entering France, Olivier Veran, the health minister, and Clement Beaune, the junior minister in charge of European affairs, said in a statement on Thursday. Only cross-border workers in the area will be exempted.

Last month, France closed its borders to non-European Union countries and made it mandatory for all travelers from within the bloc to present a negative test at the border. Cross-border residents were exempted, regardless of whether they were traveling for work.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with the leadership of Fatherland Salvation Movement on February 26  the joint candidate for Prime Minister of the movement Vazgen Manukyan, Artur Vanetsyan, Vahram Baghdasaryan and Artsvik Minasyan.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Presidents Office, during the meeting the sides exchanged views on the situation in the country, discussed options for de-escalating the situation and finding a peaceful solution to the issue.

The representatives of the opposition presented their views and approaches to the President.
Clockwise from top-left, actresses Youn Yuh-jung, Han Ye-ri, director Lee Isaac Chung and actor Steven Yeun discuss their film, "Minari," in an online press conference, Friday. Courtesy of Pancinema



By Kwak Yeon-soo



Steven Yeun, who plays a young father in the moving family drama, "Minari," recalled that when he first got the script from writer-director Lee Isaac Chung, it felt like reading a script from Korea.



"When you get scripts about people of color or minorities (in the U.S.), it's usually explanatory because the viewer is assumed to be a white audience. So, there's always a level of seeing yourself through the gaze and lens of the white majority," Yeun told Korean reporters during an online press conference, Friday.



He decided to come on board not just as an actor but also as a producer, because he wanted to add his voice to something that he deeply related to and had always wanted to talk about.



"The thing that was really refreshing about Isaac's script was just how confident in its own point of view it was. I wanted to make sure our voice was protected and that Isaac's script and intentions weren't compromised," Yeun said.



A semi-autobiographical story of Chung, "Minari" tells the story of a Korean immigrant family that moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm in the 1980s. The film has enjoyed great success with awards so far, winning numerous awards and nominations with the SAG Awards, Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.



The director explained that "Minari" is not just an immigrant story with a Korean character, but also reveals what it was like in America at that time. He strived to find a common ground between a Korean immigrant story and an American farming story.



"I tried to tell a very personal story with this, and I'm humbled by the reaction and response. As I reflect on why this film is connecting with a wide number of audiences, I feel like it's not because it's about me, or immigrants, or about this particular situation, socially. It has to do with human beings and relationships," Chung stated.



"We all wrestle with the things that the Yi family is wrestling with. People can relate to the idea of, 'how can we love each other in difficult situations?' I just feel honored that people are finding their way into this story."





Director Lee Isaac Chung, second row left, and the cast of "Minari" / Courtesy of Pancinema
" " The Beale Ciphers are three typed pages of nothing but numbers, a code that supposedly details the location of a vast treasure hidden by a mysterious figure named Thomas J. Beale. But was the entire mystery just an elaborate hoax? Wikimedia Commons (CC By-SA 3.0)/HowStuffWorks

The story of the Beale Ciphers is a particularly peculiar mystery, to be sure, and many people who've researched it have concluded that it's probably just an elaborate 19th-century hoax. After all, who would bring back a fortune in gold, silver and jewels from New Mexico and bury it somewhere in the rolling hills and ridges of central Virginia? And why would the person who hid that treasure  one Thomas J. Beale  write down instructions on how to find the treasure in code on three sheets of paper, entrust a box containing those papers to an innkeeper and then never return for it?

Implausible as that all might seem, the mystery of the Beale ciphers has fascinated, even obsessed, numerous people over the past 136 years, when the story initially was published in a ponderously-titled 50-cent pamphlet, "The Beale Papers Containing Authentic Statements Regarding the Treasure Buried in 1819 and 1821 near Bufords, in Bedford County, Virginia, and Which Has Never Been Discovered."

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Treasure Would be $93 Million in Today's Dollars

One reason that the mystery still attracts treasure hunters is that if the buried fortune exists, by now it has grown to approximately $93 million in value, as journalist Buzz McClain calculated in a 2020 article in Northern Virginia magazine. But even if it doesn't, the Beale Ciphers  two of which remain unsolved  have continued to fascinate both amateur and professional cryptographers, to the point that the National Security Agency actually has compiled a file of articles and reports on the mystery.

From 1970 to 1996, there was even an organization, the Beale Cipher Association, composed of people who paid a $25 annual fee for the privilege of receiving a quarterly newsletter and attending "periodical seminars and symposiums" on the mystery. (Members agreed to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the association if they ever actually found the treasure.)

"Although some have slammed the door and called it all a hoax, or merely a fun tale, because the story has some inconsistencies and questionable actions, the door seems never able to be tightly shut," explains Jenny Kile. She's the author of the book "Introduction to Codes and Ciphers, Plus 20 Famous Unsolved Codes, Ciphers, and Mysterious Writings," and is founder of the Mysterious Writings website.

"Those unanswered details seem to always keep the door slightly ajar, no matter how hard some slam it. It's amazing how the story can't be conclusively determined to be all false or true."

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The Story of the Beale Ciphers

Here's the story as laid out in the 1855 pamphlet, which was written by an anonymous author and published by a local newspaperman named J.B. Ward. In 1820, a Virginian named Robert Morriss, who operated a hotel in Lynchburg, Virginia, became acquainted with a long-term guest named Thomas J. Beale, whom he described to the anonymous author as about 6 feet (1.8 meters) in height, with "jet black eyes and hair of the same color, worn longer than what was the style at that time." Beale registered simply as being from Virginia  where exactly in the state, he didn't say  and he never said anything about his family, or much of anything about himself at all.

Beale left the hotel in the spring of 1821 with a group of friends, and returned the following January, this time only staying for a couple of months. Before departing, he gave Morriss a box for safekeeping, "which, as he said, contained papers of value and importance," according to Kile.

That was an understatement. In letter that he left behind, Beale explained that he and companions had ventured west to New Mexico in the late 1810s on a hunting expedition and while there, somehow had discovered a gold mine. The men abandoned their recreation and worked the mine, extracting a fortune in gold  "as well as silver, which had likewise been found," according to the letter. The group wasn't sure exactly what to do with their newfound riches, but eventually, they entrusted it to Beale, who traveled back east and buried it in a cave near a tavern in Bedford County, "which all of us had visited, and which was considered a perfectly safe depository," according to the letter.

Beale and his friends later returned and then moved the treasure to a different location. The group also instructed Beale to give some "perfectly reliable person" instructions on how to find the treasure, so that in the event they died during their adventures, their families could be given the fortune.

" " The first of the three nearly-identical Beale Cipher pages of numbers. The only difference between the three pages is the numbers themselves. Wikimedia Commons

Beale later sent Morriss a letter from St. Louis, instructing him that if Beale didn't return, after 10 years Morriss had permission to open the box. Beale, of course, never came back. "I can only suppose that he was killed by Indians, afar from his home, though nothing was heard of his death," Morriss explained.

For reasons unexplained, Morriss didn't break the lock and open the box until 23 years later, in 1845. But it didn't contain a map or simple instructions on how to find the fortune. Instead, it contained sheets of paper covered with seemingly incomprehensible numbers.

The pamphlet's mysterious author figured out that one of the three sheets was in a code based on the Declaration of Independence, and deciphered it. It was a message describing the fortune, which consisted of 2,921 pounds (1,325 kilograms) of gold, 5,100 pounds (2,313 kilograms) of silver, and a quantity of jewels that had been obtained in exchange for silver. The treasure was packed in iron pots with lids and buried in a stone-lined vault. But the exact location was on one of the other pages, in a coded message that the anonymous author  conveniently for the mystery  wasn't able to solve. Ditto for the third page, which listed the members of the group and gave their relatives' names and addresses.

Elonka Dunin, a video game developer, writer and cryptographer, and her colleague, German computer scientist and cryptographer Klaus Schmeh, are co-authors of the 2020 book "Codebreaking: A Practical Guide." They've studied the Beale Ciphers mystery in detail, even traveling to Bedford County to scrutinize the area around the former site of Buford's tavern, where Beale supposedly buried the riches.

Aside from the basic implausibility of the story, as Dunin explains, there are plenty of clues that indicate the Beale treasure is a hoax. "The only source is the pamphlet," she notes, and the details in it are sketchy. In addition, the originals of the letters to Morriss from Beale were conveniently lost, so no one except the anonymous author got a chance to examine them. But language experts who've examined the texts of the letters and compared them to the pamphlet have concluded that "it all seems to have been written by the same person," Dunin explains.

Additionally, as Schmeh notes, there are a few, slightly different versions of the Declaration of Independence. As the basis for one of his ciphers, "Beale used a rare or unique version," Schmeh explains. Bizarrely, the person who 60 years later solved the cipher just happened to have exactly the same rare version. "It's almost impossible," Schmeh says.

But the Beale Ciphers still fascinate people interested in cryptography, and the story still prompts amateur treasure hunters to head to Virginia in hopes of striking it rich.

"Even after it's been pretty well debunked, there's something in the human psyche  the finding a hidden treasure, something no one else has been able to do  that keeps people searching for it," Dunin explains.

Now That's Interesting Edgar Allan Poe, whose story "The Gold Bug" centers around a cipher, prided himself on his skill as a cryptographer, and in 1840 wrote a magazine article in which he offered a subscription to any reader who could send him a coded message that he couldn't solve. He claimed to have solved 100 of them in a six-month period, according to a 2000 Scientific American article.




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US President believes that it is important and long overdue to modernise the immigration system, and this includes taking steps to help ensure high skilled workers can stay in the country, the has said.

Biden has revoked a policy issued by his predecessor during the COVID-19 pandemic that blocked many Green Card applicants from entering the US, a move that will benefit many Indians working in America on the H-1B visa.

A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently.

"The president believes that it's important and long overdue to modernise our immigration system, and that includes taking steps to help ensure that high skilled workers can stay in the country and can go through the proper processes to stay in the country, Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference on Thursday.

"So, we are eager to work with Democrats and Republicans in Congress to get that done, she said a day after Biden issued the proclamation reversing the decision of his predecessor Donald Trump.

Indian IT professionals, most of whom are highly skilled and come to the US mainly on the H-1B work visas, are the worst sufferers of the current immigration system which imposes a seven per cent per country quota on allotment of the coveted Green Card or permanent legal residency.

The H-1B visa, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

Reopening the country to people seeking green cards, or legal permanent residence, Biden in his proclamation on Wednesday said that the policy of former President Donald Trump does not advance the interests of the United States.

To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here, he said.

It also harms industries in the United States that utilise talent from around the world. And it harms individuals who were selected to receive the opportunity to apply for, and those who have likewise received, immigrant visas through the Fiscal Year 2020 Diversity Visa Lottery, Biden, a Democrat, said.

Trump, a Republican, issued the ban last year, saying it was needed to protect US workers amid high unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The US is currently facing a backlog of nearly 473,000 qualified family-based Green Card requests.

As a result of Trump's ban on issuing green cards, as many as 120,000 family-based preference visas were lost. But this came as a big boon for issuing employment-based green cards, mainly those on H-1B visas.

Thousands of Indian IT professionals who painstakingly waited for their Green Card, received their legal permanent residency as a result in the last few months of the Trump administration.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi:

The Chinese state media on Tuesday reasserted the likleyhood of 'a small-scale military operation' by People's Liberation Army at the disputed land of Dokalam.



Reverting to an Indian daily's claim that "the Indian security establishment is reasonably sure China will not risk a war or even "a small-scale military operation", Chinese daily 'Global Times' warned India of not being so sure of it.



"Of course China doesn't want to risk a war and hopes that peace could return and China and India can get along well. But if Indian troops continue to linger on Chinese soil, it will be quite another matter," the report said.



The article titled 'India misjudges Chinas hope for peace' warns India of not repeating the mistakes of 1962, "India made constant provocations at the China-India border in 1962. The government of Jawaharlal Nehru at that time firmly believed China would not strike back... the Nehru government underestimated the determination of the Chinese government to safeguard China's territorial integrity even as the country was mired in both domestic and diplomatic woes."

Suggested read: India-China may soon enter into full-scale war; Washington will support New Delhi, says Meghnad Desai



"Fifty-five years have passed, but the Indian government is as naive as it ever was. The lessons of the 1962 war didn't last for half a century."



The strong rhetoric of the state media, is however, not backed by the official sources.



A top PLA official on Monday declined to back it but said that India should withdraw its soldiers unconditionally to end the 50-day long standoff from escalating.



"This kind of reports represents the view of the media and think-tanks. For official information please refer to the statements of foreign ministry and defence ministry spokespersons," China's Defence Ministry's spokesman Sr Col Ren Guoqiang told an Indian media delegation in Beijing.



The Global Times'Tuesday article was in repornse to Times of India editorial 'Doklam row: India reasonably sure China does not want war despite angry rhetoric' published on Tuesday, wherein it claimed that Indian authorities are sure that Chinese troops will not act on threats.



"A "face-saving" workable option is for both India and China to simultaneously withdraw their troops from the Bhutanese territory of Doklam (called Dong Lang by China) near the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction, said sources in the security establishment," the Indian daily's report had said.

Suggested read: Chinese state media warns not to underestimate countrys resolve to defend territorial sovereignty

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
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Sgt. Dan Carbonaro of the Port Authority Police was in the World Trade Center in New York in 1993 when a bomb went off.

He told the Staten Island Advance, You couldnt see your hand in front of your face. I was in Vietnam, and this was worse than any explosion I witnessed in Vietnam.

At 12:17 p.m. on Feb. 26, 1993, a 1,200-pound bomb in a rented truck exploded in the parking garage of the North Tower, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others.

The explosion knocked out the World Trade Centers power - which disabled the sprinklers, generators, elevators, public address system and the emergency command center.

The Staten Island Advance reported that thick smoke sent tens of thousands of workers streaming out of the complex in Lower Manhattan.

Ruptured steam pipes blown from their ceiling mounts lie across smashed cars on a lower level of New York's World Trade Center after an explosion rocked the financial complex, Feb. 27, 1993.(AP Photo/Craig Santy)AP

Many of the victims their eyes tearing and their faces smeared with soot were gasping for air as they stumbled to waiting ambulances. Some had spent more than an hour making their way down smoke-filled stairwells.

A massive fire erupted underneath the towers that a fire department spokesman told the Staten Island Advance was the equivalent of a 16-alarm fire with more than 700 firefighters summoned.

A firefighter from Manhattan Rescue Co. 1 told the newspaper when he arrived he saw people still sitting in their cars in the destroyed garage, and couldnt tell if they were alive or dead. It was a mass of wreckage, Smith said. Ive never seen anything like it. He described walls caving in, slabs of concrete ripped from floors, and a giant crater created through several floors of the basement that a fellow firefighter fell into.

In this file photo of Feb. 27, 1993, police and firefighters inspect the bomb creater inside an underground parking garage of New York's World Trade Center the day after an explosion tore through it. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)AP

According to the newspaper, While firefighters searched for victims and fought for two hours to put out the blaze below ground, trapped office workers began to panic above. Some smashed windows not meant to open, sending showers of glass to the street below. Others, including hundreds of elementary school students on outings, were trapped in elevators with no word about what happened. The students were trapped in the elevators for six hours.

In March 1994, terrorists Mohammad Salameh, Ahmad Ajaj, Nidal Ayyad and Mahmoud Abouhalima were convicted of the bombing and sentenced to 240 years in prison. Their sentences are later reduced to 100 years.

The man allegedly behind the plot to blow up the World Trade Center, Ramzi Ahmed Yousef was later captured, convicted and sentenced to 240 years in prison. The driver of the van, Eyad Ismoil also was captured, convicted and sentenced to 240 years in prison.

The FBI also uncovered plots to blow up the George Washington Bridge, the United Nations and other New York landmarks.

The attack also had a local connection. In 1993, the FBI raided the home of Kelvin E. Smith near New Bloomfield, Perry County, saying he allowed Muslim fundamentalists to receive military-type training at a public shooting range on his property.

While the three did fire weapons at Smiths range, Smith said he had no idea who they were.

Smith had said he thought the men were mercenaries who planned to help the Muslims in Bosnia.

Smith pleaded guilty in September of 1999 to three counts of making false statements to the FBI and one count of destroying evidence - he dumped four semiautomatic assault rifles in the Delaware River. In 1999 he was sentenced to 366 days in prison.

At the time, the World Trade Center bombing was one of the worst terror attacks in United States. Eight years later on Sept. 11, 2001, the United States faced the worst when Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center, bringing down both towers and killing thousands of people.

A destroyed car lies underneath a section of rubble in the sub-basement of New York's World Trade Center, seen Feb. 28, 1993. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)AP

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Nigerias Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to the prohibition of crypto currency transactions by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The ...

Nigerias Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to the prohibition of crypto currency transactions by the Central Bank of Nigeria.





The VP while addressing addressing participants at the One-day Special Summit on the Economy by Bank Company Executives Officers in conjunction with Vanguard held at Eko Hotel, Lagos on Friday, called for strict regulation of crypto currency in place of a prohibition.

His words; "Crypto currency should be innovatively regulated, not prohibited; we must act with knowledge not fear."

Osinbajo said the disruption caused by cryptocurrencies will challenge traditional banking and also give room for efficiency and progress.

Clearly, the future of money and finance especially traditional banking must be exciting as it is frightening but as weve seen in many other sectors disruption makes room for efficiency and progress, he said.

I fully appreciate the position of the CBN, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and some of the anti-corruption agencies on some of the abuses of cryptocurrencies and their well-articulated concerns.

I believe their position should be the subject of further reflection. There is a role for regulation here and it is in the place of our monetary authorities and SEC to provide a robust regulatory regime that addresses these serious concerns without necessarily killing the goose that might lay the golden eggs.

Cryptocurrencies in the coming years will challenge traditional banking, including reserve banking, in ways that we cannot yet imagine, so we need to be prepared for that seismic shift. pic.twitter.com/tbIR8eah2s  Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) February 26, 2021





The Central Bank of Nigeria recently directed banks and other financial institution to close accounts of persons or entities involved in cryptocurrency transactions.

The CBN argues that cryptocurrencies pose the risk of loss of investments, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit fund flows and other criminal activities.
The intentions of Russia to ensure voting of residents of the occupied regions of Donbas in the State Duma of Russia is another attempt to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko said.

"The intentions to ensure the voting of residents of the temporarily occupied regions of Donbas in the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation is another attempt to violate the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The participation of residents of certain regions of Donbas in Russian elections and plebiscites, as well as the issuance of Russian passports to them, are illegal," he told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

Nikolenko said Russia deliberately destroys the Minsk agreements and aggravates the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

"The participation in these elections of residents of Donbas, as well as residents of the temporarily occupied Crimea, will call into question their legitimacy, and the results of such a vote will not be recognized by either Ukraine or the international community. We call on Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories not to participate in these elections," the spokesperson said.

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Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2021) - TrustBIX Inc. (TSXV: TBIX) ("TrustBIX") is pleased to announce its financial results for the first quarter ended December 31, 2020, and the related Management's Discussion and Analysis, the details of which have been filed and are available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com.

About TrustBIX (TSXV: TBIX)

As an innovative leader, TrustBIX provides agri-food traceability. By addressing consumer and agri-food business demands, the Company has a goal to become the most trusted and largest source of third-party food traceability and sustainability information globally - Gate to Plate. TrustBIX Inc.'s focus is to create a world where we trust more, waste less and reward sustainable behaviour. The Company's proprietary platform, BIX (Business infoXchange System), is designed to create trust without compromising privacy through innovative use of data and technology. Extensive R&D has allowed TrustBIX to create a new blockchain-derived technology to complement its mature and proven traceability systems. By leveraging BIX and its unique use of incentive solutions, the Company can deliver independent validation of food provenance and sustainable production practices within the supply chain. ViewTrak Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, provides a suite of hardware and software solutions to the livestock industry in Canada, United States, Mexico and China, such as Auction Master Pro, Market Master, Feedlot Solutions and pork grading probes. For more information, visit www.trustbix.com, or follow us on Twitter @BIXSCdn and Facebook at www.facebook.com/BIXSco.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Hubert Lau

President and CEO

Telephone: (780) 456-2207

Email: info@trustbix.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75483
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on Thursday sent a Memorandum to international organizations on the occasion of the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the occupied territories of Artsakh, informed the ministry.

The document, in particular, notes that after the end of the 44-day war imposed on Artsakh by Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey and mercenaries from various terrorist groups, the Azerbaijani authorities have set a course to impose a fait accompli created through the use of military force in blatant violation of norms of international law. According to the document, among the instruments for implementing this policy are the visits of the President of Azerbaijan to the seized territories, the most striking of which is Aliyev's visit to the city of Shushi, where he made a number of statements replete with outrageous threats and militant rhetoric containing outright hatred towards the Armenian people.

The Memorandum also states that the provocative and inflammatory nature of the visits and the accompanying statements evidence Azerbaijan's intent to disrupt the resumption of the negotiation process on a comprehensive settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict and to keep the conflict unsettled. Such destructive and defiant behavior of Azerbaijan should be strictly condemned by the international community, the Memorandum reads.

The document underlines that the people of Artsakh exercised their right to self-determination and established statehood in those territories. As noted in the document, the failure to respect this fundamental right is not only a violation of human rights, but is also one of the core sources of serious threats to security in the region.

The Memorandum notes that any legislative and administrative actions of Azerbaijan to change the status of the territories of the Republic of Artsakh, including the expropriation of land and properties, the transfer of populations to the occupied territories and the incorporation of the occupied territories, are invalid under international law and cannot change their status. No territorial gains resulting from the threat or use of force should be recognized as legal.

The document notes that the current military occupation by Azerbaijan of the territories of the Republic of Artsakh, including the city of Shushi, also cannot change their status. The city of Shushi is an integral part of the Artsakh Republic in a number of aspects, including territorially, culturally, economically and historically. Any attempt to seize it is a gross violation of the territorial integrity of Artsakh.

The Memorandum underlines that only a just settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflictone that will eliminate its root cause associated with Azerbaijans unwillingness to recognize the rights of the people of Artsakhwill reverse the consequences of the illegal use of military force by Azerbaijan and re-institute the primacy of the principle of peaceful resolution of disputes.
The Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) today launched a survey for First Nations people across the province to share their experiences with racism in policing.

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The Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) today launched a survey for First Nations people across the province to share their experiences with racism in policing.

"Im proud to be launching this important and much needed survey to better understand racism experienced by First Nation citizens in their encounters with police services in Manitoba," stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels in a news release.

"One of the great injustices is that the systems that are supposed to protect us can be themselves perpetrators of violence."

Today is Indigenous Justice Awareness Day, a day that stems from the fatal 1988 shooting of John Joseph "JJ" Harper, a 37-year-old member of Wasagamack First Nation.

Nearly thirty-three years after the death of JJ Harper, incidents of police shootings and other forms of violence against First Nation people remain all too common, the SCO stated.

Further, throughout the past year, police across Canada came under scrutiny for their treatment of Indigenous communities and peoples. The SCO pointed to a recent analysis that shows since 2017 an Indigenous person in Canada is more than 10 times more likely to be shot and killed by a police officer than a non-racialized Canadian.

The SCO also recalled that in Winnipeg, over the span of 10 days in the spring of 2020, Jason Collins, Stewart Kevin Andres, and Eishia Hudson, all of them First Nation people, were fatally shot by Winnipeg police officers.

The Independent Investigation Units report on the deadly shooting of Eishia Hudson, an unarmed 16-year-old, recommended not laying charges against the officer responsible for her shooting, causing an uproar from First Nation and social justice organizations.

Additionally, the SCO noted, "earlier this month, William Ahmo from Sagkeeng First Nation died tragically as a result of an incident with correctional officers at Headingley Correctional Institute."

The Chiefs of the southern First Nations have called on the Premier and Attorney General to launch a public inquiry for a full investigation into his death.

"These examples point to a larger, systemic issue that SCO will examine with the survey launched today," the SCO stated.

Daniels stated that good data and reporting can lead to understanding and real change, which are both greatly needed.

"We have faced systemic racism for centuries now. Its time for it to end. Indigenous lives matter, and we cannot take one more phone call or one more announcement of our people suffering or dying at the hands of the justice system," he stated.

This survey follows a previous one on experiences of racism in the Manitoba health-care system. That survey found a consistent pattern of racism, neglect, and even abuse when First Nations people access health-care services in Manitoba.

"For SCO, combatting systemic racism is a top priority, and the survey results will be integral to informing how we can build better systems and policies that actually serve to benefit our southern First Nations," Daniels stated.

The survey is located on the SCOs homepage at www.scoinc.mb.ca and will be available for approximately six weeks for First Nation citizens to respond.
Vancouver, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/26/2021 -- The global magnesia chrome bricks market is projected to be valued at USD 2,742.9 Million by 2027, according to a current analysis by Emergen Research. Increasing demand for magnesia chrome bricks from the iron & steel industry is a major factor driving the market. In the iron & steel industry, refractory materials such as magnesia chrome bricks indispensably constitute the lining of backup zones of furnaces and working interfaces used in iron and steel production and transportation of liquid steel, hot metal, and slag. About 70.0% of the global production of refractory materials is consumed in the steel industry. The worldwide crude steel production was 1,869.9 metric tons in 2019, a growth of 3.4% over that in the previous year. Growing steel production is likely to boost the market for magnesia chrome bricks during the forecast period.



To help gain the business owner further gain business intelligence the study on the Magnesia Chrome Bricks market for the forecast period 2020 - 2027 brings to light data on production capability, consumption capacity, spending power, investment feasibility, and technology innovation. A thorough assessment of market performance across different regions is presented through self-explanatory graphic images, charts, and tables that add weight to corporate presentations and marketing materials. The study offers regional profiles of major vendors and extensive country-level break down to empower companies to make a wise investment decision when exploring new regions.



You Can Download Free Sample PDF Copy of Magnesia Chrome Bricks Market at https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/448



Key Highlights of Report

In August 2020, IMERYS, a company based in France, made an announcement about the signing of a contract to purchase a 60.0% equity stake in Haznedar Group, a Turkey-based producer of refractory bricks

Direct-bonded magnesia chrome bricks are anticipated to witness significant demand during the forecast period. Direct-bonded magnesia chrome bricks is a high-grade refractory material employed to improve large-scale production of cement. Spinel and calcite present in direct-bonded magnesia chrome bricks impart high-temperature performance to refractory bricks.

Growth of the construction industry is one of the key factors boosting the demand for magnesia chrome bricks. Increasing population in developing nations, infrastructure development, surging demand for residential homes, and rising investments in the telecom sector are among the factors boosting the construction activities.

The flat glass industry in the U.S. was valued at USD 22.00 Billion in 2018 and is likely to exceed value of USD 50.00 Billion by 2027. Increasing demand for glass products is propelling the demand for magnesia chrome bricks.

North America held a substantial share of the global magnesia chrome bricks market in 2019, owing to growth of the iron & steel industry in the region. Also, rising emphasis on renewable power generation is projected to fuel the market in the region during the forecast period.

Key market participants include Calderys, Resco Products, RHI Magnesita NV, KT Refractories, Mayerton, Vesuvius, Chosun Refractories Co. Ltd., HarbisonWalker International Inc., Magnezit Group Ltd., and Lanexis



The study includes valuable data, including the breakdown of information of market by type, geography, product application and classification. An overview of the current and future trends examined in the report for the forecast period 2020  2027 aim at influencing the imperative advance prominent vendors are expected to have over their competitors.



Interested in this Magnesia Chrome Bricks market report? Get your FREE sample now! https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/448



Product Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 20172027)

Common Magnesite Chrome Brick

Direct Bonded Magnesia Chrome Brick

Fused Rebonded Magnesite Chrome Brick

Chemically Bonded Magnesium Brick

Fused Cast Magnesite Chrome Brick



Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 20172027)

Iron & Steel

Non-ferrous Metals

Power Generation

Glass

Cement

Others



The research provides answers to the following key questions:

What will be the growth rate of the Magnesia Chrome Bricks market for the forecast period, 2020 - 2027? What will be the market size during the estimated period?

What are driving forces keeping the prospects of the Magnesia Chrome Bricks market across different countries high?

Who are the prominent market players and what is their approach to stay competitive?

What are some of the key trends in the Magnesia Chrome Bricks industry?

What are the major challenges expected to hinder the growth of the industry in the coming years?

What opportunities can the business owners bank on to generate more profits and reduce cost?



Read more@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/magnesia-chrome-bricks-market



Table of Content

Chapter 1. Methodology & Sources

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Research Scope

1.3. Methodology

1.4. Research Sources

1.4.1. Primary

1.4.2. Secondary

1.4.3. Paid Sources

1.5. Market Estimation Technique

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Summary Snapshot, 2019-2027

Chapter 3. Key Insights

Chapter 4. Magnesia Chrome Bricks (QCL) Market Segmentation & Impact Analysis

4.1. Magnesia Chrome Bricks (QCL) Market Material Segmentation Analysis

4.2. Industrial Outlook

4.2.1. Market indicators analysis

4.2.2. Market drivers analysis

4.2.2.1. Growing Demand for Magnesia Chrome Brickss in Healthcare Applications

4.2.2.2. Increasing Use of Magnesia Chrome Brickss in Gas Sensing

4.2.3. Market restraints analysis

4.2.3.1. High Cost

4.3. Technological Insights

4.4. Regulatory Framework

4.5. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.6. Competitive Metric Space Analysis

4.7. Price trend Analysis

4.8. Covid-19 Impact Analysis

Chapter 5. Magnesia Chrome Bricks (QCL) Market By Fabrication Technology Insights & Trends, Revenue (USD Million)

Chapter 6. Magnesia Chrome Bricks (QCL) Market By Packaging Type Insights & Trends Revenue (USD Million)

Chapter 7. Magnesia Chrome Bricks (QCL) Market By Mode of Operation Insights & Trends Revenue (USD Million)

Chapter 8. Magnesia Chrome Bricks (QCL) Market By End Use Insights & Trends Revenue (USD Million)

Chapter 9. Magnesia Chrome Bricks (QCL) Market Regional Outlook

Continued
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When Converse Mayor Al Suarez woke up last week to a house so cold he could see his own breath, he knew there were probably thousands of city residents in the same situation.

When you live it, you get up and say, Theres no way were going to allow any citizens to suffer what we did, Suarez said early on the morning of Feb. 18 at the Converse-Judson ISD jointly sponsored warming center at Judson High School.

A series of winter storms swept through the area Feb. 13-19. What at first seemed a winter wonderland soon morphed into a paralyzing, life-threatening ice-and-snow deluge that cut power and water service to millions of Texans.

Suarez said his home was without power for 18 hours, from 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, until 1 p.m. the next day.

Having to get up in the very cold weather to go to my car to get power to my phone, just so I could have a meeting with the city manager to see what course of emergency action we needed to take, thats how bad it got, he added.

The idea of a warming center took hold from discussion among the citys emergency management team.

Suarez asked Fire Chief Luis Valdez to speak with Judson Principal Jesus Hernandez III about using the high school as a warming center.

(Hernandezs) response was, What do you need? There was no doubt or hesitation. This is his community, too. These are his kids, his families, too, the mayor said.

Suarez then called Judson Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Ball. Her response was the same, Whatever we can do, he said.

Within the hour, plans came together. The citys emergency management team  spearheaded by Suarez, Valdez, City Manager Le Ann Piatt, and Public Works Superintendent Mark Velasquez  secured the location and started gathering necessary equipment and supplies. They began circulating the word: the Judson High School Warming Center was open and available to all.

Suarez said the immediacy of need took priority while city and school officials dealt with the specifics.

At first we thought, Once we get everything here, well open up. No. We needed to open it NOW, Suarez emphatically declared. These people couldnt wait. There was nowhere for them to go, it was freezing. Some didnt even have any water.

Converse Ridge Apartments resident Marcia Jones arrived at the warming center the afternoon of Feb. 17, unable to endure the cold chill of her apartment.

I hadnt had electricity all day and had no water, Jones said. My apartment complex was nice enough to tell me that the Judson High School gymnasium was here, and I was like, OK, lets go check it out.

She said she sought out the warming center because of the constant chill in her apartment and a basic inability to warm up.

She said she also had no connectivity at the apartment, which she was happy to find at the warming center.

When everything goes down at once, you cant do anything, she said. Youre freezing your butt off. You cant go to the bathroom because the toilet wont flush. You cant take a shower. Youre thirsty and your animals are thirsty. And you cant check your phone because your phone is dead.

Hernandez spent the nights of Feb. 16 and 17 at the school, overseeing the centers operation.

Hernandez said about 70 families had checked in to the warming center through Thursday morning.

Some people stay, some people just come to use the restroom. Some people come to get water because their pipes are frozen, and they dont have access, he said. One woman came in to charge her computers because she needed to work and had no power where she lived.

A contingent of volunteers from across the district responded to provide round-the-clock staffing and security at the warming center.

We had support from teachers and other administrators. There was no set schedule because there was no plan for this, Hernandez said. Whoever decided they could spare a couple of minutes so somebody else could shower, go home, get some rest or eat, and then come back, they did so.

Suarez said once news of the centers opening began to spread, help started pouring in.

Chief Valdez, seated at a table just inside the Judson High gymnasium entrance early last Thursday morning, lauded the community for its support.

Weve got Little Caesars Pizza bringing pizza. The county gave us all this PPE for residents to have. The American Legion stepped up, bringing us tacos and serving, and helping us set up the cots that the Red Cross delivered, along with a supply of blankets, he said. It all just seemed to come together.

The emergency management team circulated news of the warming centers opening via several social media platforms as well as texts and emails. Valdez said they also reached out to the various homeowners associations and area churches, to filter the word to residents.

Suarez said the city received calls from Live Oak and Universal City residents who asked if they could use the center. We even received a call from someone in Leon Valley, who had relatives here, he said. We werent going to turn away anyone. This was for everyone.

This shelter was the first full-service shelter set up in Bexar County, Valdez said. The mayor and Principal Hernandez have been over here every night to make sure its running smoothly. That says a lot about the leadership we have in this community.

Community response, Hernandez said, was positive, including from those spending nights, coming for water or showers, and even from those who didnt use the center, but thanked them for having it available for their family, friends and neighbors.

Everybodys grateful that were doing this. I think we opened up too late. We should have opened Monday when the cold first started hitting us, Hernandez said. Now we have an idea of how this operates and runs. The next time it happens, well be ready to roll.

jflinn@express-news.net
There is no doubting the power of a teacher; we never forget our best (or worst) or their capacity to change our lives. Over the past year, as many of us have attempted 'home-schooling', their job and the difficulties they face have never been more front of mind (I write this having been graded rubbishest teacher in the universe by my own six-year-old).

In fiction, teachers are no less vivid. Across generations and genres they have been depicted as both heroes and villains; they cast magic spells or seem comfortingly everyday; they play complex central protagonists, or seemingly incidental catalysts. A novel that unfurls the secret life or thoughts of a teacher holds particular intrigue, just as they did in our childhoods.

Here are some of the most memorable teacher characters, from a variety of classic books, which linger beyond the pages in our minds, as indelibly etched as graffiti on a wobbly school desk.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
Brampton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (CSE: SNA) (CSE: SNA.CN) ("Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that upon application by the Proposal trustee, A. Farber & Partners, the Honourable Mr. Justice Cavanagh of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved the Company's formal Proposal to its Creditors to settle outstanding debts as existed on the date of December 11, 2019. The Company has already put the trustee in funds to satisfy the financial terms of the proposal. The Proposal Trustee will proceed to implement the Proposal in the ordinary course.

About Star Navigation:

Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. owns the exclusive worldwide license to its proprietary, patented In-flight Safety Monitoring System, STAR-ISMS , the heart of the STAR-A.D.S. and of the STAR-ISAMM / STAR-LSAMM Systems. Its real-time capability of tracking performance trends and predicting incident-occurrence enhances aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the operator.

Star's M.M.I. Division designs and manufactures high performance, mission critical, flight deck flat panel displays for defence and commercial aviation industries worldwide. These displays are found on aircraft and simulators, from the C-130 aircraft, to Sikorsky and Agusta Westland helicopters, as examples.

Certain statements contained in this Release constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "expected", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Star or its management or board are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect Star's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many other factors could cause Star's actual performance or achievements to vary from those described herein. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Star does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this release.

Please visit www.star-navigation.com or contact

Mr. Amir Bhatti, CEO at (416) 252-2889 Ext. 230, or Amir.Bhatti@star-navigation.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75601
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MEXICO CITY  The number of monarch butterflies that showed up at their winter resting grounds in central Mexico decreased by about 26% this year, and four times as many trees were lost to illegal logging, drought and other causes, making 2020 a bad year for the butterflies.

The government commission for natural protected areas said the butterflies population covered only 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres) in 2020, compared to 2.8 hectares (6.9 acres) the previous year and about one-third of the 6.05 hectares (14.95 acres) detected in 2018.

Because the monarchs cluster so densely in pine and fir trees, it is easier to count them by area rather than by individuals.

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Gloria Tavera, the regional director of Mexicos Commission for National Protected Areas, blamed the drop on extreme climate conditions, the loss of milkweed habitat in the United States and Canada on which butterflies depend, and deforestation in the butterflies wintering grounds in Mexico.

Illegal logging in the monarchs wintering rounds rose to almost 13.4 hectares (33 acres), a huge increase from the 0.43 hectare (1 acre) lost to logging last year.

Jorge Rickards of the WWF environmental group acknowledged the lost trees were a blow, but said the logging is very localized in three or four of the mountain communities that make up the butterfly reserve.

In addition, wind storms, drought and the felling of trees that had fallen victim to pine beetles or disease, caused the loss of another 6.9 hectares (17 acres) in the reserve, bringing the total forest loss in 2020 to 20.65 hectares (51 acres). That compares to an overall loss of about 5 hectares (12.3 acres) from all causes the previous year.

Tavera said the drought was affecting the butterflies themselves, as well as the pine and fir trees where the clump together for warmth.

The severe drought we are experiencing is having effects, Tavera said. All the forests in the reserve are under water stress, the forests are dry.

The butterflies are looking for water on the lower slopes, near the houses, she noted.

Tavera also expressed concern about the sever winter storms in Texas, which the butterflies will have to cross  and feed and lay their eggs  on their way back to their northern summer homes in coming months.

This is a cause for worry, Tavera said, referring to whether the monarchs will find enough food and habitat after the winter freeze.

It was also a bad year for the mountain farming communities that depend for part of their income on tourists who visit the reserves. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, visits fell from around 490,000 last year, to just 80,000 in the 2020-2021 season.

Environmentalist and writer Homero Aridjis, who grew up around the reserve, said the decline in butterflies and rise in logging was not surprising, given the reduction in Mexican government funding for protected natural areas and environmental work.

While the reserves were closed to tourism during practically the whole (winter) season, the way was open for loggers, with no control, Aridjis said. The question is, can the monarch migration survive this environmental negligence?

The U.S. group Center for Food Safety called for the monarchs to be granted endangered species protection, noting the minimum population threshold needed to be out of the danger zone of extinction is six hectares.

It was unclear whether the drop in tourism income contributed to the increased logging. Rickards said there has long been pressure on the areas forests from people who want to open land for planting crops.

Felipe Martinez Meza, director of the butterfly reserve, said there have been attempts to plant orchards of avocados  hugely profitable crop for farmers in the area  in the buffer zones around the reserve.

The high mountain peaks where the butterflies clump in trees are probably a bit above the altitude where avocado trees like to grow, Martinez Meza said. But the buffer zones provide protection and support for the higher areas, and he said more must be done to combat the change in land use.

Frequently, illegal logging is carried out by outsiders or organized gangs, and not by the farm communities that technically own the land.

Millions of monarchs migrate from the U.S. and Canada each year to forests west of Mexicos capital. The butterflies hit a low of just 0.67 hectares (1.66 acres) in 2013-2014.

Loss of habitat, especially the milkweed where the monarchs lay their eggs, pesticide and herbicide use, as well climate change, all pose threats to the species migration.

While there was plenty of bad news for the butterflies  very few showed up to some historic wintering sites like Sierra Chincua  there was the welcome news that a new wintering site was discovered nearby, in a mountaintop near the Lagunas de Zempoala protected area, near Mexico City.

Tavera said the wintering site had always been there, but was so difficult to reach that it wasnt discovered until earlier this month.
A bus driver and member of the London Bus Rank-and-File Committee at London United Park Royal spoke to WSWS about this weeks strikes at RATP Dev in London. At Park Royal garage overall it was supportive, drivers are willing to prolong the dispute as long as it takes to achieve their aims. The turnout on the picket line has been high. They had to get four agency drivers and they only drove the [number] 18 bus, but the 220 and 226 were not operating.

London, Euston Station bus stand (credit WSWS)

Bus drivers are most aggrieved about the ridiculously low offer and being among the lowest paid on the London network. A night driver at London United is paid 13 an hour in comparison to 16 per hour at Metroline. They also want to take away entitlements such as attendance and bonus allowances which will be gone forever. COVID-19 has opened a lot of peoples eyes, that workers lives count for nothing even though we keep everything moving.

Drivers are pleased to be striking but they are not happy that the vote at London United was not registered as a collective vote and some garages were told they could not participate because they did not meet the 50 percent threshold. They feel that this is just the start of a broader fight. The fact that Unite counted the vote separately at London United and treats the dispute as separate from Sovereign and Quality Line, shows that they are still colluding with the company. Unite wants this struggle to go away.

Zero hours contracts are being introduced across RATP. Drivers who are on spare [meaning they can be deployed across different routes and shifts] would rather stay that way than go on a rota line as they are being given zero hours contracts. In relation to Remote Sign On, these devices are already being trialled at some garages such as Hounslow Heath through the back doorthey are being used on the buses instead of using the defect card.

I do not agree with the stirring up of nationalism over the fact that RATP is French-owned. This should not come into it. Go Ahead, a UK company, is tearing up conditions in Manchester and imposing fire and rehire contracts. RATP strikers are not even aware of this thanks to Unite. This is about opposing exploitation and standing up for workers rights. The pandemic has created a gaping hole between the companies and management on one side and the workers who have lost their lives and wages. This is the same around the world.

A Metroline driver and member of the London Bus Rank-and-File Committee at Cricklewood garage told WSWS, We support the action of our brothers and sisters at RATP Dev in their fight. We have heard nothing from Unite about opposing Metroline laying on extra buses to break the strike. That leaves us in a dilemma as we want to support their action but could face punishment. It all comes down to intimidation and union trickery.

For Metroline to claim that the additional buses were to ease heavy loading is a sick joke. No social distancing is being followed or enforced on our buses. A passenger who was upset about the overcrowding of the bus complained to Transport for London and they were not bothered. There were 26 people on a bus which should have carried only 14.

With the end of lockdown and the reopening of schools this can only get worse. I am speaking to drivers about what we can do. No one raises their concerns with management because they are worried about reprisals. Unite does nothing. It is just a symbol, but it is not engaged in a fight to protect drivers safety.

Here at Metroline, we voted for strike action against Remote Sign On, but this was overturned by Unite. They are totally unreliable and two faced. They pretend to take action, but they are on the side of the company all the time.
On Thursday, with five days remaining before the US election, the FBI conducted two additional raids in Michigan and arrested Justen Watkins and Alfred Gorman, leaders of a neo-Nazi group called The Base. Watkins was arrested when agents raided a farm in the town of Bad Axe, in the Michigan thumb, which members of The Base used as a training grounds and hate camp. Gorman was arrested in the Detroit suburb of Taylor.

The two neo-Nazis, aged 25 and 35 respectively, are charged with threatening to murder a left-wing blogger in late 2019, though the timing of the raids indicates the FBI believed The Bases training camp was related to preparations for election violence. An affidavit filed by a Michigan State Police detective quotes a manifesto penned by Watkins reading: I will train with firearms, explosives, knives, Ryder trucks, and anything else I have to destroy this KIKE SYSTEM THAT IS GENOCIDING MY people. To victory with PURE UNADULTERATED ARYANVIOLENCE!

Armed protesters in Richmond, Virginia, 20 January, 2020 (Anthony Crider/Wikipedia)

The WSWS warned of potential connections of The Base in Michigan earlier this month, pointing to the fact that weeks before the January arrest of three members of The Base, Two of the plotters traveled to Michigan where a third conspirator had been staying and that members had planned to attend a hate camp in the state.

The affidavit also states the investigation was conducted only by the state police and the FBI. This would imply that officials may have conducted the investigation without informing local police and sheriffs departments for fear they are so integrated with the far-right that they would tip off the targets. It is unlikely that the Trump administration was given advanced notice of Thursdays raids.

The raids raise additional questions about the national scope of Trumps strategy to mobilize fascist supporters to help steal the election.

In a speech this week in Lansing, Michigan, Donald Trump tacitly defended the actions of 14 militia men who plotted to kill Michigans Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Trump claimed the plot shows Whitmer may have a problem, adding, I mean, well see if its a problem, right? People are entitled to say maybe it was a problem, maybe it wasnt.

He also threatened the Democratic governors of several battleground states: All we can say is law enforcement is watching Nevada, it is watching Philadelphia and Pennsylvania because they had a lot of strange things Were watching North Carolina, were watching Michigan.

As more evidence emerges of the Michigan plotters connections to fascist groups nationwide, these statements emerge more as an admission of criminal conspiracy than an off-the-cuff remark.

According to an affidavit signed by FBI special agent Kristopher Long, one of the 14 militiamen arrested earlier this month for plotting to kill Whitmer, Barry Croft, has high-level connections to militias across the country, including in Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas and North Carolina. This indicates the plot to kill Whitmer was just one part of a national conspiracy to execute elected officials in advance or in the aftermath of this Tuesdays election.

The FBI affidavit explains that Croft had communicated with Kevin Massey, the recently-deceased leader of a border militia group in Texas. The WSWS recently warned of connections between the border militia and the plot against Whitmer.

The FBI affidavit reads: During its investigation, the FBI learned that Croft attempted to provide support to Kevin Massey, who had been convicted of firearms offenses following his involvement in a militia patrol on the border of Texas and Mexico.

According to a 2019 article in the Washington Post: Massey, an electrician by trade, was the self-described commander of Rustys Rangers, an anti-immigrant militia active in 2014 that regularly posted footage of patrols on Facebook. The militia claimed it had detained migrants at gunpoint and bound their wrists with zip ties. His border activities and violent anti-government rhetoric helped him achieve a small cult following among fellow militia members and a few right-wing bloggers.

The FBI affidavit quotes what Croft wrote to Massey before Masseys death:

The people dont support what has happened to youConstitutional thunder and lighting. [sic] Our hour draws near brother Im going to North Carolina on Saturday to discuss going to war against the government of North Carolina. They invited me to speak and share tactics. Please come out bro. We need you.

The FBI affidavit makes no further reference to a possible plot in North Carolina, where Democratic Governor Roy Cooper presides over a state with a Republican state legislature. Cooper is one of the governors Trump has said he is watching with the support of law enforcement. North Carolina is a critical battleground state in the 2020 elections.

The FBI affidavit also explains that Croft had engaged in discussions with South Carolina fascists who participated in a May 8 protest against the lockdowns imposed by Republican Governor Henry McMaster, a Trump supporter.

Croft said he planned to come to South Carolina with his sword, telling a fellow fascist that far-right groups with whom he had contact say they want their Governor in custody. The affidavit explains that on May 3 Croft was texting supporters about protesting and committing potential acts of violence in Columbia, South Carolina.

One of the Michigan conspirators, Paul Bellar, was arrested in Columbia. He was extradited to Michigan last week.

The FBI affidavit refers to Crofts discussions with a group of individuals Croft calls the Chris Hill bunch. Croft had been coordinating further violent action with this group. The affidavit further explains:

The FBI believes that the Chris Hill bunch refers to individuals associated with Christopher Hill, the leader of the Georgia Security Force Three Percent militia.

Christopher Hill is known as General Blood Agent within the Three Percenter movement and is referred to as de facto leader of the national coalition of state militia groups in one recent article in the far-right press. Hill is a former marine. A 2016 New York Times article features Hill and the Georgia Security Force Three Percent group, noting that his group holds FTX sessionsthe same term used by the militia in Michigan for military-style exercises.

The article notes: Firearms are central to their identities. In September, some Georgia Security Force members paraded with guns while protesting plans for a local mosque; one wore a T-shirt that read, Islam Is of the Devil. Last year, armed Security Force militiamen rallied in support of the Confederate battle flag  Mr. Hill asked who was voting for Mr. Trump. Everyone shouted a unanimous Oorah!

The article quotes Hill speaking about the prospect of a Democratic election victory: If the people decide they can no longer suffer the inequities, Id be with the people and Id take my guns up to Washington, D.C.

The Trump campaign is intensifying its provocative appeals to fascist groups. The president will speak Friday in Waterford Township, Michigan, where one of the fascist militiamen lived.

Donald Trump Jr. will speak this weekend at Williams Gun Sight Company in Davison, Michigan. The gun range, like Huron Valley Guns in Wixom, Michigan, is a far-right gathering point with close ties to local police and sheriffs.

In Minnesota, the Minneapolis police union appealed to retired police officers to serve as Trumps eyes and ears on Election Day, an open appeal to suppress the vote.

The unions appeal came at the request of Trump campaign lawyer William Willingham, who wrote to union president Bob Kroll that Trump wanted to recruit several dozen poll challengers in various problem areas.

According to an email sent by Willingham to Kroll, We just want people who wont be afraid in rough neighborhoods or intimidating situations. Kroll appeared on stage with Trump during a rally in Minnesota last year. The WSWS recently reported on efforts by an unknown consortium of businesses to hire armed assassins to descend on polling booths in the state.

The Democratic Party has continued to maintain silence on these developments. Their greatest fear is that any reference to Trumps plot to use police and fascist forces to exterminate opponents and steal the election will trigger broad popular opposition.
A U.S. intelligence report expected to be declassified as soon as Friday implicates Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in approving the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, according to a person familiar with the findings.

The report builds on classified intelligence from the CIA and other agencies after Khashoggi's murder in October 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the report hasn't yet been released. It wasn't immediately clear how much detail the declassified version of the report will provide on Prince Mohammed's role.

The decision to release the report, compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, reflects the Biden administration's determination to recalibrate relations with Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, over its human rights record.

In advance of publication, President Joe Biden held a call Thursday with Saudi Arabia's King Salman. Biden discussed regional security and the renewed U.S. and United Nations effort to end the war in Yemen. He also "affirmed the importance the United States places on universal human rights and the rule of law," the White House said in a statement.

Prince Mohammed has denied any involvement in the killing, while saying he accepts symbolic responsibility as the country's de facto ruler. Saudi officials have said the murder was carried out by rogue agents who have since been prosecuted.

State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to comment when asked about the report Thursday but suggested that the U.S. was looking at other ways to punish the perpetrators. Among the options may be cutting back arms sales to Saudi Arabia and imposing sanctions, he said without elaborating.

"I expect that we will be in a position before long to speak to steps to promote accountability going forward for this horrific crime," Price told reporters in Washington.

Saudi authorities didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Biden's decision to release the report, or the possibility that the U.S. could impose sanctions on one of its closest and most important Middle East allies. Saudi Arabia dominates the Gulf Arab region geographically, is its economic powerhouse and has for decades been a political heavyweight in regional affairs.

Goods and services trade between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia amounted to almost $39 billion in 2019, with American exports totaling about $24 billion and imports reaching nearly $15 billion, according to U.S. government figures. That made Saudi Arabia the U.S.'s 27th-largest goods trading partner but it is one of the biggest customers for American arms.

The decision to release the report, which was withheld by the Trump administration, reflects a return, under Biden, to routine diplomatic channels and traditional U.S. pressure over human rights, even on allies. For Prince Mohammed and his inner circle, the key will be whether the report provides any new findings beyond the largely circumstantial evidence that is already known.

Former President Donald Trump put Saudi Arabia at the center of his Middle East strategy, making it his first foreign visit as he abandoned the 2015 nuclear deal with a common enemy, Iran, and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Trump dismissed concerns about whether the crown prince approved the Khashoggi killing -- "Maybe he did, maybe he didn't," he said -- citing the economic rewards of selling arms to the Saudis. His secretary of state, Michael Pompeo, said the U.S. had "no direct evidence" linking the prince to the murder while Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner maintained a close working relationship with him.

In contrast, within his first few days in office, Biden put on hold major weapons sales to the kingdom pending review and announced an end to U.S. support for offensive actions in Yemen, where he wants to wrap up a Saudi-led military intervention that's contributed to the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

In an overt rebuke, he's also downgraded relations with Prince Mohammed, who runs the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom and typically liaises directly with foreign leaders. Instead, Biden's called his official counterpart, King Salman himself.

Biden will have to navigate the relationship with Saudi Arabia carefully, however, as he seeks to re-engage Iran and persuade it to resume compliance with the nuclear accord. Signaling that being tougher on Saudi Arabia will not mean he's soft on Iran, the administration ordered airstrikes overnight on Iranian-backed militias in Syria that it blames for rocket attacks on U.S. forces in neighboring Iraq.

In recent days, Saudi newspapers and commentators have emphasized the kingdom's close relationship with the U.S.

Abdullah Al Tayer, a former Saudi official, said last week on Twitter that any attempt to "target" the king or the crown prince was targeting "the nation and its citizens in their present and their future."
Through collaborating with Atmos Architecture and Design, Ogilvy, ChatR Solutions and Edge, Superunion Africa transformed Anglo American's 2020 Mining Indaba stand into an interactive brand experience that elevated the company's presence at the expo. This led to the stand being awarded the winner in the Exhibition Design (Built) category at the Architecture, Construction and Design Awards 2020.

Mathew Weiss, Superunion Africa managing director, is proud of the recognition and accolade, explaining: We were tasked with ensuring that Anglo American would be noticed in a crowded convention centre. With 66m of space available, we created something that stood out, told multiple stories of innovation, and encouraged delegates to engage with the brand, while also meeting the practical needs for meeting areas and storage. In its versatility the stand design became a physical expression of the brand.Using the contour A logo and the clean white identity accented by contours of the earth, Superunion integrated the brands visual language into all the stand elements; ceiling, walls, furniture and floor. Much like the earths contours, the design channelled the flow and rhythm of the delegates interactions.A bold slatted ceiling detail formed the main feature of the stand. The elevated ceiling maximised the space for conversation, movement and storage, and overall improved the stands visibility.Bespoke furniture was designed with hidden cavities for storage, addressing the limited space challenge.Further, the contours dropped down like stalactites, creating zones within the stand that felt more intimate to encourage conversation. Simultaneously, the general flow and shape of the stand allowed delegates to explore messaging around the strategic theme of mining with purpose. Weiss added: We prompted visitors to the stand by asking what their purpose is. Visitors were encouraged to tag their answer with #MiningWithPupose, and responses were displayed in a live feed on the video wall, creating a talking point for delegates.Weiss concluded: The Anglo American Mining Indaba exhibition stand highlighted the companys ethos of continually pushing boundaries in the mining industry and its people-centric approach.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May has received her first dose of the Covid vaccine, as she urged others to have theirs when called upon.

The 64-year-old visited Swallowfield Surgery in Reading, Berkshire, for the injection, but did not say if she received the Pfizer or Oxford/AstraZeneca option.

She tweeted afterwards: I just had my first Covid-19 jab.

It is safe, effective & painless. When its your turn, please #TakeTheVaccine. Only by protecting each other can we defeat this virus.

Thanks to all the brilliant researchers, volunteers, NHS & military personnel for their truly heroic efforts.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May received her dose of the Covid vaccine today in Berkshire

The surgery posted on its feed: Former Prime Minister Theresa May has her Covid jab from Dr Debbie Milligan from Swallowfield Surgery today.

She thanked GPs, surgery staff and volunteers.

The ex-PMs dose was right on cue as the NHS is currently vaccinating those aged 64 or older, the clinically vulnerable; people living or working in care homes; health and social care workers; and people eligible for carer's allowance.

She also qualifies as she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2013.

It comes following fears the vaccine roll out has become a postcode lottery, with several areas in England, including London, said to have started offering jabs to people in their 50s with no underlying health issues such as diabetes or liver disease.

Yesterday ex-England and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker was given a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca variety, later tweeting a picture of himself and his card.

Earlier today it was reported some regional NHS sites have started dishing out Covid jabs to healthy people in their twenties.

Gary Linker, 60, received his first dose of Covid vaccine yesterday, despite not being in the top six groups

Despite national guidance stating only the top six priority groups should currently be invited for the jab, there have been growing reports of younger Brits who don't have underlying conditions and are not frontline NHS or social care staff receiving their first dose.

Examples have been most common in London, which is seeing the poorest uptake of anywhere in Britain, but there has also been anecdotal evidence of it happening in parts of Manchester, Scotland and Wales.

The Government says a further 345 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of today, bringing the UK total to 122,415.

The Government also said that, as of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 8,523 lab-confirmed cases in the UK.

It brings the total to 4,163,085.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 05:47:07|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Friday called for "strong and determined action" from Group of 20 (G20) policymakers to counter "dangerous divergence" between and within economies.

Noting that the world economy is on the path of recovery, Georgieva, however, note that "uncertainties remain very high," as vaccinations still have a long way to go against new waves and variants of the virus.

At the virtual meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under the Italian Presidency, the IMF chief highlighted the "dangerous divergence" between and within economies.

"In emerging and developing countries, excluding China, we project by 2022 cumulative per capita income losses as high as 22 percent, versus 13 percent in advanced economies," Georgieva said.

"And we forecast that only half of the countries that were narrowing their income gaps relative to advanced economies will continue to do so over 2020-22," she continued.

Within countries, she noted, the young, the low-skilled, and women have been "disproportionately affected" by job losses.

The IMF chief called for strong and determined action from G20 policymakers, noting that international collaboration is needed to accelerate production and make vaccines available everywhere "as fast as possible."

She urged governments to resolve to provide lifelines to business and households, tailored to countries' circumstances, "until there is a durable exit from the health crisis," adding that policymakers should "prepare for risks and unintended consequences" once policy support is gradually withdrawn.

The IMF chief also highlighted the urgency to step up support to vulnerable countries. "We must deploy all tools at our disposal."

"I am very encouraged by the growing support for a new Special Drawing Right (SDR) allocation, to boost reserves of all members in a transparent and accountable manner," Georgieva said.

Georgieva added that the IMF strongly supports the Presidency's proposal on global climate risks and environmental taxation.

"We will play our part in the areas of our comparative strength, such as integrating climate in public revenues and spending policies, climate-related financial stability risks and data," she said. Enditem
Houston's Rep. Al Green had harsh words for his Republican colleagues trying to thwart passage of the Equality Act.

During a hearing in the House on Thursday, Green blasted GOP Rep. Jim Jordan and several others who were objecting to the bill's passage, which amends the 1965 Civil Rights Act to include federal protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

CRUZ'S TWEETS: Senator's latest social spat, explained

It ultimately passed the House, a massive win for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans who have long lived under the threat of state-protected discrimination.

Green brought up the roots of discrimination in the United States:

And still I rise, Mr. Speaker. You used God to enslave my foreparents. You used God to segregate me in schools. You used God to put me on the back of the bus. Have you no shame? God created every person in this room. Are you saying that God made a mistake? This is not about God. It's about men who choose to discriminate against other people because they have the power to do so. My record will not show that I voted against Mr. (David) Cicilline having his rights. My record will show that when I had the opportunity to deliver liberty and justice for all, I voted for rights for all.

Religious justification for discrimination has been practiced throughout U.S. history. The American Civil Liberties Union calls for the end of using religion to discriminate.

Several states have anti-discrimination laws that include protections for the LGBTQ community, although Texas is not one of them. Federal law currently has no protections for the LGBTQ Americans, which would be changed under President Joe Biden's signing of the bill.

Those protections would then supercede any state laws, meaning Texans would be afforded the same rights as everyone.

Ohio also has no LGBTQ protections, according to Sabrina Eaton of Cleveland.com. Jordan, an Ohio representative, opposed the bill.

"I don't think anyone uses God," Jordan said after Green's speech. "We've just cited what's in the legislation, which specifically says the Religious Freedom Restoration Act shall not provide a defense against what this bill is doing. That's all we've done."

Three Republicans voted to pass the bill, along with every Democrat. The bill will now be sent for the Senate's consideration.

On his first day in office, Biden signed an executive order mandating such protections and called on Congress to "secure these protections once and for all."
A U.S. federal court has ordered North Korea to pay $2.3 billion in damages to the crew and family of the spy ship USS Pueblo, who were tortured and mistreated for 11 months in 1968 after being captured by the North Korean navy. The Washington federal court said that the surviving members of the crew and families of those now dead are owed compensatory damages for confinement and suffering of $1.15 billion and doubled that for punitive damages against Pyongyang.

It said many of the 83-strong crew, one of whom was killed by the North Koreans when they seized the Pueblo on January 23, 1968, were mentally and physically abused during their captivity.

Released crewmen of the USS Pueblo are escorted by MPs upon their arrival at the U.S. Army 121st Evacuation Hospital at Ascom City, 10 miles west of Seoul, Dec. 23, 1968. / Credit: / AP

In addition, wrote Alan Balaran, the government-appointed "special master" in the case to decide how damages were to be apportioned, most suffered long-lasting after-effects, both psychological and physical.

"As a result of the barbarity inflicted by the North Koreans, almost all required medical and/or psychiatric intervention," Balaran wrote.

"Many have undergone invasive surgical procedures to ameliorate the physical damage resulting from the relentless torture they underwent as prisoners," he wrote. "Several have attempted to numb their pain through alcohol and drugs, and most have seen their domestic and/or professional lives deteriorate. A few have contemplated suicide."

The North Koreans released propaganda photos and videos that showed a number of the captured sailors raising the middle finger to the camera as a sign of protest. They told their captors, who were unfamiliar with the gesture, that it was a "Hawaiian good luck sign."

In this photo released by the U.S. Navy, crew members of USS Pueblo pose while in captivity in North Korea in 1968. / Credit: AP Photo/US Navy

The lawsuit was only brought in 2018 after the U.S. Justice Department ruled that, despite a law giving foreign government's broad immunity from suits in U.S. courts, they could be sued if the government had been designated a state sponsor of international terrorism.

In late 2017 the Trump administration officially declared North Korea a sponsor of terror.

Story continues

The Pueblo was on its first voyage as a U.S. Navy spy ship, under the guise of an environmental research vessel.

Pyongyang says it was in North Korean waters when it was captured, which Washington denied.

But it came as the U.S. was mired in a war in Vietnam and just as North Korean operators entered South Korea and tried to assassinate president Park Chung-hee.

That effort failed, but a number of South Koreans were killed and the seizure of the Pueblo crew complicated Seoul's desire to respond militarily.

The crew was freed after nearly a year of negotiations in December 1968, but Pyongyang held onto the Pueblo, making it into a museum.

The U.S. Navy still maintains it on its roster of active ships.

The court, in a final ruling on Wednesday, awarded damages of $22 million to $48 million to each of the 49 surviving crew members, and smaller sums to about 100 family members.

North Korea was not represented in the case, and it was not clear whether and how the victims expected to recover damages.

The ship now sits in the Potong River on the edge of the sprawling "Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum" complex in central Pyongyang, where thousands of North Koreans are brought each day to hear the North's version of how their country, against all odds, defeated the Americans in the 1950-53 Korean War and has been fighting off the hostile Goliath ever since.

In this Thursday, June 22, 2006 photo released by North Korea's Korea Central News Agency via Korea News Service, North Korean soldiers watch USS Pueblo, which was seized by North Korean navy off the Korean coast in Jan. 1968, near Taedonggang river in Pyongyang. / Credit: AP Photo/Korea Central News Agency via Korea News Service

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Outrage grows as attacks against Asian Americans continue to increase

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Florida prepares for spring break crowds, Miami Beach hotel bookings may be 20% higher than 2020
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We welcome the courts decision to dismiss PCPs claim in its entirety and award it no damages, a Barclays spokesperson said

Amanda Staveley said she is considering an appeal after the High Court ruled against her receiving hundreds of millions of pounds of damages from ( ) over her allegations that her company was owed money for work during the financial crisis.

The judge said on Friday that Barclays had been guilty of serious deceit over how it negotiated with Staveley and her PCP Capital Partners company during the credit crunch in 2008, but still denied the application for damages and dismissed the claim.

Judge David Waksman said PCP had succeeded on liability, [but] has failed on causation and loss with the result that the overall claim fails.

Staveley alleged that PCP missed out on 660mln in gains because Barclays behaved deceitfully.

Speaking after the ruling on Friday, Staveley said that she was considering an appeal. In spite of Barclays efforts to question my character and credentials, the court has recognised my abilities as a businesswoman and the truth of my account of events, she said.

The judgment confirms what I have said from the outset and repeated in my evidence; a senior executive at Barclays repeatedly lied to me when seeking private investment in the bank during the 2008 financial crisis.

The evidence at trial was clear and unequivocal; [her private equity firm PCP Capital] was an investor in the transaction and played an integral role in the capital raising, which ultimately prevented the bank from being nationalised.

I will be taking advice on appealing the judges decision not to award damages.

Staveley had asked for 819mln in damages through a civil lawsuit filed by her PCP Capital Partners investment advisory firm, over the banks emergency fundraising in 2008.

Barclays raised 7.2bn from Qatar's sovereign wealth fund in October of that year to avoid the same sort of bailout from the UK government that saved rivals RBS and Lloyds.

PCP Capital invested 3.3bn in Barclays on behalf of Abu Dhabis Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, but Staveley claims that she lost out on fees because Barclays gave her worse terms compared to other investors, such as the state of Qatar.

The financier said these terms were among the reasons that she was ousted as an investor and cost 660mln in lost gains.

She initially claimed up to 1.5bn in damages but it was then reduced.

A Barclays spokesperson said on Friday: We welcome the courts decision to dismiss PCPs claim in its entirety and award it no damages.


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NASA names HQ for former 'hidden figure' Mary W. Jackson



February 27, 2021  There is no way that Mary W. Jackson, NASA's first African American female engineer, could have known that the building she once trained in would someday bear her name.



In fact, she might have just assumed that no one would remember her name, let alone use it to honor her and the many other "hidden figures" whose work made NASA's early achievements in aeronautics and space exploration possible. But on Friday (Feb. 26), Mary W. Jackson became a central figure in NASA's identity.



"She never gloated or bragged about anything she did, any of her accomplishments or anything like that. It was just who she was, everyday life, just something to do. 'It was just my job, it wasn't anything special,'" said Wanda Jackson, recalling the words of her late grandmother at a ceremony to officially name NASA's headquarters building in Washington for Mary Winston Jackson.



"She was special to us," Wanda Jackson said. "So I would like to thank NASA ... for showing the world what the Winston and Jackson family always knew about her: she was always our special person. She was always our hero."



The ceremony, which included the unveiling of a building sign with Jackson's name on it, was led by acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk and included remarks offered in-person and by video by members of Jackson's family, her colleagues at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia, elected officials and celebrities.



"With the official naming of the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters today, we ensure that she is a 'hidden figure' no longer," said Jurczyk. "Jackson's story is one of incredible determination. She personified NASA's spirit of persevering against all odds, providing inspiration and advancing science and exploration."



"There is no denying she faced innumerable challenges in her work, work that would eventually help send the first Americans to space," he said.





NASA Headquarters naming ceremony. Click to enlarge video in a pop-up window. (NASA) Recruited in 1951 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the preceding agency to NASA, Jackson worked as a "human computer" in the segregated West Area Computing Unit at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory (today, Langley Research Center). After two years supporting the center's aeronautics work as a research mathematician, Jackson transferred to the 4-foot by 4-foot Supersonic Pressure Tunnel, a 60,000 horsepower wind tunnel capable of subjecting aeronautical and astronautical test models with winds approaching twice the speed of sound.



Based on the experience she gained conducting experiments in the wind tunnel, Jackson's supervisor recommended she enter a training program to earn a promotion from mathematician to engineer. Because the classes were held at a then-segregated high school, Jackson needed special permission to join her white peers in the classroom.



Jackson earned the promotion and became NASA's first Black woman to serve the agency as an engineer. For nearly two decades, Jackson authored or co-wrote numerous research reports mostly focused on the behavior of the boundary layer of air around airplanes. In 1979, she joined Langley's Federal Women's Program, where she became a respected advocate for the hiring and promotion of the next generation of female mathematicians, engineers and scientists before retiring from Langley in 1985.



Jackson died on Feb. 11, 2005, at the age of 83.



"In terms of the contributions she made to the space program, President John F. Kennedy said something like a nation reveals itself, not only by those it produces, but also by those it honors and those it remembers. Naming this building after Mary Jackson reveals a lot about our country," said Clayton Turner, director of the Langley Research Center.



The work that Jackson and the others began in the West Area Computing Unit caught widespread national attention after Margot Lee Shetterly published her 2016 book, "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race." The book was made into a feature film that same year, with actress Janelle Monae portraying Jackson.



"I think it is extraordinary that NASA has named our headquarters building in honor of Mary W. Jackson," said NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, who was the second Black woman to fly into space. "I hope that it inspires young girls, and in particular young girls of color, to consider a [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] STEM field as a career. It shows our youth what achievements are possible through hard work, education, dedication and commitment."



Previously known simply as "NASA Headquarters," or Two Independence Square, the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building has served as the space agency's Washington, D.C. base of operations since 1992. In 2019, the portion of E Street SW in front of the building was named "Hidden Figures Way," in part as another honor for Jackson.



"It is most fitting that on the close of Black History Month and on the cusp of Women's History Month, we are celebrating renaming of this building to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters," said Lucinda Babers, deputy mayor for operations and infrastructure for Washington, D.C. "As I walked toward the building along Hidden Figures Way this afternoon, I reflected on how, thanks to the paths laid by Mary Jackson and countless others, the world is a much different place than it was 70 years ago when Ms. Jackson was first hired."



The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters sign is seen after being unveiled by Bryan Jackson, grandson, and Raymond Lewis, son-in-law of NASA's first Black female engineer, during a ceremony naming the building, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. (NASA/Joel Kowsky)





Mary W. Jackson overcame the barriers of segregation and gender bias to become the first African American female engineer to work at NASA. She later led the efforts to ensure equal opportunities for future generations. (NASA)





The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building is located along Hidden Figures Way in Washington, D.C. (NASA)





Mary W. Jackson at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, where she began work in 1951 and became the agency's first African American female engineer in 1958. (NASA)





Bryan Jackson, grandson, left, and Raymond Lewis, son-in-law, right, unveil the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters sign during a ceremony to officially name the building, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. (NASA/Joel Kowsky)



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The Russian Foreign Ministry posted photos of Russian diplomats and their families as they were journeying home from North Korea aboard a hand-pushed trolley on their Twitter account. Based on reports, earlier this week, eight Russian Embassy employees in Pyongyang traveled for more than 34 hours to leave the hermit kingdom.

The embassy stated that the Russian diplomats and their families had to use the railway in traveling due to Pyongyang's COVID-19 travel restrictions. For months now, North Korea has completely closed off its land borders and suspended air travel as part of the Kim Jong Un regime's efforts in keeping the COVID-19 pandemic out of the North's borders. Air Koryo, a North Korean state-owned airline that has flights to Russia, was grounded, and few diplomats were stranded in the rogue nation due to the suspension of air travel.

According to CNN, the Russian embassy stated that the so-called "labyrinth journey" was the only way for the Russian diplomats and their families to leave North Korea.

The diplomat's journey started by train. They spent at least 32 hours aboard the poorly maintained, old, and slow railway system of the North. After that, they rode a bus for at least two more hours to the Russian border. Upon reaching the border, the Russian diplomats were forced to order a railroad trolley for their luggage and had to push it by hand for the rest of the trip.

The trolley that they ordered is also known as a handcart. It was a railroad car that became popular in the 1800s. The passengers themselves power the cart by manually pushing it or through a pump-action lever.

According to Yahoo! News, the Russian Embassy posted pictures of third secretary Vladislav Sorokin while pushing his family and their luggage. The family was wearing thick clothing amid the rail tracks. The youngest crew aboard the trolley was the secretary's 3-year-old daughter.

Read also: North Korea Attempts to Steal Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Data, South Korean Lawmakers Say

The third secretary manually pushed the cart for at least a kilometer. He also had to push through a bridge over the Tumen River, separating North Korea and Russia.

Upon reaching the Russian station of Khasan, the Russian diplomats were welcomed by their colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Authorities from the ministry helped them reach the airport in Vladivostok.

North Korea Gets Further Isolation

According to the Guardian, Russian diplomats leaving North Korea only mean that Pyongyang's already isolated state is getting even more isolated.

Many Non-Government Organization staff, aid workers, and diplomats have decided to leave the North amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because they did not want to risk being stranded inside the North.

Pyongyang has imposed strict border controls and travel restrictions in its attempt to keep COVID-19 out.

In 2020, Kim Jong Un's regime decided to cut almost all of its ties to the outside world in fear of the tragedy that the COVID-19 pandemic could bring. Many experts have stated that the regime's decision is because they have recognized the country's struggle with their dilapidated healthcare.

Related article: North Korean Defector Evades Capture After Wandering in the DMZ for Hours

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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to halt this national turbulence and violence, reverse the decline to catastrophe and calm the nation, any serious, sincere, democratic, and genuinely patriotic government may not, in the first instance, need to look beyond the current Constitution, the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and reports of Nigerian state-appointed Commissions of Inquiry and Constitutional Conferences since 1999, that is, since the beginning of the current Fourth Republic.

The Nigerian Left has largely neglected, if not deliberately avoided, a renewed ideological struggle which has become a strong factor in both the general turbulence and violence enveloping the whole country and the associated power struggle within the ruling class. The neglected or badly engaged ideological struggle may simply be described as argument over the birth of Nigeria; that is, argument over how Nigeria came into being and what would have happened if Britain, an imperial colonial power, had not invaded our lands, defeated or deceived our ancestors, gathered them together and imposed itself on them. The argument then proceeds to the desirability or otherwise of returning to the status quo-ante 1900, 1906, 1914, 1935, 1945, 1952, 1960, or 1966; that is, returning to the situation existing before one of the major pre-1966 landmarks of our collective history.

It is to be hoped that my description of what is now happening in the country as associated with (but not reducible to) a power struggle within the ruling class will not, itself, spark off an angry argument. Let me briefly explain myself. Because Nigerias ruling class is  for now!  economically, socially, politically, and ideologically hegemonic in the country, every serious struggle within it threatens to integrate itself with popular struggle. And I employ the term popular in the ordinary Leftist sense of involving working, toiling, poor and de-classed masses and expressing their interests.

The proposition here is that we should not be lost in the forms in which a battle within the ruling class  or even a national battle  is waged, thereby forgetting the origin or essence of that battle. To illustrate: The struggle to become the president or a state governor manifests itself most strongly and most violently among the masses  not only in the distribution of palliatives, logistics and stomach infrastructure, but more dangerously in the interpretation or re-interpretation of history and contemporary reality.

Nigerian Leftists and Leftist activists should therefore not neglect the ideological argument about the origin or creation of Nigeria and the trajectory of its history. We cannot ignore messages being beamed to the masses and which the latter do not always ignore but sometimes believe and act upon. Our ideological and political choice of a united Nigeria under peoples power, popular-democracy and socialism should draw us into the debate on origin and history. In general, it is wrong to ignore any issue through which the ruling class exercises or strengthens its hegemony (control) over the masses. That is the main issue in this piece. Our ideological task here is two-fold. One: to truthfully reconstruct the story of Nigerias creation and the countrys main historical trajectory; and two: to defend Leftist platform of revolutionary national unity which stands on a rejection of both the call to march back to the past and the silly mantra of Nigerian unity is not negotiable.

Taking a long view of humanity and of the Nigerian history, we may begin our own narrative like this: After a long period of violent, enslaving and exploitative incursions into this part of the African continent, a European imperial power, Britain, felt confident enough, on January 1, 1900, to proclaim the establishment of three conquered territorial possessions: the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Colony of Lagos. The first was ruled from Lokoja; the second from Calabar/Asaba and the third from Lagos. Six years later, in 1906, the second and third possessions were merged to become the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. And eight years later, in 1914, the original three  and later two  possessions were merged (amalgamated) to become the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Between 1900 and 1914, the British, now firmly established in Lokoja, Calabar/Asaba and Lagos as a military power, completed the conquest and pacification of all the territories included in Nigeria as we know it today. About 1935, the Southern Protectorate was split into Western and Eastern groups of Provinces. The Northern Protectorate also became Northern group of Provinces.

The Nigerian Left can however affirm that what emerged in 1914 was a colonial territory of very large number of ethnic groups differing in sizes, cultures, religions, levels and modes of development and types of relationships with their neighbours  some friendly and equal, others unfriendly and unequal.

However, despite the 1914 amalgamation, colonial Nigeria was still governed like two separate colonies up to 1945; that is, up to the end of the Second World War. The real political and administrative integration that started after that war became part of the process of British de-colonisation of Nigeria. The process ended on October 1, 1960 with the independence of Nigeria. At independence, Nigeria was confirmed as a federation of three constituent regions: North, West and East and a federal capital territory, Lagos.

Although a lot of internal geopolitical and administrative restructuring has taken place in Nigeria since the creation of the country in 1914, its shape and surface area remain almost the same today, 107 years later. Furthermore, although Nigeria now has a total of 36 constituent states (and a Federal Capital Territory) grouped into six geopolitical zones and split into a total of 774 local government areas, Nigerias ruling class and its power blocs and political forces have ensured that the 1914 colonial two-part structure (North and South) remains active at some essential levels of politics, governance and power struggle.

This highly condensed narrative may be followed by a series of explanatory and self-clarificatory footnotes, or rather, series of declarations, affirmations, and refutations. We may declare, for instance, that although the British created Nigeria according to its wish and will; that is, without consulting the indigenous peoples, the natives, the entity that emerged in 1914 cannot, today, be truthfully described as a territory of strange bed-fellows that could not have been transformed into a nation, even a united revolutionary nation, through a process of revolution and evolution.

The Nigerian Left can however affirm that what emerged in 1914 was a colonial territory of very large number of ethnic groups differing in sizes, cultures, religions, levels and modes of development and types of relationships with their neighbours  some friendly and equal, others unfriendly and unequal. We can also affirm that the most fundamental thing that the British colonial power did in and to Nigeria was that it halted the various modes of development it met in its conquered territories. Thereafter, the colonising power imposed capitalism as the dominant mode of production and organising framework for further development.

About 15 years ago, an open, extended but unstructured Leftist debate on the ethnic nationality question in Nigeria took place in the country. I call the debate Leftist because the general premise  sometimes explicit, sometimes implicit  was the desirability and possibility of a revolutionary transformation of Nigeria into a modern, anti-capitalist and popular-democratic (or peoples) republic. Several Leftists and non-Leftists took part in that debate. But, by far, the most prominent participants were two Nigerian academics and Leftist public intellectuals: G. G. Darah and the late Yusufu Bala Usman.

The question may then be asked: If the Nigerian Left accedes to power or office in Nigeria today, what can it do, what will it do to halt the turbulence in the country and pull it back from the precipice of disaster? First of all, the Nigerian Left will proclaim its identity, credibility and antecedents. It will follow this with a call on all the aggrieved, disaffected and disgruntled of Nigeria to cease fire

The central question around which the debate  bitter, even by Leftist standard  was waged was the existence, or otherwise, of the national question in Nigeria. This central question broke itself down or was broken down into concrete specifics: resource control, fiscal or true federalism, sovereign national conference and geopolitical restructuring. Since the mainstream newspapers of the time showed more than average interest in the debate, research in the matter will not, today, be difficult for any interested student, political activist or academic.

Several positions and propositions emerged, and several more can be distilled from what we may now refer to as the GG Darah-Bala Usman debate on the national question in Nigeria. But two propositions that are of relevance to this piece are as follows: One: that although several separate states, kingdoms, chiefdoms communities and principalities were conquered by Britain before they were merged into a single country, Nigeria, independence was granted on October 1, 1960, not to those entities  but to Nigeria. Two: that side by side with class contradictions, exploitation, domination and oppression, there are ethnic-based contradictions and exploiter-exploited, dominating-dominated relationships in contemporary Nigeria, and that while some of these relationships are new (that is, post-colonial), others are residues of the unequal exploitative and oppressive relationships which British colonialists met on arrival and either used or weakened and quietened. Some Leftists introduced the term internal colonialism to describe some aspects of this phenomenon.

My proposition today does not seek to contradict either of the two propositions stated above. Rather, it seeks to transcend them; that is, absorb and go beyond them. And the proposition is this: Taking a long view of history and based on the short-term and long-term interests of the working, toiling, de-classed and poor masses of Nigeria  from north to south, east to west, northeast to southwest and northwest to southeast  the Nigerian Left stands on a platform of national unity, a platform on which is boldly inscribed: peoples power, popular democracy, and socialism. Only that platform, and not the current capitalist political economy, can satisfactorily and finally resolve the violent contradictions now consuming the nation. But realistic compromises can be sought and obtained for the moment.

The question may then be asked: If the Nigerian Left accedes to power or office in Nigeria today, what can it do, what will it do to halt the turbulence in the country and pull it back from the precipice of disaster? First of all, the Nigerian Left will proclaim its identity, credibility and antecedents. It will follow this with a call on all the aggrieved, disaffected and disgruntled of Nigeria to cease fire on the grounds that justice will be done henceforth. It will address, in particular, the armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, hoodlums and armed herders. It will then roll out a series of executive orders that common sense has long dictated should be issued, orders that the present regime ought to have issued long ago. Further steps will depend precariously on the reception of these initial announcements and executive orders.

In conclusion: I propose that to halt this national turbulence and violence, reverse the decline to catastrophe and calm the nation, any serious, sincere, democratic, and genuinely patriotic government may not, in the first instance, need to look beyond the current Constitution, the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and reports of Nigerian state-appointed Commissions of Inquiry and Constitutional Conferences since 1999, that is, since the beginning of the current Fourth Republic.

Edwin Madunagu, a mathematician and journalist, writes from Calabar, Cross River State.
HECTOR RETAMAL, Contributor / AFP via Getty Images

Bank of America announced a $1.1 million commitment to help Texans recover from the winter storm that caused widespread power outages, water supply disruptions and dozens of deaths.

The amount includes $250,000 from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to the American Red Cross to support its work across all of the states impacted by the storm, and to the Feeding Texas network. The remaining $900,000 will be distributed to local nonprofits working with communities to provide shelter, water, food and essential items.
A dispute over the efficacy of Russian-made Iskander missiles is being blamed for a dangerous rift between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and the countrys military leadership.

This is the Iskander missile system, photographed during a drill in Russias Kasputin Yar rocket testing site in 2018. Iskander missiles were developed by Russia and first entered service in that countrys military in 2006.

The missiles weigh 3.8 tons each and can fly at a speed of around 2.1 kilometers per second -- nearly three times the velocity of a bullet from an AK-47 assault rifle.

The Iskander is capable of firing several different missiles, including a cruise variant.

Moscow claims the maximum range across all Russian-used Iskander missiles is 500 kilometers -- the maximum permissible under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Washington that was in effect until 2019.

In early 2016, Armenia became the first country to buy Iskanders from Russia, purchasing at least four of the missile systems at an estimated cost of some $70 million-$100 million.

Export versions of the Iskander have a claimed range of 280 kilometers, putting nearly any target in Azerbaijan within reach of the Armenian-owned missiles, though notably, the launchers would seemingly need to enter the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh to be able to strike Azerbaijans capital, Baku.

Both Russian and Azerbaijani officials have claimed there is no evidence that Armenia used Iskander missiles during the 2020 conflict. That appeared to have been contradicted by statements from Armenian military officials and a widely shared video in which Armenian soldiers cheer what they suggest is a missile fired toward Azerbaijan in the closing days of that escalation of the conflict.

After widespread criticism of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians handling of the war, ex-President Serzh Sarkisian (pictured above) told an interviewer that Pashinian did not make effective use of Armenias powerful Iskander systems.

Pashinian (pictured) responded on February 23 by telling an interviewer, Let [Sarkisian] ask why the fired Iskander did not explode or why it exploded by, say, 10 percent. Then in an unusual barb apparently referencing 2016 comments made by Sarkisian about outdated military equipment, Pashinian added, Perhaps [the Iskander] is a weapon from the 1980s.

The cryptic remarks contributed to a political firestorm in Armenia that escalated when senior defense official Tiran Khachatrian (pictured) reportedly laughed for a long time at Pashinians Iskander comments, calling them not serious. Pashinian responded by relieving Khachatrian, who had recently been awarded the title of Hero Of Armenia for his role in the 2020 fighting, of his command.
After she was diagnosed with cancer, Randi Hosking turned the fight for her life into a long-running awareness campaign, organizing events that raised tens of thousands of dollars for causes and charities benefiting people she worried more about than herself.

During chemotherapy appointments, Ms. Hosking often asked those who accompanied her to treatments not to sit with her, but to instead spend time with other patients who did not have the benefit of a friend or loved one at their side.

Ms. Hosking, the popular co-owner of the Indigo Salon & Spa in Hillcrest and an icon in the Del Cerro neighborhood of San Diego, died Sunday after a five-year battle against metastatic breast cancer. She was 54.

Her parents were the same way, said Phyllis Strauss, Ms. Hoskings friend of nearly 35 years as well as her business partner in the Indigo Salon & Spa. They were charitable and they were giving and they cared about other people.

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A native of Chicago, Randi Lyn Somerman moved to Del Cerro when she was 8. Her parents had sold the family supermarket and headed west to be closer to family.

The young girl spent the next four and a half decades cultivating friendships and connecting with people from all walks of life. After high school, she took classes at San Diego State University but veered from the academic path in favor of helping people more directly.

She graduated from beauty college and became a hair stylist, building a client base that reached into the hundreds and included some of the best-known and most colorful San Diegans.

Ms. Hosking owned and operated her own salon -- A Leap Ahead in Mission Valley -- for 17 years before co-creating Indigo in 2011. The business hosted numerous fundraisers benefiting everyone from homeless people to gay and lesbian youth to cancer researchers.

She knew people from the judges in the Superior Court to Hells Angels, and everyone in between, said Kelvin Hosking, who first spotted the woman who would become his wife at the birthday party of a mutual friend in 1994. She was very driven, nonstop and selfless.

Before the couple married in 1997 and settled in to the same neighborhood where she had grown up, Ms. Hosking worked as a parts assistant for an Ocean Beach motorcycle shop and rode a Harley-Davidson.

Randi had this personality that drew everyone in, Strauss said. You wanted to be around her because she was fun. It didnt matter what she was doing. You knew if Randi was going, you were going to have a good time.

Ms. Hosking was an artist, both when it came to personal style and to managing relationships of all kinds, Strauss said.

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Being a hair stylist was a way for her to express that creativity, she said. The way she treated people, her interactions with clients, all of that was her best quality.

Steven Somerman said he remembers his sister, 14 years his junior, becoming jealous when he began turning his attention to girls closer to his own age.

I used to babysit Randi and by the time I started dating all of a sudden I was with my girlfriend -- who is now my wife -- and not spending time with Randi, said Somerman, who remained in the Chicago area after their parents retired.

Randi was a magnet for people, he added. She was a promoter extraordinaire and a networker like no other. If anybody had a cause, in spite of her own trials and tribulations, she was right there taking care if it.

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Friend and neighbor Cathy Sigismonti said Ms. Hosking worked in recent years to make sure her family would remember and appreciate her years into the future. They took family vacations in Europe and other exotic locations. She left notes inside favored books, knowing her son and daughter would find them one day.

Family and friends were most important to her, Sigismonti said. She built and created communities, and all of them were very close to her -- whether it was her salon, her book club, all of her organizations. She surrounded herself with amazing people and spent her time enjoying all of them.

Even in the throes of her cancer treatment, Ms. Hosking found ways to recognize others, Sigismonti said. She mentored women who were newly diagnosed. As recently as July, Ms. Hosking organized a dinner at her Del Cerro home to thank the many providers who oversaw her medical care.

It was remarkable, Sigismonti said. The doctors and nurses and social workers had never experienced anything like that. She was a spirit like no other.

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Ms. Hosking was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She opted for a double mastectomy and beat that diagnosis until 2013, when the disease returned.

In a 2014 profile in The San Diego Union-Tribune, Ms. Hosking described her ideal San Diego weekend as a Friday night happy hour at Mister As, a Saturday spent watching local rugby and shopping at Fashion Valley, an oceanfront dinner with family and friends and a Sunday brunch and trip to the beach.

In addition to her husband, Kelvin, Ms. Hosking is survived by two teen-aged children, son Gavin and daughter Jade. She is also survived by her brother, Steven Somerman of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; her sister, Michal-Ann Somerman of Highland Park, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled at 11 a.m. Wednesday at El Camino Mortuary, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd. in San Diego.

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Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

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Around 361.94 lakh doses of anti-Covid vials have so far been sent to various countries from India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

While 67.5 lakh doses of the total vaccines have been supplied as grant assistance, 294.44 lakh on commercial basis, according to MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

"The supply of vaccines to countries will continue in the coming weeks and months in a phased manner but it will be ensured that domestic requirements for the national vaccination programme are kept in mind," said Srivastava.

He said India has also offered locally-made vaccines to all members of the diplomatic corps and their families based in the country.

"It has been offered not only to the diplomats of countries but also to those of UN agencies and intergovernmental organisations working in India. This drive will cover all the locations where they are based," said Srivastava.

To a question on the workshop on "Covid-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward" with 10 neighbouring countries that was held on 18 February and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Srivastava said among other things, the PM proposed a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses, a regional Air Ambulance agreement for medical contingencies, creation of a regional platform for collating, compiling and studying data about the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines.

The prime minister also proposed creating a regional network for promoting technology-assisted epidemiology for preventing future pandemics, he said.

Srivastava said these proposals were very well-received by the participating countries and follow-up action is being taken in consultation with ministries concerned.

India has sent consignments of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados and Dominica.

Countries that received vaccines on commercial basis include Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Kuwait and the UAE.

In a major announcement, India on 19 January said it will send vaccines under grant assistance to several countries.

India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring anti-coronavirus vaccines.

Vaccine diplomacy

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had earlier this month offered a Covid-19 vaccine to all UN peacekeepers - nearly 95,000 troops in 12 missions around the world.

"Keeping in mind the UN peacekeepers who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 2,00,000 doses for them. Our contribution has also supported SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund," he said.

Jaishankar had also called for cooperation within the framework of COVAX, which is trying to secure adequate vaccine doses for the poorest nations.

"Stop 'Vaccine nationalism'; indeed, actively encourage internationalism, he stressed. "Hoarding superfluous doses will defeat our efforts towards attaining collective health security," the minister said.

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COLUMBIA  Former U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond was among 16 names proposed for possible removal from University of South Carolina buildings by a special panel examining historical figures' racially insensitive records.

The names were listed in an interim report given Feb. 26 by the Presidential Commission on University History, co-chaired by former USC President Harris Pastides.

The buildings were singled out for possible renaming from more than 70 named buildings, rooms, monuments and grounds at the university identified by the commission. They were prioritized based on "student, faculty and community input," the interim report read.

Other buildings on the list have namesakes who were slave owners, Confederate Civil War figures and segregationists.

The buildings listed include: Barnwell College, Blatt PE Center, Gressette Room in Harper College, Hollings Library, Longstreet Theater, Maxcy College, McMaster College, Preston Residential College, Robert E. Lee Tree and Woodrow College.

Gov. Henry McMaster's office did not have an answer immediately Feb. 26 if he was related to Confederate Col. F.W. McMaster, namesake for the home of USC's School of Visual Art and Design.

Other notable buildings under consideration included USC's admissions office, library and student apartments named after slave owners  Francis Lieber, Thomas Cooper and James Henley Thornwell  as well as two dorms  one named for J. Marion Sims, who performed surgery on enslaved women, and another for Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan sympathizer Wade Hampton.

Each of the names will be reviewed by a subcommittee of the Presidential Commission on University History before going to the full commission. The commission will send any recommended name changes to President Bob Caslen and the Board of Trustees. Names approved for proposed removal by trustees go to the state Legislature, which has the final say.

The wellness and recreation center known around campus as "The Strom" has garnered much of the attention to date.

USC's board has been hesitant when it comes to Thurmond, a 20th century politician who started his career as a segregationist.

USC Board Chairman Dorn Smith, who is not on the commission, said Feb. 26 the board will wait to see what names are brought to trustees.

He told The Post and Courier previously he does not know how trustees will vote if the Thurmond fitness center is included in the committee's list for a new name. But the Williamsburg County heart surgeon said everyone has sinned, and there should be room for reconciliation and forgiveness.

Thurmond's longtime fellow senator, Ernest Hollings, is included among the names under review. Hollings was governor as the state's fight for segregation escalated in the early 1960s. Hollings' name was included "based on community feedback the commission has received," USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said.

The special history commission was established soon after Caslen started at USC in 2019 "to study and better understand the histories of the people whose names adorn our buildings, and  more broadly  to capture the voices and contributions of forgotten, excluded, or marginalized groups and individuals who positively contributed to the establishment, maintenance, and growth of our university.

Even if the USC board approves any recommendations from the history panel, building names cannot be changed without approval from the General Assembly under state law. South Carolina's Heritage Act requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to rename historical monuments, streets and buildings.

If the board approves a name change, the building can only get a new name if approved by the Legislature. Trustees asked lawmakers in 2020 to remove Sims' from the dorm, but no action has been taken in the General Assembly.

"I don't mean to diminish the value of the commission or diminish the amount of work weve done but frankly it is advisory," Pastides told The Post and Courier on Feb 26. "The real work begins after the commissions work and recommendations are given."

Lawmakers last had to overcome the requirements of the Heritage Act to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds after the racially motivated 2015 Emanuel AME Church massacre in Charleston.

Clemson University and Winthrop University joined USC in agreeing to ask the Legislature to change the name of a building on campus in 2020, but the efforts have gone nowhere because no bills have been introduced in the General Assembly. Clemson and Winthrop trustees voted to remove the name of Ben Tillman from campus buildings. Tillman, a former governor and senator, was an avowed post-Civil War white supremacist.

In addition to the renaming of buildings, USC's special commission also reported on its efforts to highlight the accomplishments of minority figures on campus, from developing walking tours highlighting aspects of Black History to consideration of a plaza commemorating the contribution of Black sororities and fraternities to the school.

While the commission has drawn criticism, including from some of its own student members, for drawing out the process, Pastides said he is hopeful this interim report will highlight the amount of work going into the effort  including four community forums to garner feedback and conversations with other universities that have gone through a similar movement.

Andy Shain contributed from Columbia.

Editors note: Information was added to this story related to former Sen. Ernest Hollings.
President Joe Biden delivered an uplifting speech outside the mass vaccination site at NRG Park late Friday afternoon.

The site is a federal initiative to get 100 million people vaccinated in 100 days, an initiative Biden announced at the beginning of his presidency. The site vaccinates thousands of people each day.

HARSH WORDS: Al Green says Equality Act foes 'used God' to discriminate

"Theres so much we can do," Biden said. "As you see the broken hearts of the families who have been left behind, theres nothing partisan about this virus."

He also talked about the reliability of the vaccines, acknowledging that some often overlooked communities are rightfully skeptical of the shot.

He urged that the vaccine was "safe and effective."

"There are plenty of things we can work on together, and one of them is seen here today: To speed up vaccinations," Biden said. "... I know we can do this. Why? Because I know America can do great things when we do them together."

The presidential day trip comes after a major winter storm ravaged the state. Biden saw storm damage and toured the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.

He did so alongside Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. John Cornyn, both partisan foes.

"Were not here today as Democrats or Republicans," Biden said. "When a crisis hits our states, its not a Republican or Democrat whos hurting."

Biden pledged continued federal support for Texans still reeling from the storm.
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The One Club for Creativity has announced the first group of creative leaders who will serve on juries for the inaugural One Show 2021 Fusion Pencil and ADC 100th Annual Awards Fusion Cube awards.

Samira Ansari, executive creative director, FCB, New York



Komal Balakrishnan, senior manager, Brand, Marketing & Technology, Shell, Houston



Sergio Claudio, global creative, experience leader, Adobe, Denver



Brandon Farbstein, global inclusion strategist/speaker, Washington, DC



Vann Graves, executive director, VCU Brandcenter, Richmond



Amber Guild, president, T Brand at The New York Times, New York



Christina Mallon, global head of inclusive design and digital accessibility, Wunderman Thompson, New York



Anu Niemonen, executive creative director, Wunderman Thompson, Helsinki



Ute Poprawe, brand transition, diversity consultant, Poprawe Consulting, Frankfurt



Deadra Rahaman, vice president, Brand Strategy, Huge, Detroit



Resh Sidhu, executive creative director, Barbarian, New York



Chaka Sobhani, chief creative officer, Leo Burnett, London

Sherina Florence, group creative director, 72andSunny, New York

Sherina Florence, group creative director, 72andSunny, New York (chair)



Ajayib Alsadi, creative director, UBRAND, Riyadh



Bruno Brux, executive creative director, GUT, Sao Paulo



Herbert Hernandez, founding partner, Gigil, Manila



Tony Kalathara, group creative director, 72andSunny, New York



Winter Mendelson, founder, executive creative director, Posture Media, New York



B. Monet, writer, director, New York/Los Angeles



Kevin Morosky, founder, head of creative, Pocc, London



Enrique Mosqueda, creative director, Instagram, San Francisco



Takayuki Niizawa, chief creative officer, Wunderman Thompson, Tokyo



Ruchi Sharma, founder, chief creative officer, HumanSense, Colombo (Sri Lanka)



Laurel Stark Akman, freelance creative director, San Francisco



Tea Uglow, creative director, Google Creative Lab, Sydney



Jessica Williams, visual artist, JTaylor Studios, Dallas



Zipeng Zhu, designer, art director, illustrator, animator, Dazzle Studio, New York



Gerrit Zinke, managing director, creation, thjnk, Hamburg

The Awards recognise great work in the advertising and design industry that best incorporates diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles, and underrepresented groups in both creative content and teams.Initial Fusion Pencil judges for The One Show 2021 are:The first group of Fusion Cube judges for the ADC 100th Annual Awards are:The Fusion awards have three criteria. Winning entries must first meet the different specific judging standards for The One Show (excellence in creativity of ideas and quality of execution) or the ADC Annual Awards (brilliance in craft, design and innovation).Entrants must also disclose the percentage of relevant agency, production company and design studio teams directly involved in this work who are part of underrepresented groups  including women and other marginalized genders,, racial or ethnic groups, LGBTQ+, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, etc. -- and how they implement DEI principles when putting the team together.In addition, the work must communicate authentically with the target audience in terms of casting, language, script, narrative and design to address DEI factors such as racial and ethnic diversity, gender diversity, ageism, cognitive or physical abilities, positive body image, sexual orientation, all kinds of discrimination, negative stereotypes, etc.The industry has a glaring diversity problem, and Fusion is the first industry award to provide global recognition to the great work and teams who are leading the way in DEI, said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club. These diverse juries of creative leaders will help us make Fusion the new global industry standard for rewarding excellent work, created by a diverse team, that speaks in an authentic voice to the target audience.Once considered a long-term business goal, DEI has become an important, proven core strategy for many of today's successful businesses and organizations. Studies show when a business makes DEI a priority, every facet of the organisation benefits, including the bottom line.Fusion awards also encourage brands to use these criteria as a framework for making their own marketing more diverse. It can serve as a global benchmark, representing a new way for brands to demand accountability from their agencies and partners for providing greater diversity in their work and creative teams.Entries to The One Show 2021 and historic ADC 100th Annual Awards can be submitted now, with fees increasing after each deadline period. Regular deadlines for both shows are 12 March 2021, extended deadlines are 19 March 2021, and final deadlines are 26 March 2021. Judging will take place online. No physical entries will be accepted this year, eliminating shipping costs for entrants.The new Fusion Pencil and Cube are the latest example of The One Clubs ongoing global non-profit commitment to pushing diversity and inclusion forward in advertising and design.The effort began more than a decade ago when the organisation started its annual Where Are All The Black People diversity conference and career fair, and continued with its global Creative Boot Camps and mentorship programs for diverse college students and other young creatives.Last year, the club launched One School, a free portfolio programme for Black creatives now active in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.Unlike for-profit awards shows such as Cannes and others, The One Club is a non-profit organisation that puts revenue generated from awards entries back into the industry in the form of programmes under its four pillars: Education, Inclusion & Diversity, Gender Equality and Professional Development.
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :A team of US scientists has demonstrated that the offspring of huge carnivorous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, who grew from the size of house cats to towering monsters, reshaped their ecosystems by outcompeting smaller rival species.

Their study, published in the journal Science on Thursday, helps answer an enduring mystery about the 150-million-year rule of dinosaurs: why were there many more large species compared to small, which is the opposite of what we see in land animals today? "Dinosaur communities were like shopping malls on a Saturday afternoon, jam-packed with teenagers," said Kat Schroeder, a graduate student in the UNM Department of Biology who led the research.

"They made up a significant portion of the individuals in a species and would have had a very real impact on the resources available in communities." Even given the limitations of the fossil record, it's thought that overall, dinosaurs were not particularly diverse: there are only some 1,500 known species, compared to tens of thousands of modern mammalian and bird species.

What's more, during the Mesozoic era, from 252 to 66 million years ago, there were relatively more species of large bodied dinosaurs weighing 1,000 kilograms (a ton) compared to species weighing less than 60 kilograms (130 pounds).

Some scientists put forward the idea that since even the most gigantic dinosaurs begin life as tiny hatchlings, they could be using different resources as they were growing up -- occupying the space in ecosystems where smaller species might otherwise flourish.

To test the theory, Schroeder and her colleagues examined data from fossil sites around the world, including over 550 dinosaur species, and organized the dinosaurs by whether they were herbivores or carnivores, as well as their sizes.

They discovered a striking gap in the presence of medium-sized carnivores in every community that had megatheropods, or giant predators like the T-rex.

"There is a gap - very few carnivorous dinosaurs between 100-1000 kilograms (200 Pounds to one ton) exist in communities that have megatheropods," Schroeder said. "And the juveniles of those megatheropods fit right into that space." The conclusion was supported by the way dinosaur diversity changed over time. Jurassic communities (200-145 million years ago) had smaller gaps and Cretaceous communities (145-65 million years ago) had large ones.

That's because Jurassic megatheropods teenagers were more like adults, and there was a wider variety of herbivorous long-necked sauropods (like the brachiosaurus) for them to prey on.

"The Cretaceous, on the other hand, is completely dominated by Tyrannosaurs and Abelisaurs, which change a lot as they grow," said Schroeder.

- Treating juveniles as separate species - Finally, to statistically test their theory, the team calculated what proportion of megatheropods would have been juveniles -- by multiplying their expected mass by how many were expected to survive each year, based on fossil records.

These figures, which effectively treated juveniles as their own species, neatly explained the observed gaps.

Beyond helping resolve a longstanding question, the research shows the value of applying ecological considerations to dinosaurs, she added.

"I think we're shifting a little bit more towards understanding dinosaurs as animals as opposed to looking at dinosaurs as just cool rocks, which is where paleontology started and has been for a long time."
McCracken County Man Arrested on Rape Charge

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MCCRACKEN COUNTY - A rape investigation Thursday led to the arrest of a McCracken County man.The McCracken County Sheriff's Office was contacted by a juvenile claiming that 19-year-old Ian Mingis had forcibly raped her. She told detectives that Mingis drove her to his home, where he assaulted her, causing injuries.Authorities say they were able to obtain evidence that corroborated the juvenile's account.After being questioned by detectives, Mingis was arrested on a charge of first-degree rape.He was lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
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Komotini, Greece, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) has been given the go-ahead to pursue Heineken for damages in relation to anti-competitive practices and market abuse by its Greek subsidiary.

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has ruled that MTB can bring a legal claim in the Dutch courts against not only Heineken but also Athenian Brewery, its Greek operating company.

MTBs lawsuit against Heineken follows a ruling by the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) that found Athenian Brewery had abused its dominant position in the Greek market for more than 16 years. Athenian was fined a record 31.5 million.

MTB, an independently owned Greek brewer, filed a claim for damages against Heineken in the Netherlands in 2017. It argued that the case should be heard in the Dutch courts because Athenian Brewerys illegal activities had been carried out under the supervision and with the knowledge of executives at Heinekens headquarters.

Demetri Chriss, Director of Business Development at MTB, said: Heinekens attempt to distance itself from the bad behaviour of its Greek operating company, Athenian Brewery, has failed. Heineken and Athenian Brewery will now both be held accountable in the Netherlands for the market abuse that was documented so powerfully in the HCCs historic ruling.

This judgment also sends a strong message to the too big to fail multinationals that use layered ownership structures to avoid parental liability for the actions of their badly behaving subsidiaries.

The Greek market abuse case is not the first time that Heineken has been in trouble with competition regulators. In 2007, the company was fined 219 million by the European Commission for participating in a cartel with its rival AB InBev and other brewers. In 2019, Heineken reached a $2.5 million settlement with US regulators over anti-competitive behaviour and, last year, Heineken UK was fined 2m for having seriously and repeatedly breached competition rules for pub operators. Heineken was described as a repeat offender by the UK ombudsman, the Pubs Code Adjudicator.

In Greece, the competition authority ruled that Heinekens Athenian Brewery implemented a single and targeted policy that sought to exclude its competitors from the Greek beer market by offering significant payments and economic motives to retailers and wholesalers.

Demetri Chriss said: Given the length and scope of these abuses, this may ultimately prove to be the costliest infringement yet for the Dutch brewer. It is our understanding that based upon the ruling by the Hellenic Competition Commission, other brewers have also filed claims in Amsterdam against Heineken and its Greek subsidiary.

Though this has been a difficult year for many businesses, MTB has weathered the COVID-19 storm well thanks to its strong domestic support in Greece. Vergina alcohol-free beer launched last year is already outperforming rival brands and has helped MTB increase its overall market share year on year.

Demetri Chriss said: We have continued to invest in our products, our growers and our community in these challenging times, honouring our commitments to them in full. We believe that by showing confidence in Greece, Greek beer drinkers are showing confidence in us and supporting our brands.

About MTB

Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) was founded in 1996 by brothers Michael and Demetri Politopoulos in Komotini, Greece. Proud Greek nationals, they set up MTB as an independent brewer at a time when no premium Greek beer brands existed in the market. All Greek beer production was then either partly or wholly owned by foreign breweries. Its premium Vergina lager launched to market in February 1998.

To know more about the legal case.

https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/investigation-into-athenian-brewery---heineken-550470151.html

https://www.barentskrans.nl/en/news/new-development-in-litigation-against-heineken-and-its-greek-subsidiary/

For more information contact:

Marina Koutsogianni



Company Name - Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB)

Person Name - Ms. Marina Koutsogianni

Website - https://www.verginabeer.com

Email - bdo@verginabeer.com

Phone Number - +30 25310 38715

City  Komotini

Country - Greece

Disclaimer: The content distribution company of this PR does not take any legal responsibility for this pr. For any legal matter contact: Marina Koutsogianni Email - bdo@verginabeer.com





This news has been published for the above source. Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) [ID=17073]

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SYDNEY, NSW / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / NSW based Clean Group Sydney is pleased to announce that they are ready to deliver their industry-leading services to office and commercial clients in the area. The company's services have proven invaluable to businesses that wanted to maintain a safe, sanitary and clean environment for staff as well as customers over the past year. Since they recognize that this need has not abated, they encourage the local business community to get in touch today for a reliable and thorough cleaning service.

Clean Group has been in the cleaning industry for more than 20 years, and their commitment to their work is reflected in the way they approach each client's requirements. While many aspects of a cleaning service may be similar in nature between multiple properties, the company holds the belief that no two clients are the same. As a result, they make it a point to treat each new client as a whole new entity who will need more personalized attention and a fully customizable plan of action that will ensure their business receives the correct treatment. In practice, this means that Clean Group delivers a service that matches what their client requires, no more and no less. They are also quite affordable.

Suji Siv of Clean Group explains, "Your schedule, your staff, the layout of your business' premises and even your security standards will contribute to the plan we develop to give you an appropriate thorough cleaning service, among many other factors. Many of our clients also prefer not to be disturbed during their business hours, for instance, so it is not uncommon for our team to arrive on time after hours to take care of the property and get it ready for the next day. Our service typically covers two vital aspects as well - hygiene and cleanliness."

Siv goes on to say, "The former means that every surface will be wiped down with cleaning solutions of suitable strength, eliminating any risk of contamination that may have been introduced in the time since your last cleaning. On the other hand, the latter means that your premises will always look presentable and welcoming when your staff arrive in the morning. A business' professional appearance can make customers want to return later as well as help sustain morale among employees, so having desks and chairs arranged, dustbins emptied and extraneous litter disposed of is vital. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about handling any of this. You only need to get in touch with us and engage our team's assistance. We'll take care of the rest." Learn more at the following link: Office Cleaning Sydney.

In light of recent events, one of the most important details that every business in the region has to consider is COVID-19 safety. As the virus is known to last for some time on certain surfaces in addition to being transferred directly between people, it is extremely important for a business to have their premises sanitized and disinfected in order to keep their staff and customers safe (as well as maintain their ability to continue operating). Safety concerns regarding the virus now mean that a business may have to be shut down completely to allow it to be sanitized to a satisfactory degree. Such a shutdown, as many know, may spell disaster for a business that has already been running on tighter margins over the past year. To avoid this, businesses should take the preemptive measure of disinfecting and sanitizing their premises on a regular basis.

Fortunately, Clean Group has risen to this challenge by introducing their COVID-19 Disinfection and Protection Shield Cleaning protocol, the first session of which is completely free for certain new clients. This innovative technique utilizes a combination of Electrostatic Sprayer application technology and Zoono-71 Surface Sanitizer. In practice, this potent combination kills up to 99.99% of germs present for up to 30 days, allowing businesses to conduct their operations unhindered for several weeks before they need another service carried out. Notably, this sanitization protocol is also TGA Approved. Given the crucial nature of this service, the company urges their community to sign up today for their first COVID-19 Disinfection and Protection Shield Cleaning.

Suji Siv and the team of commercial cleaners at Clean Group may be reached by phone or email for further details, and additional information regarding their experience, services and more can be found on their official website. The company also maintains a presence on multiple social media platforms.

For more information about Clean Group, contact the company here:

Clean Group

Suji Siv

1300 141 946

sales@cleangroup.email

14 Carrington St, Sydney NSW 2000

SOURCE: Clean Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632425/Sydney-Office-Cleaning-Provider-Ready-To-Take-On-New-Clients
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Prince Harry has today claimed that he and Meghan Markle 'never walked away' from the royal family and he did 'what any husband or father would do' by emigrating to Los Angeles from London, declaring: 'I had to get my family out there'.

The Duke of Sussex said the move to California last year was about 'stepping back rather than stepping down' as royals as he appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, who has gazumped Oprah Winfrey to the exclusive interview with his friend.

In one extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the mansion where it was filmed, before Corden video calls Meghan, who calls her husband 'Haz' and tells him not to buy it because she's 'done moving'. Harry then pops inside to use the toilet before the friends head off to complete a muddy army assault course together.

In a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out on an open-top bus, an off the leash Harry also reveals that he has had Zoom calls with Prince Philip and Queen, who sent Archie a waffle maker for Christmas, and describes his son as 'hysterical', claiming his first word was 'crocodile'. He also says he knew Meghan was 'the one' after two dates, describing their relationship as '0-60 in two months'.

Prince Harry also decided open up to James about his relationship with Meghan, his son Archie and their decision to quit as frontline royals, saying the pressure of being in London was 'destroying my mental health', branding Britain's media 'toxic'.

Describing the couple's decision he said: 'It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down. It was a really difficult environment, which I think a lot of people saw. So I did what any father or husband would do and thought: 'How do I get my family out of there'. But we never walked away'.

And while the interview was carried out before the Queen stripped the Sussexes of their royal patronages last week, Harry appears to know what was coming and says: 'My life is public service, so wherever I am in the world it's going to be the same thing. As far as I'm concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side [in Britain], I will never walk away'.

Critics have questioned the timing of his TV appearance, released last night just as the Queen gave a rare public statement encouraging all Britons to have the Covid-19 jab. Others watching the film, where Harry complains about the media attention he received in the UK, urged him to 'stop bl**dy whining' and accused him of 're-writing history' and 'ignoring' the multi-million dollar deals he has signed with Netflix and Spotify.

The royals have already been warned to 'hide behind the sofa' when the Sussexes' incendiary interview with Oprah is broadcast on Sunday March 7, with experts saying the Late Show appearance suggests the 90-minute CBS show will focus much more on Meghan.

In the interview Harry also reveals:

He knew that Meghan was 'the one' on the second date said they 'went from 0-60 in two months' before going public in 2017;

He speaks about his 'usual night in' where the couple 'do Archie's tea, give him a bath, read him a book and put him down'. He adds: 'Meg might order a meal or get a takeaway. Then we go up to bed, turn on the TV and watch Jeopardy or Netflix'.

Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen sent him a waffle maker as a gift, which the family use most days using Meghan's 'organic mix';

Harry admits he's seen The Crown, shown on Netflix where the Sussexes will be making films, and defends it despite the negative light it paints of the Queen, his parents and other senior royals. He says: 'It's loosely based on the truth. Of course it's not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you an idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above everything else and what can come from that'.

The Queen and Prince Philip have worked out how to use Zoom to speak to their grandson and great-grandson - but the Duke of Edinburgh , who is now in hospital, doesn't know how to end the call so he just slams down the laptop's lid;

In one extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the LA mansion where it was filmed, and is egged on by James Corden to try to buy it

In a segment filmed before he and wife Meghan confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the royal family, Harry joined James Corden for a double-decker bus tour of Los Angeles where he broke his silence on quitting as a royal

The friends video call Meghan, who in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the Fresh Prince's house, quipped 'I think we've done enough moving' and reveals she calls her husband 'Haz'

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash', before opening up about his decision to quit the royal family saying: 'We never walked away and as far as I'm concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never walk away'

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis

James and Harry then go to an assault course after Corden promises him something to remind him of his Army roots

At one point Harry crawls through the mud with ease as James Corden panics about following him through the big puddle

Harry lifts a heavy weight, chucks a spear and climbs a rope in the race with his friend James, who attended his wedding

Prince Harry reveals Archie's first word was 'crocodile', the Queen sent the toddler a waffle maker for Christmas and that his nightly routine involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie while in Cape Town in 2019 The Duke of Sussex has revealed his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen sent him a waffle maker for Christmas , during a chat with James Corden . Prince Harry also told the comedian that the nightly routine for his 'amazing' 21-month-old son with wife Meghan Markle involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story. And the Duke revealed in a segment for The Late Late Show that Archie has the 'most amazing personality' and is already putting four words together and singing songs. Harry, 36, who now lives in a 11million mansion in California after stepping down as a senior royal last year, told Corden: 'My son is now just over a year and a half. 'He is hysterical, he's got the most amazing personality. He's already putting three, four words together, he's already singing songs.' Asked what Archie's first word was, Harry said: 'Crocodile, three syllables.' And Corden replied: 'Crocodile? That's a big word.' Harry went on: 'Interesting, my grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas, and Meg said a waffle maker. She sent us a waffle maker for Archie. 'Breakfast now, Meg makes up a beautiful organic mix. In the waffle maker, flip it, out it comes. He loves it. And now I have waffles for breakfast. 'A bit of yoghurt, a bit of jam on top, I don't know if that's the right thing to do. A bit of berries, maybe, a bit of honey, a bit of syrup.' But Corden pointed out: 'Sorry, you're glossing over the fact that I cannot for the life of me imagine the Queen ordering a waffle maker to be sent to Santa Barbara. I can't get my head around...' Harry responded: 'I don't even know how to comment on that. Archie wakes up in the morning and literally just goes: Waffle? Done.' Asked about a normal night in, Harry said: 'Depending on how the day's been, how busy it's been, we'll do Archie's tea, give him a bath, read him a book, put him down. 'Go downstairs, Meg might cook a meal, might order a takeaway. Go upstairs, sit in bed, turn the TV on and watch some Jeopardy, maybe watch a little bit of Netflix.' Advertisement

Palace sources say the timing of Harry's TV appearance is 'unhelpful: and has caused 'disquiet' at the palace.

'When the Queen speaks as she has done about the vaccine it is accepted that she has a clear field.

The Queen, who speaks to the PM Boris Johnson every week, is speaking out to give the vaccination programme added support.

Other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Charles and Prince William, are expected to follow suit.

But the fact that Harry, who was criticised for his 'petulant' and 'rude' swipe at the Queen when he said duty was 'universal' after the Megxit announcement, has appeared on TV talking about his private life just when the Queen made an historic intervention on Covid-19 shows the lack of coordination.

One senior source said, 'This blurring of the lines doesn't help anyone. When the Queen speaks like this it is her message that should be heard without other distractions. This lack of coordination is unhelpful.'

The Late Show appearance came hours after the Queen has made a historic intervention in the coronavirus vaccination drive, suggesting it is selfish not to have the jab.

In a video call with NHS officials in charge of the rollout, she encouraged those with doubts to 'think about other people rather than themselves'.

The 94-year-old monarch said her jab last month 'didn't hurt at all' and had made her 'feel protected'. Likening Covid to a plague, she said it was remarkable how quickly the inoculation programme had been put into action, helping 'so many people'.

A senior royal source said: 'It is a passionately held belief that people need to get out there [and get vaccinated]  this is important.'

Critics say Harry's appearance will water down her message.

Royal expert Robert Jobson told BBC Breakfast: 'Well he seems in a very chirpy mood, very happy. All this talk about him being unhappy in LA doesn't seem to be true. He's talking candidly and James Corden's asking the right questions.

'But unfortunately, everything's in timing, isn't it? Just on the day that the queen has issued a very, very important message about the whole of the nation getting the jab, and her, and she feels it's people's duty to go and get it, that message has sort of been blurred a little bit again by Harry, the man who wants a private life, talking about his private life again.

'I'm sure there's just a lack of co-ordination here, but that's half of the problem I think. The reality is I'm sure the Royal Family will be speaking about the vaccination going forward, giving a clear message and duty they've got, and Harry seems hell bent talking about his private life.

'Look, move on, you've got what you want, you've moved away to LA, but then you can't have your cake and eat it.

'You can't be sitting there clashing with the Queen, when the Queen says something very important, and she speaks only rarely, it's a very significant thing that she's saying in co-ordination, I'm sure, with Boris Johnson and the Government. She needs a clear field.

'To be fair to Harry, this is probably an accident the way it's happened, but yet again it happens, clashes with the Queen, and as a result her message will be diluted.'

Royal photographer Arthur Edwards, who has known Harry since he was a child, told ITV's Good Morning Britain he was 'surprised' by the prince saying he'd faced a 'toxic' time with the media, saying he had a good relationship with him until Meghan arrived.

Prince Harry defends The Crown and says it captures the 'pressure' faced by royals to 'put duty and service above everything' - and says he'd like Damian Lewis to play him on screen Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor as Princess Diana and Prince Charles in series four of Netflix royal drama The Crown Prince Harry has defended Netflix 's The Crown, saying it gives an 'idea' of the pressures faced by members of the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex, 36, gave his seal of approval to the Netflix show despite it coming under fire over its unflattering portrayal of the royals, including the Queen and Prince Charles . Speaking on The Late Late Show with James Corden , Harry said The Crown is 'fictional' but is 'loosely based on the truth' and captures the feeling of being expected to put 'duty and service above family and everything else'. Harry and wife Meghan Markle, 39, last year signed a content deal with Netflix, the creators of The Crown, thought to be worth 100million. Harry added he would like Homeland actor Damian Lewis to play him if his character ever appears on the show as an adult. 'They don't pretend to be news, it's fictional,' Harry said of The Crown. 'But it's loosely based on the truth. 'Of course it's not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you a rough idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else and what can come from that. 'I'm way more comfortable about The Crown than the stories I see written about my family, my wife or myself. Because it's the difference between that's [the fact] obviously fiction, take it how you will  but this is reported on as fact because you're supposedly news.' Advertisement

'I don't know where 'toxic' has come from,' he said.

'When I worked with him all those years, he engaged with the media - we used to have a drink, on every tour we'd go to the pub and he used to get everything off his chest and you'd get everything off your chest.

'It's only when he met Meghan that stopped.

'He never interacted with us again.'

The 17-minute film begins with James Corden pulling up outside Harry's mansion in an open -top bus, which Harry admits he's never been on.

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash' and said it was his first time on an open-top bus because 'we're not really allowed to'.

Once settled in on the top deck,, the Duke of Sussex speaks about family life, revealing that son Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen gave the one-year-old a waffle maker for Christmas.

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.

But moments later the bus braked heavily and the dinner wagon holding the tea jolted into Prince Harry - who swore in shock - before he spat his drink out while laughing.

During a visit to the house that featured on 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Harry rapped the famous theme song, which was originally performed by Will Smith.

Corden tried to convince him to buy the sprawling mansion before Harry went inside to use the bathroom.

They then video called Meghan, who in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the house, quipped 'I think we've done enough moving'.

She then asked 'Haz' how his tour of Los Angeles was going but he called Corden 'the worst tour guide in LA'.

Back on board the buss Harry addressed the controversy over The Crown's portrayal of his family's history and defended the Netflix regal drama, saying it does not 'pretend to be news'.

He said both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh can use Zoom and have seen Archie 'running around' in California.

In a segment for The Late Late Show, filmed before he and the Duchess of Sussex confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the royal family, Harry joined TV host Corden for a double-decker bus tour of Los Angeles.

Asked by Corden how he sees his life after lockdown, Harry, 36, said: 'My life is always going to be about public service and Meghan signed up to that.'

On the decision to walk away from the royal family, he said it 'was never walking away, it was stepping back rather than stepping down'.

He added that it was a 'really difficult environment' and criticised the press, saying it was 'destroying my mental health'.

Harry said he needed to move his family away but insisted: 'I will never walk away, I will always be contributing. My life is public service.'

The film begins with Harry waiting on the kerb as the open top bus pulls up outside his mansion with James Corden on the top deck

Harry enjoys tea on the top deck until the bus breaks hard, showering him with food and drink, leaving James with his head in his hands

Harry then opens up about leaving Britain and quitting as frontline royals, saying he was doing it to protect his family

The friends then go to the mansion used in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, where Harry raps and is then encouraged to buy it so he can be the Prince of Bel Air

In a bid to encourage Harry to 'make an offer', he grabs Harry's iPhone and calls Meghan on FaceTime

Meghan looks pleased to see their friend, but says he shouldn't make an offer because she's 'done moving'

Harry then goes into the mansion to use the loo, saying 'I've had a Covid test, popping his head out of the window and saying: 'If I'm not back in ten minutes come and get me'

The pair crawl under wire through the mud, with the slower James Corden needing encouragement from the royal

They then sprint to the end but Harry initially let James run past him but he then sprinted past him to win

Palace 'disquiet' at timing of Harry's TV appearance as Queen speaks out to support Covid vaccine and Prince Philip lies in a hospital bed Palace sources say the timing of Harry's TV appearance is 'unhelpful: and has caused 'disquiet' at Buckingham Palace. One said: 'When the Queen speaks as she has done about the vaccine it is accepted that she has a clear field.' The Queen, who speaks to the PM Boris Johnson every week, is speaking out to give the vaccination programme added support. Other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Charles and Prince William, are expected to follow suit. But the fact that Harry, who was criticised for his 'petulant' and 'rude' swipe at the Queen when he said duty was 'universal' after the Megxit announcement, has appeared on TV talking about his private life just when the Queen made an historic intervention on Covid-19 shows the lack of coordination. One senior source said: 'This blurring of the lines doesn't help anyone. When the Queen speaks like this it is her message that should be heard without other distractions. This lack of coordination is unhelpful.' Royal expert Phil Dampier said: 'As The Queen urges us to think of others, Prince Harry prances about in LA and makes the absurd claim that he hasn't walked away from the royals. What planet is he on? Hollywood I suppose.' Another royal commentator, Robert Jobson, added: 'The Queen's important message to the nation about getting the Covid-19 vaccination now clashes with revelations that Prince Harry has filmed another chat about his personal life with James Cordon on US TV. It's not about content but the poor timing. Coordination would help.' Advertisement

The duke also spoke about his early relationship with Meghan, 39.

He said dating for him or any member of the royal family is 'flipped upside down', telling Corden that early dates take place at home and only when they are a couple do they venture out in public.

'We got to spend an enormous amount of time just the two of us,' he said of his early relationship with Meghan. 'There were no distractions, and that was great, it was an amazing thing. We went from zero to 60 in the first two months.'

Asked what a 'regular night in' for the couple is like, Harry said they may make Archie's tea, give him a bath and read him a book before he and Meghan spend time together.

He said they may watch game show Jeopardy! or something on Netflix.

Asked what he thinks about The Crown, Harry replied: 'They don't pretend to be news, it's fictional but it's loosely based on the truth.

'Of course it's not strictly accurate, but, loosely, it gives you a rough idea about what that lifestyle, what the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else, what can come from that.

'I am way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife or myself.'

He said The Crown is 'obviously fiction' whereas he has a 'real issue' with some of the stories written about him.

Harry joked that he would want Homeland star Damian Lewis to play him.

The segment opened with Corden telling the duke to pay the fare before jumping on the bus. Harry quipped: 'You know us royals - we don't carry cash.'

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.

During a visit to the house that featured in 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Harry rapped the famous theme song, which was originally performed by Will Smith.

Corden tried to convince him to buy the sprawling mansion before the duke went inside to use the bathroom.

The pair then video-called Meghan, who, in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the house, joked: 'I think we've done enough moving.'

James Corden steals a march on Oprah by airing his antics with Harry days before prime-time interview James Corden has stolen a march on Oprah by airing his antics with Prince Harry days before the prime-time interview that enraged Buckingham Palace. In a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out on an open-top bus, the Duke of Sussex - or 'Haz,' as Corden calls him - reveals he went from 'zero to sixty' with Meghan and how the pressures of living in London were 'destroying my mental health.' With Oprah's Sussexes interview airing next weekend, Corden's exclusive with Harry is the latest coup in his career that has seen a meteoric rise to Hollywood A-lister after first finding fame as Essex lad Smithy in British sitcom Gavin and Stacey. Like Oprah, Corden was a guest at the Sussexes wedding in 2018 and even compered at the reception, but with his latest interview he's stolen the thunder of the biggest name in the business. Amid anticipation for what Meghan might tell Oprah, Corden elicited some bombshells of his own from the Duke, including the insistence that he 'never walked away' from the royal family and he did 'what any husband or father would do' by emigrating to Los Angeles. Advertisement

She then asked 'Haz' how his tour of Los Angeles was going, and he said Corden was 'the worst tour guide in LA'.

Harry and a reluctant Corden also tackled an assault course, with the TV host complaining about getting dirty.

Harry and Meghan will appear in a US primetime TV interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is set to be broadcast on March 7.

The couple are expected to discuss their life in America.

Prince Harry reveals Archie's first word was 'crocodile', the Queen sent the toddler a waffle maker for Christmas and that his nightly routine involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story

The Duke of Sussex has revealed his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen sent him a waffle maker for Christmas, during a chat with James Corden.

Prince Harry also told the comedian that the nightly routine for his 'hysterical' 21-month-old son with wife Meghan Markle involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story.

And the Duke revealed in a segment for The Late Late Show that Archie has the 'most amazing personality' and is already putting four words together and singing songs.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie while in Cape Town in September 2019

Harry (right) appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden (left), which came out today

Harry, who now lives in a 11million mansion in California after stepping down as a senior royal last year, told Corden: 'My son is now just over a year and a half.

'He is hysterical, he's got the most amazing personality. He's already putting three, four words together, he's already singing songs.'

Asked what Archie's first word was, Harry said: 'Crocodile, three syllables.' And Corden replied: 'Crocodile? That's a big word.'

Harry went on: 'Interesting, my grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas, and Meg said a waffle maker. She sent us a waffle maker for Archie.

'Breakfast now, Meg makes up a beautiful organic mix. In the waffle maker, flip it, out it comes. He loves it. And now I have waffles for breakfast.

'A bit of yoghurt, a bit of jam on top, I don't know if that's the right thing to do. A bit of berries, maybe, a bit of honey, a bit of syrup.'

But Corden pointed out: 'Sorry, you're glossing over the fact that I cannot for the life of me imagine the Queen ordering a waffle maker to be sent to Santa Barbara. I can't get my head around...'

Harry responded: 'I don't even know how to comment on that. Archie wakes up in the morning and literally just goes: Waffle? Done.'

Asked about a normal night in, Harry said: 'Depending on how the day's been, how busy it's been, we'll do Archie's tea, give him a bath, read him a book, put him down.

'Go downstairs, Meg might cook a meal, might order a takeaway. Go upstairs, sit in bed, turn the TV on and watch some Jeopardy, maybe watch a little bit of Netflix.'

Meghan Markle calls her husband 'Haz' and shows off California chic in blue smocked dress and flowing hair as she joins Prince Harry's interview with James Corden on FaceTime

Meghan Markle revealed her nickname for Prince Harry is Haz during an appearance alongside her husband on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

The Duke, 36, and Duchess of Sussex, 39, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara, both appeared on the programme yesterday as the presenter offered Prince Harry a sightseeing tour of Los Angeles.

In one extraordinary moment the Duchess appears on FaceTime to tell the presenter they won't buy the Fresh Prince of Bel Air mansion because they have 'done enough moving', before asking: 'Haz, how is the tour of LA going?'

The Duchess opted to wear a $29 soft blue smocked dress from local boutique Velvet Torch, with a matching blue heptagon shaped pendant necklace, for the appearance.

Meghan Markle, 39, has revealed her nickname for Prince Harry is Haz during an appearance from the couple on The Late Late Show with James Corden

During the appearance, the presenter joked with Prince Harry about buying the mansion from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, before calling Meghan to discuss it.

After finding Meghan under 'M' within Prince Harry's phone, the presenter proceeded to call the royal, who told the duo they'd not be moving because 'they've done enough moving.'

The couple briefly moved into Frogmore Cottage during Meghan's first pregnancy with Archie in 2019, before spending months in Canada in November 2019.

They then proceeded to move to Los Angeles in the spring of 2020, where they lived in Tyler Perry's house for several months, before finally settling at their own $14 million mansion last summer.

During a brief segment on the show, the Duke of Sussex and presenter James FaceTimed the Duchess to ask whether the couple should buy the mansion where The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was filmed

Meanwhile after Meghan revealed her nickname for Prince Harry, James teased the royal over the moniker, saying: 'Haz, oh Haz, I didn't know we were calling you Haz now?'

Prince Harry responded: 'Well you're not my wife.'

Appearing on the call, Meghan opted for low-key makeup with dark eyeliner and a hint of blusher across her cheeks.

The royal donned a soft blue smocked gown for the appearance, which is believed to be from local LA boutique Velvet Torch.

Appearing over video call, Meghan joked the couple had 'done enough moving', having settled into their $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara last summer

Meanwhile presenter James teased the couple after Meghan revealed her moniker for Prince Harry is Haz

Online, the gown is described as featuring a 'smocked bodice' which adds 'figure hugging style' to an 'on-trend puff sleeve dress'.

Meanwhile she wore her long flowing hair down around her face in loose waves.

Days ago, celebrity hairstylist James Johnson told FEMAIL Meghan's lengthy locks would likely have been achieved with the help of clip-in extensions, adding that the Duchess had had a 'Hollywood makeover'.

He explained: 'I think a lot of us are feeling the need for a re-vamp, perhaps this is the image she's always wanted to look like.'

Prince Harry defends The Crown and says it gives a 'good idea' of the 'pressure' faced by royals to 'put duty and service above everything' - and says he'd like Damian Lewis to play him on screen

Prince Harry has defended Netflix's The Crown, saying it gives a 'good idea' of the pressures faced by members of the Royal Family.

The Duke of Sussex, 36, shared his feelings on the Netflix show - which has come under fire over its unflattering portrayal of the royals, including the Queen and Prince Charles - on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Harry said The Crown is 'loosely based on the truth' and captures the feeling of being expected to put 'duty and service above everything else'.

Harry and wife Meghan Markle, 39, last year signed a content deal with Netflix, the creators of The Crown, thought to be worth 100million.

Prince Harry has defended Netflix's The Crown, saying it gives a 'good idea' of the pressures faced by members of the Royal Family, and said he would like Damian Lewis to play him

The Netflix show has come under fire over its portrayal of members of the Royal Family, including Harry's father Prince Charles. Pictured, Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor as Princess Diana and Prince Charles in series four of The Crown

Harry added he would like Homeland actor Damian Lewis to play him if his character ever appears on the show as an adult.

'They don't pretend to be news, it's fictional,' Prince Harry said of The Crown. 'But it's loosely based on the truth.

'Of course it's not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you an idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above everything else and what can come from that.

'I'm way more comfortable about The Crown than the stories I see written about my family, my wife or myself because there's a difference between that's obviously fiction, take it how you will  but this is reported on as fact because you're supposedly news.'

Royals are warned to 'hide behind the sofa' with Harry and Meghan's no-holds barred interview with Oprah still to come

Meghan and Harry's Oprah sit-down is still two weeks away, with the Corden interview a big hint that it will focus on the Duchess

According to Variety, Comcast-owned Sky was out of the running while streaming giants Amazon Prime and Netflix - which has already signed a 112million deal with the Sussexes - are thought to not be involved.

The BBC is also not believed to be in the running, as it is instead airing the Queen's annual Commonwealth Day message in a pre-recorded speech at Windsor on March 7 - just 24 hours before the Oprah interview is broadcast in the US.

Instead, ITV - whose journalist Tom Bradby famously asked Meghan if she was 'okay' as part of the broadcaster's 2019 documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey - has reportedly emerged as the main contender.

A spokesman for ITV declined to comment on reports that it had raced ahead in the bidding war among UK broadcasters.

BBC sources told Variety the public broadcaster - which has launched an investigation into how BBC Panorama secured an interview with Harry's mother Princess Diana in 1995 - is not involved in the process.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to be 'very candid' with Oprah in the 90-minute CBS primetime special after last week announcing that they had officially quit the Royal Family

It is understood that ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group, which will be selling the programme overseas, is keen for the Oprah Winfrey interview to land on a free-to-air broadcaster to ensure a significant profile in the UK

Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah may have to be re-edited or even partially re-shot due to the rift it has caused with the royal family and 99-year-old Prince Philip's hospitalisation

Other potential broadcasters include ViacomCBS-backed Channel 5, which airs some Royal content, and Channel 4, which aired an 'Alternative Christmas Message' from a deepfake of the Queen over the holidays.

The BBC, Sky and ViacomCBS have been approached comment..

It is not yet known how or when UK viewers will see the full Oprah interview, though clips of the 90-minute chat will be all over the international TV news and online media minutes after it is shown in America.

This week it emerged Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah may have to be re-edited or even partially re-shot due to the rift it has caused with the royal family and 99-year-old Prince Philip's hospitalisation.

Harry and Meghan are said to be in shock because the Queen stripped them of their royal and sporting patronages after they 'poured their hearts out' to Oprah during a two-day shoot in their 11million LA mansion last week.

The tell-all interview is due to air on Sunday March 7 with no topics off-limits, with one source warning Harry's family the show would be a good 'time to hide behind the sofa at the palace'.

Oprah will first speak with Meghan about royal life, marriage, motherhood, her philanthropic work and how she handles life under the public eye, before being joined by Harry to discuss their move to the US and future goals.

Meghan is also expected to speak about the feud with her family on her father Thomas' side after This Morning host Holly Willoughby said that Oprah's team had been in contact with ITV for footage of an interview with her half-sister.

In the January 2020 broadcast Samantha Markle said the former Suits actress and Harry owed her and their father an apology for 'incredibly wrong, untoward, and shocking' behaviour after the royal wedding in 2018.

Ms Willoughby said: 'Oprah Winfrey's team contacted This Morning requesting footage from our interview with Samantha Markle in preparation for the interview with the Duchess of Sussex'.

She added: 'So, we don't know whether or not they used that in the interview, but what we do know is nothing was off limits.'

'I hope it's worth it for him': Prince Harry's army friend says being stripped of his military titles after quitting royal life will be a 'big ordeal'

Yesterday war hero burns victim Martyn Compton, who has known Harry for 15 years, said he hopes his friend's decision to build a new life for himself, Meghan and Archie in Los Angeles will be 'worth it for him'.

But Mr Compton hinted he can understand why the Queen has cut him loose, saying: 'I guess it comes down to you can't be a royal and cash in on it - and the royal family have said that, which is why everything had happened'.

Mr Compton, who was speaking to ITV's Lorraine, is a former British soldier from the Household Cavalry Regiment who suffered his injuries after an RPG set his vehicle alight in Afghanistan.

Last week he said his friend, who calls a 'genuinely nice bloke', may come to 'regret' his decision to step back from his royal responsibilities.

Prince Harry speaks to Martyn Compton in 2007, and the pair have enjoyed a long friendship, but he is concerned Harry may regret stepping back

Prince Harry won't be allowed to wear the dress uniform he wore on his wedding day (left) and the Royal Marines dress uniform he wore to the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020 with Meghan

Mr Compton was speaking to Lorraine Kelly on ITV1 today where he paid tribute to his 'kind' and 'caring' friend

Harry is Commodore in Chief of Little Ships no more: The prince's lost titles The honorary military titles that Prince Harry has lost: Captain General, Royal Marines As the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines, Harry was appointed in December 2017, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh. He made numerous visits to the Commando Training Centre in Devon and to Norway for arctic warfare drills. He made his last appearance in Royal Marines uniform at a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020. Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington Appointed by the Queen in 2008 and visited the base on at least three occasions in his formal role. In 2010 he presented the families of two servicemen killed in Afghanistan with the Elizabeth Cross. Royal Air Force Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, is the RAF's centre of Force Protection. Commodore-in-Chief, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving Appointed in August 2006 in recognition of the links between the Navy and the Royals. Opened the 30million Amphibious Centre of Excellence at Devonport Naval Base in 2013. Advertisement

When asked about the Queen's decision to ensure Harry is forbidden by tradition from wearing full military regalia after suffering the bitter blow of losing his honorary appointments with the Armed Forces, Mr Compton said: 'It's a big ordeal for him to be able to do that - but he's obviously looking out for his family.'

When asked if Harry would wish things were different, he said: 'I guess it comes down to you can't be a royal and cash in on it - and the royal family have said that which is why everything had happened.'

He added: 'I'll watch it [the Oprah interview] out of interest of what's been said, but yeah it's going to be a big thing that comes out and there's obviously a reason why he's done it by himself.'

Mr Compton was in hospital for a year after he suffered horrific burns to 75 per cent of his body when his armoured vehicle was blown up by a Taliban in 2006.

He was then shot twice in the leg as he scrambled away from the burning wreckage.

As he lay on the ground, his colleague Corporal Of Horse Andrew Radford thought he was an enemy soldier and raised his rifle to shoot him.

But CoH Radford realised his mistake just before he squeezed the trigger and dashed through enemy gunfire to carry his comrade to safety.

On their return to the UK, Lance Cpl Compton lay in a coma for three months and his saviour was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his heroics.

Mr Compton has scars all over his body but with some help from a leading surgeon in Harley Street, and has dedicated himself to raising money for charity since his recovery.

Paying tribute to Harry he said: 'He does a lot for military charities. It comes back to the sort of guy he is. He's just a normal, caring guy who just so happens to be a royal. He's supported me in various charities and ventures I've done.'

His friend Prince Harry will now be forbidden by tradition from wearing full military regalia after suffering the bitter blow of losing his honorary appointments with the Armed Forces.

With the duke no longer returning as a working member of the Royal Family, his honorary roles, such as Captain General of the Royal Marines, will be returned to Her Majesty before being redistributed among other senior royals.

Harry, 36, will be prevented  if only by tradition  from wearing full military regalia. Should he attend a Remembrance Sunday event he could wear his medals and a regimental beret but not a uniform.

Harry, 36, will be prevented from wearing full military regalia and stripped of royal patronages

Garments he should no longer wear are understood to include the Blues and Royals frockcoat worn on his wedding day in May 2018 and the Royal Marines dress uniform he wore to the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020, shortly before he stepped down as a senior royal.

His former commander General Lord Dannatt paid a glowing personal tribute to Prince Harry, saying his heart would always be with Britain's military community even though he may never be seen in uniform again.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail Lord Dannatt, a former head of the UK's Armed Forces, sounded a defiant note on his behalf after the prince's 16 years of service.

He said: 'It was a privilege to have enjoyed Prince Harry's comradeship during the years that he has served his country in uniform. As we say, 'You can take someone out of the Army, but you can never take the Army out of them'.

'I am sure the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force would say the same. I have no doubt that this will be Prince Harry's emotion.

'The announcement from Buckingham Palace is welcome in so far as it clears the air about the Duke of Sussex's future intentions. I fully respect and support the decision that he has made in the best interests of his wife and growing family.

'The military community will miss his official connections and contributions but I am in no doubt that he will continue to support our serving and veteran soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in a private capacity, especially through the Invictus Games and service charities.'

Back in 2005 Prince Harry, then aged only 20, climbed the ornate steps of the Old College at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) to begin his officer training. It was widely remarked in the following years that the Army became his family.

He subsequently served his country with distinction on the frontline in Afghanistan, both as a soldier on the ground and later as a helicopter pilot.

After Sandhurst Prince Harry commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry, in 2006. A debate soon began about whether he could deploy with his unit to Iraq.

As he was not directly in line to the throne many senior army figures thought he should go. Eventually the Ministry of Defence, after drawn-out discussions with Buckingham Palace, was persuaded that he would be a high profile target whose presence would endanger those deployed with him.

Lord Dannatt then personally arranged for Prince Harry to serve in Afghanistan. He struck a deal with media outlets for them not to report his presence in return for interviews to be published and broadcast on his return. The deal held for ten weeks, allowing Harry to experience the brutal realities of warfare.

He served as a Forward Air Controller with a desert reconnaissance unit. In doing so he became the first member of the Royal Family to serve on the frontline since Prince Andrew took part in the Falklands War in 1982 as a helicopter pilot.

While Lord Dannatt offered Prince Harry his best wishes, he also sounded a note of caution as the Duke of Sussex starts a new chapter in his life.

He added: 'Prince Harry will have had to weigh up very carefully everything that was important in his life. Although he cares deeply for the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that he has served with and our veterans, especially those who have been wounded, his priority is with his wife and growing family.

'I fully respect and support the very difficult decision that he has had to make.

'I wish him well for the future and know that his heart will always be with the British military.'

On his return to the UK from Afghanistan Prince Harry was advised to retrain as a helicopter pilot should he wish to go back to the conflict  though secretly few senior officers expected him to pass the necessary selection tests.

But he defied their low expectations, qualifying as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner. He returned to Helmand Province in September 2012 with the Army Air Corps and duly completed a four-month operational tour.

Harry then focused on veterans' welfare and helped set up the Invictus Games, a version of the Paralympics for injured military personnel, before retiring from the Army in June 2015.

In December 2017, Harry accepted the role of Captain General of the Royal Marines from his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who had served in this capacity for a remarkable 64 years.

The prince made a number of visits to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon, and to Norway where Marines practise arctic warfare.

It has been speculated that the Captain General's role could pass to Prince William or the Princess Royal. Harry will also relinquish his roles as honorary commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy's Small Ships and Diving.
A witnesses who testified during the murder trial of Charles Harrelson is suing a Spotify podcast for defamation and fraudulent inducement after she says her interview was manipulated to suggest she was somehow involved in a scheme to send Harrelson to prison, court documents show.

The convicted murderer, who is the father of actor Woody Harrelson, was found guilty in the 1979 shooting death of U.S. District Judge John H. Wood Jr. outside of his San Antonio-area home. Chrysanthe Parker testified during the trial that she bumped into Harrelson outside of Wood's Alamo Heights townhouse around the time of the incident.

Parker, a former Texas attorney, was interviewed for the sixth episode of the "Son of a Hitman" podcast, which is produced and hosted by Jason Cavanagh to discuss her part in the trial. The title of the 10-part podcast is "An Unusual Witness" and was released in April 2020.

On Thursday, she filed a lawsuit against Spotify, Cavanagh and High Five Content, a production company that helped produce the podcast.

The lawsuits says the podcast only used 5 minutes of her 90-minute interview and portrays her as "a very unusual witness who was complicit in a scheme to convict Harrelson with fabricated evidence, supposedly obtained through her hypnosis." The lawsuit goes on to say the podcast injured Parker's reputation.

She is now a certified healthcare professional with more than 20 years of experience, working as a treating practitioner, clinical researcher and a medical educator in the field of PTSD. She is often used as an expert witness in court.

According to the lawsuit, she has lost work since the podcast aired. Although her testimony was not a key piece of evidence during the trial, the lawsuit says Cavanagh described her as the star witness.

According to a previous Express-News article, the trial drew a lot of attention partly because Wood was the first federal judge to be assassinated in the country. A drug trafficker named Jamiel Jimmy Chagra paid Harrelson $250,000 to kill the judge because he feared he was about to receive a maximum sentence in another trial. A jury convicted Harrelson, who was then sentenced to two life terms in prison.

He later died in a Colorado prison in 2007 after two unsuccessful appeals and a failed attempt at escaping.

Harrelson's other sons Brett and Jordan teamed up with Cavanagh to create the podcast.

In the lawsuit, Parker said she wouldn't have agreed to the interview if she had known the Harrelson brothers were involved in the project as "she would have accurately predicted that any interview she gave would be twisted to give the impression Charles Harrelson had been railroaded by the federal government and that her eyewitness testimony was unreliable."

The lawsuit goes on to say the podcast makes false claims about the trial and likened it the "reality TV style of 'Tiger King'" rather than journalism.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) affirms that Romania will continue to support Ukraine's territorial integrity, according to AGERPRES.

"We continue to strongly support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The annexation of Crimea is a violation of international law," reads the text posted on the MAE's Twitter account, along with a message from the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on behalf of the EU, seven years after the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

The illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol is commemorated in Ukraine on February 26, recalls the statement of the EU officials.
Police in Greece have clashed with far-left protestors defending a far-left hitman who is near death after a 50-day hunger strike in prison.

Photos show officers in riot gear firing tear gas into a central Athens station as they chased down dozens of protesters.

They are demanding the government intervenes in the case of Dimitris Koufodinas, the top assassin for the defunct November 17 extremist group.

Koufodinas, one of the leaders of the group whose aim was to overthrow the country's government, was convicted of 11 killings after handing himself in in 2002.

Police in Greece have clashed with far-left protestors defending a far-left hitman who is near death after a 50-day hunger strike in prison

Photos show officers in riot gear firing tear gas into a central Athens station as they chased down dozens of protesters

They are demanding the government intervenes in the case of Dimitris Koufodinas, the top assassin for the defunct November 17 extremist group

He was taken to a hospital in Lamia, central Greece, on Monday in serious condition after refusing food after being denied a prison transfer request.

His partner and son's mother, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, said that the 63-year-old was now in a 'critical condition' and 'borderline comatose'.

Koufodinas is seeking a transfer from a high-security prison in Domokos, central Greece, to Korydallos prison in Athens to be near his family.

Prison authorities argue that only suspects in pre-trial detention, not long-term convicts, are held at Korydallos prison.

Greek judges, lawyers and intellectuals have signed petitions calling on judicial authorities to respect Koufodinas' rights.

Koufodinas was taken to a hospital in Lamia, central Greece, on Monday in serious condition after refusing food after being denied a prison transfer request

His partner and son's mother, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, said that the 63-year-old was now in a 'critical condition' and 'borderline comatose'

Greek judges, lawyers and intellectuals have signed petitions calling on judicial authorities to respect Koufodinas' rights

Dubbed 'Poison Hand' by Greek media, Koufodinas was the main hitman of the far-left Greek extremist organisation November 17 that was dismantled in 2002

Koufodinas is seeking a transfer from a high-security prison in Domokos, central Greece, to Korydallos prison in Athens to be near his family

Supporters of Koufodinas have demonstrated outside the home of Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and vandalised the offices of two ministers.

A solidarity march also took place in Thessaloniki.

Dubbed 'Poison Hand' by Greek media, Koufodinas was the main hitman of the far-left Greek extremist organisation November 17 that was dismantled in 2002.

He is serving multiple life sentences, having been convicted of 11 killings.

The November 17 group launched dozens of attacks between 1975 and 2000 that killed 23 people.

Their victims included the CIA station chief in Athens, several prominent Greek businessmen, Turkish diplomats and a British military attache.

One of Koufodinas' victims was Pavlos Bakoyannis, a lawmaker who was the father of Athens Mayor Costas Bakoyannis and brother-in-law to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Upon coming to power in 2019, Mitsotakis' government tightened prison regulations for violent crime offenders.
San Francisco International Airport has twice in the last year delayed plans for a $1 billion expansion and renovation of Terminal 3. Now that project, T3 West, is on hold indefinitely. While previous delays were announced, this most recentand likely more significant changewas revealed during the February 10 meeting of the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee. The committee will now allow existing retail and commercial tenants, who would have been displaced by construction, to renew their leases through December of 2023.

The postponement means that frequent fliers who had been looking forward to a sparkling new United Club lounge or an additional 190,000 square feet of space for expanded food, drink and retail offerings, may not want to hold their breath.

The indefinite postponement is just the latest delay to the implementation of SFOs Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan, which the airport released in 2019 and was well underway when the pandemic hit. The airports modernization has already brought big changes to the airport, including the first two phases of the new $2.4 billion Harvey Milk Terminal 1, which opened in July 2019 and March 2020. Improvements to that terminal, which serves JetBlue, Southwest and American, were mid-construction when the pandemic brought air travel to a near halt. Terminal 1, it turns out, was the lucky one. Its a lot harder, and more expensive, to shut down an ongoing construction project than it is to pause one thats about to break ground, like T3 West.

SFO is the seventh busiest airport in the country, with some 56 million passengers in 2019. But like much of the travel industry, it has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, the airport saw passenger traffic fall to 16.4 millionan over 70% declinewhile revenues have dropped 22% from the previous year, creating a $136 million budget shortfall, according to a recent San Francisco Examiner report.

In addition to T3 Wests expansion to passenger amenities, the project included a seismic retrofit of the terminal, which is Uniteds Bay Area hub, a reconfiguration of gates to allow them to accommodate international flights and link directly to customs, and an architectural update to match the impressive new upgrades at Harvey Milk Terminal 1. All of that, it seems, is now up in the air for the foreseeable future.

I wouldnt read too much into this, said SFO spokesman Doug Yakel in an email questioning the concession leases and what they might mean for the airports much anticipated upgrades. But in a follow-up interview, Yakel acknowledged that there was both good news and bad news for passengers looking forward to some fancy new digs at their home airport.

Among the projects underway are an AirTrain extension to long-term parking, which is expected to be completed in April. The upgrade will take the Blue Line AirTrain beyond the rental car center to the long-term parking lot and the on-airport the Grand Hyatt hotel. The third phase of Harvey Milk Terminal 1 will add seven more gates and a connecting walkway to the International Terminal sparing passengers the need to exit and re-enter security expected to be completed by Memorial Day and new connecting walkways between Terminals 2 and 3 will open in October, if all goes as planned.

With significant chunks of the 10-year plan frozen until airport revenue picks back up, passengers' airport experience may largely depend on what airline they fly most regularly.

If youre American, Southwest, Jetblue, you have more to be excited about, said Yakel, because theres more gates coming on at Terminal 1. But if youre a United customer and you love the new gates and wish they all looked like that, sorry, but thats the one thats probably going to be waiting a bit longer.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday nominated three postal experts to the governing board of the U.S. Postal Service, a move that could alter the course of an agency grappling with delivery delays and rumored cuts under its embattled Republican leader.

If confirmed by the Senate, the Board of Governors nominees would bring additional Democratic scrutiny on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major GOP donor whose tenure has been mired by slow service and politicization.

The nominees are Ron Stroman, a former deputy postmaster general; Amber McReynolds, a mail voting advocate who leads the nonprofit National Vote at Home Institute; and Anton Hajjar, the former general counsel of the American Postal Workers Union. A White House announcement of the move came just after a long and sometimes tense congressional hearing with DeJoy about the agencys ailing financial health.

President Biden is committed to the USPS success, and these experienced and tested leaders will ensure the USPS is running at the highest of service standards and that it can effectively and efficiently serve all communities in our country, a White House statement read.

Democrats have been pressing Biden to nominate a slate of potential governors who could oust DeJoy. The six members who currently comprise the board were nominated by President Donald Trump. A spokesman for the Postal Service said it will welcome all qualified members to the Board of Governors.

DeJoy, a prominent supporter of Trump, has come under heavy criticism for a series of operational changes that slowed mail before the 2020 elections. The policy shifts fueled fears that DeJoy was attempting to sabotage the agency on the behalf of Trump, a vocal critic of mail voting, before it handled unprecedented numbers of mail-in ballots. Despite the worries, the agency said, it delivered more than 99% of ballots within five days.

After the election, the Postal Service again came into the spotlight as it struggled to handle the holiday season surge of packages and mail, leading to additional condemnation. DeJoy and other postal leaders have acknowledged and pledged to attend to the delays, saying the agency fell short of expectations.

DeJoy and the board are finalizing a 10-year plan to revitalize the Postal Service, an independent agency with roots to the 18th century. Asked about rumored cuts during the congressional hearing Wednesday, DeJoy told lawmakers that postal officials are evaluating all service standards but declined to offer many specifics.

We need to, frankly, confront the problems we face, be candid and realistic about the magnitude of the solutions we require, and embrace the few, crucial, elements of legislative help we need from the Congress, DeJoy said.

Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, praised the nominees and said they represent an experienced group who will oversee any potential changes to the agencys operations.

The board has the right to hire and to fire postmaster generals, so DeJoys certainly going to have to function in a way that he keeps the support of the board, Dimondstein said. Hes going to be dealing with some changing dynamics on the board.
A judge has struck down portions of a Michigan towing law as unconstitutional after low-income Detroit residents shared extraordinary stories of high fees and frustration about the whereabouts of their vehicles.

The case centered on the practices of Detroit police and a towing company. The decision by U.S. District Judge Judith Levy could force changes in a law thats viewed as favorable to the towing industry.

Levy last week ordered Detroit to notify the state within 24 hours after police call for a vehicle to be towed. That information typically triggers a notice to the car owner.

There was no maximum deadline to report a towed vehicle under the law, attorney Jason Katz said.

The law also required vehicle owners to pay any towing and storage fees before getting a court hearing to challenge a cars impoundment. Levy said each owner now has a right to seek a waiver.

You have an opportunity to get into court and fight it, Katz said. I dont think first asking for $1,000 is fair.

Gerald Grays believed his car was stolen in 2016. More than two years later, he finally learned that his car had been towed. He was told he would have to pay $930 just to get a hearing in 36th District Court, according to the lawsuit.

Levy ordered Detroit to pay $2,000 to Grays and $1,500 each to two more people.

The city said its happy to go back to the way things were done before the law was changed more than 10 years ago.

No appeal of the judges decision is planned, and we consider this matter favorably resolved, city attorney Lawrence Garcia said.

While the case only involved Detroit, Levys decision could be applied elsewhere in Michigan, Katz said.

State attorneys defended the law when Republican Bill Schuette was attorney general but dropped out of the case after Democrat Dana Nessel took office in 2019.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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France should impose an immediate third lockdown, a Paris emergency doctor said today as the British variant of Covid-19 spreads rapidly across the country with vaccines coming too slowly to prevent a third wave.

Philippe Juvin warned of a 'heavy price' if Emmanuel Macron fails to act quickly, telling French television that 'I do not understand what we are waiting for' after infection rates rose to their highest level since November.

French PM Jean Castex admitted on Thursday that 'the country's health situation has deteriorated' after experts warned that the UK strain would soon become dominant across France, with Juvin describing the situation at Paris hospitals as 'very tense'.

Macron's government is desperately trying to avoid a third lockdown, but Paris is one of 20 high-risk regions already facing tougher measures on top of the nationwide 6pm curfew, and city authorities have called for a three-week circuit breaker to stem the third wave.

But the proposal is mired in political controversy with opponents accusing the city's mayor Anne Hidalgo of electioneering ahead of a possible presidential run next year - after her deputy Emmanuel Gregoire said a short lockdown would be better than living in a 'semi-prison' for months.

Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the idea would be studied but suggested there was little point having a lockdown for Paris alone given the numbers travelling in and out every day.

'As we get closer to an epidemic peak, each day spent without taking a decision comes with a heavy price,' said Juvin, the head of the emergencies unit at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital.

Macron, who is also under pressure over the EU vaccine chaos, last night said he would take the AstraZeneca shot despite previously rubbishing the jab - but he would be waiting until next year at the current rate of progress.

The 43-year-old president said that 'in view of the latest scientific studies, the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been proven', after causing uproar last month by wrongly describing it as 'quasi-ineffective' in older people.

'If that's the vaccine that's offered to me, I will take it, of course,' Macron said, while berating AstraZeneca over the supply chaos that has hindered the EU vaccine drive.

It comes after Angela Merkel, 66, said she would not take the AstraZeneca shot because German regulators have not approved it for over-65s despite real-world proof that it is highly effective.

French regulators have also limited the jab to under-65s, but Macron's relative youth means he would be eligible for the shot.

But with France currently handing out only 550,000 first doses per week, it would take until 2022 to get through the 33million French people who are older than Macron if the roll-out does not speed up.

This graph shows the widening gap between the UK and major EU countries in the vaccination race - with France moving so slowly that Emmanuel Macron would not be up for his jab until 2022 at the current pace

Emmanuel Macron, pictured at the Elysee Palace on Thursday, says he would be willing to get the AstraZeneca vaccine having previously rubbished the jab

France's infection rate is at its highest since a November lockdown, with vaccines coming too slowly to rein in the spread of the British variant

Deaths are at around 300 per day, their lowest since late December, but would likely rise again if there is a surge in cases and hospitalisations

France's much-criticised vaccine roll-out has reached only 2.7million people so far compared to 18.7million in Britain, which has a similarly-sized population.

France touts the fact that more of its population has received a second dose than in the UK - but real-world studies show that a single dose gives substantial protection.

Macron himself recovered from Covid-19 in December, meaning he may only get a single shot of the vaccine under a recommendation by French health officials.

The president, who isolated for seven days at a retreat called La Lanterne near the Palace of Versailles, is not known to have any underlying medical problems.

His wife Brigitte, 67, is nearer the front of the vaccine queue but even she may not get a jab until the middle of spring.

France does not expect to open up jabs to healthy over-65s until late March or early to mid-April, by which time Britain expects to have vaccinated all over-50s.

Under pressure to speed things up, Macron lashed out at AstraZeneca on Thursday and accused the firm of 'not being serious' about its commitments to deliver jabs.

'We told them, you're not being serious about the commitments you made, because you haven't met them,' he said.

'We're putting pressure on them so they make up the ground lost and so that a precise timetable is met.'

France's vaccine roll-out is among the slowest of major EU countries, falling not only well behind Britain's but also below than the EU average and other underperforming countries such as Germany and Italy

Macron's statement that he would take the AstraZeneca jab comes after Angela Merkel, pictured, said she was not eligible because she is too old

This graph shows infection rates in six European countries. The UK (in red) was the problem child of Europe at the start of 2021 but has since seen cases plummet and is leading the continent in terms of vaccinations

But while Macron points the finger at supply problems, France's own bureaucracy and vaccine scepticism have also been blamed - with Macron widely criticised for casting doubt on the Oxford product.

Only 139,000 people have been given the shot since it was approved a month ago, while Germany has 1.2million doses going spare amid reluctance to take the jab.

Both countries are now seeing cases rise again, with French ministers threatening weekend lockdowns for Paris and 19 other departments.

France has piled up more than 150,000 new cases in the last week, the most since the week beginning November 17 when the country was in its second lockdown.

Macron's government has sought to avoid a third lockdown, instead imposing a nationwide curfew and stricter measures in regional hotspots.

PM Jean Castex said 'we should only resort to a lockdown when we have no other choice' but scientists say vaccines are coming too slowly to rein in the third wave.

Castex said the hotspot regions would now be subject to heightened scrutiny by public health officials, with new measures potentially imposed from March 6.

Nice and Dunkirk have already been hit with stay-at-home orders at weekends and stepped-up checks at airports as well as tougher rules on mask-wearing.

Paris deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said a three-week shutdown would give 'hope of everything re-opening again' including cafes and cultural venues.

'You can't force yourself to live in a semi-prison for months. Now you have to make courageous decisions,' he told France Info radio late on Thursday.

Customers queue outside a fashion store in Paris on Thursday, with the city's deputy mayor calling for a three-week circuit-breaker to halt new infections

Macron and Merkel were among the EU leaders who discussed Europe's plans to re-open borders in a virtual summit on Thursday

Paris authorities do not have the power to impose lockdowns, but Gregoire said the city hall would propose the measure to the French government.

But right-wing critics accused socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo of playing politics ahead of a possible presidential bid in 2022.

'Anne Hidalgo cannot use Parisians, play with their life and future, for the sake of PR stunts aimed above all at opposing Emmanuel Macron,' said one right-wing group.

The head of the wider Ile-de-France region, Valerie Pecresse, also ridiculed the suggestion, telling Le Parisien that 'millions of people' travel in and out of the region every day.

But experts at the prestigious Institut Pasteur say new measures may be needed because the feared British variant is set to become the dominant strain in France.

The institute says that only 10 per cent of the French population is expected to have been vaccinated by mid-March, making 'little impact on the dynamics of infection'.

The UK strain is believed to be more contagious, meaning that the transmission rate is expected to be 55 per cent higher by April than it would have been before.

The French scientists say that daily hospital admissions could return to levels of 4,500 per day not seen since the first wave.

'We expect that the vaccination may help delay the rise in hospital admissions by about two weeks,' the Pasteur scientists said.

'However, its impact may not be sufficient to balance the effect of the increased transmissibility of [the British variant].

'Indeed, the number of hospital admissions might reach in the second half of April 2021 levels observed at the peak of the French second wave and more than 4,500 daily hospital admissions at the peak which would likely overwhelm the healthcare system.'

The experts said that if France could speed up to a rate of more than 400,000 jabs per day and reach 90 per cent vaccine coverage in over-75s, the number of hospital cases at the peak could be reduced by up to 33 per cent.

A woman gets the vaccine at a cultural centre turned into a vaccination headquarters in Paris - with scientists warning that new measures may be needed if too few jabs are given out

But they warned that 'additional control measures' may be needed in the meantime, with ministers already signalling that extra curbs are looming.

Strengthening restrictions with 'strong intensity' for six weeks could 'reduce the growth in hospital admissions further than in other scenarios,' the scientists said.

Macron was also involved in EU talks on Thursday over opening up travel, with tourism-reliant countries pressing for 'vaccine passports' to restart holidays.

Greece is already seeking bilateral arrangements with Britain and Israel while Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz has also lobbied for so-called 'green passports'.

But Macron said vaccine passports would be unfair for young people who are at the back of the queue for vaccination and could in effect be banned from travelling.

'I'll never allow access to one country or another to depend on some certificate or other,' he said.

And Merkel said it would take at least three months to design a scheme - after Germany was scolded by the EU for imposing unilateral border closures.

EU leaders are sticking with their goal of having 70 per cent of adults in the EU fully vaccinated by mid-September.

But leaders warned in a joint statement that 'the epidemiological situation remains serious, and the new variants pose additional challenges'.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the British variant was present in all 27 member states, the South African variant in 14 and the Brazilian strain in seven.

'We must therefore uphold tight restrictions while stepping up efforts to accelerate the provision of vaccines,' the leaders said.
The store, on Sixth Avenue between West 8th and 9th Streets, is in the very center of Greenwich Village. And its landmark interior, which dates to 1902, is wonderfully preserved, with its original tiled floor and oak shelves. At the front of the space are glass-fronted counters where a dazzling array of seductive goods is kept: skin-care products from France, fragrances from Barcelona, sparkly hair bands, badger-hair shaving brushes and Bigelows own proprietary lotions and potions. When I go in to pick up hand sanitizer or Advil, I tend to come out with a basket full of delights that might include lavender-and-peppermint soap or a Tuscan fig candle. For the really hard-to-please, there are pill bottles wrapped in repurposed monogrammed Louis Vuitton canvas by the artist Sarah Coleman. But you can also find Ponds Cold Cream and Alka-Seltzer.

At the back of the store is the pharmacy, which has a more communal, convivial spirit than your average Walgreens, with many long-term patrons stopping in for their medicines and vitamins, and staying to chat or get advice. In a sense, this is the heart of Bigelow. Alec can look up at the wall here and see the pharmacy licenses issued to his grandfather Jerry and his great-grandfather William, who bought Bigelow in 1939. Before he joined the family business, my father was a band leader in the late 40s and early 50s, Ian says of Jerry, who performed in the Catskills one summer with Mel Brooks as his drummer. He definitely wanted a career in music. But his father, a strict Eastern European orthodox Jew, didnt think it was a profession.

The worlds biggest family history conference is free this weekend to anyone who registers online at Roots Tech.org.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (famous for its vast FamilySearch digitalized trove of birth, death and marital records dating back centuries) hosts an annual genealogy event and its open to everyone, regardless of faith. This year, many workshops and speakers focus on Black family history and the African diaspora. Ancestry.com and Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society will be on hand to lecture and take questions. Roots Tech will start live-streaming select programming at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25, and through Saturday.

As of Wednesday, more than 501,000 people from 224 countries had registered. More than 85 percent of them are new to the conference. The Albany spokesperson for Roots Tech, Tarra Rust, vows there will be plenty of experts available to guide newbies through a whole cosmos of online genealogical records.

At some point, every researcher, novice or pro, will hit a point in time where written history for his family may not exist. A family of Europes 18th century peasants, for example, lacked the literacy skills to keep diaries or log their funerals or christenings in the family Bible.

Black studies historians have documented how vigorously bigoted whites suppressed biographical information about Blacks kidnapped in Africa and brought to America enslaved. Oral histories can become crucial for Black family researchers. There will be presentations on where to find such oral histories in different countries.

There will also be people like me who are passionate about family history and have been deeply involved in genealogical research for our adult lives, said Rust, who's been researching her familys European history since she was a teen. We call them Family Search Service Missionaries. They go to the conference, wear shirts with messages on them saying theyre happy to help.

Mormon Family History consultant Linda Miller says the passion for genealogy is part of the churchs spiritual life. Mormons believe that their ancestors who died before the LDS prophet Joseph Smith lived can be baptized posthumously as Mormons.

For us, its our version of lighting a candle for the departed or having a Mass said, Miller explained.

Miller has adopted and raised three children, all of whom were able to trace their ancestry back to India. She doesnt see adoption as an obstacle to drawing an accurate family tree.

She and Rust share a keen curiosity that is contagious. When she discovered an ancestor, who died at 19 in a railroad accident, a sweet-natured Canadian librarian who Rust called offered to sift through a stack of microfiche to find a 19th century newspaper article about the fatal accident.

Over the past decade, Rust said the conferences were often held in Salt Lake City, where the Churchs central temple is a landmark. This year, online attendees from different nations will have chances to enter online spaces where they can share knowledge and tips. Presentations will be available in 11 languages.

There are also special programs designed for Gen Z and children kindergarten through 12th-grade. All registered users can create personal playlists of all the sessions they want to watch.

Albany Mormon congregation member Brett Brimhall said that he enjoys an app that allows small groups of random people, usually less than 10, to search resources and rapidly discover if and how they are related.

Usually, they find out they are related in some distant way even if it was hundreds of years ago, he said.

After the conference, Rust says there will still be free resources available for family history buffs. Kristie and Steven Heyborne are local Family Search service missionaries who are happy to help the public learn how to use FamilySearch.

They can be contacted at: Heyborne.steven70@gmail.com

And the Church of LDS house of worship at 411 Loudon Road in Loudonville allows the public to use its research center free of charge by appointment. FamilySearch volunteers can be arranged to help.

We have a subscription to Ancestry.com so that service would be free to any member of the public who requests to come in and use it, Rust said. Were closed now for the pandemic but I can hardly until we open again so people can visit.
New Delhi, Feb 26 : Fresh Covid-19 cases are showing worryingly upward trend over the past one week, with the country reporting 16,577 cases in the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 1,10,63,491 on Friday, Union Health Ministry said.

While the latest number of fresh cases is 161 less than the previous day, the situation continues to remain worrisome since the positivity rate has been rising gradually, pushing it to 1.41 per cent. As per the Ministry's data, there are 1,55,996 active cases at present after 12,179 patients were discharged in a day.

Meanwhile, 120 more deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the overall toll to 156825, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

India has been recording less than 15,000 new infections daily with the toll not crossing the 200-mark over the last one month.

The experts have expressed a number of possibilities which could be owed to the stride ranging from lax attitude of people towards following Covid protocols to likeability of "mutations and new strains" causing the surge, as has been studied by the laboratories involved in Covid detection across the country.

Till now, 1,07,50,680 persons have been discharged so far. The recovery rate has reduced to 97.17 per cent, a change of 0.8 per cent from the previous day. Meanwhile, the fatality rate remains 1.42 per cent.

The Centre informed on Thursday that 90 per cent of the new cases reported came from seven states including Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh The Ministry also informed that 8,31,807 samples were tested on Thursday. The cumulative tests done by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) so far stands at 21,46,61,465.

So far, 1,3472,643 doses of corona vaccine have been administered in the country since the drive began on January 16 after approval for 'Covishield' and 'Covaxin'.

As per the Union Health Ministry, India has become the fastest nation in terms of the vaccine doses administered, even though many countries had launched their vaccination campaigns much earlier.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
ST. HELENA  The City of St. Helena has agreed to monitor local groundwater levels and stream flows, averting a potential lawsuit from an environmental advocacy group.

Following months of negotiations, the city and Water Audit California released a joint statement Friday announcing the city will collect monthly water levels and annual extraction totals for local wells and provide a public, scientifically useful summary of the data.

The city will conduct a comprehensive review of its water system, develop new protocols for using the citys own Stonebridge wells, and work with Water Audit on the installation of new stream gauges along the Napa River, York Creek and Sulphur Creek.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help We're offering our best deal ever with this Editor's Special. Support local news coverage by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.

The city will also consider impacts to public trust resources in evaluating new well permits and water connections.

In a separate statement, the directors of Water Audit thanked city officials, saying everyone worked very hard to reach this understanding.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., compared gender-affirming surgery to genital mutilation during confirmation hearings Thursday for Dr. Rachel Levine, President Joe Bidens nominee for assistant secretary of health.

If approved, Levine will become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Paul, a former ophthalmologist, was questioning Levine about transition-related care for transgender youth when he said that genital mutilation is considered particularly egregious because ... it is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children.

Erroneously claiming that Levine supports surgical destruction of a minors genitalia, Paul asked Levine if she believed minors are capable of making such a life-changing decision as changing ones sex?

Levine, a pediatrician, responded that transgender medicine is a very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care that have been developed, and promised to discuss specifics if she is confirmed.

Paul continued his line of questioning, asking if she supports permitting the government to override a parents consent to give a child puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and amputation surgery of breasts and genitalia. Levine provided a similar response, leading Paul to accuse her of evading the question.

He further questioned criticism of prescribing hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 by the same people who support hormones for transgender teenagers.

Image: Rachel Levine, nominee for Assistant Secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Feb. 25, 2021 on Capitol Hill. (Tom Brenner / Pool via Getty Images)

Dr. Colt Wasserman, a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, who provides gender-affirming care to trans minors, told NBC News that Pauls questions and concerns are not based in medical fact whatsoever.

Wasserman said gender-affirming care is understood and supported by major medical associations and physicians to be a life-affirming practice that, through an informed consent process, patients, parents and their providers come together to support gender-diverse youth in the medical environment in a wide range of ways, which typically doesn't involve any kind of procedural intervention.

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There's a lot of concern about surgery or irreversible decisions, when it comes to the health care that transgender youth receive, Wasserman added, but surgery is not a component of that care.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health states in its Standards of Care regarding transgender adolescents that surgery should not be carried out until (i) patients reach the legal age of majority in a given country, and (ii) patients have lived continuously for at least 12 months in the gender role that is congruent with their gender identity. The standards add, The age threshold should be seen as a minimum criterion and not an indication in and of itself for active intervention. The legal age of majority is at least 18 across the U.S.

Duke Healths Center for Gender Care for Children and Adolescents, for example, will offer children under 16 therapies to delay puberty and provide hormone replacement therapy for those 16 and older.

During this time, your child must meet with their local therapist weekly to manage the emotional changes that happen during hormone therapy, according to the clinics website.

Access to gender-affirming care has also been found to have a positive impact on the mental health of trans young people. A study published in January 2020 found that transgender people who used puberty blockers had lower rates of suicidal thoughts as adults when compared to trans people who couldnt access them.

Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said Pauls language was hurtful to Levine and all the trans people watching her hearing.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about health care for transgender young people, in particular, but what's really important to know is that all of the leading medical institutions have researched this and really recognize that it's primary care, Heng-Lehtinen said. It's different for every trans young person, just because any kind of medical care is different for any kind of individual patient, so it's personalized, but this is legitimate health care.

Heng-Lehtinen cited the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics as medical organizations that support the rights of transgender adolescents to receive appropriate care with the support of providers and parents.

LGBTQ rights advocates swiftly condemned Pauls comments and praised Levines testimony.

While Rand Paul is a doctor, his own history makes it clear that he has no respect for science or medicine, Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims, a Democrat and longtime Levine ally, told NBC News.

Sims, who is gay and recently announced his bid for lieutenant governor, called Levine a world-class public-health expert.

While I remain excited about what Dr. Levine's selection by President Biden means for her and the LGBTQ+ communities, I'm even more excited about what it means for the country."

Later in Thursdays hearings, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Senate health committee, called Pauls remarks ideological and harmful misrepresentations.

But the American Principles Project, a conservative lobbying group that opposes gay marriage, transgender rights and abortion, defended Pauls immense courage in challenging Levine.

It is important that the American people are aware of just how extreme Joe Bidens nominees are and what they are likely to support as members of his administration, the groups executive director, Terry Schilling, said in a statement. Dr. Levines radical ideology ought to be a disqualifier for any position at HHS, never mind one as important as assistant secretary for health, and we urge the Senate to reject this confirmation when it comes up for a vote.

Levine was most recently Pennsylvania's secretary of health, and helped steer the commonwealth's coronavirus response. She received high marks for remaining what The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called the calm in the eye of the Covid-19 storm. She was, however, criticized for her policy of returning nursing home residents who had been treated for Covid-19 in hospitals back to their facilities.

She is also no stranger to transphobic attacks from conservatives. For example, in a Jan. 19 article about her nomination, the far-right media outlet Breitbart misgendered and deadnamed Levine repeatedly. (Deadnaming refers to using a transgender persons former name.)

Shortly after the nomination, Pennsylvania state Rep. Jeff Pyle posted a picture on Facebook mocking Levines appearance. After widespread criticism, Pyle, a Republican, deactivated his Facebook page and claimed that he had no idea the post would be ... received as poorly as it was, The Associated Press reported.

Levine is the first trans person to be nominated for a Senate-confirmed position, and whenever you're the first trans person, a target gets put on your back, Heng-Lehtinen said.

My heart really goes out to her for having to endure those attacks, and I'm grateful that she is so skilled at navigating it as she is, but she shouldn't have to do that, he said. For Senator Paul to kind of blurt out these myths and misconceptions about trans people and try to use that against her, I think really shows how much transphobia is still out there. So as historic as it is for a trans person to be able to be up in front of the Senate, and that's an important first step, it also reveals just how far we have to go.

Pauls questions come at the end of a long week for LGBTQ advocates. The House debated and passed the Equality Act on Thursday, and multiple states, including South Carolina and Utah, held hearings on bills that would ban transgender athletes from competing in school sports.

Nat Mulkey, a transgender medical student at Boston University who uses gender-neutral pronouns, said they had the privilege of being able to step away from the news when it feels personally attacking and harmful, but that not every trans person does. Mulkey said Pauls language would negatively affect trans young people.

It's not a hyperbole, or an overstatement to say that it is deadly, Mulkey said of the senators language. They said allowing young trans people an authentic and private experience with their doctor to discuss these issues and not have the invalidation at such a national level is so important to fostering their health and their lives in general.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions must vote on whether to recommend Levines nomination to the full Senate. It is not yet known when that vote will happen.

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Houston drivers should expect traffic delays Friday as police facilitate a visit from President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, officials said.

"Please expect intermittent traffic delays starting at noon and into the evening commute and a large police presence primarily in and close to the 610 loop," said Chief Art Acevedo.
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As humanitarian aid workers in Armenia and South Sudan, Jerry and Meaghan Kenney have huddled around wood stoves to keep warm and bathed with buckets for lack of water. But the couple didnt expect theyd need such survival skills to get through the winter storm at their home outside Hudson, in deep East Texas.

The Kenneys, who have a 1-year-old and 3-year-old, had only intermittent power and water last week, and remain under a boil water notice.

The family huddled together under the covers, built indoor tents with sheets and blankets and lobbed snowballs at one another. But after so many days, they grew weary of sitting in the cold and the kids lost interest in playing in the snow.

HALLELUJAH: More than 99 percent of Houston has had power restored

Its hard to think about not being able to keep my kids warm, on a visceral level, said Jerry Kenney. From our time living in places where water was scarce, we knew instinctively to fill up bathtubs and pots and containers, and to let the water drip overnight. Ill admit that me and the kids have not bathed every night, and fortunately, the water came back before my wife forced us all to bucket bathe.

Like other parts of Texas, rural communities were hammered by the winter storm that left families without the basic necessities of heat and running water. But temperatures in the country dipped lower than in cities, plummeting to the low single digits. Fewer resources serve that larger geography, and without city services, mobility can be more limited. Many living in the rural areas are ranchers and farmers who also had to worry about and prioritize livestock and crops.

Mickey Edwards has about 3,000 acres of lease pastures scattered across Lampasas County, and spent the week using axes to chop holes in the sheets of ice that covered stock tanks and water troughs for his cattle, which number about 200. To ensure the cows survived, he brought 1,400-pound hay bales and feed to them early every morning last week, not returning home until just before dark.

On Tuesday, during the 100-mile round trip to tend to his cattle, Edwards truck stalled on an incline slick with ice. No one had salted or sanded the country roads. Another truck barreled down the road in his direction, lacking traction and unable to stop, prompting Edwards to jump from his vehicle, past the ditch on the side of the road, to a fence. It was a close call with no impact or injuries.

But the trip was necessary.

LOCAL HEROES: That time Trae tha Truth rented an entire gas station to help Houstonians

We know other ranchers arent as in good shape as we are, said Edwards, whose family has been in the ranching business for eight generations  since before the Civil War. We didnt have that second sheet of ice. Some of our friends near Florence couldnt even drive because they had an inch of ice on top of the snow, so they were homebound and couldnt get off their home place to go check cattle. They probably didnt fare as well as we did. We feel very fortunate.

The cold was too much for the newborn calves and many lost cattle.

Livestock-wise on the dairy end, its just a struggle. You try to keep them fed, keep them milked, keep them watered, said Russell Boening, a dairy farmer in Poth, southeast of San Antonio. A lot of our beef cows are having babies right now. You have to get to them pretty quick after theyre born Everyone is doing what they can to save those babies. We lost a couple. We couldnt get there in time.

Boening, president of the Texas Farm Bureau, said hes been at this work for nearly 40 years. He has never seen a weather event like this in South Texas and is hearing similar stories across the state from the organization's 500,000 members.

Vegetable and citrus farmers suffered substantial losses, he said. And while at least half of the citrus crops of oranges and grapefruit had already been harvested in the Rio Grande Valley, he said the losses for that region alone total more than $300 million so far.

Its difficult to prepare for what youve never lived in, Boening said.

There hasnt been anyone who was spared the craziness, said Randy Willis, superintendent of the 450-student Granger Independent School District, in northeastern Williamson County. Its been a challenge for every superintendent, whether youre big, small, rural or urban. Its one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. ... We had people without water or power for over seven days.

A water pipe burst within the 1924 Building that houses the districts middle and high school students, rendering a classroom unusable. But with some teachers and students still lacking power and the internet, the district might not reopen Monday, not even virtually. (After the winter break, about 90% of students had returned in person for school.) Willis, who was on the verge of losing water again Friday night, said he wants to return students to normalcy as soon as possible, but will assess the situation Sunday night. He said he must weigh the human cost on students and staff members, and the stress theyve endured in the past week.

In Marfa, the south side of Lincoln Street was without power Monday through Wednesday. The northern neighborhoods remained online. Marfa ISDs campus straddles Lincoln Street, so the main campus didnt lose power, but the bus barn across the street did.

Local officials partnered with MISD Superintendent Oscar Aguero last Monday afternoon to turn the cafeteria into a warming center, with cots available in the gymnasium. Those who lost power had a place to warm up, charge their electronics and get a meal. Local grocery stores  Porter's Thriftway and The Get Go  and some individuals donated extra food and water. With the help of MISD cafeteria staff and volunteers, they were able to provide 60 to 75 meals for breakfast and for lunch.

Marfa Food Pantry volunteers Gary Oliver and Alisha Waller load pallets with boxes of food for Saturday morning distribution. West Texas Food Bank delivered food Friday night after power was restored in Marfa. Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

Marfa resident Ellie Tejada gathers produce from the Marfa Food Pantry Saturday morning. Tejada didn't have power at her house for three days this week and had to throw out her food. Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune

First: Marfa Food Pantry volunteers Gary Oliver and Alisha Waller load pallets with boxes of food for Saturday morning distribution. The West Texas Food Bank delivered food Friday night after power was restored in Marfa. Last: Marfa resident Ellie Tejada gathers produce from the Marfa Food Pantry Saturday morning. Tejada didn't have power at her house for three days this week and had to throw out her food.

Audrey Herrera grabbed a meal on Tuesday as the food in her fridge had gone bad. Growing up in southern California, shes never experienced a real winter until she moved to Marfa in 2019, and she didnt properly prepare for the outages. She was able to stay warm with the gas heater in her casita. Her co-workers donated food and supplies, and her neighbors provided hot water.

It kind of felt like we were in it together, even though I live alone, said Herrera.

The West Texas Food Bank in Odessa delivered 150 boxes of food to the Marfa Food Pantry Friday night, and planned to bring an additional five pallets. Elbert Bassham, the program manager, texted the residents he normally sees at the pantrys bi-weekly distributions to let them know about the food and vegetables ready for pick-up, and word spread on social media. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry has served an average of 100 families with an average of two to three individuals per family.

Bassham stopped by the pantry every day to power the refrigerators and freezers with a generator. The generator is powered by gasoline, so it was limited because the power was off at the three stations in town. Bassham was able to borrow some until he drove to Alpine, where KCs Mart still had gas.

I filled up every container I had, plus my car and everything, in anticipation of more issues, said Bassham. As it turns out, we don't need it. I have extra gas now.

In Milam County, part of the San Gabriel River froze. Water lines and pumping stations froze in Rockdale and Cameron, home to about 5,000 residents each. On Friday, about 10% of this agricultural community, about 75,000 acres of which is crop land and 225,000 of which is ranch land that runs cattle, remained without electricity and 15% without water. The county remains on a boil water notice for those who have it.

Its been pretty miserable, said Milam County Judge Steve Young. Its been one thing after another. Its just been a mess.

With the power out, the sewage treatment plant in Rockdale couldnt operate properly.

They were just about at the point of pumping raw sewage into the creek, said Young, who was among Milam County residents still without power on Friday.

The electric company was able to get things back online at the plant Friday, avoiding disaster.

RELATED: Texas was 'seconds and minutes' away from catastrophic monthslong blackouts, officials say

Young, also a cattle rancher, lost two newborn calves but was able to save three others, including one Friday morning, when he got up at 3:30 a.m. to ensure its survival upon delivery.

You sponsor that old cow all year for that calf, and that kind of thing happens, and it really sets you back, Young said. Its no big deal in some ways, but doggone, I hate that. Its more than just economics, its a terrible loss.

Goodall-Witcher Hospital, located in 4,500-resident Clifton, located northwest of Waco, is Bosque Countys only hospital. It was never without power for long, but the water main burst, spilling into the generator room and forcing the medical center to shut off the water to the fire sprinkler system. It could be several more days before its repaired.

Multiple patients without power at home were admitted with breathing problems after their oxygen machines were turned off. Between six and a dozen staff members spent the night at the hospital after conditions made it too dangerous to travel back and forth. CEO Adam Willman, who has a four-wheel drive truck, also picked up employees from their homes. One of the clinics in the health system couldnt open because of power and water outages.

We took everything day by day, Willman said. Were exhausted, but in the end, we did what we had to do to take care of everything we needed to do.

Rural Texans also told stories of joy amid the hardship. Neighbors helped neighbors, letting them stay at their homes or shoveling ice and snow from their sidewalks. Volunteers worked overnight to cook for warming centers and keep them staffed. While the icy roads kept Young from reaching his 93-year-old father whose pipes froze at his Rockdale house, leaving him without water, local police officers delivered a case of water bottles Friday morning. A Goodall-Witcher emergency room nurse, who volunteers at a local animal shelter, checked on a patients dogs.

I love living in rural communities and East Texas, said Jerry Kenney, whose neighbors came to shower at his house when his family had power and water. The neighbors, in turn, offered to pick up supplies. Theres a sense of belonging and a resilience that is unique. I have no doubt that I can rely on my neighbor in a time of trouble.
Secession, subversion and collusion defined Beijings political perception of Hong Kong for a decade. Now, the harbour city state conquered, China is using those terms to remake the city in its own image and purge dissent from childrens imaginations.

The national security laws that brought an end to 18 months of protest over Beijings rising influence are being weaponised to enforce the loyalty of children, their parents, and the rest of Hong Kongs citizens.

Hong Kong citizens on the border, with Chinas Shenzhen in the background. Credit:AP

As time progresses, the concept of national security is not only confined to political security, territorial security and military security, Hong Kongs secretary of education told teachers in an internal memo this week. But may also encompass economic security, cultural security, social security, technological security, cyber security and ecological security.

On Thursday, there was a mystery $HK8 billion ($1.4 billion) for national security revealed in Hong Kongs budget - equivalent to half its new coronavirus stimulus package. In Beijing next week thousands of National Peoples Congress delegates are expected to pass laws that will stop non-patriots for running for office.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce dates for elections in four states and a UT today. These are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. They will go to the polls in April-May. The Election Commission of India will also hold a press conference at 4:30 pm today.

Election Commission of India to announce the schedule for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. https://t.co/13H2TF5Zhm a ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2021

The assembly polls in these five states are being held after Bihar elections last year. During the presser, the Election Commission is expected to announce similar measures for these poll-bound states as coronavirus cases continue to affect the lives of Indians.

Also read: JP Nadda chairs meetings ahead of PM Modi's address to key BJP leaders

The decision to announce Assembly election dates came after a meeting of the ECI officials on Wednesday in which they finalised the dates for the elections.

During the meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, the officials discussed the security deployment requirement, social distancing norms and details about the polling infrastructure in these states.

Also read: Congress loses majority in Puducherry as more MLAs resign; CM Narayanasamy calls cabinet meeting

Also read: 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan to join BJP ahead of Kerala elections
services company on Friday said it has already surpassed its target of facilitating disbursal of Rs 1,000 crores of business in FY 2020-21, to its merchant partners.

While stating that it has enabled to over 1.1 lakh merchants across over 75 cities in India, said it is likely to end up facilitating disbursals of Rs 1,250 crores in FY 21.

Some of the top performing cities and areas today for the lending business include Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.

Also, the top categories for were groceries, food and beverages, and fashion, retail and beauty.

"We have set ourselves a target of enabling credit for 10 lakh small merchants and kirana store owners in FY22, totalling up to $1bn in disbursals," Suhail Sameer, Group President, BharatPe, said in a statement.

"We believe that the next level of growth for our lending business will be driven by merchants in the tier-2, 3 and 4 towns and cities," Sameer said, adding that the company is working on expanding its lending portfolio and will be offering a host of secured and unsecured lending products for merchants as well as distributors and wholesalers in the new fiscal.

recently announced that it has raised $108 mn in Series D equity round, at a valuation of $900 mn.

The round was led by the company's existing investor Coatue Management.

All seven existing institutional investors participated in the round -- Coatue Management, Ribbit Capital, Insight Partners, Steadview Capital, Beenext, Amplo and Sequoia Capital.

--IANS

gb/bg

(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 hourly pay increase, effective next week, will make wholesale giant Costco the nations highest-paying retail chain.

As federal lawmakers are stalled on increasing the minimum wage to $15 by 2025, wholesale retail giant Costco has announced that next week, it will raise its employees salaries to $16 per hour.

The pay increase will make Costco the nations highest-paying retail chain.

A Costco store in Inglewood, California is shown. Costco announced plans to increase its minimum wage to $16 per hour next week. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Costco Chief Executive Officer Craig Jelinek made the announcement Thursday during a Senate Budget Committee hearing on worker wages. Jelinek said that providing a competitive pay rate makes sense for the business.

We try to take care of our employees, he told lawmakers, because they play a significant role in our success.

The $1 hike comes just over a year after Costco raised its minimum wage to $15 in 2019.

Read More: Texas federal judge rules that national moratorium on evictions is unconstitutional

In speaking to Congress, Jelinek noted that while $16 is Costcos new minimum wage, it is just that  the minimum. According to him, many of the retailers employees earn more than $25 an hour based on years of tenure and experience.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled Thursday that the plan to gradually increase the federal minimum wage does not fit the rules of a budget debate and would not be part of the $1.9 trillion package that President Joe Biden has presented to Congress for coronavirus relief. Its a setback but not surprising. The president said earlier this month he believed the minimum wage hike ultimately wouldnt be included. Democrats, however, are still prioritizing it.

Read More: Marjorie Taylor Greene faces backlash for mocking congresswoman with trans daughter

We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality.

Story continues

The minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009, the longest stretch of sustained wages in U.S. history. Republicans have said that a $15 minimum wage would hurt small businesses. They have countered with a raise of the hourly wage to $10 by 2025.

Read More: McConnell would absolutely support Trump in 2024 despite critiques over Capitol riot

A movement called Fight for $15 began in 2012 when more than 200 fast-food workers walked off the job in New York City in a demand for higher wages. The non-profit organization by the same name says it represents employees in more than 300 cities on six continents.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has long been a proponent of raising the minimum wage, tweeted the following Thursday: Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour would benefit 32 million workers and would give low-wage workers an extra $3,300 a year. Ill say that again. Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour would benefit 32 MILLION workers. Lets get it done.

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Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
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Burma Injuries and Arrests Mount as Myanmar Police Intensify Crackdown on Protesters

A man who sustained injuries by police's crackdown receives treatments at a hospital in Mandalay on Feb 26. / The Irrawaddy

YANGONRiot police in Myanmar intensified the military regimes crackdown on peaceful protesters Friday, using batons and firing rubber bullets on demonstrators in the countrys biggest cities. Dozens were injured or arrested.

The regimes veneer of tolerance toward the protests began to crack on Friday when columns of police in riot gear aggressively charged on protesters in Yangons rally venues like Myaynigone and Hledan. Thousands of protesters, mostly young people, have gathered at those locations since as early as Feb 6.

Protests have erupted across the country in response to the militarys takeover. People have persistently demanded the release of their democratically elected leaders, the President U Win Myint and the State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Both have been detained since Feb. 1, the first day of the coup.

The protests saw some bloodshed in other parts of the country, including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, where five people, including a 16-year old boy, were shot dead by riot police and soldiers last week. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), 771 people have been arrested as of Feb 25, while 83 have been released mostly on bail.

Yangon got its first real crackdown experience around noon Friday. In Myaynigone, police marched forward while banging their shields with batons, forcing protesters to retreat. Unlike past days, however, they then charged on protesters. Opening fire, they grabbed anyoneprotesters to bystanders to journalistsin their sight. Among those grabbed by police was a freelance Japanese journalist. He was later released.

In Hledan, police stormed into a sit-in under the overpass, beating some young protesters with batons. Around 3 p.m., they charged into retreating protesters, firing continuously into the crowd, wounding some of the protesters. The Irrawaddy was unable confirm if police were firing live rounds or rubber bullets.

Residents in both Hledan and Myaynigone opened their doors to retreating protesters and journalists, saving some of them from attack or arrest by the security forces.

Exact numbers of those injured and arrested were not available as of Friday evening. However, it was believed to involve several dozens.

Despite the use of force by riot police, angry protesters and bystanders on Friday did not respond with violence as their elder generation did in 32 years ago during the 88 Uprising.

Instead, the unarmed protesters simply retreated and gathered somewhere else to protest. That made it difficult for security forces to apply hasher treatment and attempt to justify their actions as restoration of law and order as they put it in 1988.

In Mandalay, Myanmars second biggest city, riot police and soldiers continued to rely on violence against the protesters as they have since last week.

Four people have been seriously injured by shots that people believe came from live rounds. At least 10 more people, including a four-year old boy, were wounded due to beating and slingshot attacks.

As evening wore on Friday, a number of people were restlessly waiting at the gate of San Chaung Police Station in Myaynigone. They were family members of some protesters those who had been detained during the day.

The parents of a detained high school boy told The Irrawaddy that they had just learned about their sons arrest.

He is not a protester. He just returned from a market where he sells some goods and [was] grabbed by them, they said.

A group of lawyers who came out to help the detainees with their legal expertise said there were eight young people being held inside the station. All had been under arrest for hours. Access to the prisoners for legal consultations was denied by the police, as was the delivery of food.

They just told us they would follow instructions from the upstairs. We still have no idea what charges [have been made] against them or if they could be released on bail or not, said one lawyer.

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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Artsakh Republic welcomes the statement of the Secretary-General of the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI) Joseph Siegele on the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives held in Azerbaijan, creating artificial obstacles to the return of Armenian captives, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh. The Ombudsman calls on international structures and human rights organizations to condemn Azerbaijan's non-fulfillment of its international obligations and the creation of artificial obstacles to the return of Armenian captives.

The statement of the Secretary-General says in particular:

"I call on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held captive in Azerbaijan from the recent war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Everyone deprived of their liberty for reasons related to the armed conflict should be returned immediately after the cessation of hostilities and without any preconditions.

It should be considered exclusively in the context of human rights and the humanitarian process as an international requirement which is to be automatically applied.

Delaying the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians undermines human dignity and seriously violates the fundamental requirements guaranteed by the Geneva Conventions. This grossly undermines the post-war humanitarian processes and the international human rights mandates.

The release of the captives and their safe return require immediate resolution. "

The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Artsakh Republic is a member of the European Ombudsman Institute since 2009.
Officials have been accused of letting victims down again after wrongly telling a Stormont committee that hundreds of millions of pounds had been set aside for a Troubles pension.

Representatives from the Department of Finance briefed MLAs on Wednesday that 430m had been earmarked for pensions.

But shortly before 6pm on Thursday night - more than 24 hours later - the department admitted they had got it wrong.

Officials have written to the Finance Committee to apologise. They said it was an "unintentional error".

A Department of Finance spokesperson said: "This figure relates to Victims of Historical Institutional Abuse, not the Victims Payment Scheme for Permanent Disablement.

"When appearing before the Finance Committee on February 24 officials incorrectly advised that this related to victims' pensions.

"The department has written to the Finance Committee to apologise for the error."

TUV leader Jim Allister, who had issued a statement welcoming the pensions development on the back of the incorrect briefing, said it was "a shambles".

He said on Thursday night: "A better explanation than the one proffered in the letter - that it was an 'unintentional error' - is required.

"Once again innocent victims have been let down.

"The prospect of the pension issue being resolved has been dangled before them only for it to be snatched away. What a complete shambles."

The Executive have been at loggerheads with the UK Government over who should pay the scheme to compensate Troubles victims.

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has called on the UK Government to provide funding as the scheme was legislated for at Westminster, while Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said Stormont is responsible for the payments and had the means to issue them.

Mr Lewis met with Mr Murphy, First Minister Arlene Foster, deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Justice Minister Naomi Long on Tuesday to discuss the funding dispute.

Earlier this month the Court of Appeal ruled that the Executive Office had a legal responsibility to pay for the pension and gave them four weeks to find a solution.

The confusion arose during Wednesday's session of the Finance Committee.

In the Executive Office's budgetary spring supplementary estimates for 2020-21, an extra 430m is listed in resources under "provisions".

Mr Allister queried the matter at the meeting, leading to officials incorrectly advising that the money was for the victims' pension.

However, it the money actually relates to payments for victims of historical institutional abuse (HIA).

The HIA Inquiry, chaired by the late Sir Anthony Hart, reported in 2017 and said that all the survivors should receive compensation from 7,500 to 100,000.

The first payments were made last spring. By the end of 2020, the HIA Redress Board had received 959 applications for compensation, made determinations totalling 7.38m and paid out 5.76m.
DENVER, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Everside Health (formerly Paladina Health, Activate Healthcare and Healthstat), one of the country's largest providers of direct primary care, has been approved to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in 22 states. With pending approval in another 10 states, the company will soon administer vaccines in all 32 states where it has centers. As an approved administrator, Everside is currently working with more than 90 different local and state health departments to ensure that eligible patients are receiving vaccines in adherence with the CDC's phasing guidelines which prioritize eligibility.

"Patient safety and compliance are top priorities for us. As a long-established national healthcare provider, we employ highly sophisticated, HHS-compliant information systems and certified electronic medical records that allow us to accurately track patient backgrounds, eligibility and potential risk factors," said Dr. Tobias Barker, chief medical officer for Everside. "Such intimate patient knowledge, which is an inherent advantage of working in a direct primary care setting, partially explains why nearly half of patients surveyed by the Primary Care Collaborative indicated that they felt safer receiving the vaccine in their doctor's office."

Despite all the excitement around the new vaccines, medical experts agree that they represent only one part of the solution in helping Americans move past the pandemic and return to a more normal lifestyle. Masks, social distancing and contact tracing are still necessary. But even these precautions by themselves were not enough to safely keep America's essential workers on the front lines and allow companies of all sizes to keep their doors open.

Everside has been partnering with its employer and union-based clients since the inception of the pandemic to help maintain employee health and confidence. Within six weeks after the first COVID case was confirmed in the U.S., Everside (through its legacy companies) leveraged its cloud-based technology and Johns Hopkins risk stratification data to identify more than 80,000 patients with co-morbidities that put them at greater risk for COVID complications. The company aggressively reached out to these patients to monitor their health and encourage them to stay current with medical visits, treatments and medications.

The company invested heavily to upgrade its telehealth services so that patients could feel safe and confident in being diagnosed and treated. Since the onset of the pandemic, Everside has collectively seen more than a 2,000% increase in its number of telehealth visits in the form of online, phone and text communications.

"Our employer-based, direct primary care model positioned us favorably to respond quickly to the COVID crisis and prepared us for the many challenges it created," said Chris Miller, CEO of Everside. "Through our hundreds of onsite and near-site health clinics, complimented by our growing virtual care presence, we were able to work closely with our clients to develop safe Return-to-Work protocols and flexible responses to the continually changing CDC recommendations. We have since heard from many of these clients that, because of our early efforts, they were able to keep their businesses running effectively throughout the pandemic."

Miller additionally credits the same-day and next-day appointments offered at Everside clinics as being critical in helping employers and employees quickly identify issues and treat them effectively. The value of such quick response was especially evident by the clinics' ability to administer rapid COVID tests onsite.

As the pandemic lingered and depression and anxiety set in, Everside responded with enhanced mental and behavioral health programs. Building on its existing offering, the company introduced an online assessment tool to help identify patients most at-risk for mental health problems, including unhealthy behaviors and addictions.

"COVID has highlighted the need for more innovative, responsive healthcare options," said Miller. "We continue to receive frequent inquiries from employers who seek partners to help them navigate the complexities of the COVID environment. In the coming months, more remote employees will be returning to work and employers need proven solutions and technologies to help them safely screen and monitor their workforces. Our direct primary care model was already helping employers pre-pandemic to improve the health of their employees while also significantly reducing their total claims costs. The pandemic only served to strengthen that value proposition. As we supplement our clinics with our virtual care model, we believe the unparalleled access we bring to our members will further improve their health outcomes while lowering their costs."

For more information on Everside Health, visit eversidehealth.com.

About Everside Health

Everside Health, formerly Paladina Health, Activate Healthcare and Healthstat, is the second largest direct primary care provider in the U.S., operating 350 health clinics in 32 states located at or near the facilities of its employer, union and other benefit sponsor clients. Everside's data-driven, patient-centric healthcare delivery model aligns incentives to benefit the patient, the physician and the benefit provider, all while reducing the total cost of care. Patients receive convenient, low- or no-cost access to physicians and 24/7 virtual care, reducing the need for costly ER use. Everside Health, as its former Paladina Health entity, was consistently recognized for clinical outcomes that exceed HEDIS commercial PPO benchmarks, and its clients typically reduce their overall healthcare costs by 20%. Everside Health is based in Denver. For more information, visit www.eversidehealth.com.

SOURCE Everside Health

Related Links

http://www.eversidehealth.com


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The San Francisco Police Department is asking the public to help find a 4-month-old Maltese puppy named Scruggs allegedly stolen from its owner's car on Feb. 22.

The owner, a 23-year-old resident from Los Gatos, parked his Subaru SUV downtown at 200 Sutter Street at 10 a.m. and left Scruggs in the vehicle, according to police.

The victim told police he returned about 30 minutes later and discovered that someone had broken into his car and Scruggs was gone.

Police used surveillance video to identify the suspect as 43-year-0ld Viengphet Sasone.

Police said they took Sasone into custody on Feb. 25, but he refused to tell investigators where Scruggs was located.

Sasone was booked into the SF County Jail on multiple charges including auto burglary, possession of burglar tools, and a probation violation. Sasone is on probation in San Francisco for a prior burglary offense.

SFPD is calling on the public for assistance in locating Scruggs. The animal is a white, Maltese puppy, weighing approximately 12 pounds and was last seen wearing a pink and blue harness.

Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.

The theft of Scruggs comes after a woman was walking her two dogs in Russian Hill last month when she was assaulted at gunpoint and four suspects stole her 5-month-old French bulldog, Chloe, according to police.
Boris Johnson's former-Svengali Dominic Cummings has set up a new technology consultancy firm three months after he sensationally quit No. 10.

Mr Cummings is the director of Siwah Ltd. which was founded on February 25, according to its Companies House listing.

It is not clear exactly what the firm will do, but its 'nature of business' is listed as 'information technology consultancy activities'.

Boris Johnson's former top-aide Mr Cummings resigned in November last year after the PM's fiancee Carrie Symonds reportedly blocked the promotion of his right-hand man Lee Cain following months of civil war on Downing Street.

During his time as Mr Johnson's most-senior official, Mr Cummings issued a clarion call for 'weirdos' and 'misfits' to work in No. 10.

He wrote an extraordinary blog post calling for 'some true wild cards, artists, people who never went to university and fought their way out of an appalling hell hole'.

Boris Johnson's (left) former-Svengali Dominic Cummings (right) has set up a new technology consultancy firm three months after he sensationally quit No. 10

Siwah Ltd. was founded on February 25 by Mr Cummings who is listed as a director, its listing on Companies House (pictured) reveals

New consultancy firm Siwah Ltd. does not yet have a website or public profile, prompting many to speculate about what Mr Cummings has in store.

Some said the firm could be named after Oasis Wahat Siwah in Egypt.

It is said to be where Alexander the Great was made the Pharaoh of Egypt in 332 BC.

Mr Cummings casually strolled out of Downing Street while clutching a cardboard box in November following a brutal reckoning which saw his closest ally Cain fall on his sword - having failed to secure the key role of Mr Johnson's chief of staff.

It followed reports that Miss Symonds blocked Cain's promotion, warning it would be a 'mistake'.

The unrest in No. 10 saw her purportedly nicknamed 'Princess Nut Nut' by opponents.

Other tags for Ms Symonds previously circulating among the Brexit clique include 'Cersei', a reference to the scheming Game of Thrones character.

During his time as Mr Johnson's most-senior official, Mr Cummings issued a clarion call for 'weirdos' and 'misfits' to work in No. 10. Pictured: The Daily Mail illustrated how Mr Cummings' job advert might look on a poster

New consultancy firm Siwah Ltd. does not yet have a website or public profile, prompting many to speculate about what Mr Cummings has in store

Mr Cummings carried his belongings out of No10's famous front door in a cardboard box in November

Mr Cummings' departure lead to much speculation about where he would go next - with some sources claiming he could soon be offered the job to lead Britain's first 800million defence research agency.

The proposed body, based on the American Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is described as one of his 'pet projects'.

One source told the FT: 'One expectation among Whitehall mandarins is that Mr Cummings may leave Number 10 to become the first head of his pet project: a new high-risk, high-reward scientific research body based on the Darpa agency in the US'.

Less than two years ago Mr Cummings was relatively unknown outside Westminster but was thrust into the public consciousness with his combative nature, his desire to take on the Establishment and his ill-fated decision to bend the rules in the first lockdown to travel north from London with his ill family.

Mr Cummings' 16 months in Downing Street will also give him the chance to earn millions of pounds as a consultant advising businesses on Brexit, the coronavirus crisis and gaining access to Whitehall.

Allies of Dominic Cummings are said to have been using a cruel 'Princess Nut Nut' nickname for Carrie Symonds (pictured with the PM last year)

Another insider told MailOnline: 'Dom has been driving reform of the civil service - he could make a fortune as a consultant'.

The 48-year-old father-of-one - who is married to Spectator journalist Mary Wakefield, the daughter of baronet Sir Humphry Wakefield - could also choose to write a book about his time in Government, which could secure him a publishing deal of between 500,000 and 1million.

Last week it was revealed that Boris Johnson's dog Dilyn has become the unwitting victim of an increasingly bitter feud between Mr Cummings and Miss Symonds.

Mr Cummings has been accused of being behind allegations that the dog cocked its leg over a No 10 aide's handbag, and chewed on antique furniture and books at the Prime Minister's countryside retreat  inspiring Mr Johnson to call for someone to 'please shoot that f****** dog'.

It was claimed that Mr Cummings harbours a grudge against Dilyn because the dog once 'humped his leg' during a No 10 away day at Chequers.

Concerns have long been raised over the 'laddish' culture in Downing Street under Mr Cummings (pictured)

He is now, it was asserted, using Dilyn to fight a proxy war against the PM's fiancee.

Ms Symonds played a pivotal role in November's ousting of Mr Cummings and Lee Cain, the director of communications and a fellow member of the Vote Leave faction.

On Friday, one of the last remaining members of this group was forced out of Downing Street.

Oliver Lewis, nicknamed Sonic because of his supposed resemblance to the computer game character Sonic the Hedgehog, quit after the Prime Minister accused him of briefing against Michael Gove, reportedly based on information provided to him by Ms Symonds.

Mr Lewis - who played a key role in the successful EU trade talks with Lord Frost, the former chief Brexit negotiator - had been appointed head of the new No 10 'union unit' to counter demands for Scottish independence just two weeks ago.

Other senior advisers are also understood to be on the brink of resigning.

Stuck in the middle of all the drama is Dilyn.

As the feuding has intensified, increasingly negative stories have appeared about the dog's behaviour. Reports yesterday suggested Mr Johnson had been left with a four-figure repair bill for the damage at Chequers.

Last week it was revealed that Boris Johnson's dog Dilyn (pictured with Miss symonds) has become the unwitting victim of an increasingly bitter feud between Mr Cummings and Miss Symonds

An insider said: 'I was at a meeting where Dilyn darted under the PM's feet with an old book in its mouth. The PM shouted, 'For God's sake, I'm going to get another 1,000 repair bill! Someone please shoot that f****** dog!' Luckily, Carrie wasn't around to hear him.'

They added: 'I don't think he meant it literally.'

It followed another story about 'Dilyn's Watergate', which saw him cock a leg over the handbag of aide Katy Lam  who then left No 10.

It was reported that Ms Symonds was 'very angry' with the reaction from Miss Lam.

A Downing Street spokesman said that there was no suggestion that her departure was linked to the incident.

One Tory source pointed the finger at Mr Cummings, and traced the animosity back to an away day at the Prime Minister's Buckinghamshire home.

One said: 'Cummings was chatting away to his friends when Dilyn ran up to him and mounted him, leaving him absolutely furious. He was raging as he tried to get the dog off of him.

'Everyone was laughing  and Dom doesn't like being laughed at. After that he would bitch about poor Dilyn to anyone who'd listen.'

In brief: The Federal Communications Commission has unanimously voted to establish a program designed to help lower the cost of high-speed Internet for those struggling to get connectivity during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Its the nations largest-ever program tasked with helping households afford speedy Internet service, and should go into effect within the next 60 days.

The Emergency Broadband Relief Program is a $3.2 billion federal initiative thatll provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 per month for broadband service. Those living on tribal lands may be eligible for a $75 monthly discount, the FCC said in its announcement.

The program will also provide a one-time discount of up to $100 for eligible households towards the purchase of a computer or tablet.

The new relief program will be open to households that currently participate in existing low-income or pandemic relief programs, Lifeline subscribers, those on Medicaid or SNAP benefits, families with children receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast, Pell Grant recipients and those that have lost jobs and seen their income reduced over the last year.

According to The New York Times, the program will be funded with money allocated by Congress last year as part of its pandemic relief bill.

Image credit Nach-Noth, Casimiro PT
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An Easton woman is facing more criminal charges after stabbing herself in a Northampton County district court after being told she would be returning to prison.

Sonsorrae Barrett, 59, was charged Thursday with possession of a weapon and obstructing the administration of law, after bringing a knife into a district courtroom and stabbing herself, Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck announced.

In addition to her bail in a previous case, Barretts bail Thursday on the new charges was set at $8,000 with a 10% option.

This situation could have resulted in a far worse outcome, Houck said in a news release. We need to use this incident as a wakeup call for our constables and sheriffs to remain vigilant to the possibility of weapons illegally entering our county and state facilities.

Barrett was in court Feb. 11 before District Judge Robert Hawke for a preliminary hearing on aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and related charges. The judges office and courtroom are in a strip mall at 4330 Lehigh Drive in Lehigh Township, outside Walnutport.

At the time, Barrett was free on bail in the DUI case and she waived her preliminary hearing that day, sending the charges to county court.

Northampton County Pre-Trial Services informed the judge that Barrett had twice violated her bail by testing positive for alcohol. Hawke then reset her bail to the recommended $75,000, while allowing a 10% option.

The judge said when he left the room to complete paperwork, Barrett pulled out what another official said was a paring knife and hurt herself.

Barrett reportedly screamed Im not going to jail, and witnesses saw a constable attempting to restrain her, the district attorneys office said.

Police officers moved to assist the constable and saw a 7-inch paring knife on the floor within a few feet of Barrett.

The constables reported Barrett stabbed herself twice, and one constable pulled the knife out of her abdomen before restraining her on the floor, according to prosecutors.

EMS responded and, while the constables kept pressure on Barretts stab wounds, Hawke helped with placing Barrett on oxygen, prosecutors said.

Barrett was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for treatment.

Surveillance video showed Barrett removing something from the top of her shirt and walking toward the exit, then turning around and thrusting what appeared to be a knife twice in her abdominal area, the district attorneys office said.

A call for comment Thursday afternoon to Barretts public defender was not immediately returned.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.

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Mobs of pro-military thugs with sticks, knives, and slingshots attacked anti-coup protesters at a popular rally site in Myanmars largest city on Thursday, injuring at least 20 people after being unleashed on demonstrators, the protesters said.

Attacking after police removed street barriers erected to stifle anti-coup protests, junta supporters stabbed and beat a man and injured others amid an attack on anti-regime protesters near the Sule Shangri-La Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road, a center of the rallies held during the 25 days since the military takeover.

The pro-military mob that flooded into the area attacked a man who walked in front of them carrying a photo of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, hitting him on the head from behind.

I was just walking alone holding the picture. I didnt look behind me, and I didnt see them coming, he said.

Though Ive got a bump on my head and feel a little bit of pain, I am quite happy. I managed to walk in front of them with this picture, he added.

The attacks by pro-military gangs appeared to raise the levels of violence after more than three weeks of mostly peaceful protests that have drawn hundreds of thousands daily. RFA has verified eight deaths since the Feb. 1 coup, including three protesters shot by riot police and one demonstrator death in custody.

Protesters from a neighborhood near Yangons central railway station said they were attacked with slingshots by pro-military groups on their way to the Sule Pagoda rally. Angry residents in turn stopped cars carrying pro-junta demonstrators and interrogated the passengers.

One of the men stopped said he was a trishaw driver hired to join the pro-military rally.

I was approached while waiting for customers in my usual spot, he said.

In the past few days I have been able to earn only about 1,000 kyats (U.S. $0.70) a day and find it hard to feed my six children, so I agreed to go along because they promised to pay me when I returned, he told RFA.

I didnt expect this turn of events. I thought it would end peacefully, he added.

A Myanmar anti-junta protester gives a three-finger salute of defiance against the regime during a protest at Hledan Junction in Yangon, Feb. 25, 2021. Credit: RFA





We dare not refuse them

A car transporting men and women who had joined pro-military supporters suggested they were coerced into supporting the junta that took power on Feb. 1, arresting Aung San Suu Kyi and hundreds of others over the armys unsubstantiated claim that November elections were fraudulent.

We didnt know it would end up like this, said an elderly man in the vehicle.

We simply came along because we were asked to by some high officials, he said. We didnt support the military all along, but now because of the current military takeover, we dare not refuse them.

The neighborhood vigilantes later let all of them continue on their way unharmed.

Pro-military supporters also damaged vehicles at the scene of the mass demonstration in central Yangon.

They asked me to move the car, but with all these people around I couldnt do so, said one driver. They banged on my car a few times and took away my cell phone with which I was recording the event. They also hit four or five other cars.

Another driver who parked his car along with others near traffic lights said a pro-military demonstrator hit him in the face.

Another tried to attack me with a sword, but some of them stopped him and tried to grab my car keys, the driver said. Luckily, I was able to drive away from the spot.

RFA could not reach military spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment.

Some of the armed thugs said they were members of the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) from the southeastern part of Yangon.

Yes, we are from the USDP. I am a secretary, said a man driving a car at the rear of the pro-military group said, adding that he accompanied the group because they are all supporters of the Myanmar military.

When asked about the rally and violent actions by USDP members, party spokesman Nanda Hla Myint told RFA that he did not yet have any information about it.

Myanmar medical students participate in a protest against the military regime in Yangon, Feb. 25, 2021. Credit: RFA





Police fire during crackdown

Late Thursday evening, police fired several rounds of ammunition during a crackdown on protesters in Yangons Tamwe township, injuring several people.

Nearly 100 soldiers and a few dozen police attacked anti-military, injuring more than 20 people, according to local lawmaker Phyu Phyu Thin.

Armed thugs attacked them with swords and sticks, she said.

People at the scene reported some shooting and an ambulance that was hit from behind, though no injuries were reported.

Social media videos posted by residents showed police arresting dozens of demonstrators on the streets, while witnesses said soldiers were entering houses to make arrests.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a watchdog group, said that as of Thursday, 748 people had been arrested, charged, or sentenced in relation to the military coup since Feb. 1, with 686 being held.

Residents in Myanmars capital Naypyidaw, meanwhile, said shots were heard in two wards of the city, though no injuries were reported.

Lawyers for detained demonstrators in the city said five protesters are still in jail and one of them is now out of contact. The six were part of a larger group of 216 demonstrators detain during the 22222 strike on Monday, most of whom were released the following day.

Their lawyers said one of the five could be charged with defamation against the military and violations under the Natural Disaster Management Law. RFA could not reach local police for an update.

We have learned so far they are in the prison in Dekkhinathiri township in Naypyidaw, said an attorney who has volunteered to help the detainees  Nay Myat Thu, Nay Myo Kyaw, Aung Kyaw Moe, Kyaw Zeya, Banyar Oo, and Kyaw Min Soe.

All but Kyaw Min Soe are confirmed to be in detention. We are still inquiring whereabouts of Kyaw Min Soe, she said.

A Muslim and a Buddhist participate in a vigil held by anti-junta demonstrators in Mawlamyine, capital of southeastern Myanmar's Mon state, Feb. 25, 2021. Credit: RFA





We want democracy

Mass rallies and street protests also were held in other cities, including Mawlamyine, Hinthada, Pathein, Myeik, Hpa-an, and Loikaw, and in western Myanmars Chin state. Police were seen guarding the banks in the areas, but there were no reports of violence.

In Mawlamyine, Myanmars fourth-largest city, authorities arrested a young man who was painting We Want Democracy and Stop Killing People on a road where about 10,000 people took part in anti-junta demonstrations without any violence.

In the Irrawaddy River town of Hinthada in Ayeyarwady Region, police coerced medical personnel at the district hospital who had not joined the civil disobedience movement to open the outpatient department. But protesters opposed the move, and drove back police, witnesses told RFA.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane and Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
MADISON, Wis., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sub-Zero Group, Inc., the leading manufacturer of premium refrigeration, cooking equipment, and dishwashing brands Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, has expanded its offering with the launch of four new products unveiled in their first-ever virtual showcase. The new appliances reinforce an unparalleled commitment to the quality, performance, and purposeful innovation the storied brands have come to represent since the company's founding over 75 years ago.

"Our commitment to perfection, our passion that drives our every innovationmeticulous research, development, and rigorous testingthat is what brought us here," says President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Bakke.

The company continues to focus on the kitchen of the future based on emerging technology, science, and design. The new products are equipped with enhanced performance features and are Wi-Fi enabled to offer greater control, convenience, and simplicity. Refined aesthetics are fresh and modern for harmonious integration into kitchens of any style.

"As always, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove represent the pinnacle of meaningful luxury," says Tim McDonough, Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Product Innovation. "Our products are built with a singular goal: to provide the highest-caliber, specialized luxury home appliances in the marketplace."

2021 innovations include:

Sub-Zero Designer Series Undercounter Refrigeration  Anywhere refrigeration for every style. This diverse collection offers luxurious convenience and unmatched style while precisely preserving food, wine, beverageseven cosmetics. Featuring fully customizable exteriors and assorted functions, it seamlessly and beautifully integrates into any space.

Anywhere refrigeration for every style. This diverse collection offers luxurious convenience and unmatched style while precisely preserving food, wine, beverageseven cosmetics. Featuring fully customizable exteriors and assorted functions, it seamlessly and beautifully integrates into any space. Wolf E Series Built-In Oven  Enhanced cooking performance inside, cleaner, design-friendly aesthetics outside. Wolf E Series Built-In Ovens are equipped with an advanced dual convection system and chef-tested modesincluding effortless Gourmet Modeto ensure consistently delicious results. Two distinct designs integrate seamlessly in kitchens of many styles.

 Enhanced cooking performance inside, cleaner, design-friendly aesthetics outside. Wolf E Series Built-In Ovens are equipped with an advanced dual convection system and chef-tested modesincluding effortless Gourmet Modeto ensure consistently delicious results. Two distinct designs integrate seamlessly in kitchens of many styles. Wolf Induction Range  The historic and unparalleled performance of the Wolf range in a modern shell. Completely redesigned to provide a sleek alternative to the professional-style range, the Wolf Induction Range offers refined, clean lines and a fully integrated touch-control panel on top.

 The historic and unparalleled performance of the Wolf range in a modern shell. Completely redesigned to provide a sleek alternative to the professional-style range, the Wolf Induction Range offers refined, clean lines and a fully integrated touch-control panel on top. Wolf Dual Fuel Range  A precise combination of professional heritage, stunning aesthetic, and innovative performance in one bold cooking package. The Wolf Dual Fuel Range's durable construction and intuitive features ensure every home chef can enjoy guesswork-free cooking and predictably delicious results for decades.

For more information about Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances, visit subzero-wolf.com. Contact your local Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom for information on availability or to view the products in person or through virtual consultation.



About Sub-Zero Group, Inc.

Sub-Zero Group, Inc., headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, manufactures best-in-class appliance brands Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove. Founded in 1945, Sub-Zero, Inc., is the leading American-based manufacturer of refrigeration, freezer and wine storage products. Sub-Zero, the preservation specialist, pioneered the concept of dual refrigeration, ensuring that food stays fresher longer. With the acquisition of Wolf Range Company in 2000, Sub-Zero Group, Inc., added the industry specialist in residential cooking appliances, with products including ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, warming drawers and ventilation equipment. In 2018, Sub-Zero Group, Inc., launched the Cove brand of dishwashers, the specialist in all things clean. Cove joins Sub-Zero and Wolf, establishing the brands as corporate companions and a complete kitchen family. In its third generation of family ownership, the privately held company also operates manufacturing facilities in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and Goodyear, Arizona. Sub-Zero Group, Inc., is continually recognized for the highest achievements in appliance innovation and customer satisfaction. For more information about Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, visit subzero-wolf.com or follow us on Facebook.com/subzerowolf or on Instagram @subzeroandwolf. For Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Customer Care, call 800-222-7820.

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Iran threatened to call off the deal it recently reached with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if the UN nuclear watchdog backs a US-sponsored initiative to condemn Tehrans recent nuclear violations, Reuters reports.

The United States and Iran are at odds over who should make the first move to restart diplomacy over the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). President Joe Biden says the United States will reenter the agreement only if Iran resumes full compliance under the deal. But Tehran says it will only reverse its nuclear violations if Washington lifts sanctions.

This week Iran halted snap inspections of its nuclear facilities after a deal reached with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi that saw the country suspending short-notice visits from inspectors in exchange for the UN agency continuing its regular verification and monitoring activities for a period of up to three months.

The United States has reportedly asked the IAEAs 35-member board of governors to produce a resolution that voices their deepening concern with respect to Irans cooperation with the IAEA.

A US paper submitted to the IAEA and viewed by Reuters urged the agencys board to call on Iran to reverse its breaches of the deal and cooperate with the IAEA to explain how uranium particles were found at old, undeclared sites.

Since the previous administration abandoned the deal in 2018 and reimposed crushing sanctions, Iran has gradually enriched uranium beyond the JCPOAs limits. Earlier this week, news agencies reported on a confidential IAEA document that said Iran had added to its stockpile 17.6 kg of uranium enriched up to 20%, in violation of the 3.67% cap set by the JCPOA.

In a position paper of its own also obtained by Reuters, Iran described the proposed resolution as destructive" and the "end to the joint understanding reached between the IAEA and Iran last weekend. Iran warned the US move may lead to further complications in relation with the JCPOA.

Last week, the Biden administration announced it was willing to attend an informal meeting of the deals original signatories to discuss a path forward on the nuclear issue. Iran has hasnt committed to attending, but Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran was "considering" it.

Suspended Mayor of Russias Tomsk faces abuse of office trial

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

11:42 26/02/2021

MOSCOW, February 26 (RAPSI)  A court in Tomsk will consider an abuse of office case against the citys suspended Mayor Ivan Klyain, the press service of Russias Prosecutor Generals Office has told RAPSI.

Klyain stands charged with abuse of office and illegal participation in business activities.

In November 2020, the official was arrested.

According to investigators, in 2016, Klyain acting in the interests of the Tomsk Beer company, where he is a shareholder, illegally ordered a chief of the city administrations Department of Urban Planning to add inaccurate information on the 300-meter sanitary protection zone near the enterprises land plot to the geographic information system GeoCad and prepare a resolution of dismissal of a businessmans application seeking to change the territorial zone.

These actions allegedly caused serious damage to the entrepreneur consisting in the impossibility to use the land plot for the planned intended purpose, namely construction of multistory housing, investigators believe.

Moreover, investigators claim the defendant being an elected Mayor of Tomsk personally and through an intermediary ran the Tomsk Beer company from October 2013 to November 2020. By virtue of his office he rendered assistance to the commercial organization in the solving of disputes with authorities and other structures occurred as part of the business operation, the statement reads.




The United States government has released a long-awaited intelligence report concluding that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the operation that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey, to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said in its declassified summary of the intelligence communitys findings.

Khashoggi, a resident of Virginia who wrote for The Washington Post, was murdered in October 2018 after being lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to pick up documentation needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Once inside, Turkish officials say a 15-member Saudi hit squad killed the 59-year-old journalist and dismembered him using a bone saw. His remains were never recovered.

According to the four-page report released on Friday, investigators based their assessment on Prince Mohammeds decision-making control in Saudi Arabia, the direct involvement of his associates in the operation, as well as his "support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi." The ODNI added it is highly unlikely that the operation would have been conducted without the authorization of Prince Mohammed, widely known as MBS.

The highly anticipated report, while certain to complicate Washingtons relations with the kingdom, was not accompanied by direct sanctions on MBS, as activists had hoped. Instead, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday travel restrictions on 76 Saudi individuals under the "Khashoggi Ban," a new visa policy aimed at punishing those who target journalists and activists. The Treasury Department, meanwhile, unveiled sanctions on a former senior aide to the crown prince, Ahmed al-Asiri, as well as the Saudi Royal Guards rapid intervention force.

The report's release comes after a yearslong effort in Congress to make the intelligence community's findings public. Former President Donald Trump, who once boasted to journalist Bob Woodward that he successfully shielded MBS from Congressional scrutiny, refused to release the declassified ODNI report, despite a provision in the 2019 defense bill requiring him to do so.

The Congressionally-mandated report is only a summary of intelligence agencies findings, meaning, additional evidence tying the crown prince to Khashoggis murder is still classified.

There is no question in my mind that there is considerably more to declassify here, Sen. Ron Wyden, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on a call with reporters Friday.

The Open Society Justice Initiative, a New York-based advocacy group, sued the US government under the Freedom of Information Act in 2019, seeking the disclosure of the now-released report, as well as a tape recording of the murder and the CIAs full 2018 assessment. Amrit Singh, an Open Society lawyer, called the release on Friday "an important step forward, but it is not enough."

The Saudi government maintains that Khashoggi was killed in a rogue operation without the royal's direct knowledge. In a September 2019 interview with PBS Frontline, the crown prince said, I get all the responsibility because it happened under my watch.

Saudi Arabia pledged a thorough investigation in response to the international outcry over Khashoggis death. Last year, a court in Riyadh jailed eight unnamed defendants for their alleged role in the murder, in a trial described by Khashoggis fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, as a complete mockery of justice.

The release of the declassified report comes amid the White House's pledge to relicabrate relations with one of Americas most important allies in the Middle East after four years of what critics described as Trumps relatively uncritical embrace of the Saudi government. As part of the course correction, President Joe Biden has ended US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen and temporarily froze major arms sales to the kingdom.

As part of the administration's efforts to end the war in Yemen, US Special Envoy to Yemen Timothy Lenderking visited the kingdom this week. During his phone call on Thursday with King Salman bin Abdelaziz Al-Saud  Biden's first to the Saudi ruler since taking office  the two leaders discussed renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, according to a White House readout of the call.

On 5 December last year, British Ambassador to Egypt Sir Geoffrey Adams signed an association agreement with Egypts Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Badr Abdel-Ati to strengthen political and trade ties between the two countries.

The agreement will help British and Egyptian businesses and consumers to benefit from continued preferential access to their respective markets in the wake of the UKs exit from the European Union.

It was ratified by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi on 15 December and is now being fully applied by both countries.

An earlier EU-Egypt agreement establishing a free-trade area, liberalising two-way trade in industrial products, and progressively liberalising two-way trade in agriculture, agri-food, and fisheries was signed between Egypt and the EU in 2001 and entered into force in 2004.

It contained provisions on quotas, the movement of capital, competition, and intellectual property. Egypt is also part of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership between the EU and a number of other Mediterranean countries that aims to create a Euro-Mediterranean free-trade area (Euromed FTA).

The new UK-Egypt agreement largely replicates the existing EU-Egypt agreement, including by establishing institutional arrangements between the UK and Egypt based on existing ones such as the Association Council that allow for the ongoing management and updating of it.

This means that the substance of the UK-Egypt agreement is broadly the same as the earlier EU-Egypt agreement.

Many of the changes to the latter, such as replacing EU with UK where applicable, are applied by reading the text of the EU-Egypt Agreement mutatis mutandis, that is by making necessary alterations but not affecting the main points.

This has avoided the need to reproduce every page of the EU-Egypt agreement and has significantly reduced the volume of text required.

Where more substantive amendments were required to ensure smooth operations in a bilateral context, or where the UK and Egypt jointly agreed that the principle of mutatis mutandis would not deliver adequate certainty over rights and obligations, detailed amendments were included in the annexes to the UK-Egypt agreement.

For example, in the part of the agreement saying that origin will remain a key driver for regional supply-chain enhancement, the designation of UK exports shifts from EU originating to UK originating, and EU content will, unless specific provision is made in the new UK continuity trade agreements, no longer count towards meeting the origin requirements for preferential treatment for either party.

This change will have implications for goods traded between the UK, the EU, and Egypt.

To address these implications and to provide maximum continuity for business, the UK-Egypt agreement provides that EU materials can be recognised, that is cumulated, in UK and Egyptian exports to one another.

Furthermore, EU processing can be cumulated in UK exports to Egypt. The cumulating arrangements are set out in detail in articles 3 and 4 of Title II of Annex II to the UK-Egypt agreement and are subject to satisfying certain conditions specified in it.

The UKs exit from the EU could create more opportunities for Egyptian exports, if businesses are able to take advantage of what will be a significant but temporary disconnection between the EU and the UK.

The UK will be seeking to find competitive alternatives to some EU products, particularly in the short to medium term.

For example, fruit, vegetables, seafood and meat are the most affected goods in the food industry. Data shows that 40 per cent of food in the UK is imported, and some agricultural crops and dairy products were among commodities that the British media warned could be in short supply in British markets after the countrys exit from the EU.

Britain relies on European trade for most of its onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and salad and for a critical portion of many other vegetables and fruits. Such shortages will result from logistical challenges affecting imports from the EU.

Delivery companies seem to be avoiding bureaucratic procedures at UK ports in record numbers at present, with companies from Germany and France rejecting delivery contracts to the UK. It is estimated that the flow of freight through the ports could be reduced by between 20 and 40 per cent, while trucks travelling in either direction could be delayed by up to two days, which represents a big problem for fresh and frozen foods.

This provides Egyptian food exporters with the opportunity to compete in the UK market since they could help to bridge this gap, considering that Egyptian agricultural exports grew during the first seven months of the year, and more importantly that agricultural products are already among Egypts top exports to the British market.

Large British retailers such as Marks & Spencer have had trouble getting their fresh salads and other prepared foods across the English Channel to their stores in France, leaving some shelves bare in Paris.

The Egyptian textile industry has another great opportunity to grow its exports to the UK as the Egyptian government is already planning to quadruple textile and garment exports by 2025.

Agricultural products and textiles each represented 15 per cent of Egyptian exports to the UK in 2017, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity and the United Nations International Trade Statistics Database.

The manufacturing industry sector in the UK has also been severely impacted in terms of disruptions to supply chains, which could lead to the lower competitiveness of firms in the sector.

For manufacturing companies that import intermediate goods, non-tariff barriers on imported intermediate goods will accumulate, causing potential delays in the whole production process and possible malfunctions of machinery since some machines stop working if any delay happens. This is all represented in extra costs.

Manufacturers that operate with just-in-time models expect to suffer supply shortages due to a lack of deliveries from the EU into the UK, and they will need to adapt their operations to account for new contingencies and delays.

The Egyptian business community must start immediately leveraging the benefits of the agreement, which could potentially reflect positively on trade between Egypt and the UK.

The writer is general manager at N Gage Consulting.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 25 February, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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[February 26, 2021] Planisware Exceeds $100 Million in Global Revenue in 2020

Planisware today announced strong results for 2020, continuing an eight-year growth streak, achieving revenue of $105 million, with North America registering 33% growth. This outstanding result came from multiple new lighthouse accounts, including Archer-Daniels-Midland, McKinstry, Kabam and Lear, coupled with significant expansion among existing accounts, including Pfizer and Lilly, and industry-leading retention among all customers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005542/en/ Planisware reports eighth straight year of year-over-year revenue growth, hitting triple digits for the first time. (Graphic: Business Wire) "At Planisware we're honored to work with innovative companies all over the world, transforming the way business gets done," commented Antoine Villata, CEO of Planisware North America. "Our rapidly growing customer base sees that Planisware's cloud-based software is vital to scaling and accelerating their business. And they appreciate our Planiswarians' commitment to their success. These factors underlie our strong business performance in 2020, despite the year's unprecedented challenges." Planisware is the leading global provider of Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) solutions, offering two cloud-based SPM platforms for engineering, IT, and new product development (NPD) organizations. "Companies need SPM products more than ever in difficult times, for agile planning and control," said Pierre Demonsant, Planisware co-founder and CEO. "I'm thrilled at what we help customers do! With our products, Enterprise and Orchestra, our users succeed at digital business transformation, product and process innovation, and major engineering programs. Both of our products provide Project Portfolio Management, Strategy and Financial Plnning, plus Engineering, Application and Product Management -- all in systems integrated seamlessly from the ground up, not kludged together."



Whole New Modules & Trail-blazing Enhancements to Planisware's Enterprise 7 and Orchestra 7 Clouds

Planisware Enterprise 7, released in December, introduces a full Enterprise Architecture module to help customers plan business transformation, and design an IT portfolio roadmap to support it. The new version also further advances Enterprise 7's industry-leading Artificial Intelligence capabilities, enabling predictive analytics that can continuously improve with machine learning. Enterprise 7 also revamps the user interface, inspired by Google (News - Alert) Material design principles to create a smooth user experience. Learn more: www.planisware.com/enterprise/planisware-enterprise Dedicated to organizations looking for end-to-end portfolio visibility, Planisware Orchestra (the company's lighter-weight, turnkey solution) also gained major enhancements in 2020. It deepened support for intuitive portfolio management, and for agile project planning in a comprehensive SaaS (News - Alert) platform. Orchestra expands on its latest UX improvements to adapt to any agile management situation. This includes extending its Kanban support with new board features and a new interface to Jira. Orchestra brings structure and discipline to enterprise-wide project management processes and propels portfolio management maturity forward. Learn more: www.planisware.com/orchestra/why-orchestra Focus on Community and Customer Success Planisware's Community and Customer Success initiatives were front and center for the company in 2020 and will continue to remain so in 2021. Successfully pivoting their focus to virtual events and engagement in response to the pandemic, Planisware hosted two virtual global conferences, as well as launched a new online Community Forum for customers and partners in 2020. The company's Customer Success team also doubled in size, further helping clients to achieve maximum business value from Planisware solutions. More virtual events are planned for 2021, including customer focused Exchange21 events in North America and Europe, along with case study webinars and panel discussions with advanced practitioners. Planisware customers and partners benefit from this environment that lets them connect to share best practices and their experiences with Planisware's SPM clouds. For more on upcoming events, please visit: www.planisware.com/events About Planisware Planisware is a leading global provider of strategic product and project portfolio management solutions with hundreds of thousands of users worldwide across a variety of major industries, including consumer packaged goods, IT, engineering, automotive, aerospace and defense, high-tech, chemical manufacturing, life sciences, and energy. For more information about Planisware, please visit www.planisware.com or call 888-752-6479 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005542/en/

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Catholic Bishops have appealed to health officials to make vaccines a matter of priority for chaplains to nursing homes and funerals.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bishop Michael Router, who is the Chair of the Bishops Council for Healthcare, encouraged the support of the vaccination programmes currently in place in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The development and provision of the vaccines is already providing reassurance for those who are most vulnerable to the virus and will help us to return to normality in terms of work, education, religious practice, and sporting and leisure activities as soon as possible, said Bishop Router.

We encourage all parishes and Church personnel to promote this programme and to encourage elderly parishioners, relatives and neighbours to avail of the opportunity to protect their health and the health of the whole community.

Bishop Router also called on health officials to prioritise vaccinations for carers and priests, particularly those who preside at funerals or provide pastoral care in nursing homes.

Read More

Speaking to The Tablet, he said: Considering that most priests are over 60, some with underlying health conditions, and are dealing with gatherings of people, however small, for funerals and weddings I think it is reasonable to ask that they be considered for vaccination as soon as possible.

He added that many priests are worried about leaving their own bubbles and entering vulnerable settings without being vaccinated: Many are also providing pastoral care to nursing home facilities and would feel much more confident about that if they were vaccinated.

Deaths are on the rise among the clergy, with 135 priests dying between March and August last year compared to the 79 priests that died in 2019 in the same six-month period.

The group that is currently prioritised in the Republic of Ireland to receive the vaccine are those over 70 years of age while in Northern Ireland it is those over 65 years of age, along with others who are clinically vulnerable.

The Bishops Council for Healthcare praised the vaccination process for attending to the vulnerable: We note that many people both North and South have already received the vaccine and we particularly welcome the fact that all residents and staff of nursing care facilities have been vaccinated at this stage.
Rappers Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj may not have been together for several years, but their time together will remain notable in pop culture. After talking about an interaction she had with the then-couple, Claudia Jordan says shes been getting messages from fans.

Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj in 2015 | Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Power 105.1s Powerhouse 2015

Who is Claudia Jordan?

Jordan is a former beauty queen who won Miss Rhode Island USA. She appeared several small roles in television and film before she landed a role as a model on The Price Is Right and later on Deal or No Deal.

She was cast in the second season of Celebrity Apprentice. After her appearance on the competition series, she co-hosted the Miss Universe pageant that same year. She later returned to the franchise in 2013 for Celebrity Apprentice All-Stars. After this, Jordan went on to become a well-known radio host.

She once spoke about her experiences with Donald Trump on Behind The Velvet Rope With David Yontef. She said, He called me a few times and  he would tell me that I shouldnt waste my time with black men, dating them, which I was at the time dating an Olympic athlete, Black man, and who is the best in the world.

And I was like, Wait, why would you say that to me? And he said, Cause they dont have money. And I was like, Hmm, okay. So just throw away the whole race because they dont have the money to you. So I told him, I said Thats not a cool thing.

Jordan was cast as a new housewife on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She was only on the show or one season. After her stint onThe Real Housewives of Atlanta, she starred in The Next :15, a short-lived TV One reality series. Jordan recently hosted the Love & Hip Hop reunion specials and has programming with Fox Soul, including Out Loud with Claudia Jordan.

Claudia Jordan recently said something about Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill

Jordan recently spoke about an incident she had once with Minaj and Mill when they were dating.

I seen him [Mill] one time out in a restaurant with Nicki Minaj. This was back in the day. I had just finished Housewives, she said on Out Loud with Claudia Jordan, as reported by Madame Noire. It was a Jamaican restaurant in The Village and him and Nicki were there. She was super friendly to me. I had just gotten off Housewives. She said hi and everything. Jordan says after this, when someone tried to take a picture of Minaj and Mill, things went left.

RELATED: Meek Mill Under Fire for His Reaction to Nicki Minajs Pregnancy

He like, made a scene, and I remember feeling kinda bad for Nicki, she was like yo, okay, trying to control her guy like just chill, just chill, Jordan continued. We were one table over and it was super uncomfortable. I think that Meek, maybe, has emotional reactions to things. I think hes kind of impulsive. He says things and maybe thinks about it later.

After the episode, Jordan posted on Instagram that she had been getting death threats and negative messages. It is unclear who was sending her these messages, but can presumed to be music fans.

She said, Yall be doing little death threats and the littleImma spit on you when I see you cause you talked about Meek Mill or You didnt say Nicki is the greatest alive right now  of all time  or forever and a day, and I thought you were trying to shade her with your compliment  I wasnt. I dont do things subtly, Im very in your face. You know if imma be  if Im trying to be mean or rude or if Im trying to raise sh*t, I make it very obvious.
The Rajapakse government this week mobilised the military to break a national strike by thousands of junior hospital staff who walked out in a sick-leave campaign on February 2425.

The blatant repression of health workers democratic right to take industrial action is a serious warning to the entire working class. The deployment, which involved a total of 185 army personnel across almost 15 hospitals, including the Colombo National Hospital, Colombo South, Peradeniya, Gampola, Badulla and Mullaithivu, was initiated by Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva. The government falsely claimed that the military strike-breaking was in order to avoid inconveniencing the general public during the industrial action. While the deployment was not large enough to replace all the striking workers, it was a clear dress-rehearsal for wider state repression against workers taking industrial action.

Sri Lankan army forces entering Gampola Hospital (WSWS Media)

Military strike-breaking has previously occurred under Sri Lankas repressive emergency laws and essential service orders. This weeks anti-democratic attack, however, was directly initiated by the government and the army commander. It is another indication that the Rajapakse regime plans to routinely use the military to break future industrial and political action by workers and the oppressed.

The two-day strike was launched in protest against trainee employees being used at the hospitals and the by-passing of formal recruitment procedures. The trainees are from the so-called Multi-purpose Development Task Force, established by the government last year. Health workers fear that the task force employees will be used to undermine existing jobs, salaries and working conditions.

This weeks two-day action was called by the 17-union Health Service Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA). The alliance includes the Sri Lanka Republic Health Workers Union, Sri Lanka Nidahas Employees Union and the All Ceylon Health Employees Union, which is controlled by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). While union officials directed workers to remain at home, many decided to protest outside their respective hospitals.

Health workers protest in Colombo on February 23 (Credit: UHWU)

Following discussions between officials in charge of the sector and the unions on the first day of the industrial action, the health ministry director general announced that authorities had decided to temporarily suspend training of trainees in hospitals and other health institutions.

The Progressive Health Workers Union, which is a member of the HSTUA, immediately withdrew from the industrial action. Distrustful of health ministry promises, many health workers, however, remained on strike yesterday.

On February 23, the United Health Workers Union, which is controlled by the pseudo-left Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), held a protest march from the Colombo National Hospital to the Ministry of Health. The union, which did not participate in the February 2425 sick-leave strike, called for job permanency, uniform allowances, a festival payment advance and other demands.

Exploiting workers anger over numerous union betrayals, the FSP has recently begun organising new unions and front groups while posturing as an alternative militant leadership. The rhetoric of the FSP and its unions, however, is bogus and designed to keep workers politically trapped within the capitalist framework.

Likewise, the industrial action called by the health unions is not designed to fight for workers demands but to diffuse mounting popular anger over escalating government attacks on jobs, conditions and democratic rights.

In the past year, doctors, nurses, lab employees and junior health workers have participated in strikes variously calling for the provision of proper COVID-19 personal protective equipment, full payment of delayed salaries, extended overtime work, and other demands. Hundreds of health workers have been infected with COVID-19 and at least one doctor and a health attendant killed by the virus.

Consecutive Sri Lankan governments have failed to overhaul the dilapidated health service in the past four decades. Confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rajapakse government brutally responded by reducing this years health budget by 30 billion rupees, slashing it to just 159 billion rupees ($US8.1 billion).

The health sector unions are completely opposed to a joint campaign of industrial action over the parlous state of the public health system and the dangerous situation facing frontline health workers. Instead, the unions have pitted one section of health worker against the other, playing directly into the hands of the government and its increasing attacks.

None of the health service unions, nor any other trade union, has opposed or condemned the governments deployment of the military. Functioning as an industrial police force, the unions are terrified that unified working-class action will bring them into direct conflict with the government and the capitalist class.

The Multi-purpose Development Task Force consists of 100,000 previously unemployed youth from low-income families from across the island. Paid only 22,500 rupees per month, they are now being used by the government in various state institutions to cut costs and undermine hard-won conditions.

The use of military strike-breakers against health workers is another indication that the government plans to use the state to crush all working-class opposition to its policies. It follows Rajapakses insertion of retired and in-service generals into key government positions and the bolstering of authoritarian powers in preparation for a presidential dictatorship.

Last year, the government used its draconian essential services act to ban any industrial action by port workers concerned about surging coronavirus infections. It has also extended this measure to suppress strike action against the privatisation of the Colombo Port Eastern Terminal.

This weeks strike by health workers, which follows industrial action and protests this year by port, railway and plantation workers, is part of a rising tide of working-class struggles in defence of their jobs, wages and working conditions internationally. The fight for united action by Sri Lanka health workers poses the necessity for workers to break from the unions and to form their own independent action committees based on a socialist program.

Several workers spoke to the World Socialist Web Site, condemning the governments deployment of the military and the unions response.

A worker from Wathupitiwala Hospital said: The government is trying to attack our rights by deploying the military. This is a government which uses the military for everything. When the schools were closed, the government used those facilities to station the military. We have to fight this on a united basisthats where our strength isbut the trade unions are dividing the working class.

Rohan, a senior staff member at a Puttalam hospital, said: The government has called the military to the hospitals, not out of any sympathy with the patients. We support this industrial action and are refusing to do the strikers jobs. This means that hospital work has been completely halted, but our unions are not supporting this struggle.

A Peradeniya Teaching Hospital nurse said: Not only junior staff health workers, but all health workers, including nurses, must strike in unison. We have to break down the trade union barriers and seek support from other workers in the fight against this governments militarisation program.

Shimla, Feb 26 : Nineteen social organisations, women's bodies and farmer groups in Himachal Pradesh on Friday issued a joint statement in solidarity with the three-month-long farmers' agitation in the country.

Demanding that the three Central farm laws be repealed, the statement called for strengthening the minimum support price (MSP) system and extending it to different crops, especially the fruits and vegetables grown in the state.

The statement was critical of the 'non-democratic' manner in which the farm Bills were passed in the Parliament in a hurry in the middle of the Covid-induced lockdown.

The organisations, comprising the All India Democratic Women's Association, the Bhumiheen Bhumi Adhikar Manch and the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, condemned the laws, saying they were designed to benefit the corporate houses.

The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act of 2020 has the potential of destroying the government led-APMCs, they said.

The second law on contract farming puts the farmers in the dock by not just exposing them to risks when getting into contracts with companies, but also by closing the door of the courts for redressal for farmers.

In the third law -- the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 -- the corporates are allowed to buy, store and sell agri produce minus regulation and accountability of any sort. It also seeks to restrict the powers of the government with respect to production, supply and distribution of certain key commodities, the statement said.

They also condemned the manner in which the state and Central governments tried to 'defame' the peaceful protests using various tactics.

The repression of those coming out in support of the farmers' movement, be it activists or journalists reporting on the developments, is utterly shameful and against the principles of democracy, the statement said.

The statement will be sent to the President of India, demanding repeal of the three farm laws.
Sri Lanka on Friday ended forced cremations of people who have died of coronavirus, after visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan urged Colombo to respect the funeral rites of the island's minority Muslims.

The government first banned burials in April over concerns -- which experts said were baseless -- by influential Buddhist monks that the practice could contaminate groundwater and spread the virus.

The policy was decried by members of the South Asian nation's Muslim community who constitute 10 percent of the 21 million population.

While health minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi did not give a reason in her announcement reversing the ban, official sources said Khan had raised the subject with both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during his trip earlier this week.

Dozens of demonstrators had used Khan's visit as an opportunity to call attention to the Sri Lankan government's disregard for Islamic burial customs and carried a mock coffin.

In response to the policy change, Khan thanked his Sri Lankan counterparts.

"I... welcome the Sri Lankan govt's official notification allowing the burial option for those dying of Covid 19," he said on Twitter.

The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation had also raised the forced cremation policy at the United Nations in Geneva this week.

Traditionally, Muslims bury their dead facing Mecca. Sri Lanka's majority Buddhists, who are strong backers of the current government, are typically cremated, as are Hindus.

In December, authorities ordered the cremation of at least 19 Muslim Covid-19 victims, including a baby, after their families refused to claim the bodies from a hospital morgue.

Muslim community leaders say more than half the country's 459 Covid-19 victims were from the Muslim minority.

They attribute the disproportionate number of fatalities to a fear of seeking treatment, and in particular, to the fear of being cremated should they die of the disease.

aj/lb/axn
David DiCantio, town of Whitinghams sewer treatment plant chief operator, shows the inside of the RBC room at the Jacksonvilles treatment plant. Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, March 2, to vote to replace the RBC because of the mechanical issues it is having.

People

Announcing the 2021 Federal 100 Award winners

Hundreds of nominations were submitted, and our panel of government and industry judges debated for hours. The result? A list of 100 women and men who personify what's possible in federal IT.

Every year, it's a tremendous privilege to be able to sift through all these stories. The pool of nominations shows the vast range of important work being done throughout the community, and there are always far more outstanding individuals than even a list of 100 can accomodate. That was certainly the case this time around.

You'll have the chance to learn more about each of this year's winners in the coming months -- via the profiles we will publish in FCW magazine and on FCW.com, and (we hope!) in person at the Aug. 27 Fed 100 gala. For now, though, you'll have to make do with the list of names, which you can find below.

Congratulations to each and every one of the 2021 Federal 100:

Craig Abod

President

Carahsoft Technology Corp.

President Carahsoft Technology Corp. Eric Adolphe

CEO

Forward Edge-AI

CEO Forward Edge-AI Kevin Allen

Program Manager, Enterprise Systems and Services (PMW 250)

U.S. Navy

Program Manager, Enterprise Systems and Services (PMW 250) U.S. Navy Taka Ariga

Chief Data Scientist and Innovation Lab Director

Government Accountability Office

Chief Data Scientist and Innovation Lab Director Government Accountability Office Katie Arrington

Chief Information Security Officer for Acquisition and Sustainment

Department of Defense

Chief Information Security Officer for Acquisition and Sustainment Department of Defense Alan Balutis

Senior Director and Distinguished Fellow

Cisco

Senior Director and Distinguished Fellow Cisco Ron Bewtra

Chief Technology Officer

Department of Justice

Chief Technology Officer Department of Justice Branko Bokan

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Department of Homeland Security

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Department of Homeland Security Beth Cappello

Deputy CIO

Department of Homeland Security

Deputy CIO Department of Homeland Security Nicole Carey

Vice President, Strategic Communications and Integrated Marketing

Dynamic Integrated Services

Vice President, Strategic Communications and Integrated Marketing Dynamic Integrated Services Sandy Carter

Vice President, Global Public Sector Partners and Programs

Amazon Web Services

Vice President, Global Public Sector Partners and Programs Amazon Web Services Nicolas Chaillan

Chief Software Officer

Department of the Air Force

Chief Software Officer Department of the Air Force Mignon Clyburn

Principal

MLC Strategies

Principal MLC Strategies Darlene Coen

Director of Strategy and Acquisition

NASA

Director of Strategy and Acquisition NASA Miranda A. Coleman

Product Lead, Army Vantage, Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems

Army PEO EIS

Product Lead, Army Vantage, Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems Army PEO EIS Suzi Connor

Chief Information Officer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Chief Information Officer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Shila Cooch

Director of Federal IT Policy

Office of Management and Budget

Director of Federal IT Policy Office of Management and Budget Matthew T. Cornelius

Executive Director

Alliance for Digital Innovation

Executive Director Alliance for Digital Innovation Maj. Ryan Costantino

Data Innovation Chief, Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solution program, Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems

Department of Defense

Data Innovation Chief, Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solution program, Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems Department of Defense Dr. Pamela Crawford

Senior Advisor

Social Security Advisory Board

Senior Advisor Social Security Advisory Board Maj. Gen. Kimberly Crider

Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Space Operations

U.S. Space Force

Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Space Operations U.S. Space Force Portia Crowe, Ph.D

Chief Data Officer, Network Cross-Functional Team

Army Futures Command

Chief Data Officer, Network Cross-Functional Team Army Futures Command Emery Csulak

Principal Deputy CIO

Department of Energy

Principal Deputy CIO Department of Energy Irving Dennis

Chief Financial Officer

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Chief Financial Officer Department of Housing and Urban Development Ed DeSeve

Coordinator, Agile Government Center

National Academy of Public Administration

Coordinator, Agile Government Center National Academy of Public Administration Anil Dewan

Digital Service Expert and Product Manager, Defense Digital Service

Department of Defense

Digital Service Expert and Product Manager, Defense Digital Service Department of Defense Frank Dimina

Vice President, Americas & Public Sector

Splunk

Vice President, Americas & Public Sector Splunk Brian Drake

Director of Artificial Intelligence, Future Capabilities and Innovation Office

Defense Intelligence Agency

Director of Artificial Intelligence, Future Capabilities and Innovation Office Defense Intelligence Agency Siobhan Dullea

Chief Executive Officer

MassChallenge

Chief Executive Officer MassChallenge Matt Eanes

Director, Performance Accountability Council Program Management Office

Office of Management and Budget

Director, Performance Accountability Council Program Management Office Office of Management and Budget Thomas (Pat) Flanders

Defense Health Agency Deputy Assistant Director for Information Operations and Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Defense Health Agency

Defense Health Agency Deputy Assistant Director for Information Operations and Chief Information Officer (CIO) Defense Health Agency Emily Frye

Director for Cyber Integration

MITRE

Director for Cyber Integration MITRE Rebecca Gevalt

Managing Director

Dcode

Managing Director Dcode Joe Gioeli

Chief Information Officer and Assistant Commissioner for Information & Security Services, Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Department of Treasury

Chief Information Officer and Assistant Commissioner for Information & Security Services, Bureau of the Fiscal Service Department of Treasury Venice Goodwine

Chief Information Security Officer

Department of Agriculture

Chief Information Security Officer Department of Agriculture Zach Graves

Head of Policy

Lincoln Network

Head of Policy Lincoln Network Roger Greenwell

CIO & Risk Management Executive

Defense Information Systems Agency

CIO & Risk Management Executive Defense Information Systems Agency James Gregory

Director, Robotic Process Automation Program

General Services Administration

Director, Robotic Process Automation Program General Services Administration Todd Hager

Vice President

Macro Solutions

Vice President Macro Solutions Lt.Gen. Tim Haugh

Commander, 16th Air Force

U.S. Air Force

Commander, 16th Air Force U.S. Air Force Shawn Henry

President, Services Division, and Chief Security Officer

CrowdStrike

President, Services Division, and Chief Security Officer CrowdStrike Derek Herbert

Deputy Director, Office of Transition and Economic Development

Department of Veterans Affairs

Deputy Director, Office of Transition and Economic Development Department of Veterans Affairs Steven Hernandez

Chief Information Security Officer

Department of Education

Chief Information Security Officer Department of Education Casey Hurt

Technical Director, Cloud Computing Program Office, Defense Information Systems Agency

Department of Defense

Technical Director, Cloud Computing Program Office, Defense Information Systems Agency Department of Defense Matt Huston

Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, Platform One

Department of the Air Force

Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, Platform One Department of the Air Force Pamela Isom

Deputy Chief Information Officer for Architecture, Engineering, Technology & Innovation

Department of Energy

Deputy Chief Information Officer for Architecture, Engineering, Technology & Innovation Department of Energy Nathan Jones

Vice President, Federal

Red Hat

Vice President, Federal Red Hat Wanda Jones Heath

Principal Cyber Advisor and Chief Information Security Officer

Department of the Air Force

Principal Cyber Advisor and Chief Information Security Officer Department of the Air Force Dr. Meredith Josephs

Chief Medical Informatics Officer, FEHRM Program Office

Department of Veterans Affairs

Chief Medical Informatics Officer, FEHRM Program Office Department of Veterans Affairs Brandon Jubar

Branch Chief, Quality Management, and Section 508 Program Manager

Department of Labor

Branch Chief, Quality Management, and Section 508 Program Manager Department of Labor Tina Kang

Senior Director, Federal Civil

Brillient Corporation

Senior Director, Federal Civil Brillient Corporation Nazzic Keene

Chief Executive Officer

SAIC

Chief Executive Officer SAIC Kamran Khaliq

Senior Cyber Advisor

Department of Health and Human Services

Senior Cyber Advisor Department of Health and Human Services Donna Klecka

Vice President & General Manager, IS&T Division

ASRC Federal

Vice President & General Manager, IS&T Division ASRC Federal Frank Konieczny

Chief Technology Officer

U.S. Air Force

Chief Technology Officer U.S. Air Force Clair Koroma

Bureaucracy Hacker, Defense Digital Service

Department of Defense

Bureaucracy Hacker, Defense Digital Service Department of Defense Christopher Krebs

Former Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Department of Homeland Security

Former Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Department of Homeland Security Rick Kryger

Deputy Chief Information Officer

Department of Labor

Deputy Chief Information Officer Department of Labor Samuel Leitner

Data Scientist, AI Program Manager

Consumer Finance Protection Bureau

Data Scientist, AI Program Manager Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Eric Markow

Director, Web Applications PMO

Internal Revenue Service

Director, Web Applications PMO Internal Revenue Service Brad Medairy

Executive Vice President

Booz Allen Hamilton

Executive Vice President Booz Allen Hamilton Travis Methvin

Project Manager, Naval Commercial Cloud Services (NCCS)

Naval Commercial Cloud Services, PMW 270

Project Manager, Naval Commercial Cloud Services (NCCS) Naval Commercial Cloud Services, PMW 270 Col. Robert Mikesh

Information Technology Lead, Operation Warp Speed

Department of Defense

Information Technology Lead, Operation Warp Speed Department of Defense Christina Monaco

Former Chief Ventures Officer

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Former Chief Ventures Officer National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Mark F. Newsome

Partner, U.S. Federal Healthcare

IBM Global Business Services

Partner, U.S. Federal Healthcare IBM Global Business Services Laurence (Larry) Nichols III

Digital Forensics Investigator/Cyber Security Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Digital Forensics Investigator/Cyber Security Engineer Oak Ridge National Laboratory Andrea Norris

Director, Center for Information Technology, and Chief Information Officer

National Institutes of Health

Director, Center for Information Technology, and Chief Information Officer National Institutes of Health Col. Marc Packler

Commander, Cyberspace Capabilities Center

U.S. Air Force

Commander, Cyberspace Capabilities Center U.S. Air Force Victoria Yan Pillitteri

Computer Scientist, FISMA Project Leader

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Computer Scientist, FISMA Project Leader National Institute of Standards and Technology Laura Prietula

Deputy Director, Veterans Experience Office, Multi-Channel Technologies Directorate

Department of Veterans Affairs

Deputy Director, Veterans Experience Office, Multi-Channel Technologies Directorate Department of Veterans Affairs G. Nagesh Rao

Chief Information Officer (Acting), Bureau of Industry and Security

Department of Commerce

Chief Information Officer (Acting), Bureau of Industry and Security Department of Commerce Jim Richberg

Public Sector Field CISO

Fortinet Federal

Public Sector Field CISO Fortinet Federal Geo Saba

Chief of Staff

Congressman Ro Khanna

Chief of Staff Congressman Ro Khanna Mark Santaw

Chief Information Officer/G-6, Criminal Investigation Command

U.S. Army

Chief Information Officer/G-6, Criminal Investigation Command U.S. Army Gissa Sateri

Director

REI Systems, Inc.

Director REI Systems, Inc. James Saunders

Chief Information Security Officer

Small Business Administration

Chief Information Security Officer Small Business Administration Andrew Schnabel

Vice President

Zscaler

Vice President Zscaler Cristy Scott

Contracts Director

Department of Health and Human Services

Contracts Director Department of Health and Human Services Sonal Shah

Executive Director

Georgetown Beeck Center

Executive Director Georgetown Beeck Center Robert Shea

National Managing Principal, Public Policy

Grant Thornton

National Managing Principal, Public Policy Grant Thornton Nancy Sieger

Chief Information Officer

Internal Revenue Service

Chief Information Officer Internal Revenue Service Harrison Smith

Deputy Chief Procurement Officer

Internal Revenue Service

Deputy Chief Procurement Officer Internal Revenue Service Nicholas Speece

Chief Federal Technologist

Snowflake

Chief Federal Technologist Snowflake David Spirk

Department of Defense, Chief Data Officer

Department of Defense

Department of Defense, Chief Data Officer Department of Defense Robert Stein

Senior Vice President, North America Public Sector

Salesforce

Senior Vice President, North America Public Sector Salesforce Elham Tabassi

Chief of Staff, Information Technology Laboratory

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Chief of Staff, Information Technology Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology Theresa Terry

Brach Chief, Contracting

U.S. Air Force

Brach Chief, Contracting U.S. Air Force Michael Thieme

Assistant Director for Decennial Census Programs, Systems and Contracts at the United States Census Bureau

Census Bureau

Assistant Director for Decennial Census Programs, Systems and Contracts at the United States Census Bureau Census Bureau Kiersten Todt

Managing Director

Cyber Readiness Institute

Managing Director Cyber Readiness Institute Nick Totten

Associate Chief Information Officer

Department of Treasury

Associate Chief Information Officer Department of Treasury Zachary Trojak

Area Vice President

Medallia

Area Vice President Medallia Ryan Vega

Chief Officer, Healthcare Innovation and Learning

Department of Veterans Affairs

Chief Officer, Healthcare Innovation and Learning Department of Veterans Affairs Eileen Vidrine

Chief Data Officer

U.S. Air Force

Chief Data Officer U.S. Air Force Rick Wagner

President

Microsoft Federal

President Microsoft Federal Trevor Wagner

Testing & Sharing Lead, Procurement Innovation Lab

Department of Homeland Security

Testing & Sharing Lead, Procurement Innovation Lab Department of Homeland Security Stephen (Steve) Wallace

Emerging Technology Director / Systems Innovation Scientist

Defense Information Systems Agency

Emerging Technology Director / Systems Innovation Scientist Defense Information Systems Agency Lt. Gen. Chris Weggeman

Vice Commander Air Combat Command (Lead Command for Cyber)

U.S. Air Force

Vice Commander Air Combat Command (Lead Command for Cyber) U.S. Air Force Lloyd (Colt) Whittal

Chief Experience Officer

Department of the Air Force

Chief Experience Officer Department of the Air Force Sharon Woods

Executive Director, Cloud Computing Program Office

Department of Defense

Executive Director, Cloud Computing Program Office Department of Defense Eliana Zavala

Management Analyst, Office of Federal Procurement Policy

Office of Management and Budget
South Australia in 2016; California last year; now, Texas. The recent blackout is a terrible ordeal for Texans but a political disaster for the Biden administration. The president had just signed an executive order making climate change the organizing principle of his administration. All coal and natural gas power stations are to be taken off the grid by 2035. To solve the climate crisis, America is to be powered almost exclusively by wind and solar, with a smattering of nuclear and hydropower.

As temperatures across Texas plunged, demand for heating surged. At 4 p.m. on February 14, Texas, with the most installed wind capacity of any state, was producing 9,101 megawatts (MW) of power. By 8 p.m. the following day, wind output was just 649 MW, a fall of 92.9%. Nuclear, coal, and gas generation fell too, but the wind drop-off was the largest in absolute terms and, with the exception of solar, in relative terms as well. As shown in the table, the drop in wind output accounted for 41.5% of the total fall.

Source: EIA hourly grid monitor

It doesnt take a genius to figure out that increasing dependence on weather-dependent, weather-exposed power generation is a formula for grid unreliability and blackouts. As analysts at Life:Powered point out, since 2015, Texas has been relying entirely on wind and solar to meet demand growth and now has less gas and coal generation than five years ago. The catastrophic system failure this month was a disaster waiting to happen. The greater the reliance on wind, the more devastating will be the consequences of the weather not being right when demand surges.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates argues that the solution is to weatherize wind turbines against the cold and to connect the Texas grid to the rest of the nation. But weatherizing wind turbines doesnt make the wind blow when there isnt any. Grid interconnectors are a sensible way for neighboring systems to trade electricity with one another, but they can also be used by countries with large amounts of wind and solar, such as Germany, to dump their balancing problems onto their neighbors. In response, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands have phase-shifting transformers to control unwanted power surges from Germany.

Interconnectors are no lifeline during times of acute grid stress. Like Texas, the state of South Australia relies heavily on wind power. In September 2016, a severe storm knocked out some transmission towers and forced six wind farms to curtail their output. The interconnector with neighboring Victoria was already over its safety limit. Within seconds it tripped, and much of the state was plunged into darkness.

The ability of the grid to cope with sudden supply-demand imbalances and maintain frequency is determined by the inertia in the system. Grid managers must also keep grid frequency within tight limits. The 600-ton turbines of coal-fired power stations spin at 3,000 rpm, generating synchronous power and providing system inertia. Think of it as maintaining balance on a moving bicycle. It comes naturally. Now imagine Bill Gates trying to balance on a stationary bicycle without his feet touching the ground  thats wind and solar. They are non-synchronous, as are interconnectors, with low-to-zero physical inertia.

Having lots of renewable capacity makes for a less stable grid. It doesnt take exceptional weather to cause blackouts. In August 2019, large parts of southern England saw their power cut off during a period when a record 67% of electricity demand was being met by wind. A sudden loss of generating capacity, thought to be caused by a lightning strike, was followed by a sharp drop in grid frequency that led grid managers to initiate a cascade of disconnections to restore grid stability.

Britain provides a textbook example of decarbonizing the grid and the distortions caused by renewable energy subsidies. Wind and solar have high fixed costs but close to zero variable costs, as the energy inputs from wind and sun are free. That means coal and gas cant compete when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. In the four years before 2016, the economically destructive effect of subsidizing zero-marginal-cost output saw Britains Big Six energy companies rack up cumulative losses of 2,096.4m ($2,945.4m) from their coal- and gas-fired power stations.

These losses led them to run down their thermal assets, and three of the Big Six exited thermal generation altogether. In the next three years, losses narrowed to 22.6m ($31.7m). Over the same period, the Big Sixs renewable portfolio generated profits of 2,782.0m ($3,897.6m), despite generating less than one-third of the electricity compared to the output of their coal and gas power stations. In 2019, the Big Six obtained an average wholesale price of 116.64 ($163.41) per megawatt hour (MWh) for renewable electricity  58% more than the 73.58 ($103.09) per MWh they received for electricity generated by their thermal-power stations, which are critical for keeping the lights on and the grid stable. Consumers bore the burden of the renewable subsidies. In those three years, Big Six residential customers saw the average price of electricity rise by 27.7%, to 18.08p (25.33 cents) per kilowatt hour (kWh), leading them to cut their electricity consumption by 12.1%.

Gates and others blame the Texas blackout on the failure of power-station owners to weatherize their plants. But these owners have little incentive to invest in their plants when faced with falling load factors brought about by the growth of wind output  and now with an administration that wants to push them off the grid altogether. Some climate scientists see the Texas freeze as evidence of climate change, as does the presidents climate envoy John Kerry. If man-made climate change is predicted to cause more extreme weather, then it is perverse to increase the vulnerability of the electrical grid to severe weather and make the amount of electricity available at any given moment even more dependent on changing weather conditions.

Texans would be better off if the state had no investment in wind power; its grid would be more resilient, and investment in thermal generation plants would have been stronger. Instead, the Biden administrations decision to rejoin the Paris climate agreement is a prelude to more draconian climate policies than envisaged under the Obama administrations Clean Power Plan. Although the Paris Agreement speaks of achieving net zero in the second half of this century, the Biden administration is bringing forward the net zero deadline to 2050  vastly increasing the speed, cost, and disruption of decarbonization.

The preamble of the Paris Agreement contains a much-overlooked recital that provides context on how the agreement should be interpreted  recognizing, it says, that parties may be affected not only by climate change, but also by the impacts of the measures taken in response to it. Scientists are divided as to whether Texans are suffering from the effects of man-made climate change. But there can be little doubt that they are suffering from the destructive effects of climate change policies. Republicans should require the Biden administration to demonstrate the cure is less harmful than the disease. Texas is a warning.

Rupert Darwall is a senior fellow of the RealClear Foundation and author of THE CLIMATE NOOSE.
Iraqs health ministry said emergency room records show that infants died within an hour after being infected with the mutated COVID-19 virus, Iraqi news channel Al Sharqiya reported on February 22.

A mutated strain first identified in the United Kingdom is more dangerous and infecting age groups that the original virus did not, the ministry said.

Earlier in February, the health ministry announced that the strain, called B.1.1.7, was fast-spreading in Iraq, including among children.

[T]he new variant of coronavirus is more dangerous for children and young people. In the past two days, we have recorded deaths among infants under a year old with extensive lung damage, ministry official Haitham Al-Obeidi said.

While there is a consensus among experts that the U.K. coronavirus strain is more infectious, its actual risks for children remain under investigation.

B.1.1.7 was identified in the U.K. in October 2020. In January, experts there said it might be associated with a higher risk of death than the original virus strain, which first emerged in China. That assessment was based on clinical data presented by four leading British medical institutions: Public Health England, Imperial College London, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Exeter.

Nervtag, the U.K.s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, also reviewed the data and concluded that, compared to other variants, B.1.1.7 appears to have substantially increased transmissibility and there is a realistic possibility that infection with VOC B.1.1.7 is associated with an increased risk of death.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the World Health Organization, also said the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily and could lead to potentially more deaths.

British scientists, including those with Nervtag, hinted as early as mid-December that the U.K. variant has a higher propensity to infect children and that children are equally susceptible as adults.

Besides Iraq, health officials in Israel also reported concerning levels of infection with the U.K. strain among children and young people, blaming it for a record, unprecedented number of people on ventilators.

40% of illness is in children, a higher percentage than their part in the population, Israeli Health Ministry official Sharon Alroy-Preis said in January.

The strain causes serious symptoms at a 30 percent higher rate, she said, adding that while getting vaccinated works against the British mutation  the virus infection rate is much faster than the vaccine rate.

Still, scientists warn that there is not enough data to show that children are more susceptible to the newly identified coronavirus strains.

There is no convincing evidence that any of the variants have special propensity to infect or cause disease in children. We need to be vigilant in monitoring such shifts, but we can only speculate at this point, said Stuart Campbell Ray, vice chair of Medicine for Data Integrity and Analytics at the Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Iraq is reportedly among the Middle East countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with 672,000 infections and 13,311 deaths as of February 23.

To curb the latest spike in infections, Iraq has reimposed a partial lockdown until March 8, instituted a nationwide mask mandate and adopted a workday curfew and total Friday-to-Sunday lockdown.
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Bated breath as locals wait for first leatherback turtle nest on Kata Beach for 20 years to hatch

PHUKET: Hopes are high that the leatherback turtle nest laid on Kata Beach just after midnight on New Years Day will hatch tonight after hundreds of people gathered at the beach last night in the hope of witnessing the spectacle.

marineanimalsenvironmentnatural-resources

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 26 February 2021, 12:22PM

It was explained last night that the turtle nest had not yet reached a temperature for the turtles to start breaking through the sand to reach the sea. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Marine life experts from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) have had the nest under watch and protection since the large leatherback, estimated to weigh about 300kg, laid the nest at about 00:50am on Jan 1.

While the site of the nest remains sealed off, further back near the beach road a large sign, decorations of turtles and educational displays have been set up to mark the occasion. Food vendors are on site to cater to those hoping to see the hatching.

The officers believe that from studying the nest, and its temperature, the eggs are likely to hatch tonight (Feb 26).

The officers believe the nest contains 50-60 eggs.

The nest is the first to be seen laid at Kata Beach for 20 years, noted Dr Pornsri Suthanaruk, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Marine Natural Resources throughout the country.

Of note, Dr Pornsri for years served as the Director of Environmental Office Region 15, based in Phuket, respodning to issues such as dirty beach water and haze over Phuket.

We have not seen any turtle nests laid here for a long time because the area is usually full of tourists. Now people are waiting for this nest, laid on New Years Day, to hatch, which should be tomorrow [Feb 26], Dr Pornsri said last night.

It is a good sign indicating the return of Phukets marine life, she added.


Successful Completion of Institutional Placement Offer

Brisbane, Feb 26, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - NOVONIX Limited ( ASX:NVX ) ( FRA:GC3 ) ( OTCMKTS:NVNXF ) today announces the successful completion of its fully underwritten $115 million placement of new fully paid ordinary shares (New Shares) to institutional and sophisticated investors at an offer price of $2.90 per New Share (Institutional Placement). Under the Institutional Placement, the Company will issue approximately 39.7 million New Shares.NOVONIX Chairman, Tony Bellas, said: "The oversubscribed Institutional Placement was well-supported by the Company's existing institutional shareholders. It is also pleasing to have the opportunity to welcome a number of new high quality domestic and international institutional investors to our register. As well, it is encouraging to receive the support of investors and our Board for the Company's strong growth agenda".NOVONIX CEO, Dr Chris Burns, said he was pleased to have secured the funding required to support the growth of the NOVONIX Anode Materials business based in Chattanooga Tennessee and the Company's ongoing R&D programs based in Halifax Nova Scotia."Our team at NOVONIX has developed cutting edge technology and we are aiming for sector leadership in battery technology and materials production", Mr Burns said. NOVONIX CFO, Nick Liveris, said: "The funding considerably strengthens the Company's balance sheet and provides the flexibility to be able to accelerate both the scaling of our anode materials production and our R&D agenda in support of the rapidly growing US and international markets for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS)".Settlement of the Institutional Placement is expected to occur on Tuesday, 2 March 2021 with allotment of New Shares expected to occur on Wednesday, 3 March 2021. The 39.7 million of New Shares issued under the Institutional Placement will rank equally with existing shares on issue.Following the successful completion of the Institutional Placement, the Company's shares will recommence trading on ASX today and the Company has requested that the trading halt be lifted on opening of the market today.Citigroup Global Markets Australia Pty Limited acted as sole lead manager, global coordinator and underwriter to the Institutional Placement.Conditional PlacementsAs announced on Thursday, 25 February 2021, subject to the approval of NOVONIX's shareholders, NOVONIX also proposes to raise approximately $16.45 million in aggregate pursuant to the Conditional Placements.NOVONIX Directors, Mr Trevor St Baker AO, Mr Andrew N Liveris AO, Admiral Robert J. Natter and Mr Robert Cooper have each entered into a placement agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they have agreed to subscribe for new shares under the Conditional Placements.As the issue of shares under the Conditional Placements will be made to certain Directors of the Company or entities that are associated with each of them, each Conditional Placement is subject to shareholder approval being obtained for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 10.11 and for all other purposes (to be sought at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on or about early to mid-April 2021) (EGM). The Conditional Placements are not underwritten. Further details of the resolutions to approve the Conditional Placements will be provided in the notice of general meeting for the EGM.Following completion of the Conditional Placement, Mr Trevor St Baker AO or entities associated with him will hold approximately 15.97% of the Company's issued share capital (assuming that the full amount is raised under the Institutional Placement, SPP and each other Conditional Placement).Share Purchase PlanAs announced on Thursday, 25 February 2021, NOVONIX will separately conduct an offer of New Shares under a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) to existing eligible shareholders in the Company with a registered address in Australia and New Zealand as at 7.00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on Wednesday, 24 February 2021. The SPP will provide each eligible shareholder with the opportunity to apply for up to $10,000 worth of NOVONIX shares at the Institutional Placement price of $2.90 per new share.The SPP aims to raise approximately $15 million. NOVONIX may decide to scale back applications should it receive demand above that target or to issue a higher amount above the target, at its absolute discretion (and, if a higher amount is issued, to either accept applications in full or scale back applications, at its absolute discretion).The SPP offer booklet containing further details regarding the SPP, including the terms and conditions for participation, will be lodged with ASX on or about 4 March 2021 and will be dispatched to eligible shareholders in Australia and New Zealand at that time.Each New Share issued under the SPP will rank equally with existing shares on issue in NOVONIX at their date of issue and NOVONIX will seek quotation of the New Shares issued under the SPP on ASX.About NOVONIX Ltd

NOVONIX Ltd (ASX:NVX) (FRA:GC3) (OTCMKTS:NVNXF) is an integrated developer and supplier of high-performance materials, equipment and services for the global lithium-ion battery industry with operations in the USA and Canada and sales in more than 14 countries. NOVONIX's mission is to support the global deployment of lithium-ion battery technologies for a cleaner energy future.


As Indias economic fortunes stand at the cusp of a turnaround, a spike in coronavirus cases across its key business centres risks undoing some of the gains.

Data due later Friday will probably show gross domestic product expanded 0.6% in the three months ended December, after contracting for two consecutive quarters, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists. That will help Asias third-largest economy exit an unprecedented recession.

India will become one of the few major economies to post growth in the last quarter of 2020, with any improvement in the economys performance inversely tied to a drop in Covid-19 infections. But the nation has seen an uptick in cases over the last few weeks raising the risk of a new round of localized lockdowns.

The Indian state of Maharashtra, which includes the financial capital of Mumbai, warned of lockdowns after the number of daily cases rose to almost 7,000 last week. India overall reported 16,738 new infections as of Thursday, making it the highest number since late January.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

A resurgent virus outbreak is a final hurdle in the race to normal", said Sonal Varma, chief economist for India and Asia, ex-Japan, at Nomura Holding Inc. in Singapore. It could disrupt the economic normalization process in the near term."

New curbs on the movement of people or restrictions on businesses are a risk to the nascent recovery, given that gains in the October-December quarter probably came from the reopening of the economy, which is primarily driven by domestic consumption. The government also boosted spending in the final months of last year to spur growth.

As a result, economists expect the Statistics Ministry to revise its estimate for the fiscal year through March to a contraction of 7% from a steeper 7.7% drop seen previously.

A positive reading will lower the pressure on Indias central bank, which did most of the heavy lifting in the past year through 115 basis points of interest-rate cuts and ensuring liquidity in the financial system. The government has since announced fiscal steps to support the economy, including a near-record borrowing in its latest budget this month.

The infection caseload in some parts of the country is, however, again creeping up," Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das said Thursday. We need to stay vigilant and steadfast, and on our toes."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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Laois continues to have a relatively high Covid-19 incidence according to the latest figures from the National Public Health Emergency Team which has reported more deaths including that of a 29-year-old and over 700 new cases.

NPHET's daily statment on Friday, February 26 shows that Laois had 15 new cases in the 24 hours to Thursday, Feburary 25. This means the daily average for the county is 13 new cases a day.

The incidence is fallen again to 277.5 per 100,000 population due to 235 in the past two weeks.

Laois continuest to have an above-average population incidence which is now 223 per 100,000 k due to 10,619 in the past two weeks.

NPHET has also reported that Offaly continues to have the highest incidence of Covid-19 in Ireland.

NPHET also reported that the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 29 additional deaths related to Covid-19. Of these, 17 occurred in February, and 12 occurred in January.

While the median age of those who died was 77 years and the age range was 29 - 95 years.

There has been a total of 4,300 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

The median age of people catching the disease is also young according to the statement which says that as of midnight, Thursday, February 25, the HPSC has been notified of 776 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 218,251* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland (*denotification of 3 confirmed cases).

The 14-day incidence is now 223 per 100 k while the 7-day incidence is 102.6 per 100k. The 5-day moving average for new cases nationally is 644 a day.

Of the cases notified today:

394 are men / 379 are women

67% are under 45 years of age

The median age is 34 years old

The county by county hotspts show that 278 in Dublin, 69 in Galway, 57 in Meath, 52 in Kildare, 48 in Donegal and the remaining 272 cases are spread across all other counties. County breakdown at end of story.



As of 8am today, 574 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 136 are in ICU. 24 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

As of February 23, 373,280 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:

238,841 people have received their first dose

134,439 people have received their second dose

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community including daily data on Irelands COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

FULL COUNTY BREAKDOWN
Attorney General Nessel Joins Coalition in Letter of Support to Congress for Election Reforms

Attorney General Nessel Joins Coalition in Letter of Support to Congress for Election Reforms

Ryan Jarvi 517-599-2746 Attorney General

February 26, 2021

LANSING  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today joined a coalition of attorneys general in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging support for H.R. 1/S. 1, the For the People Act of 2021. The bill is an omnibus package of democracy reforms designed to expand access to the ballot, protect elections from foreign interference, force disclosure of dark money in federal elections, and raise ethical standards for federal officials.

In the first two months of the 2021 legislative session, at least 165 bills in 33 states have been introduced to restrict voting access  four times the number of similar bills introduced last year, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. Despite confirmation that there was no evidence of widespread fraud or irregularity in the 2020 election, state legislators have seized upon baseless voter-fraud allegations to curtail mail-in voting options, impose stringent voter ID requirements, limit voter registration opportunities and allow even more aggressive purging of voter rolls.

"This package of reforms addresses a number of important items including voter suppression, election interference, and raising ethical standards of federal officials, said Nessel. I urge Congressional leadership to support this legislation for the benefit of our democracy. This could help ensure greater flexibility in how Americans can cast their ballots and greater transparency of how money and those with deep pockets attempt to influence our elections.

The Act includes several measures that would neutralize efforts to suppress the vote by making it easier to cast ballots, reducing the influence of dark money in elections, and codifying ethical standards for public servants. The Act would improve and modernize access to the ballot by:

Requiring states to implement online registration;

Establishing automatic voter registration;

Prohibiting unnecessary purges of the voting rolls;

Requiring states to permit voters in federal elections to submit a sworn statement to meet ID requirements;

Expanding access to federal elections through early voting and mail-in voting; and

Prohibiting the knowing dissemination of false information about elections and stiffening penalties for voter intimidation.

Additionally, the Act would close dark-money loopholes by requiring disclosure when wealthy donors give $10,000 or more to a group that spends money on elections and addresses the problem of partisan gerrymandering by putting redistricting in the hands of independent commissions.

Finally, the Act seeks to close legal loopholes that allow the president and certain federal officials to evade accountability for personally profiting from their office by:

Heightening disclosure requirements applicable to the president;

Requiring the holder of the Office of the President to divest from financial interests that pose a conflict of interest;

Providing the Office of Government Ethics with enhanced enforcement powers; and,

Prohibiting members of Congress from serving on the board of directors of for-profit entities during their terms in office and requiring the Judicial Conference to develop a code of ethics applicable to Supreme Court Justices.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending this letter are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
On Thursday, to the surprise of nobody, the Central government told the Delhi High Court it is not in favour of allowing same-sex marriages in India.

It was not surprising as the government has maintained even after the abolishing of Section 377 which made same-sex relations a crime that such couples will not be allowed to legally marry in India.

BCCL

On Thursday, in the Delhi HC, the government basically repeated everything it has been saying so far about same-sex marriages.

Marriage in India is not just a union of two individuals but an institution between biological man and woman, the Centre said, adding that judicial interference will cause "complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws".

Referring to a Supreme Court judgment, the central government said that it only decriminalised a particular behaviour and did not legitimise it.

BCCL

It further said that marriage is essentially a socially recognized union of two individuals which is governed either by uncodified personal laws or codified statutory laws.

"The acceptance of the institution of marriage between two individuals of the same gender is neither recognized nor accepted in any uncodified personal laws or any codified statutory laws," the Centre has said in its affidavit.

"The question as to whether such a relationship be permitted to be formalised by way of a legal recognition of marriage is essentially a question to be decided by the legislature and can never be a subject matter of judicial adjudication," said the affidavit filed in response to a plea by equal rights activist seeking recognition of same sex marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) and the Special Marriage Act (SMA).

BCCL

The Delhi government meanwhile in its response to a similar petition filed earlier has said that there is no provision in the SMA under which two women can be married, and it would be willing to abide by the court's direction.

The Delhi government's stand came in response to a plea by two women seeking to get married under the SMA.

The plea by Mitra and three other equal rights activist -- Gopi Shankar M, Giti Thadani and G Oorvasi -- has contended that marriages between same sex couples are not possible despite the Supreme Court decriminalising consensual homosexual act.

In response, the Centre has said that the apex court by its judgement in the Navtej Singh Johar case only decriminalised a particular human behaviour which was a penal offence, it "neither intended to nor did in fact legitimise the human conduct in question".

"In India marriage is not just a matter of union of two individuals but a solemn institution between a biological man and a biological woman...

"Despite the decriminalisation of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners (Mitra and others) cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage being recognised under the laws of the country," the central government said.

BCCL

It further said that marriage laws in the country are governed by the personal laws/codified laws relatable to customs of various religious communities which recognise only the union of a man and a woman to be capable of religious sanction, and thereby claim legal and statutory sanction.

"It is submitted that any interference with the same would cause a complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws in the country," the Centre said, adding that "it is for the legislature to judge and enforce such societal morality and public acceptance based upon Indian ethos".

The Centre has also opposed the claims of the petitioners that the concept of marriage was within the private domains of individuals, saying that marriage also had a public aspect to it as several statutory rights and obligations are connected with it.

It has further said that when the legislature limited the legal recognition of marriage and the benefits associated with it to heterosexual couples, "it is not permissible for the court to override the same".
The pandemic may have canceled parades for Mardi Gras 2021, but one krewe is planning to let the good times roll with a Memorial Day weekend parade through Harahan.

The Krewe of Kings, led by longtime Mardi Gras floatbuilder McKinley Mac Cantrell, 70, is working with Harahan Mayor Tim Baudier to bring the three-year-old parade to the city.

Were about as close as we could possibly be, Baudier said Thursday about the May 30 parade date.

Jefferson Parish drops May Mardi Gras plan, leaves door open for parades if coronavirus subsides The Jefferson Parish Council on Wednesday dropped a measure that would have allowed Mardi Gras parades to roll in May, but left the door open 

Cantrells goal is a 20-float parade that will travel westbound on Jefferson Highway, starting at Hord Street (map). The parade will continue to the Harahan-River Ridge border before making a U-turn on Jefferson Highway, heading east to the starting point.

Baudier and Cantrell believe the parade could bring an economic boost for Harahans businesses, which have suffered during the pandemic.

Theyve worked so hard to stay open, Baudier said. This could be a great reward for those guys.

The two began discussing the idea several weeks ago when Baudier contracted Cantrells company to install a Mardi Gras house float at Baudiers residence. In the absence of parades, revelers in the New Orleans-area and beyond decorated their houses, apartments and front yards to keep the Carnival spirit, employing artists who would normally have been creating parade floats for the regions krewes.

It was great, but it doesnt fill the hole of a parade, Cantrell said.

Cantrell was hoping that the Jefferson Parish Council would approve the suggested plan for a May Mardi Gras. But parish officials opted to drop the measure in January because of then-surging COVID-19 infection rates and a slower-than-expected vaccine rollout.

+3 Louisiana coronavirus: 68,028 more coronavirus vaccine doses administered statewide; see data There have been 68,028 more coronavirus vaccine doses administered in Louisiana since the last update on Monday, according to the Louisiana De

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Cantrell was disappointed with the decision, but he and Baudier said they believe enough people will have been vaccinated and things will be relatively safe by Memorial Day weekend.

I think its time to step out and test the waters, Cantrell said.

Louisiana is currently under modified phase two COVID restrictions for businesses and other gatherings, which sets a 25% or 150-person occupancy limit for indoor and outdoor events. But the proclamation does not directly address parades, according to Kevin Litten, a spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Health.

Guidelines to host parades safely dont exist, added Ashley Rodrigue, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office.

Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng is opposed to Mardi Gras in May, spokeswoman Gretchen Hirt said Thursday. Lee Sheng believes the parishs resources should be directed toward vaccine distribution during that time. In addition to the risk of large crowds, Lee Sheng has also said she was worried about the potential risks to employees who would have to work the parades.

Krewe of Kings members will wear facemasks and gloves, Cantrell said. But he added that anyone who would be uncomfortable should stay home.

Harahan officials still have some logistical challenges to work out. Telephone wires need to be moved and trees cleared for the floats to make their way along Jefferson Highway.

Its not as expensive as it sounds, Baudier said. The tree work can be performed in-house by city crews. Lifting lines higher on the pole should also be easy work, according to the mayor.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office usually patrols the Veterans Memorial Boulevard parade route. Baudier said hes working with Harahan Police Chief Tim Walker to staff the parade with department and reserve officers. He also plans to reach out to the East Jefferson Levee District Police and other local law enforcement agencies for help.

The city is prepared to move the May 30 date, if necessary. But Baudier said it was important to set a target date to work towards.

The feedback weve gotten has been so exciting, Baudier said.

The management of the Federal High Court on Friday expressed sadness over the death of its immediate-past Chief Judge, Adamu Abdu-Kafarati.

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Information Officer of the court, Catherine Nwandu.

The statement stated that the deceased would be buried at the National Cemetery Gudu in Abuja on Friday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the former Chief Judge, who ordered the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in September 2017, died on Thursday.

Born in Kwami, Gombe State, on July 25, 1954, the former Chief Judge was aged 66.

READ THE STATEMENT IN FULL:

Press Release

The management of the Federal High Court on Friday

With great sadness, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, regrets to announce the sudden death of the former Chief Judge of this honorable court; Honorable Justice ADAMU ABDU KAFARATI who passed on last night at about 7:30 pm being February 25, 2021 after his usual evening Magrib Prayer in Abuja.

The Late Justice died of Cardiac arrest.

Born on July 25, 1954 at Kwami, Gombe State, he was appointed to the Federal High Court Bench on October 31, 1991. He became the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court on September 16, 2017 and was confirmed as the substantive Chief Judge on June 19, 2018.

Late Justice Kafarati retired from the Federal High Court Bench on the July 25, 2019.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Judges of the court, the entire Management and staff of the court commiserate with the family of the deceased.

Justice Tsoho described the late Chief Judge as calm and gentle, but very courageous; extremely humble and forthright in all his dealings.

The pain of the exit of Late Justice Adamu Abdu Kafarati will be felt by the court and as well as the country at large, he added.

He prayed that the Almighty God will grant his immediate family, relatives and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The burial arrangements will be done according to Islamic rites as follows:

Funeral Prayer: Salat Al-Janazah Prayers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Venue: National Mosque Abuja.

Time: 2pm Prompt.

Internment: National Cemetery Gudu, Abuja.

Signed

Catherine Oby Nwandu

Chief Information Officer

Federal High Court of Nigeria

February 26, 2021.
WASHINGTON  California Sen. Alex Padilla unveiled his first piece of legislation since arriving in the Senate on Friday, a bill that would offer millions of immigrant essential workers and their families a path to citizenship.

Choosing the topic for his symbolic first bill is indicative of the Democrats efforts to make his presence felt immediately in Washington on matters of immigration, a contentious issue that has stymied lawmakers for decades.

In an interview, Padilla said his Citizenship for Essential Workers Act was an easy choice for his first piece of legislation as a senator on a personal and policy level. He noted his Mexican immigrant parents spent four decades working in the service industry  his father as a short-order cook and his mom cleaning houses. Padilla is the first Latino senator from California and one of only a handful in the Senate, and he has already used that position to voice concerns of the Latino community in Washington.

I think nothing speaks to the moment more than COVID response and fairness for essential workers, Padilla told The Chronicle. On a parallel track, we know that immigration reform is long overdue in the United States of America and there are no states that have more at stake in immigration reform than the state of California.

On its own, its virtually impossible the bill would become law. The legislation would apply to some legally present immigrants and undocumented immigrants alike, providing an immediate opportunity to start the naturalization process for an estimated 5 million or more people who work in more than a dozen essential industries, including health care, agriculture, service, child care and manufacturing.

Republicans have long opposed almost any legalization of even the most sympathetic cases of undocumented immigration unless it was paired with stringent measures to crack down on future illegal immigration.

But the legislation is emblematic of how Padilla hopes to shape the perpetual debate on immigration as it unfolds in coming months. Padilla has also been one of the lawmakers leading a more expansive immigration bill from President Biden, which includes measures like his essential workers bill. It would also would legalize other populations like Dreamers who came to the U.S. as children. Padilla said that legislation is still the ideal package and that he fully supports it, but his bill is a complement that highlights a specific area of the broader deal.

A standalone measure allows us to uplift specific elements of a comprehensive package as you continue to gain momentum and support, Padilla said.

Padilla is working with some powerful Democrats on the measure. His lead counterpart in the House is Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, who recently served a two-year term as the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Also on the bill is Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County).

In the Senate, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a popular progressive who ran for president in the last election, is a co-sponsor.

In a news conference introducing the bill, the lawmakers noted the potential economic advantages of legalizing the status of workers, which also opens the door to aggressive tactics to get it passed. Warren called for using a procedural trick that allows economic legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote instead of the usual 60-vote requirement to advance legislation, called reconciliation, saying it should be done right now. Such a move would delight progressives and immigration advocates who demand a win from the Biden administration on the issue, but could set up a political quagmire for leadership that also has to defend vulnerable moderate lawmakers in swing districts.

Democratic leadership has positioned Padilla to be a major player on immigration as he navigates his new job as well as a re-election campaign in two years. He is appointed to fill only the remaining term of his predecessor, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Padilla was named the chair of a subcommittee on the Senate Judiciary panel that oversees immigration policy, a significant nod for a first-term senator, which will allow him to shape almost any legislation that moves through the committee.

He said he asked for the position, and when it was granted, he changed the name of the committee from the Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety to potentially set a different tone than the cruelty of the Trump administration border and immigration policies of the last four years, he said.

Im here, Im ready to work, I know its urgent and Im just so thrilled that this chairmanship gives me a unique opportunity to help advance this policy as quickly as possible, Padilla said.

Castro told The Chronicle that he began working with Padilla on the issue even before the senator was sworn in, after he was named to replace Harris.

The pair have focused on the issue during the coronavirus pandemic as one of fairness  noting that Americans have had an outpouring of appreciation for the frontline health care, food industry, service industry and janitorial staff, among others, who have risked their lives to keep America running over the past year.

Alex Padilla is a strong partner in Senate, especially to build a fairer immigration system, Castro said. He not only brings subject matter expertise, but also reflects the lived experiences of millions of Americans. ... This effort has real potential to meaningfully improve peoples lives.

Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan
The High Court hopes to to fix a hearing date in test actions brought by four publicans to determine how much FBD must pay out on business disruption claims caused by Covid-19 in April.

In his decision earlier this month, the outcome of which affects claims made by some 1,000 Irish pubs and restaurants, Mr Justice Denis McDonald found that a policy sold by FBD covered losses pubs sustained by having to close due to the pandemic.

The issue of quantifying the losses will be dealt with at a later date. When the matter came before Mr Justice McDonald on Friday the judge put in place a timetable for the pubs to submit financial information to FBD.

The judge noted that discussions are taking place between the parties to see if only one out of the four test cases brought before the court should proceed to a hearing on quantum.

He said while he was not sure when a date could be fixed to hear that aspect of the claim, he was hopeful that a date could be fixed when the matter returns before the High Court in mid-April.

The four test actions were taken by Dublin bars Aberken, trading as Sinnotts Bar; Hyper Trust Ltd, trading as The Leopardstown Inn and Inn on Hibernian Way Ltd trading as Lemon & Duke.

The fourth action was taken by Leinster Overview Concepts Ltd the owner of Sean's Bar, which is based in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Also, during a hearing this Friday the court heard submissions on issues arising from the judgment, where differences remain between the parties.

The court invited the parties' submissions on matters including the proper interpretation to be applied to the term 'closure' within FBD's Public House Policy of insurance, which is relevant to quantifying the losses.

The publicans, represented by James Doherty SC, Michael Cush SC and Kelley Smith SC argued that the correct interpretation of the policy did not require the pubs to be fully closed in order for them to be covered.

They also claim the policy also indemnifies them during the periods when the pubs were partially closed or limited in what trade they could do while various government restrictions were in place.

In reply Caron Geoghegan BL, for FBD, said that the court should interpret the section of the policy differently from the publicans.

Counsel said that the language contained in the policy clearly refers to the period when the plaintiff's businesses were "completely closed," and not partially closed, and when certain pubs were carrying on some trade on their premises.

The publicans are also seeking that the legal fees they incurred are paid on an enhanced solicitor-client basis.

They claim as they had to engage in these test actions, where FBD has gained the benefit of a decision which has very wide implications for the insurer and its clients.

If they were awarded costs on a lower scale, the pubs say they would be left in a less advantageous position than policy holders who did not take part in the test cases, which was not a fair outcome.

FBD argues that the fact the cases were test actions was not a reason for the court to award costs against it on the enhanced scale. Counsel said that before the trial started FBD agreed to make a contribution towards the plaintiff's legal costs.

The courts should only award the level of costs sought in scenarios including when the court is unhappy with the conduct of the case, or in exceptional circumstances.

Such scenarios did not exist in these test actions, counsel submitted.

Following submissions from the parties the Judge reserved his decision and said he hoped to rule on them in mid-April.

In his judgement earlier this month the judge disagreed with FBD's interpretation of its policy.

He said that cover is not lost where the closure is prompted by nationwide outbreaks of disease provided that there is an outbreak within the 25-mile radius and that outbreak is one of the causes of the closure.

The publicans challenged FBD Insurance Plc's refusal to indemnify them, as well as the insurers claim its policies did not cover the disruption caused by Covid-19.

The dispute arose after the insurer refused to provide policy holders with cover after the pandemic resulted in the first temporary closure of businesses, in March 2020.

The owners claimed that under their policies of insurance with FBD they were entitled to have their consequential losses covered by an insurable risk.

They also claimed that by failing to pay out on the policy the insurer was in breach of contract.

The publicans claimed the policies taken out with FBD contain a clause that states the pubs will be indemnified if their premises were closed by order of the local or Government Authority if there are "Outbreaks of contagious or infectious diseases on the premises or within 25 miles of same."

FBD disputed the claims and argued that the closures did not occur as a result of an outbreak of disease at the premises or areas where the pubs are located.

FBD also said it has never provided cover for pandemics and the insurance market in Ireland does not insure against pandemics.
The presence of Mycoplasma salivarium in the lower airways of ventilated patients with COVID-19 infection is associated with increased odds of dying. The result was a part of a molecular investigation that looked at how airway microenvironments affected severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2).

Leopoldo N. Segal and colleagues suggest lung microbes could be predictive of severe COVID infection and antibody resistance.

"These data highlight the importance of SARS-CoV-2 abundance in the lower airways as a predictor for mortality, and the significant contribution of the host cell transcriptome, which reflects the lower airway cell response to infection," wrote the researchers.

The findings could help identify patients most at-risk for poor clinical outcomes and provide alternative treatments early on.

The study "Microbial signatures in the lower airways of mechanically ventilated COVID19 patients associated with poor clinical outcome" is available as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review.

Classifying microbial signatures

The collected lower airway samples from patients on ventilation from COVID-19 infection during the first wave in New York City. They collected airway samples from 142 patients with COVID-19 infection.

Mycoplasma salivarium in the airways is linked to poorer clinical outcomes

Using metagenomics, the researchers linked the microbes living in the lung microbiome with patients' clinical outcomes.

Results showed that having high amounts of Mycoplasma salivarium was associated with a higher viral load of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, a limited immunoglobulin response in the lower airways correlated with increased mortality risk.

"The data presented here through the use of direct quantitative methods (RT-PCR) and a semiquantitative untargeted approach (metatranscriptome sequencing) support the hypothesis that the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the lower airways plays a critical role in the clinical progression of critically ill COVID-19 patients," wrote the researchers.

No evidence of poorer clinical outcomes from coinfection with respiratory pathogens

While most patients were given broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungals, there was no evidence of worsening effects from coinfection with bacterial, viral, and fungi respiratory pathogens.

To look at the risk of mortality from COVID-19 infection, the team analyzed lab cultures from 589 patients hospitalized for respiratory failure from severe COVID-19 infection.

Results showed that patients with poor clinical outcomes did not succumb to other respiratory infections. There was also no link between positive microbial cultures and mortality in severe COVID-19 infections.

Associations between culture positivity and clinical outcome. Odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for rates of culture positivity for the whole cohort (n=589) during the length of their hospitalization (left) and during the first 2 weeks of hospitalization (right).

Bacterial changes observed in patients ventilated for more than 28 days

Looking beyond microbes, the lower airways showed a high presence of SARS-CoV-2, which was associated with death. A tiny sample of patients had influenza A or B viruses, suggesting it unlikely that the flu occurred simultaneously with coronavirus infection.

When observing bacteria in the lower airways, metatranscriptome data found phages actively present. The researchers suggest this could be evidence that alternations in the bacterial microbiome could be happening in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.

Changes were observed in Staphylococcus phages, and Mycoplasma salivarium was actively present in patients needing ventilation for more than 28 and patients who died compared to patients who were ventilated for less than 28 days.

Microbial impact on the immune response

Patients with poor clinical outcomes expressed pathways that activated genes related to degradation, transport, as well as expressing antimicrobial resistance genes and signaling.

The researchers write:

"These differences may indicate important functional differences leading to a different metabolic environment in the lower airways that could impact host immune responses. It could also be representative of differences in microbial pressure in patients with higher viral loads and different inflammatory environments."

There was also an upregulation in the Sirtuin and Ferroptosis signaling pathways in the most severely ill COVID-19 cases. This coincided with inactivated immune response features, including phagocytes, neutrophils, granulocytes, and leukocytes. A downregulation of immunoglobulin expression levels and mitochondrial dysfunction were also observed.

Based on the data, the team suggests the lungs of critically ill patients that require ventilation from COVID-19 infection express an imbalanced state rather than elevated inflammation. Doing so appears to be predictive of worsening prognoses.

Further analysis found survival-associated differences in interferon responses. Activation of type I interferon was a predictive factor for increased mortality.

"While further longitudinal data will be needed to clarify the role of interferon signaling on the disease, the data presented here suggest that combining microbial and host signatures could help understand the increased risk for mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients."

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Investigations editor

Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 10:42:22|Editor: huaxia

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BRUSSELS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Thursday night declared Claudia Salerno Caldera, head of the Venezuelan Mission to the EU, persona non grata.

The tit-for-tat move followed Caracas's announcement on Wednesday to expel the EU Ambassador to Venezuela Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa and give her 72 hours to leave.

"The EU considers this declaration as wholly unwarranted and contrary to the EU's objective of developing relations and building partnerships in third countries," said a statement issued by the EU Council.

Caldera said on Twitter overnight she defended Venezuela "by handling the relationship with the European Union with sobriety and respect," but "the independence and sovereignty of our homeland are not negotiable."

Venezuela's decision came after the EU issued "55 decisions, what in the European Union or in the U.S. they call sanctions," against Caracas, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said.

He described the actions of the European bloc as "interference," noting the United Nations (UN) Charter only allows for coercive measures against countries at the approval of the UN Security Council. Enditem
As higher education institutions look to prepare graduates for an increasingly digitized workforce, IBM has put its focus on bolstering tech education and research at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)  with special attention to quantum computing South Carolina State University officials announced Monday that the university will join more than 20 other institutions as a member of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center . Described by IBM as the nations first HBCU quantum computing research program, it was established in September 2020 with the aim of developing a diverse and inclusive workforce in the field. The partnership provides members with access to IBM quantum computers and other resources for education and research.As explained on IBM's website , quantum computing relies on the laws of quantum mechanics to make some computations faster than ordinary computers can. Whereas typical computing systems store and manipulate individual bits with information coded into binary 0 and 1 states, quantum computers use quantum mechanical properties  superimposition, entanglement and interference  to manipulate quantum bits, or qubits.South Carolina State President James Clark said the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center initiative will help students gain new quantum computing skills and knowledge needed to compete in the workforce of tomorrow.In addition to letting them access IBM quantum computers via the cloud, the program offers students educational support for learning to use Qiskit open-source software, as well as funding for undergraduate and graduate research. When the opportunity to team up with IBM was brought to his attention, Clark thought, If you dont make dust, you eat dust.Quantum computing is going to be huge on the horizon, he said. Being on the leading edge out front means that youre not getting left behind.Clark, who studied computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the partnership with IBM amounts to over $2 million in additional resources for the university. This, he said, will enhance computer science and IT course offerings to include quantum computing.Through collaborating with IBM and gaining access to new tools such as these, Clark believes students will be able to leave the university with specialized knowledge that will help them pursue lucrative IT careers.Students need to come out proficient in knowing how to use the tools or develop the tools the world is going to need, he said. When a corporation looks at our students and their degrees, and they have additional experience in those areas, they are highly valuable.This [quantum computing] is something thats evolving. The world hasnt switched over 100 percent there, but what it makes possible is computing at another level of extraction and complexity, he later added. At the end of the day, when its all said and done, and the right software by the right engineers is applied to the right problems, you can get faster solutions or deeper solutions that were otherwise not computable in a reasonable timeframe.The IBM-HBCU Quantum Center recently doubled its membership with 10 institutions: Alabama State University, Bowie State University, Delaware State University, Dillard University, Florida A&M University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, Tennessee State University and the University of the District of Columbia.IBM Quantum Growth Product Manager Dr. Kayla Lee said the tech company is looking forward to working with students at institutions such as South Carolina State as part of a broad effort to bolster IT education and research in HBCUs.Lee noted that IBM hopes to enhance institutions' course offerings, with an emphasis on research collaboration in quantum information science for under-represented communities in STEM . According to a news release , the tech giant plans to invest $100 million through partnerships with additional HBCUs through the IBM Skills Academy academic initiative.We're extremely excited to work with SC State, which already has a strong physics program," Lee said in an email to. As a part of the Center, faculty [will] participate in research working groups and an invited seminar series, and students will have opportunities to gain research experience and work with like-minded peers.The ultimate goal is for the broader quantum community by including talent from HBCUs  both students and faculty  when they consider research and other collaborations.
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Three people suffered minor injuries Thursday when a car crashed into a Cherry Hill, N.J., Target store, according to officials.

Emergency crews responded to the wreck around 10 a.m. at the store on Route 38. News helicopter footage from the scene showed the sedan fully inside the business near the front entrance.

This morning, two elderly guests drove their car into the side of our Cherry Hill store, a Target spokesperson said. One team member was injured and is receiving medical care. Weve evacuated all guests and team members from the store while law enforcement investigates and well then assesses the property damage. Emergency responders are on site and well support law enforcements investigation however we can.

Members of the Cherry Hill Fire Department and several emergency medical units were among responders at the scene, according to the fire department.

Earlier this morning, Rescue Ladder 13 and several EMS units were dispatched to the Target store on Route 38 for a vehicle into the building. There were 3 people with minor injuries reported. Posted by Cherry Hill Fire Department on Thursday, February 25, 2021

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.

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After a month of operating uncharacteristically behind the scenes from Mar-a-Lago, Donald J. Trump will make the debut appearance of his post-presidency at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Sunday, and much as in the incipient 2024 presidential primary race, he is expected to overshadow the other Republican politicians who precede him.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, whose state is playing host to CPAC, will kick off the conference on Friday and set the tone as the first in a parade of potential 2024 candidates to address the activist crowd. Among the others: Senators Ted Cruz of Texas, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rick Scott of Florida, along with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota. Heres what to watch for this weekend.

Republicans looking to stand out

For the potential presidential hopefuls, the annual CPAC gathering represents a first chance to test their political messages and their appeal in a post-Trump era. It will also be a balancing act to find applause lines that are not simply pledges of fealty to Mr. Trump, the partys most popular politician, or embracing of Mr. Trumps baseless conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen. Multiple panels over the weekend are slated to discuss election issues, with intentionally inflammatory titles like Other Culprits: Why Judges & Media Refused to Look at the Evidence.

Though the Republican Party entered 2021 with gains in the House, it lost the Senate and the White House, and the party is facing deep questions about what it stands for after Mr. Trump, whose demands for loyalty came to define  and overturn  much of the partys orthodoxies in the last five years.
After conducting research with residents and witnesses from the town of Axum, which lies in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray, Amnesty is in little doubt that mass killings were carried out by Eritrean forces.

Human rights organization Amnesty International said on Friday that "hundreds" of people were massacred by Eritrean troops in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region last November.

Amnesty's Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, who conducted numerous interviews with residents and witness from the historical town of Axum, where the alleged massacre took place, told DW: "The perpetrators were Eritreans."

"We interviewed 41 residents and witnesses from Axum over two research missions," he continued. "So we're pretty confident in our findings. We also used satellite imagery that allowed us to corroborate the burial sites."

In addition, Gallopin said there had been "indiscriminate shelling on the city and looting by Eritrean forces."

US, Kenya discuss 'human rights crises'

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden called Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to talk over the crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region.

Biden and Kenyatta "discussed the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights crises in Ethiopia's Tigray region and the need to prevent further loss of life and ensure humanitarian access," the White House said in a statement.

Last month, the US called on Eritrean troops to withdraw from Tigray. However, both the Eritrean and Ethiopian governments have denied that Eritrean forces are in the region, which lies along Ethiopia's border with Eritrea.

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Thousands of people have been killed since Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched military operations against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in early November.

Abiy ordered the offensive move after an alleged attack on a federal army camp by TPLF fighters. In late November, Abiy declared victory after government forces captured the regional capital of Mekele. But clashes continue in the region.

Amnesty seeks UN investigation

Amnesty researcher Gallopin is urging the international community to act, particularly as the Ethiopian government continues to block the path of those trying to investigate.

"Amnesty International is calling for a UN-led investigation into the massacre, but also into other grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Axum," he told DW.

The UN has said around 2 million people need assistance in and around Tigray and 1 million have been displaced by the fighting. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for "guaranteed unfettered humanitarian access," but entry to the region has been strictly controlled.
The UK is still not in a position to assume responsibility for regulation in several critical policy areas including trade, crime and the environment, a new academic reportUK regulation after Brexithas found.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield contributed to the report, published today (25 February 2021), which found that the UK was ill-prepared when responsibility for regulation switched from the EU, following the end of the transition period.

Neither does the UK have the physical or IT infrastructures in place to manage trade in its new relationship with the EU, and is relying on transitional arrangements to make the system work.

The report from UK in a Changing Europe, the Centre for Competition Policy, and Brexit & Environment, found that UK regulators are still not ready to take on their new responsibilities.

Professor Tamara Hervey, from the University of Sheffield's School of Law, looks at how Brexit will affect the NHS. She said: "Brexit isn't 'done', you cannot unwind over 40 years of legal, political, economic, social and cultural integration in a few short months, but the UK's relationship with our nearest neighbours has fundamentally changed.

"It's critical for us to draw on social science expertise to track the effects of these changes for our country. This report provides a baseline for us to measure against going forward."

In the environment, the UK left the EU's European Environment Agency but the UK Office for Environmental Protection has still not opened, leaving the UK without a body to monitor government action or scrutinise compliance with environmental law.

Professor of Politics at the University of Sheffield, Charlotte Burns, and works on investigating the implications of the UK leaving EU environmental policy. She said: "Regulation is central to environmental protection in the UK. The government has tried to minimise environmental regulatory gaps emerging post-Brexit, but the failure to adopt the Environment Bill, to put in place a fully functioning Office for Environmental Protection and limitations on non-regression in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement all raise the prospect of regulatory gaps emerging over time."

Many UK authorities are not adequately equipped compared to the EU bodies they replaced. Staffing and budget are an issue, but UK bodies lack powers in inspection and enforcement too. They have also lost access to data crucial to the police and border control. Europol databases had been consulted more than 500 million times a year by UK authorities, and the Metropolitan Police made more than 100,000 requests for information from the European Criminal Records Information System.

The report also raises important question marks about costs and duplication. In chemicals and aviation, UK regulators replicate the same functions that are performed by EU bodies and in those industries, which are both heavily regulated, it will be a tall order for UK authorities to develop the same levels of expertise as the EU bodies they replace.

UK businesses wanting to operate in both the UK and the EU will have to submit to the same bureaucracy twice. In chemicals, industry will have to cover the costs of testing and registration a second time, estimated at a total of 1bn, when they only recently paid for the creation of the EU system.

Dr. Matthew Wood from the University of Sheffield Department of Politics and International Relations contributed his expertise on how the UK might work with the European health regulators, he said: "Health is a crucial area where Brexit has a significant impact, not least because we are no longer involved in the European Medicines Agency, which checks and certifies new medicines for all EU countries.

"Our research shows Brexit will pose long-term challenges for standards of medicines in the UK. However, in this report we also show the UK government is looking for alternative international collaborations to achieve common standards in medicine regulations, for example by partnering with Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Singapore in the so-called 'Access Consortium'."

The report also describes how the UK EU deal leaves significant 'unfinished business'. There are grace periods for customs formalities, issues where the UK and the EU still need to reach agreement, and transitional arrangements where the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU are not yet decided and where the full effects have yet to be felt.

The report concludes that the UK's decision to leave the single market and the customs union was driven by a determination to gain regulatory autonomy at all costs. But, in practice, the UK is unlikely to be able to diverge over the long term.

The UK remains bound by the terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and highly dependent on trade with the EU, as well as being constrained by wider international laws and conventions. As the EU is a global standard setter in many areas, if the UK were to diverge from these standards, it is likely to disadvantage businesses in the country.

Explore further Brexit could cause major disruption to EU-UK data flows
Hi

We are in the early stages of planning a trip to the Pacific North west in August and September 2022 - 2 month trip. At this point, we have a route and tentative dates in, but I can still move things around to make the best options.

We want to do a grizzly trip from Campbell River and this would be on the 7th September. Is that a good date (this is likely to be our one chance in a lifetime) or should a week later or from a different place be better? The full moon (if that makes a difference) is on Sept. 10th.

Thanks
Opposition is growing among autoworkers against the move by Stellantis, in league with the United Auto Workers, to impose a 12-hour, seven-day work rotation for skilled trades at the giant Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in the north Detroit suburbs.

Management has announced it plans to impose a new work schedule starting April 5 that would have four alternating skilled trades crews working seven-day, 12-hour shifts over a two-week rotation. The new mandatory schedule eliminates overtime pay after eight hours and time-and-one-half for Saturday work, fundamental gains workers won over more than a century of struggle.

Worker at Sterling Heights Assembly (Credit: Stellantis)

The new schedule is being implemented under terms of the alternative work schedule (AWS) for skilled trades, language that was buried deep in the 2019 UAW-company contract and whose implications were never explained to workers. In addition, management has inserted provisions imposing the team concept on skilled trades, combining jobs and setting the stage for workforce reductions.

In recent days, SHAP skilled trades workers have reached out to the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter to voice their opposition to the 12/7 schedule. They noted that the implementation of the new schedule takes place in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, under conditions where the UAW and management are suppressing information on workplace infections.

The Autoworker Newsletter and the Sterling Heights Assembly Rank-and-File Safety Committee urge autoworkers to contact us with additional comments or information and to become active in the fight against the destruction of the eight-hour day. This blatant attack has dire implications for the entire working class, since autoworkers have historically served as a benchmark for pay and working conditions in other industries.

In an internal email thread made available to the Autoworker Newsletter, SHAP skilled trades workers voiced strong opposition to the 12/7 work schedule, with workers denouncing local union officials for their collusion with management. One wrote, It is a Damn shame that we can get answers about the AWS from a management member but cant [get] any concrete answers from our Committeeman or Local Union President.

Reference is also made to a recent cluster of COVID-19 infections among skilled trades workers. A worker reports that in the north body shop three midnight electricians are out with possible Covid. Then another midnight electrician is out because of Covid. The door line, especially right doors is called Covid corner. Even their supervisor is out with it. Whats being done to keep us safe? Havent heard management confirm or deny about the recent ones.

All attempts by skilled trades workers to lodge protests with the UAW International leadership, including Cindy Estrada, vice president for Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler), have been rebuffed.

A worker with knowledge of the discussions taking place among skilled trades workers, who we refer to as R. to protect his identity, said the following issues are posed in relation to the 12/7 schedule:

No trust in the local and international UAW leadership. Fifteen people, including two former UAW presidents and the onetime lead labor negotiator for FCA, have been convicted in the federal corruption investigation. All contracts must be renegotiated.





The imposition of a 12-hour work schedule in the midst of a pandemic is doubly wrong. Longer workdays when people are experiencing physical pain or sickness can be a real problem; the immune system will be weakened by extended work hours and resulting fatigue. Further, no consideration is being given for older workers, pregnant women or people with physical limitations.





The very concept of the 12-hour day represents a major step back for workers rights in the United States.

The worker further noted, Twelve-hour days dont fit into most peoples lives. Long shifts and workweeks would be physically draining and potentially dangerous. It would take days to recover after seven straight days at 12 hours. The schedule deprives workers of proper compensation for overtime and thus enforces a pay cut.

He further stated, The AWS language directly violates the UAW Local 1700 (SHAP) contract, which states, In scheduling overtime, employees will not be required to work an unreasonable number of consecutive overtime hours. With regards to daily overtime under the local agreement workers are not required to work more than 10 hours per day. Workers can be forced to only work one Sunday a month, no more.

He said that in addition to imposing a team concept on skilled trades workers that combines jobs, the new rules impose further restrictions on the job posting procedures outlined in the contact. It also changes language regarding canvassing for overtime hours.

Calendar showing 12/7 shift rotation

R. also noted that break times under AWS violates current language (046) Break Times and Lunch Periodsemployees are assigned regular lunch and break periods at specific times during the shift. The new language gives management the discretion to move your lunch daily and to reschedule it as late as 10 hours into the shift.

In relation to training, the AWS adds language to (076) Skilled TradesTraining of Employees, but fails to address travel time pay and a requirement that management provide no less than one (1) week notice prior to scheduling of school when it is scheduled off-shift or off-site.

Another skilled trades worker told the Autoworker Newsletter, If you eliminate overtime on Saturday, thats a big thing. The next move will be to eliminate Sunday overtime. There is the chance that they could cut the hours. They already set a precedent under the new schedule where one week you work 36 hours. But under the terms of our contract the workweek is supposed to be 40 hours. If they can cut that to 36, why cant they do 32, or 24?

He added, The union gave FCA/Stellantis a blank check when they signed that contract without us knowing what it entailed. That was intentional. It shows what the union really stands for. They didnt want us to know. They only gave us the highlights. Everyone who asked for the full contract; they just kept putting them off. Everybody was asking where it was. But the union said, Oh, well nobody knows. Then a day before [the vote] they gave us the highlights.

Another skilled trades worker said, People are retiring or looking for another job. It is like a concentration camp. Workers fought so hard to get the eight-hour workday and the 40-hour workweek. People dont understand their history, the rights that have been given away. Workers need to know about their history, what went into gaining these rights that are now going down the drain.

We want to save the eight-hour day. If we dont stop this it will spread to other plants. We should put a spotlight on this issue. I notice that the Free Press took an article from you last year, but they didnt initiate the effort, he said referring to a report last December on Fiat Chryslers initial attempt to impose the 12/7 schedule that referenced the WSWS. The Free Press at the time falsely reported that the AWS had been shelved. In fact, following the completion of the merger between Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group in January the new Stellantis moved forward with plans for the 12/7 schedule.

The Socialist Equality Party and the Autoworker Newsletter call on all workers to come to the defense of SHAP workers against the imposition of industrial slavery. As the pandemic has demonstrated, when it comes to the pursuit of profits, the corporations have no regard for the health and safety of workers. The fight to protect workers lives from COVID-19, including the shutdown of nonessential production with the provision of full income to workers, is not separate from the fight to defend the eight-hour day and basic work protections. These rights will not be defended by the UAW, but will only be secured through independent organization and action by workers in a rebellion against the corrupt, pro-company unions.
KALAMAZOO, MI  Michael Coats says his child was a straight-A student before the coronavirus pandemic.

But now, as Kalamazoo Public Schools continues online-only learning for almost a year, Coats has watched his straight-A students grades drop dramatically, he said.

The reality is, the lack of in-person education and a lack of socialization is having a devastating effect on our children, Coats said during public comment of a Feb. 25 Kalamazoo school board meeting.

Were not asking those who want to stay virtual be forced to be in person, just that an in-person option is available for those that need it. Its never too late to start doing whats right.

Coats was among dozens of parents on Thursday who shared both concern and support for the decision by Kalamazoo Public Schools administrators to continue online-only learning for the remainder of the school year.

The school board reconfirmed its commitment Thursday to continue full virtual learning for all KPS students through the third trimester, which begins March 15. Superintendent Rita Raichoudhuri first announced the decision at a Feb. 11 school board meeting, which was met with strong pushback from some parents.

RELATED: Kalamazoo Public Schools students will remain virtual for remainder of school year

Raichoudhuri admitted that in-person is the best method of instruction for a students education. But the superintendent said Thursday that face-to-face learning cannot be accomplished at Kalamazoo Public Schools this year due to factors like teacher negotiations and countywide data about COVID-19 spread.

I understand that the Feb. 11 decision to remain fully virtual was disappointing to many families, Raichoudhuri said. My heart goes out to our students.

The superintendent said even if the district did return in-person for the third trimester, the number of days spent in the classroom during a hybrid learning plan would be minimal.

Students would only spend around 20 days inside the classroom for face-to-face instruction, Raichoudhuri said. On top of that, there would be risks of closing down buildings due to COVID cases or quarantines.

A COVID incident, for a district our size, is a matter of when not if, she said. So that would have reduced the number of in-person days to the mid to low teens, while destabilizing learning routines and leaving families scrambling to secure childcare at the last minute.

Some parents said they felt misled by the district because they were under the impression this summer that there would be some form of in-person learning offered this year.

Kalamazoo mom Sarah Willey said some parents feel a sense of hopelessness that COVID isnt going away, and that were never going back to school.

At the beginning of the year, we were given a written plan that committed to rely on current data and recommendations from qualified public health officials, Willey said. And many of us feel as if were not following that plan, and we find that frustrating.

Kalamazoo is one of the last major public school districts in Michigan to conduct fully remote learning at this point in the school year. Other major school districts that were online-only for the first half of the school year have since set dates for a return to the classroom, including Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Lansing, Ann Arbor and Flint.

Ann Arbor students will return to the classroom in a hybrid learning format beginning March 25. A partnership between AAPS and Michigan Medicine to quickly vaccinate teachers and staff played a huge role in the districts decision to finally offer in-person learning.

RELATED: In-person learning coming to Ann Arbor Public Schools in March

The Grand Blanc Community Schools Board of Education recently approved a hybrid in-person learning plan for students that eliminated asynchronous learning for elementary students and allows middle school and high school students to return two days a week. The new plan will begin Monday, March 8.

Raichoudhuri promised the district would offer full in-person instruction next school year. Parents will have options during the 2021-22 school year for in-person learning five days a week or virtual learning, starting with the first day of school Aug. 30, 2021, she said.

I am giving the community my personal guarantee that all KPS schools will offer five days of in-person instruction in the fall of 2021, Raichoudhuri said. I want to make sure this is heard and understood to put to rest any anxiety, fears or concerns about next year.

Also at Thursdays meeting, Kalamazoo joined a pilot program to provide rapid-result testing within the district. The nasal swabs will be conducted on a voluntarily basis every week for teaching staff.

Raichoudhuri also released graduation dates for the senior class of 2021. While exact times and locations are not yet determined, graduation is scheduled on Wednesday, June 2, for Loy Norrix High School; Thursday, June 3, for Kalamazoo Central High School; and Friday, June 4, for Phoenix High School.

To help you navigate this complicated school year, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

More on MLive:

Ann Arbor teachers, parents have wide range of opinions on transition to in-person classes

Grand Blanc schools approves plan for hybrid in-person learning

Parent beyond frustrated after Flint schools postpones in-person option 3 days before kids were scheduled to return
Gildardo Urrego's apiary in Colombia's Antioquia Department produces honey flavored with pollen from nearby passion fruit orchards

For the second time in two years, Gildardo Urrego is scooping up piles of dead bees after an invisible evil invaded his hives in northwest Colombia, wreaking havoc among his swarms.

Urrego has no proof, but he suspects the culprit is pesticides which have been fuelling a commercial avocado and citrus boom in the country.

Hundreds of hives have been killed off in Colombia in recent years, and some investigations have pointed to fipronil, an insecticide banned for use on crops in Europe and restricted in the United States and China.

It is used to control all manner of insects, including ants and ticks, and has been blamed for several bee massacres around the world.

Urrego's apiary in Colombia's Antioquia Department produces honey flavored with pollen from nearby passion fruit orchards. In 2019, he lost 10 of his 19 hives.

This time, he said, a third of his 12 hives were wiped outa loss of some 160,000 of the industrious little pollinators.

"There is a theory that, yes, this is due to poisoning, there are some crops around here that perhaps have not managed their agrochemicals well and so this area was affected," he told AFP.

In recent years, bees in North America, Europe, Russia, South America and elsewhere have started dying off from "colony collapse disorder," a mysterious scourge blamed partly on pesticides along with mites, viruses and fungi.

The UN warns that nearly half of insect pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, risk global extinction.

Hundreds of hives have been killed off in Colombia in recent years, and some investigations have pointed to fipronil, an insecticide banned for use on crops in Europe and restricted in the United States and China

Free fertilization

About 1.4 billion jobs and three-quarters of all crops around the world, according to a 2016 study, depend on pollinators, mainly bees, which provide free fertilization services worth billions of dollars.

Some 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of Antioquia, in the Quindio Department, Abdon Salazar has no qualms pointing the finger at fipronil as he counts his losses.

"Over the last two years, we have calculated more than 80 million dead bees," he said as he walked among the 300 vibrating hives of his business Apicola Oro (Golden Beekeeping).

"We are talking some 800 hives, 100,000 bees per hive, it is a very large quantity, an alarming quantity."

Salazar and other beekeepers in the region are increasingly having to clear out mounds of dead bees from their apiaries which are surrounded by avocado and citrus plantations in an exceptionally fertile and biodiverse part of the world.

The government's agriculture institute denies any link between the expansion of avocado crops and bee deaths

Toxic neighbors

In Quindio, hive collapse has coincided with the expansion of monoculture in recent decades, according to Faber Sabogal, president of the Asoproabejas beekeepers' organization.

According to the local government, five multinational companies bought large tracts of land in the region between 2016 and 2019 to profit from the growing global appetite for Hass avocados.

Exports skyrocketed from 1.7 tons in 2014 to 44.5 tons in 2019, and this year, Colombia became the largest supplier of the creamy, green delicacy to Europe.

But bees are the collateral damage, becoming contaminated as they buzz through pesticide-treated plantations looking for food, say beekeepers.

"They bring this poison to the hive and kill everyone else," said Salazar.

Economic impediments

Asoproabejas members have videotaped dozens of mass bee die-offs in several regions of Colombia, mainly in the west.

Avocado farmers say their crops require intensive spraying as they are highly vulnerable to pests

Last year, the state-owned Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) was notified by beekeepers of 256 suspected hive poisonings in Quindio alone.

Some 10 million insects were lost.

ICA regional manager Jorge Garcia said the body examined samples from six apiaries and found that "the fipronil molecule is one of the causes of mortality."

The alert was raised with ICA headquarters in Bogota, which is working on a suspension order, he told AFP.

Withdrawing the poison altogether has been difficult "because the companies producing agrochemicals will be affected economically," said Salazar.

Competing interests

Maria Latorre, spokeswoman for Colombia's agrochemical union, said a fipronil ban would provoke "a very negative situation for the productive structure" of the 33 crops that rely on it.

The body denies that fipronil is harmful to bees, but said it would welcome a "review" of its use "on crops that have had incidents."

About 1.4 billion jobs and three-quarters of all crops around the world, according to a 2016 study, depend on pollinators, mainly bees

Details on the threat to bee health posed by fipronil, a pesticide used to combat plagues of insects

But Fernando Montoya of the Colombian Hortofruticola Association, which represents crop growers, said the chemical could be replaced by "mushroom-based bioproducts," insect traps and manual pest removal.

The ICA has denied any link between the expansion of avocado crops in Quindio and the recent decimation of bees.

But rather than risk losing it all, Apicola Oro, which produces some 36 tons of honey a year, decided to pack up and leave.

Salazar took most of his beessome 1,200 hivesfrom Quindio to a remote place some 400 kilometers away.

He has managed to save his business for now, but worries about the future.

"The bee is a bioindicator. If bees are dying, what other insects beneficial to the environment... are dying?".

Explore further Bad weather causing 'catastrophic' French honey harvest

 2021 AFP
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MUMBAI: New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral lending institution established by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa ( BRICS ) is gradually growing into its role of a countercyclical lender as exemplified through disbursements made despite the covid-19 pandemic, S&P Global Ratings said on Friday.

NDB was established with an international treaty signed in 2014 and headquartered in Shanghai, the bank started its operations in 2015. The institutions mandate is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

The bank, the agency said, has responded strongly to the covid-19 related needs of its member countries, despite its short period of operations. Over 2020, the bank announced programmes aggregating to $10 billion for its borrowers to aid in the battling of the pandemic and the support of economic recovery. NDB also significantly ramped up its loan disbursements last year to $5.4 billion from $0.9 billion in 2019, more than double the target it had planned before the pandemic struck.

The rating agency affirmed its AA+ long-term and A-1+ short-term issuer credit ratings on the New Development Bank (NDB), with a stable outlook. It said the ratings reflect its opinion that NDB will establish itself as a catalyst in reducing the infrastructure deficits faced by its BRICS members.

At the same time, we expect the institution to continue to instill sound governance and risk management principles across its operations. This expectation supports our assessment of NDB's very strong enterprise risk profile and extremely strong financial risk profile," it said.

On the other hand, due to the rapid acceleration in disbursements, NDB's risk-adjusted capital (RAC) ratio suffered a precipitous drop to 27.4% in 2020 from 44.8% the year before.

We do not expect the RAC ratio to continue declining at such a pace. We envisage NDB's disbursements will revert to more sustainable levels as the global economy emerges from covid-19 in the next two years," it said.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 05:54:25|Editor: huaxia

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ROME, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- After shuttering for most of the coronavirus pandemic, Italy's once-thriving cruise industry is now testing the waters in hopes that the sector will be able to ramp up to full force once the pandemic fades.

MSC Cruises, the world's largest independent cruise operator, was the first cruise company to begin operations in Italy this year, launching a cruise between Italy and Malta in late January. Others are following suit, with Costa Cruises announcing it will restart operations next month.

A cruise vacation has the potential to be particularly high-risk during a pandemic, given a ship's closed spaces, frequent exposure to the same groups of people, and the difficulty of isolating potentially infected individuals on board.

An official from MSC Cruises told Xinhua that during the pandemic the company is going through great efforts to ensure the safety of passengers, including pre-cruise health screenings, regular cleaning of areas of the ship frequented by passengers and crew, and taking sail well below maximum passenger capacity to make it easier for those on board to social distance.

According to Annalisa De Angelis, an independent travel consultant based in Rome, cruise vacations will likely remain a niche industry under the current conditions, since many would-be cruise passengers are unlikely to take a cruise until coronavirus risks have diminished.

"Almost everyone is tired of staying at home and many people are dreaming of taking a vacation somewhere, but I have heard of very few inquiries into cruises in the last year," De Angelis told Xinhua.

"Because of the pandemic, the ideal vacation has become something in wide-open spaces and fresh air. A cruise that may have seemed exotic or romantic before the pandemic probably seems cramped and risky under the current circumstances."

Gianfranco Lorenzo, head of research at the Center for Touristic Studies in Florence, agreed, saying the industry "will see too little demand" from potential passengers to make a difference in the companies' bottom line.

But other analysts said that the motives of cruise operators likely go beyond the revenue that partially-full cruises represent.

"Part of it is the cruise operators' image: by operating now they create an image of reliability and business as usual," Marina Lalli, president of Federturismo, the arm of the Italian industrial association Confindustria that focuses on the tourism sector, told Xinhua. "It's also easier to keep the ships ready when they are in use."

Lalli went on: "The cruise companies are savvy and would not restart operations unless the plan was studied and it made sense for them from a business perspective."

Lorenzo said that under normal circumstances the cruise industry is an "important, though relatively small" part of the country's large tourism industry, serving around 13 million tourists a year before the pandemic. He predicted the sector would make a comeback after the pandemic.

"The setbacks to the cruise industry during the pandemic are part of a broader trend that has hurt the entire tourism sector," he said. "Hotels, restaurants, tour agencies, bars. Everyone is suffering right now." Enditem
Atencion! ?? Conoce los niveles de alerta por provincias y las actividades permitidas.



??? Estas medidas aplican del 1 al 14 de marzo.



???? Sigamos cuidandonos entre todos! ???? ???#NoBajemosLaGuardia#PongoElHombro pic.twitter.com/hFsiEgqUWW
Minneapolis City Council Members on Friday approved plans to seek assistance from both community groups and other police departments during the upcoming trial in George Floyd's death.

The trial for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is expected to draw attention from around the world. City leaders have said they hope to avoid a repeat of the rioting that followed Floyd's death last year while also supporting residents who will be reliving painful memories as the trial unfolds.

With jury selection set to begin March 8, city leaders are finalizing contracts with nearby police and sheriff's departments that have agreed to help, if needed.

"Our hope is that the number of days we need these officers will be very short, that it will be a trial where there is peaceful expression of First Amendment rights and not destruction or other types of illegal activities that would require these officers to be around for numerous days," City Coordinator Mark Ruff told council members during their meeting Friday morning.

Council members voted 11-2 Friday to allow the Minneapolis Police Department to enter contracts with at least 14 agencies. That cost could run up to $1.5 million, which they plan to cover using the police department's normal budget.

But Ruff said city leaders hope they will ultimately be able to use state funding to cover those costs.

Minnesota lawmakers are trying to break through a stalemate over the creation of a new $35 million account that could reimburse agencies who provide mutual aid, including for the Chauvin trial. Negotiations are expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Voting against the contracts with law enforcement were Council Members Jeremiah Ellison and Cam Gordon, who have at times echoed some residents' concerns that a large police presence or the wide-scale installation of wire fences and concrete barriers throughout the city could re-traumatize people already harmed by police violence.

Story continues

The council unanimously approved a plan to spend nearly $1.2 million to contract with community groups who can help ease tensions throughout the trial. Ruff said the city plans to begin informally soliticing proposals from community groups next week and expects the contracts will be finalized before opening statements begin in late March.

Office of Violence Prevention Director Sasha Cotton has said the city hopes to work with groups that have de-escalation training and is looking at adding community events and "therapeutic spaces" where people can process what is happening. They also plan to work with media outlets who distribute information in varying languages and social media influencers who can help dispel rumors and pass along concerns from residents.

"We already see groups in a volunteer capacity stepping up and helping facilitate communication with members of our community," Council President Lisa Bender said, "and this is, I think, the city acknowledging that a lot of that work is going unpaid and that the city should step up and provide resources to help fund that."

Both plans now head to Mayor Jacob Frey for approval.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Liz Navratil  612-673-4994
Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it will put on sale in the spring its hydrogen-powered fuel cell system, which could be used by train and ship operators as well as power companies.

Toyota has made the fuel cell system, which it developed for the Mirai vehicle, easier for other firms to use, amid growing awareness about greener technologies. The system uses electricity generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and does not emit carbon dioxide.

The top Japanese automaker did not disclose its planned price or sales target for the eco-friendly system.

Toyota rolled out the Mirai vehicle with its world-first mass-produced fuel cell in 2014 and launched its second-generation model in December, touting improved fuel efficiency and a longer range.

The firms domestic rival Honda Motor Co. also has its own hydrogen-powered vehicle, the Clarity fuel-cell car.

It was a brutal illustration of market power, says Frydenberg. Loading The company had proven what Rod Sims, the chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, had been saying all along. The blockade allowed Prime Minister Scott Morrison to push back with a warning  posted on Facebook, of course  about the company unfriending Australia. Frydenberg was on the phone to Zuckerberg soon after the extraordinary move. The pair spoke for half an hour in the early evening of Friday, February 19, when the Facebook chief vented his frustration about the Australian law. His biggest grievance was with the power of an independent arbitrator to force outcomes on the company under the bargaining code. That set the agenda for another round of government talks over the following weekend. Frydenberg and Morrison talked through the problems but Facebooks preferred option  withdrawing the bill  was never going to happen. The talks intensified over the next few days. Frydenberg spoke to Zuckerberg six times over Monday and Tuesday. At one point the Treasurer had to duck out of a cabinet meeting to take the call.

The Treasurer was also talking to Stokes, News Corp Australia boss Michael Miller, Costello and Nines chief publishing and digital officer, Chris Janz, as well as Guardian Australia managing director Dan Stinton. We all knew we were negotiating the details of an agreement that had global ramifications, Frydenberg says. Lets face it, big tech doesnt like regulation. And it was clear neither Google nor Facebook wanted the code in the first place. But at the same time, they realised the Morrison government was not for turning. And we made a clear path for them to reach commercial deals. Loading The message to Facebook was that it could avoid the most draconian regulation if it moved fast to strike commercial agreements with publishers. That is what Sundar Pichai, the cricket-loving chief executive at Google, had done earlier this month when his company signed letters of intent with Seven, News, Guardian Australia and Nine. At the same time the media companies kept talking to Google and Facebook. The conversations  which took place predominantly on video platforms such as Google Meet and Bluejeans  were frustrating and sporadic until the final amendments to the code were put in place.

Googles head of news, web and publishing products, Kate Beddoe, worked from her Singapore home trying to liaise between Silicon Valley and Australia. When Google got close to an agreement, Beddoe would loop in Google Australias legal head, Shoshana Shields. There were other moments where strategic partner development manager Tom Curtis would also join the talks. On one occasion after Google Australia boss Melanie Silva went on maternity leave, Caroline Rainsford (NZ managing director) joined one call with Nine. Her lack of expertise on the code meant it did not end well. Googles managing director of global product partnerships, news, web and publishing, Tom Turvey, a more senior executive based in the US, joined one conversation after Kerry Stokes became involved. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video There were two key players in the Facebook talks  local head of news partnerships Andy Hunter and New York-based Ross Giesel, who is part of the deal team. Local managing director William Easton has also made an appearance on one or two calls. Behind the scenes were president of global partnerships Marne Levine and head of global news partnerships Campbell Brown. At Nine, Janz, who cut a lucrative advertising deal with Google in 2017 for Fairfax Media, and his director of subscriptions and growth, David Eisman, led the talks and reported through to Costello. Eisman is a former consultant at Port Jackson Partners, the advisory firm that counts the ACCCs Sims as a former director.

Guardian Australias Stinton handled the Google discussions but consulted regularly with his editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor. Guardians global chief executive, Annette Thomas, and chief financial officer Keith Underwood were kept in the loop and signed off on Googles agreement. Loading Seven put together a management team committee early last year and hired two consultants to help executives understand the amount of money they could demand from Google and Facebook. Charles River Associates, the consulting firm that advised Google in a Federal Trade Commission anti-trust investigation and submitted suggestions to the ACCCs code concepts paper, and Jason Ockerby from Competition Economists Group also assisted. Sevens original team was made up of chief executive James Warburton, commercial director Bruce McWilliam, chief digital officer Gereurd Roberts, head of news Craig McPherson, Seven West Media WA managing director Maryna Fewster, West Australian Newspapers editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie and head of regulatory and government affairs Justine McCarthy. But as Frydenberg began calling media companies and urging them to do deals, the broader group was narrowed to Roberts and Warburton with the help of McWilliam. It wasnt until the very end that Stokes got involved. News Corps negotiations were held out of the US. According to media companies in the discussions, a lot of the early talks seemed disingenuous  offers that could not be accepted and were made only to show the government it was co-operating. It wasnt until Frydenbergs amendments that most media companies said Google and Facebook had come to the table serious about making workable deals.

To allay Facebooks concerns, Frydenberg prepared an amendment to make it clear that an internet companys willingness to reach commercial agreements would be taken into account in any government decision to designate a platform and apply tougher regulation. This raises a key question for the future. The law is in place but it only gains real teeth if and when Frydenberg signs a regulation that designates a company and subjects it to mandatory bargaining. That will be necessary only if publishers cannot get the commercial deals they want and if the ACCC backs their complaints. We all knew we were negotiating the details of an agreement that had global ramifications. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg Will Frydenberg ever take that step? Will he bring on another, bigger fight? Well, lets see. If we get commercial deals with the parties  and weve made it very clear that its important to put offers with the smaller players  then thats a very good pathway forward, he says. Theres now an imperative for these digital giants to strike commercial deals.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United States carried out an air raid targeting Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria. President Joe Biden authorized these strikes in response to recent rocket attacks against U.S. bases in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to American and Coalition forces in that country, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters traveling with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Many facilities located at a border control point used by Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kait'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kait'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), were destroyed in the aerial strikes. 'There's not much more that I'll be able to add at this point other than the fact that we're confident in the target we went after, we know what we hit,' the secretary of defense said. 'We're confident that the target was being used by the same Shia militia that conducted the strikes,' he added. Austin said American forces focused on the target with the help of intelligence gathered by Iraqis in support of the mission. The military response was conducted along with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners. Kirby said that the operation sends an unambiguous message: 'President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both Eastern Syria and Iraq'. The air raid on Iranian-backed militias in Syria was the first U.S. military attack in a foreign country ordered by the Biden administration. 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.

An empty Manly beachfront is seen on December 19, 2020 in Sydney, Australia.(Lee Hulsman/Getty Images)

Remains of Missing Financial Adviser Found on New South Wales Beach

A decomposed foot belonging to alleged Sydney conwoman Melissa Caddick has been found washed up on a remote southern New South Wales beach more than three months after her disappearance.

Caddick vanished the day after corporate watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) executed a search warrant at her luxury Dover Heights home on Nov. 11.

Court-appointed liquidators allege she meticulously and systematically deceived investors who handed millions of dollars to her over seven years, then used the money to fund her extravagant lifestyle.

Caddicks decomposed foot was on found by startled campers more than 400km from her home on Feb. 21, police revealed on Friday.

DNA testing confirmed on Thursday night the foot belonged to the 49-year-old financial planner.

It remains a mystery as to when and how she came into the water and, again, that will be subject of ongoing investigations, Assistant Commissioner Michael Willing told reporters.

Investigators cannot rule out foul play, Willing said. But they suspect Caddick died by suicide.

Given the circumstances of the disappearance (and) the fact that she left personal belongings behind, weve always considered the possibility that she might have taken her own life, he said.

Modelling by police marine rescue teams, taking tides and drift patterns into account, has been conducted around the possibility of Caddick entering the water in Sydneys Dover Heights area on or about Nov. 12.

Analysis of the foot-found inside a shoe-will help investigators determine when she died.

It was decomposed so obviously it had been in the water for some time, Willing said.

Police will continue to search for Caddicks remains around the location of the foot at Bournda Beach, south of Tathra.

Liquidators appointed to deal with Caddicks affairs on Wednesday said they were unable to find a single example of a legitimate investment in the name of the investor.

Instead, Caddick mixed many, many millions of investors funds in company bank accounts and her own personal accounts.

She then used the money to fund an extravagant lifestyle and property purchases, according to provisional liquidator Bruce Gleeson.

Caddick provided investors with hundreds of documents on Commonwealth Bank and CommSec letterheads suggesting their investments were doing well.

But really the account numbers on the documents either did not exist, or were not associated with the actual investor.

Investors were deceived from the very start, as her company Maliver Pty Ltd did not hold a financial services licence as claimed.

Caddicks husband and son from Friday wont be paid living and legal expenses out of her assets.

The matter is back in the Federal Court in April, when Gleeson and his partner will ask to be appointed as ongoing liquidators so they can start realising Malivers limited assets.

Willing said the police were working alongside ASIC on the matter.

By Tiffanie Turnbull and Angelo Risso
Posted Friday, February 26, 2021 8:00 am

All eight regions defined under Washington states plan for reopening businesses and activities shuttered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic can rest easy that they wont see themselves revert back to past restrictions, as Gov. Jay Inslee announced a pause in changes to regions phases Thursday.

During a press conference Feb. 25, Inslee made the announcement that no region would be in danger of moving backward in the states Healthy Washington reopening plan for the next several weeks. He said the decision was due to incredible progress made statewide in dropping the COVID-19 infection rate recently.

Inslee said that the average of new COVID-19 cases in the latest wave of the disease had been at about 3,000 per day; now that average is below 1,000 daily.

Wearing masks and being safe is the reason we are knocking these numbers down, Inslee said, adding that the state cant let up on taking those preventative measures with the potential end of the pandemic in sight. He noted that a number of new variants of the disease have been reported in Washington, which have the potential for increased transmission.

While the pause is in place, Inslee said the state would be working with public health partners, local elected officials, workers and businesses on what subsequent phases of the Healthy Washington plan will look like.

With all regions of the state currently in Phase 2, Inslee said he did not want to provide any details on what Phase 3 would work like at this point given the potential that those ideas could be premature, based on whatever is discovered through the planning stages to come in the next several weeks.

Were trying to be entirely transparent and honest with people, and well do that as soon as we possibly can, Inslee said, but I will tell you that were moving forward. Thats the direction we want.

Inslee said that new information on the new variants and their impact on the pandemic would also play a part in the crafting of subsequent phases of the Healthy Washington reopening plan. Vaccination efficacy was another aspect, he said, noting that the state has been able to hit more than 45,000 vaccinations daily  a goal for the state at the outset of vaccine administration.

The governor said the state needed more vaccine doses coming in before it could increase that rate further, explaining the state had the overall capacity to administer many times more what it is currently receiving.

The number of vaccines the state receives from the federal government is growing, as Inslee said that the Biden Administration has been able to increase the amount of vaccines distributed by 57 percent since the new president took office.

Both the potential impacts of new COVID-19 variants and the effectiveness and ability to distribute vaccines would be chief among questions the next few weeks and will be the focus of as the state remains in Phase 2 of reopening.

We will be talking to everybody that we can find on the planet Earth that will help us answer these questions, Inslee said.

Following the public health aspect of planning, the governor added there would be talks with business communities on how they can effectively expand operations while still preventing COVID-19 spread, as well as talks with labor and equity representatives to address issues in the states fight against the disease.

Depending on what is discovered in the planning phases, Inslee said that regions moving into Phase 3 could potentially happen before the end of March.

Republican Senate leader responds

Following Inslees announcement, Washington state Senate Republican Leader John Braun said that the lack of a definition of what Phase 3 will look like signaled a dead end on the governors roadmap for reopening across the state.

His administration has already had seven weeks to figure out what Phase 3 could look like, but now he says it will take several more weeks to gather information before deciding whats next. We should have had the details about Phase 3 already, Braun, R-Centralia, said in a statement after the press conference. He said the governor gave the impression that the number of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions and other metrics tied to the roadmap may no longer be as relevant.

The businesses that are now stuck indefinitely in Phase 2  which is half as open as they could be four months ago  deserve more clarity than he offered today, Braun said in the statement.

He said that Inslee should visit businesses affected by how restrictions have impacted their operations.

Ive been encouraged that the governor is visiting schools to talk about how students can return to classrooms safely. Next time he should also stop by a local restaurant or two, or a fitness center, and gather information, Braun said in the statement. That could help him to define Phase 3 sooner than April.
By Jonathan Landay, Phil Stewart and Arshad Mohammed

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler approved an operation to capture or kill murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, according to U.S. intelligence released on Friday as the United States imposed sanctions on some of those involved but spared the crown prince himself in an effort to preserve relations with the kingdom.

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident who wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's policies, was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.

The Saudi government, which has denied any involvement by the crown prince, issued a statement rejecting the U.S. report's findings and repeating its previous statements that Khashoggi's killing was a heinous crime by a rogue group.

U.S. President Joe Biden tried to make clear that killings of political opponents were not acceptable to the United States while preserving ties to the 35-year-old crown prince, who may rule one of the world's top oil exporters for decades and be an important ally against common foe Iran.

In a television interview on Friday, Biden said he told Saudi King Salman that Saudi Arabia has to tackle human rights abuses as a precondition to dealing with the United States.

"(I) made it clear to him that the rules are changing and we're going to be announcing significant changes today and on Monday," Biden said on Spanish language network Univision.

Among the punitive steps the United States took on Friday, it imposed a visa ban on some Saudis believed involved in the Khashoggi killing and placed sanctions on others, including a former deputy intelligence chief, that would freeze their U.S. assets and generally bar Americans from dealing with them.

U.S. officials also said they were considering cancelling arms sales to Saudi Arabia that pose human rights concerns and limiting future sales to "defensive" weapons, as it reassesses its relationship with the kingdom and its role in the Yemen war.

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"We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in the four-page report.

To see the full document, click here https://www.odni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Assessment-Saudi-Gov-Role-in-JK-Death-20210226.pdf.

The intelligence agency based its assessment on the crown prince's control of decision-making, the direct involvement of one of his key advisers and his own protective detail, and his "support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi," it added.

"Since 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdom's security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without (his) authorization," it said.

In declassifying the report, Biden reversed his predecessor Donald Trump's refusal to release it in defiance of a 2019 law, reflecting a new U.S. willingness to challenge the kingdom on issues from human rights to Yemen.

"This report has been sitting there, the last administration wouldn't even release it. We immediately, when I got in, filed the report, read it, got it, and released it today. And it is outrageous what happened," Biden said on Univision.

However, Biden is treading a fine line to preserve ties with the kingdom as he seeks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with its regional rival Iran and to address other challenges including fighting Islamist extremism and advancing Arab-Israeli ties.

'KHASHOGGI BAN'

In announcing the decision to bar entry by 76 Saudis under a new policy called the "Khashoggi Ban," the State Department said it would not tolerate those who threaten or assault activists, dissidents and journalists on behalf of foreign governments.

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Ahmed Hassan Mohammed al-Asiri, Saudi Arabia's former Deputy Head of General Intelligence Presidency, and Saudi Arabias Rapid Intervention Force (RIF) in connection with Khashoggi's murder.

The Treasury accused Asiri of being the ringleader of the Khashoggi operation and said several members of the hit squad sent to intercept the journalist were part of the RIF, a subset of the Saudi Royal Guard which answers only to the crown prince.

The U.S. intelligence report judged that RIF members would not have acted without the crown prince's approval.

Before the announcements, U.S. officials said the sanctions and visa bans would not target the crown prince.

"What we've done ... is not to rupture the relationship but to recalibrate to be more in line with our interests and our values," Secretary of State Antony Blinken later told reporters.

Chas Freeman, a former U.S. ambassador to Riyadh, said that despite the damning report, the Biden administration will have to deal deftly with the crown prince because "there is no way around him" as the kingdom's "chief executive officer."

Some of Biden's fellow Democrats demanded he do more to hold the crown prince accountable.

"The Biden Administration should explore ways to ensure the repercussions for the brutal murder of Mr. Khashoggi go beyond those who carried it out, to the one who ordered it - the Crown Prince himself," said Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence committee. "He has blood on his hands and that blood belonged to an American resident and journalist."

Biden should not meet or talk to the crown prince, known to some in the West as MbS, and should consider "sanctions on assets in the Saudi Public Investment Fund he controls that have any link to the crime," Schiff said.

Saudi Arabia's 2060 Eurobond rose after the crown prince was spared U.S. sanctions, though short-term debt and a basket of Saudi stocks ended lower.

Khashoggi, 59, was a Saudi journalist living in self-imposed exile in Virginia.

He was lured on Oct. 2, 2018, to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul with a promise of a document that he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Operatives linked to MbS killed him there and dismembered his body. His remains have not been found.

Riyadh initially issued conflicting stories about his disappearance, but eventually admitted that Khashoggi was killed in what it called a "rogue" extradition operation gone wrong.

Twenty-one men were arrested in the killing and five senior officials, including Asiri and senior MbS aide Saud al-Qahtani, were fired.

The report noted some of those involved were from the Saudi Center for Studies and Media Affairs, then led by Qahtani, "who claimed publicly in mid-2018 that he did not make decisions without the Crown Prince's approval."

In January 2019, 11 people were put on trial behind closed doors. Five were given death sentences, which were commuted to 20 years in prison after they were forgiven by Khashoggis family, while three others were given jail terms.

Asiri was acquitted "due to insufficient evidence" while Qahtani was investigated but not charged.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay, Phil Stewart and Arshad Mohammed; Additonal reporting by Doina Chiacu, Steve Holland, Mark Hosenball, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Patricia Zengerle and Nandita Bose; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Alistair Bell, Grant McCool and Daniel Wallis)
TBILISI, Georgia (AP)  Thousands of people protested in Georgia on Friday, demanding the release of the jailed top opposition politician and calling for early parliamentary elections.

Opposition supporters marched down the streets of the capital Tbilisi and rallied in front of the parliament building and the government headquarters. Police didn't interfere with the protesters.

The demonstration comes days after police stormed the headquarters of Georgia's top opposition party, United National Movement, and arrested its chairman Nika Melia.

We believe that today Georgia stands at the crossroads, and this is the moment when the country should decide whether it continues its European development and democratic development or it turns back and goes back to Russia, opposition politician David Bakradze said at the rally on Friday.

Melia faces charges of inciting violence during protests that erupted in 2019 when a Russian lawmaker sat in the parliament speakers chair during a meeting of lawmakers from Orthodox Christian countries. He had been freed on bail but was arrested again earlier this week on charges of violating bail terms.

The political situation in Georgia has been tense amid allegations of voter fraud in the countrys Oct. 31 parliamentary election. The ruling Georgian Dream party won the vote, but the United National Movement has refused to concede defeat and demanded a rerun.

Before the police raid in which Melia was arrested, parliament members named a new prime minister to replace the one who opposed the arrest because of concern it would escalate the countrys political crisis.

The new prime minister, Irakli Garibashvili, has insisted that the move was justified.

Opposition supporters have put up tents in front of the parliament and vowed to continue protests until their demands are met.
The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
Photo: Olivia Rodrigo/YouTube

Before her song drivers license became the biggest hit in the world, a select few were familiar with Olivia Rodrigo from Disney+s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, where she plays lead Nini Salazar-Roberts (alongside one Joshua Bassett). Not Rodrigos music producer, though. In the Diary of a Song video on drivers license for the New York Times, Daniel Nigro revealed hes never seen HSMTMTS, never mind Rodrigos old Disney Channel show Bizaardvark. I still have not, and Olivia tells me Im not allowed to watch any of it, said Nigro, whos worked with Carly Rae Jepsen, Sky Ferreira, and Conan Gray. Its like a separate world for her. Elsewhere in the video, Rodrigo also revealed that her mom recorded the tracks car noises after Rodrigo asked while she was working on the song in the studio. Now, wheres that recording engineer credit for Mama Rodrigo?

When asked about changing the songs lyrics  like from brunette girl to blonde girl, thought to reference ex-boyfriend Bassetts alleged new girlfriend Sabrina Carpenter  Rodrigo just chalked it up to getting to smooth out the song with a producer. And she gives all the credit to Nigro for another of her now-iconic lines: I still fucking love you, babe, in the bridge. I think its actually really cool that I did, like, sort of swear in my first song, Rodrigo said. Like, look it, Im an adult, I can, like, say  Im not an adult, but Im like 17. Watch the full video for more drivers license details and to hear the original, all-falsetto take that sounded a bit more like Billie Eilish.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  The police gave the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency prior notice that they were planning to conduct a buy-bust operation in Quezon City, documents obtained by CNN Philippines on Friday show, backing claims of both law enforcement agencies that there was coordination between them.

At around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Quezon City Police District informed PDEAs Metro Manila regional office of its operation against drug personalities with the aliases Kokoy and Datu, as well as their cohorts. According to the pre-operation report, the unnamed targets are drug pushers and dealers doing illegal business in Quezon City, while the specific area of operation indicated NCR AOR (National Capital Region Area of Responsibility).

PDEA-NCR then issued a certificate of coordination, which states that the polices operation will run for 24 hours or from 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 24 (Wednesday) until the same time on Feb. 25 (Thursday).

But at around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, what the Philippine National Police and PDEA call a coordinated operation led to a deadly shootout between their anti-drug operatives. Two cops, one PDEA agent, and an informant were killed. PDEA has identified the slain narcotics agent as Intelligence Officer I Rankin Gano, 43, noting that he received several accolades for his public service.

In a media briefing on Thursday, PNP Chief General Debold Sinas and PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva said both their teams were engaged in legitimate buy-bust operations but refused to disclose details on what transpired. They asked the public to refrain from speculating and wait for the findings of their joint board of inquiry.

In the same press conference, however, Villanueva said they are looking into all angles, including the possibility it was a setup planned by drug syndicates, or there were scalawag personnel involved.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte effectively dissolved the PNP and PDEA panels, asking them to leave the probe to the National Bureau of Investigation to ensure impartiality.

Sinas earlier said 17 uniformed personnel  10 from the PNP and seven from PDEA, were being restricted and under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Based on the QCPDs coordination form, 28 personnel led by a police major are involved in the operation, along with one confidential informant. Its not clear whether the PNP and PDEA had the same informant and targets in their separate operations. The police operation would use eight vehicles  four motorcycles, two sedans, a pickup, and an SUV, according to the document.

CNN Philippines' Paolo Barcelon and Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
International

3 Thai ministers found guilty in anti-govt protests

BANGKOK, FEB 25 (IANS) | Publish Date: 2/25/2021 1:05:16 PM IST

Three current Thai Cabinet ministers lost their posts on Wednesday due to their court verdicts for jail in relation to 2014s Bangkok shutdown and street protests which they had unlawfully orchestrated. Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan, Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta and Deputy Transport Minister Thavorn Senniam, who received jail terms ranging from five years to seven years and four months respectively, have automatically lost their ministerial seats, the Xinhua news reported.

The Criminal Court ruled a group of 39 defendants, all being former political activists attached to the now defunct Peoples Democratic Reform Committee, guilty of illicitly organising the massive anti-government protests against the government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Former deputy prime minister and former secretary general of the PDRC Suthep Thaugsuban was among the convicts and sentenced to five years in jail.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI)-A bill that is on its way to the Indiana Senate would repeal the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Several police agencies have spoken out against the bill. However, the author of the bill says that criminals don't follow gun laws anyway. The state of Indiana started requiring gun owners to obtain an open carry license in 1983. The author of the bill is Representative Ben Smaltz. His bill would allow any law-abiding citizen 18 and over to carry a hand gun in public without a license.

"We are trying to figure out a way to help the good guy," said Representative Smaltz a republican from district 52. "How do we help the good guy overcome the regulatory burdens the financial impediments for them to be able to protect themselves the way they see fit."

While the bill passed in the house it doesn't have support from the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police. An association that Lafayette Police Chief Patrick Flannelly serves on as a board member.

"One of our concerns was what are we looking to fix what problem are we trying to solve here because the way that we see it the system works pretty well," said Chief Flannelly.

According to Representative Smaltz, his constituents say obtaining the license is too much of a hassle.

"We have had constituents call and talk about how much it costs how far they have to drive to get fingerprinted and really that drove the point home that the bad guy doesn't have to do any of that," said Representative Smaltz.

The only way an open carry permit is denied is if someone has been convicted of a felony, they have a domestic violence conviction, or a significant documented history of mental illness. Extensive drug use can also be a reason a police agency denies an open carry license. Those who sell firearms say getting rid of another screening tool isn't the right answer.

"I think it's important it gives them a way of tracking people who have firearms and that they are acquiring them in a legal way," said Randy Ramsey the Owner of RamZs Emporium.

Chief Flannelly says getting rid of open carry permits will make it that much harder for police officers to prove who is carrying a gun legally.

"Carrying a firearm brings with it a tremendous amount of responsibility that nobody should take lightly," added Chief Flannelly.

Those seeking gun permits currently pay about $5 million in state fees, along with $3.5 million in permit application fees that local police and sheriff departments now collect and spend on equipment and training. Smaltz said he expected that the Legislature would include money in the state budget so that the local departments would not lose that money. To read the bill click here and then read the fiscal notes for a full breakdown.
You are here: China

China approved the registration applications of two domestically developed COVID-19 vaccines with conditions, the National Medical Products Administration said Thursday.

An inactivated vaccine from the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, an affiliate of China National Biotec Group of Sinopharm, was allowed to enter the market on a conditional basis, the administration said.

The administration also conditionally approved the recombinant vaccine for COVID-19 made by CanSino Biologics. It marked the first approved adenoviral vector vaccine for COVID-19.
What happened?

Making cybersecurity top of mind

What can water utilities do next?

Gaining clear visibility on all the industrial devices, systems and software that have been deployed over the years. Long story short: you cannot protect what you dont know. Enabling effective collaboration between IT and OT teams to design and enforce security policies that will help operations staff do their work effectively without disrupting production.

On February 8, 2021, the City of Oldsmar, Florida gave a press conference to disclose an unlawful intrusion to the citys water treatment system. Someone on the Internet successfully accessed the computer controlling the chemicals used to treat drinking water for the city and changed the level of sodium hydroxide to 11,100 parts per million (ppm), a significant increase from the normal amount of 100 ppm.Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye or caustic soda, is a corrosive chemical used in low concentrations to regulate pH level of drinking water and protect water pipes. In higher levels, it is toxic and can damage human tissues. Luckily, the attack was immediately detected, and normal operating parameters were restored before any harm could be done.While security controls such as automated pH testing would have prevented the poisoned water from being distributed, this story highlights how much critical infrastructures, such as water utilities, have become vulnerable to cyber attacks . The City of Oldsmar should be credited for its transparency and candid explanation of what happened.According to the city sheriff, someone on the Internet managed to connect to the TeamViewer software that was installed on the workstation used to control the water treatment process. TeamViewer is a popular tool used by technicians and support personnel to gain remote access to a computer and use it as if they were physically in front of it.An employee of the water treatment plant saw the mouse cursor moving on the workstation screen performing unauthorized tasks. He raised the alarm and thwarted the attack before anyone was harmed. The sheriff had no information on how the hacker gained access to the plants IT network or how it was able to log into the TeamViewer application.Most IT professionals would be very surprised. How did this industrial workstation become accessible from the Internet? How could remote access capabilities be installed without proper security policies and strong authentication being enforced? How could someone set process parameters to dangerous levels without specific authorizations and controls?Unfortunately, this type of situation is not uncommon. Operations staff and equipment vendors need remote access into industrial machines and sometimes install unapproved solutions by themselves. Most industrial equipment has no cybersecurity feature. Default passwords are widely used for technicians to gain easier access to machines. Many industrial organizations have not built a demilitarized zone (DMZ) to isolate industrial networks, leaving these vulnerable devices accessible from IT networks. And the list could go on.As for all industry verticals, digitization brings tremendous benefits to the water industry. But it also increases the threat landscape. The solution is not about refraining from modernizing operations. Its about building strong security protocols into industry digitization projects from day 1. Its also about gaining factual information on the organizations security posture so that IT and operations teams can start working together securing industrial networks.In the United States, the Americas Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) requires water utilities serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update risk assessments and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). In the European Union, the NIS Directive classifies water utilities as critical infrastructures that must identify their cybersecurity risks, train their personnel, and build measures for response and recovery. This, and other recommendations, are well described in the whitepaper Cisco recently published on cybersecurity for water utilities Public safety, digital operations, and regulations demand water utilities to deploy reliable and robust cybersecurity. In the short term, installing a firewall to isolate the industrial network and blocking unauthorized traffic (such as TeamViewer) is the mandatory first step.In parallel, two main efforts must be made to implement security best practices and enable modern connected industrial operations:Gaining visibility into your industrial infrastructure can be done manually. You can also use OT security software such as Cisco Cyber Vision to automatically build a detailed asset inventory listing all devices, software, vulnerabilities, remote accesses, network relationships, process behaviors, etc. Such a tool provides precise information to build a plan for improvement. It can also monitor operations to ensure that any malicious activity is immediately detected by something other than luck.Now that IT and OT have a shared understanding of the situation, they can work together in building a security framework that suits operational constraints. Both teams have everything to win. As explained in this white paper , when it comes to OT security, united we stand, divided we fall.Watch Sielen Namdars recent Government Technology Q&A Smart Water: Digitizing Utilities for Resilience and Efficiency , and learn more about Ciscos solutions for Smart Water by visiting www.cisco.com/go/smartwater
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Burma Chairman of Myanmar Military Govts Election Body Says NLDs Win Invalid

NLD supporters celebrate in Mandalay on Nov. 9, 2020, after initial counts at polling stations indicated the party was headed for a victory in Myanmars general election held the previous day. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

YANGONThe chairman of the military-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC), U Thein Soe, said the results of the 2020 general election, which brought a landslide victory to the National League for Democracy (NLD), were invalid.

The UEC met representatives of political parties in Naypyitaw on Friday in the first such meeting since Myanmars military staged a coup on Feb. 1. After the coup, the military formed a new commission to hold a new election, claiming that Novembers vote was marred by fraud.

The chairman of the new commission said the State Administrative Council [of the military regime] had taken control of the three branches of power, and confirmed that the results of the previous election are no longer valid, said U Kaung Myint Htut, the president of the Myanmar National Congress Party, who was present at the meeting.

So far, the UEC has not made any official announcement about the election result, however.

At the meeting, the chairman repeatedly claimed that there were errors in the voter lists and that fraud had been committed in the November general election. U Kaung Myint Htut said some of the party representatives at the meeting asked what action would be taken against the NLD government for alleged vote rigging, according to some who attended.

Some party leaders even urged the UEC chairman to take action against political parties, including the NLD, that boycotted the meeting.

The UECs decision was condemned by not only NLD lawmakers ousted by the coup, but also members of other political parties.

Daw Khine San Hlaing, an elected MP and an NLD executive member, told The Irrawaddy that the declaration that the election result was invalid was illegitimate, as it came from the regime.

As long as people recognize us as their representatives, we will be elected MPs. Peoples recognition is whats most important, she said.

Gumgrawng Awng Hkam, the vice chairman of the Kachin State Peoples Party (KSPP), said he did not accept the decision, as the SAC was acting inappropriately. The party sent one representative to attend the UEC meeting.

Even though he himself lost his race for a seat to his NLD rival in the 2020 election, the vice chairman said that while there might have been the odd irregularity here and there, that did not amount to mass, nationwide electoral fraud.

Political parties must take a firm stand that the previous election is legal. The NLDs victory was real, he said.

Elected NLD lawmaker U Thein Tan said lawmakers elected in November have been recognized both domestically and internationally.

We dont accept any actions or words from the coup regime, as they would be unlawful.

Of the 91 registered political parties in Myanmar, 53 including the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party, attended Fridays meeting. Thirty-eight parties did not attend.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 06:00:43|Editor: huaxia

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PARIS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The number of coronavirus infections in France surged to over 25,000 for a third running day, while the death toll worsened further as the government is weighing up more restrictive rules to contain the epidemic fuelled by the emergence of more infectious variants.

To date, France has registered a total of 3,712,020 cases after 25,207 infections were confirmed in a 24-hour span, Public Health Agency said Friday. The country's death toll rose by 286 to 86,147.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Jean Castex warned that "after several months marked by a plateau of between 15,000 and 20,000 cases per day, the virus has been gaining ground again since a week."

Twenty departments in France, including the Greater Paris region, are placed under "reinforced surveillance" due to the worsening epidemic situation.

In the northern city of Dunkirk and the Mediterranean Alpes-Maritimes region, a weekend lockdown has been in place. People have to stay at home from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday, while a nationwide nightly curfew will remain during the rest of the week.

In areas under "reinforced surveillance," the government is considering local weekend lockdowns from March 6 unless the number of daily cases slows down, delaying a possible nationwide lockdown which many experts pressed on.

"I do not understand what we are waiting for," said Philippe Juvin, head of the emergency department of Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris.

"As we get closer to an epidemic peak, each day spent without taking a decision comes with a heavy price," he told BFMTV news channel early Friday.

In Paris, the city hall proposed to impose a strict three-week lockdown after which catering businesses and cultural venues would be able to reopen, said Emmanuel Gregoire, the city's Deputy Mayor.

The prime minister reacted by calling the idea "nonsense," adding it is not possible given the more contagious variants.

An Elabe poll released on Wednesday found that 60 percent of French people expected a third lockdown would be enforced in the coming weeks, up by 12 points from last week's survey.

Meanwhile, over 2.8 million people had received the first dose of a vaccine and some 1.49 million had the two shots as of Thursday, Health Ministry's figures showed.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in some countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 255 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 73 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to the latest information released by the World Health Organization. Enditem
HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An" or the "Group", HKEX: 02318; SSE: 601318) announced its subsidiary Ping An Bank (SZ:000001) topped the rankings in Euromoney's Annual Global Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey for Best China Family Office Services. The recognition reflects Ping An's market-leading technological capabilities and professional personalized services in private banking, tailored for Chinese families.

Euromoney's Annual Global Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey provides a qualitative review of the best services in private banking, by region and by areas of service. The survey to select the most competitive companies is open annually to private bankers and wealth managers. This year, the Euromoney survey tallied 2,114 votes.

Leading in digital operations for insurance trust and family trust businesses

Focusing on the strategy of data-driven online operations, comprehensive services and ecosystem-based development, Ping An Bank Private Banking continues to develop fintech. It has received industry-leading recognition for its professionalism, technology and consumer experience.

In 2020, COVID-19 was a wake-up call for high-net-worth individuals on the importance of wealth preservation and appreciation, asset risk management and succession planning. The demand from Chinese entrepreneurs for succession planning services continues to increase. Ping An Bank Private Banking was among the first in the industry to enable remote and contactless set-up of insurance trusts and family trusts with the launch of its Business Succession at Home service.

After launching online set-up of insurance trusts in the second half of 2020, Ping An Bank Private Banking introduced online services for investment allocation of family trusts, significantly improving the efficiency of asset investment allocation and operational safety.

Tailor-made wealth succession models for Chinese families

Ping An Bank Private Banking has introduced a new servicing concept with the tagline: "A family office that understands Chinese families better". The private bank provides customized and comprehensive succession solutions to Chinese families based on an in-depth understanding of their wealth management and succession requirements.

When it comes to succession and family management for Chinese families, there are four key areas to consider  the family successor, wealth segregation, family governance and taxation laws. A growing number of families are also interested in other life services offered by family offices, such as education planning, health management and travel planning. The Family Office unit of Ping An Bank Private Banking understands the importance of deep-rooted local family business culture and provides full scale services for wealth creation, protection and succession, including investment management, wealth succession, top-level legal framework design, successors' education, legal consultation, taxation planning and charity services.

Frank Cai, Special Assistant to the President of Ping An Bank, said, "Leveraging Ping An Group's strategic advantage of 'finance + technology', the Family Office unit of Ping An Bank Private Banking provides customized services to customers, helps resolve complicated financial, legal and taxation problems, and continues to enhance service quality with the use of innovative technology. In the future, the Family Office unit within Ping An Bank Private Banking will leverage its platform capabilities and fintech advantages to provide affluent Chinese families with higher-quality, professional, safe, stable and all-rounded wealth services. We also hope to join hands with Chinese entrepreneurs to bring new momentum to the country's economic development and enterprise growth."

About Ping An Group

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An") is a world-leading technology-powered retail financial services group. With over 218 million retail customers and 598 million Internet users, Ping An is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. Ping An focuses on two over-arching domains of activity, "pan financial assets" and "pan health care", covering the provision of financial and health care services through our integrated financial services platform and our ecosystems; in financial services, health care, auto services and smart city services. Our "finance + technology" and "finance + ecosystem" transformation strategies aim to provide customers and internet users with innovative and simple products and services using technology. As China's first joint stock insurance company, Ping An is committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate reporting and corporate governance. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. In 2020, Ping An ranked 7th in the Forbes Global 2000 list and ranked 21st in the Fortune Global 500 list. Ping An also ranked 38th in the 2020 WPP Kantar Millward Brown BrandZTM Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands list.

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn - PING AN.

SOURCE Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.

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A male squash bee and a cucumber beetle are shown in a squash flower in a handout photo. A popular insecticide on farms across Canada has been shown to have dire effects on ground-nesting bees, according to new research from the University of Guelph. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Nigel Raine MANDATORY CREDIT
Mom reveals how her husband really feels about their little boy wearing dresses in TikTok

In The Know
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 02:57:54|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Friday called for the immediate release of several hundred schoolgirls kidnapped from a secondary school in northwest Nigeria.

Peter Hawkins, representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the country, urged the assailants to let the teenagers go immediately.

"We are angered and saddened by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria," Hawkins said. "This is a gross violation of children's rights and a horrific experience for children to go through -- one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being."

The president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, tweeted, "I am shocked by today's kidnapping of 317 girls from their school in northwest Nigeria. This is the 3rd mass abduction of children since December in the country."

"No child anywhere should be afraid to go to school. I hope the girls are unharmed and will be freed soon," he wrote.

Scores of students were abducted by gunmen who stormed an all-girls school in Nigeria's northwestern state of Zamfara on early Friday, a local official said.

Abubakar Dauran, Zamfara state commissioner of security and home affairs, who confirmed the information to reporters in the state capital of Gusau, said the gunmen abducted the female students of the Government Girls' Secondary School at Jangebe town in the Talata Mafara local government area of the state. Enditem
MANZINI  There is nothing wrong with the developments at Mkhosi Township, says the Director of Human Settlements Authority.

Bhekithemba Matsebula, while making submissions before the Zonke Magagula-led Commission of Enquiry on the Mkhosi Township Petition, said as far as the Human Settlements Authority was concerned; all the due processes were followed by the Manzini Municipal Council.

The municipality applied for a product and the product was eventually delivered; regardless of the time lapse, he said.

Matsebula was responding to a question posed by a member of the commission, William Ndlela, who sought to establish if the development of Mkhosi Township was orderly or messy.

Matsebula explained to the commission that the Human Settlements Authority considered the processes that needed to be followed when seeking to develop a human settlement as it was the end-product was expected to be delivered.

We may not consider the years taken to complete the product as we are more concerned with all the processes being fully complied with. We are against a substandardisation of infrastructure, he said.

Furthermore, he submitted to the commission that his entity was happy with the end result (Mkhosi Township). Matsebula said all procedures were followed by the Manzini Municipal Council; however, it was only the latter that could explain the cause of the time lag.

He said the Human Settlements Authority approved establishment of Mkhosi Township in July 1999 and the approval of the human settlement location had four conditions.

The first condition was that all infrastructure must be in place and that no plot should be sold until all infrastructure was in place. Also, another condition was that all public amenities must be transferred to government while the last condition was that plots could not be sold before the general plan was in place.

When this conditional approval by the Human Settlement Authority was made, Matsebula said there were 162 plots that were said were to be available.

However, in July 2010, Matsebula said the municipality submitted another application to the Human Settlements Authority. He said the second application had alterations as the scope of the township had changed.

In November 2010, the Human Settlements Authority wrote to the municipality telling it to redesign the township so that it includes a road network and all other infrastructure. The municipality was also told to provide stream buffer zones within the township in line with the Natural Resources Act, he said.

Plans

Matsebula said the municipality was also informed that the general plans of the initial layout plan were approved by the Surveyor General on September 28, 2001.

Therefore, he said, before the submissions of the revised survey plans and layout diagrams to the Surveyor Generals Office, the municipality was advised to lodge an application for withdrawal of the approved general plans.

He said this was because the new plans could affect the plot sizes that had been previously pegged by the municipality. When Ndlela sought to establish from Matsebula whether his entity was aware that there were plots that had been provisionally allocated to prospective property owners, he responded by stating that he was not sure. Matsebula said it was only the developer who could avail information of what was happening on the ground. He further informed the commission that the high number of plots that were partitioned in 2010 answered the question why the plots had suddenly dwindled in size.

The application by the municipality made in 2010 was approved in March 2011. He said when this approval was endorsed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, through his entity, there was one new condition.

This condition, he said, was that the old boundary perks demarcating the plots, which were installed after the first approval of the township, should be removed in order to avoid any future disputes.

He said the last approval was for a township with 217 residential plots, one commercial, one institutional and one public open space. This tallies to 220 plots.






A bus driver who said Covid-19 'made him crazy and kill his wife' during the first lockdown was jailed today for at least 22 years.

Hussein Egal, 66, beat Maryan Ismail to death in the midst of an 'intense rage' with a hammer, meat cleaver, table leg, pots and pans and ladder.

The 57-year-old's mutilated body was found covered with a blanket at her flat in Edmonton, north London, on April 6 last year.

The school cleaner had suffered 70 injuries to her body, with the most severe to her head and chest.

Despite refusing to be tested for the virus, Egal told police his wife had threatened to throw him out for having Covid-19, the court heard.

Jurors were previously told that Egal, who admitted carrying out the killing but denied it was murder, believed 'coronavirus made him crazy and kill his wife'.

Hussein Egal (pictured left), 66, beat Maryan Ismail (right), 57, to death in the midst of an 'intense rage' with a hammer, meat cleaver, table leg, pots and pans and ladder last year

An Old Bailey jury rejected his defence of diminished responsibility and found him guilty of murder after deliberating for two hours.

On Friday, Judge Mark Lucraft QC jailed Egal for life with a minimum term of 22 years. He said Ms Ismail had suffered a 'sustained and vicious attack'.

On Egal's Covid-19 claims, he said tests had shown Ms Ismail did not have the virus and the defendant had refused to be tested.

However, despite his claim that he had the virus in March last year and was not working, records showed he was working up to and including March 27.

The judge said: 'Quite what your motivation for this attack was, only you will really know. In the period immediately before the attack, and in the period that followed, you largely carried on with your life.

'Your actions show that you had little if any remorse immediately after the events - your thoughts then were entirely about yourself and not Maryan.'

The judge also highlighted a psychiatric report which found Egal was not suffering a major mental disorder.

He added: 'It seems to me that, on all the evidence here, you were someone in the middle of an intense rage at the moment of the killing and for whatever reason were intent on killing your wife.'

Jurors were previously told that Egal, above, who admitted carrying out the killing but denied it was murder, believed 'coronavirus made him crazy and kill his wife'

The court previously heard that prior to the argument Egal had been displaying symptoms of Covid-19, namely coughing, vomiting, hallucinating and a high temperature.

Allison Hunter, QC, prosecuting, had told jurors: 'Hussein Yusuf Egal was taken to Wood Green Police Station. Upon his arrival Egal told the officer who opened the van door that he had coronavirus and that the officer should stay away from him.

'He said it was the coronavirus that had made him crazy and kill his wife. He said that when he told his wife she said he could get out and die on the street and that he had said to her "I will kill you before that" and so he did.'

The victim was described by a close friend as a 'kind and calm person with a good heart'. Her son, who lives in Holland, was unable to attend his mother's funeral.

Judge Lucraft said: 'One can only imagine the impact of losing a mother in these circumstances.'

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Next up in our new producer profile series: Rachelle Bonja, our audio fellow extraordinaire. Rachelle is from Aleppo, Syria. Since joining our team last June  just a few months after graduating from college  shes helped expand The Dailys international coverage. Shes produced episodes on French secularism, the Taliban and the Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. We asked her some questions while she was working and quarantining in Lebanon:

How did you make your way to The Daily?

I joined the team last summer through The Timess fellowship program. The program takes about 30 fellows, who work in different desks across the company, and Im the current audio fellow.

Before applying for the job, I had always been a big fan of The Daily. It struck me as a piece of art that was so intentional and unique. One day, I saw a screenshot Michael Barbaro posted on Twitter of a crazy Pro Tools session from an episode of 1619. I remember seeing that and just thinking, Oh, my God, I would do anything to learn about the tricks and gears behind the show. Thats what prompted me to apply to work here!

Whats your favorite part of your job?

One of my favorite things about my job is being able to be a part of our listeners morning rituals. Ive heard people say they listen to The Daily with their coffee  its like their morning partner. How lovely is that?

What type of stories do you like to produce on The Daily?

Everybody on the team knows that I like to work on international stories. I love to learn about and report on cultures different from my own, because every time I absorb the smallest component of a different political system or society, I feel that my understanding of the world and humanity is completely turned around. One of the most rewarding stories Ive worked on here was our episode on the uprisings in Belarus with producers Sydney Harper and Annie Brown. I wrote about that episode in a previous newsletter.

Your original music has made it onto the show. Can you tell us about your musical background?

I played piano growing up, started guitar a few years ago and have always been a singer. But playing instruments or singing with a band is very different than making jingles for The Daily. Ive learned a lot from the composer on the team, Daniel Powell, about how to readapt those skills to make music that can complement an interview. You can hear some of my riffs in the episodes Please, Give Me Back My Daughter (29:16 until the end) and The Pandemic Economy in 7 Numbers (at 22:48).
Spain's Ministry of the Interior has started the mass vaccination of National Police and Guardia Civil officers this Friday (26 February) in Madrid.

According to sources from both forces, the vaccination campaign will last beyond March, although it will always depend on the supply of the AstraZeneca formula the only one that, for the moment, will be given to officers.

However, not all the 68,000 National Police and almost 79,000 Guardia Civil officers will receive the vaccine in this first round since Spain has vetoed the use of the AstraZeneca dose to people over the age of 55.

The campaign has already begun in the Madrid region and both forces hope that the vaccination of all officers deployed in Madrid - under 55 years of age - will be completed before 10 March.

Vaccination with the AstraZeneca formula has provoked criticism from some police unions and professional associations, who doubted its effectiveness. These groups said they preferred their members to be given one of the other two available vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) but the Ministry of Health strongly ruled this out, saying these vaccines are to be prioritised for those over 80 years of age.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is appealing to the public for information surrounding the death of a watchman, 67-year-old Christopher Greaves of Vermont.





According to the Police, Greaves decomposed body was found by residents of surrounding communities at about 8:45am last Sunday, February 21, on the compound of the Emerald Valley Casino, Penniston.





Greaves was said to be employed as the sole watchman at the Casino and was known to spend much of his time there.





A post mortem revealed that his death was caused by "multiple blunt trauma injuries to the chest and the back of the head.





Greaves killing marks the fifth homicide for the year. Investigations are ongoing.





Greaves death is the second such incident involving a watchman, in recent time.





Irwin Charmer Patterson was discovered dead at a Stone/Aggregate operation in Jill Bay, Mt. Wynne on November 24, 2020. He was one of the security (watchmen) personnel employed at that operation.





Patterson suffered a similar fate to Greaves. Inquiries into Pattersons killing are being done.
Japanese H2 was offered at $440-445 per tonne cfr Vietnam in the early part of the week, up $20 per tonne week on week. But offers increased to $455-460 per tonne cfr Vietnam by Thursday, with bids at $440 per tonne cfr Vietnam, and to $460-465 per tonne cfr Vietnam by Friday.Buyers were not interested in purchasing H2 cargoes at these prices, preferring instead to purchase domestic scrap.Purchasing domestic scrap will allow billet producers to make profits, so no buyer is likely to look for imported cargoes now, a buyer source in Vietnam told Fastmarkets.Vietnamese billet producers have hiked their offers for export cargoes to more than $580 per tonne fob, especially with buying interest from major steelmaker China, targeting sales prices of $590-600 per tonne cfr China.Given the current scrap-billet spread, prices at $450-460 per tonne cfr Vietnam for bulk materials such as H2 is reasonable. Only time will tell whether prices will go up to $470-480 per tonne cfr Vietnam, a seller source in Southeast Asia said.This was especially so with bulk Southeast Asia-origin HMS 1&2 (80:20) sold to Indonesia via barges at $460 per tonne cfr, the seller said.China has been seeking imported billet this week due to the narrow spread between ferrous scrap and billet, as well as upcoming industrial production restrictions in key steelmaking region Tangshan.Sentiment was supported by major Japanese mini-mill Tokyo Steel adjusting its scrap purchase prices three times this week, including the most recent increase of 500-1,000 ($3.86-7.73) per tonne at all its steelworks from Saturday February 27.It is now paying 42,500 per tonne at its Tahara and Okayama works and 42,000 per tonne at its Kyushu works. It is also paying 43,000 per tonne at its Utsunomiya works and 41,500 per tonne at its Takamatsu works.A mixed cargo of Japanese Shindachi Bara and HS scrap was sold at $485 per tonne cfr Vietnam, against offers at $490 per tonne cfr Vietnam.Hong Kong-origin H1&H2 (50:50) was offered at $435 per tonne cfr Vietnam earlier this week, up by $30-35 per tonne week on week.Fastmarkets weekly price assessment of steel scrap H2, Japan-origin import, cfr Vietnam was $450-460 per tonne on Friday, up by $29-35 per tonne from $421-425 per tonne on February 19 Bulk United States-origin HMS 1&2 (80:20) cargoes were offered at $460 per tonne cfr Vietnam, with bids at $450 per tonne cfr Vietnam.Market sources estimated that prices for deep-sea bulk cargoes would likely be at $450-455 per tonne cfr Vietnam, especially after a major South Korean steelmaker purchased a bulk H1 cargo at $443.50 per tonne cfr South Korea this week.While offers were at $460 per tonne cfr Vietnam in the first half of the week, they could have been withdrawn in the second half of the week, a trader in Vietnam told Fastmarkets on Friday.There was no spot activity heard in the latter half of the week.Fastmarkets weekly price assessment for deep-sea bulk cargoes of steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20), cfr Vietnam was $450-455 per tonne on Friday, up by $5-10 per tonne from $440-450 per tonne on February 19.A containerized cargo of 1,000 tonnes of HMS 1&2 (80:20) from the US was sold at $417 per tonne cfr Vietnam this week.
The And Campaignthe organization rallying urban Christians to faithful civic engagementis on track to quadruple its size in the span of a year, with chapters launching in three Southern cities in 2020 and scheduled to launch in another 10 cities in the first half of 2021.

Last years convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and political and racial unrest in the United States catapulted organizations like the And Campaign, which were already addressing these complex issues, to a new level of prominence.

The pandemic had a huge impact on our growth, said attorney and political strategist Justin Giboney, who cofounded the And Campaign with pastor Angel Maldonado and hip-hop artist Sho Baraka in Atlanta in 2015.

In May, the groups Statement on Racialized Violence went viral after the death of George Floyd, tripling its social media following.

When that racialized violence happened, and everyone had their full attention on it because there was nothing else to pay attention to, our executive committee got together and said, Hey, we need to speak into this, said Giboney, referencing the killings of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.

So many Christians are trying to find a way to process exactly what is going on in biblical terms. Some are ignoring it because their ideology is too far right. Some are getting too caught up in the moment and kind of changing their convictions because they have gotten too caught up on the left. I said we need to speak into this in a real way, and so we created a biblical statement on racialized violence.

The statement addressed racism and criminal justice reformone of the core political issues for the And Campaign, which promotes both social justice and moral order as priorities for Christians.

With established chapters in Atlanta, Dallas, Brooklyn, and Chicago, the And Campaign added chapters in Charleston, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Birmingham, Alabama, last summer and fall.

There was so much conversation about racial reconciliation and injustice, but there were very few on-ramps for Christian action in Charleston, said Philip Pinckney, pastor of Radiant Church in Charleston, who founded its chapter after connecting with Giboney at a local multiethnic ministry conference called 1Charleston. In the city where the Civil War was started, that is still reeling from the murder at Emanuel and that probably has more churches per square mile than any other place in the country, we had to mobilize.

The Charleston chapter held its first event, a Prayer & Action Rally, at Pinckneys church on Juneteenth. Though the event received local news coverage and drew attention online, Pinckney suspects the pandemic hurt turnout.



The chapter continued to engage in issues leading up to the 2020 election. It created its own 17-page guide to local races and interviewed some of the candidates.

The founder of the Birmingham chapter, Danny Brister Jr., also heard Giboney speak at a conferenceJust Gospel, put on in Atlanta by The Front Porch. Brister, a former pastor and church planter, said he was bothered by politicking around the pandemic and looking for a way to be politically engaged from a Christian perspective following the death of George Floyd.

He established the chapter in October 2020. Its six leaders are split between black and white, men and women, and span progressive and conservative political perspectives. Pandemic permitting, Brister hopes to host a public launch event in the spring. In Birmingham, 2021 is an important election year, with seats for school board, city council, and mayor up for election.

Brister, a community liaison for a local charter school and former employee of the City of Birmingham Mayors Office, has engaged Christians who plan to run for local offices in the near future with And Campaign materials. They really want to talk about how they do this faithfully and if they win, how can they honor God and not capitulate their Christianity, he said.

Image: Brett Tighe / Courtesy of And Campaign Charleston

Even before national attention turned to racial justice issues, the And Campaign took the lead helping churches in low-income locations during the pandemic. Together with ministry partners, the Churches Helping Churches Challenge raised over $1.3 million and will continue to offer $5,000 grants to continue projects in their communities.

The And Campaign also saw growing interest around its political philosophy ahead of the 2020 presidential election, connecting with believers who felt politically homeless in the major parties.

We articulated that there is this false dichotomy that politics forces you to go all the way to the left or forces you to go all the way to the right, Giboney said. A lot of Christians say, Thats me. I care about poverty, I care about voter rights, and I care about the pro-life cause.

At a recent Zoom meeting for the And Campaigns Atlanta chapter, they discussed the Georgia Senate runoffs, which put their city in the spotlight of American politics, as well as the Capitol insurrection, President Joe Bidens COVID-19 response plan, and Senator Mitt Romneys Family Security Act.

On a local level, the chapter is planning on advocating for juvenile probation reformwhich leaders believe can be a bipartisan issue for Atlanta Christiansand reaching out to Christian state legislators, urging them to apply their principles to their work.

Theres this idea that in order to be educated in politics, you have to be educated by the world first and then be educated by your faith, but that is backward, said Abrm McQuarters, an Atlanta chapter leader.

Leaders across the country are looking forward to resuming in-person meetings and events once COVID-19 risks have died down, especially to build on the momentum in the new chapters preparing to launch in 10 cities this year: Akron, Ohio; Houston; Asheville, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia; Detroit; Denver; Kansas City, Missouri; Austin, Texas; Pittsburgh; and San Diego.

Yang Ding, a post-90s PhD graduate of the Yi ethnic group from Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, showcases a product she designed. Founder of a woodware brand, Yang is committed to passing on and innovating traditional Yi culture. Photo/Chinanews.com

Yang Ding, a PhD graduate who is an ethnic Yi from Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in southwest Chinas Sichuan province, combines artistic elements of traditional Yi culture with her woodware products, bringing the beauty of Yi culture to more people.

The products made by Yangs company are sold not only in Sichuan province, but also in overseas markets such as the U.S. and Canada. Last year, her companys total output of woodware products exceeded 3 million yuan (about $463,800). Yang told the media that her company is negotiating business partnerships with companies from the UK and Italy.

Yang, whose major is furniture design, came up with the idea of showcasing her ethnic culture in woodware products because she believes that traditional Yi culture is crucial to the sustainable development of her hometown, which is also China's largest Yi community. She was saddened to see that with the acceleration of urbanization, the local cultures of many places across the country has gradually became extinct, and believes that the Yi culture will be the cornerstone for the regions sustainable development, and particularly for rural rejuvenation in the future.

Before she started her business, Yang spent three years with her team collecting traditional Yi architectural patterns in 230 households scattered around 17 counties and cities in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

In addition, the woodware business also helped more than 300 people find jobs in related areas such as woodware making, lacquer painting, Yi embroidery, and felting weaving. I find starting my own business quite worthwhile, as I have helped more people live better lives while passing on Yi culture, she said.

As for the biggest reward that comes from starting up a business, the post-90s woman said it is the friends she has made along the way. A growing number of young people are returning to our hometown, bringing technologies and concepts for passing on our intangible cultural heritage, she explained.

Be Quick On The Draw With New Big Bucks Bandits Megaways Online Slot From Yggdrasil

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Beyond barbecues and ceremonies: Recognizing Memorial Day

For many, Memorial Day weekend is about gathering with family and grilling or attending a parade. Some find a more personal way to honor the holiday.
Recognition honors companies that understand the importance of leading, making hard but values-based decisions, and demonstrate an overall commitment to integrity.

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- illycaffe S.p.A., a global coffee industry leader in sustainable quality, has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2021 World's Most Ethical Companies. This year marks the Company's ninth consecutive honor.

illycaffe regards upholding the highest ethical standards as fundamental to its operations. The Company maintains a longstanding commitment to improving the quality of life for all of its stakeholders, from farmers to consumers. Recognition by Ethisphere as one of the 2021 World's Most Ethical Companies strongly validates the Company's efforts to help create a more sustainable world for many generations to come. illycaffe is the only Italian company to receive this honor and is one of only six recipients in the Food, Beverage & Agriculture category. In total, 135 honorees were recognized spanning 22 countries and 47 industries for 2021.

"Maintaining and promoting strong ethics and values are essential to affecting positive change throughout our global society, as is recognizing the private sector's essential role in creating a world that is more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable now and for generations to come," said Andrea Illy, Chairman of illycaffe S.p.A. "One of our current major focus is reducing our environmental impact throughout the entire supply chain, one meaningful, measurable step at a time, with the ultimate goal to be carbon neutral by 2033. We are proud to be recognized by the Ethisphere Institute for our stewardship and commitment to ethical business practices and thank them for their continued role in inspiring companies to be and do their best for the world."

"While addressing the tough challenges of 2020, we saw companies lead - above all other institutions - on earning the trust of stakeholders through resilience and a commitment to ethics and integrity," said Ethisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich. "The World's Most Ethical Companies honorees continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the highest values and positively impacting the communities they serve. Congratulations to everyone at illycaffe for earning the World's Most Ethical Companies designation."

The accolade comes a year after illy launched its 'One Makes The Difference' campaign, which highlighted its sustainability mission. Part of this was the announcement of its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2033 and its plans to eliminate approximately 175 tons of plastic per year, which illy achieved in 2020. Additionally, illy launched a range of sustainable takeaway cups with lids, both of which are made from high quality paper so can be easily recycled without compromising the user experience. Illy is proud to have met the European Union's 20-20-20 target one year early: 100% of its electricity comes from renewable sources, and it recuperates the heat from its roasting machines to heat their premises in winter and cool them down in summer. So far, illy has already reduced its CO2 emissions by over 3,000 tonnes since 2012.

Methodology & Scoring

Grounded in Ethisphere's proprietary Ethics Quotient, the World's Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity and initiatives to support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of organizations across industries and around the globe.

This year, the process was streamlined and question set expanded to gauge how applicants are adapting and responding to the global health pandemic, environmental, social, and governance factors, safety, equity, and inclusion and social justice.

Honorees

The full list of the 2021 World's Most Ethical Companies can be found at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1445432/Ethisphere_Logo.jpg
(Newser)  The US released an intelligence report on Friday that directly implicates Saudi Arabia's crown prince in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The central conclusion of the report was widely expected given that intelligence officials were said to have reached it soon after the brutal killing of Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans authoritarian consolidation of power, per the AP. Still, since the finding had not been officially released until now, the public assignment of responsibility amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the 35-year-old crown prince. US intelligence officials concluded that bin Salman approved the operation that led to Khashoggi's killing, per the Washington Post. (The US-based Khashoggi was a columnist for the Post.) The move could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable.

story continues below

The report was released one day after a later-than-usual courtesy call from President Biden to Saudi King Salman, though it wasn't clear whether they discussed the killing. On the day of his death, Khashoggi visited the Saudi consulate in Turkey to pick up documents for his wedding. Once inside, he died at the hands of more than a dozen Saudi security and intelligence officials who had assembled ahead of his arrival. Surveillance cameras had tracked his route and those of his alleged killers in Istanbul in the hours leading up to his killing. A Turkish bug planted at the consulate reportedly captured the sound of a saw dismembering Khashoggis body within an hour of his entering the building. His remains have not been found. The prince said in 2019 he took full responsibility for the killing since it happened on his watch, but denied ordering it.

(Read more Jamal Khashoggi stories.)
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The word "COVID-19" is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration

By Allison Martell, Carl O'Donnell and Julie Steenhuysen

(Reuters) - The number of available COVID-19 vaccine doses is steadily rising, but a shortage of physical space that meets standards for pharmaceutical manufacturing is a major bottleneck to further expansion, according to drugmakers, industry construction experts and officials involved in the U.S. vaccine program.

The production of raw materials, vaccine formulation and vial filling all require "clean rooms" with features like air cleaners, sterile water and sterilizing steam designed and in some cases built by specialists.

Moderna Inc on Wednesday announced plans to expand vaccine manufacturing capacity, but said it will be a year before that can add to its production.

With vaccines needed for billions of people to end a pandemic that has claimed more than 2.5 million lives globally, drugmakers have even had to turn to rivals for help to churn out doses. Space at third-party contract manufacturers in the United States is largely allocated, according to one major contract manufacturer and other smaller companies.

A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report flagged a shortage of manufacturing capacity as a challenge in scaling up vaccine production.

And the emergence of new coronavirus variants is likely to increase the strain on production capacity.

Public health experts say global vaccination as soon as possible is critical to curbing the rise of highly contagious additional variants. Many are counting on authorization of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine this week.

Longer term, tackling COVID-19 may require annual shots to protect against new virus mutations, similar to the flu. Vaccine companies are already designing potential booster shots addressing variants first identified in South Africa and Brazil.

"What's happening now indicates the importance of markedly strengthening the capacity of manufacturing capabilities in the United States," said Larry Corey, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center who helped design U.S.-backed vaccine trials. "We should be investing, large scale, in our abilities to manufacture."

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Pfizer and Moderna can increase output some by speeding fill and finish, said Moncef Slaoui, former chief scientific adviser for the government's Operation Warp Speed vaccine program. Making much more vaccine itself is more challenging.

"To change that substantially in terms of drug substance would take ramping up global manufacturing infrastructure. That takes months," he said. "You would have to build, train, validate, and get regulators to visit and approve a site."

Leading vaccine developers Pfizer and partner BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, J&J, Novavax, Russias Gamaleya Research Institute, and CureVac are aiming to make enough vaccine with manufacturing partners to inoculate some 5.2 billion people in 2021, according to a Reuters tally of public statements and media reports.

China's Sinovac and Sinopharm will likely deliver significant supplies as well, though their 2021 targets are unclear. Several drugmakers have struggled to meet early production targets.

BUILDING FASTER

Building new facilities and even expanding existing manufacturing sites has typically taken years. During the pandemic, some projects have been completed in as little as 6-to-10 months, according to some specialized construction companies involved with Warp Speed.

Emergent BioSolutions , which is making J&J and AstraZeneca vaccines for the United States, cannot add any more equipment to facilities dedicated to those vaccines.

The company is not alone. "The contract manufacturing network, like our facility, is pretty full," said Emergent Executive Vice President Sean Kirk.

Adding new clean rooms that meet good manufacturing practices standards is complex and time consuming, said Phil DeSantis, a consultant and pharmaceutical engineer.

"Building the clean room is probably what we call the critical path," he said. "That's the part that takes the longest."

Vaccine makers have sidestepped this in part by retrofitting existing facilities. BioNTech bought a facility in Marburg, Germany, from Novartis in September, and began producing messenger RNA - the active ingredient in its vaccine - in early February.

When Emergent joined Warp Speed last year, it stopped everything else it was working on at its Baltimore facility to make room for the COVID-19 vaccines.

The U.S. government can use the Defense Production Act to force that kind of reshuffling. Supply orders with a federal "rating" under the law must be filled first. But there are limits to what it can do without threatening supplies of other injectable medicines.

Pfizer last week said it had engaged two U.S. contract manufacturers and would add capacity to formulate vaccines and make raw materials at its own sites, but did not specify whether new clean rooms would be installed.

In adding clean room space to existing sites, drugmakers and their suppliers have leaned heavily on pre-fabricated wall panels and pods that speed the process, according to specialist companies that build those spaces.

G-CON Manufacturing provided pods to some Warp Speed projects. One contract manufacturer dedicated space to COVID-19 vaccines, and then used G-CON pods to add clean room space for a different project for an existing customer, said Chief Executive Maik Jornitz.

"It was sort of the only way," Peter Walters, director of advanced therapies at CRB, which designs and manages construction of the facilities, said of the pre-fabricated systems.

CRB has worked on more than 20 coronavirus vaccine-related projects. The program has "certainly redefined, to a lot of the industry, what could be possible," Walters said.

Adding more capacity would help the United States tackle COVID-19 variants and future pandemics, said Prashant Yadav, a senior fellow at the U.S.-based Center for Global Development.

"We can use it for our own needs," he said. "We can use it to serve the world."

(Additional reporting by Mike Erman in New Jersey, Roxanne Liu in Beijing and Polina Ivanova in Moscow; Editing by Caroline Humer, Michele Gershberg and Bill Berkrot)
Vivek Agnihotri Opens Up On New OTT Guidelines, Says 'Demands Finally Being Met'

Reacting to the new rules for digital news organisations, social media portals, and OTT platforms announced on Thursday, Bollywood director Vivek Agnihotri said that he believes "guidelines should be there and this is a good move."As the Union Ministers Prakash Javadekar and Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed a press conference to finalise the new rules, there were some new changes included to enhance strict oversight mechanisms involving several ministries.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri)

With regards to the new guidelines, Vivek Agnihotri said, "There has been a demand since a long time especially from teachers, parents, activist to have a control on the perversion on OTT platforms. And it is in a way good, to know that the new guidelines address it. And they also will be considering the women who are objectified or any kind of disrespect shown towards women, which is a very good move."

He further said, "Secondly the most important one, is that they have also made sure that if anyone has an issue, they can sort it out within 15days after being registered within 24 hours, this also allows the public to be involved and feel heard. Now we would also have an idea who we will be talking to especially with regards to social media, which I think is a good thing! I believe guidelines should be there and this is a good move."

The all-new code of ethics which was announced on Thursday mandated intermediaries to ensure and exercise "due caution and discretion" in relation to the general principles around online curated content.

The main goal of these new guidelines is that the all-new document by the government would definitely caution online content platforms, perhaps not to impact India's sovereignty and integrity. Content on OTT platforms had recently fuelled controversy, leading to public outcry and the booking of makers of some programs.

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar had on January 31 announced that the Ministry will soon release guidelines on OTT platforms as it had been receiving a lot of complaints against some serials available online.
This years Annual Rubin Feldman Memorial Lecture will put a spotlight on a little-known story of Carl Lutz, a former St. Louisan who saved more than 50,000 Jews from the Nazis. The program will take place virtually at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28, and is generously sponsored by the Rubin (of blessed memory) and Gloria Feldman Family Institute of the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum and AISH St. Louis.

Under Swiss Protection: The Story of Holocaust Rescuer Carl Lutz honors Lutz, the individual credited with organizing the largest civilian rescue mission of the entire Holocaust. While serving as a Swiss diplomat in Budapest, Hungary, Lutz issued tens of thousands of protective papers to save Jews from the Nazis and Hungarian Arrow Cross Party.

At 18, Lutz moved to Granite City, Ill., where he worked for five years before attending Central Wesleyan College in Warrenton, Mo., and George Washington University in Washington, D.C. After college, Lutz lived and worked in downtown St. Louis in the early 1930s.

Speaking about Lutz will be two people who know his heroic story well. Agnes Hirschi is a Holocaust survivor and the stepdaughter of Lutz. She was one of the more than 50,000 Jews rescued by him during the Holocaust. When she was a child in Budapest, she witnessed her fathers heroic actions saving Hungarian Jews. Over the past 20 years, she has traveled the world lecturing on the role of diplomatic rescue in the Holocaust.

Charlotte Schallie is a professor of Germanic studies at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. Her research interests include post-1945 German literature and film, memory studies, visual storytelling, Jewish identity in contemporary cultural discourse, teaching and learning about the Holocaust, and human rights education.

Hirschi and Schallie co-edited the book Under Swiss Protection: Jewish Eyewitness Accounts from Wartime Budapest, which retraces Lutzs rescue efforts in wartime Budapest through the lens of eyewitness testimonies.

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Carl Lutz rescued a cousin of mine, so I have been interested in his story for many years, said Dan Reich, the Museums curator & director of education. I am so excited to finally host a program in honor of this heroic man.

This program is free and open to the public. Following their presentation, the speakers will take questions from the virtual audience. For more information and to register, please visit: StlHolocaustMuseum.org/Under-Swiss-Protection/.
New Delhi:

As India is going into its 71st year of independence on 15 August, lets not we forget the sacrifices made by revolutionaries who brought about this glorious day to our motherland and one such brave heart was Shivaram Rajguru.



Rajguru was born on 24 August 1908, in a Deshastha Brahmin family at Khed in Maharashtra. At a very early age, Rajguru was deeply affected by the atrocities committed by British administration on people of India and this led him to join revolutionaries for Indias cause of freedom.



The revolutionary came to Varanasi where he learned Sanskrit and other Hindu religious scriptures and became associated with Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA).



Rajguru was an admirer of the great Maratha King Shivaji and believed in his guerrilla tactics of warfare. The great revolutionary was a good shooter and was gunman of HSRA too. Besides this, he was known under the pseudonym of Raghunath.



Rajguru, along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev was hanged on March 23, 1931 for conspiring to kill British police officer John P Saunders, though the initial plot was to kill superintendent of police James Scott to avenge the death of leader Lala Lajpat Rai caused by lathi charge during protest against Simon Commission.



So on December 18, 1928, Rajguru, along with Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh shot Deputy Superintendent of Police, J.P. Saunders in Ferozepur.



After this incident, Rajguru went into hiding in Nagpur. However while travelling to Pune, he was finally arrested.

The trial against the trio of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru was nothing short of a mockery on part of the British judicial system.



On May 1, 1930, Lord Irwin gave the directive for a special tribunal consisting of Justice J Coldstream, Justice Agha Hyder and Justice GC Hilton to carry out the legal proceedings in Saunders murder case.



The tribunal was given the power to proceed without the presence of the accused denying normal legal rights.



Sadly on October 7, 1930, the trio of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru was sentenced to be hanged till death.



The hanging took place a day before on March 23, 1931, in Lahore central jail. The bodies of the great martyrs were cremated on the banks of the River Sutlej.



The love for India and for the cause of its freedom made them martyrs at very young age. Like his comrades, Rajguru was just 23 when he was hanged.

ALSO READ| 70 years of Independence: Five challenges that still confront India



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She was just eight-months-old when her comedian father Les Dawson passed away.

And Charlotte Dawson took her newborn son Noah to see her father's bronze statue in Lancashire for the first time on Thursday, which was erected in 2008 to honour his legacy.

The Ex On The Beach star, 28, documented the emotional moment on Instagram as she held her baby boy up beside his Grandfather Les's face - as he pulled an uncanny resemblance to the funnyman.

'Grandad Les': Charlotte Dawson took her newborn son Noah to see her late father's bronze statue in Lancashire on Thursday as she documented the emotional moment on Instagram

The new mother was all glammed up for the 'special day', wearing a tan checked mini dress with a camel trenchcoat and white high-knee boots.

She had her brunette locks styled in voluminous waves as she wore a full face of make-up for the occasion complete with lash extensions and a nude lip.

She captioned the Instagram post: 'What a special day today has been... when Noah met his grandad Les  (well his statue obvs) but this is the start of Noahs traditions..

Lookalike: The Ex On The Beach star, 28, documented the emotional moment with pictures as she held her baby boy up beside his Grandfather Les's face

Family day out: The new mum was all glammed up for the 'special day', wearing a tan checked mini dress with a camel trenchcoat and white high-knee boots

'As you all know I go to my dads statue for special celebrations & I have our beautiful little baba boyo joining us now. How amazing...

'I wish he was here so badly, he would of been the best grandad to you... but we are so lucky Noah has so much incredible footage for him to get to know his bloody belter of grandad 

'Thank you @tracydawsonx for being the best mum in the world... Noahs lucky to have his glam nanny trace around 

Resemblance: In a sweet video also posted on her Instagram page, Charlotte held her son next to the statue as her mum Tracey commented: 'They've got the same nose'

She continued: '(Picture 3 Noah looks like his doing my dads face ) @noahdawsonsarsfield love that theres chippeh behind my head & my dad ... its a chuffin bloody sign

'Thanks to my @ryankaystyles for styling me for filming & making me feel like a Milf'

In a sweet video also posted on her Instagram page, Charlotte held her son next to the statue as she said to him: 'Noah you're meeting Grandad Les for the first time! Hi Grandad Les.'

Emotional: She captioned the Instagram post as a tribute to her father saying: 'I wish he was here so badly, he would of been the best grandad to you'

Her mum Tracey commented on the resemblance between Les and his grandson saying: 'They've got the same nose'.

On Wednesday, the reality star shared a snap of her son Noah pulling the late funnyman's trademark gurn, for which he was famous during his lengthy career.

Charlotte revealed she was on Facetime to her fiance Matthew Sarsfield when she turned around and discovered her baby, four weeks, pulling the pose.

Grandad... is that you? On Wednesday, Charlotte shared a snap of her son Noah pulling her late father Les' trademark gurn, for which he was famous during his lengthy career

Charlotte added a caption on the image reading: 'FaceTiming daddy at work @matt_sarsfield and our cute little cherub turns into my dad for a second doing my dads face. mini Matt mini les on this'.

On Sunday, Charlotte professed that she believes her late father Les' spirit lives on after claiming she feels his 'presence' around her one-month-old son, Noah.

The TV star admitted she is 'heartbroken' he will never meet her child, but nevertheless feels he is guiding them through life.

She said to The Daily Star on Saturday: 'I have felt my dads presence since Noah has been here. He is definitely around us.

Missed: Charlotte lost her father (pictured in 1992) when she was eight-months-old and recently admitted she is 'heartbroken' he will never meet her child, but feels he is guiding them

'Noah has the same star sign as my dad and he was born exactly a week before dads birthday. So I definitely feel like my dad is around us and looking after us and guiding us. I am heartbroken that my dad isnt going to meet Noah.'

Her father Les was a celebrated comedian and he passed away in 1993 after suffering from a heart attack.

Charlotte said she feels 'lucky' that Noah will be able to see his grandfather growing up by watching home footage or clips on YouTube.

Her dearestL She also revealed her plans to take her son to see his bronze statue in Lancashire, which was erected in 2008 to honour his legacy

According to Charlotte, she has a cardboard cut-out of her father at home which she hopes won't 'scare' Noah, as she plans to bring it out for Christmas dinner.

Charlotte recently shared her delight at becoming a mother, saying that being a parent to her newborn has 'changed her world' completely.

The reality star spoke candidly with new! Magazine on Tuesday, gushing that she felt she was 'always meant to be a mummy' - before sharing a sweet snap of her son to mark his two week milestone.

Charlotte said: 'Being a mum has changed my world for the better already. I feel like I was always meant to be a mummy!'
New Delhi, Feb 26 : As the country continues to battle the coronavirus, young adults in college say that their mental well-being has been most impacted by the pandemic's social consequences. But the silver lining is visible to most and the outlook is one of hope for this year, state the results of a survey by BML Munjal University.

One out of every two, that is, 49 per cent students say that stress, anxiety and loneliness have been the most challenging to cope with during Covid-19 that has impacted their mental health. Approximately 26 per cent cite not being able to keep up academically to be most challenging. About 15 per cent say that not having a dedicated place for studying at home was a challenge and a meagre 10.47 per cent cite poor internet connectivity to be a pressing concern.

Stress is exaggerated by their concerns of post college careers. 55 per cent of college students are concerned, of which 38 per cent say they are very concerned about their future because of the uncertainty of the situation. In this scenario, their expectations from their college are to offer functional courses that would be more relevant in the new normal. Fifty-one per cent of students cite this as an expectation while 32 per cent of students expect their college to facilitate industry placements, says the survey.

Social isolation has been difficult to deal with and a majority of students, 37 per cent say that they have missed their friends acutely, followed by the buzz of social events (25 per cent) and hands on training on campus.

There's hope at the end of the tunnel and the sentiment is buoyant among students for the new normal. About 78 per cent of students surveyed are feeling hopeful about the future than they did when the pandemic began. Of these nearly 40 per cent say that with the vaccination drive underway, they are hopeful that normal life will resume soon.

India's young adults display positive energy and resilience to respond fast and surprisingly well to unprecedented challenges. Students have taken away important learnings from this black swan event. Thirty-seven per cent of young adults say they realise the importance of mental and physical health, 28 per cent the importance of family and friends and nurturing relationships and 12 per cent say that it has reminded and restored their confidence in the resilience of the human spirit. 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going', is a lasting lesson that will remain with young adults.

With a lot of free time on their hands, young adults kept themselves entertained on OTT platforms. 33.4 per cent of the students turned to watching content on OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hot Star, followed by playing video games (13.2 per cent) and cultivating new hobbies (12.5 per cent) within the confines of their premises.

While students have missed their college campuses and are eager to return, 1 out of every 2 students say that the future of learning will be hybrid, says the survey.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
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[February 25, 2021] Freedom Acquisition I Corp. Announces Pricing of Upsized $300 Million Initial Public Offering

Freedom Acquisition I Corp. ("Freedom Acquisition" or the "Company") announced today that it priced its upsized initial public offering of 30,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The units are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and trade under the ticker symbol "FACT.U" beginning on February 26, 2021. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-fourth of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. Only whole warrants are exercisable. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and redeemable warrants are expected to be listed on the NYSE under the symbols "FACT" and "FACT WS," respectively. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company intends to pursue a target in the financial services sector. Freedom Acquisition's founders include Tidjane Thiam, Adam Gishen and Abhishek Bhatia. A private fund affiliated with Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO) is a member of the Company's sponsor. J.P. Morgan is acting as the lead book-running manager of the offering. Deutsche Bank Securities and Morgan Stanley are acting as book-running managers of the offering. Academy Securites, Drexel Hamilton, Loop Capital Markets, R. Seelaus & Co., LLC and Siebert Williams Shank are acting as co-managers of the offering. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 4,500,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.



The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus may be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, telephone: 1-866-803-9204, or by emailing at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com. A registration statement relating to the securities has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") on February 25, 2021. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and preliminary prospectus for the Company's offering filed with the SEC. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006337/en/

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SHANGHAI, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For foreign consumer goods companies eyeing the Chinese market, the best way to do so is to sign up for the Consumer Goods Exhibition Area of the China International Import Expo. The expo provides a golden opportunity for its exhibitors, of which many are Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders, where they can meet hundreds of thousands of buyers and ink deals.

In the past three years, the CIIE has delivered numerous success stories for businesses and there are more to come.

At CIIE, businesses can showcase their Asian and global product debuts. The third edition unveiled 411 new products, technologies and services, 73 of which made their global debut. Tentative deals worth $72.62 billion for one-year purchases of goods and services were agreed to at the event.

Among the six exhibition sections of last year's CIIE, the Consumer Goods Exhibition Area was described as the most beautiful and the most popular, according to the "Report on the Media Coverage and Influence of the Third China International Import Expo" released in January 2021.

The biggest names in the global consumer goods industry, such as the Swiss luxury brand Richemont, New York-based luxury house Tapestry, world-renowned jewelry and accessories brand Swarovski, and Italy's fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana attended the CIIE last year.

Over the past three editions, catering to the increasing demand from global businesses, the scale of the exhibition area has continued to grow, from 30,000 square meters in 2018 to 90,000 square meters in 2020.

Many companies report seeing solid results through attending this global trade fair. It was through the expo that third-time exhibitor L'Oreal introduced its new brand, which was ranked No 1 in the international popular makeup category during the 2020 Tmall 618 Mid-year Shopping Festival.

The Consumer Goods Exhibition Area of the fourth CIIE is expected to span 90,000 square meters. Themed "Create a Better and Healthy Life Together", the area will be divided into five sections - Intelligent Life and Household Appliances, Sporting Goods and Events, Beauty and Cosmetics, Household Articles and Decoration Design, and Fashion Trends and Works of Art.

Following the three objectives of offering new lifestyle products, introducing smart technology, and exhibiting the latest fashion items, the area aims to gather brands from across the world to launch new products and create global fashion trends.

Register now at

https://www.ciie.org/ciie/f/book/register?locale=en

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1445506/CIIE_Consumer_Goods_Area.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1077995/CIIE_Logo.jpg

Contact: Nie Qingxin

Tel.: 0086-21-67008870/67008988

Gov. Tom Wolf announced recently that nearly $5.4 million in low-interest loans through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, or PIDA, that will help companies in Berks, Erie and Fayette counties create and retain jobs, expand their operations and provide business services to their communities.

It has never been more critical for Pennsylvania to invest in its businesses, both large and small, to help them improve and expand their operations, Wolf said in a press release. The projects approved today will help four businesses grow in their communities, creating good jobs and providing new spaces to do business in the commonwealth.

The Greater Berks Development Fund was approved for a $750,000 15-year loan at a 1.75% fixed rate to acquire four parcels of land totaling 1.39 acres in Ontelaunee Township. The four parcels will be combined with an adjacent 56.34-acre parcel, the project site of an industrial park project approved by the PIDA board in October 2019.

This addition will serve as a critical contribution to the overall marketability of the property, as it will allow for the overall footprint of any potential development to be increased by more than 100,000 square feet. The total project cost is $1 million and includes acquisition, demolition and environmental remediation costs.

GMS Environmental LLC  a third-party vendor for large trash haulers responsible for the repair and refurbishment of containers and compactors  through Greater Berks Development Fund, was approved for a $375,000 15-year loan at a 0.75% reset rate to acquire a 37-acre parcel and construct a 5,000-square-foot building in Hereford Township. The purchase of the property and construction of the building will make it possible for GMS to operate in an industrial area and bring business directly to them, allowing them to scale and grow their business. The total project cost is $1,064,404, and GMS has committed to retaining its five current employees and creating four new full-time jobs within three years.

In 2021, PIDA has approved $1,285,776 in low-interest loans that have resulted in $1,401,777 in private investment and supported 63 created and retained full-time jobs.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy called on related sides in Syria to enhance cooperation in order to ensure humanitarian aid is not disrupted and is delivered to all regions at the right time.

Vietnam shares the concern of other UNSC member countries over the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, especially the information about food insecurity. (Photo: VNA)

Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, made the appeal while speaking at a working session of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on February 25.

The ambassador shared the concern of UNSC member countries over the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, especially the information about food insecurity and the impact of the current severe economic crisis on Syrians, notably vulnerable groups like children.

Quy also called for more international support to Syrians, and stressed the demand for access to COVID-19 vaccine amidst the complex development of the pandemic in the country.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, cited the World Food Programme as saying that around 60 percent of the Syrian population, thats 12.4 million people, do not have regular access to enough safe and nutritious food. An additional 4.5 million people have fallen into this category over the last year.

Syrias fragile economy has suffered multiple shocks over the past 18 months, he added.

Average household expenses now exceed average income by an estimated 20 percent. More than 70 percent of Syrians say they have taken on new debt over the last year. Many are selling assets and livestock./.VNA
Image via Getty/Doug Mills-Pool

The United States carried out a military airstrike in eastern Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities that were allegedly used by Iranian-backed militia.

Defense officials say the move, which is believed to be the Biden administrations first military action, was in response to multiple rocket attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq this month. One of those attacks is said to have left one civilian contractor dead and one service member wounder.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby addressed the airstrike in a statement on Thursday night, confirming the launch was ordered by President Joe Biden. Kirby said POTUS wanted to send a strong message to the militant groups behind the attacks; however, officials wanted the strikes to be calculated in order to avoid seriously escalating tensions within the region.

At President Bidens direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria, he said, as reported by NPR. These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel  This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with Coalition partners. The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq.

Kirby said the launch destroyed infrastructures that belonged to Kaitib Hezbollah and Kaitib Sayyid al Shuhada, Shia militia groups that reportedly receive supplies and funding from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its unclear how much damage was done at the targeted sites or if the strikes resulted in any casualties.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison's new political crisis could see Australia's international travel ban scrapped sooner as crossbench MPs pressure the government to change its strict policy.

The Coalition barely commands a majority in the House of Representatives, after renegade southern Sydney MP Craig Kelly on Monday quit the Liberal Party.

Should there be another defection, the government will lose its majority and be forced to rely on crossbench MPs, including two who are openly opposed to the ban on Australians travelling overseas for a holiday.

Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie, who holds the Adelaide Hills seat of Mayo, wants the restriction relaxed to allow a travel bubble with the Pacific islands.

'Travel bubbles close to home should be explored because Rebekha is deeply concerned for the South Pacific people who have historically relied on Australia for tourism, and Australia needs their workers here for agriculture,' her spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison's new political crisis could see Australia's international travel ban scrapped sooner if crossbench MPs exercised their newfound power

'Perhaps the government should explore the concepts of some safe travel bubbles once the vaccine roll out is underway, here and in the Pacific.'

Ms Sharkie's spokeswoman added: 'Rebekha would like to see more Australians allowed to travel overseas on compassionate grounds'.

Griffith University politics lecturer Paul Williams said that while the government wasn't technically in minority yet its bare majority was 'precariously thin'.

'It's on the precipice of minority, the role of independents becomes absolutely crucial in getting legislation through the lower house,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

The lower house crossbench also includes the independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall, a barrister and Winter Olympian who two years ago defeated former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott in his harbour and beach-side Sydney Northern Beaches electorate.

Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie, who holds the Adelaide Hills seat of Mayo, wants the restriction relaxed to allow a travel bubble with the Pacific islands.

The 46-year-old first-term MP in August last year likened the travel ban to North Korea, with many of her wealthy constituents more likely to travel overseas.

'There are many stories. Restrictions for travelling IN and OUT of Aus means we are currently aligned with North Korea with closed outward bound borders!,' she tweeted.

Crossbench MPs Craig Kelly, the ex-Liberal Member for Hughes (New South Wales) Zali Steggall, independent Member for Warringah (New South Wales) Bob Katter, Katters Australian Party Member for Kennedy (Queensland) Rebekha Sharkie, Centre Alliance Member for Mayo (South Australia) Andrew Wilkie, independent Member for Clark (Tasmania) Adam Bandt, Greens Member for Melbourne (Victoria) Helen Haines, independent Member for Indi (Victoria) Advertisement

'We can show compassion and flexibility without compromising health and safety.'

As a powerful crossbencher, Ms Steggall could pressure the government to scrap or relax the travel ban in exchange for her vote on other legislation, even if her demands aren't included in specific amendments to proposed laws.

Asked about this, the independent MP told Daily Mail Australia: 'I am committed to working with the government in a way consistent with the Warringah electorate, whilst holding the government to account where needed.'

Dave Sharma, the Liberal Member for Wentworth in Sydney's east, is also a critic of the travel ban and the tighter numbers in the lower house would give moderate MPs like him more scope to speak up in the party room.

The Morrison Government won 77 out of 151 seats at the May 2019 election but Mr Kelly's defection to the crossbench now means it will be relying on the vote of Speaker Tony Smith, a Liberal, if there is a parliamentary deadlock.

Mr Kelly has vowed to support the government on confidence and supply and legislation reflecting election promises but he reserves the right to vote against certain policies and could still spring a surprise.

The Member for Hughes could also potentially embolden another hard-right MP Kevin Andrews, a former minister, to reconsider his future in the Liberal Party after he last month lost preselection for his Melbourne seat.

Another defection from the Coalition could force the government to rely on one of seven other crossbenchers to get legislation passed.

In December, Health Minister Greg Hunt extended the travel ban until March 2021.

But Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has hinted the travel ban could end in October, contingent on the Covid vaccine program going well.

The Coalition barely commands a majority in the House of Representatives, after renegade southern Sydney MP Craig Kelly on Monday quit the Liberal Party

'It's possible and I would share those hopes, but there are many uncertainties between now and October,' he told Sky News on Friday.

'Obviously we need the vaccine rollout to go well.

'Within that we need to see how the evidence plays out around the world about the emergence of other strains and variants of COVID-19 and the vaccines resistance to those and the protections that it gives to individual people.'

Making matters harder for the government, Coalition MPs are prepared to cause trouble.

Zali Steggall (left with fellow independent Helen Haines) two years ago defeated former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott in his harbour and beach-side Sydney Northern Beaches electorate

The 46-year-old first-term MP in August last year likened the travel ban to North Korea

Maverick Nationals backbencher George Christensen did this in 2017, backing the Labor Opposition on penalty rates.

Unlike Labor, the Liberal and National parties allow MPs to cross the floor without the risk of being expelled from the party.

That was a year before former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's Sydney eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth was lost to independent Dr Kerryn Phelps in a by-election.

A month later, in November 2018, Julia Banks quit the Liberal Party, plunging Mr Morrison's new government into minority.

This enabled Dr Phelps in February 2019 to secure, with Labor support, short-lived 'medevac' laws that allowed asylum seekers in offshore detention to obtain medical treatment in mainland Australia.

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This note saying newly reelected Justice of the Peace John C. Hebert had retired was seen posted on the front door of his office Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. Hebert told the Louisiana Secretary of State on Jan. 12 that he resigned to focus on the health of my family. The state Supreme Court must appoint an interim justice until another election is held Oct. 9.
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 77F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Sarah McBride, National Press secretary of Human Rights Collation speaks on introduction of the Equality Act, a comprehensive LGBTQ non-discrimination bill at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. on April 1, 2019. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Rep. Chip Roy Vows to Fight the Equality Act in Court If It Becomes Law

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) vowed on Thursday to challenge the Equality Act in the courts if the controversial bill passes Congress.

Standing with members of the House Freedom Caucus in front of the U.S. Capitol, Roy spoke about what he believes are the dangers of the Equality Act, just hours prior to its passage in the House.

He argued that the bill, which was reintroduced into Congress on Feb. 18, would trample on the rights of the American people in the name of equality, in the false name of equality.

The bill seeks to address discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. But critics and advocates argue that its application could instead result in discrimination against religious institutions, people of faith, women, and individuals who wish to subscribe to traditional views of gender and sexuality, and shut out dissenters from the public square.

Roy warned about the growing encroachment on individual liberties and accused the Democrats of forcing its ideology and politics on Americans.

This is a government using its power to tell us to bow down to the will of a cultural elite in this town who want to tell us what were supposed to believe. Were not going to do that, he said.

He vowed to stand up against the encroachment, pledging to fight the bill in the Senate and beyond.

Were not going to be painted in the corner. Because this is about tyranny of the minds of men,' he said, referring to a quote from former President Thomas Jefferson.

Roy added, We are going to keep fighting it in the courts and beyond. But most importantly, for free will as American citizens and our right to live free and to alter this government as necessary if they continue to trample our rights.

The Equality Act seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and for other purposes. The bill was again introduced in Congress on Feb. 18 after failing to pass in 2019 when then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) refused to consider the law. It passed the House on Feb. 25 with a 224-206 vote, largely on party lines. The bill will now be considered in the Senate, where it faces an uphill battle.

President Joe Biden has vowed to enact the Equality Act during his first 100 days as president. He argues that the bill represents a critical step toward ensuring that America lives up to our foundational values of equality and freedom for all.

Following the bills passage in the House, Biden urged the Senate to do the same in a Twitter statement.

Meanwhile, conservatives and religious groups say the bill could create a cause of action against any groups or institution that reject the government-prescribed moral orthodoxy.

Tom Farr, president of the Religious Freedom Institute, previously told The Epoch Times that he believes if the law passes, it would create a cause of action against any institution that rejects the government-imposed moral orthodoxy, including churches, hospitals, adoption agencies, religious orders, schools, and other nonprofits.

Dissenters will be driven from public life with ruinous fines and social opprobrium. Free exercise equality will not be allowed to guard against the harms of the Equality Act because it precludes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as a defense against adverse action based on one of its provisions, he added.

A coalition of conservative groups has launched a movement called Promise to Americas Children that seeks to take gender identity and sexual orientation politics out of a childs upbringing. The groups have raised concerns about the Equality Act and its impact on children and families.

The groups are asking parents and policymakers to sign a 10-point pledge to oppose legislation that forces children to adopt sexual norms prescribed by the government and to help develop laws that would protect childrens health, safety, and families.

Our world is perilous for children, Autumn Leva, vice president for strategy at the Family Policy Alliance, said in a statement.

In media and at school, children are routinely exposed to explicit messages and images. Boys are allowed to play in girls sports, shattering girls opportunities and dreams. When children are struggling to embrace their biological sex, they are pushed to pursue dangerous cross-sex hormones and sterilizing surgery. And the Equality Actwhich the U.S. House is poised to vote on this weekwould use the full power of federal government to enshrine these practices nationwide.

Religion and faith have traditionally been viewed as the foundational building block of American society. Data from a Pew Survey conducted between 2019 and 2020 show that 70 percent of Americans say they are affiliated with a religion, while 28 percent say they are atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular. The right to freely exercise ones religion is also enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Key equity indices slumped in mid-morning trade, led by weakness in banks shares. The Nifty slipped below the 14,700 mark. Auto shares snapped two-day rising streak. A spike in domestic and global bond yields coupled with rising coronavirus cases spoiled investors' appetite for risk assets.

At 11:22 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 1417.32 points or 2.78% to 49,621.99. The Nifty 50 index tumbled 404.95 points or 2.68% to 14,692.40.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index shed 1.62% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index slipped 1.06%.

The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 873 shares rose and 1756 shares fell. A total of 143 shares were unchanged.

The government will release the GDP numbers for the October-December quarter of the current fiscal on Friday.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 188.08 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 746.57 crore in the Indian equity market on 25 February, provisional data showed.

COVID-19 Update:

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 11,29,81,257 with 25,07,271 deaths. India reported 1,55,986 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 1,56,825 deaths, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Auto index fell 1.95% to 10,293. The index had gained 1.92% in the past three sessions.

Tata Motors (down 3.57%), Mahindra & Mahindra (down 3.41%), Ashok Leyland (down 3.28%), Hero MotoCorp (down 2.57%), Bharat Forge (down 2.23%), Bajaj Auto (down 1.73%), Eicher Motors (down 1.40%), TVS Motor Company (down 0.82%) declined.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Rain Industries rallied 3.33% to Rs 172.05 after the company's consolidated net profit surged 164.7% to Rs 321.99 crore on 6.7% decrease in net sales at Rs 2,640.23 crore in Q4 December 2020 over Q4 December 2019. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 18.2% in Q4 FY21 as against 16% in Q4 FY20.

Aptech lost 1.63% to Rs 222.95. The company currently operates in two business segments - Retail and Institutional. As part of a larger re-organization of the business of the Company, the two segments of the company were evaluated during the meeting of the Strategy Committee constituted by the company. The company has decided to focus on the Retail business. Hence it is recommended that, the Institutional (B2B) business be evaluated for a potential exit as may be appropriate. It intends to complete the exercise within a period of 12 - 16 weeks.

Global Markets:

Asian stocks were trading sharply lower on Friday following an overnight drop on Wall Street as a rapid rise in bond yields rattled investor sentiment.

Japan's industrial output rose for the first time in three months in January. Official data released on Friday showed factory output advanced 4.2% in January, boosted by sharp rises in production of electronic parts and general-purpose machinery, as well as a smaller increase in car output.

U.S. stocks dropped sharply Thursday as an outsized surge in bond yields spooked investors, who rushed to dump risk assets, especially high-flying technology names.

The major averages tumbled as the 10-year Treasury yield soared as high as 1.6% in a sudden move that some described as a "flash" spike. The yield later settled back down to around 1.52%, its highest level since February 2020.

The US economy grew at a 4.1% pace in the final three months of 2020, slightly faster than first estimated, ending a year in which the overall economy, ravaged by a global pandemic, shrank more than in any year in the past seven decades. The 4.1% gain in the gross domestic product the broadest measure of economic health is a slight upward revision from 4% growth in the first estimate released a month ago, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Studio visit: Alexis McGrigg

Examining themes of identity, space and black existence, the contemporary artist works in a variety of media  including layered paintings using dye and charcoal  to explore ideas of Blackness as a multidimensional entity

When Alexis McGrigg (b. 1989) was a young girl, she would sit on the front porch of her home in Omaha, Nebraska, and think that somehow there was an alternate space I was supposed to exist in. After graduating with a BFA in painting from Mississippi State University in 2012, she studied for an MFA at Texas Tech University. And when that childhood memory resurfaced, she began to relate the notion of an alternate space to the ideas she had started to develop on the subject of black existence and how it manifests in physical and non-physical forms. Five years on, Blackness and the spaces it inhabits are the thread running through her work, which embraces transmedia, installation, drawing and paintings such as those included in Say It Loud, the online selling exhibition organised by Christies in 2020 following the Black Lives Matter protests. She is now represented by the Richard Beavers Gallery in Brooklyn, where a group exhibition featuring her work ends on 28 February and a solo show opens in April. Elsewhere this year, her work will be exhibited at South Koreas Czong Institute for Contemporary Art in April, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, Mississippi, in July, and the Mississippi Museum of Art in August.

McGrigg thinks about Blackness in myriad ways, but, as she explains from her studio in Jackson, Mississippi, it always begins in the body and how it moves through space. I use my physical body as a reference to the opening to see into a larger, metaphysical space. Its like Im trying to get so in tune with myself that Im also in tune with my ancestors who are in this space. This connection with her ancestors, she says, connects her to those experiences that are embedded in our DNA, the psychological trauma that, in some ways, makes us who we are as a people. One result of this process is Blackness: Violet Deep, a series of haunting paintings of spectral figures emerging from layers and drips of colour  some of which are shown in the video above.

McGrigg usually works in a white box studio, using sprayed fabric dyes to create small speckles or particles that replicate her vision of Blackness. During the pandemic, she switched to working outside with fabric dyes and charcoal, but her process remained dynamic. It requires a lot of my physical body and energy, she says. I work pretty swiftly as Im layering the fabric dyes. Im doing a lot of pouring, a lot of rapid, jagged movements. Making art is a spiritual process for McGrigg, a ritual that involves meditation and repetition to help her reach a point where we shed all the thoughts of who we think we are.

Alexis McGrigg (b. 1989), Event Horizon 2, 2016. Procion dye, charcoal and acrylic on paper. Unframed: 48 x 55 in (121.9 x 139.7 cm). Sold following collector enquiries from Say It Loud, 31 July-21 August 2020, Online

When artists create from a place thats true to them, she says, people respond from a place thats also true for them. Poetry also plays a huge role in her work: she might visualise an image inspired by a poem to steer a work she is making; or use a word or phrase that comes up as she is working as inspiration for free writing, which becomes layers of script in her work. I will get these phrases in my head, she says. And then Ill just start painting and pouring and moving.

Ive cried in my studio, because its painful to think about these ideas. But at the same time I feel empowered  Alexis McGrigg

McGriggs enigmatic figures emerge gradually during the layering process, she says. Having focused on black male subjects in the past, she now wants to think more about the female figure and the energetic connectivity between two humans  and look beyond anger to how Blackness feels when we are loved, or at peace. Clearly, the process is both intensely emotional and enormously invigorating. Sometimes Ive cried in my studio, because its painful to think about these ideas, she says. But at the same time I feel empowered, because while I have watched others create narratives about black existence, this, me, being in my studio, is my right. Its is my voice, saying: I am going to tell you who we are.

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Hutuo River, the mother river of Shijiazhuang, capital of north Chinas Hebei Province, witnessed significant improvement in its ecosystem in recent years thanks to local governments ecological remediation efforts, recovering its charm and glittering again under the warm sunshine of the early spring.

The river, which runs 205 kilometers in Shijiangzhuang, crosses 10 counties and districts of the city. Ecological remediation projects revived the tributaries, wetlands, and lakes along the Hutuo River, and shaped a waterscape intertwined by multiple water environments.

As a result, the Shijiangzhuang section of the Hutuo River became an ideal habitat for wildlife, attracting flocks of rare birds. So far, more than 20 wild bird species, including egret, swan and wigeon have been spotted along the river course.

Fu Zhenguo, 57, lives on the north bank of the Hutuo River in Yangzhuang village near the township of Zhengding County under the administration of Shijiazhuang. The man told Peoples Daily that the river nowadays always reminds him of his childhood when he and his friends swam and caught fish in it. The villagers had to cross the river by boats at that time, he said.

However, the river gradually dried up since the mid 1970s due to the reduced flow from upper streams and climate change. At first, it was empty in the morning and the water came back at night. Later the river just gradually dried up, Fu said.

Ever since, the river course turned sandy and was covered by sewage and trash.

To save the mother river, Shijiangzhuang launched comprehensive treatment plans, dredging the river course, building levees, and greening the riverside. In 2017, the city issued a 20.9-billion-yuan ($3.24 billion) investment program to restore the ecology of a 109-kilometer section downstream the Huangbizhuang reservoir. As a result, city parks were built along the subsections in downtown areas, offering diverse places of leisure activities for residents. Besides, Shijiazhuang also remediated the ecology in other subsections and worked to protect basic farmlands as a natural way to green the banks.

So far, the phase-1 and phase-2 projects of Hutuo River ecological remediation have been completed, forming 2147.5 hectares of water surface and 8,165.7 hectares of vegetation. The phase-3 project is scheduled to be finished this April.

During the National Day holiday last year, all 85 kilometers of restored riverbanks of the phase-1 and phase-2 projects were opened to tourists, forming a beautiful long corridor with a series of landmark scenic spots.

What guaranteed the successful restoration is sufficient capital. Shijiazhuang introduced innovative financing, employing public private partnership (PPP) mode as a solution to financing and management difficulties. The Hutuo River ecological restoration project was the first river treatment project run by the PPP mode in Shijiazhuang.

Besides, the city also utilized the water from upper-stream reservoirs and the reclaimed water from sewage treatment works along the river, to ensure sufficient static water supply.

To guarantee the water quality, environmental protection departments blocked sewage discharge outlets of 10 enterprises and established eight sewage treatment works along the river, said Kang Wenzhong, deputy director of a management office of the Hutuo River ecological restoration project. In addition, a monitor and control center is also monitoring the banks of the river to prevent sewage from entering the river course, he added.

More birds are coming, said Liang Yulong, a bird photographer whose cameras have recorded the ecological progress of the river. In recent years, the water of the river gradually turned green, and more and more bird species appeared in his photos, including herons, egrets, swans, wigeons and reed parrotbills, an extremely rare species.

Besides, arbors, shrubs and groundcovers that match local soil and climate are now planted along the riverbanks. The gradual recovery of the ecosystem in the Hutuo River has played a vital role in adjusting urban microclimate, optimizing living environment and improving peoples living quality, Kang remarked.
The United States is offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Kremlin-friendly Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin in connection with alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The FBIs announcement said that Prigozhin is wanted for alleged involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United Statesfor the purposes of interfering with the United States political system, including the 2016 President Election.

In a statement to RFE/RL, the FBI confirmed it was the first time it was offering a reward for Prigozhin, but declined to explain why it chose to do so now.

Prigozhin was one of 13 Russians added to the FBIs wanted list in connection with the alleged election interference.

A U.S. arrest warrant was issued in February 2018.

Prigozhin responded on Telegram on February 26 by saying he was being used as a scapegoat to cover up the colossal gap between the deep state and the people in the United States.

Prigozhin, who is known as Putins chef because he owns a company that provides catering for events in President Vladimir Putins Kremlin, controls the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency. That firm is a so-called troll factory that allegedly carried out a massive online campaign aimed at influencing politics in the United States and other countries.

Prigozhin also controls private security firms that have recruited mercenaries to advance Putins interests in places like Ukraine, Syria, and several African countries.

The Russian government has denied interfering in the domestic politics of other countries.

However, a U.S. joint intelligence assessment in January 2017 concluded that Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect [Donald] Trumps election chances when possible.

The FBI also added Ukrainian businessman Konstantin Kilimnik to its wanted list and offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

An arrest warrant was issued for Kilimnik in June 2018 on charges of obstruction of justice.

Kilimnik was a former assistant to U.S. political consultant Paul Manafort when Manafort was working in Ukraine for pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Manafort later served as Trumps campaign manager.

Kilimnik, who is believed to have ties to Russian intelligence services, was accused of carrying out illegal lobbying efforts in the United States on behalf of the Yanukovych government.

According to a 2020 U.S. Senate report on the alleged interference in the 2016 election, Kilimnik likely served as a channel to Manafort for Russian intelligence services, and that those services likely sought to exploit Manaforts access to gain insight into the [Trump] campaign.
Costco plans to increase its minimum wage to $16 per hour commencing in the upcoming week. According to Chief Executive Officer Craig Jelinek on Thursday, this will pay above most of its key competitors.

Costco to Hike Up Minimum Wage

CEO Craig Jelinek stated in a meeting with lawmakers, "Two years ago, we moved our starting hourly wage to $15 everywhere in the U.S. Effective next week, the starting wage will go to $16," reported News Break.

The meeting was a Senate Budget Committee hearing, spearheaded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, to evaluate major companies' wages. Jelinek remarked that Costco employees' starting wage would hike up from the $15 that the company instituted two years ago.

Walmart also declared major changes to employee wage increases on February 18. The company said it would raise wages for around 425,000 employees to between $13 and $19 per hour, reported Washington Examiner.

Competitors, including Target, Amazon, and Best Buy, have $15 starting wages. Walmart's minimum wage is $11 per hour.

Jelinek stated that the higher salary would increase productivity and worker retention. According to the CEO, "I want to note: this isn't altruism. At Costco, we know that paying employees good wages and providing affordable benefits makes sense for our business and constitutes a significant competitive advantage for us," reported The Epoch Times.

Congress is taking on whether to increase the federal minimum wage limit to $15 per hour. The measure could be included in President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion economic relief bill. It is currently pending the Senate parliamentarian's decision on the subject.

Walmart and McDonald's workers testified at the hearing to demand those companies to increase their minimum salary. The federal minimum wage currently stands at $7.25.

Also Read: $1,400 Stimulus Checks to Be Voted on Friday, Gets Unprecedented Push

The president supports a federal measure to bolster the minimum wage. However, the latest statement from White House chief of staff Ron Klain suggested the administration would not make efforts to overrule the Senate parliamentarian if she decides to remove the wage raise from the spending bill.

Costco is based in Issaquah, Washington. It hires more than 180,000 people in the U.S.

According to Jelinek, "It takes a lot of time to interview, find employees, lot of labor involved just trying to hire individuals. We want people to stay with us. In my past experience, wages usually don't put people out of business. How you run your business will put you out of business."

The most recent announcement of wage increase from shops including Costco and Walmart also possibly seek competitive advantages between their online retail counterpart Amazon. Amazon raised its minimum wage for employees to $15 per hour in 2018.

Democrats are making efforts to push through a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that would include a provision hiking the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour in the course of five years. Republicans adamantly oppose this policy.

However, such efforts suffered a serious blow on Thursday when the Senate parliamentarian denounced the bill's minimum wage provision. This was according to Democratic Senate aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the ruling has yet to be released.

Related Article: House Democrats Reveal a $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill That Includes Minimum Wage Increase

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AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday slammed West Bengal's Trinamool Congress government over denial of permission to his party to hold a rally in Kolkata.

He alleged that Trinamol Congress was indulging in doublespeak and hypocrisy. "Trinamool leaders talk big in Parliament on democracy, freedom of expression and dissent but they have double standards. They talk one thing in Delhi and do the opposite in Bengal," the Hyderabad MP told reporters.

Owaisi wanted to know why he was being denied the permission to hold the public rally despite his application being in order. He said after the code of conduct comes into effect, his All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will urge the Election Commission to immediately transfer the police officials because if they continue, elections can't be held there in free and fair manner.

"It is unfortunate that Trinamool government is not allowing us. We may win or lose but you are not allowing us to present our viewpoint. When I can go to Gujarat and speak against Modi, Amit Shah, the BJP and the RSS, why can't I do in Bengal. I have the right to present my viewpoint. The Constitution has given me the right. How can you stop," he asked.

Owaisi reminded the Trinamool that power is not eternal and that what goes around comes around. He recalled that when Congress was in power in Maharashtra and Akhilesh Yadav was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, they used to do the same to AIMIM.

"If I want to hold public meeting, why are you not allowing me. When Modi, Amit Shah, Nadda, Congress, CPI-M and others can hold meetings, why can't we," he asked.

Owaisi questioned the silence of those secular and liberal people who applaud Trinamool leaders' speech in Parliament.

He also claimed that there is a churning in Muslim minority, especially among youth that "we should be politically relevant and that we should have a political leadership".

On possible alliance with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) in West Bengal, he said talks were on with them. The MP said he respected Peerzada Abbas Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif. He pointed out that Peerzada on Wednesday issued a statement declaring his support for AIMIM.

"But his brother Naushad is the party chairman. I can't say what decision he takes (on the alliance)," Owaisi added.

Referring to his party's performance in municipal polls in Gujarat, he said despite 20-day campaign, it won 7 seats in Ahmedabad and in 15 other seats where it lost, it garnered substantial votes.

Owasi defended his visit to Gujarat and AIMIM's participation in municipal polls there saying it will strengthen democracy. "When the Home Minister and several Union Ministers can come here (Hyderabad) for municipal elections, shouldn't I go there. I should go to strengthen the party and democracy."

Budapest, Feb 26 : Hungary will maintain the restrictive measures introduced to rein in the novel coronavirus pandemic until March 15, Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Prime Minister's Office, said here on Thursday.

"Mass vaccination will provide an opportunity to ease the restrictions, but we are currently in the third wave of the epidemic, so we will extend the measures in force until March 15, taking into account the views of epidemiological experts," Gulyas said at a press conference following a session of the government.

He said that the national vaccination campaign has been accelerated, and explained that the restrictions could be radically eased once people over the age of 60 and those living with some kind of chronic illness -- who are most at risk -- receive the jab, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The restrictions in force include a curfew between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., the mandatory wearing of face masks, the closure of theaters, cinemas, hotels, and the switch to digital education for secondary and college students. Restaurants are allowed to offer takeaway services only.

Hungary currently has stocks of vaccines from five producers. These include China's Sinopharm vaccine, the first shipment of which arrived in Budapest on February 16.

Hungary has already started to administer the Sinopharm vaccine as a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic looms, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday.

The country on Thursday registered 4,385 new Covid-19 cases in a 24-hour span, raising the national total to 414,514, according to official data.

In the past 24 hours, 120 people have died from the disease, taking the toll to 14,672 in the country, while 315,781 have recovered. Currently, 4,836 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 411 on ventilators, the government's coronavirus information website showed.

As of Thursday, 508,073 people had received at least the first shot of a vaccine, while 211,073 had two jabs, according to the website.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Homeland Salvation Movement  an alliance of various political parties and individuals demanding the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan  says it has nothing to do with the militarys February 25 statement.

They are trying to attribute it, as if there is a secret agreement with political forces. There is no such thing, said Artsvik Minasyan, a high ranking member of the ARF, one of the political parties coordinating the movement. Yesterday the army stood by the peoples demand and demanded the resignation of the government and the prime minister.

Vazgen Manukyan, the movements candidate for caretaker prime minister, responded to Pashinyans accusations that the militarys statement amounted to an attempted coup. A military coup means when the troops enter the capital and take over power or transfer the power to the opposition. No such thing happened in Armenia, Manukyan said. He stressed that the General Staffs statement doesnt amount to a coup attempt.

Artur Vanetsyan, the President of the Homeland Party and a former Director of the National Security Service, also stressed that the General Staffs statement shouldnt anyhow be perceived as the militarys endorsement to their movement or any political force. [The General Staff] spoke about Pashinyan no longer being able to ensure our countrys security, Vanetsyan said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Gandhinagar, Feb 26 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday interacted with the newly-elected corporators of AAP at Surat in Gujarat. He advised them and the workers not to let the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) continue indulging in corruption and show them the power of the opposition.

The Delhi Chief Minister is in Gujarat to thank the people of Surat as the AAP clinched 27 seats in the SMC.

By winning 27 seats in the 120-member SMC, the AAP has made inroads into Gujarat's politics. Although, the BJP by winning 93 seats in the polls has retained power, the entry of the Kejriwal-led party has jolted the saffron party, besides the Congress which failed to secure a single seat in the SMC.

Kejriwal held a meeting with the AAP workers and leaders. "'Aap Aisa Accha Kaam Karna aur ruling BJP Ko Unki Naani Yaad Dila Dena. Apko Ek Bhi Galat Kaam Nahi Hone Dena Hai'. (You should not let the BJP indulge in any wrongdoing. Show the people of Gujarat that through the AAP, the politics of good work has arrived)," Kejriwal told the AAP corporators.

Kejriwal arrived at the Mini Bazar in Mangadh Chowk where he garlanded the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and thereafter proceeded with his roadshow, which will end at Sarthana in Surat.
Japan's industrial output rose for the first time in three months in January thanks to a pickup in global demand, in a welcome sign for an economy still looking to shake off the drag of the coronavirus pandemic. But retail sales, a key gauge of consumer spending, posted their second straight month of declines in January as emergency measures taken in response to the pandemic hit consumption.

Official data released on Friday showed factory output advanced 4.2% in January, boosted by sharp rises in production of electronic parts and general-purpose machinery, as well as a smaller increase in car output. "Manufacturers will continue to increase output over the near term as long as there won't be any big shock," said Taro Saito, executive research fellow at NLI Research Institute.

While economic growth will likely be negative in the first quarter, the strength in manufacturing would offset the negative impact of a state of emergency at home, which is mainly affecting the services sector, he said. The rise in output, which followed a 1.0% fall the previous month, was largely in line with a 4.0% gain forecast in a Reuters poll of economists. Manufacturers surveyed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) expect output to grow 2.1% in February, followed by a 6.1% decline in March.

The government kept its assessment of industrial production unchanged, saying it was picking up. Factory output fell in November and December as a rebound in car production ended on sagging global demand, but since then strong demand for tech-making equipment and electronic goods has helped turn the tide.

Still, some analysts worry that Japan's economic recovery will remain hobbled by weaker conditions at home and as lockdown measures taken around the world to contain the COVID-19 crisis, particularly in Europe, weigh. The government also released data on Friday showing retail sales fell 2.4% in January compared with the same month a year earlier, in a sign households tightened their purse strings as the coronavirus staged a resurgence.

The fall, which was in line with a 2.6% drop seen by economists in a Reuters poll, was largely due to sharp contractions in general merchandise and fabrics apparel spending. It followed a 0.2% fall in December. Compared to a month earlier, retail sales in January fell 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the third straight month of declines. But the pace of decline was slower than in the previous two months.

"We think consumer spending will only fall around 1% quarter-on-quarter this quarter," said Tom Learmouth, Japan economist at Capital Economics. "We expect it to rise fairly strongly over the coming quarters as the recovery resumes and is soon given a shot in the arm by vaccines," he added.

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BIOGRAPHY

The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X

Les Payne and Tamara Payne

Viking, $59.99

On February 21, 1965, three black gunmen assassinated 39-year-old Malcolm X as he spoke at a rally at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights, a few blocks north of Harlem. Gene Roberts, one of his bodyguards but also an undercover New York policeman, tried to keep the dying man alive. His action was disowned by police colleagues  Why did you give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation? demanded his commander. The FBI and the police had knowledge of the danger but did nothing to protect Malcolm. Even the ambulance took forever to arrive and take him to hospital.

Martin Luther King jnr and Malcolm X wait for a press conference in March 1964. Credit:

Although three men were convicted and imprisoned, two of them were innocent, nowhere near the ballroom when the murder had occurred. These squalid details, if known at the time, would have caused no surprise in Harlem. The call to defund the police arises from a history that long predates the killing of George Floyd.

Although Malcolm X died 56 years ago, his short life and what he stood for remain just as relevant to race relations in the United States today. Born Malcolm Little in 1925, he was the son of devoted followers of the Black Nationalist Marcus Garvey.
The decision by ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) to initiate indefinite rolling blackouts across the state of Texas has taken its biggest toll on the elderly. Seniorsparticularly those dependent on Social Security benefits for housing, medicine, and essentialswere in many cases trapped inside their homes, unable to leave and impossible to reach for days on end.

As of Wednesday, more than 1.3 million residents across 200 Texas counties remained without clean water in their homes, forcing them to boil water, wait in line for bottled water or purchase it at the store. At the peak last week, nearly 15 million Texans were under a boil-water advisory after widespread power outages knocked out water treatment and distribution across the state.

People wait in line to fill propane tanks Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Freezing temperatures that set in two weeks ago overwhelmed the states electrical system, freezing natural gas lines and shutting down power plants, leaving more than 4 million people without power, many for days on end. The implementation of weatherization measures that would have prevented the disaster was avoided because they would have cut into profit margins.

ERCOTs CEO, Bill Magness, presented a chart to a meeting of the companys board Wednesday that showed that the electric system was four minutes and 37 seconds away from a complete collapse that would have lasted weeks or ever months. I mean, we saw something here that, you know, outstrips any extreme scenario, Magness reported. Almost half of the states power generating units shut down at the peak of the crisis.

Millions of Texans were left out of the states Emergency Warning System, and a disproportionate amount of preventable human suffering fell on the oldest, most isolated, and most dependent members of society. So far, at least 58 deaths in Texas and across the US have been attributed to the extreme weather, including an 11-year-old who died in his bed of suspected hypothermia after his familys trailer home lost power.

In Houston, two 70-year-old victimsBenjamin Cooks, Jr. and Virginia Cookswere killed in a house fire on February 15. Like many Houstonians, the couple had lost power to their home earlier in the day and were using any available sources of heat to stay alive. Their son, Benjamin Cooks III, told ABC13 he had spoken to the couple earlier in the day over the phone. He revealed that their only source of light was their stove.

Not long after speaking to them, the sons learned that their parents home caught fire. Despite the heroic attempts of neighbors to save the Cooks couple from the blaze, they were too late. Although the case is still under investigation, it is clear that this couple would still be alive were they had not abandoned by the utility providers and their accomplices in the state government. A GoFundMe started by a granddaughter for funeral expenses and family support has reached, as of this writing, $2,252 of a stated $20,000 goal. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of funerals and other related burial expenses is higher than ever before.

Another victim of corporate criminal negligence was Bertha C., a 93-year-old woman from Tyler, Texas, who was rushed to the hospital late in night on February 16 after her retirement home, Villas of Pine Ridge (Towne Park Apartments), lost power.

Bertha was found unresponsive by a relative who braved the icy roads to ensure she received her nightly medicine on time. The temperature inside the building was in the 40s Fahrenheit, suggesting that the power had been out for hours. She was rushed to the nearby hospital, Christus Mother Frances, where she developed seizures. It would later be confirmed that she was initially treated for hypothermia, and that the seizures stemmed from the precipitous drop in her body temperature.

She fell into a coma and passed on Sunday evening, February 21, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Because the profit maximization of the retirement home cannot allow for vacancies, the family was given seven days to move Berthas furniture and personal effectswith the countdown starting on a day when roads were still deemed unsafe for travel.

Members of the family told the World Socialist Web Site that their beloved matriarch had been taken prematurely. One daughter, Natalie, was particularly vocal: We cant dwell on the fact that they took her. They always take us. Theyll keep on taking us. We just have to be together and be strong. Another daughter, Emily, spoke similarly: Somebody has to pay. Wrong is wrong. I bet they had power at Primrose [a network of luxury retirement homes with 36 properties spread across 18 states].

The firsthand experiences of Texans throughout the state have shown that ERCOT implemented controlled blackoutswhich became indefinite blackoutsin struggling and vulnerable working-class communities while keeping commercial business districts and wealthier neighborhoods comparatively untouched.

The predators constituting the ERCOT executive board understand precisely the level of anger sparked by the power outage and hope to paper over the massive social crime for which it is responsible. Six board members resigned on Wednesday: Sally Talberg (board chair), Peter Cramton (vice chair), Terry Bulger (finance and audit chair), Raymond Hepper (HR chair), Randal Miller (retail liaison), and Vanessa Anesetti-Parra (market director).

ERCOT informed local media that these board positions will not be filled anytime soon, which should come as no surprisethe electric grid operator expects it can wait until the heat from media coverage and perfunctory state investigations dies down before continuing along with business as usual.

Although a number of lawsuits have sprung up at the local level in response to ERCOTs comprehensive mismanagement and selective blackouts, damages awarded are likely to be capped due to sovereign immunity.

Workers must reject the thorough absurdity of an independent profit-driven electrical system. The utilities must be placed under the democratic control of the working class, run to meet the most basic needs without any concern for profit. The increasing frequency, severity, and unpredictability of catastrophic weather events underscore the need for the investment of trillions of dollars into modernizing essential infrastructure to protect lives and to provide everyone with electricity, heat and clean water.

The Texas Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee has issued a series of demands to this end. We encourage Texans and others throughout the South to reach out to the World Socialist Web Site to share your experiences with the storm and contribute to our work in exposing the crimes committed against the working class.
The caretaker board appointed by finance minister, Tito Mboweni, to guide the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) to a more stable position has called for nominations for new board members.

Finance minister fires IRBA board Finance minister, Tito Mboweni, has dissolved the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) board of directors following a meeting about the resignation of several board members and the appointment of the current CEO...

Eligibility criteria

in possession of professional qualifications;

members in good standing with a recognised professional institute; and

independent of the auditing profession.

The notice for nominations was published in the, and an advert will also appear inandThe caretaker board is made up of Nonkululeko Gobodo and Roy Andersen. They will be assisted in the selection and interview process by the acting accountant general from National Treasury, Karen Maree. The three will form the nominations committee.The applications close on March 31, which will be followed by a shortlisting process based on the applications. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed and the nominations committee will then table a proposed list of suitable candidates that will allow the minister to appoint up to 10 board members.The notice outlines that applicants should have the necessary prior board governance experience, be qualified in either external auditing, law, or information technology; as the IRBA is embarking on a digital transformation whereby its systems will be upgraded to digitise certain regulatory processes and increase efficiency. Five years senior or executive leadership experience is also required.Nominees must be:Further, there are requirements for a representative and diverse board as far as race, gender and skills and experience are concerned. The notice stresses the need to be independent of auditing firms and therefore only registered auditors (RA) who are retired or non-attest will be considered.Given the progress with the Auditing Profession Amendment Bill (B2B-2020) currently in Parliament which proposes a change to Section 11 of the Act that deals with appointments to the regulatory board; due consideration has been given to comply with both the current and future Act, by including two formerly registered auditors with at least 10 years experience and two advocates or attorneys with at least 10 years experience in practice.Previously the board was prescribed to include competent persons and registered auditors but limited to not more than 40% of members being registered auditors, however the Amendment Bill when promulgated will require competent persons with auditing knowledge, but prohibits registered auditors or members who directly or indirectly shares in profits of, or receives payment from, or conducts business with audit firms.
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3 Ways Data Management Will Impact Business Success This Year

Data management can dramatically contribute to your enterprise's success in 2021 in these three important ways.

This year, the data management strategies that companies adopt at the organizational level will impact performance for the rest of the decade. The decisions data teams make about data operations, infrastructure, and personnel at an organization level will determine the success of many business objectives.

Here are three ways data management will have an impact on organizations in 2021.

Impact #1: Data management will produce ROI throughout the entire organization

As data management moves toward software-as-a-service (SaaS) and away from technically intensive systems, data will become more organizationally accessible. Companies with strong data cultures will empower employees to reach new levels of productivity and efficiency.

The benefits of building a data-driven company are well-documented. According to a study by MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, companies that foster data-driven decision making have experienced a 5 to 6 percent boost in output and productivity. The current landscape offers even more potential. The ease of use and power of today's BI and analytics platforms, when paired with big data, enable stakeholders across an organization to generate unprecedented insights.

However, to achieve this ROI, a company's data must be seamlessly accessible to everyone across the organization. That's why data democratization -- making data accessible to non-technical employees without requiring IT assistance -- will be so critical in 2021. For companies to dominate this decade, they must enact organizationwide data democratization so any team member can access the right data at the right time.

To effectuate data democratization, companies must accomplish two priorities. The first is building the technical infrastructure to deliver data across an organization. The second is equipping end users with the necessary skills to realize the full potential of the data. By merging these two projects into a holistic approach, companies can get the right data to any employee and ensure that the employee can make the most of that data.

Impact #2: DataOps will unlock the power of data across an organization

When companies construct data infrastructure, they often fail to build scalable or responsive architectures. This is not necessarily because the associated technologies are incapable of modification or scaling. It's more likely that the system as a whole, not just the technology -- but also the processes, protocols, and personnel -- are not optimized as an integrated unit. To deliver the data employees need quickly and efficiently, organizations will turn to DataOps in 2021.

Based on the principles of DevOps, DataOps applies agile development to data analytics and operations. DataOps combines technologies, processes, and protocols to streamline the end-to-end delivery of data to stakeholders within an organization, regardless of team or technical proficiency. The methodology relies on communication between the data team and employees to continuously improve the systems and methods of data delivery throughout an enterprise.

Organizations that adopt DataOps in 2021 will be well-positioned for the coming data democratization revolution. By fostering an iterative relationship between data teams and data consumers, DataOps enables data teams to continually supply employees with the data they need when they need it.

In terms of tools, top SaaS platforms are now capable of managing every stage of the DataOps cycle, from building workspaces for teams and provisioning users to producing test environments and deploying data operations. The need, the process, and the technology have all converged. DataOps is primed to drive data democratization across organizations in 2021.

Impact #3: Data literacy training will help employees harness the full potential of your data

Supplying employees with the right data and analytics is just the first step. For the data to generate value, employees must understand how to interpret and operationalize it. That's where data literacy comes in. Data literacy is the ability to read, understand, create, and communicate data. No matter how amazing the DataOps process, employees can't generate value out of the data if they lack the capacity to do so.

In 2021, data literacy issues will continue to grow as data moves from the traditional realm of the data and analytics teams and into the hands of diverse stakeholders. Companies that want to reap the rewards of data democratization must ensure that employees are translating data into business wins. Data literacy has a strong correlation with corporate performance, and this trend will only become more pronounced in 2021.

Even developed countries continue to lag in data literacy. For instance, the U.S. ranked 21st out of 23 countries in a data literacy assessment performed by the Nation Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, over the past several years, robust data literacy programs and academies have emerged to serve workforces, including Bloomberg, Guardian Insurance, and Adobe. The organizations most serious about data democratization will invest in data literacy programs.

Organizations Will Lay the Data Groundwork for the Rest of the Decade in 2021

For many organizations, 2021 is a year to develop firm footing for the rest of the decade. As the 2020s progress, advances in data management will enable many employees to harness data like never before. However, this utopia of data democratization will not simply appear on its own. Organizations must merge methods such as DataOps with institutional data literacy to maximize the impact of data.
Trump Planning for the Next Administration: Former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows

Mark Meadows, the chief of staff of former President Donald Trump, said that they will be moving forward with the America First agenda and that hes planning for the next administration.

On the topic of Trumps re-appearance on the national stage this weekend at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Meadows talked to Foxs Hannity on Thursday evening.

Well youre going to see a speech on Sunday that talks about not only the beginning, but what the future may look like, and Im excited about it, said the former White House Chief of Staff.

What we will see on Sunday is we will see the start of planning for the next administration. And I can tell you, the people that are at the top of that list, all of them have Trump as their last name.

I spoke to President Trump last night for a fairly lengthy conversation where [we] were talking about America, where it needs to go, continuing the America first agenda. But more importantly than that, how this President, Biden, has undermined that particular policy within days. And we see it.

President Donald Trump speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 29, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Some are expecting that Trump will call out the House Republicans that voted in favor of impeaching him.

Trump effectively is the Republican Party. The only chasm is between Beltway insiders and grassroots Republicans around the country. When you attack President Trump, youre attacking the Republican grassroots, Meadows said.

Trumps senior adviser Jason Miller has been outlining the upcoming Trump speech during several media appearances over the last two weeks.

Miller said that Trump will talk about his vision for America, and comment on Bidens administration actions, particularly regarding the executive orders that aim at reversing Trump administration policies.

The former president will focus on issues such as the amnesty push for illegal immigrants, the halting of the border wall construction, and the blocking of the Keystone XL Pipeline, Miller said.

President Joe Biden signs an Executive Order on the economy with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House in Washington, on Feb. 24, 2021. (Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)

The focus here, really, is the exact things the president predicted would happen if Joe Biden were to be elected president on the policy end have already started to happen, Miller told Mediaite founder Dan Abrams in a radio interview on Thursday.

Janita Kan contributed to this report.
Gov. Kristi Noem signed into law a new bill that requires medical professionals to save the lives of babies who survive an abortion procedure.

House Bill 105, an act "to maintain the life of any child born alive" has now been passed in South Dakota. Gov. Kristi Noem on Wednesday signed into law a new bill that requires doctors who perform abortions to provide care for any child that survives the procedure. According to the Christian Post, the legislation received overwhelming support as it passed through both houses of the state Legislature.

Gov. Noem said of the new South Dakota law requiring doctors to save kids who survive abortions,

"The pro-life cause continues even after a child is born, and this bill will guarantee the right to life for every baby that is born alive. We expect doctors to treat all children equally, even those born in horrific circumstances. That's basic human decency."

House Bill 105 calls to mind the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which Sen. Ben Sasse sponsored in January of 2019, a law that was drafted "to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion." Now, South Dakota's unborn can be protected under House Bill 105.

House Bill 105 puts the obligation "to every physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion that results in a child being born alive." It explains that every physician wil then have a physician-patient relationship with the child that survives the abortion process under the new law of the state and covers all of the duties involved in that relationship.

According to Black Hills FOX, House Bill 105 will also empower women to sue any doctor, medical professional, or abortion facility that violates the law and can lose their medical license. Under the law, the Department of Health is required to report the number of children who survive attempted abortions.

The new legislation was immediately opposed by various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, that declared their opposition through a recently released statement. In it, the organization claims that the bill "unnecessarily place(s) politicians between a person and their doctor" and will "force obstetricians and pediatricians to deviate from their best medical judgment and administer futile and painful treatment against the wishes of the parents, under the threat of civil litigation."

Joining ACLU's opposition to the law requiring doctors to save kids who survive abortions or House Bill 105 are the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

The law requiring doctors to save kids who survive abortions was first introduced in Janaury and passed the tate House of Representatives in an overwhelming vote of 59 to 3. Earlier this month, it passed the state Senate with another overwhelming vote of 32 to 3. Primary sponsors of the bill include Republican Representatives Fred Deutsch of Florence and Al Novstrup of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
AUSTERLITZ  The monkey seized from a rural Columbia County residence earlier this week in a drugs and weapons raid has been turned over to a zoo.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday confirmed the handover days after State Police seized the capuchin monkey from the home on Rigor Hill Road, resulting in several drugs and weapons counts for Gary M. Wood.

Officials declined to provide additional information, including where Wood acquired the primate.

Authorities also discovered 59 firearms, including 16 assault rifles and two handguns, as well as 17.7 grams of cocaine and $3,250 in cash.

The monkey was in good condition when turned over to the DEC, police said.

James P. Gibbs, a wildlife expert and professor at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, said while its difficult to offer a diagnosis based on a single photo, the monkey appeared to be healthy based on body weight, with no hair loss characterized by extreme stress.

Yet there may be psychological impacts from being kept in captivity, and the primate's future remains studded with potential complications.

While known for roles in movies and association with street performers, capuchin are not domesticated and are creatures of the wild.

They live every moment of their lives in large groups, all working together and working in the forest finding things to eat, Gibbs said. The antithesis of that is leaving one of those primates in a cage.

The state is in a tricky spot when seizing wild monkeys because capuchins are not local, Gibbs said, and cannot simply be released into the wild like endangered turtles or trapped deer, nor does the state have a long-term care facility for monkeys.

Its a huge burden for the state to take control of these confiscated animals, Gibbs said. Its a very difficult problem for the state and for the animal.

And since the species is not endangered, it can be difficult to find zoos that will accept them, he said.

Gibbs was heartened that the monkey was successfully placed, but cautioned challenges remain, including keeping the primate, which is technically now considered evidence, healthy.

But its good news, Gibbs said.

State environmental conservation law says it is illegal to obtain, sell, or possess any primate as a pet in New York, so the DEC doesn't have any estimates of how many may be being held.

DEC said the outcome for each animal can differ and the top priority in relocating seized wildlife is finding the best placement possible.

The state doesn't take a one-size-fits-all approach. Some animals can also be placed with approved wildlife rehabilitation specialists, while others require special care facilities.

Each case is unique and adjudicated based on the facts of the case, said a DEC spokesperson on Friday.

Return to private ownership, whether by Wood or a willing volunteer, was not in the cards. Keeping a wild animal as a pet is a violation of state Environmental Conservation Law, for which Wood was charged.

While once trained as service animals, attitudes have shifted in recent years, with the Americans with Disabilities Act restricting that designation to dogs only beginning in 2011.

Investigation continues

Authorities continue to remain mum on the details underpinning what led Wood to allegedly amass an arsenal, only to say the raid was sparked by an investigation that remains ongoing.

Wood, 52, was arraigned Thursday on multiple felony drug and weapons charges, including 10 counts of third-degree criminal possession of an assault weapon and third-degree possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.

Wood, who was released from Columbia County Jail on Thursday after posting $50,000 bond, didnt return phone calls seeking comment.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Neutron scattering is a technique commonly used in physics and biology to understand the composition of complex multicomponent mixtures and is increasingly being used to study applied materials such as food. A new paper published in EPJ E by Gregory N Smith, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, shows an example of neutron scattering in the area of food science. Smith uses neutron scattering to better investigate casein micelles in milk, with the aim of developing an approach for future research.

Smith, also a researcher at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in the UK, explains why better modeling of how neutrons are scattered by structures in colloid materials is important. "How well you can understand the structure of a system from scattering data depends on how good your model is, and the better and more realistic your model, the better your understanding," the researcher says. "This is true for food as for any material. A better understanding of the structure of casein in milk can help better understand dairy products."

Neutron scattering can be used to investigate fluids by swapping the water solvent within them with heavy waterwater where hydrogen is replaced with deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen possessing a nucleus with a proton and a neutron rather than just a proton.

"I set out to see if the model that I had developed for casein micelles in milk could also be applied to existing neutron scattering data. The particular set of data that I looked at was extensive and had measurements from a large number of backgrounds, with different water to heavy water ratios," Smith continues. "This meant that I would not only be able to see if the model worked with different measurements, which would support its wider application, but also meant that I would be able to better quantify the composition of milk."

Smith further explains that he was pleased to see his model agreed well when compared with existing data, something that is not always guaranteed when testing out new models with scattering experiments. What surprised the researcher, however, was just how much scattering occurred even in skimmed milk with less fat droplets.

"Even common and everyday materials, such as food, have a complex structure on the nanoscale," Smith concludes. "You might look at milk and just see a cloudy liquid, but inside there are proteins that self-assemble into colloids, proteins that are free in solution, large droplets of fat, and many other components as well.

"By using a technique like scattering to study such a system, you can get beneficial information about all these constituents."

Explore further Unpacking the microstructure of stabilized oil-in-water emulsions using neutron scattering techniques

More information: Gregory N. Smith, An alternative analysis of contrast-variation neutron scattering data of casein micelles in semi-deuterated milk, The European Physical Journal E (2021). Journal information: European Physical Journal E Gregory N. Smith, An alternative analysis of contrast-variation neutron scattering data of casein micelles in semi-deuterated milk,(2021). DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-021-00023-y
Five provinces have planned the number of self-nominated candidates for the 15th National Assembly, including Bac Giang, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Yen Bai, and Tuyen Quang.

According to the report on the results of the first consultation conference on candidate nominations for the upcoming elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly for the 2021-2026 tenure, five provinces have planned a number of self-nominated candidates.

The report said that the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee proposed that the National Election Council and National Assembly Standing Committee maintain the number of deputies from the VFF and its member organizations as the same ad that of the 14th tenure to promote the representative role of the people in the National Assembly, in line with the trend of expanding membership of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

It also suggested to increase the number of deputies who are not members of the Communist Party of Vietnam to ensure the balance between the number of party members and non-Party members in the National Assembly. The number of female candidates nominated for the National Assembly should be at least 35% of the total number of candidates.

The Presidium proposed paying attention to the structure of the National Assembly deputies representing businesses, intellectuals and scientists because these are important areas in the period of integration and development. The Presidium also suggested increasinh the number of ethnic minority nominees.

The Presidium agreed on the structure, composition, and number of nominated candidates for National Assembly of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and its member organizations.

By February 17, 63 provinces and cities nationwide held the first consultation meeting on candidate nomination for the 15th National Assembly.

As many as 48 provinces and cities agreed with the National Assembly Standing Committees plan on the structure, composition and number of nominees of their localities for the upcoming National Assembly tenure.

Fifteen provinces and cities requested the National Assembly Standing Committee to adjust the structure and composition. The Vietnam Fatherland Front Standing Committee has coordinated with the Deputy Affairs Committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee to gather proposals for changes in structure and composition of candidates to report to the National Assembly Standing Committee.

After the first consultation meeting, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and its member organizations recommended 70 people as candidates for the 15th National Assembly tenure. They include 11 members of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, two outstanding individuals and 57 members of member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Five provinces have planned the specific number of self-nominated candidates for the 15th National Assembly, including Bac Giang, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Yen Bai, and Tuyen Quang. The remaining 58 provinces and cities are not sure about the number of self-nominated candidates.

According to regulations, the consultation conference will be held three times to select candidates for the elections of deputies to the National Assembly and Peoples Councils at all levels.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan described the elections as the countrys important political event and an opportunity for the people to exercise their right to mastery via choosing and electing their qualified representatives to the National Assembly and Peoples Councils at all levels.

It is also a chance to continue building, consolidating and perfecting the law-governed socialist State of the people, by the people and for the people.

The NA Standing Committee estimated the number of central-level deputies at 207 and others of local level at 293. The number of deputies outside the Party will be 25 - 50, deputies aged below 40 will stand at around 50, while some 160 will be re-elected.

At least 18 percent of deputies will be ethnic minorities, while 35 percent will be women.

The nominated and self-nominated candidates must submit personal papers for election no later than March 14.

Thanh Nam
Mobile World Congress 2021 opens in Shanghai

By:Liu Xutong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-02-25 13:35





The 2021 Mobile World CongressMWCis being held in Shanghai from February 23 to 25. Meng Pu, chairman of Qualcomm China, said in a speech at the 5G millimeter wave exhibition area that 2021 will usher in a year of accelerated 5G popularization, with greater coverage for different levels of mobile phones, more terminal innovations being built & more apps.

Huawei's new flagship mobile phone with folding screen, the Mate X2, was unveiled at MWCwith many visitors lining up to experience.




Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - Red Cloud Securities Inc. and Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. (together, "Red Cloud" or the "Company") are pleased to release the presenter schedule for its 2021 Pre-PDAC Mining Showcase hosted March 3rd to 5th virtually. The event showcases over 70 presenting companies and features top industry experts as keynote speakers.

The event, being held over three days has been grouped into themes outlined in the schedules below. We invite investors to attend as our guests by registering at www.redcloudfs.com/prepdac2021.





Day 1, Wednesday, March 3rd



To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3878/75609_figure1.jpg





Day 2, Thursday, March 4th



To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3878/75609_figure%203.jpg







Day 3, Friday, March 5th



To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3878/75609_figure2.jpg

For additional information please contact our events team at marketing@redcloudfs.com.

About Red Cloud Securities Inc.

Red Cloud Securities Inc. is an IIROC-regulated investment dealer focused on providing unique comprehensive capital market services and innovative financing alternatives to the junior resource sector. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry.

About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc.

Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a comprehensive capital markets platform that provides a full range of unconflicted corporate access and media related services. Offering these services as a unified platform provides the ultimate value proposition for junior resources companies in their efforts to broaden their capital markets presence.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75609
On February 8 Patently Apple posted a report titled "Kia Admits in a Korean Regulatory Filing that it is not in talks with Apple for a car after first allowing their stock to rise 20% on rumors." We posted a second report on February 17 titled "Hyundai Executives are under investigation over whether they Profited from False Statements about working with Apple on a Future Vehicle."

With the Korean stock market falling, Kia's stock price jumped 8.1% on yet another rumor about working with Apple after the company admitted in a legal document that were not in talks with Apple  meaning not in talks with Apple on anything. Yet a new report from Korea's Chosun Biz (owned by the oldest newspaper in S. Korea Chosun Ilbo) keeps this rumor door open.

They angle the story that the statement in Kia's regulatory filing was about not working with Apple on "autonomous vehicles," but that negotiations are still underway in a wide range of areas, including the production of electric vehicles. That was not indicated in the regulatory filing.

Today, an official familiar with the negotiations between Hyundai And Apple, Apple and Kia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year and agreed to pursue cooperation in eight sectors, including electric vehicles; the official said, "Electric vehicle negotiations are in difficulty, but they are not completely out of order," according to an official familiar with the negotiations between Hyundai And Apple.

Apart from electric vehicles, Kia and Apple are also discussing collaboration in the field of 'Last Mile' mobility. Last Mile Mobility is a means of transport used to travel the remaining '1 mile(about 1.6 km)' to reach its final destination after a specific mode of transport; for example, it is elusive to take a taxi to your home after getting off the subway or bus, and the kickboards and electric vehicles used a little far away for walking are typical. Kia and Apple have similar strategic goals; more recently, the Internet of Things (IoT) and autonomous driving, With the incorporating of advanced robotics technology, the field is edging into the future of the automotive and IT industries; it can also be used in the field of logistics and food delivery B2B. "Spot", a robotics company of Boston Dynamics, acquired last year by Hyundai Motor Group, is also expected to play a key role in last mile service.

Lastly, the report noted that when the contents of the electric vehicle deal were leaked, Apple took issue with the violation of the no-secret clause with Hyundai.

Then the reality surfaced when they stated that "Apple reportedly discussed apple car production with other global companies other than Hyundai and Kia."

It's up to the investigation into this matter to be broadened and hold Hyundai and Kia accountable for promoting a rumor that they knew was false in order to raise their stock price that continues to this day. For more, read the full Chosun Biz report.
11 Companies Designated 'Mainstream Facilitators' of Sexual Exploitation

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The National Center on Sexual Exploitation released on Monday its 2018 "Dirty Dozen List."

The list highlights well-known companies and entities that are considered to be "mainstream facilitators of sexual exploitation in our society and culture."

For the past five years, NCOSE has produced a watch list that doubles as an activist campaign to pressure companies and entities with "lingering concerns about their committment to ending sexual exploitation" to make much needed changes.

The 2018 list includes several household companies used by million of Americans. And for the first time ever, the organization reserved one spot on the list for Hollywood figures who have been accused of sexual misconduct in the ongoing #Metoo movement.

"It's a tradition that we continue year after year because it gets results," NCOSE Director of Communications Katherine Blakeman said during a press conference. "We believe that no organization or corporation should profit or contribute to sexual exploitation. Unfortunately, many mainstream companies and groups do just that."
[February 26, 2021] mdf commerce signs agreement with Mason Companies, Inc., US-based retailer, to provide Product Catalogue Solution for enhanced supply chain collaboration

MONTREAL, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- mdf commerce inc. (TSX:MDF), a leader in SaaS commerce technology solutions, today announces that Mason Companies, Inc., a family-owned, multi-channel US-based retailer, has signed an agreement with its Supply Chain platform InterTrade for its Product Catalogue solution. With this multi-year agreement, Mason Companies, Inc. confirms that the InterTrade Product Catalogue of mdf commerce is their solution of choice, meeting their high standards for customer service.

This agreement will provide Mason Companies, Inc. with a single source of truth for accurate and detailed product information from brand partners, ranging from GTIN/UPC codes, descriptions and dimensions, to rich content like product images, all of which compliant with GS1 US industry standards. With this streamlined data sharing solution, Mason Companies, Inc. will benefit from short time to market when launching new products and consistent product content across all sale channels. This is key for Mason Companies, Inc. as they offer, through their 10 business units, over 60,000 products via ecommerce websites and direct mail catalogues. The brand partners of Mason Companies, Inc. will also gain from this new agreement as they will be able to count on InterTrades white-glove onboarding service to quickly meet the product data requirements of Mason Companies, Inc. Mason Companies prides itself on ensuring optimal, win-win, trade relationships with its brand partners, said Carol Jordan, Vice-President, Merchandising at Mason Companies, Inc. InterTrades industy-leading customer service reputation was a key factor in our decision to entrust them with the onboarding of our trading partners for this supply chain collaboration initiative.



We are delighted to welcome Mason Companies and their brand partners, said Andreanne Simon, President, Supply Chain at mdf commerce. We look forward to support their business growth with the great service and quality solutions that our clients appreciate us for. About mdf commerce inc.

mdf commerce inc. (TSX:MDF) enables the flow of commerce by providing a broad set of SaaS solutions that optimize and accelerate commercial interactions between buyers and sellers. Our platforms and services empower businesses around the world, allowing them to generate billions of dollars in transactions on an annual basis. Our strategic sourcing, unified commerce and eMarketplace platforms are supported by a strong and dedicated team of more than 600 employees based in Canada, the United States, Denmark, Ukraine and China. For more information, please visit us at mdfcommerce.com, follow us on LinkedIn or call at 1-877-677-9088. About Mason Companies, Inc. Mason Companies, Inc. is a family-owned, multi-channel retailer located in West-Central Wisconsin that has proudly been in business for more than 115 years. We own and operate 10 businesses that sell everything from shoes and apparel to bedding and electronics through our E-Commerce websites and direct mail catalogs, with some businesses offering our own proprietary credit payment option. We have a strong commitment to support the communities where we work and live.



For further information: mdf commerce

Andreanne Simon

President, Supply Chain

Phone: +1 (450) 786-8933

Email: asimon@mdfcommerce.com mdf commerce

Andre Leblanc

Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs

Phone: +1 (514) 961-0882

Email: aleblanc@mdfcommerce.com



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A startup centered around an AI-driven platform for insurance distribution secured $11 million in Series A financing.

Zelros plans to use the money, in part to propel its North American expansion, with a new regional headquarters set to launch in Montreal. Zelros is based in Paris, with additional offices in Munich and Milan, according to its website. Operations will also be expanded across Europe, the company said.

Were passionate about helping insurance players transform into technology-first companies, and the support of  all of our investors will empower us to accomplish our mission, Christophe Bourguignat, co-founder and CEO of Zelros, said in prepared remarks.

Silicon Valley-based BGV led the new round, though ISAI Cap Venture and Plug and Play also joined the financing. Contributions also came from existing investors HI INOV, 42CAP, and astorya.vc, according to the funding announcement. Zelros has raised $16.5 million to date, including the new round.

The Zelros AI business platform is designed increase efficiency and ease in how insurers, bancassurers and policyholders distribute and receive products and services. Zelros said its platform continuously learns, adapts, and improves its capabilities in real-time, offering insurance advisors and agents a streamlined and semi-automated experience from product/service needs discovery and sales to underwriting.

As well, insurance providers can use the platform to offer policyholders fully automated subscription options. The goal: giving older-school insurance providers the way to compete with InsurTech startups and others that are heavily investing in technology.

Zelros secured its $5.5 million seed round of funding in 2028. The company now employs 50 people in three countries, and Zelros said its software reviewed more than 20 million policyholder-specific situations and issued more than 2 million personalized recommendations in 2020 alone. Customers include European insurance providers such as BPCE, AXA, Credit Agricole MAIF, La Banque Postale and AssurOne  clients are in property/casualty and life insurance business lines.

Zelros also works closely with insurance regulators to promote usage of fair and transparent AI, and the company said it has published its own open standard for ethical, enterprise-grade AI.

Source: Zelros

This article first was published in Insurance Journals sister publication, Carrier Management.

Topics InsurTech Data Driven

The company unveiled US$46.7mln of (non-cash) impairments.

( ), the commercial passenger aircraft leasing company, said its customer base continues to recover from the unprecedented effect of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Results for the six months to the end of December saw revenue decline by just 9% to US$61,340 from US$67,606 in the same period of 2019 despite the aviation industry being knocked sideways by restrictions to air travel.

Given the impact of the pandemic on the aviation industry, the value of Avations aircraft has been written down by US$46.7mln, contributing to a loss before tax of US$60.45mln, versus a profit of US$45.03mln in the final six months of 2019.

The impairments largely relate to aircraft leased to Philippines Airlines, and Braathens, all of which have been subject to formal or informal restructuring processes.

Net indebtedness at the end of 2020 stood at US$1,050mln, little changed from six months earlier. The net debt to assets ratio rose to 77.0% from 73.2% at the end of June.

The company said its continuing focus for the remainder of the 2021 financial year is to preserve liquidity.

At the same time, it has been offering support to its airline customers by agreeing to defer payment of a portion of their rent in the short-term, until things return to something approaching normality for the aviation industry.

That time may not be too far off, with Avations executive chairman, Jeff Chatfield, revealing the past six months have seen most of the companys customers operating at levels that are more than 50% of their pre-COVID-19levels.

At the current date, 12 of Avation's 19 customers are being charged normal monthly rentals. The company has been fortunate that some of its largest customers are based in countries where there has been a less severe impact from the pandemic including VietJet, airBaltic, EVA Air and Mandarin Airlines. These airlines combined represent over 60% of Avation's future unearned contracted revenue, Chatfield said.

The executive chairman added that assuming that Avation's customers continue to meet their contractual obligations to pay rent and arrears, the chances of there being further write-downs to asset values are low.

The underlying business remains profitable, Chatfield assured shareholders.

The shares were up 1.7% at 122.5p in the first hour of trading.
CAIRO, Egypt  Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to mediate in the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) during visits by Minister of State for African Affairs Ahmed al-Kattan to Addis Ababa and Khartoum in February.

Kattan announced Feb. 17 that the kingdom plans to hold a summit for the presidents of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to resolve the ongoing dispute over the filling and operation of the GERD.

Tension has soared since Ethiopia announced that the second phase of filling the dam's reservoir will take place in July.

Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in mediation before. The Saudi cabinet stated in June 2020 that water security for Egypt and Sudan is an integral part of Arab security and stressed the need for a fair agreement that takes the interests of all affected parties into account.

The kingdom also seems to be interested in boosting its relationship with Ethiopia. Improved relations with Ethiopia would strengthen Saudi diplomacy in the Horn of Africa and its economic ties in the region, particularly in the agricultural sector.

In Cairo Feb. 24, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with a Congolese official involved in AU affairs the possibility of forming an international quartet to mediate the stalled GERD negotiations that includes the United States, the European Union and the United Nations and the AU.

A government source familiar with the Nile water issue told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Egypt is open to all initiatives to reach a comprehensive agreement that preserves the interests of all parties. We still believe in dialogue as a way to solve the crisis while rejecting all unilateral actions by Ethiopia.

The source explained that Egypt still believes the preliminary agreement reached in Washington in February 2020 is an optimal deal that achieves the interests of all parties and reduces the expected negative effects of the GERDs filling and operation. Ethiopia ditched this deal.

The source added, Until now, no clear formula has been submitted by any of the mediators. The main dilemma is the Ethiopian side's refusal to sign a binding agreement and its attempt to operate the dam in the name of sovereignty without considering the interests of the downstream countries. Contacts are ongoing with Sudan to try to coordinate common positions to confront unilateral moves by Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Sudan has been more critical of Ethiopias stances on the GERD and the border disputes. The Sudanese Cabinet called Feb. 17 for the negotiations on the GERD to be broadened to include the European Union, the United Nations and the United States, along with the AU. In response to the Ethiopias continued insistence on starting the second stage of filling for the dams reservoir in July even though an agreement has not been reached, the Sudanese cabinet said the filling of the dams reservoir poses a direct threat to the Roseires Dam, downstream on the Blue Nile. It also threatens irrigation systems, electricity networks and drinking water along the Blue Nile and Nile Rivers up to the city of Atbara, which threatens Sudans national security.

Since the signing of the Declaration of Principles in March 2015, the tripartite negotiations have had no official mediator. The United States, the World Bank and the AU had sponsored previous negotiation rounds and participated as observers.

Despite the inability of international and regional observers to make progress in the negotiation process, Africa watchers believe Gulf countries  given their ties with all parties to the dispute  are well placed to mediate in a manner that could bring together all those involved and achieve progress.

Gulf countries that have investments in Ethiopia are particularly keen to see the dispute resolved.

Musaed Abdel Ati, a professor of international law and a member of the Egyptian Society of International Law, stressed the importance of mediation in the GERD dispute. He told Al-Monitor, Mediation is the legal means to settle the dispute. It must be impartial and fair to all the parties to the conflict. This was applied during the World Bank and the US sponsorship of the talks, which culminated in the Washington deal.

Abdel-Ati added, Although it is difficult to start new negotiations under Gulf mediation due to lack of time in light of Ethiopia's insistence to begin filling the dam, such negotiations could yield positive results if Ethiopia responds.

He went on, Egypt showed flexibility and this allowed the Washington deal to be drafted last February. It wants to reach a fair agreement that takes into account the interests of all parties.

Abdel-Ati called out Ethiopia for its arrogance and arbitrary positions that violate international law and threaten international peace and security. Yet, he noted, Ethiopia could renounce the second stage of the dams filling under regional and international pressure.

Hani Raslan, head of the Sudan and Nile Basin Countries Unit at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, disagrees. He told Al-Monitor, While Saudi mediation is being promoted in the media, Riyadh's announcement came a bit too late. Negotiations have been stumbling for more than 10 years while the Gulf kept mute despite its good relations with Egypt.

Raslan believes the Saudi initiatives chances for success are limited by the same Ethiopian intransigence that hindered Washington from making additional progress. Ethiopia is going through difficult internal circumstances, and it has come very close to achieving its goals of dominating the Blue Nile. It will only make concessions under strong pressure. Saudi Arabia could provide incentives, grants or aid, but it does not have the ability to impose pressure.

He continued, Efficient pressure on Ethiopia may stem from a joint Gulf and US initiative. The US has several trump cards in its sleeves, especially in light of the Tigray region crisis and the critical situation in which the [Ethiopian] government finds itself.

With Joe Biden as the US president, Washington announced it was delinking a US pause on Ethiopia aid from its policy on the dam.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Feb. 19 that the Biden administration will review US policy on the GERD and will assess the role it can play in facilitating a solution between the countries.

Meanwhile, US or Gulf mediation remains just an idea at this point, awaiting a strong initiative that can break the hard-line Ethiopian position and postpone the filling of the reservoir until until after coordination with Egypt and Sudan to resolve concerns on expected risks.
The former Brexit negotiator was promoted to Cabinet minister by Boris Johnson. - Shutterstock

Lord Frost must drop his confrontational style of negotiating if Britain and the EU are to rebuild their strained relationship, Brussels sources have warned.

The rebuke was angrily rejected by the Government, which insisted that former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost was the best person to reset UK-EU relations.

Lord Frost, who negotiated the EU trade deal last deal, will oversee thorny talks over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol from Monday after being promoted to a minister in Boris Johnsons Cabinet.

During last years Brexit trade talks, he ruffled feathers in Brussels with his uncompromising insistence on the EU respecting the UK as a sovereign equal.

"The EU and UK relationship is in dire need of more consensus, unfortunately Lord Frost is, so far, better known for confrontation, an EU diplomat told the Telegraph.

Putting the relationship on ice is not an option. Britain and the continent are too close, too interlinked and there's too much going on affecting both sides of the English Channel.

Based on evidence so far this year, the EUs efforts can hardly be described as having promoted harmony, a UK government source said.

The source said that European Commission moves towards a coronavirus vaccine export ban and its short-lived threat to impose a hard border on the island of Ireland to enforce it were concerning.

The source added, We are working at pace to ensure a friendly and productive relationship. The best person to lead that effort is Lord Frost.

The EU warning came after reports that senior figures in Brussels hoped to reset the relationship with Britain.

Relations have been further strained by rows over the implementation of new customs arrangements in Northern Ireland and the status of the EU's ambassador to the UK.

An EU official said, We know Lord Frost and Im sure we will be more than capable of working with him and finding solutions.

Recent meetings between the two sides over the protocol have failed to find agreement on the extension of various grace periods to, for example, ensure continued supermarket supplies to Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Story continues

The RTE broadcaster reported that the reset could be a meeting between Boris Johnson and senior EU figures such as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

The EU is due to ratify the new trade deal, which has been provisionally applied, in April. This would be a good moment to draw a line under past disagreements, especially if new agreements on the grace periods on the protocol can be agreed in time

The EU official said, "This would be a nice thing to happen but we are not holding our breath. The timeline sounds about right. Im not so sure if a reset is possible, but I think its admirable that were at least trying."

The reset would be aimed at drawing a line under the tetchy relations that have bedevilled London and Brussels since the UK left the Brexit transition period at the end of last year.

A UK government spokeswoman said, The deal we struck with the EU is the beginning of our new partnership in Europe, with new stability and certainty around our future relationship.

It will build on our shared history of friendship and cooperation, but as sovereign equals, with greater democratic autonomy and a clear, independent voice to speak and act on our priorities.

Britain and the EU were reported as nearing an agreement on a memorandum of understanding on financial services on Friday, which could be a small step to securing access to the Single Market for some UK firms.
The Minister of Justice, Stelian Ion, on Friday, on the occasion of the presentation of DIICOT's (Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism) activity report for 2020, that criminal groups "must be hit where hurts them the most, where the money are."

"We must work to block the flow of money and then to recover the damage and the proceeds of crime, because criminal groups must be hit where hurts them most, where the money are," said Stelian Ion, quoted in a statement sent to AGERPRES by the Ministry of Justice.

The Minister also said that a very good measure is the establishment of a structure to combat human trafficking, "a scourge that has spread in recent years and must be combated with all available means.""In addressing the causes of human trafficking, but also drug trafficking and cybercrime we must take into account the money laundering component, which is a natural continuation of the activity of some criminal groups that obtain income from these crimes," added Stelian Ion.The Minister recommended that money laundering be provided as an operational priority, pointing out that Romanian criminals and the groups they belong to, which operate in the European space and beyond, send money to the country to be "laundered.""All this money and goods that are purchased must be subject to measures of unavailability and, subsequently, of confiscation," the minister said.

Karen Bailey's 20-year-old daughter has struggled with depression and anxiety for years. Since 2017, she's been in three intensive group therapy programs and, each time, the family's insurer cut her coverage short, says Bailey.

"At a certain point, they would send us a form letter saying: We have determined that she is all better, it's no longer necessary, so we are not covering it anymore," says Bailey, 59, who lives in Los Angeles. "And believe me, she was not all better. In one case, she was worse."

In making coverage decisions about mental health and addiction treatment, insurers frequently use "their own kind of black box criteria, not knowable to enrollees and not consistent with standards of care," says Julie Snyder, director of government affairs at the Steinberg Institute, a Sacramento-based mental health policy and advocacy group.

A California law that took effect Jan. 1, SB-855, should make it much harder for state-regulated commercial health plans to do so. It requires them to use nationally recognized clinical standards established by nonprofit associations of clinical specialists to determine which mental health and addiction treatments they'll cover  and for how long.

This means, for example, that insurers will find it more difficult to limit a client to only a week of residential addiction treatment when 30 days is the clinical standard, or to treat only the most immediate physical symptoms of anorexia and not the underlying psychological drivers, says Snyder.

"It's a very strong law, and it has the potential to really be a game changer," says Karen Fessel, executive director and founder of the Mental Health and Autism Insurance Project, which supported the legislation.

There could hardly be a better time to beef up mental health coverage, as we approach the anniversary of a pandemic that's been tied to an increase in depression, anxiety, substance use and suicidal thoughts.

Crucially, the new law, which updates and replaces California's previous mental health parity statute, dramatically expands the number of conditions insurers must cover.

The state law in force until this year required coverage for only nine "severe" mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, and for "serious emotional disturbances" in children. SB-855 mandates coverage for conditions ranging from mild to severe.

Federal law already required broader coverage, but in vague terms that health plans have frequently circumvented with their restrictive definitions of what's medically necessary, patient advocates say.

By expanding the range of conditions health plans are obliged to cover and holding them to stiffer standards on the type and amount of care they must pay for, the new law closes "loopholes you could drive a Mack truck through," says state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who authored the legislation.

For years, many health plans declined to cover mental health treatment until a patient was in crisis, Wiener says. The new law "makes sure people will be able to get care early while they still have a home, a family, a job."

Another key aspect of the law is that it requires health plans to cover out-of-network providers at in-network costs if an enrollee is unable to find timely treatment a reasonable distance  generally, 15 miles or 30 minutes  from their home.

"That is something we run into all the time," Bailey says. The family has spent $100,000 over the years on out-of-network mental health providers for their two kids, she says.

Opponents of the new law, including the California Association of Health Plans and the California Chamber of Commerce, have argued it will significantly increase health care costs, subject insurers to continuous litigation and  through its stringent definition of medical necessity  impede the ability of providers to decide what's best for their patients.

Proponents say the medical necessity guidelines spelled out by the specialists' associations allow providers wide discretion to decide the best treatment for each patient. An analysis conducted for state legislators by the California Health Benefits Review Program estimated that in the first year of the law's implementation, premiums and enrollee cost sharing would rise a mere 0.002%.

The new law won't help everybody: It applies only to state-regulated commercial health plans covering some 13 million Californians  about one-third of the state's population. It excludes Medi-Cal, which insures another third of state residents, as well as federally regulated commercial plans, which cover nearly 6 million.

Because only a minuscule share of patients fight their health plans over denials of care, mental health advocates hope that diligent enforcement by the Department of Managed Health Care, which regulates plans covering the vast majority of commercially insured Californians, will discourage insurers from denying necessary care in the first place.

Rachel Arrezola, a spokesperson for the agency, which opposed provisions of the legislation last year, said it fully intends to ensure compliance and has begun to do so.

But if your health plan still denies you the care you believe you need, fight it, patient advocates and health care attorneys say.

"You need to be vigilant, and you need to advocate for yourself and you need to appeal denials, and you need to do it in writing," says Cari Schwartz, a Los Angeles lawyer who represents patients.

If you appeal a decision over the phone, take detailed notes, write down the time and day of the conversation and get the name of the person you spoke with, Schwartz says. Build a file of all communications and other information related to your case, she says.

And be persistent. "I think insurance companies bank on individuals giving up the fight," Schwartz says.

If you need help, contact the Health Consumer Alliance (1-888-804-3536 or www.healthconsumer.org), which offers free advice and legal services.

If your mental health provider requested a certain type of treatment in 2020 that was denied by your health plan, ask the provider to resubmit it this year, because the changed legal landscape might work in your favor, says the Steinberg Institute's Snyder.

With most commercial health plans, you have 180 days from the date you receive a denial to file an appeal. You must first appeal to your insurer. If it fails to respond after 30 days, or upholds its decision, you can take it to the agency that regulates your policy.

In most cases, that will be the Department of Managed Health Care (www.dmhc.ca.gov or 1-888-466-2219), which has a help center and allows you to file a complaint online. If your regulator is the California Department of Insurance, you can call its helpline at 1-800-927-4357 for advice, and file a complaint on its website (www.insurance.ca.gov).

Most Californians enrolled in commercial health plans are entitled to a review by independent medical experts if they are denied care because the insurer deems it unnecessary, or it's experimental  or the insurer won't reimburse them for emergency care.

The reviews, which can be requested through state regulators, are well worth the effort: About 60% of Independent Medical Reviews filed through the Department of Managed Health Care result in the patient getting the treatment that was initially denied, Arrezola says.

Be sure to open an archive on the managed care department's website (https://wpso.dmhc.ca.gov/imr/), in which you can search past decisions for cases similar to yours. They can help you frame your arguments.

Ultimately, the utility of the new law depends on the will of regulators to enforce it and of consumers to avail themselves of it.

"With any luck, it means people won't have to take out a $50,000 mortgage on their house to pay for their children's opioid treatment," says Snyder. "Unfortunately, that is all too common."

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Chinese health officials were apologetic for giving invasive anal swab tests to US Diplomats. According to the US State Department, Beijing issued apologies for what might have been interpreted as insulting to the consuls.

Recently, efforts to combat COVID-19 have some unwanted swabbing tests that happened. Generally, many Chinese had to be subjected to anal swabbing to check for COVID-19 in the stools.

U.S. diplomats get anal swabbed by mistake

Sources say that Chinese health officials did the invasive procedure on U.S. diplomats that were not admitted as a 'mistake' since the error was not welcome for the diplomats who were put off by the invasive procedure. With apologies given, China promised that US diplomats would not be subjected to such practices, reported the Epoch Times.

All the comments about the unwanted swabbing came from diplomatic staff who complained they were subjected to anal probing. According to Chinese authorities, swabbing anally gives better results compared to nose or throat.

A State Department spokesperson said communication indicated to China that this anal testing is unacceptable. The protest was given to the MFA when the staff were given these anal tests without consent reported.

China's explanation

To clarify the incident which rubbed affect diplomatic members the wrong way, China's foreign ministry said that it was done by mistake and diplomatic personnel will not be subjected to anal swab tests methods again. He added the State Department would assure the safety and well-being of American diplomats and their families and prevent such indignities from happening to them.

Also read: Chinese Journalist Missing After Revealing Information on Real Wuhan Coronavirus Situation

The State Department said that anyone from the staff should not allow the test done on them, but the exact number of American diplomats is not revealed. Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for China's foreign ministry stated that no request for the invasive procedure was done.

China has started testing for Covid with anal swabs in its zero-tolerance approach https://t.co/dBOSrenRkZ  Bloomberg (@business) January 27, 2021

Swab tests through the anus was first done in Beijing for those suspected of possible infection ahead of the Chinese New Year. It was later used to test for the CCP virus in Hebei, Shandong, and Liaoning provinces of northeastern China to check for more infections.

Authorities in China consider the anal swabs as needed because it helps detect, who might be positive. Experts say that stool samples have COVID traces longer than the respiratory tract. So, it becomes one of the best options to detect COVID for them.

Not a pleasant experience

For many, this is not good. Sometimes the process is done with others around. Chinese and foreigners alike cringe at the thought of getting it done to them. The possibility of it getting done to anyone would stop them from traveling.

For many, this shocked them to be tested that way-a few Koreans who went to China and suffered the indignity. Only a few call their embassy for what happened. This was reported in NetEase, a Chinese news site.

One Korean said that kids weren't exempted, had to be checked as well. This shocking report came from Kukmin Ilbo, a South Korean daily newspaper. Some had poop samples ready to avoid the exam, but Chinese officials will have it done regardless.

Related article: Wuhan Coronavirus Outbreak Continues, China Government Under Fire

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
While the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic many new lessons are being learned every day by nations all over the globe. For example, Brazil and the US have learned that having a leader who does not believe that the virus is a serious threat to life certainly doesnt augur well for the population.
New Delhi:

The NIA on Tuesday questioned the sons of pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in connection with a terror funding probe allegedly involving Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, official sources said.



While Geelanis elder son Nayeem is a surgeon by profession, the younger one, Naseem, is an employee of the Jammu and Kashmir government.



Nayeem is being tipped as the natural successor to lead the Tehrek-e-Hurriyat, a separatist conglomerate comprising pro-Pakistan hardline groups, after his father.



The brothers are being questioned here in connection with a terror funding case which has named Saeed, leader of the Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa and banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, as an accused, sources said.



NIA registered the case on May 30, accusing separatist and secessionist leaders of being in cahoots with terrorist groups.

Suggested read: Terror funding case: NIA custody of Geelani's son-in-law, 3 others extended



The case was registered over raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including through hawala channels, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in the state. The case also included causing disruption in the Valley by pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India.



The probe agency had conducted searches in several places in the state besides Haryana and the national capital. Electronic devices and valuables worth crores of rupees were impounded.



It was the first time since the rise of militancy in the early 1990s that a central probe agency conducted raids in connection with the funding of terrorist and separatist groups.

Suggested read: NIA probe uncovers calendar of unrest with Geelani's signature

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
El Chapo's wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, 31, was arrested at Dulles Airport in Washington, DC, and charged with drug trafficking on Monday

Prosecutors are prepared to offer El Chapos arrested wife a new life under witness protection for spilling secrets to devastate Mexicos murderous Sinaloa cartel, Dailymail.com can exclusively reveal.

Emma Coronel Aispuro would vanish with her nine-year-old twin daughters despite currently facing up to 40 years in prison over drug conspiracy charges if she accepts the deal.

Her jailed cartel boss husband Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman will even encourage her to cooperate as an act of revenge on those who crossed him, ex-top drug officer Mike Vigil told DailyMail.com.

Vigil, who spent years undercover infiltrating Mexican and Colombian cartels, is convinced she will take the deal.

The legendary DEA crime buster, who maintains close law enforcement contacts, said: 'Prosecutors will dangle witness protection in front of Emma Coronel. That is without question.

'She will be more than tempted by the chance of an anonymous new life. I believe she will cooperate.'

Coronel will be offered witness protection with her two young daughters in exchange for spilling secrets about the Mexican Sinaloa cartel, DailyMail.com can reveal

Ex drug officer Mike Vigil told DailyMail.com that Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman will even encourage her to cooperate as an act of revenge on those who crossed him. El Chapo is pictured in 2017

'Authorities will offer it simply because of the amount of information she can provide against the Sinaloa cartel.'

He added: 'Emma Coronel was Chapo Guzman's principal confidante. She knows the inner workings of the cartel.

Ex drug officer Mike Vigil (pictured) said: 'Prosecutors will dangle witness protection in front of Emma Coronel. That is without question'

'She knows the identities of the upper echelon on the cartel, the drug trafficking routes they use, how they smuggle drugs and how they manufacture drugs.

'Crucially, she can provide a lot of information that can lead to US-based indictments against Sinaloa cartel members. And this would not bode for them very well.

'She also knows which Mexican government officials Chapo Guzman and now the Sinaloa cartel were paying off for protection.'

The likelihood of witness protection comes amid a report that Coronel, 31, turned herself in when she flew into the US on Monday.

The former teenage beauty queen was arrested at Dulles International Airport and has been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine in the United States.

Now the 'Narco Princess' is languishing in a cell after a video appearance at a Washington DC court while El Chapo, 63, is in solitary confinement at the ADX supermax prison in Florence, Colorado.

She was a glamorous and controversial fixture at her husband's 2019 trial In New York, where he was sentenced to life plus 30 years.

'Investigators will be using Emma Coronel's emotions now to get a result,' said Vigil, who was head of international operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration. 'They know how to play her situation to make cooperation and witness protection enticing for her.

'And no one needs to play their cards right now more than her.'

At a virtual court appearance on Tuesday, Aispuro's attorneys said they were not immediately seeking bail. Aispuro is pictured in a court sketch of the virtual proceedings along with her lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman (top left) and US Magistrate Judge Robin Meriweather (top right)

US officials could be looking for Coronel (pictured) to help take down her husband Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's operation, the Sinaloa cartel

He said arrested suspects always have 'psychological reluctance' to cooperate at first because of the potential danger or murder threat.

But other factors often compete  and Coronel will be running through those as she weighs up her future.

'Right now she will be thinking of her daughters Emali and Maria,' said Vigil. 'They are the biggest motivation for making a deal. With the charge against her, 40 years in jail is possible. She doesn't want to do that.

'She's sitting in her jail cell thinking about nothing else but her situation. She can't get bail because she is a flight risk. But she can talk. She will end up like most defendants, cooperating.'

If Coronel goes for witness protection, there is a chance she might still have to serve a much reduced sentence depending on her information and negotiations. Federal jails have special units for these prisoners.

Whichever way it goes, she would be given a fresh identity and a complete back story for her eventual new life. This would be anywhere in the United States.

Coronel is pictured above in photos from her beauty queen days - before she met Guzman and married him in 2007 when she was 18

'Emma Coronel would start by being given an orientation by the US Justice Department, which runs the program,' said Vigil.

'Then she would have to go through a psychological exam. She would get a brand new identity, passport, driver's license, the works. She would get a script of her new life that she must learn for her fictitious back story.

'She would be placed in a secret location, helped with a place to live and given a small amount of money before she found work. She would have her twins with her, but it would mean absolutely no contact with other family.'

Coronel was born in the US but has spent most of her life in Mexico. She would be checked on weekly in witness protection to see how she was holding out psychologically.

But Vigil believes she would struggle with a quiet life and a mundane job because of her obsession with the limelight and wealth.

She reveled in the attention at her husband's trial, launched an El Chapo clothing range and went on to appear in VH1's Cartel Crew show.

The DEA veteran said: 'She has access to Chapo Guzman's money. And if she were in a witness protection program, she would be living an austere life without it. And she's no used to that. Not at all.

'She is also going to have a hard time because she really doesn't speak good English.

'She has lived most of her life in Mexico and the States is going to be a different culture.'

He added: 'And then they will expect her to get a job.

'She's never had a career and if she doesn't speak the language well she's going to end up in a very menial job.

'That's going to be tough for her psychologically. It's going to play hard on her.'

Despite the stigma and danger of cooperating, El Chapo will give his blessing in order to safeguard the young twins and give himself a sense of revenge said Vigil.

Key to that is payback for what Guzman sees as betrayal by the man who took his role as head of the Sinaloa cartel, current boss Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada.

His son Vincente Zambada testified against Guzman at his trial.

Vigil said: 'Vincente asked El Mayo for permission to testify. And that permission was authorized. Chapo Guzman knows this so he would encourage his wife to give authorities information against cartel members.

'He owes El Mayo no allegiance.'

Guzman, too, is obsessed with daughters Emali and Maria.

The Sinaloa cartel has held its power even after Guzman's arrest and continues to send millions of dollars of drugs into the US each month under the presumed leadership of Guzman's longtime partner, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada (pictured)

Vigil said: 'He is enamored with them. He loves them very dearly.

'But he is in a 7ft by 12ft cell 23 hours of the day with minimal interaction with another human being  for the rest of his life. So there's another huge motivation for Emma to cooperate and make sure she's around for them.'

Coronel has always been steeped in cartel culture. She grew up in the Mexican state of Durango, part of the golden triangle of drug trafficking along with Chihuahua and Sinaloa.

Vigil said: 'Her father Inez and her brother Omar were drug traffickers in their own right when she was growing up, so she was introduced to the drug trade at a very early age.

'In 2007 she married Chapo Guzman when she had barely turned 18 and he was 32 years her senior.

'At that time the families merged and Chapo Guzman brought in her father and brother to be top lieutenants within the Sinaloa cartel.'

The former enforcer said cartels value trust almost as much as money. And trust among family members is sacrosanct, with Emma receiving Sinaloa cartel secrets from the moment she married.

He added: 'Emma Coronel is very naive to the American justice system.

'I believe she felt that if she was not arrested during her husband's trial or shortly after then she would be free and clear.

'It was a serious mistake.'



WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - MNI Indicators released a report on Friday showing a bigger than expected slowdown in the pace of growth in Chicago-area business activity in the month of February. The report said MNI Indicators' Chicago business barometer dropped to 59.5 in February after jumping to a more than two-year high of 63.8 in January. While a reading above 50 still indicates growth in Chicago-area business activity, economists had expected the index to show a more modest decrease to 61.1. The bigger than expected drop by the business barometer came as the new orders index tumbled by 11 points to its lowest level since last August. The production index also slumped by 9.3 points. MNI Indicators said anecdotal evidence painted a mixed picture, with some firms experiencing a downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic, while others report strong consumer demand. Meanwhile, the report said the employment index jumped by 5.7 points to a sixteen-month high but remained in contraction territory. The prices paid index also inched up by 0.1 points, reaching the highest level since September of 2018, as companies again noted increase in price for raw materials, especially tin. MNI Indicators said 87.2 percent of respondents were undecided when asked if their organization would require their workforce and contingent labor to be vaccinated for the coronavirus. 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.

Posted Thursday, February 25, 2021 5:25 pm

Outrage over deaths of citizens in police custody sparked efforts by lawmakers to address racial equity, hiring and training, and the use of force within law enforcement. Now, nearing the halfway point in the 2021 legislative session, the steps toward major reform of police tactics have gained support from both sides, though not without controversy.

I wouldn't argue that we have complete agreement amongst all of them but we're continuing to work to bring people together and to move the bills, said House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, in a press conference Feb. 22.

Use-of-Force

Lawmakers voted 28-21 to pass SB 5066 Feb. 23, a bill requiring officers to intervene if they see a colleague using excessive force. While it had Democratic support, some Republican lawmakers said it would deter recruitment into law enforcement.

This bill will help keep communities safe and will provide the tools and support to reinforce a healthy culture in law enforcement, said Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, the sponsor of the bill, in a statement.

House Bill 1054, a highly-watched ban on several use of force tactics, is scheduled for a floor vote. The law would ban an officer from using chokeholds, most forms of tear gas and unleashing K-9 dogs on suspects. The bill remained largely unchanged from its original form.

We are at a reckoning with police in this country, so I cant see myself negotiating on those tactics, said one of the bills sponsors, Rep. Debra Entenman, D-Kent, in an interview.

HB 1310, which narrows an officers ability to use deadly or other physical force against a suspect, is waiting to be scheduled for a floor vote, where it is expected to have a high chance of winning approval.

The Senate Ways & Means Committee voted Feb. 22 in favor of a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to report incidents of use-of-force and other demographic information to an in-state university.

This law, SB 5259, requires the school to create a detailed, interactive and public database with statistics on when an officer fires a weapon, uses less-lethal means of arresting a citizen and when an officer unleashes a canine on someone they intend to arrest. The university would also need to have both the officer and affected persons age, gender, race and ethnicity on the database.

Community Oversight

The Senate will vote on SB 5089, which raises the qualifying age of a law enforcement applicant to 23, and requires them to hold or be on the way to holding a bachelors degree.

The Ways & Means Committee members passed SB 5353 Feb. 22, which targets Spokane, Pierce, King, Okanogan, Yakima, Cowlitz, Chelan-Douglas, Walla-Walla, Benton-Franklin, Grant and Snohomish as recipients for a community-law enforcement engagement grant program. The grant would fund these counties efforts in neighborhood organizing and youth programs to increase public trust with law enforcement.

Sweeping reform to the Criminal Justice Training Commission will also have a chance to make it through the Senate, with lawmakers putting SB 5051 forward to expand the powers of the CJTC. Currently, the commission establishes standards and provides training to police and local corrections officers. It has the power to certify, and when necessary, to de-certify, officers. The law would also mandate that the commission must include more members from underrepresented communities.

The public has the right to know if their tax dollars are paying for officers who have a known history of excessive use of force, said Devon Connor-Green, who testified in support of the bill on behalf of the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance during its hearing Feb. 1.

A similar bill to adjust training and hiring rules in the CJTC, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, will not move forward in the Legislature. Salomon told The Seattle Times he would try again next year, but said he was satisfied with the other training reform bills getting support.

SB 5135, crafted by Sen. Mona Das and intended to stop people from summoning a police officer for the purpose of intimidating or discriminating against someone, made it into the Rules Committee Jan. 22, but has yet to make it to the Senate floor for a vote.

Last week, House representatives passed three police accountability bills: HB 1088, 1089 and 1001. The first requires law enforcement agencies to tell attorneys if they found evidence in favor of the defendant in a case within 10 days of the discovery. HB 1089 requires the State Auditor to ensure deadly force investigations follow all rules and procedures during the entirety of the investigation, and HB 1001 would establish a grant program to encourage agencies to hire more officers from historically underrepresented communities.

The Senate Law & Justice Committee will hear public comment on these bills 8:30 a.m. Feb. 25.

Investigating Law Enforcement

The establishment of an independent office of investigations within the governors office also has a high chance of making it to the House floor for a vote. Lawmakers voted in favor of HB 1267 in the House Committee on Appropriations Feb. 19.

Another bill poised to make it out of the House is HB 1202, which would automatically grant a cause of action for someone who was injured by forceful police tactics, meaning they would be able to seek civil action against the officer and any present officer who did not intervene. The court would have to pay for the court and attorney costs for the person, and the Attorney General could investigate officers if they suspect the incident represents a pattern of misconduct.

Other reform bills already passed out of the Senate include SB 5055, passed Feb. 10 in a 41-8 vote. If it moves on, it will establish an 18-member rotating panel of arbitrators who would hear and decide on officer disciplinary appeals, and ban officers from collective bargaining on these appeals.

Another law limiting collective bargaining over certain law enforcement records has yet to move to the floor for a vote, but SB 5436 garnered bipartisan support from lawmakers and still has a chance to pass.

Though many police accountability bills with the chance to become law have come from Democratic lawmakers, Republican-led bill HB 1262 got bipartisan support for its expansion of background checks for law enforcement applicants. The bill would add an eye-based truth verification test, a way of analyzing changes in pupil size and eye movement to consider credibility in the person.
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Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Its nearly two months since turbulence erupted around China Huarong Asset Management Co.At the end of March, its 4% perpetual dollar bond was trading at 102 cents on the dollar as investors figured the January execution of former chairman Lai Xiaomin for bribery put a line under past wayward behavior. But the failure of the company to release 2020 results by a March 31 deadline, and a subsequent report by mainland media Caixin that the firm will restructure, sparked weeks of turmoil. The same bond is now at 57 cents.The heart of the matter is whether the central government will rescue a state-owned company thats integral to the smooth running of the financial system. While there are signs Beijing wants to ensure China Huarong can repay its debts on time, uncertainty prevails.Heres a look at the key events for China Huarong:May 28The company has wired funds to repay $978 million of notes maturing within the following week, according to Bloomberg News, the biggest bond payment since the 2020 results delay.May 27Liang Qiang, who currently heads another bad-debt manager, is on track to become president of China Huarong, reports Bloomberg News.May 24China Huarong dollar bonds climb after the managing editor of Caixin Media wrote in an opinion piece that the asset manager is nowhere near defaulting on its more than $20 billion of offshore notes.May 21Some of China Huarongs thinly traded onshore bonds slump after having held up better than the companys dollar-denominated notes, signaling broadening concern about the firms financial health.May 18China Huarong has transferred funds to repay a $300 million note maturing May 20, Bloomberg News reports, the first dollar bond to come due since the delayed 2020 results. Prices for the firms dollar bonds slump earlier in the day after the New York Times reports China is planning an overhaul that would inflict significant losses on both domestic and foreign China Huarong bondholders.May 17The company has reached funding agreements with state-owned banks to ensure it can repay debt through at least the end of August, by which time China Huarong aims to have completed its 2020 financial statements, according to a Bloomberg News report. That as at least two of its onshore bonds see big price declines in recent days, worrying some investors.May 13The firm says its prepared to make future bond payments and has seen no change in the level of government support, seeking to ease investor concerns after a local media report that regulators balked at China Hurarongs restructuring plan.May 6The company says it transferred funds to pay five offshore bond coupons due the following day, its latest move to meet debt obligations amid persistent doubts about its financial health.April 30China Huarong breaks its silence, with an executive telling media it is prepared to make its bond payments and state backing remains intact. The official also says the weeks rating downgrades have no factual basis and are too pessimistic.April 29Moodys Investor Service downgrades China Huarong by one notch to Baa1, adding the firm remains on watch for further downgrade. The cut reflects the companys weakened funding ability due to market volatility and increased uncertainty over its future, according to the statement.April 27China Huarong units repay bonds maturing that day. The S$600 million ($450 million) bond was repaid with funds provided by Chinas biggest state-owned bank, according to a Bloomberg News report.April 26Fitch Ratings downgrades China Huarong by three notches to BBB while dropping the companys perpetual bonds into junk territory. The lack of transparency over government support for the firm may hamper its ability to refinance debt in offshore markets, Fitch said.April 25China Huarong says it wont meet an April 30 deadline to file its 2020 report with Hong Kongs stock exchange because auditors needed more time to finalize a transaction the company first flagged on April 1. Securities and asset-management units said in the days before that they wouldnt release 2020 results by months end.April 22The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission asks lenders to extend China Huarongs upcoming loans by at least six months, according to REDD, citing two bankers from large Chinese commercial lenders.April 21China is considering a plan that would see its central bank assume more than 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) of China Huarong assets to help clean up the firms balance sheet, according to a Bloomberg News report. Peer China Cinda Asset Management Co. was said to be planning the sale of perpetual bonds in the second quarter.April 20China Huarongs key offshore financing unit says it returned to profitability in the first quarter and laid a solid foundation for transformation. Reorg Research reports that regulators are considering options including a debt restructuring of the unit, China Huarong International Holdings Ltd.April 19Huarong Securities Co. says it wired funds to repay a 2.5 billion yuan local note.April 16The CBIRC says China Huarongs operations are normal and that the firm has ample liquidity. These are the first official comments about the companys troubles. Reuters reports Chinese banks have been asked not to withhold loans to Huarong.April 13Fitch and Moodys both put the company on watch for downgrade. The finance ministry, which owns a majority of Huarong, is considering the transfer of its stake to a unit of the countrys sovereign wealth fund, Bloomberg News reports. Chinese officials signal they want failing local government financing vehicles to restructure or go bust if debts cant be repaid.April 9China Huarong says it has been making debt payments on time and its operations are normal. Bloomberg News reports the company intends to keep Huarong International as part of a potential overhaul that would avoid the need of a debt restructuring or government recapitalization. S&P Global Ratings puts China Huarongs credit ratings on watch for possible downgrade.April 8China Huarong is preparing to offload non-core and loss-making units as part of a broad plan to revive profitability that would avoid the need for a debt restructuring or government recapitalization, Bloomberg News reports.April 6Selling gains steam in China Huarongs dollar bonds, following a holiday in China. Huarong Securities says there has been no major change to its operations, in response to a price plunge for its 3 billion yuan local bond.April 1China Huarong announces a delay in releasing 2020 results, saying its auditor is unable to finalize a transaction. Stock trading is suspended and spreads jump on the firms dollar bonds while China Huarong tells investors its business is running as usual. Caixin reports the company submitted restructuring and other major reform plans to government officials and shareholders.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.


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As consumers get comfortable with their newfound digital wallets and gift cards, marketers must continue to adapt their strategies to changes in shopping behavior to better finesse the customer experience.

Both consumers and vendors have had non-stop adjustments. Lockdowns and social distancing requirements accelerated the adoption of new technologies. Commerce trends that were on the horizon pre-COVID-19 were suddenly adopted at a brisk pace. Online food ordering, curbside pickup, and BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) are presenting new challenges to store owners and brand marketers.

Commerce analysts do not see consumers shedding their newfound buying options in the wake of a post-pandemic marketplace. Concerns for health safety, social distancing, and remote working will remain as the center stage in the daily lives of millions of shoppers.

So brands must continue to assess how they can best meet the dramatically changing landscape of commerce. How brands deliver customer experience (CX) will determine where and how consumers continue to shop.

Four trends about customer experience and the new commerce will define 2021 and beyond, according to Jennifer Conklin, sector lead of unified commerce at Capgemini North America. Contactless customer experience, omnichannel shopping, personalization and changing customer journeys, and voice commerce will power the customer experience engine going forward.

"Consumer shopping and spending behavior have significantly shifted since the pandemic began in March 2020. Recent Capgemini research showed that 48 percent of holiday season purchases were for essential items, with consumers prioritizing clothing (36 percent), beauty/personal care products (21 percent), and electrical items (21 percent)," Conklin told CRM Buyer.

As for luxury products, Capgemini research showed that 47 percent of consumers expected a decrease in spend over the holidays while 29 percent predicted an increase in luxury purchases, she noted.

New Normal Sales Tools

Not all analysts are confident that consumers will ever return to brick-and-mortar stores as their primary shopping suppliers. Conklin is sure the four commerce drivers she identified have staying power. Her reasons make sense.

A contactless customer experience is one of the main demands indicated by consumers. Retailers that rolled out simple curbside options during the pandemic will put high-tech BOPIS and curbside offerings in place. Many shoppers still do not want to linger and browse in-store.

Omnichannel shopping has proven its value to shoppers looking for reliable delivery and better pricing options. Merchants who demonstrate that they are able to quickly get products to consumers, resolve issues with customer service, and provide fast delivery and returns will be the ones that thrive.

Personalization and changing customer journeys are the new sales tools. As brands look to understand new customer journeys, they must get creative online to improve engagement and increase customer loyalty, Conklin suggested.

Voice Commerce is the shopping tool just as voice commands are finding new uses in smart homes and electronic gadgets. Retailers will try to figure out how they can use voice to make the customer experience even more engaging.

Safety is still at the forefront of consumer concerns, noted Conklin. Last year, Capgemini research revealed that 77 percent of consumers expect to increase their use of touchless technologies to avoid interactions that require physical contact.

Her company's research found that 59 percent of consumers prefer to use voice interfaces in public places during the pandemic. Researchers do not expect that percentage to shrink in a post-pandemic era.

"If this is not on merchants' 2021 digital road maps, it needs to be added," she urged.

The Journey Counts

To better understand the changing directions of shopping journeys, merchants should inject more effort by adding a personalization element, according to Conklin. This helps the customer feel known and valued as they make their purchasing decisions.

"While there are several degrees of personalization capabilities, merchants can start small by incentivizing customers to create account profiles and fine-tune their segmentation efforts so the organization can reach out to the customer with the right message at the right time," she offered.

Data also plays an integral role when it comes to the success of personalization and omnichannel efforts. Companies need to ensure they are working with one central view of their customer across the organization from sales, service, marketing, and commerce, Conklin said.

"No matter who in the company is communicating with the customer, they need to have the relevant data at their fingertips to be successful in their role. This is also critical in order to deliver a consistent, seamless experience to the customer across every touchpoint in the customer journey," she explained.

This data and direct customer feedback can influence product sets as well. That enables retailers to further refine their inventory strategies cross-channel/cross-market, she added.

What's Ahead

Consumers' modes of interaction and habits have changed and are continuing to do so as we adapt to the "new normal," according to Durk Stelter, CRO of Linc, a CX automation platform provider in Sunnyvale, Calif. This year will bring further transition and change to retail. Shoppers' expectations continue to rise for anywhere, anytime interactions with brands.

"As the fixed boundary between workplace and home has eroded, so has the divide between daytime computer use and leisure time on mobile. Amidst overlapping worlds, digital shopping has become omnipresent and around the clock -- shifting among devices and following shoppers around their homes, into their cars, and on their cautious forays into the outside world," Stelter told CRM Buyer.

These trends will stick for now. However, as stores reopen, the trends will likely evolve, creating more cohesion between the online and in-store experience, suggested Shelly Socol, co-founder of 1R, a digital commerce and retail strategy agency in New York City. The online buying experience will continue to evolve and grow so it is inevitable that the trends will morph.

"However, the trends we are seeing today are ahead of their time due to the pandemic. Both merchants and consumers have progressed by leaps and bounds over the past year, Socol told CRM Buyer.

Merchants have been forced to build more robust shopping experiences and offer high-touch customer service. Consumers, on the other hand, have had to get used to shopping online more often, she described.

"What might have been once foreign and uncomfortable for them has become a standard, and it is likely consumers will not revert back to shopping only in-store even when they are fully open," predicted the 1R co-founder.

Differing CX Realities

Managing CX is becoming different now for in-store commerce versus e-commerce, according to Capgemini's Conklin. In-store traffic remains at an all-time low. But e-commerce channels have invested heavily in robust customer experience capabilities.

"Since customers do not want to browse and shop in-store, the online digital experience needs to mimic the in-store experience. This means intuitive navigation, detailed product pages with full imagery, and personalized technology to foster loyalty," advised Conklin.

Brands and retailers will also start to invest more in immersive technologies to bring products to life and embed this functionality into their sites, she noted. This will enable customers to configure products using a 3D configurator, augmented reality, or virtual photography.

"Once the pandemic subsides, the in-store shopping experience will return and likely be more immersive than ever before. Stores will likely carry less inventory and allocate space to be utilized for unique and engaging experiences such as product demonstrations, classes, spa treatments, cafes, and so much more where customers can spend time in-store," she predicted.

CX in general has dramatically changed since the pandemic started. Customers expect 24/7 individualized personalization support on everything from pre-purchase information, to order support, returns, and loyalty and membership information, observed Linc's Stelter.

"The rising degree of difficulty for customer service interactions requires organization-wide responsiveness and flexibility. As brands increasingly turn to automated solutions to help manage the volume of inquiries, the quality of digital-human interactions is crucial," he said.

Create Seamless Shopping Experiences

A primary consideration is changing how marketers use chatbots, as Stelter sees it. To meet the challenges of 2021, digital interactions must be adaptive and empower the consumer to drive the conversation.

In order to improve their customer experience, merchants need to focus on accessibility, noted Meghan Brophy, retail and e-commerce analyst at Fit Small Business. That is one aspect of online shopping that has been neglected for too long.

"To truly offer a great customer experience, merchants need to make online shopping accessible to all. Simple changes like labeling form fields, adding alt text to images, and not using strikethroughs to show sale prices can make a big difference," she told CRM Buyer.

More important than ever is for consumers to have a seamless shopping experience. Shoppers are starting and completing buying journeys using a mix of channels, and they all need to work together smoothly, explained Brophy.

For example, a customer might start on a brand's Instagram page and add items to the cart. Then the customer visits the website later to complete the purchase and picks up the order in-store.

Many options exist for brands to maximize the online customer experience. Helpful and fast customer service is key, in addition to free shipping and easy returns. SMS is also a rising form of communication with consumers and is becoming a must, offered 1R's Socol.

Brands should also build and utilize flexible landing pages populated with both content and products. These pages can form the foundation for marketing purposes to drive traffic. Brands can create storytelling experiences that complement the website and allow the brand to produce unique content for different target audiences.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.


The World Health Organization said Thursday that one in 10 COVID-19 patients experience persistent ill health 12 weeks after having had the virus and urged health authorities to take their situation seriously.

At a virtual news conference Thursday, WHO's Europe division released a policy brief that documents how different countries in the region have responded to patients who suffer long-term COVID-19 symptoms.

WHO European director Hans Kluge said so-called "long COVID" can bring symptoms that include severe fatigue, chest pain, heart inflammation, headache, forgetfulness, depression, loss of smell, recurrent fever, diarrhea and ringing in the ears.

The policy brief says available data shows about one in four people with COVID-19 show symptoms about a month after testing positive, while one in 10 experience symptoms after 12 weeks.
This photo provided by Hasbro shows the new Potato Head world. Hasbro created confusion on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, when it removed the gender from its Mr. Potato Head brand, but not from the actual toy. The company, which has been making the potato-shaped plastic toy for nearly 70 years, announced that it was dropping Mr. from the brand in an effort to make sure all feel welcome in the Potato Head world. Hasbro clarified in a tweet that the Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head characters will still exist, names and all, but the branding on the box will say Potato Head. (Hasbro via AP) PHOTO:Hasbro via AP

Mr. Potato Head Drops the Mister, Sort of

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Is it Mr. Potato Head or not?

Hasbro created confusion Thursday when it announced that it would drop the Mr. from the brands name in order to be more inclusive and so all could feel welcome in the Potato Head world. It also said it would sell a new playset this fall without the Mr. and Mrs. designations that will let kids create their own type of potato families, including two moms or two dads.

But in a tweet later that afternoon, Hasbro clarified that the Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head characters will still live on and be sold in stores, but under the Potato Head brand. In a picture posted on Twitter, the Mr. and Mrs. names are less prominently displayed at the bottom of the box, instead of the top.

While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand name & logo are dropping the MR. I yam proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD arent going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD, the company tweeted.

The tweet came after news of the brand name change exploded on Twitter, with people asking if Barbie will change her name next. I think Hasbro needs to drop the Bro and just be Has,' another person tweeted.

Hasbro appears to want to have it both ways: expand the brand, while not killing off its most iconic characters, which appeared in the Toy Story films.

They are looking to broaden the franchise, said Robert Passikoff, founder of marketing consultancy Brand Keys. You take the focus of what is essentially one character and now allow it to be a platform for many characters.

Kimberly Boyd, a senior vice president at Hasbro, said the intention of the brand name change was to be more inclusive and to have the characters still live within the Potato Head universe.

It created a lot of excitement," she said about the reaction.

GLAAD, an LGBTQ advocacy group, applauded the more inclusive Potato playset.

Hasbro is helping kids to simply see toys as toys, which encourages them to be their authentic selves outside of the pressures of traditional gender norms, said Rich Ferraro, GLAADs chief communications officer, in a statement.

Many toymakers have been updating their classic brands in recent years, hoping to relate to todays kids and reflect more modern families.

Its a potato, said Ali Mierzejewski, editor in chief at toy review site The Toy Insider, about the new playset. But kids like to see themselves in the toys they are playing with.

Barbie, for example, has tried to shed its blonde image and now comes in multiple skin tones and body shapes. The Thomas the Tank Engine toy line added more girl characters. And American Girl is now selling a boy doll.

Mr. Potato Head first hit the toy scene in 1952, when it didnt even come with a plastic potato  kids had to supply their own vegetable to poke eyes, a nose or mustache into. Hasbro, which also makes Monopoly and My Little Pony, bought the brand and eventually added a plastic spud.

Women will now also be able to have highlights in their hair and wear conservative shades of lipstick and nail polish, so long as they are not eccentric, exaggerated, or faddish, and they can wear stud earrings while not in field training or combat.

And the regulations for the first time include guidance on breastfeeding, allowing soldiers to wear a specifically designed nursing T-shirt under their camouflage coat, and authorizing women to unzip the uniform and, without using a cover, breastfeed anywhere the soldier and child are otherwise authorized to be.

The share of women in the military has grown steadily since World War II, though during the early years of integration the all-male leadership kept women in token nursing and secretarial roles, often with their rank and pay capped. Families were considered a breach of regulations. Women who became pregnant in uniform were automatically discharged until 1972, when a young lawyer named Ruth Bader Ginsburg helped take the Defense Department to the Supreme Court.

Since the 1970s the number of women in the Army has grown from about 2 percent to about 15 percent of the force. In recent years, they have integrated into nearly all combat units and been promoted to senior leadership positions.

Today the once-reluctant military is now actively seeking to make serving more attractive to women, said Kate Germano, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and former head of the Service Womens Action Network, an advocate for women in uniform, because leaders realize they cannot succeed without them.

Its a matter of national defense, Ms. Germano said. We just dont have enough male candidates to do the job.

The military has developed an especially outsize reliance on Black women, who, Ms. Germano noted, account for nearly a third of all women in the military, even though they make up only about 15 percent of the civilian female population. Black women now serve in the military at a far higher rate than any other demographic group.
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In this photo illustration reports on Facebook's news ban on Australian and International content on February 18, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Facebook Restores News Pages to Australia

Facebook has restored news to its platform after reaching a deal with the federal government on Australias world-first news media bargaining code.

Facebook pages for News Corp and Nine newspapers, TV networks, ABC, and SBS were restored on Friday morning, less than a day after the news media bargaining code passed Parliament.

The government agreed to change the code after the tech giant banned Australian users from accessing news.

Google struck deals worth millions of dollars with news organisations before the code comes into force.

Facebook on Friday announced it had signed letters of intent with smaller publishers Private Media, Schwartz Media and Solstice Media.

Seven West Media has a similar arrangement, while Facebook is in negotiations with other outlets.

Under the code, the treasurer can designate platforms that would then be forced to pay for news content after arbitration.

Facebook last week pulled news in Australia before a tense stand-off with the government ended on Wednesday.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he was pleased with the outcome despite having to make changes to the original bill.

Whats clear to us is that what has transpired in recent weeks in Australia has very much been a proxy battle for the world with major global ramifications, he told Sky News. If this was so easy other countries would have done it long ago.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison discussed the issue with his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga overnight.

By Matt Coughlan
Hailey Bieber was back in black as she stepped out for a late dinner in Malibu with a friend.

The 24-year-old wife of global pop star Justin Bieber was spotted leaving Nobu in Malibu on Thursday night.

The blonde beauty was not seen with her husband, though she did announce through her Instagram she will be the keynote speaker at the Create & Cultivate Positively Minnie Polka Dot Summit 2.0 (The Digital Edition) this weekend.

Back in black: Hailey Bieber was back in black as she stepped out for a late dinner in Malibu with a friend

Bieber was spotted wearing a stylish black top over a knee-length black leather jacket as she headed out of Nobu.

She stayed safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic with an orange face mask covering her mouth and nose, with a thin necklace and hoop earrings.

The supermodel completed her look with a pair of chic black pants and pointed-toe black boots.

Hailey's look: Bieber was spotted wearing a stylish black top over a knee-length black leather jacket as she headed out of Nobu.

Bieber also took to her Instagram story to reveal she's the keynote speaker at the Polka Dot Summit 2.0.

The summit will be held on February 27, in conjunction with National Polka Dot Day, which spotlights, 'modern day muses who, like Minnie, connect the dots between the bold, fun, classic and fashionable aspects of what it means to be you.'

Creative & Cultivate founder/CEO Jaclyn Johnson will moderate the event, with other speakers such as Jonathan Van Ness and Marsai Martin, to name a few.

Speaker: Bieber also took to her Instagram story to reveal she's the keynote speaker at the Polka Dot Summit 2.0

Bieber's keynote speech will feature her talking about, 'the power of authentic positivity - in mind, body and business, and how she weaves it into her daily life.'

The speech will happen from 10:35 AM to 11:35 AM on February 27, and fans can sign up to RSVP for the digital event at CreateCultivate.com.

She also recently spoke about her marriage to Bieber in an interview with People, where she said they live a 'very healthy lifestyle.'

Speech: Bieber's keynote speech will feature her talking about, 'the power of authentic positivity - in mind, body and business, and how she weaves it into her daily life'

'I did a cleanse where I was flushing my liver and just drinking a ton of water and juice and tea and soups,' she said.

'We use the same hairbrush all the time, which I feel like when you're married or you live with someone, you just start to use each other's s**t,' she added.

The couple briefly dated in December 2015 and January 2016 before reconciling in May 2018, getting engaged in July 2018 and confirming they were married in November 2018, with a full ceremony in South Carolina in September 2019.
Guwahati, Feb 26 : Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran on Friday met Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and latter emphasised trade and ties on agriculture, agri products, information technology, textile besides discussing various bilateral issues and enhancing mutual trade and business, officials said.

An official of CM's secretariat said that during the discussion, Sonowal flagged issues concerning bilateral trade and commerce for the mutual interests of both Bangladesh and Assam. The Chief Minister while highlighting the areas like agriculture, agricultural products, information technology, textiles, said that both Assam and Bangladesh should work to explore markets in their respective territories for the mutual benefits.

He also said that since Assam is a next-door neighbour to Bangladesh, there should be frequent exchange programmes between both the geographical entities.

According to an official release, the Chief Minister also advocated for improvement of connectivity between Assam and Bangladesh through waterways, airways and roadways.

Referring to 'Act East Policy', Sonowal said that riding on this policy Assam and Bangladesh should collaborate for a new high in their mutual relations. Bangladesh envoy said that his country is very eager to have more trade and cultural ties with Assam.

The visiting High Commissioner also emphasised on restrengthening import and export between Assam and Bangladesh with cooperative collaborations.

Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Chief Minister's Legal Advisor Santanu Bharali, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Paban Borthakur, Principal Secretary to Industry and Commerce K.K. Dwivedi, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Guwahati Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, First Secretary Bangladesh High Commission Zakir Ahmed were present during the meeting.

Imran on Tuesday also met Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and discussed various bilateral issues and the latter had requested the envoy to enhance mutual trade and business.
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For the second year running, Cill Dara le Gaeilge, in partnership with Sallins-based community group Sult na Sollan, is organising Meitheal Chill Dara, an Irish language conference for County Kildare.

This annual conference focuses on language planning in County Kildare and is the only county-wide language planning event of its kind in Ireland. Meitheal Chill Dara provides an excellent networking opportunity for the Irish language community, for language activists, for service providers, for businesses and for anyone with a general interest in the development of the Irish language within the county  to share news, to exchange ideas and to talk about plans for the year ahead. The event provides a platform to promote upcoming events, to share best practices and to listen to key-note speakers. The event will be hosted virtually this year on Zoom on March 6 and anyone can register here.

Cill Dara le Gaeilge is the lead organisation for Irish language planning in County Kildare. The process of drafting the first ever Irish language plan for Co. Kildare started back in 2017 in cooperation with Sult na Sollan. A series of workshops, surveys and community meetings were arranged with multiple drafts being written and re-written before the final version of the first ever county-wide plan for County Kildare was launched on 28th February 2019 in Aras Chill Dara, Naas. The plan and video highlights from this launch event are available online. Cill Dara le Gaeilge aims to support local firms who wish to promote their business through the Irish language as well as supporting community groups that organize Irish language events in the county.

Meitheal Chill Dara will start at 14:30 on Saturday, March 6. It is a great honour for Cill Dara le Gaeilge that the event will feature a statement of support from Minister Catherine Martin and also from Minister of State Jack Chambers. The Irish language officer from Kildare County Council will also address attendees. The schedule will have plenty of representation from groups and community activists from all parts of the county and will also feature keynote speeches from Victor Bayda, who is an Irish language planning officer for Ghaeltacht Uibh Rathaigh and also from Caoimhin o hEaghra, Ardrunai An Foras Patrunachta. Colm O Mongain from RTE will the fear an ti hosting proceedings on the day.
A Boeing 777 airliner on Friday made an emergency landing in Moscow with engine problems, the operating airline said, six days after another model rained down engine debris over the United States.

Russia's state-owned Rossiya airline said the crew had registered the 'incorrect operation of the engine control sensor' on a cargo flight from Hong Kong to Madrid and 'decided to make an emergency landing in Moscow.'

Online flight trackers confirmed the flight was carried out with a Boeing 777.

The airline said the unscheduled landing went ahead without incident and that no one was injured. The plane was due to continue its onward journey to Madrid after a delay of several hours, it added.

The incident came just days after Boeing confirmed that dozens of its 777 aircraft were grounded globally resulting from the engine of a United Airlines plane catching fire and scattering debris over a suburb of Denver, Colorado.

The Boeing 777 airliner operated by Russia 's state-owned Rossiya airline on Friday made an emergency landing in Moscow with engine problems. Pictured: A Boeing 777 passenger plane operated by the Rossiya Airlines at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport (file photo)

Rossiya told AFP later Friday that the Boeing 777 that made the emergency landing in Moscow was fitted with a different make of engine to the plane that shed engine parts in the United States last week.

The Rossiya aircraft was fitted with General Electric's GE90-115B engines, according to the AirFleets website, while the United Airlines jet that shed parts of its engine over Colorado was fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines.

The PW400 engines are used on 128 planes, less than 10 percent of the 1,600 777 wide-body jets that have been delivered globally.

'During the cargo flight No. 4520 Hong Kong  Madrid an incorrect operation of the engine control sensor was revealed,' Rossiya Airlines said in a statement retorted by The Independent.

'The base airport of the Rossiya Airlines  Sheremetyevo International Airport (Moscow)  was on the route.

'The crew of the plane requested to make the emergency landing. The landing took place normally,' the statement said.

'The aircraft will continue the flight to Madrid after 12.00 Moscow time on 26 February 2021,' it confirmed.

Pictured: The engine of United Airlines Flight 328 on fire after experiencing a 'right-engine failure' shortly after takeoff from Denver International Airport, Saturday, February 20, 2021

Flightradar24, a flight tracking service, showed the 15-year-old jet landed in Moscow at 4.44 a.m. local time after a nine-and-a-half hour flight.

When contacted for comment, Boeing directed the MailOnline to Rossiya airline's press office. General Electric have been contacted and are yet to respond.

The United Flight engine failure was a fresh blow for the beleaguered US aviation giant that was forced to ground another fleet of planes after a series of deadly crashes.

Malfunctions in engines are not uncommon and most airplanes are designed to be able to fly for several hours on one engine until crew identify and land at the nearest available airport.

Investigators have attributed the Denver incident to a fan blade that broke off soon after takeoff due to metal fatigue and debris that breached the engine cover, known as a cowling.

On Thursday, it was reported that Boeing had been working to strengthen engine covers on the 777 for two years before the United Airlines flight.

Pictured: United Airlines Flight 328 approaching Denver International Airport, after experiencing a 'right-engine failure'. Investigators have attributed the Denver incident to a fan blade that broke off soon after takeoff due to metal fatigue

The aerospace giant was working with the Federal Aviation Administration to strengthen protective engine covers following similar problems on earlier flights preceding Saturday's emergency landing, The Wall Street Journal reported.

An internal FAA document reads: 'Boeing has decided to redesign the fan cowl instead of trying to modify existing fan cowls to address both the structural strength concerns.'

While no one was hurt in the incident, the episode raised questions about maintenance on the jets. Broken fan blades should be contained by engines and their protective covers.

The planemaker and the FAA had been discussing potential fixes for about two years, following an earlier incident in 2018, according to the Journal.

On Tuesday night, the FAA ordered inspections of all Pratt & Whitney engines similar to the one that broke apart. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating.

On Thursday, it was reported that Boeing had been working to strengthen engine covers on the 777 for two years before the United Airlines flight

Although immediate attention has focused on the engine's manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, Reuters has reported that its cowling is manufactured by Boeing.

Both Boeing and the FAA avoided discussing specifics on the efforts to modify the 777. Such changes typically require significant evaluation and testing.

The damaged-blade theory is reminiscent of a 2018 disaster on board a Southwest Airlines flight, when a broken fan blade triggered an explosion that smashed a window, killing a woman who was blown outside.

The same year, another United Airlines Boeing 777 suffered an engine failure that caused parts of the housing to break off and fall into the Pacific Ocean as the plane flew from San Francisco to Honolulu.

In December last year, a Japan Airlines Boeing 777 with the same Pratt & Whitney engines suffered fan blade damage and lost a large panel.

Boeing's reputation was battered by two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving its 737 MAX aircraft.
Capital for Colleagues plc - Result of AGM

Capital for Colleagues plc / EPIC: CFCP / Market: AQSE / Sector: Investment

26 February 2021

CAPITAL FOR COLLEAGUES PLC

('Capital for Colleagues' or the 'Company')

RESULT OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Capital for Colleagues, the investment vehicle focused on opportunities in the Employee Owned Business ('EOB') sector, is pleased to announce that all the resolutions were duly passed at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held today.

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the contents of this announcement.

**ENDS**

For further information, please visit www.capitalforcolleagues.com or contact:



CAPITAL FOR COLLEAGUES PLC

Richard Bailey, Chairman

Alistair Currie, Chief Executive

01985 201 980 PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED

Mark Anwyl

Allie Feuerlein 020 7469 0930

Capital for Colleagues

Capital for Colleagues is an investment company focused on the UK EOB sector. The Company has a proven management team, with a wide network of contacts and affiliates, as well as established access to investment opportunities, enabling the Company to execute its strategy and capitalise on EOB-focused investment opportunities. In addition, the Company educates and assists companies that are looking to launch employee ownership schemes, advising them, amongst other things, on how to secure investment and achieve their objectives.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation EU 596/2014 as it forms part of retained EU law (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
The Colombia government on Wednesday approved the extradition to the United States of a drug trafficker who is linked to Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's cartel and who is also accused by Venezuelan government of playing a role in a plot to overthrown its president.

Elkin Lopez, is known as 'La Silla' and 'Doble Ruedas' - meaning 'The Chair' and 'Double Wheels'. He is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair as a result of having survived an assassination attempt in 2018.

He allegedly conspired to produce cocaine and ship and distribute it to the U.S., according to the Eastern District of Texas.

Venezuelan officials have also accused Lopez of loaning out his farm on Colombia's Caribbean coast to a group that was attempting to overthrow their president in May 2020.

The failed plot - dubbed Operation Gideon - involved Venezuelan military deserters being trained by dissidents and an American security firm, Silvercorp USA, headed by ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau.

The extradition to the US is on the drugs charges alone, and unrelated to the Venezuelan allegations.

Lopez turned himself in to Colombian authorities in December 2019 after he showed up at a clinic seeking medical treatment for an ailment in his kidneys.

Elkin Lopez, who is also known as 'La Silla' and 'Doble Ruedas', or 'The Chair' and 'Double Wheels,' allegedly conspired to ship cocaine to the United States, produce and distribute it, according to the Eastern District of Texas. His extradition to the U.S. was approved Wednesday by Colombia's Ministry of Justice

Venezuela's government claimed Colombia drug trafficker Elkin Lopez met several times with the plotters of the failed May 2020 plot to remove President Nicolas Maduro (pictured)

The United States filed a petition for his extradition after he was placed under house arrest in May 2020.

Colombian newspaper El Heraldo reported that Lopez maintained close working ties with El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel.

Colombia's Ministry of Justice revealed that Lopez shipped drugs to other countries and enriched himself by charging other cartels to use his smuggling routes.

In October 2020, authorities seized Lopez's assets, valued at $2.6 million, alleging he obtained the fortune from his criminal activities.

A member of a drug trafficking ring that operated out the Caribbean coastal city of Barranquilla and that was busted in February 2020 confessed to authorities that under Lopez's blessing, the organization was able to ship at least 500 kilos of cocaine on a monthly basis to the Sinaloa Cartel.

The gang made up to $2 million from each shipment and paid Lopez a commission fee that ranged from 5% to 20%.

Lopez was also accused by Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez of loaning his farm to a group of mercenaries who were being trained by ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau in a failed coup to remove President Nicolas Maduro in May 2020.

Rodriguez said that on May 1, two boats set off from a farm owned by Lopez off Colombia's Caribbean coastal department of La Guajira that borders with Venezuela.

According to Colombia's Ministry of Justice, Elkin Lopez received commission payments ranging from 5% to 20% each time a local drug trafficking organization used his routes to ship cocaine

Lopez is said to be a family member of Marta Gonzalez, wife of former general Cliver Alcala, who fled the regime three years ago, turned himself in to Colombian authorities in March 2020 before he was extradited to the United States.

Alcala, the Venezuelan government claims, also worked with Goudreau to put together the botched plot.

Goudreau, 43, a former U.S. Army paratrooper and head of a private-security company, Silvercorp USA, identified himself last year as the ringleader of the failed Operation Gideon.

Goudreau hatched the plot with a rebellious former Venezuelan Army General, Cliver Alcala, to secretly train dozens of Venezuelan military deserters in secret camps in Colombia to carry out a swift operation against Maduro.

He claims he was hired last year by opposition leader Juan Guaido, something the U.S.-backed Venezuelan lawmaker has denied.

The failed military incursion, which aimed to capture socialist leader Maduro, resulted in the detention in Venezuela of two of his former special forces colleagues: Airan Berry, 41, and Luke Denman, 34.

Berry allegedly told a Venezuela interrogator on video that the plotters had met with Lopez on several occasions.

Eleven Venezuelans were also arrested as President Maduro revealed that they had knowledge of the raid plans after infiltrating the group in Colombia and were waiting to capture them.

The attack was foiled as the group attempted to enter Venezuela on fishing boats. Locals alerted authorities and they were subsequently arrested.

Six men were killed and almost all 47 of the others involved were captured.

Goudreau, who was coordinating the operation, was stuck in Florida after a boat he had intended to use to get him to Venezuela broke down and coronavirus travel restrictions left him stranded.

In a lengthy interview with Rolling Stone, Goudreau said he believes the plot had a good chance of being successful but blames everyone from double agents to the DEA and the FBI, for scuppering his plans.

'Had we succeeded, you really think that the Guaido administration would have said, 'That's not us, we want nothing to do with this'? Do you think that Donald Trump would have said, 'That wasn't us'? Every motherf***** that I talked to would have said, 'That was us! U.S.A., baby!' They would have taken credit for all of it. And if you say it's not true, you're pretty naive.'

Although the Trump administration used sanctions and support for political opponents in an attempt to pressure Maduro to step down, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said there was no 'direct' U.S. involvement in the attempted coup.
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Moscow is deliberately destroying the Minsk agreements, escalating the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

A spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, Oleh Nikolenko, has said the ministry accuses Russia of deliberately escalating the Russian-Ukrainian conflict over the intention to attract residents of the occupied part of Donbas with Russian passports to vote in the elections to Russia's State Duma.

"The intention to ensure residents of the temporarily occupied districts of Donbas cast their votes in the elections to Russia's State Duma is another attempt to violate state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," he told UNIAN.

Read alsoDonbas war update: Ukraine records 10 ceasefire violations on Feb 25Participation of residents of certain districts of Donbas in Russian elections and plebiscites, as well as the issuance of Russian passports to them, is illegal, Nikolenko stressed.

"Russia is deliberately destroying the Minsk agreements and escalates the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," he added.

"The participation of residents of Donbas, as well as residents of temporarily occupied Crimea, in these elections will call their legitimacy into question, and the results of such a vote will not be recognized by either Ukraine or the international community. We call on Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories not to participate in these elections," Nikolenko added.

Reporting by UNIAN

Adam Driver is taking no chances when it comes to the COVID-19 virus, wearing two masks on the set of Gucci.

The 37-year-old actor was spotted rehearsing for a scene on a grey motorcycle and a black convertible on the Rome set of director Ridley Scott's new film.

Driver's co-star Lady Gaga was not seen on the set, just hours after it was revealed her two French bulldogs were stolen and her dog walker was shot twice and is in critical condition.

Double mask: Adam Driver is taking no chances when it comes to the COVID-19 virus, wearing two masks on the set of Gucci

Driver was spotted wearing a long-sleeved light blue denim shirt with dark blue denim jeans and brown work boots.

He double-masked up with a black mask over his white mask, both covering his mouth and nose, while he also wore a black motorcycle helmet for safety.

A wristwatch with a brown leather band was seen peeking out from under his blue denim shirt as he rode the grey motorcycle.

Adam's look: Driver was spotted wearing a long-sleeved light blue denim shirt with dark blue denim jeans and brown work boots

Driver plays Maurizio Gucci, the grandson of Gucci fashion brand founder Guccio Gucci in the film, which follows the aftermath of his murder.

Lady Gaga plays his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, who was convicted of hiring a hitman to kill her husband in 1995.

Ridley Scott is directing the film, which also stars Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci, Jared Leto as Paulo Gucci,

New role: Driver plays Maurizio Gucci, the grandson of Gucci fashion brand founder Guccio Gucci in the film, which follows the aftermath of his murder

Driver's co-star Lady Gaga reportedly remained in her hotel on Thursday, after the news that her dog-walker was shot twice in Hollywood and her two French bulldogs were stolen.

The dog walker was transported to a local Los Angeles hospital and is currently in critical condition.

Reps for Lady Gaga have also confirmed that she is offering a $500,000 reward for information about her beloved Bulldogs.

Hotel-bound: Driver's co-star Lady Gaga reportedly remained in her hotel on Thursday, after the news that her dog-walker was shot twice in Hollywood and her two French bulldogs were stolen

Ridley Scott directs Gucci, which also stars Jeremy Irons as Rodolfo Gucci plus Jack Huston, Reeve Carney and Camille Cottin in unspecified roles.

Driver will next be seen in French director Leos Carax's R-rated musical Annette with Marion Cotillard, which doesn't have a release date yet.

He also stars in The Last Duel, alongside Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, which is currently in post-production.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Affinor Growers Inc. (Affinor or the Company) (CSE: AFI) (OTCQB: RSSFF) announces, further to its news release dated January 22, 2021, that the Company has closed a non-brokered private placement of 28,714,285 units of the Company (the Units) at $0.035 per Unit for gross aggregate proceeds of $1,004,999.98 (the Offering).

Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company (a Share) and one common share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional Share (a Warrant Share) at a price of $0.05 per Warrant Share, on or before February 26, 2022.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws ending on June 27, 2021. The Company paid aggregate cash finders fees totaling $18,208.92 to certain eligible finders.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering to fulfil its obligations pursuant to its recently announced lease agreement with Nicholas Brusatore.

The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold absent registration or compliance with an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Nick Brusatore: Now that we are enabled with funds It will certainly be a pleasure to finally showcase our patented, automated, vertical farming technology to the world, I personally look forward to serving the Affinor Growers shareholders and working diligently with our team to get this high-profile agriculture project into revenue.

About Affinor

Affinor is a publicly traded company listed on the CSE under the symbol AFI and on the OTCQB under the symbol RSSFF. Affinor is focused on developing vertical farming technologies and using those technologies to grow fruits and vegetables in a sustainable manner.

To learn more about Affinor, visit: https://www.affinorgrowers.com/en

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Affinor Growers Inc.

Nick Brusatore

Director /CEO

nick@affinorgrowers.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that 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, 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.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-21 04:39:23|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov said on Saturday that Russia may explore the possibility of allowing Lebanon to produce the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, the National News Agency reported.

"We are ready to help Lebanon and its people in all fields, including the fight against COVID-19 ... there will be communication with the relevant companies to discuss the possibility of manufacturing Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Lebanon," Rudakov said.

The ambassador's remarks came during his visit on Saturday with Lebanese Caretaker Industry Minister Imad Hoballah to Arwan Pharmaceutical Industries, an advanced biotech manufacturing facility, in the town of Jadra in Mount Lebanon, to check the company's methods of manufacturing medicines.

Hoballah hoped that the visit would open the way to discussions to produce the Russian vaccine in Lebanon with help from Moscow.

Lebanon has received on Saturday the second batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines and expects to receive more shipments in the coming period.

The country's number of COVID-19 infections reached 353,371 so far while the death toll from the virus is 4,297. Enditem
AI facial analysis is scientifically questionable. Should we be using it for border control?

Developments in global border control technologies are providing innovative ways to address issues relating to migration, asylum-seeking and the introduction of illegal goods into countries.

But while governments and national security can benefit from this, advanced surveillance technology creates risks for the misuse of personal data and the violation of human rights.

Technology at the border

One of U.S. President Joe Bidens first actions was to introduce a bill that prioritizes smart border controls, as part of a commitment to restore humanity and American values to our immigration system.

These controls will supplement existing resources at the border with Mexico. They will include technology and infrastructure developed to enhance the screening of incoming asylum seekers and prevent the arrival of narcotics.

According to Biden, cameras, sensors, large-scale x-ray machines and fixed towers will all be used. This likely entails the use of infrared cameras, motion sensors, facial recognition, biometric data, aerial drones and radar.

Under the Trump administration, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) partnered with controversial data analytics firm Palantir to link tip-offs from police and citizens with other databases, in a bid to arrest undocumented people.

Similarly, from 2016 to 2019, Hungary, Latvia and Greece piloted an automated lie-detection test funded by the European Unions research and innovation funding program, Horizon 2020.

The iBorderCtrl test analyzed the facial micro-gestures of travelers crossing international borders at three undisclosed airports, with the aim of determining whether travelers were lying about the purpose of their trip.

Avatars questioned travelers about themselves and their trip while webcams scanned face and eye movements.

Europes border and coastguard agency Frontex has also been investing in border control technology for several years. Since last year, Frontex has operated unmanned drones to detect asylum-seekers attempting to enter various European states.

While Australia has been slower to implement enhanced surveillance at maritime borders, in 2018 the federal government announced it would spend A$7 billion on six long-range unmanned drones to monitor Australian waters. These arent expected to be operational until at least 2023.

Automated border control systems, however, have been used since 2007. SmartGates at many international airports use facial recognition to verify travelers identities against data stored in biometric passports.

Last year, Australias Department of Human Services implemented the Enterprise Biometric Identification Services. The system was reportedly rolled out to meet an expected surge in demand for visa applications and citizenship.

It combines authentication technology with biometrics to match the faces and fingerprints of people who wish to travel to Australia.

Misuse of data

Governments may promise, as the Biden administration does, that technology will only serve legitimate agency purposes. But data misuse by governments is well documented.

Between 2014 and 2017 in the U.S., ICE used facial recognition to mine state drivers license databases to detect illegal immigrants.

Refugees in various countries, including Kenya and Ethiopia, have had their biometric data collected for years.

In 2017, Bangladeshi Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu said the government was collecting biometric data from Rohingya people in the country to keep record of them and send them back to their own place.

Data misuse can also happen when questionable science is involved. For instance, emotion recognition algorithms used in unproven lie-detection tests are highly problematic.

The way people communicate varies widely across cultures and situations. Someones ability to answer a question at a border could be affected by trauma, their personality, the way the question is framed or the perceived intentions of the interviewer.
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Rating: Solid neighborhood option

NEW BRAUNFELS  In the parking lot of Duckys Swimwear & T-Shirts in New Braunfels, chef Christelle Chalmers looks out the window of a green and white trailer the size of a walk-in closet, just big enough for her Haitian-Asian fusion operation called Christelles Culinary Corner.

On alternating days, the trailer for rent hosts the Cajun Cookery and a sandwich vendor called Jacks Italian Beef. But on Mondays and Tuesdays, it belongs to Christelles, with food prepared by a chef who was born in New York City, brought up in Haiti and traveled as a Christian missionary to Ethiopia, Puerto Rico, Thailand and back to Haiti.

Chalmers also peppers in a liberal helping of food inspired by the Filipino congregants of the Harvest City Church she attends, and the result is a trailer proud to feature Haitian-Korean barbecue, Philippine lumpia and cinnamon rolls made from her great grandmothers recipe together on the same menu.

On ExpressNews.com: Masshole makes lobster rolls with attitude at San Antonio food truck

Best dish: Lumpia, fried eggrolls, at Christelles are about the size of a harmonica, and their music comes from a gossamer wrapper fried to an amber crunch, wrapped around finely ground beef with pork thrown in for juiciness (12 for $9). The high notes come from Haitian spicing, dominated by herbs with bursts of garlic, ginger and chives.

Other dishes: Chalmers said her interest in lumpia and the noodle dish called pancit arose from seeing her fellow parishioners bring them to church functions.

Its the staple for any occasion, she said, and her pancit is a faithful, homestyle rendition, with thin, bouncy rice noodles punctuated by cabbage, chicken, celery and carrots in a stir-fry that radiates warmth and comfort ($12).

Mike Sutter /Staff

The big herbal flavors of Haitian cooking and the sweet smokiness of Korean barbecue sauce find solid balance in Christelles Haitian-Korean BBQ Chicken ($10), cooked to order on the flat-top grill with celery, carrots and finger-size bites of a biscuit-style bread that Chalmers calls Grandma Sharps Rolls in honor of her great grandmother.

Mike Sutter /Staff

The menu changes on a regular basis, but a recent visit brought the green-and-orange glow of a fresh kale and mango salad ($12) and a refreshing strawberry-watermelon lemonade ($6) that Id put up against my favorite fruit-stand aguas frescas. It paired nicely with a fist-size cinnamon roll with no interest in perfect spirals, making up for its lack of discipline with uninhibited flavor and more icing than you could possibly need and just about the amount that you secretly want ($5).

On ExpressNews.com: 7 great restaurants for Philippine food in San Antonio

Catch Chalmers at her stand at the New Braunfels Farmers Market on Saturdays, and you might catch a taste of her kolaches and pick up a bottle of zesty Island Green Sauce she makes through her sister business, Golden Pineapple. Chalmers also offers portrait photography, a fitting side venture for a kitchen where the food creates a complete picture of the person cooking it.

msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking | Instagram: @fedmanwalking
Feature Article

Argonne scientists track community spread of COVID-19 in wastewater

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Wastewater provides a clue to virus transmission.

In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to improve testing has been key to addressing the spread of disease. While much effort has focused on testing individual people, scientists have begun to explore large-scale sampling of wastewater to understand patterns of viral transmission over larger areas.

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory are participating in a pilot study to sample wastewater at some of the Chicago area's wastewater treatment plants.

"This technique is very versatile," Grippo said. "It's not going to stop COVID-19, but it is going to give us another tool in our toolkit to grapple with it."

"The idea is that some people might contract the virus and be asymptomatic, but they'd still be shedding the virus," said Argonne ecologist Mark Grippo, who is leading Argonne's effort in wastewater-based epidemiology. "Wastewater monitoring would give us a window into how the virus spreads throughout a community in the early stages of an outbreak -- you can follow not only the initial outbreak, but also the overall trends over time. Plus, once doctors start administering the vaccine, you can see how viral loads change in wastewater."

This project, known as the Chicago Prototype Coronavirus Assessment Network Node, or PCANN, looks to create a Chicago-based wastewater surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The system would provide a noninvasive and cost-effective way to examine community spread of the virus. By giving advance warning of emerging viral hotspots up to a week earlier than traditional tests, wastewater surveillance could give public health workers valuable time to mobilize and protect communities from uncontrolled outbreaks.

This idea is generally called wastewater-based epidemiology and has been used to trace polio outbreaks in communities, including in Israel in 2013.

One potential advantage of doing wastewater-based epidemiology is that it can help cities focus where they may want to deploy further testing efforts, Grippo said. To get a neighborhood-by-neighborhood view of the COVID-19 epidemic, they hope to sample multiple locations within the Chicago sewer system to get trends in specific neighborhoods that can inform city public health officials about testing. This neighborhood-scale sampling could also help determine where more resources might be needed for vaccination, if the virus remains detectable after broader vaccination has occurred.

"This is by no means meant to be a substitute for testing, but it's meant to further reinforce the data collection on how the virus is being transmitted in certain communities and help out testing efforts," Grippo said. However, he indicated that it may not be fully useful in justifying restrictions or other interventions given how people travel between different regions.

At Argonne, researchers will be performing genomic sequencing of the virus from wastewater to look at variation in strains present in different communities, said Argonne sequencing laboratory manager Sarah Owens.

Live virus is not studied at Argonne. Studies have found evidence for tracking introduction events of the virus based on the mutations present in the genome and have used this evidence to understand transmission patterns.

Sequencing can also detect new mutations as they arise. While this project is focused on targeting the SARS-CoV-2 genome specifically, future projects could focus on sequencing the wastewater more broadly to monitor for novel pathogens. "This is a genetic-based test, so you can test for pretty much any kind of pathogen that may come along in the future," Grippo said. Genomic sequencing, paired with other pathogen detection methods, is also complemented by work in data analytics and integration as part of PCANN.

One additional use of wastewater-based epidemiology is to look for opioids in wastewater as an indicator of opioid addiction. "This technique is very versatile," Grippo said. "It's not going to stop COVID-19, but it is going to give us another tool in our toolkit to grapple with it."

Additional wastewater-based epidemiology projects are underway in Arizona, Ohio, Utah and Virginia.

This work is funded by the Walder Foundation and is being led by the University of Illinois-directed Discovery Partners Institute and includes researchers from Argonne, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northwestern University and the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
SALEM, Ore. -- Republican lawmakers boycotted an Oregon Senate session Thursday, over the state's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod says the Republican Caucus is demanding that Democrat leaders bring an increased sense of urgency and focus on the biggest issues facing Oregonians.

Throughout the pandemic, the Legislature has abdicated too much responsibility to the governor," Girod said. "We cannot sit by and watch the governor fail to deliver on the biggest issues facing Oregonians today. It's time to take some of the responsibility and get to work on the issues that matter most to Oregonians. We are demanding legislation aimed at school reopenings, vaccine distribution, economic recovery, and government accountability be moved to the top of the priority list.

Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner said, "Senate Republicans continue to sabotage Oregon's democracy and undermine the will of the voters. They have abdicated the oaths of office many of them took just weeks ago. They continue to accept pay, benefits and daily expenses from Oregon taxpayers all while completely obstructing the business before the Legislature  the peoples work."

This is not the first time Senate Republicans have walked out on a legislative session. In 2020, Republicans boycotted over a climate change measure. Republicans also walked out twice in 2019.
(Newser)  A New Jersey family has experienced another tragedy after far too many of them in recent weeks. Warda Syed, 35, and her 11-year-old son, Uzair Ahmed, were found dead in a river in Boonton's Grace Lord Park on Tuesday evening after a passerby called 911 to report that a 6-year-old boy was crying out for his mother, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Police, who believe the deaths were unintentional, located the bodies by following footprints that led into the water from Syed's vehicle, per NJ.com, which reports officers first found Syed's 6-year-old son standing near the riverbank. A man said to be a cousin of the family's landlord tells NBC New York that Syed's husband is in hospital battling Stage 4 cancer. Syed's sister died from coronavirus in Pakistan days ago, less than two weeks after Syeds brother succumbed to the same illness, the man adds.

story continues below

He also cites a detective as saying Syed had shopped for "food, groceries, hair color, everything," suggesting she did not commit suicide. NBC reports she would sometimes feed ducks at the river. The site features signs warning of a steep drop as well as an emergency call box, per WLNE, and CBS2 notes that the walkway to the river was icy. It's a "horrible situation," says Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll. "We're going to spend some time on this and do a thorough investigation," adds Morris County Sheriff James Gannon. Syed worked as a substitute teacher with Boonton Public Schools and in the after-school program. "We are heartbroken at the loss of our community member, parent, and fellow staff member Warda Syed and our 4th grade student, her son Uzair Ahmed," the superintendent says. (Read more New Jersey stories.)
Ghazipur, Feb 26 : It has been three months since the farmers have been protesting against the Union farm laws at the borders of the national capital. Now, a cycle march will be held across the country to intensify the farmers' protest and mobilise the people against the farm laws.

This cycle march will cover 8,308 kms from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. It will start on March 12.

The rally will pass through 20 states and those who cannot ride bicycles will be able to join the protest on other vehicles.

According to the farmers who are participating in the cycle march, more than 50 people from the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders at Delhi have shown interest in this march. At the same time, from youngsters to the elderly, all are joining this cycle march.

Akshay, who is involved in the cycle 'yatra', told IANS, "We are taking out a cycle march which will be held from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. We will make people aware about the farmers' protest through this 'yatra' and will inform them about the Union farm laws." "This cycle march will be launched from March 12, with nearly 70 to 80 people from the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders set to join the yatra." Sanjay Singh told IANS about the cycle 'yatra' and said,"We are taking out a 'Kisan Cycle March' of 8,308 km from Kanyakumari passing through 20 states.

"We will try to gather farmers from all over the country to protest against the way the corporate sector is tightening its grip on the Central government." There have been 11 rounds of talks between the Central government and farmer organizations, but no consensus has been achieved so far. On the other hand, both the farmers and the Union government are ready to start negotiations again, but have not yet been able to come to the negotiating table.

Farmers have been protesting at various borders of the national capital since November 26, 2020 against the three newly enacted farm laws.

The farmers are protesting against the Central government bringing in the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
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The argument over Harris County's expanded voting hours has reached the Texas Legislature.

Texas Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) filed a bill Thursday that would restrict polling hours during early voting to between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

TWEETIN' TED: Ted Cruz has thoughts on Biden's Health and Human Services appointee

The bill is a direct response to Harris County's voting expansion for the 2020 election. Harris County opened seven voting locations for over 24 hours as part of the effort to expand voting access during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"Momma always said nothing good happens after midnight," Patterson tweeted after filing the bill. "That includes at polling places. I filed HB 2293 because of irregularities in Harris County polling hours of operation and the opportunity for voter fraud when no one is looking."

HOUSTON HEROES: What 'Mattress Mack' told Ellen DeGeneres about Houston's recovery from winter storm

There has been no evidence of widespread voting irregularities in Harris County. Attorney General Ken Paxton's beefed-up voter fraud investigation unit resolved only 16 cases of fraud, all in Harris County and all involving false addresses, the Houston Chronicle's Taylor Goldenstein reported last year.

Harris County broke its all-time voting record in 2020. More than 10,000 people voted overnight Oct. 29-30, including myself - from those who came late for the novelty to those who have trouble finding a time to vote otherwise - Houston Chronicle's Alejandro Serrano and Dug Begley reported.

This isn't the first challenge to Harris County's polling expansion last year. In response to the county offering drive-thru voting, Republicans filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court alleging that the votes cast in cars were illegal. A federal judge eventually rejected the challenge.

If passed, HB 2293 would take effect on Sept. 21.
Mayfield Man Charged with Attempted Murder

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD - A Mayfield man is facing attempted murder and other charges following an investigation into a shots fired call earlier this week.Thirty-year-old Charles Ahlfield was arrested Thursday on charges of attempted murder, wanton endangerment and fleeing or evading police. He was lodged in the Graves County Jail.Mayfield police officers responded to a call of shots being fired near an apartment complex on Monday, but before they arrived, the shooter fled the scene in a blue pickup truck. The truck was located on Mayfair Drive but the driver ran off the road into a yard, and then fled on foot.Two passengers in the truck, 38-year-old Christopher Worley of Todd County and 29-year-old Kelsey Delk of Wingo, remained at the scene. During the investigation, officers found stolen property in the bed of the truck.Worley and Delk were both arrested and charged with receiving stolen property under $10,000. Delk was additionally charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance.
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Just as the Delhi government had asserted that the pandemic had been "defeated" in the national capital, cases are on the rise again dramatically, as doctors on Friday warned that the numbers could go up in the coming months and urged people to continue to wear masks and follow COVID-19 safety norms.

Many doctors at leading healthcare facilities here cautioned that the rise was "alarming" with an "upsurge" in the number of patients going there in the last couple of days, after the cases had shown a downward spiral for nearly six weeks.

Delhi had recorded 94 fresh COVID-19 cases on February 16, the lowest in over nine months then. However, after a week on February 24, it more than doubled to 200 and increased further to 220 on Thursday and 256 on Friday.

Health experts and doctors on Friday attributed this "sudden rise" to complacency in people and not following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and "assuming all is well now".

Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine at Apollo Hospital, said he "wasn't surprised" to see the rise in daily cases as so many people have thrown caution to the wind, attending parties and big social gatherings, with many of them not even wearing masks, let alone maintaining social distancing.

"The behaviour pattern seen in the West and elsewhere tends to get seen in India, a month later, as it happened in reporting of the first case in Kerala and so on and so forth. So, if the US and UK are seeing a surge again, we should have become more watchful and not complacent. The next two months will be even more critical and I would not be surprised if the cases show a much higher upward trend," he told PTI.

Chatterjee, himself a COVID-19 survivor, lamented that people are attending birthday parties, marriages and house warming functions, with very few people wearing masks or not wearing them properly and not adhering to safety norms needed to check the spread of the virus that has a "mutant tendency" as seen in the UK.

Dr Richa Sareen, pulmonology and critical care consultant at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, echoed Chatterjee's apprehensions.

"The surge in the last three days is alarming. From 94 cases earlier this month, it has gone up to 220 reported yesterday. At our hospital, the number of patients showing up with Covid-like symptoms or making calls to enquire after exhibiting the symptoms, has gone up. These patients had a travel history, or had just attended a marriage function or other social gathering," she said.

The senior doctor warned that cases will spiral up faster if people continue to show complacency in their behaviour and stop taking precautions.

"Travel restrictions are not there, malls and markets are open, and public transport is operational since the successive unlocks, and vaccination started in January, so many people are assuming that now all is well. And several family members and friends are meeting in a group without following COVID-appropriate behaviour. So, cases are rising," Sareen said.

The Fortis hospital doctor underlined that the "second major wave" of the pandemic is being seen in the US and UK, and Indian cities should be more watchful, particulary Delhi, after rise in case being reported in Maharashtra and Kerala.

Sareen also blamed the lack of adherence to COVID-19 safety norms to travellers, social media influencers, bloggers, posting photos and videos of their trips and shoots, many of them without masks, lulling their friends and followers into a "false sense of safety".

"These big social media influencers should show some responsibility as their acts are followed by others. Also, many people these days are travelling and posting pictures on Facebook and Instagram, from Varanasi and Goa, seen without any mask on. This affects the psyche of others and they tend to feel the situation is normal again, while it is not. We need to be more cautious and behave more responsibly if we have to combat this pandemic effectively in the long run," she said.

The Delhi government mid-February had said that it had "firmly fought the war against coronavirus".

On February 16, the city had recorded 94 cases while the positivity rate had slipped to 0.17 per cent and number of fatalities had also reduced. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on that day had said the pandemic had been "defeated" in the national capital through a number of combative measures, including aggressive testing, home isolation and enforcement of COVID-19 safety norms.

While the number of death cases have largely remained low in the past several weeks, the daily cases, active cases, home isolation cases, and positivity rate have shown an upward trend in the last few days.

No fresh death was registered on Thursday, as per data shared by officials. This was the fourth time the single-day fatality count had been nil this month. On February 9, 13 and 17 too, no fatality had been recorded.

On Friday, the positivity rate rose to 0.41 per cent from 0.34 per cent on Thursday, while the infection tally in the city increased to 6,38,849, according to the latest health bulletin issued by the city government. The positivity rate was 0.24 per cent on February 20.

The active cases tally on Friday jumped to 1,231 from 1,169 the previous day, according to the bulletin.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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The Kwara State Government has approved the use of hijab in all public schools in the state and directed the 10 schools it shut last week to reopen on Monday.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Mamma Jibril, Thursday evening.

Recall that the government, last Friday, directed the temporary closure of 10 grant-aided secondary schools in Ilorin, the state capital, pending the resolution of the controversy on the use of hijab (head covering).

The schools are C&S College, ST. Anthony College, ECWA School, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, CAC Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School.

At the meetings held with government, leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities refused to shift ground.

While the Muslim leaders insisted their students should be allowed to use the head covering in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, their Christian counterparts demanded respect for the religious background of the schools.

Resolution

However, according to its statement on Thursday, the state government said it has considered all the submissions, the education law of the state and prevailing court judgments.

The government said it has paid particular attention to the declaratory nature of the subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal and their purports.

Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab, and directs the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to come up with a uniform hijab for all public/ grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools. Any willing schoolgirl with the approved (uniform) hijab shall have the right to wear same in public/grant-aided schools, he said.

Also, the government affirms the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship. The government hereby directs that the affected 10 schools should reopen to commence classes on Monday 8th March 2021.

Similarly, the government has carefully noted submissions regarding ownership of grant-aided schools and related issues. While the status of these schools is the subject of judicial determination, this and other related matters will soon be subjected to a technical committee to advise accordingly. The government reassures all members of the public that it will act in good conscience at all times.

The government asserts that there is no victor or vanquished on the hijab question. It urges the two faith communities, especially the leaders, opinion moulders and media personalities to act with restraint and great responsibility in their public utterances and actions, and continue to live in peace and harmony with one another. The government commends all the thought and religious leaders on both sides for their forbearance, understanding and commitment to peace.
Gathering limits have eased and mask-wearing rules have loosened under new restrictions in Victoria that public health experts and business leaders expect will mark the first of a series of uninterrupted steps back towards regular life.

Encouraged by the start of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and the effectiveness of Victorias contact tracing system against the test of another hotel quarantine breach, Deakin University chair of epidemiology Catherine Bennett said any retightening of restrictions should not be necessary let alone another lockdown.

Premier Daniel Andrews struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Friday, two weeks after announcing a five-day lockdown. Credit:Joe Armao

The more people who take up the vaccine, the more confident the government will be, Professor Bennett said. Youll still have contact tracing, youll need hand hygiene, you may need to adjust mask rules occasionally but you wont need to tell people to stay in their home.

In a move aimed at bolstering contact tracing, the state government is set to announce on Saturday that it will make QR codes compulsory in taxis and ride-sharing vehicles for passengers to enter their contact details. Software will also be provided to businesses who operate their own QR code service to allow the details to be fed directly into the governments contact tracing system.
The investigator lacks authority to comment, Iran claimed.

Iran dismissed as "immature" a statement by a UN investigator that inconsistencies in its explanation of the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane last January raised questions over whether the act was intentional, Iranian media reported on Thursday.

Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said on Tuesday she had found no concrete evidence the plane was targeted intentionally but that Iran had not proven it was accidental, Reuters reports.

After denying blame for three days, Iran's Guards said they had shot it down by mistake while under high alert for a possible attack. Hours earlier it had attacked U.S. targets in Iraq in retaliation for Washington's killing of Iran's top general five days before.

Spokesman for Irans foreign ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said Callamard's "sphere of activity has nothing to do with these regulations and frameworks. Rather, her unwarranted involvement might not have a constructive impact on the legal procedures as well."

Callamard, who carried out a six-month investigation into the case under her global mandate, said on Tuesday that Iran had not replied to her detailed queries. She is stepping down from the independent post at the end of March, a year early in the six-year term, to take another job, officials said.

Read alsoPS752 downing: Iran violated multiple human rights obligations, UN experts sayKhatibzadeh accused her of rushing out her statement.

"Maybe one of the reasons of this unwarranted haste is her resignation from her post as special rapporteur, and by issuing an immature and impetuous text ... she may have been promised a new job positions," Iran's state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.

"Accordingly, some charges have been levelled against the Islamic Republic of Iran without any valid evidence and documents."

In December, Khatibzadeh said an indictment would be issued in less than a month against "those whose negligence caused the accident". But Iran's military court, which is handling the case, has yet to publicly announce it.

PS752 downing: Background

On January 8, 2020, Kyiv-bound Boeing 737 passenger jet flight PS752, operated by Ukraine International Airlines, crashed in Iran shortly after takeoff from Tehran Airport.

All 176 people on board, including 11 Ukrainian nationals  nine crew and two passengers  were killed. Among victims are also citizens of Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani admitted that the Ukrainian liner had been shot down as a result of an unintentional "human error," and promised to bring those responsible to justice.

On June 9, media reports said Iran had accused six persons in the PS752 downing case.

On July 20, the flight recorders were delivered to Paris and decrypted on July 21.

On July 24, it was reported that data from the black boxes had confirmed external interference with the aircraft's operation.

On October 23, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Yenin said Iran would pay compensation to the relatives of victims of the UIA flight PS752 crash, but the process might last up to two years.

On December 9, however, Yenin said that Iran had withdrawn the offer to handle the payments to the families of those killed in the UIA plane crash.

In the middle of December, Canada expressed its position on the Iranian investigation into the downing of the Ukrainian plane, saying it is not credible.

On December 22, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Iranian investigators, during a video conference, had provided representatives of other countries whose citizens were victims of the crash with a technical report on the UIA downing.

On December 23, Yenin said Ukraine had not received the report.

On December 24, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed concern that Iran was delaying the negotiation process on the case of the downed Ukraine International Airlines plane. He noted that Ukraine had not received a technical report from Iran on the plane downed almost a year ago.

On December 30, Iranian cabinet members reportedly agreed at a session to allocate US$150,000 or its equivalent in euros to each family of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash in January 2020.

On January 7, 2021, Rouhani said all those responsible for the downing of the plane would be brought to justice.

The Canadian government and security agencies are reviewing an audio recording in which a man  identified by sources as Iran's foreign affairs minister  discusses the possibility that the destruction of Flight PS752 was an intentional act.

On Iranian Military Prosecutor's Office has completed a pre-trial investigation into the incident, Iranian media reported February 21.

Reporting by UNIAN
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Highlights Realme will focus on the Rs 20,000 - 30,000 segment of smartphones in this year.

The biggest drive for Realme phones will be 5G this year.

Realme may also launch an electric juicer and an air purifier.

Realme has come a long way. It has managed to grab many firsts for itself, while the aggressive pricing for products helped it reach India's top five smartphone brands' charts. Smartphones are Realme's primary business, but it does not want to be known as a phone company, which is why the company has diversified its product lines over time to include earphones, televisions, smart products, and clothing. And with every launch event, Realme keeps increasing the products in their respective categories. The latest one is the Narzo 30 series launch, where not only the two new smartphones were launched, but Realme also introduced its gaming accessories and launched a new pair of earbuds.

Along the lines of the new launches, India Today Tech had a chance to sit with Madhav Sheth, who is the chief executive officer for Realme India, Europe and vice president of Realme. Sheth gave a preview of what Realme is planning for the future, how the diversification of product categories will move further, the company's huge bet on the 5G market in India, and the star of this week's launch, the Narzo 30 Pro that is India's most affordable 5G phone right now. Edited excerpts from the interview below:

More 5G phones and IoT products

Perhaps the biggest part of Realme's plan for this year is doubling down on 5G phones. This means more smartphones. Realme will "make a new breakthrough" in the Rs 20,000 - 30,000 segment in India, Sheth told India Today Tech.

"Realme's strategy in 2021 will be focused on two main things - being a '5G leader' and 'realme TechLife'. 5G is a key growth pillar for Realme this year," Sheth said.

Last year, Realme launched India's first 5G phone, the X50 Pro. But this year, it is trying to populate the market with 5G phones. "We will also be launching 5G smartphones across price segments and let everyone be future-ready in 2021," he added.

In its bid to become a tech-lifestyle brand, Realme is focusing hugely on the AIoT segment. And this involves a TechLife platform that will get third party companies onboard.

"We are also initiating Realme's new masterplan: realme TechLife," he added.

The partnering companies will leverage Realme's R&D supply, and quality assurance and their products will be supported by the Realme Link app, which is a one-stop solution for Realme's IoT range. Sheth said Realme has received "many applications and have started early-stage discussions with multiple companies who are interested to join the "realme TechLife" project". All these new products will bear the "realme TechLife" branding.

Electric juicer, air purifier in the pipeline?

Realme's expanding portfolio may soon include an electric juicer and an air purifier that, Sheth said, are among the top products consumers are expecting. There will also be smart speakers from Realme soon, as well as from partnering companies that will be a part of the Realme TechLife project.

"We are still checking with our realme fans about their most expected products. We have received a high demand for speakers, so we have started planning our product pipeline accordingly," said Sheth.

What makes TWS an important category?

"I think it's a good product segment with many real user benefits, and I believe it will be more widely accepted as a must, especially for the young generation," Sheth said on the TWS audio segment. "This adds to the personal entertainment experience and privacy which is needed by everyone and doesn't influence others."

Why 5G over 65W fast charging in Narzo 30 Pro?

According to Sheth, a certain feature's priority depends largely on what the customers want and at what price. For Narzo 30 Pro, 5G outplayed the 65W fast charging that its predecessor Narzo 20 Pro features.

Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G

"We have a very clear positioning for each series which actually came from the diversified demand of the consumers across different price segments. Like Narzo series is for young players and multi-taskers hence processor, battery and charging are pretty important for this series," Sheth explained.

But why a huge gap between two 5G phones?

While the first 5G phone from Realme India was launched last year in February, the company's second one came just a few days back with the launch X7 series. It was a time of almost one year wherein no other 5G phone was launched by Realme.

Sheth believes that was because "5G was not affordable at that time, and most operators were not clear of the 5G commercialisation plan in the first half of 2020."

The 5G deployment may still take over six months considering the pace the government is moving ahead with, but at least, this year, the rollout seems more likely than it did last year.

"Since the end of 2020, more operators started to talk about their plans of 5G commercialisation and with much more options of powerful 5G processors. That's why there was a one-year "gap". Realme is always consumer and product-centric and doesn't do things for gimmicks," Sheth told India Today Tech.

With great sales comes great after-sales

Realme is one of the major mobile phone brands in India right now. And with growing sales, the after-sales needs to be robust.

"We have scaled up our after-sales service infrastructure to bring realme users the benefits of 360-degree Real Service. It encompasses after-sales service, exclusive service centre, pre-sales and 'Call Me' services," said Sheth.

Realme has been scaling up its customer support infrastructure. Realme now has 436 service centres for mobiles and AIoT products, which are called the "Carry-In" service, and over 600 service centres for TVs reaching 19,000 pin codes across India, called "On-site" service.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - This Aug. 19, 2015, file photo, shows a monarch butterfly in Vista, Calif. The number of western monarch butterflies wintering along the California coast has plummeted to a new record low, putting the orange-and-black insects closer to extinction, researchers announced Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. A recent count by the Xerces Society recorded fewer than 2,000 butterflies, a massive decline from the millions of monarchs that in 1980s clustered in trees from Marin County to San Diego County. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

The number of monarch butterflies that showed up at their winter resting grounds in central Mexico decreased by about 26% this year, and four times as many trees were lost to illegal logging, drought and other causes, making 2020 a bad year for the butterflies.

The government commission for natural protected areas said the butterflies population covered only 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres) in 2020, compared to 2.8 hectares (6.9 acres) the previous year and about one-third of the 6.05 hectares (14.95 acres) detected in 2018.

Because the monarchs cluster so densely in pine and fir trees, it is easier to count them by area rather than by individuals.

Gloria Tavera, the regional director of Mexico's Commission for National Protected Areas, blamed the drop on extreme climate conditions, the loss of milkweed habitat in the United States and Canada on which butterflies depend, and deforestation in the butterflies' wintering grounds in Mexico.

Illegal logging in the monarchs wintering rounds rose to almost 13.4 hectares (33 acres), a huge increase from the 0.43 hectare (1 acre) lost to logging last year.

Jorge Rickards of the WWF environmental group acknowledged the lost trees were a blow, but said the logging is very localized in three or four of the mountain communities that make up the butterfly reserve.

In addition, wind storms, drought and the felling of trees that had fallen victim to pine beetles or disease, caused the loss of another 6.9 hectares (17 acres) in the reserve, bringing the total forest loss in 2020 to 20.65 hectares (51 acres). That compares to an overall loss of about 5 hectares (12.3 acres) from all causes the previous year.

Tavera said the drought was affecting the butterflies themselves, as well as the pine and fir trees where they clump together for warmth.

The severe drought we are experiencing is having effects, Tavera said. All the forests in the reserve are under water stress, the forests are dry.

The butterflies are looking for water on the lower slopes, near the houses, she noted.

Tavera also expressed concern about the sever winter storms in Texas, which the butterflies will have to cross  and feed and lay their eggs  on their way back to their northern summer homes in coming months.

This is a cause for worry, Tavera said, referring to whether the monarchs will find enough food and habitat after the winter freeze.

It was also a bad year for the mountain farming communities that depend for part of their income on tourists who visit the reserves. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, visits fell from around 490,000 last year, to just 80,000 in the 2020-2021 season.

Environmentalist and writer Homero Aridjis, who grew up around the reserve, said the decline in butterflies and rise in logging was not surprising, given the reduction in Mexican government funding for protected natural areas and environmental work.

While the reserves were closed to tourism during practically the whole (winter) season, the way was open for loggers, with no control, Aridjis said. The question is, can the monarch migration survive this environmental negligence?

The U.S. group Center for Food Safety called for the monarchs to be granted endangered species protection, noting the minimum population threshold needed to be out of the danger zone of extinction is six hectares.

It was unclear whether the drop in tourism income contributed to the increased logging. Rickards said there has long been pressure on the area's forests from people who want to open land for planting crops.

Felipe Martinez Meza, director of the butterfly reserve, said there have been attempts to plant orchards of avocados  hugely profitable crop for farmers in the area  in the buffer zones around the reserve.

The high mountain peaks where the butterflies clump in trees are probably a bit above the altitude where avocado trees like to grow, Martinez Meza said. But the buffer zones provide protection and support for the higher areas, and he said more must be done to combat the change in land use.

Frequently, illegal logging is carried out by outsiders or organized gangs, and not by the farm communities that technically own the land.

Millions of monarchs migrate from the U.S. and Canada each year to forests west of Mexicos capital. The butterflies hit a low of just 0.67 hectares (1.66 acres) in 2013-2014.

Loss of habitat, especially the milkweed where the monarchs lay their eggs, pesticide and herbicide use, as well climate change, all pose threats to the species migration.

While there was plenty of bad news for the butterflies  very few showed up to some historic wintering sites like Sierra Chincua  there was the welcome news that a new wintering site was discovered nearby, in a mountaintop near the Lagunas de Zempoala protected area, near Mexico City.

Tavera said the wintering site had always been there, but was so difficult to reach that it wasn't discovered until earlier this month.
(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC and Amgen Inc on Friday said positive full results from the Navigator phase III trial of tezepelumab showed a reduction in the annualised asthma exacerbation rate in severe, uncontrolled asthma patients.

Tezepelumab blocks the action of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, an epithelial cytokine that plays a key role across the spectrum of asthma inflammation.

The Cambridge, England-based biopharmaceutical company also said tezepelumab demonstrated statistically significant improvements in every key secondary endpoint compared to placebo.

"These are ground-breaking results for the many patients with severe asthma who continue to face debilitating symptoms despite receiving standard of care inhaled medicines and currently approved biologics," said Andrew Menzies-Gow, director of the Lung Division, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, and principal investigator of the Navigator phase III trial.

"Tezepelumab has the potential to transform treatment for a broad population of patients with severe asthma regardless of their type of inflammation, including those with and without an eosinophilic phenotype," added Menzies-Gow.

Astra shares were trading 0.3% lower in London on Friday afternoon at 6,989.00 pence each. Amgen was up 0.6% to USD228.89 in the New York pre-market.

By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Papua New Guineas first prime minister, Michael Somare, has died aged 84, his daughter said on Friday.

Known as the father of the nation, Somare led the Pacific archipelago to independence from Australia in 1975 and served four times as prime minister.

Sir Michael Somare, PNGs father, has died. Credit:Reuters

He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early February, his daughter, Betha Somare, said in a statement.

She said many Papua New Guineans had embraced her father as their own father and grandfather.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 02:03:16|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on Friday told the Security Council that parties concerned should seize the opportunity of the upcoming elections in Palestine to help restore hope for Palestinians and Israelis.

"It is critical to begin the process of restoring hope to Palestinians and Israelis that the achievement of the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace can be realized," the senior Norwegian diplomat told the Security Council videoconference on the situation in the Middle East.

"Palestinian factions are making progress towards holding legislative, presidential and Palestinian National Council elections," said Wennesland.

He added that earlier this month they met in Cairo, reaching agreement on several outstanding issues and advancing the election process.

The factions also emphasized that elections must be held throughout the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, without exception, said the envoy.

According to Wennesland, the Central Elections Commission on Feb. 17 closed voter registration and announced 421,000 new registrants during the period, raising the total registered voters to over 2.6 million, 93 percent of all eligible voters according to population estimates from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

Roughly 80 percent of the 1.56 million voters who will be voting for the first time are under 30 years old, said Wennesland, noting that "it is encouraging to see such strong public participation in the democratic process."

"We must seize emerging opportunities," said the Middle East peace envoy.

"The upcoming elections in Palestine may be one such opportunity. The extraordinarily high registration rate among the Palestinians is a resoundingly positive response from the people of Palestine in support of President Abbas' call for elections."

"It is a clear indication that they want to be a part of deciding their own political future," he said.

Wennesland noted that the holding of free and fair elections across the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a crucial step towards reestablishing Palestinian national unity, one that can renew the legitimacy of national institutions, including a democratically elected Legislative Council and Government in Palestine.

"Elections will also help to clear the path towards restoring a legitimate political horizon to realize a two-state solution. The United Nations, alongside its partners in the Middle East Quartet, will continue to support Palestinians and Israelis in their efforts to achieve that goal," said Wennesland.

The envoy pledged that the United Nations would continue to work collectively to support the Palestinian people, including through facilitating and supporting preparations towards these important elections. Enditem
US President Joe Biden on Thursday held his first phone call with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia. The two leaders discussed regional security, the US commitment to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against the Iranian-aligned groups, human rights abuses, and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen. US Presidents telephonic conversation was aimed to address the longstanding partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia.

The President noted positively the recent release of several Saudi-American activists and Ms. Loujain al-Hathloul from custody, and affirmed the importance the United States places on universal human rights and the rule of law, a White House Press release stated. Saudi Arabia, last week, released the prominent womens rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul from the prison, having held her in detention for nearly three years. Al-Hathloul was set free after the Biden administration pressurized Riyadh to reform its human-rights accords. The womens rights activist was arrested after she pushed for the removal of the ban on driving for women in Saudi Arabia. She was sentenced to 6 years in jail in December 2020 and was charged under the Islamic nations counterterrorism law.

Read: US Jobless Claims At 730K, Still High But Fewest In 3 Months

Read: US Treasury Secretary Calls For Global Immunisation, Asks G20 To Help Poor Nations

Unclassified report from US intel on Khashoggi

Furthermore, the White House informed, that President Biden told King Salman that he would work to make the bilateral relationship as strong and transparent as possible, adding that he affirmed the historic nature of the relationship and agreed to work together on mutual issues of concern and interest. Even as Bidens call was made to the Saudi King ahead of the release of an unclassified report from the US intelligence on journalist and Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, the president, in his telephonic conversation, nowhere mentioned Khashoggi or the critical report. Earlier, in a statement, The White House said that the United States Office of the Director of National Intelligence will publish the report that could expose King Salman's son, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, colloquially known as MBS, in an alleged crime. Kingdom's state-run Saudi Press Agency, meanwhile, did not mention Khashoggis report due to be published by the US while speaking about the call between Biden and King Salman.

Read: US Surgeon General Nominee Vivek Murthy Says His First And Foremost Priority Is To Turn Coronavirus Pandemic Around

Read: India-Pakistan Ceasefire Pact Is 'positive Step Towards Greater Peace & Stability': US
A Sacramento high school teacher used an offensive gesture during a Zoom class on Thursday, prompting a district investigation.

Nicole Burkett, a Spanish teacher and student advisor at Grant Union High School, was seen in a video making an offensive "slanted-eyes" gesture to her class.

The gesture has been invoked by pro athletes, renowned chefs and beauty influencers in recent years. It also comes as a wave of anti-Asian violence, particularly toward older individuals, afflicts Northern California and the nation at large.

Per KCBS in Sacramento, Burkett made the gesture while explaining racist stereotypes towards Asian Americans that she deemed to be more common in the 1980s.

"If your eyes go up, youre Chinese. If they go down, theyre Japanese. If theyre just straight, you dont know," she allegedly said during the class, reported the Sacramento Bee.

A student in her class, according to a now-deleted post on Facebook, allegedly told Burkett: "I should leave your class right now."

According to data published by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 16% of Grant Union students are Asian. The removed post indicated that many students on campus are Hmong.

"The video is shocking and disappointing and does not represent the values held by Twin Rivers and the community," read a statement posted on Facebook by Darris Hinson, Grant Union High's principal. "An investigation was immediately launched when we were notified about the video."

He added, "Please know that Twin Rivers is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil learning environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect."

"The Board of Trustees will do everything within its authority to address the situation," said School Board President Michelle Rivas in a statement.

Burkett was hired by the district in 2017, according to a public database of district employee salaries.

It is unclear what repercussions Burkett will be facing. Hinson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.
A dozen troops on an amphibious transport dock ship and several more on a guided-missile cruiser have tested positive for the illness caused by the new coronavirus while deployed to the Middle East, prompting leaders to send the vessels into port to prevent widespread outbreaks.

The amphibious transport dock San Diego, which has been operating in the Middle East with sailors and Marines aboard, is in Bahrain after about a dozen service members on the ship tested positive for COVID-19. The infected troops have been isolated aboard the ship, and the crew remains in a "restricted COVID bubble," U.S. 5th Fleet officials said in an early Friday morning statement.

The cruiser Philippine Sea, which last month intercepted $2.8 million of heroin in the North Arabian Sea, will also soon pull into port to test all crew members after several people on that ship tested positive for the virus. Navy officials declined to disclose the port location ahead of the cruiser's arrival, citing operational security.

Read Next: 39-Year-Old Navy Chief Is 4th Sailor in 20 Days to Die of COVID-19

"U.S. 5th Fleet is committed to taking every measure possible to protect the health of our force," the statement adds. "While the health and well-being of our personnel are a priority, we remain ready to support the U.S. Central Command mission and our regional and coalition partners."

The Navy has lost four sailors to COVID-19 this month and seven to the virus since the start of the pandemic. Nearly 1,700 sailors have caught the virus -- most of whom were assigned to the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, which experienced a massive outbreak last year.

These are the first at-sea COVID-19 outbreaks to interrupt operations since the Roosevelt and destroyer Kidd had to halt missions in 2020. The Navy has introduced a host of safety measures to prevent outbreaks at sea. Sailors must quarantine for weeks ahead of deployments, and ships no longer make regular port visits, leaving some operating at sea for more than 200 days straight.

The outbreak aboard the Roosevelt left a chief petty officer dead and the carrier sidelined for weeks. The commanding officer of that ship was relieved of command, and the acting Navy secretary at the time later resigned over scrutiny of his handling of the crisis.

Navy officials said Friday that health professionals are conducting a "thorough contact investigation" to determine the source of COVID-19 aboard the two deployed ships and whether any other personnel may have been exposed.

The Navy has been coordinating with the Bahraini government and ministry of health since the San Diego arrived there, officials added. The ship is equipped with medical staff, operating rooms and a 24-bed hospital ward.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: Navy Crews with 100% COVID-19 Vaccine Rates Get OK to Relax Rules at Sea
Two US Navy warships operating in the Middle East have been struck by coronavirus outbreaks, authorities said Friday, with both returning to port in Bahrain.

A dozen troops aboard the USS San Diego, an amphibious transport dock, tested positive for COVID-19, said Commander Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea also has 'confirmed several cases of COVID-19,' she said.

'All positive cases have been isolated on board, and the (ships) remains in a restricted COVID bubble,' Rebarich told The Associated Press.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (above) has 'confirmed several cases of COVID-19,' a military spokesperson said. The ship is seen above in this 2014 photo leaving Naval Station Mayport in Mayport, Florida

A dozen troops aboard the USS San Diego (pictured in 2014), an amphibious transport dock, tested positive for COVID-19, according to the military

'The port visit and medical support have been coordinated with the host nation government and Bahrain Ministry of Health.'

The San Diego sails with nearly 600 sailors and Marines aboard, while the Philippine Sea carries some 380 sailors.

The 5th Fleet patrols the waterways of the Mideast.

Its vessels often have tense encounters with Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Gulf through which 20% of all oil traded worldwide passes.

The Navy's largest outbreak so far in the pandemic was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which had to be sidelined in Guam for nearly two months last year.

More than 1,000 sailors tested positive and one died.

Eventually all of the 4,800 crew members were sent ashore in Guam for weeks of quarantine, in a systematic progression that kept enough sailors on the ship to keep it secure and running.

Earlier this month, three sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt tested positive for the coronavirus. The Navy's largest outbreak so far in the pandemic was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which had to be sidelined in Guam for nearly two months last year. It is seen above arriving back to San Diego after the initial outbreak onboard last year

The ship's captain Brett Crozier (pictured above), who pleaded for faster action to protect his crew from the rapidly spreading virus, was fired

The failure of the ship's leaders to properly handle the outbreak exploded into one of the biggest military leadership crises in recent years.

The ship's captain, Brett Crozier, who pleaded for faster action to protect his crew from the rapidly spreading virus, was fired and the one-star admiral on the ship had his promotion delayed.

Adm. Mike Gilday, the chief of naval operations, concluded after a lengthy review that both men made serious errors in judgment.

The carrier returned to duty about three months after it docked in Guam and then returned home to the West Coast.

Other ships that have been underway or at their home ports over the past year have had smaller numbers of sailors test positive, but none have had such a major outbreak.

The Roosevelt has been out on deployment in the Pacific in recent weeks, and about a week ago conducted dual carrier exercises with the USS Nimitz, which is returning home to the West Coast from a lengthy deployment in the Middle East.

Earlier this month, three sailors tested positive as the aircraft carrier was conducting operations in the Pacific.

The sailors and those exposed to them were isolated, and the Navy said it is 'following an aggressive mitigation strategy,' including masks, social distancing, and proper handwashing and hygiene measures.

In a statement released after the recent positive cases, the Navy said it was 'following an aggressive mitigation strategy,' including masks, social distancing, and proper handwashing and hygiene measures.

'U.S. Pacific Fleet is committed to taking every measure possible to protect the health of our force,' the fleet said in the statement.



YRF has huge plans for their upcoming films and they are surely leaving no stone unturned. They have got Shah Rukh Khan for their upcoming film titled Pathan, where he plays a RAW agent and the film will have Salman Khans character from the Tiger franchise play a cameo.

Since Tiger 3 is also on cards and soon to be rolled out, YRF decided that might as well kickstart the Tiger 3 journey with a small puja. Now according to an exclusive report in E Times, we hear that yesterday Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif attended a puja for Tiger 3 at YRF Studios at Andheri, Mumbai. The film will go on floors from March 8th, but the journey begins from now since Salman steps into his RAW agent avatar for Pathan. Salman Khan had to shoot for his cameo yesterday and thats when the makers thought it would be great to have the puja for Tiger 3 with the films lead cast. The film stars Salman and Katrina and this time the negative lead is played by Emraan Hashmi. All three actors attended the puja and post that Salman met SRK and shot for Pathan.

E Times further even reports that Katrina Kaif met Shah Rukh Khan post the puja. SRK returns to the big screen after three years as his last film was Zero (2018) and it also starred Katrina. Zero also had a cameo by Salman Khan for a song, and for Pathan as well the actor has Salman step in for a cameo. However this time Salmans special role will be for a longer duration and it is said that Dabangg Khans 8-10 days are required for the shoot. Now YRF building a universe of RAW agents is super interesting.
New alumna helps us with Monday doldrums

If you haven't already listened, you should. New alumna and now staff member, Administrative Assistant in the Education Department Rachel Ihasz, '20, gets busy every Monday ensuring we make it through the day by hosting fun guests on her show, "A Case of the Mondays."





Ihasz was part of the cast of 2018's "All Shook Up."

She invites education department alumni, faculty and others to join her on the upbeat show which she hosts most Mondays at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook. In a recent interview on Flagler Footnotes, she notes how she tried to make the best of her new life as an adult in the "real world."

After a unique post-grad opportunity in South Florida failed to materialize due to COVID, she returned to Flagler and immediately got to work making the position her own. She encourages other graduates to "Dive into what you love and your passion," and is currently doing so by hosting her show and getting re-engaged with theatre. She'll appear in two shows this spring and admits auditions and rehearsals in our current times have been interesting and challenging. She's handling it all in stride though and continues to make us all smile and sing along with her, just as she did at Flagler performing onstage to the delight of us all.

You can listen to the full Flagler Footnotes interview with Rachel and hear her unique and refreshing take on life after graduation below.

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"For 80 years, the Jeep brand has consistently introduced exceptional vehicles that set the benchmark for capability and authenticity, including the debut of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which set the standard for what is expected of a modern SUV," said Jim Morrison, Vice President, Jeep Brand North America. "The all-new Grand Cherokee L continues to break barriers and push boundaries by ramping up its legendary 4x4 capability, adding a third row of seating for the first time, delivering even more premium on-road manners and providing the most safety and advanced technology features in its class."



The new Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a starting U.S. MSRP of $36,995 for rear-wheel-drive vehicles and $38,995 for 4x4 models (prices exclude $1,695 destination). The lineup consists of four models, Laredo, Limited, Overland and Summit:

2021 Model/Package Starting U.S. MSRP Grand Cherokee L Laredo $36,995 (4x2 V-6)

$38,995 (4x4 V-6) Grand Cherokee L Altitude $40,195 (4x2 V-6)

$42,195 (4x4 V-6) Grand Cherokee L Limited $43,995 (4x2 V-6)

$45,995 (4x4 V-6) Grand Cherokee L Overland $52,995 (4x2 V-6)

$54,995 (4x4 V-6)

$58,290 (4x4 V-8) Grand Cherokee L Summit $56,995 (4x2 V-6)

$58,995 (4x4 V-6)

$62,290 (4x4 V-8) Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve $61,995 (4x4 V-6)

$65,290 (4x4 V-8)

*All prices exclude $1,695 destination charge



Built at the new Detroit Assembly Complex  Mack Plant, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is scheduled to start arriving in Jeep dealerships in the second quarter of 2021.

More legendary 4x4 capability and award-winning powertrains

The state-of-the-art 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is designed inside and out to deliver unmatched capability and composed driving dynamics. Its renowned 4x4 systems (Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II), class-exclusive Jeep Quadra-Lift air suspension now with electronic adaptive damping and Selec-Terrain traction management system instill Grand Cherokee L with the Jeep brand's legendary 4x4 capability. Quadra-Drive II, with rear electronic limited slip differential, is available on the Overland 4x4 model when equipped with the Off-Road Group and standard on Summit models. All three systems are equipped with an active transfer case to improve traction by moving torque to work with the wheel with the most grip. New for the 2021 Grand Cherokee L is a front-axle disconnect, standard on all 4x4 trims.

The all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers buyers a choice of two powerful, fuel-efficient and refined engines with proven performance for any driving situation. Standard across the lineup is the all-aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, rated at 290 horsepower and 257 lb.-ft. of torque. Buyers who want more power can opt for the award-winning 5.7-liter V-8, rated at 357 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-8 engine is optional for Overland and Summit (4x4 models only). Both award-winning engines are paired with the durable, robust TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, which enhances fuel economy and delivers crisp and smooth gear changes. The V-8 model delivers class-leading towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds.

Most advanced, high-tech safety and security features in its class

Designed to maximize overall passenger safety, comfort and convenience, Jeep Grand Cherokee L packs a powerful punch with next-generation features and technologies that make it a stand out in the full-size SUV segment.



The all-new Grand Cherokee L delivers the most advanced, high-tech safety and security features in its class, with more than 110 innovative applications of technologies and ample standard content across the entire lineup.



The Grand Cherokee L introduces Active Driving Assist (Level 2) for hands-on-wheel and eyes-on-road automated driving using lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. Available on Overland and standard on Summit models, the system uses multiple sensors, including radars and cameras, to dictate appropriate roads for the technology.



A night vision camera is also available on Overland and Summit models and uses thermographic technology to augment the reach of the Grand Cherokee L's headlamps. Infrared sensors search for the heat signatures of pedestrians and animals in the road ahead, at distances up to 219 yards (200 meters).

The most technologically equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee ever features significant next-generation innovations, including the most advanced Uconnect system ever, rear-seat monitoring camera, digital rearview mirror, full-color windshield HUD, front-row wireless charging pad for devices and an available premium 950-watt, 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.

The all-new Uconnect 5 system, standard across the 2021 Grand Cherokee lineup, includes a 10.1-inch digital display and intuitive user experience. The system delivers operating speeds that are five times faster when compared to the previous generation. The advanced system also delivers customizable user profiles, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Alexa "Home to Car" functionality.

The new Grand Cherokee L also gives owners a bird's-eye view of precious cargo, courtesy of the rear-seat monitoring camera available on Limited, Overland and Summit models. The system projects a best-in-class, high-definition image and delivers several segment-exclusive features, including a clear view of second-row, rear-facing child seat occupants, a split-view display and a unique "zoom-to-seat" function.

A digital rearview camera system, optional on Limited models and above, replaces the conventional rearview mirror with a 9.2-inch-wide LCD that shows real-time video from a rear-facing camera. Unlike a conventional rearview mirror, the new digital camera system offers a view that is unobstructed by the D-pillars or rear seats. When not in use as a display, the screen reverts back to a reflective mirror.

Additionally, a windshield HUD is available on Overland models and above. The full-color display is configurable up to 10 inches and provides key vehicle information to the driver, including speed, speed limit, navigation and driver assist systems (when equipped).

Debuting first on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a premium McIntosh audio system. Available on Overland and Summit models and standard with the Summit Reserve Package, the advanced, high-performance audio system features a 17-channel amplifier with a maximum output of 950 watts and 19 speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer, to envelope vehicle occupants in high-definition sound.

2021 Grand Cherokee L Laredo

The Grand Cherokee Laredo boasts an all-new design and comes loaded with standard features at a starting U.S. MSRP of $36,995 for rear-wheel drive and $38,995 for 4x4 models.

The Laredo model features a new, exquisitely crafted and spacious interior that highlights premium materials and next-generation technologies, including standard 10-inch display screens across the instrument panel. Upon entry, drivers are greeted with a new, 10.25-inch frameless digital cluster with nearly two dozen menus for driver personalization.

Laredo also features the new five-times-faster Uconnect 5 system with a 10.1-inch digital display and an 8.4-inch high-definition touchscreen. The system offers a customizable, one-touch home screen, five user profiles and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To enhance connectivity, the Grand Cherokee L delivers a class-leading total of 12 USB Type A and new Type C ports for all three rows. Type C ports allow devices to charge up to four times faster. Third-row single USB ports are available on Laredo and standard on Limited and up.

Designed to maximize overall passenger comfort, all Grand Cherokee L models, including Laredo, deliver unsurpassed third-row capacity, increased cargo volume and class-leading legroom in the second row. Inside, premium seating includes room for six or seven passengers. The second row comes with standard "tip and slide" bucket seats that can be easily moved to create expansive passage to the third row.

Laredo comes equipped with ample standard safety and security features, including Full-speed Collision Warning with active brake and pedestrian/cyclist detection, Rear Cross Path detection, adaptive cruise control, active lane management, lane departure warning, advanced brake assist, Blind-spot Monitoring, rear park assist sensors and more. Additional standard safety features include passive entry, automatic headlamps, daytime running LED reflector headlamps and LED taillamps.

The Laredo model is powered by the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 290 horsepower and 257 lb.-ft. of torque paired with the standard TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission. It also features standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, heated fold-away mirrors with heating element and blind spot indicator, roof rails, cloth seats with power eight-way driver and manual front-passenger with driver lumbar adjuster, automatic dual-zone automatic temperature controls, all-new leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with audio control and paddle shifters, and integrated voice command with Bluetooth.

All Jeep Grand Cherokee L models come standard with the Jeep Wave premium owner loyalty program. Complimentary membership benefits include three free oil changes and tire rotations during the first 36 months of ownership, no-charge same-day vehicle rental for routine maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance and other support services.

The Laredo model's available Altitude Package has a starting U.S. MSRP of $40,195 and adds distinct Black Gloss appearance details, including 20-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels, Gloss Black exterior accents and badging, roof rails and a unique seven-slot grille. Other functional features include remote start, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, adjustable height liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, 115-volt power outlet and third-row USB ports.

2021 Grand Cherokee L Limited

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited model builds on the many standard features of the Laredo model and starts at a U.S. MSRP of $43,995 for the rear-wheel-drive Pentastar V-6 gas-powered model. Starting U.S. MSRP for a 4x4 Limited model with the Pentastar V-6 is $45,995.

The Limited model builds on Laredo's upscale design and modern amenities, while taking capability and comfort to the next level. Limited 4x4 models come standard with the class-leading Selec-Terrain traction management system, which offers five available terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) to provide optimized calibrations for any given driving scenario.

The Limited model's sophisticated interior features standard Capri leather seats and several premium convenience features, including power eight-way driver seat with memory and power four-way driver/front-passenger lumbar adjuster with memory and heated steering wheel.

Heated seats in the first two rows with three-level configurable controls for personalized passenger comfort are standard on Limited, Overland and Summit models. The Limited model also features a six-speaker sound system with active noise cancellation and single-color ambient interior lighting for the instrument panel and front and rear doors.

Standard exterior features include automatic high-beam headlamps, new premium LED fog lamps, power Gloss Black mirrors with a heating element, blind-spot indicator, memory and supplemental turn signals.

Other standard convenient features include remote start, universal garage door opener and a new adjustable height power liftgate.

2021 Grand Cherokee L Overland

Built for both on- and off-road adventures, the Grand Cherokee L Overland model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $52,995 for the rear-wheel-drive Pentastar V-6 model. Starting U.S. MSRP for a 4x4 Overland model with Quadra-Lift air suspension and the Pentastar V-6 is $54,995. When equipped with the optional V-8 engine that delivers 357 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque and a class-leading towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds, the starting U.S. MSRP is $58,290.

The Overland 4x4 model adds Jeep's Quadra-Trac II system, which adjusts torque distribution and will continue to reactively make corrections if tire slip occurs. When wheel slippage is detected, as much as 100% of available torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction.

Premium interior comfort and convenient amenities are prominent with Overland models. Enhancements include Nappa leather seats and door panels, ventilated front seats, leather-stitched instrument panel, upgraded Uconnect 5 system with navigation and premium Alpine audio system with nine speakers, subwoofer and 506-watt amplifier. Also standard is new ambient lighting with a five-color selection that casts an inviting glow along the entire instrument panel, as well as the front and rear doors for a personalized sensory experience.

Standard exterior upgrades for Overland include 20-inch aluminum wheels with Black Noise pockets, a new, unique Overland appearance, chrome front tow hooks, Gloss Black roof rack with Bright Stainless insert, rain-sensing windshield wipers, trailer towing, approach-lit door handles, rearview mirror puddle lighting, power-folding multifunctional Gloss Black mirrors with Bright Chrome insert, auto-tilt down in reverse, auto-dimming glass on driver's side and courtesy lighting, windshield wiper deicer and passive entry. A Gloss Black roof is available for the first time on Overland models.

Length-adjustable cushions for the front row are introduced on Overland models, which is a company first. A power-folding third-row bench seat is also standard. Overland also features a new electronic remote release in the rear cargo area to quickly and effortlessly fold the second row flat.

Other unique features standard on Overland include a hands-free, foot-activated adjustable power liftgate and CommandView dual-pane sunroof with a power sunshade.

When equipped with the available Off-Road Group, the Trail Rated Overland 4x4 model adds the Quadra-Drive II system, high-strength steel skid plates, electronic limited slip differential rear axle, 18-inch aluminum wheels and rugged, all-season performance tires. The Selec-Terrain system and Hill-descent Control, which works both in forward and reverse, are standard on Overland.

2021 Grand Cherokee L Summit

For customers seeking the peak of capability and luxury in an SUV, with premium materials and class-exclusive features, the state-of-the-art Grand Cherokee L Summit starts at a U.S. MSRP of $56,995 for rear-wheel drive and $58,995 for 4x4 models. Grand Cherokee L introduces a new premium package, Summit Reserve, with a starting U.S. MSRP of $61,995.

The Summit is packed with premium appointments, such as Nappa leather seats with quilted seat bolsters and perforated seat inserts on all three rows, Absolute Oak wood and leather-wrapped multifunctional steering wheel and Berber floor mats. First-row seats with new power 16-way adjustable position with memory and lumbar are standard on Summit. Also new and offered for the first time on Grand Cherokee is front-row seat massage that includes five customizable profiles with three levels of pressure intensity.

Passenger comfort is elevated in Summit models with new four-zone automatic temperature control, which has the capability to select different fan levels and modes for individual passengers in the first and second rows. The system also offers four different temperature settings. Additional interior touches unique to the Summit model include a new, second-row floor console with two illuminated cup holders and two-tier armrest with additional storage for mobile devices.

Exterior touches include 20-inch polished cast-aluminum wheels in Mid-Gloss Clear, unique Summit-specific LED fog lamps, power-folding multifunction Gloss Black mirrors with a Platinum insert and new 360-degree camera, illuminated door sills and roof rack with Fine Silver rails and Gloss Black insert.



Additional standard safety features on Summit models include:

Active Driving Assist

Drowsy Driver Detection

Intersection Collision Assist

Traffic Sign Recognition

360-degree Surround View Camera with front and rear lens washers

Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist

The new Summit Reserve Package sets the benchmark for luxury in the full-size SUV segment. Premium hand-wrapped, quilted Palermo leather, ventilated front and second-row seats, memory and massage front seats and choice of a new Tupelo interior color add distinguishable details to the model. Also unique to the Summit Reserve Package is genuine open-pore Waxed Walnut wood and premium, wrapped, suede-like fabric on the A-pillars and headliner. For the first time on Grand Cherokee, 21-inch wheels come standard with the Summit Reserve Package. Also standard is superior audio delivered through the 950-watt, 19-speaker McIntosh audio sound system.



Jeep Wave customer care program

The Jeep Wave customer service program is available to the entire Jeep brand lineup, including all trims on the all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The premium owner loyalty program is filled with exciting benefits and exclusive perks, including:

Three years of worry-free maintenance at Jeep dealerships

24/7 support via phone or online chat

Vehicle protection including 24/7 roadside assistance and first-day loaner coverage

VIP access to select, exclusive Jeep brand events

Jeep Brand

Built on 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep lineup, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left- and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Jeep is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Jeep and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Jeep brand: www.jeep.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep

YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis

Related Links

http://www.stellantis.com


Sezzle Announces Record 2020 Annual Results

Underlying Merchant Sales (UMS) expected to reach an annualized pace of US$2.5 billion by the end of 2021.

- 2020 UMS and Total Income rose 250.8% and 272.1% YoY, respectively.

- Merchant Fees (80.9% of Total Income) for 2020 increased 266.9% YoY.

- Active Merchants reached 26.7K as of 31 December 2020, representing YoY increases of 166.6%.

- Strong positive trends continued in January 2021 with Active Merchants rising to 29.2K (9.5% MoM), and UMS of US$117.8M, representing a record month and 65.1% above the average monthly pace for 2020.

- Subsequent to 31 December 2020, the Company announced a new US$250 million receivables funding facility with Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Bastion Funding IV LLC to support the expansion of the business in the US and Canada. The 28-month facility expands the Company's funding capacity, while lowering the cost of borrowing and extending the maturity well into 2023.
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ALBANY  Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday named a longtime aide and veteran state government hand as interim chairman of the Public Service Commission, where he has been a board member since 2019.

John Howard will replace John Rhodes, whose term as chairman and CEO of the organization expired.



It is important to ensure a smooth transition to a new permanent chair, and I am pleased to help support that effort as interim chair, said Howard.
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This September 2020, file photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows a pharmacist preparing to give an experimental COVID-19 vaccine. The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, but health officials are concerned that at first glance the Johnson & Johnson shot may not be seen as equal to other options from Pfizer and Moderna. (Johnson & Johnson via AP, File)

The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, but because at first glance the Johnson & Johnson shot may not be seen as equal to other options, health officials are girding for the question: Which one is best?

If cleared for emergency use, the J&J vaccine would offer a one-dose option that could help speed vaccinations, tamp down a pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 people in the U.S. and stay ahead of a mutating virus.

"I think it's going to be huge," said Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the public health department in Marion County, Indiana, which includes Indianapolis. She expects the easier-to-use vaccine will give local officials more flexibility for mobile vaccination clinics or pop-up events.

The challenge will be explaining how protective the J&J shot is after the astounding success of the first U.S. vaccines.

Two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna shots were found to be about 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19. The numbers from J&J's study are not that high, but it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. One dose of the J&J vaccine was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19. After adding in moderate cases, the total effectiveness dropped to about 66%.

"I don't think it's a second-tier vaccine, but we've got to avoid that perception," said Dr. Thomas Balcezak of Yale New Haven Health System.

This Dec. 2, 2020 photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows vials of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, but health officials are concerned that at first glance the Johnson & Johnson shot may not be seen as equal to other options from Pfizer and Moderna. (Johnson & Johnson via AP)

The J&J shot was tested in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa at a time when more contagious mutated versions of the virus were spreading. That wasn't the case last fall, when Pfizer and Moderna were wrapping up testing, and it's not clear if their numbers would hold against the most worrisome of those variants.

Importantly, the Food and Drug Administration reported this week that, just like its predecessors, the J&J shot offers strong protection against the worst outcomes. By 28 days after the injection, there were no hospitalizations or deaths in study volunteers given the J&J shot, compared with 16 hospitalizations and seven deaths in those given a dummy shot.

Independent advisers to the FDA on Friday discussed J&J's study data ahead of a vote on whether to recommend widespread use of the vaccine, setting the stage for a final decision within days.

While J&J is seeking FDA authorization for its single-dose version, the company is also studying whether a second dose boosts protection.

Panel member Dr. Paul Offit warned that launching a two-dose version of the vaccine down the road might cause problems.

In this Feb. 25, 2021, file photo, vials for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are displayed on a tray at a clinic set up by the New Hampshire National Guard in the parking lot of Exeter, N.H., High School. The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, but health officials are concerned that at first glance the Johnson & Johnson shot may not be seen as equal to other options from Pfizer and Moderna. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

"You can see where that would be confusing to people thinking, 'Maybe I didn't get what I needed,'" said Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "It's a messaging challenge."

J&J representatives said they chose to begin with the single shot because the World Health Organization and other experts agreed it would be a faster, more effective tool in an emergency.

U.S. cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically since their post-holiday January peak. But Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, worries that new variants may counter those gains and cited increasing cases over the past three days.

"We may be done with the virus, but clearly the virus is not done with us," Walensky said at a White House briefing. While it's too early to tell if the trend will last, she said adding a third vaccine "will help protect more people faster."

If the J&J vaccine is authorized, U.S. officials expect to have only a few million doses to divide between states in initial shipments. But by the end of March, J&J has said it can supply enough to vaccinate 20 million peoplea much-needed boost to stretched supplies.

In this Feb. 10, 2021, file photo, a man receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Martin Luther King Senior Center in North Las Vegas. The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, but health officials are concerned that at first glance the Johnson & Johnson shot may not be seen as equal to other options from Pfizer and Moderna. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

The bottom line: "Whatever vaccine is being offered is what you want," said University of Pennsylvania immunologist E. John Wherry.

Still, the nuances of the vaccines raise ethical questions.

At Yale, Balcezak is struggling with how to make the best use of the J&J shot's advantages without appearing to target it to underserved populations. For example, it's a logical choice for homeless shelters where people may have moved on before their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

"I'm very worried about how that would be perceived," said Balcezak.

The J&J vaccine is also easier to handle, lasting three months in the refrigerator compared to the Pfizer and Moderna options, which must be frozen.

In Washington state, health officials see some clear need for one-and-done vaccinationsincluding sailors in the maritime industry, who can spend months on cargo and fishing vessels.

This July 2020 photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine in Belgium. The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, but health officials are concerned that at first glance the Johnson & Johnson shot may not be seen as equal to other options from Pfizer and Moderna. (Johnson & Johnson via AP)

"This is the ideal vaccine for them," said Dr. Scott Lindquist of the Washington State Department of Health. With the two-dose vaccines, the state "had to send second doses onward to the next port of call."

Other parts of the world already are facing which-is-best challenges. Consider AstraZeneca's vaccine, cleared for use in Britain and Europe after data suggested it was about 70% effective. Italy's main teachers' union recently protested when the government decided to reserve Pfizer and Moderna shots for the elderly and designate AstraZeneca's vaccine for younger, at-risk workers. Canada became the latest country Friday to allow use of AstraZeneca's vaccine.

In the U.S., health officials say it's critical for the government to send a clear message.

"Right now, it's not vaccine against vaccine, it's vaccine against virus," said Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The NDC Member of Parliament(MP) for Ningo Prampram, Sam George wants the government to with immediate effect caution all diplomats who have declared support for the LGBTQI community in Ghana.



He described their act as unlawful and disrespectful to Ghanaians - and claims the government has been lenient to the high-profile foreign officials.



Can those diplomats go to the Arab countries to support homosexuality or force them to accept the act? he questioned.



This is our country and we must not allow foreigners to dictate for us. The government must caution them to know their limit in this country, he added in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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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Grieving families last night said deaths had been wrongly certified as Covid-19.

Demanding an inquiry, top medical experts and MPs also insisted they were certain that too many fatalities were being blamed on the virus.

One funeral director said it was a national scandal. The claims are part of a Daily Mail investigation that raises serious questions over the spiralling death toll.

More than 100 readers wrote heartbreaking letters following a moving article by Bel Mooney last Saturday. She revealed the death of her 99-year-old father, who suffered from dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was recorded as coronavirus.

Layla Moran (pictured) , the Liberal Democrat MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus, said: The Government should call a public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic immediately with an interim investigation into all Covid deaths that should report as soon as possible

Dozens expressed similar frustrations that the causes of death of elderly and already-unwell relatives had been wrongly attributed. Eight of the families who wrote to the Daily Mail have successfully urged doctors to change causes of death previously recorded as Covid-19.

Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus, said: The Government should call a public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic immediately with an interim investigation into all Covid deaths that should report as soon as possible.

Tory MP Paul Bristow, a member of the Commons health committee, said: Its almost certain that a number of deaths have been wrongly attributed to Covid-19.

Not only has this skewed figures when data has been so important in deciding how we respond to the pandemic, it has caused distress and anxiety for relatives.

Whether we have received the most appropriate figures should definitely be considered in any future inquiry.

Tory MP Paul Bristow (pictured), a member of the Commons health committee, said: Its almost certain that a number of deaths have been wrongly attributed to Covid-19'

A funeral director in the North West told the Mail: The way Covid has been recorded and reported is a national scandal and a thorough enquiry should be opened immediately.

Medical experts have cited pressure on doctors to include Covid-19 as a cause of death because it was last year ruled a notifiable disease, meaning any case needs to be reported officially.

Professor Clare Gerada, former chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: When this all comes out in the wash, we will find out we have over-recorded Covid-19 as a cause of death.

Richard Vautrey, who chairs the British Medical Associations GP committee, said the toll may have been overstated at the beginning of the pandemic when testing was not widely available and cause of death would have been based on best judgement of clinical symptoms.

A Department of Health spokesman said: We are confident the death statistics are robust and provide an accurate picture of those who have sadly died from the virus. The guidance to doctors completing a medical certificate of cause of death explains they are expected to state cause of death to the best of their medical knowledge and belief.

Richard Vautrey (pictured), who chairs the British Medical Associations GP committee, said the toll may have been overstated at the beginning of the pandemic when testing was not widely available and cause of death would have been based on best judgement of clinical symptoms

After the Mail's BEL MOONEY revealed her father was wrongly certified as dying of coronavirus, an avalanche of responses show she is far from alone

Special investigation by Paul Bracchi and Arthur Martin for the Daily Mail

There are three things you should know about the last few weeks of Jessie Wyldes life.

The first is that she had dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that causes severe breathing difficulties; the second is that she was a resident at Aldergrove Manor care home in Wolverhampton; and the third, that at the time Jessie, 83, was a resident at Aldergrove, at least, there were no confirmed cases of Covid.

She was transferred there at the beginning of last year from the high dependency unit at the citys New Cross Hospital, where she was being treated for respiratory problems.

On April 26, around three months after leaving hospital, Jessie died.

Shortly before her death, a doctor at Aldergrove assessed her and confirmed that she had COPD.

More than 100 readers wrote heartbreaking letters following a moving article by Bel Mooney (right) last Saturday. She revealed the death of her 99-year-old father (pictured), who suffered from dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was recorded as coronavirus

Yet despite being given such a diagnosis, despite the absence of an outbreak of Covid in Aldergrove and despite not testing positive for Covid herself, the cause of Jessies death was registered as Covid.

The revelation compounded her familys grief.

I told the registrar that I would not accept this, her son Gary said when we spoke to him this week. I said, I will never, ever allow the cause of my mothers death to be registered as Covid.

The person who made that decision was an on-call doctor.

When he found out, Mr Wylde, 59, the managing director of a windows firm, contacted Aldergroves regular doctor, who knew Jessie.

The doctor explained to me that in the absence of a test, doctors are encouraged to put down Covid on death certificates, he said. But he agreed that my mother was suffering from COPD and severe dementia, and he also agreed to get the death certificate changed. This only happened because I challenged it.

Jessie, who separated from her husband when her five children were grown up, was much loved. She went on to become a grandmother of nine and a great-grandmother of 16, which gave her much joy in later life.

Jess Wylde, who died in April 2020, pictured as a bridesmaid as a teenager

I didnt want my mother to become just another statistic, explained Mr Wylde. The least she deserved was to have the right information included on her death certificate.

Her certificate now says that the cause of death was chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) and dementia.

The word Covid was removed.

The Wylde family are not alone; people nationwide, we now know, who have suffered bereavements during the pandemic have had a similar experience.

Their alarming testimonies have been forwarded to this newspaper following Bel Mooneys moving account, in last Saturdays Mail, of the death of her 99-year-old father in the early hours of February 9. He had passed three Covid tests but was still classed as one of Britains 120,000 Covid victims. When Bel questioned this, the care home doctor, she says, explained it was because there had been Covid fatalities on the same dementia floor.

More than 100 families contacted us in the aftermath of Bels report and, at the time of writing, letters were still coming in:

Dear Bel, I am writing to let you know that I had exactly the same experience when my mother sadly passed away . . . Dear Bel, the same thing happened to my dad . . . Dear Bel, I had the same problems when my darling wife passed away.

Among the postbag were eight families, including the Wyldes, who managed to get the death certificate or a doctors medical certificate cause of death (MCCD)  containing the information needed to register a death  changed because they refused to accept that a loved one had died from Covid and challenged the clinical diagnosis.

Others said they had not pursued such a course of action because they didnt want to exacerbate the grieving process.

Common sense tells us that these cant be the only examples. But why is this happening? The reasons, are  as we shall explain  as complex as the pandemic itself. Over-stretched doctors, anxious to do the right thing in an unprecedented situation where the recording of incidents of Covid is a legal requirement, would account for the most.

Also, of course, theres human error, doctors questionable judgement and possibly those drawn towards the easiest and most convenient path when faced with impossible workloads.

There are three things you should know about the last few weeks of Jessie Wyldes (pictured) life. The first is that she had dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that causes severe breathing difficulties; the second is that she was a resident at Aldergrove Manor care home in Wolverhampton; and the third, that at the time Jessie, 83, was a resident at Aldergrove, at least, there were no confirmed cases of Covid

But lets make one thing absolutely clear: it is nonsense to suggest, as conspiracy theorists and virus deniers would have you believe, that doctors en masse are deliberately falsifying certificates to exaggerate the number of Covid deaths to justify behavioural and travel restrictions; in other words, that this all part of some government plot.

That said, the evidence that some deaths are being wrongly attributed to Covid, like for example, Jessie Wylde, is compelling.

So too are the accounts of families with elderly relatives who were already receiving end of life care suffering from, say, COPD, heart disease or cancer, when they contracted the virus; they had the virus, in other words, but, in the eyes of their families, they didnt die from Covid but were still classified as Covid deaths.

In households across the country this alone has caused untold anguish, if the response to Bel Mooneys article is anything to go by; for many families, rightly or wrongly, Covid is seen as a stigma  a plague as Bel puts it  which has exacerbated their grief.

This is the hidden story behind the statistics; what the people who have been writing to the Mail in their droves over the past week are telling us.

It is why distinguished retired pathologist John Lee believes that he can think of no time in my medical career when it has been more important to have accurate diagnosis of a disease and an understanding of precisely why patients have died of it.

Bel Mooney's father Edward was wrongly certified as having died from coronavirus

There is no accepted international standard of how you measure Covid deaths; trying to rank different countries to decide which is the worst in Europe is, to quote one leading statistician, a completely fatuous exercise.

In Britain, there are two parallel reporting methods; two different sources of statistics.

One set compiled by Public Health England (PHE) records the number of deaths of people who died within 28 days of a positive test result, which does not mean the person died of Covid  although it is likely they did  just that they died following a positive test.

These are the figures collated on the governments Covid-19 dashboard  a way of keeping the public informed on a daily basis  which appear nightly on the TV news.

The most comprehensive figures, and the ones trusted by the medical establishment, are those published every week by the ONS (Office for National Statistics). They reflect what doctors responsible for a patient in their final illness write on death certificates to the best of [their] knowledge and belief whether the deceased has tested positive for Covid or not. One reason for this wording is that some studies have found that one in five swabs may give false negatives; so everything depends on the doctor.

It is the area which is causing the most controversy, especially in care homes, which account for a quarter of all Covid deaths.

One of the reasons is because the rules surrounding certifying a death have been relaxed during the pandemic.

In the past, the certifying doctor needed to be treating the patient or know them and have seen them recently. But during this emergency period, when doctors are under increasing pressure  or self-isolating  there is no requirement for them to have examined the patient. A video-link consultation in the four weeks prior to death (extended from 14 days) is now sufficient for a death to be attributed to Covid.

It was an on-call doctor, not the regular care home doctor, remember, who said Jessie Wylde died from Covid, a clinical decision which her family successfully challenged by having her death certificate changed.

Doctors in this situation sometimes neither have the time or the necessary back-up to reach the right conclusion, said Daily Mail columnist Dr Martin Scurr, a former GP and consultant in palliative care.

They often have to rely on the reports of care home staff, many of whom do not have formal medical training. Inevitably, in these circumstances, certificates can be issued which look right but turn out to be wrong.

And any reference to Covid on a death certificate, either directly as an underlying cause or as a contributory cause, and the death will be recorded as a Covid death in the ONS statistics.

Covid is a notifiable disease, and doctors have a legal duty to report any incidence of the virus.

Might this explain what the doctor at the care home in Wolverhampton, where Jessie Wylde died, meant when he was challenged by her son after discovering his mother was about to become another statistic?

Doctors are encouraged to put down Covid on death certificates, Mr Wylde was allegedly told, when the doctor tried to explain why she had been wrongly classed as a Covid victim.

It is hard not to avoid the suspicion that the default diagnosis of overstretched, under-pressure GPs is to mention Covid somewhere on the death certificate.

Death certification has never been a precise science, a recent article by a consultant in geriatrics and acute general medicine in the British Medical Journal reported.

The consultant said that sometimes there is a cluster of simultaneous acute problems which we could easily switch as they all happened so close together and were all serious.

Few are better placed to offer an opinion on this matter than Stephen Johnston, a funeral director from Cumbria.

I have arranged funerals for quite a lot of people whose families have disputed Covid-19 being put down as the main cause of death when they dont think it should have been, he said.

In a number of cases, the deceased has gone into hospital already seriously ill from life-threatening conditions, such as COPD, heart disease, kidney disease, liver failure and cancer, having had three or four negative Covid tests. While in hospital, they have had another test, which is positive, and then passed away and the death is recorded as Covid.

I think families are upset because there is a little bit of stigma attached to a Covid death that people dont like. They are more comfortable with very elderly family members passing away peacefully in their sleep.

The Office for National Statistics found Covid cases had halved in a fortnight across England. It said 373,300 would be detected in any given day over the period to February 19

One of the families we spoke to was that of Tony Ennos, 96, who was receiving end of life care when, two days before his death, he tested positive, which meant Covid went on the death certificate. He died of heart failure, not Covid, his son Richard said.

David Brighouse, 72, was terminally ill with Multiple System Atrophy, a rare neurodegenerative disorder, but tested positive shortly before his death, which meant Covid went on the death certificate. I feel strongly that Dad died of his existing illness, his daughter Julie said.

It was a similar story for David Sutcliffe, 81, who suffered from vascular dementia and Alzheimers, and had been clear of Covid for more than six months before he died last October. And publishing giant Naim Attallah, 89  believed to be suffering from terminal cancer  whose death was nonetheless attributed to Covid when he died in February. His last test came back clear, and hed even been vaccinated against the virus four weeks before his death.

The complexity of the different recording methods makes it difficult to estimate the scale of the shortcomings highlighted today.

What is undeniable is that record numbers of people have been dying since the pandemic began; this is not fake news.

But are the statistics always telling the whole truth?

We were shocked - it's just not right When Ted McMahon died two months short of his diamond wedding anniversary, his three children  one of whom is a nurse  believed a stroke had killed him. Yet his death certificate stated he had died from Covid-19, despite testing negative for the virus just four days before he passed away at Charnwood Oaks care home in Shepshed, Leics. Retired road worker Mr McMahon, pictured with wife Anne, had four grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He was admitted to the nursing home with dementia in November 2019. When Ted McMahon died two months short of his diamond wedding anniversary, his three children  one of whom is a nurse  believed a stroke had killed him. Yet his death certificate stated he had died from Covid-19 He died aged 84 on May 3 last year, six days after running a high temperature the home believed was Covid. A test on April 30 came back as negative and his daughter Debbie McMahon, a nurse, put the high temperature down to an undetected stroke, according to his other daughter, Julie Perkins. Civil servant Mrs Perkins, 57, said: Debbie spent a lot of time with him leading up to his death and she believes he was showing all the signs of having had a stroke. So we were extremely shocked when the GP wrote hed died of the virus on his death certificate, despite the negative test result four days before he died. Its just not right. Advertisement

 and the families who fought back

WE COULDN'T SAY GOODBYE TO HIM

On his death certificate, the cause of office cleaner Maurice Cummings demise was given as Clinical Covid-19 Pneumonia.

Just hours before he died on the Avon ward at Warwick Hospital on July 10 last year, he had been tested for the virus and the result, just as it was in the two hed had in the previous seven weeks, was negative.

Mr Cummings, who would have been 77 on Monday this week, had never tested positive for the virus and showed no symptoms, his bewildered family say.

When they asked why his death had been attributed to coronavirus by the doctor who signed the certificate, the family say they were told by the hospitals bereavement officer: We didnt detect the virus but some doctors still like to put it on the certificate.

Mr Cummings, a father-of-two from Warwickshire with four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, was admitted to the hospital days earlier after becoming unwell and unresponsive at home.

His wife Pauline believed his ill health was the result of years of osteoporosis and sclerosis.

The couples eldest daughter, Tracey Cummings, 56, said that although the family didnt challenge the doctors judgment, they were suspicious.

Ms Cummings, a teaching assistant who lives in Leamington Spa, said: Theres no way he had Covid. He was tested the day he died and the next day the result came back as negative and he had absolutely no symptoms.

When the bereavement officer phoned us two days later and informed us thats what it said on his death certificate, we were appalled. She said it was common practice for some doctors.

To make matters worse, the undertakers told us that because of the Covid factor, we werent allowed to say goodbye to him in the chapel of rest, dress him in his favourite clothes and beloved Elvis belt or carry his coffin at his funeral. Instead, they put him in a plain shroud, which Dad would have hated.

A hospital spokesperson said: We cant comment on individual patient cases. In general terms, doctors give the cause of death according to their clinical opinion on the evidence available. They wouldnt ascribe Covid as the cause of death unless there was clinical evidence to support that.

The causes of death on the death certificate are checked by the Medical Examiner for deaths. It is well described that in some patients with Covid pneumonia the virus is deep in the lungs and cannot be detected in the nose and throat, so a negative test result could be returned.

Covid pneumonia can be diagnosed by the clinical presentation and the results of blood tests and the findings on X-rays and CT scans and not solely via a specific Covid test.

Mr Cummings daughter Tracey last night refuted the notion put forward by the hospital that Covid could have been present in his lungs despite the negative test.

She said: Dad was admitted into hospital without any obvious Covid symptoms. No high temperature, breathing difficulties, or loss of taste or smell. Covid-19 is a respiratory disease. Surely this would result in breathing difficulties?

I knew it wasn't Covid so I was extremely angry Glenis Taylor tested negative for Covid twice in the days before she passed away at the age of 63. Despite this, her death certificate says she died from the virus. Her husband of 43 years, Rob, pictured with her, was incensed and demanded a post-mortem. This was sanctioned by a coroner and the examination found no evidence of Covid in her body. I was extremely angry when they told me that the consultant had written Covid on the death certificate, he said. I knew she didnt have Covid. She tested negative and so did I. Glenis Taylor tested negative for Covid twice in the days before she passed away at the age of 63. Despite this, her death certificate says she died from the virus I spoke to another doctor and she said: I cant see any evidence of Covid here either. Mr Taylor, 65, from Peterborough, suspects Covid was put down on his healthcare assistant wifes death certificate to avoid further investigation into how she died. He added: I want to know what the real cause of death is. And one of the main reasons I want to know what she died of is if its hereditary, Ive got to tell my three children. Mrs Taylor had been unwell for 18 months before she passed away with osteoarthritis in her knees and bronchial problems. Advertisement

She said no one at the hospital had told her the virus could have been present in his lungs despite the negative test.

I JUST WANT THE TRUTH, THAT'S ALL

In the weeks before her death, Barbara Bell tested negative for Covid four times. Her husband John was by her side every day in her final week. He never caught the virus.

Despite this, a doctor wrote on her death certificate that Covid was the main cause of Mrs Bells death on October 15, at the age of 71.

When Mr Bell, 77, challenged this, he was told that Covid was listed because it was difficult to distinguish it from triple pneumonia, which is what she was suffering from. He was unable to change the cause of death on the certificate.

Mr Bell, from Scunthorpe, said: What would make me feel better, and all the others probably experiencing the same or similar, would be the bloody truth, and thats all.

When I spoke to the medical examiners office he said because the pneumonia was very similar to Covid they had to put it down as Covid.

I was angry with him. I said I didnt want it on the death certificate because its not right, but that was the stock answer that I got.

He said he and his three daughters were lucky to have been able to visit his wife in Glenfield hospital in Leicester before she died and hold a funeral for her.

Mr Bell said his daughters also did not catch the virus, despite visiting their mother in the final days

Mrs Bell, a full-time mother, was the second youngest of 12 children.

SHE HAD NEVER TESTED POSITIVE

Sue, a grandmother to seven children, died aged 74 at her Somerset care home on June 3 last year after suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She repeatedly tested negative for Covid.

Nevertheless, her GP blamed the virus for her death. It was only when her furious husband, Alan  who asked not to be identified  contacted the surgery to object that the Covid diagnosis for his wife, a retired sales executive, was withdrawn.

Alan, 79, said: There was no Covid in the care home and she had never tested positive for it. Shed had no test in the 24 hours before she died.

I told the surgery there was no way on earth I was allowing them to put the word Covid anywhere near her death certificate and I had to fight tooth and nail to persuade them to see my point of view.

Additional reporting: Nic North and Archie Mitchell
The city of Huntsville on Thursday night announced plans for a mixed-use development potentially attracting some big name retailers to a large vacant space along Memorial Parkway in north Huntsville that will also provide a new home for the Huntsville City Schools administration building.

The project also has the promise to give a further economic boost to north Huntsville after years of falling behind as other areas of the city saw dramatic growth.

My community opens it with big open arms, said District 1 councilman Devyn Keith, who represents the area where the development is planned. The redevelopment of this site means the world, not only for the city and the school system, but also private industry. Two big names who walked that property who are extremely excited about being a part of this development because they see the city is taking the lead step.

This is a tremendous step if done correctly for the city of Huntsville, not just District 1.

The site for the project is a 14-acre area that was formerly home to Builders Square just north of Max Luther Drive on the west side of Memorial Parkway  the Rocket Citys primary north-south corridor.

A key aspect of the project, Mayor Tommy Battle said, was providing a new home for the city school system central office. The school systems aging central office complex is now located on White Street in what was once Huntsville High School in the historic Twickenham neighborhood.

The school board received a presentation on the project at its meeting Thursday night as well.

The new site will elevate the presence of the school system, Battle said.

It will be something that shows what the schools mean to us as a community, the mayor said. Its a very highly trafficked area and the building will be prominent. It needs to be prominent. It needs to show education is No. 1 in our community.

Plans are still forming for the site beyond the new central office for the school system but Shane Davis, the citys director of urban and economic development, told the city council that there is an expectation of retail, office space and possibly multi-family apartments as well as a hotel in what would be a public/private development.

The size of the site offers an array of possibilities, Davis said.

A 14-acre site on the parkway is huge, Davis said. There is a lot of opportunity there to do really special things.

The project has already drawn a lot of interest from developers, Davis said.

Davis said the city would spend up to $3.5 million to purchase the site and then donate a portion of the land to the school system. The city then plans to sell the land to developers to recoup its investment. The city will also provide $1 million to the school system for construction of its new facility.

Demolition work of the now-empty Builders Square facility will begin by late summer, Davis said. He added that development of the site would ideally be in several phases to make the best use of the land and that the new central office building would probably be the first construction on site.

Retail announcements for the site could be made by the end of the year, Davis said.

Council President Jennie Robinson commended the citys relationship with the school board for making the project more feasible and, specifically, the working relationship between Battle and schools Superintendent Christie Finley.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Friday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







Castings PLC - West Midlands-based iron caster - Notes monthly demand since November has been running ahead of pre-Covid levels but notes that while it has seen an improvement in demand production has been hampered by the need for more employees to self-isolate as UK Covid cases increased around the turn of the year. Assures however that this has now subsided and results for its financial year ending March 31 - which will be published on June 16 - are expected to be in line with market forecasts.







Vaalco Energy Inc - hydrocarbon exploration company - Completes USD29.6 million acquisition of Sasol Gabon SA's 28% interest in the Etame Marin block offshore Gabon, therefore increasing its own stake to 59%. Notes the purchase nearly doubles its total net production and reserves and is expected to be immediately accretive, with minimal additional variable costs.







Coro Energy PLC - South East Asian energy company - Launches open offer through which qualifying shareholders will be able to subscribe for 134.5 million new shares at 0.4 pence each on the basis of one open offer share for every six existing shares.







Mode Global Holdings PLC - bitcoin banking app company based in London - Raises GBP6 million through the placing of 10.9 million shares at GBP0.55 each, with the placing price representing a 10% premium to the October IPO price of GBP0.50p and a 12% discount to the closing price on Thursday. Will use new cash to expand its client base, further develop its product offering and invest further unto bitcoin.







Sabien Technology Group PLC - Maidenhead, England-based energy efficiency technology - Invests GBP100,000 into Aeristech Ltd, a UK-based manufacturer of power-dense compressors used within hydrogen fuel cells as part of Aeristech's GBP5.1 million pre-IPO funding round. Sabien subscribed for 41,667 shares at GBP2.40 each, giving it a 0.3% stake.







Target Healthcare REIT PLC - UK purpose-built care home investor - Raises GBP60 million through the issue of 54.1 million shares by way of a placing, intermediaries offer and subscription offer, having initially increased the size of the initial issue from GBP50 million as a result of high demand. Following admission, Target Healthcare will have 511.5 million shares in issue.







Yellow Cake PLC - Jersey-based uranium investor - Raises GBP99.3 million through the issue of 44.5 million shares at GBP2.23 each under a placing and retail offer launched on Thursday. The company will use the new cash to fund the purchase of at least 3.5 mmlb of physical uranium under the company's agreement with JSC National Atomic Company Kazatomprom at a price of USD28.95 per pound. Following admission, it will have 132.7 million shares in issue.







Asiamet Resources Ltd - microfinance institution - Raises GBP1 million through the placing of 45.5 million shares at 2.20 pence each. Announced the fundraise on Thursday, saying at the time it plans to raise GBP10 million through the placing of up to 440.9 million shares at 2.2 pence each and the subscription of 16.5 million shares at the same price. Will use the new cash to progress its proposed copper project in Central Kalimantan and support drilling to test the potential for a high grade extension of the Beutong deposit.







Path Investments PLC - energy and natural resources investment company - Raises GBP350,000 through the subscription for 140 million shares at 0.25p each. "Following the announcement of our GBP3.5 million fundraise we were made aware of demand from certain significant existing shareholders that had not been accommodated already. We are therefore pleased to increase the overall size of the fundraise in order to accommodate them and raise further funds to help facilitate our search for acquisition opportunities in line with our investment strategy," says Chief Executive Christopher Theis.







Byotrol PLC - UK-based infection prevention and control company - Develops new test to determine whether cleaning and sanitising products have long-lasting efficacy against viruses such as Covid-19 in real-life use. Byotrol says the new test could help minimise the spread of the virus when used in conjunction with the cleaning and sanitising of shops, schools and offices when they reopen plans and adds it plans to gain approval to make the test the British standard for proving the long-lasting efficacy of disinfectants against viruses.







Shield Therapeutics PLC - Newcastle-based specialty pharmaceutical company - Plans to raise GBP25.0 million through the placing and subscription for shares at 30.0p each, with the price representing a 44% discount to the Thursday closing price. Adds it will also make an open offer to shareholders at the same price to raise up to 4.2 million, noting the open offer will be on the basis of 2 open offer shares for every 17 existing shares. Shield Therapeutics says it will use the new cash to execute a plan for the self-commercialisation of iron deficiency product Accrufer in the US. Peel Hunt LLP and finnCap Ltd are acting as joint bookrunners.







Baron Oil PLC - oil & gas explorer in UK and Peru - Says 33% investee SundaGas Banda Unipessoal Lda has been granted a 12-month extension to Contract Year 1 of the Chuditch PSC in Timor-Leste. The new expiry date of Year 1 of the 3 year initial licence phase is now November 8, 2021. "We are delighted that SundaGas has been able to get the Chuditch project back on track. We look forward to updating shareholders as we move forward with this exciting and material investment," says Baron Oil Chief Executive Andy Yeo.







RTW Venture Fund Ltd - New York-based investment company focussed on life sciences - Notes investee clinical-stage oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company Artiva Biotherapeutics Inc completes USD120 million Series B financing round . Adds Artiva plans to use the proceeds from the financing to advance its allogeneic natural killer cell therapy development programs and expand ongoing research and development activities.







St James House PLC - lottery and e-commerce company - Says from January 27 to February 25, the Payment Services division has seen growth, with sterling and dollar transactions growing an additional 27% in volume compared to the period from December 23 to January 27. Transaction volumes in Euro have more than trebled and transaction volumes in sterling have more than doubled. Notes the Lottery Services division is benefiting from recent news regarding the lifting of Covid restriction as clients bring staff off furlough and face-to-face interactions begin to increase. St Frances House Ltd in the Legal Services divisoion has a current workload of 258 cases in progress, has completed or reached the settlement stage in a further 66 claims in the last four weeks and added 40 new cases in the same period. Positively, adds it has concluded the work needed for the publication of its results for its financial year ended January 31, 2020 and hope to publish it next week. Shares will continue to be suspended until after its results for its half-year to July 31 are published.







Card Factory PLC - Wakefield, West Yorkshire-based card and gift retailer - Is in talks with its banking syndicates and notes its banks has provided further waivers in respect of anticipated covenant breaches until March 31, 2021. Adds it is engaging in plans to refinance the company and assures that coupled with the expected reopening of the majority of its store estate in April, its is confident on the future of the business.







Pensana PLC - UK-based exploration & development company - Says it paid USD92,433 in mining and licence fees to the government of Angola during its financial year ended June 30. Notes payment was in relation to its Longonjo Project. No other payments were made to governments during the period







Oracle Power - Cambridge-based natural resource and power project developer - Says the Ministry of Energy in Pakistan will move forward with a consultative session in early March to mobilise the policy proposal process for its Coal-to-Gas and Coal-to-Liquid strategy. The consultative session aims to organise and coordinate a proposed commercial framework through which development of coal to gas and liquid at Thar Block VI could be fast-tracked, in order to help address Pakistan's gas shortage and reliance on imported liquid fuels.







Alpha Real Trust Ltd - real estate financing investor - For the three months ended December 31, posts adjusted earnings per share of 2.3p, down from 1.6p recorded in the quarter ended September 30. Net asset value per share as at December-end was 2019.3p, down from 211.1p at September-end. Basic loss per share for the quarter was 1.5p, widening from 1.3p the prior quarter. However, the trust declares a quarterly dividend of 1.0p as it highlights a "robust" financial position.







Silence Therapeutics PLC - novel RNA therapeutics developer with offices in London and Berlin - Will receive a milestone payment of USD2.0 million following the commencement of work on a third target as part of its research collaboration with Mallinckrodt PLC for the treatment of complement pathway-mediated diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Silence is responsible for preclinical activities and for executing development of each target through Phase 1, after which Mallinckrodt will assume responsibility for clinical development and global commercialization. Silence highlights it is also eligible to receive tiered double-digit royalties on net sales for each optioned product candidate and up to USD2 billion in total milestone payments across all three targets.







By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
BAY CITY, MI  A Michigan man already required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life has been federally charged with sexually assaulting a little girl.

A federal grand jury Feb. 3 indicted 54-year-old Gary F. Sheahan on single counts of aggravated sexual abuse and commission of a sex offense by a sex offender. A conviction of the former requires not less than 30 years in prison, while a conviction of the latter requires exactly 10 years incarceration. Both charges are also punishable by a fine of up to $250,000.

The indictment states Sheahan on Dec. 3 sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl in Isabella County. The document does not provide details on how Sheahan had access to the child.

Sheahan on Thursday, Feb. 24, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Curtis Ivy Jr. Defense attorney Elias J. Escobedo Jr. entered a not-guilty plea on Sheahans behalf.

Records state an Isabella County judge in March 2004 sentenced Sheahan to 13 to 50 years in state prison on a conviction of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13. Sheahan had pleaded no contest to that charge. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Sheahan on Jan. 19, 2017, and then discharged him from it on Jan. 19, 2019.

Due to this conviction, Sheahan must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

At the Feb. 24 arraignment, Magistrate Ivy ordered Sheahan be held in custody until his current case is resolved. Sheahans next court date is pending.

Read more:

Man accused of stealing $3,000 in Magic: The Gathering cards, faces 2 felonies

Saginaw man charged with sexually assaulting two girls in the 1990s

Police officer shot twice during traffic stop in 2019 returns to work in Saginaw Township


VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 26, 2021 / Sassy Resources Corporation ("Sassy" or the "Company") (CSE:SASY)(FSE:4E7)(OTCQB:SSYRF) is pleased to announce that it has commenced trading on the OTCQB marketplace under the symbol "SSYRF" and that as of February 25, 2021 the Company is now DTC full-service eligible. Current and future United States based investors now have greater access, ease of trading, home country disclosure, current financial disclosures and Real-Time Level 2 quotes on www.otcmarkets.com.

"In addition to our recent listings on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart exchanges, listing on the OTCQB venture stage marketplace and gaining DTC full service eligibility is an important milestone for the Company," said Mark Scott, Sassy CEO. "This step demonstrates our commitment to increasing our investor base while providing our current and future U.S. investors convenient access to the same ease of trading, timely news and information enjoyed by investors in Canada. It gives us the opportunity to increase our outreach to investors outside of Canada and share with them all of the exciting value-building developments underway at the Company's Foremore Gold-Silver Project in the prolific Eskay Camp in the heart of British Columbia's Golden Triangle, our Nicobat Project in Ontario, along with our significant ongoing acquisitions in the Gander Gold Belt and beyond in Newfoundland."

The Company appointed Burns, Figa and Will, Attorneys, to provide guidance with respect to its eligibility to meet the requirements of the OTCQB and to advise the Company on its responsibilities for complying with its U.S. disclosure obligations under the Securities Act of 1934 and Rule 12g3-2 promulgated thereunder in connection with the OTCQB listing and the OTCQB standards for international companies.

Restricted Share Units Granted

In accordance with the provisions of the Company's restricted share unit (RSU) plan (the Plan) which was adopted by shareholders at the Company's annual general and special meeting on November 25, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors has approved the granting of 2,600,000 total RSUs to certain Officers and Directors of the Company. The units are subject to the provisions of the Plan and will be issued in six-month intervals over an 18-month vesting schedule.

About Sassy Resources Corporation

Sassy Resources is an exploration stage resource company currently engaged in the identification, acquisition and exploration of high-grade precious metal and base metal projects in North America. Its current focus is the Foremore Gold-Silver Project located in the Eskay Camp, Liard Mining Division, in the heart of Northwest B.C.'s prolific Golden Triangle.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Investors are cautioned that, except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained in this document includes "forward looking information", with respect to a performance expectation for Sassy Resources Corporation. Such forward looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections formulated using assumptions believed to be reasonable and involving a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such factors include, without limitation, fluctuations in foreign exchange markets, the price of commodities in both the cash market and futures market, changes in legislation, taxation, controls and regulation of national and local governments and political and economic developments in Canada and other countries where Sassy carries out or may carry out business in the future, the availability of future business opportunities and the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions or operational difficulties related to technical activities of mining and reclamation, the speculative nature of exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks obtaining necessary licenses and permits, reducing the quantity or grade of reserves, adverse changes in credit ratings, and the challenge of title. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update publicly or revise forward looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Some of the results reported are historical and may not have been verified by the Company.

Contact Info:

Mark Scott

Chief Executive Officer & Director

info@sassyresources.ca

Terry Bramhall

Sassy Resources Corporate Communications/IR

1.604.833.6999 (mobile)

1.604.675.9985 (office)

terry.bramhall@sassyresources.ca

In Europe:

Michael Adams

Managing Director - Star Finance GmbH

info@star-finance.eu

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Sassy Resources Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/632313/Sassy-Resources-Commences-Trading-On-OTCQB-Obtains-DTC-Full-Service-Eligibility
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The president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, has announced the launch of a new aid package aimed at alleviating the economic effects of the pandemic this Thursday (26 February).

There will be 270 million euros allocated to maintaining employment and another 140 million that will translate into direct aid of up to 3,000 euros for the retail trade and the hospitality industry.

Moreno also took the opportunity during a parliamentary session to demand an aid plan from the central government similar to those that have been put into place in other European countries.

He referred to the announcement made this Wednesday by the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, about an additional aid package of 11 billion euros for companies, small businesses and self-employed workers but regretted the lack of detail provided. "It looks more like a headline left hanging in the air," he said.

The Andalusian president made an assessment of the economic crisis unleashed by the pandemic in the region and stressed the financial and unemployment data this time is better in Andalucia than the national average.

Moreno said the figures are a consequence of the measures that have been adopted in Andalucia since the beginning of the health crisis, aimed at helping the economic sectors most affected and laying the foundations for recovery.

In July, he pointed out, an agreement was signed for the economic and social reactivation of the region and the 'Andalucia on the Move plan' was presented, with 3,450 million euros allocated for the 2020-2023 period, with the aim of promoting infrastructures in different areas.

He also highlighted that a support plan with 660 million euros for the self-employed and small businesses was approved to help the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, "twice the amount budgeted by the rest of the Spains regions put together," he said.
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will supply 20 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin to Brazil during the second and third quarters of current year, the city-based vaccine maker said on Friday.

It has signed an agreement with the Brazilian government for the supply of the indigenously developed vaccine, a press release from the company said here.

"The company is delighted to partner with Brazil in its battle against Covid-19 and aid its immunisation programme against the virus. It has signed an agreement for delivery of Covaxin during Q2 and Q3 2021," it said.

Several countries around the world have expressed strong interest in Covaxin and the company was fully committed to ensuring supplies promptly and efficiently, the release added.

had earlier saidit signed an agreement with Brazil-based Precisa Medicamentos for the supplies of Covaxin for the private markets inthe South American country.

Same-sex marriage not a fundamental right: Centre tells Delhi court

India

pti-Deepika S

New Delhi, Feb 26: Marriage in India is not just a union of two individuals but an institution between biological man and woman, the Centre told the Delhi High Court today while opposing same-sex marriage. It also said that judicial interference will cause "complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws".

Any interpretation other than treating a husband as a biological man and a wife as a biological woman will make all statutory provisions unworkable, it said.

Referring to a Supreme Court judgment, the central government said that it only decriminalised a particular behaviour and did not legitimise it.

It said that marriage is essentially a socially recognized union of two individuals which is governed either by uncodified personal laws or codified statutory laws.

"The acceptance of the institution of marriage between two individuals of the same gender is neither recognized nor accepted in any uncodified personal laws or any codified statutory laws," the Centre has said in its affidavit.

"The question as to whether such a relationship be permitted to be formalised by way of a legal recognition of marriage is essentially a question to be decided by the legislature and can never be a subject matter of judicial adjudication," said the affidavit filed in response to a plea by equal rights activist seeking recognition of same-sex marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) and the Special Marriage Act (SMA).

The Delhi government, in its response to a similar petition filed earlier, has said that there is no provision in the SMA under which two women can be married, and it would be willing to abide by the court's direction.

The Delhi government's stand came in response to a plea by two women seeking to get married under the SMA.

The plea by Mitra and three other equal rights activist -- Gopi Shankar M, Giti Thadani and G Oorvasi -- has contended that marriages between same-sex couples are not possible despite the Supreme Court decriminalising consensual homosexual act.

In response, the Centre has said that the top court by its judgement in the Navtej Singh Johar case only decriminalised a particular human behaviour which was a penal offence, it "neither intended to nor did in fact legitimise the human conduct in question".

"In India marriage is not just a matter of union of two individuals but a solemn institution between a biological man and a biological woman... Despite the decriminalisation of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners (Mitra and others) cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage being recognised under the laws of the country," the central government said.

It said that marriage laws in the country are governed by the personal laws/codified laws relatable to customs of various religious communities which recognise only the union of a man and a woman to be capable of religious sanction, and thereby claim legal and statutory sanction.

"It is submitted that any interference with the same would cause a complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws in the country," the Centre said, adding that "it is for the legislature to judge and enforce such societal morality and public acceptance based upon Indian ethos".

The Centre has also opposed the claims of the petitioners that the concept of marriage was within the private domains of individuals, saying that marriage also had a public aspect to it as several statutory rights and obligations are connected with it.

It has said that when the legislature limited the legal recognition of marriage and the benefits associated with it to heterosexual couples, "it is not permissible for the court to override the same."
Kosovo Investigative journalist Visar Duriqi was left with a broken nose and teeth following an assault by three masked men on 25 February. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) joined their affiliate in Kosovo, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), in condemning the brutal attack.

Visar Duriqi, a journalist at online news portal Insajderi, was on his way home after attending a live TV debate, shortly after midnight, when three unknown people wearing masks assaulted him in front of his apartment. Duriqi suffered severe injuries and was taken to hospital. The police have launched an investigation into the case.

Duriqi covers topics related to religious extremism, corruption and radical groups in Kosovo. He has authored several pieces exposing crime and corruption for the investigative programme InDoks. Since 2014, he has received numerous death threats.

AJK President of the Board, Gentiana Begolli Pustina, described the physical attack on Duriqi as one of the most serious cases in Kosovo.

It is unacceptable and we find the increase of such attacks disturbing. We consider that this attack is not only causing unrest in our community and freedom of expression, but it is also disrupting the environment for exercising journalism in a democratic society. We encourage our colleagues not to let these cowardly acts silence them, she said.

The IFJ and EFJ express their support to Visar Duriqi and urge the Kosovo authorities to resolve this case as soon as possible. "We expect a strong signal from the authorities that such an attack can't go unpunished," they said.
The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), the second largest district in California, announced on Tuesday it was targeting April 5 as the deadline to begin reopening campuses after almost a year of online learning due to the coronavirus pandemic.

San Diego Unified school board member Richard Barrera told the media that teachers were scheduled to return to buildings the week of April 5, with all K-12 students returning the following week on April 12, provided that the county has returned to the red tier established by state health codes and vaccines are made available to all staff.

San Diego High School (Wikimedia Commons)

San Diego County will begin making COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone starting March 1. This follows Governor Gavin Newsoms announcement last week that the state will reserve 10 percent of vaccines for school staff, educators and child care workers. Statewide, an estimated 75,000 first doses of the vaccine will be given every week to teachers.

The news was greeted with enthusiasm by the political and media establishment, who want a return to on-site learning to better facilitate reopening the economy and compel parents with children to go back to work.

Much has been made about the vaccine distribution, but SDUSD is not actually requiring all staff to get vaccinated, merely to have vaccines available. This loophole would allow schools to reopen without having everyone inoculated against the virus.

The announcement comes on the heels of new scientific research which has revealed that the California variant of the disease has acquired new and dangerous mutations. This underscores the absolute necessity of closing schools and all non-essential businesses until it is safe to reopen.

The [California] findings warrant taking a much closer look at this variant.  They underscore the importance of pulling out all the stops in terms of both exposure reduction and increased vaccine distribution and access, one infectious disease expert told the Los Angeles Times.

The trade unions, led by the San Diego Education Association (SDEA), have been instrumental in preparing the groundwork for a return to schools, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that this will lead to a resurgence of COVID cases in the community and throughout the region.

In a statement, Kisha Borden, president of the SDEA, said, We are hopeful that a combination of vaccination for school employees, on-site mitigation (such as ventilation, testing, social distancing and masks), and community case rates that allow San Diego County to return to the red tier for the first time since the fall will allow us to offer in-person opportunities to all students by April 12 while still allowing online opportunities for students whose families do not feel comfortable returning in person.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria cynically tried to pose as the friend of working families by saying, This news provides some relief to parents who have had to juggle multiple roles during the pandemic.

Much of the media coverage has focused heavily on parents who want a return to in-person learning for the sake of the emotional and psychological well-being of their children. These groups, like Reopen California, have only attracted relatively small crowds of mostly well-off, right-wing parents.

The overwhelming sentiment among teachers and families is to delay on-site learning until the virus has subsided. These views, which go against the corporate drive to pump profits out of parents with children, have been essentially blacked out of the media coverage or presented at most as a problem to be overcome.

The district and the unions have sought to downplay these concerns by announcing that the schools will reopen in phases, using hybrid models which feature on-site and online learning, and limiting the number of school days in the week. Families are also being asked to share their preference for on-site or online learning via a survey to be released this month.

The unions have agreed at every critical juncture to the timetables established by the school district who contemptuously announce their decisions at the end of long board meetings through vague-sounding emails. The unions role is to play for time while the school administrators and their corporate sponsors are able to formulate a reopening plan which addresses none of the concerns that parents and educators have been expressing.

On Monday, the SDUSD expanded its in-person instruction to learning and classroom labs, which will allow for up to 22,000 students on campuses. Since November, the district has been offering scheduled learning appointments to Special Education and PreK-5 students. Currently over 4,000 students and 3,500 staff are engaged in in-person instruction.

Elsewhere in the city, the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD), the second largest district in San Diego, reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sweetwater Education Association (SEA) union to reopen two weeks after average case rates in the area reach the red tier.

Under the agreement, hybrid instruction will be offered to 10 percent of the student population on campuses. In-person teaching will be provided on a voluntary basis. These volunteer teachers will maintain their caseloads and teach online, as well as teach hybrid in-person classes. Teachers and students could be back on campuses as early as April 5.

Many parents and educators have already expressed their opposition to the reopening via social media. One person complained that they were tired of being informed by their TV news station instead of directly by the school district. Another person questioned what would even be the purpose of reopening buildings for only a few weeks of instruction.

Special education teachers also voiced their concerns that their students, who require more up close and personal assistance and are more susceptible to the virus, were being ignored by administrators.

Another parent told local media, There are no vaccines for kids yet.  I dont think they will keep their social distance, especially my little one. I dont think he will keep his mask on.

Throughout the pandemic, the unions have collaborated all over the country to force teachers back to work despite the dangers. Teachers and families have been left in the dark as to upcoming details and news regarding reopenings and safety precautions.

San Diego teachers and parents must oppose the premature reopening of schools until it is absolutely safe to return. Their friends are not to be found in the trade unions or the Democratic Party, who do the bidding of corporate America. They must build rank-and-file committees democratically controlled by themselves and not tied to the bourgeois parties and trade unions.

This must be fought for not only in San Diego and throughout California, but throughout the world in a conscious struggle against capitalism. The solution to the ongoing crisis must be based on reason and science, and this can only be achieved under socialism.
CAPE MAY, N.J., Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Farmers Cooperative (NJFC) is excited to announce that it has been awarded a grant to feed the hungry which will result in the distribution of 150,000 meals to food-insecure South Jersey residents.

The grant is provided through the NJEDA's Sustain & Serve NJ Program, which allocates funding to organizations to purchase meals from New Jersey-based restaurants that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program was created because the COVID-19 pandemic has hit restaurants harder than almost any other industry. Without assistance, 37 percent of New Jersey restaurant owners predict they will close in the next six months.

"More than 1.2 million New Jerseyans face hunger every day and with the pandemic, more people than ever are food insecure. We are grateful to be given this opportunity to feed our neighbors. It's humbling and infuriating to see so many Americans struggling," said NJFC Executive Board Member, Carolinn Pocher Woody.

The New Jersey Farmers Cooperative will be partnering with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, The Branches Center of Rio Grande, and local school districts among others, to get these meals into the hands of those who need them most. NJEDA-approved restaurant partner Willow Creek Winery has stepped up to prepare the meals.

Barbara Wilde, owner of Willow Creek Winery, who also serves as NJFC Director, commented, "We felt the sting of COVID, like so many Cape May County families and businesses, when we were completely shut down for months in the spring of 2020, so of course, we immediately volunteered Willow Creek's Tasting Room Kitchen to do the meal prep. We are blessed with a large facility that is capable of handling the task, and we couldn't pass up this opportunity to serve our community in its time of need."

The meals will be prepared by Willow Creek Winery staff and community volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the NJFC at [email protected].

About New Jersey Farmers Cooperative (NJFC):

The New Jersey Farmers Cooperative (NJFC) is creating a regional network of farmers, artists, and artisans in underserved communities in South Jersey and beyond to make our community more economically viable, save farmland by preserving historic properties, and reinvigorate our community as a whole by making farming and small business more accessible to people of color, women, and youth.

SOURCE New Jersey Farmers Cooperative (NJFC)
Twenty-nine years have passed since the bloodiest and most tragic incident in Azerbaijans recent history - Khojaly tragedy. Hundreds of civilians, including women and children, were massacred when Armenian troops assaulted the town of Khojaly on 26 February 1992. According to Azerbaijan's government, 613 Azeri civilians died, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 old people, 487 people wounded (including 76 children). Eight families were completely annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, while 25 lost both parents.

Moreover, 1,275 people were held hostage and 5,379 people were expelled from their place of permanent residence. So far, nothing is known about the fate of 150 people (of which 68 are women and 26 are children



All these acts, organized by ex-President Serzh Sargsyan, who was "Chairman of the Defense Committee" of the anti-Azerbaijani separatist movement, were committed by Armenian military with extreme mercilessness and inconceivable barbarism. The second battalion of 366th regiment under the command of Major Seyran Ohanian, the third battalion under the command of Yevgeniy Nabokhin, staff chief of the first battalion Valeriy Chitchyan and more than 50 officers and ensigns took part in the attack, according to "The Investigation Materials Concerning Khojaly Occupation".



The town residents who attempted to flee, were killed by Armenians in ambushes. According to the Russian Remedial Center Memorial, corpses were brought from Khojaly to Aghdam. Facts of humiliation on dozens of bodies were registered. Forensic examination in Aghdam was performed on 181 corpses, including 13 children. The examination revealed that 151 people died from bullet wounds, 20 people died from shrapnel wounds, 10 were killed with blunt instruments. Facts of scalping people alive were also revealed.



The criminals who committed the Khojaly genocide have still not been held accountable.
5 things you need to know Monday

News
New Delhi: In a tragic incident, eight occupants of a boat carrying 90 Rohingya refugeesoriginally from Myanmar but who had sought shelter in Bangladeshdied due to "severe conditions" on board after the boat drifted at sea following engine failure on February 15. India on Thursday evening said that after it learnt of the boat in distress, it immediately dispatched two coast guard ships to provide food, water and medical assistance to the occupants of the boat, with seven of them being administered IV fluids. New Delhi added that it was in discussions with the Government of Bangladesh to ensure their (survivors) safe and secure repatriation.

On Thursday evening, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, From the information we have, on 11 February 2021, a boat sailed from Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh carrying 64 women including 8 young girls and 26 men including 5 young boys. The engine of the boat failed on February 15 and since then it has been drifting. Due to the severe conditions, we understand that 8 occupants have died and one of the occupants has been missing since February 15.

The MEA added, When we learnt of the boat in distress, we immediately dispatched two coast guard ships to provide food, water and medical assistance to the occupants of the boat. Seven of them were administered IV fluids. We understand that around 47 of the occupants of the boat are in possession of ID cards issued to them by UNHCR office in Bangladesh stating that they are displaced Myanmar nationals and person of concern to UNHCR registered by the Government of Bangladesh. We are in discussions with the Government of Bangladesh to ensure their safe and secure repatriation.
Greylock School Building Committee Preps Enrollment, Capital Planning Records

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The School Building Committee is preparing enrollment projections and capital planning documents to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority this week.

Both enrollment and best practices for capital planning will affect reimbursement rates and scope of any project undertaken.

The city entered the eligibility phase for renovating or replacing Greylock Elementary School in December 2019. The process had been put on hold for some months but the building committee resumed its functions last fall.

On Tuesday, the committee had a preview of the information to be discussed on Friday with MSBA officials. Final documents will be submitted by March 30.

"We need to make sure that the calculation for enrollment is based on our previous projections prior to the pandemic as opposed to through or during the pandemic," Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas said. She anticipated some "back and forth questions" from MSBA on Friday that may mean revisions to the current enrollment projection.

Some 30,000 students had "exited" Massachusetts public education during the pandemic, she said, including more than 100 from the North Adams Public Schools. However, it was expected that many of those children will return in the fall when schools are expected to return to more of a normal routine  based on the efficacy and broad distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines.

"So this is the next step on the enrollment projection component which will determine, two things one our building specifications as I already mentioned, and two, it will also determine our projected reimbursement rate," she said. "So it's a really important key component to entering into feasibility, which is the next phase beyond eligibility that we're currently in."

The district will also have to submit a maintenance and capital planning record. Business Administrator Carolyn Burnett said the information will be used to facilitate the MSBA's assessment of district's maintenance and planning practices.

"The maintenance and capital information provided by the district is a threshold requirement for MSBA funding and can count up to two additional points of reimbursement," she said. "One of the first tabs is maintenance and custodial staffing. The next is maintenance planning, which consists of preventative, and predictive maintenance plans."

The MSBA will rank the district's performance of 20 best practices as average, below average or above average and has the authority to determine whether North Adams will get two additional incentive points.

The state building authority provides reimbursement of school building projects based on a number of factors including a community's ability to pay. North Adams received the maximum 80 percent reimbursement rate for eligible spending for the Colegrove Park Elementary School project.

"I've been working with [Director of Facilities] Bob Flaherty to pull some of this information together and get them the documentation and the answers to the questions that they're looking for, and we can hope that this can get us a couple of extra incentive percentage points," said Burnett.

Malkas said Burnett's summary "does not represent the amount of effort that she has had to put into it, along with Mr. Flaherty, in pulling together all of the documentation."

A lot of different work has happened in the last couple of years around facilities and finance, she said, as well as work regarding asbestos and lead paint removal, roofing leaks, heating and air ventilation, and windows.

"It is a lot more effort than can be described in a five-minute presentation by Ms. Burnett so I just want to acknowledge her work to bring this forward," Malkas said. "We are putting this together in an electronic format to share with the School Building Committee in the next month."

School officials also updated the committee on the focus groups, wanting to make sure members were comfortable with the idea that they would be advocating for "the understanding of the need for feasibility of the project."

Assistant Superintendent Kimberly Roberts-Morandi said the focus groups will help the committee in "gathering data across multiple topics and from multiple stakeholders."

"You as members of this team are going to be our frontline communicators and helping us to move forward messages, as well as gathering data," she said. "As we proceed through this process, again, be thinking about who do you know that that is willing to sit down and provide really some solid feedback and to share their thoughts, positive concerns, neutral, because that's going to be an imperative that we have access to just a multitude of voices."

They would not be hearing immediately about the work of the focus groups, but rather they had to be organized for implementation down the road.

The committee was also informed that Drury High's film and television educator Dan Kammer has been working with Greylock Principal Sandra Cote to create a virtual walk-through of the elementary school.

"We anticipate it being a brief video yet thorough enough so that once you're done watching the few minutes of the video you really understand the layout of Greylock on the inside and then a brief view of the outside of it," Roberts-Morandi said.

Burnett also updated the committee on information related to using "model schools." These types of schools are pre-approved by the MSBA for use as meeting all of the educational and building standards. Because of this, they can be more financially accessible than designing and building new. One part of the discussion had occurred over the cost of change orders and member Tara Jacobs had inquired about two model school projects that had used them.

Tewksbury did not have a footprint for a two-story building and had to change it to a three story and in the case of West Springfield, items that the city had agreed to pay for were added on after the project was underway.

The meeting itself was brief at about 17 minutes but Cote, who worked on the Colegrove Park renovation, wanted the committee to understand that it won't always be this way.

"There are meetings like this where it feels like you're not really being asked to do too much, but those kinds of things happen at different points along the process," she said. "There'll be other times where the committee members will be very busy. And then there'll be times where you're just getting information so I appreciate that you're giving up your time and you're committing to this project and I ask that you please don't get discouraged.

"We are definitely going to use your talents."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-26 20:39:36|Editor: huaxia

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MACAO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Macao will carry out a new round of census from April 1 to Aug. 21 this year, according to the special administrative regional (SAR) government.

This round of census, carried out once in a decade, will cover the areas administered by the Macao SAR, according to a draft regulation the SAR government finished discussing on Friday.

Information will be collected via paper or electronic questionnaires.

Figures released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) in the third quarter of 2020 showed the population of Macao was 682,800, of whom 319,000 were male and 363,800 were female. Enditem
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Prince Harry's 'unhelpful' decision to pour his heart out to James Corden has already caused 'disquiet' at Buckingham Palace after the Queen's grandson insisted he and Meghan Markle 'never walked away' from the royal family by emigrating to Los Angeles - and blamed the media for driving him from the UK.

The Duke of Sussex said the move to California last year was about 'stepping back rather than stepping down' as royals as he appeared on The Late Late Show with Mr Corden, who has gazumped Oprah Winfrey to the exclusive 17-minute interview with his British friend.

The Duchess of Sussex also makes a brief appearance on the show during a FaceTime call, revealing her pet name for Harry is 'Haz', while her husband calls her 'Meg' throughout and reveals that his grandmother bought their son Archie a waffle maker for Christmas.

And in another extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the mansion where it was filmed before the royal and Mr Corden head off to complete a muddy army assault course together, ferried around LA on an open-top tour bus serving afternoon tea.

But critics have questioned the timing of his 'prancing' TV appearance, released last night just as the Queen gave a rare public statement encouraging all Britons to 'think about others' and have the Covid-19 jab.

Palace sources told MailOnline the timing of Harry's TV appearance is 'unhelpful, and has caused 'disquiet' at the palace, especially with Prince Philip spending his 11th day in hospital battling a nasty infection. 'When the Queen speaks as she has done about the vaccine it is accepted that she has a clear field', the insider said.

Others watching the film, where Harry complains about the 'toxic' media attention he received in the UK during a TV interview watched by millions, urged him on social media to 'stop bl**dy whining' and 're-writing history'.

The prince was also accused of 'ignoring' the multi-million dollar deals he and his wife have signed with Spotify and Netflix, with Harry even praising the streaming giant's The Crown, despite its negative portrayal of his family, including his parents Charles and Diana.

Royal expert Robert Jobson, a biographer of Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh, said: 'Timing is everything isn't it. On the day that the Queen has issued a very, very important message about the whole of the nation getting the jab, that message has sort of been blurred by Harry, the man who wants a private life, talking about his private life again'.

Royal expert Phil Dampier said: 'As The Queen urges us to think of others, Prince Harry prances about in LA and makes the absurd claim that he hasn't walked away from the royals. What planet is he on? Hollywood I suppose.' While commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'What is 'Haz' thinking of, appearing on this sort of show and making an idiot of himself? He reveals the Queen gave Archie a waffle maker for Christmas. Waffle is what he does. The script is puerile. It's nauseating to watch, all 17 minutes of it.'

In the interview Harry also reveals:

He knew that Meghan was 'the one' on the second date said they 'went from 0-60 in two months' before going public in 2017;

He speaks about his 'usual night in' where the couple 'do Archie's tea, give him a bath, read him a book and put him down'. He adds: 'Meg might order a meal or get a takeaway. Then we go up to bed, turn on the TV and watch Jeopardy or Netflix'.

Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen sent him a waffle maker as a gift, which the family use most days using Meghan's 'organic mix';

Harry admits he's seen The Crown, shown on Netflix where the Sussexes will be making films, and defends it despite the negative light it paints of the Queen, his parents and other senior royals. He says: 'It's loosely based on the truth. Of course it's not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you an idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above everything else and what can come from that'.

The Queen and Prince Philip have worked out how to use Zoom to speak to their grandson and great-grandson - but the Duke of Edinburgh , who is now in hospital, doesn't know how to end the call so he just slams down the laptop's lid;

Oprah boasts her bombshell interview with Harry and Meghan is 'the best she has ever done' according to best pal Gayle King, hours after being gazumped by James Corden;

Prince Harry has been criticised after giving a headline-grabbing TV interview released just as the Queen made a rare and important public statement encouraging everyone to get the Covid-19 jab if offered it

In one extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the LA mansion where it was filmed, and is egged on by James Corden to try to buy it

In a segment filmed before he and wife Meghan confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the royal family, Harry joined James Corden for a double-decker bus tour of Los Angeles where he broke his silence on quitting as a royal

The friends video call Meghan, who in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the Fresh Prince's house, quipped 'I think we've done enough moving' and reveals she calls her husband 'Haz'

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash', before opening up about his decision to quit the royal family saying: 'We never walked away and as far as I'm concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never walk away'

James and Harry then go to an assault course after Corden promises him something to remind him of his Army roots

At one point Harry crawls through the mud with ease as James Corden panics about following him through the big puddle

Harry lifts a heavy weight, chucks a spear and climbs a rope in the race with his friend James, who attended his wedding

Prince Harry reveals Archie's first word was 'crocodile', the Queen sent the toddler a waffle maker for Christmas and that his nightly routine involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie while in Cape Town in 2019 The Duke of Sussex has revealed his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen sent him a waffle maker for Christmas , during a chat with James Corden . Prince Harry also told the comedian that the nightly routine for his 'amazing' 21-month-old son with wife Meghan Markle involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story. And the Duke revealed in a segment for The Late Late Show that Archie has the 'most amazing personality' and is already putting four words together and singing songs. Harry, 36, who now lives in a 11million mansion in California after stepping down as a senior royal last year, told Corden: 'My son is now just over a year and a half. 'He is hysterical, he's got the most amazing personality. He's already putting three, four words together, he's already singing songs.' Asked what Archie's first word was, Harry said: 'Crocodile, three syllables.' And Corden replied: 'Crocodile? That's a big word.' Harry went on: 'Interesting, my grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas, and Meg said a waffle maker. She sent us a waffle maker for Archie. 'Breakfast now, Meg makes up a beautiful organic mix. In the waffle maker, flip it, out it comes. He loves it. And now I have waffles for breakfast. 'A bit of yoghurt, a bit of jam on top, I don't know if that's the right thing to do. A bit of berries, maybe, a bit of honey, a bit of syrup.' But Corden pointed out: 'Sorry, you're glossing over the fact that I cannot for the life of me imagine the Queen ordering a waffle maker to be sent to Santa Barbara. I can't get my head around...' Harry responded: 'I don't even know how to comment on that. Archie wakes up in the morning and literally just goes: Waffle? Done.' Asked about a normal night in, Harry said: 'Depending on how the day's been, how busy it's been, we'll do Archie's tea, give him a bath, read him a book, put him down. 'Go downstairs, Meg might cook a meal, might order a takeaway. Go upstairs, sit in bed, turn the TV on and watch some Jeopardy, maybe watch a little bit of Netflix.' Advertisement

Prince Harry decided to open up to James Corden about his relationship with Meghan, his son Archie and their decision to quit as frontline royals, saying the pressure of being in London was 'destroying my mental health', branding Britain's media 'toxic'.

Describing the couple's decision he said: 'It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down. It was a really difficult environment, which I think a lot of people saw. So I did what any father or husband would do and thought: 'How do I get my family out of there'. But we never walked away'.

And while the interview was carried out before the Queen stripped the Sussexes of their royal patronages last week, Harry appears to know what was coming and says: 'My life is public service, so wherever I am in the world it's going to be the same thing. As far as I'm concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side [in Britain], I will never walk away'.

The royals have already been warned to 'hide behind the sofa' when the Sussexes' incendiary interview with Oprah is broadcast on Sunday March 7, with experts saying the Late Show appearance suggests the 90-minute CBS show will focus much more on Meghan.

In a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out on an open-top bus, an off the leash Harry also reveals that he has had Zoom calls with Prince Philip and Queen, who sent Archie a waffle maker for Christmas, and describes his son as 'hysterical', claiming his first word was 'crocodile'. He also says he knew Meghan was 'the one' after two dates, describing their relationship as '0-60 in two months'.

In one extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the mansion where it was filmed, before Corden video calls Meghan, who calls her husband 'Haz' and tells him not to buy it because she's 'done moving'. Harry then pops inside to use the toilet before the friends head off to complete a muddy army assault course together.

The Queen, who speaks to the PM Boris Johnson every week, is speaking out to give the vaccination programme added support.

Other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Charles and Prince William, are expected to follow suit.

But the fact that Harry, who was criticised for his 'petulant' and 'rude' swipe at the Queen when he said duty was 'universal' after the Megxit announcement, has appeared on TV talking about his private life just when the Queen made an historic intervention on Covid-19 shows the lack of coordination.

One senior source said, 'This blurring of the lines doesn't help anyone. When the Queen speaks like this it is her message that should be heard without other distractions. This lack of coordination is unhelpful.'

The Late Show appearance came hours after the Queen has made a historic intervention in the coronavirus vaccination drive, suggesting it is selfish not to have the jab.

In a video call with NHS officials in charge of the rollout, she encouraged those with doubts to 'think about other people rather than themselves'.

The 94-year-old monarch said her jab last month 'didn't hurt at all' and had made her 'feel protected'. Likening Covid to a plague, she said it was remarkable how quickly the inoculation programme had been put into action, helping 'so many people'.

A senior royal source said: 'It is a passionately held belief that people need to get out there [and get vaccinated]  this is important.'

Critics say Harry's appearance will water down her message.

Royal expert Robert Jobson told BBC Breakfast: 'Well he seems in a very chirpy mood, very happy. All this talk about him being unhappy in LA doesn't seem to be true. He's talking candidly and James Corden's asking the right questions.

Prince Harry defends The Crown and says it captures the 'pressure' faced by royals to 'put duty and service above everything' - and says he'd like Damian Lewis to play him on screen Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor as Princess Diana and Prince Charles in series four of Netflix royal drama The Crown Prince Harry has defended Netflix 's The Crown, saying it gives an 'idea' of the pressures faced by members of the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex, 36, gave his seal of approval to the Netflix show despite it coming under fire over its unflattering portrayal of the royals, including the Queen and Prince Charles . Speaking on The Late Late Show with James Corden , Harry said The Crown is 'fictional' but is 'loosely based on the truth' and captures the feeling of being expected to put 'duty and service above family and everything else'. Harry and wife Meghan Markle, 39, last year signed a content deal with Netflix, the creators of The Crown, thought to be worth 100million. Harry added he would like Homeland actor Damian Lewis to play him if his character ever appears on the show as an adult. 'They don't pretend to be news, it's fictional,' Harry said of The Crown. 'But it's loosely based on the truth. 'Of course it's not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you a rough idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else and what can come from that'. Advertisement

'But unfortunately, everything's in timing, isn't it? Just on the day that the queen has issued a very, very important message about the whole of the nation getting the jab, and her, and she feels it's people's duty to go and get it, that message has sort of been blurred a little bit again by Harry, the man who wants a private life, talking about his private life again.

'I'm sure there's just a lack of co-ordination here, but that's half of the problem I think. The reality is I'm sure the Royal Family will be speaking about the vaccination going forward, giving a clear message and duty they've got, and Harry seems hell bent talking about his private life.

'Look, move on, you've got what you want, you've moved away to LA, but then you can't have your cake and eat it.

'You can't be sitting there clashing with the Queen, when the Queen says something very important, and she speaks only rarely, it's a very significant thing that she's saying in co-ordination, I'm sure, with Boris Johnson and the Government. She needs a clear field.

'To be fair to Harry, this is probably an accident the way it's happened, but yet again it happens, clashes with the Queen, and as a result her message will be diluted.'

Royal photographer Arthur Edwards, who has known Harry since he was a child, told ITV's Good Morning Britain he was 'surprised' by the prince saying he'd faced a 'toxic' time with the media, saying he had a good relationship with him until Meghan arrived.

'I don't know where 'toxic' has come from,' he said.

'When I worked with him all those years, he engaged with the media - we used to have a drink, on every tour we'd go to the pub and he used to get everything off his chest and you'd get everything off your chest.

'It's only when he met Meghan that stopped.

'He never interacted with us again.'

The 17-minute film begins with James Corden pulling up outside Harry's mansion in an open -top bus, which Harry admits he's never been on.

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash' and said it was his first time on an open-top bus because 'we're not really allowed to'.

Once settled in on the top deck,, the Duke of Sussex speaks about family life, revealing that son Archie's first word was 'crocodile' and the Queen gave the one-year-old a waffle maker for Christmas.

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.

But moments later the bus braked heavily and the dinner wagon holding the tea jolted into Prince Harry - who swore in shock - before he spat his drink out while laughing.

During a visit to the house that featured on 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Harry rapped the famous theme song, which was originally performed by Will Smith.

Harry blames 'toxic' press for having to leave the UK Prince Harry used the interview to point the finger at the British press for his decision to emigrate with Meghan, 39, and Archie, one. 'It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down, there was a really difficult environment as I think a lot of people saw,' Harry said. 'We all know what the British press could be like, and it was destroying my mental health, I was like this is toxic. So I did what any husband and what any father would do is like, I need to get my family out of here.' Critics of the couple, who announced this month they were expecting their second child, have said they are keen for publicity but only on their own terms. An in-depth interview they have given to U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey is due to be aired on March 7. During his interview, carried out on a tour of Los Angeles, Harry told Corden that Netflix's hit series 'The Crown', a fictional account of the life of the queen and her family, was 'loosely based on the truth', before again pointing a finger at the press. 'It gives you a rough idea about what that lifestyle, what the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else, what can come from that,' he said. 'I'm way more comfortable with the Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family or my wife, or myself, because ... that is obviously fiction, take it how you will, but this is being reported on as facts because you're supposedly news.' Advertisement

Corden tried to convince him to buy the sprawling mansion before Harry went inside to use the bathroom.

They then video called Meghan, who in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the house, quipped 'I think we've done enough moving'.

She then asked 'Haz' how his tour of Los Angeles was going but he called Corden 'the worst tour guide in LA'.

Back on board the buss Harry addressed the controversy over The Crown's portrayal of his family's history and defended the Netflix regal drama, saying it does not 'pretend to be news'.

Asked by Corden who he would like to see play him, Harry mistakenly referred to the red-headed Homeland actor as "Daniel Lewis", before Corden corrected him and told him Lewis would be a "great shout", joking that he could play the Duke of Cambridge.

Bookmaker Coral now has Lewis, 50, at 2-1 to play Harry in any future series of The Crown.

He said both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh can use Zoom and have seen Archie 'running around' in California.

In a segment for The Late Late Show, filmed before he and the Duchess of Sussex confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the royal family, Harry joined TV host Corden for a double-decker bus tour of Los Angeles.

Asked by Corden how he sees his life after lockdown, Harry, 36, said: 'My life is always going to be about public service and Meghan signed up to that.'

On the decision to walk away from the royal family, he said it 'was never walking away, it was stepping back rather than stepping down'.

He added that it was a 'really difficult environment' and criticised the press, saying it was 'destroying my mental health'.

Harry said he needed to move his family away but insisted: 'I will never walk away, I will always be contributing. My life is public service.'

The film begins with Harry waiting on the kerb as the open top bus pulls up outside his mansion with James Corden on the top deck

Harry enjoys tea on the top deck until the bus breaks hard, showering him with food and drink, leaving James with his head in his hands

Harry then opens up about leaving Britain and quitting as frontline royals, saying he was doing it to protect his family

The friends then go to the mansion used in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, where Harry raps and is then encouraged to buy it so he can be the Prince of Bel Air

In a bid to encourage Harry to 'make an offer', he grabs Harry's iPhone and calls Meghan on FaceTime

Meghan looks pleased to see their friend, but says he shouldn't make an offer because she's 'done moving'

Harry then goes into the mansion to use the loo, saying 'I've had a Covid test, popping his head out of the window and saying: 'If I'm not back in ten minutes come and get me'

The pair crawl under wire through the mud, with the slower James Corden needing encouragement from the royal

James Corden is cheered on by Harry after clambering over a climbing wall - having first used a ladder to get up the other side

They then sprint to the end but Harry initially let James run past him but he then sprinted past him to win

James Corden steals a march on Oprah by airing Harry's home truths days before prime-time CBS interview with Meghan James Corden has stolen a march on Oprah by airing his antics with Prince Harry days before the prime-time interview that enraged Buckingham Palace. In a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out on an open-top bus, the Duke of Sussex - or 'Haz,' as Corden calls him - reveals he went from 'zero to sixty' with Meghan and how the pressures of living in London were 'destroying my mental health.' With Oprah's Sussexes interview airing next weekend, Corden's exclusive with Harry is the latest coup in his career that has seen a meteoric rise to Hollywood A-lister after first finding fame as Essex lad Smithy in British sitcom Gavin and Stacey. Like Oprah, Corden was a guest at the Sussexes wedding in 2018 and even compered at the reception, but with his latest interview he's stolen the thunder of the biggest name in the business. Amid anticipation for what Meghan might tell Oprah, Corden elicited some bombshells of his own from the Duke, including the insistence that he 'never walked away' from the royal family and he did 'what any husband or father would do' by emigrating to Los Angeles. One watcher said: 'After this, what's left for Oprah?'. Advertisement

The duke also spoke about his early relationship with Meghan, 39.

He said dating for him or any member of the royal family is 'flipped upside down', telling Corden that early dates take place at home and only when they are a couple do they venture out in public.

'We got to spend an enormous amount of time just the two of us,' he said of his early relationship with Meghan. 'There were no distractions, and that was great, it was an amazing thing. We went from zero to 60 in the first two months.'

Asked what a 'regular night in' for the couple is like, Harry said they may make Archie's tea, give him a bath and read him a book before he and Meghan spend time together.

He said they may watch game show Jeopardy! or something on Netflix.

Asked what he thinks about The Crown, Harry replied: 'They don't pretend to be news, it's fictional but it's loosely based on the truth.

'Of course it's not strictly accurate, but, loosely, it gives you a rough idea about what that lifestyle, what the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else, what can come from that.

'I am way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife or myself.'

He said The Crown is 'obviously fiction' whereas he has a 'real issue' with some of the stories written about him.

Harry joked that he would want Homeland star Damian Lewis to play him.

The segment opened with Corden telling the duke to pay the fare before jumping on the bus. Harry quipped: 'You know us royals - we don't carry cash.'

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.

During a visit to the house that featured in 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Harry rapped the famous theme song, which was originally performed by Will Smith.

Prince Harry reveals how his relationship with Meghan Markle went 'from zero to 60 in the first two months' The Duke of Sussex has spoken out about the first time he met the Duchess, revealing they 'went from zero to 60 in the first two months'. Prince Harry said 'there were no distractions, and that was great, it was an amazing thing'. He added he will always be about public service and Meghan 'signed up to that' despite stepping down as a Royal. The Duke said dating for him or any member of the Royal Family is 'flipped upside down', telling James Corden that early dates take place at home and only when they are a couple do they venture out in public. 'We got to spend an enormous amount of time just the two of us,' he said of his early relationship with Meghan. 'There were no distractions, and that was great, it was an amazing thing. We went from zero to 60 in the first two months.' Asked what a 'regular night in' for the couple is like, Harry said they may make Archie's tea, give him a bath and read him a book before he and Meghan spend time together. He said they may watch game show Jeopardy! or something on Netflix. Advertisement

Corden tried to convince him to buy the sprawling mansion before the duke went inside to use the bathroom.

The pair then video-called Meghan, who, in response to Corden's suggestion they buy the house, joked: 'I think we've done enough moving.'

She then asked 'Haz' how his tour of Los Angeles was going, and he said Corden was 'the worst tour guide in LA'.

Harry and a reluctant Corden also tackled an assault course, with the TV host complaining about getting dirty.

Harry and Meghan will appear in a US primetime TV interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is set to be broadcast on March 7.

The couple are expected to discuss their life in America.

Harry's TV appearance came as his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh began his 11th day in hospital where he is being treated for an infection ahead of the start of the weekend.

Buckingham Palace's last update on Prince Philip, 99, was on Tuesday and said he was 'comfortable' and 'responding to treatment'.

His son Prince Edward has also said this week Philip was 'a lot better' but 'looking forward to getting out' with the Royal Family were keeping their 'fingers crossed'.

The Earl of Wessex thanked well-wishers for their messages of support as it was announced on Tuesday that Philip would spend 'several days' more in hospital.

He was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell, and walked into the building unaided.

This is the longest amount of time he has spent in hospital since June 2013 when he had an exploratory operation on his abdomen.

Philip was initially due to spend a few days under medical care for 'observation and rest', but last Friday it emerged he was likely to remain in hospital into this week.

Was Archie's first word REALLY crocodile? People aren't convinced by Prince Harry's claim after previous reports the toddler had said 'Mama' and 'dog'

Social media users have raised doubts over Prince Harry's claim that his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile.'

During a chat with James Corden, when asked what Archie's first word was, the Duke of Sussex said: 'Crocodile, three syllables.'

Corden replied: 'Crocodile? That's a big word.'

But critics appear baffled, with some demanding 'proof' that 21-month-old Archie can say the three-syllable word.

Harry also revealed how Archie was able to put 'three, four words together,' adding, 'he's already singing songs.'

In June last year, a source told Us Weekly that Archie's first words included 'Dada' and 'Mama'.

'He's saying a few words, like 'Dada,' 'Mama,' 'book,' and 'dog,' the source said.

Harry (right) appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden (left), which came out today

Social media users have poured scorn on Prince Harry's claim that his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie while in Cape Town in September 2019

Prince Harry also told the comedian that the nightly routine for his 21-month-old son with wife Meghan Markle involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story.

And the Duke revealed in a segment for The Late Late Show that Archie has the 'most amazing personality' and is already putting four words together and singing songs.

Harry, 36, who now lives in a 11million mansion in California after stepping down as a senior royal last year, told Corden: 'My son is now just over a year and a half.

'He is hysterical, he's got the most amazing personality. He's already putting three, four words together, he's already singing songs.'

But the chat sparked debate online, with some social media users questioning the Duke's claims about Archie's first word.

One wrote: 'I want to hear Prince Archie saying 'crocodile'', while another tweeted: 'No way was crocodile his first word.'

In another extraordinary moment Harry rapped the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the mansion where it was filmed.

While some fans praised the 'brilliant' moment, others were less than impressed.

On social media user branded it 'embarrassing' while another added: 'I wonder why I don't watch TV anymore.'

Harry went on: 'Interesting, my grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas, and Meg said a waffle maker. She sent us a waffle maker for Archie.

'Breakfast now, Meg makes up a beautiful organic mix. In the waffle maker, flip it, out it comes. He loves it. And now I have waffles for breakfast.

'A bit of yoghurt, a bit of jam on top, I don't know if that's the right thing to do. A bit of berries, maybe, a bit of honey, a bit of syrup.'

But Corden pointed out: 'Sorry, you're glossing over the fact that I cannot for the life of me imagine the Queen ordering a waffle maker to be sent to Santa Barbara. I can't get my head around...'

Harry responded: 'I don't even know how to comment on that. Archie wakes up in the morning and literally just goes: Waffle? Done.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reveal Archie to the world at Windsor Castle in May 2019

Asked about a normal night in, Harry said: 'Depending on how the day's been, how busy it's been, we'll do Archie's tea, give him a bath, read him a book, put him down.

'Go downstairs, Meg might cook a meal, might order a takeaway. Go upstairs, sit in bed, turn the TV on and watch some Jeopardy, maybe watch a little bit of Netflix.'

Meghan Markle calls her husband 'Haz' and shows off California chic in blue smocked dress and flowing hair as she joins Prince Harry's interview with James Corden on FaceTime

Meghan Markle revealed her nickname for Prince Harry is Haz during an appearance alongside her husband on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

The Duke, 36, and Duchess of Sussex, 39, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara, both appeared on the programme yesterday as the presenter offered Prince Harry a sightseeing tour of Los Angeles.

In one extraordinary moment the Duchess appears on FaceTime to tell the presenter they won't buy the Fresh Prince of Bel Air mansion because they have 'done enough moving', before asking: 'Haz, how is the tour of LA going?'

The Duchess opted to wear a $29 soft blue smocked dress from local boutique Velvet Torch, with a matching blue heptagon shaped pendant necklace, for the appearance.

Meghan Markle, 39, has revealed her nickname for Prince Harry is Haz during an appearance from the couple on The Late Late Show with James Corden

During the appearance, the presenter joked with Prince Harry about buying the mansion from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, before calling Meghan to discuss it.

After finding Meghan under 'M' within Prince Harry's phone, the presenter proceeded to call the royal, who told the duo they'd not be moving because 'they've done enough moving.'

The couple briefly moved into Frogmore Cottage during Meghan's first pregnancy with Archie in 2019, before spending months in Canada in November 2019.

They then proceeded to move to Los Angeles in the spring of 2020, where they lived in Tyler Perry's house for several months, before finally settling at their own $14 million mansion last summer.

During a brief segment on the show, the Duke of Sussex and presenter James FaceTimed the Duchess to ask whether the couple should buy the mansion where The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was filmed

Meanwhile after Meghan revealed her nickname for Prince Harry, James teased the royal over the moniker, saying: 'Haz, oh Haz, I didn't know we were calling you Haz now?'

Prince Harry responded: 'Well you're not my wife.'

Appearing on the call, Meghan opted for low-key makeup with dark eyeliner and a hint of blusher across her cheeks.

The royal donned a soft blue smocked gown for the appearance, which is believed to be from local LA boutique Velvet Torch.

Appearing over video call, Meghan joked the couple had 'done enough moving', having settled into their $14 million mansion in Santa Barbara last summer

Meanwhile presenter James teased the couple after Meghan revealed her moniker for Prince Harry is Haz

Online, the gown is described as featuring a 'smocked bodice' which adds 'figure hugging style' to an 'on-trend puff sleeve dress'.

Meanwhile she wore her long flowing hair down around her face in loose waves.

Days ago, celebrity hairstylist James Johnson told FEMAIL Meghan's lengthy locks would likely have been achieved with the help of clip-in extensions, adding that the Duchess had had a 'Hollywood makeover'.

He explained: 'I think a lot of us are feeling the need for a re-vamp, perhaps this is the image she's always wanted to look like.'

Battle of the Sussex sit-downs: Oprah boasts her bombshell interview with Harry and Meghan is 'the best she has ever done' according to best pal Gayle King, hours after the prince's no-holds-barred chat with James Corden

Oprah Winfrey says her interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is 'the best she has ever done', her best friend Gayle King revealed in a thinly-veiled attempt to claw back public interest in the sit-down amid intense coverage of the Duke's appearance on James Corden's Late Late Show.

According to Gayle, 66, who is an anchor for CBS, the network that broadcasts Corden's show, and will air Oprah's primetime interview with Meghan and Harry next month, made the comments on This Morning on Friday, while reporting on the Duke of Sussex's Late Late Show segment.

After detailing the many revelations shared during the interview with Corden - which took place in Los Angeles before Oprah's sit-down with Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, was filmed - Gayle reminded viewers about her friend's own chat with the Sussexes, saying: 'We want to remind you that Harry and Meghan are talking to Oprah.

'It's their first major broadcast interview since giving up their senior royal duties.'

After detailing the date and time of the broadcast, Gayle continued: 'I've heard from reliable sources, this is Oprah talking, that it's the best interview she's ever done so I'm curious. That's saying something.'

Teaser: Oprah says her interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is the 'best she has ever done', her close friend Gayle King revealed on Friday morning

Promotion: The 67-year-old TV mogul's primetime sit-down with the couple is due to air on March 7 on CBS - the same network that Gayle, 66, is an anchor for

WATCH: @JKCorden invited Prince Harry for a special episode of #CarpoolKaraoke on Thursday's @LateLateShow on @CBS.



The show had plenty of laughs, but Harry also revealed quite a bit about the disconnect between Royal life and his family life. @GayleKing reports. pic.twitter.com/ExXxOHD4tu  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 26, 2021

It is the second on-air promotion that Gayle has done for her long-time pal - having already revealed on February 16 that Oprah had been given permission to ask Harry and Meghan 'anything she wanted' and that 'nothing was off limits' during the interview.

The news likely sparked fresh fears for Buckingham Palace over what embarrassing revelations could come to light - particularly in the wake of the Queen's decision to remove the couple's remaining royal patronages and honorary titles, a move that prompted the Sussexes to bite back in a petty public statement.

'This is a big deal,' Gayle said last Wednesday - one day before Harry and Meghan reportedly began taping their two-day interview with Oprah.

'I know Oprah has been working on the questions all weekend long, I'm told that nothing is off limits. She can ask anything she wants.'

'Archie must be GENIUS!': People aren't convinced after Prince Harry claims his son's first word was 'crocodile' - as others doubt the Duke spent his youth watching the Fresh Prince after 'cringey' rap routine

Social media users have raised doubts over Prince Harry's claim that his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile.'

During a chat with James Corden, when asked what Archie's first word was, the Duke of Sussex said: 'Crocodile, three syllables.'

Corden replied: 'Crocodile? That's a big word.'

But critics appear baffled, with some demanding 'proof' that 21-month-old Archie can say the three-syllable word.

Harry also revealed how Archie was able to put 'three, four words together,' adding, 'he's already singing songs.'

Some people on social media have also been left unimpressed by Harry's rendition of The Fresh Prince rap, which he performed during the extraordinary Late Late Show interview.

Harry (right) appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden (left), which came out today

Social media users have poured scorn on Prince Harry's claim that his son Archie's first word was 'crocodile.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie while in Cape Town in September 2019

Prince Harry also told the comedian that the nightly routine for his 21-month-old son with wife Meghan Markle involves 'tea', a bath and a bedtime story.

And the Duke revealed in a segment for The Late Late Show that Archie has the 'most amazing personality' and is already putting four words together and singing songs.

Harry, 36, who now lives in a 11million mansion in California after stepping down as a senior royal last year, told Corden: 'My son is now just over a year and a half.

'He is hysterical, he's got the most amazing personality. He's already putting three, four words together, he's already singing songs.'

But the chat sparked debate online, with some social media users questioning the Duke's claims about Archie's first word.

One wrote: 'I want to hear Prince Archie saying 'crocodile'', while another tweeted: 'No way was crocodile his first word.'

Prince Harry reveals his grandfather Prince Philip, 99, DOES know how to use Zoom - but simply slams shut his laptop to end calls instead of pressing leave - in interview recorded before Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to hospital

Prince Harry has revealed that his grandfather Prince Philip does know how to use Zoom - but simply slams shut his laptop to end calls instead of pressing the Leave button.

The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen have called the Sussexes a 'few times' and even seen Archie 'running around', said Harry.

His comments came as part of a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out during an open-top bus tour of Los Angeles with The Late Late Show host James Corden.

In one extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the mansion where it was filmed, before Corden video calls Meghan Markle, who calls her husband 'Haz'.

The Duke of Sussex also opened up to James about his relationship with Meghan, his son Archie and their decision to quit as frontline royals, saying the pressure of being in London was 'destroying his mental health', branding Britain's media 'toxic'.

The rare TV interview was recorded before Prince Philip, 99, was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London, where he is being treated for an infection and today begins his 11th day.

Prince Harry has revealed that his grandfather Prince Philip (pictured above, in July last year), 99, ends family Zoom calls by simply shutting his laptop instead of pressing the leave button

Prince Harry pictured visiting the mansion used in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air during his wide-ranging interview with The Late Late Show host James Corden

Responding to whether the Queen knows how to use Zoom, Prince Harry said: 'Yes, both my grandparents do.

'They have zoomed a few times, they have seen Archie running around.

'But my grandfather, instead of pressing leave meeting he just goes [Harry pretends to close laptop].

'I am like 'bye' as I'm pressing - and he just goes [imitates closing laptop].'

Netflix employee Prince Harry defends The Crown and says it captures the 'pressure' faced by royals to 'put duty and service above everything' - and says he'd like Damian Lewis to play him on screen

Prince Harry has defended Netflix's The Crown, saying it gives a 'good idea' of the pressures faced by members of the Royal Family.

The Duke of Sussex, 36, shared his feelings on the Netflix show - which has come under fire over its unflattering portrayal of the royals, including the Queen and Prince Charles - on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Harry said The Crown is 'loosely based on the truth' and captures the feeling of being expected to put 'duty and service above everything else'.

Harry and wife Meghan Markle, 39, last year signed a content deal with Netflix, the creators of The Crown, thought to be worth 100million.

Prince Harry has defended Netflix's The Crown, saying it gives a 'good idea' of the pressures faced by members of the Royal Family, and said he would like Damian Lewis to play him

The Netflix show has come under fire over its portrayal of members of the Royal Family, including Harry's father Prince Charles. Pictured, Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor as Princess Diana and Prince Charles in series four of The Crown

Harry added he would like Homeland actor Damian Lewis to play him if his character ever appears on the show as an adult.

'They don't pretend to be news, it's fictional,' Prince Harry said of The Crown. 'But it's loosely based on the truth.

'Of course it's not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you an idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above everything else and what can come from that.

'I'm way more comfortable about The Crown than the stories I see written about my family, my wife or myself because there's a difference between that's obviously fiction, take it how you will  but this is reported on as fact because you're supposedly news.'

Think about others rather than yourselves': The Queen makes passionate plea over vaccine take-up as she says jab 'didn't hurt at all' and suggests those refusing it are selfish

The Queen has made a historic intervention in the coronavirus vaccination drive, suggesting it is selfish not to have the jab.

In a video call with NHS officials in charge of the rollout, she encouraged those with doubts to 'think about other people rather than themselves'.

The 94-year-old monarch said her jab last month 'didn't hurt at all' and had made her 'feel protected'. Likening Covid to a plague, she said it was remarkable how quickly the inoculation programme had been put into action, helping 'so many people'.

A senior royal source said: 'It is a passionately held belief that people need to get out there [and get vaccinated]  this is important.'

It is highly unusual for the sovereign to take such a firm public stand on contentious issues and her remarks will be seen as a victory for efforts to increase take-up. An NHS vaccine chief said it was an 'incredibly important vote of confidence' in the programme.

The 94-year-old monarch (pictured leaving King Edward VII Hospital in 2013) said her jab last month 'didn't hurt at all' and had made her 'feel protected'

The Queen has made a historic intervention in the coronavirus vaccination drive, suggesting it is selfish not to have the jab

In a video call with NHS officials in charge of the rollout, Her Majesty encouraged those with doubts to 'think about other people rather than themselves'

More than 18million Britons  one in three adults  have had at least one jab. Another 448,962 were given first doses on Wednesday.

But officials are concerned that 'vaccine hesitancy' could still undermine the rollout and even slow down the easing of lockdown restrictions.

They estimate that around 15 per cent of the population will not take up the offer of a jab, with scepticism highest among the young and minority ethnic groups.

The NHS has been working with community leaders and church groups to try to alleviate some of these fears with seminars and Q&A sessions.

The Queen was speaking during a WebEx video call with the four 'senior responsible officers' leading the deployment of Covid-19 vaccination across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Queen was speaking during a WebEx video call with the four 'senior responsible officers' leading the deployment of Covid-19 vaccination across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Queen's wise words during call with NHS chiefs 'THINK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE' 'Once you've had the vaccine you have a feeling you're protected, which is I think very important. It's obviously difficult for people if they've never had a vaccine but they ought to think about other people rather than themselves. 'IT'S LIKE THE WAR' It's a bit like a plague, isn't it? Because it's not only here that we've got the virus, but it's everywhere, so it's a strange battle that everybody's actually fighting. Having lived in the war, it's very much like that  when everybody had the same idea. THE 'HARMLESS' JAB As far as I can make out it was quite harmless. It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from people who've been surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine It didn't hurt at all. Advertisement

Emily Lawson, who is leading the vaccine deployment programme for the NHS in England, told the monarch: 'We hope everyone who is offered the vaccine will take it up, because it is our best chance to protect both the people who take up the vaccine, their families and their communities.'

In reply, the Queen suggested it was selfish for people not to have the jab if offered one, saying: 'Once you've had the vaccine you have a feeling of, you know, you're protected, which is I think very important.

And I think the other thing is that it is obviously difficult for people if they've never had a vaccine ... but they ought to think about other people rather than themselves.'

After the call Dr Lawson said the Queen's comments were an 'incredibly important vote of confidence in the programme'.

She added: 'We just want to make sure we create the conditions where everybody feels able to take up the offer of a vaccination when they're called. And Her Majesty offering her view on that is a huge boost to our confidence and, I hope, to confidence more broadly in the programme.'

The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall have been thanking volunteers and key workers for their efforts in the vaccine rollout. Earlier this week Prince William made a point of saying on the jab: 'I'd be at the front of the queue if I could, just to prove that it's OK, but I have to wait my turn.'

The duchess told volunteers at another vaccination centre: 'It feels like the first step of freedom, I certainly felt like that [after getting the vaccine]. I hope you're able to be reunited with your grandchildren, I think we're all looking forward to that!'

The Countess of Wessex is volunteering as a St John Ambulance volunteer at a vaccination centre. More than 10,000 volunteers have been trained for deployment at 2,500 sites around the UK.

The Queen had been reluctant to publicly confirm she was going to be vaccinated, with officials arguing that it was 'private medical information'. But she had a change of heart and it was revealed that she and the 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh had been given their jabs early last month.

More than 18million Britons  one in three adults  have had at least one jab. Another 448,962 were given first doses on Wednesday. Pictured: A man receives a vaccine at the Arnison Vaccination Centre near Durham

The Queen's hidden tribute to Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace, after their engagement was announced, July 10 1947 The Queen kept Prince Philip close to her heart on Thursday as she donned the very same six-petal diamond flower brooch she had worn when the couple announced their engagement in 1947. The brooch had been gifted to the Queen just weeks before, on her 21st birthday. The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, has been a patient at King Edward VII Hospital in London for eleven days, his condition is described as 'comfortable and responding to treatment'. The brooch was last seen in June 2013 when the Queen wore it to Epsom races in Surrey. Prince Philip was photographed admiring the piece of jewellery on the day. Advertisement

The monarch has made only a handful of carefully-worded interventions in government matters during the course of her 69 years as head of state, most notably when she urged people to 'think very carefully' ahead of the 2014 Scottish independence vote.

It was later claimed that her comment to a member of public outside church at Balmoral was part of an 'orchestrated' plan to persuade people to vote 'no'.

In 2019 she also urged people to seek common ground and never lose sight of the 'bigger picture' in what was widely seen as a reference to the often vitriolic debate over Brexit in a speech to her local Sandringham Women's Institute.

A royal source likened this week's intervention to the speech given by the Queen at the start of the pandemic in which she urged people to stay at home and talked about the need to work together to defeat the virus.

'In this engagement and the engagements the family have been doing, it is another example of how we are all in it together,' the insider added. 'The vaccination programme is clearly the most important thing going on. They wanted to thank the people taking part in it.'

Insiders said the palace was 'always wary of politics around these things' but stressed the vaccination programme was 'about the nation coming together'.

In the video call, Dr Lawson said: 'To have vaccinated nearly 18million people in the UK is a testament to the strength, the will and the importance the Government, the NHS, all of our partners and our citizens have placed on this vaccination programme.

'It really embodies the spirit of the NHS and it's an amazing example of what the service can do when we all pull in the same direction and we work together with partners to deliver.'

Addressing the Queen, she added: 'I'm wondering what your experience of receiving the vaccine was and whether that was a positive experience from you, and what other feedback you've heard?'

The Queen, speaking from Windsor in pearls and salmon-pink dress, replied: 'Well, as far as I can make out it was quite harmless. It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from people who've been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine. And the jab was very ... it didn't hurt at all.'

From today, hundreds of thousands of people on the official shielding list will be asked to come forward for their first dose.

A further ten vaccination sites, including Reading's Madejski stadium and a theatre in Basildon, Essex, will start administering jabs this week.

Royals are warned to 'hide behind the sofa' with Harry and Meghan's no-holds barred interview with Oprah still to come

Meghan and Harry's Oprah sit-down is still two weeks away, with the Corden interview a big hint that it will focus on the Duchess

According to Variety, Comcast-owned Sky was out of the running while streaming giants Amazon Prime and Netflix - which has already signed a 112million deal with the Sussexes - are thought to not be involved.

The BBC is also not believed to be in the running, as it is instead airing the Queen's annual Commonwealth Day message in a pre-recorded speech at Windsor on March 7 - just 24 hours before the Oprah interview is broadcast in the US.

Instead, ITV - whose journalist Tom Bradby famously asked Meghan if she was 'okay' as part of the broadcaster's 2019 documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey - has reportedly emerged as the main contender.

A spokesman for ITV declined to comment on reports that it had raced ahead in the bidding war among UK broadcasters.

BBC sources told Variety the public broadcaster - which has launched an investigation into how BBC Panorama secured an interview with Harry's mother Princess Diana in 1995 - is not involved in the process.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to be 'very candid' with Oprah in the 90-minute CBS primetime special after last week announcing that they had officially quit the Royal Family

It is understood that ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group, which will be selling the programme overseas, is keen for the Oprah Winfrey interview to land on a free-to-air broadcaster to ensure a significant profile in the UK

Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah may have to be re-edited or even partially re-shot due to the rift it has caused with the royal family and 99-year-old Prince Philip's hospitalisation

Other potential broadcasters include ViacomCBS-backed Channel 5, which airs some Royal content, and Channel 4, which aired an 'Alternative Christmas Message' from a deepfake of the Queen over the holidays.

The BBC, Sky and ViacomCBS have been approached comment..

It is not yet known how or when UK viewers will see the full Oprah interview, though clips of the 90-minute chat will be all over the international TV news and online media minutes after it is shown in America.

This week it emerged Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah may have to be re-edited or even partially re-shot due to the rift it has caused with the royal family and 99-year-old Prince Philip's hospitalisation.

Harry and Meghan are said to be in shock because the Queen stripped them of their royal and sporting patronages after they 'poured their hearts out' to Oprah during a two-day shoot in their 11million LA mansion last week.

The tell-all interview is due to air on Sunday March 7 with no topics off-limits, with one source warning Harry's family the show would be a good 'time to hide behind the sofa at the palace'.

Oprah will first speak with Meghan about royal life, marriage, motherhood, her philanthropic work and how she handles life under the public eye, before being joined by Harry to discuss their move to the US and future goals.

Meghan is also expected to speak about the feud with her family on her father Thomas' side after This Morning host Holly Willoughby said that Oprah's team had been in contact with ITV for footage of an interview with her half-sister.

In the January 2020 broadcast Samantha Markle said the former Suits actress and Harry owed her and their father an apology for 'incredibly wrong, untoward, and shocking' behaviour after the royal wedding in 2018.

Ms Willoughby said: 'Oprah Winfrey's team contacted This Morning requesting footage from our interview with Samantha Markle in preparation for the interview with the Duchess of Sussex'.

She added: 'So, we don't know whether or not they used that in the interview, but what we do know is nothing was off limits.'

'I hope it's worth it for him': Prince Harry's army friend says being stripped of his military titles after quitting royal life will be a 'big ordeal'

Yesterday war hero burns victim Martyn Compton, who has known Harry for 15 years, said he hopes his friend's decision to build a new life for himself, Meghan and Archie in Los Angeles will be 'worth it for him'.

But Mr Compton hinted he can understand why the Queen has cut him loose, saying: 'I guess it comes down to you can't be a royal and cash in on it - and the royal family have said that, which is why everything had happened'.

Mr Compton, who was speaking to ITV's Lorraine, is a former British soldier from the Household Cavalry Regiment who suffered his injuries after an RPG set his vehicle alight in Afghanistan.

Last week he said his friend, who calls a 'genuinely nice bloke', may come to 'regret' his decision to step back from his royal responsibilities.

Prince Harry speaks to Martyn Compton in 2007, and the pair have enjoyed a long friendship, but he is concerned Harry may regret stepping back

Prince Harry won't be allowed to wear the dress uniform he wore on his wedding day (left) and the Royal Marines dress uniform he wore to the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020 with Meghan

Mr Compton was speaking to Lorraine Kelly on ITV1 today where he paid tribute to his 'kind' and 'caring' friend

Harry is Commodore in Chief of Little Ships no more: The prince's lost titles The honorary military titles that Prince Harry has lost: Captain General, Royal Marines As the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines, Harry was appointed in December 2017, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh. He made numerous visits to the Commando Training Centre in Devon and to Norway for arctic warfare drills. He made his last appearance in Royal Marines uniform at a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020. Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington Appointed by the Queen in 2008 and visited the base on at least three occasions in his formal role. In 2010 he presented the families of two servicemen killed in Afghanistan with the Elizabeth Cross. Royal Air Force Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, is the RAF's centre of Force Protection. Commodore-in-Chief, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving Appointed in August 2006 in recognition of the links between the Navy and the Royals. Opened the 30million Amphibious Centre of Excellence at Devonport Naval Base in 2013. Advertisement

When asked about the Queen's decision to ensure Harry is forbidden by tradition from wearing full military regalia after suffering the bitter blow of losing his honorary appointments with the Armed Forces, Mr Compton said: 'It's a big ordeal for him to be able to do that - but he's obviously looking out for his family.'

When asked if Harry would wish things were different, he said: 'I guess it comes down to you can't be a royal and cash in on it - and the royal family have said that which is why everything had happened.'

He added: 'I'll watch it [the Oprah interview] out of interest of what's been said, but yeah it's going to be a big thing that comes out and there's obviously a reason why he's done it by himself.'

Mr Compton was in hospital for a year after he suffered horrific burns to 75 per cent of his body when his armoured vehicle was blown up by a Taliban in 2006.

He was then shot twice in the leg as he scrambled away from the burning wreckage.

As he lay on the ground, his colleague Corporal Of Horse Andrew Radford thought he was an enemy soldier and raised his rifle to shoot him.

But CoH Radford realised his mistake just before he squeezed the trigger and dashed through enemy gunfire to carry his comrade to safety.

On their return to the UK, Lance Cpl Compton lay in a coma for three months and his saviour was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his heroics.

Mr Compton has scars all over his body but with some help from a leading surgeon in Harley Street, and has dedicated himself to raising money for charity since his recovery.

Paying tribute to Harry he said: 'He does a lot for military charities. It comes back to the sort of guy he is. He's just a normal, caring guy who just so happens to be a royal. He's supported me in various charities and ventures I've done.'

His friend Prince Harry will now be forbidden by tradition from wearing full military regalia after suffering the bitter blow of losing his honorary appointments with the Armed Forces.

With the duke no longer returning as a working member of the Royal Family, his honorary roles, such as Captain General of the Royal Marines, will be returned to Her Majesty before being redistributed among other senior royals.

Harry, 36, will be prevented  if only by tradition  from wearing full military regalia. Should he attend a Remembrance Sunday event he could wear his medals and a regimental beret but not a uniform.

Harry, 36, will be prevented from wearing full military regalia and stripped of royal patronages

Garments he should no longer wear are understood to include the Blues and Royals frockcoat worn on his wedding day in May 2018 and the Royal Marines dress uniform he wore to the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020, shortly before he stepped down as a senior royal.

His former commander General Lord Dannatt paid a glowing personal tribute to Prince Harry, saying his heart would always be with Britain's military community even though he may never be seen in uniform again.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail Lord Dannatt, a former head of the UK's Armed Forces, sounded a defiant note on his behalf after the prince's 16 years of service.

He said: 'It was a privilege to have enjoyed Prince Harry's comradeship during the years that he has served his country in uniform. As we say, 'You can take someone out of the Army, but you can never take the Army out of them'.

'I am sure the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force would say the same. I have no doubt that this will be Prince Harry's emotion.

'The announcement from Buckingham Palace is welcome in so far as it clears the air about the Duke of Sussex's future intentions. I fully respect and support the decision that he has made in the best interests of his wife and growing family.

'The military community will miss his official connections and contributions but I am in no doubt that he will continue to support our serving and veteran soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in a private capacity, especially through the Invictus Games and service charities.'

Back in 2005 Prince Harry, then aged only 20, climbed the ornate steps of the Old College at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) to begin his officer training. It was widely remarked in the following years that the Army became his family.

He subsequently served his country with distinction on the frontline in Afghanistan, both as a soldier on the ground and later as a helicopter pilot.

After Sandhurst Prince Harry commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry, in 2006. A debate soon began about whether he could deploy with his unit to Iraq.

As he was not directly in line to the throne many senior army figures thought he should go. Eventually the Ministry of Defence, after drawn-out discussions with Buckingham Palace, was persuaded that he would be a high profile target whose presence would endanger those deployed with him.

Lord Dannatt then personally arranged for Prince Harry to serve in Afghanistan. He struck a deal with media outlets for them not to report his presence in return for interviews to be published and broadcast on his return. The deal held for ten weeks, allowing Harry to experience the brutal realities of warfare.

He served as a Forward Air Controller with a desert reconnaissance unit. In doing so he became the first member of the Royal Family to serve on the frontline since Prince Andrew took part in the Falklands War in 1982 as a helicopter pilot.

While Lord Dannatt offered Prince Harry his best wishes, he also sounded a note of caution as the Duke of Sussex starts a new chapter in his life.

He added: 'Prince Harry will have had to weigh up very carefully everything that was important in his life. Although he cares deeply for the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that he has served with and our veterans, especially those who have been wounded, his priority is with his wife and growing family.

'I fully respect and support the very difficult decision that he has had to make.

'I wish him well for the future and know that his heart will always be with the British military.'

On his return to the UK from Afghanistan Prince Harry was advised to retrain as a helicopter pilot should he wish to go back to the conflict  though secretly few senior officers expected him to pass the necessary selection tests.

But he defied their low expectations, qualifying as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner. He returned to Helmand Province in September 2012 with the Army Air Corps and duly completed a four-month operational tour.

Harry then focused on veterans' welfare and helped set up the Invictus Games, a version of the Paralympics for injured military personnel, before retiring from the Army in June 2015.

In December 2017, Harry accepted the role of Captain General of the Royal Marines from his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who had served in this capacity for a remarkable 64 years.

The prince made a number of visits to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon, and to Norway where Marines practise arctic warfare.

It has been speculated that the Captain General's role could pass to Prince William or the Princess Royal. Harry will also relinquish his roles as honorary commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy's Small Ships and Diving.
SINGAPORE : Singapore's economy will need another 1.2 million digitally skilled workers by 2025 and this would be a 55% jump from the present 2.2 million , according to a survey.

The study, the findings of which were released on Thursday, was conducted by Amazon Web Services in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. It looked at how workers may be affected by future digital skills challenges.

Out of a sample size of more than 3,000 respondents across the six countries, 543 were surveyed in Singapore, the digital skills report said.

Right now, more than six in 10 (63%) of Singapore workers already apply digital skills in their jobs, placing the country in second place among these six economies. Australia came in first, slightly ahead at 64%, the survey showed.

About one in five workers here  22% apply advanced digital skills, the highest among the six countries studied. South Korea is in second place in this area at 21%, it said.

The study categorised basic digital skills as being able to communicate using digital mediums, to use basic digital software and data analysis tools, and to apply basic data privacy principles.

Advanced skills include data mining knowledge, using digital tools to streamline work processes and creating large-scale data models.

Although India has the smallest share of digitally skilled workers at 12% of its workforce, it has the highest proportion of digitally skilled workers applying advanced digital skills at 71%, the TODAY online newspaper reported, citing the survey.

Singapore is third place in this area, with 59% of digitally skilled workers applying advanced digital skills.

The report estimated that the average worker in the region will need to gain seven new digital skills to keep pace with technological change.

The 1.2 million more digitally skilled workers that Singapores workforce reportedly needs would fall into these three groups -- Workers who are not applying any digital skills in their jobs; Unemployed or other out-of-workforce individuals who will need to secure new jobs by 2025; Future workers, for example, people who are students now but will enter the workforce by 2025, the survey showed.

With the need to also train the current 2.2 million workers with added digital skills by then, the report estimated that the Singapore workforce needs a total of 23.8 million digital-skills training sessions from now until 2025.

This compares with 3.9 billion digital-skills training sessions required in India by 2025, given the large size of its workforce.

Amazon Web Services that conducted the survey said in a press release that 35% of these skills training sessions in Singapore would be for non-digitally skilled workers and those who are not in the workforce.

Its report projected that between 2020 and 2025, the fastest-growing area of demand among digitally skilled workers for India, Japan and Singapore could be for advanced cloud skills.

Businesses are also likely to face acute talent shortages in 2025 in data, cloud, and cyber-security skills if workers do not ramp up their skills in these areas, it said.

As for present non-digital workers in Singapore and India, there could be a focus to train them in the ability to use digital software and hardware to analyse data.

In all, 51% of the Singapore respondents indicated that it is highly likely that they would need to learn cloud computing skills in order to perform their jobs in 2025.

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With internet access increasing in many emerging democracies, use of social media is changing the ways candidates and voters interact. Its also changing how the global non-profit Carter Center assesses elections. VOAs Kane Farabaugh reports
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As more than 1,000 New York City public middle schools opened their doors for in-person learning on Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio sounded a positive note about the outlook for reopening high school buildings.

Right now, job one, today, bring back middle schools, bring them back strong, 1,200 schools open in New York City. Thats fantastic, he said at a press briefing on Thursday. Next step is to move to bring back high school.

The mayors comments come a day after he said he was very hopeful about high schools reopening before the end of the academic year.

I hope to, in the next few weeks, [have] an announcement on high schools, he said on Wednesday. Everythings lining up  the situation with COVID, even though were very watchful, watching the data and watching the science, concerned about the variants, but, overall, weve certainly seen improvement; more vaccinations every day.

Every day, depending on the day, you know, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, or more New Yorkers getting vaccinated, that number is going to jump up. Thats going to make us safer. But, most importantly, weve proven how to open schools properly. High school comes with some additional complications, but Im very hopeful well get it done.

Public high school buildings have been closed in New York City since Nov. 18, when a rising COVID-19 positivity rate led de Blasio to suspend all in-person learning.

Many high school buildings across the city are now being used as COVID-19 test and vaccination sites, and it is unclear how that will play into the reopening.

City elementary schools began full-time in-person instruction again in December, followed by the middle school openings Thursday.

The mayor was also asked if families would be given another opportunity to opt into in-person learning.

We are also watching for that turning point, which I really hope well see soon, whereas vaccination levels rise, and case levels decline, we might see a much better health care situation, de Blasio responded. We might then be at a point where we could do a new opt-in and bring more kids back, but were not there yet.

He said that one of the concerns was the new variants of the coronavirus that have popped up in New York, which he described as the X-Factor.

So, I would say to you, middle school today, high school soon, and then the hope for the window to open for another opt-in during this school year, and of course, what were all more and more focused on, coming back strong in September where every single child who wants to be in school can be accommodated in school. Thats our goal and I really do believe were going to reach that goal.

ALARMING RISE IN STUDENT SUICIDES

Among the key concerns surrounding the reopening of high schools is the mental health of students.

Social isolation caused by the pandemic can negatively impact the mental health of children, research shows, and experts suggest that disease control measures caused by the pandemic could exacerbate childrens cognitive struggles.

Five public school students have taken their lives so far this year, according to several reports, including a 16-year-old New Dorp High School student whose family said the pandemic contributed to a deterioration of his mental health. There were four suicides during the 2019-2020 school year.

De Blasio has emphasized the connection between school, in-person connections, and child mental health when asked about the increase in student suicides.

The fact that these kids have gone through this crisis, the trauma theyve felt, many kids have lost loved ones. Many kids are feeling really isolated in the absence of, you know, the regular rhythms of their life, the mayor said last week.

And particularly the absence of school for some of them. This is why its imperative we bring back school as quickly as possible, he said.

>> Reporting by Kristin Dalton was used in this report. <<
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Judge Rules Arizonas Maricopa County Must Turn Over 2.1 Million November Election Ballots to Senate

A judge on Friday ruled that Maricopa County must provide some 2.1 million ballots from the Nov. 3 election to the Arizona state Senate and allow access to its election equipment to conduct an audit.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Thomason ruled that subpoenas issued by Arizonas state Senate are valid and should be enforced, and he disputed arguments from Maricopa County officials saying the subpoenas are unlawful. The county previously stated that multiple audits have been sufficient and said ballots should be sealed.

The Court finds that the subpoenas are legal and enforceable, Thomason wrote in his ruling. There is no question that the Senators have the power to issue legislative subpoenas. The subpoenas comply with the statutory requirements for legislative subpoenas. The Senate also has broad constitutional power to oversee elections.

He argued that the Arizona legislature clearly has the power to investigate and examine election reform matters, adding that senators can subpoena material as part of an inquiry into election reform measures.

The move was hailed by Republican legislators in Arizona.

Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican, told news outlets after the judges ruling that their move was never about overturning the election, it was about the integrity of the Arizona election system.

This was always about voter integrity and the integrity of the voting system itself, Fann added.

State Sen. Warren Petersen, a Republican, confirmed that the Senate will go through with a forensic audit of Maricopas Nov. 3 election results. Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, saw more than 2.1 million people vote during the last election.

But Bill Gates, the vice-chairman of the Maricopa Board of Supervisors, wrote Friday that the county has nothing to hide, adding that officials have conducted three fully transparent audits, including two forensic audits by independent, qualified and outside Vote System Testing Laboratories.

I trust the Senate will be completely transparent with the public as Maricopa County has been, he added. From the beginning, the County sought clarification from the court. The court has ruled. I look forward to working with the Senate to provide them the information they are requesting.

The subpoenas were issued following allegations of voter fraud and irregularities made by former President Donald Trump and surrogates including Rudy Giuliani.

A dispute over the election began when former Senate Judiciary Chairman Eddie Farnsworth held a hearing to question county officials about the election. Farnsworth and Fann then issued several subpoenas, which prompted Maricopa County to issue a lawsuit. The subpoenas were re-issued in January.

Its not clear if the Maricopa Board of Supervisors will appeal Thomasons decision. The Epoch Times has reached out to the county for comment.
Walmart pays starvation wages says Bernie Sanders in passionate defence of $15 minimum wage (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Bernie Sanders has blasted Walmart for paying starvation wages in a passionate defence of a $15 minimum wage.

The Vermont Senator attacked the company, which made a profit of more than $15bn last year, after it earlier this month announced a wage rise for 425,000 of its employees by 13 March.

But despite the increase, many of the companys employees will reportedly continue to earn the firms minimum wage of $11 an hour.

Joe Biden campaigned on a promise to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 and the increase is part of his $1.9 trillion Covid stimulus package.

Walmart pays wages so low that tens of thousands of their workers are forced to rely on public assistance in order to survive, said Mr Sanders in a Thursday meeting of the Senate Budget Committee.

They are forced to rely on food stamps to feed their families, paid for by the US taxpayer; public housing to put a roof over their heads, paid for by the US taxpayer; and Medicaid to get the healthcare they need paid for by the US taxpayer.

Mr Sanders has argued for a $15 federal minimum wage to help the issue and prevent the government from being forced to subsidise low-wage workers for their corporate employers.

Walmart, which is the countrys largest employer with 1.5 million employees, say that once the pay hike comes into force its average wage will be above $15 an hour.

While its minimum wage will stay at $11, Walmart says it will pay store workers who stock shelves or work on its e-commerce side $13 to $19 per hour, depending on role and location.

Mr Sanders said that every worker should receive that wage and the company should match the moves made by Costco, Amazon, Target and BestBuy.

The simple truth is that no one in America can live with dignity on $11 or $12 an hour, added Mr Sanders.

And I must say that I have talked to too many workers in this country who, with tears in their eyes, tell me the struggles they have to provide for their kids on starvation wages.

Story continues

Today, we are going to ask how Walmart can afford to pay its CEO, who declined my invitation to be with us today, over $22 million in compensation last year, but somehow cannot afford to pay its workers a living wage.

In a letter to Mr Sanders, Bruce Harris, Walmarts vice president for federal government affairs, wrote that the company was providing education, health care and professional training benefits for staff.

By removing barriers to entry, Walmart gives individuals the chance to join the workforce, and learn important and transferable job skills while earning a paycheck, said Mr Harris.

Read More

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2021) - Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") announces the results of its 2021 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders held in Toronto, Ontario on February 25, 2021 (the "Meeting").

At the Meeting, all five director nominees listed in the Company's information circular dated January 12, 2021 were elected as directors of the Company. The detailed results of the vote are as follows:

Director

Number of Votes Cast Percentage of Votes Cast Donald Bubar In Favour:

Withheld: 85,333,148

1,834,435 97.90%

2.10% Alan Ferry In Favour:

Withheld: 85,934,909

1,052,387 98.79%

1.21% Naomi Johnson In Favour:

Withheld: 85,853,028

1,134,268 98.70%

1.30% John E. Fisher In Favour:

Withheld: 85,938,856

1,048,440 98.79%

1.21% Marilyn Spink In Favour:

Withheld: 85,816,711

1,170,585 98.65%

1.35%

In addition, at the Meeting shareholders appointed Ernst & Young LLP as auditors of the Company, approved updates to the Company's By-Law No.1, approved the Company's Deferred Share Unit Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan and approved the Company's Share Capital Amendment, which is designed to reduce the number of the Company's very small registered shareholdings.

The Share Capital Amendment will be accomplished by amending the Company's articles to reflect a 500:1 consolidation of the Company's common shares, immediately followed by a 1:500 split of the Company's post-consolidated common shares. The Share Capital Amendment will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021.

Shareholders holding 500 or more common shares in a brokerage account will continue to hold the exact same number of shares after the Share Capital Amendment that they did prior to the Share Capital Amendment. These shareholders do not need to do anything with respect to the Share Capital Amendment.

Shareholders holding 500 or more common shares in the form of a physical certificate will continue to hold the exact same number of shares after the Share Capital Amendment that they did prior to the Share Capital Amendment. However, once the Share Capital Amendment is effected, these shareholders will need to follow the instructions in the letter of transmittal that was sent to them in order to exchange their old share certificates for new share certificates.

Shareholders holding less than 500 common shares in the form of a physical certificate will be paid cash for their shares upon completion of the Share Capital Amendment. The cash payment will be equal to the number of common shares held immediately prior to the Share Capital Amendment multiplied by the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares on the TSX during the previous five (5) consecutive trading days prior to the effective date of the Share Capital Amendment. The Company will mail a letter of transmittal directly to these shareholders providing instructions on how to exchange their share certificates for the cash payment.

Shareholders holding less than 500 common shares in a brokerage account will have the option to be paid a cash payment for their shares, calculated as above, otherwise they will continue to hold the exact same number of shares after the Share Capital Amendment that they did prior to the Share Capital Amendment. These shareholders can contact their broker for their process to exchange their shares for the cash payment, if they so desire.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has conditionally approved the Share Capital Amendment.

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while looking at several new project opportunities, including re-activating its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum Project in northwestern Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

For questions and feedback, please email Avalon President and CEO, Donald Bubar, at ir@AvalonAM.com.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the share capital amendment becoming effective on March 15, 2021 and the actions required by various groups of shareholders. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "scheduled", "anticipates", "continues", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", "planned", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" or "will not be" taken, reached or result, "will occur" or "be achieved". 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 Avalon to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the TSX not providing its final approval for the Share Capital Amendment, the Share Capital Amendment not being completed, unanticipated market conditions, as well as those risk factors set out in the Company's current Annual Information Form, Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com. 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. Such forward-looking statements have been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/75604
Ten people were put on the sanction list.

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council has decided to impose sanctions on high-ranking officials and senior officers who betrayed Ukraine during the events of 2014 and supported Russia's aggression.

This was announced at a briefing by NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov on February 26.

Ten people were put on the sanction list and they were deprived of state awards and military ranks, he said.

Read alsoEU prolongs sanctions against Belarus for another year

Sanctioned officials

On the list are ex-general of the Internal Service Vitaliy Zakharchenko, ex-rear admiral Denys Berezovsky, ex-major general Stanislav Shaportov, ex-major general of justice Serhiy Nyanchur, ex-major general Yuriy Kotovsky, ex-chief of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine, ex-major general Oleksandr Yakymenko, ex-major general Volodymyr Totsky, ex-major general Serhiy Hanzha, ex-vice admiral Serhiy Yeliseyev, and ex-rear admiral Dmytro Shakuro.

"The maximum pool of sanctions that our legislation allows has been applied to them," Danilov said.

The NSDC Secretary clarified that the mentioned persons were not in Ukrainian territory now, but they still own Ukrainian-based assets.

Russian occupation of Crimea

In February 2014, pro-Russian rallies began to massively take place in Crimea. One of them, in particular, took place in Sevastopol on February 23 when its participants "expressed no-confidence" in the then head of the city administration and "elected" their own head who was a citizen of the Russian Federation, Alexei Chaly.

On February 26, the Russian military from Tolyatti arrived in Crimea under the guise of "maintaining order." On the same day, members of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Crimean parliament) in Simferopol were supposed to hold a special meeting, at which they planned to read out an appeal to the Russian authorities. Meanwhile, pro-Ukrainian activists gathered outside the Crimean parliament's building to counter supporters of Russia. And it all ended with the cancellation of the meeting.

In the early hours of February 27, 2014, the Crimean parliament's building was seized by the so-called "little green men," who were the Russian military without identification insignias. It was followed by the seizure of the building of the Crimean Council of Ministers.

Reporting by UNIAN

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is exploring the idea of adding tax penalties for corporations that pay less than $15 an hour to President Joe Biden's covid relief stimulus package, according to two congressional aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share private deliberations.

The plan represents a backup proposal to Democrats' efforts to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, a provision the Senate's parliamentarian ruled out on Thursday evening.

The parliamentarian said the minimum wage hike was not permissible under the rules of budget reconciliation, the procedure Democrats are using to pass Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus plan. But budget experts believe the tax penalties on corporations would likely be approved under the rules of that process.

After the parliamentarian's ruling, Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called for adding the tax changes into the stimulus package after it is passed by the House. It is unclear how many Senate Democrats would support the backdoor approach.

White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese said the administration will consult with congressional leaders on the best path forward about the minimum wage, in a Friday interview on CNBC.

With their narrow majority, Democrats could choose to overrule the Senate parliamentarian to pass the straight $15 an hour minimum wage hike. But White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain has ruled out that approach, as have centrist Senate Democrats.

Key questions about how the backup plan would work remain unsettled. In a statement, Wyden said his plan would impose a 5 percent penalty on the payrolls of "big corporations" if any workers earned below a "certain amount." The statement did not define big corporations nor the level of the wages that would trigger the penalty. Wyden also called for tax credits equal to up to 25 percent of wages to small businesses that pay their workers higher wages. The penalties and credits would aim to encourage firms to adopt a higher wage floor.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday night that the $15 an hour minimum wage will be included in the stimulus package, which is expected to be passed through the House as soon as Friday evening.

"While conversations are continuing, I believe this 'plan B' provides us a path to move forward and get this done through the reconciliation process," Wyden said. "Workers have not gotten a federal pay raise in more than a decade. We can't continue to have millions of workers - workers who are disproportionately, people of color, women and essential workers like fast food workers and home health aides - earning starvation wages."

Only 20% of minimum wage workers in Oregon are employed by firms with more than 500 employees, according to Arindrajit Dube, professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dube analyzed how the potential plan would affect Oregon because he currently has a data sharing agreement with the state."

"You can pay a sufficiently punitive tax to make sure everyone pays a $15 an hour minimum wage," Dube said. "But most low-wage workers don't work for mega-corporations. This is not a substitute for a broad-based minimum wage increase."

Congressional Republicans immediately panned the suggestion as a tax increase on small businesses. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called the idea "stupid." Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Tex., the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, said it would punish companies who hire for younger and low-income workers."Makes no sense at all," Brady said.

Meanwhile, other Democrats tried digging in to fight for the $15 an hour minimum wage. Rep. Pramila Japayal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she spoke to Sanders and supports including penalties and tax incentives. But she also said that Democrats should not give up on the $15 an hour minimum wage hike. She noted the Parliamentarian's views were solely an "advisory opinion."

"I don't think we can go back to voters and say, 'Look, I know ... we promised it, but because of an unelected parliamentarian who gave us a ruling, we couldn't do it.' Nobody's going to buy that," Jayapal said. "Democrats are just going to have to make a choice about using, really going to the mat and really using every lever of power that we have to govern for the majority of the American people."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., also told reporters that Democrats should be willing to consider abolishing the filibuster. "I don't want to ignore the tax being a factor, I also know that a tax break is just not a replacement for a $15 minimum wage," she told reporters.

G. William Hoagland, former staff director of the Senate Budget Committee, said the tax penalties would be very likely to survive the "Byrd rule" that prevented the wage hike from being included in the Senate bill.

"But it all depends on how CBO would score it on if it has a budgetary impact. I can see it as a tax - it would work," Hoagland said.

Some economists expressed concern the backup plan would reach far fewer lower-wage workers than a flat increase in the minimum wage. Ernie Tedeschi, an economist who served in the Treasury Department, also expressed concern the provision could encourage outsourcing to cheaper labor abroad.

"I worry the marginal impact of focusing just on large corporations, while politically appealing, may make this less impactful," Tedeschi said. "This is an interesting way to target the minimum wage to just the largest businesses, and the research has suggested larger businesses are better able to absorb the costs of a higher minimum wage. But this will not reach nearly as many people."
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Dreamstime, HO / TNS

Upon learning in 2019 that Zestimate  Zillows famous estimate of how much a home will sell for  was not used to price the homes Zillow buys itself, some Houston real estate agents chuckled. Zillows iBuying service, which made cash offers on homes, priced homes the old-fashioned way, with a local real estate brokerage running sales prices of comparable homes by hand.

That process is changing. While Zillow will still use brokers and employees to price the offers it makes on many homes, it believes its Zestimates are accurate enough for certain homes  those priced close to the areas median, that trade often and are not too old or unique  that it can rely on its algorithm to make an offer.
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Kilkenny LEADER Partnership a member of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) has welcomed the announcement of an 800,000 Covid-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme, funded by her Department to be administered by the ILDN.

The fund will resource Local Development Companies (LDCs) and LDC consortia to provide supports to social enterprises in communities as they emerge from the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ILDN is the representative body for Irelands LDCs such as Kilkenny LEADER Partnership. These 49 not-for-profit groups are building inclusive, vibrant communities and better life chances for people in every part of Ireland.

With 2,100 employees on the ground, supporting 15,000 community groups and 170,000 individuals through 300+ million of programmes, each year, the ILDN membership is the largest Community Development/Anti-Poverty Network in the state and perfectly placed to deliver the Covid-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme.

KLP has supported many social enterprises from over the years, community ships to tourism and food businesses, and is aware of the particular challenges that they face always, but notably in recovering from Covid, says Declan Rice, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership CEO.

"The scheme, which is funded by the DRCD through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF), will provide grants of up to 80,000 to provide free training and mentoring to social enterprise managers, directors and staff across the country, with a particular focus on strategic planning, digital innovation, capacity building and governance.

It will assist social enterprises to strengthen their operations, to repurpose or diversify their trading income while living in a Covid-19 operating environment. ILDN with its extensive network of LDCs, offices and personnel in communities across the country are well placed to deliver this important Programme to Social Enterprises Nationwide.

I warmly welcome the continuation and strengthening of the relationship between DRCD and the ILDN Social Enterprise Working Group. It is a significant vote of confidence in the capacity of the ILDN, on behalf of the Department to award the administration of the Programme to the ILDN and reflective of the unique positioning of the Network, its track-record and learnings from its administration of the 2019/2020 Small Capital Grants Pilot scheme."



ILDN members administer the LEADER programme and the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) across the Country which allows Local Development Companies support Social Enterprises nationwide. The Covid-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Fund is a welcome addition to the supports being provided by ILDN members at present.
Guwahati/Agartala, Feb 26 : The Bharat Bandh call by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) against the rising fuel prices, new e-way bill and goods and services tax (GST) evoked partial response in the northeastern states on Friday.

In Assam, majority of the shops and commercial establishments across all the 34 districts, including the main commercial hub Guwahati, remained opened barring some business establishments.

Vehicular movements were normal in all the districts, even as buses were seen plying in limited numbers.

However, a large section of traders and transport operators claimed that they were not aware of the shutdown call.

It was a muted response to the bandh in other northeastern states, even as many traders' bodies supported the shutdown call.

All Tripura Merchants' Association General Secretary Sujit Roy told IANS that thousands of their members have not participated in the strike.

Assam Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Secretary General Sisir Dev Kalita in a statement said that the recent GST amendments are a big threat to all business classes.

He said that if these amendments are implemented then it would bring doomsday to all communities.

"If these reforms are implemented, honest GST payers would be penalised without any fault of theirs. The new provisions of the GST would affect the middle class businessmen. Due to these provisions, even though the ITC (Input Tax Credit) available, a person or a taxpayer needs to pay GST at the rate of one per cent if the turnover is more than 50 lakh," the ACC said.

Kalita added that this would affect the working capital of the businessmen and create division in the society
Posted Thursday, February 25, 2021 8:31 am

Local brewer Steve Dronen and his brewing company Ridgefield Craft Brewing is one of the fastest craft breweries in Washington State. Operating a brand-new 10-barrel farm brewery just south of Ridgefield, Ridgefield Craft Brewing has expanded from area taprooms, to its very own taproom in downtown Ridgefield, to having its beers featured at ilani nearby.

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the brewery said it is partnering with local beverage distributors Kendalls Pioneer and Brower Polska to make the Ridgefield beer available to Pacific Northwest beer enthusiasts by delivering cases and kegs to area retailers, restaurants and taprooms.

We are a local craft brewer and we want to stay a local craft brewer, Dronen said in a news release. We want to make great beer and have it available throughout the community. We are happy to leave the distribution and back-office work to our partners who are eager and ready to support craft brewers.

According to the release, Dronen began with self-distribution but decided to partner with the two distributors whose parent company is Corwin Beverage Co., also based in Ridgefield. The partnership affords Dronen and his fiance, general manager Ariana Overton, the time to focus on innovative beers and operate a taproom while also raising three school-age children in the Ridgefield community.

We will be well positioned across all distribution channels as we move out of the pandemic, he said.

The release said distribution will focus on two of the brewerys nine beers, Archaic Amber and New Whirled Order IPA, with future seasonal options in the works. The two beers will be appearing in local retail coolers and at least five beer styles will be distributed for draft service across the area.

We look forward to making these fresh, local beverages available for beer enthusiasts across the region, Chief Operating Officer at Corwin Beverage Co. and General Manager of Browar Polska Sam Madrid said. This is one of the nicest breweries anyone could imagine, with amazing equipment, quality assurance laboratories and a very committed staff.
By Maha El Dahan and Amina Ismail

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria said U.S. air strikes against Iranian-backed militias in the east of the country on Friday were a cowardly act and urged President Joe Biden not to follow "the law of the jungle".

An Iraqi militia official close to Iran said the strikes killed one fighter and wounded four. U.S. officials said they were limited in scope to show Biden's administration will act firmly while trying to avoid a big regional escalation.

Washington and Tehran are seeking maximum leverage in attempts to save Iran's nuclear deal reached with world powers in 2015 but abandoned in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump, after which regional tensions soared and fears of full-scale conflict grew.

"Syria condemns in the strongest terms the cowardly U.S. attack on areas in Deir al-Zor near the Syrian-Iraqi border," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"It (the Biden administration) is supposed to stick to international legitimacy, not to the law of the jungle as (did) the previous administration."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them "illegal aggression" and a violation of human rights and international law.

"You can't act with impunity. Be careful," Biden told reporters in Texas when asked what message he was sending Iran with the strikes.

The air strikes, early on Friday local time, targeted militia sites on the Syrian side of the Iraqi-Syrian frontier, where groups backed by Iran control an important crossing for weapons, personnel and goods.

Western officials and some Iraqi officials accuse Iranian-backed groups of involvement in deadly rocket attacks on U.S. sites and personnel in Iraq over the last month.

Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, also criticised the U.S. strikes and called for "unconditional respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria."

Story continues

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the air strikes in Syria were meant to send the message that Biden will act to protect Americans.

Future U.S. actions in the region will be deliberative and will aim to deescalate tensions in Syria, Psaki said.

ATTACKS ON U.S. FORCES IN IRAQ

The Iraqi militia official close to Iran said the strikes targeted positions of the Kataib Hezbollah (KH) paramilitary group along the border.

KH later confirmed the death of one of its fighters and identified him as Sayyid Rahi Salam Zayid al-Sharifi.

"The American enemy persists in its criminality and kills the protectors of the nation and the honorable people of the country, not deterred from shedding innocent blood as long as the wages of murder are received from Saudi Arabia and the Emirates," a KH statement said.

Local sources and a medical source in eastern Syria told Reuters that at least 17 people had been killed, but gave no further details. That toll could not be confirmed.

The Pentagon said it had preliminary information about casualties, but did not provide any details.

In recent attacks, a non-American contractor was killed at a U.S. military base at Erbil International Airport in Kurdish-run northern Iraq on Feb. 15 and, in the days that followed, rockets were fired at a base hosting U.S. forces, and near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Biden's decision to strike only in Syria and not in Iraq gives Iraq's government breathing room as it investigates the Erbil attack, which also wounded Americans.

Kataib Hezbollah has denied involvement in recent attacks against U.S. interests. Iran denies involvement in attacks on U.S. sites.

Several attacks, including the one at Erbil airport, have been claimed by little-known groups which some Iraqi and Western officials say are a front for established Iranian-backed groups such as Kataib Hezbollah.

LIMITED RESPONSE

U.S. lawmakers from both political parties welcomed the strikes but a number of Democrats questioned the legal justification under which they were carried out and the continuation of military operations in the Middle East.

"I am very concerned that last night's strike by U.S. forces in Syria puts our country on the path of continuing the Forever War instead of ending it," said Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. strikes totally destroyed nine facilities and partially destroyed two facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision to carry out the strikes was meant to signal that, while the United States wanted to punish the militias, it did not want the situation to spiral into a bigger conflict.

The Iraqi military issued a statement saying it had not exchanged information with the United States over the targeting of locations in Syria, and that cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq was limited to fighting Islamic State.

Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said Iraq was able to help the United States determine who was responsible for the recent attacks in Iraq, but Baghdad did not assist in the targeting process in Syria.

Iraq's foreign minister will visit Iran on Saturday to discuss the regional situation including ways to avoid tension and escalation, Iraq's foreign ministry said late on Friday.

It was not clear how, or whether, the U.S. strikes might affect efforts to coax Iran back into negotiations about both sides resuming compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.

(Reporting by John Davison, Amina Ismail, Baghdad newsroom, Maha El Dahan in Beirut, Kinda Makieh in Damascus, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart and Jarrett Renshaw in Washington, and Thomas Balmforth and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Moscow; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Mark Heinrich and Daniel Wallis)
The sound of the landmine that killed Robert Capa in Vietnam on May 25, 1954 still reverberates in the Madrid neighborhood of Entrevias, in the southeastern district of Puente de Vallecas. Although many decades have elapsed since then, the residents of a crumbling building located there are familiar with the biography of the 20th-century Hungarian-American photojournalist who became famous for his coverage of wars, including the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39.

The 14 families who live at number 10 on Peironcely street are about to move out after years of putting up with substandard living conditions. Theirs is the shell-damaged building that Capa photographed in November 1936 at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, when Vallecas was bombed in air raids against the city of Madrid, still held by the republican government. The effects of the attack on the Spanish capital, where civilians were targeted, were also captured by the Sevillian journalist Manuel Chaves Nogales in his book Heroes and Beasts of Spain, first published in English in 1937: In the heart of the city, the airplanes bombs always find flesh.

Photograph by Robert Capa showing children in front of the building on 10, Peironcely street in November 1936. INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY / MAGNUM PHOTOS

Long after the carnage of civilians ended, the brick walls of the house on Peironcely street continued to exhibit the wounds of war. And they still do today, despite a recent attempt to cover up the damage with plaster: the building owner was trying to prevent history from derailing his own plans to tear down the 1927 structure and build new housing at the site. We told him that he could not cover this up, because this facade is historic, explains Jesus Rico, 49, who has lived there for a decade with his wife, two daughters, one son and three grandchildren. There, still in plain view, are the white gobs of plaster covering the dents made by the shellfire.

In 1998, a photographer named Jose Latova identified the spot where Robert Capa had taken a picture that was later published in international news outlets such as The New York Times [see bottom box]. It was a one-story building located in the Puente de Vallecas district of Madrid. But this information was not made public until 2010. When it was, the building stopped being an old house like any other, and a movement sprung up to preserve it. In 2017 it was included on a list of protected city landmarks, in a move that thwarted the owners redevelopment plans. Earlier this month the city of Madrid expropriated the building and it will soon relocate its tenants to subsidized housing in the same district.

A lot of the credit for saving the historic building goes to a citizen movement named #SalvaPeironcely10 , which in 2018 received recognition from the European Commission for its work to preserve part of the continents cultural heritage. Historic and societal elements come together here to create value, says Jose Maria Uria of the Anastasio de Gracia Foundation, one of the institutions that joined the movement.

Mustafa Labasse, a Moroccan national who moved to the Entrevias neighborhood of Madrid in 1999, is the most veteran resident of the building. He has been there for the last 13 years after taking over the lease from a fellow Moroccan. At first he was paying 510 a month, but the owner has since reduced the rent to 300. Labasse says he has seen dozens of families come and go during this time. People dont last long because the building is not in good condition, he says. But since I was living by myself, I didnt mind being here, says Labasse, whose wife and daughters are back in Morocco.

Andres Torres, Mustafa Labasse and Neira Adelina Montero Luis de Vega

When we first arrived here, it was a little bit complicated, frankly, confirms Andres Torres, 17, as he has breakfast in his living room, which is also the kitchen and the bedroom for his mother Cristina. His mother sleeps on a sofa bed wedged between the TV set and the wall and gets up at 4.30am every day to go work in Mercamadrid, the capitals wholesale market.

We were living in a bigger house near this one. When we got here, it was in really bad shape, says her son, who has very vivid memories of a cockroach infestation. But my mother has made a home out of this.

Andres, Mustafa and the rest of the tenants are very grateful to Jose Maria Uria for his dedication to their cause. He is our guardian angel, says Jesus Rico. Uria not only told them about Capa and the history of their building, but he also led the long process to get these families a new place to live. Although he shies away from the spotlight, Uria has expressed satisfaction at the positive outcome for families who were in a vulnerable situation and on the verge of being evicted from their homes.

That photograph gave us hope, says Rico. He and the others will be relocated in subsidized housing later this year after the city expropriated the building earlier this month with a view to giving it a cultural purpose. The tenants are also grateful to Socialist Party (PSOE) councilor Mar Espinar, who supported their cause. Shes the only fighter we have seen around here, says Rico.

Jesus Rico, 49, with his grandson Saul in one of the courtyards. Luis de Vega

Neira Adelina, 60, a nursing home assistant who suffers from lupus and spends most of her time between her home and the hospital, says that the old Capa photograph awoke as though it had been sleeping. Sitting on the bottom bunk of her bed, she talks warmly about her little house despite the cold, the heat, the damp, the insects, the rats....

Who would have thought that we were living in a house that is part of history, she wonders. It wouldve been a shame if theyd torn it down. Her husband Mario, a cook who is out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic, is filling out the paperwork for their relocation.

The property at 10, Peironcely street has taken on historical value through Capas photograph, but what it really contains within its walls is 14 substandard homes distributed around two narrow courtyards. Some of the units are not quite 30 square meters in total. The tenants are piled inside what Neira Adelina describes as homes for dwarves.

We dont know the meaning of privacy around here, notes Jesus Rico, who started out paying 450 a month rent but is now down to 350, with the occasional default forgiven by the owner. He looks back and remembers the days when he would earn a good salary from construction work. Those were the days when he had a nice apartment with a parking spot. Later he worked for seven years at the department store El Corte Ingles, and he believed that he would remain with this company until his retirement. But the economic crisis hit, he has been out of work for four years, and the only family income is a monthly check of 430 in state aid and an additional 300 that his wife makes taking care of an elderly man. But Jesus problems seem less important to him when he is playing with his grandson Saul by the old dry well in one of the courtyards.

Earlier this month, the city of Madrid paid the owner 870,000 for the building. The tenants are now being called in to sign the leases on the new subsidized apartments they will be sent to. City officials have not yet said what their plans are for the old property, but they confirmed that it will be used for cultural purposes. The movement #SalvaPeironcely10 has partly developed a project called Robert Capa Center to provide information about the air raids on the capital during the Civil War.

Who could have guessed that after 80 years, Robert Capa was going to help us in such a big way, says Neyra. I wish he could have known about this.

A double spread about the Madrid bombings ran in 'The New York Times Magazine' on January 24, 1937. It included Capa's photo of the building. Luis de Vega

The bombing of Entrevias, in 'The New York Times Magazine' Juan Carlos Almazans passion for collecting photographs of the Spanish Civil War has made him search through online markets selling old newspapers and magazines. Thanks to this resident of Villarreal (Castellon), the movement #SalvaPeironcely10 found out that the photograph taken by Robert Capa in late 1936 in Entrevias was published in 'The New York Times Magazine' on January 24, 1937. The supplement ran a full feature by William P. Carney on the air raids on the Spanish capital, under the headline 'Life in Madrid: A City of Stalking Death.' The story carried several pictures, including the one of the children on Peironcely street. Almazan recently located a copy of the magazine and bought it for 50 from a US citizen. In the Spanish market, he says in a telephone conversation, it would have cost a lot more. 'The New York Times' (where subscribers can access the story through its digital archive TimesMachine) was not the first international publication to run the picture, however. It had already appeared in the French magazine 'Regards' and in the Swiss 'Zurcher Illustrierte.'

English version by Susana Urra.
Numbers game from the po-po boasts of a statistical victory amid a groundbreaking year for carnage on local streets . . .



KMBC: Kansas City police solved 73% of murders in 2020

Money line . . .

Kansas City, Missouri reported a record-breaking 176 homicides last year.



What most people don't realize is that Kansas City police solved 73% of those murders in 2020.

(Police Officials) credit that higher than the national average clearance rate in part to the 32 Kansas City homicide detectives and a partnership with federal agencies like we saw last summer with Operation LeGend.

Developing . . .


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(CNN)  Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, the daughter of Dubai ruler and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has sent a letter to police in the UK asking them to investigate the alleged kidnapping of her older sister, Princess Shamsa, from Britain in 2000.

"In the summer of 2000 Shamsa escaped the family vacation house in England. She was 18 years old ... and of sound mind," Princess Latifa, who has also claimed she is being held hostage, wrote in a letter sent to CNN by her friend David Haigh, a campaigner for her release and part of Detained International, a legal advocacy NGO.

"She was enslaved and oppressed and suffered physical abuse at the hands of family members ... She wanted to seek asylum in the UK where she has family permanently living there. After a few months, she was kidnapped ... She was dragged from the street kicking and screaming. She was tranquilized and flown back to Dubai," Latifa wrote in the document dated February 2018.

The princess added her sister was tortured, "kept incommunicado with no release date, trial, or charge."

"She was tortured by getting her feet caned which is something I experienced myself with my own imprisonment," she wrote.

"Her ultimate goal is to be an emancipated person, to live with dignity, to have freedom of choice and freedom of movement ... She wants the basic rights that all human beings are entitled to," the princess continued.

The princess said her sister has "strong links to England" and was "abducted in an illegal manner, on UK soil."

"All I ask of you is to please give attention on her case because it could get her freedom, which is the only thing that she wants in life," she added.

In a statement sent to CNN, Cambridgeshire Police confirmed it has received a letter, "dated February 2018 in relation to this case which will be looked at as part of the ongoing review."

The force also said it is investigating the recent BBC Panorama documentary, in which Latifa herself claims to be held hostage in Dubai.

The UK Foreign Office declined to comment on Thursday.

A recent statement by her family said coverage of Latifa's situation "is not reflective of the actual position," according to the United Arab Emirates embassy in London.

The letter was obtained and delivered to the police by one of Latifa's cousins and Haigh.

The group also submitted a "transcript of a number of video statements from Sheikha Latifa," which were obtained by "smuggling, with great difficulty and danger, a mobile phone into the Dubai jail of Sheikha Latifa," Haigh said in the letter sent to police and shared with CNN, using her Arabic title.

"Contact [with Latifa] was maintained throughout the majority of 2019 and 2020. Contact was lost in the second half of 2020," Haigh said.

The group also claims it has evidence that one British citizen was involved in the kidnapping of Princess Shamsa.

"We were not able to release such evidence previously due to what we believed was an unacceptable risk to the life and safety of Sheikha Latifa. However, now that contact has been lost, we are gravely concerned for her life and safety and decided to take the step to release the evidence obtained," Haigh added.

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NEW DELHI: The Indian economy, devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, is expected to have returned to growth trajectory in the December quarte, data for which will be released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) later on Friday.

In the June quarter, India's GDP growth contracted for the first time in more than 40 years by a massive 23.9%, as the government announced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus, bringing economic activities to a standstill. The economy recovered somewhat in the September quarter with the pace contraction slowing down to 7.5% as businesses gradually resumed operations.

Also Read | The limits to Indias privatization push

Here are the five things to watch out for in the December quarter GDP data:

Extent of Recovery

While ICRA Ltd and HDFC Bank expect a mild recovery in economic activity, with projected GDP growth of 0.7% and 0.8% respectively for the December quarter, IDFC Bank has projected 1.8% GDP growth for the period. The strength of economic recovery in Q3 will set the pace for growth in the March quarter and in FY22.

Deviation from GDP 1st advance estimates

Along with the third quarter GDP data, the NSO will release the second advance estimates of full year GDP for FY21. In the first advance estimates, released last month ahead of the Budget, NSO had estimated India's GDP to contract 7.7% in FY21. With December and January data available for the 2nd advance estimates, it needs to be seen whether full year GDP estimate undergoes any change either way. The deviation in nominal GDP for FY21, estimated at -4.2%, will also be keenly watched by observers.

Government Expenditure

The bounce back of GDP in September quarter surprised economists because it came in the backdrop of the Centre pruning its expenditure, especially capex, considered to be growth stimulant for the economy.

"Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE)" contracted 22.2% in September quarter from 16.4% growth in June quarter. Had the government at least stuck to its pace of budgeted expenditure in September quarter, recovery in Q2 would have been faster.

Higher capex spending and net lending in the third quarter which increased by a significant 117.7%, in contrast to the contraction of 39.1% in Q2 is expected to have aided economic recovery in the December quarter.

Sectoral Trends

For Q3, on the supply side, growth is expected to be led by manufacturing sector and on the demand side, growth is likely to be supported by both higher private consumption and government spending. However, net exports will likely be a drag.

Monthly trade data shows that exports growth remained weak averaging -4.6% in Q3 against -5.3% in Q2 while import growth improved, with a lower pace of contraction of 5.76% in Q3 versus a 25.1% decline in Q2.

"The outliers that continued to contract in Q3 FY21 included sectors such as aviation, reiterating that the contact-intensive portion of the economy will take longer to recover," ICRA said in a note.

Revision in FY22 GDP forecast

The second advance estimates for FY21 will also influence the growth projections of professional forecasters for FY22. Currently, rating agency Moodys has projected 13.7% growth for FY22 while the Reserve Bank of India and Economic Survey have more modest estimates of 10.5% and 11% respectively. The International Monetary Fund has forecast 11.5% GDP growth for FY22.

The latest GDP print, to be released today, may lead to upward or downward revisions of FY22 forecasts.

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MOSCOW -- An assassination attempt made Aleksei Navalny into a globally recognized dissident, a Russian opposition leader whom German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited in his Berlin hospital room and who collaborated with leading Western news outlets in investigating the near-fatal poisoning he blames on the Kremlin.



But the man who for more than a decade has challenged President Vladimir Putin and deftly exposed corruption among officials, earning widespread support in Russia and sparking repeated waves of anti-government protests, has also faced criticism in the country and abroad for nationalist comments that he has repeatedly declined to disavow.



On February 23, the prominent NGO Amnesty International withdrew Navalny from its list of "prisoners of conscience," a designation reserved for people imprisoned for who they are or what they believe. Amnesty said Navalny, who is in prison on what he and his supporters call trumped-up charges aimed at silencing him, fell short of its criteria because of past statements the rights watchdog perceived as reaching the "threshold of advocacy of hatred."

Amnesty's recent probe into Navalny, who has come under scrutiny for his association with Russian nationalists and statements seen as racist and xenophobic, was prompted by a wave of complaints that appeared part of "a coordinated campaign" to discredit him after he was named a "prisoner of conscience" in January.

One anonymous Amnesty employee told Russian media that a Twitter thread about Navalny by Katya Kazbek -- a U.S.-based freelance columnist and translator who has written for Russia's state-funded media outlet RT and for RFE/RL -- lists examples of objectionable comments made by Navalny and was cited by a wave of e-mails sent to the organization.

Kazbek, whose real name is Yekaterina Dubovitskaya, told RFE/RL she has "never been knowingly in touch with anyone connected to Amnesty International."

Amnesty maintains that Navalny's persecution is politically motivated and says its recent decision "does not change our resolve to fight for his immediate release." But its decision, influenced by strict classification criteria, prompted widespread criticism and shined a spotlight on the Kremlin critic's supposed beliefs.

'Certified Nationalist'



Much of the attention focuses on Navalny's unabashed endorsement of nationalist causes in the late 2000s, including his appearances at the Russian March, an annual event that gathers ultranationalists of all stripes in Moscow but has dwindled in size in recent years.

In response, the liberal Yabloko party expelled Navalny from its ranks, but under the banner of a new group called the National Russian Liberation Movement in 2007 he released YouTube videos describing himself as a "certified nationalist" and advancing thinly veiled xenophobia.



In one clip, Navalny is shown in a dentist's outfit as footage of migrants in Moscow is interspersed with his references to harmful tooth cavities. "I recommend full sanitization," he says. "Everything in our way should be carefully but decisively be removed through deportation."



In subsequent years Navalny publicly softened his tone but continued promoting conservative immigration policies, campaigning to introduce a visa regime with Central Asia, a major source of labor migrants to Russia, ahead of the 2018 presidential election from which the Kremlin ultimately barred him. He also railed against "Islamism" in posts to his blog as late as 2015.

Navalny has repeatedly stated in interviews that he doesn't regret his past comments or videos, and suggested that an ability to engage both liberals and nationalists is part of his strength as a politician.

In the 2000s, a loose alliance with ethnonationalism was seen by some Russian opposition figures marginalized by an increasingly centralized system as a way to get a foothold in politics and ultimately create a unified movement to challenge Putin, who has also referred to himself as a nationalist and has played on nostalgia for the Soviet Union. In 2011 and 2012, for example, a huge wave of protests against Putins rule saw active involvement among nationalists.



Navalny hinted at this idea in an interview with Polish journalist Adam Michnik that formed part of a co-authored book released in Russian with the title Mikhnik. Navalny. Dialogues in 2015.



"The basis of my approach is that you have to communicate with nationalists and educate them," Navalny said. "I think it's very important to explain to them that the problem of illegal immigration is not solved by beating up migrants but by other, democratic means: a return to competitive elections that would help us to get rid of the crooks and thieves getting rich off of illegal immigration."

Leftward Shift?



More recently, Navalny's political activism appears to have undergone a leftward shift, with the anti-corruption crusader championing new trade unions and promising to help Russia's workers secure higher salaries after years of falling real wages.

"I see no contradiction in promoting trade unions while at the same time demanding a visa requirement for migrants from Central Asia," he told the news magazine Der Spiegel as he recovered in Germany after being poisoned in Siberia in August last year.



Pro-Kremlin media have for years seized on Navalny's nationalist past, and ratcheted up a campaign to discredit him and his allies ahead of protests he instigated after his January 17 arrest upon arrival at Moscows Sheremetyevo airport from Berlin. On February 2, Navalny was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for violating parole conditions while recuperating abroad.

State TV has sought to discredit him as a neo-Nazi, and comparisons with Hitler have been shown to university students during lectures and broadcast on government channels. The majority of such claims have exaggerated Navalny's stance or twisted episodes of his past to besmirch his name.



But his opponents have been given ample fodder. Navalny's controversial videos and statements are still easily accessible online, including the 2007 clips.



Employees of his Anti-Corruption Foundation in Moscow did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.

But Leonid Volkov, who heads Navalny's network of regional political offices in Russia, told The New Yorker earlier this month that Navalny continues to advocate dialogue with Russia's nationalists, and while he regrets the 2007 video about deporting migrants he hasn't deleted it from YouTube "because it's a historical fact."



The ultimate aim for Navalny, Volkov suggested, is for opposition to Putin in Russia to achieve critical mass.



"He believes that if you don't talk to the kind of people who attend these marches, they will all become skinheads," Volkov said. "But, if you talk to them, you may be able to convince them that their real enemy is Putin."
Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

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Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

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Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

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Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

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Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

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Taiwan Urges People to Eat More Pineapples After China Ban

TAIPEITaiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on people to eat more pineapples to help farmers on Friday, saying Taiwan had been ambushed by a ban on the fruit by neighboring long-time rival China which claims the island as its own.

China said on Friday that starting in March it would suspend imports of pineapples from sub-tropical Taiwan, citing harmful creatures it said could come with the fruit, threatening Chinas own agriculture.

The move prompted condemnation from Taiwans ruling party and Tsai said in a Facebook post that the islands agricultural exports met international standards.

China sent an ambush-like notice, unilaterally suspending the imports of Taiwan pineapples. This obviously was not a normal trade decision, Tsai wrote without elaboration.

To support the farmers, lets eat pineapples all together!

Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said on top of ongoing military intimidation, Beijing is also using the import ban to exert economic pressure on Taiwan, which counts China among its top trading partners despite political tensions.

This is not the first time China has used agricultural exports to other countries as political threats, the DPP said in a statement.

Beijing, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has carried out repeated air missions in the southwestern corner of Taiwans air defense identification zone in recent months.

Taiwans air force scrambled for a second straight day last weekend after a dozen Chinese fighter aircraft and bombers carried out drills close to Taiwan-controlled islands in the disputed South China Sea.

Taiwan exported about 46,000 metric tons of pineapples last year, and more than 90 percent of them were sold to China, the DPP said.

By Yimou Lee
The Bahamas will bring its signature romance and one-of-a-kind destination experiences to the virtual world. Tweet this

With the engagement of the travel trade and consumer segments, through the introduction of a newly improved Bahamas Specialist Program, Webinar Series, Virtual Familiarization Trips and Bahamas Virtual Expos, attendees can best share the beauty and story of the islands with ease.

In an effort to close the sales gaps in a mobile friendly and intuitive digital learning environment, TIOTB have entered a multi-year partnership with TravPRO Mobile.

"With the onset of the pandemic last year, we had to quickly pivot and adapt to a virtual environment in order to promote and fuel travel desire of The Bahamas to our trade and consumer audiences. Our global sales team collaborated and created a series of exciting virtual events and training initiatives, and we're seeing phenomenal results," said Bridgette King, Executive Director-Global Sales and Marketing, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation.

Deputy Director General, Ellison "Tommy" Thompson, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, added that "We quickly realized that despite the pandemic, we had to remain relevant and top-of-mind in the global travel space, so that when the appropriate protocols were in place and it was safe to travel, The Bahamas would be included in consumers' vacation plans. Our virtual events and training modules which are executed on TravPRO and other virtual platforms allow us to accomplish this."

While The Bahamas has previously hosted a virtual Dive Expo with the company, the upcoming Virtual Romance Expo will be the first to include networking booths, live experiences, workshops, speakers and breakout panel sessions with local and international experts in the industry.

The event will not only supply information about the destination, but also transport any attendee to TIOTB in more ways than imaginable.

Travel trade professionals and consumers seeking expert advice or ideas on planning romance themed events or getaways, can now register for The Bahamas' very first Virtual Romance Expo scheduled for March 3 and 10, 2021.

Travel Trade (March 3): https://www.bahamas.com/from-the-bahamas-with-love-trade

Consumer (March 10): https://www.bahamas.com/from-the-bahamas-with-love-consumer

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook , YouTube or Instagram .

PRESS INQUIRIES

Chivvaun Smith

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

[email protected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation

Related Links

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A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one of their militiamen and wounding a number of others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday.

The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.

The Iraqi militia official told The Associated Press that the strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit an area along the border between the Syrian site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi side. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak of the attack. Syria war monitoring groups said the strikes hit trucks moving weapons to a base for Iranian-backed militias in Boukamal.

Im confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington, shortly after the airstrikes which were carried out Thursday evening Eastern Standard Time.

The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Bidens decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq.

The U.S. has in the past targeted facilities in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah, which it has blamed for numerous attacks targeting U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a shipment of weapons that were being taken by trucks entering Syrian territories from Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were killed. The report could not be independently verified.

Defense Secretary Austin said he was confident the U.S. had hit back at the the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes, referring to a Feb. 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition personnel.

Austin said he had recommended the action to President Joe Biden.

We said a number of times that we will respond on our timeline, Austin said. We wanted to be sure of the connectivity and we wanted to be sure that we had the right targets.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. action was a proportionate military response taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel, Kirby said.

Kirby said the U.S. airstrikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada.

Further details were not immediately available.

Mary Ellen OConnell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.

The United Nations Charter makes absolutely clear that the use of military force on the territory of a foreign sovereign state is lawful only in response to an armed attack on the defending state for which the target state is responsible, she said. None of those elements is met in the Syria strike.

Biden administration officials condemned the Feb. 15 rocket attack near the city of Irbil in Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region, but as recently as this week officials indicated they had not determined for certain who carried it out. Officials have noted that in the past, Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups have been responsible for numerous rocket attacks that targeted U.S. personnel or facilities in Iraq.

Kirby had said Tuesday that Iraq is in charge of investigating the Feb. 15 attack. He added that U.S. officials were not then able to give a certain attribution as to who was behind these attacks.

A little-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Alwiya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed responsibility for the Feb. 15 attack. A week later, a rocket attack in Baghdads Green Zone appeared to target the U.S. Embassy compound, but no one was hurt.

Iran this week said it has no links to the Guardians of Blood Brigade. Iran-backed groups have splintered significantly since the U.S.-directed strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad more than a year ago. Both were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq.

Since their deaths, the militias have become increasingly unruly. Some analysts argue the armed groups have splintered as a tactic to claim attacks under different names to mask their involvement.

The frequency of attacks by Shiite militia groups against U.S. targets in Iraq diminished late last year ahead of Bidens inauguration.

The U.S. under the previous Trump administration blamed Iran-backed groups for carrying out multiple attacks in Iraq.

Trump had said the death of a U.S. contractor would be a red line and provoke U.S. escalation in Iraq. The December 2019 killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack in Kirkuk sparked a tit-for-tat fight on Iraqi soil that culminated in the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Soleimani and brought Iraq to the brink of a proxy war.

U.S. forces have been significantly reduced in Iraq to 2,500 personnel and no longer partake in combat missions with Iraqi forces in ongoing operations against the Islamic State group.
Now that Zimbabwe is assured of raising initial stocks of Covid-19 vaccine to one million doses within a couple of weeks, the vaccination programme can be speeded up and needs to be speeded up.

It started this week with the first 200 000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine, a gift from China.

As expected the first couple of days were a bit slow as the staff administering the doses get used to doing this and those in the first stage get ready to line up. Medical officers in the provinces and districts were expecting things to speed up significantly, which is good.

But with a second gift of 200 000 doses from China, plus our commercial order of 600 000 doses from Sinopharm, both coming fairly soon we can now accelerate the programme.

Those one million doses are enough for 500 000 people, which means we can cover almost all with the highest risk of infection and make a huge inroad into those at the highest risk of needing complicated medical care or even dying if they are infected, the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, and very often both considering the way these ailments accumulate as you get older.

That in turn will be reflected out of all proportion to the numbers in our medical statistics. Infection rates should fall fast as those most likely to be infected are protected, while death rates and hospital admissions will drop sharply as many of those who need to be in the special wards if they fall sick are safe.

By using priority criteria for how the population queues for vaccination, we have ensured that the first one million doses will have a far larger effect than subsequent batches, although these are still desperately needed to save lives and eliminate the virus.

Even young and fit people can fall very sick or die, although the percentages are lower.

While having these lower rates and the first 500 000 people in the two most vulnerable groups protected will not allow us to return to "normal" or anything like normal, it will allow far more flexibility on what we lockdown and the level of lockdown, although we will all be in masks and keeping our distance until the virus has vanished from the surface of the earth, the result of a long global battle with every country playing its part.

China has not just proved to be a good friend throughout our Covid-19 fight, but clearly believes Zimbabwe is serious about combating Covid-19 so aid given is never wasted, but does contribute to that global battle.

The double gift of vaccine doses, which Ambassador Guo Shaochun made clear had to be approved by President Xi Jinping personally, and the early release of our first commercial order, has to be seen in the light of China's need to vaccinate 1,4 billion people, that is use 2,8 billion doses in Sinopharm's own country.

No one is going to slow their own vaccine programme, even marginally, to help a small country that is not serious.

Right at the beginning of the pandemic, China stepped in with support, equipment, test kits and laying on quality advice from doctors. We heeded the advice and we used the equipment and test kits properly.

In fact, Zimbabwe has been fortunate in the support it has received, all the way from small local gifts to large blocks of aid from other countries and international donors.

President Mnangagwa promised at the very beginning that this aid, plus what the taxpayers involuntarily contributed, would be accounted for in full.

That has been done. The fact that a Health Minister, accused of trying to misuse tax dollars, has been arrested and fired and now a very senior official in the Health Ministry has been arrested and faces trial on a swathe of corruption-related charges involving international aid for her department, adds to our credibility.

These things happen, as those who follow British news realise when they read about some of the contracts in what has been described as a British 'chumocracy'.

The point is Zimbabwe does not tolerate this and the Government has already taken action to stop it at source, with handcuffs. Knowing that everything will be checked and audited means that everyone is happy that we will use everything we are given properly.

Some people are still nervous about vaccination, and the drivel that all too often passes for news on social media does not help. It is perhaps pertinent to note, considering the last social media blast, that the World Health Organisation is quite capable of issuing its own warnings and its own advice.

It does not need to use lawyers or opposition politicians to do this. And if that politician had ever walked through the door of a medical school it was because he was lost on his way to the law library.

The WHO office in Zimbabwe was very clear on its advice as the Health Ministry unveiled its vaccination programme a few days before it started. Boiled down, the advice was the day your group was called in for vaccination, stand in the queue.

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Doctors and nurses, the very people we all turn to when we are sick or need medical advice, were the first group to be called in, and they have been lining up for their jabs this week.

They know the value of vaccination, and can make informed medical decisions. Even if it is not 100 percent effective, and no vaccine is, it is a major safeguard against infection.

And if there are any side effects they will notice these, precisely, and tell the rest of us. We do not need weirdos on social media to tell us how we can die. We can follow medical advice to tell us how to stay alive. Let us not forget that the nurse giving us the jab has already been through the process.

As the Ministry of Health and Child Care ramps up our programme, possible now with guaranteed supplies of vaccine now being readied for shipment and more staff available now that health workers are being immunised, we should take advantage of the programme as soon as it is our turn, and follow the advice of those who know what they are talking about.

We have done well as a nation to contain our infection and death rates.

We can and must now go a lot further and eliminate the threat altogether.
Mumbai, Feb 26 : Actor Avinash Tiwari, who has been appreciated for his roles in Laila Majnu, Bulbbul and Ghost Stories, returns to screens in The Girl On The Train, which drops digitally on Friday.

"An actor can only choose what is offered to him. So, these are the films that have come to me and of all the films that came to me these films seemed like the work that I wanted to do. It is not a conscious choice of doing something," Avinash told IANS.

He added: "There is nothing by intent here but I am just fortunate that I get parts which most actors will be envious of." The Girl On The Train is directed by Ribhu Dasgupta. The Netflix release stars Parineeti Chopra and also features Aditi Rao Hydari and Kirti Kulhari.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
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The Telegraph

Disgraced MP Rob Roberts must resign his seat in the Commons or face a fresh parliamentary investigation, a second accuser has said. Mr Roberts faces calls from several Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs to leave the Commons permanently after he was given a six-week suspension on Thursday for harassing a former employee and making unwanted advances to him. Another accuser, who took her complaint about Mr Roberts asking her for "fun times" and "no strings" sex to the Conservative Party last year, has told The Telegraph that she will re-report his conduct to Parliament and trigger a second investigation if he does not resign. "Ultimately, I just want him recalled, so if I have to go through the process of filing a report again I will," she said. "If he doesn't resign, I will go through the entire process again." Texts show Mr Roberts asking the intern, who remains anonymous, for sex in April last year. "I might be gay but I enjoy fun times," he wrote. When the intern said she was having a "bad mental health day", he replied: "I was just thinking about fun times... maybe if you thought of them too it might help you." She told The Telegraph: "All of those texts happened, where I made it clear that I was not ok. I was not in a good mental state. Rob then decided to hit on me, and I basically shut off. I actually self-harmed that night, and spiralled really badly and then felt disgusted with myself." The former intern's complaint was dealt with by Conservative Party HQ, which "rebuked" Mr Roberts earlier this year but allowed him to remain as an MP. He apologised for his conduct at the time of the investigation. A separate parliamentary investigation has now concluded that he harassed a different member of staff, and has suspended him for six weeks. The Conservative Party suspended the whip from Mr Roberts, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent, but he has refused to give up his seat. He would trigger a by-election in the Welsh constituency of Delyn if he left Parliament. A second parliamentary investigation would have the power to suspend him for another six weeks, but the former staff member hopes the pressure of additional scrutiny will force him to give up his seat voluntarily. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the Commons, has said resigning and triggering a by-election would be the "honourable" thing to do. Mr Roberts did not respond to a request for comment.
[February 26, 2021] Dorinda Henits Recognized in WBJ's "Women Who Lead" Series

CURO Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CURO) ("CURO" or the "Company"), a market leader in providing credit to non-prime consumers, celebrates Dorinda Henits, Senior Vice President Product Strategy and Integration. Henits was selected for the Women Who Lead-Major Companies award by the Wichita Business Journal. Since 2019, the Wichita Business Journal has honored women leaders and mentors across all industries who regularly and unselfishly help others with guidance and learning. Besides Major Companies, other award categories in the series have included Financial Services, Public Services, Technology, and Real Estate & Construction, among others. The whole CURO community is proud and elated that Henits was chosen for the award. "Dorinda is a role model for professionals," said Vik Shah, Vice President for Human Resources. "Her passion for leadership and her commitment to high-quality Customer Service make her a strong and inspiring leader and innovator." During prosperous and challenging times alike, Henits leads with compassion. Consumers that find themselves in a frustrating financial situation often turn to a CURO brand for help. Henits works tirelessly to ensure the systems that assist Customers are transparent and easy to navigate. As a mentorship advocate, Henits builds community by supporting the people around her. If someone is in need of help, she does everythingshe can to help out. Henits' motto is "Find a way or make one," and she is known for having all the answers.



With a 24/7 open-door policy and an unwavering passion for problem-solving, Henits has helped CURO navigate the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing resources, policies and processes to keep employees and customers safe. She was the leading advocate for implementing "Senior Days," which set aside the first hour of specific days for Customers who are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications to be served safely and conveniently. "We remind our Leaders to always Lead with Humility, to deflect personal praise onto other people, promote a spirit of gratitude, and move with purpose and passion while remaining approachable," said Don Gayhardt, Chief Executive Officer. "Dorinda perfectly embodies all of these leadership values and more, and we are proud to celebrate her as a Woman Who Leads in the Wichita Business Journal."

The Wichita Business Journal will profile honorees for the Women Who Lead-Major Companies award in their February 26 issue. ABOUT CURO CURO Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CURO), operating in two countries and powered by its fully integrated technology platform, is a provider of credit to non-prime consumers. In 1997, the Company was founded in Riverside, California by three Wichita, Kansas childhood friends to meet the growing consumer need for short-term loans. Their success led to opening stores across the United States and expanding to offer online loans and financial services across two countries. Today, CURO combines its market expertise with a fully integrated technology platform, omni-channel approach and advanced credit decisioning to provide an array of credit products across all mediums. CURO operates under a number of brands including Speedy Cash, Rapid Cash, Cash Money, LendDirect, Avio Credit, Opt+ and Revolve Finance. With over 20 years of operating experience, CURO provides financial freedom to non-prime consumers. (CURO-NWS) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005499/en/

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Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Scientists offer new approach to overeating treatment

FC West Armenia announce end of career

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Brazil to host Copa America

Caparros: I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan will help the team during matches in September

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Aguero signs deal with Barcelona

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Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Henrikh Mkhitaryan declines Zenit's and Monaco's offers

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Conte and Raul turn down Real Madrid's offer

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

David Loria: Several football clubs interested in Tigran Barseghyan's services

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Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

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Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

PSG refer to Pochettino's possible resignation

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

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Were proud to offer this scholarship in SEAC (R) Gaineys name to acknowledge his years of service to the United States. It is our hope that his belief in taking advantage of educational opportunities can be passed down to a new generation of military leaders. - Travis Allen, SVP, Trident.

Trident University International (Trident) has updated its graduate-level William Joe Gainey (WJG) Scholarship. The scholarship is open to Trident masters students who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces as Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard.

Trident is proud to be military-centric, as many of the Universitys students and alumni have a military background, including those actively serving, veterans, and military spouses.

Were proud to offer this scholarship in SEAC (R) Gaineys name to acknowledge his years of service to the United States, states Travis Allen, Senior Vice President, Trident. It is our hope that his belief in taking advantage of educational opportunities can be passed down to a new generation of military leaders.

The WJG scholarship is designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for students receiving military Tuition Assistance. It provides $300 towards the cost of each eligible course until military Tuition Assistance is exhausted for courses taken within the military fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). Once annual military Tuition Assistance benefits are exhausted, the scholarship reduces students cost per credit hour by 50% for up to 5 additional courses within the same military fiscal year.

Gainey enlisted in the Army in 1974 and served the United States for 33 years. Over the course of his career, he held several leadership positions ranging from gunner to Command Sergeant Major. He served in Operation Joint Endeavor (IFOR), Operation Joint Guard (SFOR3) and Operation Joint Forge (SFOR 8) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

In 2005 Gainey was named the first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, honorably serving in a role dedicated to advising the chairperson on matters of professional development of enlisted personnel. He retired on April 25, 2008 with the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

Gainey, a firm believer in the power of higher education, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Arts in Education, and Master of Science in Leadership, all from Trident. He currently serves as a military advisor to the AIU Board of Trustees. He also serves as a board advisor for Centurion Military Alliance, and Military Program Advisor for Eye Safety Systems.

Scholarship updates are effective starting in the March 15, 2021 Fastrac session. Learn more about eligibility requirements. The William J. Gainey Scholarship can only be combined with the Military Education Grant and cannot be combined with any other Trident grants or scholarships.

About Trident University International

Founded in 1998, Trident University International is a member of the American InterContinental University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org). Trident uses the EdActive learning approach, which employs case-based learning in an online setting to teach real-world relevant critical thinking skills designed to enhance the lives and education of students. Trident offers quality associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs and certificates, led by a qualified faculty team, over 80% of whom have doctoral degrees. Trident has nearly 27,000 alumni, of which more than 22,000 have a military affiliation and has received acknowledgements from Washington Monthly, Military Times, and Military Advanced Education & Transition for their dedication to student success. Visit http://www.trident.edu or call at (855) 290-0290 to learn more about Trident's wide range of educational options.
Ascot announced the promotion of Ian Thompson to chief executive officer, Bermuda.

Thompson will assume leadership of Ascots multi-faceted business on the island, which includes specialty insurance, reinsurance and alternative capital capabilities underwritten from the groups A-rated Bermudian platform. The appointment is subject to pending regulatory and immigration approval.

Thompson joined Ascot in 2017 as head of Casualty & Specialty, before promotion in 2020 to executive vice president and chief underwriting officer, Casualty & Specialty. He joined Ascot after almost a decade at Hiscox Re as head of Casualty & Specialty. Prior to moving to Bermuda, Thompson worked at Catlin, heading the Healthcare and Professional Lines practice in London. In his new role, he will report to Jonathan Zaffino, group president.

The promotion comes with the departure of John Berger who will retire at the beginning of March 2021 after three years helping to establish a market-leading presence in Bermuda. Berger will continue to advise and provide consultation to Ascot.

Ians been instrumental in our efforts to thoughtfully expand our Bermuda operations, which now includes leading solutions across several major insurance and reinsurance classes, commented Zaffino.

I also want to take the opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to John Berger for all he has done for Ascot. Hes had an impactful role in developing our Bermuda business, and I wish him a very happy retirement after a storied reinsurance career. We look forward to his continued advice and counsel in his new advisory capacity, he added.

Source: Ascot

Topics Bermuda
The on Friday



passed the Rs 19,370.03 crore second supplementary budget for the 2020-21 fiscal by voice vote.

The passage of the supplementary budget along with the Bihar Appropriation Bill, 2021 will help the government to meet outstanding expenditure in the current fiscal, Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad said.

Prasad, who holds the finance portfolio, said Rs 9,530.27 crore has been earmarked for the annual scheme and Rs 9,399.98 crore for the establishment and committed expenditure in the supplementary budget.

Participating in a debate on the supplementary budget for the current fiscal ending March 31, the deputy chief minister said in the House that the share of city residents has increased to 15.28 per cent of the state's population, following the creation of 116 new urban bodies.

As per the 2011 Census data, 1.13 crore people were living in the cities, constituting 11.3 per cent of the state's population, Prasad said, adding the increase in the number of civic bodies has given a fillip to the urbanisation process.

He said the decision to create new urban local bodies helped people get services and avail basic amenities at ease.

The state now has 18 municipal corporations, up from 12, while the number of municipal councils rose to 83 from 49 and 'Nagar Panchayats' to 157 from 81, the deputy CM said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

A worker at a Long Island cemetery was leveling out the bottom of a grave when more than 7 feet of earth collapsed atop him, burying him alive and leading to his death.

Rodwin Allicock, 42, had been working inside the grave at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai on Thursday when the freak accident occurred at around 8.30am, the Suffolk County Police shared in a press release.

Co-workers attempted to dig the Coram resident from inside the grave, which was more than seven feet deep.

Long Island cemetery worker Rodwin Allicock, 42, died on Thursday after a grave he was digging collapsed, burying him under more than 7 feet of dirt

Allicock had been working inside the grave at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai when the accident happened

First responders from four area fire departments arrived at the scene, along with representatives from the Suffolk County Police Emergency Service Section, but Allicok could not be saved.

Allicock was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician's assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Center.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident in addition to the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.

According to their website, the Washington Memorial Park cemetery has been in operation for more than half a century.

Social media posts from family members reveal that Allicock was married with two teenage sons. He is also survived by his sisters who live in Guyana.

According to their website, the Washington Memorial Park cemetery has been in operation for more than half a century.
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A former US Army soldier broke down in tears after being jailed for 15 months for supplying a fatal dose of the drug MDMA to a woman at a New York City music festival two years ago.

At his sentencing, Lagaria Slaughter apologized for selling the drugs that caused the death of 20-year-old Katherine Schlegel at the Electric Zoo music festival in New York City in 2018, according to the New York Post.

Schlegel, who was a college student from New Cannan, Connecticut, was not a regular user of drugs.

She overdosed and died two days later in hospital.

'I want the family and friends of the victim to know that the person I was back then is not who I am, but a selfish and inconsiderate child wrapped up in something I should not have been,' Slaughter said at a remote sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court.

Lagaria Slaughter supplied a fatal dose of the party drug Molly, to 20-year-old Katherine Schlegel at the Electric Zoo music festival in 2018

Katherine Schlegel, 20, overdosed after taking the drug and died two days later in a NY hospital

Slaughter was a specialist in the Army who was discharged following his arrest.

He noted that he had been diagnosed with 'bipolar depression' since the incident and told the court that he had since found work in a care home.

'I spent the rest of my military career trapped inside my depression as I tried to cope with the events that had taken place,' he said.

Slaughter was stationed at Fort Drum in upstate New York and had traveled to the city on the weekend of the festival with another soldier.

The pair arranged to buy 57 molly tablets to use with Schlegel and her friend while at the gig.

Slaughter broke down during a court hearing as he apologized for peddling the drug

Slaughter sold the drugs at the Electric Zoo music festival in 2018 on Randall's Island

'I will be forever haunted, thinking about her just trapped in her last moments. Was she scared? Was she conscious? Was she wondering where I was?' asked her mother, Elena Schlegel at the hearing.

'Our daughter was the most beautiful, loving, young lady you could ever know. She loved going to concerts. She loved music. She was not a regular drug user,' Schlegel added saying she was devastated by her daughter's premature death.

Before Slaughter was arrested, investigators looked through his barracks onto to uncover 10 capsules of Molly, 55 doses of LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, a scale and other drug paraphernalia.

Slaughter has been instructed to turn himself in to a federal prison facility in April.
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There were two iconic moments in the abortive August 1991 coup whose failure hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union -- three if you count the telling press conference of the plotters, with self-declared "acting president" Gennady Yanayev's hands trembling as if he had steeled himself for the spotlight with some vodka shots.



One, of course, was Boris Yeltsin, recently elected president of Soviet Russia, standing defiantly on a tank outside parliament and calling for mass resistance against the putsch.

The other was the removal of the statue of "Iron Feliks" Dzerzhinsky, founder of the Bolshevik secret police, from the square that bore his name outside the headquarters of the KGB -- a towering and unmistakable symbol of the Soviet state's power over the people.



After a crowd of citizens celebrating the coup's collapse tried to tear down the 15-ton statue, a city crane arrived and pulled Dzerzhinsky off his pedestal.



The Soviet Union ceased to exist four months later, and with it the KGB -- the latest in a line of secret police agencies stretching back to 1917 and the All-Russia Extraordinary Commission to Combat Counterrevolution and Sabotage, which was known as the Cheka and was led by Dzerzhinsky.



In some parallel universe, the KGB might be a source of shame to the Russian government today, part of a Soviet past not forgotten but studied as a fount of information about how to avoid a repeat of repression.

Not so in this world, though: Vladimir Putin, a longtime KGB officer in the Soviet era and a former head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), its main domestic successor, has been president or prime minister since 1999. Last year, he engineered constitutional reforms allowing him to seek to remain president until 2036, a move that analysts said strengthened the already powerful security services.



Putin has brought numerous former colleagues from security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies -- the so-called siloviki -- into top positions in the ruling elite.



As far back as December 1999, shortly before Yeltsin stepped down and made him president, Putin suggested -- with a smile to indicate he was joking -- that an FSB mission to take over the government had been succeeded.



And this week, after years of unheeded calls by nationalists steeped in Soviet nostalgia for the statue's return, a city-backed online vote got under way, with the result meant to determine whether Dzerzhinsky's likeness would once again stand in the center of what is now called Lubyanka Square -- a return to its pre-Revolutionary name.



Nevsky Or Dzerzhinsky?

Going up against Iron Feliks a century after his death was a figure from closer to a millennium ago: Aleksandr Nevsky, a medieval Prince of Novgorod best known for his role in the defeat of an advancing force of Teutonic knights and others on an icy lake in 1242.

But two days into the one-day vote in which only Muscovites were eligible, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin abruptly halted it late on February 26, saying that the issue had become too divisive and that for now the square would remain statue-free. 

Different points of view on history are unavoidable. But statues that stand on the streets and in the squares should unite society, not split it apart, Sobyanin said in a statement posted on his website.

The mayors sudden announcement was a surprise; the fact that the prospect of restoring Dzerzhinskys statue to the square could be divisive should not have been.

If Dzerzhinsky were to be put back, it would be an almost laughably obvious sign of the times -- "a warning to society of the resources available of the state should it choose to crack down, a reminder of how bad things could be, andprobably also a sop to the siloviki," Mark Galeotti, an author and expert on Russian security structures, said in a February 21 podcast.



"Because after all, the more the state depends on repression, the more it depends on the forces of repression," Galeotti said.



Dzerzhinsky's return would add a kind of a trolling flourish to events over the past decade and the past few weeks.

In the past decade, Kremlin critics say, Putin has tightened the screws following protests in 2011-12 prompted in part by his return to the presidency after a stint as prime minister -- a decision that dashed the hopes of Russians eager for political change.

In recent weeks, the authorities have racked down hard on protests over the jailing of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, who was arrested upon return from Germany after recuperating from a near-fatal poisoning he blames on Putin and has subsequently been sentenced to serve 2 1/2 years in prison.

More broadly, to some Russians the restoration of Dzerzhinskys statue to its former spot would be a substantial and startling reversal of some of the implications of the Soviet collapse -- a sign that few lessons have been learned.



"The footage of the statue being toppled in 1991 was symbolic of a revolution against the Soviet state," Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center and an expert on Russian politics, told The Moscow Times for an article published on February 25. "In restoring the statue, they are nullifying that revolution."

Sobyanin said that after two days of voting, Aleksandr Nevsky held a modest lead. Citing the website where the vote was recorded, the state-run news agency TASS reported that nearly 320,000 people had voted and that the medieval prince had 55 percent to Dzerzhinskys 45 percent.



But before it even started the abortive vote was emblematic on several levels. On a narrower scale, but one that will change the face of the Russian capital and the tenor of ties between the people and the state, it echoes several prominent elements of the Putin era.

Managed Democracy



Since Putin came to power, the Kremlin has pushed authentic opposition to the margins and used numerous levers to make elections as predictable as possible while maintaining a veneer of democracy.



Navalny, for example, was allowed to run in a Moscow mayoral election in 2013 and came in second behind the Kremlin-backed incumbent. But he was barred from challenging Putin for the presidency in 2018 due to a conviction on charges he contends were fabricated.

Like the elections held in Russia since 2000, the statue vote offers citizens a choice, but one that is limited in ways that seem certain to produce an outcome that is satisfactory for the Kremlin.



Since the toppling of the statue was a symbol of the defanging of the Soviet state and its security apparatus, one might have expected a dissident to face off against Dzerzhinsky, although there is a small monument to Gulag survivors on the square. Andrei Sakharov and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn come to mind -- in that parallel universe, at least.



No such figure was apparently considered, and a few other potential contenders were cast aside in favor of a one-on-one contest between Dzerzhinsky and Aleksandr Nevsky.



Selective Memory



If you think the juxtaposition makes little sense -- a 20th-century political-police chief and a 13th-century prince -- think again. Or think of it from Putin's point of view: He has constantly used imagery selected from various periods of the country's past, analysts say, to project power and foster patriotism.



Far from shunning the Soviet era in favor of tsarist times, he has evoked portions of it repeatedly and is accused by critics of conniving with the creeping rehabilitation of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.



The bloodiest portion of Stalin's long rule was the Great Terror, the murderous purges that hit their height in 1937-38. Dzerzhinsky's Cheka carried out the Red Terror, a deadly campaign of political repression in 1918-22, mostly during the Russian Civil War that followed the Bolshevik Revolution.



Dzerzhinsky was "clearly a ghastly zealot who not only presided over terror but created the initial machine that Stalin would in due course expand into his industrial generator of mass terror," Galeotti said on his podcast.



But in Putin's Russia, he has been cast as a symbol of law and order -- and even as a protector of children, with attention focused on his role in the establishment of a system of orphanages.



For those who want Dzerzhinsky back, part of the appeal lies in the idea that for them, the Soviet collapse was not the welcome end of an experiment that subjected millions to deprivation and unfreedom for decades but the humiliation of a mighty country and the start of years of economic and political uncertainty.



"The removal of Dzerzhinsky in 1991 is a symbol of the collapse of Russia, the collapse of an empire (sure, it was Soviet, but it was ours, of course), the collapse of everything we are trying to return, renew, and reanimate: social guarantees, order, security, and sovereignty," Zakhar Prilepin, a nationalist writer who has pushed for the statue's return, wrote on Facebook.



Divide And Rule



Those four terms fit well with what Putin says are crucial elements in a thriving Russia, and the one that he promises the people. But it was far from clear that he wants Dzerzhinsky back on Lubyanka Square -- and the fact that the vote was stopped with that outcome seemingly within reach may add to the evidence that he does not, even though the result so far seemed unsurprising.



For one thing, returning Dzerzhinsky would be coming down hard in favor of a man Galeotti said was an "absolutely central figure to the Red Terror."

"Now it's impossible to put him back on his plinth, in his square, and not regard that as a rehabilitation of the past horrors," he said.



However marginalized Russian liberals may be, Putin could be concerned that the message would be needlessly divisive.



Perhaps more important, it would be a boost for the siloviki -- the security and law enforcement apparatus -- at a time when their position already seems particularly strong. That might not fit well with the calculations of Putin, who analysts say likes to play different camps in the ruling elite against one another and to avoid handing any single group too much clout.



It would also risk placing too much emphasis on the Soviet Union and the revolution that brought it into being. Putin is no fan of revolutions -- because he does not want the kind of protest-driven political change that has occurred in Ukraine, Georgia, and other ex-Soviet republics to be repeated in Russia -- and has repeatedly criticized Lenin.



Plus, putting too much weight on a figure from the Soviet era might undermine Putin's efforts to cast himself as a leader who is responsibly bearing Russia into the future, not carrying it back to the troubled 20th century.

That was where Aleksandr Nevsky seemed to come in handy. To some people with a deeper knowledge of history he has his own drawbacks, and is hardly a Russian hero.



But unlike Dzerzhinsky, who has been dead less than a century and who played a large part in the establishment of the Soviet state that lives in the memory of the many millions of Russians born before it collapsed 30 years ago, he is an almost mythical figure from the distant past -- depicted in paintings in plated armor and on icons in an ermine stole.



His image -- built largely on the much-ballyhooed battle against forces charging toward Novgorod from the west -- dovetails well with Putin's efforts to portray himself as a leader defying persistent pressure from the West.

"Nevsky fits perfectly within the kind of Putinist pantheon of figures who were competent and ruthless -- but above all they were active in advancing the interests of the state that would in due course become Russia," Galeotti said.



Both statue candidates "are perceived as essentially patriotic, anti-Western figures that chime well with the Kremlin's present ideology," Kolesnikov told The Moscow Times. "Dzerzhinsky symbolizes the return of the secret police's power, and Nevsky victory over Western invaders."



With the vote canceled, it seems highly unlikely that "Iron Feliks" will be restored to the spot where he stood from 1958 to 1991, a few years longer than the time that has passed since he was removed. But to Russians who thought returning his statue was unthinkable, the idea that such a debate could be happening at all is a punch in the gut.



"In fact, it is depressing that we are even discussing this topic," Sergei Stankevich, a liberal politician who was a Moscow city legislator in 1991 and helped oversee the statue's removal, told The Moscow Times.

NOTE: The Week In Russia is taking a short hiatus and will be back on March 12.
A Volkswagen ID.3 electric car stands on display at the Autostadt promotional facility next to the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Oct. 26, 2020. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Volkswagen Weathers Pandemic With $10.7 Billion Profit

FRANKFURT, GermanyVolkswagen said Friday it made a better than expected profit of 8.8 billion ($10.7 billion) after tax in 2020 despite the pandemic. The worlds No. 2 automaker said the rapid recovery of China, its largest single market, and resilient sales of luxury vehicles helped the bottom line.

The company gave an upbeat outlook for this year, saying it would carry momentum from the stronger second half of the year over into earnings going forward. It predicted earnings would be in the top part of its forecast range and that sales revenue would be significantly higher, assuming successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The results underline the uneven impact of the pandemic. Manufacturing companies like Germanys three big carmakersVolkswagen, BMW, and Daimlerhave seen their sales and earnings hold up better than those for services, tourism, and air travel companies.

The earnings figure was off 37 percent from 2019. Sales revenue was down 11.8 percent at 222.9 billion but fell less than the 16.4 percent drop in unit sales to 9.2 million vehicles. That meant Volkswagen surrendered the title of biggest carmaker by volume that it had held since 2016 to Toyota, which sold 9.5 million vehicles.

Volkswagen common shares traded 2.4 percent higher after the earnings statement. More financial details are to be announced March 16 at the companys annual news conference.

The Wolfsburg-based carmaker said that it had taken important strategic steps during the year to accelerate its push into software and digital technologies and services. It tripled its sales of electric vehicles to 422,000 ahead of stricter European Union limits on emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. The companys brands include luxury carmakers Audi and Porsche, where profits per vehicle are higher than for more basic transportation.

The groups profits were boosted by the Porsche Taycan, a high-performance four-door sedan that starts at $79,500 for the standard model in the United States. Sales of that model reached 20,000. The Taycan is part of German carmakers efforts to compete with electric car pioneer Tesla, which has eaten into their sales of luxury cars.

The financial results now available are far better than originally expected and show what our company is capable of achieving, especially in a crisis, Chief Financial Officer Frank Witter said in a statement. We intend to carry over the strong momentum from the significantly better second half into the current year, and the programs for reducing our fixed costs and in procurement will make us more robust in the long term.

By David McHugh

A vehement right-wing defender of Donald Trump quit the ruling Liberal Party yesterday, further destabilising the Liberal-National Coalition government and marking another push for the creation of a Trump-style fascistic movement in Australia.

Liberal Party backbencher Craig Kelly theatrically resigned from the party at a parliamentary caucus meeting, reportedly giving Prime Minister Scott Morrison no notice. Kelly said he defected in order to have the freedom to speak out in favour of using ivermectin, an anti-parasite drug, and hyroxychloroquine, a malaria medication, as coronavirus treatmentsmimicking Trumps anti-scientific claims.

Craig Kelly (Screenshot, ABC News)

Kellys move, however, is part of a wider political agenda. For months, he has backed Trumps claims of a stolen US election used to justify the January 6 coup attempt at the Capitol in Washington. He has mirrored Trump and US far-right groups in agitating for the scrapping of all COVID-19 safety restrictions in line with the demands of big business for a fully re-opened economy to ensure corporate profit.

In the most immediate sense, Kellys defection robs the Morrison government of a working majority in parliament, cutting its numbers to 76 in the 151-member House of Representatives. One of its votes is held by the House Speaker, who has only a casting vote. Kelly said he would continue to support the government in no-confidence motions, but warned that he was open to opposing other government measures.

A rather stunned Morrison tried to present an image of calm, declaring that his government would continue as before in dealing with the worst situation weve seen since the Second World War. Yet he immediately underscored the governments knife-edge situation by holding a meeting with another right-wing parliamentarian, Bob Katter, to discuss a deal on confidence motions.

Behind all these machinations are fears in ruling circles of a breakout of mounting working class discontent, the potential for which can be seen in the determined struggle of Coles warehouse workers against a protracted company lockout in Sydney. That prospect is rising amid the looming abolition of subsidies for the unemployed and underemployed through the JobKeeper and JobSeeker schemes put in place after the pandemic erupted last March.

Kellys move will be used to both try to further foment a far-right movement and push the increasingly unstable Morrison government to ramp up its efforts to suppress popular opposition to the corporate restructuring offensive and the lifting of pandemic public health restrictions.

The timing of Kellys resignation is revealing. First, it came just two days after Morrison personally took one of the countrys first vaccine injections and used the nationally-televised event to insist that the arrival of vaccines meant an end to any need for lockdowns, border closures or other COVID-19 restrictions. Kellys advocacy of quackery and other anti-vaccine responses became incompatible with the governments desperate PR campaign to present vaccines as a silver bullet to end the danger of infection and secure a full return to physical workplaces.

Second, Kellys defection followed last Saturdays staging of so-called Millions March Against Mandatory COVID Vaccination ralliesattended by a few thousand people. They were led by far-right groups that oppose vaccinations and depict COVID-19 as a corporate-state conspiracy. The banners featured messages such as coronavirus is a scam and vaccines kill. This is the Trump-style constituency that Kelly and others are trying to build on.

As with the US Republican Party, the Liberal-National Coalition in Australia has become an incubator of far-right elements that are seeking to exploit the historic economic and social crisis produced by the failure of the official response to the global pandemic. Other far right Coalition members, notably George Christensen, have been associated with Kelly, and former National Party leader Barnaby Joyce held talks with Kelly after his defection, reportedly seeking to recruit him to the rural-based Nationals.

Following his resignation, Kelly was also visited by Malcolm Roberts, a senator representing Pauline Hansons anti-immigrant One Nation, and Katter, who heads his own nationalist Katters Australia Party. These various formations are all trying to divert the rising political disaffection into reactionary chauvinist directions, while falsely posturing as opponents of big business.

In 2017, following Trumps presidential election victory of 2016, another right-wing Liberal, Cory Bernardi, quit the government and sought to emulate Trump. But his Australian Conservatives party floundered after Morrison replaced his deposed predecessor Malcolm Turnbull in August 2018 and shifted the Coalition into alignment with Trump.

The political establishment has become increasingly unstable over the past decade, with one prime minister after another being deposed or defeated at the polls. This is the second time that Morrisons government has lost its parliamentary majority. The previous occasion came just after Morrison grabbed the leadership in a Liberal Party room coup. When Turnbull quit parliament, the government lost his seat in a by-election, and a pro-Turnbull MP, Julia Banks, defected to the crossbench.

Morrison only survived the May 2019 election, despite suffering a negative swing, because the Labor Partys vote fell to historic lows, especially in working class electorates, due to widespread disgust and hostility at its own long pro-business record.

The installation of Morrison himself represented a turn toward Trump-style right-wing populism, with Morrison enjoying the support of elements such as Kelly. Morrison rescued Kelly from party pre-selection defeat in 2019 and aligned with Kelly and Christensen in refusing to condemn Trumps incitement of the January 6 insurrection plot. For weeks, Morrison and his senior ministers insisted that Kelly and Christensen were entitled to their views, thereby giving credence to their promotion of positions associated with the fascistic right.

Now, as well as the Kelly defection, Morrisons government is being destabilised by a widening media scandal over an alleged rape and other alleged sexual assaults on female ministerial staff members. The precise political agenda behind this affair, which rests on untested accusations, is not yet clear. Yet it also plays into frustrations in the ruling class with the governments perceived failure to aggressively end COVID-19 restrictions and pursue industrial relations reform to further attack working class conditions.

Mondays editorial in the Australian Financial Review provided a flavour of this corporate agitation. It denounced medieval lockdowns and populist state border closures. Such COVID-19 measures had to be a thing of the past, as demanded by Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott.

Likewise, the Australians editor-at-large Paul Kelly today complained that the Morrison government had not done enough to counter what he called the pandemic protectionism, such as limited lockdowns and border closures, to which some state premiers had resorted in order to appease popular sentiment in favour of safety.

Kelly concluded by warning that no medical data yet existed that vaccines would halt coronavirus transmission, as the public demands. He ended his column on an ominous note for the government and the entire political establishment: You get the message2021 is loaded with uncertainties.

These developments are a warning that, far from being an exception to the breakdown of democratic norms in the US and internationally, the ruling class in Australia is also turning toward authoritarian forms of rule, directed against mounting social and political opposition from the working class.
WESTBURY, N.Y, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. II (the "Company"), today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 20,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an initial business combination target in any industry or sector, it intends to focus its search on companies in the North America automotive and automotive-related sector. The Company is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Justin Mirro, Vice Chairman and President, Robert Remenar, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Daniel Huber, and Chief Technology Officer, Simon Boag. The Company's independent directors include Thomas LaSorda, Anders Pettersson, Mitchell Quain, Donald Runkle and Matthew Simoncini.

The units will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade under the ticker symbol "KCAC.U" beginning February 26, 2021. Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock of the Company and one-fourth of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A common stock of the Company at a price of $11.50 per share. Only whole warrants are exercisable. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the shares of Class A common stock and redeemable warrants are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "KCAC" and "KCAC.WS," respectively.

The offering is expected to close on March 2, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

UBS Securities LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated are acting as the joint book running managers for the offering and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated is acting as lead manager. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus may be obtained from UBS Securities LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, telephone: (888) 827-7275 or email: [email protected]; and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attn: Syndicate Department, One South Street, 15th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, or by email: [email protected] or by telephone: (855) 300-7136.

A registration statement relating to the securities became effective on February 25, 2021 in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms or timeline described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's preliminary prospectus for the Company's offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies of these documents are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Contact:

Daniel Huber

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

(703) 674-6514

SOURCE Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. II

Related Links

http://www.autospac.com


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Canada announced on Thursday that it will send an astronaut to orbit the moon in 2023 as part of NASA's Artemis II mission.

"It's official!" Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne tweeted. "Canada will join the U.S. on the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years."

The Gateway Treaty was signed between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA last December.

Under the treaty, a Canadian will be part of the Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission to the moon since 1972. It confirms a second flight for a Canadian astronaut to the Lunar Gateway, a small space station in lunar orbit.

Canada will supply the Lunar Gateway with Canadarm3, an autonomous robotic system that will use artificial intelligence to perform tasks around the moon without human intervention.

The gateway will be much smaller than the International Space Station orbiting the Earth. It will also be used as a science laboratory, a test-bed for new technologies and as a base for landings and exploration of the moon, and then potentially as a base for a Mars mission.

Like the International Space Station, the gateway will be assembled in stages, using both NASA and commercial launch vehicles.

Two elements of the gateway -- the Power and Propulsion Element and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost -- will launch together in 2023. Other modules will be added afterwards, according to the CSA.
Gov. Phil Murphy wants to increase school funding in New Jerseys 2022 state budget, but some districts would see far greater gains than others.

Nearly 375 districts would receive more K-12 state aid through the governors proposed $9.3 billion in direct school support. Despite a $578 million increase statewide, another 193 districts would receive less state aid, all part of the complex and controversial formula New Jersey uses to fund its public schools.

Murphy said Thursday the increased aid will help the state chip away, dollar by dollar, at high property taxes and help schools improve learning in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

We cant leave a generation of students behind if we want our future as bright as it can be, Murphy said during a news conference in Fair Lawn.

The governor unveiled his $44.8 billion budget proposal Tuesday, calling for nearly $50 million in additional preschool funding and a $25 million expansion of Extraordinary Special Education Aid  money that helps districts provide services for students who require expensive support.

The proposal also includes $50 million in stabilization aid, which would help soften the blow for school districts set to lose money under the states funding formula.

The budget proposal continues a multi-year plan to reallocate aid from districts considered overfunded by the state to districts that have been shortchanged.

Use the tool below to see what the governors budget proposal would mean for each district.

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Adam Clark may be reached at aclark@njadvancemedia.com. Have a news tip or a story idea about New Jersey schools? Send it here.
The intention of the Government of Ghana to develop sufficient Human Resources for the countrys railways subsector has seen a major boost with the matriculation of the first batch of students for the Ghana School of Railways and Infrastructure Development.



The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) which operates the Ghana School of Railways and Infrastructure Development, held the matriculation recently.



UMaT opened the Ghana School of Railways and Infrastructure Development Campus at Essikado in Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region this year.



About 300 students have been admitted into the Ghana School of Railways and Infrastructure Development for this year. Over the next four years, the School is looking to admit about 5,000 students.



It would be recalled that one of the most serious shortcomings of the railways' sector that was identified by the Ghanaian Government in 2017 was the inadequate human resource base.



The Ghanaian Government at the time through the Ministry of Railways Development then headed by Hon. Joe Ghartey was seeking to build a multi-billion dollar railway sector with a scarcity of human resource expertise in the sector.



Hon. Ghartey, the former Minister for Railways Development, and his team took the bold step to address the human resource deficit in the railway sector in the country.



This led to the collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology to establish the Ghana School of Railways and Infrastructural Development in Essikado Sekondi.



In 2021, the school is starting with general engineering programs.



In the next academic year, the school is expected to introduce new courses such as BSc Transportation Engineering;

BSC. Railways Engineering; Certificate programmes in Locomotive Engineering; Signalling and Telecommunication Systems; Rail Operation and Geotechnical Engineering.



The opening of the Ghana School of Railways and Infrastructure Development made possible by Hon. Ghartey and his team after dilapidated buildings not fit for human use were turned to modern state-of-the-art structures, shows that there is the need for Ghanaians as a people to think outside the box and have the vision to be able to make what seems impossible possible.



It took four years 2017-2021 to create a tertiary institution that would develop the human resource base for the growing railway sector.



The Dean of the Ghana School of Railways and Infrastructure Development is Professor Yakubu.



The creation of the school was made possible also through collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology.



Vice-Chancellor of UMaT, Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah, speaking during the matriculation, observed that his outfit was poised to extend quality education to everyone.

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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CAITHNESS, UK, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Green energy firms Infinergy and Boralex have taken the decision to seek to optimise their 21-turbine wind farm at Limekiln, south of Reay in Caithness in order to address a number of key issues. Scoping for a variation to the current Section 36 consent will be submitted to the planning authorities in the coming weeks which will seek to bring a number of improvements to the project, including a revised track design, allowing improved access during the construction works to the core path network and an increase in tip heights to align with the proposed Limekiln Wind Farm Extension.

Esbjorn Wilmar, Managing Director of Infinergy said: "Having started construction on site with tree felling and enabling works, it has become clear through dialogue with the local community that our proposed solution to the closure of the core paths on site during the construction works was not supported by local people, local politicians or the Highland Council. An alteration to the track design looks to be the best solution which will allow us the keep the core path open during construction activities. This will however require a variation to the current consent and as a consequence we will have to submit a Section 36C planning application."

Taking the opportunity to apply for a S36C variation will also allow the project to address a number of other issues facing renewable developers, particularly in the north of Scotland. "The proposed change in the way grid charges are applied to existing and new transmission connected projects in the UK (the TNUoS charging review) will mean that projects furthest from where most of the electricity demand is in the south of the country will see a sharp increase in grid charges due. Projects in the far North of Scotland especially will see a severe negative impact. While we are looking to improve the track design, we are also looking to increase the energy yield from the windfarm by increasing tip heights in line with our Limekiln Extension project and applying state of the art turbine technology. It will allow us to generate more renewable energy with the same number of turbines, the same turbine positions and with the same or even a reduced environmental impact" continued Mr Wilmar. "As we will be waiting for an outcome from the Limekiln Wind Farm Extension public inquiry, we have the opportunity to make this application which will then, if both are successful, be built as one development, reducing overall disruption during the construction stage. The increase in energy production, building the consented project and the extension project in one go and further optimizing the design the of site will also enhance the economics of the projects, offsetting some of the impacts of the proposed increase in network charges, but also the expected long-term reduction in power prices because of the Covid-19 impacts."

Enabling works and onsite felling will continue this year to ensure the site is fully prepared, with the enabling works due to be completed by June this year. Felling work will follow the completion of the enabling works, which will have provided the new haul roads required, and will last until the spring of 2022. Delaying the main construction contracts will allow the forestry work to proceed unhindered and it is expected the operational date for the wind farm will now be late 2023 at the earliest. Together with the Limekiln Extension project, the wind farm has a grid connection contract in place for 106 MW and discussions are progressing with National Grid for a revised connection date.

Located 2.8km South/Southwest of Dounreay Power Station, the proposal consists of 21 turbines and has, together with the Limekiln Extension project, a grid connection contract in place for 106 MW. The wind farm will provide sufficient electricity to meet the needs of at least 39,500 homes based on the average generation mix of UK power sources.

Limekiln Wind Farm comes with a community benefit fund of 5000 per MW of installed capacity, equating to at least 440,000 per year or nearly 8 million over the lifetime of the development (based on 4.2 MW turbines). In addition, up to 10% of the project will be made available to the local community as a shared ownership opportunity, giving the potential to increase the economic value of the wind farm across Caithness.

Infinergy and Boralex announced the execution of a 50-50 joint venture agreement in October 2017, aimed at developing a pipeline of onshore wind projects, including the Limekiln Wind Farm project, essentially located in Scotland for a total estimated capacity of 325 MW.

NOTE for EDITORIAL STAFF

Infinergy

Infinergy is a UK based renewable energy company, active in the UK, The Netherlands and Australia with a strong focus on the development of onshore wind energy in Scotland. Infinergy develops wind and solar energy projects from inception through to construction and operation. In the UK we develop most of our projects in close cooperation with Boralex. For more information visit http://www.infinergy.co.uk.

Boralex

Boralex develops, builds and operates renewable energy power facilities in Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. A leader in the Canadian market and France's largest independent producer of onshore wind power, the Corporation is recognized for its solid experience in optimizing its asset base in four power generation types-wind, hydroelectric, thermal and solar. Boralex ensures sustainable growth by leveraging the expertise and diversification developed over the past 25 years. Boralex's shares and convertible debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BLX and BLX.DB.A, respectively. More information is available at www.boralex.com or www.sedar.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1445594/Boralex_Inc__Limekiln_Optimisation_to_Benefit_Local_Outdoor_Acce.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1445595/Boralex_Inc__Limekiln_Optimisation_to_Benefit_Local_Outdoor_Acce.jpg

Media - Infinergy: Fiona Milligan, Project Manager, Infinergy, M: 07825 744712, info@limekilnwindfarm.co.uk; Media - Boralex: Mathieu Richard, Communication officer, M: +33 6 73 96 69 75, mathieu.richard@boralex.com; Investor Relations - Boralex: Stephane Milot, Director, Investor Relations, 514 213-1045, stephane.milot@boralex.com
A week before the sixth anniversary of the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, a makeshift memorial on the bridge where he was killed was cleared again by authorities. Volunteers who maintained the photos and flowers on the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge were detained. The place where he was assassinated has come to be known as "Nemtsov Bridge." The Moscow mayor's office called the incident a misunderstanding.

Real estate speculators have been exploiting urban expansion plans to push up prices beyond the real value, according to the Ministry of Construction (MOC).

Reviewing the 2020 real estate market, MOC said the prices of separate houses and land continued the upward trend from 2019. However, the increases varied in different localities and areas in the same localities.

The average price increase in provinces, cities and districts was just 3-5 percent. However, some market analysis units reported sharp price increases in some projects.

In Hanoi, a series of projects in the last 10 years in the western part, including Ha Do Charm Villas (An Thuong, Hoai Duc), and An Lac Symphony (Van Canh, Hoai Duc), have resumed sales with prices 2-3 times higher than prices in previous sale campaigns and the secondary market.

Market analysis firms report that land in Son Tay, Hoa Lac, Thach That and Hoai Duc is priced at VND25-30 million per square meter, up by 50 percent from 2019. Meanwhile, the areas of Dong Anh, Gia Lam and Long Bien have seen prices increase by 20-30 percent.

In HCM City, according to MOC, land prices surged after the news about the merger of districts 2, 9 and Thu Duc to form Thu Duc City.

On Nguyen Xien, Nguyen Phuoc Thien, Hoang Huu Nam and Nguyen Van Tang streets in district 9, the street-front land price has hit VND100 million per square meter.

In Truong Tho ward in Thu Duc district, land prices have risen from VND40-50 million per square meter to VND70-90 million, or 40 percent compared with 2019.

In Dong Nai province, which is contiguous to the eastern part of HCM City and has Long Thanh International Airport under construction, the land price has increased from VND12-14 million per square meter in 2019 to VND22 million. In Long Thanh Town, the land price is quoted at VND100 million per square meter in some areas.

In Can Tho, projects near the citys central area and big roads have an average price of VND40-60 million per square meter, while projects near small roads are VND20-30 million, or 7 percent higher than 2019.

However, MOCs report pointed out that sharp price increases in some areas were mostly seen in transactions among speculators.

In general, the land price will increase in the areas where infrastructure items are being developed or about to be developed. However, infrastructure development has been exploited by speculators to push prices up to seek illicit profits.

Experts say the price hikes only bring benefits to speculators, not to those who have real demand for accommodations, as prices have exceeded the real value.

Hong Khanh

Real estate appeal remains amid tumult Vietnam has more real estate investment opportunities than other more mature Asia-Pacific markets, though certain difficulties remain.
Strong words: UK court rubbishes Katjus comparison of Modi govt to Hitler

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 26: A court in the UK said, Markandey Katju's comparison of the BJP government at the Centre to Hitler is astonishing, inappropriate and grossly insensitive.

The observations were made by the court while delivering the verdict on the extradition of fugitive businessman, Nirav Modi. The UK court also set aside arguments that the Indian judiciary was compromised.

The Westminster Magistrate's court which ordered the extradition of Nirav Modi to India rejected the expert testimony given by Katju in the case. He had alleged that the Indian judiciary was compromised and that Nirav Modi will not get a fair trial in India.

"I reject any submission that the GOI have deliberately engineered a media onslaught. I attach little weight to Justice Katju's expert opinion," District Judge Sam Goozee said.

Justice Katju made some astonishing, inappropriate and grossly insensitive comparisons, the court.

Said. Katju had said that because the Indian government cannot solve the economic crisis in the country, it was pinning the blame on Nirav Modi, like the way Hitler blamed the Jews.

While quoting Justice Katju, the court said, it is just like "Hitler and the Jews". "Nirav Modi is the Jew that must be blamed for all the problems in India. The court further noted despite having been a former Supreme Court judge in India until his retirement in 2011, his evidence was less than objective and reliable.

The court said that, his evidence in Court appeared tinged with resentment towards former senior judicial colleagues. It had hallmarks of an outspoken critic with his own personal agenda.

I found his evidence and behaviour in engaging the media the day before giving evidence to be questionable for someone who served the Indian Judiciary at such a high level appointed to guard and protect the rule of law, the court also said.

Despite being highly critical of the "trial by media" and its impact on NDM's case, he took the astonishing decision to brief journalists in relation to the evidence he was giving in these proceedings, creating his own media storm and adding to the heightened media interest to date, further added.

WHO chief lauds PM Modi | 'Hope others follow India' | Oneindia News

As Ms Malcolm and Mr Hearn (Indian government lawyers) correctly remind me in their final written submissions, of the observations made by the Solicitor General of India. India is governed by its written constitution which has at its core the fundamental principle of the independence of the judiciary by virtue of the separation of powers between judiciary, the executive and the legislature.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 13:11 [IST]
Prince Harry has shown his loyalty to Netflix, with whom he has a multi-million pound contract, and defended The Crown, despite the show facing widespread criticism over its 'twisted' depiction of the Royal Family.

Speaking on The Late Late Show with James Corden, the Duke of Sussex, 36, gave his seal of approval to the Netflix show, which portrays his father Prince Charles as callous and self-serving and his grandmother the Queen as cold.

The fourth series of The Crown, which premiered last November, showed Charles meeting and marrying an innocent Diana while maintaining his affair with the then-married Camilla Parker-Bowles. Scenes showing Diana gorging on food before vomiting into a toilet are so graphic that they carry on-screen warnings.

Harry and Meghan Markle raised eyebrows when they signed a deal with the streaming platform, thought to be worth around 100million.

Prince Harry has defended Netflix's The Crown, saying it gives a 'good idea' of the pressures faced by members of the Royal Family. He shared his feelings on the Late Late Show with James Corden (pictured)

The Netflix show has come under fire over its portrayal of members of the Royal Family, including Harry's father Prince Charles. Pictured, Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor as Princess Diana and Prince Charles in series four of The Crown

Prince Harry - who also name-dropped Netflix elsewhere in the interview - said The Crown is 'fictional' but is 'loosely based on the truth' and captures the feeling of being expected to put 'duty and service above family and everything else'.

Harry added he would like Homeland actor Damian Lewis to play him if his character ever appears on the show as an adult.

'They dont pretend to be news, its fictional,' Prince Harry said of The Crown. 'But its loosely based on the truth.

'Of course its not strictly accurate but it loosely it gives you a rough idea of that lifestyle and the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else and what can come from that.

Callous Charles and 'hysterical' Diana: How The Crown depicted Harry's parents The fourth series of Netflix's The Crown, which premiered last November, portrays Prince Charles as callous and self-serving and his grandmother the Queen as cold. The series wrongly suggests the affair between Charles and Camilla continued throughout his marriage to Diana. It led to the Duchess of Cornwall being the subject of vicious online abuse. Charles was also portrayed as verbally abusive towards his wife, targeting her over her mental health. Friends of Charles accused the producers of the drama of 'trolling on a Hollywood budget'. Scenes showing Diana gorging on food before vomiting into a toilet are so graphic that they will carry on-screen warnings. Elsewhere, in a fabricated scene in the first episode, Lord Mountbatten writes to warn Charles he is in danger of bringing 'ruin and disappointment' to the family, while the third episode falsely depicts Mrs Thatcher being humiliated by the Royal Family at Balmoral. Advertisement

'Im way more comfortable about The Crown than the stories I see written about my family, my wife or myself. Because its the difference between thats [the fact] obviously fiction, take it how you will  but this is reported on as fact because youre supposedly news.'

The Late Late Show with James Corden segment was filmed before he and wife Meghan Markle, who is pregnant with their second child, confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.

It comes just days before another interview with Oprah Winfrey, which will air on 7 March.

Critics have questioned the timing of his TV appearance, released as the Queen gave a rare public statement encouraging all Britons to have the Covid-19 jab.

In one extraordinary moment Harry raps the theme tune to The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air outside the mansion where it was filmed, before Corden video calls Meghan, who calls her husband 'Haz' and tells him not to buy it because she's 'done moving'. Harry then pops inside to use the toilet.

In a wide-ranging chat mostly carried out on an open-top bus, Harry opened up about his relationship with Meghan, his son Archie and their decision to quit as frontline royals, saying the pressure of being in London was 'destroying my mental health'.

Describing the couple's decision he said: 'It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down. It was a really difficult environment, which I think a lot of people saw. So I did what any father or husband would do and thought: "How do I get my family out of here". But we never walked away and as far as Im concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never walk away.

And while the interview was carried out before the Queen stripped the Sussexes of their royal patronages, Harry appears to know what was coming and says: 'My life is public service so wherever I am in the world its going to be the same thing.

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash'

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis

The 17-minute film begins with James COrden pulling up outside Harry's mansion in an open -top bus, which Harry admits he's never been on.

After Corden told him to pay the fare before jumping on the bus, Harry quipped 'you know us royals, we don't carry cash' and said it was his first time on an open-top bus because 'we're not really allowed to'.

Corden served him afternoon tea while pointing out celebrity homes, including what he claimed were those of Friends star David Schwimmer and Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.

But moments later the bus braked heavily and the dinner wagon holding the tea jolted into Prince Harry - who swore in shock - before he spat his drink out while laughing.

During a visit to the house that featured on 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Harry rapped the famous theme song, which was originally performed by Will Smith.

Corden tried to convince him to buy the sprawling mansion before Harry went inside to use the bathroom.
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REDDING, Calif. - Redding Neighborhood Police Unit stopped a vehicle that led to an arrest of a prior felon, according to Redding Police Department.

Officer of the Neighborhood Police Unit stopped Jonathan Adam Davenport, 38, near Parkview Ave. and State St.

An officer and his K9 were called to the scene for assistance. The K9 found methamphetamine in the vehicle, police said.

Officers then responded to Davenports apartment on the 1200 block of Lancers Lane with a search warrant.

In the apartment, officers found a rifle, ammunition, drug paraphilia, heroin, fentanyl, and more methamphetamine, police said.

Due to Davenport being a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Davenport has been booked into the Shasta County Jail on four charges.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26) The Commission on Human Rights said it is looking forward to joining a government inter-agency panel's probe into the deaths linked to the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs.

In a statement on Thursday, the CHR described as "a step in the right direction," the initial findings of the Justice Department-led panel, which reported that law enforcement failed to follow protocols during anti-drug operations.

"We appreciate that the Secretary of Justice declared that they will cooperate with us and committed to include us in the case build up and evidence gathering in order to bridge victims of human rights violations with government," the agency said.

"The CHR plays an important role in moving the findings forward. We emphasize, however, that we remain in anticipation of the full report of the review panel and look forward to be included in its processes," it added.

Presenting the panel's initial findings before the United Nations Human Rights Council, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevara reported there have been no full examinations on the weapons allegedly used by suspects, and that there has been no effort to verify these weapons' ownership.

State forces likewise failed to follow standard procedures on coordinating with other agencies and crime scene processing, the panel found.

RELATED: Malacanang: DOJ-led probe's findings on drug war prove PH legal system working

Despite this, the CHR said investigations should push through to ensure that "perpetrators are held to account."

"The victims need to be confident that actions will be taken, and we commit ourselves in making this a reality," it added.

Launched in 2016, the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign has killed at least 6,000 suspects. But local and international rights groups believe the death toll is much higher.
Himachal Pradesh Budget Session: Governor cuts short address to Assembly amid uproar by Congress members

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Shimla, Feb 26: Himachal Pradesh Governor Bandaru Dattatraya could read only the last line of his address to the Assembly in the opening day of the Budget Session on Friday amid a ruckus by members of the opposition Congress.

As soon as the House assembled at 11 am, the Congress members led by Leader of the Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri rose from their seats and raised slogans.

Khelo India Winter Games: Jammu and Kashmir will become 'Winter Sports Hub', says PM Modi

Following din in the House, the Governor read the last line of his address and stated that the entire speech should be deemed as read. The Congress members alleged that contents of the address were "a bundle of lies".

They stated that the issue of increase in cooking gas, petrol and diesel prices was not included in the address. Subsequently, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Monday.

Your success made the great MGR very happy, says PM Modi at Dr MGR Medical University

WHO chief lauds PM Modi | 'Hope others follow India' | Oneindia News

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur condemned the behaviour of the Congress and said it was uncalled for. The session is scheduled to conclude on March 20. The chief minister will present the budget for 2021-22 in the Assembly on March 6, Speaker Vipin Parmar had said on Thursday.

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Story first published: Friday, February 26, 2021, 14:07 [IST]
ROME - The fourth edition of the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi will be held March 8-10 online.



Organised by Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism department, this year's theme is "the cultural economy and the economy of culture".



The event will bring together leaders in the cultural field as well as experts in art, cultural heritage, museums, media, and technology with the aim to explore opportunities for cultural innovation in a post-COVID world.



"The global challenges of the past year have truly demonstrated the vital power of culture to improve our personal and collective well-being. Yet, cultural institutions worldwide continue to struggle to achieve funding structures to continue operating," Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, told the emirate's The National. "It is now more important than ever to shed light on the critical role that the culture sector plays as an essential driver of sustainable economic and social development." "In line with UNESCO's 2021 International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, the Culture Summit 2021 will discuss the challenges faced by creative and cultural industries and explore "adaptable, resilient and collaborative approaches" to rebuilding and sustaining them. In addition, the summit will consider how art museums and biennials can adapt to new realities, as well as how cultural institutions can boost funding amid the uncertain economy," the daily noted.



Other topics to be explored include, it noted, are: What is the post-Covid cultural economy? How does mass migration impact the cultural economy? What role can the cultural economy and the culture and creative industries play in urban recovery and resilience? This year UNESCO will be back as partner organization alongside the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation and Museum, Google and the Design Museum in London.



Local partner organisations such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation are also taking part.


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A bus from Hanoi to Hai Phong City carries only two passengers, February 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Duy.

With Covid-19 drying up travel demand, many bus operators have been forced to scale down operations or sell their vehicles to pay off debts.

These days Sao Viet Companys from Hanoi to Lao Cai Province on the China border carry only 5-10 passengers per trip.

Since the Covid reemerged in late January people who had booked tickets have been canceling them en masse, Do Van Bang, the company director, said.

Sao Viet has reduced its services by half to around 20 a day, but still gets few passengers.

"We hoped for an increase in the number of passengers during the peak Lunar New Year (Tet) season (in February), but all hopes were dashed by the latest outbreak," Bang said.

"We are facing increasing losses, and the pressure to pay off debts after two consecutive years of suffering due to Covid-19 made me want to sell all my buses but no one dares buy at this time."

Other transport companies face the same dilemma.

Dat Cang Transport and Service Joint Stock Company of Hai Phong City has 65 buses plying on the route to Hanoi.

Though it has cut down the number of trips by 80 percent, some buses still carry only two or three passengers, Khuc Huu Thanh, its director, said, adding if the situation lasts much longer, the company has to suspend operations.

Transport firms said they had managed to hold on last year despite the pandemic thanks to Tet revenues.

But this year Tet revenues took a huge hit due to the travel restrictions, lockdowns and quarantine requirements, and many transport companies have been unable to cope.

Nguyen Cong Hung, vice chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association, said the revenues of many transport firms are down 70 percent.

The association plans to ask the government for a 50 percent cut in taxes and delaying repayment of debts.

Since January 28, there have been 827 cases of Covid in 13 localities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
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KYODO NEWS - Feb 26, 2021 - 21:45 | All, Japan

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga denied Friday that an ethics scandal involving a senior press official had anything to do with his decision not to hold a news conference that day when announcing the partial lifting of the coronavirus emergency.

Cabinet Public Relations Secretary Makiko Yamada, who moderates Suga's news conferences, came under fire after she was found to have been treated to a luxurious dinner in 2019 by the now-prime minister's eldest son, who represented a stakeholder.

While Suga skipped holding a formal press conference, as is usually done when declaring or lifting an emergency, he spoke to the press and took questions from reporters.

His decision fanned speculation he is attempting to shield Yamada. But Suga told the reporters in the evening, "It is absolutely irrelevant," and said Yamada is actually addressing the issue in parliament.

Suga also said he is "not aware" of the punishment given to his son Seigo. Tohokushinsha Film Corp., the operator of a satellite broadcasting business where Seigo Suga works, has subjected him to disciplinary action and dismissed him from his post as head of "hobby and entertainment community operations" at the firm's media business division.

Suga said a press conference should be held after assessing the coronavirus situation and deciding whether to lift the state of emergency in the remaining prefectures on its scheduled end date of March 7.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said in his press conference that Japan has "yet to reach that stage."

On Thursday, Yamada, a former senior bureaucrat at the communications ministry, who became Japan's first female Cabinet public relations secretary under Suga and the first female executive secretary for a prime minister under his predecessor Shinzo Abe, faced calls from the opposition to resign but told the parliament she plans to stay on when called to provide witness testimony.

Suga announced Friday that Japan will lift its virus emergency for six prefectures at the end of the month ahead of schedule, while maintaining the measure for the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Kiyomi Tsujimoto of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan expressed doubt about the government's decision for Suga not to hold a press conference, saying, "Normally, this is the time to (do so)."

"The government must be trying to hide Yamada," she said.

Major media organizations asked that Suga front the press on Friday, saying various issues need to be explained, including decisions surrounding the state of emergency and ethics code violations by senior bureaucrats.

Eleven officials of the communications ministry have been punished after being wined and dined by officials of Tohokushinsha.

But Yamada, who was a vice minister for policy coordination at the communications ministry when she dined with Tohokushinsha officials in 2019, escaped a reprimand as she has already left the ministry and the ethics code does not cover an individual granted special status to serve in a government post.

Tohokushinsha announced Friday the resignation of its president, Kiyotaka Ninomiya. Suga's son has also resigned as director of Igo & Shogi Channel Inc., a subsidiary of the broadcasting company.

"A lack in compliance awareness has led to serious consequences involving disciplinary action among communications ministry employees," according to Tohokushinsha, which did not reveal details of the penalty against Seigo Suga.

The National Public Service Ethics Law prohibits central government officials from receiving favors from stakeholders. Yamada has offered to forfeit 60 percent of her salary in her current role for one month, approximately 700,000 yen ($6,600), over the scandal.

Related coverage:

Japan opposition urges resignation of elite female bureaucrat over scandal

Japan elite bureaucrats punished over scandal involving Suga's son
Viruses are always mutating and taking on new forms. The coronavirus has thousands of variants that have been identified. But several, including variants first found in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, are highly transmissible and have sparked concerns that vaccines may be less effective against them.

The same protective measures that have warded off the virus throughout the pandemic - maintaining social distance, wearing masks and washing our hands - are even more critical in the face of more transmissible variants.

- - -

The South Africa variant (B.1.351)

Where and when was it discovered?

This mutation, also referred to as 501Y.V2, was found in South Africa in early October and announced in December, when the country's health minister said the strain seemed to affect young people more than previous strains. This variant may have contributed to a surge of infections and hospitalizations across South Africa.

Where is it?

It has been identified in more than two dozen countries, including Canada, Australia and Israel. On Jan. 28, South Carolina officials announced that this variant had affected two people there with no travel history - the first instances of this strain identified in the United States. Two days later, a case was confirmed in Maryland.

What makes it different?

This mutation shares some similarities to the variant first identified in the U.K. and, like that strain, appears to be more transmissible. There is no evidence that it is more lethal. Scott Gottlieb, former director of the Food and Drug Administration, has suggested that this variant might be more resistant to antibody therapies.

Will vaccines work?

The vaccines may have a diminished impact against this variant, but they probably will still be effective, top infectious-diseases expert Anthony Fauci said in January. Moderna has said its vaccine protects against the variant first identified in South Africa, with an important caveat: The vaccine-elicited antibodies were also less effective at neutralizing this mutation in a laboratory dish.

Pfizer and BioNTech released their own study, not yet peer-reviewed, that suggests their vaccine effectively neutralizes this variant, though was slightly less effective.

On Jan. 29, Johnson & Johnson said its single-shot vaccine was robustly effective in a massive global trial, but that its protection against sickness was weaker in South Africa.

In South Africa, the distribution of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been halted. The vaccine did not provide sufficient protection against mild and moderate cases caused by a new variant, health officials said.

- - -

U.K. variant (B.1.1.7)

Where and when was it discovered?

This variant was first found in the United Kingdom, specifically in London and the nearby county of Kent, in September. It is sometimes referred to as the "Kent" variant. It has been spreading rapidly in Britain, Denmark and Ireland since December.

Where is it?

Dozens of countries, including the United States, have seen infections from this variant of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a model forecast in early January that indicated the variant could become the dominant strain in the United States by some point in March. A recent study showed this variant was spreading rapidly in the United States by early February.

What makes it different?

The variant first identified in the U.K. appears more transmissible than the more common strain. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also suggested for the first time in January that this strain may be more lethal than previous mutations.

Will vaccines work?

The scientific consensus is that the vaccines will remain effective against this mutation because those inoculations provoke an array of neutralizing antibodies and other immune-system responses. Biotechnology companies Pfizer and Moderna have said their vaccines appear to work against this variant.

Ravindra Gupta, a professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Cambridge, found in a study of older adults that the immune response triggered by the Pfizer vaccine was modestly less effective against the variant first identified in the U.K.

- - -

The 'Eeek' mutation (E484K)

Where and when was it discovered?

This might best be described as a mutation within a mutation. It's called E484K - or "Eeek," as epidemiologists refer to it - and it's appearing on some of the variants we describe below. It's not brand new; it has appeared many times since the start of the pandemic, but experts have been concerned about it. It gained mainstream attention when it started to coincide with other variants that are more contagious.

Where is it?

Eeek has been seen in the variants first discovered in the U.K., South Africa and Brazil. It has also been detected in more than 200 samples of the virus sequenced in the United States since May.

What makes it different?

The Eeek mutation changes the virus's spike protein, which is what vaccines target. By itself, this mutation does not change the virus significantly. The concern with this mutation is when it's paired with the other variants, which could help the virus evade detection and make neutralization by the human immune system less efficient.

Will vaccines work?

Scientists are actively trying to answer this question. Clinical trial data have indicated that vaccines were less effective in preventing infections with variants in South Africa featuring the mutation. But the vaccines still dramatically lowered the chance of severe illness or death.

- - -

Brazil variant (P. 1)

Where and when was it discovered?

Sequencing studies found the variant in Brazil, mainly in Rio de Janeiro, as early as July. Researchers in Japan discovered it in travelers from Brazil in January.

Where is it now?

It has been confirmed in Brazil, Peru, Germany, South Korea and Japan, among other places. On Jan. 25, Minnesota health officials confirmed the first U.S. case of this variant in a resident with recent travel history to Brazil.

What makes it different?

The variant has more than a dozen alterations, several of which are found on the virus's spike protein, which binds the virus to a cell. Because of that, researchers think the strain is probably more transmissible. There is also some early evidence that antibodies might not recognize the P. 1 variant, which could lead to reinfection.

Will vaccines work?

There's no strong evidence right now suggesting that vaccines won't work against the variant first identified in Brazil. However, scientists have raised the possibility that this variant can evade antibodies, which would impact the current vaccines' effectiveness.

Moderna announced that it would develop a new vaccine tailored to a similar variant in case an updated shot becomes necessary.

- - -

The Denmark variant (L452R)

Where and when was it discovered?

This variant was detected in Denmark in March.

Where is it now?

The mutation has been spreading in Northern California and has been linked to outbreaks at nursing homes, jails and a hospital in the San Jose area. It has also been confirmed in Southern California and more than a dozen other states.

What makes it different?

It's not yet clear whether this coronavirus strain is any more transmissible or lethal than the dominant mutation.

Will vaccines work?

Some scientists think this variant might be more resistant to vaccines because the mutation is in the spike protein, which enables the virus to attach to cells. But scientists also say that more study is needed before they can draw conclusions.

- - -

The original variant (D614G)

Where and when was it discovered?

This mutation, known to scientists simply as "G," was discovered in China in January 2020. It soon spread through New York City and Europe.

Where is it?

The "G" mutation has become ubiquitous. By July, about 70% of the 50,000 genomes of the coronavirus uploaded by researchers worldwide to a shared database carried the variant.

What makes it different?

Some scientists think this mutation is significantly more transmissible than the original strain of the virus. That's because this variant has four to five times more spikes on its surface. Those spikes enable the virus to latch onto and infect cells. But other scientists still contest the greater transmissibility.

Will vaccines work?

The G variant was the dominant strain when 2020 vaccine trials took place. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines showed a 95% efficacy in trials.

- - -

- How can we protect ourselves?

The same protective measures that have warded off the virus throughout the pandemic - maintaining social distance, wearing masks and washing our hands - are even more critical in the face of more transmissible variants. Those guidelines will simultaneously keep you from becoming ill from one of those variants, while making it harder for the virus to mutate in the first place.

"Viruses don't mutate unless they replicate," Fauci said in January.

But it's also important for scientists to learn as much as they can about these variants, in case there are specific ways we can slow their spread. Until the research exists, we can't make assumptions about what new variants will do.

- What do variants mean for vaccines?

As more significant variants are reported, the obvious (and arguably most important) question is whether the vaccines will work on them. Some of the mutations have sparked particular concern because they affect the spikes on the virus, which is what the vaccines target.

A growing number of scientists anticipate that we will eventually need something similar to the annual flu shot - that companies will periodically update their vaccines to match the prevalent coronavirus variants, and we will need to get boosters to stay protected.

- - -

The Washington Post's Joel Achenbach, William Booth, Carolyn Y. Johnson, Sarah Kaplan, Laurie McGinley and Fenit Nirappil contributed to this report.
The United States of America pledges solidarity with Ukraine over the 7th anniversary of Russia's invasion and seizure of Crimea - a brazen affront to the modern international order, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"Russia's occupation and increasing militarization of the Crimean Peninsula have implications far beyond Ukraine's borders, threatening the world's common security. This occupation comes at significant human cost. Russian occupation authorities have sustained a brutal campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and members of other minority ethnic and religious groups in Crimea. Russian occupation authorities have raided mosques and homes, driven independent media off the peninsula, and handed down lengthy prison sentences to those who dare to speak out against the occupation. Russia's repression has left Crimean residents in a constant state of fear, unable to live their lives freely," Blinken's statement reads.

The U.S. calls on Russia to immediately end its occupation of Crimea, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it unjustly holds, and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine.

"We likewise call on Russia to end its aggression in eastern Ukraine. U.S. sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression in eastern Ukraine and seizure of Crimea will remain in place unless and until Russia reverses course. The United States does not, and will never, recognize Russia's purported annexation of Crimea," Blinken stressed.

He also noted that the United States welcomes Ukraine's new initiative, "the Crimean Platform," and "looks forward to continuing to work with Ukraine and our allies and partners to end Russia's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and aggression in eastern Ukraine."

"We affirm this basic truth: Crimea is Ukraine," the U.S. Secretary of State said.
More than 500 acres of wetland habitat near the Jersey Shore is in line to be protected, thanks to a $1 million grant from the federal government.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would award the funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Green Acres Program to help pay for the acquisition and permanent protection of 517 acres in Atlantic and Cape May counties.

The federal agency declined to give a specific location for the tract, but said it is adjacent to the states Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area.

The total cost of the project is expected to reach $1,492,000, according to the USFWS. That leaves nearly $500,000 to be matched by the state and any local conversation groups that are partnering in the effort.

The property is part of the Great Egg Harbor estuary, which includes a variety of wetland habitats, from barrier islands and back bays to mud flats and forested areas. The area is critical for the survival of various fish and shellfish, plus hundreds of species of birds, including the threatened red knot.

The grant is part of the USFWSs National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, which announced $27 million worth of grants to support 33 habitat protection projects in 14 different coastal states.

These grants will help ensure that coastal resources that are put at risk by pollution, development and the uncertainties of a changing climate are conserved, Martha Williams, the USFWS principal deputy director, said in a statement.

The DEP did not immediately answer questions from NJ Advance Media. But on Thursday evening, acting DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette tweeted about the news.

Not only are wetlands one of our best defenses against climate change, they filter our water, increase flood storage, and support vibrant ecosystems. Also, theyre pretty, LaTourette wrote. Cant wait to kayak some of our Jersey salt marshes this spring & summer!

Not only are wetlands are one of our best defenses against climate change, they filter our water, increase flood storage, and support vibrant ecosystems. Also, they're pretty.



Can't wait to kayak some of our Jersey salt marshes this spring & summer!  https://t.co/qrjibZT8GP  Shawn LaTourette  (@shawnlatur) February 25, 2021

This story was updated at 6:33 p.m. with LaTourettes comments.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Michael Sol Warren may be reached at mwarren@njadvancemedia.com.
(Natural News) Before Pfizers experimental mRNA technology was globally approved as a safe vaccine for covid-19, the pharmaceutical juggernaut was already negotiating with governments around the world on how to deal with acute vaccine injury, vaccine-induced hospitalization and death, three inevitable and impending medical issues that would soon result from their cell-modifying experiment.

Pfizer has lobbied entire legislative bodies to indemnify vaccine makers from future vaccine injury lawsuits. In a contract with the government of Brazil, Pfizer made RANSOM demands, requiring Brazil to waive the sovereignty of its assets abroad to cover for Pfizers negligence. Pfizer demanded that Brazil create a guarantee fund and deposit that money in a foreign bank account to cover for all future vaccine injury liabilities. Brazils Health Ministry repudiated Pfizers demands and made them public on January 23, 2021. In the contract, Pfizer demanded that the laws of Brazil NOT be applied to Pfizer, to exempt the company from all civil liability.

Some countries have readily complied with Pfizer, granting the vaccine maker legal immunity from civil and criminal lawsuits when their experimental vaccine protocol harms human health and takes peoples lives. Other countries have taken a more judicial approach, rejecting Pfizers call for absolute indemnity.

Pfizer demands RANSOM from Argentina to cover for vaccine injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits

Pfizers ransom demands were even more berserk in Argentina. Pfizer demanded that the Government of Argentina foot the bill and compensate all future civil lawsuits when the vaccine injures people. Pfizer lobbied the Argentina Parliament to pass a law in October of 2020 to ensure their protection. When the parliament wrote that Pfizer needed to pay for future negligence, Pfizer rejected the deal. The parliament ultimately acquiesced to Pfizer and defined negligence to include only vaccine distribution and delivery. Pfizer rejected this offer, too, and demanded a new decree  one that would hold the government of Argentina hostage. Pfizer demanded that Argentina purchase an international insurance policy to cover for all future civil cases against Pfizer. When Argentina agreed, Pfizer made even more demands, requiring Argentina to put their sovereign assets up as collateral. Pfizer wanted Argentina to put their bank reserves, military bases, and embassy buildings up as collateral in the deal!

Pfizer understands whats at stake. They recently paid out $2.3 billion, after participating in the largest healthcare fraud of the century  illegally promoting certain pharmaceutical products. Their latest mRNA technology, promoted as a safe and efficacious vaccine, is more of the same fraud and Pfizers top scientists know it. The co-founder of the new Pfizers vaccine, Dr Ugur Sahin, confirmed that the inoculation was created in a few hours on January 25, 2020. The technology is easily mass produced and was ready to be unleashed on the world in the summer of 2020.

Vaccine makers operate ABOVE THE LAW in the US

For thirty-four years, vaccine companies have operated ABOVE THE LAW in the United States. In the early 1980s, vaccine injury was prevalent and openly discussed, with children suffering injuries from vaccines that contained tetanus and pertussis toxoids and a highly reactive adjuvant.

By 1986, a majority in Congress were still convinced that the benefits of vaccination outweighed the risks of a potential infection, even with viable treatments at hand. In order to maintain vaccine supply and prevent the bankruptcy and criminal prosecution of vaccine companies, Congress passed the 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act.

This new law, signed by former President Ronald Reagan, granted vaccine companies immunity from prosecution when their products injured or killed people. As part of the tradeoff, the Department of Health and Human Services was required to study the safety of vaccines and improve vaccine science, with a report to Congress every two years; however, these studies DID NOT take place over the past thirty-four years, as confirmed by a revolutionary lawsuit filed by the Informed Consent Action (ICAN).

By turning a blind eye toward vaccine injury, Congress and the regulatory agencies gave vaccine companies an open door to push new vaccines into the arms of children and adults. If an individual is injured or dies from a vaccine, the vaccine maker is not liable; instead, the US federal government defends the vaccine in a special vaccine court that pays out damages only to select victims. Many cases are litigated for years before a settlement is reached, while countless other injuries are ignored. In the first three months of 2020, $57 million was paid out to families suffering from vaccine injury.

Vaccine makers legal immunity helped create the CDCs ever-expanding vaccine schedule which quickly made future generations vaccine-dependent, inundating children with upwards of 56 vaccine doses by the turn of the century. Today, vaccine companies lobby state government officials to take away any personal exemptions to vaccination, bullying parents to comply with a long list of vaccines in order to enroll their children in a public school. Now vaccine makers are working with the airline industry, concert venues and entire governments to enforce a Vaccine Passport on everyone. The coercion, force, fraud and criminal demands of vaccine companies is one of the greatest threats to health, liberty and human rights in the 21st century.

Sources include:

EpochTimes.com

GreatGameIndia.com

GreatGameIndia.com

NaturalNews.com

GreatGameIndia.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

NaturalNews.com
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market is expected to exhibit a strong 8.6% CAGR over the forecast period from 2018 to 2023, according to the latest research report from Market Research Future (MRFR). The global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market is mainly driven by the growing pharmaceutical industry and the growing demand for industry regulated checking of products in order to ensure high quality standards. The report provides a complete overview of the major drivers and restraints affecting the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market as well as an analysis of the impact of said drivers and restraints on the historical growth trajectory of the market. The historical growth trajectory of the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market is studied in detail in the report, in order to shed light on the major factors affecting the markets movement. Based on a detailed analysis of the markets historical growth trajectory, forecasts are made for the markets movement through the forecast period from 2018 to 2023.

Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/7188

Pharmaceutical analytical testing and outsourcing have become important processes in the pharmaceutical industry due to the growing regulatory pressure to ensure high quality of the substances used in the pharmaceutical industry. Due to the risk of contaminating patients with inferior substances, the regulatory oversight on the pharmaceutical industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years. Due to the growing awareness about consumer rights and obligations, the pharmaceutical industry is likely to make increasing use of analytical testing processes in drug discovery applications in the coming years.

The growing drug discovery activity in the pharmaceutical industry is likely to be a major driver for the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market over the forecast period. Increasing demand for effective drugs for various diseases and the growing prevalence of various diseases around the world are likely to be major drivers for the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market over the forecast period. The growing number of contract research organizations has also led to a growth in the pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market and is likely to remain a key driver for the market over the forecast period.

Competitive Analysis:

Leading players in the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market include Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC, Intertek Group PLC, Pace Analytical Services LLC, Eurofins Scientific, Toxikon, SGS SA, Source BioScience, WuXi AppTec, Merck KGaA, West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., Charles River Laboratories International Inc., Boston Analytical, and Exova Group plc.

In October 2019, Eurofins Discovery announced a collaboration for drug discovery applications with Escient Pharmaceuticals.

In February 2019, SGS SA launched a new study, the first malaria volunteer study undertaken by the organization, on behalf of a product development partnership working as antimalarial drug research.

In October 2018, Toxikon announced a reopening of its European office in Almelo (Netherlands). This move was made in order to cater to the growing customer volume in Europe.

In April 2018, WuXi AppTecs subsidiary STA Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. announced an investment agreement with the government of Shanghai to build a new R&D center.

Segmentation:

The global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market is segmented on the basis of product type, service, end user, and region.

By product type, the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market is segmented into raw materials, finished products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

By service, the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market is segmented into bioanalytical testing, method development and validation, and stability testing.

By end use, the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market is segmented into pharmaceutical and biopharma companies, and the biotech sector.

Regional Analysis:

North America holds the largest share in the global pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market due to the strong presence of the pharmaceutical industry in the region. Increasing drug development activities in North America are likely to be a major driver for the pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing market in the region. Europe is also a major market for pharmaceutical analytical testing outsourcing.

Browse Premium Research Report with List of Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pharmaceutical-analytical-testing-outsourcing-market-7188

About US:

Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
Wendy Frye honored for leadership of career tech programs

Wendy Frye, director of High Schools and Career and Technical Education for Henderson County Public Schools, has been named the 2020-2021 North Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education Administrative Division Administrator of the Year.

The award recognizes administrative career and technical education professionals at the school, district, county, or state level in the 115 public school systems in North Carolina. The nominees must have demonstrated outstanding leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective CTE programs.

Dr. Frye has recently brought over $650,000 in grant funds to HCPS in support of drone technology, agriscience, skilled trades, coding, mechatronics as well as increased resources to middle school career development. Additionally, she has worked closely with Blue Ridge Community College, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, and the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce to increase apprenticeship opportunities for students. Dr. Frye has also provided statewide professional development in Honors Portfolio Development and Differentiation for the CTE Classroom. While working as a regional coordinator for NCDPI, she oversaw the CTE Administrative Internship program for new CTE directors across the state.

Laura Leatherwood, President of Blue Ridge Community College, said: Dr. Frye is skilled at building teams, creating buy-in and engaging others with her can do and positive attitude. She values the power of collaboration and partnership to impact and improve the communities of our region.

Effective March 1, Frye will assume her new role as the districts Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services.

Frye will be North Carolinas nominee for Region II which covers 11 southeastern states and Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas.
Its been the story of the last week in Massachusetts: older residents and those with two co-morbidities are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but appointments have quickly filled up as residents struggle with the states appointment technology.

Worcester School Committee member Dianna Biancheria in a meeting Friday morning pointed out that while elementary school students and staff may be asked by the state to begin fully in-person learning in a few months, K-12 employees are not yet able to get inoculated. And further, those who are currently able to get the shot have struggled to get appointments.

Following a vote Thursday night by the committee looking to prioritize vaccination for teachers, Biancheria on Friday asked members of the legislative delegation what they could do to help. The committee and legislators were meeting to discuss the districts fiscal 2022 budget.

State Sen. Michael Moore called the vaccine rollout thus far a disaster. Rep. David LeBoeuf said it has been a complete failure by the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker.

LeBoeuf pointed to a meeting from the Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management on Thursday that analyzed the vaccine rollout thus far, which included testimony from Baker and harsh criticism of the governor.

Especially in my district, Ive been hearing a lot not just with the confusion that constituents are having but the ways that local boards of health were made certain promises and now it seems like the administration instead is sending people more towards the Mass. Vaccination sites, which quite honestly is not logical, its not equitable, LeBoeuf said. Weve been working very diligently as a delegation. Unfortunately, lots of times our concerns are falling on deaf ears.

Baker in testimony described vaccine rollout, particularly in Phase 2, as lumpy and bumpy and blamed a limited federal supply. The Republican governor noted that among states with more than 5 million people, Massachusetts leads in administering first doses per capita.

Baker said his administration continues to make improvements to the PrepMod website for vaccine appointments.

Biancheria pressed the legislators on what was being done to address the issue.

State Sen. Harriette Chandler said she thinks a central system is being put together for vaccines. She also said that things should hopefully improve if more vaccine supply becomes available from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna through the federal government and if the Johnson & Johnson vaccine becomes available.

Moore said he wants the administration to acknowledge that there has been a problem rather than falling back on the issue with vaccine supply.

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Bamboo Airways signed an MoU with Melbourne International Airport on Tuesday to operate direct flights to the Australian city from Hanoi.

It would become the first Vietnamese carrier to fly on the route when it launches the service by year-end using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes, the carrier said in a statement.

The Vietnamese community in Australia numbers nearly half a million but there are only a few direct services between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, who is on a visit in Australia, said at the signing ceremony.

The route is a precursor to starting direct flights to more destinations in Australia, Dung added.

Direct services between Vietnams southern metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City, and Melbourne operated by Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific carried around 259,000 travelers last year, Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) data shows.

Australia is among Vietnams top 10 tourism feeder markets with 387,000 arrivals in 2018. Australian tourists spent on average VND36.6 million ($1,580) per trip in Vietnam last year, according to the Vietnam Tourism Annual Report published by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

China is Vietnams biggest tourism market last year with 4.9 million arrivals but its tourists spent an average of only VND19 million ($819) per trip.

Bamboo Airways was established in July as Vietnams fifth airline, and currently operates 27 routes. It plans to increase this to 37-40 by the end of this year, including new long-haul routes to Europe and the Americas, the carrier stated.

Vietnam now has six domestic carriers: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Jetstar Pacific, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO), Bamboo Airways, and newly-licensed Vietstar Airlines, a military-run company.

Hospitality group Thien Minhs KiteAir, tourism firm Vietravels Vietravel Airlines and business conglomerate Vingroups Vinpearl Air are vying to be the seventh national carrier.
The Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr DaCosta Aboagye has encouraged the public not to fret over safety issues concerning vaccines for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).



He rubbished claims that the vaccine has its side implications that might lead to death.



Government will not purchase the vaccines to kill Ghanaians, no! it is for our safety against the deadly virus, he told host, Mac Jerry Osei Agyemang on NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie.



Dr DaCosta Aboagye, however, urged the Ghanaians who qualify for the vaccine to receive the safe doses for protection.



On Wednesday, Ghana became the first country to receive 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines made by the Serum Institute of India, through the WHOs COVAX initiative.



Ghanas active cases stand at 6,404 with 588 deaths.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

The state Supreme Court has rejected the argument that a Clovis man could not have raped his victim because he had killed her before violating her.

Lorenzo Martinez, 54, was convicted of one count of first-degree murder and one count of criminal sexual penetration after an October 2018 trial and was sentenced to life in prison. The crime occurred on Feb. 13, 2017 while the two were drinking at Martinezs house.

Martinez told police he just snapped, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and fatally stabbed the woman multiple times in the neck, according to a written opinion issued by the Supreme Court on Thursday. Martinez told authorities he then had sex with her corpse.

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Martinezs attorney appealed the criminal sexual penetration conviction by arguing that the victim was dead before the alleged rape and that there was no physical evidence to corroborate his confession to police, among other assertions.

The high court examined whether state law requires a person to be alive to be the victim of criminal sexual penetration and ultimately disagreed with Martinezs argument.

We conclude, consistent with precedent, that based on its plain meaning, the purpose of the CSP statute is to protect against forcible, nonconsensual sexual penetration of a persons body, Justice David Thomson wrote in the opinion.

The opinion states that the condition the victim was found in is enough evidence to corroborate Martinezs confession to raping her. Thomson noted that state law does not prohibit necrophilia or the abuse of a corpse.

Martinez also challenged his murder conviction by saying that he was not sane at the time of the killing because of his mental illness and because he didnt have deliberate intent. Martinez was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has experienced symptoms since he was 19, including hearing voices that told him to harm himself or others, the ruling states.

The court disagreed with this assertion as well.

After Defendant developed the intent to kill, he then took conscious steps to walk through his house to retrieve a knife, address Victim in a theatrical manner saying that he had a present for her, and finally manipulate her neck before stabbing her, Thomson wrote.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said in a statement that he was very pleased that we were able to uphold justice for the victims in this case.

A spokeswoman from the Law Offices of the Public Defender said the office has no comment on the opinion.

Justices Michael E. Vigil, Barbara Vigil and Shannon Bacon concurred with the ruling. Justice Julie Vargas, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in December, did not participate.
Vietnam will actively join activities of the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC), as well as continue its coordinating role in performing relevant activities in 2021,

according to the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN)s office in Vietnam (ASOEN Vietnam Office).

Vietnam actively contributes to ASEAN environmental cooperation. - Illustrative image

Vietnam will actively join activities of the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC), as well as continue its coordinating role in performing relevant activities in 2021, according to the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN)s office in Vietnam (ASOEN Vietnam Office).



This year, within ASOEN cooperation, Vietnam will promote cooperation and sharing of information, data and experience, and perform well its role as the host country of the 11th AWGCC Meeting, the 5th ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City (ESC) Award, the 4th ceremony to award the potential ESC certificate.

Vietnam will proactively participate in and cooperate closely with Japan and other ASEAN member countries in implementing the ASEAN-Japan cooperation project on environment, climate change and marine waste, while maintaining close cooperation with the Republic of Korea and other member states to carry out cooperation programmes and projects on the environment and climate change.



It will work with partner countries and international organisations to implement ASEAN cooperation activities on the environment, especially Norway, Germany, the European Union (EU), and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ).



As a responsible member of the ASEAN Community, in 2020, Vietnam demonstrated its efforts and determination to successfully fulfill assigned responsibilities, significantly contributing to the regional integration process in terms of natural resources and the environment, as well as played a crucial role in expanding environmental cooperation with countries and international and regional organisations.



Marine plastic debris, and marine and coastal environmental problems are seen as the biggest among environmental challenges facing ASEAN countries, the office said.



Vietnam strongly supports the building of an ASEAN action plan on marine plastic waste prevention, said Nguyen Que Lam, Deputy Director-General of the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands and head of the ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME).



Through jointly building and implementing the regional action plan, ASEAN member states will agree on common standards, concepts and data, and jointly build a regional foundation serving sharing of knowledge, experience, and advanced applications in monitoring and minimising plastic waste, he stressed.

Vietnam has been recognised as a country with high biodiversity in the world. The biodiversity has made a great contribution to ensuring food security and livelihoods for people, maintaining genetic resources of animals and plants; supplying construction materials and fuel and pharmaceutical sources, and forming natural landscapes.



Vietnam has actively joined international treaties on biodiversity such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).



Regarding the building of the ASEAN action plan on marine plastic waste prevention, Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries have shown a spirit of cohesion to coordinate with the international community in solving global environmental issues.

At the 31st Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN 31) and Related Meetings. Photos: VNA

At the 31st Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN 31) and related meetings, the Vietnamese delegation actively contributed comments and proposals to important issues, demonstrating its responsibility for the region, and strengthening multilateral relations as well as ties with each country within ASEAN and ASEAN 3.



Vietnam also petitioned other ASEAN member countries to address urgent environmental problems, including cross-border water and air pollution, ocean plastic debris and climate change.



Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam also called on ASEAN member countries to closely cooperate and gather resources to effectively control the crisis. VNA

Vietnam enhances cooperation to reduce biodiversity loss The Vietnamese Government has committed to joining hands with governments in the region and the world to reduce biodiversity loss by 2030 for sustainable development.
This Saturday, the Community Worship Center will be giving out free clothes during Project Giveback.

The church will have clothes for the entire family available  starting at 10 a.m. -- at Washington Park at 1803 E. Indiana Ave. Families can get clothes from gently-used to new until noon or until clothes run out. If some clothes are left over after noon, church officials will work to get them donated.
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The NHS and care homes will be allowed to poach more workers from abroad in a bid to stop staffing shortages going past the million mark.

The Government says recruiters can 'actively' target 105 countries that were previously blacklisted on ethical grounds.

It means just 47 nations are now off-limits to health and social care organisations and private headhunters.

Countries are excluded if they have their own major shortages of doctors, nurses and midwives and a lack of access to healthcare.

The NHS is already short of 115,000 employees. That figure is expected to double over the next five years and exceed 475,000 by 2033, analysis by the Health Foundation suggests.

The NHS and care homes will be allowed to poach more workers from abroad in a bid to stop staffing shortages going past the million mark

The Government says recruiters can 'actively' target 105 countries that were previously blacklisted on ethical grounds. It means just 47 nations are now off-limits to health and social care organisations and private headhunters

But this will only keep pace with current healthcare standards, and improvements will likely mean 639,000 more workers are needed by that date, the think-tank added.

Social care is also likely to face a staffing deficit of 458,000 by 2033, its written evidence to the Commons health and social care committee says.

The document warns: 'While the NHS is experiencing significant staffing pressures, workforce shortages in adult social care, which employs around 1.5 million people in 1.65 million jobs in England, are even greater and the outlook is deeply concerning.'

Foreign nationals play a vital role within the NHS, with 16 per cent of nurses and 36 per cent of doctors in England trained outside of the UK.

Some 16 per cent of all social care workers are from overseas.

The NHS is already short of 115,000 employees. That figure is expected to double over the next five years and exceed 475,000 by 2033, analysis by the Health Foundation suggests

Care minister Helen Whately (above) said: 'We will work with countries all over the world to promote the best standards of ethical recruitment of health and social care staff'

The general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, Dame Donna Kinnair, said: 'Nursing staff are exhausted and morale is on the floor  too many are telling me they fear an exodus of their colleagues once the pandemic pressure truly abates.'

The Department of Health said the new hiring policy 'aligns with the principles' set out by the World Health Organisation.

The UK code says foreign recruitment benefits both nations if workers come to the UK to learn skills before returning home.

Ministers hope the change will help them meet their manifesto promise of increasing nursing numbers by 50,000 by 2024.

Care minister Helen Whately said: 'We will work with countries all over the world to promote the best standards of ethical recruitment of health and social care staff.'
'Prophet' is a Brand Management Consulting firm and agency that specializes in branding, marketing, design, analytics, and innovation. Prophet is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Yesterday Prophet announced the results of their sixth Prophet Brand Relevance Index, ranking of the most relevant brands based on consumer feedback.

The Top 10 Most Relevant Brands of 2021:

Apple

Peloton

KitchenAid

Mayo Clinic

LEGO

Costco

Honda

Johns Hopkins Medicine

PlayStation

Amazon

Apple maintained its standing as the most relevant brand for the sixth year in a row, while brands like Peloton, Mayo Clinic, LEGO, Costco, Honda and PlayStation, took top spots for the first time. Notably, Disney dropped from No. 6 to No. 30, while Pinterest  the top social media brand  fell from No. 10 to No. 31. John Hopkins Medicine (No. 6) made it into the Index for the first time, while Apple, KitchenAid and Amazon held onto their positions in the top 10 from 2019.

This years study found that brand relevance scores increased over 5 percent  showing that relevant brands are more important than ever. The top 10 brands shared a commitment to staying true to their purposes, while adapting to changing consumer behaviors and expectations brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Statement by Scott Davis, chief growth officer at Prophet: "This years data proved that consumers value brands more than ever. As individuals around the world dealt with uncertainty and lost the ability to connect in person, they turned to the brands that tapped into their emotional needs by bringing them joy, comfort, purpose, truth and connectivity. It will be interesting to see if this year was a one-year shift in our BRI findings or if this will now become the new brand relevance norm." for more on this, read the full Prophet press release.
Indian American commentator Neera Kuckreja Sohoni writes regarding remote learning: A Stanford study claims the average student has lost at least a third of a years worth of learning in reading and three-quarters of a years worth of learning in math. Seen above, people holding a banner as they protest against the "unsafe and inequitable" reopening of schools amid the coronavirus pandemic at Washington Square Park on Sept. 18, 2020 in New York City. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

For Subscribers Why South Dakota county officials are shirking state-given water rights

Grant County could be the thirteenth county to repeal their drainage ordinance in the past decade.
Nissan's engineering and design teams maximize efficiency with a decade of aerodynamic know-how

To the frustration of meteorologists around the world, the weather will never be truly predictable. But at an advanced wind tunnel research facility near Paris, a team of Nissan technicians has a special power at their fingertips. With the flick of a switch, they're able to precisely control the forces of nature  everything from a miniscule breeze right up to the winds in the most powerful tropical storms.

Their goal: perfect the art of automotive aerodynamics.

"The objective is to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle, which basically means making it easier for the car to cut through the air," said Sarwar Ahmed, aerodynamics engineer at Nissan Europe.

Air can create a huge amount of resistance. Aero forces increase with speed, meaning the car has to work exponentially harder to maintain forward motion against the oncoming air.

For electric vehicles, reducing drag is even more crucial. On long-distance, high-speed driving without an efficient aerodynamic design, "the vast majority of your battery energy would be used simply to push through the air," said Sarwar.

Sculpting a shape

As a result, every millimeter of a car's design needs to be meticulously evaluated to ensure its shape is as streamlined as possible. The best place to test this is in a giant wind tunnel.

Embed this cinemagraph on your website

"During the early stages of vehicle development, Nissan will have more than one styling concept," said Sarwar. "We use the wind tunnel to provide feedback on what initial features or concepts work better or worse for aerodynamics. This begins by defining the proportions or the general shape of the vehicle, a stage where there can be quite significant changes."

It's not just the shape that impacts a vehicle's aerodynamic performance. Sometimes, refining just one feature can lead to major improvements.

"The wheels and tires contribute around a third of the vehicle drag," said Sarwar. "A relatively small part like wheel deflectors can guide the flow of air around the tires. Similarly, the grille shutters that close off air going into the motor bay make a massive improvement to the drag."

Sarwar Ahmed, aerodynamics engineer at Nissan Europe

One feature that is often adapted from wind tunnel testing is the position of the exterior side mirrors. Through computer analysis of airflow over the test model, the team can identify where vortex shedding (areas of low pressure) around the mirrors is strongest, which can have the effect of pulling the car back. To mitigate this on the all-new electric Nissan Ariya , for example, this means "the mirror location has been flag mounted, instead of sail mounted," observes Sarwar. "This is better for aero acoustics too."

Finely Tuned, Ferocious Power

To capture its sensitive scientific data, the wind tunnel is purposely built for its field of physics. A moving ground lets the vehicle's wheels rotate to simulate driving on a road. The floor also sucks air in front of the car, increasing the accuracy of measurements.

"The entire thing sits above a giant balance below ground that can detect the smallest of forces and torque measuring in six degrees," said Sarwar.

Despite these delicate features, the wind tunnel boasts serious power. At full throttle, the turbine's huge blades can generate a sustained windspeed of up to 240km/h  equivalent to a powerful Category 4 hurricane*  all contained within four walls. Although, as Sarwar admits, "that is a bit excessive for us. We tend to only need to test at 140kph."

While testing at such speeds can be a lot of fun, it all comes back to a serious purpose: saving energy output from the vehicle, thereby cutting emissions in cars with combustion engines or helping EVs go farther. As the world switches to electric, Sarwar points out that aerodynamic development and testing will only have to increase.

The new Nissan Ariya puts this ethos at the heart of its design. Following wind-tunnel testing, its sculpted shape means it is expected to be the most aerodynamically efficient model in all of Nissan's crossover lineup.

"The Nissan Ariya is the result of a truly global effort," said Helen Perry, head of Electric Passenger Cars & Infrastructure for Nissan in Europe. "Together, we worked to bring new creative aerodynamic features to Ariya which  combined with its powerful performance, connected technologies and revolutionary new EV design  will with no doubt meet our customers' expectations."

In the race towards greener personal mobility, you can be sure that more Nissan models will be tested against the storm-force power of the wind tunnel.

Helen Perry, head of Electric Passenger Cars & Infrastructure for Nissan in Europe

Related:

Ariya expected to be the most aerodynamic Nissan crossover ever built

* Measured on the Saffir Simpson scale




Washington, D.C., Feb 26, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Over the past year, blockchain development communities have turned their attention towards winning government contracts.There is a huge opportunity presented by increased government spending on blockchain projects. According to Bloomberg Government BGOV200 Report, federal government spending reached $597 Billion in 2019. However, since new businesses face barriers gaining direct access to government contracts, many have joined the Government Blockchain Association (GBA) to introduce their cutting-edge blockchain platforms to the public sector.Traditionally government program managers choose to work with the same few legacy companies. For example, there are currently over 4.1 million US Federal government contractors but of the $597 billion in prime contracts awarded in FY19, the top 10 government contractors received $173.4 billion according to Bloomberg Government. However, the COVID-19 Global Pandemic was a catalyst that necessitated governments from around the world look at bold and innovative new ways to solve problems from a more diverse community.In March of 2020 the US Department of Health and Human Services hosted a virtual Pandemic Response Hackathon. This hackathon idea completely changed the former process of government acquisitions. The slow pattern of the past was rewritten to adopt to the chaos, uncertainty, and urgency of COVID. Government contracts went from a centralized channel to open and decentralized solutions coming in from completely new sources. A new way of doing business was introduced to the world stage, and in November 2020 the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), National Informatics Centre (NIC) held their own up a GovTech Hackathon. Throughout 2020, countless examples of crowdsourcing solutions contested the traditional procurement processes.Along with new paradigms in acquisitions, 2020 brought explosive growth of decentralized development communities and platforms. Decentralized communities operate on independently run servers, rather than on a centralized server owned by a business. Initially, most blockchain solutions were private-permissioned blockchains dominated by a single vendor. One of the most popular government blockchain solutions is Hyperledger Fabric. Though it is technically an open-source project, almost 80% of software changes to Hyperledger Fabric came from IBM, demonstrating an ongoing dependence on IBM to maintain the code.Lately, next gen blockchain solution providers have been self-organizing into working groups and communities to compete in the contracts space. The largest and most engaged of these decentralized communities is the Government Blockchain Association, with members in over 500 Government Offices, thousands of public and private sector members in 120 Chapters, and more than 50 Working Groups, and 25 Communities of Interests. They also host regular online and in-person events to introduce blockchain solution providers to government officials, promoting this new diverse community.Some of these next gen blockchain leaders include:- DragonChain - DragonChain is an enterprise and start-up-ready platform to build flexible and scalable blockchain applications. It has business-ready applications and developer-friendly integrations that support many applications including learning management systems, decentralized identity, and anti-fraud and compliance solutions.- NEM - A community that has developed two blockchains. They are NEM NIS1 and Symbol. NEM NIS1 is the original blockchain offering from NEM, created by the community, and optimized to be a developer's sandbox. With zero downtime or major outages since 2015, NIS1 is the blockchain you can trust for all your project needs. Symbol is the next-generation enterprise-grade blockchain solution from NEM, purpose-built to help businesses cut costs, reduce complexities, and streamline innovation. With major upgrades in flexibility, security, speed and ease of use, the Symbol platform is the best-in-class blockchain enterprise solution.- Simba Chain - SIMBA Chain is a cloud-based, blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) platform, enabling users across a variety of skill sets to implement decentralized applications (dapps). These apps allow secure, direct connections between users and providers, eliminating third parties. The easy-to-use platform is tailored for users, developers, government, and enterprises to quickly deploy blockchain dapps for iOS, Android, and the web.- TON Labs - TON Labs is the core developer of Free TON, comprised of a decentralized team focused on developing the infrastructure and free software for TON OS. TON OS is a full-fledged, vertically integrated technology stack that helps developers work easily with the blockchain and makes it simple and intuitive for users.Decentralized blockchain projects include the Government Business Blockchain Platform (GBBP). This multi-blockchain platform allows solutions built on any blockchain to connect and become available to governments around the world. Sub-set eco-systems include Emergency Management, Healthcare Delivery, and Citizen Services. Blockchain applications can interconnect on the GBBP, providing identity management, logistics, asset management, payments, and many other blockchain services.These examples demonstrate how blockchain providers are working together, self-organizing into decentralized entities to build public-facing blockchain solutions. GBA groups regularly host online meetings to discuss their projects. Anyone interested in joining the discussion can find out more on the GBA Events Calendar or Events List. Later this year the GBA will be bringing World-Class Leaders to Washington, DC for Government Blockchain Week on Sept 27 to Oct 1, 2021.For more information to attend a free online event called NextGen Blockchain Platforms (https://www.gbaglobal.org/government-business-blockchain-platform/) on March 17, 2021 or send an email to support@GBAglobal.freshdesk.com.Source: IBMGBACopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
MUSKEGON, MI  All people age 65 and older in Muskegon County are expected to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus by the end of March.

Thats according to public health Director Kathy Moore, who said vaccinations then will be administered to people according to age group, in descending order. Thats in addition to essential workers, she said.

I feel very confident that were going to reach all of the 65-plus category in the month of March, Moore said. If we miss anybody, were going to move them up as fast as we can.

To receive a vaccine, residents should have their name on a waiting list from which providers are making appointments. Residents have been advised to sign onto multiple lists.

Most lists can be accessed at one website: vaccinatewestmi.com/register. People also can find multiple signups for lists at maskupmuskegon.org.

As of Thursday, Feb. 25, 13,640 people in the county were fully vaccinated and another 11,815 had received their first dose of the two-dose regimen, Moore said. Combined, they make up about 19% of the countys adult population.

The health department is focusing on seven priority groups, and 195 businesses have registered to have their essential workers vaccinated, she said.

Employers in essential industries are asked to register the number of employees they have who need vaccinations. Employer forms are at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EssentialEmployerVaccinationIntakeForm.

Mercy Health and Meijer in Norton Shores have been vaccinating large numbers of senior citizens. Rite Aid also is vaccinating seniors at stores in Whitehall, North Muskegon and on Henry Street in Muskegon.

The City of Muskegon Heights has vaccine available for its residents who are 65 and older. To schedule an appointment, call city hall at 231-733-8999, press 5 and follow the prompts.

Hometown Pharmacy, which has stores in Ravenna, Fruitport Township, North Muskegon and Ferrysburg, is collecting names as well. Its list can be accessed at its website, www.hometownpharmacy.com.

Those without Internet access can reach out for help. Heres how:

-- Muskegon County health department and Mercy Health Muskegon. Call 231-724-8856.

--Ottawa County Health Department and North Ottawa Community Health System. Call 2-1-1.

--Spectrum Health. Call 833-755-0696.

--Metro Health. Call 616-252-6161.

Also on MLive:

How Muskegon went from chaos to zero hospitalizations in battle with COVID-19

Public bus system threatened with defunding likely to be cut loose from Muskegon County

Muskegon County courthouse reopening March 1 to public without appointments
Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in the Georgian capital Friday to demand early elections after the arrest of a top opposition leader

Tbilisi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in the Georgian capital Friday to demand early elections after the arrest of a top opposition leader.

Protesters marched through the city's main street, led by the leaders of all of Georgia's opposition parties waving Georgian, EU, and US flags, before staging a rally outside parliament.

Georgia plunged deeper into political crisis following this week's arrest of Nika Melia -- the leader of the country's main opposition force, the United National Movement (UNM), and a violent police raid on the party headquarters.

"I am in prison, but I am free," Melia wrote in an address to demonstrators read out at the rally.

"We are fighting for freedom and we will prevail in this struggle." Supporters said they were energised by Melia's resolve.

"Nika's example inspires all of us," 20-year-old student Tornike Beridze told AFP.

"We will not stop until he is set free, until Georgia is free from Georgian Dream's authoritarianism," he said referring to the ruling party.

Nata Shavishvili, 46, said Melia had become "an icon of Georgians' aspirations to build a democratic, European country." Ex-Soviet Georgia has faced political turmoil since parliamentary elections in October that the opposition said was rigged to give the ruling party a narrow victory.

Opposition members have refused to enter the new parliament in a boycott that weighs heavily on the ruling party's legitimacy.

- 'Democratic setback' - Melia, a 41-year-old who has united Georgia's traditionally divided opposition forces, his prosecution on charges of "organising mass violence" during anti-government protests in 2019 as politically motivated.

A court in Tbilisi last week ordered Melia to be placed in pre-trial detention after he refused to pay an increased bail fee in the case.

Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia resigned over plans to arrest Melia, warning it would escalate tensions, but police moved in anyway and detained him on Tuesday.

Friday's rally was the latest in a series of mass protests the opposition has staged since October, to denounce what it says is political repression and to demand fresh polls.

More protests have been announced for the coming weeks.

"The protest movement will continue until the ruling party liberates all political prisoners and calls snap elections," a leader of the opposition Lelo party, Badri Japaridze, told reporters on Friday.

The United States led a chorus of international condemnation against Melia's arrest, saying the move was a setback for pro-Western Georgia "on its path toward becoming a stronger democracy in the Euro-Atlantic family of nations".
ABCBy ABC News



(NEW YORK) -- ABC News will kick off Womens History Month with its new podcast "In Plain Sight: Lady Bird Johnson," co-produced with Best Case Studios and hosted by author Julia Sweig.



Drawn from over 123 hours of the former first ladys mostly unheard daily audio diaries, the podcast presents a surprising and original portrait of Claudia Alta Lady Bird Johnson, told in her own words. The series provides stunning new revelations about Lyndon B. Johnsons presidency and reveals Lady Bird as Johnsons closest advisor and most indispensable political partner.

The series documents her front-row seat to some of the most notable events in U.S. history and decisions that shaped the nation forever, as well as her history-making encounters with John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Eartha Kitt, Peter, Paul and Mary, politicians, civil rights activists, environmentalists and her surprising partnership with Washington's first Mayor, Walter Washington.



Using a rich trove of rare footage from the era, "In Plain Sight" creates an immersive audio experience of a tumultuous moment in America and tells the story of how one vastly underestimated woman navigated the power, politics and polarization of her time to become arguably one of the most influential first ladies in history. The first two episodes of the eight-part series will debut on Monday, March 1.



Julia Sweig is an award-winning author, scholar and entrepreneur. Sweigs writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, the Nation, the National Interest and in Brazils Folha de Sao Paulo. She is a senior research fellow at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas-Austin and the creator, host and executive producer of the podcast  In Plain Sight. Her fourth book, Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight comes out March 16, 2021 from Random House.



Julia Sweig is co-executive producer, writer and host of the project. Victoria Thompson and Eric Johnson are executive producers and Suzie Liu is a producer with ABC News. Best Case Studios' Adam Pincus is executive producer and Anne Carkeet is a producer on the project.



Archival materials from: LBJ Library; JFK Library; Miller Center; U.S. National Archives; Universal Newsreel; WFAA-TV Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza; KLIF broadcast from November 22, 1963 courtesy of Cumulus Media; Andrew West audio report on June 5, 1968 courtesy of Westwood One; NBC5/KXAS Television News Collection; University of North Texas Special Collections; Jane Jacobs (Books and Authors Luncheon); WNYC, courtesy of NYC Municipal Archives.

Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Australia's most famous drag queen, Courtney Act, is gearing up to once again host the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

And in the lead-up to the spectacular parade, the 38-year-old performer, whose real name is Shane Jenek, strutted her stuff in Bondi Beach on Friday.

Courtney appeared to be having a blast as she posed for promotional photos on a pastel pink ice-cream truck.

Latest gig: Australia's most famous drag queen, Courtney Act, is gearing up to once again host the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

The RuPaul's Drag Race star flaunted her long legs in a ruffled mini skirt, which she paired with a matching crop top.

Courtney completed her look with a pair of strappy knee-high heeled boots and accessorised with a white bow in her hair.

She styled her blonde locks into an intricate updo, and her makeup look consisted of a smokey eye and false lashes.

Out and about: In the lead-up to the spectacular parade, the 38-year-old performer, whose real name is Shane Jenek, strutted her stuff in Bondi Beach on Friday

Style: Courtney appeared to be having a blast as she posed for promotional photos on a pastel pink ice-cream truck

Courtney showed off her vivacious personality by posing up a storm on the truck.

Later on, she was all smiles as she posed with one of the lifeguards who was on duty, placing her arm over his shoulder.

It comes after Courtney shut down rumours she was hosting RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, which began filming on January 29.

Playful side: Courtney showed off her vivacious personality by posing up a storm on the truck

Beauty: She styled her blonde locks into an intricate updo, and her makeup look consisted of a smokey eye and false lashes

Pals: Later on, she was all smiles as she posed with one of the lifeguards who was on duty, placing her arm over his shoulder

Courtney was said to be a shoo-in to host the new season, which is a Stan Original.

But she dispelled the rumours on The Project last month, saying it would be logistically impossible for her to host the program.

Courtney revealed she had just completed a two-week quarantine in Sydney rather than New Zealand, where the show is being filmed.

Rumours: It comes after Courtney shut down rumours she was hosting RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, which began filming on January 29

Gossip: Courtney was said to be a shoo-in to host the new season, which is a Stan Original

'Everyone's saying it, but I promise you I have nothing to do with Drag Race, and I'll tell you why,' she said.

'I was reading that RuPaul and 16 people have landed in Auckland to film Drag Race, so I can assure you that if I were involved, that I would not fly to Sydney to quarantine for two weeks, only to fly to Auckland to quarantine for two weeks.'

Daily Mail Australia understands that RuPaul Charles himself will be hosting the show, and has already completed hotel quarantine in New Zealand.

Not me! She dispelled the rumours on The Project last month, saying it would be logistically impossible for her to host the program
Wales manager Ryan Giggs has had his bail extended after he was arrested on suspicion of assault.

The former Manchester United winger, 47, was arrested and later bailed in November after a reported row with his 'on-off girlfriend' Kate Greville.

In a statement on Friday, a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: 'A 46-year-old man (now aged 47) arrested on suspicion of section 39 common assault and section 47 assault in November 2020 has had his bail extended until Saturday May 1.

Ryan Giggs, pictured, was arrested on suspicion of assault in November 2020. Greater Manchester Police have extended his bail until May 1 as they continue to investigate allegations that he attacked his 'on-off girlfriend' Kate Greville

Giggs, pictured, left with Ms Greville, is accused of assaulting the 36-year-old PR executive in November 2020. Police have extended the former Manchester United player's bail to continue their investigation into the case

Greater Manchester Police are investigating whether the ex-United winger Ryan Giggs assaulted Kate Greville, pictured, on November 1, 2020 in Worsley

'This relates to an incident reported to police at 10.05pm on Sunday November 1 2020, on Chatsworth Road, Worsley.

'A file remains with the CPS and a decision is expected in due course.'

Police were seen parked outside Giggs' home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, in November following reports of the disturbance involving 36-year-old PR worker Ms Greville.

A statement released on behalf of Giggs at the time said: 'Mr Giggs denies all allegations of assault made against him.

'He is co-operating with the police and will continue to assist them with their ongoing investigations.'

Giggs missed Wales' Nations League fixtures following his arrest and Robert Page was put in caretaker charge

Giggs missed Wales' Nations League fixtures following his arrest and Robert Page was put in caretaker charge.

The former winger won 64 caps for Wales and had a glittering playing career with Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

He is also a co-owner of League Two side Salford City.
Customers shop at a vegetable section of a supermarket in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City in March 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.

Vietnam is ahead of the global average in adopting healthy and sustainable lifestyles, a survey has found.

Forty seven percent of respondents in Vietnam said they had supported a socially responsible company last year, against a global average of 33 percent, the survey by research company GlobeScan and digital payment firm Visa said.

Eighty two percent said they had sought out information related to healthier lifestyles last year, well above the global average of 56 percent.

The survey, which polled 27,000 people in 27 countries and territories, also found that people in Vietnam are taking proactive steps towards healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

Ninety percent said they had made changes to their lifestyles last year to be more environment-friendly, and 87 percent made changes to be healthier.

Vietnamese also display a high interest in environment-friendly lifestyle choices, with 81 percent saying they had sought out information about them last year against a global average of 47 percent.

"It is encouraging to see that consumers in Vietnam are already taking concrete steps to lead healthy and sustainable lifestyles," Dang Tuyet Dung, Visa country manager for Vietnam and Laos, said.

Asked what companies could do to help them live healthily and sustainably, Vietnamese listed a desire for new products that are better for both people and the environment as a top priority.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26)  More foreign portfolio investments flowed in last month as investors banked on Fitch Ratings' stable outlook on the Philippine economy and the government's mass COVID-19 vaccination development.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the country registered $98-million net inflows of foreign portfolio investments for the month, reversing the $486-million net outflows posted in the same period last year.

The figure is also an improvement from the net outflows of $524 million recorded in December 2020.

These investments are also known as "hot money" as they could easily enter and exit the economy, such as shares in the Philippines Stock Exchange and government securities.

The BSP attributed this to the development of the current regime's vaccination plan, noting the Food and Drug Administration's move to grant the emergency use authorization application of two COVID-19 vaccines, as well as on the investors' reaction to the Philippines' investment grade rating of BBB with a stable outlook from Fitch Ratings.

It also cited other developments in January, including "the storming of the US Capitol resulting in several deaths and injuries; confirmation of Joe Biden as the 46th US President; reports confirming the local transmission of the new COVID-19 variant".

The net inflows in January, the central bank said, resulted from the $952 million gross inflows and $854 million gross outflows.

Around 62.1 percent of the investments were in Philippine Stock Exchange listed securities, particularly in banks, holding firms, property companies, food, beverage and tobacco companies, and transportation services firms.

Meanwhile 37.9 percent of the FPI went into peso government securities.

The top five investor countries are the United Kingdom, Singapore, United States, Luxembourg and Hong Kong, which combined made up 83.4 percent of trade.
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As the U.S. military seeks to identify and root out instances of extremism in the ranks, the head of Air Force Special Operations Command said Thursday that "it has reared its head" in that community.

During a roundtable discussion with reporters during the Air Force Association's virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium, Lt. Gen. Jim Slife said there are currently cases being pursued in AFSOC's ranks that involve extremism.

"This is an issue inside of the Air Force Special Operations Command," he said. "I know it's an issue, because we have ongoing military justice cases to address this."

Read Next: Marines, Infantry Most Highly Represented Among Veterans Arrested After Capitol Riot

Slife's remarks come as the Pentagon tries to address the issue of extremism following the Jan. 6 mob attack on the U.S. Capitol, which included a disproportionate number of people who have served in the military. Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the services to conduct one-day stand-downs to talk about extremism and extremist ideologies, which he has described as "views and conduct that run counter to everything that we believe in, and which can actually tear at the fabric of who we are as an institution."

A Military.com analysis this week found that nearly three dozen people with ties to the military -- many of whom served in the Marines or infantry -- are accused of taking part in the Capitol siege.

During the roundtable, Slife said he is dismayed that some people with extremist views have displayed an affinity for the special operations community.

He declined to describe the kind of extremism cases being pursued within AFSOC, to avoid influencing the decisions of subordinate commanders, courts or panels reviewing them.

"I really, strongly believe in the value of the military justice system, but part of that depends on senior commanders like me trusting subordinate commanders to do their part in the military justice process," Slife said. "So I'm not going to get out in front of any of my wing commanders on how they choose to address the issues that come to light within their organizations."

Slife cautioned that he doesn't think extremism is a widespread problem in AFSOC, though he does not have data showing its extent. But though he sees no signs of a "five-alarm fire," he acknowledged there is a problem in the U.S. military with extremism and said the command is not immune.

And as AFSOC has prepared to carry out the stand-down, Slife said its commanders have recently had conversations about how they can address extremism, how to tell whether they have a problem in their formations and, if so, how bad it is.

AFSOC supports calls to address extremism in the ranks from Austin, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown, and acting Air Force Secretary John Roth, Slife said.

He said he is proud of his commanders for addressing extremism when it has come up. And once AFSOC is able to get a clearer picture of the problem, he believes the command will be able to better take it on.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: SecDef Austin to Troops: If You've Seen Extremism in the Ranks, Tell Your Commander
Oxford University has confirmed that one of its laboratories involved in Covid-19 research suffered cyberattack after an investigation by Forbes suggested that hackers were showing off access to a number of systems.

The university on Thursday, however, said that there has been "no impact" on any clinical research.

The hack is understood to have taken place in the middle of the month, but it is not clear who is behind the attack.

The affected laboratory, Division of Structural Biology (known as "Strubi"), is not directly involved in the development of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19.

Scientists at the laboratory have been involved in studying in the working mechanism of Covid-19 cells and how to prevent them from causing harm.

The affected systems in the attack included machines used to prepare biochemical samples, said the Forbes report.

"We have identified and contained the problem and are now investigating further," an Oxford University spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The university is working with authorities in Britain for further investigation into the attack.

The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), a branch of the British intelligence agency GCHQ, will now investigate the attack, said the report.

The university has made the UK Information Commissioner's Office aware of the incident, according to a spokesperson.

The development comes at a time when cyberattacks on the healthcare sector has seen a spike.

The US, British and Canadian security services last year alleged that a hacking group believed to be operating as part of Russian intelligence services was targeting organisations involved in Covid-19 vaccine development.

Russia's ambassador to Britain then rejected the claims that his country's intelligence service attempted to steal information about a Covid-19 vaccine.
Oniipa Town Council officials have been cautioned against focusing on personalities when appraising employees instead on the actual work done.

Mayor David Kambonde said it was dangerous to attach emotions when appraising workers as doing such would see some get victimised.

"I have observed that such events are turned into courtrooms instead of an appraisal process. Personal vendettas should not be tolerated. Rate each individual fairly," he said during the signing of performance agreements by the council's top officials this week.

In addition, Kambonde said it was vital to have a performance system, emphasising that an organisation without competent measures in place does not produce desired results.

"The system is meant to drive performance and behaviour among employees. This determines the overall performance of the council. It also helps to enhance input and output, which instils a sense of accountability," said consultant Daniel Ndaningina.

According to Ndaningina an employee scoring three points deserves 10% reward of their basic salary, while the best gets 25%.

Oniipa Town Council CEO Junias Jacob said it was a collective task for the team to deliver development as it is their sole responsibility.

"There are key performance indicators included to deal with the electrification of informal sectors as well as addressing roads and provision of affordable housing. I will therefore continue implementing all these strategic plans," said Jacob, adding the time to work is now as there is no best moment for one to begin.
A local business owner is being credited as an unsung hero during the COVID-19 pandemic for his efforts to bring bagels and donuts to local communities and health care workers.

Leo Spinelli, the owner of Uncle Leos Not Just Donuts in Wilton and Redding, worked with his cousins who own Liz Sue Bagels in Stamford and BagelMan in Danbury to tag-team efforts of giving food to health care workers, shelters and food pantries at the start of the pandemic.

Spinelli  otherwise known as Uncle Leo  has created a GoFundMe to gather support for his continued efforts of donating food to local communities.

Its just something we got in our heart to do and we just want to take care of the health care workers and people right now are really hurting for food, Spinelli, 67, said. Its just others helping others. Thats what our motto is, its a family thing.

Spinelli said he tries to bake extra bagels, muffins and pastries each day to deliver to locations in the Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport areas about two to three times a week. Hes delivered food to local hospitals as well as to a Norwalk food pantry and others up to this point.

Nuvance Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Susan Kania said Spinelli has been Danbury Hospitals unsung hero. Kania recalls when Spinelli made his first delivery to the hospital.

It was like hundreds of bagels and boxes of donuts and this did not stop. This man has stopped by Danbury Hospital almost every week since the pandemic started, she said.

Everybody has been touched by Uncle Leo and he is so humble. His car is filled with carbohydrates that just make people smile, she added.

Spinelli and his cousins have sustained a continuous flow of deliveries since March and want to keep it going but need some extra support.

We did the GoFundMe because we were trying to get a few dollars to help us because it does cost money. I was trying to get a little help on the side with it.

Spinelli set the GoFundMe goal at $2,500 and community members have raised a total of $1,105 so far.

I dont expect too much, I just want whoever can help to help so I can continue to do it, Spinelli said.
Sweden's largest technical university advances R&D across life sciences, automotive, transportation and energy industries with next-generation system, powered by the HPE Cray EX supercomputer

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) today announced that it is building a new supercomputer for KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, one of Sweden's largest technical universities dedicated to science and engineering research. The new supercomputer, which is funded by Swedish National Infrastructure for Computing (SNIC), will enable a significant level of computational performance, powered by the HPE Cray EX supercomputer, to improve modeling and simulation from complex data to make breakthroughs in academia and for a range of industrial areas, including drug design, renewable energy, and advanced automotive and fleet vehicles.

The new supercomputer, which KTH has named "Dardel" in honor of the Swedish novelist, Thora Dardel, and her first husband, Nils Dardel, the post-impressionist painter, will replace KTH's current flagship system, Beskow, and will be housed on KTH's main campus at the PDC Center for High Performance Computing.

Sweden gains new supercomputer to bolster R&D and unlock industrial innovation

SNIC's new flagship system, Dardel, will be built using the HPE Cray EX supercomputer, which features an advanced high performance computing architecture designed for next-generation supercomputing, such as for exascale-class systems that are 10X faster than today's most powerful supercomputers.

The HPE Cray EX supercomputer will include HPE Slingshot for purpose-built HPC networking to address demands for higher speed and congestion control for data-intensive workloads. It will also feature next generation AMD EPYC processors and AMD Instinct GPU accelerators to improve efficiency and achieve the performance required to process and harness insights from computationally complex data.

With a theoretical peak performance of 13.5 petaflops1, Dardel will be significantly faster than the current flagship system at PDC. The advanced capabilities of the new system that HPE is delivering will help Swedish researchers tackle challenging research areas, including computational fluid dynamics, biophysics and quantum chemistry, that are used in R&D supporting Swedish companies across the manufacturing, automotive and transportation, medical, agriculture, oil and gas, aeronautical and space industries. Example companies using PDC's HPC systems for R&D include trucking manufacturer Scania and several technical consulting companies such as Sweco, Tyrens and FSDynamics.

"High performance computing (HPC) technologies are broadly used in R&D to advance the technologies that go into the products and services we use each day. For decades, the PDC Center for High Performance Computing at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology has empowered a community of researchers to make breakthroughs across a range of industries using HPC," said Peter Ungaro, senior vice president and general manager, HPC and Mission Critical Solutions at HPE. "We are honored to have been selected by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology to deliver the latest HPE Cray EX supercomputer with next-generation AMD technologies and provide an even greater level of performance to improve and expand Swedish academic research and drive innovation for Swedish industrial companies."

HPE to deliver KTH's Dardel in two phases

HPE will install the first phase of the supercomputer this summer. It will feature over 65,000 CPU cores and it be ready for research use in July 2021. The second phase of the installation will consist of GPUs which will be installed later this year and be ready for use in January 2022

About Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud platform-as-a-service company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way we live and work, HPE delivers unique, open and intelligent technology solutions, with a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, to help customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance. For more information, visit: www.hpe.com.

1) KTH's Dardel supercomputer will have a theoretical peak performance of 13.5 petaflops after the two phases of the system have been completed

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, EPYC, Instinct, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005435/en/

Contacts:

Nahren.Khizeran@hpe.com

Nahren Khizeran, HPE

Photo: Contributed

An alleged international drug smuggler was arrested at Vancouver International Airport after nine years on the run from B.C.s gang enforcement unit.

Khamla Wong, who was wanted on an international Interpol warrant, was taken into custody Wednesday by the Combined Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. (CFSEU-BC) and Richmond RCMP, after arriving back in Canada.

He was charged in connection with a 2008 CFSEU-BC investigation into shipments of cocaine into Canada and exports of ecstasy into the U.S.

We will not stop our relentless pursuit of those individuals who cause significant harm and pose the greatest risks to our safety due to their involvement in gang and organized crime activity, even a decade or more ago, said Supt. Duncan Pound, CFSEU-BC chief.

Time and again we have sought out individuals living abroad to hold them accountable and face justice in Canada. Those who remain on the run from CFSEU-BC should know that we will not stop until we find you.

Wong was one of six men charged in the summer of 2012 following the CFSEU-BC investigation that began four years prior and spanned B.C., California, Mexico and Peru.

His charges include conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of a loaded, prohibited firearm. He was already at large at the time charges were laid against him.

According to CFSEU-BC, tens of millions of dollars worth of illegal and potentially deadly drugs were seized over the course of the investigation, including 117,000 ecstasy pills (23 kilograms) in Princeton in August 2008 and 121 kilograms of cocaine at the Pacific Border Crossing on Dec. 20 of that year.

A few days later, on Christmas Eve 2008, another 97 kilograms of cocaine, hidden inside a commercial transport truck carrying bananas, were seized at that same border crossing and, in May 2009, 10 kilograms of cocaine were seized in Burnaby.

The investigation ended in June 2009, when anti-gang cops executed seven search warrants at homes in Chilliwack, Burnaby, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford and the Okanagans Lake Country. Four prohibited firearms were seized during those raids.

Wong is currently being held in custody pending the judicial process, according to CFSEU-BC.
New 4.3m project aims to increase innovation

Business School academics are working with industry leaders and partner universities to help boost innovation in Europe.

The 4.3m project will examine how different industries, companies, and cultures manage to adapt to rapidly changing situations.

It aims to help companies and technologists navigate how to communicate the value of new technology and have their ideas accepted in society, and for policy makers to better understand how to support and encourage innovation.

Professor Niall MacKenzie is leading the project at University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School, working with Co-Investigators Dr Jillian Gordon and Dr Dominic Chalmers. He said: Currently we dont fully understand how society accepts new technologies or organisational forms in a way that is systematic and actionable. By investigating how society accepts new technologies, ideas, and ventures across 15 different topics our work will help unlock the innovation potential across industries and European countries in a way that benefits everyone.

We are looking at working with a range of industries including bioenergy, Internet of Things, and FinTech to develop knowledge and policies that will support enterprise and innovation. Policymakers, entrepreneurs, technologists and society more generally will all benefit from the insights produced by the project.

The University is partnering with Aalborg University in Denmark, Swedens Halmstad University, and Oulu University in Finland, and working with industry partners including Nokia, FinTech Scotland, Scottish Edge and the Shaftesbury Partnership to deliver this work.

The Legitimation of Newness and Its Impact on EU Agenda for Change (LNETN) project is funded by the European Commission's Marie Skodowska-Curie Innovation Training Networks Programme, who has provided 4.35m to finance 15 PhD projects across the four host universities. There will be mobility between the partners in the form of students going on secondments to each country and working with industry partners.

Enquiries: clairelouise.smith@glasgow.ac.uk
A private email account used by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, and potentially the password unlocking a linked social media platform, was exposed in a 2016 data breach that affected more than 150 million other LinkedIn users across the globe.

An account used by Transport Minister Mark Bailey, which was subject to a corruption probe one year later, is also linked to the trove of details, with online security experts warning the potential password exposures could still pose information security risks for the government.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Parliament this week. She first confirmed the existence of the stacia1@bigpond.com account during a budget estimates hearing in December. Credit:Matt Dennien

Both email accounts have again come under scrutiny after the states Crime and Corruption Commission sent a small number of emails from the Premiers account that appear[ed] to be public records back to her department to determine if they were captured under archival laws.

Ms Palaszczuk first confirmed the existence of the stacia1@bigpond.com account during a budget estimates hearing in December.CCC chair Alan MacSporran said at the time the number of emails assessed were fewer than 20 and didnt excite our interests.


Chinas decision to ban BBC World News from its television networks suggests increased government efforts to restrict foreign media.

The ban took effect on February 11. It was ordered shortly after the BBC produced a series of stories about ethnic Uighur women in Chinas Xinjiang region.

Chinas order also came after the British agency in charge of broadcasting canceled the official permission of Chinas CGTN news network to operate in Britain. British officials said the decision was linked to CGTNs ties to Chinas ruling Communist Party.

In the series, the women reported abuse in government-run internment camps. More than a million people are estimated to be detained in such camps and in prisons across Xinjiang.

The Chinese government has described the internment camps as job training centers and schools. It says the camps are necessary to fight Islamic extremism and a Uyghur separatist movement.

But former camp detainees have repeatedly reported abusive treatment in the camps.

China accused the BBC of reporting false news in its coverage of the internment camps. The government has also criticized BBC for reports about the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Chinas main broadcasting regulator, or controller, announced the ban in a statement. It accused the BBC of violating government rules about reporting on China. The news organization had, the statement read, failed to meet the requirements to broadcast in China as an overseas channel.

Hu Xijin, editor of the Chinese government-run Global Times newspaper, tweeted that the reports were all false. He added that the BBC has become a bastion of the Western public opinion war against China.

The action against the BBC adds to an increasingly difficult reporting environment in China. At least 17 journalists were expelled from China in 2020, the Foreign Correspondents Club of China said in a statement in September.

Several had their media identifications canceled after the United States declared a number of Chinese media organizations in America as foreign missions.

Sari Arho Havren is a China expert based in Brussels. She says the Chinese government wants to establish a new world media order. With media in China already under strong control, the government is likely to make foreign media the next target, Havren told VOA.

[The BBC ban] demonstrates how foreign media operating in China is increasingly treated as domestic media, meaning that the reporting from China that is not in line with the official party line will become increasingly sensitive and risky, Havren added.

Chinas aim to restrict news covering sensitive issues within the country is nothing new. The government feels Western media unfairly targets and misrepresents local issues in the country. Government-run media or officials in China often describe such reports as fake news.

The group Reporters Without Borders produces the World Press Freedom Index , a yearly report on 180 countries. It named China the third most restrictive country in terms of media freedoms.

One Beijing-based foreign reporter told VOA that Chinese citizens are becoming less willing to speak with foreign media. He said nine out of 10 locals cancel meetings planned with reporters. The reporter asked not to be identified, fearing he might be punished for his words.

Less and less people want to talk to us, he said, adding, They are always afraid.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Tommy Walker of VOA News reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

internment  n. the act of putting someone in prison for political reasons or during war

bastion  n. a place or system in which something continues to survive

domestic  adj. inside one country and not international

fake  adj. false; not real
A campaigner for abuse survivors has said delaying jury trials due to Covid restrictions will be catastrophic for victims of sexual abuse and rape.

Measures taken to tackle the spread of Covid-19 in the Central Criminal Court, which deals with cases of murder, rape, and serious sexual offences, have meant that jury trials are on hold.

In one case before the court a defendant who has been charged with attempted murder will now not stand trial for over two years because of a court backlog.

Shaneda Daly, who lives in Co Kildare, set up a support group for victims of sexual assault and abuse called Survivors Side By Side four years ago.

Shaneda has previously spoken out about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, Harry Daly, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison 2011.

In total, ex-prison officer Harry admitted guilt to 227 charges, 103 of indecent assault and 24 of sexual assault.

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Shaneda said the fact that cases going forward could be delayed by an extra two years as catastrophic for victims of sexual abuse and rape who already go through mental trauma.

"One thing about victims is that for most of them, especially if its childhood sexual abuse, your abuser is still around you.

And then, waiting that long, you cannot put it to bed.

"You can't forget about it until you get to court.

"And then its an average of two to three years for anybody to get to court. I know people that are waiting like six or seven years and now, with this on top of it, its just ridiculous.

She added: I think there should be more services available to victims, mental health services especially, to help them.

"Theyre sitting around waiting and its something that theyre going to think about every single day until it's done with.

"So this delay is going to cause extra distress, one hundred per cent. People simply cannot not move on until they see a conviction.

A spokesman for the Courts Service said: "Central Criminal Court trials have been delayed since the return of the courts in January due to the high incidence of Covid-19.

"Courts had been hearing jury trials between August and Christmas and various measures have been taken to avoid a build-up of cases."

He added: "The courts stand ready to restart jury trials once it has been advised safe to do so."

Noeline Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre today told the Sunday World that priority should be given to cases where the victims have been traumatised.

"While we understand why jury trials cannot go ahead at the moment, the reality for many victims of sexual crime is that they have to face their abuser for even longer than they had expected.

"So often, the crime has happened in their home, their place of work, their local community.

"Every criminal trial is important but we call for those responsible for scheduling trials when they start up again to those where the victims are subject to serious trauma as is usually the case in sexual offence cases."
(@FahadShabbir)

PRAGUE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th February, 2021) Paris will supply 100,000 doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the request of the Czech government by mid-March, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told reporters on Thursday.

"Due to the tough coronavirus situation, we are trying to get additional vaccines from different sources. We managed to get them in Israel, which granted us with 5 thousand Moderna vaccine [doses]. Now France has promised to provide us with 100 thousand Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine [doses] by March 15," Babis said.

The country began its vaccination campaign in late December 2020 and joined other European nations in dismay over cuts in shipments of the EU-approved vaccines declared by manufacturers due to production issues. However, the Czech leadership said that it would consider the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine only if it is authorized by the European medicines regulator.

Since October 5, 2020, the national government introduced an emergency regime over the pandemic, which entails closures of public facilities except for essential stores and pharmacies. Besides, the Czech Cabinet is set to convince the country's Parliament to allow the extension of the emergency regime until April, a measure requested by the regional authorities.

Additionally, due to the surge in infections of UK coronavirus variant in the country, the health authorities have obliged citizens to use respirators, nanomasks, or two medical masks at once in public places starting Thursday.

Later today, the government will discuss the options to toughen coronavirus measures in light of the current epidemiological situation.
A pathologist, Ahmed Abimiku, has debunked claims by the police that a woman, Ifeoma Abugu, who died in custody on September 11, 2020, lost her life to drug abuse.

Mr Abimiku, who is the Chief Consultant Pathologist of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Abuja, appeared before the Independent Investigative Panel probing cases of police brutality in Abuja on Wednesday, when he gave a summary of the result of the preliminary autopsy examination he conducted on the deceased.

PREMIUM TIMES got the details of the proceedings on Friday.

The panel, headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Suleiman Galadima, was set up by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in the wake of last years #EndSARS protests against police brutality and bad governance.

Suffocation suspected

Contrary to the claim of the police, the pathologist, in his analysis of the outcome of the preliminary autopsy examination, said Ms Abugu died of anoxia, a medical condition caused by a decreased or lack of oxygen supply to the lungs.

And this can come about as a result of strangulation, choking or suffocation, the pathologist added.

He said during the autopsy examination, it was observed that the deceaseds fingernails, lips, and tongue were bluish, indicating that she had respiratory issues before she died.

The pathologist said there were also bruises on her knees.

He added that a cursory look at her organs revealed that there was an accumulation of fluid in her lungs, causing pulmonary congestion.

According to the pathologist, the examination of her kidney also revealed noncancerous cyst, multiple fibroids in her uterus and virginal swab shows dead sperms deposited in her body.

Toxicology test

He said he carried out a toxicology test to ascertain the police allegation that she died from drug ingestion.

The pathologist said he carried out the test by testing her body fluids for all the 11 drugs commonly abused, like Rohypnol diazepam barbiturate, marijuana, narcotics, cannabis, tranquillizers, amphetamines, and all the results turned out negative.

He added that to rule out doubts, he also tested the deceased for cocaine and the result was negative.

Summoned to clarify

The pathologist was summoned by the panel following contradictory claims by the police and Ms Abugus fiance, Afam Ugwunwa, on the cause of the deceaseds death.

The police had claimed that they went to the home of Mr Ugwunwa, whom they suspected to be a drug dealer, to arrest him on September 10, 2020, and on getting there, they met Ms Abubu, whom they also claimed was into the sale and consumption of drugs.

They arrested Ms Abugu that day, and she died in custody the next day, September 11, 2020.

The police claimed she died of a drug overdose.

With family intervention, the police took her body to UATH for an autopsy on September 25, 2020, to establish her cause of death.

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The police continued holding on to the corpse of the after the autopsy.

Ms Abugus fiance, Mr Ugwunwa, citing the report of the autopsy, told the panel earlier in the month that the deceased died of anoxia, but the police insisted that the victim died of substance abuse.

The panel then summoned the pathologist to clarify the issue.

Police query autopsys integrity

While cross-examining the pathologist during the proceedings, the lawyer to the police, James Idachaba, alleged that the autopsy report lacked integrity.

He said the police had disputed the result and had requested a second opinion.

Responding, Mr Abimiku said, Autopsy result does not favour anybody, it is meant to establish the cause of death.

The panel members asked the witness if the outcome of the autopsy could have been altered by the length of time it took to carry out the examination after the death of the victim.

He answered in the negative but quickly added that a longer period could only make dissection difficult.

The pathologist also said if the virginal swab test had been done early enough, it would have been possible to identify the DNA of the sperm found on her body.

He said it was however impossible because sperm could only survive a womans body for 72 hours.

The panel adjourned further proceedings in the case till March 24 for the police to open their defence.

But before announcing the postponement, the panel ordered the police to immediately release the corpse of the deceased to the family for burial.
By Prossy Kisakye

Judiciary has guided the former presidential candidate in the just concluded general polls Eng Willy Mayambala, to write a formal application through his lawyers seeking to take over the election petition of the National Unity Platforms Leader, Robert Kyagulanyi.

In a 25th February letter to the Supreme Court, Mayambala objected to Kyagulanyis decision to withdraw the petition challenging the victory of NRMs Yoweri Museveni in 14th January general elections.

He asked court for permission to take over the same petition upon guidance on the necessary procedures.

Section 61(2) of the Presidential Election Act provides that on hearing of the application for withdraw, any candidate who might have been a petitioner in respect of the election to which the petitioner refers, may apply to the court to be substituted as a petitioner for the petitioner who desires to withdraw.

In line with the said law, the Supreme Court Registrar Harriet Nalukwago Ssali advises Mayambala to seek the services of a lawyer with a view of filing a formal application.

Previously, Mayambala who came last in a race of eleven candidates with 15,014 votes (0.15) percent said he was happy with the outcome of the January 14th 2021 general elections
More than 2.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been distributed in Pennsylvania and about 650,000 people are fully vaccinated, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Friday.

The states vaccine distribution effort has engendered widespread criticism over the pace of the rollout but state officials have said they are aiming to improve. The health department said 1,576,984 people have received one dose and 649,020 have received two doses and are fully vaccinated. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses for full vaccination.

Pennsylvania is in the process of shifting its vaccine distribution to larger providers that are able to give out shots more quickly, state officials have said. As a result, the state is expected to temporarily reduce the number of vaccine providers from more than 700 to 200-300. The shift was delayed due to the recent winter storms, officials said this week. Some doctors that arent affiliated with larger hospital systems have faulted the new strategy, saying it could impede access to the vaccine in underserved communities.

The high demand for the vaccine far surpasses the available supply, Gov. Tom Wolf and state officials have said repeatedly. More than 4 million people are eligible in the first phase of the rollout.

Pennsylvania expected to receive 225,890 first doses and 180,610 second doses this week, not including those sent to Philadelphia, which receives its own supply and is running its own distribution effort.

The health department reported 3,346 additional positive cases of COVID-19 Friday, raising the statewide total to 926,336. Its the first time in several days the state has reported more than 3,000 cases. However, the number of new infections has dropped substantially from earlier in the winter, when the state regularly reported more than 10,000 on a daily basis.

Hospitalizations have dropped steadily in recent weeks as well. The health department said 1,897 COVID-19 patients were being treated in hospitals Friday. At the peak in December, more than 6,300 people were hospitalized with the virus.

The health department reported 69 additional deaths Friday. Statewide, 23,937 deaths have been tied to COVID-19, according to the health department.

Across Pennsylvania, 12,371 deaths - more than half of the states total fatalities - have occurred in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.

More from PennLive

Where are Pa.s vaccines being administered? Feb. 26 map, county-by-county breakdown

GOP lawmakers use hearing to ask whether Pa.s nursing home order contributed to COVID-19 deaths
John Durham Announces Resignation as US Attorney, Will Continue Role as Special Counsel

U.S. Attorney John Durham, who was tapped by former Attorney General William Barr to lead a special counsel probe into the origins of the Trump-Russia inquiry, announced his resignation from his position as U.S. attorney of the District of Connecticut.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed to the Daily Caller and other news outlets that Durham is still special counsel. Fox News reporter Chad Pegram also reported that Durham will continue his work in probing the origins of the FBIs Russia investigation and whether there were any irregularities and wrongdoing.

A post on the DOJs website states that Durhams office as special counsel was moved to the Main Justice department.

My career has been as fulfilling as I could ever have imagined when I graduated from law school way back in 1975, Durham said in a news release from the Justice Department on Friday. Much of that fulfillment has come from all the people with whom Ive been blessed to share this workplace, and in our partner law enforcement agencies. My love and respect for this Office and the vitally important work done here have never diminished. It has been a tremendous honor to serve as U.S. Attorney, and as a career prosecutor before that, and I will sorely miss it.

The Epoch Times reached out to the DOJ and White House to confirm whether Durham, who has not yet released his long-awaited report, will stay special counsel.

Several weeks ago, President Joe Bidens administration had asked U.S. attorneys to resign by the end of February.

A justice department spokesman told news outlets in early February that continuing the practice of new administrations, President Biden and the Department of Justice have begun the transition process for the U.S. Attorneys.

In his probe, Durham has issued few public statements but in December 2019, he disputed some of the findings of the Justice Departments inspector general, Michael Horowitz, who had concluded that the FBI was justified in opening its probe as to whether former President Donald Trumps campaign colluded with the Russian government.

Based on the evidence collected to date, and while our investigation is ongoing, last month we advised the Inspector General that we do not agree with some of the reports conclusions as to predication and how the FBI case was opened, Durham said in a DOJ statement at the time.

So far, Durham netted a single charge and guilty plea in August after former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who was accused of altering an email about Trump campaign associate Carter Page.

Barr in December told the Wall Street Journal that Durham was making significant progress in his investigation, but Trump said weeks before that that Durham did not want to investigate top FBI officials, including former Director James Comey and his deputy, Andrew McCabe.

Were still waiting for a report from a man named Durham, who I have never spoken to, and I have never met. They can go after me before the election as much as they want, but unfortunately Mr. Durham didnt want to go after these people, or have anything to do with going after them before the election. So who knows if he is ever going to even do a report, said Trump.

The former commander-in-chief has long asserted that the Obama administration weaponized the FBI and DOJ to carry out allegedly unjust investigations into his 2016 campaign, often describing it as the greatest witch hunt in U.S. history.

Barr also told the WSJ that the most revealing documents pertaining to the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, known as Crossfire Hurricane, have already been made publicalthough Barrs assertion has been disputed by independent researchers.

According to the DOJs news release on Friday, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle will serve as acting U.S. attorney after Durham leaves by Feb. 28.

The Office will be in the extraordinarily capable hands of Len and our superb supervisory team who, together, guarantee that the proper administration of justice will continue uninterrupted in our District, Durham said in the news release.
A letter sent by King Abdullah to influential General Intelligence Directorate (GID) head Gen. Ahmad Husni on Feb. 17 is keeping the kingdom's political class guessing over what the king really wants. In the lengthy letter, the king praised the GIDs role over the past years but called on Husni to continue the process of renewal, modernization and development of the department.

The king said that as the kingdom marks its second centennial, the time has come for the department to allow the countrys institutions to immediately step up to their constitutional and legal responsibilities in order to release the GID from the great burden it had to carry over the years.

The king said the GID must remain a model of efficient intelligence in countering terrorism and security threats to our nation so that it may develop its tools and methods to provide the best modern intelligence assessments to decision-makers in the political, economic and security-related fields, away from the regulatory and oversight roles that the circumstances had at times imposed on the department in areas that lie within the specialty of others that had not possessed the tools to practice them properly, but now do and must, therefore, undertake these roles in full, without delay.

Analysts here took this to mean ending the GIDs oversight over the domestic political, legislative and economic affairs, which had increased in the past two decades. This comes after the king said in an interview last month that the time has come to review laws regulating the political process such as elections and political parties. It also comes a few days after the Economic Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index labeled Jordan an authoritarian country, retreating by four steps from its 2020 ranking.

Analysts here also believe this is a message to the Biden administration ahead of the kings expected trip to Washington next month. It also comes at a time when the economy is facing major challenges in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, where cases had recently spiked.

On Feb. 21, the lower house of parliament approved what has been described as the most difficult budget in the kingdoms history, with an estimated post-foreign aid deficit of 2.06 billion Jordanian dinars ($2.89 billion), or 6.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP). This comes as the kingdom battles a more than 23% unemployment rate and a shrinking economy.

Writing in Al-Ghad daily on Feb. 20, political commentator Fahd Al-Khitan said the kings letter to the GID head is related to pure internal circumstances and had nothing to do with foreign developments in terms of its content and timing. The royal letter is not meant to scale down or weaken the GIDs role but redraws its responsibilities within its core specialties after the country had gone through exceptional local and external developments, during which the concerned states institutions were less able to deal with them, forcing the GID to step in, he said.

This comes after a series of careful royal revisions to respond to the needs for reform and modernization, and it will be followed by meaningful steps in the coming phase at more than one level, including political reforms, he added.

For years, the GID was believed to have influenced the tide of political life in the kingdom from managing election results to the way lawmakers voted on key bills. But its role also extended to fighting money laundering and other economic crimes, including corruption in the public sector. Now the king is asking it to focus on its core responsibility in fighting terrorism and addressing external threats to national security.

The royal letter came a few days before US President Joe Biden made his first debut on the international stage on Feb. 19, when addressed a virtual meeting of the Munich Security Conference where he outlined the foundations of his administrations foreign policy. Biden underlined his commitment to defend democracy and shared democratic values, adding that our partnerships have endured and grown through the years because they are rooted in the richness of our shared democratic values. Theyre not transactional. Theyre not extractive. Theyre built on a vision of a future where every voice matters, where the rights of all are protected and the rule of law is upheld.

Analysts here believe that democratic reforms and human rights will be at the center of Bidens ties with regional leaders. On Feb. 23, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, during a call that human rights will be central to ties between Cairo and Washington.

Political commentator Rana Sabbagh said that after reading the letter many times she wondered if the king was really ordering the scale down of the GID and its restructuring, or if the real reason was to prepare the ground for the monarchs upcoming visit to the United States. In a post on her Facebook page on Feb. 18, Sabbagh said the meaning of the message was to directly justify the intervention of the GID in everything that had to do with the political, economic, educational, legislative, social, governmental and judicial aspects, and then to relieve it from the big burden that it carried over the past decades.

The latest letter is tantamount to a white coup and a 180-degree shift, but executing the royal order to disengage the GID from non-intelligence missions that it had carried over the past three decades will take years to achieve and may end up being suspended along with other royal initiatives, Sabbagh said, adding that the timing of the message must be linked to preparations for the kings upcoming visit to Washington and what the Biden administration may be expecting from Amman.

Maher Abu Tair, a political columnist at Al-Ghad daily, agrees with Sabbagh. He told Al-Monitor that while Bidens election last November was good for Jordan in terms of the two-state solution and the Palestinian issue, the truth is that Amman was much happier with the previous administration when it came to domestic files such as public liberties, elections, political reforms and professional unions, where there was no pressure from Washington.

Washington will be looking at the issues of democracy, political reforms and human rights as a priority, and we have seen how the US ambassador to Jordan (Henry Wooster) has been pushing recently for these domestic issues and his agenda will reflect that of the Biden administration, Abu Tair said. This means that the year 2021 will see fundamental changes with regard to the domestic agenda, and this requires a genuine change in policies and people who will execute them, he added.

Washington will be looking at the fact that Jordan has been dubbed an authoritarian state on the democracy index and already knows of the shameful interference in the last legislative elections, which produced a lame parliament that constituted a lethal blow to all the promises of reform and change, Sabbagh said. The new administration will no longer buy into our excuses for postponing meaningful reforms, and here lies the importance of the kings letter."
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A team from Cornell University's Environmental Systems Lab, led by recent graduate Allison Bernett, has put forth a new framework for injecting as much information as possible into the pre-design and early design phases of a project, potentially saving architects and design teams time and money down the road.

"(Our framework) allows designers to understand the full environmental impact of their building," said Bernett, corresponding author of "Sustainability Evaluation for Early Design (SEED) Framework for Energy Use, Embodied Carbon, Cost, and Daylighting Assessment" which published Jan. 10 in the Journal of Building Performance Simulation.

Principle investigators are Timur Dogan, assistant professor of architecture in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning; and Katharina Kral, a licensed architect and lecturer in the Department of Architecture.

"How we look at this is, there's the cost of change in the design process, and then the opportunity of impact," Dogan said. "In the very beginning, changing something doesn't cost anything, but if you're a month into the project, changing something is really expensive, because now you have to rehire consultants and redesign things.

"And then the other thing is the potential of impact," he said. "In the very beginning, just with a simple nudge in the right direction, you can change a project from being an energy hog to something that's very sustainable, and integrates well into the environment."

In 2018, according to the International Energy Agency, the construction sector accounted for 39% of energy and process-related greenhouse gas emissions. That included 11% originating from the manufacturing of building materials and products.

The Sustainability Evaluation for Early Design (SEED) Framework is a decision-making tool that can dynamically and concurrently simulate several variables: building energy performance; embodied carbon (carbon emissions generated by construction and materials); construction cost; and daylighting (the use of natural light to illuminate indoor spaces).

The framework will allow architects and design teams to rapidly trial and rank tens of thousands of design iterations, using as few as four inputs.

Using publicly available data and a suite of available design simulation programsincluding Rhino/Grasshopper (a CAD program); ClimateStudio, developed by Dogan, for daylight simulation and building energy modeling; and engineering software Karamba3DBernett and the team tested SEED in a case study of a hypothetical mid-sized office building modeled in Boston, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix.

The SEED Framework generated thousands of design options based on variables specific to the three cities in the case study, offering designers the flexibility of many options early in the process, before changing course would get too expensive.

"The idea is, you run this analysis," Dogan said, "and you get a few options that already make a lot of sense, and some options that you can completely forget about. ... [It] always comes down to this lack of information in the decision-making process.

"In that sense, the construction industry is super inefficient," he said. "There's too many players who don't know the full picture and then make decisions that are not always rational. This framework that Allison worked on is geared to help bring the information to the table. Every stakeholder in the design process can then form their own opinion about design goal priorities."

SEED's greatest asset, Bernett said, is amassing a tranche of data on multiple factors in one place, and involving architects early in the design and pre-design phases.

"It takes a lot of time to gather all that data, and we have that prepackaged. So there's definitely a hunger for that," said Bernett, who presented the SEED Framework in September 2019 at the International Building Performance Simulation Conference, in Rome.

"Right now, we rely heavily on energy modelers and consultants to do this work," she said. "And if we can involve architects more readily and more early on, I think that we're going to see a lot of improvement and cost-effectiveness to these early design decisions."

In addition to the publicly available design simulations, the team used AutoFrame, a new procedure developed by Kral for automatically computing structural systems. AutoFrame helps improve the precision of embodied carbon assessments and daylight simulations.

The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability's Small Grants Program provided pivotal support for this work, Bernett said.

"That funding really gave it the push it needed," she said. "It allowed me to present a first iteration [of SEED] at the conference in Rome, and then to really flesh out the research more after that."

Explore further Software helps planners design walkable cities

More information: Allison Bernett et al, Sustainability evaluation for early design (SEED) framework for energy use, embodied carbon, cost, and daylighting assessment, Journal of Building Performance Simulation (2021). Allison Bernett et al, Sustainability evaluation for early design (SEED) framework for energy use, embodied carbon, cost, and daylighting assessment,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/19401493.2020.1865459
Alex Salmond today insisted his evidence about Nicola Sturgeon would not have been censored at Westminster as he suggested the Scottish government is not fit to be independent.

In an extraordinary session before a cross-party committee, the former First Minister lashed out at his SNP successor over the handling of harassment allegations against him.

Pointing to multiple 'failures' by Ms Sturgeon's government over the claims against him, he warned that the 'move to independence... must be accompanied by institutions whose leadership is strong and robust'.

He criticised the way his evidence to the Holyrood inquiry had been redacted to remove key sections at the request of the Crown Office.

Mr Salmond, who was previously an MP, said the redaction of his written evidence would not have happened at Westminster as Parliamentary Privilege would have been invoked.

He said: 'The normal response from the House of Commons, any parliament I would argue, would be to reject any such overtures and say the parliaments are there to serve the people, and the prosecution service, whether it be the Crown Office or the Crown Prosecution Service in England, is there under the same obligation.

Before: Mr Salmond's testimony made claims against Ms Sturgeon and her office which have now been redacted

After: The Scottish Parliament redacted the most damning parts of Mr Salmond's bombshell evidence against Ms Sturgeon

Alex Salmond (pictured taking the oath ahead of the committee session) said Nicola Sturgeon had cast doubt on the court process that cleared him over harassment allegations, and contradicted the idea he had to prove he had not done anything wrong

'Obviously the parliament shouldn't be interfering in the independence of the prosecution services, but neither should the prosecution service be presuming to interfere in the legitimate business of the parliament.'

And he questioned: 'What is it in the leadership of the Crown Office that is deficient that it is drawing itself in to what is properly the political arena?'

Mr Salmond said he had received a letter to say 'what I was and wasn't allowed to talk about' at the committee.

He said this stated he was not to speak to parts of his evidence which had been 'submitted in good faith to this committee' and which were readily available online.

'The idea that the only place that can't be discussed is in a parliamentary committee is the direct opposite of what should be true,' he said.

'Parliamentary committees should actually be able to discuss things that cannot be discussed elsewhere, because of the proper exercise of parliamentary privilege and the duties of members of parliament.'

Not being able to discuss some parts of his submission was an 'intolerable situation', the former first minister added, insisting this should 'not be allowed to continue'.

The former first minister had been due to attend a hearing on Wednesday, but dramatically withdrew after the Scottish Parliament redacted his written submission detailing claims of a conspiracy and that Ms Sturgeon misled Parliament about what she knew.

Mr Salmond, who was giving evidence in the Robert Burns Room in person rather than over video link, delivered a series of brutal barbs at Ms Sturgeon in his opening comments - and continued to berate his successor throughout hours of examination by MSPs.

Alex Salmond gave evidence to a Holyrood inquiry today amid claims Nicola Sturgeon (pictured yesterday) will have to quit if the former first minister can prove his claims

Mr Salmond appeared in the Robert Burns Room in person today rather than over video link

He dismissed Ms Sturgeon's claim he needed to prove his allegations about failures, saying the courts had already concluded the Scottish government acted illegally.

'I note that the First Minister asserts I have to prove a case, I don't. That has already been done. There have been two court cases, two judges, one jury,' he said.

'In this inquiry it is the Scottish Government, a government which has already admitted to behaving unlawfully, who are under examination.'

He said he had 'watched in astonishment' as Ms Sturgeon cast doubt at a briefing earlier this week on the court finding him innocent. He added there had been 'calculated and deliberate suppression of key evidence' from the committee.

He said: 'I watched in astonishment on Wednesday when the First Minister of Scotland - the First Minister of Scotland - used a Covid press conference - a Covid press conference - to effectively question the result of a jury.'

Mr Salmond said the 'failures of leadership are many and obvious'.

But he said no-one had 'taken responsibility' for the way he was treated, adding there had been no resignations or sackings.

'The Government acted illegally but somehow nobody is to blame,' he added.

Mr Salmond said the previous two years and six months  during his investigation and criminal trial  had been a 'nightmare', but 'we can't turn that page, nor move on, until the decision-making which is undermining the system of government in Scotland is addressed'.

In a pointed swipe at Ms Sturgeon, he said: 'Few would dispute that our country is a better place for achieving our parliament.

'However, the move to independence, which I have sought all my political life, and continue to seek, must be accompanied by institutions whose leadership is strong and robust and capable of protecting each and every citizen from arbitrary authority.'

As the temperature rose again today, there were complaints that SNP members of the committee might be dragging out the session in a bid to prevent it getting to key elements.

Ms Sturgeon has complained that Mr Salmond is spreading a 'dangerous conspiracy theory' by suggesting he was being censored to protect her.

The First Minister said her former political mentor now preferred 'creating an alternative reality' in which the 'organs of the state... were all part of some wild conspiracy' against him.

She also denied having any influence over the Crown Office's decision to request that his statement be redacted as her government faces growing accusations of corruption.

The huge row is threatening to derail Ms Sturgeon's push for another independence referendum with just two months until crucial Holyrood elections - and there are claims she will have to resign if Mr Salmond's accusations are backed up.


Packaged substations are custom-made according to individual customer requirements using products from a wide range which include convenient, single source packaged substation with minimum time and cost. These substations are highly flexible owing to the personalized configurations from the wide spectrum of existing products. The packaged substation housing is prepared from an arrangement of galvanized sheet of steel with particular specifications. Additionally, the sloping roof is made of light reinforced GRP material with peripheral ventilation.

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Spains former King Juan Carlos, who left the country in August due to a number of scandals, has settled a back tax bill worth more than 4 million (3.4 million), El Pais and El Mundo reported on Friday.

It was the second such payment by the former monarch in recent months.

The tax settlement of 4 million was based on 8 million (6.9 million) worth of goods and services he received, the newspapers said. According to El Pais, the payment was to compensate for private flights from which he benefited.

In December, he paid the tax authorities more than 678,000 (about 590,00) including interest and fines, which, according to El Pais, sought to settle alleged illegal credit card transactions with the revenue service to avoid being charged in an investigation and to be able to return to Spain.

Juan Carlos lawyer was not immediately available for comment, while a palace spokesman declined to comment. Through his lawyers, he has over the past months repeatedly declined to comment on corruption allegations.

Prosecutors at Spains Supreme Court have opened several investigations into Juan Carlos business dealings, including those linked to a high-speed train contract in Saudi Arabia.

His son, King Felipe, is the current head of state. Spanish monarchs have immunity during their reign but Juan Carlos abdication in 2014 in favour of his son potentially leaves him vulnerable to prosecution.

Asked about Juan Carlos, Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo said the government can not comment on any citizen relationship with the tax authorities, but added: No one is allowed to break the law. This comment is even more relevant today.

Alberto Garzon, consumer rights minister and member of leftist party Unidas Podemos, was more blunt, saying on Twitter: It is striking how many surprises we are faced with every month with the obscure - and also illegal - financial movements made by the institution that should be the most scrutinised in the whole of democracy, as it is the most protected and privileged: the monarchy.

Juan Carlos has been living in United Arab Emirates since he left Spain. He played a key role in guiding Spain to democracy when he came to the throne after the death of right-wing dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975, but his popularity waned amid a series of financial and family scandals, leading to him stepping down.

Reuters
Jerusalem: Israel has frozen its program to send COVID-19 vaccines abroad to buy international goodwill, Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, after the initiative came under legal scrutiny.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire for donating COVID-19 vaccines to foreign allies, while Palestinians complained that, as an occupying power, Israel should be supplying more to them.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan, which earlier this week reported that Israel would send small shipments to 19 countries, said Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit was seeking clarification about the program.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, meets Theodor Salzen, seated, the 4 millionth person to be vaccinated for the coronavirus in Israel. Credit:AP

An official in Netanyahus office said that after legal questions were raised, Netanyahus national security adviser had asked Mandelblit to give his opinion.
The United States has welcomed the joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors, calling it a "positive step" towards greater peace and stability in South Asia.

Hours after the national capital and Islamabad issued a statement on a meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of two countries, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki welcomed the joint statement and urged both countries to keep building upon the progress.

The White House Press Secretary also said at her daily news conference that the Joe Biden administration remains closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan.

"United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan, that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of a ceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25. This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia, which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress," Psaki said.

Asked if Islamabad is doing enough in the fight against terrorism, she said, "But in terms of an assessment of that I would point you to the State Department or the Intelligence Department."

At a separate press meet, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the administration had called on the parties to reduce tensions along the LoC by returning to the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

"We have been very clear that we condemn the terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control," he said.

'Continue to support direct dialogue between India-Pak on Kashmir'

"When it comes to the US' role, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern, and we certainly welcome the arrangement that was announced that will go into effect I should say on February 25," Price said.

He said Pakistan is an important partner with whom the US shares many interests.

"We, have been clearer in terms of this issue. Obviously, Pakistan has an important role to play when it comes to Afghanistan and what takes place across its other border. So clearly, we will be paying close attention, and we urge the Pakistanis to play a constructive role in all of these areas of mutual interests including in Afghanistan, including with Kashmir including with our other shared interest," Price said.

India-Pakistan joint statement

On Thursday, India and Pakistan have released a joint statement saying that they have held discussions regarding establishing a mechanism for hotline contact among both nations. Both sides also agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) starting from 25 February.

Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan also reviewed the current situation across the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors "in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere".

"Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight of February 24/25," the joint statement said.

The two sides also reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding, it added.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had also said that India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan, however, added that New Delhi's position remains unchanged on key issues.

India has a stated position that talks with Pakistan cannot take place until it stops supporting terrorists and infiltration.

With agency inputs

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Watching the Duke of Sussexs knockabout routine with comedian James Corden on Americas Late Late Show, you soon see why Netflix executives wanted to sign up the Duke and Duchess to make TV programmes.

Here is the impish, funny Harry of yesteryear. Its rather reassuring to see he hasnt been completely erased by Harry the earnest podcasting champion of connection and systemic change.

However, where the new-look Harry seems to have gone entirely native in sunny California is with his glowing endorsement of The Crown  in contrast to the ghastly British media.

I am way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife or myself, he tells Corden.

Like all series of the Crown, the latest series (starring Olivia Colman and Gillian Anderson) is beautifully and expensively produced and yet it does not merely take liberties with the truth - it goes out of its way to subvert it.

At which point, one might expect him to declare a pretty hefty interest. For Prince Harry and The Crown are on the same payroll, answering to the same masters: Netflix.

The Crown is the glossy TV soap which has inflicted grave damage on his family through a catalogue of untruths.

I use that word advisedly because the writer of the series, Peter Morgan, has himself claimed: Im absolutely fastidious about there being an underlying truth.

Prince Harry has now given it his own seal of approval.

Its fictional but its loosely based on the truth, he says in this latest interview (they are coming thick and fast these days).

Of course its not strictly accurate, but, loosely it gives you a rough idea about that lifestyle.

Netflix will, no doubt, be grateful for his remarks. Within the royal orbit, however, many are flabbergasted.

I fully accept that the Duke cannot abide the British media, whom he accuses, en masse, of destroying his mental health. I can only say that I have never received a word of complaint from him about anything I have written.

The Crown hinted the Queen tried to undermine Margaret Thatcher (pictured together in Zambia in 1979)

However, if I were to suggest there was a grain of truth in some of the cavalier fabrications tossed around by The Crown, Id have the royal lawyers stamping on my head. And with good reason.

Take the latest series. Like all of them, it is beautifully and expensively produced.

Yet it does not merely take liberties with the truth. It goes out of its way to subvert it. Harrys father spends an entire decade solely engaged in undermining his first wife.

That is palpably not true.

I wouldnt expect to see a whole plotline based around, say, the creation of the Princes Trust or countless other causes. But a casual observer might be forgiven for wondering what on earth the point of the Prince of Wales is. Because in this show, there is none.

Even worse, in my view, is the way in which it is not merely hinted that the Queen tried to undermine Margaret Thatcher.

In The Crown, the monarch cynically orders a dirty-tricks campaign against her elected prime minister, instructing her Palace press secretary to feed poison to the Sunday Times in 1986.

When it backfires, the press secretary is fired. Yet in truth, it was the press secretary who blabbed.

In real life, the Queen was appalled (Princess Margaret later told a friend it was one of the few occasions when she had seen her sister in tears).

The casual observer, however, will now think otherwise.

For therein lies the problem: most of those who watch The Crown are those casual observers  all over the world.

Unlike Harry, they do not know what is loosely based on the truth. Many wont take it as gospel (though some will) but they will assume it is not wrong. Yes, I know its a drama, people say, before letting slip that they have been duped.

For instance, there is a wholly bogus scene in the first series where Winston Churchills (fictional) assistant is mown down in the London smog thanks to (wicked Tory) pollution.

On three occasions, now, I have heard that stated as true fact. Ditto the truth that the Queen never cried at the wreckage of Aberfan in 1966. Utter, utter rubbish  but now taken as fact.

Suggestions the Queen did not cry at the wreckage of Aberfan, where 144 people including 116 children died, in 1966 is utter, utter rubbish but now taken as fact

The eminent royal biographer Hugo Vickers has spotted so many howlers that he has turned them into a series of enjoyable books.

Just over a year ago, I was listening to an LBC phone-in on Britains relations with the U.S. when a caller blithely reminded the audience that Princess Margaret had rescued the British economy by securing an emergency U.S. loan from President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. No she didnt. It was a made-up plotline from The Crown. Yet it went unchallenged.

No one, perhaps, has stronger grounds to be upset with the series than the Duke of Edinburgh. In some of the earlier episodes he is linked to a (bogus) ballerina and even randomly given a bit-part in the Profumo scandal of 1963.

It was certainly a sensational melange featuring a Tory minister, a Russian spy and a party girl  but no royalty. What the hell. Chuck them in anyway . . .

I would place the fallacies of The Crown in three categories. There are numerous lazy, sloppy inaccuracies  people wearing the wrong medals, dead people suddenly popping up, Churchill dying in high summer, etc. Then there is invention dressed as dramatic licence  like the Windsors trying to humiliate guests at Balmoral (when they go out of their way not to).

Worst of all are the deliberate falsehoods calculated to smear.

In one episode, the Duke of Edinburgh is blamed for causing the death of his favourite sister, Cecile, in a plane crash. In reality, he was a schoolboy and had absolutely nothing to do with a horrific accident which mains one of the great tragedies of his life. I am told that while he has refused to watch any of it, he is mortified to be accused of murdering his own sister.

Equally repugnant is a recent episode in which the Queen Mother confesses that two handicapped cousins were locked away to spare the monarchy from the stigma of mental disability. As Hugo Vickers points out, the two girls were diagnosed by their parents with a severe development disorder inherited from the Trefusis family.

However, the Windsors are the villains in this show. What my family did was unforgivable, says Helena Bonham-Carters Princess Margaret.

They, in turn, might say much the same of Harrys new friends at Netflix.
Recently, there were allegations in the Russian media outlets that the first Karabakh war allegedly began with the events in Sumgait, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Moscow Polad Bulbul oglu said, speaking at an event dedicated to the 29th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy held at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center.

According to the diplomat, the first blood was shed not in Sumgait, it happened much earlier: "Back in February 1988, two young Azerbaijanis were killed in the Askeran region. The large Azerbaijani population was increasingly being squeezed out of Armenia. Azerbaijani schools were closed, massive layoffs of Azerbaijanis took place. They were not accepted in hospitals, they were terrorised on the streets and in public places."

Polad Bulbul oglu also said that in April 1983, Armenian extremists, who were celebrating the "day of genocide", attacked the wedding of the Azerbaijani Gafarovs family in the Zangibasar (Masis) region, killing four and wounding dozens of Azerbaijanis. But despite numerous complaints and appeals, the local police and administration never responded to them. Even after the federal authorities were approached, criminal cases were never opened.

In October 1987, after Heydar Aliyev resigned from the post of First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the mass deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia began. At anti-Azerbaijani rallies in Yerevan, calls to cleanse Armenia of the Turks were voiced. Terrible events took place in Armenia's Gugark District (the Lori Province). On November 27, 1988, it was attacked by Armenian militants, 13 Azerbaijanis were burned alive and more than 70 people were brutally killed. Atrocities against Azerbaijanis took place in Gyumri. Of the 21,000 people living in Amasia region, 18,000 were Azerbaijanis, who were also expelled from their lands where ethnic cleansing took place.

"The leadership of the Soviet Union, led by Gorbachev, acted like nothing was happening. All complaints of Azerbaijanis to the union center remained unanswered or pro forma replies were made. In January 1988, thousands of wounded, exhausted and frightened Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia began to arrive in Baku. In total, more than 250,000 Azerbaijanis were expelled from Armenia," the Azerbaijani diplomat recalled.
Its a lot to unwind, but it boils down to this: The U.S. attorneys office continues to do what other law enforcement agencies in Illinois will not  hold public officials accountable. Just this week, Chicago landed on an unflattering list as the most corrupt city in the country, with Illinois ranking as third most-corrupt state. This, according to a study from the University of Illinois at Chicago based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice.
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Two women who met at work and bonded over being adopted have learned they are biological sisters years into their friendship after taking 23andMe DNA tests.

Cassandra Madison, 32, and Julia Tinetti, 31, became fast friends when they met as employees at the Russian Lady Bar in New Haven, Connecticut, in 2013. They soon learned that they had a mutual connection to the Dominican Republic, where they were both born and adopted from.

'After that moment, we were so tight,' Tinetti told Good Morning America. 'We started hanging out. We would go out for drinks, for dinner. We started dressing alike.'

Say what? Former co-workers Julia Tinetti (left) and Cassandra Madison (right) learned they were biological sisters last month after becoming friends years before

Wow: The sisters met as employees at the Russian Lady Bar in New Haven, Connecticut, in 2013 and soon learned they were both born in the Dominican Republic and adopted

The former co-workers, who both had tattoos of the Dominican Republic flag, were often told they looked like they could be sisters  enough so that they started to wonder if they were related.

Tinetti and Madison compared adoption papers, but the documents didn't match up. According to the paperwork, they were born in two different cities, and their mothers had different last names.

However, they still felt there had to be a connection between them based on their uncanny resemblance and the fact that they were both born in the Dominican Republic and adopted within a year apart.

Madison ended up moving from Connecticut to Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 2015, but she and Tinetti stayed friends on Facebook.

In 2018, Madison's mom gave her a 23andMe DNA test kit for Christmas, which matched her to a first cousin as well as other distant relatives.

Confusing: Tinetti, 31, and Madison, 32, were often told they looked like they could be sisters, but when they compared their adoption papers, the documents didn't match up

Finding family: In 2018, Madison took a 23andMe DNA test that helped her connect with her biological father, Adriano Luna Collado, who still lives in the Dominican Republic

'I did not know that you can find a relative, so that was very much a shock,' she told GMA of finding her biological family.

Madison's cousin helped her locate her birth father, Adriano Luna Collado, who still lives in the Dominican Republic. Her birth mother, Yulianna Collado, died in 2015 after suffering a heart attack.

After finding her relatives, she flew to the Dominican Republic to meet her biological father and siblings for the first time.

During the trip, she asked Collado if he and her mother had given up another child for adoption after she was born.

'He said, "It was just a difficult time for your mom and I. So, I don't like to talk about it. I don't like to think about it,"' she recalled, but he confirmed that they did give up her younger sibling for adoption.

Exciting: After learning her biological parents had given a second child up for adoption, Madison had Tinetti take a DNA test. The test confirmed they were sisters last month

Relatives: Tinetti and Madison are pictured FaceTimeing their birth father, who still lives in the Dominican Republic. They have a total of nine biological siblings

Convinced that Tinetti had to be her sister, Madison had her take a 23andMe DNA test to see if they matched. When the result came back on January 28, it was confirmed that they have the same biological parents.

Madison and Tinetti's birth parents had a total of nine kids together, but they were the only two who were put up for adoption.

Tinetti explained that their mother and father were struggling to care for one of their brothers who was sick when Madison was born.

'On top of the DR being a very poor country, they couldn't take care of us,' she told GMA. 'I was [born] 17 months later and they weren't ready.'

Tinetti said she is excited about finding her birth family and confirming that Madison is her sister, but she admitted she is still 'processing the magnitude of the situation.'

'This is the type of thing you see on TV,' she said, adding: 'People who were adopted are now reaching out to us, which is really special. That to me, [means] more than anything.'
5 things you need to know Monday

News
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree providing for the approval of the new structure of the apparatus of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) and the approval of the maximum number of employees of the apparatus in the amount of 237 staffing positions.

The text of corresponding decree No. 76/2021 of February 26 was published on the website of the head of state.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 26, 2021 - 23:45 | Coronavirus, Japan, All

The number of coronavirus pandemic-induced corporate bankruptcies in Japan reached a monthly record of 126 in February, with the restaurant and apparel industries hardest hit, a survey by a credit research company showed Friday.

The cumulative number of such bankruptcies since the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country in February last year stood at 1,108, Tokyo Shoko Research said.

With many companies staying afloat by relying on public support measures, pandemic-induced corporate failures could start increasing at a faster pace, it said.

Of the cumulative bankruptcies, eating and drinking establishments made up the largest portion at 194, with such businesses in prefectures subject to the state of emergency hit by restrictions on operating hours and calls for residents to refrain from nonessential outings.

In January, Japan declared a state of emergency covering some prefectures and the restrictions remain in place for 10 of them.

The apparel industry including clothing manufacturers and retailers saw 102 bankruptcies, followed by the construction industry with 97 cases. There were 68 bankruptcies in the accommodation industry.

By region, 271 bankruptcies were filed in Tokyo, followed by 106 cases in Osaka Prefecture.
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In this advertising feature, Checklist has compiled 10 companies who can help you get the most out of your business and advise you when you need a helping hand...

This is paid content. Readers are advised to do their own research and take professional advice if suitable before acting on any information.

Take your business global while maintaining privacy

The London Office

Since the pandemic began, many companies have shifted to a working from home model for the foreseeable future, waving goodbye to their former premises.

Not only that, but budding entrepreneurs across the UK have turned to the internet to launch their own businesses, accessing a stream of revenue unaffected by the limitations of endless lockdowns.

However, whether you're an established company or a sole trader, it's still good to have an official base for your business not only to keep things professional, but keep your home address private too.

That's where The London Office can help. They offer virtual central London office addresses to ensure your business looks, well, the business, and your private life remains offline.

Through The London Office, you can also access affordable meeting spaces and a telephone answering service, to help those who are unable to answer every business call.

All new sign-ups for any package get three months free, which include a yearly Virtual Business Address or Virtual Business Plus service  at The London Office's 167-169 Great Portland Street premium office.

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How to cut currency costs

moneycorp international payments

Businesses and individuals may not know how exposed they are to foreign exchange risk, but if you import/export internationally, or simply make or receive payments overseas, you are vulnerable to fluctuating exchange rates, meaning you could be losing out on your hard-earned money.

But there are a number of nifty ways to protect yourself and your business, such as using a specialist foreign exchange service like moneycorp.

moneycorp is an award-winning foreign exchange service that leads the way as premium provider of international payment solutions for over 40 years.

They can provide businesses and individuals with a dedicated relationship manager to guide you through your points of risk and help you identify complimentary tools that could make your money go further.

They can also lock in competitive exchange rates to secure your costs, which in turn could protect margins and improve your revenue.

If youre unsure about your currency exposure, moneycorp also offer a free foreign exchange health assessment. Using historical transaction data from your business over a three, six or 12 month period, their expert team will use the data to provide accurate information on the available exchange rate on the relevant currency for each payment.

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Business training for finance, banking, accountancy and digital

Kaplan

Training is an essential part of not only growing a business but its employees too. When it comes to finance, accountancy and digital training, you need to know youre investing in trusted experts so your company and your staff can flourish.

As a world-leading apprenticeship provider, Kaplan is currently offering a free consultation to ensure youre fully up to date with the very latest information regarding training. For instance, from April 1 this year, all non-levy paying organisations are able to reserve funding for up to 10 apprentices. Can you utilise this funding to upskill your existing staff or recruit your future workforce?

As part of its training consultation, Kaplan will be able to advise you on available government funding and apprenticeships, accountancy and tax training programmes, digital training programmes and more.

With 75 of the FTSE Top 100 companies using Kaplan Financial in the UK for accountancy, banking, finance and digital training, it seems clear who you can trust when it comes to training your staff.

The Info: Click here to find out more and request a call-back and arrange your free consultation.

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Cyber attacks, 18iT defends

18iT

The pandemic forced businesses across the country to adapt to virtual ways of working fast. But nearly a year on, many companies are still struggling with IT problems around enabling their staff to connect and access data as needed in a safe and secure way.

Enter 18iT. These tech whizzes have years of experience in all aspects of IT and understand that you need the complete solution  software, hardware, training of users. Doing this will enable your business to run smoothly in the new digital world.

18iT offer solutions that are targeted to defend your business and repel cyber-attacks. These include Threat Prevention, Access Management, Application Control, Patch Management and Email Security.

Simply email their team and they can walk you through the whole process of what they can offer, not only ensuring that they understand your objectives, needs and requirements, but also give you peace of mind that your IT is in safe hands.

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Hand hygiene made easy

Handstations.co.uk

With the end of the lockdown era in sight, many businesses will be preparing their offices so that their employees can safely return to work.

For this, hand hygiene is at the top of the agenda - and Handstations.co.uk is here to help.

Handstations.co.uk supplies hand sanitisation products that make it easy and accessible to maintain a high standard of hand hygiene at work and at home.



This premier supplier of automatic, touch-free hand sanitiser dispensers and sanitiser also offer PPE equipment and Healgen Covid Antigen Rapid Test Kits, all of which is available with next Day delivery, a high level of customer service and great prices.

Their alcohol and alcohol-free sanitisers are available as liquids and gels in refill packs, all of which kill up to 99.9% of illness-causing germs. Plus, Handstations.co.uk have a range of easy to assemble, automatic dispensers in three variations: Desktop, Free Standing and Wall Mounted.

Each HandStation is battery-powered (batteries included), so you can place them anywhere you like.

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Improve business efficiency AND boost profitability

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Written and directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli

Miss Marx, an Italian-Belgian production written and directed by actress-filmmaker Susanna Nicchiarelli, concerns itself with the latter part of Eleanor Marxs lifefrom the death of her famous father, Karl Marx, in March 1883 to her own suicide in March 1898.

Miss Marx

The film covers certain aspects of Eleanors political and public activity, but it leans heavily toward an interest in her emotional life. Miss Marx is strongly colored by the writer/directors feminist outlook and tends to project that into (and impose it onto) the past.

Nicchiarellis work opens in 1883. Eleanor Marx (Romola Garai), known to her family as Tussy, eulogizes her father (He died in harness, his intellect untouched) at her parents shared grave in London. Eleanor soon meets playwright Edward Aveling (Patrick Kennedy) at a lecture he is delivering on the poet Percy Shelley (she and Aveling will later co-author a pamphlet on the subject, Shelleys Socialism, 1888). Their relationship kindled, Aveling joins her on a trip to America where they learn that even cowboys are exploited by their bosses.

Eleanor Marx has come down in history as a socialist fighter, a thoroughgoing internationalist and, concretely, a significant and determined participant in the development of New unionism in Britain, the organization of highly exploited, unskilled workers (dockers, seamen, gasworkers, general laborers and others). She was in the thick of the explosive class battles that erupted in the country from the late 1880s.

While the makers of Miss Marx have included a few factory scenes and several brief discussions on workers conditions, its dramatic heart clearly lies in the small change of Eleanors life, at least as envisioned by Nicchiarelli. That includes Eleanors turbulent relationship with Avelinga womanizer, profligate and opium smokerand her real or alleged frustrations with her father, who wanted everything for me except for my freedom.

In one especially disagreeable sequence, Eleanor and Aveling spend an evening in the company of Havelock Ellis (Freddy Drabble), the social reformer and sex researcher, and Olive Schreiner (Karina Fernandez), the South African author, suffragette and anti-war campaigner, indulging in trite conversation and drugs.

Romola Garay in Miss Marx

In a further indication of Miss Marxs general orientation and interests, Nicchiarelli has included a pivotal, prolonged scene in which a dying Friedrich Engels (John Gordon Sinclair) whispers to Eleanor that her father Karl, and not he, sired Freddy (Oliver Chris), the son of the Marx family housekeeper Helene Demuth (Felicity Montagu). Eleanors shrieking, hysterical reaction to this revelation is only matched by the periodic ear-bending insertions of post-rock band Gatto Ciliegia contro il Grando Freddo.

Ones reaction to the Demuth revelation, true or not, is, first of all, who could possibly concern him or herself with such a matter at this point in history? It is predictable that Nicchiarelli should engage in such pointless gossip-mongering. On the one hand, the revelation is intended to diminish Marx, making him out, after all, to be nothing more than another unreliable womanizer; and, on the other, more generally, the supposed scandal confirms the director and her social ilk in their conviction that, in truth, everybody has always been just like them.

In the film, Freddy and Eleanor visit her parents grave where the latter asks incredulously: How did they [her parents] go on after the affair? Nicchiarelli would like to have it both ways. She wants to create Eleanor in her own image, as a free-thinking Bohemianbut then, to make points against Karl Marx and knock him off his pedestal, the director portrays his daughter as a conventionally outraged Victorian.

Toward the end of the movie, Nicchiarelli steps up her ideological sleight-of-hand, putting words in Eleanors mouth, whether invented or merely taken out of context, that would transform her into a 21st century feminist.

All in all, Miss Marx does not make a big or favorable impression. It is not especially malicious, but it badly misses the mark on Marx. Why? Nicchiarelli and company come from a sharply different milieu, with an opposed social and political orientation, than that to which Eleanor Marx belonged. It is a little bit like a quack attempting to portray a great, pioneering physician. Director Nicchiarelli, unfortunately, has little notion of what it entails to dedicate oneself to the emancipation of the working class: sacrifice, selflessness, patience and principles.

Miss Marx (2020)

It is very difficult for the contemporary filmmaker, even (or perhaps especially) of the left variety, to grasp that sort of commitment and far-sightedness. Therefore, she or he searches for the personal crises, the individual foibles and often tries to cut monumental historical figures down to size, specifically to her or his size. As Nicchiarelli states in an interview: I believe that Eleanors story requires delicate irony: her love life was both absurd and tragic, her plight more than familiar to women today.

In Miss Marx, the brief references to Karl Marx are largely pejorative, and Engels, another intellectual giant, appears as little more than a plot device. Laura Marx (Eleanors older sister) and her husband Paul Lafargue, active in the French socialist movement, lead a conventional bourgeois existenceshe, content to remain in the kitchen, and he, happy to raise chickens. Above all, however, Eleanor is surrounded by overbearing, oppressive and selfish men.

As part of the general ideological regression that has dominated left academic circles for decades and decades, the creators of Miss Marx reduce historical and class issues to little more than a passive background. To them, the inner history of the individuals, their personal passions and sorrows, constitute the active, intriguing side of life. What really counts, in other words, are sex, death and certain family relationships.

In the face of these conceptions, a brief biographical sketch of Eleanor Marx seems in order.

Jenny Julia Eleanor Marx was born in London on January 15, 1855, the sixth child and fourth daughter of Karl Marx and Jenny von Westphalen. Fluent in several languages, she was a prodigy who edited her fathers work, campaigned for the eight-hour working day, helped establish International May Day and translated Ibsen and Flaubert.

Her most recent biographer, Rachel Holmes, writes: Tussys [Eleanors family nickname] childhood intimacy with [Marx] whilst he wrote the first volume of Das Kapital provided her with a thorough grounding in British economic, political and social history. Tussy and Capital grew up together.

The first British socialist organization (called the Democratic Federation) was formed in 1881. When it was re-formed in 1884 as the Social Democratic Federation, Eleanor was among its founding members. Until her death 17 years later, she lectured and wrote on behalf of socialism; helped organize strikes, rallies, election campaigns; and played a role in the internecine struggles that went on in every socialist group to which she belonged, asserts one biographer.

In 1880s, Eleanor took an interest in the theater, believing that it could be an important means of propagating socialism. Additionally, she wrote numerous books and longer essays, including The Factory Hell (1885), The Women Question (1886), The Working Class Movements in America (1888) and The Working Class Movement in England (1896).

As a result principally of a personal crisis bound up with Avelings behavior, Eleanor Marx committed suicide on March 31, 1898. She was 43 years old.

In 1895, the German Marxist Wilhelm Liebknecht (father of Karl Liebknecht) wrote of Eleanor: The author of the Working Class Movement in England has accurately mastered and pictured the position of the English workers. She has written from the heart. She has lived and fought with the English workers, and learnt to love them. She is one with them, and is herself a part of the modern English workers movement. In eloquent words she gives us a faithful picture of men and things. And she shows us the distinguishing mark of the English workers movement and of all English history, the steady advance, the firm retention of what has been conquered, the earnest pressing forward in spite of everything. And always forward towards the goal; never by leaps, sometimes with swift, sometimes with slow strides, often a zig-zag, often by side pathsbut always forward, always nearer to the goal.

In Eleanors period, it was elementary to view society in class, not gender, terms. She wrote, for example: We are not women arrayed in struggle against men but workers who are in struggle against the exploiters. And: The real womens party, the socialist partyhas a basic understanding of the economic causes of the present adverse position of workingwomen andcalls on the workingwomen to wage a common fight hand-in-hand with the men of their class against the common enemy, viz. the men and women of the capitalist class.

Furthermore, in 1891, she argued that Socialist and Socialism, once terms of reproach and scorn, are becoming the best passports to the respect and trust of the working class. ... Each nation has, and must have, its own special means and methods of work. But whatever those means and methods, the end is one all the world overthe emancipation of the working class, the abolition of all class rule.

Long live the International Solidarity of the Working Class Movement!

Katie Holmes was spotted surfacing from lockdown in New York this week arm in arm with her dashing beau Emilio Vitolo Jr.

The 42-year-old actress warded off the wintertime chill in a thick black anorak, letting her luxurious hair flow free in the breeze.

She slipped into a pair of midnight blue slacks and black leather boots and accessorized with a hounds-tooth handbag.

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On the move: Katie Holmes was spotted surfacing from lockdown in New York this week arm in arm with her dashing beau Emilio Vitolo Jr.

Katie and her boyfriend both took the precaution of wearing masks as they stepped out amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile her sizzling boyfriend cut a dapper figure in a camel-colored turtleneck under a perfectly fitted checked coat.

Nearly two weeks ago Katie hinted on social media that the man in her life had given her a dozen roses for Valentine's Day.

Emilio, a heartthrob chef who runs the restaurant Emilio's Ballato with his father, has been linked to Katie since last September.

Legging it: The 42-year-old actress warded off the wintertime chill in a thick black anorak, letting her luxurious hair flow free in the breeze

Chic as can be: The versatile actress accessorized with a hounds-tooth handbag

While in lockdown Katie has also been spending time with her 14-year-old daughter Suri whom she shares with her ex-husband Tom Cruise.

After her divorce from celebrity Scientologist Tom, Katie spent years dating Jamie Foxx, whom she split from in 2019.

Katie and Jamie only went public as a couple in late 2017, though there had been speculation they were an item since 2013.

Careful: Katie and her boyfriend both took the precaution of wearing masks as they stepped out amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

There was a swirl of rumors that Katie's divorce agreement prohibited her from publicly dating anyone for five years after her 2012 split with Tom.

The Batman Begins actress initially began dating Tom in 2005, and seven weeks into the relationship, they were engaged.

Their Scientologist wedding was held at the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Bracciano in November 2006, seven months after their daughter Suri was born.

Meanwhile: Her sizzling boyfriend cut a dapper figure in a camel-colored turtleneck under a perfectly fitted checked coat

Background: Emilio, a heartthrob chef who runs the restaurant Emilio's Ballato with his father, has been linked to Katie since last September

Katie filed in 2012 for a divorce that was finalized only 10 days later, with Suri's mother retaining primary custody, though Tom could visit, according to People.

Ron Miscavige, father of Scientology leader David Miscavige, told the MailOnline in 2016 that Katie's misgivings about Scientology - including the effect it could have on Suri - contributed to her decision to leave Tom.

Tom has not been pictured with Suri in seven years and an Us Weekly source alleged in 2018: 'Every person is allowed to see their child if they wanted to. He chooses not to because she is not a Scientologist.'
Several Victorian schools have issued messages to parents in response to a deluge of sexual assault claims made by young women across the country who voiced their stories as part of a movement demanding better education around consent.

Private schools Xavier College and Geelong Grammar School wrote to their school communities this week after a petition started by Sydney woman Chanel Contos called for sexual consent to be taught in schools from a young age.

It saw hundreds of young women come forward with disturbing allegations of sexual assault and rape from their time as students or soon after, with many describing being forced to perform sex acts or being assaulted while intoxicated or passed out.

Chanel Contos, whose online petition calling on people to come forward with allegations of sexual assault is forcing schools to change.

Among those who anonymously recounted their stories were two students who said they previously attended Geelong Grammar, south-west of Melbourne.
The SDFs all-female YPJ has publicly thanked Hillary Clinton for her interest in making a film about fighters experiences, writes North Press.

The Womens Protection Units (YPJ), an all-female force which is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), sent a thank-you note to the former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea for their proposal to produce a drama series The Daughters of Kobani: A Story of Rebellion, Courage, and Justice.

Nesrin Abdullah, YPJ Commander-in-Chief started the message by expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the YPJ fighters to HiddenLight Productions for its idea to produce the TV series.

Many tried to write or document stories like that of our struggle in Syria, but few succeeded in excluding a personal perspective and did not reflect the reality for promotional or commercial purposes, Abdullah said.

Abdullah expressed hope that the production will reflect the realities on the ground and shed light on our endeavors to bring about a better place for women in the region.

We would also be more than happy to provide any possible assistance needed to make such a production happen, she added.

Abdullah pointed out that this project is a testament for history to be made and told by women.

We, the free women of Syria, are making history here; we are fighting on the ground to protect our existence and our rights; and you, in the free world, are documenting this historical event and conveying the reality of the fight for freedom, justice, humanity, and women right to the world, Abdullah concluded.

On February 16, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon issued her book The Daughters of Kobani: A Story of Rebellion, Courage, and Justice about the role of the YPJ fighters against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.

The book was published by Penguin Random House, a publishing company in New York which is known for publishing valuable books.

The 254-page book is separated into ten parts, which include details about YPJ fighters experiences alongside photos of main personalities.

The former US Secretary of States HiddenLight Productions family-run company declared that it granted the right to make a drama series based on the book.

Clinton said that she chose the book, because it imitates the reality of women, who fought next to men in battlefields defending their lands against extremist groups, according to the BBC.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.


Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Bible Colleges for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 187 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 187 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Bible Colleges. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-bible-colleges/

2021 Bible Colleges featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Amridge University

Appalachian Bible College

Arizona Christian University

The Baptist College of Florida

Baptist University of the Americas

Barclay College

Bethel University

Bethel University

Biola University

Briar Cliff University

Bryan College

Calvary University

Campbellsville University

Cedarville University

Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary

Clarks Summit University

Clear Creek Baptist Bible College

Eastern University

Freed-Hardeman University

Goshen College

Grace Christian University

Grace College of Divinity

Heritage Christian University

Hope College

Huntington University

Johnson University

Judson University

Kentucky Mountain Bible College

King's University

Kuyper College

Lancaster Bible College

LeTourneau University

Manhattan Christian College

Master's College

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Moody Bible Institute

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Multnomah University

Nazarene Bible College

North Greenville University

Northwestern College

Oak Hills Christian College

Oral Roberts University

Ozark Christian College

Piedmont International University

Saint Louis Christian College

Southeastern Baptist College

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Taylor University

Toccoa Falls College

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

DETROIT, Feb. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels is Segmented by Vessel Type (Type II, Type III, and Type IV), by Application Type (CNG Vehicles, Hydrogen Vehicles, and Gas Transport), by Vehicle Type (Light Vehicles, Medium & Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026.

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's epoxy resin market used in pressure vessels for alternative fuels and future possibilities for the forecast period 2021 to 2026. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed and comprehensive manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available as well as formulate growth strategies.

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels: Highlights from the Report

Epoxy resin is widely used for manufacturing composite pressure vessels for alternative fuels, due to its various benefits. epoxy resin provides extremely high strength to hollow cylindrical pressure vessels. Due to its flexibility, it also provides pressure vessels the capability to absorb the strain produced due to the pressurization of vessel walls in all directions. It holds the structural fiber in its position and is compatible with other reinforcing fibers including glass fiber and aramid fiber. It also contributes to the durability and chemical resistance of the pressure vessels.

Composite pressure vessels are fabricated through the filament winding process (both dry and wet) which offers a high degree of fiber orientation with high fiber loading. The process provides high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent uniformity. Carbon fiber combined with epoxy resin matrix offers high strength and weight advantages and is one of the preferred materials of choice for developing pressure vessels.

Impact of COVID-19

The global epoxy resin market in pressure vessels for alternative fuels grew continuously from 2015 to 2019 and was estimated to maintain its upward growth trajectory in 2020 as well. However, the rapid spread of the pandemic has drastically changed the entire market dynamics. The pandemic worsened the existing challenges of the automotive industry, weakened the industry sales to its lowest figure of the decade, which, in turn, affected the demand for epoxy resins in pressure vessels for alternative fuels.

Analogous to the projected recoveries in the industrial estimates for the automotive industry, the study of market recoveries in previous downturns (The Great Recession) and primary interviews across the supply chain, Stratview Research's estimates suggest that the market for epoxy resin in pressure vessels for alternative fuels is likely to start rebounding from 2021, followed by maintaining sequential growth till 2026, ultimately reaching the value of US$ 31.8 million by 2026.

Continuous rise in the demand for lightweight components in the automotive industry to achieve the fuel efficiency targets and growing focus of automakers towards alternative fuel options to reduce carbon footprint are the factors suggesting healthy long-term growth opportunities in the epoxy resin market in pressure vessels for alternative fuels once the aftermath of the pandemic ends.

Click Here and Run Through the TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/192/epoxy-resin-market-in-pressure-vessels.html

Based on the vessel type, type IV tank is likely to witness the fastest recovery in the market over the next five years, after being least hit in 2020 by the pandemic and so is the demand for epoxy resins in this vessel type. Type IV tank incorporates a greater amount of carbon epoxy composites and offers maximum weight savings as compared to other pressure vessel types. There is an increasing penetration of type IV tanks, particularly in mass transit buses and medium & heavy-duty vehicles. For medium & heavy-duty commercial vehicles, higher fuel density and lower mass of these vessels permit greater range and fuel efficiency, increased operational interval between refueling stops, and reduced maintenance cost.

Based on the application type, CNG vehicle alone accounted for more than 80% of the epoxy resin market in the pressure vessels for alternative fuels in 2019 and is expected to remain the largest application type over the next five years as well. Hydrogen vehicle currently generates a low demand for pressure vessels including epoxy resins, but it is plausible that there would be a spike in the production of hydrogen vehicles in the coming years as more than ten automakers have already released FCV demonstrators and test fleets.

Based on the vehicle type, light vehicle is likely to remain the most dominant segment of the market in the coming years. All the vehicle type segments are expected to log a massive decline in the rate (20%+ YoY in 2020) in the wake of the pandemic. After being severerly hit by the pandemic, the light vehicle segment is expected to rebound at the fastest pace in the coming years. Natural gas vehicles are less pollutant than gasoline or diesel-based vehicles, so there has been an increasing trend towards the usage of light vehicles powered with alternative fuels, such as CNG to curb carbon emissions.

Enquire Here for a Free Sample of the Detailed Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/192/epoxy-resin-market-in-pressure-vessels.html#form

Despite being one of the worst-affected regions in 2020, Europe is projected to maintain its supremacy in the market over the next five years, driven by increased demand for alternative fuel vehicles incorporating composite pressure vessels. Major European automakers are launching new auto models with powertrains dependent on CNG to leverage the abundant shale gas resources. Majority of them are utilizing lightweight tanks to reduce vehicle's weight to achieve European carbon emission standards.

The global epoxy resin market in pressure vessels is highly consolidated with the presence of a few major global players including Aditya Birla Chemicals Ltd., Hexion Inc, Huntsman Corporation, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, Olin Corporation, and The 3M Company. All the major players of the market are well diversified and supplying epoxy resin for various applications. New product development and collaboration with pressure vessel manufacturers are some of the key strategies adopted by epoxy resin manufacturers to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the global epoxy resin market in pressure vessels for alternative fuels and has segmented the market in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the four ways in which the market is segmented:

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, by Vessel Type

Type II ( Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Type III (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Type IV (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, by Application Type

CNG Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Hydrogen Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Gas Transport (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, by Vehicle Type

Light Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Medium & Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles (M&HCV) (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Epoxy Resin Market in Pressure Vessels for Alternative Fuels, By Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA and Canada )

Europe (Country Analysis: France , Germany , Italy , Norway , the UK, and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China , Japan , Thailand , Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , Argentina , and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the composites and advanced materials industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Advanced-Materials.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research, and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.

Stratview Research has launched 'Composights', an online portal which offers free thought leadership reports, whitepapers, market report synopsis and much more for Composites and allied industries, worth US$ 20,000 every year.

Click here to sign up (No costs involved): https://www.stratviewresearch.com/composights/sign-in

For enquiries, please contact:

Stratview Research

E-mail: [email protected]

Direct: +1-313-307-4176

SOURCE Stratview Research
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Commenting on the case, Ambedkar International Center (AIC) said that American workplaces must be caste-free zones.

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A Washington DC based organization Ambedkar International Center (AIC), fighting against caste and ancestry based discrimination both in India and the United States, has filed an amicus curiae brief in opposition to defendant Cisco Systems, Inc.s demurrer and motion to strike.

The motion was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, Santa Clara, California. This is a landmark case in which the State of California alleges that a major tech-industry employer has violated civil rights laws by discriminating against an Indian worker because he was born into the lowest Indian caste. This brief would help the court rule on Ciscos motions by shedding light on the nature of caste discrimination. As the brief makes clear, caste is hereditary, and casteism is therefore a form of ancestry discrimination forbidden by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Casteism is also a form of race and colour discrimination, AIC says.

Sanjay Kumar, President of Ambedkar International Center Inc. said in a statement, (AIC) intends to lead such an effort, in order to send a clear message to the corporate world that any discrimination based on caste especially at the workplaces will not be tolerated. This case will set an example and strengthen the core values of the constitution of the United State of America.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-27 00:52:31|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Feb. 25, 2021 shows the Tseung Kwan O bridge under construction in south China's Hong Kong. A prefabricated double-arch steel bridge for the Cross Bay Link, Tseung Kwan O, was erected on the bridge piers on Friday in Hong Kong using the "float-over method." Upon completion, it will be the longest span and heaviest steel arch bridge in Hong Kong and another landmark cross-sea structure. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

HONG KONG, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A prefabricated double-arch steel bridge for the Cross Bay Link, Tseung Kwan O, was erected on the bridge piers on Friday in Hong Kong using the "float-over method."

Upon completion, it will be the longest span and heaviest steel arch bridge in Hong Kong and another landmark cross-sea structure.

The cross bay link in Tseung Kwan O is about 1.8 km long, of which 1 km is a marine viaduct and the steel bridge is an integral part of the marine viaduct.

The project team adopted the "float-over method" to erect the bridge which weighs over 10,000 tonnes, and the team also took the tidal conditions into account for the erection.

The entire process lasted about five hours, starting from 7 a.m. local time until close to noon, according to a spokesman for the Civil Engineering and Development Department.

This is the first time that the "float-over method" has been applied for bridge erection in China, said Kan Jun, director of the China Road and Bridge Corporation which is the contractor of the main bridge of the Link and associated works.

Kan said on Thursday that his team had conducted a meticulous analysis of every step to ensure smooth execution of the erection process.

The bridge project adopted off-site fabrication and assembly, whole bridge delivery and on-site installation, Kan said, adding that it is a breakthrough that high strength S690 steel is used for arches of the bridge.

To increase efficiency, the steel bridge components were prefabricated in the mainland and the 200-meter-long bridge was delivered to Hong Kong on Feb. 16 from Nantong, eastern Jiangsu Province.

The "Eternity Arch" option is adopted for the appearance of the marine viaduct. Two outwardly leaning arches and the gradually narrowing piers form an inter-connected ring. To view from both shores, it appears as a mathematical symbol of infinity, which echoes with the vibrant town of Tseung Kwan O.

Spanning across Junk Bay and featuring a carriageway with a cycle track and footpath, the Cross Bay Link will connect the southeastern areas of Tseung Kwan O with the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel and provide linkage to Tiu Keng Leng and Tseung Kwan O town center. The project is scheduled for completion in 2022. Enditem
Edmund Wood had no idea what kind of a business he wanted to create  he just knew that he wanted to leave his managerial role at a noodle factory and launch a start-up.

It was during a trip to Bordeaux, when he tried a vanilla infused rum, that he was inspired to make his own hazelnut creation.

Edmund says: 'My inspiration came from flavours I loved as a child such as Florentines, Snickers and Dairy Milk Whole Nut and more recent ones like a Kinder Bueno.'

Noodles to nuts: Edmund ditched his job as a manager of a noodle factory to create his own hazelnut rum

He believed the hype around the gin industry had passed its peak, so he was certain he didn't want to enter it.

He felt that with rum, he'd found a gap in the market and started his business aged 29.

'I homed in on spirits and I'd seen what had happened with the gin boom. Rum was the only one of the four major spirit groups that hadn't become premium yet.'

He also felt he could create something as appealing as some of the more popular spirits. 'I thought why can't rum look as beautiful as a craft gin, and taste as delicious as a single malt whisky? I want to open up the world of rum to people like me.'

It was from these ideas and musings that Belgrove rum was created. Edmund says he named the rum after William Belgrove  an 18th century pioneer in rum making.

'He wasn't afraid to try something new in the pursuit of quality, and in doing so, became prolific for his time. I'm doing something similar, so a homage to the man himself seemed somehow fitting.'

While Edmund is based in London and the rum comes from the only remaining rum distillery in Guyana - the Diamond Distillery.

He says: 'I wanted a rum that was well recognised and well respected, and most importantly smooth and paired perfectly with the flavours I was introducing.

'So I focussed on Guyana and Barbados initially as opposed to the more fiery Jamaican rum styles; and after several tastings, a pure Demerara rum from Guyana was the clear winner.'

Belgrove can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be drunk neat, with Coke or used to create cocktails like the Martini or Old Fashioned

I said no to investors...

Edmund says he shunned the idea of getting investors on board and instead started the business with 100,000 of his own savings that he had accumulated over six and a half years.

He says: 'I knew in order to do it properly, to create a product and a brand that could seriously compete in the spirits industry, Id need to invest a significant sum. Especially in year one where you have to invest heavily in PR, digital assets and trade shows in order to get your brand name out there and meet buyers.'

There are already signs that he wants to sell the business but he's not quite there yet.

He says: 'When I started my business my goal was to create a saleable company with significant value by the time I was 35 (Im 31 currently), not with the sole intention of selling though, but I figured if you design a company and its products with this in mind, you make far more incisive decisions and create a more valuable company.

What is Belgrove? Even though Belgrove is a hazelnut flavoured rum, it's allergen free. Edmund Wood, founder of Belgrove says: 'We use natural flavours which don't have any of the allergenic proteins in them. 'I used to run a cooking oil factory which produced groundnut oil - that's where I learnt the science behind it.' Edmund also cut sugar out as an ingredient to create a dry drink that was not to 'sickly sweet'. The rum can be enjoyed in many different ways. Edmund says: 'It makes the most amazing Espresso Martini, Pina Colada and Old Fashioned - also amazing with Coke or just neat.'

'This boils down to a relentless pursuit of delighting our customers, and giving them the drinks Id love to drink with my friends.'

He maintains investors would have held him back. He explains: 'I didn't want investors who were after a short-term payoff that wanted me to be stocked in Aldi but then never progress to Waitrose and John Lewis.

'A lot of people I know take investment. It sounds good but they spend half their time just updating investors on what they are doing.

'They get pushed down certain routes as that is what the shareholders want. I wanted autonomy and to take the direction I wanted.

'I knew I wouldn't be doing what I wanted to do if I gave a chunk of the business away.'

The strategy appears to have paid off.

The business celebrated its two-year anniversary in January.

This milestone wasn't achieved without its challenges though. In the first year, Belgrove made a loss.

Wood says: '2019 was the first year  turnover was 50,000 because I was doing a lot of trade shows that cost a lot. I hired brand ambassadors and a PR team, so it was a heavy cost. Year one was a 30,000 loss.

'But I knew that would happen. Year two, in 2020, the turnover was lower at 22,000 and profit was 4,000  so my business was a lot leaner than year one.'

His business had also been impacted by the pandemic.

Ive got orders due for export within the next two weeks, but a lot of producers are struggling to export stock currently as lots of hauliers are refusing to transport goods to the EU because of long delays at the border Edmund Wood, founder of Belgrove Edmund Wood, founder of Belgrove

He says: 'I had one year to set up before the pandemic hit. It was a shame  I got some nice listings with Fenwick.

'I was all ready to go and wanted to capitalise on it, but the rug was pulled out from underneath. The new listings weren't going to happen as no one was selling anything. I had to switch to online.'

It's only now, in year three, that he's starting to see the fruits of his labour. Edmund says of the milestone: 'I haven't taken a salary so far. I've just lived off savings but making it to year three was most important.'

But with the expansion of the business, drawing a salary from it for the first time could soon be a reality. This month, Belgrove stock is being sent to Germany, France and the Maldives.

For year three he expects the business to generate around 150,000 in turnover and 50,000 profit  but he's still tentative to commit to this figure as it is still in its early days of year three and there are lots of risks.

Brexit hasn't caused him problems yet, but it's about to as he predicts he'll struggle to get the rum across to Europe.

He says: 'I've got orders due for export within the next two weeks, but a lot of producers are struggling to export stock currently as lots of hauliers are refusing to transport goods to the EU because of long delays at the border.'

Even though Belgrove is a hazelnut flavoured rum, it's allergen free. It's also zero sugar

Online selling challenges

The rum can be bought online from Amazon (32.95), Master of Malt (28.75) and Selfridges online and in store.

Edmund chose to sell through Amazon and Master of Malt instead of his own website as he felt everyone is familiar with the multinational e-commerce website.

'I encountered roughly as many issues as you have flying to the moon - Amazon Prime is such a beast. Edmund Wood, founder of Belgrove Edmund Wood, founder of Belgrove

He says: 'A lot of people prefer to just buy from somewhere they know instead of signing up to yet another individual site and input their payment details yet again.

'Plus, you already have a captive audience to advertise to on Amazon, where people are already in the buying mood versus having to make ads on social media.'

Getting onto Amazon was, however, a challenge. 'I encountered roughly as many issues as you have flying to the moon - Amazon Prime is such a beast.

'Once, they dispatched an entire case when someone ordered a single bottle. It took four months to sort it out as it was so complex. Now it's up and running and it's wonderful and a great place to sell and advertise.'

Edmund says getting onto Amazon was difficult initially, but that getting his product in Selfridges was as simple as speaking to the people working on the shop floor

While he applied to stock his product on Amazon online, Edmund adopted a different strategy when approaching Selfridges to stock his brand.

'A lot of people - when they give advice on getting into shops  say that you should get on LinkedIn and contact the buyer.

'Instead, I went into the store and started chatting to staff on the floor and told them about my rum.

'Through them, I met the boss and eventually the buyer. It was a longer way to get in touch with the buyer but with internal referrals I believe I got further. The guy on the floor knows me now. That just made sense to me.'

While Edmund initially spent a fortune hiring a PR team in the first year, his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to try and manage the social media side of the business themselves.

He says: 'There is a tendency in new, young founders to feel that you have to employ other people to do social media or to do the testing of the product.

'You may think you need to outsource, but only you know what you want to create and how you want the brand to feel. You're probably the best person for that.

'There's a tendency to think "I need an agency to work on this," and it can help, of course, but when people want to connect online they don't want a hollow conversation.'
The company is well-funded going forward to extend its COGS inventory for rapid project deployment and provide additional funds for ongoing R&D and technology development to maintain and enhance SenSens leading position in its business segments.

The company recently listed on the US OTC markets and has seen a more than 300% increase on its stock price since the start of FY21

( ) ( ) recorded its best-ever half-yearly result since listing on the ASX, reporting revenues of A$2.5 million for the six months to December 31, 2020.

Record revenue represents 33% year-on-year (YoY) growth compared to A$1.88 million reported for the December 2019 period.

The companys strong financial performance and support from shareholders have been reflected in the positive performance of its stock with a more than 300% increase on the price since the start of FY21.

This period also saw the company list on the US OTC markets, complete its first-ever acquisition and complete a capital raise with high-profile institution and high-conviction global equities fund manager VGI Partners.

SenDISA platform

The companys SenDISA platform gathers data from multiple live camera feeds as well as data from disparate sensors such as GPS, Lidar and other IoT devices in real-time, then analyses the data to find patterns and trends hidden within the data.

Three critical components - data fusion, AI algorithms, software - work together to produce results that improve the productivity and safety of our customers operations and deliver business insights that are otherwise impossible to obtain from traditional data sources.

The company is currently focused on two market segments:

Roads and Parking with customers in city councils, transport agencies, tolling companies and parking management operators; and

Buildings and Spaces with customers in casinos, airports, retail stores and shopping centres.

Scalability of the platform

While these two market segments are both large and offer significant growth opportunities for the company in coming years, SenSens long-term vision is to launch more products and services into new market verticals to truly realise the full potential of the platform.

The company has proven the accuracy and scalability of the platform and introduced products in diverse use cases such as parking enforcement in Smart Cities; security and safety in some of the worlds busiest airports; and live customer activity tracking at casino gaming tables.

These disparate markets and use cases, while delivering growing annual recurring revenue to SenSen, are also funding further development of the platform to support the companys vision to be the software platform of choice to solve multiple industry problems vital to real-time monitoring of business operations, staff and customers.

New customers and contract renewals

Several new customers were added since July 2020 contributing to both upfront revenues and ARR to the company, including:

New ARR-generating customers added this half-year include multiple city councils in Australia and New Zealand, multiple private car park monitoring operators, and two new customers from Singapore in the intelligent security vertical; and

All existing customer contracts that were due for renewal were renewed including Brisbane City Council, City of Calgary and Changi International Airport (via our partner Beacon) continuing our record of near-zero churn.

The multi-camera, multi-sensor data fusion software platform can be reconfigured on demand to meet a multitude of customer use case requirements.

Successful technology trials

The company has recently successfully completed several high-profile technology trials and is working with the customers and partners involved to explore ways to take them into production.

The trials include:

Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) distracted driver detection  trials for detecting people using smartphones while driving;

Canterbury-Bankstown Trial 1  School zone safety;

Canterbury- Bankstown Trial 2  Off-street parking monitoring & management;

Transport for NSW - Powering a better citizen parking experience with UbiPark;

Brisbane City Council  Environmental Mapping Technology to further enhance the citys operations; and

Chicago Parking Meters  Environmental Mapping Technology for Chicagos city applications.

New technology trials underway

Some of the new trials initiated in this financial year and still under progress are:

Multiple paid trials with a city council in Victoria;

Bus lane enforcement in Singapore;

New technology trials in City of Las Vegas and other cities in partnership with a leading US telco operator;

New technology trials are in progress with existing casino customers, as it rolls out additional modules and features to the existing SenGAME product; and

New technology trials for a casino gaming solutions at a prestige UK casino: Hippodrome.

The company notes that 70% of its technology trials are paid trials with around 90% of them converting to multi-year ARR contracts.

Accelerating growth going forward

Post the reporting period, SenSen completed a capital raise of A$7.15 million to accelerate its sales, marketing and product delivery capabilities.

Looking into the second half of FY21  based on new clients, contract renewals and additional orders from existing customers  the company estimates the accounting rate of return (ARR) in FY2022 could be around A$4.1 million (a 24% increase YoY).

Additional orders are expected to further accelerate ARR beyond these estimates.

The company continues to invest strongly in new product innovation to lower the cost of adoption by customers and offered new high-value features to increase its margins, including:

Distributed AI processing to further reduce the cost of solutions;

Adding new features to help address anti-money laundering problems within casinos;

An all-in-one vision zero product line to cost-effectively reduce accidents and save lives on roads and highways;

Integrating SNAP surveillance and SenSen software for a fully autonomous multi-camera person tracking solution for large-scale surveillance networks;

Environmental mapping technology to determine the exact location of moving objects when GPS accuracy is poor using image analytic solutions; and

Working with University of Melbourne on a joint ARC research grant for digitization and asset audit applications.

In addition, several new patent applications are being pursued to protect ground-breaking new innovations under development.


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TORONTO - Prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations based on neighbourhood, as well as age, could prevent thousands of cases and reduce the number of deaths due to the pandemic, Ontario's science advisors said in a new report Friday.

A woman receives her COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic in Montreal's Olympic Stadium, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. Prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations based on neighbourhood, as well as age, could prevent thousands of cases and reduce the number of deaths due to the pandemic, Ontario's science advisors said in a new report Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

TORONTO - Prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations based on neighbourhood, as well as age, could prevent thousands of cases and reduce the number of deaths due to the pandemic, Ontario's science advisors said in a new report Friday.

The Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table said the virus has taken a disproportionate toll on older adults and residents of disadvantaged and racialized urban neighbourhoods.

While the province is already prioritizing people for vaccines based on their age, targeting neighbourhoods that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 could make a major difference in fighting the pandemic, the group's director and co-author of the report said.

"We have to be street smart, that's what we're suggesting here," Dr. Peter Juni said in an interview.

"With the vaccine we have, we need to try to get the most out of it by decreasing the burden on the communities that need it most."

If the province used both age and neighbourhood prioritization, it could prevent an additional 3,767 cases, 702 hospitalizations, 145 intensive care admissions and 168 deaths from March to the end of May, the report said.

It also said COVID-19 infection rates are disproportionately higher in urban neighbourhoods, especially in those with more essential workers, crowded housing, and residents with lower socio-economic status.

As vaccines have been in short supply recently, Ontario has focused on administering shots to the highest-priority groups, including long-term care residents and staff. It plans to next target populations based on age, starting with people 80 and older.

Juni noted, however, that his group's report shows a 55-year-old resident in a hard-hit neighbourhood is at higher risk of illness or death from COVID-19 than a 75-year-old who lives in a low risk neighbourhood.

"We probably also need to be more flexible from the beginning about that the age cutoff," he said.

"We need to make sure that there is a possibility to optimize this, meaning a 55 or 60-year-old in a high-risk neighbhourhood is entitled to receive the vaccine (earlier)."

The approach will help bring virus rates down across the province, he said.

Implementing the age and neighbourhood strategy would not interfere with Ontario's ongoing vaccine rollout, but could instead help guide the upcoming mass distribution of shots to the general population, the report said.

Juni said he has spoken with the province about the strategy and is optimistic it can be incorporated into Ontario's plans by the head of the government's vaccine task force, retired Gen. Rick Hillier.

"We have a general who is in charge of this program," he said. "A general needs a map and we're giving him a map."

Ontario's Ministry of Health did not immediately provide comment on the report.

Earlier this week, Hillier said Ontarians aged 80 and older will start receiving COVID-19 vaccines in the third week of March.

Ontario then aims to vaccinate adults aged 75 and older starting April 15, and those 70 and older starting May 1. People aged 65 and older will be vaccinated starting June 1, and those 60 and older can get their shots the following month.

Vaccinations in populations considered high risk, including Indigenous adults, will be ongoing as the province targets seniors in the general population.

Essential workers will likely begin getting their shots in May if supply allows, but the government is still deciding who will be in that group.

A web portal and phone line for booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments is set to launch on March 15.

A total of 643,765 doses of vaccine have been administered in the province so far.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2021.
BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from chinadaily.com.cn: President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a gathering in Beijing to mark the country's accomplishments in poverty eradication on Thursday. Here are the highlights: 'Complete victory' * China has scored a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty * 98.99 million Chinese in rural areas helped out of poverty from 2012 to 2020 * 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 impoverished villages have been removed from the poverty list * Some 25.68 million poor people in China from 7.9 million households have seen their dilapidated houses renovated since late 2012 * 9.6 million Chinese people have been relocated from impoverished areas since late 2012 * 28 ethnic minority groups with relatively small population have shaken off poverty collectively since late 2012 * 770 million rural residents have shaken off poverty since the beginning of reform and opening up over 40 years ago * All of China's impoverished rural population lifted out of poverty * Children in impoverished families have better access to education * China contributes to over 70 percent of world's poverty reduction goal * China achieved UN goal of poverty eradication 10 years ahead of 2030 deadline Xi chairs 7 symposiums on poverty alleviation in 8 yrs * China's policy on fight against poverty has its own characteristics * Party's leadership and people's hard work contribute to China's achievement in poverty eradication * CPC members at frontline in battle against poverty * Concept of "targeted poverty alleviation" introduced in 2013 * Policies are based on country's situation * 252,000 work teams sent to villages to help * Over 1,800 people sacrificed their lives in fight against poverty * China upholds a people-centered philosophy of development and unswervingly pursues prosperity for all Funding support * China has invested accumulative fiscal funds of nearly 1.6 trillion yuan (about $246 billion) into poverty alleviation over the past eight years * Microfinance for poverty alleviation reaches over 710 billion yuan * Financial credit targeted at poverty alleviation reaches more than 9 trillion yuan * Companies in eastern part of country invest over 1 trillion yuan to help in poverty eradication Advantages of socialist system * China gives full play to the political advantages of the country's socialist system * Whole country cooperating to fight against poverty * Country promotes flow of talent, funds and technology to poverty-stricken areas * Various models of poverty relief being launched * China has adopted a targeted poverty alleviation strategy and strives to eradicate poverty through development * China adheres to motivating the creativity of poor residents and stimulating their self-generated impetus for poverty reduction 'Latest achievement' in adapting Marxism * China's poverty alleviation drive has fostered an atmosphere in which the whole society helps those in need and assists those in difficulties * China's poverty alleviation drive applies a realistic and pragmatic approach * China's poverty alleviation drive is the latest achievement in adapting Marxism's anti-poverty theory to Chinese conditions * China has cultivated the poverty alleviation spirit New start * Shaking off poverty is not the finish line, but the starting point of a new life and new endeavor * Efforts to effectively integrate the consolidation of poverty alleviation achievements and rural vitalization * Rural vitalization is key to revitalization of the nation * More efforts to be made in accelerating modernization of agriculture and rural areas * Make common prosperity for everyone a more important priority Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1444646/Graphic_chinadaily_com_cn1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1444647/Graphic_chinadaily_com_cn2.jpgA
Mumbai: A group of women from Maharashtras Jalgaon district decided to make sure their community follows the COVID-19 guidelines. Wearing pink saris and armed with wooden sticks, these ladies are determined to beat the virus out of their land.

Maharashtras Gulabi Gang, following the rules set by the government, charges offenders fines if found disobeying the correct protocol.

They ask the offenders to wear their masks and use sanitizer and if the offender continues to refuse, the ladies have their sticks ready to convince them the hard way.

The ladies used to try explaining the importance of following the Coronavirus guidelines in a kind manner but no one would listen to them. Everyone took the precautions for granted, forcing these women to take up arms against the virus and people refusing to follow necessary guidelines.

Just like the other districts in Maharashtra, the COVID-19 virus has been spreading rapidly in Lucknow. Despite multiple warnings by the local administration, people are still disregarding the rules.

Due to the complacency of the people, the Zilla Parishad of Jalgaon gave the Gulabi Gang permission to enforce the rules however they see fit.

The Gulabi Gangs original purpose is to function as a womens empowerment group to help ladies become self-reliant financially.
After this latest disaster, its easy to say that it was an equal opportunity storm. Homes in River Oaks were without power, just like homes in Independence Heights. People from all walks of life experienced similar kinds of suffering during the winter storm as we lost essential utilities and feared for our families most basic needs.

As people across the community rallied to provide immediate help to one another through mutual aid, state leaders remained conspicuously absent, while the federal government responded with an emergency declaration. But as Houstonians know far too well, this type of declaration does not always spell relief. More than any other city in the country, Houston knows that disasters will hit some communities much harder than others.

After visiting Houston on Friday to discuss federal recovery efforts, Biden should pay particular attention to the racial inequities of this type of disaster.

For low-income Black and Latino communities, even a medium-sized storm can spell disaster on top of the ongoing burden of structural racial inequality. A study by Rice University and University of Pittsburgh found that between 1999 and 2013, natural disasters increased Houstons racial wealth gap by $87,000. According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, after Hurricane Harvey, white residents of higher-income Houston neighborhoods received an average of $60,000 in FEMA assistance, while Black residents in low-income neighborhoods received just $84.

The failures of our disaster recovery system also reinforce housing segregation. The formulas the federal government relies on for allocating funding for infrastructure repairs preferences projects in high-income areas with high housing values. The lack of investment leaves residents in low-income neighborhoods more vulnerable in future storms, while also driving down home values.

Since 2015, Houston has experienced eight federally declared major disasters. When the winter storms hit, many Houstonians, and especially those who live in low-income communities of color, were still awaiting repairs from 2017s Hurricane Harvey.

Biden can stop this cycle and address racial inequity in disaster recovery. Here are four things the Biden administration can do now to address the legacy of racial inequity in disaster recovery in Houstons recovery from Uri:

Require FEMA to prioritize low-income communities for access to its recovery programs. Houstonians at all income levels know how complicated and frustrating it can be to navigate multiple federal programs from agencies like FEMA, but the barriers are even more daunting for lower-income survivors. Already, the communities we work with in the HOME Coalition are reporting that they are being summarily denied by FEMA. Without access to the internet, even applying to the program is difficult, especially for people who do not speak English. These barriers to entry on the front end will extend the pain of this recovery if they are not addressed.

Encourage the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas to prosecute landlords who violate the CDC eviction moratorium. Even while millions of Houstonians were without power and water last week, there were 126 eviction hearings scheduled. Judges in Houston have continued to hear eviction cases throughout the pandemic. Housing stability should be a goal during disaster recovery. The U.S. attorney in Rhode Island has set up a hotline to report violations of the eviction moratorium and the U.S. Justice Department in Texas should do the same.

Restructure infrastructure programs to direct resources to historically under-invested areas. Currently, the federal government uses a cost-benefit formula to allocate resources for major remediation projects. This results in projects in high-income areas simply because home values are higher. The administration should develop a new formula that directs resources towards urgent infrastructure needs in low-income communities.

Include disaster recovery as a pillar of the administrations racial equity agenda. In her role as the director of the Domestic Policy Council, Susan Rice should spearhead an effort to fundamentally address the major fixes that will be required to meet the challenges of more frequent disasters that disproportionately impact low-income Black and Latino communities. This effort should include opportunities for input from directly impacted communities in Houston. Biden should recognize that a toxic combination of structural racism and economic inequality has produced a disaster recovery system that, by design, excludes low-income communities and communities of color, while advantaging white property owners and wealthy communities. In Houston, we need a different kind of recovery from Uri. Biden can make it happen.

Palay is the executive director of the Houston Organizing Movement for Equity (HOME) Coalition.
One America News Network pushes for voting machines to be audited as the means for President Joseph Biden, Jr., the Democrats, and Dominion Voting Machines to finally put accusations of voter fraud to rest.

"What should have been a clear-cut presidential winner has dragged on as mountains of evidence of voting fraud continue piling up while being ignored by the establishments in the media and Washington. Well, there's a real simple solution for that. Americans say their votes were tampered with and that the voting machines were compromised, so why don't we put that to rest once nd for all. Let us examine the voting machines," One America's Pearson Sharp pointed out in their report on Thursday, February 25.

"If there's nothing to hide, if there's no election fraud, if all the massive and mysterious voting dumps that came in for Biden hours after the polls have closed really were for Biden, then let the machines be examined," he stressed. "What possible reason could there be to prevent a forensic audit of these voting machines?"

Pearson said Democrats "scream and shout, 'This is the most transparent elections'" yet do not wish an audit to be undertaken. He said that elections should be "free and fair." He also cited Michigan has removed 177,000 falsely-registered voters in January after certifying that Biden won in their elections by 154,000 votes. He raised that it "essentially means the number of people is removing from their records is higher by the number of people Biden won by."

He pointed out that there was "a sudden and massive drop" of 149,772 votes that came in at 630am after the election, of which 96% were for Biden. In addition to the incident in Michigan, Sharp also revealed that in New Hampshire Officials in Windham found that voting machines owned by Dominion shorted every Republican on the ballot by 300 votes, which means that each of their four candidates was down by 6% of votes, yet the same machines are used in 84% of the towns in the entire state of New Hampshire.

"We here at One America News like to suggest that all of these can be resolved simply by letting a team of forensic analysts examine the voting machines," he added. "Instead of suing anyone and everyone and question the results, give America the chance to know for certain that we had a free and fair elections."

"If there's nothing to hide, then stop hiding," he ended.

Last February 5, the U.S. Supreme Court have decided to finally give attention to the high-profile 2020 election lawsuits filed by former President Donald Trump's campaign and other individuals during its annual conference. Part of the lawsuits include issues with machine vote tabulation.

There were five cases to be heard during the said US Supreme Court Conference set on February 19: Case No. 20-815 Timothy King, et. al v. Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, Et. Al from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; Case No. 200-845 Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. v. Veronica Degraffenreid, Acting Secretary of Pennsylvania, etl. al. from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Middle District; Case No. 20-882 Donald J. Trump, Et. Al. v. Joseph R. Biden, et al from the Supreme Court of Wisconsin; Case No. 20-810 Mike Kelly, United States Congressmen, et. al. v. Pennsylvania, Et. Al. from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Middle District; Case No. 20-815 Timothy King, et. al v. Gretchen Whitmer, Goveror of Michigan et. al. from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. All cases were denied by the US Supreme Court.

[February 26, 2021] French Polynesia - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Sydney, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets. - https://www.budde.com.au/Research/French-Polynesia-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW

The first submarine cable was deployed in 2010 and additional cables have been connected to the islands in subsequent years, vastly improving French Polynesias international connectivity. An additional domestic submarine cable will connect remote islands by the end of 2022.



French Polynesia is also considered a hub for satellite communications in the region, due to it hosting one of the Uplink systems of the Galileo satellite network.



With improved international connectivity, fixed broadband penetration has become among the highest in the region. A considerable number of consumers access FttP-based services. With the first data centre in French Polynesia on the cards, the quality and price of broadband services will improve as content will be able to be cached locally, reducing costs for consumers.









BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus is continuing to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. The impact of large-scale job losses and reduced disposable income on the telecommunications sector was offset by the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working.



By the end of 2021 the telecoms sector could experience a slight increase in the number of subscribers if the global pandemic situation is brought under control. This should also result in mobile device production stabilising, improvements to tourism and employment opportunities, and in a revival of work on international and national telecom infrastructure.





Key Developments:

Kacific-1 satellite and Manatua cable increase international bandwidth;

Natitua Sud domestic submarine cable to connect Tahiti to Tubuai and Rurutu;

TNT searches for commercial partner to construct a 12MWp solar farm project to host the countrys first data centre;

Fixed broadband penetration approached 22%;

Vini expands LTE network coverage;

By 2025 over half of all mobile connections will be using LTE;

Report update includes an assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, recent market developments.



Companies covered in this report include:

Office des Postes et Telecommunications (OPT), Intelsat, Kacific Broadband Satellites Group, Tahiti Nui Telecommunications, Galileo, Gilat Satellite Networks, Vini, Honotua Cable, Vodafone Polynesia, Avaroa Cable (ACL), Telecom Niue (TNL) and Samoa Submarine Cable Company (SSCC), SES Networks.

Read the full report: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/French-Polynesia-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW

Nicolas Bombourg: nbombourg@budde.com.au Europe office: +44 207 097 1241 Oceania Office: +61 280 767 665

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Two Belfast women battling long Covid have described the condition as a living nightmare and called on the Health Minister to provide more support.

Rebecca Logan (40), a nurse, fitness instructor and mother-of-two from east Belfast, developed a blinding headache, body aches and exhaustion after working in a Covid emergency department last April.

Almost a year after becoming ill, she feels like a shadow of the person I was and fears for her long-term health.

Every day is a struggle and a living nightmare. Youre just waking up exhausted and trying to get through the day, Rebecca said.

I have two daughters, so I get up for them, but its just so hard.

I used to work seven days a week between nursing and fitness. Now, I cant really do anything outside my house because its so exhausting.

I just feel like the opposite of the person I was, which is very hard to deal with.

Expand Close Zena Walker-Reed (35) from south Belfast, with her twin sons Archie and Harry. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Zena Walker-Reed (35) from south Belfast, with her twin sons Archie and Harry.

After an initial improvement in the summer, Rebeccas health started deteriorating around Christmas, with more fatigue and joint and back pain.

After taking part in a pilot support programme run by Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, she started a weekly Zoom session with other survivors called the Covid Warriors.

She said the group had grown deeply frustrated over what it saw as a lack of action from the Health Minister.

Our question is, why is this just being brushed under the carpet? Rebecca asked.

This is going to be a chronic problem for the health service in the future.

I just cant understand why theyre still considering it. England already has long Covid clinics set up. Why is Northern Ireland still way behind?

Mother of two Zena Walker-Reed (35), from south Belfast, contracted Covid last March.

While she considered herself fit and healthy, she failed to recover as quickly as her family.

Enduring the most horrendous long-term symptoms, she paid for heart scans and felt unable to work because of pain and fatigue.

I have to take things very slowly. Ive had two months off from my job as a support worker at a homeless hostel, Zena said.

A few weeks ago, it got to the point where I had to call out the paramedics. I was having severe chest pains and breathing difficulties.

The doctors have nothing specific to treat it (long Covid) with. They cant give you a prescription or a pill. Theres also no specific test, so Ive seen the doctors being very frustrated that they cant help people.

I think GPs are massively overwhelmed with the extra pressures on the health service.

Neil Johnston, from Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, said there was an urgent need for long Covid support.

We have used our experience in helping people manage their conditions to adjust our services  in particular our respiratory services  to help people who have had Covid, he added.

Mr Johnstons charity has put approximately 100 Covid patients through a recovery programme, with the feedback being extremely positive.

Sadly, as a charity, there is a limit to our capacity and we have had to cease taking referrals at present, he said.

We are recruiting staff to our Breathing Better respiratory service. However, without significant funding from the Government, we will not be able to meet the expected demand.

The Department of Health said: The data on post-Covid-19 syndrome underlines the reality that this virus is not just a threat to the older generation or those with pre-existing medical symptoms. It shows once again that all age groups have to take Covid-19 seriously and do everything they can to stop it spreading.

The department added it was fully recognised that the needs of patients with post-Covid-19 syndrome would be a long-term priority for the health service.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on post-Covid-19 syndrome have been fully adopted for Northern Ireland and will now be applied across the health and social care sector, it said.

The Health and Social Care Board will be developing plans for service provision for patients, taking into account the NICE guidance and developing practice in Great Britain.
Nurses working in the coronavirus unit at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center received a heartwarming surprise when a LaSalle Elementary fourth grader arrived bearing gifts purchased with his birthday money.

Lex Thompson, 9, had saved his gift money and decided it would be best used buying coffee gift cards for the ICU nurses helping patients battle COVID-19.

"I decided to use my birthday money to go get gift cards for the nurses who fight coronavirus because they were probably having a hard time," Lex said. "So they probably just needed something to tell them they were doing the right thing and that they were supported."

Lex's mother, Whitney Thompson, said her son came up with the plan "all on his own."

"He said he wanted to do something to help out," she said. "I told him Id support him however he needed. We found someone to talk to about who could use it the most."

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A friend of the family, who works as a physician's assistant, said that the hospital has enough PPE, so Lex might consider spending his money on something that would uplift the nurses' spirits.

After he delivered the 10 gift cards this week, the nurses thanked him and said that the present really meant a lot. According to Lex, "it made [him] feel happy" to see that his gift brought them joy during a tough time.

Our Lady of the Lake posted on Facebook Thursday, thanking Lex for his generosity.

"Each day, we are inspired and privileged to serve the people in our community," the post said. "The sweet gift made our nurses' day brighter! We appreciate your kindness, Lex!"
Mr Peter Maala, the Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, has indicated that issues concerning child protection and welfare ought to be a concern for every responsible member of the society.



He said children were subjected to various forms of abuses, including child labour, which was inimical to their holistic development and well-being.



Mr Maala, who is the Chairperson of the Upper West Regional Child Protection Committee, said this at the first quarter meeting of the Committee in Wa on Thursday.



The meeting was to, among other things; develop the 2021 work plan for the Committee as well as to chart effective ways of ensuring that children had access to essential services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.



Citing child labour as one of the abuses children suffer in the Region, Mr Maala observed that some parents, with the notion of training their wards in apprenticeship, ended up exposing the children to hazards.



The Director stated that such parents did not take into consideration the negative impact of those works on the lives of the children considering their ages and abilities.



Some parents will tell you they are training their children so that they will take over from them. They dont consider the age of the child.



These are issues that are nagging, in teaching the child, do you consider the hazards you are taking him or her through? Mr Maala queried.



He, thus, urged members of the Committee to take a critical look at such issues to ensure children were adequately protected and made to enjoy their unalienable rights.



Madam Matilda Chireh, the Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Children, noted that the Department, with support from stakeholders such as Plan International Ghana, was working to ensure that child centred policies such as the Child and Family Welfare Policy were fully implemented.



The Committee observed with concern that some parents were pushing their children into apprenticeship rather than encouraging them to be in school, particularly during the COVID-19 school closure.



It said it was a serious challenge in getting such children back to school as they have had some taste of engaging in some activities such as petty trading and apprenticeship.



Mr Christopher Asiedu, the Acting Upper West Regional Director, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, underscored the need for the Committee to take into consideration the cultural values of society in advocating child protection and rights.



He said there was also the need for media practitioners and journalists to be educated on the appropriate ways of reporting on issues concerning children, so as not to expose the child to danger through their reportage.



The multi-stakeholder committee, comprising government agencies and departments, security agencies and Non-governmental Organisations, was to ensure effective child centred policy coordination and issues regarding child protection.









Source: GNA









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India asks China to resolve boundary issues

S. Jaishankar and Wang Yi

NEW DELHI, FEB 26 (IANS) | Publish Date: 2/26/2021 12:28:51 PM IST

The government said on Friday that following the disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, it is not in the interest of either side to prolong the remaining boundary issues between the two countries.

The statement came a day after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinas State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a conversation over phone that lasted for 75 minutes.

The Indian Foreign Minister told his Chinese counterpart that a prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side. It was, therefore, necessary that the two sides should work towards early resolution of remaining issues, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.

It is necessary to disengage at all friction points in order to contemplate de-escalation of forces in this sector. That alone will lead to the restoration of peace and tranquillity and provide conditions for the progress of bilateral relationship, Jaishankar told Wang Yi.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed the situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh and also issues related to the overall India-China relations, as per the statement.

Jaishankar referred to the meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister in September 2020 in Moscow where the Indian side had expressed its concern on provocative behaviour and unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter status quo. He also noted that the bilateral relations have been impacted severely over the last year.

The Boundary Question, he said, may take time to resolve, but disturbance of peace and tranquillity, including by violence, will inevitably have a damaging impact on the relationship.

The minister said that during their meeting in Moscow last year, both ministers had agreed that the situation in the border areas was not in the interest of either side and decided that the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue, quickly disengage and ease tensions.

He noted that the two sides had maintained continuous communication since then through both diplomatic and military channels. This had led to progress as both sides had successfully disengaged in the Pangong Tso Lake area earlier this month.

Noting the completion of disengagement in the Pangong Lake area, Jaishankar emphasised that both sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

He said that once disengagement is completed at all friction points, the two sides could also look at broader de-escalation of troops in the area and work towards restoration of peace and tranquillity.

The MEA statement said that Wang Yi, on his part, expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far. He felt that it was an important step forward for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas. He also conveyed that it was is necessary to sincerely implement the common understanding reached at various levels.

The Chinese Foreign Minister said that both sides should make efforts to consolidate the outcomes. He also spoke about the need to improve management and control in the border areas.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also noted that the Indian side had proposed three mutuals (mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest) as the approach to the relationship. He also agreed on the importance of taking the long view of India-China ties. The two ministers agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline.
Feb. 25The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of a man whose public defender argued he had a genetic predisposition to impulsive violence sometimes referred to as the "warrior gene."

Anthony Blas Yepez was convicted of second-degree murder in 2015 for the 2012 beating death of 75-year-old George Ortiz of Santa Fe.

After killing Ortiz  his girlfriend's stepgrandfather  during an argument, Yepez, then 26, doused Ortiz in cooking oil and set his body on fire.

Yepez's public defender, Ian Loyd, sought to introduce evidence at trial that Yepez's history of childhood abuse and genetic makeup made him less able to control his violent impulses and incapable of forming the intent to deliberately kill Ortiz.

But state District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected the argument and didn't allow jurors to hear expert testimony on the topic. She said she felt "iffy' about whether it was "reliable enough to prove what it proposes to prove."

The theory had been introduced in criminal proceedings fewer than a dozen times worldwide at the time.

Following his conviction, Yepez appealed to the state Court of Appeals, which found Sommer had erred when she excluded the testimony. But the court said the error was harmless because Yepez was convicted of second-degree murder, which didn't require a finding of premeditation.

The Attorney General's office appealed the ruling, asking the State Supreme Court to vacate the portion of the appellate opinion finding Sommer erred in keeping out the warrior gene testimony. He argued it would create confusion in state and federal courts going forward.

The Supreme Court did just that in its ruling issued Thursday. The decision reversed the Court of Appeals opinion that Sommer should have allowed the testimony and rejected Yepez's request for a new trial.

The Supreme Court found "the district court was within its discretion to exclude as lacking in scientific reliability an opinion that Yepez is predisposed to impulsive violent behavior," a spokesman for the Administrative Office of the Court's wrote in a news release Thursday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have tapped a private database containing hundreds of millions of phone, water, electricity and other utility records while pursuing immigration violations, according to public documents uncovered by Georgetown Law researchers and shared with The Washington Post.

ICE's use of the private database is another example of how government agencies have exploited commercial sources to access information they are not authorized to compile on their own. It also highlights how real-world surveillance efforts are being fueled by information people may never have expected would land in the hands of law enforcement.

The database, CLEAR, includes more than 400 million names, addresses and service records from more than 80 utility companies covering all the staples of modern life, including water, gas and electricity, and phone, Internet and cable TV.

CLEAR documents say the database includes billions of records related to people's employment, housing, credit reports, criminal histories and vehicle registrations from utility companies in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is updated daily, meaning even a recent move or new utility sign-up could be reflected in an individual search.

CLEAR is run by the media and data conglomerate Thomson Reuters, which sells "legal investigation software solution" subscriptions to a broad range of companies and public agencies. The company has said in documents that its utility data comes from the credit-reporting giant Equifax. Thomson Reuters, based in Toronto, also owns the international news service Reuters as well as other prominent subscription databases, including Westlaw.

Thomson Reuters has not provided a full client list for CLEAR, but the company has said in marketing documents that the system has been used by police in Detroit, a credit union in California and a fraud investigator in the Midwest. Federal purchasing records show that the departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Defense are among the federal agencies with ongoing contracts for CLEAR data use.

On Friday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent letters to the chief executives of Thomson Reuters and Equifax seeking documents and other information on how ICE has used the utility data in recent years.

"We are concerned that Thomson Reuters' commercialization of personal and use data of utility customers and sale of broad access to ICE is an abuse of privacy, and that ICE's use of this database is an abuse of power," said the letters, which were signed by Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., the committee's vice chair, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., the chairman of a subcommittee on economic and consumer policy.

Thomson Reuters directed requests for comment to ICE, which declined to comment on its "investigative techniques, tactics or tools," citing "law-enforcement sensitivities." Equifax did not respond to requests for comment.

ICE has not shared how often it has used utility records to track people, saying such details should be confidential because they outline protected investigative techniques.

But an immigration-case investigator appeared to note the access last June in an email to officials at the Georgia Department of Driver Services. The email was revealed as part of a Freedom of Information Act request by Georgetown Law's Center on Privacy & Technology and reviewed by The Post. In the heavily redacted email, the officer said immigration authorities are pursuing a "straight-up Pleasure Visitor" accused of overstaying a visa and that a search of unspecified utility records had showed that the target had "recently departed" from an address.

In a separate letter to a Texas sheriff's office in 2019, also obtained by Georgetown researchers and shared with The Post, a Thomson Reuters specialist said CLEAR's utility data offered investigators a powerful way to find "people who are not easily traceable via traditional sources."

Nina Wang, a policy associate at the Georgetown center, said the database offered ICE officers a way to pursue undocumented immigrants who may have tried to stay off the grid by avoiding activities as getting driver's licenses but could not live without paying to keep the lights on at home.

"There needs to be a line drawn in defense of people's basic dignity. And when the fear of deportation could endanger their ability to access these basic services, that line is being crossed," she said. "It's a massive betrayal of people's trust. . . . When you sign up for electricity, you don't expect them to send immigration agents to your front door."

ICE has a $21 million contract with a Thomson Reuters subsidiary for the data, though the subscription is scheduled to expire on Sunday. ICE published a new solicitation for a "Law Enforcement Investigative Database Subscription" in November, but it is unclear whether the Biden administration will renew the deal or award a new contract.

Jacinta Gonzalez, a senior campaign organizer at the Latino civil rights group Mijente, said her group has been alarmed and "horrified" by how quickly ICE has expanded its surveillance network through the use of private databases, which members suspect have been used by ICE officers to plan raids on people's homes.

"People would say to us, 'How did ICE get my address? I've never had interactions with the police, I've never used this address publicly,'" she said. "It puts people in a tremendously difficult situation. They have to decide whether to have electricity or subject themselves to having ICE get access to this information."

Equifax has said it gathers utility-bill records from the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange, a consumer credit-reporting bureau that gathers data on people's account and payment history with companies including Verizon and AT&T.

The data-exchange bureau has defended its data collection as "empowering" for the "underserved and underbanked community," because the records help big companies assess the creditworthiness of people by using "alternative data sources" beyond traditional credit reports.

It's unclear whether the utility data from Equifax comes from NCTUE or some other source, though the two firms have a long-standing data-sharing agreement. Speaking of the partnership in a letter to the Justice Department in 2001, a NCTUE representative wrote that Equifax had a "commitment to find and exploit appropriate opportunities for third-party access to exchange data."

Federal laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974 regulate how federal agencies can gather or use Americans' personal information, but they do not cover CLEAR or other private databases, and federal law enforcement has increasingly turned to them for information it otherwise is not allowed to collect without a court order.

Immigration agents have accessed information from a private database of license-plate readers holding billions of records related to vehicle locations from scanners on tow trucks, toll roads and speed-limit cameras. Agents have run facial recognition searches on people's photos to see if they match any of the millions of faces in state driver's license databases.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials also have used cellphone location data without warrants to track people inside the country. The data is gathered through a mix of weather, gaming and other apps, then bundled and resold by companies to marketers and federal agencies.

An inspector general for the Treasury Department said in a letter last week to Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., first reported by the Wall Street Journal, that similar uses of commercial location data by the Internal Revenue Service could conflict with a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that found such searches should require a warrant.

Lawyers for the IRS and other agencies have argued that they had not needed a warrant because phone users had "voluntarily granted access" to the data-sharing apps.

Nobody underestimated the challenges facing Stormont ministers when they took office last January.

A health service with the worst waits in the UK; the poorest performing economy in these islands; key infrastructure projects lingering in limbo - and then along came Covid.

It has been a baptism of fire for the Executive. If seasoned, stable governments have struggled during the pandemic, our five-party one can hardly be expected to have handled it perfectly.

Yet, unfortunately, Stormont has failed to meet even the lowest expectations. The individual performance of ministers varies from the professional to the pitiful. But, collectively, the Executive's response to coronavirus has too often been shambolic.

The blame does not lie with the smaller parties around the table. It is the dysfunctionality at the heart of the DUP-Sinn Fein relationship that has proved poisonous during the pandemic.

The new administration started on a wave of optimism on January 11, 2020 - a blissfully naive day before social distancing, the R-rate and furlough had even entered our vocabulary.

At the first meeting of the Assembly Arlene Foster told MLAs how it was "time for Stormont to move forward and show that 'together we are stronger' for the benefit of everyone".

Michelle O'Neill spoke of her hope for a unity in determination to deliver "a stable power-sharing coalition that works on the basis of openness, transparency and accountability, and in good faith and with no surprises".

It has hardly gone as promised. Both women's parties have fallen well short of these aspirations in their response to Covid.

Closing schools was the first issue on which they clashed.

On March 12 the Executive collectively decided that educational establishments would remain open despite the Republic shutting theirs. O'Neill said they were "guided by the science". Less than 24 hours later came Sinn Fein's U-turn. It was a response to the feeling on the ground - especially in the nationalist community - with parents keeping their children home.

Foster continued to back the UK-wide strategy to keep schools open. Sinn Fein's solo run was lambasted by UUP leader Steve Aiken.

"They are playing party politics with health, and that is utterly reprehensible," he said.

Next came a major row over PPE. On March 27 Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced that a "very significant order" from China had been placed with the Irish Government. Just a week later he was forced to confirm that the order was not completed, and the plan had failed when "major economic powers entered the global race".

On April 2 O'Neill declined to express confidence in Health Minister Robin Swann when quizzed on BBC's The View programme.

Nine days later she criticised him over his "failure to consult minister colleagues" about his decision to ask the Army to help distribute lifesaving equipment and plan for a Nightingale hospital at the site of the former Maze Prison.

Four days later O'Neill said she would "not stand in the way" of the Army's deployment in the fight against coronavirus.

By May the rows had fizzled out and the Executive bedded down.

The DUP and Sinn Fein appeared to realise that the public was not impressed by continual squabbling and it was in both their interests that it stopped.

On May 24 the First and Deputy First Ministers gave a joint interview to Sky News. Foster said: "I'm not saying it's a good thing we've had a global pandemic but I think it shows that we have come together and that we can work together in the way that we have."

O'Neill also said that Covid had brought them closer together. She revealed that they had shared worries about their mothers, who had both been admitted to hospital during the pandemic.

Both joked that they were spending so much time together they could form their own social bubble. It wasn't quite the 'Chuckle Sisters' - the natural warmth and rapport that characterised the Paisley/McGuinness relationship was missing - but it was a clear attempt to move forward.

Bobby Storey's funeral blew those efforts asunder. Sinn Fein's uncompromising approach to fighting Covid-19 went out the window. It was proven to be very much a case of 'Do as I say, not as I do' with public health guidelines breached,

Two days after the funeral Foster called on O'Neill to step aside pending PSNI and Assembly standards investigations. When she refused to do so the First Minister ended their joint Press conferences. These eventually resumed in September, but relations between the two parties took another downwards turn the following month.

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots suggested that nationalist areas had significantly higher coronavirus infection rates than unionist areas, and that the Storey funeral was the cause of the differential. His remarks sparked widespread anger and were quickly shot down by the Department of Health.

In November Swann's proposal for a two-week extension of coronavirus restrictions was defeated in the Executive after the DUP employed the cross-community veto. There is currently a DUP-Sinn Fein ceasefire on Covid, but rest assured it is only temporary. Disagreements over the pace of reopening the economy are inevitable, perhaps particularly in regards to hospitality.

The vaccine rollout has been highly successful, and there is a widespread desire in Northern Ireland to get back to normal as soon as possible. But if a new variant of the virus develops that is resistant to existing vaccines, major tensions will again open up over lockdown restrictions.

With an Assembly election scheduled for May 2022, the parties will be going into campaigning mode early this summer.

With opinion polls suggesting Sinn Fein could emerge as the largest party - making O'Neill First Minister - and Irish Sea border tensions thrown into the mix, it will be the mother of all election battles. This will not involve "differing well".

The uneasy peace between Stormont's big two should be enjoyed while it lasts.
(@FahadShabbir)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2021) Former US Air Force contractor Isaak Kemp pleaded guilty to illegally removing 2,500 pages of classified material and stashing the documents in his home, the Justice Department said on Thursday.

"Law enforcement discovered the more than 100 documents, which contained approximately 2,500 pages of material classified at the SECRET level, while executing a search warrant at Kemp's home," the department said in a statement. "Despite having training on various occasions on how to safeguard classified material, Kemp took 112 classified documents and retained them at his home."

Kemp pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the theft at US District Court in the state of Ohio on Thursday, the release said.

According to court documents, Kemp was employed as a contractor at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) from July 2016 to May 2019, and later as a contractor at the US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). While working at AFRL and NASIC - both located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn - Kemp had Top Secret security clearance.

Unauthorized removal or retention of classified documents is a Federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison, Justice said.
Joe Biden is in Houston today, and while the president has a full slate of empathy to do, a trip to the Bayou City without taking in any of its culture is a trip wasted.

With this in mind, I came up with a short list of quintessentially Houston spots Joe Biden should visit in Houston after giving me $1,400.

1. The "Be Someone" Graffiti

via Penny Morales/Twitter

Always changing, eternally H-Town.

The "Be Someone" graffiti over the I-45 overpass is a living document of the city's mood and times, and the first place people think of after they give me $1,400.

2. The Galveston Strand and Kemah Boardwalk

Yelp/Toru U.

It's a bit of a drive, but Galveston is worth the trip for the president and First Lady. Just hop on I-45, cut me a check, and cruise on down to the historic Strand district for a fun, walk-and-shop experience complete with local ghost tours.

For the full Coastal experience, stop by Landry's Seafood on the boardwalk after giving me $1,400.

3. Discovery Green

Skanska

Nothing hits the spot after sending Americans $600 less than expected like a stroll through one of Houston's most innovative green zones.

4. Screwed Up Records

Karen Warren, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle

I like to picture Joe Biden rolling up to the mecca of Houston hip-hop in a Chevy Bel Air, hitting switches and waking up children four blocks down. The slab is slammed to within an inch of its life, electrons from the ground, and Joe is belting out Scarface's infamous line:

"I sit alone in my four-cornered room giving Dan $1,400."

5. The Houston Food Bank

Gustavo Huerta, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The Houston Food Bank has worked tirelessly to provide food and services as Houstonians continue to deal with a turducken of disasters within disasters. After last week's winter storm, they need our help now more than ever.

The presidentor anyone else reading this, for that matter can volunteer their services or donate (doesn't have to be $1,400) to their work here.

I hope President Biden enjoys his time in Houston, and I look forward to showing him how beautiful this city and America writ large can be when its people aren't left to fend for themselves.
The rules are not clear on when exactly both domestic and international travel will be allowed, but it does appear current strict restrictions will be eased. Photo: Getty Images

British Airways owner IAG (IAG.L) and jet maker Rolls Royce (RR.L) were among the FTSE 100s (^FTSE) top risers as UK prime minister Boris Johnson set out his long-awaited "roadmap" out of lockdown in parliament on Monday afternoon, causing travel stocks to soar. The travel industry is one of the worst-hit from the coronavirus pandemic.

The rules are not clear on when exactly both domestic and international travel will be allowed, but it does appear current strict restrictions will be eased. At the moment, only travel deemed absolutely necessary can be taken.

As per the government's website, everyone "must stay at home. You must not travel, including abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason to do so. It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes."

Included in Johnson's four-step plan was to allow international travel potentially by 17 May, although not any earlier, and subject to review. This means Britons may start planning their summer holidays for later in the year.

IAG was up almost 7% by 4.30pm in the UK, while Rolls Royce gained 6.5%. The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG.L) was also one of the top rises on the index, gaining 3.6%, as was Whitbread (WTB.L), owner of Premier Inn, which rose about 3.4%.

Budget airline EasyJet (EZJ.L) gained 7%, while rival Ryanair (RYA.L) rose 4.7% and Wizz Air (WIZZ.L) was up 6.7%.

Travel and tourism company TUI (TUI.L) surged almost 8%. Cruise-ship operator Carnival (CCL.L) also soared over 8%.

Johnson said that current restrictions on international leisure travel will only be eased after a review in April, led by transport secretary Grant Shapps. The market appears to be positive about the outcome of this review.

Earlier this month, Shapps had said foreign holidays will remain banned until everybody has had a coronavirus vaccine. His comments sparked an angry response from the travel industry.

Meanwhile domestic holidays will also be prohibited until April 12 at the earliest, which is when the second stage of the roadmap will kick in.

Story continues

"Subject to any further diversions from the current course the government has set, the industry and investment interest around it is poised to perform well," noted Joe Morris, leisure partner at law firm, Gowling WLG.

"Staying on track with the plans in place now should ensure the industry strengthens and, vitally, evolves to meet the new needs of travellers in a post-lockdown environment," he added.

READ MORE: Shops could reopen from 12 April under lockdown exit plans, Boris Johnson announces

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, who co-founded the Save Our Summer campaign, said the announcement was the news the travel sector really wanted.

He said: Im sure virtually everyone in the travel sector will be pleased with the greater clarity and a timeframe of May for enabling those whove been vaccinated to travel overseas.

By then, there will be over 16 million people eligible to travel abroad to see family, or for business or leisure, in a safe and responsible way," he added.

Current restrictions on travellers entering the country, which includes booking two COVID-19 tests to be done within their 10-day isolation period, and those coming from "red list" countries having to quarantine in hotels, will remain in place until mid-May.

Over the weekend, the UK travel industry called on the government to collaborate on a roadmap to recovery and provide tailored financial support.

An open letter, co-signed by firms such as TUI, easyJet and Airlines UK, followed calls from groups last week to relax restrictions ahead of the usually busy summer period.

READ MORE: Boeing 777 planes grounded in Japan and US after mid-air engine fire incident

The letter said: "There has been little opportunity to recover or generate income since the virus first affected the sector 12 months ago, with government policies effectively shutting down international travel for most of the past year."

Last month the confirmed that arrivals from 22 countries will have to quarantine in hotels provided by the government. The travel industry had warned the move will have major implications for the UK economy.

Many of the countries on the list are South American nations, as well as South Africa and Portugal.

"In order to reduce the risk posed by UK nationals and residents returning home from these countries, I can announce that we will require all such arrivals who cannot be refused entry to isolate in government provided accommodation, such as hotels, for 10 days without exception, Johnson had said.

Watch: Should I book a holiday in 2021?
MBABANE  Montingy Investments Limited, a company owned by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, is suing political activist Sibongile Mazibuko.

The company wants Mazibuko who is an erstwhile member of the board of trustees of the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF), to compensate it with a sum of E500 000 for alleged defamation. Mazibuko, who is the president of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) is also a former president of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT).

Montigny Investments is a limited liability company duly incorporated in accordance with the company laws of the Kingdom of Eswatini, carrying on business as a timber company at Bhunya.

In its particulars of claim, the company claimed that on November 18, 2020, the defendant (Mazibuko) wrongfully and with intention to injure its reputation, validated and/or confirmed the veracity of allegations published in an article by an online publication styled Swati Newsweek.

The contents of the article complained of will not be repeated as they are now subject to litigation.

Pensioners

The online publication, according to the plaintiff (Montigny Investment Limited), published an article titled: Outcry: Neal, State companies, get nearly E3 billion pensioners fund. The plaintiff brought it to the attention of the court that the article was published on social media.

These are allegations contained in particulars of claim whose veracity is still to be tested in court and Mazibuko is yet to file her papers. Contained in the article were claims that the plaintiff has willy-nilly received loans from the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF). The defendant publicly took a stance that the alleged deeds of the company were looting which led to pensioners being owed, reads part of the companys particulars of claim.

It was further the companys averment that its business reputation was allegedly damaged by the material that Mazibuko caused to be published and/or validated in the publication about it. The company submitted that the statements that were purported had a tendency to negatively impact upon its standing in the business sector in which it operated.

Montigny Investment Limited argued that the purported validation allegedly by Mazibuko, was designed to damage the business reputation of the company in the market place and ultimately divert business away from it by virtue of the dearth of fair comment made.

The statement by the defendant (Mazibuko) was wrong and defamatory of the plaintiff in that it purported to authenticate a certain state of affairs at the plaintiffs undertaking that is wholly untrue, unsubstantiated and conjectural in its nature, averred the company.

Lowering

In the particulars of claim, the company went on to contend that the statement by the defendant had the effect of lowering its estimation in its work environment and in the society in general.

The plaintiff asserted that Mazibuko allegedly intended the following innuendo when she purported to confirm the allegations made about the company; that it (company) acts or acted illegally; that it was dishonest and that it acted deceitful or fraudulently.

The statement by Mazibuko, according to the company, also implied that it allegedly acted or was in disregard of the lawful mandate it had been established to execute and in addition, the persons to whom the allegations were confirmed and made understood same to bear such innuendo.

The matter is still pending at the High Court and the defendant is yet to file her papers. The company is represented by senior lawyer Zweli Jele of Robinson Bertram.
In January, ARD, German public television, aired Season 3 of the series Charite, dealing with the history of Berlins famed hospital during the Cold War and, specifically, at the time of the building of the Berlin Wall in the early 1960s.

The series was scheduled to be broadcast last year to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany. Filming was held up, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first season of the series dealt with the institution at the end of the 19th century and Season 2 featured the hospital and its operations under the Nazi regime. The series has attracted millions of viewers across the globe.

Nina Kunzendorf in Season 3 of Charite (ARD/Stanislav Honzik)

Like its predecessors, Season 3 features a gripping, well-researched story line portrayed by a largely compelling array of actors depicting a combination of real and fictional characters.

Historically genuine figures include the German-Jewish paediatrician Ingeborg Rapoport (Nina Kunzendorf) and her Russian-Jewish husband, the renowned biochemist Mitja Rapoport (Anatole Taubman). The latter played a key role in developing the Charites biochemical institute from 1952 onward. The Jewish pair had been driven out of Germany by the Nazis and were then persecuted as Communists in American exile during the McCarthy era. In the early 1950s, they decided to move to East Germany (German Democratic Republic, GDR), where they did outstanding medical science work at the Charite.

Another genuine character is the head of the gynaecological clinic, Prof. Dr Helmut Kraatz (Uwe Ochsenknecht), who worked as a doctor at the Charite under the Nazis, but was able to retain his post after the war in East Germany due to his internationally recognised qualifications. The Austrian forensic physician Prof. Dr Otto Prokop (Philipp Hochmair) is also a real figure who, after the war, transferred from Bonn University to the Charite in 1956 to become the head of forensic medicine. Following German reunification in 1989-90, his autopsy protocols were used in trials concerning deaths at the Berlin Wall.

The fictional character at the centre of the series is the young doctor Dr Ella Wendt (Nina Gummich), who is transferred from Senftenberg in Brandenburg to the Charite in Berlin. She is overjoyed at the change and seizes the opportunity to advance her research into early cancer detection alongside Prokop.

The Wendt character is used to illustrate the dramatic consequences for the hospital, its staff and Berlins population resulting from the virtual overnight construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961. Prior to the Wall, the Charite was open to patients from all of Berlin and was renowned for its excellent medical treatment. The clinic buildings in the centre of Berlin were located directly on the territory occupied for the construction of the Wall and all of their windows facing west were bricked over. Charite doctors and nurses residing in West Berlin were forced either to move to the GDR or resign.

Historical background

The series, however, leaves out the historical background of the Walls construction. The fact that Season 3 restricts the Charites history in the GDR to the period when the Wall was built is problematic. Key aspects of life in the Stalinist-dominated GDRin particular the Berlin Wall, the East German secret police (the Stasi) and its economic deficienciesare regularly cited by anti-communists. It would be incorrect, however, to reduce the GDR to such features.

The building of the Berlin Wall (ARD/Stanislav Honzik)

One cannot understand the character of the GDR and the building of the Wall without comprehending the unbridgeable gap between Stalinism and socialism. The GDR was no more socialist than postwar West Germany, dominated politically by former Nazis, was a haven of freedom and democracy.

Stalins dictatorship in the Soviet Union embodied the rule of a bureaucracy that used state nationalised property relations to advance its own privileges and stood in irreconcilable opposition to the Soviet and international working class. In the Great Terror of 1937-38, the bureaucracy murdered a whole generation of Marxist revolutionaries, and in 1943 Stalin dissolved the Communist International.

The GDR and the other Stalinist regimes of Eastern Europe were products of the postwar Yalta and Potsdam treaties, in which Stalin pledged to suppress the socialist aspirations of the international working class with the help of Communist Parties worldwide. In return, Stalinism was given control of a series of buffer states in Eastern Europe to protect the Soviet Union from encirclement by the imperialist powers. Only after the US and its allies intensified their conflict with the Soviet Union in the form of the Cold War did the bureaucracy in Moscow give its approval for the elimination of capitalist property forms in the East European buffer states, including the GDR.

The nationalisations and the introduction of a planned economy formed the basis for a number of social, cultural and scientific advances, the significance of which many people only really understood when they were wiped out following German reunification. Unlike in the Soviet Union, however, such social advances were not the result of a proletarian revolution. When the GDR regime tried to solve the problems created by its economic isolation by attacking the conditions of the working class, the latter reacted by challenging the regime. Contrary to Western (and Stalinist) propaganda, workers did not take to the streets in the GDR on June 17, 1953 to demand the restoration of capitalism. Rather, it was a genuine uprising against the Stalinist regime.

Eight years later, the building of the Wall reflected the profound crisis of the Stalinist bureaucracy. The reactionary sealing of the border between East and West, carried out by the Walter Ulbricht regime, was designed to stem the growing movement of professional workers to the West and stabilise the GDR bureaucracy.

At the same time, the Wall served to divide the working class. Contrary to the impression given in the series, the West was by no means an economic paradise. Toward the end of the 1950s, mass protests by miners took place in the Ruhr region, which lasted for years and led to the fall of the Erhard government in 1966. Seven years after the Wall was built, the biggest general strike of the postwar period took place in France, precipitating in turn mass class struggles internationally, including in Eastern Europe.

Dr. Ella Wendt (Nina Gummich) (ARD/Stanislav Honzik)

The GDR bureaucracy feared such struggles as much as the capitalists in the West. In private, both the West German government and its allies approved of the Wall and had their own interest in a stable GDR. At a meeting between Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and US President Kennedy in June 1961, the latter gave his approval to the measures taken by the GDR to prevent the flight of citizens from East to West. At the same time, of course, the Western powers and the West German government were quite prepared to use the building of the Wall to propagate anti-communism.

None of this background is even hinted at in the Charite series. Although the filmmakers strive to portray the characters and their motives with a certain degree of complexity, their dialogueduring such an intensely political periodremains conspicuously apolitical. The series ends up adapting to the falsification equating Stalinism with socialism.

GDR advances in medicine

One has to give the filmmakers credit, however, for dealing with the medical advances made in the GDR. East Germany was largely cut off from access to some important international technical developments (for example, Charite had only one antiquated iron-lung machine) and medical staff continually confronted the obstructive behaviour of the state Stalinist bureaucracy, represented by the repeated appearances in the corridors of the clinic of the apparatchik Lehmann (Nicholas Reinke). Nevertheless, following the abolition of capitalist property forms, the East German health system was no longer subject to the profit motives, which dominated the pharmaceutical industry in the West.

In the GDR, for example, there was a compulsory polio vaccination program for newborn babies based on a drug developed in the Soviet Union. Infant mortality rates were extremely high in both parts of Germany after the war, but were reduced earlier in the GDR than in West Germany, which had no comparable program. Doctors from different medical disciplines worked closely together in polyclinics. There was even the possibility of gender reassignment for transsexuals at an earlier period in the East than in West Germany, as the film demonstrates with one case at Prof. Kraatzs institute.

Above all, the third season movingly depicts the commitment and humanity of Charites staff, who did everything in their power to care for patients, in the face of considerable political adversity. The gruff but kind-hearted head nurse Gerda (Hildegard Schroedter) is exemplary in this respect. Those who flee to West Berlin, after the construction of the Berlin Wall, are viewed as individuals only concerned with their own welfare and careers.

Particularly noteworthy is the role of the paediatrician Rapoport: she fights for a holistic treatment for pregnant women and newborns against resistance from Professor Kraatz. Kraatz does not hide his resentment toward Rapoport, whose dissertation was not approved by the Nazis in 1937 because of her Jewish mother.

Rapoport stresses to Kraatz the necessity of merging the two parts of the clinic, which were only connected by long pathways after the construction of the Wall. One scene in the series features a dramatic rescue operation of a premature baby with jaundice.

In an interesting conversation with the babys mother, who wants to move as quickly as possible to West Berlin to join her husband, Rapoport explains why she moved from American exile to the GDR: I never really wanted to go back to Germany, but her husband had convinced her East Germany was a different state from the country that murdered six million Jews. To the objection that this new state was not fully developed, she says: That may be, but I like the approach, the idea of togetherness, of being there for one other 

In fact, Rapoport eventually achieved a breakthrough and the merger of the two hospital departments. In 1969, she was awarded the first chair of neonatology in the whole of Europe. In 2015, after a period of almost 80 years, the University of Hamburg retroactively recognised her dissertation, which Rapoport, born in 1912, personally defended in front of a panel of three professors. She died at the age of 104 and retained her socialist convictions until the end.

Dr Wendt also decides to stay at the Charite. At a cancer congress in West Berlin, she stands in for Dr Prokop and enthusiastically presents her research results. She is immediately wooed by West Berlin chief physicians who try to recruit her and, during a break, a Berlin clinic director makes the young researcher a tempting offer to work in a clinic sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Bayernaturally with a correspondingly higher salary than at the Charite.

The fact that the series third season coincides with the deadly intensification of the coronavirus crisis has a surprising, perhaps unintended effect. Viewers must unavoidably recall the desperate situation in hospitals today when Dr Wendt is suddenly faced with a triage decision. A farmer with an advanced lung condition needs penicillin as does the popular hospital caretaker Fritz, who has contracted blood poisoning. Due to a supply shortage, however, there is only one dose available. You dont want to let our Fritz die, do you? asks head nurse Gerda with a horrified look.

Back in the GDR, shortage was the reason for the lack of medicine . Today, intensive care beds, testing capacities and vaccines are lacking because of a deliberate policy of putting the profits of banks and corporations before the lives and health of the population.

Thirty years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the GDR were celebrated as the end of socialism and a victory for capitalism. At that time, the current horrific toll of coronavirus deaths was unimaginable. Television audiences will draw their own conclusions. On October 3, 2020, on the anniversary of German reunification, the WSWS wrote: The Wall separated two great lies. In the East, the Stalinist bureaucrats claimed to have built socialism, and in the West, the capitalist rulers who were in personnel continuity with the Nazis, celebrated themselves as liberal and democratic.

A genuine socialist society, allowing economic, scientific and medical cooperation in the interest of all humanity, requires the collaboration of workers around the globe and the worldwide elimination of the profit system. The coronavirus disaster places this task urgently on the agenda.


Some 350 Coles workers at the companys Smeaton Grange warehouse in southwestern Sydney are again being compelled to vote on an agreement that they have repeatedly rejected, during a dispute that has involved a more than three months-long lockout without pay.

An online company ballot is being held tomorrow, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., after the United Workers Union (UWU) forced through an indicative vote of its members at the site last Friday.

Locked-out Coles workers at the Smeaton Grange picket (WSWS Media)

As has been the case throughout the dispute, the formal trappings of democracy are a sham. The various ballots that have been held over the past three months resemble elections under a dictatorship, where there is really only one candidate. In the same way, workers are being told that they have only one choice, which is to ratify the sell-out. Ballot after ballot is held, until the company and the union get the result that they want.

Tomorrows vote is being held under conditions in which Coles has declared that it will not end the lockout and pay the workers a wage, until they accept the agreement. After three months out, workers are facing the prospect of weeks or months more, as well as threats that the already contemptuous redundancy provisions Coles has offered them, for the planned closure of the facility, could be stripped-back even further.

For its part, the UWU is telling workers that it will do nothing for them. Union officials have declared over recent weeks that they are unable to take any action, other than to engage in backroom discussions with company executives, who have already said that they will make no concessions, and to organise further votes.

In effect, the union has declared its own political bankruptcy. Claiming 150,000 members across the country and describing itself as a super-union that will fight to transform the future for working people, in practice, the UWU works with company managements, isolates workers during disputes and ensures that there is no broader disruption to the operations of the major corporations such as Coles.

The class character of the union as a rotten bureaucratic shell that exists to feather the nests of its executives, is demonstrated by its refusal to provide any strike pay.

Workers have noted that the union is meticulous in collecting their dues money each week, which nationally brings in millions of dollars every month. But when workers are subjected to a protracted lockout, without precedent in recent years, the UWU officials, like a big business politician reneging on election promises, discover a financial black hole. The more than $300 million that the union reported as assets at the end of the last financial year, which included over $94 million in cash reserves, has suddenly dried up or has been earmarked for other expenses.

In reality, the union has sought to starve the workers into submission, in close collaboration with Coles management. The union has more or less dropped any pretence of concern over the plight of the workers, or of opposing any of Coles attacks. The UWUs Facebook page is silent on Smeaton Grange, as is its website. Workers have said that the union has called no meetings in the lead-up to tomorrows vote, and has told them almost nothing.

This sell-out operation should be rejected with the contempt that it deserves. The Socialist Equality Party has called on workers to vote no to an agreement that provides for the closure of Smeaton Grange, the destruction of all their jobs, and gives the company what it wants on wage increases and redundancy, i.e., an agreement that throws workers on the scrapheap while costing Coles, which recently reported over half a billion in six-month profits, as little as possible.

The no vote, however, must be tied to a broader struggle. Many workers recognise that rejecting the sell-out in a ballot, as critical as that is, does not of itself resolve the issues that they confront.

A fight against the sell-out must be based on the lessons of the past three months, which include:

1. Nothing can be defended through the union or within its framework. The UWU has rejected every call made by workers for a genuine struggle. It has abandoned its own paltry demands on wages and redundancies, and has adopted those of the company. The union is now pushing an agreement that explicitly forbids workers from undertaking any future struggle at Smeaton Grange. These are the actions of a police force of management, not a workers organisation.

2. Coles offensive cannot be fought at one facility alone. What is taking place at Smeaton Grange is part of a sweeping restructure by Coles, which includes plans for the imminent closure of four other warehouses after Smeaton Grange. The central strategy of management and the union, throughout the dispute has been to keep it contained at Smeaton Grange, and to isolate the workers from their colleagues who face the exact same issues.

3. Workers are posed with a struggle not just against management, but one of the countrys largest companies, the massive financial firms that own it, as well as the government and the Labor Party, which have supported its attacks. They are up against the whole framework of the Fair Work Australia industrial laws, put in place by the last Labor government and the unions, to illegalise collective action and allow companies to carry out continuous restructuring, lockouts and victimisations.

All of this demonstrates that a new perspective and new organisations are required. Anger and opposition, within the straitjacket of the UWU, is not enough.

In the first instance, a struggle against the restructure requires a movement of workers throughout Coles, linking up workers at Smeaton Grange with their thousands of colleagues across the companys operations, especially those also facing closures. Other powerful sections of the working class are being hit with the same corporate assault, including Australia Post workers, Telstra employees and airline staff, to name only a few. Unified action by these workers, who number tens, or even hundreds of thousands, would transform the situation.

But this is what the UWU is seeking to prevent. A broader movement can only be developed through new organisations, including rank-and-file committees at Smeaton Grange and at every other Coles facility. These would provide workers with information, a forum for democratic discussion, free from the interference of the union officials, and a vehicle to plan and take concrete actions.

Such committees could organise political and industrial action spanning multiple workplaces, including coordinated stoppages at multiple Coles warehouses. The company is operating with a national strategy, workers need their own!

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has insisted that this is a political fight, directed against the ruling elite, its representatives in the official political parties and the unions, and their program of making the working class pay for the crisis of capitalism, and returning it to the conditions that existed in the 1930s.

The need for a socialist perspective is directly posed by this dispute. The only way that the spate of closures and the continuous, pro-business restructures will be ended, is if Coles, Woolworths, the other major corporations and the banks, are placed under public ownership and democratic workers control. They must be operated to meet the needs of workers and of society, not the profits of the billionaire shareholders. This means the fight for a workers government and for socialism.

The SEP urges workers seeking to fight the sell-out to contact us today.
Gulf Stream System at its weakest in over a millennium

Never before in over 1000 years the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), also known as Gulf Stream System, has been as weak as in the last decades. This is the result of a new study by scientists from Ireland, Britain and Germany. The researchers compiled so-called proxy data, taken mainly from natural archives like ocean sediments or ice cores, reaching back many hundreds of years to reconstruct the flow history of the AMOC. They found consistent evidence that its slowdown in the 20th century is unprecedented in the past millennium; it is likely linked to human-caused climate change. The giant ocean circulation is relevant for weather patterns in Europe and regional sea-levels in the US; its slowdown is also associated with an observed cold blob in the northern Atlantic.

"The Gulf Stream System works like a giant conveyor belt, carrying warm surface water from the equator up north, and sending cold, low-salinity deep water back down south. It moves nearly 20 million cubic meters of water per second, almost a hundred times the Amazon flow," explains Stefan Rahmstorf from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK, initiator of the study to be published in Nature Geoscience. Previous studies by Rahmstorf and colleagues showed a slowdown of the ocean current of about 15 percent since the mid-20th century, linking this to human-caused global warming, but a robust picture about its long-term development has up to now been missing: This is what the researchers provide with their review of results of proxy data studies.

"For the first time, we have combined a range of previous studies and found they provide a consistent picture of the AMOC evolution over the past 1600 years," says Rahmstorf. "The study results suggest that it has been relatively stable until the late 19th century. With the end of the little ice age in about 1850, the ocean currents began to decline, with a second, more drastic decline following since the mid-20th century." Already the 2019 special report on the oceans of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded with medium confidence "that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has weakened relative to 1850-1900." "The new study provides further independent evidence for this conclusion and puts it into a longer-term paleoclimatic context," Rahmstorf adds.

From temperature to flow speed changes: the art of reconstructing past climate changes

Because ongoing direct AMOC measurements only started in 2004, the researchers applied an indirect approach, using so-called proxy data, to find out more about the long-term perspective of its decline. Proxy data, as witnesses of the past, consist of information gathered from natural environmental archives such as tree rings, ice cores, ocean sediments, and corals, as well as from historical data, for instance from ship logs.

"We used a combination of three different types of data to obtain information about the ocean currents: temperature patterns in the Atlantic Ocean, subsurface water mass properties and deep-sea sediment grain sizes, dating back from 100 to ca. 1600 years. While the individual proxy data is imperfect in representing the AMOC evolution, the combination of them revealed a robust picture of the overturning circulation," explains Levke Caesar, part of the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Unit at Maynooth University and guest scientist at PIK.

As proxy records in general are subject to uncertainties, statistician Niamh Cahill from Maynooth University in Ireland tested the robustness of the results in consideration of these. She found that in 9 of the 11 data sets considered, the modern AMOC weakness is statistically significant. "Assuming that the processes measured in proxy records reflect changes in AMOC, they provide a consistent picture, despite the different locations and time scales represented in the data. The AMOC has weakened unprecedentedly in over 1000 years," she says.

Why is the AMOC slowing down?

An AMOC slowdown has long been predicted by climate models as a response to global warming caused by greenhouse gases. According to a number of studies, this is likely the reason for the observed weakening. The Atlantic overturning is driven by what the scientists call deep convection, triggered by the differences in the density of the ocean water: Warm and salty water moves from the south to the north where it cools down and thus gets denser. When it is heavy enough the water sinks to deeper ocean layers and flows back to the south. Global warming disturbs this mechanism: Increased rainfall and enhanced melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet add fresh water to the surface ocean. This reduces the salinity and thus the density of the water, inhibiting the sinking and thus weakening the flow of the AMOC.

Its weakening has also been linked to a unique substantial cooling of the northern Atlantic over the past hundred years. This so-called cold blob was predicted by climate models as a result of a weakening AMOC, which transports less heat into this region.

The consequences of the AMOC slowdown could be manifold for people living on both sides of the Atlantic as Levke Caesar explains: "The northward surface flow of the AMOC leads to a deflection of water masses to the right, away from the US east coast. This is due to Earth's rotation that diverts moving objects such as currents to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. As the current slows down, this effect weakens and more water can pile up at the US east coast, leading to an enhanced sea level rise." In Europe, a further slowdown of the AMOC could imply more extreme weather events like a change of the winter storm track coming off the Atlantic, possibly intensifying them. Other studies found possible consequences being extreme heat waves or a decrease in summer rainfall. Exactly what the further consequences are is the subject of current research; scientists also aim to resolve which components and pathways of the AMOC have changed how and for what reasons.

"If we continue to drive global warming, the Gulf Stream System will weaken further - by 34 to 45 percent by 2100 according to the latest generation of climate models," concludes Rahmstorf. This could bring us dangerously close to the tipping point at which the flow becomes unstable.

###

Article: L. Caesar, G. D. McCarthy, D. J. R. Thornalley, N. Cahill, S. Rahmstorf (2020): Current Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation weakest in last millennium. Nature Geoscience [DOI: 10.1038/s41561-021-00699-z]

This story has been published on: 2021-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
(Natural News) At least 160 businesses have left Seattle since March 2020. While some left the city due to the effects of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many more business leaders have said that its because of the citys unwillingness to solve problems related to crime, rioting and violence.

Similar trends can be seen in California and New York, where businesses are moving their headquarters to states that do not have regressive tax policies.

Downtown started off as a vibrant place to be. Over time, we became embarrassed [to be here], said Megan Gluth-Bohan, CEO of TR International, a global chemical distributor based out of downtown Seattle that recently announced its intention to move its headquarters.

TR International is moving to Edmonds, a city in nearby Snohomish County, just north of Seattle. The company has called the downtown area its home for more than 20 years, but Gluth-Bohan said the ongoing riot-related violence, rampant homelessness, drug use and other criminal activities were becoming too much to deal with.

Gluth-Bohan said that her companys mostly female workforce no longer feels safe downtown.

We had one female employee chased into a Starbucks. Business partners coming in for meetings were dodging human fecal matter and homeless people on the sidewalk, she added. We had an employee paying for parking after work. She had her drivers side window down working the parking machine, and someone attempted to enter her car.

Gluth-Bohan remarked that Seattles problem with crime and violence has grown aggressive and pervasive, and city leaders are not doing anything to try and solve it. Because of this, she said she has no intention of returning to the city.

I looked out my window the other day and there were four deer that went by, she said about one of her recent trips to Edmonds. I thought, thats a difference, right there.

TR International just paid $4 million towards the construction of their new headquarters in Edmonds. They have also invested $500,000 into the citys local economy for renovations. (Related: Boeing relocating to a state without Democrat lunatics who raise taxes, punish businesses.)

Businesses leaving other blue states like New York and California

Over the past few months, prominent businesses have similarly announced their departure from blue states like New York and California.

In the Golden State, many corporations based out of Silicon Valley have decided to pack their bags. Large corporations like Hewlett Packard Enterprise have announced that they want to move to cities like Houston.

We are excited that Hewlett Packard Enterprise has chosen to call Texas home, and I thank them for expanding their investment in the Lone Star State by relocating their headquarters to the Houston region, said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The governor bragged about how Hewlett Packard is joining the growing list of Fortune 500 companies based in Texas, 22 of which are located within the Houston metropolitan area alone.

We intend to maintain a robust presence in our historical birthplace of Silicon Valley as a hub for technological talent and innovation, including housing the headquarters of Aruba at our San Jose campus that opened in 2019, said Hewlett Packard CEO Antonio Neri.

Neri said that while it was not closing its offices in the Bay Area, Houston presented itself as an attractive market to recruit and retain future diverse talent, which is why it was moving its headquarters there.

There are no layoffs associated with this move, and we are committed to both markets as key parts of our talent and real estate strategies in a post-pandemic world.

Hewlett Packard is joining other California-based tech giants that are planting their roots in other states. Apple is in the process of constructing a $1 billion campus in the Austin metropolitan area. Following the announcement that Tesla was constructing a new factory in Austin, chief executive officer Elon Musk announced that he has become a resident of Texas.

Oracle Corp., the worlds second-largest software maker, announced that it was making a strategic realignment away from Silicon Valley and into Texas because of the long-term financial benefits, including lower payroll costs and the potential to more easily recruit employees in the near future.

A similar trend is occurring in the countrys financial capital. Stacey Cunningham, president of the New York Stock Exchange, is floating around the idea of leaving New York for Florida to avoid taxes. The NYSE is joining other finance corporations that have already moved at least part of their business out of New York, including UBS, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Citibank and Barclays.

Cunningham and these other financial corporations are responding to Assembly Bill A7791B, a state bill being proposed that would place a tax upon every stock that is bought or sold.

Individuals and entities respond to incentives, said Shelton Weeks, chair of the Florida Gulf Coast Universitys Economics Department. Weeks said he was not surprised when he learned that the worlds largest financial marketplace might move to either Florida or Texas.

When you continue to stack negative incentives in front of an individual or entity such as the New York Stock Exchange, youre going to drive behavior, said Weeks.

And with a lot of work being done in the stock exchange going virtual, avoiding taxes has never been easier. The ability to conduct business virtually really breaks that tie to a specific geographic area, he added.

Learn more about how the economies of Washington, New York and California are on the verge of crumbling entirely by reading the latest articles at MarketCrash.news.

Sources include:

KING5.com

SanFrancisco.CBSLocal.com

KTVU.com

Bloomberg.com

Fox4Now.com
Some 37 vaccination centres are to be set up around the country (PA)

The boss of the Health Service Executive said staff are working night and day to ensure mass vaccination centres are ready for the surge in vaccine supplies.

Paul Reid said there are currently 6,500 people trained in the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

A national recruitment campaign is currently under way to bring in more staff ahead of a significant ramp-up in vaccines.

The HSE chief executive said the rollout is based on supply, and that every vaccine is being delivered.

Vaccines teach your immune system how to protect you from diseases. A #COVID19 vaccine will offer you protection from COVID-19.aFor factual, expert information you can trust, visit: ahttps://t.co/fCS9k9xnGl

a

#CovidVaccine #HoldFirm pic.twitter.com/AtkgCTUj6o  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) February 26, 2021

Around 100,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines are expected to be delivered this week  its highest to date.

The Department of Health said that plans are being put in place to vaccinate one million people a month from April.

We have put a lot of preparation plans in place, both in terms of the various locations that we have and the significant recruitment campaign, Mr Reid told RTE.

The Government aims to have administered first doses to 40% of people over the age of 18 by the end of April, 64% by the end of May and up to 82% of adults by the end of June.

Some 37 vaccination centres are to be set up around the country, with an aim of having one in every county.

As of February 22nd, 359,616 doses of #COVID19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:



a226,291 people have received their first dose

a133,325 people have received their second dose  Department of Health (@roinnslainte) February 25, 2021

Mr Reid said on Friday that there has been a ramping up of resources to get the vaccination centres ready.

We have seen the use of vaccination centres, like the use of the Helix last week in DCU with more than 1,000 vaccinations by 100 GPs.

Up to 5,000 people are being vaccinated a day in these centres.

We have been working night and day to put these preparations in place, this is a great motivator for us in the healthcare teams and staff who are working on something really positive  everyone has galvanised behind this.

To date, we are in an exciting place in vaccinating the over-70s.

People have made huge sacrifices, particularly since December and we don't want to lose the progress we have made Paul Reid, HSE

Mr Reid also urged the public to continue following the Level 5 restrictions.

People have made huge sacrifices, particularly since December and we dont want to lose the progress we have made, he added.

All the indicators are going at the right direction, but it is still at a high base.

Mr Reid said that one in four close contacts are testing positive for Covid-19.

There are currently 574 patients in hospital with Covid-19, with 136 people in ICU.

Meanwhile, Dr Cillian De Gascun, director of the UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, said that the B1525 variant found in Nigeria is of concern.

One case of the variant has been found in the east of Ireland and is associated with travel, Dr De Gascun told RTE.

We know that this variant B1525 accounts for just over 20% of cases in Nigeria, thats based on the publicly available sequence data, and I think it is probably slightly different to the variants we have become used to over the last few weeks.

Theres a couple of things when we look at in a new variant  we know it is a mutation of concern as its got changes in its spike protein that may have an impact on vaccine effectiveness.

In contrast to variants reported in the UK, South Africa and Brazil, this one hasnt yet become dominant in Nigeria or anywhere, so it doesnt appear to be more transmissible but we are concerned based on the fact that it has those changes that might have an impact on vaccine response.
Mumbai, Feb 26 : Actor Kunj Anand, who plays the role of a police officer in the web series Crashh!, made sure to prepare well for his role before the shoot began.

The actor had just 21 days to prepare mentally and physically for the role. To get an understanding of the role, he regularly visited Sahar police station in Mumbai.

"I had to bulk up for the role and put on 11 kilos. It was uplifting to observe how the officers at the station were vigilant through the night, away from their families, always on their toes. It made me realise the sacrifices the police force makes for which we don't thank them enough. I was lucky enough to go on a night patrolling trip with them. I am so grateful for the experience," says Kunj.

The series also stars Rohan Mehra, Aditi Sharma, Anushka Sen, and Zain Imam, with Kushal Zaveri in the director's chair.
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An impressive trompe-l-oeil fresco painted in the coastal city of Boulogne-Sur-Mer was recently crowned Frances most beautiful street artwork for 2020.

Every year, a popular French portal dedicated to urban art hosts a national competition to crown the nations most impressive street art. Thousands of votes are cast, and for last year, the title went to an amazing artwork created by Spanish street artist Gonzalo Borondo, on the citys rue Jules Baudelocque, last summer. From the right angle, it looks like an elaborate metal gate, with detailed bas-reliefs on either side, but a closer look reveals it to be just an optical illusion.

Located on this grand staircase on rue Jules-Baudelocque in a traditional district of Boulogne-sur-mer, Borondos fresco is meant to be an allegory of life, according to Abid Amziane, the head of the citys street-art festival.

You first see a closed door, and you may think that in life everything is closed. But by going up on each step, you reach stages, like consciousness, or free will. And at the seventh and last level, you understand that life has just started, and that you should never let go, Amziane said.

Interestingly Gonzalo Borondos street artwork is unfinished. Because of the rain, the Spanish artist could only work his magic for four days, instead of the planned seven, so he is expected back this year to finish the masterpiece. If it already looks good enough to win the prestigious Golden Street Art prize, I wonder how itll look when its done.

Gonzalo Borondo is an accomplished street artist, whose works adorn buildings and streets all over the world, but this win is definitely a nice feather for his cap.



It is well deserved. It is a great recognition for the artist, for the city and for us, Amziane said. He is in great demand but the objective is to see him here again very soon.
HIT : Despite some difficulties teaching and creating art this past year, "Both Ends of the Rainbow" has once again returned to the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn. The annual exhibit is a collection of art from area schools and senior citizens, a combination of work by pre-K-12 students in the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES district and artists 65 and older who live in Cayuga County or are members of the Schweinfurth. The new show also includes a display of art by teachers. The exhibit opens Sunday, Feb. 28, and will continue through April 3. A virtual tour will also be available at myartcenter.org .

MISS: You may get away once. You may even get away twice. But it's safe to say that the police aren't going to stop looking for you. A young man in Auburn learned that lesson recently when he was picked up by police and charged with numerous crimes. The Auburn Police Department said the juvenile offender stole cars over a period of six months or more before being caught. "We were just able to finally get the person arrested on multiple different incidences that had occurred over a course of time, it's just that we happened to just be able to get him all lined up where we could get him arrested and processed," APD Capt. Kyle Platt said.
New York, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cannabis Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2020 - 2025)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06028477/?utm_source=GNW

Cannabis retail outlets, producers, manufacturers, distributors, and warehouses were deemed to be essential services by the Alberta Government on March 30, 2020. As a result, cannabis businesses and services have continued to serve Albertans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The drivers identified in the market are the medicinal properties of cannabis, increasing the legalization of cannabis, and increasing advances in genetic development and intellectual property of cannabis. For instance, in January 2018, the Australian government allowed cannabis producers in the region to export medical cannabis and its products in the global market.

North America Dominates the market. The cannabis industry has grown and matured significantly in the United States due to its use for medicinal purposes. As a Psychoactive drug, cannabis continues to find extensive favor among recreational and medicinal users in the United States.



Key Market Trends

Increasing Legalization of Cannabis is Driving the Market



Medicinal cannabis accounts for the majority share of the cannabis market. Many countries have legalized the usage of cannabis for medicinal purposes such as Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, and Uruguay among others. The provinces in the United States, where cannabis has been legalized majorly, comprise the adult population, aged 50 years and above. Owing to the higher risk of chronic diseases post 50 years of age, this demographic profile is expected to boost the demand for cannabis in the country. According to Cannabis Europa, in Europe, France may catch up with Germany and the United Kingdom in legalizing medical cannabis by the end of 2020. Norway is exploring decriminalization of cannabis use and has some innovative harm-reduction policies in place. Furthermore, several civil society movements for reforms are emerging across Scandinavia, as well as in Sweden.



According to the US Government Accountability Office, under State Medical Marijuana Laws, symptoms and conditions that can be treated by cannabis include Alzheimers disease, anorexia, HIV-AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, arthritis, epilepsy, nausea, pain, cachexia, Crohns disease, migraines, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and wasting syndrome. Continuous research and standardization of products for medicinal purposes are expected to increase the popularity, as well as demand for cannabis in the future.



North America Dominates the Market



The North American cannabis industry is set to become the major producer of cannabis after the legalization of cannabis in Canada. In October 2018, Canada legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes nationwide.



In December 2018, the United States government approved the farm bill, making cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC legal in the country. Similarly, some of its derivative compounds have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medicinal use. Marinol, Syndros, Cesamet, and Epidolex are the cannabinoid drugs that received approval from the FDA in the country. Furthermore, in the United States, ten states have legalized cannabis for recreational use and on other hand, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. Among these states, California, Washington, and Colorado are the top-selling cannabis products. the production levels of cannabis in North America have increased rapidly over the past few years owing to the expansion of the production capacities by the major players.



Competitive Landscape

The Global Cannabis Market is an extremely fragmented market with local and regional players occupying a major share in the market. In the cannabis market, companies are very active and are constantly involved in acquiring shares and developing new products to attract a larger portion of consumers toward their products. For instance, in January 2019, Canopy Growth Expanded Beverage Portfolio with the launch of the first CBD-Infused Beverage Line Quatreau.



Companies in the United States and Canada are focusing more on acquiring licenses for the production and trade of cannabis-based products. They are also involved in the development of food products containing cannabis, which is the preferred mode of consumption by the consumers.



Reasons to Purchase this report:

- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

- 3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06028477/?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.



__________________________
A former member of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo s administration who has accused him of sexual harassment has claimed he once kissed her on the lips without consent.

Lindsey Boylan said that during more than three years in the Democrats administration, Mr Cuomo would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs, compared her to one of his rumoured ex-girlfriends and once remarked they should play strip poker.

The politicians spokesperson Caitlin Girouard said that all Ms Boylans claims of inappropriate behaviour are quite simply false.

Read More

But the state legislatures two top leaders criticised Mr Cuomos alleged conduct as calls grew for an investigation.

Ms Boylan, a Democrat running for Manhattan borough president, made the new allegations in a post on the website Medium more than two months after she first spoke up about alleged mistreatment by Mr Cuomo. At the time, she hadnt provided details, saying she had no interest in speaking to journalists.

She said her decision to say more followed Assembly member Ron Kims accusations of bullying and threats from Mr Cuomo and his aides.

Ms Boylan wrote the kiss happened at the end of a meeting with the governor at his New York City office.

As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips. I was in shock, but I kept walking, she wrote. The idea that someone might think I held my high-ranking position because of the Governors crush on me was more demeaning than the kiss itself.

When the former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor initially tweeted in December that Mr Cuomo had sexually harassed her, the governor denied he had done anything inappropriate.

Look, I fought for and I believe a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion and express issues and concerns that she has, Mr Cuomo said at the time. But its just not true.

State Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a fellow Democrat, called Ms Boylans account deeply

disturbing.

Harassment in the workplace of any kind should not be tolerated, said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, also a Democrat.
Crescent Capital Group LP, a leading alternative asset management firm, announced today that its European Specialty Lending strategy has provided refinancing to the existing banking facilities of Avania, a leading global full-service contract research organization ("CRO") focused on medical technology development. Avania is a portfolio company of Kester Capital. Terms of the financing were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Bilthoven, the Netherlands and serving sponsors worldwide, Avania is focused on the management of clinical studies for medical devices, medical device/drug combinations and biological and cell-based products internationally. Avania was acquired by Kester Capital in 2016, and with that investment, Avania started a successful journey to establish global presence through organic growth and multiple acquisitions in Europe, U.S. and Australia.

"We are proud to support Avania and Kester Capital on this refinancing, which we believe will continue to support the company's growth trajectory as a leading, global MedTech-focused CRO. We have been impressed with Avania's ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and post strong growth in 2020," said Christine Vanden Beukel, Managing Director and head of Crescent's European Specialty Lending strategy. "This transaction demonstrates Crescent's ability to provide flexible financing solutions to support high-growth companies and their sponsors."

About Crescent Capital Group LP

Crescent is a global credit investment manager with approximately $30 billion of assets under management. For nearly 30 years, the firm has focused on below investment grade credit through strategies that invest in marketable and privately-originated debt securities including senior bank loans, high yield bonds, as well as private senior, unitranche, and junior debt securities. Crescent is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York, Boston, and London and more than 180 employees globally. For more information about Crescent, visit www.crescentcap.com.

About Avania

Avania is a leading, global full-service contract research organization focused on the management of clinical studies for medical devices, IVDs, biologics, and device-drug combination products internationally. Avania supports products from the first-in-human phase through the post-market phase with the same customized approach. When you need to advance your medical technology, it takes Avania. Avania's vision is to be your trusted global partner in the evolution of your medical technology from innovation to commercialization to improving patient health and well-being.

About Kester Capital

Kester Capital is a primary buy-out specialist, led by entrepreneurial and experienced investors, and focused on UK businesses that require capital in order to unlock their potential. Established in 2007, Kester has been making European private equity investments focused on Healthcare, Business Financial Services, TMT and Niche Consumer. For more information, please visit http://www.kestercapital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005069/en/

Contacts:

Crescent Capital Group

Mendel Communications

Bill Mendel, +1-212-397-1030

bill@mendelcommunications.com
There was no possibility of Pakistan being blacklisted by the FATF as it has made "significant progress", a senior minister claimed on Friday, a day after the global anti-money laundering watchdog retained the country on its "Grey List", citing "serious deficiencies" on its part in checking terror-financing.

Addressing the media after the Financial Action Task Force, the Paris-based global body against money-laundering and terror-financing, announced to keep Pakistan on its Grey List until June, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar said that Islamabad achieved the targets despite the challenging timeline given to it.

"There was no possibility of Pakistan being blacklisted by the FATF," Azhar, who led Pakistani delegation at the plenary as the chairman of the FATF Coordination Committee, said.

At the previous plenary, FATF countries and the FATF secretariat said that blacklisting was not an option because the country has achieved significant progress," he said.

Read | Explainer: What is FATF? What are its lists?

Azhar claimed that the world was "appreciative" of Pakistans effort to complete the 27-point action plan of the FATF.

As you have seen, today the FATF itself is saying that we are 90 per cent close to achieving this goal, he said, adding that the remaining three point out of 27 would be completed soon.

The FATF has retained Pakistan on the "Grey List", giving it another four months to remove the deficiencies in three remaining points of the "action plan".

After its virtual plenary on Thursday, Marcus Pleyer, president of FATF, said the deadline given to Pakistan has already expired and asked Islamabad to address their concerns "as quickly as possible".

Also Read | FATF again decides to keep Pakistan on its 'grey list'

There is "serious deficiency" on the part of Pakistan in checking terror-financing and the country is yet to demonstrate taking action against the UN-designated terrorists and their associates, he said.

Pleyer said Pakistan continues to remain on the "increased monitoring list", another name for the "Grey List".

He said the courts in Pakistan must mete out "effective, decisive and proportionate" punishment to those involved in terrorism, a statement which comes close on the heels of the acquittal of terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main accused in the 2002 murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl, by Pakistan's Supreme Court.

Among the UN-designated terrorists are India's most wanted terrorists such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed and the outfit's operational commander, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

Also Read | Pakistan unlikely to exit 'grey' list of global terror funding watchdog until June

Azhar, Saeed and Lakhvi are most wanted terrorists in India for their involvement in numerous terrorist acts, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the 2019 bombing of a CRPF bus in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. Pleyer said Pakistan must complete three unfulfilled tasks and once that is done, the FATF will verify and take a decision on its present status in the next plenary to be held in June.

Pakistan was placed on the "Grey List" by the FATF in June, 2018 and was given a plan of action to be completed by October, 2019. Since then the country continues to be on that list due to its failure to comply with the FATF mandates.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money-laundering, terror-financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

It currently has 39 members, including two regional organisations -- the European Commission and the Gulf Cooperation Council. India is a member of the FATF consultations and its Asia Pacific Group.
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General Overseer of the Alabaster International Ministries, Prophet Kofi Oduro has warned persons involved in homosexuality to immediately desist from the act.



Prophet Kofi Oduro expressed utter disgust over the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights (LGBTQI) movement in Ghana wondering why a man or woman would develop sexual affections for the same sex.



He emphasized that homosexuality is an abomination to God.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Prophet Kofi Oduro noted that people in this generation do not live long because of their perverse ways like homosexuality.



"When you look at this generation, there is a sterility that is on us . . . There is no blessing upon us . . . We should be able to repent or else we will face the worse," he said.



The Prophet revealed God will visit his wrath upon homosexuals should they refuse to repent.



"If you're part of this, stay away immediately because this will incur the wrath of God . . . Something is wrong with this generation!



"This thing is beyond sin. It's madness. It's rebellion and foolishness," he exclaimed.





Reinforcement of Laws

Prophet Oduro also backed calls for the enactment of laws specifically addressing the LGBTQI+ community.



According to him, the laws should clearly prohibit the advocacy of homosexuality as well as outlaw homosexual practices in the country.



"We must enshrine it in our constitution that we absolutely abhor the LGBTQI+," he said.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Married At First Sight's Melissa Rawson broke down in tears following an awkward conversation with husband Bryce Ruthven on Thursday's episode.

But it seems all was soon forgiven between the pair as they appeared to be getting along fine while grocery shopping in Sydney during filming in October.

Workplace trainer Melissa, 31, dressed casually for the outing in an off-the-shoulder red crop top and high-waisted black jeans.

Back on track: Married At First Sight's Melissa Rawson broke down in tears after an awkward conversation with husband Bryce Ruthven on Thursday's episode. But it seems all was soon forgiven between the pair as they appeared to be getting along fine during filming in October

She teamed the look with sandals and a cross-body handbag, and accessorised with a pair of tinted sunglasses.

The blonde carried two shopping bags alongside her husband Bryce, who handled the bulkier items they had bought.

The former radio announcer also opted for a laid-back look, wearing a beige singlet with shorts and sneakers.

Shopping: Melissa, 31, dressed casually for the grocery run in Sydney's Chippendale in an off-the-shoulder red crop top and high-waisted black jeans. She teamed the look with sandals and a cross-body handbag, and accessorised with a pair of tinted sunglasses

Bags in hand: The blonde carried two shopping bags alongside her husband Bryce, who handled the bulkier items they had bought

Chaperone: Accompanying the couple on their grocery trip was a producer in a face mask

Bryce, 31, also kept sun-safe with with a brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses.

Accompanying the couple on their grocery trip was a producer in a face mask.

Inside the store, the pair maintained neutral expressions as they stocked up on food and essentials.

Browsing: Inside the store, the pair maintained neutral expressions as they stocked up on food and essentials

Protection: The lovebirds were also seen buying condoms

Done! After leaving the store, Melissa, Bryce and their producer made their way to a taxi

Return trip: They jumped into the cab and headed back to their accommodation in Sydney

The lovebirds were also seen buying condoms.

After leaving the store, Melissa, Bryce and their producer made their way to a taxi, where they were joined by a cameraman and sound operator.

Their outing comes after Melissa was reduced to tears on the second day of their honeymoon, which aired on Thursday.

They started the day metres apart from each other during breakfast.

Honeymoon from hell! Their outing comes after Melissa was reduced to tears on the second day of their honeymoon, which aired on Thursday. They started the day metres apart from each other during breakfast

The couple ignored each other until Bryce asked his wife if she wanted to address their argument from the night before in which he admitted she 'wasn't his type'.

'I don't know what else I can say to clear up what I meant,' Melissa said, referring to how she'd asked Bryce if he had an ulterior motive for appearing on the show.

'It's just if you trust someone you don't question them. I didn't question you,' he replied.

Awkward: The couple ignored each other until Bryce asked his wife if she wanted to address their argument from the night before in which he admitted she 'wasn't his type'

Doubling down: 'I don't know what else I can say to clear up what I meant,' Melissa said, referring to how she'd asked Bryce if he had an ulterior motive for appearing on the show

A tearful Melissa then confessed: 'Maybe it's just going to take me a little bit longer to realise that this could potentially be something. I didn't think that I would like you this quickly.'

She later told producers: 'I'm 100 per cent out of my depth. I've no idea how to navigate this.

'I honestly shouldn't feel so insecure, but I don't know when I will be able to fully trust him because there's still elements of his life and who he is that I'm still getting to know where to go from here.'

Hurdle: A tearful Melissa confessed, 'Maybe it's just going to take me a little bit longer to realise that this could potentially be something. I didn't think that I would like you this quickly.' She later apologised to her husband for doubting his intentions

Melissa asked Bryce, 'Do we have a reset button?' then apologised to him.

The blonde swiftly returned to her bedroom, where she bawled her eyes out.

Bryce followed her in to ask if she was okay and the cameras captured the couple embracing.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Nine
The record cold and snow in Texas didn't just catch the state's human inhabitants off-guard, it threatened its endangered sea turtle population.

Volunteers rescued thousands of the endangered amphibians across the Gulf region last week that were effectively paralyzed by the freezing temperatures, preventing them from eating or keeping their heads above water.

Wildlife officials in Corpus Christi recently returned hundreds of sea turtles to the ocean and used slides to return them to the wild.

The gentle creatures were placed one at a time on a wet slide, zoomed back into the water and then swam away.

The Texas Sealife Center says it released more than 200 sea turtles on Monday and Tuesday alone.

Scroll down for video

Rehabilitated turtles are placed one at a time on a long slide, then zoom down and splash into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Residents across South Texas worked to rescue the cold-blooded creatures, which can succumb to 'cold stun' in arctic weather.

Cold stun is a condition in which extremely low temperatures cause hypothermia, paralyzing the turtles and preventing them from eating or keeping their heads above water.

It can also make them more susceptible to predators and boat propellers.

'If water temperatures drop below approximately 50F, sea turtles become lethargic and are unable to swim. They float up to the surface and become vulnerable to boat strikes or wash ashore and become stranded,' according to the National Park Service.

Arctic weather in south Texas last week caused the water temperature to dip below 50 degrees, sending thousands of sea turtles into shock. Pictured: Turtles at the convention center on South Padre Island

'If not rescued quickly, these defenseless animals often die of shock, predation, or trauma due to boat strike.'

On South Padre Island, volunteers working with local rescue group Sea Turtle, Inc. took more than 4,000 frozen turtles to the convention center for rehabilitation.

In Corpus Christi, residents and staff at the Texas Sealife Center rescued more than a thousand green sea turtles, plucking them from boats and sometimes carrying them by hand.

Once in a temperature-controlled shelter, they slowly bring the animal's body temperature back up to normal.

When a turtle appears to have recovered, it's given a 'swim test,' naturalist Jamie McWilliams of the Cape Ann Whale Watch told IFLScience.

'In order for a turtle to be medically cleared for release by our veterinarian, Dr Tim Tristan, they must be able to dive, settle to the bottom of the pool and remain active.'

A green sea turtle takes its final swim test before being returned to the ocean

If a turtle gets a clean bill of health and passes its swim exam, it's released about 12 miles off the coast.

The staff doesn't just toss the creatures overboard, but each turtle is carefully placed on a slicked-up slip 'n' slide and careens into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

But just because most turtles are back in the water doesn't mean they're out of the woods yet, McWilliams said.

Sea turtles lie in tubs as volunteers work to warm their body temperatures after the winter storm

'We still have 75 juvenile green sea turtles at our facility who require additional rehabilitation for various injuries,' she told IFL Science, adding that the donation-based group still needs help covering surgeries and antibiotics for its remaining patients.

Sea Turtle Inc also posted a video on Facebook of some of the 2,200 cold-stunned turtles it released into the Gulf down blue slides.

The group thanked the thousands of community members who ' bundled up and volunteered long hours," many of whom had no electricity, heat or water at home.

'We still have lots of work to do but we are rejuvenated with passion and having seen our first released turtles swim away.'
Ukraine is interested in implementing promising investment projects in the maritime sector in cooperation with American business.

Infrastructure Minister Kryklii said this during a webinar dedicated to the Maritime Infrastructure Modernization Program in Ukraine, which took place under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, the press service of the Infrastructure Ministry reports.

"We are open to investors and the implementation of promising investment projects in the maritime industry in cooperation with American business and are happy to invite you to invest in Ukraine," he said.

The infrastructure minister informed about the successful experience of implementing the first concession projects in the ports of Olvia and Kherson. According to him, the ministry is planning to implement next concessions in the industry.

"We are currently in the process of preparing concession projects in the seaports of Berdiansk, Izmail and Mariupol. We are also preparing a project of the concession for a passenger terminal in the Odesa Sea Port, the concession of a railway and ferry complex and a container terminal in the Black Sea port, he said.

The event was attended by U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine Kristina Kvien, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Trade Policy David de Falco, SPILNO Project Office Chair Taras Boychuk, Director of the Infrastructure Support Team Iryna Koshel, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, EBRD, US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), U.S. Export-Import Bank, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, ADM Ukraine LLC, AVELLUM, Baker & McKenzie, Aon Ukraine, CHS Ukraine LLC and other companies.

The participants in the event also discussed the possible participation of American business representatives in the implementation of promising public-private partnership projects in the road sector.

iy

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the female cartoon characters shown on Iranian television must be shown wearing a hijab, a head covering worn in public by some women. Khamenei added that even though it is not necessary for the women in cartoons and other animated films to have their hair covered, it is required because of the consequences of not wearing a hijab. When the Iranian Supreme Leader was asked by the pro-regime Tasnim News Agency if he believed it was necessary to observe hijab for the characters of animated films, he replied by saying it is required.

Khamenei said, 'Although wearing hijab in such a hypothetical situation is not required per se, observing hijab in animation is required due to the consequences of not wearing hijab. However, the Iranian Supreme Leader did not go into further details about what kind of consequences he was referring to.

Read - Iran Welcomes US Steps To Ease Pressure

Read - Iran Imposes Curbs On UN Nuclear Inspections

Khamenei receives backlash

Khameneis remarks unleashed severe criticism against him including Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad who mocked the Supre Leader. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, This isn't a joke! The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced women even in animations should wear hijab. Even female insects like bees have their hijabs on!

Their obsession with the hair of female anything is toxic. These people are in power in Iran, she added. Even Iranian academic Arash Aziz criticised the decision on social media and said, In case you thought the Grand Ayatollah Khamenei wasn't focused on core issues of interest for Iran and Iranians. Khameneis rule of hijab in animations came even though Iran has stringent censorship policies on its countrys film industry.

The absurdity of this is beyond my comprehension. Is the fear that girls will grow up and not wear hijab? Or that cartoon characters might be seductive to some adults? Is this what Islam has become? Heba Yosry, a teacher from nearby Cairo, Egypt, wrote on Twitter.

Read - Biden Attempt To Resurrect Iran Nuke Deal Off To Bumpy Start

Read - Iran To Limit UN Inspector Access To Nuclear Sites




Fireweed Zinc (CVE: FWZ) CEO Brandon Macdonald joined Steve Darling from Proactive with news the company has released the final results from the 2020 drilling at Boundary Zone of the Macmillan Pass Project in the Yukon. Those results, according to Macdonald, have shown the near-surface upper sequence to have significant widths and grade on that Boundary zone. Macdonald telling Proactive, these initial intersections point to two distinct stratiform mineralized systems at Boundary West that suggest massive size potential.
ANSAmed - Weekly Diary from March 1 to March 7

(ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 26 - The following are the main events of interest scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean area between March 1 and March 7: MONDAY, MARCH 1 GENEVA - Donors conference for Yemen.



PARIS - ruling in a trial for corruption against former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.



ISTANBUL - ruling on a case involving two actors accused of insulting Erdogan.



BRUSSELS - EU tourism ministers to meet in a videoconference.



GENEVA - UN Commission on Syria will publish a report on prisoners detained in Syrian jails.



TUESDAY, MARCH 2 ANKARA - Erdogan will be presenting an action plan on human rights.



MOROCCO - night curfew in force across the country is expected to be lifted.



BRUSSLES - EU foreign trade ministers to meet.



WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 No major event scheduled THURSDAY, MARCH 4 ISTANBUL - trial in absentia to resume against 20 people charged with being involved in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.



THESSALONIKI - documentary festival to begin (continues until 14/3).



FRIDAY, MARCH 5 No major event scheduled SATURDAY, MARCH 6 ISRAEL - borders will be reopened.



SUNDAY, MARCH 7 No major event scheduled (ANSA).




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The mass movement for police reform that exploded in the wake of the killing of George Floyd also led to a renewed push to re-think our reliance on law enforcement to handle thousands of mental health crisis calls every year.

The numbers make the case: People with untreated serious mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during an encounter with the cops than other civilians, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center. And 25% of people shot at by the LAPD from 2015-19 were perceived to have a mental illness.

Since last summer, we've seen a flurry of initiatives in the city and county of Los Angeles aimed at alternatives to crisis response. But several months in, where do they stand?

BABY STEPS IN THE CITY OF LA TOWARDS UNARMED RESPONSE

In October, the L.A. City Council approved a motion that called for the city to develop an unarmed model of crisis response that would divert non-violent calls for mental health and substance use situations away from law enforcement. Here's what's happened since:

This week city staff told the council that they plan to model the effort on the CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Oregon . Run out of a mental health clinic, CAHOOTS deploys teams made up of a medic and a crisis worker -- no police. (The LAPD's Mental Evaluation Unit deploys teams comprised of a police officer and a social worker; more on that below.) The program says out of roughly 24,000 calls in 2019, the team had to ask for police backup less than 1% of the time.

Run out of a mental health clinic, CAHOOTS deploys teams made up of a medic and a crisis worker -- no police. (The LAPD's Mental Evaluation Unit deploys teams comprised of a police officer and a social worker; more on that below.) The program says out of roughly 24,000 calls in 2019, the team had to ask for police backup less than 1% of the time. We still don't know what the L.A. program's scope will be. It's unclear whether the city will try to go big or just launch a small pilot program. There are concerns from both council members and advocates that a model from small and less diverse Eugene (with a population of about 170,000, compared with L.A.'s four million) will face difficulties here. Whatever approach the city decides on, the program is slated to start this fall or winter.

THE CITY MOVES TO MORE QUICKLY DEPLOY ITS COP-SOCIAL WORKER TEAMS

For years, the LAPD's Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU) has sent out two-person teams of mental health clinicians and officers to try to defuse mental health crisis situations and get people help instead of arresting them. Last year the department had 17 of these teams. Now the department has launched a pilot program that's aimed at getting those teams into the field more quickly:

Until now, a patrol officer would have to call in these teams as secondary responders. Under the pilot, they'll go out at the same time. But questions remain: how will dispatchers decide which calls are appropriate to handle in this way? Another issue: There aren't enough teams to respond to all the calls the MEU gets. In 2019 they got about 20,000 calls but could only respond to about 8,000 of them.

THE CITY AND COUNTY TEAM UP ON THERAPEUTIC TRANSPORT VANS

Last year, city and county officials announced a joint pilot program to better utilize the County Department of Mental Health's fleet of five "therapeutic transport" vans:

Staffed with mental health experts and equipped with TV monitors that allow the patient to connect with a psychiatrist remotely, the vans will be based at five city fire stations. County mental health specialists will also deploy to the stations and be integrated into the 911 system, although officials didn't have details on which calls will be directed to them. The pilot was expected to launch in January, but it hasn't begun yet; the city still needs to approve a memorandum of agreement.

THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE DIVERTING SOME 911 CALLS TO CRISIS COUNSELORS
Today the Government will publish its long-awaited white paper on ending direct provision. All the indications suggest there will be increased focus on fostering integration and inclusion in local communities.

This was recommended by 2020s Catherine Day Report, as was moving away from accommodating people in centres, a number of which are located in isolated settings with limited transport links to local towns.

With asylum seekers in Ireland already benefiting from significant improved rights to work (especially compared with many of our EU counterparts), the new system promises to significantly improve living conditions for asylum seekers and promote positive links with their communities  this can only benefit Irish society in the long term.

However, issues with direct provision are not, and never were, solely related to the accommodation system. Long periods waiting for decisions on applications have historically hampered the ability of people to integrate into their communities once theyve received refugee status.

Currently, most asylum seekers can expect to wait at least a year and a half for a decision on their application, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic. In 2020, the median processing time for international protection applications by the International Protection Office (IPO) was 17.6 months.

The median processing time for all international protection appeals by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) was nine months.

In its 2021-2023 Statement of Strategy, the Department of Justice said it was committed to eliminating backlogs in all immigration application types.

The details have yet to be provided on how this will be achieved, but it is important that the Government is looking into this now.

Fair and efficient procedures will be critical to the success of any new system. They benefit refugees by ensuring swift access to safety and reducing uncertainty. But they also benefit governments by reducing procedural costs while respecting human rights principles, decreasing the overall demands on the reception system.

In addition to processing times, outcomes at the end of the process also have a significant impact on the system. Currently over 1,000 people granted permission to live in Ireland remain in accommodation centres in need of housing in the community.

While official homeless statistics show a 16pc decline last year, no equivalent drop was seen for those living in the direct provision system with status.

Read More

This is despite an annual drop in the number of new asylum applications of 67pc to 1,566, the lowest number of new applicants observed since 2014.

The simple truth is that unless national housing policy is capable of generating sufficient numbers of suitable housing units to meet the needs both of refugees and the local community, then this is always likely to give rise to local tensions and put increasing pressure on the accommodation system for asylum applicants.

Equally, fair and fast asylum procedures go hand in hand with safe returns for those not deemed to be in need of protection. It is important to the credibility of the entire asylum system that those who are found not to be in need of international protection can be returned promptly to their country of origin in safety and with dignity.

Whatever the ambitions of the white paper, it is safe to say that direct provision centres will be relied upon to accommodate people for some time yet. The current system has been over-capacity since 2018 and, as a result, has relied upon emergency accommodation, temporary centres, hotels and B&Bs, to accommodate significant numbers of asylum applicants.

Over 1,000 people remain in such settings where access to appropriate services can be challenging.

Furthermore, the standard of accommodation provided can vary significantly from centre to centre. The Government has a long-standing commitment to applying National Standards, published in 2019, to centres.

There has also been a commitment to establishing an independent system of inspections, with engagement ongoing with Hiqa on taking up this role. In order to ensure that Ireland meets its legal commitments to those in the system during the transition period, emergency accommodation must be phased out as soon as possible and appropriate accommodation standards maintained.

Its fair to say that expectations in the sector have never been higher, but equally, there is concern around the practicalities of implementing such ambitions and the risks of transitioning to a radically different system.

Following years of policy makers over-promising and under-delivering, implementation plans will be scrutinised closely, and significant progress will need to be demonstrated over the coming months and years in order to instil trust in the process.

Despite all the challenges however, this is a unique opportunity, built upon a significant commitment in the Programme for Government.

If this moment is seized, there is no reason why we cant build a system that protects the rights and dignity of those who seek refuge here while promoting more cohesive and socially engaged communities in the process.

On the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Refugee Convention, that would be a lasting legacy that Ireland could be proud of.

Enda ONeill, Head of Office, UNHCR
Founder of Kakao Kim Beom-su gives a speech to students at Hanyang University in Seoul in October 2020. Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



Naver and Kakao are the country's two largest internet firms that young people dream of working at. However, contrary to what outsiders think, workers there have a lot of complaints.



According to Blind, an anonymous mobile message board used by office workers, Naver set unfair standards on giving out "performance-based bonuses" to its employees, and most of the bonus pay went to senior executives.



Meanwhile, a Kakao worker posted a message implying they would commit suicide after allegedly being bullied at work. Other Kakao workers there said on condition of anonymity that there is a problem with the personal appraisal system at Kakao and it may have forced this worker into the corner.



This brought the founders of the two firms to hold online meetings with their workers to talk about ongoing issues on Thursday.



Naver employees expressed dissatisfaction about receiving the same amount of bonuses despite the company's sales and operating profit last year increasing by 21.8 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively, year-on-year. Naver's rival companies increasing bonuses and salaries for their employees also irritated Naver workers.





Naver founder Lee Hae-jin speaks about his future plan for entering the American and European markets at Naver's Data Center "Gak" in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in July 2020. Courtesy of Naver
Journey with us on an exciting, activity-filled trip to Sun City onboard The Blue Train. This trip has something for everyone, over two days of absolute luxury. It's a very unique way of experiencing The Lost City and all it offers...
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The United States has welcomed the joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control and other sectors, and called it a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia. At her daily news conference on February 25, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said that the Biden administration remains closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region, including those in Pakistan.

Psaki said, "The United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of a ceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25th." "This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress," she added.

READ | After DGMO-level Talks, MEA Says 'position Unchanged' On Further Talks With Pakistan

UN Chief welcomes India-Pak pact

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had also welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and hoped that the "positive step" would "provide an opportunity for further dialogue between the two countries.

Secretary General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "The UN Chief is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through the established mechanism. He hopes that this positive step would provide an opportunity for further dialogue."

READ | Mehbooba Mufti Responds As India & Pakistan Issue Joint Statement; Claims Vindication

A joint statement issued by India & Pakistan

On February 25, India and Pakistan have released a joint statement saying that they have held discussions regarding establishing a mechanism for hotline contact among the countries.

"The Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact. The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank, and cordial atmosphere. In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each others core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence. Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings, and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021. Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilized to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding."

Moments prior to the joint statement, Republic Media Network had exclusively accessed locations of five Pakistan terror launchpads near the Line of Control (LoC). These launchpads in the neighboring country are as near as 12 minutes away from the LoC and belong to terror outfit Al-Badr. This once again exposes Pakistan's tactics of sneaking in terrorists into the Indian territory to disrupt the peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

READ | India & Pakistan Issue Joint Statement As DGMOs Speak; Situation Along LoC Reviewed

READ | UK Govt Confirms PM Boris Misheard India Question; Confused Farmer Protest With India-Pak
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I was raised in Servilleta, a small mountain community in Northern New Mexico. I graduated from Mesa Vista High School in 2010. After being in the workforce, I returned to school and am pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts at the University of New Mexicos branch campus in Los Alamos. I currently live on the outskirts of Espanola with my wife, Sarah, and our 9-month-old daughter, Arielle.

My whole life I dreamed of pursuing a college education and becoming the first person in my family to attain a degree. Becoming a first-time father made me want this even more. Like most New Mexicans, I dream of providing my daughter with a future where she will have every opportunity to be successful and happy. Even though she doesnt know it yet, I know that a degree will help me accomplish this for myself while opening more doors for her.

Pursuing a degree can be expensive, especially for working parents like myself, and the pandemic has made things even more difficult. Last year, I was faced with the tough decision of leaving my job to ensure the health and safety of my wife and daughter. My wife was eight months pregnant at the start of the pandemic, and my daughter was born with a congenital heart disease that required us to remain sheltered for the past nine months.

Fortunately for me, I was awarded the Opportunity Scholarship in the fall of 2020, which meant that I didnt have to choose between continuing my education and buying necessities for my newborn daughter. I am continuing my education by taking classes online while keeping my family safe. Without the Opportunity Scholarship, I would not have been able to pay for the additional expenses associated with college to complete my classes and provide for my family at the same time.

New Mexico has long ranked near the bottom nationally when it comes to education, partly because people cannot afford to pay for a college education. Supporting Senate Bill 135 to expand the Opportunity Scholarship by increasing funding by $26 million and expanding eligibility to part-time students creates financial aid pathways to college that didnt exist before. It includes part-time students and will help many more New Mexicans like myself, non-traditional students, who would not have been able to achieve the dream of a college education and are not eligible for most scholarships. This is especially important as our state looks to recover from the impact of COVID-19 now in 2021.

After completing my associate degree, I plan to earn a bachelors degree that helps me link my interests in business and linguistics. My goal is to one day open my own interpreting business to help people of different backgrounds break language barriers and achieve their own goals in life. As a recipient of the Opportunity Scholarship, I feel supported by the governor, other elected leaders, and the public, and I am proud to be a student helping our state climb up through the national ranks. By opening access to higher education, we can help New Mexicans today and inspire our youth to dream big and fulfill their potential.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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The remains of five-year-old Andikhusele Mhaga, her bother Alunamda, aged three, and 31-year-old Mzwamadoda Dwayi were found among the charred rubble after the shack they were sleeping in caught alight on Friday morning. The sibling's mother, Nolukholo Mhaga, and two other siblings managed to escape the blaze but have nowhere to sleep tonight. Photo: Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

A man and two siblings aged five and three died when the shack they were asleep in at Thabo Mbeki informal settlement in Crossroads caught alight.

The mother of the children said she only managed to save her two other children from the blaze.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

In a separate fire, 14 families are still battling to rebuild their homes that burnt down in Philippi on Tuesday.

A man and two children aged five and three died on Friday morning when a fire gutted their home in Thabo Mbeki informal settlement in Crossroads, Cape Town.

A distraught Nolukholo Mhaga, 35, told GroundUp that she was asleep with her four children and her friend Mzwamadoda Dwayi, 31, when the fire started outside the door of her shack.

She was awoken by the smoke and quickly grabbed her ten-month-old daughter and son aged seven, covered them with a blanket before jumping over the flames to get out of the shack.

"I asked my friend to do the same with my other two children. He kept on saying he is coming," she said. That was the last time she saw them alive. Mhaga said she had hoped they got out safely as the area became chaotic with neighbours who also came outside to help.

She said that it was only after firefighters had extinguished the fire that she realised that Dwayi, her daughter Andikhusele, aged five, and son Alunamda, aged three, had been trapped inside and died.

"Everything happened so fast I could not save anything from the house. We are only left with what we are wearing, no food, nothing. I don't even know where we are going to sleep today," she said. Mhaga is unemployed and has been relying on child support grants.

The City's Fire and Rescue Services in a statement said it received the emergency call at about 5:30am. The fire was extinguished after 6am and on searching the property the three bodies were found. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

In a separate incident earlier this week in Philippi's Zwelitsha informal settlement, 14 shacks were destroyed by a fire. Community leader Vuyo Mamba said the fire started during the day and residents suspect that someone left a stove unattended.

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With the City no longer assisting fire and flood victims with emergency building material, Mamba said people were struggling to rebuild their shacks.

Mamba said the 14 families are now living in a community pre-school while trying to rebuild their shacks using the burnt material. Those who rely on SASSA were waiting for their payout this weekend in order to buy some more material.

Bulelani Sodiki, whose shack was gutted, said their current living conditions are not healthy but that they have no choice. "This is an open hall. We are all living here with women and children. We can't even take a bath here; there's no privacy," he said.

Another victim Nomava Dywili lost everything including her children's school uniforms. She said, "My children are no longer going to school. I wish the City could assist us with material because most people here are unemployed, relying on child support grants."

As the Biden administration works to revive diplomacy with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrains Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Thursday discussed the role the region should play in negotiations over the nuclear agreement.

The importance of regional participation in any negotiations on the Iranian nuclear deal, provided that these negotiations include broader issues to consolidate regional security and stability, was stressed, according to a Bahraini readout of the call.

The Biden administration has pledged to consult with Israel, as well as with allies and partners in the Gulf, before making any moves to re-enter the landmark nuclear deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

President Joe Biden has said the United States will re-enter the Iranian nuclear agreement that the previous administration withdrew from, but only if Tehran resumes full compliance under the deal. The two sides are each insisting the other act first, with Irans government saying it will only reverse its many nuclear violations if the United States lifts sanctions.

Bahrains state news agency, BNA, reported that the crown prince stressed that any nuclear deal between Iran and world powers should include broader issues to consolidate regional security and stability.

The Biden administration has said that it would rejoin the nuclear agreement only as a starting point for follow-on negotiations aimed at crafting a longer and stronger deal. Biden officials have said they would address Irans ballistic missile program and proxy activity in a revised deal.

Bahrain followed the United Arab Emirates last year in recognizing Israel as part of the so-called Abraham Accords. The Trump administration-brokered normalization deal saw Israel holding off on annexing large portions of the West Bank in exchange for cooperation with the Gulf Arab countries on various issues, including tourism, direct flights and investment.

The Bahraini royal on Thursday reiterated his invitation for Netanyahu to visit Bahrain, and it was determined he would make the trip at the first opportunity that the morbidity will permit, according to a tweet from Netanyahus office.

Bahrain also expressed interest in manufacturing vaccines at a joint plant to be located in Israel, according to Netanyahus office.

Israel remains the world leader in per capita vaccinations, and Netanyahu has proposed supplying allied countries with surplus vaccines. The controversial plan had drawn criticism from the Palestinians who complain that Israel, as the occupying force, should first provide them with more vaccines.

On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced that Israel has suspended the regional vaccine initiative amid legal questions.

MIDDLETOWN  As we reach almost one year since COVID struck the United States, many continue to endure the financial burden that comes with it. Households already struggling to make ends meet have had their financial situation all too often go from bad to worse. Fortunately for many, one of Middlesex United Ways corporate sponsors, Eversource, has recognized the burden and finding new ways to help out.

Eversource is now offering customers struggling with paying their electric or heating bill programs to protect against shutoff. For qualifying gas or electric customers, service cannot be turned off between Nov. 1 and May 1. Their matching payment program will help customers reduce their past due balance with affordable monthly payments.

Once enrolled, Eversource will match your payments, plus the amount of energy assistance you receive on your account, down to a zero balance. For customers who receive public assistance benefits, your payments can be reduced to as low as $50. These charge no interest, require no down payment, and all customers qualify at least once for one or more of these plans.

The matching payment program allows you to maintain electric or gas heating service year-round and reduce your past-due Eversource account balance. The utility company will match your payment plus the amount of energy assistance you receive on your account. The MPP has two phases  allowing you to receive two separate matching payments on your account.

The first step to receiving your matching payments is to qualify by calling 800-286-2828 or visiting 211ct.org to find your local community action agency and applying for energy assistance. Qualifying customers will then receive energy assistance by May 1. People can enroll in Eversources program starting Nov. 1.

The New Start program for electric customers will help eliminate outstanding balance in as little as 12 months. Eversource will help establish a monthly budget payment for you based on your usage. By making your New Start monthly payment, a portion of your past-due balance will be eliminated or forgiven, reducing the amount you owe each month.

To be eligible for income-based assistance programs, your household income must be at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income. To find out if you are eligible, please contact Eversource at 800-286-2828.

These programs will directly help Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed residents in Connecticut, a target population of need for Middlesex United Way. ALICE residents are those with earnings above the Federal Poverty Level but below a basic cost of a living threshold, and most have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The pandemic has highlighted ALICEs vulnerability to hardship from both illness and economic stressors.

In Connecticut, 27 percent of households are ALICE. Despite working hard, these households live paycheck to paycheck, and frequently are unable to afford lifes most basic necessities, such as housing, food, child care, transportation, technology, and health care. When combined with those households living below the Federal Poverty Line (11 percent of households), at least 38 percent of Connecticut households (513,727) struggle to make ends meet.

Eversource is a Middlesex United Way corporate sponsor, and we are proud of the work they do to ensure their customers are assisted in these difficult times. Last year, to support nonprofits critical social services, Eversource donated more than $2 million through the Eversource Foundation to COVID-19 response efforts, including the Connecticut United Ways COVID-19 Response Fund.

Over 5,000 people received direct financial assistance for food, housing and other essentials through the fund. To learn more about our corporate sponsorship program, please contact Manny Martinez at manny.martinez@middlesexunitedway.org.

Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middletown-based Middlesex United Way.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, poses before members of the media in London on Aug. 27, 2020. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

UK Should Boycott Beijing Winter Olympics Over Uyghur Genocide: Liberal Democrats Leader

Britain should boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics because there is overwhelming evidence the Chinese regime is committing genocide against the Uyghur minority, the leader of the UKs Liberal Democrats has said.

The Liberal Democrats, like many other people, have seen the evidence coming out from Xinjiang in western China that the Chinese authorities are persecuting the Uyghurs who live there, Sir Ed Davey told NTD in an interview on Thursday.

Workers walk by the perimeter fence of what is officially known as a vocational skills education centre in Dabancheng in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, on Sept. 4, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Reuters/File Photo)

Were talking about forced labour camps. Were talking about systematic rape and sterilisation of women. Were talking about the separation of families.

I dont really think we can feed into what will be a propaganda exercise for the Chinese authorities when we know what is happening to literally millions of people in western China, he said.

At the Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons on Feb. 24, Davey asked Boris Johnson if he agrees that unless China ends this genocide, Britain and Team GB should boycott the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year.

Visitors to Chongli, one of the venues for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, pass by the Olympics logo in Chongli in Hebei Province, China, on Aug. 13, 2020. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

Johnson responded by saying that while Davey was absolutely right to highlight the appalling campaign against the Uyghurs, the UK is not normally in favour of sporting boycotts, and thats been the longstanding position of his government.

Davey told NTD he was very surprised because Johnsons stance was opposite to that of Margaret Thatcher, a former Conservative prime minister.

I remember Mrs. Thatcherwhen the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan illegallyshe was very much supportive of the idea of British athletes not going to the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980.

Davey said it would be a big mistake if the British prime minister fails to take action after the United States declared the abuse of Uyghurs a genocide and the Canadian parliament voted to support a boycott of the Winter Olympics.

Britain has taken some steps to address the human rights situation in Xinjiang, where the UN estimates that up to a million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims are incarcerated in re-education camps.

Last month, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced a series of measures to prevent British organisations from being complicit in rights violations against Uyghurs.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on Feb. 22, Raab condemned the Chinese regimes deteriorating human rights situation and urged Beijing to give the UN urgent and unfettered access to Xinjiang.

But Johnson has refused to call Beijings actions genocide. He told Parliament on Jan. 20 that the attribution of genocide is a judicial matter.

Last month, Johnsons government instructed lawmakers from the ruling Conservative Party to vote down the so-called genocide amendment to the Trade Bill, which would have given UK courts power to revoke trade deals with countries responsible for genocides.

Davey said the Conservative government wont be taken seriously or credibly on human rights if it fails to address the issue.

We all know China is a huge country, very powerful. But thats when the test matters. If you cant stand up to a powerful country, then youre basically saying they can get away with anything and that is abhorrent.

He said he believes Britain has not just a moral but also a legal obligation to act, because it had signed up to international human rights obligations and the UN Convention on Genocide.

The Lib Dem leader said the stain caused by Britains participation in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games should not be repeated.

The British Olympics team went to that 1936 Olympics and they actually did the Nazi salute. And thats always been a stain, given what the Nazis were doing then and then did subsequently to the Jewish people.

This is a moment that we in Britain and around the world have to stand up and have to say that we know whats going on and we will do everything in our power to stop it.

Reporting by Neil Woodrow of NTD. Lily Zhou and Cathy He contributed to this report.
Spain's Ministry of Health has announced that people under the age of 55 who have recovered from the coronavirus will only receive one dose of a vaccine six months after infection.

The new policy was revealed in the fourth update of the national strategy, agreed by the Public Health Commission and made public this Friday (26 Ferbuary) by the Ministry of Health.

The plan maintains the age criteria for immunisations and establishes four new groups for when there are sufficient doses of the vaccines.

The next group to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines will be people between 70 and 79 years old; then those from 60 to 69. After that it will be those under 60 years of age with high-risk conditions, and then those between 56 and 59 years of age.

The strategy also specifies that once the AstraZeneca vaccines have been administered to the essential worker groups (police, firefighters or teachers) they will be administered to people aged between 45 and 55. Spain has vetoed the use of the AstraZeneca formula to anyone over the age of 55.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament (MP) Claudius Toontje Buncamper, faction leader of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) in parliament, expressed his disappointment with the dearth of answers provided by the minister of TEATT during Wednesdays Central Committee meeting of parliament, to his questions posed during the adjourned meeting of Monday, February 15th. The lack of response to the questions asked was justified by the minister and the airports management as due to confidentiality, which frustrated a number of Members of Parliament, including MP Buncamper.

Wednesdays meeting did not yield the long-awaited information regarding the airports terminal reconstruction project and the operational projections for 2021. Instead, many of the questions posed remained unanswered or were answered in a wishy-washy manner. The meeting was subsequently adjourned until a later date when the minister and the airport management will return to parliament to provide the answers to the questions posed by the members of parliament.

MP Buncamper questions the role of the State of the Netherlands in regards to the management of the airport. On January 31 the Director for Kingdom Relations/Countries on behalf of the State of the Netherlands, State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations, sent a letter to the airports CEO, Brian Mingo, stating: I write to you to express our intention to continue the cooperation between PJIAH, PJIAE, Schiphol and the State of the Netherlands. The letter concluded: I hereby call on all parties for a meeting to discuss the renewal of the cooperation agreement. Copies of the letter were sent to PJIAH, Schiphol Nederland B.V., and the Council of Ministers. The letter with the subject Cooperation Agreement relating to the reconstruction of PJIA on Sint Maarten does not mention the date, time, and place of the meeting. It is not known if the meeting already took place or when it will. The managing of the airport seems to be to a great extent in the hands of the Dutch, stated MP Buncamper, and wants to know who the State Secretary is reporting to.
New legislation rewriting civil rights laws to ban discrimination based on "sexual orientation and gender identity" has now been passed after a divisive vote in the House.

H.R. 5, more commonly known as the Equality Act, has been passed by the House, thereby prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. This new legislation would, in effect, "eliminate the legal definition of biological sex, cater to gender ideology, and designate protection for the unborn as 'pregnancy' discrimination," Breitbart reported.

The Biden Equality Act was passed by the House with a vote of 224-206, which included three Republicans who joined Democrats in voting for the controversial new bill, FOX News reported. Representatives John Katko, Tom Reed, and Brian Fitzpatrick were the only Republicans who voted yes in Thursday's decision. They were also among the eight Republicans who joined the Democrats in voting for the Equality Act when it first passed the House in 2019.

The Biden Equality Act was shockingly successful in rewriting the 1964 Civil Rights Act law to add sexual orientation and gender identity in its protections. Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, who voted against the new bill, said it was "not about giving rights" and instead "about taking away rights."

Rep. Gohmert explained that the Biden Equality Act "is saying that part of the First Amendment that states, 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;' that's gotta go!"

During a Freedom Caucus press conference on Thursday, the Republican representative read from page 25 of the Biden Equality Act, which said "The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 shall not provide a claim concerning, or a defense to a claim under, a covered title, or provide a basis for challenging the application or enforcement of a covered title."

Rep. Gohmert explained that the controversial Biden Equality Act is really a violation of the First Amendment. Republican Rep. Andy Biggs, who CNN reported is the most conservative caucus in the House, blasted the Biden Equality Act as it "attacks religious freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of association" that are all recognized rights in the First Amendment.

Moreover, the bill that is "about taking away rights" is troublesome for women, who will be forced to share public spaces with biologically male born individuals. Transgender women, born male, will be allowed to participate in women's sports, enter exclusive schools for girls and women, share women's bathrooms, locker rooms, and other spaces, and more.

Rep. Biggs said that the Biden Equality Act, instead of making people appear equal under the law, in fact "denies the biological facts that men and women are the two genders.

Democratic Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, who is gay and is the co-sponsor of the controversial Biden Equality Act, celebrated the victory of the Biden Equality Act, personally thanked Biden during a speech on Thursday, saying, "We are really excited to have the incredible support of President Biden and his commitment to make the Equality Act the law of the land."

Ethnic minority Britons may only face a higher risk of dying of Covid because they're more likely to catch it, not because of genetic differences, according to an official report.

A review by Number 10's Race Disparity Unit compared death rates between white people and ethnic minorities and found the gap had narrowed in the second wave.

It suggested that higher rates of death among black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) groups was 'largely a result of higher infection rates for some ethnic groups'.

The risk of death had declined among black people to make it comparable to white people in the second wave, the report said, although it remained higher among Bangladeshi and Pakistani people.

Because of this the review said: 'Ethnic minorities should not be considered a single group that faces similar risk factors in relation to Covid.'

The finding may offer a clue to why officials have decided against prioritising minority groups over white people for vaccines.

Today's RDU report compared data on ethnicity and Covid outcomes between the first and second wave of the pandemic up to late December. It found that outcomes improved for ethnic minorities as a whole during that time

It ruled 'ethnic minorities should not be considered a single group that faces similar risk factors in relation to Covid'

Surveys throughout the pandemic in Britain had found black, Asian and ethnic minorities (BAME) have been dying to the disease at a disproportionate rate, but the reasons have never been totally clear.

The report published today found inequalities were driven by risk of infection, 'as opposed to ethnicity itself being a risk factor for severe illness or death'.

It said that a range of social, financial and geographical factors were to blame for more BAME Brits getting infected per population than whites.

Ethnic minority communities are statistically more likely to be poorer, to live in inner cities and to have health problems than white people, research has found.

Living in densely populated areas, staying in overcrowded and multi-generational homes and working public-facing jobs were cited as risk factors for getting infected with coronavirus.

Most of the increased risk factors can be linked back to high levels of deprivation in BAME communities, the report found.

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch, who heads the disparity unit, said the findings should not take away from the fact BAME Brits are 'still particularly vulnerable' to Covid.

She said: 'Our response will continue to be driven by the latest evidence and data and targeted at those who are most at risk.

'There is light at the end of the tunnel, and as the vaccine rollout continues, I urge everyone who is offered one to take the opportunity, to protect themselves, their family, and their community.'

The RDU report was commissioned by the Prime Minister and Health Secretary last June to delve deeper into why BAME groups were being disproportionately affected by the virus.

The first report was published last October and it is being updated quarterly as new evidence surrounding race and Covid emerges.

Today's edition compared data on ethnicity and Covid outcomes between the first and second wave of the pandemic up to late December. It found that outcomes improved for ethnic minorities as a whole during that time.

Almost HALF of 'at risk' ethnic minoritiy residents of Birmingham have NOT had Covid vaccine yet The alarming extent of the low uptake of the Covid vaccine among ethnic minorities in Britains second city can be revealed today. More than one third of residents of Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent in Birmingham most at risk of dying if they catch the virus  those over 70 and the extremely vulnerable  have not yet had their first dose of the jab, according to a study by Birmingham City Council. The figures are even worse for Birminghams black population: 47 per cent of black African and 41 per cent of black Caribbean people in the top priority vaccine groups have yet to be inoculated. In stark contrast, just 9 per cent of the most vulnerable who identify as white British or mixed British in the city have not received their first shot. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the worrying gulf in vaccination rates in Birmingham is mirrored in other areas with large ethnic minority populations and is threatening to derail attempts to ease lockdown restrictions. An analysis of NHS data by this newspaper reveals that 22 per cent of Englands white population had received their first dose of vaccine by last weekend, compared to 16 per cent of the Asian population and 11.5 per cent of the black population. Health officials fear Covid would once again rip through inner cities if restrictions are eased while large numbers of vulnerable people remain unprotected. Death rates during the pandemic have already been highest among black and Asian ethnic groups. Conspiracy theories and misplaced safety fears fuelled by fake news and a mistrust of the Government are among the reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Advertisement

For example black African people were 4.5 times more likely to die from Covid than whites in the first wave, but by December the risk was the same.

The RDU said there were similar risk reductions in all ethnic groups except in Pakistani and Bangladeshi people, where it increased.

Work is underway to understand why the risk remains in these groups, although the report suggested higher infection rates in places with large South Asian populations during the second wave had driven up the death rate.

The RDU said the same regional differences between waves of the epidemic were likely behind some of the reduced risk in other ethnic groups.

But the report added that better communication from Government about the threat of Covid likely encouraged BAME Brits to take more Covid precautions.

The document reads: 'The disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities  apparent during the first wave and continuing for some ethnic groups during the second wave to date  is largely a result of higher infection rates for some ethnic groups.

'Ethnicity itself is not a risk factor for infection but people from ethnic minority groups are more likely to experience various risk factors for infection.'

It added: 'The data also shows that deprivation continues to be a major driver of the disparities in Covid-19 infection rates for all ethnic groups and this will be a particular focus of government work in the third quarter.'

Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, said: 'This report is another important step in shaping our understanding of the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has on certain communities, and the drivers behind this.

'It is vital that we recognise the breadth of diversity within the UK and the multitude of different risk variables. Different groups have experienced different outcomes during both waves of the virus for a variety of reasons.

'As we leave lockdown we must ensure that we continue with a supportive, sensitive, evidenced and data-driven approach, working in partnership with communities.'

The report said 'media narratives' and 'misinformation' were behind vaccine hesitancy in BAME groups.

Latest official estimates show that approximately 60 per cent of black people over 70 have been vaccinated compared to 75 per cent for South Asians and 90 per cent of white people.

The RDU outlined the Government's advertising blitz to tackle vaccine hesitancy, which will include working with more than 50 ethnic minority TV channels and radio stations that broadcast in 13 different languages.

More than 90 faith, healthcare provider networks, influencers and experts from a range of communities have also been recruited to hold Q&As to address people's concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine.

Officials are also working with the BBC World Service to produce videos on key questions from South Asian groups in Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Gujarati, and Sylheti.

Dr Krishnan Bhaskaran, Professor of Statistical Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who was involved in the report, said: 'This report brings together a range of work being done to monitor and tackle ethnic disparities that have emerged during the pandemic, and outlines important progress made to date.

'In the coming months it will be vital to continue and extend this work to address continuing raised risks of poor COVID-19 outcomes in some ethnic minority groups, and emerging evidence of ethnic differences in vaccine uptake.'

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Channel Seven star Andrew O'Keefe is out of rehab and has declared 'all is well' after 'experimenting with mental health drugs' during his stay in the facility.

The axed host of The Chase broke his silence to Daily Mail Australia on Friday as he seeks to have charges he assaulted his doctor girlfriend Orly Lavee dismissed on mental health grounds.

O'Keefe was taken to Sydney's Prince of Wales hospital as an involuntary in-patient in the hours after he allegedly assaulted his haemotologist lover on January 30.

Pictured for the first time since emerging from his stint in rehab, the TV personality sat outside his home and puffed on a cigarette - before admitting he was feeling better for having undergone treatment.

Scroll down for video

Channel Seven star Andrew O'Keefe (pictured) is out of rehab and has declared 'all is well' after 'experimenting with mental health drugs' during his stay in the facility

O'Keefe smokes a cigarette this week after returning to his home in Paddington following his stint at the Sydney Clinic Rehabilitation Facility

The ex-host of The Chase broke his silence to Daily Mail Australia on Friday more than a month on from his alleged assault on girlfriend Orly Lavee

'I decided to do some time just to bed things down,' a calm sounding O'Keefe said.

'I had some experimentation with the mental health drugs, the regimen, and all is well.

'I spent some time in the Sydney Clinic (in the Eastern beaches) and all is well.'

The Sydney Clinic has previously hosted a who's who of celebrities including Olympian Grant Hackett and footy player Greg Inglis.

O'Keefe said he may make a statement on the matter involving Dr Lavee following the conclusion of his case in April.

The Deal or No Deal star will seek to have the assault charge dealt with under mental health provisions rather than criminal law.

Police allege O'Keefe assaulted Dr Lavee at her Randwick apartment between 11pm and 11.30pm.

He was arrested in a nearby street about 3.30am and charged at 9.41am at Maroubra police station.

The 49-year-old and his wife Eleanor divorced in 2019 and he made headlines that year for swatting a photographer away with a folder.

O'Keefe is seeking to have a charge that he assaulted his doctor girlfriend (he is pictured with Dr Lavee) dealt with under mental health provisions rather than criminal law

Police allege O'Keefe assaulted Dr Lavee (pictured on February 1) at her Randwick apartment between 11pm and 11.30pm. He was arrested in a nearby street about 3.30am and charged at 9.41am at Maroubra police station

But he found a new lover in Dr Lavee and at one point said he was in a 'good place'.

Seven confirmed that his The Chase contract wasn't renewed at the end of last year and O'Keefe is 'no longer with the network'.

O'Keefe is the son of the late Supreme Court Justice and former commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Barry O'Keefe and nephew of rock star Johnny O'Keefe.

Mr Greiner, Liberal premier from 1988 to 1992, was among the mourners at Justice O'Keefe's 2014 funeral.

O'Keefe will return to court in April.
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